Weekly Sample Selections #13

Sorry this post is so late, but I have been so busy this week and then I got sick on top of it all.

For those new to the Weekly Sample Selections, each week I feature reviews of a handful of samples obtained from various sources.

Josie Maran Bear Naked Nail Wipes

Sample size purchased from Sephora

These 3-in-1 nail wipes "remove polish, repair dry cuticles, and promote healthy nails".  They are acetone free, instead using the solvent Dimethyl Glutarate, which has a low toxicity rating according to the Environmental Working Group, to dissolve polish from the nail while other emollient skin conditioning ingredients along with organic Argan oil moisturize the area.  The wipes are lightly grapefruit scented.

I tested the wipes using the four of the most difficult types of polish to remove, including: large glitter bits, black, blue, and red colored nail polish.  I found the easiest way to use the them was to place a wipe over the nail bed and pat it down so that it sticks to the polish on the nail bed then pulling it off of the nail and the polish simply peels off;  I had to do this about three or four times to remove the majority of polish on each nail and then using a wiping/scrubbing motion to wipe off the rest.  The wipes are saturated with Argan oil which wipes off onto the nails and the surrounding area to moisturize.  Unfortunately, the oils cause the polish to move off the nail and onto the surrounding skin, making a mess that has to be washed off with soap and water, thus removing the oils and negating the moisturizing factor.  Plus, the wipes themselves are quite abrasive and left my nails feeling a bit rough.

I was surprised by how well these wipes worked to remove nail polish;  One wipe removes five fingers worth of polish. Unfortunately, I do not think that I would purchase them again because they take a bit more work than my regular acetone polish remover and cost more.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Bear Naked Wipes go to Polar Bear SOS Initiative, a project of the National Resources Defense Council.

Pros: gentle, moisturizing, acetone free, one wipe per hand versus many cotton balls

Cons: messy

This product retails for $9.00 USD

You can find out more about this product at www.josiemarancosmetics.com

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer

Free sample with purchase from Ulta

This stuff is like glue for your eyelids;  It made my eye shadow last for at least 12 hours without creasing or fading.  Unlike my Urban Decay Primer Potion or Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer which have buttery smooth textures, this has a sticky texture on the lids which feels a little heavy after a while.

Pros: makes eye shadow last for a long time

Cons: sticky texture is not the most comfortable

This product retails for $20.00 USD

You can find out more about this product at www.toofaced.com

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum

Delux sample free with purchase from Sephora

This is a beige colored luminizing cream adds a luminous shine to areas you want to highlight.  It is very creamy so a little goes a long way.  It is natural looking and has amazonian clay to nourish the skin.  Apparently, this product is no longer available and the closest product to it is the tarte Amazonian Clay BB Illuminating Moisturizer.

Pros: luminizing, natural looking

Cons: a bit heavy, no longer available

You can find out more about this product at tartecosmetics.com

iChill Relaxation Shot Dietary Supplement

Sample from Eco Emi Subscription Box

This drink shot is supposed to help you "relax, reduce stress, and sleep better."  You can drink the whole thing as a sleep aid, or you can drink half for relaxation.  I decided to drink half of the shot for two nights in a row.  It did make me sleepy and I felt relaxed after drinking it, but then I woke up in the middle of the night the first night after having weird nightmares and could not go back to sleep because I felt wound up and my mind was racing with worried thoughts which was really weird because I usually am not like that at all.  The second night was better and I slept soundly enough.

Pros: relaxation and sleep aid

Cons: may or may not work (depends on each person and situation)

12 2 oz. shots retail for $24.99 USD

You can find out more about this product at www.ichill.com