You know how they refer to Disneyland as ‘The Magic Kingdom’? Sephora should be called that too. I would also be quite content to dub it The Happiest Place on Earth. The fact that the first Sephora I visited was actually inside Downtown Disneyland made it all the more magical.
Not only does the name deserve to be up in lights, but it should have an exclamation mark too.
Sephora! *jazz hands*
I’d run out of quite a few things before I left for the US and stubbornly refused to replace them (I actually lived without concealer and powder for several weeks. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty). So I had a bit of a list.
I was like a kid at, erm… Disneyland.
Let me paint a picture for you: I stepped across the threshold, eyes darting around at the enormous (yet perfectly ordered) selection, my brain vaguely cataloguing brand names and locations as I went.
It’s like Mecca Cosmetica and the entire beauty floor of David Jones had a baby. And it got all the best genes.
I spent a solid hour browsing. I could have spent so much longer, but both the boy and his brother were waiting patiently and we did have a room check-out to make.
I didn’t get everything on my list, but I did do well. And picked up a few other things too.
Many of these were things I actually needed. Some were things I didn’t know I needed. Others were things I needed and so much more. Yet others were duplicates of things I needed.
(Meh… who among you wouldn’t try two different brands of black eyeliner?)
And then, of course, I splurged a little — as one does when on vacation — and grabbed a few things that I was all wanty for as well.
Alterna Caviar Replenishing Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner.
An essential buy because I was about to run out of both and was concerned I would have trouble finding hair care products that were free of sulfates and parabens (necessary as I have Great Lengths extensions and these ingredients aren’t good for the bonds.)
BareMinerals Ready Foundation SPF 20 in Golden Tan, Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in 03.
Both necessities. Although I didn’t buy the BareMinerals powder foundation to be a foundation, it was intended as a replacement for my M.A.C Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder.
My helpful Sephora assistant colour matched me perfectly and pointed out that not only would it work as a powder, but it would also add more coverage. Helpful, as sometimes my foundation thins out a bit, around my lips, especially.
I was in desperate need of a new concealer. The Benefit Boi-ing won because I’ve heard great things about it and it was a perfect colour match.
Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black (of which Who What Wear said “We’ve finally tracked down the perfect liquid eyeliner!” — stay tuned for my review soon) and Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in 0L (matte black).
I know, it’s hard to believe I let myself almost run out of black eyeliner. *gasp*
I was using a liquid liner over the top of a dark purple M.A.C liner during my last week or so in Australia.
A special thank you to Kimmi at The Plastic Diaries and Tara of Keeping Up With Me for introducing me to MUFE Aqua Eyes (and for reminding me to buy it.) I am in love.
Those of you who have been paying attention will know how obsessed I am with YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain – which I already own in 12, Corail Fauve – the plan was to buy every shade available when I got to the US.
On my first trip to Sephora though, since it was still within the first few days of my month-long holiday, I happily swatched away until I found another shade I absolutely fell in love with.
Please meet YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in 7 – Corail Aquatique. Swatches & review to come.
I’ve been obsessing over metallic nails for at least six months, so I was so happy to find these! Left is Sephora by OPI Trend Tips in Ornate (silver) and right is Sephora Nail Patch Art in A12 Gold Circles.
Michael Kors Gold – Rose Edition EDP 30ml.
“New Fragrances” was written on my beauty shopping list. I had a few ideas of which ones I wanted. This was not one of them. (Mainly because I didn’t know it existed.)
One spritz and I was sold. It had my name written all over it. (Plus, it actually had my name written all over it.)
I also loved the idea of wearing a brand new fragrance the entire time we were away. Scent can be such a powerful memory trigger, so I wanted a fragrance that would remind me of travelling around America.
Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find this fragrance anywhere in Australia (aside from on eBay.) I hope it eventually makes it to our shores.
Mini Sephora Makeup Be Gone Triple Action Cleansing Water.
Impulse buy… Near the register.
Also I forgot to bring my own makeup remover, Bioderma Créaline Micellear Water, which I’m still totally addicted to.
Total spend just over $270.00 US. Which I thought was a pretty darn good effort.
So lovelies, it’s my first Sephora haul. How did I do? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!
Love,
Rosie xox
