WED//What I've Picked Up Recently

Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! You might have heard through the grapevine that Sephora had a 20% sale for VIB and VIB Rouge Members just this past weekend, their friends and family sale a couple weeks ago and also a full blown event party for Rouges last Wednesday. And I took advantage of all and came away with some pretty makeup goodies to share with you. Now, even though I have this draw to buying makeup whenever I shop I seem to be very restrained and buy very minimally. However, working right across from Sephora ( my metaphorical candy store essentially) I collect things often.. That is how my collection grows. ( brick by brick...lipstick by lipstick) So this "haul" or a show and tell as I like to think of it is a collective of beauty items that I have gotten between these sales. 

Alright, lets look at the damage.

Marc Jacobs "The Dreamer" Eyeshadow Palette

Yup, I went for a pretty big ticket item here there is no denying that. More and more I have been fascinated into more luxury brands ( dangerous territory. I know I am aware, my wallet is aware too.) to see what they have to offer. Plus pretty packaging is just as alluring to me as a moth to a flame. Now, does pretty packaging and the famous name brand justify this product? In this case I think it does. The Dreamer Palette drew me in with its warm neutral shades ( If you were able to ask anyone that knows me and my makeup tastes recently they would simply respond: warm. toned. neutral. eyeshadows.) I am in love with the selection of colors and I also really love the quality of these shadows. They are really nicely pigmented and beautiful on the lids. I especially love that peachy color, I think its pretty unique in my opinion. 

Beauty Blender Original

With so much hype surrounding this egg shaped pink little sponge I decided to take the leap and give it a go. Just fill this little guy up with water, watch him expand magically, squeeze out the excess water and then *bounce your choice of foundation on your face for a seamless application. I am pleased with the results this sponge gives. No need for tireless blending and streaky lines a brush can sometimes give. However, like most sponges they get filthy. Very quickly in fact. I have the special solid "blender cleanser" that I got many moons ago that works effectively but once that sponge is used it will never look perfectly clean. Not that is any major issue but something that is a given with any sponge applicator. 

NARS Holiday Blush in "Almeria"

I would love to do a full review on this because this blush is so beautiful. From their "Laced with Edge" Holiday Collection NARS has done it again by bringing out a fantastically designed and formulated blush color. The design on the top appeals to their ultra chic modern aesthetic that I have spoken about before, but also you can gather that this could be a holiday blush because the design is reminiscent of frost. But the real ticket is the color, NARS's blushes have gathered a real cult following over the years but I had yet to try one other than swatching on the back of my hand. I don't own a ton of blush in my makeup collection but I think this addition is a star. It is described as a "tan rose" color with deep warm tones, its fully pigmented and matte and when I apply this with an angled blush brush it gives a beautiful flush to the cheeks. Plus, I am not the only one that thought this blush made a difference in my makeup, upon coming downstairs after first use of it both of my parents complimented me on my makeup ( which does not happen too often.) I think this one is going to be a firm favorite and I suspect I will be talking about it again in the future. 

Sephora Collection Classic Multitasker Blush Brush #54

During the VIB Rouge event last Wednesday I went to their little station where the associates instructed how to contour. I knew how to contour a little bit by being constantly attached to the computer learning about makeup however I thought I would immerse myself in the whole experience and really enjoyed myself! After successfully sculpting my cheekbones I realized I did not have an angled brush with which I could apply my newly acquired contouring knowledge. I strolled over to Sephora's extensive collection of brushes and picked this one ( there is another pro angled brush that was prettier looking, but this one was also cheaper) This brush is super, ultra soft and applies contour and that new Almeria blush very well and effectively. 

NARS Dual Intensity Eye Shadows- Himalaya & Andromeda

It's from NARS, its eye shadow, its an instant draw I just can't help it. These single eyeshadows are very soft to the touch the duality of these shadows come off as a duo-chrome ( there is more than meets the eye), but also the versatility of applying these shadows wet or dry for dramatically different looks is a very appealing aspect. The two colors I picked were  Himalaya which is described as a shimmering topaz and Andromeda which is just described as a alabaster shade. I think these colors would complement any neutral look or used just on their own. (Himalaya washed all over the lids and Andromeda popped on the inner corner and brow bone.) 

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment( not pictured) 

Last month I was dealing with a bout of pretty terrible behaved skin. Despite my care for it, I had a flare up with painful acne and then after that a bout of regular acne appearing along my chin. I was looking for some reprieve and when I went to Sephora for the friends and family sale one of my favorite associates, Meghan ( Hello Meghan if you are reading!) recommended I try the Glamglow Clearing Treatment Mask, regaling me her success story upon using this product. There is a lot of hype surrounding these pricey little devils so with the sale and the great recommendation I decided to take the plunge. I have used this mask a couple times, especially when I have had a hard day. What I like about this mask so far is that I don't need to use very much. I only cover my troubled areas which is mainly my chin and my cheeks. This means I can enjoy this mask for a pretty long time. What I have noticed in my skin after using this mask so far is a smoothness that I don't normally feel, any painful cysts I may be dealing with feel much less agitated and any other acne is significantly diminished in size. 

I am pretty impressed with this stuff, I gotta say. Though I will continue to test it out and gather more thoughts on it. 

That wraps up all that I got from the recent Sephora sales. Did some pretty good damage but I love everything that I got.

Are there any beauty buys that you picked up recently? 

 I hope you all are enjoying your week thus far. I have been working pretty hard trying to get content written up ahead of time please let me know if there is anything you would like to see from me I am very open to new ideas. 

See you all next time! 

- A