Project Pan Them All | December Empties

Hi ladies! I have fallen super behind in blogging, actually I feel like I never really truly got back to it since coming back from Europe this summer. I had to get my personal life back on track - which was not always easy - then I started a comapny with my sister in law, and then, in the blink of an eye, Christmas was upon us! Now that things have calmed down after the chaos of the Holidays, I feel like I am ready to commit to blogging again. Maybe not everyday, like I was used to some times ago, but definitely one or two articles a week. Quality before quantity, right? Thank you for sticking with me ladies!

I found Natureplex Hydrocortisone Cream Maximum Strength in a Dollar Tree while I was in Wildwood a few years ago, and it was actually great at relieving the red and itchy rashes all over my body due to my radioactivity exposure when I went swimming in an abandoned mine this summer - yes, I know. The tube is very small and I used it very quickly, but I guess for $1, it's still nice!

Since I have discovered Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water, I am absolutely sold on cleansing water, and at $10 (instead of $23.50) at Clarins Fall Warehouse Sale, I simply could not pass up NUXE Micellar Cleansing Water with 3 Roses and Green Tea! I does not work as great as my HG from Marcelle and I would not repurchase it, but it still leaves my face smooth, clean and fresh.

I was recommended Pro-Derm Hydrogel from the doctor I consulted when I had my monstruous allergic reaction after I went swimming in a supposedly radioactive lake (as mentioned above). Made with a synergy of plant and marine ingredients to ensure exceptional efficiency, Hydrogel is claimed to rapidly soothe sensible skin. Its usage is recommended after aesthetics interventions or to regenerate the skin’s protective film after bathing, showering or shaving. I did not find it especially moisturizing and I was disappointed with how fast I used it up, especially given its expensive price - around $60! Not to mention this is my second tube...

Nothing really seems to work for the eczema on my hands, and Karen told me how great Aveeno Active Naturals Eczema Care Cream* worked for her a long time ago (hence why I purchased it before going cruelty-free), but sadly, it is not the case for me. Not matter how consistently I use it, I always have to go back to my cortisone creams. Not to mention that it seems to burn my hands more than anything else...

LUSH Heñata Bath Bomb was the cutest bath bomb! Quite simply, this is like a piñata for the bath - but it’s a hen, so it’s a Heñata (get it? awwww!). This cutie has to be smashed against the side of the bath so it can release soap paper flower petals to scrub up with. It is perfumed with fresh and citrusy tangerine, bergamot and mandarin oils - yum!

I always have to be careful not to take a too hot bath because of my sensitive skin and my eczema, but LUSH The Melting Snowman Bath Melt truly has skin-softening properties. Cocoa butter and almond oil nourish and soften the skin, while cinnamon leaf invigorates and help shake off fatigue.

I bought Freeman Goodstuff Organics Moisture Shea Butter Vitamin E Whipped Body Butter back in 2010 so I am a bit ashamed to feature it now, but I have used it up pretty quickly recently. I remember buying two tubes of this and being amazed after using the first one, but I guess I wasn't struggling that much with eczema because now this just seem to have done absolutely nothing for my skin. Totally rubbish. Although it still smells divine!

For some reasons, I prefer to pamper my feet in the winter, although it would be more logical to take care of them in the summer... but Eucerin Intensive Repair Extra-Enriched Foot Cream was actually great! Not too thick yet not too thin, it seemed to sink right in, leaving my feet super soft and smooth.

Yes, I realize Degree Invisible Sheer Powder Anti-Perspirant* is not cruelty-free, but it was a gift, and I have yet to find a product not tested on animals that works just as well and that smells just as good. This will be tough. Help, please?

*Please not that these products are NOT cruelty-free

Shopping: Dollar Tree & Kmart

I was in Wildwood NJ for a whole week (July 22 - 29) and while I lounged on the beach mostly all day, I was very excited to explore stores we don't have here in Canada, like Dollar Tree (where everything is $1 or less!) and Kmart. I picked up some goodies but I'm pretty proud of myself as I didn't spend too much. Yey!

Assured Body Powder Medicated Triple Relief Formula $1 Before going to Wildwood, I developped big red rashes on my thighs and I have absolutely no idea what it was or how I developped this reaction. It was just so itchy, I had to buy some cream or ointment to calm the itchiness. I came accross this medicated body powder containing menthol, which quickly calmed the itchiness - but only temporarily.

Natureplex Hydrocortisone Cream Maximum Strength $1 This cream is supposed to temporary relieve itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation and rashes, and I've been told that hydrocortisone creams are great to calm eczema flare-ups, so for $1, I thought, why not? I also used it on my rashes and it helped a little. The tube is very small and I feel I will use it very quickly, but I guess you get what you pay for.

Premier Heel Grippers Sponge Rubber $1 I always have a hard time finding shoe insoles that really work and won't slip away after only two uses. I have found that gel insoles don't work really well for me so I decided to give these rubber ones a try and so far, I'm impressed!

Icy Breeze Breath Spray Spearmint $1 I remember when these breath sprays were the big thing somewhere around elementary school and high school, except that they were not really designed to refresh your breath back then - they were fruit or candy flavoured. It's a great thing to keep in your handbag, and I find it works better than chewing gum to refresh your breath.

Max Block SPF 30 Baby Sunscreen Lotion with Aloe Vera $1 If it's good for babies, I guess it couldn't be bad for me?

Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sheer Protect SPF 50 $1 On my way out of Dollar Tree, I spotted this rack full of sunscreens and wow, SPF 50 for only $1?! I haven't tried Banana Boat products before but if I believe the hype, they should be great.

Glo Women's Jayden Patent Platform Pump - Blush on sale for $19.99 I always wanted nude heels because they are just so classy and they go with everything but I was waiting for a great deal - and I found one! I love that these heels have an "hidden" platform, it makes them much more comfortable, and it makes the 4 1/2" heel more bearable (:

Glo Women's Marbella Chain Demi Wedge - Black on sale for $14.99 I am absolutely in love with these shoes! They are called demi wedges which I think is strange because they look more like gladiator sandals to me... But OMG, I mean, just look at them! I have nothing similar in my closet so they instantly catched my attention when I saw them on the clearance rack and guess what? It was the only pair left! I can't believe my luck! They are super comfortable, and the chains and zippers... ♥

Before I forget, let me announce the winner of my Hold Me Bag giveaway...

Anne-Julie! Congrats!

Didn't win this time? Don't worry, you have until midnight to enter my Veet giveaway!

Shopping: Wildwood

I went to Wildwood about one week ago with my parents. It was cold, windy and not sunny (at all), so we did some shopping. Here are the amazing bargains I found at Dollar Tree and Wal-Mart:

Dollar Tree:

• Lip Balm All Natural enriched with vitamin E (100% natural)
• Salon Professional Personal Care Leave-In Conditioner
  
• LA Colors Expressions Loose Eyeshadow in Radiant
• Physicians Formula Mosaic Cream Eye Shadow in Nutmeg Mosaic

We don't have Dollar Tree here in Quebec - where everything is 1$ - so I was totally amazed when I came accross this Physicians Formula eye shadow palette! Oh and that 100% natural lip balm is my new favorite lip balm, that's why I stocked up on it. It leaves my lips totally soft and hydrated, and like the Burt's Bees lip balm, it contains beeswax, but unlike it, it is 100% natural. The leave-in conditioner leaves my hair absolutely soft and touchable. It is written on the bottle that it is comparable to Paul Mitchell The Conditioner!

Wal-Mart:

• Revlon Color Silk Beautiful Color in Brown Black
• Burt's Bees 25th Anniversary Head To Toe Starter Kit

In Quebec, our Wal-Mart doesn't have Revlon Color Silk, and it was only 2$-ish, so I decided to give it a try. It is said to give similar results to Nice 'n Easy 121A Natural darkest Brown, which is one of my favourite hair color product. Oh, and it's also ammonia free!

About that beautiful Burt's Bees anniversary package... take a closer look:


It was the only one left! I had to get my hands on it. The package includes:

• limited edition keepsake tin
• Honey Lip Balm
  
• Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion ( 1fl oz/ 29.5 ml)
• Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Cream (0.25 oz/ 7g)
• Banana Hand Creme (0.25 oz/ 7g)
• Orange Essence Facial Cleanser (0.56 oz/ 16g)
• Peppermint Foot Lotion (0.47 fl oz/ 14 ml)
• Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme (0.3 oz/ 8.5g)
• Peppermint Shower Soap (0.8 oz/ 22.7 g)
• Citrus Spice Exfoliating Shower Bar (0.8 oz/ 23g)
• Hand Salve (0.3 oz/ 8.5 g)
• Vitamin E Body & Bath Oil (1 fl oz/ 29 ml)

I've already experienced the products of the original head to toe starter kit, but this special package contains other nice products I can't wait to try!