Sephora V.I.B. Event Haul

Happy Friday everyone! Sadly I'll be working the weekend but I hope that you all will have nice, relaxing Saturdays and Sundays.

So last weekend Sephora had their V.I.B. 20% off shopping event, and I figured it was about time to pick up a few more items to review on the blog. I picked up Smashbox's new Halo eyeshadow duo, Clinique's Superbalanced Powder Makeup (requested by a reader and I do aim to please here at ABS), and Cover FX's SkinPrep primer (it was only $8 and of course they stacked them by the register to tempt me - I couldn't resist). Plus I got this great clutch full of samples in addition to my 20% off.

Check out the contents of my clutch after the jump!



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Sephora V.I.B. Exclusive Holiday Shopping Event Details

Yesterday, November 12, 2009 marked the kick-off of Sephora's V.I.B. Exclusive Holiday Shopping Event, but for those of you who missed out, no need to fret, it's going on all weekend!

Print out your e-mails November 13-15 to receive 20% off all purchases all weekend long, and for all of you online shopped enter code: V324HW at checkout to get your 20% savings.

What will you be purchasing with your holiday savings? I may pick up this Clinique powder that a reader requested a review of and maybe some foundation refill pods for my TEMPTU as those things go quickly!
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Kat von D Rock n Roll Palette (aka the Sephora 500 Point Palette) Review & Swatches

I was all gaga over this Kat von D Rock n Roll Eyeshadow Palette Sephora was offering as one of its 500 point gifts, and of course I had to get it even though I'd been hoarding my points for who knows how long.


So I'll bet you're all wondering, was it worth the splurge? Is it really worth 500 of your precious points that you've so painstakingly accumulated?


Wondering if the Kat von D Rock n Roll Palette actually rocked my world? Find out (and check out the close-ups and swatches) after the jump!


I bet you look at this palette and think fabulous hip packaging, some great wearable shades that aren't too crazy but not too boring either, plus a cute mini brush ~ what could be better, right? Well honestly, pretty much anything. I gave this palette chance after chance to at least make me fall in like with it, but it just wasn't to be.


The swatches above are of Believer, Confessional, Groupie and Motorhead, and all four shades were seriously unpigmented. I had to swipe at the shadow 3-4 times to get the amount of color I did above! Thanks to the lack of pigmentation, I found that these shadows lent my overall eye looks a muddy, dull appearance and really weren't very flattering at all.


Now I'm not judging the rest of Kat von D's products based upon this palette as I've heard that her regular palettes really are quite special, but I'm a little saddened that my introduction into the world of Kat von D was so lackluster.


The Verdict: Save your points for something better! I do really LOVE the packaging but the contents are less than stellar and really not worth spending those 500 points on.

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The Latest & Great Sephora Samplers Exclusive to Beauty Insiders

Glitz & Glam Shimmer and Shine Deluxe Sampler ($113 value or $38)

This set contains:
- 0.27 oz Tarte Celebutante Dry Oil Shimmer Spray
- 0.3 oz Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion in Flash (iridescent pink)
- 0.17 oz Tarte Glam Gams
- 0.4 oz Tarte Lock & Roll in Bronze (shimmering true bronze)
- 0.28 oz Guerlain Meteorites Powder Pearls for the Face in Beige Chic (golden glow)
- 0.17 oz Tarte Cheek Stain in Eco-Cheek (coral with a touch of shimmer)
- 0.23 oz Sephora Super Shimmer in Desert Gold (rosy tan with pink and gold shimmer)
- 0.06 oz Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in Sunswept (bronze, coral, and rose)
- 0.59 oz Smashbox Eyeshadow in 24K (true gold shimmer)
- 0.1 oz Laura Geller Lip Shiner in City Lights (pink and gold flecked glimmer)

My First Makeup Kit Deluxe Sampler ($89 value for $32)
This set contains:
- 0.21 oz Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate (sheer coral)
- 0.12 oz Givenchy Gloss Interdit in Rose Taboo (rosy mauve)
- 0.7 oz Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pout
- 0.04 oz LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer in Bronze
- 0.06 oz LORAC Eye Shadow in Serenity (shimmering light bronze)
- 0.16 oz Sephora Nail Polish in L15 Chamallow (cotton candy)
- 0.17 oz Tarte Cheek Stain in True Love (sheer watermelon)
- 0.1 oz Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara in Black
- 0.13 oz Korres Deep Colour Mascara in Black

Lip Service Deluxe Sampler ($119 value for $38)
This set contains:
- 0.05 oz Duwop Private Red
- 0.12 oz Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Sheer
- 0.02 oz Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Beau Bordeaux 11 or Radiant Rosy 14
- 0.086 oz NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Roman Holiday (vibrant pink sheen)
- 0.06 oz Korres Guava Lipstick in Wine Red (burgundy wine)
- 0.14 oz CARGO Plantlove Botanical Lipstick in Muir Woods (sheer spiced mauve)
- 0.8 oz Tarte Vitamin Infused Lipstick in Hatha (shimmering berry rose)
- 0.04 oz Laura Mercier Lip Coulour-Crème in Pink Champagne (cool rose)

LashStash Mascara Deluxe Sampler ($104 value for $39)
This set contains:
- 0.16 oz Hourglass Superficial Lash
- 0.09 oz Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara
- 0.13 oz Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing and Strengthening Mascara
- 0.14 oz Benefit A Little Bit BADGal Lash Mascara
- 0.2 oz Smashbox Lash DNA
- 0.03 oz Laura Mercier Thickening and Building Mascara
- 0.07 oz Fresh Supernova
- 0.1 oz Sephora Lash Stretcher
- 0.14 oz Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain
- 0.12 oz Cargo LashActivator.

Radiant Skin Regimen Deluxe Sampler ($143 value for $38)
This set contains:
- 1 oz Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash
- 1.35 oz Cosmedicine Medi-Morphosis Self Adjusting Exfoliator
- 0.5 oz Perricone Advanced Face Firming Activator
- 0.23 oz DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer Moisturizing Serum
- 0.24 oz Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment
- 0.14 oz Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF15
- 0.4 oz Philosophy Hope in a Jar
- 1 oz Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
- 0.5 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion

My Thoughts: Sephora's sampler kits have always been good in the past, but this new slew of releases is downright awesome! I love that they've included some high-end items such as the Givenchy gloss and Guerlain Meteorites, and each set contains multiple items that I already love (such as the Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash which is good stuff) and even more that I'd love to try (such as Cargo's LashActivator).

As always I happen to think these are a tad overpriced, but if they're within your budget I think they'd make somebody an amazing stocking stuffer or holiday gift!
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There's a New 500 Point Sephora Gift in Town!

After a long dry spell during which the only Sephora 500 point gift available was the rather blah Sephora palette that I had no desire to redeem my hard-earned points for, Sephora finally has something interesting up! I'll definitely be trading in 500 of the points in my Beauty Bank for this limited-edition, full-size palette created by Kat Von D exclusively for Sephora's Beauty Insiders.


Will you be trading in your points for this fun palette, or do you plan to save them until something better comes along?
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ABS Wants: 2 Palettes From Sephora

The Runway Palette ($175 Value for $49)
A Sephora-exclusive kit featuring all the products you need to create the hottest beauty looks of the season—offered at one pretty price!

This kit was created to make applying Fall 2009's hottest runway looks easy and fun. The season's color palette allows for endless combinations with the smoky gray eyes, bronzed nude cheeks, and pops of vibrant eye color. Complete with a smoky-gray eye palette, six runway-inspired eyeshadow shades, three silky powder blushes, and a best-selling bronzer, you'll be on your way to creating your own custom, vibrant fall looks in no time.

