Empties #2

I decided that my second empties posts should be a video! Check it out below :)



My first Empties can be seen here. 


Bisous :)

Weekly Weigh-In #5 - Monthly Measurements

The Numbers:

Starting Weight: 78.4 kg (172.8 lbs)

Current Weight: 78.6 kg  (173.2 lbs) 

Last month -> This month 

Thighs: 64 cm (25 inches) ->  63.5 cm (25 inches) 

Butt: 111 cm (43.7 inches) ->110.5 cm (43.5 inches) 

Belly: 108 cm (42.5 inches) -> 112 cm (44 inches)

Waist: 89 cm (35 inches) -> 87 cm (34.3 inches)

Boobs: 108 cm (42.5 inches) -> 108 cm (42.5 inches)

Arms: 32 cm (12.6 inches) ->34 cm (13.4 inches)

I actually lost weight this week!! Last week I was 79.1 kg (174.4 lbs) so this week I have lost 500 grams! I as well lost some centimeters except on my belly, went up 4 cm, and on my arms I went up 2 cm. I don't know why my belly (I am taking about the pouch beneath the navel) has grown when the rest has gotten smaller! But overall I am quite happy that something seems to be happening even if it is at a snail pace! 

Battle Strategies (last week)
Sit-Ups: Start the 200 sit-ups challenge

I totally forgot to start this! 
Walking: I want to reach 40000 steps this week! That would be about 5714 steps per day!

My steps for last week were 28410! So about 4058 steps per day! I am really happy how much I have managed and it wasn't hard at all! 
Cardio: Do Leslie Sansone 3 miles videos twice

I wanted to do this in the evenings but when it was evening I was just too tired. 

Even if I didn't actually reach all my goals this week I feel super happy about my week! I do feel like I accomplished quite a lot!

Battle Strategies (this week)

Sit-Ups: Start the 200 sit-ups challenge

Walking: Reach 40 000 steps this week.

Push-ups: Since I cannot do real push ups, I want to start doing wall push ups! 20 a day! Hopefully I can work myself up to doing real push ups.

My None-Scale-Victory

I got some great news that made me super happy! 

Bisous

Weekly Weigh-In #4 - The Goals

This week I wanted to write about my weight loss goals. I have been thinking  about this since I started on 1st of April. I would like my main goal to reach a healthy BMI, at the moment my BMI is 30.3 which means that I am obese. 

Goal 1: 77.5 kg (170.8 lbs) BMI 29.9

Goal 2: 70 000 steps per week

Goal 3: 72.5 kg (159.8 lbs) BMI 28

Goal 4: 200 sit-ups Challenge 

Goal 5: 67.5 kg (148.8 lbs)  BMI 26

Final Goal: 64.5 kg (142.2 lbs) BMI 24.9

The Numbers:

Starting Weight: 78.4 kg (172.8 lbs)

Current Weight: 79.1 kg  (174.4 lbs) 

This week I gained 600 grams (1.3 lbs) it is annoying that I am gaining but I am actually hoping that the weight is just water weight (had salty food last night) and hopefully some muscles. Next week I will measure myself again and I can see if I have gained inches as well (hopefully not). 

Battle strategies (last week):

Pilates: 10 minutes every day 
I didn't do this, I just really forgot about it.

Walking:I'm going to try to walk 10% more this week, I want to manage average 1540 steps a day.

I walked 36977 steps this week! That is about 5282 steps a day! Success! 

Water: 1.5 liters a day! Slow and steady wins the race
I didn't do this, I am just so bad at remembering to drink water. I am rarely thirsty. 

Battle Strategies (this week)
Sit-Ups: Start the 200 sit-ups challenge
Walking: I want to reach 40000 steps this week! That would be about 5714 steps per day!
Cardio: Do Leslie Sansone 3 miles videos twice


Bisous

Geneva: The Harbor

I wanted to have more of Geneva on my blog, I have lived here for about 6 years and I feel like it does deserve some space on my blog. I as well want to go out for more walks so I plan on combining these two things. These pictures are from my walk last Sunday afternoon. 

This weeks pictures are of the harbor in Geneva, it is such a great place to sit and have a picnic. You can as well see pretty much all the Geneva sights from this spot, the Jet D'Eau, the Cathedral and the Salève. During the summer months this area turns into the horrible occurrence that is Fêtes de Genève and it is just a nightmare to be there (or anywhere in Geneva).

Bisous

Video: Project Pan - The Beginning

Hello
I decided to film an youtube video! :)



100 Days of Decluttering Challenge: http://tarte-aux-fraises.blogspot.ch/search/label/100dod

Products:
Migros - I am - Intensive Handcream (http://tarte-aux-fraises.blogspot.ch/2013/02/february-favorites.html)
Biotherm - Baume Corps - Oil Therapy - Nurti-Replenishing Body Treatment With Apricot Oill (http://tarte-aux-fraises.blogspot.ch/2012/06/biotherm-baume-corps-oil-therapy-nurti.html)
Yves Rocher - Strawberry Eau De Toilette - Travel Size
Yves Rocher - Cherry Eau De Toilette - Travel Size
Alessandro - Nail Spa - Brittle Nails
Mavala - Incolore
Labello - Light Kiss
Eau Thermale Avène - Cold Cream
Lip Smacker - Skittles - Strawberry
Yves Rocher - Nourishing Lip Balm - Raspberry
Matas - Læbe Balsam - Aloe Vera og Panthenol
Blistex - Lip Medex
Clinique - Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour - 05 Mango-thon
Elizabeth Arden - Color Intrigue Effects - 01 Poppy Cream (http://tarte-aux-fraises.blogspot.ch/2013/04/review-elizabeth-arden-color-intrigue.html)
Clinique - High Impact Mascara - Black
Lancôme - Le Crayon Khôl - Noir
L'oréal - Crayon Contour Khôl Précision - 132 Metallic Grey
Yves Rocher - 3-in-1 Eye Pencil - Green
Yves Rocher - Luminelle - 73 Lilas Violette
Essence - Nailwhite-pencil
Nivea - Daily Essentials Extra Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover
Lanôme -Bi-Facil - Non Oily - Sensitive Eyes - Instant Cleanser


Bisous :)

Nail Polish: Essence Colour & Go - 15 Party On

My nail polish challenge is still on!  Today my contender is the Essence Colour & Go in colour 15 Party On. On the bottle it says that it only takes one second per nail and let me tell you, that is a lie!

The nail polish is stringy! I've never seen anything like it. The polish isn't old so it should be like this! The colour as well isn't that fantastic.

With one coat, the polish is super blotchy and looks awful (photo above) and with two coats the polish is still blotchy and uneven (photo below)

All in all, this nail polish sucks! Therefore, this polish is definitely going to the trash!

Bisous

Weekly Weight-In #3

For the past week I have just been a zombie, I am not sleeping very well and it just makes everything hard. I would say that this week has been bit of a failure 

The Numbers:
Starting Weight: 78.4 kg (172.8 lbs)
Current Weight: 78.5 kg  (173 lbs) 

Great, so I have gained 300 grams (0.7 lbs) in the last week 

Battle strategies (last week):

Pilates: 10 minutes every day

Walking: I'm going to try to walk 10% more this week, I want to manage average 1540 steps a day.

Water: 1.5 liters a day! Slow and steady wins the race
None of  these things happened this week so I plan on just trying again this week! 

Battle strategies (this week):

Pilates: 10 minutes every day

Walking: I'm going to try to walk 10% more this week, I want to manage average 1540 steps a day.

Water: 1.5 liters a day! Slow and steady wins the race.

My None-Scale-Victory

I just got two new pairs of shoes! Love them to bits!

Review: Clinique - All About Eyes

I wanted to talk about this eye cream before I would finish it. It is the first ever eye cream I have ever bought and I love it. On the Clinique webpage the cream is described in this way: 

Lightweight eye cream diminishes the appearance of eye puffs, darkness and fine lines. Non-creep, cream/gel formula actually helps hold eye makeup in place. For use morning and night, both under eyes and on lids. 

I want to talk about the positive things about this cream before I talk about the negative things. The positive things are that I feel that this cream helps with the dryness I have around my eyes. It as well gives my skin as well a matte hue, which is great since my eyelids can be quite oily. As with most of the Clinique products it is 100% fragrant free! All in all, I have nothing but positive things to say about the product itself. 

