wonderwhatif
Member Since: January 26, 2015Reviews
Disney Princess Swimming Dolls and Accessories - Ariel
This is a cute idea for a toy and whether they take it in the bath or not, kids who are into mermaids or the Disney princesses, will love it. Ariel is an early Disney character, but her appeal is timeless and even modern kids know who she is. I do... +
This is a cute idea for a toy and whether they take it in the bath or not, kids who are into mermaids or the Disney princesses, will love it. Ariel is an early Disney character, but her appeal is timeless and even modern kids know who she is. I do have a few qualms about this toy, but overall it's good and I haven't had any issues with it despite my concerns.
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Features and Fun
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Other than being a standard straight-up doll, Ariel only really has one feature and that's swimming. I'll admit, I was surprised by how much she 'floats' and unless you actually push her under the water, she basically just bobs along on top. She can swim either on her back or front, though the toy recommends on her front. Both look good, but a little funny, due to the movement being only in the mid-section. If they had a less subtle movement in the tail it'd probably be even cooler. Kids don't care though, they're fascinated by it and have a blast with this toy. It's a bath-time toy, but because it's also a doll, this often makes an appearance at other times too.
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Design
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Overall she's a pretty good match for Ariel and the quality of the doll is pretty good (as usual with kids dolls, the hair is pretty meh). The tail is particularly impressive, despite the baffling choice to make the tail-fin purple. I imagine this was to match the seashell bra, but it's strange because purple isn't really that aquatic looking and Ariel's actual tail-fin is turquoise or green as far as I remember. Again, kids don't really care about this stuff, but a particularly precocious child might complain about it.
The hair is full and sits nicely, but my one complaint about the design would be that the hair never really seems to 'dry' the same way again after being wet. I don't expect it to dry in the same shape, but to me, it seems like after wetting the hair it always has a weird texture and sheen, almost like it seems semi-wet, even when completely dry.
Onto the more worrying problem. The battery compartment just doesn't seem waterproof. There's no silicone seal and a visible line that looks like a gap. This makes me worry that over time water will get in there, but despite this concern, I have to admit that after several uses I haven't seen any water in there. I just wish they'd make it more water-tight and put my mind at ease.
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Set-up
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This is another toy that you will lose the packaging on if you take the doll out before gifting it, so if you want to check it works before giving it as a gift, you'll have to be ok with that. I'd also set some time aside to get it out of the packaging for your child, because the box is nightmarish. There's not so many ties holding her on, but they are skin tight. It's almost impossible to cut them without damaging her with scissors (especially when it comes to the hair) and the back is covered in tape, making it difficult to cut there too. I ended up ripping apart the whole box, but it was stressful and frustrating. Setup time will take about 10-15 mins depending on how strong, determined or proficient with knives you are.
Once you have her out it's a simple matter of unscrewing the panel, popping in batteries and attaching the fin. If you can tug the fin gently and it comes off, it's not on correctly, push it in further. Once it's on properly, you can't pull it off again. If you're struggling, try flipping it around and seeing if it fits better the other way. It's a simple slide-on mechanism that once all the way in, will line up nicely.
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Summary
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- Ages 3+
- 2 AAA batteries (not included)
- Simple assembly, just slide on fin and put in batteries.
- Very difficult to extract from box.
- Great bath-time toy.
- Popular with mermaid and princess fans due to timeless appeal of Ariel.
- Battery compartment doesn't feel waterproof, but no issues arose.
- Swimming motion is more realistic than some toys, due to segmented tail
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LumaBella Cool Mist Hair Straightener
My initial impression of the straightener wasn't that good, as it came with a strong plasticky smell and didn't seem as high-end or polished as the price might imply. However, when it comes to results I really can't argue; this did a really good... +
My initial impression of the straightener wasn't that good, as it came with a strong plasticky smell and didn't seem as high-end or polished as the price might imply. However, when it comes to results I really can't argue; this did a really good job. I have thick, caucasian, naturally wavy hair and this straightened it extremely well, in one pass, and left my hair softer and nicer than my usual straightener.
