Product review: LetsGetChecked - At-Home Lyme Disease Test

 

"LetsGetChecked" test is not an instant test that gets you results right away. You need to register on their website, collect blood samples and schedule UPS pickup before 10 am on the same day. To collect a sample, you need to prick multiple fingers and collect blood the required amount of blood to fill the ampule included in the package. Do not throw away the box - the samples must be returned in that box (only that box will be accepted).

I do not know how accurate the test is. I am concerned that one of the other reviewers said that these test results were negative, but the doctor's test came back positive.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: The Shake2 Matcha Green Tea Set- Premium First Harvest Ceremonial Grade, Japanese Blend from Kagoshima - Organic Powder with Shaker Bottle

 

This listing contains a small package 1 oz packet of Macha and a shaker bottle.  The bottle and the drinking spout are made out of plastic (not clear what kind of plastic as it is not marked, not described as BPA-free).  The cap is metal.

The bottle is average at best; the type of plastic is not specified; any wide mouth bottle will work just as well.

The Matcha powder is pretty good quality. It just matcha powder; nothing else is mixed in for flavor. I add lemon juice and a bit of sugar to the mixture to give it some flavor.

Purchased in March 2021, expires in October 2021.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Ethereal Nature Hair Oil Biotin

 

This listing combines many different oils, so reading reviews was a little confusing as they describe scents that were not relevant to the biotin oil I was purchasing.  I got the biotin oil.  It has a pleasant floral scent. It has a nice consistency, and the cap serves as a dispenser. You need to twist the cap to open up the dropper.  The dropper gives me good control over the amount of oil I release every time.  Biotin helps my hair look better, reducing hair breakage (less hair in the drain).

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.  

Ali Julia review ★★★★★  

Product review: Always Radiant Feminine Pads for Women, Size 5

This pad uses a different from any other pads I have tried, it is foam rather than cotton.  It works very well: absorbent, scent-free, does not stink after it was used. Size 5 is very long and provides excellent protection. It uses good glue that comes off easily without tearing the pad when you remove it (a common problem with Kotex U).

I got my pack of 18 at a local CVS for just under $10, and now I see Amazon offers a much better price per pad when you get a pack of three for under $20.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Pepto Bismol Cherry flavor. Diarrhea Relief, 12 Chewable Tablets

I was looking for a travel size Pepto Bismol with a better flavor.  This cherry flavor is not too strong but definitely more pleasant than the mouth-washy taste of the original.  I always found the original Pepto Bismol effective but really hated the flavor.  My husband likes the original flavor, so I know some people are okay with it, but if you are not this product fixes the problem.

The packaging is excellent.  Small and compact, closes well and stays closed in my purse. Each container is 2 5/8".  It does not get crushed like a blister pack I used to carry before this purchase.  To open it for the first time you need to remove the pink security strip at the top.  The top is a screw top, that helps it to stay closed in my purse.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Burt's Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Butter with Orange Blossom & Pistachio

Burt's Bees pink grapefruit is my favorite lip balm, so I decided to try the tin with lip butter because orange and pistachio sounded like an interesting flavor.  The tin with butter provides more moisturizer then a tube.  I spread it with my finger (note the finger needs to be wiped out as there is some greasy feeling left on the finger after application).


Burt's Bees lip butter has a slight orange flavor, it is very subtle. The content is soft enough to make it easy to spread, but not too soft that is smeared too much balm on the lips.


INGREDIENTS

Ingredients: Caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, C10-18 triglycerides, polyhydroxystearic acid, glycerin, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl stearate, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, theobroma grandiflorum seed butter, aroma [flavor]*, hydrogenated castor oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, cera alba [beeswax], pistacia vera seed oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) flower extract, citrus limon (lemon) fruit extract, hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower extract, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, rebaudioside A, citric acid, citral, citrolnellol, geraniol, limonene, linalool *aroma naturel / natural flavor



You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Kieba Massage Lacrosse Balls for Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Muscle Knots, and Yoga Therapy

I had a sore neck and paid for several very expensive massage sessions which helped but did not totally resolve the problem because I could only go twice a week.  Then I found these balls!  I  pressed them against the wall and rolling them against the knots in my neck fixed my neck in about a week.  I used them several times a day.  A massage therapist would have cost me a fortune if I tried to do the same!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Schwarzkopf Essensity Oil Developer- 5.5% / 18 Volume- 33.8 oz

A few weeks ago I did my first hair color at home as my hair salon is closed due to COVID-19.  The first time I used a Schwarkipf Essensity kit and because my hair is short I had a lot of wasted products.  This time I ordered the Schwarzkopf Developer and color separately, so I could use less and make it more cost-efficient over time.

