NEW Paint It Black 50X Auto-Darkening Dark Tanning Lotion - 13.5oz Review.

 "Paint It Black ROCKS" 2008-06-12
By Amber D. McElfresh (wheeling wv 26003)

I love this tanning lotion, not only am I of Irish descent and is very faired skin but my skin is ver sensitive to products. I used Paint It Black and it was awesome I tanned in a couple of sessions and I didn't have to worry about skin irratation. The smell is incredible and it leaves your skin silky smooth to the touch. After using Paint It Black I will never go back to normal tanning lotion. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!!!

 "omg i love it!" 2009-05-10
By Bri (California)

my friend introduced me to this. i love it, i use it both at the beach and at a tanning salon. if you are familiar with bath and body works it smells like warm vanilla sugar lotion.

 "Finally a product that really works!!!" 2008-06-10
By Kari Horsley (Glen Burnie, Md)

I absolutly love this lotion! I've had the hardest time getting my arms to tan and catch up with the rest of my body, I started using Pain it Black the day it came in the mail and after only using it a week my arms have fully caught up with the rest of my body and are actually getting darker! Another benifit of Paint it Black is that it doesn't have that tale tale smell of tanning beds, it has a suttle fresh scent to it! I am planning on purchasing more when I have finished this bottle!!!

 "Great Bronzer" 2008-06-02
By Dani

My friend told me about this tanning lotion because I was already using back in blaque (which is also awesome) and she said it will give my tan an instant boost. So the first day I tried it I was very happy, so then the next day I put the paint it black on about 15 minutes prior to tanning and then right before i got in the bed i put on the back in blaque and WOW talk about being tan! I looked amazing, and the best part was, was that I was NOT orange! Great product!!!!!

 "Paint it Black 50X" 2009-04-24
By Duane D. Grove

I burn very easily without tanning lotion, but when I use this lotion, I don't burn at all and I get a dark tan. Other lotions will turn you orange, but this one does not.

Panasonic WES035P Vortex HydraClean Cleaning Cartridge and Filter (3 Cartridges) Review.

 "Good accessory for a Vortec Panasonic shaver." 2006-03-13
By Mild mannered reporter (New York USA)

This cleaning cartridge is a no-brainer if you own a Panasonic Vortex shaver. These cartridges contain cleaners, cutting blade lubricants and a filter, to keep your shaver blades clean and in proper condition. They are very simple to install in the cleaning base; they last a month or so, are solidly constructed and they work very well. A plus for these shaver cartridges is that they work with just plain tap water; no alcohol-type chemicals are used here. You can choose to clean the blades with just ordinary soap & water, which Panasonic says is an alternative, but I don't recommend it unless you have to, such as when traveling, as you won't be lubricating them and you allow the finely machined blades to be vunerable to whatever damage may befall them. This is a fine product and truly worth the price.

 "Works Well" 2006-12-06
By Carter Hargrave (Tulsa, OK USA)

I was sceptical about it at first thinking that just washing it off would be ok. This removes gunk and is a must have if you use shave with gel or foam.

 "A needed accessory" 2007-12-11
By K. Gehrke (Minnesota)

We all purchased the shaver knowing we would need these so I don't know why some are complaining of the price. It wasn't a hidden expense. You knew the information up front and could make a decision as to the annual expenses this would incure. Besides, the price has dropped on them in the past few months.



As for the cartridges themselves, there are no generics on the market. They are priced cheaper than the Braun cartriges I had been using. They are also not an alcohol based cleaner and therefore does not evaporate like the competitions. They can last much longer if you use the cleaner every other day and rinse off in the sink the other days. Depending on use, many could use the sink most of the week and the cleaner every 3 days or so. Not an option with most of the competition. This extends the Panasonic cartridges life well beyond the alcohol based systems. I am on the road out of state 2 weeks of every month and I was changing the Braun clean and renews every 30 days. Seems as though I would replace the Braun cleaner, use it that week, leave for a week, and come home to an empty system. Not anymore. HydraClean doesn't evaporate, makes it much more economical per cleaning, and only costs pennies per day in comparison.

 "Cleaning Cartridge and Filter" 2006-11-18
By Kenneth Morris (Anderson CA.)

I have had this shaver for one year. The Cleaning Cartridge and Filter work well! I have found that if you pop the head of the shaver off after shaving give it a quick rence the cartridge will last longer Just and Idea.

 "Works well, use distilled water for best results" 2009-03-06
By Comdet

The Panasonic cleaning system works pretty well - not as speedy as the Braun system, but it has some key advantages. Since the system uses water, you won't have to deal with evaporation loss. Plus, as others have noted, you can use the cleaning base a couple times per week and greatly extend the life of the cartridge.



Also, since it is water based, there's less packaging - the detergent is concentrated, and mixes with the water. Less plastic waste that gets chucked into the trash.



The cleaning system does get the razor a bit cleaner than just washing with water (or liquid soap and water, as noted in the manual), adds lubrication and a nice fresh scent. I've found that using distilled water in the cleaning base eliminates the white residue from hard water.



Goes on sale occasionally, so watch the price and stock up on the price dips.

WEN Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner - 16 oz Review.

 "WONDERFUL PRODUCT" 2008-08-20
By George R. Chapman (Savannah, GA USA)

I ordered this product after watching the infomercial late one night. (Insomnia sometimes has it's benefits) As someone who used to do hair for a living, I have tried nearly everything on the market. My shower rack was always overflowing with numerous shampoos and conditioners, but no more. This delicious smelling, one-step cleanser/conditioner is the only product I use now. I have somewhat fine hair that's a bit dry from color treatments and I needed a product that would restore a healthy shine and manageability without over-conditioning. WEN cleansing conditioner does the job all in one step. I apply about two to three pumps to wet hair when I first get in the shower then rinse out as the last thing. You can add a tiny drop after as a leave-in conditioner. You'll be amazed at the results regardless of your hair type. One last tip, unless you have extremely thick long hair that's as dry as the Sahara desert, you do not need to use the recommended amount of 16-24 pumps. You'll figure out the right amount for your hair. Also, buy it here on Amazon and don't get caught up in the auto shipments required on the infomercial. Happy conditioning!

