5 ‘Try Before You Buy’ Tips

I've definitely started becoming more adventurous this year with trying out beauty trends and experimenting with colour, but I have bought something on a whim to try it out, decided it doesn't suit me or is too out there for me, and never worn it again.

Sometimes, I find myself shying away from trying a new trend for this reason alone and lately I've found a way to try new things without the risk of not liking it and wasting money I could be spending on more Revlon Lip Butters! Some things you love straight away and know they are going to work with your current beauty regime and some things you need to put on trial before committing to loving them unconditionally.

I've got a few tips that I've put into action in the past couple of weeks and I wanted to share them with you:

You can skimp on some products – I would never go cheap on a moisturiser or serum but there are plenty of items you can skimp on and not have to worry about.  I recently bit the bullet and spent an entire $2.95 on a teal eye liner. This way I can try it out, see if I like it, and if I don't, I've sacrificed less than a cup of coffee to give it a go plus it's not an item I'm worried about my sensitive skin reacting to and if it doesn't last the whole day, it's not going to be a massive disaster.

Try a sample size or colour first – Being a big fan of pastel colours and the new yellow nail trend seen on Seal from The Voice and on the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week catwalks, I definitely wanted to check this colour out but was wary of how the yellow might look against my pale colouring. Instead of a $20 OPI or Essie nail polish I might normally buy, I decided to save my bucks until I was certain. I grabbed a polish for less than $5 at the chemist the other day and although I don't expect my yellow mani to last too long, it will be long enough for me to decide if I want to invest in a pricier brand.

Take advantage of free gifts or 2-4-1 specials – I have been interested in the ModelCo Fibre Lash product for a while now but just haven't been super keen to throw down $40+ on it without knowing if I like it or not. I picked up the May issue of Cleo magazine for less than $8 and got a free travel size Fibre Lash worth $38 for free!
 

Ask for a sample – Since Mum reviewed Clinique's Even Better, she has been insisting that I try it too. I just bought a brand new foundation and didn't want to buy another but I asked at the counter if I could try some and the gave me a small pot of Even Better in Alabaster for me to try out for a couple of days before i commit to buying. The ladies were so helpful and happy to let me try it out.
 

Share with friends -  Mum and I both wanted to try two perfumes that were exactly the same but we weren't sure how badly we wanted them. Instead of both of us splashing out a couple of hundred bucks each on perfumes we weren't sure we'd wear, we bought one each with the intention to swap after a few months. We ended up keeping our original purchases because we liked them so much, but it's a good tip if you don't have the budget or the overwhelming desire to part wtih the cash.

There are so many ways you can try out a new product or trend without getting too out of pocket before you're sure it's right for you. I'd love to hear if you have other ways of trying before you buy.

Top 5 – What We Can’t Live Without

This week has been super special because we have actually been in the same city, spending time together!! Sad though that we are back to living in different states but it reminds us that we just can't live without each other for too long (it's a mother/daughter thing).

That being said, we thought we'd share our five beauty items that we just can't live without:


Sue can't live without:

1 – Aria Argan Gold Shampoo with Argan oil for fine-normal hair (conditioner as well) – This product is really nourishing without the weight of an oil-based product. It is perfect for my fine hair, and probably the most affordable Argan oil product on the market.

2 – Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream. I was advised to use this product dry on my face before getting into the shower in the morning. Once in shower, just add water to further exfoliate and then follow with a foaming cleanser.  I actually use it every second day as I'm always concerned with redness, but love the smooth texture my skin has had since using it.

3 – Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat (No. 2). I have been using this product for about 8 years now and it is perfect for under-eye dark circles, really bringing out the best in my eyes. I have also perfected using it to camouflage lines on my face, so that I don't look quite as wrinkled as I really am.  The other great thing is that when I started using it, retail price in Australia was a whopping $75. Today, 8 years and all that inflation later, it's only $55.  Strong Aussie dollar?

4 – Bio-oil. An amazing product. I first bought this many years ago when I'd had a couple of small skin cancers cut out, and I'd read at it was great for repairing scarring.  It lived up to its reputation, and more. I use it to get my poor body through Brisbane's cool, but very dry, winters.  I rubbed it into my elbows when I tripped and fell recently. And it's the gift of choice I take to every woman I know who has just had a baby. It's great for mum (stretch marks be gone) and wonderful for baby's skin and scalp too.

And last, but certainly not least….

5 – Lucas' Paw Paw Ointment. This is a great product manufactured in Brisbane.  It has a myriad of uses, and provokes great memories because when I grew up in Brisbane everyone either had a paw paw tree in their garden, or their neighbor did.  My main use of this product is on my lips just before going to sleep at night, or in the morning when I've finished my skin care routine if I am not putting make up on straight away.  However, it really comes into its own if you take it with you when you are going away because it is one product that takes up little room but has many uses.  Paw Paw Ointment soothes burns and insect bites, cuts and abrasions.  You can put it on your feet to stop shoes from rubbing and causing blisters. It's great for your skin if you've been out in the wind or for your nose if you are suffering with a cold.

 

Katherine can't live without:

1 – Maybelline Baby Lips - I have always been a Blistex girl but lately I'm loving the fruity scent and colourful packaging of Baby Lips. In fact, I just got a 2-4-1 at Priceline today and unnecessarily added to my collection. They are a good enough lip balm in mild weather but when my lips are suffering, it'll probably be back to the Blistex.

2 – Napoleon Perdis Mineral Primer – At the moment I'm onto the mineral primer because I'm using the Napoleon Mineral Foundation, but the original Napoleon primer is as high on that list. I'm yet to try another primer I like as much as the Napoleon ones. I don't like the clear, sillicone ones and after trying a number of brands (including ModelCo and Maybelline), I always go back to Napoleon.

3 – Affinage Indigo Defender – Having fine, curly hair that is prone to frizz and damage easily, I have to use a heat protector spray before applying any heating tools to my locks. I love the smell of this one and have always used it. If I try to straighten my hair without it, a frizz nightmare ensues on my head and I can just feel my hair wishing many hateful things on me.

4 – Clinique Redness Solutions – I've only been using this for about three weeks but the wonders it has done to my skin are out of this world. I don't think I will ever be able to go back to a cheaper brand after my magical Clinique experience.

5 – Bio Oil – Bio Oil is one of those products (like Lucas Paw Paw) that you just need to have around the house for those muti-purpose ailments. My boyfriend uses and recommends it like the father of the bride in the film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding with his Windex. Got dry skin? Put Bio Oil on it. Mosquito bite? Don't scratch it, put Bio Oil on it. Dry scalp? Massage some Bio Oil in. Stretch marks, burns, scars? Bio Oil. Bio Oil. Bio Oil. Who am I to argue with him?

What are your Can't-Live-Without items? Let us know below or drop us a line on Facebook. Once we get 50 Facebook likes, we're planning a giveaway, so please check it out!

Happy Friday!