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PopSugar Must Have Unboxing June 2016!

June 30, 2016

Hi everyone!

PopSugar Must Have subscription box is in! For those who don’t know, PopSugar Must Have Box is a monthly box that includes items that range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. All items are full size and valued at over $100. This box is$39.95 per month while the new PopSugar mini box is $18.95.

The themes that inspired June’s box.

NCLA Born On the 4th Nail Lacquer, $16

This cruelty-free red, white, and blue polish can stand alone or worn on top of a different polish. I haven’t tried this one yet but it looks very festive and appropriate for the 4th of July weekend.

Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes, $9

An easy way to freshen up on the go, these travel-ready wipes neutralize odors and have an aluminum-free and vegan formula. I was a bit skeptical to try these at first but also curious as I have been looking for natural deodorant alternatives. I’m actually impressed with how well these held up throughout the day and while working out. I did find I needed to reapply before working out to keep completely odor free but overall, I will definitely purchase these again.

Knock Knock Are Your Ready (For Your Close-Up?) Compact, $10

A cheeky compact mirror that’s durable enough to throw into a beach bag for touch-ups on the go. Personally, this item felt a little on the cheap side. One side kind of magnifies which is nice but I gave this one away as I just wasn’t thrilled with it.

Wild and Wolf Ridley’s Games Room “Who Am I?” Quiz, $12.95

An easy-to-play game that you can bring anywhere to keep you and your friends guessing which celebrity it is. Haven’t used this but I’m sure it will come in handy as I’m always up for board games. I just hope that they’re not too hard to guess. 😉

Sisters of Los Angeles “Cheers” Gold Bottle Opener, $12.95

A weekend staple, this golden bar accessory is the ideal companion to your favorite brew. Again, not an item I was overly thrilled with. It’s nice and sturdy with some heft but eh, nothing to brag about.

Pressels Siracha, $1.29

I’m pretty much always happy when there are food items included. These have less fat and sodium than regular chips with a hint of spice. Although these were definitely not spicy or close to a siracha flavor, they were still tasty nonetheless and provided a filling snack.

Hat Attack Neutral Diamonds-Printed Sarong, $58

This multifunctional sarong is lightweight and easy to pack. You can switch up how you tie it, creating different possibilities on how to use it. Another item I was just not too thrilled to receive either. It has a nice design but I think I would have preferred a beach towel.

Overall, this was not my favorite box. The main item that was stellar was the Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes and I enjoyed the Pressels but other than these, this box was not exciting. 🙁 Here’s to hoping next month is better.

What did you think of this month’s box?

Stephanie

Play! By Sephora Unboxing June 2016!

June 28, 2016

Hi everyone! I’m excited to bring you a peek and review of the June Sephora subscription box. This curated box is $10 a month and you receive 6 deluxe size samples from prestige brands. There’s currently a wait list so if you’re interested, visit the Sephora website to add your name to the list.

The theme for this month is minimalism for a low-key summer look. Let’s take a look at what’s included.

Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow It

This hair creme is said to add body and “enhance fine to medium hair textures for a laid-back, air-dried style.” I have curly hair and while this provided it some definition, on it’s own, it didn’t hold up. My hair frizzed up and I had to pair it with other styling products. I think it would work better on wavy or straight hair.

BareMinerals bareSkin Bronzer

A liquid bronzer that can be used by itself or customized with your foundation to give you a sun-kissed glow. I loved this product. I used it to softly contour my face and although it looks dark, it blends out nicely without looking orange.

Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Mascara

A bestselling mascara, this helps to lengthen and volumize the smallest of lashes with its specially designed brush. Personally, I am not a fan of this mascara at all. The formula burns my eyes and somehow I find that this tangles/clumps my lashes so much. I gifted this one away.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter

Easily the product I looked forward to most when my box arrived. It’s a shimmering makeup primer that helps to blur imperfections and create a luminous look. I loved how this paired underneath my foundation to create a nice glow and I found it worked nicely as a liquid highlighter. I made sure to use powder over my makeup to keep my skin from looking overly shiny as I have combination skin.

Tarte Taretguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30

The esthetician in me is of course happy that a sunscreen was included in this box. An antioxidant- infused physical (non-chemical) sunscreen, this provides both broad-spectrum protection and moisturizing benefits. This sunscreen feels almost like a serum that absorbs quickly and is a bit on the oily side. So far, I haven’t experienced any breakouts from this though and it mixes well with foundations.

