The problem with cosmetic samples..

..is that they generally do what they're supposed to. They work. This of course is a very good thing for the company's profit margin, and a very bad thing for my bank account.


Below is a list of a few products that I now cannot live without (or so I think anyway) all thanks to a free sample or trial size tester. I was perfectly happy before all of these products came into my life, but now I don't believe my beauty routine would be the same without them. Go figure. It's now gotten to the point that I'm afraid to try samples in the fear that I'll find another expensive product I'm in love with.



Clinique 2 Clarifying Lotion, $25 and up - I've been using it twice a day for about 3 years now. Thank you sample size packet from Galeries Lafayette.



Diorshow Mascara in Blackest-Black, together for about a year now. Thank you "free sample" from Sephora - you've cost me over $50 this year.





Shiseido Foundation Compact. Going steady since summer 2006. This one is more my grandmother's fault and her insistance that I try a "name-brand" read: expensive compact. Problem is, after the initial compact that she purchased, the refills have since been up to me. Well done Shiseido, well done.


All this leads me to today's actual post-topic. While doing some light Sunday-cleaning, I stumbled across this little trinket..



Dior Hydrating Serum. But of course only in a one-time trial size. Actual price: no idea, do not want to know but probably more than I pay for gas in a month


So naturally I had to try it. Of course. And naturally my skin immediately looked amazing. Of course.

Do I intend to buy it? Noooooo. Not unless I win the lottery sometime soon.

What products can you not live without?