Mascara Sampling: Lancome Hypnose Drama vs. Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume

Somehow, I've managed to collect quite a few mascaras. Mostly samples, as I've stuck to buying only drugstore options this year. In any event, the pile of sample mascaras still grows, even though I try to give them away frequently! The other day I decided to try out two of the mascaras in the pile. (Yes, one on each eye!) Lancome Hypnose Drama in Excessive Black has Lancome's signature rose scent. I don't know why, but I always find putting something rose scented on my eyes a bit strange. What if I was allergic to roses? That aside, I did like the look of the s-curved brush, but wasn't entirely sure of how to best use it. Based on the name, I expected the mascara to offer major drama, perhaps even in one coat, and it did not have that effect on my lashes. My lashes are also quite fine, so I always worry about having a spider lash effect with mascaras. While this mascara didn't do that, comparing it to the Laura Mercier option did make my lashes look a bit... scraggly. Not spidery, but scraggly. Like, not perfectly strong and straight... Perhaps it was the wand, or my lack of skill with it. Either way, this is finding a new home with a makeup friend since I don't have time to use it up! Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Mascara is one that I should have tried sooner. A friend tried it this past spring and swears by it, and I've had this sample sitting around all this time. It really offers definition to my lashes, yet still looks fully natural. YAY. My friend loves it because it never flakes or smudges, and I have to say it really doesn't. I haven't tried crying or swimming with it or anything, but this mascara survives normal everyday wear (even with a bit of eye rubbing!) Since it is not waterproof and washes off VERY easily, I suspect it wouldn't hold up to a day at the beach or a tearful event. However, I'm definitely going to stick with this one and see how I like it as time passes. So far so good, though! Definition, length, and easy removal are all great features in my book! I can't wait to see how it pairs with my trusty Diorshow Maximizer, which really just makes every mascara infinitely more amazing.

I don't know why I don't have a proper photo of this, but here's a quick snap I took of the two mascaras on my eyes. Can you tell a difference?

What do you think of these mascaras? Have you tried either? Do you have any mascaras that I NEED to try? :)

Skincare Sampling!

I'm slowly whittling away at the stash of skincare samples that I have... and seriously, I have too many. Also, I think I need to take a break, as my skin has been acting crazy from the dry air and drop in temperatures here in Chicago. I also have this urgent need to use up as many samples as possible, though! While I've been sampling like crazy, I also manage to lose the packets or give up on using them before I finish them. Does this happen to you, or is it just me? Fortunately, many samples are small and my boyfriend and I can typically use up a sample packet in one go.

Anyway, here's what we've tried in the last few weeks! Also, since these packets are small, these are really more like first impressions, rather than reviews. :)

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream I found that this was a very basic, no frills moisturizer that got the job done. It did have a slight scent, almost like vegetable oil to me, but then again, I have a weird nose. The packet contents also changed color once exposed to air, as you can see in the photo. I thought it was nice, but then again, I have so much stuff to use that I don't need to run out for this one!

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion I've always wanted to like Murad skincare, but it just doesn't seem to work for me. I've had some positive experiences with some of the line a few years ago, but that was really at the beginning of my skincare exploration. I did not like the scent of this one, but perhaps my sample was old. Also, this did not have enough moisture for my skin AT ALL in this cold Chicago weather. I'm not sure if it would be enough moisture even in the summer! Definitely skipping!

Korres Sugar Crystal Cream There was something weird about this cream, as if there were little exfoliating grains in it. Now that sounds good in theory, but my skin just felt WEIRD. Like weird texture-wise. Also, it made my skin very oily within a few hours. It did initially smell like brown sugar to me, but my boyfriend thought that was also mixed with baby powder. Ick. I don't know how old this sample packet was, so maybe that's it?? Still, this is not for me!

Avene Cream (not pictured) Again, I'm not 100% sure on the name. Maybe it was one of the Hydrance ones? I somehow misplaced the sample, before I even got to use it more than once. :/ It definitely was very moisturizing, almost a bit heavy in texture. It had a floral scent too. I do want to try more Avene for sure, I just need to pick out the right product!

Murad Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer (not pictured) My boyfriend tried this one, and did like the texture and moisturizing properties of this lotion. He liked that his skin didn't feel oily at any point in the day, and that the moisturizer absorbed very quickly, even when he put too much on. Otherwise, he thought it was pretty standard, "nothing fancy" and that we didn't need to run out and buy it. Phew!

Boscia Restorative Night Moisture Cream This had a really velvety texture, which we both enjoyed, but it never really seemed to absorb into our skin. Even an hour and a half later, our faces were tacky to touch. Sad!

Bobbi Brown Overnight CreamI'm not 100% sure this is the exact name, but it was definitely a night cream. I've thrown out the packet now, so I can't check! This cream definitely had an appropriate amount of moisture for me, and I woke up feeling perfectly moisturized. However, this would definitely feel heavy to me for daytime wear, and I very likely wouldn't wear this in the summer. The boyfriend's only reaction was "it is ok", so that means that it moisturized but didn't feel like anything special to him. Not bad, but I have no desire to rush out and buy this.

RareMinerals Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer This smelled like a standard clinical style moisturizer to me, but my boyfriend described it as something an old person would use, or a lotion you would get out of a dispenser at a hospital. Sad again! It was decent enough, but nothing special.

There you have it! I'm excited that nothing in this pile made me desperately want to buy things! :) Have you tried these skincare products? If so, how did they fare for you? How are you doing on your sample stash? :)

Sampling Time!