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Features
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5 heat settings - This is something you get in higher end straighteners and it's actually really important for different hair types. The LumaBella Cool Mist has five staggered heat settings which can be changed at the touch of a button. 365 degrees is considered the optimum hair straightening temperature (it's a bit strange this didn't make it in there), so I went for 375. Having the higher settings is really useful for particularly thick or kinky hair types, but it's important to remember that hair becomes damaged at 450 degrees, so don't crank it up just to get better 'straightening' unless your hair type really needs it.
Cool Mist infusion - This is the flagship feature of this product, in which a spray of 'mist' comes out of the straightener as you use it. It comes with 2 vials of the macademia oil treatment which will turn to mist, after that it recommends using distilled water (Amazon currently does not sell replacement oil and regular water can clog the machine). I had my doubts about this feature, but I actually really like it. I found my hair was much softer and less damaged feeling when I used this and I like that the mist automatically comes out when closing the plates over your hair.
Temperature Lock Heat Control - A simple but essential feature, locking in your temperature means you won't accidentally change it mid-straighten.
It also boasts 30 second heat up and auto shut-off both of which are really handy.
At this price point, I would have liked to see a few more cool features, but it straightens so well I can forgive it.
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Design
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The chunky wide-set plates mean you can cover more area and get hair done in a certain length of time, but it also means it lacks versatility as it isn't ideal if you want a straightener that can curl and straighten at the same time. Keep that in mind, but if you're after a straightener or have a separate curler, this is fine. I like the wide design, but due to the mist chamber it isn't as lightweight as some I've used in the past.
It has the all-important swivel cord (so important on a straightener) and the cord is a great length too.
I wish the quality finish was better. Mine had some loose plastic particles and overall just felt less 'finished' than other high end straighteners I've tried. In short, the LumaBella looked and felt cheaper than I thought it would, despite working amazingly well.
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Set-up
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Opening the plug for the mist chamber is kind of a nightmare, but does become easier over time. I'd recommend using pliers or tweezers to get it open for the first time. Putting in the oil is also easy thanks to the tapered tip, but when you move on to distilled water, it's going to be difficult to get that into the small hole. Perhaps a dropper would do the trip?
Other than that, this is basically plug and go. It heats up super fast and doesn't need any fancy set-up. It's easy to take everything out of the box and there's a clear quick-start guide.
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Summary
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- Straightens hair amazingly well in one pass.
- Feels and looks cheaper than I'd like.
- Cool mist feature leaves hair softer and less damaged.
- Range of temps for different hair types.
- Swivel cord of good length!
- Heats up very quickly.
- Not good for curling hair, use as a straightener only.
- Must use macademia oil treatment or distilled water.
- Plug for water reservoir is tricky to open, use tweezers or pliers.
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Baby Alive sweet Tears Baby
This is an impressive and fun baby doll that will delight those who like to play with baby style toys. She has a lot of features, comes with a lot of accessories and is good quality. Overall, I really like this doll and my little testers had a lot... +
This is an impressive and fun baby doll that will delight those who like to play with baby style toys. She has a lot of features, comes with a lot of accessories and is good quality. Overall, I really like this doll and my little testers had a lot of fun with her, I think the value is worth it simply due to the crying mechanism being so realistic and the sheer amount of accessories she can come with. I wobbled between giving this five or four stars, due to the set-up being such a nightmare, but I feel it offers enough to get five stars, in the end!
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Features and Fun
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35 plus phrases - She can speak in English or French (Not Spanish as the listing mistakingly says at points, perhaps in the US market), but I'll admit I didn't hear as many phrases or sounds as that. I wonder if 35 includes French AND English phrases together, making the English amount much less. Regardless, she does have an impressive amount to say and her voice is loud and clear. For me, the French voice was too grown up and not as 'exuberant' sounding. Hold the nose and heart button for over five seconds to switch languages.
She also has the ability to talk to 'mommy' or 'daddy'. This is an awesome feature as if you have multiple kids or might want to pass on the doll later, you're not limited to only girls.
