This came free with Glamour Magazine a couple of months ago to coincide with the huge launch of all the new Benefit brow products. I have been saving this mini one so I could take it away on holiday with me. Benefit have extended the shade selection which is fab news and I have the darkest shade – Number 5. Its a tinted brow gel with volumising microfibres which give your brows a fuller look. This is so quick and easy to use, it puts down a good amount of colour and it keeps my brows in place all day. I really like the new packaging too, its fun and very Benefit!
I have repurchased the full size of this so many times, I adore it. Its quite a thick overnight serum and it feels so good on the skin, it instantly hydrates and soothes fatigued skin. This serum makes my skin so happy – that translates to looking radiant, fresher, brighter and all importantly well rested. I have a couple of these very cute mini bottles for travelling, its the perfect skin pick me up after a flight and I swear by it. Have you tried it?
This is a moisturising Primer, it hydrates, smooths and helps skin look radiant. I wore this under my makeup everyday whilst in Amsterdam and I loved how well my makeup applied on top of this, it made a really nice primer. I had quite a few late nights whilst on holiday and I relied on this to keep my skin looking bright, which I have to say it did. This high-performance Superblend features Bio Boost – which is the This Works’ unique blend of anti-oxidant plant oils – to rebuild and protect the skin barrier, along with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and Caffeine to rebalance and revitalise. Its a must have for anyone that wants their skin to look well rested and healthy.
This is one of the creamiest, deepest black, long wearing pencil eyeliner I have ever used. I used this to tightline as I like to use a liquid line for my actual eyeliner but this Pixi pencil was so good on my water line and stayed put all night without wearing off. Like I said its extremely pigmented and very black, I hate it when you are expecting your liner to be black and its more on the grey side, this is a fab pencil to have in your makeup stash and I loved using it. These eyeliners are Paraben-free. Mineral oil-free. Preservative-free. Hypoallergenic & contain Vitamin E which nourishes and protects delicate skin around the eye.
This isn’t the kind of lip product I would reach for but I am trying to use up my samples, the only thing that puts me off this is that it has quite the sparkle. I am not a fan of glitter but I do have a few nights out coming up & I am sure I can make it work. The colour is Reckless Bloom and its actually quite a pretty pink, I’m thinking of pairing it with a nice nude lipstick. We will see, I may end up having to pass this on.
Let me know if you hoard samples, I have quite a stash to get through but I have been making a big effort this year to actually use them. I love to empty them all out and pick a selection of new things to try, its a fab way to discover new brands & products and test things out before committing to purchase the full size. I get most of my samples from beauty boxes, gwp or magazines. Samples are perfect for taking away with you on holiday, I need to book more holidays so I can use up more of them, that sounds like a great plan.
This is a brand new release from ESPA, I only had one sachet of each product but it was enough for me to tell I would love to use it again. Its suitable for all hair types and is jam packed full of beneficial ingredients like Coconut Oil, Honey, Jojoba, Olive Oils. They all help soften, hydrate and protect your luscious locks. The conditioner also contains a blend of plant protein which leaves hair looking rejuvenated and lustrous. This duo feels lightweight but adds volume, shine and hydration to my hair.
ESPA products are well know for their luxurious scent and their haircare doesn’t disappoint, they smell so good. They contain a blend of essential oils including Bergamot, Jasmine and Cedarwood which smell rich, relaxing and so pampering. They are 99% natural and free from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) and silicones.
Merumaya is one of my favourite skincare brands, they’re affordable, great quality, British and its founded by Meleka who is an advocate for #beautyhasnoage, she is positive, dedicated and ambitious. I’ve tried almost all their products & I can say I have loved, repurchased and recommended them all.
I have a few samples which I take with me on my travels and this mini Overnight Cream is a great one to help keep your skin looking plump, radiant and nourished. Its a gentle, lightweight cream and it has quite a distinctive scent.
