I'm sure that I'm not standing alone when I say that my lashes are difficult. Yes, they are black as black can get, but they are also sparse, think, short, and point straight down, so I curl my lashes, apply waterproof mascara, and pray that the curl will hold on a daily basis. Out of all the mascaras I've tried, from ones that seem overpriced even for Sephora to the ones in the bottom of the bargain bins in the local drugstore, the mascaras I always go back to are Maybelline mascaras. There's just no beating them in my book. They are true to the color (their black is the blackest black), the brushes are innovative as well as separating and coating lashes well, the packaging is sleek, the price is unbeatable, there's minimal smudging, I can get 12-hour wear without fading, no flaking, and both the waterproof and washable formulas hold curls like nobody's business.
It's obvious (well, it should be obvious at this point after that paragraph of praise) that I really like Maybelline mascara, but the one I've discovered recently that I feel doesn't get as much limelight or love as it should is the Illegal Lengths mascara. When it says that the fiber extensions will make your lashes longer, it means business. Not only did this mascara give me a few millimeters of lengths (2 to 2.5) with just one coat, but my lashes still looked real with a bit of drama with the new length. And the best part? Still no smudging, flaking, fading, or uncurling. Adios, short lashes!
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
There's a 98% Chance You're Missing Sunscreen on a Crucial Area as You Read This
If you're not wearing sun protection of some kind right now, stop everything you're doing. Go put it on, then come back. Trust me, I can wait.
I bet that everyone's heard that wearing SPF 30 (or higher) no matter the weather and no matter the season is super important, and I've been doing that almost without thinking for nearly all my life. In fact, if someone tells me that they don't wear sunscreen on a daily basis, I think it's super weird. But on a camping trip not too long, even though I applied my sun protection religiously, at the end of the four days, I discovered that I had missed something that was right in front of my eyes: my lips. My face and other appendages had gotten away unscathed, but boy were my lips in pain. Not only were they red as cherry tomatoes, peeling, perpetually dry, and cracking, but they stung. It hurt to eat, drink, or even lick my lips. Putting on lip products to help ended up in an uneven mess, and lip color was completely out of the question. Eventually, my lips went back to normal after a week, but I have learned my lesson since 1) I am addicted to lip products 2) I was completely miserable.
So if you're reading this right now, make sure you didn't skip your lips! Make sure that during the day, you use something with some SPF and avoid a painful week with clown-red lips, 'kay?
Some of my personal picks as of this moment:
. Nivea's A Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care SPF 10 (also in a SPF 15 version)
. EOS (Evolution of Smooth) Lemon Drop Lip Balm (SPF 15)
. Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched (SPF 20, and I know I wrote something about bad experiences with Baby Lips, but this specific flavor actually outperformed the others that I've tried and I find it quite nice.)
Monday, February 17, 2014
Not Worth The Hype: Maybelline New York Baby Lips
I feel like I might be standing alone when I say this because I see so many people loving this product, but I don't think that Maybelline's Baby Lips are worth all the hype. Or the $3.30 you pay for it. Now before people start marching over to my house with pitchforks and clubs, I just have to say that I tried so hard to like this. I was so excited when I found this at my local Target, and summer had just started and these looked fun and colorful, so I picked it up in Pink Punch (the bright pink one on the far right in the photo above). I used this for four months even though I didn't like it, pushing myself to try to love it like everyone else! But now it's been more than eight months, and I can honestly accept that this product just didn't ring a bell with me.
First, while the packaging is absolutely adorable and really drew me in, it feels really cheap in my hands, like if I were to throw it in my beach bag and walk down the boardwalk for a long, sunny day at the beach, the plastic might not hold up. Like the packaging, the scent is really pretty, like a tropical smoothie, but it smells synthetic. Very, very synthetic. I'm not sensitive to that kind of thing, but just a heads up for people who might not enjoy scents that don't smell like the real thing.
The product itself is very smooth (slippery even) going on and it feels good, but the moisture does not last past twenty minutes, and I haven't noticed any improvement in my lips over long-term use. Also, this lack of lasting moisture also makes the color patch in any crack or dry area, which is not flattering. Of course, my first thought was to try to make it work by applying more often, but that is an absolutely horrible idea. The color is very, very bright for all of the colors, so every time you reapply, the color just builds on and accumulates in dry patches or cracks even more. So while I started with a bright but subtle pink flush on my lips, after about three applications I looked like Nicki Minaj.
I also found that I can't layer this under lipstick or lipgloss because 1) the slipperiness of this makes the color on top slide around 2) the moisture doesn't last.
So, in conclusion, as much as I've tried for eight months to love this, I just don't like it and I don't think it's worth all the hype.
Friday, February 7, 2014
How to Look Good In Your Driver's License Photo
The dreaded driver's license photo. Notorious for making people look lifeless and dreary in the most unflattering of ways. And it seems inevitable with the drab white background, cranky employees, bright fluorescent lights, and generally boring atmosphere. While your driver's license photo isn't a glamour shot for a fashion magazine- rather it is a serious form of identification- gosh, that thing is going to be around for a long time. Ten years to be exact, a decade if you want to call it that. So who can blame us for wanting to look a little better with some tips?
1) Look like you. So ditch the bright red lips and Hollywood-ready smokey eyes. Again, a driver's license is a serious form of identification used for official, important matters, so it is important to look like yourself, and not like Angelina Jolie or Nicole Kidman just before the Oscars (though they are absolutely gorgeous!).
2) Embrace your natural hair texture. Again, try to look like yourself, so if the case ever arises that a police officer or some other official person (sorry, it's late at night, my vocabulary left the office at 6 o'clock), they will know what you actually look like.
3) Pull hair out of the way. Obviously, if your fringe is covering your eyes, they can't see your face clearly, but also if you pull all of your hair over one shoulder, it will unbalance how your face looks in the picture, make the picture more cluttered, and look like your hair is one giant glop. Pull it out of the way, or split the hair into two sections and put one over one shoulder, and the other over the second. However, don't go for the slicked-back, strict-as-a-corset, "Russian" ballerina bun either, because that's a bit more severe.
4) Add some color back into your face. Now this doesn't mean that we should go out and buy clown makeup. The fluorescent lights and bleak background will wash your face out, regardless of skin tone. Unless the hungover zombie look is desired, blush and bronzer will be your best friend. Use bronzer that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone, and a natural, healthy-looking blush.
5) Find a good angle. If you take selfies a lot, I'm sure this is something you already have an idea of. Straight-on shots are not always flattering, so if you can find an angle that makes you look great without blocking the view of any of your features, you're golden.
6) Don't pile on a store-full of luminizer or highlighter, and don't overdo the shimmer/sparkle. Yes, I love sparkle, shimmer, and highlighter as much as the next person, but using too much of these products will backfire and make your face look wet or shiny. Use these with a light hand and caution in mind.
7) Look friendly. Some states have banned smiling in photos, and we can't really do anything about that then, but if you are allowed to smile, then go ahead and look friendly and happy with a little, cute, closed-mouthed smile, or a Tyra Banks-approved "smize".
