Ivory® 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash Trial

I recently got an opportunity from a company I'm new to called, Influenster. I had no idea what product they were going to send me aside from the fact that it was a 2-IN-1 shampoo/conditioner &  body wash. It's the kind of thing I'd buy for hubby (who could care less about the hair under his baseball hat all day everyday) and something I'd immediately dismiss for my own use. But figured I'd at least stick to my word and give it a shot. After all, I'm a busy full-time mother of 2. I find it hard enough to find time to change my clothes let alone find enough shower time to shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse, body wash, rinse....

A couple weeks ago I got the package at my door. Excited to see the brand and smell what I'd be showering with for the next 2 weeks (yes, I was going to stick it out for 2 weeks, good or bad before I gave a fair review). Having extremely long, blonde hair I'm very fussy about my hair products because if it doesn't work, I'll be spending all that extra shower time I saved trying to fix whatever it did to my hair each day.

Contents of the package I received from Influenster.

The box arrived shortly after being accepted. Here's what I found:

• Welcome Note
• 1 full sized bottle of Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash
• 3 coupons for $0.75 off 1 bottle of Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash

First things, first... the smell. I had nothing to go on yet aside from the smell since I'd already showered for the day and would start the next day. I gave it a quick sniff and can't say it was anything too overdone. It actually reminded me of a bar of soap. It wasn't real feminine like the products I'm used to, but not masculine either. It was a very clean scent though, one I could live with.

The next day I threw caution to the wind and grabbed it quick before I hit the shower. I was in a hurry anyways so I was really hoping it would cut my shower time down. When I put some in my hand I was surpised it didn't lather quite as much as usual shampoo, but then again it was supposed to be different. Rubbing it in my hair I thought felt a bit odd, but soon enough after a quick washdown and rinse I'd cut my shower time in half (impressive since I usually have to take fast showers anyways, as my 2-year-old allows me little to no privacy).

Rinsing my hair felt clean and ready to go. A quick towel off and I felt fresh head-to-toe. Brushing my hair I have to say wasn't quite as easy as when I use my normal product, but it was much easier then after I use those shampooing conditioner bottles you find in hotels. A quick spritz with my detangling spray and I was set.

I have to say, once my hair dried I was FLOORED! I don't remember the last time my hair was so shiny... yes, actually I do. After the last visit to the salon! I figured for sure that first trial had to be a fluke, surely it must have been the detangler that I sprayed in my hair. I made a mental note to brush through the mess the next day with no detangler. That seemed to work fine anyways because I didn't seem to need it as much the next day (maybe I just had awful bed head the first day)? Later, my hair dried... it sounds so egotistical of me and self centered but it was a sunny day and I had the sunroof open and with the sun shining in on my hair I could NOT stop looking at it.

My mom happened to be visiting and not wanting her to think I was a total ego maniac I told her what'd been going on and I was using the new Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash. Apparently she was intrigued and very excited when I said it was made by Ivory. She said, "Really? Ivory? That means it's affordable too!" Later she was headed to the gym and I caught her sneaking some from my bottle into her portable shampoo holder. She said she was out of shampoo and figured the gym (where she's always in a hurry to shower) would be the perfect place to try. She returned raving about it and telling me I had to give her one of my coupons.

I also tried it out on the kids' bath time and not only is it quick and easy, I found that it doubles as bubble bath. The kiddos love this stuff as much as I do!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Marc Jacobs DOT Party

It was time to grow up... I've been thinking that for awhile; in fact each time I'd spritz myself with my Body Splash. I know it's time for a perfume and really need a change from the same-ol-same-ol. My ever dying love of Body Splash vs perfume has gone on far too long. But I have the biggest fear of being one of "the perfume girls" you know the ones that you and walk down an isle in the store 2 minutes after them and can still smell their scent. Or the ones that your by in the checkout that make your nose run and your eyes water. I've been addicted to Body Splash for fear that a perfume would be too much.

Enter Crowdtap! They gave me an AMAZING opportunity to host a party featuring DOT by Marc Jacobs. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical of anything that was labeled, "Perfume." It's always been my experience that I thought they smelt a bit too much like my Grandma's perfume. Boy! Was I surprised!!!

First off, the bottle. I know you love it! What's not to love. I have a black & red bedroom and was SO excited to display this bottle unlike my Body Splash I have to hide. When my DOT party started I lost track of how many people just got excited over the design of the bottle. I do have to say it's great marketing. Everyone that owns this perfume will leave it sitting out for guests to see. Guests see it, think their host smells good and know exactly what she's wearing by the cute bottle they are drawn into look at. Therefore creating more sales. Genius!

Bottle on Display (cute, right)?

My friend Holly was already familiar with Marc Jacobs and currently wears Daisy. She was excited to try another scent from Marc Jacobs and fell in love instantly. Last I talked with her about it she's been alternating DOT with Daisy depending on her "feel" for the day.

I tried it up against the most important critic in my life (aside from myself); my husband. I gave myself a small spritz and shortly after went and snuggled up next to him so that I knew he'd be exposed to the scent. It didn't take long until he said, "You smell good." That's all it took for me.... SOLD! I like it and hubby likes it. That's all that matters.

Though I do need to share my 5-year-old son's reaction. He saw me dressed up in my black button down with my red tank underneath my dark jeans, red belt, red shoes and the red & black polka-dot headband from Marc Jacobs. He then saw the table setup for the party with the bottles displayed and said, "Are you having a ladybug party?" I said, "Something like that" (just to spare the drawn out explanation to a 5-year-old) and proceeded to tell him it was for a perfume. His reply, "Can I smell it? I've always wondered what a ladybug smells like!" I couldn't stop laughing. I told him I was wearing it, he smelled me and said, "I guess I like how ladybugs smell, Mom. You smell good."

The kit that I received from Marc Jacobs & Crowdtap

If you're wondering about the leys, my friend Melissa had just found out before coming she'd won a trip to Hawaii and stopped and picked up some extra swag for us all. Congrats again Melissa, you deserve it!

Crowdtap is a company that gets consumer feedback on brands & products. In exchange for your thoughts and input  you get points that may be redeemable for prizes and gift cards. You may also get selected for the occasional sample and share like the one demonstrated above.