Productopia | Health & Beauty

The CHI 1-inch Flat Iron Straightener ($90 on sale) caught our eye in the Target Black Friday circular, because it's one of the Best Reviewed products named in the ConsumerSearch report on flat irons. It's a favorite of professional reviewers, earning kudos from ConsumerReports.org, Cosmo Girl magazine and Pursebuzz.com.

It looks as if there'll be no shortage of men's electric shavers offered at Black Friday sale prices this year. Based on what we're seeing in leaked circulars from Sears, Kmart, and Kohl's, you'll be able to choose from one of the best-reviewed rotary shavers overall -- the Norelco arcitec -- as well as a variety of second-tier models from the top manufacturers at attractive prices.

One thing's certain: men no longer have any excuses for being poorly-groomed. Even if you shun the dizzying array of excellent traditional razors on the market today, you can still count on getting a consistently close shave from the best men's electric shavers.

If a foil shaver is your preference, the Braun Series 7 760cc (*Est. $235) is dubbed the "king of shavers" by the U.K.'s The Sunday Times newspaper. It's expensive, but it gives a close shave, is self-cleaning, and holds its battery charge for a long time. If you prefer a rotary-style electric razor, the Philips Norelco arcitec 1050X (*Est. $175) is the top pick. It's cool-looking, is comfortable to use, shaves well, and is easy to clean.

You can read about these best-reviewed razors, as well as the top wet/dry and budget models, in our freshly-updated report.

Today's blow dryers, like the top-rated Revlon RV544 Tourmaline Ionic, promise softer, shiner, healthier hair using features like "ceramic," "ionic," or "tourmaline," but critics are unsure whether these features actually make for a better dryer or not. The upshot? There's just no hard science behind whether these features actually make a big difference. Even so, reviewers and users do say these hair dryers work better than ordinary dryers, despite their weak scientific backing. Read about more fancy-schmancy (but not necessarily expensive) dryers in our updated hair dryer report.

With flu season upon us, many parents are relying on hand sanitizer to combat germs. As the use of hand sanitizer mounts, so do stories of children becoming ill after ingesting it.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers has confirmed that this is a potential hazard and not a myth. Most hand sanitizers have a concentration of at least 60 percent alcohol. The high level of alcohol is necessary to kill germs, but swallowing a few squirts could bring a child's blood alcohol level to .10.

When it comes to brushing your teeth, self-discipline ultimately determines whether you'll consistently put in the time needed to keep those choppers healthy. For those of us who could use a little encouragement to keep brushing past the one-minute mark, experts say electric toothbrushes are worth the investment. They're also good for folks who have restricted use of their hands or arms, and for children who might be motivated to brush longer with a fun-to-use electric brush.

Germs: Sure, they're a reality, but you know the score.

You scrub your toilet, you wipe down your countertops -- in short, you do what you can. To help you further fend off bad bugs this season, we sleuthed out some lesser-known germ-harborers. Here are three hidden culprits to look out for, with tips on how to keep your family healthier this season.

Earlier this year, we warned you about Celebrity Sexy Teeth, a teeth whitening product that entices consumers with fake endorsements, phony reviews and a "free" trial. Consumers who took the bait were surprised to find huge charges on their credit card (required to get the "free" sample) and left with an ineffective product that looked like a tube of Wite-Out. The people behind Celebrity Sexy Teeth are still at it, and this time the Better Business Bureau is on the case.

While most ovulation predictor tests rely on the same methods to predict ovulation, some can predict it earlier than others, offering a larger window of peak fertility. While some tests are easier to use, most have limitations of one type or another. We compare strip tests, electronic calculators and basal thermometers in our latest report on ovulation predictor kits.

Flat irons, also called hair straighteners, attract a devoted following. Although it can take a while to straighten your lush, flowing locks at home, women (and a few men) say that the time spent is well worth it to get smooth, straight hair that stays that way until your next shampoo. In our new report on flat irons, we found the fiercest support for the CHI Original Ceramic Flat Iron. Budget-priced flat irons from Conair and Remington also earn reviewer accolades, and the pro-grade FHI Heat Runway is there if you're willing to break the bank in the name of good hair.