"The Best Thing Is to Look Natural - But It Takes Makeup to Look Natural." Calvin Klein

Hi Beautybloggers! I'm just starting right out with the sampling today because it was such a lovely set of samples! I tried a fabulous foundation called VIP Expert By Terry, available at Sephora, contained in this fabulous brush. Now, for those of you who don't like to stick your fingers in products, this could be the answer. For me, the sample did not come with a brush and I tend to just use the foundation with my fingers. I think more foundation soaks into the sponge than actually gets on my face if I use a sponge applicator too. Well, this foundation really delivered on its promise of a flawless finish and great hydration. It really does have a featherweight texture and yet provided excellent coverage! I will definitely be adding this to my preferred products precisely because it is so handy and would be great in your purse for afternoon touch-ups or before an evening out..

I finally received my free deluxe sample of Ole Henriksen Foaming African Red Tea Cleanser (available by using promo code REDTEA at Sephora). First off, the sample is HUGE! It will last at least a few weeks and I highly recommend it. The foaming cleanser smells really fantastic and clean and goes on smoothly, but still really takes off the makeup. The finish makes your face glow, which I love after a good cleanse. I actually think it was a better cleanse, smell and deal than Philosophy's Purity Made Simple foam, of which I was a major advocate before. I swear, the more Ole Henriksen products I use, the more I love this line.

I also tried the two step packet sample of MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel. If you've been reading my blog since the beginning, you'll remember how very scared I am of an product with the word "peel" in it now! However, I figured this one wouldn't be too bad because the product comes on a pre-moistened towelette. You wipe the first towelette from forehead to chin until it dries up and then leave it on for about 2 minutes. You then wipe the second towelette from forehead to chin and leave on. At first, I felt like I wasn't really going to care for it. It felt almost like a basic makeup remover or a toner. It tingled, but didn't sting, which is good. But, by the time I was finished, the results were noticeable. My pores were noticeably smaller and my skin was definitely more refreshed. I love the easy of the product - premoistened towelettes. However, the convenience comes from being a single-packaged sample rather than a pot of them.

I tried some new makeup this week. First up is Lorac Lip Polish in Sizzle (berry with gold shimmer). It's on sale for $5 at the Loraccosmetics.com website (lots of great deals right now). What I like is that it's a very soft red pout, giving me a bit more pop of color than my typical pink. I also like that it is contained in a cute tiny little nail-polish style bottle. It feels quite soft and settles down the stickiness rather quickly. What I don't like is that the color lasts about 5 minutes. Then, it just becomes a kind of clear glaze. It's still pretty, but I would recommend it go over your favorite lipstick if you want to keep the color.

You will also remember that I am a major fan of the Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer and feels it gives just enough bronze in all the right places. I tried a more serious bronzer - Lorac Caribbean Heat Bronzer. This feels fantastic and does provide a deeper tanned look than the baked bronzer. It is very similar to Bare Escentuals Warmth, but the three shades swirled together in this box, as opposed to the one shade of BE, lighten up the effect a bit.

For the eyes, I tried Smashbox Eyeshadow Duo in Glow Getter. One side is a light golden and the other is a deep chocolate. I like the feel of the eyeshadow and it goes on quite nicely. The colors blend well together, but you still need a lighter on to make the eyes pop.

And, while on the subject of eye shadow, I gave Bare Escentuals a try - Bare Escentuals Wearable Eye Kit - Meet The Browns - a set of light brown, medium brown and dark brown. I didn't like this at all. First off, the color goes on too stiffly - not enough "blend". Secondly, the color goes on too light. The color of the product is not true to the shade that goes on your eyes. Thirdly, the Meet the Browns package is entirely unnecessary because you can barely differentiate one color from the other.

The last makeup sample is perfect for the ultimate nude lip and just lovely for those of use who don't like to carry around so many products. Also, given that I am a major fan of the Smashbox Nude Liner, this product goes perfectly with it. For the best nude lip, I recommend Smashbox Socialite Lipstick & Gloss Duo. The lipstick (a perfect nude) is in the tube, with a fliptop lid filled with soft beigy-golden gloss and a mirror in the top. Fabulous product!!!

Have a wonderful weekend of skincare and beauty!