I Love My Muff is a range of feminine care products. The range was created when Ritz Clinging sought such products and none were to be found. She did the only logical thing and create her own range. I Love My Muff was born.
I was initially a little reluctant to review these products as I am an incredible prude. I hate that I am but really can't help it. I like to live in a fantasy world pretending everyone has a similar anatomy down stairs to Barbie and Ken. But I decided that if I just be as scientific as possible then it won't be that embarrassing, and at an rate, no one can see me blushing! My other major reluctance to writing this review is that the biggest fan of my blog is my Dad. He has no interest in beauty products but loves to read what I write. And I know that Dad won't know what a muff is and so will stumble, unsuspectingly into this post. Dad, 'muff' is slang for vagina so for both our sakes please stop reading now (and any other male who has snuck in here looking for pictures of muffs, I'm sorry but you are not going to find any so it's time for you to leave as well).
When I first heard about the I Love My Muff products I thought that they were completely unnecessary. I remember being taught in High School Health to only use water to clean your vagina, not soap or other cleansers, as it is such a delicate area. Then, when I was at Uni I learnt that the pH of the vagina is actually acidic - between 3.8 and 4.5 and these acidic conditions allow a natural flora of good bacteria to grow (just like in your intestines). When the pH is disturbed, such as when you use soap which is actually quite alkaline, it kills off the good bacteria allowing the fungus Candida albicans, to take over. This is the organism that is responsible for thrush. Therefore, you have to be very careful about what you use to clean yourself, downstairs.
I Love My Muff has thought about all of this in the product development. Kimmi from The Plastic Diaries has also reviewed this range and managed to find out that the pH of the products has been tested at between 4.5-5.5 which is considered safe for the vagina area. I also found the following details on the I Love My Muff website:
- All natural plant based lipids and cleansing extracts from Coconut, Palm Kernel and Aloe Vera oils form a soft subtle lather that glides like a hydrating jelly and smooth honey that gently washes away. It will leave your skin feeling exquisitely clean.
- Pure beneficial essential oils provide freshening and invigorating properties giving the products naturally occurring colors and uplifting scents.
- Exceptionally gentle and suitable for all skin types, i love my muff clean wash may be used as an essential part of your daily muff maintenance care.
- Cruelty free, vegan, free of parabens, SLS, synthetic colors and fragrances. Lovingly handmade in Canada.
- For external use only. Rinse thoroughly.
In addition, they fully disclose every ingredient that goes into their products then go on to explain why the ingredients are being used. I won't reproduce this list but all the ingredient information you need is listed here.
I was sent the Green I Love My Muff kit to review. According to BeautyWorksWest, Green means 'go' and this sweet blend will help get you there. With an irresistible fusion of vanilla, grapefruit and ylang ylang there's no telling where it will take you. The kit contains the following products:
- 10 fresh wipes
- 60ml bottle of wash
- 60ml bottle of pure spray
- 60ml bottle of lotion
Even after I was sent the kit, I was still pondering how unnecessary this range was, and was wondering who would use it. But that then led me to come up with many situations where I Love My Muff would actually be a bit of a life saver. The most obvious one is that time of the month. No matter how hygienic you are it is difficult to feel truly clean when you have your period. If you have any gynaecological check ups, such as a pap smear, it gives you confidence to know that you are clean and fresh. Or if you have a waxing appointment later in the day, and it is not possible to shower immediately beforehand, the wipes are brilliant for a quick freshen up. I guess there is a need for this range, after all!
The wipes: these are similar to the refresher towels that you get from KFC, but suitable for the delicate skin of your vagina. They are lightly fragranced but I didn't find that the fragrance linger at all. At first, they stung slightly when used but this subsided within seconds leaving the area feeling refreshed. I thought these wipes were the most ingenious products of the range. They are individually wrapped so can discreetly be kept in your handbag for those moments where you need a quick freshen up, such as just prior to a waxing appointment.
The wash: if you ever sneakily clean yourself with soap, or shower gel or shampoo then your probably need to invest in the I Love My Muff wash. Unless your product is the right pH for your vagina, you run the risk of causing irritation or starting a thrush infection. I found this very gentle to use. It lathered lightly making it easy to clean the area but did not leave it feeling irritated.
The spray: I loved the smell of this - it was very pleasant, but to be perfectly honest I was not entirely sure the point of it. I thought it would be a little difficult spraying the area but it wasn't at all. It did leave it feeling refreshed but I can't say how long the scent lingered...I didn't stay naked long enough to find out. Once I was dressed I could not detect the scent at all. It did make a good freshener for the area but I can see myself turning to the wipes over the spray if I did feel like I needed freshening.
The lotion: Initially I was totally baffled by the concept of a lotion for your vagina. That is not an area I have ever considered moisturising. Was it meant to be a lubricant? Then I read that it is to be used after waxing or shaving, when the area is feeling tender or inflamed. So, the lotion is meant to be used on the skin around the vagina and not inside it. I have not tested this product as I have not had a need for it. I think if you get regular Brazilians and need something soothing to apply, this could be just what you are after. It would definitely be better to apply this than your regular moisturiser that is not specially designed or the right pH for the area.
I just want to make one final point about this range before finishing my review. This was mentioned above but just in case you skimmed past it. I Love My Muff say that their products are For external use only. Rinse thoroughly. Please adhere to this. Just use these products to clean and moisturise the external parts of your vagina and not inside it. This is where the acidic pH needs to be maintained. The inside of your vagina generally does not need to be cleaned. If you feel that it does then you are best off talking to your Doctor to find out the best way to do this.
If you want to purchase anything from the I Love My Muff range, they are available from BeautyWorksWest. The kit containing all of their products is $AU52.10 or if you want to buy any of the products individually then a 25 pack of wipes is $31.75, or 120ml bottles of the wash, lotion or spray are $AU26.65 each. This is also another brand partner of Lust Have It so if you have signed up for the monthly sample boxes you will hopefully get a sample of I Love My Muff soon.
Can you see yourself using I Love My Muff?
All opinions stated in this blog are my own. I have no affiliation with I Love My Muff and received no remuneration for my comments. This kit was sent for consideration.
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