Tag: sephora canada

Beauty, Haul, Makeup, Perfume, Skincare

Sephora Sale Haul + Review

by LeaLeave a Comment on Sephora Sale Haul + Review

Hey guys! I know I’m quite late posting getting my Sephora sale haul and review up. If you follow me on Youtube then you know it’s been a hectic month for me! I got my Sephora order right before I went to Vancouver and then a few weeks later I started a new job. I’m starting to get into a new routine so I finally have the chance to write this post. While the sale has long been over, it’s always a good time to talk about makeup 😉

Let’s start with some repurchases since I made a few. The first thing I got was a Beauty Blender Makeup Sponge. I’ve tried a bunch of sponges and this is still one of my favourites. I like to have a couple of sponges on hand so when one gets dirty I have another clean one available. It’s expensive so I like getting a new sponge during the sale.

The next repurchase is the MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+. This is one of my favourite setting sprays and I always like to have a bottle in my collection. It helps the makeup melt into the skin and gives a soft look. Whenever I’m not happy with how my makeup is looking I spray this on my face and it always makes it look better. Such a classic makeup staple and since I was running low it was time to stock up.

The final repurchase was not in my original haul but purchased after. I’ve been having some issues with my skin lately so I decided to switch my cleanser to one of my favourites – the OLEHENRIKSEN Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser (for some reason I can’t find just the cleanser on the website but I bought it in-store and it’s still available on the Ole website so idk). This cleanser is meant for acne and oily-prone skin, with lactic and glycolic acid to help deep clean the skin. My skin responds well to this cleanser so I’m happy to have it again.

I decided to purchase a different shade of the MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick. I was looking for a dupe for a discontinued lipstick that I have and the shade Yash matched perfectly. I love the formula of the MAC lipsticks and I know that Yash is one of their classic shades. The shade is described as deep neutral. It’s the perfect shade to wear with a bold eye look because it’s very neutral. I think this will be a great addition to my lipstick collection.

While doing my most recent makeup declutter, I discovered I needed some new brown eyeliners. I picked up the Sephora Collection Hot Line Brush Tip Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Brown and Sephora Collection 12-Hour Contour Pencil Eyeliner in Cappuccino. I was able to save 30% on these eyeliners since they’re Sephora Collection! I tested out the liquid liner a few times and it’s good. It’s easier to use and remove and lasted well. I like the brown shade for more everyday wear as it’s less harsh than black. I haven’t tested out the pencil yet as I like pencils for more intense looks and I just haven’t done any yet! If I have any strong opinions (good or bad) I’ll be sure to share them with you guys.

I picked up two Rare Beauty products during the sale. The first is the Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick. I got the shade Happy Sol, which is described as having cool undertones but I find it to be quite warm. That’s my only real complaint. I find that the bronzer applies and blends so easily onto the skin. It also lasts a long time as well. It’s a pretty good bronzer! The other product I got is the Positive Light Under Eye Brightener. I put this product to the test because I have been super tired the past few weeks. This colour corrector adds that little pop of brightness I need under my eyes. It’s quite thin so it doesn’t make my under eyes look cakey when I apply my concealer on top. On very light makeup days I apply just this to my under eyes for just a little something. If you’re looking for a lightweight colour corrector this is a great product.

The final makeup product I got is the Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick in the shade Pale Petal. I like this blush! The stick formula makes it easy to apply to the face. It takes a little more effort to blend but that’s okay because the longevity of this blush is crazy! I find that blush is usually the first product to fade from my face but this one lasts until the end of the day. The shade is so pretty and adds such a youthful flush to the face. My only complaint is that I don’t like the dense brush that the blush comes with. I find it harder to blend my blush using that brush than my normal brush. I often accidentally open the brush side while trying to open the product side because there isn’t much space between the caps. I honestly would be fine if this product didn’t come with a brush to be able to lower the price.

The other skincare product I purchased was a mini of the Clinique Take The Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover. I needed a mini cleansing balm for my trip to Vancouver and this was the smallest one I could find in the store. Now I’ve never tried the original Take The Day Off so I’m not sure if the charcoal one is different but I wasn’t that impressed with it. The dark colour meant that it stained any white towel I used. I had to use a lot of product to remove my makeup and sometimes had mascara residue. I’ll continue to use it since I like having the mini size for travelling but it’s not my favourite.

A product that I absolutely love is the OUAI North Bondi Eau De Parfum. I’ve had this perfume on my list for a while so I’m very happy to finally have it in my collection. It smells exactly like the texturizing spray I have so it’s nice to match the scents. The main notes are Italian Lemon, Jasmine, and Bergamot. It’s fresh and floral with a little bit of musk to balance it all out. The longevity is also pretty great which I always appreciate. The perfect scent for spring and summer!

