Sample Samplin’ | December

I’ve got a big stack of empty samples to go through this month. Moving has meant that I’ve had to downsize my collection to only the ones I really want to try so hopefully the next few editions of this post will throw up lots of positives. This month, however, well… it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

First up, a couple of face masks, one I loved and one I hated. Despite it being only 15ml (and me loving a face mask session as well), I couldn’t even finish the Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Rose Face Mask. I’m not a big rose scent fan, but I can bear it if it’s a good product or diluted with other fragrances, but this was neither. Full on ROSE. And full on crap. It does the opposite of what it’s meant to. I found that far from being hydrating, it was extremely drying and actually exacerbated flakiness on my forehead. I also was not a fan of the gel texture. Just wouldn’t recommend it at all.

What I would recommend is the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask. This is brilliant. It smells like chocolate oranges and comes out of the pump bottle an orange gel which turns into a foam as you massage it onto damp skin. You wait for 5 – 10 minutes while it fizzes up into a full froth on your skin. This fizzing action wakes up the skin and leaves it looking refreshed, healthy and glowing. After I used this I happened to call David on Skype and even he said my skin looked great – unprompted! On Skype! So yeah, everyone needs this wonder product. The full size is £42 though, so, er, sorry ‘bout it.

On to moisturisers and I used up the Julique Calendula Redness Rescue Soothing Moisturising Cream. This was a thick yellow cream with a botanical scent. I didn’t love it, it was just slightly too thick for me and I ddn’t find that it made any effect on my red patches. However, I think it could be good for very dry patches overnight, just probably not your whole face.

Secondly, I used the Urban Veda Purifying Day Cream. This has a strong tea-tree scent so I was worried it would be too drying on my already dehydrated skin. However, it turned out to be great. For a mattifying cream, it was actually quite light. I don’t think that this will be for everyone, but I liked it. And I didn’t get a single spot while I was using it.

Another winner was the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. It sinks in quickly and instantly brightens dark shadows. I had a good sized sample (7ml lasts ages for the eyes) and I found that it did feel smoothing as well as being hydrating. I also really liked the tube with the thin nozzle for ease of use and control. I would definitely consider buying the full size of this once I’ve used up existing products.

I didn’t get on so well with the Ren Active 7 Eye Gel. The gel formula was nice and cooling on the skin, so great for tired eyes early in the morning. It also has a refreshing scent. But it was a little tacky as it was sinking in. Overall though, it wasn’t unpleasant I just didn’t get a strong impression of it.

Next up, the Origins Modern Friction facial exfoliator. I really liked this as first, but I actually changed my mind half way through. It’s just a little too scratchy for me. But, if you don’t have sensitive skin, it a great option for a good thorough scrub as the granules are densely packed.

Lastly, a wee pod from Paris. Sephora has a rainbow of shower gels and I picked up the Blueberry Creamy Body Wash tester. It was indeed creamy, and lathered up nicely. Wasn’t a huge fan of the blueberry scent as this one was very artificial, but I would be up for trying different scents. I think they’re just a bit of fun but also useful if you’re going to a hotel for one or two nights and want to take something tiny. I’m sure I won’t be able to resist them next time I’m in Sephora.

‘Til next time, happy samplin’.