Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder review

After making the transition to liquid foundation, I was on a hunt for a great setting/finishing powder and I settled on the Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder.

This translucent, silky finishing powder keeps makeup in place without ever appearing chalky and mattifies skin by removing excess surface oil. This powder can even be used alone as a treatment to reap all the benefits of Amazonian clay.

It is a white powder that goes on translucent and despite the whiteness, I never see any white cast in flash photography. I’ve heard a lot about Tarte and their Amazonian clay products being awesome for oil control and being long lasting so I finally decided to try this. Amazonian Clay: Acts as a total skin balancer by hydrating all skin types, reducing the appearance of dry, flaky skin, improving clarity and texture, and removing surface oil.

Since using this powder, I have noticed that my skin gets oily less quickly and that my foundation lasts for longer. It also makes my skin feel super smooth especially with the Covergirl Outlast foundation I recently started using. It definitely helps keep makeup on for longer and is my go to setting powder (okay it’s pretty much my only powder). I don’t carry it with me on the go so I have never used it for touch ups but I think that this would be a great powder for after that mid-day blotting session.

 
The packaging is very simple and sleek and is flat topped so you can stack your other products on top if necessary. It dispenses just through a tiny hole in the centre of the lid so it is a bit hard to get out. I find that when I turn it upside down onto the lid and shake the container side to side 2-3 times, I get enough powder. Unfortunately, one of the first few times I did this, the sifter part ended up coming off and a powder exploded everywhere :( I debated exchanging it for another but just ended up super gluing the sifter back on. I’m not sure if it was just mine that was like this, but beware! Make sure to test if the sifter is really stuck in before shaking this container.

I really like this powder and it does not take too much to cover your whole face so I can see it lasting me very long. I purchased this in November and I think I have only used (and lost) less than half of it. I'm going to keep using it until I'm done and am a bit undecided about repurchasing but I think I likely will :) It is sold in 0.32 oz. size at Sephora for $38.

Sephora VIB Sale 2014 15% off

For those other Sephora VIBs out there, today is the start of the VIB Early Access Event where all in store and online purchases are 15% off! Today is also the only day to get the limited-edition cosmetic bag (in-store) :)

VIBs should have gotten an email a few days ago so check that one to get your in-store coupon, or use the promo code VIBTICKET for online orders. The offer is good April 3 - 11th. I'm not sure if this is replacing the usual 'Chic Week' but I really hope not and that they will have the sale later on for regular Beauty Insiders. I think VIBs can also bring a friend so make sure to share the love with other beauty lovers out there :D

I've been anticipating this sale for a while so I already have a wishlist compiled ;)

- Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush

- Ole Henriksen Cleansing Clothes: Oil-Free Pore Refining

- Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer

- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo or Perfect Brow Pencil

- Benefit Cosmetics Posietint

- Ole Henriksen Walnut Complextion Scrub

- Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup

Has anyone tried any of these products before and if so, how did you like them? What's on your wishlist for this sale? :)

Boxing Day 2013 Haul

Woohoo, time for another haul! As with every other Boxing Day, I went shopping at Toronto Eaton's Centre since I like those stores better and although the sales weren't too good (mostly just 50% off), I still ended up buying quite a lot...

I don't remember the exact prices for each but here were the deals:
- Express 50% off entire store
- Hollister 50% off entire store
- Lindt 50% off holiday chocolate
- Sephora $12 deals
- Bath & Body Works $3 hand soaps/holiday items 50% off
- aerie 50% off store

Since this is somewhat a beauty review blog, here's a close-up of the Sephora items :)

- Caudalie Winter Moisture Kit
- tarte clean slate deluxe primer trio
- boscia Intensifying Moisture Pack+
- Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow duo
- Ole Henriksen The Naked Truth Kit
- Sephora + Pantone Universe makeup bag (promo code: VIBEMERALD)

The display in the store was quite barren and the website only had 10 deals so Sephora was quite disappointing. Black Friday was definitely better and last year, the stores had a bunch of $9 and $12 deals! I remember the display was swarmed with makeup obsessed girls but this year, I was able to walk around the entire display without interference.

Besides there being a lack of good deals at Hudson's Bay and the disappointment at Sephora, I am quite satisfied with my purchases. Hopefully everyone else's Boxing Day went as well as mine!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas (or other holiday) and a Happy New Year :D

Sephora VIB Sale Haul 2013

This is the first year that I have ever been Sephora VIB (thanks to my other make-up obsessed friend and my mom with her skincare products) so I was able to get the 20% off a few weekends ago. Even though it was the same weekend as IMATS, I still managed to make two online orders over $75 to get free shipping :P

It took a while for everything to come (too many orders were placed I guess) but the second and final package came today. I was a little disappointed to see that most of my samples were substituted because that has never happened before, but oh well. Here is the haul:
- Urban Decay Naked Palette (woo finally! long debate between 1 and 2)
- Ole Henriksen Power Peel 2x treatment
- Benefit Gimme Brow in light/medium
- Too Faced Primed & Perfected To Go Duo
- Too Faced Tan Without the Twinkle
- Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder
- Tarte Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer (to get a friend the discount)

I have yet to try it all, but I'm sure it will be great. Black Friday sale is coming (not really sure why Canada needs this) and there will be some Sephora deals for $12 and under $20, so hopefully I don't go too crazy then too.....

EDIT: Some Black Friday deals have been posted ($12 CAD) and I kinda want 5 or more things oops.