The YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Balm is one of my favorite lip formulas of all time and I am beyond thrilled they added more colors, available at Sephora. There are eight new shades in their Burning Chilis collection and I hauled a handful immediately. I have a closer look at six of them along with a roundup of a few other YSL Beauty staples I have in rotation right now.
Touche Eclat
YSL has some of the most elegant complexion products and concealers to create a beautiful glow. The items in their Touche Eclat lineup are my favorites. I love the Touche Eclat All-In-One Glow Foundation for a fresh natural glow with good lasting power. I use the shade B40 Sand (neutral undertone) and like that it also has SPF in it. It makes the skin look fresh and dewy.
For concealer the Touche Eclat All Over Brightening Concealer Pen is a classic I think everyone should try. I love this under the eyes to brighten dark circles or tired looking eyes. A little goes a long way in the click-brush applicator. It’s 100% worth the splurge. I use Shade 3 Luminous Peach or 4.5 Luminous Sand. It’s easy to blend with fingers or a sponge and does not crease.
I also adore the All Over Glow Powder. It comes in one versatile shade and for my skintone I can use it as a blurring finishing powder with a hint of glow.
New Rouge Volupte Shine
For the new shades of Rouge Volupte Shine there is a good mix of neutrals and modern bolds. The formula melts into the lips flawlessly with a lightweight veil of hydration. Color is sheer-medium but buildable with the prettiest shine. They make the lips glow! You can create a day or night look with the colors:
Colors I hauled:
121 Beige Satin is a medium brown beige
122 Burnt Zellige is a brown red
123 Nude Transparent is a golden beige with a hint of shimmer
124 Rose Loulou is a fresh rosy pink
127 Rouge Studio is a bold pink red
130 Burnt Suede is a pretty rosewood
All the colors are beautiful it’s hard to pick a favorite, but I love 123 and 124! You can find them available now at Sephora. I highly recommend picking up at least one new shade, or saving them to your wishlist for the upcoming Sephora Spring Savings Event coming soon!
I’m back with a Sephora haul roundup! I’ve been trying a few new things over the past several weeks and have a comprehensive roundup on some new makeup, skincare and hair care tries. This is more of a combination of several hauls in one post. I feel like my testing process can take a while on some of the things!
The Blow Dry Primer is a heat protectant and helps protect hair from breakage. The Serum from what I’m told is a heat protectant and also repairs damage and can also be used on the scalp. To me they both perform the same – I alternate between the two. By now my highlighted ends are almost all the way grown out and I feel like it’s a lot healthier now. I don’t get as much breakage and these two products definitely help on the ends.
I also picked up a mini of the Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum as a finishing product to add shine. I think it’s a good one, but still prefer my Sisley Hair Rituel Precious Oil. Also Kerastase oils and serums are heavily fragranced, and I think it’s hit or miss depending on your preferences.
The IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Anti-Frizz Smoothing Spray was a mini from a beauty insider bonus. I also had this a few years ago but go through so much product to try and test out I don’t often repurchase the smoothing or styling products. This is a nice smoothing spray that is supposed to mimic the results of a keratin treatment (which I’ve never had). You mist over damp hair evenly and then blow dry in sections to seal in the product with the heat. I’m still undecided about this. I like it but it’s not 100% love. It looks like they recently added two other items the Good Behavior Smoothing Balm and Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray which look interesting.
I also ordered the T3 Clip Kit and extra Slip Scrunchies. I’m always losing my hair ties and hair clips as I am forever leaving them in random places around the house. The clips are similar to the ones from the Drybar Hold Me Hair Clips. I use these to hold up hair in sections while I dry out portions. I like them! They’re easy to use, sturdy and functional.
Makeup Haul Picks
For makeup I hauled a bunch of lip products from Fenty including Fenty Lil Gloss Bombs Mini Lip Duo + Keychain Holder. Pink Dragonfly is a shimmery rose gold color I hope they make in a full size version. It also comes with Fenty Glow which is one of my favorite colors.
I picked up 3 of the Fenty Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream in Fenty Glow (pretty soft pink), Mauve Wives (light purple), and Fruit Snackz (berry). They are all creams with a high shine. Pigment is medium to full and finish is semi thick but not sticky. I like Fenty Glow the best. I am forever hoping I can find a lilac purple lip I can pull off but have yet to find one. I think it’s just not my color. Swatches of the newer ones next to a few others I have:
Dior added a new shade of the Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss in Ultra Pink. It’s a pretty fresh pink with a hint of shimmer. I may purchase a backup of this one because it’s limited edition and I like how fresh and pretty it looks on the lips.
The new Lancome Lash Idole Mascara was a total miss for me. Based on a poll I did on Instagram, 75% of you also did not like it. For me it didn’t really do much for my lashes. It didn’t hold the curl, it flaked, didn’t add a lot of volume.
The Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette is a new favorite. A lot of you wanted swatches so I’ve added them below. I like that it has a good mix of warms and neutrals. The colors for me are perfect everyday kind of shades. The shimmery colors are best as a topper for me to wear on top of the mattes to add a glimmer to the lids. I like to dab the lighter colors on the lids with fingers, the medium and deeper shimmers apply well with fingers or a brush. I think pigment and texture is pretty good! It’s one I can see myself wearing the rest of the year if I had to stick with 1 palette for an entire year, this would be it.
A number of you had asked for my thoughts on Rare Beauty. When it launched I had zero interest in the line, but my bestie convinced me to try some things. I had high hopes for the Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balms but found them so sheer they barely show up on my lips. Formula is nice and smooth and if you need just a hint of color they’re nice. I can see these being better suited for those who don’t wear a lot of makeup or people just getting into makeup. If you like to wear lip liners and then add a bit of gloss on top these are nice to add shine and hydration.
The Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blushes exceeded my expectations. I tried two in Nearly Rose and Nearly Apricot. In general I am not a fan of cream products for my normal/combination skin. They rarely last and get greasy looking within an hour or so. These have a nice dry down so when they’re blended they almost have a matte finish. Colors are easy to wear and naturally flattering. Lasting power is pretty good as we have mild climate right now. However since they are creams I don’t really expect them to have good lasting power once the weather warms up here in Florida.
I think my favorite from the Rare Beauty line is the Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight. These come with a sponge tip applicator you can dab onto the cheekbones or anywhere you want a highlight. I like that the finish blends out to a very thin finish and nice dry down so it’s not emollient. Transcend is a pretty rose pink and Flaunt is a soft copper gold. They’re glowy in a very nice way!
For bases I have been playing around with the Urban Decay Hydromaniac Glowy Tinted Hydrator Foundation in Shade 50 for a few weeks now. It’s a creamy medium coverage base best suited for normal to dry skin. I love the color and finish! It looks very natural and gives the skin a healthy kind of glow. Unfortunately it’s a bit too heavy and dewy for my skin type. If you have dry skin I think you will love this. For me I prefer the Chanel CC Cream for a similar finish/coverage (I wear Shade 40 in the Chanel). The Chanel has a similar texture in the sense it feels semi thick on the skin, but for me the Chanel lasts a lot longer.
Last thing for makeup is the Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder. This comes in a pretty decent range of colors. I have four to show you below. Two were sent as press samples and I thought they might be too light so I ordered the next two darker shades. The finish is sheer and very lightweight. I do think it’s best for normal combination skin – if you have super dry skin it may be too matte for you unless you use a very dewy base underneath. My best match is either Feathery or Comfy. It sets foundation in a very lightweight and natural way with a sheer finish. I still prefer the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush or MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder better for a pressed setting powder but this new Kosas formula is still very good.
Skin + Fragrance
To wrap up my haul I have a couple skincare items I wanted to talk about. Fresh launched their Kombucha 2-in-1 No-Rinse Cleanser & Prebiotic Treatment and I really like this as a cleansing water. I’ll use this as a first step to remove face makeup before I workout and then follow with a regular cleanser. I also use this after I cleanse (almost like a toner) to make sure all my makeup is removed. Even with regular cleansing sometimes the long-wear makeup is still left on the skin. This is why I always double cleanse if I’m wearing sunscreen or makeup. I really like this one – it’s soothing and hydrating without leaving a film on the skin.
Farmacy launched their new Whipped Greens Oil-free Foaming Cleanser a few months ago and as a huge fan of the Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser and Green Clean Balm, I had to try this one. It’s a nice foaming cleanser but I found it a little too drying for my skin right now. We are still in the dry season here and it’s a little too stripping for my face. I have used up quite a bit of this though – I’ll use it after a sweaty workout to clean out my pores. In general I think it’s a good one – but one that will probably be better for my skin once the humidity and heat returns to Florida. For winter it’s a bit too strong.
Last we have a look at two fragrances. I love a few of the REPLICA perfumes and when Bubble Bath launched I was super curious and ordered the travel size. Perfume is so personal so I hope you won’t be offended if you love this one when I say that it’s not for me. I found it too powdery and very soapy and it did not mix well with my skin. For a fresh scent I prefer their Lazy Sunday Morning or their Beach Walk for a summery scent. For me this was a miss although based on the online reviews it seems to be very popular.
