high end sample review (elizabeth arden, benefit and more)

Few things excite me the way that beauty samples do. There is something so fun about being able to test and try different things....for free! It is a wonderful way to determine what is worth purchasing in future and what should be skipped. These samples have been sitting around for a little while and I am finally putting them to the test. There are loads of high end samples from Elizabeth Arden, Benefit, and more. It is time to take a closer look at each product and find out whether it is worth looking into a full-sized version. Here are mini reviews of some high end samples....

There is a wide array of products here, including some skin care items and makeup products. The sample bag included:

• Elizabeth Arden Makeup Bag. First thing is first...the makeup bag. This is a faux leather, faux snake skin printed makeup bag that comes in a bold pink colour. It has a gold details on the zipper and zip pull to add a nice amount of contrast. The combination of pink and gold is beautiful, the bag is a nice size and can store an awful lot of beauty products, and it is quite sturdy. This is a great makeup bag for travel or on-the-go moments.
• Cake Microneedle Spot Dots. This was my first time trying something from Cake Beauty and the Microneedle Spot Dots immediately sounded interesting. They are intended to be an overnight spot solution and target specific blemishes by morning. Though I always thought that blemishes and breakouts would stop once I reached a certain age...it hasn't happened yet! So these are actually really helpful to have on hand. These spot dots work well and dramatically reduce the appearance of the blemish. It is definitely something I am interested in purchasing in full.
• RMS Beauty Living Luminizer. Highlighting products always make me happy. Though this release from RMS Beauty is a little bit different. It is a luminizer rather than a highlight. It adds a more natural glow to the skin, rather than adding shimmer and shine. According to the website, there are several different shades to choose from. This one is Living Luminizer and it is the lightest. I'll be honest, this product looks incredible on the skin. So glowing and fresh! It looks downright radiant. Unfortunately, since it has a $38 price point, it is unlikely that I will try this product beyond the sample. Though it was certainly enjoyable to use. 
• Dior Capture Totale Cell Energy Serum. Let's be real. With a price point of $115 for a full sized bottle, the chances of me purchasing this on my own are less than zero. That being said...I have enjoyed using this small sample. The serum smells incredible (though if you do not like scented products, this will not be right for you) and made my skin feel pampered and pretty. Some of the long-term results (like more supple skin and firmer skin) are impossible to discuss based on a sample, but it definitely added more luminosity to the skin and was pleasant to use.
• Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum. Anything anti-aging is up my alley these days. Though they say it is better to be proactive than reactive....I am certainly reacting to years of not doing much for my skin. This is another high-end product that I would be unable to afford a full sized version of. But it is nice to incorporate a sample into my routine for a little while! This has a light scent but is not unpleasant. It blends nicely into the skin but there isn't enough included in the sample to speak to the anti-aging claims. 
• Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil. This is a brow product that I have used before and I absolutely love. Though there are a couple of cheaper brow products that I like...this is one of my favourites. The shape of the pencil is so easy to use and makes it super simple to create a precise line. The sample does not provide a lot of product but it was a good reminder that I want to purchase this Benefit brow product the next time that I visit a Sephora!
• Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Overnight Cream. An overnight cream was much needed for me. I had been using one from Clinique but recently finished it up. So, the timing was perfect. This particular sample is slightly larger than some of the others, which is also a benefit. It smells the same as the other Prevage item but has a thicker consistency. It blends well into the skin and feels smooth and luxurious. 
• Benefit Love Tint - Cheek and Lip Tint. There was a time where the Benefit Lip and Cheek tints were my everything. I had literally every single colour they offered! They were just so easy to use and had incredible longevity. They were decluttered from my makeup collection at some point (due to their age) and I never ended up repurchasing them again. So it was quite nice to see the Love Tint included here. The colour is gorgeous and adds a beautiful flush of red to the lips and cheeks as desired. It made me remember why I loved their tints so much in the past. 
• Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin. This next product is intended to benefit skin and fight visible signs of aging. Since the sample is super tiny, it is unlikely that I will wake up tomorrow with perfect skin...but it was certainly nice to test out another item from Dior. This Care and Perfect cream smells amazing, applies like a dream, and makes me feel like a million bucks. My skin definitely looked more radiant after application. 
• Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster. The Skin Renewal Booster claims to boost the skin's natural ability to renew and repair and also locks in moisture. Does it? Well, that is hard to say from a sample. However, I really enjoy the warm floral scent and how quickly this clear gel absorbs into the skin. The product feels almost cooling on the skin and leaves my face feeling really fresh. 
• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. Does this work well? Yes. The eight hour cream is a versatile product that really delivers. Unfortunately, the scent is horrific. It smells medicinal and is not at all pleasant to me. Even though it works well, this is not something that I plan to use often or ever purchase in future. I love scented products but not ones that smell terrible!
• Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules. Okay, I absolutely love these ceramide capsules. I've tried a few samples of them in the past and always wanted to try more, but due to the price, I held off. So imagine my excitement when I saw that little jar inside that fabulous pink makeup bag. There were fourteen capsules in total, which means my skin will be looking and feeling better for the next little while. Definitely a wonderful addition. 

Samples are always a good thing. Especially when it means I can test out some high end items that normally would be out of reach due to their high price tags. There were some product that I loved, some that I did not, and some that fell somewhere in the middle. All in all, it was exciting to try out lots of skin care, makeup, and beauty items. 

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think of them?

Editing Note: Since Dior continues to support a court-certified wife beater, I no longer support the brand. Believe survivors.