What’s In My Sample Room #Inspire Bag?

My dad handed me the package that arrived here and he was also curious to find out what could be inside, so he stood there while I pushed all the contents of the bag on my bed and he was pretty impressed. How’s that for a supportive father? He even suggested getting me a side table for all my cosmetics to be situated in my room. He likes the fact that I’m spending time bonding with him here at home because I’m taking a break from work. 

Fun fact about my Dad: he is an avid user of the Physiogel moisturizer also from #sampleroom.

This is Sample Room’s second goodie bag with the theme Inspire. Do the contents inspire? You will find out. 

The tools included in this bag are the ReveN Natural Cleansing Sponge for the face which I’m really pleased with. It should be great for cleansing in the evenings. There’s also the Charm Pro Flat Liner Brush, I was hoping to get something similar to an eyeshadow blending brush but this will do. I’ve felt the bristles and they’re really soft. The only downside is that the ferrules were disattached from the wand when I tried to realign it, but that’s something a little super glue can just handle.

Sample Room has been all about discovering new beauty products and I like that it’s all natural. Could you believe that I haven’t heard of AHAVA and probably would not have paid attention to it? But because of Sample Room including this set in my goodie bag, I’m learning to love this brand. It looks all so high-end, and I like that the Comforting Cream is really intense with its moisturizing properties. The Hand Cream has a subtle scent which I am fond of. Just the other day I was worried that I would be running out of Eye Makeup Remover, having shared the rest with my Mom and I’m really glad I got another from my loot. There are a couple of Gentle Body Exfoliators in sample sizes so I’m going to test it out against my local body scrub brand. 

I’ve reviewed the Pevonia Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream some time ago, and now I have a travel size bottle with me! Hurray! I’m not so fond of brightening masks but this one from Shisheido just says “try me”. And so I will.

As for cosmetics, I have a ZA Perfect Action Mascara; the tube is a little too bulky but it’s still manageable. There’s also a lipstick from Collection Cosmetics in Sweet Tarte that has a sweet scent and comes in an intense pink color. The NYX Butter Gloss is very convenient and comes in a Cherry Cheesecake label though it looks like an orange-coral shade that’s just perfect for the summer. 

Lastly, here’s another one for an On: Fragrances post for Raisie Speaks.This has got to be a sweet treat. I was meaning to keep my eye on United Colors of Benetton's Let's Love Woman when it hit availability on Sample Room but it required so many points. I'm just happy that it's included here in the bag. 

 

I didn't take photos of the printed brochures included in the bag. 

I would say that the contents are pretty inspiring, not to mention, the loot bag has a good selection and mixture of skin care products, cosmetics, tools and fragrances. It's a good to start to inspiring someone who needs some much needed boost. 

Diolch Yn Fawr Sample Room!

That's thank you in Welsh. =)

On Fragrances: Bella Belara by Mary Kay

 

It took about a few years for me to finally get my hands on this scent. This has got to be my unicorn scent which I have encountered for the very first time during my college days. The only obstacle to this being my signature scent is the fact that it was so expensive for me, especially on a student budget. Now that I'm earning for myself, it finally falls on my lap and I get to enjoy the fruits of my hard work.

"More than a fragrance, Belle Belara Eau de Parfum is an exuberant floral fruity scent that evokes a beautiful feeling.

Top note: Nectarine and Apricot

Middle note: Rose Petals and Jasmine

Bottom note: Blonde Woods and Cool Moss

"You live to your fullest potential knowing that it makes you confident, happy and attractive. For the woman who lives life to the fullest, loves feeling beautiful and knows how to show her beauty with confidence and joy."

Thanks to the thoughtfulness of Ms. Epie from Mary Kay Zamboanga, I received this for my Christmas-New Year gift together with a Mary Kay @ Play Lip Gloss tube in Berry Me.

 My Observations

The bottle is sexy and it has an ombre effect of red from the top transitioning to black at the bottom- I do recall that it's the same bottle design from when the scent was launched even before the ombre effect became popular. It's simple in shape and very elegant that suits an old-world memento- the cover resembles a top hat.

As for the scent, simply describing it as fruity floral is not enough. It exudes a feeling of confidence and ambition, it is suited for the woman who believes in possibilities, it makes one realize that anything can happen and that all it takes is one moment filled with the elements of magic- that it's all just there.

The scent lasts for many hours  from initial spray- 8 hours to be exact. It starts off strong and then still leaves a subtle fragrance. It's great for formal evenings where one can hope to have a glimpse of a fantasy world that's magical and romantic. 

 I've also fancied the script font on the box.

Don't you just find women with top hats absolutely sexy?

On Fragrances: Oriental Summer by Celine

Some people are really attracted to warm fragrances, and I am quite undecided. However, this does not mean that I am closing my doors on them, especially if I could learn a thing or two about warm fragrances. With my experience, I find that they make great complements in opposing weathers-warm fragrances are for winter days and nights and the cool fragrances are for the summer days and nights. Are you with me on this?