One I do really love is the new Atelier Cologne Lemon Island. I have a number of their scents that I like to keep in my purse with me. I don’t consider myself a lemon lover when it comes to perfumes but this one has a really interesting mix of lemon, jasmin and vanilla with a salty feel. I think it’s a really nice scent to wear for warm weather and since I live in Florida I think it’s perfect!
That wraps up my Sephora haul. Hope you enjoyed reading! If you’ve hauled anything new or restocked on anything fun let me know in the comments!
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Press samples include the Fresh Kombucha No-Rinse Cleanser, Kosas Cloud Set in Breezy + Feathery, Atelier Cologne Lemon Island.
I have a mini Sephora Haul to share – I ordered some things online for their Sephorathon promo that ends today 12/9. I restocked on a couple things and also bought some items I had my eye on. Use code SAVE2020 online at Sephora to save depending on tier. You can also use the code in store (ends today) – it’s a one-time use promo:
Kate Somerville Eradikate Cleanser – one of my favorites to help prevent acne. I’ve raved about this one so many ties, it’s REALLY the best one to help with acne-prone skin. I ran out (even though I had recently restocked), stopped using it and started getting a wave of breakouts. It could have been from a number of things (hormones, stress, extra sweat) but when I use this I feel like it truly helps keep my breakouts under control, especially with the mask wearing.
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Sol de Janeiro Hand Sanitizer Spray is back in stock at Sephora. It doesn’t leave a sticky film and I love how it smells just like their body cream/shower gel. I ordered a couple more because I’m obsessed. The current version has a clear bottle (original one had a tinted bottle). Makeup bag below is from The Daily Edited (large size), also reviewed here.
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Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils have been on my radar as I used to use and love Peyote and Naked2 a lot. These have a smooth texture with a lot of great neutrals. I ordered 1993 (90’s-ish brown), Rush (rose pink), and Naked2 (nude pink). I swatched it next to Liar (deeper rose) and Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk.
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Lawless The Little One Eyeshadow Palette was on my radar and I have mixed feelings about this one. I haven’t had a chance to try it on my eyes yet since it just arrived but upon swatching it I feel like the powders have a LOT of powdery kick up. Also the colors look a little dry/chalky on the skin with my arm/hand swatches. The Anastasia Beverly Hills or Natasha Denona Palettes seem to have a much better texture and color payoff. I will keep you posted once I get a chance to try it on my face.
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Last I ordered the Too Faced Hangover Rx Pillow Talk Balm. I had this one a while ago but gifted it away (brand new) to a friend and decided to buy one for myself again. It has a cushiony feel, glides on nicely, smells almost like a minty pina colada with a cooling sensation. Tingle is minimal. So far I really like it!
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Did you haul anything during the Sephorathon promo? Or did you already shop a lot during Black Friday/Cyber Week?
The weather has shifted and dry season is officially here and my skin has been in desperate need of some extra TLC. So many of you had mentioned Skinfix to me as a new brand that you really love and I am thrilled to partner with them to give you a closer look at their Barrier+ Triple Lipid Peptide Cream.
The Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid Peptide Cream is my latest skin saver. It’s a rich hydrating cream that comes in a pump dispenser jar. I love that it is unscented, soothing and has that lush creamy feel without a super heavy texture. The Triple Peptide Cream is one of those moisturizers great for stressed or sensitive skin. It’s great especially if you have eczema or irritation from acids or retinol – there’s no stinging when you apply and it is very soothing.
For those who are into natural skincare, you’ll be happy to learn that the cream is 95% naturally-derived. The highlighted ingredients include:
Triple Lipid Complex – to restore natural lipids, it makes the skin glow!
Peptide Protein Blend – supports skin barrier function to protect it
Lily Root Extract – to tighten the skin and help skin retain moisture
I’ve been using this for nearly a month now and skin is more hydrated and smooth without any irritation. I love it during the day or at night. I even use it on the hands and body although they do have an Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream and Body Cream I am really eager to try.
Bottom line if you’re looking for a good no-fuss moisturizer that is good for sensitive or stressed out skin, I highly recommend giving the Lipid Peptide Cream a try. I frequently give skincare to friends and family, my brother has eczema and I’m sending him one of these creams for Christmas!
