Courtesy of Escentual.com

*This is the first beauty blogpost about a blind test on Micellar Solution that is raving in the beauty market. I was sent these 7 samples from Escentual.com (http://www.escentual.com/) to try out. This is the first time I will be reviewing products, I hope it will be good enough.*

On the day of Chinese New Year, I went to Chinatown but of course, I wouldn't pass off an opportunity of shopping. I stopped by at Oxford Circus tube station and walked along Regent Street to Chinatown. I wanted to get some foot cream because my feet are peeling crazy. Crabtree & Evelyn was next door so I wandered into it and came out with tons of hand cream because they were on sale.

Anyway, this is the story that lead me to discovering Escentual.com. I came home and started using all the hand cream and fell in love with India Hicks scent, so, I logged on to Crabtree & Evelyn's website in hope to order the body lotion to find it out of stock. So I googled it and found it at Escentual.com. I ordered in on Sunday, sit back, relax and wait for it to arrive.

What surprised me is the speedy delivery and shipping handling. On the day itself, which is a Sunday, Escentual.com sent me an email telling me they despatched my item and within 2 days, I got my lotion.

The above rambling is the story of how I stumbled upon Escentual.com and love it ever since.

2 weeks ago, I saw a tweet on twitter that announced that Escentual.com was looking for 100 bloggers and beauty addicts to do a blind trial on Micellar Solutions from France that are raving in the beauty market. Bioderma is amongst the famous brands. I regret not getting them cheap while I was in Paris.

So, about 3 weeks ago, while reading my tweets, I came across this tweet by Escentual.com inviting bloggers or beauty addicts to participate in a Micellar Blind Trial. I had only been blogging for half a year and doesn't consider myself as a blogger. But beauty addict, that, I am. I had been for the past 10 years, so I think I am qualified.

Anyway, upon receiving an email confirming that I am one of the lucky hundreds to participate in the blind test, I received my parcel within 2 days. Guess what, these are what Escentual.com sent me.

I personally think that Escentual.com is way too generous. Samples together with the test. No to mention those cute dropper bottles, I feel like I am back in Chemistry class again. I had been rambling too much, lets get back to the topic here.

Here are my criteria's in testing out these samples.

• texture
• scent
• how well it removes makeup (my makeup is minimal with mascara, a little eyeliner and foundation) and cleanse
• how my skin feels after removing makeup
• how my skin feels after cleansing with my Clarins cleanser 
• how my skin feels the morning after

Sample A

• Feels like water (obviously) but with a hint of soapy feeling in it
• I like this scent very much - it smell almost nutty. Not really a hate it or love it scent but some might be put off by the scent.
• Need a few wipes to get my waterproof mascara out
• slightly sticky
• hydrated 
• less oily 

Sample B

• less soapy compared to Sample A
• I do not like this scent, it smells like laundry powder, love it on my clothes and sheets. Not so much on my skincare product
• Need a few wipes to get my waterproof mascara out
• sticky
• hydrating
• skin feels the same

Sample C

• feels like water
• I do not like this scent, perhaps more than Sample B, it reminded me of Lux body shampoo that stings my skin 
• Need a few wipes to get my waterproof mascara out
• No sticky feeling
• skin doesn't feel tight but not hydrating
• skin feels the same

Sample D

• feels like water
• lightest scent (those with scent) of the samples
• Need a few wipes to get my waterproof mascara out
• no sticky feeling
• stick feels tight and dry 
• skin feels oily

Sample E

• feels like water
• sharp scent, I prefer my skincare with more soothing scent
• Need a few wipes to get my waterproof mascara out
• no sticky feeling
• stick feels tight and dry 
• skin feels extremely comfortable

Sample F

• feels like water
• NO SCENT!!!!
• Need a few wipes to get my waterproof mascara out
• no sticky feeling
• stick feels slightly tight and dry but can be solve using toner 
• skin feels extremely comfortable

Sample G

• feels like water
• NO SCENT!!!!
• Need more than a few wipes to get my waterproof mascara out
• no sticky feeling
• stick feels tight and dry 
• skin feels extremely comfortable

Out of the 7 samples, these are my preference:

1. Sample F
2. Sample A
3. Sample G
4. Sample D
5. Sample B
6. Sample E
7. Sample C

As you can see, I am a "scent" person, the scent or lack of it plays a huge part in deciding which is my favourite. =)

So, here's my verdict on the samples, sorry that it was a bit long and might not be as good as product reviews should be, bear in mind this is my virgin review. I hope you like it though. Oh ya, they are having a French brands sale starting 1st June 2013 - don't miss it.