It’s another Kansas City summer, and with temperatures blazing hot already, I am finding myself opting for minimal makeup and simple hairstyles that stay out of my face. My personal care routine has gotten simpler too, thanks to a few new products that I am loving: one that simplifies my period, one that simplifies body hair removal (if you’re into that sort of thing), and one that simplifies my shower routine.
Simplifying My Period
First up is Flex Disc, a single-use “menstrual disc” that is basically a condom for your period; it’s a flexible, expandable disc that sits against the cervix and collects the flow of blood for…get this…UP TO 12 HOURS. I don’t know about you, but that’s a game changer for me. It’s so great to be able to spend a day out and about with my kids, sans changing a tampon in a public bathroom with two toddlers all up in my business.
Now if you have a heavy flow, you might not get 12 hours on your heaviest days. But no matter your flow, this thing lasts way longer than a tampon. It does take some practice to insert it correctly, so I would recommend wearing a liner while you’re learning how to use it; once you get the hang of it, though, it’s so freeing! I’ve used Flex for two or three cycles now, and I’m hooked.
Some women use Flex for the entire duration of their cycle. For me, I typically opt for Flex on my heavier to medium days, or on days when I’m going to be out and about all day and don’t want to have to worry about changing tampons constantly. It’s so awesome to put in a disc and not have to worry about changing it until the end of the day, or go to bed and not worry about leaks during the night. The company also boasts that you can have sex with these in, since they completely block the flow of blood (so period sex without the period?)—I haven’t tried it, but some women claim it’s fantastic.
It’s worth noting that, while you can certainly buy Flex discs at Target, the company also offers a subscription option through their website.
Simplifying Body Hair Removal
Next is a product called Sugar Me Smooth, an at-home sugaring kit that removes body hair—which I realize not everyone is into—but if body hair removal is your jam, keep reading.
My skin has always been super sensitive, and for that reason bikini line maintenance has been a dramatic and annoying ride, to say the least. When summer rolls around and it’s time to take the kids to the pool, I am usually self-conscious about those red, irritated bumps on my bikini line that come with shaving (and yes, I’ve tried every razor and cream out there—my skin is just that sensitive).
Getting professionally waxed is only slightly better in the bumps department. Plus, it’s painful and expensive, so it’s been hard to find the motivation to keep up with it.
Enter: sugaring.
I first heard about sugaring in a Facebook mom group and then tried it myself at a local salon. The verdict? Less pain, and NO BUMPS! I was so excited to have finally found something that worked for me. I was just getting into the swing of sugaring when COVID happened. After things started opening back up, I tried to start seeing my sugaring specialist again, only to find out that she had retired during the pandemic. I was disappointed, but not for long; I soon stumbled on Sugar-Me-Smooth.
I found the company on Instagram at @sugarmesmooth (they have hilarious ads, so they’re worth a follow for that alone). I was skeptical about doing something like this on my own, but I decided it was worth a shot. The bikini kit cost me $47.99, just a fraction of a single salon sugaring session, and lasts for multiple uses; they also have kits for other areas, such as body, face, and eyebrows.
I appreciate the detailed “how-to” video tutorials available on the website. There is definitely a learning curve the first couple of times you do it; I made some mistakes at first, but each time got easier and easier, AND less and less painful. Now I could never go back!
I love having the ability to sugar myself from my bathroom after the kids are in bed. No more fitting appointments into a busy schedule or paying for expensive salon visits. The company even has a subscription option so that you don’t have to remember to reorder.
Simplifying My Shower Routine
The final item(s) are shampoo and conditioner bars. The set I’ve fallen in love with comes from a company called Unwrapped Life. I heard it advertised on a podcast and went ahead and ordered it—and wow, I love it!
Once I got into the rhythm of using this bar (my set is called the balancer), I can tell that my hair is softer AND I can go longer in between washes. I also love that these bars come without any plastic packaging. I have used regular shampoo and conditioner in plastic bottles all my life, and it’s really nice to not have to worry about rinsing out those plastic bottles and recycling them.
I will admit the cost of Unwrapped Life is a bit high for my personal hair care budget, though if you can swing the cost, I would definitely recommend it. I may eventually switch to a more affordable brand, but I think that the bar form of shampoo and conditioner is here to stay. Yay for less plastic!
Do you have a product that’s simplifying your life this summer? Drop a comment below! It just might make someone else’s life easier, too.
