Eureka Moment: Samples for Free? Try Before You Buy!

I have always been a strong believer of trying out samples first before you purchase their full sized versions!  My first splurge was the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil in which I tested the product several times before I swiped my card for the huge bottle!  I went back and forth the Shu Uemura counter and asked to try their tester for God knows how many times!  *laughs*  I went inside the washroom and gently massage the oil onto my face and washed it off!  I walked around Rustan's while touching my skin waiting for allergic reactions.  It was the first few splurges I made for myself I won't forget!  And it was all worth it!

Why can't we get samples for free?  Why do we have to muster the courage to go up to sales ladies to ask for samples and most of the time, we can't even get them?

EUREKA MOMENT!

That's where companies who specializes on collating samples for us to try are here!  One of the brand that caught my interest is called Sample Room.  Sample Room believes in: "Samples should be free!" Don't we all agree on that? *huge nod*

" Sample Room is a sampling site that banks on the power of free product sampling.  It is an online community that changes your beauty-shopping pattern;  and an interactive community where your opinions matter and where all beauty lovers are valued."                                                                                                                                 

 Finally, YOU can ---

• Save up by not spending on full-sized products that doesn't work for you.
• Test on products beauty bloggers reviewed and will see the effect on YOUR skin type.
• Patch-test, road-test the products.
• Decide whether the product works for you or not.
• Read reviews from consumers who have the same skin type as yours.

The most important question is: "How It Works?"

• Register and be a Sample Room member.  Being a member makes you qualified to get free samples from the website.
• Get free points upon registration.  You get 100 points upon registration!
• Choose your sample.  Each corresponding sample has a given number of points for it to be availed.  
• Check out.  Go to check out and pay for shipping and handling fee. Sample Room charges a standard shipping fee and  accommodate for up to 3 samples!
• Receive your samples.
• Post a review on SampleRoom.ph.
• Get points from the review, get a new sample to try. You earn more points as you rate and review a product.  The more samples you review, the more points you get!
  
• Buying of points.  If you can't wait to earn the points needed, Sample Room gives you the option to buy more points.

 As for now, the site is still in progress but it doesn't hurt to register NOW and get updates from the team!

Please add Sample Room on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (sampleroomph)

Your dear AMW will be actively part of the Sample Room team and I can't wait to post my reviews on products I've tested on the site!  It will definitely be a lovely community for us who believes in the power of sampling!

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AMW Reviews: Benefit Speed Brow

Most of the Benefit products I've tried are quite impressive and I don't mind spending a bit more for good, quality products housed in a super cute packaging!  

Today, I will be sharing a brow product review!  Something that's straightforward, a product that can fix and tame the brows without changing the shade!  I remembered using those clear brow gels in the past that tends to stiffen my brows!  

The Benefit Speed Brow is the brow gel I've been using for most of my clients who don't need to change their brow shade!

Benefit says ---
Tint, tame and set brows in record time! This brush-on gel dries to a natural-looking finish for instantly beautiful brows. One natural shade dresses up all brows.

Size: 3.0g Net wt. 0.10oz.
Ingredients:

 

AMW says ---
Pros

• Easy to use brush.
• Tames the brows without making it stiff.
• Brows stay put the whole day.
• Can be used on both men and women.
• Gives a nice dark brow tint which works for most Asians.
• Dries immediately upon application.  
• Does not weigh down my brow hairs.

Cons

• Only 1 shade available.  If you're looking to lighten your brows, this won't be the product for you.
• Price as compared to the amount of product you get.

Overall
Gives your brows a nice shine and make them stay in place for the whole day!

Tips

from Benefit

• Brush onto eyebrows in light, upward strokes. 
• With the tip of the wand, trace along brow contour to create a smooth line.

from AMW

• Feel free the use the wand that comes with the packaging if you intend this for personal use.
• If you prefer to use this professionally, use a disposable spoolie on each client.  Do not double-dip.
• Just like the way you wiggle your mascara to get into all lashes, do the same for your brow hairs.  
• Benefit Speed Brow can be used before or after brow pencils or brow powders.
• If you love your brows but find none of the brow products can tame them, invest on this!  It's worth it!

Will I repurchase?Yes.  I use this on both my male and female clients.

To whom do I recommend this to?

Boys and girls who have full-looking brows and need to tame them without changing much of your brow shade.

Where to purchase and how much?

At local Benefit boutique for Php1,000.00 (approx $24.00).  LIKE Benefit Cosmetics Philippines on Facebook to get updated on Sales and events.  At Benefit international website for $16.00 (without tax).

Photos

Benefit has always impressed me with their packaging!  

I love reading their product packaging!

 

Short wand making it easy to work around.

I always start by wiggling the wand on my lashes then gently swipe the brows from inner to outer corner.

Voila!  My brows look clean, tamed and very natural!
Check out the super light brow tint the Benefit Speed Brow gives.

Do you prefer tinted or non-tinted brow gels?
With the way Benefit Speed Brow performs, do you think its worth the purchase or would you go for other inexpensive brands?

As for me, I need tint and color for my brows so I can easily give this a skip.  As a professional makeup artist, I find this my perfect companion in styling and fixing my clients' brows!  I love the fact that I can use this product even on my male clients and they don't feel uncomfortable about it due to its simple, no-frills packaging!

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How to: Speedy Office Makeup

A 30-year old mom and a newbie when it comes to makeup emailed me last month to ask for advice on how to create speedy makeup that doesn't require a lot of time and money! 

Thanks AMW reader "M" for entrusting me your makeup queries.  I have finally gotten the chance to create this post hoping I'm not too late!

