Sample Society Cancelled. Sub Free!

Sample Society was consistently my favorite beauty sub until they started mixing it up with different box variations. Nothing really wowed me. So I had to invoke my three strikes and you're out rule. It was difficult because I've been subbed to Sample Society since they first started. I almost reneged but I am finally subscription box free! I've been subbed to just about every one at some point and oftentimes three or four at a time. Now my bathroom is overrun with samples and I have very few favorite new products to show for it.

I'm going to go ahead and post my last two boxes. I absolutely hate the March box.

March 2013 Sample Society

• Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30 Shield and restore environmentally stressed skin with this powerful, antioxidant-rich daytime moisturizer, which contains SPF 30 to block the UVA/UVB rays that cause sun damage and free radical damage. This is probably the one product I'll use the most. Murad always puts out quality products and I still haven't found my HG daily moisturizer.
• LashFood Nano-Peptide Natural Eyelash Conditioner This powerful breakthrough formula is clinically demonstrated to provide the appearance of longer, thicker, lashes and to transform frail and brittle lashes to become healthy and strong. Enjoy visibly different, stunning lashes in 3 to 6 weeks. I'm pretty happy with my natural lashes. I don't feel the need to treat them or get extensions  I may or may not try this. I haven't decided yet.
• Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave In Conditioner Ouidad's Moisture Lock seals in lightweight moisture and keeps the hair shaft hydrated. It creates a moisture foundation by infusing individual strands with conditioning proteins vital to healthy hair and great looking curls. Botanical extracts promote long-lasting hydration and help seal the cuticle layer to prevent frizz and encourage healthier hair and scalp. This sounds like a good conditioner for my naturally wavy hair. It doesn't say if it's safe for color treated hair though so I'm a bit hesitant. The matching shampoo would have been nice.
• Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer in Cheeky Chops Butter London makes high quality polishes. But this color? Seriously!?
• Hollywood Fashion Tape This is another WTF sample. I don't really need fashion tape. I have this to make sure my clothing fits properly and stays in place. 

I could possibly use it to keep a costume in place but then again all of my costumes are custom made and fitted to stay in place.


While I didn't hate the February box, it didn't excite me either. There was really only one sample I got any use out of.

February Sample Society 

• Oscar Blandi Hair Lift Mousse Plump up. Hair Lift Mousse instantly gives any hair type a thicker, fuller, more youthful appearance.  Considering I have naturally thick hair that I pay good money to have thinned out and still have more hair than the average person, I have no use for this product.
• Diptyque February Fragrance Sample in Oyedo Oh look another Diptyque sample. I received samples of this brand in my September and November boxes. I've hated all three. When I contacted customer service about my frustration with the multiples and the new boxes in general, they gave me a very generous credit which I think I'll use to buy more L'Occitane products.
• LaRocca Skincare Hibiscus Cream Cleanser with AHA This gentle cleanser helps melt away impurities without risking over drying. Delicate hibiscus flower, rich in AHA, Vitamin A and C, has been shown to help skin structure and sebum production, maintaining skins elasticity. This is one of the smallest samples I've ever received from Sample Society. I'd expect this from Birchbox but not Sample Society. I could barely get enough out to use.
• Immunocologie VenoMax Immunocologie Treatment Crème VenoMax is formulated to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and is ideal for day and night use. Offering protection against chronic inflammation, this rich, luxurious treatment brightens the complexion as it evens skin tone and helps reverse past sun damage. Very generously sized. I've been using this for nearly a month. It doesn't knock my socks off though and has a weird smell. I'm meh about it.
• Exude Lipstick Creme in Bronze The moisturizing formula of Exude's lip creme is enhanced with a light, minty scent. The creamy gel texture leaves a rich finish that's the result of a combination of vitamins C and E. Yep BRONZE. Ya know because bronze works so well for fair skinned cool toned ladies. It actually doesn't look as awful as I thought but it's more metallic than I like. What's up with companies putting mint in lip products. I just don't get that.

I used to rave about my Sample Society boxes. This has probably been the hardest break up for me. I currently have no plans to subscribe to any of the other boxes. I definitely need to clean some stuff out first. Have you broken up with any of your subs lately?

NYX Haul $60 for $30

Total Beauty is running a deal for $60 worth of NYX products for $30. This deal is running for the next two days. So snatch it while you can. I thought about hanging on to mine for a little while but I couldn't resist. If you've been curious about NYX, now's your chance to try out at a discount. NYX cosmetics are cruelty free.

I chose two big ticket items (at least by NYX standards) and a few smaller items instead of just loading up the small stuff. I had a tough time getting right below $60. So the total for this order was $62.25 with free shipping. Out of pocket I paid $32.25 for all of these goodies.

• The Curve $15 Felt tip eye liner with an ergonomic shape. I can't wait to try this out. I'm always looking for ways to get that perfect wing.
• HD Studio Photogenic Foundation $15 Nude Is a lightweight foundation that smooths and brightens. It is supposed to be a dupe for the MUFE foundation. 
• Single Eyeshadow $4.50 Frosted Ocean  I'm always on the look out for the perfect dark blue to use in my crease. I have a go to blue/gold look I use when I wear one of my costumes but I haven't found the perfect crease color yet. I hope this is it.
• Nail Polish Salon Formula $4 I've never tried any of the NYX nail polishes and usually when I do a haul like this with a big discount, I try to cover all the categories. This is described as black with red flecks of glitter. I definitely don't have something like this in my collection already.
• Rouge Cream Blush $6 Boho Chic This is hands down my favorite cream blush and definitely one of my favorite blushes overall. I've hit the pan on the one I have now. It won't be long before I crack into this one. This is also one of the prizes in My Giveaway.
• Extra Creamy Round Lipstick $4  Tea Rose  This formula is very creamy. I wanted to pick up something lighter for Spring.
• Slide on Pencil $8  Pretty Violet These are one of the more expensive items in the NYX line. They are also widely considered a dupe for the UD 24/7 liners which retail for $19. I don't have a purple liner. I'm not sure when I'll use it this but it's pretty.
• Wonder Pencil $4.50 Light  This is a new product from NYX. It's supposed to coneal, brighten, and line. Works great on the waterline.

So I decided to throw together a look using a lot of these products and as many NYX products as I could. I'm about to go meet a friend for Sunday brunch. I didn't want anything too heavy. It's definitely Spring here in Las Vegas.

Face: 

NYX HD Foundation Nude

Cover Girl Olay Concealer Balm Fair

MUA Matte Perfect Loose Powder Translucent

Cheeks:

NYX Cream Blush Boho Chic

Eyes:

NYX Wonder Pencil on the waterline.
NYX Loose Pearl Shadow Sky Pink Pearl

NYX Pin Up Tease Mascara Review

Lips:

NYX Creamy Lipstick Tea Rose

Tools:

Beauty Blender

Real Techniques Stippling Brush

e.l.f. Studio Contour Brush