Sephora Haul Part II: Many Regrets

Sephora Lip Ink
Sephora Lip Ink

It’s not like I wasn’t warned that Sephora own brand products can be hit and miss. Well, it seems like I hit upon a miss! Sephora Rouge Infusion Lip Ink ($14) is a no-weight lip stain that’s barely registered on my lips in terms of colour. Even the swatch on my arm doesn’t leave much of a stain. That’s not to say it doesn’t have a place but in my mind I think of stains as quite deep saturation and this just wasn’t. So, if you like your stains as barely there, then maybe it’s for you as now I think about it, it’s hard to get very light stains.

Sephora Lip Ink Swatch
Sephora Lip Ink Swatch

It looks nice and juicy in the swatch but the colour didn’t really translate to anything much and as soon as it went onto my lips, I thought it was drying. The shade is Tangerine.

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Wipes
Koh Gen Do Cleansing Wipes

But, while the Sephora Lip Ink was interesting to try, I am kicking myself for buying the Koh Gen Do wipes. They are very, very ordinary wipes and I don’t even use wipes very often. What was I thinking? The USP of these wipes is that they use Izumo spa water (I know, I was born under a rock), use natural herb essences and they’re oil free. And, did I mention they’re made from organic cotton and cost $38 for three packs of ten? The philosophy of Koh Gen Do is based on traditional Asian botanicals and homeopathy none of which have translated into the wipes. I think however, you are either into eco-friendly or you aren’t and I guess you would have to grab and hold the entire philosophy to enjoy this range anyway. I think I’m saying it’s me not them, but even so, $38 for wipes that pretty much feel and look like any other wipes.

All in all, I’m really pleased still that I tried the Sephora shipping to the UK (no I didn’t end up with any customs charges) but it’s not something I’d do again unless I had a ‘can’t live without’ moment. I think it’s just too expensive – and what we forget is that none of the prices on the US site show state tax either which is all dealt with at check out I believe (different states, different taxes).

 


Discover more from British Beauty Blogger

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.


Posted

in

by

Tags:

Have your say

16 responses to “Sephora Haul Part II: Many Regrets”

  1. Wow expensive wipes!!

  2. Lauren

    I was in the States in the week leading up to Thanksgiving and before Black Friday , Sephora had some incredible gift sets (I’ve found an image of them here: http://www.prettysquared.com/2013/10/sephora-favorites-makeup-value-sets.html)

    I got the $45 set (including the Josie Maran product you liked) and was really happy with it. So, I would definitely recommend that you log on in late-November to try and get your hands on those gift sets.

    Lx

  3. That’s such a shame! Though I’m still looking forward to getting hold of more Kat Von D and possibly Marc Jacobs products. I really hope Sephora release more of the value box sets as well.

  4. Anna

    The jury is still out as to the lip ink. Mine is gone after half an hour, my daughter swears by it. She says she applies a very thin first coat, then a final one, and she’s good for 10 hours.

  5. I lived in New York for 3 months a couple of years ago and often went shopping in Sephora. I too found it hit and miss – I really liked their Atomic mascara, but their concealer/highlighter brush was terrible. I only used it less than 10 times and it ran out!

  6. emily

    That colour is perfect for spring!

    http://www.britishbeautyaddict.com

  7. For that price, I would expect the wipes to be super amazing x
    http://www.beautyqueenuk.co.uk

  8. Ouch they are expensive wipes! Shame the stain is a bit rubbish too 🙁

  9. Suzy Hearts Beauty

    Aww it’s such a shame you are disappointed with your haul. I’m really happy with mine but I chose products from Marc Jacobs and Tarte! I’ve got a link to my haul here if you fancy a read – http://www.suzyheartsbeauty.co.uk/2014/03/ordering-from-sephoracom-plus-haul.html. I know it works out pretty expensive but I’m kinda hooked and I’ve got my second order on the way! xx

  10. Elisa

    I work at Sephora, and I want to explain on the lipstain (that rhymed). We have two different types of lip stain and this one happens to be the sheer formula. It is meant to have less pigment than the other one and feel like a gloss. It feels shiny at first and then absorbs. The original lip stain is more topical. It has much more pigment and stays on the surface of the lips, and is the bolder of the two. It is however the more drying one. The new stains have been a huge hit, however I can see how it would be a gamble to order a color without swatching them first. I know from experience that they do not come off easily as I go home with them on my hand every night lately (even after washing several times). Sorry for the long winded response but I am a huge fan of yours and I’m excited sephora is finally shipping to the UK! (On the koh gen do wipes, I agree- that’s outrageously expensive for something that will be on your skin for all of thirty seconds). Cheers from Las Vegas!

    1. Jane

      Thanks so much for explaining..that all makes total sense and will be helpful for anyone planning a purchase xxx

  11. Natasha

    I just can’t get my head around all the tax, costs, shipping cost, what you need to do blahblahblah. It’s all just too much hard work for me!! Plus I like to keep harassing the brands so they’ll hurry up and just come over here! x

  12. kurohana

    Where i live in California has an 8% tax, other states such as Oregon does not have a tax it all depends on your postal code really in the US. There is State tax and Federal tax which differ by state and how much you make per year.

  13. 38$ for those wipes?! That’s crazy! For that price, they should be more than awesome!

  14. AMS

    What were you thinking, buying Sephora brand on an international haul? Sephora brand is like Barry M or Sleek… Josie Marian was a good choice (and it shows). Facial wipes… No one uses wipes really, unless they’re just there. Try it again but go for Marc Jacobs or more Josie Maran stuff. I’d like Marc Jacobs to Charlotte Tilbury. Some people have likened her to TF but I think that’s a bit overreaching. Just my not-so-humble opinion!

  15. Sarah

    Yeah, I live in the States and am in Sephora all the time and I have to say, a lot of their house brand stuff is pretty hit or miss. Honestly I don’t usually even look at it. I’ve taken a chance from time to time on things that were on sale (got a beautiful gold eyeshadow for around $5) but I find on a lot of the stuff the pigmentation is just not great. That Josie Maran cheek color is fantastic! I have it in a deep raspberry shade and I just love it, really a stand-out product. It’s great that they are shipping to the UK now, with any luck they will open stores there at some point!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from British Beauty Blogger

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading