Parents have the ultimate decision as to when their children are allowed to wear makeup. Sometimes it starts with some nail polish. Other times with lip gloss. But there does come a time when a child really wants to start wearing makeup. Kids want to grow up early and adults want to keep them from growing up to quickly. It’s quite a dilemma.

Klee has some non-toxic makeup kits MADE IN THE U.S.A. They do not contain paragons and are gentle to the skin. No talc, synthetic fragrances, or harsh chemicals go into these products. Adults might even enjoy them as well. The kits, however, are designed for ages 6+. (Again, parents get the final say as to what age they allow their children to wear makeup.)

There are two new kits in their Sugar Pop Collection.

Sweet Lil Nothings

This set contains pink shades. There is a soft mineral eye shadow, mineral pink blush, alcohol free roll-on fragrance, gingerbread house and pink lemonade flavored lip shimmers, a Water-based reelable litterbug glitter, and a pink nail polish.

Stick with Me

This set leans more toward the purple shades, with purple polish, Peppermint cocoa and Strawberry Kiss lip glosses, purple glitter, soft shades of eye shadow and blush, and holiday cookies roll on fragrance.

Each of the kits comes in a bright pink box with a plastic window to display the contents. Included in each set are two double-sided eye shadow applicators and a soft blush brush. 

All of the products are cruelty and gluten free.  A portion of the sales are donated to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, so it’s a win-win when you purchase these products.

To be honest, while the sets are designed for young girls, many moms will be reaching for some of these products as well. Hey, an extra nail polish or lip shimmer is always welcomed.

There are several other options from the company. This is a good way to start a healthy makeup routine with your young girls. While some might be too young to wear makeup on a daily basis, every once in awhile it’s fun to put on a little color or shimmer. And as most of us adults know, some days are just not makeup days, but a little lip shimmer fits the bill.

With the holidays just around the corner, perhaps a klee kit is on the wishlist. And for birthdays and birthday parties, these make wonderful gifts.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Move over Popsockets. The Ring Snap 360 from ZAGG is easier to use, can click on and off with just a little tug, and can twist around to any direction is most efficient and comfortable for the user. It comes in three colors: black, nickel, and rose gold. And the bottom line is – it’s sturdy!

Holding onto your phone while filming or taking photos can be a bit daunting. With the Ring Snap 360 you can loop a finger through the ring and easily maneuver your phone while knowing it is secure and highly unlikely to fall out of your hands, if your finger is positioned correctly. 

Whether you are more comfortable moving the phone itself or the Ring Snap, you will be able to get the perfect angle for your photos or videos. And this little device is also handy as a kickstand so you can set your phone on a surface without worrying it will fall over. The ring has a rubbery end so even if you set your phone on a delicate surface, it won’t scratch that surface.  With the kickstand users can set up chats, do other things while still using the phone, or use it to show slideshows without having to hold the phone.

Simply put, this little gadget is a useful tool and the magnet is extremely strong so you can feel confident it won’t accidentally pop off your phone. 

On a personal note, I really like using this when I take any videos. It is easier than holding my phone with both hands while maneuvering around a room

Also, the holidays are just around the corner. These make great stocking stuffers!

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

Note: This is a product for adults only

The Crown Royal Black Cherry Whisky Sour ready-to-serve cocktail is the latest offering from Diageo’s “The Cocktail Collection”.

According to the company, the libation is crafted with blended Canadian whisky, lemon juice, and natural black cherry flavors. So, what does it taste like? Well, for someone who has never had a whisky sour, I did not know what to expect. So, after being offered a complimentary bottle, I decided to check it out.


I definitely taste the black cherry (which I like), and the alcoholic taste is minimal. I thought it might be strong, but it isn’t. It is not too overpowering so I can see this being a nice addition to a party perhaps along with some of the other ready-to-pour cocktails.
The bottles are to be chilled then poured over ice. Everything is already mixed in the bottle so there’s no need to purchase any other ingredients. 

For those who like fruity cocktails, this fits the bill.

The other ready-to-pour cocktails they offer are: Ketel One Espresso Martini, Ketel One Cosmopolitan (perfect for those who enjoyed Sex and the City), Astral Margarita (great for taco nights), Tanqueray Negroni, Bulleit Old Fashioned, and a Bulleit Manhattan.

