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Showing posts with label Gifts for Travelers. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

The Best Travel Toiletry Bag for Women Is a Bargain!

I've purchased a lot of travel toiletry bags over the years to accommodate my makeup, makeup brushes, skin care, shampoo, hair styling products (such as heat protectant), deodorant, face and body sunscreen, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc. None of them worked well for me until I tried the NISHEL travel toiletry bag for women.

I'm delighted to share this excellent find. Here's my product review of this lightweight and large capacity toiletry organizer that folds down compactly when not in use.

NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag Organizer - Spacious, Lightweight, Compact

I've purchased quite a few travel toiletry bags in my quest for one that met my needs. Unfortunately, they were either too large, too heavy, or not configurable to fit the variety of sizes and shapes of travel toiletries, makeup, brushes, etc., I like to take with me on trips.

Finally, I discovered this bag while watching a product review video (or maybe Instagram Live) from a well known beauty influencer whom I would gladly credit if I could remember which one.

It has quickly become one of my favorite travel accessories. Here's why I love it.

Well Thought-Out Design Holds a Lot of Toiletries, Keeps Them Organized and Easily Accessible

The NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag for Women Large Capacity, Travel Essentials Organizer, Hanging Makeup Case for Accessories, Cosmetics, Toiletries is designed for optimal toiletry organization.

Two handles make this lightweight travel toiletry organizer bag easy to carry.

A large outer zipper compartment on the front provides easy access without opening the organizer.

The bag is slim and compact for storage when not in use and has a front zipper compartment.

The bag unzips fully to lie or hang flat.

When unzipped, it lies flat or hangs straight. The top and bottom flaps fold out for extra storage.

Once unzipped and with the flaps unfolded, there are four interior zippered sections with see-through, clear plastic fronts.

NISHEL travel toiletry organizer, fully opened

When unzipped with the flaps folded out, there are four generously sized, zippered compartments with clear plastic fronts to keep all your makeup, skincare, shampoo and other travel toiletries organized and easily accessible.

Keeps Limited Sink and Counter Space Clear

In many hotels and vacation rentals, bathroom counter space is at a premium. The NISHEL travel toiletry bag can hang on the shower rod, towel rack or door hook to keep from cluttering up the limited sink and counter space. And it's easy to see where all your toiletries are, even mini travel sizes, and access them easily throughout your stay.

A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place

That was one of my grandmother’s favorite sayings and one that definitely applies to this hanging toiletries organizer.

Here is a close-up look at each of the four interior zippered compartment sections, along with a peek at what I put into each section when I did a trial run of this organizer in anticipation of our next vacation.

Top Flap Section

The top flap is a zippered compartment with a sturdy hanger hook. It folds out to let you hang the organizer in a closet or in the bathroom.

Top flap compartment of NISHEL travel toiletry bag

I packed two eyeshadow palettes in the top flap zippered compartment. You can see the attached hanger hook that lets you hang this travel toiletry bag in a closet or on a door hook.

Top Center Section

The top center section is a very generously sized, zippered compartment with a clear plastic front and elastic-top nylon mesh pockets.

Upper middle compartment of NISHEL travel toiletry bag

I put a bunch of makeup brushes, eye pencils, mascara, lip glosses and a blush compact into the upper center zippered compartment with the elastic-top divided mesh bag. As you can see, I could have easily fit quite a bit more into this section!

Lower Center Section

The lower center section is another generously sized, zippered compartment with a clear plastic front. This one has two rows of wide, elastic strips across the center, stitched down in staggered sections, to securely hold products in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Lower middle section of NISHEL travel toiletry bag

I put two bottles of facial mineral sunscreen, a large can of mineral sunscreen spray, an eye treatment and concealer with SPF, toothpaste, floss and deodorant into this section with elastic loops and still had room to spare.

Bottom Flap Section

The bottom flap is another zippered compartment similar to the top flap, but without the hanger hook.

Bottom flap compartment of NISHEL travel toiletry bag

In the bottom flap zippered compartment, I put travel size shampoo, conditioner, styling products, and my Dnsly electric toothbrush in its hard travel case.

