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Look Alive Throughout The Stressful Holiday Season With These De-Puffing Eye Soothers and Serums!

I know the feeling — you’re at work all day, then out to brave the crowds for endless Christmas shopping, then come home only to remember that you have tons of holiday plans to sort through and confirm. It’s called fatigue. It’s not like back in the good ol’ days when you had weeks off of school to sleep in and do your last-minute gift-shopping, dropping in at whatever holiday fete happened to be occurring that night… let’s face it — as an adult, the holiday season can be pretty rough. But just because you’re feeling totally beat doesn’t mean you have to look like it — thanks to these soothing under-eye products, you can say goodbye to unsightly bags and look (and feel) just a bit more lively!

Sephora Collection’s Instant Depuffing Roll-On Gel is great for carrying along with you when you’re feeling a bit haggard halfway through the day and could use a beauty pick-me-up, while Clinique’s All About Eyes Serum has an added cooling sensation to hydrate and soothe as needed throughout the day. Bare Escentuals Eye Rev-er Upper does just what it sounds like — apply over makeup to tackle dark circles and get the appearance of smoother, more luminous skin. If you can afford to spare a few pampering moments in your busy day, try a mini-treatment courtesy of Guerlain’s ‘Super Aqua Eye’ Anti-Puffiness Eye Patches to refresh stressed, tired eyes, or set aside an extra step in your morning routine to dab Bobbi Brown’s Hydrating Eye Cream before your concealer for softer, more comfortable look despite your drowsiness!

– Alex Gambardella for TheFind
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November Favorites

Blah blah blah, cliché phrase about how it feels like I just wrote my October Favorites blah blah etc. :) -ahem- Hi! It’s time for another installment of my monthly favorites! Here’s what I was loving on during the month of November.

Old Navy Fuzzy Slippers
See, this is why I don’t do fashion posts very much. Because when I do, I mention things like my new chenille slippers from Old Navy. I normally wear a size 8 shoe so I got medium, and they fit me great. They’re super warm and cozy, and of course very soft. Most of our house is tile or wood laminate floor, and I almost always have cold footies anyway, so I have been much happier now that I have these. They do not have a sole that would make them suitable for wearing outside, but they’re great house slippers. They’re $10 right now, marked down from $12.50. I’ve been living in them this past month.

Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation
I reviewed this foundation earlier this month, but it’s worth mentioning again. I have been wearing this a lot! It’s so skin-like once it’s on. People will compliment you on your beautiful skin, not your makeup. It’s a water-based gel formula that looks so natural and won’t accentuate dry patches (hooray!). I still love my HD foundation but this is great stuff too. Yet another awesome product from MUFE. It’s a bit expensive at $38, but foundation is one area I think a splurge is worth it. If you are wondering, I wear shade 38 which is for porcelain skin with pink undertones. Available only at Sephora. I have been using it in conjunction with my next favorite.

A $20 sponge? Really? I had a gift card to DermStore, I swear. Anyway, I decided to give the little pink egg sponge a try to see what everyone’s been on about for all this time. I have the similar sponge made by Sonia Kashuk for $10, and I wanted to see if there was really a difference. Well, yes and no. I think both are absolutely wonderful tools, but the pointed end of the beautyblender gives it that extra edge. It’s also a little softer to the touch than the SK sponge. This gives such a flawless finish to my foundation! I’m glad I got the 2-pack, because I have another to keep in my freelance kit.

NARS Laguna Bronzer
I got an itty bitty mini Laguna bronzer as part of my Sephora Friends & Family haul, and I was anxious to try it. I have heard so many people say that Laguna is universally flattering. But I’m so pale. So many bronzers look awful on me! Much to my surprise, I really like Laguna. It has shimmer in it, which makes it different from my other favorite bronzer (TooFaced Chocolate Soleil). However, applied with a big fluffy brush it looks very nice and pretty on. It imparts a really pretty glow, and I am loving it. Even though the mini is small, it will last a while since the bronzer itself is so pigmented. But when I do run out, I could see myself purchasing a full size. It’s $32 though, and since bronzer isn’t a necessity in my beauty routine, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Skincare-wise my favorites lately are things I’ve mentioned– the Best Bath Store Acne Facial Bar and the ELF Zit Zapper. Nothing really new to report there. Love ’em both still. My acne is reduced to just a couple really insignificant little spots on my chin that are healing nicely.

