I Tried Weird Period Products So You Don’t Have To

I’ve been surfing the crimson wave since I was 9 years old (really. NO REALLY) so I’ve tried just about every period product out there — starting with maxi pads the size of a five-subject notebook. Necessity became the mother of my period experimentation. Any given month, a shortage of pads or tampons would leave me holding some strange, reusable product at the pharmacy and wondering, "What if I never had to buy tampons or pads againt?" So, for your information and reading pleasure (or just to distract from the cramps), a summary of my adventures in reusable period products:

The Soft Cup

This lady device looks like a pink jelly bracelet with a little pouch. There’s a reusable one that lasts your whole cycle and a disposable one that you toss out after 12 hours. Gotta love choices. Since I use the Nuvaring for my birth control, this ring didn’t seem too intimidating, but after my first failed attempt, I ended up watching the tutorial to get a better sense of what the heck to do. After I figured out exactly how to get it in, the Soft Cup felt comfortable. Best of all — no leaks — way better than those supposedly SUPER HEAVY tampons (There’s nothing super about you, tampon). Like I said, it can stay in for 12 hours, then I just rinsed it with soap and hot water and reinserted. And if you hate when your period cock blocks you, you can even have sex while wearing the Soft Cup. Bonus.
Price: $8
Grade: A-. What it lacks in ease of use it makes up for in being able to have clean sex on your period.

The Moon Cup

When I first saw this clear silicone cup, I thought to myself, "How is that going inside of me?" You’re supposed to fold it into a C-shape, pop it in, and leave it for 12 hours. There’s a trim-able stem at the bottom that’s like the string at the end of a tampon. I had no problem inserting it. Great! But then I had to remove it. The instructions say to gently pull on the stem and then pinch the bottom of the cup with your thumb and forefinger. (You need to pinch to release the suction of the cup. DON’T BE SCARED. GO WITH ME.) Of course, I did the exact opposite thing and yanked on the stem repeatedly. Nothing. Then panic set in when I thought I’ll never getting this out or have sex again. The thought of a celibate life motivated me to calm the eff down and try again. I took a few yogic breaths and pressed down with my pelvic muscles, tilted myself downwards, and pinched the bottom. Success! I used a pantyliner in case there are any leaks, but there weren't. Not one red dot. Plus, I like the set-it-and-forget method of leaving it in for 12 hours because I’m lazy.
Price: $35
Grade: A, after momentary panic attack. Less leaks and less commitment than tampons.

GladRags

Don’t you hate when guys in high school used to say to you, “What’s wrong with you? Are you on the rag?” WHY YES I AM. Don’t mess with me or I’ll do this. 

Seriously, guys, just leave us alone.

GladRags are cotton pads that you wash and reuse. They come in pretty colors and fabrics. Mine literally had a bird on it. The basic gist is that you wear it, wash it, and use it again. They come in pantyliners, day pads, and night pads. The day and night pads have removable liners that fit into a cotton envelope so you can make it as thick or thin as you need. Pile on the liners if you just want to sit in front of your TV/laptop, binge watching Orange Is the New Black with a pint of chocolate ice cream dotted with chocolate chips covered in chocolate. I used mine as pantyliners when I wore the Moon Cup. GladRags were totally easy to hand wash and dry. I did wash a pad with red roses on it for a while, thinking, "Why aren’t these stains coming out?" so, um, maybe don't get the ones with red patterns. But the main thing I loved was the no-itch factor. You know what I’m talking about. You’re in a nice restaurant and you’re trying not to itch your vag because that stupid pad is all up in your business. With the cotton liners, there’s no itch. I barely even felt it. And they’re so pretty.
Price: $15 to $20
Grade: B. Comfortable and cute, but a tiny bit gross as a full pad.

The final verdict: I’m a convert. Really. Actually. I'm going to use these things. I’ll be using the Moon Cup as my regular monthly with a GladRag pantyliner, and the Soft Cup if I want to get frisky. This is not an exaggeration.

Jennifer Chen is a freelance writer who lives in Los Angeles.

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Photo credit: NBC

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10 Great Beauty Products Under $10

Looking for a treat but don't want to splurge? Check out these 10 inexpensive beauty products perfect for winter that'll make you look (and feel) like a million bucks.

1. Come clean

Survive cold season in style with a chic hand sanitizer.L'Occitane Lavender Hand Purifying Gel, $8, usa.loccitane.com.

2. Mint Condition

Detangle strands with spearmint-spiked conditioner. Herbal Essences Naked Moisture Conditioner, $5, drugstores.

3. Lilac Lacquer

An opaque finish gives this normally sweet pastel some edge. CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Lav-Endure, $5.50, drugstores.

4. Dream On

Scent sheets with lavender, catch zzz's, repeat. Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Lavender Vanilla Pillow Mist, $10, bathandbodyworks.com.

5. Sea the Light

Spark this trendy little tin, and breathe in hints of coconut, sea grass, and orange flower. Illume Mediterranean Essential Mini Tin Candle, $9, illumecandles.com.