Note that this doesn't even include the exterior front pocket, which can fit additional toiletry or other travel items!

This travel toiletry bag has a large capacity that holds everything I want to bring with me and keeps it accessible and organized during my trip. Despite its large capacity, it's also extraordinarily lightweight, which I love!

Either of the two main center compartments can be used to hold makeup brushes securely, if desired.

A Choice of Colors

This travel toiletry organizer comes in the following colors (I've provided descriptions because some of the color names are a bit misleading): Pink (dusty rose-beige), Aegean Blue (soft navy), Lake Blue (dusty dark teal), Purple (dusty medium lilac), Rosewood-Pink (dusty chestnut brown) and Black.

I purchased the Pink, which looks more like a beige to me.

NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag Pink

NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag Aegean Blue

NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag Lake Blue

NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag Purple

NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag Rosewood Pink

NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag Black

An Affordable Travel Gift

The list price of the NISHEL travel toiletry bag is $29.99. However, at the time of this product review's publication, the Amazon price was only $23.99.

The Matching Travel Accessories Also Are Great, Affordable Gifts

I love that this brand also makes coordinating travel accessories (not all of them are available in all the colors).

The NISHEL Travel Jewelry Organizer for Necklaces, Earrings, Rings, Bracelets, Watch is 9.5" long × 5.5" wide ×1.5" deep. Its slim profile belies its generous capacity, thanks to its four buckled straps to hold necklaces or bracelets, five zippered pouches, earrings panel that can hold 14 pairs of earrings, and a long buckled band to hold multiple rings securely.

It has a list price of $23.99; the Amazon price at the time of this product review’s publication was $16.99.

The NISHEL Double Layer Travel Makeup Bag Women, Large Cosmetic Case, Organizer for Travel-Size Accessories Bottles, Brushes, Conditioner, and Skin Care Products is a large train case style makeup travel bag that a deep bottom section that holds a lot of makeup and skin care products, as well as a large, separate zippered compartment on top that can accommodate a very large number of makeup brushes.

It would be great for a makeup artist to carry to client appointments or for anyone who has a large makeup collection.

It has a list price of $29.99; the Amazon price at the time of publication was $22.99.

I think the NISHEL travel toiletry bag, travel jewelry organizer and cosmetics train case would all make wonderful, affordable gifts for women, especially those who love makeup, skin care, hair care or jewelry.

The Best Travel Toiletry Bag for Women Is a Bargain! by Margaret Schindel

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Wednesday, October 12, 2022

The Best Dentist Approved, Inexpensive, 5-Mode Electric Toothbrush

I have been using Oral-B or Philips Sonicare ultrasonic toothbrushes for many years, at my dentist’s recommendation. In August, I replaced my old, expensive ultrasonic toothbrush with an excellent and surprisingly inexpensive model (from a lesser-known brand), which has smaller brush heads that fit into hard-to-reach areas, soft, rounded bristles that are gentle on my aging gums, and a choice of five brushing modes.

Even though my new sonic electric toothbrush had great customer reviews and was highly recommended by a well-known and respected YouTube influencer whose product recommendations I have come to trust, I was still a bit skeptical about the quality of such an inexpensive product. However, my oral health team was impressed with the state of my teeth and gums during my routine dental cleaning and checkup 10 days ago. I'm delighted that my new brush has been dental hygienist- and dentist-approved.

I'm excited to share my product review of this terrific electric toothbrush set, which comes with seven regular brush heads, an interdental brush head, and a fitted case for storage and travel and costs just $19.99 on Amazon as of October 12, 2023.

Note: The brand I purchased, Dnsly, is no longer available, but the TEETHEORY and Fairywill brands make nearly identical models with the same features.

Sonic Electric Toothbrush With Custom Travel Case, Protective Cover and 8 Brush Heads

Why This Sonic Electric Toothbrush Is a "Best Buy" For Savvy Consumers

Here are some of the key features that make this Sonic Electric Toothbrush Set With 8 Brush Heads and Travel Case a smart purchase.

