Travel Sized Beauty

I may not be the worlds biggest jetsetter, but I do love squirreling away samples and travel sized products for short trips and even weekends away at the beach house. I was pleased with the itsy bitsy products I toted up to Queensland with me recently for a one week stay, so here is a round up of what they were!

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel - I've used up a full-size bottle of this in the past and have since repurchased, so before I went away I squeezed away to refill this sample tube that I got from Mecca Maxima. I love being able to use a good cleanser without having to bring the whole bottle with me!

Uriage Creme Lavante Nourishing and Cleansing Cream - A nice, simple fluid cream cleanser that was the perfect size to take away with me.

Bioderma Crealine H2O - The original micellar water, I love the different sizes these come in and for this trip I brought up the classic variety with the red lid. I used this to remove all of my makeup, and it does take a few swipes for the eye looks I prefer but worked a treat nevertheless.

Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Foundation Primer - Love this stuff, a silicone primer that I use on the face where my pores stand out the most to smooth over them before I apply my foundation or BB cream.

Palmer's Massage Cream for Stretch Marks - I always try to take a small moisturiser away with me just in case, and even though I knew I was going to hit up Bath & Body Works I wanted this for the start of my trip so my skin stayed hydrated.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation (sample pot) - This little jar was originally a Mario Badescu skincare sample from Mecca Maxima but I cleaned it out and pumped a few days worth of my Too Faced foundation for the days I wanted higher coverage than my everyday BB cream and for nights out to dinner with everyone.

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How many products do you travel with? Do you bother with miniature things or just lug your regular routine with you?

-Emma x

2015 Empties - Third Quarter

I'm definitely beginning to see a trend with my product usage since beginning a quarterly empties post cycle - I always seem to finish a hair mask every 3 months, a few dry shampoos, hairspray, a heap of Original Source and minimal makeup products overall. For the first and second quarters I finished off some skincare as well but seem to have failed on that count this time around, most likely because I've been using up a few half-used bottles before I start using fresh cleansers and lotions again. I'm hoping that the final 2015 quarter will see some moisturisers, cleansers and perhaps a body lotion or two in preparation for my big Bath & Body Works haul in January.

Let's get on with the empties, shall we?!

 

HAIRCARE

Garnier Sensitive Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - They seem to have discontinued this and to say I'm disappointed about that is an understatement!

Schwarzkopf Moisture Gloss 10 Days Shine Mask - I'm going to go into detail in a full post for you guys, but this is not something I would repurchase in the future.

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Normal Hold Travel Hairspray - Still remains the best hairspray I've tried and I love using it to hold my fringe in place each day.

Girlz Only Hazy Days Dry Shampoo - A nice and affordable dry shampoo, but it's true that it leaves more of a white cast and has a stronger scent than other options out there.

Batiste Tropical Travel Dry Shampoo - I love the tropical scent of this and find it works really well in my hair, plus I love the cheery packaging!

BODY & NAILS

Norsca Zero Fragrance Free Deodorant - I threw out all of the other deodorants we used this quarter, but kept this in primarily as a reminder not to buy it again.

Manicare Coconut Scented Nail Polish Remover Pads - I loved these little guys, and am now on the hunt for the Black Vanilla version seen in Vita's empties!

Kiehl's Orange Flower & Lychee Skin Softening Lotion* - The formula of this is second to none and the scent was just incredible; this was easily one of the nicest body lotions I've ever used!

SHOWER

Original Source Shower Gels in Tropical Pineapple, Mandarin & Basil, Lime  - Lime is Mister Bovary's favourite from this line-up, but mine would have to be Tropical Pineapple which I loved!

Original Source Daily Scrub in Blood Orange - I would not be inclined to call this a scrub, more of a shower gel with small bits in it. The scent was nice but I was a bit disappointed as a scrub was what I wanted from this product.

L'Occitane Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Shower Gel* - The brand can do no wrong in my eyes, but the scent was a bit too mature for me so I'd be more inclined to choose a different scent if I were shopping for myself. How lovely is the packaging though?!

The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Body Polish* - Let's just say that this features in my upcoming disappointing products post...nuff said!

FRAGRANCE

Lancôme Tresor in Love - I finally finished this bottle! It was a gift from Mister Bovary many years ago that I enjoyed, but I'm happy to have moved it out of my collection to make room for new scents down the track. A great tip to use up fragrances is to decant them into a Travalo atomiser - being able to touch up during the day is wonderful and means you work through the scent much faster, too! 

 

Perfume samples (L'Occitane Sun Verbena, Balenciaga Rosabotanica, Flora by Gucci and Marc Jacobs Oh Lola) - I was really sad that Oh Lola didn't smell as lovely on me as it does in my solid perfume ring of the same scent. I don't have any strong lemmings from this lot of samples so I'm counting it as a positive for my bank balance, but I did enjoy trying them out for my sample project.

