Haul | Lush Goodies

Lush has so many beautifully made products that every time that I go in, even if there isn't a limited edition collection at that moment, I am able to get some new, creative bath goodies.  This week I decided to treat myself with Figs and Leaves and Sultana of Soap soaps, as well as the Lush solid scrub and matching tin.  I asked for some samples for good measure.  Keep reading to find out more about these beautiful treats!

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.

While Walking Through The Mall One Day...

Earlier this spring/summer I was walking through the Toronto Eaton's Centre when I came across a pop up kiosk handing out free, that's right FREE, samples of hair care.

I chatted with the lady and she determined that the deep conditioner, shampoo, and root lifting spray would be best for me.

Root lifting spray, shampoo, deep conditioner x 2

I have really enjoyed taking the root spray along for travel.  It is suuuuuuuper tiny but I have gotten a decent amount of use out of it.  I like to put it on my roots after a shower, or even when my hair is dry to give it some lift.  I prefer using it when my hair is wet though as it isn't as good as dry shampoo when my hair is dry.

Nothing too special to note about this shampoo.  I like that it is purple!

The deep conditioner packs are a bit small, by my standards. It took the two pouches to properly cover my silly amount of hair.  Afterwards my hair felt nice.  I don't know if I would pay full price for the tube but I enjoyed my samples.

The whole line looks, smells, and feels natural.  Sort of herbal-ish scents and finishes that don't feel like chemicals.  Personally, I don't really care if something is natural or not (so long as its not full of bad things) so this sing a selling feature to me.  

All in all I enjoyed picking up a little free treat in the mall. 

Have you used this brand?  What did you think of it?

"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?

So Many Samples!

Somewhere over the course of my life as a Sephora customer, and general make-up addict I have come to accumulate this stash of free product samples.  I have pawned some off to my mom, others off to friends, and yet still have this pile.  My New Years Resolution will be to use up these samples, or find somebody who will.  But let's face it, these just aren't as fun as Deluxe Samples.  That said, I just can't ever say no.

There are a whole bunch of face masks, anti-aging things, skin serums, and primers or all sorts.  I should take to packing these when I go away for weekends.  I did find some gems in there though!

Fall 2013 Luxebox: LouLou Edition

Yay!  It arrived!  I have been especially looking forward to receiving this box.  It only ships 4 times per year, but given the quality that I received I am really not complaining!  Upon opening the standard brown shipping box I was created by this lovely little surprise.  Feeling the "Luxe" already.  So let us begin!

This box ships for $26, and the LouLou upgrade was $7, so $33.

Pretty!  I didn't want to open it it looked so perfect.

This fancy little list tells me everything in the box.  When I opened it I was hit with a beautiful mix of sweet smells.  Mmmm...

All of the products came in this little bag inside the box.

Ah!  Its like Christmas!

Look at all of it!

Products: CoverGirl Outlast (Full Size Nail Polish), Barefoot Venus Bath Bliss (Full Size), Eyeshadow Brush (Full Size), Michael Kors Fragrances (1.5 mL x 3), Be a Bombshell Eyeliner (Full Size), Klorane Dry Shampoo (50 mL), L'Occitane IMM Precious Night Cream (15 mL), L'Occitane Supple Skin Oil (15 mL).

Michael Kors Fragrances (1.5 mL x 3)

These fragrances are standard perfume sample sized.   However they came in a pretty little gold and cream match box styles box.  No detail to small!  I'm not huge on the Sporty scent, but Sexy and Glam small rich and deep.  I like it, but I don't know if I will end up buying them.  I have handfuls of mini perfume samples, a dozen deluxe samples, and a few full sized ones.  But if I ran out of perfumes, I would consider Sexy or Glam.  Just not Sporty. 

This is the Be a Bombshell eyeliner.  The eyeliner its self is a bit chubby (like a marker).  Currently I use the black Stila pen in Jet Black, which is skinnier.I have used thicker pens before, and will get a good use out of this one (I hardy leave the house with out a cat's eye, mascara, and lipstick).  The line is thicker than I am use to, but I'm not worried.

Not too sure how I feel about this colour.  Not quite my favourite.  It has a nice shimmer in the bottle- a gold hue with a pink-purple base.  I'm not going to test it out, incase I want to give it to a friend.  

Vintage package!

This.  Smells.  Delicious.  Coconut... Mango...Almond...so so sweet.  Inside is a plastic bag filled with powder to be put in a bath.  Tomorrow night?  Yeap.  I also adore the vintage package.  The back says "Being naked never felt so good."  The only thing that makes me feel better about this is that it was made in Canada in Kelowna B.C.

Inside!

Next up: L'Occitane products

The "Supple Skin Oil" smells divine.  I'll have to apply some after my next bath.  As for the "Precious Night Cream", I think I will set that aside for my mom for Christmas.  

The brush is tiny, but soft.  I'm looking forward to giving this a try this weekend.

There was also a dry shampoo in the box that has a clean smell to it.  That will be joining me in Calgary where its sole purpose will be to extend the life of my blow out.

This box also comes with 4 issues of LouLou magazine which I will receive over the next few months.  I actually got my first copy before my box arrived!

It claims to be worth $105.  I really don't have the time right now to do a full tally.  But I know I am impressed with what I received, and that I can't wait for my Winter 2013 box!  So many full sized items...this box just smells so good.

Bonus: The white box it arrived in is perfect to organize makeup, or to wrap up a Christmas gift in.

5 stars!