sephora – Adventures in Polishland

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What’s on My Sephora Loves List?! | My Current Beauty Wish List (Vegan and Cruelty Free)

Posted on March 19, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I recently saw a YouTube video from JAMBeauty89 in which she discussed the products on her Sephora Loves List. I thought this was a really fun idea, and wanted to share what is currently on my own Beauty Wish List with all of you! I love perusing the Sephora website, but it is rare that I actually make a purchase. Instead, I add products I’m interested in to my Loves List on the website so that I can easily find them again at a later date. I have ten products on my Loves List right now, some I may purchase in the future, and others that I may take off the list at some point. Let me show you the vegan and cruelty free beauty products on my wish list right now!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

You can use the widget below to view all of the products I’m mentioning today. Simply click on a product to purchase it online!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio in Berry Adore | $30.00 [BUY]

I’ve been on the hunt for a purple, berry-toned blush for a while now. I think this trio from Anastasia contains the perfect shade, but I’m hesitant to buy it because of the price, and because I only want one of the blushes in the trio. I might pick this up once the fall months roll around, but I’m currently still looking for a more affordable option of this purple shade.

Cover FX Power Play Foundation | $44.00 [BUY]

Cover FX just released this new line of vegan foundations, and I’m definitely curious to try it. In addition to buying vegan cosmetics, I’m also trying to be aware of supporting brands that cater to a wide variety of skin tones. I love that this line offers 40 different shades, including a variety of shades for those with deep skin tones. Of course, I love that this foundation is formulated to be matte and long-wearing, too.

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick | $46.00 [BUY]

I was really disappointed when e.l.f. discontinued its foundation stick, and I’ve been looking for another option these past few months. This one from Hourglass has amazing reviews, but I cannot get over the price tag! I don’t think I could ever spend so much on a stick foundation, but I keep it on my list just in case it ever goes on sale.

IGK Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub | $36.00 [BUY]

I recently used up a deluxe sample of this scalp scrub from IGK, and I really enjoyed it. Because I have a flaky scalp, using a scrub helps to remove dry skin and excess product while providing a soothing cooling sensation. I use the IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm every time I wash my hair, so I’m a huge believer in this brand’s effectiveness. I am looking for a more affordable scalp scrub, but I do see myself grabbing this one in the future.

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer | $49.00 [BUY]

Sephora now has a section on its website for Value Size products (shop HERE), and I saw one of my all-time favorite primers listed there from Smashbox. While $49.00 is a lot to spend at once, this jumbo size is a great value, and it’s also better for the environment to buy larger sizes and use less plastic. I currently have a few primers in my beauty stash, but I will probably purchase this one during a Sephora coupon event to get even more savings.

Smashbox Super Fan Mascara | $19.00 [BUY]

I typically do not buy high end mascaras, but Smashbox just released the Super Fan Mascara, and it looks amazing! I really like rubber mascara wands, and this mascara is designed to give long lashes without any clumps. I’m hoping Sephora will offer a mini size as a Point Perk sometime soon, because I would really like to try this mascara without spending nearly $20.00!

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask | $48.00 [BUY]

This face mask is taking over Instagram, and it has definitely piqued my interest. The Jet Lag Mask is a hydrating mask, inspired by how airplane travel dries out the skin. What’s really cool about this mask is that it can be worn in a variety of ways. I’m definitely hesitant to buy this mask because of the price tag, but the hype surrounding this product is so strong that I want to keep it on my wish list!

The Ordinary High -Adherence Silicone Primer | $4.90 [BUY]

I’m very curious to try out some products from the ultra-affordable brand The Ordinary. I’m not sure where to start with a lot of the skincare products, but this primer sounds amazing to me. Whenever Sephora restocks The Ordinary, the products seem to sell out instantly. That leads me to believe it is worth the hype! Plus, who can resist trying a mattifying and blurring primer that is under $5.00?

Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation | $36.00 [BUY]

I had no intention of picking up anything from the Too Faced Peaches and Cream Collection, but I keep hearing glowing reviews of this foundation from YouTubers I trust (namely Kelly Gooch and Love Heatherette). This foundation is supposed to provide medium coverage that stays matte all day. While it is on the expensive side, you do get 1.6 fl. oz. of product, as opposed to the standard 1 fl. oz. that comes with most foundations. I hope to pick this up once I’ve used the other foundations in my collection!

