SORR¥ NOT SORR¥ . SEPHORA VIB EVENT HAUL

This weekend marked Sephora's Annual Holiday VIB Event, a time when those holding VIB status or higher receive 20% OFF their entire purchase... all weekend long. Knowing that this weekend was coming up I've held myself back from making large purchases at Sephora, but yesterday I let loose, buying whatever my little eyes desired and God it felt good – retail therapy really is a thing. 

All of the products featured will be reviewed in depth over the upcoming weeks, but being that today is the final day to cash in on the 20% OFF I figured that I would share my haul for some last minute inspiration :). I was also a bit cheeky this morning and ordered one more item online; the Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment ($29) to help with the random breakouts I've been experiencing. Don't tell my Mom.

THE SETS

Peter Thomas Roth | Skinstant Mask Magic ($52) - Despite that this size is unavailable online, there is a slightly smaller version (0.5oz vs. 1.7oz), which still allows you to try this mask trio, including: the Cucumber Gel Mask, Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Mask, and the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. If at any point I go missing this week you can find me getting high off of the intoxicating scent of the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask.

Sephora Favourites | Dare To Oil ($40) - I'm in dire need of a new facial oil – it's reached the point where I have to tip my Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil bottle upside down for 5 minutes before the right amount of product comes out. And while I've had my sights set on the Keihl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, I couldn't pass up the chance to test out 4 more oils before making my final decision. Those on the chopping block include: the Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil Light, Tarte Maracuja Oil, Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Vitamin C Youth Activating Oil, and the Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil. 

Smashbox | Step-By-Step Contour Kit ($52) -This is such a great set for anyone just getting into contouring! The majority of contour kits/palettes simply contains two shades: a contour and highlight, but this palette contains a third, middle shade to help diffuse the contour for a more natural effect. It also comes with a step-by-step guide for placement of the contour based on your face shape, as well as a brush.

THE INDIVIDUALS

Benefit Cosmetics | Gimme Brows in Medium/Deep ($26) - Considering this will be my third or fourth tube of this product I'm sure you can understand how great my love for it is. On days when I'm on the run, Gimme Brows, makes my brows look my best – naturally filled in, in a fraction of the time of my normal routine. 

NARS | Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu ($31) - After my mission for Make Up For Ever's Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 49 Satin Blueberry failed, I turned to the help of a Sephora employee to help me find a similar shade. From the moment Train Bleu was swatched I was sold. 

Hourglass | Veil Mineral Primer Travel-Sized ($21) - I've yet to hear a bad word spoken in regards to this primer. But since I wasn't ready to shell out the $60 for the full sized and the Best Of Houglass Set I had been after was nowhere in sight, I figured this was the best way to see if the hype was legit.

Bumble and Bumble | Sunday Shampoo ($25.50) - I used to relish in a evening of pampering come every Sunday, but between the crazyness of the move and settling into the city I fell of track. I'm hopeful that this clarifying shampoo will give me one more reason to re-start my weekly Sunday rituals.

Bumble and Bumble | Creme de Coco Masque ($32.75) - No Sunday ritual would be complete without a hair mask, and while I originally wanted the Phyto Phytospecific Ultra-Smoothing Mask, the scent of Creme De Coco couldn't be beat. Plus... it's Bumble and Bumble. 

Make Up For Ever | Aqua Matic Eye Pencil ($25) -  After falling in love with these eyeshadow pencils back in September when I tested the shade Iridescent Turquoise, I knew that it wouldn't be long before I grabbed a few of the more versatile shades. I decided to pick up Metallic Golden Taupe and  Diamond Golden Grey to provide a quite pop of colour rimmed around the eye on days when I want to look put together with minimal effort.

THE BONUSES

Jack Black | Performance Ready Turbo Wash Energizing Cleanser for Hair & Body - Because I wasn't a big fan of this years Women Birthday Gift I decided to ask for the Men version instead. Not only is this a (seriously) deluxe sized sample, I kind of love using mens body wash – the scents make you feel so fresh and so clean, clean.

Urban Decay | Urban Obsession Kit - I rarely cash in my VIB points, but the 500-point perk this month, the Urban Decay Urban Obsession Kit, totally stole my heart. Included in this set are 4 of their best-selling shadows in Skimp, Bust, Guilt, and Oil Slick, as well as their 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero- black and a single use of the most-loved Primer Potion. The perfect from day to night on-the-go palette. 

What products did you purchase this weekend? And what products would you like to see reviewed first!?

AM¥     XO

SEPHORA 20% OFF VIB EVENT . WISHLIST

Needless to say, I am constantly stalking Sephora, creating endless wishlists of products I want and slowly dying on the inside because my lack of funds makes it impossible for me to purchase everything. But there is one magical weekend each Holiday season that make my wishlists slightly more attainable; the Sephora VIB Sales Event (Nov. 6th -10th). During this weekend anyone with VIB or VIB Rouge status, will receive 20% off their entire purchase. My recent makeup wishlists may appear slightly bland but there's reason for it – during the first few years of blogging I loaded up on eyeshadow palettes, blush palettes, ANYTHING with colour... and now I find myself focusing in on the basics, a flawless base makes all the difference. Looking back now I see that I went about this whole 'makeup business' a bit backwards.

But without further ado, here is my wishlist for this weekend! Now if only Sephora would get a handle of their online checkout for Canadians :| – it's been down for the past 2 days.

1. Bite Beauty | Mix N' Mingle Lip Set ($118)

My wishlist couldn't be completely void of colour, which is where the Bite Beauty Mix N' Mingle Lip Set comes in. This limited edition set contains 10 deluxe-sized samples of the brands must have shades and formulas. What I'm most excited for: the Matte Crème Lip Crayon in Glacé and the Luminous Crème Lipstick Duo in both, Tangerine/Lingonberry and Palomina/Violet.

2. Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin ($115)

Even though I have only tried this product once, probably 6-8 months ago, I still have a difficult time getting it off of my mind. The Dior Captule Totale Dreamskin is different breed of 'primer', although I'm not entirely positive that the title of 'primer' truly does this product any justice – it's all in the name, Dreamskin, which is exactly what you achieve after one use. So how does it work? Well their exclusive bio-mimetic powder complex reduces dark spots and redness, and minimizes pores,  Longoza extracthelps to combat wrinkles along with loss of radiance and firmness, and Opilia extract helps reduce dark spots and redness, bringing dull complexions back to life. Self explanatory right? 

Just add a dab to the back of your hand next time you're in Sephora and trust that you too will become a convert.

3. Phyto | Phytospecific Ultra-Smoothing Mask ($39)

Despite my hair looking and feeling extremely healthy since chopping it all off there is still something missing: smoothness. I am constantly at war with the baby hairs that protrude from my hair when it is parted. And while I feel that I have tried almost everything to tame them, there is one path that I have not explored: creating a proper hair routine. The most important part of the routine being a smoothing, and hydrating conditioning mask to be used twice weekly. Phyto claims their mask 'hydrates, repairs, and strengthens hair from within, while smoothing the surface cuticle to boost color vibrancy and luster, leaving hair softer, stronger, and shinier.' Here's hoping it solves my woe's and stops the dreaded 'winter static head' before it starts.

4. Givenchy | Le Vernis Black Glittering Nail Lacquer & Top Coat ($24) 

There isn't all that much to be said about why I want this product so desperately – it's black, beautifully packaged, and contains small and micro hex glitter, reflecting the colours of the rainbow when exposed to the right light. Just like my heart.

5. Yves Saint Laurent | Fushion Ink Foundation ($64)

I feel a little late to the party when it comes to a product like the YSL Fushion Ink Foundation, released back in August. Not only did it garner rave reviews from everyone in the industry, including Vogue, before it's official release date it had accumulated a waiting list of 12,000 beauty addicts. Now that the hypebeasts have moved onto the next BIG thing in beauty, it's my turn to see what the Fushion Ink Foundation is all about. After looking at multiple before-and-after blogs and educating myself on the NASA-inspired technology that this foundation uses, aka special sweat and sebum-controlling agents, I have made it my mission to stake my flag in the Fushion Ink World.

6. Smashbox | Step-By-Step Contour Kit ($52)
I've finally realized that using a bronzer to contour my face is so 2006. So I've set out on a mission to find an easy to use contour kit that will educate me on the world of face-shaping and slimming – ahem, have you seen my nose. This 4-part contouring kit from Smashbox is cost effective and  teaches you how to sculpt, shape, and define your features with three shades for defining, bronzing, and highlighting. I can't wait to step out the door looking like Kim Kardashian – men beware; you shall be fooled.

7. Hourglass | Best Of Hourglass Set ($68)
Hourglass is one of those brands that makes me want to swipe my makeup collection clean (like a computer) and start fresh with a one-brand bias. While I would never legitimately do that, I certainly don't mind enhancing my current makeup collection with a set of their bestsellers. Number one from this kit: the Veil Mineral Primer – have you ever heard a bad review of this product? Didn't think so. The runner up, the Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Ignite – a rose shimmer gloss that can perfectly enhance any lipstick-covered pout. If you've yet to try Hourglass this set will get your foot in the door.

8. Atelier Cologne | Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolue ($70)

Last but certainly not least is a scent that my bestfriend and I have been going slightly insane over: Vanille Insensée. The description alone is enough to make your heart skip a beat – "He wove through the crowd when suddenly his heart quickened. That scent. It was hers. He had worn it first until she stole it for herself. Now, there she was before him and the magic of years past came flooding back in a moment." It is the perfect balance between masculine and feminine all while using a few of my favourite notes: vanilla, oak wood, jasmine and amber. This scent makes me feel, which is rare.

AM¥     XO