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.