I don’t know about you, but I have a whole drawer dedicated to samples.
It is a big drawer.
And it is overflowing.

With every online order or Sephora purchase comes an abundance of samples, and I really, really want to try them all.
Someday.

A sneak peak into my samples drawer

So they sit in this drawer, taking up space and slowly gather dust, while I wait for the perfect opportunity to try them.

But no longer! I decided to dig into my stash, divide them into categories and let you know which ones will make it on my to-buy list.
First on: Tinted moisturizers!

I have gotten quite a collection through my Cult Beauty orders and I was very curious how they would perform.

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF 20, Matte Moisture Tint SPF 15

The size of the Jouer samples is quite generous, one lasted me through three full face applications.

1. Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint with SPF, oil free, hypoallergenic in “Bronzed”
If you know me, you´ll know that I usually stay away from anything labelled “Luminizing” or “Glowing”. That and the fact that this color looks very dark when it comes out of the packaging made me very hesitant to try.
But I was pleasantly surprised: Despite being that dark it blended in very well with my (slightly tanned) skin and left me with a sun kissed, fresh looking complexion that was glowing, in a straight from the beach way, without enhancing my oily t-zone.
It feels very lightweight on my skin.
There is barely any coverage, so you will need a good amount of concealer for any problem areas, but it evens out your skin ever so slightly, leaving you looking refreshed, but bare faced.


Full size? Next summer, for that effortless beach look! But most likely in another color (there are eight to choose from)

2. Jouer Matte Moisture Tint SPF 15, oil free in “Porcelain”
This color, on the other hand, was too light for me (hashtag sample problems), but again it blended in quite well, not being too obviously mismatched.
It isn’t a flat matte finish, at least on my skin type, but looks very natural. In fact, it doesn’t seem to change my skins texture at all, just to even it out a little.
If you are looking for a mattifying product, I don’t think that one would work for you.
Compared to the Luminizing Moisture Tint, it feels a little richer on the skin, definitely more moisturizing.

Full size? I don’t think so. Out of the two I prefer the luminizing one (how did that happen?). I don’t feel like that one does very much for me.

3. Caudalie Teint Divin Mineral Tinted Moisturizer, Light to Medium Skin (not pictured)
This product only comes in two colors, the one I tried and one for medium to dark skins, so the color was what I would have gotten in store, too.
It was the one I had the highest hopes for, and the one that left me utterly disappointed.
At first: the color! Light to medium skin? I am quite tanned at the moment, so I am by no means place, but that color was way off. It is decently pigmented, too, so I was left with obvious lines that were very difficult to blend. So if you are less than mediterranean skinned, I don’t think it would work for you.
Second: The smell! It is heavy, floral and stays for at least half an hour. I am not sensitive to fragrance, but that is not my cup of tea.

Full size? No way.

Anything that sparks your interest?
Are you good at using your samples?