“I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their heads.” -Dr. Evil
(An Austin Powers reference to kick off Friday Eve? Yeah, I’ll go there anytime.)
I scored these adorable laser cut shorts at Dandy Boutique when I was in Charleston for Giant Conference last week. (As if I could resist a little shopping, even on a business trip.) I was drawn to the cute laser cut detailing and the scalloped hem; not your basic black shorts, but still super easy to wear. I bought ’em a size up to maximize the slouch factor, and paired them with a printed Anthropologie tee last seen styled for the office for their inaugural run.
It’s a t-shirt and shorts, people. So simple and comfy, but the style factor gets a buzz from the bright pumps, fun print on the tee, detailing on the shorts, and a sparkly statement necklace. It’s all in the details.
The Vanity: NovaWhite Review.
What girl (guy, person, human being) doesn’t want a brighter smile? I’ve whitened my teeth periodically for years to keep things on the white ‘n bright, so I was more than game when NovaWhite reached out with the opportunity to try their whitening gel.
What I like to see? 22%. NovaWhite’s whitening gels are 22% carbamide peroxide (CP), and that’s legit bleaching power. You can’t find this in your standard white strips, that’s for sure.
The package came with a set of dental trays that mold to your mouth. (You boil water, dunk for 10-15 seconds, pop in your mouth, and bite down to form to your teeth.) The custom fit trays ensure the whitening gel gets in all those little cracks and crevices. When you’re ready to bleach, run a thin line of the whitening gel along the bottom front of each tray and you’re 15-30 minutes away from a whiter smile. (Bonus: the whitening gel is mint-flavored, which means no gross aftertaste.)
You can use the gels daily, but pay attention if you notice sensitivity after bleaching. My teeth are fairly sensitive, so I started with 15-minute whitening sessions every other day. I upped it to about 20 minutes every day for a little over a week.
A few tips I’ve learned from bleaching:
- Don’t overfill the trays with gel. A little bleach goes a long way, and you don’t want the bleach to sit on the gums (which can cause irritation).
- Be careful to avoid dark/colorful foods and beverages during the first 24 hours after whitening. The CP gel temporarily opens the pores in your teeth, and until these pores close again your teeth are more susceptible to stains. Steer clear of red wine, coffee, tea, dark sodas, mustard, etc., for about 24 hours after a whitening round.
- Don’t be afraid to take a break. If you’re sensitive after a whitening session, take a day or two off.
- Maintenance is key. The whitening effect won’t last forever; you’ll likely have to bleach periodically to maintain that bright new smile of yours.
- Store unused whitening gels in a cool, dark place. Better yet: toss those bad boys in a plastic bag and place ’em in your fridge. That will keep them ready to roll for up to 18 months.
My results? Here are before and after shots taken about a week apart. I can definitely tell a difference; my smile is a bit brighter, and I think that will only progress the longer I whiten.
Interested in trying out NovaWhite? You can score four of their awesome CP whitening gels for $23. That’s plenty of whitening power to give your smile a boost.
Linking up today with Vodka Infused Lemonade, Stylin in St. Louis, I’m Perfectly Human + Soul & Spirit, VMG206, Midwest Bloggers, and Style Elixir.
*NovaWhite sent the product for me to review; thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love that you feature cute stuff from small boutiques here! Way to support small businesses. 🙂 Plus you always look so cute!
Awesome post, Ashley! Nova White sounds like a great product!
Gorgeous!
And your teeth looked great before, but I can see a little bit of a difference- and after only about a week? I need to get some of this stuff! 😀
You look beautiful! I love that t-shirt- I’m sure it’s comfortable and it’s got a great print!
Love those shorts! Great look!! You have gorgeous hair btw!!
The Style Storm
<3, Christina
oooh love these shorts, and nova did a great job but your teeth were pretty perfect before too 😉
Nova White is good stuff! I need to check it out!
