Sephora’s Best of 2008 Beauty Products

Scanning the 2008 “Best of Sephora” list, I realize that there are a lot of cosmetics that I just haven’t tried. As much as I enjoy trying out new stuff, the number of products out there can be overwhelming. So lazy me really loves when someone like Allure or Vogue or Sephora puts out a best of list (even if it’s a shopper’s/reader’s choice list, as Sephora’s is), since it’s an easy way to cut through the clutter.

Read through the 2008 Best of Sephora list (highlights below), and leave me a comment to let me know which of the Sephora choices you agree with.

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Bare Escentuals pretty much swept the complexion category. (I definitely agree with the choice of mineral veil as best powder; it’s been one of my favorite beauty discoveries):

BEST CONCEALER: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Multi-Tasking Face, $18
BEST FOUNDATION: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation, $25
BEST POWDER: Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil, $19

Likewise, NARS ganged up on the Makeup category. (I’ve been wanting to try NARS’ “Super Orgasm” blush—is it worth a look?):

BEST MASCARA: Dior Diorshow Mascara, $24
BEST LIP GLOSS: NARS Lip Gloss, $24
BEST LIPSTICK: NARS Lipstick, $24
BEST BLUSH: NARS Blush, $25

Highlights from other categories (I do like the scent of D&G’s Light Blue, but it’s far from my favorite fragrance):

BEST FACE CLEANSER: Philosophy Purity Made Simple, $10 – $40
BEST FACE MOISTURIZER: Philosphy Hope in a Jar, $15 – $60
BEST FRAGRANCE FOR HER: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, $30 – $80
BEST BEAUTY TOOL: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, $19
BEST BEAUTY INNOVATION: Smashbox O-GLOSS, $22
BEST CULT MUST-HAVE: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $16
BEST BEAUTY ADDICTS’ WRITE-IN FAVE: Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips, $18

See the complete list at Sephora.com.

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Sephora Adds Reviews & You Can Win $500!

Next time you surf over to sephora.com, you may notice that something has changed. It may not be instantly apparent, but Sephora has added the capability to review or start a Q&A thread about any product on the site. You will have to submit your e-mail address and create a password to do either, but the review/question forms look quite detailed and include the ability to add photos and video.

It makes sense that Sephora would want to build a “community” around their site and the brands they carry—frankly, I’m surprised that they haven’t had user review capability before!

According to the Sephora blog, every time you review a product, you will be entered to WIN a $500 gift card from Sephora.

How long do you think it would take you to spend $500 on cosmetics and skin care? Myself, probably just a couple of hours, especially if I splurged on any these items:

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Free Gift: 10-Day Supply of Bare Escentuals Foundation

If you’re near a Sephora, don’t forget to go pick up your FREE (no purchase required!) sample of Bare Escentuals foundation with a baby buki brush. Despite the mountains of hype, I’ve never tried the Bare Escentuals foundation (I love Mineral Veil, though, and the eyeshadows), so I had to guess at my skin tone; the Sephora employee suggested “medium tan.”  The foundation shades available in the promotion are: fairly light, light, medium beige, medium tan, medium dark or golden dark.

Free Bare Escentuals sample & brush!

If you’re not near a Sephora, you can get this deal free with a purchase from Sephora.com by entering “MYSHADE” in the promotion code box at checkout.

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Sephora by OPI

I love OPI nail colors, but I don’t love that when I find a color I like, they discontinue it (e.g. At Your Quebec & Call and Glacier Bay Blues from their Canadian collection.)

On my toenails, but no longer in stores.

So, I probably shouldn’t get too attached to any of the new colors in the Sephora by OPI collection, exclusive to Sephora stores and Sephora.com.

For example, I should just ignore Metro Chic, a purple-gray that reminds me of the perfect shade of grape bubblegum and is ALREADY out of stock at Sephora.com. And I shouldn’t take a second look at Never Enough Shoes (it’s even the perfect name for me), which is black with multi-color glitter. And I should continuously avert my eyes from I’m With Brad, which Sephora describes as “shimmering wine over dark coffee,” an excellent shade for autumn.

No word on how quickly these will disappear and disappoint me, but for now, each shade is $9, only at Sephora.

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