I’ve been badly neglecting my nails this month. They’re chipped to hell right now, uneven, and yellowed. BUT! I have been really enjoying my first experience with butter LONDON polish– All Hail The Queen. This is a taupe polish with silvery holo glitter. It’s beautiful. When it’s not chipped off and ragged. It’s limited edition I believe, but in stock on Beauty.com the last time I checked.

And finally, hair. I have been sticking with my new holy grail shampoo and conditioner – Alterna Caviar Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner. It’s still love with these guys. My hair has truly never felt better. Despite needing a cut badly (I’m months overdue), my hair isn’t dry looking or raggedy. I’ve also added Alterna Caviar Rapid Repair Spray to my arsenal, which is an extra conditioning boost that adds shine, too. Alterna is available (online only) from Sephora, and at least some of it is at Ulta. The prices aren’t for the faint of heart, but the results are amazing. This would be a great thing to splurge on with those xmas gift cards! Yes, I do still use the It’s a 10 Miracle Product I raved about previously. It just depends on what the weather’s like, how I can expect my hair to behave, etc. Sometimes I use the It’s a 10, and other times I use the Rapid Repair. It’s a 10 is a bit heavier. I got a great tip that you can cut it up to half and half with water and it still works just as great, so I will try that out.

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Philosophy Gingerbread House Set

When I announced getting a box of yummy Philosophy goodies on Twitter, this review was requested by naturalNchicmakeup. First of all, how cute are these? Philosophy comes up with the cutest gift sets, and this is no exception! The gift box is very sturdy, well-made, and I don’t think you would even need to wrap it. Just stick a tag on, maybe a bow, and you’re done. Adorable. Each shower gel is 8 oz, which is a pretty large size. They are both 3-in-1 shower gel, bubble bath, and shampoo. I would stick to using as shower gel or bubble bath though. The Gingerbread Girl has gold glitter suspended in the gel while the Gingerbread Man does not. They smell pretty much the same to me. Not sure if that’s because they’re supposed to, or because my nose isn’t distinguishing enough. ;)
The smell is more gingery and less gingerbready than I would have hoped. It’s not unpleasant at all, but if you remember the Philosophy Cookbook from years past, that had a gingerbread scent in it that is to die for. This scent lacks the heavy bakery notes. Some of you (including my boyfriend) may prefer that. This scent is closer to ginger ale than a baked good. I have read that this smells very similar to the Origins ginger fragrance, and it’s been a while but from what I remember that is a fair assessment. 
Both products lather really well and leave my skin feeling clean and smooth without feeling stripped or irritated (some heavily fragranced products have the potential to irritate sensitive skin). Where this falls a bit short with me is the Gingerbread Girl. This has a ton of gorgeous gold glitter in it, which does not translate to my skin at all. I was hoping to have a sparkly glow after my shower from the tiny particles of glitter. No go. The glitter in this shower gel is not gritty or anything; it’s very tiny particles. It looks pretty on the shelf in my shower, but doesn’t do anything special for me that Gingerbread Man couldn’t do. However, in reading the Sephora reviews of this product, others mention getting a glittery glow. Maybe I’m just so pale that it doesn’t show up? Either way, now I have 2 bottles of this neat ginger scent.
I do recommend this set if you like ginger scents. It would also make a great gift because of the cute packaging. The set retails for $20 and is available exclusively at Sephora.
Product sample provided for editorial purposes.
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Make Up For Ever South Coast Plaza Boutique

I had the chance to check out the amazing Make Up For Ever boutique inside Sephora in South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa, CA) before it opened to the public. They were literally still putting the finishing touches on things when I was there! The boutique is really like a chic geek’s dream. It combines fabulous makeup with technology and creativity! Check out these pictures…(you can click them to view them full size)

The concept behind the MUFE boutique was not just for shopping, but also for education and fun. Everything is very accessible and visitors are encouraged to play!

Lighted makeup stations for makeup lessons…

This part of the boutique was still being put together, but it’s probably the coolest part. This is the SmartBoard. Artists can put face charts up on here and use special markers to actually draw on the face chart. And then once the lesson is complete, they can email it to you from the board right then and there!
The table in front of the SmartBoard opens up to reveal a full palette of all of the MUFE eye shadows, and visitors are encouraged to swatch, play, and create their own palettes.
The boutique is also equipped with iPads that are ready to help you update any of your social networks such as Foursquare, Twitter, and Facebook right from the boutique! You can also quickly jump to How-To videos to teach you about MUFE products. 
Because of the large area, the MUFE boutique is able to actually carry the entire line of MUFE products. There were so many things I’d never seen before! And I just love the look of pristine, brand new testers don’t you?
If you need help figuring out what lipsticks might work best for you, there is a nifty shade selector that can help you choose based on your hair color and skin tone! You might need the help just because there are so many shades to choose from!
Did you know that MUFE also carries professional special effects makeup products? I didn’t! But if you need some fake blood, fake sweat, or even some sculptable fake skin, stop by the MUFE boutique! 
The boutique is incredible. A lot of careful thought and planning went into the concept. This is the third boutique of its kind to open this year. There are already concept store-within-store locations at Sephora Soho and Sephora Las Vegas. 
The boutiques are all staffed by trained MUFE artists who offer a full menu of mini makeup lessons. These lessons last about 20 minutes, and are $40 redeemable in product. Topics covered in these lessons include basic eye makeup application, a dramatic smoky eye tutorial, blemish correction and under eye concealing, and many more. I figure if you’re going to be shopping anyway, it’s a great opportunity to get some tips along with your new stuff. Even the most seasoned makeup artists know that the art is all about being on the cutting edge and constantly learning to perfect the craft.
I myself had the opportunity to get a mini makeup lesson with MUFE artist Cat. More on that in the next post!
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Sephora Shopping Suggestions

Sephora‘s Friends & Family sale has been confirmed– it will start 10/22 and end 11/03. The code is FF2010 and it will give you 20% off your purchase. Shipping is still free over $50. Can’t combine it with other codes, and it’s only valid in the U.S. You can use it as many times as you like as far as I know. You can also use it with gift cards.
If you are stuck for ideas on what to check out, read on for my Sephora F&F shopping suggestions.
Makeup

BeneFit Her Name Was Glowla Kit – $36 before discount
Not only is the name of this kit absolutely adorable, everything in it is something I could use, so I’ve had my eye on the kit for a while now. There’s a five shadow palette, and it comes with a mini Coralista blush (and the blush brush), mini High Beam and Moon Beam highlighters, a mini lipgloss, and a mini mascara. They also include a little brush that is fluffy on one side and angled for eyeliner (or even brows!) on the other. This would be a really cute gift, and/or a great way to try out BeneFit cosmetics. The colors are ultra flattering for just about anyone. The kit is also beginner-friendly as it comes with step-by-step instructions!
This little lipstick with a long name is one of my favorites. I’m the first to say that MAC lipsticks are what make up most of my collection/stash, but that doesn’t mean I love these any less. I have two shades, Nude Scene and Premiere, and they’re both gorgeous. These feel so silky and creamy on the lips, and the color payoff is great. The sun protection-conscious will appreciate the SPF as well. There aren’t very many shades to choose from, but all of them would be flattering on a variety of skintones. If you want a no-brainer everyday shade, go for Premiere. I have my eye on It Girl or Ingenue to try next. I’m not quite brave enough for Leading Lady, but it is a drop-dead gorgeous red for the holiday season!
Make Up For Ever – Everything. Really.
If you have not tried anything from MUFE yet, now is the time. Actually, the time has already come a while ago, and you’re a bit late to the party, but we still love you. MUFE is a cult favorite brand among makeup artists that is available exclusively through Sephora online. MUFE is the brand I turn to for my favorite foundation and concealer. High Definition foundation is “the one” and Full Cover concealer is a total lifesaver. Other gems in the line (and it’s very hard to highlight just a few) are Aqua Cream eye shadows and Star Powder eye shadows. Ahhh and you really need to try Smoky Lash mascara, and…well, you get the picture. Try MUFE.
Bobbi Brown – Anything!
Bobbi Brown is an old new brand to Sephora. It used to be carried there, left, and is now back. If you’re a Bobbi fan already, you know this is now a great opportunity to get some goodies for 20% off. If you’re new to the brand, I suggest trying something out. Bobbi’s line is full of very polished, sophisticated color palettes and high performance quality. 
Skin Care

Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleansing System – $145 before discount
Ok this is a big ticket item, I know. But many of you are waiting to get it at a discount. I don’t have the Mia but I have the Pro version. I will say I think the Mia is fine for most users. I got mine before the Mia was out, and I also got a pretty good deal on it so I paid about what the Mia costs. Anyway, I absolutely believe in this skin care tool. It has made a discernible difference in my overall skin tone and the clarity of my pores that I did not get with manual cleansing. If you were on the fence, consider this your little push.
DERMAdoctor Poetry in Lotion – $75 before discount
When it comes to skin care issues such as discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, or really tough acne, many of us turn to retinol products. However, what I’ve noticed is that usually the more potent your retinol, the more drying and irritating it can be to your skin. If you have had the same problem, you need to try this. I’ve talked about it before, and I’m still loving it. I know the price is hefty, but as also noted in the Sephora reviews, a little goes a long way. I only use this every other night or so, too. I find that’s really all I need to help with my hyperpigmentation (left over from acne, yay!) and fine lines (hooray genetics!). I get all the benefits of retinol without the dry, irritated skin.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple To Go – $10 before discount
Purity Made Simple (or just “Purity”) is a very deep cleanser that is great for removing even stubborn makeup. It’s also an excellent complement to the Clarisonic brush. The smell is a little herbal and a little odd, but it grew on me. I recommend getting the To Go size because it’s still 3 oz, which will last you a long time, and it’ll be only $8, which puts it right at the price of many drugstore cleansers (or even cheaper, in the case of some!). I don’t know about you guys but sometimes I get product ADD and even though I’m using something great, using up a ginormous bottle of facial cleanser can sometimes bore me, so I prefer to get smaller sizes. ;)
Hair

GHD Straighteners – $185+ before discount
If you’re really looking for an amazing straightener, GHD is it. These are truly top of the line. If you’re a flat iron addict, you need one that will be high quality and last. GHD is it! I won’t say there aren’t good straighteners at cheaper prices, but if you are going to drop the big bucks, do it on a GHD, and do it during Sephora F&F. Never ever buy one of these on ebay. There are fakes everywhere. 
Living Proof Normal Shampoo – $10-$24 before discount
This is a really nice sulfate & silicone-free shampoo that helps combat frizz and also prevents dirt from sticking to the hair, which actually allows you to go longer between washes. It’s pretty amazing. I didn’t find the conditioner hydrating enough for my taste (I had to use a bunch of leave-in conditioner afterwards), but this shampoo is fantastic.
I actually wanted to recommend one of the products in this set, the Overnight Hair Rescue treatment, but it’s not available yet. I have this kit but that’s the only product I’ve tried in it so far. It’s amazing. I was looking for some seriously hydrating hair care and the Overnight Hair Rescue would be worth the set alone.
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Bobbi Brown Returns to Sephora

Bobbi Brown cosmetics are returning to Sephora! The brand was previously sold at Sephora but pulled out for reasons I don’t know for sure. But the good news is they’re BACK. 
They’re online now and will be in stores before the end of this year. What are your favorite Bobbi Brown products? I love the eyeshadows!
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Freshen Up Follicles In A Flash With These Hair Fragrances!

If you thought hair sunscreen was weird, then get ready to have your mind blown by yet another beauty buy made specifically for pampering your ‘do: hair fragrance. Yes, you can buy perfume specifically for your hair. Sound excessive? Hear me out: busy gals don’t always have the time to give their coifs the full wash-dry-style treatment on the daily (especially if they were “blessed” with high-maintenance hair that doesn’t conveniently air-dry to perfection on its own), plus daily shampooing can totally dry out already-coarse hair. So if you’re like me and usually have to opt for the every-other-day updo, messy ponytail, or dry shampoo, it’s still nice to know that your hair actual smells clean and shower-fresh, even if you skipped the thorough washing regime for the day. Go for something sweet and fun, like Aquolina’s Pink Sugar Hair Perfume or the citrusy Cake Beauty Satin Sugar Refreshing Hair Mist. Or, to give you an excuse to indulge in your designer fragrance fetish, Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb scent is available in the form of Hair Mist!