 "Worth the Dough!" 2008-08-12
By K. Ritchie (GA)

I ordered this after watching the infamous infomercial...I'm sure you've all seen it! Anyway, I am an African-American woman who has done absolutely EVERYTHING to my hair and now have (thick, thick)relaxed hair. I only mention my race here because I think it is important to stress what the creator of this product was saying about his line--it works for anyone! I have only used this product for two weeks and I have to say that never before has my hair looked and felt so touchable--I literally used to cringe (and divert the perpetrator) if it seemed as if someone wanted to put a hand on my hair! I also used to be in a state of perpetual unrest--concerning my mop. It just seemed like no matter what products I used, I was always looking for something to do BETTER. The search is definitely over; I am truly satisfied. I would recommend this product to anyone who needs more good hair days!



October 14, 2009...One more child and one recession later, I still stand by my review, but if you are trying to save money in uncertain times, Dove Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo/Conditioner will also give you beautiful, healthy results.

 "Great for my hair, but too expensive" 2009-06-17
By m. red

I really love Wen products, my favorite is the Sweet Almond Mint, it's a great product to tame my curly gray hair, however, because of the price of Wen, I can't always purchase it therefore, I started looking for a comparable product. I found HAIR ONE at Sally's Beauty Supply, it is a cleansing conditioner that for me, works better than Wen and it's only $11.99! Give it a try, for $11.99 what have you got to lose.

 "Never would have expected..." 2008-08-23
By J. K. Martin (PA)

This is only the second product I have ever purchased after watching an infomercial - so I thought it may be a waste but I will try anyway... I did not want to buy it off of the their commercial because I did not want my card charged and the automatic shipping - so I bought it off amazon. I got it 10 days ago and just love it! Weird but I have actually had 3 compliments on how nice my hair looks this week and the only change is the shampoo.



The only con I've found is the instructions on the bottle are "off" for me though my hair is just past my neck and the bottle says @14 pumps and that was way too many after the first time it looked greasy - so I do 3-4 pumps comb it through and leave it sit while I finish my shower then rinse. My hair looks and feels so soft :) I would recommend this to anyone.

 "The entire WEN line is amazing!!" 2008-11-22
By A. Hess (PA United States)

Let me start by saying that I have VERY curly, thick, dry and hard to control hair. I have always looked for that miracle product that could work wonders on my hair. I have tried many products, including Quidad for years, and nothing seems to help my hair. Now I think I have found the best product out there! I have heard before that shampoo can be very damaging to your hair. I even tried just cutting out the shampoo and just using normal conditioner, but my hair felt so unclean and gross. I figured like one reviewer said, this was a happy medium.



You probably won't notice much of a difference after a just couple uses, but just as they say in their infomercial, over a few weeks there will be a huge difference. WOW! This stuff is wonderful. My hair has never felt so soft and healthy in my life. And it smells great! I have been using it for a few months now and I can't ever return to regular salon hair products again. Even my boyfriend loves that he can run his hands through my hair now without it getting all snagged. I have also been straightening my hair since getting Wen, and I have never been able to get it so straight before AND make the it last without running the flatiron through it every morning. My hair stays straight until I need to wash it again. Even my sister (who I never told about Wen) said she has never seen my hair look so nice and straight! If it looks so nice straight, I can't wait to see what it looks like when I leave my hair curly next time!



Overall, it is worth every penny. I know it seems like a lot, but I guess I am just used to buying expensive products for my hair. Also, I have seen so many reviews saying that people should not buy directly from their website. Have any of these people actually added up the costs of buying from Amazon compared to wenhaircare.com? Probably not. I enrolled in their automatic shipment because I love the convenience of it delivering automatically, but you also save a ton of money by doing it that way. They advertise that you do lock in at a low price, but I didn't really buy into the hype of their marketing plan. However, I just added up what I got in my 3-month supply kit on Amazon, and I would have paid over TWICE the amount on Amazon!! So, I might recommend that you buy just the conditioner for the first time on Amazon just to see if you like it. If you do, I highly recommend you sign up for their automatic delivery program, you will save a lot of money. Additionally, I also love the other items in the kit (deep treatment - definitely gives you added moisture if you need it, styling creme and texture balm - really helps with flyaways).



Sorry this review is so lengthy, but I feel I need to spread the word on Wen if you do need intense moisture in your hair. I can't speak for other hair types, but I can see how it could make your hair feel rather greasy if you have normal hair. I would just make sure you following the directions exactly as other people have written. Love this stuff!!

Mavala Stop-Nail Biting and Thumb Sucking Prevention, 10ml Review.

 "Mavala Stop doesa wonderful job!" 2005-11-11
By blnkfrnk (Arcata, CA)

This product is amazing. I've been biting my nails for more than 15 years (I'm almost 22), and I managed to stop completely in three weeks.



Mainly, I had to become aware of what I was physically doing so I could stop doing it. Because of the horrible, bitter, lingering taste of Mavala Stop, I gradually became aware of what I was doing and could consciously think about my actions. It forced me to be conscious of my bad habit. Secondly, the nasty taste removed any enjoyment or stress relief I got from biting my nails since it was so incredibly unpleasant. I became very wary, very quickly. This combination of factors made it possible for me to stop, which I thought I could never do.



