Beauty Haul 2016

So I thought since traditionally it has taken me quite a bit of time to post something I would share some of the pretty beauty bits that I have picked up. Some a little while ago, some much more recently (as in this afternoon kind of recently). The Sephora VIB sale just started today. It will be going on until the 13th and then it there will be 10% off available to Beauty Insiders. GO GET YOUR SHOPPING ON! 

So anyways lets get into the haul!.. 

I want to start off with the bits I have gotten from the drugstore because I really love them its like finding a real hidden gem. The first I wanted to mention is the Loreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer. I think that this aside from the NYX Micro Brow is the BEST dupe out there for the Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil. The Loreal one I am liking even better than the Micro Brow because its a little bit more pigmented and less scratchy. The spoolie at the end is also very nice as well. I highly recommend this if you were thinking about the Anastasia Brow Wiz because this is only $8.00!! (BARGIN!) and the two are so incredibly similar. 

The next item from the drugstore I am really kind of obsessed with. The Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer is gorgeous. The packaging is adorable and the formulation is soo unbelievably creamy. Sometimes even when I am not putting on makeup I will open this up just to touch it because it is that buttery and smooth. Its a very subtle color that is mistake proof, very good for natural makeup. It adds a little bit of warmth to the skin. Also, I need to mention that this smells SO GOOD! Like pina colada coconut bliss (if you don't love scented makeup I would steer clear of this product because it is pretty strong in the compact), but I love this product so much. Two thumbs up. 

Next up I have a new primer to play with. It is the Sephora Collection Beauty Amplifier Afterglow Primer I just got this so I have not had much chance to play around with it yet but when I swatched it on my hand it looked very pretty and luminous which was what I was after because I have been in a summery makeup mood lately and I want all that glow. So, if I end up really loving this I am sure it will land itself in a favorites post. 

Next I have two Too Faced Products that I have purchased recently. I have been wanting one of their Love Flush Blushes for forever and a half and I finally decided to pick one up. The one I got is in the shade "I Will Always Love You" (which is great because that is a lyric to one of my all time favorite songs. I will leave you to guess what that is...If you can we are best friends), but aside from the name and the ADORABLE Polly Pocketesque + Bunny PACKAGING I loved the color of this shade which is a beautiful peach shade which I thought was perfect for spring and summer time. 

Too Faced always has the cutest packaging which goes the same with this next exciting purchase The Peanut Butter Jelly Palette I finally got my hands on it. I wanted to pick it up in store and every time I checked my local Ulta it was sold completely out until this afternoon! I saw only one left and practically leaped for it. I am a sucker for warm shades in a palette and this palette has them galore plus some fun purple shades which I don't use often but now that I have this palette I definitely want to try them because they are beautiful. The pigmentation is really wonderful in this palette and the palette itself is very lightweight and slim which makes it really perfect for travel. Also, again this smells wonderfully of cocoa and peanut butter I am so happy to finally own this palette! 

Speaking of palettes I also wanted to show my support for youtuber MannyMUA who brought out his own palette in collaboration with MakeupGeek. It was very difficult to get a hold of which is kind of why I wanted to showcase it here at least once in this haul (it might still be available but I am not sure). I really love this palette a lot. Especially that deep red shade called "Mars" which is RIDICULOUSLY PIGMENTED it's insane! you barely you have to touch it with a brush to get that intense pigmentation. I love to support the creators I watch when they come out with products that capture my interest and this palette is no exception. Congrats to MannyMUA (if you are not subscribed to him already I highly suggest you do so) and may he continue to bless us with more beautiful work just like this palette. 

Only three more to go! I recently got to visit the Sephora in Boston, MA in the Prudential Center and it was literally breathtaking! It was so huge with tons of brands I had only seen online it was amazing. Makeup Nirvana~ I saw that they had the full line of Anastasia Beverley Hills which got me very excited. I of course wanted to try one of their famed liquid lipsticks I chose Pure Hollywood which is one of their lighter nudes. I am really liking this formula a lot. Its not too drying at all which is the winning ticket in my book when it comes to liquid lipsticks and it does not crumble or anything. Very pleased with that one as I am with Anastasia's gloss formula. If you know me personally and my makeup preferences you would know I am not big on gloss at ALL. I hate that sticky feeling and since I have long hair it can spell disaster. However, this gloss that I picked up in the shade Tara really impressed me. Its not a extremely sticky gloss it gives that shiny look which I am starting to like now, also smells like vanilla cake. These glosses are very pigmented, the color I have here is a warm terra-cotta brown which I think is very pretty. I think the price of their glosses is also very agreeable at $16, not bad.. not bad at all. Really, really liking that one lately. 

Lastly, I picked up some new brush cleaner. Again, from Sephora Collection. I used up the Solid Brush cleanser from the Beauty Blender brand and I was going to pick up another when I saw this little one that was only $8 and decided I would try it out and see how it compared. I will let you know how that fares soon in the future. 

And there is my little haul. I feel as though there was a strong theme of scented makeup in this haul. What can I say I am being lead with my nose this year when it comes to cosmetics. Be sure to take advantage of the sale while its still going on! 15% off your entire purchase! I hope that you enjoyed this post! Let me know in the comments below if you did and if you have made any fun beauty purchases lately! 
See you all (hopefully!) really soon! I have been busy getting prepared for my older sister's wedding happening later on this month! Craziness!! 

Hope you all are having a great week (happy shopping!) 

-A 

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