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!

Summer Essentials

I know, I'm a bit late on this, but I really wanted to share with you ladies the products I reached for the most this summer because some are really little gems!

I have always overlooked after-sun lotions because I'm lazy and I figured out that a normal body moisturizer would work just as well but Burt's Bees Aloe & Linden Flower After Sun Soother completely changed my mind! It was not until I got a really bad sunburn on my chest, arms and belly - I forgot to re-apply sunscreen after going swimming - that I realized how this product was a miracle worker - my sunburn was completely gone within only two days and my skin never showed signs of sun damages! I was expecting this lotion to be liquid and runny but no, it's more on the thick side but still, it sinks right into the sin and it feels so refreshing, and I like the light pleasant herbal scent.

I recently introduced you ladies to my new blog series, Project Farewell Casper, in which I share with you my fake tan adventures, and St Moriz Dark Instant Self Tanning Mousse was the second self tanner that I featured. It was tons of trouble to find a UK seller willing to ship to Canada but all of this hassle was really worth it in the end as this self tanner provides a gorgeous natural deep brown tan, exactly what I was looking for! I hate how it barely lasts three days on me even if I make sure to moisturize twice a day but I guess you get what you pay for.

I recently ordered XEN-TAN Deluxe Tanning Mitt from Apothica because I hated how streaky and patchy St Moriz applied when I used gloves, and as much as I love it because it allows the self tanner to go on soooo smoothly and it makes the whole process a lot easier and quicker, I was a bit disappointed at how cheap the mitt looked... I was expecting it to look like this but mine  does not have the writting and it's not very velvety...

The main reason why I was never keen on depilatory creams or lotions is because of the scent - isn't it awful? If you are able to forget that smell for about 3 minutes, you might actually really enjoy Veet Hydro' Restor Hair Removal Cream*. I absolutely fell in love with the thick texture that was easy to apply on the skin, and the spatula really comes in handy to quickly remove the product without mess. I was actually very surprised to see that the smoothness really lasts longer than shaving - I could see the hair slowly growing back on the third day. I'm also very happy with the results because my legs were soooo smooth and the hair removal cream absolutely didn't dry them. I didn't even feel the need to use moisturizing lotion after! 

With my super straight hair, I was a bit sceptical about Marc Anthony Beach Spray at first but I must say the results are actually pretty decent. This product does add body and texture to my straight hair while also extra definition to my layers. I was surprised to be left with manageable and touchable beach hair after using the Beach Spray.

I'm really happy with Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration sunscreen lotion product because, having dry and eczema-prone skin, being outdoors in the summer sun can really dry out and irritate my skin even more, but the new product line brings sun protection to a whole new level, with the luxurious hydrating ribbons that leave my skin feeling silky soft. I love how this sunscreen lotion goes on clear, light and non-greasy. Oh, and let's not forget that delicious signature coconut fragrance!

Let's not forget about sunglasses, of course! These are my super old aviator sunglasses that I got at my local flea market a looooooong time ago - I think I was in high school! I wore them to death as you can see, they went with me on all my trips, from Wildwood to Quebec, and I think I'm actually due for a new pair as they barely stand straight anymore! Should I get some other aviator sunglasses? This pink silver mirror shaded pair is so cute, although these black Ray Ban are a classic. Maybe I should consider some Ray Ban? My boyfriend has a pair that looks like this one but I really like the "prints" on the frame of this Ray Ban RB4105 Folding Wayfarer 710/51 - which brings me to Wayfarer, hmmm... Have you seen something as cool as these
Spy HELM KEN BLOCK EDITION HHCU131? OK, not really my style... I prefer these Tom Ford, which have a little retro vibe.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Natural in N2 Iridescent Beige and N19 Iridescent Icy Pink

My first foray into MAKE UP FOR EVER products were the new Rouge Artist Natural lipsticks and let me tell you that it did not take much time for me to fall in love with these ultra creamy and moisturizing babies that provides light coverage with a soft, shiny finish, which is exactly what I'm looking for in a lipstick in the summer! I have found these to be quite buildable for a more intense but never overpowering look.