The taste is really horrible. It's like acetone (nail polish remover), bitter, rotten wood, and some sort of fish put together. It has a very chemical taste with a sweet undertone that makes for a horrible experience. The taste is also very durable and lingering. If you licked a nail painted with Mavala Stop, it would take a few minutes to get the taste out. The taste was so bad, in my opinion, that getting it off of my teeth, lips, and tongue when I slipped up stopped whatever I was doing or thinking about. It's very, very gross. Two coats of polish will last for more than one full week before rubbing off. It can help to freshen it up during the week to keep the taste at full unpleasantness.



It ruined finger foods for me during the time I used it. My fingers periodically touched my lips while I was eating, and the nasty taste would rub off slightly. This made me lick my lips a lot to remove the taste quicker-- it's easier to get it over with quickly than to try to avoid it on your lips--which made them lose moisture and chap badly. So you should also buy some lip balm at the same time. If you touch a nail with a fingertip, it will rub off there, too, and from there can transfer to coffee cups, pencils, hors d'oeuvres, etc. Wash your hands before you eat anything that might touch them.



There were no English directions packaged with the product. I don't think this is a problem, since the directions are pretty much obvious (Shake. Paint nails. Gag at taste) but it might be a concern for some people. A great deal of other languages were represented in the instruction pamphlet, including German, Portugese, Spanish, French, and a number of Asian languages.



Mavala Stop has a shine comparable to clear nail polish, but not as shiny as premium or ultra-shine clear nail polish. Your nails will probably not look natural, but if that's a concern, you could probably lie and say it's just a nice, buffed manicure. It could easily be worn over nail polish and would probably work like an extra protective topcoat. The shiny quality rubs out over time. At the end of a week it will be duller and more matte, but also less effective.



The bottle holds roughly the same amount as a regular bottle of nail polish, but Mavala Stop seems to be of a slightly thinner consistency. I recommend carrying the bottle with you in a pocket or purse so that if you must do something to your nails, it can at least be a touch-up. Washing your hands seems to dull it out more quickly, and removes some of the taste, but not all, by far. It does not wash out with water and soap, but the power is reduced.



The only reason you would fail with this product is if you can't bring yourself to enforce it. You have to make sure you put it on and touch it up. The temptation of not putting it on or letting it wear off quickly is certainly there. I would advise getting someone else involved who will scold you or remind you about it.



I would recommend this product to anyone. The price is worth it as it works very well. I am very pleased with the result.

 "An amazing product for stopping thumbsucking !" 2005-11-06
By Nicole Church (New York, NY USA)

After months of encouraging/pestering our son to stop sucking his thumb (he is four), we finally decided to use a product to help. After doing some research, this one stood out as the most effective. Our son agreed that it was hard to stop on his own, and agreed to "extra help." The results are amazing. It has been 3 weeks, and he essentially stopped sucking after the first application. Now I think the urge/habit is really out of his system. We apply the product every 2 days, and plan to taper it off when it's been a little longer. One setback occurred when we had not applied it for 3 days (the bitter taste had dissipated), and he woke up and announced that he had sucked his thumb overnight. He seemed disappointed in himself for having sucked overnight and was initially resistant to reapplying the product. My recommendation is to be very regular in applying it during the crucial early phase when they need the most help. I am so glad we bought this product!!!!

 "Best ever!" 2006-03-30
By M. Wohl (APO, AE)

I have been biting my nails for as long as I can remember, and it seems like I have tried everything out there to help me quit-this product is the only thing that worked for me. I put it on my nails every 3 days or so. The taste is horrible, and lingers in your mouth for a while-it really discourages you from putting your fingers in your mouth. I recommend it to anyone who needs to stop biting their nails.

 "I never knew there could be a cure!" 2006-06-05
By bjr (Boynton Beach, FL USA)

I am 21 years old.. I have been biting my nails for as long as I can remember. I have tried many many times to stop. Mostly, it was trying to do it "cold turkey," but that never worked. I would also paint my nails pretty colors, get acrylics, etc.. all would revert back to me biting at my nails. Not to mention, painting little stubs is NOT that attractive to begin with. So, I gave in and bought this product!



It is now only two weeks after I started applying this to my nails. The taste is HORRIBLE. Oh my lord.. I hate to say it, but I am SO happy it is! You will cringe at the thought of placing your fingers remotely close to your mouth. The taste will remain very potent on your nails for about three days. It is a nice clear coat of nail polish, so it doesn't look bad on your nails.



I now no longer get the urge to bite my nails. I went out and bought brand new nail polish to celebrate! I can't wait for another two weeks to where my nails will be nice and LONG! I also have plenty more in the bottle jusssst in case I feel I may be getting an urge.



I recommend this product completely!! Anyone who is fed up with biting their nails to an oblivion will be pleasantly suprised! Trust me, I thought I was a lost cause!

 "Worked for us!" 2006-03-09
By Joanne R. (San Francisco,CA)

My son has been sucking his thumb since he was in the womb (could see him doing it on the ultrasound!). Though it made him a great sleeper as a baby, now at 5 1/2 it was time to stop. Now he's losing his first tooth, the dentist told him he should stop too. Fortunately, my son is very taste sensitive, so he really did not want to suck w/ the Mavala on. Unfortunately, the first night he woke up screaming at 2am because he sucked and we had to deal w/ the rinsing and wiping his tongue off w/ a towel! He kicked his habit within 2 days, has not sucked in 4 weeks now! (BTW, we started putting a sock over his hand so he would not accidently suck at night time)

Philips Norelco BG2030 Professional BodyGrooming System Review.

