Monday, January 21, 2013

Sephora.com Haul

One of my biggest guilty pleasures is Sephora.com. I like it much better than the store... don't ask me why. Maybe because no one asks me if I need help. And when I'm still there 3 hours later, no one suspects me of shop lifting...

I had considered a spending ban for the new year, but eff that. Minus nail polishes - those are out of control.

Beauty and the Bibliophile

Look at all these goodies! I bet you'd be surprised if I told you I'd only paid for two of them... Well, be surprised!

Another reason I lurve shopping on Sephora.com is the free shipping for over $50, plus my points (had over 600), plus my VIB code (see my breakdown of the new VIB kit here) "2013" for two deluxe samples.

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Here's what I've got:
- Lorac Unzipped Eyeshadow Palette - $40
- Buxom Shimmer Shine and Smoke set - 500 points
- Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores - 100 points
- Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil - "2013" deluxe sample
- Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum - "2013" deluxe sample
- Origins Sensory Therapy Peace of Mind On the Spot Treatment - $12
- Lancome Trevor perfume sample
- YSL L'Homme sample
- Stella McCartney L.I.L.Y. sample

Beauty and the Bibliophile

I just got all this stuff TODAY. Literally couldn't wait a minute to talk about it. When I walked in and saw the box on the counter I got super excited  demonstratively giddy, and the hubs just laughed at me. Since I just got it today I don't have a lot of comments on the product (that's relative to what you think is a lot... let's be honest. I'm long winded), but I will give you some great images and details. Here goes!

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Packaging is cool. Not as grippy as the Pro (should stay cleaner), but it's magnetic! I like that & the large mirror, too. 

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 Look at that! Shimmer AND matte! So glad they kept with their tradition of combining the two. After being so extremely pleased with the Pro Palette I didn't expect anything less!

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I actually really like that there isn't a black shade. Almost every palette ever made has a black for liner, but I don't need that. I'd rather have the extra shade to play with. I also don't have any brown eye liners, so this UNTAMED is perfect.

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I love the names of these shades! The Pro Palette was a simple "White, Taupe, Nude, Mauve..." but these are fun and sexy... like it's title of Unzipped!

Beauty and the Bibliophile

And now for the REAL reason I bought this whole thing. One of my *Beauty Library* items is the Behind the Scenes primer. It's the BEST I've used. Yes, better than UDPP & Too Faced. I'm getting low on my small size from the Pro Palette. So, while on Sephora.com about to put the $21 primer in my shopping cart I thought: Well, heck... for $19 more I can get my primer AND a new Lorac palette. You can't argue with that logic, can you? (Don't try...) 

I always wait so long to cash in my Beauty Insider points, because I'm not thrilled with the options time and time again. When I saw this one I thought Finally! A perk I will use! (I think a lot, huh?) 

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The gloss might be a bit too warm for me and the luminizer (or whatever they call it... too lazy to go look at the box) is really gold. I tend to gravitate towards silver and cool tones, so these will be interesting to try. The liner which has goes on with a fine point and is water proof. I think we'll be good friends. Just a heads up - it has "silver" in the title, and the packaging is navy, but it really looked black on my skin. I'm a little confused by it.

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I've already used this mascara before and really like it. It works well for every day lashes. I wouldn't say it gives huge volume or amazing, dramatic results. However, that brush is da bomb at keeping it clump-free. It's also the least flaky mascara I've used.

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Having acne and oily prone skin I'm always down for trying a new mask. I'm a fan of origins because of their natural leanings and chemical consciousness. Again, I was impressed with this being a 100 point perk.

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Look how thick that goes on! And I didn't dispense very much. This sample will last a LONG time, Folks!


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If you read my January Ipsy glam bag review, you know how much I love Josie Maran's 100% Argan Oil for so many reasons. It's friendly to acne prone skin and hasn't even broken me out. So, when this was offered as a deluxe sample, I thought (shocking, I know...) Sah-weet!

It's a cleansing oil. Is that even possible? I guess so! I'll be trying it tonight to remove my makeup (while simultaneously crossing my fingers that I won't have 15 huge blemishes in the morning). 

Beauty and the Bibliophile

I'm a HUGE Tarte fan! Like Origins (or Korres or Fresh) they work hard to eliminate ingredients like Propylene Glycol, SLS, and parabens. So, I've always been curious about their illuminating serum. So far I'm a little surprised. It came out really watery. I would recommend shaking it up first. 

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You can see how it's thicker than many illuminizers, etc. 

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This albino gal would rather call it a bronzer. So, if you're a tanner person than me (which means anything darker than a piece of paper) it will probably serve its purpose. If you are as fair as I am, then welcome to your new bronzer... I'm not sure how I feel about that. It looks pretty orange, huh?

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Another Origins item I have been interested in for years but never purchased is their Sensory Therapy Peace of Mind. You just take a spot of it and put it on your ear lobes, temples, back of your neck or on your forehead and it helps relieve headaches and stress. I've actually read so many reviews of migraine sufferers who have had success with this goodness. 

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I love anything with essential oils! It took me forever to spend $12 on this little bitty bottle, but who wouldn't spend that and more for a real peace of mind?

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I won't go into grave detail re: the perfumes. I do have a mini rant. Why is perfume the ONLY sample that's been available lately? I want makeup samples - lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow? Or what about primers? Any of you received any great samples from the 3 free in every order?

Are you interested in any of these things? Let me know, and I'll do a more in depth review after I've used them!

Are any of these going on your "To Get" or "To Get After this Dumb Spending Ban" list?

15 comments:

  1. Just stumbled acros your blog and firstly, I love your about me, blaming your Mother!

    I also find a spending ban a ridiculous idea. We deserve a treat every once in a while, you've clearly proven that!

    Lindsey. x
    www.elegant-chaos.blogspot.com

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    1. Ha! Can't we blame all of our weird tendencies on our mothers? :)

      After this splurge (and the Naked 2 that just came in the mail the day after the Sephora haul) I do need to back it off a bit!

      I'm heading over to your blog...right...now!

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  2. The spending ban is sooooo hard, trust me I want to say eff that every damn day! Hehe, I wish the PRO palette packaging was like the unzipped, the PRO gets dirtied way to easily. I adore the UD Primer, so now you have me excited to try the LORAC, I scored a full size tube along with a full size eye shadow on Black Friday from Sephora for only $10.

    http://maybebabyxo.com/

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    1. How long are you doing the spending ban? I feel for you, but my wallet is jealous! ;)

      I totally agree about the Pro's packaging. At first I loved how it felt (like my NARS things), but you're right. It gets pretty dirty.

      Oooooh - I'm jealous! I guess what's the perk you get for braving black Friday! I can't believe you got a full size for $10! You better holler at me next time you stumble across that!

      Checking out your blog soon!

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  3. Ahh so much fun stuff to play with! Have fun!! Definitely do a review on the Lorac palette. Looks like something I would be in to!

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    1. Awesome! I'll definitely put it on my "blog idea" list :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. WOW!!! Amazing haul! I can't believe you only paid for two things, its always great spending your points as it fells like free things :D Love your blog, now following xx

    OutsideBeautyInsideHealth

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    1. Thank you!! Amen to that. That's why I normally save up those points for something good :)

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  5. Wow! I's so jealous of you guys having Sephora. Lovely blog, books and make up is what it is all about! I love it!

    http://madeupformorrissey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/mini-boots-points-haul.html

    xx

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    1. Yes - Sephora is the bomb!! :) I had fun on your blog, too. Thanks for stopping by!!

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  6. i was so bummed i missed hitting checkout when the origins mask was a perk! i bought the full size, though. it is a great overnight spot treatment :)

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    1. Darn!! I'm sorry. I'll have to try it as a spot treatment! It's left my skin feeling amazing the few times I've used it. That's for the reco & for stopping by!! :)

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  7. Hiya! you commented your blog on my instagram photo and I've just started reading it!
    Love this post lots... we don't have a sephora here in the Uk, you're super lucky, even though I get the same "they think I'm shoplifting" feeling whatever beauty store I visit :) haha!

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    1. You don't have Sephora, and I don't have INGLOT, Boots or Lush... I guess we're even! LOL. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. :)

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