Milk and Cookies
with Kristen
I'm a mother of five, a bargain hunter, a recreational comparison shopper, and always trying to make more time - for me and for you, too. On this blog I'm sharing my favorite tools and finds to help make your work-life juggle a bit easier.
You can find my personal blog at Swistle.blogspot.com.
Disappointing purchases: keep me from making more of them
Categories: Beauty, Health and Safety, House & Home, Toddler gear
I seem to be on a roll recently with disappointing purchases. One person’s bad purchase can be another person’s good purchase, especially when the problem is with a purely subjective things such as scent or flavor, but it can still be helpful to know what someone else wouldn’t buy again. I’ll tell you mine, and then you tell me yours and maybe I can get off this roll.
This one was totally my own fault: I KNOW I don’t like fruit scents. But I love Consumer Reports, and they rated the Gain Joyful Expressions fabric softener very highly, and Target only had it in Apple Mango Tango scent. In the washing machine, it smells like apple cider. After the clothes are dry, the scent reminds me of a faint lingering mildew smell. It’s a great fabric softener, though, and someone who likes apple-scented stuff would probably love it. Er, perhaps not after I’ve said it smells like mildew.
I got a tube of Aquafresh Extreme Clean Original Experience on clearance, and it seemed like a good way to try it. And it WAS a good way, because none of us liked the flavor: it tasted kind of like an orange-scented kitchen cleanser, or like medicine. And it didn’t seem to be any more Extreme than our usual Colgate Total.
I found these Kandoo flusable wipes on a great sale and thought they seemed like the perfect thing for the kids. But they’re difficult to get out of the container, they were insufficiently damp (I had to add some water), and the real dealbreaker is that they’re TINY: each one is about half the size of a baby wipe. In fact, the only thing they’ve got going for them is that they can be flushed, which IS a plus.
I recently decided to spend more on moisturizer, and since I love the Dove Deep Moisture facial lotion I thought I’d step it up with the more-expensive Dove Pro-Age. But it was GLITTERY. It claims to give “smooth, luminous skin,” but they seem to think glitter = luminous. I disagree. I tolerated the glitter for a week, hoping it would be worth it for the wonders being worked on my aging skin, but I didn’t notice any differences. I went back to my usual Dove Deep Moisture: it’s cheaper, and I like it a lot better.
I’m interested to know: What wouldn’t you buy again?
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This one’s easy - Tom’s of Maine brand deodorant. BLECCH.
Jamie | June 24th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I found the new Johnson & Johnson “Melt Stress Away” lotion in the travel aisle, and since I was traveling, I thought, what the hay, right? Wrong. I love the Baby Sleepytime stuff (we call it the “purple stuff” in our house), but this is not nearly as cool. Less moisturizing, less scented, and twice as expensive. Stick with the babeh stuff.
Sarah Lena | June 24th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Be careful with the “flushable wipes.” Just because they say they’re flushable doesn’t mean they’re biodegradible. Those Kandoo wipes don’t break down, and could cause backups in your plumbing. Take it from someone who knows personally.
Cori | June 24th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Last time I was in for a haircut, the stylist talked me into Aveda “Confixor” liquid styling gel. She insisted that just a half teaspoonful would calm my hair-frizzies and make it style up great. well, no dice… every time I use it, it feels like I have glue in my hair. So now I have a bottle that’s 90% full (and cost me $18), do you want it??
Jennifer | June 24th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I don’t have any to add, but I have to agree with the Aquafresh. It’s horrible. I couldn’t figure it out, but you’re right, it tastes just like kitchen cleanser. Which would be fine if I was cleaning my kitchen…
Kristen | June 24th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I love the Apple Mango Tango powder detergent… I can only find it at certain dollar stores here in Indiana. *sigh* i just love the way it smells and it leaves my clothes nice… I never use fabric softener because it adds build up on fabric (oils) that make them less absorbent.
aoife | June 24th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Any flavor of kid toothpaste that isn’t the extremely-hard-to-find Strawberry Shortcake strawberry flavor has been a bust in our house. And I can’t say I blame the kids. Bubble Mint? What kind of a flavor is that?
