Have you see the @NewBeauty Test Tube Edition 23 …. O…M…G

My New Beauty Test Tube arrived last week and as usual, I read about each of the products and look them up on my phone to see what they’re all about. This test tube already has given me an immediate favorite out of the lot, the Memoire Liquide Fluer Liquide Body Cream— but more on that later!

New Fans of this blog may not know about New Beauty’s Test Tube Program and boy if you haven’t heard, you are missing out, girl. Every three months, New Beauty does a beauty sampling program with deluxe-sized samples or even full sized products! It costs $29.95 and is shipped right to your doorstep. I signed up god who knows when at this point it may be two years or so by now? I’ve been able to try a big assortment of products ranging from hair, anti-aging serums and creams, body creams, self tanners, exfoliants, eye lash conditioners, makeup, and perfumes. Im sure there is something I didn’t list, but over the course of time, I really do like the products they send out. I know in the last tube I was really rooting for this product to work, a body purifying serum. It was a full sized product and I attempted to used it daily for two weeks. To be honest it stunk. I mean, as in smelly? It was something in the formula and as nice as it it made my skin look ( although, nothing extraordinary), it wasn’t an appealing smell, but I got enough product to really try it out and see for myself. If not, I would have spent the money

and been pissed. So thanks, New Beauty! I hate when I get a sample that gets used up too quickly. Luckily, the samples are generous, its only a matter or getting the right products you may be hoping for!

Test Tube Edition 23 included the latest Spring/Summer 2012 New Beauty Magazine, a sample guide on the products I received, three coupon/gift cards that say I’ll get $10, $25, $50 off if I spend $60, $125, $200, and an eye shadow stick, and exfoliating wash, a hair frizz control product, a wrinkle product, and eye liner (to be sent, arriving a little late but on its way), perfume scents, body cream, sunscreen, antioxidant serum, and a BB Cream. I know, right? Keep readin’…..

Memoire Liquide Fluer Liquide Body Cream has been used DAILY since I opened that box. It smells SO good. SO so good. It comes from the Bespoke Perfume Line which can only be found in a few places I have figured out. Memoire Liquide is the reserve collection of fragrances and body creams that use scents to evoke memories from the past. It was created by two sisters, Robin Coe Hutshing and Jennifer Coe Bakewell, using fragrance bases that can easily be both worn alone, or blended into a unique scent. In their shop they help you custom blend your own signature scent with an individual consultation! This cream has notes of fresh grapefruit, tangerine, neroli flowers and sandalwood. To be honest with you, I like gardenia’s and that’s what I think I KINDA smell in there. I have no idea. White florals are my favorites. But its a “blossoming” scent that I love, meaning I can smell it on me and I love it and I can still smell it on me an hour later but much softer. I love it. I wish it wasn’t $48 though, thank god I was given a full sized tube to try out first…. Memoire Liquide can be found at Fred Segal – Santa Monica, Henri Rendel – New York, and www.beautyhabit.com

Perlier & Elariia Body cream was also sent to me, but this one came in a cute glass jar and had a ribbon seal to break when opening. Perlier is an Italian manufacturer of products derived from

the active ingredients of medical plants. The company uses on-going clinical and agricultural research which has 40 scientists cultivating these plants under strict control to give out the highest natural of active ingredients. Soooooouuunnds sciency, huh? Well, the body cream I got was Chocolate Vanilla and it really really does smelly like a warm cocoa. It is a very light scent to me unless I resniff. According to their site, this cream uses Reunion Island Vanilla and Caribbean Chocolate and can intensely nourish the skin while leaving skin soft and velvety. My boyfriend did not like the chocolate at all once he heard it was chocolate, but did like how it felt. Ive been using it on my hands and like how it melts into my skin. I doesn’t leave a greasy, waxy or oily residue, my hands still feel clean and not covered in a layer of stuff coating the skin. The full sized product is 6.8 fl. oz and is $30 listen on their site. You can find Perlier at CVS, HSN (Home Shopping Network), and www.perlier.com

