Sampling Sunday: 4

Hi there!

Not that anyone cares, but I must clarify that I know I should have posted this on Sunday. However, I'm posting this a day late to accommodate my Whole30 posts on Sundays.

The last time I posted about samples I wrote about my preference of CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara over any expensive mascara, particularly the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara  It got me thinking: aside from perfumes, mascaras are one of the most popular samples!

I looked through my sample arsenal and it was confirmed: I have seven in my possession.
Naturally I had to write a post about my preference, from Hate to Great!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

1. HATE: Benefit's They're Real Mascara, $23. I don't get the hype about this mascara. It's easily the worst I have ever used and takes ridiculous effort to remove. I guess that's why the product now has its own remover? Whatever. I can think of many more things more worthy of my $23 and this isn't it. Hats off to you if you like it. I just don't get it.
2. HATE: Mary Kay's Lash Love Lengthening Mascara, $15. Another mascara that takes too much effort to remove, and it makes my eyes itch on top of it. No thank you. Also, I didn't really notice any lengthening...
3. MEH: Mary Kay's Ultimate Mascara, $15. Basically the same as the Lengthening but it doesn't make my eyes itch. I don't notice much of a difference otherwise.
4. MEH: Benefit's BADgal Lash Mascara, $19. Eh. Not terrible, but nothing remarkable either. Next!
5. MEH: Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara, $20. I think it's legit, and I feel pretty wearing it, but not for $20. 
6. GREAT! Smashbox's Full Exposure Mascara, $20. I love this mascara. The brush is very full and gives my lashes substantial volume and length. It doesn't make my eyes itch and removing isn't too tricky. I recommend!
7. GREAT! Cover Girl's LashBlast Volume Mascara, $8.99. It's everywhere, it's often on sale. Go cheap, go home, and feel good about replacing every three months (like we all should and none of us really do...right?). This mascara is the best there is in my book!

Disclaimer: 
I have absolutely no beauty product clout. I'm not cool enough for companies to ask for my opinion and I either paid for these mascaras or they were given to me as samples for other purchases. Opinions are obviously my own.

Have you tried any of the mascaras I listed? What do you think?

Have a good one!

Sampling Sunday: Week 3

Hi there!

It was a fun sampling week! Here are the products I tried:

1 | 2 | 3

1. The Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara is pretty solid. I haven't heard anything about this mascara so I thought I'd give it a try when I got it with recent Ulta purchases. However, I like it but don't love it. $20 is pretty average, but I still prefer my CoverGirl Lash Blast for less than half the price.

2. I seriously love lip gloss. Give me sample after sample and I am one happy girl. In fact, this Mary Kay lip gloss is one of many I have been lucky to try! It's a great shade to top a lipstick or wear alone.  These lip glosses are typically a go-to for me.

3. This was a full-size purchase for me. You can't beat the quality of Ulta shadow for the price. The color is new for me and I really love how it looks. I pair this with the Pearl shade and dig the results. The shadow lasts all day with my favorite eyeshadow primer!

Weekly disclaimer: 
I have a shameless selfie to share. I don't want to appear all "look at me! look at me!" but I figure that if I'm promoting beauty products I might as well show you the results. I used all three products in the photo below:

Have you tried any of the three products I listed? What do you think?

Have a good one!

Sampling Sunday: Week 2

Hi there!

It was a fun sampling week! Here are the products I tried:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

1. The Pssssst! Dry Shampoo is incredible! This isn't a sample for me per-say, but I had to share because I know a lot of ladies struggle with finding the right dry shampoo for them. It smells fresh and clean and works really well for me. Granted, I typically only use this about once a week since I wash my hair almost every day since I workout almost every day. Regardless, this is now my go-to for all things dirty hair. I've read a bunch of reviews so I know I'm not the only one who loves it. Oh and it's cheap. Win-win!

2. You guys. I found my red lipstick. I am absolutely ordering the full size. I am in LOVE with this lipstick: it's not sticky, lasts a long time, doesn't look cake-y, is reasonably priced, doesn't make my teeth look discolored and makes my eyes look really blue. After I publish this post I'm ordering it! I'm so happy my Mary Kay lady gave me this sample! When I wore it to work on Friday I definitely noticed an extra sass in my step. I just love how a little bit of lipstick can do that!

3. This is another product that I LOVE and can't wait to buy the full size. I heard about the Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation from a fellow blogger a while back and had was curious enough to get a sample. I was shocked with how weightless it feels all while appearing full coverage and masking my umpteen imperfections. A little goes a long way, which is important since this is a pricey product for me. It's incredible and I highly recommend it!

4. Another sample from my Mary Kay lady: the Mineral Cheek Color in Shy Blush. It's a really pretty shade and lasts all day. At one of the lowest prices I've seen for good blush, I will definitely consider purchasing the full size in the future. However, I simply love my Nars blush in the name I won't write on my blog! ;)

I have some shameless selfies to share. I don't want to appear all "look at me! look at me!" but I figure that if I'm promoting beauty products I might as well show you the results.  I used the products as numbered and labeled in the above collage.

Have you tried any of the four products I listed? What do you think?

Have a good one!

Sampling Sunday: Week 1

Hi there!

I thought of a new series that I will feature every Sunday.
Why?
Well, if you're an Ulta and Sephora junkie like me, you have a LOT of samples laying around...but you may have not given them a try.

I figured I might as well share my thoughts about these products, so here we are.

Here's what I tried this week:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

1: The POREfessional is a pretty incredible product from Benefit. This is my favorite of the bunch and have been using this for a while, actually. I got some samples of it this week which is great since I'm running low! A little bit goes a long way, which is important for me considering that price tag. I really think that it does minimize the appearance of my massive pores!

2: They're Real Push-Up Liner is interesting. I'm not a liquid liner kinda gal, but I did have fun giving this a whirl. It is a little messy and I think I need a little more practice with it, but I do like how blue the black liner makes my eyes look:

I'm just wearing my trio of favorite eye products that are highlighted by this liner. I'm not sure I'd spend the $24 on the full size but maybe after I practice a bit more and get used to this look I could consider it.

3: Living Proof Full Thickening Cream: meh, it's fine I guess. I didn't notice any difference with this product. Once the sample's gone it's gone.

4: Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine is fun. I definitely noticed my blonde locks looking shinier when I used it this week. However, it also looked greasy if I put on the product too close to my roots. Even though it doesn't take much product to get the job done, I wouldn't spend the $40 on the full size. I like the product but not the price. Call me cheap, but I'd rather pay half as much for Sebastian Trilliant! 

What do you think? Do you like this series? Want to join me on Sundays? I could host a link-up!

Have a good one!