My travel kit for Batam

I’m going Batam tomorrow and it’s gonna be a great trip because there’s going to be shopping and a 3-hr spa session! Hair cream bath, body scrub and full body massage, all for just S$75+tax! We’re going for 2D1N so I need to pack some necessities… you’d think clothes would be the first thing I packed, but I was actually more excited about packing my toiletries! Time to get those samples out of the way!

I’m using the free cosmetic pouch I got from a past Elle magazine… it’s really huge and worth more than $6 (cost of the magazine) IMO! Starting from left:

1. Maybelline lipstick (add some colour to my face since I’m not bringing blusher!)
2. Dr  Jart+ detox healing blemish base (black label) – it has SPF25 PA++ too!
3. Sasa regenerating sleeping mask
4. L’Oreal true match foundation
5. Etude House total age repair sample kit – it consists of a toner and moisturizer
6. Watsons wet wipes (to remove makeup)
7. Etude House baking powder powder wash sample
8. Contact lenses!

I’m not going to bring shampoo or body wash cos the hotel provides and I couldn’t be bothered to decant into small bottles… whatever damage the shampoo could do to my hair in one wash, I’m sure the hair cream bath spa session will fix it! HAHA!

Review: Loreal True Match Two Way Powder Foundation

Item Reviewed: Loreal True Match Two Way Powder Foundation

Price/pack size: S$29.90

Available at: Watsons & Guardian

Ingredients:

Description:
Matches skin tone to look like your natural skin.
Blends perfectly without clogging pores
Skin stays matt and radiant for up to 8 hours
UV protection with SPF20/PA++
Oil-free and non-comedogenic

Review:
The sample received is a handy compact, containing 1.6g of foundation and a small sponge. The size was good as I brought it along during my Macau trip (cos I took budget air and didn’t want to lug tons of stuff around)

One thing I noticed is that the manufacturing date is Jan 2007, and most cosmetics are only good for 3 years, so that means my compact is almost “bad” when I received it.

Anyway, the actual powder foundation provided good coverage, almost like a creamy texture. Colour was alright too, it wasn’t the best match for me, but close enough. It didn’t create an oil slick for me, neither did I become an oil slick – so that means it had pretty good oil control properties. However, it didn’t hold up as well when I tried reapplying the powder after midday lunch. It went on patchy and the colour was a clear off (the first layer of powder had oxidized by lunchtime). I couldn’t reapply the powder on my dark circles and blemishes properly, it was darn obvious. The foundation can also be quite thick if you’re after a natural, fresh look.

Rating: 3/5

Would I buy again: NO

You can now grab a sample of this product at thesamplestore!

Review: The Face Shop Peeling Day White Jewel

Item Reviewed: The Face Shop Peeling Day White Jewel

Price/pack size: S$25.90

Available at: All TheFaceShop stores, including Plaza Singapura and Bugis Junction

Ingredients: Tourmaline, Pearly, Amethyst

Description:
Exfoliation + Brightening

Convenient, easy 1-step scrub with tiny exfoliants to help you discover a newer and clearer skin.
- Fasten turnover cycle
- Eliminate excess sebum and impurity accumulation
- Promotes a brighter and more glowing skin
- Enhance the effectiveness of other skin care products
- Stimulates blood flow
- Makeup sits better on your skin

Review:
Product sample size is 3ml.

I got this sample, thinking that it works something like (Ginvera) Marvel Gel. But I think I might be wrong (someone, please tell me?). The peeling gel feels rough on my dry skin, and made it turn red, though the final result was smooth skin. It felt like microdermabrasion!

I used some on my feet (which turned dark after a day in the scorching sun) and they were lighter in colour after rinsing off the scrub. So it does work to a extent, but I wouldn’t get it again.

Rating: 2/5

Would I buy again: NO

You can now grab a sample of this product at thesamplestore!

Review: Freeman Mandarin Moisturizing BODY WASH

Item Reviewed: Freeman Mandarin Moisturizing BODY WASH

Price/pack size: S$9.90 for 150ml tube

Available at: Watsons & Guardian

Ingredients:
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates/ Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Absorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cocamide Mpa, Glycol, Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Peg-8 Laurate, Laureth-4, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Tetrasodium Edta, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Limonene, Fragrance (Parfum)
Description:
Made with natural, botanical ingredients, new Freeman Feeling Beautiful is a full range of skin and body care products to help you look and feel your best.