6. Stripped Bar

All-natural, veggie-based soap leaves skin silky. Le Couvent Des Minimes Pure Vegetable Soap, $7, usa.lecouventdesminimes.com.

7. Spray and Wash

Give makeup brushes a weekly bath. Just spritz on this and rinse. Sonia Kashuk Brush and Sponge Cleanser, $6.69, Target.

8. No Sweat

Chamomile and vitamin E soothe underarms with every swipe. Dove Go Sleeveless Soothing Chamomile, $4, drugstores.

9. Whip It

Finally, a shave cream that hydrates without clogging your razor. EOS 24-Hour Moisturizing Shave Cream in Lavender Jasmine, $3.49, drugstores.

10. Plum Perfect

Use each shade solo, or layer for a smoky violet stare. L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Eye Shadow Quad in Stacked Heels, $7.95, drugstores.

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Hey, Hey...It's Earth Day and These Beauty Products Give Back in a Major Way

Earth Day isn't just for the crunchy granola types. Even you, the deodorant-wearing, makeup-loving girl, can make a difference when it comes to this day that's all about giving back to our planet.

Take these beauty products for example:

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye and Cheek Palette, $38, tartecosmetics.com. Not only are there awesome waterproof neutral matte and shimmery eye shades in this palette, there's a two-tone bronzer and a coral cheek shade that's universally flattering, too. Why we're touting it for Earth Day? It's made of recycled materials and it's recyclable once you've used it all up.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil + Radiance, $48, josiemarancosmetics.com. Model Josie Maran created the Model Citizen Campaign in honor of Earth Day to give back in some way. This year, she teamed up with Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder and together they created the limited-edition packaging for the existing argan oil product within her line (made from recycled glass that's also recyclable once you've blown through it). Regardless of how you use it—as a moisturizer, cuticle treatement, hair hydrator, oil regulator—you can rest assured that ten percent of sales will be donated to the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, founded by the actor and activist, to help build the ISF Animal Sanctuary. A project dedicated to rehabilitating neglected, mistreated and misunderstood animals.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores, $19, origins.com. This complexion-clearing mask draws dirt and bacteria out of your pores, unclogging them thanks to white china clay, which absorbs environmental toxins and lecithin that helps dissolve impurities. As if this mask could get any better, for every one sold, Origins will plant a tree from April 21 to April 28—and it's packaged in 50 percent Forest Stewardship Council certified paperboard with 50 percent post-consumer recycled fiber. 

The Limited-Edition Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Face Cream, $47, kiehls.com. On behalf of the limited-edition Earth Day line, in which two celebrities Alanis Morissette and Zachary Quinto designed the packaging for, Kiehl's will donate $50,000 to Recycle Across America to help make recycling more simple and effective in schools across the United States. The not-for-profit organization is dedicated to delivering society-wide solutions that eliminate public confusion, stimulate the environmental economy, and expedite progress. Bonus: The face creams come in recyclable packaging.

Aveda Light The Way Candle 2013, $12, aveda.com. The latest candle from Aveda gives off a spicy aroma of vanilla, cinnamon, and ylang ylang, created with 100 percent certified organic ingredients. Plus, the glass that encompasses it is made from 100 percent reclaimed beverage bottles and packaged in 70-90 percent post-consumer recycled paper, including some leftover Aveda packaging scraps. #Awesome.

So, will you be giving back to the planet in a beautiful way by picking up these get-pretty products?

Photo: Courtesy Images

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Are Gluten-Free Beauty Products a Gimmick?

Gluten-free diets? We're in. Gluten-free beauty products? We're still on the fence.

To find out what a certified someone had to say about the latest beauty craze, we called up Dr. Frank Lipman, Integrative & Functional Medicine Physician and founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center, for his take on the formulas in question.

"If you have celiac, using—or not using—gluten-free beauty products won't make a huge difference," he says. "Especially since when they get absorbed, the formulas don't ever reach your gut, which is where gluten causes an issue."

"Eating gluten-free is much more important—whether you have celiac or not," says Lipman.

That said, if you do have celiac and want to cut gluten out in all areas of your life, knock yourself out—it can't hurt, and Lipman agrees.

Will you be hunting down gluten-free beauty loot from now on?

Photo: thinkstockphoto

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Why Gel Products are Perfect for Summer

Hot, sticky, summer months call for lightweight skin care and makeup—period. Think of it like this: You lighten up your wardrobe in the summer, so you should do the same with your beauty routine. 

That's why we love gel-based products in the summer. They're better for your skin than lotions and creams when it's hot out because they let your skin breathe, don't clog your pores, and feel lighter on, says Sarah Neumann, MMS, PA-C, owner of Ahwatukee Skin & Laser, a general and surgical dermatology practice in Phoenix, AZ.

Plus, they don't cause acne flare-ups, since they're oil-free.

Three to try: Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream, $6.29, cvs.com, Sue Devitt 70% Seaweed Gel Foundation, $38, amazon.com, Molton Brown Vitalising Vitamin AB+C Body Hydrating Gel, $39.06, amazon.com.

Will you be swapping out your usual lotion, cream, or foundation this summer?

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