Latest Sephora Haul

Last week I was cleaning up my email inbox and I noticed something that I completely forgot about, a $100 Rouge Reward from Sephora that I hadn’t used yet! The Rouge Reward is a new option on the Rewards Baazar and allows Rouge members to redeem 2,500 points for a $100 coupon. There are some restrictions to using the reward including a 90 day expiration date and having to use the entire $100 at once. The change was made in August so my expiration date was coming up fast, which meant I was “rewarded” with a trip to Sephora this weekend. Can’t complain at that!

I used the coupon for some restocks and a couple of new products. I also went on a little Too Faced spree.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – $31

I received this in a sample size months ago and it’s quickly become one of my favorite mascaras of all time. I’m obsessed with mascara, it’s the one makeup item that I need every single day and Too Faced does not disappoint. It gives killer volume, lengthens, separates, it’s completely smudge proof, doesn’t flake off, and with all Too Faced products, the packaging and name are to die for! Highly, highly recommend this mascara!

Too Faced Peach Mist Mattifying Setting Spray – Peaches and Cream Collection – $20 (mini version)

I got this in the mini version since it’s a brand new product to me and I wasn’t sure what to expect, I didn’t want to spend $40 on something if I wasn’t sure if it would work. Well, I kind of wish I went with the full sized version because I’m obsessed with this setting spray! Not only does it leave my skin looking flawless and oil free for hours, it smells like peaches and cream! I will absolutely be purchasing the full size bottle of this.

Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer – $21

This is a restock and I again picked up the mini version of this. It’s been my daily primer for about 2 years now and I wanted a travel sized tube. This primer is infused with coconut oil, which leaves your face looking hydrated and radiant. My makeup always goes on so smooth when I use this primer!

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick (I got the shade Bamboo)- $31

This is the last restock for me from this haul. A few months ago I wandered into Sephora looking for a new cover-up and I was recommended to try Fenty. I haven’t looked back! These skinsticks are amazing! Full coverage, super blendable, matte, long-wearing, and available in 20 shades. I didn’t think anything would ever come close to my beloved Boi-ing concealer, but Fenty achieved it.

Sephora Collection Tinted Self-Tanning Body Mist – $23

I’m always on the lookout for new self-tanning products. I love how I look and feel with a little bit of a tan, but want to achieve that look safely. So far I have only used this once and I was super impressed with the application and the slight glow I had the next day from it. Next time I’ll apply a little more, I have naturally olive skin so I can usually handle going a little darker. To apply I exfoliated in the shower, moisturized, let the moisturizer dry and then got back into the shower and sprayed my entire body (including face). The mist comes out slightly tinted so you can see where you are applying it, and the entire process took no longer than 15 minutes. It also dried quickly. I think it’s a great slightly more affordable option to some of the other self-tanners out there if you are looking for a subtle winter glow!

Have any of you tried any of the products above?

-SS

What’s On My Christmas List This Year

With Christmas approaching faster than ever, I’m getting asked for my Christmas list. Yes, I’m a professional in my mid 30’s and I still provide a list! The truth is that I would be happy with just spending some time relaxing with loved ones. I love everything about this season and one of my favorite things is when my husband and I have our annual Christmas date night where we dress up and go to a nice restaurant. I would honestly be happy with just that! But for those who need something more tangible, this is what I’m wishing for this year:

 

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Hair Mist – $65

If you have been following my blog for a while you will know that Flowerbomb is one of my favorite perfumes, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw that they make a hair mist with the same scent. I’m new to the hair mist party but I have a feeling I’m going to love it.

Barefoot Dreams Blanket – approx. $246 Canadian

The dream in the brand name is probably more likely where this blanket will be for me, but I can wish for it though right?! I wasn’t sure what the hype was with this blanket given the cost of it… until I tried it in store. It’s so incredibly soft and cozy that I keep thinking about it.

Just about anything from Lush

Bath bombs, lip scrubs, shower gels, massage bars, bubble bars, I love it all! Anything from Lush will make me deliriously happy. When all else fails when it comes to shopping for me, go with Lush.

 

 

Gift Cards – Nordstrom/Aritzia/Sephora

Gift cards are not given the credit they deserve. When you get a gift card for someone you’re not only giving them the freedom to pick out their own gift, you’re giving them the gift of a trip to their favorite store. How can you go wrong?! Answer: you can’t.

 

Does anyone else have a Christmas list? What are you hoping for?

