Browsing Tag

Tatcha

Hauls Sephora

Sephora Beauty Insider Sale / VIB Rouge Haul

April 21, 2015

I took advantage of the Sephora Beauty Insider sale and used my VIB Rouge discount for a massive haul. I planned on stocking up on skincare and haircare staples, but there seemed to be a wave of new beauty launches too. I ended up placing a couple of orders online. Here is the majority of what I bought. I have one more package coming in the mail but I’ll be out of town when it arrives at my home later this week. Be warned, this list is very long.

1 + 2 + 3 / Surratt Beauty just launched at Sephora, most of what I wanted was already sold out by the time the sale started, but I managed to order three Artistique Blushes in Guimauve, Parfait and Aurelole plus the Large Custom Palette Case. I also bought one Lip Lustre in Coquette.

4 / Urban Decay released the Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation in a wide range of colors. Each of the main shades come in Warm, Neutral and Cool. I picked out Medium Light Warm, I hope this is the right color for me, it’s hard to tell in stores.

5 / Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders in Dim Light and Diffused Light come highly recommended by my readers as all over setting powders. I have Dim Light in the Palette Form which I really like but feel it’s easier to dip a large fluffy brush in a larger compact. I’ve been obsessed with Diffused Light after testing it for a few days, it’s the perfect all over setting powder.

6 / Koh Gen Do Cleansing Wipes are a must for me. I stocked up on the 3-pack.

7 / Laura Mercier Baked Blush Bronze Compact in Ritual is new for me, but I don’t think it’s a new shade. I have swiped it a couple times on the hand and it looks very dark, but there is a pretty pink glow mixed in. From what I have read, each one has different swirl patterns.

8 / Lavanila is new to me and I usually buy Dove deodorants but the concept of a soft vanilla scent in deodorant seemed really interesting. Fresh Vanilla Lemon is a light vanilla with a hint of citrus.

9 / SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil has been on my list to try for a long time. I decided to use the discount to save on this since full retail is $70. Review to come as I play with this.

10 / Christian Louboutin Nail Colour in Wherever is a deep but bright blue cream. I reviewed all of The Nudes here. I have several of the brighter Pops Colors and love the formula.

11 / Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No. 7 in The Lolita and The Lover are really pretty neutrals. Swatches and review posted here.

12 / Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers Duo is a Sephora exclusive. Review of the full size version here. This duo has a small pack of Evening Papers in a darker color that is purse-sized. I haven’t tried them yet but I couldn’t resist a small one for clutches or small bags.

13 / YSL Gloss Volupte in Nude Carat has been on my radar for a while. The sale made me do it.

14 / I’ve loved everything I’ve tried from the Drybar line. These Hold Me Hair Clips are perfect for sectioning hair up when you curl, straighten or blow dry the hair. They are large and angled so they really grip large sections of hair without tugging, pulling or getting tangled without leaving dents.

15 / Tarte is a line I haven’t explored much of but the Smolder Eyes Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeliner has gotten so many raves. I bought Sunstone Bronze.

16 / Surratt Beauty Surreal Skin Concealer seems promising as it comes highly recommended by Beauty Professor. I don’t have immediate access but I ordered Shades 4 and 5 based on her swatches. I’m excited to try it.

Other items on their way include some haircare, skincare and lipgloss:

Make Up For Ever Plexi Gloss in 101, 201 and 105P

There are still a few more hours left to shop the sale. It ends tonight online, codes valid through end of today 4/21/2015 11:59 PM PDT.

VIB Rouge Members get 15% off with code ROUGELOVE
VIB Members get 15% off with code VIBLOVE
Beauty Insider Members get 10% off with code BILOVE

Did you buy anything from the Sephora sale? I would love to hear about your hauls!
14 Comments
Uncategorized

Sephora Beauty Insider VIB Rouge 15% Off Event Starts Today: 4/12 through 4/21/2015

April 12, 2015

The Sephora Beauty Insider event is happening this month! VIB Rouge Members get early access starting today where you can get 15% off your purchases online at Sephora.com with code ROUGELOVE and in stores by showing the mailer or copy of the e-mail you received with the barcodes 4/12 through 4/21. VIB and other Beauty Insider Members will have access at later dates (will update as more as I receive more info).

I placed an order online this morning to avoid the crowds, although quite a few of the Surratt Beauty items I had on my wish list sold out already. I’ll have my haul to share with you in the next week (my package is expected to arrive Tuesday or Wednesday).

In the meantime if you need some recommendations here is a list of items I’ve reviewed from the past few years that are good to save on. Sales on mid to high-end luxury products rarely occur except with the occasional friends and family discounts. In the mix a few splurges along with classic staples.

