As promised I have my Sephora Beauty Insider Event haul and a giveaway! I shopped both online and in store during the days for Rouge savings. If you’re a VIB Member the good news is that this weekend is your weekend to shop the event! You can save 20% off your purchases in store and online from 11/9-11/12 with code VIBBONUS at checkout.
In case you missed my roundup recommendations, you can find my top makeup picks and top skin/hair and body picks detailed with links to previous reviews and swatches where applicable. I had so much on my wishlist that I wanted to stock up on but tried to limit myself to a few newer things that I have been wanting to try. I highly recommend browsing online first even if you’re heading to the store. Some things are online only and there are some better value sets online as well. I haven’t had a chance to try everything but I do have some first impressions on things I have tried.
Makeup Picks
Three of these things I picked up before the sale. I hauled some Too Faced items because I caved to the hype. I asked many of you on Instagram if you thought these lived up to all the raves and it was a 50/50 split. What I bought:
- Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Spray (mini) – I haven’t had a chance to test this on the face, according to feedback from you it’s a hydrating spray but not the best as a makeup setting spray
- Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer – I tried this a couple times and can’t really tell if it makes a difference, it has a pleasant coconut-like scent to it and does have a hydrating feel, it is silicone-free so I’m trying to test it with silicone-free foundations
- Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara had really mixed reviews, based on a poll I did on Instagram, a handful told me it was your holy grail, but most did not like it. I tried the Waterproof version and it clumped like crazy I’ve decided to try the original.
- Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation looked nice when I swatched it in store, I haven’t had a chance to give it a proper test yet, but I did love their Ultra HD line, so I have high hopes. I bought shade Y375.
- Marc Jacobs Shine a Light Gloss and See-Quins Shadows for holiday have already been reviewed and swatched here.
- Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Diamond Milk is such a pretty white pearl, I bought and tried the original Fenty Glow but couldn’t stand the scent. I decided to try it again in the newer white color (it smells the same) and love the way it looks, undecided about the scent.
- Dior Addict Lip Glow in Rose Gold is a Sephora exclusive. I knew I had to have it. I’ve tried it and think it’s pretty. It’s one of the more sparkly ones. It didn’t really shift in color after applying it like the other shades do. Just a lot of sparkle but finish is smooth (no gritty finish from the shimmer).
Skincare Picks Part 1
- REN CARE Gift Set has some calming product I’ve been wanting to try including the Evercalm Day Cream, Rescue Mask and Firming Beauty Shot. As we go into the colder dry season my skin is prone to irritation. I have high hopes as the day cream has been highly recommended by so many.
- Shiseido Facial Cotton was a restock as the Sephora Collection Cotton Pads were out of stock online when I ordered (they’ve since restocked).
- Fresh Rose Toner Mini was something I picked up at checkout. I’m always a sucker for minis and since I love the Rose Floral Toner Spray version decided to try this one.
Drunk Elephant Mega Haul
I hauled quite a bit of Drunk Elephant. I’ve loved their Baby Facial and Protini Polypeptide Cream. I even have Andrew using these! He’s obsessed and told me to restock on those. There are a lot of great sets with minis to try, some are online only. So many of you have asked for more Drunk Elephant reviews so I’m going to put what I purchased to the test and let you know.
- Inspector Drunk Night Kit (top left) has five items for night skincare:
- full-size TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
- mini Beste No 9 Jelly Cleanser
- mini B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- mini Lala Retro Whipped Cream
- mini C-Tango multivitamin eye cream
- Agent Ellie Day Kit (bottom) comes with five items:
- full-size C-Firma Day Serum
- mini Shaba Complex Eye Serum
- mini Umbra Tint Physical Daily Defense SPF 30
- mini B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- mini Protini Polypeptide Cream
- TLC Sukari Baby Facial (middle) is the full-size individual version, but it also now comes in a mini size for $28 (versus the $80)
- The Big Reveal Kit (right side hexagon box) comes with:
- full-size TLC Baby Facial and Lippe Balm
- mini Beste No 9 Jelly Cleanser
- mini B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- mini Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
A few thoughts on what I’ve tested and what to buy. If you’re interested at all in the Baby Facial, I’d recommend just getting The Big Reveal Kit (online only). The Lippe Balm is a lot nicer than I anticipated! I’m wearing it right now as I type up this post. It’s hydrating, doesn’t really have a scent, feels nice 🙂 My skin loves the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum. I’m currently recovering from a skin flare up (due to 1 of 3 possible things I’m almost certain I’ve narrowed it down, but need to do some more testing on my face to be sure). The serum instantly relieved redness and soothed my skin.