-SS

Keeping Lips Soft & Hydrated in Winter

It’s happened. I knew it would eventually, but you always think maybe this will be the year we get skipped, maybe it won’t be so bad. No such luck, winter is here and I think it’s here to stay. So long cute heels, fall jackets and moisturized skin and hello winter boots, parkas and dry chapped lips!

 

My lips get incredibly dry during the cold months and as a result, lots of TLC is needed. We all know that the most important way to stay hydrated is by making sure we’re drinking water, but sometimes a little more help is required! I’ve found that one of the best ways to keep my lips looking and feeling soft and hydrated is to treat them overnight. Below I am sharing my favorite products that I make sure I always use before I go to bed so that I can wake up with beautifully soft and hydrated lips, no matter how low the thermostat dropped overnight!

 

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask – $30

 

If you haven’t tried these lip masks yet, you need to! (pro tip: you can ask for a sample at Sephora if you want to test it out first). Handcrafted with agave nectar and jojoba oil, this lip product is actually designed to be used overnight. One swipe of these lip masks before bed guarantee that you will wake up with softer, smoother and healthier lips!

I have a few of these but my favorite is the lavender one, it actually contains lavender, which helps to promote restful sleep.

 

FRESH Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm – $22

 

 

I’ve posted about this before and there’s a reason for that because this balm is seriously amazing! The scent is absolutely decadent and the formula actually feels like you are putting caramel on your lips (minus the stickiness!). I usually put this on my lips on days where I need the hydration but I don’t feel like I need anything quite as intense as a lip mask. It never fails that I always wake up with moisturized and soft lips whenever I use it.

 

Has anyone else used the products above? What are some of your favorite winter beauty tips?

-SS

Sephora Rouge Sale Haul Nov 2018

Am I the only one who feels like Sephora has had way more sales than usual this year? I mean, I’m not complaining! Although my bank account I’m sure is not too thrilled. If you haven’t heard, Sephora is currently having their Rouge Holiday Event, which is 20% off everything in store for Rouge members. The sale ran last weekend Oct 26-29 and this weekend Nov 2-5. This is likely their last 20% off event of the year so I made sure I took advantage.

In all honestly there wasn’t a ton of things that I needed to get since I bought so much over the summer, but I can’t resist Sephora so I picked up some restocks and of course a few little treats!

Take a peek at my haul below and look for reviews of all products coming soon!

Makeup:

Skincare:

Hair and Body:

Free samples for Rouge members during the sale:

There’s still 2 days left of the sale (ends at midnight on Nov 5) so make sure you don’t miss out!

-SS

My Favorite Sephora Holiday 2018 Gift Sets

It’s November, and you know what that means?! I can officially start talking about Christmas! I feel as though I have to bite my tongue all October and then the second Halloween is over, it’s my time.

One of the things that I love to do each year is browse the holiday gift sets that stores put out, and which better store than to do this at than Sephora?! I’ve been keeping an eye on the Sephora holiday gift sets since September and I have rounded up my favorites below:

 

Sephora Favorites Best Hair Kit Ever – $32 ($80 value)

If you haven’t tried a Sephora Favorites kit yet, you have no idea what you’re missing out on. This kit comes with 8 products in a cute rose gold makeup bag. The products are suitable for all hair types and it’s a great way to try out new things.

 

Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Carnaval Magic – $49

 

There’s a reason why this cream is a cult favorite! This set comes with two tubs of the infamous Bum Bum cream, the body mist and my personal favorite, the lip balm. You do not want to miss out on this!

L’Occitane Holiday Almond Ornament – $14

I love gifts that can actually be hung on the tree and Sephora never disappoints in bringing out a new one each year. This one contains some of my favorite products from L’Occitane and I can’t wait to put it on my tree! Bonus tip – the almond oil works great for shaving your legs!

 

Too Faced Under The Christmas Tree Breakaway Face & Eye Set – $52 ($250 value)

Run to Sephora to pick this one up because I guarantee it won’t last! It comes with two eyeshadow palettes (I adore Too Faced eyeshadows!), a face palette with highligher/bronzer/brush, and a Better Than Sex mascara. This is a “one for you, one for me” kind of purchase!

 

Peter Thomas Roth Mask Frenzy – $95

Peter Thomas Roth masks are amazing, but they can get pricey. This gift set is a great way to try out the brands best selling masks without the cost commitment of purchasing separately. It comes with Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask, Hungarian Thermal Water Mineral-Rich Atomic Heat Mask, 24K Gold Mask Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Mask, Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask, Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer, Cucumber Gel Mask Extreme De-Tox™ Hydrator. I suspect this one won’t last long either!

Do you have any you would like to share?

