Category: Product Reviews

Now that the weather is warming up and the sun is keeping the sky bright past 8pm, I figure it’s the perfect time to re-visit a few of my summer favorites!

Favorite for Keeping Our House Cool: Black + Decker 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3Nc1KDU

The upstairs of our two-story house always gets warm in the summer and last year I found the perfect way to keep us cool. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this little unit CHANGED MY LIFE. Rather than overheating in the afternoon while working in my office, or tossing and turning while sweating and trying to sleep, I stay cool as a cucumber.

You can find my full review post here: Freestanding AC Unit Review But, really all you need to know is that the unit costs $329 (as of 6/14/23), it has 4.5/5 stars with over 35,000 ratings.

We bought our last year, used it all summer, packed it away for winter, and just got it back out again. It’s magical. I feel like Elsa twirling around in the cold air. And the best part, it helps keep our energy bills down because we aren’t jacking up the downstairs heat pump.

Favorite for Keeping My Undercarriage Cool: Skimmies Slipshorts from Jockey

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3p4cRa4

I wear skirts and dresses year-round and got into the habit of wearing slipshorts when Jack was younger. Because he had the tendency to randomly grab my skirt and flash everyone my underoos. Also, a swift breeze, open staircases, roller-coasters and 95 degree days with 90% humidity.

I have 4 pairs of Skimmies in black and one in nude and some of them have lasted me for LITERALLY a decade. It’s true, I just looked up my orders and I purchased my five pairs starting in 2012 and ending in 2019. And I’ve been wearing the same pairs over and over again and they are still perfect.  

Favorite Face SPF: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/42FYtCD

I’ve shared this sunscreen a couple times already, but I’m going to share it again because it’s just THAT GOOD. This sunscreen is the only SPF I’ve ever used on my face that goes on easily, doesn’t irritate my contact lenses, is totally invisible and not even a little bit greasy. Once you rub it in, there is no scent and you can’t even tell it’s there… but you’re protected with a SPF 40 and you can even apply makeup over it.

Also, the 1.7 fl oz bottle lasts a surprising amount of time. I’ve had mine for over a year and it’s still not empty! However, when I do finally use it all up I will 100% buy another bottle.

Disclaimer: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.

It’s been about 2 months since I shared that I was looking for a new shampoo and conditioner. After a few years of using Olaplex (No.4 shampoo and No. 5 conditioner) and Moroccan Gold Series Treatment Mask as a heavy-duty conditioner, I suddenly didn’t love them anymore. I think they changed the formula of my deep conditioner and my hair was feeling just kind of sad and limp.

So, I went on a google search to find a new shampoo and conditioner combo for my fine, dry, color-treated hair (here’s the post where I talked about it).

I gathered a ton of information and then hit up my local TJ Maxx and Ulta to grab a few options to try:

After giving them all a try over the last couple months, we have a clear LOSER:

JVN Undamage Strengthening Shampoo and JVN Embody Volumizing Conditioner

I found the shampoo and conditioner for $10 each bottle at TJ Maxx and they are supposed to gently cleanse, be good for over-processed hair, minimize split ends, and add thickness and fullness to limp strands.

After using it for a few washes, it just is not a good fit for me. My hair felt very dry afterwards and certainly not very moisturized. While it had body, it was much more puffy and frizzy than I’d seen before. It was better as ‘second day hair’ after sleeping on it, but still pretty bad.

When it comes to winners, we really have TWO winners.

Pricey Winner: Pureology Hydrate Sheer Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner

If money were no object, this combo would be stocked in my shower until the end of time. I bought the trial sizes at Ulta ($10 each), because I just couldn’t commit to $35 for a bottle of shampoo and then ANOTHER $36 for conditioner. Key benefits from the Pureology people are: specifically for dry, fine hair, restores suppleness to color-treated hair, and the conditioner provides moisture and softness.

As a bonus, it smells absolutely wonderful and the shampoo foams up really well. The conditioner has menthol in it, which makes your scalp tingle and feel so nice. I LOVE the way my hair looks and feels when using the Pureology. It has body and keeps a natural wave without frizz when I let it air dry on day one. It also keeps everything looking great and moisturized without feeling greasy on day two and day three.

If I found this on sale somewhere, or at TJ Maxx for a discount I’d scoop up a half-dozen bottles and hoard them.

Shopping info:

• Pureology Hydrate Sheer Nourishing Shampoo – $35 for full size on Amazon
• Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner – $36 for full size on Amazon

Less Pricey Winner: Joico HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo and JoiFULL Volumizing Conditioner

I call this the “less pricey” winner, but if I bought it full-price off Amazon it would be similarly priced to the Pureology. However, my TJ Maxx is pretty stocked with Joico shampoos and conditioners for $10 a bottle, so I feel pretty confident that when it’s time to re-buy they will have more. The Joico adds hydration and softness for fine-to-medium, dry hair and will not weigh it down. The conditioner, also specifically for fine, thin hair, is supposed to provide instant body and long-lasting fullness.

If I hadn’t tried the Pureology, I would have been 100% happy with the Joico. My hair loves it! On day one it dries nicely with body and no frizz and on day two and three, it is still looking bouncy and shiny. No limp hairs here!

The only reasons I like the Pureology better is the minty scent, the frothy lather and tingly scalp. The Joico does a great job, it just doesn’t give me that ‘spa day in my shower’ feeling.

Shopping info (try TJ Maxx or Marshalls first!)

• Joico HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo – $42.50 on Amazon
• Joico JoiFULL Volumizing Conditioner – $24 on Amazon

So, with all that being said… this thrifty girl* is sticking with the Joico shampoo and conditioner. HOWEVER, if I come across Pureology on a super sale… all bets are off!

* Yes, I realize there are lots of cheaper shampoo and conditioners out there. My hair is high maintenance and I like the fancy stuff.

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.