Sephora Epic Rewards Choice-Smashbox Makeup!!

A few weeks ago, Sephora once again had their epic rewards choices.  Epic meaning 1,000 points and up reward choices.  Some were valued at 10,000 reward points.  I know my chances were slim but I tried nonetheless to get in on the action.

And I was able to choose one!!  I  ended up going with the Smashbox reward.  It was 1,000 points and I knew I would use all of the items, as opposed to some of the other choices, where I already had or wouldn't use some items.

All of the above items came in my reward:

• Smashbox Primer Water
• Smashbox Mascara
• Smashbox Infrared Matte Red Lipstick
• Smashbox Crimson Red Lip Liner
• Smashbox Shape Matters Palette

The approximate value of all items combined is $157.   Not bad!

Now on to the star of my reward choice, the Shape Matters palette.

Look at how gorgeous it is.  I have had my eyes on this palette since I got a sneak peek of it.  

The left side is for brows, the middle is for face and the right is for eyes.  I mean, it really covers everything.  If I could change one thing, it would be to have added a blush in the mix.  They just released a palette full of shadows and blush and I think that one looks beautiful too!

You may remember in my January Favorites blog post, click HERE to reread, I reviewed the Smashbox contour palette and have loved it ever since.  This palette is sturdy and perfect to take on a trip.  The sizes of each pan seem like they will last forever, too.  They are all very pigmented and smooth and the brush that comes in the palette is great quality!

Do you have this palette?  What do you think about it?

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great night xo

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Review And The Brush Version Of The Beauty Blender

You may remember my review on Estee Lauder's Double Wear and how much I loved it.  That was also a post I had written when I had my old phone, so all of the associated photos were deleted with the transfer of data.  The link is still above so you can read my thoughts on it but wait until you hear about Estee Lauder's Double Wear Light.

This is Double Wear's younger, hotter sister.......Quite frankly, I am ashamed I haven't reviewed this sooner. If you love the full coverage, matte finish of Double Wear but find it a bit too drying or heavy, than Double Wear Light will be your new obsession.

It comes in only 10 shades but if you are an online shopper like I am, it is much easier to make your selection than it is with the Double Wear.  I think the fact that it has such a narrow shade range makes it easier to find one that matches you.  Sometimes too many options can be confusing.

There are of course several ways to apply this, for me fingers is the worst way. I feel it just smears the product on and doesn't allow for an even application.  I tried with the amazing beauty blender and that works great but I am literally about to tell you about the brush version of the beauty blender.....I am so serious!!

Sephora Pro Airbush Blender #78

This brush has over 100,00 bristles.....it is so soft and allows for smooth, even application AND you can stipple it for targeted concentration on an area.  Think of how many beauty blenders you buy when they need to be replaced and you can justify the cost (at least that is how I did).  My foundation goes on like it is air brushed every time I use this brush.

So soft and lovely

The only negative is it takes a while to clean it and it also takes 2 days for it to dry completely but it is worth it if you want a photo shopped smooth face!  Click HERE to buy it and read even more reviews!!

I wore it this weekend and used the brush for application.

#nofilter loves

I think it looks amazing, it goes on light and doesn't make you feel like you are wearing makeup.  I am using Laura Merciers translucent setting powder for under my eyes and to set my face lately.  I am still on the fence about that powder, and am looking to try Bobbi Brown's pressed powder next.  Laura Mercier's powder sets my under eyes perfect and doesn't crease but I don't feel like it lasts all day and that is a problem with dark under eye circles like mine.

For reference, I am 1N2 Ecru, pale ivory beige with neutral undertones, for Double Wear.  That is why I selected Intensity 1.0 in Double Wear Light.

Currently Sephora is offering a primer, night serum and foundation brush for only $10.00 with purchase of either Double Wear Light or Double Wear! Click HERE to get that!  Otherwise, you can go to any department store counter and get a free 10 day sample of either!

Have you used Double Wear light before??  What are your thoughts on it??  How soon are you going to get this brush??

Let us know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!! xo

Kat Von D Shade and Light Contour Palette Review

Happy Monday Loves!!! I have a great week of reviews coming for you.  I want to start out with a palette that I really had high hopes for.  I have admired Kat Von D since Miami Ink.  Her artistry and talent is unsurpassed. So I love her makeup line.  Bold and vibrant and on the edge.

Love the art work

I was super excited about the Shade and Light palette as I am a fan of contouring but I do love cream palettes.  You all know how the Anastasia Beverly Hills palette turned out for me though. Read HERE if you don't!

This palette comes with three highlight and three contour shades and retails for $46.00 US.  There is a contour brush that is sold separately (the box is coffin shaped which is really neat) and that retails for $36.00 US.

Contour shades are larger than highlight shades

Courtesy of MissGrumpleBottom.com

Unfortunately for me, this palette also pulled through orange on me and the highlight shades really did not show up at all.  I have a very frustrating skin tone!!  For reference, I am NC20 in Mac, warm yellow undertones, sometimes neutral.  Levitation and Shadowplay are the only warm colors in the palette and the only ones I have really been able to use.  If I am going to spend $46 on a product, I want to be able to use the whole product, aside from the box it comes with.

The colors are listed above as they reflect in the pan.  Lucid is a cool pinkish nude, Lyric is a neutral yellow beige and Levitation is a warm soft peach.  Sombre is a cool toned taupe, Shadowplay is a warm soft brown and Subconscious is a cool deep brown.  Even on the white background above you can see orange coming through, IMO.

I have tried mixing both contour colors with ShadowPlay to create a more shadowy effect and it just muddles the colors and looks terribly ashy and dirty on my skin.  The highlights are merely setting powders and don't really offer any significant "light".

I will be returning this to the store and picking up Too Faced's new Contour Palette.  Like I said, I really had high hopes for this product but I can't see just making do with it.  So far Smashbox is still numero uno in my box in terms of versatility with only two shades yet they are true to color.

Have you gotten this palette?  Are you in love with it?  What is your skin tone?

Let me know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!! xo

Winter Skin Care Regimen Including GlamGlow SuperCleanse Review

Let me first preface by saying in the summer I am an oil slick....I used to have to use those blotting papers throughout the day until I found products to help control it.  Well in the winter it is a whole new ball game and now I am a dry, leathery alligator.  The struggle is real, people.  Plus, since I have started taking fertility medication, it has caused me some hormonal acne which just adds to my daily fun.

BUT I am making headway with some amazing new (new to me) products I want to tell you about today.

First up is the GlamGlow SuperCleanse Daily Cleanser.

I love this brand.  I love all of their masks so when I heard they were coming out with a daily cleanser I jumped on it!  They have two cleansers, one for problem skin and one for dry skin.  I would love to alternate between the two but I just want to clear up my skin currently and at the price point it is preventing me from getting both.  Some of the main ingredients in this cleanser are eucalyptus leaf powder and Mediterranean clays.

Pros: After just one week of use my pores were almost invisible.  This product tightens wonderfully and cleared up my skin.  It is a mud to foam cleanser and takes a lot of effort to wash off but doesn't leave me feeling dry.
 
Cons: It smells like black licorice (bleck) and the pump is awkward.

I use this morning and night. After cleansing in the morning I use whatever exfoliater? exfoliant? I am fancying at the time and then follow with a good moisturizer.  These are key elements in the winter months. You want to slough off the dead skin but replace the lost moisture and lock it in.

Now for my evening ritual.  Sephora currently is running a promotion where you can get 5 deluxe skin care items and a travel bag for $29.  These are the items I picked up.

I love them all so far!!  The Peter Roth Retinol Fusion PM goes on first and then I follow with Ole Henriksen Vitamin C serum.  Both of these ingredients (retinol and vitamin C) should be added to your daily routine to keep skin clear and young looking.  It is never too early to start.  I had been looking for both of these ingredients for a while now so was glad to get the chance to try them.  The set back......well they cost an arm and a leg for full size so I will have to keep picking up the minis.  Granted, they are tiny but a little goes a long way.  If you click on the links you can get additional information and read reviews on them and get a full list of ingredients.  The retinol boosts collagen and tightens and gets rid of fine lines and problem skin.  The serum is full of nutrients that feed your skin keeping it healthy.  Lastly, I am using Algenist Genius Cream. This smells like vanilla and feels like whipped butter.  It is thin yet so moisturizing and sinks into the skin. Incredible. The GlamGlow Thirsty Mud is actually the mask version of the thirsty mud daily cleanser. This is perfect for the winter months as it really gives you a boost of added moisture just where you need it. And lastly is the Dr. Jart Expansion Mask. Since I am a mask addict, I just had to get this and I have yet to try it so I will update you on my results.  You hook this one over your ears so I am sure my husband is going to love how I look in this one.  I like masks that offer immediate results and I was not pleased with his pore mask.

So there ya have it, these are the new items I am trying this January for skin care.  I hardly need to wear as much foundation as I did a month ago because my skin is glowing.

Remember if you have a Sephora near you, you can always ask for samples of these products to try before you buy but this is really a great promotion going on.

Have you used any of these products? Let me know what you think of them in the comments below!

Have a great day! xo