All posts filed under: Sample Stash Sunday

Sample Stash Sunday No. 1

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I’ve been doing Sample Stash Sundays for a few years on this blog, and the feature comes and goes, and actually focuses on specific samples at a time. Well, in an effort to destash my samples and keep them from wasting away, I made a dedicated attempt at using them up. But, I’m going to be posting the little reviews in groups. So, we’re going to start back at “No. 1.” Because I said so. Here’s a look at my first batch of samples, some of which were tried from late last year. Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Treatment Mask* This was honestly a great moisturizing mask, but I am just really averse to creams you wipe away from your face. I just don’t like that sensation. This was very effective in moisturizing my face, though, especially taking care of the dry patches around my mouth area, which regular moisturizers tend to leave dry. Recommend if you don’t mind wiping off product from your face. GLAMGLOW POWERMUD™ Dualcleanse Treatment Mask This stung the shit out of …

Sample Stash Sunday: A Collection of Empties

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I’ve made a few empties posts here and there, but never consistently because I keep itching to throw everything away. However, I’ve recently made a conscious effort to use up my samples—you know, a sample a day keeps the impending destiny of becoming a hoarder away—and sometimes, empties posts are actually useful! The empties I have today are just samples. Samples are exciting, but they are also susceptible to forgetfulness and a future as waste. So, these are what I’ve used up since about late October.

Sample Stash Sunday: Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Set

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I was going to publish this post next Sunday, but I figured it might be useful for people who wanted to get this set during the Sephora VIB sale this week. OK, so I was eyeing Lovecraft from the new Kat Von D Studded Kiss range, but when I was about to buy it, I spotted a minis set with 9 shades that included Lovecraft, so I thought I’d give it a go. The Studded Kiss Lipstick range wasn’t really met with the best reviews—basically failing at their “an innovative lipstick that coats lips with bold color,10-hour wear, and luxe comfort” claims—so I’m not sure what possessed me to get this, but $39 for nine shades didn’t seem like a bad deal to me. Here’s how much product you get when you extend the bullet: The selection of shades is pretty decent, representing quite a good amount of shades of the range. From left to right: Countess (matte hot orange red), Agatha (matte pale peach nude), Adora (metallic golden red), Sexer (iridescent fluorescent pink), Wonderchilde …

Sample Stash Sunday: One Love Organics Sample Packs

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I placed another order at Eco Diva Beauty some time ago, and after being thoroughly impressed by the few things I had picked up previously from One Love Organics, I decided to test out the two available sampler packs from the brand, since they were both under $10. Prior to my recent Korean experiments, I’ve used few combinations of the items for the last few weeks, and here are some of my thoughts: Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Sample Pack ($6) This sample pack contains 4 sample-sized items from the Elizabeth Dehn collaboration with One Love Organics, which is a line that advocates “active moisture!” This pack includes single use samples of Active Moisture Vitamin C Serum, Vitamin E Eye Balm, Vitamin B Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover and Vitamin D Time Release Facial Mist. Although it’s explicitly stated that these are “single-use” samples, I’ve been able to get about 3-4 uses out of the Vitamin B Cleansing Oil, the Time Release Vitamin D Moisture Mist, and the Vitamin C Serum. I already have …

Sample Stash Sunday: Ellana Minerals Free Sample Pack

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Foundation matching can be a pain in the butt. I know this because, despite my unwarranted love for face bases (and purchasing them), I’m still unsure of what shade I am. The unhelpful-helpful thing I’ve been really good at is determining whether or not a shade is a “match” for me. This happens, of course, after I’ve bought the full size. What led me to this frustrating discovery is when I tried to layer on my Ellana Minerals Loose Powder Foundation in Caramel Latte* to act as a concealer and it ended up looking really wrong–too warm for me, really. I really, really like that product, so I wanted to see if there was a better shade match for me. It’s kind of hard to tell on their website… plus, how do you match your skin tone to a screen cap, right? Luckily, Ellana Minerals offers a free sample pack. I wanted to try their concealers (though, again, was crippled by the affliction of indecision) and the Sheer Velvet HD powder, but I didn’t want …

Sample Stash Sunday feat. Benefit: BDJ Box 7 Day Challenge

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I’m not sure for how long these monthly BDJ Box challenges run, but there was so much stuff to sample from the Benefit exclusive box by BDJ last month that I felt I should try and do it, so I could try everything out, at least! Here’s a diary I began some time in June. The products were used, collectively, for seven days. I tried to get a rotation going, but I missed using all my other makeup, too. 🙂 The eye cream was a mainstay, though, but I’ll put it out there right now—it wasn’t my favorite of the bunch! DAY ONE And on the first day, I used the It’s Potent! Eye Cream, and I saw that it was good. Intended for “brighter, younger-looking eyes,” It’s Potent! fades dark circles and helps smooth fine lines. I noticed that it has a more emollient texture than my current eye cream (Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream), but it also sinks in much faster and isn’t sticky. I’ll try to use this under makeup/concealer during this …

Sample Stash Sunday: Darling Girl Cosmetics

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I don’t know what happened, but I went sampler-crazy in January. There were a lot more brands I wanted to try but didn’t get to (i.e. Fyrinnae, Black Rose Minerals, Aromaleigh, etc) because they don’t ship to the Philippines. However, I have had my fill of indies for now, I think. (I’m still expecting parcels from Victorian Disco, Notoriously Morbid and Hello Waffle… So yes. I have a problem.) Aside from all of that, though, I picked up a 10-sampler pack from Darling Girl Cosmetics. It’s one of the indie brands that I hear frequently, so I thought it might be a safe place to start. They have quite an extensive collection of collections (lol), including an all-matte one called MILF or Matte I’d Like to Find. I love their musically-named ones, too. Here’s what I ended up getting: And somehow, I ended up receiving one more sample baggie and this GWP: Swatched, L-R: Vicar in a Tutu, Saddle Up, Heaving Bosom, Between the Sheets, Naughty Bits, Bodice Ripper, Tainted Love, Miss Argentina, Pirate’s Booty, …