Not having sampled the other flavors, I cannot comment on their taste, however they seem to be representative of the cocktails mixed by professional bartenders.

If you want to be sneaky, hide the bottles and then offer a variety of options to your guests. They will be impressed when you come out of the kitchen with glasses of their desired cocktails. Or, you can simply have them ready to serve on a table with glasses so your guests can pour their own drink.

The bottles are available in 350 mL (SRP: $13.99) and 750 mL (SRP: $25.99) sizes, each bottle serves four or eight cocktails, respectively, with an average ABV of 20%. The product is on shelves now at liquor stores and on ReserveBar.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

We all know that sleep is important to our mental and physical well being. For some people light effects their quality of sleep. That’s where the Manta Sleep Mask comes in handy.

This is not like a regular sleep mask we’ve seen in the past. This is a unique design that wraps comfortably around your head and stays secure via velcro. But what makes this mask unique are the eye cups that are also connected to the headband with velcro. The mask is completely adjustable to fit your head and your eyes, so getting the most comfortable fit is easy. 

These cups can be aligned to a perfect fit for your face. They are soft and deep enough to let you open your eyes without any friction, but still keep the light out.

There are many reasons for having complete darkness when we sleep. First, the light often effects how much sleep and the quality of sleep depending on each individual. Some people can fall asleep easily in full sunlight while others need more darkness. When our eyes are closed there is still light coming through. The brain understands this and sometimes it is not easy to shut out the outside world without total darkness.

Blue light from computer screens and televisions can effect sleep. If your partner likes to watch TV or work on a laptop or table in bed the sleep mask is the perfect addition to your nighttime routine. What I like is turning on night music on YouTube however most of the sites that have relaxing music still have visuals on the screen so in effect that negates the entire situation. With the sleep mask I can still listen to the relaxing music on my favorite YouTube channels but do not have to deal with the visuals on my TV, even though they are quite nice to look at. Yes, there are some sites that have music and black screens, but many do not. 

And if your partner gets up in the night to go to the bathroom and turns on the light, even if it is a dim one, this can effect your sleep. You might not wake up completely, but your brain detects the light so your sleep might be effected.

In the summer when it’s lighter longer, the Manta negates the need for blackout blinds. You can still have your windows open and not get any light interfering with your sleep. This is a necessity in the far north like Alaska when the sun stays up for most of the 24 hours. Trust me when I say I relied completely on the blackout blinds while in the 49th state!

Migraine sufferers know that complete darkness is helpful when fighting the pain and symptoms of this dreaded headache. Migraines are more than simple headaches. Being in a dark room is often a necessity but sometimes not easy to find. With the Manta that problem is solved. It won’t get rid of the migraine but it will allow sufferers to block out all the light that many times makes the pain worse.

The folks at Manta have several additional options for users. There are a few different eye cups that can be purchased separately. There is one that cools the eyes. Simply place the cups in the freezer for a little while then attach them to the headband. Another cup can be heated in the microwave to give users a little warmth, which is a good idea when you have a sinus infection or sinus problems.

Whether you want to take a little nap during the day and don’t want to shut all the blinds, or whether you feel blackness will help with your sleep at night, it is worth trying this mask. 

The Manta is foldable and comes with its own carry bag so users can take it wherever they go. 

If you’re not used to a sleep mask, it might take a few nights to adjust so be patient.

Sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. 

Check out the website for the different masks. They have several options. There is one for kids and believe it or not, one that connects via Bluetooth so users can listen to soft music or whatever while still staying in the dark. They also have additional eye cups.

Note – Manta sent me a mask to test for an honest review. I found it comfortable and easy to wear as well as helpful when I needed darkness to sleep. It is truly a unique design that has a purpose and can help users get a good sleep any time of day. I like the fact that when I turn over at night the eye cups stay adjusted to where I put them and do not cause any uncomfortableness.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

We all know that brushing and flossing our teeth is important for both oral and general health. Water flossers  have become a regular part of our daily oral hygiene regimen, and the Guru Nanda Advanced Dental Water Flosser 2.0 is a great way to make sure you keep up with your dental routine when you’re away from home.

