' Product Review: The Drew Co. Bath and Body (Giveaway!) | Adventures with FitNyx

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Product Review: The Drew Co. Bath and Body (Giveaway!)

Over the summer, and indeed throughout the evolution of my fitness lifestyle, I noticed the toll all this sweat, sun, and stress was taking on my skin.  And my hair, but that's a whole 'nuther story...  Anyways, I started keeping an eye out for better products to help me wash away the adverse dermatological issues generated by so much fitness.  In short, I wanted to clean up better!

http://www.thedrewco.com

Then I found Drew Co on Instagram.  It was love at first sight, and I just had to try some of their great-looking stuff.  A quick inquiry into the company uncovered two owners who both loved to run!  Conveniently they had been considering creating a Runner's Kit with a smattering of products to help sweaty folks like me keep up our healthy glow!  After asking a few questions about my specific skincare needs and worries, The Ginger and Lady Drew sent me a whole box of amazing goodies to treat myself right!


Disclaimer: Drew Co sent me my Runner's Kit free of charge in exchange for my review.  I received no additional compensation, and all thoughts and opinions in this post are my own, as always!

 Let's start with my favorite item, aka the Dirty Sailor, aka, the best salt soap on the planet!  I was told the scent was reminiscent of Captain Jack Sparrow, which I thought was a bold and untraceable claim at first, but then I started using my bar and YES, it really DOES smell like Jack Sparrow!  Not gonna lie, there have been times I've reached into the shower, grabbed my bar, and just inhaled for a quick shot of my new favorite scent.  The soap itself is silky smooth, scented (obviously) but not overpoweringly so, and my skin feels incredible every time I use it.  I've historically had an weird aversion to "girly skincare products" so trying Drew Co was a little outside my comfort zone in the first place - but after a months-long affair with a Dirty Sailor, I think it's fair to say I'm hooked!


Though it's not explicitly running-related and from what I have heard in the past more likely comes from my partially Italian heritage, I seem to have a problem with little bumps on the skin of my upper arms.  They itch a bit, and they make my skin, well, bumpy - which is icky.  I mentioned this when I was discussing Runner's Kit options, and Drew Co tucked in one of their grit products, delightfully called No Way To Treat A Lady.  Well Drew Co, I beg to differ - it is the PERFECT way to treat THIS lady, at least!  Grit is a dry scrub to help combat some of the toughest parts of skincare, and it has made quick work of my arm bumpies.  Now the skin is so soft, so smooth, and incredibly touchable, which has been great for showing off the new guns I've been working on in the gym!  Easily my second favorite product in the bunch, and something I'll probably exclusively buy from Drew Co in the future because no other scrub has ever worked on those bumpies!  Pro tip: use the lid to take just a small amount of the grit if you're using it in the shower, otherwise you risk getting the whole tin wet, especially if you're a klutz like me.


Of course I wanted to follow up my freshly scrubbed and deliciously clean skin with a little lotion, and Drew Co's Rose Colored Glasses was waiting for me.  I LOVE the way my skin feels after a few days of this lotion, but the scent is very rosy and very strong.  After a while I switched to only using this every couple days so as not to overpower the fresh clean scent of my Dirty Sailor (that sounds so contradictory but whatevs, he's amazing).  The lotion itself doesn't feel greasy or sticky, and it rubs right in so you can throw it on quick without leaving smudges over everything else you touch!  I think this scent and lotion base would be an amazing face cream if the scent could be toned down a little bit...


Drew Co also provided me with an alternative to tradition lotion: a block of body butter called Serendipity.  Basically a solid lotion, you rub the block directly onto your skin, and the warmth of your body heats it up just enough to leave a thin buttery residue.  This felt divine after a fresh shave or a grit scrub, but unlike the more traditional lotion, the Serendipity stayed greasy on my skin for a while, which made me hesitant to get dressed too soon after using for fear it would stain my clothes.  I used it on days when I had enough down time to give myself that full spa-treatment (and bonus, got to use my bridesmaid gift from my brother's wedding, the cutest  monogrammed blue bathrobe EVER) but couldn't use it as often as I would have liked once my schedule picked up.  Pro tip: use the lid as a "gripper" to hold the bar, otherwise the warmth of your hands will melt it and you'll end up sticky!  (I definitely think this product could use a better package and delivery system; something like a deodorant stick that would let you hold it without touching the actual product so you don't waste too much on your hands... )


Finally, I received a second bar of soap, one of their best sellers: The Ex.  I almost forgot I had this one in the box still, because I'd been so tied up with my Dirty Sailor (who needs the ex when you have the Captain, right?) but I hauled it out one day and plunked it in the shower so it would see some use.  I'm glad I did!  Though the first time I used it, I lathered up a washcloth for application, which left me a little confused.  I had enjoyed how incredibly smooth the soap felt, but I checked its description and realized it's supposed to be an exfoliating soap, which I didn't get at all!  Next time I was in the shower, I paid more attention to the feel of the bar and noticed the grit on the bar itself, which would have made for a much better exfoliant.  I've tried using a couple different types of loofa/shower poof, but the only way I feel the grit doing anything for my skin is if I use the bar directly.  Honestly, I like the smooth washcloth version MUCH better!  Still, it's great in a  pinch for a rough spot if I forgot to snag some of my grit before getting into the shower...


