Mail of the Week (October 24 - 28)

My prize from Joyce's Pick + Choose giveaway: Wow, I must be the luckiest bitch alive, seriously! Look at all that gorgeous stuff Joyce sent me! Joyce was giving away makeup products she got from a friend but that she won't use, and the winner got to pick ten items from the list. Here are my picks:

• Hard Candy Fox in a Box Blushing Quad in Hot Flash
• Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink 
• Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in Rose
• Physicians Formula Happy Booster Bronzer in Bronzer
• Physicians Formula Cashmere Wear Bronzer in Bronzer
• Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Bronzer in Medium to Dark
• Physicians Formula Bamboo Wear Mirror/Brush Compact + Bronzer Refill in Medium Bronzer
• Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner in Naturally Glamorous
• Rimmel London Glam Eyes Eyeshadow Single in Spicy Bronze*
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in Natural Smokes*

Thank you so much for this fantastic prize Joyce, I still can't believe my luck!


*I know that Rimmel and Maybelline test on animals but I was planning to give these items to my mother as she loves brown eyeshadows, just like me. 

Dr Hess products: Dr Hess Udder Ointment is said to be by far the best healing skin care ointment on the market today so I was very glad to be kindly sent these products to help with my eczema. Dr Hess products are recommended if you are dealing with problem skin, eczema, chafing, severe dryness, diabetic skin damage, cracked heels etc.

• Udder Ointment
• Udder Stick Mint Lip Balm with SPF 15
• Udder Stick Original Lip Balm with SPF 15
• Udder Stick Pomegranate Lip Balm with SPF 15
• Udder Stick Mango Lip Balm with SPF 15

Bronze Ambition Self Tan products: I kept hearing great things about these fake tan products on UK beauty blogs but I never saw them around here and I was really surprised to be given the opportunity to test drive some of them! I wouldn't say I'm complexed of my pale skin tone but I don't really like it and I like to use a little fake tan to give me a healthy glow, especially in the winter wher I can easily look dead. Here's what I was sent:

• Sun-Kissed Mist Instant Spray Tan
• Bronze Me Mousse Instant + Self Tan Foam
• Glow 'N 'Go Instant Tan Shimmer
• Fake Don't Bake Natural Look Tanning Cream

HANA Titanium 1.5" Flat Iron from Misikko.com: I have worked with Misikko in the past and I'm delighted to have the chance to team up with them again for another product review! Misikko seriously has the best customer service and they always spoil you when they send you a package. Alon with the flat iron, Brian very kindly included other products in my package such as heat proof pad and pouch, flowers shaped soaps, LA Color Eyeshadow, ELF Hypershine Lipgloss, hairbrush, etc.

Wet Platinum Silicone Based Premium Personal Lubricant sample and $1.00 off coupon: Get yours for free here (USA and Canadian residents only).

♫ In The Dark - DEV

Misikko giveaway winner!

I had to pick another winner for my Misikko giveaway because the previous winner wasn't living in Canada or USA )=

I had 88 entries for my Misikko giveaway. Thanks to everyone who entered! I used Random.org to choose the winner.

So the new winner is...

 Luna! Congrats!

Enter my Misikko giveaway! - CLOSED

The prize:

• CHI Silk Infusion 
• HANA Shine Shield

  
Rules: 

• This giveaway is open to US or Canadian residents only (sorry, I didn't make this rule) 
• This giveaway ends on November 9 at midnight
• Please list all of your entries in only one comment, or else, it won't count!

To enter (mandatory):

• Be a follower of Gaby's Beauty Blog
• Leave me a comment on this post including your email address

Extra entries (optional):

Please leave only one comment for all of your entries, or else, it won't count!

• Post my giveaway on your blog, either in a blog post or in your sidebar, and include the picture above and the link to my giveaway (leave me the link to your post in the comment) +5
• "Like" Gaby's Beauty Blog on Facebook +2
• "Like" Misikko on Facebook +1 
•  Interact with Misikko’s Facebook – Comment on a post or picture, or write on our wall +1 
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (leave me the link to your tweet in your comment) +2
• Follow Misikko on Twitter +1
• Join Misikko’s newsletter +1

 Possible entries total: 14

Good luck!!!

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by Misikko. I was not paid for  hosting this giveaway and  I am not  affiliated with this company. 

Review: CHI Silk Infusion & HANA Shine Shield from Misikko

Ordering from Misikko:

I was contacted by the people over at Misikko to review some of their products on September 21. I sent them with my shipping information the same day, and on September 30 I received an email from Misikko Customer Support with my invoice. They told me that my order has been approved and that it was in their warehouse awaiting shipment (I assumed they shipped it the same day). I received my package on October 6, which is very good (1 week!).

Packaging:

 They even put a "Fragile" sticker on the box!

 The goodies, nicely packed with bubble wrap (=

 There was like... 8-9 sheets of bubble wrap!

 The invoice

The two products I'm reviewing are CHI Silk Infusion and HANA Shine Shield, but the staff over at Misikko also included those goodies:

 3 nail files

 Colgate Wisp: those are mini-brushes with freshening beads. I don't know if it's a new product or what, but I have never heard about this before! I'm thinking of reviewing them in a separate post.

They even included a cute little flower! Aww ^^

  Onto the reviews:

CHI Silk Infusion

Price: $12.99 for 2 oz at Misikko.com

The claims:

CHI Silk Infusion™ - Reconstructing Complex is specially formulated for thermal styling and hair repair. CHI Silk Infusion contains no alcohol, so it won't dry your hair out as a leave in treatment - and it'll leave your hair with the head-turning, lustrous shine of pure silk.

