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?

[heartsmyface]

Or if you have some foundation that's too light for you you can mix them up. It's very seldom a foundation sample ends up being a good colour match for me.   

[missjeanie]

I've actually thought about buying one of those white mixing mediums to use up some darker shades I still have hanging around from before my sunscreen worshiping kicked in! I know I should just buy new ones but I feel the need to finish them.  I'm hoping the two of three sample foundations I have left are at least close enough that I can get a feel for the formula?

[heartsmyface]

That's exactly what I did.  And I bought a pink and a yellow as well so I can adjust almost any foundation to suit me.

[AMK721]

LOL the rear view mirror in the car never lies.  🙂 

[Seymore3]

Day 2- Origins by all greens-nice but it won't replace my favorite Bliss foaming mask.It is slightly different from the other foaming masks I have tried since it contains clay and seems to dry some on your face before you wet it and wash it off.

Day 3-Fresh creme ancienne soft creme this spreads really well,I only have a small sample pot but I think it will last a week at least.

Day 4-Darphin chamomile aromatic care soothing.this is an oil but it didn't leave me overly greasy even though  I poured a bit more out of the vial than I should have.It seems to absorb well and it is soothing.There is a scent to this but it isn't too strong which I worried about due to the name. 

[heartsmyface]

Wow, I bought a full sized of it around Christmas but haven't delved into it yet cause I had more of the Neostrata smoothing cream left than I thought.  

The Sunday Riley good genes is awesome!  It smells very slightly of orange citrus which is quite pleasant.  It absorbs well into the skin.  I look forward to the next week of using up my samples of it.  

The Josie Maran Argan Milk is alright.  It isn't wowing the socks off me but it does the job of a light moisturizer.  Somehow I expected more.  I do find it quite gentle.  It doesn't feel greasy which is good.  I'll still be attempting use up all ten foils of it.  Maybe as a body moisturizer. 

[Mcakes]

Day 4: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream from Sephora Play!

This is a nice eye cream and I actually have bought it in the past. This sample came at the perfect time because I was out of eye cream and was just about to buy another! It claims to brighten and depuff the undereye area- I don't have very large bags under my eyes so I don't really  know if it does that. It does feel nice and moisturizing though which is something my skin always needs. As for it's claim of brightening I think it does. When you put the product onto your finger it looks almost shimmery but it's not a glittery mess when you apply it. 

I am sure as my skin matures I'll need something a little stronger but right now this eyecream seems to do the trick so I will repurchase. 

[mishanyc]

Day 4- Today I used the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro whipped cream.  I'm happy with it so far.  I loved the texture and how moisturized my dry areas felt.  It was from my January Play box.  I never would've tried it on my own otherwise.  So far, it's' a great find 😄

[Samtian]

Day 4: Drybar Mai Tai Sea Spray DS

I've only tried this on dry hair. But so far I've found none of these sea spray's work. They don't seem to do anything for my hair. Maybe I'll try damp hair one time. 

http://www.sephora.com/mai-tai-spritzer-sea-salt-spray-P386473?skuId=1602929&icid2=products%20grid:p...

[heartsmyface]

I've always been tempted to taste bottled sea sprays to see if they're just selling us salt water.  It's the salt drying in your hair after an ocean swim that gives your hair the textured appearance.  I haven't tasted it, but the urge is real.    

[Samtian]

@heartsmyface Haha if you do, please let me know 😄

[JenniferOhJenny]

Cerave Foaming Cleanser - I don't think I would purchase this because I prefer creamy cleansers, but there was nothing wrong with it. 

L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream - I liked this overall, though it did have a bit of a scent which I wasn't crazy about. My skin is still nice and soft :). I don't think I would purchase this simply because I have so so many lotions and body butters to get through as it is. Also, the scent.

Juliette Has a Gun Mad Madame - This is okay, I think. It's not my favorite but not horrible, and very different from perfumes I would normally wear. I wouldn't buy it but I'll give the sample another chance in the future.

[ohheyitscindyk]

Shiseido Ibuki Purifying Cleanser

The lady at the Shiseido counter gave me a sample of this & told me that I need to start using this, instead of my go-to Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam.

