To Hunt an Heiress by Martha Keyes - Book Reviewed

I have recently been reading the Bachelors of Blackstone's book series.  The series is a collaboration between several of my favorite authors and each book has been great.  I just finished the book, "To Hunt an Heiress" by Martha Keyes, and found it quite humorous and entertaining.  Therefore, I definitely wanted to review and recommend it to anyone who enjoys clean historical romance with a touch of humor.

It is not necessary to read every book in the series and it is not necessary to read them in a specific order.  The series does have a few characters, like Sir William Blackstone, shared by all of them, but the the books don't have a timeline that must be rigidly followed. 

To Hunt an Heiress was actually unique and funny enough that it had me telling my husband, who does not read romantic fiction, some of the mischievous antics of one of the characters in the book.  It's makes me grateful that the only pets we have ever entertained in our home were dogs and cats.

Aside from the borrowed pet in the story, the plot was still unique enough and the banter between the main characters was still funny enough, to recommend the book.  

 

To Hunt an Heiress Book Synopsis

 To Hunt an HeiressCheck PriceSebastian Drake needs money quick in order to get custody of his half-brothers and sister.  They are currently living with their uncle who has a hot temper, especially when he has been drinking, which is most often.  Sebastian could not originally get the custody because he was not 21.  Now that he is old enough, he must find a way to show the courts that he is financially capable of providing for his siblings.  Unfortunately, his own father's wealth was "assumed" and spent by his step-father.  Plus, the family estate has been left to him in deep debt.

With the help of two friends, he sets out to meet, court and marry an heiress quickly.  However, when he asks one heiress to marry him after courting her for a week, that heiress' uncle is quick to share with the all of society that Sebastian is an heiress hunter.  That shared knowledge makes Sebastian's plight much harder.

Upon hearing the gossip about the heiress hunter in their midst, Selina Lawrence sets out to teach the fortune hunter a lesson and employs some very interesting tactics.  Since she is a wealthy widow, society does not frown on her for not walking the proper line like they would a vulnerable debutante. 

The challenges between Sebastian and Selina make for a very entertaining game for readers to observe. 

 

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More Reviews of Books by Martha Keyes 

Review of Reputation at Risk: A Chronicle of Misadventures

A Suitable Arrangement  

Secrets of a Duke: A Chronicle of Misadventures  

The Widow and the Highlander (Tales from the Highlands Book1)  

The Enemy and Miss Innes (Tales from the Highlands Book 2)   

The Innkeeper and the Fugitive (Tales from the Highlands Book 3) 

A Reckless Courtship: A Chronicle of Misadventures 

 

More Great Books Reviewed

 

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The Rock, My Newest Favorite Pot ~ A Product Review

Well I have to share my newest, favorite pot with you!  Just writing that statement makes me laugh because 3 years ago I gave up the cooking at our home and now it's my other half's job to keep me well fed.

But I guess after 50 + years of cooking, you never really lose that need to wander into the pots and pans isle of your favorite store just to see what's new and exciting for the kitchen.

Lo and behold, I found a new pot that I just love!  So does the cook in my house.  He loves it because he can make just about anything in it and I love it because while I gave up the cooking part, the clean up is my job forever.  And this pot cleans up so easy!

So this new Pot is part of  "The Rock" Soho Series    This pot is the ultimate in versatility.  We have used it to make one pot dinners, and even used it to make popcorn!  The glass lid makes it fun to watch while the popcorn is popping!

While most frying pans are shallow this one is deep with sides that are not tapered but rather straight up. We use this pot almost everyday and my other frypans have been gathering dust now.   

I was amazed at how nicely it browns onions, peppers and even potatoes.  They don't stick to the bottom at all!  Even when we used non-stick "Teflon coated" pans we would have something sticking to the bottom.  Not so with this Rock Pot!  It's even Gordon Ramsey approved!

