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Beauty Favorites Sales Sephora

Best Makeup to Shop From the Sephora Holiday Savings Event

November 4, 2021

Best Makeup to Shop During the Sephora Sale

The Sephora Holiday Savings Event is back with early access for Rouge Members starting on 11/5. You can shop the Holiday Savings Event with code YAYHOLIDAY online (also available in stores). Code is multi-use and for Rouge Members you can bring in a friend to shop in store and they will also receive 20% off as long as they are a Beauty Insider. Access dates and savings per tier this year are as follows:

  • Rouge Members: Save 20% off purchase from 11/5 – 11/15
  • VIB Members: Save 15% off purchases from 11/9 – 11/15
  • Insider Tier: Save 10% 11/11 – 11/15

Sephora Collection items are 30% off. (Some exclusions and limits apply.) I’ll have a few roundups and reviews throughout the savings event. For today’s roundup I’ve included my Top 3 in every makeup category. (A few categories I couldn’t narrow it down to just 3, but I’ve still kept it edited.) If you’re looking for my recommendations of the best keep reading!

Foundation

Favorite Foundations Laura Mercier, Armani and La Mer

Best Matte Foundations

Best Glow Foundation

Best Satin Finish Foundation

Best Sheer Tints

Shop My Favorite Bases

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Concealer + Powders

Pat Mcgrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer Review

Concealers

I prefer creamy concealers so they are easier to blend and melt into the skin, favorites + my must-have setting powder:

Powders

Shop My Favorites

 

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Highlighter

Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Glow Highlighter | The Beauty Look Book

There are so many great highlighters, it was a challenge to narrow it down to just three, especially with the holiday launches, but if I had to just pick three:

Blush

For cream blushes, I’ve really enjoyed:

Powder blush favorites:

Favorite Cheek Products

 

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Face Palettes

My top three new face palettes of the year:

Bronzer

 

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Eyeshadows

Too Faced Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

Another category I couldn’t narrow down to just three, but my Top 5 favorites:

Mascara

Liners/Brow

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Lipstick

Dior Nude Look Lipstick Matte

Matte

Shine/Creamy

Tinted Balms

Lip Liners

 

Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath Set

Lip Gloss

My Lip Favorites

 

That wraps up my best-of list! Stay tuned for another roundup coming tomorrow with a look at some of the best sets! To recap, the Sephora Holiday Savings Event access dates and savings per tier this year are as follows:

  • Rouge Members: Save 20% off purchase from 11/5 – 11/15
  • VIB Members: Save 15% off purchases from 11/9 – 11/15
  • Insider Tier: Save 10% 11/11 – 11/15

What’s on your wishlist?

Hauls Sephora

New Fall Makeup Haul Picks from Sephora

October 24, 2021

Sephora Makeup Haul

There are so many good beauty launches this time of year and I’ve put together a haul roundup of some things I’ve tested and loved from Sephora. I’ve partnered with them to share a closer look at new makeup for the face, cheeks, eyes and lips with swatches. If you’re shopping online you can use the code FREESHIP for free shipping on any order. I highly recommend checking out their Beauty Insider Program for extra benefits, early access to events and new product launches.

Sephora Makeup Haul | The Beauty Lookbook

I’ve split everything in this review by category. Here are 10 things I hauled recently and loved!

Face Products

Fenty Eaze Drops, MUFE Ultra HD Matte Setting Powder, YSL Nu Bare Look Tint

I’m always excited to try new foundations and skin tints. Two that I’ve been really impressed with are the Fenty Eaze Blurring Skin Tint ($29.50) and YSL Nu Bare Look Tint Skin Tint Foundation ($38). The Fenty Ease Blurring Skin Tint is a nice lightweight base that has a super natural look – like your skin but smoother and better. I wear Shade 10 and it has good coverage and lasts all day. The YSL Nu Bare Look Tint is my current favorite sheer dewy base. I wear either Shade 8 or 9 and it’s like a tinted moisturizer without being too dewy. It’s radiant, smoothing, glowy and lightweight.

