April Samples & Empties

Time for the Samples & Empties Post (late obviously but it was a huge post). Quick thoughts about each starting above.

African Botanics Pure Marula Cleansing Oil: This actually wasn't an empty. I had two. This was the older version which had expired. So out it went. I adore this warm vanilla scented cleansing oil and I'm still happily working on my newer one. Review HERE.

Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Body Polish: My favorite body scrub of all time. I shall never be without. Review HERE.

Su-man Velvet Skin Moisturizing Cream: This was my second jar of this. It's creamy and soothing yet light. Review HERE.

EVE LOM Brightening Lotion: This was OK. I had hoped for more as the peptides sounded amazing. It's a creamy type lotion essence. I wouldn't repurchase as it didn't seem to do anything for me.

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer Pink Dune: I finally finished my first Tom Ford Lippie. This is my favorite Tom Ford shade of all time, sadly discontinued. Review and swatches HERE.

Renee Rouleau Anti-Cyst Treatment: I adore this stuff. It really helps my cysts go down. Like all things nothing helps immediately. I'm on my third one. I talked about it HERE.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma: Adore this stuff. Love the packaging. I wish it didn't oxidize like it does, it's gotten better over the years. The formula is amazing. It is my go to for L-Ascorbic Acid serums. Talked about it HERE.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation N30: I loved this cushion foundation. Not a traditional Asian one like I had seen in the past. This was more gel like, less oily than others I've tried. I used it all up as I lived in it last summer. Review HERE. It seems this is maybe discontinued or being redone maybe? It's not in most stores like it was last summer.

Ogx Niacin & Caffeine Conditioner: I really wanted to love this stimulating conditioner. It's very light, almost gel cream like. It definitely won't weigh your hair down and almost has a slight cooling sensation when applied. It wasn't enough for my hair so I would not repurchase.

Amika Un.Done Texture Spray: I really wanted to love this. It's got a white cast, the scent is too floral, and it's too heavy duty for me. Made my hair too puffed out and dry. I have several others I like more. I only used half and gave the rest away.

Salon Grafix Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo: I used to love this one. It was a staple for years because it's invisible and cheap. I have decided I like Oribe and IGK a ton more so I no longer use this one. It's very light in its ability to dry the oil up. That was why I liked it. Review HERE.

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion: I love this drugstore lotion. It's lightweight, hydrating, not greasy and perfect for sensitive skin as it's fragrance free. Review HERE.

Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion Cocoa Butter: I use this creamy in-shower lotion frequently. I've gone through quite a few so far. It's a staple on my non-Coco Rose scrub days. Review HERE.

OUAI Volume Shampoo & Conditioner: This was OK. It's way too fragranced for me. I just couldn't do it and didn't finish the shampoo.

Juara Coconut Illipe Hand & Nail Balm: I liked this hydrating hand cream. Smelled warm and kind of sweet like cake or vanilla and butters. It doesn't replace my staple night favorite.

Miriam Quevedo The Gold Mask: This was OK. Nothing to write home about for me. It's too expensive for what it is for me.

Beauty Blender Liquid blendercleanser: I still like the solid better, but this is pretty good too. This stuff is truly the best at getting that foundation off the sponge.

OSKIA Renaissance 360: I like this. It's a touch too heavy for daytime for me most of the time-except winter. I'd use it more if it was sunscreen free so I could use whenever.

Nurse Jamie Dermalase Mask: This worked, it has a sticky, thick, jelly kind of texture. It's the texture that gets me on this one.

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Eye Cream: I liked this. It lasted a long time and was pleasant and hydrating. It costs a fortune for Estee Lauder. It was nice but I doubt I would buy it.

Dr.Jart+ Water Fuse Hydro Gel: This was an OK gel hydrator. A little fragranced. It didn't beat my Perricone or Zelens.

Rodial Pink Diamond Instant Lifting Serum: Eh, I'll pass on this. Expensive and I don't know why. Sparkly pink serum that did nothing for me.

The Good Chemist Youth Boost: I really liked this. Lightweight and hydrating. Sinks right in. Uses fruit extracts for antioxidants as well. I did like it enough to consider buying it one day as the light texture is phenomenal.

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer: This is always nice. A light citrus scented gel cream. It's nice but not better than my beloved Perricone or Zelens.

Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water: This is OK. Basic micellar water. I don't like it on my eyes so I used it for swatches only. I've tried it in the past and it just didn't work that well for me.

Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream Tinted: I wanted to really like this. It's nice for a tinted lotion sunscreen if you want all in one. It's too heavy to use as a sunscreen alone for me. It's not enough in the winter alone so I need to layer. I don't know it was nice, but it just wasn't wow for me. Nothing is wrong with it, just wasn't for me I guess.

