Project Pan Them All | February Empties

Hi ladies! I know, my last post was two weeks ago, but here is my excuse - I recently started TSW (topical steroid withdrawal), which prevents my body from functioning normally - I can barely eat and sleep, I can't work, and some days, I can't even walk properly. I am planning to write a whole post about this, but in the meantime, please bear with the lack of posts.

Before realizing I was suffering from TSW, I tried all kinds of body lotions, creams and butters to moisturize my red, itchy, irritated skin, but nothing would do, not even Basil Lemon Extra Moisturizing Body Butter for dry skin, that I used to love thanks to its great creamy texture and it's fresh and sweet smell.

Containing 1/3 nourishing milk, Uriage Crème Lavante Soap-Free Liquid Cleanser is one of the most gentle product I have used on my poor TSW skin. I really enjoy the pleasant light, fresh and "clean" fragrance of this cleanser, but its texture is not really consistent, which makes it hard to dispense the proper amount of product, despite the convenient pump packaging. I have to use a fair amount of product to produce a fine, creamy, easy-to-rinse foam, but I guess that for a soap-free cleanser, it's fairly good. I loved how this prodct never left my skin parched after showering.

When I realized that nothing worked to soothe my TSW skin, I dug out Dr Hess Udder Ointment to use it as a protective layer on my skin, since its texture actually reminds me a little of Vaseline. It is not especially moisturizing but it did make my skin a bit more comfortable for a few hours.

I kept hearing about the wonders of coconut oil but I have always loathed oily products on my skin - it just drives me crazy! When I received Adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil to try, I had no choice but to use it to properly test it... yes, it does soothe and moisturize my skin greatly, but still, that oily texture... yuck! To be honest, I quickly forgot about it and put it away. But recently, since starting the TSW process, my skin could not tolerate any moisturizer so I looked for natural alternatives, and I realized it was the time to give another chance to coconut oil. Which I did, but it did not work wonders - my skin is so raw and sensitive that it just won't tolerate anything - which bring me to MW (moisturizer withdrawal), which I will talk about more in another post.

I still can't believe how Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Deep Hydrating Treatment worked wonders on saving my hair! It has a great creamy texture so it does not make a mess in the shower, and you really don't need a lot of product at once. My hair was left incredibly smooth, soft, shiny and easily manageable!

November Empties

☑ Clarins Sheer Bronze Tinted Self Tanner For Legs

I have bought this out of curiosity at the first Clarins warehouse sale I attended maybe two years ago but at this time, I wasn't even into self tanners so I barely used it on my legs and it didn't impress me so I put it away. Now that I've gotten more into self tanners, I wanted to use this one up before buying some others.

I haven't used a lot of self tanners so I can't really compare this one to some others but it doesn't seem to do much for me - it barely gives me a slight glow. I don't know if it's due to the fact that I'm naturally pale - I'm a natural blonde - but I'm disappointed. I'll keep searching for a self tanner that will really make me look tan!

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint For Face and Decolleté

☑ Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream and Avocado Pear Nourishing Nights Cream (samples)

These were average. The smell was a bit too strong for me and to be honest, it wasn't the most pleasant. I loved the texture too, it ws thick without being too thick.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Moisturizing Gel-Cream for dry skin (day) and Burt's Bees Radiance Night Cream (night)

☑ Dr Hess Udder Stick Pomegranate

OK I'll admit it - I'm actually cheating with this one. What happened is that for review purposes, I wanted to take a picture to show you the actual quantity of lipbalm in the tube but when I tried to slide it back in the tube, it broke! So I had to melt it in a Vaseline tin but I'm still including it in my empties =P

Repurchase: yes!

What I'm currently using to replace it: other Dr Hess Udder Sticks

☑ Fruits & Passion Georgia Peach Foaming Bath

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

Repurchase: no

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

☑ Equate Exfoliating Cleansing Towelettes

These are great to gently wash my face in the morning. If they dry up, I simply spritz a little toner on them and them rub them on my face.

Repurchase: yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Moist Wipes

☑Alberto Moisture Soak Conditioner

I bought this a long time ago when my hair was completely destroyed by the numerous bleaches I inflicted it, and I was happy to confirm that the claims were true - I really did see a difference after the first use! Of course, it didn't repair my hair on the first use, but I was actually amazed at how soft it left my hair so I kept on using it and I was never disappointed.

I also like the consistency of this conditioner, it's thicker than a lot of conditioners I have tried - it won't drip everywhere - in the past and I feel that it coats my hair really well.

Repurchase: yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: I'm trying to use up those conditioners that come with my boxes of hair dye!

☑Escada Pacific Paradise Eau de Toilette

I bought this at a Clarins warehouse sale years ago because I instantly fell in love with its fruity yet not overly sweet scent, but I'm glad I finally used it up because I have way too many perfumes in my stash! Yes it's fun to use a different one every day, but they have a very limited shelf life, and this one almost didn't smell anything at all after all this time.

Repurchase: yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: other perfumes like Jessica Simpson Fancy, Harajuku♥Lovers Fragrance Baby, Aquolina Pink Sugar, etc.

☑ L'Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara*

Repurchase: no, only because L'Oréal tests on animals, and that's a shame because it's a pretty good mascara.

What I'm currently using to replace it: L'Oréal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes

*This product is NOT cruelty-free

Dr Hess Udder Ointment & Udder Sticks Lip Balms

Dr Hess Udder Ointment is by far the best healing skin care ointment on the market today! 

For over 100 years, Dr. Hess Products have been providing relief for all skin needs. Originally developed for cow's udders in the early 1900's, farmers were soon remarking on the incredible healing effects it was having on their own skin. Soon it was a staple in every medicine cabinet. Dr. Hess Udder Ointment is less greasy, absorbs quicker and smells better than other comparable products on the market. We use NO PARABENS (unlike our major competitor) which can be very harmful to your health.

