Beauty Samples I’ve Tried and Liked

I’ve talked quite a lot about beauty products I love, but today, I wanted to try something a little different.. I wanted to give a little love to the samples that I’ve tried, and liked – but just haven’t had the budget to buy the full size yet!

I like to mix up my routine, and even with sensitive skin, I’m always up for trying out something new, whether it’s a foundation, a cleanser, or a blacker than black liquid eyeliner. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hype of the latest beauty launches, so I find that this is the best way to get a little taste of what I should expect, and figure out if the investment is going to be worth it – cos lets be real, makeup, and skincare in particular, can cost a girl a pretty penny or two.

So let’s jump straight into the samples that really nailed it for me…

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser ($45 USD) – I tend to have oily/dry skin depending on the weather (my T-zone is definitely a problem area for me), and what I loved about this cleanser was that it made my skin feel really clean but didn’t strip it of moisture. It has a really earthy scent which honestly, wasn’t my favourite, but I didn’t have any breakouts while using this and overall I just really like the way this made my skin feel.

La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume AP ($19.99 USD) – I’m not going to lie, I am terrible at remembering to moisturize (it happens once in a blue moon), but I feel like I would if I had a tub of this body balm lying around. It has a beautiful soft scent, and sinks in right away, leaving a luxurious and velvety feel to the skin. It is super moisturizing so I feel like it is one of those products that would be perfect for winter.. which makes me think that I probably should look at picking this up in a full size pretty soon.

Kate Somerville 360 Tanning Towelettes ($48 USD for a pack of 8) – The last time I properly used any kind of tanning products I was probably in my teens, but for a lark, I thought I would give this a go and you know what, I was pleasantly surprised. First off, it’s incredibly easy to use, you basically just rub the towelette over the areas where you’d like a bit of glow; for me, that was my legs! Secondly, I loved the colour, I got a gorgeous golden bronze tan which looked very natural, and lasted for more than three days. I will admit I was a little nervous about the product rubbing off on my bedsheets at night but I didn’t have that problem at all. It has me thinking that maybe I really should seriously start considering using a fake tan on the regular, given I’m less excited about sun bathing now than I was in my early twenties (and who doesn’t want that golden glow?).

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint ($40 USD) – In the last twelve months, I’ve heard a lot about Jouer. From their blushes and eyeshadow sticks to their recently launched liquid lipsticks, it seems to be a beauty brand that is having a bit of a moment. I tried out their matte tinted moisturizer last year and really loved it, enough to still be thinking about it all those months later. It has a matte finish – as you’d expect, but in a glowy way – and a mousse-like texture on application which bonds out really nicely, and it has medium coverage. Sydney tends to get so humid in the summertime but this is just one of those bases that I think would really work well for me during those warmer months.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer ($36 USD) – Even though I recently picked this up, I just had to keep this primer on the list. Its silky consistency that just melts into the skin was what truly won me over. It’s silicone based so has a slippy feel to it (which I love) and it has a beautiful finish that really reduced the size of my pores. Given that I couldn’t resist buying this i full size, I’d say that this one is a winner.

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($52 USD) – I’ve got to admit, primers have never really been much of a beauty necessity for me. It took me a while to see the point, though lately I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect one come our wedding day (I’ll be doing my own makeup, so let’s pray I don’t slip my hand while doing winged eyeliner!). In comparison to the Smashbox primer, I think I prefer this one, if only just. Before application, it looks like a cream on your fingertips, but it has a slippy silicone feel to it when applied. This works into the skin really beautifully and gives a lovely semi-perfected look to your face. I love the fact that it is oil free AND that it has SPF. This one is on my shopping wishlist for sure (though I might be saving for a while…).

Chantecaille Faux Clis Mascara ($52 USD) – While the thought of paying upwards of $60 for a mascara stresses me out, I have absolutely adored using the Faux Clis Mascara from Chantecaille. I was lucky to get this in a beauty box from Mecca, and it’s one of the few non-waterproof mascaras that doesn’t smudge on my brow bone. The wand has a natural bristle brush, and the formula itself is very separating and lengthening, oh, and it is very black. If money grew on trees I think I’d use this and only this.

Byredo Eau de Parfum in Gypsy Water ($150 USD) – This was one of those products that I had seen e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e to the point that even the thought of purchasing this perfume seemed a little cliche at best. Perhaps marring the whole experience was that I’d tested this out on one of those little test strips at Mecca and just couldn’t quite understand the hype. BUT, I’ll admit that I’ve really been won over by this perfume; spending a few days wearing it (well, I was sold after the first hour) was enough for me to know that I need this on my vanity. I’ve been rationing the use of the small spray bottle I have until I can save my pennies for a full size, as it’s just such a perfect mix of fresh and floral fragrances.

So, there you have it. High end makeup (and skincare!) can so easily be hit or miss, though I’ve found my fair share of gems by being militant about using up my samples, and getting a taste for what is out there, beyond my own vanity. Given that make up and skincare can be a bit of an investment, are there any higher end products that you’ve tried and fallen head over heels for?