A Closet Love Affair: sephora

Showing posts with label sephora. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 01, 2014

#newrelease: Urban Decay Electric Palette in stores today!

Great news! Urban Decay had released the Electric Palette in stores today!

Previously, this set was available on store websites like Ulta & Sephora. I cannot wait to try this out in stores! I want to see how it contrasts against my skin and most bloggers are white so their swatches didn't help much. 😭

Personally I'm planning to buy this from Sephora. I'll be going to a VIB event for Sephora on Thursday to get a nice little discount on this. VIBs, if you haven't checked in the mail recently- this came in. You can also save 15% online and in stores by giving code VIBTICKET. This code will only work for VIBs.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about then You probably prefer Ulta. Don't fret- they also have a great incentive to purchase- two free samples- deluxe lipgloss and Eye Primer Potion sample for any UD purchase over $40 USD.

Update:

Got a chance to try it out at Macy's! Get a load of these swatches!

They're fairly true to the color.

Closerrrrr.

Monday, February 24, 2014

#Review: Bite Vivid Luminous Creme Lipstick Duo (Violet/Palomino)

As everyone knows, I am a sucker for combos. The more bang I get for my buck, the better!

Review

Bite

Vivid Luminous Creme Lipstick Duo in Violet/Palomino

$12 USD, Sephora

I'm ecstatic that Sephora released more of these. The Bite Lip Duos that debuted around Black Friday/Christmas time and now have reappeared with vigor. They're only $12 USD so why not? But I was bummed because I was told they were only created for Christmas.

I originally went into the store to get something else and lo and behold, I found two colors that I've lost and been seeking to replace. A match made in heaven. Both colors were super vibrant and looked great against my skin. The color wears for a long time. Needs to be reapplied after eating & drinking. (Like normal lipsticks). Color is quite stubborn around the edges and can last overnight if not removed. The consistency was awesome and lipstick glided on with no dragging or issues. Everything was pretty spot on. My only request would be to have a more hydrating color. It neither hydrates nor parches lips.

Two for the price of one.

You can wear them induvidually...

(Left) Violet, (right) Palomino

.....Or blended together.

It's super small so it can fit in any clutch, wristlet...

...or in your cleavage.

Verdict: Worth the buy! Great value, almost feels like I robbed Sephora. Drugstore brands cost about $6 USD a pop anyway so it's super bang for your buck. Colors are great for most skintones.

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

#Review: Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser & Reparative Moisturizer

I also received these from Sephora as well. I'm really trying to go through these a give a most efficient review as possible.

Regenerating Cleanser

$75USD, Sephora

Exfoliants in this cleanser make it so pleasant to use. You feel as if your face is truly cleansed without abrasively harassing it. The product goes a long way as well. Not only is it marked as 100% natural, but it is so concentrated that I was able to use these tiny packets twice!

Verdict: My combination/oily skin wasn't left dried out after use and was left smooth and clean. But that price tag is brutal. If it ever gets severly marked down, I'd love to buy this, but I'm not at the point where I'd shell out $75 for a clean face.

Repairative Moisturizer

$100USD, Sephora

Even though this is for dry, aging skin, I'm almost 30 so this is the time to begin to investigate moisturizers and their anti aging qualities. (Actually, that ship has sailed.) As I mentioned, my skin is combination/oily so it is difficult to find moisturizer that doesn't get greasy or sit on top of my skin. This absorbed flawlessly and my skin didn't get oily for a good while after.

Verdict: Impressed with results but not enough to hand them a Benjamin for it.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

#Review: Cartier Baiser Vole

Sephora passed a sample of this along as well. Baiser Vole Eau de Parfum by Cartier.

As I say in my tag line, I'll try anything once, twice if I like it. Let's do this.

This was quite different than the Tory Burch I review earlier today. This is magic. Right as it sprayed onto my skin, it was like walking into a whimsical cloud of powder- but not in a bad way. It went from a clean yet powdery scent to almost like almond puff pastries (but not too nutty), a hint of grass, floral (but not in the traditional sense), white tea notes, and pure ecstasy. I feel like I'm sitting in a garden at a garden party in a beautiful cocktail dress enjoying a tea and the sifts around me. This honestly gave me sensory overload. I'm intoxicated with and impressed by this. I actually want to go buy it on my lunch break.

