Reviews by LoveisJoy

LoveisJoy says "This Cushioned Shelf Liner Protects my Pots and Pans Too!" about Contact Ultra Grip Shelf Liner

LoveisJoy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:59:31 GMT

My husband is the designated chef in the house, but I still do my part by trying to think of ways to make his job easier. One idea I had was to find a way to protect his favorite non-stick pots and pans. Storing the pots by stacking them in the cupboards seemed to be a recipe for creating unintentional scratches on the non-stick surfaces. To head off potential disaster, I purchased a couple of rolls of Contact Ultra Grip Liner. These are not ordinary shelf liners--they are cushioned, non-adhesive shelf protectors. With a pair of scissors, I was able to create cushioned pads to protect my pots and pans.

Highlights:

Cushions and Protects
Stays put without adhesive
Washable
Stain-resistant
Can be cut and shaped with household scissors

Con-tact Ultra Grip Liners are 12" wide x 5' long, and come in a handful of colors (almond, white, blue, and sage). The liners are thick and textured and resist stains. I unrolled one of the liners and cut out some simple shapes to fit the insides of each pot...

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LoveisJoy says "Pocket-Sized Hand Gel Kills Germs; Wish it Smelled Nicer" about Bath & Body Works PocketBac Antibacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Gel

LoveisJoy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:39:48 GMT

I guess it's not surprising that the PocketBac Antibacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Gel by Bath & Body Works has such a harsh smell. After all, it contains 60% alcohol. Still, I was so intrigued by the idea of the cute little pocket-sized bottles of germ fighters that I wanted to like it much more than I actually did. There are some good things to say about the PocketBac, but equally as many things that disappoint.

On the plus side, PocketBac hand gels are currently offered in 18 different Bath & Body Works signature fragrances. The 1-ounce plastic bottles are a mere 3 inches tall and a little over an inch wide. As such, they are incredibly portable and easy to throw in a bag, purse, or pocket. The regular prices is only $1.50, but you can often purchase them during the 5 for $5 sale.

Since I love the White Citrus fragrance, that's the scent I selected for my PocketBac. Unfortunately, the fresh and lively scent that I anticipated does not seem to translate well into a hand...

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LoveisJoy says "Avon Glazewear: I'm Addicted to Buttered Rum" about Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss

LoveisJoy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:07:21 GMT

With so many different types of lip color on the market, why is it that I am so loyal to one brand and one color? The answer is that Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss in Buttered Rum is the best color for my skin tone out of all of the other lipsticks and lip stains in my cosmetics drawer. Further, I love the long-lasting, high gloss shine that never gets sticky (or caught in my hair).

Avon Glazewear comes in over a dozen colors, but unfortunately, the only one that really works for me is Buttered Rum. There seems to be a lack of colors that contain more brown/coral/peach tones. I would love it if Avon could expand the line to include more variety of colors so that I could have more options. This is my only complaint about the line.

I love the soft-tipped applicator because it's large enough for those of us with fuller lips. The lip color applies easily and quickly, and I get a no-smudge look every time. I do use a lip moisturizer before applying Glazewear, and I find that the color...

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LoveisJoy says "I Like the Original Glazewear, but Lip Lacquer is Lackluster" about Avon Glazewear Lip Lacquer

LoveisJoy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:47:51 GMT

I rarely stray from my go-to lip color: Avon Glazewear in Buttered Rum. It's the perfect color for my skin tone, and I love the non-sticky shine and easy applicator. So, when I saw that Avon had a sale on its Glazewear Lip Lacquer, I happily bought this new (for me) version in a new color--Perfect Brown. Unfortunately, the lip lacquer gave me more lackluster results than I anticipated.

As you would expect, Glazewear Lip Lacquer is incredibly shiny. I opened the small mirrored compact to reveal a beautiful glossy brown rectangle of lip color. The lacquer comes with an extremely tiny brush that turned out to be completely useless for me. I have full lips and it would have taken me forever to get the lacquer applied with that teeny-weeny brush. Instead, I used another cosmetics brush that I had in my stash.

The Glazewear Lip Lacquer was thick and a bit tricky to apply. Once I got the product on the brush, it was hard to get it to spread smoothly. The funniest thing...

