SEPHORA LOYALTY REWARDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS - DEC 2015

Sephora Loyalty Rewards are finally arriving so start checking the mailbox and/or your email! The loyalty rewards are redeemable starting today, Dec 2nd and consist of $25 off purchase of $50 for VIB Rouge, $20 off purchase of $50 for VIB and $15 off purchase of $50 for BI (Beauty Insiders). The loyalty reward is good for a one-time use and doesn't expire until Dec 13th for BI and Dec 14th for VIB Rouge and VIBs (they're given an extra day to redeem theirs).

Here is a roundup of several beauty recommendations to use with your loyalty reward and a few items I am considering purchasing as well.

My latest makeup brand obsession is Burberry; especially their wet / dry silk shadows. I recently purchased three and am currently testing them. So far they have exceeded my expectations. These shadows have a silky texture and are incredibly soft to the touch. There are a total of eighteen to choose from and I am eager to purchase more. If you plan on purchasing any of these I recommend you do so now as they tend to sell out rather quickly.

For those that crave a subtle eye look I highly recommend the Lancome Auda(City) in Paris eyeshadow palette. The color selection in this palette is not over the top or super bright. It is more of a subtle wash of neutrals with a slight punch of color. This highly underrated palette houses sixteen gorgeous shadows with amazing staying power. See my full review and swatches here for reference.

A few lip products I have been dying to try are the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro lip colors. They are a matte lip stain with a velvety soft texture. These are quite popular and over half the colors tend to stay sold out. I am most interested in trying 507, a mauve rosy pink and 508, a pink nude. Hopefully Sephora will restock these before the loyalty rewards end.

This next item launches on the Too Faced website Dec 8th, the Chocolate Bon Bons eyeshadow palette. The palette IS available online at Sephora during their loyalty rewards period. I have the original Too Face Chocolate Bar palette and it contains a mixture of warm and cool toned eyeshadows. While this new palette is rumored to be all cool toned shades. I've seen a few online swatches on Instagram and it seems to house quite a few pink shades.

My last two recommendations are the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani eyeshadow palette and the Marc Jacobs The Sofia Five Piece Petites Le Marc Lip Creme Collection. The first item, the UD eyeshadow palette, is limited-edition so I would purchase this now as it will definitely sell out. The palette itself was created and developed with Gwen Stefani. It houses 15 of her must-have shades with the majority of the palette being somewhat neutral. The Marc Jacobs Sofia lipstick collection is available in store at Sephora and consists of five gorgeous mini Marc Jacobs lipsticks. I own several of his lipsticks and this is such a great value for your money!

BEAUTY HAULING / LATEST BEAUTY FINDS - JULY 2015 EDITION

Currently on my wishlist, or in my shopping cart waiting to be purchased , or already purchased and making it's way to me are a few of these goodies!

Givenchy Le Prisme Visage Mat Soft Compact Face Powder -
Currently on my list to purchase during the Sephora Beauty Insider Appreciation week are two Givenchy Le Prisme products: 21 Inspiration Rose and 87 Pink Velvet. Inspiration Rose is a Le Prisme blush powder and 87 Pink Velvet is a Le Prisme Visage Mat Soft Face powder. Both items were recently added to the Sephora website and are only available online.

NARS Baby Doll Lip Gloss -
Next up is the Nars fall collection. There are two glosses released with the Fall collection: Chelsea Girls and Baby Doll. Chelsea Girls is a nude pink and Baby Doll is a medium candy pink. I ordered the latter of the two and it should arrive either today or tomorrow at the latest so I'll try to post swatches. The rest of the collection is nice but it's a pass for me. I wasn't wowed by the velvet shadow sticks. Although there is a really nice eye palette I might get but I want to see and swatch it in person before I commit to it.

Marc Jacobs Beauty The Face III Buffing Foundation Brush -
OMG! Another Marc Jacobs brush! I must have this NOW...
The Face III is the new buffing foundation brush released in conjunction with the new Marc Jacobs full coverage foundation (see image at the top or the link below). I've purchased just about all of the Marc Jacobs brushes and they are absolutely fantastic and so worth the money. This brush will most definitely be going home with me.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate -
This is another product I'm super excited to try. Depending on how my skin is reacting I have several foundations in constant rotation. Most of my foundations offer light to medium coverage but there are times when I really need a good full coverage foundation. Especially for those days when I can't get my skin to cooperate and my hyperpigmentation is in full swing! The new Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able full cover foundation is specially formulated to give 24 hour coverage with a soft matte finish. Sign me up, I want it!

