What Did I Bring With Me In Europe?

Hello ladies, it has been a while and I hope you are all well! In my last post, about almost two months ago, I mentionned I was travelling in Europe without a return date in mind. After visiting Ireland, England, France and Spain, I got back to Montreal on July 19 and things have been crazy busy for me since then - dinners with friends and family, camping, parties, etc. Yesterday was the first day I could relax at home, unpacking my stuff and treating myself to a much needed pampering session.

I was wondering what was an interesting way to give you ladies a glimpse of my travel and I figured out it could be nice to share with you what I brought in my backpack, beauty-wise. Since this was not a glamourous holiday but more of an adventurous sleep-in-the-woods one (youth hostels are still amazing though!), I did not bring any makeup or really interesting things, and to save space in my bag, I kept it very basic. Can you believe I still brought too much stuff?

I have been very curious about Dr. Bronner's Magic "All-One" Bar Soaps that are completely biodegradable and vegetable-based, and  that have tons of uses such as hair and body wash, laundry wash, shaving cream, deodorant, etc., but I almost gave up since I could not find it anywhere in stores - not even online - at an acceptable price. To my great surprise, I found a rack full of Dr. Bronner's products at my local La Moisson by pure coincidence - this store is right next to where I live and I still can't believe I never stepped foot inside before! As if this was not enough, Dr. Bronner's Soap Bars were reduced by half, so I paid around $2.50 for the Baby Mild one.

Another multi-tasking product I knew I had to take with me was Get Creamed Body The Balm. Made of coca butter and shea butter, this is absolutely wonderful on my dry patches of eczema, and I could not believe I ran out of it so soon! It's easy and mess-free to apply but also to carry around while travelling thanks to its packaging similar to a deodorant stick.

Since my first destination was Ireland and I had not planned my trip for warmer countries, I did not bring sunscreen with me - I know, I know! After getting badly sunburned despite the cloudy sky of Normandy and heading to Spain soon, I knew I had to find some sun protection, and I decided to give
Lovea Dry Oil SPF 30 with Tahitian Monoi a try when I walked by a Carrefour. I was a bit reluctant to buy just another sunscreen since I already have so many at home, but I have never tried a dry oil before, and how could I say no to a product that protects from the sun while nourishing the skin and giving it a better tan?

I was hesitant to include Degree Anti-Perspirant Invisible Sheer Powder* in this post, especially since it is not cruelty-free (made by Unilever), but I won't lie - it was the only one left I had at home, it works great for me and its scent is just heavenly, especially since I did not bring any perfume.

I never seem to be able to completely use up those conditioners that come with box hair dyes, and I usually end up giving them away, but I figured out Clairol Perfect 10 ColorSeal Intensive Conditioning Cream* was a nice size for travelling. I did not really use it that much though, due to pure lazyness.

I planned to use Dr. Bronner's Magic Bar Soap mainly as body wash and no 'poo "shampoo", and altough it lathers amazingly well and is not too rough on my dry and sensitive skin (I did not feel the urge to apply moisturizer after showering), it left weird greasy/waxy residues on my hair - it was a total mess! It just felt weird and to me, it looked dirty. I did not give up imediately, but after a few weeks, I could not stand it anymore, so when I walked by a Monoprix in Étretat, I searched for a no 'poo or low 'poo alternative, and I chose Lovea Organic Nourishing Shampoo with Shea butter from Burkina. I wanted something that did not contain SLS, and although this product contains Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, it does not seem to mess up my "no-poo" regimen that much - I can go almost a week without washing my hair! This shampoo also leaves my hair amazingly soft, silky and shiny.

Before leaving for Europe, I found EthicBioskin Nourishing and Regenerating Lip Care in my stash and I absolutely fell in love with it! Made of raw cocoa and shea butter, and also organic and vegetarian, this is my current favorite lip balm - it works like nothing else I have tried before! Providing intense moisturization, this product deeply nourishes lips. I also love how it is non-greasy or waxy.

I had not tried Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment before since receiving it in the February 2013 Canadian GLOSSYBOX, but I figured out it was a nice size for travelling and so, the perfect time to try it! As for the Clairol conditioner, I did not end up using it much too, but I love how it is not greasy and how I need only the smallest quantity for smooth, shiny hair. Oh, and the smell - hmmmmm!

*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.