Sample Killah Week 4 Update

Well here we are, at week four!  I will have a mini post on the 31st for the last few days of products.  I think the moving forward I will select 10 or 20 samples to use up per month to help keep my stash small.  It has been really enjoyable to discover new products hiding in my drawers disguised as single use junk packs.

By now you know the drill.  I am participating in Kalyn Lord's Sample Killah using up as many samples of any size as I can.

Let's take a look at what I managed to use up this week!

For My Hair

Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Restoring Repair Shampoo - No Buy

Nothing really to report on this shampoo.  Nothing wrong with it, but I didn't love anything either.  I can't wait to get back to my usual shampoo!

Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Restoring Repair Conditioner - No Buy

Perfectly adequate.  I don't have much to report on.  It...conditioned?

The Body Shop Olive Body Wash - No Buy

I was dreading using this because I am not exactly a fan of olives.  In any context.  However this smell was much more gentle than expected.  Still prefer their honey scent!

Ahava Mineral Botanic Body Wash - Buy When I Run Out 

Oh.  My.  Gosh.  This was amazing.  I am a huge fan of Ahava, and have been since I was in Israel visiting the Dead Sea.  Their products are so good for you!  This was no exception.  It had a beautiful, soft, gentle floral scent and lathered up like a dream.

Pantene Curly Shampoo - No Buy

It made my hair slightly more curly?  Noting exciting to report.

Pantene Curly Conditioner - No Buy

Again, this was fine.  I miss my Marc Anthony shampoo and conditioner.  I can't wait to wash my hair on August 1!

Pantene Medium-Thick Shampoo - No Buy

You guessed it!  This was fine.  It did the job.  It didn't suck.

Fekkai Reparatives Argan Oil Shampoo - Buy When I Run Out

It was SUCH a treat to use something with Argan oil in it again!  I love love love this formula but it is so expensive.  I will pick up a bottle as a hair treat one day...until then I will cherish my bottle of conditioner.

Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Shampoo - No Buy

Other than the Fekkai shampoo this was my favourite.  I would buy it if I didn't already have such a great hair product combo going for me.  It irked me that the shampoo was larger than the conditioner though.

Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Conditioner - No Buy

See above.  Loved it, but I love my usual even more.

Keeping Me Soft

St. Tropez Everyday Body Moisturizer Gradual Tan - No Buy

Over all this is a solid product.  However I found it made me streaky and that this was too dark for my complexion.  Guess I will be staying pale!

Nivea Skin Conditioner - Purchase

I really enjoyed this!  I loved how soft it made my body.  I would consider buying this if I saw it on sale or with a points promo.  Not a necessity, but really, really nice.

L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream - No Buy

Great product.  But I have enough body butter for my entire family to use daily for the next thousand years.

Random Little Goodies

Bite Whipped Cherry Scrub- No Buy

I love with the smell.  Buuuuut, there's always a but, the scrubbing part just was a huge meh.  I didn't find it exfoliated at all.  I'll stick (sadly) to my Lush scrub.  I wanted so so so badly to love this.

Flower By Kenzo- No Buy

It smelled nice, but I have 100000 other perfumes on my list that I would rather have.  And one lucky perfume will be coming home with me from the Sephora points promotion.

Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat - Re-Purchased

Great topcoat.  I love the gel look it gives my nails.  I actually have two more on stock pile. I prefer Julep's new top coat, but this one is still a rockstar!

La Petite Robe Noire - Purchased

I seriously have the best boyfriend in the world.  He picked me up the full size one last month.  It looks so pretty on my vanity, I don't want to ruin it.  The full size, of course, atomizes much better than the sample.  I wish I could bathe in this rich, spicy, sexy perfume.

Ojon Hair Oil - Purchased

Bar none, the best hair oil I have ever used.  It smells delicious, and works like a dream.  It manages to tame my stands, protect them, keep them shiny, and not weigh them down.

For My Pretty Face

Shu Umera Cleansing Oil in Brightening - No Buy

This is a fantastic product.  But so is Julep's Bare Face which retails for 2/3 the price.

Ole Henriksen Youth Activating Oil - Re-Purchased

This is a cornerstone to my night time skincare routine.  My face has never been brighter, softer, smoother, or generally happier.  I highly recommend this.

Nivea Mattifying Moisturizer - No Buy

Eh.

Nivea Mattifying Scrub - No Buy

Move along, nothing to see here.

Glam Glow Under Eye Treatment - Buy One Day

Ugh.  SUCH a fantastic product.  Such a painful price ($76).  I want it so badly.  Seriously, it actually fights bags and under eye fatigue.  To stretch out your use of the product use one half of the pod for both eyes.  I might *might* pick this up during the points promo.  Maybe if I win Sample Killah?

Clarins Super Restorative Day - No Buy

Nothing special to report.  It did the job, but there are other products I would recommend first.

Bioderma Cleansing Water - Purchased In Bulk

I totally fell in love with this product with first use.  Now I have a whole entire stock pile.  Two normal sized bottles and a massive bottle.  Oops?  It takes of make-up like a dream.  

Ahava Clear Scrub - Buy One Day

I'm not surprised that I love this product.  I wouldn't mind picking it up to use twice a week.  It is stronger than my daily scrub.  I know its for sale at The Bay.  Maybe in the fall!

Make-up

Benefit PoreFessional- No Buy

I've reviewed this before.  Perfectly fine but I prefer my Hourglass primer.

NARS Orgasm Illuminator- No Buy

Love the colour, but I think the formula can be finicky.  I am going to buy the standard powder blush in Orgasm though.  Super flattering shade!

NARS Super Orgasm Illuminator- No Buy

Same opinions as above, however I find the gold flecks a bit much.  This would be great for a night out, but I don't go out much.  

NARS Copacabana Illuminator - Buy One Day

I own something similar by NARS called Hot Sand (limited edition colour).  This would be a great winter shade.  I love this formula for highlighting.  I will probably pick this up in the winter.

Make Up Forever HD Primer (Original)- No Buy

I like it, but I don't love it.  

Face Shop CC Cream- No Buy

This colour was way off on me!  I swatched it and promptly kept it far far away from my face.

Make Up Forever Pressed Powder - Buy One Day

I really enjoyed using this sample.  I have two of the loose powder minis from this brand to use before I can, in good faith, consider buying this product.

Dior C-Total Base - Buy One Day

One day when I have lots of money I am going to buy this.  However it is really expensive, and that day is not today.  This does a great job though.  Love the finish it creates when used as a primer.  Very...velvety? Matte but radiant? 

Dior Hydralife BB Cream- No Buy

I like this, but I prefer Dior's Nudeskin BB Cream. They Hydralife BB Cream just doesn't come in the right colour for me.

NARS Face Primer- No Buy

This product is perfectly fine, but I already have a favourite.

YSL Gloss Volpé Trio - Purchase

LOVE the unique non-doe foot applicator.  Its more so kiss shaped.  I love the pink (19) and magenta (49) shades of this lip gloss, and have them in my buying plan for when I use my 95,000 points at Murale.

Bioderma Moisturizer - No Buy

Oops.  Wrong section.  I used this on my feet and didn't notice much of a difference. 

Goal - 25

Achievement - 38

Total Samples - 140

Three days to go and I have surpassed my goal by 40 samples.  Let's see if I can use up 10 more by the 31st!  For me the gem of this week was the YSL glosses.  Seriously cannot wait to add those to my (slightly oversized) collection. 

How has sample using been going for you this week?

Benefit: New Sephora 500 Point Gift

As proof that when bored I often peruse the Sephora website, I present to you, their newest 500 point gift:

Is this gift worth it?  Generally I would say yes.  It is a great brand with a good selection of products.  As much as I want some of the gift, I don't think I will order it because I have two mini unused bronzers, and a large bronzer I have barely touched.  I also already have two minis of the Watt's Up! highlighter.  That being said I would love to get my hands on a mini of Lollitint.  Benefit They're Real mascara is another favourite of mine.  Their primer is just okay.

Verdict:  I want it, but the value isn't there for me and my needs.  Plus, rumour has it that in August there will be a Hourglass 500 point gift.  I will be saving my hard earned points!

 *fingerscrossedthatitincludesoneoftheirpowders*

Sample Killah Week 3 Update

So if you have been following my blog at all you will have noticed that I have been participating in Kalyn Lord's Sample Killah!  Basically the the goal is to use up as many samples as possible during the month of July.

