Mail of the Week (March 12 - 16)

Product samples from Crest Complete range I have noticed that oral care products are not often featured on beauty blogs but I do think it's an important part of our routine. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect mouthwash that will leave my breath very fresh for a long time and I'm also looking for a toothpaste that will really whiten my teeth, as I have always been disappointed before.

When I was given the opportunity to try the new Scope Dual-Blast mouthwash with its odour neutralizing technology, I must say I was curious. I was also kindly sent some oher products from the line, such as Crest Complete Multi-Benefit Extra White + Scope Dual Blast toothpaste and Oral-B Complete Cross Action Power Brush.

Marc Anthony bye.bye.Frizz Smoothing Keratin System Wow, I have definitely been spoiled by the people from Marc Anthony recently! Last week, they kindly sent me the complete Dream Wave Amplifying Collection and now this? bye.bye.Frizz is a frizzy girls dream since it not only removes frizz, it makes your hair so much easier to blow out and style.

The entire bye.bye.Frizz collection is designed to solve frizzy hair issues by smoothing the cuticle and retaining moisture with the power of Keratin. I won't be able to test these products myself because 1) I try to stay away from products with keratin because I don't like my products to contain ingredients derived from tissues found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals, and 2) I don't have frizzy hair. Fortunately, my dear friend Julie and her fiery red and curly mane are more than happy to help!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat This is a product I'm very curious about and I'm very excited to try it as I have never seen anything like it before. Lash Genius is basically a colorless topcoat that instantly waterproof, refreshes and protects any mascara all day, without clumping. I never wear waterproof makeup because it's always so damn hard to remove, but having this topcoat on hand will surely come in handy someday!

Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Herbal Tea sample Celestial Seasonings were giving away free tea samples some times ago, but their offer has now ended.

Bioré Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser sample Bioré recently had an offer on their Facebook page where you could claim your free sample of their new cleanser and also have a chance to win a full-sized bottle as well. Don't want to miss another freebie offer? Be sure to "like" my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter (:

Escada Rockin' Rio new fragrance sample Escada is giving away free samples of their new Summer Fragrances on their Facebook page. Take the fun quiz to discover if you are Sexy Graffiti, Island Kiss or Rockin' Rio and receive your free sample.

♫ Co-Pilot - Kristina Maria ft. Corneille

Mail of the Week (May 30 - June 3)

My prize from Natalie's giveaway: The prize was Sigma 12 Brush Kit Make Me Classy in Black. I still can't believe I won her giveaway out of 430 entries (not to mention she has 2600+ followers!) I thought my prize would never come as I won back in April (around the 10th), so I contacted Sigma about this and they told me they had never shipped it LOL. It was finally shipped on May 18 and I got it on June 2. Yey! =D

Here's what the kit includes:

• Eyeliner - E05 - An extra-fine tipped synthetic fiber brush that delivers a precise, firm, even stroke to line the eyes.  
• Pencil - E30 - Precise application of color on the crease, outer corner, and upper and lower lash line. Also ideal to smudge out pencil liner. Natural bristles. 
• Tapered Blending - E40 - Rounded and tapered top. Specially designed to apply and blend color on the crease. Natural bristles.  
• Eye Shading - E55 - Soft and dense with a rounded finish. Can be used to apply pressed or loose eye shadows and pigments. Ideal to build intense color on the eyelid. Natural bristles. 
• Large Shader - E60 - Flat shape is ideal for application of cream formulas and eye shadow primers. It also works great with loose eye shadows or pigments. Can be used to apply color all over the lid or precisely on the lash line. Natural bristles. 
• Small Angle - E65 - Essential for the application of gel or cream eyeliner on the upper and lower lash line. This brush is also excellent for filling out the eyebrows. Synthetic bristles. 
• Medium Angled Shading - E70 - Angled, tapered, flat top. Ideal to apply highlight shades underneath the eyebrow and on the inner corners. It can also be used for a precise application of darker shades on the crease area. Natural bristles. 
• Large Powder - F30 - Very dense with a rounded top. Ideal to apply powder products on face and body. Natural bristles.  
• Large Angled Contour - F40 - The angled shape makes this brush ideal to apply blush or contour shades. Natural bristles
• Duo Fibre - F50 - Specially designed to generate an ‘airbrushed’ finish when used to apply liquid foundation. It can also be used to apply blush, highlight shades and loose pigments. Blend of synthetic and natural bristles. 
• Foundation - F60 - Can be used to apply liquid or cream foundation. It is also recommended to apply moisturizers and conceal large areas. Synthetic bristles. 
• Concealer - F70 - The rounded, tapered, flat shape makes this brush ideal to conceal the under eye area. It is also recommended for a precise application in small areas. Synthetic bristles.