 "Hands-down the best "body groomer" I've ever used. Period." 2008-12-04
By NLH (New York, NY)

Ok, so I'm a pretty hairy guy. For the past 8 years I've tried about 10 different razor/clipper/trimmer products to clean up my chest/stomach area and I've yet to find one that I really, truly liked. Either it was a straight electric razor which cut everything down to zero (not the goal), or some sort of "trimmer" device which invariable failed to work properly.



The BG2020 was the closest I'd gotten to something useful...It would take me a solid 30 minutes and LOTS of back-and-forth over the same areas, but if you held it juuuust so, you could get the job done. It was a pain -- I'd have to dedicate some time, and because my bathroom lights are pretty hot, after standing there trimming for 20 minutes I'd start to sweat, so I'd have to take a break and come back and finish later. All-in-all, a process, but the job got done.



I got the BG2030 in the mail this morning and all I can say is that I'm *stunned* at how well it works. I hooked up the trimmer attachment and gave it a quick whirl before I got into the shower...just to see how it worked. I was so amazed at how quickly it trimmed everything down, that I just did the whole job right there in about 5 minutes. No exaggeration -- what used to take a solid 30 minutes took LESS than 5 minutes with the BG2030. Nothing more needs to be said -- if you want a quick, simple, easy way to trim down body hair, this is the best product I've ever used. Period.



Now, for other areas (the "nether regions"), it's not quite so miraculous -- that's not to say it doesn't work, and it does, but it's no better than the BG2020, which worked perfectly. So this will continue to work perfectly down there as well.



All in all, a 5-star product and worth the extra money over the BG2020 without hesitation.

 "Careful on the "kiwis"; otherwise, superb." 2009-06-25
By B. I.

I love this unit. It's got a great styling, lots of options for trimming (mowing) and shaving, and its battery lasts long enough to do my arms, pits, chest, and groin.



I was surprised at how well it did plowing through my thick arm hair. Don't use this unit if you, or it, are sticky or damp. The attached guides are shiny poreless plastic and will tend to stick, or hop across your skin, if you are sweaty or in a humid environment.



For the 'nether regions' (kiwis, banana, and starfruit), this thing does a knockout job. For trimming down there it's pretty easy and effective. For shaving, you have to spend a lot more time making sure to get all the hairs, but it's worth it. Doing several light, circular passes [AFTER "MOWING DOWN" ALL THE LONG HAIRS] with shaving cream works like a dream. You just have to make sure to shave down there every other day, or you'll have a not-so-comfy case of the prickles.



My two warnings:



1. Do not get this if you can't stand to plan your trim/shave. Because it has a ni-cad battery, it's much better for the battery life to let it completely run out before recharging it. Don't plug it in unless it's dead.



2. I got a slight, though disarming, nick on my kiwis when using the shaver head. It was working fairly well, as usual, but the wrinkles inherent in this part of a male's anatomy made for an 'uh-oh' moment that caught me off guard. The culprit wasn't the foil screen part of the shaver head, but the edge-trimmer section on the side of the shaver head.



To prevent #2 from happening, you need to:



A) make sure to hold the unit at the proper angle (head perpendicular to the skin surface at all times)



and



B) carefully chop down all hair on and around your "kiwis" with the trimmer head and attachment first.



and



C) strrrrrrrrretch your "kiwi" skin to be as flat and smooth as you can stand. Lumps and wrinkles might end up in the tiny teeth of the shaver head's side-mounted edge trimmers.



Aside from that, this thing is incredible. It does its job, and it does it extremely well! I can't imagine having the BG2020 model after this one. I'm now hairless down there and there are several hygienic and sexual advantages to this.



Thanks, Norelco, for helping me achieve new pleasures in the bedroom and new comforts in the boxers!

 "Blessing in disguise" 2009-01-25
By Hairy dude

God makes some people short and some people tall, some people are born ugly and some people are born good-looking, some people are hairless and some are hairy!!!

God made me hairy (psss...I am tall and good-looking too) now to those who do not have this issue...you are truly blessed...but if you are like me...you really know the trouble and pain of maintaining the hair on your body. To this Philips Norelco BG2030 Professional BodyGrooming System is a blessing in disguise.

This was my first time buying a Philips electronic razor and I have to say...I am impressed by it. It removes the hair and makes your skin soft and looking as if there were no hair to begin with!!! I use it for my under-arm, groin area, stomach and facial hair trimming. It does not pain when you use it, it cleans well and looks great too!! All in all, it is a wonderful product.

The attachments are also very useful. The razor is also of good quality, no breaking or cracking as the other reviews for other models of Philips Norelco say.

I usually don't even write reviews, but for this, I had to...cause it has made my life so easy! Thank you engineers behind Philips Norelco BG 2030, you guys ROCK!

 "As advertised" 2008-12-06
By Thomas Aiello (SI, NY)

The product has blown me away, the several diffrent head attachments work well, The system works extremly well.



The big sell for me was the wet Dry application. I Actaully find myself shaving less than I did before becuase the razer gets so close & with no iritaion.



The price was nothing special, I paied $50.00 for it on Amazon & have seen it for the same amount in Target as recently as last week. But the shipping was free so no big deal, I just expect to save a few $$ when I shop on Amazon, Anyway, it's worth the money.

 "What the Bodygroom should've been:" 2009-07-07
By Daniel J. Staggers (Buffalo)

My old bodygroom had seen better days and it's third foil was due to be replaced. Instead, I got this on sale at Target for 36 bucks and it's much better then the original.



It's a much better built machine and it feels like it. It's also about half as quiet. Beware however, it's a bit narrower and can slip out of your hand much easier. The foil on this one is really tight and doesn't constantly fall out.



The tool holder works great and is really neat. You'd never know all that stuff was back there built into the base. The battery life is the same as the old one; meaning, GREAT! I tried the other head on someone else and it works fine. I can't use it on me, because I was constantly screwing around with the old one, so I said the heck with it and completely shaved all my body hair off. Now, I've come to prefer it that way and so does my wife.



