A review of the latest and greatest girly samples including skin care, makeup, hair, beauty products, stores, clothing, home & decorating ideas, etc.! A must for any daily diva!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Back In the Sampling Saddle Again!
It's a great week for sampling! I've returned to the land of the living, but I must say, it took QUITE some time to recover from that little allergic reaction. My eyes are still a bit itchy and I've been treating my skin very well due to its current sensitivity. I managed to try a few goodies, though ... so here is my report:
It only makes sense that my first report concerns my ever so exciting new product: Skyn Iceland Detox Kit for Stressed Skin. For $45 at Sephora, you can sample deluxe portions of the Glacial Face Wash, Arctic Face Mist, The ANTIDOTE Quenching Daily Lotion, and Oxygen Infusion Night Cream. My most favorite thing about this product is the marketing. The package insert says: "Daily Fluids: 3 Cups Coffee, 2 Glasses Wine, No Water. Your Skin is DYING of Thirst!... Meeting? What meeting? Feel a breakout coming on ... hotel check-out, card declined. Skin's on the verge of a nervous breakdown... wanted a doughnut, had three. Hello. BIG Pimple. Carbs for breakfast. Carbs for lunch. It's showing on my face. Bad hangover. Complexion looking as dull as I feel. Where is my healthy glow?" If this sounds like you, then you need at least one week of the Skyn Detox Kit.
What I liked about the products is that the face wash takes only a dime size and looks like moisturizer, but then foams into a milky paste that feels very refreshing. The cooling sensation is totally noticeable and my face felt squeaky clean afterwards, while not feeling too dried out. Loved it. The daytime lotion is also very, very light and you can feel the cooling sensation there, as well. It definitely needs some reapplication, however, so it isn't a must have. However, I assume that is what the mist is for ... it is supposed to help soothe irritable skin during the day. The problem was, I found it to be very sticky over makeup. I think it would be a nice, cooling spritz for after a work out or yoga. I did, however, enjoy the night cream. It also was not as thick as what a normal night cream feels like and the odd warming sensation actually felt really, really nice. My skin texture and tone has definitely improved with use.
But lest you think that is the only thing I tried, fear not fair maidens! I have much more to report! Next up was the fabulous-feeling Dior Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Serum. At $135 an ounce, I am once again, most grateful for my free sample, obtained from your "pick three" online at Sephora a couple of weeks ago. The alleged secret to this under-moisturizer serum is Longoza - a rare, revitalizing plant grown only in Madagascar that increases skin's resilience, firmness, and texture as it minimizes the appearance of dark spots. What I can tell you is that it feels fabulous - like a bit thicker and silkier version of Kinerase Extreme Face Lift, but doesn't smell! I've already reported on loving the eye treatment in this line. I would like to try it with the cream. Meanwhile, it really seemed to enhance the look and texture of my skin. My skin was noticeably soft all day without makeup, which is a rarity.
I layered Peter Thomas Roth Oil Free Moisturizer on top at one point this week. It's a soft moisturizer, which I like - not too thick for day, but still thicker than I would like. The Dior actually felt better with the much lighter Skyn moisturizer noted above. If you like a medium moisturizer - not too thin, not too thick, then this would be worth a try. The problem, however, is that it lacks SPF.
But, while on the subject of PTR - let's discuss Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Face Peel Pads. This is an amazing peel! You can allegedly use them daily, but they are actually quite strong. Much better (and easier to use) than the MD Skincare Peel Pads that I said felt like basic toner. After cleansing, you just pull out a well-drenched pad and apply like toner. However, you can leave on between 60 seconds and 3 minutes, depending on what you can stand. I did this on both my husband and I (he didn't even feel it), but both of our faces were noticeably more even-toned and looked younger. This is my new must-have peel!
I did another peel recently that was a must miss. Do you remember that I did the sensitive skin version of the Juice Beauty peel and felt nothing? Well, now I did Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel - Full Strength. Still - nothing. No tingling, no beauty, no difference ... nothing. Don't waste your money. Don't even waste your time asking for a sample. If you have to have one, just email me and I'll send you a sample of mine. Then you too can say "Yep, that feels like nothing." Too bad too because I love the name - green apple peel - and yet it doesn't even smell like green apples to say that was fun.
Ooooh. I did try Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Eye Illuminator. It is currently on sale at the PTR website for $7 instead of its regular $28, so I thought I would give it a shot. It looks super weird - a little compact of white nothingness that doesn't even seem to come off on your finger when you put them in the pot. I was completely skeptical. But then, I put it under my eyes and on my eye lids and I was VERY pleasantly surprised. At first, it looks a little odd because it's kind of white-shiny, which you would think would accentuate the wrinkles. But then, it kind of blends into the lines and I definitely noticed a significant improvement when I used my Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener (or whatever concealer you would choose). And you know I didn't think that product could get any better. So, this was great. I also really liked how it evened out the redness on my eyelids without looking like actual primer or shadow.
I also tried Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Instant Mineral SPF30 Powder. This is a great, compact, all in one powder and brush that is perfect for the office. It isn't a must have because the brush is totally not soft - a major no-no for me, especially after using my MUFE Kabuki Brush every day now! But, it's really easy to use - just shake the bottle and that is enough for one full face coating of SPF mineral powder. I really like the idea of having this to blot the oil of the day or for a quick reapply before leaving for court.
I am sad to say that I have tried for 2 weeks now an Ole Henriksen product that I absolutely hate. I was so hopeful too! Anyone who got a sample of the Ole Henriksen Ultimate Eye Gel is probably going to be disappointed. The problem with it is that it is a gel that doesn't blend at all. It stays super sticky all day and no matter what you put on top of it. It is supposed to reduce puffiness and wrinkles with cucumber and calendula. Nope. It doesn't feel or look like it does anything and it feels like putting sticky hair gel on your face. Must miss!
But, speaking of gel and cucumbers, I also tried Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque. This was wonderful after a facial waxing. It was cooling (you can put it in the refrigerator for extra coolness and can use it just as an under eye masque) and it felt great while it soaked in. You leave it on for only 10 minutes and then rinse with cool water. A nice mask to just take away the day.
A lovely eye cream currently available for sampling is Boscia Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment. This is one of my favorites that I have tried. It goes on very smoothly - not too thin, like Chanel can be and not too thick like, well, nearly every other eye product. It's also only $38 for a half ounce. I have received so many samples that I will definitely be using this for awhile, but I really like it. It's not so much a puffiness or dark circle reducer, though it does make those claims. It feels like it is settling in well to help anti-aging. We'll never really know, will we! I tried Earth Therapeutics Skin Therapy Hydrogel Under-Eye Recovery Patch. Geez that's a mouthful! Don't waste your money. It was only $8 from Beauty.com for 5 pairs of eye patches. It feels cooling, yes, but there is no difference between this and a wet paper towel, in my humble opinion - so just use the paper towel or the cold, wet tea bag. It was worth a shot!
Lastly, let's talk about the pout. I tried Duwop Prime Venom. Yes, it gives the tiniest bit of a venom-like feel, but not nearly the extreme plumping of, say, the Buxom lip gloss line. For many of you who don't like that feeling, though, this is a good thing. It won't kiss off on whoever you are kissing. In particular, I worry about kissing my sister's kids when I have on the gloss because it is so plumping and tingly! Duwop doesn't feel like that past a few seconds. It is a great primer, however, to give your lips great softness before you put on your lipstick. If you have chapped lips, I would recommend a chapstick and buffing beads under your lipstick until your lips are fairly soft already, though, as this is not a major moisturizer.
SEPHORA - Your current favorite Sephora Promo Codes are available at retailmenot.com.
RESTORATION HARDWARE- It would be so much simpler to just live in the store. I am in love with all things Flax, Graphite and Belgian Linen.
BANANA REPUBLIC- I do wish they made a size larger, but I feel so sophisticated in this store.
MAXI DRESS - There are very, very few that look good on women of size, but they are sooooo comfortable and don't have to look too relaxed. I love Olivia Moon's slanted stripe in black and gray from Nordstrom.
It only makes sense that my first report concerns my ever so exciting new product: Skyn Iceland Detox Kit for Stressed Skin. For $45 at Sephora, you can sample deluxe portions of the Glacial Face Wash, Arctic Face Mist, The ANTIDOTE Quenching Daily Lotion, and Oxygen Infusion Night Cream. My most favorite thing about this product is the marketing. The package insert says: "Daily Fluids: 3 Cups Coffee, 2 Glasses Wine, No Water. Your Skin is DYING of Thirst!... Meeting? What meeting? Feel a breakout coming on ... hotel check-out, card declined. Skin's on the verge of a nervous breakdown... wanted a doughnut, had three. Hello. BIG Pimple. Carbs for breakfast. Carbs for lunch. It's showing on my face. Bad hangover. Complexion looking as dull as I feel. Where is my healthy glow?" If this sounds like you, then you need at least one week of the Skyn Detox Kit.
What I liked about the products is that the face wash takes only a dime size and looks like moisturizer, but then foams into a milky paste that feels very refreshing. The cooling sensation is totally noticeable and my face felt squeaky clean afterwards, while not feeling too dried out. Loved it. The daytime lotion is also very, very light and you can feel the cooling sensation there, as well. It definitely needs some reapplication, however, so it isn't a must have. However, I assume that is what the mist is for ... it is supposed to help soothe irritable skin during the day. The problem was, I found it to be very sticky over makeup. I think it would be a nice, cooling spritz for after a work out or yoga. I did, however, enjoy the night cream. It also was not as thick as what a normal night cream feels like and the odd warming sensation actually felt really, really nice. My skin texture and tone has definitely improved with use.
But lest you think that is the only thing I tried, fear not fair maidens! I have much more to report! Next up was the fabulous-feeling Dior Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Serum. At $135 an ounce, I am once again, most grateful for my free sample, obtained from your "pick three" online at Sephora a couple of weeks ago. The alleged secret to this under-moisturizer serum is Longoza - a rare, revitalizing plant grown only in Madagascar that increases skin's resilience, firmness, and texture as it minimizes the appearance of dark spots. What I can tell you is that it feels fabulous - like a bit thicker and silkier version of Kinerase Extreme Face Lift, but doesn't smell! I've already reported on loving the eye treatment in this line. I would like to try it with the cream. Meanwhile, it really seemed to enhance the look and texture of my skin. My skin was noticeably soft all day without makeup, which is a rarity. 
