SAMPLE SUNDAY | Bobbi Brown Skin Nourishing Glow Foundation x Wei Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask

Bobbi Brown Skin Nourishing Glow Foundation |

I'm always psyched to try out new products from Bobbi Brown - especially their base products - and my expectations are always sky high. The words "nourishing" and "glow" may sound a tad intimidating for someone with oily skin, but I am always down to try anything and everything. Bobbi Brown claims that this "richly emollient yet lightweight hybrid cream foundation delivers moisture and luminous coverage for a polished, lit-from-within look", and that it contains the skincare benefits of a rich, luxurious moisturizer that makes skin look instantly plump, smooth and radiant. The shade Sand 2 is yellow-toned and matches me to a tee, despite it oxidizing a smidgen darker after application. The gel cream consistency feels very weightless and comfortable on the skin, although I found it a bit streaky in application with a brush and much better with a BeautyBlender. Although it claims to have high coverage, to me it's more of a light to medium buildable coverage, and there are tiny, barely-there shimmer particles that help achieve that lit-from-within, glowy complexion. This wasn't particularly long-lasting on my oily skin and my T-zone got shiny after just two hours - it does advertise to be catered for normal to dry skin types - but it faded away evenly and didn't emphasize any dry patches. This is just one of those products that is very pleasant to use, but too pricey for what it does - the foundation costs a whopping $75USD here in Hong Kong, and my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation can essentially achieve the same natural, luminous effect, with both better coverage and lasting power. So reluctantly, I'm going to have to pass.

Wei Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask |
WEI is a skincare brand that I've wanted to try for ages - the products are created based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, which really tickled my curiosity, and the Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask is their best seller. This ultrasoft mud mask is formulated with seven herbs that claim to deeply penetrate the skin and help counteract cell damage, minimize pores, diminish breakouts, refine skin texture, and renew lifeless-looking skin. And let me just cut to the chase and say that I am officially obsessed. This has a nice, subtle scent - an earthy, herbal, perfumy mixture - and has a smooth, velvety consistency that feels oh-so-soothing to apply. It's slightly cooling (and tingly) upon application and dries down quickly, but isn't at all tight and stiff like other mud masks - you can talk and laugh and make facial expressions without feeling like you're creating bloody wrinkles! I rinse it off after the recommended 10 minutes, and the water transforms the mask into a rich, oily consistency that makes my skin feel ultra nourished, soft, and firm. I was sold after just one application, and will definitely be dropping the $42USD to get the full size, which consists of 8 individually packaged pods and an application brush.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream SPF 30 Complexion Corrector x Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Treatment Lotion

Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream SPF 30 Complexion Corrector |
After my first (failed) attempt with Clinique's CC cream, featured in my first Sample Sunday, I was convinced CC creams wouldn't be for me. But this sample from Peter Thomas Roth caught my interest - it claims to be everything in one - sunscreen, complexion corrector, moisturizer, tint as well as anti-aging treatment. The formulation contains camu camu berry, which is an Amazonian superfruit that provides 30 times more vitamin C than an orange, which "evens out the skintone and supports natural collagen, creating the appearance of firmer, brighter, younger-looking skin over time". The sample included three shades - Light To Medium, Medium To Tan, and Deep - and just like the Clinique CC cream, the consistency is much thicker than most foundations, and I personally found it a tad too stiff to blend out nicely. Although it provides good, medium coverage, it felt heavy on the face and emphasized texture and flaws on my face I didn't even know I had! And perhaps the worst part is that the shades oxidized like crazy! Within minutes of applying the lightest shade to my face, it turned orange and two shades darker - I looked like a freakin' oompa loompa. So I'm going to keep this short and sweet - this made me look, straight up, like a hot, orange mess, so no thank you! I guess I was right - CC creams just aren't for me!

Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Treatment Lotion |
The Origins Super Spot Remover has been my long-time beauty essential for treating pesky blemishes, but I haven't ventured too far out in terms of Origins' other skincare products and ranges. I received this sample as a birthday perk last year, and I was instantly intrigued by the main ingredient - mushrooms! I love eating them, but slathering them on my face was certainly a weird notion. I wrongly assumed this lotion would have a gel-cream consistency ('cos, lotion) and spilled the toner-like liquid all over my couch and floor, and Riley had an absolute field day sniffing and lapping it up. I'm not the biggest fan of the scent - fresh, earthy mushrooms with an herbal note - but it dissipates soon after going on the face, and I was pleasantly surprised at the cooling sensation upon application and how soothed and refreshed my skin felt almost instantly. It's very lightweight and absorbed quickly, leaving my skin slightly tacky to the touch. I tried this out at night, and the very next morning my cheeks, which occasionally can get red and slightly flushed, had zero redness. It also didn't break me out, which is always a relief. Although I thoroughly enjoyed this sample (and recommend anyone with sensitive, easily irritable skin to give it a try), I just can't say that I have a place for this in my normal skincare routine, since my skin isn't overly sensitive, so I'll have to take a pass.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream x Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum

New product alert! Last week, I managed to get my hands on a sample of the newest product from Fresh, the Black Tea Firming Corset Cream, and was instructed to try it in conjunction with the Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum to achieve a defined, contoured complexion. I had to be put on a waiting list just for a sample of this new cream, so let's put these to the test!

Fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream |
My current holy grail toner is the Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Instant Infusion, so I was super excited to hear about a new product launching from the same range. And the words firming and corset sure got my hopes way up! This new cream is "a firming formula for the face and neck that provides a corset-like effect for a more lifted and defined appearance", with a thick, buttery consistency that melts into the skin - my face just drank it up! It has a soothing tea scent, just like the toner, but with more of a sweet, fruity note with the addition of goji fruit extract. Long story short, my skin seemed to really get along with the cream - plumper, bouncier - but in terms of firmness and a corset-like effect, I'm still not convinced. At most, I will say my skin felt a bit more taut, but I was disappointed to say the least that there was no visible improvement in definition and lift. Like, where my cheekbones at? Fine, maybe asking for a visible change from a face cream was asking too much. This product probably isn't targeted to those of us with younger, firmer skin to begin with, so as much as I loved how it felt on my face, I don't have the need for this as of yet. It is a pricey purchase at $95USD for 50ml, so perhaps I'll try it again in ten years or so when I need the extra help and have some extra cash!

Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum |
To truly maximize the results of the Black Tea Firming Corset Cream, I was told to lather this Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum on beforehand and after my Black Tea Age-Delay Instant Infusion. Fresh claims that this serum "smoothes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while providing a firmer, luminous look", and that it has a fast-absorbing formula with a corset-like effect on the skin. It has a lovely tea scent with a hint of floral with its addition of honeysuckle leaf extract. The serum is quite tacky upon application, and I have to disagree with it's fast-absorbing claims as it took a good while - almost half an hour - to absorb into my skin. Even then, it left a gooey film on my face, which leads me to believe this might be much better suited for dryer skin types. I'm sad to report that I am just not a fan of this serum, as it was just too sticky for my taste and I didn't feel any improvement in firmness - it just felt like an extra layer of skincare with no intended purpose. Perhaps it's a good solution for fine lines and wrinkles, but thankfully I can't test out those claims just yet. At $90USD for 50ml, I just don't find this at all necessary as part of my current skincare routine. I still love you, Fresh!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara x Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara |

I was always skeptical about high-end mascaras until I tested out the Guerlain Cils D'Enfer So Volume Maxi Lash Mascara in the first ever edition of Sample Sunday, and since then I've been on a mission to test out all the high-end mascaras I can get my hands on. This YSL mascara claims to "exaggerate lashes with excess volume from every angle", and reminded me of the Guerlain mascara in almost every aspect - both mascaras gave my lashes volume and lift all day with minimal smudging, has a similar floral fragrance, and are both $32 for the full size. If I had to differentiate between the two, I would say this YSL mascara gives me bigger, more voluminous lashes (at the cost of slightly more clumping), while the Guerlain's short, bristly teethed mascara wand gives longer, more fluttery lashes. Both are great volumizing mascaras (and it really depends on personal preference), but if I had to nitpick, the bigger, bushier YSL wand is trickier to work with in terms of trying not to get mascara on the lids and ruining that bomb smokey eye - that is the worst.

Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream |

After testing out the Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream in the last Sample Sunday, I wanted to stay on the Bobbi Brown train and try out the eye cream sample as well. The Extra Eye Repair Cream claims to repair, revive and strengthen the eye area by targeting fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and dryness. That's an impressive list of claims! First of all, this stuff is thick, so a little goes a long way. It feels rich and luxurious but does take a bit of warming up between the fingertips to spread smoothly under the eyes. The ultra-creamy consistency means it takes a while longer (I give it at least 5 minutes) to absorb fully, so for those of you who like to snooze in the morning like myself, this won't work as part of your 5 minute makeup routine. Under makeup, I have yet to notice any creasing or pilling up which is a good sign. As a nighttime eye cream, this feels wonderfully moisturizing and I do think my under eyes look smoother and my fine lines less pronounced after just a few days, while my dark circles are still beyond repair (excuse the pun). Bobbi Brown does also offer the Hydrating Eye Cream which is lighter in consistency and may be a better option for daytime. So far, I'm loving this Extra Eye Repair Cream as part of my nighttime skincare routine and would be willing to fork over the $72USD for the full size.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream x NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream |
You all know that the only face cream I've used for the past few years is the amazing Aesop Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream, but hey, it doesn't hurt to experiment! Especially when it comes to Bobbi Brown products. I remember playing with my mom's Bobbi Brown makeup and skincare products as a kid (without permission, hehe) and now it's time to give it a proper test. Bobbi Brown claims this is a "light moisturizing cream that leaves skin healthy and prepared for a seamless makeup application". Yasss, sounds right up my street! I love the lightweight texture and how it doesn't leave that dreaded greasy film after it absorbs into the skin, leaving it soft and plump - no more dry patches! So yes, it does seem to enhance makeup application as claimed. Unfortunately, I've noticed some texture and clogged pores on my forehead and cheeks after using this for a few days, which has never happened with my Aesop face cream. I can't say for certain this is the culprit, but needless to say I'll be holding off on this for a while until I can give it another fair try just to be sure. For now, I'm sticking to my trusty Aesop cream!

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30 |
After trying my luck with the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, it was about time I gave their new(ish) foundation a go. Velvet matte sure sounded like a winner for my oily-combination skin, but I was so wrong. This NARS base is an "oil-free skin tint to protect and perfect with medium, buildable coverage and a soft-matte finish", and it has a whipped, mousse-like consistency that, while much thicker than other bases I own, was easy to spread and blend. The shade Alaska looks a shade too dark on my arm, but actually matches my face nicely. This felt comfortable upon application, but I was distracted by how visibly drying and cakey it looked, particularly around my nose, mouth and forehead. I was hoping it would look better as the day went on. Nope! In fact, I'm just going to come right out and say this was pretty terrible. This looks alright far away, but all sorts of bad close up - cakey, thick, dry, messy, settled into my fine lines (especially my smile lines), and worst of all, it faded incredibly patchy and streaky, to the point where I was self-conscious of talking to people up close! I will say that my dry, parched winter skin probably isn't the best canvas to try this formula on, but nevertheless, this just did not work for me. Shame.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base SPF 40 x Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Body & Hand Wash

Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base SPF 40 |
Remember that Chanel beauty event I attended back in June? (Yeah, the same one where I failed miserably and took one measly photo for the blog.) The gift bag I received included a mini sample of the Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base in 10 Rosée, which Chanel claims can immediately correct imperfections and improve radiance for up to 8 hours with light-reflecting pearl extracts derived from Akoya pearls. Oooooh. The shade Rosée has a pink tint that brightens dull skin, and has a lightweight, watery consistency that dries down surprisingly fast - I had to work quickly with a stippling brush to buff it evenly over my face - and leaves a semi-matte finish that isn't tacky or heavy. It isn't a particularly hydrating base though, as I noticed it had dried out my foundation in several areas, especially around my nose and chin, as the day went on. The shade is very light on me, which I guess in turn did brighten my complexion, but I didn't find it too noticeable after foundation was applied over top. While I do enjoy the initial finish and the SPF 40, my nose did not agree with the intensely floral scent and I observed no striking improvement in radiance and longevity to justify $55 USD for the full size.

Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Body & Hand Wash |
Ever since I hauled my Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser, I've been keeping an eye out for covetable body washes from other brands. I remember receiving this Body & Hand Wash sample last fall when I repurchased my second bottle of the Nectarine Blossom & Honey cologne. Out of all the perfumes I own, Jo Malone fragrances have the best longevity hands down. This Body & Hand Wash has a lightweight gel consistency that works up a gentle lather and isn't particularly drying nor moisturizing. Just like the cologne, the smell of this is seriously long-lasting and lingers on the skin for hours. When I first poured this into my hands, the scent was so potent that it felt like I was emptying out the perfume bottle instead. If you're already a fan of the Nectarine Blossom & Honey cologne and want to enhance its longevity and intensity, this would be a great addition to your routine. For me personally, the scent was just way too overpowering and I actually felt a tad nauseous after constantly getting a whiff of it as the day went on. Next time I'll ask to try a sample from a different range, but for now it's a pass and I'll be sticking to my trusty Aesop.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Origins Plantscription SPF 25 Anti-Aging Cream x Make Up For Ever Artist Plexi-Gloss #202

Origins Plantscription SPF 25 Anti-Aging Cream |
After a rather disappointing experience with the Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF30 during a previous Sample Sunday, my hunt for the perfect daytime moisturizer with SPF is still very much ongoing. This is a hydrating moisturizer from Origins with SPF 25 and anti-aging properties that claims to improve lines and wrinkles, and restore the skin's youthful appearance. It is rich and thick in consistency yet not overly greasy - Origins also offers an oil-free version for you oilier girls - and does have a subtle sunscreen smell which I'm not the biggest fan of, yet am also not bothered too much by. I do need to give this time - 5 minutes or so - to fully sink in before I can start applying foundation. So far, I'm liking it! There's nothing super fancy about this cream but it gets the job done - my face stays hydrated throughout the day and gets that much-needed sun protection. This seems to be a good, solid choice for an AM moisturizer and I will definitely consider buying the full-sized jar in the oil-free formula.

Make Up For Ever Artist Pexi-Gloss #202 |
For those of you who remember my Sephora haul back in May, I talked about picking up the Sephora Favorites Paint It Pink set and it included this sample sized MUFE lip gloss in #202 Sweet Pink, a sheer, neutral light pink. I have never been a lip gloss gal - I have owned a total of zero in my life - but this sample was too cute not to try out. This has a flexible, paddle-style wand that applies just the right amount of gloss and fits the contours of my lips perfectly. The gloss itself is tacky - just a step below being too sticky - and I don't find it too distracting or uncomfortable to wear. It delivers a ton of shine and really highlights my lips, making them look fuller and poutier. Not gonna lie, didn't think I would like this - or lip glosses in general - but it's growing on me! This is definitely not a must-have in my books, but it's certainly nice to have in your purse for when you want that extra attention and oomph on your lips. Plus, it has amazing staying power. I dig it!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Caudalie Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil x Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash

Caudalie Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil |
This is my first foray into face oils, as I used to shudder at the idea of slathering oil on my already oily combination skin. I've finally now learned that face oils can actually be beneficial for all skin types - it can help strengthen, protect and balance the skin, and even regulate the overproduction of sebum for oilier skin types. This face oil from Caudalie is a "soothing oil to restore dry and sensitive skin overnight", and is formulated with a unique blend of 6 natural oils that nourishes, soothes and repairs skin. The next morning, your skin should feel transformed - fresh, radiant, soft and supple. Yes please! Although this is catered for "dry to very dry skin", it still worked wonders for me. This has a subtle aroma of tea leaves and roses - uh, YUM - and has a lightweight, non-greasy texture that absorbs almost instantly - like my face was drinking it up! This has a nice soothing effect on the face, and I noticed that my skin just looked better the next morning - fresh and supple, with significantly less redness around my nose and on my cheeks. I'm definitely sold on this stuff now and have already added it to my skincare wish-list. I have a feeling face oils are going to become my new obsession...

Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash |
It's been a while since I've found a good exfoliating scrub - my last favorite was the St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub which I have now found to be just a tad too abrasive on the face, ouch - so I had high hopes for this exfoliating wash from Philosophy. This claims to "effectively cleanse the skin while providing resurfacing benefits", serving as a 30 second mini-peel that replenishes, protects and improves the skin's texture. This stuff is seriously good - it contains tiny, refined sand-like crystals that are super gentle on the skin (quite possibly the gentlest exfoliator I've ever tried), and made my face feel super smooth and clean, yet still hydrated (no tightness whatsoever). There is no noticeable scent, and would be an especially good option for those of you with sensitive skin. If you have flaky skin and prefer more of an intense exfoliating experience, this won't be your cup of tea. I personally appreciate that this is gentle enough for daily use, and will definitely be picking up the full size.

Thanks for reading! What are your favorite face oils and exfoliating scrubs?

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask x Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask

It's an extra special Sample Sunday this week 'cos I'm trying out a brand spanking new, fresh-out-of-the-oven product from one of my absolute faves, Fresh!

