July Samples & Empties: Part 2

I’m really late with this post but last week was just crazy with the hurricane weather then I’ve been sick. So finally time for part 2 of the July Samples & Empties Post. Quick thoughts about each starting above left to right.

Rahua Voluminous Conditioner: I love Rahua. Their products are all great. Natural, SLS free. This one is a touch lighter than the original version. It leaves my hair bouncy and voluminous. I would buy again.

NIP+FAB Hyaluronic Fix Body Gel: I wanted to love this. A very light gel style body moisturizer. Perfect for summer because it’s light. It’s too sticky for me though.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum: Love this, it’s a staple hero product. Review here.

Alpha-H Age Delay Hand and Cuticle Cream: Hydrating and perfect for overnight. AHA’s for exfoliating and reducing dark spots. Staple hero product. Review here.

Sachajuan Dry Powder Shampoo: This was OK. Very heavy feeling, powdery and has a big white cast. I wouldn’t buy a big one.


Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel: Love this hydrating gel. Review here.

Kat Burki Form Control Marine Collagen Gel: This stuff is so good. Smells like a cucumber heaven. Review here. Such a pretty glass package and plump my skin up.

Omorovicza Instant Perfection Serum: A nice clear hydrating serum perfect for summer or more combo to oily skin types. Review here.

SUNDAY RILEY Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner: This was a bit drying for me. It’s a milky liquid gel that turns fully liquid when you rub your hands together. Perfect if you have oily to combo skin.

Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins: This smelled like oranges. It was a nice hydrating cream for night.

Zelens Z-22 Absolute Face Oil: I liked this oil. It’s Zelens so it’s good. I talked about it some here. I bought it when it was only $95 then it went to some ridiculous price of $195. I wouldn’t buy again for that price. I love the slim glass pump.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask Honey Blossom: I loved this version of the Resurfacing Mask. It was limited edition. I’ve kind of gravitated away from this mask moving towards some other AHA exfoliating masks instead. Several years ago this was one of my favorites. It’s still good don’t get me wrong. Review here.

African Botanics Rose Treatment Essence: A real rose scented gel essence. I have a big one to use so stay tuned for more.

Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum: This is one of my favorite glycolic serums. Doesn’t sting my skin. Review here and talked about it some more here.

L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate: This is a nice sweet almond scented body cream. It’s not light like lotion, but it’s not heavy like a body butter or heavy body cream. I would use it if it came to me, but it’s not one I would buy. I prefer lotion more.

AMOREPACIFIC Color Control Cushion Compact 104 & 106: This was OK. Chanel’s new cushion version is so much better. This one is very sheer almost no coverage. It’s a touch oily feeling too. 106 was the best shade for my warmer light medium skin tone. A little cool but it’s so sheer it didn’t matter.

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara: This is always good. I’ve tried multiple samples of this. Volume without clumps.

Zelens 3t Complex Essential Anti-Aging Cream: This is so good. It’s a light cream that packs a hydrating punch. It makes my forehead wrinkles go almost away every night I use it. I’m addicted now. More to come.

Sisley Paris Express Flower Gel Mask: I love this mask. It’s a quick hydrating gel mask. I love the mini size versions. I talked about it here.

MAC Upward Lash: This has the tiniest little brush I’ve ever seen, good for detail. But it was clumpy/spidery. So a no go for me.

Dior Diorshow Lash-Extension Effect Volume Mascara: This is still a good volume mascara. Not as good as it used to be.

SURRATT Diaphane Loose Powder Matte: I love this. It’s the perfect portable system. It’s never heavy just makes my skin matte. I do cut open the mesh and use the last bits with a brush when I get close to the end. Review here. My only gripe with this is that you can’t buy separate sponges. The sponge is good but you have to buy a new plastic case in order to get a new sponge.

Guerlain L’Or Primer: Eh, this was not something I liked. The clear gel textured primer has gold flakes in it but that’s about all that’s appealing about it. It smelled like alcohol and was more like a gel serum than a primer anything. I tried it twice and was done with it, even though I have more in the sample.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex Ii: This is OK. Light gel serum. Nothing wow factor wise but it’s decent.

Yes! Nurse Protect Your Lovely Hands: I used to be totally in love with this. It’s a good hydrator and I love the ingredients. It’s just too sticky.


Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme Nude: Nude was an OK match for me. Not perfect. A bit too yellow. It was a high coverage foundation. It’s hard to get a full assessment of it with only one use.

Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Shampoo: I like this shampoo. SLS free. I own a full size in my shower. It’s not drying like some volume shampoos.

Alterna Bamboo Shine Luminous Shine Shampoo & Conditioner: This was OK. Like a typical glossing shampoo and conditioner. It reminds me of the Fekkai glossing line.

Alterna Caviar Repair Rx Instant Recovery Shampoo & Conditioner: I love Alterna Caviar products. They’re always pretty hydrating. This one is a bit less hydrating than the traditional Caviar line.

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