I kept hearing so many great things about Carmex Lip Balm Original Jar and being a lip balm junkie, I just had to try it. At $1.98 at Walmart, it was pretty hard to resist! I think I withheld for so long because I was afraid that camphor and phenol could make my lips react (what usually happen with lip-tingling formulas), but so far, I have nothing to report except that this is an amazing lipbalm that I don't have to re-apply every second and I'm so glad I finally decided to give it a try!

I have never been a fan of waterproof mascaras, but Anastasia came out a very clever solution -  Lash Genius, which is a clear waterproof topcoat. I tested this product while swimming at the beach and also under the shower. If I only blink to get the water out of my eyes, Lash Genius stays put perfectly, but if I rub and insist on the lashes, it will start to show signs of fatigue - I noticed some of my lashes stick together, but then again, nothing dramatic!

*Please note that this product is NOT cruelty-free

Disclaimer: Sponsored post

Introducing Project Farewell Casper - XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Instant Self-Tan

You know, sometimes, enough is enough - well, that's it, I can't bare with my pasty skin anymore. It's not that I'm as white as Casper - despite my attempt at a funny title - it's just that I think my skin lacks that healthy glow which is easily achievable with a tan.

Now, before someone raises the skin cancer issue, please rest assured that I would never recommend baking in the sun unprotected - I have never stepped foot in a tanning bed in all my life and that's not going to change soon - I mean, why pay to damage your skin? I will admit that one of my favorite thing to do in the summer is lounge in the sun, but I would never skip sunscreen - I try to wear an SPF of 30 at least.

What bugs me is that even if I lounge all day in the sun in the summer, I only ever get the slightest hint of a tan, which drives me absolutely crazy, so I figured out I could use a little help, and that's why Project Farewell Casper was created. This is meant to be a little series in which I will share my fake tan experiences with you.

I have chosen to start this project with XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Instant Self-Tan because despite having tried very few self tanners before, none of them gave me amazing results such as this one - but more on the negative experiences in another post.

I got XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Instant Self-Tan from Apothica.com on a whim because I had to use my gift card before it expired and I thought, why not treat myself to a high end self tanner? $26.00 for 5 FL. OZ / 148 ml is more than I will ever pay for a fake tan, but I figured out that if I did not work out, at least I would not have wasted "real" money on it.

The first thing I noticed about this product was, of course, its scent. Now I don't really care for that "biscuit" smell, as lovely ladies from the UK call it, but XEN-TAN Deep Bronze has a light but heavenly vanilla scent that I was not expecting at all. Of course, this delicious smell disappears when the tan sets, but like I said, I don't really mind.

I love when my fake tans have a guide color, otherwise, I'm 100% to create an absolute mess! XEN-TAN Deep Bronze has a strange greenish-brown color straight from the tube and it goes on fairly sheer, but I'm able to see when I apply it. I love its super light, almost gel-like texture that is very quickly absorbed in the skin. I did not have any problems applying this product with my bare hands as they were not stained - just be sure to thoroughly wash them after tanning.

I am not entirely sure what to think about the instant color claim because I can only see a very slight difference compared with my natural skin color. However, the tan does start to develop after around one or two hour, and in the morning, I'm left with gorgeous bronze skin! I love it so much that I never want to wash off the excess tan but I would recommend to do it because I have found out that this tan does stain anything white you will touch if it's not properly washed off.

L - R: pasty white vs 4-days-old tan

The self tanners I previously used barely turned me yellow, nothing like the natural golden I was expecting, but I was happily surprised with this product! It is actually designed to provide a medium depth self-tan with one application, and I have found this to be true - it's not as dark as I was expecting from the "deep bronze" claim, but it's a beautiful believable tan. The best part for me is that it does last a while - I have never experience a fake tan that was still going strong after three days, but XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Instant Self-Tan lasts up to five to seven days when I properly moisturize my skin, and it does not fade patchy at all.

