Monthly Archives

November 2016

Highlighters MAC

MAC In the Spotlight Strobe Creams and Extra Dimension Skinfinishes

November 19, 2016

MAC In the Spotlight

MAC recently launched new Strobe Creams ($33 each) and Extra Dimension Skinfinishes ($33 each) in their In The Spotlight Collection. I’ve been such a huge fan of the original Strobe Cream (now called Pinklite) and the scent is something that calms me. It has a soft opalescent pink tint to it that I find suitable to use all over the face over moisturizer and under foundation to give the skin a smooth natural glow. MAC describes it as a moisturizer and it does hydrate the skin although I find I still need to use my regular moisturizer. I’m thrilled they launched more shades as it really does give the skin a nice but subtle brightening effect.

A look at the five new shades which include different undertones in the shimmer:

  • Silverlite has a cool-toned silver sheen
  • Goldlite has a warm yellow gold undertone
  • Peachlite has a soft flesh peach tone
  • Redlite has a pink red flash
  • Pinklight is the original with an opal iridescent color

MAC Strobe Cream New Shades Silverlite Goldlight Peachlite Redlite Pinklite

Swatches below straight out of the tube and then blended for you to see how the sheen looks on the skin. Note if you blend all the way it almost disappears into the skin for a very natural non-frosted sheen.

MAC Strobe Cream swatches

MAC Strobe Cream swatches

My favorite is Peachlite with Goldlite in close second. I still really like the original one Pinklite, but I’ve forever been searching for highlighters like this with a warm beige or warm peach undertone that I can wear all over the face. The Peachlite color is similar to the Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow but I prefer the MAC for all over the face while I prefer the Charlotte Tilbury for mixing into foundations.

Up next are the Extra Dimension Skinfinishes. I love this formula and have collected most of the shades in previous launches. This launch has highlighters that are significantly more strobe like with a duochrome like shimmer. Upon first swipe I was almost 100% sure that these would be too shimmery or sparkly for my skin.

A look at the four colors, my favorites are Show Gold and Double Gleam:

  • Show Gold looks like it has a gold base but it pulls more pink when swatched
  • Soft Frost is a cool violet blue white shimmer
  • Beaming Blush is a pink gold sparkle
  • Double Gleam is a beige in the pan but pulls more champagne like

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish swatches

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish

As you can see from the Extra Dimension Skinfinish swatches this collection as shades that are more trendy and sparkly. I really like the finish of Double Gleam on the skin, especially as a soft highlight on the cheeks or on the eyes. But I do suspect they will be a bit too sparkly for some.

Overall I love that MAC added new Strobe Cream Shades. I usually apply just with my fingers or palms of my hands but you can also use a cream product brush if you prefer. If you haven’t tried it before I highly recommend you do! For the Extra Dimension Skinfinishes I’ve found the best way to apply is with any skunk brush – the MAC 187 is my favorite because of the size and it also holds up well with regular washing.

You can find the MAC In the Spotlight Collection out now, also online at MAC and Nordstrom.

Press samples provided for Strobe Cream and two Extra Dimension Skinfinishes. Beaming Blush and Double Gleam purchased by me.

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Uncategorized

Loving Right Now

November 18, 2016

Flatlay Desktop Decor Beauty Look Book

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you had a great week. Some of you may have noticed I switched up the design of the blog and my site went through some updates. A few of you have been kind enough to message me and let me know you aren’t able to access new content from the home page, I hope everything is fixed now! Kindly shoot me an email if you can’t see the Glossier Black Tie Set review or the Holiday Beauty Gifts and Stocking Stuffers Under $50 guide. Or if you’ve posted comments but don’t see them show up also let me know via [email protected].

On my desktop I have the new Coveteur Book and Capture Your Style – both which I’ve been able to peek at here and there over the past few busy days. I can’t wait to dive in as I’m such a huge fan of both blogs.