 

MAKEUP & SKINCARE

Smashbox Photo Finish Colour Correction Adjust Foundation Primer sample - This was lovely to use and I liked the way it minimised the appearance of my pores before I applied foundation. It's something I could see myself buying in the future once I get a hold of my beauty stash. 

 

YSL Shocking Faux Cils Mascara sample - This was a wondrous product for me, and made me understand just how good a mascara can be (and why some people pay over $50 for a tube!) 

 

Benefit They're Real Mascara sample - This was at the other end of the mascara spectrum for me, doing absolutely nothing positive for my lashes at all. I think it still had some use left but it was useless to me so I'm counting it as empty by default.

 

Clinique High Lengths Mascara sample - The brush was a bit strange to use but this gave me decent separation and I generally like Clinique mascaras. Not the best I've tried from them so I'd rather go for another from their mascara line over this one.

 

Benefit Foamingly Clean Facial Wash sample- Truth be told, I went in expecting to hate this purely for the word foam in the title (and I've never had much luck with Benefit skincare!) but it really turned my opinion around! It was a creamy lather rather than a foam and though it left my skin a bit 'squeaky clean', I didn't mind that too much and it felt really good to use.

essence Long Lasting Liner in Hot Chocolate - My very favourite liner, I loved using this on my upper lash line for definition each day and have already repurchased (and have back-ups, too!)

MAC Slimshine in Missy - I could never really vouch for the authenticity of this one (bought it from a cosmetics store in Melbourne Central back in the day) and the formula is too squishy and soft anyway, so out it goes!

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Phew, if you made it to the end of that I applaud you! I've really enjoyed showing my empties in a quarterly format but would love to hear more about what style of 'empties' you like to read - mini reviews like this? products grouped into 'would/would not buy'? I would love your input to guide me with my 2016 empties in the coming year!

Emma x

 

*Product provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

Week in Perfume - August 2015 (The Sample Size Edition)

I'm a huge fan of travel sized perfumes, both for their handbag portability and the fact that they allow me to try a range of scents without encumbering me with 100ml bottles to store in my beauty room. Inspired by Larie's recent 'Scents of the Week' and a discussion we had in the comment section of the post, I went about gathering up a few perfumes to set aside and use for the week. It wasn't until I got to number 5 that I realised I had only chosen sample and travel sized scents - seems this sample trend was meant to be!

Kim Kardashian - Kim Kardashian EDP

This is a strong, sexy white floral that I really enjoy wearing. I've gone through a full bottle of this in the past and when I saw this travel rollerball in Las Vegas last year I jumped at the chance to buy it in this format - one of my favourite things about visiting Sephora and other American stores is the huge travel size selection available! It's something we definitely miss out on as Australian's!

Candide Bath & Body Chocolate Macaron Fragrance Oil*

This smells just like I've baked something delicious...in fact, not long after applying it I popped into the kitchen and whipped up a batch of chocolate chip cookies, I just couldn't help myself! The rollerball leaked a little bit before it got to me so it's a slippery little sucker to open, but delicious nevertheless.

 

Urban Rituelle Caramella Petit Parfum*

After the immense success of the Cotton Candy parfum (one of my all time favourites!) this was a greatly anticipated release from the team at Urban Rituelle! It's definitely sweet and the edge of caramel gets me comments each and every time I wear it (much like Cotton Candy, actually)

 

Lush Lust Gorilla Perfume*

This scent is definitely full on - wear with caution! I originally had the solid perfume in this strong jasmine scent and had wanted to pick up the travel spray, so when I was offered a wee Lush spree at an event I took the opportunity and love that a little spray goes a long way with this stuff.

L'Occitane Sun Verbena EDT

This was the scent I wasn't expecting to like as much as the others, verbena isn't typically a scent I wear as perfume very often...but as it turns out, I quite like wearing a citrus scent! I have a feeling the orange blossom note in this is what turned it from a cleaning product to a happy little jolt of sunshine on my wrist. I think it was my first time using a perfumed towelette to apply a scent sample - that was a pretty interesting experience! Sadly I just found out this is a discontinued scent - L'Occitane do have a regular Verbena scent though!

 

Do you change your perfume daily, or do you have them sorted into work/weekend scents? Are you equally fascinated with travel sized sprays, or is it just me?

-Emma

 

 

*Marked items provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

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

Sample Swooning

Goodness knows I am not lacking in new products to try, but the lure of a sample pot is sometimes too strong to pull away. I have had my eye on the Diorskin Nude BB Crème since I saw Anna rave about it, but the steep price tag ($72 AUD!) has kept me at bay. I figured that since I had bought so many Dior products in recent months (Bikini Crème Blush, Addict gloss, Addict lipstick, I’ll stop the list here for my sanity…) I’d head down and request a sample of the BB Crème to try at home. I don’t know about you, but having it applied at the counter just isn’t the same experience and I find that they make good products look crappy with their strange techniques. For example, every time I head to Chanel they apply the Rouge Coco Shines on me with a lip brush, which isn’t how I would ever use it at home and just doesn’t look as good. Could also be something to do with their knack of drawing it outside the lip line, every-single-time! Anyway, I digress.