The final product I got is the Sol De Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Body Cream in the mini size. I find with the Sol De Janeiro body creams you either love or hate their scents. You have to go in-store and try it for yourself. I personally love this scent, as you can tell from the perfume I just bought I like the scent of jasmine haha. I also enjoy the formula of the Sol De Janeiro body creams. I find the creams to be rich but blend easily into the skin and the scent will linger throughout the day. I’m slowly building up my collection to have all the scents – I’m missing one more before I own all of them haha. The original scent is still by far my favourite.

And that’s everything I got during the Sephora sale! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products before. And if you have any recommendations for me (especially perfume) let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Makeup, Skincare

My 2023 Sephora Spring Sale Recommendations

by LeaLeave a Comment on My 2023 Sephora Spring Sale Recommendations

Hey guys! We are just around the corner from the 2023 Sephora Spring Sale. The sale starts today for Rouge members and will end for everyone on April 24. Members can receive anywhere from 10% to 30% off products, which is huge as Sephora doesn’t often do sales. I always do my BIG round-up post in the fall and I still stand by every product I recommended in my last Sephora sale recommendations post. Today I am going to share five products that I would recommend but haven’t mentioned much yet on my blog. So let’s get into it!

I know everyone and their mother is into Rare Beauty currently and are eyeing to get their new lip oils during the sale. But if the shade you’re looking for sells out, then consider checking out their Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm. This is one of my favourite lip products at the moment. It’s way more nourishing compared to traditional lip glosses. The gloss is buildable so I can play with how much pigmentation I want. The shades are the same as their liquid eyeshadow and cream blush so you could have a cute matching moment as well. I highly recommend checking these out.

My ride-or-die concealer at the moment is the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Medium Coverage Concealer. Between my growing fine lines and ever-lingering darkness under my eyes, it’s been hard to find a good concealer. This concealer is lightweight, has a natural finish and doesn’t crease as much compared to some of my other concealers. It’s a true medium coverage, so some days when I’m tired I’ll have some darkness peeking through. But otherwise, this is a stellar concealer! Make Up For Ever has every undertone under the sun so I think you’ll be able to find your shade match.

If you’ve read my blog before, you’d know that I generally prefer lengthening mascaras. But I am loving the Ilia Fullest Volumizing Mascara! It gives volume without looking clumpy, something I find can happen with volumizing mascaras. This also still delivers a decent amount of length. It also helps my lashes keep their curl, something I struggle with. I get no smudging or flaking. I know everyone is currently obsessing over Ilia’s lengthening mascara, but their volumizing mascara is worth checking out!

I got the Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH Peptide Lash Enhancing Serum in my Sephora Advent Calendar. I was skeptical so I didn’t take any before photos but I swear this product helps grow my lashes. I would often get sparse spots where I’ve had a few lashes fall out. After using this product consistently I find that my lashes are a lot more even and thicker throughout. They’re not much longer but to be fair I’ve always had decently long lashes naturally. If you want some help with your eyelashes definitely check this product out! But pro tip: just buy the mini. I’ve been using the mini one daily now for over four months and it’s still going strong. Save some money with the smaller one.

And my final recommendation is the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. As we move into spring and summer a lot of people like to switch to a lighter moisturizer and this one fits the bill perfectly! It’s super lightweight. I use two pumps and it’s enough for my whole face. It sinks quickly into my skin and adds the perfect amount of hydration my oily skin needs. Just be careful when ordering online because Clinique has the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ in the same packaging but it’s way thicker (and personally too much for my oily skin). I had originally bought the lotion and had to exchange it for the gel haha.

And those are my five recommendations for the Sephora sale! Stay tuned because I will be posting my wishlist to my Youtube channel soon. I will also be posting a full haul and review of all the products once my order arrives. Let me know what you’re picking up during the sale in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Favourites, Hair, Makeup, Skincare

My 2022 Sephora Sale Recommendations

by Lea1 Comment on My 2022 Sephora Sale Recommendations

Hey guys, it’s that time of year again – the Sephora Sale! The sale is currently underway for all members and will end on November 7. Members can receive anywhere from 10% to 20% off. This is a great time to stock up on products or buy some higher ticket items as Sephora doesn’t often do store-wide sales. I have done many posts in the past and I still stand by all the recommendations in my 2021 Sephora Sale Recommendations post so I highly suggest checking out that post. Today I am sharing 15 new recommendations, many of which I haven’t mentioned yet on my blog. So let’s get into it!

Starting off my makeup section I’m going to recommend a product that has been circling all over Tiktok – the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. This lipstick-lip balm hybrid is super comfortable on the lips. The shade is meant to be universally flattering. Because it’s on the more sheer side it’s easy to do one swipe for a light colour or apply more to intensify the colour. This has become my everyday lip product because it looks good, feels nice and wears well. I love it!

The Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Super Setter Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray is becoming a holy grail product for me. It’s incredible but I do see a difference in the look of my pores after using this setting spray. It’s also amazing at helping my makeup last longer. This product lives up to its claims so it gets a thumbs up from me!

Brows is a category where I like to stick to the classics. I don’t experiment with brows all that much as I find the current brow trend of laminated brows doesn’t look very good on me. But I still want a product that keeps my brows in place. Enter the Nudestix Brow Set Gel XL. If you want something that sets your brows but doesn’t feel like super glue this is for you. I use this almost every day!

