Sample Round-Up! YSL, Tarte, Sephora, Clinique, and Dr Brandt!

This week's Sample Round Up was a super fun one! Here's what I got to try out for free:

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
Full size price: $42 / 0.1oz
Sample value: $21 / .05oz
I got a ton of use out of this card filled with three different shades of YSL's cult classic Touche Eclat. I actually really enjoyed this stuff quite a bit! I don't think I'll ever be splurging on it strictly because of the huge price tag, but I definitely think this made me look more awake after applying it to my undereyes!

Clinique Even Better Foundation in 05 Neutral
Full size price: $27 / 1oz
Sample value: $10.80 / 0.4oz
I'm lucky I have a pretty decently neutral skin tone so this foundation sample wasn't a complete waste on me. I do think it was a bit too dark for my taste but I did actually enjoy this foundation quite a bit. I felt it gave sheer to medium coverage and I love that it has SPF 15 in it. This foundation wore well for a full day of work on me and I might be interested in color matching to my true shade and purchasing this foundation in the future. I think Clinique prices their foundations well and are a bit less expensive than other high end brands.

Left: my Left undereye concealed with YSL Touche Eclat in No1, Center: both undereyes concealed with YSL Touche Eclat No1, Right: Clinique Even Better Foundation applied to entire face

Sephora Instant Moisturizer
Full size price: $23 / 1.69oz
Sample value: $2.30 / 0.169oz
I really like this moisturizer! It is a bit thicker than my usual Aveeno moisturizer and I think it does an amazing job at smoothing out my face. My skin loves this stuff and I didn't notice any irritation while using it. I would definitely sample this product further.

Tarte LipSurgence in 'Exposed'
Full size price: $17 / 0.27oz
Sample value: $3.15 / 0.05oz
I do not like lip gloss very much anymore and this gloss is no exception. This gloss is ultra sticky and never loses that stickiness with wear. I had to take this off almost immediately because when I went outside on a bit of a blustery face, my hair was getting stuck to my lips and then pulling this product every which direction across my face! The color is a nice neutral dusty pink, but the formula isn't worth it to me.

Dr Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer
Full size price: $45 / 1oz
Sample value: $11.25 / 0.25oz
I really liked this primer and felt it did a great job at smoothing out my pores and fine lines (whatever fine lines a 24 year old has, that is). I also LOVE that the sample is so huge! I surely will get about a month's worth out of this tube of product as I only use enough to go on and around my nose and between my eyebrows which are my real problem areas as far as large pores and old acne scars I want to smooth out. This primer is a nude color and has some slip to it, but nothing like Benefit's Porefessional or the Smashbox Photo primer. I will definitely continue using this sample!

Total value of this week's samples: $48.50

Wowzers! That's a lot of moolah worth of makeup this week and 4 out of the 5 products I enjoyed using quite a bit.  Check out what samples you might have lying around your makeup stash! You might just find something you like!

xxSJ

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

Sample Round-Up! Clinique, Dr Brandt, Dry Bar, Urban Decay, and Cane + Austin!

Dry Bar Sake Bomb Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner
Price for full size: $9 for 1.7 oz
Sample Value: $2.43 for 0.46 oz foil packet
This foil packet was enough for one full use of the shampoo and conditioner. I loved this stuff A LOT! It smelled very rich and earthy, almost peppery, and reminded me of a hair salon. It left my hair feeling refreshed, full, and clean. The smell stayed on my hair for 2 full days. I would splurge on this if I felt like getting really nice shampoo or conditioner.

Cane+Austin Miracle Pad +
Price for full size: $88 for 60 pads
Sample Value: $1.47 for 1 pad
This wipe claims to be a facial treatment to even skin tone, reduce fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and age spots. It really just felt like I was wiping a cool wipe on my skin with out any of the 'tingling' the product claims may happen. The wipe also had a bit of a sour, offputting smell. I'm not interested in trying this product further.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
Price for full size: $14 for 1 oz
Sample Value: $7 for 0.5 oz spray bottle
I don't really believe in Setting Sprays as of yet....this product claims to make your makeup last all day without breaking down or looking cakey. Maybe I don't have an issue with my makeup wearing away which is why I don't see a difference when using a setting spray, but I really don't see any sort of effect when using this product.

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream
Price for full size: $26.50 for 0.5 oz
Sample Value: $5.30 for .1 oz tube
This eye cream was pretty hyped up during its recent release and I have to say... I don't really like it all that much. I apply it to under my eye in the morning and don't feel much of a difference after I do. It also leaves my undereye skin feeling slightly tacky which I don't like so much. I'm passing on this product in the future.

Dr. Brandt Pump Up the Volume 3-D Filler Mask
Price for full size: $95 for 1.7 oz
Sample Value: $0.56 for 0.1 oz foil packet
This mask I feel was more of a moisturizer. It was a thick cream that I slathered all over my screen (enough in the packet for 2 treatments!) and it felt immediately rejuvenating and hydrating to my parched skin.  This mask soaks into your skin and leaves it feeling ultra soft. I would definitely want to try this mask out again but I don't think I'm going to be splurging on a full size product any time soon.

Total sample value this week: $16.46

I enjoyed the variety of samples I tried out this week! The hits were the Dry Bar shampoo and conditioner and the Dr Brandt face mask. I definitely will keep my eyes peeled for future opportunities to try these products out.

xxSJ

Sample Round-Up! Hourglass, Ole Henriksen, Sunday Riley, Soap & Glory, bliss, and Altchek MD

Altchek MD DePuff Eye Pads
Price for full size: $20 for 10 treatments
Sample Value: $2 for one treatment
I wore these eye pads for 30 minutes as the instructions indicated. They were definitely cooling to my under eye area, however, one side of the pad was very sticky and held on to my skin in such a way that it gave me a bit of a headache. I could feel the pads on my undereyes with every eye or facial movement and I felt them tugging on my skin. Perhaps they would be more comfortable if you wore them while taking a nap. I would pass on these.

Ole Henriksen Foaming Milk Cleanser
Price for full size: $26 for 6.7 oz
Sample Value: $.19 for 0.05 oz foil packet
This white cleanser lathered up nicely on my skin and felt pretty moisturizing after removing. I felt it did a good job of cleaning my skin of any left over residue or dirt and it smelled quite herbal. This packet was only enough for one use so my feelings are not strong one way or another about this product.

Soap & Glory Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Super-Serum
Price for full size: $25 for 1 oz
Sample Value: $2.50 for 0.1 oz foil packet
This stuff had a very strange, jelly like texture that made it feel very odd to rub into your skin. I didn't feel very moisturized after using it and I found it pilled up on my skin rather than rubbing in all the way. It did smell pleasantly like grapefruit, but unfortunately that was the only redeeming quality.

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer
Price for full size: $52 for 1 oz
Sample Value: $8.32 for .16 oz vial
This ultra luxurious face primer by Hourglass I find to be a little difficult to work with but with amazing results if you can get the application right. This thick white cream feels really nice applied to the skin as it is less oily feeling than other primers on the market. It is not as moisturizing as the MUFE primer.  I find that if you apply too much of this product, your makeup tends to sit on your skin rather than blending in nicely and leaves you with a bit of a caked look by the end of the day. If you get just the right amount of product, though, it makes your skin look absolutely flawless and blending turns into a dream. I recommend sampling this product to see if it works for you!

Sunday Riley Start Over Active Eye Cream
Price for full size: $75 for 0.68 oz
Sample Value: $7.61 for .068 oz foil packet
This eye cream had a gel like consistency to it and was a bit thinner than eye creams I've used in the past. I did enjoy the moisturizing effects it offered, however I found that this thin product managed to travel up to my eyes and caused them to burn all 3 times I used it! I'm passing on this product in the future.

bliss Grapefruit Aloe Body Butter
Price for full size: $29 for 6.7 oz
Sample Value: $4.33 for 1 oz tube
I've been loving using this body butter as a hand cream to heal my chapped hands in this cold, Winter weather. The scent is quite strong but really pleasant (as long as you like grapefruit!) and I would definitely recommend this product if you have dry skin!

Total value of samples: $24.95

This week's samples were overall not as exciting to me as last week's. I loved the body butter from bliss and the Hourglass primer is a great product when you know how to use it...otherwise, I had some misses this week. Oh well! That's the purpose for trying out different products--to see what works!

xxSJ

Sample Round-Up! Laura Mercier, Peter Thomas Roth, First Aid Beauty, Origins, and Boscia!

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer 'Radiance'
Full size: $20 / 1 oz
Sample Value: $1.40 for 0.07oz foil packet (3 uses)
This primer was a peachy nude color with some iridescence to it. I thought I would like this under my foundation as a subtle glow but I didn't actually notice its effects. I noticed this also made my foundation ball up and rub off around my hairline and temples by the end of the day. I'm passing on this in future samples and as a future purchase.

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask
Full size: $52 / 5 oz
Sample Value: $10.40 for 1 oz tube (1 months worth)
This green gel was rather intimidating in the tube but once applied to my face it was ultra moisturizing and cooling. This week has been particularly cold in NYC so I used this face mask to cool my wind burned skin, particularly my nose and chin.  It was intensely hydrating and corrected my facial flakiness within the 10 minutes I had it on. It rinsed off easily with a splash of water. I recommend trying this product out.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Full size: $30 / 6 oz
Sample Value: $0.30 for 0.06 oz foil packet (4 uses)
This cream felt so wonderful on my skin.  It made my skin silky smooth and immediately corrected dry patches on my chin and nose. My skin sucked this stuff up so fast but the after effects lingered for the whole day leaving my skin moisturized and perfect looking all day! It smells wonderful too. I highly recommend this product based on this sample.

Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream
Full size: $30 / 0.5 oz
Sample Value: $10.20 for .17 oz tube (1 months worth)
I have tried this pearly peach eye cream before and have loved it in the past. I love this small sample just as much.  This little eye cream adds brightness to your undereye and immediately de-puffs leaving a hydrated and awake looking eye area. I really enjoy this product and would recommend snatching up a sample whenever available since this stuff is pricey!

Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel
Full size: $28 / 5 oz
Sample Value: $5.60 for 1 oz container (1 months worth)
Though I found this cleanser to be a bit drying for my skin, it worked wonders in calming down a stress and hormone-related breakout on my chin and jaw line.  I immediately felt a difference after lathering this product on to my skin in the shower (it starts as a slippery gel but lathers up quickly to a gentle foam) and I definitely recommend trying this product out!

Total value for 5 samples: $27.90

Not bad, am I right?
4 out of the 5 samples this week were incredibly enjoyable for me to try out and 3 of them (the FAB moisturizer, the Origins eye cream, and the Boscia cleanser) were must-trys in my opinion!

Remember to try your samples out instead of forgetting about them or throwing them away! You just might find a new favorite buried within the foil packet gold mine ;)

xxSJ

Sample Round-Up! Glam Glow, Smashbox, Clarins, Living Proof, and more!

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Full size cost: $36 for 1 oz
Sample value: $9 for 0.25 oz
This primer has a very intense 'slip' to it when applied to the face. It almost feels like an oily film when you put it on your skin. This of course allows your foundation to glide on effortlessly and smoothly, however I really don't like the feeling this gives me. Rather than feeling like my skin is moisturized, it makes me feel like I have a thin, impenetrable layer of oil on top of my skin. I would pass on this sample or purchasing this product in the future.

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm
Full size cost: $110 for 1.7 oz
Sample value: $4.53 for .07 oz
This black balm is made from Hungarian moor mud and is apparently very fancy... it is supposed to be able to remove all make up while deeply cleansing your pores. I tried this out in the shower and it immediately made me feel like I had a layer of butter on my face--as I was rubbing this in I felt my skin had a film of very soft and cushiony cream on it. It smelled very fresh (like clean linen with oranges on top?) and felt very luxurious to use. Though it felt very good on my skin, once I rinsed the product off, I did not see or feel lasting effects. I got two uses out of this sample.

GlamGlow Brightmud eye treatment
Full size cost: $69 for pack of 12
Sample value: $5.75 for 1 treatment

This stuff is interesting! The 'mud' definitely looks muddy complete with little particles in the light orangey-brown mixture. You are supposed to apply this product liberally to your entire eye area, wait 3 minutes, then wipe it off with a tissue. I had to use some water and a towel to get all the stuff off of my skin and to be honest, though this felt very good and cooling on my eyes, I did not see a brightening effect. I think this product would work to depuff eyes since it is cooling, but otherwise I think it is insanely expensive for not much end result.

Living Proof Full Thickening Cream
Full size cost: $15 for 1.8 oz
Sample value: $1.42 for .17oz foil packet
This stuff smells SO GOOD! I tried this cream out on my damp hair leaving my roots alone, as the packet suggested. Unfortunately my hair looked quite oily by the end of the day and I didn't notice much extra volume or thickness (though my hair smelled amazing for the whole day!). I have another use out of this foil packet but I won't be using it up.

Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate
Full size cost: $83 for 0.53 oz
Sample Value: $31.32 for 0.2 oz tube
I really like this stuff! It smells VERY strongly of roses, so if you're not into that then I would pass. Otherwise, I used this at night before bed and in the morning before moisturizing and it made my eye area feel very moisturized, awake, and I think it decreased the appearance of my under-eye circles. I want to try a different product before making an $83 splurge (I AM only 24 so it seems silly to invest in expensive eye creams at this point in my life), but I would recommend trying this luxury sample out if you get the chance!

Total value of all samples: $52.02

What the heck?! Over $50 for some random products I pulled out of my sample bag?? This just goes to show you:
a) beauty products are flippin' expensive, and
b) you should use up your samples! There's a lot of value in samples and its so fun to feel like you're living the life of luxury by nonchalantly using a $5 eye treatment on a whim.

Hope you enjoyed this week's sample round-up!!

xxSJ

Sample Round-Up! Clinique, Soap and Glory, Benefit, MUFE, and Dr Brandt!

I have a HUGE bag of samples collecting dust in my room that I have received from various makeup orders, swag bags, and in store purchases.  I thought it was about time to delve into the bag and try out some new products and give you my thoughts on the sample value, my thoughts on the product given this little taste of it, and whether you should try this sample if you have the option to!
Let's get started shall we??

Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel
Full size product: $26 for 1 oz
Sample value: $1.30 for .05 oz foil packet
This clinique sample is a medicated acne treatment complete with salicylic acid that is meant for all over your face or for spot treatments. This packet was enough to apply this product twice this week all over my face after taking my makeup off before bed. This stuff smells like PURE ALCOHOL. It is a light blue gel that tightens your skin immediately upon applying it and I must say I think it dried out my skin quite a bit. I wouldn't try this product out further and I won't be sampling it again in the future.

Benefit Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer
Full size product: $29 for .13 oz
Sample value: $.67 for .003 oz
This primer has a very thin consistency but I was surprised to find that you needed the tiniest bit to cover your whole eyelid. The product's tan color gave pretty decent coverage leaving a nice clean slate of an eyelid to place shadow on. The primer made my eyeshadow last all day with out creasing. The primer claims to have SPF benefits as well, always a plus! This little sample gave me 4 days of wear. Though I enjoyed the product, the hefty $29 pricetag may be too much to spend given I like UD primer potion which costs closer to $20.

Makeup Forever HD High Definition Primer
Full size product: $33 for 1 oz
Sample value: $1.65 for .05 oz foil packet
This product is a primer that is meant to make your makeup last all day as well as moisturize your face. The white cream was a very pleasant consistency and easy to blend in and I LOVE the fact that this primer does not have the normal oily slip to it that you feel with other primers on the market. I felt this made my makeup look fantastic for the three uses I got out of it and I would definitely want to try this product again in the future!

Soap and Glory Righteous Butter
Full size product: $15 for 10.1 oz
Sample value: $0.50 for .33 oz foil packet
This award winning body butter was SO luxurious! The thick white cream melted into my skin and smelled amazing ( fresh bergamot, mandarin, rose, jasmine, peach, strawberry, and soft musk & amber base note). The smell lingered on my skin for two whole days and my skin was so soft! I only got one full body use out of this packet but I loved every minute of using this product and would definitely purchase a full size tub. 

Dr Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant
Full size product: $79 for 2 oz
Sample value: $9.88 for 0.25o oz
This skin exfoliant is meant to be used on moistened and warm skin after cleansing twice per week. I used this product in the shower and overall I did enjoy the feeling of scrubbing my skin with this. The product is very gritty and feels like it is getting into every pore to do some serious cleaning. You have to be gentle with this stuff though as it can be rough on your skin if you scrub too hard. I liked this product as my skin is getting dry from the cold winter air, so I felt I was scrubbing the dead cells off my face at the end of the day. The sample is a great value and I would recommend trying it out. I won't be purchasing the full size because of the hefty price tag but I would get the sample again. I am not done with this sample yet, as the tube is a very generous size. I should get at least 5 more uses out of it.

Total value of samples this week: $14

I definitely recommend trying out the Dr Brand skin exfoliant and the Soap and Glory Righteous Butter. Also try out your samples when you get them at home! I got to try out $14 of beauty products this week that made me feel luxurious and like I was giving my skin some extra TLC. It felt like a mini pampering session every time I tried something new. Leave me your thoughts below and what the best sample you've ever tried was!

xx, SJ