That is amazing! Who needs more brushes after that? Thank you so much Natalie! =D

Crystal Light samples: If you like Crystal Light Canada Facebook page, you will be able to request 3 free samples (just click on the "Free Samples" tab on the left). I got the following flavours:

• Strawberry Orange Banana
• Lemon-Lime
• Raspberry Ice

Elemis FreshSkin Discovery Kit: In May, I had the chance to try some of Elemis FreshSkin products, but now they have sent me some more! Here's what the Discovery Kit includes:

• Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturiser / 15ml: Intensely hydrating night time moisturizer improves skin vitality and radiance whilst you sleep.
• Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash / 25ml: With a deep pore cleansing action, this exfoliating facial wash gently polishes and helps refine skin texture for an instant glow.
• Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser / 15ml: Breathe life into your skin with this light and non-greasy daily moisturizer that soothes and softens.
• Peachy Perfect Gentle Face Wash / 30ml: Leave your skin beautifully glowing and soft to the touch!
• Deep Clean Purifying Facial Mask Purifying Face Mask / 3 Sachets: This blend of natural clays, goji berry extract and frankincense oil help to draw out impurities.

Coupon for a free Nesquik Less Sugar Flavoured Milk Beverage: You can still request your free coupon here. If they have exceeded their amount of coupons per day, try the next day.

July issue of Cosmopolitan: Gorgeous Rihanna and her amazing hair on the cover (:

July issue of Glamour: I'm so happy to see Blake on the cover, although I don't know if it's just me but something looks strange with her face... too much Photoshop maybe?

♥ Save The World - Swedish House Mafia (is it wrong that this song actually makes me sad?)

Freebies: Playtex, Bioré, o.b., Play Time, Kleenex, Kotex and Vichy

BringItOnCanada is giving away free Playtex samples.

Canadian residents only. 

 

Enter for eligibility to receive a product sample of Bioré Daily Cleansing Cloths.

Canadian residents only.

 

Get a free o.b. sample pack here.

Canadian residents only. 

Free Play Time samples and savings here.

US and Canadian (excluding Quebec) residents only.

 

Get your free Kleenex samples here.

US and Canadian residents only.

 

Kotex is offering you a free sample pack of your choice.

US residents only.

Claim a free sample of Vichy Aqualia Thermal Cream here.

Canadian residents only.

What I'm currently using (May) + Free samples from Poise, Cheerios and Mars!

BODY

Body wash: Glamour Gal Shower Gel with the essence of roses, violets, lavender & musk
Scrub: my homemade olive oil and brown sugar scrub
Moisturizer: SPAresource Amber Sunset Body Lotion with aloe vera
Hand lotion: Earth Therapeutics Gardener's Hand Repair Protective Conditioner
Deodorant/antiperspirant: Dove Ultimate Go Fresh Energizing Grapefruit & Lemongrass scent

FACE

Cleanser: Noxzema The Original Deep Cleansing Cream with Eucalyptus Oil review + mark. That's Deep Purifying Cleanser with sugar maple/black willow bark

