Sephora Favorites: Skincare Edition
The other night on my Instagram stories I ran a few polls asking what posts you guys would be interested in seeing for the Sephora VIB sale. And I'm glad I did because a lot of the results were the complete opposite of what I was expecting!
Initially, this post was going to be a review of the Sephora Favorites: Scouted by Sephora set but people were more interested in an overview/ cost breakdown of all the skincare holiday gifts currently being offered at Sephora at the moment. So here we are!
If you're not familiar with Sephora favorites sets you might be thinking this post is dedicated to my favorite skincare Sephora. Sorry to burst yo bubble but that ain't the case. Sephora Favorites are Sephora's own gift sets that feature a variety of their in-store brands. They have makeup ones, haircare ones, fragrance ones, and of course skincare ones. I find them to be the perfect way to try out a bunch of different brands and products without breaking the bank.
When buying value sets I find it helpful to break down the price, piece by piece. It's rare to find a set that features allll products that you really want to try. So while Sephora has a value advertised with each set, I think it's helpful to go ahead and see if you personal value (aka the value of all the products you're actually interested in) is greater than the cost of the set.
Since some of the products are readily available as minis, I included those as well. But when calculating the value I compared it to the full sized product.
One thing to note for all the gift sets is that the "value" defined by Sephora is a bit inflated in my opinion. It's probably because travel sizes are usually pricier per oz than full sizes.
Anyways, here are the 5 Sephora Favorites skincare sets available this holiday season!
Of all the skincare sets, I personally find this one the most exciting! It features a variety of popular brands and products like Farmacy, Herbivore, and Drunk Elephant. It also has a variety of types of products plus a body-care item and a hair-care item. The only reason I'm not purchasing it myself is because I already own many of the full-sized products. But perhaps I'll buy it as a gift for someone else!
Item Count: 12 minis
Price: $44.00
Value: $135.00
0.135 oz/ 4 mL BIOSSANCE Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
Full size: $72.00 for 1 oz/ 30 mL Travel size: $2.50 for 4 mL Value: $9.60
I find this to be an okay oil. It has a lightweight rose scent and it sinks in nicely. Would I buy a full size? Nah but I will use up the mini size that I bought through their website.
0.39 oz/ 11.4 g x 3 treatments Cane + Austin Miracle Pad+
Full size: $88.00 for 60 pads Value: $4.40
This is no beginner exfoliator. I've only tried it once before and it did smooth out my skin... but it also has the potential to suck every ounce of moisture from your skin.
0.5 oz/ 15 mL Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Full size: $80.00 for 1.69 oz/ 30 mL Travel size: $25.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $23.67
My experience with the babyfacial varies a looooot. Sometimes it does nothing, sometimes it completely changes my skin! If you're curious in trying it out, I recommend the mini size to see how it works for you.
0.1 oz/ 3 mL Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
While you can buy the marula oil on it's own, I'm going to give this a value of $0 because you get one complimentary with your purchase of the full sized or travel sized T.L.C. babyfacial
0.32 oz/ 9 g Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask
Full size: $56.00 for 4.1 oz/ 117 g Travel size: available in various gift sets Value: $4.30
I've gone through two minis of this mask and have finally cracked into the full-sized jar I bought last year during the holidays. It took me awhile to get the hang of this mask. When used in my nighttime routine I don't find that it does anything. But from tips from other people, I decided to try it in the morning and I enjoy the experience a lot more! The warming sensation helps wake me up and I find that my face feels smoother throughout the day and my makeup wears better.
Warning: don't use this mask in the shower. The heating of the mask + steam from your shower will cause an uncomfortable "omfg my face is on fire" sensation. Trust me.
0.5 oz/ 14 mL Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask
Full size: $48.00 for 2.3 oz Travel size: 1 oz available in $29.00 gift set Value: $10.43
Whenever I mention this mask on my Instagram stories, I always get at least half a dozen messages asking how I like it. And even though I've used it a decent amount of times... I'm still not sure it does anything?
I definitely feel a tingly sensation when I first apply the mask which makes me assume some exfoliation action is happening. My skin is also a little bit red after I wash it off. I want to say my skin is also a bit softer but that may be wishful thinking. If I ever come up with conclusive thoughts on this mask, I'll be sure to share them.
In the meantime, I do think a mini is a good way to try it for yourself. If you're not interested in this set, the other set I linked to comes with a mini of their blue tansy oil which I've enjoyed the few times I've used it! It's also a really good value 😉
0.5 oz/ 15 mL IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel
Full size: $29.00 for 5 oz Travel size: $15 for 1.7 oz Value: $2.90
0.25 oz/ 7.5 mL Lancer The Method: Nourish
Full size: $125.00 for 1.7 oz/ 50 mL Value: $18.75
I've tried a sample of this set and I don't understand why it's so pricey. At all. It's an okay, slightly thick cream but not something I would pay over $100 for ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
1.7 oz/50 mL Skin Laundry Gentle Foaming Face Wash
Full size: $20.00 for 6.7 oz/ 200 mL Travel size: 1.7 oz mini available in $28.00 travel kit Value: $5
0.81 oz/ 24 mL Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Full size: $45.00 for 8.1 oz Travel size: $20.00 for 2.5 oz Value: $4.5
I know I'm in the minority but I haaaate the smell of this. It has such a strong, fake, chemically stench I can't stand. It's also nothing exceptionally moisturizing and it's definitely not going to magically plump up your ass or whatever else it claims to do.
