Last week I purchased some drawer organisers in a variety of sizes to help me tackle the dumping ground that is my dressing table drawers and I now finally have an organised sample drawer! These samples from R+Co instantly caught my attention, just look at the design, it's magical!

Moon Shine shampoo and conditioner is aimed at dull hair, giving it more sheen, contrast and dimension. The products contain Hibiscus extract which protects hair whilst conditioning and softening, Morninga-seed to protect against free radicals, Rhubarb to moisturise, Damson Plum to protect from discolouration plus rice extract which smoothes hair and retains moisture. Both the shampoo and conditioner smell amazing and I could still smell it in my hair a couple of days later, which is something you don't often get from hair products.

I love the squeaky clean feeling these products gave my hair and as promised it was left smooth and shiny, I don't quite know if I could stump up £22 for the shampoo and a further £22 for the conditioner, maybe a payday treat next month...

Garnier Ultralift 14 Day Challenge

An anti-aging cream that guarantees to give visible results within 14 days is a bold statement to make, right? When Garnier offered a free 14 day free trial pack of their Ultralift Day cream I set aside my *ahem skincare snobbery and thought I'd give it a shot. With 23% of women seeing an improvement in skins firms within two weeks and 24% seeing fewer wrinkles in 4 weeks it had to be worth a try.

Now I don't have any major wrinkles but I am all for preventative measures when it comes to anti-ageing, anything has got to be worth a try, who wants to age gracefully?

Check back next week where I'll fill you in on my first week of using the cream!

Trial-Sized Tuesday's | Smashbox Pore Minimizing Primer Review

Another week, another delve into the sample drawer and another primer review. I'd wanted to try Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer ever since it was released but at £28 I didn't want to purchase it and not like it (like I did with their Photo Finish Primer) and low and behold with a recent ASOS order there was a sample. So how did it fare?

The texture of this primer is quite like Benefit's Porefessional, in that it's quite like a balm. I was amazed at how well it smoothed pores and mattified my skin, initially it was love at first use. My foundation sat perfectly over the top and the primer managed to keep oil at bay from my t-zone practically all day. My skin looked flawless, that was until I checked my face after around 8 hours of wear, my foundation had gone all patchy and separated on my chin and around my nose. Huge disappointment! I've never used a primer that had actually separated and gone blotchy, I hear others talking about that issue all the time but this is the first primer I have actually experienced that with.

So initial finish is amazing but it just didn't stand the test of time with me, I tried the primer for a further 2 days and unfortunately found the same problem again. I'm just glad I didn't part with my cash for the full-size product.

Trial-Sized Tuesday's | Pixi Flawless & Poreless Primer

It's that time of the week again, where I have a did around in my ever growing stash of samples for something new that will hopefully blow me a way. So my MAC primer ran out a few weeks ago and I've been trying to work my way through some others before I repurchase it, unfortunately none of them compare so I figured I'd give this one a shot.

Pixi's Flawless and Poreless Primer claims to be 'a miracle in a tube' which is a bold claim to make and I had high expectations after reading this. So before I give you my verdict on the product after using it for a few days lets delve further in to what's in it. So, the primer claims to smooth lines and create a no-shine silky canvas for foundation. As well as smoothing pores and prepping skin the primer has active ingredients beneficial to skin which over time will improve skin texture and clarity - Willow Bark to control shine, Salicylic Acid to clear and unblock pores, Shea Butter to nourish skin and something I've never heard of before - Enantia Chlorantha which is medicinal and anti-viral.

So how did it perform? Well, there was enough in the sample for 3 uses so I can't comment on the long term benefits of using this primer but I can tell you that for me it didn't control shine very well nor did it make my pores appear smaller. If i had applied this primer blind I would have said the intended result was for a dewy finish as this is how it left my skin. This primer certainly isn't the worst I've tried how ever it is a way away from being the best I've tried. I'm interested in trying more Pixi products as I have been enjoying their infamous Glow Tonic for the last few weeks.

Do you have any Pixi favourites? 

Trial-Sized Tuesday's | Bumble & Bumble Invisible Oil Shampoo & Conditioner Review

Whilst rooting around in my drawer literally bursting with samples on the weekend I came across this little duo, I often just give away hair products as I'm pretty strict with my hair routine but as I've been seeing more and more of their legendary salt spray everywhere lately I thought I'd give the samples a shot and see what all the fuss was about.

So before I let you know my thoughts on the product let me give you a little background into the condition of my hair and my regular routine. So, my hair is quite thick and naturally curly but 90% of the time I wear it straight which means I use quite a few products to tame the frizz and keep it straight. My routine begins with a moisturising shampoo and conditioner (usually Aussie Moist shampoo & conditioner) and then prior to styling I use a couple of drops of Argan oil and a heat protection spray (usually Toni & Guy). The majority of the time this does it for me, once a week I throw a deep conditioning treatment and a leave-in conditioner into the mix for extra moisture but after all this my hair is feeling a little lank by the end of the week from the build up of product. Queue Bumble & Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil Sulphate Free Shampoo & Conditioner. 

Aimed at dry, coarse and brittle hair this sulphate free shampoo is infused with 6 oils to help soften, tame frizz, detangle and protect. One thing I noticed, even with my hair still being damp in the shower, was how squeaky clean my hair felt after using it. I did use the whole sample but I could have easily used a lot less as it lathered incredibly well and was easy to work in to my hair. I followed with the conditioner, which again I could have used only half of what I did and left for 10 minutes whilst I did my thang in the shower. Drying and styling my hair was a lot easier after using this shampoo and conditioner and I didn't require as many finishing products. The two days after washing my hair it was so smooth and silky and despite having a windy afternoon on Sunday my hair kept tangle free. 

I loved these samples, so much so I took straight to the web to see how much this duo would set me back, at £23 for 250ml of the shampoo and £25 for 200ml of the conditioner I don't think I'll purchase it for my everyday hair routine but I shall definitely be purchasing for my Sunday hair detox.

Do you have any Bumble & Bumble recommendations?

Trial-Sized Tuesday's | Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+ £5 15ml

This sample came in the latest British Beauty Blogger and Latest In Beauty collaboration box and was top of my list to try as I have tried and loved many of Clinique's products but this moisturiser was one that I had always forgotten about when searching for a new moisturiser. Although dubbed as a moisturiser for normal/dry skin I find this light lotion works very well with my oily skin when applied sparingly, it's sets into my skin very well and leaves it with a subtle glow.

So what is Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion + (apart from a bit of a mouthful)? It's a lotion type moisturiser that helps form a barrier on the skin sealing the moisture in leaving it soft and healthy looking. One thing I have noticed is that they weren't lying when they said a little goes a long way, seriously a pea sized amount is more than enough for my face and neck! First thing I noticed when reading some reviews on Clinique's website was a lot of people saying 'bring back the old version', never using this moisturiser I wasn't to know this was a reformulated product and I can't make a comparison to the old one, I can however say that after a few days of use I'm really enjoying it. I have been using Benefit's Triple Performing Moisturising Lotion for the last couple of months and I'd say the texture of Clinique's DDML (lets just shorten the name as it's a little long!) is similar to that only I find Clinique's DDML leaves me looking less oily later in the day.

Have you tried this moisturiser or the old formula, what are your thoughts?

*update - now we have got into the 30's heat wise and my oily skin is working overtime this moisturiser was causing my skin to become more oily than usual so this one has been put away until Autumn/Winter.

Trial Sized Tuesday's | Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion

Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion  | rrp £21.50 50ml

In the post Christmas sales I picked up a couple of Benefit's b.right! Radiant Skincare 6 piece intro kit's and as excited as I was to try them (as I adore Benefit's makeup) I will admit they have kinda just sat in a drawer in my dressing table. A couple of weeks ago I caught sight of the set when I was digging around looking for a tanning mitt and picked the facial emulsion mostly because the name intrigued me, I mean a moisturiser does just that but what is so different with this?

So what is it? Triple Performing Facial Emulsion is an oil-free, lightweight formula designed to hydrate and prepare skin for moisturiser. The formula has such a fresh scent it's unreal! After reading a few negative reviews on Benefit's website about how oily it left some girls faces I was a bit apprehensive of how it would fare on my oily/combination skin but it doesn't add to my oiliness at all. One thing I have noticed is how well my makeup sits when I'm wearing this lightweight moisturiser underneath, my skin looks really smooth and seems to reflect the light leaving me looking a bit glowy! Triple Performing Facial Emulsion has an SPF 15 which is great as I will rarely go for a product if it doesn't have any SPF.

