Sephora Pantone Matching

August 11, 2013August 11, 20132 Comments

I’ve known about the Pantone matching system at Sephora for a while now. I remember that there were only two outposts (or something like that) and one was at the Times Square store in NYC. More recently they’ve been heavily promoting the program and I think that almost all the stores have the system in place. This is wonderful. Wearing the wrong color, in any sense of the expression, can really affect your look. The “Color IQ” system at Sephora works like this: they take 3 pictures, one on your neck, cheek, and above your temple. Your Pantone color is an average of the 3 skin photos. Mine is 1Y01. The sales associate helping me explained that the 1 means I am the lightest on the color spectrum (not surprised), and the Y means I have yellow undertones (No, not me, not yellow, I practically look pink, I have pink undertones, I swear!). I’m learning to cope with this number, yellow is completely foreign to me. Regardless, Color IQ is very cool. When you get your number you can input it into Sephora.com and it lists all the foundation products that work for you.

The sales associate pulled a BB cream by Tarte for me to try. I’ve never really used any of their products so I was curious to try a sample. He suggested that I pair it with NARS Siberia for a full-coverage look, if I so desired to look extra porcelain.

Sephora Beauty Essentials

June 19, 2013June 19, 20131 Comment

As I made my weekly trip to Sephora I found myself lingering around the Super Stars Beauty Essentials kit. It’s basically a round up of the cult favorites Sephora has to offer. And did I mention that they are all full-sized products? But the fact that they’re full-sized means a full-sized price. The Essentials will cost you. I had to decide in that moment whether all these amazing products were worth $75. Of course they were, but I had already racked up a sizable debt that weekend, spending my weekend budget at Topshop and Aritzia before I even got to Sephora. On the bright side, the kit looks like it may be around for a while so I probably have a little while longer to deicide. Here is what it comes with and my thoughts:

0.035 oz Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder	Never tried this product but have only heard amazing things. I have a friend who uses it as dry shampoo.
0.06 oz Sephora Collection Microsmooth Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Black Light	I think these colors look amazing, but I’m not a huge eye shadow person so this product isn’t making my decision.
0.16 oz NARS Blush in Orgasm	Of course this is my go-to blush but I also just bought a new one not that long ago and it happens to last forever.
0.5 oz Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment	I’m not a huge skincare guru, but my roommate is. He called dibs on this product.
0.5 oz Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil	Huge fan of Josie Maran, but I’m not sure what I’d do with the oil. Maybe use it in my hair. I have the oil stick for the winter. I could just save it for then.
0.33 oz Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer	I recently ran out of my Hourglass primer and have been lively solely off sample-sized primers. I’ve been using the NARS primer but also have a small Hourglass sample.
0.3 oz Benefit They’re Real! Mascara	I bought the mini- They’re Real to try from Sephora. I actually really like it.
0.15 oz BUXOM Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Sandy	Not a huge fan of the color of the lipgloss, but hey, who doesn’t love lipgloss. Maybe it goes on sheer.
0.016 oz Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner	I haven’t had luck with eyeliners lately. Nothing is working for me. Either my eye reacts badly or it just goes everywhere
0.33 oz Kat Von D Saint Eau de Parfum Rollerball	Tried this at the store, could not believe how amazing it smells. I want to buy the actual perfume.

Upcoming Beaty Lines

April 16, 2013May 17, 20131 Comment

I’m not sure what I am going to do –I’ve just read that Michael Kors is now coming out with a beauty line. Not to mention Marc Jacobs’ upcoming line hitting Sephora shelves this fall. And Lanvin x Lancome in June. My beauty bar at home is already overstocked. Despite the fact that I’m 100% sure I must own something from each collection, I am so looking forward to seeing what these designers are going to come up with. I love a good fashion/beauty crossover. It’s a great way to add an extension to a brand and increase an empire by working with an already loyal customer base.

My predictions:

Michael Kors– probably a lot of golds: tanner, bronzer, orangey-shimmery powder. Elle UK is reporting the collection will be divided into themes: sporty, sexy, and glam (that sounds like the essence of MK) and will aslo feature lip colors and after-sun creams. The collection will be available in August at Macy’s, exclusively.

Marc Jacobs– Based on the success of his perfumes, I’m sure MJ cosmetics will be a hit. We’ve already seen a glimpse of the nail polish bottles and they seem to be off to a great start packaging-wise. I hope he goes all out with a full-line of make-up: foundation, powders, palettes, blush, and of course nail polish. I’m imagining pales and darkest darks.

Lanvin x Lancome– This is more of a partnership, but it still counts in my eyes. Alber has created an amazing video for the collab so I’m hoping to see elements of his illustration in the collection. Hopefully we’ll see bright colors, pasteles and nail polish!

What other fashion houses have yet to venture into beauty? Can they successfully make the cross over? What existing houses have beauty lines, but could be doing better? Just some food for thought.

Rita Hazan Root Concealer for Highlights

March 29, 2013Leave a comment

Alright, I let my hair go WAY too long without a highlight touch up. When I called the salon they couldn’t get me in for a week, and my hair is looking terrible. I have chunks of color and terrible grow out. So embarrassing. On my regular surveys of Sephora I came across a couple products that are meant for concealing roots. They’re like spray on color, sort of like those crazy hair paints you used as a kid. The best reviewed product was Rita Hazan’s Root Concealer for Highlights, she also makes root concealers for grey hair. I read a bunch of reviews and figured, why not! The worst reviews complained of the color not really helping and the texture the spray leaves in your hair.

I tried the spray out at Sephora and it seemed to work really well on my roots. I bought the product, assured that this was the right decision. At the end of the day, I was still happy with the staying-power of the blonde. I knew the color would be difficult to get out but prepared myself for the task of washing my hair. I scrubbed and lathered as best as I could but once my hair dried, it was still left with the strange feeling of the product. I’ve used the concealer twice and am sort of worried it’s not going to come out in time before my hair appointment. The last thing you want to do is get highlights on top of product-laden hair. I’m planning on doing a vinegar rinse, as I’ve heard that can help cleanse build up.

The Verdict: I may take this product back. I like the color it gives me, but it may not be worth it for the amount of effort it’s going to take to get this out of my hair.

The Balm at Duane Reade

March 11, 2013Leave a comment

I was walking on Centre st. Saturday night and needed to stop at a Duane Reade for a few things. Somewhere between Spring and Broome was where I found thins Duane, it’s a lovely old building that’s been converted into New York’s favorite convenience store. Now here’s the thing with Duane: some are good, and some are not so good. A “good” Duane has all theses amazing new make up lines in what they call a “Look Boutique”. They carry POP beauty, Cargo, Gosh, Demeter fragrances and more. To my surprise I walked into the pharmacy and see a beauty stand for the brand The Balm. I couldn’t believe it. This brand is practically exclusive to online sales. Sephora carries a few of their products but not the entire line. As I stood gawking in front of The Balm display, I still could not believe the products were just sitting there, right before my eyes.

Here’s what I know about The Balm. Their packaging is amazing, think benefit but less modern and more 50’s kitschy-type names. People swear by their products, it’s totally a cult favorite. It’s also a higher end brand, more like something that would be sold in Sephora rather than a drugstore. I’m really glad Duane is trying to change drugstore beauty as we know it and aim for a more boutique-like feel. I think it’s a smart decision to bring in higher-end beauty brands into pharmacies, as it should be a mutually beneficial relationship.

First look at Marc Jacobs Beatuty

February 15, 20131 Comment

These two dolls are the first shots of the Marc Jacobs beauty line via the Style.com Editor’s Diary. Already in love with the packaging

Today’s Sephora Purchase

January 12, 2013Leave a comment

Went into Sephora on a whim, wasn’t planning on buying anything…..but isn’t that when you end up buying the most? YES. I usually linger around the NARS area or YSL, yearning for some beautiful color that is totally impractical for every day wear. But today I was shown the Anastasia Brow Fix, which is basically a clear wax that you use to shape your eyebrows. Sold. Anastasia is the go-to for anything brow related and I’ve been anxious to try their brow gel. (*I fear to mention, I broke out using the Maybelline clear brow gel, so never again) I’ve also been in desperate need of a moisturizer. I’ve had a few samples from Sephora but I didn’t love any one in particular. So the helpful sales associates recommended the Korres Wild Rose Moisturizer. I’m going to try it out, which is what’s so great about Sephora -the return policy. That being said, I am super happy with my purchases today.

…another beauty post…

January 5, 2013Leave a comment

After Christmas I realized I had racked up quite a bit in gift cards….to Sephora. I had been wanting a new mascara and lipstick and had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to get. I purchased the YSL: ROUGE VOLUPTÉ – Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15 in 1 Nude Beige. I love it. The color works as a very neutral nude that also draws attention to my lips. It reminds me of the colors they wore in the ’70s.

My second purchase was the Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Nylon Lash Extension System. I heard nothing but wonderful things about this product and was anxious to try. Unfortunately, I am one of the few who don’t care for this mascara. I wear contacts and sometimes the fibers blur my vision when I’m putting it on. But the worst part is that your lashes feel slightly sticky all day and often stick together. After wearing the product all day I came home to find residue just below my brow line from where my lashes have been resting against my skin. I don’t have the receipt for this product but otherwise I would take it back. I think I will only be using it for when I go out at night. I think i could go on about this mascara but I’ll stop before I get too upset about the $35 I paid.

Satellite of Love

October 6, 2012Leave a comment

A month or so ago I posted about the NARS x Andy Warhol collection. On my break the other day I found myself in Sephora and forgot the collection was set to be released October 1. I was thrilled to see the collection in person. One item in particular, caught my eye because I had not seen it in the early product release images. It is a new blush that, in my opinion, would likely serve as a highlighter/illuminator. Also, it has a killer name: Satellite of Love, one of my all time favorite songs. It’s such a perfect tribute to Andy and the 1960s pop culture.

NARS + Andy Warhol

September 1, 2012Leave a comment

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
-Andy Warhol

NARS has decided to follow the trend of collaborations and has teamed up with pop art icon Andy Warhol to create a limited edition collection. I am so excited for this, I am even considering waiting in line. If that’s necessary. As a lifetime fan of art and Andy Warhol, the products and packaging are amazing. From Debbie Harry palettes to Edie-inspired lip glosses, this collection could not make me any happier. The collection, to be released at Sephora on October 1, consists of shadows, blushes, pencils, nail color, lip glosses, and a special Silver Factory-inspired Illuminator. Andy’s love of color and beauty makes him the perfect artist to inspire a make-up collection.