Row 1, left to right:

Row 2, left to right

Row 3, left to right:

Row 4, left to right: 

Did you buy anything for the VIB Rouge Beauty Insider sale at Sephora? If you’re shopping online be sure to enter in the code ROUGELOVE at checkout. If you’re a VIB/Beauty Insider Member, what’s on your wish list or in your shopping cart?

16 Comments
Uncategorized

Tatcha Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder (Travel Size)

March 16, 2015

Tatcha’s latest is the new Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder, available in two forms: $65 for the Full Size Version (60 g / 2.1 oz.) or $15 for Travel Size Mini (10 g / 0.5 fl. oz). This is the most gentle rice enyme powder they’ve released to date with rice bran, indigo extract, colloidal oatmeal + HADASEI-3 Bioactive Complex. Based on my testing of the Classic, Gentle and Deep, the new Indigo is the best one yet. It’s strong enough to give the skin a proper cleansing but gentle enough for days when your skin is extra sensitive. Even though it seems like the winter season never really arrived in Southern California (it’s in the high 70s this week), the weather has been dry making my skin react like a roller coaster. The Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder is the perfect exfoliant for those who don’t like traditional scrubs. If you’re like me they are almost always too harsh or if they are gentle they leave a film on the skin. The Tatcha cleans the skin well leaving it soft and residue free.

In case you are new to the Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powders, these are soft powder exfoliant cleansers that are activated with water. They come in a sturdy canister with a clever opening that helps dispense small amounts of powder into your hand. It prevents the product from getting all over the place when you use it and also makes sure that the product stays inside the container in case you travel with these. There are three types of the Polished Rice Enzyme Powders designed for different skin types: Classic is for normal skin, Gentle is for dry skin and Deep is for those with oily skin. You can see my previous review on all three here.
I use these as a double cleanse. First I use a cleansing water or oil to remove all traces of makeup. Then I follow with a regular cleanser or one of the Rice Enzyme Powders. These are the perfect mix between a cleanser and exfoliator. For me traditional face scrubs often end up tearing the skin and cause break outs (no matter how gentle they are). There is a learning curve to figure out the right mix of water to powder to create the right thickness in texture. I usually have one hand wet with water, then I’ll sprinkle about a tablespoon of powder into the palm. I’ll take the other hand (also damp) and rub together to create a paste.

Some more close ups of the Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder, featured here is the travel size:

Classic Full Size vs Indigo Travel Size:

Ingredients: Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Potassium Myristate, Polygonum Tinctorium (Japanese Indigo) Leaf/Stem Extract, Indigofera Tinctoria Leaf Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin (Pearl) Protein, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran, Algae Extract, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, Mica, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol.

The Indigo line is created for sensitive skin. I’ve been a huge fan of the Body Butter and Hand Creams because they really do work wonders for the skin when it’s dry or irritated. I love that they’ve added more to the Indigo line because the items smell incredibly good (although the Rice Enzyme Powder has no detectable scent). I’m secretly hoping they will release a shower gel or body lotion in the future.

If you’re new to Tatcha they have a large selection of Travel/Trial Sized items which makes it nice to try things out at a lower price point before investing in the full sized options. Out of all the Rice Enzyme Powders the Indigo is my new favorite followed by the Classic version. Tatcha kindly sent me the travel size to try out. I have the full size version in my online shopping cart right now and will be purchasing it after I hit publish on this post. The travel sized version will be traveling with me on a few trips I have in the upcoming months.

Bottom line highly recommend. You can find the Tatcha Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder in two sizes. The Full Size (60 g) retails for $65 and the Travel Size (10 g) retails for $15. Note there is still a promo code available: receive complimentary Aburitorigami Beauty Papers ($12 value) with any order over $20. Use promo code TREAT2015 at checkout to redeem. Offer may not be combined with any other promotions. Valid 3/5/2015 to 3/31/2015.
The travel sized Indigo rice powder was provided courtesy of Tatcha for review consideration.
13 Comments
Uncategorized

Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers

March 10, 2015

I’ve featured the Tatcha Aburatorigami Blotting Papers in some of my previous posts here, here and here. I like keeping these with me inside my bag because they are compact, fit into small spaces and work really well. Today I have a dedicated post on these papers inspired by a long-time beauty friend. She recently wrote me asking for my thoughts on these stating “the problem with most papers is that the packaging works against you when you are on the go … it’s difficult to grab just one and hot, sticky weather doesn’t help.” She brought up excellent points. I too had actually given up on blotting papers a long time ago for a variety of reasons. Packaging was often an issue, getting just one paper out has been a challenge, and often times papers either had too much of a powdery feel or disintegrated and fell apart (even on moderate oily days).