My goal is to use up 100 samples.  As of the end of my week two update I have used 73.  This week was a bit slower for me-- I was super busy and ended up slacking on my use of sample shampoo and conditioner!  I also made large dents into a few deluxe sized samples which I will be talking about next week during my final update!

A little less than previous weeks, but not too bad!  It is getting stressful trying to get through these minis!  But I have enjoyed falling in love with new products.

Hair

The Body Shop Moisture Shampoo x 2 - No Buy

This shampoo is probably good, but the samples were so small that two did not cover my hair!  I ended up adding some of my regular shampoo to substitute.  Smelled good!  Very tropical.  

The Body Shop Moisture Conditioner x 2 - No Buy

Same issue as the shampoo.

Alterna Moisture Shampoo x 2 - No Buy

Long hair problems!  Same issue as with the Body Shop.  This smelled strongly of Argan Oil.  Which makes sense.  I really enjoyed this sample but I can't justify such small and expensive bottles with my hair.  They have a great 500 point sample kit with the shampoo, conditioner, hair milk and hair cc cream at Sephora but I would go through the shampoo and conditioner so fast!

Alterna Moisture Conditioner x 2 - No Buy

Same comments as above.  The lady really gave me 1.5 samples which didn't even cover my ends!

LUSH Marilyn Hair Treatment - No Buy

This was nice, but I prefer the Jasmine and Henna hair treatment.  Given their price I can really only pick one.  I did find it brightened my blonde.  Maaaaybe I will just grab samples every time I buy the other one.  I just used this sample on my bangs/top of my hair.  

LUSH Jasmine and Henna Fluff Eaze - Already bought!

Love this product!  Stay tuned for a full review.

LUSH Retread Conditioner - No Buy

A find conditioner, but nothing special.

Ojon Deep Conditioner - Buy

Ugh, I love this stupidly expensive conditioner.  I only use it on my ends though!  It will be mine one day, once I get through some of my stash.

Face

Olay Wet Cleansing Cloth - No Buy

These were my go-to before eI discovered the Quo wipes which I find more gentle on my skin.

Kiehls Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream - No Buy

I prefer an all over oil for my night time skin routine.

Julep Luxe Repair - Already bought!

Wow. This blew my expectations out of the water!  I ended up adding on the Luxe Repair Serum and the Luxe Hand Repair to my August Maven Box for $14.99  Great deal, and I just can't wait to include this serum in my skin care routine.  

GlamGlow Thirsty Mud Hydrating Treatment - Buy

LOVE this.  I have reviewed it before, but I can't get over the coconut smell.  It is a bit expensive, so I want to wait until I know where I am working this fall when I go back to school.

Clarins HydraQuench Cream Mask - Already own!

I bought this mask last year after trying it at Sephora.  Then I got a whole bunch of samples of it from Shoppers the other week and I rediscovered it.  Needless to say that I will be suing up the rest of my full sized version.  You simply apply a thick cream for 10 minutes and then wipe it off.  It makes my skin super soft!

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream - No Buy

I have always wanted to love this product.  I have tried a sample this size twice, and both times as good as it smells I can't get over how heavy?  thick? it feels.  I just don't like it.  To get through it faster I ended up using it on my neck.

Other

DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel - No Buy

This really made my hair feel dry and crunchy.  Not a fan!  I would love to find the right version of a product like this though.  I would love to be able to diffuse my hair with a gel/cream.

Aveno Daily Moisturizing Lotion - No Buy

This is a perfectly fine lotion.  Its my baseline.  My mom loves the brand and this stuff is all over our house.  I literally will never have to buy it because it is always available.  Never my first choice, but never my last.

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter - No Buy

This smell was nice, but a bit strong.  I liked that it was a tube rather than a tub as I find it more hygienic.  Pacifica makes some neat products.  Not sure where to find it in store.  Just not in love!

Make Up

Smashbox Full Exposure - No Buy
Eyeshadow on a card is hard to use!  Getting it on the brush?  Applying it evenly?  Ugh.  Anyways I am not in love with this product but it may be the format I use it in.  Either way I own every Naked palette so right now I don't need another neutral palette.  I might buy this in January to start building up my Rouge status again in the new year.

