Life Update: 08Liter, Etsy, and more!

Hey all! I know it’s been quite some time since I’ve updated here. I’m always going back and forth on whether I should keep this blog live, and then something brings me back. In this case, it’s products I’m hoping to receive and review soon. 

I have already started posting reviews that I’ve used via a platform called 08liter.com. It’s free to join and you get the chance to try and review products for low cost and sometimes free. And you don’t need to have a large following to get product-just 100 followers on social network (I think it’s just Instagram and Facebook) where you plan to review the products. I post those reviews on an Instagram page I made especially for this blog. It’s kinda my finsta where I only post product reviews, hauls, wishlist items, and food and drink products. I keep it very fluffy over there and I post fairly regularly. Unlike my personal Instagram where I barely post at all anymore. Anyway, I’m going to be posting more of those reviews here soon. 

As for my personal life, I’ve had another child (surprise), and this is the first place I’ve mentioned it. She was born May 24th of this year. And I honestly have had no energy or even desire to post this news or photos on social media. I think it has to do with the social climate-the pandemic and injustices of the world. Plus, I have a rambunctious toddler, so 

add a newborn and household duties, and you’ve got a drained mama. On top of all that, we’re planning to move. So we’re a little frazzled over here. Living life and adjusting to several new normals. And the months are just rolling by. I mean, it’s been two months already, and I haven’t shared my baby with the world lol. Oh well, perhaps soon. When I feel the time is right. 

In other news, I have pretty much stopped making jewelry and selling on Etsy. Or anywhere for that matter. In fact, I haven’t made or sold anything since early last year. I found it incredibly difficult to keep up with an extremely busy toddler, household, jewelrymaking, and the Etsy shop. My mental capacity was at tilt then. So now that there’s two children (and every thing else that’s going on), I don’t see jewelry happening any time soon. Besides, Etsy had been making some changes I didn’t care for, so I decided to put the shop on hiatus. And I’m almost certain I won’t be returning. I even gave away a lot of my supplies to friends (who also make jewelry). So if jewelrymaking is in my near future, I’ll have to pivot to something less labor-intensive and expensive than what I was doing. We shall see. Stay tuned!

p.s. I still have a small amount of inventory I’d love to sell here https://bit.ly/3g4NHhH

Vely Vely Artemisia Balance Essence Review

I had the opportunity to try Vely Vely Artemisia Balance Essence which claims to firm, hydrate, offer rich nutrition, improve skin barrier, even tone, and balance the skin. 

This essence is comprised of one ingredient, 100% Artemisia (aka Mugwort), which is known for its calming, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties.  The consistency is like water-no viscosity. It’s golden brown in color and has an herbal scent that reminds me of chamomile tea. 

To use, I apply the essence (usually a couple layers) to clean skin with cotton pad and/or hands and pat. It’s absorbs quickly to a relatively matte finish. There’s no stickiness, tackiness, stinging, or irritation. Skin feels lightly hydrated and prepped for the rest of my routine. In the brief period that I’ve used this product, I’ve noticed smoother texture, minimized pores, and brighter skin. Overall, I’ve enjoyed using this essence and pleased with the results so far. 

I received this @velyvely_official @velyvely_global product from 08liter.com as part of a campaign which offers free and low cost products for honest review.

By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 15% with Ferulic Acid Review

I had the opportunity to try By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 15% with Ferulic Acid which claims help with brightening skin, preventing acne, boost collagen, recover skin from UV rays and antioxidant care.  

The key ingredients are 43% Hippophae Rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) Water,  15% L-Ascorbic Acid, 1% Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether, and 0.5% Ferulic Acid. 

The clear liquid has the consistency of water. And there’s a chemical-like scent that dissipates almost immediately upon application. 

To use, I apply about five drops to clean and toned skin and smooth/pat.  I want to mention that despite being water-like, it feels somewhat emollient on my skin. It absorbs quickly and leaves a dewy finish. Doesn’t feel sticky or tacky. I experienced slight tingling here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary (considering I’ve used other actives which sometimes tingle). So far I’ve noticed brighter, clearer, and glowy and more plump skin. The only issue I’ve had is with the bottle. No matter how tight I screw it, it’s slightly undone when go to use it again. Other than that, my experience has been positive, and I’m enjoying the results. 

I received this product from 08liter.com as part of a campaign which offers free and low cost products for honest review.

By Wishtrend Polyphenol in Propolis 15% Ampoule Review

I had the opportunity to try By Wishtrend Polyphenol in Propolis 15% Ampoule thanks to the 0.8liter try now campaign.

This ampoule contains propolis extract from the Auvergene volcanic region in France. There’s two polyphenols, catechin, and quercetin, which are antioxidants. Also contain cordata extract and zinc PCA to help soothe the skin and has antibacterial properties. Plus, there’s sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, and betaine to provide moisture.

The aim of this ampoule is to aid acne-prone skin, blemishes, sensitive skin, soothe, increase moisture and improve pigmentation.

The consistency is like a medium-weight serum but more watery. I didn’t notice much of a scent. I applied it (about half of the dropper) after toner, as directed. I smoothed and patted it on my skin and it seemed to absorb quickly. Also felt a little oily-then tacky. And left a sheen on my face which looked oilier later. So I decided to use less and less each time I used it. And even with using a pea-sized amount, my skin looked a little oilier than I prefer for my combo skin. Despite that, I did notice some slight improvement. Skin looked plumper, more glow-y, and my overall tone looks clearer.

All things considered, I think this is a nice hydrating product. I’ll keep using-I’m interested to see more results with continued use. Though, probably just at night to avoid an oily daytime look. I’d recommend this for dry skin; those with combo to oily skin can use sparingly and/or at night.

This item retails for $32 on wishtrend.com. I received this product from 08liter.com as part the try for 3.99 campaign which offers low cost products for honest review.