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

Project Pan Them All | April Empties

My mother gave me this super cute and delicious smelling gingerbread cookie soap she found at Winners some times ago - it was actaully really good, it did not melt super fast like most bars of soap I have tried, and I can't get over how nice it smelled!

I had the chance to try Liz Earle 4 Piece Essential Discovery Collection and I really enjoyed both the Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and the Instant Boost Skin Tonic - I have never used anything like this cleanser, which leaves me skin feels perfectly clean, soft and smooth when I am I done exfoliating it with the muslin cloth, and I enjoy finishing the cleansing routine with the toner, which does not contain alcohol and is enriched with cucumber and vitamin E - it smells sooooooo good!

I had never tried anything from Crabtree & Evelyn before but I received a sample of this lightly scented Tarocco Orange Eucalyptus & Sage Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy Sachet in the February Glossy Love GLOSSYBOX, but I am afraid that after only two uses, the only thing I can talk about is its smell - yummy!

I am getting really good at using up my LUSH bath products before they all loose their smell, because I keep being disappointed! I had high hopes for Creamy Candy Bubble Bar, and although it did leave my skin moisturized, I totally missed the vanilla and cotton candy scents and the foam disappeared after only a few minutes. Same for Ma Bar Bubble Bar!

I must admit I maybe judged Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara too quickly - when I first started using it, I hated the weird brush shape and I always ended up with tons of mascara all over my lids, not to mention that there was way too much product on the wand when I took it out of the tube. At first, the formula was way too wet and it took forever to dry, but a bit like Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils*, it dried out very quickly and although it was easier to apply for a little while, it quickly became unuseable and I had to throw it away. It's a shame because it made my lashes look incredibly and it did hold a curl all day!

I am still not sure what to think of conditioners that come in box hair dyes, but I guess Garnier Rich Nourishing Conditioner Cream* did an OK job.

I received a sample of NUXE Body Fondant Body Scrub with an Apothica order, but I am really strict when it comes to scrubs because most tend to not be abrasive enough and I hate when they make and oily mess in the shower. This one has exfoliating grains of various sizes, but it is too gentle for my liking.

I finally made the decision to throw away the Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller* which I have been using daily for years, but it seems to be impossible to use up! I recently tried to see how much product was left, and I realized it looked a bit dirty and I figured out it did not really make much of a difference for me anyway. I have a backup of this eye roll as well as similar products in my stash such as Olay Regenerist Anti Aging Eye Roller* and Marcelle Hydra-C Eye Roll-On Anti-Puff & Dark Circles that I am really excited to try anyway.

I don't know why I never got around publishing a review of Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Masque, but I guess now it's too late because I used it up... but it was absolutely scrumptious - I think I even tasted it! It just feels like slathering on chocolate all over your face... its just so rich, moisturizind and decadent... perfect!

I was very kindly send EthicBioskin Organics Hair Elixir to try, which is an holistic hair and conditioner treatment oil entirely made with natural and organic ingredients such as raw coconut oil, broccoli seed oil and Moroccan raw argan oil, but I was able to get only two uses out of it because I the product is just so hard to get out! I am sad to report that I did not notice any improvment in my hair condition after use though.

*Please note that these products are NOT cruelty-free

Shopping | Clarins 2012 Fall Warehouse Sale

To be honest, I have never really cared about Clarins or any of the brands featured at their warehouse sale (Anna Sui, Pür Minerals, KIBIO, ROXY, etc) except NUXE but I was mostly happy with my last year's purchases and my mother and I enjoyed this time spent together so we decided to have a look again this year, since we were both free from work Friday (the sale was on November 9 and 10).

We were thankful to not have to wait too long before entering the Clarins building because it was cold and windy outside! Of course, inside, it was crowded - I am talking crazy ladies trying to make their way to the various stands with their handbag the size of an elephant - that I almost instantly gave up! I let my mother hadvea peek at the different products that did not interest me and I headed for the self tanners stand.

