Samples Received & Redeemed: September 2014

September just passed by, it makes you wonder how on earth did a month flew by so fast? Even though we live on a day-by-day basis, but before we even realize, October is coming soon. And when it comes to October, it's all about prepping for Halloween and getting psyched for my post-Halloween giveaway, coming up towards the end of October. But anyway, let's focus on September for now in this much awaited post.

For the month of September, I would say it's a really good month. Samples that I thought would take ages to arrive show up at least 1.5 weeks before the month ends. Although sad to say, BreadTalk as usual is just plain taking their own sweet time to follow up on some "issues". In short, BreadTalk successfully ruined 2 Singaporeans Mid-Autumn Festival due to human error. And I say human error, since I doubt BreadTalk is so advanced that they can invent a machine or a bot that knows how to send out emails. (They should just demote the human to office boy or office girl rank if he or she is so incapable of checking and re-checking emails prior to sending them out. I know nothing about the finer art of computer programming, but I at least knew that not everything is a technical glitch and that the "CC" space in email inboxes are good for hiding email addresses if you are mass-sending emails out.)

Initially, I didn't want to chase after BreadTalk, but after a serious discussion with my mother who raised the issue of responsibility and integrity. I decided to pursue BreadTalk, also partly because Yi Teng was also a victim of BreadTalk's "technical glitch". Let's face it, you make a mistake, you own up to it and settle it as soon as you humanely possibly can. It goes to show that you care for your customers. But noooo, when Yi Teng first emailed BreadTalk, they tried to shake her off with "It's a technical glitch issue". Like seriously, there has to be a someone manning the corporate email. How can a person's carelessness become a technical glitch when the person involved doesn't even know a single thing called "checking" or "proof-reading"?

Anyways, they tried to stall Yi Teng to the point where she almost gave up. And that's when I took over the "I'mma chase you and hunt you down to the ends of this planet until I get my prize". Besides, BreadTalk claimed that me and Yi Teng won, therefore they should have the courtesy of replacing the mooncakes with vouchers, without even having us nag at them. Current status? Still awaiting the marketing-in-charge dude to get back to me and Yi Teng with regards to our vouchers.

Anyhow, let's just stick to happier things such as sample collecting for the month of September. In case of any miscommunication, I can still carry on shaming BreadTalk in this space here. Hmph!

I was browsing around 7-Eleven after paying my phone and credit card bills when I chanced upon a copy of Simply Her and they had a Shokubutsu Body foam sample giveaway. The magazine wasn't even expensive in the first month and since it's only that 1 magazine I would buy just for the sake of the sample. I got a copy. I've seen Shokubutsu shower foams from when I was a teenager, but my mother disallowed me from buying a bottle because she heard from her friends what it doesn't seem to wash off thoroughly. The truth is that, it's because your skin is moisturized from the shower foam, hence it feels as if it cannot be washed off thoroughly.

This is the Shokubutsu Gentle Care Body Foam with Chamomile & Peace Leaf scent, at 40ml from the "Soothe & Rejuvenate" series :D

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Old issues have been recalled back, you might have to get back to Singapore Press Holdings for back/old issues and check if the samples are still available.

The Sample Store previously had a Nivea sample up for grabs, but when I tried to redeem it, it claimed that I had redeemed it before. Which I probably did and forgot about it LOL Anyways, I got a nice surprise when I received the sample despite the website not allowing me to, alongside with an additional Hada Labo sample.

• Nivea Body Intensive Moisture Serum SPF 25PA+++ @ 30ml
• Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion @ 20ml

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Stocks are fully redeemed.

Brand's Innershine was previously hosting a sampling giveaway for their Collagen500 Powder. I initially wanted it, but then they wanted us to follow them on Instagram and I only follow Instagram accounts that featured bentos mostly. So, yeah, I cheated and didn't follow them :/ I mean, they already asked for my personal details, like mailing address, email address and phone number and yet they still want you to follow them on Instagram. It's a bit too much though :(

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Redemption is over.

My Beauty Diary has previously hosting a sampling activity for their newest and latest Mask range. It's the Aroma Series Mask, fancy that! Anyways, I requested for mine and got this in return:

• My Beauty Diary Vanilla Moisturizing Aroma Mask @ 23ml
• White Formula Super Moist Light Toner with Hyaluronic Acid @ 3ml

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: I'm not sure if the link is still working as successful redemption meant that you cannot see whether the sample is still available for redemption unless you have another secondary FB account that has not done any sample redemption at all. But to try your luck, go over to My Beauty Diary Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MyBeautyDiarySg, Like their FB page as a fan first. Next, click on the link that says REDEEM FREE SAMPLE. Just fill in your details and wait for the sample to arrive in your mailbox :D

Went to JEM Sephora to stock up on my foundation powder, but they were sold out :( They are always sold out whenever I have to get a new foundation, why oh why? Anyway, I browsed around the hair section as I know they have one there. And stood in front of the John Masters products for a good 30 minutes. Seems too good to be true and on-the-spot product reviews I pulled from the Internet seemed to suggest that it's a product that really works, so I grabbed a stimulating shampoo and the purifying serum as well. Along the way, if you have a membership with JEM and spend at least $80 or $90 on the day itself, you can redeem a box of Organic Tea (which was redeemable from Marks & Spencers LOL).

I love to grab my noms at JEM, so it wasn't that hard to hit the required amount, along with the John Masters purchases LOL Although the M&S staff was a little, erm, excited when I told him I would like to grab the Organic Green Tea xD

• John Masters Organics Spearmint & Meadowsweet Scalp Stimulating shampoo @ 236ml
• John Masters Organics Deep Scalp Purifying Serum @ 59ml
• Marks & Spencer Organic Pure Green Tea @ 20 teabags

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Not sure if there's anymore "minimum" spending rewards are still available on the last day of September though. You might want to check beforehand before spending.

After I had my new haircut, I was trying my hardest to maintain the bob-like look for my new haircut since I know my hair tend to have the tendency to "curl" in weird directions after I stepped out of the shower. I read about this product in a magazine and finally managed to see it after realizing I was standing in front of the wrong products at Watsons LOL

Toni & Guy Prep Heat Protection Mist @ 75ml. I have a hair dryer, but I don't have any products that I can use to protect my hair prior to blowing dry it, hence the desperate hunt for this little bottle xD

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: No samples for redemption.

My previous Chia Seed Boosting Essence was running dangerously low and it was time to replenish my stock. Along the way, I realized that with a minimum amount of spending, I get to redeem a travel-sized product to try out. Anyway, I got:

• Clean Face Anti-Trouble Spot @ 10ml
• New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Heating Gel Mask @ 50ml
• Chia Seed Boosting Essence @ 80ml

For the Gift-with-Purchase, I chose the Raspberry Roots Sleeping Mask @ 30ml and got some more of the same product sample sachets. Kinda been eyeing this little gem for a while now but not sure if it's effective for me. So, I was rather glad I got to redeem this travel-sized tube to try out before getting the actual retail-sized version :D

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: You can try out the pre-opened sample bottles and tubes at any The Face Shop outlets in Singapore :D

Gerber's was hosting a sampling activity, and sometimes, I just love trying kiddie food. Simple and fuss-free, yep, I am lazy when it comes to eating too ^^; I got the Gerber Graduates Grabbers Apple, Manga & Strawberry flavour @ 120g.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Unable to find redemption link :(

Working in air-conditioned environments meant dry and easily irritable eyes. I've been longing to buy a decent brand for a while now, but I always gave up. There's just too much choices, with each one touting to be better than the previous one. Since The Sample Store has giving out this sample, I just grabbed it and give it a try first. Besides, I'm a regular sufferer of red, sore eyes and the last time it happened, I was unable to work at least 2 weeks since my eyes totally turned all red with the blood veins showing really drastically on the whites of my eyes D:

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: There are still stocks left for redemption over at The Sample Store.

