Bobbi Brown Essentials is marketed as a line of cosmetics and skin care for every woman, with colors anyone can wear and prices that are supposedly reasonable for the very high quality you are getting. I will say that from what I have tried, the quality is outstanding, but I have a hard time paying those unnecessarily high prices. Paying $17 for an eye shadow may be okay for one that I really liked, but not $51 for the three I really wanted, plus $24 for just one of the eye shadow brushes. My pocketbook is not that deep.

I have to admit I had no intention of getting samples when I first approached the Bobbi Brown counter. My mom was visiting from out of town, and we were on the first day of our mother-daughter shopping extravaganza. I saw the new BB counter at Nordstrom and couldn't resist investigating. The makeup artist was most helpful and was eager to perform whatever makeovers we would allow. I went for eyes and lips, Mom went just for eyes.

After about 30 minutes of painting and primping, we were done and looking oh-so-gorgeous. Now came the decision: to buy or not to buy. We decided to each buy one eye shadow (the one used as liner: Rich Brown for me, Moss for Mom), and Mom treated me to an eye definer brush. We felt sensible yet satisfied.

Then, suddenly, like a bonus from the cosmetic gods, we were awarded a collection of skin care product samples to go with our purchases! Here's a list of the samples I got plus how I feel about them:

Facial Cleanser (creme) $27 for 6oz
I'll start by saying that I really liked all of these products. I was surprised that even with my summer normal-to-oily skin, this creme cleanser removed makeup and the daily grime very well. I didn't feel the need for a toner, either, which is always nice.

Gel Facial Cleanser $27 for 6oz
The gel version of the cleanser was also nice, and surprisingly non-drying. My face reacts pretty easily with anything overly harsh, but I had no problems here.

Face Lotion $38 for 2oz
Another nice product, but not worth the money. With my skin being more on the oily side in the summer, I hardly use a moisturizer that doesn't do something else, too, like exfoliate (AHA) or protect (SPF 15).

Exfoliating Face Wash $18.50 for a tube
I liked this scrub, but it was very similar to the Garden Botanika Jojoba Scrub that I already use, which costs a lot less.