Sampleicious: Birchox Edition: March Teen Vogue Box

It's possible that the first thing you're going to think when you read this is that I'm not a teen. Very true. Birchbox sent out an email a while ago giving a choice of the Teen Vogue Beauty Picks Box or the regular March box. I was totally torn! They even said in the email, even if you're not a teen, you can still enjoy the products in the box. I decided to go for it, all the time wondering if I would regret not getting the regular box.

Anyways, the decision was made, I received my box, and here's what I got. As you can see above, a Teen Vogue subscription discount was included, however, I will not be taking advantage of that. While their beauty picks are for all ages, I'll leave the actual magazine for the teens.

Here are the samples in my box this month:

Annick Goutal Petite Cherie
essie® Luxeffects Nail Polish
PETER THOMAS ROTH Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel
tarte LipSurgence™ lip tint
Twistband Hair Ties
Also, a bonus MODCLOTH coupon!

Perfume samples are always fun to receive. I think I once read that it's good to switch up your perfume and body spray on a daily basis, otherwise you get immune to the smell. Samples are definitely giving me the opportunity to do that. Also, a tiny sample like this can last a long time because you only need a few drops. I haven't smelled this yet but the website describes it as fruity and musky, clean and sweet. I'll update when I take a whiff.

If you know me, you know I can't resist something that sparkles. This essie Luxeffects Nail Polish fits that bill. I received Blingy Silver in my box. I can't wait to try it out solo or layered with a fun color. The other colors sold look awesome too, the red reminds me of Dorothy's slippers and the yellow shimmers like the yellow brick road.

Again, I'll update after I try out this Mac Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel. The website says to use on clean skin or over moisturizer, sunblock, foundation, etc. Anything that helps with shine is okay in my book though!

Again you gotta love full size samples. This tarte LipSurgence lip tint is a great product. I actually purchased a bring pink color of this once from Sephora. I believe it got a little melty though and got ruined. Be careful keeping your lipsticks in hot places. The color I got in my box is unique and I can't wait to see what it looks like on.

I need to add a picture of the twist band hair tie. I didn't realize it was actually a product in my box. I just thought it was a random ribbon that fell off of something. If you click on the link above you can see how I got confused. Especially since Birchbox products always come wrapped up in colored tissue paper and ribbons. I'm always looking for a better kind of hair tie so now that I know this is in my box, I'm excited to go home and give it a try. The 12 pack sold out quick on the site so it must be good!

Finally, my coupon to ModCloth. I love all the dresses on their website but only $10 off $75 isn't a great deal if you don't have room in your budget for a new wardrobe right now! Not sure if I'll end up getting to use it before it expires.

Sampleicious: Birchox Edition: February Box

I was excited when I got the email that my February Birchbox had shipped. Now that I'm on the fourth month of my membership, I continue to see that each box is full of fun surprises. This month even included a heart shaped nail file as well as some free song downloads, loves it!

Samples Inside:
BLK DNM Perfume 11 
Exude Lipstick
Eye Rock Designer Liner 
LA FRESH® Eco Beauty Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover

The BLK DNM Perfume 11 is interesting. I just spritzed a little on my wrist when I received it to see what it smelled like. I'm not sure if I like it yet. It is a unisex scent done by a denim company and I think the scent fits that perfectly. Unisex scents are definitely difficult because it's hard to find a scent that fits well on both men and women. I will probably use this sample up but don't see myself buying this bottle anytime soon. Especially for the price, you would have to love it.

This Exude Lipstick is very unique. First of all, the sample is full size which is awesome! The design is also very cool. It looks like a stick of lipstick, but the stick part is clear plastic and the color is inside in more of a gloss form. You twist the bottom and it oozes out for you to apply. I think I've mentioned it in previous blogs but I don't wear enough lipstick or lip gloss to spend too much on one particular tube, this one is $29 so that would fit into too much for me, but I really like this and will definitely use the sample. The fact that Birchbox includes full size items sometimes is awesome because it makes the 10 bucks a month well worth it.

This Eye Rock Designer Liner is another full size sample that was included. I honestly don't know how to feel about this yet. It looks cool on the package but I have no idea how it will look on me. I will update this when I have tried it! It's a little extreme so I need to wait for a fun night to try it.

