Sephora Holiday 2022

Where are my last minute people? I

 mean the people who are running to the mall between now up to Saturday looking for gifts for that special family member that loves to beautify themselves! 

Sephora has some cute picks this season.

The price point is good- The quality is good -The accessibility is good. 

In yearly, tradition I was gifted some Sephora goodies to try out and get a head start on shopping for me.. LOL! 

Best Sephora Collection Holiday Picks Under $50

A Christmas gift from Sephora is a must. If you're on a budget Sephora collection is an awesome option. I religiously buy their eyeliner, lip glosses and make up brushes. The holiday's is a great way to try out their items. You can get affordable sets which you can gift or keep for yourself! Check out my gift guide to see a few amazing Sephora Collection items under $50.

Holiday: Beauty Advent Calendar Love

Oh, it’s time ladies! This is probably one of my favourite times of year for make up. My issue is always when to buy. One of the cons about gift sets/advent calendars is that if it really popular... it sells out quick! When I was new to the make up game, I would always wait until it was closer to Christmas to actually go out and purchase the item. Guess what? It was gone by then. 

I finally had the opportunity to get two Beauty Advent for the first time this year! 

The Winter Wonderland advent calendar from Sephora Collection ($56 CAN) 

was the first one I opened. 

Best Sephora Collection Holiday Picks Under $15

Budget is the main word I see coming out of a lot of people’s mouth this season. And you know what? I don’t blame them! For me, I rather get more products for my buck. So instead of getting someone one gift for $50- I rather put together multiple items. I say this all the time but one of the best hidden gems at Sephora is their Sephora collection. 

I was actually sent a few Sephora collection Holiday goodies and I picked five products which I feel any beauty lover would be grateful for!

20 Sephora Sale Options you Need Right Now

It's that time again! 

The Sephora Sale is here!

I've been eyeing so many things right now.

It's so hard not to go in there and buy EVERYTHING with my AMEX card.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powder + Swatches

Do you remember in 2009 when pigments were the biggest thing? I remember getting those large containers and hardly making a dent in the jar. Then people started to press them and the hype of pigments kinda died down...

Fast forward to 2017 and I have seen the use of pigments/powders starting to get popular again. My favourite look is a smokey eye with some gold pigment patted on top. Or maybe even a metallic green. So many options!!!

Five Last Minute Sephora Gift Ideas

Today was the first day I actually went go buy presents and it wasn't bad. You know I had to stop in Markville mall and pop into Sephora too. A lot of Holiday goodies are still available! Did you see my Sephora Collection Shine and Sparkle post from yesterday. I'm still in awe of the PRO brush set!
A definite must have. 

MAKE UP FOR EVER Water Blend Face & Body Foundation- SWATCH

It’s time for me to update my Easy Women of Colour Foundation Guide by adding MAKE UP FOR EVER Water Blend Face & Body Foundation ($54.00 CDN) to the mix.

My Sephora Beauty Insider Sale Top Five Picks!

It's that time again! 

My favourite beauty time of the season: The Sephora Beauty Insider Sale! I could live in Sephora! It's EVERYTHING! The range there is insane.. especially as a Woman of Colour. I'm able to find products there that I cannot find in the drugstore. On top of that, there are multiple individuals who can help me find my shade or to find a product that will work best skin concerns. 

Every time I go in for one thing.. I end up leaving with three. No joke! On social media, I'm always asked what are my top five products that I believe should be purchased from Sephora. It's super hard to choose exactly what you should get but here are five products that you cannot go wrong with.

TOP FIVE:

1

Ole Henriksen power bright™($66.00 CAN)

I'm obsessed with this product. I can't tell you how amazing it makes my skin look after using it.You get that famous Ole Glow. It's a easy three-step system that you can not mess up. It always saves me a trip to Esthetician when things are tight!

2

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Waterproof Eyeliners ($25.00 CAN)

I've been using these daily since July. I actually don't use ANY other liners these are so amazing. Come in five different finishes: Diamond, matte, iridescent, metallic and satiny.

3

Foreo LUNA 2 ($229.00 CDN)

This is an awesome little device which I prefer more than the clarisonic. It delicate and super hygienic. Worth the investment.

4
SEPHORA COLLECTION Skincare Booster - Tired Skin ($14.00 CAN)

This product is perfection in a bottle! Main ingredient is magnesium.
Which can totally brighten your complexion.

5
NUDESTIX Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils ($28.00 CAN)

Super pigmented and long lasting matte pencils that come in a various colours.

What are you getting?

NUDESTIX Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm LUXE & HAVEN

I love NUDESTIX! Their Eyebrow Stylus Pencil & Gel is the ONLY product that I've been using straight for a YEAR! Or their Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils - which have become a staple in my makeup kit because they show up so beautifully on a camera. A lot of people are branching out pf their matte obsession and are trying out products that are more hydrating.  But I currently need products for my clients who prefer more of a natural lip look.

Welcome NUDESTIX Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm ($28.00 CAN).

