Renpure Organics Shampoo & Conditioner Review + Deal at CVS

Jun 16,2011 / By Maria / 4 Comments

So again I’ll say that I’ve had a hard time switching my personal care products over to more natural alternatives. I admit, I love the way my shampoo, conditioner, soaps, body wash etc. smell and work. Since I started “CVS’ing” in 2007, I haven’t had to pay real money for any of that kind of stuff. It’s also given me the opportunity to try a lot of new brands I wouldn’t have otherwise.

I have a handful of mainstream shampoo/conditioner brands that I love. They smell good and leave my hair clean, soft, shiny and silky. At any given time, I have 4-6 bottles of shampoo (plus their matching conditioners) in my stockpile. If one of my favorites comes up free (or better than free) it goes in the back of the stockpile. If it’s not a favorite, it gets donated.

CVS usually has a lot of great deals around Thanksgiving/Black Friday, and they are open on Thanksgiving! So for the past 3 years, I’ve taken a break from cooking Thanksgiving morning and gotten a haul of good stuff. Nothing like the buzz of a great bargain shop to get you through the cooking. 🙂

Last year, CVS had Renpure Organics shampoo & conditioner on sale for $4.99, and when you bought it, you got $4.99 Extra Care Bucks back (limit 2.) Renpure has quite a selection of shampoo/conditioners, but my CVS didn’t have many. So, I got the “I love my hair” body & shine shampoo/conditioner. I’d love to try the “my savvy hair needs sleek” smoothing formula, or maybe even the revitalizing or strengthening formulas.

Anyhoo, the Renpure products do not contain sulfates, parabens, dyes, gluten, phthlates or propylene glycol. It’s made with 100% certified organic extracts and the formula I got contains hydrolyzed soy protein, green tea, chamomile and sunflower oil.

Shampoo ingredients:
•Water (Aqua)
•Decyl Glucoside
Sugar derived foaming agent based on Coconut Oil
•Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
Vegetable Oil based foaming agent
•Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Coconut Oil based mild foaming agent
•Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Sugar derived foam stabilizing agent based on Palm Oil
•Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
Certified Organic anti-inflammatory
•Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
Certified Organic anti-oxidant to protect hair color
•Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Natural protein replenishment
•Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Natural protein replenishment
•Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Certified Organic natural hair lipid
•Panthenol
Pro-Vitamine B5 moisturizing and hair repair
•Polyquaternium-10
Hair conditioning agent
•PEG-150 Distearate
Palm Oil based thickener
•Glycol Stearate
Palm Oil based pearl opacifier
•Polyquaternium-47
Hair conditioner
•PEG-100 Stearate
Palm Oil based thickener
•Cetyl Betaine
Coconut Oil based foaming agent
•Coco-Glucoside
Coconut Oil based foaming agent
•Glyceryl Oleate
Palm Oil based emulsifier
•Amodimethicone
Modified silicone hair conditioner
•Glycerin
Vegetable Oil moisturizing agent
•C11-15 Pareth-7
Solubilizer
•Laureth-9
Solubilizer
•Trideceth-12
Solubilizer
•Benzophenone-4
Sunscreen to protect hair color
•Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Food grade pH stabilizer
•Citric Acid
Fruit acid based pH adjuster
•Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
•Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
•Fragrance (Parfum)
Pineapple Olive

Conditioner ingredients:
•Water (Aqua)
•Cetearyl Alcohol
Canola Oil based emulsifier
•Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Hair conditioner derived from Rapeseed Oil
•Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
Certified Organic anti-inflammatory
•Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
Certified Organic anti-oxidant to protect hair color
•Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Natural protein replenishment
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Certified Organic source for Vitamin E
•Panthenol
Pro-Vitamine B5 moisturizing and hair repair
•Tocopherol Acetate
Vitamin E for sun protection
•Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil
Natural hair lipid
•PEG-100 Stearate
Palm Oil based thickener
•Dicetyldimonium Chloride
Palm Oil based hair conditioner
•Cetrimonium Chloride
Palm Oil based hair conditioner
•Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifier based on Palm Oil
•Stearalkonium Chloride
Palm Oil based hair conditioner
•Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Food grade pH stabilizer
•Citric Acid
Fruit acid based pH adjuster
•Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
•Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
•Fragrance (Parfum)
Pineapple Olive

It had a pleasant smell (not quite what I’m used to, but not bad) and was sudsier than I expected for a non-mainstream product.

