March 2013 Sample Society

My Sample Society box for March arrived on Friday, and I had almost forgotten that it was even coming! So that was exciting, haha! This month is the last month of my gift subscription, and while there have been some great goodies, I won't be subscribing right now because I just have WAY too much stuff to test. (But when I do finish up more samples, if that ever happens, then I'll be sure to subscribe!)

Anyway, since I just received this, I haven't been able to test out the products really. With the piles of stuff I need to get through, I'm not really sure when I will, so I wanted to share at least what I got and my initial impressions.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Wet Instant Volumizing Conditioner is one that I'll be excited to use. I quite like Oscar Blandi Invisible Dry Shampoo, so I have high hopes. I was most excited to see a full size Butter London Nail Polish in Diamond Geezer. Wohoo! Butter London is definitely one of my favorite nail brands. I wasn't sure what to think of Hollywood Fashion Tape, and I know that it has been in a lot of boxes lately. Since I don't have any around, it is handy to have this around for a special occasion. I remember using these before and having moderate success, so that's fine. I'm giving Murad Essential C Day Moisture SPF 30 to my boyfriend, so he can keep it in his work bag for the days he forgets to moisturize. We've both tried samples of this moisturizer before, and I find it to be just average in terms of moisturization level and overall performance. Lastly, I'm looking forward to trying LashFood Natural Eyebrow Conditioner and comparing it to the Anastasia serum that I got recently.

So there you have it! What do you think of this month's Sample Society? Are you a beauty box subscriber? :) 

February 2013 Sample Society

Today I bring you another look at beauty subscription services available in the US. I received Sample Society as a gift from my best friend for Christmas, and this is my second  box. I am quite enjoying the vast range of products available through this subscription box from beautybar.com and Allure Magazine. As mentioned in my previous post, I think this service provides great value. Not only do you get a year's subscription to Allure (which, if I may add, is quite fun to read on iPad!), but each month you get a $15 code towards any $50 purchase on beautybar.com when purchasing any of the included brands.

Here's a look at the goodies I got. I don't love the black packaging shreds, at they seem to leave a black dust on products, but I have to admit that Beautybar's shipping is well done and FAST, and that's probably one of the top priorities for a beauty fiend like me. :)

This month, I received 5 products, including a full size lip product from Exude. I was particularly excited to sample another Diptyque fragrance, but alas, this one is not for me. Oscar Blandi Hair Lift Thickening & Strengthening Mousse (Travel Size, Full Size 6.3 oz for $23) The first time I used this, I was pretty surprised when a HUGE pile mousse came out of this little jar, LOL! But anyways, I quite liked the airy texture and subtle scent of this mousse, which made my day old hair smoother and more volumized. It has a really natural finish as well, and doesn't feel like I have any product in my hair. This is less scented than the jasmine products from Oscar Blandi, so for those who dislike that scent, this is definitely worth a try. I'm not one to use mousse on a regular basis, though if I cut my hair short again like I'm planning, I bet this could come in handy.

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive (Deluxe Sample, Full Size 2 oz for $85) I've heard so many good things about Kate Somerville, but have never gotten around to trying her line. Exfolikate is definitely one of her stand out products, and while I've collected a number of samples of this, I'm still happy to have another. This green exfoliator has a fresh, almost mint scent to it, and I'm happy to say that it works quite nicely on my skin. It doesn't feel drying, and my skin feels smooth. I'm happy to have it, though I'm not sure I'd spend the $85 on a full size. (Sephora does carry a half ounce size for $22 though). It will be quite a while I think before I finish up the multiple samples of this I have, so once I do, I'll be sure to let you all know if I decide to repurchase it! :)

Diptyque L'Ombre Dans L'Eau Eau de Toilette (Sample, Full Size 1.7 oz for $88) I've fallen fast for Diptyque, but this particular one is just not for me. I would have liked to try Do Son or L'Eau de Tarocco, but oh well! As you may know, I'm pretty choosy about scents that I wear, and tend to prefer light floral, fresh, or citrus notes. Described by Diptyque as "a lush garden at water’s edge," this fragrance is quite complex in its florals and freshness. Again, I've never been so good at describing scentes, and I can't decipher what exactly isn't working for me personally, but I think many would love this fresh and unique floral fragrance from Diptyque.

LaRocca Skincare Hibiscus Cream Cleanser with AHA (Sample, Full Size $36) I do like that this cleanser is quite creamy, and it just feels right for winter. It leaves my skin feeling smooth, and not that dry, tight feeling that many cleansers can have. It has nearly no scent either, which I can appreciate. Filled with AHA, Vitamins A&C, this cleanser is supposed to help with sebum production and skin structure - while I can't prove that without prolonged use and scientific observation, I do feel like my skin is very balanced and healthy when using this. Not too dry or too oily, and that is just fine!

Exude Lip Creme in Red (Full Size, $29) I haven't had much occasion for a red lip lately, but I am super excited to try this. In the interest of getting this post out during the month of February, sadly, I can't include my thoughts on it. However, I love creamy/liquid type lip formulas, and am super happy to have this to play with. I'll be sure to update this post or link to a proper review once I've had time to properly test it!

So there you have it, my February Sample Society box! Are you a subscriber? If so, what did you get in this month's box? Have you tried any of these products before? I'd love to know! :)

January 2013 Man Repeller x Glossybox

I find beauty subscription boxes to be kind of a mixed bag. For those who love to try new things, I think subscription boxes are an amazing way to keep up with what's new without spending a lot of money. On the other hand, I'd say those with very particular tastes or too many products in general don't need to spend their hard earned cash.

In January, I was quite tempted by the Glossybox collaboration with Leandra Medine. Thoughts on her aside, I do quite like how this box was put together. The box itself is quite sizeable, and made of a nice cardboard with a shiny finish - I could definitely see these boxes being used for storage, or to collect products for friends! :)

I also really enjoy the star patterned tissue paper, and the magazine itself has some great content. I felt like the one that comes in Sample Society is quite small and doesn't have a ton of content, while this one feels like it is packed with useful content for a mini magazine. Here are the products that I received.

Narciso Rodriguez for Her Eau de Toilette  I have always liked this perfume, but always forget about it, so I was happy to get a sample. In my mind, I've always categorized it as something of a blend of Stella and Chloe. I think this grabs the nice floral notes of Stella and the powdery sweetness of Chloe quite well.  It is delicate and long lasting, I'm happy to have this sample to play with. When this arrived I realized I had a purse spray size that I got from a Sephora promo code a while back!

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara I think this is a handy sample to have, but as I prefer to only have 1 or 2 mascaras open at a time, testing this one out will have to wait!

OPI Liquid Sand in Can't Let Go (Full Size) I wasn't sure what to think about this nail polish based on the description, so I did wait quite a while before I applied it. It applies well, and the "sandy" glitter texture makes it easy to apply without streaks. One coat makes quite a nice light purple finish, while 2 coats results in a nice medium purple. I'd like to think of this as a new take on glitter polish, and quite like it. I'm definitely curious to try more shades in this line.

Living Proof Prime Style Extender I'm absolutely in love with this stuff, and I already have a tube of this size from a Sephora promo code. I love the scent of Living Proof styling products, and this just gives my hair such a nice reboot on those mornings when I don't have time to wash my hair. For me, it is really a replacement for dry shampoo, though I still stick to my handy Oscar Blandi Invisible Dry Shampoo when my hair is particularly oily.

Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum I love Fresh, and I've heard so many good things about the Umbrian Clay skincare line in general. I love the Umbrian Clay Concealer, and the foundation is quite good too. I'm not really looking for anything mattifying right now, but I'm definitely going to make use of this in the summer. I bet it would make a nice primer too!

Vincent Longo Lip Stain SPF 15 Lipstick in Belle Etoile (Full Size) The shade Belle Etoile is a deep, brick red sort of shade that I would never purchase on my own but am very happy to now have in my collection. The lipstick itself is surprisingly creamy, and offers a glossy shine. It is not opaque in color, and upon the first application I would even say it is a bit sheer, but the color can definitely be built up. The lipstick itself has a standard lipstick scent/flavor that is very slightly vanilla to me. Pretty awesome, and I was happily surprised by it, even though I originally wished I got a Tarte lip or cheek product like many others did. I'm glad I got this!

Le Metier de Beaute Replenishing Daily Solution SPF 30 I wish this wasn't just a sample packet, as I find using sample packets to be a bit inconvenient most of the time. I'll be saving this one for when I travel.

So there you have it! This box was packed with products, and even though I'm not using a few of them right now, I'm glad to have them for later.

For $21, I think this box is well worth it. Additionally, you can fill out surveys on Glossybox's website to earn "Glossydots" - 20 dots per product and the occasional extra survey. There are also dots available for referrals, and once you get to 1000 Glossydots, you can redeem them for a free box!

While Glossybox seems to be a pretty substantial service, I won't be subscribing on a regular basis at this time. As you may be aware, I have far too many sample size products that I need to play with already, and spend too much time following what's new anyway that beauty subscription services often don't introduce me to anything I haven't heard of, LOL. I'll be sure to keep my eye out for any special boxes and collaborations though, as they do seem quite good!

What do you think of my Glossybox? Are you a subscriber to beauty boxes? I'd love to know your favorites! :) 

January 2013 Sample Society Box

For Christmas, my best friend sent me a 3 month subscription to Sample Society, a beauty subscription service from Allure Magazine and Beautybar.com. YAY! I was so excited, and here's a look at my first box.

The box itself that arrives is very similar to Birchbox in size, and really is just a different color and logo. I have too many of these boxes around, so I may end up recycling it. However, they are pretty useful for storing goodies to give away to friends! :)

Anyway, each box includes a little Allure Magazine insert. This month's short articles were about skin supplements, spring trends, and winter hair. Not bad, and I'm curious to see what the next few inserts have in store! 

Sample Society costs $15 a month, and every subscription also includes a year's subscription to Allure Magazine. I love Allure Magazine, and had just forgotten to renew, so this was perfect timing! Additionally, each box comes with a promo code for $15 off of $50 on your next purchase with any of the brands included. If you often buy products you sample from these boxes, then this is for sure a great value!

Nicole Richie Eau de Parfum Sample: (Sample, $20-69 for rollerball & sprays) I am tough to please when it comes to perfume, and I find this scent to be a bit generic but not necessarily unpleasant. It is a feminine floral for sure, but I just don't think it is for me. Here are the notes listed by Beautybar.com: SUCCULANT BLACKBERRY, SEVILLE ORANGE, MOROCCAN ROSE, LILY OF THE VALLEY, GOLDEN AMBER, PAPYRUS, CASHMERE WOODS, AUSTRALIAN SANDALWOOD, SUGARED PATCHOULI, VANILLA ABSOLUTE.

Lollia Wish Petite Treat Shea Butter Handcreme: (Travel Size, .33 oz for $7.50) I think the packaging of Lollia handcremes are very cute, and their moisturizing qualities are decent. This handcreme is definitely not greasy, and it is light and comfortable to wear - perhaps it is the shea butter and macadamia oil! I would totally wear this in the spring and summer, but it isn't quite what I'm looking for in terms of moisture and repair for our rough Chicago winters. This particular floral scent containing Italian bergamot, rice flower, jasmine and ylang ylang, amber woods and vanilla bean is actually quite nice, but again just not for me.

Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Eye Pencil in Black: (Full Size, $15) I was probably most excited to try this eyeliner. It is a deep black, but not as deep and dark as gel liner or the amazingly impressive Armani Smooth Silk Waterproof Eye Pencil that I'm desperate to purchase. This pencil does have some undertones of charcoal gray, and it is great for those who like pencils with a harder texture. It is quite comfortable to use, but because of the texture, I found it difficult to tightline with it. On me, this pencil also experienced some minor smudging at about the 6 hour mark.

Delaney Wellness Rejuvenating Eye Cream:  (Deluxe Sample, .33oz; Full Size $135 for 1.3 oz) This eye cream has a really nice light texture, and subtle fruity scent. Packed with a "proprietary extract utilizing grape seeds, skins and stems," this cream is meant to minimize fine lines and wrinkles while firming and brightening the skin. Obviously, with limited usage, I can't tell if these claims are true. All I know is, I like using it, and I like the feel of it around my eyes at night!

Strivectin Instant Retexturizing Scrub: (Deluxe Sample, 1 oz; Full Size $49 for 5 oz) At first, I wasn't particularly interested in this scrub. I don't know why, but Strivectin as a brand just doesn't appeal to me, but as I started reading more, I got excited. Formulated with jojoba beads,  this exfoliator is not filled with harsh chemical exfoliants as I originally expected. (Something about the brand's marketing and packaging, I suppose!) I enjoy the fine grains of this scrub and the fact that it is nearly scent free. This scrub leaves my skin smooth and clear, and I am happy to have it! Along with the Lush Let the Good Times Roll exfoliant, this is probably the gentlest one I've tried!

Pantene AgeDefy Advanced Thickening Treatment: (Deluxe Sample, 1.7 oz; Full Size about $20 for 4.2 oz) This Pantene product was included as an extra for winter hair. Designed with experts from Olay, this product is meant to treat aging, thinning hair with a blend of vitamin B3 and caffeine. While I don't have aging hair, I do enjoy trying thickening products, so this was a fun one to try too! While I can't tell yet if there are any long term age defying effects, I do enjoy the volumizing effect and the light, pleasant scent. (For those who have used Living Proof products, it is a similar, though not as enticing, scent that is much lighter and doesn't linger.)

All in all, I do think this was a great value box. I don't know that I would purchase anything from this box, though I would consider the scrub or hair thickener if I continue to enjoy them. While I'm starting to feel like it is generally more worthwhile to save money towards products I know I want, this box definitely exposed me to some products I would've otherwise not tried myself, and I like that! I definitely look forward to seeing what comes next!

What do you think of my January Sample Society box? Do you have a favorite beauty subscription service, or are you over the whole thing? Have you tried any of these products? I'd love to know! :)