This is a thick cream exfoliator with tiny rice starch particles which dissolve when massaged into your skin and they gently help remove dead skin and dirt to promote healthy skin bright skin. Its not at all abrasive or irritating, lemon oil starts the process of illumination, all while aloe soothes and prevents irritation, redness, or flaking. The exfoliator is scented with the perk-up aromas of bergamot and peppermint. It leaves my skin smooth, supple and feeling clean.
This is a luxury skincare product and if a primer is a step you never miss out or that is vital to your makeup routine then you might consider splashing out on this, but otherwise I would say its not a necessity in your makeup bag. This gives your skin a blurring effect and smooths out fine lines and reduces the appearance of pores. What I do like about it is that it reduces shine and doesn’t have a greasy finish. It leaves my skin feeling velvety soft and yes it did act as a lovely base for my foundation but there is no way I could afford to spend £43.50 on a makeup item. I would splurge on a skincare product but I would class this as a makeup product. Its luxurious and it does work but not for my budget (sadly).
Because I only had a very small sample of this I tried to make it last as long as possible and so I mixed a small pea sized amount with my foundation to add a luminous glow to my skin. It worked really well and I am a little sad to say I’ve fell in love with it. Its an essential part of my routine but I do love the dewy luminous glow it gives and it helps make my skin look healthy. The price tag I am not so in love with so sadly I think I am going to have to find a good dupe.
What is it about Burberry makeup that just makes it feel instantly luxurious and beautiful?
This is one very full coverage concealer – not one to use under the eye just because its pretty heavy duty and prone to crease. This is a concealer for blemishes and any other imperfections you wish to cover. A little goes a long way and it is buildable. This is waterproof and very pigmented, I do have a shade thats slightly too dark but I am hoping come the warmer months that its a better match.
I spent last week in my favourite City – Amsterdam. I absolutely love it there & even though it was my 5th visit I fell in love with it all over again. I will be writing a few posts about my time there but I thought i’d share with you my travel skincare and talk you through the products I used the most and also what I could have lived without. I do love how a mini break is the perfect excuse to use up all those samples you’ve been hoarding and I think I packed quite light, do you?
I always take my Dirty Works Hanging Washbag, its a really good size, has one big compartment which zips and two smaller compartments. It rolls up and is easy to pack, also when you get to your destination you can hang it up in your bathroom and have easy access to all your products. I have used it so many times over the past 3 years and its still as good as new.
& Other Stories Sirocco Sands Body Lotion* – This is a new release and I was sent a couple of sachets to try & thought how handy they would be for this trip. I love the bath & body products from & Other Stories they have a lovely selection of scents and this is a new addition to their range. I thought the scent was quite intense and soothing. It smells sophisticated and has notes of rhubarb and gardenia which make it both fruity and floral, its a nice summery body lotion which left my skin soft, hydrated and not at all greasy.
In the second pouch – my razor, vitamins, Kleenex Shine Sheets (which are amazing but sadly discontinued), Rodial Dragon’s Blood Eye Masks which are so good for tired dehydrated under eyes, they leave your eyes looking fresh and more awake. I always take eye masks with me because they’re so travel friendly and its always an excuse for a hotel room pamper session.
NUXE Bio Beauté Soothing 24hr Moisturising Mask – a nice calming hydrating face mask. Sanctuary Spa Salt Scrub – I was using a gradual tanner so I thought it best to take a scrub with me & this one came in a handy sachet so again easy to travel with & lastly in this section I took some Ole Henriksen Truth To Go Wipes – I have to say these are not ground breaking but as far as wipes go they were refreshing and didn’t make my skin feel tight or dehydrated.
Batiste Dry Shampoo – This is a travel must have, I only wash my hair a maximum of twice a week so dry shampoo is a staple for me & these mini cans last me a week so they’re the perfect size.
Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash – This is a 2 in 1 cleansing & exfoliator so ideal for travel. I wouldn’t use this on a daily basis but it worked well to keep my skin clean and looking bright. With it being a City break and using SPF daily I found this Bliss face wash helped keep my skin from getting congested and dull. I still have more than half this mini bottle left so will take t way with me next time.
