February Empties

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree face Wash Foam See my review here.

Repurchase?  I would, if it was not $14.99! I'm sure there's lots of more affordable foam cleansers out there that work just as well.

What I'm currently using to replace it: Lara Beauty Conditioning Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Grateful Body Aphrodite's Feast Restorative Serum See my review here.

Repurchase? No. I know serums are on the pricey side but $40, seriously?

What I'm currently using to replace it: Skin RX Medi Peel Hyaluronic Moisturizer

Bioré Detoxify Daily Scrub (sample) I'm super picky when it comes to facial scrubs because most of them are rubbish in my opinion, and this one is no exception. The beads are too tiny, not abrasive enough and they vanish after 30 seconds!

Repurchase? No. 

What I'm currently using to replace it:  Burt's Bees Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub

Passion Savon Goat's Milk, Honey, Lavender & Cedar See my review here.

Repurchase? No, there are many handmade soaps out there that smell better and that don't melt as quickly.

What I'm currently using to replace it: other Passion Savon soaps

Passion Savon Cranberry & Rhubarb See my review here.

Repurchase? No, there are many handmade soaps out there that smell better and that don't melt as quickly.

What I'm currently using to replace it: other Passion Savon soaps

Made From Earth Lemongrass Tea Soap See my review here. 

Repurchase? I would, but I find it's very small for the price ($4.99)

What I'm currently using to replace it: Passion Savon soaps

LUSH The Ex-Factor Bath Bomb See my review here.

Repurchase? No, it does nothing for my skin and it doesn't really smell once in the bath.

LUSH Cinders Bath Bomb See my review here.

Repurchase? No, it does nothing for my skin and it doesn't really smell once in the bath.

Time & Again by GANZ Strawberry Swirl Bath Fizzy I was sent this product for consideration to review but honestly, I'm not sure it's worth a complete review because I really did not like it. I liked that it fizzed very slowly and it smelled amazing, but it did nothing for the bath except from staining the tub!

Repurchase? No.

Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste* See my review here.

Repurchase? No because I didn't notice much difference even after using up the whole tube!

Clairol Nice 'n Easy ColorSeal Conditioning Gloss* I seem to have one of these in every empties post I write but oh well! This is just your average conditioner that comes in a box of hair dye.

Repurchase? No. Even though this is available separately, it's just average and I'm still on the lookout for cruelty-free hair dyes. 

What I'm currently using to replace it: random conditioner

*These products are NOT cruelty-free

Clairol Nice 'N Easy 123 Natural Soft Black

Tones & highlight in one simple step 

Anti-Flat. Always dimensional home hair color. Nice ‘n Easy brings your look to life with depth and dimension. Our formula, with exclusiveColor Blend Technology, gives every shade built-in tones & highlights so color will never be matte or flat.

• Permanent liquid hair color with Precision Applicator
• Lasts up to 8 weeks
• 100% gray coverage
• Includes ColorSeal Conditioning Gloss to help seal in beautiful color and intense shine

I'm currently trying to use up the hair dyes in my stash because it's the only beauty product that I have that is not cruelty-free, and I will be the first to admit that it's damn hard to find a proper cruelty-free alternative. The only brands available around here that don't test their hair colors on animals are GOSH but it's a little too pricey for me and it's rarely on sale, Dollarama's Elegant Effect Permanent Color Cream (review here) but I don't love it that much to keep repurchasing it (maybe I will try the black shade next time though) and LUSH Henna Hair Dyes which are damn pricey and look sooooo complicated to use. I am aware that Revlon does hair dye too but I have absolutely no idea if it's available around here because I have only seen it in the US but nowhere in canadian drugstores. Help please?

The last time I tried Clairol Nice 'N Easy 123 Natural Soft Black was in June 2010 and I decided to give it a go because looking at the model on the box (and the color chart on the back), this did not look black at all, but more of a dark brown, and I was right.

L - R: Before and after (without flash)

Right after dying my hair, it is left a shiny black that is not too striking against my pale skintone. I would say Natural Soft Black is an ideal shade if you are longing for shiny black hair but you are afraid of the commitment, as it will fade to a very dark brown after a few washes.

It left my hair incredibly shiny!

I find it hard to find a cruelty-free alternative to Nice 'n Easy hair dye because it has been my HG for so long for multiple reasons: it does not leave my hair looking damaged (instead, it leaves perfectly shiny and healthy!), it truly delivers a rich and dimensional hair color that never looks flat, it does not fade as quickly as other hair dyes I have tried and it's often on sale - most of the time, I got it for around $3!

*Please note that this product is NOT cruelty-free

Clair Nice 'n Easy 131 Rich Dark Brown + Incoco teaser + new family member + books

I finally dyed my hair Thursday after having skipped a month, because my roots weren't that obvious (I noticed, but not others).

So here's my hair before:

Even after 2 months, you can't see my roots that much. Maybe I will start skipping a month - it can only be good for my hair.

Clair Nice 'n Easy 131 Rich Dark Brown

I never realized, but this shade is actually designed for dark hair. I wish they would make a purple-burgundy hair dye designed for dark hair, because that color just won't show up on my hair - except if I bleach it, which causes it to turn orange in two weeks -_-

Waiting time (around 25 minutes):

I look like a goblin xD

I like to twist my hair up so that the dye doesn't stain my tee or neck. I also try to not put dye on my ends to prevent them from frying.

Final result:

excuse my swollen eye, I think I have allergies or something -_-

It looks almost black when I'm inside, but the sun makes it appear more brown.

