Tried & Tested: Deluxe Beauty Samples 3

Are they worth the splurge?

Hi guys! I’m back today with another Tried & Tested post. I have so much fun doing these; I hope you enjoy them as well. I’m not a well-known beauty blogger; it’s rare for me to get products to try for free so I love testing out samples. 

There’s a lot of hype on YouTube and the beauty community about this particular set of products. I tried them; some were impressive, and others not so much.

Body

Lush Ocean Salt (4.2oz/$21.95) I know, I know…how have I not tried Ocean Salt? For me, it’s one of those products you want to try but never get around to. I finally went to Lush and picked up a sample. First impressions, it smells like a margarita. I don’t mind the scent, but this didn’t work for me at all.

Ocean Salt felt more like a foam cleanser, not a scrub. The particles were nonexistent and it did nothing for my skin. I know Lush offers a gentler version of this scrub, it’s possible the sale associate gave me the wrong one. Regardless, I have no interest in trying it again. I’ll stick to my Soap and Glory Breakfast Scrub.

Skincare

Next, the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum (1 oz/$90.00). I was able to get a decent amount of use from this little tube, at least several weeks worth. Unfortunately, this is a pass for me. The first time I applied it, I felt it was too harsh on my skin, but the stinging went away after a few uses. I didn’t see any noticeable difference other than my skin looked and felt dryer.

I’m not new to AHAs; I swear by the Ole Henriksen Instant Transformation Lemon Facial Peel ($48.00), and they have similar ingredients. Sadly, the Drunk Elephant serum didn’t work as well for me. I will say if you have oily skin this may perform differently for you. I would love to try their C-Firma Day Serum and the Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil. Hopefully, I can get my hands on some samples.

The one with that Watermelon Mask

I received this Glow Recipe set from Sephora; I believe it was a point perk. It came with a deluxe sample of the Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser (3.38oz/$34.00) and the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask (2.7oz/$45.00). I was really excited to try these. I haven’t delved into Korean skincare much and heard wonderful things about these products.

First the cleanser, this stuff is awesome! It contains berry extracts and AHA to remove dead skin cells, and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate. You can see actual blueberry particles in the product, but it doesn’t feel abrasive like a scrub. It’s quite gentle and my skin doesn’t feel tight afterward, it just feels bouncy and soft.

I was surprised at how well it removes makeup. It cuts through eyeliner and mascara easily, much better than the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. And I love that it’s versatile; you can use it as a face mask too. I will definitely purchase the full size.

I didn’t think I would like this mask; I thought “How good can this be?” It’s good, very good. I noticed an immediate difference with just one use. My skin looked brighter; my cheeks looked rosy and glowy. The best way to describe it is healthy. 

The consistency is velvety soft and light; it feels lovely on the skin. It’s full of fruit extracts such as watermelon, banana, and pomegranate. It smells just like fresh watermelon. My skin feels plump and smooth; I used every last drop. I love this mask and will buy the full size.  

Moar Face Mists

The Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Coconut Water Hydrating Face Mist (4 oz/$32.00) Herbivore is known for minimal skincare and Instagramabale packaging. I’ve seen their products and their bottles are beautiful. Truthfully, I need another face mist like a hole in the head. However, I’ve read positive reviews and was happy to try it.

The scent is nice and not overpowering. There’s a hydrating, cooling sensation when I spray it on my face. It is soothing, I compare it to the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater, which does the same exact thing at $7.00. Will I purchase it? Nope, but I would like to try some of their other products. 

Hair

The Ouai Hair Oil (1.7 oz/$28.00) was just okay for me. It smells lovely and adds shine to my hair without weighing it down. However, it’s definitely not going to replace my Moroccanoil; I think that performs better and smells better. I’ll pass on this, but I did purchase the Wave Spray, and I’m excited to try it out. I’ll give you my thoughts on that soon.  

Lips

Finally, the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask (0.7 oz/$20.00). This stuff is fantastic! My lips are usually in awful condition; they’re chapped and shredded 80% of the time. I always need to have a good lip balm with me at all times; it’s just as important as a hand cream. After using this a few times I noticed a major improvement.

It’s full of good stuff like Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. It forms a protective layer on the lips to soften them, and prevent them from chapping. I’ve used it overnight, but I love it during the day because it leaves my lips looking glossy and juicy. I love the fruity scent too. I’m pretty much obsessed, and really sad I ran out of it. I’ll buy the full size for sure!

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