Toner: Nivea Visage Gentle Toner + mark. Mist Opportunity Multi-Tasking Refresher with kiwi/grapefruit
Scrub: Freeman Moisture Rich Apricot & Wild Cherry Deep Impact Lathering Facial Scrub
Mask: Avon Solutions Winter Moisturizing Mask
Day cream: Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Moisturizing Gel Cream for dry skin review + Jergens Natural Glow Face Daily Moisturizer SPF 20
Night cream: Avon Basics Extra Hydration Face Cream review + Pond's Dry Skin Cream
Eye cream: Avon Solutions Plus Ageless Results Intensive Line Filler + Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Cream with royal jelly + Lancôme Rénergie Microlift Eye R.A.R.E Superior Lifting Eye Cream
Treatment: Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Anti-Blemish Pen

HAIR

Shampoo: Pantene Pro-V Brunette Expressions Daily Color Enhancing Shampoo
Conditioner: Alberto Moisture Soak Conditioner + Pantene Pro-V Brunette Expressions Daily Color Enhancing Conditioner + Clairol Perfect 10 Nice 'n Easy Color Seal Intensive Conditioning Cream (6 weekly treatments)
Mask: -
Styling products: -

MAKEUP

Foundation: -
Concealer: Marcelle Concealer Palette in Universal Beige + Joe Fresh Style Duo Concealer in Light
Bronzer: Annabelle Zebra Bronzing Powder in Haute Gold
Blush: Marcelle Minerals Powder Blush in Natural Glow + Annabelle Blossom Blush in Peachy
Powder: Annabelle Satellite Pearl Powder in Celestial Pearl
Highlighter: Annabelle Satellite Pearl Powder in Celestial Pearl + Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Single in Vanilla
Eye shadow: none in particular
Mascara: Maybelline Great Lash Blackest Black Mascara
Eyeliner: Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx
Lipstick: -
Lipgloss: Marcelle Vita-Lip Plumping Gloss in Rio Rose

Pictures are from weheartit.

♥

Interested in getting FREE Poise samples? Order the Poise Sample Kit here.

Offer available to Canadian and US residents only.

Become a fan on Facebook and get a FREE box of Multi-Grain Cheerios! Click here.

Offer available to Canadian residents only.

And finally, head on Save.ca to redeem your coupon for a FREE Mars Chocolat Bar.

Offer available to Canadian residents only.

 ♥

Last chance to enter my giveaway! It closes tomorrow!

Alberto European Free Gift + Free samples from P&G, U by Kotex, Veet and Lacoste

OMG I couldn't believe it when I found this on Facebook yesterday! Alberto is offering you a a coupon redeemable for a free full-size Alberto European styling product of your choice! All you need to do is become a fan of Alberto on Facebook, then add the Alberto European Free Gift application, and fill out the form!

Offer available to Canadian residents only.

But hang on, there's more!

Thanks to Edwina, I discovered this great website, redflagdeals.com, which offers deals, coupons and freebies mostly to Canadian residents, but some of those are also available to US residents.

I already told you about P&G brandSAMPLER in my previous post, but it's not too late to sign up if you haven't yet!

Offer available to Canadian and US residents only.

Next, if - like me - you are curious about the new U by Kotex line, order your freebies here.

Offer available to Canadian and US residents only.

You can also order a free Veet Wax Strip sample kit here.

Offer available to Canadian residents only.

And finally, fill out the form here to order a free Lacoste perfume sample (Challenge, Essential Sport or Love of Pink).

Offer available worldwide.

Thank you Sara! + April empties + P&G brandSAMPLER

I saw my dear friend Sara yesterday and she got me some goodies:

While hanging out in my room, Sara's boyfriend, Yanick, saw my baby wipes and he asked why I had those. When I told him that I use them to wash my face when I'm in a hurry in the morning, Sara offered to give me a tub she didn't need to put the wipes in to keep them wet. Of course I said yes, because here's what I used to keep my wipes wet:

It's the box I got at the Groupe Marcelle Spring 2010 Warehouse Sale with the Hydra-C products.

So of course a tub would be much more handy!

Sara also gave me the Pampers Baby Wipes that came with the tub. She buys everything for her baby at Costco, so she has everything in great quantity, and she said she had too much wipes.

