Sephora Archives - The Beauty Look Book

Patrick Ta Beauty Haul Review + Swatches

November 11, 2019

I have a Patrick Ta Beauty haul to share today! I’ve accumulated quite a few things I’ve purchased from Sephora over the past few months. As a neutral nude makeup lover I was really interested in his Monochrome Moment collection and so I’ve put together a roundup of everything I’ve tested to date. Overall I think there are some really nice pieces, but I don’t think they’ll appeal to everyone. More thoughts on why for each product below.

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Major Glow Lip Shine

Up first are the Patrick Ta Major Glow Lip Shines ($22 each) in three colors. These are smooth non sticky glosses with a minty scent. There’s no tingle sensation as one might expect with the mint and they feel smooth without any gritty texture even with the sparkle. These have a clear base even though they look tinted in the tubes. The sparkles are different colors. These are pretty alone or on top of lipstick, but I wish there was more visible color payoff rather than just sparkle. Lasting power isn’t the best – they feel like they disappear from lips fairly quickly. I prefer Pat McGrath and Hourglass glosses for texture, color and lasting power.

I have two different kinds of applicators: two have a flat sponge tip and one has an angled sponge tip. I’m not sure if they changed it at some point or if there are different applicators for different colors.

I’ve added swatches of other sparkle glosses below including Pat McGrath LUST Glosses in Pale Fire Nectar, Aliengelic, Earth Angel, Hourglass Unreal Gloss in Cosmic and MAC Dazzleglass in Sugarrimmed.

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Monochrome Moment: Silky Lip Creme and Precision Lip Crayon

As a neutral lip lover the Monochrome Moment had me so excited. The colors ended up being a lot different than promotional stock photos and swatches but I still really like the concept and colors. I bought 3 of the Silky Lip Cremes (the lightest one was too light for my skin tone) in She’s Independent, She’s Secure, She’s Confident and they’re all warmer and lighter than I anticipated. To get a better sense of the undertone I included swatches of other colors I thought would in the same color family including Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Fusion in Beige Naturel, Tom Ford Lip Lacquer in Universal Appeal, Lawless Soft Matte Liquid Lipsticks in Leo and George, NARS Velvet Lip Glides in Swing and Xenon, NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in American Woman and Fenty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncuffed.

She’s Independent is a neutral pink beige nude, She’s Secure is a warm peachy pink nude, She’s Confident is the darkest option which is a warm nude rose. I anticipated them being more rosy and cool-toned. On me they all pull warm.

Texture wise they’re like liquid cremes that don’t dry down to a matte finish (which I really love). They’re super creamy and opaque and give full coverage with a tiny bit of shine. They will transfer if you touch your lips, in particular I found they stuck to my teeth easily. Lasting power is decent as long as you don’t touch your lips. If you’re looking for a neutral rose I recommend passing on the colors he has out right now.

The Precision Lip Crayons are click-up pencils with an angled flat tip. They’re creamy and easy to apply for full coverage. I recommend feathering as they’re very opaque and have a matte finish. Once they set they are super long wearing. You can definitely pair these with the Silky Lip Creme but the lip cremes are so pigmented and opaque the liners won’t show through. I bought three: She’s Humble is a neutral nude pink and She’s Proud is a slightly deeper rose and She’s Strong is a cool-toned brown.

Swatch comparisons to other neutrals I have: Pat McGrath Permagel Done Undone, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude and Pillow Talk, Marc Jacobs Poutliner in Nudist and Primrose, MAC Lip Pencils in Stripdown, Whirl and Boldly Bare.

Lip swatches of 2 of the lip pencils and 3 lip cremes:

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Velvet Blush

I hauled all four the Monochrome Moment Velvet Blushes and think these will be hit or miss depending on how much color payoff you want in a blush. The texture is stiff/hard but not so hard that it’s impossible to pick up color. The texture makes it so the product is buildable and will give you a natural blushed look without being overdone. Swatching on hand in store won’t give you the true sense of how these apply on the face. Fingers barely pick up any powder or pigment. Using a brush and swatching on hand as well won’t show you much color. Sheer/hard texture doesn’t necessarily mean bad – they do show up on my skin, I just wish it had a softer and easier to apply formula.

Swatches on the arm with a heavy hand and then below applied on the face, She’s Adorable has the best color payoff/pigment:

For skintone reference I am wearing the Milk Flex Foundation Stick in Golden Sand, equivalent of Armani Luminous Silk in 6.5, MAC NC30-35, Pat McGrath 14 or 15, Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet in Beige 40. I’m starting to lose my tan slightly and I’ve also gone back to 100% dark hair as I’m trying to grow out my highlights. My colorist added a dark toner that almost matches my natural hair color last week.

Blushes are packed on pretty heavily on the face to show the color differences. With regular application of just one or two swipes the color is a lot more sheer.

