AqtivAqua POLARIZED “Poseidon” Swim Goggles

Hubby’s been through more than a few swim goggles from various suppliers, and rarely have a pair been good for more than a couple of uses before they start to leak, or the anti-fog lenses fog, or some plastic piece breaks. These are the first, however, to claim to be polarized.

Polarized lenses not only reduce glare, they increase contrast and reduce eye strain. Unlike a traditionally tinted lens, they don’t just darken the field of view with various tints or shading in the lens, but block the horizontally polarized beams of sunlight. Generally this makes anything with polarized lenses more expensive than non, but the benefits for some greatly outweigh the costs.  So putting a polarized lens on a set of swim goggles seems like a no-brainer, since there’s rarely more sunlight bouncing around than when you’re in the pool in the summer, right? So far, these AqtivAqua® POLARIZED “Poseidon” Swim Goggles are the sharpest, clearest goggles I’ve ever used. Whether the lenses are truly polarized or just tinted perfectly, I can’t tell. But the sharpness and clarity both in and out of the water was stunning. They fit well around even Hubby’s giant pumpkin head, and there’s no leaks or fogging. They’ve only been used twice in chlorinated water, but both times on both of us they were comfortable, there was no pinching or binding, and they were easily adjusted on the fly to fit either of us. They are a touch on the bulky side and there’s not as much peripheral vision as we’re used to with our swim goggles. But other than that, we have no complaints. The zippered, molded storage case is a nice touch too, a real “value added” bonus. 

I will revisit this review after a few more uses, because testing and reviewing swim goggles has shown me that the first few uses are always perfect, and with exposure to chlorinated water over a season, the cheaper, poorly made ones tend to start fogging and leaking after about 5 or 6 uses. But as of now, these are Hubby’s go-to for lap swimming. Whether they stay that way, only time will tell, but AqtivAqua states on the Amazon listing: ” If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your AqtivAqua® Swimming Goggles, contact us and we will provide a no-hassle full refund”. Alrighty, then. I say give them a try!

Connect with ActivAqua:

• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from ActivAqua. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. I received no other compensation in exchange for my review. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Neosan Black Triangle String Bikini

Summer is finally fully upon us in Southern California, and with it a June heatwave, which means the pool for me, Hubby and the dog, not necessarily in that order. So with pool weather usually comes a quick updating of my bathing suits, and a staple for years has been the simple black bikini, like the one I was sent by Neosan.

Amazon is just full of sellers of inexpensive (or some might say “cheap”) bathing suits of dubious quality and very obviously stolen pictures from bigger manufacturers like Victoria’s Secret (who, incidentally, is getting out of the bathing suit game after this summer! Boo!). The product received looks nothing like the product pictured, takes weeks or longer to arrive, usually smell funny, with straps that break of seams that come unsewn. Neosan has none of those problems, and what you see is exactly what you get! The quality is amazing for the price for a set (Just $12.99 for top AND bottom) and the colors don’t fade after the first use. The black triangle bikini has removable padding and is double lined, with no worries of see-though fabric when wet like the last Neosan bikini I tried out. Both pieces sport tie closures for a customizable fit, and sadly, the seemingly popular “scrunch butt” back. Hubby loves it, me….not so much. The set does run a little on the small side, so if you’re worried about more modest coverage, order up a size.

A girl can never have too many bathing suits when you have a chlorine in-ground pool. The chlorine will chew up bathing suits and spit them out, so I try to only buy suits that are made to last a couple of years or more, and these Neosan bikinis are the goods. You get what you order, it looks and feels like it should cost 2-3 times what they charge, and they are affordable enough to buy one in every color! I recommend them highly for your summer fun in the sun!

Connect with NEOSAN:

• On Amazon
• Buy your own right here!

I received the above product(s) free of charge from NEOSAN. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

NEOSAN Colorblock Bikini

Summer is almost here, and In Southern California, we’re gearing up for pool and beach weather. Part of getting ready fro the coming swim season is updating my bathing suits. From time to time, I like to change things up a bit, and NEOSAN was more than happy to oblige me with a sample of their wares to wear.