0.33 oz/ 10 mL Tata Harper Reparative Moisturizer
Full size: $105.00 for 1.7 oz Value: $20.38
Tata Harper minis are notoriously hard to come by, so I'm always tempted to snatch them up when I see them. Somewhere along the line, I did receive a mini of this as a GWP. It's a lovely, lightweight moisturizer that delivers a nice amount of moisture. It has an earthy smell to it. Due to the price tag, it's not something I would buy the full size of, but I definitely won't turn down more minis and will totally enjoy using them up.
1 oz/ 30 mL Youth To The People Age Prevention Cleanser
Full size: $36.00 for 8 oz Travel size: 1 oz available in gift set for $20.00 Value: $4.50
Even though I've only used this a handful of times, I think it's safe to say I'll like this. Their mask and moisturizer were two of my spring/ summer staples so I'm not surprised I enjoy this cleanser too! It's gentle and doesn't leave a film behind. Plus the full size is an amazing value! How often do you usee prestige brands with an 8 oz cleanser with a less than $40 price tag? Not often enough!
Not the worst cream ever, but it's not my cream of choice. It's on the thicker side although it does melt a bit as you spread it out. My main beef with it is it never seems to sink in all the way. Rather it sits on top of my skin and makes me a tad greasy.
I hate this stuff with the passion of a thousand burning suns because it makes me feel like my face is the victim of a thousand burning suns. My skin isn't particularly sensitive and it can barely tolerate this treatment for a minute. It does exfoliate my skin in the sense that my skin literally starts peeling off after this treatment 😒
Item Count: 10 minis
Price: $40.00
Value: $130.00
1 oz/ 30 mL Amore Pacific MOISTURE BOUND Skin Energy Hydration Delivery
Full size: $35.00 for 2.7 oz (I think they have a larger size but it's not available at Sephora) Travel size: Available in various gift sets Value: $12.96
Even though this has a decent amount of alcohol in it, I still like it! There is a dry down but it doesn't dry me out. The mist is very, very fine-- even on the mini size. It's overall a very lightweight and refreshing mist. It's the type of mist I enjoy spritzing in the middle of the day to wake myself up and hydrate refresh my skin.
0.33 oz/ 10 mL belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Full size: $38.00 for 1.68 oz Travel size: $22.00 for 0.84 oz Value: $7.46
This is one of the best gel moisturizers that I've tried. It's so lightweight, smells amazing, and sinks in immediately. Plus it plays well with oils and doesn't pill! I prefer their moisturizing bomb for my dehydrated skin but I think this is a lovely option for those with combo-oily skin.
1.7 oz/ 50 mL boscia Sake Cleansing Water
Full size: $30.00 for 5.07 oz Value: $10.06
0.17 oz/ 5 mL Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Cream
Full size: $48.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: Mini available in various gift sets Value: $4.80
Sadly I haven't tried this cream but I love their Ceramidin cream and I enjoy Centella Asiatica as an ingredient so all signs point to yes for this cream.
0.3 oz/ 10 mL Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream
Full size: $35.00 for 1.6 oz Travel size: Mini available in various gift sets Value: $6.75
I like this cream although I don't think it's anything life-changing. It's moderately moisturizing; heavier than a gel but not heavy enough for me to exclusively use it in the winter.
0.5 oz/ 15 mL Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
Full size: $25.00 for 2.5 oz Travel size: 0.5 oz available in $10.00 gift set Value: $5
Now this mask-- I like. It really does lock in all my layers of skincare and helps keep my skin hydrated all night long. Plus I really find the scent quite soothing, although some people find it too perfumey for their tastes. Either way, a mini is a great way to try it out!
0.17 oz/ 5 mL Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream
Full size: $57.00 for 0.51 oz Value: $19
I got some milia from a Shiseido eye cream at the beginning of the year so now I'm forever wary of their eye creams. When I shared my milia situation on my Instagram story, a few other people responded saying that they got milia from different Shiseido eye creams too! Suffice to say I have no interest in trying any of their eye creams.
This one does have a lot of rave reviews though. Not that I 100% trust Sephora's rating system in the first place...
1 oz/ 30 mL SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
Full size: $179.00 for 5.4 oz Travel size: $99.00 for 2 oz Value: $33.15
This essence is one of those love it or hate it type of products. Unfortunately, I hate it. Okay maybe hate is to strong a word, but I certainly don't like it.
It stinks and doesn't do anything for my skin. Also, a lot of their marketing for this product has made me majorly side eye it. They collaborated with some influencers that I don't personally don't find very... believable. Pretending to use $100 FTE on a cotton pad over a face full of makeup doesn't endear me to the product, brand, or influencer. But dats just me.
0.35 oz/ 10 g Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder
Full size: $65.00 for 2.1 oz Travel size: $15.00 for 0.35 oz Value: $10.83
This is the stuff of the devil.
It's so harsh, my skin is always so thirsty after I use it. I recently found out that it has a pH of 9 (our skin naturally has a pH of 5.5.) Yikes!
