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Thanks to Lili, I was able to get my hands on a code for the Sephora Friends and Family Sale. I just bought a few select items that I knew I’d be able to use and enjoy regularly.
Lancome Teint Idole Stick Foundation in 410 Bisque W, $44.00**
I recently posted a full review of this newly reformulated foundation from Lancome. I’ve been using the shade 450 Suede N, which is technically too dark and neutral for me. So while I have really enjoyed the formula, I hadn’t been using it as much since I finished my review. Since I had the 20% off code, I decided to go ahead and get a lighter, warm undertone shade. I haven’t given it a try yet, but if it is too light for my face, I plan to mix in some of 450 Suede N.
Smith’s Strawberry Lip Balm, $8.00**
Nothing super noteworthy with this purchase. I haven’t owned this balm in a few years but decided to buy it again to get some more comfortable wear out of my matte lipsticks. One thing that’s important to point out is that the tin is hard to open. So if you know that will annoy you or you have any hand dexterity concerns, I’d skip this. UPDATE: Lili pointed out in the comments that this product does contain lanolin. So this is also a skip if you have an allergy or sensitivity to lanolin.
The Smith’s lip balm** is great to prep your lips before applying lipstick. It isn’t too slippery or too creamy and is only lightly hydrating. Because of this texture, it works really well without interfering with longevity or changing the finish of your color product. So matte lipsticks in particular wear more comfortably but still remain matte. Lately, I’ve been wearing more matte lipsticks because I love the colors of them, but I really prefer a traditional cream finish. I’m excited to wear my mattes more comfortably now that I have this back in my collection.
LYS Aim High Liquid Highlighter in Brave, $19.00**
I totally forgot that LYS does all of their packaging in triangular shapes when I bought this. In the product images on Sephora, this looks like a standard flat tube. However, it is indeed a triangular tube that matches the shape of its foundation. I had passed on buying any of the other LYS products because I personally don’t like the shape. For those that do like it, this won’t be an issue but thought I’d point it out just in case.
The tube also feels cheap, which is disappointing. For this price, I was expecting something that felt a little more substantial. To its credit, it is one of the least expensive liquid highlighters at Sephora.
I’ve been shopping for a luminizer like this since the NARS tinted glow booster didn’t work out for me. It is actually harder than I would have thought to find one that doesn’t have alcohol or fragrance. The ones I have come across either have one or the other. I did try the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, and while it was ok, something in the formula irritated my skin. I still have high hopes for this, hopefully, the product itself works well.
UPDATE December 29, 2021: I’ve posted a full review of this product. You can check that out by clicking here.
The LYS Aim High Liquid Highlighter also comes in two other shades. If you want to see all three shades, I was able to find a review with all of them from Chelsea (glamgirlchelsea on YouTube) that you can check out.
Have you bought anything recently that you’re excited about?
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Nikki From HR 
Oh my goodness, I didn’t think the LYS tube would be triangular too! That’s a little funny. lol. Also, I always wanted to try that Strawberry lip balm because I heard it was really good, but I can’t because of my lanolin allergy/sensitivity unfortunately. Same with the Jack Black lip balms. Lanolin is such a good ingredient, I wish I could still use it. Bite Beauty learned the hard way when their original Agave Lip Mask was their bestseller until they switched to an all vegan formula and took the lanolin out. Now so many people dislike it.
For the FnF sale I ended up buying the MILK Hydro concealer/eyeshadow primer (I really want to see if it helps with creasing), the Danessa Myricks Cream Bronzer, and the Huda Glowish Blushes. Everything else on my wishlist I wasn’t 100% certain I wanted, so I figured I have until Nov 5th for the VIB sale to decide.
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Thanks for pointing out the lanolin ingredient, I’ll add that information for those that also have to avoid that. Lol, it will be interesting to see if Bite Beauty survives the change. So many people were outraged, but so far it doesn’t really seem to me like they are suffering.
The Danessa Myricks brand definitely has my attention. I keep going back and forth with the bronzer and contour products but I feel like I’ll fall in between shades. I was also looking at her colorfix pigments but the complaints of how fast they dry out have stopped me from purchasing. I bet the Huda blushes will be beautiful!
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Yeah, I was worried for Bite Beauty (I do have a soft spot for them because of their original lipsticks) but I think it was very smart of them to make sure they came out with more than just lipsticks during the change. I think the foundation and mascara have been well received so far.
The drying out issue kept me from the ColorFixes as well! I’ve had them in my cart so many times and changed my mind at the last minute lol. And yes, the shade jump between medium and deep of Danessa’s bronzers is huge. The contour in my shade was so warm that I considered it more of a bronzing type of shade, whereas the deep shade of the bronzer looks dark enough to give me a contouring effect even if it ends up being warm as well. We shall see! haha.
Oh and an update… I really do like the MAC Rosalia extra dimension palette. I’ve only tried it once so far but I was happy to see the blush shade still shows up on me! I have to build it up but it doesn’t have a metallic reflect (like the glowlighter from Coloured Raine) and it also has less sparkle than the other shades, so it still looks good with a heavy application! It’s such a pretty color too! And of course the bronze shade looks nice as well or a mix of the bronze and gold. The tan/pink one isn’t for me though, but that’s fine. I’m happy with the other 3. lol.
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I do remembering seeing some raves about the Bite Beauty foundation and powders back when they were first released. I honestly forgot about the complexion products lol.
That’s great to hear about the MAC palette. 3 out of 4 ain’t bad at all, especially for a face palette 🙂.
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