Sephora Annual VIB Sale Haul & Shopping Tips

In case you haven't heard, it's that time of year again! The Sephora VIB sale is back! If you are a VIB or VIB Rouge member you will receive a coupon to save 20% off your total purchase. VIB members can save 20% off in store or online with coupon code: VIB20, beginning 11/13 through 11/16/2015.

This is Sephora's biggest sale of the year. It's a great way to try out new products without breaking the bank and it is also a good time to stock up on your tried and true items. Even though you may not be out of your favorite Mascara right this second, you will kick yourself in a month when it dries up that you didn't stock up during the sale.

I am a VIB Rouge member so my sale was a week early and my order just came in. Here is what I picked up:

New Products:

Too Faced Love Flush Blush in Love Hangover
NARS One Shocking Moment Cheek Palette
NARS Lip Gloss in Chelsea Girls

Bite Butter Cream Lipsticks in Caramel and Pecan

Anastasia Self Made Palette

Re-Stocks:

Rosebud Salve

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara


Money Saving Shopping Tips:

Cash Back - If you haven't already, check out EBates. It doesn't cost anything to join. To cash in, you simply go to the EBates website, search for the store you want to shop at and follow their link to the store and you'll earn cash back when you make a purchase. You can also download a button to add to your browser that will automatically alert you if there is an Ebates discount at the store you're shopping at. They are currently offering 4% back at Sephora.

Also, If you have a credit card that offers cash back, you may be able to earn extra cash back rewards when you shop through a link on their website. I have a Chase Freedom card that gives 1% cash back on all purchases, but right now through their rewards program they are offering an additional 5% back at Sephora.

Discount Gift Cards - There are several websites where you can buy gift cards at a discount. My favorite one is Raise.com. I was able to score a Sephora e-giftcard at a discount that I used during the sale. It is so easy to use. Once you purchase the gift card they provide you with the gift card number to use when shopping online.


The great thing about this event is you can shop in-store or online as many times as you want within the 4 day sale and get 20% off your order every time.

Happy Shopping!

Glam Glow Masks, Worth the Hype?

Today I'm talking about the ever-popular Glam Glow Masks. These items are certainly a splurge. Each full size mask costs a whopping $69! Does big money yield big results? Are these worth the hype? I was lucky enough to receive these three in a holiday gift set last Christmas. I've been testing them out for a while now and wanted to share my thoughts.

Supermud Clearing Treatment

This a mud mask that Glam Glow describes as being skin-clearing. It draws out dirt and congestion from the skin with Activated-X Charcoal while brightening and softening the skin with a six-acid blend. In short, I love this stuff. I use it once a week on my whole face for about 20 minutes. As soon as I rinse it off I notice a difference. It minimizes my pores, shrinks blackheads and starts to dry up any active breakouts. My skin also feels slightly tighter after using. Not in an uncomfortable way, but it may be the pore minimizing at work. The final result is my skin is left feeling soft and smooth, which was surprising for me as I'm dry and acne treatments usually leave my skin clearer but leave behind dry patches. This one is a win-win!

Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment

This is an exfoliating mud mask that Glam Glow describes as providing gentle resurfacing exfoliation to smooth and brighten skin as well as providing tighter skin and pores for a more youthful appearance. This one is a 10 minute mask that delivers a tingling effect during application. I did notice that this mask also provided the skin tightening, pore minimizing effect that I got from the Supermud but I'm not the biggest fan of the tingling sensation. My skin is sensitive and the tingle is strong and almost feels a bit burning. My skin wasn't red or irritated when I rinsed it off so it wasn't actually burning me but it made me nervous. I did appreciate the exfoliating aspect while rinsing it off but it was a bit gritty and I prefer a more gentle exfoliant. On the whole, this mask was a miss for me.

Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment

Glam Glow describes this mask as a hydrating mud treatment that moisturizes, restores, replenishes and calms the skin, leaving is silky, soft and supple. It can be applied in a thin layer for daytime use or generously applied as an overnight mask. I like to use this as an overnight hydrating treatment. I apply it before I go to bed and then rinse off any excess in the morning. I've been using this all winter to combat dry, flaky skin. It does wonders for re-hydrating my face and leaves my skin smooth and healthy as if I've just gotten a facial. It also smells amazing with a cocoa-butter, tropical-type smell. It is one of those products that is a joy to apply and actually does what it claims.

