I’ve mentioned this several times, but I did go to Sephora and plop down over $100 bucks to try out some of the newest and best-selling items. Needless to say, $100 doesn’t take you very far when you are at Sephora, at least for me.

Let’s start with the hyped up products first:

Tarina Tarantino Makeup Line by Sephora

Okay, this is a firm NO for me, a huge Tarina fan. I am completely disappointed by the quality of this line. It seems like the developers spent more time on the packaging than the stuff that’s inside. I tried everything, hoping to find one little gem to put in my basket (trust me, I got my tax return, money wasn’t an issue on this day) and I couldn’t find ONE thing that I liked. The blush looked very blotchy on my skin, the lip color on the model (above) wasn’t anywhere to be found, all of the lipsticks were very sheer. The eyeliner too waxy and wasn’t rich like the Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner. The eyeshadow was very blah, nothing really popped out, so I popped myself over to the Makeup Forever eyeshadow stand and continued to be impressed by the texture and price. I forced myself to find one thing to take home, so it was the Sparklicity Shimmer Dust ($19) and I am still trying to like it! Pictures of the product on my skin are shown towards the bottom of this post. Sorry, Tarina, I will buy your jewelry, but your makeup line.. epic fail! Good marketing though, great advertising photos, but where is that lip color?

Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder – Shine Control ($32 – Only @Sephora)

The title of this product sounds impressive. It says to me that you are going to have a smooth complexion, flawless and all of your oils will vanish. Well, for someone like me, who gets oily around noon and seemingly oilier every hour beyond that, this powder didn’t do much for me. I need to use it about 4 times per day, and if going out at night, make that about 6 times per day. The powder itself is a greenish / bluish color, to cut the redness in the skin and even out blotchyness. The application pad it comes with is a double-sided velvet flocked pad with a sponge texture on the opposite side. When I use this applicator, too much product gets concentrated in one area, so I am now using my Chanel Kabuki brush with it and it’s working much better. This product is very similar to the Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder , but in pressed form. I don’t stay matte for very long and I can see the product on my face in certain lighting.  I won’t purchase this again, as I think I need something with color to help keep the coverage of my foundation fresh.  3 out of 5 stars – Pros: nice quality, good packaging. Cons: I need something with color, look of powder is sometimes too noticable.

Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying Gel ($27 @ Sephora)

This wasn’t available in Sephora stores when I went to purchase, but I was given a hefty sample and it was enough to come up with my verdict. I simply cannot put a gel substance OVER my foundation. I just can’t! I tried to do this very delicately and it really did disturb my foundation. I did noticed that my pores looked smaller since the product fills them in, but I didn’t stay matte at all for very long. I tried this under my foundation and I didn’t notice a difference except for the possibility that my foundation went on just a tad faster. I will continue to try this and use it in different ways, I’ll update this review if I find that I fall in love with it somehow. 3 out of 5 stars – Pros : No fragrance, no parabens, nice quality. Cons: Disturbs my foundation when used over the top, doesn’t keep me “matte”.

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Cream Blush ($25 @ Sephora for .33 oz) – Was not availabe on my trip. I will check again soon!

Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Powder Blush – I saw it, but totally forgot to test it out. Sorry! Will check again soon!

Kim Kardashian fragrance (starting at $16) – Wow.. did I call it or what? I knew this fragrance was going to be a rip off of something, and it’s exactly Marc Jacobs. Did Kim think I wasn’t going to find out? Geez. Well anyway, it’s Gardenia and it’s totally Marc Jacobs. LOL!

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation ($34 Only @Sephora)

Yay! I love this stuff. It’s like the old Revlon Colorstay formula from the 90s. Not AS good as the Revlon one, but really close. Full coverage.. I’d say it’s medium – full coverage. The color choice range is amazing and I found the right shade within 5 seconds of looking.  4 out of 5 stars : Close to perfection. Pros: Great coverage and color choices. Nice product quality. Cons: I feel like this will only last me a month.

Yup, this is me on a morning before work. I am wearing the following:

FACE

• Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying Gel – Before my makeup.. not on top.
• Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation – Used my flat top foundation brush (disc.) MAC  – Pictured here
• Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder – Shine Control – Used Chanel Kabuki brush, or any kabuki style brush will work.
• Sugar Bronzer Tropic Tan (disc. in big round compact) – Very lightly used to contour the shape of my non-existent cheekbones.
• Benefit Shangri-La Sheers – Lotus-ed You Looking (Shown below) – Old as the hills blush, but I bought 5 of them back in the day because I love it SO MUCH and I can’t find another blush to compare to this shade! It’s a lavendar blush.. who sells one!?!

• Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity Pure – I am not sure why I bought this. You don’t really see much:

It looks nice when piled up on your hand, doesn’t it? When it’s on your face, not so much. I think I will try applying it with a foundation brush and dampen it with water next time.

EYES

• Sephora Professionnel Platinum Natural Dome Smudge Brush #13 ($22) – In love with this new brush! I used it to do the smokey look on my lower lash line and it works like a miracle. Faux squirrel hair!
• Urban Decay Primer Potion (of course, keeps my eyeshadow on all day)
• I applied the Benefit Cosmetics “Lotus-ed You Looking” blush / shadow to my lids, then applied the Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity over the top. Used Benefit Cosmetics High Brow highlighting pencil right below my brow.
• MAC Chromaline Black gel eyeliner (PRO Shade) on top and inner rim.
• Milani Shadow Wear Quad Eyeshadow – Wild Violets (medium purple shade) on lower lash line, smudged.
• L’Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic Dramatic Lengthening and Intensifying Mascara – Flexible comb wand brush. Top and bottom lashes.. two coats.

LIPS

• NYX Lipstick – Spoiled with Maybelline Wet Shine Diamonds – Rhinestone Pink gloss (disc.)

Whew.. that’s about it, kids! I am still awaiting the arrival of my MAC Viva Glam lipsticks.. so stay tuned and I’ll be showing those off soon!