As a daily coffee and tea drinker, my teeth are far from the pearly whites of my dreams. So, like anyone after a brighter smile, I tried a few rounds of a household-name whitening strip (hint: it begins with “C” and ends with “rest”) a couple of years ago. I was slightly underwhelmed with the results, but more disappointed in how unbelievably sensitive they made my teeth. I was convinced the professional in-office route would be my only option, a treatment that my dentist’s office told me would cost $400. My last-ditch effort came in the form of these whitening pens, whose main claim to fame was whiter teeth with no sensitivity. Spoiler Alert: These really WORK and today they’re on sale, but only for a limited time.Though the enamel-safe Venus Visage teeth whitening pens (as in two pens for $15) don’t bear the Crest name, they certainly performed similarly enough for me to even consider them a worthy alternative. After the first morning of application using the pre-filled brush-tipped pen, I felt as though my teeth lightened at least half a shade and looked more luminous overall. After sporadic use over the next month or so, I noticed surface stains continued to lighten, even in areas like around my gumline and between my teeth, where my staining is typically the most stubborn and where whitening strips have the hardest time reaching. For Venus Visage users who claimed to be even more diligent with application than I was, the results were even more pronounced. “I had noticed more coffee stains on my teeth, so I wanted a faster [and] cheaper solution and this did wonders,” one Amazon customer wrote.“I’ve tried a lot of whitening products over the years, and this 2-pack of teeth whitening pens is, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever used,” wrote another.Normally, in this stage of my tooth whitening journey, hypersensitivity to temperature and even my toothbrush bristles would be in full force, but the Venus Visage formula seemed to be miraculously free from discomfort. I researched the difference in active ingredients and found that Venus Visage pens contain carbamide peroxide rather than hydrogen peroxide, which breaks down more slowly over time, releasing the whitening agent gradually, thus causing less sensitivity. And according to some studies, carbamide peroxide may be just as effective as hydrogen peroxide when more applications are performed.After having used both strips and now the pen method, I would say I prefer the pen because it’s easier, quicker, and less messy to apply, and a breeze to travel with, if need be. The brush tip also makes application more precise, so I can avoid the areas that are most sensitive or thoroughly coat the areas that have the most stains. After brushing my teeth at night, I dry my teeth off as best as possible with a towel, paint on the treatment, then avoid closing my lips over my teeth for at least a minute while it dries, then pop my retainer on.The gel, which claims to be mint-flavored, also tastes pretty neutral and far more pleasant to have in my mouth compared to the peroxide-y taste of other treatments I’ve tried.I cannot stress the beauty of a $15 price tag for most things, but especially for a well-performing cosmetic product that, for me, replaces one of the costlier options on the market. And if you keep reading ahead, you’ll see that others agree.Promising Amazon reviews:“I’ve tried a lot of whitening products over the years, and this 2-pack of teeth whitening pens is, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever used. I was a little skeptical at first because of how easy it looked to apply, but the results speak for themselves. After just a few days of consistent use, I noticed a significant difference. My teeth are noticeably whiter and brighter, and even my friends have commented on the change. What I love most is the convenience. The pens are so easy to use—you just twist the bottom and brush the gel on. There’s no messy trays or strips to deal with. It’s a quick, simple step that I can easily fit into my morning or evening routine.” — Lindsay“They weren’t kidding about noticeable difference after only a couple uses. I had noticed more coffee stains on my teeth so I wanted a faster/cheaper solution and this did wonders. I will easily keep one in my purse and the other on my makeup vanity. So helpful!!” — Lacie Ellithrope“For years, I used a certain type of whitener that comes in strips, once a year to combat the coffee and tea stains on my teeth. Unfortunately, as my clenching and grinding worsened and the enamel was completely worn away on biting surfaces, I had to stop using them as the pain they caused was so intense it often triggered migraines. I’ve used a number of toothpastes that supposedly help whiten, and they maybe keep my teeth a shade lighter, but not as white as I’d like. I bought these, figuring they’d probably be yet another product I’d toss in the garbage after a few futile tries. I brushed and flossed, and I used a towel to dry my teeth. It took a few more clicks than expected to get the product to come out the brush portion, but when it did, I painted it on, being careful to stop just before my biting surface. After a few minutes, I let my mouth close and went back to getting ready for bed. Come morning, I’d kind of forgotten until I went to take out my night guard, and I couldn’t believe how much brighter my smile was! I used it each night for several nights, and it got my teeth fairly close to the shade the strips used to. The biggest drawback is that the whiteness doesn’t last as long as it did with the strips, but for a special occasion or a day when you know you’ll be in photos, it’s perfect. For those of us unable to use strips or harsher whitening options, it’s fantastic, and when I am good about using it at least once a week, it keeps my smile relatively bright. Just having a way to whiten my teeth a bit without any pain is incredible. And I’ve been using these roughly weekly for a year (sometimes several days in a row, then I get lazy), and I’ve just opened the second tube. I really don’t think you can go wrong with these, as long as you don’t go in expecting the kind of whitening only dentists and expensive treatments produce.” — Blossom (This review has been edited for lenght and clarity. Read the full review.)