I love these new products...

[Ber Rabbit]

I have started using "Shout Color Catcher" in my laundry. They look a bit like dryer sheets but go in the washer. I always use two with my dark loads and one with the whites. My light colored loads get one or two depending on whether or not I have new items in there.

They really do work! Sometimes they come out with no stains on them but usually they have picked up the loose dyes in the water and are any number of colors, pink, blue, purple, etc. I even mixed some white socks in with a particularly pesky dye leaking purple top to see if two of the color catchers could keep the socks white and it WORKED! That purple top has stained countless other clothes, even some darker ones. You have to use "reasonable care" when washing new garments, there may be so much dye bleed that the color catchers can't get it all but I've found they are definitely worth having.
Ber

 

[Kat]

I also have the acrylic nails. Went about 2 years w/out them, when finances were tight. Have had them for about a year with non-stop problems. They break, lift, fall off. I ripped one off getting into a dry suit this spring. Thought I had just lost the fake nail, but when I finally got my hand through the sleeve, it turns out it took my real nail w/ it. Wrapped 2 band-aids on it & went diving.
Dog gone it...after all that work w/ the dry suit, I wasn't gonna whimp out!
The worst problem is, I continue to get water under my nails & my real nail turns green. Then they have to remove the fake nail, treat the problem & then put on a new nail. I have switched salons several times but continue to have this happen, on & off.
I really like having acrylic nails. I have never had so much trouble before.

 

[Jersey]

A word of caution to the acrylic nail set - they can cause infection & other problems - Kat that sounds like mold growing on your nail! I'm blessed with very thick nails & hair, but I do think the 1000 mg calcium & multi-vitamin I pop every day helps w/ this. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else routinely takes vitamins & calcium & has it helped with nail strength. I've given up manicures & diving, but LOVE to have my toes painted a bright RED or a discreet French. For some reason my toes hold up in water.

As for trying lookin' good - I do it for myself. If men appreciate my attempts, so much the better! I am a wash & go gal - rarely wear makeup, wear my glasses a lot, almost never blow dry my hair - one of the advantages to truly curly hair is dab on a little product, a few finger scrunches & I'm on my way. But I keep it clean, well cut, & shiny.

For me, au natural is beautiful. This is me, take it or leave it. I admit though, I love to see my SO jaw drop when I blow dry the hair straight, dress to the nines & put on the glamour face - he thinks he has a new chick for the night!

 

[Natasha]

I don't think I've ever typed this on the baord, but I will now. I have had the acrylic nails for 6 years now. So far, I have never broke one on a dive trip.
But now, since moving to Texas, from Chicago, they have something called " Solar nails" down here. It's the same type of fill, but it is more natural and works as well or better. It's 18.00 for a refill every two weeks.
So, anyway, you might want to check into that.
I also have the natural wavy hair like Jersey. I just wash and go, but I'd love to find a way of straightening it once in awhile without damage. Anyone know how?

 

[diver_paula]

Jersey once bubbled...
A word of caution to the acrylic nail set - they can cause infection & other problems - Kat that sounds like mold growing on your nail! I'm blessed with very thick nails & hair, but I do think the 1000 mg calcium & multi-vitamin I pop every day helps w/ this. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else routinely takes vitamins & calcium & has it helped with nail strength. I've given up manicures & diving, but LOVE to have my toes painted a bright RED or a discreet French. For some reason my toes hold up in water.

Jersey,

Yes vitamins make a big difference with my nails. Growing up I always had very weak nails that loved to split. Sally Hansen's nail strengthener was my friend.

A few years ago I started taking a daily multivitamin. I didn't realize it at first but now my nails are extremely hard and healthy. I've had manicurist tell me to never get acrylics as my nails are beautiful as is. & the risk of ruining my nails isn't worth it.

So here's to vitamins!

Paula

 

[divemistress]

has anyone tried the new conair leg hair remover thingy? the one that looks like a power sander?

the blather on the box promises it will do everything from remove hair to make breakfast to change your life?

i'm dying to, but at $49 i want to hear a real person's review first.

tia,

dm

 

[Aeolus]

Sorry to be lurking on the Women's section. I happened to see this part about products and got started reading them.

This is not a recommendation of a product as much as a service. For those of you in the Dallas area, I have a good friend (also a fantastic dive buddy) who does electrolysis for permanent hair removal. She is also an RN which means that she does a very professional job.

You can leave her a message at (972) 424-7147 as she is the sole proprietor of the business. I do not know her rates, but I think that she is very reasonable.

I hope that I have not violated some rule about advertising on mthe board. I thought that this would be OK since I do not benefit from this at all.

Just tell her that Aeolus referred you. Thanks.

 

[Raven C]

I haven't been in this thread for a while but I thought about it last night when I threw a load of laundry in. I love the laundry detergent containers that have the spout on the bottom so you can despense what you need without handling the bottle.

I also just found an air freshner called "Oust." It comes in different fragrances but it is sold as an oder eliminator. I like it. I has a pleasant smell.

As far as the hair removal, I would love to find out more about the electrolysis for permanent hair removal. Nair type products burn me up in the sensitive areas. So I shave. It keeps everything nice. Very nice. The only problem is new growth. So I shave a lot. LOL I don't like the stubble. I guess I will have to check it out.

As far as the "Glamour" look. It really is nice to wow your guy isn't. But, it is a good thing that my guy doesn't get scared easily because my dive look definately isn't glamous. LOL

R

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

I don't know if it is a new product or not, but those 20 gallon ziploc bags are awesome! A dive buddy introduced me to them last weekend after a beach dive. Great to put all your wet stuff in. Big and strong enough to put your fins, wetsuit and BC in. Kept all the wet stuff in one area, and I could transport it from the car to hotel, and back again.

On a similar note... putting your wetsuit in the bag and putting it in a warm spot during your SI worked great. The suit was still wet, but at least it was warm to get back into!

 

[kelpmermaid]

Jenny, do you mean a Spacebag? It's a ziplock bag with a one way valve in it so one can squeeze out the air and the stuff takes up less room. I pack my drysuit undergarments in one of those to cut down on bulk. Works pretty well.