I started my journey with box subscriptions with Birchbox and quickly branched out. Sample Society was well reviewed online, so I decided to give it a whirl. At $15 a month it is one of the more affordable subscription boxes I have found. As you will notice over the next few weeks, I have immersed myself in box subscriptions. This can't continue forever but it is a fun way to find out which ones I like best. I had a little extra fun money this summer and will whittle down a bit in the fall.
I really liked that everyone gets the same box with Sample Society. There is no box envy...that sense of wanting what others got. On the flipside, there is also nothing to hope for next month.
One really great thing about Sample Society is their refreshingly honest brochure. It has a page for every product included in the box with tips on how to best use it and disclosures about any quirks the product might have.
I had fun with this box and found out I absolutely hate one of the products. Better to learn this way than to buy it and find out later!
The box included
Oribe Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse 2.5 oz ( this size retails for $21.50) full size $37.00- I hated this. Okay, I admit, I was likely never going to buy it anyway at this price point, but at least now I won't have product envy. I will admit that it gave me great body, but it left my hair feeling stiff and starchy. I am the type who prefers my hair to be touchable. I have heard other people raving about how much they love this. Hopefully I can trade my once sampled can to someone who wants it.
Ciate Paint pot nail polish in Cha Cha Cha, sample size, full size is $15.00- this is a bright orange, not necessarily my go to color or one I would wear to work, but a fun color. It is described as neon orange but I think there are some pinkish apricot undertones. I put it on my 7 year old and she loved the color. The formula is a little thin but the bright side of this is that it dries quickly. Not sure this brand will replace my beloved OPI, but it was fun and led to some great mother daughter time when I painted K's nails. That is a win in my book!
Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Peony, this is a sample size, full size is $21.00- I did not mind the color of this one, it is a little on the powder pink side but if applied lightly makes a nice nude shade on me. I did not care for the applicator though. It is the type with the cottony tip that the product squeezes up through and one spot on the applicator was rough. It felt like I was swiping a cotton ball with a straight pin imbedded in it across my lips. I have not heard anyone else complain about this online, so I think I may have gotten a defective tube. In the end, I don't mind the product, but I will not be buying another one.
Kate Somerville Dilio Oil restorative Treatment.- This came in a little vial, the full size of this product is $65 a bottle. Holy Hannah! I really like it, but it is a little steep for my budget. I will have to see how long this lasts, the instructions say you only need 1 to 2 drops. At that rate it may last a while and might be a worthwhile investment. It has a nice scent but is not cloying and does not linger. I like the way it felt on my face and I am hoping that it might help with two little dry patches that have popped up in the past few months.
Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara in Black Ice- I have not tried this one yet. I go through mascara so slowly that it does not make any sense to have more than one tube open at a time. As it is, I always throw some out when it is time to change tubes. I am pleased that I have a sample tube of Clinique and this one waiting in the wings. No need to buy mascara any time soon. The packaging on this one is interesting, it is a crimp ended tube rather than being rounded at the end.
Overall, I liked Sample Society and will stay subbed to see what next month has in store.
