Monday, April 30, 2012

Free Domino's Artisan Pizza

Here at The Educated Beauty we totally adore Domino's Pizza. Unpopular as it apparently was, we thought the old recipes were great... but the new ones are SPECTACULAR! That garlic-buttery crust... mmmmm. We haven't tried an Artisan Pizza yet, but--with a sweet deal from Domino's--we're going to be able to for free!


This is the second time Domino's has offered this deal, so we give them major props. If you head to their Facebook page (just click here) you can score a free pizza, no strings attached. The coupon is only good until May 6th, and only the first 75,000 will score one, so be sure to hurry over and indulge ASAP!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Save the date for our Mother's Day Giveaway!


I love the feel of a paperback book as much as the next person; I spent most of my childhood and early teenage years devouring historical epics, romances, and Agatha Christie mysteries. Unfortunately, I've found pages and binding to be less than convenient during days on the go, on the beach, or even in the car. I usually make it through books quite quickly, so when I'm traveling I have to carry at least half a dozen books around with me. While it took me a while to warm up to the idea of eBooks, there's no denying that they are the most convenient sort of device for a busy literature lover!

Since no one is more busy than mom, we've decided to celebrate with a gift that can be as versatile and busy as she is. Beginning at 12:01 AM, May 1, a group of us bloggers will be giving away a FREE Kindle! All you have to do is drop by The Educated Beauty (or another participating site) to enter. Each day gives you a chance at more entries, so the more you visit us, the more you can win! Why not check out all the features at https://kindle.amazon.com/ to get yourself pumped up?

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Swagbucks: Why You Should Be Using Them


We've all seen dozens of rewards programs online. Some seem too good to be true (they are), some require you to fill out obnoxiously long surveys just to earn a few cents, and some entice you to make major purchases you don't need just for "points." After searching far and wide, there seems to be very few rewards programs online that are legitimately exciting and worthwhile. The exception to this rule? Swagbucks, a favorite of mommy bloggers and young adults alike.

Show me the numbers!
Let's look at ways to earn points and the amount of points it takes to earn a reward.
A $25 PayPal gift card is 3,215 SB (that's Swag Bucks)

One time opportunities:
For signing up, you get 30 SB

Daily reward opportunities:
For watching a one-minute video: 2 SB
For answering a quick poll: 1 SB
For searching using the Swagbucks toolbar: ~5-10 SB

So, if this is all you do over the course of a year, it would take approximately 300 days to earn this reward. I'm willing to bet this wouldn't be worth your time, even if it only took three minutes a day, total.

So, what makes it worth my while?
Do you shop? Do you use coupons? If the answer is yes, then Swagbucks is a way to cash in more than ever on your coupon-cutting. Swagbucks is affiliated with coupons.com, one of the most popular coupon-clipping sites on the web. Via the Swagbucks website, you can clip-and-print the coupons available on coupons.com. Alternatively, you can register your Savings Card from stores like Giant Eagle and send the coupons straight to that card, eliminating the fuss and cost of printing. When you use these coupons, your Swagbucks account is automatically credited (although you need to allow 8-12 weeks for processing). You receive 10 SB per coupon used. This means that you're compounding your coupon savings with a totally free rewards program... completely hassle-free.

Swagbucks also allows you to earn points with deals that include liking a company on Facebook or entering codes from events like their Music Bracket. It's a really easy site to navigate and even has a games section, where you can apparently earn points as you play for free. For a major boost of points, check their special offers each day; they're diverse enough that, after a while, you'll find a deal on a product or service you've been waiting to buy anyway. And if you're feeling lucky, there are even sweepstakes you can enter, using SBs as entries.

Bottom line: Any online reward program will take time to show benefits, and you can't expect to win prizes overnight. But if you use coupons from sites like coupons.com, Swagbucks offers you extra rewards without hassle.

Beyond being a new member of Swagbucks, I am in no way affiliated with the program. They did not request me to write a review, nor am I being compensated for this review. I simply enjoy the site and think you will too.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Free One Year Subscription to Shape Magazine!

We've brought you Rewards Gold prizes before-- it's a totally legit program where you fill out a super-fast survey and get a free year of subscription to a magazine. Right now, they're offering a one year subscription to Shape Magazine for free. We like this giveaway because they don't ask for your credit card AND you'll never be billed for a second year. It only takes a second to get your subscription-- just click here!

Free Sample of Gucci Flora Garden Fragrance

Now THIS is an awesome free sample. Super easy to get-- just go to Gucci's Facebook page and like it. Fill out the form, but be sure to check ALL THREE boxes and fill your city out correctly the first time. If you fail to do this, the app won't let you correct it unless you refresh the page. Basically, do it right the first time and you'll come out smelling like flowers! ;)

Free Sample of Carnation Breakfast Essentials!

It's like companies can't get enough of giving away free samples on Facebook! You can get a free sample packet of their No Sugar Added drink AND a coupon for $1 off! Click here to like them on Facebook and fill out a shipping form. You'll have to wait six to eight weeks for shipping, but the coupon is good right away! Hurry before they're gone-- I've never tried the packets before, but the shakes are pretty darn great!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

L'Oreal Gold Rewards Program

Did you know about L'Oreal Gold Rewards? Basically, all you have to do is sign up and enter the codes you find on your L'Oreal hair color boxes. Last we checked, you can enter up to two codes a month. Once you enter five codes, you get a coupon for a free box! The best part? You can use any of their brands to score a freebie. Click here to join!

Our suggestion? We just LOVE L'Oreal Excellence Cream-- but be careful not to buy 1, 2, or 3 unless you want jet-black hair! Never used L'Oreal before? Check their color matchmaker to find your perfect shade.

Free Sample of Finish Quantum

Like them on Facebook for a free sample--only available while supplies last! Just fill out their form... and no need to share with friends (unless you want to!)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Song You Might Not Know of the Week (4/25/12)


Ed Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) might have one of the coolest success stories of current musicians. If you doubt my taste, check the results of the Brit awards: he won British Breakthrough Act, British Solo Male Artist, British single (for A-Team) and British Album of the Year... all in 2012. Sheeran hasn't bought into the Vevo craze and doesn't like starring in his own videos. This is a beautiful song, and (Spoiler Alert!) Rupert Grint gives a brilliant performance as a crazy stalker.

Free Victoria's Secret Angel Panty ($10 Value!)

On April 28, 2012 only, Victoria's Secret is giving away free panties with any purchase! We're so excited about this that we're going to do all the work for you. You can go straight to the coupon if you click here! If you're just going to be shopping online, though, we recommend just typing in the coupon code: PANTY.

This is what I'll be selecting as my purchase! How about you? Hit the comments below!

Review: Starbucks Refreshers


So, since I've already admitted my vice... I may as well indulge you with more details! Yes, caffeine is my drug of choice. While there's nothing better than a cup of coffee, my dorm room digs lack a machine to make it with. Sure, I've spent plenty of my meal plan at our on-campus Starbucks or Buffalo Springs, but that isn't always an option for early morning study time.

Honestly, I was getting a little bored of Red Bull all of the time (have you checked out my review of Red Bull Total Zero?) and wanted to try something new. When I saw the can of Starbucks Refreshers in Raspberry Pomegranate on the shelf at the grocery, I grabbed it immediately.


From the first sip, I knew I had a new favorite energy drink indulgence. The tangy pomegranate is delicious but not overpowering, nicely muted by the sweet taste of raspberry. The latter fruit definitely has a stronger presence, and at times it feels like you're sipping sparkling fresh raspberry juice. The drink is only lightly carbonated; this sets it apart from other energy drinks, which boast excessive carbonation or none at all.
The energy kick from this product comes from a unique source: green coffee extract! So what, exactly, is green coffee extract? According to Starbucks's website:
"Freshly harvested green coffee beans are typically heated and roasted to bring out the signature dark colors and bold flavors coffee is famous for. But now, Starbucks is using a patented new process to pull the naturally occurring caffeine and other good stuff from 100% green Arabica coffee beans before they are roasted. The result is green coffee extract - all of the natural energy from coffee, but with none of the coffee flavor."

The result? Not the taste of coffee, don't worry! The drink boasts 50 mg of Panax Ginseng, 25% juice (from concentrate), 60 calories, and 100% Vitamin C. It's also fortified with B vitamins, giving you 25% Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B, and Niacin.

No, you probably shouldn't be drinking this every day-- coffee is still the healthiest way to get your caffeine fix. For a delicious treat on the go, however, this drink is sweeter than its energy drink counterparts and lacks the tangy aftertaste most of them have. Try it once-- it comes in Raspberry Pomegranate, Orange Melon, and Strawberry Lemonade, and every flavor is pretty tasty.

