New Year's Eve Essentials!

Well, it's that time of the year again... the end! First, I want to thank you, the readers, for a wonderful 2011! I'm so happy that you enjoy this tiny consumer reports operation I started! While you're generally void from the comment section, I love reading your emails and seeing you repost my reviews! Thanks! 2012 will be awesome with you all around!


With that said, most of you will be going out on the town for New Year's Eve. The Trav Test has 3 essential items to make your night an A!


1. Agloves. I've told you about Agloves before and Tweeted about their newest products. You'll want to use your touchscreen phones, but it's cold in many places! Stay warm AND connected with Agloves!


2. Blistex. I'm not sure if it genuinely counts as prevention, but if you'll be kissing people at midnight, 50%-80% of them have herpes! Blistex claims to relieve cold sores so you'll want it in your purse or pocket! (On that topic, grab some condoms, too. Even if you won't need them, someone will.)


3. Numbers for taxis or a taxi finder app. You'll probably be a drunk mess, so don't drive. It's simple!


If you have these 3 (ok, 4) items, you can be confident that you'll have a great time!*


*The Trav Test is not responsible if you have a shitty time. If you do something stupid, it's on you. If you have a really annoying significant other, that's on you, too. If you have nowhere to go on NYE, have these items anyway - you can go to see a movie. Using the Agloves, use your iPhone to get a ride and have the Blistex ready when your lips are super dry from the salty popcorn! All kidding aside, be safe, have fun, and see you next year!

New Year's Eve passes The Trav Test with an A+. 


• Category: Fun!
• Location: Everywhere!
• Cost: Depends!
• Ease of use:
 Easy!
• The Trav Test grade: A+!

Quick Tip: Oral B Pulsar

The Oral B Pulsar is an inexpensive battery-powered toothbrush that is supposed to help break up plaque between teeth.  It is powered by a AAA battery which usually dies before the bristles are worn and in need of being tossed.  One would assume that it would be easy to pop a new AAA battery in and go.  It's not.  Save yourself the hassle and buy a nicer toothbrush that advertises the ability to replace batteries!

This is a quick tip from The Trav Test to make every day an A!

Waterpik SWI 615 Sinusense Water Pulsator

While I have only had the Waterpik SWI 615 Sinusense Water Pulsator for just under 1 week, I am already a huge fan!  As I noted in the review preview, I was rather nervous to use it.  Many of the reviews on Amazon.com and other similar sites said that there were issues with water leaking into the battery housing and to avoid the product until those issues were resolved.  I'm not sure if the manufacturer changed the product or not, but I have not had any problems.  Knowing how the product is assembled, I have to assume that the problems are caused by user error.

With the aforementioned problem not posing an issue for me, I am happy to report that the Waterpik SWI 615 Sinusense Water Pulsator is a great product.  I have had sinus issues for years.  I had polyps removed and my sinus openings enlarged almost 10 years ago.  I've had intense sinus pressure and infections consistently over the last 2 years and was beginning to think that the polyps were back.  Since the polypectomy was the absolute worst pain I could imagine, I was not rushing to have it again.

In the last week, I have used the Waterpik SWI 615 Sinusense Water Pulsator daily before bed.  My sinus pressure and most recent infection are gone.  I also cannot remember the last time I was able to breathe as well as I can today.  My ability to breathe freely is most likely a combination of the effects of the Waterpik SWI 615 Sinusense Water Pulsator alone as well as the Waterpik SWI 615 Sinusense Water Pulsator allowing my Nasonex nasal spray to work more effectively.  If these results continue, I think I will be using this product every day for the foreseeable future.  While the cost of the WaterPik Sinusense Soothing Saline Easy-Pour Packs adds up, at about 12¢ per day (120 for $15 on Amazon), it's certainly worth it.  It's even cheaper through Walgreens using the manufacturer coupon and Walgreens rewards.

Using the Waterpik SWI 615 Sinusense Water Pulsator isn't the most comfortable thing, but it's definitely not painful either.  The sensation is similar to getting water up your nose while swimming.  I have found that using warmer water is more comfortable as colder water more closely resembles drowning.  It's difficult to describe - not unpleasant, but also not pleasant.  10 seconds (per nostril) of an awkward feeling is certainly worth the benefits, though!  If by some chance my results disappear or the battery housing begins to leak, I will post an update. As of today, however, I'd say this product is one of my new favorite things!

Waterpik SWI 615 Sinusense Water Pulsator passes The Trav Test with an A+.

 • Category: Products, Sinuses, Medical, Health

 • Location: Online or in stores nationwide

 • Cost: Varies.  $35.20 on Amazon.  $34.99 from Waterpik.  I got mine on sale for $29.99 at Walgreens plus I had a $10 coupon from Waterpik's website!  $19.99 cannot be beat!

 • Ease of use: Easy!

 • The Trav Test grade: A+

Sinusense Waterpik

Review Preview!

I'm going to finally be getting my hands on the Sinusense Waterpik Pulsator and I am slightly nervous.  If it works as intended, I will be extremely impressed.  The idea of water shooting through my nose, however, does not sound pleasant!  Also, many other reviews have mentioned issues with the battery housing leaking.  We'll see!  Expect the review before next Wednesday!

Gloves In A Bottle

Winter is harsh on skin for pretty much every single person, but those of us with already dry skin are even worse off.  The combination of winter's ravage and constant use of hand sanitizer at the office to avoid the flu left my hands dry and cracked.  My knuckles were so dry that they would often bleed slightly.  Fed up with the dryness, I set out to find a lotion that truly moisturized and protected my hands without making me smell like an old lady or feel extremely greasy.  After months of searching, I found Gloves In A Bottle.


Gloves In A Bottle is an effective lotion that can be found in many stores across the country and ordered online.  Because it claims to not be easily washed off, it is considered a shielding lotion.  Gloves In A Bottle stopped my bleeding knuckles with one use.  After a few days of use, my hands had absolutely no signs of dryness at all.  The product even added so much moisture to my cuticles that I haven't had a hangnail in weeks.  While unscented, the lotion does have a certain smell, but it fades away once dry and isn't caused by any added fragrance(s).  Gloves In A Bottle also does not feel greasy - something that I hate with other lotions.  After a few seconds, the product is absorbed by the skin and I can even use my iPhone without any hesitation.  The product simply works and for this reason, I cannot rave about it enough.  I have absolutely no complaints and would highly recommend Gloves In A Bottle to everyone!

Gloves In A Bottle passes The Trav Test with an A+

• Category: Products, Skin Care, Health

• Location: Stores nationwide or Online

• Cost: $14.95 per 8oz bottle (individually)

• Ease of use: Easy

• The Trav Test grade: A+