1) Look like you. So ditch the bright red lips and Hollywood-ready smokey eyes. Again, a driver's license is a serious form of identification used for official, important matters, so it is important to look like yourself, and not like Angelina Jolie or Nicole Kidman just before the Oscars (though they are absolutely gorgeous!).
2) Embrace your natural hair texture. Again, try to look like yourself, so if the case ever arises that a police officer or some other official person (sorry, it's late at night, my vocabulary left the office at 6 o'clock), they will know what you actually look like.
3) Pull hair out of the way. Obviously, if your fringe is covering your eyes, they can't see your face clearly, but also if you pull all of your hair over one shoulder, it will unbalance how your face looks in the picture, make the picture more cluttered, and look like your hair is one giant glop. Pull it out of the way, or split the hair into two sections and put one over one shoulder, and the other over the second. However, don't go for the slicked-back, strict-as-a-corset, "Russian" ballerina bun either, because that's a bit more severe.
4) Add some color back into your face. Now this doesn't mean that we should go out and buy clown makeup. The fluorescent lights and bleak background will wash your face out, regardless of skin tone. Unless the hungover zombie look is desired, blush and bronzer will be your best friend. Use bronzer that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone, and a natural, healthy-looking blush.
5) Find a good angle. If you take selfies a lot, I'm sure this is something you already have an idea of. Straight-on shots are not always flattering, so if you can find an angle that makes you look great without blocking the view of any of your features, you're golden.
6) Don't pile on a store-full of luminizer or highlighter, and don't overdo the shimmer/sparkle. Yes, I love sparkle, shimmer, and highlighter as much as the next person, but using too much of these products will backfire and make your face look wet or shiny. Use these with a light hand and caution in mind.
7) Look friendly. Some states have banned smiling in photos, and we can't really do anything about that then, but if you are allowed to smile, then go ahead and look friendly and happy with a little, cute, closed-mouthed smile, or a Tyra Banks-approved "smize".
Friday, January 3, 2014
Showdown of the Perfume Travel Atomizers: The Travalo vs. FLO
So, I've been getting really into perfumes lately, and my collection has just been growing and growing. I just noticed how when I smell nice all day, my happiness, confidence, and general mood goes up, and that's always a good thing. However, sometimes my perfume doesn't quite last the ten hours I'm away from home, so I decided to invest in a perfume atomizer to carry around my favorite scent with. The two most popular ones seen to be the Travalo and the FLO atomizers, and I was really confused as to which one I should buy. But after doing some research, I finally set my dollars down on the FLO (eBay, $7.50 with free, 3-day shipping), and here are the pros and cons of each product that led to that decision.
The FLO Atomizer: Pros (7 mL fluid capacity, around $10.00)
. The bottle is glass, so it won't tamper with the fragrance's composition
. Sleek-looking aluminum casing that is elegant, sturdy, and pretty
. Universal to all types of perfumes (spray perfumes with nozzles of all types, pour perfumes)
. Casing protects perfume from sunlight (which breaks down the molecules).
. Small, easy to carry around, and travel-friendly/compliant
The FLO Atomizer: Cons
. Only 3 colors (pink, silver, black)
. A little product may come onto fingers (but I'm a really careful person, so I don't think this is a big deal, and I see how if one would angle the FLO so that the nozzle of the perfume bottle is pointing slightly downwards, the leakage would be minimized, or maybe even eliminated)
Travalo: Pros (5 mL fluid capacity, around $10.99)
. Many, many colors
. Small side window to see how much fluid is in the case (or in the older models, the entire thing is clear)
. Small, easy to carry around, and travel-friendly/compliant
Travalo: Cons
. The older version is plastic, so sunlight can break the perfume down and plastic isn't quite as sturdy as aluminum, the newer version seems a little better
. Only works with removable spray nozzles
In my opinion, just looking at the pros and cons, the FLO atomizer seem better, and I like that the FLO is universal (works with all perfume). The Travalo only works with spray nozzles, and only the spray nozzles that are removable.
I watched some videos of people loading both the FLO and the Travalo, and while in the FLO, the bottom lid has a small piece on the cap to plug the bottom, sealing off the perfume, the Travalo seems like it would leak because there's no bottom part, and I'm not sure how the makers intend for the perfume to stay in there.
Also, there is more fluid capacity for the FLO than the Travalo, and the price is less for a product that is higher quality and more aesthetically pleasing. Win!
Finally, I change perfumes quite a lot, and the FLO states that it can be cleaned easily with some rubbing alcohol, or just putting in new perfume and flushing out the old one with a few spritzes. However, on the Travalo's site, it says that they don't recommend reusing a Travalo. So to change perfumes, you have to buy a whole other Travalo for another $10.99? They states that if you really wanted to clean the Travalo, you had to find an empty spray bottle (detachable nozzle, of course) and use that to flush it out. That's more money or time digging around for stuff.
My Verdict: FLO wins!
The FLO Atomizer: Pros (7 mL fluid capacity, around $10.00)
. The bottle is glass, so it won't tamper with the fragrance's composition
. Sleek-looking aluminum casing that is elegant, sturdy, and pretty
. Universal to all types of perfumes (spray perfumes with nozzles of all types, pour perfumes)
. Casing protects perfume from sunlight (which breaks down the molecules).
. Small, easy to carry around, and travel-friendly/compliant
The FLO Atomizer: Cons
. Only 3 colors (pink, silver, black)
. A little product may come onto fingers (but I'm a really careful person, so I don't think this is a big deal, and I see how if one would angle the FLO so that the nozzle of the perfume bottle is pointing slightly downwards, the leakage would be minimized, or maybe even eliminated)
Travalo: Pros (5 mL fluid capacity, around $10.99)
. Many, many colors
. Small side window to see how much fluid is in the case (or in the older models, the entire thing is clear)
. Small, easy to carry around, and travel-friendly/compliant
Travalo: Cons
. The older version is plastic, so sunlight can break the perfume down and plastic isn't quite as sturdy as aluminum, the newer version seems a little better
. Only works with removable spray nozzles
In my opinion, just looking at the pros and cons, the FLO atomizer seem better, and I like that the FLO is universal (works with all perfume). The Travalo only works with spray nozzles, and only the spray nozzles that are removable.
I watched some videos of people loading both the FLO and the Travalo, and while in the FLO, the bottom lid has a small piece on the cap to plug the bottom, sealing off the perfume, the Travalo seems like it would leak because there's no bottom part, and I'm not sure how the makers intend for the perfume to stay in there.
Also, there is more fluid capacity for the FLO than the Travalo, and the price is less for a product that is higher quality and more aesthetically pleasing. Win!
Finally, I change perfumes quite a lot, and the FLO states that it can be cleaned easily with some rubbing alcohol, or just putting in new perfume and flushing out the old one with a few spritzes. However, on the Travalo's site, it says that they don't recommend reusing a Travalo. So to change perfumes, you have to buy a whole other Travalo for another $10.99? They states that if you really wanted to clean the Travalo, you had to find an empty spray bottle (detachable nozzle, of course) and use that to flush it out. That's more money or time digging around for stuff.
My Verdict: FLO wins!