Verb Hydrating Mask | $16.00 [BUY]

My hair is very dry, and I want to start using more hydrating products on it. This mask sounds great, as it is formulated to be weightless and suitable for all hair types. I haven’t heard anyone talk about this product yet, but the price seems very fair, so I might pick it up soon.

That wraps up all of the current products on my Sephora Loves List! I would love to hear from you in the comments – have you tried these products? Do you recommend them? Please let me know! I think sharing our wish lists is not only a lot of fun, but it can be very helpful as well. If you would like to know what is on my Ulta Favorites list, let me know in a comment! I would be happy to share those products as well.

What is on your Sephora Loves List? Let me know in the comments!

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Dare to Compare | Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Royal vs. Insightful

Posted on July 19, 2017July 16, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you a comparison post between two Tarte blushes. Tarte has quickly become one of my favorite makeup brands. While the products are a bit more expensive than I would normally like, the quality is amazing and I appreciate that Tarte offers many vegan products. I recently purchased the No Shower Happy Hour kit at Sephora, and one of the items it came with is an Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in the shade Insightful. I realized this blush looks very similar to Royal, another Tarte blush that I already owned. I wanted to share these blushes side-by-side so you can decide if Insightful is a must-have in your collection.

The Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Royal was released in the limited edition Sculpted Cheeks set for the 2016 holiday season and is no longer available for purchase. Similarly, Insightful is only available in the No Shower Happy Hour kit. I thought this post would be helpful for those of you who own the Sculpted Cheeks set and may be interested in purchasing the No Shower Happy Hour kit.

When I added Insightful to my beauty stash, I noticed the packaging color was exactly the same as Royal’s. I took a closer look at the blushes next to one another, and while I thought I could see a slight difference, I knew the shades were quite close.

Here are swatches of Royal and Insightful side-by-side. While it is clear they are not exact duplicates of one another, the shades are quite close. Royal is described by Tarte as a Nude Mauve, and Insightful is described as Peachy Pink. I definitely agree that Royal feels like more of a brown shade, while I can see orange undertones in Insightful. That being said, if you do own Royal, I don’t think it’s necessary to buy Insightful. However, if you are wanting to get the No Shower Happy Hour kit to try the other products, it is worth it for the value of the other items included. Plus, both of these blushes are amazing quality. I love how smoothly they apply to the cheeks.

All in all, I hope you found this comparison post helpful if you were interested in purchasing the No Shower Happy Hour kit. I think it is an amazing value for the money, and am so glad I didn’t get a duplicate blush shade. Make sure you buy this limited edition kit HERE before it is discontinued!

What is your favorite Tarte product? Let me know in the comments!

This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation Review

Posted on November 18, 2016November 17, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to share my thoughts on the Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation. If you’ve been reading Adventures in Polishland for any amount of time, you’ll know that I am a drugstore beauty girl, and it is very rare that I splurge on high end makeup products. That being said, I decided to treat myself to the Lock-It Foundation during Sephora’s Friends & Family sale this fall. I love wearing liquid foundations in the winter months, and when I discovered this foundation is vegan, I knew I had to give it a try.

The Lock–It Foundation is a liquid foundation formulated to provide full coverage for a full 24-hour period. It dries to a matte finish, and is designed to stay in place without any transfer. This foundation is available in 33 shades, which is absolutely fabulous! I love it when a beauty brand creates products that can be enjoyed no matter what skin shade you are. I got the shade Light 44.

Kat Von D recently upgraded the Lock-It Foundation’s packaging, and I wanted to give it a quick shout out. I absolutely love the sleek bottle design. Here is a look at the bottle from the top. You can see the cool ‘KVD’ that is the foundation’s pump. According the the brand’s website, the bottle now features an airless chamber design that prevents contamination and maintains the foundation’s consistency. I love how the packaging is functional in addition to being gorgeous!

I’ve been using the Lock–It Foundation for a few weeks now, and I have to say I am really pleased with it. I apply it using a damp BeautyBlender, and one pump provides coverage for my entire face. I will say that I do think one layer of the foundation is a medium coverage, and not the advertised full coverage, as I can still see freckles and other imperfections showing through the makeup. However, the Lock-It Foundation is definitely buildable, so I typically add another layer to the parts of my face I really want the full coverage look.

The formula itself is really nice. It does tend to cling to my dry patches, so I recommend exfoliating well before use, and perhaps avoiding this product if you have really dry skin. However, it dries to a beautiful matte finish, and maintains its integrity throughout the day. The wear is extremely comfortable as well. I also wanted to mention that you can definitely tell you are wearing foundation when you look in the mirror, but it’s not a “cake face” scenario at all. I’ll definitely be wearing this on the daily this winter!

