Sephora Haul: Skincare, skincare and more skincare.

Lately, my skin has been reacting really badly to the changing weather, and I have been struck with a ton of breakouts.

I decided I wanted to give the Clarisonic deep pore cleansing brush head a try, and so I picked it up with the Sephora friends and family sale. Additionally I picked up some staples from Philosophy, the Purity made simple gel cleanser and the Makeup Optional Skin set that has a full sized help me retinol treatment cream and 8 oz Purity Made Simple traditional cleanser, as well as half size Hope in a Jar face cream and Eye Hope eye cream.

QVC TSV November 18, 2013 - Tarte Bow & Go Kit Eye Palette Swatches

I decided to do some quick swatches of the amazonian clay eyeshadows in the upcoming QVC TSV Tarte Bow & Go. I did the swatches over Mary Kay eye primer. This kit is going to be presented on QVC on November 18, 2013 and the order number is: A252459. The TSV price is $49.98.

QVC TSV November 18, 2013 - Tarte Bow & Go Kit - TARTE TSV at QVC

I purchased the QVC TSV Tarte Bow & Go which is available on auto-delivery and will air on November 18, 2013. I got it with code A252459. The TSV price is $49.98, you can find it linked with the below picture. With shipping and tax, this came to $60.10 for me. It includes 24 full-sized products.

QVC TSV Tarte Bow & Go

This set is awesome, for gift giving or to keep for yourself. It includes 16 full-sized Amazonian clay eyeshadows in a mix of matte and shimmered finishes, no chunky glitter in this kit, 2 full-size Lights, Cameras, Lashes Mascaras, 2 full-sized SmolderEYES Amazonian clay waterproof liners in fig and brown, as well as 4 full-sized Lipsurgence Lip Cremes in Precious, Promise, Thoughtful and Wonder. 

Breaking down the value is shocking
4 Lipsurgences                           $24.00 x 4 = $96.00
2 Lights, Camera, Lashes          $19.00 x 2 = $38.00
2 SmolderEYES Liners             $22.00 x 2 = $44.00
16 Amazonian clay shadows   $17.00 x 16 = $272.00

Total cost (with tax and shipping for me): $60.10
Total value of products (without tax and shipping): $450.00

This kit comes beautifully package and really is good to bow & go and gift it away. Its a set of three boxes in beautiful jewel tones with a gorgeous gold detail on the body of the boxes. I think this would look beautiful under the Christmas tree, but mine is not going under a tree, its for me! I am thinking of possibly getting another one for my sister, as I think this would be a perfect gift for her.

Review: Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour Blush Flush

Product: Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour Blush

Color:  Flush

Price:  $26.00 

Size:   0.20 oz

Packaging:  opaque plastic packaging in the color of the blush

Scent: None

Yay or Nay?  YAY

This blush is an absolutely beautiful deep cool-toned berry color. Its is a completely matte and has amazing pigmentation. When I first saw it, I was a little afraid of trying it out as I have insanely fair skin, but I am so happy I picked it up.

Due to the deep nature of this berry color, I tend to wear it more in the fall and winter. I find that it really plays off my skin and brings me enough color to breath life into my face. It gives an almost windburned cheek look, in a good way I promise.

As with all Tarte blushes, this blush is packed with major pigment, so you have to be careful with the application. I like using the Tarte duo fiber blush brush or the Real Techniques blush brush which is beautifully tapered and provides a nice light application with perfect blend out. I do find that because of this color's saturated pigment, that you have to careful with application because it can get too heavy really quickly if you use too heavy a hand or the wrong brush with too dense of bristles.

One of the great things with a color like this is that you can wear it extremely sheer or you can build the color up a little or make it full-on berry.

NOTD: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Cherry, Cherry Bang, Bang!

Product: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

Color:   Cherry, Cherry Bang, Bang!

Price:  $7.50-$10.00 

Size:   0.5 fl oz

Packaging:  squared bottle with silver and black handle lid

Scent: None
Yay or Nay?  YAY

This manicure is Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Cherry, Cherry Bang, Bang! This is a beautiful cool toned berry color that is a perfect fall color to me. I love how bright and vibrant it is but still very deep and rich. 

Color: This cool toned berry color has a purple undertone. It screams fall to me, but the purple undertone keeps this look fun and fresh. Its a cream finish, no sparkle. I did two coats and got full opacity of color. 

Hauling...

I am a complete sucker for holiday sets and for friends and family sales too!

In the past week I placed a Sephora, Ulta and QVC order. Oh my! I am still patiently awaiting the delivery of my items, but I thought I would provide an idea of what I picked out.

