Glamglow masks — I bought a trio of mini sizes, which might as well be samples, and I decided not to buy any in full-size… more because I am really bad at remembering to use masks enough to ever finish a jar as my minis dried up before I finished them!
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Glow Recipe Watermelon Mask — lackluster exfoliation, quite drying (why do they advertise it as a hydrating overnight mask?!).
I dig the watermelon candy scent, though. 🙂
(Edited: I know fragrance is unnecessary and occasionally even harmful in skincare. But I still think the smell is pleasant!)
Armani Lip Maestro in 501, Dior Joy perfume, and Marc Jacobs Daisy Love perfume. These samples came with my last Sephora order. The perfumes were just not me, so I gave them to a friend. The jury is still out on the lipstick, but even if I wind up liking the shade, the chances of me spending the money for a full size is less than 1%.
I also recently rejected foundations from NARS (Radiant Longwear) and Lancome (Teint Idole) after trying samples because they broke me out.
Prada Candy perfume. I received a free sample yesterday with an order from Macy’s. On me, and in the air, it smelled like strong, fake rose scented room spray. I couln’t wait to wash it off.
Funny you described it that way. I can’t do anything with a fake rose scent because to me it smells like old time scented feminine pads. A coworker recently started smelling this way and I finally caught her with the sample vial. Prada Candy! Planning a perfume gift for Xmas to rectify the issue.
Lancome genifique serum. My mother is a Lancome junkie and she has a ton of samples. She gave me four little sample bottles of the stair on which lasted me approximately a month. I did not notice any difference or change in my skin. Considering how expensive it is, I was hoping to see some sort of change.
Laura Mercier eyeshadow base. I don’t know, it makes my lids look older and blah. Doesn’t make my shadow crease any less.
Pur minerals pressed powder. The shades were positively ghastly on me.
I’m not usually using make-up samples, and even for skincare I’ll just use samples that are for products rated with good ingredients on Beautypedia; so I’m rarely deciding not to buy something after trying a sample on this two sides.
With perfume, I rarely buy full size (last full bottle I think I purchased 3 years ago) 😆 since most times even for fragrances I like I’ll have at least a sample back-up from Sephora or Macy’s.
For me it was the Briogeo hair care line, with `Don’t Despair Repair` conditioning mask being the latest disappointment. I mean… their not bad products, but I don’t understand the hype. I tried several packet, mini and deluxe sample of their products, from shampoos, conditioners, leave in treatments. I have fine frizzy hair and I didn’t found the conditioning mask `conditioning` enough for me… I just don’t see their products any better than brands like John Frieda or Macadamia Professional; if you want to spend an extra money on haircare I find Bumble and Bumble and Living Proof way better… not to mention Verb.
That’s why I like the Sephora haircare kits, I get to try lots of minis. That’s how I found out that although very `hyped`, OUAI and Drybar dry shampoo are actually horrible products (at least from my point of view).
To expand your knowledge base (’cause Beautypedia and the PC ingredients dictionary are good, and I def subscribe to Paula principles), start using Cosdna and EWG as well. You won’t get schnookered again! Those resources really help in figuring out what is not good for you personally, but ok for ‘the masses.’
Thank you for the suggestions! I already use EWG (not just for cosmetics, but also for food, household cleaners, etc.), but mainly because it assess the toxicity of ingredients and impact on our waters and environment. 🙂
With Beautypedia is not only a matter of ingredient analysis, but I do find that my preferences are somewhat in line with the reviewers and their subjective opinion beyond ingredients; or I know at least how it would work for me based on their review.
Cosdna seems a very good resource for products that are not listed yet on Beautypedia, will come in handy when I purchase products from other countries.
I totally agree with you, once I built a good knowledge base, I got better at choosing the products right for me. Like since I started using temptalia, I rarely fail when choosing a foundation/concealer shade online. 😀
The first product that comes to mind is all of the sunscreens in the Sephora Favorites that I purchased. After trying all of them I didn’t purchase any of the ones featured. Some were just too uncomfortable to wear, some did not play nice under makeup and some the smell was so strong and didn’t dissipate for hours.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Amethyst. It didn’t work with my body chemistry, and ended up smelling awful on me.
That reminds me, although I love Nirvana Black, I had a sample of another Nirvana (can’t remember which) that was awful on me and I gave it away.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. Geesh, what’s in that stuff? Battery acid? Accidentally got some on my top lip, and thought for sure it was the new lip gloss I was wearing that caused my lips to dry up, peel, flake and feel horrible. It was NOT the Too Faced Yummy Rummy lipgloss, as I would later find out when it happened again! This time, I had applied an old HG lipstick after doing the rest of my face. One that not only never bothered my lips, but is actually super comfortable to wear. By the process of deduction, I figured out that the true culprit was that SK-II essence.
Saddest part? That stuff really did make my pores shrink up very noticeably! I would love to find a gentler version of whatever that is in it that worked that magic.
Hourglass veil mineral primer. It made my skin look flaky and my BB cream pill up on my nose and cheeks.
It was a Murad cleanser and it smelled so vile that I couldn’t use it again after the first use.
Clinique’s Liquid Soap cleanser – I received it as a gift sample, used it and found that it just made my skin too dry.
Urban Decay Primer Potion. I find it so average and not any better than a drugstore eyeshadow primer. It’s not terrible but why pay $20 for something I can get for $5? Would never pay full price for it !
Your skin tone/coloring: Light to Medium
Eyeshadow palette you’re most thankful for? (2)= Natasha Denona Gold Palette (the one I swore I wasn’t going to buy?) and Kevyn Aucoin ‘NudePop’
Foundation/concealer you’re most thankful for? I have 3-=LaMer Cushion, Tom Ford Cushion and Hourglass Illusion Foundation in Nude. They are in strong rotation right now….
Blush you’re most thankful for? Charlotte Tilbury ‘First Love’. I can wear this with almost any look!
Guerlain Allegoria fragrances- Very short lived fragrance! I sprayed the sample all over, went to leave the house 30 minutes later, and the smell had dissipated by then. My husband could not smell any fragrance on me. Its too bad because I love them. But will not buy due to this one factor.
Clinique’s Moisture Surge Overnight Mask- I was disappointed that it wasn’t any more moisturizing than the original Moisture Surge
I tried a sample of the La Prairie Cellular Dry Face Oil. I liked it very much, it did all the good things a face oil does plus it sunk into my skin so rapidly that there was none of that heavy, oily feeling. The problem is the price, $335. being that I’m not rich-or crazy, I did not but it. 😉
Charlotte Tilbury’s Nude Kate lipstick – it made me look ill!
Drunk Elephant Babyfacial is a no for me. It’s nice in that my face feels smoother, but it’s got to do a lot more for the price.
MAC waterweight concealer it creased, not enough coverage, products was not long wearing on me.