Fresh is celebrating 25 years of innovation by releasing a brand new product, the Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask. Woooo! I sprinted to the closet Fresh counter straight after work to get a complimentary sample (as all members of the Fresh Family were generously invited to do so), and to my delight, I was gifted with two additional samples - the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask and Sugar Face Polish - in an adorable sachet along with a packet of dried orange slices for that perfect cup of tea. Uh, brilliant. I've already sampled (and raved) about the Sugar Face Polish, so let's check out the other two masks from Fresh!

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask |
Just take a look at that pamphlet and tell me you don't feel like smearing all that freshly squeezed goodness all over your face! 'Cos that's exactly what I did the minute I got home. This new product is "an innovative mask made with a concentration citrus blend and potent vitamin fruit complex that gently exfoliates to reveal a vibrant glow". The scent is absolutely delightful - a fruit blend of crushed oranges, lemons and clementines - and the texture feels thick and gooey, with tiny chunks of fruit bits. It felt (and smelled) like I was smearing orange jam all over my face. In a good way! No joke, I had to make a conscious effort not to give this a lick. The mask took extra effort to fully wash off (since it did completely dry down in ten minutes), and while I didn't actually feel any exfoliation action going on, I was pleasantly surprised to find my complexion looked brighter, and my skin plumper! Where dat glow come from, yo? Although I don't find this to be an absolute must-have mask - unless you have serious issues with dry, dull, tired-looking skin - it was lovely to use and still gets two thumbs up from me!

Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask |

Fresh's Black Tea range is wonderful - the Black Tea Age-Delay Instant Infusion is my holy-grail toner - and the sales associate instructed that I applied this Instant Perfecting Mask after the Vitamin Nectar mask to boost and maximize results. This is a "hydrating treatment that immediately reveals softer, firmer, healthier-looking skin" and, just like the toner, has the most soothing aroma of black tea and lychees. The texture is very interesting - it has a whipped, velvety mousse consistency with just a touch of graininess to it when you smooth it over the face. Like mashed potatoes! Dang it, now I'm hungry. I felt a tingly, cooling sensation instantly upon application - as it does claim to have - and this mintiness was further amplified when I rinsed the mask off with cold water after ten minutes. Let me tell you, my face felt freakin' phenomenal after - so refreshed, revitalized and soft. While I'm not exactly sure if it was a result of a combination of the two masks, I've already made a mental note to add this to my wish-list. If you want soft, perfected skin and you enjoy masks that "refresh the skin and the senses", you need this in your life.

Because Fresh masks do run on the pricier side (the Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask will set you back $62USD, while the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask will cost you an arm and a leg, I mean $92USD), I would definitely recommend getting a sample first to see which one gets along best with you skin (Sephora is great at this!). If I had to pick my favorite out of the two, it would have to be the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask - it made my face feel like a whole new woman.

Let me know if you've tried any Fresh masks, and which ones are your favorite!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | The Ginza Hybrid Day Protector x Melvita Moisture-Replenishing Night Nectar

It's all about under-the-radar beauty brands for this week's Sample Sunday!

The Ginza Hybrid Day Protector |
I'm going to take a wild guess and say most of you will probably be unfamiliar with this brand, but The Ginza Cosmetics is actually a premium skincare line from Shiseido! Well, whaddya know! (And Ginza is actually an upscale district in Tokyo where Shiseido was born and their flagship store still resides. Ooooh, makeup education!) This Hybrid Day Protector SPF 30+++ claims to protect the skin by shielding it from harmful factors including UV rays, air pollutants and "invisible substances" - their words, not mine. It has a lightweight, mousse-y texture that melts flawlessly into the skin using just my fingertips! It comes out as a nude gel yet offers zero coverage, but manages to have a skin perfecting quality - it makes my pores less noticeable and has a similar blurring effect as the Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector. In direct sunlight, I found this has the tiniest amount of shimmer, which I think gives the skin that extra radiance and oomph. The texture, the scent, the application - this was just an all-around pleasant product to use. However, it turns out the full size is almost $2200HKD (that's close to $285USD... *eyebrow raise*) which is entirely ridonculous for something that performed like a glorified primer with SPF. If I were Oprah, I'd probably own this entire range. But I'm not. No one will ever be Oprah, expect Oprah. I love Oprah. Wow, that escalated quickly.

