VIB Rouge 20% Off Sale Haul

So, as you can see, my Rouge sale haul was very conservative. I'm currently involved in like three gift exchanges, plus with Christmas around the corner, I really didn't want to pick up any ideal gifts that I may receive. I really wanted the Kat von D Mi Vida Loca palette, but it was sold out. I'm not pursuing it, since it clearly isn't meant to be. My coupon did not go to waste, however, as a friend was in from the UK and I let her use the coupon because really, what timing!

Of course, the two items I did pick up were things I cleary don't need. I have a ton of powders at the moment, but I always hear really great things about the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. I wanted to get the smaller size, but alas, the store I was at only had the large! (I didn't order online since I was leaving on a trip and didn't want an appealing Sephora box outside my door all week.) I'm really loving the powder so far. It's silky and a little goes a long way. It's also helping keep the shine at bay for longer! But some credit may need to go to my new primer, Givenchy Mister Mat. I've gotten so many new primers lately, but I'm really liking this! It glides on easily and foundation doesn't clump to it, unlike some other matte primers I've been using. I'm slowly testing it with all of my foundations, and so far, so good! (Really, as long as it works with YSL Teint Touche Eclat, I am happy.)

I'm really glad I didn't go overboard with the sale this time around. I honestly have SO MUCH STUFF that I don't need more. But I've been working these into my current lineup, and I am very very happy with my choices. What did you pick up at the sale - did you go all in, or keep it simple?

Sephora VIB Rouge Beauty Before Brunch Event for Beauty Insider Appreciation Week

To kick off "Beauty Insider Appreciation Week," Sephora hosted one of their infamous VIB Rouge closed door shopping events.  If you're VIB Rouge, you may have gotten a paper mailer or an email with the invite earlier last week:

The last Rouge event I went to in Manhattan was actually quite awesome! However, these smaller shopping events usually leave much to be desired. I finally learned from past experiences and didn't show up at 9 in the morning, because really, it's Sunday. I threw on whatever and only put on sunscreen. The main 'draw' of the event was 4x points for Rouge members, and as we all know, Sephora points aren't really good for too much, unlike Ulta's rewards points. Not to mention I really didn't need or want much of anything (can you believe it?!) I figured I'd get something to get the goodie bag and be on my way.

I rolled in at about 10 AM and was greeted at the door, was given a name tag and a shopping basket. I was offered a chance to sign up for skincare or makeup consultations and I declined. I noticed representatives from the following brands at my Sephora - Boscia, Tarte, Benefit, and Stila. There may have been more, but those were the ones that I was able to pick out or that spoke with me. I had never seen a Boscia rep at an event before, so that was pretty cool. 

I had gone in wanting to swatch some of the new Kat von D Metal Crush eyeshadows, but unfortunately, only five of the ten shades were in, and I was interested in none of them. I wandered around and finally settled on the following items:

• Kat von D Ink Liner in Woolf
• Nudestix Clean Up Pencil
• Make Up For Ever Mist and Fix travel size (better price per mL than the big size!)

I opened up the sample bag and what do you know - it contained everything in the photo above. They went heavy on minis and kept it to the one Fresh foil (which I have minis of already!) Kudos to Sephora, I'm actually really pleased with this sample bag. I LOVE L'Occitane hand cream, so the mini is quite welcome, as well as the Formula X polish. Not a Benefit fan and we always seem to get Porefessional shoved at us, but at least they upped it to a mini and not a foil. Really, really pleased with the samples! I'd have just also loved a mini mascara, but hey, can't beat getting what you're shown in the photo!

Although Sephora seemingly did well, there was a drawback. Sephora put up the notice for the event early on their BeautyTalk forums, three days earlier than they sent out emails to all Rouge members. Because of this, some locations were already full when it came time for the general Rouge populace to RSVP for the event. I can see Sephora wanting to reward their forum Rouge members, but it seems a bit unfair to lock out those Rouge members who do not frequent BeautyTalk. We all spend the same baseline amount to make Rouge, so don't you think it should be made as equal as possible when it comes to going to the non-regional events? Just my thoughts on the matter.

