Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Skip Hop "Grand Central" Diaper Bag from Pinky & Company: Review & Giveaway! (Closed)
As a mom of two kids under 3 (including one in cloth diapers), saying we have to haul around a lot of stuff is the understatement of the year! The modest-sized diaper bag I received for my baby shower got the job done for my daughter, but when our son made his entrance it not longer cut the mustard, size-wise. As such, in a moment of unsound logic I dumped its contents and a bunch of other stuff into this huge, cheap-o, single pocket tote which fit everything but left us completely disorganized! ("Oh, he needs a change? Just give me 17 minutes to locate a clean diaper and a couple wipes," I'd say.) Needless to say, it didn't take long before I was shopping around for a better solution!
Enter Pinky and Company, an online family-owned and operated boutique based in Port Moody, BC, offering brand-name, designer diaper bags and other essentials for mom & baby. I discovered the company following a Google search for Canadian diaper bag retailers, and found myself quickly drooling over all the practical, stylish options for keeping organized. Upon contacting the company, the owner herself responded, taking me up on my review proposal and recommending the Skip Hop Grand Central - a diaper bag touted as being "for the mom who needs it all and takes it all". (Yup, that's me!)
...And that, my friends, was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. :D
Product Info
For the mom who needs a little extra space, this is the perfect large-size, yet super-stylish, baby bag.
Skip Hop's Grand Central diaper tote magically combines a compact modern style with an uncanny ability to hold more than you can imagine, tucked away and out of sight. High on style and superb in storage, it holds as much or as little as you want it to; it's the only diaper bag you'll ever need. Take it out for the day or away for the weekend - Grand Central's three innovative sections organize everything you need, without feeling over-stuffed.
Available in Black or Cinnamon - pick the one that's right for you!
Features:
- Baby's Section includes clear, wipe-clean zip pocket and webbing toy fob
- Mommy's Section includes zip pocket, phone pocket, and fleece-lined sunglasses pocket + 3 large, divided sections
- 11 pockets include 2 large exterior zip pockets
- 2 insulated side-pockets fit extra-wide bottles
- Main section has secure zip-top closure
- Cushioned changing pad
- Sturdy, lightweight material; water-resistant lining
- Cotton tote straps; faux leather trim
- Hangs neatly on stroller and can be worn over the shoulder
- BPA-free, Phthalate-free
- Size (inches): 18w x 13h x 6d
Cost: $108.00
Let's Take a Tour
Pinky and Company sent me a Skip Hop Grand Central diaper bag in Cinnamon. (I decided to "live dangerously" and veer away from my standard black.)
Here it is in its original glory!
Just look at all those "hungry" pockets, ready to bestow sanity upon my life!
...yet still totally manageable and sweet lookin' over mom's shoulder!
A beautiful thing, ain't it? :)
Here's a video highlighting the bag's features and how I pack it. If you prefer a written & pictorial tour, however, just skip this and read on!
As you can see from the earlier photos, the Grand Central has three main sections. This means one for each member of our family who requires a bunch of stuff - i.e., everyone except Dad! It also has two roomy side pockets.
I obviously assigned myself the "Mommy's Section" (at the front of the bag) and lemme tell ya - I'm workin' it!
First of all, the outer top pocket holds my keys & that's it. A waste of space? Not at all, considering the time and frustration I've saved NOT scrambling around at the last minute for them. They're in the key pocket. Period. Below this is a larger zipped section where I keep my other most frequently-accessed items. Money, cards, chapstick (yes, I'm addicted), pen and a couple other things. Here you can see both uber-important sections in action!
Two other items i'm prone to misplacing (my sunglasses and phone) now have dedicated homes inside the main mommy section. As you can see, I also store larger (and/or needed less frequently) items here such as hand cream & sanitizer, my nursing cover and toys for the kiddos. Opposite from the shades & phone pockets (which you can't quite see here, but trust me - it's there!) is a zipped section in which I store receipts, coupons, invoices and other paper items.
