Every month, new products compete for our attention in the highly competitive lifestyle market. To make your purchase decision easier, we test exciting new products in advance and report on our experiences.
Whether it’s a practical hormone test that can be carried out at home, an innovative vacuum cleaner that is supposed to offer high suction power thanks to the optimized air flow or crispy organic chips from Latin America that are also suitable for vegans – our editors also test themselves this month through the lifestyle product world. And it has new, exciting attractions in store every month. So that you can find your way through the product thicket, we test exciting new releases for you and say openly and honestly whether the purchase is worth it.
I’ll remember those! Editor Saskia tested tea flowers – a visual and taste experience © PR
Product: Creano tea flowers (6 varieties in a wooden box)
Price: 14.90 euros
To use: Beautiful looking tea flowers that bloom when poured and make the tea tasty.
Application: Boil water and pour it into a teapot. Add tea flower and let it steep according to the instructions on the package. Two to three infusions are possible.
Conclusion: To be honest: I fell in love with the cute heart-shaped wooden box without even unpacking a tea flower. This will definitely stay on my shelf and will continue to be used for storing loose tea bags. When I opened the small packaging of a tea flower for the first time, the contents reminded me of a single Brussels sprout. I like Brussels sprouts, but the first impression wasn’t particularly pretty. When I put it in my teapot with hot water, it convinced me visually: in a short time the flower opens and a colored blossom stands out. And the tea tastes really delicious too. The perfect gift for tea lovers!
PMS, where are you from? Mareike had her hormones examined in a saliva test. © Femna Health / PR
Product: Hormone test from Femna Health
Price: from 76 – 145 euros
To use: The hormones measured using a saliva sample are intended to provide information about possible symptoms and proactively improve hormonal health.
Application: The test kit will be sent home. The instructions tell me on which day of the cycle I should do the test – since hormones fluctuate during the cycle, it is important to specify the specific time. On the day in question, I collect my saliva every 30 minutes immediately after getting up in the morning. The tube goes in the mail and to the laboratory – five days later I have the result in my mailbox.
Conclusion: Femna recommended the Hormone Test Plus to me, which measures estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA. The test is particularly suitable for women who suffer from hormonal problems. For the laboratory results, I received a 40-minute consultation with a Femna expert, in my case a naturopath. She explained my results to me in detail – and was able to identify a reason for my hormonal migraines. I was then given practical tips on how I could boost my progesterone production in everyday life, such as paying attention to protein intake and reducing stress. After the conversation, you will also receive a prescription: for homeopathic remedies, but also dietary supplements that are intended to help with individual problems. Here I was given a list and personally recommend looking at what you want to follow and what not. Otherwise it will quickly become expensive. For my part, I called my gynecologist once during the test: she gave me the all-clear, the value was still within the normal range. That’s why I was able to calmly select the recommendations that proved to be suitable for me in everyday life. I would recommend the test, but always discuss any prescriptions at your next gynecologist appointment.
The chaos well under control Janine now uses the vacuum cleaner more often. © PR
Product: Ultimate 7000 cordless vacuum cleaner from AEG
Price: 329.95 euros
To use: Simple and powerful vacuuming without cables and without getting a lame arm after a few meters. The Ultimate 7000 cordless vacuum cleaner from AEG only weighs 2.2 kilograms.
Application: Remove from the charging station and start vacuuming.
Conclusion: I live in a crumb paradise with two small children. How other families manage to vacuum several times a day to keep their living spaces presentable was a mystery to me. The handy and light Ultimate 7000 cordless vacuum cleaner from AEG has definitely increased the chance that our visitors will go home lint-free. The multi-floor nozzle with LED light is only one of several nozzles supplied, but we use it constantly. It is particularly strong on our carpets, but also nice on the parquet. The fact that the vacuum cleaner can be transformed into a handheld vacuum cleaner at the touch of a button is an everyday plus. I vacuum crumbs from drawers, oatmeal from the high chair and autumn leaf crumbs from the stroller in a flash… So it’s perfect for our quick vacuuming every now and then. I couldn’t get through the two-story house in one go on one battery charge. If you want, you can simply use an additional battery – it is replaceable in the Ultimate 7000. Weight, functions, accessories and design are convincing.
Chip fun with a clear conscience Editor Anke snacks on vegan cassava and plantain chips. © PR
Product: Vegan chips from El Origen, truffles and bacon
Price: Truffle 80g for 1.99 euros, bacon 60g for 1.99 euros
To use: Snack vegan with a clear conscience.
Application: Decide which type to eat first, open the bag, scare away any other snackers and snack.
Conclusion: You can chase me with sweets, but crisp bags are empty as soon as I open them. I was correspondingly curious about the new flavors from El Origen: organic cassava chips with bacon flavor and plantain chips with truffle flavor. The texture is cunchy, the cassava chips a little more than the banana chips, and the taste is pleasantly salty and intense. If you don’t like the taste of truffles, it’s better to choose a different variety. I like it and obviously my fellow snackers do too. According to the manufacturer, the chips are made without artificial flavors or additives, are organic, vegan and free of palm oil and gluten. Not crucial for enjoyment, but certainly for a clear conscience: el origen works exclusively with local farmers in Latin America and has the items produced entirely on site.
Bikini with a feel-good factor Editor Laura tests a bikini that doubles as surfing underwear, among other things. © PR
Product: UWW bikini from Oy
Price: 39 euros
To use: The sustainable UWW bikini is characterized by its seamless workmanship and high elasticity and should be comfortable to wear under a wetsuit when surfing, for example.
Application: Unpack, put on and feel good!
Conclusion: I’m excited! If you think that this bikini can only be worn under a wetsuit for surfing, you are wrong. On vacation I wore it under my summer dress on some days and while surfing on others. He even passed the beach volleyball test on the beach. A big plus point compared to other bikinis: the super-fast drying effect because it only has a single layer. It’s also super comfortable to wear because the bikini doesn’t have any seams that pinch. It fits snugly, but without constricting, which is due to the high stretch content and the dead-stock material. And for me another advantage: it is extremely light! All in all, a great bikini that I recommend for more than just surfing.