Tag: Fresh

 
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February 2020 Sephora Play! – Beauty Soul Mates

Hmmm…I’m getting a severe sense of deja vu with this month’s Sephora Play! box – I feel like I’ve seen all of these products before.

I received the Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” just a few months, ago, in November’s box. The Clinique Blackhead Solutions 7 Day Deep Pore Cleanse & Scrub is a new product to me, at least.

I got the Kat Von D Beauty Lock-It Setting Powder in a 500 point bonus, so at least it’s not a repeat. (I noticed that the insert still refers to Kat Von D Beauty, so this was all put together well in advance of the rebranding.)

I received Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer, which is slightly different than the Youth Preserve Mask I received in 2018.

I’m not going to complain about philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser – I love it…but I did receive it in a Play! box in 2018.

Last, but not least – Verb Ghost Oil. Yup, you guessed it – 2018.

Even though I’ve gotten almost all of these products before, it’s a good little box this month.

Sephora Play gives you 5-6 prestige samples a month, for just $10! You can sign up at sephora.com/play

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September 2019 Sephora Play ! – Must-See Beauty

September’s “Must-See Beauty” box is a banger…well, almost.

I was warned ahead of time about the Amika Bushwick Beach No-Salt Wave Spray. My friend Michelle got it in her box and tried it – it turned her into a scarecrow! She said it turned her hair into straw – no thank you! Also, I’ve never heard of Bushwick Beach, but I have heard of Bushwick Bill, RIP.

The rest of the box is good though: Benefit Gimme Brow + Volumizing Eyebrow Gel in 3; Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash in “Black”; First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Pores Be Gone Matte Primer (I cannot WAIT to try this – I am almost finished with the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hyaluronic Hydrating Primer from my June Ipsy); Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash (I LOVE this face wash – I have the full size; and Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum (no – ew).

Sephora Play gives you 5-6 prestige samples a month, for just $10! You can sign up at sephora.com/play

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Sugar Strawberry

I cannot believe I paid $33 for a fucking face wash.

Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash ($33) is a new product and it’s not exactly what I expected. I was expecting a cloying fake strawberry scent, but it was a natural raw strawberry smell – very subtle. The scrub has two different sizes of sugar crystals – it’s very refreshing. The grapeseed oil leaves my face hydrated, but not greasy. I am still not sure I’ll buy it again – $33 goddamn – but I do like the product.

I also picked up another new skin product – Sephora Collection Hemp Mousse Instant Mask ($7). It’s supposed to target blemishes, but I used it and couldn’t really tell if it did anything. Oh, and it vaguely smells like pot, which is weird.

As usual, I stopped by the Sale page…I picked up a Sephora Collection Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Color in “Magenta Luster” ($3, down from $16). I feel like I got this formula in a Play! box and liked it?

I used a promo code to get a set from Tata Harper – Regenerating Cleanser and Resurfacing Mask. I only got ONE of the free samples I chose at check-out – the Glow Recipe Avocado Sleeping Mask – and I cannot wait to try it. I was so annoyed that a sample was missing, that I contacted customer care. They did give me 200 points, so I guess I shouldn’t complain too much.

$741 to Rouge status in 2020…

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Sephora Play! February 2019 – Lovestruck Beauty

Oh hey – I’m still doing February stuff. Shut up, I haven’t even received any March boxes yet.

This month’s box is all products I’ve received before – or at least, similar products. Like the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouhce Lipstick in “Rhubarb” – I’d received not the lipstick, but a pencil in “Rhubarb” in my 3rd Play box.

Also in this month’s box: Milk Makeup Mini Blur Stick (I have a full sized one I use all the time – this will be great for travel); Fresh Rose Face Mask (I haven’t used up the first one of these I got); Wander Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks (yup, have bunches); Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet (love the way this one smells); and Stella McCartney Stella (have a full size).

A great box because even though they aren’t new products to me, they are products I’ve enjoyed.

