FireFly Toothbrush

Fun Find- Created by a Dad and his daughter the FireFly toothbrush who wanted kids to take control of their brushing habits it is one cool toothbrush.  The FireFly toothbrush is easy to use and lights up for sixty seconds at a time, which is the perfect time for a child to spend on each row of teeth.  Simply press the button and the timer blinks.  Want something even easier?  Your child can hit the bottom of the brush on a surface and the timer will start.  Your kid will think it is one cool toothbrush. 

That's not all. 

The FireFly toothbrush comes in cute Barbie, Spiderman and Hot Wheels designs.  There are many styles and sizes available for a variety of ages too.  From ages 4 months to 8 years on up there is a toothbrush recommendation for any child.  Each brush has soft bristles and is gentle but effective on kids gums and teeth.  I think the FireFly toothbrush selections are a great way to introduce good oral hygeine to kids.  The Sparkly FireFly toothbrushes are a wonderful alternative to passing out Halloween candy or get your kids excited about brushing away all that candy after a night of trick or treat bingeing! 

FireFly toothbrushes can be purchased online, Walmart, Walgreens, Drugstore.com and many other stores nationwide.

SHAPE 8th Annual Beauty Award Winners!

SHAPE magazine has just announced the winners of their 8th Annual Beauty Awards. While I like to take personal experience and a word from Allure's award winners the SHAPE staffers and over 4,000 readers weighed in on these choices.

Do you agree with some of these winners? Feel free to comment on your own personal likes and experiences.

Primer

Murad Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer Matte Finish ($35; murad.com)
Why it won: Besides giving makeup staying power, it’s lightly tinted, allowing you to wear it on its own.

Foundation

L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Smooth Soufflé Makeup ($16; drugstores)
Why it won: The whipped formula has microscopic air bubbles that make it feel weightless on skin while providing just the right amount of coverage.

Tinted Moisturizer
Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($25; clinique.com)
Why it won: This stays put for up to 12 hours and has a hydrating dose of aloe.

Powder
Almay Smart Shade Smart Balance Pressed Powder ($14; drugstores)
Why it won: The product intuitively adjusts to your skin’s tone and texture, moisturizing dry spots and mattifying oilier ones.

Concealer
Maybelline New York Fit Me! Concealer ($6; drugstores)
Why it won: This has a creamy consistency and won’t cake or sink into fine lines around the eyes.

Eye Shadow
Revlon CustomEyes Shadow and Liner ($9; drugstores)
Why it won: Our makeup pro loved the texture of this jojoba-packed palette—and our staffers concurred.

Eyeliner
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Gel Eyeliner ($20; esteelauder.com)
Why it won: It lasted through one tester’s teary wedding without a single smudge or streak.

Mascara
Lancôme Définicils Precious Cells High Definition Amplifying Mascara ($29; lancome-usa.com)
Why it won: Conditioning botanicals thicken and fortify lashes over time, so your fringe looks fab even after the makeup comes off.

Gloss
Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor ($16; sephora.com)
Why it won: These 12 intensely pigmented hues have your lips covered—literally! One swipe is all you need for a perfectly opaque yet shiny pout.

Lip Liner
Guerlain The Lip Liner ($29; guerlain.com)
Why it won: This pencil glides over lips as you outline—plus, the attached sharpener makes it a breeze to keep the tip pointy and ready to use.

Balm
CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm SPF 15 ($6; drugstores)
Why it won: Our makeup maven called the lightly pigmented mango- and shea butter–infused formula one of her favorite finds.

Blush
YSL Crème de Blush ($38; yslbeautyus.com)
Why it won: With its featherweight feel, this creamy cheek rouge blends easily and dries to a powder finish.

Bronzer
Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Sun Stones ($15; drugstores)
Why it won: Most bronzers have only one tone, but this incorporates several. The result? A very flattering (not flat!) faux glow.

Makeup Remover
Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover ($10; sephora.com)
Why it won: Even the most stubborn mascaras don’t stand a chance against this nongreasy formula.

Body Wash
Nivea Touch of Cashmere Cream Oil Body Wash in Orchid Blossom ($6; drugstores)
Why it won: Testers enthused about the rich lather and seductive scent—and how silky-smooth it left their skin post-shower.

Body Scrub
Burt’s Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub ($13; drugstores)
Why it won: Effective yet gentle, this fruit-infused buffer polishes skin to perfection. Sweet!