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Major Glow On the Go Duo

The last thing I wanted to review was the Major Glow on the Go Duo with the Glitter Body Oil in A Dream and Major Glow Lip Shine in She’s Expensive. I really like the body oil finish and texture – it has a spritzer applicator and the oil itself smells like sweet candy. I’m not the biggest fan of the scent but it’s not a deal breaker and it fades after a few minutes. The Lip Shine isn’t a must for me but if you’re looking for a subtle glitter gloss this is a nice one to try.

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Overall I really love the lip liners for the lasting power, texture and packaging! The lip cremes have a nice texture but the colors weren’t anything like I expected. The ones I bought still work for a nude lip look on my complexion but they’re very warm toned so may not work for all skin tones. I would like them more if they didn’t transfer to my teeth so easily. The blushes are nice for a subtle everyday kind of blush but the stiff texture and sheer color payoff will most likely make it a miss for many. While I don’t think they’re bad I do think other brands and options are better. The lip shines are just ok for me – I had higher expectations and hopes with the pretty sparkle, on my lips they’re so sheer and the lasting power isn’t there.

Have you tried anything from Patrick Ta Beauty? What did you think?

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Sephora Skincare

Beauty Favorites for Skin, Hair + Body from Sephora

November 7, 2019

The Sephora Holiday Bonus Event opens up for all beauty insider tiers today! I rounded up my top makeup favorites last week. Today I’m rounding up the skin, hair and body care favorites you can find at Sephora. The weather is still warm here but has definitely shifted to cooler temperatures. My skincare routine has changed up a little with more hydrating creams and lotions. If you’re shopping online use code HOLIDAYSAVE (some exclusions apply). Details for all tiers are as follows:

Rouge Members can save 20% off 11/1 to 11/11
VIBs can save 15% off 11/7 to 11/11
Beauty Insiders can save 10% off 11/7 to 11/11

Press samples featured have a * next to them below. All others purchased and often repurchased by me.

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Cleansers + Makeup Removers

My favorite brands are Kate Somerville, Farmacy and Tatcha. I also really like SK-II but haven’t restocked on them in quite some time as I’ve found more affordable alternatives.

Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser – best everyday gentle gel cleanser
Farmacy Green Clean Meltaway Cleansing Balm * – best solid makeup remover for a double cleanse
Tatcha Pure One Step Camelia Cleansing Oil – my most-used cleansing oil
Kate Somerville Eradikate Cleanser – best one to help with acne issues

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Toner + Face Mists

I always use a toner after every cleanse to balance the skin and make sure every trace of residue is removed. I love a good face mist – there are so many good ones!

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner – best gentle hydrating toner
Fresh Rose Floral Toner – one of my favorite face mists for soothing
Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist * – the one I travel with the most!

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Face Moisturizers + Oils

This is the area I’ve switched up the most. My face is noticeably more dry and combination. I’ve used up quite a few of these so I don’t have them all right now – but favorites I’ve had in rotation.

For normal/combination skin:
- Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream – just rediscovered this and am loving how smooth it makes the skin look and feel!
- Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream – currently out of this in the full size but am living off my minis that I stocked up on earlier in the year, best all around moisturizer
- Farmacy Honeydrop Lightweight Moisturizer * – a great lightweight version that is hydrating but doesn’t feel greasy
For dry skin:
- Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream * – a nice more hydrating alternative to the Water Cream
- Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream – one I keep reaching for on dry skin days
- Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream – had minis of this from several sets and really like this for hydration
Best to calm skin:
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream – the best one for sensitive skin days, this is one my brother keeps asking me to buy him!
- Farmacy Better Daze Ahead * – the only CBD cream I’ve tried I actually like, I used this on my face when it reacted badly to sunscreen testing, was the only thing that helped it calm down
Favorite daytime oils:
- Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Anti-Aging Oil * – the lightest weight oil I’ve tried that hydrates, feels smooth and blends in beautifully to the skin without that typical oily feel
- Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil * – the best rose oil I’ve tried at an affordable price

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Night Time Treatments

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil – the best night time oil to help replenish moisture and repair skin overnight, I just discovered Andrew uses this too (he “borrowed” mine and put it in his bathroom cabinet, lol) – also available in this Midnight Must-Haves Set which I hauled yesterday
Kate Somerville RetAsphere Micro Peel – one of the few night time peels I can use without it irritating my skin, a gentle but effective resurfacing treatment
Sunday Riley Good Genes – probably the best lactic acid night resurfacing treatment I’ve tried, I use it sparingly though, around 1x per week, sometimes 2x! For those who don’t want to splurge on the full size, I highly recommend you try in smaller trial sizes available in the holiday sets like the Power Trio (just ordered), Power Couple or the Flash Fix Kit

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Treatments: Mask, Acne, Resurfacing

Treating spot acne is something we’ve had to do more frequently over the summer. I stopped using any kind of acid over the summer but occasionally do a light peel.

Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Baby Facial – best at home gentle peel ever, it has a high tingle level so your mileage may vary depending on how sensitive your skin is
Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment – our most repurchased acne spot treatment, Andrew uses this the most out of all the acne products we’ve bought
Kate Somerville EradiKate Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment – goes on clear so you can use it on wider areas that have problems, effective without leaving red spots on my face
Glamglow Supermud Activated Charcoal Treatment Mask – best pore minimizing and clarifying mask I’ve used, I have repurchased and used for many years
Fresh Sugar Face Polish – my favorite face scrub because it’s so gentle!
Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum – I don’t often use brightening serums, but this is the one I’ve liked the most, when I use it consistently I notice a huge difference in texture and brightness

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Hair Styling Favorites

I’m obsessed with Living Proof and IGK for hair styling products. Shampoo loves have been Olaplex, Briogeo and Christophe Robin in the past but these days I’m really obsessed with Sisley and Oribe (which aren’t available at Sephora):

Living Proof Flex Hairspray – I asked readers on Instagram stories about a year ago what the best hairspray at Sephora was and this was the one most recommended, I 100% agree, it holds hair in place but doesn’t leave it crunchy!
Living Proof No-Frizz Instant De-Frizzer – frizz is such a huge issue in Florida humidity, even with blow-dry treatments or serums there is still frizz! This saved my life this summer, I spray it and brush it through and it works like nothing else I’ve tried
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo – best smelling option I’ve tried
IGK Jet Lag Dry Shampoo – my most-used dry shampoo
Ouai Hair Oil – one of my top picks to add shine to ends
Moroccanoil Treatment * – my can’t live without shine product
Bumble and Bumble Bb.Glow Thermal Protection Mist – I saw this everywhere on Instagram and was influenced to buy it, I absolutely love it, it’s now a close tie with the Oribe Royal Blowout Spray for me
Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair! Mask – I’m out of this right now but this is my favorite hair mask
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Creme – one of the best cream products for a smooth blow out

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Bodycare Favorites

This is the category I use up the most frequently as Andrew and I share a lot of our body care products.

Sol de Janiero Brazilian 4 Play Shower Cream – I used the sunscreen oil in this scent during a trip to Miami and ever since then it reminds Andrew of being on vacation! I love this because it’s hydrating and smells amazing!
Sol de Janiero Samba 2-Step Foot Fetish Care – I bought this over the summer and think it’s the best foot cream I’ve tried because it dries to a velvety no-slip finish, the board is super effective too
Sol de Janiero Bum Bum Carnaval Getaway Set – I think this is the cutest body set for $25, it has minis of the spray, cream and shower gel
Fresh Brown Sugar Bath and Shower Gel – Fresh makes the best shower gels, I try to always have backups on hand because it’s gentle and effective
L’Occitane Almond Shower Shake – the most fun shower product ever, I like this better than the oil version!
Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub – best smelling body scrub for me!
Kiehl’s Hand Creams – they make the best for dry skin, the unscented is a classic but I also love the lavender and grapefruit ones

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Lip Treatments

I’m a lip balm junkie but am so picky with texture and scent. My favorites right now:

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask – best thick hydrating balm
Dior Addict Lip Glow – a classic for adding a flush of color
NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Orgasm – my most-used balm for the past couple of years
Kosas Kosasport LipFuel * – a beautiful stick option for a tint and flush of color (also available in a clear version)
Hourglass N28 Lip Treatment Oil – the most luxurious lip oil I’ve ever tried

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Andrew’s Favorites

Andrew’s most-used brands are a tie between Jack Black and Kiehl’s. His top five:

That wraps up my lengthy favorites list for skin care, hair care and body care! I realize it’s a lot – but I put a lot to the test and rotate frequently. I hope this gives you some ideas by category if you’re in search of something specific. Always happy to answer questions if you have any. The skincare sets are so good this year – it was hard for me to narrow down my picks but I stocked up on some Kiehl’s, Farmacy Beauty and First Aid Beauty.

Let me know what you ended up hauling!

I’ve put together a giveaway with some favorites. To enter use the widget below and complete at least THREE of the steps in the widget below. It’s open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to enter. Giveaway will run through Monday 11/11 11:59PM EST. I’ll email the winner within 24 hours and they must respond within 24 hours or another winner will be selected in their place. Not sponsored or affiliated.

One winner will be selected via the widget to win: Kosas Wet Lip Oil in Fruitjuice, Urban Decay On the Run Palette, ABH Glow Kit in Sweets, Pat McGrath Mini MatteTrance Trio, Pat McGrath MatteTrance in Guinevere, Tatcha mini Water Cream, Tatcha mini Dewy Cream, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Glow Powder + Brush, Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick Cocoa, Laura Mercier Primer, Urban Decay Setting Spray, Hourglass Minis x4.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Lips Sephora

Luxury Lips With Givenchy Le Rouge

November 6, 2019

I’ve been testing out some luxury lipsticks from Givenchy in the Le Rouge Classic formula alongside their new Le Rouge Deep Velvet and Le Rouge Night Noir options. Given that the Classic is such an iconic formula I cannot believe it has taken me so long to try them out. I’ve teamed up with Givenchy Beauty to give all three formulas a test. You can find them at Sephora ($38 each for 3.4 g/0.12 oz). They’re also available at a discounted price during the Sephora Holiday Bonus Event (now through 11/11) if you’re a beauty insider!

Each lipstick formula has a special case that coordinates with the formula finish. The Classic has a black leather casing, Deep Velvet has a deep red plush velvet case and Night Noir has a fun sparkling glittery black case.

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Le Rouge Classic

The Le Rouge Classic is my personal favorite of the three. It’s your classic luxury lipstick with a semi-matte soft satiny finish. Pigment is phenomenal and offers smooth full coverage with a single swipe but isn’t heavy. It feels comfortable and hydrating on the lips (it contains hyaluronic acid for moisture). Lasting power is excellent and stays put for hours without creasing or budging. I was sent three colors to test: 103 Brun Createur is a warm rose pink, 304 Mandarin Bolero is a bright coral cream, 333 L’Interdit is a classic deep red.

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Le Rouge Deep Velvet

The Le Rouge Deep Velvet is a modern matte with a lightweight velvety soft texture. It has a very smooth matte finish and is super comfortable on the lips. It doesn’t feel dry or thick. This is now ranked in my top 3 favorite matte lipstick finishes. I put three colors to the test in 10 Beige Nu which is a cool toned pink nude, 33 Orange Sable is a hot bright coral, 42 Violet Velours is a perfect soft plum. With this formula you also get full smooth coverage with one layer – it’s a one-swipe wonder!

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Le Rouge Night Noir

Last but not least is the Le Rouge Night Noir which comes in six color options. These are sparkly deep colors you can wear alone or on top of lipstick. It will deepen any lipstick you layer it on top of. There are tiny flecks of micro sparkle in these but there is no gritty texture. They’re 100% smooth and glide onto the lips with a shiny finish. 01 Night in Light is a deep black berry with glitter. 05 Night in Red is a deep reddish glitter with slight plum tones. I think Night in Red is going to be fun for holiday – especially if you want to wear a color that isn’t neutral but isn’t too bright.

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A closer look at my favorites from each formula: Le Rouge Classic in N103 Brun Createur, Le Rouge Deep Velvet in N10 Beige Nu and Le Rouge Night Noir in N2 Night in Red.

Out of the three I think the Classic formula is my favorite and if you’re looking to gift one to a friend this is the one to go with! You can find all three formulas out now at Sephora. Have you tried this lipstick formula yet? I’m still new to the line – any other favorites you think I should try out?

Quick reminder for the Sephora Holiday Bonus Event you can save up to 20% off purchases online and in store with code HOLIDAYSAVE (some exclusions apply). Dates and discounts for all tiers are as follows:

Rouge Members can save 20% off 11/1 to 11/11
VIBs can save 15% off 11/7 to 11/11
Beauty Insiders can save 10% off 11/7 to 11/11

Shop the post:

Sponsored by Givenchy.

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Sales Sephora

Top Makeup Picks to Shop During the Sephora Holiday Bonus Event

November 1, 2019

It’s that time of year again and the Sephora Holiday Bonus Event starts today for Rouge Beauty Insiders! Sephora Rouge Members have early access starting today 11/1 through 11/6 and can save up to 20% off purchases online and in store with code HOLIDAYSAVE (some exclusions apply). Dates for all tiers are as follows:

Rouge Members can save 20% off 11/1 to 11/11
VIBs can save 15% off 11/7 to 11/11
Beauty Insiders can save 10% off 11/7 to 11/11

I’ve been a Beauty Insider for years and highly recommend you sign up if you’re not one already. As a member you will get access to perks such as early access to events, launches, promotions and more. You can sign up in store or online. The discount is available for multi-use both online and in stores. Does not apply to taxes, shipping and some exclusions (listed at end of post).

I’m rounding up my top makeup picks for eyes, lips, cheeks and complexion. I have so many tried and true favorites it was a challenge to edit down my list but I’ve narrowed down my list to my top picks.

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Lip Favorites

I’ve been using the NARS Afterglow Lip Balm and Oil-Infused Lip Tints in Orgasm religiously for months. If you are in search of a pretty flushed pink with hydration I highly recommend both! You can find both in minis in the NARS Orgasm Mini Set (has a blush/highlighter duo, lip balm and lip oil). I think it would make a great gift for holiday. Any of the tinted Oil-Infused Lip Tints are nice as well – I really love Primal Instinct.

Pat McGrath is another favorite and I love every single formula she has launched for lips. The best formula for me is her BlitzTrance Lipstick in Skin Flixx for a pretty everyday neutral. Her Permagel Ultra Lip Pencils in Done Undone and Bare Rose are super long wearing and great lips but better colors. Her LUST Gloss is the best for a smooth cushiony non-sticky gloss (also available in two mini sets).

Charlotte Tilbury is a brand I always have in rotation. You can’t go wrong with her Lip Lustre, Lip Cheat or Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk. They’re the perfect everyday rose neutrals. I’m also really obsessed with her Collagen Lip Bath in Rosy Glow which makes the lips look super full and luscious!