Next up - the biggest of the big sections, located in the middle of the bag and "zippable". This one's for 10-month-old CJ's goodies. Here it's stuffed with about 5 cloth diapers, a wet bag and a change of clothes, and his wipe solution bottle and wipes mini-bag which are nestled happily into their own little open pockets. (No more rooting around for these as the little guy wails in "getting pinned on my back sucks" frustration!)
The third big section is for my daughter's goodies. The main part always has a change of clothes and I'll sometimes throw in a couple books/magazines. At the back is a zipped, clear pocket which is perfect for holding her tiny little hair accessories (clips, elastics, etc.)
This section also includes a toy loop to keep baby's favourite rattle or teether at bay. I haven't used this myself but here you can see it in action.
On to the side pockets. They're both extra-roomy and insulated, so I stuff'em with bottles (obviously) as well as snacks and other items I like to have close at hand. This one's holding my daughter's sippy with almond milk and a pouch snack for my son. (The other one currently has my own water bottle and sunscreen.)
The Grand Central comes with built-in stroller clips. There's one like this on each side of the bag.
The clips are designed to work on most strollers. Here we have the bag attached to our UPPAbaby Vista. (Note - took this pic during a recent trip to Canada's Wonderland where the ability to hang it came in extra-handy, since the basket was filled with all sorts of other stuff - blankets, snacks, souvenirs, etc.! Looks like I got a little lazy here re-packing the bag after one of little man's bum changes. ;)
Finally, the bag includes a change mat. I haven't actually used this as I've replaced it with another one I own that I really like. As you can see, however, it's your standard
cushioned, foldable, wipeable variant.
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My Review
Loving It
- Practically stylish - As in, it looks good but Dad doesn't recoil in horror at the idea of sporting it.
- Fits a boatload of stuff - plenty of room for mom & two kiddos under 3 (including one in cloth diapers; the bag easily fits 5-6 dipes & associated paraphernalia)
- Extremely well designed (from an organizational standpoint) - I love that there are three main sections, each with their own special sub-sections (e.g. the sunglasses and phone pockets in the mom section). Everything is logical and I don't find anything extraneous.
- Wipes clean - both the inner and outer are pretty much impervious to nasty kid-originated messes. It all just wipes away.
- Stays upright - The base is wide, so you can set it on a flat surface without worrying that it's going to topple over!
- Straps stay put - I can't express how annoying it is when a purse or bag slides off my shoulder, especially when wrestling with a squirmy baby or toddler! Happily this isn't an issue with the Grand Central as the tote-style straps stay in place, regardless of how full or heavy the bag becomes.
- Includes stroller clips - Great built-in feature. Hanging the bag (vs. carrying or stuffing below) makes its contents more accessible and frees up the stroller basket (and your arm) for other key tasks! This is an item you need to purchase separately for many other bags.
- Durable - Lemme tell ya, I am putting this bag through the wringer and it's taking all the abuse like a champion. The material around the stroller clips, in particular, takes a lot of strain and it's not showing any signs of wear.
Could Be Better
- No cooler section - this is included in the similarly-roomy Bento line of Skip Hop bags, and would be a welcome addition to this one (if they could manage to find room for it!), as the one storage-related item we still often need to bring along is a separate soft cooler pack.
- Sunglasses pocket is on the narrow side - my own sunglasses fit just fine, but there isn't much additional room so I suspect pairs with large frames might fit very tight or possibly not at all.
- Stroller clip mechanism could be easier to work. OK I'm getting picky here. But I don't love that you need to press down on the lever (is that the right term?) to both attach and detach them. I feel that the type of clips you find on carseats (i.e. where the two parts snap together) would be more convenient, though, on the downside, this would result in some extra bulk.
Does It Last?
- 3 Month Update - The bag continues to be in "like new" condition after 3 months of regular use; no signs of ripping, staining, etc.
*** The Bottom Line *** The Skip Hop Grand Central is truly One Amazing Diaper Bag, and I'd go so far as to say it may be my absolute favourite baby-related item we own. Seriously. If you're in the market for a stylish, roomy bag with uber-organizational powers, give the Grand Central a serious look.