40,000 VPM for Effective Cleaning and Plaque Removal

Although the American Dental Association says that both manual and electric toothbrushes can clean teeth effectively when using the correct brushing technique, clinical studies have shown that “electric toothbrushes, which combine ultrasonic and sonic (or acoustic and mechanic) actions, may have the most promising effect on good oral health” compared to manual toothbrushes.¹

It vibrates at up to 40,000 VPM (vibrations per minute), which is in the same ballpark as many ultrasonic toothbrush models from Philips Sonicare and Oral-B.

¹Digel, I., Kern, I., Geenen, E. M., & Akimbekov, N. (2020). Dental plaque removal by ultrasonic toothbrushes. Dentistry Journal, 8(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj8010028

Choice of Five Brushing Modes

There are five tiny LED lights down the front of the handle labeled W, C, S, P, and M, respectively, that allow you to choose among the following brushing modes to customize your oral health care routine:

White mode (W): strong vibration helps whiten and brighten teeth by removing surface stains.
Clean mode (C): medium vibration for routine cleaning / twice-daily brushing.
Sensitive mode (S): gentle vibration for first-time electric toothbrush users or those with sensitive teeth and gums.
Polish mode (P): strong vibration/invert frequency helps polish and brighten teeth.
Massage mode (M): gentle vibration/invert frequency for gum massage and increased circulation to improve the health of your gums.

Note: I could not find any information on what "invert frequency" means (or does) in the context of electric toothbrushes.

Just press the large Power on/off button (inside the gold circle) repeatedly to cycle through the different modes. The nice thing is that it will remember the mode you used last and return to that setting automatically the next time you press the Power button.

I have used the Clean, White, and Massage modes so far. I think the White mode is gentle enough for daily use, thanks to the soft, rounded bristles on the brush heads.

2-Minute Smart Timer With 30-Second Quadrant Reminders and Auto Shutoff

Most dentists recommend brushing your teeth for 2–3 minutes, or 30–45 seconds per quadrant. This sonic electric toothbrush pauses after each 30-second interval to let you know it's time to move on to the next quadrant, then shuts off automatically after two minutes.

7 Brush Heads and 1 Interdental Brush

The American Dental Association recommends that you replace toothbrushes, or brush heads for an electric toothbrush, every three to four months (or sooner, if the bristles are visibly frayed).

The brush heads have blue bristles at the top and bottom that, with use, gradually fade from blue to white as a helpful reminder to discard and replace the brush head.

I really like the smaller brush heads and the thin, pointed, interdental brush head with white bristles, since both make it easier to get into tight, hard-to-reach areas. The interdental brush is also great for cleaning around and in between dental braces.

The DuPont bristles with rounded tips are gentle on gums and enamel, which is another reason I decided to try this set.

30-Day Rechargeable Battery Life

A full charge, which takes 4 hours, lasts for about 30 days, based on brushing for two minutes twice a day.

USB Charging (Charging Cable Included)

The included USB cable can be plugged into any socket with a USB interface, such as a car, laptop, or phone charger adapter or power bank socket. You can keep both the cable and an inexpensive USB wall charger/plug adapter in the bathroom for when the battery needs charging (roughly once a month).

This sonic toothbrush has a low battery indicator that lets you know when it's time to recharge it. It also automatically shuts off after the battery has been fully charged to prevent overcharging.

Fitted Travel Case and Protective Brush Head Cover

The hard plastic, fitted toothbrush travel case has molded sections to hold the handle, one brush head, and the interdental brush head. There is also a space-saving clear, hard plastic brush head cover if you want to travel with just the handle and one brush head, rather than the larger, fitted storage case that also holds the interdental brush head.

IPX8 Waterproof

The IPX8 Waterproof rating (an improvement from the IPX7 Waterproof rating on my Dnsly brush) means your electric toothbrush can survive immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes without damage.

You can thoroughly clean the entire brush with soap under hot running water and even brush your teeth while you are taking a shower if you wish!

Lightweight

The brush itself weighs just 55g, "less than half of ordinary sonic toothbrushes" according to the manufacturer's product information.

Two Color Choices

I purchased this set in black, but it also comes in pink.