Swatched | Blended out

Melvita Moisture-Replenishing Night Nectar |
All you organic skincare junkies, listen up! I've been a fan of Melvita for quite some time now - the French pioneer in organic beauty, Melvita only uses ingredients that are organically and responsibly sourced, along with packaging that is completely recyclable. Talk about doing it right! I was given this sample of the Moisture-Replenishing Night Nectar from their Rose Nectar range upon purchasing the Rose Nectar Fresh Eye-Contour Gel a while back (which was nice and refreshing but worked poorly under makeup), and had put off trying it since it's specifically for dehydrated skin, Well, I've since learned that you can have the oiliest of skin types (like moi) and still be dehydrated! This claims to bathe the skin in "beneficial moisture all night long" with a velvety consistency. I was highly drawn to its subtle, calming rose scent and milky, runny texture that felt soothing, almost even cooling, on the skin, although it never did fully absorb and sink in. The instructions on the packet say to use this only in the evenings, which I suspect is because their products - like the Eye-Contour Gel - don't work particularly well under makeup. Since I was lathering it on before bed, the tackiness didn't bother me all that much. Still, I feel this Night Nectar was too rich for my oily skin, and perhaps the Hydrating Facial Gel from the same range catered for dry to combination skin would be a better fit. We shall see!

That's it, folks - I love trying products from unknown and underrated beauty brands! You never know when you'll find something absolutely amazeballs.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm x Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque

This week's Sample Sunday is finally featuring one of my all-time favorite brands, Aesop, along with another appearance from longtime fave, Clinique.

Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque |
Along with Fresh, Aesop is up there in my top favorite skincare brands of all time. I adore every aspect about the brand - the products, the packaging, the stores (the interior design is on point), and the brand's overall aesthetics are completely on par with my own. If I were to design my own brand, it would look something like this - clean, understated, minimalistic. I am a religious user of Aesop's Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque and Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque, but the mere mention of chamomile from the sales associate already had me ooh-ing and ahh-ing and begging for a sample. Like the other two, this is also a clay-based masque but is catered especially for troubled skin, and claims to lift impurities and dry excess oil while calming irritated or inflamed skin. Like all Aesop products, the scent is so soothing - a combination of floral and herbal deliciousness - and it has a silky, refined consistency that dries down completely after ten, fifteen minutes. I found this mask did wonders to calm my skin and those occasional pesky bumps on my forehead, and I even used this as a spot treatment (overnight) on a particularly obnoxious zit above my eyebrow that practically vanished the next morning! It washes away so effortlessly - no scrubbing or tugging - and your skin will feel reset and rejuvenated. So yes, I absolutely will purchase the full size! Aesop, you da best.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm |
I know I went on a whole spiel about my issue with lipsticks, but that don't mean I'm going to stop trying out new lip products! I chanced upon this generous sample of Clinique's popular Chubby Stick lippie in a local Bonjour store, and couldn't pass it up. It's a nourishing tinted lip balm that contains mango and shea butters that moisturizes the lips while giving off a subtle tint and shine. Sounds like the Fresh Tinted Lip Treatments, doesn't it? I have the shade 16 Voluptuous Violet (the only color they sold) which is described as a "sheer plum violet". I really appreciate that this doesn't need sharpening - which is a pain - and you simply swivel up and voila. This worked exactly as described - it's quite sheer but buildable, and keeps my lips hydrated and gives them a subtle, healthy sheen. This would be a easy, fuss-free lippie option for everyday and especially for those of you who want something low-maintenance. While I don't think this is a run-out-and-buy-this-now sort of product, it is nice and I wouldn't mind picking up the full size, albeit in a different shade - Bountiful Blush or Whole Lotta Honey, perhaps? They both sound right up my street - a girl can never, ever have too many MLBB lippies.

Swatched once | Swatched heavily

I guess my wallet will be taking a hit soon, but I ain't even sorry!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation x Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch

It's all about luminous, radiant makeup for this week's Sample Sunday! Overhyped, or worth the hype? Let's check it out!

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation |
One of my favorite foundations of all time is the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - it's so, so good and seriously worth every stinkin' penny - so needless to say my expectations were through the roof for their new oil-free foundation that claims to deliver full, natural coverage with just one drop for 16 hours. You read that right. The texture is extremely fluid and watery, but it still packs a punch in terms of coverage since it's uber pigmented. This shade Deauville (Light 4) matches my face perfectly. I was initially really bummed out by the finish - it seemed to emphasize all the dry patches around my nose, my chin and even on my cheeks - but I've discovered that this is one of those bases that looks better as the day goes on. The cakiness goes away once you give it time to interact with your skin's natural oils. While it definitely doesn't last 16 hours - it's more like ten - I am impressed at how truly weightless and breathable this feels on the face. But do I like this more than Sheer Glow? No - it's trickier to blend and work with over drier skin. I found that it also easily transfers onto clothes (and my hands) which is a tad frustrating. Overall, I think it loses out to Sheer Glow in every possible aspect (some by just a smidge) and I don't see myself needing this in my collection. Sheer Glow is always the way to go.

Swatched | Blended out

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch |
The Touche Éclat is one of those iconic products that every beauty lover has (or has once had) in their makeup arsenal. Except me. Touted as both a highlighter and a concealer, this YSL cult favorite claims to do everything - erase fatigue, highlight features, conceal dark circles, add radiance, lighten dark spots and so on. YSL even claims that one is sold somewhere in the world every ten seconds! Fo real?! I tried Shade 2 in Luminous Ivory, catered for fair to light complexions with yellow undertones, and applied it on the tops of my cheekbones, on the bridge of my nose, on the inner and outer corners of my eyes and around my mouth. As a highlighter, it works really well - it blends seamlessly into the skin and adds a natural luminosity and radiance. As a concealer, it's not the best - this product is definitely a radiance-over-coverage situation. My first impression of this was simply 'That's it?' and I just can't seem to justify the $42USD price tag for a little brightening and highlighting action that can be duped by more affordable options - Maybelline Dream Lumi, L'oreal Magic Lumi and Clinique Airbrush Concealer just to name a few. Sure, this will probably get the job done better, and if you fancy a splurge, go right ahead! All in all, it is indeed a good product. As for myself, I will not be spending my hard earned moolah on this not-as-magical-as-I-thought golden pen. Sorry YSL.

Swatched | Blended out

So it looks like I won't be adding any new makeup to my collection this week. Ah, shucks...

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF35 x Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream

For this week's Sample Sunday, I'm trying out a BB cream that claims to give you flawless, camera ready skin, and an ultra-rich, anti-aging eye cream that claims to target five types of eye wrinkles. I didn't even know there were five types! Let's check it out!

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF35 |
My first impression of this Smashbox BB Cream was that it felt very similar, in both consistency and coverage, to my NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, which I love. So that's a good start. This has a thick, creamy texture and has light to medium coverage that instantly evens out my redness and discoloration. Although my shade in Light looks pink straight out of the tube, it turns a golden yellow shade as soon as I start blending it out. I was pleasantly surprised with the oil control - my face looked relatively shine-free (for once) after a long day at work with zero touch ups! With some trial and error, I found this blended into the face the best using a buffing brush - pairing this with my BeautyBlender made my face weirdly patchy. Not cute. Overall, this BB cream really seemed to agree with my skin, and I love that it comes with SPF 35, so I would definitely consider purchasing the full size ($39 USD) once this sample is finished. Smashing!

Swatched | Blended out

Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream |
My mom gave me this deluxe eye cream sample from one of her Shiseido skincare purchases a while back, and although it's targeted for more mature skin, it doesn't hurt to start early! This eye cream claims to counteract five types of eye-area wrinkles, including crow's feet, corner creases, under eye wrinkles, lid creases and vertical lines (not entirely sure what that last one is), as well as improve firmness and the appearance of dark circles. This has a rich and luxurious texture - it's creamy but not greasy - and feels intensely moisturizing under the eyes. Although I used this mainly in my nighttime skincare routine - since it does take a good while to fully absorb into the skin - I tried it a few times in the morning as well and found it worked great under makeup - unlike the First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream, this didn't get patchy or ball up under my makeup. Huge plus! While I can't comment on the wrinkle-resisting claims, my under eyes do feel more plump and hydrated after one week, my dark circles seem to have reduced slightly, and I experienced no sensitivity or irritation. And since a little goes a long way, I would be willing to splurge on the full size in the future ($55 USD for 0.5oz) and say au revoir to wrinkles and aged skin!

Finally, two samples that I was actually impressed by! Although my wallet's not going to be too pleased, my skin will thank me fosho.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Philosophy Time In A Bottle x Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF30

We're into our fourth edition of Sample Sunday! Woohoo! Let's check out another two skincare samples this week.

