I have a quick haul post for what I picked up from Sephora! I still have some things in my online cart for products we could not find in our store but these are the skincare, hair care and other beauty picks both Andrew and I bought during the spring bonus event. It ends today Monday May 6th so there’s still time to shop! Details for the tiers on their Beauty Insider page for details on how to join. Discounts as follows:
Rouge Members get 20% off, 4/26 through 5/6 with code HEYROUGE
VIB Members get 15% off, 5/2 through 5/6 with code HEYVIB
BI Members get 10% off, 5/2 through 5/6 with code HEYINSIDER
With the exception of our restocks I haven’t been able to test most of the makeup products. Reviews to follow as soon as I can but I have a lot already pre-planned to post for this week so the swatches for the lip products most likely won’t be up until sometime next week.
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Skin + Hair Picks: Sabrina’s and Andrew’s
I still remember distinctly when Andrew refused to go into Sephora with me. Anytime we were shopping together he would see me walk towards the store and say, “meet me at (x place) when you’re done.” He’s always been a well-groomed person but I can’t express how happy it makes me that in the past couple of years he has taken a bigger interest in skincare and taking care of our health and wellness. These days he goes in the store with me to shop the skincare areas and wanders off to do his own browsing.
I’ve been really loving Fenty Beauty the more and more I try from the line. I bought two highlighters in the Killawatt Freestyle in Afternoon Snack/Mo Hunny and Foil Freestyle Highlighter in Penny4uthots. I tried the duo today and think it’s so so pretty. I also picked up the two lightest matte Sun Stalk’r Bronzers in Inda Sun and Shady Bix. I haven’t had a chance to try them yet but took a quick peek at them in store. I’ve been really interested in the Pro Filter Powder but the testers look so chalky in store on my hand. I opted for a mini in Cashew which I have on my face right now and it’s too dark but could possibly work in the summer for me. I’m not sure if I’ll go back for the lighter shades. From Charlotte Tilbury I bought one of the Glowgasm Highlighters in Peach (ordered the rest online).
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Lip Haul Picks
I spotted two new Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lips and picked the lighter shade East Coast Slay. It’s a pale nude yellowish beige cream. I also saw the new Hourglass Unreal Lip Glosses and wanted every single color. I bought 5 in Ignite, Truth, Prose, Canvas and Cosmic. I tested Truth yesterday and really like it – it’s smooth and not sticky with good coverage. Has a minty scent to it but not really plumping on me (no tingle). I’ll keep you posted! I also opted for one of the Dior Stellar Shine in D-Galaxy. I had high hopes for these but none of the other colors really spoke to me. If you think there are any that I should check out let me know in the comments!
My haul picks:
Still in my cart:
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That wraps up my Sephora haul! I think I might order a few more of the Hourglass Lip Glosses even though I don’t need anymore. The Sephora Beauty Insider Event ends tonight – what did you end up hauling?
I’m so excited it’s finally sweater weather here! We have hot humid weather almost year round here in Tampa making it too hot to even wear denim jeans most of the time. While I love the sunshine I’m thrilled that it has cooled down enough to haul some cute sweaters. By popular request I’m combining two topics today that many of you have been asking for: best holiday red lips plus a sweater try-on haul.
I’m a neutral lip lover so I was actually really surprised to find how many red lip products I own. I sorted through around 35+ colors and formulas to narrow down my absolute top picks for the best color, pigment, lasting power and a few budget friendly options. I’ll discuss each color with the sweaters I paired below.
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Everlane Cashmere Crew + L’Oreal Color Riche Shine
I did my first Everlane haul and picked three styles to try out. I haven’t tried the line before so I relied on online customer reviews for height and weight to decide on XXS and XS depending on style. I lucked out because I’m really happy with what I ordered. For sizing reference I have been losing weight but also gaining a little bit of muscle with our weight training. I’m 5’3″ and currently 114 pounds. I usually wear XS in most sizes, sometimes XXS because I’m on the shorter side.
It’s been a long time since I’ve invested in anything cashmere (again because it’s simply TOO HOT to wear here) so I can’t compare to current styles of other brands. I have tried J.Crew, Vince and Theory to name a few which I’ve loved in previous years. I think the styles I ordered from Everlane are just as good. For the Everlane Cashmere Crew ($100) I picked Light Oatmeal in XS and it’s a PERFECT fit. This is my favorite one of my purchases. It’s soft, lightweight but not tissue thin. I plan on getting a couple more colors. Denim worn are the Paige Verdugo Ankle (for me ankle jeans are the best because I usually don’t have to hem them!).
Up next is the Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew ($145) in Heather Grey in XXS. I would have bought XS but one of the models on the website was wearing that size and quite a bit taller than me. I’m happy with the fit of XXS. This is a nice soft semi thick ribbed sweater. It’s one of the ones I was wearing on stories.
I paird this one with the NARS Powermatte Pigment in Starwoman. There are a lot of reds in this formula this one seems the most classic to me (Vain is warmer, Light My Fire is brighter and there are options with either more blue or deeper tones too). This is one of the nicest liquid matte lipstick formulas that is matte but doesn’t shrink my lips to look like raisins. It has excellent staying power and doesn’t transfer on my teeth. (If you want a neutral option American Woman is the best chestnut neutral rose out there.)
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Leith + Everlane with Tom Ford Dylan
Tom Ford Lips and Boys Dylan isn’t a new color but remains a favorite for a semi-matte finish. It’s a classic bright bold red with a warm undertone. I’m wearing it below with two sweater colors. A soft nude pink fitted Metallic Pullover from Leith ($49, XS is pretty fitted) that I bought at Nordstrom and the Everlane Cashmere Waffle Crew in Black ($150, XXS) which is boxy but I think has a nice hang to the sides. I like the side slit detail too which makes for a little more interesting sweater.
Another look at the Everlane sweater so you can see the neckline, it’s hard to see the detail but check out their website for close ups which you can see better.
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1.State + Pat McGrath Lip Fetish in Wild Cherry
In terms of red lips I don’t think it gets better than Pat McGrath. I could have done an entire dedicated post to swoon over all her lipsticks but wanted to give some other brands and formulas some love. If you feel like you can’t wear full on red lips, opt for a sheer gloss or balm. The Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm in Wild Cherry is a great sheer but buildable red. I reviewed it in this post here.
In looking through my closet I find that I own a lot of white tops and sweaters. It’s funny because in San Diego I used to wear all black and grey, or stripes. Since moving to Florida I’ve suddenly found my closet has changed. So many of you have been asking about all the white tops I’ve been wearing. This is a cute one from 1State Convertible Zip Neckline Sweater ($109). This is an XXS and runs big but slouchy. It’s cute to tuck in or belt. I’m not 100% sure I love this style. The zipper is adjustable which makes it so you can wear this a number of ways. A similar option that I have really liked in a tee form is the Free People Nikala Tee which I find has a better fit.
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Frame + NARS
My favorite purchase is the Frame Stripe Crewneck Merino Wool Blend Sweater ($235) and it’s one of my most expensive sweater splurges in a long time. I’m a huge sucker for anything with stripes, so much so that I tried to ease up on wearing and buying them. This was too cute to pass up. It’s soft, thin and I love the fit. I really love everything I’ve bought from Frame. Prices prevent me from splurging more. I paired it with the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Rebel from the holiday collection from the Riot Lip Pencil set. Unfortunately it’s sold out but Pat McGrath MatteTrance in Elson is close (reviewed here). Denim worn is also from Frame Le Skinny.
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Loft + Pat McGrath
For affordable sweaters that aren’t itchy or scratchy I’ve found some amazing deals from Loft. They have cute cable knit basics. I tried two styles. One is the Loft Textured Button Cuff Sweater in XS ($49.50 but I got mine 50% off, they have online holiday sales so check their site for current code). At $20 it was a steal. This one is a little long for me but on most people I think it will be just the right length. I’m wearing it with the Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick in Rebel Red which is one of the most fun sparkly blue red lip colors I’ve tried. Full review here.
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Loft + Em Cosmetics
Another Loft find is the Cable Knit Trim Sweater in Silvered Heather Grey (XS, $49.50). I could have sized down for a shorter fit but this one is super cute and easy to wear as well. I paired this with the Em Cosmetics True Gloss in Scarlett Knight which is one of the best red plumping glosses I’ve tried. I need to review this formula for you, I have been sitting on all the colors for a while now. It’s been on my to-do list! They have some cute sets for the holiday I think are worth checking out. I have all the colors individually otherwise I would have ordered one.
