Sample Rundown #12

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know that I'm trying to use up as many samples as possible in 2017, and I'm using my feed to document my progress. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a dipstick, so I haven't been saving said samples for these posts. I'm trying to correct that now! Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in seven months...it's Sample Rundown!

DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence -- I've had this sample for nearly a year, but I've only just now worked up the courage to try it. I'm old-fashioned when it comes to haircare; I like a sudsy shampoo and a rich conditioner. This product is very different: it does not lather and, according to many reviews, is meant to take the place of both shampoo and conditioner. This felt like a thick lotion to me, which was fine, but it was a little difficult for me to work it in to my hair. I also felt like I couldn't completely rinse it out, as if it were leaving behind a slight film. No-Poo Decadence left my hair feeling decently soft and not-too-frizzy, but honestly, I think it's a bit much for me. The Decadence line is probably best left to those with a much tighter curl pattern. Side note: these samples are super generous. I was able to wash my hair with this about three times before this review, and there was still a bunch of product in the packet.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream -- Like many skincare junkies, I was instantly drawn to this fragrance-free, alcohol-free, ceramide-and-hyaluronic-loaded moisturizer. It seems great in theory: 72 hours of hydration with a lightweight feel! Wow! In practice, though, this is hum-drum. A lot of the Sephora reviews rave about how this cream makes your skin "feel sooooo soft instantly!," but that immediate smooth feeling is actually from the large amount of silicone. I enjoyed the lightly-hydrating, non-sticky gel texture, and it worked well under makeup. That said, I'm not about spending $52 for a moisturizer that behaves more like a primer on my skin. If you're more normal-to-oily, you might love this as a day cream.

Perfekt Beauty Lash Perfection Gel -- I have a love-hate relationship with this mascara. On the one hand, it makes my lashes look AMAZING. It provides plenty of volume, some length, and the perfect amount of inky-black color. The flaking and smearing are very minimal; I mostly experienced these problems after 6+ hours of wear. On the other hand, applying this mascara is the shit of my nightmares. The formula isn't watery, but it still manages to be as messy and slow-drying as a mascara can be. I can only use this product if I'm not wearing eyeshadow because I have to completely wipe down my eyelids after application. I'll finish the tube, but I definitely won't repurchase it.

Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet #400 (Four Hundred For All) -- Despite their cool names, sleek packaging, and generally photogenic qualities, I can never seem to find an Armani lip product I love. These liquid lipsticks are no exception. Four Hundred For All really is a lovely neutral red that will likely flatter most people. The finish is a beautiful soft matte, and while the formula is very watery, it applies smoothly and without streaking. The doe foot applicator was easy to control. This doesn't dry down completely--you'll get some lipstick on your fingers if you pat your lips--but it isn't especially prone to smearing, either. I only seemed to have an issue when my niece made a sudden grab for my mouth (and received red-lipstick-coated fingers for her efforts). But while a lightweight, not-so-apolocalypse-proof formula usually means you have a less drying liquid lipstick, I found the Lip Magnet formula as drying as a lot of other brands. Is it the worst? Of course not! A little lip balm at the end of the day fixed all ills. But it's definitely lacking the unique quality I'd need to justify $38 for a single lipstick.