Sephora Lash Stash

Yet another Sephora/Las Vegas purchase that I am only just getting round to mention.  The Boy purchased the Sephora Lash Stash for me as a Christmas present.  This is one of the main reasons why I will not be purchasing mascara during 2012, or 2013 at this rate!

 I'm not sure if I even ended up posting about my beauty goals for the year, but they were to not purchase mascara, bath or body products during 2012 and to aim to shop my stash more and continue to work my way though the products I already have.  We're half way through March and I haven't faltered...yet!

Anyway, I digress.  I really wish someone would bring out these kind of sets for the UK market.  I love the idea that you get to try a range of products as miniatures, although this set does contain 2 full size mascara's.  And then you feel a little more informed when you need to make a mascara purchase.

The packaging of the set it super cute and it certainly makes a really nice gift.  I know I picked this out myself, but I do think The Boy would have probably opted for something like this if left to his own devices.  I think the order and organisation pleases his mind and he is a big fan of options.  I've never really been obsessed with mascara, but for some reason at the moment - I seem to have accumulated a tonne to try out!  Not least because of this set. I think I'd better get cracking...

This set contains: 

• Clinique Take The Day Off
• FAIRYDROPS Scandal Queen Mascara in black
• Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara in black
• Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara in black
• Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara in black
• MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash in black
• Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara in black
• Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara in black
• Too Faced LashGasm in black
• Stila Full-Size Forever Your Curl Mascara in black
• Sephora Collection Full-Size Advanced Lash Booster in black

I think I'll give mini reviews on these mascara's as and when I finish them.  Unless I find something ground breaking to report back on!   Has anyone tried any of these mascara's?  Which one should I try first? Hmmmm, decisions decisions!

LORAC: Close Up Face Tutorial

Mooching through my beauty goodies this weekend, I realised there are still a lot of gorgeous products that I picked up from Las Vegas that I haven't even used, let alone blogged about.  This Lorac kit is one such item.  

 I'd heard a lot about Lorac and was particularly interested in the kit after watching LisaLisaD1 video (see below), but hadn't got round to trying any products.  I picked this kit for $39 from Sephora.

In the Close Up: Real Life to Red Carpet, you get:

• Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in LORACstar
• Front Of The Line Pro in Black
• Multiplex 3D Lashes Mascara in Black
• Blush in Soul
• Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Trend Setter
• Tutorial Look Book

So far, I've used everything but the mascara and I am really impressed!  The eye shadow trio is gorgeous, so creamy and pigmented.  Soul blush is the perfect dusty rose shade for when you don't know what to wear.  And Lisa was right, it doesn't look it, but it's seriously pigmented - so a light hand is essential! 

The surprise hit for me was the Front of the Line eyeliner. It's perfect!  I'll be honest, I'm crap at eyeliner.  I'd love to be able to draw the perfect cat eye flick, but I just seem to balls it up every single time. This liner seems to help me draw a neat, precise line - even if I can't manage a flick.  It still provides depth and definition to my eyes. I love it!

Anyone else tried LORAC?  I think I've just become a fan!

Black Friday at Bath & Body Works

On Black Friday, I entered Bath & Body Works with a little trepidation. I'm not sure what I was expecting.  Perhaps a stampede?  What I found was a whole host of lovely SA's and some seriously divine smellies.

 As I walked in I was informed that if I spent $40 (don't dare me!) you could buy a VIP tote bag of selected goodies for $20 that retailed for over $125.  Made great financial sense to me!  So I began sniffing and debating my purchases - whilst worrying about the weight of our luggage on the flight home.  The Boy told me not to worry, approved the choices and after a short while we headed to the till.

What did I get?

• Dark Kiss Shower Gel
• Dark Kiss Body Spray
• Warm Vanilla Sugar Shower Gel
• Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Spray
• Black Raspberry Vanilla Shower Gel
• Black Raspberry Vanilla Body Spray
• Cozy Autumn Vanilla Shower Gel
• Selection of Pocketbac's
• Selection of Lip Glosses

I can't really tell you anything about these goodies yet, as I haven't put them through their paces.  The only thing I can say is that they all smell lovely and we didn't exceed our luggage allowance, in fact we were nowhere near it... I seriously could have bought more.  Watch out for individual reviews as I work my way through them.

So what was in the VIP Tote?

• Be Enchanted Shower Gel 
• Be Enchanted Body Lotion
• Be Enchanted Shimmer Mist
• Mistletoe Kiss Foaming Soap (this is the only thing in use at the moment. Well it is almost Christmas!! PS it's lovely)
• Mistletoe Kiss Pocketbac
• Pocketbac Holder
• Liplicious Cranberry Kiss Lip Gloss
• Night-time Tea Body Lotion
• Mini Water Lily/scrub
• Pump
• Two small make up bags

 A total bargain for $20 I'm sure you will agree. I really hate that we cannot get this stuff over here.  This is yet another American retailer (like Sephora) that used to have stores in London/UK, but not any more. Please come back to Blighty B&BW! I beg you!

 I did quite a bit of beauty shopping whilst in Las Vegas.  However, my shopping was positively minuscule compared to Annabella (aka Skin Scrubs) who massacred the beauty aisles and taught me how to shop the American way!  Thank you my lovely friend Annabella, although I needed no encouragement!