I used it last night & I liked the texture. I didn't notice much of a scent (apart from just general cleanser smell), but some other reviewers did.

Unfortunately, when I woke up this morning, I had broken out all over 😞 So I am going to stick with the Pureness.

http://www.sephora.com/ibuki-purifying-cleanser-P381199?skuId=1553387&icid2=products%20grid:p381199

[missjeanie]

I used up another four foils today!  This brings my total to 9!

DDG ALPHA BETA ULTRA GENTLE PEEL X2

I used one last night and one tonight.  I've used these before but never consistently enough to see any results.  A good deal would push me into a purchase but I'm not in any hurry.

JUICE BEAUTY GREEN APPLE AGE DEFY MOISTURIZER

This wasn't anything special, wasn't into the scent. Didn't break me out, but I wouldn't purchase.

HOURGLASS IMMACULATE LIQUID POWDER FOUNDATION MATTIFYING

This was in the shade shell and a great colour match.  It was matte, didn't feel heavy, didn't require a ton of product.  I used the 0.03 oz sample twice and was sastisfied with the medium coverage. I did get a little shiny as the hours wore on and when I removed my make up after 11 hours, it was pretty faded, though that's not completely unusual. I will use the other samples I have for sure, but probably won't purchase.

[joie07]

Day 3:

Kicho Photo Natural Refreshing Toner: Light natural scent.  Mild tingle as it went on.  Nicely moisturizing but probably won't buy.

Kicho Natural Total Essence: This had a nice texture but doesn't seem like anything special.

Perricone MD Re:Firm: nice light gel texture.  I feel like this helped the texture and firmness of my skin in one application.  It's quite expensive, but I'd consider trying it again.

Burt's Bees Renewal Intensive Firming Serum: funny scent and a very runny texture.  Not a fan.

Sephora Collection Total Age Defy Night Cream: This felt a little greasy to me, and I don't like added  fragrance.  I won't buy this.

Sulwhasoo Essential Revitalizing Serum EX: This has a great natural scent.  This is very moisturizing and seems to help texture too (I've used this for 3 days).  I'd consider buying this.

Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel: This is smooth, thick gel, and it is really cooling.  Overall, I like this, but I'm sad to see that this has been reformulated.  I'll have to get my hands on a sample of the new one.

[mishanyc]

Used 2 products today:

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Perfecting Wand- It feels light and not as greasy as I thought it would.  I still prefer the Farmacy balm I'm currently using over this one.

Smashbox Pore Minimizer Primer- I believe I got this one in a Play box.  My foundation didn't look right on top of this primer.  I used a makeup wipe to remove it. 

[Mcakes]

Day 3: Sephora Collection Lashcraft mascara from Sephora Play!

This is really nice. I like the lift and separation that it gave to my lashes and is so affordable. It's also very convenient lol. I shop at Sephora more than anywhere else because it is convenient for me.

I would absolutely consider purchasing this full size! It's basically half the price of the mascaras I love and it does a nice job. It doesn't get all clumpy and it doesn't transfer to my eyelids- two of my mascara pet peeves. 

[Samtian]

Day 3: YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch. 

When I first put it on I was very surprised. I have a foil sheet with three different  colors to try. I used the first color. Very pink. But it worked. Coloring was off, but the product itself was nice. 

http://www.sephora.com/touche-eclat-radiant-touch-P218431?skuId=1120773&icid2=products%20grid%3Ap218...

[msbookish]

This is such a great idea. I’ve got lots of samples I’m hoarding and it’s time to try out some new stuff. This week I’m using:

Dr. Brandt DNA Transforming Pearl Serum.  Felt nice going on and I love that it has no scent.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream. Love it. A little goes a long way and my skin feels so smooth after I put it on.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. The color is a bit darker than I need but I love this. It does feel very light yet provides good coverage without looking cakey.

[Seymore3]

I have the cloud cream and haven't tried it yet,that might have to be tomorrows sample for me.

[msbookish]

I hope you like it! I've been trying it am & pm and so far it seems to be working well with both the am & pm routines!