Hilda R. Smith 
A few weeks ago I made an order with Ulta to receive their Beauty Bag. When you spent $60, you would receive a big bag filled with luxury samples and products. Of the two options, I choose the rose gold makeup bag. It’s been in my office waiting for my to open! Here’s what I got and my very first impressions as I go through these goodies.
First Impression
Ulta sent the beauty bag packages in a big plastic bag. It looks like the beauty bag is packaged on its own. There are two little pieces of paper. One say “Hey Gorgeous, show us your #ultahaul” and the other is a coupon for $5 off any Ulta Brand Product purchase of $10 or more. It’s valid through July which is nice.
Makeup Bag
The rose gold makeup bag is packaged really well. I love the quality. It has a pretty gold textured design and a gold zipper. There’s a rose color showing through and at the top. It’s a generous size and I believe it would hold all the samples given. The zipper pull has a “U” for Ulta. The inside is a light satin pink.
Deep Wrinkle Hydrogel Lip Treatment
This lip treatment looks…interesting. You place the lip treatment on your lips and it helps them look smoother. The gel pack reminds me of a boo boo bag that your mother placed in the freezer for bruises. It’s the largest thing in the package.
Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
I’m really excited about this sample. The packaging is a plastic bag, but when you open it, it’s in a little pump. This is a generous size. It smells really strong, kind of like pimple cream. If this works well, I’ll buy a full size to help with scarring.
Triple Performing Facial Emulsion
This sample caught my eye because of the pretty blue packaging! It’s in a bigger box. Once I opened the box, the sample is in a glass bottle with a faux cork top. The packaging is really cute. This product from Benefit is a moisturizer that smells fresh. I’m really pleased with the size!
Sweet Fantasy Vanilla and Caramel Ulta Lotion
This lotion is a one-time use thing and it smells a little off. I don’t think it smells like vanilla or caramel. It’s way too watery and doesn’t absorb well.
Sebastian Dry Clean Only Dry Shampoo
This sample is a huge size! The sleek black can is the same size as the makeup bag. I really like the smell too! It reminds me of an expensive salon. I’ve not used this product before. This is one of the best items in the beauty bag thus far! This tiny sample is adorable. I like that it’s a pressed bronzer instead of a mineral option. It’s much easier to use. The shade is called The Skinny Dip. I switched it on my hand and it’s about one to two shades darker than my natural coloring. Even though the sample doesn’t come with a lot, it seems like more than enough to be a good deluxe sample size. It’s packaged in a little paper packet that holds the plastic flip-top sample.
Urban Decay Revolution High-Color Lip-gloss
I was nervous when I saw this paper and thought it might be a one-time sample, but then I was relieved when I opened it. There’s a tiny textured sample of their gloss. After switching it, I was impressed by the pigmentation. It’s the most pigmented “gloss” I’ve ever used. The tiny product has a doe footed applicator and no scent. This is one of my favorite things included in the bag.
AHAVA Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream
My husband and I can’t decide what this smells like. It’s a mix between an “old lady smell” and a “diaper.” The lotion seems to moisturize better than the Ulta brand, but it’s not something I want on my hands. It smells too weird. This will be a given away.
It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product
I’m still not sure what this is supposed to do. It just says on the bottle to spray it on hair after it’s been towel dried. The bottle is nice and the size is great. I’ve heard lots of good things but wouldn’t buy this for $10 myself. The smell isn’t too strong and it’s light in my hair. I’ll style my hair tomorrow and see what the fuss is about.
Pur Volume Vixen
This little mascara comes in a black package. I’d never heard of this brand before ordering this bag. The size is typical for a sample mascara. The smell is strong, like chemicals and the brush looks a little scary. It has sections sticking out that look like toothbrush bristles. I’m looking forward to trying this though!
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Moisturizer
Juice Beauty has a lot of great products! I’ve tried their face mist and really liked it. Their products are organic. This little moisturizer smells like lemons and absorbs well without being greasy. This is a good sample to be included.
Nip + Fab Skin Glycolic Fix300
When I was younger, I would use little pads a lot like this on my skin. I haven’t used any like this for years and years. These by Nip + Fab help exfoliate and are supposed to clear up skin. There aren’t a lot in this sample, but enough to get the idea of what the brand offers. The smell is strong. I haven’t had a chance to try them.
Bye Bye Under Eye
This itty bitty concealer by It Cosmetics is too cute! I think the shade will be too dark on me. I have really light skin and the shade is Neutral Medium. Bummer. It’s waterproof, anti-aging, and has full coverage! My mother-in-law likes this brand so I may give it to her. I think it’ll be way too dark on me.
Perfume Samples
There are two little perfume samples. These are freebies I could get anywhere so I just think of them as bonuses. They’re of Michael Kors and Alien by Thierry Mugler.
Closing Thoughts
I like this bag! There’s a good assortment of samples. I feel like some things (like the lip treatment gels) are just thrown in. The more expensive brands like Urban Decay are why I spent $60 to get this. The bag is super nice and would make a good Christmas gift. I think it’s a great option. I’m not sure if I would spend the $60 again for it though after seeing the samples.
