Sephora VIB Sale Haul - did I get all products I wanted?

*purchased by me*

Finally ! I got all my packages and now I can show you all what I was able to get from the Sale that Sephora had by the end of April. This will be a shorter post, just showcasing my haul. Any reviews and swatches will be posted after I get a chance to play with the products. 

If you remember before the sale I posted my wish list and I was trying to stick to it and buy what I wanted but we all know that's not the case hahah

Here is the link to my wish list post. 

and here is my haul :) I am crazy coz I spend a lot of money! and even after the sale was over I went ahead and purchased Tom Ford palette and 2 Marc Jacobs lipsticks (they won't be included here tho). 

• Marc Jacobs See-Quins Glam Glitter Eye shadow in shade Glamethyst and Copperazzi. 
• Farsali Unicorn Antioxidant Lip Mask 

• Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas
• YSL Touche Elcat Blur Primer 
• Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Palette
• Too Faced Born This way Natural Nudes Palette

• Marc Jacobs Air Blush In the shade Night Fever&Hot Stuff
• Marc Jacobs Steeletto Eye Shadow Palette 

• Hourglass Ambient Metalli Strobe Lightning Palette
• Natasha Denona Metropolis Palette 

So as you can see I kinda stuck with my list. The only "addition"were the last two: Hourglass and Natasha Denona, and ND palette being the most expensive. I added both last minute tbh. I wanted Hourglass palette but it was going in and out of stock.. finally one day I found it to be in stock so I added in my cart along with Metropolis Palette ($130 reg price but with discount it dropped to $112 just for ND palette). 

My damage during this sale was $463.27 😥  ($102.34 for Tom Ford and MJ lipsticks not included)

Sephora VIB Sale ~ My Wishlist

Its this time of year again!!! Right after throwing my money out at Ulta (haul is coming soon), its time for Sephora to have their annual Spring Saving event. 

So for that I have my wish list ready :)

Trust me there is way more then this! Hahah :) 

• YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer - I had  and still have sample if this primer and I been loving it for years. Hopefully this will be the year that i will get a full size of it. 
• Marc Jacobs - See-quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadow - Glamethyst and Copperazzi - I think these were the ones I swatched a while back and fell in love . They are on sale now for $19 and if they are still in stock when the sale arrives they price will be much lower :)
• Farsali Unicorn Antioxidant Lip Mask - everyone is talking about it:) Its on sale now and I hope this price will be still available on 17th :) 
• Ole Hendriksen Balance It All Kit- I had moisturizer from this line a while back and it was really good :) This series is oily skin friendly so why not :)
• Marc Jacobs Air Blushes - the pictured shade is already sold out :( they are on sale now for $29 . and two more shade available as I write this. Lets see if there will be any left :)

• Charlotte Tilbury - B**** Perfect Lipstick 
• Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Medium Lipstick
• Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic blush - Pillow Talk Intense 
• Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas
• Sephora Favorites sets - lip balms (2 full sizes)
• Sephora Favorites set hydration (1 full size)

• Huda Beauty mini nude obsession palettes :) - loving the tones in them 
• Nars After Glow Overlust Cheek palette 

• Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk palette - I freaing need it :) 
• NARS Afterglow Eye shadow palette 
• Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes Eye shadow Palette
• Natasha Denona Mini Retro Glam Palette 

SO that would be it. but who know maybe I see some other products I want :)

What you been loving in Sephora lately? Let me know so maybe I can grab it as well :)

Hugs- Monica 

New Products Alert- Naturally Serious "Illumi-Nation Anti-Fatigue Power Serum"

*pr sample* 

*BrandBacker post*

Guys! New product alert! @naturallyserious skin care just  launched Online new product - Illumi-Nation Anti-Fatigue Power Serum! and boy its good! Let me tell you a bit about the brand in case you haven't heard of them :) "Naturally Serious takes your skin seriously! We are who we say we are. 

Cleanly & ethically developed without BS, our products combine 

powerful natural ingredients with cutting-edge technology for clinically

advanced results." They are a clean beauty and you can find their products at Sephora. I actually was planning to stop by to my Sephora after work one of the days but oh men, my job this week was insane! But anyways lets talk about this gorgeous looking bottle and well miracle inside it. First the bottle and the whole presentation is beautiful! Its a glass and have a pump, what a life saver! right?! 

