Product Review: Venus & Olay Razor from Gillette
Recently I received a Love VoxBox courtesy of Influenster (a box of products to test and share your opinions on). One of the included items was this new razor from Gillette. A wall attachment was also included. I find these kind of comical as when I did live in an apartment and would get one with a razor they never stuck to the wall. I can’t try this one as my current home (a house) has painted bathroom walls.
Personally I do not have much luck with razors. As you can probably guess from the hair on my head my body hair is also coarse and grows quickly. The only two types of razors that I’ve ever loved have been discontinued. So I usually stick with one of the only brands of those cheap bag o razors that you pick up in discount stores that I can stand.
So while I thought this razor had a pleasing smell and I’ll always try a new razor I didn’t have high hopes. The first day that I used it my hair was a bit out of control (hey it was cold for a few days, xd). I didn’t feel like it was strong enough for my legs. I had to go over them repeatedly. It seemed to do a decent job on my arm pits though. I also felt that the double moisture bars (built in shaving soap) was a bit of overkill and that I was too soapy. I’ve used similar razors before but they didn’t seem as soapy.
However I’ve used it a few times since then and it’s starting to grow on me. As long as I don’t wait more than a day or day and a half it seems to do a great job on my arm pits and an okay one on my legs (I still have to do a double pass in some areas).
I haven’t cut myself with this razor (which is amazing for me with any razor). Of course the day that I went back to my cheapie in between to get done quickly I cut the hell out of my leg because I’d gotten used to pressing so hard while using this one.
So now that I’m more adept at using this thing and know what to expect I do like it. My only problem is that I’m poor and hairy so I’m not likely to be buying replacement cartridges for any type of razor like this on the regular.
If you can keep on top of shaving often and can afford these then I would recommend them.
Official Product Info from Gillette:
For the first time ever, Gillette Venus, a global leader in female shaving, and Olay, a global leader in skincare, are coming together to deliver a gold standard in shaving with the new Gillette Venus & Olay razor. Venus’ best shaving technology works with Olay Moisture Bars, offering women best-of-both-worlds shaving and skin expertise. Olay Moisture Bars help lock-in moisture to your skin for less dryness, and with every smoothing stroke, Venus’ five blades shave you close.
Product Details
Venus’ five-bladed razors shave you close and adjust to women’s curves for a smooth and comfortable shave, even over tricky shaving areas like knees and ankles.
Olay Moisture Bars contain skin-enhancing elements found in Olay products: Petrolatum helps lock in skin’s moisture for less dryness and Glycerin helps offer that goddess glow! Just wet the razor to release a light lather – no separate shave cream required.
As with most Venus razors, new Venus & Olay also features a rounded, pivoting head designed for women’s curves, and a soft-grip ergonomic handle for confident control, even in wet and soapy environment
Where to Buy
A refillable Venus & Olay with one replacement cartridge sells for approximately $8.99-$10.99. Packages of three replacement cartridges are available for about $14.99 - $19.49.
Venus & Olay has been available since March 15, 2012 at food, drug, convenience and mass merchandise stores throughout the United States.
You can visit the official site at
http://www.gillettevenus.com/en_US/index.jsp
Product Review: Truvia Sweetener
Recently I received a Love VoxBox courtesy of Influenster (a box of products to test and share your opinions on). One of the items that was included was a package of Truvia sweetener (plus a coupon for a future purchase, neat). I had heard a bit about Truvia. Truvia is extracted from stevia. I’m familiar with stevia as my brother is up on the health food scene. I like but don’t love it. A dab will do you (it’s potent) but it leaves a bitter taste.
It seems to me that Truvia was a way for them to package stevia to the general public (stevia is pretty expensive). Personally I’m not really picky about my artificial sweeteners in general. (I do consider Truvia to be artificial as the ingredients used in it are created in a lab). I can use any of them, aspartame, Equal, Sweet N Low, Splenda or a generic of any of the aforementioned. I mainly just use them when I occasionally have tea or coffee so I don’t think about them too much.