Farouk CHI Silk Infusion Features:

• Leave in, alcohol free reconstructing treatment
• Enriched with pure natural silk, wheat and soy proteins
• For soft manageable hair with incredible shine and no build up
• Protects the hair against thermal styling and environment

How to use:

Apply a small amount into palm of hand and work evenly throughout the hair. Leave in and proceed with styling.

Ingredients:

Pros:

• not greasy
• subtle scent
• leaves hair shiny
• leaves hair totally silky soft
• quickly absorbed into hair
• doesn't weight hair down

Cons:

• expensive for such a tiny bottle
  

What I think: I was excited to get a chance to finally try this product as I've heard lots of positive things about it, and I must say I wasn't disappointed. I can't compare this product to another as I've only used one other thermal protecting product, but I was amazed at how soft and shiny it left my hair. I also got the feeling that it protected my hair as my flat iron just seemed to glide on more smoothly when I used this product on my hair first.

Recommend? yes

Rating: ★★★★☆

 HANA Shine Shield Thermal Protectant

Price: $29.99 for 2 oz at Misikko.com

The claims:

Hana Shine Shield is the latest product in a line committed to safe, effective heat styling. Shine Shield is a thermal serum that can be used as a leave-in conditioner - lightweight and never greasy, it protects and strengthens hair whether you use it with a flat iron, hair dryer or alone. Shine Shield contains the natural magic of Jojoba oil for its superb qualities of deep moisturization, fast absorption into hair follicles and scalp, and unparalleled shimmer & shine. 2 oz.

Hana Shine Shield Features:

• Lightweight leave-in conditioning therapy
• Designed to protect and restore both hair and scalp from environmental and styling stress
• Jojoba absorbs quickly without a greasy feel for thorough deep conditioning
• Jojoba naturally dissolves soil, removing build-up from other styling products to leave hair clean & supple
• Jojoba naturally excels at thickening keratin layers, bringing out your hair's natural color overtones, highlights and brilliance
• Periodic use over time is proven to advance the quality of your hair & the health of your scalp

How to use:

Massagae a small amount of Shine Shield serum between palms, and then work into hair from roots to ends. Use on wet or dry hair (or skin) and leave in while styling. Apply as needed.

Ingredients:

Pros:

• not greasy
• subtle scent
• leaves hair soft
• quickly absorbed into hair
• doesn't weight hair down

Cons:

• really runny and watery
• leaves a greasy residue on hands
• expensive for such a tiny bottle
• I didn't notice improved quality of hair over time

What I think: I didn't feel that this product really protected my hair as a thermal serum, so I just used it as a leave-in conditioner, even if it didn't appear to really moisturize my hair. It is lightweight and not greasy but it does leave a greasy residue on my hands after use.

I'm a little suspicious about claims such as "Jojoba naturally dissolves soil, removing build-up from other styling products to leave hair clean and supple", "Jojoba naturally excels at thickening keratin layers, bringing out your hair's natural color overtones, highlights and brilliance" and "Periodic use over time is proven to advance the quality of your hair & the health of your scalp". I haven't noticed anything...

Recommend? no

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Stay tuned for my next post tomorrow because Misikko is offering one of my reader the chance to win CHI Silk Infusion & HANA Shine Shield! Details to come tomorrow!

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 (October 4 - 8)

 The first issue of Beauté by L'Oréal Paris: Beauté is "Your guide to beauty from L'Oréal Paris". I don't remember what I did to register for this and I'm not sure if you can still register to get the paper version, but you can read the electronic version here. Those were included in the paper version that I received:

• L'Oréal Paris EverStrong Sulfate-Free Fortify System Hydrate Shampoo (0.3 FLOZ, 10ML)
• L'Oréal Paris EverStrong Sulfate-Free Fortify System Hydrate Conditioner (0.3 FLOZ, 10ML)
• L'Oréal Paris EverStrong Sulfate-Free Fortify System Overnight Repair Treatment (0.3 FLOZ, 10ML)
• L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base (sample) 
• More than $25 in coupons savings

Samples of Crystal Light: Fill out the informations on their Facebook page to receive your free 4 samples of Crystal Light singles low calorie drink mix. I received:

• Tea Blends Dragon Fruit Mango White Tea
• Strawberry Orange Banana
• Cherry Pomegranate
• Acai White peach Papaya
• $0.75 coupon on any one Crystal Light Singles or Pitcher Pack

 My coupons from P&G BrandSaver

Emergen-C Cranberry Pomegranate sample: Get yours here (Canada only).

 Products to review from Misikko.com: I received:

• Hana Shine Shield (2 oz)
• CHI Silk Infusion (2 oz)
• 3 Misikko nail files
• Colgate Wisp (2 brushes)
• a cute flower!

 Coupons from Similac Club for my friend Sara

November 2010 issue of Fashion

Samples from John Frieda: I received:

• Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Shampoo
• Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Conditioner
• Frizz-Ease Hair Serum

If I'm right, this offer isn't available to Canadian residents anymore, but if you're from the US, submit the request form to receive your free samples.

My prize from Helena's giveaway: I was lucky enough to be one of the winner of Helena's Forgotten Giveaway:

• Essence Duo Eyeshadow in Dream Team
• Essence Eclipse Glitter Eye Pencil in Hide Bella Hide
• Estee Lauder Artist's Eye Pencil in Softsmudge Black
• Essence Multi Action False Lashes Mascara

 I have never heard about the brand Essence so I can't wait to try eveyrthing out! Thank you Helena!