Sephora Play is a really good subscription box with high-end products. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play

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Sephora Play! December 2018 – Cheers to Beauty

It’s only the 3rd – late, but not too bad.

December’s box is really light – all of the products are very tiny. I am most excited about the Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm. If my nose was working, I’d tell you how good it smells. Unfortunately, you’ll just have to pretend I told you it smells just like a yummy caramel swirl. I am religious about using heavy balms and masks on my lips every night, so this will be put to good use immediately.

Also in this month’s box: Too Faced Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer (the insert says it smells like peaches & cream); Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara in “Black”; MoroccanOil Treatment (for hair); and Sephora Collection Rouge Gel Lip Liner in “Nothin’ But Nude”. As a bonus, they added a sixth sample to my box – Stellar Cosmic Face Powder in “Haze”. (I had no idea what this product is, so I had to look it up on Sephora’s site – it’s a mattifying translucent finishing powder – NICE). Not horrible products, but nothing really exciting either.

Another month without a fragrance sample. So sad.

I kind of miss the fabric pouches that used to come with the box. I mean…I don’t do anything with them, but I don’t do anything with these weird ziploc pouches either.

Sephora Play is usually my favorite monthly beauty box. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.

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I’ve got a Fetish…or Two

 

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I found myself pleasantly surprised last week, when a friend in one of my fb groups added me to her list for Sephora’s Friends & Family Event – a day of 20% off shopping!

I may have splurged a little bit…not only did I order the Kat Von D Fetish Eyeshadow Palette ($63), but I also got the Kat Von D Fetish Blush + Highlighter Palette ($43). I thought there was supposed to be a lipstick set to, but it never launched…probably because people got their panties in a bunch over “Underage Red” again.

I’ve been using both palettes this week and let me just say…neither of them are subtle! The matte eyeshadows are VERY pigmented and the shimmer/glitters are pigmented AND super glimmery. I am struggling with how I would wear this palette to work. The lighter matte colors in the palette are deceptive – they are NOT light once they get on your face. I do feel that there is sort of a disconnect between the eye palette and the cheek palette. The cheek colors are almost neon, but the shadows are all dark and goth. The cheek colors are seem to lean cool, as well – no warm colors. I’m still experimenting with the blushes and and highlighters, but I’m not sold on the cheek palette yet.

I also splurged on a Bite Beauty Sweet Treats Agave Lip Care Set ($12). It’s a Xmas set that includes Agave Sugar Lip Scrub Packette, Agave Lip Balm and Agave Lip Mask – I am addicted to the Lip Mask that I picked up in Vegas.

I used 250 points A Rosy Duo by Fresh Beauty, which comes with a Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream and Sugar Lip Treatment in “Rose”. (I know I just got one of these – shut it.) The other samples I got are Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, Clinique Self-Heating Blackhead Extractor, and Klorane Soothing and Anti-Irritating Gel Shampoo & Conditioner with Peony (looking forward to trying this one – I love peony almost as much as rose).

Just $106 to Rouge Status for 2019…it will be a breeze!

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Sephora Play! SMARTS – Skincare by Age: 40s

 

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I’m not ashamed to admit it – I’m in my 40s – and my skin needs help!

Sephora Play! launched three extra boxes this month – Skincare by Age for women in their 30s, 40s and 50s. All of the boxes have great products, so I decided not to be a glutton and order all of them. I just ordered the 40s box.

The first thing I tried out of the box was the Volition Detoxifying Silt Gelee Mask. I’ve never heard of this brand before – but I’ve never met a mask I didn’t like. It was much thinner than a traditional mud mask, hence the silt? It kind of smelled like dirt, too…but it made my skin as soft as my 10 year old daughter’s.

I’ve also been using the Tatcha The Water Cream. It’s got an unusual slippery texture, but it sure does make my makeup stay on seamlessly, almost like it floats on my skin.

Also in the box: Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream (I really need to start using eye creams); Kiehl’s Glow Formula Skin Hydrator; Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Oil; and Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment (great brand).