 

Balou looked at me during the whole process (=

♥

In my last post, I showed you the package I received as a member of the Super Shimz Program from MyShimmer.com (you can read more on how to become a Super Shimz here). I have applied the French Manicure appliqués, and I wanted to share with you a teaser picture of my upcoming review:

I want to test drive them to see if they really last up to 14 days (which I highly doubt because I can already see some chips), so it's a little too soon to write an honest review. I will have to keep you waiting a little longer =P

♥

I went to the pet store yesterday and I came home with this little one:

I was looking for a rat similar to Dorothé (white and beige fur) but there wasn't any so I went for this cute guy with white and grey fur. He is super cute with his big ears! He is around 4 months old. 

This picture was taken when he arrived home - I meant to not activate the flash to not scare him even more, but I actived it by mistake -_- You can see that he is all tense from the car trip... poor little thing. At least he doesn't always hide in his box, but he is still a little nervous when we are around.

♥

I went to the library with my mother today because I nearly ran out of books. I'm already at the half of the last of the three Vampire Diaires book, so I needed some backup!

Here is what I picked up:

• If I Stay, by Gayle Forman
• Mes amis, mes amours, mais encore?, by Agathe Hochberg
• Shining, by Stephen King
• Lipstick Jungle, Candace Bushnell
• Scarlet, si possible, by Katheinre Pancol
• Shopaholic and Sister, by Sophie Kinsella
• Size 14 Is Not Fat Either, by Meg Cabot

Mail + Nice 'n Easy haircolour + NOTW

YEY! Today I finally received the leggings I ordered through eBay like... almost 3 weeks ago? I ordered them on March 21 (if I remember well) and the seller shipped them the same day. I started to freak out some days ago as I'm so impatient, then I realized the leggings were shipped all the way from South Korea... and I live in Canada -_- Anyway, shipping was free so I can't complain, and the seller shipped very fast! And it's not his fault if snail mail is... well... slow like a snail =P

 the package along with my May issue of Fashion magazine (it's a beauty special issue! Yey!)

That's a pretty sleek packaging! I'm definitely keeping the box ^^

A few pictures of me modelling the leggings =P

front and back (don't ask why I took off my shoes LOL)

I love them so much! This is my first experience with leggings and OMG those are so comfty! As they are winter leggings, they are made of polyester and spandex, and the inside is so soft and warm. I'm sure their thickness will keep me warm on colder days (=

There is only one thing I like less - but it's not a big deal - it's the stitching in the back: 

Sorry for the butt shot!

It's not too obvious (except if you look that closely), but it bugs me a little. Do your leggings have stitchings like that too?

I bought them from this eBay store for $8.90 USD if anyone is interested.

I also dyed my hair today with Clairol Nice 'n Easy in 121A Natural Deep Brown.

This is my favourite hair dye. I find it's the only one that gives me true radiant hair color that doesn't fade. Oh and their Color-blend technology really works! As I always go for the darkest brown available, this shade is my favourite.

Here's a picture of me before dying my hair:

It's really greasy and gross xD. 

I wish I had a closer picture of my roots though, but if you look closely, you can see that my dark blonde/light brown hair is growing out.

Chilling in the bathroom while waiting for the dye to set:

And here are the final results:

Excuse my undone hair, I let it hair-dry.

In real life, it looks black, but when I take pictures without flash, you can see that it's dark brown.

While waiting for my hair to dry, I did my nails with Revlon Nail Enamel in Minted. Yes, I finally got my hands on it! =D

 
I've been coveting it so much because I've been obsessed with Essie Mint Candy Apple since it came out...

but I knew I would never pay so much for a nail polish, so I was happy to discover something similar: the new Revlon Nail Enamel in Minted from the Spring 2010 Collection.

Left to right: Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Peach Petal, Coral Reef, Pink Pop, Fire Cracker, Lilac Pastelle; Nail Enamel in Minted, Lilac Pastelle; Limited Edition ColorStay Eyeshadow Quad in Summer Suedes.

I wasn't sure when it would be out in Quebec, so I kept checking out for that well coveted shade in my local drugstores everytime I had a chance. I was so surprised to finally find the new Spring 2010 Collection display at my local Uniprix monday! I didn't hesitated a second to get Minted (not to mention it was on sale for $4.99!) The lipglosses looked so yummy too - especially Pink Pop - but I had to let them since I have way too many that I have to use up first.

Here's what Minted looks like with three coats on and Sally Hansen Ultimate Shield Fortifying Base & Top Coat:

with flash

without flash

outdoor

It looks messy because I didn't take the time to clean up, I was too excited to share those pictures with you!

It's an absolutely gorgeous milky mint green. I'm not disappointed with it, but I'm not amazed by the quality of this highly raved about nail polish. It took me three coats to achieve the perfect opacity, not to mention that the brush is so thin! I don't think I will be bying any more Revlon nail polishes, except if they come out with another wonderful shade like this one!

Giveaway reminder: enter my giveaway for a chance to win a $25 ELF gift card!

Beauty buzz: Clairol Nice 'N Easy hair color + nails of the moment

Sunday, I went shopping at Sirens for jeans and Wal-Mart for hair dye.

Clairol Nice 'N Easy, my favorite hair color brand, was on sale for 6$, so I grabbed two box of this shade that I've never seen before:

It's the shade "Rich Dark Brown 131". It says "Designed for dark hair", so I decided to give it a try. So yesterday, I dyed my hair, and here's what it looks like:

It's exactly what I was looking for! It's a very deep brown, so deep in fact, that it looks black! Of course, it will fade after some shampoos, but I'm pretty happy with it!

It's not that different than my usual shade, "Natural deep brown 121A".

I also did my nails:

with flash

without flash

Here's what I used:

• NYC Long-Wearing Nail Enamel
• glittery nail polish (there's isn't a label anymore)
• Sally Hansen Mega Shine Extended Wear top coat

I'm pretty happy of the results! It was hard to do the left hand, but I did it, and it was fun (=