MAC Warehouse March 2014 Haul

Gift with Ticket Trade In

Not as great as it used to be!!!

$5 for Charity Bag (3 pcs)

Punk Couture - Matt Lipstick

Boss Brown - Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolour

Raven - Kohl Power Eye Pencil

$20 

MAC 272 Angled Brush (Discontinued)

$10 each

Cosmo - Amplified Creme Lipstick

Must Be Red! - Cremesheen Lipstick

Nitro:licious 2046 - Lipglass

$12 each

MAC False Lashes Black

$4 each 

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover

New in My Vanity :: Sephora VIB + Birthday Haul

Hello Everyone!

So this month is my birthday month so I headed to Sephora to finally claim my birthday gift this year! 

Also, since there was the 20% off discount for VIB members this weekend, I decided to take advantage of that and purchase a new red lipstick - YSL's Rouge Volupté Shine in #4 Rouge in Danger. It's more of a sheer lip balm than a solid lipstick, thus making it excellent for everyday wear. I was tempted to get #43 from Makeup Forever as it was a true red lipstick, however the YSL lipstick was more reminiscent of MACs Cyndi Lipstick from a couple years ago which I used often! Hence based on personal practicality and the allure of the golden designer YSL tube, I got the YSL lipstick. 

I also saw the new NARS x Guy collaboration and I really would like to get the hot pink blush from that collection - but I still haven't finished my NARS hot pink multiple or my MAC Her Blooming Cheeks. 

Anyways, that's all for today!

Thanks for reading!

elle xx

New in my Vanity :: Bobbi Brown To Go 500 Point Perk

Hi Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a good day! I saw my friend got this perk and I immediately went to my local Sephora to pick it up (since it s no longer available online anymore). I picked up the Bobbi Brown To Go Palette for 500 points at Sephora. Now, I think some of the point perks are not worth the points, but recently Sephora has been upping their game! I also wanted to pick up the YSL Bracelet for 500 points but I don't have that many points. I am contemplating spending 100 points on a deluxe sample of Benetint though! Half a year ago I also managed to get my favourite lipstick, Dior Lipstick in Lucky, for 100 points. So good job Sephora! Keep it up!

However, without further a do here's the newest 500 Point Perk! I hope this finds those who are contemplating getting it in time to help you make a decision on to spend or not to spend those 500 precious points! (Those points aren't cheap you know!)

This is my first Bobbi Brown product. I've always wanted to try her gel liner - but at the moment I've been using felt tip eyeliner pens and contemplating trying cake liner before I head back to gel liner. The palette combination is perfect for me - I use a lot of neutral colours and really bright blushes (unfortunately my picture was unable to capture the pink). My to go blush is Her Blooming Cheeks by MAC which is a hot pink shade. The downside is that the eyeshadows are really small. It's great for travelling but the shadows are really really small. You will probably use up the eyeshadows within a month or two if used consistently.

Overall the eyeshadows are good quality, however, you can purchase better quality eyeshadows from MAC or even some drug store brands. I personally prefer my NAKED palette over this.

Anyways! Hope this helps! 

elle xx

New in My Vanity :: MAC Warehouse June 2013 Haul

Hello Everyone!!!

Today I went to the MAC Warehouse! My mom managed to score 2 tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as a gift from the security guy from her office. Unfortunately  I was unable to go Friday, so I gave the tickets to my friend and asked her to pick up a charity bag for me (which I have yet to find out the contents). 

However, if you have been to the MAC warehouse sale before, you will be disappointed by the warehouse sale now. Personally, I am more interested in makeup pigments (ie: eyeshadow, blush, & lip products) opposed to foundations, concealers, and skincare. The MAC warehouse was surprisingly not packed and the selections are definitely shrinking as the prices go up.

Notable Changes from Previous Warehouse Sales:

• There are approximately 4 tables for eye pigments, and the price has increased to $12 per product and one table for palettes. Unfortunately, I do not recall the price of the palettes. They were mostly the quads from MAC and previous holiday collection palettes.
• There are now 2 tables for blushes and bronzers - ringing $15 per product.
• Lastly, there are now a sparse 2 tables longer tables for lip products - $10 per product.
• Although not to complain about charity items, but charity items are now 3 for $5 opposed to 4 for $5.
• The $3 bins (although $4 bins for quite some time now) have pretty much nothing - this time they had sample sizes of Clinique Flirty Honey, an empty pattern travel jar, 2 types of false lashes (one I picked up, one super short ~1cm), Clinique Happy Fragrance Mini, and Clinique Mascara Samples. Unfortunately  on Saturday they do not have anymore $4 eyeshadow/blush pans.

There were a lot of fragrances (DKNY branded especially) and a lot of skin and hair care from brands such as Origins, Bumble and Bumble, Ojon, MAC, Bobbi Brown, and Estee Lauder.

Anyways, now to my haul!