The best part by far is that both bottles I bought had “try me free” hang tag (around the neck of the bottles) rebates. Keep in mind that I paid $10.58 in Extra Bucks, then got $9.98 back. So all it “cost” me was 60 cents Extra Bucks for the tax. Even so, I figured it was worth a stamp to try for the rebate. The forms did not limit the rebate to one per household. So, I sent both completed forms and my receipt, not expecting much. Lo and behold I was refunded for both bottles!! $9.98 was the rebate check amount, meaning the shampoo earned me $9.38 in real dollars (vs. Extra Care Bucks A.K.A. monopoly money, LOL.)

I would buy Renpure again (with a good deal of course) but I wouldn’t buy this formula again. I felt it weighed my hair down, and as though I had residue on it. It didn’t really feel clean. My husband finished the bottles because I couldn’t bring myself to use it anymore! No, it’s not exactly baking soda and apple cider vinegar, but I think it’s a good compromise for those of us would-be-crunchy ladies, who are still clutching our mainstream shampoo products in our white-knuckled, sudsy mitts. With the CVS deals, it’s certainly a great compromise for those of us who are pinching pennies too!

There’s another Renpure deal at CVS next week (6/19-6/25.) Please keep in mind that deals can be regional, so check your local ad before you buy! Renpure Organics Shampoo/Conditioner is on sale for $4.99 and when you buy a bottle, you will receive $3.00 Extra Care Bucks. That makes your net cost $1.99. Unfortunately, the limit is just one this time, so you’ll have to choose shampoo or conditioner. You can buy more than one bottle at the $4.99 price, but you will only get one $3.00 Extra Care Buck back. If my CVS has any of the other shampoo formulas I wanted to try, I might try again!

Coupon Discount Natural Personal Care Products Review Sale

Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Mouthwash Review + Deal at CVS Next Week

Jun 14,2011 / By Maria / 2 Comments

So I tried the Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Toothpaste as part of a BzzAgent campaign last year, then I tried the Tom’s of Maine Natural Deodorant a few months ago.

I’ve explained before that since I’ve been “CVS’ing” since 2007, I haven’t paid more than a few pennies (paid in CVS ExtraBucks mind you…not real money, LOL) for my personal care products, including toothpaste (I only “buy” that if they pay me to take it, and I donate a lot as it is!) deodorant and mouthwash. The deal with the deodorant was that it was on sale for $3.99, and you got $3.00 Extra Care Bucks back. It’s regularly around $5.29 for 16 ounces.

I’ve struggled with switching my personal care products to more natural alternatives, largely because I can’t bring myself to pay $5, $8 or more for things I can get for free (when they are for me anyway, my kids are worth it of course.) Even though 99 cents was “a lot to pay” I figured it was worth a try for something more natural.

If you read my deodorant review, you know that was a bust, but the deal was limit 2, and included the Wicked Fresh Mouthwash. I recently finished the bottle and it was OK. It was definitely worth 99 cents!

Here are the ingredients:

(Name/Purpose/Source)

Water/Consistency/Maine aquifer
Glycerin/Skin moisturizing/Vegetable oils
Sorbitol /Moistener/Corn (Zea mays)
Aloe vera leaf juice (organic)/Soothing feel/Organic aloe (Aloe barbadensis) plant
Propanediol (vegetable source)/Consistency/Corn (Zea Mays)
Natural flavors/Flavor/Natural oils derived from the leaves of mint and other aromatic plants
Benzoic acid (natural)/Preservative/Apples or Cinnamon leaf/bark
Zinc chloride/Fresh Breath/Derived from purified zinc from the earth
Menthol/Flavor/Brazilian cornmint (Mentha arvensis) oil

Sounds a little better than this, eh?: THYMOL (0.064%), EUCALYPTOL (0.092%), METHYL SALICYLATE (0.060%), MENTHOL (0.042%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, ALCOHOL (21.6%), SORBITOL SOLUTION, FLAVORING, POLOXAMER 407, BENZOIC ACID, SODIUM SACCHARIN, SODIUM BENZOATE, FD&C GREEN 3

Anyhoo, I’ll be honest that I don’t think it was quite as effective as the traditional stuff. My breath didn’t seem as fresh and my teeth weren’t slick-clean. However, I would continue to buy it if I can get good deals!

