#365 Days of Samples: Week 19

Time for another #365 Days of Samples, albeit it a bit late.  Life is busy, blah blah blah, you know how it is. Seems like it's going to be that way for quite a while, so I'll be posting as I can. I will say I'm trying out a lot of new (to me) makeup and skincare, so the well is definitely not dry :-) Also, I learned about the concept for this series from Youtuber Elle S, if you would like to delve into it more. It really is a great way to work through sample build up, of which I obviously have a lot.

Let's see what I thought of this current crop of finished samples, as there were some definite hits and and one definite miss.  Let's start with the miss first.

I've actually got the wrong product showing in the group shot (Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave In Conditioner, which I like).  The Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ($26 for 8.5 oz.), however?  No, no, no.  I felt like I had a bad hair day every time I used it. I live in a climate that is humid to the extreme, so I had hopes for this, but I couldn't really tell it made a difference in that area.  It will act as a styling gel if you want to go that route, but I always blow dry my hair as opposed to letting it air dry. So, a definite no go for me.

The other hair product in this week's used up products was not bad. DevaCurl is marketed towards the curly headed lasses, but it works just fine for us stick straight headed girls as well. The Waves Ahead Low-Poo Delight Weightless Waves Low Lather Cleanser ($22 for 12oz.) is a gentle, low lather shampoo that still did a good job of cleansing my hair.  I do find I need to use a clarifying shampoo every few weeks to remove product build up when I'm using gentle shampoos like this, but that's not a biggie. No plans to purchase however, as I've got other less expensive shampoos (from Hask, for example) that I like better.

The Skynn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Neck Gel ($35 for 4) does indeed feel cool on the skin, and it did a good job of staying adhered to my neck, which is something that I've not always had luck with when it comes to neck masks. My neck is showing some age with both sagging and crepiness, This mask has some nice ingredients, such as Niacinamide, Adenosine, Rubus Chameamorus (Arctic Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Oxycoccus Palustris (Arctic Cranberry) Seed Oil, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sative (Carrot) Root Extract, and Panax Ginseng Root Extract. Seven dollars a mask is a bit steep, however, so I would not purchase.

The It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Transforming Moisturizer Super Cream ($48 for 2 oz.) foil sample only gave me about 2 uses, so not enough to really form a strong impression.  My initial impression is that it may be too heavy for my oilier complexion, but I'd need to try more to really say. No plans to purchase.

I've used a Farmhouse Fresh Three Milk Ageless Moisturizer ($33 for 2.5 oz) foil sample in this series before, and my impressions are positive so far.  The foil size is not really enough for more than one or two uses, so what I'm going to try to do going forward when I pull a foil sample that I know I have others of is to pull all of them and use them in one go. No plans to purchase right now, but I do like it.

Praise the deities, I finally finished the Milk Makeup Sunshine Oil ($38 for .5 oz.) sample!  This has been in the series since March, and it took finding a way that I would consistently use it before I started making any real progress on it.  I started using it on the back of my hands in the mornings when I was applying my makeup.  If I used tape on the edges of my eyes when applying eyeshadow, I would put the tape on the back of my oiled up hands first.  This made the tape less adhesive so that it does not pull my skin when removing, yet it still sticks nicely to my skin. I've moved on to another oil for this purpose, but I've got to thank the Sunshine Oil for forcing me to innovate!  I can't say I like the rollerball applicator for anything else, however, and I would not purchase.

Now, for an uber expensive oil balm cleanser, let's talk about the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm ($110 for 1.7 oz. or $32 for the sample sized jar). I was curious but skeptical about this cleansing balm that features Hungarian Moor Mud which is supposed to detoxify and purify the skin. I was especially resistant to the method of applying over my skin and then only using a warm cloth to remove, as I'm so used to oil based cleansers that rinse well with water.  This one does not, and you absolutely need to remove it using a wet/warm cloth. However, when you use it as directed, it really does a great job of removing all makeup and leaving skin feeling soft and clean.  

I experimented using it alone and with a foaming cleanser afterwards, although using a foaming cleanser afterwards potentially negates the benefits as you are washing away the mineral complex that is supposed to benefit your skin.  To see if the balm on it's own was doing a good enough job of thoroughly cleansing, I used a toner afterwards and there was minimal makeup left behind. Minimal, as in probably areas around the edge of my face that I did not do a good job of cleansing to begin with.  So, I've got to say I was impressed, but not enough to spend $110 on a jar.  I can see the appeal though, and the orange blossom scent is a plus for me.

Okay, now for the new batch of samples for week 20 of my #365 Days of Samples series! I'll list the new samples first, followed by those I'm still working on.

1. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multipurpose Dry Oil (foil , no longer sold in US)
2. Japonesque Pro Performance Makeup Wipes (foil, 1 wipe)
3. Cane+Austen Miracle Pad+ (foil, 1 pad)
4. Sonoma Scent Studio's Fig Tree (vial sample)
5. Oribe Cote d'Azur Restorative Body Cream (deluxe sample)
6. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (deluxe sample)
7. DERMAdoctor kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad (foil, 1 pad)
8. DHC Dry Skin Care Cream (foil sample)
9. Julep Love Your Bare Face Hydrating Cleansing Oil (foil sample)
10. Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Lipstick (deluxe sampler, discontinued)
11. Miu Miu perfume (vial)
12. Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream (deluxe sample)
13. Ulta Beauty Mattifying Balm (deluxe sample)
14. Estee Edit Pink Peony Overnight Water Pack (deluxe sample, discontinued)