sephora vib sale

A Sephora VIB Sale Strategy (and a Skin Care Haul)

November 13th, 2018 by Karen 27 Comments

kate somerville skin care — New from Kate Somerville

I have revised my plan of attack for the Sephora VIB sale, because, let’s get real…only a few of the items I want are things I can’t function without (I’m talking to you, Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Clearing Lotion). Most of the things are things I only want because they’re on sale… I’m 100% my mother’s daughter that way (“It’s on sale? BUY IT. Don’t you ever pay full price, ever!”).

But really, how much do I actually need another bronzer, all-matte neutral palette or another coral lipstick?

Not much! LOL. But I still want them all, especially with new makeup coming out every five seconds, so I gotta check myself before I wreck myself…

How do I weed out unnecessary or spur-of-the moment purchases?

On the very first day of the sale, I put everything I want to buy into my cart, and then I wait… And wait. And wait. I let it all simmer there, brewing and stewing (and taunting me?). Then, juuuuust before the sale ends, I’ll see what’s left in my cart, and most of the time when I do this, there are things that have sold out, which whittles the list down, and from there I reevaluate what’s left and see what fits into my budget.

This tactic reduces the likelihood of me getting a whole bunch of things I mostly only want because they’re on sale.

sephora vib haul — ‘Twas a skin care haul (regular prices shown)

Um…but K-Dawg, does this actually work?

Dude, it totally does! Forcing myself to wait and really think about my cart and the grand total $ staring back at me helps…because I know who I am, and I’m a spur-of-the-moment shopper.

Waiting also forces me to look around at what I already have in my stash.

For this last sale, I knew I needed another bottle of Kate Somerville Anti-Bac, sunscreen/face moisturizer for winter (ugh, dry skin), an eye cream and some chemical exfoliators for mature skin, because every morning lately when I wake up and look in the mirror, instead of seeing my face, I see freakin’ Gollum’s!

What my heart was telling me I wanted, though, was a bunch of makeup — a Charlotte Tilbury palette, Shiseido eyeliners and eyeshadows (they recently revamped their entire makeup line, and it’s supposed to be REALLY good), some Charlotte Tilbury blushes and bronzers, and a Dior foundation.

OK, and maybe a few other things were in there too, ha ha ha. You know me too well!

Step 1: Shopping my own stash

The Charlotte Tilbury palette ended up being sold out, but everything worked out because I rediscovered my BECCA Chrissy Palette, which more or less serves the same purpose. I’m a little sad panda, 🙁 but if the CT palette is still around for the next VIB sale and I’m still lusting after it, I’ll get it then.

becca chrissy teigen swatches — Hello, old friend…

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Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

November 5th, 2018 by Karen 11 Comments

hourglass ambient lighting palette vib sale — One of my greatest Hourglass loves (and one of the things I use the most from the entire line)

Even MOAR ideas!! On the off chance that you haven’t already heard, there’s a Sephora VIB sale this month! To give you some ideas, I’m highlighting some of my favorite makeup that you can find at Sephora this week.

I’ve been the proud, happy owner of this highlighting palette ever since the first time it came out in 2013, and I lurve it just as much today as I did five years ago.

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette is $62 at full price, a.k.a. HELLA EXPENSIVE, but the Sephora VIB discount kicks it down to $49.60, which is a teensy bit easier on the wallet.

Whenever someone near or above 30 asks me for a highlighter recommendation, this palette, along with MAC Hush, are the first two things that come to mind.

Why?

Well, each of the three face powders in the Ambient Lighting Palette has a lovely opalescent glow…

Hmm, let me rephrase that, because I don’t know if “opalescent” is quite the right term. Basically, I think the finish is unlike anything else out there. Opal, or pearl, would indicate some obvious shine, and the Ambient powders aren’t even close to shiny. They’re a velvety pearl, if that makes any sense, because while you can can definitely see light bouncing off your skin when you wear them on your upper cheekbones or down the bridge of your nose, they’re nowhere close to shimmery or frosty or shiny.

It’s the subtlest of glows (here are some swatches). You might not even be able to tell at first that there’s something there, but when you look closely…there is!

From sephora.com…

What it is:
A palette featuring three shades of Ambient Lighting Powder, the high-tech, soft-focus finishing powder that recreates the most exquisitely flattering types of light.

What it does:
Ambient Lighting Powder is a groundbreaking collection of finishing powders that capture, diffuse, and soften the way light reflects on skin. Unlike traditional powders, which merely cloak imperfections, Ambient Lighting Powder utilizes photoluminescent technology to filter out harsh light and refine the appearance of the complexion. The powders deliver a multidimensional luminescence to every skin tone, making it appear softer and lit from within. The finishing powders enhance skin in any type of light, including flash photography. With three universal shades available in the Ambient palette, you can create any desired effect.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens

What else you need to know:
This palette includes Incandescent Light, a shade exclusive to this palette, and two existing shades, Dim Light and Radiant Light. This product is free of talc, gluten, fragrance, and nano particles.

“I learned early on how different types of light can truly flatter the complexion. Growing up, my mother had pink light bulbs in all of the lamps throughout the house. She loved pink light because it was the softest and most flattering, and she always wanted to look good. I used this concept of lighting in Ambient Lighting Powder.”

— Carisa Janes, Hourglass Founder

Hourglass products are 100 percent cruelty-free.

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Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations: IGK Bad & Bougie Amla Oil Deep Repair Shampoo and Deep Repair Conditioner

November 2nd, 2018 by Karen 13 Comments

More with the ideas! —-> If you haven’t heard, there’s a Sephora VIB sale in November, so I’m highlighting some of my favorite makeup that you can find at Sephora this week.

I’m hell-and-gone addicted to this deep-repair shampoo and conditioner (they’re $25 each) from IGK Bad & Bougie.

The first day I took my hair out into the world after using Bad & Bougie…which, I’m sorry. Every time I see that name I feel like I’m talking about a poodle that needs to be walked.

Anyway! I ran into my HIIT instructor while running errands, and she said the nicest thing you can say to someone obsessed with maintaining a shiny mane. “Wow! Your hair looks like a really expensive drag queen’s wig!”

At that point, guuuurl, I knew it was true love.

Botany moment! — a plant oil called “amla” powers this power couple. It’s normally made by soaking dried amla fruit (otherwise known as Indian gooseberry) in oils, and it’s commonly used as an Ayurvedic hair treatment.

From sephora.com:

Types of hair it’s good for

Straight

Wavy

Curly

Coiled

Tightly coiled

What it is
A deeply nourishing shampoo and conditioner to nourish, strengthen and protect — immediately and over time.

Key benefits

Repairs even the most damaged hair

Improves hair health and look

Lightweight/non-greasy conditioning

If you want to know more…
Bad & Bougie Amla Oil Deep Repair Shampoo makes hair stronger immediately and overtime, instantly hydrates, softens, and enhances shine. It’s formulated with amla oil for nourishment and shine, coconut oil for hydration, and conditioning and a patented vegetable protein complex that works from within the hair shaft to build stronger and healthier hair. The lightweight formula deeply repairs even the most dry, damaged, color- or chemical-treated hair—without leaving hair greasy or weighed down.

What it is formulated WITHOUT

Parabens

Sulfates

Phthalates

What else you need to know

This product is cruelty-free, color safe with UV protection, and formulated without mineral oil, petroleum and gluten.

Here’s the thing: If you’re already a fan of shampoos and conditioners where a plant oil is the star ingredient, and you’re looking for a set that tames and flattens hair that’s rambunctious and naturally kinda big and wild (which is a common thing with these types of hair products), you won’t get that effect from Bad & Bougie. This shampoo and conditioner will *not* weigh your mane down in any form or fashion.

This combo is all about the bounce-bounce-bounce, and even though it’s hella hydrating, your hair retains big-@ss volume. MASSIVE volume. I love it, obviously, since I subscribe to a “bigger the hair, the closer I can get to achieving magical unicorn status” philosophy.

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Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations: Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara

November 1st, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

IMPORTANT (not really, but you know what I mean): There’s a Sephora VIB sale in November, so this week I’m highlighting some of my favorite makeup workhorses that I think are worthy of your wish list.

If you have stick-straight, skinny lashes like mine, you’ll totally understand the magic behind this product. Like the fabulous feline and the feisty toddler who boss me around, my lashes do not listen to me… Every morning, I go through the same routine. I crimp my lashes with my curler and say a prayer to the beauty goddesses. “Please, please hold this curl!”

Then, my lashes straighten out.

I spent decades looking for a mascara that would hold a curl while boosting my roots so my lashes could soar high up to the heavens above — and yes, I wanted these things without having to deal with a trail of flakes on my cheeks or blackened smears smudging my lower lash line.

Well, love, this is it. ?

I’ve mentioned Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara a few times before, but I haven’t given it the love it deserves.

It’s been around for-everrrrrr, and I always return to it because it hoists every last lash (even the ones on the outer corner, which are the droopiest of the droopy ones for me), and then stretches them out so the tips extend way beyond their natural length.

Plus, the volume? Dialed up! Like YSL Faux Cils, but a tinge less intense at the roots.

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Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations: Wander Beauty Lipsetter Dual Lipstick and Liner

October 31st, 2018 by Karen 6 Comments

wander lip setter — Worthy of your Sephora wish list, for sure.

Guess what…? There’s a Sephora VIB sale in November, so this week I’m highlighting some of my favorite makeup workhorses that I think are worthy of your wish list.

What crazy person carries the same ol’ lipstick around with them all the time? OH, WAIT! THAT’S MY LIFE NOW.

Since discovering the $28 Wander Beauty Lipsetter Dual Lipstick and Liners, I suspect that I could go days — no, weeks! — before feeling the need to swap out the lip products in my purse. (And this coming from a serial lipstick swapper is kind of a miraculous statement!)

Cruelty-free makeup line Wander Beauty preaches the power of portable, easy-to-use makeup to enhance what you’ve already got. It’s very Trish McEvoy-esque but hipper. They aren’t a huge brand yet, and they’re still flying under the radar at Sephora for now, but they make so many good things IMO, like these lip liner/lipstick combos, which are totally worthy of your VIB lust list.

First of all, they figured out that the secret to actually getting people to use lip liner is to attach it to a lipstick. They deserve a gold star and a slow clap for that because it’s the only way I’ll actually take a lip liner with me (otherwise, I’ll just line once in the morning and leave the pencil at home).

wander on the mauve — I’m wearing On the Mauve on my lips.

The liner itself is smooth, luscious velvet, and it’s loaded with pigment, and once you draw that line along the edge of your lips, your lipstick won’t go beyond it. “Ye shall not pass!”

Oh, and the lipstick? SO GOOD. It starts out shiny when you first swipe it on but eventually dries down to a velvet matte finish, and it feels so light that I sometimes completely forget I’m wearing lipstick. It’s also non-drying and budge-proof. I can even kiss babies (kittens, too), drink coffee and snack my heart out without it lifting off.

Lastly, it’s unscented, and there aren’t any weird flavors to get up in your grill.

I’ve been living for Bold in Beijing, a blue-based red, and having the liner attached completely removes the stress related to applying and wearing red lipstick. I also love On the Mauve, a plummy pink, which is an everyday color for me. With the VIB sale coming up, I also have my sights on Bahama Breeze, a nude pink, and bright pink Fucshia Class.

Full price, the Lipsetters are $28 each, which I think is still a good deal, but with the 20% VIB discount, they come to $22.40. With the 15% Beauty Insider discount, they’re $23.80.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen