Reviews
Skims
Experience
I'm honestly amazed every time at the quality of SKIMS. Miss Kimmy really did it right at every step. I have bought underwear, the boxer shorts and tank, the viral hour-glass dress, and a bra and every item fits beautifully, is comfy and sexy, and has held up over time.
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Price point is a tiny higher than I would like but tbh the quality holds up. Wish their stuff wasn't always sold out on their site but a hack is to grab them from Net a Porter! They're the same price. The one bra I got from the satin sheen drop has a little bit of a weird fit but is still wearable and looks hot!
Thinx
Experience
I had a very minor affiliation to this brand verrrrrry early on (back when they did the Grand Central Station takeover if anyone remembers that). I was obsessed with their mission, branding and innovation from the very start. After using my first pair of THINX, I transitioned to fully zero-waste periods via a menstrual cup + THINX underwear. I will say you should just go ahead and buy yourself a full set because owning just one pair doesn't make a ton of sense and you will eventually start buying more pairs anyway. Their newest pairs have even better moisture wicking and absorption capabilities so you hardly ever feel like you're putting on "wet" underwear (bleh). For heavy flow days I cannot wear these alone and have to pair with a cup or a disc. But they are life changing! Takes the fear and anxiety out of those "am I bleeding or not" days. I will say FOLLOW THE CARE instructions this will make a big difference in absorption capacity and longevity.
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I still leak sometimes that might be a me thing but for those of you with a heavier flow beware. I can only wear them alone on lighter/medium days. The color choices are a waste of time to me because eventually some blood stain will get on them and be so hard to get out I have stuck to only buying black pairs.
We're Not Really Strangers
Experience
Love the concept and the mission. I bought this game as a gift for someone and played it thinking it was really going to be an interesting journey but I felt it actually fell a little short. I feel like their branding is better than what the actual game lives up to. That being said if you're having a hard time communicating with a loved one maybe someone of an older generation or different background who doesn't typically engage in this level of conversation this kind of intimate honest talk, this could be a really sweet way to open that door.
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I think this game can be great for people who have a hard time expressing themselves or looking inwards or listening with compassion. For those of us who already engage in deep connection with our friends, partners and family I don't think this game is really doing anything you can't or haven't already done for yourself.
CUUP
Experience
I can't think of another brand that is producing such elegant and high-quality under garments for this price. For all of us who grew up buying Victoria's Secret and got used to $60-80 bras falling apart after a year or two, this is such an upgrade. Intimissimi is the only other brand that makes quality simple bras like this but it's hard to find the full range in the US. I only have one CUUP set but wear the bra endlessly and wash after wash every stitch has held up so nicely. I have the Scoop in a mesh nude and it's so beautiful and well constructed. Can't wait to buy another one in one of their funkier colors!
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I thought I bought a size too small and after the virtual bra-fitting was kindly reassured that that's what post people say and after one or two wears the bra starts to mold to your shape and fit more easily which is precisely what happened! I wish they had full cotton underwear options.
Flex
Experience
Have been into trying innovative period products for almost 6 years at this point. I remember flex when they first launched and I was excited by their "have sex on your period" claims. Those claims are true but it's not like it has gone completely unnoticed by my partners. As an avid user of the menstrual cup I have certainly grown accustomed to touching my own blood and needing to "get in there" to place and adjust the cup. The flex requires that same willingness to come into contact with your own body but is much easier to insert and remove than a cup. I also appreciate the design of how it sits at the base of your cervix instead of using suction in your vaginal canal. Very innovative and nice to not have to deal with any suction.
Feedback
- It does leak. I really can't wear it on heavy days. It's best for last few days of a period. - Honestly if you + your partner are trying to get freaky on your period you might as well just put a towel down and roll with it. The flex isn't going to do much for you. - I really wish they made a reusable version the way Nixit has... The whole appeal for me to use a menstrual cup was to decrease my monthly menstrual waste to almost zero...