7,000 FREE Glasses from Smirnoff!

Are you over 21? Smirnoff is giving away 7,000 glasses! You have a chance to win a pair of Fluffed Marshmallow & Whipped Shot Glasses or a Smirnoff high ball glass. Just log into Facebook and click here.

(Note: I personally am hoping for one of the high ball glasses. We have more shot glasses than the number of shots we've actually taken here at The Educated Beauty!)

Monday, April 23, 2012

Free Subscription to American Baby Magazine!

Moms, mothers, mommies, and all mommies-to-be: head over here to get your free subscription to American Baby Magazine from the Parents network! There's no survey; just fill out your mailing info and you're all ready to go!

Free Bottle of Bayer Advanced Aspirin

Every day through 4/25, you can get a 20-count bottle of Bayer Extra Strength Advanced Acid for FREE! Want it today? Visit their website (here) between 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST (Update: April 25th's giveaway goes from 9 PM to 11 PM EST). Only the first 10,000 will score a bottle, so make sure you hurry over.

Friday, April 20, 2012

One Free Year of Teen Vogue or W Magazine!

Want a free year of Teen Vogue or W? Literally, all you need to do is fill out this survey for W or this survey for Teen Vogue! The survey takes just five minutes via RewardsGold. Say "No Thanks" to the rest of their offers and all you'll get is the magazine. At the end of the year subscription you'll get a renewal notice, but it isn't a bill. Most surveys-for-prizes sites are tedious or lack legitimacy, but RewardsGold has enough positive reviews that you can trust them!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Clean Towel Giveaway

Welcome to The Clean Towel giveaway hosted by Mom with a dot com & MamaNYCThis isn't your ordinary giveaway but it's just as sweet. We got together with some great blogs to give our readers the chance to win an awesome prize package!
The Clean Towel is an innovative, sustainable and eco-friendly product that will save you money. Imagine not having to spend so much for paper towels and helping our environment at the same time. Sounds great, huh?
The Clean Towel's main goal is to get some opinions of consumers like you.
They have created a simple survey that will take you no longer than five minutes {they promised}. They are evening sweetening the deal by offering an amazing prize package valued at over $300 - including an Android Tablet! Now, I don't want to tell you too much more about The Clean Towel or it might take the fun out of the survey.
One lucky winner is going to receive the following prize pack valued over $300!
 
*Please Note: Items may be larger than they appear*
*Camera & iPhone not included*
Check out all of these prizes that are included in this prize pack!
  • Android Tablet ($100)
  • Verizon Tablet Sleeve ($15)
  • Scentsy Groovy White Plug-In ($20)
  • Scentsy Bar / Cerise ($5) 
  • Tenth & Final Season of Smallville ($40)
  • The Knight Life: Chivalry Ain't Dead, book ($15)
  • mark. Night Iris Eau de Toilette Spray ($24)
  • Black Medium Collapsible Tote ($10)
  • Two AMC Theatre Movie Tickets ($25)
  • Giant Sidewalk Chalk Pencil ($11)
  • Gary Fong Flip-Cage ($22)
  • Gary Fong iPhone Tripod Adapter ($20)
  • Beauty Grab Bag ($20) 
This giveaway is open to residents in the U.S. ONLY; 18+. Ends on May 16, 2012 @ 11:59PM (EST). Winner will have 48 hours to confirm prize before a forfeit is assumed. Each blog is using the SAME Rafflecopter. You only need to enter The Clean Towel Giveaway on ONE blog!

Good Luck & Have Fun!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Free Burt's Bees Lip Balm and More!


Step 1) Like Swanson Health Products on Facebook and get a free 5$ coupon.
Step 2) Go to their website and find any product worth $3.01 or less. We recommend one of the following:


Step 3) Use the coupon code "ULTRA" and get $1.99 off of shipping! Even though you have to provide your credit card or PayPal account, you will not be charged.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Best Giveaways of the Week: 4/16/12

Just provide your email and fill out a form--there is a great instant win game too. There are tons of great prizes for runners-up!

Whirlpool Duet® Washer and Dryer Pair plus a year's supply of Purex detergent
Just fill out a form


Eureka Suction Seal Pet Vacuum
Just leave a comment-- there are chances for additional entries as well


Free gas for a year!
Just "like" Autozone on Facebook and provide your email.


$50,000 from Lenovo
Just fill out a quick form. By answering a few questions, you can unlock the awesome instant win game


L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Double Lifting Treatment
1,000 bottles are being given away. A $16 value.











Saturday, April 14, 2012

Baja Bob's: Our Favorite Low-Cal Mixer


I am not an alcohol aficionado by any means-- it's hard to get much experience when your tolerance is capped at four drinks, right? In some ways I'm grateful for my low tolerance, because it saves both money and calories. At the same time, even two or three mixed drinks over the course of a night can leave your wallet feeling $15 lighter. With the average mixed drink containing about 300 calories in 8 fl. oz, you might see the numbers on the scale going up as quickly as the numbers in your bank account are going down.


While there's no substitution for a night on the town, there's a way to satisfy your cravings for a good Whiskey Sour, Cranberry Cosmo, or Mai Tai that will save you the regrets of frequent barhopping. Baja Bob's Sugar Free Cocktail Mixes are not only cheap and super low-cal, they are absolutely delicious!

I first stumbled upon Baja Bob's after my boyfriend's mom introduced me to whiskey sours. My boyfriend and I went on a mad hunt for sweet and sour mix, only to find that it contained way more calories than we were comfortable with. Resigning myself to the fact that I'd never have a good whiskey sour without regret, I searched the internet for low-calorie mixed drinks. My search ultimately led me to Baja Bob's website, where I was shocked to find a zero calorie sweet and sour mix... alongside more zero calorie products to make drinks I've never even heard of.

The huge variety of zero- and low- calorie mixers at Baja Bob's is truly incredible. There are mixers for all of the classics: Margarita, Hurricane, Daiquiri, Mojito, Pina Colada, and Mai Tai, just to name a few. Baja Bob's doesn't limit itself to the familiar, however; margarita flavors include Original, Triple Citrus, Strawberry, and Mango. With sample packs and on-the-go packets available, the selection is so enormous that you're bound to find something you like.



While I haven't tried all of them, I have tried most (thank you, sample packs!). Besides their low-calorie status, the thing I like most about the mixes is their versatility. Nearly all of them taste delicious with a variety of alcohols; for example, the Sweet-n-Sour mix is as good with vodka as it is with whiskey, and my boyfriend swears the Original Margarita tastes great with gin, rum, or vodka. Bob's mixers are strong enough that, if you're pinching your pennies, you can enjoy a drink that's 1 part mix and 1 part alcohol and barely taste the latter. On the other hand, Bob's is tasty enough that you can drink it on the rocks to enjoy the virgin variety of your favorite drink.

The only issue you may find with Baja Bob's is that it's sweetened with Splenda, the sugar substitute that has fallen from favor as Stevia has risen. Bob's may not be all-natural, but at least it avoids such sweeteners as aspartame and erythritol. While this may be a breaking point for a few, Bob's is still one of the safer indulgences your body can couple with alcohol.

By the way, did I mention the best part about Baja Bob's? The price is just $5.99 for 32 fl. oz of mix! It's available online at http://www.bajabob.com/, but the more common varieties (Original Margarita, Strawberry Daiquiri, Sweet-n-Sour) can be found at your local Giant Eagle. I like buying online because shipping is free over $50; I end up with a box of mixers big enough to last almost a year between two people! They usually have other great promotional deals going on too; if you head over right now, you can get 10% off your order with the code DOTTI10.

If you're new to mixed drinks or want to experiment with a flavor you've never seen, Bob's site offers fun recipes that are reviewed (and sometimes submitted) by users. In addition, each bottle includes one or two great drink recipes on its label, which I have found to be spectacular.

Bottom line: Great price, great taste, huge variety, and zero sugar makes for low calorie mixed drinks that are WAY more exciting than your average Diet Coke and Captain. A MUST TRY.

Note: All opinions expressed above are entirely my own. Baja Bob's has not compensated me for this review in any way, nor did they contact me to request such a review. I just really love their product!

Friday, April 13, 2012

Bonus Giveaways, Oh My! (Part 2)

You didn't think we were going to flake out on you, right? Because we've got more of our FAVORITE giveaways from the "A Tisket A Tasket" giveaway event listed right here! What's the best part about these $25+ giveaways? All of these giveaways use the Rafflecopter widget, which gives you many opportunities for multiple entries!

