Some of you might remember that I have already been approached by the Promotions Team over at CSN Stores, who kindly gave me the opportunity to have a giveaway (now closed). This time, they emailed me to let me know that I have been selected as CSN Preferred Blogger and they now give me the opportunity to review a product from their site. So I browsed trough the CSN Stores website and had a hard time making my mind, as there's so many interesting things out there: dining room tables, dog beds, shoes, mirrors... but I finally made a choice:
If you aren't familiar with Perfect Petzzz, read on:
Perfect Petzzz, Co, a division of CD3, Inc., provides the ultimate hassle-free companions to kids of all ages: lifelike, “breathing”, handcrafted puppies and kittens designed to amuse, educate and comfort. Most importantly, Perfect Petzzz, Co. is dedicated to teaching responsible pet ownership in fun and innovative ways.
How cute is this little thing? I would like to review this product because I've been obsessed with Perfect Petzz since I saw some for the first time in the US. ButI didn't purchase one back then because I thought they were too expensive for stuffed animals, but they never got out of my mind! I've browsed eBay to find a good deal, but, of course, the sellers were selling them for twice the original price. If I had more money, I would collect them all!
Package from Fei: I was lucky enough to win her giveaway! I'm thrilled to try those products from Boots, because we don't have this store here in Quebec. The prize includes:
U by Kotex samples: Now that's strange because I already received U by Kotex samples in the week of May 31 to June 4... but this package is slightly different and I noticed that my mother received one too, so maybe she ordered another one for me. The sample pack includes:
1 Clean Wear Regular Pad
1 Barely There Thin Liner
2 Click Regular Tampons
Caress Whipped Soufflé Blackberry Cream Ultra Silkening Body Wash from Rocket XL to test and review: I was contacted by Laura over at Rocket XL (which is a social marketing agency) to test and review the new Caress Whipped Soufflé Body Wash. I'm thrilled because Caress products aren't available in Canada, so that's a great opportunity for me!
INCOCO. The Revolution in Nail Polish.
The world of nail polish is about to change forever! Finally, there's an answer to the spills and smears of messy nail polish bottles: Incoco Self-Stick 100% Nail Polish strips.
No other product can provide base coat, color coat and top coat in a single dry self-stick nail polish strip. In minutes, you can have a professional manicure that lasts up to 14 days.
Price: $8.99 for 16 French Tips + 16 Double-Ended Color strips
Each packages includes:
16 French Tips
16 Double-Ended Color strips
Mini File
Cuticle Stick
Reseal Tape
Polish Removal Cloth
Instruction Booklet
I received First Blush:
The claims:
Reminiscent of the blush from your first kiss, this color will touch your heart with warm red for the perfect delicate French manicure.
* Self-Stick 100% Nail Polish Strips
* Goes on dry
* Professional results in minutes
* Lasts up to 14 days!
* Made in U.S.A
How to use:
For best results, clean and buff nails lightly.
Push back cuticles with wooden cuticle stick.
Nail Strip application: Tip: Start with pinky and work towards index. Apply thumbs last.
Select the size that best fits your nail. Gently remove top clear film.(The assortment of strip sizes allows the perfect fit for anyone)
Gently peel each French tip strip from backing paper, holding onto the silver tab.
Position French tip onto edge of nail for desired coverage. Firmly smooth French tip and crease at nail edge. File off excess in a downward motion. To realign: Peel nail strip and readjust.
Color Strip: Gently peel color strip from backing paper, holding onto silver tab. Carefully break away silver tab from color strip. Choose one end of the strip that best fits your nail.
Grasp the color strip lay rounded edges against cuticle. Firmly smooth until wrinkle-free.
Crease strip at nail edge and file off excess in a gentle downward motion.
Saving Unused Strips:
Place nail strips in package and seal with silver tape.
Once package is opened, exposure to air causes nail strips to dry out.
To Remove:
For best results, use the enclosed Incoco polish removal cloth.
Ingredients: Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid / Neopentyl Glycol / Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Butyl Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, N-Butyl Alcohol, Ethyl Acetate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Etocrylene, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Polyvinyl Butyral, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate.
MAY CONTAIN: CI 77891(Titanium Dioxide), Mica, CI 19140(Yellow 5 Lake), CI 15850(Red 6 Lake), CI 15850(Red 7 Lake), CI 77499(Black Iron Oxide), CI 77491(Red Iron Oxide), CI 15880(Red 34 Lake), CI 77510(Ferric Ferrocyanide), CI 77266(Black 2), CI 77007(Ultramarines), CI 60725(Violet 2).
