Samples Galore and Why I'm Having a No-Buy-July

Here's something a little different from me - a two-part rambling beauty post!

Firstly, samples.

I haven't actively been seeking out samples but in the last couple of weeks, I amassed all the samples in the two photos with very minimal effort on my behalf!

CVS has upped their beauty game of late and in addition to the standard drugstore lines they already carry they have added a KBeauty section, got their act together with their French pharmacy offerings as well as stocking a few new decidedly upmarket ranges (Glamglow! Clarins! Dermalogica!). Visit on the right day and they have samples available, my local branch has a friendly lady advisor who thrust a whole load of Vichy samples at me (see all those serum sachets - enough for a week!) one day and on other days I picked up samples from La Roche Posay and Apothecare Essentials.

I've made a few beauty orders recently, only one of which was for myself I hasten to add...
Two orders from Space NK (sale items for myself and Windle and Moodie hair products for Mr C&C) netted me a handful of sample sachets and a mini Rahua Shampoo. I always love samples from Space NK and I'm particularly keen to finally try out some body care from Oribe. The sachets of Cote D'Azur Body Wash and Lotion are plump sachets stuffed with product and I can't wait to rip them open and fill my bathroom with the scent of Oribe!

I ordered Mr C&C some Bumble and Bumble from Sephora so I got my standard three samples - not the ones I picked however. Sephora rarely seems to send the samples you select and more often than not send those annoying blister packs of foundation/concealer/lipstick - which are the only samples I actually dislike and never use. However to soften the blow one of their weekly specials was a  'Beachy Waves' sample set with five sachets of shampoo and conditioner, and three styling products, one of which is my favourite Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It Fine (H)air Styler.

MrC&C, aka The Kiehl's Addict, needed some of their facial products so I took advantage of a Father's Day promo they had offering deluxe samples and a dop kit. I kindly picked out manly samples which I gave to him but did pick up one of their Creme de Corps Soothing Oil to Foam Body Cleanser which I'm hanging on to as it sounds like something I will enjoy!

Part Two - No Buy July!

I've been fortunate to stumble upon so many irresistible beauty bargains lately that my stash of full-sized products is pretty impressive and that of samples even more so! One of the joys/perils of the beauty industry is that it is ever evolving and there's always something new to tempt us. Having said that after my skin had a bout of sensitivity I've been sticking to a fairly streamlined routine and for the moment I have been enjoying using a steady rotation of pretty basic products that I have in stock, and so has my skin!

 I'm doing a No-Buy-July as there is nothing that I actually need (things I want - that's another story) and I want to reduce my stash (so that in the future I can add to it again!)  I'm also a little gun shy of experimenting with new stuff until my skin has settled down again.  August is my Birthday month so I know I will be buying myself a few birthday treats. And, before we know it, it will (scarily) be September and the whole merry-go-round of GWP'S and launches will start again. I always, always, do the bulk of my beauty shopping in February/March and again in September to take advantage of gift bags from Space NK, Barneys New York and Cult Beauty. 

I love a challenge (as long as it's not too daunting a one) and I'm actually looking forward to this No-Buy month! I'm away on a short holiday at the beginning of the month so I will feel less guilty about eating every meal out and buying cocktails. I'm also planning on giving my wardrobe a bit of an update with the money I would usually allot to beauty products. 

It's an interesting project for me to tackle and while I know I'm not going to ever stop buying beauty products I'm considering doing a No- Buy a few times a year in the future. Let's see how I get on, wish me luck!