Showing posts with label Sephora. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sephora. Show all posts

Sephora Friends & Family Sale Haul

Here are the items I picked up during the recent Sephora Friends & Family Sale. I resisted the urge to splurge, hauling only three "must have" products and one that I have been lusting after for a few months.



The "must have" products are:
Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Tinted Moisturizer
I adore Tarte's Amazonian Clay products, and read a bit of hype on this product, which is supposedly more like a light to medium coverage foundation than a tinted moisturizer. My oily prone skin has actually been, dare I say, more normal and balanced lately, and I have looking to branch out from matte finish, full-coverage foundations to let my well-behaving skin show through. I am so excited to see if this fits the bill.  I bought the shade Agent 004, which is deigned for light skin with neutral undertones.

NARS Copacabana Illuminator
I had a deluxe sample of the Orgasm Illuminator, and I found it to be a great multipurpose product. However, I wasn't wild about the shade.  Copacabana is a pearly pinked beige, and I plan on mixing this in with my foundation and using it as a highlight.

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden
My makeup life changed when I discovered eyeshadow primer, and I recently ran out of the various mini versions I had of the Urban Decay ones. I selected Eden, a matte tawny beige primer, to also help conceal discoloration on my lids.

My nonessential treat:
Illamasqua Blush in Katie
I have been lemming for this blush for months after seeing it featured on various blogs, namely Golden Glow and Getting Cheeky. Katie, a matte milky pink, is not a shade I typically gravitate towards but there is something about this pale, creamy color that I found irresistible.

Did you haul anything during the Sephora Friends & Family Sale?


August Sayonara Products

 By the end of each month, I am astonished by how many products I finish up and it always seems that I run out of everything at once. On one hand, empty bottles assure me that I am actually using the products I spend my hard earned cash on; on the other, it can be a little overwhelming to need to replenish my stash of products all at once. I said sayonara to a whopping thirteen products this month!

 Yes to Tomatoes Daily Volumizing Conditioner
Of all of the natural conditioners I have tried, this one is by far my favorite (read my full review here). However, I wouldn't say it is a miracle product. In fact, I was seduced back to the dark side, at least temporarily, and picked up non-natural shampoo and conditioner (from the John Frieda Sheer Blonde line, which made my August favorites list). I am still on the hunt for a superior natural shampoo and conditioner- suggestions?

Macadamia Healing Oil Healing Oil Treatment
This small 1oz. bottle lasted me about 3 months- while I didn't use it daily at first, I really started to fall in love with this product just as it was getting low. It smells divine and keeps my hair hydrated and frizz-free. I am not sure I want to invest in the full sized, $25 bottle just yet, so I am on the hunt for a cheaper alternative. I am curious about VO5 Miracle Concentrate. Or should I bust out some cash and try out the classic Moroccan Oil? What do you all suggest?
 
 Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara
There are things I really like about this product: I can layer and layer and layer this mascara without it getting clumpy, it doesn't flake, and it offers nice length and respectable volume. However, it doesn't hold a curl very well and can leaves my lashes a bit heavy and stick like if I apply too many coats. I just opened a backup of this that I need to move through, but I don't think I will repurchase after that.

Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black
As of now, this is my HG mascara although I am still curious to try others. Voluminous Carbon Black offers incredible volume, but the formula is a bit finicky- one coat too many can leave you with clumpier lashes than the late Tammy Faye Baker. I wish this was a bit more lengthening as well, but I would still buy this again.

Sephora Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer
I have a full sized bottle of this and just wanted to get this little deluxe sample out of the way. On its own, this is a ho-hum tinted moisturizer- but then again, I prefer more coverage and oil control than a tinted moisturizer can typically provide. However, I mix this daily with matte finish full coverage foundation (either Revlon ColorStay or Estee Lauder Double Wear) to achieve a lighter, more natural finish. 

Benefit "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer
 I received this in my Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic kit. "That Gal" is a thick, creamy pink primer that initially made me very hesitant. I assumed a brightening face primer with thick, creamy formula would clash with my oily skin and exacerbate the appearance of shine. However, I really grew to love this primer. It gave me a non-shimmery, lit from within glow that made my matte foundations look more natural, and I never noticed a problem in terms of oil-control. I have a hard time dropping the cash for a full sized bottle of this, but I would consider it in the future.

