Project Pan Them All | October Empties

I don't use mouthwashes on a daily basis and I have given up on finding the perfect whitening mouthwash because nothing works on my naturally yellow teeth! However, I know I can always go back to Scope Outlast for a super long lasting fresh breath that no other mouthwash can provide.

Since I started washing my hair every three to four days (I used to wash it everyday since I was 12) in an attempt to keep my color brighter and my hair healthier, one product that has absolutely saved my life numerous times is dry shampoo, and one of the first one I tried is TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo for oily/straight to normal hair. I think it's an OK product but nothing more, because it's really weird how some days it would work wonder, but some other day, it would leave my hair feeling wet and even greasier! As I experienced with other dry shampoos, this quickly fell in my stash of unloved products that I want to use up quickly, and I'm glad I finally did!

I am so glad I finally used up Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel because even though the Hydra-C line is ideal for all skin types, this is not moisturizing enough for my dry skin, and it certainly does not hydrate it for 24 hours, as claimed. However, I did really enjoyed its unique jelly-like texture that is light and non-sticky, and that melt into the skin leaving it feeling instantly refreshed with an alcohol-free cooling sensation - I don't think I have used a similar product before! This is especially great to use in the summer.

I quickly fell in love with KARIDERM Foot Care Cream which softens and refreshes my tired feet at the end of the day. It is particularly invigorating thanks to its essential oils (eucalyptus, rosemary, cypress and mint) which stimulate blood circulation while eliminating odours. It is ideal for foot and leg massage to alleviate the heaviness in the legs, or to increase muscle responsiveness in sports. I always prefer my foot creams to smell fresh and this one smells really menthol-y, which is amazing after a long day at work! I love how this cream really soften my feet after only a few uses.

If I remember well, I think Marcelle Hydra-C Gentle Self-Foaming Cleanser is actually the first self-foaming face cleanser I tried, and as much as I enjoyed its velvety and light texture, I try to stay away from overly foaming products because they tend to dry out my skin even more. I don't think I have experienced this with this cleanser, but it't nothing ot of the ordinary either.

In an attempt to ease my eczema, I started sleeping with cotton gloves about a month or two ago, and I liked to use the thickest and greasiest hand creams I could find. I thought Burt's Bees Hand Salve - which is their most intensive hand treatment, packed with botanical oils, herbs and beeswax to moisturise hard-working, rough, dry hands - would work wonders, and it did, until I started waking up to small and itchy vesicules on my fingers - disgusting, yes, I know! Thanks to Miss Vay, I soon learned I was most likely suffering from Dyshidrosis, a type of eczema which can worsen when the skin becomes moist, so now I try to stay away from heavy hand creams.

I had a sample of CHANEL Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette* laying around in my vanity for quite some times now so I figured out I would be better to use it up before it ends up smelling nothing. Chance is described as "a decidedly young scent for those who dare to dream. A light, subtly sensual fragrance, filled with vitality and energy, evolves from one moment to the next, each wholly unique." it is definitely a light, delicate floral scent that I don't hate, but I prefer heavier and sweeter fragrances.

I was actually surprised at how nice Jessica Simpson Fancy Bath & Shower Gel foamed in the bath, given that it came in a gift box containing the perfume itself, a handy roll-on version and a lotion, and from personal experience, I find that most products that come with the fragrance are cheap. It is an absolute perfect compliment to the eau de parfum, which is simply scrumptious!

*CHANEL Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette is NOT cruelty-free

TRESemmé Split Remedy - Repair Up To 80% Of Split Ends For A Fresh-Cut Look And Feel Every Day

Hey ladies! I know I did not post yesterday and it feels weird because I'm used to post every day (except on the weekend) but I'm contemplating starting to update my blog every two days because it's just so time consuming - I thought I would have more free time because of the strike at uni, but to make up for it, I have started working full-time, which is great but my job is manual and so, at the end of the day, I'm just exhausted. I hope you will continue to read my blog and enjoy it just as much though!

I have been spoiled rotten by TRESemmé - when they asked me if I would like to try some of their new products, I never expected them to send me the whole Split Remedy line! The Split Remedy products, formulated with a revolutionary Reconstructing Complex, claim to repair up to 80% of the split ends you have in just three uses, and with continued use, the salon-quality formula continues to bind split ends for a smooth look that lasts and keeps working to help prevent new splits from occurring - wow! Yes, I was sceptical too, but believe me, these products really work. Of course, you can't really repair split ends until your cut your hair, but the Split Remedy products really does help to tame them and make them look smoother and more polished.

