Project Pan Them All | April Empties

My mother gave me this super cute and delicious smelling gingerbread cookie soap she found at Winners some times ago - it was actaully really good, it did not melt super fast like most bars of soap I have tried, and I can't get over how nice it smelled!

I had the chance to try Liz Earle 4 Piece Essential Discovery Collection and I really enjoyed both the Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and the Instant Boost Skin Tonic - I have never used anything like this cleanser, which leaves me skin feels perfectly clean, soft and smooth when I am I done exfoliating it with the muslin cloth, and I enjoy finishing the cleansing routine with the toner, which does not contain alcohol and is enriched with cucumber and vitamin E - it smells sooooooo good!

I had never tried anything from Crabtree & Evelyn before but I received a sample of this lightly scented Tarocco Orange Eucalyptus & Sage Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy Sachet in the February Glossy Love GLOSSYBOX, but I am afraid that after only two uses, the only thing I can talk about is its smell - yummy!

I am getting really good at using up my LUSH bath products before they all loose their smell, because I keep being disappointed! I had high hopes for Creamy Candy Bubble Bar, and although it did leave my skin moisturized, I totally missed the vanilla and cotton candy scents and the foam disappeared after only a few minutes. Same for Ma Bar Bubble Bar!

I must admit I maybe judged Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara too quickly - when I first started using it, I hated the weird brush shape and I always ended up with tons of mascara all over my lids, not to mention that there was way too much product on the wand when I took it out of the tube. At first, the formula was way too wet and it took forever to dry, but a bit like Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils*, it dried out very quickly and although it was easier to apply for a little while, it quickly became unuseable and I had to throw it away. It's a shame because it made my lashes look incredibly and it did hold a curl all day!

I am still not sure what to think of conditioners that come in box hair dyes, but I guess Garnier Rich Nourishing Conditioner Cream* did an OK job.

I received a sample of NUXE Body Fondant Body Scrub with an Apothica order, but I am really strict when it comes to scrubs because most tend to not be abrasive enough and I hate when they make and oily mess in the shower. This one has exfoliating grains of various sizes, but it is too gentle for my liking.

I finally made the decision to throw away the Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller* which I have been using daily for years, but it seems to be impossible to use up! I recently tried to see how much product was left, and I realized it looked a bit dirty and I figured out it did not really make much of a difference for me anyway. I have a backup of this eye roll as well as similar products in my stash such as Olay Regenerist Anti Aging Eye Roller* and Marcelle Hydra-C Eye Roll-On Anti-Puff & Dark Circles that I am really excited to try anyway.

I don't know why I never got around publishing a review of Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Masque, but I guess now it's too late because I used it up... but it was absolutely scrumptious - I think I even tasted it! It just feels like slathering on chocolate all over your face... its just so rich, moisturizind and decadent... perfect!

I was very kindly send EthicBioskin Organics Hair Elixir to try, which is an holistic hair and conditioner treatment oil entirely made with natural and organic ingredients such as raw coconut oil, broccoli seed oil and Moroccan raw argan oil, but I was able to get only two uses out of it because I the product is just so hard to get out! I am sad to report that I did not notice any improvment in my hair condition after use though.

*Please note that these products are NOT cruelty-free

February 2013 Canadian GLOSSYBOX - Glossy Love Edition

GLOSSYBOX launched in Canada on February 12, 2012, and they are sharing the love with their February 2013 edition, in honour of their first anniversary and the month of love, with a special limited edition package for this month's box. 

As a GLOSSYBOX Ambassador, I have the chance to receive boxes and other surprise now and then, and I was delighted when my favorite postman knocked on my door to hand me the Glossy Love edition GLOSSYBOX, which looks stunning with its glossy black box with a shocking pink bow painted around it - even the tissue inside was changed to matching black and fuchsia colours!

L - R: Oh-So-Cute, Coral Frenzy

I was incredibly excited to see Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment ($13.50/30ml) in this month's box since I keep reading on blogs that this is the miracle hair treatment! This was definitely on my wishlish but of course, I won't allow myself to buy it until I use up the many hair treatments I already have, so I am really glad to have received this product in a such nice size - since it is an oil, I guess I won't need a big quantity at a time, so I am sure this will last me a long time.

I was really disappointed when I saw Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in Oh-So-Cute (received full size, $3.99) in this box because I knew I would never wear these shades, but when I swatched them, oh the terrible mess! All of the colors are incredibly chalky, and even what I thought could be a gorgeous dark shimmery blue goes on super patchy. This is weird because I have Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in Over The Taupe and all of the shades go on super smooth and silky! I guess that with such inexpensive products, it is really hit or miss...

I almost could not believe my eyes when I spotted Givenchy Gloss Interdit in Coral Frenzy ($30.00/6ml) - this is probably the only product from the brand I will be able to lay my hands on in all my life! This lipgloss has a really light, smooth and comfortable texture with amazing shine. Coral Frenzy is a nicely pigmented 'my lips but better shade', although I am not a fan of the fairly big glitters in it.

Although I absolutely do not need a 2897672589th body wash in my already overflowing stash, I was happy to receive Anatomicals You Need A Blooming Shower! Rose and Jasmine Body Cleanser (received full size, $3.00) since I am excited to be able to test a product from a UK brand, and also because this smells heavenly - my nose mainly detects the subtle yet delightful rose notes, but I can hardly smell the jasmine.

Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (received full size, $9.99) is one of those classic products that are always welcome in a bathroom cabinet - I remember trying them when I was younger and they worked amazingly well for me! Now I am a bit worried that they would rip off my nose ring but I really want to try them again so I will be sure to be careful.

I have never been a fan of these ridiculous one time use product samples that you can find in magazines (the Eucerin Hyal-Urea Anti-Wrinkle Day/Night Cream Sachet Duo (50ml/418.50) were actually a freebie available on their website and in magazines some time ago...) but I have never tried anything from Crabtree & Evelyn and this lightly scented Tarocco Orange Eucalyptus & Sage Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy Sachet ($8.00/250g) is a little teaser for the full size version which will be available in an upcoming box.

They even included a special edition GLOSSYBOX branded cupcake kit so that all of their subscribers can join the birthday celebration with some sweet homemade treats - such a cute, unexpected and very useful touch! I will be sure to feature these cuties in an upcoming recipe post.

I had the chance to receive two other GLOSSYBOX in the past (February 2012 and May 2012) but I was never really impressed by GLOSSYBOX - or any of those subscription boxes. However, I must admit that this month's box changed my mind for a few reasons - it contains a nice selection of makeup, skin care and hair care items, we received three full size products, this box includes nice high end and drugstore products, and, correct me if I am wrong, but all of the products included have not been tested on animals.

GLOSSYBOX definitely stepped up their game with this month's box since all of my requirements were met, but I am still not sure this will last since it is a special box... what do you think?

GLOSSYBOX Canada is available for $21 a month but you can get 10% your first box with code GLOSSY17! 

Disclaimer: One or more products were sent to me for consideration to review. I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.