Sampling Products and What I think

Like I stated previously, I have been going through several samples and less used products, in an attempt to use up some items that I rarely/never touch, and as opposed to purchasing any new items. I wanted to do an overview of some items, and what I think of them.

Benefit Stay Don' Stray

I had this as a mini-sample from a set at Sephora. I think that this is a great eye primer. Its a light peachy color that blends into my skin instantly. I don't have a lot of discoloration from veins, etc on my eyelids, therefore this light eye primer works great. I found that this kept my eyeshadows on really well. I really like this product, but I am currently using a Tarte primer that I enjoy a bit more, that I got for a great deal.

Cargo LashActivator

This is a higher end mascara with a plastic wand. This mascara is supposed to be good for your lashes, and "activate" them. I didn't notice anything about that. If anything I felt that this mascara was extremely drying and actually made my lashes almost brittle feeling, and I went for several weeks without wearing mascara to try to restore them. I would definitely not recommend this mascara.

ELF Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter

This is a two-in-one product, with a white pink-tinged highlighter on one end and a creamy concealer on the other end. This product was $3, and I would say that it is well worth it. The concealer has good pigmentation and does a great job covering undereye circles, although I still prefer my Benefit Erase Paste and Tarte Maracuja Concealer. What I really like this product for is touchups, nice to carry in my makeup bag for efficiency and space-saving. There is one thing to point out, the highlighter has small pink glitter particles in it, and I don't really like adding actual glitter to my face look, but this is almost hidden. I think for the money, this is a good product. 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara

I had this as a sample from gift with purchase. I am not a huge fan of Estee Lauder mascaras. I find that they tend to irritate my eyes. This one didn't cause any immediate concerns, however, as the formula dried out, I started to get flaking and had to toss this sample. Overall I did find it to be a good mascara, but I think that I will not be purchasing a full-size of this.

Kiehl's Abyssine Cream+

I really liked this sample. I believe I got it with a Birchbox, but I can't recall for sure. I used it while on vacation, as it was a nice little travel friendly size, and I like the products that I use on a daily basis for moisturizer. But I think when I do run out, this one may be a contender for repurchase. It was a nice thick white cream moisturizer. When I say thick, I don't mean that it felt thick on my face though, and that is really important. This moisturizer melted into my skin and felt fantastic. I have combination skin, but have noticed some increased dryness in the last year or so, and I really enjoyed the way that this made my skin feel. From what I remember, the smell was not extremely strong, or at least it didn't bother me, but didn't seem perfumed either. I scraped every last bit out of the jar, and didn't think to write anything down about the scent. I do recommend this product. The sample was 0.25 fl oz, and a full size is 1.69 fl oz for $48, so this seems appropriate for a department store brand moisturizer, I usually purchase Estee Lauder Day Wear. 

Korres Antiageing Primer

I purchased this with the Korres Vitamin E Face Primer from Sephora for I believe $12. The samples were each 0.34 fl oz, which is a third of a full-size (1.01 fl oz), and a full-size is $33. Therefore, I thought it was a great way to get to try the new anti-ageing primer, as I already have purchased and used the Vitamin E Face Primer several times. I try to avoid silicone based primers, which is what lead me to the Korres line primers to begin with. I must say that I enjoyed the anti-ageing primer more than the original vitamin e primer. I think that when I run out of my full-size Korres vitamin e primer and various samples that I will likely purchase the anti-ageing primer. There is a light lemon-y/natural scent to this primer. I would recommend this primer if you are adverse to silicone based primers.

Korres Face Primer, Vitamin E

I have a full-size of this, and it was a tried and true product for me, although I have found a different non-silicone based primer that I like better at this point. This is a lightweight primer that helps to maintain a fresh face. I like the light scent to this product. I had this deluxe sample as part of a package I purchased from Sephora for $12, the full-size which is 1.01 fl oz and retails for $28. I do like the way that this primer works, but I have found that I like the anti-ageing primer a little bit better.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

If there is one high end mascara that I perpetually find myself drawn to, and that I will spend the money on, its this one. The full-size is $26. I have purchased this mascara several times, but I tend to purchase it around "special" occasions, i.e. anniversary, holidays, weddings. I like to get as much bang for my buck as possible, and since this mascara usually ends up getting tossed around month four, I try to buy it at a time when I know I will get to use it as much as possible for special events. I love wearing this mascara whenever I know I am going to be taking pictures, this mascara makes my eyelashes look fantastic. Its both lengthening and volumizing and never gives that spider lash effect. The bristles are natural fiber and are shorter in the middle than on either end. I would definitely recommend this mascara if you are looking to splurge.

Laura Mercier Full Blown Mascara

I got this as a sample with my points at Sephora. Its got a natural fiber bristled brush that is long but about medium thickness. The bristles are essentially all even the length of the brush. I really liked this mascara, but not sure that I can bring myself to purchase a full-size, I find it really hard to purchase full-size high end mascara, its one thing that I don't like to spend too much on because it only lasts for such a short time. I think that this mascara gave good volume and still kept the look very natural.

L'Oreal Voluminous Million

This is a great drugstore mascara. It has a plastic large wand. I enjoyed the look that this gave my lashes. I have decent length and volume to my lashes naturally, but they are light and without mascara you wouldn't know I had much to my lashes. I have already repurchased this mascara, although it is currently sitting unopened, as I am planning on only having two open mascaras at a time. Mascara has a short life, and should be disposed of after 3-6 months of opening the product. I tend to err on the side every three months, but it depends on the formula. I would recommend this mascara to anyone who wants to amp up their lashes, in both volume and length.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup

This is a foundation that I really enjoy. Its light weight and I really like it for days that I am not needing a lot of coverage, just neutralizing color. It neutralizes redness on my face, and my face still feels like I don't have anything on it. I used to wear this everyday, however, I have started to wear a slightly higher coverage foundation in the last year or so, but I still have a backup of this one always available. I would recommend for someone who doesn't need a lot of coverage or who is looking for a lighter weight foundation. It definitely has more coverage than a tinted moisturizer.

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

This was a sample, and though I really enjoyed it, I don't think I could bring myself to spend $30 for the fullsize of this. This is a natural fiber brush and there is nothing special about it. I don't think that there is anything really special about this mascara. I would pass on a rebuy.


I have really enjoyed a lot of these products, even if I don't think I will be repurchasing most of them. I would say the winners that I will consider or that I have repurchased are:

- Kiehl's Abyssine Cream+ 

- Korres Antiageing Primer
- Lancome Hypnose Mascara
- L'Oreal Voluminous Million *(already repurchased)
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup *(already repurchased)