Dior 'Addict' Fluid Shadow -
The Dior Fall Cosmopolite collection features eight new fluid eyeshadows. At this time only six are currently available at counters but you can check out the other two here at Dior.com. Anyway, during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale I stopped by my local counter to see and swatch them in person and let me just say...LOVED THEM! There are two shades I definitely want to purchase: 655 Univers and 825 Aurora. There is a third shade 075 Eclipse I want as well but I have yet to find it anywhere.

Dior '5 Couleurs' Cosmopolite Couture Colours Effects Eyeshadow Palette (Limited Edition) -
Another item(s) from the Dior Fall collection are the two eyeshadow palettes: 766 Exubérante and 866 Electric. Both are gorgeous but I prefer the cooler colors housed in the Electric palette. The moss green, brown and burgundy colors are beautiful fall shades that will compliment my fair skin really nicely. I can't wait to purchase it.

Tom Ford Illuminating Powder -
New for Tom Ford is the illuminating powder. I have high expectations for this product especially for the $77 price tag. It is said to "diffuse imperfections and create radiant skin with this weightless and undetectable, micro-fine powder". My hope is the powder will brighten as well as illuminate the face and not enhance pores or dry patches. This is another product I will definitely need to see and swatch in person for sure.

Tom Ford Complexion Enhancing Primer -
I was most excited for the new Tom Ford complexion enhancing primers. There are two shades to choose from: Pink Glow and Peach Glow and both are said to compliment a wide range of skintones. It is a hydrating primer (Thank You Mr Ford!) that infuses skincare and makeup. It "brightens skin's undertone, reversing signs of dullness or fatigue, and helps neutralize the appearance of discoloration while minimizing the look of pores". YES, please! I think I need to buy a back up of this! I have already pre-ordered Pink Glow and it should ship out later next week. So you can expect swatches once it has delivered.

A few other products worth mentioning on my wishlist that I am looking to purchase are the Tom Ford eye and cheek shadow ombres, the Tom Ford illuminating duo powder and the Dior Diorskin Nude Cosmopolite Illuminating Face Powder.

BEAUTY BEFORE BRUNCH SEPHORA VIB ROUGE EVENT - SUNDAY, AUGUST 2ND, 2015

Don't forget to RSVP by July 31st for this exciting event!

Sephora always has the best beauty events and I'm super excited for this one! I have a few beauty items (face masks, lipglosses, a setting powder, maybe a fragrance or two...) on my "WISHLIST" that I've been wanting to get so I'll definitely have a great excuse to purchase them now.

Click on the image above or click on the link here to RSVP: SEPHORA.COM/ROUGE-RSVP

Check out this fabulous "FREE" gift for VIB Rouge members

HURRY-SPACE IS LIMITED. RSVP By friday, JULY 31, 2015.

• A MORNING OF CLOSED-DOOR SHOPPING FOR VIB ROUGE AND A FRIEND
• 4X POINTS ON ALL PURCHASES**
• MINI MAKEOVERS AT THE BEAUTY STUDIO
• AMBASSADORS FROM YOUR FAVORITE BRANDS
• A LIMITED-EDITION COSMETIC BAG FILLED WITH SAMPLES†

Can’t make it? Enjoy 4x points on all purchases online and in stores during Beauty Insider Appreciation Week, August 3-August 9, 2015. 

Please note: Qualified VIB Rouge will earn quadruple points, VIBs will earn triple points and Beauty Insiders will earn double points on merchandise purchases made Sunday, August 2, 2015 thru Sunday, August 9, 2015 at 11:59pm PDT

EXCLUSIONS / FINE PRINT - 
* Select Sephora stores will have different hours; only select Sephora inside JCPenney stores will have closed-door shopping events. Check the RSVP Site for participating stores and exact times.

** Qualified VIB Rouge will earn quadruple points, VIBs will earn triple points and Beauty Insiders will earn double points on merchandise purchases made Sunday, August 2, 2015 thru Sunday, August 9, 2015 at 11:59pm PDT. Bonus points will be automatically credited to your BI Accounts the same day of purchase. Points not earned on sales tax, shipping, Sephora gift cards, eGift cards and prior purchases. This offer is subject to change, alternation or termination by Sephora in its discretion at any time.
† The Sephora Cosmetic Bag with samples is only available to VIB Rouge members in select Sephora stores during the Beauty Before Brunch Event with any merchandise purchase. Limit of one of each offer per VIB Rouge client. May not be sold or otherwise transferred. Guests of VIB Rouge that are Beauty Insiders are also eligible to redeem the Sephora Cosmetic Bag with samples with any merchandise purchase, limit one per client. Valid while supplies last, quantities are limited, sample bag assortment may vary. Not valid on previous purchases, or purchases of eGift certificates and gift cards. Sephora employees are not eligible for offers. No returns or exchanges. These offers are subject to change, alteration or termination by Sephora in its sole discretion at any time.

302 ALLOW ME MARC JACOBS ENAMORED HI SHINE LIP LACQUER - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Marc Jacobs 302 Allow Me is a glossy medium pink lip lacquer with a peppermint scent and fine flecks of sparkle with a slight iridescence. Allow Me is one of the brands more pigmented lip lacquers. When worn alone it applies with a nice wash of medium pink gloss and wears for about four hours. Over a lipstick such as Marc Jacobs Have We Met (see swatches here) it transforms itself into a beautiful iridescent glossy mauve pink and wears for about six to seven hours.

There are eighteen shades of Marc Jacobs enamored hi shine lip lacquers available for purchase. They currently retail for $28.00 USD, contain .16 fl oz of product and are available at Sephora.

SEPHORA VIB ROUGE EVENT STARTS TOMORROW, APRIL 12TH, 2015 - WISHLIST AND MUST HAVES

In case you haven't heard the Sephora 15% off discount starts tomorrow for VIB Rouge members. Typically Sephora offers 15% off in April and 20% off in November (both with limited exclusions). During the November event I stocked up on the Make Up For Ever artist shadows. Remember those pesky limited exclusions? Well the discount doesn't apply online (limited exclusion) along with the discounted pricing for the Make Up For Ever artist shadows but it does work for all in-store purchases. So you better believe I made it work to my advantage and bought nearly all of the artist shadows that were in stock at my local Sephora stores. Hopefully this time around you can use both online.

If you are a VIB Rouge member you should have already received either an e-mail or a mailed invitation to a special "Beauty Before Brunch" party at your local Sephora. My local Sephora is hosting the event tomorrow morning - super excited! Don't worry if you haven't received either one of the invites just call Sephora to find the closest location hosting the event. Then call that location to be added to the list. If you can't make it to the event, no worries! The discount is good for multiple uses starting Sunday, April 12th and lasts until Tuesday, April 21st. OMG, I'm gonna do so much damage!!! LOL

For online purchases use code ROUGELOVE and for in-store purchases either show the email or the mailed invitation. If you forget to bring either of them just show your VIB Rouge card and a sales associate will make sure to give you the discount.

On my wishlist / must haves -

Clinique Cheek Pop blushes - $21.00 USD
Previously launched about a year ago there were only four shades available - Plum Pop, Berry Pop, Ginger Pop and Peach Pop. I purchased two of them Plum (read here) and Berry (read here). Now, there are twelve shades to choose from - the original four and eight new shades. At this time the eight new shades are exclusive to Sephora and are available only online. So expect to see these sell out super fast!

Nars Radiant Creamy concealer - $29.00 USD
This is a "MUST HAVE" for my daily makeup routine. So I'm definitely gonna stock up on these. I like to purchase several different shades for concealing, highlighting and contouring. Fortunately these are available in-store so swatch away to find the perfect color for your skintone. It does apply thin with buildable coverage. For those who are extremely dry around the eye area like myself, it doesn't look dry or flaky once applied. LOVE THIS!!

Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch - $42.00 USD
Although on the price-y side it is absolutely amazing! I love this product so much and it gives my face a luminous glow especially underneath the eye area. On days when I haven't slept so well and my eyes are obviously having a moment, LOL, this along with the Nars creamy concealer camouflages those pesky dark circles and puffy eyes.

Speaking of YSL there are quite a few lippies I have absolutely been lusting after so expect to see major haulage! Here are two formulas on my wishlist: YSL VOLUPTÉ SHEER CANDY Glossy Balms (retails $34.00 USD) and YSL Rouge Volupté Shines (retails $36.00 USD). I've purchased a few previously (check the blog for swatches) so I'm familiar enough with them to know that I "MUST HAVE" more. One other formula I have been dying to repurchase are the YSL glossy stains (read here).

Giorgio Armani products -
Just the fact that Sephora carries this brand online now makes this a no-brainer! Giorgio Armani has some of the best beauty products - check out blush swatches: 400 Fusion blush here, 500 Fusion blush here, and 506 blush here. Here are two of the Fluid Sheers (which are HOLY GRAIL!!!) 8 here and 9 here. I recently ran out of a few of these Fluid Sheers so currently on my wishlist are 2, 7, 11 and 12. Need a lipstick recommendation then check out Rouge Ecstasy 508 Daybreak here. AH-mazing! Next on my wishlist is 507 and 509 Rouge Ecstasy lipsticks and maybe a few glosses. One other noteworthy product I must mention are the eyeshadow quads. Check out 11 Mystery here. On my wishlist are 2 Bourdior and 10 Mirage (the latter one is very popular and is always sold out!).

Fragrances -
When it comes to fragrances I like to purchase sampler sets or travel sized versions. My scent preferences are constantly changing and I can never use up a whole bottle before it expires so these just work best for me. Two fragrances on my wishlist are: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia and Burberry Brit Rhythm For Her Floral. Both have a clean and slightly floral scent that just appeal to me.

Makeup Brushes -
I don't have a particular brand in mind but I do know I want to invest more in synthetic or fiber bristled makeup brushes. In my opinion they last forever and are a better quality brush. The Sephora brand has quite a few to choose from and one in particular I'm excited to try is this one here. It is definitely on my MUST HAVE list. 

Another brand I have purchased from is the Make Up For Ever Artisan brushes. I have quite a few of their fiber bristled brushes and have been dying to purchase this set here. It is on the price-y side; it retails for $210 USD which is why it's on the WISHLIST and not the MUST HAVE. Also keep in mind that it does include all the brushes you will need to create any make up look. So if you were to purchase each of the brushes separately it would end up costing you a great deal more.

Worth Mentioning / Must See - 
These are some products I'm SUPER EXCITED to swatch and try on tomorrow:

Too Faced Melted lipsticks
Clinique Pop Lipsticks
Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye contour palette 
Hourglass Ambient Bronzers
Dior Rouge Brilliant glosses

BERRY BOBBI BROWN CHEEK PALETTE - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

The new Bobbi Brown Hot collection features three unique cheek palettes: Pink, Berry and Calypso which are so gorgeous! Each cheek palette currently retails for $45.00 USD, contains .16 oz of product and is available for purchase online at Sephora and Nordstrom. The cheek palette houses two blush colors and a middle highlight color. Right away I knew I wanted the Pink Cheek palette but after taking a closer look I realized I already had both of the blush colors featured in the palette, UGH! So I settled for the Berry Cheek palette instead. The two blushes housed in this palette are Plum and French Pink with a Berry highlight shade. The Plum shade is a reddish pink color, while French Pink is a bright pink and the Berry highlight shade is a coppery pink with rose gold undertones. Plum felt really matte to the touch, French Pink was really powdery and even though Berry had a metallic sheen the finish was more of a satin. All three were extremely pigmented, gave good color payoff and blended quite well. It is important to note that none of the blushes housed in the cheek palette are removable. Previous blush palettes I've purchased all had removable blushes so you could interchange / customize them but that is missing with these which is a shame.

Mini rant here:
I love Bobbi Brown products because the quality is almost always on point. The only gripe I have with the brand is their constant need to keep re-promoting the same colors. I have several of their products, mainly their eyeshadow palettes, and over half of the colors are exactly the same. Which is fine if you are new to the brand but it would be nice to feature some newer / different colors for a change.

Availability: Sephora, Nordstrom
Price: $45.00 USD

M536 MILK TEA MAKE UP FOR EVER ARTIST SHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

I recently purchased several more of the Make Up For Ever Artist shadows from Sephora. There is a current discounted pricing structure in place when purchasing more than one but if purchased separately they each retail for $21.00 USD. Over the next few weeks I will try to post swatches and a brief review for each one. Basically though, the formula, pigmentation, texture and over-all performance has been top-notch. The best of the best and I have yet to find a single "dud". The only gripe I have with them is: availability and storage. To be honest it has nothing to do with the quality of the eyeshadow but more about Sephora stores and their website. I'll explain more in depth below...

M536 Milk Tea is a matte medium tan eyeshadow. I plan on using it as an eyeshadow base for my lid or as an inner corner shade.

Availability: The more popular eyeshadows are almost always sold out. Prime example is M928 Eggplant. I went to five different Sephora stores in two different states searching for this eyeshadow and it wasn't in stock. Before you ask, I checked the Sephora website and all five locations "supposedly" had it in stock. Haha! Nope, sold out.

Storage: I hate that I have to purchase three eyeshadows and an empty single, double or triple palette just to receive the discounted pricing. It would be nice if Sephora included the Make Up For Ever XL metal palette that is available only online as one of the storage options. Then again, it would require Sephora to actually have the empty XL metal palette in stock. HAHA!!! It has been out of stock since the beginning of November which is ridiculous!

Sorry for the mini rant! I think I'm having a "Case of the Mondays"!

Availability: Sephora
Price: $21.00 USD

OLYMPIA NARS CONTOUR BLUSH - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

The latest craze is contouring - whether one should use a cream or powder and what is the best placement. In my opinion it really depends on personal preference and there is no right or wrong answer. For myself I prefer a powder and here is why. On a daily basis I apply enough cream-based products: toners, serums, moisturizers, face primers and foundations to my face that I don't want to add even more to what could potentially be a greasy mess. I allow for each of the above mentioned products to dry before applying the next layer but sometimes humidity and oxidation occur. Let's face it - sometimes Mother Nature's sick and twisted humor throws us a curve ball. Humidity is not a term relegated to the weather outside. It can and does occur in the most inconvenient of places especially when you have an important event to attend. And don't get me started on oxidation! It isn't something that just occurs to those with an oily complexion. I should know, I have extremely dry skin and I have had my foundation oxidize on me horribly on more than one occasion. So enough drama already!

The Nars Olympia Contour blush is a natural looking contour powder. It comes in three shades: Olympia, Paloma and Gienah. It currently retails for $42.00 USD, contains .28 oz of product and is available at many high end retailers such as Nordstrom, Nars and Sephora. The Olympia palette houses both a contour and highlight shade with the latter being a great deal smaller. Which is my only gripe with this palette. It should have contained equal amounts of both but other than the size disproportion this is a "Must Buy" recommendation. The Olympia contour blush imparts a soft matte finish with no sparkle or shimmer. The powder formula is lightweight and finely milled which allows for a smooth and flawless application. It doesn't look overly done or caked on which is nice.

Most contouring guides will tell you to start near the top of your forehead along the hairline with your contour powder then work your way down to underneath the cheekbone and finish up along the jawline. Which is fine but it is not what works best for me. I like to start underneath my cheekbone then sweep upwards toward my temple along the edges of my hairline. Then I sweep back down underneath the cheekbone and along the jawline to blend everything out. Next, because I'm so pale and to add a touch of warmth to my face, I will apply a slight dusting of the contour powder along the bridge of my nose, just a smidge on my chin and along my hairline at the top of my forehead. With the highlight shade I apply it to the tops of my cheekbones, above and below my eyebrows and another smidge at the top of my cupids bow. My best advice is to find what works for you and practice. I'm constantly practicing my application and placement techniques to see what works and what doesn't because there is always room for improvement!  

Availability: Nordstrom, Nars and Sephora
Price: $42.00 USD

NEW! GIVENCHY PRISME QUATUOR EYESHADOW PALETTES - NOW AVAILABLE

Look, touch, blend, layer, create. 4 GORGEOUS SHADES ALONE, 1 STUNNING AND MODERN HARMONY TOGETHER. Before our very eyes, elegant and modern meet. Let each Quatuor take you from casual to sophisticated makeup in one stroke.


Prisme Quatuor is an essential tool for perfect eye makeup with a texture developed to provide even greater comfort and performance. The amazing softness of a velvety feel, formulated from a blend of film-forming resin and a new breed of polymers that is creamy to the touch and workable. Discover the purity of color with immediate intense pay-off, and the extreme staying power with no makeup transfer. Each REJUVINATED shade is stunning, each color combination sheer enhancement.

01 Caresse - a natural, nude finish harmony, perfect for casual and chic makeup. Mostly satiny mat, with a touch of glitter for a slight shimmer when desired.

02 Ecume - a contrasted and sophisticated harmony. Intense colors and different sizes of mother-of-pearl for a made-to-measure result. Blue Jeans, dark marine, deep violet) and grey colored shimmering white.

03 Inattendue - a very particular harmony, with a touch of eye-catching pink, large mother-of-pearl and very soft muted colors for a very chic and shimmering result.

04 Impertinence - a harmony inspired by Parisian rooftop colors and reflections. Silver and Gold patina tones, black and white - contrast for a definitely couture look.

05 Frisson - a very soft and reassuring harmony. Grey colored blue, soft grey. A mat light pink for radiance and a touch of glitter in a chic camel beige.

06 Confidence - A natural, nude finish harmony, perfect for casual and chic makeup. Mostly satiny mat, with a touch of a bronze patina shade for more density and shimmer.

07 Tentation - a harmony of muted khaki and pink tones, mostly mat, combined with a deep black purple and shining beige for contrast and light.

08 Braise - an original harmony inspired by ember tones: deep sooty black, gold, velvet red black and mirror reflection orange. A stunning combination of intensities and colors.

09 Delicate - (US exclusive) a matte harmony with rich neutral tones: deep cocoa, warm caramel, soft café and delicate bone that blend together to take you from day to night with effortlessly.

Availability: Barneys and Sephora
Price: $58.00 USD

001 PETAL DIOR ROSY GLOW HEALTHY GLOW AWAKENING BLUSH - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Dior Petal is a finely milled pink blush. It features the Dior logo pattern embossed on top of the blush which is housed in a sleek silver case. Petal is said to be a universally flattering blush that reacts to your skin's chemistry and adjusts to create a look of naturally flushed, rosy cheeks. If it did, I sure didn't notice it. Petal is extremely powdery and quite messy. I wouldn't recommend this blush for those with really dry skin. It enhanced my pores, it was scratchy and dry upon application and afterwards there was nothing flattering about my complexion. Petal currently retails for $44 USD and contains .26 oz of product.

CREME DE ROSE DIOR SMOOTHING PLUMPING LIP BALM - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

During the winter months my lips get so dry and cracked that I'm desperate. I will try just about any lip product out there on the market - from lip balms, chapsticks, lotions, oils, or whatever is the most current lip product craze. So when I was at Sephora the other day, the Sales Associate recommended the Dior Creme de Rose. It is a smoothing plumping balm for the lips. Now there is a slight rose scent to this but it is so faint it is barely noticeable. The Creme de Rose currently retails for $27.00 USD, it contains .25 oz of product and is currently available in store and online at Nordstrom and Sephora.com.

Creme de Rose gives my lips that extra boost of moisture and really hydrates them. There is no waxy feel to this, just a smooth and creamy formula that is extremely lightweight. Wear time was about five hours and reapplication wasn't necessary. My lips stayed moisturized long after Creme de Rose had dissipated.

NEW! YVES SAINT LAURENT VOLUPTE TINT-IN-OIL

New! An amazing all in one lip color with a lip tint housed in a deep conditioning oil. Each unique color tint interacts with the lips on contact. It enhances the natural shade of the lips and creates a signature lip look that is as unique as the person wearing it. The color tint contains four essential oils - apricot, macadamia, jojoba and coriander (apricot kernel oil, coriander fruit oil, jojoba seed oil, and possiflora edulis seed oil) which offer intense hydration and leave the lips with a beautiful pop of color and a gorgeous glow as the oil dissipates.

"An ultra-stabilizing ingredient developed by YSL Beauté for its ability to disperse and solubilize colorants in oil. The Colour Link Diffuser envelops the colour pigments within the oil to dispense an ever-evolving burst of liquid lip colour. The oils slowly disappear but the pop of colour stays true."

Apply a thin coat for a natural look or apply several coats for an intense over the top shine with color. The longer the unique color tint interacts with the lips the more vibrant the pop of color.

There are a total of eight YSL Volupte Tint-In-Oil color tints to choose from. VIB and VIB Rouge members have early access to purchase them on the Sephora.com website. No worries if you are not VIB or VIB Rouge, these will be available starting around mid-January to early February 2015. Each color tint will retail for $32.00 USD, contains .20 fl oz of product and all eight will be available at Sephora and Nordstrom. I almost forgot to mention - there is a slight fruity scent to these (I believe passion fruit and mango) but it smells so delicious it shouldn't be a problem!

1 DRIVE ME COPPER

2 OH MY GOLD

3 UNDRESS ME

4 I ROSE YOU

5 CHERRY MY CHERIE

6 PEACH MY LOVE

7 CRUSH ME ORANGE

8 PINK ABOUT ME

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