Philosophy Time In A Bottle Daily Age-Defying Serum |
My ears instantly perked up when I heard that this serum from Philosophy claimed to go beyond just improving signs of aging, and actually targets our skin's DNA. Say whaaat? It supposedly contains a DNA renewal complex (ooooh) and a high-potency vitamin C8 (ahhhh) that helps transform the skin and protect it from environmental stressors. Philosophy also claims that improved skin - in radiance, evenness and texture - should be noticeable in just one week! Well, besides the serum - which comes out as a pink, lightweight gel - feeling quite hydrating and soothing on the skin, I personally didn't see much a difference. Bummer. Maybe I needed to use this for longer - or have a larger sample - but based on my week-long experience, I don't think it's worth the hefty price tag ($75 USD) and will not be purchasing the full size.

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF30 PA+++ |
I have been on the hunt for a good face moisturizer that also has SPF, and had such high hopes for this one from Murad. Not only does this antioxidant-rich moisturizer protect the skin from UVA, UVB rays, and free radical damage, it also helps renew the skin and improve clarity, firmness and elasticity. Sounds totes amazing, and I really wanted to love this. But alas, it was just not meant to be. While the citrusy scent and lightweight feel of the moisturizer are certainly two pluses, this did not sink into my skin and made makeup application quite challenging. My foundation seemed to blend with the moisturizer and as the day went on, my face turned into a patchy, streaky nightmare, not to mention a greasy hot mess. I do believe that the insane humidity was this moisturizer's biggest downfall, so it might still be worth another shot during the colder months. Let's just shelve this as "Undecided" for now, and I'll keep you guys posted.

So there you go, another two products that just didn't really impress me. Sigh. Better luck next time!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Too Faced Born This Way x First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream

For this week's Sample Sunday, I'm trying a foundation that everyone has been raving about, and an eye cream that claims to do everything. Let's see how they both fared for me..

Too Faced Born This Way Absolute Perfection Foundation |
When a foundation claims to masterfully diffuse the line between makeup and skin and offer undetectable coverage, trust that my expectations will be soaring. This Too Faced foundation has been getting rave reviews all across the board, so needless to say I was super excited to get a sample with one of my online Sephora purchases. My shade is in Vanilla - catered to fair to light skin with neutral to pink undertones - and it's a bit too light on me but works fine after some good ol' bronzer. Although I am not a fan of the strange, almost synthetic scent this has - might just be mine - boy, am I impressed with its amazing coverage. With just one pump, my skin looked pretty darn flawless - no more redness or discoloration. However, the claim of offering undetectable coverage seemed to only ring true for me with indoor lighting. As soon as I walked outside, I could see the foundation emphasized dry patches on my chin and forehead. Not a cute look. And even though this is oil-free, I found it too rich for my oily skin - it's formulated with coconut water for hydration - and I looked uber greasy in the T-zone after just three hours. So unlike everyone else who seems to adore this foundation, I won't be purchasing the full size. Too bad, so sad.

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream |
While it's already challenging in itself to find an eye cream that can do everything - hydrate, firm, combat fine lines, dark circles and puffiness - and still be comfortable and non-irritating under the eyes, I need an eye cream that also works well under makeup. 'Cos I don't got time (or money) for two separate eye creams for the AM and PM! For the past two years, I've been using Clinique's All About Eyes because it doesn't irritate my eyes and works wonderfully under makeup, but it's been quite ineffective in terms of combating those issues I just mentioned. So this multi-tasking, age-delaying eye cream from First Aid Beauty sounds like a dream come true. It has five claims -  to smooth, firm, brighten, and nourish the skin while combating free radicals -  and is paraben and sulfate-free. It's also supposed to be fragrance-free, but my sample definitely has an off-putting, almost sour smell to it - I'm just going to put that down as the sample being past its prime. It comes out as a gel and is tacky in texture on application, but dries down after a minute or so. My under eyes do feel moisturized and slightly tightened, and it doesn't irritate my eyes whatsoever. One week - and one small sample - is obviously not enough time to test out all those claims, but I can already say that I won't be purchasing the full size because this simply does not work under makeup. The moment you start applying foundation and concealer, the eye cream starts separating underneath and eventually pills up into little clumps. The hunt continues..

That's a wrap! Two samples that are must-haves for many, but just sadly did not work for me. Goes to show you can live without certain products that other people can't live without!