Pros:
doesn't contain any formaldehyde, DBP (dibutyl phtalate) or toluene
each strip includes a base coat, color coat and top coat
since they recommend to buff nails and push back cuticles for best results, a mini file and a cuticle stick are included in each package in case you don't have some handy
the assortment of strip sizes - 16 in all - allows the perfect fit for anyone; however, if the strips still not fit as desired, you can try sligthly stretchnig each nail strip for the perfect match
the nail appliqués are easily removed with nail polish remover(you don't have to purchase their nail polish remover)
"How to apply" videos, photos and PDF are available on their website
Cons:
doesn't last up to 14 days (I noticed chips on the first day!)
requires some practice to be able to quickly and perfectly apply strips
expensive for a single-use product
hard to remove
the polish removal cloth is too small and it doesn't provide enough product to completely remove the polish (I had to finish with regular polish remover)
What I think:
When I first received the Incoco package, I was really curious. I think I have heard about their products before, but I never got to try them for myself. Before beginning to apply the nail strips, I checked the photos and viedos on their website, and I thought it looked easy... boy I was wrong! It probably gets easier with practice, but I had a hard time using them the first time!
After reading the instruction booklet like 5 times (and watching the photos and videos on the website a couple of times), I decided I was ready. I was afraid I would mess up, because the strips look so delicate.
I had a hard time deciding which size would best fit each nails, but as the strips are adjustable (you can stretch them), it was OK.
Applying the french tips was the hardest part because you have to position them the right way for desired coverage. I ended up with slighlty uneven tips. Applying the color strips was easier as they go on the entire nail. Oh and doing the right hand was harder since I'm right-handed.
The final result was beautiful even if the french tips were slightly uneven. However, after a few hours, I already noticed some chips!
right hand (full of eczema, sorry!)
left hand
sorry for the TV in the back -_-
This is what my nails looked like after 1 week and 2 days:
I absolutely can't stand chipped nail polish, so I took those strips off because they were getting horrible. They absolutely don't last up to 14 days (I could have made touch-ups, but I wanted this review to be as honest as possible, so I didn't). So this is the results I got after 1 week and 2 days without touch-ups.
This is how the polish removal cloth looks like after I used it:
It's too small and I hadn't enough product to completely remove the polish. I had to finish with regular polish remover.
I would recommend this product, but for $8.99, I would personally invest into a good nail polish that will last me several months (and even years?) instead of those single-use nail appliqués.
Available colors: Check out the French Manicure products available in the Incoco online store.
Recommend? yes
Rating:★★★★★
Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes, and the fact that it was free absolutely does not influence my opinion.
I've decided to stop posting my monthly favorites because I realized that didn't really have any favorite product. In fact, I was posting the products that I have used the most in the month, not really my favorites. So I have decided to post my monthly most used, which is simpler for me, and also, more true!
I know, I'm so late for this, but I had to care for the kitten and it's pretty hard to take pictures or type on the computer when you have to hold the little one by one hand because he won't stop sucking your fingers LOL.
Here's my May's most used products:
Pond's Dry Skin Cream
Equate Baby Oil
SPAresource Amber Sunset Body Lotion with aloe vera
Earth Therapeutics Gardener's Hand Repair Protective Conditioner
mark. Mist Opportunity Multi-Tasking Refresher with kiwi/grapefruit
Noxzema The Original Deep Cleansing Cream with Eucalyptus Oil
Pantene Pro-V Brunette Expressions Daily Color Enhancing Conditioner
Vaseline
Glamour Gal Shower Gel with the essence of roses, violets, lavender & musk
Avon Solutions Plus Ageless Results Intensive Line Filler
Avon Basics Extra Hydration Face Cream
Pantene Pro-V Brunette Expressions Daily Color Enhancing Shampoo
mark. That's Deep Purifying Cleanser with sugar maple/black willow bark
Lancôme Rénergie Microlift Eye R.A.R.E Superior Lifting Eye Cream
Annabelle Zebra Bronzing Powder in Haute Gold
Marcelle Concealer Palette in Universal Beige
Marcelle Minerals Powder Blush in Natural Glow
Annabelle A-13 Makeup Pro Powder Brush
Maybelline Expert Tool Eyelash Curler
Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara
Annabelle Blossom Blush in Peachy
Maybelline Lash Stiletto in Very Black (not pictured)
R37 Korean Style Fashion Silvertone Angel Wings Ring from eBay: I bought this ring for a little less than $3 because the other one I had lost a wing... but this one lost a wing 5 minutes after I put it on! I'm a little angry now, and my boyfriend threw the original package away so I can't return it to the seller -_-'
Coupon from Alberto European to receive the Alberto European styling product of my choice, at no charge! Click here to become a fan of Alberto on Facebook and then click on the "Free Gift" tab to install the application and get your coupon.
July 2010 Cosmopolitan issue: Wow, I want a top like that, too!
Free honey-nut flavour All-Bran Bar + coupon for $.50 off any pack of All-Bran Bars: Get yours for free here.
My Avon order:
Avon Basics VitaMoist Body Lotion
Avon Basics Care Deeply Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter
Avon Nailwear Pro in Urban Grey
Avon Basics Rich Moisture Face Cream
Solutions Plus+ Maximum Moisture Hydrating Booster
Solutions Plus+ Total Radiance Eye Gel
Solutions a.m. Total Radiance Day Lotion SPF 15
Free Poise samples: Click here to order yours. The Poise sample kit includes:
I'm sorry for my lack of posts this week, I've been quite busy with the kitten - she has officially adopted me as her mother! I swear, we put her in someone else's arms and she cries to get back at me, only to suck my fingers and fall asleep LOL.