Nowheymama | June 24th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Right before I got pregnant with my son I bought Tom’s of Maine Fennel Flavored Toothpaste. For those who haven’t experienced the fab flavor that is fennel, it kind of tastes like black licorice but more herb-ish. I didn’t know I was pregnant with my son for 3 months because I thought it was the toothpaste that was making me puke every morning. And to answer everyones question, yes, I kept using it even though it was gross…I was indeed too cheap to waste even that bad of a purchase.
amber | June 24th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Jennifer, I hate the Aveda Confixor, too. All the stylists love it, what the hell? Now I use the defining whip (in case that is any help to you).
Marie | June 24th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Last week I noticed my Matrix Sleek Look shampoo and conditioner was nearly out and I’m not do to go back to the salon for a while so I decided to try John Frieda Sheer Blonde shampoo and conditioner that I found at Walgreens.
My hair feels like sandpaper. I can hardly believe the change… it is shocking.
I will NEVER buy this shampoo and conditioner again.
Staci | June 24th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I have to say that I would not buy Aveda Rosemary Mint shampoo/conditioner anymore. I love when my stylist uses it at the salon. In fact, I always ask for it. But everytime I buy it and use it at home it leaves my hair dry and strawlike. One of the big reasons I love it at the salon (besides the smell) is that it makes my scalp tingle. No tingling ever went on in my own shower.
I agree on the Kandoo wipes and the Aquafresh Extreme clean. I once bought a bunch of Aquafresh on sale with coupon and I had my husband just use it until he finally begged me to give it away to a local charity. I felt bad even doing that!
Lettie | June 24th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I will never buy that Crest ProHealth mouthwash again, since I was one of the ‘minority’ of people whose teeth turned BROWN from using it! I kept wondering why my teeth were looking worse, and stepping up the oral care routine including use of the dang mouthwash! HORRORS.
Michelle | June 25th, 2008 at 1:01 am
I didn’t like that ProHealth mouthwash either; no brown stains but it did leave a horrible taste in my mouth for hours. But even worse was the Smart Mouth mouthwash. Really insanely expensive (even with the sizeable coupon I had), and once I got it home I realized that the bottle I bought was only a 15 day supply. But who cares, since I only lasted two measley days. It made my mouth NUMB, followed by hours of horrible taste. I kept drinking and eating, trying to get the taste to go away. And I didn’t really notice significantly fresher breath.
Also, the Quaker Simple Harvest multigrain hot cereal, the vanilla almond honey flavor, is staring at me pathetically from the cabinet. I thought it tasted like it had dirt in it. But I could choke it down if all that fiber would fill me up for a few hours - but it didn’t.
Oh and that Jergens Natural Glow lotion. I need to just give up on self-tanners. I KNOW they all give my skin that dirty, sweaty smell that drives me NUTS by the end of the day. There’s nothing wrong with this particular lotion, except it is no better than any of the others. I used it for most of a week, got a little bit of color that didn’t look too bad, but I-just-can’t-take-the-smell.
LT | June 25th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Any kind of lip plumper. If I wanted to look like I’d just wacked myself in the face with a frying pan I’d just go ahead and do it… no need to spend money for the same effect. What the hell. Does this work for anyone? The burning! The swelling! The facial blotchiness. Seexxxy.
Jess | June 25th, 2008 at 2:53 am
Garnier Fructis brilliantine shine wax.
Use if you want to look like you haven’t washed your hair for many, many, many days.
Anna | June 25th, 2008 at 4:15 am
I actually really like the Kandoo wipes…I have a four year old that isnt great with the wiping so they work perfect for him. Ive never had an issue with them being too dry and the size works great for his little hands. If I run out of baby wipes I sometimes grab a couple of these as well but I wouldnt be able to use just one on a baby because they are small for adult hands.
The toothpaste though is a definate no in our house. We had some free samples a while back and ended up throwing them out…and thats all the flavors!
Cherish | June 25th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I detest all of the Garnier hair products. Every single one gave me horrible tangles.
JMH | June 25th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Arbonne NutriMinC RE9 RElease Deep Pore Cleansing Masque. A friend had an Arbonne party so I bought a couple of things. Ridiculously overpriced at $30-something a tube. Made my skin feel nice but didn’t do a shred for pore cleansing as it says.
vlynn | June 25th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I hate Garnier hair products and I LOATHE the Avenda Confixor! I specifically asked for something that would make my wavy hair less frizzy and more beachy but the Confixor somehow managages to make my thick hair look thin and frizzy. HATE.
fatbridesmaid | June 25th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I’m going along with the Aveda hating to add that I really don’t like any of Aveda’s conditioners. They just don’t feel like anything is going on your hair and doesn’t detangle at all.
