jagovino I admit it, I am an influencers dream! I scroll through Instagram, Facebook and LiketoKnow.it and get caught up in the #ads and #sponsored posts and my rational brain goes out the window. I have been known to make 3am purchases off an ad from Facebook or a post from a blogger. Nowadays, it seems all influencers are pushing the same brands and products and I decided to test some of them out for you in order to see what all the hype was about. I am not an #influencer that makes money off any of this so I am here to tell you the whole truth and nothing but the truth! And in true teacher fashion, I am going to grade each product on a scale of A (great product) to F (failure- DO NOT BUY!)
Billie Razor- B
I was very intrigued by this brand and its products. Liz Adams and ChristineonLex swore by their razors. Besides, who can resist good packaging and a subscription service where you never have to remember to buy new razors again? The razors come in a variety of pretty colors and in your starter pack you get a very cool magnetic holder for the shower- totally worth it, in my opinion. I give Billie an “A” for packaging and branding. On the other hand, the razor itself I would give a B. The first few times I used it I nicked myself pretty badly, and the razor is supposed to have a charcoal strip to prevent cutting or razor burn, which I didn’t think worked very well. Many influencers were saying that this miracle razor cut down their shaving maintenance, which I have not found to be true, I am still shaving every other day. Billie has come out with other products including dry shampoo and makeup removing wipes. I have enjoyed the “wonder wipes” which I use to take off my makeup or as an AM quick cleanse, but the jury is still out on the other products. Overall, I give Bille a “B” for their packaging, creativity, and branching out into other products that I have enjoyed.
Native Deodorant- D
In the name of doing better for my body and the environment, I was totally sold on the Native Deodorant train. Lauren McBride had whole blog posts about detoxing her armpits to prepare to use aluminum-free deodorant. I followed all of her steps and still did not feel like Native worked for me. I am all for safer beauty products, as long as they work. Native comes in a variety of nice smells and it seems to work at the beginning. But one sweat session at the gym or a hot day in my classroom without AC and I could tell Native was not right for me. I also felt like I sweat more using Native, and I smelled! That is why I give this brand a D. I have found other clean brands that have worked for me including Type A Deodorant, which comes as a cream in a tube making it even easier to use. Don’t be fooled by this influencer favorite, there are other brands out there that work better.
Tula- A+ 
Tula is a brand I have used for over a year and will continue to use and buy. Courtney Shields recently collaborated with Tula to come up with her own glow stick, which I am excited to try! I started with the purifying cleanser and was hooked from there. Other products I love from Tula are the Rose Glow eye balm and Instant Facial exfoliating pads. This brand is clean, sustainable, and uses superfood ingredients that I can attest, actually work! They are continuously coming out with new products, such as sunscreen and daily vitamins, and at a reasonable price point, I will continue to buy their products. This is why I give Tula an A+ rating!
Navy Hair Care- B
I admit I was completely sold on this brand after watching Veronika’s Instagram stories with her shiny, thick, beautiful head of hair totting the benefits of this brand. Navy hair care is an eco-friendly brand with minimalist packaging that reminds you of the ocean. I tried their Search and Rescue shampoo and conditioner and although I liked the smell and felt the product was good, it didn’t blow me away enough to repurchase. I am a tried and true believer in the power of Kerastase brand and am willing to shell out the extra cash because its the only product I have ever felt works for my hair. I am still intrigued by Navy’s dry texturizing spray, which I have heard good things about. Once my Oribe spray is out, I plan to order the Navy Pebble Beach Spray and will report back. For now, I give Navy Hair Care a “B”.
Isle of Paradise tanning drops- A 
I am always on the hunt for good self-tanning products. Ever since I had several suspicious moles removed from sun damage, I am all about the fake bake! I have used many products in the past and when I saw Liz Joy and Jenna Crandall promote the Isle of Paradise brand, I thought I would give it a shot. Their tanning drops did not disappoint. You add the drops to any moisturizer or night-time serum and you wake up with a subtle glow. After I use the drops, I often get compliments on my tan. It does not leave you looking orange or streaky, just a natural bronze. Isle of Paradise tanning products also come in a spray and a mouse or you can start with their Glow Kit and get the drops, water, and a tanning glove in one cute package! I have yet to try their other body products but if they are anything like the drops, I am sure they will work wonders. I give Isle of Paradise an “A” for an overall excellent product that delivers what it says it will!
So there you have it, my real and honest reviews of some of the most popular brands promoted by the top beauty bloggers in the biz! Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether the products are as good as they say they are, after all, they are getting paid to promote them. I have found that for the most part, bloggers are honest about their reviews and will only sell brands they truly like and actually use. However, as a new blogger and very far away from any brand sponsorship deals, I thought I’d give you all my honest reactions since you know I am not being paid for any of this!
What brands have you been influenced to buy? Which did you love? Which did you hate?