Memoire Liquide Soliel Liquide Fragrance was also sent to me, two fragrances actually: Fluer Liquide (which I thought should smell exactly like the cream), and Encens Liquide. Now when I first opened my test tube, I smelled smoke? Yea, weird. Upon inspection, I found the two fragrances and discovered the culprit. I thought both smelled “smoky” but as I write this I realize who it REALLY was. The encens liquide description even mentions incense and soft smoke trailing in the air. Sorry, but “smoke” or “incense” is never what I want to smell like. It was so strong too that it made me thing the other scent was going to be bad. It wasn’t. I like it actually, and happy that I can use it with the cream in the same fragrance. Fluer Liquide is described as dew soaked flowers, orange blossom, fresh mimosa and night blooming jasmine. Yes! I love gardenia’s and jasmine! This perfume is listed at $95 and can be found in the same locations listed with the cream.

I’ve received Mally makeup before and never really knew where it was sold before New Beauty. I saw their glossy ads in the magazines but still, since I never saw it in a store I shopped at, it pretty much stayed off my radar unless I was using it at the moment. The owner is very pretty, I always remember that though. I received a mascara a few tubes back and I loved the brush. It applied very nicely and I would buy it again if it was in front of my face when thinking about it. This time around, I got an Evercolor Eyeshadow stick in a dense bronzy gold color. The eyeshadow stick is actually a 3-in-1 with it being an eye shadow, eye liner, and primer all in one. Just line the eye, fill in the lid area and smudge with your finger or brush. In the New Beauty Sample packet it said this stuff is high performance and would stay on your face for 5 days if you didn’t wash it off. I’m not going to put it to the test. If it says so, I’ll believe it. lol. I do love the color, but have only tested it on the back of my hand so far. After a few minutes it really didn’t budge. I tried again by rubbing harder and nothing. So if your looking for smudge and crease-proof eyeshadow. DING! DING! DING! We have a winner! This product lists for $25 and can be found at www.mallybeauty.com, Henri Bedel -New York, and QVC.

Another product in the test tube that I was eager and excited to find was the BB Cream. I received a nicely sized sample of Dr. Brandt’s BB Cream with Flexitone. I have been hearing about BB creams for over two years and have yet to see or touch one. Only ready about them. I finally have one to try! BB Creams, also known as Blemish Balms, are multifunctional skin perfecting creams that claim to have anti-aging, skin protecting, and skin tone blending elements to it that make it into a magically wonderful cream for those with very light to lighter-medium skin tones. I have yet to hear of a BB Cream for darker skin tones. Sorry ladies. I have been using this for a full week so far and truly love the color blending that this balm does. It helps cover minor imperfections on my skin like freckles & spots around my eyes and cheek bones, but does not magically cover an blemish. Minor imperfections only. The balm moisturizes, and brightens the skin as well which I like having not to layer more products on! It has an SPF of 30 which I think leads to the “balmy” feeling after application. It FEELS like sunscreen for a good 5 minutes or so before I feel like it set. That is the only part I don’t like, but I will continue to use this tube up and think about a purchase. A full sized 1.0 oz costs $39 and can be found at Sephora, www.skinstore.com and www.beauty.com

MoroccanOil seems to be a brand that has done well with the New Beauty test tube. I’ve managed to try several of their products and some even full sized! Ive tried the original moroccanoil, the hair mask, the glimmer spray, and the finishing spray. I enjoyed all of the products however, I would most likely opt for the light version in stores. I loved the travel sized finishing spray because it would make my hair shiny while giving it hold. This frizz spray is just what I need for my wispies or flyaways. I usually have some breakage going on from all the heat styling and a very fine mist of frizz spray really helps. I like that this doesn’t feel heavy and has a super fine mister. I usually apply to just towel-dried hair to let the argan oil (the key ingredient in moroccanoil) do its magic to smooth, tame and replenish my overworked hair. long hair + heat styling = asking for it. This product sells for $32 full sized (which I received, yippee) and can be added to my future purchase list. MoroccanOil can be found at their site: www.moroccanoil.com, and at several retailers. Check out my favorite retail store I write for: www.beautycollection.com They sell it there!

