Haul: Chic Week

a small Sephora Haul & First Impressions

If you didn't know, Sephora's Chic Week is currently going on. (April 12 - April 21) During this time, everything at Sephora is 15% off both online and in-stores. Sephora usually only offers discounts twice a year, so it's a great time to try out new products or stock up on favorites. Luckily, I also had a gift card - so it combined with the sale allowed me to mark off a lot of my wishlist for a small out-of-pocket cost. I purchased:

sephora haul


Caudalie Beauty Elixir
This has been on my wishlist for so long. Most everyone in the beauty community has raved about this product. I always put off purchasing it because of the high price tag and I never really understood the concept.  But so far, so good - I like the herbal scent and the refreshing feel it leaves behind.

Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish
Remember my last Chic Week haul?  (It was my first time trying Soap & Glory products.) Once I got past the overwhelming smell and childish packing, I really liked the products.  I used all of them up and I've made a few repurchases since.  I decided to try something new.  I've only used this body polish once; I enjoyed the signature Soap & Glory scent and the fact that the product is coarse but not abrasive.  However, I didn't see or feel much of a difference in my skin with the first use.

Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream
I've purchased the full-size tube twice.  This time around, I wanted a small tube to keep in my purse.  This really is a great, reasonably-priced hand cream that is worth the hype.

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil in DEA

I purchased this once before but never got to use it.  (It broke/melted in the mail, so I ended up returning it... I should've taken that as a sign.) Some of my drugstore concealers work equally as well, if not better.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Travel Duo Fragrance Set
I'm so weird and picky when it comes to perfumes.  Every time I visit a beauty or department store, I would always "test" this perfume.  I've always liked it, but I didn't completely love it.  Regardless, I finally purchased my own little bottle.  This set was the best value .75oz of perfume for $35. (The .68oz spray is $50!) I still really like the perfume but I'm afraid it doesn't work with my body chemistry.  It smells great when I spray it on in the morning - a floral scent with a touch of herbs.  But by the end of the night, the perfume smells like a cheap, musty, vanilla scent.

All in all, I'm happy I finally marked off the majority of my high-end beauty wishlist. I'm going to try out these products for another week or two; I might end up returning a few or they may make it to my April Favorites ~ stay tuned!

hauls & herbal sprays,
-Kaitlyn

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March Favorites

"Favorites" posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) "rediscovered" items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

beauty favorites

CeraVe Renewing SA Cream
(I'm kind of cheating because I only used this product the last week of March but based off first impressions... it will be an April Favorite, as well.) It's a little pricey (around the $20 range at CVS.) Luckily, I got it on sale and had a coupon. It smells horrible but it's still one of the best moisturizing creams I have tried. It has a thick, body butter consistency but immediately absorbs into the skin so the greasy feeling isn't left behind. I have noticed some of my rough & dry patches have actually gotten smaller and little bit softer thanks to this cream.

L'Oreal Smooth Intense Frizz Taming Serum
In the previous months, I have really been enjoying higher-end hair products. However, this month, my hair just wasn't reacting the same to them. My hair has been extremely tangly & frizzy lately; I think the problem is a mixture of the crazy weather and me always going to sleep with my hair wet.  This product tamed most of my frizz and leaves a nice smell & shine behind.  It works great on both wet & dry hair.

Wet 'n' Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color in Sugar Coat
I have really been into nude nail colors this month. LeighannSays has raved about this color a few times, so I finally decided to give it a try. It is a pretty, sheer baby pink that looks very polished & feminine. Chipping was minimal. Unfortunately, it does take about three coats to really show the color - but for only $2, I don't think I should complain.

frizzy hair & feminine nails,
-Kaitlyn

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February Favorites

"Favorites" posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) "rediscovered" items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

makeup, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Concealer
This concealer is made for under the eyes; on me, it creased badly under the eyes.  But I use this everywhere else on my face it works great.  The concealer provides great coverage and it's swirled with Olay moisturizer; it's the most moisturizing concealer I've ever tried.

Prestige BrowPerfection Marbleized Brow Pencil
I was tired of paying $15 for my go-to brown pencil, MAC Fling, every few months.  I found this just for $4.00!  It works just as good, if not better than MAC. Unfortunately, it isn't mechanical.  However, it does have a lot more product compared to MAC. I really like that it's double ended pencil and brush; it makes filling in my eyebrows a lot faster.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer: Color Correcting Adjust
Lately, my face has had random red, blotchy spots.  I dislike foundation and it was getting to the point where I was caking on concealer.  I decided I needed to cancel out the redness rather than just attempting to cover it.  I used the original formula of Smashbox Photo Finish awhile back and liked it, so I decided to pick up the green one.  Originally, I purchased the smaller tube; I used it a few times and really liked it.  Although it's a lot more pricey, I realized the larger tube is a better value - so I returned the small one and purchased the larger one.  It's great at canceling out all the redness on my face, it minimizes pores, and it makes my face feel really silky smooth allowing a flawless makeup application.  The primer also acts a wind barrier, which is great for the cold weather.

green primer & swirled concealer,
-Kaitlyn

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