We already use Crest 3D White toothpaste at home so I had high hopes for these whitestrips. Each thin, flexible strips is coated with a peroxide-infused gel designed to grip to your teeth. The directions were simple – peel backing off the strips, apply with the gel side to your teeth and leave on for two hours. You can even drink water while whitening!

Unlike some other strips I’ve tried, these didn’t leave an unpleasant taste in my mouth. I did experience a little sensitivity after removing the strips, but it went away after about an hour. I have somewhat sensitive teeth to begin with, so I expected as much.

And now, the big reveal.

Ta-da!

White, coffee-stain-free teeth!  I couldn’t be happier with the results! And just in time for our engagement photos.

Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips keep your teeth white for up to 3 months and each kit comes with four sets of strips. So I’m set until next summer.

If you have a big event coming up or just want your every day smile to be bright, be sure to take advantage of this coupon for Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips!

disclosure: I am participating in a Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips campaign hosted by One2One Network. This is a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own.

Yeah, I’m that person that drinks 3-4 cups a day.  I apparently choose caffeine over white teeth.

Hi, this is me.  With my morning Joe.

So I was a little nervous about our upcoming ‘engagement’ photos. What if my teeth looked yellow in the pictures? Do they fix that when they edit the photos? What if they don’t?

What if I have yellowish teeth compared to my husband’s clean white shirt?

I needed a solution. And I didn’t have two weeks to complete a 14-day whitening kit. Luckily, I was able to take Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips for a test run. Talk about perfect timing. I will admit, I was a little timid about using them since my teeth can be a little sensitive. But with perfect engagement photos motivating me,  I gave them a go!

Want to see the results?

Stay tuned, the big reveal is tomorrow!

But first, tell me. What life events would you whiten for in just two hours with Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips?

(And if you do have a big event to whiten for, take advantage of this coupon for Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips!)

disclosure: I am participating in a Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips campaign hosted by One2One Network. This is a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own.

As a teen, the only thing worse than the ugly metal braces I was forced to endure was the embarrassment of crooked teeth that caused me to hide my smile and become shy and withdrawn. Talk about a Fashion Don’t — metal braces certainly qualify, wouldn’t you say?

Fortunately nowadays there are better options available, like Invisalign.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a blogger outreach event hosted by Invisalign Teen. I shared on Musings of a Housewife my own story of braces (I wore the traditional metal braces in high school, and now I’m wearing Invisalign to correct the damage caused by not wearing my retainer as an adult) and how much of an improvement Invisalign is over the old fashioned kind. But even I didn’t realize how far Invisalign has come in the past few years.

Invisalign isn’t just for adults anymore. (And it isn’t just for mild cases, either, as I previously thought.) In fact, since I began wearing Invisalign in January of 2009, a new teen version has been created especially for the adolescent set. The new Invisalign Teen product combines the benefits of the proven Invisalign Full system with new features like compliance indicators that gradually fade as the aligner is worn and eruption tabs that allow for the growth of secondary molars.

See those little blue dots? They fade as the child wears them, so parents can keep tabs on their child’s compliance between office visits. Teens love Invisalign because they don’t inhibit them playing sports and musical instruments as metal braces can and because they are barely noticeable to others.

So how do they work?

InvisalignTeen uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth, without metal or wires. After detailed impressions are taken of the teeth, Align utilizes proprietary 3D computer imaging technology to map the patient’s complete treatment from start to finish. Teens wear each aligner for about two weeks. During this time, the aligners gradually move their teeth until they achieve the prescribed final position.

Patients typically visit their doctor once every six weeks or so to ensure that treatment is progressing as planned, and to receive their next few sets of aligners.

I can attest that they are MUCH less painful than regular braces, and best of all, they’re removable. Although you should wear them 20-22 hours a day for them to work best, you do have the option of taking them out when you want to attend a special event (and of course when you want to eat.)

The best part about them, though, is undoubtedly cosmetic. They just LOOK so much better than the metal braces we were all forced to endure when we were younger. I mean, look at the difference.

You’re probably thinking, yeah yeah but what about cost? Well, as it turns out, Invisalign is often no more expensive than traditional braces. This varies from doctor to doctor, though, so it’s best to ask around. There is an art to orthodontia, and it’s crucial to choose a doctor with lots of experience with the Invisalign brand. The website even has a list of Preferred Providers who have met certain criteria to be included. Doctors don’t request to be on the list, and there is no charge for being included. In other words, you can trust the recommendation. It is not an ad; it is a service Invisalign provides to assure the best results for their clients.

Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling (she goes by Dr. Jackie) is one of the top 10 Invisalign doctors worldwide and was present at the Invisalign event to answer any questions we had. Dr. Jackie has made a generous offer to Chic Critique readers. She is offering a $500 Invisalign Discount at any of her three New York Offices. Just mention that you read about it on Chic Critique, and she will honor the discount. Locations and additional information can be found on her website.

Now simmer down. If you’re not in NYC, I have something for you too. Okay, it’s no where near as awesome as $500 off Invisalign, but it’s still pretty cool. The Invisalign Teen team (try saying that three times fast) has offered a giveaway to one lucky reader. It’s the same swag bag we received at the event — a dental hygiene kit valued at $50 PLUS a $25 gift card to Sephora. (And we didn’t get the Sephora gift card. See how special you are?)

To be eligible to win, please pay a visit to the Invisalign Teen website and share in the comment section anything you found interesting. That’s it!

Finally, if you have any questions you’d like answered before you make your first trip to the orthodontist, leave them in the comments. I will take them to the Invisalign team and get the answers for you. I’ll post the answers in a follow-up post sometime in the next few weeks.

Whether you are a parent of a teen who needs braces or interested in them for yourself, Invisalign is a viable option that takes away the stigma of wearing metal braces. And that, my friends, is a serious Fashion Do.

I never expected when I started blogging that one day I would end up writing a post about toothpaste but here I am. When commercials come on tv spouting this or that about some amazing new improvement to an every day product I usually roll my eyes and fast forward the pvr. Then one day my husband came home from work with some Sensodyne ProNamel toothpaste that a dental hygienist friend of a co-worker gave him to try. I stuck it in the bathroom and didn’t really think anything more about it.

About a week into using it I suddenly noticed that my teeth FELT different. Which was kinda weird except that they felt really nice – the felt smoother and cleaner all.the.time. The smoothness really surprised me – my front teeth have always been kind of “ridge-y” but I figured that’s just what teeth felt like. Apparently not because since using the toothpaste they have completely smoothed out, are brighter and they feel stronger. I don’t have sensitive teeth but Husbando does and he says there’s a noticeable difference in his sensitivity level as well.

I’m really surprised how much of a change there’s been in just a couple of weeks of use and how great it makes me feel about my smile – meaning that I seem to be flashing my pearly whites more often than usual!

Most products on the market give me icky side effects. I’ve used whitening strips and gels – I even had a professional whitening a few years ago. Most of them left me so sensitive I didn’t want hot or cold foods for weeks.

Even worse, some of the products irritated my gums. I remember using one kind of paste and it literally irritated my gums until they bled. Not a pretty picture, people.

So when Whiter Image contacted me and asked if I wanted to try out their products – I almost said no.

I hadn’t whitened my teeth in probably 5 to 6 years… but I decided to throw caution to the wind and give them a try.

They sent me 2 products to try:

The ToGO Teeth Whitening Pen and the Chic-Flic Teeth Whitening Pen and Lip Shine Plumper.

Using the products was extremely easy – just brush the product onto teeth, let dry for 30 seconds, and go.

I used them on and off for 3 weeks – somewhat inconsistently, if I’m being honest. I was sick, I was attending and helping with a wedding out of town… and on and on the excuses go.

Considering my inconsistency, I was honestly surprised to see results. The top picture below is my “Before” shot – please notice how you can see some discoloration on my front teeth from where I had braces when I was younger. The “After” picture is the bottom picture. I was shocked and even double checked with my magnifying mirror – but that discoloration is gone. I’ve had it for about 6 years – and it didn’t go away with professional whitening!

If I hadn’t taken the “Before” picture, I’m not sure I would have noticed that the discoloration on my front teeth is gone. Lining up the pictures to compare actually made me do a double take – I can’t believe my front teeth are uniformly white-finally!

I have only used the Chic-Flic for a few days and I am actually impressed by the lip gloss. In general, I’m not a lip gloss girl. It’s too sticky and it gets all up in my hair.

This gloss? Isn’t sticky. It made my lips very silky and smooth even after it had worn off, which is a huge plus for this Chapstick addict.

The applicator on the Chic-Flic not only has a built in mirror – but it also has a built in light! You can flip a switch on the side and it literally lights up the applicator. I’ve never seen that in a lip gloss before – so I was impressed.

If you are interested in winning a Chic-Flic from Whiter Image, head on over to my blog.

If you are interested in purchasing yourself a Chic-Flic or any of the Whiter Image products… the code Image2 will get you 15% off the price of any product plus Free Shipping!

If you are interested, Whiter Image has a blog and a Facebook page if you want to learn more about them.

Disclaimer: In exchange for this review, Whiter Image sent me 2 of their products to try.

