How to Help Avoid Painful Dental Work

At my most recent dentist appointment, my dentist told me that he's got one of the most hated jobs. No one likes the dentist. Even his young daughter has told him, "Daddy, no one likes you." We debated whether it's the fear of dental work, sound of the drill or painful bills after that causes this extreme dislike.

For me that day, my fear of dental work and a big bill came true. I had a number of cavities in between my teeth that I got filled. If you haven't had fillings between your teeth before, let me tell you this: You don't want them if you don't have to have them. I won't freak you out with the details in case dental work makes you squeamish, so just trust me that they're to be avoided.

While the dentist numbed my mouth so well I didn't fell any of the work or even that side of my face up to my eye for hours, my wallet was beyond sore and my credit card was smoking as I walked out the door. His advice to prevent more cavities like these? Floss. Every day. And do it well. He also reminded me that M2 should be having her teeth flossed.

Flossing isn't fun. Quite frankly, I don't really like it. Having to mess with the floss, wrap it around you fingers, the floss digging into your fingers as you try to jam it between each tooth while having to fit your fingers in your mouth to even get to them doesn't add up to a good time. When you add in trying to do this to a kid as they squirm, scream, fight and wail, the fun factor reaches a big 0. Especially when you get bit trying to cram your fingers in to floss the little pearly teeth.

There's a new way to fix all that though. GumChucks flossing system is like the ninja of flossing -- The Ninja Flossers. With fun nunchuck-shaped double handles that hold the floss taut and make it easy to reach the teeth -- without having to shove your fingers in the mouth -- your flossing dreams come true, assuming you have dreams of flossing. If you don't, you just might after using these.

GumChucks are available for kids and adults with a special ortho option as well. All you need to do is pull out the handles, stick in the floss, floss your or your child's teeth, then press the bottom of the GumChuck on each side to pop the floss out easily. No fuss, no muss. Just easy flossing with more control to combat plaque. You can even get special designer handles if you're feeling fancy.

It works better than regular floss, too. I'm amazed how much the GumChucks get out from between teeth that regular floss doesn't. They even get the dreaded popcorn out easily. My gums don't end up bloody, there's no "something is still stuck" feeling after. With the two BPA-free handles, it's easy to get the floss in the C shape dentists recommend. My mouth feels nice and clean, ready for a good brushing and mouthwash session (dentist's orders). The Gumchucks are so, so simple to use. I love how I can floss more quickly and more effectively with them. (Plus, it's just plain fun to use them. I get way too much enjoyment shooting off the tips. When the handles get dirty, or if I get a cold, I can just pop them in the top rack of the dishwasher to sanitize them easily. To be thrifty, the floss can be reused with a good dunk in Listerine then an air-dry session. The floss is super durable so it's possible to do.

M2 doesn't have any problem with the GumChucks. In fact, she gets upset when I stop. She'll even ask me to do it. Since she is so sensitive and screams when I brush her teeth, I was amazed by this. I can quickly get between each of her teeth to floss them well. The GumChucks really help with her dental hygiene and sensory issues. (Now, if we can get her through a dentist appointment!)

Check out these videos to see more of the GumChucks advantages and see how they work.  More FAQs can be found on their website. You can buy GumChucks online and even on Amazon! On the GumChucks site, it's easy to set up monthly shipments so you don't run out. A starter pack gets you sticks and 12 flossing tips to start. Various size flossing tip refill packages are available, depending on what you need. As a blog reader, you can get 15 percent off when you use the code SAHLIFE15.

I'm hoping my dentist is as pleased with my new flossing regimen next time I go as I am. Here's to no more cavities between my teeth!



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This post is sponsored by GumChucks and contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

How to Keep Your Home Smelling Awesome

I love to keep the house smelling fresh and sweet. With all the kid mess and three cats, that can be a challenge. Lara Heck recently introduced me to all the awesome options Pink Zebra has to help me have the house smelling awesome.

Pink Zebra's signature product is sprinkles, which are wax melts. There are so many scents to choose from! Over 60, to be exact, in everything from cake batter and cherry blossom to rich teakwood, gentle rain and light my fire. Once you choose your favorites, you can mix them together to create your own personalized recipe and fragrance. The sprinkles are tiny so you can really get creative with your recipes.