I love trying new perfumes and my latest discovery is the Bvlgari Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with it and think it is one of the most beautiful scents I’ve ever tried before. I’m so excited to partner with them to share a closer look today!
The Bulgari Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc is a light floral. It is a clean fresh scent with a beautiful mix of musk, amber, White Tea, Artemisia and white pepper. Au The Blanc has an incredible calming and relaxing kind of feel and I love how the amber mixed in adds warmth to it. It’s packaged in a gorgeous glass 2.5 oz cologne spray bottle and 3-4 spritzes lasts all day on my skin.
Au The Blanc has an elegant feel but is also suitable to wear for every day. I think it’s perfect for this upcoming holiday season as it’s fresh and pretty but not overpowering. It is also available in a Body Lotion and Shampoo and Shower Gel version which I now have on my wish list. The Au The Vert green tea version has come highly recommended by many of you and as a huge fan of bergamot notes I think this will be my next purchase!
I know perfume is so personal to each of us but if you are looking for a new fresh everyday kind of scent with a clean and relaxing vibe, I highly recommend checking out the Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc from Bulgari. I think it’s a timeless classic you can wear year-round as well.
Available at Sephora. If you are shopping the Holiday Savings Event don’t forget to take advantage of the savings which ends on Monday 11/9 – use code HOLIDAYFUN at checkout:
ROUGE Members save 20% off purchases
VIB Members save 15% off purchases
Insiders save 10% off all purchases
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Many thanks to Sephora and BVLGARI for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
Happy Friday! I’m rounding up the best for skincare, hair care, body care and fragrance from Sephora today. The Sephora Holiday Savings Event has started for Route and the dates and details are below! Use code HOLIDAYFUN (can use code multiple times in store and online):
Rouge First Access, save 20% off 10/30 through 11/9
That wraps up my favorites for skincare, hair care and body care from Sephora! Hope you found this shopping guide helpful. Would love to hear what your favorites are in the comments. Also as promised I’m hosting a giveaway. I’m giving away three $100 eGift Cards to Sephora. Three people will be selected at random through the widget below to win. Giveaway is open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to enter. The more steps you complete in the widget the more entries you will receive. I will email the winners directly (this is the only way I will contact winners) within 72 hours after the giveaway ends. Winners must respond within 72 hours or another person will be selected in their place. Runs through 11/04/2020 11:59 PM EST. Not sponsored or affiliated.
The Sephora Holiday Savings Event starts on Friday 10/30 for Rouge Members! I’m rounding up the best makeup to splurge on for the sale with my absolute favorites by category. Beauty Insiders can save on all purchases according to tier. The dates and details are as follows, use code HOLIDAYFUN (can use code multiple times in store and online):
Rouge First Access, save 20% off 10/30 through 11/9
VIB Members, save 15% off 11/3 through 11/9
Insiders, save 10% off 11/5 through 11/9
There are some limits so check out their disclaimer page once the sale goes live. I have so many beauty favorites from Sephora, many are not mentioned in this post – but if you have any questions let me know in the comments. To try and help provide a more edited shopping guide I picked my Top 5 per category (a couple of the categories have a few more than 5). I will have a separate post up for Skin/Hair/Body tomorrow!
Eyeshadows are an area that are nearly impossible for me to narrow down to my top 5! I feel like palettes are so personal to one’s taste and preference for shimmer vs matte, warm vs cool, powder vs cream. I picked out my favorite cream singles and then also have a list of my favorite brands for powder palettes.
Natasha Denona – I love her Mini Eye Palettes, in particular Mini Nude and her larger palettes like the Biba Palette or Glam Palette give you a lot for the price
Charlotte Tilbury also makes beautiful eyeshadow palettes that are easy to wear and versatile
Most-Used Eyeshadows – Charlotte Tilbury La Bella Sofia, Natasha Denona Nude, Tom Ford Mink Mirage or Natasha Denona Biba, Hourglass Scattered Light in Blaze, Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rosegold
Liner / Mascara
Best Liquid Eyeliner – Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen (one of the best out there, and 100% worth the splurge)
Best Brow Pencil – Anastasia Brow Wiz (best color range, I use Caramel or Taupe because my brows are lighter than my hair color)
That wraps up my ultimate makeup shopping guide! I hope you find this helpful 🙂 I tried to link all the swatches and reviews I could where applicable. I’ll be sharing my skincare recommendations tomorrow and check back because I’ll be hosting a giveaway in that post.
To recap Sephora Sale details are as follows, use code HOLIDAYFUN (can use code multiple times in store and online):
Rouge First Access, save 20% off 10/30 through 11/9
