Sephora Favourites: Superstars
Every year, Sephora has a set with its top sellers and it comes in the most reasonable price as well considering seven of the products are full sized.Â
beautyblender: the original beauty blender (full size) - $28
Though there are many options of makeup sponges to choose from, the beauty blender is the top on the market for a reason. This sponge is perfect for blending out foundation for an airbrushed appearance and it is perfect for applying concealer as well. Despite looking tiny for its price, this product does become nearly double its size. For example, if it were wet, it would grow into the size of my palm. Despite having other options, this is the best product used to apply liquid and cream products and I will defend it until my grave (or at least until something better comes out but this is not leaving my makeup desk anytime soon).Â
Benefit: They’re Real! mascara (sample)
Every time I get a sample of this product, I give it to my friend. According to her, it’s amazing and she likes it a lot. On the other hand, I despise this product. Though it does lengthen, it does not thicken and it leaves my lashes looking stringy and frail. Overall, I find this product works extremely well for some people while it does nothing for others.Â
Clinique: Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlighter (full size) - $26
The pigmentation on this stick is pretty good. As far as it does for highlighting, it is not my favourite (but I reach for Benefit’s Watts Up way more when I need a cream highlighter). All in all, there is a high chance I may never touch this product again.Â
Lancome: Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliner (full size) - $31Â
This eyeliner has a very creamy texture and a nice dark pigmentation. On the other hand, it is not the best for waterlining which is what I prefer to use pencil liners for. In the case where I did use it for normal lining, it was easy to apply and it didn’t smudge once it was set. On the other hand, I may not reach for this often because I only use pencil liners for my waterline and this one does not work well as a waterliner.Â
Laura Mercier: Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact (sample)Â
Though the picture doesn’t show it, this is my favourite highlighter. I use this almost every time I need to strobe or just to highlight. This is the best powder highlighter I own. The powder stays on well. The light hits it perfectly. It’s not too overly shiny and it is not too light. It was just right for brightening and highlighting.Â
Make Up For Ever: Step 1 Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer (sample)
This product does do its job in the sense that it hydrates and it helps makeup stay on. Other than that, I can’t boast about it but it does do everything its intended to do.Â
Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow (full size) in Himalia - $36Â
I have never tried a Nars eyeshadow before. Urban Decay has my heart in that category. The pigmentation is amazing. I love the colour, though it is too much to use for an every day look (aside from the corners). This eyeshadow doesn’t fade too easily. As a matter of fact, it stays on perfectly when used with the right primer. Still, I prefer the formula in Urban Decay because though this is an amazing eyeshadow, the formula is not as great as Urban Decay’s (and I know I shouldn’t compare the two but with the similar prices, I still favour the Urban Decay eyeshadows). Nars does have an amazing set of other products but their eyeshadows are not my favourite.Â
Smashbox: Photo Finish Primer Water (sample)
Since this came out in the market, I have been dying to try it. So the first time I used it, I had some impressions. I was not a fan of the smell and I was nervous about whether it worked because it is just a spray. When the end of the night came, I was pleasantly surprised to see my makeup still in tact so I must conclude this does work. Nonetheless, I still prefer a more solid type of primer because it feels like I waste less.Â
Stila: Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (full size) - $29
I can’t deny this eyeliner is one of the best. It doesn’t smudge. It is precise. It has great pigmentation. But I never liked liquid eyeliners and I never will. I have three of these from other sets and though I have kept one, I have given the other two away which is what I will do with this one as well.Â
Tarte: The Sculptor Contouring Face Slenderizer (sample)
I have the Tarte bronzer powder in Park Avenue Princess so I have tried this shade but unlike the powder, I find this to be too light for contouring (although it is okay to use on my nose). This is too light even for somebody with light-medium skin. But I do love this product and when I get the full sized, I will buy a shade darker.Â
Tarte: The Slenderizer Bamboo Contouring Brush (sample)
I can’t say this is a sample brush but more of a travel sized brush. It does work well to blend out the contouring for the Tarte Contouring Stick but I do find it works best for contouring my nose over any other park of my face. This is a great nose contour brush, although I wouldn’t buy the full brush because this one is just perfect for what I need it to do.Â
Stretchex: Stretch Lash Effect Mascara (full size) - $25
This mascara isn’t the best but I do find myself reaching for it when I need a more natural mascara. The formula is light and it does not clump easily. Other than that, there is nothing special about it.Â
Urban Decay: Eye Shadow (full size) in Lounge - $22Â
This shade is a brick red with a green shimmer. If I hadn’t searched it up on the website, I would’ve continued calling it peacock. With a brush, the powder is much less dramatic and can be used for a more natural night out look whereas when applied wet, it has high pigmentation and it is perfect for a more dramatic night out style. Also, it is no secret that Urban Decay is probably one of the best makeup brands and they are my all time favourite. This eye shadow is no exception because though I don’t use it every day, I certainly do reach it when I need a look for a night out. Despite not being able to use it every day, I love this eyeshadow. It has the same amazing pigmentation and creamy formula all Urban Decay shadows have. I am in love.Â
This is an amazing set with great value. The product received are worth more than the price and the products are the best in Sephora for the year. Every year, I look forward to grabbing this kit and this year was certainly no exception.