To bring out your inner diva style, choose one of the numerous simmer pots, simmering lights or glimmer candles to melt your sprinkles. The simmering lights allow you to pick a shade which sets on a base with a bulb so you have a pretty light. A little bowl sits in the top to melt your sprinkles. With the simmer pots, you pick a cute pot to sit on a warming base. Glimmer candles let you have the fun of building your own candle with sprinkles and a wick. Adorable, classy, whimsical or homey -- there's a style for everyone. Reed diffusers, soaks (oils), lotions and soaps, along with holders for the lotions and soaps, round out the ways Pink Zebra helps you keep your home, and yourself, smelling sweet.

With all the options Pink Zebra offers, you can personalize the perfect gift set. Choose some sprinkles in scents your gift-ee would love (there are three different size containers) and a simmer pot, add in a lotion and soap along with a holder and you have a gift any anyone pre-teen on up would adore.

Lara set me up with a consultant's kit so I could test out the products and see how easy it is to get set up as a consultant. I'm seriously amazed at how much comes in a kit! It is big, too, in a nice carrying box. The kit includes boxes of sprinkles testers so you've got tons of scents to share, full size sprinkles jars and glimmer candles to demo how easy they are to make, simmer pots, a simmer light and shade, forms, catalogs, lotion, a reed diffuser -- everything you need to get yourself started as a consultant. Lara herself is extremely nice, helpful and easy to work with. I'm sure it'd be great to be on her team. If you'd like to become a consultant, visit her page and send her an email.

The products themselves are quality. I'm impressed with them. The shades and simmer pots are thick and well made. The sprinkles are so much fun. I've been melting the same sprinkle combination on and off for about four days now. It's still going and the aroma really fills the house! You can add in as many or as few of the sprinkles as you want. As for personalized recipes, let me just say one thing: amaretto cream coffee buzz. So, so good! It's like smelling a never-ending cup of awesome coffee.

All the scents smell fresh and real as well, rather than the fakey, overly sweet smells you sometimes find with these types of products. The diffuser is great for setting out of the way to add a pretty fragrance to the room. I like to stick them in the bathroom where you always need some extra fresh scent. The lotion smells great and goes on smoothly.

Pink Zebra sprinkles are something you can involve your kids in, too. Let them create their own recipes and pick the simmer light or shade they like best. Lara's daughter used the church shade and snowflake shade on a snow day last winter to create Elsa's castle. M2 loves all the fragrances and has fun going through and sniffing them all. She threw a fit when I finally made her put them away.

Pink Zebra sprinkles are made of Soft Soy which is renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly. That gives you a cleaner burning, more consistent candle with a 30 percent longer burn time and maximum fragrance. Pink Zebra using US-grown soy beans and makes their products in the United States as well. The Soft Soy is mixed with oils to give them 50 percent more fragrance than typical candles. How great is that? To top it off, all products are guaranteed. If you don't like it, Pink Zebra replaces it.

Find out more about Pink Zebra and order some of your own on Lara's Facebook page and website.


This post is sponsored by Lara Heck at Pink Zebra.

How to Keep Your Home Smelling Awesome

I love to keep the house smelling fresh and sweet. With all the kid mess and three cats, that can be a challenge. Lara Heck recently introduced me to all the awesome options Pink Zebra has to help me have the house smelling awesome.

Pink Zebra's signature product is sprinkles, which are wax melts. There are so many scents to choose from! Over 60, to be exact, in everything from cake batter and cherry blossom to rich teakwood, gentle rain and light my fire. Once you choose your favorites, you can mix them together to create your own personalized recipe and fragrance. The sprinkles are tiny so you can really get creative with your recipes.

To bring out your inner diva style, choose one of the numerous simmer pots, simmering lights or glimmer candles to melt your sprinkles. The simmering lights allow you to pick a shade which sets on a base with a bulb so you have a pretty light. A little bowl sits in the top to melt your sprinkles. With the simmer pots, you pick a cute pot to sit on a warming base. Glimmer candles let you have the fun of building your own candle with sprinkles and a wick. Adorable, classy, whimsical or homey -- there's a style for everyone. Reed diffusers, soaks (oils), lotions and soaps, along with holders for the lotions and soaps, round out the ways Pink Zebra helps you keep your home, and yourself, smelling sweet.

