Tampon Subscription Boxes May Be The Next Best Thing For Your Menstrual Cycle
"Tampons cost too much damn money."
As a former tampon user, I would cry about this all the time as I shopped for Costco sized boxes of tampons every so often. On top of being expensive, some people have found them to be death traps thanks to Toxic Shock Syndrome, and most periods arrive at the most inconvenient hour (which is any hour in the day). Therefore, shopping for tampons sometimes feels like shopping for your mom at Walmart on a crowded day - a necessary evil.
Luckily, tampon subscription services are standing by to provide sanitary products and a little extra support when you have your period. For a low monthly cost, these various tampon subscription services will provide you with a menstrual cycle's worth of tampons or sanitary napkins, extra undies, towelettes, sweets, and gifts.
Yes, tampon subscription services are a "thing," and the benefit is that they are great for young girls approaching their first moon, or gifts for the first time moms post-pregnancy. Here's a list of four that may peak your interest.
Hello Flo
This company started making waves in 2013 when they attempted to change the way adolescent young woman viewed periods with their hilarious viral YouTube video, "Camp Gyno." The video has more than 10 million views, and features a young girl with a drill sergeant attitude about her first period who labels herself the camp's "unofficial gyno" for girls starting their periods. Seriously, she hands them their first tampons, tells them to "suck it up" when they get menstrual cramps, and compares herself to Joan of Arc.
Hello Flo followed up with a second hilarious video "First Moon Party", shot Modern Family style, with lots of funny commentary about a young girl who faked her first period. According to The Daily Dot, Hello Flo teamed with Procter & Gamble, and Always for the "First Moon Party" video a year after launching their company.
What makes Hello Flo unique is that even though they advertise their period kits for young girls, they have products for college-bound ladies, first time-mothers, and women who grow weary with another last minute trip to the drug store. You can time your package to arrive around the time you start your moon, and the kits contain an assortment of survival gear for "Aunt Flo's" arrival - from Luna bars to tampons.
The Period Store
If you're not cool with receiving only Always products with your monthly subscription, check out The Period Store. You can choose an assortment of sanitary products from around the world, in addition to chocolates, gifts, herbal remedies for menstrual cramps, menstrual cups, and even freshening wipes.
What's cool about them is that you're not limited to one tampon brand, and they deliver both in the U.S. and Canada. What sucks is that the more items you add on, the more money you would have to pay in the one-time fee before you pay your regular subscription amount. Say for instance you decided to have Always tampons and cloth pads. The tampons come with the subscription, but the cloth pads start at $12.00, which means that you pay a little more for your "one-time fee" up front, and then your monthly subscription price goes back to $15 or $25 (depending on which subscription you choose).
The good news is that the more items you get, the more freebies they add to your box, like art work, tea, and other gifts.
Le Parcel
This subscription service is pretty straightforward, and consistently sends you exactly what you'll be needing to take care of your Aunt Flo's monthly visit.
You begin your Le Parcel order by selecting the size and amount of tampons (they only offer Playtex, Tampax, and Kotex), you choose a date for when you want your package to arrive, and then confirm your order. Subscriptions start at $15 (plus shipping and handling), and includes chocolates and a handcrafted gift.
LOLA
LOLA is changing the game with the way they make their tampons. According to Forbes,
The company manufactures its own 100% hypoallergenic cotton tampons...currently available with BPA-free plastic applicators. New design features include compact sizing, cotton expansion widthwise rather than lengthwise which the company claims insures superior protection, non-porous wrappers intended to keep cotton intact and unaffected by air particles, and a discreet, display-worthy box that clearly lists ingredients.A subscriber can choose her preferred assortment of 18 light, regular, and super absorbency tampons, how many boxes she wants, and shipment frequency. She can customize her order to include 3-light/10-regular/5-super one month and the next all regular, as an example. Prices are (18-ct/box) 1 box $10 or 2 boxes $18.
What's even more unique about LOLA is that they are completely transparent with what ingredients are used when making their tampons, so you won't have to worry about any "mystery fibers" in your lady plugs. The company is also not shy about sharing exactly how their tampons are manufactured.
Ladies, have you ever tried a tampon subsection service? What do you think about it?
Related Post: I Tried A Menstrual Cup ...And It Was Pretty Freaking Awesome
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
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Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
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The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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