October Sample Society

I know I'm a bit behind on this one. I always get my Sample Society box a week after  everyone else it seems and it's been crazy busy at work. I normally photograph my box right after I open but this time it sat on my counter for a week. Overall, this is probably my least favorite Sample Society box to date. I'll only be keeping two of the five main items. The rest are going up for trade.

• Jane Iredale Tantasia Self Tanner Deluxe Sample (Full Size Retail 4.2 oz $36) Bronzer provides instant, healthy-looking color. Builds a gradual, natural looking tan within three days, for optimum control and customization. Fresh citrus fragrance. Streak-free formula. Sensitivity tested for use on face and body. Provides natural hydration to the skin. I won't repeat my rant about self tanners. If you missed it the first time, you can find it here. I will say that I find getting a self tanner this late in the season is a bit odd. Granted it's a perfect 80 degrees and sunny with a nice breeze here in Las Vegas. I actually have my windows open.  So still being naturally tan is not out of the realm of possibility. This is not true of most of the country.
• Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment Deluxe Sample .25 fl oz (Full Size Retail 2oz $85) Combats acne and blackheads. Reduces discoloration and polishes skin. All skin types, except sensitive skin. This expert formula harnesses the power of fruit enzymes to clarify skin by removing dead cells and eliminating bacteria. Rosewood and cinnamon extracts work to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while aloe vera, honey and Vitamin E smooth and soften skin. Salicylic acid balances hydration, without over-drying the skin. This is one of the products that I'm going to keep and try. Who doesn't love a good exfoliator? However, at $85 for the full size, it's doubtful I'll love it enough to replace my beloved Ren mask. I also have a Clarisonic Mia that I should use more often.
• Erno Laszlo Phormula 3-9 Balm Deluxe Sample .10 fl oz. (Full Size Retail 1.7 fl oz. $245) Rich Repairative Moisturizer Smooth scars, wounds, burns, and dry skin with this intensive. nourishing balm. Dryness, redness and puffiness are effectively treated beneath the balm's protective Health Dome. Skin is strengthened while irritation is reduced. Rich, anti-bacterial tropical Tamanu Oil boosts skin health and promotes rapid healing. Dromiceius Oil restores the skin's moisture barrier and stimulates skin cell renewal. Yeast Extract improves skin cell respiration. Marine-based Glycosaminoglycans promote collagen production for greater smoothness and elasticity.  I have a little acne scaring and a few spots that could use some love. Strivectin SD has worked fairly well so far. I'll give this sample a try. This is something I definitely will not be purchasing. It would have be to a-Freaking_mazing at that price. That's most of a new belly dance costume! 
• Aromachology Clean & Fresh Fresh Eau de Parfum Deluxe Sample (Full Size Retail $100) Like a bright, sunny Saturday, Aromachology Clean & Fresh Eau de Parfum is comfortable and carefree. This fresh fragrance includes notes of white tea, bergamot, green tea, cardamom, lemon balm and precious woods.  Some people have described this as smelling like dryer sheets. It reminded me of soap. I think Irish Spring but I haven't actually smelled that in years. I still like getting perfume samples. Every now and then I find something I love. I'm looking at you Bond #9.
• Oscar Blandi Pronto Wet Shampoo Deluxe Sample 1.7 fl oz. (Full Size Retail 8.4 fl oz $24) In combination with Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo, Pronto Wet is designed for every-other-day use. Keep your coif calendar streamlined with this time-saving routine. Purifies hair with natural botanicals. Removes build-up and boosts volume. Scented with a Lemon verbena fragrance. Enjoy the perfect cleanser for your full-wash days – as well as the healthy, full hair you deserve. Grape seed oil and Olive oil add moisture. Hydrolyzed Wheat protein helps restructure hair. Silk amino acids help to repair and strengthen hair. AquaFlex technology, a special polymer that coats the hair, provides instant volume.  My hair stylist makes a pretty penny every few months thinning out my hair. The floor looks like she's shaved a yeti when it's done and then I still have plenty of hair left. It gets even bigger after I wash it. So volumizing shampoo is almost up there with self tanner for me... almost. I'm waffling on whether or not to just try it or to trade it. I also prefer to try both shampoo and conditioner together. 
• Herban Essentials Lavendar Towelette Extra. Foil pack 1 x towelette (Full Size Retail 20x $16) Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes are made with the highest quality pure essential oil, which not only makes them smell amazing, but makes them naturally antibacterial and antiseptic as well. The most common use for the towelettes is to cleanse the hands and kill germs, but there are millions of ways to use these wonderful wipes!  Toss them in your purse, backpack, briefcase, car, wallet, or gym bag to enjoy their germ-killing, mood-lifting, fabulousness everywhere you go!  I haven't tried this yet. I'm not opposed to lavender scented products. I like the idea of these. Other varieties include: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Lemon. There are also towlettes gear for Yoga (hands, feet, and mat) and for contact with pets (interesting). 

So not the best Sample Society box ever. I don't hate it. I'm just not excited about it. Sample Society is still my favorite. I've been cracking down on subs lately. Birchbox has been cancelled and I skipped Beauty Army and Little Black Bag this month. Partly I think I'm getting seriously sampled out. They're all over my house! On my desk, on the counter, in the bathroom. The other part is really trying to spend less and save more.

August Sample Society

Phyto Oil, Mail+Goetz, Jane Iredale Mascara,  Deborah Lippmann, Elemental Herbology, Arcona

• Phyto Phtyonectar Oil Deluxe Sample (Full Size Retail $30) The formula, rich in proteins, lipids, and vitamins from egg yolk, restructures ultra-dry hair while preventing oxidation with sunflower extract. Hair feels immediately replenished and its original softness and shine are restored.  My hair is not that dry but it hasn't been as soft as I would like it lately. You work this into your hair prior to shampooing and leave it in for 15 minutes. My hair was definitely softer and more vibrant after using this. I would consider buying the full size.
• Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara, Black Ice Deluxe Sample (Full Size Retail $33) Get come-hither eyes with Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara featuring a dual-purpose formula that conditions lashes while coating them for a look that is glamorous, rich and full. An extra large, tapered brush makes application easy, separating lashes with ease. This mascara didn't really add that much length to my lashes (they're fairly long to start) but it did give me more volume. Nicely pigmented. I did get slight raccoon-ing by the end of the day. This is common problem for me and mascaras. I think my bottom lashes are too long. :( This mascara was nice but I'm not sold on it.
• Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Private Dancer (Full Size $18) Long-lasting nail lacquer created by celebrity manicurist to the stars. A variety of colors inspired by pop music. Fortified with biotin, okoume, and green tea. Free of: Toluene, formaldehyde, DBP, animal testing. I try to avoid spoilers for Sample Society since we all get the same box. I couldn't avoid hearing about this though. I'm not really into nail polish or nail art. I would certainly never spend $18 for one nail polish. This is a really interesting color.  I thought the formula was a bit thin. It took me three coats to get it really opaque. I've heard this applies better over a coat of black.

Private Dancer

• Elemental Herbology Skin Care Deluxe Sample (Full Size Retail $46) Stimulates skin's metabolism to reveal a glowing complexion. Helps lessen unwanted pigmentation and balance skin tone. Purifies pores and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Exfoliates dead surface cells to promote new cell renewal. Orange peel, Tangerine and Papaya slough away dead skin cells. Sea salt and Kelp purify the pores and resolve congested areas. Macadamia, Olive and Argan oils infuse the skin with essential fatty acids and reduce inflammation.  I usually use the Ren Glycolactic Peel (also a Sample Society find) once a week but this week I gave this one a try. My skin felt great and really looked brighter the next morning. I should have enough left to get one more use out of it. I would consider purchasing this after I run out of the Ren.
• Arcona Cranberry Toner Deluxe Sample (Full Size Retail $32) This three-in-one formula tones and hydrates, while also infusing skin with protective antioxidants to leave your complexion looking and feeling refreshed. Antimicrobial cranberry, containing vitamins, phyto-nutrients and essential fatty acids, clarifies and protects. Removes dirt, oil and makeup. Cleanses and clarifies. Refreshes skin. Protects against free radical damage.  I only used this once. I did like the way it may my skin feel afterwards. However, this has a strong smell. It's definitely a love it or hate it smell too. I hated it and I could still smell it on my skin.
• Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer Foil pack. Bonus item (Full Size Retail 4 fl. oz $45) A 
  superb blend of antioxidants, absorbent fatty acids and soothing chamomile. 
  Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. 
  Nourishes and hydrates. 
  Absorbs quickly.  This was an extra in this box not one of the five monthly items so I don't mind that it's a foil pack. I only got one use out of it but I did like the way my face felt afterwards. It is indeed light and absorbs quickly. I don't recall any strong fragrance either. I typically prefer a moisturizer with some SPF protection though.

Overall, I really like this box. Sample Society is still my current favorite. Since I did a run down on Birchbox, I thought it only fair that I do the same thing for Sample Society. I've been with Sample Society since they started in March. That's also the same length of time I've had Birchbox. 31 items over six months total cost $90.

I've liked or loved the majority of the items I've gotten from Sample Society. Sure it's more expensive but I seem to be getting more value out of it. 

June 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.

Alterna Boho Waves, Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream, Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumper, Oscar de la Renta Live in Love, Murad Clarifying Cleanser.

• Alterna Boho Waves Texture Mist Deluxe Sample (Full size retail $22 4.2 fl oz) Combines strengthening organic bamboo extract and nourishing blue yucca root in a weightless texturizing spray that instantly gives you natural, tousled, "just-back-from-the-beach" waves. Use on damp or dry hair.  My hair has a natural wave to it. I tend to wash it and let it air dry. I used this after washing and it does make the waves look more deliberate. I'm not sure how well this works on super straight hair.
• Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream Small sample (Full size retail $95 .51 oz) It targets all the visible signs of aging around the eyes: wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dehydration, dark circles, puffiness, dark spots and loss of radiance. Premier Cru The Eye Cream immediately brightens and correct dark circles thanks to silvery, coppery and iridescent pearlizers. I know some people have reported near empty samples of this. This is the smallest sample I've received so far but mine was not empty. I've had enough to use twice a day for a few days. I haven't really noticed any difference though. For $95, there better be some definite results.
• Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumper Deluxe Sample (Full size retail $25) Make your lips full and kissable with Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumper. Special peptides give moisture and visible plumping that lasts. One single sweep of this tinted cool mint and ginger lip plumper and your lips will be transformed with sheer natural color and a refreshing feeling you can't top. I love tiny lipstick samples. They're so cute. I haven't given this a try yet. Of the colors this comes in, I'm glad they sent out Tokyo. I'm not sure how flattering the other colors would be other than Milan. Lip plumping is not usually a feature I look for in a lip product. 
• Oscar de la Renta Live in Love Deluxe Sample (Full size retail $58 30mL) A classic scent in its richness and beauty, but with an updated more contemporary feeling. A green floral bouquet.  I don't immediately hate this like I did the other Oscar de la Renta perfume in the first box. It is a more approachable floral for me but still not my favorite. I love the tiny little bottle though. 
• Murad Clarifying Cleanser Deluxe Sample (Full size retail $26 6.75 oz) Use Murad Clarifying Cleanser that helps eliminate 99.9% of surface bacteria and clears blemishes. This cleanser prepares your skin to allow maximum penetration of ingredients and prevents new breakouts. It is especially designed for those with blemish-prone skin.  I actually like this cleanser. I tend to rest my face in my hand. So there are a few spots prone to breaking out. Not sure if I would buy it though. We seem to get so many different facial cleansers in sample boxes that I don't know if I'll ever have to buy a full size again.