I love mascara, and I rarely leave the house without it. Even if I’m too lazy or too rushed to apply liner or shadow, I will definitely swipe on one or two quick coats of mascara. I love lashes that are long, defined and thick. The longer and thicker they are, the better! So I followed the recommendation for Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara, and purchased a two-pack for $7.99 (at Target, of course).
Honestly, I’m not that impressed with the mascara. It’s nice, to be sure, but it doesn’t really stand out from the mascaras that I already own. The length is nice, and there’s some definition, but that’s about it. It does glide on easily enough… and it also comes off quite easily. I know that it isn’t waterproof, but since I have other non-waterproof mascaras that don’t run at the first hint of moisture, it would be nice if Lash Stiletto would also stay put.
For those interested, here is Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara in action (two coats):
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My three year old son is still in diapers. In his defense (since it looks especially bad compared to his sister, who was fully potty-trained when she was 34 months old), he is autistic, and thus has developmental delays. But we’re working with him, and we talk with him every day of the advantages of using the potty like a big boy. So far no dice, but I am comforted by the knowledge that he won’t be in diapers by the time he is in college. 
Diapers smell. No big secret there. I do my best to keep his room as clean smelling as possible, despite the presence of a diaper pail. I line the diaper pail with plastic bags, I empty the pail when it’s about 3/4 full, and I use an odor neutralizing air freshener (Febreze NOTICEables). But at times there is still an underlying odor, and it bothers me, because I know that visitors can probably pick up on it faster than we do, since they don’t live here and aren’t adjusted to the smell like we are.
So when I saw the Febreze True Air All Purpose Odor Eliminator at Target a few weeks ago (I walked right by it in the hardware section; I wasn’t actively seeking it out), I decided to give it a try. I had my reservations, since it’s a $15 product that includes one filter, and replacement filters are $11 for a three pack. But if it will really help, then hey, I’m all for spending the initial $15 and then another $3.66 per month (one filter lasts about thirty days if the appliance is left on all the time).
The Febreze True Air All Purpose Eliminator plugs right into an electrical outlet, and it features an on/off switch, so you can conveniently use it when you want to. Since diapers are a continuous thing, I leave the appliance on. And so far, so good! Combined with the Febreze NOTICEable, and the removal of full bags, my son’s room is virtually odorless. Family members and friends have confirmed it. So for anyone who is looking to de-stink a room, whether it be rank because of kids or pets or something else altogether, check out the Febreze True Air All Purpose Odor Eliminator. I promise that you won’t be disappointed!
Tip: make sure all large toys, like Legos, cars, Only Hearts Club and so on and so forth, are moved away from outlets. In order to work effectively, the Febreze True Air All Purpose Odor Eliminator needs to be free of blockage and obstruction!
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Two weeks or so ago I was out and decided to treat myself to the “lazy” way of removing nail polish. Instead of soaking a paper towel or washcloth with nail polish remover and then scrub away at each nail individually, I would do the whole “dip & twist” method of getting the nail polish off. I picked up the first product I saw, which happened to be made by Sally Hansen.
Sally Hansen Kwik Off works just as described. The foam insert inside the jar has three different slots that have been slit lengthwise and widthwise. It’s quite easy to insert my finger, twist around a few times and get most of the nail polish off. Of course, I apply 2-3 coats per nail, so it takes a little more twisting and wriggling around, but overall, this product does work as described, without excessive odor or any weird residue being left on my skin.
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A few weeks ago I mentioned trying out Purex Complete 3-in-1. Well, I have now had the opportunity to try them out (I’ve used up the whole twenty starter pack, actually), and I’m happy to report that I like them. I normally use Tide, have for a few years from now (I also really like Arm & Hammer’s detergent; I should really try their stuff again, especially since it’s so much cheaper!), but I couldn’t resist the lure of convenience. Standing there measuring out detergent and fabric softener and then remember the dryer sheet can be a pain.
So, my thoughts on Purex Complete 3-in-1? I like it. I really do. I used the sheets on dark colors, light colors, whites, cloth diapers (not on the covers, because they can get messed up if washed with fabric softener), bed sheets and towels. The clothes come out clean and nice smelling (the scent is very faint, something I’m not used to!), and it’s very easy to include the Purex sheet with the clothes during the transfer from the washer to the dryer, since it’s almost always mixed in with them somewhere!
I’d probably use Purex Complete 3-in-1 again, though at $7 or so for a set of twenty, it probably is cheaper in the long run to just purchase detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets separately, since I could do many more loads with them.
