February Empties

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree face Wash Foam See my review here.

Repurchase?  I would, if it was not $14.99! I'm sure there's lots of more affordable foam cleansers out there that work just as well.

What I'm currently using to replace it: Lara Beauty Conditioning Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Grateful Body Aphrodite's Feast Restorative Serum See my review here.

Repurchase? No. I know serums are on the pricey side but $40, seriously?

What I'm currently using to replace it: Skin RX Medi Peel Hyaluronic Moisturizer

Bioré Detoxify Daily Scrub (sample) I'm super picky when it comes to facial scrubs because most of them are rubbish in my opinion, and this one is no exception. The beads are too tiny, not abrasive enough and they vanish after 30 seconds!

Repurchase? No. 

What I'm currently using to replace it:  Burt's Bees Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub

Passion Savon Goat's Milk, Honey, Lavender & Cedar See my review here.

Repurchase? No, there are many handmade soaps out there that smell better and that don't melt as quickly.

What I'm currently using to replace it: other Passion Savon soaps

Passion Savon Cranberry & Rhubarb See my review here.

Repurchase? No, there are many handmade soaps out there that smell better and that don't melt as quickly.

What I'm currently using to replace it: other Passion Savon soaps

Made From Earth Lemongrass Tea Soap See my review here. 

Repurchase? I would, but I find it's very small for the price ($4.99)

What I'm currently using to replace it: Passion Savon soaps

LUSH The Ex-Factor Bath Bomb See my review here.

Repurchase? No, it does nothing for my skin and it doesn't really smell once in the bath.

LUSH Cinders Bath Bomb See my review here.

Repurchase? No, it does nothing for my skin and it doesn't really smell once in the bath.

Time & Again by GANZ Strawberry Swirl Bath Fizzy I was sent this product for consideration to review but honestly, I'm not sure it's worth a complete review because I really did not like it. I liked that it fizzed very slowly and it smelled amazing, but it did nothing for the bath except from staining the tub!

Repurchase? No.

Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste* See my review here.

Repurchase? No because I didn't notice much difference even after using up the whole tube!

Clairol Nice 'n Easy ColorSeal Conditioning Gloss* I seem to have one of these in every empties post I write but oh well! This is just your average conditioner that comes in a box of hair dye.

Repurchase? No. Even though this is available separately, it's just average and I'm still on the lookout for cruelty-free hair dyes. 

What I'm currently using to replace it: random conditioner

*These products are NOT cruelty-free

Grateful Body - Skin Care That Strenghtens Your Skin!

Since 1998, Grateful Body's mission has been to bring you 100% natural skin care that is nourishing, effective and luxurious while supporting the health of your skin, your body, and your planet. 

Our Dream 

Why not dream big? We dream of the day when all skin care products improve the long-term health of the skin as well as its immediate appearance; the day when the body care industry supports organic agriculture instead of the chemical industry. We dream of people everywhere being nurtured every day by coming "face-to-face with nature" thanks to healthy botanical body care.

I was given the opportunity to try some products from this all natural and vegan skincare company that I've never heard of before. Their approach is through organic plants, food and herbs that come together to create entirely luxurious and effective skin care. The people from Grateful Body formulates all of their products to heal and strengthen damaged or ailing skin – they have helped a lot of people through eczema, that's why I was excited to try the products I was sent, Aphrodite's Feast Restorative Serum and Midnight Oil.

I received both products in a super cute tube package that is eco-friendly and recyclabe. I have never seen anything like that before and I think it's awesome, I will definitely re-use them!

Aphrodite's Feast Restorative Serum $40.00 for 1 oz / 30 ml

Filled to the brim with a profusion of whole plant phytonutrients, Aphrodite's Feast provides a bountiful fullness of biological essentials for smoothing and beautifying the skin. The ingredients in this super-rich meal for the skin nourish the blood, replenish deficiency, stimulate circulation and remove congestion. This all-inclusive formula covers all the bases and can give any skin type or condition much needed support.