Tears: Love this feature. Rather than peeing she cries the water out through her eyes. She drinks the water from the juice box and if you hold her nose for three seconds she will cry. This is very realistic and kids really love it! The only downside is that a lot of water does get everywhere, her dress is more of a water-resistant material and it runs right off or pools on the dress, making a bit of mess. Use only distilled water and follow instructions in the (very clear) booklet to make it work correctly or drain the doll.
Expressive face: The real gem in this doll was a big surprise to me. This doll actually moves her face! When crying or unhappy she squishes up her chubby little cheeks and mechanical movement changes her facial expression and her eyes blink. Kids go absolutely bananas for this and it really seems to help them with the 'pretend' game, they see her as a lot more real and it's pretty endearing to watch them be super gentle with her and wipe up her tears. My testers didn't love the enclosed tissue and prefer to use real tissues.
Accessories: Stethoscope, thermometer, bandage, tissue, juice box, brush, and instructions. They've really worked hard to give you a lot to do with this baby doll. Some of the accessories, like the stethoscope, can prompt other phrases when used as she requests them. The thermometer goes in the mouth with a cute 'happy/sad' mechanism. There's a lot to discover and do with Baby Alive Sweet Tears.
This doll has a big range of fun and due to the fact that it's a regular doll on top of all the extras, they really don't get bored with this. When the batteries run out, even if you don't replace them (or if you turn it off) they still use it like a real doll and cart it around, cuddle with it and generally play make-believe. This makes a good gift.
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Design
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Sweet Tears legs' are a little stiff at first, it can be hard to push her into the sitting position, but they do loosen up quickly. She has arms that turn around and legs that can be pushed up (and terrifyingly back), but not jointed elbows or knees. Pretty standard baby doll look and layout.
A genius design choice is a switch on the back that lets you change from 'mommy or daddy' also has a demo mode or 'off' mode. Demo mode is great because she will only speak when the 'heart button' on her chest is pressed. If she's in regular mode she will continue to speak until she goes inactive, this can be a little overwhelming for sensitive kids and parents who want more quiet! Of course, the voice is quite loud, so being able to turn it to silent at night (or when you're losing your mind) is great.
Her face is very cute and expressive and well-painted with soft fabric eyelashes. You can even see an itsy bitsy moulded plastic tongue in the back of the mouth. I did think the hair was a little cheap looking, but that's a theme with kid's toys of all prices. I like the hairstyle having a braid in it, but still with a section to brush.
Her nose lights up red when she's 'sick', it's not overly bright or insane looking though, pretty cute.
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Set-up
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This is hands-down one of the worst set-ups I've ever encountered. Every part of Baby Alive Sweet Tears is shackled to the box with difficult to cut (because they are so taut) elastic and plastic ties and then the back of the ties are taped all over so it's even harder to get out without damaging her. There are even parts holding on her neck and hair that are located behind a plastic block on the front and taped up so bad on the back you cannot get them without destroying the box. I recommend a good pair of scissors and cutting the box to pieces as it's impossible to tear with the volume of tape.
Even the included tissue has been attached with around nine tiny, mini little plastic ties that when removed, leave holds in the tissue fabric.
I really don't understand why they make it so difficult to get these toys out of the box, it's an extra level of frustration that no parent needs. Imagine your kid opens this on their birthday and wants to play immediately? Well, get ready to set aside 20+ minutes to free Sweet Tears from her prison of packaging. Yeesh. I'd definitely recommend unpacking this ahead of time and just resting her in the box for when you give it to your little one.
Other than that, she comes with the batteries already in and this is ready to go!
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Summary
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- Ages 3+
- 3AA batteries (demo batteries included)
- Cries tears (very cool and kids love it!)
- Use distilled water in the juice box to fill her full of water for the tears.
- Clear and easy to understand instructions.
- Getting her out of the box is nightmarish (20+ minutes unless you have very sharp scissors and steady hands).
- Her face actually moves and scrunches up, so cool to watch!
- Comes with a lot of accessories.