I placed two orders on Sephora. I shipped one to Florida, for the vacation home with some essentials that are over the 3 fl oz restriction and some other add ons to get my total up to $50 for free shipping.

I ordered the Bumble & Bumble Tonic lotion and Thickening Spray, those were the two essentials, and then also a couple of Sephora goodies to get the free shipping. My mom loves colorful bobby pins, so the blue and pink ombre sets of Sephora bobby pins were a gift for her.

NOTD: Maybelline Navy Narcissist and Julep Blake and China Glaze White on White ][v][ GO BLUE ][v][

It's game time! One of my favorite things about fall is college football. I love watching University of Michigan Football games. There is nothing quite like a game at The Big House, Michigan's stadium. This weekend the Wolverines are facing off agains the Spartans. If you are not from Michigan, nor a fan of Big Ten football, then you could probably care less, but in this state your loyalty usually lies with one of these two schools. As a proud alumna of U of M I am excited for this game, even if this season has been a bit lackluster, I am always a true fan.

I am reusing colors I have used recently, so not really much of a review, just wanted to give a sneak peak at my manicure for this game.

 ][v][ GO BLUE ][v][

Review: ELF Studio Lip Exfoliator

Product: ELF Studio Lip Exfoliator

Color:  Brown 

Price:  $3.00

Size:   0.15 oz/4.4 g

Packaging:  Sleek black lipstick tube

Scent: None

Yay or Nay?  YAY

I picked up the ELF Studio Lip Exfoliator on a whim one day while shopping at Target. For $3.00 I figured why not give a try, especially as we are heading into the colder months. I find that ELF products can be either major hits or misses. This is a hit. I have not tried a high end exfoliator in a long time, I used to use Benefit's Dr. Feelgood Lipscription which was a two piece set with a type applicator of lip scrub and another with a thick balm. 

In the last several years I have pretty much just used my tooth brush and scrubbed my lips with it if I was in need of some lip exfoliation. And when I purchased the Clarisonic Mia I also ran that over my lips. Both of those things help to exfoliate my lips.

I really like this product. It has a nice grainy exfoliator with sugar crystals but also is extremely moisturizing with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils.  I just rub it several times over my slightly dampened lips and then rub my lips together. The ELF website says to then remove the remaining sugar crystals but I actually find that the product just rubs into my lips and then I don't lose out on the moisturizing qualities.

After I am done rubbing this into my lips, I apply a thick lip balm like Fresh Sugar Balm to really nourish my lips.  I go off and on with how often I use it. I do not find that the product is being used up too quickly and I do not find that it is too abrasive to use on a daily basis. I should probably use it on a daily basis to keep my lips looking their best but I find that I use it when I feel my lips feeling chapped.

I would absolutely recommend this product, at $3.00 its a great price point and I think that I might pick it up for some family and friends for the holiday season as a little stocking stuffer.

October 2013 Favorites

I love the start of Fall. Now that its the end of October I am getting into what I call Fall Holiday mode. As the weather gets crisper and the leaves start to change, I start to decorate my house with fall decor and break out the fall themed candles and I find that I spend a ton of time with family during these months as well.

I can't believe that we are done with October already. This October has not been all fall weather, at least here in Michigan, we have had a really up and down temperature wise month.  And as a result, my allergies have been going haywire. When my allergies are out of control, I tend to wear less eye makeup because my eyes tend to get very irritated and watery. So my look this month has been about a simple but fresh look, with emphasis on color in my cheeks and a refined my lips but better lip look.

On a side note, this October marks six months that I have been at my new job. I am really happy with my new job and things have been going great. This job has given me the opportunity to actually enjoy my free time, and I am so grateful for that.

NOTD: Candy Corn

I got into the Halloween spirit by painting my nails in a candy corn theme last night. It was an easy, imperfect, freehanded attempt at Halloween nails. This is a post of nail polishes that I don't get a lot of use out of, every day looks (at least for me) don't call for white, yellow and orange polish. So I have a limited selection of colors to choose from and used my only true white, yellow and orange polishes, but I think it turned out great and the colors were spot on.

For this look I used three colors, China Glaze White on White, Revlon Sorbet, and Julep Blake. 

Review: Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream

Product: Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream

Color:  Light/Medium

Price:  $12-$15

Size:   1.2 oz

Packaging: White and Silver Tube with clear space showing color.

Scent: Sunscren

Yay or Nay? NAY

As with most of my Physician's Formula products I bought this product on a deal. It was 40% off at Meijer (local grocery chain) and it had a peelie for buy 3 products get $25.00 back. I picked up the powder, cream, and concealer. I already had one of the powders when I saw this deal. I really like powder, well off and on, and so I thought I would give the rest of the line a try.