Five things I’m loving right now include:

I wanted to thank everyone for entering my giveaway a few weeks ago – I’ve enjoyed reading all of your questions you have and will pick a few and answer them in a fun get-to-know-me post after Thanksgiving. A quick note on upcoming posts:

  • I did a teaser on Instagram of the new Tom Ford Lips and Boys – there are 25 new shades and 25 repromoted colors that will launch at Sephora.com on November 24th and the rest of the stores will receive them on Black Friday, I’m busy doing lip swatches right now and will have the post up soon in case you’re ordering online, this year there are mattes!
  • Many of you wanted swatches of the MAC Extra Dimension Finishes and Strobe Creams from the In the Spotlight Collection. Post scheduled to go live tomorrow (Saturday!)
  • More holiday gift guides to be posted in the next week!
  • I have an exclusive coming up on Wednesday the 23rd that I’m dying to share with you but can’t yet. It’s something that Beauty Look Book readers are going to get early access to and I’m really really excited!
  • And yes the Louis Vuittons Perfume post is going to happen, I just don’t know when I’ll be able to fit it in, but I’ll review all the scents as I bought the mini sampler set

I hope you all enjoy your Friday and have a wonderful weekend! If you have anything you are loving right now I’d love to hear about them. Hopefully the comment function will resume working soon! xoxo

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Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Beauty Gifts and Stocking Stuffers Under $50

November 17, 2016

Best Beauty Gifts Under $50

The holidays are approaching and if you’ve started to look for gifts I have a roundup of some super cute beauty gifts under $50. There are tons of great gift sets and minis at Nordstrom and I’ve teamed up with them to share some of my favorites. I like their site because it’s easy to shop their gift section and filter by pretty much any category like him, her, kids, home and also by price point.

Up first are some cute lip sets which I actually want to keep for myself. I love the minis because they’re a great way to try tons of colors, you can use them up quickly or you can split them up for stocking stuffers or little gift bags. Three that caught my eye include: the Clinique Tiny Temptations which as 20 minis of their Chubby Stick in the most adorable pink tin, Fresh Sugar Lip Charmers which has 4 mini lip balms, and the Fresh Sugar Bliss Cracker. There are tons of options from both brands under the $50 price point so I’ll link them below.

Clinique Tiny Temptations Set and Fresh Sugar Lip Sets Holiday 2016Clinique Tiny Temptations and Fresh Sugar Lip Sets

Kiehl’s always has the best skincare sets for both men and women. It’s one line my husband loves and he got into the line when I bought him a starter set a few years ago. Since then I’ve bought quite a few for him, my brother and my brother-in-law. This year they have great eye-catching packaging. I picked up the Jeremyville Healthy Skin For Him (it’s only $26) and also the Must-Haves Mini Masque Set. (I’m keeping the mask trio for me!) Sometimes finding universally appealing gifts are challenging. If you’re the type who wants to get multiples of the same sets for all your loved ones to make things easy, I really don’t think you can go wrong with Kiehl’s.

Kiehl's Holiday Skincare Grooming Set and Mask Trio Minis

A closer look at the masks – have you tried these? I cannot wait to test them out!

Kiehl's Must Have Mini Mask Trio

Rounding up some more gift sets, all still under $50 although there are more options online at higher price points if you want to splurge 🙂

For the hair lover, two favorites are the Drybar and Moroccanoil. They have great minis and this year the Drybar has the Four-Pack with the Money Maker Hairspray, Sparkling Soda Shine Mist, Detox Dry Shampoo and Tripe Sec Spray. You can buy the minis separately (most of them start at $13 each) but the set gives you a price break with some savings. Moroccanoil has a cute mini Moroccanoil Ornament for $15. There are also some nice value gift sets this holiday. It’s my husband’s favorite line and one of mine as well. He likes it so much he uses the hydrating shampoo and conditioner to wash our dogs so they smell good (yes I’m horrified he does this!).