I'm not sure I have ever been disappointed by TRESemmé products (although I have a love/hate relationship with their Fresh Start Dry Shampoo) and I do think they are amazing quality for the price and despite not having to deal with absolutely horrific split ends, I could not wait to try all of these products! 

The Split Remedy Shampoo ($4.99USD) is light without being runny and it does produce a nice rich lather without too much work - I know we have to get over the idea that a product has to lather to properly clean, but still, it's hard to say where I have put shampoo if I can't feel it! I consider my hair long (past my shoulders but above my breasts) and moderately thick, and I need a decent quantity of shampoo to be able to properly clean my crown area, which tends to give me trouble with almost every shampoo I use. I like how squeaky clean the Spit Remedy Shampoo leaves my hair every time. 

I tend to be a bit fussy when it comes with conditioners - I could not care less for the runny mess most of them are and for this reason, I favor hair masks most of the time, but I was positively surprised by the Split Remedy Conditioner ($4.99USD). It has the perfect texture that every conditioner should have - thick enough not to spill everywhere in the shower, yet it seems to melt when it comes in contact with the hair. I appreciate when I don't have to use half of the bottle of conditioner to feel my hair properly coated with product, which is why I love this conditioner so much. It leaves my hair softer, smoother and nicely moisturized withtout weighting it down. Both the Split Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner smell of green apple, which is absolutely delightful! Also, I think those two products come in pretty big bottles for the price.

I usually tend to favor products that are thicker in texture than a spray for a leave-in conditioner, but the Split Remedy Leave-In Conditioning Spray ($4.49USD) performs well. It is very light and did not leave my hair sticky - in fact, I could barely feel that I had put a product on my hair! I don't typically have to deal with tangles or knots in my hair, but this product allowed me to brush my hair very easily, leaving it smooth and shiny.

Even though I don't have to deal with frizz (very fortunately for me), the Split Remedy Leave-In Split End Conditioning Treatment ($4.49USD) must be my favorite products of the line. It is designed to help potect your hair from the damaging effects of styling including breakage, frizz and dryness and it can be used on wet or dry hair. Although I prefer to use it on wet hair for a deeper conditioning, I'm sure it would work great on dry hair too because it's so lightweight, which is totally unexpected for such an amazingly moisturizing product. It never fails to leave my hair super shiny and silky and easier to manage.

The Split Remedy Split End Sealing Serum ($4.49USD) was the product I was the most excited to try but even though it works well at smoothing my hair and making the ends look more polished, it just does not leave it as shiny as I was expecting, but maybe it's just me!

I think it's a little unclear whether you are supposed to use all of the products at once, one after the other, or only one of the three everytime you wash your hair, but I didn't not want to take the risk to be left with limp greasy hair so I stucked to one different product at every wash, and it worked well.

I don't think I have the worst hair around to start with - it is naturally straight but it dries a bit wavy (I never blow dry it) and it just does not look polished without a little help from my heating tools, which I'm trying to avoid as much as I can and I have been doing really well for the pat couples of months. However, I was not prepared to be blown away by the results of weeks of use of the Split Remedy line...

L - R: Before and after TRESemmé Split Remedy

As you can see from the above pictures, my hair usually dries pretty wavy and it just looks dull and damaged. What a difference TRESemmé Split Remedy made! Another that really made me realize how well these products work is when I stopped using them altogether to test other products. My hair just did not look as smoothed and polished as when I was using the Split Remedy products. When I returned to the TRESemmé products, the magic happened again!

Overall, I think TRESemmé Split Remedy products are an amazing inexpensive solution if you are looking for a temporary solution to "hide" your split ends and don't want to get your hair cut!

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 (February 20 - March 2)

New TRESemmé Split Remedy products I have been incredibly lucky to be spoiled rotten by TRESemmé - when they asked me if I would like to try some of their new products, I never expected them to send me the whole Split Remedy line! I have heard about this line but I'm not sure I have seen it in stores around here yet. The Split Remedy products claim to repair up to 80% of the split ends you have in just three uses - wow! I'm not sure I have ever been disappointed by TRESemmé products (although I have a love/hate relationship with their Fresh Start Dry Shampoo) and I do think they are amazing quality for the price so I can't wait to try all of these products!

New Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit I was delighted to come home this week to this big box filled with Veet goodies wrapped in pink silk paper! I had not heard of this new product from Veet before and it's very exciting to me because I usually don't wax just because of the mess it makes - and OK, maybe a bit because of the pain too! - but this product promises a mess-free wax. I can't wait to try it!

BH Cosmetics products I have never tried anything from BH Cosmetics for some reasons, so of course I had to jump on this opportunity! It has also been brought to my attention that I rarely post about makeup products on my blog... I know, but I think my true love is skincare. I personally tend to favour great skin instead of having to hide flaws with makeup, but that's just the way I see it. I promise, I will try to feature more makeup related products on here as well!

Here is what I was very kindly sent from BH Cosmetics:

• Liquid Eye Liner in Black
• Waterproof Eyeliner in Frost
• Waterproof Eyeliner in Midnight
• Lipgloss in Wine & Dine
• Lipgloss in Office Queen

L - R: Black, Frost, Midnight, Wine & Dine, Office Queen 

Tints of Nature Conditioning Permanent Hair Colour in Natural Darkest Brown If you have followed me through my hair dye adventures, you may know that I'm seeking cruelty-free alternatives but it's much harder than I though. Tints of Nature is a natural, vegetarian, cruelty-free (of course!) and ammonia-free hair color which retails for $18.99 a pack.

Mini Kleenex box Awwww how cute is this miniature tissue box? I don't even want to use it up! You can still send a pack to someone and receive a free sample of new Kleenex Cool Touch for yourself here.

Coupon for a free Liberté Greek yogurt They had a promotion on Facebook and I'm so glad I was able to snatch one! Liberté is my favorite yogurt, and honestly, is there something better than greek yogurt?

♫ Wild Ones - Flo Rida ft. Sia

TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TRESemmé. All opinions are 100% mine.

You may remember my review of TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo for oily/straight to normal hair that I wrote a while back ago, when dry shampoo was still a relatively new concept. Back then, I thought it was an OK product but nothing more, as it tended to let me down a lot so I experienced with other dry shampoos, and I eventually forgot about this one.

Because I like to switch things up every once in a while, I recently decided to give it another try, and I was amazed at how great it worked! When I tweeted my success, it has been brought to my attention that TRESemmé recently came up with a complete line of dry shampoos that helps revive your style’s beautiful look and feel if you skip a shampoo:

• Strengthening Dry Shampoo : The formula, with B12 vitamins and keratin, helps strengthen hair and leaves it full of healthy body.

• Volumizing Dry Shampoo : The formula, with mineral clay and citrus, removes oil while injecting hair salon-gorgeous volume.

• Smoothing Dry Shampoo: The formula, with Vitamin H & Silk Proteins, refreshes your straight style by removing excess oil, impurities and odor to nsure your smooth look lasts.

• Moisturizing Waterless Foam Shampoo: The formula, with Witch Hazel, Citrus and Aloe Vera, refreshes your hair by removing excess oil, impurities and odor while moisturizing hair.

 

Uniquely formulated to absorb excess oil and remove odor, the full line of TRESemmé Dry Shampoos rejuvenates hair without a drop of water. With a renewing burst of citrus extracts infused into every products, it leaves hair with a clean, fresh scent.

Here are some tips to get the best results from TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo:

• Shake vigorously before use and in between spray bursts
• Lift sections of dry hair and spray lightly at the roots
• Spray in short bursts, holding 8 - 12 inches from head (don't spray like hairspray, all over and continuously)
• Leave in for 1 - 2 minutes
• Use fingertips or a brush to distribute product evenly

*If clogging occurs, remove nozzle and rinse under warm, then reattach

Beauty YouTuber Kayleigh from Forever Yours Beauty has teamed up with TRESemmé and created a tutorial to teach people how to use TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo properly. She is also giving away a $500 gift card to Target to a lucky winner - check out her video and enter to win!

March Empties

☑ Earth Therapeutics Gardener's Hand Repair Protective Conditioner

I got this from Winners for around $7. I thought it was quite pricey at the time, but that it must be worth it as it claims to be a "protective conditioner" and I was looking for a good hand cream to protect my eczema-prone hands when I was working as a gas station attendant. Oh and of course, when I see something labelled "shea butter" or "oatmeal", I can't resists (silly? Yes, I know). But in the end, this product didn't really work for me. The texture is too light, and it didn't really protect my hands from the irritants I had to deal with everyday ( car oil, water, gas, etc).