Josie Maran Bronzing Argan Oil
By now we have all been informed enough times about the miraculous benefits of argan oil, so I figured this product would blow me out of the water. I received this in a Sephora kit in the winter, but couldn't imagine using it any other time of year except the summer. Since I couldn't imagine applying this to my  face, I rubbed this onto my legs when wearing skirts and shorts. It left a nice sheen but nothing that I couldn't achieve with a bit of my standby coconut oil (which smells way better anyway). Once rubbed in, the bronzing effect is not even visible. This one isn't worth the investment for me.
 AHAVA Purifying Mud Mask
As an oily skinned babe I love a good mud mask, but this one didn't wow me. I was really perplexed by the instructions, which insist you wash off the mask only 2 minutes after applying it. I liked that this has a slight exfoliating effect while rinsing it off, but I wouldn't seek this out in the future.

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Hydrating Lotion
This is some good stuff. My partner and I have moved through several bottles of this natural facial lotion- it is gentle enough for his hypersensitive skin and light enough for my oily prone skin. It is incredibly hydrating, quick to soak into the skin, and has a lovely cucumber scent.

Pangea Organics Facial Toner
Love love love this product, but I don't love the price. I received this deluxe sample in a Birchbox and quickly used it all up. It is an amazing organic toner that helps remove any grime my cleanser left behind and preps my skin for my lotion. Also, a quick mist sets makeup and refreshes skin. However a full sized bottle is $28, which means I will be searching for a more affordable option.
fresh Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum
I have complained here before on how difficult it is to find women's fragrances that are warm and earthy or aren't cloyingly fruity and flowery.  This one is different, and venture I say this may be my "signature scent." It is an alluring citrus scent with notes of wine- yum!

Korres Fig Shower Gel
My partner and I both love the earthy, dark, and slightly sweet scent of this shower gel, and the fact that it is all natural makes me even more excited. I cashed in my Birchbox points before I canceled by subscription and picked up a full sized bottle of this.

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails
 This got a bit thick towards the end, but overall I love this stuff. I apply it on clean nails underneath a base coat and it keeps my nails incredibly hard and strong. Try it out!

What did you use up in August?


Fierce Femme FOTD: Deathly Hallows

I love sleep too much to make the midnight showing, but the day after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows P. 2 premiered I hit the theater, my pals and I giddy as could be! In my "punk" younger years, the image I had of the HP phenomenon was of nerdy 8 year old kids with lightening bolts scribbled on their foreheads waiting outside of the local bookstore for an obscene number of hours for the latest book installment. Thankfully I grew out of that narrow-minded thinking because now I am totally enamored with the Harry Potter series, although I was late catching on! This post is a little late, but here is the look that I wore to the movie showing! By the way, the movie was AH-MAY-ZINNNG!

What I Used
Face
Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Medium Beige
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Light
elf HD Powder

Cheeks
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Exposed
Lorac Perfect Lit Oil Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight

Eyes
UDPP
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese (depotted)
elf Mineral Eyeshadow in Angelic (shimmering white; inner corners)
elf Mineral Eyeshadow in Smoldering (silvery pewter; lids and lower lash line)
elf Mineral Eyeshadow in Seductive (matte black; upper lash line, outer v, lower lash line)
elf Cream Eyeliner in Black (upper lash line, tight line, and water line)
Loreeal Voluminous Carbon Black (upper lashes)
Mybelline Lash Stiletto (lower lashes)





Lips
elf Lip Liner and Lip Brush in Natural
Sephora Collection Lip Attitude in 19 Innocent Beige (depotted)


My partner and I waiting for the movie to start!
Did you see HP and the Deathly Hallows P.2? What did you think?


Summer Essentials

I know, I know...we are at the tail end of summer and fall is quickly approaching. I am eager for the crunchy leaves and fall collections, but you best believe that I'm squeezing every last drop of summer out of  August! It is still hotter than hellfire in my neck of the woods, so I have a feeling I have quite a bit of sunshine weather left. If you follow my blog regularly, you have probably seen these items in heavy rotation this summer! Here are the products that have been my essentials this summer and will carry me through the end of the season.

Nail Polish
L-R: Sally Hansen Insta Dry Snappy Sorbet, Zoya Gaia, Essie Topless & Barefoot, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Caribbean Coral
 This has been the summer of coral for me! Two favorites have been Sally Hansen Insta-Dry in Snappy Sorbet and Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Caribbean Coral. When I am not in the mood for a bright coral, I have been loving Essie Topless & Barefoot, my perfect nude, and Zoya Gai, a soft white with subtle golden shimmer, is divine against a summer tan!

Eyes
 After neglecting my beloved Urban Decay Naked Palette for far too long, I made it part of my daily summer routine. Being the versatile product it is, it has been perfect to create simple, natural looks for when it is too hot to bother much with the eyes, as well as golden eyes, my summer staple.  Regardless of my eye look, I have been using NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk as a base- it is super creamy and makes my shadows pop like no other. Also, e.l.f. cream eyeliner in black is easy to apply and doesn't budge, even in the heat.