John Frieda Facebook page was previously hosting a sampling activity. I redeemed a John Frieda Frizz Ease Original 6 Effects Serum @ 5ml.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Go over to John Frieda Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/johnfrieda.sg, Like the page as a fan first. Next, click on the Redeem a Sample link. Simply fill up your particulars, answer some simple questions and they will mail the samples to your mailbox.

Metro Singapore was previously encouraging new signups for their membership card. As I wear out my work shoes very often, around 6-8 months before holes of varying shapes show up on the sides of my leather loafers. I decided to just get the card for discounts and privileges when I need to get a new pair of work shoes. Let's just say, I need not have to spend $300 just to get the card, it's free when I sign-up for it :D

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: I'm not sure if the membership page is still working, but you can head on over to https://apps.facebook.com/faims_formc_a/?pid=173432955334

Vichy from L'Oreal Paris was having a sampling activity. I redeemed:

• Vichy Normaderm Tri-activ anti-imperfection hydrating care @ 1.5ml x 2 sample sachets
• Vichy Normaderm Night Detox @ 1.5ml x 2 sample sachets

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Sample Redemption is over.

SilkPro Silkbath was previously hosting a sampling activity. I redeemed a SilkPro SilkBath Soothing Balance Vanilla & Blue Daisy sample sachet @ 10ml.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Go over to https://uvaquawhite.typeform.com/to/txVjmP and fill in your details + a really short survery/questionnaire. Wait for the sample to arrive in your mailbox.

I was one of the lucky winners for the Laneige Birthday wish contest on FB. After a few emails confirming with Laneige on my real name, IC number and whatnots for easier identification as I'm using an online alias. Collecting my prize was a breeze. Although unfortunately, I managed to arrive really close to lunch-time, so, going up was a breeze but leaving the building was really mind-boggling. So many people in the lift!!

Here's a look at the back of the product won.

The product case actually looks like a flat pencil-box :D

Everything looks so colorful xD The scents are (from left to right):

• Soap Powdery
• Aqua Fresh
• Lavender
• Musk
• Wine
• Jasmine & Bergamot
• Mandarin

Each tube is 10ml and there's 7 different scents to it ❤❤❤

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: No samples for redemption.

I joined and won the ezyhealth promo contest. My prize consists of:

• Vitabiotics Osteocare Calcium x 8 tablets @ 2 sample packs
• Vitabiotics Osteocare Liquid Calcium x 2 bottles @ 200ml each

Recommended servings as stated on the back.

As usual, the receptionist is a biatch. As soon as I walked into the reception area, wheezing and out-of-breath, the first words out of her month wasn't a "Are you alright?". It's a "It's lunch time, there's no one here." Like wow, aren't you a human? Isn't there another human standing in front of your face, sending a parcel to your office? <_< And she next proceeded to punctuate and end her every sentence with "Please take note of the time" repeatedly. I know I'm at least 30 minutes past the first collection time, but their place is so ulu that it's impossible to show up just seconds or even minutes before anyone goes out for lunch. It's either squeeze with the morning office crowd and reach there looking like a disheveled being or going home with the office crowd that happened to be able to leave their office before 5pm...

Besides, who the hell goes for a 2.5 hours lunch break? My lunch/dinner break is only 45 minutes. I just felt like answering her with "Please take note of your ulu location next time" every time she end her sentence with "Please take note of the time". Even if there's only 1 person in-charge of the prizes, the person-in-charge should at least delegate someone else to take over in the event of a lunch-break, isn't it?

It's always an unpleasant and unhappy experience when it comes to redeeming my prize from ezyhealth. But for the sake of trying out new calcium and health products for my weak bones and health, I'll just suck it up with the receptionist's attitude for now.. (T_T)

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: There's always new contests for different health products on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.

Dove was previously hosting a sampling activity for their latest and newest released hair product. I redeemed a Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Nutri-Oil Serum with Nutri-Oil Essence @ 40ml.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Sample Redemption is over.

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? Also includes updates to health, beauty & lifestyle tips at least once a day. It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt them down :)