August Empties

☑ L'Oréal Sublime Mousse Conditioner

I absolutely HATED this mousse hair dye. The conditioner was OK, but I will not repurchase the hair dye. See my review to understand why.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: L'Oréal Féria Shimmering Boost Hydrating Conditioner

☑ John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Illuminating Shampoo & Conditioner (sample)

Free samples are always nice, but I'm still not convinced by these shampoos and conditioners specifically desgined for brunettes. They didn't prevent my hair color from fading and they sure didn't illumniate it.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

☑ Udderly Smooth Udder Cream Body Cream (sample) review

This must be one of the best body cream for my dry and eczema-prone skin. It is non greasy and it's absorbed very, very quickly into the skin, leaving it imediately smoothed and moisturized. I was actually quite surprised at how fast it soothed my dry and irritated skin and eased the itching due to eczema. This cream is also soooooo inexpensive ($2.75 for 4 oz. tube), I will be sure to repurchase it!

Repurchase: yes!!!

What I'm currently using to replace it: Jergens Naturals Aloe Soothing Body Moisturizer with Cucumber

☑ Fruits & Passion Orange Cantaloup Foaming Bath Cream

This is total crap! Despite its steep price ($23.00 for 250 ml), what you get is far from the "thick, creamy, fragrant foam", as claimed. The foam disappears after 10 minutes and even if the product smells great in the bottle, I can barely smell something once poured in the bath. It did leave my skin softer, but not enough to skip moisturizer.

Repurchase: no

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

☑ Fruits & Passion Blackberry Musk Foaming Bath

Again, very average foam that last about 10 minutes. Disappointing for the price.

Repurchase: no

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

☑ Biotherm Aquasource 24h Deep Hydration Replenishing Gel (sample)

This sample was very small so I'm not too sure what to say about it, except that gel moisturizers are never a great match for my dry skin, as most are not moisturizing enough.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Moisturizing Gel Cream for dry skin

☑ Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion (sample) review

This lotion is eco friendly, cruelty free and vegan and it can be used all over your body. Despites its formula being a little too light and watery for my liking, it works well but boy is it pricey ($25 for 4 oz)! For now, I'm currently testing a new face cream so I'm using the full-size version of this lotion on my hands to see if it will help with my eczema.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

☑ NeoStrata Sunsation Insta-Tan For Face Deep Dark

I've had this for so long but I've never really been into self-tanners until recently, and I'm not sure if it's because it's too old or just because it's total crap, but I don't get a tan at all when I use this product. I have also tried it on my body but no, nothing. And it's supposed to be deep dark...

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint For Face and Decolleté

☑ Jergens Naturals Aloe Soothing Body Moisturizer with Cucumber review

Despite its light texture, this product is very moisturizing and I do think it has slightly helped with my eczema. I'm absolutely in love with the clean and fresh scent - perfect for summer!

Repurchase: yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Hand & Body Lotion

☑ Hana Shine Shield Thermal Protectant (2 oz) review

This product is a thermal serum that can be used as a leave-in conditioner, which I did and I feel it did a pretty great job. When I first used this product, I didn't feel it did something for my hair, but I changed my mind after a couple of days of using it. My hair were definitely softer, shinier and more manageable. I woould not repurchase because I think $29.99 for a 2oz bottle is definitely expensive!

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream Sleek & Shine

Udderly Smooth

Family owned and operated, Redex Industries, has manufactured Udderly Smooth® products for over 30 years. Manufactured in Salem, Ohio, under the direct guidance of Bill Kennedy, CEO and Registered Pharmacist. Originally invented for use on dairy cows and now used for dry and chapped skin

Udderly Smooth® Udder Cream was originally invented in Ohio use on dairy cows under harsh conditions. Now used for dry and chapped skin on people worldwide . Product uses also include: 

• Dry and chapped skin
• As a shaving lotion
• Diabetes skin care
• Hand and Foot Syndrome- a side effect of chemotherapy drugs
• Chamois cream for bicyclists
• Needlework and quilting  

I remember receiving the Udder Cream in a tube as a gift when I was younger, but I didn't want to use it because I thought it was made for cows... and now, years later, I'm surprised to realize I was right! If these products were originally used on dairy cows, you can be sure they work - and I couldn't be more serious!