Friday, December 27, 2013
My New Discovery for the New Year (2014)
I'm not joking. I think I just found one of my all-time favorite beauty lines.
It's Boots No.7, and all of the branching companies, such as Boots Botanics, Boots Expert Care, and Champreys.
Not only do they make makeup, skincare products, bath products, and body products, they are so affordably priced and their skincare products rival some of my Shiseido, Bliss, and Estee Lauder products!
What are some of your guys' favorite beauty brands? Sound off in the comments and have a wonderful, beautiful, happy new year!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Holiday Special: Turn Heads at the Next Holiday Party
Happy holidays and Christmas Eve, everyone!
I know I don't post very consistently, but since it's so close to Christmas (less than 24 hours actually), I felt that it'd be only right to post something for people to enjoy. Hopefully.
Since it's the holiday season, and after Christmas the new year of 2014 is looming closely on the horizon, I'm willing to assume that a lot of people will be throwing or attending holiday parties. I always love holiday parties for the companionship, cheer, and festivities, but it also means dressing up. Which I am rather inept at because it's so hard for me to step outside of my fashion comfort zone. However, after some experimenting, I found some fun, wearable, easy ways to change up your look for the holidays ranging from subtle to a bit of edge and boldness (well, in my opinion).
1) Metallics and holiday colors in eye makeup. Try things such as using a metallic gold eyeliner or a light dusting of some glittery, shimmery eyeshadow for some subtle sparkle. It's easy to pull off, not too bold, and it will look great when you and your friends are all sitting around the holiday candlelight. I also tried a dark, lush green eyeliner with some gold eyeshadow, and it really brought out the colors of my eyes and pulled my outfit together. And I was not self-conscious at all.
2) Glam accessories. Nothing pulls an outfit together better than some seriously fabulous accessories. And since it's the holidays, it's perfectly acceptable to wear more bling than ever! Some simple ideas are some dangle earrings with serious sparkle; a cute, red bow on a dress or in hair; a cute charm bracelet; delicate, elegant necklaces; sparkly headbands; and bold, chunkier statements pieces! Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!
3) Don't be afraid to show some skin. Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean that every inch of you needs to be covered in flannel or fleece. It's easy to be both cozy and cute in a skirt and dress. If you're going to be indoors, then rock those legs! (Just don't forget some moisturizer to avoid pastiness or a slight dusting of bronze shimmer to give them a leaner effect. If the dryness is really severe, or if you're feeling shy, pantyhose will be your best bet.) Outside, skirts and dresses and be layered over cute, patterned tights or leggings! Also, don't forget about sweater dresses. They make some sweater dresses that are just so pretty that I wish I could wear them all year.
4) Scents make sense. While accessories make a huge impact on an outfit's "togetherness", perfume is a finishing touch that can really take your style from good to brilliant.
5) Retro glam. I never thought I'd say this, but the holidays are a great time to whip out some good ol' retro-inspired hairstyles! For example, a classic wave from the old-time silver screens looks great with a sparkly, mid-thigh party dress!
6) Bold lips! Bolder, darker lip colors have got to be one of my favorite things about the colder months, including shades like raspberry, deep red, plum, fuchsia, and magenta. However, for the holidays, there's an excuse to really amp it up to include shimmer or major gloss in lip colors! I never thought about wearing a red lip, but pairing it with a creamy white sweater totally made it work.
And that's about it! If I missed anything or if you have some tips and ideas to share, leave them in the comments.
Happy holidays and merry Christmas, everyone!
I know I don't post very consistently, but since it's so close to Christmas (less than 24 hours actually), I felt that it'd be only right to post something for people to enjoy. Hopefully.
Since it's the holiday season, and after Christmas the new year of 2014 is looming closely on the horizon, I'm willing to assume that a lot of people will be throwing or attending holiday parties. I always love holiday parties for the companionship, cheer, and festivities, but it also means dressing up. Which I am rather inept at because it's so hard for me to step outside of my fashion comfort zone. However, after some experimenting, I found some fun, wearable, easy ways to change up your look for the holidays ranging from subtle to a bit of edge and boldness (well, in my opinion).
1) Metallics and holiday colors in eye makeup. Try things such as using a metallic gold eyeliner or a light dusting of some glittery, shimmery eyeshadow for some subtle sparkle. It's easy to pull off, not too bold, and it will look great when you and your friends are all sitting around the holiday candlelight. I also tried a dark, lush green eyeliner with some gold eyeshadow, and it really brought out the colors of my eyes and pulled my outfit together. And I was not self-conscious at all.
2) Glam accessories. Nothing pulls an outfit together better than some seriously fabulous accessories. And since it's the holidays, it's perfectly acceptable to wear more bling than ever! Some simple ideas are some dangle earrings with serious sparkle; a cute, red bow on a dress or in hair; a cute charm bracelet; delicate, elegant necklaces; sparkly headbands; and bold, chunkier statements pieces! Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!
3) Don't be afraid to show some skin. Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean that every inch of you needs to be covered in flannel or fleece. It's easy to be both cozy and cute in a skirt and dress. If you're going to be indoors, then rock those legs! (Just don't forget some moisturizer to avoid pastiness or a slight dusting of bronze shimmer to give them a leaner effect. If the dryness is really severe, or if you're feeling shy, pantyhose will be your best bet.) Outside, skirts and dresses and be layered over cute, patterned tights or leggings! Also, don't forget about sweater dresses. They make some sweater dresses that are just so pretty that I wish I could wear them all year.
4) Scents make sense. While accessories make a huge impact on an outfit's "togetherness", perfume is a finishing touch that can really take your style from good to brilliant.
5) Retro glam. I never thought I'd say this, but the holidays are a great time to whip out some good ol' retro-inspired hairstyles! For example, a classic wave from the old-time silver screens looks great with a sparkly, mid-thigh party dress!
6) Bold lips! Bolder, darker lip colors have got to be one of my favorite things about the colder months, including shades like raspberry, deep red, plum, fuchsia, and magenta. However, for the holidays, there's an excuse to really amp it up to include shimmer or major gloss in lip colors! I never thought about wearing a red lip, but pairing it with a creamy white sweater totally made it work.
And that's about it! If I missed anything or if you have some tips and ideas to share, leave them in the comments.
Happy holidays and merry Christmas, everyone!
Friday, November 8, 2013
Hand Cream: Underrated Savior or Just Another Unnecessary Tube?
For the longest time, I avoided hand cream. Like the plague. (I know that sounds cliche because that's really the only way to describe my feelings and behaviors towards that stuff.) Why? Well:
1) It's greasy, which makes me unproductive. I can't type, play piano, or touch stuff in general waiting for that layer of grease to sink in. I don't have the time for that.
2) Hand cream reminded me of old ladies. There was just this really strange association.
3) It seemed like a completely unnecessary expense to my (already) huge beauty list.
Couldn't I just use regular lotion? Why should I buy a separate cream, lotion, or whatever? However, after reading some articles, I learned that I shouldn't have avoided hand cream all these years. Even if I were to keep my skin in prime condition for the next gazillion years, my hands would be one of the first things to give away my actual age in a gazillion years if I didn't do something about them, because hands tend to be one of the drier parts of the body. Without adequate moisture, wrinkles would eventually form. So I went out, bought my first hand cream, and... Completely fell in love. It made my hands feel so smooth, soothed the dryness (and the accompanying itching, flaking, pain from cracking, etc.), smelled lovely, and the love letter goes on and on and on. Now, I'm pretty much a hand cream junkie.