Drybar Four Pack Spray and Moroccanoil Mini Ornament

 

Jo Malone, Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown all have great beauty gifts to choose from as well. Jo Malone always created the most elegant splurge gifts. Most are on the spendy side but there are a few options under $50, one is the Christmas Cracker Set which has a mini Mimosa and Cardamom Body Cream, Basil and Neroli Cologne, Blackberry and Bay Body Wash. For the vanilla or sweet scent lover, Laura Mercier has the Hand and Body Creme Collection for $32. This year’s set has Almond Coconut Milk Hand & Body Crème, Ambre Vanillé Hand & Body Crème, Crème Brûlée Hand & Body Crème and Tarte au Citron Hand & Body Crème. For the mascara lover Bobbi Brown Party All Night Duo has the No Smudge and Eye Opening Mascara. I love the Eye Opening one and wanted to buy it anyways to stock up so I picked up the duo to try the other one.

Jo Malone Holiday Cracker Laura Mercier Body Hand Cream Minis Bobbi Brown Party Mascara Duo

Last but not least MAC and Nordstrom have an exclusive Nutcracker Sweet Nude Mineralize Kit. It has a mini mineralize skinfinish, full size mineralize lipstick and lipgloss in a bright zipped makeup bag. My friends love MAC and a handful ask for something MAC-related every year for Christmas. There are tons of great options in makeup, sets, minis and brushes. This one is one of my favorites but if you’re a nude pink lip lover be sure to check out the Nutcracker Sweet Nude Lip Kit too.

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Nude Mineralize Kit Nordstrom

That wraps up my Nordstrom Beauty Holiday Gift Picks for sets and minis under $50. If you’re shopping online don’t forget to check their Gift With Purchase page as it gets updated frequently. If you have any recommendations please let me know in the comments. Please note that I’m working to get the comment section up and working – my site is going through some updates this week and there are areas I’m working to get fixed. If you have issues – shoot me an e-mail [email protected] and let me know what errors if any you’re seeing.

Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!

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Glossier

Glossier Black Tie Set for Holiday 2016

November 16, 2016

Glossier Black Tie Set

Glossier just launched their limited-edition Black Tie Set ($50) for holiday and it comes packaged in the cutest white box with a satin black ribbon. Inside you get four full-sized beauty products including a clear lip gloss, No. 1 Eye Pencil in Graphite, Nail Polish in #glossierpink and Haloscope Highlighter in Moonstone. The packaging is so perfect: cute, feminine, glam all in one and I just couldn’t resist ordering one out of curiosity and I’m glad I did.

Glossier Black Tie Set

The set is designed to give you a “Glossier party look.” To me all the items have an understated, subtle barely-there kind of glow rather than a party vibe unless you’re the kind of girl who likes to party without much makeup. When I think about each item individually: I really didn’t need another clear lip gloss, I have a number of highlighters that I already love and use, the graphite liner is something I wouldn’t really pick out on my own as I tend to gravitate towards bronze shades, and the pink nail polish seemed a bit basic. In spite of all these feelings I still really love this set and love the youthful fun vibe it gives. Thoughts on each of the items:

  • The Glossier Lip Gloss is clear but comes with a pink tint giving it a special girly kind of feel. It’s thick and slightly sticky but not tacky.
  • The Moonstone cheek highlighter is very sheer and dewy with a youthful feel. It has an emollient feel with a dewy finish reminding me of the RMS Living Luminizer but in packaged in a twist up tube.
  • The #glossierpink nail polish exceeded my expectations in formula and the brush is really good. Almost a Dior kind of good. The color appears to be your basic kind of pink but on the fingers with two coats it has extremely good smooth coverage and gives a feminine dainty kind of feel. It lasted on my hands for a good 7 days without any tip wear but you do need to use a good base coat to make it stick/adhere to the nails. I used Formula X The System Originals base and top coat when testing.
  • The No. 1 Pencil in Graphite is a shimmery gunmetal, it has just the right amount of shimmer without being glittery, texture is smooth

Glossier Black Tie Set - Holiday 2016

A closer look at each item, first swatches of the whole set:

Glossier Black Tie Set Swatches

The Lip Gloss:

Glossier Black Tie Set Lip Gloss

Glossier Black Tie Set Lip Gloss Swatch

The Eyeliner in Graphite and Haloscope Highlighter in Moonstone:

Glossier Holiday 2016Glossier Black Tie Set for Holiday 2016

Haloscope Highlighter comparison swatches:

Glossier Moonstone, Quartz and Topaz

#Glossierpink Nail Polish:

#Glossierpink Nail Polish

Glossier Black Tie Set for Holiday 2016

Look, wearing all the items this set and Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation/Concealer in Bisque set with Laura Mercier Candleglow Setting Powder #2.

Glossier Black Tie Set Beauty Look

One last look below of the nail polish, it’s applied with two coats:

Glossier Black Tie Set for Holiday 2016

Overall I love the set even if it doesn’t really give me a party look. I did expect to like it as much as I do especially since I think Glossier items more for the super minimalist no-makeup kind of girl. The items are still well made and fun. There’s a very youthful vibe to this set which I think is what appeals to me. The packaging is just too cute. I love that the clear gloss has a pinkish tint to the formula.

The set is limited-edition and retails for $50, available exclusively online at Glossier. You can save 10% off your first order by clicking this referral link. I think this was worth the price and am really happy with everything. If you’ve tried this set or other Glossier items let me know in the comments!

Quick note – I’ve had some site updates and changes and it appears some of you haven’t been able to post comments. I’m working to get this fixed, in the meantime thank you for your patience!

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Charlotte Tilbury

Holiday Glam with Charlotte Tilbury World of Legendary Parties and Film Noir Nights Set

November 14, 2016

Charlotte Tilbury’s beauty line is one of the most glamorous cosmetic and skincare lines I’ve tried. The first items I bought from her line were the Filmstar Bronze and Glow and K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipsticks and I’ve been hooked ever since. For holiday she has some beautiful gift options I think anyone would love to receive and I’m excited to give you a look at two limited-edition sets for this season including her World of Legendary Parties 2016 Holiday Advent Calendar ($200) and Film Noir Night Lipstick and Eyeliner Set ($49). Both are truly gorgeous.

Up first is the World of Legendary Parties gift set. It’s hands down one of the most luxurious beauty sets for this holiday. Charlotte Tilbury describes this as containing her “beauty secrets in 12 magical makeup cabinets,” and of course when she adds the words “magic” to any of her products I’m immediately intrigued. The set is boxed in the most adorable pink, plum and gold printed box with pull out drawers. Each little compartment reveals a beauty treat. A look inside the box:

The gift box contains 12 beauty products. At $200 this is quite the splurge but it does contain five full-size products with a total retail value of $135 so the remaining $65 for 7 minis is pretty reasonable. I’ll add notes on items I’ve tried before:

  • Mini Magic Cream 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz – I’ve bought and finished up a full-size of this and loved it, it’s a great everyday moisturizer that hydrates, smoothes and replumps the skin, the full size is spendy but a little goes a long way and mine lasted over a year (I used mine around 2-3x per week because I alternate moisturizers)
  • Mini Wonderglow 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz is a what she calls an Instant Flash Primer, it’s a liquid illuminator you can use all over the face on top of moisturizer and under foundation to give the skin a glow or mix in with your foundation to add a diffused shimmer glow, it’s very natural and sheer and gives the skin a lovely dewy finish without being too shimmery or thick
  • Mini Multi Miracle Glow 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz is deep cleaning face balm that transforms from a cream to oil when massaged into the skin, you can also use this as an overnight mask and will leave your skin baby soft, if you find cleansing oils too runny this balm is a great alternative because it won’t slide around your face or into your eyes
  • Mini Goddess Skin Clay Mask 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz is one of the few items I’ve tried from her line that I wasn’t crazy about but this is a very hydrating mask and as I have normal combination skin this one was too rich for me, but my girl friends swear by it
  • Mini Take It All Off Eye Makeup Remover 30 ml / 1.0 fl oz is something I’ve had on my wishlist for ages but always! It’s a gentle soothing remover that’s effective
  • Mini Supermodel Body 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz is such a pretty champagne golden body shimmer, I don’t usually wear body shimmers but in the summer I love this one on the legs or shoulders on date nights