Face
Depending on the coverage I need that day, I go back and forth between foundation and tinted moisturizer in the summer. But without fail, I always mix in a little of my Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum to control oil and add a natural glow to my skin. I set my face with e.l.f. HD Powder, which has been great at keeping my shiny forehead at bay. And it is not summer without a good bronzer, and I have been surprisingly loyal to the one that is in the Sephora Sculpting Disk- it is matte and a great shade for my skin tone.

Lips
 As much as I adore lipstick, the summer is when I get the most use out of my glosses and balms. When I know I will be in the sun I apply my Yes to Carrots Conditioning Lip Butter with SPF 15 in Pomegranate to protect my lips. It leaves a bit of a white cast, so if I am wearing it beyond the poolside I layer a gloss on top. I have been favoring the Sally Hansen Diamond 12 Hour Lip Treatment Glosses in the shades Baguette, a hot pink, and Flawless, a coral orange.

Cheeks
 My cheeks are naturally a little pink, especially in the summer, so my summer blushes can't be too overpowering and also need to be long lasting. Two of my go-to blushes are Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in the shades Tipsy, a matte coral for when I want a little pop of color, and Exposed, a lovely matte pinky nude. Both of these hold up to the summer heat and my oily prone skin incredibly well. When I want to channel my inner bronzed goddess, it is all about my Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush in Honey Dipped.

Skin & Hair
For skin, I have been obsessed with my Pangea Organics Facial Toner. I spritz this on after I cleanse to balance my skin and maximize my moisturizer's effectiveness. After I apply my face makeup, I mist this on to eliminate the powdery look. Sunscreen is a must all year round, and this summer I have been using the Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby SPF 60+ Sunscreen, which doesn't leave a greasy residue on my face. I have also been loving my Batiste Dry Shampoo to add volume and absorb any excess oil. Last but certainly not least, my Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment has kept my hair soft, manageable, shiny, and hydrated despite all of the time I have spent with my hair in the pool and in the sun!

So that's what I have been faithful to this summer.
What are your Summer must-haves?


July Favorites & Flunkies


July was a really exciting month for me! Not only is July my birthday month, but I made a big change and moved to a new state! As far as makeup goes, I didn't haul much but I had a blast rediscovering some oldies but goodies in my collection. I had been in a bit of a makeup routine rut that finally broke this month. Here is what I have been all about this month, along with two flunkies that disappointed me.

 Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Gash
Gash is a shimmery, coppery dark red with a slight metallic sheen. It looks a little intimidating in the pan, but it is a really divine and versatile shadow. This month I have been blending this in to my crease for an interesting take on a smokey eye. Or when I am feeling really dramatic, I pack this all over the lid- sounds scary but it looks awesome, and really makes my green eyes pop. 

Urban Decay Naked Palette
An old favorite that I fell out of the habit of using my UD Naked Palette until just recently. This month it has definitely made a comeback- it has been ideal to create bronzed and golden eyes that are perfect for summer. I have been particularly loving Smog, Half Baked, and Darkhorse.
 
 Essie Topless & Barefoot
For the first part of summer I was obsessed with bright colors- especially coral and orange. This month, I have opted for more subtle and sophisticated nudes and pastels. Topless & Barefoot is the perfect nude for me, and made for an awesome birthday manicure.

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Mint Sorbet
This is a recent purchase and unfortunately I forgot to snap a picture of my mani while wearing this. I have been craving a pale mint green and was debating between this and Essie Mint Candy Apple. I picked Mint Sorbet because the Essie one is a touch more blue. Mint Sorbet has a really delicious creamy finish and looks great against a tan.

Sephora Sculpting Disk- Bronzer section
Bronzer has been a must-have for me this July, and I have been adoring  the one in the Sephora Sculpting Disk. I already used all of the translucent powder, and the highlighter is just so-so but the bronzer is perfection. It is a matte brown that doesn't lean orange and is great as an all over setting powder or contouring shade.

 MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2
When I first bought this, I was afraid it was too pale and gave me the dreaded concealer lips. Now that I have a bit of a tan, this lipstick is the perfect nude. It is a creamy beige that doesn't lean pink with an amplified finish. 

e.l.f. Mineral Lipstick in Runway Pink
I rediscovered this lipstick this month and it has been my go-to shade. It is a gorgeous creamy pale pink that goes with most any look.
 