~~FreeVS~~ CVS has another deal on Tom’s of Maine next week, 6/19-6/25. Please keep in mind that some deals are regional,so check your local ad before you buy!!

Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste, Mouthwash or Deodorant will be on sale for $3.49 and you will get $1.00 Extra Care Buck back when you buy it (limit two.) The 6/19/11 Smart Source Coupon insert is supposed to have $1 coupon for Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste or Mouthwash, as well as a $1 coupon for Tom’s of Maine Deodorant. (Make sure you’re buying the largest paper in your area, ex: my local paper doesn’t usually have the good coupons, but the Washington Post does.) So your net cost would be $1.49 each. Not bad if you’ve been wanting to try their products, or if you already use them!

Coupon Discount Eco-Friendly/Green Giveaway Natural Personal Care Products Retailers Review

Episencial All Natural Skincare – Baby Safe Summer Skincare Review, Giveaway & Discount (CLOSED 5/23)

May 16,2011 / By Maria / 10 Comments

Episencial sells natural skincare products designed just for babies and kids. Their products don’t have any icky stuff like parabens or phthlates, are manufactured using solar power, and are packaged in recycled and sustainable materials!

I received the SPF 35 Sunny Sunscreen (the MSRP for a 4 oz tube is $14), the SPF 6 Protective Face Balm (MSRP $5.99 for .75 oz) and the Soothing Cream (MSRP $10.99 for 4 oz.)

The sunscreen blocks UVA and UVB rays with zinc and titanium. It contains organic green tea extract, sesame, safflower and avocado oils, so it’s great for baby’s skin! Beeswax and organic shea butter make the sunscreen water resistant (not petroleum or chemicals.)

I have “issues” with the texture and feeling of products, but I love this Episencial sunscreen. It goes on smoothly without a lot of leftover white goop, and it doesn’t feel greasy. I am used to applying water resistant sunscreen, then washing my hands with soap 10 times to get the gross feeling off, and finding greasy spots all over everything my kids touched or leaned on!

The face balm is perfect for faces and lips, and contains aloe vera, cocoa butter and shea butter to soothe and moisturize. It’s fortified with vitamins A, C,D & E and contains raspberry juice, cranberry extract and grape seed.

Like the sunscreen, it has a nice texture and isn’t too heavy or greasy.

The soothing cream is perfect for itchy, irritated skin. It contains probiotics, cucumber extract, aloe vera, borage seed oil, jojoba seed oil, oat extract, safflower, green tea, neem oil and calendula extract. All ingredients are designed to soothe and heal dry skin and ezcema.

Keeping with the theme, it has a wonderful texture as well!

You can view complete and up to date ingredients lists on Episencial’s website. Be sure to check out Episencial on Facebook and follow Episencial on Twitter to keep up on all the latest! Check out the Episencial Store Locator to see if these great products are available near you.

Skin Cancer Awareness Month Special: Did you know it was skin cancer awareness month? Episencial has a deal for you this week only (May 16th-23rd) at Dermstore.com.

Offer: Get 15% off all Episencial products with the purchase of Episencial Sunny Sunscreen!
Promo code: DSSUNNY.
Offer valid: May 16-23 only.

Giveaway: Episencial is offering one of my readers an Episencial Suncare Kit containing a 4 oz SPF 35 Sunny Sunscreen, .75 oz SPF 6 Protective Face Balm and .75 oz Soothing Cream. The combined value of these products is $30, the ARV of the kit is $14.99.

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love comments (great way to remind yourself you entered) but comments do not count as entries.

Mandatory entries include your name, and email address. You may receive a bonus entry if you “like” The NEW Change-Diapers.com page. Please note: this is a new page. You must like the new page to receive this bonus entry. Feel free to “unlike” the old page after you do!

I will accept entries until Monday, May 23rd, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.

