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I know youโve tried a sample (or ten) of something and it was so magical it made you stop everything and buy a product cause it was love at first sample! What was it and did the full sized version live up to your initial heart-melted impression? Or is it still on your shopping list to pick up at your earliest convenience?
The first time I can recall this happening to me was when Sephora still carried Dermadoctor. I had a sample of their KP Duty Body Scrub. I used it just to push it through my stash and was absolutely blown away by how immediately soft and exfoliated my skin was! Instant purchase! Itโs been six years and I have yet to find any body scrub that compares -and Iโve tried!
A more recent love-at-first-sample is the Dior Backstage Face and Body Primer! Itโs a slightly peach tinted,creamy gel consistency and is mega hydrating while blurring subtle imperfections on its own but making foundation apply so smoothly!!! Plus it has a beautiful floral fragrance which may not be everyoneโs cup of tea but itโs very pleasing to me. ๐
DIOR BACKSTAGE Face & Body Primer 1.6 oz/ 50 mL
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@heartsmyface I'm usually not lucky enough to get samples of products I'm especially interested in. So, only two spring to mind. ALTERNA Haircare CAVIAR Anti-Agingยฎ Smoothing Anti-Frizz Blowout Butter (I got a DS, and it might be time to get the FS soon) and Paula's Choice essence, which is now discontinued.
@greeneyedgirl107 Oooo yay!!! Glad you loved it!
@greeneyedgirl107 Ouhhh, I havenโt seen this one!
I think? my 1st ever Love at first sample in Sephora, was the DEREK LAM 10 CROSBY 2am Kiss 1.7 oz/ 50 mL Eau de Parfum Spray I bought the Full size during a fragrance multiplier ๐. The smell didn't change and it was my staple for awhile. It's still a quarter full now and stick with travel sprays now to limit waste.
@heartsmyface it's usually fragrances that will get me at first sample,, two recent ones are #Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Noir 3.4 oz/ 100 mL Eau de Parfum Spray
And Maison Marie Louis 4 perfume
@heartsmyface great idea for a thread! I got a sample of the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Waterproof Natural Matte Foundation and even though it's not my favorite, the shade is so close to my skintone that I decided to pick it up. It's nothing to write home about, imo, but it's a great go to when I'm in a rush and need something that will do the job and stay on well.
@makeitup305 Finding a foundation thatโs an exact match is sooo rare! I know what you mean, my exact matches donโt have to perform perfectly cause if they misbehave they donโt tend to be obvious as a shade thatโs simply close.
I wish a brand would come out that custom mixed shades for customers on the spot. That would be such a game changer.
@heartsmyface exactly. I much prefer it with a glowy base underneath. I think Lancome had a custom foundation builder in some stores but I'm not sure if they still do. I never heard much about it though, the formula must not have been great. I wonder if it's hard to do with a standard "base" since I might have heard that darker shades require more tweaking? Idk. I think it would be amazing to be able to go into Sephora and get a custom shade there and then.
@heartsmyface, what a fab thread. Itโs been great reading about the products that left a lasting and loving first impression on everyone! ๐ Many of my tried-and-true products made their way into my collection after I sampled it. Hereโs my most recent love at first sample:
Lancรดme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Full Coverage Concealer
I typically have a more expansive selection of foundations on hand, even at my most streamlined. When it comes to concealer though, I've kept them to just a small few. I made room for this one. It holds up very well, doesn't feel tight or dry after a long day of wear, and looks nice on the skin. ๐
@itsfi does it dry down like Nars radiant creamy concealer or is it more moist and in need of a separate setting powder?
Good question @heartsmyface! It wears better when I use a setting powder. Itโs not bad without a setting powder but shows signs of wear and fading sooner than if I used a setting powder. Iโve been using it as both an under eye concealer and over spots.
The fresh Black Tea Firming and De-Puffing Eye Cream 0.5 oz/ 15 mL was the most recent sample that "got me". I couldn't stomach the price at first, but none of the other half dozen eye creams even held a candle! I don't get a lot of sleep these days and it is the only thing that makes any difference in de-puffing and moisturizing, while also not causing any pilling with my make-up. Love at first sight, for sure!
@blueyonder Ohhh i liked this one!! I had a bunch of samples I used for an entire month of travelling and never remembered to purchase it when I got home even though it was great!!!
The original Farmacy Honey Potion was a major love from the first sample!
@faeriegirl Okay, tbh, I donโt even need to try samples to buy Farmacy products. I just assume (usually correctly) Iโm going to love them. ๐
It wont really count but if i could i would buy the Oribe shampoo from the sample i got a while ago.
I maybe wouldnt buy the same version, but still, those shampoos are pricey.
@Emy10 It still counts if you tried it and you fell in love! And yes, the Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo won my heart in a big way! No white cast and it works instantly! Mineโs nearly empty but the price point makes me cringe. I have a self inflicted arbitrary price cap on certain items and more than $50 for a dry shampoo is it (unless of course Iโm feeling irresponsible which happens ๐) Iโve already replaced it with the Ouai Super Dry Shampoo. The Melrose Place scent is fresh and Divine. It does leave a slight white cast that needs to be tousled out but itโs worth it for the fragrance. OUAI Super Dry Shampoo 4.5 oz/ 127 g #
@heartsmyface Oooh i love the Ouai leave in, its the best detangler for my hair.
26$ is still way too much for a Dry Shampoo ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ฎ
For me, two stick out -
fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence
Both have become staples in my skin and body care routine, Iโm obsessed with them!