Tocca Beauty Florence

This romantic perfume, “conjures long-ago Paris with a sophisticate blend of bergamot, violet petals and blonde wood.” I didn’t care for this scent much. When I looked it up on the site, I noticed it also had notes of ivory gardenia and jasmine, both of which I really dislike. In order for me to like a perfume that contains jasmine or gardenia, these scents can’t be prominent and unfortunately that was the case with this one.

Swatches of the primer and bronzer.

Top-Bottom: Becca Backlight Priming Filter and BareMinerals bareSkin Bronzer

I was pretty happy with this box as it included some great brands that are perfect for a glowy summer look.

What did you think of this box?

Stephanie

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil Review!

June 23, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone!

I’m excited for today’s post as about a little over a month ago I received confirmation that I was part of the SEPHORA Beauty Enthusiast community. They sent me a deluxe sample of Sunday Riley’s Luna Night Sleeping Oil and while I had tried a small sample of this before, I gave another test run. Let’s take a look at what this highly talked about oil is all about.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Described as, “a next-generation retinoid oil that improves skin plumpness and helps fight the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and pores for visibly clearer, younger-looking skin.” It’s supposed to help reduce pore size, improve the appearance of damaged skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and moisturize and calm the skin.

Pros

Retinol as an ester

Antioxidant oils such as cold pressed chia oil, grapeseed oil and avocado oil

Improves skin texture

Provides excellent hydration

Includes chamomile which helps soothe irritation

Can be mixed in with your moisturizer for added benefits

Cons

Essential oils might be irritating for some people

Very fragrant

May be too moisturizing for acne skin types

A bit pricey

Inclusion of dyes (albeit small)

Overall: The first thing I noticed is that even before I opened the box, I could smell the product. The scent is laced with chamomile that while it smells nice , it’s fairly strong. Once this is applied though, the scent quickly dissipates. The star ingredient is hydroxypinacolone retinoate, a trans-retinoic acid ester. According to, The Skin Care Ingredient Handbook, hydroxypinacolone retinoate is a mild retinoic ester that decreases effect of sunlight-induced aging and can improve the appearance of acne-prone skin. An ester is a compound formed by a reaction between an acid and an alcohol, significantly reducing the risk of irritation; it’s perfect for people that have experienced irritation with retinol. As I’ve stated before, my forehead has textural issues and I noticed it was smoother after using this for a few days. This inclusion of the above mentioned oils and chamomile left my skin feeling very nice and hydrated but unfortunately because I have combination skin, it made me breakout on my jawline. I would recommend this oil if you have normal to dry skin but if you have acne prone skin or are have sensitive skin, I would tread with caution. I found that I had better luck with Sunday Riley’s Good Genes.

What are your thoughts on Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Night Oil?

Stephanie

June Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

June 21, 2016

Happy Tuesday everyone! Although I’m not 100% better, I can’t stay away from blogging too long because I really miss it and miss you guys as well. Thanks for your comments and well wishes-it’s always nice to hear! 🙂

June’s Birchbox box has arrived so let’s take a look at what’s included.

Real Chemistry Luminous 3- Minute Peel- Body

This is a gentle and acid-free exfoliator that can be used to exfoliate your feet, calves, bikini area, arms, and décolleté without irritating sensitive skin. It’s supposed to help with skin problems like keratosis, eczema, body acne and ingrown hairs. I have yet to try this one as I didn’t like the Real Chemistry Luminous 3- Minute Peel for the face at all.

Update: I didn’t really care for this product either. It is a very gentle exfoliant (gommage) but it didn’t do anything special for me. It felt sticky and just balled up on my skin, making no difference in texture.

SuperGoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50

This product is 3-in-1 mist that is part makeup setter, oil controller, and UV protector. I’m not the biggest fan of this product for the face as I received the full size of this in a PopSugar box last year. You can read my review for this one here.

Top to Bottom: Laura Gellar Gilded Honey, Benefit Gimmie Brow in Medium and Ardency Inn Modster Eyeliner

Ardency Inn Modster Smooth Ride Supercharged Eyeliner in Black

A creamy, waterproof liner that glides on effortlessly and then sets to a bold finish that won’t smudge or budge. The pigmentation on this is really intense and almost reminds me of a liquid liner. It applies very smoothly and has great staying power. I kind of wish I had gotten a more colorful shade but I can’t complain too much as this one is pretty good.