The negative things are not about the product itself but the price and Cliniques animal testing policy. For a 0.5 oz (15 ml) you are paying $30. $30!! That is just crazy for such a small amount, it does last but, seriously, it is just way to much! Secondly, Clinique tests on animals and I have promised myself not to buy any more cosmetics that have been tested on animals. 

Clinique - All About eyes -$30/0.5oz


Bisous

P.S. Do you recommend any cruelty free eye cream?

Weekly Food Shopping #1

Some time ago, I was talking to some girls on twitter about the fact that I don't like haul posts and the only type of haul post I might like to read would be food haul posts!

First I would like to explain the household that this food is eaten in, there is Mr. Handsome, a meat eater, and I, a person that doesn't eat mammals or birds. We try to only go to the store once a week and we try to always go shopping on Thursday evenings. 

And some explenations of the lingo I'll be using:

chf - Swiss Francs (since I live in Switzerland)

Migros - this amazing supermarket 

What we bought (in Swiss Francs):

Shrimps                     14.15 (on sale)

Orange juice 2 liters   7.60

Red Curry Sauce       3.10 (on sale)

Coconut Milk            2.00 (on sale, not pictured)

Hamburger Buns        2.20

Fish                           10.40

Fish                            9.80

Chinese Noodles        2.90

Corn                          0.80

Peas                          0.90

Mayonnaise               1.10

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Garlic and Herbs 2.90

Kellogg's Toppas Mini 4.20 (on sale)

Kellogg's Frosties       5.50

Broccoli                     1.45

Garlic                         0.75

Gran Pavesi crackers  3.10

Blueberry Yogurt (two cups) 1.10

Leek                         1.20

Parsley                      1.10

Potatoes                    3.50 

Caprice Des Dieux    4.30 (on sale)

Strawberries (two boxes) 3.60

Cream                       1.60

Brown Mushrooms    2.00 (on sale)

Bagels                       3.20

Milk (two liters)         3.40 

Total Amount:            97.85 chf ($105/ £68)

Hopefully we won't have to go to the store again until next Thursday! More likely is that we have to go to the store Monday/Tuesday to get some milk and cheese. But I will post about that then next week!

Bisous!

Hey, if you have any food related posts please comment them so I can check them out!

Review: Yves Rocher - Clean Skin Scrub with Apricot Seed

I wanted to write about my main face exfoliator, I have been using this one for about 5 years! Yes, FIVE years! It is one of these things I always buy, it is reliable and just smells amazing. It doesn't foam (which I like) but it is smooth enough to glide easily over the face without compromising the exfoliation. 

As I mentioned before, the scent of this is amazing. It is sweet but not overly sweet and it doesn't stay after you have washed it of your face. The kernels in the scrub are made out of apricot kernels, they do a really good job of exfoliating the dead skin away. The bad thing about the kernels is because they don't dissolve I keep on finding couple on my skin after I wash the scrub off. It isn't that annoying but I sometimes find them in random places (inside my ear, nostrils etc).

Clean Skin Scrub with Apricot Seed - Dry

Clean Skin Scrub with Apricot Seed  - Wet

I would definitively recommend this face scrub for anyone that is looking for a good face exfoliator.

Yves Rocher - Clean Skin Scrub with Apricot Seed - $9

Bisous

100 Days of Decluttering #8

I feel like this week I finally got into throwing things away and generally decluttering everything! I went through my make up stash again and threw away things, I did the same thing on my second week of the decluttering challenge (see here) but there was still things that I didn't like hiding in between the things I like. 

Thrown Away
Catrice Cosmetics - Ultimate Nail Laquer - 510 Bye, Bye Birdy! - (See here)
Yves Rocher - Manicure - Nail Strengthener (suddenly went all stringy and old)
Forever 21 - Love and Beauty - Teal (See here - I really don't know why I didn't throw this one away earlier)
The Body Shop - Lip Scuff  (Awful product, doesn't do anything and breaks easily, I don't know why I have kept it after the first try)
The Body Shop - Large Pencil Sharpener (Don't need it since I don't buy anything there anymore)
Gosh - Precious Powder Perls - Glow (Old and way way to dark for my skin) 
Givenchy - Very Irrésistable (see Perfume Challenge Update #5)
Chanel - Chance 
Issey Miyake - L'eau d'Issey
Lancôme - Trésor Midnight Rose
DKNY- Pure


Finished (see Empties #1)
Astor Professional Nail Care - Nail Polish Remover - Express
Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream - Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment 
Primex - Nail Varnish Remover - Pflegender Nagellack-Entferner Ohne Aceton
Maybelline - Salon Manicure - Restructuring Serum - Split Nails (not on picture) 
Clinique - Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
Nivea - Sensitive Balance - For Sensitive Skin

This post is couple of days late! I was just way to busy working! 

Bisous

Weekly Weigh-In #2

Last week I started a Weekly Weigh-In and this week I am going to continue! Friday to Saturday I worked 30 hours so I was quite exhausted! That is why there weren't any posts on Friday. I am so exited about this week! I feel things are going my way and I am ready. 

The Numbers:
Starting Weight: 78.4 kg (172.8 lbs)
Current Weight: 78.2 kg  (172.4lbs) 

I know 200 grams (0.4 lbs) isn't anything at all but it was nice to see the scale go down instead of up! 

Battle strategies (last week):

Pilates - 10 minutes every morning. 

I managed to do pilates for 10 minutes 3 days this week, I really enjoyed it and felt amazing. 

Walking - I am going to carry my pedometer with me and write down my steps.

I walked about 1400 steps every day. 

Water - 1 liter a day (yes I know that is way to little but I have to start somewhere)

I actually accomplished this task! Yay! 

Battle strategies (this week):

Pilates: 10 minutes every day

Walking: I'm going to try to walk 10% more this week, I want to manage average 1540 steps a day.

Water: 1.5 liters a day! Slow and steady wins the race.

My None-Scale-Victory

I had an amazing day with my dad this week. 

Review: Elizabeth Arden - Color Intrigue Effects - 01 Poppy Cream

I have had this lipstick for some time now and I can't decide if I really like it or not. The colour is great but the formula feels somehow heavy. I think the problem I am having with it is that I like it but I don't love it.

The great things about this lipstick is the great colour, the formula is smooth and the lipstick isn't sticky at all! The not so great things about this lipstick is how heavy the formula feels on the lips and how easily it smears everywhere. The smearing is annoying for me, I can't pout without getting lipstick on my nose!

I can literary not drink anything have anything touch my lips without the lipstick getting messy! I really believe that is the only reason for me not loving this lipstick!

I am going to keep on using this lipstick but I won't repurchase it when I have finished it.

Elizabeth Arden - Color Intrigue Effects - 01 Poppy Cream - $20

Bisous

Book Review: Body Double by Tess Gerritsen

I always love reviewing books that I loved reading! Body Double by Tess Gerritsen is a great book. It is a great crime novel and it is just thrilling. I completely recommend this book to anyone that would like to read a crime novel! I picked it up because the tv-show Rizzoli and Isles is based on these books, I LOVE Rizzoli and Isles and I will definitely read some more of these books!

But back to Body Double, the synopsis of the book (as written on the back cover):

"As the scalpel begins to cut my blood runs cold. I look like her. Exactly like her..."  

Maura Isles deals with death. As a pathologist in downtown Boston, she has seen more then her share of corpses. But never before has the body on the medical examiner's table been her own.
There can be no denying the evidence though. The dead woman is her mirror image right down to the most intimate physical details. Even more chilling is the discovery that they share the same birth date and blood type.
Then a DNA test confirms that Maura's mysterious double is indeed her twin sister, and suddenly an already bizarre murder investigation becomes a disturbing journey into a past full of dark and deadly secrets...

Isn't that just so intriguing! The novel has so much suspense in it without being over the top! Just amazing. The characters are well written and even the smallest character have enough back-story to be believable.

I highlighted tons of quotes on my kindle, there were just so many sentences that I loved! But to narrow it down I chose five that I believe gives and insight into the story and demonstrates how it is written!

That's not healthy, she thought as she sat at an outdoor café, savoring one last cup of espresso and a strawberry tart. Page 18

That's three hours I could have spent walking alone the Seine, she thought as she sat disgruntled in Charles de Gaulle. Three hours I could have wandered the Marais or poked around in Les Halles. Page 18

Even from across the lawn, Maura could recognize homicide detective Jane Rizzoli. Now eight months pregnant, the petite Rizzoli looked like a ripe pear in a pantsuit. Page 20

She had seen her share of horrors in this lab, had gazed at flesh in every stage of decay, at bodies so damaged by fire or trauma that the remains could scarcely be categorized as human. The woman on the table was, in the scope of her experience, remarkably intact. The blood had been washed away, and the bullet's entry wound, in the left scalp, was obscured by her dark hair. Page 39  

There were no pictures taken in the hospital, none of her mother in pregnancy. Just this sudden, sharp image of Ginny smiling in the sunshine, holding her instant baby. She thought of another dark-haired baby, held in another mother's arms. Perhaps, on that very same day, a proud father in another town had snapped off a photo of his new daughter. A girl named Anna. Page 86

The book is mostly written in third person but has some sentences in first person, those sentences are inner monologue but they aren't preachy or at all annoying and I usually HATE inner monologue and first person yapping.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this book and it is highly likely that I will pick up another one of Tess Gerritsen novels soon!

Bisous

Perfume Challenge Update #5

I've decided to write this posts a little bit different, I just want them to flow better and not having to remember to ask Mr. Handsome to smell me and trying to remember how long the perfume lasted! So, from now on I will only post the fragrance notes (because that is something I find interesting) and if I would like to buy the perfume! 

From left to right: Chanel - Change, Lancôme - Trésor Midnight Rose, DKNY - Pure, Givenchy - Very Irrésistable,Issey Miyake - L'eau d'Issey  

Givenchy - Very Irrésistable 
Fragrance notes: Centifolia Rose, Peony Rose, Fantasia Rose, Passion Rose, Emotion Rose, Verbena Leaf, Star Anise.

Buying: No, I didn't really like it.

Chanel - Chance 
Fragrance notes:  Hyacinth, White Musk and Pink Pepper, Fresh Vetiver and Iris, Amber, Patchouli.

Buying: No, it smelled too much like detergent. 

Issey Miyake - L'eau d'Issey
Fragrance notes: Lotus, Freesia, Cyclamen, Rose Water, Fresh Peonies, Carnation, White Lilies, Precious Woods, Osmanthus, Tuberose, amberseed, musk.

Buying: No, didn't like it at all. 

Lancôme - Trésor Midnight Rose

Fragrance notes: Raspberry, rose absolute, jasmine, peony, currant buds, pink pepper, Virginian cedar, musk, vanilla 

Buying: No, horrible. 

DKNY- Pure
Fragrance notes:Vanilla, Dew-Drop Petal, Lotus Flower, Bulgarian Rose, Jasmine, Freesia, Lush Orchid, White Amber, Creamy Sandalwood. 

Buying: Don't know, I think it smells amazing but I am not really sure since it might smell to much like vanilla for Mr. Handsome.

My next week perfumes are:
Guerlain - Idylle
Paco Rabanne - Lady Million 
Van Cleef & Arpels - First
Lancôme - Trésor In Love
Paco Rabanne - Black XS

Bisous!

Hot of the Needles #1

I'm a knitter, yes, I knit. A lot. I wanted somehow to incorporate it into my blog so I want to start a series of posts called Hot of the Needles. It will mostly be pictures of things that I finished knitting!

Bisous

Nail Polish: Catrice Cosmetics - Ultimate Nail Laquer - 510 Bye, Bye Birdy!

My nail polish challenge is still going strong! Today on the table is a nail polish from Catrice Cosmetics. The colour is a gorgeous yellow and is called 510 Bye, Bye Birdy! 

I love this colour, it is so yellow and pretty! The consistency of the nail polish itself is alright and Catrice claims to be cruelty free, but there are just so many other problems with this nail polish!

The main problem I have with this polish is that it chips horribly, it doesn't even last a day! It doesn't help that you need 3-4 coats for it to even look decent!

Therefore, I will toss this nail polish! Another one bites the dust!

Bisous

Check out my other nail polish posts!

Linking, Loving, Learning #4 - March

I totally forgot to write a Linking, Loving, Learning posts for February but for March I started like-ing the posts that I found interesting on Bloglovin' which made it easier for me to write up this post! Bloglovin' to the rescue! So, the blog posts that I found interesting in March!

 All Things Beautiful: Weleda Calendula Face Cream

Shot of Beauty: New Homemade Beauty Buys

 Dixie DIY: Are there *trends* in sewing? 

 Make Up Etc: Love The Planet Washable Cleansing Pads

Call of Beauty: What I Wore this Week

I hope you enjoy these blog-post as much as I enjoyed them!

Bisous.

Weekly Weigh-In #1 - The Plan

This is how it starts, again. I need to get to a healthy weight, again. I am just so sick of my extra weight, again. Yes, a constant battle that I just can't seem to win!

The Plan:

I plan on doing a weigh-in weekly (on Mondays) and at the end of every month I will measure myself with a measuring tape!

I plan on setting myself goals that don't have anything to do with how much weight I am losing but more about healthy living, these goals will be called battle strategies!

I plan on not giving up!

I plan on writing down a none-scale-victory every week.

The Numbers: 

Weight: 78.4 kg (172.8 lbs)

Thighs: 64 cm (25 inches) 

Butt: 111 cm (43.7 inches) 

Belly: 108 cm (42.5 inches)

Waist: 89 cm (35 inches)

Boobs: 108 cm (42.5 inches)

Arms: 32 cm (12.6 inches) 

Battle strategies:

Pilates - 10 minutes every morning.

Walking - I am going to carry my pedometer with me and write down my steps.

Water - 1 liter a day (yes I know that is way to little but I have to start somewhere)

My None-Scale-Victory

I started, that is a victory!

If you are in a battle with your weight I would love to read about it! Please comment with your links!

Bisous

Empties #1

My First Empties post! In my empties posts I plan on writing about the beauty related products that I have finished. I will write a bit about them and if they are cruelty free and if I plan on repurchasing them again. I won't write one every month but as soon as I have accumulated 5-6 products that I have emptied!

Astor Professional Nail Care - Nail Polish Remover - Express

It is a nail polish remover, nothing really special about it. However, Astor is owned by Coty inc and they have the same cruelty "free"statement:

We accede to mandated testing by the authorities on animals only as a last resort.

Cruelty free: No

Repurchase: No

Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream - Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment 

I wrote a bit about this "hand treatment" yesterday in my March Favorites post (see here). I have couple of problems with this hand cream! First I want to show you the ingredients, the ingredients I don't like will be bold. 

Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Alcohol, Decyl Oleate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Stearate Se, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Allantoin, Potassium Stearate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, BHT, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Parfum/fragrance, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben

Well, these were just the ingredients that I knew I didn't like, way to much of the bad stuff!

Then there is the cruelty "free" statement that Elizabeth Arden has (see here)

We do not perform any animal tests on our product formulations or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except in the rare instances where required by law.

The problem with this statement is that it is just empty words, Elizabeth Arden sells products in China! That means all their products must be tested on animals! Cruelty free my ass!

Cruelty free: No 

Repurchase: No

Primex - Nail Varnish Remover - Pflegender Nagellack-Entferner Ohne Aceton

Another nail polish remover, this one is produced in Switzerland by a company called Mibella. It is made for Migros (a Swiss supermarket). I thought animal testing was banned in Switzerland and therefore thought this one must be cruelty free. However, there are apparently two animal testing facilities in Switzerland (and could be more) so I am not so sure anymore. I have asked Migros and I am waiting for their answer.

Cruelty Free: Not sure

Repurchase: Already have (before I read that animal testing is something that is done inside Switzerland)

Maybelline - Salon Manicure - Restructuring Serum - Split Nails (not on picture) 

I think this is the worst nail product I have ever bought! I still managed to finish the bottle. I wanted to see if it worked or not, it didn't! I think this isn't even a nail polish, they call it serum. It smells like a nail polish, it looks like a nail polish, it doesn't work as a nail polish. It literally peals off in one piece of the nail! Horrible.

Cruelty Free: No

Repurchase: No

Clinique - Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

This is a sample I got when I was trying to decide if I liked the lotion more than the gel. I liked the gel more! But so I wouldn't waste anything I used up the lotion.

Clinique has as well an animal testing policy that pretty much says "we don't but we really do" (see here)

We do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law. We evaluate our finished products in clinical tests on volunteer panels.

Annoying. 

Cruelty Free: No

Repurchase: No

Nivea - Sensitive Balance - For Sensitive Skin

I had the same problems with this one as I had with the Elizabeth Arden hand cream, there are just too many bad ingredients!

Then there is the cruelty free debate, they say they are but they aren't on any of the cruelty free lists! What is up with that?

Cruelty Free: Who knows.

Repurchase: No