Trial-Sized Tuesday's - BareMinerals BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation Review And Swatch

A couple of weeks ago I received a sample of BareMineral's newest foundation BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum. I was really excited to try it as I've not really tried a lot of products by BareMinerals and the hype surrounding this foundation is quite big, so here's how I got on with it.Described as 'an ultra-thin silky texture' I couldn't agree more. I was surprised at how much coverage it provided for such a light foundation, it did glide on like a serum. 'One to two weightless drops transform, soften and smooth the appearance of your complexion' yes and no. For someone like me who has a bit of redness on the cheeks and quite a bit of acne scarring you'd definitely need more than one to two drops of foundation. It did look great on the areas of my face that need little coverage but I found I couldn't layer the foundation very well, due to it's serum type texture I ended up just moving the foundation underneath rather than layering it.I received a sample in the shade 'Bare Ivory' which was quite a good match, a little on the orange side (I'm off the self tan now we're stepping into autumn). My main bug bare with this foundation was the fact that anything I tried to layer on top of it be it my concealer or blusher just seemed to move the foundation underneath, it just wasn't settling into my skin! I don't suffer from dry skin, it used to be terribly oily however nowadays, blemishes aside, it is quite normal but after a few hours of wear the foundation went all weird and blotchy around my nose and mouth as if stuck to dry skin.As you probably can tell from my review I'm not a fan of this foundation. This foundation would be suitable for someone with normal skin who needs very little to no concealer for blemishes (in which case if that were me I wouldn't be wearing any foundation!). Foundation for me is a case of 'better the devil you know'...every time I get a little bored or something new comes out and I try it I'm usually disappointed and always turn back to my trusty MAC Studio Fix Fluid.

Trial-Sized Tuesday's - Bobbi Brown BB Cream

I'm not one for BB Creams. Every single one I've tried has been totally off colour, most feel thick and greasy and they do very little for me coverage wise. I understand that BB Creams are not there to give you complete coverage, they are in essence a product that contains skincare and makeup in one package. 

I received a sample of Bobbi Brown's BB Cream in my last online order and I will admit when I got it out of the drawer to try yesterday I was on the fence without even trying it due to the poor experiences I've had with them before. I am pretty impressed with the ingredients this product contains-moisturiser, SPF 35 and foundation. There are 9 shades available in the range, I received the Shade 'Light' which is quite a good match for my skin.

This BB applied a lot better than others I have tried. Yes it feels like a creamy foundation but it doesn't sit on the skin like a greasy moisturiser it settles in and leaves skin quite glowy. I did find that I had to go back over with concealer for blemishes and acne scars, but I have to do this with most foundations so that's not biggy.

Whilst this is the best BB Cream I've tried so far I'm still on the fence about them in general. For someone with not particularly great skinI feel that if I'm going to go through the effort of wearing make-up I like to wear something with more coverage and a more perfect finish. This would be a great product for someone with relatively good skin, just to add a bit of colour and glow but sadly I feel it's just not for me.

Trial-Sized Tuesday - Clarins Eye Contour Gel

Last week whilst stocking up on my favourite Clarins product (Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster) I selected a few samples before checking out (you can choose 3 free samples with every order!) one of which was Clarins Eye Contour Gel. I really feel my eyes are the only thing that are starting to give my age away, I've inherited some lovely dark circles from mother and any product that promises to aid with puffiness and lighten the bin bags under my eyes is going to catch my attention.
This eye gel promises 'Expert eye care to fight puffiness and dark circles. A refreshing gel that reduces puffiness and minimises the appearance of dark circles.' Now I've only used this for the last couple of mornings so I can't comment on it aiding the reduction of my dark circles but I can say that this is a refreshing product to use in the morning to help freshen tired eyes. The sample size is a generous one, the full size product is 20ml (around 3 months of use) and the sample 3ml so I expect it will last me a couple of weeks.
Clarins is a new brand for me, not that I've only just heard of them but i am only just delving in to their products and I must say I'm enjoying what I've tried so far. I'm looking forward to trying some of their make-up products, have you tried any? What are your favourites?

