Sephora is my crack. I try to avoid going to Sephora because I can never get out of there for less then $80 a pop and that’s usually for two or three tiny little treasures.
A few weeks ago I was pretty down, so my better half decided to take me to Sephora to lift my spirits. A few readers asked me to tell them what I got and give my honest review so here it goes. First off, I’m not getting anything from these companies (although I would be totally stoked to get some freebies!) but this is just my own personal experiences of the following products.
First of all, I have been a Bare Escentuals (bareMinerals) girl since college. I switched to their line because it’s more natural then most and it just makes my skin look flawless. Or at least close to it.
I used to use their foundation and their mineral veil. But it’s a little pricey and I noticed that the last few times I bought it, the texture was a bit different. Like they changed something a bit? But it didn’t seem to be as good as I remembered. So I looked around and found a great alternative that’s more natural and less expensive! It’s Watts Beauty Minerals. And you can buy refill bags and fill up your old bareMinerals containers. One bag of Watt’s powder has refilled my bareMinerals sifter 3 times already and there’s still about 2 more refills left, I think!
Now it’s not exactly the same. The coverage seems heavier with Watts and their “translucent” veil seems a bit white, and not as translucent as bareMinerals. So what I’ve figured out for myself is to mix half of the powder foundation with half of the translucent mineral veil. And *voila! Perfect coverage that looks totally natural.
So there, you can save a little money with Watts Beauty minerals and I just buy it on Amazon!
That doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned bareMinerals! The rest of my face is brought to you by them. 
I was so excited to see that they finally came out with a pressed powder that we can put in our purse and take with us! I grabbed that up during my little shopping trip and am happy to say, it works just as well as their traditional mineral veil.
I also picked up a few of my favorites from their Buxom line. Including their gel lashliner in both suede and leatherette. 
I saw they had added a lip stain, and I love those. Except the one’s I’ve tried before felt like I could have achieved the same results with a Sharpie. I picked up their Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish in Scandal which immediately became my favorite lipstick. 
It’s not exactly a lip stain. But it’s better then a regular lipstick. It’s quite moisturizing and lasts a good amount of time. But definitely NOT a stain. It’s hard for me to find lipstick colors that I like. I prefer a more natural look, with a hint of color and this is perfect for my skin tone. I usually just wear this and my favorite lip gloss over it.
Now to get the most luscious lips possible, I use their Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Claire. Remi loves this lip gloss. I always catch her staring at my mouth after I put it on. The picture doesn’t do it justice, it’s the most brilliant gloss I’ve ever tried and I’ve tried ALL of them. This also has peppermint oil, I think, in it to cause the lips to plump a bit. I don’t know if it works, but it makes your lips tingle and anyone that you kiss will feel it too.
The only thing I'm wearing in this is Big & Healthy Lip polish in Claire.
And THAT is my entire makeup routine.
Oh, wait! I’m going to share with you the best beauty secret I’ve ever had. It was passed down from my Samoan grandmother but now, it’s getting a lot of hype in the “natural” craze. The one and only moisturizer I use morning and night on my face and ALL OVER is extra virgin, organic coconut oil.
It has to be extra virgin and it HAS TO BE ORGANIC. But Google it and you’ll be amazed at the scientific findings they’re coming out with now about my grandma’s old school trick to beautiful skin!!
When you look at the ingredients of a lot of really pricey face and body moisturizers you will see that most of the best, all natural ones contain some coconut oil. Why not, bypass all the extra goop they put in it and just go with 100% pure coconut oil?! The most natural and healthiest products will have the least amount of ingredients in them. Keep that in mind when shopping and looking at the ingredient lists on things.
The end result looks something like this. I’m wearing Watts minerals as powder, Buxom lashliner in suede, lip tarnish in scandal and gloss in claire.
Femme Rituals
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Sorry about that last comment, got a little excited lol.
Sasha, your lips are fucking sexy. I loved watching you put on your makeup when we used to hang out. I miss you. Come out and play and bring those sexy lips with you. Come to Vegas with us this weekend! Come on, I promise you’ll have some new material for your blog. :p
Sasha, this was worth waiting for. I KNEW that you were a bareMinerals fan. I could feel it. The next time that I’m at a Sephora, I’ll explore some of your suggestions. I’m obsessed with argon oil now, but I’ve never tried pure coconut oil yet. I hope that these beauty reviews become regular. Thanks!
Forgot to say, that you look lovely. If I didn’t live in New York, I’d hire you for special occasions to do my makeup;).
I don’t get the premise of their lashliner. How is it supposed to make your lashes look thicker than other eyeliners? What does it do?
Alex ~ already gave you my answer.
Ricki ~ thank you!!
Elegy ~ I haven’t noticed anything particularly better about it for my eyelashes per say …. Except that since I’ve had issues with my eye, I wanted to use only natural or more natural eyeliners and this one doesn’t irritate my eye at all. Also, it STAYS like a mo-fo. I prefer the suede which is a dark dark brown over the leatherette which is a black. And since it’s a gel liner, you need a good brush to apply it and can get a perfect line with a dramatic wing ….. It’s like a liquid liner but with more control.
Oh Ricki! I’ve been reading up on argon oil and am very curious, is it like a dry oil? And do you use it on your skin or hair? Also, which brand do you prefer?
OMG Sasha! You’re so pretty!!! I can attest to your luminous skin since we got to see you in person! I’m not much for makeup and these are out of my price range! But if I ever get a girlfriend, I’m going to buy her that lip gloss for sure!
Ah, thanks. I have MAC’s gel liner, but I’ll keep this brand’s leatherette in mind for a replacement. (Psssh, if it’s around for a while- I hardly ever use that gel and a little goes a long way).
I was recently told about your blog and got addicted right quick. I’m butch and don’t wear makeup yet this blog was still read worthy since you saw fit to add pictures of your lovely self.
To Alex, really? I mean, really? You know she’s married. We all know she’s married. We also all know she’s beautiful. Do you have to say things like that to her? How does Remi feel about you still being friends? (yea, I’ve been reading all the old posts, guilty.) if you’re a good butch, you’d respect her marriage more. Or at least as much as perfect strangers do.
Sasha, I’m nuts about Josie Maran’s entire line. I went to Sephora on Sunday and splurged. I now own almost every item. I’ve been using her products for a few months. I’d suggest, though, starting out with her basic argon oil. Her argon oil cleanser is also incredible. I was wary of cleaning my face with oil, but the rave reviews won me over. The key is, to put the oil on a dry face. Then, you slowly add water. The oil gets slightly warm and creamy. It washes off very well, and your face is soft and silky. The scent is wonderful, too. It has a slight citrus/melon scent – it’s subtle but lovely.
Argon oil has many beauty benefits. The net is full of useful information. I use the oil on both my hair and skin. It’s not that expensive, and you’ll use it in multiple ways. Hope that this helps answer your question. I think that you’d love it. Remember, Sephora gives out samples! (I hope that Remi isn’t glaring at me, for suggesting more goodies to buy.)
The best lip “stuff” I have ever used is Badger Classic Lip Balm. They were giving it away and my friend and I ended up getting like 30 tubes at a canoeing expo we went to for my 16th birthday. (They had a canoe full of it and handed everyone who walked by a three tube sampler. ) It’s made with all natural ingredients and makes your lips look and feel amazing.
Sephora is my version of Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. When I go through the door, I have to take a moment to just stand there. I have to collect and organize my thoughts, and check the list I bring with me to lessen the chances of becoming sidetracked and distracted. That little trick only works when I’m in a hurry as most times, I end up with a lot more stuff than I went in for. Agree with the argan oil review, although I’ve never tried the brand Ricki recommends. Argan oil is a product of Morocco, and it comes in different grades. The pure stuff is packed with skin loving vitamin E, and you can cook with it. Used in the diet, it is vitamin rich and helps skin, hair and nails from the inside. Most cosmetic argan oil has extra ingredients like perfumes and other additives so check labels. I am a huge fan of the Moroccan Oil brand, as I previously said in a comment on another post. Hands down, though, I think the extra virgin coconut oil is the best simple beauty product ever. After I recently started using it, I had to stop myself from mindlessly feeling myself up. XD It makes my skin feel like velvet. It not very expensive and little goes a long way. It’s edible and makes a great massage oil. Bonus!
I love Sephora too. Sasha you look so beautiful my friend.
Kirsten! I used to be OBSESSED Badger lip balms!! OBSESSED.
Im a lip balm-aholic!
I forgot to put this in the blog but my newest OBSESSION and now the ONLY one I use is Treat lip balm. Theyre HUGE! And they’re sooooo good! I had to buy one for Lana and Remi and several extras just to have one in the car, by the bed, on my desk, in my purse, in my gym bag, in the living room and extras in case they ever go out of business!!!
It’s all natural. My two fave favors are vanilla buttercream and coconut.
I’m not kidding it is TO DIE FOR!!! I literally spent like $70 one night just buying their lip balms! And they’re sooooo good, Remi didn’t even get *that* mad!
Here is the link to their site but you can get it on Amazon too,!
http://treatbeauty.com/category/23981868801/1/Lip-Scrubs-Lip-Balms.htm
And Ricki – thank you
I’ve read the reviews but now hearing it from you, I think I’m going to have to try it!!
I also, on Rexie’s advice, started using pure organic jojoba oil once in a while too, on my face specifically. For me it soaks in a little faster then then the coconut oil, and when I’m rushed and my skin needs a little extra moisture I’ll go with the jojoba oil. Or mixing them, after a warm shower and facial is fantastic also!
Sasha, you’re welcome! I could be a spokesperson for her line. Rexie, I laughed at your line. I usually end up spending way more at Sephora than I intended. I also didn’t know that you could cook with argon oil. I love this blog, but it can be a little hard on my wallet;). I just bought the Treat lip balm in vanilla buttercream. (I’d never heard of them before.) Plus, I’m a sucker for anything that has vanilla in it. Coconut oil is now on my beauty list, thanks, ladies:).
Sasha, forgot to ask you. I have two, topic requests: beauty boxes and eyebrow tips. Your brows always look amazing. I’m trying to grow mine in, and would love some suggestions for filling in and appropriate products. I don’t know if you’ve subscribed yet to a beauty box, but I had bad luck with mine: Birchbox and Glossybox. If you have subscribed, I’d be interested in hearing your opinions. Thanks!
It’s so expensive being a girl!!
These were great suggestions… and thanks for the tip on how to beat the bare minerals price tag. It certainly does get expensive!
And now I have to go check out coconut oil, arogon oil and jojoba oil!
Just a question though, is it still good for the skin if your acne prone?
30 years old and I’m getting acne and wrinkles! COME ON UNIVERSE!!! lol
Yay! I’m glad everyone is liking the beauty review and tips!
Dear Ricki, thank you for the compliment on my brows.
here is what I do:
I use a $8 pair of tweezers from Revlon, nothing special there.
Then I use a brow brush to first brush all the brow upward, like straight up. Then from there, I take the brush to the top of my brow and follow my arch down the brow line to get in in the perfect arch. But the trick is to brush UP first. It gets all the hairs lined up so when you angle them it fills in a lot on their own.
Then I use a tool like this one, http://www.sephora.com/mini-duo-angled-spooley-7-P69517?skuId=765776 … To fill in my brows. Use a shade slightly lighter then your brows. My brows are black so I use the brown gel liner in suede I wrote about. But I’m careful not to get too much product on the brush. The flat angled side of the brush … In fact, I usually brush off most of the color on a tissue and then use it to fill in my brows. And I don’t “fill in” like I’ve seen a lot of women, I sort of paint in individual hairs. In short, light strokes, where there are spots that need it. Otherwise it can look drawn in and we really just want it to look like we have perfect brows.