I love blush – it’s one of my favourite products to test and I love trying different formulas out. One of my recent favourites is the Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines – Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush. There is both cream and powder so I can pick which consistency I prefer on a certain day. The staying power of these blushes is INSANE. Blush is usually the first product to fade for me but with both formulas, my blush is still strong at the end of the day. I have the shade “She’s Blushing” and it’s so unique compared to my other blushes! A great product!

My final makeup recommendation is the ITEM Beauty Lash Snack Clean Lengthening Mascara. I wasn’t sure how I would feel when I got this product in my Boxycharm. But this is a great mascara! If you’re looking for a straight-up lengthening mascara this is the one for you. It has a small brush so it’s also amazing for the lower lash line. If these qualities are up your alley then you should check it out!

Moving into skincare now, we’re going to start with a boujee product – the Caudalie Grape Water. I like using a skincare spray before going in with my hyaluronic acid so the serum has something to absorb. I love the aerosol spray on this product. It feels so refreshing to spray. If you have sensitive skin I could see this being amazing and helping soothe the skin. It’s excessive but I love it so I thought I would share!

A second Caudalie product which I enjoy is the Pore Minimizing Instant Detox Mask. I got this when I went to Paris and I’ve loved it since! Whenever my skin is feeling gross or congested I always reach for this mask. If you can dry skin stay away because this will suck all the moisture out of your skin. But for me, it gets rid of all the oil and gunk. And it’s pink which is so fun!

The exfoliating product that I’ve been enjoying recently is the Clinique 7 Day Face Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula. This scrub has a nice balance between creaminess and grittiness. It does a great job of getting rid of any flakes or dry patches and leaving my skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s not too aggressive so I think people with drier skin would still enjoy this scrub.

Another mask favourite of mine is the Farmacy Honey Potion Hydration Mask. This mask is perfect for when my skin needs a little pick-me-up. It helps with texture but is also hydrating at the same time. The mask is cool because it goes on this honey colour but as I rub it in the mask turns white and warms up on the skin. It’s quite a unique mask which is why I recommend it!

The final skincare product is the Biossance Squalane+ Rose Vegan Lip Balm. Is lip balm considered makeup or skincare? I always apply it after I do my skincare which is why I’m including it here! This lip balm has a very interesting consistency almost a little waxy so it stays well on the lips. I love the tube packaging, makes it easy to apply. The Laneige lip balms are amazing but this is a great option if you’re looking for something fragrance-free!

Onto the final category, which I am calling miscellaneous. First I have to mention the Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray. My friends got this for me for my birthday and I fell in love. I love spraying this in my hair after curling it to give a messy and natural look to my curls. It makes them look less polished and more realistic. The smell is also amazing. Ouai sells the scent in a perfume and I’ll be buying it in the future, it smells divine. It’s not Curly Girl approved BUT I don’t use this often so I’m fine with it. Highly recommend this spray!

The next hair product is another product I got from my friends for my birthday – the Bumble and Bumble Curl Reactivator. Now this product isn’t Curly Girl approved but it’s so good that I don’t care haha. I’ve always struggled with my curls not holding their shape and becoming wavy/straight on the second day. I got this product in a set and it works so well! I dampen my hair with some water, spray this all over and scrunch my hair and my curls are back! It’s not as nice as freshly washed hair but still pretty good! I recommend my curly-haired friends check out this product.

My final hair recommendation is a scalp massager. The Sephora Collection one I own is slightly different than the model they currently have available. It looks similar to the one Briogeo is selling. Now that I’ve started using one I don’t think I could ever go back. I use it in the shower after I have applied shampoo but before I rinse it out to clean my scalp. I’ve always liked scratching my scalp with my nails but this is way better. Not only does it feel good, but apparently using a scalp massager is a great way to stimulate the scalp and promote hair growth! I gave one to my one last Christmas and she loves it as well!

My perfume recommendation this time around is the Ellis Brooklyn Salt Perfume. This is a very summery perfume so it’s not the most seasonally appropriate scent but I wanted to share a new one! I got this perfume during the spring sale and I loved wearing it this summer! I find summer beachy perfumes are often very coconutty, which don’t get me wrong I love that scent. But this is a little more sophisticated. As the name implies, it has an almost salty scent to it. The main notes are ylang ylang, Tahitian tiare and ambergris. Smelling this perfume just transports me to the beach! If this sounds up your alley check it out.

My final product recommendation is the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream. I have talked about this on my blog before but since it wasn’t featured in past Sephora rec posts I had to include it. This body cream smells divine. It’s a very sweet and gourmand scent so if that’s not your thing then pass. But whenever I wear this body cream I always get compliments on how I smell, especially from guys. Men just seem to love sweet scents! This cream is also so lush, leaving my skin feeling soft after I applied it. And if you like the scent they have so many other products like sprays and hair oils (even deodorants) so I recommend at least going in-store and smelling it for yourself!

And that’s it for my recommendations! Please let me know in the comments what you’re picking up during the sale. I have already received my order for this sale so I’m excited to share with you guys in a future post all the goodies I picked up!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Makeup, Skincare

My 2022 Spring Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations List

by LeaLeave a Comment on My 2022 Spring Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations List

Hey guys! With the Spring Sephora VIB sale starting today for Rouge, I thought now would be the time to share my recommendations for the sale! The Sephora Spring Savings Event runs from April 1-11 for Rouge, April 5-11 for VIB and April 7-11 for VIB. The savings range from 10-20% off depending on what level you are, so it’s the perfect time of year to pick up something you’ve been eyeing. During the last sale, I did a super in-depth list and I still stand by all those recommendations so check out that post! Today I wanted to keep it short and sweet. If someone were to put a gun to my head and say “You’re only allowed to recommend five of your favourite products” then these would be my picks.

Starting with my current obsession, the Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil. I picked this up when I did my Testing Beauty Youtubers’ 2021 Favourites post and my love for it has only grown since then. I brought this with me to Vancouver and let my friend try it. She loved it so much she picked one up for herself. I also gave my mom one for her birthday and she also loves it. So I am sharing this wonderful lip product with all of you to go out and get during the sale. It’s sheer but still has enough pigmentation where it’s not a clear gloss. Since it’s an oil it feels so comfortable on the lips. It can be worn by itself or on top of lip liners or lipsticks. I have the shade Taupe and it’s my perfect your-lips-but-better shade. If there is one product from this list you should buy, it’s this lip oil.

The second makeup product I recommend is one I’ve mentioned dozens of times but it’s the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I have tried so many concealers and I’ll love them for a couple of weeks and then I find myself going back to this one. The concealer is true to its name, it’s so creamy so it’s a dream to blend. It’s medium coverage so it helps brighten the undereyes but doesn’t look cakey. Because it’s creamy it can get a little creasy near the end of day but it’s easier to touch up with a beauty blender or powder. If you haven’t tried this concealer yet I highly recommend it.

Moving onto skincare, a product that I’ve been hyping up a lot lately is the Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots. These make such a difference with my breakouts. Whenever I have a gross whitehead I’ll put one on before bed and by the next morning it’s cleaned out all the gunk. I notice my skin doesn’t scare as badly, or sometimes at all, when I use a patch on top of a whitehead. The key is that these are most effective on whiteheads. If you have something that is below the surface it’s not as effective. I know their not the cheapest on the market but these acne patches are by far the best I’ve tried so far.

I recently repurchased the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm and I’ve fallen in love all over again. I’m telling you it’s the best makeup cleansing balm out there. It does the best job at removing all my makeup, including liner, lash glue and glitter. Yet it’s still pretty gentle at the same time. My skin doesn’t feel stripped after. I would say that the Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm is a close second, but the Farmacy one just leaves my skin feeling cleaner. I also think that if you wear makeup getting a cleansing balm is one of the best skincare products to invest in because properly cleansing your skin will go a long way to preventing breakouts.

The final recommendation I have is not necessarily the most exciting product but it’s something I use every single day – the Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Eyeshadow Primer. I have very oily eyelids and if I don’t prime them then my eyeshadow creases so badly. This primer does an amazing job at ensuring my eyeshadow stays put and doesn’t move around. I know that tinted and tacky eyeshadow primers (such as P. Louise) are popular but I find those so difficult to work with. I just apply a little bit of the primer and then set it with some powder and I’m good to go. I also only need a tiny amount so this tube has lasted me forever. It’s not an exciting product but one that will make a real difference in your final makeup look.

And those are my five Sephora sale recommendations! Let me know what you guys are picking up during the sale in the comments. And of course, I’ll be sharing what I get so stay tuned for that!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Haul, Makeup, Perfume, Review, Skincare

Sephora Sale Haul & Reviews

by LeaLeave a Comment on Sephora Sale Haul & Reviews

Hey guys! It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for – my Sephora Sale haul and reviews! If you haven’t seen it already, I posted my Sephora Sale haul on my Youtube channel last weekend and that was filmed a couple of weeks ago. I’ve now used the majority of the products and am now ready to give you my thoughts on all the products. If you haven’t, I would check out my wishlist post so that way you can see what products I was thinking of purchasing and can compare to this list. Let’s get into it!

Up first I decided to get a mini of the Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser. The cleanser is a product that takes me a while to get through so getting a mini allows me to try more products. This is a gentle cleanser with hyaluronic acid and AHAs to help with pores, oiliness, acne and blemishes – everything that I suffer with! This is a nice cleanser. My skin feels soft and also hydrated after I use this. I think if you have normal or combo skin and suffer from acne then you’ll like this. I’ve found lately that my skin has been looking oilier by the end of the day. I’m not sure if it’s because of this cleanser or some other products but it’s something that I wanted to note that if you have oily skin like me it might be too gentle. I’ll continue to use this but if I notice that the oiliness doesn’t improve this might be relegated to a second cleanser.

I am already in love with the Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional: Super Setter Setting Spray. I have been using this setting spray every day since I’ve received it. It does make my skin looks smoother and poreless. Not sure if it necessarily makes my makeup last longer but I love it for the way it makes my face look initially. The mist is very fine so I do use a good amount to properly cover my face. I wish I had picked up the full size!

I like it but I’m not quite in love with the OLEHENRIKSEN Cold Plungeâ„¢ Pore Remedy Moisturizer with BHA/LHA. It has an interesting texture that is not quite a gel but not quite a cream. I find that my skin feels more smooth than hydrated with this moisturizer. Much more of a summertime moisturizer than for the dry winter months. Also because it has active ingredients in it, I just need to be careful not to apply it over top of other actives otherwise it’s too much for my face and I get a reaction. I will continue to use the moisturizer because at this point I wouldn’t necessarily repurchase it.

The next product shouldn’t be a surprise – I picked up the Briogeo Honey Hydration Don’t Despair, Repair! Hair Repair Kit. I have not used the products in this kit yet oops! I have used this deep conditioner before and I absolutely love it so I didn’t need to try it again to let you guys know you need it to try it! It’s one of the most hydrating deep conditioners on the market that is Curly Girl Approved. The scent is also magical. I haven’t tried the shampoo and conditioner yet just because I have other ones open and I try and avoid having multiple shampoos and conditioners open since I have limited space in my shower. Once I finish the products I’ll update you guys in a products empties post.

I did end up splurging and getting the L’Occitane Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Milk Concentrate. And I’m so happy I did. I used their Almond Delightful Body Balm last year and I loved the scent but found it was a little too thick for me. The Milk Concentrate has the exact same scent but is just a lighter cream compared to the balm. It’s still very moisturizing don’t worry! It also comes with a lot of products so I know this will last me a while.

For lip balm, I ended up getting the Laneige Dream Team Lip Set. It’s the same price as the Tarte one I was looking at as well but I get two products for the price of one! I do like the Lip Glowy Balm formula and it’s been forever since I’ve used the Lip Sleeping Mask. The Lip Sleeping Mask comes in Peach Iced Tea and I like that scent (or flavour?). The Lip Glowy Balm is in Berry. I like the slight tint it gives the lips but I do find the Berry to be slightly medicinal. At least it doesn’t linger on the lips. This is a great set and I’m happy with my purchase.

The final product is the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder. First I want to say while the packaging looks absolutely gorgeous, I was surprised by how light it feels. I always expected the compact to be super lux since it’s expensive. But at the end of the day, it’s what’s inside that matters. This is an ultra-fine powder so when I first apply the power it goes on so smooth and looks so good. My face looks flawless and not too cakey. But because it’s just a fine and lightweight power, but at the end of the day I’m a greasy mess. It does touch-up well. I can apply this to do touch-ups and it looks good. But if you’re like me and have oily skin this isn’t going to keep you locked in all day. I think this powder is perfect for dry, normal and combo skin people who need a powder to set everything in place but not necessarily keep the oils at bay. I will continue to use this because I love the way it makes my makeup look but if I need something long-wearing I’ll pick up something else.

I also did want to mention that I picked up the Gucci Mémoire d’une Odeur Eau de Parfum, but it’s going to be a Christmas present so I haven’t used it. I sprayed it in-store and liked it! It has a clean and slightly earthy scent. I can’t wait until Christmas when I can wear this more!

And this is my haul and reviews! Let me know in the comments what you guys picked up during the sale!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Hair, Holiday, Makeup, Skincare

12 Holiday Gifts Set To Pick Up From Sephora

by Lea1 Comment on 12 Holiday Gifts Set To Pick Up From Sephora

Hey guys! Today is going to be the final of my Sephora Sale recommendations list. I wanted to share some holiday gift sets that caught my attention and I think would be great gifts. These gift sets are all limited edition, so pick them up ASAP if you’re interested in them! I got a real mix of stuff so let’s get into it!

I mentioned this in my Sephora Recommendations, but Farmacy has their Garden Party Green Clean Trio. This is a set of three mini Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balms in three limited-edition scents: Strawberry Basil, Lemon Mint, Peach Thyme. This is also a great deal because this set is 5.1 fl oz in total for $56, and the original Green Clean is 3.4 fl oz for $45. A great deal for someone who loves Green Clean!

If you know someone who loves Benefit Cosmetics or you just want to get them a variety of products, I think the Holiday Cutie Beauty Makeup Bestsellers Value Set is the one to get. The set includes a full-size bronzer, mascara and brow gel as well as a mini primer sample. These products are some of Benefit’s bestsellers so you know they’ll be great. And it’s a $126 value for $54! A great deal!

The perfect gift set for a makeup lover is the Sephora Favourites Holiday Makeup Must Haves Set. This includes all of the top-selling and trending products for this holiday season – all products the makeup lover in your life probably has their eye on. The kit includes a variety of minis as well as three full-size products. I think Sephora always does a great job of selecting good products but also has the best value, with this set being $202 value for $71.

If your budget is a little smaller, then check out the Sephora Collection Holiday Vibes Favorite Nude Lip Set. Sephora Collection products are extremely underrated with their lip products being some of their best in my opinion. This kit includes three full-size lip products in their bestselling nude shades. The best part is this set has a $53 value for only $25 – perfect for Secret Santa or a small budget!

If you’re unsure what to get the makeup lover in your life because they seem to have everything, consider the MakeUp Eraser Wildflower MakeUp Eraser 7-Day Set. These little clothes are great at removing makeup and just need water! This set is perfect because it contains seven, so one for every day of the week. Every makeup lover needs something to remove their makeup. And these MakeUp Erasers have cute little flowers on them. The set is $33.

Switching into skincare, if you’re unsure what skin type someone has, I always recommend First Aid Beauty. Their skincare is designed to be gentle and for those with sensitive skin. Their Your Future Looks FAB Gift Set is great because it includes all of their top products. I’ve tried all of these products (my mom also loves them) and they’re great! Best of all it’s a $148 value for $64.

If you know what skin type someone has, consider Laneige. They have a Hydration-To-Go! Combination to Oily Skin and a Hydration-To-Go! Normal to Dry Skin. These kits are great because it includes a full face but is designed for a specific skin type. I love Laneige skin care and would be so happy if someone got me this set. Both sets are also a great price at $38.

If you know someone in your life who loves face masks, then check out the Origins MERRY MASKS Our 5 Best Mask Minis. I got a similar set from Origins a couple of years ago and discovered one of my favourite masks through it! These minis are also quite large so they will last someone quite a few uses before they run out. This set has a $44 value for $25 – another great affordable gift set!

Of course, I have to mention the Briogeo Honey Hydration Don’t Despair, Repair! Hair Repair Kit. I love this deep conditioner and I think everyone should try it out. But the kit also comes with a shampoo and conditioner, so it’s a great way to try a variety of Briogeo’s products. The other great thing about Briogeo is that their products are made with silicones and sulphates, are vegan and are clean beauty so they will work for a variety of hair types.

If you want to get someone haircare but are unsure of what, consider the Sephora Favourites Healthy Hair Must-Haves Kit. This set comes with 10 different hair care products to help hydrate, strengthen and repair hair. It also includes a full-size Amika product. And like all the Sephora sets, this product has a value of $52.

If you have a candle lover in your life, then consider getting them the Voluspa Mini Candle Advent Calendar. This comes with 12 of their bestselling candles. This is a great way to try their candles and see which ones you like before investing in a large one. My mom and I got this last Christmas and spilt it between us. This could also be great to purchase and break up into multiple gifts. The votives are also really cute, I’ve kept the jars after I’ve finished burning them because they’re so cute.

And the final gift set is the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Jet Set. This set comes with a mini of their infamous Bum Bum Cream, a shower gel and a body fragrance mist. I love the scent of this set. This is perfect for anyone dreaming of a tropical getaway but are unable to go. This set has a $43 value for $33.

And those are my gift set recommendations! Let me know which set you think is the best or if there are any other gift sets that have caught your attention in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Favourites, Hair, Makeup, Perfume, Review, Skincare

My 2021 Sephora Sale Recommendations!

by Lea2 Comments on My 2021 Sephora Sale Recommendations!

Hey guys! As promised, here is my Sephora Sale recommendations list! The Sephora Holiday Savings Event runs from November 5-15 for Rouge, November 9-15 for VIB and November 11-15 for VIB. The savings range from 10-20% off depending on what level you are, so it’s the perfect time of year to pick up something you’ve been eyeing. Today I’m going to be doing something similar to my wishlist, where I’ll be sharing Makeup, Skincare, Hair&Body (and maybe a few miscellaneous in Hair&Body). So let’s get into it!

Makeup

Starting off I have two foundation recommendations, and if you’ve been following my blog and Youtube these probably won’t be a surprise to you. For lighter coverage, I recommend the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint. I love this skin tint because it somehow manages to be light coverage but also helps reduce any redness I have going on. It looks and feels good on the skin and it’s easy to apply. Win, win, win. If you want something with more coverage than the Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Oil-Free Hydra Foundation. This is medium coverage and has a natural matte finish, so it just looks like skin. But best of all is that it’s sooooo long-lasting. I can wear this all day at work and not look like a greasy mess at the end of the year. Not enough people talk about this foundation, it’s so good.

My favourite bronzer is still the Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer. I feel like everyone launched new cream bronzers this year and I just stuck with my Milk Makeup one! The shade Baked is perfect for my complexion. It blends so easily and seamlessly into the face. And it’s long-lasting, which isn’t always the case for creams.

For blush, I have two recommendations. If you’re newer to using cream blushes, then try out the Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush. They have a great selection of shades. The formula is creamy enough where it’s easy to apply but they are matte so they last a long time on the skin. I can swipe these blushes on my face and blend them on in three seconds. If you’re experienced with blush and want something impactful, then check out the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. This blush is pigmented, so it’s not for the faint of heart. I always apply some to a palette or the back of my hand and then go into my face. But I can get a flushed look and it lasts long on the skin. I love the shade Love because it’s a terracotta that gives me that almost sunburnt look which was gorgeous in the summer. I think you’ll be happy with either blush.

Sticking with the cream theme, my highlight recommendation is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. I was in love with this product for a while then took a break to focus on my project pan highlight. Well, I recently went back to the highlight and fell in love all over again. What I like is that the shades are based on skintones so the highlight is very natural and gives the glow-from-within look. Also, the bottle is huge so you’ll never run out.

For eyeshadow, I’m going to give a shoutout to Huda Beauty, especially her nine-pan palettes. I feel like everyone raves about her big palettes but I love my Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette. It’s small and compact so it’s easy to store. The colour stories are all gorgeous and there is a nice mix between mattes and shimmers. The mattes are so easy to work with. The glitters are a little bit more finicky, but wetting them with setting spray does the trick. There are so many different nine pan palettes that I’m sure you’ll find a colour story to match what you’re looking for.

Another underrated product is the Tarte Double Take Eyeliner. I have the shade brown and reach for this all the time. I find it super handy to have both the liquid and pencil liner in one product. I will often use liquid liner on my lid and then the pencil in my waterline. I’m usually not a fan of felt tip liners but this one is easy to use. And the pencil is easy to apply and lasts a long time. If you’re looking for a new eyeliner check this one out.

For lipstick, I have to go with a classic – Mac Cosmetics Matte Lipstick. The formula is creamy enough where it’s easy to apply but because it’s matte it stays put. It doesn’t make my lips look dry or cakey. It doesn’t last through lunch but I can sip a drink no problem. And the shade range is huge so you can find a shade that you like. My two favourites are Velvet Teddy and Down to an Art.

The final makeup product is Tower28 ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly Gloss. I love this lip gloss – and fun fact, a video I took of this lipgloss was reposted on their Instagram! 🤩 I like that it’s a semi-sheer lip gloss, so I can wear it by itself or overtop of a lipstick. It’s not sticky, if anything it’s quite moisturizing. I have the shade Cashew which is a gorgeous rosy brown, I just love it!

Skincare

I just want to preface this section by saying that most of these recommendations are for my skin type, which is oily and acne-prone. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you might not like these products and that’s okay! I do have a few recommendations for dry skin people though so make sure to read ahead!

I have four different cleansers because I love trying and testing out cleansers haha. First, we’ll start with normal cleansers. A great daytime cleanser is the Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. It’s a gel cleanser that helps clean the skin without stripping it. And it has a delicious citrus scent that is amazing to smell in the morning. Next for cleanser, we have the Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser. This is for all my acne-prone people who want something that helps fight acne but doesn’t strip their skin. It’s a nice rich gel as well but lathers up well. And it has a scent that reminds me of pine (I don’t know why because there is no pine in it) but it’s a great cleanser.

Now for cleansing balms. My first recommendation is the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm. If you find that cleansing balms irritate your eyes or skin then you need to check this one out. This doesn’t irritate me at all but removes even the most stubborn mascara or glitters. They also have a limited edition holiday set with fun scents that I’m tempted to get. If you have drier skin, then check out the Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser. This stuff is great at removing makeup but also feels milky and hydrating at the same time. It’s very gentle so might even be good for sensitive skin people!

If you want a good vitamin C serum and don’t mind splurging, then check out the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. This oil not only helps reduce my acne scarring and redness but also leaves my skin looking dewy and healthy. I’ve tried other vitamin C serums and nothing has compared so far.

I have two moisturizer recommendations. For something more lightweight I recommend the Laneige Water Bank Hydro Gel. This gel is hydrating but lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. Perfect for underneath makeup for more my fellow oily gals. For something a little thicker and with more hydration, then check out the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration. My mom swears by this stuff. It’s super thick and super moisturizing. If you have sensitive skin First Aid Beauty is a great brand to check out. The tub is also huge and will probably last you a while.

For eye cream, this recommendation comes from my brother. He loves the Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream with Acerola Cherry. I got this eye cream in my Boxycharm and he stole it from me and loved it haha. He said that it moisturized the area and didn’t irritate him like some other eye cream. So if you need a new eye cream, this is brother-approved.

Finally, if you’re looking for face masks, check out my top five face masks for acne-prone skin blog post. Three of the five masks are available at Sephora!

Hair & Body & Miscellaneous

For hair masks, I have to recommend the Brigogeo Honey Hydration Don’t Despair, Repair! Hair Mask. It pains me that this mask is limited edition. It’s just so much better than their original Don’t Despair Repair mask. You guys already know I’m picking up the set during the sale. This is the best Curly Girl Approved hair mask I’ve used. It makes my hair feel soft and hydrated. Highly recommend it.

My next hair recommendation is the Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In. I love using this as a heat protectant before I blow-dry my hair. It just helps my hair stay smooth and not become super frizzy. I also love the scent it’s delicious. And it’s Curly Girl Approved so win-win-win!

The next product isn’t Curly Girl Approved so I use it sparingly, but I do like the Moroccanoil Treatment. Whenever my hair is super frizzy, usually on the second hair, I’ll just take a dime size amount in my palm and run it through my hair. It helps tame the frizz. If you’re not following the Curly Girl Method you need this in your life.

I feel like everyone and their mother has recommended the Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops. I do like them and would recommend, but I will give a warning. The nice thing about these drops is that you can add it to your body lotion and don’t have to rinse it off. The only downside is that after a couple of hours and the tan develops I find that it creates a weird smell. It’s not very strong but if my hands or arm is near my nose I can smell a distinct smell. I can only describe it as a combination of rotting flesh and chlorine. It does go away after the tan starts to develop so I recommend using it overnight or taking a shower if you are planning to go out the same day you use this tanner. But besides that, I find the drops easy to use, the tan looks nice and wears for a long time!

I have two perfume brand recommendations. Perfumes are very subjective so it can be hard to recommend them. But from what I’ve experience so far from these two brands I’m impressed. First is Masion Margiela Replica line. I have By the Fireplace and man is this stuff strong. Two sprits and I smell this perfume all day long. I also find the scents to be super unique and unlike anything else on the market. The other brand is Atelier Cologne. I own two perfumes by them – Vanille Insensee and Orange Sanguine. Unlike the Maison Margiela scents that are super complicated, I find that Atelier Colognes have one strong note with supporting scents. The Vanille Insensee smells like vanilla and Orange Sanguine smells like orange. It’s not fussy, very straight to the point scents which I enjoy. They don’t last as long as Maison Margiela but long enough for my tastes. I would recommend these three scents and would consider purchasing more from the brand.

The final product recommend is the Forvr Mood candle. I have a whole blog post about these candles but to summarize these candles are intense. They are also super long lasting. I’ve had mine since August and I’m still not done it. If you know someone in your life who is a candle lover, get this for them for the holidays.

And that my friends is my very long Sephora recommendations list. I left off some classic products that I mention a lot (Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, ABH Brow Wiz, Urban Decay All Nighter, Olehenriksen toner). But I hope you guys found this blog post to be helpful! Let me know in the comments what you’re planning to get during the sale.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Haul, Review, Skincare

Sephora Skincare Haul

by LeaLeave a Comment on Sephora Skincare Haul

Hey guys! Today I have a mini Sephora Haul. I had to repurchase a few things and decided to pick up two new things with my order as well. Not a huge haul but still exciting nonetheless. Okay, let’s get into the products.

Sephora haul featuring MAC, Belif and OleHenriksen products.

First I repurchase the Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner. If you read my product empties post you would know I finished this toner recently. I need it in my life so I repurchased it! I’ve said this before, but if you have oily skin you need this in your life. I really notice a difference in my skin texture and oiliness. It just helps smooth my skin and reduces how quickly I get oily. I use this every morning after I cleanse my skin and I don’t see myself stopping any time soon.

The next repurchase is the MAC Prep + Prime Fix+. I’ve had a MAC Fix+ in my makeup collection for years now, but decided to switch things up and get the coconut scent this time. If you’re going to have one setting spray in your collection, make it this one. The mist is super fine so it won’t ruin your makeup and just feel soft and gentle. The actual formula is great because it helps melt powders into the skin so they don’t look powdery or cakey. But it won’t add extra shine which is great for me since I’m an oily gal. It helps improve the look of my makeup. The coconut scent is nice – not too strong and sweeter than sunscreeny. I love this setting spray and would highly recommend it.

Now for new products. The first being the belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb. I needed a new moisturizer and decided to give this one a try since I’ve heard really good things about it. I also decided to get the mini size just in case I don’t like it. This is a lightweight gel that is supposed to give a burst of hydration and quickly absorb into the skin without looking heavy or greasy. I’d say that the claims are true! It’s a gel formula which I prefer. It does leave my skin feeling hydrated and does absorb into the skin super quickly. It absorbs so well into the skin that my skin almost looks matte, very similar to the Origins Matte Moisturizer. While I do like it and will finish it, I’m on the fence if I would repurchase it. I will update you when I finish the product.

And for the final product, I purchased the Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub, which I also purchased in a mini size. I’ve mentioned this in my product empties post but I’m on the search for the best exfoliator for my skin. I thought I would hit a home run with this one but it’s just average. This scrub has AHAs, lemon peel and sugar to provide both a chemical and physical exfoliation to the skin. I like the consistency of the scrub – it’s not too thick and abrasive but enough that I can feel it on my face. And I like the light citrus smell as well. The only thing is that I don’t really notice a difference. With an exfoliator, I want an instant result so it’s a little disappointing to not notice anything. I’ll continue to use it but I wouldn’t be repurchasing.

And that’s my little Sephora haul guys! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products before and if so what were your thoughts!

xoxo

Lea