Schwarzkopf Essensity Oil Developer- 5.5% / 18 Volume worked very well.  I used in 1:1 ratio to the color.  The instructions came with the color tube.  The developer bottle had no instructions as it is aimed at professionals who know what they are doing.  The only key info you need to know is the proportion.  I measured the ratio on a kitchen scale (first weight the bowl, then add color, then add an equal amount of developer).
I used less than one oz for one application, so the bottle will last a long time.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Replens Long-Lasting Feminine Moisturizer, 35g Tube with Reusable applicator

Meh. Not my favorite moisturize.  Discharge is unpleasant.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Pearlessence Dry Shampoo Cherry Blossom

I've been using dry shampoo for the last year when I need to make my hair look good in a hurry.  I purchased this dry shampoo in a local Marshalls because they had a really attractive price and I was meaning to give Pearlessence a try.  I liked the attractive bottle and the nice smell, however, I needed to use more during each application than Batiste Dry Shampoo. I also noticed the effects did not last as long as when I use Batiste Dry shampoo.

The Pearlessense dry shampoo (just like Batiste Dry Shampoo) goes on like white residue on the hair which you need to work into your scalp with finders and then style with a brush.

So given the price difference, Peralessence did not live up to my expectations.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Burt's Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Balm, Pomegranate with Beeswax and Fruit

Burt's Bees Pink grapefruit is my favorite lip balm, so when I saw Burt's Bees pomegranate (new to me flavor) I was eager to try it.  It did not disappoint.

Burt's Bees lip balm is colorless moisturizing lip balm and it combines everything I was looking for - taste and longevity.  The pomegranate flavor is subtle, not like earing a candy, it is just hint of the pomegranate flavor.

The content is soft enough to make it easy to spread, but not too soft that is smeared too much balm on the lips.

Ingredients:
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut), Beeswax, Ricinus Communis Seed.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector (USELESS!)

If you are looking for a product to remove dark spots (sunspots), this product does not help. It is pleasant in texture and odor-free. It is absorbed well and does not leave the skin shiny as some other preparations. The skin is left softer after the application. However, it has no effect on dark spots.
After using the serum for many months with no visible results, I saw a dermatologist and asked her if there is any chance that this serum will work. She said no. She said, freezing the skin where the spots are however is very effective. I went ahead and told her to do the freezing. Several weeks later, my spots were totally gone, there is not even a faint mark where they were. It cost me $25 per spot (insurance does not cover it since it is cosmetic). For a week it looked like I had a couple of pimples until the skin totally healed. If any spots appear again, I will do the freezing again. I can't tell where the old spots used to be.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: Travel size Pepto-Bismol To-Go Chewable Tablets Cherr Flavor

I was looking for a travel size Pepto Bismol with a better flavor.  This cherry flavor is not too strong but definitely more pleasant the mouth-washy taste of the original.
The packaging is excellent.  Small and compact, closes well and stays closed in my purse. Each container is 2 5/8".  It does not get crushed like a blister pack I used to carry before this purchase.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: JBAMBOO Polarized Wood Sunglasses for Women and Men

I like the unique look of these sunglasses. The sunglasses have an aluminum frame with a thin cut of wood attached to the aluminum frame on both sides. The style of these glasses is a classic aviator style.

They come with a rigid leather-like case and a thin microfiber liner case.

The glasses fit well. The nose rests are adjustable, and the bows have enough tension to keep them in place but don’t dig into the sides of your head. The lenses are polarized.  The package includes a handy test card that demonstrates polarization (see my video). 

They look pretty nice especially given the price of under $30.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: PediFix Visco-Gel Toe Spacers - 2 Spacers, Pack of 2

My small toe rubs again the forth toe and gives me painful blisters. These toe separators did not work for me. They slipped off the toe, they were not comfortable.  After trying it for about a week I threw them out.

I found a better solution that works for me.  I use BodyGlide or FootGlide. to put between my toes.  They now glide against it each other rather than rub, and I don't have any blisters.

This saved me a lot of pain, I wish I knew of it earlier. I hope this solution will help someone else with a similar problem.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: Santamedical Wrist Digital Blood pressure Monitor with Case

Santamedical blood pressure monitor is wrist blood pressure monitor.  The wrist monitor is not as accurate as an arm blood pressure monitor I have (the arm monitor matches my doctor's measurements more closely) but the wrist monitor is easier to use and it gives consistent readings.  The key to monitoring blood pressure is to know when it starts changing so as long as the readings are consistent they are giving me good information.  I find that I am using it more often because it takes so little time, no fussing around with latching the arm band on the arm monitor which always takes me a few tries.

Overall, I rate it "okay" reducing some points for the lower accuracy compared to the arm blood pressure monitor.

I am attaching a collage of 4 photos that I will be referencing in this review.  The first photo shows the entire content of the package. The monitor itself, the white plastic case for storage of the monitor, instruction manual.

The monitor runs on two AAA batteries (included). The battery compartment is shown in photo 3.  It has a plastic tongue that goes under the batteries and makes it easy to remove the batteries.  The plastic container is very handy, the cuff rolled up and easily fit into the case.

The 4h photo shows me taking the measurement. The position of the monitor on your hand as well as position of the hand relative to your heart are very important to get accurate measurements.  Once you find the hand position that is comfortable use the same position every day to get measurements that can be accurately compared to each other.

As I mentioned earlier the key to home monitoring is to notice a change.  If you measure the blood pressure in different position one after another you will notice that the reading are not the same, that's why it is important to use the same position every day.  The monitor should be at the same level as your heart.  The manual shows extending the hand with the monitor in front of you. Another position that works is to place your hand on your chest with monitor at your heart level.  I find that putting my hand on my chest is easier, and it gave me the same reading as when extending my hand in front of me.

The monitor has two buttons. The one with a circle is that on/off button.  As soon as you turn on the monitor it starts measuring.  It takes approximately one minute to get a reading.  The second button is a memory button which will store the results.  The unit has automatic power-off function if you forget to turn it off manually.

How to set time? There is a small hole on one the side (the top side if you have the display facing you).  Use a small sharp object like a sewing needle to click it.  One click puts you into "adjust time" mode. Then use the left button (memory) to advance the digits. When the month is set correctly click the hole again to advance to the next number to adjust (days of the months) and so forth.

The screen displays your blood pressure and pulse.  It also has a low battery indicator.  The entire wrist band (measured on the inside) is 11.25", you need to allow a minimum of 2" for Velcro closure to secure.  That means it can accommodate wrists up to 9.25" in circumference.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Book review: Friends with the Scale: How to Turn Your Scale Into a Powerful Weight Loss Tool, by Laurie Spangle

Are you a person that blames your scale for your weight problems? Then this book is for you.  The title of the book is not just a cute way to talk about weight control, the author really really relates everything she says in the physical object - the scale.

I am no stranger to dieting, but I had trouble relating to the main premise of the book: breaking the pattern of hating/blaming/being afraid of the scale, so the content did not resonate with me.  The entire weight loss experience in this book is being related to the scale, so if you do not have scale "issues" you probably will have a similar dissatisfaction as me.
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

Product review: Masterworks 20V Cordless Drill

Besides the drill this drill contains drill bit, screw driver heads, flexible shaft for hard to reach places, the charger, and the manual.  The package does NOT include a case.  For now I am keeping it in the box, but I am plan to buy a separate case tfor storage.  The drill has 3/8" (10 mm) chuck.  The drill has variable settings for torque: 0 to 15 settings.   Larger screws require more torque to drive than small ones.  More torque will set a screw deeper into material, less torque will prevent it stripping.

The drill runs on 18 volt lithium-ion rechargeable battery, it is shipped partially discharged and needs to be fully charged before first use.  The firs time it took me overnight to charge it.  Subsequent recharging requires 5 hours if it is almost fully discharged, less if it is partially discharged. The green light is the power indicator. When the charger is connected to AC the green light is on. The red light is the charging indicator. Both red and green light are on when the battery is charging.  The red light will turn off once charging is complete.

To remove the battery from the drill you need to depress the button on the front of the battery pack to release it and then it slides out. When you put it back in make sure it clicks to latch in.

The drill's weight is 2 pounds and 8.6 oz.  I find it easy to use.  The handle is comfortable and 3.5 pound is pretty easy to handle.
Instructions say to prolong the life of the tool, do not continually for work more than 20 minutes at a time.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★

Product review: Bausch & Lomb Advanced Relief Eye Wash - 4 oz.

I have ordered Bausch and Lomb Advanced Eye Wash in the past.  Since I last ordered the changed the design of the cap and I like it less. The cap is now attached to the bottle and the dropper is to the side rather than in the middle of the bottle. I find it harder to control the flow to put it in my eye as the cover and off center position make it more difficult.  However the solution is as good as before.

This Amazon order was purchased in June 2017, the bottle I received expired in 2019. Pretty good!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Breo Scalp Massager Portable Waterproof Electric Head Massager

When I have a migraine pressing on various points on my head really helps to reduce the pain.  This massager works well for me to reduce pain, it takes less effort than pressing with my fingers and it applies pressure in four separate spots.  The massager has two modes: fast and slow. The handle is convinient to hold.  When I press it hard it slows down the rotation somewhat but it keeps going.

The massager comes with a base for recharging. While charging it blinks with a pale green light (I had to turn down the lights in the room to see the light, it is fairly light in color).  When the massager is fully charged the light stops blinking and remain steady green.  To change the modes I need to press the button on top of the massager. To turn the massager off I just hold it down for longer.

The package also include 4 soft brushes.  The documentation leaflet does not mention the brushes, or explain how to replace the heads on the massager. My video shows how to do it.  You need to pull the heads straight out with a little force, the brushes fit in to the same ports.  These brushes can be used for a more gentle massage or to clean your face (dry or with a cleanser).

Overall, I find it very helpful for my head aches and in general the massage feels good. The massager can be used for neck and shoulders, but its shape best fits the curves of the head.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★