It is available in 4 sizes in the USA and 3 sizes in Canada!  Why the difference I will never know and it really doesn't bother me.  We have the largest one and even though there are only two of us, we cook extra so that my "chef" can take a day or two off .  

What I love is that it is durable, won't warp (as my teflon pot did), it's non-toxic and oven and dishwasher safe,  That non-stick interior makes it really easy to clean anyway.  Ours has never gone in the dishwasher because when my chef is done, I just use my little Scrub Daddy and some warm soapy water and swish it out.  Clean as a whistle with little or no effort at all.

It can be used with electric, gas or ceramic top stoves and can even be used when cooking on the stove top and later in the oven without having to change up the pot!  Versatility plus in my books.

I am so impressed with this pot that now I find myself wishing my other pots would break so I can replace them with a set from The Rock!  And my Chef agrees!

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Reviewing Shading and Shielding Garden Plants From The Sun

This summer we have had a total of four heatwaves, this is really unusual for where I live. Generally, most of my life, we have been fortunate to get a few sunny warm weeks, often having cloudier days and rainy times in the summer. However this year has been very dry with hardly any rain since early spring and fierce heat during the heatwaves for this part of the world. If this is a trend that is developing I am thinking that long term my gardening will need to change and short term I need strategies to get plants thought the summers with shading.

Many of my beautiful plants are ones that are suited to mild summers with some sun but not intense sun. This year they have really suffered. The scorching rays of the sun has burned their leaves and I have noticed that even the a few days after I watered them they are wilting again. Many have not grown this year as they should and the stunted growth has been noticeable. 

Shade really matters in a garden and I am lucky to have one side of the garden that faces north so this year I crammed all the plants that could be moved and those in pots into this shady area. However there were many plants that could not be moved or I did not have room for  or where too big or heavy to move at this stage so they had to be in the south or west facing areas that were getting the most intense sunshine for weeks on end. 

I tried all the usual tricks to make shade which are still very valid tips.

• Grouping the plants together in pots all together so that they would help each other with humidity and shade.
• Putting the bigger sturdier leafier ones at the front and the more delicate smaller ones at the back to protect them more.
• Water deeply so the water gets to the roots. This is better strategy than little and often, though a hosepipe ban did not help this situation.
• Use saucers under as many pots as possible to give a water resevoir
• Moving plants under the shade of trees or large shrubs or to a north facing area.

However this year none of this was enough and I started looking into alternative shading devices and products. 

Why Does Shade Matter To Plants?

Some plants adore the sunshine while others can take it in small doses or for half a day while others hate it.

They are very much like people in that respect ! However in a heatwave situation, especially if it goes on for more than a day or two even all but the most resilient sun lovers need a respite. 

Shading helps plants in the following ways:

• It helps reduce or prevent sun scorching of their leaves and reduces the leaf temperature
• Lowers the stress on the plants
• Keeps them flowering a little longer. many of my sun stressed plants flowered and went to seed much more quickly than normal. 
• Helps conserve water loss, no matter how much you water if they are in full sun and heat it evaporates quicker.

Here Are The Shading Materials I Tried

Old bedding sheets - I found these quite useful and for this purpose and free as I already had them. They were not too bad, but were not UV resistant and the airflow was not great, so did not work as well as I had hoped. 

It also felt a little strange and a bit messy laying out sheets in the front garden where passers by and neighbours were looking on. Also not really easy to clean in the garden, I sponged off any bird droppings etc but they really needed a wash after a couple weeks. Still it was better than nothing and was Ok in the back garden. 

White Fleece- this is the fleece I usually use in winter to wrap terracotta plant pots and very cold hating plants up in for a winter blanket. It did work quite well wrapping it around some black pots I had as now the pots looked white and I hoped more heat resistant as black generally absorbs heat, while white deflects it more. 

I wrapped it around some of the plants foliage as well and it worked fairly well to shade the plants but I did worry that they were getting too hot, so spent quite a lot of time wrapping and unwrapping them to give them good enough ventilation. Also I had to wrap very loose around the plant to allow better airflow. So really I found it good for wrapping the black plant pots themselves, but less so for wrapping the plants. 

