Olay Facial Hair Removal Duo: Product Review

Ok, first of all, how sad is it that I can't grow hair on my head worth a crap, but the hair on my face is enjoying one of its most prolific seasons ever?  Such an injustice.

Anyway....this brings me to this week's "Product of the Week".  Well, actually, it's just going to be "Product REVIEW of the Week" because I can't say that this product is any better than any other I've tried for facial hair removal.

I love Olay, I really do.  I've said in other posts that I think Olay really 'gets' the "mature woman".  Their prices are fair, the products pretty much do what they say they'll do.  Nothing wrong with Olay. 

So, I was all about trying out their (new?) Olay Facial Hair Removal Duo system.  I'm intrigued.  What's the "duo" about?  Well, the "deux" in this "duo" (aren't I soooo sophisticated with the whole French thing?) is the "Skin Guarding Balm".  It's a stick of wax, essentially, that you put on the area of your face you plan to de-hair, first, before putting on the Hair Removal Cream.  The "Balm" supposedly protects your skin from breaking out or whatever from the harsh cream that makes your hair fall out.  Sounds like a reasonable endeavor.

So, I put the wax on, especially around my lips, because I'm really wanting to get that cream up close and personal, right next to my upper lip where those evil hairs try to set up camp.  One problem is that they don't really tell you how much of the wax/balm to put on, so I'm just rubbing it on pretty liberally, hoping it will be enough.  The tube is not really all that large (about the size of a small lipstick) and so I don't want to throw off the balm-to-cream ratio.  (Don't you hate when you run out of the shampoo while you still have half a bottle of the matching conditioner left?  Trying to keep things even here.)

Then, I put on the Cream.  It's OK.  Perhaps a little more thick and lustrous than some, and the smell of ammonia or whatever that nasty hair remover smell is, might be a little less than some of the others I've used.  I do put the Cream on pretty thick, just to make sure it's going to work.  And it does.  After 7 minutes, you remove the Cream, Balm and the hair-from-hell with a tissue.   It all comes off pretty nicely, pretty easily.  Then, you rinse your face with water and you're good to go.

Your face feels smooth and the hair is gone --- for now.  I can probably get about 6 weeks out of this application.  I do have to say that, in some ways, I'm lucky because my facial hair is 99% blonde.  Like little blonde peach fuzz.  I do get a rogue black hair every once in a while (don't tell anybody), but on my fair (OK, pale) skin, those suckers are easy to spot and I will not hesitate to get out the tweezers.  

So, do I recommend Olay Facial Hair Removal Duo?  Yes.  It works.  Does it work better than another brand?  Probably not.  If you've got a coupon, go ahead and get it.  Otherwise, go for the drugstore brand.

Product of the Week: Lumosity Brain Training

You may know, if you read much of my blog, that I am, well, let's just say, "highly motivated" to find out any and all things I can about how to prevent Alzheimer's disease.  It runs in my family big time and ever since I hit 50 years old (last year), I am taking the whole prevention thing very seriously.

Let me start by saying that, unfortunately (an understatement) there is no definitive answer in how to prevent Alzheimer's.  But, I'm not the type to just sit around and wait to see if it happens to me.  I'm at least going to do everything I can, everything I know about (within reason and medical 'blessing') to prevent it.  You see, I don't 'wait well', and hand-wringing is just not my style.

It does seem that keeping your mind active and learning new things is one of the suggestions that I keep seeing for a chance at Alzheimer's prevention.  The term 'brain training' seems to be one of the 'buzz words' and it may just be that, a lot of hype and nothing more.  But, I'm thinking it can't hurt and my doctor agreed, so when I keep seeing the Lumosity commercials on TV, I'm intrigued.

First of all, OK, the chick doing the Lumosity commercial, while sporting a very cute haircut, is like 25 years old.  Brain training? Really?  But, anyway.....

Lumosity is a website with computer games that claims to improve your brain 'efficiency', not just memory, but focus, attention, etc.  It says that it's based on science, something about the "Human Cognition Project", bunch of M.D., PhD types and CAT scan pictures listed on their website.  OK, I'm impressed.

Supposedly, you play the Lumosity games every day and your brain gets 'exercised' and, ultimately, much more fine-tuned.  Apparently, the more you use your brain, the more 'connections' it makes so, if you lose some connections later (from Alzheimer's, aging, whatever), you have a bunch more left over.

That sounds like $80.00 well-spent (the cost for a 1-year membership to Lumosity).  Can't think of a better use for my VISA card, so I'm in.

I've been using Lumosity for about 3 weeks now, and here's my take at this point:

It's pretty fun to do.  I'm certainly not of the video game generation, and do not consider playing video games a fun pastime.  However, these games are pretty fun.  Not overly complicated, and they only last 2-3 minutes each.  I can do that.  They're colorful, they have pleasant sound effects, cute little critters.  Definitely not "Grand Theft Auto" (thank God).  I'm actually starting to kind of look forward to playing the games every day.

You are 'prescribed' 3-5 games to play per day.  Lumosity recommends playing daily to get the most benefit.  Like, I said, each game is 2-3 minutes, so the whole 'daily dose' only takes 10-15 minutes.  Lumosity will send you an email every day - if you want them to - to remind you to do your daily training.  I find that kind of funny in light of the whole memory thing.

After you finish the daily dose of games, you get your results along with a "Brain Profile" with charts and graphs, tracking your progress and also telling you how you did compared to other people your age.  This part - knowing how I did compared to other people - is really important to me.  Especially when it comes to the Memory scores.  Am I OK??!!!

And, the best part --- I'm starting to see some improvement in my scores.  Like, significant improvement.  Sometimes, I surprise myself with my scores, moving to the next level, without even really 'trying'.  That's pretty cool.  So, maybe I am improving my brain!

So, I'm making Lumosity my Product of the Week!  I recommend it for all us 'mature' people, but also for anybody that wants to sharpen their brain skills.  I told my 30-year-old son about it and he's going to give it a go for improving his focus and attention at work.   I promise I did not receive anything from Lumosity for trying it out or writing this review.  Although I would suggest, Lumosity if you're reading this, that you offer a 10-day free trial so people can try it out before buying.  Oh, and if you'd like to give me a free year's membership for writing this, that would be cool.  :)

The site is www.lumosity.com if you want to check it out.

I'm off to my daily brain training!  What's my Lumosity password??...... damn.....

Allie

Product of the Week: TIGI Catwalk Headshot Conditioner

My hair has never been exactly oily, but it sure seems to be more dry now than when I was younger.  Now that it's winter, it seems to be even more dry than usual.  Also, I have to say that my daily use of Rogaine dries out my hair, as it's very alcohol-based.  So, I find myself lately searching for something, anything that will add some moisture to my hair.

The TIGI Catwalk Headshot Conditioner is not something new to me.  I've used it off and on for probably 6 years, and I've always liked it.  However, lately I've been reminded just how well it works to add moisture to my hair.  I just used it a few minutes ago, as a matter of fact.

The Headshot Conditioner is rich and thick.  It smells like peppermint and it feels minty fresh on your scalp.  After I wash my hair, I put the conditioner on and leave it for 3-5 minutes then rinse it out.  My hair immediately feels softer and just 'refreshed'.  My hair styles better, is less prone to frizz, and is more shiny.

TIGI makes a companion moisturizing shampoo.  I need to get me some of that.  You can never be too rich or too moist.

Allie