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!

JUST IN | Now Online - Sephora Hong Kong

Oh My Gosh. I can't believe it. Sephora has finally answered my makeup prayers and made its way over to the 852 via it's new online store, sephora.hk! When I saw this in my inbox this morning, I swear I let out a muffled scream. Goodbye, savings...

All us beauty lovers in Hong Kong can now enjoy full access to a wide range of beauty products and brands that we've been coveting for so long but could never get our hands on. You can also get free shipping on orders over $350 HKD. Can I get a woop-woop! The website doesn't carry all the brands that are on the Sephora US website, but I spy a few new brand additions that aren't sold in Sephora anywhere else, including 3CE, Sleek, Mario Badescu and Zoeva. Yasss.

But wait, there's more!

Until March 29th, purchase over $600 HKD and get $50 HKD off, PLUS free shipping. Gotta run, my wallet isn't going to empty itself!