In my opinion, hand cream is not just another unnecessary tube. Rather, it's an underrated savior.
So in the future, I'll be posting some reviews and posts for hand cream. Well, on top of reviews and posts for other stuff.
Eos Sweet Mint Lip Sphere Review
This review was originally posted in one of my earliest blogs, but since I'm about to delete that blog, I decided to post this here, just because I thought it may be helpful. :)
Eos Lip Sphere in Sweet Mint Review
This just might be the best lip balm I've ever used, no joke, and I'm pretty impressed myself considering how picky I am when it comes to cosmetics. I've always heard a lot about these little lip balm spheres, but I never had the chance to try it until now, and now I know what all the rage is about.
The packaging is first what caught my eye. It's like a little egg, with a small, flattened surface on one end (so it can stand) and you twist it open. I like the texture of the lip sphere because it's really smooth and it's a lot easier to open compared to other lip balms in twist-up tubes. Plus, the colors of Eos Lip Spheres are so vivid and beautiful.
The lip balm inside is like a little, smooth mound (think of if the earth was cut in half, thus a hemisphere!). It goes on extremely smooth, and the contoured shape makes it a lot easier to apply opposed to tube lip balms because it fits the shape of your lips. With this type of packaging and shape, you get a lot more product.
The lip balm inside is absolutely. Amazing. It's really smooth and sheer, but still offers a lot of protection and hydration for your lips that lasts for a long time. I like how the lip balm is really well textured, so there's no stickiness, chunky pieces, or gritty grains inside. The flavors only make this lip balm better. I love how there are so many varieties of flavors, and the quality of the flavor blows my socks off. Sweet Mint makes my lips tingle, and it smells and tastes incredible. I've been using Eos Lip Spheres for only a week, but it has made my lips so soft.
On a scale of one to ten, I give this lip balm a twelve. :)
Eos Lip Sphere in Sweet Mint Review
This just might be the best lip balm I've ever used, no joke, and I'm pretty impressed myself considering how picky I am when it comes to cosmetics. I've always heard a lot about these little lip balm spheres, but I never had the chance to try it until now, and now I know what all the rage is about.
The packaging is first what caught my eye. It's like a little egg, with a small, flattened surface on one end (so it can stand) and you twist it open. I like the texture of the lip sphere because it's really smooth and it's a lot easier to open compared to other lip balms in twist-up tubes. Plus, the colors of Eos Lip Spheres are so vivid and beautiful.
The lip balm inside is like a little, smooth mound (think of if the earth was cut in half, thus a hemisphere!). It goes on extremely smooth, and the contoured shape makes it a lot easier to apply opposed to tube lip balms because it fits the shape of your lips. With this type of packaging and shape, you get a lot more product.
The lip balm inside is absolutely. Amazing. It's really smooth and sheer, but still offers a lot of protection and hydration for your lips that lasts for a long time. I like how the lip balm is really well textured, so there's no stickiness, chunky pieces, or gritty grains inside. The flavors only make this lip balm better. I love how there are so many varieties of flavors, and the quality of the flavor blows my socks off. Sweet Mint makes my lips tingle, and it smells and tastes incredible. I've been using Eos Lip Spheres for only a week, but it has made my lips so soft.
On a scale of one to ten, I give this lip balm a twelve. :)
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Be Warned
Okay guys, just hang in there, because I am going to rant.
There is a company called Discount Dance Supply, and for the past five year, I've thought they were absolutely wonderful. Until now. Until I had to make a return, which I had never done before.
I had bought five leotards on their website, and checked the sizing chart for every single one, just because that's a habit I've had for the longest time. But when I finally got the leotards, I took one look at every single one and I could tell that they were all way too small. I didn't even try them on to see that they were too small. So I neatly packed the leotards into a box, wrote the check to cover the returns and shipping, and filled out the form, informing Discount Dance Supply that the garments were too small, not accurate to the sizing chart, and new (meaning unworn, the tags still there, packaging still intact). Then, I was off to the post office.
So, about ten days later, I got a package from Discount Dance, and initially I was very impressed with their speed and efficiency. However, when I opened the box, I was furious. Inside were the original leotards I had sent back, along with an angry-looking letter. As I read the letter, I felt like I was personally being screamed at. It was in very rude wording, with very condescending language. Reading it, I felt like they thought that I, a loyal customer for the past five years, was a stupid, retarded ape. It said that I couldn't have my leotards exchanged because they were "soiled". How could they be soiled? All I did was unzip the packets they came in, look at the leotard, decide they were too small, fold the leotard up, and put it back into the packet. Plus, the letter was very unclear on whether they were giving me back credit or not. I sure hope so because now I have five leotards that are absolutely useless, over $120 wasted, and I am so angry that I was so tempted to send the company a link to this blog.
These righteous, selfish, unreasonable people will never be touching or seeing any more of my hard-earned money in the future. I now realize that there is too much hype around this pathetic, rude, disrespectful excuse for a business.
And to the people who (thank you) have read so far, NEVER order from this company if you are expecting good customer service, because their customer service is the absolute worst. Save your money for a company more deserving, attentive, and unselfish.
There is a company called Discount Dance Supply, and for the past five year, I've thought they were absolutely wonderful. Until now. Until I had to make a return, which I had never done before.
I had bought five leotards on their website, and checked the sizing chart for every single one, just because that's a habit I've had for the longest time. But when I finally got the leotards, I took one look at every single one and I could tell that they were all way too small. I didn't even try them on to see that they were too small. So I neatly packed the leotards into a box, wrote the check to cover the returns and shipping, and filled out the form, informing Discount Dance Supply that the garments were too small, not accurate to the sizing chart, and new (meaning unworn, the tags still there, packaging still intact). Then, I was off to the post office.
So, about ten days later, I got a package from Discount Dance, and initially I was very impressed with their speed and efficiency. However, when I opened the box, I was furious. Inside were the original leotards I had sent back, along with an angry-looking letter. As I read the letter, I felt like I was personally being screamed at. It was in very rude wording, with very condescending language. Reading it, I felt like they thought that I, a loyal customer for the past five years, was a stupid, retarded ape. It said that I couldn't have my leotards exchanged because they were "soiled". How could they be soiled? All I did was unzip the packets they came in, look at the leotard, decide they were too small, fold the leotard up, and put it back into the packet. Plus, the letter was very unclear on whether they were giving me back credit or not. I sure hope so because now I have five leotards that are absolutely useless, over $120 wasted, and I am so angry that I was so tempted to send the company a link to this blog.
These righteous, selfish, unreasonable people will never be touching or seeing any more of my hard-earned money in the future. I now realize that there is too much hype around this pathetic, rude, disrespectful excuse for a business.