I’ve been really impressed with the new Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Setting Powder ($37) in 3.0 Golden Neutral (available in 6 colors). It’s a great setting powder to smooth out pores, set your foundation and has a nice matte finish.

Complexion

Westman Atelier Holiday 2021 Sets Sephora | The Beauty Lookbook

For the cheeks Westman Atelier has some cute sets out for the holiday season! If you are looking for a super cute luxe gift for a beauty lover (or yourself) the Clean Glow Trios ($78 each) are super cute! There are two variations with a Lit Up Stick, Face Trace Contour Stick and Baby Cheeks.

Below wearing: Fenty Glow Eaze Blurring Drops in Shade 10, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Matte Setting Powder in Golden Neutral, Westman Atelier Clean Glow Trio II with Truffle, Nectar and DouDou, Fenty Gloss Bomb Cream in Candy Milk, Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette of Pearls, Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Mascara

Westman Atelier Clean Glow Trio II | Blush in DouDou

I hauled the Clean Glow Trio II (deeper variation) with Face Trace in Truffle, Lit Up Stick in Nectar, Baby Cheeks in Dou Dou. These come in the twist up sticks like the full size, just miniature and without the magnetic cap. Texture of the contour stick and blush is creamy with a nice dry down (great for longer lasting power). The Lit Sticks are super pretty for that dewy glow. On my medium tan complexion these sticks are fairly sheer and add a luminous glow.

Westman Atelier Clean Glow Trio II

Another beautiful option to gift this year is the Westman Atelier Gift Edition Holiday Box Highlighter + Lip Set ($133). It has new colors with Lit Up Stick in Parla (glossy champagne gold) and Lip Suede in Les Bordeaux (bright cherry red, pale mauve nude, deep plum and wine). The Lit Up Stick is really beautiful! The Lip Suede has a palette of matte shades that adhere well to the lips for exceptional lasting power. Colors run on the bold edgy side. You can always mix the shades for a custom lip look too.

Westman Atelier Holiday Box Highlighter & Lip Set

Westman Atelier Holiday Set swatches

Lip Suede in Bordeaux

Westman Atelier Holiday Box Set Lit Up Stick Parla and Bordeaux Lip Suede

Palette/Eyes

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Mascara

The Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara ($20) has been a good one for me! I love it for a nice defining and lifting formula that doesn’t clump or smudge.

Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette of Pearls

I love holiday palettes for the pretty shimmers and I hauled the new Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette of Pearls ($53) to try. For a complete eye look you will need to add some deeper shades or a liner (I added some of the mattes from the Too Faced Natural Nudes). But the colors are gorgeous, texture is smooth, shadows adhere well to the skin and last all day. I’ve added a swatch next to Star Aura (one of my favorites) for comparison.

Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette of Pearls vs Star Aura

Lips

 

Last but not least we have my favorite part of the haul lips! Every year I haul the Fenty Lip Sets. I’m a HUGE fan of the Gloss Bomb and Cream formulas and look forward to the new limited-edition colors. This year’s set is the Fenty Glossy Posse Fantasy 4Sum ($38) with a full size Gloss Bomb Cream in Candy Milk (pink), and 3 mini holographic Gloss Bombs in Champ Stamp Fenty Glow, Fenty Glow Fantasy and Hot Chocolit Fantasy. I love these. The glitter and sparkle is really wearable and not too over the top. Texture is super smooth and even with the sparkles I don’t feel any texture.

Fenty Glossy Posse Fantasy 4Sum

Fenty Glossy Posse Fantasy 4Sum vs a few individual full-size colors

Fenty Glossy Posse Fantasy 4Sum vs Fenty Glow, Hot Chocolit, Creams

Fenty Glossy Posse Fantasy 4Sum lip swatches

Hands down my favorite set that I’ve hauled is the Tarte Bow & Go Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm Set ($35, $76 value). I just recently tried this lip balm formula and cannot believe it took me so long to try it. They’re the perfect swipe and go kind of gloss + balm tint in one with a click up applicator. This set is packaged in two sets of two which makes them perfect for stocking stuffers. Colors in this set include Orchid, Coconut, Petal and Wild Berry.