Body Lotion
Jergens Overnight Repair Nightly Restoring Moisturizer ($7; drugstores)
Why it won: The rejuvenating blend of evening primrose and jasmine extracts makes skin touchably soft.

Hand Cream
Curél Hand & Cuticle Therapy Cream ($6; drugstores)
Why it won: This nongreasy and fast-absorbing moisturizer boasts sweet almond oil to prevent dryness.

Self-Tanner
Victoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Custom Tan Adjustable Self-Tan Lotion with Shimmer ($14; victoriassecret.com)
Why it won: The specially designed pump lets you customize your color: Turn the dial to the right for a subtle look or to the left for a straight-from-the-tropics tan.

Sunscreen
Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray SPF 85+ ($11; drugstores)
Why it won: “Genius,” said our dermatologist of this broad-spectrum screen. Because it adheres to wet skin, there’s no need to towel off before applying post-swim or -exercise.

Face Wash
Dr. Brandt Skincare Time Arrest Crème Cleanser ($50; drbrandtskincare.com)
Why it won: Some washes just clean and stop there; Brandt’s incorporates anti-aging properties with a blend of peptides to stimulate collagen production and restore skin’s texture.

Night Cream
Avon ANEW Platinum Night Cream ($38; avon.com)
Why it won: It’s never too early to protect against sagging. This rich formula for the face and neck contains skin-tightening proteins that work while you rest; glycolic acid helps improve texture and tone.

Eye Treatment
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Eye Advanced Anti-Aging Serum ($98; elizabetharden.com)
Why it won: The ultimate multitasker, this idebenone-packed product (a proven, potent antioxidant) helps smooth crow’s feet, minimize age spots, and reduce puffiness.

Acne Treatment
Zeno Heat Treat Blemish Prevention Kit ($40; myzeno.com)
Why it won: A salicylic acid solution unclogs pores, while the battery-powered device warms and vibrates to massage the treatment deeper into skin.

Sunscreen
Clarins Sunscreen For Face Wrinkle Control Cream SPF 50+ ($32; clarins.com)
Why it won: We were happy to apply—and reapply—this light, nonsticky block, which offers potent protection against skin-aging UVA rays.

At-Home Hair Color
Clairol Nice ’n Easy Color Blend Foam ($10; drugstores)
Why it won: Our colorist loved the way this mousse-like dye coats strands evenly—no drips, no fuss.

Hairspray
Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray ($26; aveda.com)
Why it won: A spritz that locks in your look without flaking or feeling crunchy to the touch? Yes, please!

Heat Protector/ Shine Spray
Pantene Pro-V Fine Style Heat Protection & Shine Spray ($6; drugstores)
Why it won: A shot of this ultra-lightweight formula prevents hot-tool-induced damage—without making locks look limp.

Nail Treatment
Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Serum ($10; drugstores)
Why it won: Used daily, the biotin-fortified formula strengthens weak, peeling nails. Our expert was amazed by how quickly it worked its magic. *Personal experience: This stuff works!

Mouthwash
Listerine Zero Mouthwash ($4; drugstores)
Why it won: This alcohol-free swisher kills germs and fights plaque for a clean mouth—minus the sting.

Toothpaste
Colgate Max Clean SmartFoam Toothpaste ($3; drugstores)
Why it won: This minty paste impressed our dentist. Tiny bubbles from the foam loosen up plaque between teeth and around your gums, leaving your mouth with that just-had- a-pro-cleaning sensation.

Women’s Scent
Calvin Klein Beauty Eau de Parfum Spray ($65; sephora.com)
Why it won: The powdery, lily-laced fragrance is feminine without being cloying or overly girly.

Evora Kids- Probiotic Oral Care

EvoraKids ($19.95 for 60 tablets) is the first probiotic oral care product for kids.  Flavored in a Wild Very Berry Cherry chew it has higher levels of S. rattus JH145™, which supports dental health, and it includes reduced levels of S. oralis KJ3™ and S. uberis KJ2™, since periodontal health is not typically a concern for children.  Sounds pretty complicated but it's not.  It is simply a great way for your kids to get oral care that is sometimes overlooked or hard to achieve because they are well, kids.

I gave each child, ages 2 and 5, a sample of the Wild Very Berry Cherry Evorakids tablets each morning after they brushed their teeth.  The two year-old wasn't sure about it but after seeing her big sister chewing she tried it too.  It was not a hit.  The five year-old who normally loves taking any sort of "medicine" spit it out and her little sister followed suit.  They did not like the taste.  It was as simple as that.  I couldn't get them to try it again.

