2014 Sephora VIB Welcome Kit Unveiled

Sephora VIB Welcome Kit!

Hidy ho! One of my most visited posts was reviewing the VIB welcome kit in 2012. That must mean y'all like to learn about it! I just re-qualified last week while at a JCP Sephora. I'm excited to learn that dollars spent at JCP now qualify towards VIB status. (They didn't used to.)

{In case you're dying to know - in order to qualify, I snatched Ole Henriksen's Sheer Transformation and Bare Minerals' Exfoliating Powder Cleanser while getting a makeover for a wedding. I started my #100DaysofEmpties challenge over on my IG with the Sheer Transformation review. Check it out!}

First obvious difference from 2012 - no physical kit*. (With a janky mirror that won't open). It's all e-mail and coupon codes now. Not bad - less waste, and you don't have to keep track of little paper rectangles. Just show the email in the store. At the bottom of the email there are directions for Sephora associates on how to process the coupons.

*Note - I am a) requalifying, not a new VIB and b) I was not in a free standing store. So, there may be a card given to new VIBs or folks who re-qualify or newly qualify in a free standing location (not JCP).

Note that I didn't get re-qualified for an entire calendar year but until the end of 2015 - 16 whole months! That's nice!

Same as last year - 10% off next order for 30 days and free shipping coupon code for 60 days. I really love the latter, because sometimes you just want something for $25 + 3 free samples (& to maybe use 100 or 500 points for a perk) without having to add stuff in there to get it to $50. Paying for shipping makes me curl up in the corner, weeping; so anything to avoid it is prime. 

The 10% off one - smarter to save for an over $50 order, but do it quick. With the 100 day challenge in play, I may have to spend some (breaking my rules) to not lose the coupons. But if I promise to not use it until I use the equivalent # of empties, will y'all give me permission?? Please?! K. Thanks. :)

Free makeover (normally $50 of product purchased for VIBs, or free for VIB Rouge). And you can put your VIB card on your Passbook on the iPhone for easy scanning at check out.

I've never used this, but there's an 877 number for a free beauty concierge. And after personalizing my VIB account on Sephora.com, it recommends products for me. I've never really bought anything recommended. I already have a hard enough not buying everything other bloggers favorably review. I gotta draw the line somewhere.

Here's the fine print on how to earn points, to re-qualify, etc (in case you were wondering). 

Now if I can just rein it in on my spending and not blow it out with these coupons! #100DaysofEmpties, please help a sister (and her wallet) out.

Hope this helps! What are you most excited about??

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The Great Primer Search: Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer

The Great Primer Search 

Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer - $33

Just like any other product, there are 82 bazillion primers out there! However, when you're trying to detox your makeup bag one product at a time, it really does narrow down your options. After loving Tarte's Clean Slate I had a hard time parting with it, but wanted to find a silicone free option. 

Because it's silicone free, it feels like a second moisturizer and not a thick spackle-like substance. Having very oily skin, that silicone is typically what keeps me from being shiny, so I wondered how this would go. However, I do like that it is paraben, sulphate and propylene glycol free. And it smells very yummy!

As you can tell, it's slightly tinted and more on the yellow undertone side. However, when it's rubbed in, it is not as noticeable.

I did notice it kept my face oils at bay better than had I not used anything at all to prime. It didn't work as well as the Tarte Clean Slate, though. I am not allergic to silicone, so I am tempted to go back.

Here's the main con. If it weren't for it doing this ^ when I rubbed it in I would have worked through the whole tube. But at $33 it was just too much to deal with this "pilling." I returned it and have since purchased two even more natural primers I will let you know about soon: 100% Pure Luminous Primer  ($26) & The All Natural Face Foundation Primer ($11.50). The main reason I went with even more natural is that both the Tarte and Korres primers contain phenoxyethanol which scored a 4 on EWG's Skin Deep database. It doesn't seem too be too toxic an ingredient, as it doesn't bioaccumulate; but it is considered an irritant. 

Any one else having a hard time detoxing their makeup? If you have any tips/recommendations on what works really well and is natural, I'd love to hear about it!

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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.

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.

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

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!

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

 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!

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.

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!

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?) 

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.

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.

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.

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

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). 

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. 

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

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?

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. 

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?

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?

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December Beauty Haul

My First (mega) Haul!

December was a big huge haul month for me this year. First off, I started a beauty blog. Of course I had to buy some things I was curious about or read about! Secondly, it's Christmas! I mean... how many of you didn't get something beauty related for Christmas? Thirdly, I was born in December. So, all those bday gift cards got spent...

None of them are from one place. They came from either:

- Sephora (my fave)

- Target

- Birchbox

- Whole Body

- Ebay

- Amazon
or

- Gifts from others

So, wanna know a super long list of a break down of what I got? I knew you would. So, here goes!

Sephora Haul:

I've recently discovered Korres, so I went a little crazy with some bday gift cards. (Thanks, Mom!)

• Korres Pomegranate Pore Minimizing/Skin-Perfecting/Mattifying Primer
• Korres Mineral Foundation in Porcelain
• Korres Pomegranate Balancing Cream-Gel Moisturiser (For oily to combination skin)
• Korres Wild Rose Instant Brightening Eye Treatment

Also from Sephora:

• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment (Sephora Birthday Gift sizes) in Original and Rose
• Tarte emphasEYES inner rim brightener
• Sephora professional eyeliner brush

Target Haul:

• Maybelline the Colossal Volum Express mascara in brown (I don't normally wear brown mascara, but wanted a cheapy one for those random au naturel days)
• Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr eyeshadow (recommended by Essie Button)
• Pixi by Petra Lash Line Ink Eyeliner
• Sonia Kasuk nail Colour in Mauving on Up (I have a random love for all things mauve recently)
• Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Mint Sorbet
• Revlon Colorstay Longwear Nail Enamel in Bare Bones (also recommended by Essie Button in her Winterlicious tag here)
• EOS Lip Balm in Raspberry
• Taylor Swift Wonderstruck perfume

Whole Body, Birchbox, and others:

• Giovanni 2chic Brazilian Keratin & Argan Oil Blow Out Styling Mist
• Giovanni D:tox System replenishing facial moisturizer (I had just bought the way more expensive Korres, but this was $5.99 @ TJ Maxx! I mean... I couldn't just let it sit there.)
• Jason Brigthening Apricot Scrubble (sweet gift from my husband after I mentioned I couldn't find it anywhere)
• Jason Pure Natural Super-C Cleanser (also from my husband; it smells amazing!)
• Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm (OMG - amazing stuff!) (Birchbox)
• NYX Blush in Taupe (for contouring for my pale skin)
• Lipstick Queen Invisible Lip Liner (Birchbox)
• Prestige Waterproof Eyeliner in Star (for my waterline... used once and worked great!)
• Essie in Ballet Slippers and Wicked (gift from a sweet girl @ work)
• Purple glitter polish from F21 (99 cents... come on!)
• Nicole by OPI in Khloe Had a Little Lam-Lam (another gift from a coworker!)

Phew! Ok... that's all. Now, I want to hear from you on what you want a review on! What are you curious about? Want swatches? Don't spend your money. :) Let me tell you what I think!

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The Sephora VIB Welcome Kit Unveiled

The Sephora VIB Welcome Kit Unveiled

So... I'm a dork, and I love to ask and answer questions over at Sephora's Beauty Talk. I'm currently a "Beauty Buff" which basically means... well, nothing. BUT I like sharing my fave products (surprised?). Anyways, I see a lot of curiosity about the new VIB welcome kit on the forum. I've been VIB (Very Important Beauty Insider) for about 3 years and have never had a special card or received a welcome kit.  Until today! I was so stoked I thought I'd share my unveiling with y'all!

P.S. If you've re-qualified recently but didn't get anything, just walk into your nearest Sephora, and they'll give you one. 

To become a VIB member, you must spend $350 per year (um... easy peasy!!). In the past there wasn't a kit or special card, just an increase in emails with coupons and invites to special closed store events (that I never found time for). However, they've definitely improved the specials offered to VIBs first (normally a few days to a week before the normal Beauty Insiders get their emails). 

The new kit includes the following:

• VIB membership rewards card
• 10% off  coupon
• 45 minute makeup session with a Beauty Advisor
• VIB gift - mirror compact
• Free shipping coupon

Reward card on the left and special gift on the right.

The Card:

Open the kit (like a book) and this is in the first fold.

It's plastic, silver and simple. On the back (sorry... I didn't think to take a picture of it) it says:

"OFFERS ARE SENT VIA E-MAIL. CALL 1-877-VIB-ONLY OR GO ONLINE TO VERIFY YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS TODAY."

Then you fold it open one more time, and...

There are 2 cards w/ benefits:

First, we have the classic VIB 10% off your next purchase. You probably can't read what it says before SEPHORA. "*WITHIN 90 DAYS OF V.I.B. QUALIFICATION." 

Promo code to use online is on the back if you don't plan to use it in the store.

Next we have the VIB Private Access 45-Minute Dedicated Makeover Session with an Expert Beauty Advisor*

(And, again, "*Within 90 days of V.I.B. Qualification")

To the right is the "gift." It's a compact mirror. I'm sad to say this was a huge let down. First of all, I don't need another mirror. I have random ones from stores and companies that give them as swag and even an engraved one from a wedding I was in at some point. I never use them. Do you??

To make it worst, I couldn't open it. Seriously. I had to ask my husband to after it messed up the polish on my thumb nail. (And that's probably what did it in - mess up my nails and we're no longer friends).

If I could open it without my husband's assistance I might use it at some point... maybe to look at the back of my hair?

The one good thing about the mirror was when you pulled it out it revealed the last coupon, and my personal favorite:

VIB Free Shipping at Sephora.com

Yeah!!! I love to shop the website for the online exclusive deals and Lorac products they stopped carrying in store, so this is perfect. I can actually spend less than $50 and not feel guilty.

