The Sephora VIB Sale is one of the only sales I look forward to every year. I love getting a chance to repurchase some of my favorite, tried-and-true products. Also, I enjoy (maybe) picking up something new. And this year was no exception. Keep reading my Fall 2018 Sephora VIB Sale Haul to see the items I repurchased, as well as the new things that I’m trying.

P.S. I snuck in a few free gifts that I recently received from a coworker!

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Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links (*). If you purchase by clicking on my links, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you.

Fall 2018 Sephora VIB Sale Haul

Cover FX Blurring Primer

The Cover FX Blurring Primer* is a lightweight primer that is supposed to blur the appearance of pores, fine lines, and other skin imperfections.

Claims

This primer promises to diffuse the look of pores, fine lines, and textured skin to provide a flawless looking complexion. Specifically, this primer claims to use light diffusing technology to reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines, while Vitamin E provides protection against free radicals.

According to Cover FX, this primer can be worn alone for an airbrushed skin effect, underneath foundation for a smooth base, or over makeup as an “instant retouching balm.”

Why I purchased

As someone with oily skin and large pores, I find pore minimizing primers to be effective in providing a flawless foundation application. Given that I was just about done with my Benefit Professional* Deluxe sample, I wanted to grab a new primer while the VIB sale was underway.

If I’m keeping it 100%, I actually wanted to purchase the Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer* ($45.00). Unfortunately, this was out of stock by the time the VIB sale rolled around. Nevertheless, I wanted to try a pore refining primer that would be new to me, so I pivoted and picked up something else.

I’ve always had great experiences with every Cover FX product I’ve ever had the pleasure of owning. This is a brand that really understands how to give women and men flawless-looking skin no matter the skin type, skin tone, or undertone.

Ingredients & CF Status

This primer is formulated without Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, fragrance, gluten, mineral oil, and talc. The blurring primer is vegan and is not tested on animals.

Price: $38.00 ($30.40 on sale)

Drunk Elephant – Inspector Ellie Kit (now discontinued)

Drunk Elephant is a US-based skincare brand that offers clean skincare formulated with ingredients that are meant to directly benefit the skin’s health or support the integrity and effectiveness of their formulas. Although they are not a “natural” brand, they use clean synthetic and natural ingredients that will be biocompatible with the skin. (Biocompatible ingredients are ingredients that the skin can recognize, accept and process).

Additionally, Drunk Elephant products are formulated without the “Suspicious 6” (Essential Oils, Drying Alcohols, Silicones, Chemical Screens, Fragrance/Dyes, and SLS). By taking out these ingredients, Drunk Elephant is able to provide effective products that are appropriate for nearly all skin types.

For more about Drunk Elephant and what makes them such an incredible brand, please click here.

Components

The Agent Ellie Kit contains all the brand’s daytime skin care products for healthy, glowing skin. This kit contains:

• 30 ml / 1 fl oz C-Firma™ Day Serum* (full size / $80.00 value)
• 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz Umbra Tinte™ Physical Daily Defense,* SPF 30 (mini / $18.00 value)
• 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz Protini™ Polypeptide Cream* (mini / $20.00 value)
• 8 ml / 0.27 fl oz B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum* (mini / $8.32 value)
• 5 ml / 0.17 fl oz Shaba Complex™ Eye Serum* (mini / $20.00 value)
• 1 Acrylic Magnifying Glass
• 6 Playing Cards

Claims

When used together, these products should help to provide brighter, more hydrated skin.

**Note: The T.L.C. Framboos can cause skin irritation for sensitive skin due to the nature of the product. I suggest starting slow with this product – using it only 1-2 times a week. Additionally, sunscreen is a non-negotiable when using this product (and two weeks after stopping).

Why I purchased

I knew that I wanted to repurchase my beloved T.L.C. Framboos* during the Sephora sale this year. I missed it so much once my other one expired. Never have I ever received more compliments on my skin than when this was a staple in my routine. Not only did my natural skin look brighter and less textured, but my makeup laid on my face better, too!

As mentioned above, I want to transition my skin routine to being clean. Also, I wanted to try more Drunk Elephant products, so this kit was an awesome, cost-effective way for me to try more from the brand.

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder

Claims

The Secret Brightening Powder* promises to brighten, lighten, and create a luminous under-eye look through the use of light-reflecting, micronized pigments. The result is a radiant-looking under-eye that diffuses the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles. Finally, as with all other setting powders, this powder promises to set the under-eye for a longer lasting, crease-free makeup look.

Why I purchased

I used a deluxe mini of the Secret Brightening Powder early this year when I received it within a 500 Point Perk. Although I love Laura Mercier’s Translucent Face Setting Powder, I didn’t expect to enjoy the Secret Brightening Powder as much as I did. Honestly, I didn’t think it would be any different from my other Laura Mercier setting powder. However, the Secret Brightening Powder truly does live up to its claims. As someone with dark under-eye circles and wrinkles, I missed this once I finished using the mini. See where this powder landed in my setting product ranking.

Ingredients & CF Status

This product contains talc. Also, Laura Mercier used to have a very clear Cruelty-Free status. However,  I am now unclear as to whether the brand tests on animals. According to the brand’s website,

We are equally committed to consumer health and safety, and bringing to market products that comply with applicable regulations in every country in which our products are sold. While our products are not vegan, we do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf.

My understanding of the above means that Laura Mercier may test on animals in countries that require animal testing by law. Therefore, the brand is likely not Cruelty-Free. Read more about what it means to be Cruelty-Free or discover some affordable Cruelty-Free brands.

