Acure Sensitive Facial Cleanser - I really really loved it even though I didn't expect that much. I use a two step cleansing method where in Step 1 I remove mascara with micellar water or wipes, and then wash the whole face with facial wash. Because of this habit, I rarely used it by itself, but when I did, it did a good job on my eyes as well. This cleanser didn't irritate eyes or skin, removed makeup quickly, and didn't dry the skin. The consistency was that of a very thick soap, and it even had a tiny bit pearl-y look of the soap, and while faint the smell was a little soap-y too. Nonetheless, it was a very good cleanser, and I would buy it again.
Promise Organic Coconut Facial Wipes - I've mentioned these more than once on my blog. They're good, and were my favorite at one point, but I prefer EcoCare facial wipes much more. Yet, they are nice and moist enough, and they remove makeup well.
Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Vitamin C+ Serum - I had a set of 10 samples, which is a 5 day supply. The smell bugged me a bit, and I wasn't crazy about it in general. In fact, I don't think I saw any real results. Well, maybe the skin got a little more even-toned, but the difference was really minor.
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Clay Cleanser - This came in a discovery set from Sunday Riley, and it's exactly the size that's enough for me for a long while. I never used it as the main cleanser, and would use it as a treatment by putting it on already clean skin. Since it left my skin squeaky clean, I didn't want to use it too often (my skin is normal towards dry), so I would use as an extra strong cleanser (e.g. after workout to remove sweat completely) or I would use as a mini facial mixing Ceramic Slip and Good Genes lactic acid treatment from Sunday Riley and applying the mixture to my face for a minute. In both cases the results were pretty much the same.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum - I liked it, and I liked it a lot! There are a couple other serums I want to try at the moment, but I would definitely buy this one again. It was a thicker serum, which absorbed to the skin fast. There was some stickiness left on the skin, but only until other products were applied. The smell was very faint, almost nonexistent, and from all the other hyaluronic acid serums that I've tried, this one's the winner. Besides, you can't beat the price as this little bottle lasted me for 2 months using 2 times a day.
Hylamide Glow Radiance Booster - Another product from the Deciem brands, and this one I liked less. I'm only halfway done, but I'm getting rid of it. It's a very water-y product that gives the tiniest amount of color on the face after continuous use. Apart from being an extra step in my skincare routine, I didn't feel that it's doing anything for my skin. Yes, it gave me some color, but it wasn't enough not to wear makeup.. I just can't justify it, so I stopped using it, and I didn't feel like I want to use it again since then.
Origins Maskimizer Mask Primer - One more product that is going to the trash being almost full. It's a spray that you're supposed to use before applying a mask, but it wasn't for me. I don't feel the need for it, and I don't like the smell. It came in a set with Origins masks (I enjoy them very much), but after trying it a couple of times, I realized it's not for me. I much more prefer a regular face mist/spray if I need something to dampen my skin.
Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzime Water Cream - just like the other products in this photo, this was a deluxe sample that lasted for a while. It's a very light moisturizer, but I enjoyed using it a lot. The only thing that I wasn't crazy about was smell as it reminded me of raw grated potatoes. Other than that, it's a great light cream that's good layered with other products or by itself. It absorbed well, gave enough moisture, and left skin feeling nice.
Kat Burki Intensive Vitamin C Cream - I fell in love with this cream the moment I laid my hands on it! I want it in full size, in fact, I need it in full size. I love everything about this cream: it's texture, it's absorption, it's smell, and how it made my skin feel afterwards. I used it as a night cream, and my skin felt like silk even in the morning. It's not a heavy/rich cream, but it would be too heavy for hot weather, so I'm keeping it in my wishlist until the fall.
Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Transformation Gel and Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer - like the other 2 creams mentioned above, these 2 products were used during my evening skincare routine. Long story short, they were nice products, but I don't think I'd buy them full size. Besides, there's always something new I want to try. If you are interested in them, I have a whole post on them HERE.
Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask - even though this was a deluxe sample, it was good enough for only one use. I had this mask in sample size last month, and I told how there's not enough of the product to apply a thick layer (that's what the directions tell to do). This sample was enough to properly cover the face, but again I didn't see any magic, except that the skin felt soft and nice to touch.
Derm Institute Anti-Oxidant Hydration Gel Masque - This sample contained two single-use masks. The directions tell to apply a generous amount on a clean face, and massage it in after 5 minutes. Since this mask doesn't require rinsing, I used it in the evening. I don't like leaving open packages, so I applied the whole contents of the package at once. I also didn't really do anything else - just applied it, and left on the skin through the night. Originally I was planning to apply some cream as well, but the mask felt so moisturizing that I didn't need anything else. My skin was softer than soft in the morning. It felt hydrated, plump, soft. The second packet gave the same results, and I'd love to get full size box of these. I think this mask is great whenever extra hydration is needed. It could be used during the winter when the skin gets drier from the cold weather, or it can be used after a day in the beach to replenish moisture in the skin.