The one lip set I think everyone needs is the Fenty Glossy Posse set. It has 5 minis of the Gloss Bomb and every single color is beautiful. They are sweetly scented like cherry candy and they all have shimmer. Colors include Confetti (iridescent opal), Fu$$y (soft light mauve pink), Pretty Please (shimmery hot pink), Cheeky (hot coral), Hot Chocolit (perfect cocoa shimmer).

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Cheek and Highlighter Favorites

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Ghost Edition has been in heavy rotation ever since I bought it. I’ve worn it a lot more than I anticipated and it’s so easy to use for everyday. Since it’s a pricey item I think the Sephora Holiday Event is a great time to save. I also really like the Ambient Lighting Ghost Blush Palette as well for more color.

For a more glowy highlight the Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighter and Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in Moodlight offer the prettiest noticeable glow. For a slightly deeper and honey highlighter the Fenty Killawatt Highlighter in Afternoon Snack/Mo Honey has been a really nice option for my medium tan skin. I think any of these will be great for the upcoming holiday season.

If you want something more subtle the Tom Ford Glow Drops are perfect for a very soft highlight and glow that isn’t glaring or sharp.

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Eye Makeup Favorites

My eye makeup staples include the Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel and Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rosegold or Copper. I wear these on a weekly basis. Other makeup basics for me include the Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen, Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner (I love the colors Bourbon and Double Life) and Tom Ford Fiber Brow Gel.

For an added sparkle/top coat the Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows and Natasha Denona Chroma Crystal Top Coats are the best options I’ve tried.

For palettes the Natasha Denona Biba Palette and Mini Nude Palette are 100% worth the splurge. It’s rare that I like every single color in a palette but both of these are pure love for me. The Biba palette has the most beautiful creamy like powder texture to blend and layer.

For a quick and easy eye the NARS Mini Wanted is also still in frequent use for me. It’s convenient with the mini size. The colors layer beautifully for a full eye look. If you want to go for a splurge you can’t go wrong with any of the Tom Ford Eye Color Quads. I like Honeymoon, Nude Dip and Body Heat the most.

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Base Favorites

Foundation and powder favorites remain the same for me. This time of year is a time when I’ll stock up on a concealer or powder to replace what I run out of. Laura Mercier has been the line I’ve used the most these days. I think the reformulated Tinted Moisturizer is excellent for no-makeup makeup days. I really love her Flawless Fusion Longwear Foundation (it’s my favorite!) and her Flawless Fusion Concealer in 2W and 3W are perfect for under eyes and to highlight.

The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Pressed Powder in Medium is my holy grail setting powder for a truly perfect blurring effect. I’ve started using the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders again in Dim Light and it’s a nice one to layer on top of my foundation for a subtle glow or to blend out the edges of blush or bronzer for a more diffused look.

In terms of foundation application I swear by the beautyblenders for the best application and blending. Many of you want to know what I recommend for a brush and the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush works to buff and blend liquids or creams.

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That wraps up my top makeup picks! To recap the Sephora Holiday Bonus Event starts today for Rouge Members online (with code HOLIDAYSAVE) and in store as well for savings up to 20% off purchases. A separate skin/hair post to follow. Let me know if you want a haul post too!

Per Sephora, here are the exclusions: Valid on merchandise purchases made in Sephora US stores, Sephora Canada stores, Sephora inside JCPenney stores, and on sephora.com and sephora.ca. Offer not valid on jcp.com. On Friday, 11/1/19 in stores only, Rouge client and one guest of Rouge who is a member of the Beauty Insider program and is present at the time of redemption will be eligible for 20% off all merchandise purchases. Not valid on The Ordinary and MAC Cosmetics VIVA GLAM products. Clients are limited to the purchase of one Dyson item and five Morphe items per SKU per transaction. Not valid on in-store services, previous purchases, purchases of gift cards or eGift cards, FLASH, PLAY! by SEPHORA, gift wrapping, packaging, taxes, or shipping & handling charges. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid. Sephora is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen offer materials or barcodes. Offer has no cash value and may not be altered, sold, bartered or transferred. Rouge status must be attained prior to redemption. No minimum purchase required. Due to heavy demand, Sephora FLASH delivery times cannot be guaranteed for this offer. Not valid on orders shipping outside the US or Canada. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offer or reward. Sephora and JCPenney employees are not eligible for these offers. Sephora may modify or cancel offer at any time.

Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.

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Fenty Beauty Sephora

Fenty Beauty Minis Haul

October 21, 2019

Holiday sets are starting to catch my eye and the cutest ones I’ve seen are from Fenty Beauty! As a huge lover of the Gloss Bomb I immediately added the Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Set to cart along with some other new holiday launches. I’ve actually accumulated a few previous launches from the line in mini sizes but never did a full review. I think minis are such a fun way to try product before committing to the full size. I thought I’d do a roundup of all the minis I’ve hauled to date from Fenty.