Enter in the Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers. These are described as “all-natural leaflet blotting sheets which absorb excess oil without disturbing makeup for petal fresh skin anytime, anywhere.” These are phenomenal blotting papers that work like blotting papers should. They are fragrance-free, powder free and pulp-free.

Everything is amazing about these from packaging, design and performance. The papers themselves measure approximately 3.75 inches by 3.75 inches. The size is just right so you can use one sheet for your entire face. These absorb oil without leaving any powdery residue (there is no powder on the sheets) yet they won’t strip moisture, nor will they leave your skin looking or feeling dry. Each sheet is thin with tiny gold flakes but they have just the right amount of thickness that they won’t fall apart and don’t feel flimsy in the hands. I like that they are sturdy enough so you can easily remove one at a time. They also won’t tear easily and the thickness makes it easy to grab just one (versus thin papers that are SO thin you end up grabbing several at a time). I like that they don’t disturb makeup on the nose or forehead when you blot your face.

Another plus for these papers is that Tatcha offers multiple packaging options, individually and in kits (they are genius!). As you can see below they are compact enough to slip into a pouch.

For the individual Aburatorigami Blotting papers, there are two main packaging types. There is the Original Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Paper that comes in a flat packed envelope with 30 sheets ($12 for a single pack, $40 for a four pack or $150 for fifteen packs.) You can also find these in a number of different sets like the Travel Kit, Nozomi Girls Kit and Bridal Skincare Set. I really like this format because of the flat pack packaging. It takes up little room in your makeup bag, clutch or purse.

Inside my bag here:

The newest packaging option is the Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Paper Tube ($15 for 35 sheets). These are cased in a black cardboard case with a clever mirror at one end.  These are packed into the tube stacked, but the size is large enough so it’s easy to remove one sheet at a time from the inner part of the tube. The packaging is sturdy but since it is made of paper/cardboard, this one does seem like it will be prone to wear if it comes in contact with lots of items in your bag. The size of the papers in the tube is the same as what comes in the flat packs.

A closer look at the packaging:

Bottom line, these are indispensable to me. They will absorb oil and keep the skin looking matte for a few hours without removing moisture or adding powder to the skin. I like that they are well made and sturdy and won’t fall apart. As usual with all Tatcha items, the packaging is well designed and I like that they give you multiple options. For me these are a definite must. I’ve ordered multiples of these multiple times.

You can find the Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers at Tatcha.com and also at Barneys New York. There are two promos going on that I want to share.

At Tatcha.com, receive a complimentary Aburitorigami Beauty Paper pack ($12 value) with any order over $20. Use promo code TREAT2015 at checkout to redeem. Offer may not be combined with any other promotions. Valid 3/5/2015 to 3/31/2015.

Right now at Barneys New York, the spring Love Yourself Beauty Event starts today through 3/14. Spend $200+ on beauty and receive a gift bag with goodies and samples (while supplies last). I don’t have the full listing but the e-mail I received shows 1 pack of the Tatcha Beauty Papers is inside.

Have you tried these blotting papers? If not what are your current favorites?
9 Comments
What's In My Bag

Inside My Bag

March 4, 2015

This week I’ve been playing with the Charlotte Tilbury Beach Sticks, new Burberry Eye Shadow formulation, the Dior Eye Reviver Palette, Marc Jacobs Contouring Duos, Chanel Rouge Cocos and much more. Thank you for your patience while you wait for reviews – I know some of you have e-mailed me and been asking when the reviews will be posted. I’m working as fast as I can. It’s only Wednesday and I’m already exhausted. I’ve been trying to go
easy on caffeine so I’ve been coffee-free for a few days which has
impacted my energy levels. Here’s a quick peek at what’s in my bag this week. Why I carry this much stuff is beyond me, although I have been traveling on a few mini road trips this week.

Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm (reviewed)
Chanel Glossimer in Fleur D’Eau (review)
Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Ibiza (review tomorrow)
L’Artisan La Chasse aux Papillon
Tom Ford Lips & Boys in Peter and Ian (review)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Aviator Sunglasses
Louis Vuitton Wallet, Goyard Tote, Sony NEX-6
Compartes Chocolate Bar

What do you have in your bag this week? I hope your week has been going well! P.S. Kelly Clarkson’s new album Piece by Piece is awesome.
31 Comments
Uncategorized

On My Radar / New In Beauty

February 25, 2015
Some new items on my radar this week that have popped up. I’m still working my way through photographing and swatching items from Marc Jacobs Beauty, Hourglass, Burberry, Chanel and Charlotte Tilbury. There’s not enough hours in the day for all the fun stuff. As usual I’d love to hear what’s on your beauty radar right now. I’m in the process of testing out some eye creams (sample packets and a few I’ve bought) – if you have any favorite eye creams I’d love to hear your recs in the comments.

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7  /  8  /  9
  1. NARS will release six shades of Dual-Intensity Blush next week at online at Sephora, NARS Cosmetics and NARS Boutiques on March 4th and at all other locations April 1st. As someone who is obsessed with the Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows, I’m beyond excited for these.
  2. Chanel has some new items in skincare. The entire Le Blanc line has been reformulated so if you have some staples I recommend you check your counter as soon as possible to see if they have the older formulas to stock up. I just ran out of my go-to Estee Lauder toner so I decided to give the Le Blanc Brightening Moisturizing Lotion a try. I’ll have a more detailed report once I give it a test drive. 
  3. Another new item from Chanel is the Hydra Beauty Micro Serum. From what I’ve heard, it will not replace the current Hydra Beauty Serum, but is simply an addition to the line for more moisture. I bought the Micro Serum yesterday and can’t wait to try it out.
  4. The Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipsticks are now available for everyone to purchase (no longer a VIB/VIB Rouge exclusive). There are eight shades of nudes and mauves which are super tempting. Given the fact that I have acquired a number of Chanel Rouge Cocos, Dior Glosses and Marc Jacobs Lipsticks buying another lipstick just seems silly. But many of you keep raving about Bite so I might check out 1 or 2.
  5. Dior has three new Gel-Shine Vernis Nail Lacquers launched with the release of the lip glosses.  The three colors are Rose, Pink and Corail. I’ll have swatches for you next week.
  6. Bobbi Brown has new Cheek Palettes with different color themes in Berry, Pink and Calypso. These are so stunning and well pigmented. I haven’t splurged yet but these are on my radar.
  7. Tatcha’s latest is the Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder for sensitive skin. It’s also available in a travel size. I’m a huge fan of the regular version (reviewed here) and this new one looks promising for days that my skin is experiencing extra sensitivity.
  8. Burberry has reformulated all of their shadows. In addition to their powder shadows, there is another new formula called Wet & Dry Glow Shadows in Optic White, Gold Pearl, Nude and Shell which are mind blowingly gorgeous. I’m working on swatches this week.
  9. Clinique has two Chubby Sticks out. There is a Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight and Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour. I like the look of the packaging and they look like they are really easy to use but reviews are mixed. Have you tried these? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What’s on your beauty radar this week?
27 Comments
Uncategorized

Hand Creams, Lotions and Treatments in Winter Rotation

January 14, 2015

This post has been several months in the works and with the winter weather I thought it the perfect time to share my favorite hand creams to battle dry skin. I’ve had my favorites in hand creams that I’ve tried, loved and been very loyal to which include L’Occitane, Tatcha and Caudalie. A few close friends have sworn by their personal favorites from different lines and insisted that I give them a test drive. Based on their recommendations I compiled a list of what to check out at stores near me and put several others to the test. Today I have a roundup of what I’ve tested, liked and my thoughts. Shown above from left to right:

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream ($15 for 2.5 fl oz)

This one is purse friendly, absorbs quickly, lightweight texture, soft sweet grape scent. I’m really particular with scented hand treatments this one has a nice smell. If you’re in need of quick and instant hydration I highly recommend this one. Moisturized feel lingers for a few minutes but the skin absorbs it fast and the hands are left feeling nicely hydrated and silky for hours.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve ($15 for 2.5 fl oz, $22 for 5 fl oz)

I never tried this until last month even though so many have raved about it. It is an intense treatment and I’ve found offers the most hydration out of all the ones I tested. There is a soft eucalyptus almost minty scent to it straight out of the tube, but the scent disappears almost instantly and leaves a very slight hint of fragrance. If you’re sensitive to fragrance this is a good pick. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy feel. I bought the smaller size which is purse-friendly.

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Intensive Smoothing Hand Creme ($60 for 3.4 fl oz)

I got this as a gift with purchase over a year ago and it has lasted a long time (still going strong). I remember when I researched this after receiving it thinking the price tag was extremely high for a hand treatment. I put it to the test and have been thoroughly impressed with the way it smooths the look of the hands instantly and improves texture over time. It is on the thick side but doesn’t leave any greasy residue on the hands because it also absorbs nicely. I wish it came in a smaller size option.