# of entries received as of giveaway close: 187

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FTC compliance: I received the pictured items at no cost in order to review them. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Disclosure: This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, nor associated with Facebook. By entering, you release Facebook from any responsibility and understand that the information entered on this form will not be disclosed to Facebook.

Giveaway Natural Personal Care Products Review

ReNew Life Probiotics Review & $50 Gift Certificate/Code Giveaway (CLOSED 5/5)

Apr 28,2011 / By Maria / 1 Comment

Brenda Watson founded ReNew Life in 1997, and now ReNew Life is the leading digestive care company found in health stores in the U.S. and Canada. Brenda is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and has a special on PBS: The Road to Perfect Health – Balance Your Gut, Heal Your Body, an in-depth look at how chronic diseases start with an unhealthy digestive system. You can check the PBS schedule to see when it will be on, and also view clips on Brenda’s YouTube page.

ReNew life has all kinds of probiotics, and they even have a tool to help decide which probiotic is right for you. They also have Digestive Enzymes (which I am definitely going to look for!), Omega Supplements, Fiber Supplements and many more products for your digestive and overall health.

I’ve heard lots of talk about probiotics over the years, but I had never tried them until a few months ago. In February, my husband and daughter both were on antibiotics, so I sent my husband to our local organic market to look for probiotics. I had read that probiotics would help keep their bodies’ natural balance and avoid nasty side effects from the antibiotics.

He didn’t really know what he was looking for (and I didn’t really know what to tell him to look for) so he asked an employee. He was told that ReNew Life was “the best,” and he bought the Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion (MSRP $37.99/30) for himself, and the Flora Bear for Kids (MSRP $14.99) for our daughter.

The adult probotics are easy to swallow, and are enteric-coated, delayed release capsules, so they dissolve in your intestines (instead of your stomach) so they can do their work.

The Flora Bear probiotics have a cute bear design, are easy to chew (not too chalky) and taste good. They are mildly sweet and have an orange flavor.

After our first experience with probiotics, I wasn’t thinking they were some sort of miracle, but no one suffered any ill effects from the antibiotics! When we all got the stomach bug a few weeks later, my husband and I were both frantically digging in the fridge for leftover probotics!

Without making this post “TMI,” I have always had “issues” with my digestive system, and they have been pretty unbearable over the past few weeks (anyone with IBS can sympathize!) I picked up a bottle of the Ultimate Flora Critical Colon 80 Billion (first picture in the post) to try. The MSRP is $49.99, but they were $42.99 at my store. It seems awfully expensive for 30 pills but first of all, you only have to take one per day. Plus, really? I have told my DH that I would gladly pay more than that in exchange for living my life without always having my digestive system on my mind and suffering daily.

After taking these once daily for a little over a week, I actually felt “normal.” It was pretty darn amazing.

I received a bottle of the Buddy Bear (MSRP $13.99) probiotics to review. Like the Flora Bear, they have a nice, easily chewable texture and a mildly sweet orange flavor.

They are recommended for children 2 and up, but my 23-month old son has been taking them too. Both of my kids love them and ask for them every day!

I really feel like Brenda Watson and ReNew Life know digestive health, and their products work. I’ll continue to buy them, since they are working so well for us.

Please note that I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on the internet. Do not confuse my opinions for medical advice. Digestive issues can be signs of serious illness. IBS symptoms can be similar to far more serious problems such as: Colon Cancer, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac, Bowel Obstructions, Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis, Gallstones, Food Allergies/Intolerances, Bacterial Infections, Intestinal Parasites, Ovarian Cancer and even Endometriosis. If you are experiencing digestive distress more than occasionally, it’s very important that you see your doctor to rule out other diseases.

Giveaway: ReNew Life is offering one reader a $50 Gift Certificate to spend on anything they like at ReNewLife.com!

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love comments (great way to remind yourself you entered) but comments do not count as entries.

Mandatory entries include your name, and email address.

You may receive bonus entries if you 1. “Like” my new Facebook page (Please note this is a new page titled Change-Diapers.com. You must like the new page for this entry, feel free to “unlike” the old Fitteds and Pockets and Snappis, Oh My! page after you do.) 2. “Like” Brenda Watson on Facebook and/or 3. Sign up for Brenda Watson’s Newsletter (right column of the page, third heading down.