This set contains:
- Essential Palette in Gray
- Blush in Big Easy, Rome, and Topeka
- Medium Bronzer
- 6 Button Eye Shadows in Emerald Green, Charcoal Blue, Shimmering Green-Gold, Golden Brown, Dusk Blue, Matte Purple

I'm usually not a big Cargo fan, not that I've actually tried any of their products. There's just something about the way that they're packaged that doesn't appeal to me, and that in turn results in my not purchasing cosmetics from them. Silly but true. But I'm a sucker for cable-knit anything and I happen to love buttons (I know I'm weird!), so seeing these two things combined into a makeup palette is like going to my little happy place. I want this! I need it! I must have it!


Sephora Brand Colorful Artist Palette ($30)
An exclusive, fifteen-shade, next-generation eyeshadow ensemble. Discover this set of highly pigmented, long-lasting shadows that reinvent color intensity. These show-stopping shades have the perfect, high-payoff combination of brilliant color, an easy-blending formula, and endless versatility that will revolutionize your eye-makeup outlook and deliver stunning effects. Experiment with multiple finishes: matte, glitter, and metallic shimmer. Apply your color dry for a natural vibe or dampen your brush and apply wet for an all-out sophisticated stare. Let inspiration be your guide and watch your makeup go from everyday to extraordinary.

So this isn't nearly as cute as the Cargo palette, but it's pretty high on my to-buy list considering that I've been wanting a Coastal Scents palette forever and still haven't managed to get my hands on one. I do think it's a little pricey at $30 considering it's Sephora brand, but it does look pretty good. Not as good as that Cargo though! =P

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Are You a Sephora V.I.B.?

Apparently Sephora launched it's new Very Important Beauty Insiders program by sending out a slew of these "You're Officially a V.I.B." e-mails. I was a little too excited to see the 10% off coupon code -- I think somebody needs to step away from sephora.com for a bit!

So how do you qualify? Spend $350 or more at Sephora in one calendar year, and you're a Sephora V.I.B. for the next two years. To me this just looks like a way for Sephora to rope us into spending more money, but I'm not complaining. I spend a small fortune there anyway, I might as well get something out of it! =P
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New Mascara Alert! Lancome Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara

Lancome Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara ($24.50)
Hypnôse Drama creates full-bodied, high-volume lashes in a single stroke. The oversized, full-contact Convex Brush has an S-shaped curve that grasps and loads lashes for a fanned out, full-bodied fringe. It even dramatizes corner lashes that other brushes miss. Lancôme's new luxurious, texturizing complex features highly saturated waxes and intense black pigments that provide maximum lash coating and rich color. The triple-coating system with Pro-Vitamin B5 delivers a fluid and creamy application, with long playtime, to quickly and easily build big, battable lashes.

You all know I'm a sucker for cool/new/different mascara wands! I was thinking I'd been ordering Givenchy's new & improved Phenomen'eyes release, but then Sephora decides to torment me by sending this little morsel of delight to my inbox! Should I? Shouldn't I? It does say 'quantities are limited'! Which of the two would you rather see reviewed for the Mascara Series?

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Take Your Pick: Two Sephora Deals, Plus a Beauty Insiders Dior Exclusive!

For all your Sephora junkies, right now there are two great codes to choose from. Receive 10% off your entire purchase by entering code: YG85P at checkout, OR enter code: XOXO at checkout to receive a free Baby Sugar Fresh Lipgloss with any purchase. I'm thinking I'll go for the gloss, although I'm a little annoyed since I just received a bunch of stuff from Sephora =X.

Sephora's also been updating their site with a bunch of great new items including some super cute Harajuku Lovers makeup bags and this (for now) Beauty Insiders exclusive Dior Addict Lip Polish.

To create ultrasmooth, ultrashiny lips backstage at fashion shows, pro makeup artists roll a cotton swab along models' lips to gently exfoliate; then they apply petroleum jelly to prime the surface and multiply the shine of the gloss topcoat. Now, inspired by these backstage secrets, Dior introduces new Dior Addict Lip Polish. Enriched with moisturizing hyaluronic microspheres and ultrareflective mother-of-pearl pigments, the incredibly supple formula instantly recreates the impeccable, glowing look of the runway. The revolutionary and exclusive spin-on applicator, which picks up just the right amount of product and then rolls it uniformly onto the lips, provides a delicate massage that enhances the benefits of the formula.

The Lip Polishes run $29.50 each (ouch I know!) and are available in three juicy shades that look to be on the sheer end of the spectrum.

- Fresh Expert: the pink tone restores lips' youthfulness and promotes fresh-looking beauty
- Glow Expert: the light coral tone adds sheer, warm color to lips to give luminosity and glow
- Radiance Expert: the beige tone optimally re-balances the natural color of lips and illuminates them with radiance

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Sephora 15% Off EVERYTHING Online & In Stores

Now through April 21, 2009, get 15% off everything online and in stores @ Sephora by entering code: BD2T9CB5 at checkout! I'll be taking full advantage of this code to finally use my Sephora gift card! I've been considering the new Fresh foundation that's part of their Umbrain Clay line--it looks promising. I'm pretty sure this code is one time use per account, so shop accordingly!

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Sephora's Current 500 Point Redemption Product

Thanks Kristen for the heads up! Sephora's current redemption is probably the best one I've seen so far--a Tarte EcoEyes Beauty Insider Exclusive Set ($109 Value for $39). I'm seriously considering redeeming my 500 points for this, although it's tough to let go of them when you've had them for so long!

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Sephora's Current 500 Point Redemption Product

Essential Must-Haves Kit ($76 Value for $29)
What it is: A set of Boscia's best-selling skincare products.

What it is formulated to do: The Essential Must-Haves Kit is a limited-edition, Sephora-exclusive collection of Boscia's naturally brilliant complexion solutions, offered first to Sephora Beauty Insiders. Cleanse, nourish, protect, blot, and spot-treat your way to stunning skin with this all-in-one, expert regime.

What it is formulated WITHOUT: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petro-Chemicals, Phthalates, Preservatives

This set contains:
- 4.06 oz Purifying Cleansing Gel
- 0.5 oz Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15
- 0.5 oz Recharging Night Moisture
- 100 Green Tea Blotting Linens
- 0.14 oz Willow Bark To-Go Treatment Pen

I'm not all that into this 500 point product either, so once again I'll be saving my precious points until the next product pops up!

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Sephora Early Access: Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara

I think that at this point we've established that I have a major mascara obsession going on--so I'm sure you can imagine how thrilled I was to see this e-mail from Sephora sitting in my inbox. I've actually never tried a Bare Escentuals mascara, nor have I felt inclined to, but I can't resist the chance to preview a new mascara as my deluxe sample. I took the opportunity to order this Bare Escentuals Diamonds Lips set that I've been wanting since early October--insert happy dance here! I'm one happy (sneezing) girl tonight.

On a related note, Sephora currently has a ton of great products on sale--go check them out HERE!
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Sephora's Current 500 Point Redemption Product

Sephora 360° Palette ($30)

I've been a Sephora Beauty Insider for ages (basically since the program began) but I only recently learned that you can actually accumulate those Beauty Bank points when the 100 point deluxe sample isn't quite to your liking. Basically when your Beauty Bank hits 500 points (I won't even mention how many point I currently have, it's embarrassing--I blame F&F) you're eligible to redeem those points for an Insider-only exclusive product either online or in stores.

So I've been waiting and waiting to see what the 500 point product is; it isn't always available so if you have 500 points you may need to wait until Sephora puts up a new product before you can take advantange of the 500 point redemption offer. Sephora finally put one up last night and it's their 360 Degree Palette. I'm a little disappointed as I was expecting something a bit more interesting, so I'll continue hoarding my points in the meantime and wait to see what the next product is!

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