Many people say this doesn't shave completely smooth, I have very fine hair which is the toughest on it and while there is a little stubble, it's barely noticable. In fact, it's probably better then any foil shaver out there period!



Obviously, there was much interest in the old Bodygroom that they took the time to build this one. And, it answers every complaint I ever had about the old one in spades.



Great Precision Machine! Hats off to the new Bodygroom.

Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen For Face & Body 2.9 oz (82 g) Review.

 "loved it" 2008-04-25
By Diane Sheets (sunny so cal)

I bought this product online last year because NOTHING was working for my fair skinned 7 year old. no matter what the SPF on the bottle said, she would burn and her nose would blister. I read an article on ewg.org about SPF's not being advertised properly because of the chemicals in the sun screen actually counter acting it! insane, all this money blown for nothing. so I tried, one last time, and badger worked! I had no issues with it absorbing into her skin, but I had also been forwarned that a little goes a long way. she was able to enjoy her summer with no painful sunburn on her face! and no new freckles ;) I misplaced my sunscreen from last summer and am now getting ready to buy another one for the so cal sun.

 "One of best on the market" 2009-04-04
By Cheryl Fontaine (Seattle, WA)

Badger SPF 30 is hands down one of the best sunblocks on the market. Those people who are panning it are doing so because they did not read the instructions; they used it like the stuff they buy at the drugstore - all the big brand-name products that cost a lot, say "apply thickly and let soak in", and don't do nearly the job of protecting your skin.



READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. If you do, you will find this is the most effective sunblock you have ever used. It has NO odor, massages in quickly, leaving NO whiteness on the skin. The tiny amount necessary assures that this will be the least expensive sunblock you ever buy.



I'm a redhead with very fair skin and I am particular about reading labels and understanding how sunblocks work - this is the only sunblock I use any more.



And no, I neither work for, nor get money from, the Badger Company. They make a good product and I am happy to recommend it.

 "Best sunscreen ever!" 2009-05-18
By Edie

I love this sunscreen. It smells great and makes your skin soft. If you're outside and sweat a lot, it doesn't sting your eyes. And according to the Environmental Working Group, it's one of the very top sunscreens in a test that measures both how well it screens against the sun and how safe it is. (The vast majority of sunscreens have toxins in them. Check it out. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/findyoursunscreen.php) I think the negative reviews on here are because people didn't use it correctly. You only need to put a little bit on. As your skin warms it up, it becomes easy to spread around. If you look ghostly after you put it on, or it soils your clothing, that's because you are putting far too much on. In my opinion, this is a bonus of this product: you only need a little bit, so a tube lasts a lot longer than most. Badger sunscreen is the best.

 "No more doubts..." 2009-09-12
By Francis Dayrit (SC United States)

It wasn't until recently that I realized that the skin products that we have been sold on to protect us from excessive sun exposure were nothing but a poor excuse to sell us something useless. What's the point of selling an inferior product? To give us a false sense of security that we did something right for ourselves? Well, no more. I constantly fear for my children and, hopefully, like most parents, I want what is safest for them. I came across the Badger Balm on the ewg.com (environmental working group) website which had a rating for sunscreens. On that list, Badger was one of the more effective ones for the job and contained the least amount of toxic materials. So, it not only protected well from both UVA and UVB radiation, but it also did not expose the user to harmful chemicals. A double plus. Got it, off to the beach for a week full of daily sun exposure. There was not a single problem the whole week. Everyone's skin held up well with not a single case of redness. It held up after hours of water exposure. It held up after hours of perspiring on a bike ride. It protected us the whole day. You could tell it was still on your skin because the water or your sweat was still beading on your skin. Yes, it is hard to apply but I considered that a plus because it kept you conscious of the dangers of excessive sun exposure. Yes, it has a mild lavender aroma to it. Yes, if you did not take the time to spread it well it made you look like a ghost for the first hour or two, but that is a small price to pay to prevent skin cancer, sunburn and, more importantly, at least for others, premature wrinkling of your skin. This has found a place in the activity bags of every member of the family.

 "The ONLY one son can use" 2010-03-22
By K. Kilsdonk (Massachusetts)

Ok, I don't love the way this sunscreen goes on, it is thick and a bit hard to spread.



But, it's still worth it's weight in gold to me. A couple of years ago, my young son started getting contact dermatitis from ANY sunscreen we tried, even other barrier, rather than chemical, sunscreens. We tried everything and this is the only one that does not cause the rash, including other "all natural" and "hypo-allergenic" formulas from Whole Foods and other natural products sources. I don't know what it is he is allergic to, but it isn't in this sunscreen! Plus, it IS effective at preventing burns. Since it's the only one that works for us, it's, by definition, the best ;).

Gillette Fusion Manual Razor Review.

 "really is an improvement over the Mach 3.." 2006-03-19
By Dallas Electronics Fan (Dallas,TX.)

I don't have Gillette stock or work for the company. I hate shaving. I have a tough beard and sensitive skin. A bad combination. I bought the Fusion on a whim. I didn't expect it to be signficantly better than the previous generation Mach 3 but hope springs eternal. After two weeks and 7-8 shaves with the same cartridge(!), I can wholeheartedly say that this is a very noticeable improvement over the Mach 3. The cartridges have an astounding life. The Mach 3 would give me about 3-4 shaves before the blades dulled enough to result in razor rash. The Fusion has at least doubled that and is still going strong. Amazing. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Gillette is using a higher quality steel in the blades for the product launch. Time will tell. Secondly, I get far less razor burn from the Fusion. Almost none actually. Lastly, it's more difficult to cut myself in the nose/lip area which was something I had to watch carefully with the Mach 3. I'd guess this has to do with a larger blade surface area. In short, the Fusion really is an improvement over the Mach 3. As long as the cartridges continue to last for 8-10 shaves each, I will be a loyal customer.

