Play! by Sephora: August

Woo another month of PLAY-ing, and i was a little happier with this month's box than last! 

So that's definitely cool, the theme was 'The Eye Openers' and the bag is adorable (just like last month) with this 'Wink Outside the Box' catchphrase.

I'm still in love with these little posters that come with it highlighting all the products–they're just too damn cute. And I also appreciate the way they do explain a little more about the product if you don't already know what it is.
Luckily this month there's only one item i've used in the past (and still use every day, which is a little disappointing cuz it's once again something that's been out forever), so i'll start with that:
Perversion Mascara.

Perversion is seriously the BEST mascara. I talked about it more on my mascara blog HERE, but ultimately it's my go-to even though it's not waterproof for several reasons. My eyes are ridiculously sensitive and putting mascara on always makes my lashes fall out, but not this one. My eyes also usually feel irritated with mascara, BUT NOT THIS ONE. And finally, they just look so good. Perversion is super black, goes on so easily and smooth, doesn't get all spidery, and lasts all day without smudging under the eyes. it's truly the best of the best. UD nailed it with this one. If they could just make a waterproof version that's just as perfect, that would be swell.
$22 1/1 (1/1 cuz it's a great product, not that i'm thrilled it's in the box)

Lancome Énergie de Vie The Smoothing & Glow Boosting Liquid Moisturizer:
I'd never used a liquid gel moisturizer before, so this was an interesting experience. It's supposed give a 'dewy glow' as it 'energizes, refreshes, protects, and hydrates' and be good for all skin types. I'm normal (according to the Kiehl's skin test), and not really knowing how to use this I watched the video on sephora and it gave me some cool tips- like putting a couple drops on a Beauty Blender to blend out foundation. it actually was pretty awesome, and helped my makeup blend in much smoother and quickly, and i felt that less was absorbed into the blender as well. I'm still on the fence about that whole 'dewy' complexion thing, but i really enjoyed how light this moisturizer was and how nicely it helped my foundation. It also says to pat it on after washing your face, but i only do that at night and have a swell nightly moisturizer, so i think this will be awesome to keep using with makeup. I might try it lieu of primer though and see how other foundation with other applications work. but overall this is a win.
$55 2/2

Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Eye Lifting Balm:
I'm all about preventative skin care, so I'm always a big fan of eye creams, and have been hearing a lot about how Resveratrol is the new 'it' anti-aging ingredient, so it's nice to finally try something with it. This balm is a little different, in that the texture is more of a gel than a cream, definitely 'balm' like, and didn't burn my eyes in the SLIGHTEST which is major cuz even my nice Lancome creams burn to a certain extent. This is also unique in that it can be used around the mouth, and it differs from the night version of the cream in that that one is for the 'contours' of the face, like jawline and cheekbones. And also this eye balm can be used morning and night, instead of being specifically for evening time. I'm down for it though, i haven't noticed a visible difference yet, but my eyes were nice as soft the morning after using, no dryness by crows feet, and less noticeable dark circles than usual, so again, i consider this a win.
$62 3/3

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow Eyeshadow and Powder Blush:
So after loving those new MUFE lipsticks so hard, it's exciting to get another tester from the brand, but i have to admit i'm not a big fan of single eyeshadows. it really has nothingto do with quality and everything to do with i hate using singles! I just like to use a palette and use all the nie coordinating colors together, and having to reach for a whole bunch of different singles is just too much work for me. But this color was nice, it worked fine, and blended with the Sephora brand pencil really well so it was a really easy kind of pinky smoky look. The formula was nice, so I'd definitely be down to try their palettes, but just a single isn't for me.
$21 4/4 (again, entirely based on quality, not the usefulness for me)

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil:
Ok, when it comes to eyeliner i am definitely a liquid girl as opposed to pencil, but pencil can definitely have its place in the routine as far as getting that nice blended color toward the lash line and serving as a bas for eyeshadow, and this eyeliner delivers. I've always used UD's 24/7 pencils (when i use pencil) and i might even go as far as saying this works just as well (for half the price!). it doesn't dry as quickly too, which is a good and bad thing, there's more time for it to smudge before setting, but that means there's also more time to purposefully smudge it. i smudge when i use these anyway, so this works for me. I don't think i would personally actively seek a pencil out, but it is nice to know that one more of Sephora's own brand works fab.
$10 5/5

