Sephora Sample Review: Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm

It's not like me to select eye cream samples from Sephora, but I think I selected this without really looking at what it was. Nevertheless, I do like eye creams when I remember to use them. They usually feel good in the morning and do seem to help with puffiness or bags under the eyes. I have been using a Sephora brand product that I like a lot, but even when I could really use eye balm or cream, I tend to forget that I have it.

Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm from Sephora.com

This eye cream was good. I wouldn't say it was anything special or has any magic powers. At $65 for the full size product, I certainly won't be purchasing it any time soon. But, I did use up the sample and I had no problems with it. The smell was neutral and the cream was soft and smooth and felt nice going on. It wasn't sticky or greasy at all.

The description on Sephora's website states that it used a microalgae-based ingredient called alguronic acid that "fights visible signs of aging." Using just a small sample of the product, I couldn't confirm or deny that it works to combat the signs of aging, but I have no doubt that it would work just as well if not better than some of the other anti-aging eye creams out there. It's one of Sephora's greener products, formulated without a synthetic dyes or fragrances and without sulfates, so that is a major plus in my book.

Overall, this seems like a pretty good product. If I used eye cream more frequently I might be tempted to get it, but until then, I do just fine with the cheaper one that I use once in a blue moon.

Sephora Sample Review: bareMinerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer (Combination Skin)

Time for another sample review! Today, I tried a sample of bareMinerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer for combination skin. bareMinerals comes from an esteemed line of products from the Bare Escentuals cosmetics company. People who use Bare Escentuals makeup seem to love it, but I have never been much of a fan. I've tried to like it many times, but something about mineral makeup, though it is healthier for the skin, just doesn't work for me. I love that the products are natural and don't contain most of the harmful chemicals that are in a lot of skincare products.

Anyway, I wasn't expecting much from this product since I haven't had luck with Bare Escentuals cosmetics, but I was in for a surprise. This moisturizer is one of my new favorites. It has a lightweight, yet creamy texture and feels great and refreshing on the skin. The smell is perfect too...light and clean but not overbearing; and it didn't linger, which I like. A lot of moisturizers tend to feel too oily on my skin, but this did not. I was able to put my foundation on soon afterwards without any smearing or smudging. Even though I used it a few hours ago now, my skin still feels smoother and softer than it usually does. And at $28 for the full-size (1.7 oz) product, this is an affordable product that I can definitely see myself buying when I run out of my Stella McCartney Care moisturizer (which has been discontinued).

After trying this product, I am definitely interested in the rest of the bareMinerals skincare line. With a reasonable price and a chemical-free product that feels good and works well, I highly recommend it!

bareMinerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer - $28 at Sephora.com

Sephora Sample Review: Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel

I am always ordering things from Sephora. It's one of my favorite stores and always a fun place to get a treat for myself. I love playing around with different looks and colors in my makeup routine. With at least 3 free samples with every order, I have built up a large stockpile of trial size products that I rarely use. I figured it was time to give some of them a try and blog about the results.

First up is a .06 fl. oz. package of Herbal Recovery Gel from Jurlique.

Full-Size Jurlique Herbal recovery Gel - $48 from Sephora.com

I got this sample just last week and was unsure of what it was when I picked it out. The package states that it is "A restorative botanical concentrate to help renew skin vitality." Sounds good...though I still don't know what it's supposed to do particularly. The longer description on the back says it should restore, hydrate, and revitalize the skin. So it's basically an anti-aging moisturizer that uses natural ingredients derived from plants.

I opened the package and squeezed a small drop of the product onto my fingertips. It is very thin and much more watery than a regular cream moisturizer. It still have a slightly oily texture so it goes on smoothly and you don't need to use a lot. It smells pretty nice at first, a light flowery scent; however, I put it on a few hours ago and the smell is a little bit annoying now. I almost feel like I have an open jar of Play-Doh somewhere near me that I can't see. I just got a new glass of water because I thought my water smelled until I realized it was the moisturizer on my face.

Besides the annoying smell, the product itself felt little oily on my fingers, but it feels great on my face. It was refreshing to smooth on and my face feels smoother and softer than usual. I think that with regular use, this product would definitely help to reduce wrinkles and keep the skin feeling and looking fresh, but at $48 for a 1 oz bottle, it's hard to justify purchasing this one. There are plenty of less expensive products that also use natural ingredients to do the same thing. I will use the rest of my sample, but will not be buying the product.