0.98 oz/ 28 g x 1 sheet Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask Hydration
Full size: $24.00 for 5 masks Travel size: $6.00 for 1 mask Value: $4
I really like this mask! Writing up this post reminds me that I want to try more sheet masks from the brand. The material is super soft and clings nicely to the skin. My skin was definitely hydrated after using it! The essence has a milky, lotion-like consistency which I really like as it makes it easier to pat in excess essence.
Available here
Raise your hand if it takes you forever and a year to finish a mask 🙋 Raise your hand if you're low key stressing about having 37 open at the same time 🙋
Me too.
If you love masking but also don't like committing to having 20834824 full sized masks, this is a great set. Or alternatively, if you don't really love masking but want to use some every now and then, this set is also a nice fit!
Item Count: 7 minis
Price: $22.00
Value: $80.00
1 oz/ 30 g boscia Luminizing Black Mask
Full size: $34.00 for 2.4 oz Travel size: Minis available in various gift sets Value: $14.17
Any peel off mask is pure skintertainment to me. There's something so satisfying about peeling a layer of skincare away. Scratch that, peeling almost anything is satisfying. Some masks don't peel evenly/ easily but thankfully this one.
As far as results go, I don't find it does too much. If you have dry flakes or peeling acne scars, this does a good job of gently pulling those off.
For the holidays they released a pink version which of course I had to try because duh-- it's pink. Thankfully Sally over at @actually.skin sent this over my way last week. From a quick peek at the ingredient list, it's exactly the same as the original version but with the addition of carmine at the end of the list.
0.6 oz/ 18 g Dr. Brandt Skincare MAGNETIGHT Age-Defier
Full size: $75.00 for 3 oz Travel size: $24.00 for 0.6 oz Value: $15.00
Do you remember that magnetic mask that was all the rage a year or so ago? That's this mask... personally I feel like it's a gimmick but who knows! Maybe it really does work.
0.5 oz/ 15 g GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment
Full size: $69.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: $24.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $20.29
I used to love this mask but my interest in it has waned through the years. I don't like their full-sized jar packaging because it dries out before I'm able to finish using the mask. But I do actually like the mask itself! It does a good job of clearing out my pores and leaves me feeling refreshed. Plus the one in this set is packaged in a tube and from previous experience, those tend to last a while without drying out.
0.34 oz/ 10 mL REN Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask
Full size: $38.00 for 1.7 oz Value: $7.60
0.78 oz/ 22 g Sephora Collection Pearl Face Mask
Full size: $6.00 for 1 mask Value: $6.00
At this point, I've tried a couple different sheet masks by Sephora's in-house brand and they're all...meh. They're not the worst thing ever but there are much better masks out there with a $5-$6 price-tag. The material is a bit stiff and isn't the soft out there but they do have a decent amount of essence and do hydrate my face.
tarte Pack Your Bags 911 Undereye Rescue Patches
Full size: $22.00 for 4 sets Value: $5.50
Meh.
0.25 oz/ 7.5 mL Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask
Full size: $58.00 for 1 oz Value: $19.20
Come winter I'm wary of using some wash-off masks in case they dry me out. But at the same time my acne doesn't magically disappear as soon as the temperature drops. If only. If that were the case I would consider moving to Alaska.
Anyways, this is one of those masks that helps calm down my acne but also leaves my skin hydrated at the same time! It has a soft, jelly-like texture that's easy and fun to spread out. Plus it's Tata Harper so everything about it exudes luxury. I feel like a fancy person lounging around in an imaginary apartment-with-a-central-park-view whenever I use one of her products!
If I didn't have a horde of mini products in my dresser, I would be very tempted to pick upt this set. It has a nice variety of nighttime skincare products. You could probably have an entire nighttime routine, minus cleansing, with this set! You got a serum, an oil, a cream, and a sleeping pack PLUUUS an eye cream and a hair mask! Although I personally wouldn't recommend using them all at the same time because they might dry your skin out.
Item Count: 8 minis
Price: $30.00
Value: $92.00
0.17 oz/ 5 mL GLAMGLOW DREAMDUO™ Overnight Transforming Treatment DREAMSERUM
Full size: $59.00 for 0.68 oz Value: $14.75
I have a mini of this duo that I've used all of one time. It wasn't very exciting so I have yet to use it again lol. I don't hate it but I also would not spend 60 bucks on it. Also holy shit, that is a long-ass name.
0.17 oz/ 5 mL GLAMGLOW DREAMDUO™ Overnight Transforming Treatment DREAMSEAL
Full size: $59.00 for 0.68 oz Value: $0 because it's available alongside the dreamserum
See above.
0.5 oz/ 15 mL Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins™ Mineral-Enriched Renewal Cream
Full size: $44.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: Mini available in various gift sets Value: $12.94
0.25 oz/ 7 mL OLEHENRIKSEN Invigorating Night Transformation Gel
Full size: $48.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: Mini available in various gift sets Value: $7.06
This has been on my wishlist because I want to compare it to good genes! According to the brand, it contains 12 different sources of AHAs which is a pretty impressive claim. The second ingredient in it is glycolic acid which is a top-notch exfoliator from experience. My only wish is that this mini was packaged in a pump like the full-sized product.
0.27 oz/ 8 mL Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum
Full size: $90.00 for 1 oz Travel size: 8 ml mini available in $28.00 set Value: $24.30
This is the second best chemical exfoliant I've tried, with good genes being my number one guy. It has a bit of a tacky texture but it doesn't impede me from using it. When I first began using it, it would sting my skin a bit as it is a strong formula. But the longer I used it and the more used to it my skin got, the stinging subsided.
It really delivers results! My skin is much smoother when I regularly use this. If you're not comfortable with chemical exfoliants and are interested in trying this, I would recommend trying it once or twice a week and then working up from there. You won't lose anything by using it slowly, but you can seriously wreck your moisture barrier by going in HAM too quickly
0.17 oz/ 5 mL SUNDAY RILEY Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Full size: $105.00 for 1 oz Travel size: $55.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $13.60
I really wanted to love Luna, but alas it was not meant to be. There was something in this oil that irritated my skin 😒
0.1 oz/ 3 mL Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream
Full size: $85.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $17.00
1 oz/ 30 mL Living Proof Perfect Hair Day® Night Cap™ Overnight Perfector
Full size: $28.00 for 4 oz Travel size: $50 for 1 oz Value: $7.00
For a long time, I didn't get this product. I still don't really get it but I have accepted that it doesn't work for me. My hair is curly and prone to getting dry at the ends and this changes nothing.
Here's what it claims to do on the product page: "An easy-to-use solution that provides up to one week of more shiny, vibrant, manageable hair overnight, with benefits that last through five shampoos."
It doesn't make my hair more vibrant or shiny overnight, so forget about results that will last me through 5 washes.
Phew, that took a lot longer than expected. Hopefully, the price breakdown was helpful to someone 😂 Are you picking up any of these sets? Will you be gifting them to someone else or are they a treat yo self gift for yourself?
Initially, this post was going to be a review of the Sephora Favorites: Scouted by Sephora set but people were more interested in an overview/ cost breakdown of all the skincare holiday gifts currently being offered at Sephora at the moment. So here we are!
If you're not familiar with Sephora favorites sets you might be thinking this post is dedicated to my favorite skincare Sephora. Sorry to burst yo bubble but that ain't the case. Sephora Favorites are Sephora's own gift sets that feature a variety of their in-store brands. They have makeup ones, haircare ones, fragrance ones, and of course skincare ones. I find them to be the perfect way to try out a bunch of different brands and products without breaking the bank.
When buying value sets I find it helpful to break down the price, piece by piece. It's rare to find a set that features allll products that you really want to try. So while Sephora has a value advertised with each set, I think it's helpful to go ahead and see if you personal value (aka the value of all the products you're actually interested in) is greater than the cost of the set.
Since some of the products are readily available as minis, I included those as well. But when calculating the value I compared it to the full sized product.
One thing to note for all the gift sets is that the "value" defined by Sephora is a bit inflated in my opinion. It's probably because travel sizes are usually pricier per oz than full sizes.
Anyways, here are the 5 Sephora Favorites skincare sets available this holiday season!
Sephora Favorites: Scouted by Sephora
Available hereOf all the skincare sets, I personally find this one the most exciting! It features a variety of popular brands and products like Farmacy, Herbivore, and Drunk Elephant. It also has a variety of types of products plus a body-care item and a hair-care item. The only reason I'm not purchasing it myself is because I already own many of the full-sized products. But perhaps I'll buy it as a gift for someone else!
Item Count: 12 minis
Price: $44.00
Value: $135.00
0.135 oz/ 4 mL BIOSSANCE Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
Full size: $72.00 for 1 oz/ 30 mL Travel size: $2.50 for 4 mL Value: $9.60
I find this to be an okay oil. It has a lightweight rose scent and it sinks in nicely. Would I buy a full size? Nah but I will use up the mini size that I bought through their website.
0.39 oz/ 11.4 g x 3 treatments Cane + Austin Miracle Pad+
Full size: $88.00 for 60 pads Value: $4.40
This is no beginner exfoliator. I've only tried it once before and it did smooth out my skin... but it also has the potential to suck every ounce of moisture from your skin.
0.5 oz/ 15 mL Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Full size: $80.00 for 1.69 oz/ 30 mL Travel size: $25.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $23.67
My experience with the babyfacial varies a looooot. Sometimes it does nothing, sometimes it completely changes my skin! If you're curious in trying it out, I recommend the mini size to see how it works for you.
0.1 oz/ 3 mL Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
While you can buy the marula oil on it's own, I'm going to give this a value of $0 because you get one complimentary with your purchase of the full sized or travel sized T.L.C. babyfacial
0.32 oz/ 9 g Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask
Full size: $56.00 for 4.1 oz/ 117 g Travel size: available in various gift sets Value: $4.30
I've gone through two minis of this mask and have finally cracked into the full-sized jar I bought last year during the holidays. It took me awhile to get the hang of this mask. When used in my nighttime routine I don't find that it does anything. But from tips from other people, I decided to try it in the morning and I enjoy the experience a lot more! The warming sensation helps wake me up and I find that my face feels smoother throughout the day and my makeup wears better.
Warning: don't use this mask in the shower. The heating of the mask + steam from your shower will cause an uncomfortable "omfg my face is on fire" sensation. Trust me.