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Buy It
You can purchase your own Skip Hop Grand Central, or another diaper bag of your choice, directly from Pinky & Company. With several designer brands and dozens of styles, you're sure to find your perfect match! Use promo code M2MPINKY and receive 10% off your order! (Good until November 11th.)
Note - at this time, Pinky & Company is shipping exclusively within Canada. Free shipping is offered on orders over $125 (before taxes), otherwise there is a flat-rate fee of $9.99.
Win It
Pinky & Company has generously offered to give away a Skip Hop Diaper Bag (winner's choice of style & colour) to one lucky Manager to Mom reader! Open to CANADA.
To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Pinky & Company. I
received no financial compensation for writing my review or
offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample item free
of charge. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Artsy Play Wednesday {10/16} - Top 10 Sensory Activities for Toddlers + Linky
Welcome to Artsy Play Wednesday! Each week, one of the host blogs (listed above) or a guest shares an arts, crafts or play activity along with an ongoing linky list of reader-submitted ideas which you'll find below.
Manager to Mom been selected as this week's guest blog with one of my most popular posts from earlier this year: Top 10 Sensory Activities for Toddlers. If you missed it then, be sure to check it out now! These hands-on activities absolutely thrilled my 2-year-old daughter, immersing her in imaginative sensory play for (in some cases) over an hour at a time.
Here is the linky and your chance to join in and share your own children's arts, crafts and play posts. Every week 5 different craft activities from the linky will be pinned to the Artsy Play Wednesday Pinterest Board (with over 1400 followers).
PLEASE DO NOT LINK UP RECIPES unless they are made by kids.
By submitting your link and image in this linky, you are giving us permission to use and share your photo (with a link back to your post) in upcoming round-up posts on our blog.
If you are linking up today, please consider copying the following code below onto your linked up post:
Big thanks to all the APW hosts for this guest host opportunity at M2M!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Stonz Rain Bootz and Linerz: Review & Giveaway! (Closed)
Stonz is a Vancouver-based company which offers a continuously expanding selection of practical, stylish outerwear options for babies and children.
I previously partnered with Stonz to review their Booties and Youth Mittz, and today I'll be telling you all about their Rain Bootz and Rain Boot Linerz, two of their newer products. But first, if you're unfamiliar with the company, I encourage you to visit their website, check out my Booties review (which includes info on the company's roots and values) and/or view the Stonz story via this short video clip:
I previously partnered with Stonz to review their Booties and Youth Mittz, and today I'll be telling you all about their Rain Bootz and Rain Boot Linerz, two of their newer products. But first, if you're unfamiliar with the company, I encourage you to visit their website, check out my Booties review (which includes info on the company's roots and values) and/or view the Stonz story via this short video clip:
Product Info - Rain Bootz:
Keep little feet dry this season, with Stonz' brand new range of 100% Natural Rubber Rain Bootz!
Available in 4 stylish colours, they can be layered up with Stonz' Rain Boot Linerz to keep those toes extra cosy.
Features:
- 100% Natural Rubber
- Durable and tear resistant, yet flexible and comfortable
- Quick dry 100% cotton liner
- PVC-free
- Phthalate-free
- Lead-free
- Formaldehyde-free
Sizing:
Product Info - Rain Bootz Linerz:
These versatile, ivory Rain Boot Linerz will coordinate with any boy or girl rain boots adding a cozy look on those cold, damp days.
Features:
- Made of soft, fine-fibre Velour-fleece – almost silky to the touch!
- Adds a layer of warmth and comfort
- Fits in almost all tall and short rain boots
- Open seams along soles eliminate ridges and maximize comfort
Product Video:
My Review - Rain Bootz and Rain Bootz Linerz:
For review purposes, I received a pair of Grey/Black Rain Bootz and Rain Bootz Linerz, both in size 8, to test on my daughter S (now almost 3 years old).
One of the first things I noticed about the Bootz is how flexible the natural rubber material is. It can easily be twisted and bunched up like this and will bounce right back into shape.