For holiday:

Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Set ($42 for 5 x 5.5 ml glosses)
Mini Body Lava Body Luminizer ($24 for 1 fl oz) in Who Needs Clothes?!
Bomb Baby 2 Mini Gloss and Highlighter Set ($24) in Sweet Mouth and Sand Castle

From the regular lineup:

Bomb Baby Mini Gloss and Highlighter Set ($24) in Fenty Glow and Hustla Baby
Fly Baby Mini Eye Primer and Liner Set ($24)
Pro Filt’r Mini Instant Retouch Setting Powder ($18 for 0.27 oz) in Cashew

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Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Set

My favorite out of all the minis is the holiday Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Set which has 5 mini lip glosses in the most beautiful luminous smooth shimmers. These have a smooth cushiony texture that isn’t sticky. They’re semi-thick depending on how much you put on but it’s comfortable and lasting power is pretty good for a gloss. They are scented with a sweet candy cherry like scent which might be hit or miss depending on how much you can tolerate sweet scents. There’s no detectable taste as far as I can tell. These make the lips look full and lush, I love layering on top of a liner like Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, Pat McGrath Done Undone, MAC Boldly Bare, MAC Stripdown or Kevyn Aucoin Minimal. The glosses are on the sheer side but have enough color to show up. Colors include:

Confetti is an opalescent glow
Fu$$y is a soft pink shimmer
Pretty Please is a bright sheer hot pink
Cheeky is a gorgeous sheer bright orange coral
Hot Chocolit is a shimmering sheer chocolate

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Mini Body Lava Body Luminizer

The Body Lava Body Luminizer had mixed reviews online. It has been on my list to try in store but everytime I go in there are so many other things that manage to distract me I never remember to try it. I decided to try the mini and it comes in one color option Who Needs Clothes?! which is a sheer rose gold but on my skin is more golden. The pros are it smells so amazing and gives the skin a beautiful shimmery sheen. It is quite sparkly but it’s really beautiful. The downside is pretty much a deal breaker for me to wear which is that it has a tacky sticky finish that never dries down. I tried applying to places on the body I thought would not come in contact with other things but it’s virtually impossible to do so. If they could reformulate this to have a better dry down I think it would be amazing.

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Bomb Baby Mini Gloss and Highlighter Sets

The first Bomb Baby Set has the classic Fenty Glow Gloss Bomb (universal warm rose shimmer) and 1/2 of one of their Killawatt Freestyle Highlighters in a mini called Hustla Baby (yellow champagne gold). There’s a new Bomb Baby 2 Mini Gloss and Highlighter Set with a new gloss shade called Sweet Mouth (pale pink shimmer) and Sand Castle (pulls silver metallic on me). Pigment on the highlighters is quite intense and they will show up on any skin tone with an almost blinding sheen. You can sheer it out for a more subtle glow but they are on the high shimmer side. I found both better on the eyes for my complexion. For the cheeks and my skin tone the Killawatt Highlighter in Afternoon Snack/Mo’ Honey is better suited for my coloring since it is deeper and not quite as contrasted in color with my skin.

Left is the Bomb Baby Set, right is Bomb Baby 2 Set:

Lip swatches:

I do think both are excellent and easy to wear. They’ll be super fun to wear for the upcoming holiday season.

A look at Bomb Baby 2 on Eyes and Lips:

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Pro Filt’r Mini Instant Retouch Setting Powder

The Pro Filter Loose Powder is something that immediately popped on my radar when it launched but after swatching it in store it seemed a bit dry and chalky. It has that talc/silica feel which does a great job at blurring but if you have any dry patches it ends up making the skin look even more dry. I bought the mini in Cashew but really would have a better match with Banana but it wasn’t available in the mini. I’ve used the mini numerous times over the past few months and can’t get consistent results. If have a well moisturized and creamy base the powder looks ok. If I have any matte finish base or dry patches the powder just doesn’t set right with my skin. The super matte effect makes my skin looked tired in an unflattering way sometimes. I didn’t like it enough to investigate the larger size or other shades.

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Fly Baby Mini Eye Primer and Liner Set

The minis always get me at checkout in store. I picked up the Fly Baby Mini Eye Set as an impulse buy and have mixed feelings. The Flyliner Longwear Liquid Liner provides a super deep satiny black line. I love the packaging and the applicator for an easy to apply precise line. I found that it stays wet longer than other liquid liners I have so it transfers if I open my eyes or blink right after applying it. With a primer the product sets faster but I still have to keep my eyes semi-shut for at least a minute for it to dry completely otherwise it smudges and never really fully sets. The Eye Primer is ok – it has a semi-sticky feel when I blend it on the lids but it does help powder shadow adhere well. I don’t think it’s essential or holy grail material but it was nice to try and it does work to help shadow stay on the lids longer. After I tried it though I discovered I had already bought the full size months ago and completely forgot about it!

