Once again through Crowdtap (If you don't know what this is you can hear about it in my Crowdtap post) I got another awesome opportunity to sample a product. This time it was for U by Kotex. Kotex sent me two adorable zipper tins, each holding a generation know bracelet, two sleek tampons and two panty liners. One tin I got to keep for myself, the other I chose to give to my sister.
The adorable zipper tin
The adorable zipper tin
Photo: Mine
The picture doesn't do it justice. I love this tin (it helps that its my favorite colors blue, grey and black). Its perfect for holding tampons, pads and liners. It could easily be used for other things like make up, school supplies, first aid/emergency kit, etc. Its nice and discrete so no one would know that its holding feminine care products, perfect for a young girl who may be embarrassed about having periods. It big enough to easily hold six tampons yet small enough to slip into a purse or backpack without taking up much room.
The bracelet
Photo: Mine
Cute little adjustable bracelet (pink, yellow, blue and black) with an "I know" charm. From included card: "Join the first generation of girls to get the facts about their bodies and share that knowledge to create social change. Wear your generation know bracelet and inspire future generations to get in the know".
You can read more about generation know at getnerationknow.com
I love that Kotex is all about providing everyone with the facts about periods. Everyone, not just woman, need to know more about periods and be more comfortable talking about them. When my grandmother started her period she had no idea what was going on because nobody had talked to her about them. Her sisters told her she was dying! No girl should start their period not knowing what's happening with their body and fear that they are dying.
Now onto the main product
Photo: Mine
The tampons and liners from the two tins. They come in a lot of fun colors and patterns, no more boring tampons and pads! Before the sample and share I had never used a Kotex tampon but used their liners regularly.
Photo: Mine
Photo: Mine
The Kotex slim tampons I sampled came in regular absorbency (6-9g). They have a dotted line at the top to show you where its easy to tear open. Since they come in different colors they have a circle with in r (for regular) in the middle on both sides of the packaging so you can tell them apart from different absorbency amounts you might also have. I compared the Kotex slim tampon to what I typically use which is the Tampax Pearl tampon. As far as the packaging goes there's things I like about both. I love that Kotex has different fun colors, making periods a little less boring, but sometimes it can be a little confusing. I keep different sized tampons so I can grab what I need depending on if I have a heavy or lite flow. Tampax pearl has different colors for different absorbency's so I can take a quick glance and know which one I'm grabbing. With the Kotex I have to look at the little circle to see what the size is since each size comes in every color. At the same time it can be difficult with the tampax because you have to remember what color is what size.
Left: Kotex Slim Tampon in purple
Right: Tampax Pearl Tampon yellow=regular
Photo: Mine
Photo: Mine
With opening the packaging I like the Tampax pearl a little better then the Kotex. The Tampax has two tabs that are easy to grab and pull apart. It also has a tighter seal on the bottom half of the package that stops you from ripping the entire side open. This is nice because you can easily place the applicator back into the package for a clean disposal. The Kotex has the dotted line near the top like a mentioned before. Its easy to tear so your not struggling to get it open. I don't like this as much because its also easy to tear the entire top portion off the package and then your left with an extra piece of package that you have to try to figure out what to do with. Its also more difficult to get the applicator back in because the opening in the package is smaller then the Tampax which results in a messier disposal.
Photo: Mine
About the size. As you may have noticed the Kotex slim is significantly smaller then the Tampax Pearl. This next picture shows the size difference even better.
Photo: Mine
Both of these Tampons are regular absorbency (6-9g). The slim definitely lives up to its name. Kotex is a lot more compact and great for people who struggle with larger tampons. Your able to get a good amount of absorbency but in a smaller applicator.
Both applicators are made out of a smooth plastic. The Kotex however added a rubber grip to there's so your able to have a more secure hold.
Photo: Mine
I've never really had a problem with the grip but the Kotex is a great solution for anyone that has and its also more comfortable to hold on to.
I've had times were after a while I forgot I was wearing a tampon with Tampax but the instant I put in the Kotex it felt like nothing was there. I think the sleek design really helps with the comfort level of the tampon. I had heard a girl in a video review of Kotex mention that she couldn't feel them but I didn't believe it until I tried it.
In the past I have had trouble with other tampons leaking within an hour of putting them in. They would barely have absorbed anything before starting to leak. Tampax pearl was the first tampon I found that worked for me. I think the back up braid is what made the difference. I really wasn't sure that Kotex would work since I had such bad luck with all the other brands but I didn't have a problem. I was able to have it in for the regular amount of time without a single leak. I'm excited to find another tampon that I can wear without worrying about leaks.
Overall I was really happy about the tampon and surprised it actually worked well for me. I would definitely recommend Kotex slim tampons. There were just little things that I liked about the Tampax Pearl better but Kotex definitely wins for overall comfort which is most important. Next time I go to buy tampons its most likely going to be Kotex.
Onto Kotex Liners
Photo: Mine
So many fun colors and patterns! I absolutely LOVE Kotex liners. I used them before the sample and share and continue using them regularly. I don't have any other liners at home to compare these to because I refuse to buy any other brand.
Photo: Mine
These liners are perfect for so many different things. If you have trouble with spotting they are great for use in between periods. You can also use them to help feel fresh and clean throughout the day when your not on your period. They're really thin and lite so its easy to forget they are even there. I think that they're really comfortable and don't mind wearing them all day.
Photo: Mine
They are easy to carry since they are so thin. You can slide one in your pocket and nobody would have clue it was there. I like to wear these the day that I expect my period. I don't have to wear a big thick pad but I still feel protected and ready for my period to start. They are also easy to wear with thongs (I know they make liners specifically for that but these are easy to adjust to any type of underwear) which is important to me. I don't like having "period underwear" I want the week of my period to be just like any other week I shouldn't have to break out special cloths to help hold or hide my pad or liner. These Kotex liners help the week of your period feel like any other week. I continue to wear the liners throughout my period as back up protection, sometimes you aren't able to change your tampon the minute you need to! These make me feel confident that I'll be protected no matter what. I'll also continue to wear them a few days after my period to help with any last bit of spotting. Also because my period loves to be sneaky and go away for a day or two and magically reappear.
Easy open
Photo:Mine
I love to work out regularly and don't want to have to worry about a leak in the middle of my workout. I do a lot of cardio along with weights in my workouts so I sweat a lot. These little liners hold up through all the sweating so I don't have to worry about them falling off or apart or not doing their job.
Unbelievably thin
Photo: Mine
Photo: Mine
Extra thin edges help the liner stay in place while a thicker center (still thin) help keep you protected.
Photo: Mine
I was really happy with the Kotex products I was able to sample and share. The tampons were a pleasant surprise and the liners continue to be my favorite. Thank you Kotex for giving me the opportunity to try your products and for the adorable zipper tin and bracelet!
* I was given free Kotex samples to try and review. I was asked to give my honest opinion whether good or bad. Nothing was given to me for providing a positive review. All the opinions stated in this post are 100% my honest thoughts and feelings. All the pictures included in this post are mine. I am rewarded through Crowdtap for sampling and completing an honest review.*
