Happy Hump Day, gals! Have y’all done any Sephora Friends and Family hauling yet (using code FF2009 for 20% off online purchases from now through November 2)? MBB reader DJ needs some help generating ideas. Can you help? 🙂
Hi Karen,
What with the friends and family sale happening at Sephora now, do you have any recommendations? I know the main things I’d like to stock up on, but there are little items, like a really good hand cream or brush set, that I’d love your input on. Thanks!
-DJ
Hi DJ,
Sure thing! Here’s a list of some of my Sephora makeup and beauty faves (en lieu of just saying, “I want everything in the entire store!”)…
Eyes
- LORAC Front of the Line Pro ($22): Drawing crisp, dark lines is easy-peasy with this fantastic liquid pen liner.
- Benefit Bad Gal Waterproof Liner ($20): This black pencil liner applies smooth and dark, and the color stays put through sweaty workout, too.
- Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten ($20): This pale pink shimmery cream shadow also doubles as a liner.
- Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara ($14): LOVE this mascara! It. Does. EVERYTHING — separates, thickens and lengthens — all while delivering loads of rich, glossy color (without the clumping), and it does it all while holding a killer curl.
- Urban Decay Super Stash Glide-On Pencils ($36): Nine mini-eye pencils come in this holiday set.
- Make Up For Ever False Lashes ($14): With over 50 styles to choose from, the Make Up For Ever Lash Bar has lashes for just about every occasion.
Cheeks
- Benefit Coralista ($28): I love this shimmery coral powder.
- Philosophy Lit From Within Cream Blush ($23): Not only does this cream blush apply and blend like a dream (I use my fingers), it stays put for hours on either bare skin or atop foundation.
- Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Excite ($23): This finely-milled blush feel just like buttah and melts seamlessly into my skin.
NARS Blush in Mounia ($25): Mounia looks scary in its pan, but it actually delivers a bright yet natural, just-pinched flush.(Note: Oops, Sephora no longer sells Mounia. Thanks to eagle-eyed MBB readers Angelica and Alyssa for pointing it out. Instead, consider NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo ($36) or NARS The Multiple Duo Orgasm/South Beach ($45).
Face
- Stila Hydrating Finishing Powder ($32): This moisturizing powder feels light and weightless, and I can wear it all day long without feeling like I have makeup sitting on top of my skin.
- Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Paper ($17): These travel-friendly blotting papers remove oil without disturbing foundation or having to add an extra layer of powder.
- Korres Face Primer ($10): This lemon-scented primer keeps foundation and powder from settling into my fine lines, and I swear it makes my pores appear smaller.
Lips
- NARS Lip Gloss in Sweet Revenge ($24): Sweet Revenge, a shimmery nude pink, has just a hint of blue and silver micro-glitter.
- Korres Lip Butters ($9): These non-sticky lip butters smooth lips and add a light hint of color.
- Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15 ($20): It tints lips with a hint of shiny red, creating an effortless, easy look in seconds — perfect for minimal makeup days when you’re running errands, or when you need a mental health day involving the couch, the remote and your trusty cat/dog/iguana/etc. 🙂
Skincare
- Bliss Lid + Lash Wash ($14): This oil-free eye makeup remover does it all, removing everything — even waterproof makeup! And it does it fast, too, without stripping my skin or stinging my eyes.
- Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Body Butter ($35) and Sugar Scrub ($36): Both of these babies leave my skin feeling soft and smelling like oranges.
- Philsophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser ($10 for a 3.5-oz sample bottle): My holy grail (HG) cleanser! It removes all of my makeup (even mascara) and feels gentle on my skin.
- Shiseido 55+ Sunscreen ($38): I think a lot of high SPF sunscreens feel thick and greasy, but not this one, and I love the light beachy scent.
- Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion ($11): This mild, smoothing salicylic acid toner fights breakouts and moisturizes at the same time.
Tools
- Shu Uemura Lash Curler ($19): Like the universe’s gift to “eyelash-challenged” women everywhere.
- Sephora Professional Lash and Eyebrow Comb ($10): Maybe it’s the extra length or how skinny the teeth are, but it seems to work much better than the $2 plastic combs I’m used to, separating stuck-together lashes and smoothing mascara clumps with ease.
Chicas, would you share your Sephora Friends and Family recommendations? Let’s lend DJ a helping hand. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The sale is also a good time to try the Clarisonic! I’m getting it with the sale, and the great part is, if you like it and want to keep it, that’s $30 saved on the Mia (make sure you get the limited edition with the extra brush head and pouch if you’re getting the Mia, almost missed it!), and if not, free no-time-limit returns by mail or in-store!
I agree with Shelly; things like the ghd and Clarisonic are optimal for buying during this sale. I’d hold off on the Urban Decay, though — I recently received intel (as in shortly after placing a mostly-UD order, ugh) that they’re having another F&F sale before the holidays, which will be a bigger percentage off than Sephora’s!
Karen,
They don’t seem to have Mounia on the Sephora site! Where did it go? Where can I find it?
I would stock up on Shu Uemura products! When Shu has a sale, it’s no more than 20% anyway so better buy now. Plus, you can collect Beauty Insider points! I also would opt to get the Clarisonic Mia — it’s in my basket waiting to be checked out.
I think it’s a good idea to buy the more expensive items you’re wanting during the FF sale, such as the “best of MUFE” kit, flawless face kits from Laura Mercier, Benefit box powders (Coralista!), perfumes, etc. I also stocked up on a couple of basic items, such as Bare Minerals matte foundation, MUFE concealer, and Smashbox primer. There are so many fantastic things to choose from! 🙂
.-= Alexis’s last blog post… Sephora Friends & Family Sale! =-.
I bought Urban Decay Book of Shadows 2, Urban Decay Primer Potion and the Benefit Fragrance in Your Place or Mine Gina (or whatever it’s called). Unfortunately I just got word of the fact that another UD Friends & Family sale is coming up with an even better 30% off. Sigh.
I suggest that for girls who like Stila and Too Faced, skip them in the Sephora sale as the official websites usually have much better discount (Stila always have 20% off and free shipping above 30 bucks and right now too faced is also 20% off not to mention their vintage session has a lot of goodies)
I know there are a lot of Shu Uemura curler fan out here (I do think it’s a huge step-up from the drugstore curler) but I found that Shiseido ones works pretty well that it’s constructed similarly to Shu Uemura but the metal base that holds the rubber pad is tilted outward so I found the curve it gives is less angular and it reach the inner corner more nicely.
.-= Citrine’s last blog post… Just look at that pretty bow =-.
Talika Eyelash Lipocils, $40. It’s a much cheaper version of Latisse, which I haven’t tried so I can’t compare the results but I can definitely testify to it’s effectiveness. I started using it in June, 2x a day like the directions say. Noticed a difference in 3 weeks. My lashes are still a bit on the sparse side but boy, they sure did grow longer! I am now hooked.
Yea I noticed Mounia was missing too!!! I had to buy Outlaw instead.
From “your list” I want
Benefit Coralista and UD liners.
I would also recommend to check out:
1. New lipstick by Lancome – Rouge L’Absole. I LOVE Smoky Rouge. Just a perfect red! And my friend who works for 2.Lancome told me it’s absolutely amazing.
3.OOH La Spa – At Home Spa Treatment Kit by Decleor
Love Me Set by Nars
I was wonedring what do you (Karen and all the ladies) think of Sweet Obsessions set by Bare Escentuals?
.-= Marina’s last blog post… Holiday 2009 Gift Sets by Chanel =-.
Hm, something went wrong
I would also recommend to check out:
1. New lipstick by Lancome – Rouge L’Absole. I LOVE Smoky Rouge. Just a perfect red! And my friend who works for Lancome told me it’s absolutely amazing.
2.OOH La Spa – At Home Spa Treatment Kit by Decleor
3.Love Me Set by Nars
.-= Marina’s last blog post… Holiday 2009 Gift Sets by Chanel =-.
Hi girls,
God knows I love Sephora from the very pit of my soul. (There is no other store in the world that I walk into and audibly sigh.) But having recently discovered All Cosmetics Warehouse, I may be a bit tainted. Try as I might to fill up an online shopping cart at sephora.com yesterday, I just couldn’t will myself to hit the “Confirm Purchase” button when $7 Stila shadows at ACW were ringing bells in my ear. (And when I only have another $113 to go before I hit my 500-point Beauty Insider mark and get my hands on that free Kat Von D palette!) Am I alone in this? Has anyone else scoped out the ACW website and fallen in love? $26 Stila Ulta-mate kit, for crying out loud!!!
That’s All Cosmetics WHOLESALE, not warehouse. I just get so flustered over eyeshadow.
They dont sell Nars Mounia blush on the website.
Sigh…I wish the FF sale applied to Canadians as well, but sadly no. Oh well. I still hope to eventually pickup the UD Book of Shadows and the 24/7 Liners set, discount or not.
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD MAC Lotusland, Hepcat, Cooperplate and The Balm Shady Lady Risquee Renee Eyeshadows =-.
In addition to what the ladies above said, I recommend picking up some gift items. The gift sets, like Benefit’s Celebutante are already a great deal for all the products you get, but then to get an extra 30% is even better!
The UD F&F sale is usually 30% and they are having one before the holidays, so like the others, hold off on your UD purchases. They too have free shipping over $50 so you will get more bang for your buck.
.-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… Too Faced, Urban Decay, and Smashbox Deals!!! =-.
I say stock up on skincare staples! I love DDF’s Organic Sun Protection and Ole Henriksen’s Pick Me Up Serum. I also picked up a travel size of Fekkai Glossing Cream (this stuff lasts me AGES) to keep my hair from being fried in indoor heating during the winter.
For eyeshadow, I highly, highly recommend the Kat von D for Sephora shadow palettes – great starter sets for beginners and fabulous color selection for non-beginners. The quality is positively awesome too – way better than basically every MAC/Stila set I’ve ever gotten.
For lips and cheeks, I highly recommend looking at the Laura Mercier stickglosses and second skin cheek colors. Unfortunately Sephora only carries 4 stickglosses, but honestly, this formula is AMAZING. Pigmented, but cushy and non-sticky like a balm and actually moisturizing. I’ve accumulated 4 in the last 2 months and am seriously considering getting all of them. The second skin cheek colors are also amazing – very finely milled, very pigmented, and look so, so natural! Orange Blossom is a beautiful non-glittery version of Nars Orgasm. I also love Rose Bloom for a cute pink cheek.
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Short Update & Sephora F&F =-.
Oh, Karen, this seems like maybe a good time to ask, do you have a recommendation for a fantastic lip balm? My Softlips and C.O. Bigelow ones just aren’t cutting it anymore. I’d appreciate any help. Than
Hi Jenna,
I love Philosophy’s Kiss Me lip balms. When my lips are uber chapped they are the only ones that work for me!
Oops. That was supposed to end in “Thanks!” =)
Dear Girl,
I need makeup like a girl needs a third breast. However, since my Sephora is two blocks away from my house, I walked over to see if there was anything I’d like to try. The YSL lipsticks at $34 were calling to me. I chose one called Nude Beige I think in their Rouge Volupte line. At $29 + including the tax, it was still high priced. But at least I could say that I tried something from the line.
It seems to be creamy and rich and the color will go nicely for the day or night. I am trying to go on a no buy until the new year. So if you tell anything about new products, I will put my fingers in my ears and my hands over my eyes. LOL!! Louise
Hi Jenna, this might be something you’d like!
I found a couple of gift sets by Fresh featuring their famous Sugar lip treatment, both for $28 normally, only $22.40 with the 20%!
The Star Light, Star Bright set contains a full-size Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15, a 0.07 Supernova Mascara, a 0.17 oz Twilight Freshface Glow and a 0.05 oz Sugar Eau de Parfum. The Sugar Wish gift set includes a full size Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 and a 3.4 oz Brown Sugar Body Cream. Since the lip treatments normally cost $22.50, I think this is a great way to add a little extra indulgence and still get a dime back! 😀
I ordered my FF order on the 19th. i literally got it in the mail today and its the 21st. hahah i was pumped. i got: smashbox green correcting primer, laura mercier camouflage concealer, benefit eye bright, posietint, celebutante, powderflage, stila’s kitten set(gloss and e/s), a stila e/s compact, and 2 sephora powder puffs. i seriously hauled. i got the deluxe guerlain lipgloss sample. after seeing a bad review on the Kat von d palette.. i’m saving most of my points.
