September Empties

☑ Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner (sample)

I'm not sure if I have noticed my hair being more volumized after using these products, but one thing I noticed is the smell - it's amazing! I don't really care about which shampoo I use on my hair anyway, as long as it cleans my hair, that's all I ask!

Repurchase: no, P&G tests on animals

What I'm currently using to replace it: L'Oréal Paris Vive Pro Colour-Vive Shampoo and  Alberto Moisture Soak Conditioner

☑ Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Daily Treatment Conditioner (sample)

This product has an interesting texture, I've never seen something similar before. When you squeeze the product out, it's very thick and solid and it melts in contact with the hair. It also smells lovely, and I really think it has improved my hair's condition, leaving it soooo soft!

Repurchase: no, Unilever tests on animals

What I'm currently using to replace it: Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care (30mL)

☑ Fruits & Passion Grapefruit Guava Foaming Bath

Very average foam that lasts about 10 minutes. Disappointing for the price.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: random bath treats

☑ L'Oréal Féria Shimmer Boost Hydrating Conditioner

This must be one of the best weekly conditioner I have used because the texture is so thick and it feels very moisturizing but sadly, I'm not sure I won't repurchase Féria hair dye in the future as I've been quite disappointed with the results for the price - not to mention that L'Oréal tests on animals.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: weekly deep conditioners from other hair dyes

☑ Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion

The smallest bottle available (8oz) is $15.00 and so not worth it in my opinion - it stinks alcohol so bad and it dries my skin more than refreshing it - not to mention toners are not really necessary, especially if you have dry skin like me. This product didn't feel refreshing, disinfecting or deep cleaning at all, and if I'm not mistaken, alcohol in a body care product is never good, is it?

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Nivea Visage Gentle Toner

☑ Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Cream with royal jelly

I always find it hard to properly review eye creams as I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I'm 22 and I do have some expression lines around my eyes but nothing really noticeable. I use eye creams as a prevention, thus I don't really look for an anti-ageing product.

I guess I was drawn to this eye cream because it contains royal jelly and it's an OK product but I didn't notice my eyes looking more radiant or awaken despite the little reflecting particles in the cream. The texture is nice and easy to apply but I won't use it in the morning when I'm in a rush before putting on makeup because it takes some time to be absorbed into the skin.

I didn't realize this until now but I've had milia around my eyes for some times and now that I've stopped using this eye cream, it has really improved!

At around $23, it is pricey, but I have yet to find a good eye cream that doesn't cost more than $15. Keep in mind that it's 98.2% natural!

Repurchase: I would, if it didn't give me milia ):

What I'm currently using to replace it: Avon Solutions Plus Ageless Results Eye Cream

☑ Neotoric Diabetic Oxygenated Advanced Healing Cream review

Because this cream is claimed to be "an exceptional intensive treatment for chronic dry, cracked, damaged, slow healing skin", I had high hope it would help with my eczema, but it didn't. Thid product didn't feel very moisturizing at all. On the packaging, it says it's great to use on feet, and that's what I did instead of just throwing it away.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it:  Udderly Smooth Shea Butter Foot Cream

☑ Lady Speed Stick Stainguard Antiperspirant/Deodorant in Powder Fresh

I loooove the smell of this, it smells like baby powder, but it's also very fresh. I don't think I've ever had problems with yellow stains on my clothes so I didn't notice if this antiperspirant/deodorant really prevented them. As for odor and wetness protection , I can't say it works all day. I mean, I won't stink by the end of the day, but let's just say I just don't feel as fresh as I felt in the morning, but I have yet to find a product that works 100%.

Repurchase: I would, if only Colgate-Palmolive Co. were not conducting tests on animals

What I'm currently using to replace it: Secret Scent Expressions Ooh-La-La-Lavender Antiperspirant/Deodorant

☑ Diane Lai Soothe Sport Treatment review

This is my favorite product from the Diane Lai line. I especially like to use it on my affected hand as it's fast absorbed into the skin and non greasy. It does a great job at calming the itch and it helps heal the redness. The texture is perfect - it's rich without being thick as a butter but it's not milky either. The Soothe Spot Treatment has a very subtle lavender scent which is pleasant and relaxing. Even though eczema can't be completely healed to this day, I'm glad to have found a natural product that help keep flare-ups under control. I would love to continue using Diane Lai products, but the price is a little steep for a student budget.

I didn't want to use the Soothe Spot Treatment too often because the bottle is so small for the price ($34 for 30 ml), and  technically, I haven't really used it up - I don't know what happened with the pump but I can't get any more product out! I tried to wash it in case it was blocked or something, but nothing worked, so I decided to scoop out as much product as I could but I wasn't able to completely "save" it. Oh well.

Repurchase: no, it's way too expensive ):

What I'm currently using to replace it:  Diane Lai Rejuvenate Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Diane Lai For Soft Skin

Diane Lai TM for soft skin is an independent skin care company focused on all natural ingredients ideal for adults, infants, toddlers and anyone with highly sensitive skin. 

At Diane Lai it is our mission to develop all natural organic quality products that maintain our high standards for use by our own children and family. Our standards include social and environmental responsibility.

• Packaged In BPA Free Plastics
• All Components Are Recyclable (Except Pumps)
• Ingredients Are 96% Organic
• Preservative Is A Food Preservative Sodium Benzoate
• Shelf Life Is 18 Months Once Opened
• Proudly made In Canada

I have been struggling with eczema all my life - it started when I was a kid and it only got worse over time. I have very stubborn eczema covering my right hand but I also get ocasional flare ups on various areas of my body: on the inside of my elbows, on my arms and underarms, behind my knees and on my legs.

I have always been relying on steroid creams (Taro-Clobetasol 0,05%) to keep my eczema at bay, but I'm still on the quest for the miracle product that will hopefully cure me of this allergy. While steroid creams are good at calming flare ups, they can't prevent eczema from coming back (nothing can) and they come with their lot of side effects like thinning of the skin.

So of course, when I was offered the opportunity to try those products from Diane Lai, I jumped at the chance!

Fresh Daily Body Wash ( $14 for 250 ml / 8 oz)

Moisture while you cleanse! This gentle body wash replenishes essential moisture and nourishes skin. All-natural plant based cleansing blend with organic shea butter, lavender oil, pomegranate extract, and grape seed extract. Rich with essential fatty acids and vitamins to nourish your skin, you will be able to feel the difference after just one use. The result is beautiful, healthy supple skin, naturally!

I was surprised at the texture of this body wash as I'm used to lathering body washes. When you squeeze the product out of the tube, it appears somewhat gel-like, but when you rub it in your ahnds with water, you only get very little foam. Instead, you are left with a sort of milk that moisturizes and doesn't leave your skin the slightest dry. Personally, the only thing I don't like with this sort of texture is that I don't feel completely clean, but I guess that's really just in my head!

I didn't really notice a scent which is great if you have sensitive skin.

Soothe Spot Treatment ($34 for 30 ml / 1 oz)

Sometimes it's not what you put in a lotion that makes it exceptional. It's what you leave out. Soothe is ultra rich and thick to protect and heal delicate skin. The hypo-allergenic formula provides long-lasting moisturization for soft smooth skin. Completely chemical free Diane Lai’s Soothe has the moisturizing and soothing properties, as well as the ability to aid in healing irritated skin. 

Made for all skin types Diane Lai Soothe is ideal for chapping cracking and roughness due to dryness. Hydrating organic grape seed oil, coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil, and palm kernel oil are non-greasy and stays on all day. Lightly scented with organic lavender oil Soothe is proven to moisturize and absorb quickly. Safe for all types of sensitive skin, try it.

Rejuvenate Daily Moisturizer ($45 for 100 ml / 3.4 oz)

Sometimes it's not what you put in a lotion that makes it exceptional. It's what you leave out. Rejuvenate daily moisturizer has a creamy rich hypoallergenic formula, made for all skin types, gives your skin the nutrients it needs to protect against chapping cracking and roughness due to dryness. Hydrating organic grape seed oil, shea butter, olive oil, and jojoba seed oil is non-greasy and stays on all day. Vitamin E, A, and D our soothing organic lavender scent is proven to moisturize and absorb quickly. Safe for all types of sensitive skin. Hypoallergenic.

The Soothe Spot Treatment is my favorite product from the line. I'm very impressed at how fast it soothes rashes and inflammation. I especially like to use it on my affected hand as it's fast absorbed into the skin and non greasy. It does a great job at calming the itch and it helps heal the redness.

I try not to use the Soothe Spot Treatment too often because the bottle is so small (30 ml), and even if you only need a small quantity of product for long-lasting moisturization, I'm afraid I will run out of it too quickly.  The Rejuvenate Daily Moisturizer is also great as I don't feel the need to re-apply through the day.

The texture of both products is similar, although the Soothe Spot Treatment seems just a little thicker, while the Rejuvenate Daily Moisturizer is more on the milky side. Here's some comparison pictures:

The texture is perfect - it's rich without being thick as a butter but it's not milky either. It's incredibly fast absorbed into the skin without leaving greasy residues behind. These products have a very subtle lavender scent which is pleasant and relaxing.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with those products. Even though eczema can't be completely healed to this day, I'm glad to have found products that help keep flare-ups under control. I would love to continue using Diane Lai products, but the price is a little steep for a student budget.

Diane Lai products are made in Canada and can be purchased online at DianeLai.com and at these retailers.

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

Mail of the Week (June 6 - 10)

My prize from Imogen's giveaway: After reading so many great things about Lucas' Papaw Ointment on MakeupAlley (it's rated 4.5 out of 5), I was absolutely thrilled to win one from Imogen's giveaway, as it's an Australian product and I'm not sure if it's available here in Canada. It is supposed to be amazing for chapped lips and even for eczema... what more could I ask for? Imogen also included this cute Cadbury Caramello Koala chocolate that I let melt in the sun while I was taking pictures -_- Thank you Imogen! =D

Diane Lai products: OMG, I can't believe how fortunate I am to be able to review those products! I first heard about them when I was complaining (yes, again!) about my eczema on Twitter with Melanie when Arianne joined the conversation and suggested us to have a look at Diane Lai all natural and organic products. Then I read her amazing review, which got me even more excited, but I still couldn't bring myself to pay $45 and $34 for those moisturizers. When Diane offered to send me some "samples", I jumped at the opportunity, only to find out that she had sent me the whole line of products!

• Fresh Daily Body Wash
• Soothe Spot Treatment
• Rejuvenate Daily Moisturizer

Tyenol Arthritis Pain samples (2 caplets) and mail-in rebate from LivingWell

Coupon for a free box of Triscuit Crackers

♥ Rolling In The Deep - Adele