- Long-lasting play value and kids will play with it even if the batteries run down.
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Marvel Black Panther Vibranium Power FX Claw
Black Panther and the country of Wakanda are both amazing and their popularity definitely shows that, but I feel like this toy lets the side down a little. It looks nice and has some good ideas, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. In the... +
Black Panther and the country of Wakanda are both amazing and their popularity definitely shows that, but I feel like this toy lets the side down a little. It looks nice and has some good ideas, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. In the end, I'm left with having to say that this toy is better seen and not heard and is essentially the Wakandan equivalent to buying a child a toy drum set. I can't recommend it on looks alone, given the price, so I have to rate this toy low, despite our household's love for the Black Panther franchise.
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Features and Fun
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Sounds: As far as I can tell this toy plays only two sounds on a loop, or the sounds are all so similar I can't tell the difference. One is short and fast and the other goes on far too long. Both are clear, but in my opinion far too loud. It's supposed to be the sound of the Panther claws tearing through metal, but it's just grating. The sound is honestly akin to letting your child bang some pots and pans together for fun. Parents you give this to won't thank you and you'll find yourself sneakily taking the batteries out while your kids are distracted.
Motion-activated sound - Probably the best feature related to sound, when you swipe, it will play the sound. Unfortunately it gets a bit jumbled because the sound itself is so noisy and confusing. Would love if the gauntlet shouted 'Wakanda Forever' or had more voice features.
Contact-activated lights - Another feature that's neat in theory, but not executed well. The claws on the glove light-up, but it's not very bright, the effect is too subtle. It's also strange that they are orange. In the movie, T'Challa's suit has purple lights. You have to wonder if they were worried little boy's wouldn't like that 'girl' colour. Or maybe it was made before the movie...it's just a strange choice in general. The hard plastic claws also cause damage to surfaces when scraped against them, though only a little pressure is needed, it's enough to cause problems.
Fun-wise. Well, it's ok. Really, the fun comes from the power of make-believe and if your kid has a strong imagination, a simple black glove can be the Black Panther's. But the fact of the matter is, if your little one loves Black Panther, they'll love this glove. It's you, as a parent, who will be stressed out and feel like it's not worth it. So It's up to you to decide if you want it. You can always take out the batteries and just have it be a visual toy.
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Design
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Another big flaw with this item is the size. It's far too big for a smaller child and can easily fit on my adult hand while still feeling somewhat big. The hard plastic can also cause some issues with hurting the knuckles on the hand, so it's not exactly comfortable. The good news is, if it's for an older child it will definitely be a big enough fit, as it can fit an adult size easily. A benefit of this is that it can still be used as a child ages.
Visually, I do like the design of this, it's sleek and well-textured and while the open back will bother some, it's not a dealbreaker for me. I think as a visual make-believe toy it's a lot more successful, it's the other features that will annoy.
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Set-up
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Very easy to setup and take out of the box and more importantly it does come with demo batteries, this means it's ready to go when it arrives. Your child can start using this immediately! You don't have to destroy the box to get it out and since it has demo batteries, you can test it works without removing it, if you were going to give it as a gift.
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Summary
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- Ages 5+
- 2AA batteries (demo batteries included)
- Plays 2 repetitive sounds of tearing metal (one short one long)
- Glove is large and will fit older kids, even adults.
- Sounds are very annoying.
- Light up claws are orange.
- Claws can damage and scratch furniture and walls when dragging them to activate light.
- Easy set-up
- Black Panther theme will be popular.
- Sturdy and durable.
- Motion activated sound.
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Vileda Scrunge Multi-Use Scrub Sponge
This multi-use scrub sponge (or scrunge) is a real step up from my usual dish sponges. Not only is it about 30% bigger than other sponges I usually use, it's also very absorbent and really can be used on non-stick pots and pans without any... +
This multi-use scrub sponge (or scrunge) is a real step up from my usual dish sponges. Not only is it about 30% bigger than other sponges I usually use, it's also very absorbent and really can be used on non-stick pots and pans without any scratches, allowing me to get those stubborn bits that would normally be a nightmare to get off with a normal sponge, and without the risk of scratching the surface.
