VIVA from Best Buy Review & Giveaway

It says so in my bio and I ain't gonna deny it - I'm a recovering shopaholic.  I'm trying my best to keep it under control but when I come across brands that offer one-stop online shopping in the convenience of my bed own home, it's hard to look away!  VIVA from Best Buy happens to be one of these brands.

If you haven't already heard, VIVA is Best Buy Canada's new online lifestyle brand that focuses on products to enhance personal health and well-being.  Many of VIVA's brands are already household names:  Burt's Bees, Crest, Live Clean, guzzie+Guss and Disney, just to name a few.  All of the products featured under VIVA's main categories - personal care, health & wellness, naturals and baby - are available exclusively online at bestbuy.ca.

{Brand Info}

“We created VIVA from Best Buy in response to feedback from our growing online customer base that was looking for product selection in key lifestyle categories,” said Aliya Reynolds, Director of Marketing Best Buy Canada. “As part of our evolving online strategy, VIVA aims to offer customers both an engaging and interactive online experience that includes product reviews and our own online community with a wide assortment of the top brands and products they are looking for.”

We had the opportunity to sample a number of products from VIVA's featured summer brand, Burt's Bees.  Here are our top ten Burt's Bees must-haves for summer:

1. Radiance Eye Cream with Royal Jelly:  Any mother knows that with kids come those pesky under-eye bags.  I've been applying this natural eye cream around my eyes for a week now and love the instant cooling sensation as soon as it touches my skin.  So far, it seems to be doing it's job of brightening my tired eyes and hydrating the delicate skin around my eyes.
2. Anti-Blemish Spot Treatment:  In the last six months or so, my skin around my t-zone has gone from smooth and clear to "hello grade nine!".  Seriously, my hormones must be completely out-of-whack and my forehead has become a breeding zone for those lovely bumps otherwise known as zits.  I applied the Anti-Blemish Spot Treatment to the trouble spots and it seemed like it was drying out the blemishes, although it did take a few days.  If you're looking for a natural alternative and are patient enough to allow this spot treatment to do it's job over a few days, this treatment is the solution for you!
3. Intense Hydration Day Lotion:  This day lotion goes on smooth and absorbs easily for a quick morning application.  I can almost feel my skin "drinking" it up!  Also, because this is a hydrating lotion, the formula is a little bit thicker than most day creams but, don't worry, it doesn't feel uncomfortable and your skin will truly thank you.
4. Intense Hydration Night Cream:  I haven't had the chance to try this night cream out yet, but I do love that it promises intense hydration and if it's anything like it's day lotion counterpart, it will definitely live up to it's name!  I also figure that it'll come handy for my skin during these hot and humid summer nights!
5. Richly Replenishing Body Lotion:  I've always had a major love affair with cocoa butter-based lotions and this body lotion is no exception.  Not only does the refreshing cocoa butter and vanilla scent entice your senses, this lotion also has 24-hour moisturizing properties.  I've been applying the Richly Replenishing Body Lotion after my evening showers and love how I wake up with silky smooth skin in the mornings.
6. Citrus & Ginger Root Body Wash:  Want to invigorate your senses during your early morning showers?  Use this sulfate-free, 97% natural body wash bursting with citrus oil and ginger root extracts.  You body {and your nose} will thank you!
7. Radiance Body Lotion with Royal Jelly:  Since early mornings are just around the corner for me {I'm going back to work in two weeks!}, I will take any help I can get to ensure that I look semi-awake! This body lotion is guaranteed to give you an all-over radiant glow and if it stays true to what it promises, I'll be one happy mama!
8. Baby Bee Nourishing Baby Oil:  This is my all-time favourite baby oil that I put on Baby Z after her baths.  It makes her smell fresh and lemon-y and also keeps her skin smooth.
9. Baby Bee Bubble Bath:  If I ever start taking baths again, I may just have to steal this one.  This bubble bath has a yummy vanilla scent and is tear-free for your little ones to make bath times more pleasant, both for Mommy {or Daddy} and baby.
10. Baby Bee Multipurpose Ointment:  I love this ointment for Baby Z and use it specifically as diaper cream.  Unlike other diaper creams that are sticky and hard to spread, this multipurpose ointment goes on smooth, creating a protective barrier between messes and baby's skin.  Best of all, it's petroleum-free and 100% natural.

{Win It!}

VIVA from Best Buy is generously offering two of our readers a chance to win one of two Burt's Bees Baby Bundles!  To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.  This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only until Monday, July 22, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The views expressed in this review are my own and do not represent the opinions or views of VIVA from Best Buy or Best Buy Canada.  We received a form of compensation from Best Buy Canada in order to conduct this review.  Note that SwankMama does not accept responsibility for sponsors that do not fulfill their giveaway duties.  Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond, otherwise, a new winner will be chosen at random.