Pink sonic toothbrush set with 8 brush heads and travel case

Purchase the pink toothbrush set on Amazon

Less Than $20 for the Entire Set

At just $19.99 for the black or pink set, with free shipping for Amazon Prime members as of 10/12/23, this set delivers a huge bang for the buck.

2 electric toothbrush sets (one black and one pink) with replacement brushes and travel cases

Available on Amazon

You can also get a set of two sonic toothbrushes, one black and one pink, with 12 color-coordinated brush heads (five of each color), 2 color-coordinated interdental brushes, and 2 color-coordinated fitted travel cases) on Amazon for just $39.98. Having two sets in different colors makes it easy for spouses, partners, siblings, roommates, etc. who use them to tell which toothbrush is theirs.

Features Not Included in This Sonic Electric Toothbrush Set

Even though this set is excellent and a tremendous value, there are a few features that some of my previous Oral-B and Philips Sonicare ultrasonic toothbrushes had that this one does not.

No Charging Base

The only way to charge this sonic brush is with a USB cable (included). While many people prefer this method, some may prefer having a dedicated charging base plugged in near the bathroom sink.

Since hearing several respected medical and dental experts advise "Don't brush where you flush," I have started storing my toothbrush in my bedroom instead of my bathroom anyway, so the USB charging requirement isn't an issue for me.

No Battery Charge Level Indicator

My last Oral-B ultrasonic toothbrush had four stacked LED lights on the handle to indicate how much charge was left. I used to store the toothbrush on its charging base, however, so I never looked at it unless I was traveling for an extended period.

The low battery indicator works fine for my purposes.

No 3-Minute Timer Option

I liked the choice of 2-minute (30-second intervals) or 3-minute (45-second intervals) brushing times on my pricy Oral-B model. However, if I want to spend a bit more time on certain areas, it's easy enough to press the mode button of my choice to resume brushing after the 2-minute automatic shutoff.

Note: None of my Oral-B or Philips Sonicare toothbrushes had Bluetooth connectivity or wireless fast charging, and neither does my new brush. However, one or both of these features are built into many of the newer models from these leading brands.

The Perfect Travel Toothbrush

Even if you don't want to replace your current ultrasonic toothbrush, this very inexpensive sonic set would be great to keep in your carry-on luggage for traveling, thanks to its long battery life, convenient USB charging, toothbrush travel case, and protective brush head cover.

A Great, Affordable Gift Under $20

This electric toothbrush set would make a great gift for anyone who is currently using a manual toothbrush, wears braces, is a college student, or has difficulty getting their current toothbrush into hard-to-reach places.

It also makes a great stocking stuffer. No one would guess that this set, complete with a travel case, brush head cover, seven brush heads with fading bristle replacement indicators, an interdental brush head, and a USB charging cable, costs less than $20!

The Best Dentist Approved, Inexpensive, 5-Mode Electric Toothbrush by Margaret Schindel

Friday, November 18, 2016

DC to AC Power Inverter / Adapter for Cars Review

Many years ago, we purchased an APC DC-to-AC Power Inverter/Adapter for our car. It has to be one of the single best purchases for car travel that we have ever made.

We were preparing for our annual fall break vacation to Florida and the time of departure was upon us. Our son was packing his Nintendo GameCube and games so he and his friend could play video games together at night. Someone commented on how nice it would be if they could play the games on the long drive too. Thus, the search was on!

Never one to dismiss a challenge, my husband was determined to accommodate the boys. He ran to the local Target store and returned with this awesome inverter. Honestly, I had no idea such a thing existed. It worked like a charm and has continued to work for more than 15 years since.

How to Use the DC-to-AC Power Inverter/Adapter

It is really very simple to use the DC to AC Power Inverter. You simply plug it into the cigarette lighter receptacle, then plug your electric device into the inverter via the 3 prong AC outlet.

APC Air/Auto TravelPower TeleAdapt DC to AC Power Inverter (75W DC/AC, 120V) (Discontinued by Manufacturer)For many years, the kids have used the inverter adapter to plug in the video game consoles, but it has also been used for other electrical devices.

Laptops
Kindles
iPad
My Camera's Rechargeable Batteries (My #1 Use)
Cell Phone Chargers
Media Players
Electric Throw Blanket
Rechargable Flashlight
Coffee Mug Warmer
My Husband's Tailgating Leg Lamp

This unit does have an auto shut-off to protect your car battery once the car is turned off and a built-in circuit protector to protect your electronics. There is also a little green display light that shows when the inverter is powered.

I have not personally used the APC Power Inverter / Adapter on an airplane, but the airline adapter is also included.

Buying a DC-to-AC Power Inverter/Adapter

Sadly, our unit has been discontinued by the manufacturer. When the one featured above is sold out, you might want to consider one of the units below. The are highly rated by consumers and offer USB ports too, which is something that my APC unit does not have.

Foval 150W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Converter with 3.1A Dual USB Car Charger Energizer EN100 Ultra Compact DC to AC 100W Direct Plug-in Power Inverter

Airplane or Auto DC to AC Power Inverter / Adapter Review Written by:

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Friday, November 4, 2016

Reviewing Travel Money Belts & Pouches

Best Gift for a Traveler

Premium Money Belt Expert Travel for Women and Men
with Rfid Blocking and 2 Credit Card Sleeves

A Travel Money Belt or Travel Pouch may not be the prettiest gift you will ever give, but it could easily be the most important gift for anyone who travels.

A travel money belt or travel pouch is not our first thought when preparing for a trip. Unfortunately, we might not see the need for a money belt until after we are victimized while traveling. Having a purse or wallet stolen while traveling can quickly ruin the most anticipated and expensive trips. Not only are pickpockets everywhere, you simply cannot pack your valuables and expect them to be safe in a hotel room or on a plane.

A Travel Money Belt really will give you safety and peace of mind.

There are several different styles of travel money belts and pouches. Over the years, I have traveled extensively and I feel uniquely qualified to recommend the best travel money belts available on the market today.

Image: Premium Expert Money Travel

TRAVEL TIP
Never carry anything in your wallet you cannot afford to lose!

My Personal Favorite Travel Money Belt

Eagle Creek Undercover Money Belt DLX
Choose the Right Size: Don't look for the smallest money travel belt. Look for the best size money belt. You will want to carry the following items in your money belt, so choose a money belt that will hold them all securely.

Cash
Passport
ID ~ Drivers License
Credit Cards
Insurance Cards
A List of Wallet Content
Emergency Contract Information

My personal favorite travel money belt is the Eagle Creek Travel Gear Travel Money Belt. Based on my own personal experience, this is the Travel Money Belt I would most highly recommend.

WHY THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE TRAVEL MONEY BELT

Two(2) Pockets are zippered to avoid spilling content when riding amusement park rides or other activities that may turn you upside down.
Wide enough to hold a passport ~ US Passports measure 3 1/4" x 5"
Moisture-wicking, breathable mesh back panel

Also Available in Mocha

A Gift for the Traveling Couple

Travel Pouch Compact Security/ Hidden Money Waist Belt - 2 Pack + 1 LED Adjustable Focus Flashlight with Carabiner

TRAVEL TIP
Wear Travel Money Belts & Pouches UNDER your blouse or shirt

Lewis N. Clark Deluxe Neck Stash, Beige

Most Highly Recommended Money Pouch

Some travelers prefer a Travel Money Pouch. They prefer to wear a pouch around their neck instead of a money belt around their waist. This is especially true for people who do not see well or who don't want to lift their shirts in public should they need to access additional funds or ID.

This Travel Money Pouch has two zippered pockets, two inner compartments and an adjustable neck strap. I have used this style myself when I know I will definitely need access to my passport, credit card or cash.

Bra Travel Pouch

For a lady who doesn't want to wear a money belt or doesn't like the travel neck pouch, there is a reasonable option. This Bra Pocket Travel Safe is highly recommended for those who wear a bra. It secures to your bra straps instead of having a separate neck cord or belt.

You won't be able to carry as much in this travel pouch, but it is definitely sufficient for cash, drivers license and credit cards. Personally, this is the style I would use for things like my passport that I am not comfortable leaving in a hotel room, but will not need access to when I am sightseeing.

Nude Bra Pocket Travel Safe Wallet