RECOMMENDATIONS / FAV PRODUCTS FOR THE SEPHORA 20% OFF VIB AND VIB ROUGE EVENT

Need some help deciding what to buy during the Sephora 20% VIB and VIB Rouge event?  Every year I recommend the Sephora kits. You know the Holiday samplers for eyes, lips, nails and fragrance. They are perfect for those wanting to try a multitude of new products and they make great stocking stuffers too.

Lip product recommendations:

SEPHORA FAVORITES GIVE ME SOME LIP

For those that don't want to spend a lot of money on just one lip product this six piece lip sampler is only $25 USD. It's perfect for those on a budget and it contains glosses, sticks, tints and lacquers plus one full size product.

Available here: Give Me Some Lip

SEPHORA FAVORITES GIVE ME MORE LIP

I love this lip sampler set! It is the perfect way to try a multitude of lip products for just $59 USD. This 17-piece, must-have lip sampler set of sticks, glosses, liners, treatments, tars, liquids, balms, and creams in an irresistible array of red, pink, nude, and berry shades.

Available here: Give Me More Lip

Eye product recommendations:

SEPHORA FAVORITES DRAW THE LINE

This sampler set is a wonderful collection of various eyeliners in liquid, gel, and pencil that let you flick, drag, sweep, or smudge on liner. It currently retails for $30 USD which isn't too costly considering you are getting one full size eyeliner.

Available here: Draw The Line

SEPHORA FAVORITES LASHSTASH

I chose this next set because I am always on the hunt for a good mascara. It contains 10 mascaras and a remover for just $45 USD. These mascaras will allow you to stretch, volumize, and enhance lashes with wands that curl and lift plus a bonus lash primer is included as well.

Available here: LashStash

Skincare recommendations:

PETER THOMAS ROTH MINI MASK MAGIC

This mini mask set is on my "Must Buy" list. Masks are great for detoxifying, repairing, and polishing skin. I use them on a weekly basis so I'm definitely going to buy this set and for $20 it's a steal!

Available here: Mini Mask Magic

LANCOME BIENFAIT MULTI-VITAL HYDRATE AND PROTECT

If you are like me and have really, really dry skin in the winter then this is the best skincare set for you. It hydrates the skin, leaves it so soft and it protects it from the cold weather and the harsh elements. The entire set is only $51 USD.

Available here: Lancome Hydrate and Protect

SEPHORA FAVORITES SKIN WONDERLAND

Still not able to commit to just one skincare brand? No worries, Sephora has you covered with this adorable 11 piece variety skincare set that includes oils, cleansers, creams, and treatments to pamper and address a wide range of skin needs. It currently retails for $56 USD.

Available here: Skin Wonderland

Individual items I recommend / worth mentioning: 

GUERLAIN PETROUCHKA PALETTE FOR EYES AND BLUSH

I recently purchased this Guerlain palette and I'm in the process of reviewing it so a blog post should be up shortly. So far it is on my "Must Have" this palette because it is worth every bit of the $90 price tag. LOL. It contains five eyeshadows, four blushes and comes in a gorgeous gold compact. Enough said.

Available here: Guerlain Petrouchka Palette

DOLLY'S HIGH ROLLER COLLECTION

I saw this palette in the store on Friday and the Dolly blush (last blush on the left) and the Dolly double-ended lip products are what make this bulky palette worth the $45. The eyeshadows are nice but not as pigmented as I had hoped but the bronzer and luminizer have excellent color payoff. Plus the waterproof eyeliner is incredible.

Available here: Dolly's High Roller

GIVENCHY PALETTE EXTRAVAGANZA LIP AND EYE

This is a gorgeous palette with four shimmer eyeshadows and a lipstick. Normally I shy away from eye and lip palette combos but this set is absolutely gorgeous and worth the splurge of $66 USD.

Available here: Givenchy Palette Extravaganza

GIVENCHY PRISME LIBRE LOOSE POWDERS

There are four loose powder color combinations to choose from and each retails for $53 USD. This may seem like a hefty price tag but each contains .42 oz of product. I've already bought one of the Givenchy Prisme Libre loose powders and I love it. So I'm definitely gonna buy a back up and maybe one or two other colors that are available.

