• My Biggest Sephora Sale Haul Yet! | May 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that I used to buy stuff from Sephora throughout the year at full price. I used to see Sephora hauls and wonder why people bought so much during the sale (10 or more products at a time) and would also buy backups of products. Now I know why! They’re stocking up in case they run out before the next sale! From now on, I will only buy makeup and skincare whenever there’s a sale. I made my biggest haul from Sephora and I split my purchases into three orders so that if it were to get lost or stolen, I wouldn’t lose all of the products.

    Some of the products that I bought were on my wishlist in January and October I bought enough products that I shouldn’t need to buy anything until the next sale comes around and to be honest, I am pretty close to my yearly budget already.

    Check out my blog post on my new beauty budget

    SKINCARE

    Youth To The People Cleanser + Cream Youth Duo Mini

    Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Oil

    Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

    MAKEUP

    Winky Lux Whipped Primer

    Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer

    NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska

    Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer in 21 Cinnamon

    Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

    Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder in Medium

    bareMinerals Gen Nude Powder Blush in That Peach Tho

    Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette

    Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows Eyebrow Gel in Perfect Brow

    Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil in 502 Infinite Sand

    Jouer Cosmetics Essential Lip Enhancer Balm

    Sephora Favorites Lashstash To Go

    MAKEUP TOOLS

    Morphe Highlight & Contour Beauty Sponge

    Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner Mini

    Love,

  • Haul | October 2018 Sephora VIB Rouge Sale

    Hi Everyone!

    I went a little crazy during the Sephora Sale! This is the most I’ve spent at Sephora in one go. I always saw these massive Sephora Hauls and thought, “Wow! This person bought so much!” But, those people are smart because there are usually 3 or more sales each year. So, if you buy everything you’ll need/want during a sale, you’ll be good for the next six months until the next sale. Over the years, I’ve been buying things during the sales AND also buying things throughout the year at full price! WHAT A DUMMY! From now on, I am only going to make purchases during the sales. This will also help me cut down on impulse buying because if I have to wait for the next sale, I can properly test things out and research reviews.

    If you read my wishlist, you’ll know that I didn’t pick up some things and I bought some things that weren’t on the wishlist.

    I didn’t pick up the MAC Fix+, Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector or the Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion, but I bought a Saturday Skin facial spray and eye cream, and I picked up the NARS Eyeshadow Base. I still have half a bottle of the Mac Fix+ and I’ve been using my Thayers Witch Hazel Toner as a spray as well, so I can probably replenish during the next Sephora sale.

    I didn’t get a chance to go in store to get a sample of the Waso Fresh Jelly Lotion, so I decided to pass on it this time. I still have my Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel, so I didn’t get the Origins Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel. I think I will skip on getting those types of spot treatments from now on because they have alcohol in them and tea tree oil has been working so far. I still have a concealer and colour corrector for under eyes, so I skipped the Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector. I have two brow pencils at the moment, so I didn’t get the Lancome Brow Pencil.

    All of my purchases were skincare, hair or makeup bases. I didn’t buy any eye, cheek or lip products because I’m trying to finish some of the products I already own before purchasing more. Everything is new to me; I haven’t previously purchased anything on the list. So, here’s what I purchased online during last week’s ROUGE sale.

    Saturday Skin No Bad Days Set

    • Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist
    • Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel
    • Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream
    • Featherweight Daily Moisturizing Cream

    I’ve heard of Saturday Skin, but never tried anything. The brand is only available online for Sephora Canada. Although, sometimes I see things that are ‘online only’ in store, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen Saturday Skin in store. If I end up liking the products, I will pick up the full size bottles in the next sale.

    Sephora Daily Brush Cleaner

    I bought this years ago and it worked well, so I thought I would get it again. Although, it smells different than it used to (it used to be more perfume-y).

    KOPARI Coconut Deodorant

    I want to start using deodorant that doesn’t have aluminum in it and I’ve see good reviews on this and it smells really good.

    Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation Stick SPF21 in 260 Bisque N

    I know a lot of people love the Hourglass stick, but I wanted to try this one and review it first. I will eventually get my hands on the Hourglass stick. I’m planning to test this one out and see if I like it enough to keep it.

    Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 260 Bisque N

    I bought this concealer to match the foundation since they have the same shade names and I swatched them and it matches. Although, I think the foundation blends out a little better, so we’ll see if this is too dark for me.

    Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

    The larger size wasn’t available, so I went with the travel size one.

    NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base in Medium

    I’ve seen a lot of positive reviews on their old eyeshadow base and a lot of people commented saying it should be tinted and now they’ve come out with a tinted one. I wanted to get an eyeshadow base that’s not as thick as others I’ve tried.

    Sephora Favorites Party Hair Kit

    • IGK Beach Club Texture Spray
    • Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast
    • Amika Un.Done Volume & Texture Spray
    • Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1
    • Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray
    • Verb Sea Spray

    I wanted to try out some texturizing sprays, so I thought a Sephora Favorites Kit would be the best way to sample different brands since you get 6 travel-sized bottles.

    So, that’s all I bought online for this sale. Once I’ve properly tested out the products, I will review them on the blog and on Instagram.

    Spot any favourites from my haul? What did you purchase during the sale? If you wrote a post on your haul, link it down below!

    Love,

    jen

  • 2018 Mid-Year Makeup Inventory | Bronzers

    Hi Everyone!

    Check out my other makeup inventory posts:

    Primers & Foundations | Bronzers | Blushes | Mascaras | Highlighters

    I have a handful of bronzers that are all fairly popular, so I thought I would swatch them all side-by-side to compare them and give a mini review about what I think about them. However, some are matte and some radiant and several are a bit darker than what I should be using on my skin tone, but it’s nothing a good blending can’t fix. The Bobbi Brown one is from an eyes and cheek palette, the Too Faced one was part of a rewards kit from Sephora and the Physicians Formula one was what was left at my Shoppers when it was on sale and I really wanted to try it.

    Current bronzer inventory: 6

    • 2 Matte- Bobbi Brown, Too Faced
    • 1 Natural- Jennifer Lopez Inglot (in the description, it doesn’t say whether this is matte or not, but I would describe this as natural because it’s between matte and radiant)
    • 3 Radiant- Milani, Physicians Formula, Tarte (Park Ave Princess is also available in matte)

    Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Medium

    Golden Light would probably be better suited to my skin tone, but it’s what comes in this palette.

    A lightweight powder bronzer with a soft, matte finish—your secret to achieving a sun-kissed look year-round (or just when you want to warm up sallow skin).

    Formulated with the perfect balance of red and brown tones (the colors that exist in a true tan), this lightweight, mica-free formula creates the most natural look.

    Inglot x Jennifer Lopez Boogie Down Bronze Bronzing Powder in J217 Safari (read my review)

    This is kind of light, I could probably go up a shade.

    Feel fabulous with a natural-looking tan and a sun-kissed glow with Boogie Down Bronze. This sheer, pressed powder leaves your complexion feeling instantly warmer and radiant. The formula allows seamless blending with a powdery, velvet finish that doesn’t smudge. Define your cheekbones by brushing across them lightly to enjoy all-over warmth day and night.

    Milani Bronzer XL in 01 Bronze Glow

    At first, I thought this was too orange, but it blends out nicely with a fluffy brush. Go in with a very light hand and build it up.

    UPDATE (July 29): I’ve mostly been using this bronzer because it’s my least fave of my collection. I think the fragrance in this has caused my cheeks to break out a bit. So, I decided to declutter it.

    Bronzer XL is an instant, healthy looking kiss of summer color in one no-fuss powder compact. The matte half acts as a base and contour for the face, neck and body, and the shimmery highlighter side will take you anywhere you want to glow. With a silky finish and oil-free formula, this bronzer stays where you want it to and lasts as long as you do.

    Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Butter Bronzer in Deep Bronzer

    I chose Deep Bronzer because it was on sale at the time and it was the only one in stock. I don’t think it’s too dark for me, but I could probably get the Bronzer shade next time.

    Ultra-luxurious bronzer, infused with Murumuru Butter, delivers a radiant Brazilian goddess glow! Incredibly creamy and soft texture combines the best features of a powder and cream bronzer, to deliver a lit-from-within tropical glow unlike any other.

    Packed with essential fatty acids and pro-vitamins that soften, condition and moisturize skin, leaving it silky soft. Ultra-rich bronzer formula instantly melts into skin, sealing-in moisture to deliver instant and lasting hydration. Features ultra-refined pearl and soft-focus pigments that smooth skin texture, brighten skin tone and deliver a gorgeous bronze finish.

    Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

    If I were to pick this up in the store again, I would choose the matte one.

    An ultralight, mineral-based bronzing powder.

    Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer is an oil-free bronzer that fuses earthly minerals with naturally-derived ingredients for a natural-looking finish. It contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients like vitamins A and E, which act as antioxidants to fight free radical damage, and it’s infused with mineral pigments that are known for their soothing and softening properties.

    Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Chocolate Soleil

    If I were to get this, I would need Milk Chocolate, but it was in a Rewards Bonus Kit. I just have to be light-handed with this bronzer and maybe use it as an eyeshadow to help use it up.

    A long-wearing, rich, matte bronzer infused with 100 percent real cocoa powder.

    Bronzing has never been so delicious. Create all-over warmth and dimension while achieving a rich, matte, buildable tan. The formula is infused with 100 percent real cocoa powder for skin-loving benefits and a long-wear bronze that smells as good as it looks.

    For the Milani bronzer, I swirled my finger into both the bronzer and highlight to get the swatch above.

    Inglot, Tarte and Bobbi Brown’s bronzers aren’t scented, while the Physicians Formula, Milani and Too Faced are scented. Physicians Formula smells like coconut, Too Faced smells like chocolate (because of the cocoa powder) and Milani smells like perfume.

    Even though the Bobbi Brown one is the most expensive, I had the most trouble swatching it. It was going on patchy while most of the others went on smoothly.

    As you can see from the swatches, the Bobbi Brown and Too Faced ones are the darkest because both of those are for medium skin tones. I would consider purchasing Too Faced in the correct shade, but i don’t think i will be picking up a Bobbi Brown Bronzer. The Milani Bronzer is the most orange of all of them. A little goes a long way, but once you blend it out, it looks really nice. I wanted to try it because it was such a good deal for such a big pan.

    I think my favourite has to be the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Butter Bronzer. It’s buttery, blends easily and I love the price. Normally I don’t like scented things, especially if it’s very strong, but I’m okay with the coconut scent from this bronzer. I’m also still figuring out how to apply bronzer properly and spending more than $25 for a bronzer seems like a bit much since I’m still learning. I’d rather spend the money on a good primer or foundation.

    What are your favourite bronzers?

    Love,