Play by Sephora, November Box

     When it’s almost time to receive my Play Box, I like to click on the Play by Sephora link to the left of the Sephora page to see what I’m receiving. I can’t wait! This month’s theme ‘the Exclusives’, I am blown away with the products that were sent. I admit I’m not a fan of Sephora’s eyeliners in the past but sine Sephora has done a lot of revamping with their line I am willing (and a little excited) to try it. From the Sephora Collection the Contour Eye Pencil 12 Hr Wear Waterproof in the color My Boyfriends Jeans, which is a like an electric blue. I’ve never tried anything from the brand Buxom but I received one if their Full-On Lip Creams in Dolly, it’s described as a sultry mauve.

Since I have oily skin I don’t feel I need anything that hydrates but I could always give it away, it’s Make Up For Ever’s Step 1 Skin Equalizer a Hydrating Primer. If you read my Friday’s post ‘Sephora VIB Haul’ then you know I just bought this lip pencil and in the same shade. Ironic, right? Lucky I didn’t open the one I had bought and returned it. If you didn’t catch that post I’m talking abut Bite Beauty’s High Pigment Lip Pencil in Rhubard, which is described as a plum rose. I absolutely love Josie Maran 100 Percent Argan Oil and debated on buying one during the VIB sale. Good thing I didn’t! I love this for my hair it helps my hair stay healthy.

Last and not least a sample of Stella McCartney’s Stella and of course a card for 50 points when you make a purchase. I have to say I have loved each box so far. I’m already excited for next months box.

-Melissa

Sephora VIB Haul

I try really hard not break the bank when it comes to Sephora’s VIB sale’s. I try to stay within a budget and get only the things I need. It’s hard when you are not only into beauty but you blog about it. I mentioned in ‘Last Minute Suggestions…VIB Sale’ that it’s a great time to cross people off your list and it’s the best time to purchase brushes. I wasn’t lying.

Sephora Collection Pro Airbrush #54- I’ve had my eye on this brush the day I took one of their makeup classes at Sephora (months ago). It really helps you have control-applying blush. If you wear blush you know how important that is.

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide in Honey – (Repurchase) My Holy Grail foundation! To think for a very long time I didn’t like any of her products. I’ve mentioned this countless times how much I love this foundation, so I won’t go into details. But…it’s really good.

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer- (Repurchase) My Holy Grail primer! Another product I’ve talked about but basically it’s one of the few primers that don’t break me out.

First Aid Beauty FAB Cleanse & Exfoliate Kit – (Gift) Last year Sephora had something similar to this during Black Friday. This year you get both a travel size of their cleanser and exfoliating pads. I love this facial wash and hopefully my sister will too.

Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Rhubard- I’m already a fan of their products but when I saw this color, I knew I had to have it. It’s perfect fall/winter color… rose plum.

Boscia Breakup-Makeup Cool Cleansing Oil – (Repurchase) Sooner or later I’ll have to stop saying ‘Holy Grail’ but this stuff works! This takes off waterproof makeup like no other oil I’ve tried. The small bottle is also great for travel.

Sephora Collection Dry Clean: Solid Brush Cleaner- (Repurchase) I love this for my Beauty Blenders. It’s not only a bit cheaper than the Beauty Blender Solid but it comes with a piece of round silicone with tiny bumps to help clean your brushes. Also, you get a bit more product than the Beauty Blender Solid.

Clinique Quickliner for Eye’s in Really Black – (Gift) It took a lot of will power not to add one of these for myself in my cart. This is my favorite eyeliner and my sisters. I’m trying to master liquid liner, I knew if I bought one I’d stop trying.

Too Cool for School Dinoplatz Magic Wand for Lips & Eye Makeup Remover- I love wands to remover any eyeliner, mascara or eye shadow that decided it wants to make an appearance anywhere other than my lids. 

Sephora Collection Sleeping Mask in Green Tea – This one is targeted to for Mattifying and Anti-Blemish. Why not.

Shiseido Facial Cotton – I realize that it sounds pretty ridiculous to buy something like this. I use to think so. Regular cotton balls can have little harsh bits on them, which can scrap the eye. These don’t have those. They are softer then regular cotton balls and in my opinion better.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Festive Ornament – (Gift) I love the brand L’Occitane in general. I also thought this was a good deal and not to mention cute.

Sephora Collection Master Cleanse Daily Brush Cleaner – (Repurchase) I love this brush cleaner for everyday use.

Sephora Collection Eye Mask in Pomegranate and Green Tea – The VIB Sale was a good time to purchase these at discount. I’ve tried one them and I really liked it. So I thought I’d try some different ones.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores – I tried a sample of this and I loved it! I did notice a difference in my skin when I tried it.  


Thank goodness for Ebates!


-Melissa

Batiste Dry Shampoo

    I am officially late to the party but at least I showed up! I’ve heard the rave about this product and despite the great reviews I was hesitant. Let’s add in the fact I have to wash my hair everyday because my hair is very oily. I also develop dandruff despite what shampoo I use. Since I dyed my hair I didn’t want my money to go to waste because of the continuous washes.

I’m not a fan of scents other than perfume on me so I picked up the travel size of the original. I feel this particular one didn’t work for me. Perhaps it’s just this can but it made my hair look white even after applying it correctly. I decided to try a different scent and a larger bottle thinking maybe that was the problem. I bought ‘Crisp’, which has a really light scent. This can worked out great!

This dry shampoo really does soak up the oil. It gave my next day hair volume. I also didn’t have too much of a dandruff problem. Dry shampoo does take some getting use to though. This didn’t leave a residue and didn’t give my hair a weird texture.

I decided to try the dry shampoo designed for brunettes. This one made me scalp so itchy. Also the color of the product appeared under my nails from all the scratching. You’d probably think I had lice the way this one made me itch. It could have been the dye in the product. This one I had to return, hints why I don’t have it in the photo.

All in all I really did like this product. It’s one that I would recommend to my friends or anyone who hasn’t tried it yet. Periodically they go on sale at Ulta for buy one, get one half off. Add Ulta’s coupon in the mix and you have a deal.  

-Melissa

Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleaning & Make-Up Removing Wipes

     Two reasons why I purchased these wipes: I need makeup wipes and I wanted to try the brand Korres again. It’s been years since I tried Korres. They are pretty expensive for $15 for 25 wipes, but when I bought them they had two packages for $15 at Sephora. They’re made for all skin types. These wipes are paraben free, mineral oil free, silicone free, propylene glycol free and ethanolamine free.

These removed nearly all my makeup except for my mascara. I find that they don’t really work too well with waterproof mascara but otherwise they are good. I will admit they do make my skin tingle a bit. I’m not sure if it’s because of the ingredients or the fact my skin is sensitive. The size of these wipes are larger than any other wipes I’ve bought/tried.

They contain Greek Yogurt Concentrate, Chamomile, Calendula Oils, Macadamia and Jojoba Oils.¹ After using these wipes I use a eye make-up remover to remove my mascara. Hopefully, Sephora will sell to packages for the price of one.

*¹ as listed on Sephora’s website.