This product is much loved by me, but not entirely as I don't like the idea of shoving it up your nose to use it, as it is rather uncomfortable. However, I do love this product for it is one of the rare ones that actually works, and prevents the most common and annoying thing ever - colds! It doesn't get rid of colds, but is designed to STOP colds, which is even better in my opinion.

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Look
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The product comes in a lovely shiny box. After all, you must expect quality from this for the price it comes at. It is a well-working product though and some medicines deserve a price tag (meaning a high one, not just a price) as long as they work well. Anyway, onto the look, I am pleased with it. It comes in a shiny silver and blue box. The Vicks logo is all over it and it says 'First Defence' in bold white letters on the front. 'Fights cold germs before they can take hold' is its description, which is actually true as this product surprisingly works! You get a lot of products similar that don't really work effectively, so I am pleased with this one. It has all the required information on it: Manufacturer, legal logos and that kind of stuff, how to use it and when to use, how it works, safety instructions and comes with an instruction little leaflet too. (God I keep going to grab the Vicks bottle next to me instead of my glass to have a sip of my drink - don't drink this)!

The actual bottle is one of those medicine-looking ones, being brown and glass. It has a sticker round it with the product name and logo on it with the directions for use printed again, so you defiantly know how to use it. The bottle is of 15ml size. The top looks complicated but is simple really. You take off the translucent plastic cover to reveal my snotty nasal spray (lol...). Anyway, this bit is the part you stick up your nose, and is long and slightly pointy. It will fit up all noses, and is of satisfactory comfort, but I just hate it when you have to actually spray up there (but I could walk around all day with it hanging out my nose)! It looks great and professional and Vicks uphold their good reputation by this, as it is a great product and looks good. The solution itself, what does it look like I hear you cry? Well, who cares? You can't exactly see it anyway, but it is sprayed up your nose so is irrelevant. I guess it is pretty much transparent, but the answer is I don't know. It is expensive, and spraying some into a glass just to see the colour is pointless as it is irrelevant.

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Smell
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Considering you shove this thing up your nose to put it blunt, the smell is an important point to comment on. It smells of any effective medicine, just medicine in general. It has a very strong smell and this is a bonus as the smell itself helps to shock you and unblock your nose and nasal passages. The smell isn't off-putting, and it is defiantly good, compared to what it could smell like. It doesn't smell LIKE anything nasty either, which is a plus; it just smells of a strong medicine.

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When to use?
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You must know the feeling when you are starting to get a cold. You normally either get a tingly feeling in the back of your throat or your nose begins to stuff up and you start to feel a bit poorly in general. These affects are emphasised by the memory of your work Colleague earlier that day sneezing away at the computer, which you later went to use! So, as soon as you start to feel a cold coming on, immediately begin to use this.

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Recommended Usage
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To use, you tilt your head back, apply 2-3 sprays PER NOSTRIL 4 times a day, but avoid inhaling deeply as it says on the box. It is also recommended that you use this for 2 days after symptoms subside a bit. If you don't do this, then it will be a waste of the product and you would have wasted your money because the cold bacteria won't be killed off, they will then start to rapidly produce again and you will get a cold, which will be immune to the Vicks! I strongly suggest that you follow these guidelines, or don't use it at all - it would be a waste of money!

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How does it work?
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As quoted from the leaflet that is included with this product:

* First Defence nasal spray gets to work in the area deep inside the nasal cavity where cold germs first take hold and multiply.
* First Defence is a Micro-Gel nasal spray based on plant extracts. It works by trapping cold causing germs and helping your body to remove them naturally.

Sounds great eh? Well, it really seems to do what it says, which is what I love so much about this product.

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Effects
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The effects of this product are the best bits by far. It clears your nose every time you use it, but can cause some nasal discharge shortly after use. It prevents a cold from coming into full form, so you won't have to worry about getting one. It makes you feel a lot better whenever you take it, but leaves you smelling this medicine-like thing that does make you feel down in a way. The overall effects of this are great, and it really works!

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Price
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On average, you can find this product for around £6.99. You CAN get it online, but it's easier to buy it offline in anywhere like Tesco, Boots or any pharmacy should stock this product. Boots is recommended as they always have special deals there, and you get some points on your Boots Club card if you have one of them! Despite the high price for 15ml, it does last a long time (a few runs up to a cold) and is well worth the money for it works excellently.

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Final Thoughts
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I would recommend this product to anyone, because it does an excellent job at preventing one of the most frustrating things. Be sure to take care when using it too, in the way of staying away from contagious people and washing your hands much to keep bacteria to a minimum! Use it as directed on the leaflet, box and bottle itself - it is important! Do not forget to use it for 2 days after your feeling of a cold has gone, as you need to finish off the bacteria and kill them all or the cold will just come and it would have been a waste of your money! For the money it is priced at, it is still well worth the buy. I would recommend you keep one of these somewhere to prevent you from ever getting a developed cold again!

Thanks for reading,

- Recon -