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

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in 'Beige Ultimate'

Yves Saint Laurent is one of the most luxurious brands out there and I have been lusting after their beautiful lipsticks for quite some time. The brand has a couple of different lipsticks but I received the iconic Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant lipstick.  The packaging is a sleek gold tube with a banded center accented with the color of the product inside. The metal tube is quite heavy and feels weighty in your hands. This packaging is so iconic and is something I would imagine fabulous moviestars from old Hollywood carrying in their beaded and sequined clutches. Does anyone else romanticize makeup like me?

It isn't just the packaging that's gorgeous, however. The product inside is a richly pigmented and silky smooth lipstick that is so buttery soft to the touch that it feels a bit slippery. As an added bonus, this product also comes with an SPF of 15! 

I have the color 3, 'Beige Ultimate.' This color is described as a 'mauve taupe' by YSL, but I have to say, it is really more of a pure beige brown. When I swatched this color on my skin I was concerned of how it would look on my pale complexion. It is a trendy color (90's style browns have made a comeback thanks to Kylie Jenner...get it gurl), and I hadn't yet tried this trend on myself. 

Here is the color on my light skin. I think the brown color takes on some peachiness on my own skin and I really like that effect! It adds a warmth and richness to my makeup that I enjoy and feels unbelievably light...so much so I kept checking my mirror to make sure the stuff was still on!  My lips are CRAZY dry right now due to being thrust back into the dry and cold climate of NYC. I feel like this lipstick does a fantastic job of masking the dryness and adding some moisture back into my lips. For the first time in a week my lips actually felt comfortable and I would use this as a chapstick if it weren't so expensive! This ultra pigmented lip product needs a light hand when applying otherwise you'll end up with quite a thick layer on your lips. It doesn't wear for a super long time (it won't stand a chance against eating or drinking) but for me, I don't mind having to reapply because the color and quality of the product is so spot on otherwise. 

This lipstick is $35 for 0.12oz of product. There's no skirting around the issue, this is silly expensive. I can't really justify this cost other than saying its a luxury brand and you are purchasing not only high quality but also a brand name (kind of like buying a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses over cheaper Forever 21 ones). If you're a collector or enthusiast like me, and have been wanting this lipstick, I think its great and would eventually like another one, therefore I would say go for it and take the plunge at the next Sephora sale! This lippie will be a gorgeous addition to your vanity and clutch... I already find myself ogling at it every chance I get.
Buy one for yourself here!

xxSJ