The Sephora Holiday Savings Event is here! Early Access for Rouge Members starts today from 11/5 through 11/15! I’ve partnered with Sephora to share a look at the Top 10 Beauty Sets to gift this year. There are lots of great value sets to pick from at all price points for any beauty lover.
You can shop the Holiday Savings Event with code YAYHOLIDAY online (also available in stores). You can use the code more than one time if you shop multiple times. 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
All Sephora Collection products are 30% off (no code needed). Some exclusions and limitations apply. Rouge Members can also bring a friend to shop in store and they can also receive 20% off as long as they are a beauty insider! Here are 10 Beauty Sets to put on your radar for gifting this year!
Sephora Favorites Swipe of Lip Color Lipstick & Lip Balm Set
The Sephora Favorites Sets are pretty good this year! The Sephora Favorites Swipe of Lip Color Lipstick & Lip Balm Set ($36) comes with three full-sized lip products and two minis in a good range of colors to take you through the holiday season. It includes the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in 70 Le Nu (mini), NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick in Cruella (full-size), Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Vanilla Beige (full-size), Huda Beauty Lip Contour 2.0 in Honey Beige (full-size), Clinique Black Honey Lipstick (mini).
Sephora Favorites Bestselling Beauty Must-Haves Set
The Sephora Favorites Bestselling Beauty Must-Haves Set ($54) is another great value set with a little bit of everything including a beautyblender, Natasha Denona Mini Biba Palette, Mini Nars Laguna Bronzer along with some products for the lashes, skin and hair.
Sephora Favorites Healthy Hair Must-Haves Kit
For the hair care lover the Sephora Favorites Healthy Hair Must-Haves Kit ($38) is a great value set to give! I bought this as a gift but am considering getting another one for myself. There are a lot of items I haven’t tried that are in this kit.
Olaplex Holiday Set
Every year the Olaplex sets sell out, so I highly recommend acting fast on the Olaplex Healthy Hair Essentials ($60). This is one of my favorite brands for strengthening hair. I cannot live without their Shampoo and Conditioner!
Amika Blowout Buffet Blow Dryer Brush Set
I shopped early for myself to test a few items. As much as I adore the Dyson Airwrap Styler, I wanted to find a more affordable option for a blow-out brush that I could recommend. The Amika Blowout Buffet Blow Dryer Brush Set ($99) is a pretty good tool if you’re looking for a blow dryer + brush in one. This set has their Hair Blow Dryer Brush along with the Amika Wizard Detangling Primer and Perk Up Dry Shampoo. The brush is really easy to use and gives me a smooth blow out. I’ll towel dry hair first and then use the brush dryer in sections. If you find using a round brush + blow dryer challenging, this is a great alternative that makes getting a smooth blowout super easy.
beautyblender Sponge Set
There’s no other sponge quite as good as the beautyblenders and I’m always on the lookout for sets during the holiday. The Beautyblender Loaded Sundae Makeup Sponge Set ($49, $78 value) has three sponges, a solid cleanser and a scrub mat inside.
Skincare Sets
The Peel Pads from Dr Dennis Gross come highly recommended but I have not tried them yet! I thought the Peel.Love.Joy Set ($34, $51 value) was a good set to try since it has all three variations for Extra Strength, Universal and Gentle.
I’m a huge fan of the Farmacy Beauty Green Clean Cleanser so I knew I had to get the Farmacy Garden Party Green Clean Trio ($42). These are mini solid cleansers in scented options (but still suitable for my sensitive skin). It makes removing makeup at the end of the day a lot more fun and the cleanser is really effective!
The Tarte Bow and Go Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm Set ($35) is something I can’t rave enough about it. You get 4 full-sized balms packaged in 2 sets of 2 which makes them easy to gift! I’m getting multiples of these to give this year as stocking stuffers. The formula is hydrating and glossy. Colors have good color payoff for a balm. The click style applicator is fun. Colors in this set are Coconut, Petal, Orchid and Wild Berry.
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
Best Matte Foundations
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation – the best long-wear matte foundation that looks natural, doesn’t oxidize, smooths out skin and gives me airbrushed looking skin (I wear Buff)
Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation – medium buildable coverage, evens out imperfections, good shade range and various undertone options (does oxidize slightly, I wear 2.5N or 3N)
Best Satin Finish Foundation
Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation – best classic in between finish, not too dewy or matte, good coverage, good shade range, looks natural and makes skin look healthier (I wear 14 or 15, reviewed here)
Fenty Eaze Drops Blurring Skin Tint – nice lightweight tint but still offers decent coverage for a natural finish blurring tint (I wear Shade 10)
Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick – a nice foundation stick, pricey but offers natural medium coverage, blends well and looks nice on the skin (I wear Shade VI, on the face here)
Best Sheer Tints
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – a classic no-fuss dewy sheer tint to add a bit of color and tiny bit of coverage, for the no-makeup-makeup kind of person (I wear 3N1 or 3W1, on the face here)
I prefer creamy concealers so they are easier to blend and melt into the skin, favorites + my must-have setting powder:
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer – probably my favorite right now, makes me look more alive, brightens under the eye area and covers any red spots well (swatches here)
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:
Fenty Gloss Bomb and Fenty Gloss Bomb Cream tied – love love love so much, really like this year’s Glossy Posse (on the lips here)! Still adore Fussy and Fenty Glow (worn in this older post here)
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
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.
I’ve split everything in this review by category. Here are 10 things I hauled recently and loved!
Face Products
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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 vs a few individual full-size colors
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.
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.
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!
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Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
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 myHAIR 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:
YSL Rouge Volupte Shine love this for hydration, color and shine, favorite colors are #9, #44 and #123 (review of new colors here, also IGTV video here)
Dior Lip Glow classic balm tint that revives the natural lip color (new revamped formula is a tiny bit glossier but just as hydrating, now 97% natural in ingredients)
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:
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Buff 3N1
Dior BACKSTAGE Powder Shade 2N
NARS Soft Matte Tinted Lip Balms in Intimate
YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Shade 9
Tom Ford Sheer Highlighting Duo in Reflects Gilt
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks in Petal
Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Pillow Talk
Gucci Lip Pencil in Nude
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:
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
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:
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.
Best Dry Shampoo + Styling Favorites
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:
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.
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)
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!
Shop the Post:
Press samples include the Fresh Kombucha No-Rinse Cleanser, Kosas Cloud Set in Breezy + Feathery, Atelier Cologne Lemon Island.