Kindle e-Reader with Wi-Fi 6″ E Ink Display by Diva Locks
$25 Paypal Cash by MamaNYC
Cool Paparazi Jewelry from Baubles and Bling by Lori by Mia's Musings
$25 Walmart Gift Card from Practical Frugality
Espresso/Cappuccino Machine From CoffeeCow.com from Saving More than Me
$25 Amazon Gift Card by Common Centsability
$100 worth of Fused Glass Decals by Mom N Daughter Savings
$25 Restaurant.com Gift Card from MomsFreebies

Want more? Let us know what kind of freebies you want us to find for you, and we'll get right on it!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Bonus Giveaways, Oh My! (Part 1)

So, some really cool bloggers have got this really cool giveaway event going on called "A Tisket A Tasket" in honor of Easter. All giveaways have a retail value of over $25, so we'll give you a few of our favorites so you can hop on over! All giveaways are done via RaffleCopter, so you've got the chance for multiple entries!
$25 Amazon Gift Card (or find it here)

Not enough giveaways for you? We'll be posting the links to more we like later!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Free Sample Tuesday: 4/11/12



  • Sneakpeeq is giving away a FREE gemstone ring to all new members! All you have to do is sign up via your Facebook, and you'll get a no-strings-attached ring (a $37.00 value) here! Yes, shipping is free, and you even get a $10 credit for the site!
  • Coffee, anyone? Click here for a 1.75 oz free sample of Seattle's Best Coffee; all you have to do is press "like," fill out a form, and your coffee is on the way!
  • Love your dog? Purina is giving out free samples of their treats through Walmart.
  • TWO ways to get your tan on for free via Palm Beach Tan! On Facebook, like them and get a free sunless or regular tan! Via their website, you can get four free tans or a B1G1 sunless tan! Just select your location to see your coupons.
  • Eucerin is one of my favorite lotions for my body (when I'm too lazy to olive-oil up, that is). Pledge to protect your skin and get two free samples.



Monday, April 9, 2012

Best Giveaways of the Week: 4/9/12

Nothing says "lame" like Mondays, so here's a new weekly tradition to spice up the first day of the work week: links to awesome giveaways! Now, there are gadgets to free giveaways on the side of our site, so we'll only include our absolute favorite hidden gems here... check them out (but please, let me win, okay?).

(P.S.: All of these giveaways are totally legit, NOT the kind where you have to fill out surveys, provide your home address, SS number, etc.)

Kindle Fire Giveaway
$150 Visa Gift Card
Ageless Anti-Age Perfume by Harvey Prince
Clarisonic Mia 2 Giveaway (more involved, but the stakes are higher, right?)


Product Review: Red Bull Total Zero

Okay, okay, so this goes against everything to do with minimal/natural living... but sometimes a girl (or guy) needs a pick-me-up, right? Ever since I've cut out soda, I've been allowing myself to have "cheat" days with Sugar-Free Red Bulls. My boyfriend is an energy drink aficionado, but Red Bull is the only thing I'll touch anymore! So, when I saw a can of Red Bull that wasn't in a shade of blue, I was totally intrigued... and naturally, I bought it immediately. So much for rationing my meal plan!


Red Bull already has a Sugar-Free variety, so what's different about Total Zero? Shockingly, it isn't the calories: both boast 10 calories/12 fluid ounces. Sure, we'd expect something called Total Zero to have zero calories--that's how it was advertised-- but ten is no big deal, right?



What does the name refer to, then? Total Zero is different because it has zero grams of sugar (and, by extension, zero grams of carbohydrates). It's a sign that low-carb diets like Atkins are becoming all the rage again, about eight years after they last faded out. Whether the difference is due to the sugar or a creative choice, the taste of Total Zero is definitely different than its Sugar Free counterpart. Total Zero is significantly less tangy, and the amber drink taste has an almost peach-like aftertaste. It's definitely smooth, but it will remind you more of a soda than those tart-but-sweet low-cal flavors that you find in other energy drinks.

Summary: Red Bull Total Zero is Red Bull without the afterbite. Sweetened with aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame K, it still has the 10 cal/12 fl.oz as its Sugar Free counterpart. It's caffeine content is similar as well, with 114 mg/12 fl. oz. Unless you're on a low carb diet, this drink isn't worth buying into; if you are on a low carb diet, however, this no-carb energy drink is totally worth your while.