little white truths

Hello and welcome to another samples update with mini reviews. It's my first one of these for this year and I'm looking forward to drawing a line under it and moving on to the next one - especially because I have another larger samples post that needs to be uploaded asap (I've already started using the products and even finished some). That's how far behind I am with posting at the moment! 

Let's have a look.

L'Occitane Aromachologie Relaxing Shower Gel (RRP $5.45 AUD for 35ml travel size)

Full review here. While I do like the formula of this shower gel because it cleans without stripping my dry skin, I don't like the scent and for that reason I don't enjoy using it.

Soap & Glory Mini Clean on Me (RRP $4 AUD for 75ml)

Verso Super Eye Serum with Retinol 8 (RRP $130 AUD for 30ml)

This product isn't awful but it hasn't done anything for me and it's not hydrating enough so I wouldn't buy it. I've reviewed it here.

It's a thin product and I find that I need to use more of this per application than I do regular eye creams because it's so thin that it vanishes very quickly into my skin. To start with I was using this twice-daily by itself as my only eye product, but I found that within three days, my eye area had dried out and become more wrinkly. It also felt more uncomfortable and I looked older (especially when I tried applying eyeshadow), so I had to introduce an eye cream over the top to manage that issue.

After two months' use, I've found that it hasn't done anything for me. It doesn't hydrate (and it's still drying out my eye area), plus I haven't noticed any of the kinds of benefits that you'd expect to experience when using a retinol. That is, it's done nothing for my fine lines or pigmentation like age spots. Meh.

Nuface Optimising Mist (RRP $15 AUD for 30ml)

Full review here. I don't know much about this brand and I haven't tried any of its other products, but this mist is lovely and I definitely recommend it if you want something hydrating and refreshing.

What I like about this is that it's incredibly cooling and soothing when applied, and my face feels refreshed when I use it. It's also hydrating enough for my dry skin and that's a huge plus for me personally because not all mists are, especially now that it's getting colder and my skin is getting drier. I love that it gives my parched skin a big drink and also removes any powdery look from my makeup, so it's a good one to spritz if I've just done my face and want everything to merge and settle.

Hask Monoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Shine Oil (RRP $4.99 AUD for 18ml)

Full review here. I love this hair oil and, as soon as I first used it, I could tell that it was binding with my hair and delivering goodness - rather than sitting on top of the hair and weighing it down like so many oils have done for me before. I love that it immediately thickens my hair and adds some shine, plus it has a nourishing effect so my hair feels more moisturised and in better condition after use, but it doesn't feel heavy or look dull and coated.

It also has a detangling effect so I typically apply it after I've washed my hair but before I brush it, and it helps get the knots out. On top of that, it makes my hair more manageable and easier to straighten, and it doesn't get as knotty between washes when I use it - plus it makes my locks sit better too. Overall I can't fault this product. It's cheap, it works and it does great things for my long, dry, frizzy and wavy hair. It's my new HG hair oil for a reason.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream (RRP $113 AUD for 30ml)

Drunk Elephant B Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum ($80 AUD for 50ml)

This should quench parched skin in a flash. It's described as a super hydrating, anti-ageing serum for a plump, juicy complexion, and it claims to be ultra lightweight and rapidly absorbed.

This really didn't do much for me and I could tell that even from a small sample like this. I found it was more like a cream than a serum in texture, and I expected it to be super hydrating (given the name) but found that it was just ok. It also didn't nourish or plump up my skin as much as I expected, so it's not one I would buy.

Evo The Great Hydrator Moisture Mask (RRP $34 AUD for 150ml)

This is described as an intensely hydrating moisture mask for hair that is dry or coarse. It should moisturise and smooth colour-damaged, dry and frizzy hair. It conditions, adds moisture, enhances shine, reduces frizz and greatly improves hair manageability.

I haven't reviewed this because I've only used it twice and I only have one application left, but what I will say is that it has a very thick, almost balm-like texture that makes it really hard to wash out, so it can leave my locks looking dull and feeling coated. While I do think it adds some nourishment, it doesn't do much for shine or detangling my hair, and it doesn't help with thickness either. Indeed, I've used much better masks than this one (cheaper ones too) so I wouldn't buy it for myself.