Sephora VIB Sale 2015

I shop in Sephora pretty regularly so I had to control the urge to purchase 15 more things than I did but I just wanted to share the products that made the cut for me during the Sephora VIB Sale this year. I've used these products for a good month now so I will share my thoughts about them below.

Nest Indigo Eau de Parfum: I got this using my Sephora points. It is a tiny little bottle that is perfect for travel. When I tried to apply this at first I spilled a quarter of the bottle all over myself because it doesn't have any type of applicator - it's just an open bottle with a screw-on cap. However it smells divine and I have experienced the tendency to grab for this fragrance every day since I got it!

Urban Decay Complexion Prep Spray: a facial mist meant to be used after cleansing, before moisturizing. It feels incredible and I usually spray a little too much. It helps to prep and prime the face for the day ahead.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray: a facial mist meant to be used after applying makeup - used to lock in your look for as long as possible. I find that it does help immensely but when I have an abnormally long day, I look haggard regardless. Really nice product though! My makeup routine doesn't feel complete without it.

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch: This product is said to be very misunderstood. It seems like a concealer but really, it is more of a liquid highlighter used to brighten the face in certain areas. I'm not in love with this product mainly because of the applicator brush. I find that the product comes out inconsistently - either too much at once or none at all. The formula leaves a lot to be desired as well.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Mad Max Brown: I have this eyeliner in Tropper - ink black. I love it so much and it has gradually become a definite staple item in my every day makeup routine. However before I discovered this product, I have always used brown eyeliner. So when Kat Von D came out with this brown shade, I had to buy it. I do like this product a lot and when I'm going for a more subtle eye look it is absolutely perfect.

NARS Digital World Lip Pencil Coffret

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone; it is officially Christmas season! If you're wondering what to buy for your best friend, sister, or someone obsessed with lip products, look no further than this beautiful collection of NARS lip pencils. It includes 2 matte shades and 3 satin shades and comes in this festive, snowy white "coffret." At $49 (sephora.com) it is pretty pricey but keep in mind that it has a $96 value after all - just about double the price!

Urban Decay

So there is something that I've been using every day for the month of September. It is this 'Start Getting Naked' Ultra Definition Complexion Kit from Urban Decay, which has proved to be extremely effective and such a pleasure to use every day. 

I originally went out in search of a new primer because I had almost run out of my current one. I wanted to buy the Instablur by The Body Shop but after testing it in store, I felt it was way too thick and silicon-ey. 

When I made my way over to Sephora, my eyes gravitated towards the Urban Decay Beauty Balm Primer and as I was standing in front of their display, I noticed this kit. My sincerest apologies that I do not remember the price but I want to say it was about $45. I don't see it on the Sephora website but I bet you can still buy it in store. It is such a bargain because the full-size foundation comes inside the kit as well, which is $39 itself. I also added my own 'Step 4' to the mix: De-slick Makeup Setting Spray. 

After the month, I've already ran out of the 'Step 1' B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray and I plan to repurchase this in the near future. In the meanwhile, please believe me when I say that this combination is such a treat. After my 12-hour work days, my makeup stays on better than it ever has before, I highly recommend this super amazing line of products from Urban Decay!

Prep, Prime, Perfect, Mist, and Set!

Formula X for Sephora | Thrilling

I recently purchased a nail kit from Sephora: their Formula X “The System” which includes 4 different bottles of formulas for 4 steps of application:

1) Cleanse – Nail cleanser2) Prime – Transparent base coat3) Choose your own color – Nail polish4) Shine – Top coat

I got this nail kit for $32 which is a $44 value. The nail polishes on their own are $10.50 each, which is pretty steep pricing if you ask me! I don’t think I would buy the nail polishes without the nail kit because of the price. But don’t get me wrong, it is definitely a lovely product, especially the shade that I bought – Thrilling.

As you can see, the shade is a beautiful neutral shade – light lilac purple. I tend to go for the more neutral colors because of work. I recently had taken this color off and applied a different nail polish from Urban Outfitters, but honestly I have to go back. I’m not over the infatuation with the shade just yet!

The manicure lasts pretty well. Having said that, I do work in the housekeeping department of a 503 room hotel so my manicure had chipped in different spots by day 3. I am the type of person who cannot keep chipped nail polish on my nails so I guess I waste a lot of product reapplying my manicure!

As you can see below, I loved this shade so much that I applied it to my toesies as well. Please excuse my ugly feet – no shame!

What is your favorite nail polish? I want to know!

You can find the product here.

Hourglass N° 28 Lip Treatment Oil

To get 0.25oz of this product it is $42. I decided to give it a chance because that is how much TLC my lips were needing. My initial thought was, “How do I even apply this to my lips?” After reading the instructions, I figured out that as you push down on the indicated lever type, lush essential oils dispense out of the tiny hole on top. The applicator is claimed by Hourglass to be plated in 24 karat gold – do I believe this? Maybe. Can I take this to a pawn shop when it’s empty?

Anyway, the product is worth its price tag. I’ve been using this as an overnight treatment for my sad lips. It’s been working its magic for sure. I wake up to smooth lips to the extreme, and my lips just crave for more! I try not to apply it during the day because it’s a bit heavy and also because I eat too much when I am awake and I don’t want to take any chances on wasting this precious product on food!

All in all, I would highly recommend this product for anyone who needs a pick-me-up for their lips!

You can find the product here.