Project Pan Them All | November Empties

I don't know what I was thinking when I ordered Avon Wish of Luck Eau de Toilette Spray* straight from the brochure without even smelling it at first - what, I could not resist the "refreshing blend of green apple and sparkling florals" from the description! Unfortunately, this turned out to smell more floral than fruity to me, and the scent is way too light to last me through the day - I had to mix it with another perfume or body spray in an attempt to use it up, and I'm glad I finally did!

I have never been a fan of face wipes but I do like to keep some baby wipes on hand to wash my face quickly for those morning when I am in a rush before work. These Pampers Baby Wipes were way less pricey than face wipes, and they even came with a handy tub!

Earthen InstantPeel is a product that will probably never cease to amaze me - it's really super easy to use and I still think it's truly awesome to be able to actually see the peels of dead skin, it's like a proof that the product is working. I have never used something like this before! This product is great for dry and sensitive skin as it didn't leave my face irritated or even drier - I could feel my skin being softer and smoother. The only things I dislike about this product is the price - at $10 an application, it can be getting quite pricey - and the messy packaging.

I don't think I have had such amazing results with any other lengthening mascara before Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara - it makes my lashes extremely long and defined, and most importantly, it holds a curl all day, which is a real miracle when you have extremely straight lashes like me! Also, I usually shy away from plastic applicators, but this mascara changed it all!

e.l.f. Mechanical Eyelash Curler is the only eyelash curler that I have tried that really works at curling my super straight lashes, but I hate, hate, hate how the metal top is so sharp that it always dig in the rubber pad, creating dents that pull off my precious eyelashes. Also, the stupid pad always falls off and, as if it wasn't enough, you can't purchase the rubber pad separately so you have to buy a new curler everytime which is not really a problem because it's only $1, but still, it's such a waste. Despite all of the bad things I pointed out, I still stick with this curler - do I really have a choice?

I picked up Mitchum Advanced Control Utltimate Strength & Protection Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant when I spotted it on sale at Walmart in an attempt to go completely cruelty-free, and I was not disappointed! The fragrance Powder Fresh is really nice but not overpowering, and best of all, I really feel protected all day, both from wetness and odor! I think I have found a new favorite - and cruelty-free - deodorant!

I recently reviewed Bomb La Bon Bon Whipped Sugar Scrub in Cotton Candy which I could not resist using almost every day because of its intoxicating smell, and I am actually a bit sad that I used it up so quickly, but it's OK though because it was not abrasive enough for my taste.

I have always loved serums as I have super dry skin, and Reviva Labs High Potency Collagen Serum did not disappoint. I love the lightweight gel consistency that absorbs very quickly into the skin, so you can apply your day or night cream over it without having to wait. This serum really left my skin super soft and smooth, and call me crazy, but I swear I have noticed results after the first use! Maybe I was too excited, but I really think my skin was less dry than the day before, especialy my dry patches of eczema. Of course, even after continuous use, this serum didn't get rid of my eczema (nothing really can), but I feel it has helped at least a little.

I have had Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel for what, three years, without never really using it regularly until I got more into self tanners recently, so when I decided to give it another try, it barely turned me... yellow. It's OK, I never really liked you either!

It does not happen often that I am really sad to have used up a particular product but I really think I have found my absolute holy grail night cream in KORRES Quercetin & Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream - it is everything I ever wanted in a night cream! It is amazingly thick and rich, it's not greasy and it's absorbed quickly into the skin, oh, and the smell... delicious! This cream looks very thick in the pot but it's very buttery and smooth on the skin, leaving it super soft.

Since I tried LARA Beauty Polishing Microderm Abrasion for Sensitive Skin, I have been hooked on microdermabrasion treatments, which seem to work so much better than you average face scrub! The texture of this one is just so thick, creamy and perfectly abrasive, but still, super gentle on my dry skin. My skin felt refreshed after use, but not tight or dry. It's a shame this product could not clear my skin of blackheads though, which is a big issue for me, but next time, I will try mixing three parts baking soda with one part water instead of repurchasing another product.

*Please note that Avon Wish of Luck is NOT cruelty-free

Review: Reviva Labs Cream Hydratante

A very unique night cream that focuses on surface “moisture dryness.” If skin needs moisture nourishment, not oils, Cream Hydratante is the very special answer. Generally, it is for young dry skins or combination skins that have lost moisture but are not severely dehydrated. But even oily skins with surface dryness (a common problem that most creams can’t answer because of the incorrect proportion and type of oil) will respond to this moisturizing cream. Allantoin, one of its main active ingredients, helps surface cells replenish moisture as it also combats the appearance of skin irritation, chapping and roughness. Camomile extract aids the soothing and anti-irritant action. 

• Cream Hydratante is a hydrating night cream, which works on the surface of the skin. It is ideal for all slightly dry skins … or even oily skins with temporary surface dryness.
• It’s an effective sunburn aid because it is so soothing.
• Helps soothe and calm rough or irritated skin.

As I was quite pleased with the Reviva Labs products I got to try not too long ago, I simply couldn't refuse to test this hydrating night cream that the lovely Anna told me might help with my dry and eczema-prone skin.

The first thing I want to talk about is the texture, as I've never seen anything like this before.

Can you see how thick it is? And what's with the liquid? 

Honestly, my first reaction was "Ewwww! What is this?!" Then I remembered that the directions say to apply to face and throat with wet fingertips, and also to mix with a little water in palm of hand to thin it before application. Before using it for the first time, I mixed it all together to obtain a better consistency, then I followed the directions.

You don't need that much product! It's only to properly show you the texture

Even when mixed with water, the cream has a strange consistency. It's very thick and sticky, and it can be quite hard to apply. I would say you actually need a lot of water to really thin it, but then, it can become a little hard to work with. I guess you just need to get used to the unique texture.

The Cream Hydratante also takes a looooong time to get absorbed in the skin and it tends to leave my face quite greasy (as you can see from the picture above), that's why I prefer to use it only on trouble spots before bed (I get red and irritated patches of dry skin on my forehead and temple because of eczema).

This product has a pretty strong herbal smell in the tub, but it quickly fades when applied to the skin.

I think you get a decent quantity of product for the price ($14.00 for 1.5oz/ 42g) as you only need a tiny quantity each time you use it.

Despite its strange texture, this hydrating night cream absolutely work wonders on my spots of dry skin. I apply a little quantity at night, and in the morning, I can already notice a significant difference. My skin is less red and itchy, and the day after, it's almost completely healed. If you have eczema, you understand how hard it is to find a proper moisturizing cream, and I can honestly tell you that this cream is now a staple in my skincare routine.

You can buy Revival Labs Cream Hydratante (1.5 oz) for $14 here.

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for consideration to review. I was not paid for this review,  I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the product was free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

Mail of the Week (April 25 - 29)

BH Cosmetics 120 Color Palette 2nd Edition: This is my prize from Katherine's giveaway. I absolutely have no idea how I will use 120 eyeshadows, but some sure look gorgeous and greatly pigmented.

Sashay down the street in a glimmering color fantasy! You'll create that and so much more with the exciting Second Edition 120 Color Eye Shadow Palette. Every new shade is a tiny treasure just waiting for your vivid imagination. Explore beautiful sea foam greens and luminous pinks. Mix them with impossibly rich rubies and shimmery golds. One hundred and twenty dreamy, versatile colors feel light and lovely on your skin. They're double-stacked in an elegant, glossy, black 9" x 6" hard case.

Thank you Katherine!

Reviva Labs Cream Hydratante Hydrating Night Cream: This cream is specifically designed to quickly alleviate surface dryness and it's claimed to be a great anti-irritant, so I'm curious to see if it will help with my eczema.

