Giveaway Swellness: Schick Hydro Silk Disposable reviews (plus the winner of the $100 giftcard!)

Is there a new disposable razor on the market worthy of being your shaver? A few weeks ago, 10 lucky Health & Swellness readers got to test out the new Schick Hydro Silk Disposable (this is what I thought of it) and asked for their honest feedback. Seems like there were a few nicks, lots of smooth shaves and one serum-leakage issue. Read on for more detailed highlights of what they thought:

“This is one of the best razors that I’ve used! I’m not really prone to hyperbole but after trying a lot of more expensive ones, this blade has the best and closest shave. I tried it after a week-long vacation camping so it really got tested!…My only complaint would be that it’s such a close shave that there is a bit of razor burn that occurs, but with a good moisturizer, this is easily overcome.” –K.P.

“I have the regular Hydro Silk and I can say that it did just as good a job. It had a very nice close shave and I also enjoyed the material of the handle, it felt good to hold in your hand. I give this product a 10 out of 10!” –S.D.

“My first impressions were that the Hydro Silk was lightweight and easy to hold in even the soapiest of showers & that alone gave it a leg up on my old razor. I’d become accustomed to the onslaught of nicks and cuts that plagued me every time I used a brand new razor head, particularly around my knees and the front of my shins. I was pleasantly surprised to make it out of the shower with only 2 small nicks just below my kneecap. I find this area to be particularly troublesome as a result of 6 knee surgeries that have left me without any feeling around the incision scars & the lack of sensation has tripped me up time and time again when I shave. The curve sensing blade of the Hydro Silk glided effortlessly over those areas and for the first time in years there wasn’t any sign of missed hairs & stubble – that alone would sway me to trade out my old razor. Normally, I use a body cream to moisturize my legs post shave, but the Hydro Silk boasted increased hydration for up to 2 hours after shaving so I forewent this step and let the hydration strip do its thing. While my legs didn’t feel quite as moisturized as they normally do post lotion, there was a noticeable hydrating and smoothing result with the Hydro Silk. I’ve used the razor several times in the last two weeks and I’ve decided it’s worth switching to.” –M.B.

“I don’t usually use disposables because I have found them to irritate my skin and I cut myself more often with them. As soon as I opened the Schick Hydro Silk, I knew it was different than the disposables I’ve used in the past. The contoured, cushioned handle is comfortable to hold and makes the razor easy to control. With five blades, shaving is a quick task and I am left with soft, smooth skin—not a single sign of irritation! I am so glad to have found a disposable razor I can use when I travel!” – J.H.

“It is the best disposable razor I have ever used! It was nice and lightweight, but didn’t feel like cheap plastic like other disposables. It performed just as well as the refillable Hydro Silk that I have used in the past and even better my old favourite disposables.I was able to get a very close shave without using a shaving gel or cream. No nicks, cuts, or irritation at all.” – B.P.

“It provides a very close, very smooth shave, without having to press hard or shave the same area twice. The head moves easily around curves (and esp. under my knees), and it didn’t irritate my skin at all. It was also easy to clean. Storage of the razor: the conditioning serum in the razor is located in the small oval marks that are visible on the head of the razor. I left the razor in the hanging cabby, where the shower water hits it. When I picked up the razor the next day the serum had leaked out of some of the spots and there is a difference in the shave the razor now provides. It almost felt like the razor was getting stuck on dry skin. So it is important to store the

razor in a dry place/shelf.” –K.L.

“I actually prefer disposable razors for some reason, and I wasn’t disappointed with this one. The Schick Hydro Silk Disposable gave me a nice close shave, including those harder areas like my knees and my underarms. What normally happens for me, is that by the next day after shaving, my legs are stubbly again but I am happy to say that I shaved yesterday and today my legs are just as smooth as they were right after shaving. This is one of the best disposables I have ever used.” – A.A.

“The very first thing I noticed was that it is not your typical disposable razor. It was very well made and look like a regular razor you just switched the blades on.The razor was very comfortable to hold, fit right in my hand. It also had great grips on it. It was a very smooth shave and left my skin very soft and smooth.” –A.M.

“The first thing I noticed about this razor was the rubber grips on the handle. It made for a great non-slip surface while using it in the shower. I liked the moisturizing beads on the razor that were released as I shaved. It eliminated the need for shaving gel but I do wonder how many shaves I can get with the moisturizing beads before they dry up. The razor glided smoothly up and down my legs and caught all of the hair leaving me with silky, smooth legs. I was really impressed by the job of this razor! I did feel the need to moisturize my legs after shaving as they felt a little dry. Overall, this is a great disposable razor and much better than the disposable razors I have tried with only one or two blades. The five blades of this razor allowed for a close, comfortable shave.” –A.M.

And now for the winner of the $100 Visa giftcard!

One of the lucky reviewers won a $100 Visa giftcard for taking part in the review! I did the draw this morning—congrats to Jonnie H.! Check your inbox for an email from me; the Schick folks will send you your prize.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the review!

(Psst. Love gardening? I’ve got gardening toolkit giveaway going on right now in case you missed it!)

Oh, and while you’re here, maybe help me out in a challenge I’m in? Vote for me with just a click! Thanks!

Leave a Comment August 2, 2013

Beauty Swellness: The Miracle 10 Peel

You know what never gets tired? Hearing, “You look great!”

And lately, I’ve been hearing that a lot. Not trying to brag. I know it’s not because I’m well rested (poor zzz’s for months now) or exude energy (see “poor zzz’s”). And then it dawned on me the main thing I’ve added to my routine as of late: the Miracle 10 Peel.

I had a series of four peels (complimentary, full disclosure) over the past 12 weeks or so. Ideally, you should have one every two weeks, but between going to the Caribbean three times this winter (after being in the sun, you should avoid a peel for at least a week) and just regular ol’ life getting in the way, well, I ended up needing three months to complete four peels.

The peel is unlike any other I’ve tried. Here’s what happens in a Miracle 10 Peel:

• Your skin is cleansed of makeup.
• Miracle 10 Solution 1 (which contains glycolic acid of 3%) is then used to further cleanse and gently exfoliate your skin.
• Next medical-grade acetone is swiped on your skin. This degreases the skin, explains Ann from Miracle 10, and helps prep it for the next step…
• Which is dermablading. Yes, you have sharp blade swept across your face. “It removes the top layers of dead skin, which encourages skin-cell turnover and makes it easier for the glycolic acid to penetrate the skin, says Ann. I worried about it taking off fine facial hair and it growing back looking thicker (visions of a Teen Wolf situation), but Ann assures me that hair naturally taper to its original fineness after being shaved off with the dermablade). Phew!
• Acid comes next. For your first visit, most people get the lactic acid, and subsequent peels are usually glycolic acid (ranging in strength from 20% to 70%); the acid peel is on for two minutes and then rinsed off.
• Then, the Miracle 10 mask. It’s clay-based, and contains ingredients such as lavender and methol, and you get to snooze a little as it’s left on for eight to 10 minutes.
• And now another nifty element you likely haven’t tried before: your face is swiped with a piece of dry ice. The dry ice is antibacterial and the cooling helps to tighten the pores and any loosened bits of dead skin get swept up by the dry ice.
• Almost done now; all that’s left is the tech applying some sunscreen and an eye treatment cream.

The Miracle 10 Peel is good for most anyone looking for radiant skin. Sensitive skin types can tolerate it; if you’re acne prone, the tech will skip the dermablade . You’ll notice glowier skin (yes, I can attest to it), smoother skin (yep, that, too!) and hyperpigmentation will be reduced (Maybe? On me, I’m not sure on that benefit thus far).

Am I hooked? I just might be. When you try things like great facials and peels for work, there’s that darn way you can easily get addicted to these sometimes pricey treatments. A bit of a work hazard (but I’m not complaining).

Miracle 10 Peel, $125 ($375 for a package of four)

1 Comment June 5, 2013

Beauty Swellness: Dermalogica Sheer Tint and Cover Tint

I keep fondling my face.

Wait, that sounds a little dirty. Not in a slutty way — I’m just in love with how well hydrated my skin feels after a Dermalogica facial I was treated to today. After a blissful treatment, I was sent home with three products to help with my dehydrated skin and a few tips. Have dehydrated skin? I’ll share the tips; sharing is caring, right?

• Spritz on a good five sprays or so of the Multi-Active Toner, says Amanda, my Dermalogica skin expert today. Good to know as in the past I’ve only been spraying twice, which isn’t nearly enough.
• Use your ring finger to pat on the Intensive Eye Repair (and you only need about a tiny dab the size of a grain of rice total — “this tube should last you about 10 months,” says Amanda). You’ll be as gentle as you need to be in the eye area with your ring finger compared to your index finger.
• For the Skin Hydrating Booster, place 5-10 drops in the palm of one hand and rather than smoothing it all over your face from your palm, dab on the liquid with your fingers (“Smoothing it all over your face using your palm will waste too much of the product in this case,” she says).

She completed my facial by applying the new Dermalogica Cover Tint and Sheer Tint ($60 each) that launch this month. They both offer sheer coveragein three shades (perfect, I think, for travel — I typically go with a simpler makeup routine when on the road) and boast crosslinked hyaluronic acid (which means they bind moisture five time more than non-crosslinked HA).

Five times the moisture-binding. No wonder my skin feels so nice and dewy.

2 Comments April 10, 2013