And to the people who (thank you) have read so far, NEVER order from this company if you are expecting good customer service, because their customer service is the absolute worst. Save your money for a company more deserving, attentive, and unselfish.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
How Vacation Affects Your Skin
Choosing a travel destination of your dreams not only depends on the money, scheduling, entertainment, and general area, but also take into consideration your health. For many, that could mean many things. Yes, the water may have more hardness, so it may make your hair frizzier, or the area has more tropical diseases, etc. While those are important, for me, it's my skin.
Just recently I took a two week trip to Beijing, China. Beijing is one of the most densely populated (possibly overpopulated) and therefore polluted cities in China because it's the capital. While the cultural aspect was amazing, there were beautiful museums, parks, and trendy restaurants and stores, and the general buzz of busy urban life was exciting, the pollution in the air wrecked havoc on my skin. When I arrived in Beijing, I had nothing more than two blackheads on my nose. Otherwise, my skin was smooth, clear, and as perfect as it could be. However, as the dust, air pollution, humidity, and heat got to me, my skin became increasingly problematic. My skin because sticky (heat and humidity) all the time, and it got oilier and oilier. I noticed more blackheads, which were more severe than those that I had developed in the states. Also, I got two very painful red bumps on my nose, two red bumps on my forehead, and three on my cheeks. This was the worst my skin has ever been in my life. I had never had acne as severe as this in my personal experience. I was appalled. I felt ugly and gross all the time. Horrible.
Okay, so far, this story has been a total downer. However, my point is not to deter you from traveling to famous, exciting urban cities.
Here comes the happy part: By the start of the second week, I finally stopped sulking, and started experimenting with ways to stop this horrendous behavior on my skin's part. And to my surprise, I actually did find things that worked. So for those who want clear skin in polluted urban cities (Beijing, China is the target of this article because that's where I went), keep this list handy:
1) Oil-Blotting Sheets: I always hear about how great these little papers of magic are, but I never knew their true potential until my skin disaster. These won't treat the skin of blemishes already present, but they can prevent more breakouts by absorbing the excess oil. Plus they're inexpensive, handy for keeping skin matte, and can be used over makeup. I recommend e.l.f.'s Shine Eraser Oil Blotting Sheets, which is a mere $1 USD for 50 sheets!
2) Oil-Free Cleanser: This should be pretty obvious.
3) Oil-Free Moisturizer: This one is pretty obvious as well.
4) Alcohol-Free Moisturizer: Alcohol is drying, so it strips the skin of essential oil (yes, you can't have COMPLETELY oil-less skin). Then, this lack of appropriate oil makes the skin freak out, and overproduce oil.
5) Toner: I know toner is pretty controversial, but it helped me. Toner tightens pores, cleans skin, and (to me) it's refreshing. I chose Clean and Clear's Deep Cleaning Toner for Sensitive Skin, about $3.99 USD.
6) Always Moisturize: As explained in the alcohol-free moisturizer heading, skin freaks out when it's stripped of essential oils it needs to function and therefore it produces excess oil, which leads to breakouts and icky feelings. This is why you need to moisturize! It's not only for dry skin, oily-skinned people also need moisture. The more oil you try to strip your skin of, the more it'll produce. What we should all try to achieve is a nice balance of not too much oil, not too little oil.
7) Serums and Other Treatments You Normally Use: Don't ditch that vitamin A eye cream or throw the antioxidant serum out of the window. Though your routine might need a bit of tweaking to control oil, breakouts, or dryness in the big city, you still should keep your normal serums and treatments close at hand to keep the benefits.
8) If Possible, Light Makeup: Less stuff on your skin to weight it down.
Happy travels!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Shout Out To Heat Protectant
Hey wonderful people of the world!
I know this is out of my normal range of topics, but I just wanted to remind people of a very, very, very important step in hair care that I just cannot emphasize enough: use heat protectant please, please, please when you style your hair with hot tools or heat stylers. I know many people who have learned the hard way.
My friend, let's call her Amy, used to have the most amazing, unique hair that I had ever seen before in my life. It was your normal shade of light to medium brown, but it was naturally curly like a mermaid's hair, and it was down to the middle of her back. In short, it was one of the most gorgeous hairstyles that I had seen. While I thought that she should just leave it be as it was, I couldn't convince her that it was gorgeous. (But who could blame her? We all have something we're not satisfied about.) She would straighten, or straighten then spiral curl her hair with hot tools. At first, I noticed this about once or twice a week, but within two months, it started happening every single day. I noticed, but my first thought was, "Eh, free country, it's not my hair, I can't tell her what to do with it if she doesn't want me to."
Then, just yesterday, she ran up to me. Her hair was flat, but it seemed frizzier than it usually was. I thought that she had just straightened it again.
"Did you straighten your hair today?"
"No, I showered, got out, and let it air dry, that's it."
"Isn't it usually... Curly after you shower?"
"Yeah... But not anymore."
Yup, turned out after I checked her ends and felt her hair that she had literally killed her hair with the hot tools and heat styling. Instead of returning after a shower to her normal bouncy mermaid locks, her hair was not flat, dull, and frizzed out. When I asked her whether she used heat protectant, she responded saying that she had not.
So, my friends, spare yourself the stress and worry of a bad hair day, and nurture your hair to look its best by just simply using some heat protectant when you plan on using heat to style your hair. It's quick and easy with the range of heat protectants out there these days. But please do your hair and yourself a favor: don't forget the heat protectant!
I know this is out of my normal range of topics, but I just wanted to remind people of a very, very, very important step in hair care that I just cannot emphasize enough: use heat protectant please, please, please when you style your hair with hot tools or heat stylers. I know many people who have learned the hard way.
My friend, let's call her Amy, used to have the most amazing, unique hair that I had ever seen before in my life. It was your normal shade of light to medium brown, but it was naturally curly like a mermaid's hair, and it was down to the middle of her back. In short, it was one of the most gorgeous hairstyles that I had seen. While I thought that she should just leave it be as it was, I couldn't convince her that it was gorgeous. (But who could blame her? We all have something we're not satisfied about.) She would straighten, or straighten then spiral curl her hair with hot tools. At first, I noticed this about once or twice a week, but within two months, it started happening every single day. I noticed, but my first thought was, "Eh, free country, it's not my hair, I can't tell her what to do with it if she doesn't want me to."
Then, just yesterday, she ran up to me. Her hair was flat, but it seemed frizzier than it usually was. I thought that she had just straightened it again.
"Did you straighten your hair today?"
"No, I showered, got out, and let it air dry, that's it."
"Isn't it usually... Curly after you shower?"
"Yeah... But not anymore."
Yup, turned out after I checked her ends and felt her hair that she had literally killed her hair with the hot tools and heat styling. Instead of returning after a shower to her normal bouncy mermaid locks, her hair was not flat, dull, and frizzed out. When I asked her whether she used heat protectant, she responded saying that she had not.
So, my friends, spare yourself the stress and worry of a bad hair day, and nurture your hair to look its best by just simply using some heat protectant when you plan on using heat to style your hair. It's quick and easy with the range of heat protectants out there these days. But please do your hair and yourself a favor: don't forget the heat protectant!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
How To Have Perfect Hair Everyday, All The Time
Have you ever wondered how some girls just seem to have absolutely perfect hair, all the time? In rain, shine, fog, snow, or even hurricane (well, not really, but you know what I mean)? Their perfect look looks absolutely unattainable. That's what I thought, too, until I accidentally came across the holy grail of hair perfection for up do's and when you just want to wear your hair down.
