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samples of the week

Samples of The Week

April 22, 2019 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

This week, I’m again featuring some samples that’s been sitting on my desk waiting to be tried. Been curious about these minis but I didn’t have the time to test them, until recently. Some of these are the ones I’ve always wanted to buy but for some reason, they kind of had given me some mixed feelings. So, let’s check out these samples once and for all and see which of them are worth having.

Lancome Click & Glow Highlighting Skin Fluid ($23) – I really love how subtle these highlighters are. I thought they’d be just like any other highlighters out there, and I also thought that they won’t really show on my face, but actually, they do. Their effect is so natural and yet very buildable. I really like that they give such a nice healthy glow without looking too dewy.

Marc Jacobs Shameless Youthful-Look 24H Foundation SPF 25 (1.08 oz: $46) – I had high hopes for this foundation, but on my skin, it just looks horrible. It feels really drying and it emphasizes my pores. No matter how I moisturize my skin prior to applying this foundation or even after applying its Under(cover) Coconut Primer, this stuff just looks cakey and weird on me.

Stila Stay All Day Foundation + Concealer ($40) – I’m so surprised to have fallen in love with this. I really like the way this is formulated, kinda like a foundation/concealer hybrid that really covers blemishes, dark spots, dark circles, and any other imperfection on the skin. This doesn’t cake and this lasts a long time. I definitely need this foundation in its full size.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (0.22 oz: $30) – Always a favorite and one of the best concealers out there. This blends well into the skin because of its nice smooth creamy consistency that doesn’t cake or move around even when you sweat. Custard is my shade.

Sephora Collection Lipstick – These lipsticks have different finishes and I think they’re all good. I love their formulation and they’re really pigmented. Some of the colors may no longer be available now, but I do believe that Sephora got these lipsticks right especially in terms of lasting power, texture, and scent. My favorites are Rebel Chic and Enchanting Blush.

Rouge Creme (0.14 oz: $13) in R49 Belly-dancing (Cream)
Rouge Brillance (0.13 oz: $7) 14 Love Spell (Shine)
Rouge Baume (sold out) Enchanting Blush (Balm)
Rouge Mat (0.10 oz: $13) M11 Rebel Chic (Matte)

Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover Dissolving Spray (mini/1 oz: $12, 3.38 oz: $26) – I like the concept of this spray-on makeup remover, however, it is kinda messy to apply, and it does feel oily or it has a silicon feel to it even though it says it doesn’t. It does remove the makeup well, including the eye makeup but it kinda left my face feeling oily. So, I think I’ll just stick to my favorite makeup remover for now.

Dr. Brandt Needles No More 3-D LIP PLUMPFIX ($39) – This lip cream has two formulas – one for AM and one for PM. The AM one has a nice fruity lemon scent that gives a tingling sensation on the lips, thus making it look and feel plump. While the PM one just feels creamy (like a lotion) and did nothing to my lips. I don’t find these to be extremely moisturizing, so I think it’s better to stick to my favorite lip balms, as those will probably do a much better job than these 2-in-1 lip creme/conditioner.

Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Ecstasy Balm (0.10 oz: $34) – This untinted lip balm has a fruity scent and it feels lightweight on the lips, however, it’s not really moisturizing. I expected a lot from this balm, especially because I love Armani Beauty, but I think I won’t be changing my favorite lip balms any moment soon.

Patchology FlashPatch Night Restoring Eye Gels (5 ct: $20, 30 ct: $60) – These are so fun to use and I love the earthy scent. The patches are soft, gel-like, and are super-drenched which really moisturize the undereye. Not sure if they melt afterward or not, but mine did disappear overnight. I’m pretty sure they weren’t on my pillowcase either.

Pinrose Pillowtalk Poet Eau de Parfum (1.7 oz: $65) – I like the light powdery musky scent of this towelette sample, but the scent is a bit too light and it does disappear within a few minutes of wear on me.

Cartier L’Envol de Cartier Eau de Parfum (1.6 oz: $90.00 – 2.7 oz: $115.00) – This masculine scent comes off as way too strong and kind of overpowering at first, especially because of its intense musk and alcohol scent. However, its dry down is really romantic and overall irresistible and seductive.

