Tag: Josie Maran Cosmetics
Sephora Play! July 2018 – More of the Good Stuff
Lucky Sephora box – you arrived first this month, so you get reviewed first!
I was surprised to see such a tarte heavy box this month – Sephora doesn’t usually focus on a single brand. This month’s box has tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in “paaarty” (boo, I got this shade in LAST year’s birthday bonus – it will be gifted); tarte Color Splash Lipstick – Rainforest of the Sea Collection in “Salt Lyfe”; and tarte Deep Dive Cleansing Gel.
Also in this month’s box: Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter; Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Essence (I am starting to get really excited about Caudalie products – the viney smell is nice); and Rahua Color Full Hair Mask.
No new fragrances again this month.
I promise, this will be the best $10 you’ll spend each month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
YAYROUGE, Part 1
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….
DIVINE!
Anyone who knows me even casually, knows that I have a thing for pink flamingos. They’re in my yard, in my house, on my clothes. Those who REALLY know me, know how much I love Pink Flamingos, starring the one and only Divine. And thanks to Kat Von D, now I can have Pink Flamingos in my makeup!
I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of the Kat Von D x Divine Collection since sneak peaks started appearing online last year. It was finally released on VD, but didn’t hit Sephora’s site until the 17th. Yup, I ordered the morning of the 17th and it arrived just a few days later…
I ordered the whole collection, which consisted of the I am Divine Palette ($38), with eight all-new eye shadows, inspired by Divine. I also picked up the Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in “Divine” ($19), which is a creamy pinky nude. It’s the new Studded Kiss formula, too – super creamy and soft on the lips.
Before I start talking about the palettes, I’ll mention my samples. Yes, I finally received samples with a Sephora order! I placed my order via my PC instead of using the app and I hate to say it, but I think that might be the key. I got three foil packets: belif: The True Cream – Aqua Bomb (my jam); Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser; and Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil.
I also used a code to get a deluxe sample of of stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in “kitten karma” (haven’t had a chance to try it yet).
Just $875 to Sephora Rouge for 2019. If Kat keeps up with the releases like she did laast year, that won’t be an issue.
Obviously, I couldn’t wait to play with the palette.
The first time I try an eye shadow, I put it straight on my face, without any kind of primer. As you can see, there’s a decent amount of pigmentation even without primer. The green (“Pink Flamingos” ironically) really needs a primer to pop, but the matte blue (“Waters”) pops without it, as does the dark blue shimmer under my eyes (“Baltimore”). I’ll be honest, I’ll get more use out of the neutral colors in the palette, but I WILL use this palette.
The lipstick is very close to my natural skin tone. I tried it alone and was not wowed. I overlined my lips with “Lolita” Everlasting Lip Liner and it made all the difference in the world.
I am not at all disappointed in this palette and lippie – great job Kat!
Razzle Dazzle
2017 is Kat Von D‘s year. I feel like she is dropping a new product every other week. Last week, she dropped her new Everlasting Glimmer Veil Liquid Lipsticks ($22). Of course, I wanted all 9 of them, but I controlled myself and ordered the prettiest two. I got “Razzle” – magenta with pink glimmer – and “Dazzle” – crimson with pink and gold glitter.
I LOVE these lipsticks. They’re so comfy and flexible. The glimmer is amazingly vivid and long lasting. I will say that my lips did feel dry and crack-y after eating and wiping my lips with a napkin, but other than that – they felt fine. I think I need more of these…oh, and Sephora is SOLD OUT. They’ll be back in stock on 8/22, so set your reminders…
For my regular samples, I got Lacoste Eau da Lacoste (smells preppy…tossed it to my son…he’ll probably just use it to set something on fire); Dior J’adore (still too floral for me – tossed it to my daughter); and Farmacy Honey Savior All-in-One Skin Repair Salve.
