CONFESSION #1: For many years in my younger days I was a social smoker. Out on the town (back when you could legally smoke in NYC establishments) there I was with a drink in one hand, a lit cigarette in another. And truthfully, I enjoyed it.

I liked the habitual hand-to-mouth motion, taking a drag, dancing to music… the slight buzz, the social aspect.

It all went well together. 

What I did not enjoy? 

The extended smokers hangover. The occasional cough. The smell of ashtray lingering on my clothing, my winter coat, my own hair. The fact that I knew it was bad for me — even if I wasn’t a “real” smoker. 

And then the day a close friend of mine who also worked at Cosmo told me her mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, that pretty much put an end to smoking without guilt. 

So I quit for years. Cold turkey.

In more recent times I’ve occasionally smoked (gross!) under stress. And since I know I can’t go back to smoking regularly, I’ve even chain smoked several and thrown out the rest of a $14 pack so it wouldn’t tempt me. Seriously. Pathetic.

But while I’m well aware of the many health risks, in addition to the vanity angle (hello dehydrated skin and smoker’s mouth) there is something about the ritual of smoking that I do find peaceful and relaxing. 

So when I got the press release for LOGIC disposable electronic cigarettes, I was intrigued. The e-cig was positioned as the new IT accessory and as someone who still goes out a bit in NYC (don’t judge!) I’d have to say that’s pretty on-point.

Not long ago, an electronic cigarette was more of a novelty or a product placement opportunity in a reality TV show. But now it’s pretty commonplace, even to the point where I’ve seen them pulled out in upscale restaurants. And don’t get me started on my editor friend who was on a first date and the guy whipped one out and took a puff mid-so-what-do-you-do-sentence… For good or bad, they’re becoming pretty ubiquitous on the scene.

So I agreed to test them out and they were shipped to me in August. There were three varieties in the box…

The PLATINUM Menthol just wasn’t for me (based on % nicotine and flavor), so right away I handed it over to a friend who handed it over to a friend who handed it over to a friend.

I really had my eyes set on ZERO. Containing no nicotine, no tobacco, no tar... giving off no second-hand-smoke, no odor, no carbon monoxide, no ash… and just looking all nice and clean in its package. 

So I tried it.

And LOVED it.

All the fun of smoking with none of the guilt.

Was it too good to be true? (Pretty please, may there not be a report that comes out on any harmful effects of zero-nicotine e-cigs!)

– The product easily screwed together, already charged and ready for use.

– It lasted seemingly forever (“up to 400 thick vapor puffs” according to the press materials).

– It’s available in both tobacco and menthol flavors  – and having since tried other brands too, the LOGIC tobacco flavor definitely tastes best.

– It fits into any size purse, no matter how small and became my clutch companion, so to speak, for many a night out. 

Until, that is, I found myself on-stage at a Lil Jon concert (really, file under random, you can’t make this stuff up) and several intrigued friends had to try it, and then friends of their friends wanted a puff, and then it went to mouths I didn’t know and I didn’t want it back. 

So I switched to the BLACK label for testing and picture-snapping purposes here. Which I also enjoyed but less so only because it’s not 100% guilt-free.

Now, do I think this “IT accessory” will make a girl as happy as say, new Charlotte Olympia pumps or a stack of Electric Picks bracelets? Ehhh. Not quite. 

But as someone who is definitely not a blind follower of trends and really couldn’t care less who’s seen with one in US Weekly, I actually did dig them.

CONFESSION #2: I’ve since bought more. Hell, I may or may not be puffing as I type ;)

XOLC

Note: This post is not sponsored. Samples were provided for review.