Saturday 15 June 2013

Tried & Tested | Summer Samples


I've seen a few people write posts like this and thought that it would be a great way of using up samples from magazines and subscription boxes etc that I have sitting at home. I even had a couple of sachets for each product so I was able to test out everything (apart from the Viper Venom) more than once.  


Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser
This product came in a Glossybox a while ago and I am so impressed with it. A 200ml bottle is £29 which is pretty pricey but this stuff works miracles so I would spend that much on it any day. I don't have acne but I use this whenever I break out and it clears any spots up so quickly. 


Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream 
This moisturiser came in a six piece skincare set. I thought this would be a great way to try out each product from the range and this is the one which stood out the most. I love the smell, it's really clean and fresh. The consistency of this moisturiser is quite thick which is great because it absorbs quickly without being greasy at all. It's incredibly hydrating...in fact I don't have a bad word to say about this moisturiser and I would definitely purchase the full sized product. The glass packaging is also beautiful and this can be said for the whole range.


Mary Kay Nourishine Lip Gloss  
I don't think Mary Kay products are available in the UK, so when my cousin came to visit from America she brought a sample of their latest lip gloss for me to try. I absolutely love it and the bright shade is so pretty for summer. I don't usually wear lip glosses but like this one because it's more of a tint and is very pigmented. The staying power is pretty good but not amazing as it doesn't cope too well with drinks and food but that's not too much of a problem because it does seem to last longer than a standard lip gloss. It is sticky to begin with but the stickiness seems to disappear after a couple of minutes and it becomes smooth and moisturising. I wish that Mary Kay was available in the UK because i'd love to try this product in more shades. After using this product I read that Mary Kay claim that it adds shine to your lips and softens them, making them look younger. I can see what they mean because this is the most moisturising lip gloss i've come across!


Nivea Express Hydration Primer
This product smells lovely, but that's the only thing I liked about it. I appiled it underneath foundation but instead of acting like a primer and creating a nice base it seemed to almost repel the foundation. I really didn't like using this primer so will not ever be purchasing it, which is such a shame because I really like Nivea's facial moisturisers and liked the idea of a 2 in 1 product.



Nip & Fab Viper Venom Wrinkle Fix
I don't use products for wrinkles but decided to give this a try anyway to see if it 'blurs imperfections' and what the product is like to apply. The things I didn't like about it were the smell and the fact that it has an odd texture which is very sticky when you take it out of the packet. However, it did apply onto my skin nicely and absorbed straight away, which meant it lost the horrible sticky texture. It also made my skin feel smooth when I had applied it so i'm sure that after using in morning and night (which is what it says to do on the product) you will be left with lovely soft skin.  I'm not entirely sure that it would 'fix wrinkles' though, but it probably does help to even out your skin in some way. 


Max Factor Face Finity Foundation
This product claims to be a primer concealer and foundation in one. This may be the reason that I found it horrible and awkward to apply. I really disliked this foundation as it is way too thick and just seemed to sit on my skin. I guess if you like using a foundation with a lot of coverage then you might enjoy this product.


Rimmel 9 in 1 BB Cream 
I've seen mixed reviews about this BB cream and apart from Bourjois bronzing one it was the first BB cream that I have tried. I'm really skeptical about these types of products. But after trying this one I am really tempted to get a full sized bottle. I don't really understand how a BB cream can be 'skin perfecting' when it doesn't give any coverage! But, after I applied this, my face did look different and I couldn't really explain why. I think it would be a great product to use over the summer though instead of foundation and I really like the fact that the consistency of it is like a moisturiser and I love the natural glow that it gives to your skin. I'm still undecided, but it's definitely made me want to give BB creams a chance.

Quite a mix of products there with a mix of opinions. But, that's the beauty of samples and being able to try something before you splash out on it, especially if it's higher end product.
Let me know if you have tried any good beauty products recently, or if there are any you think I should steer clear of. 

Disclosure: The views expressed are based on my own experience.

15 comments:

  1. What a fun post! I'm always sorting through lots of samples too' I've been tempted by the Rimmel BB cream too. I own the Rimmel primer and am impressed at its ability to even out my skin.
    Kallie, But First Coffee

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  2. Wow! The samples are such a hit for me.
    Especially Murad. I think its worth the price:-)
    ♡,
    Riza of Pour L'Instant

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  3. Lovely post! I'm a huge fan of samples, have like a huge drawer for them!
    Fashion Ganache.
    http://fashionganache.blogspot.com

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  4. Im thinking of buying the rimmel bb cream :)
    xx Stephanie (www.stephaniesstyleblog.blogspot.com)

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  5. i really love the benefit moisturiser too, especially the vintage-y packaging! it's a pity it costs an arm and a leg but it's definitely worth it! xxx

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  6. I love BB creams, so may have to buy the rimmel one :)

    http://laurenslittleblogs.blogspot.co.uk/
    xx

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  7. I'm now on the hunt for that murad cleanser, it needs to be added to my skin care routine. c:

    xo.Janiecy.xo|A Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

    xo, Janiecy

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  8. thank you dear for your sweet comment!
    keep in touch! kisses
    poppy;
    http://me-poppy.blogspot.com

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  9. It's great to try samples, isn't it? I've found several of my current HG products like that!

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  10. You've got some great samples there! The Murad product sounds great even though my skin is usually spot free, I do have the odd evil breakout that strikes and this sounds great for that!
    I am not usually a lip gloss fan either but the Mary Kay one sounds lovely and the colour is gorgeous.
    I have my Nip & Fab Tummy Fix that I'm waiting to start trialing to help with my mum tum, really excited to see how it goes as it has brilliant reviews. xx

    Curls and Swirls Beauty & Lifestyle

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    1. Yeah the Murad cleanser is amazing for getting rid of just one spot! haha.
      You'll have to do a review on the Tummy Fix when you've been using it for a while, I have the Nib & Fab Pistachio Sundae Body Butter and love it! x

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  11. I love little sample sachets, it's great to try before you buy :) x

    http://Heidi-likes.blogspot.co.uk

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  12. This is such a helpful post, thank you!! :)
    Penny Rose
    http://pinkandpetals.blogspot.com/

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  13. Thanks for reviewing these. I was actually thinking of getting the Rimmel BB cream.




    http://between-friends-fashion.blogspot.com/

    P.S. Followed you on GFC and Bloglovin'! I hope we can be blog buddies. :)

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  14. I had a sample of the benefit total moisture too and usually moisturisers can irritate my skin but this didn't - love it :)

    www.ofbeautyandnothingness.blogspot.co.uk

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