Molton Brown Shower Gel – I have a few of these mini ones left over from a travel kit I received last Christmas, they smell incredible and luxurious and this was so nice to use every morning to get myself going and help me feel uplifted and ready for the day. Not a must have but certainly a little slice of luxury
Garnier Micellar Water 125ml – this is the new travel size which was released a month or so ago, yes its still too big to take on as hand luggage but its nice to have a small version to take away with you. I use this daily and still have almost 3/4 left so I’m keeping that for my next trip. I think a 100ml version would be a better size and it would still last ages.
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Moisturiser – This is such a nice soothing lightweight hydrating day cream, it gave just enough hydration without making my skin greasy throughout the day. I really like this and I’m very tempted to purchase the full size.
Garnier Mineral Deodorant – I normally use a natural deodorant but I’ve ran out so picked this up last minute. It was awful, the lid didn’t say on & it felt like it scratched my armpits when I applied it. I left it in the hotel room and won’t be repurchasing it any time soon.
Dove Shampoo – This range leaves my hair feeling silky soft and very manageable. Nothing much to report other than I have repurchased this quite a few times and it never lets me down. Elemis Conditioner – again this is a solid favourite of mine, it doesn’t weigh my hair down and I get very few fly aways or frizz when I use this. I like the Shampoo that goes with this but I have used it all up.
ESPA Optimal Skin ProCleanser – This is the perfect at home (or in hotel room) spa treatment, It’s a Tri-Phase Cleanser which means it is a gel cleaner, exfoliator and a mask all in one. This is aimed at all ages and all skin types so if you love luxurious skincare then this is the product for you. I like to use this as a second cleanse and I apply a generous amount to my face and leave it on as a mask for about 15 minutes before using a hot cloth to buff it away. There are tiny gentle Jojoba spheres which exfoliate your skin and help remove any dirt and grime. It leaves my skin looking so radiant and feeling smooth. Its such a treat.
Origins Plantscription Serum – I blogged a little more about this in my recent June & July Empties post but it is a good serum and leaves my skin feeling hydrated but I wouldn’t rush out to repurchase it. I prefer the Mega Mushroom or GinZing range from Origins.
ESPA Optimal Pro Serum – I have a few of these mini bottles saved for when I go away, I love this serum so much & I think it is one of the products I recommended the most. I always notice how good it is for my skin when I have ran out. I always miss it in my routine and my skin never looks as good. This serum isn’t targeted at any specific age range or skin type, they have developed it to have so many skin benefits for all ages and skin concerns & it gives my skin alot of nourishment and helps to calm the redness in my cheeks and keep my skin looking healthy and bright. I Just had to take it away with me and I woke up every morning to fresh healthy looking skin (it was that good I only wore makeup one day).
Ponds Institute Contour Eye Cream – This is the first Ponds product I have used in years & I have been really enjoying it. Its hard to find an eye cream that is affordable & that I really like but this seems to fit the bill. Its quite a thin consistency and doesn’t just sit on the skin making it look and feel greasy. I massage the cream in around my eye and after a couple of minutes the area feels soft and looks hydrated, my eye makeup sits well on top and doesn’t sink into my (many) fine lines throughout the day. Its been a great discovery and I want to try more from Ponds now. Let me know if you have any recomendations.
Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF25* £26.00 – This is a great daily SPF and I used it for my entire trip everyday without fail & not once did I burn or feel like my face had caught the sun. It applies quite thick and does have a slight white cast to it but don’t worry that doesn’t stay, in fact after a few minutes it looks a ok & although you can feel it on your skin its not too heavy or tacky to the touch. I wrote a full review here if you want to read a little more about it —–> Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF25
Bath & Body Works Handi Bac – I know these have alcohol in them but they’re just too cute for words and smell just like cupcakes. Also I need to keep my hands germ free and these do the job.
Kiehl’s Créme de Corps Body Lotion – This is a very good body lotion and I get such dry legs especially when its hot so this had to come with me on my week away. Once my & Other Stories sachets were all gone I used this for the remaining days. Its very hydrating and if you use it after you shave your legs it leaves them so very smooth.
