Beauty samples: haul & review

I haven't done one of these in a long time and I thought it would be a really fun idea to do it again. I have so many samples of things lying around from lots of different places; some are from Glossybox's, some came as a free gift with magazines and others I have ordered to try before buying. I am a firm believer that first impressions always count so samples are a really convenient way to try out a product and see what I think of it instantly, before buying.

 

Elizabeth Arden - 'Visible Difference' Skin Balancing Exfoliationg Cleanser

 

Elizabeth Arden is one of my favourite skincare brands but I was pretty disappointed with this cleanser. It irritated my skin and made me break out in spots, but maybe this was more of a personal thing which won't affect everyone. It is easy to apply and leaves skin feeling soft, but it didn't exactly do me any favours.

 

Would I purchase this based on the sample? Sad to say this - but no.

 

 

Elemis - 'Loving Lips' Quenching Lip Balm

 

I had high hopes for this but it was a case of me comparing it to my favourite lip product, so not liking this one as much as that. The Elemis lip balm had a peppermint taste, which was really nice but I felt like it didn't give my lips enough moisture and softness and I had to reapply quite frequently.

 

Would I purchase this based on my sample? No.

 

 

Yves Rocher - Nutritive Vegel 24H Comfort Nourishing Cream

 

I received this moisturiser in a Glossybox and remember being really excited to try it out. It is a fantastic product; it sank into my skin really quickly and felt soft and nourished for 24 hours - as promised. My face was glowing healthily after use - would definitely recommend this.

 

Would I purchase this based on the sampe? Without a doubt!

 

 

L'oreal Paris - Anti-fatique Nude Magique BB Cream

 

This was the first ever BB Cream I had used but personally, it wasn't for me. I prefer wearing a proper foundation instead. I just didn't feel like I had enough coverage - maybe if I had flawless skin, I'd love this.

 

Would I purchase this based on the sample? No.

 

 

Balance Me - Moisture-rich Face Cream

 

I like face creams with a thin and creamy consistency but this one was incredibly thick and took much longer than other moisturisers to sink into the skin. Not a bad product as such, but it felt so so heavy on my face!

 

Would I purchase this based on the sample? No.

 

Balance Me - Radiance Face Mask

 

Another Balance Me product, but such a different opinion. I have used this face mask twice and both times, I hae been really impressed with the finished result. Skin felt soft and even after use with a much brighter, radiant complexion.

 

Would I purchase this based on the sample? Yes.

Glossybox UK April Opening

This month I have decided to do something different for my Glossybox opening post and instead, I've filmed a video of me opening my box for the first time, which I thought you may prefer as you'll be able to see my genuine first reaction to the products and the box itself rather than me just telling you afterwards.

 

Of course, I know there will be some readers who would prefer a blog post to a video and that is perfectly fine so I will also write what I think of the products too :)

 

 

 



 

 

This month's box was 'spring fever' and I received:

- Richard Ward Couture Hair Optimiser Style Reviver

- Yves Rocher Nutritive Vegetal 24H Comfort Nourishing Cream

- Nip + Fab Dry Skin Fix Body Butter in Mango

- Essie Nail Lacquer

- Balance Me Radiance Face Mask

 

This month's Glossybox was really late; I received it a week and a half later than usual. The vintage box was designed by Pearl Lowe and looks incredibly cute! It was a good box, but not my favourite ever. I loved every product apart from the Essie Nail Lacquer, which I didn't like purely due to the shade not being something I would normally choose.

 

Do you prefer the video of me opening my box for the first time? Or would you prefer my usual long blog posts? Let me know!

Garnier Moisture Match Review

(I posted recently that I won't be blogging as regularly due to my internet being broke but I will try to post as often as possible via my mobile's internet. Hopefully, my internet will be fixed in 2 weeks.

 

Also, this is totally unrelated but has anyone else not received their April Glossybox (UK) this month? I usually receive mine around the 10th of each month but I haven't even had a dispatch email yet! :( please let me know.)

 

 



 

I received a sample of the Garnier Moisture Match for dull skin, normal skin and normal to dry skin. I was a little bit 'in between' when decided whether I have normal or dull skin, so trying out three samples was really useful.

 

 

Normal Skin

 

The 'normal skin' sample was the best suited to my skin and worked much better than the others - so this would be the one that I would repurchase. My skin felt instantly moisturised and soft but not oily. This creamy moisturiser did exactly what it was advertised to do. Trying out all three of the samples before buying has really helped to make my decision as I probably wouldn't of purchased the 'normal skin' moisturiser beforehand.

 

 

Dull skin

 

I tried this moisturiser out first because I thought that it would be best suited to my skin and I was hoping that perhaps it would awaken and revitalise my sometimes tired skin. However, this was the moisturiser I hated! It was way too oily and made my face look shiney instead of giving it a slight glow. An oily face isn't the look I want to go for! I will definitely not purchase this moisturiser.

 

 

Normal to dry skin

 

This moisturiser worked but it didn't wow me. Of course, this would probably be one of the least suited to my skin which is probably why I didn't see a huge effect. It defintely moisturised but not much else. I wouldn't repurchase this one.

 

 

I found it really useful to be be able to try out three of Garnier's five 'moisture match' moisturisers before buying. I did actually only request the 'dull skin' product but unexpectedly recieved these three instead but I'm so happy about that because it turns out that it was a completely different one which suited my skin best. I would defintely recommend getting the samples before purchasing one of the moisturisers as I was surprised at which one actually best suited me.

 

I believe that Garnier are still offering their tailor-made moisturisers to be sampled, click HERE to try before buying.



My Favourite Blemish Treatment

I don't get many spots but when I do, they tend to be big and in the worst and most obvious places possible. For me, most spot treatments either just don't have any effect or break me out even more but I've found the answer and wow, I love it!

 

Skinetica anti-blemish skincare treatment

 

 

The treatment is a liquid, which comes without any kind of applicator. To apply, I dipped in a cotton bud and then lightly 'dabbed' that on to and around the affected area. For best results, you should apply twice a day before you use any other products on your face or apply make-up. Leave it to dry naturally, which usually only takes a few minutes.

 

Skinetica is super easy to use and doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or toxins, so is 100% kind to skin. I have been using this product for months and I don't know how it isn't more well-known as I have never come across a blemish treatment which works so well. Not only does it help to get rid of spots but it reduces blackheads too! The website also suggests that if you apply it regularly after blemishes have disappeared, it can help prevent their return. I usually see results within the first day of use - and that is such a rare thing with products like this.

 

Not convinced? Skinetica are giving out free samples to try before you buy - click HERE. Though the sample is free, you do have to pay £1 for P&P and I believe that this service is only available for UK residents.

 

http://www.skinetica.co.uk/buy-skinetica-online.html

Samples haul and review!

I seem to have gained a large number of samples over the last 6 months from different places: some are from Glossybox's and others are whilst I was out and about shopping. I am a firm believer that if you don't love something when you first try it, you never will - so I guess this is when samples come in useful.

 

I have watched a few 'sample haul' YouTube videos from beauty vloggers and I've really enjoyed watching them, so I've decided to try it out too. I have a box full of samples and I have picked out a few to let you know whether it was love at first erm.. use or whether it will be shoved in a drawer and forgotten about forever!

 

 

 



Lemon by Mary Greenwell

 



This sample is teeny tiny and I would literally have gotten a handful of uses out of it, if I could have brought myself to use it more than once! When I saw the name 'Lemon' I was excited for a fresh, citrus scent but instead I was met with something an old lady would wear, but with the slight hint of grass. I honestly don't know why anyone would want to smell like this. The packaging is so pretty and it's yellow (my favourite colour) - so misleading.

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? No way!

 

 

Dermalogica daily microfoliant

 

The full-sized version of this product is pretty pricey - £38 and as you'd imagine based on that, it is popular with a number of celebrities. I can definitely see why because it is amazing! This daily microfoliant is a powder which you put on the palm of your hands, wet and rub your hands together to create a lovely, foamy substance - it pretty much acts as a fancy face wash. It's super easy to use and leaves your skin feeling unbeliveably soft and squeeky clean. I'd be really keen to try out more of their products or perhaps see if they have a cheaper alternative?

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? Yes - though I would need to have extra money lying around.

 

 

Monu Micro-exfoliant

 

I have previously written a review on a different Monu product (http://rainbowsandbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/monu-gentle-cleanser-review.html) and before I used the product I reviewed, I tried out something else which I fell in love with - yep, this sample is that product! Monu are so little heard of in the beauty community and it's so unfourunate because they make amazing products and really look after your skin. The Micro-exfoliant is easy to use and doesn't leave behind any residue or other nasty surprises. You literally just wet your face, rub it in and wash it off - simple! I always love products with microbeads; is it just me who feels like they work better?

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? Yes, and I've been converted to their other products.

 

 

Burberry Body

 

I was a little bit apprihensive when I first received this product due to its well-known 'chav' connotations but you should never judge a book by its cover. Despite the lid on this product being broke, meaning the squirty part (apologises for the bad technical terms) not working, it is a good product. It smells lovely and though it isn't the usual scent I would go for, I would buy it. It's perfect for a night out or a fancy meal, though I wouldn't wear it for day-to-day use. My fiancé also has a Burberry fragrance (Burberry Touch) and I think that smells great too. In conclusion, Burberry make good smelling fragrances!

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? Yes.

 

 

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

It is mainly known for being a skin cream but I can't stand it on my skin because of the consistency: it's very thick and gel-like, as opposed to soft and creamy. However, it is an AMAZING lip balm! I could certainly see the difference through just one use of this product after many years of using cheaper lip products. My lips feel super soft and moisturised and it only needs to be reapplied once or twice more throughout the day. I couldn't recommend it enough as a lip balm - best find ever!

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? I already have!

 

Would you like to see more sample hauls?