Project Pan Them All | June Empties

Julep The Best Pedi Créme Ever! was a nice surprise in my Julep Maven Boho Glam box from last April. For $22, I wish the tube was bigger, but even though the cream is light, you don't need a lot of product to cover both feet. The cream smells absolutely delicious and fresh - juicy cucumbers, yum! I can't say I was absolutely amazed at the difference this cream made for my feet, but yes, it did leave them softer and smoother.

I already used Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer a long time ago and it absolutely did not work for me... which was not different this time. I received a sample through Facebook and it lasted me a relatively long time but it absolutely did not made me look tan. I was hoping I could use this lotion to touch up my tan, but no, it's useless because it did not even moisturize my skin properly.

Zorah Biocosmétiques Bioserum Structure is awesomely moisturizing and it lasted me quite a long time because I only needed about two drops to cover my whole face. I like how this product leaves my face imediately soothed and smooth. If you use the right quantity, Bioserum Structure is quickly absorbed into the skin and you don't have to wait forever to apply your night cream.

Crest Complete Scope Outlast in Long Lasting Mint is supposed to provide a cool, refreshing brushing experience and a fresh feeling that lasts up to 5x longer than a regular anticavity toothpaste but I will have to disagree with the latter statement though because I have yet to find a toothpaste that leaves my breath as minty and fresh as Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste does!

Marcelle Hydra-C ComplexE Facial Exfoliating Gel came in the Hydra-C Xmas Black Box I bought at Groupe Marcelle Spring 2010 Warehouse Sale but I was incredibly disappointed with it. It's not abrasive enough for a good exfoliation and the product just vanishes super quickly - I had to refrain myself from throwing it in the trash!

I received a sample of The Body Shop Chocomania Shower Cream as part of Meredith's giveaway prize and OMG, this stuff smells sooooooooooooo good, almost like the real stuff! I also appreciate how it's really more like a shower cream than a liquidy gel. I'm so glad to have a full-size backup in my stash!

I was really pleased with AHAVA Foot Cream unique texture - it really felt thick and a bit muddy, which was awesome and really moisturizing! I never used something like this before.

Zorah Biocosmetics - Your Body, Your Earth!

Recently, a TV commercial caught my attention - yes, it happens quite often, but this one is... interesting. Come on, have a quick look at it, it's just one click away! ...So, what do you think? Personally, I knew that petroleum was bad for our health, but this is a genius wake-up call, isn't it? Of course, after seeing this ad, I had to do some research about the company behind the commercial...

Zorah, Quebec’s first line of high-end organic, eco-friendly and fair-trade cosmetic products - has a mission - to offer cosmetic care products of the highest quality, equalling or surpassing the best products already on the market, while using only ingredients which are organic, environmentally friendly and fair-trade.

I was very kindly given the opportunity to try two products to help with my dry and eczema-prone skin, Bioserum Structure and Xia Ultramoisturizing Facial Cream. I have been using both products every day since I got them and I liked them so much that I already used up the serum!

Bioserum Structure ($73.99 / 15 ml) is an incredible skin repair made of Argan, Chia and Kendi oils. It instantly moisturizes your skin to perfection and quickly stimulates the skin’s renewing function so that damaged and loose skin regains firmness and shine. 

I don't think I have firmness issues - yet - but as far as moisture goes, this product is awesome! Even though it's recommended to apply 2-3 drops at night over whole face and neck - the dropper makes it easy to use the right amount of products - I always felt like it was too much and it left my skin a bit greasy, so I only used about two drops and it was really all I needed! I like how this product leaves my face imediately soothed and smooth. If you use the right quantity, Bioserum Structure is quickly absorbed into the skin and you don't have to wait forever to apply your night cream.

L - R: Xia Ultramoisturizing Facial Cream and Bioserum Structure

I was also happily surprised by Xia ($56.99 / 50 ml), an ultramoisturizing facial cream made with Argan, Chia and Kendi Oil, which managed to moisturize and nourish my dry skin in only a few uses! Its texture is creamy yet lightweights and again, I have to be careful not to use too much because it can feel a bit heavy. 

