Sephora Play! April 2018

Sephora Play April 2018
Box #369

This month was a bid of an all-around dud for me. Loads of products my skin is sensitive to and can't try. And I did NOT get the Drunk Elephant Babyfacial sample that was teased to everyone in the marketing emails. So, yeah, I'm super disappointed in this one. Don't bait and switch me.

Urban Decay
Hi-Fi Shine Ultra Cushion Lip Gloss (shade SPL) | $20.00

A bubblegum pink glitter gloss was not exactly on my to-try list of makeup, but here we are. Don’t get me wrong, I love glitter but I love it in moderation and in the right context. A chunky candy-colored glitter lip gloss reads very 19-year old shopping at Claire’s Boutique to me. I am not that demographic. There are better shades and non-glitter options within this product line which might be more appealing to those seeking a high shine gloss without the Forever 21 vibe. Like a nude for example. Hard pass on the shade SPL, which is an acronym for...Sound Pressure Level? Seattle Public Library? Scottish Premier League?

Update: Urban Decay recently revealed that SPL stands for Safeway Parking Lot. Naturally, I turned to Urban Dictionary as any over-35 adult must do:

"In Roseville, California, the acronym SPL (Safeway Parking Lot) has come to represent the mecca of Roseville's teen activity on any given night. Most populated on Tuesdays (dollar scoop night), the Safeway Parking Lot is, sadly, the "hang out spot" of a city's extremely bored youth."

Make Up For Ever
Ultra HD Perfector Skin Tint Foundation SPF 25 | $36

This sample in golden peach was laughably dark on my New England winter complexion. I offered it up to my coworkers and none were a decent match. So it’s probably going to get tossed.

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Silicone-based and fragranced, so this is an automatic nope for me. Although if I didn’t have those two sensitivities, this would be a great light weight BB cream option for natural look makeup days. MUFE makes some truly wonderful base products, I just wish they weren’t loaded with things that irritate my skin.

Philosophy
Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer | $25.00

This moisturizer is silicone-heavy with a ton of fragrance so I didn’t put it on my face. However as a hand cream it was lovely! I’d describe it as a super thick gel-cream. Goes on heavy, feels tacky for a solid minute after application, but absorbs fully and leaves a soft finish after. The fragrance is actually lovely, in my opinion. Buttery, sugary, with a hint of lemon. Terrible for my face but perfectly fine on my hands. I already used up the sample tube on my cuticles. Can’t see myself ever buying this just for hand cream, but I enjoyed the sample thoroughly.

Fresh
Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask | $62

This mask smells like cucumber and coconut. So, basically wonderful. There’s some sensitizing citrus oils in this, but it’s only meant to be used for five minutes so  I wasn’t overly concerned. I applied as directed, but I was not prepared for the hard chunks of what I’m guessing is dried seaweed? Or maybe coconut shell?

Whatever it was, it did not feel good when I tried to massage the mask on as directed. It felt like rubbing bits of tree bark suspended in goop on my face. This stuff is very abrasive. If I really massaged it in like I was supposed to, I think it would actually damage my skin. Sandpaper is less harsh. So, I washed my face off immediately and tossed the jar into the trash. Nope nope nope.

Peter Thomas Roth
Skin to Die For No- Filter Mattifying Primer & Complexion Perfector | $28

Basically silicone in a tube. Didn’t put it on my face. Gave it to a coworker to try. If your skin can handle silicones or you’re on the oily side of the skincare spectrum, this may be worth checking out. PTR makes some great products, their Max Sheer sunscreen is one of the best cosmetically elegant sunscreens on the market here in the US.

Elizabeth and James
Nirvana White | $28-$110

The marketing for this describes the scent as “sensual, edgy, and mysterious.” It’s about as sensual as a Glade plug-in. It’s edgy like a pleather jacket from H&M. And it’s mysterious like a Victoria’s Secret body spray with the label ripped off. It’s every Bath and Body Works candle/shower gel/lotion you’ve ever been gifted at a Yankee Swap and then tried to regift to a younger cousin or niece because you know they’re too young to have developed a sense of taste. The notes are: Peony, musk, and lily of the valley.