Sweater worn is the BP Heritage Stitch sweater in XXS. It’s so soft and plush. Unfortunately it just sold out online, but you might want to check in stores to see if they still have some near you. It does run on the large side, I ordered an XXS and it’s very roomy!
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Lipsticks worn/featured in this post (all shades are press samples):
Pat McGrath and Tom Ford options swatched next to two of the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution colors. I used to think the Charlotte Tilbury formula was the best, I still think it’s very good, but Pat McGrath’s formula wins 100%.
Makeup breakdown worn in all other photos include:
The best red nail polish I’ve tried is from Christian Louboutin’s Red, although OPI is also a favorite of mine, I just don’t own any reds from them at the moment
I hope you enjoyed this sweater try-on haul and red lip roundup! If you love a good red lip let me know what your favorites are in the comments. I love cozy sweaters and I would haul more if we had cooler weather in Tampa.
I didn’t have time to post yesterday but did not forget my giveaway for the week! One reader will win four Pat McGrath lip products including: Opulence 1995, Opulence Flesh3, winner’s choice of two other lips formulas. Not sponsored or affiliated. Open internationally to those 18 years or older. Simply enter via the widget below. Giveaway runs this week and I’ll pick a winner within 48 hours after giveaway ends and contact via e-mail.
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.
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.
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.
I have a roundup of my Sephora haul picks from the Beauty Insider Appreciation Event for Rouge. I ended up purchasing a little bit from every category for makeup, skincare and hair care. I still have a few things sitting in my online cart but since I did a massive haul I will probably not be purchasing anymore items for the event. I just hauled everything on Friday so I haven’t had time to test everything. Notes and first impressions on the items I have been able to test.
Makeup Base Picks
There were a few new bases I wanted to try out. Foundation shopping kinda stresses me out with the matching process. Some oxidize to different levels and in store lighting isn’t the best, so it can be a little tricky. There are a few other formulas I’ve been meaning to try but testers weren’t available so I’m going to have to guess sight unseen. Ones I did pick up:
beautyblender Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation in 3.50 and 3.60, they only had a tester of 3.50 and while it looked good in store it did apply a little on the light side. I bought 3.60 and tried it at home which is a perfect match. I am getting tan though with regular outdoor runs. The next shades up look like a big jump so I may have to mix when I get darker. First impressions are really good, I like the coverage, it lasts all day, it’s not irritating and didn’t oxidize too much. A more detailed review to follow.
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream Oil-Free Matte in Medium Tan – I’ve yet to try any of the It Cosmetics bases even though they’re extremely popular! Medium looked too light in store but after swatching Medium Tan at home I think it may be too dark. I will report back after I give it a test.
Natasha Denona Transformatte Pore Vanishing Matte Foundation samples in 27WY, 30W and 31W. These oxidized like crazy in store on my hand, but when I tried this on the face at home they did not. I still need to do more testing, but this is a full coverage true matte. I think my best match is 31W which is more yellow/olive.
Swatches below. Also included MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC30 and NC35 for reference.
Also not a haul item but since some of you have asked, I wanted to share some swatches of the new First Aid Beauty Concealer. It’s available in 7 shades. I received press samples of this formula but haven’t had a chance to test this out. I will keep you posted. I think my shade match is going to be #3.
Skincare Picks
I have mostly skincare in my online shopping cart, so many things are either online only or not available in my local store. It’s tempting to stock up but for now I picked up:
I’m in need of a curling iron and had the T3 1.25″ Iron on my list. Part of me wants to wait until holiday to see if there are any sets. Part of me wants to take advantage of the discount and buy it now. Decisions, decisions! I hauled 3 items:
I’m always a sucker for a good lip. I actually bought the Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipsticks before but they were lost in all our moving last year. I repurchased S1ngle and Spanked, both are ultra smooth with full coverage and aren’t dry looking. I need to try more of these! I also picked up two of the Bite Beauty French Press Lip Glosses in Salted Caramel and Dirty Chai. Both are perfect neutrals. I tried Salted Caramel and think it’s the perfect pink beige. I also bought one of the new Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Glosses in Estrella which is so sparkly I don’t recommend it. It’s not chunky, it’s very smooth but the shimmer is a little too much (it was an impulse buy). Last but not least the sparkles got the best of me and I picked up the Pat McGrath Lip Fetish in Gold Astral to try.