Did you hit up the event? Happy with the samples? Miss the chance to RSVP? Tired of Rouge BS in general? Let me know!

VIB Rouge Too Faced Lipstick Mafia Event

So about two weeks ago, I got an email from Sephora about a VIB Rouge event in New York City. Usually I don't pay any attention to these, because they're during the week right after work, and I'm not about to drive into the city after work. However, this one was on a Saturday, and had the words "gift card," in the description. I was instantly 1000 times more intrigued.

This event was a few hours after an open meet and greet with the Too Faced Lipstick Mafia at the Times Square Sephora location. The Rouge event was closed door with free gifts and refreshments, and you needed to RSVP. I immediately called and reserved a spot. 

Formula X Clix Freebie

So I arrived at home today to receive an unexpected package. I eagerly opened it once I flipped over the box and saw the big identifying label, especially as I hadn't ordered anything lately...

Free stuff? From MY Sephora?

Nicely wrapped and all!

Cute!

The Formula X Clix! The System To Go is currently listed at $16 on Sephora's website. I'm actually super pleased with this surprise freebie, as I've been wanting to try the Formula X base coat for a while, since I've heard really great things. (But I have a few bottles of Orly Bonder I need to use up first, and I have OPI Nail Envy in use as well!) 

I popped on over to BeautyTalk and it appears that many VIB Rouge and even regular VIB members are getting this set, and in different colors, too! I got the red, and I wish I had gotten the nude shade, but I'm not going to complain. Well played, Sephora, especially as I have a VIB Rouge closed door event tomorrow, and we all know how I love to critique those! (But no really, this was actually unexpected and makes me feel appreciated as a customer for once!)

Sephora VIB Rouge Spring Sale Haul!

In all of its splendor, my sale purchases!

I know it's a bit late, but here's my sale haul post from the recent Sephora spring sale! I did some damage, but I had been good so far through the year with only really buying a gift for someone, and then buying a couple of items on my birthday. The first part of the sale clashed with IMATS weekend, so thankfully the sale extended to my next paycheck so I could finish my shopping! I think I got enough to tide myself over til the fall sale... (haha yaok.)

Here's a rundown of what I picked up:

• L'Occitane Almond Hand Cream - I love this hand cream!
• Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel - New item for me, heard it has a good pH so I'm excited to give it a shot!
• YSL Glossy Stain in 20 Rouge Enamel - Hoping this is a great summer color for me!
• Shiseido cottons - Always gotta stock up on these. If you haven't tried them, it's like a cloud for your face
• YSL Teint Touche Eclat in BD 10 - I love this foundation! I may have to exchange for B10, though.
• Shiseido Eyelash Curler - So much better for my eye shape than the Shu Uemura I was using before.
• Too Faced Melted Metal in Peony - SO excited to try this! 
• Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in 11 Rose Ashes - I've heard such great things about these, and my first use was amazing! I can't wait to get my review up.
• Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster - I've been wanting to incorporate a Vitamin C serum into my skincare routine, so I picked this up. It had great reviews and I can see why.
• Sephora Favorites Lash Stash To Go - I love mascara minis, and with this you get to pick your favorite and get a full size!
• Bumble and bumble Thickening Full Form Mousse - My favorite mousse. Makes my hair look full.
• WEN Cleansing Conditioner - Hopping on the co-wash train! This stuff is really great for my hair, but I don't like the price tag.
• Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré - I picked up the small size of this to give it a shot after multiple friends sung its praises. I have a few moisturizers so we'll see how this one fairs!
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin - After destashing my Naked palette, this is the only shade I really missed. It was sold out when Ulta had $9 single shadows, so I snagged it during this sale!
• NARS Audacious lipstick in Audrey - OMFG this swatches so amazingly smooth and I can't wait to wear it!
• Marc Jacobs lipstick in So Sofia - I looked at a few hot pinks before settling on this one. I love the new Marc Jacobs formula. 
• Surratt Smoky Eye Baton in Cendres - I've had Surratt on my wishlist for a while now, and of course Sephora stocks them during the sale! This little thing is tiny, but I can't WAIT to play with it! Hello, simple smoky eyes!
• Kat von D Ink Liner in Baudelaire - I'm not usually a fan of felt tip liquid liners, but I love a good navy wing and I wanted to try the new Kat von D liners out.
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Moonlight - I've been dying for this shade.
• NARS Smudgeproof eye primer - Just stocking up here, move along...
• Marc Jacobs Highligher in Peri(dot) - Of course, new summer shades released during the sale. How strategic. My swatch of this didn't budge!
• Kat von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bauhau5 - Another wishlist item being checked off!
• Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer in #503 - Total impulse buy, but I'm into glossy lips right now! I've heard great things about the formula.

