Sephora Haul & First Impressions (+ UK Shipping Experience)

It finally happened: I did a Sephora order! I’ve been dying to do one for so long but this month I took the plunge and went for it. I’m going to tell you all about the ordering process and the products I picked up.

Sephora have a flat £6 shipping rate to the UK if you spend more than £85, however that does not include tax. Tax is calculated at the checkout though, so you know exactly how much you owe and you pay it there and then. Obviously the tax is a percentage of the value of the goods you’ve purchased so for me there was a bit of a balancing act between ordering enough to get the £6 shipping but not ordering so much that the proportionate tax was really high. In the end I ordered £100 worth of products, paid £19 of tax and £6 for the shipping. My order arrived through DHL without any fuss on the following Thursday after I ordered on the Sunday; not bad at all!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed | $28

I love Tarte's blush formula and whilst QVC UK did stock a tiny handful of shades at one point, they seem to have discontinued them. Exposed had my name written all over it as it's a deep plummy-mauve matte shade and if you're a regular, you'll know that's kind of my M.O.

On first impressions, the formula is just as pigmented and long-lasting as the shade I already have (Captivating). I find Tarte blushes so easy to apply, especially compared to other matte formulas. They don't go on patchy and crucially they don't fade or go uneven throughout the day. I have a feeling Exposed is going to be a firm favourite.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop | $38

For the longest flipping time I was trying to get my hands on Becca's Opal Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector and ended up buying both the original and poured versions along the way... However it still seems to be having supply issues. In the meantime, along came Champagne Pop. I must admit its Limited Edition status nudged me to do this order sooner rather than later. I have heard a lot of people say their's arrived smashed so I was apprehensive, but luckily mine was fine (though Sephora's wrapping and packaging was definitely not adequate, in my opinion). 

The texture of this water-based formula is so beautiful that although it's a powder it almost feels like a cream. The shade itself is a champagne-gold with hints of peach. I've heard people liken it to a cross between their permanent shades Moonstone and Opal. It's slightly more peachy than I'd usually go for but I have to say this could well be my perfect highlighter. It's so blend-able on the skin and although it's very much a 'woo look at me' highlighter, you can get a more subtle everyday look by using a fan brush.

Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipstick in Rosewood | $28

I've wanted to try something from Bite Beauty for ages, and although everyone raves about their matte formula, none of the shades were calling out to me. However the colour selection in the Butter Cream formula was much more my sort of thing and I eventually settled on Rosewood (a rosy plum nude shade). I love the little 'Hand Cut' sticker; the concept is that the most moisturising part of the lipstick is partway in so this is cut at the perfect point. A little bit gimmicky but I'm that weird person that prefers a flat lipstick bullet anyway.

The formula is so nice and creamy yet still pigmented. It has a sheen on the lips and feels very hydrating and nourishing. Rosewood is a great everyday shade I can see myself getting a lot of use out of.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 13 Marvellous Mauve | $14

I've heard so much about the Sephora Cream Lip Stains and it was a painful decision between getting one of these and getting one of the Kat Von D ones (as I said, I really didn't want to pay any more customs!) This shade, Marvellous Mauve, is what tipped me. Again it's is classic me, being a gorgeous deep, vibrant mauve.

This is seriously one of the most long-lasting lip products I've ever tried! You could easily apply it before a night out, eat and drink and not have to reapply it. It sits comfortably on the lips; though it has a  matte finish it really doesn't feel drying. I can't wait to get my hands on more shades!

Sephora Collection Pro Airbrush #55 | $34

I couldn't not pick up one of Sephora's own makeup brushes, as I don't think I've ever owned one but I've heard so many great things. The Pro Airbrush #55 seemed to be a popular choice and I'm always after something that will give me flawless foundation. It's definitely different to the foundation brushes I usually go for, which is what attracted me to it. It looks pretty much like a powder brush and the bristles are super-soft. Although I don't own a powder foundation, I will be trying this with some other powder products. So far though, I'm loving this for applying liquid bases. It gives such an amazing, flawless finish in a few sweeps and is already becoming my favourite brush to use with light bases.

So there you have it: my first ever Sephora haul. And I'm already planning my next...

What do you think of my haul? Which Sephora products do you want to get your hands on?

 

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