Then … My final tip and this is vital, even if it’s the only thing I have time for or the only thing I can pack for an overnight trip and this is my main tip for brows: buy a cheap clear mascara. I usually buy one from cover girl. And use that to keep your brows in place. It’s cheap and works great. Also, in a pinch the mascara wand works as an eyebrow brush for unruly brows.
Ricki – I’m not familiar with the beauty boxes?? Are you talking about storage or is this something else?? Tell me, tell me!!
Sasha, thanks so much for the brow tips! I really appreciate it. Now, about beauty boxes. They’re a relatively recent trend. They’re a monthly subscription service, that delivers a package of sample products through the mail. Now, here’s the critical catch – they’re promise a lot but deliver little.( IMHO.) They cost approximately $10+ per month, varying quite a bit in price.
I subscribed to two of the most popular ones: Birchbox and Glossybox. I did a lot of online research first. I waited with the anticipation of a virgin on her wedding night, for my first box to arrive. (Okay, a slight exaggeration.) Both of the boxes were beautiful on the outside, but the contents were disappointing. They weren’t anything special. I tried them for a few months, then cancelled my subscriptions. Although some of the products were interesting, they weren’t worth continuing the subscriptions. I think that the concept is creative, but the execution is lacking. The problem, is that you fill out a personalized profile, but then they ignore it. That doesn’t make sense. Why have women do a profile, and then send samples that aren’t relevant to her needs? It’s a waste of time.
I’ll step off my “soapbox” now. You might find it fun, however, to try a few. I’m saving my money to splurge at Sephora. (You can use the empty boxes for storage, too.)
I love this, keep it coming with the tips. I love coconut oil, I use it in my hair too.
..brow tips were amazing. Will this be a new feature on your blog?
Lee, I agree. I hope that Sasha makes beauty tips/reviews a regular feature. I’m gonna buy coconut oil tomorrow – I feel like I’m missing out.
OOH! I love you, ladies! MY goodness! All about you!!! Wow! LOOKING GOOD. Beautiful!
I love the idea of Sasha doing a beauty section on CCL. YEAH!!!! Happy dance!!! I think it was mentioned, a lifetime ago years back, on CCL that Preperation H helps with under eye puffiness?? I’ve never tried it, but tips like that are so fun. CCL Beauty Tips by Sasha
I love it!!!
Ricki – Great writing – clever imagery “I waited with the anticipation of a virgin on her wedding night, for my first box to arrive”. Hehe
I love this.
Thanks, Jaz! I appreciate your compliment. I even drove our morose mailman crazy. Every day I waited by the door, when I saw his truck. “Is it here today?!” I think he wanted to kill me, and keep the beauty box for his wife. Anyway, I’m glad that others love Sasha’s beauty tips/reviews, too. Keep them coming:).
oo beauty tips! love it!! Sasha, omg Sephora!! i can’t even let myself go in there b/c i can’t be trusted
this is gonna sound weird, but i use hairspray to keep my eyebrows in place. i just spray a tiny bit on my finger tip and smooth it over and it keeps them in place all day! i have a fairly heavy duty that involves a lot of dirt and sweat lol so i usually end up most of my makeup rubbed off. i tend to rub at my face too at work when im frustrated which is a lot 
so that keeps my eyebrows from going every which way. 
I just received my extra-virgin, organic coconut oil from Amazon, and slathered in on my skin. To Sasha, and everyone else who mentioned it, thanks!
Let me just say that Sephora is a dangerous place, and I never leave without asking myself how I just spent my weekly paycheck…
I know off topic not sure where else to post- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH SASHA HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!