American Bucket List: 1.Sephora Beauty Class

One of my first stops when I arrived in America was, of course, Sephora. It was number one on my American Bucket List, and I crossed it off pretty much straight away (and many times afterwards). I bought a LOT of makeup in Sephora pretty much every time I visited and bought online, and I have certainly racked up the VIB points to prove it. I also went to a Sephora beauty class on my second day in New York City and on the day I first went upstate to my new university.

Sephora hosts a number of beauty classes across the majority of their American stores including a Contour & Highlight class, a Brows with Eye Contour class and a Daytime Smokey Eye class. They've added so many more since I went to one and they are completely free to book for Beauty Insiders. I booked on to the Perfectly Paired Lip and Cheek Class. Sephora describe it as a class to "flatter yourself with a dynamic lip and cheek duo. Our experts will teach you how to find and apply the best red, pink, coral, nude or berry lip colour - and choose a blush that's just the right complement". I chose this one because I really wanted a new lip colour and blush that were tailored to my skin colour as I usually just pick them because they look pretty.

(image from CollegeFashion)

If you're visiting the US on a short trip I'd recommend booking a class in advance, as they fill up quickly and they have limited times, so then you can plan your day around it. I booked at the 5th Avenue store in New York because it was close to my hotel but I could only get a slot at 8:00am. I think they only offer early times so that the store is completely empty for class members. It was very early but worth it, even just to see 5th Avenue with barely anyone there. I felt like Holly Golightly in the opening scene at Breakfast at Tiffanys, just without the pearls and long black dress. I wish I'd taken a picture of the outside because the 5th Avenue store front is so beautiful but I've added one from good old google images.

I arrived feeling a bit sleepy but Sephora provided us with free coffee and snacks, which I greatly appreciated. There were a few tables set out with a few chairs around each. We got to choose a table to sit at and we filled out our names on a sticky label. As we waited for everyone to arrive we got to walk around a bit, talk to the other customers and have a chat with the Sephora staff. Then the class began, all the team members introduced themselves and the makeup artists gave a quick introduction. They then demonstrated how they match colours with a skin colour i.d. which was then personally found out for each one of us. Then in our small groups our Sephora team member showed us which products would suit our skin tone from a list of products that had already been expertly picked for that colour. We got to choose which lip shade we wanted from reds, corals, pinks, berries and nudes. I decided to go for a berry colour as it was something a bit different. The team then found a few shades for us to try on.

The makeup artists then showed us how to apply our chosen colours and products in a little demo at the front of the class. They used lip scrub, lip balm, showed us how to apply lip liner in the correct way and then applied the lip product with a lip brush. After the demo we got to try it on ourselves. I chose the Josie Maran Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil in Boundless Berry. We were given mirrors, cotton buds, cotton pads and any tools we needed. The same process then happened with the blush colours we had chosen and we were told the different ways to apply blush, and the brushes to use, and then we got to try it for ourselves. The lovely woman at Sephora suggested I go for more peachy blushes so I chose a Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Captivating.

Excuse my awful handwriting!

Throughout the whole thing we had paper to write down any notes. All the Sephora staff were so friendly and great at teaching us, answering our questions and just to talk to throughout. We then got a chance to buy the products we tried out and have a wander through the store to see if we wanted to buy anything else. I think it's important to add that these classes weren't all about selling products as you didn't have to buy anything if you didn't want to. The emphasis was more on the experience and learning which was great. We even got a little certificate to say that we'd completed the course.

I'd definitely recommend going to a class if you get the chance. The experience felt personal and I walked away having learned something new, as well as some new products in my striped Sephora bag.

The Big American Beauty Haul Part One: Face Products

To celebrate a year since I left for America I thought I'd post my first Big American Beauty Haul blog. While I was in America I did a lot (and I mean a lot!) of beauty shopping. With a limitless supply of makeup just a click away on Sephora.com, and with prices being cheaper, I just couldn't help myself. I bought so many great products and built up my Sephora rewards points in the process too! Here is part one of my American beauty haul: face products.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla

I already owned this concealer before I went to America but it is still my all time favourite concealer. I bought many of these while I was out there because I use it every single day. I use the shade vanilla, the second lightest shade, which is great for covering dark circles as well as masking blemishes.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville

 
This is another product that I already owned in England but it is also my favourite foundation, so I bought a lot of this while in America too. Deauville is the perfect shade for my skin tone and although I have oily skin, the glow makes the makeup less cakey and heavy compared to matte foundations.

Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector

As I mentioned above, I suffer from very oily skin so I always need to prep my skin before applying makeup. The Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is great at smoothing out imperfections and preparing the face for makeup, but most importantly it mattifies the skin which I certainly need!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Captivating

I purchased this when I went to a Sephora beauty class intended to find the perfect lip and cheek colours for you. They figured out my skin colour and what products matched. Then we got to choose the ones we liked and had a chance to try them on ourselves. The lovely makeup artists suggested that I should wear a more peachy blush to compliment my skin tone. I loved the Tarte blush and the peachy colour isn't something I'd usually go for but according to Sephora it's the right colour for me so I thought I'd give it a go.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat

I'd heard great things about the brand Hourglass and having never really seen it in England, I jumped at the chance to buy a product when I got to the U.S. This blush was so pretty I just couldn't resist. I love the marbled effect and the golden packaging, and the blush is very pigmented too.             

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion

I wanted to buy a high-end moisturiser while I had such a large choice in America, especially at Sephora. I searched for a long time for a moisturiser that helped oily skin, wasn't too thick, but still kept my skin hydrated. I eventually chose the Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion. I've used all the product now but it was a good lightweight moisturiser. I'm not sure it really helped with oil control though.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette

I loved my hourglass blush in diffused heat so when I saw hourglass were releasing a limited edition blush palette with two shades from the original collection and one new shade I just had to order it. I really love the plum shade, mood exposure, as it gives a soft and subtle glow. 

Clinique Cheek Pop in Heather Pop

This is a product I've wanted for ages, having read so many blogger reviews about them. At first only a few shades were released but since I last checked there were a few more added to the colour range. I instantly loved the heather pop shade. It gives a subtle hint of colour to the cheeks without being too overpowering. Now I really want to try some more shades. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze

This is a very recent Hourglass addition. After loving the high quality blushes, I needed to try the bronzer. It was released in two shades and I went for the lighter shade Luminous Bronze. It's perfect for a beautiful summer glow applied with a big fluffy brush and the shimmer gives a really pretty luminous effect. 

Surratt Artistique Blush in La Vie en Rose

Surratt is a new brand that has only been stocked in Sephora for the past couple of months. The thing that grabbed me the most about these products was how high end yet simple they looked at the Sephora counter. I tested a few things on my hand and everything seemed so highly pigmented. I bought a palette that fits both blush and eyeshadow and bought this blush in La Vie en Rose. Not only does it have a great name but it's also a gorgeous buildable rose colour that feels so soft and luxurious on the skin. 

I had so much fun buying all these products and as a result I've added some great pieces to my makeup collection. If you like the look of these products and want to know more let me know if you want a full review. Also don't forget to look out for the other three parts to my Big American Beauty Haul.