HAUL | Sephora VIB Sale 2017

So my dad just came back from Beantown after running his third consecutive Boston marathon, and it just so happened that he was scheduled to fly back to Hong Kong the day after Sephora's VIB sale officially started. So - yes, you guessed it - I sent my dad detailed instructions (pictures, maps, floor plans, blueprints, the whole nine yards) and had him venture into Sephora on his own to pick up a few items on my wishlist. What a champ!

The first item on my list was the Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash that I had tried out and reviewed in a previous Sample Sunday, and I knew I needed it in my life after just one try - it's a gentle yet incredibly effective scrub that makes my skin feel new again. I had instructed my dad to get the 8oz bottle, but he went ahead and got the 16oz instead because "it worked out to be a better deal"... Asian parents, I'm telling you. Next up was the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer that I had heard rave reviews about ever since it launched two months ago. I've been a longtime fan of their Radiant Creamy Concealer, but reviews kept referring to this as even smoother, creamier, and long lasting with full coverage. I picked up the shade Cannelle, which is actually a shade darker than its counterpart in the other formula, so using it under the eyes is a no-go (until I get more tan). But so far, this is working wonders on the face (I'll be comparing the two concealers in an upcoming review so stay tuned!). Since it's approaching summertime, I thought it would be a good idea to repurchase an old favorite in a darker shade, the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue in Ginger 06. The last tube I used up was in the shade Buttercream 03, but because this base blends out to be quite sheer, the shade difference isn't too drastic. I love how natural and healthy this looks on the skin, while also providing SPF protection - a definite win for effortless, summery makeup! I also repurchased my trusty Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel that I swear by for helping treat and clear up any breakouts, and another tub of the BeautyBlender Solid Cleanser that is the only product that I feel thoroughly cleans out my sponges and brushes.

The only other item I wanted was the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Poreless Finish Airbrush Press Powder - phew, that's a long one - but unfortunately it was out of stock in stores. I've heard somewhat mixed reviews on both this and the loose powder version, but I was intrigued about the poreless and airbrushed perfection claims, so I definitely will keep an eye out for it to test it out for myself!

Lastly, my dad went off script and brought back this Lancôme Say It With Your Eyes Essential Eye Kit that, and I'm trying hard to hold back tears as I write this, he had accidentally used my Beauty Insider points to redeem - 500 of them! And keep in mind, I have never redeemed anything with my points ever, 'cos I just wanted to accumulate and save up for something epic. Sigh. I am not a big Lancôme fan - only because I haven't tried much from the brand - and could've definitely lived without this set, but, I'm just going to take a deep breath and be thankful that my dad went to Sephora for me in the first place - and grateful he didn't use up all my hard-earned points. This set comes with the Hypnôse Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara, Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base, Génifique Yeux Youth Activating Eye Cream and the Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover. I sincerely hope these are good products and that they can make up for all my quiet sobbing and silent tears. Keep an eye out for these in upcoming Sample Sundays!

HAUL | Sephora.com and NYC

Warning. This post is long and may induce splurging. I will be showing you all my new beauty products that somehow made their way from store displays in the U.S into my makeup drawer back home in Hong Kong. 
           

This is a haul I’ve accumulated over the past few months – products that I bought while on holiday, and products I ordered online (that my best friend very kindly carried home for me). At Sephora, I am a Very Important Beauty Insider (VIB). Translation – I love makeup and I buy a lot of it. If I lived in the states, I’d be VIB Rouge for sure. Because I don’t, I only get to do Sephora hauls once, maybe twice a year. So when I get that opportunity, trust that I take advantage. Let's get started!
          

NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji | MAC Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation in NC 20 | bareMinerals Complexion Rescue in Buttercream 03 | Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizing Primer in Smoothing | Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
          

For the face, I caved and splurged on three foundations that have been on my wish list for quite some time. NARS Sheer Glow was the one product that I’ve wanted for years (probably since 2012) but just never got around to buying. I finally gave in when I found out recently that it was the foundation of choice by most brides on their wedding day. Flawless wedding-day skin? Yes please! MAC Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation was launched in the fall of last year, and I knew I wanted it the second I heard the name – I’m a sucker for natural, lightweight foundations and the SPF is a plus! I also picked up the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue, which seems to be the go-to foundation among beauty gurus for that radiant, everyday natural skin. I’ve heard glowing reviews on the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizing Primers and picked up the Smoothing primer for large pores and fine lines, because who wouldn’t want to hide those? The Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray was a spur-of-the-moment purchase while standing in line to pay at Sephora – also known as the Aisle of Doom. Oh, how I’ve fallen victim to it on so many occasions. But honestly, who could resist? The aisle offers a plethora of mini and travel sized products that are in the “that’s not too bad, I’ll give it a shot” price range that you can’t help but pick up more than a few. For setting powders, I picked up both the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder and Secret Brightening Powder after hearing that these are the best powders in the game, and also to cater to my newfound love for "baking".
       

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder | Secret Brightening Powder

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette | Sephora Collection Pro Flawless Airbush #56 | Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush | BeautyBlender | NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

          

I've craved for the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette for so many months, and as you can read here in my recent review, I’m madly in lurve. The Sephora Collection Pro Flawless Airbrush #56 was the hardest to get my hands on – it was sold out in three Sephora stores in NYC and when I finally found it on my last day in the Big Apple, it was the last one left. Meant to be? I think so. The Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush is a “returned it, regretted it, repurchased it” product. I bought it a few years ago when Tarte first launched these blushes, and was disappointed in the color payoff. It wasn’t until recently that I’ve started to appreciate its subtlety and buildable quality. No Sephora haul is ever complete without getting a backup of my trusty BeautyBlender - I've been using it for years and it’s an absolute must-have in my books. The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer was another of my highly coveted products, but I couldn't seem to justify the price when so many drugstore concealers were doing the job. But cue the Aisle of Doom, and I’m checking out with a mini sized version.
          

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette | Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion | Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara | Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in 13 Marvelous Mauve

          
For the eyes, I had to pick up the Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette because matte eye shadows are my absolute jam, and the colors in the palette are right up my street. Neutral browns and taupes and purples. Yasss. I repurchased the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion after realizing my previous one was from more than a year (that’s a lie – two years) ago. Sorry, don’t judge. The mini size of the Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara was another aisle-of-doom purchase and I don't regret it one bit. The Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Marvelous Mauve was love at first sight and I knew it had to be mine.
          

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser | GlamGlow Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment | Fresh Seaberry Restorative Body Cream

          

For skincare, I had to repurchase my favorite Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - it smells like cucumbers and removes all my makeup while keeping my skin feeling super soft. The GlamGlow Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment is another exciting addition to my growing GlamGlow collection. I had dragged my boyfriend to Sephora (for the second time that day) and he bought this for me while checking out the Aisle of Doom on his own. No one is safe, I'm telling you. The Fresh Seaberry Restorative Body Cream was an impulse purchase - I had never seen it in Hong Kong stores before - and I loved it so much that I went back the next day and bought an extra bottle (which I ended giving away to my dad, because I’m just that sweet of a daughter, you guys.)

Phew, we’re done!

I hope you enjoyed this haul and that I inspired a few (or more) beauty purchases! I will be doing in-depth reviews of these products in the near future, so stay tuned!