This outfit=YES. Also, your smile is always so perfect 🙂
So gorgeous and your teeth look amazing! What a smile! 😀
You are too cute! I love those shorts!
Wow great results! Love that top print btw!
this reminds me that it’s about time I whitened my teeth. Yikes! haha
Great top and love the shorts.
Look at those pearly whites! I used to bleach my teeth with whitestrips, but my teeth get sooo sensitive! Your results are amazing and you really can’t beat $23 bucks.
26 and Not Counting
Lovely look Ashley! I’m really loving your Vanity features- Nova White sounds awesome! Your tips are really helpful, too- I didn’t know you could store bleach gels in the fridge! Cool!
Hope you have a great weekend ahead!
Your teeth were incredible to begin with- you should be a teeth model! Haha. 🙂
Both this top and the shorts are absolutely gorgeous! And they make such a perfect pair together!
Shorts are cute, but I love your top too. It’s bright and colourful, it’s what I need now!
http://www.minsbeautyequipment.com
So pretty! Love your tee and your smile! WOW!
That top is so fun!! Love the colors and pattern! Lookin gorg!
<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
That top is sooooo fabulous and I really like your shorts!
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You look gorgeous! I love these shorts and those heels are FAB! Oh girl, I really need to whiten my teeth it has been a couple years and I can tell. I used to have people tell me how white and beautiful my smile was… a lot of coffee and wine later and no whitening, I haven’t heard that in a long time 😉
Gorgeous outfit! Loving those shorts so much!
<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
Looking great, Ashley! I have actually tried NovaWhite in the past and loved it- so affordable with great results! 🙂
Loving those little lace shorts are so cute! You look beautiful!
xx
I love these shorts! So cute- and of course you got in some shopping while away on business! You’re dedicated like that, LOL. 😉
Great outfit and cool review!
Love those heels! What a pretty color!
What beautiful shorts! I just love this outfit, looks gorgeous on you!
xx,
La Joie de Vivre by Alecia Mariana
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Loving these shorts! They will go so well with so many things! I like them with a t-shirt like this. And those shoes! So awesome!
Such a great summer look!
Awesome review- The Vanity is such a cool feature Ash!
Great Nova White review! I want to check this out- great deal!
Your smile is awesome!
Gorgeous!
Great review of Nova White! I want to give this stuff a try- for only $23, I can’t resist!
I have used NovaWhite for years now and love it! Great product!
Great post! You look gorgeous in this t-shirt and shorts outfit, and your hair is amazing! You should do a hair tutorial or something soon. 🙂
omg those shorts are the cutest things ever! always need to take advantage of those local shops when you’re on a business trip!
xo,
gabby
http://www.likealittlefox.blogspot.com
Awesome post!
Hahaha love the Austin Powers reference! That movie was on TV last week, and I had forgotten how much I loved it! I always find an excuse to go shopping on a trip. Just consider it a souvenir 😉 These shorts are too cute, and you’ll get so much use out of them the next few months!
I love that top and those shorts are so cute! I can never resist shopping on business trips either!
Nicole
Nicole to the Nines
I love the Austin Powers quote! Takes me back! Lol.
Have a great weekend, girl! You’re looking gorgeous as always!
This is an awesome outfit! Way to go, babe!
Amazing!!!! I love your shorts!!!!!
Ciao bellissima!!!
kisses
http://expressyourselfbypaolalauretano.blogspot.it
the first one tee is fabulous! nice print
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wow the whitening stuff really does work, keep those pearly whites pearly white!
I am sooooo in love with this outfit!!! Those shorts are amazing and look perfect paired with that top!!! xoxoxo Danielle @ http://www.fortheloveofleopard.com
Those shorts are to cute and love the top you paired it with. The whitening gel really worked, your smile is perfect!!
Such a cute outfit! I love dressing up shorts for summer! The black lace and top go perfectly together!
Jill
dousedinpink.blogspot.com
I love laser cut details! Those shorts are so cute! And wow! That whitening gel makes your smile so bright! 🙂