Wearing Your Hair Down:
Two words: Professional blowout. Yup, it's that easy, especially for straight hair! I usually let my hair air-dry because it's healthier, but once you master a safe and easy blowout, your hair will be so perfect! (Especially for straight hair!) This technique is highly attainable. Just search the web for all sorts of ideas suited to all kinds of hair types!
Benefits of the blowout:
. Is like a straightening iron
. Only requires a hair dryer, a round brush, and heat protectant balm (optional)
. If done correctly, a good blowout can last for days
. Incredibly easy to master and fast
Downfalls of the blowout:
. Does involve some heat, so be sure to let hair rest sometimes
If the blowout isn't really your style, here are a few other tips that will help your hair.
. Use a metal or boar bristle brush. Less static is always a good thing.
. Rub a little hair gel into damp hair, let dry, and then curl or straighten for a little extra hold. A spritz of hair spray afterwards will also help.
. Hair serum. Whether it's argan oil or a smoothing serum, finding a hair serum can really help you get the hair you want or tame some uncooperative locks.
. Practice, practice, practice. And patience. This is definitely easier said than done, but it works! The more you focus on working with your hair, the better you'll get!
Wearing Your Hair Up:
I'm actually surprised that most people don't already know these tips. Surely, these aren't all of 'em, but if you have more, feel free to post them in the comments!
. Fill a spray bottle with water, and spray it occasionally when working with your hair to keep it more cooperative, or start with damp hair.
. Finish with a small spritz of hair spray.
. Run the brush under water, and brush your hair to eliminate static and slightly dampen the hair to make it easier to work with.
. Tame fly-aways with hairspray and a toothbrush.
. Put the wavy part of the bobby pin towards your hair, instead of facing away from it. This will give it extra grip. Who knew everyone was using bobby pins wrong for all this time?
Wearing Your Hair Down:
Two words: Professional blowout. Yup, it's that easy, especially for straight hair! I usually let my hair air-dry because it's healthier, but once you master a safe and easy blowout, your hair will be so perfect! (Especially for straight hair!) This technique is highly attainable. Just search the web for all sorts of ideas suited to all kinds of hair types!
Benefits of the blowout:
. Is like a straightening iron
. Only requires a hair dryer, a round brush, and heat protectant balm (optional)
. If done correctly, a good blowout can last for days
. Incredibly easy to master and fast
Downfalls of the blowout:
. Does involve some heat, so be sure to let hair rest sometimes
If the blowout isn't really your style, here are a few other tips that will help your hair.
. Use a metal or boar bristle brush. Less static is always a good thing.
. Rub a little hair gel into damp hair, let dry, and then curl or straighten for a little extra hold. A spritz of hair spray afterwards will also help.
. Hair serum. Whether it's argan oil or a smoothing serum, finding a hair serum can really help you get the hair you want or tame some uncooperative locks.
. Practice, practice, practice. And patience. This is definitely easier said than done, but it works! The more you focus on working with your hair, the better you'll get!
Wearing Your Hair Up:
I'm actually surprised that most people don't already know these tips. Surely, these aren't all of 'em, but if you have more, feel free to post them in the comments!
. Fill a spray bottle with water, and spray it occasionally when working with your hair to keep it more cooperative, or start with damp hair.
. Finish with a small spritz of hair spray.
. Run the brush under water, and brush your hair to eliminate static and slightly dampen the hair to make it easier to work with.
. Tame fly-aways with hairspray and a toothbrush.
. Put the wavy part of the bobby pin towards your hair, instead of facing away from it. This will give it extra grip. Who knew everyone was using bobby pins wrong for all this time?
Monday, September 24, 2012
U by Kotex Barely There Thin Liners
U by Kotex Barely There Thin Liners Review
I have to admit that on those certain days of the month, period protection gets quite drab, which is why products in the U by Kotex line really catch my eye with their bright colors, cool, chic packaging, and hip products. This box of liners was no exception, and I'd have to say it's quite an exceptional product.
The liners come in different quantities from 60 liners to 120 liners in a box. Also, the price was quite nice, considering the quality. Each liner is individually wrapped in a cute, colorful little plastic wrapper (pink, green, blue, purple). The wrapper is held together by pressed sides and a small strip of adhesive where you peel it apart. After unfolding the wrapper, the liner is there, backed by a thin paper backing from which you peel the liner. The liner itself is shaped like any other pantiliner, but the outside was transparent! And a small, almost oval-ish section near the middle was white with a small, swirly lavender design.
Starting with the positive, I really like these because they don't feel like they're there, and not to mention the so non-drab, boring, cute, colorful packaging. I put one on, and frankly it felt like there was nothing there! That's a huge plus. Also, the transparent sides mentioned above make this pantiliner very discreet, and since the sides are transparent, you can fold them over to fit a thong! Ta da! (Total multitasking!) Also, even though these liners are incredibly thin, they are really absorbent. I was on a moderate to light day, wearing just one of these, and it lasted the entire day, no leaking. Just security and comfort. That's a huge score! Oh, another thing: these liners are so quiet. So amazing.
There's not much I don't like about these liners, except for the fact that it can sometimes be hard to peel them off the paper backing in the wrapper because the sides are so sheer and thin, but I think that's a minor detail.
So overall, these U by Kotex Barely There Thin Liners are an exceptional product. They are quiet and discreet, cute, absorbent, invisible-feeling, fit a thong no problem, and the quality is excellent considering that the price is so reasonable. The only minor detail is that peeling it off the wrapper sheet is difficult because of how thin the liner is. But this product gets a huge two thumbs up, and a well-earned 9.5. Bravo!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Paranoia: Irregular Periods
#1: My second period after my very first took five months to come. Is there something wrong with me?
Well, after the initial emotions, whether it be shock, excitement, or just plain confusion after menarche, your first period, there are always the questions, and irregular periods afterwards are just one of them. Since it's your body's first "go" at this, it may take a while for the cycles to adjust to become consistent in timing, flow, and routine. Your first period could be really heavy and last for two weeks, the second could come just weeks after the first and be really light and last for barely a day, and the third could come even six months later! It's all normal, because it could take a year or so for your body to settle on a cycle. But if you're really concerned, this blog entry is no replacement for a doctor (in other words, go see a doctor if you're really concerned).
#2: My period is taking longer than usual to come.
While you might be used to having your period come in a cycle of a certain amount of days, it's okay if it's off by a day or two, because there are many factors that could delay, or speed your period, such as:
. Pressure
. Fatigue
. Diet and appetite
. Stress
. Amount of sleep
. General health at a certain time
Also, especially if it's only your second or third period, your body will sometimes vary the cycles. However, if it turns into a skipped period, you may want to see a doctor.
#3: I completely skipped a period! Could something be wrong and could I be pregnant?
You might skip a period because:
. You just had your first period recently, and your body is trying to settle into a routine, so that's fine.