Laura Gellar New York Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Gilded Honey

Guys, this illuminator is life. Seriously, I was so thrilled to see that this was included in my box because I have swatched it a few times at Ulta and really loved it. This highlighter’s formula is designed to apply like a powder but feel like a cream, making it easily to blend. I have nothing but glowing reviews for this as it’s gorgeous, easy to apply and looks lovely. You can check it out in action on my Instagram page.

Benefit Gimmie Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel in Medium

This month’s sample choice, a few strokes of this brow-building invention can make brows look full and defined. Volumizing microfibers and an exclusive water-resistant gel adheres to skin and hair, thickening brows to certified bold status. I was excited to try this out as it seems like an easy way to define brows and I was not disappointed. Since it has a spoolie like application, I found it easy to define and tame by eyebrows in a few easy strokes. I received the shade medium which is a bit too dark for my liking so if I get the lighter shade, this will be perfect.

Ardency Inn Modster Eyeliner, Laura Gellar Gelato Swirl in Gilded Honey and Benefit Gimmie Brow in Medium

Overall, I liked this box, especially the Laura Gellar highlighter. I may cancel my Birchbox subscription after July because I’m accumulating a lot of samples and I kind of want to take a break from it. I’ll keep you guys updated though.

What did you think of this month’s Birchbox? Are any of you planning on cancelling or taking a break from it?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Box Unboxing May 2016!

May 26, 2016

Hi readers! This is the last of the subscription boxes I subscribed to this month so let’s take a look at what was included. For those who don’t know, PopSugar Must Have Box is a monthly box that includes items that range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. All items are full size and valued at over $100. This box is$39.95 per month while the new PopSugar mini box is $18.95.

Let’s take a look at this month!

Spongelle Spongology Body Buffer, $20

Made with organic extracts and sulfate-free ingredients, this body wash infused sponge cleanses, exfoliates and massages skin. The moment I opened the box, I caught a whiff of this lavender eucalyptus sponge and it smelled so good. I haven’t used this yet but it’ll ensure soft skin so lotions glide on effortlessly.

Kocostar Foot Therapy, $10

Just in time for sandal weather, these foot wraps promise to give you soft soles using natural, paraben-free botanical extracts. I’ve been curious to try exfoliating foot wraps and I’ll try them out this weekend.

Happy Spritz Breathe Deeply, $25

A mist that is infused with peppermint and eucalyptus oils meant to invigorate and soothe. You can mist it over your face or spritz it on your yoga mat after a workout session. I personally prefer the latter as I love yoga combined with aromatherapy-it takes yoga to a different level.

GaiamFoldable Yoga Mat, $24.98

This blue ultra light-weight yoga mat is compact and foldable which allows you to transport in a tote bag. True to the description, it is easier to carry this around since it folds and although it’s a little bit smaller width size than my normal mat,I’m sold on the fact that it’s portable.

Bluma Project Capri Bracelets- Set of 2, $44

These bracelets are handcrafted by Guatemalan artisans that have a combination of blue and gold hues. I think these bracelets are cute, however this is either the second or third time that PopSugar features a jewelry item with tassels and I’m not huge fan of it. We’ll see how this works.

JimmyBar! Peanut Butter Clutter JimmyBar! Clean Snack Bar, $2.49

Snack on this gluten and dairy free bar for a pre-workout energy boost. A combination of dates eliminates the need for added sugar and peanut butter makes this a perfect sweet and salty snack. Delicious!

Hint Kick (Special Extra), $1.69

Each of these drinks contain 60mg of caffeine, which is the equivalent of a small cup of coffe. It’s lightly infused with fruit flavors to provide a refreshing pick me up. I received the lemon cayenne pepper one and it had a spicy kick to it for sure. I’m not a huge caffeine drinker but I did like this one and wouldn’t mind purchasing it every once in a while.

Half Hitch Goods $10 Gift Card (Special Extra), $10

Use the credit on this gift card to purchase a quality-crafted gift for you or someone you love. I quickly scanned the website for this one and they have some neat, albeit pricey, things. If I use it, most likely I’ll purchase a candle.

Revlon Volume + Length Magnified Mascara (Special Extra), $8.99

This mega volumizing mascara formula is said to leave you with intense lashes. I like some of Revlon’s mascaras so I’m curious to find out how well this works.