Urban Decay YDK - No Buy
Frustrating to use, see above.  I like this colour, but I am 99% sure it is either in one of the Naked palettes, or I have a dupe.  Love the colour though!

Urban Decay Foxy - No Buy
Not my favourite colour, but it is useful in creating a smoky eye.  This colour can be found in the Naked Basics palette.

Dior Pore Minimizer Primer - No Buy
This primer is fine, but I prefer the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer and the Dior Radiance? Glowing? Primer.  Haha the other one.

Becca Poreless Primer - No Buy
See above.  I find this one hard to apply.

Make Up Forever HD Powder - Maybe Buy
The trick I learned with this is you apply your moisturizer/primer first, and THEN the powder, and THEN your liquid foundation.  It creates a velvet finish that really stays all day.  I am intrigued, but not sure if I need this one since I have a two mini loose powders.

Marc Jacobs Mascara - No Buy
Great mascara when it comes to length.  But it is a flaky jerk to remove.  Not worth it!  I prefer Make Up Forever Smoky Eye Mascara, Diorshow, and Benefit They're Real!

Clinique High Impact Mascara - No Buy
When I think "Clinique" I think skin care, not make up.  They have been improving their make-up game lately.  This mascara strikes me as their "standard mascara".  It lengthens, and add volume and curl with out doing too much of either.  I actually even got a compliment on my mascara wearing this!  This is a great day mascara.  However I have 4 full sized, unopened Smashbox mascaras that achieve a similar look.  I wouldn't complain if I got another sample of this though!

So there we go.  I liked that there weren't as many mini reviews to write this week.  Also, I reached 100 samples! Best product of the week?  Probably the Make Up Forever Powder.  

Goal - 25

Achievement - 29

Net Samples +4

Total Samples - 102

Mission accomplished! But I will still keep going for the last week.

"Sample Killah" Week 2 Update

Alright, I am already exhausted thinking about writing mini reviews for every single sample I used this week.  Also-- using samples instead of my regular full sized products is hard!  As fun as this is I am looking forward to going back to my Dior foundation.  I have found most of my foundation samples are just too yellow.  Dior Nudeskin 010 is by dar the best foundation I have ever used.  This month long endeavour has only confirmed this.

This is my second update for Kalyn Lord's Sample Killah.  Click here to see my Week 1 update.

So many samples...gone!

Gone, gone, gone.  I'm so proud of me!

Stuff To Use in the Shower

The Body Shop Honeymania Body Scrub - Re-Buy
I love this scrub.  Well, really I love this whole line from The Body Shop.  It smells very sweet and floral.  What I like the most about this scrub in particular is how fine the scrub is, and how it almost warms on contact.  It leaves my legs feeling silky.  And the smell it fills my shower with? Divine.

Bain de Terre White Clover Balancing Conditioner- No Buy
Ehhhhhh not much to say about this.  This conditioner is more milk-like.  I prefer it to be more of a heavy cream.  That aside, this conditioner did the job.  It was quite slippery, and coated my hair well.  Just, not my favourite.  I think this was a hotel sample?

Klorane Shampoo with Flax Fiber x 2 - No Buy
Again, nothing special.  It smelled good.  I really only needed 1.5 to cover my hair, but in the name of getting through samples I used both at once.  I liked that this sample size was generous.  I found it made my hair a bit frizzy.

Fekkai PrX Reparatives Argan Extract Shampoo - Buy
I lalalalalalalalaaaaaave this shampoo but at $28 a bottle it is juuuuust a bit more than what I want to spend.  I love how silky and thick it is.  And the Argan oil makes my hair silky smooth and soft.

Fekkai PrX Reparatives Argan Extract Conditioner - Re-Buy
I have the full sized conditioner because I had a Shoppers Optimum bonus point coupon.  In love with this line.

Ojon Deep Conditioner x 2- Buy
I love using this deep conditioner on my ends.  I find it helps repair and protect my ends.  And with hair as long as mine, that's important.  As much as my short hair friends spend on haircuts, I probably spend on deep conditioning treatments.  However, this bottle is too small and too expensive to justify putting all over my hair.  I would love to own this, but if I do it will be a treat for my ends only.

