PSA: Issues With Sample Society's November 2014 Alterna Hair Caviar!

**Update: I emailed Sample Society to let them know what happened. Their customer service is FABULOUS. They let me know that they had not heard of this problem happening with anyone else. I may have just gotten a defective item. They also randomly credited my account for $5- which was totally cool because I did mention I was not looking for a replacement/refund. Thank you Sample Society!**

Just wanted to do a quick PSA in regards to a problem I literally JUST encountered with my November 2014 Sample Society box.

To give you a frame of reference, I have a fairly large box that I store all my extra beauty haul products from my subscription boxes and elsewhere. It is basically a huge stash of items I plan to use eventually, plan to gift, looking to experiment or review, or to resell on Ebay. 

I am meticulous about this box and the items in it. I do not open or swatch these items. I inspect this stash at least weekly (especially anything with an expiration date). It is extremely important to me that I keep everything in tip top shape. 

Last month, I received a sample of Alterna Anti-Aging Hair Caviar.

I was on the fence about this item and stored it (upright!) in said sample box. It has remained untouched in a cool, dry place since my unboxing. A couple of days ago, I posted pictures of my DIY Beauty Baskets. I was considering the Alterna Caviar for one of the baskets. I obviously inspected the bottle and ultimately decided to forego using it in my gift basket. But, everything was fine.

Yesterday, I decided to go through my stash to take some pictures for an Ipsy trade I am doing. This was one of the items I was looking to trade. But, when I went to take pictures for the person I was trading with, I noticed something odd...

The rubber dropped cap at the top had suddenly become bloated and distorted. In my infinite wisdom, I assumed that the rubber had just detached from inside the top of the cap. And, without thinking about it, I tried to apply a little pressure to slip the rubber back under the lip of the lid.

Nope.

That little poke caused the rubber cap to pop open and off- spraying some of the oil all over me. I'm trying SO hard to refrain from any morose bloated corpse references. But, you get the idea... It was essentially like some odd gas built up inside the rubber top and now I am suspicious of letting this product anywhere near my hair!!

Here's what my sample looks like now:

I will be contacting Sample Society tomorrow to let them know of this issue and will post a follow up if I hear back.

Please be careful!!

Allure Sample Society November 2014 Winter Survival Unboxing!

What it is: Allure Sample Society
Where to get it: BeautyBar.com
How much is it?: $15.00 monthly + tax
Types of Products: General skin, hair, body, and beauty products and make up.
What are the Perks?!: Often includes a full sized product and monthly $10 coupon off $50 purchase on BeautyBar.Com

Allure Sample Society November 2014: Winter Survival Unboxing and Review!

Woahhhhh boy. I think I'm in for a rough month of November. In so far, I have been extremely unhappy with all the preview and sneak peaks I have seen posted online. I really hope I don't seem so negative with my reviews this month! As per the norm, I have received my Allure Sample Society Box first this month. Unfortunately, I feel a little let down.

Let's take a look at the overall contents:

First thing that jumps out to me is that there really are no deluxe or full sized samples this month. Which, is usually the best part of Sample Society for me. This month the focus is Winter Survival and I get where they were going with it- but, they missed the mark a little with the products:

1. Malin + Goetz Bergamot Body Wash:

Full Sized Listed At: $18 for 8 oz or $32 for 16

Oh man. I am not on the Malin + Goetz train. Not a fan personally. I know the company has been pushing their product a lot through subscription boxes. But, I just can't get on the bandwagon. On top of which, I feel as if sending a sample of an overpriced body wash isn't going to change my tune. Hey- that's a personal preference and some people may really love it. And while I'm normally gungho on promoting NY companies- Malin + Goetz is a bit too reminiscent of Khiel's for my taste. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I want to try new stuff- not an old hat repackaged. Also, the scent and style of the product screams spring time to me- not survive the winter. Sorry!

2. Calvin Klein Reveal Sample Vial:
Full Sized Listed From $50-$90

ACK!! WHY??? WHY SAMPLE SOCIETY?? I really don't understand what I am paying for here. I totally understand that I am not going to get 100% of boxes I love or 100% of items I love. But, really, I feel like I paid for a free sample. Walk into any large department store and you can get this item for free. Maybe include the item as an extra. But, it is kind of upsetting that a free sample is being considered part of this month's box. Adding to the fact that not only am I extremely particular about perfumes- I'm not huge on Calvin Klein as an institution. I'm also still trying to figure out what this has to do with winter survival...

 3. Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Omega+ Nourishing Oil:
Full Sized Listed At: $38

This is by far my favorite item in the box unfortunately. I'm all about the hair serums. However, the oil is a bit heavy- I guess that makes up for the SUPER tiny bottle. It does have a nice scent. I just think it's too heavy for my fine, oily hair. I'll update if I use the product and don't end up looking like a drowned rat!

4. Lorac Cobra Mascara:

Full Sized Listed At $20

Ok, you really can't go wrong with black mascara. This may be another one of my personal "issues." But, I have now collected an entire subscription sample box full of mascara samples. There are only SO many I can use. On top of which, I normally use eyelash extensions. I'm unsure how to feel about this. On one hand, trying all these mascaras give people the opportunity to find a product they really like. On the other hand, if every sub box consistently sends mascara every few months, we reach this conundrum of not even getting to try these new products before they expire. When there are literally billions of different beauty products and companies, why not live a little and explore some new stuff?

5. MD Solar Sciences MD Creme Mineral Beauty Balm:

Full Sized Priced At: $39

I like how in the actual Beauty Bar booklet description, they literally say "This BB falls short in coverage..." I laughed when I saw this. It basically says to me, "Meh- this stuff isn't great. But, hey we threw a tiny, one/two use sample in for you because we couldn't get anything else this month." And, that's exactly how I feel. Also in the description, they state "It's a little greasy going on..." Nope. No thank you.

I'm sorry that I'm starting out a Negative Nancy this month. But, I'm really perplexed with the low quality of sub boxes that I'm slated to get this month. And, I feel like this is just the start. Maybe everyone is revving up for the holidays and December bags that will really wow this year. Until next month, I'm skeptical.

As per a rating, I am going to have to give Allure Sample Society November 2014 Winter Survival box a 2/10. (That's a huge fall from grace compared to my last month's 9/10 review). I feel like this was a throw away box were half the items would be free samples at the typical department store or specialty store like Sephora, the items were repetitive, and I didn't feel "winter survival" to be a strong theme. Sorry sample society! Maybe next month...