Neostrata Exfoliation Wash was sent to me in travel sized. Neostrata is the brainchild of some researchers who discovered the benefits of alpha hydroxy acids on the skin, the skincare line delivers clinically-proven products with advanced technology to meet all kinds of skin types. I’m not a big fan of foam washes. I feel like I’m using nothing at all and always want to add extra pumps of product. However, alphahydroxys should not be doubled up on unless you want to shock your skin and dry it out– so be careful! The wash claims to speed up cell renewal by increasing cell turnover, unclogging debris from pores and improving overall texture by using polyhydroxy acids to do all the handy work. I can see how this is a good product for someone prepping for a peel. It will help get the outer most top layers of skin ready for sloughing. Just be sure to wear an SPF before going into the sun because AHA can make you more susceptible to sun damage. Neostrata Exfoliation wash can be found for $35 at www.dermstore.com www.skintherapy.com and lovelyskin.com

In the test tube was a sampler of Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex. The description of the product says that it moisturizes, smooths, and reduces deep lines within 14 days with its Biopeptide complex leaving the skin with a satin-like finish. The Biopeptide stimulates collagen production helping plump the skin and lessen the appearance of fine lines. It also has light diffusers in it to lessen the appearance of fine lines and brighten the eye area. I actually used to use the Olay Regenerist cream a few years back and I would get it from Target all the time. It was actually a very nice face moisturizer, I’m not sure why I stopped using it but I did. Oh! And I got a $3.00 off coupon with the sample which is pretty good, and the price normally is $28.00. If I choose to get this in the future, I’ll probably get it from Target and sometimes they would have good deals on Olay products. I don’t expect the product to do any miracles, but any improvement on fine lines would be nice. Olay Regenerist can be found at my supermarket (Ralph’s) , but can be also found at wal-mart, Target and amazon.com

I actually didn’t received the YBF eye liner………….yet. I got the package and opened everything up and started flipping through the sample pamphlet thingy they send and that’s how I discovered I didn’t get it. I’ve tried a YBF eyebrow pencil before and used it for months straight! I think it was the universal eyebrow pencil and had a brush on one end. This eye liner has a sharpener in the cap so you don’t have to go digging to the bottom of your makeup bag for one. Its supposed to be in the color “Plum Noir” a rich plum color which sounds super pretty. I love plums and purple eye stuff! I tweeted to New Beauty and they actually called me directly to correct the problem. I told them which product was missing and they immediately contacted me back to let me know it was on the way. So thanks to Susan Y. and the rest of the NB team! That was some awesome customer service there! YBF products can be found at Ulta,HSN, and YBF.com

Skinceuticals was the final brand brand of samples I received. I was very interested in this brand because its related somehow to the Periosciences Brand I was trying out weeks ago. Periosciences is topical antioxidant based products for oral care. Skinceuticals helped pioneer the start of cosmeceuticals, with their topical vitamin C product. Their topical antioxidants neutralize UV induced free radicals and protect our skin from photo-aging. Hello–I TOTALLY NEED THIS. Along with the antioxidant serum I received, I also got a broad spectrum UV Defense SPF 50 which can be used even by the most sensitive skin types. I’m guessing/hoping/expecting these products to be good, I started using the serum yesterday. It absorbs into the skin immediately so it doesn’t feel like anything on which I like. A full sized costs $146-152 while the SPF is $32. Skinceuticals can be found at dermatologists offices, plastic surgeons and other skincare professionals.

Overall I was very happy with this test tube. I’m glad I didn’t get a bunch of heavy facial night creams. That’s what everyone has been complaining about in other sampling programs and it annoyed me too–which it why I stopped all but this one. I think it would be a great idea if they ever did a HAIR test tube, or FACE test tube, or BODY test tube, specializing in the variety of specific products. Not all the time, but maybe for a special edition or something.

I look forward to the next tube and always want to get one from QVC and never do. I think I always forget the day of. So what do you think beauties? Have you tried any of these brands? These products specifically? Which would you like to try the most?

Until next time!

XOXO

Claudia

P.S By the time this posts, I would have tried more of these products. If you wondered how they worked out in the last week, leave a comment/question below 🙂 I’ll let you know!