Sephora Reviews
My last make-up entry got a pretty good response, so I figured I'd post a few more makeup reviews, as well as a love letter to Sephora. I ordered a few gifts for girlfriends from there, and the cool thing about Sephora is not only do they offer three free trial-sizes of their most popular products with every order, they occasionally have really great gift sets offered for free if you have the right coupon code. For instance, I spent more than $40 on presents there, so with the gift code "give4", I got their deluxe sample set with over $40 worth of free samples from Stila, BeneFit, DuWop, etc. Awesome. So without further adieu, some thoughts on those samples, as well as another recent order.
Urban Decay Shadow Box. Colors included: Grind (pale shell pink with glitter), Shotgun (mauve pink with glitter), Last Call (deep pink-violet shimmer), Asphyxia (lavender shimmer), Uzi (silver with chunky glitter), Shattered (smoky teal), Smog (shimmery copper brown), Chopper (pinked bronze with glitter), Midnight Cowboy (beige with glitter).
I was really apprehensive because I'm not so much a glitter girl anymore. When this arrived, I fell in love. These glitters (except for Uzi) are all really daytime-wearable. The eyeshadows are really nicely pigmented, and they blend well. I'm wearing Shotgun & Midnight Cowboy right now, and I love them. I'm definitely going to have to look into more Urban Decay-- I've been looking for the perfect goldy green, and these shadows are really impressive. I've got nothing against drugstore brands, but this is one higher-end brand that really delivers. Also, if you have darker-toned skin, I imagine that Shattered & Last Call will look wonderful on you. Uzi will be perfect for New Year's, too.
Sephora Midnight Eyes Palette. Included: White-gold shimmering highlighter, mauve-plum blush, eyeshadows in beige, pinky-brown, mauve, medium purple, shimmering chocolate, deep purple.
It took me a few tries to get the hang of this. I hardly ever do dark eyeshadows, and so learning to shade took awhile. I wasn't overly impressed with the highlighter, but the blush is perfect. They shadows all blend well-- my favorites are the medium purple and the pinky-brown shimmer one. I use the deep purple and chocolate shadows as soft liners. This is good for playing around with different looks, but not my favorite palette.
DuWop Venom Flash in Gold. One one of the samples I got, this is supposed to swell your lips all up and give a golden shimmer. It really did neither. It made my lips sting, but other than that, it just looked like regular lipgloss. I'm glad I didn't have to waste money on this.
Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick in Smashing Lush. This shade is a really sophisticated mauve-pink. I bought it because I don't own any sophisticated lipsticks. I have lots of glosses and a few dark red lipsticks, but nothing suited for daytime wear. I'm not used to wearing pink lipstick, but this was nice on me, nonetheless. I'd be interested in trying a few other shades in this line, because the real draw to this lipstick is the smooth, satiny formula. It felt as good as balm on my lips, and it didn't get flakey and dried out after a few hours, either.
BeneFit Dr. Feelgood balm. I'll admit that this sample confused me a little. The directions say "Apply this mattifying balm to face." I thought Dr. Feelgood was a lip balm? Um. Okay. So, I applied this balm to the dry areas around my nose, which tends to get dry, before I put on my foundation, which is apparently exactly what you're supposed to do. It smoothed out the dry areas. Neat if you have dry skin, an okay spot-treatment if you're me. This has really cute packaging, too.
Philosophy Falling In Love lotion. I've heard mediocre things about Philosophy's skincare stuff, great things about their bath products. I can't weigh in on either, though several of the shower gels have been eyeing my wallet. This was okay. Non-greasy, light formula, delicately scented with blackberry and vanilla. I'm keeping it because the size is perfect for tossing into a handbag. However, for serious dry skin, Skindazzles' body frostings are still the standard.
Go Smile Tooth Whitening Ampoule. I've been waffling back and forth about getting a starter kit of these, because I drink coffee all the time. I chose this as one of my free samples, and I'm glad I did. My teeth felt really clean after I used my sample, and I could see a tiny difference after just one, so I can imaging after a week's worth. I think I'm going to order some of these after Christmas.
Stila Lip Glaze in Cinnamon. This is a really great nude gloss. It's not too tacky, but it sticks around. The packaging is also great (it comes in a little pen) you get a decent amount of product compared to other pen-glosses. My only wish is that the cinnamon scent was stronger. It faded pretty quickly.
Stila All-Over Shimmer in #9. This color is a cool-toned pinky nude. It's mini-size, which I got in my free sampler set, is perfect-- I wish they sold these instead of full-sizes, 'cuz this is just great. As for the product itself, I was really impressed. It's the perfect amount of shimmer without overkill. I layered a little plum blush over a layer of this, and my face looks really bright and healthy. I really, really like this product, and this shade is great for fair-skinned chicks.
Too Faced Lip Injection. Another mini-size I got. To clarify, this is a gloss, like Lip Venom, aimed at plumping the lips. Unlike Lip Venom, this actually works. The stinging wasn't all that intense, but I got a nice, glossy plump for about an hour. I don't know if I'll use more than the teeny-size, but this is a fun little product if you're in flirt mode.
Lolita Lempicka Eau De Parfum. "Lolita Lempicka is an enchanting and alluring fragrance that gently balances the sweetness of ivy leaves and aniseed with delicate violet and iris root, and finishes with a smooth hint of vanilla and musk. This sensual fragrance is pure, light, and endearing."
Despite risking BPAL heresy, I tried this sample. What's more, I liked it. I liked it a lot. I don't usually do alcohol-based perfumes-- they make me sneeze. This went sweet and soft almost immediately. I smell the violet (I adore violet) and the ivy mixed over a base of vanilla. It's fun and optimistic. I really enjoy this-- it would make a lovely cream. Now I really want to try the "Midnight" version.