I don't know if you know this, but I SERIOUSLY hoard samples. I don't know why, since I really just ought to use them... So now I'm trying! I'm making myself use up all sample packets of moisturizers first, without using any of mine. Then it will be cleansers and fragrance! (And then deluxe sizes after that - this seems hopeless!) I am also committing (again) to share samples with you weekly!Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask  This mask has been very popular on the blogs this year, so I've wanted to try it for a long time. The mask itself is a very creamy, almost clear substance that smells like citrus. (If you read Vivianna Does Makeup, she describes it as marmalade, and I'd say this would be a bit lighter than a conventional marmalade, but otherwise a perfect description!) This sample packet lasted me 2 uses, and I didn't see any noticeable change in my skin, aside from maybe a nice glow. Since this is pricey and doesn't really do anything for pores, I'm not rushing out to purchase it. In the future, especially when my skin needs change, I will give it another go!

Shu Uemera Art of Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo This shampoo was very well reviewed on blogs earlier this year, and I do have to agree that it is just amazing. The scent of the shampoo is SO good, I would even just use it for that alone. I wish I could describe the scent, but I am quite terrible at that in general. The shampoo itself really gives my hair some body, and makes it feel super clean, soft and shiny. This is definitely on my list as a product to invest in, when there's budget for it or when I'm desperate for luxurious haircare.

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream I haven't really tried any Bobbi Brown skincare, so this was a fun thing for me to try. I love the concept of her line and her messages around beauty and empowerment. This eye cream is hydrating, but it sort of just felt like a regular moisturizer to me. Obviously I can't see any long term effects from a packet like this, but nothing about the product texture or feel was unique either. Since I want to find a really special eye cream, I won't be purchasing this one.Amore Pacific Natural Protector SPF 30/PA+++ This cream has a light floral scent, which must be typical of the Amore Pacific range. It is your typical white, creamy moisturizer, and I like that it has SPF 30. It was sufficiently moisturizing for a cold Chicago fall day, which is great. It was a bit heavy initially, but absorbs quickly and feels great.

Nuxe Creme Prodigieuse Anti-Fatigue Moisturizing Cream This cream has a floral scent that may be overpowering for some - my boyfriend's initial reaction was "woah, that is strong," whereas I thought it was manageable. The scent does wear off with time, so that may work for you. This is a bit of a thick cream as well, and I prefer moisturizers that feel light and absorb quickly.

Dior HydraLife Sorbet Eye Cream I've gotten multiple uses out of this eye cream, and like it's silky texture. The boyfriend says it is "nice" but we both find that it takes some time to absorb and feels a bit tacky. Not a bad product, but again not life changing.

Dior HydraAction Deep Hydrating Radical Serum (not pictured) Why does this have alcohol in it?! Now that I think about it, the eye cream above has it too I believe... Alcohol aside, this serum is clear and light and applies smoothly. I found that it provided me with enough moisturizer for daytime as well. I think I'll skip this because of the alcohol though...

Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra-Gel & Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Vitalizing Complex I don't know if I could pick between the two. Both have a pleasant floral scent that I really like, and have a nice light texture. Both gave me the proper amount of moisture and just felt nice and luxurious on my skin. I would probably wear the hydra-gel in the daytime, and the vitalizing complex at night!

All in all, I've had fun testing out these samples this past week. I definitely want to splurge on that Shu Uemera shampoo, and I'm very interested in trying out more Amore Pacific. (Argh, why didn't I grab that Sephora 500 point perk this summer while I had the chance? But now I'm contemplating a deluxe sample on sephora.com with code APCREME) Have you tried out any of these products? If so, I'd love to hear how they were for you! :)

Sampling Jo Malone

I hadn't tried much Jo Malone until this year, and now I really want to test out every single scent! I own English Pear & Freesia, and have collected a number of samples over the last few months. (In case you're not familiar, the idea with Jo Malone fragrances is to create your own unique combination. Visit Jo Malone's website for a stellar fragrance combining menu.) Here are my thoughts on what I've sampled!

Wild Bluebell I love this scent - it is so light and fresh on its own. For some reason, the strongest note that I can smell is watermelon, which I love. Have not tried layering this but can imagine that it'd be great! This wore all day, though it was very light by day's end.

Red Roses This scent is a Jo Malone staple. I think it really does smell like roses, and is not too sweet or too floral - a good mix of both! I think it is great for mixing, though I've only tried it with Nectarine Blossom & Honey. Also, I like that the wear on this one is quite long. When I apply it, I still tend to have a faint whiff of it when I wake up the next morning.

Lime Basil & Mandarin This was quite a spicy scent for me, and it was too much for me on its own. Layered with Nectarine Blossom & Honey, I thought it was quite nice, though this was the dominant scent. I would not purchase this one, since it is the least "me" out of everything I've sampled.

Nectarine Blossom & Honey  I liked this scent as well - fresh and light and easy to wear. It only wore about 3-4 hours on me, which I think is ok if you are layering. This is one of the most popular Jo Malone options, and I can see why. I imagine it would combine with just about anything!

At the counter, I've also sampled Verbenas of Provence, 154 and Vetyver. I think all of these are great options for giving a sweet scent like English Pear & Freesia more depth and balance. Aside from that, I can't really remember enough to describe them! Another favorite I've been spritzing at the counter is Orange Blossom, which I love with English Pear & Freesia - it is sweet, but also has that "green" depth to it that I like. I also keep forgetting to try Grapefruit, French Lime Blossom, and Vintage Gardenia. There are definitely too many options! I hope that the during the holidays there will be a great sampler I can pick up!

Have you tried any of these or do you have a Jo Malone staple? I'd love to hear!