My pots already have some scratches from a previous time so, I love knowing I'm not making it worse.
I found this scrunge didn't build up bad odours as fast as other sponges I've used, and stayed fresh for much longer. It was also easy to squeeze out after each use, despite its size. If you have a dishwasher it's also dishwasher safe, which is great for keeping it fresh between uses.
Overall I have to say I'm very pleased with this scrunge. It's a major improvement on the regular dish sponges I use day to day, and means I can safely scrub all my dishes without any scratches.
You can use it all around the house too, but I find it's so good at cleaning dishes, I didn't want to use it anywhere else!
I #gotitfree to try, thanks Family Rated!
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LIMARIO Filters for Catit flower fountain
Works as well as my 'official' brand, which I found was just too overpriced for me. Can't say I've noticed any difference since switching. One thing I'd say is definitely pay attention to make sure you're putting it the right way. They come in a no... +
Works as well as my 'official' brand, which I found was just too overpriced for me. Can't say I've noticed any difference since switching. One thing I'd say is definitely pay attention to make sure you're putting it the right way. They come in a no fuss box with no bells and whistles.
I can 100% confirm that these fit in the Catit flower fountain, the problem is, many people expected them to fit in the smaller Catit 2.0 flower fountain (a recent release). These are for the 'Catit Flower Fountain 3L', the big round one.
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Bob's Red Mill potato starch
I was surprised as from the picture online I thought this was a paper bag, but it is actually plastic! I initially bought this to run my own experiments on whether resistant starches can positively affect blood sugar, but unfortunately, haven't... +
I was surprised as from the picture online I thought this was a paper bag, but it is actually plastic! I initially bought this to run my own experiments on whether resistant starches can positively affect blood sugar, but unfortunately, haven't taken it regular enough to check yet. After my first week of taking it, another health problem got in the way and I was unable to do more testing yet.
When it comes to product, though, this is what it says it is. Those considering taking it for the first time should be HUGELY careful and do their research. I, personally, would advise not taking a lot at first, especially if you've had stomach issues. Start very small (half a teaspoon) and build it up slowly every few days, if you feel gastro upset, dial it back a bit until your body adjusts. Don't go nuts with this stuff just because it's natural, go easy and take care.
If you're wondering about the smell and taste, I was surprised how little this tasted. It doesn't taste pleasant, but it's not overly strong or difficult to take. The smell, however, is quite strong and it really does smell like a stinky old raw potato. Overall, it's a good product that does what it claims and can be taken as a resistant starch supplement.
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Waterpik Series XRO-763T Powerpulse Massage Hand Held Shower head
------------------------ Design ------------------------ The first thing I would say is if you're looking for a highly adjustable showerhead that can be angled and changed easily, this might not be right for you. While you can change the angle (by... +
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Design
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The first thing I would say is if you're looking for a highly adjustable showerhead that can be angled and changed easily, this might not be right for you. While you can change the angle (by holding the shower and the adjustable section hard and moving it that way), it does let out a loud creak and isn't super easy to do. So if you have multiple heights of people in your house and want something easily adjustable this might not be for you.
I really like the design of this, the chrome is lovely and shiny and bright and it looks great. The showerhead itself is very chunky and on the 'heavier' side, but the handle is slim and comfortable in the hand and I like the weight to it. Might not be best for those with weak arms just because it is a little heavier.
The hose could do with another half a foot length to reach all the way to the bath bottom, but it has plenty of flexibility and works fine at the current length, it's not too short as some are, just I prefer slightly longer.
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Installation
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THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE PLUMBER'S TAPE. It says on the packaging, but nowhere on the product listing in many places so I want to save you the trouble of buying it (I did) and let you know it doesn't need it. Other than that, installation is very simple and easy. We used an adjustable wrench to tighten it up, but you could probably use rubber gloves in a pinch. Didn't take any more than five minutes to install on our setup.