Verdict: Completely worth trying even if you're a musk or floral queen. I think there are notes that can appeal to everyone in this fragrance. If you don't buy this, it's at least worth trying it and seeing what you think.

#Review: The First Fragrance by Tory Burch

Well they threw this in my bag at Sephora so why not review it? It is The First Fragrance by Tory Burch.

I've never bought anything from Tory Burch, but I've been interested in getting into her products. I love that they're now branching out into fragrance because I feel as if you can never have too much fragrance.

It dried pretty quickly when spraying it on my wrist and bravo, I hate an eau de perfume or toilette that drips and takes forever. The first note was pretty clean (think that of The Armani Code) and once it dried, the floral notes opened up. It's not all sweet and candy like Flowerbomb, there are more demure floral notes. I understand that some of this may be the reaction to my body chemistry as well. After like ten minutes though, it was difficult to smell it on the spot where I previously sprayed it.

Verdict: It's a bit too floral for my taste but would be a wonderful daytime fragrance. Also, the smell fades so if you're partial to smelling like this all day, get an oscillator and stick this in your makeup bag.

Monday, January 27, 2014

#Review: Agave Healing Vapor Iron

Agave Healing Vapor Iron ($149USD)

I finally purchased this iron I've been wanting. The heat vapor serum infusion piqued my curiousity so I'm willing to try it and am hoping I will love it!

Love at first sight

So I finally used this iron on my bangs this morning. It's a bit difficult/cumbersome to dispense the serum at first but once you get the hang of it, you start to see just how protected your hair becomes after using it. I'm also relieved because I thought that I wouldn't be able to use this iron dry (without the serum) since I thought the serum was automatically dispensed (like a steamer).

When I run out of serum, I'd be able to use it dry if I need to. Hopefully this business never goes under so that I can always have the option of serum. I'm hoping that now that I'm sealing the cuticle, my hair will be healthier looking and as a result, stimulate growth.

Hair after use

#Review: DryBar Smooth Operator Flat Iron

DryBar Smooth Operator ($125USD)

Some review say this iron isn't that impressive either, others say it's fantastic. I bought this iron to use in the interim while waiting for my Agave iron to finally be shipped to the store.

Upon opening the box, my heart sank. Everything looked so cheap! The hardware of the iron itself, the packaging, everything. Even the in-use light flickered and I'm pretty sure it was supposed to be a solid light. It was insulting. I was hoping that despite the lackluster appearance that the iron's performance would justify the $125USD that I shelled out. It couldn't touch cheaper irons that I've used. My hair didn't stay straight and sleek as it has on other occasions with my Cortex.

Verdict: The naysayers were right. You're better off buying a $30USD hair iron if you're ok with results like that.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

#Review: Make Up For Ever (Sephora 500 points)

Sephora Beauty Insider had this Make Up For Ever 500 pts and since I've been dying to try more prestige, higher-end cosmetics, Make Up For Ever was certainly on my list.

Make Up For Ever Beauty Insider Reward
500 points, Sephora

The package brings deluxe samples of:

-HD Microperfecting Primer in #0 Neutral (0.16)

-HD Microfinish Powder (0.035 oz)
-Aqua Eyes in 0L Matte Black (0.025 oz)
-Sens’Eyes – Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser (0.84 oz)

Reviews

HD Microperfecting Primer in #0 Neutral
$34USD, Sephora

This primer has to be my favorite item in the package. It goes on liquid- consistency is about the same as sheer creme- and when it dries you can see the difference in your makeup. The nice thing about using this is that the product isn't greasy. You can still feel moisturized but not greasy. It's truly translucent too. It doesn't dry white like other translucent products do on darker skin. I've used this with several different foundations- Urban Decay's Naked Skin, Dior's Dior Forever, and Make Up Forever and each one looked amazing. People commented on how fresh my skin looked.

Verdict: I've fallen head over heels for this primer and will probably buy this primer when the trial is finished. Hands down my favorite product in this sampler. I'm impressed that a product worked with my combination/oily skin to moisturizer without greasing me up. Sold.

HD Microfinish Powder
$34USD, Sephora

This finishing powder is what I've been using in the interim while trying to transition off of M.A.C. StudioFix. It's brilliant. Not only is it mattefying, it mattes in a way that doesn't make your skin look cakey. It's also translucent. Not as translucent as the primer but I handle that by building it in areas that require more attention.

Verdict: This may replace my pressed powder. It allows me to wear whatever foundation I require without compromising the color. Bravo.

Aqua Eyes in 0L Matte Black
$19USD, Sephora

Since I've been alternating use with this eyeliner and TooFaced's eyeliner, this one simply cannot measure up in terms of boldness. But it glides on smoothly. I love using this on my waterline. This could definetly serve as a daytime eyeliner. And it is suited for long-wear on days when I'll be out all day.

Verdict: I'm using this because it was free but if I bought it, I would've been pretty dissapointed. It's okay. I'd rather spend the same $19USD on Smashbox's Limitless Eyeliner.

Sens’Eyes – Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser

$24USD, Sephora

Haven't truly used this yet. Will follow up and review post to follow.

Friday, January 10, 2014

#Review: Boscia Tsubaki Beauty Oil &

This was my first time using an oil cleanser. I've heard wonderful thighs about Boscia overall so since Sephora's latest campaign is to promote beauty oil, I decided to try this over Josie Maran.

Reviews

Boscia Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel

$28USD, Sephora *Exclusive

This was my first experience with a cleansing oil product. I was always nervous to try something with this simply because I have combination/oily skin and figured that I would come out greasy if I used a product like this. The Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel wasn't as oily as I thought it would be- it was more gel than anything. I only felt the oil when it was applied to my face. My face felt pretty clean after (I even wiped with a facial tissue to see if there was any residue and came up empty) but my face was still soft and moisturized.

Verdict: I should've been ecstatic but my personal preference is a cleanser with toner because I love the tight feeling my face gets post-toning. *shrugs* to each her own.

Boscia Tsubaki Beauty Oil

$46USD, Sephora *Exclusive

I've used Tarte's Marajuca Oil before so I used that as a comparison bar. The Tsubaki Beauty Oil was pretty runny. The consistency is way different than the Marajuca oil which makes it difficult to control. Even though the fluidity was semi-annoying, the benefit was the lightness on the skin. It virtually felt like a thin, minuscule layer of moisture- didn't feel like I was going to get greasy after, but I didn't feel dry or the need for a reapplication. In fact, my face was moisturized for a long time after the initial application.

Verdict: This is decently priced and due to the fluidity of the oil, a little goes a long way. The bargain hunter in me wishes it was more inexpensive but I think it's worth trying out at least. Sephora will give you three samples of any beauty product you want every time you walk into the store. Make sure this is one of them.

#Mission: Sephora Flat Iron Search

My Secret Santa mistakenly gave me a Sephora gift cars instead of cash so no I'm kind of forced to get my flat iron from there.

I need an iron with an adjustable heat dial since my hair is chemically processed and super fine. I also wear different types of extensions that require various heat settings as well.

T3 SinglePass Compact Iron ($79USD)

I went in and purchsed this iron after being misinformed about the product. (Way to go Sephora staff!) it's a shame too. The hardware and packaging were really nice for a $80 flat iron. (Low-midrange in Sephora). The concept is wonderful- a heat resistant cover so that you can carry it. The only thing missing was the main thing I needed- the heat dial. If that was present, I would've kept the iron.

I then did further research and am between several. But before we go there, let me go over the ones that didn't make the cut.

Sutra Seductress ($210USD)

The concept of being able to curl, wave and straighten with this is an awesome idea. I also bought this until I read the reviews. Needless to say- terrible reviews. A lot of people said that it stopped working about 8 months in and they had problems with switching them using the warranty. I also read a review where they tried to email the Sutra customer service and never received a response.

GhD Classic ($185USD)

No heat dial- which is a shame. Apparently the iron is at a constant 375 degrees but I usually iron my hair on no more than 325, so I'm nervous to even try it on my hair. Plus, it's a little out if my price range.

T3 Luminous Tourmaline Flat Iron ($99USD)

The reviews said this one was cheap and not worth the money, so i didn't bother to waste my time.

I looked at reviews and I'm between three irons now.

T3 Single Pass ($160USD)

This is the iron I originally wanted. Though a bit steep in price, the reviews are pretty great about this iron and the warranty experience.

DryBar ($125USD)

Some review say this iron isn't that impressive either, others say it's fantastic. Since Sephora lets you return if you're dissatisfied, I bought it to use in the interim while waiting for the following iron to finally be sent to the store.

Review post to follow.

Agave Healing Vapor Iron ($149USD)

This is actually a newer development. I've decided on this because of the hydrating serum concept. The heat vapor piqued my curiousity. I finally got this. Review post to follow. If things don't work out with this iron, I will get the T3 SinglePass. Allure thinks it's worth it.

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

#Rave: Sephora Shadow in Hollywood is calling No 82

This shadow was actually a sample that I received from Sephora for buying on the right day. Icant even remember why they gave it to me but I'm so pleased that they did.

Sephora Shadow in Hollywood is calling No 82 is a shimmery brow that happens to be the same color of my skin. It's gorgeous. I'm notorious for my hate of Sephora eyeshadow so, yes, hell has frozen over since I actually like this. I think when this one is finished, I'll buy a full sized version.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

#Review: TooFaced Amazing Eyes Set

Got this combo on Black Friday from Sephora. This $10 wider was well worth the money. These products have replaced Bad Gal Lash & Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in my makeup bag.

This set includes:

-Better Than Sex Mascara (Black)

-Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Black

Reviews

Better Than Sex Mascara

This is the first mascara since Smashbox''s Lash DNA that I've actually felt like it could replace it. This is huge. I've been searching for a replacement since SmashBox makde the horrible decision to discontinue it.

That's what you call a pretty great mascara brush.

The brush is a lovely hybrid between the hourglass that I admired so much in Lash DNA and the traditional spiral that every other company feels the need to make. I pride myself on having real eyelashes that are so long that they look fake. This mascara does just that. I do use primer with it but it's just as good alone. This is an excellent product.

Verdict: Stop what you're doing, get in your car, drive to Sephora or Ulta, run to to Too Faced aisle, take it to the cashier and make it rain. This product needs to be in your makeup box. Today.

Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Black

This liner is super bold which is awesome but doesn't stay put as well as I'd like. I'm used to waterproof liner being applied and lasting till it is removed from your face. This tends to smudge. I'm not too fond of that because as bad as it sounds the 'tattoo' aspect of waterproof eyeliners is why I use them.

Verdict: Fantastic if you want the drama of bold eyeliner- this is one of the boldest that I've used (including MAC) but don't expect it to stick around.

I'd rather the SmashBox Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx. It's bold and stays put. (FYI it is waterproof so if you hate that, don't bother. )

SmashBox Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx

$19USD, Sephora

<http://m.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=SMASHBOX%20Limitless%20Eye%20Liner%20-%20P260310&skuId=1239763&productId=P260310&_requestid=25140>

#OOTD: peplum for graduation

So my cousin just graduated from college and I wore this. (Aside: I finally got the chance to wear the skirt and pumps I bought on Black Friday.)

Top (something borrowed), necklace (Target, $8 USD), bandage skirt (H&M, $7 USD), Adriana pumps (Guess, $49 USD), purse (Michael Kors, $328 USD)

Makeup was looking like :

Eyes:

Liner- TooFaced

Lashes- TooFaced Better Than Sex Mascara

Lids- Urban Decay Vice 2 Pallette

Lips:

Sephora Lip Varnish in

Face:

Chanel in

Monday, December 02, 2013

#RidiculousDeal: Black Friday Spoils

My Black Friday strategy was to buy staples in my wardrobe that I've been wanting for a while.

Sephora

'Dealtopia' $10 Deals

I surveyed these on Pinterest long before the event so that I could plan out exactly what I was getting. I literally selected all the ones that I ended up buying. I also went crazy getting Kicks (for Shopkicks) before I went to pick this up so that I could use a gift card for nearly half the purchase. A $25 gift was a sweet gift for this purchase.

The Tarte of Giving sampler.

Includes: Pure Marajuca Oil, Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay (Translucent) Finishing Powder, Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara

Bite Lush Lip Trio

Includes: Lush Fruit Lip Gloss in Strawberry, Honey & Cocoa

Too Faced Amazing Eyes Set

Includes: Better Than Sex Mascara & Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow Duo

Includes: (Waterproof) Aqua Shadow Pencil in 20E & 28E

Ole Henriksen Clean Sweep

Includes: African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser & Truth to Go Wipes.

Guess

40% off everything in store.

I bought this pair of Adriana pumps that I've been wanting practically forever. I specifically wanted the version of this shoe with the stacked heel- and got it!