I tried the Truvia in a cup of Stash tea (also included in the same VoxBox). It seemed to do a good job. I only needed one packet. Another day I had a large saucer of coffee which needed 2 packets of Truvia to be adequately sweetened. I was satisfied with both drinks. I don’t know how it fairs in recipes as I don’t use artificial sweeteners for that.
I’m not a picky artificial sweetener girl but Truvia seems like a good option.
Official Info from Truvia:
Truvía natural sweetener is the first natural, great-tasting, zero-calorie sweetener born from the leaves of the stevia plant.
One packet of Truvía natural sweetener provides the same sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar. Truvía natural sweetener is refreshingly uncomplicated. Add it to coffee and tea. Sprinkle it on fruit and cereal. Truvía natural sweetener is a great alternative for people with diabetes. It is also kosher certified.
Where to Buy
Truvía natural sweetener is available nationally at most major retailers and in package sizes of 40-count, 80-count, 140-count and a spoonable jar.
Discover great-tasting recipe ideas and more at truvia.com
Kiss Nail Dress Demonstration & Review
Recently I received the Love VoxBox courtesy of Influenster. Influenster teams up with companies to send products to consumers for free in order for them to test them out and get feedback.
One of my favorite items in the Love VoxBox are the Nail Dress Fashion Strips from Kiss. In my last VoxBox I received press on nails. The learning curve on those was more difficult for a newbie like me. These fashion strips are simply stick on nail designs. Please view the video above to see me apply my first one.
I received this really fun design called Body Suit. Since I tend to not fully read directions I didn’t realize that I could cut them first. I applied the entire strips length wise and then just filed the large remaining piece off (with the accompanying nail file). This totally worked. However it’s wasteful since you can actually cut them to the correct size and later use the extra piece over another polish, strip or press on (as seen in the accompanying tips booklet). Since my sister was over I let her use some after I was done. She did hers that way and was also impressed with the results. There are 28 strips per box so if you don’t want to share you could do both your toe and fingernails using only one box.
As I mention in the video I find most of the strips to be slightly too narrow when applied conventionally (even though I have comparatively small fingers, size 6). However the booklet mentions using them sideways and trimming them to fit toenails. So next time I will also do that for my fingernails.
So far I’ve been wearing these for 6 days. I only see two small areas on my nails where the strip has started to tear. These are in areas that I hadn’t gotten flat when I applied them so they were bubbly. My sister recommended applying clear nail polish over them the day we put them on, which I think is helping them stay pretty fresh looking. Both my sister and myself are delighted with these.
I plan to pick up some more in the future. The booklet shows some jeweled designs and I’m really interesting in trying those out too. I also think that they would make really neat gifts if included in a beauty basket that you’re putting together for a friend.
I can’t wait to try more!
Official Info from Kiss Nail Dress
Kiss Nail Dress Fashion That Sticks Introducing Kiss Nail Dress, ultimate nail fashion for tips and toes! Just peel, apply, and shape for a manicure that lasts up to 10 days. On in minutes, off in seconds without remover.
Nail Dress is available in 18 different styles, many of them featuring 3-dimensional jeweled designs. Check out Peplum, a deep black with multi-colored gems for a pop of color, or Babydoll, for a golden and glamorous jeweled look.
Skip the topcoat, Nail Dress has it built in. With 28 strips in each package, you can cut up your extras to create designs that can be used on top of polished or artificial nails. Nail Dress doesn’t dry out the way other polish strips can, so you can save them to use on your next DIY mani.
A nail design booklet is included in each package, just in case you need a little inspiration. And don’t forget about your feet! Nail Dress looks awesome on toes, too – just use the square side of the sticker for a perfect fit.
Where to Buy
Nail Dress’ suggested retail is $6.99 and is available in all major drug chains and mass retailers like WalMart, CVS and Walgreens.
Visit KissNailDress.com to learn more!
