I’ve finally finished up another round of samples. It takes me a lot longer than I would think to use such small items haha. This round is all the pink things I had laying around. I think if all samples were colored pink I’d have even more to try out than I do already because I’d be enticed to try it just because of the color. Yes, I judge books by the cover, if you’re wondering. But really, I love pink everything! It’s convenient that most cosmetics have pink hues in their lines so it’s not hard to find items to try of this color.
Just for fun, here’s a pink fact for you that maybe explains why many people are drawn to it (including me!): pink is said to be the most calming color. Apparently even if you try, it’s difficult to be aggressive or agitated in the presence of pink. *brb going to paint my whole house pink now while you read my reviews*
1. Luminance Skincare Clean Shampoo
This shampoo is different from most traditional shampoos. It’s much more liquid-y and a bit harder to use. It just takes a bit more intention when using so it doesn’t end up spilling out of your hand on the way up to your hair. It unexpectedly lathers pretty well, but I felt like I needed to keep adding more product because the lather didn’t spread like I’m used to (if that makes sense). I really like that there are minimal ingredients like macadamia, rose, avocado, coconut and almond oils with extractions of oat, yarrow, sage and nettle. It does have one synthetic ingredient: raspberry dimethicone – but it’s claimed to be a safe synthetic (more info here). It helps clarity hair without stripping it of it’s natural oils. My hair definitely felt clean after use. The version I have is labeled as “unscented” so there is only a light scent, it’s hardly noticeable. The option for a honeysuckle vanilla scent is also available and that sounds divine! Also the full sized comes with a pump dispenser which I find very convenient.
Would I buy: Yes, although not my favorite clean shampoo I’ve ever used, I did really like it and I’m curious about the honeysuckle scent.
2. Luminance Skincare Deep Hydration Moisturizer
This is a very hydrating moisturizer with a thick consistency. It absorbs into skin well and doesn’t leave the face feeling greasy at all, if anything it almost mattifies. I used this as a night moisturizer since it’s a bit heavier, but could definitely be used during the day too. It’s made with all organic and natural ingredients including: the ultra-hydrating and skin soothing oils of apricot kernel, grapeseed, meadowfoam, borage, jojoba, avocado, sunflower seed, and sweet almond along with plant and herbal extracts and lavender water. It really has no scent, maybe a very light one if you intentionally smell it.
Would I buy: That’s a trick question- I have actually purchased this one before haha. I really liked how it performed with the face wash and toner from the same line but it became a little heavy for me in the summer. I would still recommend though if your skin needs hyrdration!
This product is a highlighter for your face, ie: cheekbones, brow bones and ridges, although could probably used on your body like your shoulders or collar bone too? This looks so good on cheekbones! It has a creamy consistency, softer than many highlighters I’ve tried. It leaves a dewy and glossy finish that the light hits just right. It blends in well and doesn’t leave that telltale “highlighter was here” line. The shimmer is a neutral golden/silvery/white color. It’s not too much or over the top, definitely looks more natural. It seems a little buildable if you want even more shimmer. I suppose one downside is that it seems a bit sticky to the touch after applied but I don’t touch my face so that doesn’t matter to me. It doesn’t feel heavy on skin.
Would I buy: Yes, I love RMS products and this one is great too!
4. John Masters Organics Orange & Rose Hand Cream
This smells so good! It’s citrus-y and floral-y and also has a hint of spice. Once applied and after a few mins of wear, some sweetness comes out In the aroma too. The scent lingers lightly while wearing. It’s a medium weight cream that absorbs well and isn’t greasy. It feels moisturizing and my hands felt soothed and got less itchy when applied. It makes my skin feel soft and isn’t sticky. It’s made with all organic and clean ingredients including aloe, sunflower seed oil, orange peel oil (provides antioxidants), rose flower oil (soothes skin), and palmarosa leaf oil (calms and restores).
Would I buy: Yes! I really like the smell of this one!
5. Among the Flowers Pink Grapefruit Cold Pressed Soap
First of all, these soaps are just beautiful! You have to click through and check them out. This particular one is made with himalayan pink salt, rose clay, and grapefruit essential oil. The minerals from the salt nourish skin and the clay helps detox. It lathers well and smells nice, but the grapefruit scent is definitely light. I would say it smells more earthy and clay-like, but I like that. It’s a fresh aroma. My skin feels clean after use.
Would I buy: Yes! I can literally never say no to handmade soaps.
6. AEnon’s Rose Purifying Face Mask
I’ve had this mask for awhile and they’ve since had a packaging upgrage- I kind of like this old packet design, but that’s not any kind of deal breaker. This is a single application packet which makes it easy and keeps the product fresher for longer I’m guessing. It’s a dry mask that’s easy to mix up by just adding your favorite masking liquid. I used water for a basic mask. I think I added a little too much water though (I was just estimating instead of following the exact instruction, my bad) so it went a little further than one application need. It’s made with all natural ingredients like white clay, rose clay, kelp powder, coconut powder and rose powder. It’s intended to purify and gently exfoliate skin and is a really pretty shade of pink too! When I went to remove it my skin almost looked like the pink color of the clay so I was worried it has somehow dyed my skin but it was just a flush that faded. It made me feel like the mask was doing it’s work though! My face felt very refreshed and cleansed afterward – I could actually feel a difference with this mask. The only small downside is that it smells a bit like seaweed, so I don’t love that but it’s not over powering and plus the kelp is full of minerals and helps soften and hydrate skin.
Would I buy: Yes, I liked how I could feel that my skin was soothed after use.