Final Thoughts

The standout products for me are the Supermud and Thirstymud masks. In my experience these masks actually perform as described and don't irritate my skin. The biggest drawback to these is the price. While I do love the Supermud and Thirstymud that $69/each price tag is a killer. I'd recommend getting a set like this that has 1 full sized product and two deluxe samples. This one was a holiday set where you got a full sized Thirstymud and a deluxe sample of the Supermud and Youthmud for the $69. This particular set isn't available anymore but Sephora does have a similar set available now. Also, the Youthmud and Thirstymud are sold in travel sizes which are $19 if you are looking to try them out before taking the plunge on the full size.

I hope this was helpful if you are on the fence about purchasing any of these masks. What do you think about the Glam Glow masks?

Shop this post:

Youthmud
Thirstymud
Supermud
Get Glowing Set

Sephora Beauty Before Brunch VIB Rouge Event & Haul

Yesterday I attended the "Beauty Before Brunch" Sephora VIB Rouge event. Being a VIB Rouge means you've spent a certain shameful amount of money at Sephora and they reward you with fun little perks like early access to the VIB 15% off sale.

I'd never been to one of these events before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was greeted at the door by an employee with a clipboard who checked my name off the guest list and then directed me to the back of the store where they were serving coffee and refreshments. It was a closed-door event so it wasn't open to the public, which made it much more intimate without having to push through crowds.

Going into the event I knew I wanted to check out the skincare. My skin is getting insanely dry again and I wanted to test out some new moisturizers. While I was browsing, one of the skincare specialists approached me and let me know they were offering free mini facials, so I jumped at the chance. We discussed my skin concerns and she did a full application and tutorial for me. It was very relaxing and informative, what a treat!

Here's what I bought:

I got a backup of my beloved Rosebud Salve, as my current one is on it's last leg. I picked up another shade of YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in #8 Fetish Pink. The color is a bright rosy pink, perfect for spring. Lastly, I wanted to try Urban Decay's new Naked Skin Concealer. It is supposed to be a full coverage concealer that is weightless on the skin. I'll let you know what I think as I test it out.

Another perk of attending the Beauty Before Brunch event was the goody bag! They gave everyone a foldover clutch filled with samples. I was most excited about getting a full size Formula X nail polish! The color is Paramount, a sage gray. I don't have any colors like this in my collection so I'm excited to try it out. The other standout was a deluxe sample of the Buxom Full on Lip Cream in Pink Lady. I have one of these glosses in the shade White Russian, it's a nice opaque lip gloss without any shimmer so I'm excited to try another color.

The skincare specialist that did my mini facial also sent me home with a sample of First Aid Beauty's Overnight Radiance Mask. I used it last night and it is amazing! It left my skin fully quenched and my dry skin showed such an improvement this morning when I woke up. I will be purchasing the full size for sure! I also cashed in some of my points and picked up the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. I haven't tried it yet but thought it would be great for Travel this summer and I threw it in my toiletry bag. 

Overall, I had a great experience at the Beauty Before Brunch event and came home with some great items. I didn't pull the trigger on any of the skincare items I tried because I wanted to read about them first. I do have a few in mind that I've added to my online shopping cart to purchase sometime this week. The 15% off sale is going on now for VIB Rouge Members (discount code is ROUGELOVE) through 4/21 and it starts 4/16 for VIB members. 

What's on your wish list for the spring VIB sale?

Shop this post:

Coming Up Roses

There's nothing more timeless and elegant that a bouquet of fresh cut roses. Aside from the beautiful smell, roses also posses many beauty-enhancing benefits. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, they contain soothing and nourishing qualities that help moisturize dry skin. They've also been known to stimulate collagen production to help fight aging. It's no wonder I began to notice that many of my standout beauty favorites have incorporated Roses.

Here's a roundup of my favorite rose products that will instantly transport you to the garden:

Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream

This is a gel-based eye cream that provides an instant burst of hydration. It is described as being able to provide up to 30 hours of continuous moisture. I use this as my day eye cream as it has a very light texture that absorbs quickly. It's one of those products that is just a joy to apply. It smells so good and my skin feels refreshed and awake after applying.

Rosebud Salve

This lip balm has a cult following and I can see why. It's a simple, moisturizing balm that isn't too thin or too thick. It provides a burst of moisture and a light shine to the lips that stays with you for hours. I use this every morning as the first step in my makeup routine and then again at night before I go to bed. It is very affordable at only $6 per tin and of course, it has a lovely light rose scent.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

This facial spray is formulated with aloe, herbs and rosewater. It's described as a pick me up for dehydrated, tight and uncomfortable skin. I use this in two ways: as my toner after washing my face and also here and there throughout the day to add some moisture back into my skin and wake it up. I wouldn't call it a setting spray as I don't think it extends the wear of my makeup, but it does leave a beautiful finish and takes down the powdery appearance making my skin look healthy.

Lush Rose Queen Bath Bomb 

You haven't experienced a great bath until you've tried a Lush Bath Bomb. Once you drop into the tub, sit back and relax as it bubbles and fizzes dispersing rose blossoms, petals and a beautiful rose fragrance throughout the tub, leaving you skin oh so soft. An added benefit, it turns your bathwater pink! Enjoy with a glass of Rosé and embrace the Lisa Vanderpump in you.

Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne

After enjoying the rose scents in a lot of my beauty products, I thought why not get a rose scented perfume? This one from Jo Malone is a clean and simple scent that truly smells like a soft bouquet of roses through all the notes. It is also very long-lasting compared to some of the other Jo Malone colognes I've tried. It's a very feminine and timeless scent.

Seems like everything's coming up roses in the beauty world these days. Have you been gravitating towards a specific scent lately?


Shop this Post:

Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne
Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream
Rosebud Salve
Mario Badescu Facial Spray
Lush Rose Queen Bath Bomb

Winter Skin Saviors

Its no secret that Boston has been having a brutal winter. Besides the endless snow and winter woes, this season poses a new set of threats to your skin. The frigid temps, high winds and intense dry indoor heating can leave your skin parched, flaky and irritated.

I suffer from dry skin, especially on my forehead, year-round, but it kicks into high gear in the winter. This winter in particular has been especially terrible for my skin. Dry patches are also showing up on my cheeks and chin. I knew it was time to change up my skincare routine. Here are the products that have been helping to soothe my skin:

Nivea A Kiss of Smoothness Lip Balm

This is my daytime lip balm that I keep in my purse. I love this balm, because as the name suggests, it glides on smoothly and doesn't irritate my lips. There's no dragging or tugging, it just feels amazing to apply and it gives my lips a burst of moisture.

ELF Lip Exfoliator

This stuff is my tried and true. It isn't as nourishing as when I make my olive oil and sugar scrub but it is easy and mess free. I keep it in my medicine cabinet and use it about once a week to keep chapped lips at bay. Its gentle enough that I can use it every few days if my lips are going through a dry spell.

Yes to Grapefruit Facial Scrub

I have to be careful with facial scrubs, the more rough ones leave my skin red and irritated. This one is oh so gentle and smells amazing. It is marketed as being gentle enough to use daily. While I don't use it everyday, I use it every other day in the shower and it does a great job at sloughing away the dry patches without making my skin mad at me.

Mario Badescu Caviar Night Cream

This is a thick and luxurious night cream that is a godsend to very dry skin. I put this on at night after moisturizing and toning. It does take a long time to sink in and you do look like a grease slick after applying so I can see why this is a nighttime-only cream. When I wake up my skin is nourished and glowing and I can see a vast improvement in my dry patches.

Lush African Paradise Body Conditioner

This is an in-shower body lotion. After cleansing, I slather this on my body, as I would my hair conditioner, and then rinse it off. Some people have reported that after using this they no longer need to use their regular body lotion. Although I don't find this to be the case for me, I do notice that my skin is much more comfortable after getting out of the shower. Usually my skin starts to itch and beg for lotion as soon as I dry off. When I use this, my skin is much more calm and I don't feel like I have to hurry up and put lotion on. Another thing I've noticed is an improvement in my eczema. During the winter I get a few patches of eczema on my legs. I have a prescription steroid cream but I don't like to have to constantly use that. I've noticed that since using this product, my eczema isn't totally cleared up but its definitely looking better and its not as itchy.

Humidifier

The most effective step in my winter skincare has been incorporating a humidifier. About a month ago, my skin was at it's worst point. Regular exfoliating and moisturizing wasn't cutting it, so I knew I needed to try something different. Growing up, I remember my parents having this big beast of a humidifier that they used to run at night outside the bedrooms to help put some moisture back in the air during the winter. I decided to capitalize on this idea and picked up this little guy at Target. I love it because its small enough to fit on my bedside table so that the vapors are directly hitting my face. I have to tell you that it really works! Since I've been sleeping with my humidifier on I've seen such an improvement in my skin and I'm no longer getting those out of place dry patches.


I hope this gives you some ideas on how to change up your skincare to keep your skin moist and healthy during the winter. Do you have any fixes for dry winter skin?

Shop this Post:

Nivea A Kiss of Smoothness Lip Balm
ELF Lip Exfoliator
Yes to Grapefruit Facial Scrub
Mario Badescu Caviar Night Cream
Lush African Paradise Body Conditioner
Humidifier