I layered Peter Thomas Roth Oil Free Moisturizer on top at one point this week. It's a soft moisturizer, which I like - not too thick for day, but still thicker than I would like. The Dior actually felt better with the much lighter Skyn moisturizer noted above. If you like a medium moisturizer - not too thin, not too thick, then this would be worth a try. The problem, however, is that it lacks SPF.
But, while on the subject of PTR - let's discuss Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Face Peel Pads. This is an amazing peel! You can allegedly use them daily, but they are actually quite strong. Much better (and easier to use) than the MD Skincare Peel Pads that I said felt like basic toner. After cleansing, you just pull out a well-drenched pad and apply like toner. However, you can leave on between 60 seconds and 3 minutes, depending on what you can stand. I did this on both my husband and I (he didn't even feel it), but both of our faces were noticeably more even-toned and looked younger. This is my new must-have peel!
I did another peel recently that was a must miss. Do you remember that I did the sensitive skin version of the Juice Beauty peel and felt nothing? Well, now I did Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel - Full Strength. Still - nothing. No tingling, no beauty, no difference ... nothing. Don't waste your money. Don't even waste your time asking for a sample. If you have to have one, just email me and I'll send you a sample of mine. Then you too can say "Yep, that feels like nothing." Too bad too because I love the name - green apple peel - and yet it doesn't even smell like green apples to say that was fun.
Ooooh. I did try Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Eye Illuminator. It is currently on sale at the PTR website for $7 instead of its regular $28, so I thought I would give it a shot. It looks super weird - a little compact of white nothingness that doesn't even seem to come off on your finger when you put them in the pot. I was completely skeptical. But then, I put it under my eyes and on my eye lids and I was VERY pleasantly surprised. At first, it looks a little odd because it's kind of white-shiny, which you would think would accentuate the wrinkles. But then, it kind of blends into the lines and I definitely noticed a significant improvement when I used my Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener (or whatever concealer you would choose). And you know I didn't think that product could get any better. So, this was great. I also really liked how it evened out the redness on my eyelids without looking like actual primer or shadow.
I also tried Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Instant Mineral SPF30 Powder. This is a great, compact, all in one powder and brush that is perfect for the office. It isn't a must have because the brush is totally not soft - a major no-no for me, especially after using my MUFE Kabuki Brush every day now! But, it's really easy to use - just shake the bottle and that is enough for one full face coating of SPF mineral powder. I really like the idea of having this to blot the oil of the day or for a quick reapply before leaving for court.
I am sad to say that I have tried for 2 weeks now an Ole Henriksen product that I absolutely hate. I was so hopeful too! Anyone who got a sample of the Ole Henriksen Ultimate Eye Gel is probably going to be disappointed. The problem with it is that it is a gel that doesn't blend at all. It stays super sticky all day and no matter what you put on top of it. It is supposed to reduce puffiness and wrinkles with cucumber and calendula. Nope. It doesn't feel or look like it does anything and it feels like putting sticky hair gel on your face. Must miss!
But, speaking of gel and cucumbers, I also tried Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque. This was wonderful after a facial waxing. It was cooling (you can put it in the refrigerator for extra coolness and can use it just as an under eye masque) and it felt great while it soaked in. You leave it on for only 10 minutes and then rinse with cool water. A nice mask to just take away the day.
A lovely eye cream currently available for sampling is Boscia Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment. This is one of my favorites that I have tried. It goes on very smoothly - not too thin, like Chanel can be and not too thick like, well, nearly every other eye product. It's also only $38 for a half ounce. I have received so many samples that I will definitely be using this for awhile, but I really like it. It's not so much a puffiness or dark circle reducer, though it does make those claims. It feels like it is settling in well to help anti-aging. We'll never really know, will we!
I tried Earth Therapeutics Skin Therapy Hydrogel Under-Eye Recovery Patch. Geez that's a mouthful! Don't waste your money. It was only $8 from Beauty.com for 5 pairs of eye patches. It feels cooling, yes, but there is no difference between this and a wet paper towel, in my humble opinion - so just use the paper towel or the cold, wet tea bag. It was worth a shot!
Lastly, let's talk about the pout. I tried Duwop Prime Venom. Yes, it gives the tiniest bit of a venom-like feel, but not nearly the extreme plumping of, say, the Buxom lip gloss line. For many of you who don't like that feeling, though, this is a good thing. It won't kiss off on whoever you are kissing. In particular, I worry about kissing my sister's kids when I have on the gloss because it is so plumping and tingly! Duwop doesn't feel like that past a few seconds. It is a great primer, however, to give your lips great softness before you put on your lipstick. If you have chapped lips, I would recommend a chapstick and buffing beads under your lipstick until your lips are fairly soft already, though, as this is not a major moisturizer.
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