 "Great Razor but use different blades" 2006-02-02
By Greer

I bought the Gillette Fusion Manual Razor and shaved with the blades it came with and the shave was okay, no better then an Mach3. Then I tried the other Fusion blades, what a revelation.



The best shave comes from using the Gillette Power Fusion blades(orange color) with the Manual Razor. When I did this the shave was phenomenal, baby butt smooth. There was no irritation, no razor burn, simply a great shave.



Try this combination, you won't be disappointed.

 "If you've gotta use a blade, use this one!" 2006-02-25
By C. W. Fitch (Wichita Falls, TX)

Let's face it. Guys usually don't get excited about new shaving products. Shaving's about as pleasurable as a molten lava enema. Fortunately, the right products can make it a little more bearable. I've never anticipated the release of a shaving product of any kind before, but this razor got me really intrigued. Could this be the razor that conquers my impossible face (and wallet) once and for all?



Gillette have been the masters of shaving comfort for several years now. Their introduction of the Mach 3 razor was a breakthrough, just like they said. A lot of you likely still use the Mach 3, but it's a good bet the Fusion will make you want to upgrade.

I'll admit, I was a little wary about using a five-bladed razor. I felt the same way about the Mach 3; I envisioned pressing too hard and slicing into my jugular, or worse, going to work with an entire roll of toilet paper on my face. Thankfully, the opposite happened, and I used the Mach 3 and M3 Turbo for years. I even bought into the M3 Power when it came out, but found there wasn't much difference in closeness or comfort (which is why I chose the manual Fusion over the Fusion Power). Still a really good shave, though.

Anyway, about the Fusion. First off, don't be intimidated by the five blades. They're close enough together that you really have to try to cut yourself. In fact, that's one of the beauties of this razor. Even a face like mine, which is very susceptible to cuts, accepted the Fusion's blades with very little irritation. The first couple of times I used it, I had to watch out for pressing too hard and suffered a couple minor nicks, but I quickly got the hang of it. The blades really do all the work. The head of the razor is bigger than the M3 as well, which actually does cut down on shaving time.

I've always liked the "indicator" strip on the top of the M3 blade that lets me know when it's time to change the blade, and it's here on the Fusion as well. It's made with aloe, if you're interested in that sort of thing, which supposedly aids in shaving comfort. You'll get about a week's worth of good shaves before the blade wears out, which works out to a pack of cartridges a month (about the same as the M3). It's best to pick these up in bulk (packs of 8); if and when you switch to this razor, you'll need them anyway, and you'll save a little dough in the process.

The extra blade on the back of the razor is rather neat indeed. It does help even out your sideburns and touches up those tricky spots right under your nose and above your chin. I wouldn't use it for beard sculpting or anything, but for tough areas it does a good job. Just be mindful of that blade when you're shaving near your ears. I accidentally nicked my earlobe shaving my jawline the first time I used it. Yeowch!

Changing the blade out is just as easy as the M3 also. Just pop, slide, and click a new blade in.

The "comfort guard" under the main blades is a slight improvement from the M3, but it's not really a "wow" factor. The "ergonomic" handle is pure gimmick; it does little more than make the Fusion look like a phaser from Star Trek. I would rather just buy the blades and have them fit on my Mach 3, but what kind of marketing savvy would that be? Oh well; the razor itself isn't exactly a bank-breaker, and you only have to buy it once.



All told, this is the Porsche 911 of razors. It's a smooth ride, it's comfortable, it's fast, and yes, even though the blades are pricey, it's worth it to me. If I had my druthers, of course, I'd use an electric (they're much less expensive in the long run), but they're just not compatible with my face and Rocky Mountain-ish peaks and valleys of my neck. (Believe me; I've tried five different kinds.) The Fusion's the closest shave I've gotten with a blade yet. If you really saw the difference between the M3 and M3 Power on your face, you'll probably notice it with the Fusion Power as well, but I figure I'm paying enough for the one without the motor.

I'm glad I made the switch, and after comparing with the Mach 3, I won't go back. Try it and see for yourself.

 "Another good point.." 2008-11-04
By D3v (CA USA)

I rate these razors at the top of them all. I've used them all, and simply cannot complain about them. I used to use the Shick quattro and thought it was the best, four blades, right? Wow, what a difference. But it's not just the 5th blade that does it; they use MUCH higher quality metal for the blades, and what really makes a huge difference is that on the fusion, the BACK of the cartridge is OPEN, so that each time you dunk it for a rinse, all of the hairs come right out, and it's 100% clean for the next stroke. Those were the two major weak points on the 4 blade razors, they are closed off mostly on the back, so when you do a fair stroke, it fills with small hairs, and tapping or shaking it around in water just doesnt get it out, and it just gets worse, and worse, and worse...



Best razor ever. Make sure you wet your face at least 1 min beforehand, use a thin cream, rinse the blade often, and dry it after shaving. I've never had a cartridge last me less than 2 or 3 weeks, usually a month is the norm. I bought 2 8 packs, and they lasted me 14 months..



Anyhow, that's my 2 cents; the open back makes a HUGE difference, along with the ultra high quality blades. I have SUPER sensitive skin, and tried every blade razor but avoided shaving until this one came along. The only thing I think should change is a slight price drop, but as long as they don't go UP in price I'll keep using them for life.

 "Beats out my Mach 3 Turbo hands down" 2007-01-09
By Matthew Maples (Oxford, MS USA)

I went from disposables to the Mach 3 Turbo when they sent me one in the mail, and i loved it, got so much closer. Now i use the Fusion exclusively. Some say the 5 blades is a gimmic, but i can feel a difference in that i dont cut myself at all, and the surface is wide enough to cut more at a time.