This creamy, moisturizing body wash, enhanced with Mandarin Oil and Vitamin C, rinses clean and leaves your skin soft and refreshed.

Review:
The sample received is a sachet, containing 7.4ml of product.

I wanted to try the body wash as it sounded very refreshing and citrusy. On first sniff, it was tangy and sweet, quite like a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. It lathered up nicely but I soon realised that it was not moisturizing. I have normal skin and can usually get away with most body washes without having to apply moisturizer. However, after using this body wash twice, my skin was dry and itchy. The citrusy scent did not last, only maintaining the fresh smell for about 20 seconds only. It was long gone before I exited the shower.

The sample was generous though – I managed to get about 5 usages out of the sachet.

Rating: 3/5

Would I buy again: NO

You can now grab a sample of this product at thesamplestore!

Freebie: various sample

Only for US residents

Lever 2000 Body Wash & Body Bars – click here to try

Revlon Sugar Sugar lip topping – click here to try

Bedhead Superstar shampoo & conditioner – click here to try

Clinique plumping lipgloss – click here to try

Revlon Renewist Lipcolour – click here to try

Dove Body Care kit – click here to try

Revlon Colourstay Lipcolour – click here to try

Clinique 3 step sampler kit – click here to try

Freebie: Loreal HIP eyeshadow pigment

Only for US residents

I’ve heard many good reviews about L’Oreal’s new HIP Pigment range, but never had the chance to try it since it hasn’t been launched in Singapore yet. I believe this is L’Oreal’s take on MAC’s pigments.

Try them here! They are offering 4 different versatile shades: Restless (natural, nudey beige), Rebel (a green that flashes gold at certain angles), Tenacious (rich, chocolate brown), Intrepid (purplish pink).

Note: colour descriptions are my own interpretations. May be different upon skin.

Freebie: Maybelline Superstay Silky Foundation sample

Only for US residents

While getting more information on the previous freebie (Define a Lash), I came across the Maybelline website offering free samples of their new foundation Superstay Silky Foundation! Hop on over to the Maybelline website now!

I have tested it at a pharmacy previously, but I didn’t really like the product due to its design. The twin nozzle cap is pretty filmsy, and it didn’t pump out equal amounts of the foundation and base. But then again, it might be because the bottle was a sample, and who knows what the previous sampler had done! The poor bottle has gone thru several rounds of abuse, thus attributing to the demise of the cap? Maybelline US is offering a free sample, so if you’re eligible for it (or perhaps have friends and relatives in the US), why not try it for free? You’ve got nothing to lose anyway!

Freebie: Maybelline Define-a-Lash sample

Only for US residents

Fed up with non-performing mascaras? Nothing ever seems to work for your short lashes? Try Maybelline’s new Define-A-Lash mascara!

Why you’ll love it:

This zero clump mascara creates stunning length with clean definition.

This mascara has won Allure’s best mascara of the day award (editor’s choice).

Freebie: Estee Lauder Tender Lip Balm sample

Only for US residents

Look how pretty this lip balm is! Its lovely colours and SPF15 factor makes it a wonderful product suited for summer.

Product Details (from Estee Lauder):

Try a little tenderness–and just a kiss of colour.Sheer shades lend a healthy glow to your smile. Special lip-friendly ingredients soothe and condition. The formula improves moisturisation by 28% and reduces flaking by 34% after 4 weeks. SPF 15 helps protect against UV damage.

Want to try it without forking out money, or making a trip to the mall? Log on to Brandarama and get your free sample now!

Freebie: Living Nature skincare samples

Offer expired.

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I must have signed up for Living Nature samples previously and forgotten about them, because I received 3 samples from them about 1-2 weeks ago. I was still asking my mum where did she get those samples from when she told me they were mailed to ME! LOL. In order to get skincare samples to suit you, you’ll have to fill up a form containing your mailing details, and answer 1 question pertaining to your skin type.

I received a vitalising cleanser, a hydrating gel and a nourishing day cream, all packaged like a squeezy packet sauce. Cleanser was alright, but I had to use quite a bit from the limited sample in order to clean my face thoroughly. Hydrating gel wasn’t good for me, it felt like it contained a lot of alcohol that evaporated on my face, making my face feel tight. Day cream was nourishing, but not over the top to cause pimples. But Living Nature is not cheap by any manner, a 100ml cleanser costs US$33!

So try out samples before you commit! Log on to Living Nature to get your free samples now!