I can't say I was 100% happy with the previous Clarins self tanners I have tried but I figured out I had nothing to lose by trying one that a lovely lady at the sale recommended for my pale skin - the Delicious Self Tanning Cream ($14 instead of $42). This instant self tanner is said to smell like cocoa and to have a tinted caramel colour for easy application. Enriched with aloe vera, it is supposed to be moisturizing and to infuse the skin with a natural-looking golden glow.

While I was at the Clarins self tanners stand, I decided to have a look at their sunscreens - a girl always need sunscreen, right? - and the same very helpful lady recommended the Sunscreen Care Oil-Free Lotion Spray SPF 15 ($14 instead of $32)  as she said she sunbathed on her boat all summer long and she never got a single sunburn - wow! I have never used a spray sunscreen before so I am very curious to test it.

Then I headed for the NUXE stand and I almost imediately found what I was looking for - one of the best lipbalm I have ever used, Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm ($9 instead of $19.50), even though my current pot is barely touched because I was too afraid of running out - silly, I know, but if you had constantly chapped and eczema-prone lips like mine, you would understand!

Last year, my mother bought three jars of  Rêve de Miel Ultra-Comfortable Face Cream ($20 instead of $40) and I absolutely fell in love with its thick and buttery texture that melts when in contact with the skin - exactly what I am looking for in a night cream! Now I know NUXE has an Ultra-Comfortable Face Cream for day and another for night, but mine is simply not labelled - I plan to use it at night anyway, as I am almost out of my beloved KORRES Quercetin & Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream, which is really similar in texture.

The last thing I bought is NUXE Micellar Cleansing Water with 3 Roses and Green Tea ($10 instead of $23.50) because since I have discovered Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water, I am absolutely sold on cleansing water, and at $10, I simply could not pass up this one!

Please let me know if there is something you would like me to review!

Shopping | Apothica

I know, it has been a long time since I featured a shopping post on the blog but the truth is that I don't shop often because I really want to use up some of my stuff first. Still, I wanted to use up my Apothica gift card before it expired so after my positive experience with XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Instant Self-Tan I figured that it would be a great time to try XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Luxe ($39), which promises a darker tan. I also decided to try XEN-TAN Deluxe Tanning Mitt ($6) because I found that when I apply a self tanner with gloves, it goes on a bit streaky and patchy, which is incredibly annoying! I have also been told that a mitt makes the process easier and quicker.

I must say I was a bit disappointed with Apothica this time, here is why. When browsing for my items, I noticed that both were out of stock, but the weird thing is that I was still given the option to add them to my cart, which I did because I thought maybe it was an error of some kind. I proceeded on placing my order on July 25, and the same day, I received a confirmation email. About half an hour later, I received two emails saying the same thing:

At least they mentioned that the items would be automatically shipped, but I still think it's a weird practice because usually, when an item is out of stock, you don't have the option to order it as if everything was normal, only to be told after that it is out of stock! Or am I just weird? Not to mention that I chose the fastest shipping option at $25 - really?! - to receive my order in three days, but of course, that was a total waste, and that 15% off coupon surely won't make up for it.

On August 1st, I received an email saying that both items were back in stock, and another one to tell me that my order has been shipped. One week later is not that bad, I guess, the problem is that I did not receive my order until August 9, which is more than a week later, when I specifically paid to receive it three days later... and it's not the first time this happens! Also, I just don't understand why their shipping fees are so high, I mean, they are shipping from Utah to Canada, not to a foreign country! Oh well.

Can you see that weird spillage on the bottom of the tube, on the 'Dark' label...?

But it does not stop there! When I finally received my order, I was a bit disappointed to see that my tube of XEN-TAN had some spillage on it, and also, the mitt did not look like the one pictured on the website - mine just feels and looks cheap, compared to what I was expecting! I mean, I only used it two times, and it already shows bad signs of usage...

On a positive note, I like how they always make sure to include some free samples in each of my orders. I received a sample of CellCeuticals PhotoDefense Daily Skin Protector SPF 55+ which I will give to my mother and a sample of NUXE Fondant Body Scrub, which I'm excited to try as NUXE products rarely disapppoint!