This is truly miracle in a bottle! Every time I used this, I could feel my skin being smoother, softer and moisturized. When I first used it, I was sceptical because of the thin texture, but I should not have underestimated it!

It's the first time I used a serum that has such a milky texture but it sinks right into the skin and I did not feel the need to wait a bit before applying my night cream - exactly what I'm expecting from a serum!

I like the pump dispenser although sometimes too much much product is dispensed, but I never had to use more than one pump of product to cover my whole face. This product has a slight herbal scent to it which is not bothering and does not linger on the skin at all.

Midnight Oil $22.00 for 4 oz / 120 ml

Our incomparably nourishing Midnight Oil is a blend of the most pure, transcendent plant oils that contributes to silky, healthy skin while providing a comforting antidote to the effects of stress and hurry. The soothing, subtle scent is popular with both men and women, and has a relaxing, grounding effect on the mind and emotions.

Let me be honest from the start - I have never been a big fan of oily body products, I simply can't stand the mess, from makeup remover to body oil! When I first used it right after the shower, I found that it took such a long time to get absorbed into the skin and I don't have that time to waste when all I wanted to do is go to bed without staining the sheets. I continued to use it though, and I think that maybe I used too much product at once, but still, I have to be careful and really rub the product into my skin for it to be properly absorbed. For this reason, I would not use this product in the day before getting dressed.

What I like with this body oil is that I have the feeling that it really locks in the moisture into the skin, like a protective layer. However, I still need to apply a body lotion in the morning to keep my skin moisturized through the day but please keep in my mind that I have extremely dry skin that is prone to eczema very easily.

Do I really have to talk about the texture? It's an oil so of course it's oily and runny and well, a mess! I like that it comes in a pump bottle too but still, my bottle was left all oily after each use.

L - R: Midnight Oil and Aphrodite's Feast

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 (December 12 - 16)

KORRES media kit: Can you imagine my surprise when I was approached by Melissa with the opportunity to try some KORRES products? I never knew these were available in Canada, but yes, you can actually find them in selected Shoppers Drug Mart. Here's what the media kit contained:

• Quercetin & Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream 
• Quercetin & Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Eye Cream
• Wild Rose Face and Eye Brightening and Line Smoothing Serum
• Basil Lemon Extra Moisturizing Body Butter for dry skin

Goodies from Time & Again by GANZ: I received the cutest package from the very lovely Sandra this week! I have never heard of GANZ before but when I was given the opportunity to try some of their Holiday products, I jumped at the chance. Who can say no to pepperminted scented body products?

• Sweet Peppermint Gift Set (hand wash and hand cream)
• Replenishing Shea Body Butter
• Sweet Peppermint Crackling Wick Scented Candle
• Strawberry Swirl Bath Fizzy
• velvety soft Tubby Tummies plush
• nail file

Grateful Body products: I was given the opportunity to try some products from this all natural and vegan skincare company that I've never heard of before. Their approach is through organic plants, food and herbs that come together to create entirely luxurious and effective skin care. The people from Grateful Body formulates all of their products to heal and strengthen damaged or ailing skin – they have helped a lot of people through eczema, that's why I was excited to try the products I was sent: Aphrodite's Feast Restorative Serum and Midnight Oil.

Shielo hair products: Remember my Made from Earth product review? Well the same product formulators  have made some organic and chemical free hair products for Shielo and I was given the opportunity to try these products as well. I realise I almost never feature hair products on my blog and I don't really know why - I guess it's because I'm not sure how I'm supposed to review a shampoo? Well I'll be happy to try my best to review these vegan and cruelty free products. I've been sent their Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner as well as their #1 seller, Antioxidant Leave-in Protectant.

Club Nintendo Original Calendar 2012 : This is my reward for having reached the Elite Status as a Gold Member once again this year, yey!

♫ Invincible - Hedley ft. P. Reign