Sephora Haul

Hey ya'll!

I have another Sephora haul for you. I love makeup, and just can't help myself. I didn't do much makeup shopping in June because I really wanted to put a dent in the products I already own. I used up a couple of products, so I decided to go and pick up a few new things. Enjoy!

Becca Shadow & Light Bronze/Contour Perfector
I follow Becca Cosmetic's on Instagram and they posted a picture of their new bronzer a couple of weeks ago, and it was love at first sight. I almost jumped the gun and bought it online right then and there, but slowed my roll and waited until I could get in Sephora and see it in person. I am going to do a review on this product so I'm not going to get into it too much here, but it is stunning!

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation
This is a repurchase. I ran out of my first bottle about a month and a half, to two months ago, and have been using up my other foundations. I ran out of my Make Up Forever HD while on vacation, tossed my Loreal True Match because I just didn't like it, and was down to only one bottle of foundation, my Benefit Hello Flawless liquid foundation, which is now too light for me. I didn't even have to think twice about which foundation I was going to get. This foundation is holy grail status for me. I love it!

Laura Mercier Invisible Pressed Setting Powder
This was a purchase I wasn't really expecting. I knew I wanted to find a translucent setting powder because my current powder, Benefit Hello Flawless, is just too heavy for the summertime. I tried the Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder at the end of last year and I ended up returning it because I didn't like it at all. I was checking out the Tarte Amazonian Clay Pressed Finishing Powder and almost ended up with that one, but I asked one of the Sephora employee's what they recommended and they brought me over to the Laura Mercier section and showed me this one. I've only worn it once, and it looked great. I still need to give it a go a few more times before I make my final decision on whether or not it really works out, so look for a review in the next couple of weeks.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #2 and #9
I have a pretty good collection going when it comes to YSL lip products. My favorite formula, by far, is the Shine collection. I only had one from the Shine collection, the rest are stains and the Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant lipsticks, so I really wanted to grab some more Shine's. These two shades are just gorgeous! The YSL lipsticks are pricy, but they are so worth it to me. I am a lip product junkie, and the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks and definitely my favorite type of lipsticks out of any other brand that I have tried. They have a variety of colors, and are really soft, and balm-like, so they feel really nice on the lips. The shade #2 is a gorgeous berry color, and #9 is a beautiful, every day pinky-nude shade.

That's it for this Sephora haul. Let me know in the comments below what some of your new products are that you've recently purchased, or what products are on your wish list!


xoxo,
Casey

First Impressions: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

Hey ya'll!

The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is without a doubt the perfect dupe for the Beauty Blender. In my opinion, it's even better! I purchased mine from Ulta for $5.99 and the Beauty Blender is sold at Sephora for $19.95.

The Real Techniques sponge has a pointed egg-like shape on one end, and is flat and slanted on the other end. The Beauty Blender has a true egg shape with one pointy end and a round bottom. My favorite thing about the Real Techniques sponge is the slanted, flat end. It's perfect for getting right under the eyes and really helps smooth everything out.

Looking at the Real Techniques sponge in the package you can tell that it is larger than the Beauty Blender. When I took it out of the package it was light weight and was pretty firm. I wet it just like I would the Beauty Blender, and it too grew to twice it's size and has the exact same plushness and texture as the Beauty Blender.

Before I applied my foundation, I primed my face using Laura Mercier's Radiance Primer with my fingers. I then squeezed the sponge with a towel to make sure I got all the excess water out of it. The foundation I used today was my Benefit "Hello Flawless" Oxygen Wow Foundation in 'I'm So Money' Honey, and the concealer I used was Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind in Fair. The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge applied my foundation and concealer flawlessly. I used the body of the sponge to "bounce" the foundation across my face, the flat end to blend the concealer under my eyes, and the pointed end around my nose and in the corners of my eyes. It was so quick and easy, which is perfect for those days when I am short on time and need to get ready quick.

I think sponges are a great way to apply liquid foundations, especially in the summer time because you can apply it as sheer as you want, or you can build it up to your desired coverage. Also with it being wet, it feels really cool on the skin. If you live in the South like I do, anything that can make your skin feel nice and cool on a 100 degree day is real a winner!

I've had my Beauty Blender for quite some time now. There was so much hype around it when it first came out that I just had to try it out. I have to be honest, I really have never thought it was THAT great. Don't get me wrong, it's very easy to use and applies liquid foundation really quick and easy. But in my opinion, $20 for a sponge is a bit much. Especially because they don't last near as long as a brush. Yes you can clean your sponge, but after a while it just gets gross.

So at the end of the day, the real winner here, by far, is the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. It's amazing and you cannot beat the price. I love the size, the plushness, and the design. I have quite a few Real Techniques brushes and they are all such great quality. If you are interested in any of the Real Techniques products you can find them at your local Ulta. I've heard that some drugstores carry them, but I've only ever seen them at Ulta. If you know which drugstores, if any, that carry Real Techniques, please let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,
Casey



Just wanted to let ya'll know, the background used in the photos on this post are from the amazing book Living in Style by Rachel Zoe. I love Rachel Zoe, and her books do not disappoint! Click the link to purchase your own copy. I have it on a book stand on my bedside table because the cover is just too pretty to sit on a shelf collecting dust.