– Alex Gambardella for TheFind
Save on Hair Fragrances at Sephora from TheFind.com’s coupon site.
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Travel-Friendly Beauty Tools To Help You Jet-Set in Style!

I’ll be honest — If I brought my entire makeup collection with me every time I traveled, tools and all, I wouldn’t have room to bring anything else with me except for the clothes on my back. Of course, there’s hardly any reason to bring everything on vacation, anyway, but what can I say? I like to feel that I have everything I need to recreate my favorite looks, no matter what new place I’m off exploring. Luckily, makeup brands know what it’s like to struggle between the need to pack light and the desire to be equipped with all your must-have beauty loot. The solution isn’t to eenie-meenie-miney-mo your way to a slimmer makeup bag — it’s miniature-sized tools that still function the way you need to without taking up quite so much room!

Travel-sized beauty tools are a lifesaver when it comes to packing light and still satisfying your beauty needs on the go. Sure, it may be easier to have a full-size brush set for more steady-application in your daily beautifying, but these Sephora mini brushes do the trick just fine and fit conveniently in their slim come-with case. Another impressive travel tool is Sephora’s mini heated eyelash curler. Much slimmer than your typical metal curling contraption, and the heat works to curl lashes in a snap, no outlet required! From brush sets to brow tools (and even travel waxing kits!), there’s no beauty tool that doesn’t come in mini!

Save on Travel-Friendly Beauty Tools at Sephora from TheFind.com’s coupon site.
Guest post by our partners at TheFind.
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Saturday Sephora Selections

Every once and a while I’m sure all of my fellow makeup addicts like to cruise the Sephora page, and just like you I was doing just that. These are the things that caught my eye the most, and if I had piles of money would snatch up. ;)

10 eyeshadows, a double-ended eyeliner (brown & green), a double-ended brush, and an eye primer. Nice! These shadows are generously sized, too. I believe they’re 1″ squares.
I am really wanting to try it as the reviews are great and it is cheaper than Clinique Take The Day Off balm! Since you just remove it with a tissue it’s perfect for those lazy nights. ;)
I’ve been on a cream/gel blush kick lately, probably because they’re so dang easy to use and they look so dewy and fresh on the skin, even under fluorescent lights at the office (aren’t those the worst lights EVER?).
This is a new addition to the Josie Maran line that sounds so cool. A lot of lines are coming out with stains for spring/summer, but what caught my eye about this besides the natural ingredients is that it contains hyaluronic acid, a substance that helps lock in moisture. Since so many lip stains are very drying, I’m interested to see how these work out w/ the HA added.
I haven’t ever owned one of these True Romance palettes, but I have seen some gorgeous looks on various Youtube gurus with this palette, and regardless of how you feel about Youtube gurus, the makeup looked really pretty and I want this palette! :)
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Sephora News: CARGO Packs Their Bags

Canada-based CARGO Cosmetics is the latest brand to pull out of beauty giant Sephora. From what I’ve been told, CARGO will be pulling out of all freestanding Sephora locations, but will remain in the Sephoras that are inside JC Penney stores. It would appear CARGO will no longer be sold online at Sephora.com either, as it’s all marked 50% off on the Sephora site.

Historically in the blogosphere such moves have been speculated upon as a sign of a struggling brand. However, it’s really nothing to be afraid of. The truth is that in the past Sephora was pretty much the only game in town. With newer boutique stores like Ulta and Beauty 360, beauty brands have an array of choices for retailers. The problem is Sephora still acts like it owns the market. It doesn’t. Selling a brand in Sephora has been compared to working with the mob. They take a large chunk of sales, and influence a lot of the brand’s creative choices.

Lately it seems that many brands are breaking up with their controlling Sephora girlfriend and moving on to different pastures. Laura Geller pulled out of Sephora in 2009, and I’m also hearing reports of Stila disappearing from Sephora locations. We’ve seen a rise in popularity of the direct sales approach via networks like HSN, Shop NBC, and of course QVC. Both Stila and Laura Geller have recently made their television sales debut this way.

As the beauty market continues to be cutthroat as ever, Sephora needs to change her ways. Maybe get some therapy. Otherwise we can all expect other brands to follow in the footsteps of CARGO, Becca, Kevyn Aucoin, and Laura Geller.

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