I love new ideas for nail polish remover. I have used a different brand of wipes before and loved them. These look even better though with the fact that they are acetone-free, which makes them healthier for your nails, and they are biodegradable which makes them eco-friendly! Assuming these work well at removing the polish, I would definitely purchase a box of these!

Like what you see? Join Birchbox today! See also my November & December boxes and my January box.

Sampleicious: Birchbox Edition: January Box

After the success I had with sampling products in my November and December boxes, I was excited to finally receive my January box in the mail. Along with the samples listed below, they even included a cute Birchbox logo magnet.

Samples Inside:
Juicy Couture - Viva La Juicy - 3.4 oz
stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
BORGHESE CuraForte Moisture Intensifier
Jouer Body Butter
LÄRABAR Mini Bars

I have received the Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy as a free sample from Sephora before. I really like the scent, it's very light and girly. Juicy is also just a fun brand who's products always come in very girly, chic packaging. If you buy the full size bottle it has pretty ribbon and charms on it. It is a pricey perfume but most name brand ones are.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stila smudge stick waterproof eye liner sample was a tealish color. I was just expecting black. Even if it had been black, I always like to try out new eyeliners, I haven't found one I truly love or even really like aside from Estee Lauder.  But colored eyeliner is also really fun to try out new shades. The sample actually seems like a full size sample. I don't know for sure, it may have less in it or something but from what I can tell it's a full stick. I really like the color and it went on smoothly and stayed throughout the night. I see that all the colors are temporarily sold out on Birchbox.com so it must have been a popular product with everyone. The full size one is $20 which is about normal for a good quality eyeliner. I would definitely consider buying this brand when they get it back in stock that is!

I have not tried the moisture intensifier or the body butter yet. Stay tuned for my reviews.

While it may not be the most appetizing looking snack, Larabars are actually quite tasty. I was familiar with the brand because I know my dad likes them but I had never actually tasted one before. My dad also buys the full size bars, I had never come across mini ones before. I believe the "full-size" option is a variety pack of the minis. The sample I got was Peanut Butter Cookie and it was the perfect snack to tide over my hunger at the time that I tried it. Birchbox describes these as "Each bar has nine ingredients max, and you’ll love the wholesome blends of dried fruits, nuts, and spices. There are no icky additives like high fructose corn syrup, and they’re vegan-friendly too." Other flavors include Blueberry Muffin, Carrot Cake and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. I'd definitely be interested in trying the others in a variety pack for $14.95.


If you like what you see, join Birchbox today!

Sampleicious: Birchbox Edition: November & December Boxes

My November box was filled with fun samples to get me excited about my Birchbox subscription. Aside from the actual goodies inside, everything was wrapped so prettily in pink tissue paper.  I almost didn't want to mess it up but I was excited to see my samples.

Samples Inside:
Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee Cologne Absolue

A Firecracker Chuao Chocolate Bar

LaROCCA Champagne and Shimmer Acai Sugar Polish

TAY Safflower Seed Night Cream with Jojoba 

A bottle of nail polish from Zoya Gems & Jewels Collection

The only problem I can foresee with these samples is that if I really love something, sometimes the full size product is WAY out of my price range. For example, the vanilla cologne is $170.00 a bottle and the Jojoba night cream is $112 a bottle. The chocolate bars, sugar polish and nail polish however are more average beauty product prices. It is fun to get to try things you will never be able to afford but it could also get depressing if you fall in love with a product you know you'll never get the chance to try again.

Just as I feared, as soon as I took a whiff of the Vanille Cologne, I fell in love. The best way to describe this scent is intoxicating. I only dabbed on the droplets that leaked onto my finger when I opened the tiny vile to smell it, but the scent {thankfully} lingered on me the rest of then night. The sample came with a post card {pictured above} that truly shows what the scent is all about. The post card oozes luxury and class in New York City. While I'm sure I won't ever be able to afford the full size bottle at $170, I hope to save the sample and use every last drop, only on special occasions of course! As a side note, while this bottle is $170, it is a 200ml bottle which equals about 6.8 oz. Most perfumes are about half that size so it is an over-sized bottle that would last forever!    