Umbrellas! Yes this was one of my more inventive ideas I think. I used several large umbrellas we have in the extreme heat to shade out delicate  plants. I have to say it did work very well at shading although it was not easy when there was a breeze as well to keep it in the right place, but if total shade is what required this can be a possible option. They were also easy to clean. 

They certainly reduced water evaporation and no leaves got scorched so I would say really quite successful. I only used umbrellas when the sun was at its height though as I wanted the plants to have some light. They will only work for one plant at a time though, not bigger beds.   

I think the neighbours thought it slightly odd, but were too polite to say anything !! I do think that the UV sun umbrellas would have worked even better. 

If you only have one special plant that you need to shield from the sun and don't mind being a little quirky in the garden and can find a way to hold it down in a breeze, then maybe a sun umbrella will suffice! 

 G4Free UPF 50+ UV Protection Large Travel Umbrella 42/46 Inch Auto Open Close Windproof Sun Blocking UmbrellaCheck Price

Shade Netting or Cloth 

This is specialised netting, very dense tight netting or cloth that gives really good shade, many around 40% to 90% shade and is UV resistant and has good airflow. It is this UV resistance and airflow that differentiates this from all the other shade materials I tried. My plants seemed really happy with this one. 

I went for a higher percentage shade as I really needed to protect the plants from the strong, intense sunshine we were getting but still to allow some light through to them.

It was easy to lay over the plants and easy to work with. I simply secured it via bamboo stakes. As I take it off every evening I don't want it as a permanent structure. 

The airflow was better using this than with the other shading methods and the plants felt cooler underneath it.

For cleaning I just rinsed it with a watering can, or a hosepipe would be fine. It didn't really get very dirty. 

Some shade cloths or mesh are better quality than others and some more sturdy than others. I did not leave mine out in very windy conditions but in a breeze it was fine. If you intend to leave it out in windy weather then you will need to buy a more sturdy version. For my needs a more simple option was fine. I have included a variety below for you to  consider.  

 JOJOLEE 70% Sun Shade Cloth, 10x20FT Shade Net Mesh Tarp with GrommetsCheck Price 90% Shade Cloth for Garden -12 x 20 FT Durable Mesh Tarp with GrommetsCheck Price QLOFEI Shade Cloth for Garden, 70% Sun Screens for Patio Pergola OutdoorCheck Price

How To Use Shading Materials 

Know where the sun is strongest in your garden at what time of day. Unless you have a lot of shading materials you may need to move it around during the day. We have one area that is south facing all day it is hot so the shading stays there. However I move the East and West facing shading around the garden as needed just once a day as the sun moves around. I also take it all off at night.

We have a lot of birds in our garden and one of my concerns was that they might get trapped in the material  so I checked it regularly and took it off at night.

I secured the material as much as possible and as taught as possible, so that it did not flap about in any breeze  or allow spaces birds could get into it easily

I did my best to keep it away from the plants by using bamboo poles and sticks or hoops just to raise it above the foliage. This allows better airflow around the plants and keeps it off the leaves and flowers. 

I didn't do this, but you can make retractable awnings which are very useful for raised beds or larger containers or make a more permanent structure by hanging it and then rolling up and down as you need it.

Although I love the long days and light nights this summer has been challenging as a gardener. At times I have felt like it is more simply keeping the plants alive rather than helping them to thrive. If we are going to get more summers like this one I know that my gardening strategies, habits and routines are going to have to change including what I grow and how to best shade my plants. 

I do think that of all the shading I tried for plants that cannot be moved into the shade of a tree or shrub, the Shade netting is the best due the the UV protection, airflow and ease of cleaning.  For now I am glad we are reaching autumn soon and can look forward to cooler days and hopefully some rain!!