All in all, I’m so glad I splurged on the Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation! While I do have a few small critiques of the product, I think it is worth the money for sure. I’m excited to continue using this product, and explore more of Kat Von D’s line in the future! You can purchase the Lock-It Foundation for $35 on Sephora’s website HERE. Make sure to shop with Ebates to earn cash back on your purchase!

Have you tried products from Kat Von D? Let me know what you recommend in the comments!

This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

June Sephora PLAY! Unboxing | The Minimalists

Posted on June 24, 2016June 20, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I’m unboxing my June Sephora PLAY! box with all of you. It’s been a couple months since I shared this beauty subscription with you on the blog, and I’m excited to do so today. I did want to let you know that I’ve decided to cancel my PLAY! subscription, and this will be my last box. I am doing this for a plethora of reasons, but I first thought about cancelling simply because I haven’t been using the products. While the box is only $10 a month, and I’ve gotten the opportunity to try some great products, I’ve not used most of the products I’ve received over the past several months. Nonetheless, let me share the June box with all of you!

Here’s a quick look at my June Sephora PLAY! box. Last month Sephora changed up the packaging big time and replaced the box with a reusable bag. I love that Sephora created a more environmentally friendly packaging for its subscription. In the past, the products came in a box filled with paper shreds all packed in another box. Major thumbs up for providing us with reusable bags! I know these bags will come in handy during travel.

June’s theme is The Minimalists, and includes products to prove that sometimes less is more. Minimalism is very on trend right now, and it makes sense that Sephora is embracing it when it comes to beauty products!

bareMinerals BareSkin Sheer Sun Serum Bronzer – $2.80 [BUY]

The first product in the June box is a serum bronzer from bareMinerals. This is a really unique product that can be worn alone or mixed in with your foundation. I’m glad this came in the subscription box, as I never would have tried this on my own!

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara – $8.00 [BUY]

Next up is the well-known mascara from Benefit called They’re Real! I think this is a great product to include in the box, because it is definitely a favorite in the beauty community. I’m one of the few people who don’t like this mascara, because it is very thick and weighs down my lashes. This sample is definitely a great value!

BECCA Backlight Priming Filter – $7.60 [BUY]

I am really excited to try the BECCA Backlight Priming Filter, as I know this is a favorite product of Jaclyn Hill. This primer is designed to blur imperfections and give the skin an illuminated look. I don’t typically go for the dewy look, but it will be a lot of fun to try it!

Tarte Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion – $4.33 [BUY]

I am also really excited to try this sunscreen from Tarte. I was actually looking into this product on my own, as I’m looking for a new sunscreen. Now I get to try before I buy, which is perfect because this is quite the expensive sunscreen. I am definitely up for writing a full review of this product in the future, so let me know if you’re interested in reading one!

Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow it Hair Styler – $3.10 [BUY]

Next up is a product from Bumble and Bumble that is formulated give your hair style without the need for a blow dryer. I haven’t had good luck with this brand in the past, so I’m not sure if I will give this product a try. I do lot my hair air dry daily, and then usually flat iron it. We’ll see if I put this product to use!

TOCCA Eau de Parfum Florence – $2.00 [BUY]

Last but not least is a perfume sample from TOCCA. As always, I’m not a big fan of perfume samples included in subscription boxes because you can get them for free at any Sephora. This one in particular is quite floral scented, so I definitely won’t be wearing it because of my sensitivity to flowers.

All in all, the June Sephora PLAY! has a value of $27.83, which is more than double the cost, but definitely a low amount compared to months past. I will definitely be using three out of the six products, which is good. I would love to know in the comments your thoughts on the Sephora PLAY! subscription service. Do you subscribe? Have you cancelled? Are you on the wait list? I would love to know!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

March PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing & Giveaway!

Posted on April 27, 2016March 25, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am super excited to share with you what I received in my March PLAY! by Sephora. Plus, I have a giveaway to share with you! I know a lot of you haven’t been able to join Sephora’s monthly subscription program yet. I was lucky to get off the wait list right away, and so I’m going to be giving back to one of you. First I’ll be sharing my unboxing as always, and the giveaway will be at the end. If you’d like to see a quick look at my February PLAY! by Sephora, I posted about it on Facebook HERE since I didn’t share a full unboxing during Manicure March. Without further ado, let me show you what I got in March!