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We’re typically a Charmin kind of family, but in the interest of saving money, I have been switching over to the generic varieties of some products. Note I said some. There are some things I won’t scrimp on, and they include cosmetics, hair products, and laundry detergent. The hotels you’ll find at Gatlinburg vacations destinations may offer generic everything, but not this household! So anyway, toilet paper. Like I said, I normally purchase Charmin, particularly the Ultra Soft variety, but recently I’ve noticed that it’s… different. It isn’t as soft and plush as it used to be. When I mentioned this to my mom, she said that she too noticed it felt different. Even more interesting is that we’re obviously not alone with this opinion, as “Charmin Ultra Soft changed” came up as a search suggestion at Google!
So when I was at Target about a week or so back, I decided to try their generic toilet paper: Target Up & Up bath tissue. Right on the package it claimed to be just like Charmin’s Ultra Soft. And I’m not going to turn down twelve rolls of toilet paper for $5.94!
A week and six rolls later (What can I say? We’re a family of three (there’s a fourth, but he isn’t potty-trained yet), and we’ve had a lot of company over, including two friends who stayed with us for two nights!), I’m sold. It may not be Charmin, but it’s close, and the price is most definitely right!
In all seriousness, Target Up & Up bath tissue is pretty damn close to Charmin. There is a very, VERY slight reduction in quality, mainly just thickness. Other than that, it’s spot on! I’m definitely going to be purchasing this toilet paper from now on.
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I have heard a lot of horror stories about bedbugs. Just recently a small motel about fifteen miles away was condemned right on the spot after a spontaneous inspection turned up loads of bedbugs, and all of the guests were basically thrown out onto the street with their luggage. But bedbugs don’t just inhabit motels. They have been known to make their way into large apartment buildings, and even in row home type dwellings that are often found in rundown parts of cities.
I have never had to personally deal with bedbugs, beyond telling my kids, “Night night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite!”. Of course, I haven’t stayed in too many motels, either. In my entire life I have spent maybe two total weeks worth of days in four different motels. That’s it! But bedbugs has always been a concern of mine when we have stayed in motels. Before settling in anywhere I would inspect the room for cleanliness, and flip up the sheets to check for anything. Of course, bedbugs are so small, and they often hide, so it’s entirely possible to share a room with them without even knowing it. Scary!
Anyway, there are a lot of treatment options for bedbugs, but you don’t hear too much about preventative measures. But there are a few around. One such measure is BugZip. BugZip is a special luggage encasement product that is designed to enclose your luggage, garments and personal belongings as you travel from place to place. BugZip can go around existing suitcases and travel bags (so long as they fit), or they can be used on their own.
BugZip was developed to provide advanced resistance against bedbugs. Heavy duty vinyl material combined with a double zipper enclosure ensures adequate protection, so long as the product is used properly. Use BugZip to contain your articles of clothing and personal items during your stay at a motel, or use it at home if you are fighting an infestation of bedbugs, or even fleas or cockroaches or termites. Of course, to make sure that you get the best protection, be sure to use BugZip properly, and discard after use, so that you don’t risk infecting your vehicle, your home, or another motel.
BugZip bed bug encasement bags are available in four different sizes, so you can mix and match to contain your specific wardrobe and products:
- Large Suitcase Encasement: perfect for large articles of clothing, and most small suitcases and large duffel bags
- Medium Suitcase Encasement: great for carry-on clothing, purses and smaller bags
- Garment Bag Encasement: designed to enclose garment suitcases
- Drawer Liner Encasement: fits right inside most dresser drawers
I received one of each BugZip bags, and had the opportunity to try them out recently. I didn’t use them to protect against bedbugs, but to protect my daughter’s clothing and toys from taking on the smells that my mother’s home has (as a result of some sewage issues that were fixed months ago; unfortunately there is a lingering “smell”). I’m happy to report that BugZip worked perfectly! When she got home, the unused articles of clothing that remained in the BugZip smelled as fresh and clean as when she left our house with them.
The beauty of BugZip is that you can fight bedbugs efficiently, without sacrificing convenience, and without spending a fortune!
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I’m usually a stickler for a certain type of deodorant, but I must admit that I have been somewhat disappointed with the results, or should I say the lack of results, with it. So when I saw that Dove Clinical Protection was on sale and offered an additional 25% for free, I threw it in my shopping cart.
That was four days ago, and so far I am quite happy with Dove Clinical Protection. It offers the anti-perspirant that I desperately need during the summer (allow me to clarify: I need wetness protection that is stronger than what the standard deodorant offers), and unlike the other deodorant that I normally use, what’s advertised actually works. The deodorant also smells nice, and glides on nicely. The top of the deodorant container offers a wide circular pattern for the deodorant to be dispensed through, so it only takes two clicks worth for ample deodorant application.
In summary, I would definitely recommend this deodorant!
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Hello, and welcome to In My Bag! My name is Jenn, and this is my product review blog. In My Bag is where I showcase my reviews of many of the products and services I buy and use, as well as the occasional trials, coupons and freebies that come my way. Interested in learning more? 