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist – This is the cutest mini spray bottle, I keep it so I can refill it from a larger bottle I have. I enjoy using a face mist & like how multi use they are. Its a nice way to stay hydrated on the plane and keep your skin feeling refreshed. Its also a great way to cool down in the heat & keep your makeup looking dewy. This Jurlique one as many of you will know is my favourite and I have reviewed it here if you’d like to know more about it Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
Merumaya Overnight Recharge Night Cream*– One of my favourite night creams – this is a little overnight miracle worker. Its helps your skin look bright, firm and also prevents blemishes. Its an all round great cream. My skin was often looking a little dull from a day exploring this city & this recharged my skin overnight and stopped it looking dull and fatigued.
I’m still working my way through my sample stash, if you want to read my first post you can click here. I have been routing in the sample drawer and picked out a couple of new things to try. It’s like going shopping without spending any money. I have also looked out a few things from the sample drawer to take with me on holiday next week. So keep an eye out for that post
First up are two travel brushes one from Eco Tools (pink handle) which is from their Fresh & Flawless Set & is ideal for applying bronzer & blush. I love this brush it is so soft & just the perfect size for your makeup bag. The second brush is from Sonia Kashuk and this is what I have been using for my eyebrows, it’s the perfect angle & is quite stiff but not scratchy. These will be coming with me to Amsterdam too.
I totally forgot I had this. I think It came in the Glossybox collaboration with Harrods (so long ago). It is a gorgeous light serum, it leaves my skin so smooth and soft. I have only used is a couple of times & I am excited to see how my skin looks after a week or so. This is quite a pricey serum so I’m expecting to be wowed.
This could quite possibly be heaven in a bottle. It smells botanical and very relaxing which is no surprise as there is lavender & ylang-ylang in it, a couple of drops of this in your bath is all you need. It’s lovely after a long stressful day. If you enjoy taking baths then these Aromatherapy Associate Oils are luxurious but not too expensive.
I haven’t used this yet but I have tried a couple of other products from this Essential C Line & like them. This one is meant to hydrate, brighten and soften the appearance of fine lines. I’m an eye cream junkie & always on the lookout for that perfect one so I’m hoping this could be it.
I have had this for the longest time too & usually use my Garnier Summer Body Moisturising Lotion & really like that, although it can take a couple of days to get a good amount of colour. With this Palmers one it’s like one application & a couple of hours later you have the most beautiful tan. It looks like you have been somewhere tropical & expensive on holiday. I can’t get over how even the colour is and how natural but deep the colour was. I even topped it up over the next 3 mornings & it looked amazing. My skin looked glowing, tanned and felt so soft. It lasts for ages (a good week) too & doesn’t go patchy. Oh and as with all Palmers Cocoa Butter products, it smells incredible. I am in love with it.
Could a mask be any more amazing?? I think not. If you suffer from breakouts, blackheads or just unruly skin this mask is like a miracle worker. It’s quite thick and does tingle a little but it’s not uncomfortable. My husband loves to use it too, mainly on his nose as he gets blackheads & we have tried quite a few products to help reduce them but this mask does its jobs & clears them up. It must draw out the sebum & grime leaving you with clean, smooth and glowing skin. I will be buying the full size of this mask & think its worth every penny.
I have been using this for a while now and LOVE it. Its a serum but slightly thicker in texture than your average serum. I pat it under my eye & over my lid too and instantly your eye area looks plumper, tighter and hydrated. Another miracle worker for sure. I have almost used this up & I’ve liked it so much I’m going to have buy the full size.
How cute is this tiny sample? I have never tried a NARS base before and am very excited to give this a go. I’m hoping this gives a light coverage & helps my skin look healthy and fresh. I enjoy wearing tinted moisturisers & BB Creams so fingers crossed this works for me. Oh & I like that this has SPF30 in too.
Let me know if you have tried any of the samples I’m using or let me know what samples you have recently used up.
Products that are marked with a * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.
