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An In between Books Realization...

My name is Steph and I am a hoarder. More specifically I hoard makeup/beauty samples. I subscribe to two subscription services, BeautyArmy & Birchbox (Birchbox is eh and BeautyArmy is decent so far). I got my BeautyArmy kit today and as I was putting them away in my sample stash box, I realized that I have a terrible problem. I can barely close the lid on it and these samples are small. A lot of them are just foil packets so you know there's a problem. So since I'm in between books right now (my current selection is The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, review coming soon) I thought I'd do a little post to keep myself occupied. I'll only review what I've actually tried so far, that way you won't get bored (or I won't get bored).

My 3 Favorite Samples
Hot Mama theBalm


  1. Hot Mama by theBalm ($20) - A peachy pink with golden shimmer blush and shadow. I was skeptical when I got this because I have oily skin and some blushes tend to look "rusty" on my skin, but this one held up. I don't use a whole lot, just enough for some color so maybe that helps. I'm not too sure that I'd buy it because the packaging is kind of annoying, but its a decent sample.
  2. Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($18) - And I have found a winning shadow primer! I got a little one time use sample of this and I loved it! It kept my shadow from creasing and sliding the 12 hours that it promises. I still also love Kat Von D and e.l.f primers as well. Definitely will be buying again.
  3. Girl Meets Pearl by benefit

    Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl ($30) - The best sample I have ever received  Hi I'm a soft-pink liquid highlighter, and I'm amazing! This is one of my favoirte products from my favorite brand! Its the best highlighter, wayyyy better than High Beam and Moon Beam, but like I said before you get more for your buck in the Beam Highlighters. Boooooo Benefit figure out how to make this better! Also when applying this one dot is all you need and just tap it above your cheekbone closer to your temples. It'll give you a really soft glow that you'll be able to see in any lighting.
My Top 3 Worst Samples

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original

  1. Urban Decay Primer Potion ($20) - An eye shadow primer to keep your shadow from rubbing off and creasing. I HATE this primer. I don't think its worth the money, and it doesn't work for me. A lot of people swear by this, but I just think its awful. Not a fan. 
  2. Kerastase Chroma Sensitive Shampoo ($42) - This came in a foil packet which is beyond annoying. Who sends a shampoo sample in a packet? Even my $115 face cream sample came in a pot! This is marketed as a cleansing balm for color treated hair. Its not supposed to strip your color and is supposed to be moisturizing for your "damaged" locks. I used this once and its not that great. I really wish I got the mask like they said I'd be getting. I would never buy a $40 shampoo because there are better ones out there for A LOT LESS. It also smelled kinda funny, like something I wouldn't want to be washing my hair with.
  3. Makeup Forever HD Microperfecting Primer ($34) - I have terribly oily skin and I tend to shy away from MUFE (except for their matte foundation which is pretty good). I used it once because that's all I got out of the package and I wasn't impressed. It was silicone based, and I'm not a fan of those. Like always MUFE will not be getting business from me.


Other Favs:

  • Mark Hook-up Gloss & Hook-up Scanda-lash Mascara ($6.50 each)
  • Shea Terra Organics Whipped Body Cream ($18)
  • Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Finishing Spray ($25)
Other Losers:
  • Mox Botanicals Lip Butter ($16)
  • Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo ($32)
  • Clark's Botanicals Soothing Marine Cream ($115)


Like I said I get a lot of samples and those aren't even half of what I've gone through. And I get new ones every single week, along with all the other makeup, hair, body, and nail products I buy on regular basis. Seriously I spend too much money on this stuff. I need to get that under control. Right after I get my hoarding under control. Or maybe not.

My overloaded sample box. It doesn't include the 2 hairspray samples I have.

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