Review: Murine Eye Mist for Dry Eye

Disclaimer: A product was supplied for review.

On a daily basis our eyes endure a lot. For me, it involves sitting at a computer screen for hours, in an air-conditioned office,  then heading out into a dry Australian climate where dust and pollen are getting whipped around in the breeze. The result? Tired, sore, dry, itchy eyes!

Dry eyes are a common problem with many possible causes including air-conditioned or windy environments, extended computer work, wearing contact lenses, long distance travel, ageing and medication. More than two million Australians are suffering and according to some estimates as many as 75 per cent of people over the age of 65 experience dry eye. What are the symptoms I hear you ask.

• ·         A scratchy or gritty sensation in the eyes
• ·         Excessive tearing
• ·         Blurred vision
• ·         Easily irritated by dry indoor environments
• ·         Pain and redness of the eye
• ·         Heavy eyelids
• ·         Uncomfortable contact lenses

I don't suffer from Dry Eyes as such, but they get tired and certainly itchy and irritated with Hayfever. With this in mind, I wondered what I could say about Murine Eye Mist ... but I soon discovered it is a handy product to have and has many application possibilities.

My first chance came with the common Hayfever symptom of itchy eyes. Rather than put up with the itch or pop an Anti-Histamine I decided to use the Murine Eye Mist, with the hope that it would wash out the dust or whatever was causing the allergic reaction. I closed my eyes one at a time and applied a few sprays to each closed eyelid. After blinking a few times to allow the solution to enter the eye and do it's work, I felt instant relief. How about that!! Such a simple and fast result.

So I now had a direct bond and connection with this eye spray. I could certainly put this to use.

The next opportunity came from hubby. He had been out in the garage doing what men do best, which usually involves power tools, noise and mess. He was removing paint with a wire brush. Despite wearing eye protection, hubby had managed to get a speck of paint on his eye. This speck would not budge, no matter how much he massaged the lid over the top. I broke out the Murine Eye Mist with hope that it could get that paint speck moving. I have some experience in close contact with the eye, having worked in within the Optometry industry for years. Hubby HATES anything near his eyes, as many people do. So he braced himself, but was ecstatic to hear that he could close his eyes while I sprayed his closed eyelid. It took quite a few sprays and a lot of blinking, but it worked in loosening the paint speck so I could gently remove it.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! There must be so many instances in our daily lives where our eye could do with a little added moisture and relief.

Smooth and Sculptured With Nad's

Disclaimer: Products were received in exchange for review Body hair. Everyone has their own preferences. I say each to their own, but I try to stay open minded and I like to get other people's opinion on products and techniques when it comes to hair removal. I have heard many stories, seen some varying methods and even tried some myself. So what did I think when I was given the chance to try Nad's Eyebrow Wand?

Having tried waxing at home previously, I was sceptical. My experience had involved big tubs of sticky wax that had to be heated, and big strips that were awkward. This was quite some time ago though, and Nad's are committed to developing products that are innovative.

So off to the bathroom I go, Nad's Facial Wand in hand. My first impression is favourable. The Nad's pack comes with Cleansing Wipes to prep and clean the area to be waxed. The wand is filled with the original Nad's Natural Gel. This gel does not seem as thick and gluey as the wax in the tub of years ago. The Wand has a groovy tip which allows the gel to come out slowly as you rotate the bottom of the applicator. I find the shape of the applicator makes it easy to apply the gel exactly where you need it and allows you to sculpt the eyebrow shape. The strips supplied in the pack are a great size to be used for removing hair anywhere on the face or other small areas. The cotton strips simply wash clean after using them.

Nad's Facial Wand Eyebrow Shaper

Overall, I found the experience of using the Nad's Facial Wand Eyebrow Shaper easy, fast and mess-free. I will be using this product regularly now and popping my old tweezers into retirement. I think I will be keeping an eye on Nad's and their products on their website and Facebook.

The smooth "after" photo

The bushy "before" photo

Puffs Fresh Faces For Winter Relief

When you have a cold that has you wiping your poor nose until it is red and sore, all you can think of is getting something to sooth and relieve. Poor hubby is doing it tough right now.
Disclaimer: Products were received in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, the traditional tissue offers little relief, and the wiping action is inevitable.

With this in mind I can happily recommend Puffs Fresh Faces which come in the form of Nose Wipes with Vicks Scent, and Nose and Face Wipes With Light Lavender Scent. Both scents are light and pleasant.

Puffs Fresh Faces Nose Wipes and Nose and Face Wipes are packaged in packs of 45, and the box is a great size  to leave in the car, pop on the table or throw in your bag or pram. The box is fitted with a great hard tab top, making it easy to open and reseal, keeping the wipes clean and moist.

The wipes are moist, not wet or slimy like other wipes. The wipes are also a generous tissue size and lightly textured for improved wiping.

Whilst designed and marketed as nose and face wipes, I can think of so many situations for these handy wipes such as makeup removal, camping, and sports.

My only complaint about the Puffs Fresh Face Wipes is that although they claim to be "Made with natural saline, aloe and Vitamin E", the ingredients list is full of long, scientific names.

My overall view is that Puffs Fresh Faces Wipes are packaged well, pleasantly scented and conveniently sized. The wipes perform well and will certainly be welcome in our home.

Happy 50th Mickey - Get Your Rockin' Shoes On!

Are you helping with the celebrations today? What! You didn't forget did you?

Considering he has been beside us every step of the way, since we were little, I thought this birthday would be on the top of your list for 2012. Never mind, luckily I have reminded you in time before the festivities begin. I would hate for you to miss them .... and so would Mickey.

It's not everyday that our pal, Mickey Mouse turns 50!

He is taking some time out from his busy rehearsals of Disney Live! Mickey's Rockin' Road Show to celebrate a little this Sunday, but he is so excited about the show, he will be straight back into it again. So a big cake, everyone join in the song, candles ..... and he's a jolly good fellow!

In an exclusive with Mickey Mouse, he shared his excitement about his birthday and up-coming show, “For birthday
celebrations it sure is hard to beat a pair of red shorts and my yellow shoes. Let’s see, what else… Well, I like all sorts of
birthday music, so I always bring my music player! It’s great to dance to. And if I can get a crowd dancing, that’s even
better! And ya know, I always have the most fun when I celebrate with Minnie and my pals Goofy, Donald, and Daisy.”

Disney Live!Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show is a high energy stage show that features classic and new Disney characters in an all-new talent search. The show features a one-of-a-kind rockin’ road trip in a quest to round up the coolest acts for Mickey’s talent show. Kids will love the hilarious hoe-down with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story films; they’ll dance with Tigger; sing along with Cinderella and so much more!

TOUR DATES & TICKET INFORMATION:

PERTH	Dec 28-30	Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre - Ticketek
BRISBANE	Jan 6-7	Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre - Ticketek
SYDNEY	Jan 11-13	Sydney Entertainment Centre - Ticketmaster
NEWCASTLE	Jan 15-16	Newcastle Entertainment Centre - Ticketek
WOLLONGONG	Jan 19	WIN Entertainment Centre - Ticketek
ADELAIDE	Jan 21-22	Adelaide Entertainment Centre - Ticketek
MELBOURNE	Jan 24-27	The Plenary, Melbourne Convention Centre - Ticketmaster
LAUNCESTON	Jan 30-31	Silverdome – Silverdome
HOBART	Feb 2-3	Derwent Entertainment Centre – Ticketmaster
CANBERRA	Feb 9	AIS Arena – Ticketek
CAIRNS	Feb 13	Cairns Convention Centre – Ticketlink *tickets on sale Monday 26 Nov
TOWNSVILLE	Feb 16-17	Townsville Convention & Exhibition Centre – TECC
DARWIN	Feb 23-24	Darwin Convention Centre – Yourcenter.com.au *tickets on sale Monday 26 Nov

Tickets on sale NOW!

A Reserve: $37.50 (*family ticket $140) / B Reserve: $29.50 (*family ticket $110)

*Family ticket admits any configuration of four people / Children under 12 months free on the knee

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.disneylive.com.au

So .... I have my tickets already. I'll see you there! 

Unbearable Lightness Book Review

I love immersing myself in a good book. Admittedly, since becoming a parent I find it harder to block the world out ans really sink my teeth into a story. So, when I do manage to do this, I need to share it. I know I am committed to the story when I find myself thinking about the character throughout my day, and thinking about their situation.

Unbearable Lightness, written by Portia de Rossi is her own story to tell. The book focuses on her acting career, her sexuality and her eating disorder that dominated her life. It is a story of real struggle and contradiction. Here was a woman who wanted to be a model and actor, yet was uncomfortable with the attention. A woman, who had admiration and could see the beauty in others, but not herself. A story of a woman battling a mental disorder, while denying it existed.

I remember Portia de Rossi's entry to my life and the television series, Ally McBeal as Nelly, and I joined others in watching this natural beauty work her character with sex appeal, intelligence and confidence. I remember thinking how cool this girl from Australia was, joining the Hollywood scene and living her dream. In the book, Portia gives her own recollection of starting on Ally McBeal, which couldn't have been more different to what I imagined. As she describes her workday, her joy and frustrations, her high and lows, I marvelled at her honesty and the detail she offers to help you enter and understand her world.

Her anorexia and bulimia dominated her life for 20 years, and I really felt the emotion and dominance of her mental illness. I was continually shocked at the practices that she thought were normal, the thought process of the disorder, the ever-shocking calories intake(or lack thereof), and the numbers on the scales. 

The last chapters of the book describe her recovery and finding happiness with her wife, Ellen Degeneres. Some may say this section has been brushed over, but I felt she wanted the struggle with her disorder and sexuality to remain bold and clear.