With all the options Pink Zebra offers, you can personalize the perfect gift set. Choose some sprinkles in scents your gift-ee would love (there are three different size containers) and a simmer pot, add in a lotion and soap along with a holder and you have a gift any anyone pre-teen on up would adore.

Lara set me up with a consultant's kit so I could test out the products and see how easy it is to get set up as a consultant. I'm seriously amazed at how much comes in a kit! It is big, too, in a nice carrying box. The kit includes boxes of sprinkles testers so you've got tons of scents to share, full size sprinkles jars and glimmer candles to demo how easy they are to make, simmer pots, a simmer light and shade, forms, catalogs, lotion, a reed diffuser -- everything you need to get yourself started as a consultant. Lara herself is extremely nice, helpful and easy to work with. I'm sure it'd be great to be on her team. If you'd like to become a consultant, visit her page and send her an email.

The products themselves are quality. I'm impressed with them. The shades and simmer pots are thick and well made. The sprinkles are so much fun. I've been melting the same sprinkle combination on and off for about four days now. It's still going and the aroma really fills the house! You can add in as many or as few of the sprinkles as you want. As for personalized recipes, let me just say one thing: amaretto cream coffee buzz. So, so good! It's like smelling a never-ending cup of awesome coffee.

All the scents smell fresh and real as well, rather than the fakey, overly sweet smells you sometimes find with these types of products. The diffuser is great for setting out of the way to add a pretty fragrance to the room. I like to stick them in the bathroom where you always need some extra fresh scent. The lotion smells great and goes on smoothly.

Pink Zebra sprinkles are something you can involve your kids in, too. Let them create their own recipes and pick the simmer light or shade they like best. Lara's daughter used the church shade and snowflake shade on a snow day last winter to create Elsa's castle. M2 loves all the fragrances and has fun going through and sniffing them all. She threw a fit when I finally made her put them away.

Pink Zebra sprinkles are made of Soft Soy which is renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly. That gives you a cleaner burning, more consistent candle with a 30 percent longer burn time and maximum fragrance. Pink Zebra using US-grown soy beans and makes their products in the United States as well. The Soft Soy is mixed with oils to give them 50 percent more fragrance than typical candles. How great is that? To top it off, all products are guaranteed. If you don't like it, Pink Zebra replaces it.

Lara is generously offering a $50 product credit to one The Stay-at-Home Life reader so she can try out all the awesome Pink Zebra products or get a kit to start out as a consultant. Enter below. The contest ends at midnight Monday, July 20, so enter soon! Find out more about Pink Zebra and order some of your own on Lara's Facebook page and website.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 


This post is sponsored by Lara Heck at Pink Zebra.

Clearing Up Post-Partum Skin with Retinol Cream

In addition to the vitamin C serum I've mentioned before, I've heard great things about retinol cream for getting rid of post partum skin discoloration and wrinkles.

Ratings out of 10

Effectiveness 10

Ease of Application 10

Gentleness 8

Texture 10

Smell 10

I got to try Key West 2.5 percent retinol cream in exchange for my unbiased review. Key West Health & Beauty was founded by two multi-location day spa owners with over 15 years of experience performing thousands of skin care treatments. The cream is paraben free, 97 percent natural, and 71 percent organic, without the heavy amount of synthetic ingredients and fillers many other retinol creams contain. Another plus is that the cream has two-and-a-half times the amount of retinol most creams have--the strongest percentage available over the counter.

The smell is very light and clean, I can barely smell it, actually. It's a nice, lightweight, smooth cream. It goes into my skin easily, dries fast, and doesn't feel heavy with lotion on top of it (as the bottle directs you to do). After just two days of using just a little bit of cream, I started seeing positive results. I had a little bit of redness so went down to using the cream every other day until my skin gets used to it. No major reactions, though, even on my sensitive skin. I'm optimistic that after a month of use, I'll have even better results and no more discolored spots or tiny wrinkles.