Too bad too because EvoraKids is a great idea.  By chewing the tablets it reaches where toothbrushes and floss can’t like those crevices and small spots in their teeth.  This is great because we all know how hard it is to get kids to brush well.  EvoraKids is100% natural and GMO free, contains no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, gluten, soy and it is sugar and dairy free. 

EvoraKids can be purchased online.

MPR Rating:  Three Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post.  Products received are for review and test purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only.




Image from mamalovesherbargains.com

Fun Find- Dr. Fresh Mouthwash

At some point in your life you have probably suffered from a case of Dry Mouth.  Dry Mouth can be caused by so many things including chemotherapy, anti-anxiety drugs, pregnancy, sleep apnea, vitamin use and other long term illnesses and medicines.  Dr. Fresh mouthwash aims to cure this problem.  This over-the-counter mouth rinse combats the discomfort (rough tongue, sores and more) from happening.

Alcohol-free (no burning!) Dr. Fresh Orazyme helps with keeping the right amount of saliva in your mouth.  The patent-pending MIM Salzyme (Metal Ion Management) helps to protect your mouth's immune functions.  By creating more saliva you are ridding your mouth of bad bacteria and germs and neutralizing damaging acids too.  Dr. Fresh provides relief and at 16 ounces a bottle for only $9.99 it is a good find.

You can purchase Dr. Fresh at http://www.drymouthrelief.com/.

MPR Rating:  Four Stars. 

Disclaimer:  MPR was  not paid for this post.  Products received are for test purposes only.


*Image from sale.dentist.net 

EvoraPlus Mints- Freshen Breath and Whiten Teeth

Always on the lookout for a natural product that works I was really very skeptical of EvoraPlus mints.  I agreed to the review but didn't expect much along the lines of delivery.  I gave half the pack to my husband to test out and tentatively tested a few myself for two weeks.  Here's what we found.

After using EvoraPlus for just three days, twice a day, I noticed a fresher feeling in my mouth as did my husband.  This alone took me back a bit.  I wasn't expecting this product to actually work or to work this fast.  I kept diligently using it and found that it tastes a lot like a sugar-free mint.  It's mild in flavor and just a bit sweet.  It dissolves in under five minutes and then you are done.  I took it each morning and night after brushing my teeth and so did my spouse.  After a week we felt like our between brushing feeling was cleaner.  Two weeks later we both noticed our teeth did look just a bit whiter. It wasn't blinding, bleached-out white, but there was a subtle difference. I haven't used any tooth whiteners in the last six months and had noticed my coffee staining coming back.  EvoraPlus brightened my teeth enough in those two weeks to have me satisfied.  A month later they are still whiter than before.  I'm quite pleased with the results and so was my husband. 

So how do these little mints actually work?  Through Probiora3, a natural bacteria.  I'll let the company explain it even more- "When EvoraPlus™ melts on the tongue, the freeze-dried probiotics activate and attach themselves to the teeth and gum tissue, establishing colonies of live, active beneficial bacteria both on the surface of the teeth and deep beneath the gum line. These colonies compete for both nutrients and space with the harmful oral bacteria that disrupt gum and tooth health, as well as cause bad breath.



In the mouth, the harmful bacteria convert sugar and carbohydrates into lactic acid. Lactic acid is the bacterial by-product which is responsible for a decline in dental health. The Standard American Diet promotes the ongoing conversion to lactic acid by providing a constant source of simple carbohydrates for bacterial cell growth, thus creating a situation for even greater imbalance in oral micro flora."

EvoraPlus ($19.95) can be ordered through the website and it comes with a 100% money back guarantee.  You can't go wrong with that.  I did notice a difference while using it- a fresher, cleaner longer feeling in my mouth and whiter teeth was the result. 

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  All products received were for review and testing purposes only. Opinions are those of MPR's alone. 

Radius Toothbrush- It's Money

I have reviewed toothbrushes in the past, mainly the electric variety.  All of them plastic, even if it's recycled.  Radius Source Toothbrush  are made from something entirely different.  Money.  Dollar bills y'all.  Made from recycled dollar bills, flax fiber or wood Radius Source toothbrushes last longer than your average toothbrush.  Here's the rundown directly from the source-


-93% Recycled Material - 47% Renewable Resource.



-Source handles are molded from recycled US Dollar bills/Recycled Flax and Recycled Wood all blended with recycled polypropylene resulting in a bio-plastic that is 100% renewable or recycled.


