My sweet friends over at Crest sent me some happy mail a few weeks ago, and asked me to give my honest feedback on their new 3D White Luxe Professional Effects Whitestrips. I’ve used similar products in the past, as well as professional whitening trays from my dentist, the Glo whitening kit, and in-office Zoom. I was eager to compare the results, especially against the higher priced brands.

The box contains 40 strips; 20 treatments (top & bottom). Directions recommend wearing the strips for 30 minutes a day until you reach your desired whiteness. I have very sensitive teeth, so I chose to whiten every other day instead.

I started by flossing and then brushing my teeth using the 3D white toothpaste & accelerator, which I already owned. I dried my teeth with a paper towel, and applied the lower strip first. I suggest using a toothpick or your nails to press the whitestrip in between the crevices of your teeth so you don’t have white surfaces but yellow gaps in between. Apply the top strip the same way, and be sure to fold the remaining strip over the backs of your teeth. If you have sensitive teeth like me, avoid getting any of the whitestrip or gel on your gums because it’s typically the nerves in your gums that get irritated and cause that piercing feeling in your teeth.

My husband and I split the box and did 10 treatments each. I wanted a second opinion because I do have sensitive teeth and he doesn’t at all.

After about two weeks my teeth were practically glowing.

Sorry for the crappy iphone pic, and cheeseball smile. I was wearing Lady Danger by MAC, with a Rimmel Stay Glossy over the top, which did make my teeth look even whiter. I was extremely impressed by these strips, to say the least.

My final thoughts…

• Affordable (roughly $39.99 per box)
• Effective – Half a box whitened my teeth to my desired color.
• Ease of Use – VERY easy to use. You only wear them for 30 min and they do not budge. I was actually worried the first time I tried taking them off because they literally stick like glue. I could have a full convo with my husband while wearing them, no problem.
• Little sensitivity for me, none for my husband.

In comparison to the other whitening treatments I’ve had/used, I would go back to these above all the rest. Zoom is very expensive, and requires a significant amount of time at the dental office, in addition to wearing take home trays for weeks after. Zoom also caused a horrifying pain in my teeth; I would avoid Zoom for that reason alone. Glo is as effective (or more effective), but inconvenient. The tray has to be taken out every 8 minutes, rinse your teeth and re-apply new whitening gel (repeat 4 times…yes, FOUR!) The mouthpiece also hurts my jaw, and it’s significantly more expensive. Similar whitestrips lack in sticking power, and end up sliding around my mouth, and foaming…which is gross, and makes me dread wearing them.

So there you have it. I’m a Crest 3D whitestrips kinda gal…except right now…Doc says no whitening because baby doesn’t like to eat bleach for breakfast.

What whitening products do you use? Have you tried the new Crest strips?

Hope you all have a great hump day!

XO – Samantha

*This product was gifted to me to review. My opinions, as always, are my own. If the product was crap, I’d tell you.*

I’ve had lots of requests to share my morning & evening skincare routines with all of you, especially after listing a few of the products that I use regularly. Many of you were surprised by the number of products I listed, and asked to know in what order I used them all. To clear up any misconceptions, I have an arsenal of products that I use, but not everyday. I interchange my skincare products depending on what my skin needs (for example: moisture, blemishes dullness, puffy eyes, exfoliation, etc). I am sharing the products that make it into my morning routine most frequently. If you still have any questions, just leave me a comment below!

1.|| I start my morning routine by wetting a washcloth under hot water, and then placing it (wrung out) over my face. This helps wake me up, increases bloodflow to my skin, and “opens my pores”. I use that term lightly because your pores are not doors that open and close, despite what every pore refining skin treatment on the market wants you to believe. The heat from the washcloth does help unclog and loosen any dirt/bacteria that is clogging my pores, which makes cleansing my face more effective. The pores on your face will appear larger if they are clogged, so if you can visibly see blackheads, clear the little bastards out!

2.| After I’ve steamed my face, I begin washing using either my Clinique Take the Day Off, or my Avalon Organics Vitamin C cleansing milk. I prefer balms and cleansing milks because they are hydrating, and don’t strip my skin of moisture. I also use my Clinique cleansing balm every evening to remove my makeup (even eyes) and as my first cleanse (I double cleanse in the evenings…more on that soon.) I’ll use the Avalon Organics cleanser when my skin is looking dull, or when I’m having any acne issues. The vitamin C helps brighten my complexion and fights acne.

3.||Twice a week I follow-up my cleansing with the Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Paste to exfoliate any dead skin away, which keeps my face smooth and clear of any rough patches. I prefer to exfoliate in the AM because it allows my makeup to apply more smoothly, and prevents my foundation from clinging to any dry patches of skin.

4.|| I often use a cotton pad and my Bioderma Micellar Water to remove any remaining mascara smudges, and as a final cleanse before applying moisturizer. My Bioderma also comes in handy when drawing a cat-eye with liquid liner, and I need to clean up any mistakes and sharpen the line. I use a cotton pad soaked in Bioderma, a clean makeup brush (flat brush), and simply wipe the brush on the pad and then wipe away any eyeliner that you don’t want. You could also use a q-tip, but I find a small makeup brush is more precise.

5.|| I use Origins GinZing eye cream, and I love it! This cream is slightly peachy and reflects light which helps brighten and covers my dark circles. This is the eye cream for tired moms.

6.|| I have combination skin, but during the winter months I tend to be more dry than oily. I use the Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre to hydrate and plump my skin. I purchased this in Paris after hearing review after review from beauty bloggers that I follow. They were right, this stuff is amazing, and so well priced. It’s rich and creamy, and leaves my skin feeling hydrated all day. I wouldn’t recommend this product to anyone with very oily skin. When my skin is looking grey and dull I’ll add Cosmedix Pure C to my moisturizer to brighten and even out skin tone.

7.|| I use Aquaphor on everything. My hands, cuticles, feet, and even my daughters bum when she would get diaper rashes. It’s one of the products that I couldn’t live without. I apply this to my lips every single day; after I brush my teeth in the morning, and before I go to bed at night.

Many of these products were featured in my 2013 Favorites of the Year, if you want to read more about them.

I’ll post my evening skincare routine for you all soon.

XO – Samantha