Trial-Sized Tuesday - Paul And Joe Moisturising Foundation Primer

Over the weekend I ordered a new make-up bag from Asos by Paul and Joe. What I didn't actually realize until after purchasing was that I was actually purchasing a lip balm and the cosmetic bag and 10ml primer came as free extras...either way the whole package is gorgeous!

Yesterday I decided to put the primer to the test, I've not tried may products by Paul and Joe so I was pretty excited to do so. Paul and Joe Moisturizing Foundation Primer probably wouldn't have been my first choice if I was shopping for a primer as I don't suffer from dry skin, quite the opposite actually, my skin is oily/combination so if anything I tend to go for a mattifying primer.There are 3 shades of this primer available, I received shade 01 Dragee which is ideal for light to medium skintones. The primer is pretty much the same colour as my foundation (MAC Studio Fix NC15) and did a nice job of evening out my skin a little before applying my foundation. When applying it initially feels a little bit sticky but within a couple of minutes it drys to a nice glowy finish with a subtle shimmer. What really impressed me about this primer is the way it transforms your foundation, you still get the same colour and performance from your foundation but this primer really transforms the finish in to a gorgeous dewy one. The primer contains Secret D'Or (the secret of gold - apparently) and a subtle gold pearl shimmer creating a subtle dewy complexion.I'm really impressed with this primer, so much so I will definitely be purchasing the full size product when my sample runs out. Although I have oily/combination skin it held up all day (I had my face on for around 15 hours yesterday) and I didn't need to blot excess shine away at all. If you fancy giving this primer a go with the bonus extras of a lip balm and cute cosmetic bag you can buy it from ASOS for only £11.50!

Trial-Sized Tuesday - Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Ok, so blackhead's are gross, nobody wants them adorning their face and I'm yet to find a miracle product to cure them completely but pore strips really do work! Is it just me or does anyone else find it weirdly satisfying when you pull off that strip and see just how much junk has been pulled out of your pores? Randomly I received a sample of Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing pore strips in my ASOS order over the weekend so I thought I would give it a go last night. I do occasionally use pore strips on my nose, usually just Superdrug's own brand (Tea Tree) ones as I thought they were all pretty much the same...but I must say Biore's managed to clear more out of my pores than my usual brand.Biore have brought out a reinvented pore strip, the Ultra Deep Cleansing strips, designed to remove twice as much dirt and oil from your clogged up pores. Having not tried their predecessor I can't make a comparison between the two but I can say this strip lived up to its description. The strips contain Witch Hazel and Tea tree to help get rid of the build up leading to blackheads and with continual use are reputed to reduce the size of pores...always a bonus!I was so impressed (and kinda grossed out) with the amount that these strips lifted from my pores that I purchased a box from Boots today, along with a combo pack they do of nose and face strips.Jodiexoxo

Trial-Sized Tuesday - Arbonne Sheer Pressed Powder

A little while ago I was sent some products from a lovely representative of Arbonne. Arbonne is a new company to me, I knew nothing of them until I was sent some samples and discovered more about them through their website. Arbonne was founded in Switzerland in the 1970's by a group of leading bio-chemists, biologists and herbalists, together they have created skincare and beauty products unparalleled in quality and effectiveness by no other.
I have found myself gravitating more towards natural skincare and make-up in the last 12 months and Arbonnes promise of botanically-based products is what drew me to them. One of the samples I was sent was their Sheer Pressed Powder in the shade light. It came on a little film covered card and I have had around 3 all-over uses from the sample.
Description wise there is very little information on their website about the product apart from 'Light coverage pressed powder delivers a soft focus effect for natural looking radiance'. I can't say their description is far wrong. I don't usually use powders as the majority I have tried give that caked-on look and settle into lines and pores but this broke my preconception of powders.
When lightly dusted (with an all-over face brush) over my t-zone it took away the shininess of my oily skin but didn't give a totally matte effect, it let the luminosity of my foundation and skin peep through the powder. I usually only use a little powder in the summer months to help keep my oily t-zone under control so without knowing more about the product and it's contents I can't say I would be prepared to part with £27 for the full-size product. I can say that the few uses I did get from the sample I enjoyed and it delivered wonderful results.

Trial-Sized Tuesday - ESPA Optimal Skin Proserum

I've been meaning to try this sample of Espa serum since I received it with an order back in January, I used it yesterday morning and last night and here's my initial thoughts on the sample...

Optimal Skin ProSerum combines the exceptional nourishment of a treatment oil with the active benefits of multiple plant extracts to deliver naturally beautiful skin. Enriched with nourishing Omega 3,6 & 9, vitamins A & E and proactive natural extracts Tumeric, White Lupin and Sunflower. This advanced formulation helps brighten and even skin tone, enhance elasticity, firm and protect against premature ageing

Whilst I can't comment on the effects on my skins elasticity, firmness or fine lines I can say that this was a real pleasure to use. After cleansing and toning I applied a few drops before moisturizing, it quickly absorbed into my skin and left it feeling soft with a subtle glow to it.

What I really enjoyed about this serum was the scent, I could really pick up the Rose and Patchouli essential oils. I have oily/combination skin and am always very wary of heavy creams or facial oils but this sank straight into the skin and didn't increase my oily T-zone at all.

There are so many active natural ingredients in this serum it really is like a multi-vitamin for the face! To name a few of the skin-loving ingredients - Tumeric to enhance skin's radiance and even skintone, Rose Hip oil to promote healthy skin, Vitamin E and Evening Primrose oil to protect and regenerate skin cells.

I really enjoyed trialing this sample yesterday, I'm going to continue using the sample up and see what/if any difference it makes to my skin.

Jodie

xoxo 

Trial-sized Tuesday - REN T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid

So, as I mentioned in a post the other day my stash of samples is becoming uncontrollable and rather than having a cull (which is very much needed!) I though I'd do a post each week, testing out one sample and giving my initial opinion on the product. As I said before I'm well aware that using a product once is not enough to warrant going out and blowing £80 on a moisturizer, yet I can pretty much tell with most products how much I'll enjoy using it from that first initial application.  

For 'Trial-Sized Tuesday' I sampled a little tube of REN T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid that I received with and order a few months ago. Why I haven't tried it before is beyond me, it's designed with oily, combination skin in mind. 

I applied this light day cream after cleansing and toning yesterday morning. It left my skin feeling refreshed and lightly hydrated, it did slightly mattify my skin but not enough to affect my make-up (I have tried some mattifying creams and when you apply foundation over the top you can end up with a weird clumpy peeling effect...gross!).

For people who have a reaction to products containing Lavender this cream may not be for you, the Lavender is the most overwhelming ingredient I could smell when applying, I personally love skincare products that contain herbal scents. This day cream promises to be antibacterial and protect against free-radicals and combat the signs of premature ageing.

Although I've only used this product the once it would be something I would quite happily introduce in to my daily skincare routine to witness the long term benefits.



Jodiexoxo

The Quest To Utilise My Ever Growing Stash Of Samples - Trial-Sized Tuesday's

With hoards of online shopping comes hoards of beauty and skincare samples. I have a drawer (yes a drawer!) dedicated to samples alone and as I was having a dig through them the other day I realised I really should be testing these samples out, I mean I love the products I buy regularly from my favourite companies surely there must be some new favourites to discover amongst the hundreds of little sachets and tubes?

I've decided to utilise these hundreds of samples and do a post every week called 'Trial-Sized Tuesdays'. The clue is in the name. Every Tuesday I will test out one sample and give my initial thoughts on it. Whilst I know that using a skincare product for only a day is not enough to warrant going out and spending £80 on a moisturiser, I can pretty much tell if it's love at first application with my complicated skin.

So check back with me on Wednesdays where I'll let you know just what I was trialling that previous Tuesday!

Jodie

xoxo