-Lightweight unbreakable replacement heads made from surgical-grade nylon.


-Dramatically increases softness and efficacy of brushing with 65% more bristle tufts than ordinary toothbrush.


-Reversible for both Right or Left handed brushing - Available in soft or medium bristles.


-Handle lasts forever - the head can be discarded as you would a razor blade!

I admit that for some bizarre reason I thought that this brush wouldn't be durable.  Instead of lasting longer I felt like it would disintegrate in my hands as soon as it got wet. I know, it's ridiculous.  The handle feels just like plastic and it's comfortable in my hand as well.  The actual head/brush threw me off as well.  It's shaped like an iron.  I have a small mouth and I didn't think it would work.  Turns out, I LOVE it! I actually feel like this shape head was designed for my mouth.  My teeth, gums and tongue feel cleaner than they have using the standard narrow head.  I'm super excited that my pack came with a replacement head as well. 

I love that this toothbrush is eco-friendly in packaging and product and it really works.  The Source Radius Toothbrush is fun (it's made from money!), works superbly and lasts a long time (9 months).  The replaceable heads (about $4 for 2) and price are affordable too ($5.21). I don't want to switch toothbrushes ever again.  I'm now a Radius convert.

Radius sells other versions of recycled toothbrushes and styles.  Check them out here.   Radius Toothbrushes can be found at Drugstore.com, Duane Reed, Whole Foods and online at the website.  They are also 25% off right now.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  All products received were for review and testing purposes only.  Opinions in this review are solely my own.

Arm & Hammer Kids Spinbrush

Just like adults, kids can now own a Spinbrush toothbrush ($5.29-6.99) from Arm & Hammer.  Geared for age's three to eleven the wide handle makes for easy gripping and better control while they are brushing.  The small, circular spin brush at the top of this fun toothbrush will have them brushing 38% longer.  That same smaller brush head is also better sized for a child's mouth too.

I have one word for this battery-operated toothbrush (2 AAA batteries), enchanting.  My daughter took one look at the butterfly handle in its pink and lavender hues and couldn't wait to get her hands on it.  While her usual character-driven toothbrush is fun it doesn't have the chunky handle with a butterfly, a fun button to push or spinbrush to tickle her teeth.  "It's like being at the dentist!" she said.  It's true; the tiny spinbrush is like the small one they use at her dentist.  I use an electric brush that is circular as well so felt "just like Mommy" too.  I use this type of toothbrush because it gets my teeth cleaner than a manual demolishing plaque better than other regular toothbrushes.  I'm more than happy to pay a bit more for a Spinbrush for Kids if it will do the same thing. 

Arm & Hammer's Spinbrush for Kids comes in a variety of characters, including Marvel Heroes and Pikachu.  It's available at many grocery stores, big box discount retailers, CVS and online at drugstore.com.

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

SmartMouth Mouthwash

Developed by Triumph Pharmaceuticals at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, SmartMouth mouthwash is a generation three mouthwash. The zinc ions in SmartMouth do not kill the germs in your mouth but with a patented; dual-technology system (kept separate until just before use) it effectively eliminates bad breath.

Skeptical, mouthwash hating me was not too into using this product, initially. I do not like the alcohol in conventional mouthwashes that tend to dry out your mouth. This only creates more bad breath. Natural mouthwashes do not burn but often rely on a very heavy anisette flavoring that turns many people right off. SmartMouth is none of these things. It comes in two flavors- mint or cinnamon and over a period of two weeks for me and two weeks of use by my spouse we both noticed a real difference.

SmartMouth has two solutions. They oxidize bad breath germs neutralizing them and preventing them from returning. That second part is exactly why SmartMouth really works. Using it in the morning and just before bed for two weeks kept bad breath away for both my husband and me. Call me impressed. Very impressed. In fact, I do not think we can live without this product. I love it. A friend of mine gave it to her husband as a not too subtle "gift" and they both love it too. What really made me a believer in Smart Mouth? It was my bi-annual trip to the dentist. Typically, when I visit for my dental cleaning there is plaque. a fair amount of scraping and annoyance on my part. I floss twice a day, brush at least that much. This past visit was just as I was using Smart Mouth mouthwash and I had almost no plaque! The hygienist was amazed. She kept telling me how clean my teeth were and how little cleaning she had to do. The only thing different I had done in the last six months was add Smart Mouth to my daily routine.