Overall, I liked this month as there were a lot of great items included for summer and it’s always handy to have a foldable yoga mat. 🙂

What did you think of this month’s box?

Stephanie

Play! By Sephora Unboxing May 2016!

May 24, 2016

Hi everyone!

I was recently scratched off the waiting list for the monthly Play! By Sephora subscription box and couldn’t resist giving it a try. This box is $10 a month where you receive 6 deluxe size samples from prestige brands. This is a curated box so you can’t choose what to receive but with so many amazing brands carried at Sephora, you’re bound to receive something you like.

Let’s take a look at what’s inside!

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Kimchi

The Amuse Bouche Lipstick is a new formulation for Bite Beauty that, “provides saturated lip color with weightless coverage and a citrus flavor made from fresh pressed fruit.” I really love the citrus scent to this and the shade Kimchi is described as a shocking pink. You can tone down the shade by blotting down and applying some lip balm.

Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial

This is an overnight mask that is supposed to moisturize and brighten the skin thanks to the vitamin C found on here. I had a bad experience with the Korres Greek Yoghurt line so I am a little scared to try this one. My skin has been a little bit more oily so I may save this for when it’s feeling dry.

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine

Notes of blood orange and geranium are found in this scent that is supposed to bring to mind relaxed mornings, sunrises, and soft sea breezes. It’s classified as zesty, energizing and playful. I’ve spritzed this a few times but I can’t seem to bring myself to love it. It’s a bit overpowering and not really my type of scent.

Top-Bottom: Bite Beauty Kimchi and Tarte Lip Crayon in Latergram

Here’s a swatch of Kimichi and Latergram. (See below for description of Latergram).

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

I was excited to see this mask as it was included in a previous Birchbox and I really loved how soft and manageable this made my hair. Read my review here.

Tarte Tartiest Lip Crayon in Latergram

This is a mauve colored retractable lip pencil that has a matte finish. It’s purpose is to help prime and line lips for a perfectly contoured look. Personally, I haven’t jumped on the lip contour trend and as of now, I don’t plan to. However, the staying power on this lip liner is incredible and it’s highly pigmented.

Origins Maskimizer + Drink Up and Clear Improvement Masks

I haven’t had an opportunity to try these yet but basically it’s a kit that has a charcoal mask for deep cleansing, a hydrating mask for moisturizing and a primer for the face mask that’s supposed to help it work better. I’m a little bit skeptical of the primer as it’s only ingredient is a marine algae complex and it may work good for hydrating but not necessarily help the mask work better.

So far, I’m happy with this subscription box! 🙂

What are your thoughts on Play! By Sephora?

Stephanie

Violet Voss Holy Grail Palette Swatches and Review!

May 16, 2016

Happy Monday everyone and welcome to a special post today on the highly coveted and currently sold out Violet Voss Holy Grail Palette. Since Violet Voss will be taking pre-orders Thursday, May 19th, I decided to bump up the review date to today so that in case you’re interested in purchasing this, you have some time to mull over my review.

So, let’s get to it, shall we?

Violet Voss Holy Grail Eye Shadow Palette

Described as, “Violet Voss Cosmetics is proud to present 20 highly pigmented eye shadows in a variety of must have finishes. Our PRO eye shadows are made with the highest quality ingredients and formulated to allow for smooth blending. The perfect go-to for any occasion to create your flawless sexy look.”

Pros

Creamy and smooth application

Great selection of mattes, satins and metallics

You can create a variety of looks

Full sized pans

Cruelty free

Great pigmentation

Cons

Pricey- $52

Limited edition

Case is prone to getting dirty fast (minor issue)

Some shades are fairly similar once applied

Tiny bit of fallout on some shades

Eyeshadows seem a bit fragile

Contains talc (some people are allergic)

Overall: I am very happy with this palette and highly recommend it. Although it is a bit pricey, the formula and shades are so creamy and blend nicely, making a the application process a breeze. There is a bit of fallout from some of the shades, Toffee and Bat My Eyes come to mind, and you really need to pack on the color for Glamping to appear. Some of the shades, when applied to the lid, kind of look the same (Toffee, Awesome Sauce and Chill) yet have subtle differences. You can use these though to seamlessly blend the colors together. I’m not a major fan of the packaging as it accumulates shadow fallout easily but it’s a minor issue and not a deal breaker for me. I have noticed that the eyeshadows seem a bit fragile, perhaps due to the creamy consistency. The plastic protective sheet that is included in the palette seems to scratch the eyeshadows very easily so I need to be careful when removing it. I’m not sure how well this would hold up when traveling or if it accidentally falls. Overall, though I think this is a palette worth investing in, especially if you like warm eyeshadows. Fingers crossed that they make this palette permanent.

