Sampling

It has been a long time since I have done one of these posts, but as I have made a point of trying and using up some of my sample products, instead of just hoarding them, I thought I would share with you some of my favourites over the past couple of months. There are 5 products in total and it is fair to say, they have all made a huge impression on me.

Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil - This is a product from my Look Fantastic beauty Box and because my skin is often quite dry in parts, but oily in others, the joys of combination skin, I wasn't too sure how my skin would react to it. My skin loved it and after using just once, it felt incredibly hydrated, smooth and not at all as oily as I had feared, infact there was less oily patches the following day, when my lunchtime I would be grabbing my compact to dab off anything excess. This is one product I will finish and if I had nothing similar it is one I would purchase without debate because I like it that much. A full sized bottle retails at £47 

Eve Lom Cleanser - I received this within my first Look Fantastic Beauty Box, I've heard amazing things about this hot cloth cleanser from many bloggers who really rate it, so I was really looking forwarding to giving this a try. Considering I live in London where the air is not exactly clean and I wear makeup on a daily basis, I found this cleanser really does do a fantastic job at removing every single trace of my makeup not to mention surface dirt and grime which just seems to cling to my skin.  Eve Lom describe this product as "a multi-tasking marvel which removed every last trace of make-up, even waterproof mascara, it also decongests, tones and gently exfoliates the skin".

After using, I found my skin to be feeling extremely soft afterwards and really clean feeling but at £85 for a full sized tub, it didn't wow me enough to want to rush out and purchase it when I have similar products which do the same job just as well for a whole lot less. 

CoLab Dry Shampoo - I got these two beauties from my You Beauty Discovery Box and as someone who loves dry shampoo, I couldn't want to try them. I have heard amazing things about them and I have to say they more than live up to the claims as to how good they are. 

The one thing that started to bug me about dry shampoo was the 'white' residue that was left behind, no matter how much you shook or brushed your hair, throughout the day more would drop onto your shoulders. Not doth these! For a start there is no white residue, you simply spray it onto your hair and massage in, them brush your hair and voila, fresh looking and smelling hair! This is one product I will definitely repurchase!

This Works Sleep Plus Pillow Spray which comes from my October LookFantastic Box. It is described as acting faster than the original spray it is a fast acting natural remedy to help restore healthy sleep patterns for restless sleepers and is clinically proven to provide a better night’s sleep. It contains a potent blend of Lavender which naturally encapsulates to gradually release aromatherapeutic benefits as you sleep. This edition has more of a lavender fragrance and does smell a little medicinal. 

Firstly, I love this spray, whilst it doesn't send me off into a quick sleep, what it does help with is restlessness and it is relaxing and calming, perfect for spraying on your pillows whilst you are getting ready for bed, cleansing your face and adding your night cream. Once it has settled it smells absolutely divine.

Estee Lauder Modern Muse - I got this in my November Fragrance Shop Discovery Box and it is a scent I have come to absolutely love.  Described as follows: "Be an inspiration. Experience the fragrance that captures your style, your confidence, your creative spirit. An alluring contrast of sparkling florals and sleek, sensual woods". 

Now this scent is really lovely, one you would perhaps use for special occasions rather than everyday wear and it is one of those long lasting scents, once applied you can literally smell it all day and there is a wearing time of around 7-8 hours for me before it becomes obsolete. 

So as you can see the money that I have been spending on Beauty Boxes has really paid off. Firstly it is unlikely, other than CoLab that I would have bought anything by Eve Lom or Ole Henriksson, though I might possibly I have bought Sleep Plus given the rave reviews. Secondly, they are all really good sized samples and big enough to give you more than a couple of weeks usage. 

As much as I love sachets, unless it is a facemask, I am often left on the fence as to whether I like something enough to buy it after squeezing enough out to try it the once, I tend to use them when I am away for a LNG weekend as they might travelling lighter.

Have you tried any of these products? Do you like the sound of any of them?

Urban Apothecary London Peony Rose Luxury Candle

Urban Apothecary London is a brand I have heard of, but not used a product from until now. British lifestyle brand Urban Apothecary is the brilliant brainchild of its founder Tajinder Banwait. Tajinder has over 10 years experience within the beauty industry and brings her extensive knowledge and creative flair to this innovative brand. A brand that is about enjoying luxury and indulgence everyday. Tajindr started Urban Apothecary from her kitchen table, something I am sure many of use dream of doing but never actually have given it a go. It is from this kitchen and table that she designed logos, sourced packaging and received hundreds of scent submissions. Everything received the same attention to detail until absolutely perfect. It was the search for just the right glass candle jar that marked the birth of the brand.

I was very kindly sent the Peony Rose Luxury Candle which is just stunning to look at, everything about it from the label, glass jar and lid screams luxury. This candle is from the miniature candle range of which there are eight different scents to choose from. They include Fig, Frangipan, Vanilla Flower, Plum Blossom, Mint Crème, Strawberries and cream, Violet Cassis and my very own Peony Rose.

Described as follows "Experience this full-bodied fragrance of 2 of nature’s most classic and beautiful flowers, synonymous with romance and happiness. Enjoy a sweet seduction of the senses with the heady scent of red roses and pink peonies lifted by an unexpected green apple note. With the addition of powdery white musks and soft, spicy amber, this alluring fragrance is elegant and feminine".

The first thing I noticed about this candle was that before the lid was even removed, the fresh scent of rose was really evident and then as the candle burns you can smell both the Peonies and the Roses, though for me the Roses are more dominant.  

This candle is 65g and has a burn time of around 17 hours, which is actually quite a long time.  Around 15 minutes after it has been lit, the scent lingers throughout the house, which compared to other candles is really quick.  After an hour, the scent is well and truly fragrant and you can extinguish the flame and still smell the fresh rose scent a few hours later.  For me the strength of the scent in this candle is similar to that of a wax tart.

I absolutely love the design of this candle, the glass jar is really solidly put together and it is quite weighty but delicate at the same time.  I have no doubts that when this candle come to the end of its life, I will use the jar for something else, quite what that something else will be I do not know, but it would be such a shame to not use it because it is so stunning.

A candle of this size costs just £13 and if you fancy something a little bigger then there are plenty to choose from right HERE.  As well as candles you can find Reed Diffusers and plenty of other gift offerings.