September Sample Society

It's been box mania around here. Normally I try to post these earlier but I've been too busy to really use most of my samples. I like to at least try things once before putting in my 2 cents. So on to this month's Sample Society.

• CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Cleanser Deluxe Sample 2 oz  (Full Size Retail $35) Ideal for even the most sensitive skin, CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Cleanser removes impurities and makeup without drying out the skin. This daily cleanser hydrates the skin and leaves it feeling supple as it removes facial and eye makeup. I wasn't expecting this to have such a thin texture so I got more out than I had bargained for. This is a very gentle cleanser. I like it so far. I have tons of sample cleansers to work through though.
• Borghese B Gloss Deluxe Sample .16 oz in Fiore (Full Size Retail .21 oz $18.50) Borghese B Gloss Lip Gloss is a lush, glossy color that accentuates lips and provides high-shine looks. Moisturizers deliver a soothing treat while high style pigments add luminosity. Has a long-wearing formula. Vitamins A and E deliver moisture. Avocado oil, jojoba oil and aloe vera soothe lips. The color I received is very close to my natural lip color with just a little shine. It's nice and subtle. Wear time was pretty good but it comes at a cost. This lip gloss is very sticky feeling. I really don't care for glosses that are really sticky. I'd rather reapply more often.

• Diptyque Vetyverio Eau de Toilette Sample Vial .06(Full Size Retail 1.7 oz $88) Made for both women and men, the Diptyque Eaux de Toilette use the finest raw materials. Vetyverio is in Diptyque's Woody Family. Has the essence of forest vegetation. I normally like the more uni-sex fragrances since I'm not really into girly florals. I don't care for this one. I may give it another try though. My first experiment with it made it smell really strong.
• Stila Cosmetics Smudge Crayon Waterproof Primer + Shadow + Liner in Umber Deluxe Sample (Full Size Retail $22) Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Liner Dazzle is a 3-in-1 gel-based product that glides on with ease and stays in place until you say when. This creamy, multi-pearl formula is infused with emollients for a smooth, comfortable application. Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Line Dazzle also provides rich, bold color for more than 6 hours of continuous wear that won't crease over time. The best part: There's a pull-out sharpener conveniently hidden in the base so your product can be ôon pointo no matter where you are. I haven't had a chance to use this yet either except to try to swatch it. I love this color and think it can go well with some of the colors from MUA's Heaven & Earth palette.

• Ahava Purifying Mud Mask Deluxe Sample .9 oz (Full Size Retail 4.4 oz $30) Apply this unique mineral mud mask once or twice a week. It contains purifying and softening qualities, clears skin of excess oils, roots out the grime and blackheads, and prevents the formation of blemishes. This is the only product I haven't had a chance to use yet. I'm hoping to get to it this week. I don't do a lot of masks other than my weekly Ren mask. So this will be a nice change of pace.

Sample Society continues to be my favorite box. I like that it's balanced and sends out brands I wouldn't normally try on my own.

May Sample Society

What is Sample Society? Sample Society is a monthly subscription service that is a partnership between Allure magazine and Beauty Bar. For $15 a month you get five deluxe sized samples and a one year subscription to Allure.  You also receive a $15 gift code towards the purchase of any of the brands in your box. It's nice that you have some flexibility and don't have to buy the exact product. You can also use your gift code multiple times. The booklet also includes some tips on how to use the products.

Stila Mascara, Bond No.9 Perfume, Colorscience Travel Puff, Strivectin SD Intensive, & Alterna UV Fluide

• Stila Forever Your Curl Mini Mascara Deluxe Sample (Full Size Retail $22) Featuring innovative lash-curl memory, this eye-catching wonder contains a proprietary resin that continuously curls lashes throughout the day - and holds curl for long-lasting results. A unique brush design coats and extends each individual lash, while an intense carbon black hue delivers maximum impact. Breakthrough formula continuously curls lashes. Innovative brush coats and extends each lash. I've been on a quest for a new mascara so this is rather timely. I've heard this smears easily though. I didn't have any real issues with it. It made my lashes look defined but still soft. It did smudge a bit towards the end of the day after I watched two episodes of I Survived Beyond and Back but that show always makes me tear up. 
• Bond No.9 Nuits de Noho Fragrance Sample Vial 1.7ml (Full Size Retail 50ml $160)   A contemporary, fruity-floral skin scent, Bond No. 9 New York Nuits De Noho Eau de Parfum is the ultimate in sexy avant-garde urbanity. Fragrance notes of jasmine, vanilla and patchouli delight the senses. Inspired by the avant garde neighborhood of New York City. This smells incredibly indulgent and sensual. I love it! I hope I don't love it too much because at $160 a bottle I would have to seriously think long and hard before hitting the purchase button. Granted it would only be $145 after my coupon code and then I have a code for an additional $15 off $75 or more. So if I really loved it I could get it for $130 but still not going to just dash off and do that. I can smell the vanilla but it's not like "Hi I smell like a cupcake" which is good because I'm pretty anti-vanilla as a fragrance. I love how the sample was wrapped up like candy. This certainly does feel like a decadent treat.
• Colorscience Pro SPF 20 Travel Puff i in Illuminating Pearl Powder Full Size (Retail $10) Colorescience Pro SPF 20 Travel Puff provides sun protection whenever and wherever you need as well as a dose of color to keep your complexion looking its best. This weightless mineral pigment provides hours of water-resistant SPF 20 and fits easily in any purse or bag, making it perfect for travel. Each puff contains 10-20 applications for multiple uses.  I like the idea of this in theory.
• StriVectin SD Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles Deluxe Sample (Full Size Retail $135) Strivectin started a goal. Create the most effective age-fighting product ever. So Strivectin powered up the original with even more potent collagen-boosting peptides and Strivectin re-engineered the formula with NIA-114. Discovered in DNA skin cancer research, NIA-114 accelerates the rebuiling of skin layers.  I got a sample of this in my QVC New Beauty Test Tube as well. The sample from TT was 15ml. The sample from Sample Society was 22ml.  I'm not afraid of the price tag. When I was in Marshall's last week, I saw a ton of StriVectin. I don't really have wrinkles but I'll try this out on my belly stretch marks. I prefer to call them tiger stripes. 
• Alterna UV Plus Fade-Proof Fluide Deluxe Sample (Full Size $24) 
• FADE-PROOF FLUIDE combines strengthening pure Organic Bamboo Extract & color-locking, damage-locking Kalahari Melon Extract in a formula that weightlessly shields hair with a UVA/UVB barrier to fade-proofs color while enhancing vibrancy & multi-dimensional shine. With rinse resistant Color Hold® UV+ Technology for the highest level of color protection . Weightless formula.  Enhances vibrancy & multi-dimensional shine. Can be used alone or combined with any styling aid. Contains rinse resistant UV filters that protect against oxidative color damage. Extends the life of your color. All products contain certified organic ingredients grown responsibly & ethically traded; FREE OF sulfates, sodium chloride, parabens, gluten, TEA, DEA & phthalates. Their production & sale aids in supporting the development of local communities while remaining environmentally friendly.  My hair is color treated now but you know how I avoid UV damage? I avoid sunlight. I'm in my car about ten minutes in the morning and I've been working so late the last few weeks that sunlight is not an issue when I leave work. I'll probably put this up for trade or keep on the off chance I have to be in the sun. 

The first Sample Society box has so far been my favorite but I like this month's box better than last month's. I'll be keep Sample Society a bit longer especially now that I wasn't wowed by the first Glossybox US or it's $21 a month price tag.