dazzle 'n' sparkle

'RETAIL THERAPY' is just another term coined for the infamous 'HAUL'. It is the list of things I buy, try and the ones you will hear me 'yak', 'blab', 'review' about in next few posts!!! Call this a 'Preview'..  

If you love beauty, skincare and make up products, you probably know how good Holiday seasons are for buying these. There are tons of 'gift sets', 'value sets', 'trial kits' that are released and they give chance to stock up the usual or try out some new stuff. These come with some perks as well. Firstly they make good value for money or at least don't appear crazy expensive, are beautifully packed in boxes and wrapped excellently. The brands also give generous gifts with purchase and the department stores throw in extra goody bags and samples. They give good discounts as well, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

I personally take this opportunity to 'self -gift'. I try my best to haul good stuff now and then go on a 'no buy' for next few months. This gives me a chance to try and enjoy whatever I have purchased and then review them for coming months. This is one reason my blog hardly ever has 'latest' or 'newest' product reviews.

Eve Lom is a brand new to me. I have tried their samples before, so this set from Neiman Marcus was an excellent choice to try the whole line. I don't see this particular set anymore. There are other gift sets though. The set gives me a chance to try Eve Lom Cleanser & Muslin Cloth, Eve Lom Rescue Masque, Eve Lom Kiss mix, Eve Lom Radiance Lift Creme. Super awesome! 

Fresh® 'Black Tea' Skincare Favorites was my first pick for self gifting. 

I love this brand and this particular set has two products that are absolutely new for me. The Black Tea Age-Delay Cream and Black Tea Firming Overnight mask. The Age Delay Eye Concentrate is something I have tried before. The Black Tea Instant Perfecting mask is my absolute favorite (review).

Nuxe is one brand that I always wanted to buy since I had tested their product testers at Target. They all smelled so good. So I ordered a few products from them. Nuxe Travel Kit and Nuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse®

This set includes the following 6 TSA-approved sizes of: 

- Prodigieux® Shower Oil (30 ml) 

- Micellar Cleansing Water (35 ml) 

- Huile Prodigieuse® (10 ml) 

- Rêve de Miel® Ultra-Comforting Body Cream (30 ml) 

- Prodigieux® le Parfum (1.2 ml)

- Crème Fraiche® de Beauté (Normal Skin) (15 ml)

Charlotte Tilbury, a brand that is expensive and attractive, both in terms of packaging and names. I must admit I am biased. I have couple of her products and they are good, but not unique. I just get sucked in. The names just pull me, like a magnet! I picked the Charlotte Tilbury 'Air Brush Flawless Finish' Skin Perfecting Micro-Powder and Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush. I got a freebie and I chose the 'Magic Cream' again. I love this product and these generous 0.5 oz samples last a while. I am still using my first sample of the Magic cream.

Then we had Kohl's and their Kohl's cash, a reward system that the store had. Kohl's carries Lorac and I picked a Lorac Pro palette. I never had this even though it is one of the most popular palette that the brand carries. I always wear neutral shades and my Too Faced Natural eyes, Bobbi Brown Warm eyes palette or the MAC Neutral palettes do the job. Very excited to try this.

Lastly we had the Black Friday and Sephora had amazing $10 deals. These are the best way to try new products and they make excellent stocking stuffers or part of a gift basket. These sets are not available anymore but all the products are permanent.

Nest Eau de Parfume Rollerball Trio (Verde, Dahlia & Vines, Indigo)

Tocca Beauty Hand Cream, Body Scrub, and Perfume set (Giulietta)

Too Faced Sexy Lids & Lashes Set

Buxom Strut Your Stuff Lip & Eye Trio

Sephora Collection Face Mask Explorer Set

Cover FX Face and Eye Primer Set

Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Transformation Trio

As I type this I have a $25 off $50 Sephora VIB coupon calling me to place an order. How can I let it go waste? 

New haul and few goodies few posts later.