Sephora Mini-Reviews, Part 1.

I hit up the Sephora F&F sale pretty hard but not without a few guidelines:

- Replace staple products
- Replace disgusting old products
- Replace products containing bismuth oxychloride*

Last week I listed the products I'd intended on purchasing and I mostly stuck to that list. I ditched the Tarte powder because I ended up getting a deluxe sample of the MUFE HD powder (which I've used before) and it fills the same purpose.

I also made one small order pre-friends & family so I could take advantage of the sample bag promotion (code: SEASONSET with $25 purchase). I got the "A Bright Night Out" set which was pretty fantastic. Those are some quality deluxe samples, you guys.  Here's what I really liked:

Lancôme HYPNÔSE DRAMA Instant Full Body Volume Mascara

Oooh, this is good stuff. It's not too wet, really volumizing, easy to layer and very, very black. I was delighted with this sample though it does seem like the kind of mascara that dries up quickly. I'm wearing it today and so far, my lashes are looking good. I don't know that I'd buy this though because the price is pretty high.

Marc Jacobs Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl-Sheer in Kissability

Okay, before I review this I want to show you the official product description for the Lip Vinyl: "A champagne grape-infused lip vinyl with a shimmery wash of lust-worthy, sheer-coverage color." Um, yeah. You guys? This is lipgloss. It's a really, really nice lipgloss, but champagne grape-infused? If you say so, Marc. Eye rolling aside, I am really happy with this. It's just a nice, neutral, shimmery lip gloss, the kind of thing you can put on in the car without needing a mirror. It's a bit tingly but not unpleasant or overpowering. I would definitely considering buying this (but probably in one of the darker colors.)

Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer

My tube of Primer Potion was starting to separate, was well over a year old and contains bismuth oxychloride, so I was definitely on the hunt for a new eyeshadow primer. This generous sample tube of Smashbox primer pretty much put a stop to that. So far it's working out just fine, though I haven't tested it thoroughly. So far, so good.

24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil

I was pretty excited about this because I'm starting to lean away from shimmery eyeliner and thought maybe this liner would work for me since I already like the regular 24/7 pencils. However, I'm not really a black eyeliner kinda girl so I wasn't sure how much love this would get from me. However, for blog science I tried it and it's pretty good, though it took a little extra precision to get it right. Then I smudged a little of my favorite purple 24/7 liner over it and YAY. I looked pretty fancy.

Urban Decay Brow Box

This brow box was an impulse purchase but I think we can all agree that it was time for me to ditch my current brow powder, made by Club Monaco Beauty which was discontinued in, like, 2005. Shut up. ANYWAY, I got this little box which includes two powders, brow wax, two teeny tiny brushes and the most adorably useless pair of tweezers ever. So far it's great, though I've been using my own brush because I don't have doll hands. I also love the packaging which is very satisfying and attractive. Hey, packaging is important.

That's it for now! I'll have a few more items to review once I work my way through them. The F&F sale is continuing through today and Sephora is also offering 4.0% cash back through eBates.

*bismuth oxychloride is a shimmer ingredient used in a lot of cosmetics but especially mineral foundations and shimmer powders. In higher concentrations it breaks me out like crazy and makes some people itch. More info here.