Clean Reserve Blonde Rose:
This is one of the most interesting scents I've experienced. It's funny, cuz i haven't been interested in perfume samples ever, but since getting these boxes my tune has really changed. I think actual perfume brands (as opposed to designer fragrances) really nail scents down. I've actually been getting more and more excited for the perfume samples even, and it's been really fun to try all these new scents, and they have such interesting combinations. This one in particular was described as evoking a relaxing bubble bath, which it totally does! I get torn between loving it and feeling like it smells like soap my grandma uses, but the scent seems to change over time. Also I love on this packaging how it talks about other scents it pairs with as well as what's in it and a little more info, which is actually pretty helpful.
$90 6/6 (I actually wound up not liking this fragrance over time, but i really liked that it was something new and different)

OMG, is this real life?? I actually enjoyed this whole box. While i really wish it included newer products and brands (so i can avoid getting staples like Perversion) it is definitely so SO much more impressive than last month. And also, i feel like they should really give better quality samples too, and include a few more full size items. Like the eye pencil i feel like should have been full size for sure, because even Ipsy included like one full size product each month, and their boxes are not top tier. But either way, i'm still going to continue. This is only my fourth box, and the one immediately before i started sounded rad, so i'm holding out hope for the future ones. it's always so much fun to try new things

SaveSave

MAKE UP FOR EVER VOXBOX OMG

Just got this rad Make Up For Ever voxbox from Influenster (free for testing and review purposes) which i could not be happier about (unless it came with the black and white or matte lipsticks but dgaf gimme all the lipsticksss) cuz i have been so interested in trying these! 😍😍😍

I'm so so stoked I got this one, I love lipstick, and Make Up For Ever just launched a huge line that feels similar to the UD Vice launch so there are So many new colors to try, and there are THREE in this box!! Omg excuse me while I lose my shit with excitement. Also, here's a pretty image on Sephora of all their shades:

Basically i need them all. When you have over 150 lipsticks, it's hard to find a good reason to need, NEED, more, but i really do absolutely need ALL of these shades. All of them. i am not exaggerating here, i require each one in my life.

I wish there was a matte shade included in the box, but these creams so so so dang creamy, I'm already impressed. There's a nude, a classic red, and a funky purple, so kind of something for everyone.

ok so ignoring that entire ramble above, let's get into the nitty gritty.

I'm staring with the nude color (C211), and Holy damn these colors are not messing around. I barely touched my lips and this color lays Down. No messing around here, no going over the same spot, these colors mean business. I was so surprised, it's like, the lipstick was hovering over my lips and still laid down color. So good. I can't even. It goes on a lot darker than the shade looks, but it's so bright and vibrant, i can't stop staring at it.

This red (C404) is GORGEOUS. It's a blue-red, totally flattering, the tip is nice and crispy, creates an intensely sharp line without liner, and i just cannot get over how smooth it goes on. So creamy, so lovely, hugs every curve, not a single spot to go over twice, it's flawless. My biggest problem with red lipsticks is the tendency to bleed, and i will say without liner this one held up amazingly, until i ate food. My breakfast burrito definitely bested my non-bleeding line and the lipstick feathered a touch, but not to an extreme. and with liner, this isn't even a thing, although the lipstick will still best my chin every time i eat, but ah well. #fatlipproblems
ALSO even after burrito time, i didn't really need to reapply. My lipstick wasn't as shiny and wet looking, but the color was 100% still solidly on my lips. holy shiz how does that even happen. I don't know, but the long wear is strong with this one.

and this purple (C502)....

helloooooooo awesome fun color! I am all about non-traditional lipstick colors (another reason i plan to own the entire bottom two rows of colors in the chart at the top) and this is kind of a 'taupe purple' according to Sephora, so it's not like your normal purple. I wasn't initially sure how it would look on my fair skin, but i was certainly excited to try it out. It has that same smooth, creamy, orgasmic formula (which i like even better than Bite's Amuse Bouche line jussayin) and same perfectly opaque color lay down, and similar to the nude color goes on much darker than expected.

I truly believe this is the best (nonliquid) lipstick i've ever worn. For real though. like I'm still going to wear others cuz i need that shade range, but seriously, this is amazing. and even with the very slight bleeding, the color is still on my lips, no reapplication necessary. there is NO sheerness to any aspect of this formula, the edges are just as solid as the center, and i am SO amazed. i could write a song about this. This is what lipstick lovers dream of.