Sunday Samples #3

Technically, this is still a Sunday sample, because it's before midnight. That's how desperate I am to tell you about one of my favourite samples EVER.

Around my birthday, Sam McCauley's in the town I work in had a relaunch, & so, when you spent a certain amount on Clinique, you get a free gift. One of the free things (I LOVE FREE THINGS) was Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief. Clinique call it a cream/gel that will plump skin with hydration. I have combination skin that's mostly dry, rather than oily, so I always appreciate some extra moisture. Was this good enough?

Well, I've kinda already said it's one of my favourite things, so in a nutshell: yes. It's insanely light on my skin, but my face feels soft & hydrated instantly. Honestly, I don't use it every morning, but if I haven't taken off my make up properly/ used a night cream, or have used a face wash after the gym, this goes straight on. My skin doesn't feel dry or tight until late at night when I've taken my make up back off, before re-moisturising so it definitely lasts! Also, it doesn't irritate my skin at all (While not overly sensitive, it will go bright red very easily.) so I can put it on & leave without make up, or put make up over it.

My sample is 15ml, & it looks like I've barely used any - you only need a small dot onto each area of your face, & you're good to go. A full sized pot contains 50ml, but because it's going to last so long, the €43.50 price tag doesn't seem quite so bad. (I actually really like the sample pot, because it's the perfect size for throwing into a make up bag that comes to the gym with me.) I won't say I'll be repurchasing the second it runs out, but I probably will buy it, & maybe transfer some of the full size container into the sample, because I just love having it in my bag.

This is not something I would have tried out myself, & that is exactly why I love samples & gifts with purchase - So many new things to play with!

What moisturiser are you using?
Chloe x

Sunday Samples #3

I am currently typing up multiple posts to be scheduled on my cousin's laptop to find out that it doesn't even have a hashtag. At least I have nice hair.

Mainly because this week's sample is a hair sample! Bet ya didn't see that one coming. L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil was sent as a sample by Cara Pharmacy with my Dainty Doll products. I'm a fiend for trying to tame my hair, especially the ends which have seen more splits than -insert any celebrity here-. I've lost my tube of Hask Argan Oil from Penneys (serious love for it) so was more than willing to let Loreal ravish my locks. (That may be the weirdest sentence I've ever written.)

 It's actually easy to open which is something I overlook, but yay!

The packaging of the samples in one of those little foil sachets, which isn't too bad because it's an oil, so it's not extremely difficult to squeeze out. Particularly as you don't need a whole lot. The normal packaging is a heavy glass bottle, which doesn't look too shabby. Like any other oil/serums, you can use it on dry hair that's a bit frizzy, or wet hair before styling. I tend to use stuff like this on dry hair, particularly the morning after sleeping on it. 

Top two are before, bottom two are after. 

& yes, bottom right is with flash, just coz it looked nice.

Aaaaaaaaaaand I like it. I believe I have tried this last summer, when I had straightened my hair but it was still 'fluffy'. A bit of this on the ends & it returned to its sleek glory. This time, I used it on my natural hair after sleeping on it (a bit wavy, a bit curly, & one side is a bit straight too. Don't ask.) My hair doesn't normally look like this, because usually when I sleep on it when it's tied in a bun, I keep it up, or style it properly. But the oil made it less kinky (the hair type of kinky. Not the bondage type) & also made me think of how fab-u-lous my hair will be after styling. Whenever I decide to do that again. 

So, I'm thinking about buying this to have at home, & keeping my Penneys oils in college. This oil costs around €14.99 but it's one of those things you'll probably find on offer in Tesco/Boots/Superdrug/somewhere else, because I have also seen it for €8.99 & currently for €7.19 here. It's available for coloured hair, or just the regular one, & you get 100ml for your money. It also contains silicones.

Have you tried this, or do you prefer another hair oil? 
Chloe x

Sunday Samples #2 Benefit Stay Don't Stray

Time for another sample, & my decision on whether or not I'd bother with the full-size! I seem to have amassed a lot of Benefit mini products, from their kits, & one of these products is their eye primer - Stay Don't Stray.

 The packaging is a mini of the full size.

I've never been too bothered about eye primers because I only remember it after I already have my eyeshadow started.. But I do have oily eyelids & I have to keep my eyes shut for a good minute after doing eyeliner, or it'll smudge & transfer. (That's a lie. This only happens on my left eye. Owner of uneven eyes, right here.)

My lovely uneven eyelids, covered in a layer of Stay Don't Stray.

So seeing as I don't have that much experience, I also don't have very high standards. But boo-hoo, Stay Don't Stray didn't even fully live up to them. It was a nice nude colour & the eyeshadow did apply evenly, looking more pigmented than usual. But throughout the day, my eyeliner transferred a bit & ended up creasing on my eyelids. It was less noticeable than without a primer, but not amaaaaaazing.

My eyes looked grand at first glance

But on closer inspection, eyeshadow has worn off & eyeliner has creased in the little laughter lines on my lids..

So: I probably won't rebuy it. I'll use this one, especially for nights out, to help with application & pigmentation but I don't think it'll last all day so not really a daily thing. It does make me want to try new primers!

A full-size tube is €28.50 for 10ml, & my mini one is 2.5ml.

What eye primer do you use?
Chloe x


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Sunday Samples!

So, a new series of posts. Sunday Samples pretty much involves me trying out a sample size product, reviewing it & deciding whether I'd buy the full size!

First up, Clinique High Impact Mascara. I got a 1.99g sample size of this in Glamour magazine (costs €3.01). A full size is 8g & is €19.50 in Debenhams. So if you love this, it's cheaper to buy a few samples if they're in a magazine!

Standard packaging & bristle brush

The sample packaging is just a mini size of the full-size, & it's just a dark green, sparkly tube with silver writing. The writing has started to wear off a little bit, but it doesn't bother me!

Bare lashes - One coat - Two coats

Clinique say that this mascara is to add volume to lashes & it definitely succeeds! There's not much improvement in length, but it gives an instant bit of volume without clumps! It also lasts all day and while it's not waterproof, it doesn't run easily. One thing I find it works well for is blending eyelashes with your fake eyelashes, if you use them.

No mascara compared to two coats

Would I buy it again? Not anytime soon, because I have so many mascaras to get through, but I will definitely consider it. Especially for going out, I've used High Impact with a lengthening mascara on the tips & I love the effect!

Have you tried High Impact?

Chloe x