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Sprays
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There is a good range in the 7 spray settings and the only thing that's really missing (in my view) is a 'centre-hole' spray. I thought the Powerpulse massage would replace that for me, but I find myself missing the simplicity of the strong single stream for washing my hair. That said, the 'Powerpulse Massage' is still my favourite for having a strong water pressure and relaxing with your thoughts under the shower. The 'Powerspray' setting is the best for rinsing soap off the body.
The eco-settings are rubbish if you're in it for good pressure, but work well if you want to use less water. You can tell them right away as they are noticeable weaker. While there aren't any visual indications of which setting is which, you will pick it up fairly fast. Changing them is easy and not stiff and there's a noticeable 'click-in' between each setting.
One thing I will point out is that on each setting, it takes a few minutes to stop 'dribbling' outside of it's 'holes' and for it to become a concentrated and non-drippy stream. This is a little annoying, but could just be my water.
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Water Pressure
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The main reason I got this was to see if it could improve the pressure compared to my hastily bought ($20 on sale) previous showerhead. I like a handheld shower for rinsing and I prefer a stronger water pressure for the same reason (it also feels nice on the scalp)
I am very pleased with the pressure on this. I'm not sure there's such a thing as too strong, this could definitely be stronger, but it's a noticeable improvement on my previous showerhead, so I definitely found this had better water pressure.
Overall, this showerhead from Waterpik is ideal for those looking for a non-adjustable (or difficult to adjust) handheld shower, with a handful of settings with good water pressure. Even better if you can get it on sale, but the price is reasonable when compared to other brands! You are paying somewhat for the name, but I've seen no-name showerheads at this price too. If they'd add a centre spray to this like in some of the more expensive models, I'd buy this again, but it's definitely still a good showerhead.
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Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean Toothbrush 4100
I'm sure there a lot of people out there trying to decide if they need/want to splurge for the higher end 'DiamondClean' Sonicare brushes or if one of the more basic, frugal models like this are right for them. As a current user of a DiamondClean... +
I'm sure there a lot of people out there trying to decide if they need/want to splurge for the higher end 'DiamondClean' Sonicare brushes or if one of the more basic, frugal models like this are right for them. As a current user of a DiamondClean toothbrush, my review here will focus on when this 4100 ProtectiveClean might be a better option for you.
Simply put, if you are looking to upgrade to a first time sonic toothbrush, don't want to break the bank or simply can't be bothered with all the smart features, this one will work great for you. It also works great for those with smaller mouths and close set teeth. Note that it only comes with 1 head and a charger.
Read below to hear more about what I thought.
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Design
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Compared to the DiamondClean, this one is understandably a little more bare bones when it comes to look. However, if you prefer a more traditional looking toothbrush that's a little less flashy, this is it! Strangely, I actually found this to be more comfortable in my hand than my more advanced diamond clean. If you have bigger hands, this might feel a little small for you, but it's also a lot lighter and better for those who want a smaller brush.
One interesting thing I noticed is that the button is not only a lot easier to press on this, but has less of a tendency to 'gunk up' in the crevices around it, meaning it's much easier to keep clean.
The biggest thing for me here was the brush-head size. The brush-head on this is a lot smaller than the ones that came with my DiamondClean and at first I didn't think I'd like that, but I'm happily proven wrong. This gets all the way in behind my back teeth. I have very close-set teeth, so I really think this was a big improvement for me, though you can probably buy bigger and smaller heads for both brushes.
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Features
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As expected, as one of the cheaper toothbrushes in the Sonicare line, the features on this are a lot more limited. For example, there's no app support and connect. However, don't write it off, because if you find you don't really care for all that fiddly 'technology' and just want a standard toothbrush, this might very well be perfect for you. It still has a lot of great features, just implemented in a less 'smart tech' kind of way.
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Pressure sensor - This has a very noted difference to the 'vibration' that will alert you when you're leaning too hard. Brushing with a sonic toothbrush is slightly different from an electric (watch a video to ensure you do it right) and this feature really trains you into using it right. It takes a little getting used to, but within a few days you'll find yourself auto-adjusting your pressure when it alerts you. I did find myself missing the 'light' feature of the DiamondClean which has a physical feedback and a visual colour change when your pressure is too heavy, but I'm glad they included a version of the pressure feature on this brush.