March’s theme is The Perfection Collection, and features products to allow us to put our best face forward. To be honest, I don’t find the monthly themes to really be a good representation of what’s inside, but that is fine to me. I have no problem getting a random bunch of goodies from Sephora so long as they are products I’ll use!

Sephora The Perfectionist Sponge Sephora Collection The Perfectionist: Airbrush Sponge – $12.00 [BUY]

The first product I received is a beauty sponge from Sephora’s own collection. I am always up for trying a BeautyBlender dupe, so I’m very excited to test this out. I’m also glad we got a full size sponge that retails for more than the entire PLAY! by Sephora box! How awesome is that? I was just about to invest in a new BeautyBlender, but I’ll happily try this first. I’ll be sure to share my full thoughts on this product after testing it.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser – $4.47 [BUY]

I am also very excited to receive this cleanser from Fresh. I absolutely love this brand, but never do I purchase the products for myself because they are quite expensive. I’ve tried a sample of the Soy Face Exfoliant before and really liked it. I’ll be sure to keep this on hand for when my current cleanser runs out of product!

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield – $11.05 [BUY]

Another brand I love but don’t buy myself because of the high price tag is Murad. Inivisblur is a priming spray, which I feel is super trendy right now. I love that this contains SPF 30, and that it is designed to smooth out the skin. I will definitely be using this in the summer, because priming sprays are lighter than a standard primer.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil – $5.46 [BUY]

I also received a primer from Smashbox in my March box, this time in the form of a Primer Oil. I don’t usually like face oils because they tend to breakout my skin, but I’ve had great luck with the other primers from the Smashbox Photo Finish line so I hope I’ll like this, too. I’m definitely stocked up on primers for a while now!

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper (Black) – $6.65 [BUY]

Now we are getting to the part of the unboxing where I grumble about getting the same kind of products every month. I’ve received an eyeliner in my PLAY! by Sephora box four out of five times, and three of the four eyeliners have been black. As someone who doesn’t wear eyeliner more than a few times a year, this is quite frustrating. Even if I wore eyeliner every day I would find it annoying! I appreciate that I get to try high end brands, but there are so many different beauty products we could be receiving. Why not mascara? Why not blush? Why not nail polish? Please mix it up in the future, Sephora!

Replica Beach Walk Perfume – $1.47 [BUY]

The last product is a perfume sample, and if you’ve been reading my PLAY! by Sephora posts from the beginning you’ll know I don’t enjoy receiving these. Sephora gives these samples away for free in online orders and in the store, and I’d much rather go to the store and pick a scent that works for me. I would love to stop getting these in my subscription and instead receive a deluxe skincare or makeup sample.

Overall, I have mostly positive things to say about my March PLAY! by Sephora subscription. The box has a total retail vale of $41.10, and I am excited about four of the six products. I am definitely getting my money’s worth! My box also came with a little plastic tub that I can bring into Sephora and be matched for a foundation. That’s a fun incentive to go shopping! I’m going to continue with this subscription for sure!

GIVEAWAY

As a thank you for supporting my blog, I wanted to curate a PLAY! by Sephora box for all of you! I’ve collected some of the products I won’t be using from past PLAY! boxes, and put them together in a kit. I hope that if you have been waiting to get your hands on one of these boxes this will be a fun prize! One winner will receive:

TOCCA Isabel Perfume Sample
Viktor & Rolf Flower Bomb Perfume Sample
Stella McCartney Stella Perfume Sample
Lancome Drama Liqui-Pencil Khol Eyeliner
Sephora Contour Eye Pencil in My Boyfriend’s Jeans
Smashbox Full Exposure Eyeshadow Duo
Bonus: miscellaneous Sephora samples!

This giveaway is only open to those in the United States. I apologize to my international readers, but perfume must be sent by ground shipping, and so I am limited to the USA with this one. This giveaway is open for two weeks, ending on May 11, 2016. To enter you must be following my blog and provide me with your email through the Rafflecopter widget. All other entires are your choice and bonus entries! Please email me at adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com with any questions, and read the full Terms and Conditions in the widget before entering. Good luck!a Rafflecopter giveaway

I purchase PLAY! by Sephora with my own money. Sephora is not affiliated with this giveaway. Links used are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

January PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing | My Favorite Yet?!

