Sephora Haul// Holiday Bonus Sale

SHOP THE HOLIDAY SALE HERE:

It’s one of my favorite times of the year: the Sephora “Holiday Bonus Sale!” For a limited time, Rouge members get 20% off their purchase, VIB members get 15% off and Insider members get 10% off.

In-store and Online (USE CODE: HOLIDAYSAVE at checkout). 20% off Sephora Rouge members (11/1/19-11/7/19) // 15% off VIB members (11/7/19- 11/11/19) // 10% off Insider members (11/7/19- 11/11/19).

You can become a Sephora Beauty Rewards Member here. It’s free to join and you get some great perks throughout the year!

This is a great opportunity to stock up on some of your favorite cosmetic, skincare and haircare items. It’s also a wonderful chance to buy some holiday gifts for your sister, mom, bff, teacher, etc…

Here are some of the items that I picked up during the sale (clockwise from top):

(1) Tatcha “The Silk Canvas Protective Primer.” I have tried many different formulas for primers to prep my skin for makeup: sprays, liquids and creams. However, I have to say, this is by far my favorite primer product so far. It is a solid cream that comes in a compact type of dispenser and you can scoop a small amount of product out using the little “coin” that is included. Once applied to the skin, it leaves an imperceptible veil of smoothness. Pores are magically filled in and lines are blurred. It also comes in a convenient mini size, which is perfect for trying it out or for travel.

(2) Too Faced “Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer.” Initially, I was a little leery about the clunky appearance of this packaging. However, as soon as I applied this creamy concealer to my skin using the doe-foot applicator, I was sold! The coverage is buildable from medium to full and it does not crease once applied to the delicate under-eye area. It is available in an impressive array of shades, so you should be able to find one to suit you.

(3) Nars “Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation.” It would not be a stretch to say that I am a ‘foundation-aholic!” I am eternally on the search for the perfect product: dewy yet not shiny, medium to full coverage but not cakey, and in the perfect shade for my olive skin. This foundation delivers on all fronts. It comes in a convenient, non-messy pump bottle that deposits the perfect amount of product for buildable coverage. I like to apply it with a damp “Beauty Blender” sponge. It does not sit in lines or wrinkles and leaves the most beautiful finish on the skin. It really looks like you have healthy, glowing skin that’s lit from within. You can’t go wrong with this one. One caveat; it is better for combination/dry skin. I would avoid it if you have oily skin.

(4) Huda Beauty “Tantour” Contour & Bronzer Cream.” Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of years, you’ll know that “contouring” is a trend that’s here to stay. What else can make you look 10 lbs slimmer, with the perfectly pert retrousse nose and a glow that has people asking you if you live in Rio?! There are so many different products out there to sculpt your face, so it’s difficult to know which to select. I think that there are three things that you need to look for in a good contour product and this one checks all of the boxes; (1) ease of application, (2) a cool, rather than warm, shade selection (natural shadows on the skin have a cool hue), and (3) a smooth finish that is neither cakey nor slippery. I really like this particular product (I have it in the “medium” shade), because once applied (I use this brush), you don’t have to set it with a contouring powder since it is a cream to powder formula.

(5) Nars” Liquid Blush.” (In the shade “Orgasm.”) There’s a reason that the Nars “Orgasm” range is one of the most popular at the beauty counter. The pinky-peach hued products are universally flattering on every skin tone and give you that flushed, youthful glow that we are all hankering for. I have used the powder blush in this shade for many years, but decided to try this new creamy formula (in a pump dispenser) this time around. I’m sold! I sometimes use it on its own to give a lovely, natural flush on the apples of my cheek. At other times, I layer it over a matte powder blush in a peach shade (I really like this one) for a more sophisticated, sculpted look for evening.

(6) Farsali ” Jelly Beam Highlighter.” (SORRY, this item is out of stock)! I love this product because it is just so “different.” Most highlighters come in a powder or cream formulation, however this one is what I would best describe as a “jelly” finish. You can pounce it onto the high points of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and your temples with a damp beauty blender or you can just use your fingers to apply a light wash of product on those areas. The shade is a warm gold which flatters your skin and adds a healthy glow.

(7) Laura Mercier “Translucent Loose Setting Powder.” This is one of those classic items that everyone should have in their beauty bag. It’s a bestseller for a reason; it gives a beautiful, natural matte finish to the skin without looking too “powdery.” I don’t use setting powder during the day, but I do like to apply a bit to set my makeup looks in the evening. Some powders create a “flashback” in photos, but you don’t have to worry about that with this product. I buy it in the mini size, so that I can tote it along in my purse for quick touch-ups on the go.

(8) Huda Beauty “Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette” This adorably packaged palette comes in three shades (light, medium and rich). I picked the light shade but may have to snap up the others, too! I love Huda eyeshadows in general; they are perfectly pigmented, long-lasting and come in such a pretty array of shades. I have several of her other 9 pan palettes, like this one, and I find that I reach for them frequently. What I really like is that the colors are buildable. You can do a soft, doe eye one day and an edgy, punk inspired look the next day using the very same palette.

(9) Tarte “Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner.” I really like products that do double duty and this is one of the best! It’s perfect to tote along in your travel cosmetics bag, since there’s a creamy retractable pencil one one end and a felt tipped liquid liner on the other. It’s convenient, easily totable and the inky black shade makes the eyes pop! I am very particular about my black eyeliners and I like that both of the formulas in this pencil are long lasting and opaque.

(10) Melt “Smoke Sessions Eyeshadow Palette.” I have been reading rave reviews about the Melt Cosmetics eyeshadows. This is a newer line and I thought that the Sephora sale would be the perfect time for me to try out one of the palettes and see what all of the hype is about. Well, let me tell you, these shadows are amazing! I don’t think that I have ever seen such pigment packed into an eyeshadow prior to this. The colors are stunning and buttery and they just pop on the lid. I generally gravitate towards plums and purples in eyeshadows, so I deliberately stepped out of my comfort zone and got this green-hued set. These shades are really gorgeous on brown/hazel eyes. I’ll try to do a makeup look to showcase some of these shades.

(11) Artist Couture “Diamond Lights Finisher.” In the shade “Golden Hour.” Wow is all I can say! This unusual product gives the most ethereal, glittering glimmer to your lids. It can also be used as a highlighter and lip topper. I am always on the hunt for glittery eye products, especially since the holidays are almost here, and I have to say this is my new favorite. Sometimes, you have to worry about fallout with glitter items, but the glitter here is encapsulated in a silicon base which renders it smooth and easy to apply anywhere on the face. Try it. You’ll love it!

(12) Hourglass “Caution Mascara.” This is another one of my favorite workhorse items for my everyday makeup looks. The formula is rich and glossy and lengthens and volumizes the lashes for a natural look. It never flakes. However, it can be built up in several layers to create a glamorous evening look for your lashes, too. And let’s talk about the stunning gold tube it comes in!

(13) Charlotte Tillbury “Matte Revolution Lipstick” (in the shade “Amazing Grace”). This is my “everyday” lipstick. I have gone through several bullets of this lovely product and plan to buy more. The formula is long lasting, buildable and hydrating. I wouldn’t say that it’s a true matte, despite it’s name. It does impart a bit of a satin glow. The shade that I wear (“Amazing Grace’) is a flattering pinky coral. It does come in plenty of other shades from the nudest of the nudes (“Pillow Talk” is a best seller) to the deepest of reds (“Red Carpet Ruby” would look stunning with your holiday looks).