That’s right. Back to back sample boxes!
Yesterday was Birchbox. Today is Sephora (obviously).
As noted yesterday, these two boxes worked beautifully together. Which I love. Fun products that I can test out together and NOT STRESS MYSELF OUT TO GET A POST UP IN TIME? Yes, please.
Overall, this was a pretty good selection. Nothing was totally disappointing. By and large, though, most of these are more expensive versions of stuff I already have. So while I enjoyed it, I’m not necessarily in the market for it. Also, I totally love Sephora’s packaging more…they feel like mini versions as opposed to samples.
My Burberry – Burberry – $97 for 1.06 oz
Inspired by the trench coat and its heritage of British design and craftsmanship, My Burberry captures the fragrance of a London garden after the rain. The scent is a contemporary British grand floral.
Top notes of sweet pea and bergamot fuse with a geranium leaf, golden quince and freesia heart, rounded out with a base of patchouli and rain-tipped damask and centifolia roses. The bottle reflects iconic details of the trench coat: a bold horn-finish cap echoes its distinctive buttons and the hand-tied bow is English-woven gabardine, honouring the fabric invented by Thomas Burberry over 100 years ago.
I looooove perfume. I do. I don’t wear it often, but I love it. And I love rose. But not all rose perfumes are equal. I like more modern rose perfumes. So I was delighted when I first sniffed this (and was shocked to learn there’s patchouli….I loathe patchouli). Since the Chicago weather is finally resembling spring, it was the perfect perfume to wear. Light. Springy. Floral.
Until.
Until 4 hours later. It smells like sour soap. Luckily, I used a light hand so it’s not overwhelming but…pass.
Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer – Philosophy – $25 for 4.7 oz
america’s #1 cleanser now has a new best friend. at last, you can experience the power of purity moisture, and see healthy, radiant skin instantly! this ultra-lightweight formula leaves skin looking dewy and smooth with less-visible pores—pure and restored to its ideal state. learn more!
clinically proven to keep skin hydrated for 24 hours,*
immediately feels like a reset for your skin**
in just 3 days, see makeup-optional skin.**
in 7 days, skin looks young and healthy like the skin you were born with!**
*24-hour clinical study with 25 subjects
**1-week self-assessment study with 96 women aged 18-35
I love philosophy. Their products are fairly reasonably priced and smell so, so, so GOOD. This is a lovely light-weight moisturize. Lightly fragranced. (I have discovered that I abhor perfumed products on my face.) This worked nicely, but I’m currently happy with my current skincare routine and have no plans to shake it up. But! If I were I would definitely purchase this. Didn’t cause zits nor make me super oily. Also kept my skin adequately moisturized. Which is no small feat with psoriasis!
I don’t know whether I noticed all those claims above……But I’m always EXTREMELY dubious about them. So. Take that as you will.
Ultra HD Perfector Skin Tint Foundation SPF 25 – Makeup Forever – $36 for 1.01 oz (in Warm Sand)
This innovative, weightless formula imparts an instant blurring effect that enhances and perfects skin. Innovative pigments flex flex to match a range of 3-5 skin tones per shade. Whether you’re new to foundation or an enthusiast seeking a fresh alternative, this sheer-to-medium-coverage tint flatters every face. Additionally, hydration combined with SPF 25, keep skin supple and protected. With an effortless application that can be applied directly with your fingertips, nurturing formula, and a long lasting natural finish, Ultra HD Perfector breaks all limits we’ve come to expect from foundations. This is your most natural perfected skin, on demand. Available in 10 shades with each individual shade spanning uniquely across multiple skin tones.
I love me some full coverage foundation, don’t get me wrong. But my heart truly lies with light coverage. This is the same selfie as yesterday. And this is the tinted moisturizer/sheer foundation, that held up ALL DAY. Sadly (?) I already have a sheer foundation I am absolutely in love with so I don’t need another one. But! I will hold onto this tube and, probably, take it on vacation with me. It works incredibly well and is so lightweight I forgot I had it on. It helps blend the complexion out, but it still looks like you. Which is definitely more my style. And skillset. Let’s be honest.
Full On Lip Polish – BUXOM – $20 for 0.15 oz (in Celeste)
Lips reach their full potential with this ultimate lip plumper. A high-shine gloss tingles to coax a gorgeous pout while pampering and moisturizing lips with Vitamins A and E. Lips stay lusciously soft and seriously sexy. Our unique peptide and hyaluronic acid booster helps to volumize and plump the appearance of lips – without irritation.
Peach and berry lip colors are my FAVORITES. Well. And coral. But this shade is a light, shimmery peach. (You’ll have to look super closely at the picture up there to see it.) It feels very nice on the lips. Light. Not sticky.
But…eh. I didn’t notice any plumping, which is fine with me. It is not long lasting nor is the color that intense. While it’s a perfectly fine sample, it’s not something I’ll purchase. I feel like I can get something similar/better for less money.
Ferulic + Retionol Wrinkle Recovery Peel – Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare – $88 for 16 treatments
What It Is:
A high-performance dose of retinol that acts in 2 ways: as a peel to help smooth the look of wrinkles and as an anti-aging vitamin to help skin look firmer
What’s In It For You:
Improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and wake up to a complexion that looks more firm, smooth and radiant. This new way to peel with a clinical dose of retinol helps exfoliate dead surface cells, revealing fresh skin that looks renewed. A replenishing moisture complex leaves skin feeling hydrated and balanced.
You Have:
Fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture, imperfections
You Want:
Smoother, firmer and healthier-looking skin that looks radiant and retextured
The only problem with a sample of high-end skin care is there (usually) just isn’t enough to go around. Skincare results are not instantaneous.
So I can’t give a fair review. There was plenty in each packet for two treatments. After a week(ish), I can’t say I was blown away. But! You really need more than a week to adequately judge results.
That being said, I do have two chemical exfoliants that are cheaper. (And after checking the ingredients, this has squalane…which I also already have.) So this wasn’t a bust, but I’m going to need a lot more to convince me to drop $88.
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin C – Kiehl’s Since 1885 – $62 for 1.7 oz
Now formulated with even more Vitamin C, Dermatologist Solutions™ Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate is infused with 10.5% L-Ascorbic Acid and 2% Ascorbyl Glucoside. Our new and improved formula offers extensive skin benefits:
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Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boosts skin radiance and improves texture
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Helps visibly minimize pores over time for smoother skin
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Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, our formula helps diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture
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Dermatologist-tested for safety
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Carefully-formulated for all skin types, even sensitive skin
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A customer favorite
Shit.
This stuff is bottled unicorn magic. I DON’T WANT TO SPEND SIXTY TWO DOLLARS but, man. My skin looked good. And it felt even better. I seriously kept petting my face. And then crying when I looked at the price.
Remember what I said about needing more than one use? Well, friends, this stuff is the exception. Oh my god.
Wannabe Fairy Tale Princess 