. There are personal and environmental factors that could have delayed or skipped your period. If you're under a lot of stress and pressure, not eating right (not getting the nutrition you need), not getting enough sleep, or are just experiencing malaise, you might delay and skip a period, because periods are your body's way of saying that you're healthy.
. You might have something going on that a gynecologist or doctor should check out. If something doesn't feel quite right down there, definitely see a doctor at the very least for an exam.
. You might be pregnant. This is an unlikely event, unless you are sexually active. The best thing to do if you suspect that you're pregnant is to take a pregnancy test and see a doctor (because the last time I checked, this blog doesn't have a PhD).
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Eos Vanilla Bliss Shaving Cream Review
Recently, I was searching the shaving aisle of my local convenience store, and found a bottle of eos Vanilla Bliss Shaving Cream. I've heard a lot about this stuff, so I decided to give it a try, and I hope that this review will help you decide whether or not you'd like to try it as well!
The first thing that caught my eye was the bottle. It has a really soft, rubbery texture, which I find interesting and advantageous, because the rubber bottom doesn't leave rust rings in the bath. The bottle has some textured dents (which provided a nice grip, actually), and the frosted-style cap covers a simple, white pump with the words eos on it. I got this product for $3.49, which was nice.
Pros
Besides the no-rust-ring rubberized bottom, the gentle, vanilla scent was a huge draw for me as well, because it wasn't overwhelming like a lot of the other shaving creams that I've used before. Also, the product can be used wet or for dry shaving, which is very convenient because sometimes I don't have time to shower, so I just save some time shaving dry (but of course, I wet the razor). The product, pumped out, looked like lotion, and it was easy to spread onto my legs. It felt really smooth, and it let me get a really close shave. In fact, the cream was so good that it moisturized while I shaved so I didn't need to moisturize afterwards! It left my skin soft and smooth with little to no red bumps.
Cons
One thing about the bottle annoys me, and that is the difficulty of getting the product out when you only have about 1/3 of the bottle left. I usually have to shake it around or open it up, which is quite a hassle. Also, the shaving cream doesn't foam or expand, unlike most shaving creams. I guess this part is left to personal preference to decide whether you like it or not. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. This part is your choice. I find it easier to get a closer shave, but if you're not that comfortable with no foam, you might feel uncomfortable and end up cutting yourself.
Conclusion
Eos Vanilla Bliss Shaving Cream has wonderful, no-rust packaging, and the product has a delightful vanilla scent that doesn't overwhelm the senses. The product is quite moisturizing, can be used wet or dry to save time, and shaving with it didn't create little bumps or redness. Nicely done. However, this shaving cream is a bit hard to get out of the bottle when you near the bottom, and the shaving cream doesn't expand or foam like the average shaving cream, but you should decide for your personal preference. Overall, I liked eos Vanilla Bliss Shaving Cream, and I would definitely buy it again. On a scale of zero to ten, I would give this an 8.9.
The first thing that caught my eye was the bottle. It has a really soft, rubbery texture, which I find interesting and advantageous, because the rubber bottom doesn't leave rust rings in the bath. The bottle has some textured dents (which provided a nice grip, actually), and the frosted-style cap covers a simple, white pump with the words eos on it. I got this product for $3.49, which was nice.
Pros
Besides the no-rust-ring rubberized bottom, the gentle, vanilla scent was a huge draw for me as well, because it wasn't overwhelming like a lot of the other shaving creams that I've used before. Also, the product can be used wet or for dry shaving, which is very convenient because sometimes I don't have time to shower, so I just save some time shaving dry (but of course, I wet the razor). The product, pumped out, looked like lotion, and it was easy to spread onto my legs. It felt really smooth, and it let me get a really close shave. In fact, the cream was so good that it moisturized while I shaved so I didn't need to moisturize afterwards! It left my skin soft and smooth with little to no red bumps.
Cons
One thing about the bottle annoys me, and that is the difficulty of getting the product out when you only have about 1/3 of the bottle left. I usually have to shake it around or open it up, which is quite a hassle. Also, the shaving cream doesn't foam or expand, unlike most shaving creams. I guess this part is left to personal preference to decide whether you like it or not. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. This part is your choice. I find it easier to get a closer shave, but if you're not that comfortable with no foam, you might feel uncomfortable and end up cutting yourself.
Conclusion
Eos Vanilla Bliss Shaving Cream has wonderful, no-rust packaging, and the product has a delightful vanilla scent that doesn't overwhelm the senses. The product is quite moisturizing, can be used wet or dry to save time, and shaving with it didn't create little bumps or redness. Nicely done. However, this shaving cream is a bit hard to get out of the bottle when you near the bottom, and the shaving cream doesn't expand or foam like the average shaving cream, but you should decide for your personal preference. Overall, I liked eos Vanilla Bliss Shaving Cream, and I would definitely buy it again. On a scale of zero to ten, I would give this an 8.9.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Traveling With A Period
No one wants to travel with Aunt Flo. It's only because sometimes you have to, which totally sucks. But there's no need to let your period get in the way of a well-deserved vacation, because, believe it or not, you can manage your period and still have fun.
1) Pack adequate supplies. The area that you're traveling to, especially international travel, may not have your preferred brand of feminine hygiene supplies. There's no fun in getting stuck with pads the texture of cardboard or tampons with flimsy strings. Pack at least the minimum for getting through the trip, and if you are a heavy bleeder or want to feel secure, feel free to pack a few more. Better safe than sorry.
2) Get ready before you get out of the door. There might be a long line for the bathroom before you leave, and before you can get in the stall, you might have already leaked. Save yourself some time and hassle by getting ready before you leave and changing later, when it's more convenient.
3) Pads: Use extra protection. This applies especially on planes. Use a higher absorbency because you might not be able to change as often, so the absorbency will keep you protected. For long, international plane rides, you could also consider overnight pads, which are usually extra long, and have higher absorbency. This way you only need to change a few times as opposed to many.
4) Tampons: Backup or protect. For security, you could use a pad or extra pantiliner with a tampon or increase to the next absorbency. Your call.
2) Get ready before you get out of the door. There might be a long line for the bathroom before you leave, and before you can get in the stall, you might have already leaked. Save yourself some time and hassle by getting ready before you leave and changing later, when it's more convenient.
3) Pads: Use extra protection. This applies especially on planes. Use a higher absorbency because you might not be able to change as often, so the absorbency will keep you protected. For long, international plane rides, you could also consider overnight pads, which are usually extra long, and have higher absorbency. This way you only need to change a few times as opposed to many.
4) Tampons: Backup or protect. For security, you could use a pad or extra pantiliner with a tampon or increase to the next absorbency. Your call.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Paranoia: Smelly Period
Paranoia: Smelly Period
Fear #1: Other people being able to smell the period
Fear #2: If period smells are associated with other issues
Fear #1:
Yes, periods do have a smell of their own (all women's periods have its own distinct smell, it's natural), but can other people smell it? Even though you might notice, it's likely other people won't because they aren't as close to you as you, yourself. Often you might not even notice because it's so subtle. If anyone actually could smell it, they'd have to sniff "down there" closely, but I don't think you'd let them get that close. But if you really are concerned, you should practice good hygiene by showering everyday paying special attention to "down there, changing sanitary products as often as needed (to feel fresh, smell fresh, and be courteous to the comfort of others), and wearing breathable, cotton underwear.