My next November sample I decided to give a whirl was the Chuao chocolate bar. These Chocopods come in unique flavors and my sample was the Firecracker which is dark chocolate, chipotle, salt and popping candy. Needless to say I was intrigued. I ended up splitting it with Gary, giving him the bigger half. I soon began to regret sharing as I bit into the peppery treat. The dark chocolate, salt and chipotle paired together nicely for a spicy surprise. Then to top off the complete experience, the popping candy started crackling in my mouth like a fire on cool, crisp day. I am definitely planning on getting a full size bar of this for $6. You can also get an assorted pack of the chocopods for $8 to try other flavors! 

I sampled the Champagne and Shimmer scrub in the shower this morning. Body polishes and scrubs are something I definitely don't use enough but always feel refreshed when I do. Products like this are perfect to give you entire body a makeover in the shower. I mostly like to use it on my legs before I shave, but it's probably best to use it at least once a week on your entire body for a silky, smooth feeling. I was excited to try this champagne and shimmer one because it just sounded so luxurious. A mix of champagne and flicks of gold? Yes please! It smells delicious and works like a charm. The full size one is $36 which is about what a good quality scrub costs anyways so it is totally worth it. I have a whole Energy one from Bath and Body Works so I won't need one for a while but I will definitely keep this scrub in mind.

 I've never been one to use "night" cream but I am getting older so it's something I should probably consider. As soon as I unwrapped the colorful tissue paper surround this jojoba night cream, I was in love. When your sample comes in a tiny wooden pot {the full size one comes in a similar bottle} that's pretty darn cool. Plus I'm a sucker for things like safflower seeds and jojoba. They just sound fancy and like they'd do miracles for my skin! Of course the full size one is also $112 so it must be amazing. I shouldn't get too attached at that price but this did make my skin feel absolutely amazing last night. It has a pleasant scent and made my cheeks feel like a baby's bottom. I would also like to add that I tried a new facial wash sample before applying the night cream. It didn't come from Birchbox but it was Tea Tree Facial Wash from The Body Shop. While I can't afford this particular night cream, I will definitely be on the lookout for a more affordable option with similar ingredients. And I am definitely going to pick up a bottle of the face wash!

My final November sample is a bottle of Zoya nail polish in Noel. Noel is a very pretty, shimmery blue color. While it has a Christmas name, this color can be used year round. It's a sparkly jewel toned blue. I'm not great at doing my nails but you can see what the polish looks like on below.

My December box just came recently and it is also chock full of delightful surprises.And an added bonus? All of these full size products appear to be in a more reasonable price range!

Samples Inside: 

Befine Gentle Cleanser

EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster 

Harvey Prince Yogini - 50 ml

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss  

L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil  

Showstoppers® Designer Fashion Tape in Nude/Black  

 I finally broke into my December box. I started by washing my face before bed with Befine Gentle Cleanser. This is one of those face washes that sounds really yummy, if you read the bottle it's made with sugar, mint, oats and rice. Not that I'd necessarily want to eat all of those things together, but beauty products that say they're made with food ingredients generally sound appealing for some reason. I was slightly turned off by this cleanser as soon as I opened the cap though. The formula is extremely liquified so it comes out quickly and doesn't stay on your palm very well. Before sitting down to write this blog, I read the information on the website and they do warn you that it's "liquidy" and recommend using a washcloth so perhaps I will try that next time.   Other than that I found this cleanser just to be okay. It didn't really blow me away and my skin felt a little dry if anything. I even tried it with the jojoba night cream from my November box and even that didn't impress me as much after using it with this cleanser. Therefore I think the real gem was the Body Shop Tea Tree cleanser that I had originally tried with the night cream. End result: I'll use this until the sample runs out but don't plan on purchasing a full size ever.

Next on the list in the December box was EBOOST. This is one of those typical powders that you add water to and it's suppose to boost your immune system and or give you energy. I've tried a few different similar products that I wasn't a fan of. Airborne is my go to but I don't think to take it unless I feel a cold coming on. I was pleasantly surprised by this product. It has a nice taste too it, something many of these type of formulas lack. I don't know if it necessarily gave me energy but it tasted good and it can't hurt! On Birchbox it's $28 for 20 packets so it's a little expensive but I wouldn't frown upon it if I found it for a good deal somewhere.