Smart Mouth is effective, long lasting, affordable and really does what it says it does.  Smart Mouth can be purchased at all of the major retail chains such as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Target, CVS and online at drugstore.com

MPR Rating:  Five Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

The Natural Dentist

For thirteen years The Natural Dentist company has been creating natural oral care for the whole family. This is always something I look for and the people at The Natural Dentist sent me a slew of their products to try out. I jumped at the chance to test them and not just because the Mouth Rinse was chosen as an "Oprah's Best".

We tried three types of toothpaste in our house- Peppermint Twist, Orange Zest and the kids Sparkly Berry Blast. Each type is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate free, protects against acid erosion and contains no artificial ingredients. In addition, the adult versions have a powerful herbal blend for gum health and help to strengthen your teeth while preventing cavities. Right away I noticed that the Orange Zest flavor has none of that 'hint of mint' that many fruit-flavored toothpastes possess. It is a real orange flavor and the same goes for the Mouth Rinse. So if you like that then this is the flavor for you. The Peppermint Twist has a bit of sage in it which I guess is the twist. I liked this one best. The mint isn't overpowering but it does freshen your breath. My teeth felt clean but without the burn of some less than green toothpastes. Each tube has a nice flip-top cap as well. My daughter loves the Sparkly Berry Blast toothpaste too. The toothy grinned cat on the tube cracks her up. The tube is easy to open and the toothpaste comes out evenly and not in huge globs. It has a kid-friendly flavor that helps protect against cavities and it's fun to use.

Next, I tried the Mouth Rinses in Orange Zest and Peppermint Twist. Again, I noticed that Orange flavored rinse has no minty taste to it and it is alcohol free. Since I am not a fan of the fruit-flavored types of rinses either I found I liked the Peppermint Twist better. Neither of these rinses will stain your teeth and the 20% Aloe Vera Gel helps to control and reduce gingivitis. In addition the rinses contain soothing Calendula and Goldenseal, Grapefruit Seed Extract and Echinacea for cleansing purposes. I found that both mouth rinses left my mouth feeling clean and fresh for a long period of time without drying it out and leaving a burning sensation. The Natural Dentist mouth rinses have no alcohol, dyes, bleach or preservatives in them which actually seems to enhance its freshening power.

Overall I really liked the smooth, non-gritty toothpastes and the soothing mouth rinses. I would use The Natural Dentist products again. These items can all be found at CVS, The Vitamin Shoppe and online at Drugstore.com.

The Natural Dentist is offering a $1.50 OFF coupon for any of their mouth rinses and toothpastes. It's a great incentive to try any of the The Natural Dentist products.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Sonicare Essence 5300 Toothbrush- It Scares Me

I have owned an electric toothbrush for years (Oral B) and I love it. However, I'm not above trying out spankin' new versions of products, especially if they are free, and testing them out. If another brand is better, I will switch. While I love my Oral B it is a few years old and technology has come along way. What do I have to lose?

The Sonicare Essence 5300 promises -

Patented sonic technology

Recharge indicator : indicates charge level so you know when to re-charge

Smartimer : automatically shuts off after 2-minute dental recommended brushing time

Easy-start : lets new users acclimate to the Sonicare experience

Extra gentle bristle design

They should warn you about the noise though. The noise that can be heard two flights down. The noise that will scare your spouse and the vibrating that is so jarring you don't even want to hold onto the handle of this toothbrush. I tried. I really did. On many separate occasions I swallowed my fear and turned this toothbrush on again and again. Only to drop it in the sink afraid for my life. OK. Maybe not my life but the handle vibrates a considerable amount to the point that I was uncomfortable holding it. The head of the toothbrush rotates so fast and vigorously that I couldn't stand it. I don't have sensitive teeth either. I decided I needed a second opinion. I gave the 5300 to my husband.

This man is not afraid of very much. He owns both an electric and a shall we say, 'classic style' toothbrush. He gave the Essence a whirl. He threw it down in under a minute. He hated it. He claims that it it too loud, vibrates too much and can't clean your teeth very well because who wants to deal with all that racket and vibration? Neither of us.

The Sonicare Essence 5300 ($94.99)was a failure in our house. Perhaps if you like something akin to a jackhammer pulsing away at your teeth you will like the 5300. If so, click here for more information about the Essence and the rest of Sonicare's oral lines. It is too bad too because I really wanted to like this expensive toothbrush. I really did. I wanted Sonicare to convert me. Instead, my spouse and I chase each other around the house with this scary gadget scaring the living daylights out of each other.