I finished most of these ages ago. I decided to throw them all together and stick them in a post to do some mini-reviews because if you finished something, you must have a pretty good opinion on it, right? (No.)
Majority is skincare as you can see - I only have three make-up related products because as much as I love make-up, skincare will always come first (I am actually surprised at how much skincare I use/own compare to makeup lol).
MAKEUP
Covergirl Lashblast Waterproof Mascara - Most waterproof, clump-free drugstore mascara I've tried. It held up wonderfully well in super humid Korea where it was at the peak of it's rainy season. It is the ONLY drugstore mascara that does not irritate my eyes (Maybelline and L'Oreal mascaras just flake and smudge awfully on me). I did really like the fact that it held curl beautifully (because it's waterproof), and that it never clumped and defined my eyelashes really well. I wish that it would just do a bit more as a mascara. It just defines and gives a nice amount of volume. Good for natural, lazy makeup days. Repurchase? As nice as it is, no - I want to try other mascaras.
L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Waterproof Mascara - One word. A w f u l. I opened this tube before I left for Asia, closed it (tightly, mind you), and when I returned it dried out. When I tried it before it dried out, it wasn't any good either - clumped, flaked, and smudged. And it's supposed to be waterproof. Repurchase? Hell no.
Benefit Posietint - This sample size was in my Finding Mr. Bright Kit a long time ago, and I finished it a long time ago as well. I love the pretty pink color and will repurchase (when I remember to). I absolutely love lip tints and Benefit in general so I will (eventually) cash out the money for the full size. Eventually.
SKINCARE/BODYCARE
Shiseido Advanced Essential Energy Hand Nourishing Cream - This is a tiny, tiny sample tube with only 15mls in it (it took quite a while for me to finish though), but it is absolutely amazing. I remember my hands were very cracked, almost to the point of bleeding about three winters ago (yes this is really old) and when I used this consecutively for a few days my hands magically healed and I no longer had to cry while washing my hair. Repurchase? Maybe. It is $24, and I find that a bit excessive for a hand cream x____x maybe if my hands were cracked that badly again I would go for it since it works wonders for me.
Clinique Turnaround Overnight Moisturizer - My sister has this habit of never getting her own beauty stuff, so she usually ends up taking my moisturizer and we share it (not the best idea considering it is a jar moisturizer and she sticks both of her hands in there, ew), hence one jar does not last very long. I've been using this moisturizer for about two years and I find that it works quite well - not entirely sure of how effective it's brightening properties are as I use a number of whitening/brightening products in conjunction; but I like that it moisturizes my face without being overly greasy, has no scent, and is considerably light (I like to layer products sometimes). Repurchase? Obviously yes (until I find something better) - Those two jars are just the tip of the iceberg, I've finished a lot more of these jars lol.
Etude House Collagen Moistfull Facial Freshner and Emulsion - These two were tossed into my bag along with a bunch of other samples in the Etude House shop in Korea. I really liked these- they had a nice light scent (I am okay with scents in skincare products as long as it doesn't seem like a perfume in a cream form), and worked very well for my snake skin face. Note: These were very moisturizing for me during a time when nothing seemed to give enough moisture, so I'm not sure how a person with oily skin will fare with these. Both made my face feel a bit sticky, but I don't mind that feeling at all. The Facial Freshner reminded me of a light serum, and the Emulsion reminded me of a light lotion. I enjoyed these so much that I want to buy the full sizes, along with the cream - I might do so if I find them at reasonable prices (in Korea they're probably 14,000 ~ 15,000 won, so I am not going to pay $33 dollars for one).
Isa Knox X2D2 Original Hydra Skin and Hydra Emulsion - Usually, when I buy masks at the beauty counters in Hmart, the lady either a.) gives me no samples or b.) gives me shampoo/conditioner samples (does my hair look that damaged) or c.) starts speaking Korean to me. The lady at this counter must've taken pity on my peeling face and threw in these two in my bag. The Hydra Skin is basically lightly scented water. It did (very) slightly hydrate my skin, but nothing to rant about. The Hydra Emulsion was very nice and hydrating (might be too emollient for others). Purchase? No. They're nice, but not outstanding in any way.
Burt's Bees Lipbalm in Grapefruit - The citrus smell/flavor, the smooth glide and moisturization of the formula is amazing. I like this more than the original one. Repurchase? Yes (if I remember orz)
Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20 - Was meh. It moisturized okay, didn't really see an improvement in my skin tone, and it's only SPF 20 (I like my SPF high). Repurchase? No.
Lancome Genefique Eye Cream - This actually took me 5-6 months to finish even though it's just a sample (and I did use it every. single. day.). It just wouldn't die no matter what I did. Smells nice, gives instant brightening effect due to the light-reflecting particles in it, moisturizes decently; but nothing life-changing. It didn't even do anything for my dark circles. Repurchase? No. And the search for an eye cream continues.
Clinique Take the Day off makeup remover for eyes & lips - HG makeup remover. I know that there are drugstore makeup removers that work just as well, such as the Neutrogena one, but I used that and got a sty. :| Have never tried anything else after that. Repurchase? Yes. I like my super waterproof makeup.
Lancome Nutrix Royal Body Cream - Very nice scent - a very modern, elegant, classy scent and not too overpowering. Sadly, the scent does not make it to the next day. Moisturizes pretty well, leaves a very subtle sheen and residue (that I don't mind), but it goes into the skin pretty fast. Nothing special in my opinion. Took me forever to finish this as well. Repurchase? No.
Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV damage corrector - Despite not having wrinkles, I used this anyways lol. I've been through multiple 15 ml sample bottles (full sized is 30 ml, so I've been through quite a few full-sized ones basically) to know that I like this. It moisturizes nicely, brightens my skin, has lightened up my acne scars a bit, and makes my skin feel plump and moist the next morning (I assume it would help wrinkles with this effect). Repurchase? No - I would like to try other serums, and I have used 495849 sample bottles of this already.
Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_ EX - I love this stuff. It smells amazing, feels amazing, and the color is absolutely gorgeous - a light aqua color that I adore (and makes me feel at peace). I have used it alone, with facial masks, with facial massage, and I wake up to plump, moisturized, smooth skin every time. I bought this at Lotte Duty Free for $16 (usual price is $18, but there was a discount), and I was really sad when I finished it. However, a Laneige counter just opened recently near me, and I will definitely creep on it. Repurchase? HELL YES
Have you guys tried any of these, or want to try these?
Feel free to leave a comment down below, and thanks for reading!
-aga