What's the key word to describe these:

MOISTURIZING

Four must have Ole Henriksen products from Sephora

I'm late on the Ole Henriksen train. I'd always see the brand in Sephora but I wasn't sure if it was for me. After having my first Ole Henriksen facial, seeing the Ole glow and meeting Ole in-person: I'm a believer. He told me I was cute and had great skin. He also give me a few personal skin recommendations plus talked about our love of Naomi Campbell!  I've pretty much tried the whole line. I picked four items that are a MUST haves.... If was trapped on a island these products would HAVE to come with me.

Foreo LUNA 2 facial-cleansing brush + Anti-Aging Device

Skin care is so important to me. It's literally my #1 priority. Whenever my skin is bad, I swear it's like an extreme downer. While some people would cover it with makeup, I go back to my skincare routine. I've been eyeing the Foreo LUNA 2 ($229 CDN) for a long time. Where have you seen a silicone device that uses sonic power before? 

What is it?

The revolutionary designed LUNA 2 is an enhanced T-Sonic™ face brush and anti-aging system that gives you a completely personalized cleansing. 

This device has actually changed my whole skin care routine. It's smooth, hygienic and powerful. It can put out 8,000 T-Sonic (transdermal sonic) pulsations per minute. Which sounds scary but it's very gentle. You never feel like your damaging your skin when you use it. Off topic: I once burned my skin with a brush device-  so I really appreciate how delicate this product is.

This dual-sided device on the other side is used for anti-aging and helps you absorb product into your skin. You can use the lower-frequency pulsations for this task. Within a week my skin of serums, hydration, water plus the foreo my skin was literally back to my teenage years. It was glowing!

How to use it?
1.
Apply your favourite skin care cleanser to your skin.
Wet the device and click the button once to start the cleansing mode.
2.
Glide the cleansing surface(the "brush" side) in circular motions over your skin.
This should last one minute.
3.
Rinse the product off and pat dry your face.
Apply your serum and moisturizer.
4.
Double tap the device to the Anti-Aging mode.
Press it into your wrinkle/fine line areas for one minute.

SHOP

How does it feel?
Extremely gentle on the skin.
With product it glides over the skin effortlessly.

How to clean it?

Easiest way: All you need is soap and water. To dry, pat with a towel.
Foreo also sells a Silicone Cleaning Spray which is also a great option.

Why you should get it?
It's an investment for great skin.
It also comes with a 2-Year Limited Warranty and 10-Year Quality Guarantee.
Lastly one charge gives you 450 uses.

Derek Lam 10 Crosby fragrance collection

This has been the talk of my washroom. I know.. let me explain. My husband and I are finally are having friends over to look at the house. In the my washroom, I have my Derek Lam 10 Crosby fragrance collection ($115.00 CAN) displayed. EVERYONE who sees it needs to know the backstory.

It's a collection of 10 fragrances from experiences on outside of 

Derek Lam’s window at 10 Crosby Street.

10 stories

10 moments

Marc Jacobs Beauty- Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara

This hands down was the BEST PR package I have ever gotten in my life.

Randomly a black box with Marc Jacobs Beauty showed up at my door. 

To my surprise when I opened it- it played a video from Marc Jacobs with a compartment holding a black mascara.

The video was a story about Marc watching his mother apply mascara and the techniques that she used. Which gave birth to the idea for the Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara ($33.00 CAN).

Now this mascara is amazing! 

Definitely one of the best ones that I have tried in while. 

Just look at this brush!

Rich voluminous mascara that gives you the look of wearing falsies.

I'd recommend that you do around three strokes throughout your lashes to get the best effect.

 I'm just in love with really dark formulas. This mascara contains Flash Volume Complex™. It helps to create fullness, length and smudge-proof lashes. Also it's free of: Parabens, Phthalates and Sulfates.

Have you tried this mascara yet?

LANEIGE comes to Canada

Laneige is a Korean skincare brand which recently launched at Sephora. It's inspired by purity and the gift of life. With two decades of research under their belt, they discovered the advantages of skin-perfecting mineral water.

Laneige is meant to do three main things to your skin: hydrate, protect and revitalize!

I fell in love with the line. So many innovative products to try out for the new year! The biggest pros for me is that the line is dermatologist tested, does not test on animals or has any animal-derived ingredients in the skincare.

These three products are most haves for the new year!

Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel ($29.00 CAN)
Gentle exfoliator for smooth skin.
Use it once or twice a week. The coolest part is that it actually contains yogurt: Sogurty™. It's a fermented yogurt that offers your skin anti-inflammatory advances and soothes/calms skin while making collagen production.

More note worthy ingredients:

• For skin polishing there is natural Konjac beads and chestnut extract to remove dead skin
• Extracts of raspberry, blueberry, wolfberry, cranberry and strawberry.
• Multiberry Complex which contains nutrients & antioxidants to protect skin.

How to:

• Wet face
• Massage product all over face
• Rinse off with warm water

Deep Pore Cleansing Foam ($29.00 CAN)
Perfect for deep cleaning! My girls with oil-prone complexions will really benefit from this one. Cleanses your skin without striping it of moisture. It's infused with Melia Azadirachta Extract Water. Which is really good for clogged pores.

More note worthy ingredients:

• Natural Moroccan Clay to absorb oil
• Salicylic Acid as an anti-inflammatory 
• Keratinase is a natural exfoliating enzyme

How-to:

• Dispense it in your hands
• Add water
• Make it lather
• Massage all over face- including problematic areas
• Rinse off with warm water

Brightening Sparkling Water Foam Cleanser ($30.00 CAN)
This product is everything- probably my favourite from all the products I tried! I sound crazy but this product makes washing your face fun. The consistency is a thick foam infused with sparkling water. Optimal for deep cleansing. It's really light and helps clogged pores. Contains five multi-fruit AHA’s that do four things: exfoliate, brighten, detoxify, and purify.

How-to:

• Shake it well
• Dispense the foam in your hands to dry face
• Apply in a circular motion
• Rinse off with warm water

SHOP:

Sephora Collection Gel Gloss Ultra Brilliant Ultra Shine Holographic Lip Gels

What better way is there to doll up for the holidays than with some serious shimmer?

These Sephora lip gels truly do have a 3D, holographic effect, and are the perfect gloss to complete your holiday party look.

They are bold enough to be worn on their own or could be layered over a lipstick (pink or red would look amazing with this) for a glam look. Best of all? They apply well (it has an amazing doe foot application) and they are not sticky. They're also limited edition - so grab them while you can!

Holiday Beauty: Under the Tree

I love this idea!

It's so fun and inexpensive.

I wish my husband would allow me to fill the whole tree with makeup.

Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Extreme! set

As a beauty addict, I have a confession: I am absolutely rubbish at applying false lashes. I can never get the line of glue where I want it to be, and I can never get the falsies close enough to my lash line. I’ve tried a full set, individuals, you name it – I can’t do it.

This set promises lashes that will look just like falsies, without the glue. It comes with two products – a Prime & Seal mascara that primes your lashes and seals in the “falsies” effect (you use this as steps one and three) and Flexistretch Nylon Fibers that offer the “extension” effect (you use this as step one). How does it work? The Flexistretch Nylon Fibers cling to the tips of your eyelashes, providing a lengthening effect. When you reapply the Prime & Seal mascara, the mascara will cover the fibers, making it appear as if your eyelashes are insanely long.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Pro Brushes

It was immediate love when these showed up at my door. 

Where do I start? 

The construction of the brushes, size and bristles are extremely high quality. 

One of the biggest selling features for me is the plastic encasing that it comes with. 

Yes... you can buy something like that separately but it's always so hard to get the perfect fit. 

Overall, I'm extremely impressed. 

Check out the specs on both brushes: 

SEPHORA COLLECTION Pro Airbrush Blender #78
$48.00 CAN

• Pointed head shape.
• Fine synthetic fibers.
• Perfect for high definition coverage.
• Areas like your eyes and nose get blended easily.
• Amazing with liquid foundations but still suitable for powder.

-RO tip: For targeted use, buff in product and then pat and roll product onto the desired area. For full coverage, massage product into skin in a circular buffing motion.

SHOP

SEPHORA COLLECTION Pro Contour Blender #77
$43.00 CAN

• Contour angled shape.
• Fine synthetic fibers.
• Makes contouring easy.
• Works with liquid, powder & cream.

Pro Tip: After makeup application, sweep this brush along the T-zone, jaw, and forehead to create a smooth and blended look.

Have you seen these in Sephora yet?

Last Minute Wants: Sephora Edition

If you're an extremely late shopper like me and are going to attempt to brave the malls tomorrow here are a few items from Sephora which any makeup lover would be glad to get!

Hello Kitty

The Red Bow Beauty Diaries
$33.00 CAN
A diary for the ultimate collector that honors Hello Kitty's 40th Anniversary with 15 pretty surprises—from accessories to makeup collectibles.

Hello Kitty

Ruby Compact Mirror
$30.00 CAN
A collectable Hello Kitty-shaped compact mirror that sparkles in bling with nearly 300 hand-placed jewels in honor of Hello Kitty's 40th Anniversary.

SEPHORA COLLECTION

Gold Star Skinny Brush Set
$49.00 CAN
A colorful five-piece brush set in a flashy, metallic clutch.

tarte
Bon Voyage Collector's Set And Travel Bag
$71.00 CAN
A chic, portable travel bag filled with a collection of limited-edition, oversized must-have beauty essentials for the eyes, lips, cheeks, and complexion.

SEPHORA COLLECTION
Pure Luxury Antibacterial Brush Set
$75.00 CAN
A seven-piece brush set treated with a cutting-edge antimicrobial technology that keeps brushes fresher for longer and is suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

Urban Decay
Full Frontal Lipstick Stash Set
$47.00 CAN
A limited-edition mini lip set loaded with six mini shades of Revolution Lipstick, plus a full-size, 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil.