March 2017: Sample Challenge

[AMK721]

March Challenge is to dig into all your samples and try them out.  Post here what sample/foil pack you used and your thoughts about it.  Would you consider buying the full size?

[AMK721]

Instead of throwing away your samples, you can use them for lots of other things like:  

1. use them when you travel
2. great to use as stocking stuffers
3. can put together a nice Mother's Day basket along with a candle and flowers
4. Donate to a woman's shelter

[joie07]

Our local YWCA has a program that helps unemployed people ready for job interviews, and they happily take skincare and make-up travel sizes (unopened). 

[ohheyitscindyk]

@joie07 Thank you!

[tethys180]

Has anyone actually donated their spares to a woman's shelter? I've seriously been thinking of this, but I can't find any documentation on if/what they can accept or need. I'd love to hear your experiences.

[AMK721]

@tethys180  most shelters only take new unopened products, clothes, toys, etc.  You could Google for shelters in your area and check out their website or call them.  They are happy to provide a list.  Most popular items are personal hygiene such as:  toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.

There are some women's organizations that focus on helping find employment and they need clothes, shoes, etc for women looking for jobs. 

Best to contact the organization directly to see what they need since it varies.  Giving back to the community is a great thing to do. 

[JenniferOhJenny]

I do like the satisfaction of working through them this month, but I am going to be saving some for travel. I am going to two rugby tournaments in the next few months and I'm planning on packing a bunch of extras in case the girls forget face wash or whatnot :).

[AMK721]

They are great for travel.  Last summer was the first time I used samples on a trip and it was great.  Less bulk and I got through a lot of foils and DS that were sitting in a shoe box.

[ohheyitscindyk]

@AMK721 I've started giving samples to friends, & I may start doing the same with my roommates haha!

I've looked into the women's shelters around me & they only take full-size products 😞 I seriously would donate so much to them otherwise.

[AMK721]

Bummer they only take full size.  Sharing with friends is great though!

[ohheyitscindyk]

All Origins products this time. Sadly, I would not purchase any of the three I tried.

Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion

The "gentle" in the name was appealing, as I have sensitive skin. Apparently it was supposed to smell like bergamot & peppermint. I didn't smell any peppermint, & I don't know what bergamot smells like, but I guess that's what I smelled. It didn't bother me. I got a little in my eyes & oh how it burned. I also noticed some stinging around my nose & mouth & on my chin. When I washed it off, my skin in those areas was red. I didn't scrub hard so I'm not sure what happened.

High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral-Enriched Renewal Cream

I realized too late that this wasn't the oil-free version. It definitely made me look shiny. I was nervous about the smell, since I had recently tried Glamglow products & I thought the orange creamsicle scent was too strong. I could smell this product on myself, & it wasn't as strong as Glamglow's, but I did sneeze for a while & woke up with a stuffy nose. Otherwise, it wasn't bad & It didn't make me break out, but it just didn't do anything for my dry patches.

GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

This stung my eyes immediately when I put it on. I waited for a bit to see if the stinging would eventually stop, but it never did. I wiped it off as best I could, but I must have missed some, as the skin around my eyes is dry & flaky 😞 I still have a couple foils, so I'm going to see if I can give them away.

Also, has anyone else read the "What else you need to know" part on the product page? Did not know this was how coffee beans were discovered:

"Legend has it that coffee beans were discovered by an Ethiopian shepherd who found his goats dancing joyously around a leafy shrub with bright red cherries. When he tried the beans himself, he quickly experienced their powerful euphoric effect."

http://www.sephora.com/modern-friction-nature-s-gentle-dermabrasion-P297513?skuId=1375658

http://www.sephora.com/high-potency-night-a-mins-mineral-enriched-renewal-cream-P297520?skuId=137572...

http://www.sephora.com/ginzing-refreshing-eye-cream-P297511?skuId=1375625

[Samtian]

Day 5- belif Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream DS

I don't know about firmness, but moisturizing is pretty good. I just noticed, its spelled belif...I always thought it was belief. 

Day 6- Sunday Riley Tidal Cleansing Balm DS

I'd never heard of a cleansing balm until I got this in a Sephora Kit. I LOVE IT. It does amazing stuff for my skin. 

[Alicehoopz]

I'm using a DS of the Ren glycol lactic renewal mask and it is so, so good. The sample I have of it also came with a DS of their flash one minute facial and...I don't think I want to live without these products in my skincare routine. My girlfriend tried these out too and commented on how firming the effect is. Definitely give these a try!

[missjeanie]

Oh.... I have a few delux size Ren products in my stash, I'll have to dig em out and see which I have! 

[joie07]

BITE Lip Mask:  I liked this, but don't feel like it was anything special.  It didn't stay put very well.

History of Whoo Qi and Jin Cream: This is a really lovely moisturizer from a brand I like a lot - but I'm not sure this one is worth the high price.

[ohheyitscindyk]

Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel

I tried this last night as a spot treatment on a few pimples. It did burn for a while, because of the salicylic acid, but that usually happens for me. My pimples definitely look smaller today, but that could also be because they were already "healing". I don't think I could use this all over though, since salicylic acid dries me out a lot. I have another acne gel that I use, but I do think that I would purchase the full size of this if I didn't already have the other product. I'll have to try this again when I get those pesky hormonal pimples.

Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm

This was a definite no. It not only smelled bad, but it also immediately made my eyes sting & water. I ended up wiping it off.

http://www.sephora.com/acne-solutions-clinical-clearing-gel-P385432?skuId=1592856

http://www.sephora.com/complete-eye-renewal-balm-P282938?skuId=1328855

[Alicehoopz]

I tried out the Clinique salicylic gel after using the Murad version, and the stinging really surprised me. Especially since it had a lower salicylic content than murad's! I'd recommend trying that out, especially if you see if for a discounted price/sample

[ohheyitscindyk]

@Alicehoopz Thank you for the recommendation, I will! 🙂

[heartsmyface]

Yikes, that's not ideal for an eye cream.  Stinging!  Nope nope nope.  

Do you normally have sensitive skin?  

[ohheyitscindyk]

@heartsmyface I have sensitive skin, but not eyes. I've never experienced an eye product like that, where it instantly causes stinging. I was like, "Hmm maybe it'll die down.." & it kept getting worse 😞 I just got it last week, too, so I don't think it was bad.

I have so many foils though, so I'm glad that for at least one thing, I know for sure it's a no 🙂 For a lot of samples I try, I need more than just a foil so I'm never sure if it works for me or not.

[missjeanie]

I have been loving using foils this past week.  I feel like Ive really taken notice of how many foils I have and feel kinda silly having let them build up so much. What was I saving them for? Two more finished today bringing me to 14.

SHISEIDO ULTIMUNE POWER INFUSING CONCENTRATE-- I don't know if this has done anything for me but it certainly hasn't hurt. I find myself drawn to the scent. I saw this pop up in a promo code and remembered I had a few to try. I'll use them up for sure but I don't know that I'll purchase.

ERBORIAN YUZA SORBET

I really liked this more than I anticipated. I must be really into smelling my skincare tonight, because this smelled so nice and fresh. I'm considering this as a summer moisturizer to pick up during the sale.  Would be so nice to put in the fridge when I'm without air conditioning.  Sank in so nice and didn't leave any greasy feeling. I'm really diggin this guy!

[heartsmyface]

Ha, I hear ya!  The really silly thing is that I'm easily swayed into buying items for the samples that I just stash away.