Biobelle Primer Mask* - I've tried sheet masks in the past, but I was never a fan of them due to poor fit around nose, lips, eyes. I felt like those areas don't benefit from the mask and it's a bit of a product wasting. This Biobelle sheet mask changed my mind. I got to try 3 of these masks, and used up 2 already. They fit all over the face perfectly, they're moist, but not dripping, and they make a face so smooth. After trying these out, I want to try more sheet masks. I'm preparing an article on masking, so I will tell you more about them in that article.
Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment - I received a deluxe size of this product in my Sunday Riley discovery box, and it was the favorite of the bunch, so when Sephora was giving these sample sized Good Genes packets, I had to get one. There were 7 single-use packets in the envelope, and I used them at night by themselves or mixed with Ceramic Slip clay cleanser for a mini facial. I think I prefer using them the regular way as I see better results then, and when mixing with a cleanser, I don't see a big change. My skin likes this treatment and responds well to it by becoming soft, smooth, more even toned.
Kypris Glow Philtre Face Mask - To be honest, I don't remember much about this mask. This sample size was good for one use, and afterwards my skin felt nice and soft, but it wasn't something that would make me want to get full size. Though I wouldn't mind trying it in full size as maybe using it a couple times in a row would make a difference.
Eve Lom Rescue Mask - Another mask that I don't remember about. I think that's a sign that I should make notes on them. As for the mask itself, I can't say anything as my mind is completely empty, but I guess that means that it wasn't impressive.
Koh Gen Do Moisture Spa Gel - This gel is described as a 3-in-1 product (serum, lotion, and emollient). The texture is that of a thin gel, I used it instead of a serum, and applied moisturizer on top. I didn't like it, didn't feel like it's giving moisture boost, and I'm not interested in getting full size.
Origins Planstscription Anti-Aging Power Eye Cream - It was an ok cream, not heavy, not too thin. I liek a lot products from Origins, so I wouldn't mind getting this in full size and getting a better opinion.
Earth Therapeutics Pore Cleansing Strips - I had one last one left, and decided to use it up. I never have big problems with my noise, but I get strips like that, and then it takes months and months until I use them up. These particular ones get stuck to the skin and are super painful to rip off. They work well, but are too painful for me.
Tatcha Indigo Soothing Triple Recovery Cream - I had a pack of 6 samples, and used them on my face and chest after applying Sunday Riley's Good Genes. The name says "cream", but it's more of a balmy texture, and I don't always like that. One packet was a little too much for me, but I didn't want to leave any for next day, so I used it on my neck and chest as well. It didn't absorb perfectly leaving a little bit of an oily film on top of the skin. It would eventually sink into the skin, but I just prefer different products. As for the effect, I didn't see anything other than giving moisture and softness to the skin.
Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash - I actually liked this. I liked the smell, the texture, and it washed skin clean. It was a really nice face wash, and I'd gladly use it again.
Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Iconic Blondes in Color 10.1 Light Blonde - It was the first time that I used this hair color and this shade. It didn't stink, it was easy to apply, and it didn't dry out the hair. It was a little hard to wash it out, but it might be because I used two boxes as my hair is long and I used it for the first time. The processing time is 45 minutes, but I didn't keep it that long. After 25-30 minutes it seemed that the color has developed enough, but when I washed it out, the tone was a little more yellow that I'd like to. Though after a few times with purple shampoo I like the results, and I would use this color again.
John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler - This is my all time favorite leave-in conditioner. I've been using this for years and years, and I never get bored of it. I only use it on the ends of my hair and run halfway through the hair length with whatever is left on my fingers. It helps when brushing hair, and it also makes hair soft when dry.
Giovanni VitaPro Fusion Leave-In Hair Treatment - It's another one of my must haves. I spray it on damp hair (lighter on the top half of my hair, heavier on the bottom half). It softens and hydrates hair. This and Citrus & Neroli detangler are two products I can't imagine my haircare without.
Whole Foods Color Preserve Shampoo - I got tired of using it as it seemed to never end. It's a little watery shampoo that smells very naturally. It was an ok product, nothing amazing, nothing bad.
Earth Science Olive & Avocado Hair Masque - It must be 6-7 years since I first tried this mask. I usually apply it on my ends and use as a conditioner (not leaving for a longer time), but I love the result nonetheless. It makes my hair slippery and moisturized. It rarely happens that I don't have it in my shower.