Fear #2:
All periods naturally have their own, subtle smell, but if the smell is really strong, could it be some sickness? Only a doctor can know for sure. If you follow a good hygienic routine, this shouldn't happen, but if it does even on your most stringent routine, seeing a doctor is advisable.
Fear #1: Other people being able to smell the period
Fear #2: If period smells are associated with other issues
Fear #1:
Yes, periods do have a smell of their own (all women's periods have its own distinct smell, it's natural), but can other people smell it? Even though you might notice, it's likely other people won't because they aren't as close to you as you, yourself. Often you might not even notice because it's so subtle. If anyone actually could smell it, they'd have to sniff "down there" closely, but I don't think you'd let them get that close. But if you really are concerned, you should practice good hygiene by showering everyday paying special attention to "down there, changing sanitary products as often as needed (to feel fresh, smell fresh, and be courteous to the comfort of others), and wearing breathable, cotton underwear.
Fear #2:
All periods naturally have their own, subtle smell, but if the smell is really strong, could it be some sickness? Only a doctor can know for sure. If you follow a good hygienic routine, this shouldn't happen, but if it does even on your most stringent routine, seeing a doctor is advisable.
U By Kotex "Curves" Regular Liners
U By Kotex "Curves" Regular Liners
This is my very first review of a Kotex brand item! Hope you like it!
Packaging and Appearance: U by Kotex is known for its colorful, sleek, and bold packaging in the signature black box. That's what first caught my eye. The box is black, and the liners are each individually wrapped. The wrappers are colorful, and have this paisley/swirl designs on the edges. The liner is held closed by the folded wrapper and pressed edges, which has a thin edge of adhesive on the opening fold, but it isn't very strong. After unfolding the liner, the liner has an additional paper backing on the inside, which you peel the liner off of. This wrapper is decently quiet.
The liner itself is white, with a light purple design in the center. It's basically shaped like any other pantiliner to fit the shape of the crotch of your underwear. The cover sheet is soft, but does kind of feel "plastic-like" in a way. The adhesive is edge-to-edge and works very well.
Absorbency: This liner has nice absorbency, but only for more fluid substances. For example, discharge or heavy, sticky (sorry, graphic, I know) periods take FOREVER to absorb, which is a big thumbs down for me, but anything lighter light wetness or very fluid periods absorb pretty quickly.
Comfort: The liner is very flexible, which means it'll bounce back into place if bent or folded. This hugged it close to my body, so I couldn't even notice it after awhile. However, when I first put it on, it took awhile to feel invisible. The liner also made me feel dry, which is very nice.
Reliability and Weartest: The liner is pretty reliable because it has decent absorbency, etc., but the only thing I've noticed that it would kind of fall apart during exercise. If you were just lounging around the house, this doesn't happen, but I went jogging and played some soccer at the park, and I had noticed that the layers of the liner had separated, which could be a problem. However, before it fell apart, the adhesive did stick nicely with no shifting.
Summary:
Pros:
. Colorful, attractive packaging
. Strong adhesive
. Nice absorbency
. Flexible
. Soft
. Felt dry
Cons:
. Layers separated after exercise and a lot of movement
. Took a long time to absorb thicker fluids, but the thinner fluids were just fine
. Takes awhile to become unnoticeable
. Has a slight "plastic-like" feel
Overall, this is a pretty good liner, but it's not something particularly special or striking that you need to rush to the store for. As much as I love the cute packaging and other pros, the major thing is performance, and one of the biggest things that didn't completely "sell" me on this product was the layers separating. On a scale of 0 to 10, I would give this product a 5.
This is my very first review of a Kotex brand item! Hope you like it!
Packaging and Appearance: U by Kotex is known for its colorful, sleek, and bold packaging in the signature black box. That's what first caught my eye. The box is black, and the liners are each individually wrapped. The wrappers are colorful, and have this paisley/swirl designs on the edges. The liner is held closed by the folded wrapper and pressed edges, which has a thin edge of adhesive on the opening fold, but it isn't very strong. After unfolding the liner, the liner has an additional paper backing on the inside, which you peel the liner off of. This wrapper is decently quiet.
The liner itself is white, with a light purple design in the center. It's basically shaped like any other pantiliner to fit the shape of the crotch of your underwear. The cover sheet is soft, but does kind of feel "plastic-like" in a way. The adhesive is edge-to-edge and works very well.
Absorbency: This liner has nice absorbency, but only for more fluid substances. For example, discharge or heavy, sticky (sorry, graphic, I know) periods take FOREVER to absorb, which is a big thumbs down for me, but anything lighter light wetness or very fluid periods absorb pretty quickly.
Comfort: The liner is very flexible, which means it'll bounce back into place if bent or folded. This hugged it close to my body, so I couldn't even notice it after awhile. However, when I first put it on, it took awhile to feel invisible. The liner also made me feel dry, which is very nice.
Reliability and Weartest: The liner is pretty reliable because it has decent absorbency, etc., but the only thing I've noticed that it would kind of fall apart during exercise. If you were just lounging around the house, this doesn't happen, but I went jogging and played some soccer at the park, and I had noticed that the layers of the liner had separated, which could be a problem. However, before it fell apart, the adhesive did stick nicely with no shifting.
Summary:
Pros:
. Colorful, attractive packaging
. Strong adhesive
. Nice absorbency
. Flexible
. Soft
. Felt dry
Cons:
. Layers separated after exercise and a lot of movement
. Took a long time to absorb thicker fluids, but the thinner fluids were just fine
. Takes awhile to become unnoticeable
. Has a slight "plastic-like" feel
Overall, this is a pretty good liner, but it's not something particularly special or striking that you need to rush to the store for. As much as I love the cute packaging and other pros, the major thing is performance, and one of the biggest things that didn't completely "sell" me on this product was the layers separating. On a scale of 0 to 10, I would give this product a 5.
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Crescent Moon Blogs News! (Again!)
Hello!
I can't believe all the pageviews and support I'm getting! I'm really flattered and I am so thankful for such nice people in this world. :)
I hope that my blog has given you some useful information, but I want to give you more useful information! I will probably start doing more reviews, and that's where you can help me start a blog-ocracy! I want to know what you want to know about. If there is anything you want me to review, just post it in comments! Whether it be hair products, hush-hush stuff, shoes, whatever. I will try my hardest to write a review and hopefully save you some time and effort. :)
Thank you again for visiting my blog!
I can't believe all the pageviews and support I'm getting! I'm really flattered and I am so thankful for such nice people in this world. :)
I hope that my blog has given you some useful information, but I want to give you more useful information! I will probably start doing more reviews, and that's where you can help me start a blog-ocracy! I want to know what you want to know about. If there is anything you want me to review, just post it in comments! Whether it be hair products, hush-hush stuff, shoes, whatever. I will try my hardest to write a review and hopefully save you some time and effort. :)
Thank you again for visiting my blog!
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