I received this years ago as a Christmas present from my close friends' mom, and I have not had the chance to wear it for a long time really. You see, I am really a cool scent person, and I even like to sniff on men's cool-scented cologne, but I don't really have that much experience with warm scents for women. You can tell that it is an authentic signature fragrance because the bottle is really durable and the scent is intact after a couple of years.

"Celine Dion's Oriental Summer fragrance for women is fresh and fruity, a citrus-rich, floral-oriental scent that wraps around a fragrant note of jasmine, mandarin, all-spice pimiento and dried fruit introductory notes rest over a hear-composed of iris and heliotrope; a base of sandalwood, amber and vanilla is purely sensual and ultra-feminine-a fresh and endearing fragrance choice for women." 

My Observations

At first whiff, the strong notes of sandalwood and pepper come to life. It is a really spicy scent that brings to life an oriental appeal of sunsets, sands and the rich and exotic scents of the East. Just looking at the bottle brings me back to the carved interiors of opulent, Byzantine interiors, (yes I have been there in my dreams! Hahaha).This would be a great scent for Christmas and for those who like woody, spicy scents. I could even have a soft spot for this during the -ber months. 

It lasts long and although the first notes could be overpowering, the tail can be sweet and musky in the end. A little spritz goes a long way, and the scent also lasts long. As you can see, the bottle makes use of sprayer and this could be a great help for those who are prone to spilling perfume all over the place. 

For more fragrances by Celine, you can visit 99 Perfume and get authentic signature fragrances so that you can save more compared to the expensive prices in malls and boutiques. 99 Perfume carries many signature fragrances and has the varieties that you are looking for such as gift sets and body lotions from your favorite perfume connoisseurs.

This is where I am being transported every time I sniff this on my wrist. I hope you get to visit these places and watch the sunsets too.

Are you feeling lucky? You can join my paperback giveaway or you can win awesome prizes from my collaboration giveaway, join one or both!

Paperback Giveaway

August Giveaway Collaboration

On Fragrances: Alien by Thierry Mugler

This is my latest mini haul from Sample Room. 

I will be reviewing both of them though, but first let me take on the perfume sample. Here I have Alien by Thierry Mugler Eau de Parfum and Colour Collection Vitamin E Sheer Lipstick in Pinkish Nude. 

What could possibly be so out of this world for such a fragrance like Alien? Is there something worth noting about this scent from Thierry Mugler that could bring a collision of universes, supernovas and just about anything mutual from creatures of other planets? 

The Left Hand of Darkness finally got to me! (Ok, corny private joke gone wrong here...) 

"Alien is more than a simple fragrance. It is a strange, different and unique fragrance that diffuses a sensation of fulfillment. It creates a sort of olfactory impact that awakens positive emotions within us. As if appeared from another world, it transforms us by revealing our inner beauty. More than  a fragrance of seduction, it is an elixir of positive power!"

Pros

• At first whiff, I thought that the first notes were pleasant, it has an oriental, exotic appeal which is something similar to Celine's Oriental Summer
• The packaging has my attention, both the box and bottle in gold and purple looks elegant and something coming from an advanced-even elegant planet (Could it be Winter? Ursula Le Guin's Left Hand of Darkness anyone?)
• No shimmer, just pure fragrance 

Cons

• The body is overpowering, it is too strong and then the tail just stops short, it comes out strong in the middle and then ends with meh...
• It is more of a hot scent than a cold scent, but I think this makes it a plus for an evening perfume because it is too overpowering in the daytime
• The bottle has no stopper to regulate the flow of perfume, so that means wasted fragrance. (But does that count for a sample bottle?) 

I am somewhere in the middle with this fragrance. It could be great maybe for evening affairs, but until then, I think I could share it with someone who would be really interested, like my Mom. But for some who might be interested in oriental, evening and warm fragrances, you can get full sized versions and even gift sets from 99 Perfume and save money from the usually jacked-up prices in malls and boutiques. 99 Perfume carries many signature fragrances and have the varieties that you are looking for as well.

 

Now, feast your eyes on the galaxy and yes, you are allowed to imagine just what it would be like to be among aliens, perhaps on a cold planet like Winter. Let me retreat to my fantasies of Le Guin, alright?

Are you feeling lucky? You can join my paperback giveaway which is open to all Philippine residents here. Will you bring home a copy of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children? 

Fahrenheit Spilled on The Pillow Intentionally

I'm talking scents again.

Guess that's what happens when I like to sniff on That pillow. I spilled (squirted) Fahrenheit on That pillow. You can't have that bottle back until I am satisfied with that pillow soaked in Fahrenheit.

If I am making you scared, you can leave now. Just leave that bottle with me.

Now I understand why you love that scent so much.