Sephora Favorites, Great Way To Sample Products

I love samples.  It allows us to try different products from a variety of brands without having to purchase the full size and realizing it's not delivering the results we'd like.  During my recent US trip, I picked up 2 amazing sets from Sephora at what I feel is great value:

Sephora Favorites: Give Me Some Lash, US$30
(Approx. US$4.30/tube)

You get deluxe samples of the following mascaras to try out and they're perfect for travelling or to throw in your purse too.

• Talika Lipocils (0.07oz)
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! in Black (0.1oz)
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash in Black (0.1oz)
• Bare Excentuals Flawless Definition Mascara in Black (0.16oz)
• Smashbox Lash DNA in Jet Black (0.2oz)
• Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black (0.14oz)
• Buxom Lash in Blackest Black (0.2oz)

A set of mascaras like this is great because you get to try out different mascara formulas and find your new favorite.  Plus, since these are mini sized, you won't have to worry about having a lot of product left in the tube come time to chuck them in the trash.

Sephora Favorites: Set For Summer, US$39
(Approx. US$4.30/item + free clear make up bag)

In this set you get 2 full size and 7 deluxe sized samples in a clear plastic zippered make up bag to put your make up in.  I love the selections and variation in this set especially since you can get a complete look with just the products in this set and your own tinted moisturizer/foundation.

• Sephora Collection Mono Eyeshadow in Choco Excess 19 (0.07oz) - Full size
• Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pop (0.20oz) - Full size
• Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Dusk (0.13oz)
• Too Faced Mini Peach Leopard Brightening & Perfecting Bronzer (0.08oz)
• Sephora by OPI in I'm WIred (0.125oz)
• Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment (0.08oz)
• Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Make-Up Base (0.18oz)
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Mascara in Black (0.10oz)
• Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Make-Up Setting Spray (0.34oz)

These sets are limited edition and available at Sephora.com and Sephora outlets.  I'm not too sure if these sets are available in the Asian Sephora stores as I don't have one near me.  Could anyone confirm this?

Photo credits: Sephora.com

Look of the Night: Attending A Wedding

Last night I attended a wedding reception at a local hotel and decided to try out some Real Techniques brushes and my new Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation.  Since I still have my travel make up unpacked, I went ahead and utilized whatever I could find in it for the look (hope you don't mind how tired I look in the photo as it was taken when I got back home from the function).

Benefit B.Right! Radiant Skincare... The Minis

If you've been thinking of trying out the Benefit B.Right! Radiant Skincare line but don't want to invest in the full size products just to end up not quite liking how the product works or finding out that it's not agreeing with your skin, then you're in luck.  On a trip to ULTA while I was in the US, I happened upon these intro kits and felt that this would definitely be the perfect opportunity to try our part of the line without that hefty investment.

Click here for the introduction post for the Benefit B.Right Skincare Line

b.right! Radiant Skincare by Benefit intro kit

3-pc Intro Kit, US$12

• Exfoliator, Refined Finish Facial Polish (8.9g/0.3oz)
• Face cream, Total Moisture Face Cream (3g/0.1oz)
• Face lotion with SPF, Triple Performance Facial Emulsion SPF15 PA++ (8.9ml/0.3fl oz)

b.right! Radiant Skincare by Benefit 6 piece intro kit

6-pc Intro Kit, US$24

• Facial wash, Foamingly Clean Facial Wash (8.9g/0.3oz)
• Exfoliator, Refined Finish Facial Polish (8.9g/0.3oz)
• Toner, Moisture Prep Toning Lotion ()
• Face cream, Total Moisture Face Cream (3g/0.1oz)
• Face lotion with SPF, Triple Performance Facial Emulsion SPF15 PA++ (8.9ml/0.3fl oz)
• Eye cream, It's Potent! Eye Cream (3g/0.1oz)

These mini sets are limited edition and are available on the Benefit webstore, Amazon.com and in selected ULTAs.  Give these a whirl and if you only like one (or all) of the products, the full sized versions are already part of the permanent skincare line.

NOTE: Unfortunately these sets do not ship internationally due to hazmat regulations.

Neutral Palettes For Everyday Make Up

Neutral palettes and earth tones have been make up staples for practically every beauty lover and make up artist out there.  I'm sure even those less inclined in make up would probably own at least 1 neutral palette or own earth tone eyeshadow shades.  From beginners to advanced users, fresh to smoky looks, fair to deep skin tones, these types of palettes are a definite win.

Practically every cosmetic company has their own version of the neutral palette which means, we're pretty much spoilt for choice here and picking one up is only a matter of budget and personal preference.  Check out a few palettes available at varying price points below.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Sigma Eyeshadow
Palette - Bare, $35
Sigma

Whatever your budget, there's bound to be a neutral palette to fit your needs.  Drop by a drugstore, beauty outlet or every your fave departmental store and pick one up.  Have fun with this staple palette!

Photo credits: Target.com, Sephora.com, Walgreens.com, Sigma Beauty

New Product: Sigma Brush Cup Holder

Not to long ago Sigma came out with the Make Me Up collection and a lot of people were excited with the brush cup holder packaging the brushes came in.  Click here for a link to my previous post on the collection.

Now that Sigma owner, Simone, has announced that the they'll be doing away with the brush roll, here comes its little sister, the Brush Cup Holder in its place for the same price of US$20.

Photo courtesy: Sigma

At the moment the product is available only in the classic black but I wouldn't be too surprise if they release the other colors for individual purchase as well.  These oval cylinders consists of 2 parts and snap together to protect your brushes.  Have them placed separately on your vanity/table top as brush cup holders (hence the name) or snap them on to take them on the go.  When you're travelling you can place you clean brushes in one cup and used ones in the other getting them ready for cleaning.

Jewelmint Picks: July 2011

There's been a lot of hype online about Jewelmint and I have to admit there are some beautiful unique pieces on the website. For a subscription/membership fee of US$29.99 a month, you get to choose your favorite piece(s) to be shipped to you.  Each additional piece costs US$29.99 (first piece is included in the subscription/membership fee) and were created/designed by actress Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter. Click here for more information on how it works.  You also have the option to purchase special jewelry pieces where 50% of the proceeds goes to support charitable causes like this.

If you're interested, feel free to click here to join Jewelmint.

Since at the moment the website only ships to the US, I haven't been able to get my hands on the actual jewelry as much as I would definitely love to.  Anyways, I thought why not just share with all of you my top picks of the month (pieces I'd love to buy and not necessarily those suggested to me that month) had I been able to purchase them.

Forever Yours Bracelet

I think that is a beautiful demure piece with a nice combination of silver-, gold- and rose gold-plated finishes and a couple of plates that are perfect for engraving your name and special messages on.