The Gratis Thread 🛍🎉

[cianni]

A place to say thank you, provide reviews and first impressions, or follow up on gratis received after more use!

Many of us have been very lucky to receive gratis (thanks Sephora!), and I’ve been finding that while it’s easy to initially post about receiving it and initial reviews, it’s not as easy to follow up! 

I thought maybe we could have a dedicated thread to follow-ups and reviews with products we’ve received after we’ve been using them for a while, especially because it’s sometimes hard to find the original thank you and first impressions threads.

[CookieGirl1]

@eshoe I really like the LIVING PROOF - Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo

as well!  I didn't receive it in gratis like you did but I initially received a mini as a GWP and since then I've purchased a couple of the full size--I knew I'd want one as a backup!

[eshoe]

Backups are a great benchmark, @CookieGirl1 😉 

[cianni]

@eshoe you're selling me on the kaja!  I initially had purchased a bunch of cream stick highlighters thinking that it would be easy to throw on or take with me for a quick look... several attempts with a very distinct highlighter cheek line later, I buff it out with a sponge, which totally defeats the purpose of something that is easy to apply and go 😂(Side note: starting this thread was the worst/best idea because my "next product to try" list has grown exponentially after seeing all the reviews in one place)

[eshoe]

Oooh I 💗💗💗 my Kaja @cianni! I prefer a more natural as opposed to blinding highlighter for reference. I’ve tried applying it with a brush (the Anastasia Beverly Hills Large Tapered Blending Powder Brush A23but it barely shows up. As much as I prefer not to use fingerstip application, it’s what helps give this such a beautiful glow.

And yes. I hear ya. I want to buy every mask out there just to see what it’s like 😂

[faeriegirl]

I love the LP triple detox too @eshoe 😊

[eshoe]

Very few products help make my hair better, @faeriegirl, and this is one of them. Thank goodness my skin is more tolerant 😄

[Indy701]

I love this thread. I got a gratis a few months ago. I still use fresh Sugar Mint Rush Freshening Lip Treatment .15 oz / 4.3 g

i initially loved Farmacy Freshen Up All-Natural Deodorant 1.7 oz/ 50 g It worked great until it got in the 90s. I’ll use it again when it cools down as it feels better and doesn’t irritate like my normal deodorant 

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow PaletteStill beautiful but I’m using the GoT palette more because that’s just my mood right now. 

My sister was given VIKTOR&ROLF - Flowerbomb Midnightdue to my allergies and she likes it. Not really a great description but that’s how she does. 😂 TBH I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say she didn’t like a perfume  

[Kim888]

Cross Posting -

was also lucky enough to receive this gratis! Thank you so much @SephoraBIC, Sephora, GK, Shiseido, Lilah B, Kiehl’s, Drybar, and  Ouai !!!! I am so excited about trying all of these products - they are all new to me ! So I already tried a couple of the products because I can never wait to do that! 

1. I tried the SHISEIDO - WASO: Hydrating Gel Beauty Sleeping Mask last night. It has a super clean and fresh scent sort of like a mild soap which is very relaxing. It is very lightweight and gel like in texture. It was on easily and absorbed fairly well - my skin was a bit tacky at first but within about 15 minutes it had fully absorbed. This morning my face felt moisturized and plumped. I would definitely use this again - it is going to be great for summer when some of my thicker sleep masks might be too much. 

2. Drybar Detox Clear Invisible Dry Shampoo 3.5 oz/ 100 gtoday was a dry shampoo today and I always spray my hair the night before so it has time to absorb oil overnight. This does go on totally clear which is a huge plus for me as I have super dark hair so anything with a white powder shows up no matter how hard I try to let it absorb. This morning my hair did look less greasy so it did the job there. However, this product does not add any volume - my hair often gets a little flat when greasy so it is still looking a bit limp today. My hair did not have that powdery feeling dry shampoo often leaves behind though so another plus there

3. LILAH B. - Lovingly Lip Tinted Lip Oil - b.elegant so first let me say this shade is really lovely. Nudes can often wash me out but this is dark enough not to do so - it's the perfect work lip color for every day. It was a little bit thicker than I would expect  - it applies very evenly but it was a little hard to get enough on the wand -  I had to dip in a couple of times. I haven't been wearing it long enough to comment on wear time, but I would compare this to the nars velvet lip glide in terms of texture and feel on the lips. Overall it's comfortable to wear and doesn't feel drying, but I wouldn't call it a lip oil. 

4. Kiehl's Since 1851 Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream 1.7 oz/ 50 mL- I did not try this yet but it smells good. I love the brand so I am excited to try this out! I will come back with feedback!

5. OUAI - After Sun Body Soother - I did not try this yet but it's been on my list! I can't wait to try it after a day in the sun! It sounds like it will be great!!

6. IGK Antisocial Leave-In Dry Hair Mask 5 oz/ 187 mL- so I hadn't heard of this but I am so excited to try it out! I have super dry and frizzy hair that I try to avoid washing too much so this sounds like it's going to be my perfect product for in between days. I will deff come back and give a review once I try it out!!! 

[curlychiquita]

This is a great gratis, @Kim888. The lip oil (even if it doesn't feel like an oil) sounds very nice!

[Kim888]

thanks @curlychiquita ! it's definitely a nice product!

[keana1]

Congratulations on your gratis @Kim888 ! You have many great products to use, enjoy! 😉

[Kim888]

@keana1  thank you 🙂

[CookieGirl1]

Congrats on the gratis, @Kim888!  I had actually heard of the IGK a day or two before it officially launched on the Sephora site and was immediately intrigued because it sounds amazing!

[Kim888]

@CookieGirl1 thanks! I can't wait to see how it works! It does sound very interesting 

[eshoe]

Congrats on this awesome gratis, @Kim888! I have to say that ALL of those products look like they are going to be fun to try. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

[Kim888]

thank you @eshoe !

[lmaster]

oh that's awesome gratis @Kim888 enjoy

[Kim888]

@lmaster  thank you!

[faeriegirl]

Congratulations @Kim888! 

[Kim888]

thank you @faeriegirl !

[cianni]

Update on the FIRST AID BEAUTY - Ultra Repair BarriAIR Cream.My skin is still loving it! But it is doing that evaporating/foamy thing a bit now. I give it a little stir with a masking spatula before using it and it goes back into its original consistency! A touch annoying to do it every time but I have been getting so many compliments on how soft my face is since putting it back into rotation so it's worth it!