My Clarisonic Mia 2: Update 2+ years later

I have had my Clarisonic Mia 2 for nearly 3 years! Wow, times flies!  I just wanted to update you what happened when my Mia 2 died and some other things...

Let me start off by stating that every Clarisonic item comes with a two year warranty. When I purchased my Mia 2 it came with a serial number on it (see other post about my Clarisonic saga) and I registered it. I'm so glad I did because within the first two years of owning it, it stopped working. Well sorta. It started doing the weirdest things. It wouldn't turn off. I had to wait until it ran itself dead. Then I would charge it and it wouldn't turn on. This was an annoying cycle that proceeded for a few days. Then it died. For good. Frustrated and internally freaking out (because I was addicted to my Mia 2). I emailed Clarisonic customer service. They asked how much I used it and how often I charged it. How this was really relevant to my dead Mia 2? Still not sure... Anywho, they sent me a pre-paid shipping label to send it back to them.So off  my beloved Mia 2 went off into the mail. A few weeks later I got it back.. I was SO thrilled to get it back. I opened the box and was surprised to see that that my Clarisonic Mia 2 wasn't in the box. Rather a plain white Mia 2 was in its place. If you don't know why this kind of bummed me out, then see my previous Clarisonic post. My original Mia 2 was pretty cute. Also, they threw in a free sensitive brush head. :)

So now its been at least a year later. My plain white Clarisonic works just fine and I'm still addicted to it. I have noticed that it doesn't stay charged as long as my original Mia 2. But it's not a make-or-break deal.

I got one for my fiance and its made a HUGE difference for his skin. I have solely been buying the cashmere brush heads, specifically the contour one. It gets into every nook and cranny around my nose. I love it. I used it everyday with the Philosophy Purity cleanser with a little Neutrogena oil free acne cleanser. I do not have acne anymore. I am always on the hunt for the right facial cleanser. The Purity cleanser is good, but I'm always up for trying new skincare. 

So please leave your suggestions for what cleansers you use with your Clarisonic! 

How I (easily) make money!

I have been a frugal person my whole life. I've been on my own since a young age and have had to scrap and save. Supporting myself through college was hard, but I found a few ways to help provide some extra income. Couponing has been life-changing, but there are more ways to help fatten your bank account.

• Pinecone Research (Survey) I have been a member of Pinecone research for a few years and have made at least over $150 when taking some surveys in my free time. I signed up and qualified (some people are not part of the audience they're looking for, so not everyone gets accepted). Every survey you're invited to take means you automatically qualify for, so you don't waste your time. Every survey ending in the digits -1001 you complete is 300 points or $3.00 in your pocket. You can trade in these points towards merchandise from brands like Tiffany and Co. or Fossil. I prefer to cash them out for money directly into my Paypal account. Also, there is no minimum to cash-out. Surveys ending in -3001 do not result in a reward payout, but does present the opportunity to test products, Same with the surveys ending in -1001. I have been sent numerous products before they hit the shelves to test and a week later I take a brief survey and get paid about 900 points ($9) and get to keep the product. It is a legitimate and easy to do while watching t.v. or killing time.
• E-Rewards (Survey Website & App) E-rewards is another good survey website. Unlike Pinecone research, you do not qualify for every survey you are sent. Survey payout is done in e-rewards currency. Each dollar in e-rewards currency is equal to about 33 cents in real world currency. So it can take awhile to accumulate enough money to cash-out for a reward. The cash-out rewards are gift cards for various stores from Starbucks to Macy's. It can take awhile to get to cash-in for a reward but it definitely adds up. This website is by invite only. I ordered pizza and afterwards I received an email inviting me to E-rewards. Same for my significant other. We both take surveys in our free time and cash out for gift cards. It requires some patience, but is worth it. They also have an app for a chance at extra surveys.                                          

• Ebates (Website) This website is awesome! In the first month of signing-up, if you spend $25 in online purchases you get a $10 from a list of retailers. How it works: Before shopping through an online retailer you go to Ebates.com first (after singing in) and then to the retailer's website from there. That's it! You get a percent back on your purchases. 

                                 

The percent back varies from retailer to retailer, but it certainly adds up. 

So far I have earned quite a bit for just doing one small, extra step.

 During holidays they will have as much as 10% cash back. It's great for holiday online shopping. Once you hit $5 in cash back you can have it sent via check to you, deposited into your Paypal account, or turned into gift cards. I prefer the check!

Here's a referral link to get started: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=LBNqV0PPCHrrKFh2gQ4fjw%3D%3D&eeid=28187 

I installed the Ebates extension into my toolbar (I use Chrome). 

It will notify you when the website you on currently on qualifies for cashback by popping out a small screen.

• Cartwheel (Target Mobile App) If you love Target like me then you have install this app on your smartphone ASAP. It's a great app that allows for even more savings. The app has coupons that are usually percentages off specified items. These discounts can usually stacked along with manufacturer coupons and Redcard 5% off. The app is available on Apple and Android smartphones. You can search for the item's discount by the search bar or scanning the barcode in the app. If there was an applicable coupon it will pop up. You can then clip it. You start with a limited amount of coupon slots and can earn more by saving certain amounts (i.e. $50, $100, etc). So far I've save over $300 since testing the beta about two years ago. 

                                        

• Mperks (Meijer Mobile App) This app is a must for those who shop at Meijers. It is very similar to the Cartwheel app. There are really good deals and sometimes free item coupons with this app. Also, there are rewards you can earn. For example, if you spend $35 in about a month in dairy products, you will receive a certain amount off your next purchase. It adds up and helps find some really good deals. You enter you phone number and a pin number (you choose) at checkout to link your mperks account.
     

• Retailmenot (Mobile app & website) This app is a must-have! I never have paper coupons for stores like Bath and Body Works. This app is a large search engine for retailer specific coupons. It's also a website that is a necessity for online shopping. 

                                    

Shopkick (Mobile App) This app is very different from the others. You open the app and search a specific store in the app. Once you bring that store up, you walk into the store and it registers that just walked into the store. You do this over and and over to collect points. The points can be redeemed for giftcards and sometimes certain products.
                    


Ibotta (Mobile App) After purchasing items from certain stores, you find that store in the app and see what items are eligible for credit. If you bought an item listed in the app from a redeemable store then you will scan the item's barcode and then scan the receipt via the app. Within 24 hours they will certified the item and give you cash back. Usually it's 10-25 cents, but it adds up. The money can be cashed-out for Paypal money or giftcards.
                                              

These apps and websites have saved/ earned me hundreds (dare I say at least a thousand) dollars. Following couponing websites (i.e. Krazy Coupon Lady) and couponing FB pages and Instagram account are awesome too! Hope this helps! 

Please let me know what websites/apps you utilize to save $$$.

The perfect grad gifts (for high school and college grads)

It's already coming up on graduation season. Times flies! For anyone trying to buy the perfect gift that's useful past graduation it can be overwhelming. I'll give you my two-cents for the best gift for the grad in your life.

**Let me start off by saying you know the recipient better than me so keep that in mind. I'm providing a guide, not a list of rules. Get creative to celebrate this joyous accomplishment.
My first suggestion isn't what to buy, but rather what not to buy. I would suggest skipping over anything with the graduation year on it (i.e. a 2016 picture frame or key chain). It will be awesome for about a week, but with time it will not have the same appeal. When I graduated high school everything with my grad year was the best. When I started college it was kind of embarrassing. I feel like grad year gifts aren't really common for college grads. Needless to say, I would just altogether skip anything with a grad year and try to give something with a practicality that will last for years after receiving their diploma.

• My first grad pick is for both college and especially high school grads- an Erin Condren Lifeplanner. These planners are amazing! If I would have owned one in college I would have been way more organized. They have 3 different layout options to choose from, multiple accessories, and are completely customized to you liking. If you go through this referral link and make an account you will receive $10 off your first EC purchase! 

https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/kristenkoch0922

• My second grad pick is an 'adult' watch. Whether graduating high school or college, a mature, stylish watch is a great way to enter the workforce. I am partial to Fossil brand watches due to the affordability and the great 11 year warranty. (Why 11 years?...Such an odd number for a warranty. No pun intended.) Fun fact: Fossil makes Micheal Kors' watches so it's the same quality and more budget friendly. My best tip to figuring out what metal the grad might like is to see what jewelry they wear (easier with girls) or simply ask their parents. You can go directly through the Fossil website ( https://www.fossil.com/us/en.html )or I like shopping Macys'.com (http://www1.macys.com/shop/jewelry-watches/fossil-watches?id=57369&edge=hybrid&cm_sp=us_hdr-_-watches-_-57369_fossil_COL2) because they tend to have more sales.

• Computers are a must-have for school and jobs. Everyone expects you have a computer. A nice laptop is a necessity for a college student. It's a gift they can use throughout their college career and beyond. The price of laptops have significantly dropped since I started college. 

• Bags make great practical gifts that show their personality. For h.s. grads entering college and college grads continuing their education, the right bag can make a big difference. I preferred a backpack during my early college years and a large tote for my lighter days. For a backpack, I would prefer a L.L. Bean backpack. I had one for years and the quality is superb. They have free shipping and helpful customer service. They do offer monogramming for a small fee and include solid colors and fun prints. I would recommend the Deluxe back pack and the roomy deluxe plus back pack. These do not have laptop sleeves built-in the bags, but L.L. Bean do offer some with a sleeve.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62852?feat=816-CL1&page=l-l-bean-deluxe-book-pack&attrValue_0=Dahlia%20Purple

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/83531?feat=816-CL1&page=super-deluxe-book-pack

Here's the link to these and other back packs. http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/506219?page=school-backpacks&nav=3a-816      Another good back pack option for the special girl grad are Vera Bradley back packs. They offer those in different patterns, solid colors, and different styles. Vera Bradley bags come with a 6 month warranty. The campus back pack and the lighten up grande back pack are going to be my top choices. The price point is a little more expensive than L.L. Bean back packs, but there is more of a stylish element and more opportunities to include matching accessories. 

http://www.verabradley.com/product/campus-backpack/blush-pink/1004224_204406.uts?Nr=AND%28Content+Type%3Aproduct%29&Ntt=Campus+Backpack

http://www.verabradley.com/product/lighten-up-grande-backpack/paisley-in-paradise/1003811_204776.uts?N=30005

Some other  good ideas...

•  Throw in with any gift a Vera Bradley Zip ID and lanyard ( http://www.verabradley.com/category/back-to-school/ids-and-lanyards.uts ). Both are fairly inexpensive and are sold separately. These are popular with campus dwelling go-eds. They are perfect for holding the necessary cards, student ID, and keys. 

• Lastly my favorite suggestion for the graduating gal are Alex and Ani bracelets ( http://www.alexandani.com/ ). Each bracelet has meaning which makes them ideal for gift-giving. The price point is mostly at $28 each. They are great for stacking and our popular with all ages. I will have multiple posts about this awesome American brand in the future so stay tuned. 

When in doubt cash and gift cards are easy gifts. Gift cards to the stores closest to where they will be living are good. *Throw in the gift card or cash into the zip ID I mentioned earlier.

Hope this helps guide you to a better gift giving experience for everyone! 

If  you have an suggestions for the perfect grad gift or your worst gift please let us know below!

Target Beauty Box Summer 2015

I just got my Target Beauty box Summer 2015 in the mail. I am so excited. I missed the last box and was kicking myself, because it's such a good deal. This box was a little more money than previous Target Beauty boxes- $7 versus $5.

If you are not familiar with the Target Beauty box it is an affordable small box of glamor goodies that Target sells exclusively on Target.com. It includes anything from skincare, haircare, and of course cosmetics.The Beauty Box is usually sold on a quarterly basis until they run out. Every box has free shipping. If you have a Redcard like me it will also take the 5% off too! Lately, they have been offering other boxes at the same time but with different themes. For example, there is a 'Father's Day' edition box also being offered. It's only $5 and is a great deal for any man. As of now this box is still available!

http://www.target.com/p/target-beauty-box-father-s-day-15-value/-/A-17366778#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=target+beauty+box

Unfortunately, the Target Beauty Box is no longer available but I will link it anyways just so you get a better idea of it.

 http://www.target.com/p/target-beauty-box-summer-40-value/-/A-17366779#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=target+beauty+box

Now onto the box!

                     

               


The box was pretty good quality to the point I found myself questioning "Should I throw it away? It's so nice." It rivaled the quality of Birchbox's packaging. It came with the products wrapped in simple and classy red tissue paper and a card stating 'Hello Beautiful'. Why, thank you . On the back of this card lists everything you have received and how to apply it. There was also a $3 off $15 beauty purchase at Target.


My box included:

• One full size bottle of Sinful Colors nail polish in 'Thimbleberry' In the pictures it comes off more muted, but in-person it's a bright coral/red/pink color. This would look great on someone with a tan or a darker complexion. On me (I'm fair skinned) it is not flattering. I wish I would've received the blue color that others had gotten in their box instead. This bottle is roughly $2 at Target.

Revlon HD lipstick in 'Gladiolus '. My thoughts about this lipstick are similar to the nail polish. Target would've been better to send a more classic or wearable shade for all skin shades.  It didn't have the feel of a normal lipstick which was nice, but application was almost, dare I say, streaky. It doesn't go on opaque the first time. Even when you apply a few times and it appears to be even that doesn't last. Simply pressing my lips together made it patchy again. I wonder if a more neutral shade would wear better. This is a full size and retails for $8 at Target. 

