Teeth Whitening for Sensitive Teeth + Other Beauty Bits We Don’t Talk About

If you’re a fan of anyone in the beauty community, you’re very familiar with monthly favorites–posts where people talk about their favorites products in a given month or amount of time. I love these types of posts. It’s always interesting to see the various products someone latches onto, because everyone’s preferences are different. I’ve also found a lot of my most loved products via other creator’s favorites posts. 

However, while we are quick to talk about our favorite makeup, skincare, haircare, candles, etc., there are certain beauty related products no one ever talks about. Maybe it’s because they aren’t glamorous, popular, or interesting. Maybe it’s because we only think that. And maybe it’s because we want to keep them to ourselves. But in this post, I want to talk about 4 beauty bits I’ve been LOVING that aren’t quite as attractive as the makeup, including a new discovery, Smile Brilliant.

a whitening product*

This post idea sprouted when I was contacted by Smile Brilliant to collaborate with them. They sent over a teeth whitening kit* to try and review for you guys. 

I’m a HUGE coffee drinker, and I’ve never had the whitest teeth. They weren’t terribly yellowed, but they weren’t dazzling. You know? And the whitening products I’ve used in the past were so irritating to me, I could only leave them on for a few seconds. So I was a little nervous when I first agreed to try this whitening system. I did some research, asked my friends in the industry for a seal of legitimacy, and asked a TON of questions. But finally agreed. And I’m glad I did. 

I won’t talk you through every step, because they provide very detailed instructions for each step in your kit. You initially receive a kit containing 3 sets of catalyst/base paste (you’ll only use 2, but they send extras, belss), trays, and a prepaid envelope for returning. Your first step is to mix the products together to create a paste that will hold the molds of your teeth. These will later become the whitening trays you use. You’ll also receive 4 syringes of both the whitening gel and the desensitizing gel. And you can add more with your order if you’d like.

what I liked about this:

• It includes a kit for making customized whitening trays. With these, your teeth get covered in entirety and they don’t fall out (the trays, not your teeth. That’d be bad.)
• The process is a bit longer than other methods, but it delivers permanent results as it lifts the deep stains instead of just temporary results from surface whitening. 
• It diminished my complaints about sensitivity by including a desensitizing gel to use after each whitening session. I mean I had ZERO sensitivity. I’ve used Crest Whitening Strips in the past, and couldn’t leave them on for more than 30 seconds. And I have a pretty high threshold for pain. This was amazing.
• It’s so easy to use. It doesn’t slip and slide like strips or require me to sit with a light in my mouth. I can walk around, cook, take a bath, and anything else I want to do while also whitening my teeth. 
• It works! I’m not going to lie, I was immensely skeptical and didn’t think I’d see a difference. But I really did and have been impressed by the whole process. 

a razor

Women refraining from shaving is a huge movement right now, and while that’s awesome, I’m a gal who likes to be free of most body hair. So I buy razors. For the past … 5 years maybe, I haven’t ventured away from my Venus razors with the sensitive (light green) head. They remove what they need to while leaving my skin smooth and soft. They do the job. 

But I recently got sucked into a ton of those disruptive Instagram ads and placed an order with Billie. If you haven’t seen this company advertised all over your feed, it’s essentially a Dollar Shave Club situation geared toward women. You will tell them how often you shave (me: like twice a month) and they suggest how often to replace your razors (once every 3 months). And then they’ll send your products to you without you having to think about.

I can’t say I’m a slave to this razor, but I’m really enjoying it currently. I feel I get a close shave on my legs, under my arms, and around my bikini area. And the moisturizing strips on the actual razor head are just that, super moisturizing. I typically don’t even need to use another cream under my arms, but I do everywhere else because my skin is a little on the sensitive side.

The main selling point with this line is that the razor heads have 5 blades, which is pretty expensive to get at the drugstore. And they sell them for $9 per shipment. It solved for an inconvenience I didn’t know I had, and now I don’t have to remember to replace my razor heads.

And the branding is so satisfying and cute. It’s minimal but bright. And I’ve really been into it.

a toothpaste

I’m far from being there, but I’m trying really hard to transition my products to more natural alternatives. It’s one of goals for 2019. If you research some of the ingredients that go into our cosmetics and beauty products, you may begin to really question it. Research it a little. But probably three years ago, I switched from Colgate toothpastes to Tom’s brand toothpaste. Currently I’m using the Peppermint Whole Care toothpaste. It contains more natural and less harsh ingredients, cleans and whitens teeth, fights cavities and tartar … the works. 

This particular variety isn’t my favorite. I prefer the Simply White Toothpaste Gel in the Sweet Mint flavor. But it ultimately cleans my teeth, makes my mouth feel fresh, and generally does what toothpaste is supposed to do. But it doesn’t feel as astringent as some other mint toothpastes do. Fitz doesn’t like it, because he says it doesn’t make his mouth feel clean. 

On that note, when I initially made the transition, I felt the same way. It didn’t feel like it left my teeth as clean or fresh as my usual Colgate toothpaste. But after I got used to it, I love it and don’t ever see myself going back.

It’s not anymore expensive than typical toothpaste. I get mine from Grove Collaborative when I need a refill, but it’s sold at most drugstores and wellness stores.

a deodorant 

Like I said, I’ve been swapping products for a more natural alternative, and it started when I made the switch from typical deodorants to aluminum free deodorants. Look up the benefits of switching, but I’ve finally found my favorite. 

I tried a few different brands and types, and after rashes (I mean disgusting, painful rashes) and some smellier days than usual, I tried out the roll on deodorant from Crystal Essence, specifically the White Tea & Jasmine fragrance.

Before I switched, I was limited to unscented Dove. My underarms are so sensitive and everything was making them itchy. So I was happy when I was able to find something with a pleasant scent that worked for me. This is a roll on, mineral deodorant. And if you aren’t familiar with that, it feels a little wet when you apply it. But it doesn’t stay that way throughout the day, and it dries into a soft texture on your skin. 

What drew me to this may deter you. Aluminum in deodorant types of product is usually what makes it an antiperspirant, meaning it keeps you dry and from sweating. Because this is a deodorant and free of aluminum,  it’s going to keep your BO in check but won’t stop you from sweating. This hasn’t been an issue for me; i don’t sweat much anyway. 

A disclaimer with this product is once you begin using it, it takes a while for your body to rid itself of toxins. So you may notice extra moisture or smell. But trust me, give it a few weeks or months and I think you’ll be pretty happy.

Want a brighter, whiter smile? Here’s your chance to try Smile Brilliant!

— C L O S E D — Smile Brilliant Giveaway —

I’m convinced you’ll love your smile after using this at-home whitening system, and I want to thank Smile Brilliant for giving me the chance to gift one of you a $139 credit toward your own T3 Whitening Kit.

Enter for your chance to win your own kit here.*

Smile Brilliant offers the same whitening benefits as procedures done in an office without the cost and inefficiencies. Created by dental professionals and backed by science, Smile Brilliant brings the dental office to you. The Smile Brilliant whitening kits range from $139 to $189 depending on your needs and sensitivity level. In comparison, similar procedures in office range anywhere from $600 to $715+.

If you aren’t the giveaway winner, I still have an amazing prize for you. You can get an automatic 15% off of your purchase using the code** thelipsticknarratives15 at check-out.

*Giveaway is open to US, UK, Australia, and Canadian residents. Giveaway is open until 24 January 2018 at 11:59pm EST. Email is required. 
**This is not an affiliate code. I don’t receive compensation for you using this discount code.

Tooth Whitening Gel