This product, as well as the rest of the line, only comes in 2 colors, light/medium and medium/deep. I think that is not good. I know these BB creams are supposed to fit a wider range, but I think that there should be more than two shades. I am extremely fair, and so the light/medium shade is too dark and orange for me.

Review: L'Occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream

Product: L'Occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream

Price:  $42.00

Size:   1.7 oz

Packaging:  Clear glass jar with silver embossed lid

Scent: slight scent of shea

Yay or Nay?  YAY

This is the most luxurious face moisturizer that I have every tried.  The cream is a thick, but not too heavy, consistency that thoroughly hydrates my skin. There is not a strong scent to this product. It is super smooth in texture and it almost melts right into the skin on application. Sometimes face creams can feel greasy on your skin, but I do not find that this feels greasy or leaves behind any ill effects.

One of the claims of this product is that it is proven to increase skin hydration for 24 hours. I originally got this is a small foil sample packet from a Sephora order and it completely impressed me instantly. My skin has gotten drier as I have gotten older and I really find that I need additional moisture in my skin.

I use this product as a night cream only. I find that it does leave my skin feeling moisturized for a full 24 hours. I am very thankful for the sample I got and the results I have gotten with it.

Summer into Fall 2013 Empty Products

I have been finishing up a ton of products recently, so I wanted to give a run down of some of the items. I haven't kept all the products, as I tend to forget.

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Wipes

I have a tendency to try out various makeup removing wipes when I see them on sale, and I must admit that I really liked these. They had a nice soft texture to the wipe, it was large and decently saturated. I did not find the wipe to be abrasive or irritating, which is of critical importance to me as my skin can react to different wipes. I found that the wipe was good for removing my makeup, although I never rely solely on makeup removing wipes for removal of my makeup and cleaning my face. I usually will swipe one over my face before beginning my more intensive face regime, including my Philosophy Purity and Clarisonic and Balms Away for tough to remove eye makeup. I got the 25 pack, priced at about $5-$6, and the towelettesstayed moisturized until the end, which can sometimes be an issue. I don't remember what I paid for these, but if I can get them on a deal or with a coupon I would repurchase. I always have the Kirkland wipes from Costco because I find them to be the most economical, but they are far from my favorite. I would recommend these.

Bath and Body Works Frozen Daiquiri Body Splash

I had this body moisturizer for a really long time, it was part of the Temptations Collection which I believe I purchased as a treat to myself after the bar exam in July 2008 from a Bath & Body Works Outlet, and it sat in the back of my linen closet for a very long time until I cleaned that closet out this summer and purged old products. I was afraid this one would be bad, but storing it in a dark closet has helped to preserve it I believe. I still smelled wonderful and there was no change to color or consistency of the spray. This is an almost sickeningly sweet strawberry scent, and I love it for the summer time to mix with other fragrances. It lightens and brightens any other fragrance that you wear it with and brings a summer like scent to it. I love berry flavors and scents, so I was a huge fan of this. Bath and Body Works does not make anything similar at this time time, but I will continue to keep my eyes open for this type of scent with summer collections. I did find a product at Kohl's that smells of the sweet fruitiness, but it was on clearance, so I imagine it is seasonal or discontinued. It is called Berry Burst and has a more raspberry infused scent. I loved the Frozen Daiquiri scent, and my google searches for indicates there are other big fans because it was going on amazon for crazy prices. I would not recommend paying more than the normal Bath and Body Works spray fragrance price for this scent, which per the price on my old bottle was $8.00 at the time, although when I just checked the price is now $14.00 for an 8 oz fragrance mist, which is nearly double in price. If Bath and Body Works comes out with this scent again, I will definitely grab it! 

Benefit Erase Paste in Fair

I love this concealer. I have used it for years, and I am sure I will continue to repurchase. It is a peachy shaded concentrated and creamy concealer, and therefore I find it perfect for covering my under eye circles.  You have to be careful to not use too much because it can look caked on if you use too much. The key I have found is that you need to warm the product up and use your fingers to gently pat it in to your skin. When I worked for the Benefit line years ago this was my favorite product, and I have to say even with the great additions they have had, I truly believe this is one of the absolute best products of the line. The color range is limited, but if you can find your perfect color you will be set. A very little goes a long way, and I think this product is well worth the $26 price, which I must note has not increased since I worked for the line over four years ago. You know you love concealer when you buy it not only for yourself but you gift it as well! I have gifted this concealer to my sister and some friends who are afflicted with killer dark circles like myself and they have loved it too.

NOTD: Maybelline Navy Narcissist and Julep Blake ][v][ GO BLUE ][v][

As a University of Michigan alumna and huge fan of all that is Michigan football, I felt that maize and blue manicure was a necessity leading up to next weekend's game against Michigan State University.

For this look, I used Maybelline Color Show Metallics in Navy Narcissist. This "navy" color has a true royal blue shine through it, and is not as deep of a navy as one would typically expect. This mix of royal blue and navy is what makes it perfect for this manicure. I like the finish of this shade because its a metallic that doesn't leave any sort of streak behind, which can be difficult. I often find that metallic finish polishes look a bit grainy or leave streaks even after two to three coats, but this one applies beautifully. I did do two coats because I tend to prefer two coats, but I think that in a rush I could have done just one. I would recommend this shade of Maybelline Color Show to anyone, although I do not know if it was a special edition collection because I have not seen it recently in the drugstores.

One complaint in general about the Maybelline Color Show polishes is that they are about half the size of the typical nail polish. I picked this and all the other Color Shows I have purchased on a sale, I think buy one get one 50% off, plus combined with coupons, but I wouldn't recommend paying full price for any of the Color Show polishes unless the color was drop dead gorgeous! I do think that they tend to be cheaper at Target than the drugstore.



To compliment my blue, I used my one and only yellow polish. I received the Julep polish in Blake in my initial Julep Maven box, and at first I wasn't so sure about it. But boy am I glad I got it. It works perfect for this look, and I feel like its a really nice and sunshiny yellow in general. I do not wear a lot of yellow, but this is a very nice clear light and bright yellow color. I love the finish of Julep polishes, I have five shades currently, I gifted one of the ones I received in my second Maven box. I have two cream finishes, like Blake, and find those to be beautiful and opaque in two even light coats. I also find that the color lasts without chipping beautifully. I would recommend Julep polishes to anyone. I do find the price to be steep, at $14, so I would recommend doing something like the Maven box, although that can be hit or miss as well because you do not get to pick your individual colors. I did spot a grey set on Sephora.com for $15 which I am tempted to purchase.

Next up after this look, I will revert to one of my more typical fall colored looks, but this was too fun not to try out. I was planning on adding some white dotting or striping, but was not having as much luck with that. I would like to do something a little more intricate. Maybe for the UM v OSU game Thanksgiving Weekend.

Hope you enjoy some college football this weekend and fall colored manicures. ][v][ GO BLUE ][v][

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Pink Truffle

Product: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Color:  Pink Truffle

Price:  $7.49 - $9.99

Size:   0.09 oz

Packaging:  Transparent quilted packaging colored to match the lip shade

Scent: None

Yay or Nay?  YAY

Pink Truffle Lip Butter is a cream pinkened brown neutral color. This is a great neutral, my lips but better shade. I like it for an every day lip look. It can really counterbalance a crazy eye look without my lips looking to colorless. This shade is neutral, but leans slightly warm

This cream finish shade has the nice creamy texture that I have come to appreciate from the Lip Butter line.  I think this shade is perfect for an everyday lip color to keep in your makeup bag or leave at your desk. Its the kind of color I feel comfortable pulling out and applying without any sort of mirror to look into, so its absolutely perfect in a pinch.

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Candy Apple

Product: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Color:  Candy Apple

Price:  $7.49 - $9.99

Size:   0.09 oz

Packaging:  Transparent quilted packaging colored to match the lip shade

Scent: None

Yay or Nay?  YAY

Candy Apple Lip Butter is a beautiful red with a warm pink undertone. This shade appears to have some micro shimmer in it, which helps to give that pink glow, although it is not glittery on the lips, and it feels very soft and smooth like the completely cream finish shades. This shade is very unique. It is a mix of red and pink to me. And it is very complimentary on my skin. I like this color for summer into early fall. I find that it is a great color for brightening my complexion.  I like this sort of red because it has pink in it, and I am much more comfortable wearing a pink shade then red, so that makes this lipstick color not too far from my comfort zone. This is an everyday type color for me. I like to wear it with one coat, although the intensity and pigmentation of the color can be built up.

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Sugar Plum

Product: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Color: Sugar Plum 

Price:  $7.49 - $9.99

Size:   0.09 oz

Packaging:  Transparent quilted packaging colored to match the lip shade

Scent: None

Yay or Nay?  YAY

Sugar Plum Lip Butter is a plummy pink my lips but better cream shade. I find that this color is extremely neutral, which makes it great for all skin tones. This is the shade that I have used the most of, I only have a small sliver left of this color. I find that this color is the kind of color I think everyone needs. Plummy-pink my lips but better is one of my "go to" fall back lip colors and the creamy texture of this particular product makes it even more perfect for completing every day.

Review: Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

Product: Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
Color:  Fair
Price:  $34
Size:   1 oz
Packaging: Opaque White Tube
Scent: None
Yay or Nay? YAY


I got this as part of a great QVC auto-delivery TSV. The set is still available on QVC, although it doesn't appear to be available in auto-delivery anymore.

To be quite honest the auto-delivery later deliveries are what sold me when I was looking at purchasing the kit. The December kit includes the Amazon Escape Amazonian Clay Eye & Cheek Palette  and the March 2014 kit includes NeutralEYES Volume II Natural Eye Palette, along with the primer, corrector, a lipstick and mascara.

But back to the Primer, the grounding point of this kit. This primer has a nice smooth texture.  It is almost mousse like in consistency and blends in really nicely to the skin. It leaves a perfected texture behind, helping to smooth out fine lines and minimize the feel and appearance of pores.

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Brown Sugar

Product: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Color:  Brown Sugar

Price:  $7.49 - $9.99

Size:   0.09 oz

Packaging:  Transparent quilted packaging colored to match the lip shade

Scent: None

Yay or Nay?  NAY

Brown Sugar Lip Butter is a shimmered metallic beige color that is neutral warm in tone. I find that it covers the more natural pinkish tint of my lips, but doesn't give them that "dead effect".  I am not crazy about this color honestly. To me its just okay. I would probably like it better if it didn't have the shimmer/metallic finish, and when I purchased it I did not see the shimmer finish through the cap of the packaging. It looked more like a cream finish. 

This leaves behind glitter as it wears off. That looks just plan strange to have just random glitter left on my lips, or elsewhere on my face.

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Red Velvet

Product: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Color:  Red Velvet

Price:  $7.49 - $9.99

Size:   0.09 oz

Packaging:  Transparent quilted packaging colored to match the lip shade

Scent: None

Yay or Nay?  YAY

Red Velvet Lip Butter is a cream finish deep almost cranberry red. The red has a slight blue/purple undertone that pulls it more cool and helps to keep the teeth from looking too yellowed. I find that this is a great fall color. I am not a big red lip color girl. I don't have very many red products, I think less than five probably, and two are lip butters! I like red in this more sheer but still pigmented way. It makes it not feel so out of my comfort zone. I think a good red color can make you feel very powerful and take charge, and so having one that I can wear comfortably makes it even better.

This is a beautiful fall color, It complements a more subdued neutral eye look, my go to in the fall, or a deeper fall themed eye look.  This lip butter is one of the cream finish and it has a beautiful glossy sheen that helps to make this extremely wearable for all, even those afraid of reds!

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Raspberry Pie

Product: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Color:  Raspberry Pie

Price:  $7.49 - $9.99

Size:   0.09 oz

Packaging:  Transparent quilted packaging colored to match the lip shade

Scent: None

Yay or Nay?  YAY

Raspberry Pie Lip Butter is a cream finish deep fuchsia magenta color. This cool toned deep pink color is absolutely beautiful. This is a great color for all seasons. I do find that i like it best in the summer and fall. I like that it can sheer it out or layer it into a deeper color. It can be worn almost as a berry stained lip color if just lightly dabbed into the lip.

I love pink shades, and I am no stranger to bolder pink lipstick.  This color is a great compliment to the other bold pink shade that I own. This is rich looking color that I think compliments the cooler months perfectly.

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Product: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Price:  $7.49 - $9.99

Size:   0.09 oz

Packaging:  Transparent quilted packaging colored to match the lip shade

Scent: None

Yay or Nay?  YAY

I really like the phenomena of lip butter consistency that has emerged in the cosmetic world. To my knowledge the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter are the first of this kind, at least the first that I personally tried out. I have also tried the Tarte Lip Butter Lipsticks. And it seems like more and more brands are coming out with their own version, for example Maybelline Color Whisper and Flower Lip Butters. 

What I like so much about the concept of the Lip Butter formula is the mix of rich color pigment and a glossy shine finish.  The Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter formula has wonderful pigmentation.  I also really enjoy the wide variety of colors that are available. 

In my collection I currently have nine colors:

Brown Sugar

Cherry Tart

Creamsicle

Gumdrop

Pink Truffle

Raspberry Pie

Red Velvet

Sugar Plum

Sweet Tart