 

  • Full Size Eyes to Mesmerise: Marie Antoinette 7 ml / .24 fl oz is one of the prettiest champagne tan brown shimmers, I bought 5 of the 6 shades she has and it’s among my top picks for cream shadows, they’re great for an all over wash on the lids for an easy look – just add liner and mascara with this one and your look is complete
  • Full Size K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick: Penelope Pink is one of the best nude pinks that won’t wash out my complexion or pigmented lips
  • Full Size Colour Chameleon: Black Diamonds 1.6 g / 0.06 oz is a pretty sparking grey black with silver flecks, this one is perfect for a smokey eye with sparkle especially for the upcoming holiday season
  • Full Size Exclusive Pocket Pout: Jessica Red 3.5 g / 0.12 oz is a dramatic true red in a small mirrored compact with an embossed lip print, see the swatches below, it’s the ultimate glam red
  • Mini Legendary Lashes 4 ml / 0.13 fl oz
  • Full Size Lip Lustre: Sweet Stiletto 3.5 ml / 0.12 oz is the perfect medium pink with a hint of warmth

 

 A closer look at the box:

 

 

 

Next is the Film Noir Night Lipstick and Eyeliner Set which has a Matte Revolution Lipstick in Opium Noir (full size 3.5 g / 0.12 oz) in a deep plum red vamp and Rock N Kohl in Bedroom Black (also full size 1.2 g / 0.04 oz). It’s cased in a plum and rose gold box that has a little mirror with lights inside. I’ve tried other shades of her Matte Revolution lipstick (reviewed and swatched here) and it’s among the best in mattes that I’ve tried. I’ve also tested out a few other shades of her Rock N Kohl eyeliner but hadn’t tried the black before. It’s an ultra smooth eyeliner that is rich, deep, doesn’t tug and stays put along my upper lashes all day. Right now Opium Noir is exclusive to this set. The look for this is perfect for a fall to winter dramatic but simple classic kind of look.

 

 

 

 

Below are swatches of all the lip products in both sets, and as always swatches are on bare lips. For skintone reference I’m wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in Shade #6 with Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder in Shade #2 (the powder is my holy grail and I’ve hit pan on several).

 

 

One last look:

 

 

Bottom line: glamorous and gorgeous. Her products are splurge-worthy and if you have someone extra special you want to surprise this holiday season there are lots of Gift Options at different price points on her Gifts For Her page. The quality is always on point and pigment and textures work very well to look good with a healthy flush of color. She has a wide range of lip colors and her nudes/pinks are very good and they work on my pigmented lips without washing out the complexion. If you haven’t checked out her holiday Legendary Muse Eyeshadow Palette I think it’s a holiday must (also available in this cute Dreamy Look in a Clutch set).

 

Have you checked out the holiday launches yet? If yes which ones? If not do you have any favorites from her line? You can find both her World of Legendary Parties 2016 Holiday Advent Calendar ($200) and Film Noir Night Lipstick and Eyeliner Set ($49) online at Charlotte Tilbury.

 

Many thanks to Charlotte Tilbury for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions my own.

 

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Eye Makeup Highlighters Holiday Gift Guide Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes and Lip Foil Picks – Holiday 2016

November 12, 2016
Tom Ford Winter Soleil 2016 - The Beauty Look Book

The Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil collection has been on my radar for weeks now and I finally caved and splurged on the Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes in Warm and Cool ($155 each for 0.45 oz / 12.8 g) and four of the Lip Foils ($53 each for 0.1 oz / 3 g). I’m getting this post up quickly for those who are Sephora VIBs in case you want swatches to help you decide on purchasing decisions for the sale so I haven’t been able to do extensive testing. This is going to be more of a first impressions post but having used Tom Ford beauty products for years I can pretty much tell how they will perform right away. Everything is cased in the white and gold packaging with a glowy shimmery feel for holiday. 

Up first are the Lip Foils which are ultra shimmery lipsticks. They have ultra fine mica to give them a reflective look and feel making them almost like foil. If you don’t like frost I’d recommend you try to see if you can swatch before buying sight unseen as these are pricey. I find adding a clear gloss or balm on top helps soften the foiled look (I do it with a lot of MAC Frost Lipsticks). I swatched these at the counter and wanted all six of the colors but limited myself to four.

Tom Ford Winter Soleil 2016 - The Beauty Look Book

Private Life is stunning warm gold foil, Spanish Flame is a peachy metallic, Venus Rising is a cool pink frost, Seadragon is the most stunning metallic plum I’ve ever seen. Pigment is excellent and smooth with easy to build color. Texture is smooth but since these are very metallic they look frosty on the lips. They have a comforting smooth feel on the lips and while they aren’t hydrating they don’t dry out the lips. My heart belongs to Venus Rising and Seadragon but as I know shimmer might not be your thing these won’t be everyone.

Tom Ford Winter Soleil 2016 Lip Foils - The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Winter Soleil 2016 - The Beauty Look Book

All four shown on my bare lips, for foundation I’m wearing the Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation in Bisque reviewed and swatched in this post here.

Tom Ford Winter Soleil 2016 Lip Foils - The Beauty Look Book

Two sets of comparisons, note that the Lips and Boys I have were from previous years so some of the shades you might not be available anymore.

Set 1:
Dior Diorific Matte Lipstick in Golden (review here)
Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Rory (from 2014, review here)
Tom Ford Lip Foil in Private Life
Tom Ford Lip Color in Guilty Pleasure (review here)
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer in Skinnydip (review here)
Tom Ford Lip Color in Spanish Pink
Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in First Time (review here)

Set 2:
Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Quiver (on lips here)
Tom Ford Lip Foil Venus Rising
Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Ansel, Jake, Jude, Drake, Daniel (from 2015, on lips here)
MAC Frost Lipstick in Plum Dandy
MAC Frost Lipstick in “O”

Tom Ford Winter Soleil 2016 - The Beauty Look Book

Up next are the Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes which I completely love – 100%! It’s hard to pick a favorite as both are very good. The texture of the blush and highlighters are silky smooth and buttery soft. The blushes have a lovely natural looking glow on the complexion while I find the highlighters to be more shimmery. The pigment is soft but impressive. Eyeshadows have a mix of shimmer and glitters and are also incredibly soft and well pigmented. They apply on the lids effortlessly for a lovely glow. Both are on the glowy shimmery side.

Both are cased in white and gold rectangular compacts that have an almost clutch-like look to them. They are well made even though they are plastic and have a magnetic closure – for some reason I really like the way the compacts close.

The Soleil Eye and Cheek Palette in Cool has a cool pink blush, cool light pink highlighter, glitter light pink, glitter light lilac, shimmery violet grey, deep plum shimmer. If I were forced to pick just one I would pick this one which surprised me as I usually prefer warmer tones.

Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil 2016 Eye Cheek Palette Cool - The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil 2016 Eye Cheek Palette Cool - The Beauty Look Book

The Soleil Eye and Cheek Palette in Warm is simply stunning. It only has 1 glitter eyeshadow color. Shades in this are a yellow gold, warm tan gold glitter, soft sandy champagne tan, satiny brown and a soft champagne highlighter.

Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil 2016 Eye Cheek Palette Warm - The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil 2016 Eye Cheek Palette Warm - The Beauty Look Book

Palettes next to each other so you can see the undertone difference:
Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil 2016 Eye Cheek Palettes - The Beauty Look Book

As many of you might be wondering how the shadows in these holiday palettes might compare to existing Tom Ford Eye Color Quads I pulled three to compare including Orchid Haze, Seductive Rose and Nude Dip.

Tom Ford Orchid Haze, Soleil Eye/Cheek Cool, Seductive Rose, Soleil Warm, Nude Dip

All of these made a significant dent in my wallet but I’m thrilled with everything. If I had to narrow down my picks I would skip two of the lip foils in Private Life and Spanish Flame simply because I have similar shimmery colors in my current stash.

I think both palettes are must haves but I am a die hard Tom Ford Beauty fan and love all things glowy that come in pretty packages. These fulfill all of my makeup dreams in terms of palettes and while I do think they should be priced at lower price points, given the price tag of their quads I think it does make sense. I think my readers are split in how they feel about shimmer. I do think everything in this collection is more on the shimmery and glowy side, but I really love the palettes and the lip foils can be toned down easily with clear gloss.

There are a few more items in the Winter Soleil Collection including 2 more Lip Foils in Creme Conque (gorgeous light pink) and Aperture (stunning bronze), Soleil Blanc Dry Oil Spray, Face Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 50 and a Soleil Brush Kit. All are very spendy and as I already have the Soleil Blanc perfume I decided to stick with it (although I haven’t tried the spray, I forgot to check at the counter).

The Winter Soleil collection is limited-edition. You can find all items at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Net-A-Porter, Sephora, Selfridges and other Tom Ford Beauty locations. If you’re a Sephora VIB don’t forget you can save 20% off your orders with code 20VIB through 11/14.

These have been out for a few weeks now, did you check out anything yet?

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Sephora

Sephora Beauty Haul + Sephora VIB 20% Off Sale Info

November 11, 2016
The Beauty Look Book Sephora Sale Haul - Holiday 2016

I have my huge Sephora sale haul post for those who wanted to know what I bought during the VIB Rouge sale last week. For those who have VIB Member Status the 20% off Sephora Sale starts today 11/11 and runs through 11/14/2016 with code 20VIB if you’re shopping online at Sephora.com. You can use the code multiple times online and there are no product or brand exclusions. Up first are staples I stocked up on:

The Beauty Look Book Sephora Sale Haul - Holiday 2016

Left to right:

  • Glamglow Supercleanse Daily Clearing Cleanser is something I bought in the 1 oz travel size, I have the full size but it’s nice to have a mini on hand for travel or mini trips, original review here in case you want more details
  • First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish is one of the most gentle face scrubs I’ve used, in recent years I’ve stopped using most scrubs because I have very sensitive skin, this one is a good one!
  • Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut is pretty much the only brand of deodorant I use, I don’t sweat a lot so I can’t say how well this holds up for those who do sweat a lot, but it lasts all day, isn’t irritating, smells great and aluminum-free, sometimes on days I’m in a rush it’s all I wear and I get compliments from random strangers saying “you smell really good, what are you wearing?”
  • Sephora Collection The Cleanse Daily Brush Cleaner is one of my favorite quick-clean kind of sprays, it won’t clean brushes 100% but it’s great for powder shadow or blush brushes (anything powder like bronzer, highlighter etc.) – also available n a mini size
  • Make Up For Ever Mist and Fix is one of the best makeup setting sprays I’ve tried although I have to say that I have not tried that many, ones I have tried are just ok, but this one is great, it sets makeup, makes powder look less powdery without messing up your makeup, helps extend wear, has no scent, and is also availble in a mini size
  • Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt has been featured here before and a single tub will last a long time, I use it 1x per week to every other week now and am getting close to finishing another one so I stocked up, review here and here in case you’re curious
  • Sephora Collection Soft Touch Cotton Pads are great basic cotton pads that won’t leave fibers in your eyes, I stocked up on 3 packs because apparently my husband has been using mine although he doesn’t use toner or need/use makeup remover so I’m not sure what he’s using them for, either way they are inexpensive even without the discount and don’t disintegrate
  • YSL L’Homme Deodorant is a restock for my husband and it’s one of his favorite deodorants of all time, he has sensitive under arms but this one works for him – I bought it because the Sephora sales rep told me it was “the best” he tried and that I would not regret buying it, he was right! My husband loves the smell and I love the smell, it lasts all day on him and is non-irritating, he wants me to tell you that he thinks it will make a good stocking stuffer for guys, lol
Next are some sets that I found interesting and ordered online because of overwhelmingly positive customer reviews. One is being returned.
The Beauty Look Book Sephora Sale Haul - Holiday 2016