-SS

Review: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow

Since it’s Monday I think we all need a pick-me-up and so it just makes sense that I should share my experience with a brand that’s not only fun and cheerful, but definitely works as a pick-me-up for your skin!

I have incredibly oily skin and it’s tough for me to find products that control the oil while also providing much needed moisture and radiance. That was until I found Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow line!

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask – $59

I bought the mask on a whim on our trip to Vegas back in August. I was immediately drawn to the color and the watermelon on the packaging (I looooove watermelon!). Once I got home I didn’t waste any time in trying it and loved the result: glowing, smooth, radiant and controlled skin! You put this on before bed and leave it on overnight. The smell is amazing, actually like watermelons without being too fake, and since it sinks into your skin right away, there’s no residue or film left on your pillow. Its formula includes soothing, amino-acid rich Watermelon Extract, hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, and pore refining AHA for perfectly smooth skin every single time!

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer – $50

It literally took me one use to fall in love with the mask so I purchased the moisturizer immediately. Taken from the Glow Recipe website, the moisturizer is “Spiked with vitamin- and amino acid-rich watermelon extract, plumping hyaluronic acid, and soothing botanicals like peony and jasmine extracts, this cooling gel-emulsion absorbs instantly to seal in hydration and prep skin for the day ahead. Antioxidants guard against free radicals and repair damaged cells along the way. Used morning and night, it drenches skin in luscious, long-lasting moisture. ” Who doesn’t want that?!

I use the sleeping mask about once a week, more often if my skin is looking particularly tired or dull, and I use the moisturizer daily in the morning after my usual skincare routine.
Has anyone tried anything else from Glow Recipe? What did you think?

-SS

Friday Favorites: August 17th

If you saw my last post, you will have read that I have been crazy, insanely busy this month, but what you probably don’t know is my skin has definitely taken a hit from it. Lack of sleep, running around, lots of wine and eating out, tons of time in the sun…. yup, my appearance is paying! I’m so thankful for the products below for keeping me looking and feeling great over the past couple of weeks and I’m excited to share them with you guys.

Kopari Coconut Rose Toner

I already posted about this toner in my last post, but I have to post about it again here because it’s seriously that good! We have had some unseasonably hot days this year and a spritz of this toner after being stored in the refrigerator is just heavenly! If you’re looking for a great smelling, completely clean toner, this is what you need. With a trifecta of witch hazel, coconut extract, and rose extract, it freshens skin, tightens pores, and can also be used as a face primer or setting spray.

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

I received this lip scrub as a birthday gift earlier this month and I’m obsessed! I love pretty much everything from Lush and of course this is no exception. I mean, it smells and tastes like bubble gum, how can we go wrong?! The sun, hot weather, lipstick, and the aforementioned excess of wine left my lips feeling a little dry and flaky and in desperate need of some TLC. Using a mix of castor sugar and hydrating organic jojoba oil my lips were back to normal in no time!

MILK Makeup Cooling Water

This was a last minute waiting in line purchase at Sephora (any Sephora fans know exactly what I’m talking about), and I definitely don’t regret it. I have been using it under my eyes both under my makeup in the morning and whenever my face needs a quick wake me up look. This gel stick is formulated with caffeine and seawater for a cooling, de-puffing and soothing look and feel.

Anyone else love this weeks’ Friday Favorites?

-SS

Friday Favorites: August 3rd

Now that August is here so is the busiest two weeks I have had in a long time and I haven’t had a ton of time to spend pampering myself. So, I have had to look for some time saving options, and thankfully, I haven’t been left disappointed!

FRESH Lotus Youth Preserve Rescuse Mask 

I’m seriously shocked that it took me this long to find this! It is amazing! After using it my skin feels instantly smoother, softer and plumper, and I received so many compliments on my skin when I had to go out without makeup. As with all Fresh products, the Lotus mask is sulfate, paraben and phthalates free, and smell amazing! Highly, highly recommend! The best part? You only need 5 minutes 2-3 times per week!

Patchology Eye Gel Patches 

These. Are. Amazing. I picked a sample pack of these at the airport in New York last year on a whim and I didn’t know much about them so I ended up giving them away. Then a few weeks ago I saw them at Saks and decided to try them out, I’m actually annoyed with myself for giving the first ones away because I don’t know how I managed to live without them! The patches contain caffeine and hydrolyzed collagen, and they really do work miracles on my tired looking eyes and dark circles. I have tried many different gel patches and none of them compare to these, plus you only need to use them for 15 minutes.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 

Another product that I don’t know how I survived without. I bought it while waiting in line at Sephora (you know exactly the type of purchase I’m talking about!) and I’m so glad that I did. First up, it smells amazing, kind of like a berry smoothie. And then it kind of feels like how you would imagine a berry smoothie to feel, kind of soothing and sweet. You put this on before bed and wake up in the morning to soft, smooth lips reducing the need to use a scrub. It really does work!

Anyone else have any time saving beauty products that you can’t live without?

-SS

My June 2018 Favorites

Happy July 4th to all of my American readers! I’m a little sad, for the past three years Mr SS and I have been in Las Vegas for July 4th but we couldn’t go this year due to my work commitments (bring on the desert heat in August though!). It’s not about me though so I hope everyone is having a great holiday!

I was planning on writing this post on June 30th, but didn’t get around to it, however I’m kind of proud of myself that I’m only 4 days late. That’s not too bad, right?!

Here are some of the things that I couldn’t stop obsessing about last month:

Louis Vuitton Neverfull in Damier Azur w/Rose Ballerine lining

I mentioned this bag in my Summer 2018 Wish List post and I’m so happy to say that I bit the bullet and bought it, and I LOVE it! One thing that I’m really loving is the pouch that comes with it, it carries so much more than I thought it would and it’s the perfect size to use as a wristlet. It was like two bags for the price of one and really, at this price who doesn’t want that?!

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara

I won’t lie, I want lash extensions, but I have crazy bad seasonal allergies and I know that plus fake lashes would just be a disaster for me. So I had to find the next best thing, and I did with this mascara! I get a lash lift every 3 months so my lashes are always curled, but I’m still always missing volume and that “are they real” kind of look. Well, Marc Jacobs totally hit the target with this mascara, it is perfection! My lashes look longer, thicker and more “feathery”. This is my first time trying it but I can already tell that it will be a staple for me.

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Perfume 

This is another one that I talked about in my Summer 2018 Wish List post (I got everything on that list!) and I’m so completely obsessed with this perfume. It smells amazing, it’s the perfect scent for summer and lasts all day. I love it so much that I picked up the travel sized version to carry in my purse.

Dior Addict Lip Maximizing Lip Gloss

I posted about this in my Summer Makeup post for a reason. It gives a small hint of shimmer, a tiny bit of color and it smooths and plumps like no other. I ended up buying it in two shades (Apricot and Beige Sunrise) and not a day went by in June where I didn’t use it.

Wilfred Buffon Pants 

Omg I am in love with these pants! I know that they are not very “summery” but we didn’t have the best weather in June, it was super rainy so cute skirts and shorts were out. I bought them in two colors (black and olive green) because they are that amazing. They are stylish but also super comfy, and they go with everything. My favorite way to wear them has been with pumps, a cami and a jean jacket. They’re joggers in every sense of the word but since they are made of a fine Japanese crepe, they are way dressier than your typical joggers and can be paired with just about everything, and just about every season. I also love wearing them with a logo tee and sneakers.

What do you think will be some must haves now that July is here?? What can’t you live without in the summer months?

-SS

Sephora Summer Essentials 2018

I had to come on here and share this buy with you guys! I went into Sephora today to get mascara and as usual, I found something else that I just had to have.

If you know anything about me you will know that I am a sucker for cute packaging and marketing gimmicks, and I love trying new products. This essentials kit ticks all three of those boxes and at only $42, it’s pretty much risk free! Plus, how cute is the bag it all comes in?! I’m already making a list of ways I want to use it.

For $42 (Canadian), you receive the following must have summer essentials in a very cute and usable straw cosmetics bag:

 

 

• boscia Clear Complexion Blotting Linens – pack of 25
• Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad Gradual Glow – pack of 3
• Glamglow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer – 7ml
• IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel – 15ml
• Josie Maran Cosmeticse Whipped Argan Body Oil Butter – 59ml
• Kopari Beauty Coconut Rose Toner – 60ml
• Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Style Cream – 60ml
• OleHenrisken Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator – 7ml
• Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay – 30ml
• REN Skincare Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask – 10ml
• Sol De Janeiro Brazillian Bum Bum Cream – 25ml
• tarte Ready, Set, Radiant Skin Mist – 7ml

I haven’t had a chance to use anything yet since I only picked it up today, but I’m so excited to start playing with it all!

I can’t find this on the Sephora website so it might be an in store exclusive, but who doesn’t need an excuse to visit Sephora?! Has anyone tried any of the products above? If so, what did you think? Are they really Summer Essentials?

-SS