Synthetic rain boots, by contrast, are stiffer and prone to getting misshapen when they are manipulated in this sort of way.
The cotton liner feels pleasantly soft to the touch.
The soles are very grippy - a necessity for little feet splashing around on a wet day!
Finally, the Bootz do have a "rubbery" smell, but it's not offensive. Think Sophie the Giraffe as opposed to off-gassing dollar store shower curtain liner. All in all, it's comforting to know they're free from all those narsty chemical!
The Linerz are soft & snuggly - just like the Booties variant but longer. The outer fleece is smooth and the inner is thick and plush. I tried to get my daughter to try them on as slippers, but surprisingly, she wouldn't oblige!
Happily, the material passes the "pull test" - i.e. nothing comes lose when you pinch a small section and give it a good yank.
Outfitting the Bootz with the Linerz is pretty easy - "wear" each liner like a glove, align it correctly and work it down inside.
The two layers together result in quite the stylish look! The Linerz are longer than the Bootz, so the extra fabric can either be folded down overtop (my personal stylistic preference)....
...or left upright for extra warmth around the legs.
On to the most vital factors - comfort, fit and functionality. But first, a li'l "history lesson". :)
I actually received the Rain Bootz alone this past spring but wasn't able to review them at that point due to a sizing slip-up. My daughter had just come out of size 7 winter boots so I figured 8s would be good here, but they turned out to be huge on her. And indeed, comparing one to her size 7 rain boot, it's substantially larger - much more of a difference than I'd expect to see going up one size.
Now, my contact at Stonz informs me that the Rain Bootz are produced to fit true to size (based on measurements from another company which has produced boots for 25 years), so it could be that the comparison rain boots actually fit small. In any case, since every brand seems to fit a little differently, it's always a good idea to measure a child's feet and compare against a sizing chart to ensure he/she'll be getting the right fit.
Back to our history lesson. Upon realizing S couldn't wear the boots herself this past spring, her petite (almost) 5-year-old cousin A gave 'em a whirl and they fit beautifully, so she borrowed them over the spring and summer. Meanwhile, the Linerz were being revamped, and I received my test pair of the "new and improved" version in September. A then returned the Bootz so we could test the combo together on S, which we were happy to find out was wearable (whereas the Bootz alone were still too roomy). So ultimately our sizing gaff was a Good Thing from a review perpsective, as it led to feedback from two wearers (with and without the Linerz), and gave a glimpse into longevity, which isn't possible with standard reviews.
So let's start with Miss A's experience! From her mama, T:
"[A] wore them a ton...she had 2 pairs but she always choose [the Stonz] which is impressive for a fashionista 5 year old! She wore them likely 20 times! She really liked them, comfy, worked, never leaked. She walked well in them, which is not to be said for all rain boots, some are really clunky and hard for little ones to manoeuver. The Stonz ones were 'soft' enough to get on and off easily for her, but 'hard' enough to stay on and provide a good fit."
Love this shot of her striking a pose in 'em. Fashionista indeed!!
Now onto S. Since our weather's mainly been lovely and warm since we received the Linerz, S has only worn the combo in earnest a few times. From this testing, however, I can report the following:
- The fit is quite good. Although there's still roominess at her toes, the Linerz help achieve a snug fit (and thus solid support) around her legs.
- She finds them comfortable to wear, or at least she reports them to be. Like her cousin, she's shown a distinct preference for them over her other rain boots.
- She moves well in them - jumping, hopping and even running with relative ease.
- They certainly look snazzy. Don'tcha think?
- One issue - since the Linerz aren't actually attached to the Bootz, they can come out of place when putting them on or taking them off. You need to grip the liner and boot together and manoeuver inside with some finesse. As such, my daughter (who's now adept with most shoes and boots) still needs some help with these.
One thing we haven't been able to test yet (due to the aforementioned mild weather we've been having) is the combo's warmth. I asked my contact if they have a temperature rating and he said no, not officially, though he has received anecdotal feedback from customers in colder regions of the country that they seem to keep toes really warm.
Alright, final set of topics - care, maintenance and lifespan.
The Bootz are simple to clean - in most cases, you just need to wipe down the outer and/or sole. We haven't needed to clean the cotton inner on our pair yet so I can't comment on this, however it appears they'd be easy to surface wash, and, if the liner managed to get really dirty, I don't see why you couldn't soak the whole boot with a mild detergent. (Now I want to try this and report back, but my hubby's already chastizing me for taking too long with this review. ;)
As for the Linerz, they launder perfectly on cold wash / low heat dry, so no issues here.
Finally, all signs point to Awesomeness in the longevity department. Following several months of regular use, the Bootz have suffered merely a few superficial scuff marks and some (completely expected) wear on the soles. The seams all remain intact and the overall intergrity of the rubber hasn't been compromised. By contrast, the exterior of my daughter's other rain boots has become wrinkled and scaly looking over a similar number of wearings. Here's a comparison pic to illustrate. (Note that I made sure to capture the most prominently scuffed area on the Stonz.)
Since the Linerz are made of the same material as the Booties variant, I can tell you that they have a solid lifespan too. The only thing I noticed is that they lost a little plushness over time (and after many washings).
As for constructive feedback, if there was a way to attach (perhaps via applix) the Linerz to the Bootz so they stay in place better for kiddos, that would be helpful. Expanding the available colour selection would certainly be appreciated by many folks as well.
Overall, Stonz has hit yet another home run with its Rain Bootz and Linerz combo. Now the big question - which product(s) to try next? :D
*****************************************************
THE BOTTOM LINE - Stonz Rain Bootz and Linerz
Pros:
+ Leak-proof
+ Comfortable to wear
+ 100% natural rubber / free from dangerous chemicals
+ Easy to clean
+ Grippy soles
+ Durable and long-lasting
+ Linerz are soft and plush
+ Combo (in particular) looks great together!
Cons:
- Currently only 4 shades available
- Can be challenging to keep Linerz in place - especially for young kids
*****************************************************
Buy It:
Rain Bootz and Rain Bootz Linerz can be purchased directly from the Stonz website (shipping is free within Canada and Continental USA on orders over $69.99) and from select retailers.
Win It:
Stonz has offered to give away a $20 store credit to one lucky Manager to Mom reader! Open to CAN/US.
To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Stonz. I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample items free of charge. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Wordless Wednesday: One Jump Ahead
Our 34-month-old is currently obsessed with the Aladdin soundtrack (and, well, all things Aladdin)! Here she gets her groove on and discusses Jafar's evilness with her friend K!
Friday, October 4, 2013
Dolphin Organics: Review & Giveaway! {Closed}
As a green and health-conscious mama, I'm always excited to discover new eco-friendly and toxin-free products for babies and children - especially when they're created by a company that is as committed and passionate as the one I'll be telling you about today!
Dolphin Organics is a family owned and operated business based in NY state which offers two lines of personal care products for little (and not-so-little!) ones. First launched at the Natural Products Association Marketplace in 2011, the company was subsequently chosen as one of NBC New York's feature stories for NBC Universal Green Week and then named the 2012 Best Kids Skin & Hair Care line by Delicious Living Magazine.
So why is the company making such a splash? (Pun intended. ;) Well first of all, every Dolphin Organics product can boast the standard "green & natural" claims - i.e., 100% plant-derived, free of harsh chemicals (parabens, phthalates, artificial dyes and fragrances, etc.), certified cruelty-free and vegan. Second, all products are made in the United States. Most notably, three main things set Dolphin Organics apart from their naturally-minded competition:
- All of their products use organic aloe as a base. Aloe contains 75 nutrients, hundreds of active compounds, 20 essential minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins, all which serve to nourish and protect even the most delicate skin.
- The company believes in complete transparency and simplicity in labelling, so it's plain to see which ingredients are organic, which are natural and, for some products, where the ingredient comes from and why it's used. I believe Dolphin Organics is setting an awesome standard here that other companies should strive to follow!