 

Brand says that "

This glossy, super anti-aging formula effortlessly melts into skin for a dewy, glass-skin radiance. Targeting the stress in your skin to reduce wrinkles in just 24 hours, Illumi-Nation transforms your appearance, smoothing, hydrating, and leaving skin with a brighter, healthy finish.

We are cleanly made, ethically developed and clinically tested. Naturally Serious merges powerful anti-oxidants with a proprietary complex of natural actives. Together, these clinically tested ingredients help repair past skin damage, promote cell renewal and strengthen skin’s moisture barrier. What does this mean for you? Effective protection against UV rays, pollution and premature aging - and brighter, younger-looking skin that glows from within.

 

And I agree with everything! This balm instantly melts into the skin and it has a gel like consistency. Its such a pleasure to work with it. My skin really feels and looks better. I live in NYC and to have anti-pollution skin care in my routine is a life saver. My skin after a week and half of using it look so much more awake! Much brighter and healthier. The serum smell amazing too!  Beautiful natural fragrance. Most importantly the product contains anti-pollution blend of 6 antioxidants (pomegranate, goji berry, grape seed, green tea, red tea and white tea).
All Naturally Serious skin care products are free of paraben, mineral oil, sulfates, drying alcohol, artificial colors, artificial fragrance, silicone, etc.Highly recommend checking them out! I am already eyeing two more products that I really want get my hands on it :)

Introducing HELLO FAB Bendy Avocado Concealer and HELLO FAB Kona Eye Stick by First Aid Beauty aka The best concealer I tried in 2018

*pr sample*

There is nothing better then a good concealer :) don't you agree?

I like trying new concealers. Right now I been loving Colourpop Cosmetics Filter Concealer, and I have on my wish list Born This Way and Shape tape :)

First Aid Beauty was kind enough to send over this awesome PR package full with their new launch! Hello Fab Bendy Avocado Concealer and Hello Fab Kona Eye Stick. Back in the summer. 

Quickly I give you my two cents on both products, although I didn't wear much makeup in the summer. It is just so hot and humid in NYC, I just can't. As soonest I got out I have a sweat /water dripping all over.  I only put on a tinted moisturizer and SPF. But I did find time to try these two new products. And I continued to use them through out Fall time until now.
This is the best concealer that I had tried past year. It is so good! no creasing no caking, Blends so good!

* Hello FAB Bendy Avocado Concealer ~ Flexible. skin nourishing. Super food infused looks and acts like a second skin, providing weightless full coverage, that moves with a complexion without cracking, creasing or caking. The concealer is formulated specifically for the delicate eye area and are perfect for anywhere on the skin for touch ups. The concealer is packed with nourishing, clean ingredients including avocado oil, vitamin E and mushroom extract., to help hydrate, condition and soothe, plus caffeine to help diminish under eye puffiness and dark circles. The build-able makeup meets skincare formulation covers blemishes, blurs imperfections and combats the dark circles. 

I really really enjoy this concealer. It is really good and it did survive in this humid city hahah . I agree that it hydrates and that work with the skin like one. Great coverage, great price, but the shade selection not so great. We live in the world that we need a shade for every one of us.  There is total of 7 shades, two dark and 5 light... I would think that you don't want WOC wear your products?  Some companies  can afford to launch 40 shades of foundations and concealers and I am pretty sure you can too. So please take that for consideration. I really like the concealer and I work with dark skin ladies and I would love to recommend it to them :) Since they always ask me whats good in makeup :)

Concealer available at Sephora and Sephora.com, Prcie $22

* Hello FAB Kona Eye Stick ~ Hydrate, de-puff and prime. Give tired eyes a instant pick-me up. The cooling, invigorating three in one stick hydrates and de-puffs the under eye area while simultaneously working as a makeup gripping primer, to perfect and prep the skin for smooth concealer and shadow application.  Infused with super food Kona coffee to diminish the appearance of puffiness and dark circles, along with aloe water and cucumber to deliver cooling aqua-burst sensation. The radiance boosting balm effortless melts into the skin for wide eyed, well rested look. 

This stick is so good and works so well with the concealer. Love the cooling effect and love the way it brightness the under eye area.  Definitely it gives life to my eyes and brings radiance. 

Available at Sephora and Sephora.com , Price $24

. I do recommend both and when your at Sephora, go check them out. But please First Aid Beauty try to come up with more shades coz it truly is an amazing concealer and everyone should have a chance to try it. 

My Makeup Wish List ~ Xmas Edition

Hi Loves, 

Only once I post of my makeup wish list and surprisingly it helped get what I wanted. I believe it was 2 years ago and I bought majority products for the list :) So why not create another one :)

This is list more of a high end. All products are available either at Sephora or Ulta.
I am thinking of doing a drugstore wish list or just makeup/skin care kits gift guide, as I saw many worth getting.

Here is my little wish list. Lets start with lip products:

As you can see few products I been wanting to get:
* Pat Magrath lipsticks been dying to try for so long. Sephora right now carry these two mini sets for only $25 each :)
* Anastasia Beverly Hills Metallic lips set. I saw the swatches and I fell in love :) again minis and only $25
* Mac Cosmetics I need this metallic red! I always get one or two lippies from any MAC LE collections :)
* CT lipsticks : Pillow Talk + matching lip liner, B*tch Perfect and Walk of Shame
* Cute CT liquid lippie set :) another great way to try her liquid lipsticks without spending fortune
* Laneige Sleeping lip mask set! I saw this the other day at Sephora and ugh almost got it.

Eyeshadow Palettes

So colorful! As you can see and will see more below I am an eyeshadow hoarder. I just need them all. I love plying with all different palettes. These are some new and some older palettes that are currently available at Sephora and Ulta Beauty.

* Urban Decay Cherry and Elements Palette
* ABH Sultry Palette
* Kevyn Aucoin Nude Pop, I did love the Electo POP from last year!
* Violet Voss cute palettes and only $18 each. I also need to get Hashtag and Like a Boss Palettes
* Natasha Denona The Gold Palette, its a question mark as I dunno if I can drop $130 on a palette, The smaller one is only $25
* Too Faced two mini one is at Sephora and the other a Ulta and the beautiful Gingerbread Palette

 Huda Beauty Obsession palettes. I want them all as I don't own any. The only one I don't feel like getting it, is the very bright colorful one. Sorry don't remember all the names.

Face Products 

A lot going on here :) Some Mac some NARs some Too Faced.
The Samshbox primer set is amazing! I bought one last year and I really enjoyed it.
All Nighter is a must have setting spray. Period.
Benefit palette is old but I still don't own it. Marc Jacobs new highlighter, again dunno if I will get it as the shade (swatched) is very dark and very gold on my skin tone. Going to Sephora and see if I can put it on my face and then make my decision.

Marc Jacobs

Yes the O!Mega bronzer still available at Sephora online. Need this baby!
Highlighting drops, yes been wanting the lighter one for like a year or even more. About time to get it.
The new eyeshadow glittery gels! OMG These are the shades I want! OMG you must go to Sephora and play with them! Beautiful and so glittery and $28 each !!!!! God Why!?!


What on your Holiday Wish List?

New! Urban Decay Cosmetics ~ Naked Cherry and Elements Palettes ~ Sneak Peek

I don't often post sneak peeks but I could not help myself!

Imagine your day, sitting at work, busy like hell, thinking ... let me check my IG and see how my pictures doing. You open your Instagram and the fist thing you see is the new  Urban Decay Elements palette! <3 I had hearts in my eyes! I had to show my coworker coz he asked my why I was holding my breath LOL! It is stunning and well it will be mine! 

I quickly reposted and went back to work. 

Now I have a bit of time to really see the palette and the colors. I love it! I just hope the colors are pigmented and blend-able. I really can't wait for it to hit the shelves coz I need to swatch it! 

Take a look 

Like an hour later, Trendmood posted a new Naked palette by UD ~ Naked Cherry! We all heard the sad news that very first Naked palette is being discontinue... Thank God, Ulta beauty had it in stock and I was able to order it. NOw back to Cherry palette :) loving the packaging and the cherries! How adorable! And the shades in the palette look really pretty and kinda remind me of AHB Modern Renaissance palette. Btw I today I bought NORVINA palette and can't wait to play with it. 

Cherry palette is the reason that I NEED to ask my boss for a rise. Dude! all the new Holiday makeup will dry my bank account! for sure!

I also saw a pic of Cherry makeup spray, so I am  guessing there will be a full cherry collection :)

What are your thoughts on both palettes?

will you pass? will you buy?

* Pictures are from taken from Allure, Trendmood and UkMakeupNews  

Kevyn Aucoin Electropop Palette ~ swatches

*pr sample*

Hi Loves! 

Again I am so thankful for Octoly for having in their free store Kevyn palette and Kevyn Aucoin for accepting me and sending it over :) 

This palette is life! Yes I might say that about all the palettes lately but come on just look at this beauty! Look at all the electric shades! and it definitely made in my top 5 eyeshadow palettes releases last year. 

This year I want to grow my Kevyn Aucoin collection. There is a lot of products that I really want to try. I already own their Neo Trio, that I can stop raving about it and got my coworker purchase it. Their Expert Mascara is wonderful, works great with their eyelash curler. Last year I went to 260 Sample Sale that was holding sample sale for Kevyn products :) I bought few, but I have not yet try them. Just wished I could went there early and well bring more cash with me hahaha. I ended up spending over $70 and I say it was a money well spend. 

Now back to the palette :) Its a limited edition filled with 12 beautiful metallic-y shades.  Neutrals and pops of color, yes give it all to me. The shadows feel lightweight and the texture is creamy, buttery almost gel like. The best color pay off is to apply with a finger. They blend nicely and there is minimum to no fall out. I am in love with almost all the shades. There is one that is kinda sheer, but still workable. The shade I am most impressed by is the back. That must be the most beautiful and most pigmented black shade I have ever seen. I usually hate black in the palettes coz they so patchy and non workable, but this, this you guys was send from heavens for all mua's to enjoy.  It is also a great base for all the other shadows. Just simply layer it over the black for the color to pop! I forgot to mention that black have a satin finish. 

* Light ~  light gold with metallic sheen
* Beam ~ medium gold with yellow undertones
* Ultraviolet ~ medium mauve
* Charge ~ golden brown
* Switch ~ fuchsia pink 
* Laser ~ medium pink (very sheer)
* Heat ~ coppery red

* Fuse ~ plum, contains glitter
* Amp ~ metallic teal
* Impulse ~ deep blue
* Hardwire ~ purple with blue undertones
* Blackout ~ satin deep black. (the best black shadow I have work with)

Overall I am really loving the shades and the palette. It one of the best metallic palettes out there. I have not buy UD Heavy Metals coz the colors didn't call for me, but this totally did. I am happy that it is in my collection and I cant wait to play more with it. This is perfect sidekick palette to all matte palettes :) I have few matte palettes that miss those pop of colors or just shimmers. I like sparkle and shimmer on my eyes :) 

*Disclaimer. Palette was send to me for review by Kevyn Aucoin and Octoly. Opinions are my own.

Urban Decay Naked Heat ~ Worth the splurge? Swatches + review

I remember when Urban Decay released first photos of new Naked palette. And I remember reading many unhappy comments. That palette like this was done already, another warmed tone palette and what is UD thinking of coming up with a palette that no one will buy? Coz let's be honest how many warmed tone palette do we need? 

 when I saw the shadows in the palette I was on the fence. They were not my cup of tea. So I said to myself : passed. But, later on when I went to Sephora and saw it on the display, guess what ? I bought it!

 I could not help myself.  It spoke to me on so many levels. How could I say no to all these gorgeous terracotta shadows housed and very pretty packaging. I like warm shades so I could not passed on it. there is a mix of mattes and shimmers in the palette. All shades are nicely pigmented.  Except of En Fuego and Ashes I found these two were lacking of the pigment. They both can be build up tho. Scorched and Ember are my two favorites. I get nuts when it comes to shimmers :) 

I kinda wish for a bit more darker shades in the palette, like maybe darker chocolaty brown? Coz I feel like when applying shadows on the lid they all mash up together. Like I we need a little darker for more definition. 

Shades in the palette:

* Ounce ~ soft cream with slight shimmer

* Chaser ~ Light beige brown. 

* Sauced ~ matte tan,

* Low Blow ~ light brown matte.

* Lumbre ~ burnt peach with gold shimmer, so freaking pretty

* He Devil ~ medium reddish brown. 

* Dirty Talk ~ medium -dark coppery brown 

*Scorched ~ oh my favorite , bronzy red metallic 

* Cayenne ~ dark brown with warm undertones. 

* En Fuego ~ reddish brown. really pretty but my is not pigmented enough.

* Ashes ~ purple plum with brown undertones, same as En Fuego not pigmented enough. 

* Ember ~ dark bronzy brown metallic. 

Personally I am really happy with the palette. the shimmery - metallic shades look better applied with wet brush or even a finger. Palette is prefect for either day and night looks. Was it worth the splurge? for me most definitely. I am a UD fan and their palette are amazing.  And as a makeup collector I need Heat palette with her sisters. I can tell I will be using it more toward Fall. Summer I like my makeup light and colorful. This palette scream Fall to me than Summer. 

If you are a warm tones shadow lover or over all love UD palettes, get Heat palette. It is all up to you. If you think you will get a lot use out of it then what is topping you? 

you can get it from Sephora, Ulta Beauty , UD webiste.

Price $54 

Sunday Riley U.F.O face oil and Martian Toner ~ new in my skin care

*pr sample*

Hi beauties!

This post been long coming. it was supposed to be up last month, but because of my chaotic schedule I had to postpone it. 

I love good skin care and Sunday Riley is one of the best I tried so far. Their two otherworldly products UFO and Martian became my favorites! 

The Martian Toner I owned before in a sample size (100pts Sephora perk) and I fell in love with the first application. later, when i received a full size product form Sunday Riley I was so happy! 

I was send both UFO Oil and Martian toner that targets oily/acne skin concerns. 

As a not so proud owner of a oily skin, both products were lifesavers.

Martian Mattifying  Melting Water Gel Toner , gosh thats a one long name! I call it Martian Toner
:) simple and easy hehehe. As I mention before I got a sample size at Sephora a while back. Sunday Riley was the skin care brand that was praised by bloggers all over the world. I stumbled upon so many blog posts and read so many great reviews on their products. When I saw it Martian toner at 100pts sephora perk I decided to get it. First off I wanted to see if the hype was real, coz let e honest the price point is rather high! And I am that kind of person who don't like to purchase a cosmetics or any other product and than return it. Anyways , back to the toner. I was actually sold on word mattifying. For us oily skin people mattifying is important :) We don't want to look like a grease ball right? This toner is not like any other toner I used before. It have a unique gel to water formula.  

What I mean by that is that it comes out in a gel formula and once you massage in the skin it changes to water and it sinks fast. It have a cooling effect and mattifies instantly. It can be used morning and night. I personally prefer morning. It creates a great base for foundation and it keeps my skin matte throughout the day.  Available here $55 (4.4oz)

Key ingredients :

* Bendonite Clay ~ mattify and reduce size of pores

* Marshmallow extract ~ reduce redness and soothe irritation

* Cucumber and Witch Hazel ~ tone and tighten

* Manuka Leaf Oil ~ natural antibacterial properties that help fights breakouts

U.F.O that stands for Ultra Clarifying Face Oil, ok so I became on facial oil junkie, thanks to Jamey! She is my inspiration. I can read her blog on skin care and look through her IG page all day. She is the one who got me more into skin care. 

I was a bit skeptical to oils at first. Come on I have an oily skin and why on earth would I put more oil on? Well some oils work wonders and they help to balance the skin :) Just like this one . UFO oil I simply adore you. This oil is meant to fight acne, breakouts and blackheads. It has 1.5% salicylic acid, tea tree oil and black cumin seed oil to help fights acne with out over drying It also have licorice root and hexyresrcinol, both natural ingredients to brighten a dull skin. 

Oil have a thick consistency and have a very pleasant herbal scent. And you guys its green! Now i get the idea with name UFO :) its does look like it came to me form other planet . 

 I prefer using it night time. After cleaning and moisturizing my face I drop few droplets on my palms and massage into the skin. It soaks imminently and leaves my ski hydrated and smooth. After using it for few weeks straight I notice that my face is less greasy in the morning and my pores are smaller :)  Available here $80 (1.18floz/35ml)

thanks to both products I got my acne under control.