Posted on February 8, 2016February 3, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share my January PLAY! by Sephora box with all of you. For those who are new to PLAY!, this is a $10 beauty subscription box curated by Sephora. I received my first box back in November (see that unboxing HERE), and have been overall pretty impressed with this subscription service. In December, however, I was a bit underwhelmed with the products, so I was interested to see if January’s box would be any better. I think it is my favorite box yet!

This month’s theme is No Appointment Necessary, and is filled with high-performing products that let you get expert-level results from home. I was immediately excited as soon as I lifted the informational magazine out of the box and saw the first product lying on top. As always, I’ll show you each product individually and share the sample’s retail value with you.

Sephora Collection Green Tea Eye Mask – $5.00

The first thing I spotted was this Green Tea Eye Mask. I’ve seen so many beauty vloggers use masks like these, and they look like a fun and easy way to treat your skin right! Sephora offers a bunch of different eye masks in this line, and the Green Tea one is designed to give a cool, fresh sensation to the eye area and provide a smoothing effect. I am so excited to try this!

Dr. Brandt Needles No More – $15.13

The skincare continues with a product from one of my favorite high end brands, Dr. Brandt. We did get a product from Dr. Brandt last month, but I am totally fine with another! Needles No More is a wrinkle relaxer, and is supposed to provide both instant and long-term effects. I’m really intrigued with this one!

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel – $9.60

The last skincare item in this box is a peel from Dr. Gross Skincare. I’ve always been nervous to try a peel, but there are three treatments in this box so I guess a peel is in my future! I do like that this peel is a two-step wipe process. This should be interesting!

TOCCA Isabel Perfume – $2.00

Next up is a perfume sample from TOCCA, which you all know I don’t like getting in this box. Sephora gives perfume samples away for free, both online and in-store. It’s ridiculous we keep getting these! Nonetheless, Isabel is a rose-scented perfume, which I cannot use because of my sensitivity to floral scents. This is my least favorite item in the box.

Living Proof Prime Style Extender Spray – $2.94

Moving on to hair care, we got a Living Proof sample in the box! I love this brand of hair care, so I’m happy that I received this. The Prime Style Extender Spray is designed for fine hair, which I have, and is supposed to make any style last 2x longer. I don’t usually style my hair, but I’ll be glad to have this on hand for when I do!

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight in Hefty Highlight – $12.57

Last but not least is a makeup item from Clinique, which I am really excited to try. This is a cream highlighter in a beautiful pink shade. I think this will look beautiful with my fair skin tone. I’ve never tried a cream highlighter before, so I can’t wait to put this to use!

All in all, I am very impressed with my January PLAY! by Sephora box. I will use every item except for the perfume, and I am very much looking forward to the skincare and makeup. The retail value for this box is $47.24, which is also excellent. I’m going to continue my subscription for sure! If you are interested in subscribing, join the wait list HERE. I’ll be sure to share what I receive next month, too!

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Sephora Beauty Insider Loyalty Haul | First Aid Beauty, Smashbox, & More!

Posted on January 13, 2016January 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m back with a Sephora Haul! I typically shop at Sephora a few times a year – my birthday, the holidays, and the spring. Every holiday season, Sephora gives a coupon to Beauty Insiders at a value of $15 off a $50 purchase. I knew this coupon was coming, so I splurged on a few items that I needed, and a few others that I wanted to try. Of course, I made sure to shop through Ebates, and earned 8% cash back on my purchase during a Double Cash Back event. I also had a gift card, so I saved quite a bit! Let me go ahead and show you what I picked up at Sephora!

Sephora Beauty Insider Loyalty Haul | First Aid Beauty, Smashbox, & More!

Sephora Beauty Insider Loyalty Haul | First Aid Beauty, Smashbox, & More! First up are the items that I purchased! I usually try to aim for $50 even, but this time I went a bit over that amount. I just decided to get some extra goodies!

First Aid Beauty Fab to the Rescue Sampler Kit – I’m traveling this month, so I decided to pick up this skincare sampler kit so I could take it with me on the plane. This kit includes the Ultra Repair Cream, Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask, Face Cleanser, Ultra Repair Lip Therapy, and Ultra Repair Wash. I’m really excited to use these products because I’ve had good luck with the First Aid Beauty brand in the past. I’ll be sure to do a full review on this kit when I can!
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Black Tea & Blackberry – I picked up this lip balm because I didn’t own any lip balms that weren’t tinted! I ended up destashing a lot of my old balms, and so a new one was in order. I’ve heard so many beauty gurus rave about this lip balm, so I figured it would be great to have. I’ve been using this for a few weeks now, and really love it!
NARS Pencil Sharpener – I’ve had the worst luck with pencil sharpeners, and I needed a new one yet again. Ingrid Nilsen recommend this NARS one in a recent favorites video, and I trust her opinion. Hopefully this sharpener will last for a while!
Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette – My big splurge in this haul is a new eyeshadow palette. Now, I don’t wear eyeshadow often, but I’m trying to reach for it more. This palette is absolutely tiny, but holds eight shadows. Four of them are shimmers, and the other four are mattes. This is perfect for travel, and I’ll definitely be packing it when I’m on the go!

Sephora Beauty Insider Loyalty Haul | First Aid Beauty, Smashbox, & More! Next up, I used a coupon code from the Weekly Specials page to score this little makeup bag filled with sample products. While I’m not the biggest fan of foil packets, they are great for travel. I am really excited for the makeup bag, though! I use pouches for everything in my purse and luggage – cords, pens and pencils, accessories, and more. Always make sure to use a coupon code when you shop at Sephora!

Sephora Beauty Insider Loyalty Haul | First Aid Beauty, Smashbox, & More! Last but not least, I got my three free samples. I love Atelier perfume samples, and I’ve heard great things about Rita Hazan hair care. The last sample on the right is a Peter Thomas mask, so that will be fun to try, too. I have entire drawer of samples in my makeup collection, so these will be added to the pile.

That’s all for my Sephora haul this time around! I always love sharing the new products I picked up with all of you. Shopping at Sephora is special to me, and splurging a few times a year is very fun. Please let me know in the comments what you picked up from the Beauty Insider Loyalty sale! I would love to know!

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December PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing! | $60 Value for $10

Posted on January 6, 2016January 5, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m here to share what I got in my PLAY! by Sephora subscription for December. I talk all about what PLAY! by Sephora is in my November Unboxing, so if you want to learn more please see THIS blog post. I was really looking forward to this box after an awesome first month, and I was a bit disappointed when it arrived. Nonetheless, it does have an amazing retail value! Let me show you what was inside my December PLAY! by Sephora box!

December PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing! | $60 Value for $10

The December theme was Oh What Fun! in celebration of the holiday season, but to be honest I don’t really see a cohesive theme with the products. Just like last month, I got a mix of makeup, skincare, and fragrance products. As I show you each product, the dollar amount listed is the retail value of each sample size, which I calculate in proportion to the full size product.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb – $4.00

I am once again disappointed to get a perfume sample in this month’s box. Perfume samples are free at Sephora, both online and in-store. Nonetheless, I understand that Flowerbomb is an iconic perfume, and many people love it. This sample would be great for travel, or if you wanted to test out this luxury scent. Unfortunately, I cannot use it at all because floral scents really bother my allergies. I know I’m a unique case here, but this product is a bust for me.

Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil – $5.00

The next product is a face oil, similar to the argan oil I received in last month’s PLAY! I really love the brand Fresh, and am always excited to try out different products from the company. I do tend to have bad luck with face oils, as they don’t work well with my combination skin. I’m still going to try this out, though, just because I’ve had good luck with Fresh in the past.

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette – $6.92

The next sample is one that is really awesome, and that is a mini eyeshadow palette from the brand Smashbox. I love that this sample comes with two eyeshadows, and that you get a mirror with it. The shadows can even be worn together! Unfortunately for me, I just purchased the Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette, and both of these shades are included. That is definitely a risk you take if you are a regular Sephora shopper!

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in Black

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in Black – $11.88

The other makeup product in the December box is a black eyeliner from Make Up Forever. This is another awesome sample in general, but for me it is disappointing. I received an eyeliner last month, and I don’t wear eyeliner often at all. I’m glad this is a black shade, because it is the easiest to wear and use. I’m not sure if I’m going to keep this for myself, or pass it on yet.

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator – $7.25

I received two more skincare samples, and the first I am really excited about! I absolutely love Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion, and use it on a regular basis. However, because it is so expensive, I wouldn’t be able to repurchase it when my bottle is empty. Now I have a backup, or a travel sized bottle. I’m so glad I got this sample!

