Reviews

    Protéger

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    9 months ago

    I learned of Proteger during an accelerator program I was in with one of the co-founders. Initially, I was very skeptical/critical, thinking it was just *another* skincare brand the world doesn't need or want. During the program she gifted many of us a bottle of Proteger's face and body serum to try. At first, I anticipated using it until it ran out due to its higher price point compared to my usual skincare products - and frankly because I thought it was going to be a "meh". However, this serum genuinely surprised me. I've done a 180 - I now use it twice daily after cleansing my face, and it has become an indispensable part of my routine. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and radiant. While I don't use it daily on my body, I do use after every other shower or when I'm not pressed for time. It's so luxurious feeling! The 200ml bottle lasts well over two months with my usage frequency. I recently purchased six more bottles to gift to the women in my life for Christmas, as I wanted them to experience the benefits and everyday luxury of Proteger too. I'm now trying one of Proteger's add-in serums to address discolored spots on my face, and although it's too early to provide a comprehensive review, I'm optimistic based on my positive experience with the main serum. Proteger has not only become a staple in my skincare routine but has also found its way into my household. My husband now uses it on his face, and even my 9-year-old daughter relies on it to combat our dry winter climate as a body serum post shower - no more winter "itchies" for her. TL;DR: Proteger won the harsh critic in me over with its effectiveness and quality. While it may be slightly pricier than other options, its performance, generous quantity, and versatility make it worth it. Proteger has become a brand I trust and love, and that is completely separate from having met one of the co-founders. (I was ready to never buy another bottle again, and now I'm fanatically buying them for OTHER people!). I'm a bona fide, genuine, true brand lover of Proteger.

    Willa's Oat Milk

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    9 months ago

    Purchased through a Thingtesting offer

    Recently, I tried Willa's oat milk, opting for both the barista and original versions, because of a deal that reimbursed $9.99 for two purchases. As someone who found oat milk because of newly developed lactose intolerance, I've found oat milk to be a far superior alternative to almond, coconut, or soy milks, thanks to its creaminess and lack of additional flavors or health concerns. Willa's oat milk intrigued me with its promise of being cleaner, healthier (low sugar, simple ingredients), and more sustainable. The cost was a concern – it's notably pricier, offering half the volume for double the cost of other non-dairy milks. After several days of integrating Willa's into my diet, primarily in morning teas and occasionally over cereal, my verdict is not favorable. The original variant, while decent with cereal, fell short in tea, presenting a watery consistency that wasn't good. The barista version fared better in tea, thanks to its creamier texture and higher sugar and fat content, but it brought along a strong, distinctive flavor with an unwelcome aftertaste that lingered. Despite its health and environmental benefits, Willa's oat milk hasn't won me over. I find myself not finishing my morning teas, a clear sign of its mismatch with my tastes. For now, I'll return to my regular oat milk brand, even if it's a compromise on the health front. I wanted to love Willa's for it's commendable qualities, but it's sadly not going to replace my current oat milk. Removed 1 star for cost and 1 star for flavor. That said, I hope my honest feedback doesn't detract from anyone else trying it: Please give this brand a try if you're an oat milk lover! There are a lot of other reviewers that loved it, and everyone's taste is (obviously) very personal.

    cocokind

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    10 months ago

    I just found the cleanser at target and made the impulse purchase. I love it so much that I buy multiple boxes at a time to keep on hand so I never run out. I have one on my bathroom counter and another in the shower. I feel like it keeps my skin clean without stripping it. The scent isn't the most pleasant - it definitely smells fermented! - but I've gotten used to it. I wish the cleanser had more sustainable packaging.

    Stasher Bag

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    10 months ago

    I only wish they were less expensive and easier to wash, but I love my stasher bags! They're easier for kids to use than the unsustainable plastic single use ziplock bags, too!

    OLAPLEX

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    10 months ago

    Product is really worth it for heavily color treated hair, especially fine hair. A little bit of the stuff goes a long way for those of you with fine hair. I have the hair oil, shampoo and conditioner and I have fine hair - it doesn't weigh it down either if you don't use too much. I love the silkiness it gives dyed hair. Removing 1 star for the reason I stopped buying it: I really don't like the packaging. It's annoying to get the last bits out because it doesn't taper, the lids get stuck sometimes in the shower, the labels are impossible to get off for recycling, and the plastic is so thick that I don't think it's actually recyclable. I actually stopped buying it in 2019 because of the packaging and (perceived or real - idk!) lack of sustainability. I recommend it for people with really damaged hair and a lack of other options. Otherwise there are plenty of other hair oils and shampoo/conditioners out there that are more sustainable.

    Kin Euphorics

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    10 months ago

    I quit alcohol in 2019 - it's just not my thing in that I get unreasonably hungover after 1-2 drinks. Thankfully, fun NA companies like Kin have been putting out delicious and innovative beverages. I can't speak to the socializing and relaxing benefits of the product as I haven't noticed anything, but the new flavor (I think it's called Literal Sunshine) is yummy enough to drink for no other reason.

    ŌURA

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    2 years ago

    I bought a Gen 2 oura ring and replaced my wedding band with it. It was particularly nice during Covid that I could track my temperature and see if it was elevating- and stayed home on those days if I felt unwell or had been in public days before. I never had Covid, but this ring gave me peace of mind that I’d be able to catch it earlier due to temp tracking (which I also use to detect ovulation). Within 5 months it lost battery power and wouldn’t hold a charge for more than a day. I reached out for warranty help. At the time they had just launched the Gen 3 ring, so it took weeks to get a response, but they did replace it. So far no issues with the new ring. I love all of the stats and data on the Gen 3 ring, though there have been a few instances when I’ve been awake but still (like reading or just listening to music) where it mistakenly said I was sleeping or napping.

    Feedback

    I wish the temperature readings were actual readings instead of a + or - delta. I wish they made a size 5 ring. Currently, size 6 is the smallest. Also, it seems that customer service is finally getting caught up on their backlog - for awhile there was no communication, but they’ve since hired more people.

    Care/of

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    2 years ago

    I tried care/of and felt like it wasn’t as customized to me as they were trying to make me believe. I took the vitamins for a month but felt sick, which can be a side effect to one of the supplements in my pack which I found out after discussing with a doctor friend. I didn’t continue my subscription but had another one arrive. I tried to return it, but no luck. I’m back to managing my own blend of supplements and generally feel better about it than I did with Care/of

    Feedback

    Make subscriptions easier to manage, and notify before the first refill is sent.

    Public Goods

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    2 years ago

    I am an early adopter and bought into their lifetime membership. Some of the products are great, others just okay. I don’t think there’s anything we hated. We’ve use the deodorant (great smell, but didn’t work), the period Care (works great, but lots of packaging), some of the food products (the ramen was good), body lotions (like!), face lotion (meh), and body wash (my favorite). We’ve also purchased some of their natural body scrubbers which work well. Overall would recommend if you can find enough products to justify filling a box.

    Fyrn

    Sharon KLevel 2 16 Reviews

    2 years ago

    I bought ~40 mariposa chairs for a restaurant - they’re gorgeous and sturdy. The ability to customize is pretty nice as well. The engineering and design are really something special. They ship flat packed in recyclable cardboard, and you get a high quality tool to assemble them with. This company has their stuff together!