I went to Sephora and I hauled, hard.
Last month many of you know that I went to the big US of A and I took a road trip along the east coast. It somehow became my mission to visit as many Sephora stores (as you do, obvs) and although I kinda lost count along the way, it was however a mission accomplished.
Although I have a beauty collection that is pretty, er, bigger than yo average - I rarely buy beauty bits throughout the year. I'm quite tame when it comes to new launches and it takes me forever to buy into any hype. So let's just say shit got spendy.
I've been pretty lucky to shop the hell outta Sephora over the past few years, so this year I decided to reign it in. I only bought a) pieces that were deffo cheaper than home b) marvel at the minis c) buy brands that aren't easy to buy in the UK.
Sephora Avocado Face Mask
I knew that from the moment my jet-lagged self stepped off the plane, this would be a saviour. I bought a couple mainly for the fun factor and I was pretty impressed for two reasons: one it made my skin super soft and the chilled sheet mask really soothed my skin, two I did not have to slave away washing anything off my skin after. Win win.
Sephora Brow Razor Set
Possibly the most underrated product the Sephora own line has to offer. Oh yeah, I went that far. Before you pull that freaked out look at the very thought of shaving your brows - gimme a sec ok? This tiny razor is for touch ups. For that in-between awkward regrowth, where you can't be bothered to wait for your next brow appointment or sit down for a plucking sesh.
It's completely fool proof, I've never drawn blood or had a freak accident. Quite frankly it's a dream when you have a really fair hairs that you want to remove quickly. Don't knock it till you've tried it, trust me.
Anastasia Brow Whizz
My holy grail brow product. I simply needed a replacement and it was a couple of bucks cheaper stateside. Available at Cult Beauty here.
Nars Creamy Concealer
A mini Nars concealer in the aisle of miniature doom? I was sold. And since using it, its become a regular in my every day face.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer
I totally picked this up on a whim just because... see above.
Invisbobble
An invisible hair bobble that looks a bit strange, but leaves your hair kink-less. I totally back the hype people.
Also available at Feel Unique here.
drybar
I have a full blown love affair with drybar. This may be because I can't get it here at home and that makes it all kinds of special - or perhaps because they really are the bees knees and they make your hair smell real good. A firm fan of the Volumizing spray, I needed more bits for my stash.
Since I lobbed off most my hair (sob), I've ventured into the realms of texturing sprays. Bumble and Bumble dryspun never lets me down, but I was keen to branch out.
I had already given a mini of the Triple Sec knocking around from last year so I doubled up my stash and I've been pretty impressed. Although dry shampoos make me gag (that feeling in your hair, grim), I've been spraying both the Triple Sec and Mr Incredible to my do' and not focusing on the roots, and it's definitely been helping me achieve the Pinterest look. AKA soft waves, not through a bush backwards. Full review coming soon.
The drybar brush? Better than my tangle teezer, uh huh.
Becca Glow On The Glow
Becca is brand that had long been on my radar and ever since I discovered the cream highlighter Opal, I've been smitten. I picked up this cute little travel set (that's now also available at Cult Beauty) and both the pressed powder highlight and the on the spot cream highlighter really give you that lit from within glow, you know, that dreamy kind that has you shimmering without the dreaded tack sparkle.
Bobbi Brown Liner Set
By now you've guessed I'm a sucker for a mini, coupled with the fact that the Bobbi Brown gel liners are a staple in my collection, I snapped this beauty up QUICK. It's incredibly tiny (and probably pointless), but it makes me so happy.
Anastasia Liquid Lipstick in Carina / Paprika Red
My first foray into the non brow territory of Anastasia - and I dig it. Whichever brand of liquid lipstick, my lips are forever as dry as the Sahara dessert and I need gazillion cotton buds to do serious clean up but these bright shades hooked me line and sinker. The hot pink Carina is a shade that makes my whole day brighter, not just my gob. It's an easy way to wear pink without being so daunting. Paprika Red is probably only a shade I can style out when I am super tan, but come summer this bad boy will become a staple.
Stila Liquid Lipstick in Bellissima
Although I gravitate to bright lips, I cannot deny a beautiful nude. Bellissimia is everything I would look for in a gloss or creamy lipstick - a liquid lipstick - not so much. With a light layer, I can make it work with a balm on top, even now I want to slather it on and hope it's not matte. I just can't get my head around the gross Kylie Jenner matte lips thing that's trending right now. Ick.
Best of Becca Kit
Technically I snapped up this little gem from Ulta - but right now it's also available on Cult Beauty, go go go!
One of my favourite buys stateside, this swish little kit has a full size Priming Potion (I can't even..), Shimmering Skin Perfector (a cult buy, seriously), Eye Brightening Corrector (highly underrated) and a mini blush in Snap Dragon, which is an all around crowd pleaser. Do I need to say any more?
There we have it. This is only a snippet of my American hauling as my travel debit card got pretty spendy in Mac and Duty Free, watch this space!