Another great thing? Because it contains moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, gingko biloba and green tea, XEN-TAN Deep Bronze did not leave my skin feeling dry and itchy, and I did not even feel the need to apply a body lotion after the self tanner.

4 days after application

I have never gotten so many compliments about my tan than I did after using XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Instant Self-Tan! Seriously, the day after I used this product, my coworkers asked me where I had gone for the week-end to look so tanned and that it suited me really well.

Overall, yes this fake tan is on the pricey side, but because I only need to re-apply once a week, I feel it will last me a long time. I can't wait to try more XEN-TAN products - I think I might get the Deep Bronze Luxe next time, which promises a dark tan.

XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Instant Self-Tan is available at Apothica.com for $26.00 for 5 FL. OZ / 148 ml. 

Mail of the Week (July 11 - 15)

My prize from Minnie's giveaway: I was extremely lucky to win a selection of MAC products of my choice from Minnie! I just couldn't believe it when she announced me as the winner of her amazing giveaway, as I could never afford MAC products with my tight University student budget. Here's what I received:

• Crème Cup Cremesheen Lipstick (light blue pink)
• Fleur Power Powder Blush (soft bright pinkish-coral)
• Bronze Eye Shadow (gold brown with gold-bronze shimmer)
• Ebony Eye Pencil (soft black)
• Just Superb Cremesheen Glass (dirty neutral pink)

L - R: Fleur Power, Bronze, Ebony, Just Superb, Crème Cup

Thank you sooooo much Minnie!!!

My prize from Catherine's giveaway: When Catherine featured this cute Vaseline tin in one of her recent haul posts, I was so sad that we don't have Superdrugs here in Quebec! I haven't even found the little tins anywhere neither. So she kindly decided to host a giveaway and I was one of the three lucky winners! Here's what I received:

• Vaseline storage tin
• Vaseline Lip Therapy 
• Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips with Rose and Almond Oil
• Vaseline Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter
• Vaseline Lip Therapy with Aloe Vera
• Swizzels Maltow Double Dip Orange and Cherry
• Love Hearts

Thank you Catherine! =D

New Jergens Naturals Aloe Soothing Body Moisturizer with Cucumber: I was given the opportunity to try and review this new moisturizer from Jergens. I was happily surprised to learn that this range is cruelty-free (or are all Jergens products cruelty-free?) and it is also made with 94% natural ingredients. I'm curious to see how it will help with my eczema.

My Apothica order: I placed my order on July 6, it was shipped on July 7 and I received it the next Monday, July 11 - talk about fast delivery! Here's what I ordered:

• Too Faced Leopard Love Complexion Perfection Kit
• XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Instant Self-Tan 
• Avène Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream

With every Apothica order you make come some samples. This time I received a sample of The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil and some band-aids in a very handy little Avène packaging to keep in my handbag.

peta2's I am Not a Nugget Leggings: The moment I saw these leggings featuring the cute Nugget, I knew I had to have them and didn't hesitate to redeem 7000 Street Team points for a pair. These leggings are claimed to be comfy and made of a thicker material than most other leggings on the market, but I was a little disappointed when I tried them on. I ordered them in Small but they are a little loose and not as fitting as I thought they would be, and they also didn't really appear to be especially warm.

PETA's Vegan College Cookbook: I hesitated a long time before ordering this book because from the reviews I read on the net, it seemed like a very average cookbook because some of the recipes aren't even recipes (like grilled cheese, salsa, etc). I decided to order it anyway because it was free (it "costed" me 8000 Street Team points) but it's available in the PETA catalog for $14.99. I received it today so I haven't had the time to properly read it yet, but I'm very eager to try those recipes!

August 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan

August 2011 issue of Glamour

♥ What Them Girls At - David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida