Knitting Zeal

Keeping chapped lips in style with Carmex

Recently I had the chance to try out the new Limited Edition Moisture Plus Lip Balm line from Carmex as a member of their blog squad.  This collection of fun and stylish designs wraps up the Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm that I've been using for years. They asked me to take their Uniquely You Personality Quiz to see which of the new designs matched my style.  There are four new limited edition designs this season, Adventurous, Whimsical, Chic and Fab!  I took the quiz and my results were Chic! The Chic stick is inspired by Audrey, the modern girl with classic taste.  Want to stay fashionable while protecting your lips from the harsh wintery weather?  Take the Carmex Uniquely You Personality Quiz to match your style to one of the new, limited edition Moisture Plus Collection of lip balms.  

I've been using the Carmex line of lip balms for a few years now and have always found that their protection works for me.  I've mentioned before that I'm a bit of a lip balm addict, never passing up a chance to try a new one.  Carmex has been a consistent staple in my lip balm "collection" for years.  I like it especially in the winter, as it has a bit of a tingle to it that makes me feel like it really is healing chapped lips.  I like their Moisture Plus line, as it glides on easily and comes in a nice sized tube.  These new patterns on the tubes are fun and cute.  I don't really have a favorite design, as I think they are all pretty, although as you can see the first design I tried was the leopard print Adventurous one!

 

Disclosure: I received one four pack of lip balms from Carmex as a member of their blog squad.  No monetary compensation was recieved.  Opinions expressed here are honest and my own.  

CleanSmart alcohol-free hand sanitizer for cold and flu season

Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer, finally!

Recently I received this new hand sanitizer product, CleanSmart, to try out and review.  With a kid in school exposed to lots of germs, as well as my own weekly volunteer job in his elementary school, I use a lot of hand sanitizer.  I spend one afternoon each week in the elementary school's library, handling the books kids take home.  We sanitize the books when they are returned and I sanitize my hands constantly while there.  My hands dry out fast, especially in the winter months, so the alcohol in the traditional hand gels do not help.  CleanSmart is supposed to be different and work just as well as alcohol based sanitizers.  

I received two types of CleanSmart to try, a bottle of  hand sanitizer in a gel consistency and a spray bottle of a liquid version.  I keep the spray bottle in my car to use on the go.  I like that it dries fast and is not quite as messy as the gel sanitizer I had been using, which I often somehow "drop" the gel while trying to use it.  So far the CleanSmart sanitizer has not dried out my skin and I feel comfortable letting my son use it.  The company claims that the product is "naturally moisturizing."  The bottle hasn't leaked either, something that I was concerned about initially.  

CleanSmart contains replicated Hypochlorous acid, "the only non-toxic germ killer that destroys the viruses, bacteria and pathogens that can harm your family."  I am not a scientist with access to a lab to test out the company's claims, but I did look up Hypochlorous acid online to learn that it is formed when adding chlorine to water and is oftne used in sanitiation related to food/kitchens.  There is no alcohol listed on the ingredient list, whereas the regular hand sanitizer gel I use contains 68% alcohol.  If you are looking for an alcohol free product, then this is good for you.

The CleanSmart product is not scented but immediately out of the bottle smells lightly like chlorine or a pool.  The scent seemed to fade immediately and did not leave my hands scented.  I liked that as some scents set off my allergies!  Here's hoping to have few colds and no flu this winter! I'll be sharing the extra samples sent with some of my mom-friends so they can be protected too.

CleanSmart won't be available in stores until next year, but in the mean time can be purchased online at CleanSmartHome.com. 

 

Disclosure:  I received samples of the product to initiate this editorial review.  No monetary compensation was receieved. The opinions shared here are mine. 

Lands End and the Spring into Summer Mom Mixer!

Last weekend I had the fun opportunity to join some of my blogging mom friends at the Spring into Summer Mom Mixer hosted by Whitney of Mommies With Style and Colleen of Classy Mommy, along with a number of incredible brands. 

Photo courtesy of Sherry Aikens @Babypop

Held at the Bellvue Hotel's XIX Restaurant in Philadelphia, it was a fun morning spent socializing with other bloggers, meeting some wonderful people who work for the brands who participated in the event, and learning. 

I really enjoyed the presentation by Lands End, who make at least half of my wardrobe.  They focused on their 2013 Swimwear line and described all the new features, including great tips on how to get a perfect fit in a bathing suit.  Something that I absolutely loved was learning that they are now selling swim shirts with SPF protection for women that do not look like surfer rash guards.  My son and husband have been wearing rash guards for sun protection at the beach, but I never found one for women that was flattering or feminine.  This season, Lands End is offering their swim tees that have SPF 50 protection, are lightweight, and fast drying.  They come in lots of colors and patterns and I hope that they are popular so that they continue to offer them in the future.  I went home that day with plans to purchase one for our upcoming beach vacation, since I am really tired of sitting on the beach with a sweatshirt on to protect me from burning.  I ordered the violet colored one, because I love purple! 