That wraps up my Sephora haul! If there are any items you want reviewed first let me know in the comments and I’ll try to prioritize those!
Have you bought anything yet for the Sephora Beauty Insider Appreciation Event? What did you haul? You can use the Sephora Beauty Insider Appreciate promo code once online and unlimited times in store. Valid in both US and Canada, dates for each tier:
Rouge Members: 20% off with code YESROUGE, valid 8/24 through 9/3
VIB Members: 15% off with code YESVIB, valid 8/30 through 9/3
Beauty Insiders: 10% off with code YESINSIDER, valid 8/30 through 9/3
First Aid Beauty concealers provided for review. Other items purchased by me.
I have a mega haul roundup today with my Sephora picks plus an exciting giveaway! If you read my recommendations posts you saw I was mainly planning to stock up on beautyblenders but of course that did not go according to plan. The 15% off for a Rouge Member was too good to pass up and I did two hauls, one in store and the one online. I picked up a few things from each category except for eye makeup. I feel like those Pat McGrath Spring Palettes and the NARSisisst Wanted Eyeshadow Palette really cover everything I need right now! What I bought during the Sephora Spring Bonus Event with some first impressions where applicable. Quick recap on the details:
Rouge Members: receive 15% off 4/20 through 4/23, use code YAYROUGE
VIB Members: receive 15% off 4/20 through 4/23, use code YAYVIB
BI Members: receive 10% off 4/20 through 4/23, use code YAYINSIDER
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Makeup – Lips
Armani Ecstasy Lacquer 100 and 101 – I’ve already tested these and they are a huge miss. Pigment is pretty much non-existant, texture is very thin, I’ve tried others in this formula and they were pretty nice, these are a huge disappointment!
Dior Addict Lacquer Stick – 320 Nude Wave is a really pretty pink peach, I have been a huge fan of Underground and Rolling, I was hoping they’d expand the color range and they have!
Becca Hydra-Mist Set and Refresh Powder – Many of you raved about this, I’m really excited to try it as it reminds me of the old Prescriptives Powder that was popular in the early 2000’s.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfector in Shade 7 – this is a sheer glowy tint that has a hydrating feel and dewy finish. Review on the formula coming this weekend.
Sunday Riley The Influencer Foundation in 180, 190 and 200 – Detailed review to follow this weekend, I’ve been testing and swatching these and am really impressed! Stores near me each only had around 5 shades to sell in store. I could not find a match so I guessed and ordered online. This base looks like skin but better. It has a really smooth natural finish. 180 is a little peachy for me, 190 is my match right now, 200 is going to be a good summer shade. Quick take is I 100% recommend.
Fresh Sugar Face Polish Full Size – Loved this in a miniature size I bought in a set over the holiday, finally bought the full size.
La Mer The Eye Concentrate – This is my first luxury eye cream splurge, I usually buy eye creams that are at a lower price point. I have really high hopes for this one!
La Mer Soft Moisturizing Lotion – Not shown because Andrew has already put it on his side of the bathroom counter and started using it, but I bought this as I used mine up a long time ago and really liked it. He’s pretty impressed so far.
MILK B.O.S.S. Skincare Set – Thanks to my reader Lawler for putting this on my radar! It has 4 minis of MILK’s Watermelon Serum, Cooling Water, Matcha Toner and Matcha Cleanser in a mini bag.
Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen – Never without this sunscreen. I should have bought the largest size but this size works great for my purse.
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Haircare
Aquis Lisse Luxe Long Hair Towel – Saw this featured on @wendyslookbook’s Instagram Stories and immediately was intrigued! I put it on my wishlist and ordered. It’s just what I needed to cut down drying time.
beautyblender BFF Duo – Both are for me, I really should stock up on more of these but they’re so expensive and I already splurged on so much.
Benefit BADgal BANG! Mascara – I bought the mini when it launched and really liked it! I repurchased in the regular/full size.
Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc – I’ve been talking about this for months. I bought it. I love it. It’s going to be my spring to summer scent.