And there you have it!  Five AMAZING products from Drew Co, all of which are available for purchase on their website independently!  Or you can mix and match products to create your OWN runner's kit to meet your needs.  Plus, if you're luck enough to live up in the Pacific Northwest area where Drew Co makes its home, you might see The Ginger and Lady Drew out at a race selling their official Runner's Kits before/after the race OR on the course running alongside you in between!  Oh, and take some time to stop by their website and read the names and descriptions of their products - these gals are HILARIOUS, and most of their descriptions have me laughing my head off when I browse for new products!

Drew Co is also giving away a small prize pack to one lucky reader!  Enter using the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win some Drew Co delights of your own, including a bar of The Ex soap, the new Total Betty body butter, and The Clint lip balm!  Giveaway ends 10/27 at 11:59pm.  Winner must be willing to provide a valid shipping address.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


What types of skincare issues do you face?  Do you have favorite products to combat those issues?  What's your favorite Drew Co product description?

25 comments:

  1. Going in to the cooler months my biggest skincare problem is dry skin. Long runs in the cold dry wind are tough on the skin. I have several all natural body butters I like to use.

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    1. Oof dry flaky winter skin is the WORST. Those body butters will definitely make a difference!

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  2. Oops, just tried to comment and it didn't work so hopefully I don't comment twice. Loved your description of the Jack Sparrow soap, ha. My skin is getting drier as I get older AND the abuse it takes from washing/cleaning from working out throughout the day on top of general cleaning. Would love some new products to try!

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    1. Nope, you're good! I have trouble with blog comment forms too, I'm never sure I posted at all, and sometimes I post two or three by accident!

      Oh the Jack Sparrow soap is just wonderful. Smells like sand and rum and piratey gristle... I can't get enough of it!

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  3. I have also always had an aversion to "girly skincare products", especially things with heavy floral scents. I love the description for Drew Co's "Swoll" Saline Soak, which tells you that you can use it in a warm relaxing bath or "one of those terrible post-race ice baths you spend days mentally preparing yourself for."

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    1. So, shameful confession: they actually sent me Swoll too, but somewhere in all of the temporary-living-arrangement-mess I lost the vial! As soon as I find it I'll be using it and writing up a review of that one too - plus they have a NEW soak coming out, which I'll hopefully find time to try as well! But yeah, those descriptions are AMAZINGLY funny!

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  4. I've never heard of them! Very cool stuff and great review.

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    1. Thank you! It's easy to write a great review when the product is so great ;)

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  5. I have dry skin that breaks out-- that's my biggest problem- every time I use something moisturizing enough, it breaks me out. I'd love to try this line!

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    1. The salt soap might be helping me with my break outs, honestly. I've never used a "salt" soap before, but my acne-prone skin hasn't had a flareup since I started using Drew Co stuff...

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  6. hahaha, I love that it's called the Dirty Sailor! (What the hecks does Jack Sparrow even smell like? :O ) Their product names are awesome! I'm a sucker for skin care products (it's probably the girliest thing I fall into the stereotype for! :P ), so I'm super excited for this giveaway! Thanks for having it!

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    1. That is an excellent question, and one I asked myself when the Drew Co gals said that's what the scent made them think of - then I tried the soap and I was like "OH THIS IS WHAT THEY MEAN!" It's like sandy and boozy and a little gritty and there's definitely a hint of pirate charm. Never thought I'd describe SOAP like that, but, well, there it is.

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  7. My biggest problem is that I have dry skin with acne. It's hard to find a good moisturizer that doesn't aggravate my acne. I do like Cetaphil's cleanser.

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    1. I'm sure you could shoot Drew Co an email asking for a recommendation. They seem to be more than happy to address specific concerns!

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  8. I have dry skin and am starting to see fine lines. I try to use good, natural oils to keep my skin hydrated.

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    1. Natural is definitely better! Drew Co products are organic and eco-friendly!

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  9. I have dry skin and I use a facial oil blend to help.

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  10. I tend to get dry skin and sometimes break out with psoriasis around my elbows.

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  11. I get dry skin in the winter. I'm still looking for a good face lotion.

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  12. I have super calloused feet...No Way to Treat a Lady sounds like it may be the perfect way yo naturally cut back those callouses.

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  13. Having made the winning bid on a 3-month membership to the JCC at a charity dinner last month, I'm finally unchaining myself from the office and computer and making time to take some Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes, and looking forward to getting back into the racquetball court :) . After a session of cardio dance, it might be nice to head back to the locker room and get fresh with Jack Sparrow before heading back to work!

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  14. My big issue is dry skin, especially towards the winter!!

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