 So, are you close to VIB? Do you have more than 350 points in your Beauty Bank and aren't sure? I wasn't sure recently if I had qualified this year, so I just called the 877 # listed above, and they quickly told me I only had to spend $14 more dollars to qualify. I made sure to rectify that immediately! :)

Other than the benefits mentioned so far, what other benefits have you seen as a VIB member? Share the wealth!

---------8/21/13 note: I just requalified for VIB for another year, and the new kit comes with all that is mentioned above minus the mirror. Guess they learned!---------

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Is LORAC Underrated? The LORAC PRO Palette Reviewed.

Is LORAC Underrated?

The LORAC PRO Palette Reviewed 

I've always been curious about Lorac's eye shadows after becoming addicted to the Behind the Scenes primer. But, after I purchased this relatively affordable palette ($42) I wondered why there wasn't more hype on the beauty blogosphere. I see so much about UD's Naked palettes (which is not paraben, sulfate, GMO & petrochemical free - all VERY important things to me), but not much on this one. So... here goes!

The packaging is sleek and compact. It's great for tossing in a makeup bag. (I'm definitely no MUA, so I do have most of my products in a bag thanks to my small detested pedestal sink with zero room on it). Packaging is smooth but sturdy and tends to get dirty. You'll see in just a sec... And I've used mine for months, so this is after much use. I also LURV how it comes with a large mirror! A lot of times these sleek palettes lack one, so it's definitely a huge perk!

Here you can see the relatively large mirror.

I REALLY appreciate so much about this palette besides the packaging. Here are my favourite (& not so) things about it!

16 shades!! I mean... WT(glorious)F? I spent more on the Tarte Femme Naturale Eye Palette & only got 12. (Not to mention they're chalky & not as pigmented/long lasting. You don't know how much it hurts me to say that, as Tarte is probably my #1 (or #2) go-to brand @ Sephora).

See the dirty?

Thank You, Lorac! It has shimmer AND matte! PTL!! (If you don't know what that means, you didn't go to enough church camps... :)). CHAMPAGNE is the only shade I'm not thrilled about... It's the one "glittery" shadow in the palette, and it goes on more like loose glitter than the rest of the shimmers. I don't have time for all the pixie dust fallout on my face, so I don't hardly use it.

Let's be honest, sometimes using ONLY shimmery shadows can be annoying. I'd like to be taken more seriously at work (I manage 32 people at an institute of higher learning... come on now!) Soooo, the matte options are perfect! They ARE ultra pigmented and last ALL day (especially with the primer, which is one of my "library*" items).

{Side bar: I looooooove reading & books - hence "Bibliophile." You'll learn... So, if I say something's in my library, it's because I don't buy the full size or have a 2nd go until it's been tested & really impresses me. I'm not typically loyal to many products, but there are a few... I'll do a post on that in the future. Same goes w/ my books. If I say it's library-worthy, than you know it's d*mn good, and the only allowed copy is hard back copy.}

Ok... 'nough of that. Let's continue:

I love (Xs 3) to use NUDE as a brow and inner eye highlighter. It goes on soooo creamy (as do all the colors) & pops! If I'm not in a shimmer mood I use WHITE for the same purpose. I started doing that after Essie @ Essie-Button raved about how much she loved her depotted (brand forgotten) white shadow.

For a while I didn't use TAUPE, but a life changing (ok.. exaggerating) video MaskCARA did here helped me see new ways to use it (as a contour along my nose and under my lip!) and almost the whole palette. If you're like me, you get stuck in a rut, using the same shades over and over, and I'm gad she shook it up for me! I love using GOLD as a liner & PEWTER is my favourite crease color. I layer it over Maybelline's Eye Studio Color Tattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Tough as Taupe.

(Yes... I like Taupe. I also have the NYX blush in Taupe as a contour powder. When you're as albino pale and cool toned as me, you can't use normal bronzers to contour.)

Time for the dark end. I'm super pale, as I mentioned already, and I don't typically use dark shadows for anything. But this stuff is awesome as a liner; I never used to use shadows as liners, but Lorac converted me! I actually haven't used a real liner in weeks. And that's crazy talk. 

I also didn't use GARNET once until watching MaskCARA's video. Now I do. I sometimes feel like having such pink undertones warm colors like garnet, coppers, etc don't work on me, but it does if done right! I also use SLATE all the time. LOVE it.

To wrap up - GET THIS PALETTE. It's creamy, pigmented, paraben free, affordable, has MANY colors, texture and function options and sets like super glue on the Behind the Scenes primer that comes along. 

Any other palettes you gals love? Anyone converted to Lorac now? :)

***Edit on 12/30: Since posting this I had a wonderful recommendation come to me via @AimeeJAdore on twitter that I should try the CHAMPAGNE wet. I did just that, and it worked GREAT and stayed on all day long! No fall out and deep, rich pigment. Thanks, Aimee!***

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