I love this moisturiser so much I've already purchased the full size bottle. The sample sized bottle is a generous amount, it's enough to really give you the opportunity to trial it over a few weeks (a dig at those pointless little skincare sachets companies give out!). The only thing I will say is that despite the sample sized bottle being aesthetically pleasing it is totally impractical! At times no matter how much you shake you don't get a drop out and other times only slightly tilting it will dispense enough to do your face 10 times over, luckily the full size product has a pump in the bottle!

Trial Sized Tuesday's | Garner Ultimate Blends | The Sleek Perfector Oil

Garnier Ultimate Blends | The Sleek Perfector Oil  | RRP £9.99

I can't quite remember how I acquired this sachet sample, possibly from an insert of a magazine, but whilst riffling through my drawer of samples looking for something to try for my Tuesday spot I picked this one as I rarely change up my hair routine and as an avid fan of anything containing Argan Oil I was intrigued to see the effects.

So what is The Sleek Perfector Oil? Well it's a lightweight, high performance formula blended with coconut oil to help protect against damage from heat and tame frizz. Designed specifically for dry, frizzy hair this multi-purpose oil leaves hair smelling delicious and even in our damp British weather hair is silky and shiny.

I have really enjoyed using this hair oil, I applied a small amount to damp hair and then again once I've dried and styled my hair to tame the last few flyaway's. Unlike some products that are designed for dry/frizzy hair this oil doesn't weigh your hair down or leave a greasy finish. This is a product I really would consider buying once my Argan Oil runs out. 

Trial-Sized Tuesday - Benefit Refined Finish Facial Polish

One of my (many) post Christmas purchases was the b.right! Radiant Skincare by Benefit 6 piece intro kit rrp £14.50 which really is the most gorgeous little set to help you get introduced to Benefit's skincare. Having a weakness for exfoliator's like I do their Refined Finish Facial Polish was the first item I wanted to try and when better than on my Trial-Sized Tuesday!

This exfoliator boasts natural ingredients (winning me over already!) such as natural clay and seaweed extract rich in minerals and natural sugars known to purify the skin. Benefit claim that this exfoliator when used once or twice a week will help minimise the appearance of pores, purify the skin and leave you with a more radiant complexion.

I don't know why but I was expecting the exfoliating particles to be a little finer than they are. The formula is quite thick and creamy which is great as you can really work it into your skin without it just rolling straight off. Although the formula is quite creamy it didn't leave my skin feeling greasy as some other exfoliators have and it left my skin feeling very soft. One thing I will say is if you have sensitive skin or don't like scented skincare then this may not be for you, I found the product to have quite a strong shampoo like smell.

Overall not a bad little exfoliator, I don't know if I would rush out and purchase the full size product but it's definitely not the worst I've tried.

Trial-Sized Tuesday - REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Masque

I was quite excited to see REN featured in January's Birchbox as it's a brand I still haven't tried very much of and I am drawn to anything that has that magic word glycol in it! I use and overnight Glycolic Peel twice a week and love the results so couldn't wait to try REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Masque.

This masque promises to be a potent bio active peel masque that is designed to renew the complexion and over time reduce the appearance of fine lines and even out skin tone. The texture of this masque is quite a sticky, thick gel and although the formula is quite sticky it applies well and doesn't roll off your skin as some gel masques do. It's relatively odourless and colourless which means you have to have good lighting to see where you're applying it. REN warn that slight tingling may be felt after application and it shouldn't be used on sensitive skin, I however didn't experience this.

Although I wasn't expecting huge results after one use I can tell it's not for me. Despite very thoroughly washing the masque off my skin felt greasy and oily after use and I broke out the next day! Luckily I barely squeezed one masque from the sample so there's no love loss there.

Trial-Sized Tuesday's - Clarins Skin Smoothing Eye Mask

After a long, busy day sat in front of my pc in the office yesterday I had a dig through my drawer of samples to find a little something to try for my Trial-Sized Tuesday's spot and rejoiced at the little box of  Clarins Skin Smoothing Eye Mask staring back at me. I've been meaning to try this stuff for a while and boy did my tired peepers appreciate it afterwards.

