Laid Back Sample Project - Update 5



Feels quite good to have finished some larger sample sized products for the fifth instalment of my Laid Back Sample Challenge - sachets are nice to use up but getting to toss a larger product always brings a bigger sense of satisfaction for me!

Marc Jacobs Oh Lola!
I have this in a solid ring form and love it, but for some reason the actual perfume disappears on me almost immediately! Such a shame as the scent is seriously lovely, and the bottle is stunning.

Thierry Mugler Angel EDT (travel size)
This reinvention of the classic Angel fragrance sat so well on me that I'm lusting over a large bottle of this one, perhaps as a Christmas gift? It's gourmand and has an edge to it that I adore, and the fact that it lasts on my skin is a rare treat for me.

Benefit Foamingly Clean Facial Wash
I went in expecting to hate the foaming aspect of this, but it actually puffs up and lathers rather than foaming, and it feels so decadent on my skin that I actually enjoyed using this! It wasn't as gentle as a milk or balm cleanser but I felt like it really cleansed my skin well.

Kiehl's Orange Flower & Lychee Skin Softening Lotion
I mentioned in my empties post that this was one of the nicest lotions I'd ever used, and I stand by that! I can't seem to find this particular scent on the website though, which alarms me slightly...has this been discontinued?!

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A few future purchases were noted from this round of samples, but I'm content to have a running list of quality products to lust over while I continue to churn through my collection, donating or using up products I no longer need in my stash. I know it may seem like decluttering is a bit of a trend at the moment but I think learning to love (and use!) what you have is always a good thing, trend or not, so I'm all up on that wagon and riding it towards a neater house and neater mind!

 

Previous updates!
Original Project Post
Update 1ft. Versace, Lush, Dior and LaGaia
Update 2 ft. Balenciaga, Biore, Mario Badescu and Missha
Update 3 ft. Benefit, L'Oreal, L'Occitane and Smashbox

Update 3 ft. Aveda, Lush, Estee Lauder and YSL

 

Emma x

Laid Back Sample Project - Update 4

I've got some pretty nice samples waiting in the wings to be trialled, and I'm enjoying this relaxed project even more than I thought I would! It feels so positive to be actually using the products and documenting my thoughts and first impressions - it satisfies the hoarder in me to have a record of things and new stuff keeps the beauty junkie in me alive, too!

Aveda Damage Remedy Conditioner
I managed to squeeze two uses from this sample size, and it really highlighted how ineffective my current hair mask is (that I use as conditioner!) I tend to stick with drugstore hair products but this smelt nice and did a good job of softening my strands, so who knows!

Lush Yummy Mummy Shower Gel
I actually finished this a little while ago (seen in my empties!) but forgot to include it in my sample project! I didn't mind the strong iris scent but there are others from Lush that I prefer so I will stick to buying those.

YSL Shocking Faux Cils Mascara
This mascara is a thing of beauty - I am pretty lucky in the lash department but never has it been more evident than when I'm wearing this bad boy! The downside to this is that I now despise most of my current lash options as they pale in comparison to this...

Estee Lauder Modern Muse
I absolutely adore this scent, and have used up another sample vial of it in the past, too. It's a scent I spray on anytime I pass an Estee Lauder counter, which says to me that I need to pick up a full size in the future!

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Previous updates!
Original Project Post
Update 1ft. Versace, Lush, Dior and LaGaia
Update 2 ft. Balenciaga, Biore, Mario Badescu and Missha
Update 3 ft. Benefit, L'Oreal, L'Occitane and Smashbox

Hope you're having a wonderful week so far, sending positive vibes out to all of you for the week ahead!
-Emma x

Laid Back Sample Project - Update 1

I feel like I made the right decision with this 'laid back' type of project, and it is really working well for me so far. I'm enjoying trying out new things without the commitment of promising to finish them, and it has made me fall in love with the essence of blogging once more - honest opinions about stuff! Hurrah!

Versace Bright Crystal Absolu
I wore this to work and loved how it smelt - quite sweet but I could tell it wasn't a typical celebrity scent and that it came from a luxe brand. I've never tried anything from Versace before and now I'm tempted to check out more of the range!

Lush Yummy Mummy Body Conditioner*
I really like the Lush body conditioner formula, and adore the Ro's Argan scent which was the first from Lush. Now they've released this one which should please the non-rose/jam lovers out there - it's cocoa with a hint of floral and I really enjoyed using it.

Dior Addict Eau Delice EDT
This fragrance sample was all cranberry on me - but sadly it didn't last or make enough of an impact to make me want to buy a bottle. Kinda made me sad because I love the Dior packaging on the bottle, so sleek and elegant.

LaGaia Body Balm
The citrus scent was nice and it seems like a pretty solid brand, but the whole oil balm formula combined with a foil sachet just didn't work out. I think a mini tub of this would've been the go for a trial, but there you go.

-Emma

*Provided for consideration. Which is the nature of all of these samples now that I think about it...

The Laid Back Sample Project

I've been feeling quite restless when it comes to beauty and skincare lately - I've been yearning to try new products but the thought of dishing out the dosh has me feeling hesitant! My thoughts turned to my overflowing stash of samples, sadly spread haphazardly across my bathroom and beauty room...This sample project post (brilliantly titled "Use Up Those Freakin' Samples!") on Rocaille Writes spurred me to think of these sachets and tubes as an opportunity rather than a nuisance.

a gorgeous bunch of samples

An opportunity to review some fresh beauty products is always welcome, and so my plan is to begin my very own sample challenge of sorts. I'm going to pop up Insta-reviews as I use up samples (using Monika's hashtag!) and also compile some review posts for each bunch of products, as a way of recording my feelings about all of the new things I'm trying. For now I'm not setting myself any real targets and will be happy to bid adieu to the various bits and bobs I have lying around, but I want this to be an enjoyable process and so I won't be strict about not accumulating more sample products - hey, if Chanel are happy to throw in samples with purchase who am I to refuse!?

Just a small selection of my fragrance samples, including Bleu de Chanel for Mister that we received last weekend while out window shopping!

primer packets and tubes, oh my!

The main idea is to stop hoarding these little packets away as I am prone to do - I'm looking forward to trying out some new perfumes, pitting the many primer samples against each other and generally having some fun playing around with new-to-me products without any commitment!

 

Have you got a shed load of sample products squirreled away?
What tips do you have for using and enjoying them all?
-Emma

Project Use It Up #1

There is nothing more inspiring for a beauty blogger than a great beauty 'project' (except maybe a great makeup collection video, amiright?) They often spur me on to use up products, but as I lamented in my recent empties post the amount of actual makeup that left my stash wasn't very impressive in 2014 so I aim to rectify that this year. Using the wonderful Monika from Rocaille Writes as a direct inspiration (particularly these 'make a dent' posts) I've taken it upon myself  to set up a simple challenge...

I will use up these products in 2015 (preferably in the first half of the year!)

Project Use It Up Products as of January 2015

As you can see I'm not silly - I've chosen the products that need to leave my stash, the previous pan hits and the lip products that I really like and can wear often enough to make this challenge a success. Easy to wear lip colours in a mixture of formulas, a great foundation that I know I'll end up repurchasing and powders that aren't as impressive now that I have the likes of Chanel and Hourglass in my life.

The Products:
-Sportsgirl Get Cheeky Shimmer Powder
-Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation
-Smashbox Sheer Gloss in Overexposed*
-Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Sweetheart
-NYX Powder Blush in Peach
-Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy
-Clinique Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey*

NYX Powder Blush in Peach

Clinique Whole Lotta Honey & Chanel Boy wound all the way up

Sportsgirl Get Cheeky

I know in theory I could easily toss these products, but the temptation of the thrill I'd get once they are completely used up is far too strong for me to do that. I actually really enjoy using all of these products and would probably repurchase some of them down the line (hence why they have been used so frequently already, I suppose) 

I actually forgot to include my mini Nars Laguna and some pans from my Urban Decay Naked palette so I'll have to exclude them from the challenge despite their pans showing. I will be checking in with you as I burn through these to let you know how I go, though I'm not placing stringent rules on myself in regards to not purchasing any other makeup etc. My general plan is to stop buying so many drugstore products that just go to waste and make deliberate and considered choices when it comes to new products entering my collection. A seemingly simple task that I often fail at (though I'm doing well for 2015 thus far!)

My 'Project Use It Up' products on the beautiful tray I received for my birthday

Do you have any tips for my first project?
Wish me luck!
Emma x

*The Smashbox gloss was a PR sample and I won the Clinique Chubby Stick in a Facebook competition on my personal page. Honesty, always.

hitting pan

For a beauty enthusiast, there is nothing more bittersweet than glimpsing that shiny pan as you sweep your brush across a product. I've fallen in love with many products over the years, and hitting pan is the proof of my affection.

I am a huge advocate for Sportsgirl cosmetics, and most of the pieces I buy from there fall into my 'favourite' pile quite frequently. It is no surprise that two items I have hit pan on are from this Australian chain store! Prom Night eyeshadow is a sheer and shimmery champagne colour that I use as a base or highlight on my eye, or sometimes on its own over the lid for a simple eye look.

My NYX blush in Peach has been well loved, and it is because it works well with so many looks that the pan is showing. It is quite a warm-toned pink and very pigmented, and though its name may lead you astray it is not a peach shade at all. I plan to purchase another shade from the NYX powder blush line when this is gone, but I know that one day I will buy another Peach pan.

Sportsgirl 'Get Cheeky' is a sheer blush that I use as a highlight more than anything. I find it looks great when dusted over NYX Peach, among many other blushes in my collection. It adds a glow to my face without being overly glittery or shimmery, and that is why it works so well for me.

Urban Decay's Virgin eyeshadow is the best highlight shade I have used, and I often use it to blend out shadows when the lines are too harsh. It is a cool pale beige shade that works perfectly with my skin tone. I was very excited to hit pan on my first shadow from the original Naked palette, and I know that soon I will hit pan on Sin as well.

MAC's Retrospeck shadow is a bleached blonde neutral shade that I often reach for on lazy days when I can't be bothered really doing my makeup. It is a little chunky but I still find it really easy to work with, and will be buying a pan of it for my MAC palette when the pan in this holiday set is finito.

The pan on these have grown since these photos were taken, and I must say I am looking forward to using them up and bidding them adieu.

How do you feel when you hit pan?

The Shower Situation

An overflowing shower caddy...

...with other products stacked on the shower floor!

I love having some nice shower products to choose from as I unwind at the end of the day, but all of this is getting to be a bit much. I am sick of the half-finished items getting in the way, so have made a deal with myself. When I finish up 5 shower products, I can hop over to Haus of Gloi and haul my butt off. Sounds fair, right?

What do you recommend from Haus of Gloi?

What do you think of my shower situation?

a basket full o' makeup

This post here had me thinking about my beauty using habits. I tend to wake up in the morning bleary eyed and reach for whatever pretty my heart desires at that very moment. I decided to switch it up, and at the start of the week (which is a Wednesday for me!) fill up my tub on the counter with products I want to make a dent in. Here is what made it in this past week!

I threw in a few half-used items to see if I could finish some off, and some new items I'm reviewing to make sure I give them time to impress me.

base; Bourjois Healthymix, L'Oreal Base Magique sample
blush; NYX Peach (review here)

bronzer; Nars Laguna

Undereye; Smashbox Undereye Brightener*

Mascara; Lancome Doll Eyes (review here) & Clinique High Impact
Eyes; Sportsgirl Prom Night (pan hit, woohoo!), MAC Painterly Paint Pot, Ardell Clear Brow Gel, Mirenesse Tightliner*, BYS Brow pencil* & Rimmel pencil liner
Lips; Estee Lauder High Gloss in #11 Blush

I have almost used up both mascara samples and want to make good use of them before they have to be tossed, and the Smashbox concealer is just there to be used up as I'm not fond of it. NYX Peach and Laguna have been kicking around in my collection for quite a while and I'm looking to hit pan on them, if it's the last thing I do.

I don't even need to explain the Ardell brow gel, it's pretty ratty looking. I know that it is fine and that it is just my brow powder mixed into it, but it still grosses me out. The BYS pencil is something I'm trialling for review at the moment, and the Sportsgirl shadow is much loved but needs to be in cosmetic heaven now. Painterly is something I use every single day so it has a permanent position in the basket full of awesomeness.

My Bourjois Healthy Mix has been so good to me, and has lasted so long only because I had two on the go at once. I had one in my bag most of the time for weekends away or for when I was at Chris' place, but this one is finally about to bite the dust!

Laguna and Peach, respectively.

The L'Oreal Base Magique was a sample Chris got me, haven't used it enough to know whether or not I like it. The gloss was nabbed from Chris' Mum when she split up her travel set. Estee Lauder glosses are the bomb, and this one is my favourite shade. Boring in the tube, stunning on the lips!

My neutral Inglot palette...(review here)

...and my brights palette (review here)
I chose these two palettes because I adore them, and also because I don't reach for them as much as I should. I wear brights quite a bit, but thought that throwing them in would push me to create some nice combinations that I haven't tried out before. I was right! I have a stack of FOTD's to share with you in upcoming posts, all using these palettes with other shadows thrown in.

I think this is the sort of task I am able to stick to, I don't have enough patience to complete a set pan project. I think the fact that I have enough wiggle room to use other items from my collection makes this an enjoyable effort, and still gets my mind working in order to use these items creatively. I'm not trying to use all of them up (palettes,for example) but wanting to remember the things I love about my makeup collection.

Have you ever tried a project pan? How many makeup items have you hit pan on?

Would love to hear some motivation and your pan efforts!

Items marked with * have been provided for review or were in goody bags.