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BrushSync Replacement Reminder - Rather than telling you through an app, the brush itself has an icon and light to tell you when it needs changed. Good little feature.
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Smartimer and Quadpacer - The brush has 2 timers, first is a 'smartimer' which will automatically turn the brush off after 2 minutes brushing. This is a simple, effective and very welcome feature as you can be sure you're brushing your teeth long enough. If the brush is still going, keep brushing!
The Quadpacer, for me is a little bit less of a success. It has a slightly different 'buzz' at the time in which you should be done with a quarter of your mouth (Sonicare recommends brushing in quarter segments), but I found the buzz was not strong or different enough for me to really notice it. I struggled quite a lot to detect it, even when trying to pay attention. It's not a deal-breaker, but for me, this feature was probably the weakest.
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Speed - Here's where it gets a little confusing, the Philips website lists this as having up to 62000 brush movement/min. This is on par with the DiamondClean. However, the box of the products, states it is 31,000 per minute, which is only half of that. I'm more liable to trust the box, so if that's accurate you get around half the cleaning power of this compared to the higher-end model. It's still a big improvement over a non-sonic toothbrush, so whether or not you want to splurge for more cleaning power is really up to you.
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Battery Life
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Battery time on this model, between charges, is 2 weeks. Compared to the DiamondClean's 3 weeks, that's still plenty and definitely more than I expected.
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Overall, most of what's missing on this model, compared to the higher end model's is arguably, stuff you could live without. If you already have a higher-end Sonicare, you might find this is a bit of a downgrade, most noticeably on cleaning power. However, if you're looking to get into the sonic toothbrush habit, this is a great beginner one that lacks the bells and whistles of the high-priced models, but still has plenty to be getting on with. More importantly, it does a great job keeping teeth clean.
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Cottonelle Flushable Wipes for Kids
What I'm really struggling with when it comes to these wipes is the use of them if you cannot flush them. Make no mistake, no amount of 'safeflush' trademark changes that fact. Part of my job as a serious reviewer is to research claims products make... +
What I'm really struggling with when it comes to these wipes is the use of them if you cannot flush them. Make no mistake, no amount of 'safeflush' trademark changes that fact. Part of my job as a serious reviewer is to research claims products make as best as I can if I'm not sure it's accurate. Having heard some pretty bad things about flushable wipes I was curious if 'Safeflush' wipes were any different. Apparently anything can be described as 'flushable' if it can clear the first stage of going down your toilet, but it can easily cause problems further in. According to people who work at waste treatment plants, no, you still should not flush these. In a perfect world, with no other debris, these wipes might be ok, but they get snagged up on other 'un-flushables' and cause huge problems.
The claim is that since they 'break-up' they will be ok, but this is not accurate. Even after soaking in water for several hours, these still take being 'tugged on' to break-up, they are not super soft and gummy in water like toilet paper becomes. Unfortunately, this also means even when not soaked in water these have a tendency to tear or for your finger to poke through them. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if you want to take the risk flushing them or not, but plumbers and water treatment guys say no, even when listed as 'safeflush', so it's a big risk for you and for your local environment and costs your local council a lot of money too.
These wipes might be good for wiping up toddlers and other delicate areas (for example if you are without a shower or water and need to clean those parts), but that's a pretty niche use. The wipes themselves are an ok size and consistency (with the exception of breaking up too easily for hands and simultaneously not easy enough for the plumbing system), but the question remains; are you willing to bin wipes with poop or pee on them over the ability to flush toilet paper. For me, the answer is no as I am more inclined to trust the professionals at the sewage plant over a company whose goal is to sell me wipes!
That being said, I would still use them as a delicate area wipe and if you are already disposing of diapers in a diaper genie or somesuch, or have one on hand, you could conceivably put them in there and dispose of outwith of the toilet system.
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