 Maybelline Lash Stiletto
  I bought this during massive CVS haul and paid less than a quarter for it so I figured it was worth a shot. I don't particularly like this for my top lashes because it doesn't deliver the volume I seek, but it is superb for the bottom lashes. The wand is small and slightly pointed making it ideal for reaching those small inner corner lashes, and the lengthening formula gives a doll-like look. 

Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black
I have been trying out a few mascaras lately, so this old favorite fell to the bottom of my collection. I started using it regularly again this month and it makes me wonder why I even bother to try other mascaras! The formula is truly volumizing without getting too clumpy, and the consistency only gets better with time.

Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Brush
I received this in a Makeup Alley swap and it is a much welcomed addition to my brush collection. It is technically a blusher brush, but I have been using it to buff in my liquid foundation. The bristles are really soft and dense and delivers an almost airbrushed finish.

Korres Fig Shower Gel
I  received this in my July Birchbox and was so excited to try the Korres brand. I love that this is all natural and lathers well, and the fig scent is right up my alley: earthy, dark, and slightly sweet.

ybf automatic eyebrow pencil in universal taupe
 This was also a recent Birchbox goodie, and has been a trusty addition to my daily routine. This pencil is soft with nice staying power, a good match for my brow color, and the spoolie on the end is handy.

Unfortunately, July also brought me two flunkies:
Benefit Coralista
I might get some grief for this one, but I wasn't all that impressed with this cult favorite. This was a 100 point perk at Sephora, and never one to say no to a coral blush I snagged it. The color is nice, but not too unique in my opinion. But what really gets me is the smell! It is strongly scented, and the sweet sugary perfume lingers on my skin. Yuck.

alba Coconut Creamy lip balm
I loved this when I first picked it up for just a few cents during my CVS sale haul. I love that it is all natural and I am obsessed with anything coconut. But because it is made of mostly natural oils, this baby cannot hold up to heat.  A summer day in my purse and this lip balm was totally melted. I do like this, but sadly it has to live my by nightstand and stay indoors. 

What have you been lovin' this month? Any flunkies to report?


Birthday Suit (Fierce Femme FOTD & OOTD & NOTD)

Last reminder! Today is the last day to enter my 100 Followers Giveaway! If you have yet to enter, do so HERE.

Yesterday was my birthday! Overall it was a good one considering I am in a new city where I know few people and little about the area. My partner and I went out for a drink or two so I got a bit gussied up! Here is my birthday suit from head to toe ;)

OOTD
Black tank top- Target
Sheer leopard print oxford- Old Navy
Denim shorts- Abercrombie & Fitch
Brown wedge sandals- Mossimo @ Target
Purse- Nine West

FOTD

Face
Benefit That Gal Brightening Primer
Revlon ColorStay Foundation (mix of Medium Beige & Warm Golden)
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Light
e.l.f. HD Powder
Bronzer from Sephora Sculpting Disk
ybf automatic eyebrow pencil in universal taupe

Cheeks
Bronzer from Sephora Sculpting Disk
MAC MSF in Pearl (from Semi-Precious collection)

Eyes
UDPP
NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk
UD Naked Palette (Virgin on lids and brow bone, Smog in crease and lower lashline)
UD 24/7 liner in Whiskey
Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black

Lips
e.l.f. Lip Liner & Blending Brush in Natural
MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 lipstick

NOTD
Essie Barefoot & Topless
Zoya Jules (accent index fingers)
Blingy alligator ring- local boutique

Lastly, my birthday Sephora goodies!
philosophy vanilla birthday cake shower gel and a mini Benefit Coralista (100 point perk)

My partner and I off to my birthday festivities!


Adios Project 10 Pan!

Almost one month ago I embarked upon Project 10 Pan and today I declare it officially finished. Save one Zoya binge, this adventure was largely successful; I cleared out a handful of products that had overstayed their welcome, made room for future natural product purchases, and had a little needed distance from the seductive beauty industry. This project didn't last too long because I had decided at the beginning to included deluxe sample and travel sized products as well since I have an abundance of those cluttering up my makeup drawers and bathroom cabinet. But to compensate for my Zoya breakdown and these smaller bottles I waited to break my no-buy until I finished up 16 products.

Here is what I bid goodbye to and a brief review of each product:

  • Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder in Universal- This deluxe sample was a Beauty Insider perk from Sephora. This is nice, but I don't think it performs any better than my bargain friendly E.L.F. HD Powder.
  • Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Butter Moisturizing Condition- This is actually a pretty good conditioner, but I will not be repurchasing because I have switched to the all-natural Yes to Tomatoes brand.
  • Tarte Sooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum- Sweet goddess, I love this stuff. So much so that I bought the full-sized bottle (before I started Project 10 Pan) before I even ran out of this deluxe sample. Read my full review here.
  • Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner- I love this hair treatment. While I would love to find a natural replacement eventually, until then this is doing wonders on my dry, damaged locks. 
  • E.L.F. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen- I have read some raving reviews on this, but I though this eyeliner pen was pretty crummy. It dried up quickly and did not provide precise application. I had to force myself to use this until the felt tip basically disintegrated. 
  • Hard Candy Sheer Envy Face Primer- I really enjoyed this primer while it lasted, and I would consider repurchasing when I run out of my Monistat Soothing Care Chaffing Powder-Gel that I use as a primer (not as crazy as it sounds, I promise!)
  • St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Cleanser- This is my second bottle of this cleanser, and I really do like it. It is gentle, helps with redness, has a nice lather, and controls breakouts. I have been into Yes to Tomatoes lately, but there is a strong possibility that I will pick this up again.
  • Clean Scene by Murad Gaga for Glow Gentle Facial Scrub- This was also a deluxe sample from Sephora. It had an incredibly strong fruity scent that turned my stomach. I did like the micro exfoliants in the scrub (like the Proactiv cleanser), but it also had these awful pink, blue, and orange beads that refused to dissolve away. 
  • Hard Candy Plumping Serum Volumizing Lip Gloss in Girl Next Door- This is the first lip gloss in a long while that I can recall using all of. I'm talking about scraping the tube with the applicator to get at the last speck of product. The color was a nice sheer baby pink with fine  silver glitter, and it did have a subtle, tingly plumping effect. Although I wouldn't hunt it down, if I stumbled across this again I would repurchase. 
  • Olay Clarify & Cleanse Daily Scrub- I bought this because I was looking for a acne fighting exfoliating cleanser that also foamed and was suitable for daily use. This cleanser is awful and I had to force myself to not trash it. The exfoliating beads were like little blue plastic balls that never dissolved and would get trapped in my hairline. In order to finish this I only used this in the shower so I could rinse the beads away afterwards. 
  • Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towlettes- I went through 3 packs of 10 of these, and I really enjoy them. I have used better makeup removing wipes before, but these certainly hold their own and I like that they are all-natural.
  • Yes to Carrots Daily Pampering Shampoo and Conditioner- I did not care for these, so I am glad I only invested in the travel size to try them out. The shampoo did not lather enough for me, and the conditioner did not moisturize my hair very well. The Yes to Tomatoes line works much better on my hair.
  • Yes to Carrots Carrott Rich Shower Gel- This shower gel performs fine, but it didn't change my life. The scent is mild and the lather is minimal, but it got me clean. I plan to try a different all-natural shower gel. 
In addition to finishing up the above products, I hit pan on a few others in my makeup collection.  Here is what I am still earnestly trying to use up:

  • Sephora Sculpting Disk- I have hit pan on the pressed powder section of this product. I really do enjoy this sculpting disk; individually each products is nice, but having one compact for my powder, bronzer, and highlighter is convenient and travel friendly. 
  • Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight- I've just barely hit pan on this, but it is a deluxe sample that I received in a Sephora beauty in a box set. It is a pretty champagne powder with a fine shimmer that offers a diffused glow rather than a disco ball glitter party when applied. I like this, but not enough to pick up a full sized for $32 when this is gone. 
  • Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Malibu Strip- I have had this for a while, and it is a good multi-purpose product that can function as an eyeshadow palette, bronzer, or highlight. It is incredibly shimmery, almost metalic, so a little goes a long way which is why I cant seem to finish this stuff up! I have used up all of the white shimmer strip, and now I am left with metallic bronze shades.
  • Sephora Perfecting Tinted Mousturizer in Medium Peach- This isn't anything special as far as I am concerned. I am looking for a tinted moisturizer that is better at oil control, and this doesn't fit the bill.
  • Maybelline Expert Wear Blush in Precious Pink- Oh my goodness I have had this forever and it just won't go away! Which is amazing since this blush is so sheer I need to pack it on for any color pay off. I like that it has a nice sheen that leaves my cheeks looking slightly dewy, but otherwise I can't wait until this is gone!
  • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner Pencil in Zero- Recently I have been liking cream liners more, but this is the best pencil liner I have every used. Creamy and rich, and once it sets it has a great staying power. Thankfully I have another one of these that I received in an UD palette, because these are not cheap to replace.
There we have it! To celebrate the end of Project 10 Pan I picked up a few things today (here we go again...), so keep your eyes open for an upcoming mini-haul.


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