The Beach Living swim tee!

Ordering a swimsuit online without trying it on can be a challenge.  I learned that Lands End offers fitting and style advice via online chat or by phone.  If the person you are chatting with can't answer a question you have, they agent contacts one of the fashion consultants for more information and will get back to you.  They also have a great swim resource guide online to find your perfect fit and style.  I also learned that all those comments online that customers leave, the ones under the description for each item for sale....they actually read them and pay attention to what their customers say!  If they receive enough similar feedback about an item, they take that into consideration for the future designs.  I am glad to hear that leaving feedback actually counts! 

I have been a Lands End customer for years.  My son has a thing for fabrics.  He loves how my cotton clothing from Lands End feels.  In fact, if I'm not wearing a Lands End item, he tells me I'm not feeling snuggly enough.  (He is a slightly crazy and cuddly five year old!!)  He has many LE items too, as their kids clothes are awesome!  His winter coat for the past four years has been from LE. 

Disclosure:  I did not receive any monetary compensation for attending or writing about the Mom Mixer.  I really have been a LE customer for years and the opinions expressed here are honest.  I did recieve a tote bag from LE. I was not required to write about the brands or event. 

Winter lips need Carmex lip conditioner

As a member of the Carmex blog squad I had the chance to try out a new product this past week, Carmex lip conditioner.  It's not waxy like a balm, or sticky like the little Carmex jars.  Instead it's more of a lotion for lips that has 13 moisterizers that absorb quickly.  It has a smooth, matte finish, that makes it perfect for layering with lip color (lipstick or gloss.)  

I've been using the lip conditioner for about a week and so far I like it.  It has a very light organge scent and flavor that is not overpowering and a slight tingle when applied.  It doesn't seem to last as long as the lip balm products from Carmex, but that's because it isn't a thick layer on my lips.  I like that it isn't sticky.  I have long hair that when it's windy out it gets stuck in my lip balms or glosses.  My hair doesn't stick to the Carmex lip conditioner!  The true test of this new Carmex product will be how it helps during the winter when my skin dries out.  I'm glad I'll have this product to use!

 

Disclosure: Carmex provided me samples of their product for the purpose of this review.  My opinions expressed here are my own.  

Carmex lip balm in the summer

I've shared my addiction to lip balm here before and am always buying new ones when I see them.  You'll find a lip balm in every coat pocket of mine in the winter, every purse I own, my beach bag, in my car, kitchen drawers, and even my knitting bag.  Nothing annoys me more than having chapped lips! Being a Carmex Blog Squad member gives me a great advantage to try the newest Carmex lip balm flavors, and feed my addiction!  

This month I am using Carmex's Pomegranate Stick and I love it!  I think it is my favorite of their fruit scents.  It is a lightly sweet, fruity scent that is not at all overpowering, and it feels great on my lips.  It has a broad spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, which makes it a great daily lip balm in the summertime.  I hate overly sticky feeling balms, or super waxy ones.  This Carmex lip balm is perfect for everyday use for me.  I like that it feels light on my lips, isn't tinted with an artificial color and does not have an odd taste.  I've tried most of the current flavors Carmex offers and while the vanilla, cherry, lime twist and strawberry are nice, the pomegranate is definitely my favorite scent.  I also love the classic Original Stick.  There is just something about it that reminds me of cold winters at the bus stop with my little pot of lip balm to soothe my chapped winter lips!

Carmex sent me an awesome beach bag filled with six lip balms to enjoy this summer: Original Stick, Cherry Stick, Strawberry Stick, Vanilla Stick, Lime Twist Stick, and the New Pomegranate Stick.  My son is begging me to share with him, so I'm letting him pick one to use (with supervision!)  Since they are not tinted, it is ok for him to use as he cannot "paint" anything with color!  He also has shared Carmex lip balm with me before and has not had a bad reaction to them.  In fact, when he has chapped lips he asks to use my lip balm and it really seems to help him heal.  

Giveaway!

So while I'll be sharing my lip balms with my son, I can also share with you. Carmex will be sending one of my wonderful blog readers their own Carmex Beach Bag filled with the six lip balms I mentioned.  Want to win?  Entering is easy:  leave me a comment on this blog post about your favorite summer activitiy and be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner.  I will select one winner using Random.org on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 10:00pm EST. The selected winner will receive an email from me and have 24 hours to get back to me with their mailing address.  The Carmex Blog Squad Team will be sending the winner their prize.  This giveaway is open to US Residents only.

Disclosure: As a member of the Carmex Blog Squad, I received the above mentioned products from the makers of Carmex for purposes of this review.  No monetary compensation was received.  My comments/opinons are honest and I only share reviews of products I personally would purchase.