If you love to try new makeup, but aren't so into the idea of dropping a ton of cash on products you've never tried before, sampler kits are the way to go. When my makeup collection was a less embarrassing epic size, I wanted to get my hands on just about every one I came across. They're usually a great value, and let you test out new and well loved products from a brand without making a huge investment. Of course, as someone who blogs about makeup on the regular, I feel like it's gotten harder for me to find sampler sets that pique my interest. Cause let's be serious, no matter how great a primer is, by the fifth sample it's basically old news.
But then there was the Too Faced Totally Obsessed Set ($25)*. This adorable little box contains five deluxe sized samples of best-selling Too Faced products and somehow I had only tried one of them. One! To make things even better, these are all products I've been seriously lusting after thanks to a million rave reviews from the blogosphere. Did everything live up to the hype? Come find out!
So, I should say right off the bat that yes, this set does feel very much like a Sephora 500 point perk or other freebie. There aren't any full sized products, which may make you wonder if the set is worth spending $25 on. However, having done the math of cost per ounce of product you're getting, the total value of this set is $43.23. Too Faced claims its a $56, which I think is a bit of a stretch, but either way you are definitely getting a value for your money.
The samples in this set also also pretty generously sized, which means you'll get to use each one plenty of times before you run out. The only one that I think is kind of stingy is the face primer (which we will get into later). But truthfully, how many of us ever finish a full size of a makeup product before it theoretically expires anyway?
Yes, you can make the argument that it's silly to spend money on samples, but if these are products that you're interested in, I think it's a great way to try everything for essentially the same cost (or less) than just one of them in the full size. Anyway, let me get off my soap box, so we can chat about each of the individual products you'll get.
Full Size, 0.35 oz ($30)
Sample Size, 0.08 oz ($6.86)
If you're one of the lovely people who've been frequenting my blog or YouTube channel for a while, you'll know that I have all the love for the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. I've used it to contour under my cheeks in I don't know how many videos or posts, because it blends like a dream, has a beautiful matte finish, and looks so perfect with my light skintone. It's also made with cocoa powder and therefore smells like chocolate, so...it can't really get much better than that.
Now, this is the original formula, which I have tried before, and is quite a bit deeper in color. As someone who's pretty fair skinned I think the Milk Chocolate version is much better suited to my complexion, but this is not entirely unusable. I appreciate that they included this shade, because I think it'll flatter a wider range of complexions (especially among girls who have golden or deep skintones), however I know that I'd need to use a light touch not to overdo it. Personally I will probably pass this on to a friend who will give it some love, since I already have a full sized bronzer and don't totally need another sample.
Full Size, 1.35 oz ($32)
Sample Size, 0.16 oz ($3.79)
As someone who loves all things coconut, I've been dying to try this primer forever. Infused with coconut water and other skin loving ingredients, this primer is supposed to revive dull, dehydrated skin, so that your makeup can sit smoothly on top of it. While my skin is generally oily to combination, I still suffer from dryness on my cheeks. Also, as much as silicone based primers can be nice for smoothing out the look of large pores, they can also congest the skin and be a little heavy for everyday use, so a silicone free primer sounded like something I would enjoy having as an option.
My first thoughts?
This. Primer. Smells. BOMB.
Really though, the coconut scent doesn't kick you in the face, but rather is refreshing and lovely. The texture on this primer is also equally enjoyable, and feels almost more like a gel-lotion than a traditional primer. It's incredibly hydrating, while not making my skin feel overly greasy, and definitely helps my makeup to glide on more easily. Does it improve the wear time of my foundation? Not so much. But if you're having a crappy skin day, it'll definitely be the perfect remedy. Hence, Hangover Rx. If you've ever experienced a splotchy, puffy, post-party complexion, you will understand why this primer is genius.
My only complaint about the primer in this particular set is that it's incredibly tiny. It's the least proportional sample to the full size, which means I anticipate blowing through the tube pretty quickly.
Full Size, 0.27 oz ($23)
Sample Size, 0.17 oz ($14.48)
A mascara that's better than sex? Will it also bake me a chocolate cake and give me a massage?
