This is the 4th post in this series and it has been a while since I rummaged around in my sample drawer and I have had some lovely products hidden away in there. Samples are a great way to try new products and get a feel for them before you splash out on the full size & who doesn’t love a miniature product they look so damn cute.

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation SPF 30

I really really like this its so lightweight when you apply it and I found it so easy to blend into my skin for a flawless finish. It covers imperfections and redness without looking like you have a ton of product on. This is also one of those bases that actually looks better as the day goes on – I do have to powder because this is a dewy finish and my t zone can look quite oily but thats normal for me. I am using this sparingly because the full size does have a hefty price tag but I do think its worth the money.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil

I like to use face oils and this Blue Orchid one from Clarins is lovely and hydrating. Its so good for my skin over the colder months because it is packed full of incredible ingredients like –  extracts of Rosewood, Patchouli and Blue Orchid to tone, revitalise and restore radiance to moisture-depleted skin. Hazelnut Oil helps prevent moisture loss and the formation of fine lines. So if you have dry or dehydrated skin you might really benefit from using this. This mini bottle is just too cute & I’m taking it with me on my trip to Scotland to keep my skin nourished and combat the effects of the cold weather on my skin.

YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer

Everything about this feels luxurious, the packaging is lovely and the product itself is a clear gel with the most beautiful golden shimmer running through it. It looks gorgeous in the bottle. I have only used this a couple of times but It helped my skin feel smooth and the shimmer didn’t look OTT on my face, once applied the primer has more of a subtle glow. I like that not only is this a primer but it also adds radiance to my skin. This primer feels comfortable on the skin and not greasy or too heavy. It did help my makeup last longer and it kept everything in place all day. It is a luxurious product so I am not too sure if I would buy the full size.

Caudalie Divine Oil

This oil smells so good, its a multi purpose oil and can be used in so many ways on your body, face and hair. I love products that have more than one use – they’re great for travelling. I like to use it on my legs after shaving and I also apply it to my cuticles before bed, its such a nourishing oil and leaves my skin feeling soft and supple. Divine Oil contains a blend of grapeseed, hibiscus, sesame, and argan oils combined with patented grapeseed antioxidant polyphenols to leave skin soft, firm, and radiant. Perfect as a post-sun product, its glamorous texture is instantly absorbed, imparting a subtle, floral, and sunkissed fragrance.

Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Mascara

This gets the award for the most weird brush, its just has a ball at the end of the wand. Its quite hard to get the hang of & I’m not 100% sold on the design. It is good for getting a really neat coating of mascara on every lash so if you like that separated lash look then you might love this. I am going to have to try it a few more times before I decide if I want to try the full size. Let me know if you have tried this mascara & what you thought of the spherical wand design.

ESPA 24 Hour Replenishing Moisturiser

This is a lovely moisturiser for sensitive skin and I have found it helps calm my skin over the colder months. I work from home so I have the heating on a lot and that dries my skin out & I get redness but this ESPA cream helps reduce the redness and replenish moisture. It feels lovely on my skin and if i’m not wearing makeup I will reapply this throughout the day. It contains Potent Myrrh, Frankincense and Neroli stimulate cell renewal, while Vitamin E-rich Peach Kernel Oil protects against environmental aggressors. Nourishing Evening Primrose and Jojoba moisturise for soft, comforted, supple skin – so many beneficial ingredients to keep your skin looking its best.

Sisley Ecological Compound Day & Night Cream

I have been using this before my moisturiser as an extra step in the colder months. Its a very lightweight and fluid product so a little goes a long way. Its so easy to massage in to the skin and it doesn’t feel tacky or greasy. It is formulated with a synergistic compound of plants (Centella Asiatica, Ginseng, Rosemary, Hops, and Horsetail) selected for their stimulating and revitalising actions, its composition:
– hydrates the epidermis, and restores comfort and radiance,
– helps skin fight environmental stress (pollution, cigarette smoke etc),
– restores the skin to a more toned, supple state enabling it to get maximum benefit from future treatments.

For the price I would say its not 100% necessary as a skincare step but if you have the budget and you like trying new skincare then go for it, I have enjoyed using this but my budget won’t stretch to the full size.

Apivita Sun Care Face Cream SPF 50

I wear a separate facial SPF all year round, not always factor 50 but this one sits so well under my makeup and for a high factor it feels lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast on my face. This Apivita one has so many skin benefits as well as being a broad spectrum SPF

• Sea lavender, rich in sterols and vitamin E, along with panthenol help skin fight harmful radiation and irritations, while at the same time they provide moisturization.
• Iodine-free red and brown algae extract protects from irritations and redness that might occur due to UV radiation.
• Green tea water, lycopene and vitamin E provide antioxidant protection.
• Patented propolis extract – an APIVITA innovation – with high concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids, provides consistently enhanced antioxidant protection from photoaging and free radicals, while supporting the formulation of collagen and elastine.
• Photostable combination of broad spectrum natural and synthetic filters ensures up to 130% greater protection and stable SPF throughout the entire life of the product.

So I know my skin is being protected from UVA & UVB rays. What facial SPF do you use? This is one of the best I have tried.