0.5 oz/ 14 mL Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask
Full size: $48.00 for 2.3 oz Travel size: 1 oz available in $29.00 gift set Value: $10.43
Whenever I mention this mask on my Instagram stories, I always get at least half a dozen messages asking how I like it. And even though I've used it a decent amount of times... I'm still not sure it does anything?
I definitely feel a tingly sensation when I first apply the mask which makes me assume some exfoliation action is happening. My skin is also a little bit red after I wash it off. I want to say my skin is also a bit softer but that may be wishful thinking. If I ever come up with conclusive thoughts on this mask, I'll be sure to share them.
In the meantime, I do think a mini is a good way to try it for yourself. If you're not interested in this set, the other set I linked to comes with a mini of their blue tansy oil which I've enjoyed the few times I've used it! It's also a really good value 😉
0.5 oz/ 15 mL IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel
Full size: $29.00 for 5 oz Travel size: $15 for 1.7 oz Value: $2.90
0.25 oz/ 7.5 mL Lancer The Method: Nourish
Full size: $125.00 for 1.7 oz/ 50 mL Value: $18.75
I've tried a sample of this set and I don't understand why it's so pricey. At all. It's an okay, slightly thick cream but not something I would pay over $100 for ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
1.7 oz/50 mL Skin Laundry Gentle Foaming Face Wash
Full size: $20.00 for 6.7 oz/ 200 mL Travel size: 1.7 oz mini available in $28.00 travel kit Value: $5
0.81 oz/ 24 mL Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Full size: $45.00 for 8.1 oz Travel size: $20.00 for 2.5 oz Value: $4.5
I know I'm in the minority but I haaaate the smell of this. It has such a strong, fake, chemically stench I can't stand. It's also nothing exceptionally moisturizing and it's definitely not going to magically plump up your ass or whatever else it claims to do.
0.33 oz/ 10 mL Tata Harper Reparative Moisturizer
Full size: $105.00 for 1.7 oz Value: $20.38
Tata Harper minis are notoriously hard to come by, so I'm always tempted to snatch them up when I see them. Somewhere along the line, I did receive a mini of this as a GWP. It's a lovely, lightweight moisturizer that delivers a nice amount of moisture. It has an earthy smell to it. Due to the price tag, it's not something I would buy the full size of, but I definitely won't turn down more minis and will totally enjoy using them up.
1 oz/ 30 mL Youth To The People Age Prevention Cleanser
Full size: $36.00 for 8 oz Travel size: 1 oz available in gift set for $20.00 Value: $4.50
Even though I've only used this a handful of times, I think it's safe to say I'll like this. Their mask and moisturizer were two of my spring/ summer staples so I'm not surprised I enjoy this cleanser too! It's gentle and doesn't leave a film behind. Plus the full size is an amazing value! How often do you usee prestige brands with an 8 oz cleanser with a less than $40 price tag? Not often enough!
Sephora Favorites: Skin Wonderland
Available here
Every year Sephora offers some massive $60-$70 skincare gift set and I'm never really interested in them. The reason they don't appeal to me personally is because I feel like if I'm spending that much on a product, I would rather have something that I know and really love. And personally, more than half the items in this set don't hold much interest for me.
Like I mentioned above, these sets appeal to me cause they don't break the bank. An almost $70 price tag is a bank-breaking price. All that said, if you like the majority of the items in this set-- it may be a better fit for you than me!
Item Count: 13 items- 1 full size plus 12 minis
Price: $64.00
Value: $214.00
Every year Sephora offers some massive $60-$70 skincare gift set and I'm never really interested in them. The reason they don't appeal to me personally is because I feel like if I'm spending that much on a product, I would rather have something that I know and really love. And personally, more than half the items in this set don't hold much interest for me.
Like I mentioned above, these sets appeal to me cause they don't break the bank. An almost $70 price tag is a bank-breaking price. All that said, if you like the majority of the items in this set-- it may be a better fit for you than me!
Item Count: 13 items- 1 full size plus 12 minis
Price: $64.00
Value: $214.00
0.16 fl oz/ 5 mL AMOREPACIFIC The Essential Creme Fluid
Full size: $98.00 for 3 oz Value: $5.22
Haven't tried this but @fiddysnails loves it so I'm assuming it's good!
Haven't tried this but @fiddysnails loves it so I'm assuming it's good!
0.338 fl oz/ 10 mL boscia® Porefecting White Charcoal Mattifying Treatment Primer
Full size: $38.00 for 1.35 oz Value: $9.51
0.74 fl oz/ 22 mL Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel (one set of 5 skincare treatments)
Full size: $84.00 for 30 treatments Travel size: $16.00 for 5 treatments Value: $14
These are... interesting. The first pad you use contains the acid exfoliants while the second pad is supposed to soothe your skin. Unfortunately, I don't find them soothing enough. While my skin is smoother after using this, it can also make my skin peel a bit. It's also alcohol heavy which doesn't help with the dryness.
These are... interesting. The first pad you use contains the acid exfoliants while the second pad is supposed to soothe your skin. Unfortunately, I don't find them soothing enough. While my skin is smoother after using this, it can also make my skin peel a bit. It's also alcohol heavy which doesn't help with the dryness.
