Six Mini Reviews #11: Sarah McNamara, Malin & Goëtz, Calvin Klein & More...

My mission to clear out my beauty sample stash is continuing into 2015, so with that said here is my first installment of samples I've used up! I really like these beauty minis as a way of trying new products which I mightn't otherwise get to, and it's an affordable way of trying higher-end products without having to invest. I think I've got quite a nice mix of products in this post, so I hope you enjoy reading my thoughts.
Sarah McNamara Miracle Skin Transformer Hydroactive Microderm | Well that's a bit of a mouthful! This generous sample lasted me a good few weeks of using in the shower every other day, and I really enjoyed using it; aside from a lovely scent (always a plus!), the consistency was spot-on for my preferences, and it gave just the right amount of exfoliation to leave my skin feeling smooth but not scrubbed raw. A definite winner for me, although the £25 price tag for 50ml of product would put me off buying the full-size for the time being. Maybe one day!
Agave Healing Oil | This cute little phial of hair oil was a Birchbox sample which I've been using on the ends of my hair after washing, whilst still wet, for a few weeks. My hair is waist-length so the ends are pretty prone to dryness, and I'm keen to try anything that helps to minimise split ends and breakages. This oil has a lovely light formula which soaked into my hair quickly without leaving any residue or greasy feeling, just silky soft hair. It also smells beautiful which is always a bonus! At £16 for 60ml, this is a mid-price hair oil option and one I'd love to buy in the future.
Ghost Eclipse Perfume | This was a magazine sample and I found that I really liked the rollerball packaging; it somehow felt like less product was being wasted as I could apply it directly to my skin without half of it being lost in the air around me. This is very much my type of scent, fresh and fruity with notes of sweet bergamot, lemon, mandarin, apple and peach. It might be a fragrance more suited to summer but that wouldn't put me off wearing it year-round, and starting at £24.50 for 30ml, this is an affordable choice.
Malin & Goëtz Grapefruit Face Cleanser | Another magazine sample, this cleansing gel smells absolutely beautiful and has been my morning cleanser of choice for the past few weeks; it lathers nicely and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed to start the day, removing any traces of oil and grime which may have built up overnight. It also wakes me up nicely! At £25 for 236ml, this isn't cheap but a little does go a long way and the massive bottle would last an age, so I'd definitely consider purchasing this if I was feeling particularly flush.
Calvin Klein Euphoria Eau de Parfum | I'm not altogether sure that these little magazine samples even count as actual samples, but I am in the habit of cutting them out and keeping them as they're handy for refreshing perfume through the day without having to carry a full-sized bottle around. The little wipe in the sachet is the perfect size for popping a little bit of scent onto the collarbones and wrists. I did like Euphoria in a generic kind of way; it's nice and I'd wear it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do so, with prices from £37.50 for 30ml.
Ilcsi Flavonoid Extra Mask | This came in a Birchbox and I have to say using it was a bizarre experience; a little like spreading jam on my face, both in texture and in scent, although it dried to more the consistency of yoghurt... It did smell pretty nice, though, and once washed off my skin was left feeling smooth and hydrated and looking a bit brighter; at £39.95 for 50ml, this is an expensive product (especially considering the 5ml sample was only enough for one usage!) and as I tend to go for clarifying/deep-cleansing masks above brightening, it's probably not something I'll be buying in the future although it was nice to try as a one-off.
Have you tried any of these products? What's the best beauty product you've discovered through a sample? Do you have a favourite way of picking up samples, or of making sure they get used?

xo