Initial Thoughts/Impressions - Latina Voxbox 2012

I was so excited a couple of weeks ago when I got an e-mail from Influenster telling me that I had been pre-selected to receive this box. And just in case anyone is looking over any of my pics and wondering how I am qualified to receive a Latina box, I am 1/2 Mexican American and obviously get my skin tone from my mother who is Caucasian.

Below are my first thoughts/impressions and general info about the products I received. Full reviews will be coming once I've had a chance to try them all.

So the box arrived packaged more or less like this. I really couldn't wait to tear into it and see what was inside (though I already knew most of what would be in there based on some YouTube videos I'd seen). If you're at all squeamish about feminine products, now might be a good time to scroll down to a picture of something that isn't a feminine product or just click away entirely.

First up was this full size box of 16 pads from Always.  According to the info card, these retail for $6.99. Also according to the card, these pads "conforms to each individual shape delivering premium protection and performance." They have a light sent and Microdots, which help with absorption. These pads also have "a wider back and flexible wings," which are supposed to help with coverage.

Next were some Veet Ready-to-Use Wax Strips. This is another full size product containing 40 wax strips and 6 wipes. According to the info card, this retails for $9.99. These "are specially formulated to remove hair on legs, underarms and bikini area," and the results should last up to 4 weeks. Four weeks without having to shave? Sign me up! It's been ages since I've done anything with waxing so I'm probably most anxious to try this one out.

I had seen this pouch and feminine products in the Summer Voxboxes some people received and was excited to see it show up in this box as well. Prices vary on Always Tampax Radiant Collection, depending on exactly which products you're interested in. This, however is a sampler pack so it's harder to put a value on. The box contains 1 purse, 1 scented pad, 2 unscented tampons and 3 unscented liners.

You can never have enough sunscreen, especially in the months of July, August and even September. When it's not hot as heck, it's nice to get outside and when you're outside you should keep your skin protected from the harsh sun. A full size bottle of this retails for $7.99 and it's available in SPF 12, 30 and 50. One of the things I hate about traditional sunscreen is the white cast it can leave on your skin making you look pastey and pale. This sunscreen promises a "dual ribbon hydrating formula infused with luxurious silk protein and rich Shea Butter." The ribbons they're talking about are those brown/tan streaks in the bottle. These ribbons also tint the sunscreen a bit, so I'm hoping they also counteract the pastey/paling effect. I can confirm though that it does have the signature Hawaiian Tropic coconuty scent.

 I am very picky when it comes to nude lip products. For whatever reason, it's hard for me to find a shade that doesn't make me look like death warmed up. I don't know if it's the pigmentation of my natural lips or what, but many, many shades I've tried be it lip gloss, lip stick or some combo of the two just make me look like I've been in the morgue for a while hanging out. That said, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous about this. It's a lip gloss, so I'm hoping that means it sheers out or I can work with the pigmentation of the lip gloss. Either way, I'm glad to have yet another shade to try. This retails for $2.49.

 One of the things I love most (and there are many things to love) about working where I do is that for Christmas we tend to get bath/body treats as gifts. Usually, though not always, those products are lovely Bath and Body Works products. While there are some scents that I don't like as much as others, they usually have some pretty great ones that I fall in love with. All of that said, I was excites to see this Pink Chiffon scent hanging out in the bottom of my box. It's a scent I haven't tried yet (is it new? It's been a while since I've been to B&BW) and I LOVE trying new scents. This mini size retails for $5 and a full size is $11. The B&BW website describes this scent as "a light pairing of soft pink petals and vanilla chiffon icing." I can't wait to try this in my shower!

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.