August 2014 Beauty Bar Sample Society

Sample Society is a beauty subscription box that includes five deluxe-sized samples from the world's best luxury brands. For $15.00 monthly, you will be able to sample these deluxe brands and you will likely find that the value of the products received is twice what you paid (or more!). You will also receive $10 to redeem on a $50 purchase at BeautyBar.com. If you are thinking of trying out Sample Society, please use this unique code, RXCK109088, at the Beauty Bar website, which will give me referral credit. 

The theme of this box was "The Big Easy", curated to feature products that create effortless style. 

Ciate Cha Cha Cha Mini Paint Pot, $5.59 [$15.00 for 13.5 ml; sample size: 5.03 ml]
This is the first time I've received a brand of nail polish from Sample Society that wasn't Butter London...but it's orange. One of my least favorite nail polish colors. :P The formula was really smooth, and it will take a few coats because it is a bit sheer. It dries to a semi-matte finish. I thought it might be a bit bright for a whole-hand manicure, so I just used it as an accent nail and then topped it with some Tropical Flower Nail Vinyls from Eat.Sleep.Polish. I like how it turned out (even though orange was involved lol).

Oribe Travel Surfcomber, $16.23 [$37 for 5.7 oz; sample size: 2.5 oz]
This hair mousse had a fresh, flowery fragrance. It's very sticky, and it can be a bit hard to work into your hair. It will leave hair very crunchy if used on wet hair.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick, Melted Peony, $8.40 [$21.00 for 0.4 oz; sample size: 0.16 oz]
I was excited to try this product because it looks so pretty swatched. But I found it to be an entirely different story when on the lips. It applies smoothly enough at first, but then you look more closely in the mirror, and it's kind of sitting awkwardly on your lips.  While it looks glossy before application, once you apply it, it's totally matte and a bit drying. Layering over a lip balm and applying very lightly and carefully was my best bet.

Kate Somerville Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment, $6.50 [$65.00 for 1 oz; sample size: 0.1 oz]
This face oil had a pleasant smell to it. 1-2 drops provided light coverage, and it was easy to mix in with moisturizer before applying.

Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara in Black Ice, $8.25 [$33.00 for 12 g; sample size: 3 g]
This mascara comes with a thick, fibrous brush, and it applies easily, but it does take several coats to build up definition. No clumping, but definitely more coats than usual to reach my desired look.  It's very good if you're looking for more natural-looking definition though.

Total Value: $44.97
Please remember to use this unique code, RXCK109088, at the Beauty Bar website if you decide to give 'em a try. I'd say they're definitely worth checking out for a small, luxurious indulgence!