What's new: Tooth whitener leaves a bad taste

PRODUCT REVIEW: Luster Weekend Tooth Whitening System; available at Walgreens and CVS, and at www.lusteroralcare.com; $19.99.

I drink coffee every day and occasionally enjoy a glass of red wine. Both tend to stain the pearly whites - even with frequent brushing. So after overcoming my apprehension about tooth sensitivity, I tried Crest Whitestrips. No problem.

Sensitivity was still a concern with a new product, but Luster Weekend Tooth Whitening System addressed that fear right on the box. (Not that you can believe every product claim. But this one was accurate.)

The product is designed to whiten teeth six shades - it comes with a handy shade guide to track results - in three short days.

Remember my caution about product claims? Still, three days was appealing. Some whiteners take a couple of weeks.

I rinsed with the accelerator, which has an odd, minty taste. Then I painted my teeth with the tooth-whitening gel, taking care to get between teeth. I liked the control of the brush and being able to access hard-to-get places that a strip might not. I was supposed to let my teeth dry 20 to 30 seconds before letting my lips or tongue touch them, and I found myself struggling to keep my teeth apart and stiffen my lips so they didn't touch. I wasn't a fan of this part.

Then my gums started burning. The irritation subsided a bit after a while. The package instructions warn that some people might experience gum irritation, so I'm clearly not the first person this has happened to.

I left the gel, which contains peroxide, on for 10 minutes as instructed, then rinsed with the accelerator again. That was the end of the instructions. Should I rinse with water now? Should I not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes, as some whiteners recommend?

I rinsed with water because I didn't like the aftertaste and didn't eat or drink anything for 30 minutes - just in case.

At the end of the weekend, my teeth were only two shades whiter (according to the handy shade guide), not six. Maybe it was the water. And I really didn't like the taste of the rinse or the gel very much.

Should I try another three-day regime to try to achieve six shades? Again, the instructions don't offer any guidance. They say there's enough product for 12 applications, so if I liked the product better, I might have tried again.

But I think I'll just go back to my tried-and-true Crest White Strips. There's more of a time commitment (30 minutes twice a day for 14 days), but I prefer the taste and convenience of the strips. And I like the results.

Note: Luster offers a money-back guarantee with a receipt and UPC bar code from the box.

Wendy Whitt

REVIEW: Cleanup soap; available at www.cleanupsoap.com; $8 for a 4.1-ounce bar

Most of us go about our daily routine without ever thinking that in some parts of the world, you could die or lose a limb with one wrong step on a land mine.

You can do something about it by simply washing your hands.

Cleanup soap is a line of all-natural soaps made to look like a land mine. Made in the United Sates, 25 percent of the U.S.-made soap's price is donated to land-mine removal efforts around the world and the Cambodia Landmine Museum Relief Fund.

The soaps, which come in rosemary mint and coconut rice formulas, produce loads of lather and smell heavenly. The coconut soap is formulated with shea butter and rice to moisturize dry skin.

So, scrub away and help wash away land mines.

Cloe Cabrera

REVIEW: Ageless anti-age perfume; available at Saks Fifth Avenue and online at www.harveyprince.com, www.fragrancex.com and www.amazon.com; $120 for 3.04 ounces.

Apparently, aging stinks. According to research, the aging process produces a distinct odor associated with older women and men. (And you thought wrinkles were your only worry!) Ageless is touted as the first "anti-age perfume engineered to make you smell younger."

My first thought was Love's Baby Soft or Sweet Honesty. But Ageless is a light, fresh and somewhat fruity mix of grapefruit, mango, pomegranate, jasmine and soft musk. According to the Ageless Fantasy site (www.agelessfantasy.com), the ingredients have been clinically proven to make a woman smell younger - eight years to be exact - and more vibrant. I couldn't wait to try it.

I wore the perfume for several days to work and to social events. The first time my husband got a whiff, he said I smelled "very sweet." I was sweet when I was young. Score one for Ageless. At my parents' house, my mother was the first to comment on my "youthful scent." Dad agreed. When several of my friends complimented me on the fragrance, calling it energetic, fruity and yummy, I was sold. So, while I may not look young forever, at least I can smell like it.

Cloe Cabrera