  Read More Product Reviews on  ReviewThisProducts.com

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Read Diary Of A Wild Country Garden Blog

Visit Raintree Earth Designs for gifts and cards designed with nature photography

Reviewing Shading and Shielding Garden Plants From The Sun by Raintree Annie

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Beauty Reviews on Review This Reviews!

Treasures from the Archives of Review This Reviews! 

We all have a desire to look our best!  A few of the Contributors on Review This Reviews have taken on the challenge of trying and reviewing beauty products for themselves, and for our readers.

The challenge of writing beauty reviews is one that Margaret Schindel has readily embraced.  She has written lots of product reviews on beauty, skincare, and hair care.  Plus, she has offered recommendations for items like wrist bands or headbands to use when washing your face, as well as an absorbent towel for wrapping your freshly washed hair.    

Lou16 has also reviewed a variety of products based on her own expertise with Arbonne products.  She found that she loved Arbonne so much that she became a consultant for the company.  

Brite-Ideas even jumped in with her Make-up Storage Organizer which is an item we all could use regardless of skin type, hair length, or make-up color preferences.   

Reviews on Review This Reviews are not sponsored by manufacturers and cannot be purchased.  They are not based on receiving free products in order to get promotion or recommendation here.  

Our Contributors are real people.  When shopping for themselves, they may have been given a free sample of a product that they subsequently tried and reviewed, but the reviews are authentic.  

A Review This Reviews Pinterest Board - Beauty Reviewed 

The board below features 30 of our most recent reviews.

Click through to Pinterest to see all of the Beauty Product Reviews, Tips & Recommendations for Your Consideration that have been Reviewed by Review This Reviews Contributors! 

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How I Treat Demodex Mites and Blepharitis with My Favorite Tea Tree Wipes

 

I Had No Idea Eyelash Mites Were a Thing...

If someone had told me that I had tiny mites living in my eyelashes, I would've laughed—until last year when I woke up with a chalazion. If you've never had one, it's a bump on the eyelid that can form from chronic blepharitis. It's not fun.

So, off to the eye doctor I went. After examining my eye, she explained that my issue might be linked to Demodex mites—yep, eyelash mites. Just hearing the word gave me the heebie-jeebies. 

She told me that many people have them, and they can contribute to ongoing eye irritation, chalazions, and styes. In fact, Studies show that about 50% of people have them by age 20, and nearly 100% by age 60.

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The Eye Doctor's Advice That Changed Everything

As part of the treatment, my doctor prescribed me some drops and also advised me to use tea tree wipes to clean my eyelid and eyelash area daily. I had never heard of such a thing, but I was desperate to get rid of that bump—and even more desperate to make sure it never came back.

So, I took her advice and bought a box of tea tree wipes. And let me tell you—they worked.

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How I Used the Wipes (And Still Do!)

Each night, I carefully cleaned along my eyelash line with a wipe. She instructed me to apply the product directly under the bump and gently over the eyelid, but emphasized that the lash line was the most important area. I did this religiously for about a month.

Even after the chalazion cleared up, I kept using them. Why? Because I didn't want to go through that again. They became part of my nightly routine. It just made sense—keep your eyelash area clean and reduce the chance of mites or debris building up again.

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When I Stopped Using Them… I Paid the Price

Earlier this year, I got lazy and stopped using the wipes. Not long after, a small sty popped up—right along my eyelid margin. It wasn't big, but it was annoying and uncomfortable. I immediately regretted ditching my routine. I went online and ordered my go-to tea tree wipes again.

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My Go-To: NOVEHA Tea Tree Eyelid & Lash Wipes

I've tried a couple of brands, but NOVEHA is hands-down my favorite. They're:

• Individually wrapped, making them perfect for travel or bedside use.

• Loaded with soothing ingredients like green tea, chamomile, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and of course tea tree oil.

• Great for multiple uses—I even use them when I forget to remove makeup or just need a quick eye refresh.