Whether you’re at your office or on vacation, this portable device can help with your oral hygiene. It’s lightweight and provides a good water stream to floss your teeth. The rechargeable unit comes with a USB cord (USB/USB-C) to charge on the go. And most hotels these days have USB outlets. 

Once charged, fill the tank with water, press the button, and select the mode you want – soft, normal, or strong. They are all selected via one button so there’s no learning curve for using this little unit. The water flosser holds the memory of the last mode used, so once you know what feels best for you there is no need to reset it. And there is a UV mode for sterilization. Two flossing tips come with the unit.

A power indicator button blinks when the unit is charging then turns green when it is completely charged. It takes approximately 6 hours to fully charge the flosser. After it is charged it will last for about 4 hours before needing to recharge.

Because it is cordless and portable, it’s the perfect item to keep in your office desk or school locker. And when you’re on vacation there’s no need to stop your oral cleaning routine. 

People with crowns or braced know how easy it is for food to get stuck in their teeth. With up to 1800 pulses per minute this little unit will make life easier.

This is a handy device for every household. The only thing it is missing is a travel case. Additional tips can be purchased through the website or on Amazon.

A water flosser added to daily brushing will help with oral care. Just ask your dentist!

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

The mophie snap+wireless charging vent mount unit from Zagg is just what’s needed for hand’s free calling, talking, and texting while in the car. Sure, many newer cars are capable of synching your smart phone with the vehicle, however older cars still require some tricky “MacGyvering” for drivers to talk or call while in the car. Trying to set up a way to do this while still keeping eyes on the road is not easy. Enter the mophie snap+wireless charging vent mount.

The unit easily and safely clips onto a car vent. In the box is the adjustable arm which makes the unit a bit longer if desired, a charging plug, a 4.9 foot USB -C to USB-C cord, and an off-set additional arm so users can change the direction of their phone depending on the position of the car vent. 

Simply set it on the easiest and closest vent that won’t distract you while driving. Of course, we all take our eyes off the road for a split second to adjust the temperature, change the music channel, and little things like that. The object of this unit is to make looking at your phone take less than a split second. In that split second you can let the phone know (via Siri on iPhones) what you want to do – make a call, take a call, send a text, ask for guidance, etc. And warning – only look at your adjustments or your phone when you know it is safe to do so and cars are not immediately in front of you.

Once the unit is connected to your car vent your smart phone magnetically connects to the mophie unit and you’re ready to go.

You don’t have to use the unit connected but it is just an additional option utilizing Qi2 technology for safe and fast charging (up to 15w). The iPhone 15 has built-in Qi2 compatibility so you can rest assured charging it won’t damage your new phone. It’s the newest charging technology. What else would you expect from the folks at ZAGG?

Even if your car is set up to synch with your phone, there are plenty of reasons to use a vent mount – rental cars, friend’s car, loaner car for when your vehicle is in the shop, etc. For safety sake, most people do not want to synch their phones to a secondary car that is only temporary. In this case bringing your own vent mount for your phone is the best option.

Check with the website for sales, which they do run quite often.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Neven sunglasses are a unique gift for someone or just because you want an extra pair of sunglasses for yourself. They are lightweight so  they don’t add weight to your nose, and they are polarized for the best viewing and ease on your eyes.

With a large variety of styles and colors, as well as many with colored lenses, there is a style for everyone. There is also a selection of Blue Light clear glasses to wear when you’re sitting at your computer all day, giving your eyes some much-needed rest from the computer screen. While many tablet screen protectors have blue light models, laptops and desktops usually do not have eye protection from blue light. So a pair of lightweight glasses might be just what your eyes need to ease strain.

Neven offers a selection of glasses especially designed for   the sportsmen or sportswomen – whether for fishing, motorcycle riding, boating, or whatever. 

It’s always a good idea to have a spare pair of sunglasses to keep in the car or just around the house. The variety of styles makes it fun to change glasses to fit your mood. 

Besides being lightweight, Neven Eyewear has a policy if you lose your glasses or break them, the company will replace them for free. And there is a “buy one, get two for free” deal. How’s that for cost cutting? Also, purchases made on a Saturday or Sunday get a gift with purchase. 

About the author

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.