 

I strolled up to the young woman working the Dior counter at Myer Melbourne (Bourke St, my favourite, for those playing at home) and asked nicely if they could fill me up a sample pot. She got busy doin’ her thang while I swatched cough almost bought cough the other Crème Blushes, and when I swivelled around she had a sweet little bag tied with a ribbon for me. Colour me impressed! I am happy enough with the abundance of perfume samples they fill my bags with when I swipe through with my Mastercard, but when I haven’t spent a dime mmm it feels good!

I was happy with my faux haul (c’mon, it came in a Dior bag!) when I snuck a peek at the newish Hairhouse Warehouse counter while doing my well-trodden rounds of the Myer beauty hall. Perusing the Macadamia Oil stand, I enquired about the Deep Repair Masque as I know it is a favourite in the blogging world. The woman praised it, and handed me a large sachet of it to take home and try. “I know you’ll be back to buy. Enjoy it!” With that, and not a dollar spent, I headed out to a few blogger events where I was continually asked “ooh Dior, what did you buy”, and you know what? It felt good, for once, to say - nothing!

 

Had a great sample experience lately?

Or can you name and shame some greedy MUA's who aren't fond of handing out samples?

 

Serum Sampler!

The idea of trialling petite sized serums is a very exciting one, and so when Adore Beauty contacted me and told me about their new (and limited!) Serum Sampler Set, I was elated. I was sent the pack which contains 5 petite serums, and today I am showing you the contents of the pack. I would love to provide reviews on each of these serums but it takes quite a while to trial each one, and I didn't want you to miss the opportunity to try this sampler out so I will just be providing some serum overviews for you at this point!

The Serum Sampler Selection.

SK II Facial Treatment Essence (30ml)

This facial essence promises radiance and says that it helps to maintain the skin's normal renewal cycle, which all sounds very promising. It also mentions that it balances the skin's PH levels and sebum secretion, so the oily and dry bits of your skin come out happy with this. I love Cate Blanchett in the television ad for this product, and am looking forward to trying it!

Lancome Genifique Youth Activator (7ml)

This says that it is based on gene science and stimulates the skin's production of youth proteins. Being 21 I don't think this is aimed at me, but I am up for warding off aging and it says it will make my skin cushiony soft- I like! It also mentions that it will help with skin tone and texture. I think I have another of these samples lying around so it will be good to give this a red hot go!

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster (7ml)

Like a vitamin for your face, or so it says on the pack! Promises to help smooth out lines and wrinkles and prevent them appearing in the future, which sounds great for the little lines appearing around my eyes! I know I'm young but I would like to stay looking fresh for as long as possible, so this stuff should be good for me.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant + (2.5ml)

I am a fan of rosehip oil in general, and Trilogy is an excellent brand so this is a welcome addition to the sampler pack. This is certified organic and 100% natural, and great at moisturising deep into the skin, which is a must-have in winter! I will be gifting this little sample to my sister as I have this already, and she is having a bit of trouble with dry skin at the moment, and this should do the trick!

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Prep & Prime (10ml)

This water-based fluid says that it will leave skin plumped and luminous, and refines pores and dissolves cell build up. I like that it had a mattifying effect, and doesn't contain filler ingredients. It notes glycolic acid as a primary ingredient and says that it will improve the overall appearance of my skin. I have a full size of this that Alpha-H gifted me that I am yet to use, so when I do open it this will live at Chris' house with my travel skincare.

Subtle Energies Facial Blend (10ml)
This 'aromatic' facial blend says that it gives a youthful glow by providing rejuvenation, and that it is great for normal to dry skin types. The blend includes the oils of mogra, sandalwood and Indian Rose, which sounds like a very lovely mix! I've not heard of this brand before so am excited to see whether or not this can help my winter dryness.

I think that sampler packs like this are a terrific way of dipping your toe into new products without too much commitment, and I am excited to be able to try out all of these brands.

The exclusive Adore Beauty Serum Sampler retails for $29 AUD and can be purchased here. The pack arrives with a discount code for 10% off of any serum within the pack, so once you have chosen your favourite you can save a bit of cash! Shipping from Adore Beauty is $5.95 AUD.

Have you tried any of these serums?

What do you think of the idea of a serum sampler?

*This serum sampler pack was provided for consideration for review from Adore Beauty, which in no way affects my opinion of the product. Honesty, always.