Starface
Experience
Got both their star patches and their face wash. It is very hard to beat their amazing price point, cute packaging, clean ingredients mixed with quality products. I like their face-wash as a good daily cleanser for acne prone skin that isn't too harsh or drying. I will definitely be repurchasing! Also, I get complimented every single time I wear a star patch bc people find them so so cute... which one can argue does kinda help cure acne? because your stress surrounding the acne significantly decreases? All jokes aside I find the patches to work in a way that is unlike most spot products. Instead of drying out the pimple with salicylic acid, clay or other acids it is essentially acting like a bandaid so it sort of heals it and helps protect it from any bacteria your face would come into contact with and therefore making the pimple worse... if that makes sense. All in all love and the packaging for the star patches is insanely cute :)
Glossier
Experience
**Full disclosure I used to work retail for this brand but am no longer affiliated to them in anyway** Obviously there's a lot to be said about the hype of this brand. They definitely revolutionized the way we think about and shop for beauty and skincare. That being said, while they may have started a wave there are a lot of brands out there now that accomplish what they have and more (i.e. are cleaner, more sustainable, better shade range, better price point) Some products that I think are worth your money: - Solution: Good mix of AHA/BHA acids at a good price point compared to Paula's Choice or Biologique Recherche. Very good entry level chemical exfoliant. - Milky Jelly Cleanser: a great two in one super gentle makeup removing cleanser. Bottle is v nice to travel with so you don't have to bring two separate products (makeup remover and cleanser). Have not used another cleanser that I can so blatantly rub in my eyes to remove makeup and not feel any stinging/discomfort etc. - Cloud Paint: that tiny ass tube will last you a literal lifetime and is super easy to blend with no makeup experience you can use just your fingers and looks so natural. - Mega Greens Galaxy Pack: such an OG product!! One of the first products I honestly ever remember buying that I actually noticed a difference with. A must have for grimy NYC summers. Really detoxes without tightening or stripping your face. Some products that I do not think are worth your money: - Serums: See The Ordinary/Coco Kind/Andalou naturals - Body Hero Cream: full of mineral oils, petroleum etc so so greasy does not absorb easily. If you like the scent get the oil wash that product is sick. -Lidstar: so many other brands that do this kind of eyeshadow way way better, w better pigments and for cheaper. See Colourpop/NYX/Lottie London.
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They use soooooo much plastic!
Versed
Experience
Really love the brands mission, their sustainability practices and range of products they offer. I was pretty consistently only using their sunscreen until they discontinued it, I've found supergoop to be higher quality but man do I miss the versed price point. Love their eucalyptus cleansing balm for the smell, clean ingredients and effectiveness. I would say this brand is somewhat hit or miss as some of their products are great and some fall a bit short. Wasn't into their Nix It Complexion solution in addition to the fact that the packaging made it really hard to get product out. When I reached out to them about it they just said that they received a lot of complaints like that but that it was normal and you had to push really...
quip
Experience
I bought a Quip in like 2017 and haven't really looked back since. I used to have a bulky electric toothbrush with charger and stand that I hated traveling with and making space for in my bathroom. I will say the plastic has broken on me once before (and for several friends of mine that also have quip) but CS was great about replacing it. I wish I'd gotten the metal version but see no reason to replace as of now since my plastic one is still going strong for years now. I find this the best no hassle, sleek and simple option. Maybe isn't THE most award winning for its tooth cleaning abilities but has kept me so on track with my dental hygiene routine that I can't complain.
BABOON to the MOON
Experience
Have been close to this brand since it launched. I own their 40L go bag, their fanny pack, a dopp kit and now their newest sling bag. I'm always impressed by the quality/durability and how good the colors are. To me, it's a true form meets function product. It's a bag that I've gifted to many people and will continue to do so. At one point, the fanny pack was my only bag for two months and to this day it looks almost brand new. Their go-bag is one of the best travel bags I've ever owned and makes traveling such a breeze. It's considered a TSA carry-on but I flew Spirit recently and they definitely considered it a "personal item" (aka don't have to pay extra to board with it) so there's that. I also think the price-point is super affordable for what you're getting... also comes with lifetime warranty so!!
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Wish their go-bag had a laptop sleeve or even a pocket for a water bottle.