I picked up the following:

• Clinique Chubby Stick in 07 Super Strawberry - $10 + tax
• MAC 42 False Lashes - $4 + tax
• Pro Longwear Eyeshadow in Always Sunny - Gift for trading in entrance ticket
• Eye Shadow in Heaven & Earth and Pretty & Prim and a Mattene Lipstick Semi-Mat in Nocurnal Insticts - $5 Charity Bag (no tax)

All in all, I used to spend hours at the MAC warehouse - and I spent a record 25 minutes in and out. There was no line, so I will probably cash in my Sunday tickets for the Sunday gift and to check out the Sunday charity bag.

Bottom Line: If you don't have the tickets, they aren't worth the $20 you normally pay to get them off Kijiji (although ticket holders are not supposed to sell tickets). The selection of this warehouse has gone down quite a lot, in terms of the products that I am interested in, and the prices have also gone up. If you haven't been before, it may be worthwhile to check it out if you are able to get your hands on some tickets (or super cheap ones) but otherwise just save your $20 entrance fee and spend it towards stuff you really want from the actual MAC stores. If you have been to the warehouse before, it's not worth your time if your just browsing for a good deal. You're better off going to the NARS/Shiseido Warehouse if you want to save your time.

Hope this helps!

With love,
elle xx

[edit]
I went back on Sunday - the free gift was the same product & so was the charity bag (with the Pretty & Prim eyeshadow swapped out for Sage & Wisdom). Additionally, there was last day sales, where selected palettes were BOGO and $2 cosmetic bags were $1. I may have missed it yesterday, but there were $4 eyeshadow pans - but only Plumage - and all of the pans were in bad condition, shattered, touched, etc. I was only able to find 1 decent one, which needed to have the surface wiped and sterilized.

Haul :: Shiseido/NARS Warehouse November 2011

Hey Everyone!!!

I hope everyone had a good weekend! I didn't do much this weekend except attend a conference and went warehouse-ing at the Shiseido Warehouse! I wanted to go to the Nine West and the Petite Feet Warehouse, but I figured since I'm not free on Thursday, which was the VIP day, my chances of getting my hands on a pair of Rozas is next to none. I'll go next time as they stock up on them each warehouse {I hope they don't stop for next time! *knock on wood*}. For those who are Toronto warehousers, don't forget that Lisa's Cosmetics is reopening on November 19th, 2011!

I went on Sunday (the last day) at 2PM (an hour before closing) so I'm sure a lot of the merchandise was gone. I (sometimes) do this during warehouses cause:

{ Warehouse Tips }
1. It limits how much I can buy when I have hours and hours to shift through merchandise
2. Less wait time for the entrance line
3. Less people - since all the eager beavers usually try to get into the warehouse at opening

Anyways, here's the haul!

(L-R; T-B :: Shiseido Self Tanner, NARS Multiple Duo, NARS Eyeshadow,
NARS Lipgloss Duo in Orgasm & Hustler, NARS Lipgloss in Sunset Strip,
NARS Mini Lip Duo, Shiseido Lipstick, NARS Eyeshadow Palette,
NARS Eyeshadow, 2x NARS Lipsticks, NARS Multiple in Beverly Hills)

{ Prices }
Shiseido Self Tanner - $15
Blushes/Multiples - $15
Eyeshadows - $8
Lipgloss Duos - $10
Lipglosses - $8
Lipgloss Mini Duo - $8
Lipsticks - $10

L-R T-B :: NARS Orgasm/South Beach Multiple Duo
NARS Exotic Dance Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow
NARS Corfu Cream Eyeshadow

L-R :: NARS Tzigane Lipstick
NARS Transeurope Express Lipstick
Shiseido P18 Lipstick

Swatches :: Transeurope Express, Tzigane, P18

I originally purchased the self-tanner because I thought it was a bronzing product and just grabbed it to "even out" my skin tone on my legs... It turns out its not the product I was hoping for when I gave it a closer look. I'll probably give t to one of my sun-addicted friends.

Anyways, I hope this is a helpful reference for those who hope to go in the future!

Thanks for reading!
elle xx

PS: I got 33 followers! Yay! Thank you all for following me! It makes me really happy and means a lot to me! ^_____^♥

Review :: NARS Holiday Limited Edition Danmari Blush Palette - Close Up Look

Hello Everyone!!!

So for everyone that's not up to date with the beauty-sphere in the blog-o-sphere, Sephora is having their annual Friends & Family 20% off sale to individuals who qualify for their VIB! Anyways, since my mum and I share the same Beauty Insider card it's quite easy for us to remain on the VIB list! I live a block away - a 10 minute walk - from a Sephora (terrible...) so I jumped at the chance to get one of the items I've been keeping my eye on! I also picked up a couple of mascaras and foundations for my mum ^-^.

Anyways - to the star of the show! The NARS Danmari Blush Palette! It retails for $70CAD. The price may seem steep, but the price is a deal considering the palette consists of the six most popular NARS blushes, including the infamous Orgasm! I got the 20% discount on top of that so after doing some math it works out to be $10.53 per blush after tax which is AWESOME ($9.33 before tax). It's truly something for people who wear blushes or makes a amazing gift! I only have one NARS blush (Deep Throat) and it wasn't featured in this palette... so score! Do note that the blushes are 75% of the original size, however I'm not the one to finish a blush or any eyeshadow so I don't really mind. However for those of you who are blush munchers, keep this in mind that you will not be getting a full sized product! BUT. All I gotta say is you have to get yourself one if you don't already own these colours and want to try them out. Maybe even get one for a friend... or your pet! Or my turtle (she actually has red spots on her cheeks so I guess she doesn't need it...)!