I’ve received great feedback on my giveaways and decided to do something different today which I’m really excited about! I feel like if you read this blog there’s a good chance you’re a beauty junkie like me so I’m giving away something to put your makeup in. One person will be selected to win a Louis Vuitton Monogram Cosmetic Pouch (PM size)! The quality and craftsmanship are exceptional and mine have lasted for years! I decided to buy one to giveaway.
To enter for a chance to win, simply follow the instructions in the widget below and perform one of the tasks. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older. Giveaway will run through Tuesday April 24th 11:45 PM EST. I’ll pick one winner at random through the widget within 48 hours after giveaway ends and contact them via e-mail. Selected winner must respond within 48 hours or another person will be selected in their place. Prize will ship within a week with tracking number. Not sponsored or affiliated.
I have my huge Sephora sale haul with some first impressions on items I was able to test in a few days. I stocked up on a few favorites and also ordered some things I had been curious about for quite some time. This haul is a pretty hefty one and as the first round of the sale was just a little bit ago I haven’t been able to test everything. I did swatch all the color items as makeup is easier get an idea of with the first application. I had quite a few misses. Everything is going to take some time to work my way through. Let me know if you want a more detailed review on anything in particular and I’ll try to do one at a later date. The sale runs through November 15th. If you’re shopping online don’t forget to use the code for your Beauty Insider tier!
Rouge Members get 20% off with code 20FORROUGE
VIB Members get 20% off with code 20FORVIB
Beauty Insider Members get 15% off with INSIDER15
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Lip Picks
Up first are the lip items. By now I think I’ve been pretty good at picking things online and sight unseen but having misses is bound to happen. Thank goodness Sephora has a pretty good return policy because 3 of these are going back.
Kopari Coconut Kiss Kit – hit! The set lives up to the raves. These are sheer tinted balms with a nice coconut scent. They have an emollient feel with fun colors. All the shades are bright but sheer so they are very wearable.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Creme in Purr-Fect! – hit! this is a really pretty soft nude, it’s sold out online but check your local store to see if they have it in stock.
Bite Beauty Champagne Discover Lip Set – this was a miss on everything except the lipliner in Cashew. I’ve tried the Multisticks before and found them incredibly dry for the lips. I decided to give it another try and it’s still a solid miss for me. The Prismatic Pearl Creme Lip Gloss in Champagne is thick and so metallic it’s not flattering on my skin tone. I know many people love these formulas so it may be a hit for you. For me just not my thing.
Kevyn Aucoin Molton Liquid Lipstick in Copper – this was a huge miss because it’s also not flattering on my skintone. I had high hopes because I love and adore the same formula in Rose Gold.
Tom Ford Patent Finish Lip Color in Casablanca – I’m undecided, it’s a lot darker than I had anticipated. This is the first in the formula I’ve tried and it took over 50 clicks to get any product out. The color is rich and pretty but it settled a tiny bit into lip lines. I think it’s a great color for fall. I’ll need to test it out longer to decide.
Burberry Lip Color Contour in Medium – huge miss, I’ve swatched this on my hand at the stores numerous times over the past year, on my lips it just makes my whole complexion look dead and lifeless. It’s one I’ll have to layer with other shades to get to work. I’m going to try and make it work for me as the formula is smooth and feels nice on the lips – alone it just doesn’t look so great.
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Face and Eye Picks
For face and eyes, I bought a few foundations in darker colors because I’ve gotten even more color from the sun. To me this is a little puzzling as I’ve really made a conscious effort to stay out of the sun with the heat. Apparently I haven’t tried enough because I’ve gone a full shade darker:
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick in Golden I guessed my shade because Nude was a bit too light. Golden works ok but alone all over my face it’s a bit too yellowish. If I use it on areas I just need more coverage it works just fine.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Kit in Radiant – undecided on this, I tried it and found the pigment beautiful with smooth texture. It’s easy to blend and layer but the colors are a lot darker than I had anticipated. They also oxidize and deepen on my skin without getting muddy, but as my skin warms up they get deeper/darker so I have to experiment more with application. If you have deeper skin tone and struggle finding blushes pigmented or dark enough to show up on you, definitely give this a look. I think the pigment is excellent!
Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks in Sugar Frost and Moonlight (repurchase), I’ve swatched all my current Caviar Eye Sticks and Matte Caviar Eye Sticks below
Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic in Scandalust is a palette I received as a press sample months ago but it arrived completely shattered. I was able to test the broken bits and fell in love with the colors. I decided to buy one to replace it. It pulls warm but it’s so pretty for the season.
Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara – I actually meant to get the waterproof version, but I do remember liking the original so I’ll keep this one!
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For fragrance and hair:
Atelier Cologne Set – LOVE! there are several Atelier Cologne sets online, it was hard to pick one, but I decided on the Necessaire Curated by Sylvie Ganter and Christophe Cervasel. It has Sud Magnolia, Pomelo Paradis, Orange Sanguine, Vanille Insensee, Bois Blonds, Cedre Atlas. Orange Sanguine is one of the best citrus scents I’ve smelled. Vanille Insensee is one of two vanilla scents I’ve found that I can actually wear. Bois Blonds is already a favorite. I’m trying to wait until I can visit a free standing store again before I buy full size bottles. I stopped by one in San Francisco over the fall and had the best time exploring there.
Elizabeth and James Choose Your Nirvana Coffret Warm and Spicy has generously sized minis of the Amethyst, Black and Bourbon. I like them for fall but don’t know that I can pull them off in Florida’s kind of fall/winter. I felt the minis were the best way to enjoy them without committing to the full sizes just in case.
Verb Ghost Shampoo and Conditioner – LOVE! I actually bought both of these weeks ago and they are both my newest shampoo/conditioner obsession. Many of you want something that’s sulfate free and these are great options for a good clean rinse that leaves hair shiny and bouncy. They are back in my cart for round 2 so I can stock up on the larger size that comes with a pump.
Verb Hydrating Mask – LOVE! I tried a sample packet before and fell in love, it’s really hydrating, but I still favor the Ouai Mask (just hate the packaging of those packets).
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Skincare Restocks and Splurges
Skincare is where I spent the most, I restocked on staples and also picked new things to try:
Caudalie Glow Activating Trio – this line has been on my radar for the fine lines and wrinkles, I have those forming on my forehead area and have high hopes this will help with those!
Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator has really high ratings with the customer reviews and as I’ve really liked a lot of their skincare decided to give this a try, I have high hopes!
SK-II Pitera Mid-Day Essence – excited to try this one, although I have a feeling this may be too moisturizing for me. I gave it a quick mid-day test the day I received it and it felt a bit too rich for my skintype me. I’ll have to test it more before I can say how well it works.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer is something I bought months ago, in our multiple moves it has been buried in one of our moving boxes, I repurchased it and hope it’s as good as the rest of her ExfoliKate line.
Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Clearing Lotion is something I also have high hopes for. It appears MAC discontinued my favorite Prep+Prime Blemish Control Gel which was one of the few that worked for me and did not turn my face red. I’ve been in search of a replacement and hope this will be the one!
Farmacy Green Screen Daily Environmental Protector with SPF30 is a mineral sunscreen with impressive rave reviews. People say it doesn’t have a white cast on the skin and is non-greasy. The description says it has solutions for fine lines and wrinkles so I’m going to give it a try.
Lancome BiFacil Face is something I’ve been so curious about. I really love their Micellar Water so it will be interesting to see how this compares. In the bottle I find it interesting that a very very small portion at the top is suspended (the oil portion).
In summary I still have a lot of testing for these items before I can make a proper assessment. For makeup I find it easier to judge on color and application alone. Three of my lip purchases were definitely misses. The Hourglass foundation could be a better match but I find there are often gaps in their color lineup for bases so I’ll have to go to the store and see. The Anastasia Beverly Hills blush kit is lovely, but is just a lot darker than I expected. I think the SK-II mist may be too rich for my skin type.
That wraps it up for my haul! Did you pick up or stock up on anything during the sale? This time of year there are lots of sales going on and with the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday events approaching there’s definitely plenty of time to find good deals. Oftentimes I wish these sales were spread out a little more. In case you missed it, my top recommendations in this post here (e-gift card giveaway has ended and winners have been e-mailed!).
The Sephora Beauty Insider Sale runs through November 15th. If you’re shopping online don’t forget to use the code for your Beauty Insider tier!
Rouge Members get 20% off with code 20FORROUGE
VIB Members get 20% off with code 20FORVIB
Beauty Insider Members get 15% off with INSIDER15
Did you get anything from the Sephora sale yet? Or are you waiting for other sales? I’ll be covering some holiday launches from Tatcha soon as their Friends and Family sale is also happening and many of you have asked me for a review on their lip launches.