NUDE Skincare Advanced Renewal Serum – $27.30

The last sample is definitely the most perplexing one in the box! I got seven foil packets of the NUDE serum. At first I was annoyed to get foil packets, but then I realized that I could try out the serum for an entire week to see how I liked it. When I calculated the retail value, I was absolutely floored. These foil packets do not have any sort of size marking on it, but I did some research and most foil packets are 0.05 fluid ounces. I used that for my calculations, and cannot believe how much these samples cost! While it is annoying that these are free samples that could be given out at any Sephora (I’ve even had one before!), the value is definitely impressive.

Overall, my December PLAY! by Sephora box has an approximate retail value of $62.35. That is amazing considering I only spent $10 on it! However, I’m very disappointed that the box is quite similar to last month’s. In both boxes I got a perfume sample, eyeliner, and oil – all things I don’t typically use. The only item that I am particularly excited to use in the December box is the PoreDermabrasion. Thus, despite the high retail value of the box as a whole, it is a flop for me. I’m going to be trying out January’s box to see how it compares, but if it is repetitive I will most likely cancel. For more information on PLAY! by Sephora, see the official website HERE.

Do you subscribe to PLAY! by Sephora? Leave a comment with your thoughts on the December box!

Shop for the items inside my December PLAY! by Sephora box using the widget below and I will earn a small commission. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

November PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing | $40 Value for $10

Posted on December 14, 2015December 1, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am so excited to share with you a brand new subscription service from Sephora called PLAY! by Sephora. As you might now, I’ve tried out a few $10 beauty subscriptions in the past, but ultimately cancelled all of them because I wasn’t impressed with the products, or I got the same items all the time. When I heard that Sephora had its own $10 beauty box, I had to try it out right away. I figured that if all the products were found at Sephora, it had to be good. I joined the PLAY! by Sephora wait list, and was able to get the November box. Let me show you what I got inside my first box!

My November box arrived in the cutest packaging! I love the lipsticks on the box. PLAY! comes with a magazine that details the products inside and how to use them. Plus, it comes with a coupon for a free one-on-one learning session at Sephora that also gives you 50 Beauty Insider Points with any purchase!

PLAY! by Sephora is a sample subscription, and I received six samples in my November box. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on each product in turn!

Stella McCartney ‘Stella’ Perfume – $2.70 retail value

The only product that I’m quite disappointed with in my box is this perfume sample. Sephora gives away these samples for free in store and online, and the packaging even says “Free Sample” on the back. I also won’t be using this perfume because it is a floral scent, which aggravates my allergies. Nonetheless, it has a $2.70 retail value and I can give this to a friend.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil – $4.52 retail value

Next I got a deluxe sample of Josie Maran Argan Oil. This is an amazing sample, but it’s one I’ve tried before and it doesn’t work for me. This argan oil is just a bit too heavy for my skin, and I tend to break out when I use it. That being said, I know so many people who would love to get this product. I’m giving mine as a gift for Christmas!

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer – $5.76 retail value

I am so excited about this Make Up For Ever primer! I love trying out new primers, and this is a high end product I would never purchase without trying first. I might save this sample for travel, but it’s definitely great to have on hand. This is exactly the type of product I was hoping to get in my subscription!

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12h Wear in My Boyfriend’s Jeans – $4.25 retail value

The next item is a blue eyeliner from Sephora’s own brand. This is something I’m not going to use, simply because I never wear eyeliner, and blue eyeliner is definitely not my style. I think it’s great that Sephora included this, though, because many makeup lovers might not want to buy a blue eyeliner, but would perhaps want to try one. It’s a great idea, just not my taste!

Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Rhubarb – $13.33 retail value

Sephora included two lip products in this box, which I absolutely love! The first is this lipstick from Bite Beauty. The shade is stunning, and a bit more daring than I usually wear. I am so excited to be able to wear such a high end lippie for such an affordable price. It’s amazing that this sample alone is worth more than the $10 I paid for the box!

Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Dolly – $9.50 retail value

Last but not least is a Buxom lip product in the most gorgeous shade. I’ve really come to love Buxom products, and this one is no exception. It can be worn alone, or layered over the Bite Beauty lip product, so that’s awesome that they work together if you wish. I’ve worn this lip gloss already, and absolutely love it!

All in all, my November PLAY! by Sephora box is a $40.06 retail value! I am really excited about the two lip products, and the Make Up Forever primer. Even if I just consider the retail value of those three products, that is $28.59 and nearly triple what I paid. I’m super happy with this box, and will continue subscribing for sure. If you’d like to join, head on over to Sephora’s website HERE. Definitely let me know if you sign up for the subscription!

Shop this month’s PLAY! by Sephora box!

Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip | Swatches + Review

Posted on November 11, 2015November 10, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! I recently shared with all of you a huge Sephora haul (see that post HERE). One of the items I splurged on is the Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip set. Sephora puts together value kits called Sephora Favorites that include a variety of high end items in a particular category. I love trying lip products, but I usually stick with affordable drugstore options. I thought this was the perfect time to splurge on some high end lip products and give them a try! I won’t be keeping all of these lip products for myself (it is the holidays!), but I have swatches on all of the products I’m keeping. Let me go ahead and share more about the kit with you.

The Give Me More Lip set comes with fifteen different lip products, four of which are full size, and 11 deluxe sample sizes. They range from lipsticks to lip glosses to lip crayons and more, and range in shade as well from dark and vampy to barely there pink. The set comes in a gorgeous metallic gold gift box, which can definitely be reused. I couldn’t wait to dig in and decide which I would keep for me, and which I would give as gifts!

Fresh Sugar Tulip Tinted Lip Treatment (Deluxe Sample)

I really love the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment line, and I’ve already worn Tulip a few times. The formula is so smooth and soothing, and I like that there is just a hint of color. While the full size is definitely very expensive, I might splurge on one in the future. I know it is a trusted product, and I highly recommend them!

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth in Milkyway (Deluxe Sample)

I’ve never tried a Laura Mercier product before, so I was excited to put this lipstick to the test! It is definitely creamy and smooth, and feels very moisturizing on the kips. Milkyway is a nude shade that leans towards a brown-beige. It reminds me of the coveted Kylie Jenner lip shade that people try to replicate. I’m not sure it’s for me, but it’s very fun to try it!

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Peony (Deluxe Sample)

I’ve been wanting to try this line from Too Faced for over a year now! So many beauty gurus love these, and I can see why. The formula is amazing, and applies so cleanly. I don’t think Peony is the perfect shade for me, but now I know that I love the formula and feel of these lipsticks. If you have a favorite shade, please share it with me in the comments!

Clinique Chubby Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Strawberry (Deluxe Sample)

Clinque Chubby Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Strawberry

I always seem to love lip crayons like this one from Clinque. In my daily life, I prefer a tinted lip color that looks really natural. That’s just what you get with Strawberry. It has a nice wash of pink tint, and wears nicely throughout the day. I’m definitely interested in seeing what other shades are available!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Streak (Full Size)

I’ve also been excited to try the Revolution Lipstick collection from Urban Decay! I’m really enjoying this lipstick and the creamy formula. The application is a bit tough due to the large lipstick size, but I think I might use a lip brush for a better line in the future. I’m also swooning over the amazing packaging on this lipstick!

Bite Matte Creme in Cognac (Deluxe Sample)

One of the more adventurous lipsticks in the bunch is from Becca. This super dark shade reminds me of the 1990s. The lipstick itself is a skinny crayon, and a bit difficult to apply. I’ve heard great things about this product range, so I think I’ll be experimenting with this some more!

Buxom Lip Polish in Sophia (Deluxe Sample)

Another one of my most worn in the kit so far is this Buxom gloss. It is so wearable, and the formula is great. I hesitate to describe it as sticky, because I know people don’t like sticky glosses, but it is long-wearing and stays on the lips. Plus, it makes the lips look really full. This product can be worn alone or over a lipstick.

Tarte Energy Gloss in Clear (Deluxe Sample)

This Tarte lip gloss is really unique. It applies almost clear, but has a slight pink tint that adjusts based on your skin tone. On me, it is a true pink, and I really love it. It feels so silky on the lips, too.

Ciate Liquid Velvet in Risque (Full Size)

Last but not least is one of my favorite products in the kit, Ciate Liquid Velvet in this amazing red color. I fell in love with this matte finish the first time I tried it. While I’m not one to rock a red lip normally, I am obsessed with this lip color. I had no idea Ciate was into lip products, and that they are incredible!

All in all, I highly recommend picking up the Give Me More Lip kit from the Sephora Favorites collection! It is definitely expensive at $59, but it’s a $197 value, and I think 100% worth the price. The products in this kit make perfect gifts this holiday season, and, of course, you can keep your favorites for yourself! I hope this post was helpful in terms of seeing some swatches of the products. Make sure to pick up Give Me More Lip on Sephora’s website HERE before it sells out!

What lip product is your favorite in this kit? Let me know in the comments!

The products in this post were purchased by my. This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.