Overall I’ve had some hits and misses. I think my absolute favorites from the line are the Gloss Bomb lip glosses. I hope they will add the new minis in full sizes eventually because I love the formula and new colors. I hauled everything from Sephora.

Have you tried any of the new holiday minis yet or anything else from the line? What are your hits or misses?

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Hauls Sephora

Sephora Haul Picks

August 23, 2019

I did a couple Sephora hauls online and in store and have my haul picks rounded up! If you’re a ROUGE or VIB Beauty Insider there is still time to shop the Summer Bonus Event through 8/27:

Rouge Members will receive 20% off purchases with code SUMMERSAVE
VIB Members will receive 15% off with code SUMMERSAVE

Everything I bought for makeup, skin care and hair care listed below! Plus a new makeup bag set I bought (not from Sephora but a lot of you have asked about it so there’s a sneak peek in this post):

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Base and Face Products

I received a couple press samples of the newly revamped Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer but the color they sent Bisque 3W1 seemed a little too dark. It is a very sheer formula and I felt like I could definitely pull it off, but I bought Sand 3N1 in store which seems to be a better match. I’ll keep you posted as I test it some more. It is improved and I like it a lot better than the original (I didn’t really love the original formula).

I also bought two shades of the Fenty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in 235 and 240. Even though sequentially 240 should be darker I felt like the warm tones of 235 make it look darker on my skin. I swatched both in store but the lighting isn’t always the best.

I stocked up on another of my holy grail pressed powder Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish in Shade 2. The little makeup bag is not from Sephora, but a recent buy. I’ve been getting requests to review the Cuyana Travel Set and compare it to The Daily Edited so I finally bought it. More thoughts to follow but I will say that I’m a little disappointed in the monogram font size. I opted for the small one but it seems too small, especially for the larger bag. The quality of the bag seems really good though.

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Makeup

I bought the Anastasia Dipbrow Mini in Medium Brown as an impulse buy at checkout and can’t wait to try it out! The Pat McGrath Lip Pencil in Done Undone is a pencil I actually already had but forgot that I had it so now I have a backup. The Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinsticks launched in new shades and I seriously wanted all of them but picked two Champagne Heist (warm champagne) and Pink Lemonade (shimmery pink). These have a dry texture/finish vs the emollient feel of a cream stick so in my experience they last longer on the skin.

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Skin/Hair

For skin/hair I limited myself to a few select picks. I’ve had the worst summer with mosquito bites and my legs are covered in mini bruise-like scars from them. They normally go away with time but the swelling I had from the allergic reaction this season damaged my skin. I bought the Murad Acne Control Post-Acne Spot Lightening Gel to see if it will help and am also going to try the Kate Somerville D-Scar Serum treatment to see if it works.

I’ve been wanting to try the Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence for a while but didn’t want to buy the full size. It now comes in a mini so I bought one to try.

The Inkey List is a newer skincare brand that I’ve been really interested in for the past months. Andrew and I have been so impressed with the Salicylic Acid Cleanser we have already gone through two bottles. I hauled another one and think the entire line is priced really well. It’s worth looking into! They have some really interesting sets.

Both Andrew and I really like the Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment for a Salicylic Acid spot treatment. My holy grail from MAC was discontinued and we spent months searching for a good alternative that wouldn’t turn my skin red. This has 2% Salicylic Acid with a few other ingredients to soothe and absorb oil.

For hair I bought the Olaplex Bonding Oil which I’m really excited to try. I have a wish-list a mile long for shampoos I want to stock up on or try, but I just splurged on some Oribe (not at Sephora). I might restock on some Kerastase but am still debating whether or not to.

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Shower Gels

These days I’ve been loving the Dove Body Wash Mousse in Rose for a budget-friendly option but nothing really compares to Fresh Shower Gels. I’ve been obsessed with these for years and wish they still had some of the original scents like their milk ones. These days I love the Fresh Life and Brown Sugar for a clean feel that doesn’t dry out the skin. I stocked up!

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That wraps up my Sephora haul! I’m doing another giveaway and will start them up again. This one is open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to qualify. I’ll pick one winner through the widget below.

To enter you must be a newsletter subscriber and enter through at least one of the other steps in the widget.
Giveaway will run through 8/27/2019 11:45 PM EST. I’ll pick ONE winner within 72 hours after the giveaway ends. The selected winner will be e-mailed by me directly and MUST reply to confirm from the same e-mail that was used to enter the giveaway, NO EXCEPTIONS. If a response is not received within 24 hours another winner will be selected.
Prize includes: full size Eve Lom Cleanser, full size Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder + Puff, Laura Mercier Lip Powder Palette in Paris, full size Caviar Eye Stick in Cobblestone, full size Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara, mini Moroccanoil Treatment, mini Becca Backlight Priming Filter, mini Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder Shade 2, mini Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Pillow Talk, mini Amika Soulfood Hair Mask.
Not sponsored or affiliated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

75 Comments

Sephora

Top Makeup Staples to Splurge on During the Sephora Summer Bonus Event

August 21, 2019

Sephora has surprised us with a Summer Bonus Event for Rouge and VIB Members! The event is happening now through 8/27 to reward top tier Beauty Insiders with a summer bonus discount both in store and online (you can shop and save multiple times throughout the event). If you’re not already a member I highly recommend signing up! As a member you get access to a lot of perks such as discounts, early access to new launches, promotions, free makeovers and more.

