Delving into my Sample Stash #5

Sample Stash Update

ESPA Purifying Shampoo & Conditioner

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 Overnight Recharge Night Cream

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.

Origins Modern Friction

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.

Sisley Instant Perfect 

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).

Delving In To My Sample Stash

Burberry Nude Radiance No. 01 Fresh Glow Luminous Base

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?

Amazing Cosmetics Concealer

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.

Mini Enjoyment

Like most product obsessed people I have quite a few miniature / samples sized products that are tucked away in drawers and that get forgotten about. I have been making a real effort after reading Katie’s Project Sample Use Up posts – so have been using up as many as I can.

These are a few samples, GWP and a few products I have been using this past month.

Products Samples

The Kiehl’s Creme de Corps* this is a lovely hydrating none greasy body lotion. It absorbs well into my skin and I really like it. This is the perfect body lotion to apply in the morning as it doesn’t make your clothes stick to you and the scent is very light.

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter – I have a massive tub of this too but I take this little one away with me to Scotland at the weekends. It smells so good. I apply this at night as it is a little heavy for day time & takes a while to absorb. It is a great body butter for the colder months as it will give you silky smooth skin and it is very hydrating.

Sample

davines Authentic Nourishing Oil* – for Face / Hair / Body – I use this as a body oil on my legs after shaving, you apply it to wet skin. It is rich in Organic Oils and Safflower Oil which is good for softening dryness & smoothing roughness. It also acts as a barrier to help stop water leaving your skin and keeping it hydrated. It feels like a very luxurious product & I want to purchase the full size. Oh and how Beautiful is their packaging.

Murad Wipes

Murad Clarifying Wipes* – I’m a big fan of the Clarifying Range from Murad and swear it keeps my blemishes to a minimum and also clears them up swiftly. So I jumped at the chance to try these new wipes. I am in no way a makeup wipe advocate & cleanse my face morning  night without fail (Caroline Hirons would be very proud), but these wipes are aimed at people who have blemish prone skin & are only recommended for when you can’t cleanse properly. So that would be after a flight, gym session or if you need a quick refresh.

These wipes have Witch Hazel – which is great at controlling Oil and some of the other ingredients include:-

Algae Extract regulates excess sebum production

Grape Seed Extract and Vitamin E protect from free radical damage so there are some skin benefits.

They are moist and do a good job at cleansing on the go. I was impressed by these.

Samples

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Recovery Complex – I got this sample when I purchased my beloved ANR Serum and I was hoping this wasn’t going to be amazing at is costs £38. I was so wrong, I love it and now I have to buy the full size. It is a gell like concistancy and it hydrates my undereyes like no ones business. I just wake up in the morning looking like I’ve had enough sleep and my make up skinks in to my fine lines less. Between this and the ANR Serum I am going to be bankrupt, but looking younger. So thats worth it right!

Bath & Body Works Pocket Bac – I have a few scents and I love using them. I like to use hand sanitiser before applying my makeup just to keep that bacteria away & these are great way of doing that. They are so handy. I know they’re not sold in the UK & I brought mine back from holiday, but if you’re desperate to get your hands one some you can find them on eBay.

Samples

Ginvera Green Tea Exfoliating Marvel Gel* This is very popular in Asia and I have heard it is one of their most popular blackhead treatments. This is used as a mask, massaged on to clean skin you leave it until it has dried (about 3 minutes, then you wash off with warm water. I use this on my nose and chin as this is where I get blackheads, this gel is great for congested skin and people who suffer from breakouts.

It is non abrasive and even works for people with sensitive skin, it removes dead skin leaving your face looking radiant and blemish free. Another one to add to the skincare routine, its wonderful. Asia know how to make effective skincare.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief – This is a gel like consistency which is oil free, it provides good hydration and is soothing on the skin. I find it cooling too so it calms my skin. It works well as a base for makeup and I find no need to use a separate primer as this cream leaves my face smooth. It is very light and absorbs well but takes a few minutes to fully sink in. If you’re looking for a hydrating day cream that is good for oily skin then I recommend trying this one.

Anna Sui Roller Ball

Anna Sui Flight of Fancy Roller Ball – This was one of my Sephora purchases from my holiday to San Francisco. I knew I wanted a roller ball & was overwhelmed by the choice Americans have (UK needs to stock more). Once I’d smelt this one from Anna Sui I knew it was the one! These are the notes of Lychee, Java Lemon, Yuzu, Rose Blossom, Star Magnolia, Purple Rain Freesia, Amber Crystals, Skin Musk, White Woods.

It smells so fresh, quite fruity and so pretty, it’s a light fragrance that lasts all day. The rollerball is so easy to pop in my handbag and I find the rollerball means I don’t waste any product. This is a beautiful perfume.

So they’re a few sample sized products I have been loving. Its nice discovering something you want to buy full size. Samples are a great idea and have a stash I have been using up (hoarding).

Have you tried any of the products I have mentioned?

Products that are marked with an * 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.