Philosophy Full of Promise

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $65 for 2 ounces

THE SKINNY: This is one of those products I shouldn't have tried. The sample was tiny, and it's really expensive. But I found my one try of Philosophy's Full of Promise dual-action restoring cream to be pretty amazing.

It left my face feeling silky soft immediately. Heck, it even made my fingers feel silky soft from applying it.

Full of Promise is a thick, white lotion that I would use at night. Philosophy says it has a "unique protein recycling complex that helps promote visibly firmer, fuller, uplifted skin."

It smells like everything Philosophy. It feels gentle on the skin, which is a trademark of all Philosophy products.

I would love to try this for a few weeks, just to see what it does. But at that price, it's probably not going to happen

KEEP OR TOSS: I'd keep, but the sample is already gone.

CHECK IT OUT: Buy this at Philosophy's website, where they run a lot of sales. This would easily qualify for the company's normal free shipping.

-- Tested by Shay

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1 star

COST: $39 for 1.7 ounces

THE SKINNY: For all the makeup samples I sample, it's rare for me to go running to the sink to wash something off. This is one of those rare products.

Juice Beauty's new Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream is supposed to be one of those miracle multi-taskers. Moisturizer plus foundation plus Vitamin C and resveratol to improve skin tone. But the sweet citrus-meets-chemical smell is revolting and lingering.

Plus, the lotion is tacky and hard to apply. Once one, it made my skin look chalky.

I washed it off pretty much immediately. I couldn't get past (or rid of) that smell.

I haven't had much luck with any of the Juice Beauty products I've sampled.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: If you've had better luck with Juice Beauty products, purchase this CC cream here.

-- Tested by Shay

Pacifica Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $9 (bought on sale for $3)

THE SKINNY: Pacifica's Color Quench feels great on your lips. It's hydrating and buttery, like a good balm should be.

This balm is vanilla hibiscus, meaning it has a nice hint of vanilla flavor but an odd pearly pale pink color. The color doesn't do much for me.

But the size of the balm stick is the bigger issue for me. It's larger than your typical tube of balm and that makes it easy to over-apply. It's not good to get out of the lines of your lips with a pearly pink balm, either.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This is an OK balm, but I wouldn't pay $9 for it.

CHECK IT OUT: This balm comes in five flavor/color combinations.

-- Tested by Shay

L'oreal Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4.5 stars

COST: $16.99 for 2.5 ounces

THE SKINNY: L'oreal Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator is an affordable BB cream that feels similar to a higher-end product that costs twice as much. Plus, it has SPF 15.

Use this cream in place of (or over, if you prefer) your usual moisturizer. It's designed to even out your skin tone, add a dewy glow, moisturize and protect your face from the elements. The cream is lightweight and glides on effortlessly. I'm using the "light," and it blends flawlessly with my fair skin.

The result is fabulous. I've only needed a dusting of powder to complete the look. It also fights oil in my T-zone, which makes me really happy.

The coverage lasts all day and it hasn't caused me any breakouts or skin problems.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I've been using this BB cream daily and love it.

CHECK IT OUT: Youth Code only comes in two shades: light and medium.

-- Tested by Shay

Covergirl Blast Flipstick Lipcolor

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 RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $8

THE SKINNY: Blendable lip color is something that I have never really found successfully.

Colors tend to overpower each other or just fall apart.

But Covergirl's new Blast Flipstick Lipcolor actually works. Each tube contains two colors that compliment each other -- a creamy shade and a shimmery, more glossy one.

You can wear each shade alone or put them together for a whole new look.

I loved the versatility of the Covergirl product and it is for sale everywhere so I know I will be able to find it.

The feel was smooth and glided on nicely. It even felt like it included enough moisturizer to get me through a few hours without lip balm. But it did not last as long as I would have hoped. I had to reapply pretty frequently ... or maybe that is just the lipstick-hater in me talking.

I got this product through the BzzAgent program (which I love). The color I tried for the swatches is Vixen; the color was pinkish but not too bright. I especially liked the shimmer side, which reminded me of a gloss. I plan to try the other colors -- Minx and Stunner -- next.

Because of its versatility, this is a great item to just throw in your bag.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. Sometimes you need something more than a gloss.

CHECK IT OUT: Check out all 13 color combinations available from Covergirl and buy online.

-- Tested by Carrie