Living Poof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo x 2 - Maybe Buy
I love how soft my hair felt using this shampoo and conditioner.  However, the bottles are too small and too expensive for it to make sense for my hair.  I would be going through a bottle of each a week! A girl can dream though.

Living Poof Perfect Hair Day Conditioner x 2 - Maybe Buy
See above.

LUSH Jasmine Henna Fluff Eaze - Bought
This is a pre-shampoo treatment.  I sampled it to help repair my split ends, and bought it because it works.  I caution true blondes, as I found it brought out some of the red in my hair (not that I complained!).  It made my hair shiny and strong.  I noticed a difference after one use.  Love!

Body Butters and Lotions

L'Occitane Jasmine Passion Ultra Rich Body Cream - No Buy
This was thick and nourishing, however I have so so so so many body butters and lotions that I can not justify buying anymore for probably the rest of my life.  It smelled summery, but I don't need it.

L'Occitane Amande Milk Concentrate - No Buy
No more body creams!  This smells wonderful.  I love their almond scent.  But its expensive, and I just made another BaubleBar order, and I don't need any more body creams.

L'Occitane Verbena Body Ice Gel - No Buy
Oops.  I used this as a body wash.  Can't tell you if it does its job.  It is a pretty crappy body wash.  Which makes sense because it isn't a body wash.

Sephora Super Supreme Body Butter x 4 - No Buy
I reviewed this last week.  Basically it is perfectly fine and gets the job done, but I have waaaay too many body butters to justify buying another one for the next decade.

DERMAdoctor KP duty lotion - No Buy
This is supposed to fix dry skin and chicken skin bumps (Keratisos Pilaris).  I don't really suffer from either of those.  But I slathered some on every day until it was gone.  What a useless sample from my latest Luxebox.

Urban Decay Naked Skin - Buy
Ahh I love this!  It is a champange-bronze shimmery lotion.  It adds a subtly bronze look while moisturizing and smelling wonderful.  It adds a touch of summer.  This is so unlike any other body butter or lotion I own.  Completely non-streaky.  This is on my list!

For My Face

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream x 2 - No Buy
The package said to sue from head to toe...so I used it as a foot cream.  Not the best foot cream, but it was fine.

Benefit Its Potent Brightening Eye Cream - No Buy
Am I the only one who doesn't notice any change with eye creams?

Eslor Smoothing Cream - No Buy
Eeeeeeeeeeeh another face cream!  This was thicker than I enjoy.  I can't wait to go back to my usual!

Eslor Comforting Mask - No Buy
This was french clay green, but without any of the usual properties of a clay mask.  I found this did a great job at "comforting" my skin, but I prefer the Glam Glow blue mask. (Not photographed because the sample was hiding.  It is featured in the first photo.)

Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum - No Buy
I literally did not notice any effects of this serum. It was a good stand in for a moisturizer.  

Fresh Soy Face Exfoliant - No Buy
This had a gross natural smell.  Also a weird natural sandy texture.  No thank you.

Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel - No Buy
This was fine.  I liked how foamy it got, and it had a pleasant smell.  But I love my usual more.

Radial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Night Cream - No Buy
Smells wonderful, but I don't like it enough to change up my usual routine.

Biotherm Biosource Toning Mousse - No Buy
I'm just not a fan of this brand.  I feel like if Shoppers is constantly pawning off samples of their stuff off to me that they must be desperate.  I totally used this sample wrong.  Oh well!

Nars Makeup Removing Water - No Buy
This stuff is fantastic!  And expensive!  So, moooooving on I think I will stick with my Julep oil.  But in a dream world?  I would own a pool filled with this stuff.

Glamglow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment - Buy if I ever run out of samples
This stuff really does tingle!  But ti seriously cleared up my skin.  It is a clay mask, so it dries and then your face is frozen.  I loved being able to see what it was able to draw out of my pores.  I have a deluxe sample of this too, but its on my shopping list!

Avène Eau Thermae Gentle Purifying Scrub - No Buy
Not a fan of the tiny little beads in this scrub.  I ended up using it for my body because I couldn't put up with this on my face.  Ole Hendriksen Walnut Scrub continues to win.

Eve Lom Cleanser - No Buy
"Probably the best cleanser in the world" - Vouge
Personally I disagree.  It smells awful.  Sort of citrus.  Sort of rancid.  Entirely gross.  I also used it completely wrong.  Sorry, but I don't want an instruction list for how to use a face wash.  The face wash I use is simple.  Put some in my konjac sponge, and GO.

Quo Make Up Remover Wipes - Re-Buy
Right now these are my go-to wipes.  They do a great job of getting my makeup off!

Make Up

Illamasqua Foundation #4.5 - No Buy
Full coverage formula, but this shade was waaaaay too yellow for me.

bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer - No Buy
This smells like bananas!  Its bright yellow, and is probably good for colour correcting.  I didn't love it, and I couldn't get over the smell.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer - Buy if I ever run out
This is my golden standard for eyeshadow primer.  I have a full sized one.  I can't wait to pick it up in Sin as well.  

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - Buy if I ever run out of samples
Also a golden standard, but for my face.  I have so so so so so many samples of this product its not even funny. I also alternate between the Hourglass primer and the Dior primer.

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer - Buy if I ever run out of samples
I have a few samples of this too.  But I can't figure out the benefit of using this product.  What does this do that my normal primer doesn't?  

Lancôme Hypnotic Drama Mascara in Excessive Black - Buy if I ever run out of samples
I can't remember the last time I bought a mascara.  I have been mowing through my deluxe samples of mascara like no tomorrow for the last few months!  I enjoyed this mascara because it really built up volume.  I don't know when I will be buying mascara again, but I do have another 8 mascara samples to go, including another sample of this.

Buxom Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation - No Buy
Good formula, but too yellow for me.  Seriously, I have the palest skin with more neutral to pink undertones.  Many "light" foundations are too yellow on me and are not a good match for my neck.  So far Dior has been the best match I have ever found.

Becca Radient Skin Foundation Sample - No Buy
This sample came with 6 colours.  The first one was a decent match, so was the second.  But without even trying I can tell you that the next 4 will get progressively too yellow for me.

Benefit POREfessional Primer x2 - No Buy
This is a solid primer that I really, really like.  It is beige in colour and has a texture similar to the iconic Smashbox primer (silicone base) However I don't find it minimizes my pores.  Also, I have several samples of this primer, and two other full full-sized primers before I can even consider buying another one.

Make Up Forever HD Primer - No Buy 
Another solid primer, more similar in texture and feel to the mineral-based Hourglass primer.  Buuuuuut I have a whole bunch of primer to get through before I can even think about buying another one.

Face Shop Power Perfection BB Cream in Natural Ochre x 2 - No Buy
So I reviewed this last week and fell in love!  I thought I had two more to go...only to find when I opened them that they were a deep brown!  I was totally disappointed because this wouldn't match me at all.  Straight to the trash :( I still want this BB cream though!

Other

Lady Speed Stick Antiperspirant - Re-Buy 
This is the women's option at Costco.  It gets the job done, and is a great price!

Baléa Warming Foot Balm - Re-Buy 
I've reviewed this before, but I enjoy this.  A great little treat after a long day.

The Face Shop Paraffin Nutrition Nail Pack - Re-Buy 
$2.  Seriously.  $2.  I like using a nail mask once a week.  I have found in general it helps prevent hangnails.

Julep Foot Mask - Re-Buy 
Another wonderful treat after a long day.  This mask looks silly, but I love how nice it makes my feet feel.

Givenchy Very Irrésistible L'eau en Rose Eau du Toilette - No Buy
What a neat little sample!  This smells great, but I can't justify buying another perfume for quite a while.

Bliss Ingrown Eliminating Pads - Re-Buy
These things are seriously fantastic.  No in-grown hairs for me!  

Favourite New Sample: Glamglow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment

Goal - 25

Achievement - 55

Net Samples +39

Total Samples - 73

27 samples, 15 days to go!

I think I've got this.  My goal for the month is 100 samples.  15 days to get through 28 more samples?  I'll pass my goal in no time!

"Sample Killah'" Week 1 Update

This week has been a lot of fun participating in Kalyn Lord's Sample Killah!  It has been a challenge to reject my usual favourites in full sized packaging for piles of foil packets, but its been interesting!  So far I have found one new love that I am planing to buy at the end of the month.  To make Sample Killah's even harder I have decided that I am going to do "No Buy July".