I will accept entries until Thursday, May 5th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.

# of entries received as of giveaway close: 116

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FTC compliance: I received the Buddy Bear Probiotics at no cost in order to review them. Other items were purchased at normal retail prices. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Natural Personal Care Products Review

Tom’s of Maine Natural Deodorant Review

Mar 24,2011 / By Maria / 44 Comments

Fair warning that this post talks about perspiration/smelly pits. 🙂

I’m going to be perfectly honest here; I really enjoy my “mainstream” personal care products. They work, they smell good, and since I “CVS,” I usually get them for free, “better than free,” or pennies. I know though, that the chemical filled products aren’t good for me, especially anti-perspirants that contain aluminum. So, I’m trying to take baby steps to switch things over to more natural choices.

CVS had a deal a while ago on Tom’s of Maine products, where they were $3.99, with $3.00 Extra Care Bucks back, limit 2. This deodorant cost me a net of 99 cents (haven’t paid that much in years!), but since I paid with extra bucks, I figured it wasn’t too bad. I chose the fresh apricot scent, but it comes in several others as well.

Here are the ingredients (no aluminum):

Name/Purpose/Source

Propylene glycol/Consistency/Natural gas from the earth
Water/Consistency/Maine aquifer
Sodium stearate/Stabilizer/Vegetable oil
Aloe vera leaf juice (organic)/Soothing/Organic aloe (Aloe barbadensis) plant
Witch hazel water/Soothing/Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) plant
Zinc ricinoleate/Deodorancy/Zinc oxide and castor bean (Ricinus communis) plant
Glyceryl laurate/Deodorancy/Vegetable oils
Chamomile flower aqueous extract/Soothing/Organic chamomile (Matricaria recutita) flowers
Apricot fragrance (natural)/Pleasant smell/Natural plant essential oils
Hops [CO2] extract/Deodorancy/Hops (Humulus lupulus) cones
Caprylic/capric triglyceride/Consistency/Coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil and glycerin
Ascorbic acid/Antioxidant/Corn (Zea mays) or molasses
Silica shells/Fragrance duration/Sand

The deodorant went on really smoothly, almost like a gel solid. It smelled really nice, but not too strong and not too “fruity,” despite the apricot scent.

I do tend to perspire a good bit, especially when I’m nervous (which is like, always.) Luckily, I don’t really have a stinky B.O. smell. Still, I don’t really want to smell that natural, musky scent. I know some people don’t mind it, pheromones and all, blah blah…I’m not one of them, LOL.

So while testing this, I felt like Molly Shannon’s SNL character, Mary Catherine Gallagher. I felt like I was constantly sniffing myself. Hee hee. While it smelled great at first, it very quickly seemed to “wear off” and I could “smell myself” again. I tried reapplying every few hours at home, and that seemed OK. I wanted to give this a fair shake, so I used it for about a week or so.

The other morning, I applied my deodorant, and went for a walk about an hour later. It wasn’t terribly warm; around 45 when we started, and warmed up a bit as the sun came out. By the time I finished a 45 minute walk, I felt like I smelled, and a sniff made me feel like I hadn’t put anything on at all.

So, this deodorant is definitely not for me, I’m sticking with my usual for now, but I know lots of people swear by Tom’s of Maine deodorant!

I really want to find a great natural deodorant before my daughter needs to wear it. I know, she’s only 6…but kids seem to need it earlier and earlier, and she will be a pre-teen before I know it! I know there are differing opinions on the link between aluminum/parabens and breast cancer, but if I can find a product without them, why not use it?

FTC compliance: I paid normal retail price for this product. I was not compensated in any way for this post, and all opinions are my own.

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Category : Natural Personal Care Products

Renpure Organics Shampoo & Conditioner Review + Deal at CVS

Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Mouthwash Review + Deal at CVS Next Week

Episencial All Natural Skincare – Baby Safe Summer Skincare Review, Giveaway & Discount (CLOSED 5/23)

ReNew Life Probiotics Review & $50 Gift Certificate/Code Giveaway (CLOSED 5/5)

Tom’s of Maine Natural Deodorant Review

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