Shown above:

  • Peter Thomas Roth masks have been raved about by so many I decided to finally try the Mask-A-Holic 5 Piece Kit ($75 for a $230 value), there is also the Mask Vault ($225 for a $352 value) but the 5 piece set seemed like a much better value/deal – if you’ve tried them let me know what you think or if you have favorites!
  • Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil 7 Piece Body Butter Collection is something I bought for stocking stuffers, I tried Gingerbread Vanilla and had a friend over and asked her to take a whiff to make sure it just wasn’t me, these are very strong in scent and very very sweet, if you like sweet or vanilla you’ll love these, me and my friend found them too strong so it’s going back, I don’t think my friends will like these
  • Elizabeth and James Find Your Nirvana Set has four 0.10 oz/ 3 mL Eau de Parfum mini rollerballs in Nirvana Black, Nirvana White, Nirvana Bourbon and Nirvana Rose, it’s a great way to try all four or keep one in a clutch
  • Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Trans-Foam Clay Trio has a lot of positive reviews, they are clay masks that are supposed to transform into a foaming cleanser when you add water, I haven’t tried it yet but have high hopes!
  • Skin Inc. Prep + Peel Set is something I bought to try the peel described as “non-abrasive” – will keep you posted as I try these, I may wait until after Thanksgiving to try these just in case I have an allergic reaction to anything
Elizabeth and James launched two candles in Nirvana Black and Nirvana White, both are online only (at least for the moment). They also have a couple sets with the candle like the House of Nirvana Black Gift Set. I haven’t burned it yet but it smells amazing from just opening the box. The Nirvana Black is my favorite and I think having this as a home scent will be incredible. The Find Your Nirvana Set minis shown next to candle for scale.
The Beauty Look Book Sephora Sale Haul Elizabeth and James - Holiday 2016

Makeup picks where I went for minis and stocking stuffers:
The Beauty Look Book Sephora Sale Haul Minis - Holiday 2016

Shown above:

Last but not least, I did buy the Laura Mercier Iconics Holiday Box Set. I went back and forth debating whether to buy it as there are a number of other Advent Calendar/Box Beauty Sets that are tempting this year. At the $170 retail price the 12 items in the box average to about $14.17 per item. With the 20% off the set price is $136 which makes each item about $11.33 (not including sales tax). The presentation is gorgeous and even though the box appears to be cardboard it’s very well made. I said I would review this earlier but after looking at it and seeing as I have already tried 8 of the 12 items I am going to save this as a gift for a very special someone although I don’t want to say who because it’s supposed to be a surprise. Everything is individually wrapped but if you want to see real life photographs I can carefully open the box to photograph for this post. Here’s the stock image as a place holder for now.

Hope you enjoyed this haul post! To recap, if you have VIB Member Status you can save 20% off purchases starting today 11/11 and through 11/14/2016 at Sephora. Use code 20VIB at checkout if you’re shopping online at Sephora.com. 
P.S. I am expecting my Tom Ford Winter Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes to arrive today so I hope to photograph, test and swatch everything for my VIB readers before the sale ends even if it will be a first impressions kind of post.

Are you hauling anything during the sale this weekend? Or did you already shop last weekend for the VIB Rouge?
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