And while I like a few things about the suit, there are a few I didn’t like as much. Right from jump, the suit should have been double lined, because the white part, when wet, is almost completely transparent. No bueno for the beach, and a little risque even for the pool at home. Now, the padding in the top would cover any….shall we say, bits, that might show, but they are awkwardly shaped and make for a “lumpy” looking top. So it’s a real catch-22. The material is stretchy and doesn’t bind, and the first wear and wash I didn’t see any real color loss or shrinkage. Which is good because this suit is pretty low-rise in the front as is. I love the ties on the side for the bottom and on the top, which means I can semi-customize my fit. I ordered medium, and it fit like a medium, which is a nice thing when sizes on Amazon tend to run all over the place. I’m not as much of a fan of the “scrunch” back bottom. It makes the waistband dip and show some crack, which isn’t a good look on plumbers and isn’t on me either, plus it’s uncomfortable. That’s a trend I’d like to see go bye-bye. But the coverage on the back is moderate and other than the “scrunch”, I like it.

I wanted to wear the suit more, but the transparency of the wite portions is a major issue. I’m not a prude at all, but I definitely don’t want my cash and prizes out there for the world to see every time my bikini gets wet. So as much as I want to give this a 5-star rating, I have to say it’s more of a three because, really, a see-through bikini might be a hit with Hubby but isn’t my cup of tea. This issue might be limited to this style/color, but I would venture a guess that other, darker colors wouldn’t have this issue, and the cut and feel of the bikini I received is on par with Victoria’s Secret, at a fraction of the cost.

Connect with NEOSAN:

• On Amazon
• Buy your own right here!

I received the above product(s) free of charge from NEOSAN. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Lejare Mirrored Swim Goggles with Earplugs

No, it’s not deja-vu. I’m really doing another swim goggle review in October. And yes, they look exactly like the last ones. Except this time, it’s the name “Lejare” on them. The straps are the same. The clasp at the back, the same. The lenses, the same (although Lejare seems to have opted for option “B” in lens shape); the storage case, the same! Even the claims are almost identical. So, let’s do this, then. From jump I’ll tell you that due to the timing of when they were sent (early fall), I couldn’t do any swimming in a frigid pool. So these were tested, again, by Hubby in the shower, with the hose, and dunking his head in the pool from the edge.

Unfortunately, it seems as though the product is branded differently, but it’s nearly identical in every way to several other products that come from overseas. It’s almost as if Lejare picked them from a catalog and paid a few cents extra per unit to get their name and logo on them. These goggles have all the same drawbacks as the last ones I reviewed, because they’re pretty much the same product from probably the same factory. Pinches at the nose? Check. Horrible clip/clasp at the back that is doomed to crack and break? Check (in fact, after trying them on again today, the plastic clasp did snap off). And while it has all the same pluses as the last pair (didn’t leak on initial uses; tinted, mirrored lenses, but not too dark; soft, pliable silicone straps; carry case included), The only noticeable difference is lack of “wavy” effect in the lenses, and for some reason, they included ear plugs. I never thought swimming was too loud, and while I sometimes used to get “swimmer’s ear” as a child, I doubt these ear plugs would do much to solve that. A nose clip might have been more appropriate, maybe even a swim cap. But the same noise-reducing earplugs that Hubby uses to mow the lawn? Yeah…no. There’s also this from the Amazon product page:

“100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: If, For Whatever Reason, You Don’t Absolutely Love Your Per-Swim Goggle, Just Return It, And We’ll Refund Every Penny (Or Replace It, If There Is A Defect).”

Oh, and they want $19.00 for these, nearly 50% more than the others. I just don’t see the value. At all. That’s more than the Speedo brand Hubby bought before.

Look, I get it. Everyone starts somewhere. And innovation isn’t easy, and doesn’t come cheap sometimes. But this kind of stuff tells me you’re not even trying. You put zero effort and expect to reap major rewards? No, that’s not how business works. I was a small business owner, my father was too. It’s hard work, long hours, and a huge investment. If it was a simple as picking product A, B, and C out of a catalog and having my business name printed on it, and money starts pouring in, everyone would be a millionaire and have their own business. These are average swim goggles, and are identical to the last pair I got from another company, and they’ll be the last goggles I review for a long, long time. Lejare doesn’t have a functioning, maintained website (It doesn’t look like they even finished setting it up. Ug.). Their Facebook page is covered in pictures not related to their products or business. The product photo 0n Amazon is a fully clothed woman in a pool with their product photoshopped on to her face! Seriously? Get it together, guys.

Connect with Lejare:

• Online
• On Facebook
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Lejare.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

AGPtek Lighting Waterproof Mood Ball by Foober US

These cooler fall nights are just what the doctor ordered after a blistering finish to a hot SoCal summer, and that means dinner in outside int he waning light, night swims and lights, lights, and more lights. I never thought much about “decorating” the surface of the water of our pool, especially since so much money and effort is spent keeping it crystal clear! To say I was intrigued by this Foober “mood” ball would be an understatement.

 

It’s just what it says it is: A lightweight, color changing ball that floats along the surface of the water. It’s watertight and runs on just two little button-cell cr2032 batteries. It is a little difficult to open at first, because it’s sealed so tight, but that’s better than being loose and letting water in to fry the little circuit board inside. About the size of a softball, in the day time it doesn’t look like much, but once the sun sets it really comes to life. It will only work in water, so don’t think you can fudge it an have it in a planter or something. A single ball tend to get lost in a moderate to  large pool, so if you really want a cool effect, be sure to pick up a few! Though at $7.99 for one, I would like it to be around the $4.99 mark, because while it is neat to look at, it’s very small and is the very textbook definition of “novelty” light.

There could be numerous applications for in the home, too, like filling a wide-mouth vase with a little water and letting this little guy float under some flowers. It’s an energy efficient LED that gives this little Mood Ball his light, and ensures that it will last a good, long while before needing to replace the batteries. A neat little bauble for those nights under the waning light.

Connect with AGPtek:

• Online 
• On Facebook
• On Twitter 
• On Google+
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from AGPTek.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Klout: FernDale’s HelioCare Daily Antioxidant Capsules #Review #Klout

I had received a sample of HelioCare in the past but not sufficient enough to provide a detailed review. Not only did this perk provide enough capsules for me to fairly test out but also enough to share. Having a spa and pool is great minus the upkeep and of course the sun tends to tax our skin. I have a large amount of sunscreen scattered around the house to bottles in the garage (in varies SPF amounts), so no excuse to not wear it and be protected. Even the mutt has her own bottle because she seems to be a California dog and even has what I call “fur freckles”. She was snow white until she started sun bathing and you bet I yell at her too!

In comes HelioCare’s capsules that are simple to take. Many supplements want you to take several pills through out the day but this one is easy. You simply take one capsule, once a day! This means a 60 capsule bottle fulfills a 60-Day supply. Each capsule has 240 milligrams, plus secondary ingredients like Corn Starch, Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide for color and also FD&C Yellow.

Indications:

1 capsule 30 minutes before sun exposure. If remaining in the sun longer than 2 to 3 hours, take a second capsule after the initial “protected period” period passes (2 to 3 hours of sun exposure).

What is “FernBlock PLE ” Technology:

The capsules from HelioCare are filled with Polypodium Leucotomos, also known as Calaguala leaf extract. The leaf has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can benefit the skin. The pill does not replace topical sunscreen but look at it as an extra layer of protection. The PL extract also aids with free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and could help with UV photo-aging process.

Benefits:

• Increases tolerance to exposure to the sun
• Reduces skin changes after chronic exposure to the sun
• Helps maintain the skin’s elasticity (skin’s health)
• Provides cell protection in the epidermis
• Protects skin cell DNA

Results:
I took HelioCare as indicated and also noticed the product’s packaging recommended a second dose, if I am going to be out in the sun for longer than 2 to 3 hours. On the third hour, I did take a second pill but this was a rarity for me because I do limit my sun exposure to about 2 hours in the pool. Having a light skin’s complexion means I just have to watch it! I used sunscreen with a 50 SPF at all times too. I did notice on week two that I did NOT get the “lobster effect” when I was in the pool. The pool’s water just reflects like a mirror and the sun’s intensity tends to magnify. To give you an example when it comes to my skin, my legs will tan even when I am in the water. Yup, that means just swimming, floating or exercising and not sunbathing. If I happen to hop on to a floaty, I can only lounge on it for 10 minutes top and then I hear usually from someone that I need to flip like a pancake because I’m overcooking on my topside. With Heliocare I still followed my “sun rules” but I did not get the red effect. It was kind of nice not to look like a crustacean and just get a little nice glow from the sun. This alone made me want to continue use. It may seem vain not to want to look red but I don’t want people to think “ouch” when they see me outside near water!

Price Point: MSRP is $50, however I found the bottle on several sites that ranged from $29.99 to $32.00, but Amazon beat all by listing a $21.99 price point. Shop wisely!

My only Con: The dyes/color additives serve no purpose other than making the product look yellow and eye appealing.  I prefer a natural appearance (as-is) versus taking anything with this additives, but the benefits outweigh the negative when it comes to HelioCare.