I had heard a lot of people raving about Arbonne products, so I tried a couple of things and hated them both (lip gloss and sunscreen).
Mary O | June 25th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I have purchased a few crap items lately.
The worst by far was Lipton Sidekicks in the Teriyaki noodle flavor. I t was so terrible even my husband threw it out.
I also hated the stain remover with the two solutions that “blend” when you squeeze it. It not only didn’t remove any stains at all - but actually faded some clothing and left the grease on top of the faded spot!
As far as Arbonne goes the adult stuff has made me break out severely - but I adore their baby line. The diaper cream and sunscreen rock.
Sleepynita | June 25th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I have to say I totally agree with the comments on the Aqua Fresh and Garnier products. We’ve used the Pro-Health with no bad effects, but now I’m scared — brown?! I don’t understand how the industry gets away with marketing products that are simply no good!
BlapherMJ | June 25th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I have been wracking my brain for an answer but so far, I haven’t come up with anything. I will say, however, that you commenters are the funniest damn people! I have been over here cracking up!
Leeann
niccofive.blogspot.com
Leeann | June 25th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Windex with Ammonia D foaming action — Streak-Free Shine! version.
Leaves milky, slightly translucent streaks everywhere.
Kristin D | June 26th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Wow! I had that terrible taste experience with the Pro Health Mouthwash as well! I complained about it to hubby and he looked at me like I was crazy! Nothing, and I mean NOTHING would get rid of that taste. It had to wear out, and it was well after lunchtime before it abated - early evening if I remember correctly.
Coppertone Baby sunscreen. We use coppertone sunscreen (sport) but I forgot that it has a tendency to melt into our eyes - which is why we converted from the lotion to the spray on stuff. I took sweet JB to a very sunny and hot horse event, lathered her all up with the sunscreen only to have her dissolve into tears 5-10 minutes into the expedition, wiping at her eyes frantically. I doused a burp cloth in water and tried to wipe it away, with very little success. Poor Punkin!
chraycee | June 26th, 2008 at 4:46 am
re: the Aveda products sucking.
I once bought some hair spray from an salon that carried their line and I hated it. The next time I went in there, I mentioned that I hated it and they said that no matter how much was used that Aveda takes back their product and either gives you money back or lets you exchange it.
So, maybe give the place you bought it at a call and see what they say? Cause DAMN that sh*t is expensive and doesn’t need to sit around in the cabinet or the trash, right??
honeybecke | June 26th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Um…Kandoo “claims” to be flushable. Take it from the girl who has had to call our home warranty company TWICE now…they aren’t. They get caught up in your pipes and will prevent your toilet from flushing as it should.
Melis | June 26th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Oh, I don’t really have anything to add except that even though I grew up a Crest Kid…that mouthwash is horrific. I gave up and told my roommate to use it, since she didn’t have a problem with it, even though it made my mouth feel NUMB for hours. I couldn’t taste anything and my tongue felt…gummy. Ew.
I’m also with LT in that I haven’t found a self-tanning lotion that didn’t make me feel like I smelled dirty. Bleh.
chellebird | June 26th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
BORGHESE Fango Active Mud - this stuff burned! I don’t have particularly sensitive skin and this body/face mud felt like it was burning me…not good.
Liv | June 26th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Stupid Scotchbrite Cooktop Cleaner. Sucks my butt. I purposely let my rice boil over to test it, and it took way more scrubbing and then some extra detergent to get off just that little bit than with Ceramabrite. Grrr.
Tessa | June 28th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Dial ColorClean-with “timer beads technology” I thought it would be great for the kids. I even liked it when I used it and it did make me wash my hands longer than usual.
Do not get this if you have kids! Dark blue dye everywhere.
St | June 30th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
i love love love the gain apple mango tango…not mildewy at all
i hate hate hate the kandoo shit and gave up and just put wipes in the bathroom for brandon!
misguided mommy | July 6th, 2008 at 8:25 pm