Sephora Haul

Twice a year Sephora does a huge sale.  This year, for the first time, I was able to shop as a Rouge Member.  The sale is now open to Rouge, VIB, and Insider members.  Insider is free to all, VIB and Rouge are earned for spending a certain amount in a given year.  To take advantage, use code SPRINGSAVE Here are the dates and the amount off:

Insider - 10%

April 23 - April 27, 2020

VIB - 15%

April 21 - April 29, 2020

Rouge - 20%

April 17 - May 1, 2020

This year, I used the sale to pick up a couple of items that I was running low on as well as some new items.  

The first thing that I bought was the Sephora Collection Glow Peel Pads.  I use these once a week, usually on Sundays, after I wash my face.  They are super easy to use, basically I take one and rub it all over my face and then following up with my usual serums and moisturizers.

The next item is the BeutyBlender Mini Blendercleasner Solid.  I received a sample of their charcoal one and have been enjoying it.  Looking forward to trying this one.

Makeup-wise I reordered the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and the Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint in Warm Ivory.  I've been using both for a while.  I think that the Photo Finish works great at smoothing my skin under my foundation.  The Hourglass Skin Tint gives me just the right amount of coverage - not too light and not too heavy.

Right before quarantine started I had stopped by a Sephora store and got a couple of sunscreen samples.  The one that I fell in love with is the Supergoop Glow Screen.  I love that it gives me just the right amount of glow and looks great both under foundation and with bare skin. When I use it, it also replaces my primer.

I've been on the hunt for my ride or die mascara.  I had received a sample of the Grande Primer and really like it.  So I decided to buy it and the Grande Drama Mascara to try.  So far, so good.

So that's what I bought in the Spring Haul.  What about you?  Did you buy anything?

Cleaning out my makeup

When we started the bathroom renovation, we went through all of the cabinets in the bathroom and I ended up dumping some stuff on (and around) my makeup table, which was already in desperate need of an overhaul.  There were a number of things that I didn't wear anymore, and didn't see myself wearing in the future.  I also had samples pretty much everywhere.

Stuff from the bathroom

This doesn't look bad, but I was struggling to find stuff in the holder on the right

Samples and my new packet of wipes (I use them on my fingers)

A very messy drawer

Oh my word do I have a lot of mascaras and they were everywhere

This weekend I went through everything, got rid of a lot of things, and reorganized everything else.  Now I can easily find things, and I even have all of my samples grouped together by type.  I did discover that I have a lot of mascaras.  One of these days, I should do a comparison.  I just have to remember to take pictures of me wearing the different ones.

This is the finished product.

Most things are out of the drawer, and it pretty much now just holds some combs, my wipes, the towel that I lay on the table as I'm getting ready and the makeup bag that I take to work.  The hair products that I'm not currently using are tucked behind the mirror and all of the nail polish removers are together.  I even managed to fit all of the mascara in a drawer.

So, am I the only one that collects mascara?  What's your favorite?  How do you organize your makeup?

Loving Lately

Recently I ordered the new Naked Heat Palette from Urban Decay, along with two eyeliners to go along with it.   Let me just tell you that I am loving all three.  And with names like En Fuego and He Devil, they are fun to use as well.

Not the best picture, I really need to figure out the whole selfy thing :)

The eye shadow palette has some gorgeous, warm-toned hues.  What's really great is that you can do a subtle look or a bold one all with the same palette.  Which one I do depends on my mood.  Today I used more of the darker, purple hues, and the other day I did almost a neutral eye.  I'm wearing He Devil in my crease and then on my lid, starting in the corner and going out, I'm wearing Ember, En Fuego and then Ashes.  Finally, I used Ounce for along the brow.

The eyeliners that I picked up are the shades Torch, which is an orangy color, and Alkaline, which is purple.  I'm still using Oil Slick on my upper lid, but have been enjoying using these two on my lower ones, sometimes both at the same time.

Eyebrows

To say that I'm loving the thicker eyebrow look would be an understatement.  There's just something about it that I think frames the eyes so well.  Unfortunately, between genetics and chemo (though thankfully they are growing back in), my eyebrows don't fit the look too well.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to fill in and give yourself that beautiful thick eyebrow look.  I am in love with the eyebrow makeup from Anastasia Beverly Hills.  What I do is a three step process (blush brushing), but it really doesn't take too long.

First I prime with the Brow Primer.

 Next, I use this great brush and the Brow Powder Duo to outline my brows and then fill in.

I do a final fill in with the Brow Wiz.

Some tricks that I learned at Sephora, once you outline the bottom on your brows, use the mascara wand looking side of the brush to brush your eyebrows down and then outline the top.  Once you've outlined the top, brush them back up and then fill.

Shop the post: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer, Brush #14, Brow Powder Duo, and Brow Wiz.