Glam Straight with December Sephora Play! 2017
Decembers box was all about glam check out my thoughts below on the products proposed to amp up your glam game.
Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1
$33.00 CAD $26.00 USD
What Is It?
An airy dry spray that creates instant texture, volume, and body.
Good For: All Hair Types
Formulated Without: Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates
What’s Nice About It?
It extends your blowout while creating a tousled look and adding texture.
Other Niceties
Triple Sec 3-in-1 claims to be an instant volume and texture refresher. Perfect for refreshing limp locks, it provides soft, matte texture for a perfectly tousled look. It amplifies flat hair for intense volume and fullness, and absorbs light oils, leaving hair feeling fresh and clean.
First Impression & Application Reflection
I picked out a sample of this a few months ago as a point perk and after using it for an evening out I was hooked and immediately bought the full size. I was amazed at how well it worked in my fine hair. Easy to use, weightless – not greasy or sticky, and a fantastic fine mist that distributes just the right amount of product every time.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
LOVE IT, BUY IT – From the first time I tried this product it stood above all others. The smell is fresh and sweet – so much so strangers often comment on it. It feels weightless in my hair and leaves it volumized without looking overdone or full of product. Naturally stunning hair. This product is a game changer – it is the only texturizing spray and amplifier that delivers on all fronts. For me it is a holy grail product and and I will not do without it ever! Also, it is available in a mini – which is perfect for nights out to refresh - I take it with me all the time.
Caudalie Vine[Activ] Energizing & Smoothing Eye Cream
$47.00 CAD $39.00 USD
What Is It?
An anti-wrinkle eye treatment that supports natural micro-circulation, alleviates dark circles, and smooths out eye and lip contours.
Good For: All Skin Types
Solutions For: Dark circles, Puffiness, Fine lines and wrinkles
Formulated Without: Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates
What’s Nice About It?
Caudalie touts that this product is packed with lifting peptides, de-puffing fern extracts, licorice extract, and horse chestnut, this gentle, quick-absorbing cream energizes the sensitive eye and lip area, improving the look of dark circles and puffiness.
Other Niceties
This has Caudalies patented technology of the Anti-Cell Burnout Complex™ - a blend that combines grapeseed polyphenols with spruce extract to kick-start the cells’ natural antioxidant defenses, essentially teaching the skin how to better protect itself. The complex is further enriched with collagen-boosting vitamin C and radiance-enhancing vitamin E to leave eyes and lips looking brighter and healthier.
First Impression & Application Reflection
It felt smooth to the touch, easy to apply and smell was fresh and pleasant. I was excited to try this serum not only around my eyes but my lip area as well. I applied this product as directed. It went on nicely, soaked in readily to my skin and kept it well hydrated around my eyes and fine lines around my mouth. As far as any noticeable long lasting effects there were very few.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
Try It – After a few days of use I did find it nice but nothing earth shattering and I am just not sure it is worth the price for me to buy the full size. Perhaps it would show better results for someone who has very dark circles. If you are a Caudalie fan – odds are you will like this product. It is a nice eye serum for everyday use.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Au Naturel
$35.00 CAD $29.00 USD
What Is It?
A long-lasting, creamy eyeshadow stick that can also line, highlight, and create smoky looks.
Formulated Without: Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates
What’s Nice About It?
This product promises to be a multitasking eyeshadow stick that delivers both easy application and high-definition, long-lasting colour. It also says that the colour is long-wearing, transfer-proof, and crease-resistant, and blends and layers beautifully with a rich pigment-payoff.
Other Niceties
This product was dermatologist tested - for any of you reaction concerned beauties out there.
First Impression & Application Reflection
I have enjoyed cream shadows in stick form in the past as they are easy to apply and great to travel with or take in your purse to take you from day to night. Very excited to see it came in a nice neutral wearable shade. The product looked nice and relatively creamy, I did notice however that there wasn’t a lot of glide to it as I applied it and it even tugged a little bit to get the desired colour payoff. The colour was indeed very natural and it took some layering to see anything significant. I let the product settle and then when running my fingers over it noticed it just felt stiff and powdery not smooth. I suppose some people would like that feeling as it would stay in place and not budge, I just found it to feel drying. After wearing it for the day I did find it to crease and not remove as easily as other similar products.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
Leave It – For a product that touts “a long-lasting, creamy eyeshadow stick that can also line, highlight, and create smoky looks.” I find it just falls a little flat. Perhaps it is the colour itself, but it just didn’t seem to overwhelm me in its look, feel or performance. I have tried other similar products in the past that I have used up and repurchased - I particularly like the Bobbi Brown formula which I found to be more creamy and have better colour payoff. I just think other brands do a similar product better. However, if you are looking for a long lasting no budge eye colour and like a cream stick formula this one in another colour might just do the trick.
Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen
$25.00 CAD $21.00 USD
What Is It?
A 24-hour wear, eyeliner pen that delivers precise, dramatic lines to help you apply eyeliner like a pro.
Formulated Without: Parabens
What’s Nice About It?
An eyeliner that claims to be mistake-proof liquid liner and create a clean line in one steady sweep. Its tapered, precision brush design makes it easy to paint on thin to thick lines.
Other Niceties
This product is ophthalmologist- and allergy-tested, safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, and is 100 percent free of fragrance.
First Impression & Application Reflection
It had been awhile since I have used a liquid liner but the brush was very precise and it was easy to hold in my hand. The product was easy to apply and had a very precise application of the product. The colour payoff was the perfect amount of intensity for a desired dramatic look.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
Love It, Try It – I was pleasantly surprised by this product as I had become accustomed to use gel eyeliner with an angled brush. But, I must say after getting back into the groove this product really is easy to apply and delivered a great colour payoff for a nice winged liner. This product is really lovely if you like liquid liner - A definite winner in my book.
Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick in Fuchsia Pink
$27.00 CAD $22.00 USD
What Is It?
An innovative, bold lipstick that provides long-wearing, show-stopping color and endless creamy comfort.
Formulated Without: Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates
What’s Nice About It?
Its precision shaped bullet allows for easy, defined application while the long wear formula will not bleed or feather.
Other Niceties
Available in two finishes: a matte for an ultra-matte yet velvety finish that won't feel dry and a cream for intense color with a natural-looking, creamy finish.
First Impression & Application Reflection
This colour is intense!!! Upon application of this product I first noticed the smell – although not strong it did have a very synthetic almost plastic like scent (not my favourite). The colour as first thought was EXTREMELY INTENSE and definitely not something I would have purchased on my own. The formula was creamy and applied easily and with precision. The feeling however, once on my lips was not one that wowed me. It was just okay. The colour well… Completely unflattering on me. I love a good bold lip but this turned my skin sallow and made my teeth look yellow. It did remove quickly and easily and left no trace elements for such a bold colour.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
Leave It – This product was just not for me. I think the formula wasn’t bad – the colour payoff ( although the wrong colour for me) was really pigmented. I think there are other choices out there in more flattering shades and better formulas.
Stella McCartney Stella Eau de Parfum
CAD $115.00
What Is It?
It is described as "An homage to the English rose, and an effortless expression of femininity. The refined floral evokes a rose in full bloom in a traditional English garden with a sultry amber contrast. Soft rosy floral top notes drive the fragrance, subtly balanced with sharp, fresh mandarin essence and light peony flower. Intensifying and elongating the opening notes, the heart is pure rose, to represent absolute femininity. Stella’s base notes give a strong, sensual finish. Resonating up through the rose accord, the masculinity of the amber contrasts the floral side, making it bold with a sensual finish."
Notes: Rose, Peony Flower, Mandarin, Rose Absolute, Amber.
Style: Sensual. Intense. Feminine.
Where I Stand
Unfortunately this was a repeat for me in perfume sample and it just isn’t one I would gravitate towards - although it is very feminine it is a little too floral for me. I once again wish there was an option to select a hair sample versus perfume. These perfume samples unfortunately for me are a bit of a waste as I work in a scent free environment and I could definitely get more use out of a hair care sample every month.
Overall
I was very happy to see a favourite of mine , the Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1, included in this months box. As much as I like trying new things it doesn’t hurt to have a mini size of a product you already love to take to travel or when you’re on the go. I was pleasantly surprised by the eyelining pen. I always enjoy a deluxe sample of an eye cream as new innovative skincare is always at the top of my list to enhance my routine. I found the Laura Mercier Caviar stick to be underwhelming, the lip colour from Make Up Forever totally missed the mark and the perfume was also not my cup of tea. I had high hopes for this December Box especially with the theme being “Glam” but while some products were lovely others were a very clear miss and in my opinion not glamorous at all.
What did you get in your box this month?
What go to products are yours to glam with ?
Let me know below.
With Nice Things & Going Straight to Glam,
Andrea
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