The other night I sampled Yogini by dabbing a little onto my wrists and neck before bed. While that might sound a little strange, this fragrance is meant to relax you, hence the name resembling Yoga. I would say at $55 a bottle for the full size, this wouldn't be worth purchasing just to wear before bed. Maybe if you make a habit out of going to Yoga classes or do some other form of meditation, this might be the perfect scent for you. For bedtime though, you can buy a relaxing pillow spray for much cheaper! It did smell quite wonderful though.

 The Jouer moisturizing lip gloss is a very pretty shade in Birchbox Pink which was the color given in the sample. The color is so popular that the full size is currently wait listed. I'm a big fan of lip gloss but never actually wear it. I might dab some on in the morning or before I go out but I am not someone who keeps a tube on me and constantly reapplies. I did like it a lot though, along with being a pretty color, it went on smoothly and wasn't sticky. For someone who actually uses lip gloss a lot with reapplying and everything, I would recommend this one for sure. For me personally though, there are a million lip glosses out there so I probably wouldn't bother spending $20 on a tube like this one costs but if that's your price range, this is a good pick.

I already use an oil in my hair after washes as well as the Miracle 10 product. I decided to skip both of these though to sample the Mythic Oil. You can actually use this on damp hair or a tiny bit on dry hair to control frizz. I tried it on damp hair first but will next try it to other way to get both results.

I haven't had a need for the fashion tape yet but hopefully it works well when the occasion arises. 

Not only does Birchbox send you awesome samples, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and their blog for beauty tips, tricks and more. Also, if you clicked on any of the product links above, you can see that their website gives very thorough descriptions and how to use tutorials for every product. Another fun feature of being a Birchbox member is that you can log into your account and view all of your past boxes. This way if you ever forget what products you've tried, you can go back and check them out again. So far I've enjoyed my Birchbox subscription and I can't wait to see what samples they have in store for me in 2012! Like what you see? Join Birchbox today!

Sampleicious: Birchbox Edition

If you love samples as much as I do, then you'll love Birchbox! I originally read about them in Cosmo a while ago but kept forgetting to look into it. Then one day when browsing Facebook, I noticed an ad for Birchbox on the sidebar of my page. I remembered the name and immediately clicked on the link to check it out. Birchbox has a great subscription where, for $10 a month, you get a box filled with deluxe samples of their top products. If you like any of the samples, you can purchase full size ones through the website.  Check them out now at birchbox.com.

I joined a couple months ago and just received my second box in the mail. I meant to start blogging with my November box but never got around to it. My first Birchbox blog will feature both my November and December boxes, then after that I hope to keep up with blogging monthly for each individual box. Stay tuned!

Sampleicious Pot Luck: The Search for the Perfect Moisturizer Part 3 and More

As I've mentioned in the past, I love Sephora and love getting all of their free samples when I order something on their website. I've gathered quite the collection of samples but haven't been proactive about actually sampling the products. Sometimes you just need the right motivation to step aside from your daily routine and actually try new products. Now my first few "Sampleicious" reviews were specifically on moisturizers and were from a sample set that I purchased so the samples were "deluxe" samples which means they are bigger and will actually last a week or two. Most of my samples are little packets that are good for 1 or 2 uses. This does make it tougher to actualy get a gauge of if the product works or not but it's still great to feel the consistency, get a whiff of the scent, etc.

Above I mentioned finding the right motivation to actually try some of these samples. My motivation stems from cold weather, super dry skin, and one of those crazy people that won't leave you alone at the mall. I'm sure the end of that sentence needs a little explaining. I know all the ladies know what I'm talking about. When you're walking through the mall and a woman or man approaches you asking to see your nails. They might start by giving you a sample of lotion and if you take it, they have you hooked. Because I've been through this before, I usually don't take the sample or make eye contact with these people because they're very nice and I don't want to be rude but I don't want what they're selling and once they have you hooked they won't leave you alone. Well they caught me on a day when I was on a mission to try and find men's white flip flops the last weekend in October. Obviously this was a tough task and I was very distracted trying to decide what stores to look in and I made the mistake of taking the sample. The woman had baited and hooked me and because I didn't want to be rude, I let her reel me in. I told her right away, I already have that nail buffer thing they say is so magical and I honestly never use the thing. I thought I could get rid of her quickly because I thought that's all they were selling. Much to my suprise, she had a back up plan. Before I knew it, she had my sleeve rolled up and was rubbing dead see minerals on my wrist showing me how it slothed off dead skin cells and how moisturizer doesn't work properly without exfoliating your face twice a week. Now if I had some extra money, she may have gotten me, especially after she kept bringing the price down (never take the first offer from these people!) but I didn't so she wasted her time. However, she did plant the seed in my mind that I needed some sort of facial scrub so that my moisturizer would work properly. Especially since I am in the process of finding a new moisturizer, I want to give each sample a fair test on a fresh face.

