Sephora Favorites 2013 - Give Me Some Lip - Draw The Line - Review

I was very excited to see Sephora's new favorites sets for 2013. They usually have a good selection of stuff in those sets and I tend to grab them before there are gone. This year, two of the sets really caught my eyes. They are the Give Me Some Lip lipstick/lip-gloss set and Draw The Line eyeliner set. 

I ordered online last week and I received the package yesterday. Don't be fooled by the picture on Sephora's website, those sets are mini! Here is a picture I took showing you the packaging and comparing them to the small packets of sample serums I received with the order. So they certainly don't look very big...

Now, moving on to the inside. You can't judge a book by its cover, right?

Give Me Some Lip ($25) has six products inside:

- 0.10 oz Laura Mercier Lip Glacé in Bare Pink (2/3 size)

- 0.07 oz Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly (half size)

- 0.14 oz NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight (half size)

- 0.08 oz Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment (half size)

- 0.05 oz Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Rhubarb (half size) 

- 0.10 oz Tarte LipSurgence Lip Luster in Glitzy (full size)

I'm happy with the amount of the products in this set. The full size Tarte lip luster was certainly a good bonus because it's worth $24 by itself. $25 for the whole set, you totally get your money back! I've always loved Fresh Sugar lip treatment although the mini size one tends to break easily half way because it's thinner than the regular size one. Buxom lip polish is always good as a lip plumper and NARS never disappoints me with its color and pigmentation. I'm quite satisfied with this set!

Draw The Line eyeliner set ($30) also has six products inside:

- 0.025 oz Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in Black 

- 0.082 oz Sephora Collection Long-Lasting 12HR Wear Eye Liner in Black 

- 0.01 oz Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Black 

- 0.04 oz Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black 

- 0.01 oz Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray 

- 0.01 oz Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Double Ended Eye Pencil in Perversion and Demolition

I love Urban Decay 24/7 eye pencils. It's great for Sephora to include a double-sided one into this set. Black and Brown are always good colors for everyday use. Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner is another of my favorite eyeliner. I've tried Eyeco this morning and I'd say so far so good. It has a very thin tip and it's really easy to use to do a winged eyeliner look. I'm excited to try Stila eyeliners and I hope they won't disappoint. 

I think both sets are very good value, but if I had to choose one, I would probably be more inclined to buy the lip set just because it has more different variety and higher end brands. Also, the lip set is $90 in value but costs $25 and the eyeliner set is $79 in value but cost $30, so you do the math ;)

x

Mimi

Lululemon and Athleta Haul

I have been enjoying wearing workout gear to run errands, grab a quick bite or simply to look good during my workout routine. (I totally believe 'looking good makes you feel good'). Lululemon and Athleta are two of my favorites for yoga and casual sportswear. I've probably shopped more at Lululemon than Athleta in the past years because I somehow always felt that Lululemon has a more fashionable and dynamic spirit but Athleta surprised me today during my shopping trip with their designs. 

The first item below is from Lululemon. It's a 'Free to be' tank and it's on sale! Whenever I saw sale items that have my size at Lulu, it's hard to resist if the color looks fine. But this one, I really liked it! It's also on their website right now so go grab it if you can find your size. It would be perfect for workout or pairing with a pair of jean shorts or leggings. While I was looking up this on their website, I had to get this other 'Scoop me up' tank. (Follow the link embedded and see if they have your size)

All things below are from Athleta. I got this cami below on sale for $19.99 + tax. It fits so well and the material is very similar to the lululemon one and it's very comfortable to wear. It has removable cups and gives good support. It's called the Printed Harmonious Cami.

I wasn't sure about this white 'Swagger Skort' ($49) at first but the girl at the store told me it's their best seller and suggested me to try them on. I was shocked at how flattering they are! You need to go to the store now and try them on. There was a girl at the check out counter waiting ahead of me and she also got this commenting that this skort is good for all ages. I totally agree! I can't wait to wear them to play tennis or just jogging around!

Ah it seems I really needed tanks and skorts. This last one is the 'Runaround Skort'. I purchased this one because it was extremely similar to the Lululemon Pace Setter Skirt I have but at a lower price. I love the design and the material. And honestly, this is equally 'behind' flattering as the Lululemon one. 

New workout gears are great motivations to get me in the gym! I'm gonna head out now and go for a run in this gorgeous day!  

x

Mimi

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul Review

I've heard so many people talking about NYX lip products recently, from beauty bloggers to a few girl friends. I was at Ulta the other day so I figured I would pick up a few and give them a try :)

Below are the ones I got:

(From left to right: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul, NYX Butter Gloss Crème Brulee, NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil Chestnut)

I think they are all good quality products for the price you pay. But the most unique and my favorite among them is the Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul. 

It's funny that the reason I picked up this color was because I liked the name. Istanbul. I've always wanted to visit Istanbul. It seems like such an exotic place. Among all the pink-ish color on the shelf, I figured I would just go with the name I like ;)

I love the texture and finish of this lip cream. The product name says it all: Soft. Matte. Cream. It has a velvety finish which gives somewhat of a moisturizing feel to the lips but don't expect it to be lip balm type of moisture. It's also quite pigmented. One layer, you will be ready to go. It's long lasting but the only cons I have for this product is that it dries unevenly sometimes. Overall, it's a good product! I have also tried adding the NYX Butter Gloss Crème Brulee on top of it which changes the finish to a glossy and more summery look :)

x

Mimi