Coppertone ClearlySheer

Disclaimer: I received free samples of Coppertone ClearlySheer as a member of BzzAgent.

When I initially signed up for the Coppertone ClearlySheer BzzAgent campaign, I didn't expect much. My past experience had taught me a few "truths" about sun protection:

1. It smells like the beach.
2. Even the non-greasy formulations that promise not to clog my skin will still clog it.
3. The lotion will feel vaguely mask-like and uncomfortable on my face.

When I received the box in the mail, I pulled out two formulations --a yellow bottle designed for Sunny Days, and a blue bottle for the Beach and Pool. I popped open the bottle of Sunny Days lotion and took a whiff. And I was surprised --like, genuinely surprised-- to find that it actually didn't smell like your stereotypical sunscreen! Instead, it had a pleasant, light, floral aroma.

The next morning, I slathered some on my arms and legs and paused as I got to my face, remembering the breakouts and the uncomfortable sticky feelings of the past. But I pushed through, applied a small amount, and was again pleasantly surprised by the product. It has a barely-there, light-weight feeling. And even better, it didn't do a single thing to clog my pores. A few days passed by, and no pimples! But best of all, the broad spectrum SPF 30 protection effectively shielded my skin from all apparent sun damage.

All in all, I recommend this product. Visit the Coppertone website for more products details and coupons.

McCormick Grill Mates

I was uber-lucky to be chosen by Crowdtap to host a party featuring products from McCormick's Grill Mates line for free.

Even though I knew what I'd be getting, I was still stunned to get the box, open it, and find a super selection of tasty spices and seasoning packets inside.

The Premium Montreal Steak Sauce made for an unexpectedly yummy addition to my plain burger. I generally use plain old ketchup and mustard to top my meat, but without a steak in sight, I opted to use the steak sauce as a burger topper. It was very good; less sweet than a traditional barbecue sauce would be, but with a good tang that makes it a nice deviation from tomato ketchup. I'd definitely use it again on a burger, probably with a pile of lettuce and tomato on top. It might also be really good with jalapeno peppers; the sweetness of the sauce would probably cut the heat of the peppers quite nicely. An A for this one.

I'm usually a butter-only kind of girl, but I must admit that the Chipotle and Roasted Garlic Seasoning served as a nice complement to my corn on the cob. I prepared it on the grill with a healthy slathering of butter, and then sprinkled the seasoning on top just before taking my first bite. The hot, spicy, vaguely smoky flavor teamed up nicely with the sweetness of the corn. I didn't care so much for the big flecks of spice --I wish it had been ground a wee bit finer-- but the flavor was excellent. It burned my lips a bit, but that's nothing some good lip balm can't cure! A B+ for this one.

The Classic Burger Seasoning Mix made good, flavorful hamburgers, though I tend to prefer mine with just salt and pepper. A B for this one.

As I try new products from the Grill Mates line, I'll add my comments here!

Litter Genie

Disclaimer: As a member of Crowdtap, I was given a free Litter Genie to test. All opinions expressed are my own.

I grew up with cats, and with the exception of my college days in the dorms, I can't remember a time when a feline didn't grace my home. So when the opportunity arose, I was excited to try out a Litter Genie. To put it simply, it's a Diaper Genie for cats: a large plastic bin that holds litter box waste in an odor-proof plastic bag.

It arrived on my doorstep in a large box, and I assembled it in about 15 minutes using the illustrated directions provided. My 14-year old cat, Ms. Kitty, was less than amused by its presence initially, but adjusted within the first few days.

About 10 days into the process, here are the pros and cons of the unit:

Pros:
It does indeed do away with odors effectively.
It's easy to assemble.
The color of the unit is very neutral, so it can be left plain if you prefer discretion or jazzed up nicely with stickers, drawings, and so on.

Cons:
It's big. If you have a small space like I do, it could be hard to find a spot for it that's both close to the litter box and far from your feet when you're using the restroom.
The slider handle that separates the area where you dump the poo clumps from the bag of waste suspended below the unit can be hard to use.
Depending on how often your cat goes #2, you may need to change out the bag quite frequently.
You still need to scoop out the litter box!

All in all, it's not a bad product, but it would definitely work better for someone who keeps his or her litter box in, say, a basement away from human traffic. I do give it kudos for odor control and management and for extending the life of a batch of cat litter. But if you're the kind who deposits kitty's waste directly into an outdoor trash can and doesn't mind doing so, this probably isn't a product that should be on your must-have list.

Poise Microliners

Disclaimer: I received free samples of Poise Microliners as a member of Crowdtap. All opinions expressed are my own.

It can be awkward to talk about light bladder leakage. In fact, I cringed a little while I wrote that last line there as I imagined my friends reading it. And giggling. (And then, though they would never cop to it, peeing just a little as they laughed!)

But I'll forge ahead anyway and give my honest take on this product. I received four free sample liners in three different absorbency sizes to test out as a member of Crowdtap's Poise Crowd: one Light, one Very Light, and two Lightest. (So no, they don't get points for creativity in product naming, but at least the naming convention is pretty straightforward.)

After giving birth four times, I won't lie: I leak sometimes, especially after I've been running or when I laugh heartily at a joke. So I was interested in seeing how the Poise liners would address my little issue.

After trying them out, I can say one thing with certainty: they all perform as advertised. I didn't experience any leakage outside the pad and I felt dry; it seemed as if the material that makes up the liners --cleverly called 'SAM'-- successfully pulled any and all liquid away from my skin, which left me feeling comfortable. (Since it doesn't really have any bearing on this review, I won't go into details on the 'SAM in my pants' ad campaign, which I personally find questionable.)

They're all also very small, thin, and discreet, which are essential factors when it comes to this kind of product! While some traditional pads feel more like diapers, these have a nice, barely-there feeling.

Of course, we have to know our own bodies. If you're a heavier leaker, you may want to stick with a heavier microliner, like the Light or Very Light absorbency models. I tend to experience very light leakage, so the Lightest model generally afforded enough protection for me.

All in all, it's a good product. I haven't purchased a box so I can't speak to the relative cost or value (since pricing varies depending on region), but it's worth giving them a try. In fact, you can order your very own free sample by clicking to visit the Poise website.