If y'all were wondering what happened to last week's installment, I deeply apologize. I'm not the best when it comes to consistency but I had a bad reaction to an insect bite over the weekend. I talk about it detail in my Just Peachy Summer Makeup post so head on over there for the full scoop and a tutorial! Now, let's move onto the samples I used these past two weeks.
HAIR & BODY
L'Oreal EverSleek Sulfate Free Shampoo. Conditioner and Humidity Defying Leave-in Creme -- I like the idea of sulfate-free shampoos but if you have oily hair like me or use lots of hair products, you're going to go through a bottle of this in weeks. It did clean my hair but like always, the mop got oily and flat by the end of the night. I much prefer the Volumizing line by L'Oreal.
Bottom Line: It's a pass...
Living Proof Prime Style Extender -- I like the smell of this, a peppery citrus scent. However, I didn't notice much extending of my style. Maybe it's because I don't blow dry my hair after applying this, letting my hair air dry instead. But my hair is notoriously hard to style. It's sleek and straight so clips and bands slide out in minutes and curls drop by the end of the hour. I prefer to let my hair dry in a bun, which is the only way for the curl to stay for longer than two hours. This didn't help add shape or curl like the L'Oreal Volume Filler Densifying Creme. The Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Treatment is much better at adding volume and holding a curl.
Bottom Line: It's a pass.
Le Couvent Des Minimes Gardener's Hand Healer -- I've been gardening more and constantly washing my hands and digging holes does a number to my already dry hands. This is a lightweight watery lotion. The smell is quite medicinal and herbal. It's not a scent I enjoy but it did help my hands without being greasy.
Bottom Line: Not going to purchase...
Ahava Dead Sea Osmosis Body Concentrate -- Serum for your body is what this claims to be. It targets dull body skin, toning and evening skin texture. I haven't much luck with Ahava products in the past but this piqued my interest. Not sure if this works on stretch marks or hyperpigmentation marks (from old insect bites) but that's where I applied it. Since this is just a sample, I didn't see any difference. Skipping lotion after a shower pretty much guarantees my skin will look like the Sahara Desert but this is moisturizing enough for me to skip lotion altogether.
Bottom Line: For $45usd, I'm not going to be shelling out for something like this. Good concept though!
Matrix Biolage Blue Agave Blow-in Control Shape Memory Cream --
SKINCARE
Garnier Clean Nourishing Cleansing Oil -- Cleansing oils and I are bffs when it comes to heavy duty makeup removal. It does it all: removes my face makeup and eye makeup with ease. Garnier makes one of my favorite dark spot correctors (review) so I was super excited to give this a try. Today wasn't a good day to test it out since I was only wearing foundation but for those light makeup days, this one is good, especially if you find that you're face is noticeably dry by the end of the day. This one left a slight film, similar to the Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil (review). I went right into the shower so I didn't have any residue afterwards but my face was noticeably softer and my dry spots were smoothed over. Smells like artificial cucumbers but not an annoyance for me.
Bottom Line: It's a good drugstore buy but Garnier is not cruelty-free so not going to buy.
Shu Uemura Anti-Oxi Skin Refining Cleansing Oil -- I get why this is the gold standard when it comes to cleansing oils. The smell was off-putting but I powered through. And boy, did this puppy get EVERYTHING off. I wear waterproof mascara on a daily basis and usually have to use a separate product to get it off. This removed it, no problem. I didn't even lose an eyelash! I was a bit worried about this stinging my eyes since this has ginger and lavender in it but it didn't even cloud my vision. I would totally buy this if Shu Uemura were cruelty-free...
Bottom Line: Really good but no-go.
Mario Badescu Botanical Exfoliating Scrub -- Wasn't sure what to expect but this is surprisingly gentle. There's not many scrubby bits but it was effective at removing dead skin, leaving my face soft and smooth. I've used other scrubs that left my face feeling raw but this one is a good alternative to my favorite Laura Mercier Face Polish (unboxing).
Bottom Line: Will be buying the full size when I run out of my other stuff!
Jurlique Purely Bright Radiance Serum -- Packed into this tiny bottle is the brightening strength of Vitamin C from kakadu plums. Whenever products claim to brighten and even skin tone, I tend to be skeptical. While I didn't notice any lightening of hyperpigmentation marks, I did notice incredible softness and brightness. It's hard for me to gauge something ephemeral like brightness but when I woke up the morning after, my face just glowed. I continued to use every single drop of this because it's that good. I don't have wrinkles so I can't speak on the fine line and wrinkle fighting properties but I definitely had hydrated and plush skin while using this stuff. My skin was quite rough and dry after not exfoliating properly but this quickly took care of that issue. A week after finishing the sample, my skin is still doing great! It smells like rosewater but it quickly dissipated. If you use a spot treatment before this, it won't cause any stinging.
Bottom Line: Unfortunately, Jurlique is not cruelty-free and it's a pricey number at $60usd for 1 oz.
Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer -- Even though this brand caters to men, I love the no-fuss packaging and straightforward purpose. This one doesn't have a scent and is lightweight. It's non-greasy and easy to spread on my face. No white cast--bonus! I have a deluxe sample of this so I'm glad to be able to keep using it for a while longer.Makeup went over it just fine.
Bottom Line: Will be repurchasing this! Definitely a favorite along with the Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen (review).
Ren Wake Wonderful Nighttime Facial -- When I heard "facial", I was thinking it was a sleeping pack. This isn't an overnight mask but more like a serum/treatment. It has 3 phases designed to exfoliate, brighten and hydrate skin while you sleep. In combination with the Jurlique serum, I definitely noticed these effects. Throughout the week, I never needed to use any exfoliating products, physical or chemical. I woke up every morning to glowing and plump skin. I didn't even need to use extra hydrating products or luminizers because my skin was beaming on its own. One thing to note is that you aren't supposed to use it every night but I did before I read the instructions carefully...I didn't notice anything adverse and my skin wasn't stinging or anything. But definitely stick to 2-3 times a week like they say to be safe.
Bottom Line: Would repurchase but at $60usd for 1.3oz, it's a bit out of my budget. Maybe when I finish up my last few tubes of the Garnier spot corrector.
Amore Pacific Future Response Age Defense Dual Eye Creme -- Their products are expensive and I didn't notice any dramatic differences. It comes in a two pack, one with SPF for morning and one without for nighttime. SPF in eye products usually irritate the living daylights out of my eyes so I was nervous about giving this a try. But I'm happy to report no adverse effects. There's a light orangey peach tint to it...maybe to correct dark circles? I didn't notice anything though. The nighttime one is pretty good at hydrating my under eyes. I don't have fine lines or anything but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Both have the signature Amore Pacific floral scent but it quickly goes away. No pimples around my eye area so it's good for those who tend to get spots from eye creams!
Bottom Line: I don't think this line is targeted at me but maybe in a few years?
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream -- I've heard loads of good reviews about this product from dry skin gals so I wanted to give it a try. While I don't have chronic dry skin, if I neglect my skin, it'll get rough and spotty. This one did wonders for me. It sealed in all the good stuff I was applying and didn't sting my skin! A little goes a long way.
Bottom Line: I will be buying this but for winter because it's a little too rich when my skin is doing well. Maybe I'll get a travel size for emergencies.
Freeman Anti-Stress Dead Sea Minerals Mask -- I've used this in the past and boy, does this help get those under-the-surface buggers out. I won't notice any difference until a couple of days later when those bumps start to surface and come to a head, which is when I can target them with AHAs. The color reminds me of a Smurf and I definitely feel cute, haha. I usually put it on when I'm washing my brushes and 10-15 minutes later, I have a clean face and clean brushes! I like that it comes in a squeeze tube and it's much easier to remove than the Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask.
Bottom Line: Currently using the full size bottle but as it's not cruelty-free, I won't be buying more.
MAKEUP
Anastasia Brow Powder Duo -- I stupidly threw out the card with the name of the shade but this one works well for me. My dark brown hair is quite neutral in tone but I like a cool toned brow. Both shades work well but I prefer the darker one. ABH is all about sculpting and perfecting the brow but I don't like to faff around when I'm getting ready. This one gets the job done quickly so I can get out quickly. I didn't like brow powders before but this is almost as fast as an eyebrow pencil. Stays well as long as I don't get wet or touch my brows.
Bottom Line: It's good but not enough to replace pencils in my routine.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer -- Nothing as good as the original, I find. This clear, silicone-based primer works well with the MUFE HD Foundation and Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Those watery foundations tend to emphasize pores on me but this filled them in to give me a gorgeously poreless glowing face. A little goes a long way.
Bottom Line: It's a keeper but there are cheaper products that fulfill the same function: Monistat, anyone?
Make Up For Ever HD Finishing Powder -- I talked about this in the previous Samples Weekly Edit, but this powder is great for those who need to set their foundation but leaves a slight glow to the face. I didn't test for flashback but I only use this when I know I'm not getting photographed. But I mean, it's not like I'm getting papped everyday, yah know?
Bottom Line: Another hit from my ex-favorite makeup brand...gah!
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation -- This cult-favorite has another devotee. I'm a skeptic when it comes to makeup, preferring to stick to what I know. But I couldn't help my wandering eye and snagged a sample of this. Despite the runny texture, it offers light to medium coverage. What sold me was--dare I say it--the luminous glow my skin was emitting. I don't have the best skin but after a week of the skincare, this foundation showed it off beautifully. I couldn't stop staring at my skin all day. Even powdering and blotting didn't disturb the glow. 5.5 is much too dark for me, which is why I mixed it with MUFE HD. I'd probably be around a 3 or 3.5 for reference.
Bottom Line: The love is strong but it's fated not to be...
Benefit POREfessional -- The only primer I've bought full size after trying a sample. Not much to say that hasn't been said before but don't look at the cute packaging and think it's ineffective. Definitely a star product!
Bottom Line: Won't be repurchasing due to non-cruelty free status.
Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint -- Was expecting a red tint but got Peptol Bismol bubblegum pink instead. The milky texture is much welcome because I get a more even coverage. A little goes a long way and it darkens slightly as it dries. Not long lasting but very hydrating for a tint.
Bottom Line: Won't be buying because the color isn't for me. Would look into other colors. Anyone try this before?
And this concludes another weekly edition! I really need to give that Matrix Styling Cream a try. I will make more of an effort to style my hair, hehe.
What glow-inducing products do y'all like?
Do you think these kinds of posts are interesting?
could you do an updated review of the ogx shampoo. I am on the hunt for a shampoo the prevents hairloss. THanks
ReplyDeleteThat's on my to-do list! Thanks for reminding me :)
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