0.5 fl oz/ 15 mL Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Full size: $60.00 for 1.69 oz Travel size: 0.5 oz mini available in $20.00 gift set Value: $17.75
Not the worst cream ever, but it's not my cream of choice. It's on the thicker side although it does melt a bit as you spread it out. My main beef with it is it never seems to sink in all the way. Rather it sits on top of my skin and makes me a tad greasy.
1.7 fl oz/ 50 mL First Aid Beauty® Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer
Full size: $28.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: $14.00 for 0.75 oz Value: $28
I have the full sized bottle of this chilling in my stash but in the meantime, I've tried a few foil samples of this and like it! As it gets colder and drier, I've been reaching more and more for hydrating primers.
With the heating indoors and the cold air outdoors, my makeup is prone to shriveling up mid-afternoon. Thankfully with this primer, the wear time of my foundations/ tinted moisturizers/ bb creams is extended. My skin is hydrated for a few more hours.
I have the full sized bottle of this chilling in my stash but in the meantime, I've tried a few foil samples of this and like it! As it gets colder and drier, I've been reaching more and more for hydrating primers.
With the heating indoors and the cold air outdoors, my makeup is prone to shriveling up mid-afternoon. Thankfully with this primer, the wear time of my foundations/ tinted moisturizers/ bb creams is extended. My skin is hydrated for a few more hours.
1.52 oz/ 40 g Foreo LUNA™ Play
Full size: $39.00 for 1 device Value: $39
My Luna mini was one of my best impulse skincare purchases. I love how it cleanses my skin without stripping it or drying it out. I love how it has the timer so I know how long to cleanse my face. I've never tried the play version but I imagine it's a good way to decide if you would want to invest in a Foreo device or not.
The only downside is I've heard it has a crappy battery life. Unlike the Luna mini or original Luna, you can't recharge the play. It's meant to be a disposable device which is a bit wasteful.
My Luna mini was one of my best impulse skincare purchases. I love how it cleanses my skin without stripping it or drying it out. I love how it has the timer so I know how long to cleanse my face. I've never tried the play version but I imagine it's a good way to decide if you would want to invest in a Foreo device or not.
The only downside is I've heard it has a crappy battery life. Unlike the Luna mini or original Luna, you can't recharge the play. It's meant to be a disposable device which is a bit wasteful.
1 fl oz/ 30 mL fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask
Full size: $62.00 for 3.3 oz Travel size: $25.00 for 1 oz Value: $18.78
I've yet to try this mask but while writing this mask, I've added it to my wishlist! Many times clay masks can be quite drying so I like that this one has a variety of added oils. Plus the travel size is packaged in a tube and comes with a generous amount of product!
I've yet to try this mask but while writing this mask, I've added it to my wishlist! Many times clay masks can be quite drying so I like that this one has a variety of added oils. Plus the travel size is packaged in a tube and comes with a generous amount of product!
0.338 oz/ 10 g IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Makeup™ 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
Full size: $38.00 for 2.82 oz Value: $4.55
2 fl oz/ 59 mL Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Vanilla Apricot
Full size: $35.00 for 8 oz Travel size: Available in various gift sets Value: $8.75
0.5 fl oz/ 15 mL Kate Somerville® ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
Full size: $8.005 for 2 oz Travel size: $24.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $21.25
I hate this stuff with the passion of a thousand burning suns because it makes me feel like my face is the victim of a thousand burning suns. My skin isn't particularly sensitive and it can barely tolerate this treatment for a minute. It does exfoliate my skin in the sense that my skin literally starts peeling off after this treatment 😒
0.25 fl oz/ 7 mL OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Serum®
Full size: $48 .00for 1 oz Travel size: $15.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $12
My personal jury is still out on this. I tried this for a week at the beginning of last month and didn't really see any results. But I know that it takes time for Vitamin C serums to do their thang. I stopped using it due to hormonal breakouts. I'm not sure if this serum made said breakouts any worse, but it definitely didn't seem to be making them better.
I do like that it has the active ingredients listed right at the top of the list meaning they're present in decent quantities. It's a cult favorite so it definitely works for a lot of people!
My personal jury is still out on this. I tried this for a week at the beginning of last month and didn't really see any results. But I know that it takes time for Vitamin C serums to do their thang. I stopped using it due to hormonal breakouts. I'm not sure if this serum made said breakouts any worse, but it definitely didn't seem to be making them better.
I do like that it has the active ingredients listed right at the top of the list meaning they're present in decent quantities. It's a cult favorite so it definitely works for a lot of people!
0.3 oz/ 8 g SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. C + E antiOXIDANT Protect + Repair Moisturizer
Full size: $65.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: $22.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $11.47
Not only was this the worst Sunday Riley product I've ever tried, but it's also one of the worst moisturizers I've tried. It's very fragranced, doesn't really moisturize, and has a super short shelf life. On top of that, I question the stability of a vitamin C cream packaged in a jar with a screw top lid.
0.08 oz/ 2.5 g tarte Maracuja C-Brighter™ Eye Treatment
Full size: $38.00 for 0.35 oz Value: $8.68
If you follow me on Instagram, you might know that I have no plans on trying any Tarte products for a while because of one of their recent scandals. Even so, I would be afraid to try this eye treatment because my skin haaaated their maracuja oil. Breakout city over here.