• Cutex Advanced Revival Nail Polish Remover Pads (3 ct) which is not full sized. They claim each pad can clean nails both hands. I haven't tried these yet. I have tried this formula in liquid form and really liked it. It was much more gentle on my nails than traditional nail polish remover.

0.5 fl oz Olay Regenerist Luminous Dark Circle Correcting Hydraswirl Eye cream. I'm excited for this product because I have such bad dark under eye circles (It's genetic). The good size sample comes with a convenient pump that really lets you control how much product is dispensed. A little of this product goes a long way. I just started using this and hope to see results, but I am so impatient! 

• Last but not least is my favorite product I've received in the box-Fekkai Soleil Professional Haircare St. Barth's beach waves tousling spray. Once again, a little goes a long way. I spray into my damp hair and blow dry. I do not get much tousling action, but it makes my hair so soft and shiney! I have had good experience with Fekkai products. 

Final thoughts...

Overall, I would recommend this box for future re-purchase! You get the $7 back and plus some. I wonder if Target will offer future boxes for $5 or $7? Either way it's worth your money. I would LOVE for Target to offer the Beauty Box as monthly subscription box (This would be on of the cheapest on the market besides Walmart's quarterly subscription which is glorified samples). It would definitely give Birchbox and Ipsy a run for their money!

Do you agree? 

What was your favorite product?

Battling back acne? I got your back

With warmer weather comes sweating and for some back acne (aka: bacne). I have dealt with my share of bacne, especially during my teen years and early 20's. I was incredibly nervous to wear my prom dress senior year of high school because of the dreaded bacne. Back breakouts can be embarrassing and painful. Anyone had a breakout around the bra straps? Ouch :(

It's a problem for both genders face. One of my guy friends disclosed he was too embarrassed to remove his shirt at the pool because of his back acne. Someone who is usually so confident was crushed. I felt bad for him and I told him my trick to controlling and eventually getting rid of bacne. It is easy and pretty affordable and only adds a few seconds to your showering routine.

What you need:

-A back brush. You can find these about anywhere. I've tried some from the dollar store and they were too flimsy. Target and Walmart have a good selection. Walmart is where I buy mine since they are firm enough and are cheaper than Target's selection.  

-A scrub of some sort. I would recommend a mild-to-moderate grit scrub. Nothing that leaves you back in pain. I use an apricot scrub, which is cheap and easy to find at just about any store. St. Ives makes good scrubs. I am fond of Walmart's brand, Equate, apricot scrub. It's comparable to St. Ives and only cost $2.00! 

How to banish bacne:

• After washing your hair let the water hit your back for a few seconds.
• Squirt enough scrub to cover the back brush head. Sometimes it helps to pat into the brush so it doesn't just fall off in the shower. 
• Now scrub your back! Pretty simple, eh?
• Thoroughly rinse your back off.

If possible I would do the following every night before going to bed if you have been outside and active or every other night. This way you aren't going to bed all sweaty and sleeping in the day's filth. For the ladies out there, try to make sure you are washing/changing your bras often. 

Well I hope this quick tip helps people battle back acne and regain confidence to wear a tank top or go the pool :)

My Clarisonic Mia 2 Saga: Where to get one and for cheap!

My Mia 2 Saga

Clarisonic devices have been deemed as a must-have in the beauty world. The more rave reviews I encountered the more I wanted a Clarisonic Mia 2.  Unfortunately, they are costly devices. The Mia 2 usually retails for $150. Yikes! That's really pricey for the average Jane. Not knowing if it would work for me, I took to Ebay to find one for a cheaper price. I was so pleasantly surprised to find LOTS of Mia 2s new in box for half the cost! I placed a bid and about 1 week later I had a cute, pink Mia 2 to call my own. Or so I thought. Immediately upon opening and holding the supposed Mia 2 I knew something wasn't right. The more I went through the included items the more I was disappointed I became. Everything felt 'cheap'. I unscrewed the cap of the cleansing gel to see the small safety seal was already opened and mold (yes, mold) was forming around the opening of the bottle and the cap. Appauld I emailed the seller ASAP. I began to think how do people pay so much money for this kind of quality and rave about it?! Crazy. Then what really sent me over the edge was the enclosed authenticity code included. Every Clarisonic device comes with an unique code that the consumer uses to register their device on the Clarisonic website. Easy enough. Took not even 5 minutes to go to the website and enter the code given. Except the code automatically was returned as unable to register. Hello, I'm a big red flag! Once again I quickly messaged the seller confused while slowly starting to catch-on.

