Beauty Blender Dupe for $5.99?!

I swear by the BeautyBlender to apply foundation because it truly applies make up flawlessly but at $19.99 it is a bit of a splurge. I've tried other copy cat sponges that claim to do the same thing but none of them were as good as the original.

The main difference is the texture of the sponge and that difference makes all the difference! (Wow, I think that's a new personal record for how many times I've used the word difference in one sentence! Haha)

If you have tried any of the more affordable versions, they are a much more dense sponge. They usually don't expand that much when you apply water to it and again the density…they are very firm and not soft at all like the BeautyBlender. This prevents the sponge from distributing and blending the product effortlessly on the face.

A few weeks ago, I had heard all the buzz that Real Techniques had come out with their version of the BeautyBlender and it was actually good. Of course I had to give this a try and the verdict is in: we have a winner!

Sephora VIB Wishlist!

It's that wonderful time of year again for Sephora VIB's...20% off is here! Between now and November 11th, VIB's get 20% off their purchase!

This is one of my favorite times of the year, not only because I feel a little less guilty about buying a crap ton of makeup but holiday sets are in so it's also a great time to pick up gifts for myself Christmas (which I can't believe is right around the corner)!

Here are my top picks, what's yours?

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick $28.00

Hourglass No 28 Primer Serum $22.00-$65.00

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette $58.00

Marc Jacobs Lip Lock Moisture Balm $24.00

Lit-Lit Kit $19.95

Too Faced La Creme $21.00

Lorac PRO To Go Eye/Cheek Palette $38.00

Tarte Off The Cuff Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush Palette & Bracelet $42.00

Formula X for Sephora The Twenty-Two $55.00

*All pictures are from Sephora.com and all direct links provided via Shopsense*

OCC Lip Tar 2.0 Review & Swatches!

I cannot believe it has taken me this long to try Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars, but better late then never right?!

I purchased these from Sephora a few months ago but you can also purchase them from the OCC site. They run $18 a pop so it's definitely worth purchasing the sets at Sephora that go for $49 for 5 (and a lip brush is included). There are 3 different sets to choose from, but today I will be talking about the 2.0 set.

If you are a makeup addict, you already know what these are but for the newbies out there, these are described as super pigmented and long lasting matte lipsticks. They not only can be worn alone, but they can be mixed to create custom colors. They are also Paraben-free and 100% vegan and cruelty free.

After hearing rave reviews for years, I was really excited to try these out! So were they just as amazing as everyone had said they were?

Yves Saint Laurent at Costco?

Yup. You read the title right, I just spotted YSL's Rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick at my local Costco! I haven't been to Costco in awhile so this could very well be old news, but I was quite impressed to see it in stores.

My local Costco only had one color available, 11 Rose Culte, but I'm excited to see if they will start to offer more colors.

Originally $34 a piece at Sephora, they sell for $26.99 at Costco. This isn't a huge savings but it's savings none the less. I hope this is just foreshadowing more high end make up items that will be popping up at my local Costco.

I already love Costco but this just made it that much better! It might quite possibly be my ultimate one stop shop!

Things to pick up at Costco:
Eggs
Seaweed
Spinach
Brie
Jameson
YSL Lipstick

Le Awesome.

Review: GlamGlow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment

Image from Sephora.com

Info from Sephora:

Price: $69.00

What it is:
A 10-minute professional-quality mud mask for men and women. 

What it is formulated to do:
This mud mask leaves skin noticeably radiant and glowing. It activates moisturizing collagen synthesis, provides gentle resurfacing exfoliation, and helps to leave skin smoother, brighter, and softer. While providing tighter skin texture and tighter pores, it provides a more youthful appearance and absorbs impurities without removing natural oils. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

I actually stumbled upon this product by accident when I was trying to use up some credit on the Birchbox website. I remembered seeing the brand GlamGlow on the Sephora website and decided to use my credit on a more "luxury" purchase since I couldn't justify spending $69 on a mud mask any other time. They only offered this particular mask on the Birchbox site and it wasn't until after I completed my purchase that I realized the mask I was actually wanting to try was their Super-Mud Clearing Treatment...whoops.

Sephora: 1000-point reward!

Back in February I received an email from Sephora letting me know there was a new 1000-point reward available! I hardly ever redeem my points so I had accumulated quite the balance. I was excited to see that the reward was a 20% off card for one entire purchase. If you are a Sephora shopper, you know that 20% off is as good as it gets!

I noticed this is only available in California and Texas right now, so if you live in either of these two states, you have until May 26th to redeem your points for the card (in-store) and 60 days after you get the card to use it. I assume they are testing this out in these two states before releasing it to a larger demographic. I'm quite pleased with this option but if Sephora wants to increase the % off, that would be even better (obviously). 

So I'm coming up on my 60 days and I have accumulated quite the list of items I need to re-stock on and new items I want to try. I'd love to know what you are loving or think is worth trying! Aside from my re-stock "essentials," this is my list of new things to try:

Sephora VIB Chic Week Picks!

Since Sephora's Chic Week is currently under way for Beauty Insiders and VIB's, I thought it would be fun to post some products I love!

If you are a Beauty Insider or VIB you already know about the sale, but in case you haven't checked your snail mail or email, everything is 15% off for Beauty Insiders (April 12-21) and VIB's (April 11-22). Sale is in-store or online using the code: CHIC or VIBCHIC depending on your account status.

I love seeing what other people are obsessing over and hopefully my picks will inspire you to try out some new brands or items. These are my tried and true top picks that I highly recommend! (Direct links are provided below via ShopSense) Happy Shopping!

1. Sephora Microsmooth Foundation Face Powder $22.00

2. Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base $24.00

3. Too Faced Retractable Kabuki Brush $32.00

4. LORAC Pro Palette $42.00

5. Shiseido The Makeup Dual Balancing Foundation $38.50

6. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hr Blush in Exposed $26.00

7. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner $20.00

8. Caudalie Beauty Elixir $18.00-$49.00

9. Soap & Glory A Great Kisser Lip Moisture Balm $10.00

February 2013 Favorites

It's that time again: Monthly Favorites! For the month of February I loved so many things it was hard to choose. A few of the items I chose I have been using for awhile now, but I noticed that I either repurchased them again this month or continued to reach for it which means they work and are worth my money!

• Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads
• Splendid Soft Skin Body Butter in Ruby Grapefruit
• Josie Maran Aragan Oil
• Be a Bombshell Eyeliner in Onyx
• Lorac Eye Shadow in Serenity
• CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in 325-Spellbound
• Sephora MicroSmooth Foundation Face Powder