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Lisa gets a brand-spanking new Sephora

Sometimes, the powers that be really DO listen. A brand-spanking new Sephora store has opened in Columbus, OH right across the street from where I work! I have had such fun browsing (and buying, but a girl's debit card can only take so much) all the exciting goodies.

BeneFit Cosmetics has always been a favorite line of mine, so I decided to pick up a few new things, as well as some old favorites. I am a big fan of facial scrubs, and like to try all the new stuff, but a perennial favorite of mine is Benefit Honey Snap Out of It Scrub. First off, it is a great value - 5 ounces for $23. Second, it does great double duty as a mask - just leave it on for about 5 minutes before gently buffing in a circular motion. Third, it feels terrific and smells divine, a mixture of almond and honey. I keep coming back to this one over and over!

During the summer, I tend to use more gloss than lipstick so I was really excited to try BeneFit's three new Forever Prom Night gloss shades. Don't fret if you aren't prom-bound (that was many years ago, in my case) because the colors are wearable and pretty for any occasion. I tried Corsage (my favorite, a very sheer, non-shimmer, peachy-pink that adds just a lift of nude color), Chaperone (shimmering peach-beige), and Curfew (looks yellow in the tube, but is so sheer it leaves only a hint of iridescent pinkish-orange - very pretty!). Benefit glosses are moisturizing and smooth, and continue to be a favorite in the gloss category.

On days I want something other than gloss, Nars Lipstick in Tobago is the color I always reach for. This is a brownish shade with undertones of pink and mauve. I LOVE this color, and have already gone through a tube of it. It looks great with whatever I wear, and gives a visible lift to my complexion. Brilliant!

I also tried a few great products from Sue Devitt. This was my first encounter with this line, and I must say that I am fairly impressed. I tried her bronzing powder in a shade called The Gold Coast, which has just a trace of pinkish undertone, and a hint of golden shimmer. This is a fairly dark shade, but I tend to use self-tanner in the summer, so it looks very pretty and natural. In the winter, it definitely would be too dark for my very pale skin, but right now, I'm using it almost every day. It applies easily, and really lasts throughout the day. However, there are less expensive products out there, so I probably won't buy it again, but I'll enjoy this compact until it is gone.

I also tried her Automatic Camouflage Concealer in Bermuda Triangle, which is peachy shade designed especially for dark, undereye circles. Wow! I love this concealer! While it would also be too dark for me normally, it works well with my golden summer color. The formula is the real standout; it blends beautifully, and lasts all day without creasing or caking. If you fight discoloration in your eye area, and have light to medium skin, you should give this one a try. Also, remember this tip: dark circles tend to have some of the deepest color near your nose (not just under your eye) so be sure not to skip this area. It really does make a big difference!

Since I use a lot self-tanner in the summer, I am always looking for a good body scrub for the pre-application exfoliation. Sephora Indulgences - Coffee & Cream Morning Body Scrub is a delicious choice for any coffee addict (that would be me). This formula contains finely ground Hawaiian Kona Coffee, whipped milk, cocoa bean, cinnamon, and vanilla. It smells so amazing - a great morning pick-me-up. The caffeine it contains also boosts circulation, and gives a bit of temporary firming, which is always a plus when facing the mirror in the morning.

I did allow myself one spectacular splurge: a bottle of Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Skin Treatment Facial Lotion. This is a lighter formula than the cream, but contains the same host of extracts and exfoliation acids. I used it at night for about a month, and while it is a nice lotion, I just did not think it was worth the price (a whopping $155 for 2 ounces). Personally, I find Creme de la Mer to be the more potent lotion in that price range. You want to know a secret? For daily use, I much prefer Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer (which contains soy extracts, and 0.5% salicylic acid) for $13.99 for 4 ounces. It keeps the occasional breakout at bay, and makes my skin feel smooth and soft - without the bank-busting price tag!

Ah, Sephora has so many products to try! You'll be hearing more about them as my time (and pocketbook) permits.

find out about this reviewer and more about the panel...

Posted June 24, 2005

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