Clarins Skin Smoothing Eye Mask does just that, it's an intensive mask blended with Wild Rose, Apricot and Rose Water that helps energise tired eyes and minimise the signs of fatigue. The formula is smooth and creamy and doesn't tug at your eye are when you're applying it. You simply apply the cream to your under eye area and after 5-10 minutes gently wipe away with a damp cotton wool pad. I did find whilst it was drying it felt a little tight under my eyes but after I wiped it off the skin under my eyes felt so soft and refreshed. 

At £30.50 for 30ml it may seem a little on the expensive side, however for the very little amount that you need for each eye it will last forever and it's probably the most energising under eye treatment I have tried.

Trial-Sized Tuesday's - Clarins HydraQuench Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm

My quest of trying to utilise my drawer of samples and trial sized products continues with Clarins HydraQuench Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm rrp £19 for 15ml. 

I'm relatively new to Clarins products but can hand on heart say I've enjoyed using every product I have purchased so far and with Clarins offering 3 free samples with every online order it gives you an excellent opportunity to try more from their ranges. A couple of orders ago I selected this lip balm as one of my samples and with the cold weather here I thought it a perfect opportunity to give it a try. 

HydraQuench Lip Balm has a very thick texture, think Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream, only it melts on to your lips not only healing chapped lips but preventing moisture loss. This intensive balm is infused with Rose Wax and Shea Butter and it has a delicate pink tint to it which leaves lips looking lovely.

I've found with all of the lipstick wearing I've been doing lately my lips haven't so much become chapped but they are definitely a little dry and tight and applying this balm last thing at night has restored my lips come morning. I've had the 3ml sample of the go for around a week now and it's showing no signs of running out as you need so little, I definitely will be purchasing the full size product when the sample is done!

Trial-Sized Tuesday's - Premae Mattifying Mousse Foundation Shade 01 Tapioca

I've been meaning to do a post on this wonderful foundation from my favourite skincare brand Premae for a little while now, it really has everything you could want from a base. If you read my blog regularly you will know my deep love for Premae's natural and vegan skincare products and when I heard they were releasing their first foundation I was more than excited!

MM Foundation rrp £29 is an allergy-friendly foundation meaning it's great for sensitive or acne prone skin like mine and is packed with skin-loving ingredients that actively care for your skin whilst you are wearing it. I requested a sample of shade 01 Tapioca which is a perfect colour match for my fair (NC15) skin.

The formula is quite unexpected, it's rich and creamy yet light like mousse and I found it easiest to apply with my Real Techniques Expert Face brush, working in small areas. The finish is matte yet not unnatural looking, allowing your skins natural glow to peep through. 

MM Foundation gives medium/full coverage and I found I didn't require as much concealer in the places as I normally would. This foundation is so completely natural and packed with skin-loving ingredients that you could, not that I would, sleep in it...now if a foundation is good enough for your skin to sleep in it what does that say!?

My sample recently ran out but I certainly will be requesting the full size product in my next Premae Donna Box!

Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream

I was first introduced to Benefit's It's Potent in my Birchbox a few month's ago and as I'm more familiar with Benefit's beauty products I kind of just brushed off their skincare and the little pot of eye cream sat in a drawer for a while and when I finally dug it out and saw the results I was kicking myself for leaving it so long before trying! After recently finishing my two little sample sized jars I have purchased the full size for a very reasonable £25.50 and feel I can give you a review after a few months of use.

It's Potent has a balm like texture that I find very moisturising allowing your concealer to sit beautifully without smudging or budging. I can honestly say that after around 3 months of use I have noticed a really difference in my under eye area. I seem to have inherited the dreaded dark circles that no amount of sleep or water will budge, but It's potent is lightening my under eye area and I can notice the deep creases I had before are becoming more shallow.

I've tried a multitude of eye creams over the last few years and none have delivered the results this product have and most surprisingly so from a cosmetic company! As with all of Benefit's packaging this cute little jar will look gorgeous on any girls dressing table and the packaging contains a very generous 14.2g of product, the two little 3g sample jars I had lasted me nearly 3 month's so I'm confident this will last me well into next year.

Have you tried any of benefit's skincare range? What are your favourites?

Trial-sized Tuesday's - Lush Full Of Grace Serum

On my last trip to my (not-so) local Lush one of the sales assistants recommended Full Of Grace when I mentioned one of my skin concerns was dullness. Full Of Grace is a facial serum that comes in a solid form, you gently heat between palms to melt the product and then apply to your face.

This skin-feeding serum contains a blend of oils and Portebello Mushrooms which condition and protect the skin and Calamine powder to soothe delicate skin. I was a little apprehensive to try it as it looked oily and with my skin being oily it doesn't need any more help in that respect, but the sales assistant assured me she uses it every night and has oily skin herself. I have to say I really enjoyed using Full Of Grace, despite finding the initial concept of warming something in my hands before using it was a little weird the serum itself is lovely and did a good job of hydrating my skin without leaving a greasy film as I had expected.

Would I purchase it? Maybe. For hygiene reasons I really do prefer something from a bottle or jar and for speed and ease of use something that can be applied directly to skin (without warming). 

Trial-sized Tuesday's - Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

I've had a couple of bottles of Huile Prodigieuse by Nuxe laying around in my miniatures drawer (yes I have a drawer dedicated to miniatures and samples!) for a while now and after my shower yesterday I decided to indulge in a little bit of Frances leading beauty oil.

What I love firstly about this dry oil is it's a multi-purpose product. You can not only use this oil on your body, but also your face and hair too, making it the perfect travel companion.

This oil absorbs quickly and left no greasy residue and the smell is just divine! I can't quite put my finger on the scent, it's probably the combination of six precious plant oils including Macadamia, Hazelnut, Borrage, Almond, Camellia and St Johns Wort. I applied a small amount to my palms and smoothed over my fly-aways after doing my hair and every time I moved my head yesterday I could smell that divine smell again!

I love this oil and considering how little you need to use to get the desired effect £28 for 100ml is a bargain in my opinion!

Trial-Sized Tuesday's - Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

On my quest to get through my ever increasing sample stash yesterday I tested Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. I know this product has achieved cult status by make-up artists and beauty fanatics alike so I was really excited to try it and had high expectations for the results.

Beauty Flash Balm is said to be the ultimate pick-me-up for tried and dull skin, helping to eliminate fatigue resulting in a radiant complexion. Containing Olive and Witch Hazel reputed to help smooth the skins surface and Bisabolol to restore a youthful glow. Sounds too good to be true right?

Although this product has a balm like texture it is said to be suitable for normal, dry, combination and oily skin so with mine being combination/oily I thought it would be suitable for me, however after a few hours of wear my t-zone turned into an oil slick! Rather than rub the product in like a moisturiser you smooth a small amount over your skin and either wear alone or apply make-up directly over the top. The initial finish of my foundation over it looked dewy and my skin looked well rested, however like I said before after around 4/5 hours my t-zone was really, really oily (way beyond the help of powder) and by the time I got home from work my skin felt congested and I couldn't wait to wash my make-up off.

I really think this product would be suitable for dry/normal skin types...it certainly didn't bode well with my combination skin. Such a disappointing product for me as I know loads of people that have raved about it for years.

Trial- Sized Tuesday's - Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

A couple of weeks ago I did a post on the fabulous Glamour Beauty Power List Box from Latest In Beauty and one of the products in it (one of the reasons I purchased it) was Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer (30ml). I know that Laura Mercier's primer, among a few other of her products, have achieved cult status in the beauty world so I really couldn't wait to get my hands on it and give it a go!  This primer is a gel consistency that absorbs into skin really well, not leaving an oil slick on the skin (which is a god send for me with my oily/combination skin!). One thing I like about this primer is that fact that it is undetectable under your make-up and it smells really fresh, kind of like baby wipes! The gel contains vitamins A, C and E which are said to shield skin from environmental damages that can age skin. Because of it's gel-like consistency I have found the advice of keeping it in the fridge great as it makes it more refreshing to apply in the morning and reduces any puffiness. I've been using this primer since Monday and can honestly say I'm really enjoying it. I wouldn't say it completely changes the finish of my foundation (MAC Studio Fix Fluid) but it does give me a little more of a dewy finish when worn underneath. I can't say it aids the longevity of my base any more than my regular primer (MAC Prep+Prime Skin) but it certainly doesn't shorten it.  As this sample from the Glamour Beauty Power List Box is 30ml (the same volume as most other primers) it will last a good amount of time, making that box well worth the £15.99 I paid for it! 

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.