Samples of Reactine from Living Well.ca: I always suffer from allergies in the summer so I'm glad I got to try this for free!

Coupon from WebSaver for a free Glade Sense & Spray holder

Coupon from Save.ca for a free box of Vector Meal Replacement

Review: Reviva Labs

Reviva... over 3 decades of skin treatment experience and ingredient research - for problems ranging from acne to aging and all the in-betweens.


Reviva Labs has introduced many groundbreaking concepts since its inception in 1973:

• The first to introduce exfoliation to america with our European Light Skin Peel (We were explaining the importance of exfoliation years before the cosmetics giants introduced their versions)
• The first to introduce elastin to america, both in skin-care salons and health food stores
• No animal testing! Before it was even an issue (way back in 1973), we announced the testing of our products in skin-care salons rather than on animals

I was given the opportunity to try some products from this brand.

Makeup Primer ($19.50 for 1oz)

Apply over moisturizer or instead of moisturizer. Lines fill in, pores are concealed, excess oil is controlled. Skin so touchable, so silky smooth, you will find it hard to believe. 

This is my first time using a makeup primer so I really didn't know what to expected. I first tried using it on my face, but I've been disappointed to see that it doesn't conceal lines or pores. However, it did left my skin super soft and silky. See for yourself:

Then I tried in on my lids, and I wasn't disappointed. It really makes the eyeshadow pops and it helps make it stay all day. As it has a gel consistency (which is a little too runny for my liking), it's very lightweight and you can't tell you are wearing a primer.

Wet n Wild Coloricon Palette in Vanity

A let down for me is that it takes quite some times to dry, so I would recommend to apply this primer as the first step in your makeup routine, let it dry, put on your face makeup or do your hair, and then finish with your eye makeup.


Recommend? yes

High Potency Collagen Serum ($25.00 for 1oz)

With a high percentage of soluble collagen to hydrate skin, our serum not only helps increase skin's moisture level, it helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. This easily absorbed serum features Collagen Concentrate that permeates deeper than cream to bind moisture and help improve the contours of facial skin. Regular usage alone or under supplementary creams (such as antioxidant, elastin or peptide creams) can help smooth severe as well as fine dry lines or help improve skin texture. 

I have always loved serums as I have super dry skin, so I never say no to a boost of moisture, and this one didn't disappoint.

I love the lightweight gel consistency (which is less runny than the primer) that absorbs very quickly into the skin, so you can apply your day or night cream over it without having to wait.

This serum really left my skin super soft and smooth, and call me crazy, but I swear I have noticed results after the first use! Maybe I was too excited, but I really think my skin was less dry than the day before, especialy my dry patches of eczema. Of course, even after continuous use, this serum didn't get rid of my eczema (nothing really can), but I feel it has helped at least a little.

Now maybe it's too soon to talk about the appearance of fine lines, but I didn't really notice a difference, but I will definitely continue to use this serum to see if there's any improvment.

Recommend? yes


Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for consideration to review. I was not paid for this 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 (March 7 - 11)

Products to review from Reviva Labs: I have never heard of this brand before so when they approached me to review some of their products, I was curious. Here are the products I received:

• Makeup Primer
• High Potency Collagen Serum

My purchase from Emma's blog sale: I always love to browse blog sales to find products that aren't available in Canada. Here's what I got from Emma:

• Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Pink Mallow
• Barry M Lip Paint in touch of Magic
• Barry M Lip Liner in 13

I'll write a proper post about these products so stay tuned!

My purchase from Tiffany blog sale: I'm glad I got some great things from her!

• MAC Peachstock 
• Barry M Lip Paint in Dolly Pink

Swatches in an upcoming post!

Crystal Light Pure samples: I love them so much, I have actually already wrote a post about these here!

April issue of Glamour: That dress is gorgeous!

PETA Vegetarian/Vegan Starter Kit: Order yours for free here.

 And that's not all! I still have to go pick up three parcels at the post office! These will be featured in my next mail post.