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LoveisJoy says "This Soft & Relaxed Bubble Bath Leaves My Skin "Oh-So-Soft"" about Avon SKIN SO SOFT: Soft & Relaxed Night Bath Soak

LoveisJoy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:09:29 GMT

Showers are fine most of the time, but for me, nothing beats a fragrant, hot bubble bath when I really want to relax myself before sleep. With that in mind, I ordered a bottle of Skin So Soft: Soft & Relaxed Night Bath Soak from my Avon representative. Described as "the most sensual way to embrace your skin," I was curious to see whether or not it lived up to its star billing. In the end, it didn't really wow me or my senses, but it did help prepare me for a good night's sleep.

Soft & Relaxed Night Soak contains the key ingredients of lavender and "night bloom cactus flower" to impart fragrance and moisture. I poured what I considered a typical amount of the product under running hot water, and then let the tub finish filling up. I was a little surprised that I only ended up with a small amount of bubbles. The description talks about the "fragrant bath foam" so I guess I was expecting to see a little more bubble action. Still, since it's referred to as a "bath soak" rather...

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LoveisJoy says "Avon Intensive-A: Pure Vitamin A Skin Care for Ageless Results" about Avon Ageless Results Intensive A Line Treatment

LoveisJoy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:57:31 GMT

I should start out by admitting I don't have any lines on my skin. At all. At 49 years of age, it's more a luck of the genetic lottery than any particular skin care regimen. Still, I do want to keep my skin looking good for as long as I can, so I've been reading up on the most effective ingredients in beauty products. It turns out that Retinol--pure Vitamin A--has been shown to visibly reduce lines and help smooth the skin's surface for a more youthful look. With that in mind, I bought a couple of tubes of Ageless Results Intensive-A Line Treatment by Avon.

Containing the maximum dose of pure Vitamin A, Intensive-A Line Treatment promises to "aid in skin resurfacing and rejuvenation." Well, I'm all for that. The first evening I used the product, I first washed my face with a gentle non-soap face wash. Then, as instructed on the package, I waited 5 minutes before applying the cream. I have naturally oily skin so I'm always a little leery of using a cream-based product. ...

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LoveisJoy says "No Irritation, No Harsh Smell, and No More Facial Hair" about Avon Skin So Soft Facial Hair Remover Cream

LoveisJoy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:16:47 GMT

I've been a fan of Avon's Skin So Soft bath products for years, so when I needed a new hair removal cream I felt good about trying the Skin So Soft Fresh & Smooth Facial Hair Removal Cream. Skin So Soft's bath and body products tend to be moisturizing to the skin and fragrant to the senses, so I felt sure that the brand wouldn't let me down with their version of hair removal. It turns out, I was right to trust them with the delicate skin on my face. Skin So Soft didn't let me down with this product.

Skin So Soft's facial hair removal cream comes in a very thin, 1-ounce tube with a contoured tip. The slender shape of the tube fits comfortably into my hand and makes it easy to control and apply the cream. The scent is described as a "refreshing, tropical blend of guava, yellow pear & raspberry." In my opinion, it didn't smell even remotely as wonderful as advertised, but it was much pleasanter than any facial depilatory cream that I have ever used. That says a lot.

As far as performance...

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LoveisJoy says "High Marks for Natural Dental Care; Low Marks for Taste" about Tom's of Maine Natural Whole Care Anticavity & Tarter Control Plus Whitening Gel Toothpaste

LoveisJoy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:53:02 GMT

Tom's of Maine Natural Whole Care Toothpaste is not only 100% natural, but it also claims to provide anti-cavity protection, tartar control, whitening, and freshness. Those are the same promises made from toothpaste giants, Colgate and Crest, so I was interested to find out if something all-natural could work as well as the name brands.

The first thing I noticed as I applied a line of toothpaste to my brush is that the Tom's toothpaste has a faint gray color and a slightly looser texture than most big-name toothpastes. The toothpaste doesn't foam at all like I'm used to, but it seemed able to stay on all of my tooth surfaces reasonably well. After brushing and rinsing, my teeth felt clean and looked like they do when I brush with other brands. Not as squeaky clean as when I brush with Colgate Total, but close enough.

The performance of Tom's of Maine Whole Care Toothpaste is effective in all categories except for taste. Although it is made with natural peppermint oil and sodium...

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LoveisJoy says "In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon: A Sensually Floral Perfume" about Avon In Bloom

LoveisJoy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:04:15 GMT

In Bloom Eau de Parfum was developed for Avon by actress, Reese Witherspoon. Avon describes this women's fragrance as "sensual and elegant." My first reaction to the scent was that it was too strong, but the longer I wore it, I noticed that the fragrance shifted into something more pleasant.

In Bloom is a decidedly floral fragrance with notes of amber wood to keep it from being too light and prissy. Reese Witherspoon was inspired by the magnolia blossoms from her childhood in Tennessee. In Bloom is reminiscent of magnolia, but the primary notes also contain gardenia, peach tea, and amber wood.

Avon notes that this is their "most premium fragrance ever" but I personally don't consider it a top tier perfume. I disliked the scent when I first applied it, but after an hour of wearing it, I felt that the strong amber scent began to play more nicely with the other floral notes. At that point, it really began to smell quite lovely--feminine with a bit of a sexy edge.

As with most...

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LoveisJoy says "I'd Rather Have Lavender and Chamomile in my Tea than my Lotion" about Aromatherapy Sleep - Lavender Chamomile Body Lotion

LoveisJoy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:55:24 GMT

I wanted the full aromatherapy experience, so after I took a bubble bath with Aromatherapy Luxury Bath I used the companion product, Aromatherapy Sleep - Lavender Chamomile Body Lotion to moisturize. After slathering myself with this soft and fragrant body lotion I realized--too late--that I don't really care for the scent of lavender. At all.

The Aromatherapy line of bath products is available at Bath & Body Works. I picked up the pair during a 2 for $20 sale. I knew I wasn't particularly excited by the scent but I thought that once I had tried the entire "experience" that I would be so calmed and ready for sleep that it would be worth it. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

The body lotion is formulated with lavender and chamomile essential oils, as well as natural soybean oil and glycerin to nourish and moisturize. The lotion feels pretty standard in consistency and absorbed well without leaving any residue. But if you're going to use this moisturizer you'd really better...

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LoveisJoy says "Luxurious Bath Bubbles Put Me in the Mood for Sleep" about Aromatherapy Luxury Bath, Sleep - Lavender Chamomile

LoveisJoy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:52:14 GMT

I'm actually not a huge fan of the scent of lavender, but I've read that it does contain properties to help induce sleep. During a shopping trip to Bath & Body Works, I saw a large glass jar of Aromatherapy Luxury Bath Sleep - Lavender Chamomile. It was on sale for $10 (regularly $16.50), so I picked up a bottle. Since I suffer from the occasional bout of insomnia I figured it was worth a try to see if aromatherapy could really help me get a good night's sleep.

Aromatherapy Luxury Bath is scented with essential lavender and chamomile oils in a thick, creamy-white bath gel. It also contains aloe which is said to "nourish and rejuvenate" skin. I was pleased with how thick and rich the bath crème is--just a little bit of the product into hot running water, and the fragrant foamy bubbles burst forth. Once the bubble bath was ready to go, I noticed that the scent wasn't as strong. But the bubbles fully lasted the entire bath and felt soft and luxurious.

My overall impression of...

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LoveisJoy says "Miralax Laxative Powder - Not A Miracle, But It Does Work" about Minimed Miralax Laxative Powder 8.3oz

LoveisJoy — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:04:29 GMT

Anyone who has a chronic illness that requires them to be sedentary for long periods of time will understand why constipation can become a problem. Prolonged inactivity coupled with a sluggish gastrointestinal system means that you may need a little help getting your body back in rhythm. My doctor suggested trying gentler laxatives such as Senekot or Miralax. I was intrigued by the commercials I've seen recently, so I purchased a bottle of Miralax Laxative Powder for $12.99 at Drugstore.com.

Instead of pills or chocolate pieces, the laxative is in powder form and is about the consistency of sugar or table salt. I followed the directions and measured the powder into the bottle cap (which I spilled a bit of), then mixed into a full glass of water. The mixture dissolved easily and I honestly couldn't see or taste much of anything once it was mixed in. I drank it down and experienced no chalkiness or aftertaste. Then I went to bed.

In the morning, I felt absolutely no difference in my internal...

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LoveisJoy says "Sudafed PE--No Better Than a Placebo. I'll Stick to the Original" about Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant, Maximum Strength Tablets

LoveisJoy — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:38:37 GMT

When I first heard that pharmacies were required to limit and document the purchase of products containing pseudophedrine (because they were being used as an ingredient in meth), I wasn't worried. I knew that Sudafed and other brands were creating sinus and allergy relief products with a slightly different chemical composition that was said to be as effective as the original. Unfortunately, I ended up with a severe sinus headache and soon discovered that the reformulated Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant, Maximum Strength tablets were worthless. My optimism quickly wore off as my sinus headache raged on.

In the past, when I've gotten a bad sinus headache, I would take a couple of Sudafed along with a couple of Advil or Aleve. I usually obtained relief within the hour. With Sudafed PE, I noticed that the dosage was for a single pill so I took only one with two Advil, and waited. After an hour passed with absolutely no relief, I tried taking another Sudafed PE. Still nothing. I didn't want to...

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LoveisJoy says "No-Fuss Saline Solution for your Neti Pot or Sinus Rinse Bottle" about NeilMed Sinus Rinse Regular Refill Packets

LoveisJoy — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:09:40 GMT

I've gotten to the point where I use a nasal rinse every morning during seasonal sinus flare-ups. Whether you use a neti pot, nasal rinse bottle, or a fancy nasal irrigation system, you're going to need a reliable saline-and-bicarbonate solution to rinse your nasal passages with. Some folks mix and measure their own salt and baking soda concoctions, but I always turn to NeilMed Sinus Rinse 100 Premixed Packets. Every morning, I can quickly rinse my sinuses to keep my passages clearer and healthier.

The sinus rinse packets are individually sealed and neatly stored in a two-column plastic crate. Each packet contains a pH balanced mix of USP grade sodium chloride and bicarbonate soda. In addition, the fine white powder is both preservative- and iodine-free.

With these convenient packets, the only thing you need to measure is your lukewarm water. As long as the saline powder is mixed with 8 ounces of water, you know that you're getting the correct rinse to fill your neti pot or sinus bottle....

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LoveisJoy says "Less Than 20/20 Vision? jWin Projection Clock is a Clear Winner!" about Jwin - Projection Alarm Clock Radio, JL-708

LoveisJoy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:40:33 GMT

One night, my 4 year old grandson and I were sitting on a bed reading when he suddenly pointed and exclaimed, "why are there numbers on the wall?" I wasn't sure at first what he was referring to. I looked up and saw an amazing sight--the current time displayed in crisp red numbers like a neon sign right above the doorway. I looked over at the nightstand and realized that my stepdaughter had a new clock-radio I'd never seen before: the jWin JL-708 Self-Setting Atomic Alarm Projection Clock with Blue Backlight LCD.

The more I learned about the jWin Projection Clock, the more I fell in love with it. It's very much like a standard clock radio, but it has some surprisingly cool features:

120º projection capability that can easily be turned on or off.
Easy to read blue backlit LCD display.
The ability to automically set itself to the official US Atomic Clock so you know the time is always right.
Dual alarm with a weekend cancellation feature so you're not needlessly waking yourself up at 5...

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LoveisJoy says "Totes Micro Brella: Full Protection in a Tiny Umbrella" about Totes - Micro Brella Umbrella

LoveisJoy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:37:31 GMT

Unfortunately, I've been caught in the rain one too many times without having an umbrella nearby. So when I saw the Totes Micro Brella Folding Umbrella at JC Penney, I snatched one up and have never been caught empty-handed again. No more toting around a full-sized umbrella or searching under the car seats when bad weather threatens. This compact umbrella is about the length of my eyeglasses case, and fits neatly in my purse or glove compartment. In fact, if you can fit an eyeglass case in your purse or bag, you can easily fit the Totes Micro Brella in it as well.

Totes-Isotoner makes several versions of umbrellas, but this one is one of the smallest. It's available in a variety of attractive solid colors and playful patterns. Mine is Caribbean blue with yellow trim. The micro brella has plenty of features to make it worth the $20 price tag:

Contoured Handle: Silver and clear acrylic that fits well in my hnad
Compact Size: This mini folding umbrella closes to 6-1/4 inches long and 1-1/2...