SkinMedica HA5: I really wanted to love this as it's so popular. I disliked the heavy silicone texture, too much dimethicone and it pilled on me a lot.

Earthwise Beauty Nap in the Meadow: This was nice. A light serum texture. The scent was way too strong for me. It smells like an alcohol (vodka) almost. Kind of like the carrot a day one. I just have a hard time with it.

La Bella Figura Jardin de Fleurs: This was a nice mist. I have so many mists and I'm trying to cut back on buying new ones so I just wouldn't get a big one right now for that reason.

Earthwise Beauty Marshmallow Suds: This is a new discovery for me. I really like it. It's a thicker gel that doesn't strip my skin. More to come.

ATOI Nourishing Night Cream: This was pretty hydrating. I ended up using it on my neck at night. It was nice but I already have three night favs and don't need anymore right now.

Jane Scrivner Nourishing Cleanser: Love the scent of this balm. Slightly spicy almost. I have another mini then a big one to go through.

Jane Scrivner Affirmative Oil: I did like this oil, it's a bit more essential oil scented than I like in general.

Earthwise Beauty Passion Eye Serum: I liked this. I would consider buying a big one some day. I have a full size Maya Chia one I need to finish first.

Burberry Cat Lashes Mascara: Didn't like this at all. The brush is silicone, gave very separated lashes, too spidery.

Fresh Rose Face Mask: I love this mask. Rose petals and gel. I talked about it HERE. Been using for a decade at least.

Estee Lauder Enlighten Night Serum: This was OK. Can't say that it did anything for me to be honest.

REN Evercalm Day Cream: This was nice. Simple, calming. It's a good product.

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum: Caudalie is a brand I would like to explore more some day. I've only tried the serums. They're nice.

Josie Maran Surreal Skin Finishing Balm: I like this in the colder months. It's too heavy for summer texture wise. I love the tiny pink pearl in it.

Earthwise Beauty Ambrosia del Cerrado: I really like this. It's a really hydrating liquid yet such a thin texture.

Bioderma Matricium: I adore this repairing watery liquid. Review HERE.

La Bella Figura Aria: I loved this oil so much I bought a big one. More to come.

La Bella Figura Daily Elements Defense: I liked this, not as much as the other oil I also grabbed in addition to Aria.

REN Evercalm Rescue Mask: I've used this before. It's nice and creamy textured.

Omorovicza Omoroessence: I've already used a big one of this and I love it. A light watery essence with such a pleasant scent. Slight sweet almost. Review HERE.

JKosmmune Lotion Normal to Dry & Sensitive: I have some samples of this lotion to go through. It's light and hydrating. Fragrance free, calming, soothing. Seems perfect for sensitive skin.

Dr Barbara Sturm Face Cream: I like this. It's lighter than I thought it would be. Almost more of a heavy lotion. I have a larger sample tube to go through I'll post more thoughts after I use it.

Erborian Glow Creme: This is OK. A medium weight lotion or lighter cream. It has a pearly texture. It's OK but nothing makes me want to grab it in a full size.

Sisley Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream: I like this. I've played with multiple samples. It's a heavier gel cream with a rose scent. I like it, though I still prefer my Zelens Z Matrix over this.

Reverie MILK: This hair milk leave in conditioner has the most delicious essential oil scent. I bought a big one. More to come.

J.One Jelly Pack: I've used so many samples of this. I like it. It's a great primer in the summer. Or a hydrating layer in the winter.

Sisley Neck Cream: I like this creamy neck cream. I've tried samples a few times. It's too pricey for me to buy a big one.

Derm Institute Gel Masque: I like this. It's a heavier hydrating gel. You leave it on versus wash it off. It was pretty hydrating without being heavy.

Diptique Baume Genereux Luxurious Hand Balm: This was nice. It was OK in general, hydrating.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma: See above.

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Mask: I like this, the chunky texture is what gets to me. Review HERE.

Sisley Phyto Cernes Eclat 2: This was too light and too creamy for me. It didn't set down enough for me. Pass.

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum: I liked this thicker hydrating gel serum.

Novinka Ryor Hyaluronic Acid Gel: I got this in a package from a friend on insta. I have no idea where to get it from but I did like the texture.

Pyunkang Yul Oil: Eh this was OK, I like other oils better.

Hair Rituel by Sisley Revitalizing Volumizing Shampoo, Restructuring Conditioner & Regenerating Hair Care Mask: So far I've loved all the Sisley hair stuff I've tried. It's not too scented either. Too pricey for me to buy but I like it.

Instytutum Flawless Skin Mask: I loved this mask. It's really good. I talked about it HERE.

SooAE Black Charcoal Bubble Sheet Mask: This was way too bubbly for me. It was like a grey colored foam on a sheet mask. But it bubble so much it made my nose tickle.