Before I start my review, I want to tell you that I am very happy I kept my subscription for another month. I believe this is the first time my box contains two samples from the same brand, and normally I would be a bit bored with that, but the company happens to be one of my favorites, and both products I’ve never tried before. Also, Sample Society is making a small change to their packaging: starting from this month and going forward they will be emailing the list of monthly products instead of sending us a printed product card.
HOW IT WORKS
For $15/month Sample Society will send its members 5 deluxe-sized samples from beauty brands like stila, Murad, Sisley, Alterna, Butter London, and Borghese and a $15 off $50 monthly discount code. As a bonus all new members receive a complimentary one-year subscription to Allure magazine (a $12.00 value). Click here to join Sample Society. You can also buy some of the past boxes here.
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| Beauty Bar Sample Society: February 2014 |
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| Alterna Bamboo Volume 48 Hour Sustainable Volume Spray, 0.85 fl. oz. |
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| Phyto Phytokeratine Mask, 1.7 oz. |
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| Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Body Lotion, 1.3 fl. oz. |
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| Ahava Osmoter Concentrate, 0.17 fl. oz. |
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| Murad Environmental Shield Active Radiance Serum, 0.17 fl. oz. |
Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Body Lotion – This body lotion made my slighly irritated dry winter skin feel soft, calm, and moisturizer just like it does when the weather is nice and warm. Love that feeling, and I’m seriously considering buying the full-sized tube.
Ahava Osmoter Concentrate – This serum is lightweight and moisturizing, I used it at night and woke up with wonderfully soft skin. I’m never loyal to serums, so I probably won’t purchase the full size unless there’s an sweet promotion or something, but the first impression was very positive.
Alterna Bamboo Volume 48 Hour Sustainable Volume Spray – I always associate Alterna with expensive hair care that Hollywood stars use every day, so I feel extra fancy using their products. My hair just doesn’t hold volume very well so I doubt I will get full 48 hours out of this spray, but hopefully it will at least last a solid 24 🙂
Phyto Phytokeratine Mask – Perfect product for my hair! I use hair dryer and flat iron quite often, in addition to permanent coloring, so my hair is always in need of extra moisture and nourishment, especially during Winter months. So far I tried this sample once, and I’m already seeing positive effects!
Murad Environmental Shield Active Radiance Serum – This is a win-win sample, but for my Mom and not for me. She loves using skincare with Vitamin C and she also likes Murad, so she will be happy to try something new.
THE VERDICT
I’m madly in love with anything and everything Ahava, and I was so happy to receive two deluxe-sized samples! Better yet, both are the products I haven’t tried before, and of course that confirmed my assumption, that this company’s products are a great fit for my skin. I will probably give Murad sample to my mom, because she loves Vitamin C in skincare. Alterna spray is probably going to be casually used on the days when I decide to blowout my hair. And of course I love rich hair masks, so Phyto sample has already migrated to my shower shelf. Alright, now that I have my February box, I’m so ready for March spoilers!
Do you subscribe to Sample Society? What are your thoughts on my February box?
| Product | Retail value |
|---|---|
| Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Body Lotion | $3.67 |
| Ahava Osmoter Concentrate | $10.20 |
| Alterna Bamboo Volume 48 Hour Sustainable Volume Spray | $5.06 |
| Phyto Phytokeratine Mask | $10.71 |
| Murad Environmental Shield Active Radiance Serum | $15.13 |
| Box Retail Value | $44.77 |
You got some great items, and it seems like a really good value!
Indeed, and I’m just glad that I can use everything. Sometimes the boxes have high value, but the products just aren’t a good fit.
You’ve got some amazing products there. I love anything Murad. Those things actually do what they say!
That’s what my Mom says as well, she’s been using a lot of Murad products lately and seems to really like every single one of them.
I love Alterna hair care. I splurged on some Alterna products in November and am using them very sparingly to make them last as long as possible. My favorite product is their Protein Cream. That stuff RULES! It makes average hair look like movie star hair. It’s amazing stuff. Holy Grail worthy and one product I will definitely purchase, again and again, in spite of it’s hefty price tag. 😀
Oh my, I have to try that one, but I’m afraid I’ll fall in love with it 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation!
I don’t like most sample boxes, so I’m not subscribed to any. I do think Ipsy and Her Fashion Box both seem the most promising.
Understandable, after all subscription boxes are only fun if they feature items you’re personally interested in.
I love how you’ve calculated the value of all the samples! Too awesome!
I always do, makes me appreciate all of the fancy samples we receive 🙂
wow! That’s an awesome box!!
I know right? I think it’s one of my personal favorites.
Ooooh the Dead Sea Water Body Lotion looks like it’s right up my alley!
It was great! I loved it so much I already used up the entire tube 🙂
Murad and AHAVA are two of my faves!
Good to know!
You got some really nice items. I haven’t used anything from Ahava in a while. 🙂
It’s been a few months for me too, and now my obsession has been reignited, thanks to this box.
Looks nice but would have been a total miss for me, I am a makeup sample box kinda girl! But they are nice brands!!!!!
Yeah, I don’t think Sample Society sends makeup very often. I’m a skincare girl, so I always love trying the next best moisturizer 🙂
I’ve never subscribed to this but it looks super nice!
It really does, doesn’t it? Allure editors curate these boxes, so I always expect a nice mix of high end brands.
I would personally still be disappointed! I am glad I cancelled. I would like one box and be bored with the next three.
Bummer! Well, that’s why they have subscriptions for everything these days 🙂 I prefer skincare samples over makeup any time, so maybe that’s why I was so excited.
I would have loved this box, too. I love Ahava. I’ve never seen that serum, and I want to try it, too! I keep seeing Murad’s name, but I have yet to try anything from them. I’m sure I have some of their samples lying around somewhere.. I need to do a hair masque, but never make the time. Great review.
Good to know you also like Ahava products, I seriously liked everything I tried from them so far.
Great box! Love murad
Indeed! I can see how some people would consider this a lame box, since it doesn’t have any makeup, but for me personally it’s a winner 🙂
I’m totally impressed – great value.
Indeed, these samples are very generously sized 🙂
Seems like a great value
Indeed, and the brands are very nice, too 🙂
That’s a great roundup of products to try out for the price
Looks like a great beauty box! Here in Russia we have Allure Sample Society boxes, and they are the best 🙂
Ooh nice! I moved from Russia to the US in 2011 and I don’t remember any beauty boxes being around back then, or I would have definitely subscribed to at least one of them 🙂
I have never heard of sample society but it looks and sounds better then other sampling societies. Will have to check it out!
It’s one of my favorite monthly subscriptions, because they’ve always been consistent in terms of quality and value.