One of the first things I do (and probably you too) is brush my teeth! So today, I’m talking about my new favorite item to whiten my teeth.

My mouthwash.

Because we all know, you can put on all the fanciest beauty products but taking care of those pearly whites will be the biggest beauty secret you have.

I stopped using mouthwash with alcohol in them some time ago and went on the search for a new one without it.

I stumbled on the Crest Whitening Rinse and thought I’d give it a try.

At first, I missed the burning sensation that only a good alcohol mouthwash can bring. But I actually got used to the fizzy feeling of this new Crest Rinse. It seems to kind of work in my teeth somehow and after I rinse, my teeth look brighter! What a great way to start the day.

How does it work?

Crest Whitening Rinse is specially formulated with two ingredients — hydrogen peroxide and sodium hexametaphosphate — that work to whiten teeth by removing surface stains. Sodium hexametaphosphate also helps protect the surface of teeth from new stains.

Oh, that explains the fizz.

Fresher breath.

Whiter teeth.

Beautiful!

Okay, now you have your fresher breath and whiter teeth and all of your make up on. How about some of Cover Girl’s new lip gloss with Crest mint in it – Amazemint? It’s an inexpensive lip gloss with high shine, a little color and a minty feel on your lips and tongue. I’ve enjoyed keeping this one in my car and swiping it on right before I head into the school or an errand.

Fresher Breath

Shiny Lips.

Beautiful!

I love these dual working items, don’t you?

Oh, and go HERE to get your $7 off coupon the Crest’s new Whitening Advanced Seal System.

I had my teeth whitened two years ago.  I have since come to refer
to the experience as “Hours of Torture that I Would Rather Not
Relive.” Not only did the hygienist have me panicked about burned and
blistered gum tissue (a thought that still makes me cringe), but my teeth were
painfully sensitive for several days after.  This is why, where teeth whitening products are concerned, I say, “Been
there, done that.  No, thanks.”

But, I have three children under the age of six. I’m not giving
up red wine coffee any time soon. So, when I read about a lip gloss that
would make my teeth look whiter sans peroxide, guess who cleared her
calendar and hopped on over to CVS? 

For those who don’t know (and I was one of them), Sally Hansen –
the people who do nail products — have an entire line of lip products.
With great expectations, I picked up a tube of their Smile Brightening Lip
Treatment for about $7.  The Sally Hansen folks claim it’s
“the first lip gloss with the secret to instantly whiter
teeth.” 

What is this secret you ask?  The gloss is full of blue-based
pigments and “brightening pearls” designed to highlight the color
white, rather than the color yellow.  It’s also packed full of
vitamins A, C & E to help soften dry lips.

The gloss comes in five shades.  I chose
“Luminous.”  It’s more mauve-y than I usually wear (I
prefer neutral/brown shades), but for a pain-free white smile, I figured it was
worth a shot.

And can I tell you?  The shade is perfect.  It’s
surprisingly neutral and natural
looking — the type of color that I’m pretty sure would compliment most
skin tones. 

The gloss itself is not the least bit gloppy or sticky and has a lovely
vanilla mint scent.  It provides a little more coverage than a typical
gloss, but doesn’t feel as “heavy” as a lipstick. It also seems
to last a little longer than my other lip glosses.  And the teeth?  I
think they actually do look whiter when I wear it. 

I’ll confess, I’m already on my second tube.  It’s
become one of those products I reach for daily, and at half the price of my
favorite department store gloss, it leaves me with plenty to smile about.

Now, granted, I don’t have horribly stained teeth (although that’s a small miracle considering the copious amounts of red wine, coffee, and Coca-Cola I consume on a weekly basis), but I still noticed an improvement after using the Whitestrips.

My biggest complaint is, well, it’s a pain in the neck, for one thing, to wear those things for 30 minutes twice a day.  But more importantly, they make my teeth sensitive, which is a pain in the, well, mouth.  Ha!  But it’s a small price to pay for whiter, brighter teeth.

Funny story — a few years ago, my husband went to the dentist and paid $300 for the professional teeth whitening kit.  He was using it on the sly, wondering if I’d notice the difference if he didn’t tell me about it. 

Meanwhile, I went out and bought the Crest Whitestrips for $29.99 and started using them.  When my husband saw how well my Whitestrips were working, he came clean about his own teeth whitening enterprise, and he was fit to be tied that he spent $300 and I spent $30 for the same results.

So the moral of this story is, don’t bother with the professional teeth whitening.  Just go get Crest Whitestrips.

How about you?  Do you have a favorite brand of teeth whitening product?  We’d love to hear about it!