More free samples!!

In follow-up to my recent post where I told you all about how generous L'Occitane were by sending me a good amount of free samples, I thought I would let you know about a few more free samples that I received about two weeks or so ago from Neal's Yard.

A little while back, I posted my views on the Neal's Yard Rehydrating Rose Moisturiser, which you can read about here. I was less than impressed with this particular product, but had not completely lost faith in the brand as it was only the first Neal's Yard product that I had tried. I relayed the information detailing the problems I had found with this moisturiser in an email to Neal's Yard via their website, and politely requested some samples of other products before I started spending my hard earned cash on more Neal's Yard items that I may also have an adverse reaction to.

They were very obliging, and I have received trial sizes of the Orange Flower Facial Polish, Orange Flower Facial Wash, and the Orange Flower Facial Moisturiser. As you can see from the photos above, one of the products is quite oily (the facial polish), and a little has leaked out during transit, causing the writing to smudge. All of these products smell lovely - more of an aromatherapy-based orange than a fruity/citrussy orange - and I couldn't wait to try them out!!


£14.80 for 100g



I used all three products as a skincare trio. The Orange Flower Facial Polish has micro-particles in it which, although seemingly gentle, make actually quite an abrasive scrub. Out of all three products, this is my favourite. My skin felt so soft and clear immediately after use, and my complexion also looked much brighter. This is definately a product I can see myself purchasing full-size, however I think it is a little too harsh a scrub for everyday use. It also doesn't appear to be available on the website, so maybe I would just have to purchase it in-store?

£15.50 for 100mls



The next product is the Orange Flower Facial Wash, which I have to say I found a little disappointing. This claims to be "A gently foaming lotion with nurturing orange flower and mandarin oils to cleanse without drying the skin". It should be massaged into damp skin and rinsed off with cool water. I much prefer a facial wash that lathers up well, which this one does not (not even a hint of the 'gentle foaming' as described!), and the biggest downside with this product is that it does not remove mascara/eyeliner effectively. I also found it to be quite drying, and my skin felt very taught after use. Unfortunately, this is not a product I would consider purchasing.

£23.75 for 100mls



The Orange Flower Facial Moisturiser again smells very aromatherapy-based, and is not what I would describe as an intense moisturiser. If you have normal skin, with no dry patches, this product would most likely be great for you. On the plus side, it absorbs easily into the skin, leaving it soft and non-greasy. I wasn't overly wowed by this product, and don't think I will be purchasing the full size, simply because it is not moisturising enough for me (but thankfully I suffered none of the red blotchy rash as I had done with the Rehydrating Rose Moisturiser!!).

This post just goes to prove how sending out samples can really help us as a consumer when choosing new beauty products. There is nothing worse than making a big purchase, only to find out that the product you have chosen is not suitable for you. Being able to try-before-you-buy is such a great concept, and it is a shame that many other companies are not so obliging with sending out free samples on request.

Please let me know if you have tried out some great samples lately?

Claire

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May 2012 Glossybox

What Beautiful weather we have been having lately!! My May Glossybox arrived a few days ago, and as it was such a gorgeous day, I decided to open it up outside in the sunshine! I had high hopes for this months box, expecting the team at Glossybox to pull out all the stops as a celebration of their first birthday, and I hate to say it, I really do, but am I the only one feeling quite disappointed with this months Glossybox? Here's what I received in mine:

1. 45ml Neal's Yard Rehydrating Rose Daily Moisture
2. Pair of Eldora handmade eyelashes D160
3. Collection 2000 lasting colour gel eyeliner
4. 75ml Noble Isle Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel
5. Two Lolita Lempicka Eau De Parfum samples

Extras: A cute little mirror compact and Pearly Pink Balloon

First up Neal's Yard Rehydrating Rose - this product caught my eye immediately, and for all the wrong reasons. I had a sample of this exact same product free with Marie Claire magazine a few months back (read full review here) and I HATED it. Sheer disappointment with a capital 'D'. Urgh....

Eldora eyelashes D160 - I am not a fan of fake lashes, so if I were to wear some they would be understated with a natural feel. Even though I can appreciate these little beauties complete with mini mirrors to the tips, unfortunately they would be better suited to a Vegas show girl than to little old me :-) These retail at £5.90 per pair on the Eldora website.

Collection 2000 Gel Eyeliner - I recently purchased the Maybelline version of this product, and although I was really impressed, I am not a fan of pure-black eyeliners as they don't tend to suit my complexion as well as brown liners do. Also, Collection 2000 is not what I would consider to be a 'luxury' brand - so why is it in my Glossybox?! :-(

Noble Isle Bath & Shower Gel - This is more along the lines of what I think should be in a Glossybox! Noble Isle is a brand that uses inspiration from natural and cultural riches of the British Isles to create their luxury bathing products. This particular product smells nice, with a scent somewhat along the lines of CK one, and a full size 250ml bottle retails at £20. I am happy with this product & excited to try it out.

Lolita Lempicka Eau de Parfum samples - these got my blood pressure rising - in a good way! I first spied the Lolita Lempicka perfumes on my recent trip to Paris, and loved the Si Lolita perfume. I had samples of The First Fragrance and also L'Eau en Blanc  - so definately happy to have received these.


My big gripe with Glossybox is that, even though £12.95 is not that huge an amount, the products I receive are wholly hit-and-miss for me. I understand that Glossybox can't please everyone, but this month I have paid £12.95 for a shower gel mini that is to my liking, and two perfume samples that I could possibly have got free at a department store counter. I know lots of Glossybox subscribers love the element of surprise, and I do too, but this is never fully satisfied for me with the products that I receive. I have also read many reviews commenting on the pretty packaging, and though I agree that the packaging is lovely, in this day and age where we are trying to recycle as much as possible and companies are trying to cut down on their packaging, I have to ask if the amount of packaging used is necessary? And more to the point, does it compensate for the fact that alot of the time we are sent out samples that are not 'luxury' or that we could possibly pick up free in a department store. Sugar-coating so to speak.


Now for the big question - do I unsubscribe? Hmmm.... Decisions, decisions

Let me know your thoughts please girls!

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