Bic Medium Crystal Ballpoint Pens

I'll have to start by saying that they aren't my favourite pen.  On the other hand, they are the most long lasting "good" pen in my life.  They're durable in every fashion, they tend to write well, they tend to have a long life.  They're decent to hold.  


On the downside, if you *can* get them to break they shatter impressively.  But its not the case that they are dangerous, and they don't break often.  I also really prefer clicky pens to the ones with caps, but their caps are strong, sensible, and do stay well on the back.  They don't break the boundaries of good taste, even if they're not "cool." They don't leak. They're a good learning pen for younger children. 


I have little that is bad and much that is good to say about them, I always own a few... but they aren't quite my favourites, either, and it shows.   Still, in this pen obsessed world their importance is keen, and Bic have a very reasonable reputation to boot.  For a generalist ballpoint pen, they really are the best in their field, whatever my personal preferences!


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 9
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 7 
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 8
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 3

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, Children, Female, Male,

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Colgate 360˚ Toothbrush

We're having a theme here, because my experience with the Tesco value toothbrush was SO bad. I've previously used a couple different types of toothbrushes, but these have been my favourites of late, and I thought they deserved the acknowledgement. Especially as they've finally been brought in to replace the horror.

I will admit to being somewhat more limited in brands than everyone else, because I need to buy extra soft ones, which are less common. This isn't just me being a wuss - this is a very honest recommendation from dentists of mine, as my gums wear away quite easily. It varies from person to person, and things like swollen or bleeding gums are often solved by other means (like mouthwash). Mine are largely healthy, if overdo for the clean I can't quite afford at the moment. So, in a nutshell, these work, they're easy to grip, they're reasonable to look at, and they last at least as long as they are supposed to. Colgate 360˚ is currently getting my two thumbs up!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 4
 Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 6
 Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 6 (Seems to last slightly over the recommended six months, possibly to allow for variable wear and tear with force)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 9 Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 5 (I really like the colours)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 3 (Subjective! But I like colgate, and its not own brand, so not "1")

*Do I think its the best in its field: POSSIBLY
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Male, Female, Teenagers, 

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Tesco Value Toothbrush

I had to try. I mean, toothbrushes are really expensive, and actually you really *should* change them every six months, they do start to fall apart. I find mine almost unusable after a year, but the brand name ones are a chunk of change relative to the off brand. Anything under a pound has to be investigated - at least I wasn't wasting much money trying. However, let my own waste of money be a guide to you - they are *hopeless.* Despite having some of the basic technology that makes toothbrushes useful, they did only a very minimal amount to clean my teeth. Better than the old flat strange ones, and better than fingers, and thats is about all the good I can say.

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 1
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 2 (It doesn't fall apart immediately, so if your choice is fingers...)
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5 (To be fair I haven't tested it properly, due to lack of usefulness)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 2
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 9 (But get a real version! Its just toothbrushes that are important!)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Male, Female, Money savers

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.