I kept my samples in an old Sephora 500 point gift box.  Every time I was done with one I just put it in there because a) I did not want them to end up in the garbage (yet!) and b)I was looking forward to tracking my progress.

So here is an overview of what I was able to finish:

Keep in mind that it is near impossible to actually provide a thoughtful review on each product given how small the samples are.  I have given an overview and my impressions.  But I can't tell you how great/not great a shampoo is if I hardly get one use of it.  With that in mind...drum roll please!

Stuff That Goes On My Face

BB Creams and Powders and Primers

Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder - No Buy
This was such a small sample!  I didn't notice much of a difference other than it made my foundation look dull.  I love my Halo Powder and won't be switching.

Gurelain Super Aqua Serum BB Cream - No Buy
This was good.  Nothing special.  Not my favourite BB cream.  I prefer my go to Smashbox BB Cream or the new BB Cream from The Face Shop that I have been trying!

Face Shop Power Perfection BB Cream In Natural Beige x 4 - BUY
LOVE.  Love.  Love.  I had such low expectations for this product, which in retrospect is crazy because Korea is known for its BB Creams!  This made my skin so smooth and glowy! I can't wait to pick this up on August 1st.  Having a BB Cream is great for low-make up days (my version of a "no makeup day") and this one just makes me feel so pretty!

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - Buy if I ever run out of samples
Look, this stuff is the golden standard of primers.  I have tried a fair number and while it is not the best at everything it is the best all round face primer I have tried to date.  I also have piles of deluxe sized samples of this stuff.  One day, in the far off future, if I get through all of my samples I would love to buy this stuff.  It makes my foundation apply effortlessly and makes my skin so soft.

Coloured Cosmetics

Lip stick and eyeshadows and all those fun things

Lancome Rouge in Love Lip Stick - Maybe Buy

This product was nice.  The format was hard to use though because the colours dried out before I could use them a few times.  I own a few Lancome lipsticks and am sure I will come to own another. The coral shade was my favourite.

Hand and Body Creams and Butters

Tokyomilk Everything and Nothing Hand Cream - No Buy
Who on earth buys expensive hand cream? This smelled nice but made my hands no nicer than any other cream I have used.

Soap and Glory Look Better Naked Body Butter - No Buy
This was nice.  Nothing special.  It smelled clean, and made my legs soft.  I am not opposed to owning this, but my cream and lotion collection is painfully large.

Sephora Supreme Body Butter - No Buy
This was nice.  Nothing special.  It smelled clean, and made my legs soft.  I am not opposed to owning this, but my cream and lotion collection is painfully large.

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter - No Buy

This was average so far as The Body Shop Body Butters go.  Not my favourite scent.  When I eventually need another one I will be going with the Honey scent.

Clarins Paris Body Lift Cellulite Control - No Buy

Not too sure how I ended up with this sample.  It doesn't really fill a need for me, and its expensive.  For those reasons alone I won't be buying it.  When I tried it it made my legs warm and tingly though!

Things to Use in The Bath or Shower

Lush Sexbomb Bath Bomb - Re-Buy
It smelled so sexy, and made my skin so silky and soft.  Next time I need a pick-me-up I will be picking this up!

Nexxus Color Assure Sulfate-Free System - No Buy
Shampoo, Conditioner, Primer

Ughghghghg I have super long hair and these tiny samples were no where near enough!  I'm still frustrated that Luxe Box put this in my box as a "deluxe sample".  I didn't get the chance to really try this product as I needed to add more of my standard shampoo to supplement it.  For the price point that they sell at I can't say I am too interested.  Also, this is for coloured hair.  I have never ever ever dyed my hair.  The Shampoo was passable.  The conditioner was moderately more useful.  As for the primer?  I enjoyed that.

Marc Anthony Repairing Macadamia Oil Conditioning Treatment - Re-Buy

This is a favourite of mine that I tend to use every week or two.  I love how soft it makes my hair.

Vitabath Body Wash Grapefruit and Vanilla x 2 - No Buy

First off, this body wash smells like fake plastic strawberries.  Gross.  Second, my body wash stock pile is embarrassingly large, so I will not be needing to get this. And even if I needed it, it smells gross.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo x 2 - No Buy
These samples were tiny!  It took two sample packs to actually do a half decent job.  It smells like summer ocean breeze and I really enjoyed that.  However the bottles are tiny and I would get, at best, 10 uses for about $30.  I buy jumbo things of shampoo and conditioner from Costco and that lasts months.  

Bumble and Bumble Surf Foam Wash Conditioner x 2 - No Buy
See above.  Only worse.  I go through conditioner like it is nobody's business.  Those little bottles wouldn't hold up to my crazy amounts of thick wavy hair.

Things that Wash My Face

Yes-- I am counting free Sephora samples.  I have waaaaaaay too many of those!

Eslor Soothing Refiner and Cleanser - No Buy

Still annoyed that this was counted as a "deluxe sample" in my Luxe Box.  It was nice. Nothing special.

Eslor Replenishing Scrub - No Buy

Still annoyed that this was counted as a "deluxe sample" in my Luxe Box.  It was nice. Nothing special. I liked the smell (likely walnuts).  It was a warming scrub which was neat.

Shu Uemura High Performance Cleansing Oil - No Buy

Look, and Shu Uemura oil is fantastic.  It really is.  But given the price it is hard to justify.  Also, given that Julep's Bare Face Oil seems to always be on sale, and does just as great of a job, I just can't justify the purchase.  I would love to own one of these oils, but I can't justify it when Julep's oil is just as good, and waaaaay less than half of the price.

Shu Uemura Ultim8 Cleansing Oil - No Buy

See above.  Also, I literally could not tell the difference between the two.  It did a great job, but so does Julep for a fraction of the price.  

Face Masks

Glam Glow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment - Buy

This smells like coconut and feels so amazingly soft.  I loved how it felt going on my skin and how it made my skin look.  Super bright and clean.  This mask is a bit expensive -- $76, so I might have to wait until the winter (when I will really need it!) to make this purchase.

Face Shop Real Nature Cucumber Mask - Buy

I really enjoyed wearing this cloth mask.  It made my skin feel soft and pretty.

Focused on The Nails

Face Shop Milk Calcium Nail Pack - Re-Buy

This was a really fun use of $2.  I liked using this and then cleaning my cuticles  This is a less expensive alternative to the Julep nail masks.  I found these stayed on my nails better too.

Cutex Quick and Gentle Nail Polish Remover - No Buy

This did the job.  I picked it up because it was small and on sale.  I have zero brand loyalty on nail polish remover.  If this is on sale next time I need nail polish remover I will pick it up but I mean the chance of me remembering this one is minimal.  No complaints though!

Other Beauty Treats

Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo - No Buy

As far as Dry Shampoo goes this gets the job done.  It was middle of the road, but not as good as the one I currently use.

Josie Maren Argan Oil - No Buy

I love a good oil as much as the next girl, but I have more than enough oil.  Face wash oil, face oil, pre-wash hair oil, general hair oil.  If I ran out though I would completely consider getting this one.  It was great!

Escada Born in Paradise Perfume - No Buy

Smelled nice, but I have more than enough perfume and a perfume wish list.  Sorry, but Viktor and Rolf Bon Bon is higher up on the list.  And a few Dior perfumes such as J'adore.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-In-1 Styling Treatment - Maybe Buy
They have primers for everything these days.  I like this product.  I like it better than the Living Proof primer (which I have samples and full sized products to use up).  However I like my Alterna CC Cream better.  This all around does a good job, but I would hesitate to say "perfect".  My hair looked a bit frizzy, and I found it harder to style after I took it out of its pony tail. 

Favourite New Sample: Face Shop Power Perfection BB Cream
Honourable Mention: Thirstymud by Glam Glow Face Mask

Goal - 25

Achievement - 34

Net Samples +9

66 samples, 23 days to go!

I am pretty happy with how I did this week!  Looking forward to keeping up my efforts.  My goal was 25, I used 34 samples up.  I fell in love with something new.  I am on track to complete 100 samples by the end of the month.

What about you?  Are you taking part in this challenge?  Do you have any make-up/beauty challenges for me to try next month?