Tarte Bow & Go Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm Set

Last I have a look at the newer shades of the Kosas Wet Lip Oil ($22 each). If you’re a neutral lip lover and want something you can throw on and look more polished, definitely check out the newer colors! Unzipped is a pale pink, Unhooked is a medium neutral nude pink, Unbuttoned is a soft warm blush. I love Unbuttoned the most, but all the colors are really good.

Kosas Wet Lip Oil in Unzipped, Unhooked, Unbuttoned

Kosas Wet Lip Oil in Unzipped, Unhooked, Unbuttoned lip swatches

That wraps up my haul roundup review! I hope you found the swatches helpful! You can find everything available at Sephora. If you’re a Beauty Insider, don’t forget to mark your calendar for the upcoming Holiday Savings Event in a few weeks! Savings start on 11/5 for Rouge Members!

Shop the Post

 

 

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

Beauty Favorites Sales Sephora

Top Makeup Recommendations for the Sephora Sale

April 9, 2021

Best Makeup Picks for the Sephora Sale

The Sephora Spring Sale starts today 4/9 for Rouge Members with 20% off! I’ve put together a comprehensive list of my top makeup picks for every category for complexion, eyes, lips and more. Use code OMGSPRING at checkout. In case you missed it, don’t forget to check out my HAIR CARE ROUNDUP (with a giveaway).

The event is available to Rouge Members first for early access online and in store starting today. The dates and savings by tier listed below. Some exclusions and limits apply. Use code OMGSPRING at checkout to redeem offer:

  • Rouge Members Save 20% off 4/9 to 4/19
  • VIB Members Save 15% off 4/13 to 4/19
  • Insiders Save 10% off 4/15 to 4/19

Best Makeup Picks for the SPRING Sephora Sale

FOUNDATION

CONCEALER

 

 

POWDER

 

 

Gucci Eclat Soleil Bronzing Powder Shade 01, 02 and 03

BLUSH + BRONZER

 

 

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer and Highlighter

HIGHLIGHTERS

 

 

EYELINER + BROW

Best Eyeshadow Palettes Too Faced, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Tom Ford, Natasha Denona

EYESHADOWS

New ones I’ve been loving

 

Gucci Nude Lip Liner NARS Soft Matte Tinted Balm Intimate

LIPSTICK + TINTED BALMS

 

 

LIPGLOSS + LIP PENCILS

 

Best Makeup Picks for Spring Sephora Sale

As always I know this is a very long list! Please don’t feel pressured to shop everything you see reviewed here (or elsewhere). As a beauty blogger I’m so fortunate to be able to test products as my job. I hope this serves as a good resource by category to help you narrow down your picks whether you’re looking for a new eyeliner or lipstick.

If I had to pick my Top 10 Favorites right now from what’s available at Sephora, here is my edited spring list:

  1. Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Buff 3N1
  2. Dior BACKSTAGE Powder Shade 2N
  3. NARS Soft Matte Tinted Lip Balms in Intimate
  4. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Shade 9
  5. Tom Ford Sheer Highlighting Duo in Reflects Gilt
  6. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light
  7. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks in Petal
  8. Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Pillow Talk
  9. Gucci Lip Pencil in Nude
  10. Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette in Bella Sofia

To recap the Sephora Spring Savings Event dates and savings by tier, use code OMGSPRING at checkout to redeem savings offer:

  • Rouge Members Save 20% off 4/9 to 4/19
  • VIB Members Save 15% off 4/13 to 4/19
  • Insiders Save 10% off 4/15 to 4/19

What are some of your makeup wishlist items?

Beauty Favorites Haircare

Hair Care Favorites from Sephora

April 8, 2021

Best Hair Care Sephora Sale

The Sephora Spring Savings Event starts on 4/9 for Rouge Members! I’ve put together my list of top recommendations in a 3 part series: Hair, Skin and Makeup. I’m kicking off the first roundup with my top picks for hair care.

The event is available to Rouge Members first for early access online and in store. The dates and savings by tier are listed below. Some exclusions and limits apply. Use code OMGSPRING at checkout to redeem offer:

  • Rouge Members Save 20% off 4/9 to 4/19
  • VIB Members Save 15% off 4/13 to 4/19
  • Insiders Save 10% off 4/15 to 4/19

Here are my favorites for hair care split by category. I’ve tested so much product over the years and I’m one who washes my hair almost daily. I go through a lot of shampoo and conditioners. I neglected masks for a while but started using them again and am so amazed at how good some are. I didn’t realize how dry my hair was!

Best Shampoo and Conditioners

Best Shampoo + Conditioners and Hair Masks

My three go-to brands at Sephora for shampoo and conditioner these days are Olaplex, Oribe and Briogeo. I don’t use a clarifying shampoo or product regularly but I really like the rinse from dpHUE. What I use and repurchase the most frequently:

Best Hair Mask

My go-to mask has been the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair. When I had more noticeable highlights I also really loved the Christophe Robin Shade Variations (available in different tones). It lasts about 3-5 washes. For an at home darkening product I also loved the Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask in Cocoa. This worked really well when I had some brassy highlights that were growing out and I wanted a temporary color at home (also only lasts about 5 washes for me).

For a deeper condition I can’t rave enough about the one from Kiehl’s. It’s one I just recently discovered and I’m 100% obsessed. If I could just pick one, it would be the Kiehl’s for non-color treated hair. For color-treated hair plus tint I really love Christophe Robin.

One from the archives, hair highlights from 2018. Shine is thanks to the Christophe Robin Shade Variation Hair Mask in Warm Chestnut.

Christophe Robin Hair Mask Variations Chestnut

Best Dry Shampoo + Styling Favorites

Best Hair Care Styling Products

For dry shampoo I try to keep this to a minimum because I find it can build up. In Florida with the heat and humidity + sweat if I’m outdoors there is no skipping a wash. I do like some of these to add texture though. Ones I really love:

Best Hair Styling: Hold + Shine

For styling these are products I like to either add hold or shine:

Best Heat Protectants or Primers

If you blow dry or heat treat your hair, here are the best heat protectants I’ve tried:

Misc.

Dyson Airwrap Styler

Andrew bought the Dyson Airwrap Complete Set for me over Christmas and I absolutely love it. I have not yet reviewed it but hope to soon. The Complete Set is usually almost always sold out. They do have some bundles pop up every once in a while like the Airwrap Styler Limited-Edition Gift Set (same as the complete but with an added pouch).

During the holiday I’m that person who is almost impossible to find a present for. I finally found something beauty-related that I wouldn’t buy for myself but still kind wanted. I held off mainly because I already own the Supersonic Hair Dryer.

I have not used the Supersonic since I got the Airwrap in December. I love the versatility of the Airwrap version and attachments are easy to use. Power-wise I feel like the Supersonic is stronger in the airflow and is also easier to use with a traditional round brush. The Airwrap is still very powerful and I find it gentler on my hair.

Dyson Airwrap Styler

I’ve tried all the attachments. Review very soon! I did buy the 1.2 inch Long Barrel Attachment curlers which is best for my hair length. In December the set barrels worked just fine but I have not had a hair cut in a few months and find the longer barrels work better.

