Samples & Haul-- SK-II, Lancome, MAC lipsticks, Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation... and F21!

Hi guys!



So this post is kind of all over the place XD just some of the samples I recently acquired and of course some purchases XD and some clothes I tried on while I was at F21 =D


A while ago there was this SK-II craze going on on Youtube about the Facial Treatment Essence... from what I could tell I haven't heard a single negative review on this product. So I was stoked to see the sample sizes when I was browsing Sasa.com! I'm not ready to dish out $195 for a toner after all.

I've been using it for about a week now and I noticed it actually has been evening out my skin tone... however I'm not quite sure because I'm also using Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum so I'm not sure which one is contributing to the even-ness XD I'm 90% sure it's this though because my face is usually redder after I wash my face in the morning but this makes my face back to normal after I use it... and I don't use Estee Lauder in the morning. I'll have to use it more to see =D

By the way Sasa order takes forever to arrive =_= took mine about 5 weeks to pass customs and everything. I almost thought my package was lost in transit lol!

I also picked up a sample size SK-II Skin Signature moisturizer after reading the review on Closet Voyage.

Chococcuro stated that after using this moisturizer she noticed her skin is more balanced where she is oily/dry... and you guys all know how oily my nose gets LOL. Haven't used this yet cuz I'm still trying to finish up my Clinique moisturizer.


I laughed when I saw this. It says "free gift/sample, not for sale." LOL apparently it costs about $20 for this supposed free gift.


Also picked up another moisturizer. Haven't used it either, gonna reserve this for the winter =D


A free sample I got from my Sasa purchase... Actually completely forgot about this until I started working on this post... *coughs* might just use this tonight.

Also got some samples when I went to Origins to pick up another Clear Improvement Active Charcoal mask =D

Haven't used this as well... I have so many skin care samples/products I'm trying to go through...


Firming cream is always welcome =D ohhhh double chinnnnn lol


Got these Lancome samples a while ago... they were giving out free gift sets if you purchase $35 or more... which honestly isn't that hard cuz you know... it's Lancome...

It probably will be a long time before I get to this day time moisturizer... still working on my Shiseido and Origins LOL


Really want to just open this and use it already =D but... I'm currently using Jeune d'age (which by the way my verdict is out it doesn't do anything for my eyes I feel absolutely no difference) and Origins GinZing and this sample eye cream I got from Kiehl's... so yeah... it will be a while as well T^T We'll see. I might put the Jeune d'age one on blog sale since I'm feeling nothing. The GinZing at least definitely depuffs my eyes.


A friend gave me the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum sample cuz she knew I wanted to try it =DDDDDDD so sweet of her! It's a very small bottle and I think I will be out of it soon... but honestly so far I can't feel any difference either LOL just like when I used Lancome Genifique (although while Lancome Genifique doesn't make any difference on my complexion it does help my skin heal faster).


Next an early birthday gift set =D Hahahaha it's not my birthday month yet but I was too excited to wait XD been drooling after these ever since I saw a friend hers for her bday month. Been dying to try these since I heard so many great things! But $22.50 is just too much for me to splurge on a lip balm when there are so many cheap and effective ones.



Also stopped by MAC to pick up some lipsticks...



When I first saw Rebel I thought it looks exactly the same as Media... but it actually turns out much lighter upon swatching. I also picked up Freckletone because I've been looking for a dupe for Dior's nude lipstick because I use it almost every day and love the color so much! However while Freckletone and Dior look really similar under the Nordstrom's yellow lighting... they look completely different under natural light. So I'm a bit bummed out (see this is why you never just try out a foundation inside a store cuz the lighting is so misleading!!!!!! Grrrr) but I still like the color! Compared to Dior I think it suits even better for a tanned person lol. I might go back to the store and exchange it for something closer to Dior... we'll see.



Next... my main reason why I had to go to Nordstrom =D Hellooooo Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation!!!!!! =DDDDDDD

While I'm waiting around for the promotion sale at Sephora to purchase the YSL Touche Eclat foundation .... I am finally starting to see more reviews for this foundation! (particularly I was waiting for Raeview). I was so excited when I saw such a positive review from her because I have been waiting for this foundation for so long. But anyway when I swatched it at store I kind of went from o(≧ω≦)o to  (⊙＿⊙)

It's not really what I was expecting I guess? It feels wayyy too silicone-y... it's not the smooth texture that I usually look for in liquid foundations. Furthermore upon swatching it kind of emphasizes the fine lines on the back of my hand... making my skin look dry. So we'll see. Will need to try this on my face to see if I actually like it of course. But so far not overly excited about it anymore.


Okay now onto stuff unrelated to makeup... have you guys tried the chocolate dipped macaroons at Godiva? =D

Those are my favorite treats XD they're pretty heavy though so you're warned XD I usually eat them over a few days lol. But everytime I go to the mall I have to get me some of these XD Not usually a fan of coconut but this is so good >_<

Next I went clothes shopping at Forever 21 =D I feel like F21 is the only place I shop at nowadays LOL which is a bit embarrassing because I always have at least one F21 item on me whenever I go shopping there LOL. These are not all the clothes I got... just the ones I managed to snap photos... planning on doing a F21 haul video =D



This is what I wore that day. Hahaha going for dark colors now it's fall. Was wearing a white beanie to brighten up the outfit but it was too hot to keep it on. Anyway cardigan was from Urban Outfitters that I got years ago, shorts are from Taiwan, and boots from F21 LOL.



I did end up purchasing this over-sized sweater =D it's actually from the plus size section LMAO. Got so many weird looks when I was browsing in that section lololol but I just love how comfy and big and loose it fits. Very comfy =D Will be pairing this with shorts or tights depending on the weather. And of course boots =D



Also purchased this black shirt... I like the lace collar and it has interesting shoulders that I don't normally go for... but it has that vintage feel to it =D


Kind of regretting I didn't pick this up cuz I did like this a lot but ended up getting the other white shirt... hmmmm should I go back and get it? =T can't find it on the website.


I thought this is cute but they only have large left so... it's not meant to be XD


I am digging the leather collar and cuffs I thought it has very edgy feel to it =D This is why I didn't purchase that last white shirt cuz they're both kind of similar....... yet different.... ahhh!!! lol.

Anyway, that's all I have to share today =D Hope you guys didn't mind the randomness of this post. Okay gotta get back to studying. Hope you guys have a great Sunday <3



<3 Frances