Dr Hess Udder Ointment is said to be by far the best healing skin care ointment on the market today so I was very glad to be kindly sent these products to help with my eczema. Dr Hess products are recommended if you are dealing with problem skin, eczema, chafing, severe dryness, diabetic skin damage, cracked heels etc.

Udder Ointment $9.99 for 4oz

Depend on Dr Hess Udder Ointment to provide quick relief from dry skin, eczema, cracked heels and cuticles, chapped lips, athletic chafing, burns, abrasions, diabetic damages skin and more! Now available in a NEW 4oz tube!

I must start by saying that I didn't use this ointment all over my body because the tube is so small, I was afraid to run out of product too soon, so I decided to apply it only on my eczema spots (arms, legs and back). 

The texture is not like a lotion or a butter - it actually reminds me a little of Vaseline, but it doesn't leave a greasy residue behind - and I couldn't imagine applying it all over my body. It's thick and I can feel that it acts as a protective layer on my skin, ensuring it stays moisturized for hours. I was happily surprised to see that immediately calmed any itching and redness.

I like to apply this ointment only on trouble areas at night and sometimes, when I feel the need, I will re-apply a thin layer in the morning. I haven't tried it on my heels, cuticles or heels so I can't tell you if it works or not, but I'm pretty sure it will be just as great as on the rest of your body.

Udder Sticks Lip Balms with SPF 15 $10.00 for 4

The newest addition to the Dr. Hess Udder Ointment line includes a soothing Lip Balm for dry and chapped lips. Based on the original healing formula and with added SPF 15 Sunscreen, the Udder Stick will keep your lips protected and “udderly” smooth! FOUR FLAVORS NOW AVAILABLE including the Original Vanilla, Mango, Pomegranate and Vanilla Mint! Choose one of each, four of a kind or design your own pack!

If you are a regular reader of Gaby's Beauty Blog, I bet you know by now that I'm a total lipbalm junkie. Despite having finally found my HG lip balm, I can't help but continue to look around because hey, I like to have options, and these lipbalms are actually really great - I mean, how often do you find a SPF 15 in a chap stick?

I love the texture of these balms, they are far from your typical waxy lip balm (I'm looking at you, Burt's Bees Original Beeswax Lipbalm) and they just glide so nicely on the lips, leaving them nicely shiny and keeping them moisturized for hours. I didn't feel the need to constantly re-apply this lipbalm as I feel it stays on the lips for a good amount of time.

The only thing I didn't like with this lipbalm is that when I used it on my chapped or irritated lips, it burned a little for one minute or so and I don't exactly know why. It's nothing unbearable but it's just not fun! I don't think I have ever used a lip balm with sunscreen in it before so I think that maybe I have allergies to that.

Use their store locator to find a store near you that carries Dr Hess products or order online at Udder Ointment.com!

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.

Mail of the Week (October 24 - 28)

My prize from Joyce's Pick + Choose giveaway: Wow, I must be the luckiest bitch alive, seriously! Look at all that gorgeous stuff Joyce sent me! Joyce was giving away makeup products she got from a friend but that she won't use, and the winner got to pick ten items from the list. Here are my picks:

• Hard Candy Fox in a Box Blushing Quad in Hot Flash
• Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink 
• Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in Rose
• Physicians Formula Happy Booster Bronzer in Bronzer
• Physicians Formula Cashmere Wear Bronzer in Bronzer
• Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Bronzer in Medium to Dark
• Physicians Formula Bamboo Wear Mirror/Brush Compact + Bronzer Refill in Medium Bronzer
• Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner in Naturally Glamorous
• Rimmel London Glam Eyes Eyeshadow Single in Spicy Bronze*
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in Natural Smokes*

Thank you so much for this fantastic prize Joyce, I still can't believe my luck!


*I know that Rimmel and Maybelline test on animals but I was planning to give these items to my mother as she loves brown eyeshadows, just like me. 

Dr Hess products: Dr Hess Udder Ointment is said to be by far the best healing skin care ointment on the market today so I was very glad to be kindly sent these products to help with my eczema. Dr Hess products are recommended if you are dealing with problem skin, eczema, chafing, severe dryness, diabetic skin damage, cracked heels etc.

• Udder Ointment
• Udder Stick Mint Lip Balm with SPF 15
• Udder Stick Original Lip Balm with SPF 15
• Udder Stick Pomegranate Lip Balm with SPF 15
• Udder Stick Mango Lip Balm with SPF 15

Bronze Ambition Self Tan products: I kept hearing great things about these fake tan products on UK beauty blogs but I never saw them around here and I was really surprised to be given the opportunity to test drive some of them! I wouldn't say I'm complexed of my pale skin tone but I don't really like it and I like to use a little fake tan to give me a healthy glow, especially in the winter wher I can easily look dead. Here's what I was sent:

• Sun-Kissed Mist Instant Spray Tan
• Bronze Me Mousse Instant + Self Tan Foam
• Glow 'N 'Go Instant Tan Shimmer
• Fake Don't Bake Natural Look Tanning Cream

HANA Titanium 1.5" Flat Iron from Misikko.com: I have worked with Misikko in the past and I'm delighted to have the chance to team up with them again for another product review! Misikko seriously has the best customer service and they always spoil you when they send you a package. Alon with the flat iron, Brian very kindly included other products in my package such as heat proof pad and pouch, flowers shaped soaps, LA Color Eyeshadow, ELF Hypershine Lipgloss, hairbrush, etc.

Wet Platinum Silicone Based Premium Personal Lubricant sample and $1.00 off coupon: Get yours for free here (USA and Canadian residents only).

♫ In The Dark - DEV