- In addition to thousands of hours of industry research, the company incorporated in-depth consumer feedback from real moms across the country, which has led to their continually expanding Dolphin Moms™ program.
The company's two product lines break down as follows:
- Dolphin Organics (their original line) is designed for babies and toddlers. Formulated to be gentle enough for newborns, it includes shampoo & body wash, conditioner, lotion and bubble bath. All products are certified natural, and have a pH very close to a baby's tears and skin so they are naturally tear-free. The line is also certified to NSF/ANSI 305 by QAI which means all products have to be at least 70% organic (the owner told me theirs are actually closer to 86% organic!) and all other ingredients must be agriculturally-derived and non-GMO. Additionally, all products score either a 0 or 1 on the EWG's Skin Deep cosmetics database.
- DO Naturals is intended for older children and adults. It was developed with the recognition that as children grow, their personal care needs change and baby products are no longer as effective. In addition to hair and body care, the line also includes two mineral-based SPF32 and SPF50 sunscreens. DO Naturals products are not certified organic, but many of the ingredients are and all are approved by the NPA.
All in all, I'm totally digging what Dolphin Organics (as a company) is all about. So let's get to the products themselves.
For review purposes, I was sent a Dolphin Organics Shampoo & Body Wash (8oz, Simply Citrus scent) and a DO Naturals Sunscreen SPF32 (3 oz).
Product Info - Shampoo & Body Wash:
Our tear free Simply Citrus™ Shampoo & Body Wash is made from only 100% natural and certified organic ingredients and uses organic aloe leaf juice to gently cleanse hair and skin without stripping natural oils.
My Review - Shampoo & Body Wash:
In addition to being all-natural and non-toxic, I feel a great baby shampoo & body wash should have a pleasant scent, lather well, last awhile (i.e. a little should go a long way!) and leave my children's hair manageable and soft, and their skin smooth and healthy. I'm happy to report that the Dolphin Organics Simply Citrus S&BW performs well in all these areas!
The scent is definitely citrus-y, but in a subtle, natural and invigorating way - i.e. it doesn't assault your olfactory system like most artificially-scented products! My daughter is a fan of it too. When I ask her to pick which wash she wants before bath time (out of the three we have on the go right now), she chooses the Dolphin Organics most often!
Suds-wise, the product creates an appreciable amount both for washing hair and when squirted under the faucet to create a bubble bath, which is the method we use for getting our kiddos clean.
A little certainly goes a long way with this product! I only need about a 1/4 tsp to wash my daughter's hair (less for my son), and around 1 tsp for the bubble bath. Doing the math, this adds up to between 30 and 40 baths per 8 oz bottle with both littles in the tub. That's some pretty good mileage!
When it comes to detangling hair post-bath, this shampoo is comparable to most others we've tried. Our daughter's hair does get fairly matted, but this is nothing her trusty Little Mermaid paddle brush can't handle!
Once dry, her hair is left super soft, silky and bouncy.
Now our daughter's hair is very fine so it's pretty manageable with a shampoo alone. The Dolphin Organics line does include a conditioner, however, which would surely be helpful for children with coarser and/or thicker hair in particular.
Finally, all signs point to the product being gentle on our children's skin. Both come out of the bath feeling smooth and silky, and neither have had any recent rashes, dry skin or any other related issues. So, at the very least I can vouch for the fact that it hasn't caused any issues for our kiddos!
As for criticisms, I can only come up with one and it has to do with the dispensing of the product rather than the product itself. This shampoo is much thinner than average so it runs inside the bottle rather than "gloops" (if you know what I mean). Now, the dispensing mechanism is the "pop the cap, turn upside down and squirt" variety, which works fine for thick shampoos as squeezing is required to get the product out. In this case, however, the shampoo starts running out as soon as the bottle is upside down, so it's prone to dripping down the side and over-dispensing. As such, I think a pump mechanism would work better for this particular product.