And can we talk about the amazing plastic case it all came in? It’s a hard-side case, perfect for travel!

I did NOT get the samples I chose. Instead, I got Rita Hazan True Color Shampoo & Conditioner, Becca Ultimate Coverage 24-Hour Foundation, and Marc Jacobs Divine Decadence. I wanted NONE of that. I did get something I wanted very much – a Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment for 100 points.

Just $211 to Rouge…

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Metal Matte Mini

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I cannot resist a smoking deal!

The Kat Von D Metal Matte Mini Eye Shadow Palette went on sale for $24, down from $39. Even though most of the shades are dupes from the full Metal Matte Palette, I decided I couldn’t pass up the deal. (When I looked side by side, all of the matte shades are dupes, but three of the metals are new.) I absolutely LOVE the neutral shade combos in this version – I feel like I’ve neglected the original, but will hit pan on this one.

I couldn’t find anything else I needed so I could bump my total up to $25 to use a promo code, so I just went without. I DID find something in the Rewards Bazaar though. I used 100 points on Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask. I checked the ingredients and it has kaolin, so a clay mask.

For samples, I got Miu Miu (not as good as L’eau Rosee, but nice); Fresh Soy Face Cleanser; and Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment.

$448 to Rouge!

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Sephora Play! April 2018 – Insta Beauty

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I am fully aware that I am prone to hyperbole…but…this month’s Sephora Play box might be the best box I’ve ever received. I say that not because the products are good or high dollar, but because there are several BRAND NEW products that I’ve been wanting to try.

I just saw It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder in an Ulta circular. I wore it this morning, over only moisturizer and…WOW. It’s translucent and adds no color, but it adds a soft focus veil that is hard to beat. I think I need to buy a full size!

I have also been curious about Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Ultra Cushion Lipgloss in “SPL”. I am not in a glossy lip phase, but who is to say that glossy can’t come back in 2018?

Also in this month’s Insta Beauty box: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfector in “Shade #6” (fingers crossed that it matches my skin tone); Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask; Peter Thomas Roth Skin to Die for No-Filter Mattifying Primer & Complexion Perfector; and Miu Miu L’eau Rosee (I have a deluxe sample of this and I wore it ALL winter).

Again, I will use every single one of these products!

If you don’t get Sephora Play, join us for Festival Fun. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.

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YAYROUGE, Part 1

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It’s that time of year…the Sephora Spring Bonus discount is here!

This year, VIB Rouge gets a 15% discount not one weekend, but BOTH weekends. I hit my closest Sephora during lunch on the first day of the sale. (Only 14 minutes from my office to Sephora!) I was after this year’s Sun Safety Kit, but the store had already sold out…I’d have to check online.

I wanted the gift with purchase, so I wandered around, looking for a summer skin product. I tried new foundations from Sunday Riley and First Aid Beauty, but was unimpressed. Then I came across Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30 in “Fair” ($42). I tried it on my wrist and it actually blended into my skin, instead of just sitting on top. What the hell. I bought a tube. 15% made me not feel bad about it. I tried it both days this past weekend and it is more similar to a BB cream than a foundation, but it evened out my complexion without looking thick. AND I didn’t break out. This foundation will be my summer jam.

Not only did I get a cute “Lips” Card Case, but I got a sample bag. Inside the special sample bag: Buxom Big Tease Plumping Mascara; tarte Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost; Clinique Beyond Perfecting Super Concealer Camouflage + 24-Hour Wear; Beauty Blender Liquid Blendercleanser (it works SO much better than Baby Shampoo); Caudalie Vinopefect Radiance Serum; Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil; Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream; and Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask. Yeah, it’s mostly foil packs, but it’s high end brands.

Oh, I also got to smell REPLICA Music Festival, which is purported to smell like patchouli and “fresh bud”. I’ll be damned if it didn’t smell just like a hippie that hadn’t bathed in a month.

…and then I started ordering online….