I was given the opportunity to try three Udderly Smooth products:

Moisturizing Lotion with Vitamin E ($5.75 for 16 fl oz)

Udder Cream ($2.75 for 4 oz. tube)

Foot Cream with shea butter ($6.50 for 8 oz jar)

All three of these products contain the same ingredients, except that the Moisturizing Lotion is enriched with Vitamin E and the Foot Cream contains Shea Butter to make a more intensive moisturizer.

Deionized water, stearic acid, Peg-2 Stearate, propylene glycol, isopropyl myristate, dimethicone, lanolin oil, mineral oil, triethanolamine, allantoin, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance

Udderly Smooth products are non greasy and they are absorbed very, very quickly into the skin, leaving it imediately smoothed and moisturized. I was actually quite surprised at how fast it soothed my dry and irritated skin and eased the itching due to eczema.

I was surprised to notice that the texture of the products is very similar. I would have expected the lotion to be more or the runny side and the butter more thick, but when applied to the skin, they are all super quickly absorbed and none, not even the butter, is greasy.

These moisturizers can be used all over the body - even the face (just be careful to avoid the eye area). Even though they are claimed to be "lightly scented", I didn't notice much of a scent, so I would say it's neutral and very light, and it doesn't linger very long on the skin.

Overall, I am more than happy with Udderly Smooth products and I will be sure to repurchase them given how well they work on my eczema-prone skin - not to mention their amazing price! I would definitely recommend Udderly Smooth if you have dry or itchy skin.

You can order Udderly Smooth product here and you can find a retailer near you here.

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 (May 2 - 6)

MuLondon products: The lovely Boris (founder and head cream-whipper) very kindly sent me some of his products to review. MuLondon products are made by hand, they are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. What's not to love? Here is what I received:

• Organic Marigold, Frankincense & Myrrh Face Moisturiser
• Organic Rose Moisturiser

Products to review from Farleyco.ca: I was recently given the opportunity to review some Batiste Dry Shampoos, but I never expected to receive that much goodies! Included in the package were products distributed by Farleyco to major retailers across Canada:

• Batiste Coloured Dry Shampoo 'Black'
• Batiste 'Tropical'
• Batiste 'Blush'
• Batiste 'Original' 
• EcoTools Bamboo 6 piece brush set
• Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Masque
• Montagne Jeunesse White Chocolate
• Montagne Jeunesse Apricot Scrub
• Montagne Jeunesse Peel-Off Masque

Free Glad Garbage Bag: This is totally random, and I can't remember where it comes from LOL

P&G brandSAMPLER samples: I'm always excited when new samples are available! These are the samples for the Spring Edition:

• Puffs Non Lotion White facial Tissue
• Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo Itchy Scalp Care
• OLAY 2-in-1 sample size facial cloth
• Pringles Baked Wheat Stix Jalapeno Flavour
• Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner
• Scope Outlast Mouthwash
• Cascade Complete All-in-1 ActionPac

All the online samples have been requested, but if you don't want to miss the next edition, be sure to check their website often and sign up for the newsletter.

P&G brandSAMPLER For Men samples: I think it's a great idea to offer samples especially for men! I requested these for my boyfriend:

• Gillette Odour Shield All Day Clean Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
• Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor
• Gillette Odor Shield All Day Clean Body Wash 
• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Intense Cooling Lotion
• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Thermal Face Scrub

Those samples seem to be still available, so hurry up and order yours!

Coupons for two bottles of Aquafina Plus+ Vitamins 10 Cal: I completed a survey on Aquafina Canada Facebook page and I was rewarded with these coupons. I love this beverage, it's really yummy, and good for your health, too!

Udderly Smooth products: I was so fortunated to receive these products as you know I have really bad eczema and super dry skin, and nothing seems to really work. Did you know that Udderly Smooth products were originally invented for use on dairy cows and that they are now used for dry and chapped skin? Here's what I was sent to try and review:

• Udder Cream 
• Moisturizing Lotion
• Shea Butter Foot Cream

♥

I thought it would be fun to start the week-end with a song so in each of my Mail of the Week posts, I will share with you a song that I hope you will enjoy.

♥ Top of the World - The Cataracs ft. DEV