 

 

That wraps up my hair care favorites roundup! To recap on the Sephora Spring Savings Event, use code OMGSPRING at checkout to redeem offer for these dates:

  • Rouge Members Save 20% off 4/9 to 4/19
  • VIB Members Save 15% off 4/13 to 4/19
  • Insiders Save 10% off 4/15 to 4/19

I’m hosting another giveaway! 3 different people will be selected to win a $100 eGift card to Sephora. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older. Details:

  • Open Internationally
  • Must be 18 years and older
  • All you have to do to enter is follow the steps in the widget below, complete at least 1 of the entries
  • The more steps you complete, the more entries
  • Giveaway runs 4/8 through 4/11/2021 11:59 PM EST
  • I’ll pick 3 winners on April 12, 2021 and email winners that day (winners will be emailed directly from me, I will not be contacting any other way)
  • Not sponsored or affiliated

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sephora YSL Beauty

New Shades of YSL Rouge Volupte Shines for Spring

April 2, 2021

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine New Shades

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.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks

Touche Eclat

YSL Touche Eclat Favorites

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.

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Concealer

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Concealer

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Concealer

YSL Touche Eclat Glow Tint B40 and Concealer Shade 3 and 4.5

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

New YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks

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:

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Day Look or Night Look

New YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks

New YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks

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

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Swatches

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine New Shades Lip Swatches

New YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks

New YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks at Sephora

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!

Shop the Post:

 

 

Sponsored by YSL Beauty.

Hauls Sephora

Sephora Haul

February 24, 2021

Sephora Haul Picks | The Beauty Lookbook

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!

Sephora Haul Too Faced, Urban Decay, Kerastase, Rare Beauty

Hair Care

Sephora Haul Hair Care Kerastase Primers, IGK Good Behaviour, T3 Clips

My hair salon recently started carrying Kerastase and my stylist uses their line on my hair when I get a cut + toner treatment. She’s used both the Kerastase Resistance Serum Therapiste for Severely Damaged Hair and Kerastase Resistance Ciment Themique Blow-Dry Primer for Damaged Hair when she blow dries my hair. I’ve used both in the past many years ago. I like them both for a leave-in heat protectant and sealant.

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.

T3 Hair Clips

Makeup Haul Picks

Sephora Haul Fenty Gloss Bomb, Cream, Lancome Lash Idole, Dior Addict

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:

Fenty Gloss Bomb and Cream Color Dip Lip Swatches

Fenty Gloss Bomb Pink Dragonfly, Cream Color Drip Lip Fenty Glow

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.

Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette swatches

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.

Sephora Haul Rare Beauty Review

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!

Below wearing the Nearly Rose Melting Cream Blush + Transcend Liquid Luminizer and Nearly Rose Glossy Lip Balm. Brush is the Real Techniques Brush 200 (available at Target, Ulta, Walmart).

Rare Beauty Nearly Rose Balm and Cream Blush

Swatches of my Rare Beauty haul picks, top to bottom:

Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm
Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush
Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight

Sephora Haul Rare Beauty swatches

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.

Urban Decay Hydromaniac Glowy Tinted Hydrator Foundation Shade 50

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.

Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder

Skin + Fragrance

Fresh 2-in-1 No-Rinse Cleanser & Prebiotic Treatment, Farmacy Whipped Greens Oil-free Foaming Cleanser

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!

Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

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.

Hauls Sephora

Mini Sephora Haul

December 9, 2020

Sephora Haul Kate Somerville, Sol de Janeiro Hand Sanitizer, Lawless Palette

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:

  • Rouge Members Save $25 off a $75 purchase
  • VIBs Save $20 off a $75 purchase
  • Insiders can Save $15 off a $75 purchase

P.S. for those who want to know, opening image details: nail polish is Essie Expressie Crop Top and Roll, side table is West Elm, chair is the Article Turoy Boucle Chair

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.

Kate Somerville Eradikate Cleanser

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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.

Sol de Janeiro Hand Sanitizer Spray

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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.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencils

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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.

Lawless Little One Eyeshadows

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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!

Too Faced Hangover Rx Pillow Balm

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Did you haul anything during the Sephorathon promo? Or did you already shop a lot during Black Friday/Cyber Week?

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