Soon after I went to Macy's and saw a Clarisonic display. I picked-up an almost identical Mia 2-same color. Immediately I noticed a huge difference- the weight was heavier, the color was brighter. Overall, it didn't have that 'cheap' feel. Then it finally clicked for me- I didn't buy and receive a Clarisonic Mia 2 from the seller off Ebay. It was a knock-off. Proving the old adage "if it's too good to be true then it probably is..." right. I began researching the market of fake Clarisonics and the tell-tale signs of a fake and was shocked to see my exact fake Mia 2 plastered all over the internet as the fake poster child.

A long story short the seller played coy, but they really knew it was a fake. I opened a case and won it. I also reported the seller because he continued to sell these fakes. Nothing, as far as I know, was done pertaining to him selling counterfeit Clarisonic devices. Armed with more knowledge I returned to Ebay hoping to find a real Mia 2. I was once again shocked to see how many of the Mia 2s listed on Ebay were indeed the same fake pink knock-off. After becoming frustrated and slightly paranoid, I started to search for cheaper Mia 2s but from reputable business (e.g. Sephora, Ulta, QVC, etc). I found what I consider a great deal. It was still a splurge, but was a safer bet altogether. I will offer tips of where to get the best Clarisonic deals so keep reading!

Get educated about the Mia 2

It comes with a charger, sensitive brush head, and one bottle of Clarisonic refreshing cleansing gel. The differences between a Mia and a Mia 2 are few. The Mia is about $25 cheaper than the Mia 2. The Mia 2 is slightly more money because it has two speed options and a built-in timer. The timer is a beep: 30 seconds for your forehead and nose/chin area respectively, and 10 seconds for each cheek respectively. For a grand total of 60 seconds (1 minute) of cleansing.

•  I HIGHLY recommend getting a hands-on experience with your desired Clarisonic device in-store. Sephora and Ulta are both great places that usually have the Clarisonic line on display. Don't be afraid to pick employees' brains about the device. I have found Sephora's employee to be some of the most knowledgeable when it comes to these kind of purchases. Also, Ulta and Sephora both have great return policies. Keep your receipt, even if the device works!

           Here's Sephora's return policy per their website:  http://www.sephora.com/customerService/customerServiceTemplate.jsp?mediaId=10800030

     Here's Ulta's return policy per their website:
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/guestservices/guestServicesCenterDetails.jsp#ReturnPolicy

•   Register the code inside the included booklet as soon as you decide you are going to keep your Clarisonic device so it will be under warranty. 

Where to buy a (real) Mia 2 and save $$$

So you have saved up and decided you are going to buy a Mia 2. Great! Congrats!

 I am all about getting the most 'bang for your buck'. Given my previous saga and hours of research I am can tell you what to expect and where to buy.

• You are going to spend at least $130 to $150 easy. Don't forget to include tax into your total cost.
• Look for a bundle type deal. I purchased mine around November from QVC.com for about $125 + tax. I was shocked to see such a good deal. It was their Today's Special Value. QVC offers the great bundle everyday, not just around the holidays. It's everyday QVC price is $149 + tax and shipping. It's $213 worth of product! Score!! The best part for all of you saving up for one is that QVC offers a payment plan with multiple payment installments. Plus they offer a good variety of cute designs, such as zebra and leopard prints. I got mine in purple leopard print :)

• ·         Sephora and Ulta also offer great deals and bundles. Sephora seems to have some of the cutest bundles. Go check out their websites for all the deals. 

·         If you purchase your Clarisonic from Ulta, Sephora, or even QVC online then shop through ebates.com. You earn a percentage of cashback on each purchase. If you you spend $25 in your first month then you get a free $10 giftcard from select stores of your choice. I've gotten about $100 cashback just from online shopping. This is great for holiday online shopping.

      Here's a referral link: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=LBNqV0PPCHrrKFh2gQ4fjw%3D%3D

If you take one thing away from this long rant please do not risk wasting your money and time on a fake Clarisonic device!! Buy it from a reputable store. The counterfeit Clarisonic Mia 2s on Ebay are so convincing upfront that seeing them on a listing is too risky.

Comment down below if you want more posts about the keeping/ care of the Mia 2 or how to spot a fake.

Hope this all was informative and helpful!

UPDATE:2 YEARS LATER 
http://buckeyebeaut.blogspot.com/