Sponsored: Indulge Yourself at Sephora for the Holidays
Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow ($21.00) is a really richly pigmented, dense powder eyeshadow formula that wears well, blends beautifully, and applies intensely over bare skin. My favorite shades: Iggy, Thunderstruck, Thrasher, Doce. (Read reviews or see swatches.)
Make Up For Ever Nudes You Need Artist Palette ($42.00) has been a real go-to travel palette for me, because the colors are flattering and easy to wear, and the formula is blendable, long-wearing, and pigmented, so it’s no fuss and I can rely on it when I’m out of town. (Read reviews or see swatches.)
Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Powder ($44.00) is a luminous, champagne-shimmered peach that gives the skin a beautiful glow that doesn’t read too strong or too subtle. On lighter skin tones, this can even work as a highlighting blush. The texture is silky-smooth and finely-milled, which helps it blend effortlessly on the skin. (Read reviews or see swatches.)
Viseart Paris Nude Eyeshadow Palette ($80.00) is a workhorse, neutral palette that doesn’t lean too warm or too cool in tone. It works well as a standalone palette or complements any existing eyeshadows you have, especially your favorite mattes. (Read reviews or see swatches.)
Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick ($53.00) is one of the more decadent purchases I know I make. It’s the one lipstick formula that has stood the test of time for me, as it remains my favorites years after trying, and it remains a true luxury purchase. It’s hard to go wrong with any shade that tickles your fancy, but a few of my personal favorites are Garconne, Gina, Girly, Gracia, and Gemma. (Read reviews or see swatches.)
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Polish ($18.00) is a long-wearing, pigmented formula that comes in an assortment of shades. I like that the range has some unexpected shades as well as great basics. (Read reviews or see swatches.)
Hourglass Lip Treatment Oil ($42.00) is a decadent overnight treatment for your lips–it’s one of my go-tos after a long day of lipstick or gloss swatching. (Read review.)
Urban Decay Bittersweet Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush ($26.00) is an unexpected pop of purple–true purple at that–for the cheeks, and it just may surprise you with how wearable it really is. I like the idea of spoiling one’s self with something surprising, something new and adventurous. (Read reviews or see swatches.)
Josie Maran Argan Oil Luminizing Veil ($30.00) is a soft beige highlighter that is on the subtler side and doesn’t emphasize pores. The texture is incredibly soft and smooth! (Read review.)
Any holiday favorites that you’ve picked up from Sephora this season?
That Hourglass lip oil sounds like it needs to go on my wish list. I use the Bite agave mask at night and sometimes in the daytime. My lips have been so dry since the fall!
Poor lips! My hands have been that way since it started to cool down.
Yep, the dryness of Arizona. I love Loccitane hand creams. I got hooked on them when I worked in the hospitals. Hand washing & dry air! I like them because they aren’t greasy and work. I usually get a set during the Holidays with a few small ones for bags and pockets. Then I refill them with the large tube. Just fyi, if your interested. Its one of those things that I hate to shell out the $ for. But, I’m so happy to have it once I do! 🙂
Thanks, Nicole! I have some L’Occitane hand creams around here somewhere, I think 🙂
Yeah, it’s terribly dry here, wreaks havoc on ones hands. I never had such dry, chapped, cracked hands before I moved to AZ 13 years ago! Whenever I’m in Ulta or Sephora, I use the L’Occitane testers, perhaps time to buy the holiday set, huh? I never had eczema on my hands until moving here either!
Oooh, I like the looks of that Josie Maran highlighter! I have some yellow undertones, and it looks like a great mix of yellow, beige, and gold. And as my skin gets drier (due to winter and age), I’ve been using highlighting powders as setting powders, a lot more forgiving!
I think Josie Maran also has a trio set available of the highlighter in its different forms, if you aren’t sure about the version (powder, cream, or liquid).
I actually just pulled out my sample of Bittersweet yesterday and wore it, and was reminded how beautiful and unique it is. It really is flattering and I didn’t think it would be at all.
I’m so glad it ended up working so well for you, Ashleigh!
All wonderful picks! I still love using my MUFE Nudes You Need in many looks, because the formula is fantastic, and those shades can be used in multiple looks I put together. And I also LOVE the 15 pan they have out now, big thumbs up!
The Hourglass Lip Oil has my interest due to the fact that I love matte lipstick, but this dryer climate makes those tear up my lips badly! Though THIS year hasn’t been so brutally dry, LOL! Is this Phoenix or Seattle, Idk?
It’s so easy to use that palette! Everything just about blends itself.
Really hope we get that MUFE palette sometime soon, looks gorgeous.
I’ve been really wanting to try their shadows after your reviews, but only the singles seem to be available here. Not available for overseas shipping either. 🙁 Marc Jacobs and KVD would be nice to have too.
It’s amazing to me that they haven’t expanded distribution 🙁
OMG…The MJB nail lacquers! I would have never thought it! I can’t wait to be done with gift shopping and LE stuff so I can get some last minute presents for myself! haha! That’s awful, isn’t it?!
Not awful at all! You have had a crazy year, you deserve some treats 🙂
Thanks Christine, You’re always so sweet. I have more coming it seems. My new neurologist finally decided to follow up on a “spot” on my MRI. The repeat MRI of my spine and brain and the lab work have shown positive for Multiple Sclerosis. .I have to have a spinal tap this Friday. People with MS often get ATN and the symptoms overlap to a degree. My father has MS and my symptoms jive. On the positive, hopefully I won’t feel like I’ve been hit by a semi once they get me on the right medications finally.
I hate spilling negativity on the blog that has nothing to do with beauty. But, I feel like this community has become my close friends and has held my hand through all of this. Thank you for that. Just wanted to keep you and everyone posted.
Oh, this is a oh no/I’m glad situation. I am hopeful that a better diagnosis = better treatment as you have mentioned. Fingers crossed for you, Nicole. We appreciate you keeping us updated 🙂
These look really lovely items to purchase at Sephora’s sale. I think I would try for Guerlain’s lipsticks.
Good idea!
I’m waiting for December to see if Sephora is going to give out the $20/$25 off $50 purchase discount to bite the bullet and purchase one of the guerlain rouge g lipsticks. At $53 it is definitely a splurge I would not normally buy but…the packaging is so luxe. For now, I would just stick with my urban decay, Mac, and bite lipsticks.
I hope they do it! Fingers crossed 😀
What a coincidence … I had the blush for months but never used it and it was only yesterday that something came in my mind and I took it out , paired it with full blown purple lips and voila … it looks so beautiful 🙂 as it snot purple but pretty pink shade
really glad I followed your TOP 10 UD products list and picked the blush 😀 😀
YAY!! So glad you loved it, Rashmi!
I just wish Sephora here carried all the brands you mentioned. We have UD at another store, so at least it’s available. I’d love to get Hourglass and Kevin Aucoin and Viseart. From what I understand Kat Von D is coming, right now we only have the contouring set.
It’s mind-boggling that there are so many brands that aren’t carried, especially in-house ones like KVD.
Love this list as I do all your list. And well, everything you review etc! That Urban Decay blush is on my list to get now.
Thank you, Lauri! xo