Tag Archives: Sephora

Sephora – New Sale Date + Point Changes!

August 10, 2018MakeupSephoraChelle

Well this is surprising news to me… Sephora’s added a new sale date (and hopefully not replaced their November one…) at the end of August! As long as I’ve been shopping consistently at Sephora they’ve only ever had two sale dates in North America: one in April, and one in November. This third one cropped up out of nowhere! I think it’s a replacement for the VIB Rouge holiday preview event, but I could be wrong.

Here’s how this sale works:

Rouge members (those who have spent over $1000 per calendar year) shop the event starting August 24 and ending September 3. You’ll get 20% off your purchases with the code YESROUGE.
VIB (those who have spent $350 or more per calendar year) get to start shopping on August 30 through till September 3. You’ll get 15% off your purchases with the code YESVIB.
Beauty Insiders (those who have spent less than $350 per calendar year) also start shopping on August 30 through till September 3. You’ll get 10% off your purchases with the code YESINSIDER.

Interesting to note – you can use your code only ONCE online, but as many times as you like in stores.

Sephora is also made a few changes to their Beauty Insider program:

ROUGE

Will now earn 1.5 points per $1 spent.
Ability to spend points on full size products.
Ability to redeem 2500 points for $100 gift card.

VIB

VIB members will now earn 1.25 points per $1 spent.
Ability to spend points on full size products.

My Thoughts

I have to say… I’m impressed, and this is definitely a step in the right direction. Over the last few years it’s become very apparent that Sephora’s points system hasn’t been great. I’ve always had way more points than I knew what to do with because there was absolutely nothing to spend it on. The rewards that I was always interested in have always been perpetually out of stock (this may be a Canadian problem and not a USA one)! With Ulta opening up their shipping to Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart finally launching their ecommerce site, Sephora HAS to keep up and keep their clients interested in purchasing product from them directly.

While I’ve never been a VIB Rouge member, since I’ve started blogging I’ve always managed to hit the VIB level. Fundamentally I don’t care at all about the point accelerator (until I can see what I can actually spend my points on that is), what I do love is that I’ll now have the ability to use all of my extra points towards something I actually want. This is HUGE!! I’ve had something like 2k points for years, spending a few hundred points every now and then when I could get a mascara sample (which is never THAT exciting… let’s be real).

Well done Sephora. It took you a while to make these changes, but they’re definitely for the better. And now… to figure out what the heck I’m getting during THIS sale! I don’t feel prepared for this one at all! Usually I snag all of my holiday stuff in the November one (if I can wait that long) but I feel like the holiday collections won’t be out in time for this!

Let me hear your thoughts on the new program, and maybe let me know what you’re picking up!

What I Bought This Month – December 2016 Haul

December 28, 2016HaulsLush, MAC, Marc Jacobs, NARS, Physicians Formula, Sephora, Too FacedChelle

As per usual, by the time December hits, I am sooo tired of makeup releases. Don’t get me wrong, I love diving headfirst into all of the new palettes and sets when September hits, but after three months of constant NEW NEW NEW, I get pretty dang tired. So December’s haul is on the small side because I am burnt out on new makeup! (This won’t last – I give it till late February before I’m enticed by shiny new things again!)

NARS Brow Defining Cream in Sonoran ($29 CAD)

I ended up returning the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow in Taupe (from last month’s haul) because it was just wayyyyy too dark for my brows and was nowhere close to matching my own hair). So I decided to get the NARS Brow Defining Cream in Sonoran (their only blonde shade). I was really worried about the colour tone in this shade since it does pull quite warm in the pot. Thankfully, it does actually work out really well for my brows. It doesn’t give as much depth as a deeper product would, so what I do is lay down this product as a base for my brows, and then follow it up with a few flicks from a taupey-grey pencil and it looks fantastic. Probably one of the best pairings for my brows yet!

Sephora Collection Black Magic Remover Cloths ($15 CAD) — Sephora Collection Black Magic Makeup Remover Cloths ($15 CAD)

I have no freaking idea what these Black Magic Makeup Remover Cloths are made of, but they are absolutely incredible. Using only water doused on these cloths, I am able to remove the bulk of my makeup (even from my Grinch tutorial!). This is really handy if you can’t be bothered to grab makeup remover (although I do sometimes prefer to use makeup remover instead of these). Seriously… how does this work??

Sephora Collection Eyelash Curler ($21 CAD)

Ughhhh. My level of disappointment with eyelash curlers is at an all time high right now. I used to LOVE Sephora’s eyelash curlers – I picked up their Original Eyelash Curler in Prague back in 2014 and I have been loving it ever since. But, the pads ran out, and Sephora doesn’t make replacement pads you can buy, so I went ahead and bought another set of curlers. THESE ARE NOT THE SAME, and the ones I bought last month aren’t either. The clamp part doesn’t open as wide, which makes getting my eyelashes in between the clampy bits REALLY, REALLY awkward. Like… so tedious that I’m at the point where I don’t even want to be bothered with an eyelash curler in the morning. I am so frustrated because I LOVED the original Sephora one I got back in 2014. If this new one is their “updated and improved” model then I am sorely disappointed. (And, also, the new pads don’t fit on the old curler. UGH.)

Too Faced Melted Matte in Candy Cane (free - gift) — Too Faced Melted Matte in Candy Cane (free – gift)

For the first time in my life, I did not have a list a mile long for Christmas presents that involved makeup. It’s been a plentiful year of makeup for me, and I just didn’t really “need” anything. But one thing I did absolutely want was the limited edition Too Faced Melted Matte in Candy Cane. Not only is the colour right up my alley (a stunning pink-red that I saw Jen wearing more times than I could count), but it also actually smells like peppermint mocha. How I wish all of the Melted Mattes smelled this way! In the end, I do find the formula is on par with their original line, so it is kind of drying, slightly sandpapery on the lips, but for this special item, I’m willing to deal with the pain of it! Oh, and it was my husband who got it for me for Christmas. 🙂

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Lush It's Raining Men Shower Gel (free - gift) — Lush It’s Raining Men Shower Gel (free – gift)

The other item my husband got for me on my list was this Lush shower gel in It’s Raining Men. I really, REALLY do not need shower gel – I’ve got far more than I can ever even get through in the next year, but I love the It’s Raining Men scent and it had been about two years since I last had a bottle of it. So happy to have this one again. 🙂

Too Faced Christmas in New York - The Chocolate Shop (free - gift) — Too Faced Christmas in New York – The Chocolate Shop (free – gift)

The next item I received via Zoe of Writing Whimsy. She passed on the Too Faced Chocolate Shop palette to me because she knew what I rabid fan I am for Too Faced and figured I’d get a lot more use out of it. And right she is! This palette was part of their 2016 holiday lineup – Christmas in New York. And yes, it smells like chocolate… which I’m starting to feel is almost a necessity when I’m doing my makeup now!

Marc Jacobs Lamé Noir Ultra-Glittering Mascara (free - gift) — Marc Jacobs Lamé Noir Ultra-Glittering Mascara (free – gift)

Zoe also sent along a Marc Jacobs item she had two of: the Lamé Noir Ultra-Glittering Mascara. This is a glitter topcoat for your mascara which I have yet to use… but she knows me so well – glitter is always good in my book!

I’ve been using a lot of random brands’ invisible lip liners and primers (all sent by PR) and none of them work nearly as well as MAC‘s Prep + Prime Lip. I finally said “enough” and just went out and bought MAC‘s lip primer because I was “making do” with products that only worked 50% as well as MAC. I am so, so happy to have my MAC lip primer back – it prevents lip line bleedout and makes sure my lipstick stays in place. LOVE!

Physicians Formula Butter Blushes ($17.99 CAD each)

I picked up the two brand new Physicians Formula Butter Blushes as soon as I spotted them at Shoppers Drug Mart. They are on the unbelievably pricey side at 17.99 each, but they had tear off mail in rebates for $7 each which brings them down to a bit more of a reasonable price tag. Review is forthcoming!

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Highlight + Contour ($21.99 CAD)

Another pricier item by Physicians Formula (seriously, their Canadian price tags always make me gasp), but this one had a $9 mail in rebate. Anyone see something familiar in this product? It’s identical in tone to the BECCA x Jaclyn Hill trio! Review also forthcoming with a comparison to the BECCA shades!

That’s it for December! Did you get anything really awesome this month? Tell me in the comments!

What I Bought This Month – November 2016 Haul

November 25, 2016HairAnastasia, Huda Beauty, Sephora, Urban DecayChelle

Amazingly enough, even with the Sephora VIB Sale, this month has turned out to be a low spending month! Sure, this post is going up a bit early and I could potentially buy something before the month ends but I kind of doubt it. So this post is entirely my VIB sale haul!

Urban Decay Full Spectrum ($64 CAD sale price, regularly $80)

If there was one palette I knew I was going to be buying this holiday season, it was the Urban Decay Full Spectrum! As soon as I laid my eyes on it, I knew I wanted it in all its rainbow glory.

I don’t know what’s been going on lately, but the prices of Urban Decay palettes seem to be going up rapidly lately so I was more than a bit shocked when I saw the price tag was a whopping $80 Canadian! Like what the HELLLLLLL. So I crossed my fingers and toes and prayed this wouldn’t sell out before the VIB sale. It didn’t, and I was able to get it at the $64 price tag which is at least REASONABLE. UD has got to callllm down with these price hikes though… they’re getting out of control!

Huda Beauty Sasha #11 lashes ($17.60 CAD sale price, regularly $22)

Since I want to find out if I am desperately in love with Esqido lashes, or if it’s really just the cotton band that makes them so wonderful, I decided to pick up a pair of Huda Beauty false lashes in #11 Sasha. They also have a cotton band and they’re about half the price of Esqido. We shall see!

Sephora Collection Early Rise Mini Travel Eyelash Curler ($8.80 CAD sale price, regularly $11)

I got the Sephora Collection Early Rise Mini Travel Eyelash Curler because I really love how my current Sephora Collection lash curler fits my eyeshape and I’ve completely run out of curling pads for it (why don’t they sell them individually???). However, I am really not enjoying this mini size of the curler. It’s harder to use and just doesn’t feel the same. And oddly, I can’t use the curling pads on my older model because they just don’t fit the same way. So annoyed.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe ($18.40 CAD sale price, regularly $23)

I’m a huge fan of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow and had previously gone through a pot of the Blonde shade. I felt like Blonde was a little too pea soup in colour and opted to get the Taupe shade this time ’round. Buttttttt Taupe is feeling surprisingly dark on me and I don’t know if it’s just because it’s been a long time since I’ve use Dipbrow (probably close to a year since I ran out), or if Taupe is just that much darker than Blonde. I’m still getting used to it, so we’ll see how I like it in a month or so.

And there we have it! Pretty restrained this month I’d say! Let me know what your favourite purchase has been in the last month – beauty or otherwise!

Skincare Saturday: Sephora Collection Intensive Instant Moisture+ & Total Age Defy Creams

June 25, 2016Reviews, SkincareSephoraChelle

Sephora Collection - Intensive Instant Moisture+ Cream & Total Age Defy Cream SPF15 Sunscreen

There’s always new moisturizers out there to try on the market isn’t there!? I recently tried out two brand new ones by Sephora Collection and wanted to share my thoughts.

Sephora Collection - Intensive Instant Moisture+ Cream & Total Age Defy Cream SPF15 Sunscreen

Both Sephora Collection moisturizers come in a solid plastic tub that contains 48 grams (1.69oz) of product. The lid screw off to reveal another lid/separator thing on the inside with a tab to make pulling the lid off easy. I have no idea why this is here because the main screwtop lid seals shut just fine. (I promptly threw those separator things in the garbage.)

The Total Age Defy Cream is an “antiaging facial cream [that] produces visibly younger-looking, beautiful skin. It contains a lipoaminoacid which supports natural collagen synthesis with flattering light-reflecting pigments and HydroSenn+TM, an ultramoisturizing natural ingredient that is more effective than hyaluronic acid”.

Total Age Defy Cream SPF15 Sunscreen is primarily what I would call a “day use” moisturizer since it contains SPF. I’m not a huge fan of SPFs in my moisturizer (I’d rather apply a separate SPF) but for those who would like some SPF in their facial moisturizer, this is a good one. It does have a faint sunscreen edge to the scent of it, but nothing too intrusive. It moisturized well and sunk into my skin quickly and effectively.

The Sephora Collection Total Age Defy Cream SPF15 Sunscreen can be purchased at sephora.ca for $43 CAD or on sephora.com for $32. USD.

However, it’s the Intensive Instant Moisture+ Cream that really stole my heart! The Intensive Instant Moisture+ Cream “recharges skin with hyaluronic acid for intense hydration with a weightless feel. It also supports skin’s natural hyaluronic acid. Perfect for dry and sensitive skin, it helps diminish the look of the first signs of aging while smoothing and refining skin’s appearance. Light-reflecting pigments even skintone and illuminate the complexion, while antioxidants protect against environmental aggressors to keep skin looking beautiful.”

I *loved* this stuff. It was smooth, buttery, and made my skin feel so smooth. I’m not sure it was entirely weightless – I did feel it required a bit more time to sink into my skin, but that’s okay because I used this as a nighttime moisturizer so I could pack in as much moisture as I could get overnight. I especially loved the scent of it, which was very fresh and refreshing.

The Sephora Collection Intensive Instant Moisture+ Cream can be purchased at sephora.ca for $29 CAD or on sephora.com for $23. USD.

The products featured in this review were sent to me for consideration.

Sephora Collection Rouge Balms (Review & Swatches)

June 22, 2016Makeup, Reviews, SwatchesSephoraChelle

Sephora Collection Rouge Balms

I feel like Sephora’s housebrand Sephora Collection keeps pumping out products that are so often ignored (and I know I’m not the only one who’s mentioned that before!) and are a fraction of the price when compared to high end brands. Allow me to shine a light on their brand new Rouge Balms!

With eight different shades to choose from, the Rouge Balms should be able to offer up a shade that appeals to you (I have four of the eight in this post). They’re marketed as a balm with an SPF of 20 which is pretty amazing since I recently lamented the fact that not nearly enough lip products (especially balms) have any kind of sunscreen in them.

The Rouge Balm “hydrates as it protects lips with an SPF 20 wax concentrate, yuzu extract, and a vitamin E derivative. The creamy gel texture delivers fresh and vibrant color in one swipe with a dazzling, juicy shine from light-reflecting pigments.”

I do think the term balm is a bit “out there” for this product… it’s far more pigmented like a true lipstick. The formula is soft and emollient while delivering a metric ton of colour (I mean… just LOOK at the swatches above!). The formula does have a bit of a shine so I’d liken this to more of a cream formula lipstick with a sheen.

Sephora Collection Rouge Balm Swatches

Sephora Collection Rouge Balm in Enchanting Blush

Sephora Collection Rouge Balm in Soft Red

Sephora Collection Rouge Balm in Gentle Coral

Sephora Collection Rouge Balm in Subtle Peony

My Thoughts

The Sephora Collection Rouge Balms have an incredibly comfortable formula. I found these easy to wear and definitely hydrating – just like a balm! You will notice there’s a lot more slip to this product than a typical balm (twhich usually feel fairly tacky to me) and there’s a heck of a lot of pigmentation. If you’re looking for something more sheer, this wouldn’t be the product for you. If, however, you want some sun protection in your lip products and a punch of colour, this is *definitely* something you want to look into.

A note on the packaging though: I love the soft hourglass shape of the exterior packaging as well as the fact that they’re colour coded to match the lipstick inside… but there’s NO NAME anywhere on the tube to indicate which colour you’ve got. There’s a sticker on the exterior metal casing of the bullet that has a code number (for example, B06) that then relates to the number listed on Sephora’s site. But if you forget the shade name, you’re out of luck!

My favourite shades out of the lot I tried are definitely Gentle Coral (you saw that one coming didn’t you?) and Soft Red. Do any of them pique your interest?

The Sephora Collection Rouge Balms can be purchased on sephora.ca for $15.50 CAD or on sephora.com for $12.50 USD.

The products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration.