So one of the neat things about having a blog is that people send me products to try in the hopes that I will like whatever they send and then tell the interweb all about it.
Typically this process works really well if I, you know, follow through and actually review the product.
But unfortunately what tends to happen is that I get a product and I like it okay, but I don’t love it or think other people will necessarily need it, and the review gets pushed way down my to-do list and before you know it I’ve forgotten about the whole thing.
Which is why I’ve never discussed the fancy baby monitor that never really worked very well because the portable receiver unit wouldn’t hold a charge. And if you’ve ever had a child, you know that the receiver is really the most critical part of the baby monitor operation what with it enabling you to hear the baby and all.
Some nice people also sent me a Swiffer Carpet Flicker cleaning device thing-y. And it worked fine, but not really as well as I needed it to since I have a preschooler running around, so I felt guilty that I didn’t like it (especially since I am a HUGE fan of the original Swiffer) and gave it to my mama. As it turns out, the Carpet Flicker works quite well for a couple of retired empty nesters with a low-pile Berber, so all’s well that ends well.
And then there was the British mama-lit book that I wanted to love and adore and recommend to everyone…but the protagonist got on my nerves with her non-existent backbone and misguided paranoia (a little harsh, perhaps, but that’s how I felt). And while I did relate to her postpartum lack-o-fitness, I could not get on board with her superficiality and her belief that wearing the right clothes would make all of her emotional baggage disappear. Of course she came to her senses by the end of the novel, but by that point I was still ticked off at her for falling for her yoga instructor because how could she not see the game he was playing from a mile away, especially when she had a perfectly wonderful man at home?
HAVE MERCY.
So needless to say, I think I’m going to have to be very clear with marketers from now on that I won’t mention the product they’re promoting unless I really, really like it. Because the fact of the matter is that the Southern girl in me does not like to say negative things about specific products unless it is something that I’ve paid for (like, for instance, OUR CABLE SERVICE).
However, recently I received a product that I have really enjoyed: the Dove SkinVitalizer.
I have tried just about every exfoliating / cleansing product that you can buy on the Walmart health and beauty aisle, and this one is the best, hands-down.
Using this product is so easy. The cleansing pillows are disposable, so you don’t even have to clean up afterwards…just toss the little pillow in the trash, and you’re all done (please don’t lecture me, environmentalists - I am just a girl who wants pretty skin, and occasionally the pursuit of pretty skin requires that you use a two inch by two inch piece of cotton that cannot be recycled, for which I am deeply sorry).
This product is also great for traveling because you don’t have to worry about bottles of cleanser leaking into your make-up bag or luggage. The absolute best thing about it is that the cleanser is so gentle and mild that it won’t irritate your skin at all (trust me, as I am the girl with skin so sensitive that it breaks out if I use cinnamon-flavored toothpaste), and the cleansing pillow also exfoliates as it cleans.
In short, I’m a fan. And if you’d like to try this product for yourself, you can get a coupon for $3 off here.
And tomorrow I’ve got an extra-special surprise for y’all…because somebody sent me extra free stuff to share with some of you!
Oh it’s all terribly exciting.
See y’all tomorrow.
JennaG says:
No cinnamon toothpaste for me either! I’m gonna get me that coupon! Looking forward to tomorrow!
March 28th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
bee says:
Glad to know it works. I totally adore the Dove ad campaign featuring all ages & sizes of women, plus they even have a program for young girls to help encourage them to be happy with their appearance. So, to reinforce the fact that we need more of this kind of advertising, I buy Dove products every chance I get.
I just know that the $3.99 I spent on the Moisturizing Shampoo last month (oh wait! …that would be $2.99 b/c I had a $1.00 off coupon) is going to really send a message! :-)
March 28th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
christy says:
I’m excited about trying this out. Thanks for the coupon link.
March 28th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Karen says:
I just happened to see that SkinVitalizer today while I was shopping at the commissary (that’s a military grocery store). I wound up getting some Loreal Intensive Adult Acne Peel for $2 on sale. We’ll see what it does for me. Maybe I’ll try the Dove thing next.
March 28th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Amanda says:
Ooh, I’ll have to try that! Anything that won’t leak in my suitcase gets big points. And I really love Dove deodorant - in case you wanted to know that.
March 28th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
julie says:
I was looking for something really gentle for my pre-teen daughter. Is it easy enough for her to use? I am sure she would think it is way cool!
March 28th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Lori says:
I’ve been seeing that advertised, and wondered about it, so see, your reviews really do have an audience!
March 28th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
TheCoordinizer says:
Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the heads-up!
March 28th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Trista says:
I agree with the not wanting to say I don’t like something but all about giving something praise.
Since you are talking about good products, I just bought the apricot facial scrub by St. Ives for 4.00. I use it everyday in the shower (it says you can) and its working GREAT!
Can’t wait til tomorrow!
March 29th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Mary C says:
I JUST bought that and I am a big fan, too. I break out if you look at me funny, so I have been pleasantly surprised by how mild it is. Just my two cents!
March 29th, 2007 at 6:20 am
suzanne says:
Dove really is doing some nice things about advertising in the REAL beauty arena. I haven’t seen this either, but I’ll sure look for it now!
March 29th, 2007 at 7:29 am
Lani from The Wooden Porch says:
How fun that you get free things! Do companies just mail stuff to you? How did you get on The List of Bloggers Who Get Free Stuff?
March 29th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Anne Glamore says:
You should check out Embacefaith.com. They sell beautiful Christian apparel with tiny crosses, etc that come in pastels, etc. Stuff for whole family.
Now I’m going to summon all my computer skillz and try to make a link because this would be great for mothers day or whatever.
http://embracefaith.com/
Although my faith is strong, my blog is more secular, and I think your readers would be more receptive to the site.
Anne Glamore
March 29th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Tee says:
BooMama, I have recently DISCOVERED you! Being and older, southern girl myself I love your blog. I have gone back and read some of your older posts and just LOL, tears rolling my face LOL, I mean. I needed to find you since I’ve retired, did I mention I was a little older?, I do have a little extra time on my hands. However, I do manage to do other things other than read blogs all day long. :-) I’ve tried to tell my Mama about some of the really funny ones–like Sissie with the bell and your mama just tooting in her sister’s face. I was laughing so hard, she couldn’t understand me (on the phone), so I’ll have to wait until I see her face to face–she’s 89 and doesn’t hear well, especially on the phone.
Keep up all the great posts!!! By the way, I do like Dove’s ads with the women that aren’t broom stick thin!
By the way, I’ve sent your blog to all my SOUTHERN girl friends, they are going to love it too–it’s a southern thing.
Tee
March 29th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Shayna says:
I just came across the dove thing in my newest edition of Instyle, because I am so stylish and all…. But it was one of their 200 and something best beauty finds! Thought you should know, that you are now stylish too! I will definitely look into giving it a try!
March 29th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Mandy says:
Hi Boomama,
I’m a southern gal too!! I have just started reading your blog and love it. I’ve thought about starting my own blog but compared to everyone else’s my life seems kind of boring. Anyway… my question is how do you get all that free stuff???
Mandy :)
March 29th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Shalee says:
I’ve never heard of this stuff before, but I think I would be very interested in trying it…
March 29th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Robin says:
I’d have been back anyway, but free stuff? The frugal momma in me CANNOT wait!
March 29th, 2007 at 9:48 am
fully operational battle station says:
Boomama,
Your disinterest in saving and protecting our environment is appalling. I recycle EVERYTHING, we even use recyclable condoms. You obviously need to take some lessons from me.
Sincerely,
Your sarcastic loyal reading fan Jamie
March 29th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Jennifer, Snapshot says:
It’s tomorrow, it’s tomorrow (she says, waiting on the news about the freebies).
I think that your take on your review policy is a good one, and I would think that the marketers would like it, because it’s no risk to them–you either like it and recommend it to all your interwebs, or you don’t, and you don’t slam it, thus preventing sales.
I have been getting review copies of books from a number of publishers, and I hold to the same standard. I don’t want to post an “it was okay” sort of review, but I don’t want to overstate my enjoyment either, out of respect for my readers.
This way, the readers can trust us, and the manufacturers can be hopeful.
March 29th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Toni says:
“I am just a girl who wants pretty skin, and occasionally the pursuit of pretty skin requires that you use a two inch by two inch piece of cotton that cannot be recycled, for which I am deeply sorry”
Consider yourself forgiven but only because you make me laugh every time I visit. :)
March 29th, 2007 at 2:55 pm