Rouge Members will receive 20% off purchases with code SUMMERSAVE
VIB Members will receive 15% off with code SUMMERSAVE

There are so many great beauty brands available at Sephora and this is a great time to try some new things that have on your wishlist or to stock up on tried-and-true staples. I’ve partnered with them to round up my Top 20 Makeup Staples I’ve used all summer long. Quick note that there are some exclusions: “Not valid on The Ordinary products . Clients are limited to the purchase of one Dyson item, three Drunk Elephant items, five Morphe items, and three Tatcha items per SKU per transaction.”

Face / Base

My top picks:

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation has been a go-to, the color range matches my skin tone the best as they have good golden/olive tones. This is the most naturally radiant looking foundation I’ve tried and it holds up well even in warm weather.
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation is the longest-wearing semi-matte finish base I’ve tried. It holds up the best in humidity, covers and smoothes, has great coverage, but my skin can still breathe with this one
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is forever going to be my holy grail. I love that the colors have been expanded, so if you felt like you couldn’t find a match with the original launch, you might want to check out the colors again. They’ve added a lot of new shades to fill in the gaps. It’s also available in a mini (in all colors)
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Filter Powder in Shade 2 is my holy grail blurring and setting powder in one. I love that it’s in a compact so it’s easy to carry in your purse for touch ups.

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Lip Favorites Right Now

I could go on forever about my favorite lip products. There are so many great formulas and finishes – practically something for everyone whether you want gloss, lipstick, a liquid, crayon, shimmer, matte, sheer, etc. The top ones I’ve had in rotation:

NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Orgasm is a soft hydrating balm that gives the lips the perfect soft pink flush. It’s surpassed my love for the Dior Addict Lip Glow!
NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints are also lovely for a beautiful lip oil. I think all the colors are really nice but I’m partial to Orgasm. It will swatch clear/sheer on your hand, but on the lips give it a minute and it will shift in color to a pretty pink. It’s what I’m wearing in this post!
Fenty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow is what I’d call a universal soft rose. I think it’s a must for any skin tone. It has a cushiony non-sticky finish.
Pat McGrath LuxeTrance Lipsticks are the first products I splurged on from her line and it’s been love since the first swipe. These are ultra creamy and opaque. They aren’t weightless but the colors are so beautiful.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk is my go-to rose neutral. If you find it too brown/rose I’d recommend you try Super Cindy (more peach) instead.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk is the best everyday neutral that goes will all of my lip colors. I’ll pair this with the Fenty Glosses on top.

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Eye Favorites + Staples

What I love right now:

NARS Wanted Mini Eyeshadow Palette has been surprisingly versatile for such a small palette! It has the perfect mix for a soft rosy neutral eye look.
Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks are still forever my favorites. I use these as eye bases for powder shadow. Rosegold and Copper are my most-used colors
Anastasia Brow Wiz is one of the best brow pencils I’ve ever tried. Since I got highlights last year I had to change my brow pencil color as my usual browns from Dior were a bit too dark. I alternate between Anastasia Medium Brown, Caramel and Taupe.
Tom Ford Fiber Brow Gel is the best brow gel to fill in and define the brow. I still love the Hourglass option for a cheaper alternative but I feel like the Tom Ford one fills in the gaps better.
Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows count for 2 of my picks because I have two favorite colors: Ray and Burnish. I thought the original 5 were amazing but I’ve really been loving Burnish and Ray layered together.
Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen is the best liquid liner. It’s so expensive but out of all the ones I’ve tried I feel it’s truly worth the extra price because it doesn’t bleed, it dries fast when you apply, and it does not dry out as quickly as other brands do. I also love that it’s double sided with two sizes for the tips.

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Cheek Favorites

Last but not least, the three cheek products I feel are extra special include:

Natasha Denona Bloom and Blush Glow has the prettiest mix of shades for the ultimate glow. It has a combination of powders and creams. I feel like this is such a unique palette!
Natasha Denona Tan and Bronze Glow is so good I’ve kept my backup so I won’t be without it once I use mine up. I think this has the most flattering mix of colors for highlight and bronzer for medium to medium dark skin.
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer in Shady Biz is a really good natural matte bronzer. I love everything about from the packaging to formula. It has the perfect texture to blend easily and doesn’t darken on the skin once it sets.

That wraps up my Top 20 Makeup Favorites! There are so many other things I also love but I tried to narrow down my recommendations list to the top 20.

The Sephora Summer Bonus Event is going to be for Rouge and VIB Members only this round, it runs through 8/27. I’m stocking up on some hair care and skin care favorites. I’ll probably buy a couple more of the Charlotte Tilbury pressed powders because I go through those frequently!

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