Sephora, Macy's, H&M & Victoria's Secret Haul | USA '14

In my previous posts I have mentioned that throughout June I was travelling throughout America. I'm on the final leg home now and while I was there, there was a few shops I wanted to stop out. The high end makeup and clothes shops of Sephora, Macys, H&M and Victoria Secret were the ones.

They are the US equlivent of department stores here, expect they stock a larger range and variety of brands, at literally half the price of the same product here. Like with the Ulta stuff, I could have gone crazy and picked up so much more then what's here, you know products I'm interested in and wouldn't mind seeing how it works for me, but I decided to be reasonable.

I did spend considerable amount of months researching each product, it's ingredients and reviews to see if it would suit me. No point going halfway across the world to spend this kind of money and it not work for me. There a few products I didn't make the cut from this. It does feel good to have a clean wish list now.

Without further ado here's what I picked up (L-R, T-B);

Victoria's Secret

I got 5 pairs of underwear and a nude push up everyday bra for $64! These replaced my old bra. Honestly this is the most comfortable bra I have ever owned. It makes my books look good but I can hardly feel I have it on. Absolutely incredible!! I was very very tempted to get more. I know I'll be placing an order online when I get home. 

H&M

I think I could have spent more here but my luggage wouldn't allow it. The aztec type print black and white pants you see on the right is what I picked up from there. I walked through Express, Gap and Forever 21 and honestly wasn't impressed with the variety or cheap manufacturing looking pieces. These pants are very lightweight material for only $12! This type of print was in a few stores so I can see it being an autumn/spring trend.

I tried to be smart and these pants replaced my old and tried black leggings I took over with me. The old bra and leggings went in the bin and these have been worn everyday since.

Sephora

Too Faced Le Creme Lipstick #Marshmallow Bunny $38

A new lipstick line that I heard had great pigmentation and longevity. I've noticed I'm not a big fan of sheer lip products and loving the bold, intense colours. While I've been saving for months now, it'll be a nice treat.

Buxom Full On Lip Cream #White Russian $18

A product that is a cult favourite that I has been on my wish list for the longest time. I swatched it instore and loved the nude beige colour.

NARS Sheer Matte Foundation #Deauville $45

Repurchase item. Love the coverage and finish of this foundation. I don't find it completely matte but stills gives me a little hint of sheen that wears amazing throughout the day.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette $49

The only palette I have had my eye on. Yes it contains neutral brown shades but I love how it has a light pink, purple and an olive green shade thrown in. Shades I don't have and can experiment with and stretch outside my comfort zone. It took a lot of restraint not to buy this 9 months ago.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment  SPF15 $22.50

This is basically an expensive lip balm but I know there is more to this product then that. As I do, I picked up the original flavour/ type to see what it is about this.

Too Faced Better Then Sex Mascara $23

I think I'm a mascara and lip junkie. I love trying out voluminous mascaras. I have heard and seen great results with this and would love to compare it to the Tarte Lights Camera Lashes and Benefit They're Real - mascaras I think are leading the fake, volumious all day lashes race.

MUFE Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation $36

Repurchase item. Like with the NARS Sheer Matte Foundation, this provides a more matte finish still with the same coverage and longevity. This will catch on dry patches of skin but a greta all year foundation.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask $24

I've seen a lot of buzz about charcoal based face masks beginning with the Glam Glow Supermud mask. I wanted to try another brand, one that was cheaper to see if the active ingredient was doing wonders not the combination of ingredients per different brands.

Urban Decay Revolutionary Lipstick #Native $38

Another lipstick that I heard good reviews on with some mentioning that it wasn't anything different to drugstore brands. Therefore in wanting to splurge on myself I picked up a very wearable colour I could get use out of. Maybe there is something comparable but not in my collection.

Bite Beauty Luminous Créme Lipstick #Fig $24

A hyped product and shade in the beauty industry that I had to try to see the hype for myself. The shade does look more mauve then I would gravitate towards.

Urban Decay Travel Sized Primer Potion $14

As far as I can tell, this and the Too Faced Shadow Insurance were the market leaders were eyeshadow primers are concerned and a concept. They are greatly compared and I haven't had both to test at the same time for years. I thought I'd try a mini version to see which one works better for me.

Beauty Blender Sponge $20

Repurchase item. LOVE this sponge. Grabbed the opportunity to get it without paying for shipping. If they had multi packs I'd buy that without question.

Benefit They're Real Mascara $23

Repurchase item. I tried a deluxe sample of this and loved it. I had other mascaras to use up before I purchased the full sized. I hope my memory serves me right when I crack this open for the first time.

Urban Decay All Nighter Travel Sized Setting Spray $14

The range of setting sprays is made by Skindinavida- the same brand that makes my all time favourite Bridal Setting Spray. They don't hide this fact either. I wanted to see if the formula is any different to Skindinavia's own brand. 

YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick #1 Nude Beige $35

Not sure if you see a theme yet, but if I'm going to indulge on myself then I want to do it well and with a shade that I've researched that I'll get a lot of use out of. I didn't want something that was a stain or too glossy. This is very high end.

Anastasia Brow Wiz #Caramel $21

I have tried brow pencils in the past but the nib hasn't been as fine as this and without care that creates a harsh brow. So I have become comfortable with powder. The hype and talk I've heard around this has gotten me very excited to stretch outside my comfort zone.

NARS Radiant Concealer #Custard $29

I wanted to try a new concealer and the reviews I heard about this sounded like something I was after.

MUFE HD Invisible Cover Foundation $42

The following items were brought on a second trip to Sephora. Repurchase item. Love the healthy skin finish this gives while still providing medium coverage. *not shown*

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Oil Free Primer $36

Repurchase item. The one I took over is halfway done and a great chance to pick it up again. I would like to try the NARS oil free primer and Hourglass Mineral Veil. *not shown*

Duo Lash Adhesive #Clear $9

I forgot to pick this up the first time mainly as I was caught up exploring the two levels! My Ardell lash glue is seeing it's last days and I've heard this is the industry tried and tested lash glue so that was enough for me. *not shown*

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation #Real Sand $38

I wanted to try a mineral powder foundation and remembering hearing good things about this one years ago. Hopefully it's the only product of hers that doesn't break me out!

Macy's

M.A.C 109 Small Contour Brush $35

My Sigma small contour brush just isn't cutting it anymore. With gentle washing using conditioning baby shampoo it has started to shed like crazy over the last year and a half resulting in sparse scratch hairs. I thought I'd go to the high end as a replacement as my current MAC brushes hardly shed.

M.A.C Mineralise Skin Finish Natural #Light $24

I am normally a medium but I decided to try the light to see if there was a difference when worn during winter and into summer. It's new packing which I couldn't be happier about because I get to have it before this slowly makes it way to Australia!! 

Look for upcoming reviews of these products, cause I have spent a good majority of a month using them all. I can say I am extremely happy with all my purchases as I expected but the actual experience of shopping and browsing through these stores is unreal, defiantly nothing that should be taken for granted!!