Repurchase? no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Boots Botanics Body Overnight Hand & Nail Cream

 ☑ Burt's Bees Baby Bee Skin Creme

I figured a creme designed for babies could only be good for me... but I was wrong. The texture is quite strange, it's very solid and it's hard to apply on the skin, and it didn't even feel moisturizing. I wasn't fond of the srong scent either. I never thought Burt's Bees could disappoints me one day...


Repurchase? no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Avon Moisture Therapy intensive Treatment Extra Strenght Cream for extra dry skin

 ☑ Fruits & Passion Field Berries Foaming Bath

This is total crap. The foam - if there's any foam at all - will only stays for around 10 minutes. At this price, I would have expected a luxurious bath!


Repurchase? no

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

☑ Naturally Upper Canada Cranberry Moro Orange Foaming Bath Milk

I can't believe this costs $3! Yes it smells great, but it's good for only one use and it does absolutely NOTHING. It doesn't foam at all, you can't even tell there's something in your bath! Glad I got it in a gift package.


Repurchase? no

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

☑ Cranberry & Pear Bath Soak

I got this in a gift package and totally forgot about it until recently, when I decided it was time to clean up my bath products. It's good for only one use and it doesn't really do something.

Repurchase? no

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

  ☑ Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils (review)

Look at the brush after only 1 month or so of use:

Crap is still a weak word to describe this... thing. It's not completely used up though, but it's all dried up and it's a mess to use. GARBAGE.

Repurchase? no!!!

What I'm currently using to replace it: L'Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black

 ☑ Garnier Nutrisse Creme Rich Nourishing Conditioner Cream

It's the conditioner cream that came with the box of Garnier Nutrisse Intense Red Nourishing Colour Cream. It smells great, very fruity. I prefer the Nice 'n Easy conditioners, though.

What I'm currently using to replace it: Alberto VO5 Deep Nourishing Moisture Intensive Mask 3 Minute Mask

 ☑ Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

1 down, only 8 more to go LOL! I tend to stock up on these when I find them on sale. Seriously, I love this lipbalm, it's such a staple. It's the first natural lipbalm I have ever tried, and I instantly got hooked! It tends to let me down when the weather is really harsh, but otherwise, it does the job.

Repurchase? yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

  ☑ Clobetasol Ointment 0.05% w/w Topical Corticosteroid

This is the only thing that can temporarily get rid of my eczema. It's quite strong and it tends to discolor my skin and makes it thinner, but I couldn't care less, as long as my eczema goes away. Sadly, these's no permanent treatment for eczema, so I have no choice but continue to use it.

Am I the only one who thinks the little deisgn in the red square looks like poo? Yes, I'm that immature LOL.

Repurchase? yes, but I will try the generic version before to see if it works just as well.

What I'm currently using to replace it: Taro-Clobetasol Ointment USP, 0.0% w/w Topical Corticosteroid

  ☑ Nivea Express Hydration Body Lotion (sample)

Well there wasn't a lot of product in this so I can't really write an opinion on it, but it's a little too light for my liking.

Repurchase? no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Avon Moisture Therapy intensive Treatment Extra Strenght Cream for extra dry skin

  ☑ Nivea Express Hydration Body Lotion (sample)

Hmmm this smells great and it leaves the skin soooo soft! It's a shower cream but it feels more like an oil to me. It feels very moisturizing, I would love to bath in this!

Repurchase? yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: Avon Moisture Therapy intensive Treatment Extra Strenght Cream for extra dry skin

  ☑ Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser with orange oil (sample) 

Wow, I can't believe I haven't tried this cleanser before! It's absolutely amazing for my dry and eczema-prone skin as it's non-foaming and oily. You might want to use a toner after use as it tends to leave a film on the skin. I love it as it's so moisturizing. I will buy the full size tube for sure!

Repurchase? yes!!

What I'm currently using to replace it: Mario Badescu Skin Care Enzyme Cleansing Gel (sample size)

☑ TRESemmé Naturals Vibrantly Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner (samples)

I didn't really enjoy using those samples. The shampoo didn't leather really well (although I do know a shampoo doesn't need to lather to be effective, it's just my personal preference) and the conditioner was to light for my liking.

Repurchase? no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Nexxus Therappe Luxurious Hydrating Shampoo and Humectress Ultimate Hydrating Conditioner

☑ Kate Somerville CytoCell Dermal Energizing Treatment (sample)

This is supposed to "stimulate stem cell activity and restore the skin with new, energized cells". I can't treally tell as this sample was good for only a week. I don't think I have ever heard of this brand before.

Repurchase? no

What I'm currently using to replace it: -

Mail of the Week (March 21 - 25)

My prize from Delicate Hummingbird's giveaway: I'm excited to have won this giveaway because we don't have Catrice here, and I love dark nail polishes like these. Here's what I got:

• Catrice Cosmetics Nail Polish in 490 Iron Mermaiden (multichrome pearl green/purple)
• Catrice Cosmetics Nail Polish in 430 Purplelized (charcoal purple with multicolour shimmer/sparkles and slight holographic effect)
• Catrice Cosmetics Nail Polish in 440 I Wear My Sunglasses At Night (greenish black with pink&green glitter)

• Archetype Cosmetics Mineral Pigment Eyeshadow sample in St. Elmo's Fire (the base color is a subtle warmer purplish plummy shade, muted and greyed a bit and hinting towards taupy brown around the edges; there is a quirky iridescent sheen to it, silvery/green/sortapink. Green sparkle)
• Archetype Cosmetics Mineral Pigment Eyeshadow sample in  Savage Garden (very subtle bluish greypurple color with an overlay of blue-turquoise iridescence over the top- tip to the side, and it flashes to pink purple. Orchid sparkle.)
• Archetype Cosmetics Mineral Pigment Eyeshadow sample in Turquoise Serpent (warm golden brown with turquoise sparkle)

Thank you so much! Can't wait to change my nail polish (currently wearing Revlon Minted)

TRESemmé Naturals Shampoo and Conditioner samples and coupons: I honestly have no idea where this comes from. I've searched the net and found nothing, and my name wasn't on it so maybe they are free samples that everyone has gotten?

SilkPerfect Pillowcase: I've been sent this silk pillowcase to review and I'm super happy because I've wanted to try one ever since I first heard about these! Not to mention that silk pillowcases are not easy to find everywhere.

Grey Winter Leggings from eBay: I know they look blue but it was because of the sun, they are actually a dark grey. I wanted another pair of winter leggings as I've been wearing the same pair a little too much lately, and I didn't want to get another black pair, so I opted for dark grey. They are very soft and warm, and super comfy. I got them for $7.00 here. I ordered them on February 25, they were marked as shipped on February 27 and I finally received them on March 23. It took around a month, but they were coming from China, so I guess I can't blame the seller.

Nivea samples: These weren't addressed to me or someone in the house so I guess they were free samples that everyone has gotten. I'm never tempted to buy Nivea products as I find them a little too much pricey, so I'm glad I can give them a try for free. I received:

• Harmony Time Shower Cream
• Express Hydration Body Lotion

Products from Pari Beauty to review: I have never heard of this brand before so I jumped at the chance to try some of their products to review. Here's what I was sent:

• Transforming Eye Gel
• Mineral Perfection in 51 Ivory
• Mineral Stardust in 31

Mail of the Week (January 24 - 28)

My prize from Softlips Canada Facebook sweepstake: I was one of the 5 lucky winner of  a Softlips Sweet Ravishing Raspberry Moisturizing Lip Balm! It smells great, like real raspberry, not a cheap chemical scent. I'm not sure if I will be able to use it though because I still don't know which ingredient exactly makes my lips react (I get rashes and my lips burn). So far, I've stuck to natural lipbalms just to be sure, but I'm missing on some many great lipbalms because of this!

Coupons from TRESemmé: A while back ago, I filled out a survey on TRESemmé products and they said the reward would be $5 coupons. I guess I didn't understand because I was expecting a $5 coupon to use on any product, but no, I received three coupons to use on three different products! I'm a little disappointed because I'm not sure I will use them )=

Receive $5 in TRESemmé coupons

 

Want to treat your hair to some new TRESemmé products? You'll save $5 just by filling in this form.

This offer is valid only in Canada.

Thank you mom!

My mother went to Wal-Mart the other day and when I came back home, some surprises were waiting for me on the bathroom counter:

Equate Exfoliating Cleansing Towelettes: My mother knows I like to use face wipes in the morning when I have to wake up early to go to school. Those contains cucumber, chamomille and vitamin E.

Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Shampoo and TRESemmé Colour Protection Shampoo: I have never tried anything from Live Clean before, but this vegan shampoo sure looks great!

Thank you mom!