I am posting about same samples I have tried. You can see from this picture below that I brought quite a few stuff on my trip. This was the brain child of the fabulous fellow blogger parisb. They are super lightweight and fun to play with. I don't think I'd try them out otherwise since I prefer things in their original shapes and sizes... Thanks, doll! You are ingenious!
Just a word of caution: I have normal to dry skin and hardly get any breakouts so it’s rather easy for me to try new things. However, if you have sensitive skin, I would strongly advise you not to do this on-the-move unless you are using samples of products you already own or from brands you trust. The last thing you want on your vacation is a ruined face!
Samples
Unfortunately, I find it almost impossible to review skincare products based on samples as they aren’t like coloured makeup which shows almost instant result. Therefore, I’d just shade my thoughts on those products.
Here are the products I have tested (ticked red in the picture above):
Shu Uemura Phyto-Black Lift Lifting Anti-Wrinkle Essence
It might look good on the back on my hand but it took quite some time for the essence to sink in.
Sample - 5 ml/0.16 fl. oz.
Full Size ($95USD) - 30 ml/1 fl. oz.
Product Description: A lightweight anti-aging essence that helps reverse the signs of aging by visibly lifting and reducing fine lines for re-plumped, deeply hydrated, and firm skin. Suitable for all skin types.
Ingredients: sea water , aqua / water , dipropylene glycol , glycerin , squalane , alcohol , pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate , butylene glycol , dimethicone , cyclohexasiloxane , petrolatum , hexyldecanol , glyceryl stearate , behenyl alcohol , hydroxypropyl tetrahydropyrantriol , cyclopentasiloxane , hydrated silica , propylene glycol , glyceryl stearate citrate , sodium dicocoylethylenediamine peg-15 sulfate , dimethiconol , ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate , glycine soja / glycine soja soybean protein , cetyl alcohol , tocopheryl acetate , xanthan gum , diphenyl dimethicone , disodium edta , acrylates copolymer , adenosine , saccharum officinarum / sugar cane extract , saccharomyces/xylinum/ black tea ferment , litchi chinensis / litchi chinensis pericarp extract , methylparaben , butylphenyl methylpropional , hexyl cinnamal , linalool , limonene , citronellol , geraniol , parfum / fragrance
Skin Food Mushroom BB Cream SPF 20 PA+ Shade #2
Full Size ($65SGD) - 50 g
Product Description: Functions as a make-up and skin-care in one. Acts as a foundation that covers blemishes and evens out skin tone. BB Creams are known to increase skin regeneration. Has Whitening, Sun Protection and Anti-Ageing properties!
Coastal Scents Silica Powder Spheres
This powder is very white in real life. The stock photo shows a bit of pink...
Product Description: Our Silica powder is a very smooth, silky, translucent fine white powder used in cosmetics. It is highly absorbent and used for oil control. It improves slip in cosmetic blends and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
What I used in the FOTD:
Face:
Shu Uemura Phyto-Black Lift Lifting Anti-Wrinkle Essence
Cancer Council Australia Sport Sunscreen
Skin Food Mushroom Multi Care BB Cream SPF20 PA+ #2
Skin Food Banana Concealer Stick #2
Coastal Scents Silica Powder Spheres
Stila Mandarin Mist Cheek Duo
Eyes:
Urban Decay Prime Potion
Maybelline Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Black
The Body Shop Sparkle Eye Palette 01 (colour #1 & #5)
Make Up For Ever Mascara Smoky Lash
Kat Von D True Romance Ludwig (only used Lucifer on brows)
Lips: L. A Girl LP2 Falling in Love (colour #3)
Thoughts:
The Horrid Trial Began...
I can't say much about Shu Uemura Phyto-Black Lift Lifting Anti-Wrinkle Essence as the little samples I used only allowed few applications. There wasn't enough product for me to see any result (or the lack of.) It's a super light weight cream in white. It felt weightless and was comfortable under a heavy-duty moisturiser or a thick sunscreen such as Cancer Council Australia Sport Sunscreen I wore in this FOTD. It didn't cause breakouts for me either but then again, I don't break out easily and the amount was too minimal to cause damage/reactions.
Honestly, I personally won't foot out $95USD for any essence unless I see true life before-and-after results. I reserve my doubts in such products. I tried this sample only because the sales assistant at One Utama Boutique (New Wing) was too kind... I wasn't sure how to refuse her for the freebies... In my opinion, skincare products shouldn't cost a bomb and should be as natural and chemical-free as possible... I think I look all right for my age without spending the bucks. Therefore, this sample was merely something to play with. I leave you to decide if it deserves such a high price tag. If you use this product, please share your experiences with me. Thank you!
OK, I finally tried a latest makeup craze, BB Cream or Blemish Balm... I have always thought it was only a Tinted-Moisturiser-In-Disguise even though all the companies make BB Balm claim it has some magical healing power other than covering up flaws...
Again, The 2 little sachets weren't enough to show any magic for me. (Yup, I was given two packs thanks to a nice girl at Skin Food.) However, the amount was enough for me to testify its ability (or the lack of) in covering up blemishes. I thought the coverage was quite good even though I still needed a separate concealer for brown spots... Most of the uneven bumps (whatever) were covered up. :)
There were 2 shades for this BB Balm and #2 (the darker shade I was given) was still slightly too pale for my skin tone even after it settled into my skin (as seen in the collage above.) I could still see a wee bit of difference between the face and the neck. By the way, this had a light soapy scent which I thought was bearable but not desired. *_*
Now, the disaster struck when I applied the Coastal Scents Silica Powder! Again, just like wearing Make Up For Ever High Definition Powder (100% Silica), my face turned gray instantly! I now knew that Silica Powder and I were enemies! But oh, how it made my face so matte! I could see its oil controlling power right there on my face as it just ate away all the traces of shine from the Sunscreen and BB Balm in seconds!
But the worst was yet to come... I honestly couldn't see the horrible white patches on my face but my camera kept picking them up when the flashlight fired! I asked my husband if he could see those patches on me and he said, "What patches?" So why or why were they there in the pictures???!!! I tried dusting the patches off no less than 10 times and I gave up!!! It took so long for the patches to sink into my skin and there was still bits of white shadows left...
This picture was how I looked afterwards. I had no choice but to redo my makeup. I couldn't bear the idea of walking out of the door with white patches like that on my face. The second time around, I just wore that Skin Food BB Balm alone. I was too lazy to go through the entire process again. :(
Not sure if the gray still shows here but you can definitely see the white patches. Yuck!
And my expression says it all...
This Coastal Scents Silica Powder wasn't nearly as finely milled as Make Up For Ever version. I could see and feel the particles in the Coastal Scents but Make Up For Ever just felt like silky smooth cornstarch. I wonder if those white patches were due to it's not being finely milled? Oh well, you pay peanuts, you get monkeys!!!
My consolation prize was that the Skin Food Blemish Balm made my face looked very natural and less blemished looking throughout the day after I removed all the rest off and just reapplied it on alone. I think I might just try a brand that has a better suited colour in the future soon. The Skin Food Mushroom BB #2 was still a tad too light for me and that was the darkest in that line... But I still have one more sachet in my possession. I will give that a try to see if I change my mind about this BB Cream...
Related Posts:
Review: The Cancer Council Australia – Ultra Sunscreen SPF 30+
Review: Maybelline Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner (Black, Brown, Gray)
Review: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Prime Potion - Original (Sheer Nude)
Review: The Body Shop Sparkle Eye Palette 01 & 02, Sparkling Seduction Collection, Christmas 2008
Review/FOTD: Make Up For Ever Mascara Smoky Lash
Review/Comparison: L.A. Girl Luscious Lip Palette vs. Arissa Studios Trendy Lip Palette
Review: Make Up For Ever High Definition Powder
My Colouring:
MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Face & Body #20, High Definition Foundation #125
, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02 (when tanned)
Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.
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10 comments:
actually it (silica powder)feels better when mixed with some other form of loose powder.
especially if you're not oily to begin with.. you could just mix it (like a tiny scoop or so) with some loose powder to have the pore-less finish.
i hope this helps.. there are so many negative rumours abt CS silica powder.. will not recommend directly applying onto skin.. best is to mix it in smaller dosage then apply.
eeeeps gray cast white cast sucks! im also one of those with sensitive skin. so, it is so hard for me to travel light using the sample products without knowing they are going to itch me or not. =/
Ann*: I read that about silica powder is to be mixed with other powder as well. Even on CS site, it indicates what to mix and all. However, the MUFE HD is 100% Silica Powder. Just what's the deal with that? Do you know the difference? OR I should have mixed that HD powder with another loose powder? Well, that didn't work for me.
But since I am not oily to begin with, I guess Silica Powder is not of much use for me. :)
Thanks for sharing!
I can't believe how grey the HD powder looks on you!!
agree with Ann. I use the CS silica mixed with my mineral foundation and it works well at keeping the oilies at bay. I'm normal with a moderate t-zone.
gawsh! it did look scary. glad u had time to redo your makeup before going out. :D
prettybeautiful: I understand how you feel as my MIL often wants to try new things but can't. She is a LM person throughout. expensive but whatever works...
fuzkittie: In this FOTD, it was the CS Silica Powder but you are right about MUFE HD also being Gray. I think it was wrong to make a finishing powder 100% Silica. I learned from the readers who responded. I wish I still had my HD so I could mix it with other loose powder. I acted too quickly and just gave it away when I saw my GRAY face. LOL.
i totally agree with you on skincare prods. they're not suppose to cost an arm and a leg and should be more natural. I'm willing to spend money on skincare prods but half the time i feel like its shelling out money for the brand rather than the prod.
Thank you for the before and after pictures. Those are always so helpful.
Just wanted to add that I agree totally about the size of the samples given. ! application doesn't tell me a thing. I buy it, then return later as having used the product for a week, not worth it or not right for my skin.
Love your blog.
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