There are so many mascaras out there claiming they can do this, and they don't do that and may or may not do those things... so you never know what you're going to get. So when the sample of Blinc Mascara showed up in my Birchbox, I didn't expect much.
The big difference about Blinc is how it goes on. Not how you apply it, but how it actually takes to your lashes. Most mascaras just layer on coats of whatever it actually is, but doesn't bond to yourself, nor does it bond to your lashes (which is why you will get flaking, smudging, and running on typical mascaras). My biggest problem with mascara has always been the flaking... I'd always buy waterproof just in hopes it'd stay on my lashes. But it'd still flake.
So what does Blinc do differently? It actually bonds to itself and forms a tube around each lash. At first glance, it looks like every other mascara out there. But then you look closer, and it just looks cleaner. And it stays put - WIN!
It doesn't do all the fancy volumizing and lengthening and 'doll lashes' that you see now... but since this bonds to itself, if you could do a couple of layers, it will volumize and lengthen based on pure physics of additional volume of mascara. But I'm not big on all that...
Be warned, though... it's freaky the first time you take it off!! It comes off all connected and string like (they say it's the 'tubes' coming off) - your lashes aren't in this mess! That's just shows how well it bonds to itself. LOL
So... for your everyday mascara, this is a great deal. And unless your deal is to look like you have fake lashes on your big nights out (face it, girls... they do look fake after a certain point of 'mascara tricks' are hit), it works then, too. They have your basic colors, and some fun ones, too. So buy it - it works!
There are so many facial cleansers out there, both the foaming and scrub types. They all claim they're the best and they all claim they can do things others can't.
I had the chance to try an exfoliating cleanser in my Birchbox a few months ago. As I am with any sample, I go in as a skeptic. This one in particular was all over the 'all natural' and 'good for sensitive skin' tags. I don't have overly sensitive skin, so that wasn't a concern, but I know in the past, some of my experience with 'all natural' versions were harsh or sticky or both!
To my surprise, the one-time use packet I received made me fall in love with BeFine Exfoliating Cleanser! So much, that the next day, I ordered a full size version. You put on this initially very gritty, true exfoliating 'cream' that turns into a true cream moisturizing cleanser as you slough away any dry skin. And then I rinsed. Wow! I could tell a difference after one use! My skin felt so smooth and looked even more radiant!
As a brand, BeFine Food Skin Care is a pretty cool brand (cruise around their website and you even find recipes - how many skincare lines have that??). And I believe it's pretty moderately priced compared to a lot of the choices out there. So all in all, I would definitely recommend this to someone. For me, at least, it was a true "try it, love it, buy it!" scenario!
So I was pretty skeptical about this product. I've seen it come across those 'pay half price' website a few times (not necessarily this brand), which made me wonder even more. I finally had the opportunity to try them, though, through my Birchbox last month. But I will make the assumption that all the brands out there function pretty much the same way.
Looking at the instructions, it sounded easy enough... so it was time to give it a shot.
To start with, if you have trouble putting polish on one of your hands (whichever you write with), then you'll still have trouble putting on the dry polish on that hand. It's just a matter of if you're ambidextrous. Most people aren't. It might get easier, I suppose... but with the strips, you actually have to place them a little more precisely that if your just brushing on polish that you can remove from your cuticles later.
Then there was the 'finishing off' of each nail... stretching the polish to cover everything and folding over the end and 'filing off' the excess. First problem, sometimes it would tear not quite at the end and leave some of the nail showing. Secondly, you couldn't file right away - it would crease the polish and/or make it bulge at the tip. These may be items that just take practice, but I thought it was just as easy to use normal polish if this was going to be the case.
But I will admit, once it was all done and 'dry', it looked good and very professional. And I've even gotten a few compliments on them! So now the test was how durable it was - it says it can last up to 2 weeks. It's been just over a week now and there's been a few chips. Typical for me (nothing more than I'd expect), as I'm not exactly a pretty, pretty princess that goes easy on her nails. But the bummer is the fact that without a bottle of polish, you can't mend those chips. So I've been trying to blend with a variety of polishes I do have - still can't match exactly. Though one thing is since it came as a 'strip' to put on your nail, sometime the chip starts as a tear in the strip, so if you catch it early on, you can just mend with clear nail polish.
So ultimately, my opinion on these... well, if you're not doing anything fancy, I think it's just as easy to apply regular polish. I guess you have a longer dry time, but if you have the time, why not? Plus, you can cover up chips if they happen. However, I will say if you want to do something besides a solid color, these dry polish appliques have a lot of fun options, and then it would be absolutely worth going this route! Just don't apply until right before you want them on if it's for a special occasion. You can check out all the various fun polish options at their website - I may break down and get a few for some fun nights out with the girls or something.
So I've said I'm coming into more opportunities to try samples. Everyone loves samples, right? Especially if you get to try new or 'in the know' products from high end brands!
Yeah... I know... I sound like an ad...
Well, I found this really cool site called Birchbox. It's not free, and I admit, I was skeptical when I first saw it... why would you want to pay for samples? But it boasted how these weren't your run of the mill samples you can get online through department store websites... these were actually big names or up-and-coming names in beauty and they weren't just little samples that can get lost in the mail (or in your medicine cabinet). I figured I'd try the first month and could always cancel if I didn't think it was worth it.
Well, I was thoroughly impressed with my first box! First off, it was quality products (usually 4-6 items), most of which were in a deluxe sample size. Yay! They include a little card that explains what everything is and even why they love it. The added fun is how it comes all wrapped up in a little box, making you feel like you're getting a cool gift. I know after the first month, I couldn't wait till the next month! Well worth the $10 (which basically covered the package and shipping).
So if you like getting samples, and really like getting GOOD samples, go check out their website and sign-up. I know I'll be posting a lot of my reviews from things in those boxes!
So I figured I'd start the posts with the sample I tried that made me want to tell everyone how awesome it was (what inspired me to start this blog) - Origins High-Potency Night-a-Mins.
I got the sample and it was truly a one use sample - no big deal. So I initially chalked it up as just a lotion I could use overnight one night (instead of the usual) - didn't think I'd be able to tell anything about it in one night. So I put it on without much thought. It smelled good... but, whatever...
I was wrong.
The next morning, I could totally tell a difference! I had a few dry spots/rough patches on my face, and they were gone! Overall, my skin felt so much softer and it looked so much more even toned. How did that stuff do this in one night?? It made me want to run out and buy it to see how much more could happen (though I haven't made it, yet - still want to!), not to mention tell everyone I knew!
So all in all, I'd recommend this to anyone who was looking for a good night lotion. Shoot, even if you're not looking, it's a good one.
Welcome to my new blog!
I find myself coming across samples of stuff all the time. Sometimes I like it... sometimes not so much. Other times I find that the claims are just way off base and they should be completely called out on it! Besides... I LOVE trying new stuff!
So I decided to start this blog. Not just to share my knowledge, but to help me remember what I do and don't like! And if I can keep someone else from making a big mistake in buying something, well then, that's just a bonus.
So here's to trying new stuff!