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LoveisJoy says "Just a Touch of Purell Keeps My Hands Germ-Free and Soft" about Purell Purifying Essentials Instant Hand Sanitizer Gel, Crisp Apple

LoveisJoy — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:41:52 GMT

I don't consider myself to be germ-phobic, but I am careful about keeping my hands clean, particularly during cold and flu season. To that end, I never leave the house without dropping a bottle of Purell Purifying Essentials Instant Hand Sanitizer into my bag.

The purse-sized bottle holds 2 ounces of sanitizing gel. I was afraid that the gel would feel sticky or leave a residue on my hands, but surprisingly, that's not the case. Purell Purifying Essentials contains "vitamin-infused vanishing beads and moisturizers" which is a fancy way of saying they've added softening ingredients to help keep hands from drying out.

This hand sanitizer kills 99.99% of germs with a formula that contains 65% ethyl alcohol, apple fruit extract, and glycerin, along with other inactive ingredients.

The Purell sanitizer smells great; a fresh apple scent that's not too strong. The gel spreads easily and absorbs quickly. I never have sticky hands after using it, nor do I ever feel the need to lotion...

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LoveisJoy says "I Almost Bought These Copper Knobs for my Kitchen Cabinets" about House of Knobs Brushed Antique Copper Knob

LoveisJoy — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:31:04 GMT

When updating our kitchen cabinets I was torn between the House of Knobs Brushed Antique Copper Knobs, and the Liberty knobs that I ultimately chose. Still, I have to sing the praises of these striking knobs even though I went in another direction. It was a really close contest.

The House of Knobs Brushed Antique Copper Knobs are a substantial 1-1/4" in diameter. They have a sleek burnished copper look--shiny copper brushed with delicate black striping. Although they looked gorgeous in the package, they stood out a little too much for my tastes. The knobs did look good against the oak cabinets, but the combination of the size and high-gloss of the finish made me realize that I preferred a more matte finish. I think with the right cabinet finish and style they could be quite striking, but in our case, they just didn't suit our traditional cabinets.

The cabinet knobs are surprisingly affordable. I found them on sale online for $2.44 (regularly $4.44) so you can definitely...

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LoveisJoy says "Liberty Antique Copper Knobs: New Jewels for my Kitchen Cabinets" about Liberty Brushed Antique Copper Knobs

LoveisJoy — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:10:37 GMT

When I'm watching interior decorating shows on television, I often hear designers remark that small details can make a big impact when updating a room. Well, if kitchen cabinet door knobs are like jewelry for your home, then the Liberty Brushed Antique Copper Knobs have made a fashion statement in my kitchen.

I knew I wanted antique copper when my hubby and I first thought about updating our cabinets. We were basically starting from scratch because our oak cabinets didn't come with any knobs or pulls. They were looking a little plain, and we figured the right knobs would perk them up.

The Liberty kitchen cabinet knobs are perfectly sized at 1-1/8" diameter with a 7/8" projection. They fit nicely in my hand when I pull a drawer or open a cabinet, and they don't overwhelm the cabinet doors with their size or shape.

My favorite element of the knobs is the understated elegance of the brushed antique copper. There is a soft, two-tone, dimensional effect where the center has...

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LoveisJoy says "Orange Oil Formula Cleans Well...If You Can Handle the Smell" about Murphy Oil Soap Multi-Use Wood Cleaner

LoveisJoy — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:51:32 GMT

We recently updated our kitchen cabinets with new pulls and knobs, and I noticed they needed a thorough cleaning before adding the new hardware. I saw a spray bottle of Murphy Oil Soap Multi-Use Wood Cleaner on the shelf at our local home improvement store, so I picked up a bottle for a little over $5.

I had never used this product before, but I remembered an old commercial depicting church ladies using it to clean the sanctuary floors and pews. The tagline went something along the lines of: "If Murphy's Oil Soap is good enough to clean their floors, it's good enough for your floors." What can I say, I trusted that it would clean my kitchen cabinets.

It seems that a product that contains "natural orange oil" and "pure vegetable soap" would smell awesome, but this cleaner does not. At all. It's hard to describe, but there isn't anything pleasant about the scent. Even so, it does work well. With a little elbow grease, I cleaned all of the cabinets of built-up grease and assorted...

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