Hi Karen! You know I liked your post about Korres Lip Butters but unfortunately these products are not available here 🙁
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… The New Make Up Forever Look – Fall 2009 – Products details, Photos & Prices =-.
I forgot about UD having another sale. I ordered the SuperStash, Kat Von D’s new palette and OPI’s holiday set.
ACW is amazing I mean smashbox eyeshadow for 5.99????????????????? Come on! You can’t beat that! But I too would go for the pricier items:Wrinkle cream, YSL or chanel lipgloss, dior 5 colour eyeshadow and Gifts and palettes for gifts-I mean come on people Think great gifts or stocking stuffers and cheap.
Hey Karen! How you doing?
I believe I was really good when I ordered my stuff from the Sephora FF sale. I started checking out stuff the weekend before the sale started and by the time Monday came along, I had a list of 5 items, one of them for the BF.
I ended up editing my cart again and for myself I got the Tarte Treasure Chest and the MUFE Aqua Eyes Collection Set.
BUT … im so tempted to make another order before the sale ends. Ill try to resist as long as I can though. 🙂
Have a great day! Rainy and stormy here in HTown…
Hi Nina,
Things are good on this end! Just chugging along and trying to hold on until the weekend.
Did you manage to resist temptation? What did you end up getting?
My first order is on the truck for delivery!
Working on a (possible) second order.
Recommendation for a great hand cream – Sephora by OPI Restorative Hand Moisturizer…I already had it, and I ordered a backup in the sale. It’s really, really good!
I finally bought the Clarisonic brush. Everyone’s raving about it, and it’s a good deal with this sale. I also bought the Smashbox WISH lipgloss set for a friend for Christmas. I think this is a good time to stock up on gifts.
I just spent $197 and change! I bought:
Bliss I Love ‘Youth’ Trio ($224 value) for $99
The new Tarte Treasure Chest (amazing reviews + value) for $52.00 1
Tarte GlamourEYES set ($122 Value) for $39.00
Bare Escentuals Buxom Babes About Town ($72 Value) for $39.00
I got $45.80 off of my order with the discount, and saved $241 with the value of the Bliss, Tarte and BE kits (didn’t count the treasure chest).
It was my birthday too yesterday so it was a great way to wrap up the day… can’t wait to get it in the post!
Anastasia.
PS – it’s my understanding that you can’t use the 20% more than once (I called the Sephora customer service). If it is, someone please let me know!
Girl.. Mounia is being repromoted for their Holiday collection!! I saw it at my Nordies Nars counter along with the holiday stuff!!
Hi LuvJ,
Good to know. I think it’s one of their best colors, for reals!
I just made my first purchase today….planning at least one more before the sale ends.
Today’s purchases were all about the EYES, mostly:
Stila Smudge Pot Collection
Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette in True Love
CARGO Hands of Hope Eyeshadow Palette
Givenchy Phenome’Eyes Effet Extension & Gloss Interdit Set
Bare Escentuals Buxom Babes Winter Escapade
Tarte Three Carats Mini Cheek Stain Set
Oh, how much fun it was to shop…..plus build up my BI points for the next 500 point gift (since I already got my Kat Von D quad)
Hi DonnaN,
That smudge pot collection looks awesome!
I had to get Barbie Little Black Dress smudge pot. I think it will be making an appearance and church this weekend. lol
.-= Apple Diva’s last blog post… Friends and Family Haul Swatches =-.
Hi Apple Diva,
I hope you’ll wear it with your lil’ black dress soon!
FYI, in the SALE section, there is a set of NARS Orgasm/Laguna and Orgasm n/p for $35.
.-= Apple Diva’s last blog post… Friends and Family Haul Swatches =-.
Hi Apple Diva,
You are the best! Thank you!
I have visited this particular post multiple times in the past couple of days. I’ve already placed one order, and now I’m working on a second order. Every time I come back to this post I find something else that I want!