I GONE DONE SEPHORA

There were a few things I'd been wanting to pick up from Sephora for a while now and I finally caved and did it a couple of days ago. I don't have the easiest time spending big chunks of money on cosmetics (it still makes me cringe), so naturally I have a love/hate relationship with Sephora. They have everything you could ever want... but it'll cost you your soul. Well apparently I was okay with selling my soul this time round. I haven't given anything a proper go yet so this will be more of a show and tell with updates to come soon.

Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion
Am I the only one who thought lotion meant something creamy? Everyone seems to be calling toners lotions and it's throwing me off. I grabbed this one on a bit of a whim. I usually research products more before buying them, but I only have about one use left out of my current clarifying toner and I needed a new one quickly that wasn't too revoltingly expensive. The Clinique one fit the bill - decent price ($18), good amount of product and made with my good friend salicylic acid. The only thing that concerns me is that there are a couple of typically drying ingredients in it. We'll have to see.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
More Clinique I know. They're a good brand for sensitive skin though and they're a lot more affordable than a lot of other high end lines. I really wanted to try a moisturizing gel for a change. I can't stand too much moisturizer under my makeup as I feel like it always makes me look like a grease ball after an hour, but I thought a gel formula might be different. So far it is. I can't speak to how well it moisturizes yet, but my god it actually dries down completely matte! I can put on a normal amount of moisturizer and I don't feel at all oily. Hallelujah! I'm excited to see how it performs over time.

Tarte Smooth Operator Pressed Finishing Powder
Like I said, I find it hard to spend a lot of money on makeup, but I'm trying to start investing more in items that I will use everyday and powder is certainly something that gets a lot of use. I've never been particularly impressed with any drugstore powders (the infamous Rimmel Stay Matte is a little bit chalky for me) so I decided I'd give a high end powder a go. I went for the Tarte Pressed Powder because for one thing I love Tarte. They're an amazing cruelty free, top quality brand. I also like that the powder it designed to be oil absorbing, but it's also very slightly illuminating. Plus it's translucent, which I love because there's no risk of cakiness.

Oh-Em-Gee Gift With Purchase
Because I was a big Clinique hussy today I was given a mini Clinique gift. I got a tiny sample of the Clinique Lash Power Mascara, which I'm actually kind of excited about because I've always been curious about Clinique Mascaras, and a Chubby Stick Lip Balm in Super Strawberry. The Chubby Stick feels amazing on the lips. It's much more moisturizing and balmy than the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.