When I received Xia, I used it morning and night, as advised, but when summer came, I felt that it was a bit too much to use in the day so I kept it for night. It is really moisturizing without feeling greasy (if I don't use too much product) and I love the unique packaging - I have never seen something like this before! You have to twist the tube to make the pump appear, then twist the opposite way to make it disappear in the tube, minimizing spillage and making it travel-friendly - absolutely genius!

Overall, I'm glad to have had the chance to try some Zorah products and I'm happy to report no eczema flare ups at all since I started using Bioserum Structure and Xia!

Zorah Biocosmétiques products are available in most Canada natural food stores and in a number of pharmacies such as Uniprix and Brunet, as well as on their website, www.zorah.ca. 

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.

March Empties

Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Moisturizing Gel-cream for Dry Skin This was my first experience with a Marcelle skin care product and I'm pretty happy with it. At first, I was skeptical that a gel-cream would cure my dry skin, but if it didn't heal it completely, it definitely helped it a lot.

At first sight, I would have though this moisturizer would be best for use in the summer because of its light texture, but don't underestimate it as it's very moisturizing - yes, it really helped my dry and irritated skin through the harsh winter weather. The only thing I found odd about this cream is that when you rub or scratch your skin, little gel residues fall off so you have to be careful when you apply foundation or retouch your makeup through the day. Oh, also, it's beyond me that some companies still choose not to formulate their day cream with SPF, but oh well, I guess you can't have it all. See my super old and horrible review here.

Repurchase? Yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: Zorah Biocosmétiques Xia Ultramoisturizing Facial Cream

Burt's Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Creme (sample size) This is similar to Burt's Bees Beeswax & Almond Milk Hand Creme which I have used up in January and did not like. Because my job involves submerging my hands in the water and manipulating harsh chemicals a lot, I need to keep my eczema-prone hands moisturized so I keep sample-size hand creams in the pocket of my uniform. I really hate the texture of this hand cream, it's really thick and hard to spread on my hands, I guess it's because of the beeswax. It might be OK for night time but it tends to make my hands sticky during the day and that's annoying! This smells better than the Beeswax & Almond Milk one but it's very strong (which doesn't annoy me personally).

Repurchase? No

What I'm currently using to replace it: George's Special Dry Skin Cream (travel size)

Pharma Science pms-DESONIDE Cream 0.05% Another cream for my eczema which did not really work. At least it did not discolored my skin like some stronger ones did.

Repurchase? I hope I won't have to!

What I'm currently using to replace it: other eczema treatments

LUSH Lil LUSH Pud Bath Bomb This was the very first LUSH bath bomb I tried and I was very disappointed with it. There is nothing exciting to say about this bath bomb: it turns the water an ugly greenish-brown (reminds me of poop!), it didn't fiz for a long time, and it didn't moisturize my skin or anything. Also, in my opinion, it smells more of gingerbread than pudding, but the scent quickly dies down once this bath bomb has stopped fizzing. See my review here.

Repurchase?  No

Alberto VO5 Hot Oil Hair Treatment These have been around for such a long time and it seems everybody and their mother (and grand-mothers!) swear by them but it just didn't work for me. I didn't notice any difference in my hair, but at least I'm glad it was not left all greasy like some oil do.

Repurchase? No

Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Moist Wipes I received a coupon for a free box of this some times ago and even though Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Moist Wipes are designed "To feel cleaner and fresher than toilet paper alone", after reading the ingredients, I decided to use them on my face for a quick clean in the morning when I'm in a rush before school or work.

It worked well and my skin was not irritated at all - if I remember well, these wipes contain aloes. The only thing I did not like is that the wipes did not stay wet for long and I had to spritz them with toner but oh well, they were free after all! I also like that they come with an "EasyReach hanger" so that you can simply scotch it to a wall which makes it very handy.

Repurchase? No, I would rather use $1 baby wipes from the dollar store.

What I'm currently using to replace it: Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Moist Wipes

Passion Savon Oatmeal & Banana These were OK I guess although I have tried better handmade soaps that smell better and don't melt as quickly, such as the ones from LUSH and MJ's Soap Shop. See my review here.

Repurchase? No

Passion Savon Chestnut & Chocolate Torte These were OK I guess although I have tried better handmade soaps that smell better and don't melt as quickly, such as the ones from LUSH and MJ's Soap Shop. See my review here.

Repurchase? No