So there was my motivation. I sifted through my samples to see if I had any facial scrub, mask, peel or exfoliant and came across Kate Somerville Exfolikate. I immediately started running the warm water, read the directions and began making circular motions with the grainy green substance all over my face. It burned a little and my face was red after rinsing but that was to be expected after rubbing a harsh substance in circular motions on your skin and the redness and stinging sensation didn't last long. Ultimately my face felt fresher and moisturizer ready after using this product. This product is very pricey, you can get .5 oz for $19 but for the full 5 oz size product, it's $175! I need to keep looking for an exfoliant because this is way out of my price range but since you are only supposed to use it twice a week, I'm sure a full size once would last you a while! Below is the fitting description from Sephora.com:

ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

What it is:
A dual action exfoliation method.
What it is formulated to do:
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment is Kate's top-selling product, and the next best thing to seeing Kate in the Clinic! Treat yourself to this at-home facial for fantastic, instant results. This signature formula works both physically and enzymatically to deliver safe, dramatic results in one application. It effectively combats acne and blackheads, reduces discoloration, and polishes skin for a smooth complexion. Welcome to healthy skin, a healthy glow, and a healthy you!
What else you need to know:
This expert formula harnesses the power of fruit enzymes to clarify skin by removing dead cells and eliminating bacteria. It is ideal for all skin types, except sensitive skin.

After sampling the exfoliant, I needed a moisturizer to finish my at home facial. I thought I had grabbed one but I actually had a similar looking sample that was an eye cream. I decided to try that first. It was Ole Henriksen Visual Truth Eye Cream. I believe an eye cream is one of those products that you feel better using, but I'm not sure how easy it is to see the results. Eye creams are probably more for long term use to save your eyes from wrinkles than instant visualization. Either way, this one felt nice on my skin and you only need to use a very tiny bit since the eye area is small so the sample actually lasted me all weekend. The one issue I had with this eye cream was I tried to put it on before bed one night and got a little in my eye, my eyes were watering for like 20 minutes it burned so bad. So be careful and don't put this product on when tired where you might make a mistake and get some on the inside of your eye. It's $45 for .5 oz but the eye area is small so this should last you a long time.

Visual Truth Eye Creme

Acting as a second skin this extra rich eye creme utilizes powerful humectants to bind moisture to the cells as it provides intense free radical protection to help prevent further damage. It instantly provides lift and resiliency to the delicate tissue surrounding the eyes, promoting elasticity and muscle tone to keep wrinkles at bay.

After using the eye cream, I popped open the matching moisturizer. This one is Ole Henriksen Express the Truth. This moisturizer felt really good on my face. I think it had an advantage because I had just exfoliated so any moisturizer may have felt great after that. This one does not have an SPF so it may not be what I was looking for but while marked unscented, it has a very pleasant scent to it and includes ingrediants such as African Red Tea and Vitamin C which appeal to me. It's $65 for 1.7 oz so it is quite pricey but again you don't need a lot per use even though you're covering your whole face.

Moisturizer # 3:

Ole Henriksen Express The Truth, $65 for 1.7 oz 

This truly superior antioxidant moisturizer helps your skin resist the formation of new wrinkles as it works through the night to repair existing fine lines and wrinkles. This ultra hydrating rich texture creme is packed with nature's most powerful antioxidants like ester C and African red tea to help to calm and soothe the skin as well as fight off environmental aggressors and free radical damage. Dry skin will be hydrated, lifted, and protected utilizing a synergy of ingredients like all natural macadamia nut oil, a deeply nourishing extract that works to repair skin during the night and polylysine, a unique all-natural peptide that greatly improves skins elasticity and muscle tone which inhibit deep wrinkles from forming.

The final sample I tried this past weekend was Laura Geller Lip Strip Cooling Sugar Scrub. I always have issues with dry or chapped lips so I'm addicted to trying any new lip products, especially ones that promise softer smoother lips. In the past I've used Mary Kay's Satin Lip Set and I used to be a big fan of it but I think I'm ready to see what else is out there. I've been saving this sample for a while now and I was finally ready to take the plunge. The one mistake I made was trying it after putting moisturizer on my face. A lip scrub can get a little messy around the edges so it's best to wait to put any products on your face until after using the scrub so you don't have moisturizer running down your chin. Aside from that minor mistake, I was very pleased with the scrub. You need very little so a small pot of this would last a long time. You just rub circular motions on your lips with the scrub and then rinse with warm water. My lips definitely felt softer after 1 use so I can imagine it would be even better using this product on a regular basis. Now the weird thing is, I am pretty sure I got this sample from Sephora where I get all my samples, but they don't seem to sell the brand or at least not anymore. After some googling, I did find this product at QVC, Amazon and Macy's along with some other sites ranging from $15-$19 for a 1 oz pot. Below is a description from QVC.

Laura Geller Lip Strip

Why is it different: This delicious formula blends cosmetic quality Brazilian sugar, a natural and mild exfoliant that smoothes and soothes, with peppermint and spearmint oils, which provide an invigorating, cooling sensation without irritation, in a creamy base. Loaded with lubricating butters, this soothing and effective treatment will help to smooth away dry, flaky skin on lips. Plus, it's so natural, you can actually lick it off!



Sample-icious: The Search for the Perfect Moisturizer Part 2

In review of my first blog searching for the perfect moisturizer: My current moisturizer doesn't include an SPF which I’ve read is an important component to have in a daily face cream so I decided I wanted to test the waters to see if there was something else out there. That way if you’re not at an outdoor event where you would consciously put sunscreen on such as the beach or a picnic, you still have some protection. Along with some various free samples I’ve stocked up on, I also bought a Moisturizer Sampler from Sephora that had sample tubes of various best sellers. I’m starting to try them one by one to see if I am ready to make the leap into changing my daily moisturizer. The first one I tried was Korres Wild-Rose 24 Hour Moisturizer. I really liked it although I felt it was a little pricey at $35 for 1.4 oz and it also the full size product comes in a pot where I prefer a tube or pump. I liked it enough though that it's definitely on my list of possibilities. Once I finished my sample tube of that, I decided to try a Bliss product next.



Moisturizer # 2:

Bliss Best of Skintentions® Daily Moisturizer SPF 15, price $35 for 1.7 oz

Looking completely from a product information standpoint, Bliss's Best of Skintentions® Moisturizer is an imporvement upon the Korres Wild Rose Moisturizer. While both products are $35, the Bliss one does include a little more for the money (a whole .2 oz more), comes in a tube as opposed to a pot and has a higher SPF at 15 compared to SPF 6. While all of these "improvements" are fine and dandy, that's also where they end.

Similar to wine tasting, aside from the description, the first impression you get of a moisturizer is smell and Bliss fails immediately. It has a strange scent to it, not sure how to describe it but it's definitely more simlar to a sunscreen than a moisturizer. One of those smells you would put up with on the beach so your face won't fry off but wouldn't want to experience on a daily basis. It's a smell you'd expect with SPF 50 but definitely too strong for a SPF 15. The next thing you notice about a moisturizer is the texture and feel of it on your fingers first and then how smoothly it applies to your face. This one felt a little thicker than I would like for a moisturizer inbetween my fingers and felt almost griddy when applying it to my face. Everytime I put it on I had to check in the mirror five times to make sure I had rubbed it in all the way. It wasn't crazy thick, but just enough that I know it's not right for me.

The description on Sephora's website reads:

"Bliss Best of Skintentions® is a moisturizer on a mission to provide beautifully healthy skin—today, tomorrow, and beyond. Invest in your complexion with this formula's powerful sun and antioxidant protection, essential illuminating phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that work together to keep your skin safe and smooth"

While this description sounds appealing and may have encouraged me to buy the product blindly, after using the sample, I definitely don't think it fits. My skin definitely does not feel healthier by using it and honestly the smell alone probably would keep me away from every buying it. I have only used it a few times so I can't say for sure that it wouldn't improve your skin over time but my initial experiences with it were all negative. I honestly can't tell much of a difference feeling my face before and after using the product which to me means it doesn't do much as a moisturizer.

Final say: While it might be right for someone else, this product is not right for me! It will not go on my list of possibilites for the perfect moisturizer. Korres Wild-Rose 24 Hour Moisturizer is still in the lead!

Sample-icious: The Search for the Perfect Moisturizer

Fact: People love free stuff. Trust me I know. I work in Minor League Baseball and anytime we have a giveaway, people go crazy for it! Being a human being, I can't say I'm much different. And as a female, free samples are one of our favoirte things! A long time ago when I found out that if you order online at Sephora, you can get 3 free samples with every order, I was instantly hooked! It's funny because if you know me, you probably know that I'm the type of girl that doesn't care much about my appearance on a day to day basis. Sure I shower, brush my teeth and comb my hair but I definitely choose sleep over any sort of rigid morning beauty routine. I'm always arriving places with a wet head and a naked face. However, if I actually have time, say on a Saturday off or before going out at night, I turn into any other girl, going the full hair, makeup and lotion routine. So while it can be rare, I still love sampling all sorts of products and investing in the ones I find worthwhile. Through all of my shopoholic ordering on Sephora.com, I've accumulated quite a collection of samples and haven't truly had the time to try them all out. I hope to change that in the near future and will post my thoughts and reviews on here.

Everybody Mosturizes:

Even someone such as myself who doesn't have much of a daily beauty routine beyond the basics needs a reliable mositurizer. One day a few years ago, I was going on an interview in New York City and of course I was crazy early because I didn't want to get lost in the big city. I noticed that my face was really dry that day so I wondered into a Sephora on my way to the interview. I wasn't looking to spend a lot of money because I just needed a dab to swipe on my face. I found a small bottle of Clinque Dramatically Different Moisturizer. After using it, I fell in love, bought a full size bottle and that became my go to face lotion ever since. Recently I decided I wanted to test the waters to see if there was something else out there. As much as I love my Dramatically Different Moisturizer, it doesn’t include an SPF which I’ve read is an important component to have in a daily face cream. That way if you’re not at an outdoor event where you would consciously put sunscreen on such as the beach or a picnic, you still have some protection. Along with some various free samples I’ve stocked up on, I also bought a Moisturizer Sampler from Sephora that had sample tubes of various best sellers. I’m starting to try them one by one to see if I am ready to make the leap into changing my daily moisturizer.

Moisturizer #1:


Korres Wild-Rose 24 Hour Moisturizer SPF 6, price $35 for 1.4 oz

The first one I decided to try was Korres Wild-Rose 24 Hour Moisturizer. While the sample came in a tube, it appears that the full size product comes in a jar. That may hold me back slightly just because I’m not a big fan of using products that come in a pot or jar. When I dip my fingers in, I always get lotion or lip balm stuck in my finger nails when using products that come packaged in this way. If I really loved it though, I suppose I would still get it. It has an SPF of 6 which isn’t much, but I think is perfect for a daily moisturizer. It’s $35 for 1.4 oz which is a little expensive but we will see how it compares to other similar products.

From the first time I used this product, I was a big fan. When you squirt it on your finger (remember the sample did come in a tube even if the full size product doesn’t), you instantly smell a light rose scent that is very pleasant but wouldn’t overwhelm your perfume, body spray or body lotion. It also has a light feel to it which is perfect for a moisturizer. You definitely don’t want a heavy face lotion that feels like a mud mask when you put it on. The Korres Wild-Rose was very easy to apply and rub in and it leaves your face feeling smooth and soft. The description on Sephora’s website reads:

"An extraordinary, 24-hour intensive moisturizer for normal and dry skin, Wild Rose has a rich, yet light texture and a unique blossom scent, plus whitening wild rose oil and an SPF 6 to help prevent brown spots caused by sun damage."

I agree that this is an accurate portrayal of the product and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested. The sample only got me through a few days, but I think it was enough to put it on my list of maybes. I’m excited to try more of my samples and eventually choose my next daily moisturizer!