If you like retinol creams, or want to try one, give Key West's cream a try.

Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

Product Review: La Vida Fractionated Coconut Oil

Fractionated coconut oil has so many uses. It's especially helpful for those of us with eczema to help heal it. I got to try the La Vida Essentials fractionated coconut oil at no cost in exchange for this unbiased review.

Ratings out of 10

Absorption 9

Smell 9

Viscosity 9

Gentleness 9

Mositurizing 8

Skin Protection 9

Lack of Greasiness 9
Price 9

Overall 9

From La Vida

The oil is 100 percent pure therapeutic grade and is fragrance free, non-greasy, and non-staining. Unlike regular coconut oil, this will always stay liquid. It's a great oil for spa massage, sensual massage, hot stone massage, and aromatherapy. It is a natural antioxidant and disinfectant and does not clog pores. Fractionated coconut oil is extremely stable and will not go rancid. It requires no special storage or handling.

My Opinion

The La Vida fractionated coconut oil does indeed have no smell at all, which makes it great for treating dry skin. It's very gentle on skin as well, I'm allergic to many things but was fine using this oil. It's not very greasy and absorbs well into the skin leaving a light barrier on top to help protect your skin when you wash your hands (over and over if you're like me and changing diapers, washing bottles, and cleaning dishes). 

The oil mixes easily with essential oils so you can create your own concoctions for skin, hair, and massaging. I mix it with lavender to make a nice, springy, refreshing skin oil. 

A little bit of the oil goes a long way so be careful not to use too much! Just a touch works great for keeping your hair soft and smooth. It costs less than many other fractionated coconut oils so is worth the price.

I recommend giving the oil a try, especially if you have dry skin or love using oils in your hair like I do.

Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

Product Review: Life Essentials Skin Care Vitamin C Serum

During my last pregnancy with baby B, my skin ended up with dark colored spots and being uneven. Post partum, it's still there. I heard that vitamin C serum is supposed to help increase collagen production to give you a more even and smooth skin tone, along with fading dark spots and getting rid of fine lines. It's even supposed to be gentle on sensitive skin like mine. I figured why not give it a try?

Ratings out of 10

Smell 10

Texture 10

Ease of Application 10

Gentleness 10

Effectiveness 9

Overall 10

I got to try Life Essentials Skin Care 20 percent vitamin C serum in exchange for my unbiased review. It's made from all natural, organic, and vegan ingredients. The serum is made in the United States, in an FDA registered lab and is never tested on animals (I love that)! Life Essentials is a family company and offers you your money back if you're not totally satisfied with the serum.

There isn't much of a scent to the serum, which works well for me. The directions say to put on only three or four drops after washing your skin, then apply lotion over top. I probably used six drops, which still isn't very much, so this bottle is going to last me awhile. The texture is very light, no tackiness or stickiness. Just how I like my skin care products.

It rubs in easily and nicely, my skin seems to soak it right up. No oily residue or anything is left behind. My skin feels much less dry and tight. Even after using it just a few times, I seem to have less odd spots and be more even with less tiny wrinkles. Perfect! I didn't have any skin irritation at all, it is as gentle as it claims. It just plain feels good on my skin.

I totally recommend Life Essentials Skin Care vitamin C serum if you're looking to have more healthy skin, no matter your skin type.



Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

How to Keep Your Phone Charged in Emergencies and On the Go

When you have a smartphone, it seems like the battery just never lasts that long. It doesn't matter what kind you have, if you're doing anything more than making calls, you need to charge your phone often.

When baby B had his accident, I rushed to the hospital. When there's an emergency, you don't take the time to charge your phone, you go. My phone was at 5 perecent and I had to make calls to family and friends to find someone to watch M2 quickly, hoping everyone would answer, and without even being able to give much detail. I didn't have the battery power to do more. A's phone was totally dead so also useless.

A few years ago, we had the power go out for days in our area. The only way to charge a phone would be to sit in the car with it running, wasting gas. There have been numerous times when I was out and my phone started to die.

Enter the portable power bank. Really, I should have gotten one of these long before now. It would have been beyond helpful when baby B was hurt and even just when going out. I got try the K2R-803 portable power bank for free in exchange for this unbiased review.