They're gentle on my skin, don't sting, and leave my eyes feeling clean and moisturized. Yes, they're pricey, but worth every single penny.

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What These Tea Tree Wipes Do

Let me quickly summarize what I love about the NOVEHA tea tree wipes, in plain language:

• Clean and refresh the lash line and eyelids

• Help reduce inflammation and irritation

• Remove dirt, oils, and debris that mites and bacteria love

• Help with conditions like blepharitis, Demodex mites, styes, and dry, itchy eyes

• Safe enough to use daily—even great at removing light makeup

• No preservatives, non-irritating, and recommended by eye doctors

The fact that they come individually wrapped means I can throw a few in my purse or keep them on my nightstand for those lazy nights.

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Final Thought

Dealing with eyelid irritation, chalazions, or styes can be frustrating and uncomfortable. I had no idea that Demodex mites even existed until my doctor opened my eyes—literally—to what was really going on.

These wipes have made a big difference for me. I use them as part of my prevention routine now, and anytime I feel a little irritation, I grab one right away. If you've been struggling with blepharitis or other eyelid issues and haven't tried tea tree wipes yet, I highly recommend giving them a shot.

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Quick Reminder

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor—just someone who has personally experienced this and found something that works. Always talk to your eye care professional before starting any new treatments or routines.

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National Beach Day (August 30)

A review of an awareness holiday for everyone who has ever enjoyed a day at the beach. 

National Beach Day

Having spent a great number of years living near beaches of many kinds, from ponds to lakes to oceans, National Beach Day ‘speaks’ to my soul. 

I spent some of my growing up years in ‘beach’ communities, from my birthplace of Canandaigua, NY (one of the Finger Lakes) to Rochester, NY situated on Lake Ontario (one of the Great Lakes). My adult married life brought me to communities on the Gulf of Mexico, the California Central Coast and the Southeastern Shores of South Carolina and Georgia. So beaches have been an integral part of my life. 

Between beach community times, I  have also lived as a ‘landlubber’ in the Midwest, but this quote keeps me going away from the beaches:

"The beach is not a place, it's a feeling"

So I can truly say: The beach is my ‘happy’ place. 

Origin of this Holiday

Begun by animal activist, Colleen Paige, in 2014, National Beach Day is designated as a day to clean up the natural resources of the beach. Keeping beaches beautiful and sustainable allows everyone to enjoy them for a long time into the future. 

Summary

So if you enjoy lying around soaking up the sunshine on your favorite beach, with access to salt-water oceans or fresh-water lakes, and love outdoor activities such as swimming, walking on the beach and building sandcastles, use National Beach Day on August 30 to participate in a ‘beach clean-up’ to keep your favorite places enjoyable for all. Then reward yourself with a 'fun-in-the-sun beach day’. 

My favorite beach picture, taken (at the request of our daughter) at dawn on the first day of the new millenium (January 1, 2001) on Tybee Island, Georgia.

Related Reviews:

• Moonstone Beach in Cambria: A Review in Photos written by BarbRad
• A Review of Jupiter Beach Park written by mbgPhoto
• South Carolina Historic Vacation Reviewed written by Sam Monaco
• Mid-Atlantic Beaches written by Dawn Rae

Happy National Beach Day

August 30

*National Beach Day holiday review written by Wednesday Elf

+All images in this post are personal photos taken by (c) Wednesday Elf

For More Holiday Reviews

Click on ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

Beach Gear:

 

HAUSHOF High Back Beach Chair, Mesh Back Folding Chair, Lightweight Low Seat Camping Chairs with Cup Holder, Carry Bag, Padded Armrest for Outdoor Beach Lawn Camping Picnic Festival

Genovega 2 Packs Oversized Beach Towel Set 36 x 72 in Large Big Pool Camping Swim Clearance Soft Towels Travel Essentials Accessories Must Haves Vacation Necessities Adult Gifts Shark Turtle

