Product Reviews This Week: Micro Touch Magic, Foot Gym, Pedi Pad
Product Reviews This Week
This is my second installment featuring quick previews of several products advertising this week. Disclaimer: My preliminary reviews below are sight unseen, based solely on my experience with evaluating new products, and not based on any first-hand experience with these products (yet). All of the items below I am currently researching for further review.
Products this week include:
- Super Thrive
- Everbearing Climbing Spinach
- Micro Touch Magic
- Micro Mug
- Purific Skin Serum
- Foot Gym
- Love My Head and Neck Protectors
- NoNo Ultra
Super Thrive Review
What is Super Thrive? This is a concentrated nontoxic vitamin solution for plants. To use, you just mix a small amount with water and add to your plant’s soil. This is said to lead to stronger plants and more vigorous roots. It is highly concentrated, and a little goes a long way, around 3 ounces per 100 gallons of water. Super Thrive has been around for decades, and maintains a legion of avid supporters who leave glowing reviews. If you’ve used other plant foods without luck, you may want to give Super Thrive a try.
It can be used for seedlings, transplants, weakened plants, herbs, flowers, trees, etc. By no means do I have a green thumb, but I know people who are that swear by Super Thrive.
- Website: superthriveoffer.com, superthrive.com
- Cost: Online, $12 + $4.95 shipping. Stores such as Lowe’s, about $11
Everbearing Climbing Spinach Review
What is Everbearing Climbing Spinach? It is homegrown spinach that can be planted next to any support. It saves space and is said to provide an easier experience than regular spinach. One plant is said to produce as much spinach as a 15 foot row of regular spinach.
While I haven’t seen this particular product, I take pause in the number of complaints online about the company, Gardener’s Collection. Consider the 1.5 rating on Pissed Consumer, the 1 star rating at Consumer Affairs, and complaints to the company’s Facebook page.
You may want to research the company a bit before doing business with them.
- Website: spinachoffer.com
- Cost: 3 plants for $12 + $4.95 shipping. Another 3 can be added for another $4.95 shipping.
- You can find a less expensive version of their offer at gardenerscollection.com: 6 plants for $9.98.
Micro Touch Magic Reviews
What is Micro Touch Magic? This is the latest in a line of Micro Touch products designed for personal hair trimming needs. What is the “magic” about this device? That would be the addition of a light to what otherwise looks like the Micro Touch Max. This light, they say, allows for trimming that is so precise “you can’t make a mistake.” While I’m not convinced that the addition of a light will make the product any more precise, it is a nice addition. With the Micro Touch Max, I didn’t feel like the included light added much benefit except for maybe nose hairs, and my guess is that this won’t add much value to the original, either.
I actually still use my Micro Touch Max on occasion, and I’ve seen it for sale even in grocery stores. I don’t know if I’d pay the extra for a light over the original Micro Touch Max, but I can vouch for the product in general in that it has lasted me several years and works pretty well.
- Websites: microtouchmagic.com
- Cost: $14.99 + $5.99 shipping
Micro Mug Review
What is Micro Mug? Micro Mug is a microwave cooker that allows you to cook small meals without splattering. The secret, they say, is in the special vented lid which allows steam to escape, while sealing in moisture. This product is so new that I can’t even find all of the relevant information aside from a new ad posted on YouTube.
The advertising is strikingly like that of Stonewave Microwave cooker, which was a ceramic microwave pot with a ventilated lid. That product worked reasonably well, and can still be found in the clearance section of stores such as Ross for about $5.
More information about Micro Mug is needed before I can give it a proper evaluation. What kind of material is it made of and how much does it cost? Why does the commercial show red and black versions that don’t even appear to be made of the same material?
I’ll keep digging, and will post more as I find it. If you have additional info, drop me a comment below.
- Website: ??
- Cost: ??
Purific Skin Serum Review
What is Purific Skin Serum? This is an anti-aging serum which is said to be “better than botox” and offers users an “amazing new Hollywood secret” that “works at the cellular level.” Sound too good to be true?
The secret ingredients are Gatuline In-Tense, GluCare, and Trylagen PCB. Little information exists about these ingredients, although it has been my experience that skin care products touting incredible results with impossible-to-pronounce ingredients tend to come and go quite quickly. The makers probably have some evidence that the ingredients worked under some conditions, but in the real world, such results tend to be marginal.
Being diligent about keeping your face moisturized will go a long way to keeping your skin properly hydrated, regardless of the product you use. A retinol-based product, which can readily be found at any local drug store or beauty shop, will be difficult to beat for the convenience and price.
Another problem in searching for Purific Skin reviews is that you’ll encounter a number of fake review sites posted by affiliates. These “reviews” feel more like advertisements trying to convince you to purchase the product.
I have a disdain for “free trial” offers such as that offered by Purific Skin. I don’t think I’ve ever read a consumer review in which the customer liked the free trial. When you sign up for the free trial, you’ll automatically be charged about $100 a month until you cancel.
Proceed at your own risk.
- Website: purificskin.com
- Cost: $3.95 trial which converts to a $99.95 charge after 14 days.
Foot Gym Review
What is Foot Gym? This specialty exercise apparatus provides seven different foot exercises to help stretch and massage. Benefits are said to include balance, stability and overall foot function.
For those who suffer from chronic foot problems, Foot Gym should be on your short list of products to consider. I have heard from people with plantar fasciitis that this is especially helpful to them.
The “gym” is a simple yet effective device that works by providing resistance in a variety of exercises which isolate muscles in the foot. This allows you to focus on the most problematic areas. Foot Gym is well made and designed with the user’s needs in mind. Highly recommended.
- Website: footgym.com
- Cost: $59.99
Love My Neck & Head Review
What is Love My Neck? At first glance, this appears to be a brace for sufferers of whiplash. Upon further inspection, it becomes clear that this is merely a device which protects your neck and head from being burned by a flat iron or curling iron.
You can place the neck protector around your neck like a collar, or the head protector around your head like a headband. In either case, it stops hot irons from contacting the skin.
Although this certainly seems to be a specialty product, I can actually think of a few women who would have benefited from such a device. I’m not sure how high the demand for something like this is, but I’m willing to bet that whoever uses it will not regret their purchase.
- Website: lovemyneckprotector.com
- Cost: $19.95 with free shipping.
NoNo Ultra Review
What is NoNo Ultra? If you haven’t seen a NoNo Pro commercial in the last two years, you probably don’t own a television. Commercials for the NoNo Pro have relentlessly aired for several years straight. My review of the NoNo Pro was less than positive, and now I am turning my attention to the NoNo Ultra, the newest in the NoNo line of hair removal products.
The Ultra uses the same thermicon technology that underwhelmed me with in my original review, but it also includes three treatment levels and a cleaning brush. Another new feature is the Dynamic Speed Control.
While the addition of new features is always welcome, NoNo Ultra still uses thermicon technology, which neither I nor Consumer Reports found to be particularly effective. It is essentially a heated wire used to remove (dare I say “burn”) the hair off. If you are absolutely set on using NoNo, this is probably a better option than the NoNo Pro, which is $50 cheaper, but has a few less features.
- Website: nonopro.com
- Cost: $299.94
I will continue to keep my eye out for new products, and I’ll be back with another set next week. Let me know if you’ve seen any new products out there.