Also, the full size is on the smaller size for an eye cream.
Also, the full size is on the smaller size for an eye cream.
Sephora Favorites: Soko to Tokyo
Unfortunately, this set is sold out on the Sephora site atm. From previous experience, I wouldn't be surprised if the set goes in and out of stock during the sale. Thankfully I took a photo of the back of the box while I was in store so I know all the contents 😎Item Count: 10 minis
Price: $40.00
Value: $130.00
1 oz/ 30 mL Amore Pacific MOISTURE BOUND Skin Energy Hydration Delivery
Full size: $35.00 for 2.7 oz (I think they have a larger size but it's not available at Sephora) Travel size: Available in various gift sets Value: $12.96
Even though this has a decent amount of alcohol in it, I still like it! There is a dry down but it doesn't dry me out. The mist is very, very fine-- even on the mini size. It's overall a very lightweight and refreshing mist. It's the type of mist I enjoy spritzing in the middle of the day to wake myself up and hydrate refresh my skin.
0.33 oz/ 10 mL belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Full size: $38.00 for 1.68 oz Travel size: $22.00 for 0.84 oz Value: $7.46
This is one of the best gel moisturizers that I've tried. It's so lightweight, smells amazing, and sinks in immediately. Plus it plays well with oils and doesn't pill! I prefer their moisturizing bomb for my dehydrated skin but I think this is a lovely option for those with combo-oily skin.
1.7 oz/ 50 mL boscia Sake Cleansing Water
Full size: $30.00 for 5.07 oz Value: $10.06
0.17 oz/ 5 mL Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Cream
Full size: $48.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: Mini available in various gift sets Value: $4.80
Sadly I haven't tried this cream but I love their Ceramidin cream and I enjoy Centella Asiatica as an ingredient so all signs point to yes for this cream.
0.3 oz/ 10 mL Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream
Full size: $35.00 for 1.6 oz Travel size: Mini available in various gift sets Value: $6.75
I like this cream although I don't think it's anything life-changing. It's moderately moisturizing; heavier than a gel but not heavy enough for me to exclusively use it in the winter.
0.5 oz/ 15 mL Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
Full size: $25.00 for 2.5 oz Travel size: 0.5 oz available in $10.00 gift set Value: $5
Now this mask-- I like. It really does lock in all my layers of skincare and helps keep my skin hydrated all night long. Plus I really find the scent quite soothing, although some people find it too perfumey for their tastes. Either way, a mini is a great way to try it out!
0.17 oz/ 5 mL Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream
Full size: $57.00 for 0.51 oz Value: $19
I got some milia from a Shiseido eye cream at the beginning of the year so now I'm forever wary of their eye creams. When I shared my milia situation on my Instagram story, a few other people responded saying that they got milia from different Shiseido eye creams too! Suffice to say I have no interest in trying any of their eye creams.
This one does have a lot of rave reviews though. Not that I 100% trust Sephora's rating system in the first place...
1 oz/ 30 mL SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
Full size: $179.00 for 5.4 oz Travel size: $99.00 for 2 oz Value: $33.15
This essence is one of those love it or hate it type of products. Unfortunately, I hate it. Okay maybe hate is to strong a word, but I certainly don't like it.
It stinks and doesn't do anything for my skin. Also, a lot of their marketing for this product has made me majorly side eye it. They collaborated with some influencers that I don't personally don't find very... believable. Pretending to use $100 FTE on a cotton pad over a face full of makeup doesn't endear me to the product, brand, or influencer. But dats just me.
0.35 oz/ 10 g Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder
Full size: $65.00 for 2.1 oz Travel size: $15.00 for 0.35 oz Value: $10.83
This is the stuff of the devil.
It's so harsh, my skin is always so thirsty after I use it. I recently found out that it has a pH of 9 (our skin naturally has a pH of 5.5.) Yikes!
0.98 oz/ 28 g x 1 sheet Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask Hydration
Full size: $24.00 for 5 masks Travel size: $6.00 for 1 mask Value: $4
I really like this mask! Writing up this post reminds me that I want to try more sheet masks from the brand. The material is super soft and clings nicely to the skin. My skin was definitely hydrated after using it! The essence has a milky, lotion-like consistency which I really like as it makes it easier to pat in excess essence.
Sephora Favorites: Beauty Unmasked
Available hereRaise your hand if it takes you forever and a year to finish a mask 🙋 Raise your hand if you're low key stressing about having 37 open at the same time 🙋
Me too.
If you love masking but also don't like committing to having 20834824 full sized masks, this is a great set. Or alternatively, if you don't really love masking but want to use some every now and then, this set is also a nice fit!
Item Count: 7 minis
Price: $22.00
Value: $80.00
1 oz/ 30 g boscia Luminizing Black Mask
Full size: $34.00 for 2.4 oz Travel size: Minis available in various gift sets Value: $14.17
Any peel off mask is pure skintertainment to me. There's something so satisfying about peeling a layer of skincare away. Scratch that, peeling almost anything is satisfying. Some masks don't peel evenly/ easily but thankfully this one.
As far as results go, I don't find it does too much. If you have dry flakes or peeling acne scars, this does a good job of gently pulling those off.
For the holidays they released a pink version which of course I had to try because duh-- it's pink. Thankfully Sally over at @actually.skin sent this over my way last week. From a quick peek at the ingredient list, it's exactly the same as the original version but with the addition of carmine at the end of the list.
0.6 oz/ 18 g Dr. Brandt Skincare MAGNETIGHT Age-Defier
Full size: $75.00 for 3 oz Travel size: $24.00 for 0.6 oz Value: $15.00
Do you remember that magnetic mask that was all the rage a year or so ago? That's this mask... personally I feel like it's a gimmick but who knows! Maybe it really does work.
0.5 oz/ 15 g GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment
Full size: $69.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: $24.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $20.29
I used to love this mask but my interest in it has waned through the years. I don't like their full-sized jar packaging because it dries out before I'm able to finish using the mask. But I do actually like the mask itself! It does a good job of clearing out my pores and leaves me feeling refreshed. Plus the one in this set is packaged in a tube and from previous experience, those tend to last a while without drying out.
0.34 oz/ 10 mL REN Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask
Full size: $38.00 for 1.7 oz Value: $7.60
0.78 oz/ 22 g Sephora Collection Pearl Face Mask
Full size: $6.00 for 1 mask Value: $6.00
At this point, I've tried a couple different sheet masks by Sephora's in-house brand and they're all...meh. They're not the worst thing ever but there are much better masks out there with a $5-$6 price-tag. The material is a bit stiff and isn't the soft out there but they do have a decent amount of essence and do hydrate my face.
tarte Pack Your Bags 911 Undereye Rescue Patches
Full size: $22.00 for 4 sets Value: $5.50
Meh.
0.25 oz/ 7.5 mL Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask
Full size: $58.00 for 1 oz Value: $19.20
Come winter I'm wary of using some wash-off masks in case they dry me out. But at the same time my acne doesn't magically disappear as soon as the temperature drops. If only. If that were the case I would consider moving to Alaska.
Anyways, this is one of those masks that helps calm down my acne but also leaves my skin hydrated at the same time! It has a soft, jelly-like texture that's easy and fun to spread out. Plus it's Tata Harper so everything about it exudes luxury. I feel like a fancy person lounging around in an imaginary apartment-with-a-central-park-view whenever I use one of her products!
Sephora Favorites: Beauty Sleep
Available hereIf I didn't have a horde of mini products in my dresser, I would be very tempted to pick upt this set. It has a nice variety of nighttime skincare products. You could probably have an entire nighttime routine, minus cleansing, with this set! You got a serum, an oil, a cream, and a sleeping pack PLUUUS an eye cream and a hair mask! Although I personally wouldn't recommend using them all at the same time because they might dry your skin out.
Item Count: 8 minis
Price: $30.00
Value: $92.00
0.17 oz/ 5 mL GLAMGLOW DREAMDUO™ Overnight Transforming Treatment DREAMSERUM
Full size: $59.00 for 0.68 oz Value: $14.75
I have a mini of this duo that I've used all of one time. It wasn't very exciting so I have yet to use it again lol. I don't hate it but I also would not spend 60 bucks on it. Also holy shit, that is a long-ass name.
Full size: $59.00 for 0.68 oz Value: $0 because it's available alongside the dreamserum
See above.
Full size: $44.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: Mini available in various gift sets Value: $12.94
Full size: $48.00 for 1.7 oz Travel size: Mini available in various gift sets Value: $7.06
This has been on my wishlist because I want to compare it to good genes! According to the brand, it contains 12 different sources of AHAs which is a pretty impressive claim. The second ingredient in it is glycolic acid which is a top-notch exfoliator from experience. My only wish is that this mini was packaged in a pump like the full-sized product.
0.27 oz/ 8 mL Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum
Full size: $90.00 for 1 oz Travel size: 8 ml mini available in $28.00 set Value: $24.30
This is the second best chemical exfoliant I've tried, with good genes being my number one guy. It has a bit of a tacky texture but it doesn't impede me from using it. When I first began using it, it would sting my skin a bit as it is a strong formula. But the longer I used it and the more used to it my skin got, the stinging subsided.
It really delivers results! My skin is much smoother when I regularly use this. If you're not comfortable with chemical exfoliants and are interested in trying this, I would recommend trying it once or twice a week and then working up from there. You won't lose anything by using it slowly, but you can seriously wreck your moisture barrier by going in HAM too quickly
0.17 oz/ 5 mL SUNDAY RILEY Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Full size: $105.00 for 1 oz Travel size: $55.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $13.60
I really wanted to love Luna, but alas it was not meant to be. There was something in this oil that irritated my skin 😒
Full size: $85.00 for 0.5 oz Value: $17.00
Full size: $28.00 for 4 oz Travel size: $50 for 1 oz Value: $7.00
For a long time, I didn't get this product. I still don't really get it but I have accepted that it doesn't work for me. My hair is curly and prone to getting dry at the ends and this changes nothing.
Here's what it claims to do on the product page: "An easy-to-use solution that provides up to one week of more shiny, vibrant, manageable hair overnight, with benefits that last through five shampoos."
It doesn't make my hair more vibrant or shiny overnight, so forget about results that will last me through 5 washes.
DONESO
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