Today I’m reviewing and swatching my lip haul from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I bought three sets in store from MAC, YSL and Dior for Early Access. After browsing some more online I decided to stick with what I bought for the most part (I ordered a couple more items) as most of the sets consist of existing colors this year. As usual my picks are all in the neutral category. Also since I already have some colors from other sets offered in the sale, check back later today and I’ll have swatches of those up for reference.
Up first is my favorite, the MAC Look in a Box Saint No Angel Mini Lip Kit ($26.50 for a $40 value). Every year the neutral lip sets sell out first so I’m hoping they stocked more this year in anticipation of that. This year has minis which is why the set is less expensive. I love these colors so much I wish they had made them full size instead – I wouldn’t have minded if it were double the price for bigger ones. There are two lipsticks and two lipglasses:
Love Me Lots Matte Lipstick is a medium nude pink
Dandy Apple Satin Lipstick is nude peach-pink
Saint No Angel Lipglass is a sheer shimmering light pearly pink
Totally Buff Lipglass is a neutral pink with a slight hint of mauve
The Dior Addicted to Nude Lip Set ($70) has existing shades and after I got home I realized I already owned one of the colors. There is another option Addicted to Pink (with Baby Dior and Lazy) but my local store did not have it. The price of the individual lipsticks is $35 each so with this one you’re getting the mini Lip Maximizer and bag for free. For the nude lip set option I believe you can get both separately. Inside the Addicted to Nude Lip Set:
Dior Addict Lipstick in Bobo is the perfect coral shimmer, the formula is just so pretty and smooth
Dior Addict Lacquer Stick in Underground is the perfect neutral-cool everyday mauve pink (also wearing it in this beauty look here)
Dior Lip Maximizer mini is a plumping lip product
Last but not least is the YSL Lip Set in Nude ($74 for a $106 value). I don’t own any of the colors in this set, one is a Nordstrom Exclusive for the sale:
Rouge Volupte Shine Oil-in-Stick in Decadent Nude 61 is a shimmery nude pink mauve, the shimmer doesn’t really show up on the lips (Nordstrom Exclusive Shade)
Rouge Pur Couture in Le Nu 70 is a peachy nude
Volupte Tint in Oil in Make Me Nude 9 is a sheer nude with a hint of shimmer that makes the lips look full and voluptous
Swatches of the Nude Lip Set compared to individual existing shades, it appears the Rouge Volupte Shine Oil in Stick 44 and 47 (reviewed here) are sold out almost everywhere online now except for Neiman Marcus and YSL Beauty (in store stock may vary).
Upate: As promised swatches of the Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel and Chantecaille Lip offerings from the sale. I didn’t buy the sets as I already own the colors, for reference in case your store doesn’t have these or if you can’t get to a store I hope this helps!
Chantecaille Touch-Up Essentials has a full size Brilliant Lip Gloss in Charm which is pretty much clear on my lips along with the Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara and a mini eye makeup remover.
Charlotte Tilbury has two lip sets. Day to Night Lip Set in Hot Lips Nude has KISSING Lipstick in KKW and Matte Revolution Lipstick in Super Cindy along with Pillow Talk Lip Liner. Day to Night Perfect Pink Lip Set has KISSING Lipstick in Kiss Chase and Matte Revolution in Between the Sheets (previously limited-edition and relaunched for the sale) along with Pink Venus Lip Liner.
For additional reference, the nude lips swatched in this post here. Pink lipstick shades are in this post here.
FYI, in all the swatch photos I’m wearing a mix of MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC25 and NC37 set with the Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium Plus. To sum up the lip options – there are lots of repeats for existing shades. I picked two I could find that have exclusive or new colors. I’m really happy with all my purchases even though it turns out I already own one of the Dior lipsticks. If you’re a beauty junkie like me you might already own a lot of the colors as well and find this year’s offerings repetitive. I found some interesting sets and think a lot of these could make for great gifts later on in the year. I stocked up on some of the MAC ones.
Early Access runs through the 20th and opens up to the public on the 21st. If you’re shopping online don’t forget to check their Gift With Purchase page – it gets updated frequently!
Did you shop the sale yet? Any lip sets catch your eye?