Overall, Sephora is awesome. Also awesome is the fact that you can send gift cards via email through the website. It's great if you've forgotten someone and need an awesome gift damn quick. It's like the make-up lover's Mecca.
Urban Decay Shadow Box. Colors included: Grind (pale shell pink with glitter), Shotgun (mauve pink with glitter), Last Call (deep pink-violet shimmer), Asphyxia (lavender shimmer), Uzi (silver with chunky glitter), Shattered (smoky teal), Smog (shimmery copper brown), Chopper (pinked bronze with glitter), Midnight Cowboy (beige with glitter).
I was really apprehensive because I'm not so much a glitter girl anymore. When this arrived, I fell in love. These glitters (except for Uzi) are all really daytime-wearable. The eyeshadows are really nicely pigmented, and they blend well. I'm wearing Shotgun & Midnight Cowboy right now, and I love them. I'm definitely going to have to look into more Urban Decay-- I've been looking for the perfect goldy green, and these shadows are really impressive. I've got nothing against drugstore brands, but this is one higher-end brand that really delivers. Also, if you have darker-toned skin, I imagine that Shattered & Last Call will look wonderful on you. Uzi will be perfect for New Year's, too.
Sephora Midnight Eyes Palette. Included: White-gold shimmering highlighter, mauve-plum blush, eyeshadows in beige, pinky-brown, mauve, medium purple, shimmering chocolate, deep purple.
It took me a few tries to get the hang of this. I hardly ever do dark eyeshadows, and so learning to shade took awhile. I wasn't overly impressed with the highlighter, but the blush is perfect. They shadows all blend well-- my favorites are the medium purple and the pinky-brown shimmer one. I use the deep purple and chocolate shadows as soft liners. This is good for playing around with different looks, but not my favorite palette.
DuWop Venom Flash in Gold. One one of the samples I got, this is supposed to swell your lips all up and give a golden shimmer. It really did neither. It made my lips sting, but other than that, it just looked like regular lipgloss. I'm glad I didn't have to waste money on this.
Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick in Smashing Lush. This shade is a really sophisticated mauve-pink. I bought it because I don't own any sophisticated lipsticks. I have lots of glosses and a few dark red lipsticks, but nothing suited for daytime wear. I'm not used to wearing pink lipstick, but this was nice on me, nonetheless. I'd be interested in trying a few other shades in this line, because the real draw to this lipstick is the smooth, satiny formula. It felt as good as balm on my lips, and it didn't get flakey and dried out after a few hours, either.
BeneFit Dr. Feelgood balm. I'll admit that this sample confused me a little. The directions say "Apply this mattifying balm to face." I thought Dr. Feelgood was a lip balm? Um. Okay. So, I applied this balm to the dry areas around my nose, which tends to get dry, before I put on my foundation, which is apparently exactly what you're supposed to do. It smoothed out the dry areas. Neat if you have dry skin, an okay spot-treatment if you're me. This has really cute packaging, too.
Philosophy Falling In Love lotion. I've heard mediocre things about Philosophy's skincare stuff, great things about their bath products. I can't weigh in on either, though several of the shower gels have been eyeing my wallet. This was okay. Non-greasy, light formula, delicately scented with blackberry and vanilla. I'm keeping it because the size is perfect for tossing into a handbag. However, for serious dry skin, Skindazzles' body frostings are still the standard.
Go Smile Tooth Whitening Ampoule. I've been waffling back and forth about getting a starter kit of these, because I drink coffee all the time. I chose this as one of my free samples, and I'm glad I did. My teeth felt really clean after I used my sample, and I could see a tiny difference after just one, so I can imaging after a week's worth. I think I'm going to order some of these after Christmas.
Stila Lip Glaze in Cinnamon. This is a really great nude gloss. It's not too tacky, but it sticks around. The packaging is also great (it comes in a little pen) you get a decent amount of product compared to other pen-glosses. My only wish is that the cinnamon scent was stronger. It faded pretty quickly.
Stila All-Over Shimmer in #9. This color is a cool-toned pinky nude. It's mini-size, which I got in my free sampler set, is perfect-- I wish they sold these instead of full-sizes, 'cuz this is just great. As for the product itself, I was really impressed. It's the perfect amount of shimmer without overkill. I layered a little plum blush over a layer of this, and my face looks really bright and healthy. I really, really like this product, and this shade is great for fair-skinned chicks.
Too Faced Lip Injection. Another mini-size I got. To clarify, this is a gloss, like Lip Venom, aimed at plumping the lips. Unlike Lip Venom, this actually works. The stinging wasn't all that intense, but I got a nice, glossy plump for about an hour. I don't know if I'll use more than the teeny-size, but this is a fun little product if you're in flirt mode.
Lolita Lempicka Eau De Parfum. "Lolita Lempicka is an enchanting and alluring fragrance that gently balances the sweetness of ivy leaves and aniseed with delicate violet and iris root, and finishes with a smooth hint of vanilla and musk. This sensual fragrance is pure, light, and endearing."
Despite risking BPAL heresy, I tried this sample. What's more, I liked it. I liked it a lot. I don't usually do alcohol-based perfumes-- they make me sneeze. This went sweet and soft almost immediately. I smell the violet (I adore violet) and the ivy mixed over a base of vanilla. It's fun and optimistic. I really enjoy this-- it would make a lovely cream. Now I really want to try the "Midnight" version.
Overall, Sephora is awesome. Also awesome is the fact that you can send gift cards via email through the website. It's great if you've forgotten someone and need an awesome gift damn quick. It's like the make-up lover's Mecca.