Show Beauty Pure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner - I loved both of them! They smelled great, were nice on the hair, and left the hair feeling wonderful. Most of the times when trying out new shampoo I don't apply any additional products afterwards so I could see the true results. With this duo my hair felt and looked amazing throughout the second day too, and even on the third morning. My hair didn't loose volume, didn't dry out through the length or at the ends. I would love to try more products from this brand, and I would definitely get these two in full size.
Philip B White Truffle Shampoo - I had a little trouble with this deluxe sample as I didn't like the shampoo at all. I didn't like the smell, and the shampoo felt too heavy. It was ok while in the shower, but once dry, the hair got oily very quickly.
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub With Sea Salt - I tried it once on my hair, and that was enough so I would finish using it as a feet scrub. This scrub really dried out my hair, and tangled it almost to a point where I didn't even want to touch or do anything to my hair as it was painful and uncomfortable. I had to put a mask all over the hair to soften it up. I tried another scalp scrub, and it dried my hair badly too, so I guess my hair is not right for such products.
Living Proof Prime Style Extender and Overnight Perfector - Some of Living Proof products I love, and some are just ok. Overnight Perfector is the one I loved. I put it into halfway through the hair and braided it leaving the product until the morning. In the morning my hair looked good, a little wavy from the braiding, and I could have left it that way. Since I decided to brush my hair, I didn't like how the product felt on the hair afterwards, and I washed my hair. As for Prime Style Extender, I wasn't impressed, and I didn't like how the product felt on the hair. It's just not a product for me.
John Masters Organics Lavender Rosemary Shampoo - While I love JMO detangler, I'm not crazy about their shampoos. I tried almost all of them 5-6 years ago, and wasn't impressed. I gave a chance to this one again, but it's not a product for me.
Molton Brown Gingerlilly Body Wash - I really enjoyed using this deluxe sample. I loved the smell, and it was gentle on the skin. It might seem like a small bottle, but it lasted pretty well.
Mojo Spa Sugar Me Sweet Face & Body Scrub - I have a whole review on it HERE. To sum it up, I loved the smell, how gentle it was, and how nice my skin felt afterwards.
The Chemist Brand Inhibit Intimate Care - It's a gel that's supposed to slow down hair regrowth and to moisturize. I didn't like it at all and gave up on using up halfway through the tube. It felt like a sticky gel on the skin that never fully sinks in. Well, the moisture gets absorbed, but there's some sticky residue left. I didn't feel that it slows down anything, and due to it's stickiness, I didn't even want to use it everyday. It's a big fail for me.
Jason Toothpaste in Very Berry Mint Flavor - I'm a person who doesn't care how minty the breath is after brushing the teeth as long as my teeth are clean, so I've tried a lot different toothpaste flavors. I like minty toothpastes at night, but in the morning I prefer something non-minty. That's because I brush my teeth right after getting up, and then go downstairs to have my coffee, and I hate how coffee tastes after strong minty toothpaste. This toothpaste left no aftertaste, and was very gentle in flavor, so I liked it a lot. I would use it again for sure.
Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet EDT - I like all Dior's Miss Dior fragrances, but none of them are my "have to have it". However, I've got a bunch of the Blooming Bouquet, and the more I use it, the more I like it. It's light, spring/summer scent that's elegantly sweet.
Versace Bright Crystal EDT - I loved this fragrance when I was 18-20 years old, but now it's not my scent. I used the sample, but that's enough.
Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream - No, no, and no. I have a hard time with any liquid foundation, CC/BB cream, tinted moisturizer, etc. I'm not sure what causes that, but no matter if I apply them with a brush or with my fingers, my skin gets a reaction and I get red itchy spots all over my face, and my face feels like burning. However, I took a chance and tried this out - I got a light reaction, and on top of that I didn't see much difference. It was very light, almost minimal coverage. No need to say that I'm getting rid of this without trying to finish it up.
Guerlain Maxi Lash So Volume Mascara - I'm not lucky with Guerlain mascaras, and this was no exception. It made my lash clump together, made them look very thin and sparse. I gave enough time for the formula to change, but it never did.
Burt's Bees Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Lip Balm - I love Burt's Bees lip balms (and lipsticks), but this flavor wasn't my favorite. I didn't like the flavor at first, but then got used to it and finished the product. As for the balm itself, it gives lasting moisture to the lips, goes on smoothly, and feels light and nice. The lip balm I got to replace this one is by Burt's Bees as well.
Sante Eybrow Pencil in 01 Blonde - I talked about it in my previous post (link here). It's one of my 2 favorite eyebrow products, and the favorite eyebrow pencil of all times. It gives beautiful color, it applies easily, it stays on well, and looks great.
* marks PR samples that I received complimentary
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