I have to say I spoiled her a bit - I even let her sleep with me in my bed the first nights. What, I couldn't let her in that shoe box and hear her crying like that, it was breaking my heart (of stone, that is!)! But now, the kitten falls asleep quickly after drinking her milk, and I tricked her by wrapping a bottle full of hot water in a towel and putting it in her shoe box (to mimik human's heat). Last night, the kitty didn't even wake me up one time! But she does wake up at around 9:00 AM and then, you can be sure she won't stop crying until she wake me up LOL.
It seems her eyes were a little infected. Some sort of liquid was sometimes preventing her to open her eyes, but I did my best to heal it, and it's a lot better now. It's almost all gone. I'm thinking that maybe it's some sort of liquid that the kitty's mother was supposed to lick off to clean it, but since she doesn't have a mother... well, I have to do it for her!
Here, you can see the liquid in her eyes a little.
My mother talked to a friend who works in a veterinary clinic and she said the kitten was probably around 2 weeks old, and that we could estimate it by weighing her on a kitchen scale.
She falls asleep while sucking our fingers!
I went to see Sara tonight to see how the two other cats would react to the kitty, and I'm happy to tell you that the mother seemed super curious about her. She even prevented the other cat to approach the baby! I guess that's a good sign LOL. But don't worry, the other cat is super friendly (= I will still wait maybe 2 more weeks before letting the kitten at Sara's place because she is too young to take care of herself and as Sara already has a baby, it will be lots of trouble for her.
On my sister-in-law Magali's legs.
I brought the kitten with me when I went to see the boyfriend at his place since I'm her official mother and so I'm the one who take care of her... and bring her everywhere (=
With my little brother Joël, before leaving for the boyfriend's place.
I think the kitty likes riding in my car though. She cries when I put her in her "transportation box" (see picture below) but when I look at her to see if she is alright two streets later, she is asleep! And yes, I do buckle up the box =P
Asleep in her "transportation box"
She doesn't walk really well for now as she is not really stable, but I see her improving day by day. Here is a shot of her in the boyfriend's bed (and, of course, she had to pee on it LOL):
Oh and yes, the doggie was jealous of all the attention everybody is giving to the kitty, so I took a picture of him, too, before leaving for the boyfriend's place:
I'm having issues uploading videos on Blogger, so I used the embed codes of two videos I uploaded on Facebook:
My mother and my sister-in-law found a stray baby kitten in the cedars around our house yesterday night. They heard her crying and they saw she was alone, but they decided to wait until the morning to bring her inside the house, just in case her mother would came back... but she didn't.
I woke up to cat's meow and my father mentioning "SPCA", so I ran upstairs and saw this little one in my little brother's arms. My father hates animals and he wanted us to drop the kitten at the SPCA! No way! I would never give any animal to those... stupid people who claim to protect animals but then kill them if they aren't sold in like, 2 weeks!
My mother, my little brother and my sister-in-law fed the kitten with a syringe containing milk and to our relief, she understood how it works and ate!
I spent most of the day with the kitten in my arms or on my thighs, wrapped in a towel to keep her warm.
I called Sara to tell her about the little cat, and she came to see her. She said she would bring her home when her pregnant cat would give birth, so that her cat would mistake the stray kitten for one of her babies.
To my great surprise, Balou happily welcomed the kitten! Usually, he absolutely doesn't care about other animals like my rat or my gerbil - he would just turn his head away without even smelling them! But when we showed him the kitten, he let her lay into his fur and he acted like a mother. That was super cute!
Those are Sara's leg and arm in the pictures =P
My mother and I prepared a comfy bed for the kitten in a shoe box with a warm towel, but the second we put her in it, she cries and begs us to keep her in our arms, so I ended up sleeping with her in my bed last night because she would still not fall asleep in her box by 2 AM!
I hope she will let me go to school this aternoon! I can't resist her sad eyes when I put her in her box...
Danone DanActive BzzKit from BzzAgent: I'm a BzzAgent since May and I received my first BzzKit this week. As a huge yogurt lover, I can't wait to try DanActive! The BzzKit includes:
The Danone DanActive BzzGuide
A coupon to try DanActive for free
Pass-along coupons to share with people
Pass-along scratch cards to share with friends and family for a chance to win a one year supply of DanActive
Paid survey from Sondages BBM: I like to do surveys in my free time, and even more when they are paid! ($5).
$100 off on a new cellphone from Bell: I received this letter from Bell including a $100 off rebate on any new cellhpone to thank me for my business. My boyfriend really want the iPhone...
June 2010 Glamour issue: Wow, Jessica Biel's makeup makes her green eyes pop!
7 mL sample of Bioré Steam Activated Cleanser + $2.50 off on any 2 Bioré Daily Recharging products
Perfect Petzzz, Co, a division of CD3, Inc., provides the ultimate hassle-free companions to kids of all ages: lifelike, “breathing”, handcrafted puppies and kittens designed to amuse, educate and comfort. Most importantly, Perfect Petzzz, Co. is dedicated to teaching responsible pet ownership in fun and innovative ways. 
