Hello! As everyone is gearing up for the holidays, I feel like I’m slowly getting back to my blog! 🙂 It’s been a nice feeling! I’m gonna take it back a month or so ago to Black Friday! This year, I was actually in the US for Black Friday, but not really for shopping. I went down for the weekend with my boyfriend to check out a football game. 🙂 It was a great weekend trip and I managed to get some shopping done!
Sephora
So these Sephora goodies I picked up actually before I crossed the border. I woke up at the crack of dawn and trekked out to Sephora. I was actually really impressed this year. I got there right when the store opened and there was no line and lots of stock. It was definitely a get-in-get-out type of shopping just cause I knew exactly what I wanted.
Each of these were priced at $13 CAD individually.
1. Sephora Collection Face Mask Explorer Set
I’ve been in a huge face mask kick lately (even though I feel like I never have time to wear them). I’ve been seeing these Sephora branded masks a lot lately and this kit seems like a great way to try a few!
2. Living Proof Perfect hair Day Set
I usually pick this up when I see it on sale. The shampoo and conditioner are always so tiny! I already have the shampoo ready for an empties haha! I thought the packaging was really cute this year!
3. Ole Henriksen Cleanse and Glow on the Go Kit
I picked this same kit up a couple of years ago. I think it was actually in one of my very first hauls featured on this blog! I like both of these products, the face wipes and cleanser! For this price, it’s about the cost of just the wipes! Why not?!
4. Philosophy Purity 3 in 1 Face Cleanser
This was actually a debate. I just finished this up (I use it in my shower). I didn’t really quite love it. I found it wasn’t strong enough to remove my eye makeup. The cleanser is pretty nice though. Very light. I decided to pick up another one just to stash in my shower.
5. bareMinerals Stay True Blush Kit
I have no rhyme or reason for buying this. I just thought the blush looked quite pretty and I wanted to try it! I haven’t used this yet. I realized there is a bit of micro glitter in it. I’m curious how it will show on the skin, I don’t want it to look too out of control!
ULTA
So this is where I really got into the shopping, haha. I was so glad I went to the States during the Black Friday sales just because I think I got some amazing deals (plus a few splurge items)!
1. Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection Essentials Kit
Okay so this was definitely one of the best deals of my trip. I was so set on getting some RT Bold Metal brushes from IMATS this year but didn’t realize how freakin expensive they are! This kit which contains 3 brushes plus the clutch was around $35 USD I think. That’s an amazing price because one of these brushes usually goes for around $30! I’ve used all of these so far and LOVE. THEM. Not positive if they are worth the price regularly, but these are some niceeee brushes. They are very dense with a very luxurious feel. I kind of regret not getting a second pack!
2. Lorac Love, Lust, and Lace Palette
This was another amazing deal for Black Friday. Before going to the States I looked at the Lorac Mega Pro 2, but the colours didn’t quite speak to me. I was so glad that they had this mini palette on discount just because I could see myself using it on the daily. I have to say, I believe the Lorac hype. These shadows are super pigmented, easy to blend and just look great. If you’re a makeup lover, you know how hard good mattes to find are. I think Lorac does an amazing job. I don’t have any of the Naked Basic palettes, but I feel like this would be an amazing dupe. It was only $12 USD which is cray cray.
3. Tarte Lipstick Kit
So this is my one purchase that I kind of regret. I was in such a spendy mood at ULTA that when I saw this, I thought I would pick it up. I’ve seen this at Sephora and it’s definitely piqued my interest. I have not tried any Tarte lip products before and these were 4 colours that I could see myself using. I kind of regret it just because it wasn’t on sale and the lipsticks aren’t the greatest. They don’t have great pigmentation and are not long lasting at all, a pretty bad combo. Hopefully I can still get use out of these!
4. Mini OPI Kits
I really just couldn’t pass these up. They were 2 for 12 USD which is CRAZY (even with the exchange rate). I’ve been looking for a black nail polish too, so I thought these kits would be great to restock some of my ‘basic’ colours!
5. Becca Afterglow Palette
Do you hear angels singing right now? Cause I do. This was such a ‘treat yo self’ purchase for me. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get it, but the fact that it’s an ULTA exclusive kind of sealed the deal. I really like this palette just because it’s more of a sampler than anything. I have to say, Champagne Pop is still the best highlighter I’ve ever used, but it’s good to have more variety right?
Andddd there we have it! Hope you are enjoying the holiday season! Thanks so much for reading!