Available here: Givenchy Prisme Libre

For those not on a budget / splurge-worthy items:

MAKE UP FOR EVER MAKEUP STATION

Make Up For Ever is a phenomenal brand and all of their products are worth the hefty price tag. This is a makeup artist’s set for creating backstage looks and glamorous holiday style with 30 iconic bestsellers for eyes, lips, and the complexion. Even though it is expensive, it retails for $300, I would definitely splurge on this. It would be number one on my splurge list.

Available here: Makeup Station

GLAMGLOW BRIGHTMUD EYE TREATMENT

When I attended one of the Sephora Beauty classes we used a sample of this eye treatment and it was AMAZING! It got rid of my under eye puffiness, it made my fine lines under my eyes less noticeable and it moisturized the scale-y look near the inner corners of my eyes. So this is definitely a "LOVE" for me and I have this item on my "Must Have" list but at $69 USD it is definitely gonna be a splurge for me!

Available here: BrightMud Eye Treatment

MAKE UP FOR EVER ARTISAN BRUSH KIT

The Make Up For Ever brushes are amazing! I currently use the large foundation brush and it doesn't shed and it applies my foundation without streaking. It is such a wonderful investment. As such, this whole brush kit is really worth the $210 USD price tag. For good quality brushes these are the best. Definitely worth the splurge!

Available here: Artisan Brush Kit 

MARC JACOBS THE BRONZE - BRONZER BRUSH

I currently own a Marc Jacobs makeup brush and it works wonderfully. I just don't know that I would fork over $78 USD for a big fluffy powder brush. I know it says it is to be used for applying bronzer but come on. A brush this big is really best used for loose powder application that is why it made my "Splurge" list, LOL.

Available here: The Bronze  

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN NAIL COLOUR

The last "Splurge" item on my list are the Christian Louboutin nail polishes. Each bottle retails at a hefty $50 USD. I've had several of the polishes on my "Splurge" list but I'm not ready to fork over that kind of money just yet. Maybe I can ask Santa to bring me a bottle or two for Christmas, LOL. 

Available here: The Nudes, The Noirs, The Pops, and Rouge Louboutin

SEPHORA VIB ROUGE HOLIDAY SOIREE NOV 5TH EVENT AND VIB HOLIDAY 2014 SHOPPING EVENT

The biggest shopping event makeup addicts like myself, look forward to every year is almost here! November 5th kicks off all the festivities for VIB Rouge gals and guys so start making those shopping lists! This year the closed door VIB Rouge Holiday Soiree will feature a fun filled extravaganza of yummy treats, awesome gifts to reward VIB Rouge clients for their loyalty to Sephora and an additional day of shopping with 20% off your entire in-store and online purchase (**see important note below for further explanation**). The event starts at 7PM and lasts until 9PM although last year my Sephora store stayed open until about 10 or 11PM because everyone was having such a fantastic time shopping for all of their favorite things!

Good News for those who need an enabler to help convince them to buy more makeup! Each VIB Rouge invite allows you to bring a friend! So SHOP ON!!!

Be sure to RSVP here: www.sephora.com/rouge-rsvp by November 4th. The card says Nov 3rd but there was a slight delay in getting the invites out so Sephora has extended the sign-up an extra day. Don't worry if you RSVP'd but then can't make the event. Just call up your local Sephora and they will usually set aside the goodies for you to pick up later. Haven't received your invite yet, no worries! Just click the link above to RSVP to the Sephora event and you are good to go!

**Important VIB Rouge members**

Saw something online at Sephora.com but your local Sephora store doesn't carry it in-store? No worries! Just ask a Sephora Associate (preferably the Manager) during the Holiday Soiree event and they can assist you with the online order and yes, you will get to use the 20% online a day early.

Starting Thursday, Nov 6th and ending Monday, Nov 10th Sephora has given VIB and VIB Rouge members five whole days of shopping with 20% off your entire purchase in store and online plus the 20% can be used multiple times.

Use code: GIFTROUGE for VIB Rouge members and code GIFTVIB for VIB members.

MINI BRUSH SET CHANEL HOLIDAY 2014 LES MINI DE CHANEL - PICS AND REVIEW

An array of exclusive, mini-sized brushes ideal for travel. Presented in a signature pouch with mirror. Set includes: Foundation Brush*, Blush Brush, Eyeshadow Brush*, Contour Brush, Eyeliner Brush and Lip Brush*.

Chanel's new limited edition LES MINI DE CHANEL is a holiday treat! It is a fun travel-size collection of six make up brushes, a brush pouch to store them in, a mirror and a round mesh tote to carry the whole set. When I first saw the Chanel Holiday mini brush set online at Bloomingdales I purchased it immediately. The brushes are super soft and work as well as full size brushes. I've used the brushes several times and I didn't notice any shedding with them either. The mirror is nice as well. I use it for touch-ups and it can rest inside the mesh pouch as a stand for hands free access. The mesh pouch allows you to see everything stored inside so that is great too. Although, to be totally honest, for the price I would have preferred a vinyl or leather pouch.

The Chanel Les Mini De Chanel brush set retails for $125 USD and is still available for purchase at NeimanMarcus.com.

NORDSTROM BUY 2 GET 1 FREE MASCARA MADNESS - NOV 8TH 2014 / PRE-ORDER NOW!

Nordstrom is already taking pre-orders for their HUGE Mascara Madness event. 

Nordstrom already hosted the event in May and now they are offering it again this coming Saturday, November 8th. This one day only event will be held all day and most Nordstrom stores will accept pre-orders up until Friday, Nov 7th.

For those who are unfamiliar with this event - Nordstrom allows shoppers to purchase (in store and online) two mascaras and then receive a third mascara for free. Last May there were no limits on the number of mascaras pre-ordered (I pre-ordered 9 of the Guerlain Maxi Lash mascaras) and you were able to purchase from across multiple brands. Just remember the lowest priced mascara will be the freebie so keep that in mind while shopping.

When you pre-order for the promotion you are guaranteed your mascaras and you will not be billed for them until a day or two before the event. If you decide to wait and make a purchase on the day of the event then quantities will be limited and your favorite brand might already be sold out. The same applies for making a purchase online as well. Additionally, online purchases will only apply to select brands while in-store and pre-orders will apply to all cosmetic brands.

So don’t miss out on this exclusive Nordstrom opportunity! Hurry in and get your pre-order before your favorite brand is sold out!

There are some exclusions - the B2G1 free promotion does not apply to lash primer or enhancing products (i.e. lash plumping serum). **Please note** All information listed in this post (including the exclusions) are subject to change. I will be sure to update this post immediately should that occur.

Last May, several readers had questions about the event so I'm posting those here:

a reader asked how do they pre-order - 

To pre-order one can visit their local Nordstrom department store and pre-order from any cosmetic counter. If you don't have a Nordstrom store nearby you can call the closest one and they will let you pre-order over the phone. Then they will mail out the mascaras to you. Or if either option is not feasible then you can order online from the Nordstrom website the day of the event. Keep in mind though the more popular mascaras will sell out quickly the day of the event so don't wait!!!

a reader asked for mascara recommendations - 

It all really depends on what kind of eyelashes that you have and personal preference. When choosing a mascara it all depends on several things - how wiry (hard) or thin (soft) your lashes are, do you want volume (making them look longer) or fullness (making them look thicker) and the last thing to consider is how far apart are your lashes spaced. Are they clumped together with little to no space between them or are they kind of sparse and spaced far apart. Lancôme HYPNÔSE DRAMA is a good mascara that doesn't flake, smudge or smear but it applies wet and over time dries out rather quickly. Chanel Le Volume (one of my favs) is another great mascara but it takes several swipes to get a good application onto the lashes. Guerlain Maxi Lash is great as well and I pre-ordered three of those. I do not like Benefit They're Real - it smudges, it flakes and I hate the wand. However others have had a great experience with it. Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill mascara is another good one too. My last pick would be Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara which is another fav that I am currently using. I've tried Bobbi Brown's mascara but it makes my eyes itch so its a no go for me. Most of my favs are based on the fact that my lashes are super soft, medium length and spaced close together with no gaps. So I can recommend what works for me but I would suggest start collecting samples. Most high end department stores carry samples of their top mascara and that way you can try it before you spend a bunch of money on something that may not work for you.

a reader asked about picking up pre-orders - 

If a paid pre-order is not picked up the day of the event then the store holds the items for you. As a courtesy please call the store to let them know you will stop by later. Or upon request they will mail them to you if necessary. If pre-orders are not paid in advance then the store may not hold your items after the event ends UNLESS you call to make prior arrangements. Communication is a must!!