Beach Umbrella - Beach Umbrella for Sand Wind Portable with Tilt Pole, 6.56 FT Arc Length 5.9 FT Diameter, Heavy Duty Wind Resistant Striped Large Umbrellas, UV 50+ Parasol with Anchor Screw Adjustable Height

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Hand Ice Pack Glove for Swelling and Pain Relief Reviewed

I purchased this ice pack glove for my mother this summer when she showed me her swollen hand after she had been pulling weeds from her flower bed.  I was not sure if the swelling was heat related or from arthritis, as she suspected, but I knew she couldn't close her hand to make a fist.  We needed to do something to get the swelling down.  Her Sunday School teacher is a physical therapist and he recommended cold treatment.  

My mother is a real trooper.  She will minimize anything that is hurting and there have been times in our lives when I was shocked to find out she was in real pain because she just kept going without complaint.  For her to show me her hand, I knew it had to be really bothering her.  Most likely because she couldn't play the piano due to the swelling.  Thus, the search began!

I knew I wanted a glove, not just an ice pack that would lay on her hand.  Mom isn't going to sit still long enough for the cold to help the swelling.  I bought the glove with the assurance of next day delivery.  The afternoon the ice pack glove arrived, I put it in my refrigerator overnight.  I was at her home bright and early the next morning to see if she could tolerate wearing the glove.  If this glove didn't work, I would be back at my computer seeking out something else to try.  

The ice glove immediately soothed the pain in her hand, or so she said.  She could have just been trying to make me feel better, but after 30 minutes, I could see it was reducing the swelling.  We put it in the freezer for 20 minutes then and put it back on her hand.  After another 30 minutes, she was able to close her hand.  I suspect with some pain she closed her hand, but there was clear improvement.  After that, I went home, but she told me that she wore it most of the day and her hand was much better.

She is now keeping the ice pack glove in her refrigerator and using it when needed.  She isn't going to stop working or playing the piano.  The arthritis could flare up again at any time, especially during the summer heat.  Having the ice glove on hand and ready to use is simply smart.

 

Hand Ice Pack Glove   

 Finger Arthritis Compression Hand Ice Pack Gloves for Pain Relief, Adjustable Wrist Ice Pack for Hot & Cold Therapies, Reusable Gel Finger Ice Pack Sleeve for Tendinitis, Carpal Tunnel Ice GloveCheck Price

I have already purchased an ice pack glove to keep in my refrigerator at all times.  You never know when it will be needed.

I prefer the glove style to the mitt so you can still use your fingers when wearing the glove.   

The cold only lasts about 30 minutes at a time.  Having two gloves might be preferred so you can alternate them.  Wear one while the other is cooling back down.

• Made of Lycra fabric and thick solid gel
• Velcro fastening wrist strap attached
• Freeze for cold therapy
• Microwave for heat therapy
• Reusable  

 

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Hand Ice Pack Glove for Swelling and Pain Relief Reviewed  written by:

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Cozy Mystery Review-Murder on Cape Cod

 

                                       Cape Cod Lighthouse Photo by Mary Beth Granger       

I love a good cozy mystery and the latest one I have read was delightful.  It is part of the "Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery" and was written by Maddie Day.  The author has a wonderful way of bringing the characters to life on the pages of the book.  This book was book one of the series and in it we are introduced to Mackenzie Almelda (Mac to her friends).   Mac had spent time after college traveling the world and has decided to come back to her home town, a small village on Cape Cod, to settle in and make a life for herself.  She opens a bicycle repair and rental shop, which is popular with all the tourists that visit the area.  In this first book we meet some of the other shop owners who are also members of her cozy mystery book club.

Book Summary

In  this charming town on Cape Cod, Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida stumbles upon a dead body while walking home from a book club meeting in the dense fog.  The victim is a local character, Jake who has been stabbed and the police investigation begins.

Despite warning from the police to stay out of it, Mac and her book club friends decide that the police need help determining the suspect and they start snooping around for clues.  As Mac digs deeper she fears that her brother Derrick will become a suspect.  She does more snooping and one evening comes home to a note in her door threatning her to stay out of it.

With the help of her quirky friends and loved ones, Mac navigates the web of complex relationships and secrets in the small town to uncover the truth behind Jake's murder.

The Book on Amazon

Here is a link to the book on Amazon  Murder on Cape Cod

More Cozy Mystery Reviews on Review This

Here are some other cozy mysteries reviewed by the Review This Staff.

Fear in First Gear

Tea by Sea

Irish Village Mystery Series

Mrs Fix it Mystery Series

Review of Cozy Mystery Genre

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The Best Tube Squeezer AKA Tube Wringer for Everyday Use

Products in tubes are a part of our everyday lives, from toothpaste and tomato paste to first-aid ointments and paints. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to squeeze the last drops of product from tubes, and I hate being wasteful (especially when I'm trying to wring every last drop from an expensive skincare product, for example).

I have tried several styles and brands of tube squeezers, also called tube wringers. I started with smaller, more compact styles for things like small lip balm tubes, and also tried medium-sized models for toothpaste, ointments, etc. Unfortunately, most have been unsatisfactory. That's why I'm so anxious to share my review of the large, metal tube squeezer AKA tube wringer I purchased that works on all my tubes, small or large, metal or plastic.

After experimenting with different brands and types, the heavy-duty XYKEEY Metal Tube Squeezer has become my clear favorite. It’s sturdy, effective, and easy to use. I’ve also tried the smaller roller-style XYKEEY tube squeezers (like the black one shown in the photo above), and honestly, they’re just not in the same league.

Effective and Easy to Use

The heavy-duty XYKEEY squeezer is well made from a rust-resistant aluminum alloy. It feels substantial in your hand. You simply pull the ends apart slightly, insert the end of your tube between the corrugated jaws, close the ends of the wringer firmly on the end of the tube, then twist the handle. The tube squeezer effortlessly crimps the lower part of your tube while pushing every last bit of the contents toward the top of the tube.

It works equally well for tubes of toothpaste, lip balm, hand cream, skincare, tomato paste, paint, glue, and more.

It’s also easy on the hands, which I really appreciate, since my grip strength isn't what it used to be. The smooth turning mechanism, with its large handle, requires very little effort.

While the crimping action works best on metal tubes, I was delighted that it also works on my plastic tubes, which is not true of all models I've tried.

It can stand upright on the countertop or lay flat in a drawer for storage to keep things neat and tidy.

How the Smaller XYKEEY Tube Squeezer Rollers Compare

The XYKEEY roller squeezers may seem like a better value at first glance, since you can get a set of three for a little more than the cost of one of the larger XYKEEY tube wringers. Unfortunately, while they are more compact and attractive, I have found them far less effective, even for small tubes of lip balm or gloss and the like. 

Here are a few key differences:

Less effective: I have found that it can be difficult to get the ends of small tubes, especially, to "catch" and stay put in the slot. More importantly, they don't crimp the tubes or squeeze them as tightly, so more product is left inaccessible inside the tube.

More fiddly: You have to line up the slot of the inner portion with the opening of the base in order to slide the end of the tube into the squeezer.

More effort required: The rolling mechanism is smaller and doesn't work as smoothly as the larger model, making it less comfortable to use, especially with thicker creams or heavier-duty tubes.

The Best Choice for Everyday Use

If you want to get every last drop out of your toothpaste, hand creams, skincare, first aid creams and ointments, and other products that come in tubes, the XYKEEY Heavy-Duty Metal Tube Squeezer is absolutely worth it. It’s solid, effective, and makes daily life just a little more organized and satisfying. And, at less than $10 on Amazon at the time of this review's publication, it's a bargain that will quickly pay for itself many times over by minimizing product waste.

Toothpaste Squeezer, Metal Toothpaste Tube Squeezer Paint Tube Wringer for Artist, Hair Salon, Painter…

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