Gillette Fusion Power Razor, Phantom, 1 Razor Review.

 "5mths Still Going Strong With First Blade??!!" 2009-12-17
By Paul E. Barrett

Bought this back in July.... It is now Dec 15th and I'm still using my first blade!! Still gives a great shave!! The blades may be expensive but hell they last!! I saw an article in a Money magazine that said to clean the blades with 'Arm and Hammer, Shower Clean'. I have been doing this, I guess it helps. My strip that they say once is white needs to be replaced has almost fallen off?? But it still does the job. I shave everyday 7days while at work, while at home for seven days I grow a thickish beard twice prior to shaving. And like I said I've been doing it since July. These blades are great!!!! Was gonna buy a expensive electric razor, not now! I still have a 12 pack refill! At this rate that might last 5-6 yrs baby!!

 "Major improvement over Mach 3" 2009-11-10
By kozachka (Kiev, Ukraine)

I bought this Fusion Power Razor Phantom for my husband. He has been using Mach 3 since it was released and has been very happy with it. He did not think that you could improve that much upon it. He was pleasantly surprised by Fusion Power Razor Phantom. The shave is VERY close (I can attest to this ;) ) and it looks like my husband just shaved even 24 hours later. Previously you could see 'shade' by late afternoon. My husband likes the power version better than regular one, which I bought for him together with blades from Costco. And blades last a very long time, which was my concern, since they are more expensive than Mach 3 ones. We both could not be happier with Fusion Power Razor.

 "Skeptical about the "power", but it works" 2010-02-04
By Brad Munder (Austin, TX)

You know, at some point it seems like they've run out of blades and other improvements just to give you a good shave, but after using the Phantom, they haven't reached that point yet. It's a pretty tight shave and I think some of that has to do with the "power" aspect, which is basically the vibrating movement of the entire razor.



I think it gives the best shave of anything I've tried. I use this on my face and my head and I notice I can skip an extra day, which in the long run saves me time.



Highly recommended.

 "Great shave" 2009-07-03
By Robert Andrade (California)

I been using the power fusion for years now. I just bought a 2nd one to add one to my travel bag.



This is the best razor I have ever used. From using the Mach3, this is a big improvement. I shave everyday, and not only my face I shave my head with this razor also, everyday. The blades do last, I get 3 weeks easy on a blade. I can get a 4th week and usually do, however notice it getting dull and harder to shave.



The power does help, some people say it dont....maybe not a whole lot, but heck a battery will last me a year on this razor.



Having sensitive skin, I cant get a super close shave and I am not looking for one. This does the job well with one pass, and never has cut me to date.

 "Completely Disagree with Anonymous Anonymous's Review" 2008-12-14
By Royden S. Mills (Denver)

I have always treated shaving as a ritual, and have used everything from a straight razor to a double sided safety razor, as well as Gillette's many products. The Phantom Fusion Power is the best shave I've ever had. Though I don't have a thick beard growth, I do shave everyday and one Phantom cartridge lasts me well over two weeks. I just bought a Phantom Fusion Power razor for both of my brothers, as well as my brother-in-law. The battery makes the difference in comparison to other Gillette razors, and the detail razor on the back is awesome for trimming facial hair. Well worth the money - despite previous reviews.

Philips Norelco Speed 8240XL Men's Shaving System Review.

 "Finally - Smooth Skin Again" 2008-08-20
By TastyBabySyndrome ("Daddy Dagon's Daycare" - Proud Sponsor of the Little Tendril Baseball Team, USA)

I have been trying out new razors, getting a charge out of all the different designs that have been coming out, and have gotten a lot of experience along the way. Amongst the types I have tried are : The tri-heads with and without foaming action, the newer heads that set like they are on a platform, and a few different types of clippers. Out of all the razors I have tried I like this one the best, and the reason for that is because I (1) like the mixture of old and new, (2) like the length of the long-hair trimmer, and (3) like the way the extra pivot works on this razor. It feels like an old friend, but with a better smile.



There are not really any downsides on the razor that are glaring to me, so I'll list the positives I have noticed. First, there is a new pivot that allows the head to move forward and backward and does not make the head stationary. That means that more ground is covered and a better shave is given. A second thing I like is that the length of the long-hair trimmer has not changed. On many of the newer models, the trimmer has been shortened. This leads to a trimmer that is harder to see, one that doesn't do as much work, and one that can break easier. So, the staying with the same build is a good thing. Next, the charge the item carries is long-lasting, making it a great tool to travel with. I have a problem with forgetting my cord, I already did that once with this model, and it did not matter. I was away for a week and still I got a good shave. And, lastly, it is does not throw too much glam t you and try to make something shiny to hide flaws in the design. As I said before, it is an old design but with some newer additions to make shaving better.



If you want a good shave and need something new, you should try out this razor. It has been tough, has been reliable, and has been the one razor I have liked after the newness has worn away. That says a lot about something: when the newness of something becomes day-to-day, what is it, really? For this product I would have to say "a little over five stars in my book."

 ""Use this razor for its intended household use as described in the manual"" 2008-07-27
By iansomniak (USA, Planet Earth)

The new Philips Norelco (formerly known as just Norelco) 8240 comes to you in a box with a window that allows the shaver to be seen within its clear plastic packaging. You will need a sharp pair of scissors and/or a Rambo-style Bowie knife to hack thru this hard plastic covering and remove the shaver. Use extreme caution when doing so. Once you've defeated the packaging, you will find the sleek, gunmetal gray shaver; a protective cap; a small cleaning brush; a curly AC power cord; English/Spanish instruction booklet and a basic black zippered nylon case.



The manual says you should plug the shaver in and let it charge for a full 12 hours before using it for the first time. The light on mine started blinking within the first hour, but I left it plugged in overnight anyway. When I tried the 8240 out the next morning, I was amazed at how quiet it is. My old Braun buzzes like a lawnmower, but this thing just whispers! The Norelco will supposedly go for up to 17 shaves before it needs recharging, and you're not supposed to recharge it until the battery is nearly depleted. Note that this model lacks the LOW BATTERY indicator light available on the 8250 and 8251 models.



The overall design of this razor is quite impressive. The three shaver heads rock all around individually and the entire head assembly pivots on side bolts. This allows the cutters to hug your face while you shave for better results. Best of all, there's a latch on the front that allows the hinged top to be popped open for easy cleaning. After shaving, you just push this button and run hot water inside the hair collection chamber and under the blades. Then you just leave it open to air dry. On the back of the 8240 is the standard spring release trimmer for mustaches and sideburns.



You can try the Philips Norelco 8240 risk-free for 45 days. If you're not fully satisfied after using this shaver exclusively for three weeks, you can send it back to Philips Norelco for a refund--but it must be shipped prepaid by insured mail. So you really have nothing to lose but the cost of shipping. As far as I'm concerned, this is the best electric razor I've ever used. But, if you've got the extra cash, you might want to go for the higher grade 8250 or 8251 model.



"WARNING: Close supervision is necessary when this razor is used by children."

 "Great Upgrade From Norelco" 2008-08-06
By Daniel McKinnon (Tewksbury, MA USA)

Every upgrade that Norelco makes in its electric shavers is worth the time and money and the Philips Norelco 8240XL Men's Shaving System is no exception. In the past users have gotten better grip, LED lights and a movable shaving head. With this newest generation shaver we now get a bigger shaving head surface and a head that moves in and around the shavers face. If you have never used an electric shaver before you will get a wonderful shave from this unit which is easy to use, quick to clean and keeps a long lasting charge. Norelco has long made the best electric shavers on the market and this tradition continues with this great addition!!



***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 "Best value/comfort/performance for the dollar" 2010-01-08
By Candid Reviewer (GA USA)

The Norelco 8240 offers the best value/comfort/performance for the money I've found. Lower models in the Norelco line lack some very effective features (floating heads, multiple inset rotary heads, etc.), while higher models are much more expensive with no benefit to performance (some do a poorer job of shaving, including the ARC series).



Although the best foil shavers generally shave closer, the Norelco 8240 cuts nearly as close (not quite, but the difference is virtually unnoticeable). The rotary heads, however, are MUCH more comfortable and not nearly as prone to razorburn as foil shavers. The floating heads on this model are excellent (not as stiff and MORE effective than the $130 ARC series), conforming well to my face, even at my sharp chin and gentle adam's apple.



Here is what makes it really superb compared to any other shaver I've tried in my 18 years of shaving:



- The $80 price (at Walmart, December 2009), on the low end of the price range that consistently offers the best value/performance ratio ($70 - $110).



- The motor is wonderfully quiet... it purs in a low, comforting tone, without the high whine of most other rotary and foil razors I've tried (the ARC series is much louder, as are Braun foil shavers). When I first used it, I though the battery must be low on charge, but I finally realized that it really is just that quiet all the time.



- The shaving performance is excellent: It offers the 2nd closest shave I've had from an electric shaver (The Braun foil shaver I've used for the last 6 years shaves negligibly closer), yet gives almost zero razorburn to my sensitive/dry skin (the Braun gave mild to moderate razorburn daily). Better yet, the Norelco shaves close WITHOUT need to pull my skin tight with a second hand as I shave. That is the main reason I switched back to rotary... Foil shavers only give a close shave by constantly pulling the facial skin tight with another hand while shaving.



- The ergonomics are very comfortable: It fits perfectly in my hand and feels very light. My Braun foil shaver always felt like holding a large cell phone... no ergonomics to speak of, which occasionally led to dropping it.



I'm convinced that negative reviews of this razor are either by folks with very strange face shapes or, more likely, folks who don't understand that a razor MUST BE BROKEN IN for about two weeks before it offers an optimum shave. On the first shave, the Norelco 8240 is unimpressive, but by the fifth or sixth morning (assuming you use it exclusively), it will adjust to your face and give you a remarkably good shave. The quality continues to improve slightly until about the end of the second week. Stick with it, and you'll be glad.

 "Completely happy with this shaver" 2008-08-05
By S. Potter

Philips Norelco recommends using this razor for 21 straight days before deciding if it's right for you. It only took one shave to realize my Mach 3 days were over. This "made in Holland" razor is great. While it does not shave quite as closely as the Mach 3 it shaves closely enough that I feel totally comfortable walking out every morning in my suit and tie knowing my face looks clean shaven.



My beard is tough, too. On my neck, especially, the whiskers go every which way and are thick. The Norelco chops them all down with no problem. On top of that, my skin is sensitive. I could count on nicking myself about one in ten times I shaved with the Mach 3. The Norelco does not nick, pinch, burn, or feel uncomfortable in any way. It even handled two days growth without causing any irritation to my skin.



The lightness of the razor is a plus. Lightness here does not equate with cheapness as the razor seems solid and durable. It is also very comfortable to hold and emits only a low buzzing sound. It recharges quickly and, so far, at least, holds its charge well. Cleaning under the bathroom faucet is quick, easy, and thorough.



After a little over two weeks of using this razor I am very pleased with it. I recommend it to anyone who wants to rid themselves of old fashioned blades and shaving cream. The only problem I have with the razor, and it is a slight one, is getting the area just under my nose. However, that is also a problem area with most old fashioned razors, as well.