I’ve tried the cleanser and think it’s nice but need to do more testing. Andrew is not a fan of the tinted sunscreen, but since he doesn’t really seem to be a fan of physical sunscreens it did not surprise me. We have a lot of testing to do, will keep you posted!
Hair Care Picks
Hair care picks include a few more Aquis Waffle Luxe Towels for workouts and so I have extra ones for my hair. I’ve been in search of a hair spray that is just a hair spray. These days there are so many added things in sprays like texture, volume, shine, etc. I think that’s great, but sometimes I just want something simple. The girls in the Sephora store recommended Living Proof so I picked up the Flex Spray in the mini size. A large number of you confirmed on Instagram stories that this is your favorite so I have high hopes!
For tools I ordered the T3 Whirl Trio before the sale but wanted to give it a mention. It’s always nice to be able to save on more expensive things like curling wands. I have dryers and straighteners I love but didn’t have a curling iron. This one has three interchangeable wands without the clips. I’ve played with it for a few weeks now and really love it. It heats up quickly and also comes with a glove to protect your hand so you don’t burn your fingers.
I also ordered a mini packet of the Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care Nutritive Mask with Temporary Coloring in Warm Chestnut. I tried it last night and left it on for only 5 minutes. I’m almost at the 3 week mark post highlights and color is starting to fade. Since my hair was lifted it’s now getting a little lighter. The mask darkened my highlights in a subtle but noticeable way from honey to a slightly chestnut red brown. I think I could have left it on a little longer for a deeper effect but so far I like it! Hair is softer since it is a mask. I used up 1/2 the mini packet since I have a lot of hair and it is long. It’s supposed to last 3-5 washes. I’ll keep you updated on this. I really love all the things I’ve tried from Christophe Robin.
For masks I restocked on the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Hair Mask. It also comes in this cute Mystical Minis Revive and Repair duo set if you want to try it in a smaller size. I had a chat with a friend about hair care the other day on shampoos and hair treatments for colored hair. Based on reader recommendations I bought the Oribe Color Safe Shampoo and Conditioner, but many of you also recommended the Kerastase Reflection Chromatique line. My friend swears by the same Kerastase (she said the one in the bright pink tubes) which is available at Sephora now. I wish I had ordered them during the Rouge event days! I might still place an order as I go through shampoo really fast anyways and will probably use up the Oribe very soon.
That wraps up my Sephora haul! I have a never ending list of things I want to try and I’m sure you do too! If you’re shopping the Sephora Beauty Insider Event for VIB, uou can save 20% off your purchases in store and online from 11/9-11/12 with code VIBBONUS. There are exclusions and restrictions on their website so make sure you check the details. You can shop the post here:
I’m hosting another giveaway! I’m going through my beauty vault and picked out some Tom Ford Beauty items including a few harder to find items to giveaway to 1 winner. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older. Items I’m giving away include brand new full sizes of 7 items including: Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme Mascara, Lip Slick in Spiked Chery, Moisturecore Lipstick in Pipa, Eyeshadow Duo in AW16, Lips + Boys Cooper, Lips + Boys Jagger and Duo Blush in Lavender Lure.
To enter for a chance to win simply enter through the widget below with at least one of the steps.
Giveaway runs through 11/13/2018 11:59 PM EST. One winner will be picked within 48 hours and contacted by e-mail. They must respond within 24 hours or another winner will be selected in their place. Not sponsored or affiliated.