I lucked into a promotion code that provided a 12 sample skincare bag: Tata Harper Clarifying Mask for Blemish-Prone Skin; Hum Raw Beauty Green Superfood Powder in “Mint Chocolate Chip Infusion” (do I look like Gwyneth Paltrow to you?); Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream; Kopari Coconut Melt Moisturizer; Farmacy Honey Potion; Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief (but are they MAGIC mushrooms?); Youth to the People Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Age Prevention Cleanser (ugh); Boscia Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel; Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil; Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm; Tarte Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost; and First Aid Beauty Coconut Skin Smoothie Primer Moisturizer (I really like this stuff – I already used up my deluxe sample from June’s Play! box). A few things I won’t use, but the rest are great!
Only $329 left to ROUGE…
Sephora Play! March 2017 – The Gleam Team
Strangely enough, I received my Sephora Play before my ipsy and Birchbox this month…so I won’t be lagging a month behind for once.
We’re back to a white cotton bag this month. I still haven’t figured out what to do with all these pouches. Maybe use them for panties and socks when I travel?
I was drawn to try Chloe Fleur de Parfum immediately – I love Rose de Chloe so much. It’s not bad – there are rose notes, but they’re buried under the lemon verbena. Unfortunately, it gave me a headache within 90 seconds of a light spray on my arm. Boo!
Also in this month’s “The Gleam Team” box: GlamGlow GLOWSTARTER Mega Illuminating Moisturizer (I can’t get enough GlamGlow); Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in “Golden Pink” (weird product); Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter (another weird one); Living proof Full Dry Volume Blast (I think I’ve gotten every single Living Proof product available over the past several months); and Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm (another confusing product – instructions say it can be used as a primer or a finishing balm – wot?).
Very weird products this month – and NO lip products. Boo!
If you haven’t signed up yet, JUST DO IT. This is by far the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
20ROUGE, Part II & III
Merry Xmas to me! I make Xmas shopping SO easy for my husband.
Well, as much as I love torturing him and making him visit Sephora and Ulta to go shopping for me…I love saving money more. So I decided to forego the torture and take this opportunity to order myself some Sephora exclusive items.
I’d had my eye on the Kat Von D Metal Matte palette ($60) since it launched. In real life, it’s HUGE. I’m glad I ordered when I did – it was already out of stock when I went to Sephora on the 4th. I’m still disappointed that I missed out on the Mi Vida Loca palette last year. I had bought it for my ex-BFF, and I thought she was getting it for me, but she blew it off for too long and it sold out. c’est la vie.
I also said, “fuck it” and ordered the Kat Von D Everlasting Mini Liquid Lipstick Set. I don’t have any of these shades and I wanted to try the new shade “Plath”, plus some older shades – “Backstage Bambi” and “Mother”.
I was a good girl and did not open the boxes – I just shoved them in my husband’s junk drawer to wrap later.
For samples – I didn’t get what I picked again. I don’t remember what I picked, but I ended up with Wildfox perfume (never heard of it, smells like a generic Victoria’s Secret type scent); Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer in “neutral”; and Juliette has a Gun Not a Perfume (insert says it is pure Cetalox, a background note in perfume – interesting, it smells very generic).
At the last minute, I decided to order one more thing for myself – MILK MAKEUP Gel Brow in “Pilsner” ($18). I had used 100 points to get a sample of it with my last order – all the way back in August – and I like the way it lasts. I don’t like having to sharpen it, but other than that, it’s a winner.
This one will not be waiting until Xmas – I’ll break into it as soon as I’m done with my little sample.
Samples this time were Sephora Instant Moisture + Cream; Tatcha One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil; and Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm.
More Sephora Math
Boys and girls, it’s time for another round of Sephora Math. Sephora Math is when you buy something in order to get something else cheaper.
In this case, the new Sephora Favorites Perfume Sampler includes Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Rose, which I was pretty sure I wanted…even though I haven’t smelled it yet. But…rose! Even if I didn’t like it, there are a few other scents in the sampler that I love – Atelier Cologne Mandarine Glaciale and Stella McCartney Stella. Also inside the sampler: Elizabeth and James Nirvana White (no), Gucci Guilty (no), Marc Jacobs Mod Noir (maybe), Tocca Stella (maybe). But it doesn’t matter – I love Jolie Fleur Rose. It reminds me a bit of Rosabotanica, but rosier. Here’s where the Sephora Math comes in…the sampler was $25, but Jolie Fleur Rose is $28…so again, saving $3!
I also got a gift with purchase…the Flower Child Perfume Sampler Bag, which includes Maison Martin Margiela REPLICA Beach Walk, Stella McCartney Stella, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Burberry My Burberry, Elizabeth and James Nirvana White, Chloe by Chloe and the Tory Burch trio: Jolie Fleur Rose, Jolie Fleur Bleue and Jolie Fleur Verte. I am gonna smell SO GOOD.
For samples, I got Benefit The POREfessional (I keep picking the new version, but they send the old one…suck!), Josie Maran Argan Oil Foundation Fluid (6 different shades!), and MD Solar Sciences Evening Facial Repair Serum (also not what I ordered). Only $177 to Rouge!
Summerstash
Oh Nouveau Cheap, you are so dangerous to me…the moment she posted Sephora Favorites Summerstash on sale for $30 (regularly $45), I jumped all over it.
Even though this set came out a year or two ago, I neeeeeeeded it. Inside the sassy gold canvas bag: Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer in “Venus” (the product I am least likely to use); Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in “Mermaid’s Dream” (yassss); Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee; Marc Jacobs Beauty Mini Lash Lifter in “Blacquer”; Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Pencil (my big sis called dibs); NARS Travel Size “Laguna” Bronzing Powder; Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Stained Gloss in “New Wave” (AND it came with a brush!); stila Cosmetics Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow in “Kitten” (YASSSS); and Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray.
I finally used some points to get some goodies – Buxom Objects of Obsession (500 pts), which includes Mini Vanity Lash Mascara in “Show-Off Black”; Mini Hold the Line Waterproof Eyeliner in “I’ll Be Waiting”; Mini Full-On Lip Cream in “Kir Royale”; and Mini Full-On Lip Polish in “Sophia”. I also got two 100 pt items – Pink Gel Coat Nail Strengthener & Brightener and Liquid Blendercleanser.
I also used a code to get two extra samples – NARS Audacious Mascara in “Black Moon” and First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream – in addition to the three regular samples, Marc Jacobs “Decadence” (smells like the inside of a rich old lady’s purse); Dr. Dennis Gross ferulic + retinol wrinkle recovery peel and Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.
I may have too much mascara now…
VIB Xmas Gift
Oh Sephora…you really want me to get to Rouge by the end of the year, don’t you?
I got my $20 off $50 email, so I figured I would pick up some basics. I got another Anastasia Brow Wiz in “Soft Brown”, but they don’t carry Urban Decay Ultra HD Loose Powder online. DAMMIT. So I had no choice but to order the Kat Von D vs Formula X Studded X set (with mini lipsticks and matching polishes in “Lovecraft”, “Bauhaus” and “Homegirl”). I squealed when I opened it!
I also got the Cyber Weekend Mystery Bag with a Sephora Pearl Mask (now I have 2); Origins GinZing Eye Cream, Fresh Rose Mask; Sephora Colorful blush in “No5 Sweet on you” (now I have 2); Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil; Sephora The Mascara; Clinique Even Better spf 15 makeup; and Clean “Cashmere”.
For my other three free samples, I got Sephora Instant Moisturizer, Needles No More (Hmmmm…); and Clinique Moisture Surge Intense (I am using another sample of this right now – LOVE it). Just $81 until Rouge Status!
Sephora Play! 03 – November 2015
November’s Sephora Play! is “The Exclusives” – products that Sephora says can only be found there…are you sure Sephora? Because I bought a bottle of “Stella” by Stella McCartney at Ulta – but that was last year, so it might be exclusive to Sephora now?
Besides the sample of “Stella”, my box also includes Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer (which I bought in Vegas a few months ago – great primer); Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in “Rhubarb”; Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in “Dolly” (this should go well with the “Rhubarb”); Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12Hr Wear Waterproof in “My Boyfriend’s Jeans”; and Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil (I have SO MUCH damn Argan Oil now). Another amazing box!
Someday, I’ll actually remember to bring the card for 50 extra points into Sephora – I forgot last time!
Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can get on the wait list at sephora.com/play.