Formula X Hydrate Hand Crème with Kpangnan Butter ($16 for 3.4 fl oz)

Is a new hand cream from the Formula X line at Sephora. It smells absolutely delicious without being overpowering. It has a mix of shea butter with almond scent. It is very emollient and you can feel instant relief after applying. It is on the rich side so you can feel the moisture linger for about 15 to 20 minutes before it absorbs entirely. That being said it doesn’t feel heavy even though the formula is rich. I do wish the scent lasted a bit longer, it fades after 15 minutes or so, but the formula is good. It comes in a medium sized tube (also wish it came in a smaller option).

Eve Lom Hand Cream with SPF 10 ($35 for 1.6 fl oz)

This has been on my radar for months and I finally put it to the test in December. It’s the most lightweight hand cream I’ve tried with an airy texture and it absorbs into the skin instantly. There is no detectable scent so if you’re super sensitive to fragrance this is an excellent choice. It offers instant relief for dryness and lasts a long time. Although it is moisturizing, I found it on the lighter side compared to other treatments.

Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Hand Treatment ($20 for 1.7 oz)

Is a rich hand treatment that’s oil-free and made with a very soft almond-like scent. It claims to be quick absorbing which I agree with, but it has a super emollient texture which makes it feel a bit greasy even after 10 minutes. I found it a bit too heavy for my hands for day but do like it for night. That being said I did try this multiple times in stores before purchasing to give it more extensive testing. When my hands were super dry, testing this at the store gave my hands instant relief. The initial scent is really nice but after the dry down the scent disappears completely. 

Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Hand Cream ($38 for 60 ml / 2 fl oz)

This has been a long-time favorite. It comes in a travel size option which is nice to test it at a cheaper price point. If you have super dry or itchy hands, this is my ultimate pick for relief, hydration and also has the best lightweight scent. It has a blue tint but it disappears and absorbs into the skin (and doesn’t stain). I usually prefer hand creams that are priced $20 and under, but this one is so so good, I’m willing to overlook the price.

Diptyque Eau Rose Hand Cream ($28 for 1.7 oz)

This was released last year with the limited-edition Rosa Mundi collection. The Eau Rose Hand Cream is still available and is the sweetest rose I’ve tried. I think rose fragrances can be hard to do right, Diptyque’s Eau Rose has bergamot, blackcurrant, musk, cedar and honey mixed in making it more complex and less floral. The packaging is to die for.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream ($12 to $28, 1 oz to 5.2 oz)

This was the first hand cream I used when I was in high school and in my college days. I love the small travel size tubes these come in and also love every single one of the different scents and formulas. The Shea Butter formula is the classic one with the thickest and richest texture. I can’t count the times I’ve purchased this or tubes I’ve used up. L’Occitane is on my list every year to purchase as stocking stuffers. I’ll purchase tubes throughout the year as mini gifts, combine a mini hand cream and small box of chocolates and it makes a nice affordable treat for any occasion.

L’Occitane Scented Hand Treatments, assorted

L’Occitane’s scented hand creams are among the few that my sensitive nose can tolerate. They are subtle enough for me to wear without feeling self-conscious but strong enough that you can still smell them. I adore the sets L’Occitane offers, the holiday Arlésienne Velvet Hand Cream (.35 oz mini from the holiday L’Occibox shown, but available for purchase in the 1 oz size) is rose, sweet violet and saffron mix which is a pretty feminine scent (my husband approves of it on me). If you missed out on the holiday L’Occibox Elle x L’Occitane illustrated hand creams, the good news is that there is a cute 4-piece tin called the Irresistible Hand Collection which has the full sized 1 oz tubes. 

As you can tell, I’m a bit of a hand cream fanatic. Taking good care of my hands is a must, especially since I tend to wash them frequently and they are prone to dryness. In terms of picking my favorites, my criteria includes: has to absorb quickly, medium or lightweight fragrance, must be purse-friendly, cute packaging, and prefer something $20 and under. My recommendations to you will depend on what your skin is like, fragrance tolerance and also what your personal needs are. My quick take:

My personal top three picks for best formula for hydration:
Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Hand Cream
L’Occitane Shea Butter
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Best fragrance (for sensitive noses):
Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Hand Cream
L’Occitane any, my favs are Arlésienne, Amande and Cherry Blossom
Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream
Fragrance free (or almost no fragrance):
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Eve Lom Hand Cream

Most rich and moisturizing:
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Malin + Goetz
Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv

What are your favorite hand creams? I’ve been looking for a good liquid hand soaps, if you have any favorites that are gentle on the hands I’m all ears for your recommendations.
The Tatcha Indigo Hand Cream and L’Occitane baby hand creams were part of press samples provided for review consideration. All others purchased by me.
37 Comments