Pampers Natural Aloe Unscented Baby Wipes (72 wipes)

I told Sara that I was thinking about buying Iron supplement as I don't eat a lot of meat (I'm trying to completely cut meat of my diet and only eat fish or poultry), but I couldn't find some anywhere. She was at the drugstore the other day so she asked the pharmacian where she could find iron supplement for me. The pharmacian handed her the lower dose saying that I should get a blood test before going a dose higher. I'm not anemic or anything so I don't need a higher dose (not to mention that blood tests scare the hell out of me).

Jamieson Iron 50 mg 60 Caplets

There's something strange, though, because each caplets contains 50 mg of iron, and the recommanded daily intake of iron for a woman between 19 and 50 years old (I'm 21) is 18 mg. SO I'm wondering... is it really the lower dose? Because I know that an "overdose" of iron can lead to illness...

I know I'm talking a lot about Sara, so here's a picture of her (with me):

I know her since high school, and we immediately became close friends. She is one of those - very few - people I don't want to lose, and I know she will be by my side no matter what.

And here's her little Samuel (he's now around 3 months old, so he is a little bigger than in those pictures):

♥

I think I did pretty good with Project "Pan them all" this month! I finished eight products:

 ☑ Olay Definity Highly Defined Anti-Aging Re-Energizing Serum

Hmm, not sure what a serum is supposed to do when you're in your 20's. Anyway.

Repurchase? no, as I'm not sure serum are designed for women in their 20s.

What I'm currently using to replace it: -

☑ Avon Hydrofirming Bio6 Eye Cream

I'm glad I finally used it up! It did absolutely nothing for my eyes! What a waste -_-

Repurchase? definitely not.

What I'm currently using to replace it: Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Cream with royal jelly

☑ Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion

It has a great texture (thicker than your average body lotion), it moisturizes well, but I hated the smell.

Repurchase? no

What I'm currently using to replace it: SPAresource Amber Sunset Body Lotion with aloe vera

 ☑ Calgon Take me away! Mmmmm! Cotton Candy Body Lotion

OMG, the smell is divine! I was always impatient to get out of the shower so I could slather this lotion on ^^

Repurchase?  yes, but I would go for the full size bottle.

What I'm currently using to replace it: SPAresource Amber Sunset Body Lotion with aloe vera

☑ POND'S Cleansing and exfoliating towelettes (30 pre-moistened towelettes)

I'm not a fan of cleansing towelettes because they don't leave my skin feeling clean and fresh as much as a face cleanser with water would do, but I guess they do the job when you are in a hurry - like when I wake up at 6:00 AM to catch the train at 7:20. I was a little disappointed by those towelettes, however, because they seemed to have dried very quickly, even if I made sure to reseal the package well after each use.

Repurchase? definitely not.

What I'm currently using to replace it: Baby Wipes Thick and Fluffy (75 wipes)

 ☑ Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Cream Serum

Even thought I don't really see the necessity for women in their 20s to use serums, I must admit that I was excited to get to try the highly talked about Génifique serum. I had enough product for around 6 uses of it.

Repurchase? no, as I'm not sure serum are designed for women in their 20s

What I'm currently using to replace it: -

☑ Avon Solutions Winter Nourishing Night Cream

Great night cream for the harsh winter weather. It's thick and moisturizing. I even used it in the day when my face was really dry. Read my review here.

Repurchase?  yes, absolutely.

What I'm currently using to replace it: Pond's Dry Skin Cream

☑ SPA02 Pebbles & Shells Relaxing Bath & Shower Cream

OK so I'm not even sure this product is really a bubble bath cream, but if it is, it's totally disappointing. The bubbles lasted for around 5 minute, and for me, that is a huge turn-off in terms of bubble bath product. I'm still on an neverending quest for the perfect bubble bath product!

Repurchase? definitely not.

What I'm currently using to replace it: Fruits & Passion Orange Cantaloup Foaming Bath Cream

♥

If you live in Canada or US, you wouldn't want to miss the new samples from P&G brandSAMPLER!