Some important notes she mentioned ---

• She currently uses powder foundation and lip balm.
• Suffers from severe chapped lips so she's not into lipsticks.  
• Needs to be in the office as early as 8:00am and needs to be on field and out under the sun.
• Skin type: Oily.  Skin concern: Dark under eye circles.
• Requested for simple yet polished look as she gets overwhelmed with all the makeup products she sees on my blog!

Spots, Under eye circles, Blemishes, Acne Marks, etc..

To look presentable, no matter how in a hurry you are, invest on a good concealer!  If your biggest problem is the darkness around the eyes, invest in a salmon colored concealer.  If red acne marks are the villains in your life, go for a green corrector.  It is very important to take a look at your major issues and let's start from there.

Whenever in a hurry, I can skip liquid/cream foundation and just apply concealer quickly on my problem areas.  In my case, it's the dark circles around the eyes and some red spots on the sides of my nose.  If you're on a tight budget, you can pick your current foundation and apply it only on problem areas and leave the rest of your "good skin" to breathe.

Note: Read SAVE vs. SPEND Concealers HERE
You can also check out tips on how to spot conceal HERE. 

In this photo: AMW used Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in Light Medium

 

After concealing, I've decided to give powder a skip and proceed in doing my eye makeup.  I tend to have some "fall outs" that may need some cleaning up at the latter part of my makeup application. 

AMW Bulletin: Watsons Php50 On Us Promo

Back in college, one of my favorite place to visit is Watsons.  During those days, Watsons isn't as huge-looking as today!  With minimal choices, I still find myself engrossed inside the store as my then boyfriend Mr. AMW would follow me as I check one aisle to another!  

During my Hong Kong trip, I was in awe when I visited one of the biggest Watsons store I've seen in my entire life located at Causeway Bay!  3-storey building with various products from beauty, skincare, food, medicines and a whole lot more!  I think I was there until the store closes!  *laughs*

The items that stirred my interest are the various products with Watsons label, I bought my first Watsons labeled product called Watsons Facial Spray with Anti-Oxidant and I stocked up on more Watsons labeled items during my trips abroad!

Then, I saw the Switch & Save campaign via my Facebook friend Patty Laurel, I am so happy we, local readers get the chance to Switch & Save with more Watsons labeled products!  Last time I checked, there are more choices available and I don't need to fill up my suitcase when I travel abroad!

Various hair products

Shampoos, Conditioners and Hair treatments

Toiletries, Blow-dryer, Mouthwash and Hand Soap

And, to put switching and saving to its extreme level, Watsons Label has gone even wilder with its Php50.00 On Us Sale! 

Just pick up one coupon from any Watsons Store and give to the cashier to get Php50.00 off on your purchase of Watsons Label Products worth Php300.00 or more!

Now, I can't wait to stock up on more Watsons Hair Treatment products in Lavender!  My inexpensive way to do at-home Hot Oil hair treatment!

Which Watsons Label product is your favorite?

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(Author is not affiliated with the company.  This serves as information only.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

AMW Gives: NEW Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm for Breast Cancer Awareness (Contest Closed!!!)

Congratulations to ---

Ms. Elinor Semira

I will email you shortly for your  mailing information.  Kindly respond within 48 hours upon receipt of mail or a new winner will be picked.  Thank you everyone for joining!  *hugs*

The month of October may soon be over but I've decided to put this contest up on the latter part of October as for me, Breast Cancer Awareness shouldn't only be for the month of October, the awareness should be all year round and AMW supports the said campaign!

In line with the campaign, the NEW Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balms are also launched this month! 

"Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm's highly moisturizing formula uses a special blend of decadent butters, oils and antioxidants to help protect and pamper lips with immediate and lasting moisturization.  Infused with Shea Butter, Mango Seed Butter and Jojoba Seed Oil, Chubby Stick delivers a surge of moisture in a sleep stick leaving lips soft, supple and soothed."                                                                       

My first Chubby Stick is in the shade Super Strawberry in which I have it in my bag for weeks as this is one of the few moisturizing balm that is 100% fragrance free, allergy tested and dermatologist tested.  You can smile and click HERE to check out my review.

And since most of you are on a budget for Christmas shopping and no room to spend some money for yourself, today is your lucky day!  ONE lucky AMW reader may get to win this ---

 

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Plumped Up Pink and a special pouch made specially for the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign!  I have to thank our dear friend from Clinique Philippines Ms. Mirabelle Villanueva for sending me this!

How to join:

• Comment ONCE in this post together with your name and email address.
• Tell me: "Which particular Clinique product is your ultimate favorite and why?"
• Contest starts today ends November 15, 2012.  Contest is open to Philippine readers only.
• 1 Winner will be picked via Fruit Machine.  Winner will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be picked.
• LIKE AskMeWhats on Facebook.  

If you can't wait for this contest and want to have your own Chubby Stick, all 16 mouthwatering shades (Heaping Hazelnut, Bountiful Blush, Two Ton Tomato, Oversized Orange, Mighty Mimosa, Curvy Candy, Pudgy Peony, Voluptuous Violet, Fuller Fudge, Richer Raisin, Graped Up, Chunky Cherry, Woppin' Watermelon, A Whole Lotta Honey, Mega Melon and Super Strawberry) are all available at Rustan's Makati, Rustan's Tower Shangri-La, Rustan's Alabang Town Center, Rustan's Essenses Gateway Mall, Rustan's Ayala Center Cebu, Clinique Trinoma, Essenses Rockwell, Clinique Mall of Asia for Php920.00 (approx $22.00).

Thank you Clinique Philippines!
Goodluck and may the luck be with you! 

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