Here’s some swatches. 🙂

Crystal- light champagne

Ploof- light shimmery pink

Thanks A Latte- cream

Transition- light brown

Hashtag- orange

Awesome Sauce- bronze peach

Bestie- buff matte

Toffee- burnt orange gold

Chill- shimmery light gold

How U Doin- dark rose gold

Bat My Eyes- espresso brown

Cool Beans- metallic taupey brown

R U Kitten Me- medium brown

So Jelly- shimmery duo chrome pink

On Fleek- metallic red brown

Brownie Points- dark brown

Teddy Bear- plummy dark brown

Glamping- shimmery burgundy

Cranberry Splash- shimmery cranberry

Wine N Dine- matte red/fuchsia

Will you be picking up a palette? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Stephanie

First Impressions: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation!

May 5, 2016

Hi everyone!

A little over a month ago, I found myself at a Charlotte Tilbury counter and was given samples of her new Magic Foundation. Since then, I’ve received requests to share my thoughts on it so here it is. 🙂

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in Shade 4

Described as,” a miracle in a bottle that transforms skin for all ages, skin tones and skin types. It conceals imperfections, glides on like a dream, and literally feels like a second skin. Whether your skin needs just a bit of perfecting, or you struggle with a frustrating issue like acne, melasma or rosacea, my Magic Foundation will give you a perfect looking skin day, every day!”

Pros

Contains broad spectrum sunscreen

Offers medium to full coverage

Fragrance free and no discernible scent

Doesn’t feel heavy

Shade 4 is pretty spot on with my skin tone

Cons

An ingredient in here caused my skin to itch

Contains talc which may be a problem for some people

Clings on to dry areas/imperfections

Vitamin C and mushroom extract are at the bottom of the list

Doesn’t blend easily

Overall: I had such high hopes with this foundation but unfortunately for me, this didn’t work out for me. There’s an ingredient in here that made my nose itch throughout the day. Despite prepping my skin prior to application, this foundation accentuated any abnormality in my skin and looked cakey. Surprisingly, this feels light-weight and comfortable given the thicker consistency of this foundation yet this factor is not enough to offset the patchy application. Using my beauty blender helped give this a more natural look versus applying it with a brush as the damp sponge helps the foundation blend in better. As far as the inclusion of vitamin C and mushroom extract to provide antioxidant and firming properties, these ingredients are included towards the bottom of the list, meaning they may not be concentrated enough to make a notable difference. I appreciate the fact this is fragrance free and includes a mineral source of sunscreen, however, I would highly recommend Charlotte Tilbury’s Light Wonder over this one.

What are your thoughts on Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Foundation?

Stephanie

April Favorites 2016!

April 28, 2016

Hello everyone! We’re a few days shy of the end of April and I’ve got a great collection of items to share so let’s get started!

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Double Dare

One of the items I picked up at the Sephora sale, I can’t get over this beautiful shade. If you’re in the market for a great liquid lipstick, pick this one up, if you can find it.

Colour Pop Ultra Satin Lip in Echo Park

If you’re looking for an affordable liquid lipstick, then Colour Pop is your brand. At $6, this warm peachy nude applies smoothly and surprisingly lasts even though it’s not a matte formula. It does come off as it never fully dries and I did find this to be on the drying side but lip balm underneath helps.

The Estee Edit by Estee Lauder The Barest Lip Color in So Bare

A collection I initially dismissed, I’m glad I went back to take a closer look. A lipstick/lip balm hybrid, this feels creamy, hydrating and imparts good pigmentation

Lancome Juicy Shaker in 252 Vanilla Pop

Lancome’s newest take on the original Juicy Tubes, this lip oil is unique. You shake the bottle to mix the lip oils and pigments to create a nice, albeit sheer, wash of color. The applicator is a stubby sponge attached to the cap which feels plush and melts the product onto your lips. This product gets addicting so you have been warned. 😉

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion in C3

I was a fan of the Laneige BB Cushion Compact so I wanted to give this one a try. This does give a nice luminous look to skin that doesn’t feel heavy. I’m not a big fan of the sponge that’s included so I use my beauty blender to apply the product. Overall, I’m happy with this one.

