Sample Round-Up! GlamGlow, Fresh, Laura Mercier, Dr Brandt, and Clinique!

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Full size: $15 for 1.7oz
Sample value: $1.15 for 0.13oz
This cleanser was pleasant to use and completely removed all of my makeup and felt extremely gentle on the skin. I did not care for the smell which was rather herbal, and I do prefer my FAB cleanser. I would get another sample of this in the future for travel purposes, though.

GlamGlow Thisty Mud Hydrating Mask
Full size: $69 for 1.7oz
Sample value: $9.74 for 0.24oz tube
GlamGlow is such an expensive brand so I feel extra bourgeois when I get to try this stuff out. This yellowish mask is a medium thickness and feels pretty nice on the skin.  I put it on and night and let it sit there for however long I'd like (it gives no indication of time on the tube and says you can wash it off or just leave it) before either falling asleep or wiping my face with a cool towel. I do feel my skin feels hydrated after using this mask, but I must say, nearly $70 for a facial treatment is STEEP so I might try other face masks before splurging on this one.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
Full size: $36 for 1.75oz
Sample value: $1.43 for 0.07oz
I loved using this foundation primer. I felt it made my makeup apply smoothly and it hydrated my skin with out leaving an oil slick feeling as other primers do. I thought this was similar to the MUFE primer I loved so much and would definitely want to try this stuff out again or get it in full size.

Dr Brandt Needles No More
Full size: $95 for 1.7oz
Sample value: $4.75 for .085
Fortunately for me, I do not have wrinkles yet on my 24 year old skin. I love products like these to use as a preventative treatment and I put it on the outside corners of my eyes and between my brows. I don't see a visible different after applying, but it feels nice to know I might be doing my skin some good. In the very least I'm giving it some hydration!

Clinique Almost Lipstick in 'Black Honey'
Full size: $17 for 0.07oz
Sample value: $8.50 for half size (no indication of quantity on the tube!)
Look out folks, we've got a cult favorite over here! The Clinique almost lipstick is pretty great because it is a sheer formula that gives you a 'just bitten' wash of color that is easily buildable if you want a deeper pout.  On me, this goes on my lips as a light berry wash and feels really moisturizing. It does not last long, however, only wearing for about 2 hours before needing reapplication.

Total sample value: $25.57

I liked all the samples I tried this week though the real winner was the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. I loved that stuff!

Try out your free samples! You never know what gems you might find!

xxSJ

NOTD: SinfulColors Shine 'Pragmatic'

Purple is a color I will always be drawn to and I especially like it on my nails! This color by SinfulColors is called 'Pragmatic' and it is a super bright, medium-toned purple that I think is so fitting for Spring time (if only the weather in NYC would be as Spring-y as my mani).  This particular SinfulColors polish is made with 'gel tech' which supposedly makes the polish shinier and longer lasting. I definitely think this formula looks appealing on the nails and I'm pleased with the longevity of this polish--no chips in 3 days!

The average cost of this brand is $5 per bottle and you can find it at Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and some drugstores. I'm impressed with the quality of the polish especially for the low price!

I have to throw in that I haven't done my nails in WEEKS because of being slammed by school and dry gross fingers, and let me tell you....having pretty nails makes me feel amazing.

Cheers to doing things that make you feel fierce.
xxSJ

bareMinerals Goodies: a blush, shadow, liner, and lipgloss, oh my!

My mom gave me a little kit full of bareMinerals goodies and I was so excited to try some stuff out from this brand! I love their pressed eyeshadows so was eager to try out some different products. This kit came with a blush, an eyeshadow, an eyeliner, and a lipgloss.

The eyeliner is called the 'Round the Clock 7PM Intense Cream-Glide Eyeliner waterproof.' This liner is a warm chocolate brown and has a very creamy consistency. I find it does have some nice staying power and is easy to apply, though I still find myself reaching for my brown Smashbox always sharp liner when I'm in the mood for brown...more on that later!  The lipgloss is called the 'Marvelous Moxie' lipgloss in 'Smarty Pants.' It is a nude peach color with gold shimmer through out. I LOVE this lipgloss. It smells minty and gives a plumping, tingling sensation to the lips. I feel like it makes your lips look luscious and supple! 

Here are the eyeliner and lipgloss swatched next to other popular brands. The eyeliner is much warmer and redder compared to the Smashbox always sharp brown eyeliner and Urban Decay's 'Demolition.' It has a similar consistency but I definitely prefer the deeper toned browns.  The lipgloss is actually really unique compared to other lipglosses I thought would be similar. It is peachier and more nude than NARS Orgasm and MAC Nymphette and more peachy and less sparkly than Stila's Apricot. 

The two loose products included were a blush and an eyeshadow and are the first loose powder products I have ever tried!

The products come housed in little plastic pots with screw on caps. 

The eyeshadow is in the color 'Sex Kitten' and the blush is in the color 'Sunkissed.' The instructions for the eyeshadow are to just pick up some product that has come through the sifter and tap off excess then begin applying to the eye. The blush instructions are to open the sifter, pour some product into the cap and swirl your blush brush into the product until it is all deposited into the brush. Then buff it onto your cheeks. 

Kitten is a medium brown color with golden sparkle. Sunkissed is a nude, warm peach shade.  Here's how I wore 'Sex Kitten' eyeshadow on my eyes:

I have Urban Decay's 'Combust' eyeshadow in my crease and then 'Sex Kitten' blended all over my lid and into the crease. I thought this shadow created a warm, toned-down, brown smokey eye.

You can see how nice the blush looks in the photo above! I found it easy to blend and very natural looking. It reminded me a lot of MAC Melba blush.

Overall I really enjoy these bareMinerals products! The blush was definitely my favorite from the bunch.

What are your favorite bareMinerals products?
My review of bareMinerals quad in 'The Truth' HERE!
My review of bareMinerals quad in 'The Happy Place'

xxSJ