Jokes aside, people all over the blogosphere swear by this formula, which promises to curl, volumize, separate and lift lashes into fluttery perfection. I don't know if that makes it better than sex, but it certainly makes me want to try it, at least.
My first impression of this mascara is that it's very good, but not blow-your-mind-amazing. I've been on a bit of a Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir kick lately, and I've heard people make comparisons between these two mascaras. Although the brushes are both hourglass shaped, they really are very different otherwise. The Better Than Sex Mascara does add a nice amount of length and definition to your lashes. The bristles on the wand are longer and more sparse than the on the Marc Jacobs, which helps to separate the lashes and give a more fluttery finish. However, this also means its slightly less volumizing. I think if you were someone who didn't like the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir because you felt it made your lashes look too clumpy, you would probably love this mascara as an alternative. I also found that this didn't flake, smudge, or irritate my eyes at all throughout the day, which is a big plus.
Final verdict, I like the way this makes my lashes look, although it was a bit less volumizing than I probably would have liked. Will I go out and spend $23 on the full size? Probably not. But I'll definitely enjoy using the sample over the next couple of months.
Full Size, 0.4 oz ($21)
Sample Size, 0.16 oz ($8.40)
Perhaps the most coveted product for me in this set was the Melted Liquified Longwear Lipstick. I have been DYING to try these basically since they launched I don't even know how long ago. The swatches I've seen look so beautiful, and the packaging is perfectly on point.
Guys, this lipstick did not disappoint.
The formula on these lipsticks is really lovely. It feels incredibly lightweight, but packs a ton of pigmentation. The applicator makes it really easy for you to get just the right amount of product on your lips and keep things relatively neat. The formula dries down matte, but doesn't feel heavy or drying on the lips, and totally lasts for over four hours. It even reapplies well, and doesn't get weirdly crumbly or patchy if you layer more product on top. And if that isn't good enough it also totally smells like Sweet Tarts.
The shade you get in this set, Chihuahua, is a nice dusty pink color that I think will be flattering on any skin tone. For me its slightly too dark to be a true MLBB shade, but is definitely the kind of neutral color that you could easily wear for everyday or with a bolder, more dramatic look.
If you're looking to try a liquid lipstick, this one is definitely a great choice! I even went so far as to buy one of the new Chocolate Melted Lipsticks in the shade Chocolate Milkshake because I just couldn't get enough.
Full Size, 0.35 oz ($20)
Sample Size, 0.17 oz ($9.70)
Too Faced's Shadow Insurance is a classic, well-loved eye primer that, despite being around forever, I haven't actually tried yet. Texture-wise this is a slightly balmy primer with minimal pigmentation that creates a smooth base for eyeshadows to be applied to. From what I can tell so far it does help to brighten the appearance of shadows on your eyes and keeps them looking great all day. I don't usually have too much of a problem with creasing on my eyes in general, so I can't speak too much to how this performs as an anti-creasing base.
Truthfully I think I'm going to have to give this a few more trial runs before I give it Holy Grail status, but it definitely has potential. My favorite eye primer of all eye primers is the NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, which is seriously magic for oily eyelids. On the flip side, I was really unimpressed with Urban Decay's Primer Potion, which I felt didn't do much to prolong the wear of my shadows at all. If this primer formula performs as well as NARS with a variety of different shadows, I think it will easily take first place. I much prefer cream products in a squeeze tube over a wand with a doe foot applicator, purely because I think they're way more hygenic, which would give Too Faced's primer the edge.
All in all I'm really happy that I picked this set up! Thanks to my Sephora Flash Shipping I was able to order this online and have it shipped without any fees, and I was also able to cash in on a little gift with purchase AND a Sephora 100 point perk. I don't know about you, but I always feel so satisfied by those little kinds of shopping wins. I also know that I haven't shared any pics of these products in action, but I'll definitely try to Instagram one these week and link it here afterward!
What do you think of sampler sets? Would you purchase something like this?
*This post contains Sephora Affiliate Links. For more information on my affiliations and disclosures, click here.