Unfortunately, this is a limited edition product as it was released with the NARS Holiday Gift Sets. So if you want this product... its time to pounce! I expect this product to be extremely popular especially at the F&F Sale going on at Sephora now! Being the enabler I am, I say buy it now and return it later so you don't regret it!

On to the part everyone cares about the most! Pictures!

The Holiday Gift Set Packaging present on all the NARS gift sets! Very sleek!!!

What you see when you first open the box

NARS Blush Heaven!!!

Better look at the blushes without the NARS plastic

Close up of the blush glory!
(L-R; T-B: Hungry Heart Duo II, Orgasm, Desire, Casino, Super Orgasm, Sin)

Back with the names of the blushes. (Does anyone notice how all of the
blushes except one is made in Canada? *Canadian Pride* :P)

I'll post swatches once I use it (does anyone delay using their new makeup products just to bask in the glory of a new product or am I just weird @___@''?).

I hope you enjoyed the post as much as I enjoy having this palette!!! *does a happy dance*

Thanks for reading,
elle xx

Haul :: Shiseido/NARS Warehouse Sale

Today, I went to the Shiseido/NARS Warehouse with Helen. I haven't been to the Shiseido Warehouse for two years and much has changed! The warehouse has opened up a larger section for items and there is a larger selection of NARS products available. From what I remember before, there was rarely any NARS products before and now there is a huge corner of them! I was so excited!

The Haul!

I thought I was pretty good and didn't pick up a lot, but my bill still rang up to about $80. >w<! My poor wallet! I managed to haul a 'So Famous' gift set, Palladium Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, Lasting Lift Mascara in Black, and Turks & Caicos + Cadaques Multiples. I was so excited about the multiples! I bought them when they were released for full price and I was regretting not getting a backup... and bingo! I was able to get a back up... and for cheaper! I was sooo happy and excited! ^0^

Soft Touch Shadow Pencil - Palladium - $8

Multiple - Cadaques - $15

Multiple - Turks & Caicos - $15

So Famous Set - $25

Mini Multiple - Orgasm

Blush - Deep Throat

Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - Bettina

elle xx

Haul :: Lisa's Cosmetics Warehouse

Once every season, a Lisa's Cosmetics opens up and allows the public to browse and purchase items. Lisa's Cosmetics typically carries large selection of perfume and colognes and ranges from low end brands such has Adidas to designer brands such as Gucci, Burberry, etc. Fragrances are discounted and range from $10+. Aside from fragrance, Lisa's Cosmetics also carries shower soap, hair care products, nail polish + nail care, chocolate, hair dye, no-name bags, and designer sunglasses. For more information regarding Lisa's Cosmetics please follow the link to their site.

I visited the warehouse last weekend and bought quite a bit of items. Lines are typically quite long, however since I live in such close proximity I usually can just walk in the last 10-25 minutes.

This time I bought the following items (from top left and clockwise):
1. Vera Wang Limited Edition Flower Princess 100mL - $55
2. Escada Limited Edition Pacific Paradise 100mL - $55
3. Osis+ Flatliner Form - $7.99
4. Aveeno Positively Smooth
5. Dove Volume Therapy Shampoo + Conditioner
6. Schwarzkopf Essencity Restoring Shampoo - $7.99
7. Smashbox Limited Edition Masquerade Baked Fusion Lights
8. Smashbox Lip & Cheek Tint

I apologize I do not remember all the price since some of the items my mum helped pick out for me and the price tags are usually placed on the items (except for fragrances). I would guess the Aveeno would most likely cost $5 and the Dove would cost $4 each. Both Smashbox products I believe were around $8.

I haven't tried all these products yet, however I have tried both fragrances, the Aveeno cream, and the "cleaning" hair products.

Vera Wang Flower Princess - As the name suggests, this perfume is floral, but it isn't overly flowery - the scent is similar to Marc Jacobs Daisy in terms of the scent's strength. Although there are some floral notes, this fragrance is very 'fresh' smelling.

Escada Pacific Paradise - Very typical of Escada's limited edition fragrances. If you like their other perfumes, you will like this one. Very fruity smelling - easy to wear.

Aveeno Positively Smooth - I only used this once, but it just seems like any other Aveeno cream, nothing seems different although this cream does promises to thin hair so then you don't have to shave as often.

Shampoos - Typical. Nothing amazing. Both shampoos were more of a clear watery gel opposed to a cream. I didn't really care for how the Schwarzkopf Essensity Shampoo's scent. However, I purchased these hair products cause my hair was drying out and required some restoration.

Hope this was a quick run down of some of the products and that it helped slightly in terms of my first impressions of these products.

elle x