August Empties

☑ L'Oréal Sublime Mousse Conditioner

I absolutely HATED this mousse hair dye. The conditioner was OK, but I will not repurchase the hair dye. See my review to understand why.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: L'Oréal Féria Shimmering Boost Hydrating Conditioner

☑ John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Illuminating Shampoo & Conditioner (sample)

Free samples are always nice, but I'm still not convinced by these shampoos and conditioners specifically desgined for brunettes. They didn't prevent my hair color from fading and they sure didn't illumniate it.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

☑ Udderly Smooth Udder Cream Body Cream (sample) review

This must be one of the best body cream for my dry and eczema-prone skin. It is non greasy and it's absorbed very, very quickly into the skin, leaving it imediately smoothed and moisturized. I was actually quite surprised at how fast it soothed my dry and irritated skin and eased the itching due to eczema. This cream is also soooooo inexpensive ($2.75 for 4 oz. tube), I will be sure to repurchase it!

Repurchase: yes!!!

What I'm currently using to replace it: Jergens Naturals Aloe Soothing Body Moisturizer with Cucumber

☑ Fruits & Passion Orange Cantaloup Foaming Bath Cream

This is total crap! Despite its steep price ($23.00 for 250 ml), what you get is far from the "thick, creamy, fragrant foam", as claimed. The foam disappears after 10 minutes and even if the product smells great in the bottle, I can barely smell something once poured in the bath. It did leave my skin softer, but not enough to skip moisturizer.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: random bath treats

☑ Fruits & Passion Blackberry Musk Foaming Bath

Again, very average foam that last about 10 minutes. Disappointing for the price.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: random bath treats

☑ Biotherm Aquasource 24h Deep Hydration Replenishing Gel (sample)

This sample was very small so I'm not too sure what to say about it, except that gel moisturizers are never a great match for my dry skin, as most are not moisturizing enough.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Moisturizing Gel Cream for dry skin

☑ Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion (sample) review

This lotion is eco friendly, cruelty free and vegan and it can be used all over your body. Despites its formula being a little too light and watery for my liking, it works well but boy is it pricey ($25 for 4 oz)! For now, I'm currently testing a new face cream so I'm using the full-size version of this lotion on my hands to see if it will help with my eczema.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

☑ NeoStrata Sunsation Insta-Tan For Face Deep Dark

I've had this for so long but I've never really been into self-tanners until recently, and I'm not sure if it's because it's too old or just because it's total crap, but I don't get a tan at all when I use this product. I have also tried it on my body but no, nothing. And it's supposed to be deep dark...

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint For Face and Decolleté

☑ Jergens Naturals Aloe Soothing Body Moisturizer with Cucumber review

Despite its light texture, this product is very moisturizing and I do think it has slightly helped with my eczema. I'm absolutely in love with the clean and fresh scent - perfect for summer!

Repurchase: yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Hand & Body Lotion

☑ Hana Shine Shield Thermal Protectant (2 oz) review

This product is a thermal serum that can be used as a leave-in conditioner, which I did and I feel it did a pretty great job. When I first used this product, I didn't feel it did something for my hair, but I changed my mind after a couple of days of using it. My hair were definitely softer, shinier and more manageable. I woould not repurchase because I think $29.99 for a 2oz bottle is definitely expensive!

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream Sleek & Shine

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!