It's been another month of trying out all the samples I could get my little hands on, plus a few full size treats. Here's my feedback on everything I tried this past month and whether I'd repurchase it or, in the case of samples, buy the full size.
Cleansers:
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser (sample):
I really really like this cleanser. Thankfully, a small amount of product goes a long way so the sample I received lasted a fair few days. I much prefer it when samples have enough product in them for you to throughly trial a product; a single use of a cleanser isn't going to tell you a whole lot. I can see why people rave about this product, and it's shot straight to the top of my 'to buy' list. I'm on a no-buy, I'm only buying the essentials when I run out, but I'm genuinely coveting it and will purchase it as soon as I can.
Tarte Deep Dive Cleansing Gel (sample):
This cleanser is another one that feels almost like it does nothing. Which is okay for my morning cleanse, but I prefer something else at night. I wouldn't buy the full size of this.
Juice Beauty Oil Cleanser (sample):
I wasn't sure at first that I liked this, blut I really liked the way my skin felt after this. I'm seriously considering buying the full-size of this instead of my holy grail Clinique Cleansing Balm; they're about the same size and price.
Masks:
Patchology Get Dewy With It Sheet Mask:
I quite liked this face mask. Patchology sheet masks are quickly becoming some of my favourites. I felt like this face mask did a great job of hydrating my skin, and I saved the leftover serum so I could continue using it.
Frank Body Anti-Drama Face Mask:
This face mask broke me out. Big surprise. I expected it to do that, but I was pleasantly surprised by how little it broke me out. Only one little pimple, and it was on my jaw line right before my period. Normally my hormonal break-out the week before my period is much bigger than that. I wanted to see how using this product regularly would affect my skin, so I've used this mask two to three times a week for the past three weeks. Using it regularly, I do feel like it improved my skin. After breaking out slightly the first time, I didn't really get any new pimples (that I can attribute to this product). I'm still on the hunt for a good clay mask, but I like that this mask is still nourishing while also being clearing.
Origins Nourishing Sheet Mask:
This mask was nice and soothing and I saved the serum, but I'm not sure I'd repurchase it. I think products like Weleda Skin Food do just as good a job at nourishing my skin if not better. Sometimes you just really need a sheet mask, though.
Serums:
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Serum:
I'm not sure I saw huge results from this serum. I still think other products by The Ordinary showed larger results, though. I stopped taking this down my neck after about a week of using it, because I'm fairly certain it was breaking me out there. That was a weird experience.
Moisturiser:
Frank Body Everyday Face Moisturiser:
This moisturiser had a much thinner consistency than I expected, and I actually found it a bit too liquidy. Every time I opened the tube, way too much would come out of it because of this. It being so thin made me wonder if it wouldn't be spread consistently over my face, too. I think this product also might have broken me out, I stopped using it for a week or so and as soon as I used it again I grew a few new pimples overnight.
Face Oil:
The Ordinary Rosehip Oil:
Oh my gosh, this oil. I had a serious breakout during my period and after one night of using this product I saw it clear up. I'd previously been using Go-To Face Hero, and I love that product but I didn't see as huge a difference in my skin using it. I do love the other oils in that blend, but using a higher concentration of Rosehip oil is the way to go for me. At least for now.
Hand Balm:
Grown Alchemist Vanilla & Orange Hand Cream (sample):
I love this. I want this. The Go-To Hand Cream is still my number one, but I'm keen to get my hands on this soon.
Grown Alchemist Rose & Argan Extra Hand Cream (sample):
I wasn't a massive fan of this at first, I thought it's thinner consistency meant it wasn't as nourishing. After using it for a while, though, I've changed my tune. I'm not sure which of these two products I prefer, but they're both very good.
Bath Bombs:
Lush Sparkly Pumpkin:
Yes, I know this is a Halloween bath bomb. But like the Timbits kid (seriously, watch the video) I too believe in celebrating things all year round. This bath bomb was a bit of a let-down, it just turned my bath orange and the glitter was a bit meh.
Lush Avobath Bath Bomb:
This bath bomb is probably my go-to, but it's definitely not one of the more aesthetic products that Lush sells. It's not necessarily un-aesthetic, there's just no glitter or multiple colours. It's a good standard bath bomb that makes your skin feel great and I've repurchased it many times.
Makeup:
Smashbox Primerizer (sample):
I really liked the feel of this on my face, but I've never been very good at judging whether primers are doing their job. I like that this product is moisturising. It does leave the skin a little too slick for base products but I usually prime with a little bit of Weleda Skin Food as well and the combination of the two products works well.
Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield (sample):
I don't love nor hate this product. It's a good physical sunscreen and it sits on the skin nicely, but I love my Go-To Zincredible more. I worry, too, that because this product is so thin I'm not likely to put enough on my face to thoroughly protect my skin from UVA/B rays. I still like this product and would consider buying it.
Sun & Earth Tinted Zinc:
This is good for a no-makeup day but its coverage is mediocre. It's unsurprisingly oily, too. It's a good product to have on hand for the beach, but I still prefer sunscreen and tinted moisturiser.
M.A.C. Face & Body (sample):
I really liked the finish of this. It didn't feel too heavy and I'm genuinely considering buying it. I don't wear foundation much, I'm more of a tinted moisturiser girl, but I wear foundation for events like university balls. However, this foundation is fairly light coverage when applied with fingers like I usually do. Apparently it's higher coverage when applied with a beauty blender or brush, so I plan on giving that a try. I'll get back to you!
Olio E Osso Natural Beauty Balm in No. 10:
I like this product, but I like other products more. This isn't the easiest product to apply, it just ends up a little messy. Sometimes I just wear concealer and no tinted moisturiser, and I'd use this product on days like that because I can just swipe it onto my cheeks.
Supplements:
Evening Primrose Oil:
I'm not one to praise supplements but damn this is now a staple for me. All my life I've had terrible period cramps, but after taking these every day I experience next to no pain. Before I went on the pill I also had a short period; I'd have three days of very intense cramps. This past month, my period only lasted three days without the excruciating cramps. Honestly, it was a miracle. I'll let you know if next cycle is different, but I'm truly stunned by my experience this past month.
xo Dominique