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation #3

I requested a sample of this foundation at the Charlotte Tilbury counter and this one is pretty much perfection. It’s light-weight and provides enough coverage for me where it doesn’t look cakey and covers up my redness. I was worried that this would be to glowy for my combination skin but so far it gives a nice sheen without looking like an oily mess.

Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow

Another iconic item from Charotte Tilbury, I had to pick up this Film Star Bronze and Glow palette after one of the makeup artists tried it on me. I will say that the Sculpt shade is lighter than expected but it sculpts cheek bones in a not-so-obvious way. It blends in pretty nicely too. The highlighter is also not that obvious looking but adds a subtle ethereal glow.

Becca Mineral Blush in Wild Honey

I love using this blush as it blends effortlessly and looks great applied over bronzer. It’s not matte and has small shimmer particles but when it’s on me, it looks a bit matte.

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer

A perfect shade for sculpting and contouring, I’m only sad I didn’t try this sooner. Love that the color is dark enough to define cheekbones but not overpowering. I use this instead of the CT Sculpt shade when I want more definition.

Renee Rouleau Soothing Eye Makeup Remover

I received this when Renee was in town and I have to say that this did not irritate my sensitive eyes. Sometimes certain makeup remover wipes or formulas sting my eyes but this one was very gentle with no burning feeling. It did well in removing minimal eye makeup but I had to use something more oil based if I had heavier eye makeup.

Skin Script Glycolic Cleanser

I ordered a few samples of these and boy these are very active products. Containing 17% glycolic acid, I use this about twice a week when I’m experiencing some breakouts. It’s also doubling as my beauty blender cleanser as it effectively removes all the gunk that accumulates on it.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

I’ve been impressed by this hair mask. As soon as I apply this, it leaves my color treated hair softer and smoother feeling.

Govino Go-Anywhere Carafe and Water Glass Set

I know this is missing from the main picture, but I didn’t have it with me at the time. I received this carafe and water glass set in my March PopSugar Must Have Box and since I’ve kept it with me at work, I’ve been staying way more hydrated than I normally do. The carafe is 28 oz and I refill it a few times a day. I also love the fact that it’s easy to store and doesn’t take up too much space as you can place the water glass upside down on top of the carafe.

Please let me know your favorites this month and if you’d want a full review of any of these products!

Stephanie

Sephora VIB 15% Mini Haul!

April 26, 2016

Hi readers! I hope you all had a great weekend!

As promised, here are the final items that I purchased during the Sephora VIB sale along with mini reviews. Enjoy!

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer

I purchased this on a whim and because I couldn’t help but love the new mini travel size options. This one cost $15 and it was smaller than I expected but it’s well worth it. A little goes a long way and the color is visible enough to sculpt cheekbones but light enough to not look fake.

Becca Mineral Blush in Wild Honey

The Tarte Celebrated blush didn’t work out for me as it emphasized my pores and looked patchy so I exchanged it for this one instead. This is described as a peachy nude shade and it looks so pretty on! This is nicely pigmented and blends in easily. Perfect for any season.

Top-Bottom: Benefit Hoola/Becca Wild Honey Blush

The Estee Edit by Estee Lauder The Barest Lip Color in So Bare

I must admit that I first walked by the Estee Edit display a couple of times but dismissed it. After reading good reviews on the lipsticks and later taking time to swatch the colors, I had to have the shade So Bare. As luck would have it, I got the last one and as soon as I tried it, it did not disappoint. Lip balm texture and nicely pigmented color, you should give these a try.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Double Dare

This shade is frequently out of stock online and in store so I was ecstatic when I found the last tube in store. Describes as a cocoa blush shade, this shade is gorgeous and will look great on many skin tones. It has good lasting power though it does fade with heavy drinking and eating. You need this shade.

Top-Bottom: KVD Double Dare and Estee Lauder So Bare

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

One of the sales associates recommended this setting powder and although I haven’t used it as much, I do like. It really helps set your concealer and helps prevent it from separating.

That’s it for my mini haul. 🙂

What did you get at the Sephora sale?

Stephanie