Overall, I'd whole-heartedly recommend the Dolphin Organics Simply Citrus Shampoo & Body Wash to other parents on the hunt for an all-natural, pleasant-smelling and effective shampoo and body wash for their littles.
Product Info - DO Naturals Sunscreen SPF32:
Our SPF32 mineral sunscreen offers broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection without harsh chemicals or nano particles. With active ingredients Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Protect your family from sun damage with our all natural mineral sunscreen. Like our original Dolphin Organics™ line, our sunscreen is based in certified organic aloe, not water so a little goes a LONG way!
My Review - DO Naturals Sunscreen SPF32:
A few years ago, upon discovering that many of the ingredients in "standard" sunscreens are endocrine disruptors and may be unsafe in other ways, my family switched to using mineral sunscreen (i.e. titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide based) and we haven't looked back. Our experience with several different brands demonstrated that they get the job done as well as chemical-based sunscreens, but, on the down side, it takes longer to apply them (since they create a barrier on top of skin rather than getting absorbed, you need to really work 'em in to avoid looking like a ghost) and they leave a bit of an unpleasant coating on the skin. I was certainly curious to see if the DO Naturals Sunscreen would follow suit, or if I'd have a different experience with this one.
First things first - this sunscreen is fragrance free, so it has virtually no scent - just an extremely subtle clay-like aroma. Some people may like this, others may not. I personally don't need my sunscreen to smell like a pina colada, so I'm cool with it.
Next, the consistency. This sunscreen is much more lotion-like than others we've tried, which tend to be thicker and chalkier feeling. So this was a pleasant discovery.
So the big question - how nicely does it apply? Well, about the same as the others I've tried. With its lotion-like consistency, it feels a little nicer on the skin, but you still need to put in considerable time & effort to rid yourself of that oh-so-attractive undead look. Once properly applied, however, the DO Naturals wins out in terms of "skin feel" - notably smoother with less of a caked on sensation than most of the other brands.
It also rocks mileage-wise - like the shampoo & body wash, but even more so. For example, I can cover a full arm with a dollop the size of my pinky fingertip. OK yes, I'm ridiculously skinny at this point in my life, but that's still impressive, no?? :)
As expected, this sunscreen appears to do its job just as well as the others we've tried. We've used it on long walks, at festivals and other lengthier outdoor activities and it's kept our skin totally burn-free. It stays on well when exposed to the elements, which is obviously a good thing at splash pads and pools! I'd say we haven't really "stress tested" it yet as we tend to stay out of the sun and/or cover up during peak hours, however we'll likely get the chance later this fall as we're considering an all-inclusive vacation somewhere warm and (hopefully) sunny. Ahhhh....!
All in all, the DO Naturals Sunscreen SPF32 is a solid choice for families looking for an effective mineral-based sunscreen which is safe and gentle enough to use for parents and young children alike.
Buy It:
Dolphin Organics products can be purchased directly from the company website or from numerous online and "brick and mortal" stores. Third party retailers are located mainly in the United States at this point but are beginning to branch out internationally with three stores in Canada (WholeGrain Pharmacy, Natural Life Health Market and Better Baby Bums) and and one in the UK (HealthMonthly).
Win It:
One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win a $25 store credit to spend on Dolphin Organics products! Open to CAN/US.
Important Note - if the winner lives in the United States, the store credit will be redeemable at the Dolphin Organics website; if the winner lives in Canada, it will be redeemable at WholeGrain Pharmacy.
A little more about WholeGrain Pharmacy, our Canadian sponsor - based in Vancouver, British Columbia, this store sells healthy and beauty products which contain absolutely no toxic ingredients commonly found in mainstream cosmetics and health products. Each product is hand-picked by a licensed pharmacist and was created using organic, ethno-botanical and fair-trade ingredients. The owner's goal for the store is to promote healthy living choices simply by offering effective, honestly organic products, expert advice, and a great service.
To enter this giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Dolphin Organics / WholeGrain Pharmacy (as applicable). I
received no financial compensation for writing my review or
offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample items free
of charge directly from Dolphin Organics. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.
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