Posts Tagged Sephora
New Dior Mascara! Introducing DiorShow Extase Mascara
Posted by Wendy in Makeup Collections/Launches on December 18th, 2009
If you’re like me and fall in love with every mascara that Dior comes out with, you’ll be thrilled to hear of their latest launch — DiorShow Extase Mascara ($28). Right now, it is listed as Beauty Insider Exclusive at Sephora, but I’m guessing it will probably be widely available in department stores in Spring.
Here’s the description on Sephora.com: “DiorShow Extase provides built-in treatment benefits and high-impact lashes in a single stroke! The spherical-shaped Black Pearl Pigments create a 3D volume effect and the exclusive Metamorphosis Powders expand in size by up to 50% after application. Also, SR38 Patented Ceramid brings additional care, reconstructing damaged lashes and promoting stronger and fuller lashes. The Extase mascara features a “Tiered Brush” that is inspired by the “tiered” couture dresses created by the House of Dior. The brush is designed for performance and contains an Exclusive Duo of Fibers: The Black Elastomer Fibers brush out and define the lashes for panoramic fringe and the Gold Nylon Fibers hold and deposit formula, generously coating each lash for outstanding volume.”
It currently has 11 reviews on Sephora.com, with the average rating being 4.6/5. The consensus seems to be that it does a fantastic job of thickening and defining; however, a few reviewers have commented that they had problems with “clumping” and “tarantula lashes.”
I can’t wait to give it a try! What about you? Have to tried Diorshow Extase yet? What did you think?
Makeup Palettes (And More!) On My Holiday Wishlist
Posted by Wendy in Latest Obsessions, Makeup Collections/Launches on November 3rd, 2009
Is it just me, or are ALL the 2009 Holiday Palettes ridiculously tempting? After sifting through all the latest launches, here are the makeup palettes/gifts I’m adding to my own wish list this holiday season:
1. Laura Mercier “Color Wardrobe” Compact ($98) – The Laura Mercier holiday sets are always a fantastic value, and this one is no exception. The two-tiered compact holds 6 eye colors, 3 cheek colors, 6 lip stains, 2 lip glazes and a double-ended lip brush. The top palette contains: African Violet, Stellar, Café Au Lait, Sandstone, Celestial and Coffee Ground Eye Colors; Plum, Rose and Nude Cheek Colors (exclusive); a Double-Ended Eye Color/Corner Eye Color Brush and a full-size mirror. The bottom palette contains: Mocha, Scarlet, Melon, Mulberry, Nude and Rosette Lip Stains (exclusive) along with Brown Glaze and Pink Glaze Lip Glazes (exclusive). Also included is a double-ended lip brush.
2. Laura Mercier “Master Toolbox” ($65) — If the “Color Wardrobe” doesn’t fit your budget, Nordstrom also offers this exclusive palette. This two-tiered compact includes 5 eye colors, 3 lip stains, 2 lip glazes PLUS a mini lip-color brush and a double-ended eye color brush. The top palette contains Beige, Sable, Sandstorm, Mica (exclusive) and Gold (exclusive) Eye Colors, along with a mini Black Turquoise Kohl Eye Pencil. The bottom palette contains Shy Pink, Crimson and Raspberry (exclusive) Lip Stains along with Natural (exclusive) and Spice (exclusive) Lip Glazes (exclusive).
3. LORAC “Double Booked” Full-Face Collection ($55) — LORAC eye shadows are among some of the best I’ve used. I would rank their pigment intensity right up there with MAC, and their blendability is unparalleled. The holiday “book” opens up to reveal two “pages.” One page is compiled of 8 warm, color-coordinated eye shadows; the other, 8 cool shadows. Also included are two blushes, two lip glosses, one bronzer, one highlighter, one lip liner AND a double-ended eye color brush.
4. MAC “Magic, Myth and Mirth” Eye Palettes ($36) — So many choices to choose from!
Each palette contains 6 eye shadows.
-“Devil May Dare“ = Colors include Oh My Darling (pale frosty cream), Dare Ya! (light frosty peachy pink), Sorcery (blackened burgundy), Gold Tease (frosty midtone gold), Prankster (midtone frosted olive), and Devilishly Dark (rich brown with gold pearl)
-“Smoke and Mirrors” = Colors include Fire In Her Eyes (neutral beige), Wide-Eyed Wonder (gray taupe), Black Magique (black with gold pearl), Spell #9 (muted pink beige), Deception (frosty golden brown), and Smoke and Mirros (dark chocolate brown)
-“Sorceress” = Colors include White Rabbit (frosty soft white), Hold My Gaze (midtone cool green gray), Edge of Dark (charcoal with silver pearl), Magnetized (light frosted lavendar), Hypnotizing (frosted gray mauve), and Altered State (deep frosted blue purple)
-“Mystic Cool” = Colors include Cool Incantation (opalescent white gold), Blue Enchantment (dark frosted turquoise), Deep Scarlet (deep frosted indigo), Shhh! Don’t Tell (pale neutral pink), Rose Potion (midtone frosted rose), and Violet Vow (deep cool brown)
5. Felix Rey Cosmetic Case ($88)- If you’re going to be getting new makeup this holiday season, why not also ask for an incredibly cute cosmetic case to keep it all in? I am quickly becoming obsessed with this cosmetic case from Felix Rey. He also offers this larger case for $100 and this smaller case for $55. If these options are a little too girlie-girl, he also offers this great rocker-chic cosmetic case for $90.
6. Chanel Collection Essentielle de Chanel Multi-Use Palette ($85) – Created by the CHANEL Makeup Studio in Paris especially for the United States, this essential all-in-one makeup wardrobe now features three new must-haves: two cream concealers and one cream blush. The exclusive colour collection, named ‘Paris-New York,’ also includes two shades of lipgloss, one cream lip colour, three powder eyeshadows, a sponge-tipped applicator and a soft-bristled lip brush.
7. Bobbi Brown Chrome Palette ($75) — Early reports say that this palette is much more wearable than it looks in the packaging. Eyeshadows: White, Polar Ice Shimmer Wash, Storm Cloud Sparkle, Iron, Thunder Metallic, Moonlight Sparkle, Cyber Grey Shimmer Wash, Foil Metallic, Chrome Metallic and Charcoal Haze. Lip colors: Pink Mist Shimmer Lip Gloss, Winter Bronze Glitter Lip Gloss, Berry Glitter Lip Gloss and Chrome Pink Shimmer Lip Gloss. Mini lip and eye brushes are also included.
8. MAC Brush Bags ($49.50) — The holidays are always a good time to stock up on MAC brushes via their holiday brush collections. With each collection costing around $50, you’re getting top-quality MAC brushes for roughly $10/brush, and most of these brushes would cost between $15-$30 normally.
-“Morning, Noon and Knight” eye brushes include brushes #194SE, 204SE, 224SE, 266SE and 275SE
-“Do The Trick” buff and line brushes include brushes #168SE, 187SE, 209SE, 219SE and 252SE
-“Wave of a Wand” sweep and define brushes include brushes #129SE, 190SE, 212SE, 227SE and 275SE
What about you? What’s on your holiday makeup list?
-Images from nordstrom.com, sephora.com, felixrey.com and maccosmetics.com
Top 10 Primers at Sephora
Posted by Wendy in Top 10 Lists on August 14th, 2009
The benefits of using a primer under foundation are generally known — they help smooth the skin by filling in fine lines, deep pores and wrinkles, providing a “primed” surface for makeup application. However, primers can also provide additional benefits, such as (1) being oil-free (2) adding hydration, (3) providing antioxidant protection, (4) brightening your skintone, (5) providing SPF protection and (6) being composed of primarily natural ingredients. To help take the guesswork out of your next primer purchase, here is a list of the top 10 primers at Sephora.
Use the following key to help differentiate between the additional product benefits offered by each primer: O=oil-free, H=hydrating, A=antioxidant protection, E=brightening skintone, N=natural ingredients, and S=SPF. Descriptions are taken from Sephora.com
1. Bare Escentuals Bare Vitamins Prime Time = Prepare your skin for the most amazing foundation with this preservative-free foundation primer that’s great for all skin types. Benefits = A, N. Sephora rating: 4.5/5 – 1,182 reviews, $21
2. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 = A mineral based primer with SPF 15 that neutralizes the skin and creates a smooth, uniformed canvas for flawless makeup application. Benefits = N, S, O. Sephora rating: 4.7/5 – 79 reviews, $52
3. Tarte Clean Slate = A lightweight, emollient face primer. Benefits: A, N. Sephora rating: 4.5/5 – 290 reviews, $27
4. Smashbox Photo Finish = Smashbox makeup artists use this product to create a perfect canvas for foundation application. Benefits: A. Sephora rating: 4.4/5 – 1,766 reviews, $36. Also available in Smashbox Photo Finish LIGHT ($30- for oilier skin types), and Smashbox Photo Finish Primer SPF 15 with Dermaxyl ($42).
5. Laura Geller Spackle = One of Laura Geller’s signature creations — a sleek foundation primer. Benefits: O. Sephora rating: 4.3/5 – 375 reviews, $23
6. Per-fekt Beauty Skin Perfection Gel = A multi-tasking all-in-one vitamin enriched, sweat-resistant and water-resistant skin perfector. Benefits: A, O. Sephora rating: 4.2/5 – 471 reviews, $57.50
7. Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer = A lightweight, oil-free complexion corrector that enhances the skin’s texture and primes the skin for makeup application. Benefits: O. Sephora rating: 4.1/5 – 632 reviews, $32
8. Korres Face Primer = A silicone-free, 99 percent natural, antioxidant rich face primer that creates the perfect canvas for makeup application. Benefits: A, N. Sephora rating: 4.1/5 – 216 reviews, $28
9. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer = A vitamin-rich, water-based foundation primer. Benefits: H, A, O. Sephora rating: 4.1/5 – 134 reviews, $30. Also available in Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer ($30) and Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer ($30).
10. Benefit “That Gal” Brightening Face Primer = A silky pink primer that makes skin appear smoother and brighter. Benefits: B. Sephora rating: 4/5 – 392 reviews, $28
-Images from sephora.com
Top 10 Budget-Friendly Beauty Products
Posted by Wendy in Top 10 Lists on August 7th, 2009
We’ve all heard that there are great products to be found in your local drugstore beauty aisle. Unfortunately, a visit to your local drugstore can be just as overwhelming as a visit to the department store, with dozens of different mascaras, blushes, foundations etc. all clamoring for your attention. In an attempt to relieve some beauty aisle stress, here is a list of the drugstore finds that are staples in my makeup kit:
1. L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup ($10.49) – I once grabbed this when I was in a hurry for a photo shoot and had run out of some of the foundation shades in my kit. I’m glad I did, because it’s now one of the primary foundations I use! It lives up to its claim of being super blendable, providing a natural-looking light to medium coverage. It also boasts no oils, fragrances or oil-clogging fillers. With 24 shades to choose from, there’s a true match for everyone. I highly encourage you to give it a try 
2. Maybelline Volum’ Express Turbo Mascara ($7.49) – Want to add volume to your lashes without any flaking or clumping? Give this mascara a try! I love using it in the waterproof formula for weddings.
3. Maybelline Great Lash ($4.79) – It’s hard to argue with a classic. Is there a beauty award this iconic mascara hasn’t won?
4. Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush ($7.49) — This is one of my latest obsessions. Don’t be worried by the brightness of the shades in the jar. When applied to the apples of your cheeks with your fingertips, the result is a natural, radiant flush of color. An added plus? The air-whipped texture makes it virtually impossible to look clownish. My favorite go-to shades are: #10 “Pink Frosting,” #25 “Rose Petal,” and #40 “Soft Plum”
5. ALMAY Intense I-Color Eye Shadow Trios ($7.49) – The first time I used the ALMAY Intense I-Color trio for “Hazel Eyes,” I was amazed at the silkiness of the eye shadow. All three colors applied as easy as higher-end brands, and by categorizing the trios according to eye color, it’s easy to find one that will make your eyes pop. Each trio comes with an eyelid, crease and highlight color. Perfect!
6. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($6.00) — I have frustratingly sensitive eyelids. Most eye makeup removers start stinging after 5 seconds, so I was relieved when I used Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover and didn’t feel a thing. Just shake the bottle thoroughly and apply with a cotton square. It even removes pesky waterproof makeup with ease.
7. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat ($5.49) — I love it when products do exactly what they claim to do. Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Top Coat really does dry in 30 seconds, and while none of my manicures have ever lasted more than 5 days, I’ve definitely been able to squeeze out an extra 2 or 3 days by using this.
8. Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion ($11.49) — No fancy frills or packaging; just a simple, non-irritating moisturizer that provides a great base for makeup.
9. Neutrogena Ageless Restoratives Continuous Hydration Eye ($15.49) – This hydrating under eye cream provides a perfect base for concealer.
10. CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Liner Pen ($5.79) — Love, love, love this eyeliner. The small, compact size combined with the felt-tip applicator make it easy to achieve either fine or bold lines. Just make sure to shake well before use.
Ooh la la! Only at Sephora — 3 New Bare Escentuals Buxom Products…Including Eyeliners!
Posted by Wendy in Makeup Collections/Launches on August 3rd, 2009
First off, if you haven’t discovered the wonders that are the Bare Escentuals Buxom Lipglosses, then run to your nearest Sephora and give them a try (and with 4.6/5 stars and 3,000+ reviews at Sephora.com, appararently quite a few people agree with me!). My personal favorite is “Dolly” – a shimmering, muted plum that matches my lips almost perfectly for my “everyday” look. Each mineral-infused Buxom gloss provides a fantastic finish without a sticky or tacky feeling.
Secondly, if you’re already a Buxom convert, you’re in for a surprise. Sephora now exclusively offers 3 new sexy and curvy additions to the BE Buxom line: (1) BE Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick, (2) BE Buxom Insider Eyeliner (3) BE Buxom Lashliner, and (4) BE Buxom Lashliner Brush.
Sephora describes the latest additions as follows:
–BE Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick ($18) – A Beauty-Insider Exclusive. “Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick works three full-time jobs – it defines the shape of the lips like a liner, fills them in with creamy velvet color, and then plumps them to their full buxom potential. It’s a three-in-one lipstick that’s quick and convenient for defined, colorful, buxom lips anytime, anywhere.” Colors include “Barcelona” (scarlet apple – quickly emerging as a customer favorite), “Berlin” (creamy pecan), “Brooklyn” (harvest fig), “Las Vegas” (vibrant pink), “Milan” (sun-kissed apricot) and “Monte Carlo” (magenta).
–BE Buxom Insider Eyeliner ($14) — “Buxom Insider Eyeliner delivers rich, long-wearing color that’s so gentle you can apply it to the inner rims of your eyes for the deepest, most dramatic definition. … It can also be applied along the outer lash line for the maximum effect and glides on without tugging or irritating your eyes.” Colors include “Amethyst,” “Emerald,” “Onyx,” “Pearl,” “Sapphire,” and “Topaz.”
–BE Buxom Lashliner ($15) — Bare Escentuals’ response to the (well-deserved) gel eyeliner craze. “Lash addicts beware: Buxom Lashliner is highly habit-forming. This may look like just an eyeliner, but it is also a thickening and conditioning treatment that instantly takes the appearance of your lashes from hardly any to very many. … In one fluid stroke, you can fill in the base of your lashes — making them appear lusciously longer and fuller. Colors include “Leatherette” (black), “Sequins,” (black with silver micro glitter) and “Suede” (dark brown). The Buxom Lashliner can be applied with the BE Buxom Lashliner Brush ($15) or any small, angled eyeliner brush.
–Love the top look as much as I do? Sephora has the following instructions for re-creating the look: Using the (1) Buxom by Bare Escentuals Lashliner Brush and the (2) Buxom by Bare Escentuals Lashliner in Leatherette, create a thin line across upper lash line and tail it out at the end. Rim the lower lashline with (3) Buxom by Bare Escentuals Insider Eyeliner in Onyx. Apply (4) Buxom by Bare Escentuals Bareminerals Lash Mascara in Blackest Black. Line and fill lips in with (5) Buxom by Bare Escentuals Big & Healthy Lipstick in Barecelona.
-Images compiled from sephora.com
Congratulations, Lauren Luke! — Web Phenom Lauren Luke Launches a New Collaboration with Sephora
Posted by Wendy in Makeup Collections/Launches on July 28th, 2009
Congratulations to Lauren Luke — a YouTube blogger who gives hope to makeup bloggers everywhere! Thanks to her overwhelming following (her YouTube tutorials have been visited by hundreds of thousands of viewers over the past 2+ years), Lauren was given the opportunity to collaborate on a makeup collection with Sephora. “By Lauren Luke” consists of 5 full-face palettes that each contain 3 eye colors, 2 lip colors and 1 cheek color. Best of all, there are 2 shades of eye primer included with each palette as well!! Lauren has already made YouTube videos (also at Sephora.com) that demonstrate how to use her new palettes, and from the looks of it, the palettes all have nice, rich pigments. The collection includes:
–“My Smokey Classics Palette” – $32.50
–“My Vintage Glams Palette” – $32.50
–“My Fierce Violets Palette” – $32.50
–“My Luscious Greens Palette” – $32.50
–“My Sultry Blues Palette” – $32.50
-Image compiled from Sephora.com
Holy Cow! — “Sephora Favorites” Boxed Sets ($40)
Posted by Wendy in Latest Obsessions on June 22nd, 2009
Call, text or tweet everyone you know! Sephora has come out with one-of-a-kind kits ($40) filled with smaller versions of their most popular items. The following kits are available:
- Splashstash Waterproof Deluxe Sampler — 7 waterproof eye essentials
- Naturally Gorgeous Skincare and Make-up Sampler — 9 of Sephora’s best-selling natural products
- Face Quenchers Moisturizers Deluxe Sampler — 6 of Sephora’s most popular moisturizers
- Skin Saviors Moisturizers Deluxe Sampler — 5 of Sephora’s body moisturizers
- Fix-It Kit Skincare Deluxe Sampler — 6 of Sephora’s “secret weapons” to firm and soften
- Eau Girl Fragrance Deluxe Sampler — 8 petite fragrance samples
- Lashstash Mascara Deluxe Sampler — 11 of Sephora’s most-wanted mascaras
- Blink, Winks and Brows Eye Deluxe Sampler — a collection of 10 eye primers, brow gels, eyeliners, etc.
- Get Pink’d Pink Lips Deluxe Sampler — a selection of 9 lipsticks and lip glosses for perfectly pink lips
Phew! Where to start? I’m personally eyeing the Splashstash collection…
-Image from Sephora.com