7. Derma E Radiant Glow Face Oil
So I didn’t try on my face because my face is sensitive right now, so I used it as body oil instead. I figured, why not, since has shimmer in it. The shimmer is pretty subtle, I can barley see it once applied. It absorbs well and makes my skin feel less itchy and hydrated. It’s made with the organic oils of jojoba, seabuckthorn, argan, sunflower and pumpkin seed. It smells nice, like a sweet floral with a hint of vanilla peach. The ingredients list “natural fragrance oils” for the scent so I’m not sure what that means and makes me a little suspicious. That would be the only downside I see.
Would I buy: It’s a maybe on this one. I like the performance and the added bonus of the shimmer but I’m weary about the origin of the scent.
8. Jane Iredale Snowberry Lipgloss
This lipgloss looked a little intense to me before trying it out, like the shimmer level is not what I’d normally go for. However, after application the shimmer becomes more subtle on lips. It looks pink in the tube but it really is more clear on lips and doesn’t really add a tint, only sparkle. It has a pretty good amount of gloss to it as well. It’s not sticky though and doesn’t get stringy when you open your lips (if that makes sense?). It feels moisturizing and maybe has a super vague cooling sensation? It smells pleasant, like citrus too. I found it kind of hard to wipe off actually, so it likely lasts longer than many lipglosses. Also, the shimmer lingers on lips after wiping off, which doesn’t look bad, but it sure sticks around.
Would I buy: Probably not, but that’s because I don’t really do lipglosses and this is a full size (which will last me a while anyway).
So, I don’t need this for nursing anymore and forgot to try it at that time (and ya can’t, and definitely don’t want to force a cracked nipple just for product testings sake). But I figured it would also be good to use on cracked knuckles so I decided to test it with that use instead since I had it. I found this to be really moisturizing as it’s made with rich hydrators like avocado oil, shea butter and cocoa butter. It’s a thick texture so I had to use my finger nail to get out of container but it rubs in, nicely and absorbs well. There’s no particular scent to it, just from the natural ingredients, so it smells like an earthy cocoa butter (a bit chocolatey, a bit woodsy). The scent is not at all offensive or overpowering. A little goes a long way so this will last me awhile.
Would I buy: If I was still nursing then yes. I like the simple, pure ingredients.
10. Kari Gran Lip Whip in Jolene
This looks bright fuchsia, but it applies much more neutral and keeps the cooler tone. I think it could be buildable for more color but a quick swipe is good for day wear. It has an ultra subtle shimmer and a medium gloss, level. The texture feels between a gloss and a chapstick. It’s not sticky and it feels moisturizing. I don’t imagine this has all day staying power since it’s more of a gloss. It has a mild scent- maybe floral/citrus? And it feels a bit cooling on lips, maybe a hint of tingle? I checked the website and it does have peppermint oil in it so that’s maybe where the cooling comes from. This is nice for making me feel put together but not over done for day time, like a more casual put together.
Would I buy: Yes, I like how it feels on lips but I’d probably pick a different color.
11. Axiology Lipstick in Attitude
This is a really pretty magenta/fuchsia lipstick that actually looks a little brighter even when applied. If you just apply a little it’s not a bright but layering it gives it a pop. It has a subtle gloss and a hint of shimmer. It feels moisturizing, but feels lightweight too and has a nice glide on the lips.
Would I buy: Another color maybe, this one isn’t totally my style.
12. Root Pretty Eyeshadow in Tigerlily
This is a really pretty and flattering eye color. It might look a bit dark before applying, but you can layer to adjust the intensity. A quick swipe results in a light coppery/rose gold/red color with the perfect amount of shimmer. It comes as a pressed powder, which I happen to prefer because I feel like it’s less messy.
Would I buy: Yes, dig this color.
This is a sheer lip balm with a light glossy finish. It has a magenta hue that looks pretty bright before application but is a toned down version of that color when applied. It feels hydrating and not sticky at all. It has a nice gloss, but is not too glossy either. Nearly all the ingredients are organic and all are natural. It doesn’t have a scent or flavor which I like.
Would I buy: I really like the use and wear of this product, but this color isn’t my favorite so I’d likely buy a different one instead.
14. Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Lotion
Like I mentioned above, my face is being sensitive right now so I tried this on my hands instead. It has a medium consistency, it’s not runny, and is a bit of a thicker cream texture. It absorbs well and is not sticky at all. It’s not shiny either, maybe more matte finish so that could be good for the face. My hands feel hydrated after use. It also smells good like almond oil, and has no other scent. It’s not strong and it dissipates almost immediately.
Would I buy: Not likely, but only because I’m not looking for a face or a hand cream. I do like the smell of almond oil though!
15. Flourish Natural Body Care Rosewood Infusion + Angelica Body Creme
I love Fourish products! And I love the rosewood scent! I’m not exactly sure how to describe the scent, though. It’s a bit sweet and a little woodsy/fresh to me. But I don’t know if that’s totally accurate so I decided to google it because I needed to describe it better and this is what I found: “warm, deep floral, slightly spicy, rich, honey-like odor” – so I wasn’t totally off base. I’ve been using the lotion for a long time now, it’s my go-to, but hadn’t tried the body creme yet. It’s much richer and is thicker on skin than the lotion but absorbs well and only leaves a hint of lotion feel on the skin afterward, so it’s not sticky at all. It’s great to soothe and hydrate skin after a shower or shaving legs.
Would I buy: Yes for sure! Maybe since I like the lotion so much I’d use this more in the colder months when my skin gets extra dry.