Per the company, the power bank has an intelligent K2R monitoring system with over-charge, over-discharge, over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit and over-load safety protections so as not to fry your gadgets. The bank comes in a really nice and sturdy box so it can be stored in there when not in use. Size-wise, the bank is perfect. About the size of a pack of Altoids, maybe a bit bigger. The weight is light as well, just enough to let you know it's not cheap or junky without being so heafty it's a pain to carry with you. You can tell it's a quality product, not a cheap knock-off device. 

I was excited to see that it comes with two cords that light up to let you know when your phone is charging then full. One is for iPhone5 and one that is suitable for most androids, cameras, and other devices. It even works with my Kindle and the lights on the cable are handy for charging the bank itself.

The power bank has four LED lights on the back that flash to let you know how much charge is left. Charging my S5, only one light went out so you should be able to get 3-4 charges from it. There's also a built in flash light to use in a pinch. The downside is it doesn't have the AC adapter to charge the power bank with, just the cord to plug into one. That means you can't charge the bank without using an adapter from another device or your computer. Not convenient.

What's handy is that you can charge two devices at once. The power bank charges quickly, equal to or maybe even faster than an outlet. It can sit unused about three months without being charged again. It comes with a three year warranty, just in case something goes kaput.

I recommend the K2R-803 power bank. Really, everyone should have a portable power bank, you don't want to be stuck in a situation like I was without one. Had we had this, both of us could have charged our phones (more than once) and made all the needed calls without worry.


Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

Product Review: Argan Oil by goPURE Naturals

I love trying new skin moisturizers so was really excited to try the goPURE Naturals Argan oil. It's made from pure, 100 percent organic Aragan oil from Morocco. It's touted as being great for hair, nails, and skin. There's a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee for one year, or you get your money back. You can find out more about goPure on their website and connect with them on Facebook. I got to try the oil for free in exchange for this unbiased review.

Ratings out of 10

Package 9

Smell 2

Ease of Application 9

Moisturizing Abilities on Skin 8
Moisturizing Abilities on Hair 8

Price 8

Over all 7 (9, if it smelled better)

The Argan oil comes in a nifty glass bottle with an even niftier glass dropper to dispense it. I am a sucker for nifty packaging. Because of the cold, mine came in solid form instead of liquid. A few hours later it was back to liquid.

Like any new oil, I had to smell it right away. I was really disappointed. It's not super strong, but there is a distinct smell that I didn't like. It reminded me of a trash smell. I hoped that would fade when put on. No such luck. The only way to get rid of the smell is to put scented lotion on over it. I'm not sure why, maybe it is just me that smells it. I let the company know and they said they've never had an issue so it might just be me. I was afraid to put it on my face as I only use unscented face lotion so it wouldn't mask the trash smell and would be right by my nose.

The bottle says you can put it in your hair for 30 minutes then wash out. As a mom with young kids, I don't have the time to do 30 minutes. I put it in for about 5 minutes before showering, wash as normal, and end up with soft hair after. I hardly even need any conditioner, it is that great. I didn't try it as a leave in due to the smell, since I wouldn't be able to put anything scented on over it.

As a moisturizer, it is great. It amplifies the lotion to make it work even better. My skin is really sensitive, yet isn't irritated by the oil at all. You can use it without lotion on top -- if you don't mind the smell. It goes on easily and smoothly. It's the perfect consistency. Some oils are tacky or leave you skin way too slick and greasy -- not this one. It absorbs quickly and feels good.

Since it is natural, there is no worry about harsh chemicals. I love the fun dropper to put it on, rather than trying to pour it and making a mess. A little goes a long way, too. You only need a few drops. The bottle should last a long time. As it will last awhile, the price is reasonable.

Overall, Argan oil by goPure Naturals is ok. If you like natural oils on your skin and hair, give this one a try if you want to chance the smell. Like I said, it could just be me.



Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find our disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

Finding Appropriate Developmental Toys

Finding toys that are right for your specific child's current development can be difficult. Just because a product says it's for a certain age doesn't mean your child has hit that milestone or he/she may have even passed it. Even worse, you don't even know if the toy is any good, you only have reviews to go on, no input from professionals. I can't tell you how many toys I've tried toys that turned out to be duds with M2 and B or that just didn't fit their current development, despite what the boxes claimed.

Then I found out about Little Giants Developmental and Play Center's at home subscription service. I've never come across a company that actually has OTs test and recommend toys specifically for your child. The concept is so cool. I got to test a month's shipment for each child in exchange for my unbiased review. It's just so neat that I had to share it with you all!

Little Giants at Home says it best themselves:

Little Giants at Home (LG) is a subscription-based developmental toy program for parents and children to implement in the home. What makes Little Giants different from any other program in the market, is that it is milestone-based and the toys are personally researched and selected based on the child’s developmental stage by occupational therapists (OTs) at Little Giants physical child developmental and play center. Unlike any other national companies, members can contact these OTs at Little Giants in Madison, Mississippi to address specific concerns they may be having about their child’s development.

The boxes come with the toys packed nicely with green and purple tissue paper. The shipments includes a packet of info put together that includes developmental milestones and AAP developmental guidelines cards along with an LG newsletter with parenting tips and fun facts. Of course, there's also the option to call up and OT and discuss the next delivery. Each month the box your child gets comes with one or two toys based on his/her developmental needs. Little Giants notes that, " "The toy may not be the most popular one on the market or one full of bells and whistles, but it is what is most beneficial for that child at this stage of their development. The Box Gurus work hard at identifying the right tools to help parents keep their child on track at home."

  

Baby B's box came with toy dumbbells, a rubber duck, and a dolphin bath mit. So cute! The weights are great for him, with a mirror, rattle, clinking rings, and crunchy noise parts. They fit exactly where he is developmentally. The bath toys make tub time even more fun for him. He loves them.

M2's box came with a Melissa and Doug hammer and ball toy. It is PERFECT for her. Rather than hitting and banging other things, she can use this while also working on her motor skills. She's learning cause and effect by watching the balls fall after hammering them. 

You can tell OTs picked the toys specifically rather than someone randomly grabbing the toys because they look neat or are popular. The dumbbells and M2's toy are defiantly quality, not cheaply made.

The prices are bit high were it just the toys alone, but the real draw is that the toys are tested and picked by OTs and that you can discuss with them your child's needs. That's something you can't get anywhere else and that can be invaluable, especially if you happen to have a special needs child. Plus, the toys are well made. It's a great subscription service.

You can learn more about Little Giants and start a subscription online.


You can find our disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

Product review: aVo Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is one of my favorite scents -- calming, fresh, floral, and just so lovely without being cloying. As an essential oil, lavender has many uses. I got to try aVo lavender essential oil for free in exchange for this unbiased review.

Ratings out of 10

Scent 8

Viscosity 9

Mixability with Coconut Oil  8

Price 8 

Recommend No
Update:  Awhile after this review, the oil went bad. The smell was off but I used it anyway, breaking out in a horrible rash.

I've used oils for years so was excited to try this one. aVo notes that the lavender oil is pure, undiluted, with no chemicals, additives, preservatives or anything else. The company goes on to add that it is vegan, all-natural, and therapeutic grade. The lavender plants are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or any other harmful additives. The oil is GMO free and not tested on animals (I love that).

When it arrived, I didn't even have to open the package all the way to smell the lovely lavender aroma. It is very strong and came right through the cute glass bottle that comes with a glass dropper.

In a diffuser, the scent is strong so only a small amount is needed. If you add too much, it's too much and cloying. I made that mistake the first time and had to open the windows. A few drops is just right to scent the house and establish a calming environment. I used it to get rid of trash smell when something in the kitchen turned rancid.

The oil works great mixed with fractionated coconut oil (always be sure to dilute the lavender oil). I use it as a body oil after showering and throughout the day. A tiny drop mixed with coconut oil in my palm goes a long way. You can also use it to make massage oil, hair products, soup, to help aid sleep, get rid of stress, meditation--so many things.

Since you need so little of aVo lavender essential oil at a time, the bottle is going to last a long time. I'm going to enjoy every drop!


Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find our disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 
s.

Product review: aVo Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is one of my favorite scents -- calming, fresh, floral, and just so lovely without being cloying. As an essential oil, lavender has many uses. I got to try aVo lavender essential oil for free in exchange for this unbiased review.

Ratings out of 10

Scent 8

Viscosity 9

Mixability with Coconut Oil  8

Price 8 

Recommend Yes

I've used oils for years so was excited to try this one. aVo notes that the lavender oil is pure, undiluted, with no chemicals, additives, preservatives or anything else. The company goes on to add that it is vegan, all-natural, and therapeutic grade. The lavender plants are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or any other harmful additives. The oil is GMO free and not tested on animals (I love that).

When it arrived, I didn't even have to open the package all the way to smell the lovely lavender aroma. It is very strong and came right through the cute glass bottle that comes with a glass dropper.

In a diffuser, the scent is strong so only a small amount is needed. If you add too much, it's too much and cloying. I made that mistake the first time and had to open the windows. A few drops is just right to scent the house and establish a calming environment. I used it to get rid of trash smell when something in the kitchen turned rancid.

The oil works great mixed with fractionated coconut oil (always be sure to dilute the lavender oil). I use it as a body oil after showering and throughout the day. A tiny drop mixed with coconut oil in my palm goes a long way. You can also use it to make massage oil, hair products, soup, to help aid sleep, get rid of stress, meditation--so many things.

Since you need so little of aVo lavender essential oil at a time, the bottle is going to last a long time. I'm going to enjoy every drop!


Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find our disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 
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Product Review: Radha Fractionated Coconut Oil

I have bad dry skin. Really bad. People kept telling me to try coconut oil but I was afraid it would smell like coconuts (a smell that makes me sick) or not even absorb. Then I got to try Radha fractionated coconut oil in exchange for a review so took the plunge. (Don't miss the special coupon code at the bottom of the post!)

Ratings out of 10

Absorption 9

Smell 9

Viscosity 9

Gentleness 9

Mositurizing 8

Skin Protection 9

Lack of Greasiness 9

Overall 9

According to Radha, their fractionated coconut oil is pure, with no fillers and can be a carrier oil for your massage, therapeutic, and essential oils as well as having many other uses. The company touts it as odorless, non-greasy, and colorless, and non-staining with a long shelf life so it won't go rancid and can prevent other oils from going rancid. Purchase of the oil comes with a money back guarantee.

The first think I notice is that the oil is, indeed, colorless. Even better, there is no smell. None, at all. Perfect for me and my needs. The viscosity is pretty dang near perfect, too. It's not too thick and isn't overly thin. On skin, it absorbs well. It does sit on the skin slightly for a bit, but ends up absorbing in. Skin isn't sticky or tacky at all. Only a small amount, about the size of a quarter at most, is needed. The oil doesn't wash off easily when hand washing which is perfect for moms who are washing their hands constantly. There's no need to keep applying it over and over after each wash AND hands stay protected while washing to boot. 

The oil is great on hair and has great viscosity.

As the fractionated coconut oil is so nice and mild with no fillers, I even use it on baby B's head to treat his cradle cap. He is constantly scratching his head because of the dry skin. The oil goes on much nicer than baby oil. There is no oil slick left behind as you get with baby oil. The fractionated coconut oil absorbs nicely and not much is needed. Best of all, wee baby B stopped scratching all the time. From now on, we're using this instead of the messy baby oil.

I love using oils on my hair. This one is no exception. A tiny amount covers all my hair and I have long, thick hair (at least halfway down my back). The oil absorbs right in, doesn't leave my hair looking greasy, and isn't heavy. My hair ends up shiny, smooth, and so soft.

As icing on the cake, I've spoken with a Radha rep a few times. They are so nice and very responsive! Great  for customer service. I have no qualms buying from them in the future.

Since only a small amount is needed for any application, this bottle is going to last a long time. That also makes the price really reasonable.

In short, the Radha fractionated coconut oil is great. I can't  find any negatives about it at all. I'm excited to try more of Radha products!

You can find out more about Radha (they have lots of products) online, on Instagram, and on Facebook.

Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find our disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ.