Hi friends & HAPPY Friday!
I hope you’ve all had such an amazing week! I’ll be honest, I had initially thought to start today’s post by saying…
“well friends, we made it through another week”
Because making it through the week during these crazy times totally feels like…a relief (and at times a chore, am I right?!). That being said, it’s a short lived relief because with COVID, you never know what’s looming around the corner (lockdown WHAT!?). Anyways, as I was drafting this little post, I realized that there were a lot of really wonderful things that happened this week that I absolutely have to acknowledge + be thankful for! Things like …
1) my friend having the cutest little baby boy on Tuesday (making me an “Auntie”)
2) not having to wear a jacket in the middle of November! It was so lovely + sunny and let’s be honest, that’s a win these days!
3) being able to work from home this week (+ you know what, it wasn’t horrible!)
4) trying another tasty drink off of the Starbucks Holiday menu (p.s. you NEED to try the Irish Cream Americano)
5) receiving THE loveliest flower arrangement at work 🙂
I get how cheesy this sounds, but I think it’s SO important (especially these days) to acknowledge ANYTHING that makes you smile. Whether it’s being able to chat with a friend you haven’t talked to in a while, spending time outside enjoying the sunshine, hearing a new song that makes you smile or treating yourself to a delicious drink off the Starbucks Holiday menu. Whatever it is that makes you happy, do more of that. Because you friggen’ deserve it!
OKAY…now let’s get down to business.
Today I thought I’d share with you the products that I bought during the Sephora Holiday Sale + my first impressions (since I’ve had some time to test them out). I will say, I’m pretty darn impressed that I managed to branch out and buy a few goodies that DON’T go on my lips. And THAT my friends is what we call growth (haha)!!
And so, if you wanna see what I purchased during the sale, then just keep on scrolling!
HUDA Beauty Kayali Vanilla l 28 & Musk Doubled Sided Travel Rollerball
Believe me when I tell you that together, this little concoction smells like…cake. And honestly, who DOESN’T want to smell like the most delicious little cake?
When I heard that HUDA Beauty had come out with a fragrance, well if it was anything like her eyeshadow palettes then I knew it was going to be amazing and let me tell you, she did not disappoint. This eau de parfum rollerball is essentially two fragrances in one.
On one side, you’ve got VANILLA | 28: which is a captivating and delicious scent that‘s a union of creamy jasmine and rich Madagascan vanilla orchid with beautifully balanced notes of musk, amber, patchouli, and brown sugar.
On the other side, you’ve got MUSK | 12: which emanates power and confidence and shines a light on a voluptuous blend of vanilla and creamy sandalwood with magnificent notes of lotus flower, freesia, and sheer jasmine.
Both scents on their own are LOVELY and like I said, together…ughhh c’est magnifique! After I received my Sephora order + smelt this heavenly little treat, I did go online to order another however it was already sold out. So if you’re in the market for a new fragrance, definitely check out this little duo (and act quickly)!
ARTIST COUTURE Diamond Lip Tease Lip Gloss in the shade “Climax”
Well, we know I can’t resist a gloss that guarantees to make your lips look plump + juicy! Now, what really sold me on this risqué little gloss was the video that Sephora posted on the glosses product page…click here.
Did I expect my lips to look like theirs with one swipe of this shimmery gloss?
HECK YA I DID! haha
Do my lips look like that wearing this gloss?
Haha well you can probably guess the answer to that.
Between the applicator being awkwardly bent and the glitter being chunky, this isn’t exactly my favourite gloss. HOWEVER, I will persevere and see if I can make my way through this sparkly little tube of “Climax”. I do think that perhaps patting the product on my lips might help to not make it so uncomfortable. If you have any ideas definitely let me know in the comments below!
BENEFIT COSMETICS Brow Microfilling Eyebrow Pen
Did I ever see myself purchasing a brow product as pricey as this little guy? Nope. But after seeing every single Youtuber use this fancy little brow pencil, well I had to try it out for myself, you know, for research.
I will say that everyone made it look SO easy to use + I foolishly assumed that all I’d have to do is run this pencil through my brows and I’d be transformed into a life of full, fluffy looking eyebrows. HAHAHA fyi, this pencil is NOT dummy proof. There’s definitely a technique to using it, one that I sadly have yet to figure out.
Anyways, onwards and upwards dear friends! I WILL figure this out and will be sure to share with you my techniques so you too can be successful in making all of your thick browed dreams come true! Although at this rate, perhaps you’ll be the ones to teach me :p
THE INKEY LIST Oat Cleansing Balm
Now HERE’S a product that I don’t need to continue testing out to know that I absolutely love it!
If you hate taking off your makeup as much as I do, then this is definitely the product for you. A small dollop of this thick cleansing balm is all you’ll need to take off a full face of makeup. Honestly, this stuff literally melts off your makeup so effortlessly. Follow with your regular cleanser and I promise you, your skin will be left feeling SO fresh + clean. As someone who has sensitive skin, I’ve also had no issues with this product or any others from the line!
TOWER28 BEAUTY ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly Gloss in the shade “Almond”
I feel like if you’re a gloss lover ORRRR on Instagram (or a gloss lover on Instagram haha), then you’ll be familiar with these new Tower28 Milky Lip Jelly Glosses. Described as a (bestselling) non-sticky, moisturizing gloss for soft, shiny lips, Tower28 does not disappoint! I’ve been an admirer of their fan favourite ShineON Lip Jelly Glosses since they first launched and am proud to admit that I have all 3 shades (pink, orange and purple). Their glosses are incredible. They’re so light and comfortable on the lips (feeling more like a balm/lip oil hybrid) and will leave them feeling super hydrated throughout the day.
Now, when I heard that the brand was launching a new line of Milky Lip Jelly’s (inspired by alternative milks), well I just had to have one. It also didn’t help that all of my favourite YouTuber’s were raving about them in every.friggen.video!
These Milky Lip Jelly’s are available in the following four delicious shades:
What I failed to remember was that these sell out quickly. By the time I was ready to place my order (on the first day of the sale), the shades “Oat”, “Cashew” + “Coconut” were all sold out, leaving “Almond” as the only available option. While I love a nude gloss, this one appeared to be a little more on the brown side, which isn’t exactly something I’d normally go for. HOWEVER, I was too impatient to wait for the other shades to be restocked so I purchased it anyways. Annnnd I actually love it.
For a more nude lip look, you can apply one swipe to the lips and even pat the colour down a bit (as seen in the second swatch) OR it can be built up to be a pretty gorgeous, and totally wearable brown (swatch numero uno!). After testing out this gloss I definitely want to pick up the other shades (once my no buy is done of course haha).
And there you have it friends!
What did you pick up during the sale? Did you buy anything that you kinda wish you hadn’t?? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks so much for stopping by & until next time,
xo