...and there you have it! You'll slowly be seeing reviews on most of these items soon, as I get a chance to use them! 

Sephora VIB Rouge Beauty Before Brunch Event

It's that time of the year again - Sephora spring sale time! If you're a VIB Rouge, you recently received this email or invitation in the post:

The spring Rouge event is a closed door shopping event for VIB Rouge members to kick off the spring sale, which has been referred to as "chic week" in the past. This year, Rouge members get access to their discount four days before VIB members, who get access on the 16th. VIB members also get 15% off their purchases as well. Regular Beauty Insiders will receive 10% off starting on the 17th. (If you are not currently a Beauty Insider, it is free to sign up!)

The event at my store had contouring lessons, mini makeovers, and mini facials. I did not avail myself of any of these, since I had business after the shopping time and I didn't want a red face or an overly warm contoured face. There was coffee, water, fruit, and small pastries available. It looked like the store had its full force of sales associates working, all wearing bright red lipstick to celebrate the Rouge title. I spoke with two vendors, one from Stila, and one from Benefit. The Benefit rep was quite pushy, but I managed to walk away with no product, as I'm not a huge fan of Benefit products.

The Sales Associates were all friendly and helpful, although I was asked about a thousand times if I needed anything. One came over while I was examining swatches and we had a nice chat about which shade would look better on me, and I let her know that no matter which one I got, I'd have a dupe at home - I'm Rouge for a reason! I got a few samples made:

• Josie Maran Argan Milk
• Too Faced Hangover Rx
• Make Up For Ever Smoothing primer
• NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Finland

When I checked out, the Sales Associate thanked me for being a Rouge member. Something I know ALL SAs are supposed to do, but doesn't always happen - I'm sure they were specifically reminded that today was not a day to forget. I got the goodie bag, and here's what it had in it:

• Formula X nail polish in Tornado
• Benefit Puff Off! foil sample
• Nude Omega Treament Milk foil sample
• Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream perfume sample
• Shiseido Ultimune foil sample
• Alterna Caviar Repair Shampoo and Conditioner foil samples
• Buxom Full On Lip Cream mini in Pink Lady

I'm not too thrilled with the nail polish color, and I know other people who got other shades. I have a feeling it was a grab bag of slow moving shades. 

My main gripe with Sephora this time around is the discount. Why, if VIB Rouge is the top tier for rewards, do we get the same discount as VIB, who spend $650 less in a year (to qualify)? Why are we not getting a larger discount? Or at least, some other perk other than a few foil samples and a nail polish? Sephora really does need to step up their top tier rewards. Either up discount for sales so there's some differentiation between the top tiers, allow Rouge to have more than one promo code per order (I can only get the discount but not anything else?) or maybe allow me to have a discount on point perks? I really have to spend 100 points, technically 100 dollars, on a mini mascara?

Unfortunately, since sales on high end brands such as YSL come so rarely, of course I will still buy from there. However, I have not yet requalified for Rouge yet, when I had already requalified and then some at this time last year.

I'll be posting my sale haul at the end of the sale - there's still a week left!