To get more information on HelioCare, please visit:

• On-line 
• FernDale (HelioCare) Coupons
• Amazon to purchase 
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• #TryHeliocare #Klout
• Become a Klout member bu visiting Klout on-line at http://www.klout.com

I received the above product(s) free of charge from HelioCare and Klout.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Swaggable: Alive Reef Safe Sunscreen from Sea Kind #Review

Sea Kind makes several products for the face and body, from sunscreens to bath salts. I received a tube of the Alive Reef Safe Sunscreen and liked that the product is advertised as being 100% natural. It’s a good start for my skin and especially with this summer being in the pool a little more than usual. The formula provides 20% Zinc Oxide and is broad-spectrum, protecting your skin from UVA/UVB rays. The tube came with zero information when it came to contents and oddly the product had no marker when it came to SPF. I know! A sunscreen tube that does not reflect the coverage of SPF was a first for me but this is why we have google 🙂

I seek and I find that Sea Kind makes only one sunscreen formula and it comes in SPF 30. You won’t see the number in the description on the product’s page and ready for ordering, but if you put your mouse over the bottle’s image….viola!

• Naturally Derived Ingredients (from the website):
  ZINC OXIDE 20%, PURIFIED WATER, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, COCONUT OIL, CAPRIC CAPRYLIC TRIGLYCERIDES, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, CASTOR OIL, POLYGLYCEROL-10 LAURATE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, SUNFLOWER OIL, JOJOBA OIL, TOCOPHEROLS, ACOPHYLLUM NODOSUM. HYALURONIC ACID, IRON OXIDES, PHENOXYETHANOL, ETHYL HEXYL GLYCERIN, PROPRIETARY BLEND OF FRUIT, HERB AND FLOWER ESSENTIAL OILS COMPLYING WITH THE ISO 9235 NATURAL STANDARD.

NO OXYBENZONE. NO PARABENS, PHTHALATES OR SULFATES. NO SYNTHETIC COLORS, DYES OR FRAGRANCE. NON-GMO, CRUELTY FREE

• Price Point: $24.95 and again you have to put your mouse over the bottle’s image to see that it’s for a bottle that supplies 3.0 fluid ounces.

Results:

Being a Southern California native, I have tried mostly every brand and formula readily available. I look for a product that does not clog my pores, is long lasting and simply works. I always found the first two features present but working on my fair skin was always the issue. I can start tanning rather quickly with SPF 50 on me but not all are created equal. Looking lobster red is not cute no matter the bikini you just bought and let’s not get into how bad it is health wise and much less how it feels that evening and the following days. I was weary of trusting a SPF 30 product to protect me enough. I have even given up on being tint/oily free and found peace having a white film as long as I could swim and stroll without looking like a sea creature but I decided to test this out. You will notice the “Non-Nano” on the bottle and this means the product will not absorb into your skin. As stated on the site, “The 200 namometer size particles avoids the risk of absorption in the body caused by smaller nano particles”. The formula also says water resistant and I used the every 80 minutes rule when it came to reapplication because again this was not stated on the product or site.

Verdict:

I can state that the product is light, leaves a slight oil shimmer but not even close to calling it oily. It just looks like you applied a light lotion and my face remained protected with zero clogs or blemishes, so zero penalties for trying not to burn. I tanned but no redness so protection was there and this was being in the pool and surviving 3 tidal waves that my wonderful Husband claims 2 were pure accident but since I had already assigned blame, the third one was “just because” he was already getting the evil eye from me.

Final Verdict:

I like the product and wish I could have tried it longer but my test tube really satisfied 2 face applications. I like the formula and it’s claims. Being 100% natural is rare and working is rarer for me. I just leave it in your hands when it comes to paying almost $25 for 3.0 ounces. My application was light on the second reapply, and that equated to using .33 fluid ounces for 160 minutes of pool time and just on my face. I would purchase this to be seriously blemish and irritant free on the face but can’t suggest taking the plunge for total body application unless you don’t see the sun much and can make the tube stretch.

Checkout the entire line of Face and Body Products from Sea Kind:

• On-line– http://sea-kind.com/sea-kind-ultra-sunscreen
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/pages/SEA-KIND/424252987638160
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/SeaKind
• Google+– https://plus.google.com/106139072276040110862/about
• Pinterest– http://www.pinterest.com/seakindpinteres/

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Swaggable and Sea Kind. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.