First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream (1.7 oz: $34) – This is such a nice lightweight moisturizer that is perfect for any skin type, especially for those with sensitive skin. This moisturizes well and it has a nice mild scent to it.

Erborian CC Crème High Definition Radiance Skin Perfector in Clair (1.5 oz: $44) – I really like this two-tone CC cream which goes on white at first, then it transforms into some kind of a creamy beige shade that surprisingly blurs the pores very well. It makes the skin look really even, smooth, and young-looking. I feel like I could use this on good skin days (doesn’t cover the dark spots completely) and just set it with a very good setting powder as an everyday foundation.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Smoothie Priming Moisturiser (1.01 oz: $42) – This smells just like its Yoghurt Cream Cleanser which I love, reviewed HERE. It does seem to be doing a good job as a moisturizer/primer hybrid because it holds my foundation well and it also moisturizes my skin, not to mention, saving you the time of applying a separate primer on your face.

Sisley Paris Double Tenseur Moisturizing Gel (1 oz: $192) – Dubbed as the Rolls Royce of all face primers, I could tell there’s a lot to love about this product. This feels light and gel-like, almost like a lightweight cream/gel moisturizer, and it preps/smooths the skin well for just about any type of foundation. It isn’t super sticky but it holds the makeup nicely for the whole day, preventing any cakeyness. The result is a glowy fresh face. The only caveat really for this is the price.

Have you tried any of these items before?

Samples of The Week

December 12, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hi guys, I’ve been away for a couple of days since I had some traveling to do and things had been pretty hectic lately due to all these holidays coming, so don’t be surprised if I’m MIA from time to time. Anyways, I do have a couple of minis to review today and they’re absolutely worth a try. I’ve got some nice foundations and skincare from La Prairie, a winter-toned blush from Make Up For Ever, a nice makeup remover from Dior, and a couple of scents worth looking into. Excited much? Read on

Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #2 (1 oz: $62) – Shimmery Beige. This a shimmery fluid base that is perfect to layer under the foundation for a nice glowy finish, and it’s also great as a highlighter. The amount of shimmer this has is quite buildable, so you can go with a nice subtle glow by using less, or opt for a blinding one by adding a bit more. This gives a youthful healthy-looking effect.

Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation SPF 25 in #3.5 (1 oz: $64) – Fair Skin with Neutral Undertone. Obviously, this sample shade is too light for me, but I can definitely see why this is such a good matte foundation. This goes on smooth and really easy to blend and you don’t need to apply a lot because this is super pigmented. It is mattifying without making the face look flat and on top of that, it feels really light and non-cakey.

Make Up For Ever Artist Face Color Highlight, Sculpt and Blush Powder in S214 (0.17 oz: $23) – Rosewood Blush. This is such a pigmented blush so it requires a light-handed application or else you might end up with that Pikachu blush effect, LOL, which is totally not bad at all, it’s just intense. This blush shade is so at this moment, especially in this chilly gloomy season because it pops, and it’s also very sculpting on the face.

Tarte Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer (1.69 oz: $32) – This is way too shimmery for me as a moisturizer, so I suggest using this mildly as a base to tone down a matte foundation or this could be used as a highlighter as well.

Dior Hydra Life Micellar Water No Rinse Cleanser (6.7 oz: $42) – A delightful fresh-floral scented micellar water that removes makeup so well including the toughest waterproof mascara and eyeliners. I like this a lot and I love that this doesn’t dry my skin after using it.

Dior Poison Girl Eau de Toilette (1 oz: $62, 1.7 oz: $1.7 oz: $80, 3.4 oz: $102) – A warm and sweet scent that is a tad fresh and spicy. It is perfect for this holiday season with its notes of vanilla, orange, and neroli. I think this is a delightful scent for a girl who is full of life and cheeriness.

Clean Reserve Acqua Neroli (Mini/0.33 oz: $25, 3.4 oz: $95) – OMG! Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is this you? LOL. Well, this scent smells like it’s pulled from the same Tom Ford Neroli, Mandarino di Amalfi and Sole di Positano line but way cheaper. It’s fresh, exciting, and will remind you of endless Summer fun.

Le Labo Lys 41 Eau de Parfum (0.5 oz: $80, 1.7 oz: $184, 3.4 oz: $270) – Just when I thought I couldn’t love more jasmine scents in this world, then came this alluring scent from Le Labo and I’m sold. This is one of the most gorgeous white flower perfumes I’ve ever sniffed and it gets better with time. It has a nice blend of jasmine, tuberose, and lily.

Maison Margiela Replica Flower Market Eau de Toilette (3.4 oz: $126) – Smells like a fresh bouquet of rosebuds and varying rose petals intertwined with freesias. This scent will totally remind you of the fresh flower market one morning stroll in Paris. Nostalgic and dreamy.

La Prairie Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster Gel Serum (1.7 oz: $315) – This is a very expensive serum that smells divine, like a lovely floral that goes into the skin like a charm. It smells expensive and it feels expensive, LOL, and my face absorbed this serum so well as if it can tell that it’s high-end, oh my, I hate my skin already. Hahaha! This serum is sooo good and it’s so moisturizing without being sticky. It kept my face moisturized throughout the whole day even without using any moisturizer and it has a nice softening effect to it. I wish I could afford this all the time, but nope, hopefully someday when I’ll stumble upon a pot of gold. LOL. A girl can dream.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-In Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen (1 oz: $195) – I’m a big fan of cushion-type foundations but I’ve never tried a super high-end one like this. I actually didn’t expect much from this “caviar” foundation, but when I tried this, I was blown away. This is definitely the best cushion foundation I’ve ever tried as of the moment and it has this dewy finish with buildable light to medium coverage. It does a very good job at covering blemishes and imperfections while making it look like a second skin and it lasts the whole day. It also doesn’t slide and you may or may not need to set this with a finishing powder. This foundation also smells so good and surprisingly it didn’t flare up my oily-prone skin. Most of the shades in the samples here are either too light or too deep for me, but the shade Honey Beige seems to work for me just fine. It may seem darker on my skin tone at first glance, but once it blends, it goes well on my complexion.

Have you tried any of these minis before? Stay tuned for more samples to be reviewed soon…

Samples of The Week

November 2, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hey Friends. It’s been a while since I featured some samples to test here in the blog. I do have several minis I’ve been dying to try and I’ll review them in batches for the weeks to come. For this post, I tested some Bobbi Brown lipsticks, some winter-ready scents, as well as a skincare from Dior and glow-enhancing products from Charlotte Tilbury and Cover Fx.

Here are my first impressions.

Bobbi Brown

Crushed Lip Color in Babe (0.17 oz: $29) – This is a hybrid lipstick and balm type and the Babe shade is a beautiful mid-tone salmon pink. I love how hydrating this is and the pigment is long-wearing. The finish of this looks pretty much like a balm yet it feels and applies like a lipstick. I think this is quite similar to the Dior Lip Glow (reviewed HERE), but the Dior ones feel even more like a true balm.

Art Stick Liquid Lip in English Rose (0.17 oz: $21.75) – This is a nude terracotta-ish rose. I love this a lot right from the moment I applied this on my lips. Apart from falling in love with the English Rose shade, I love how this liquid lip color wears and looks on my lips. It has a satiny sort of semi-matte finish with a creamy moisturizing feel and the pigment is totally long-wearing and staining, even if this feels a bit heavy. Sadly, this seems to be phasing out soon, I guess because the packaging is just not practical. You can still find the English Rose shade in mini size at Sephora, and there are still some other shades in full-sizes at bobbibrown.com

Lip Color in Sandwash Pink (0.12 oz: $29) – This is a nude beige pink with a full coverage semi-matte finish that feels creamy, comfy, and light. The pigment is very rich and it doesn’t dry the lips. I find this lipstick to be long-wearing and it’s a true Bobbi Brown classic.

Luxe Lipstick in Neutral Rose (0.13 oz: $37) – Mid-tone rose pink. A full coverage and highly pigmented moisturizing lipstick with a creamy finish. I love how vivid and beautiful this Neutral Rose shade is and this does last for several hours. I do feel like this is so close to the Bobbi Brown Lip Color above in terms of the finish and feel, but only with a slightly more pigmented formulation.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in St. Tropez (0.16 oz: $16) – This is probably one of the best lip glosses I’ve ever tried, and I love the scent of this, which is kinda vanilla fruity. The St. Tropez shade is shimmery and metallic but it’s not over the top and it actually feels light. This looks pretty on the lips especially as a topper, and I find the formula to be long-lasting.

Hermès Twilly d’Hermès Eau de Parfum (1 oz: $79, 1.6 oz: $100, 2.8 oz: $130) – A powdery floral scent that will remind you of cashmere and cozy fireplaces. This is a sexy irresistible feminine scent but it’s the kind that needs to work with some body chemistries, or it could take some getting used to. Take it from me, I didn’t like this scent much before, but I find this to be alluring and irresistible now.

Kilian Good Girl Gone Bad Eau de Parfum (mini 4 x 0.25 oz: $195, 1.7 oz: $295) – This is supposed to be a floral scent, but it smells kinda fruity floral on me especially at first spritz. I find this fragrance to be classic and somewhat musky. It’s a little too strong for my taste, but I can see the appeal.

BVLGARI Omnia Pink Sapphire Eau de Toilette (1.35 oz: $68, 2.2 oz: $84) – If you’re familiar with most Bvlgari Omnia scents, then this particular fragrance is really not that different, except that this has a more fruity hint. I especially love the Omnia Coral and Crystalline scents, and if you have those already, you could either skip this one or you’d probably like this fragrance even more. I do notice that this doesn’t last as much as the other Bvlgari Omnia fragrances.

Berdoues Somei Yoshino Eau de Parfum (0.34 oz/travel size: $25, 3.4 oz: $88) – This is a delightful fruity floral fragrance that is feminine and light with a hint of cherry blossom, reminiscent of a stroll in the Japanese Garden during the early Spring. As much as I find the scent to be captivating, I feel like I’ve smelled this scent before, I just couldn’t pinpoint what it is. So I think this is kinda dupeable somehow.

Cover Fx Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight (0.5 oz: $42) – This illuminating drop is just epic. It imparts a customizable glow that is versatile for any use, be it as a highlighter or as an add-on to the foundation for soft or blinding glow. The Moonlight shade may look golden on the outside, but it’s actually silvery. You can get lots of glow with this, so try not to put a lot. A little bit goes a long way.

Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer (1.35 oz: $55) – This primer has a subtle glow for those who want to achieve that lit from within look. Also, if you want a bit more glow, you can add a drop of this on the cheeks as a highlight. On my skin, I could barely see the effect when used as a primer, since my foundation seems to overpower it. I prefer to use this mixed with my foundation.

Dior Hydra Life Fresh Hydration Sorbet Crème (1.7 oz: $69) – Love the fresh fruity scent of this light-green cream and it’s super hydrating with a lightweight gel feel. It’s great for normal to oily skin and perfect for any dry or rough patches on the face that needs moisturization.

Korres Pomegranate AHA & Enzymes Resurfacing Mask (2.54 oz: $34) – This is a gentle exfoliant that goes deep into the pores. I love its resurfacing ingredients and its fruity bubblegum scent which is really good, though it can be too strong for some. I like how my skin looks after using this a couple of times, it just looks glowy, smooth, and my pores look less pronounced and thoroughly cleaned. Will be purchasing this in its regular size.

Top favorites: Bobbi Brown Art Stick Liquid Lip, Luxe Lipstick, Crushed Lip Color, ABH Lip Gloss in St. Tropez, BVLGARI Omnia Pink Sapphire, Hermès Twilly d’Hermès Eau de Parfum, Cover Fx Custom Enhancer Drops, Dior Hydra Life Fresh Hydration Sorbet Crème, Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer, and the Korres Pomegranate AHA & Enzymes Resurfacing Mask.

Stay tuned for more sample tests in a few weeks.