Price: $28.00  ($22.40 on sale)

Laura Mercier – Loose Translucent Setting Powder Glow

The Translucent Loose Setting Powder in glow* is a new version of Laura Mercier’s iconic Translucent Loose Setting Powder* that is infused with pearl pigments to provide a luminous finish.

Claims

The Translucent Loose Setting Powder in glow is meant to extend the wear-time of any foundation while providing a healthy-looking, radiant finish. This product promises to provide sheer coverage that won’t settle into fine lines or pores. Moreover, this setting powder promises that it won’t cause flash-back.

Like Laura Mercier’s other setting powders, this comes in two finishes.

Why I purchased

Honestly, I was confused by this product when I originally saw it on the shelves at my local Sephora. Then, I watched Melissa Alatorre’s video demonstrating how to apply this product and fell in love with it.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve moved away from the glittery-looking, metallic highlighters that seem to be the trend. Instead, I love highlighters that give the skin the look of a more natural, candlelit or glossy glow. See where this falls in my glowing highlighter ranking.

Note: Melissa’s video was sponsored. However, I liked how the product looked when applied and I’ve liked may other Laura Mercier products, so I wanted to try the mini version of this product.

Ingredients & CF Status

This product contains talc. Also, Laura Mercier used to have a very clear cruelty-free status but I am now unclear as to whether the brand tests on animals.

Price: $23.00 ($18.40 on sale)

Urban Decay – Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Foundation (1.5 Fair Bisque) – now discontinued

The UD Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Foundation is a light to medium coverage, demi-matte foundation. It is formulated to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while providing a healthy-looking finish.

Claims

Some of the claims for this product online are incredibly confusing. A product can’t truly be both matte and luminous. However, the product also promises to provide buildable coverage that is lightweight. The foundation also promises to provide a natural, skin-like finish and supposedly helps to nourish and hydrate the skin.

Why I purchased

I love this foundation and missed this terribly once it was gone (anyone seeing a theme with this haul? haha). However, I decided to wait until the VIB sale to repurchase this product. Why? I had another foundation I wanted to finish first.

This foundation is like a second skin as it provides a very natural finish and gives me the appearance of “my skin but better.” Some imperfections will still peek through, but my skin looks evener. Also, the finish looks natural-to-matte depending on how you set this product. As someone with incredibly oily skin, I need a foundation that is long-lasting and this foundation is just that.

However, I do want to call out that I didn’t see any skincare benefits when using this product so I cannot validate those claims. See where this foundation ranks in my collection.

Ingredients & CF Status

This product is formulated without parabens and is both vegan and cruelty-free.

Price: $40.00 ($32.00 on sale)

Urban Decay – Primer Potion

The Urban Decay Primer Potion* is an iconic eye primer that minimizes creasing and makes eyeshadow more vibrant.

Claims

The Urban Decay Primer Potion promises to provide a crease-free base that will make eyeshadow more vibrant for up to 24 hours. This primer also promises to make skin appear smoother so eyeshadow glides onto the eye.

Why I purchased

This is a cult classic for good reason – no eye primer has ever worked as well on my extremely oily lids. When I ran out of my last Primer Potion I knew I needed another one. Read about this $6.00 dupe for the Urban Decay Primer Potion.*

Note: although this primer is on the expensive side, it is the best one I’ve used and my consistent go-to. Moreover, one tube (when used steadily) will last me AT LEAST a year.

Price: $24.00 ($19.20 on sale)

Viseart – Grande Pro Volume I

The Viseart Grande Pro Volume I is a 30-pan all matte palette with a mix of vibrant and neutral colors. This was originally a limited-edition palette.

Claims

This palette promises to contain universally flattering shades that can be easily customized for increased flexibility.

Why I purchased

Stephanie Nicole raves about the Viseart Eye Shadow formula, so I’ve been wanting to try this palette for quite some time. However, these shadows are quite expensive, so I wanted to purchase this palette during a potential sale period.

I was shocked when I realized Viseart was included in the Sephora VIB Sale since some of the higher-end products sold at Sephora are always excluded. Given the steep discount (the original limited edition Grande Pro Palette was $175.00), I couldn’t resist snagging this. I’m proud to say this was the only “splurge” product I picked up this year during the sale. (Although is it really a splurge if I did research?)

One amazing thing to note is that these shadows have a three-year shelf life, which is much longer than most other palettes on the market (ex. most palettes have a labeled shelf-life of six months to a year). Knowing that most powder palettes typically last beyond their shelf life, I can only imagine how long these shadows will actually stay good for!! Read my Viseart Grande Pro Palette review to see if this actually worked out for me.

Ingredients & CF Status

This palette free of silicone, petrochemicals, gluten, and mineral oil. Additionally, This was not tested on animals.

Price: $150.00  ($120.00 on sale)

Free Skincare Gifts

Drunk Elephant – Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

Claims

The Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil* is clinically proven to reverse the signs of aging (fine lines, wrinkles, redness, and elasticity) and protect against environmental stressors and free-radicals. This product promises to be “virtually untouched by any chemical or fragrance, natural or synthetic…and is naturally antimicrobial and appropriate for all skin.”

Price: $72.00

Drunk Elephant – T.L.C. Sukari Baby Facial

Claims  The T.L.C. Sukari Baby Facial* promises to be a pro-quality AHA/BHA “facial” (a.k. chemical exfoliant) that will reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce the appearance of uneven skin tones, texture, and pore size for a brighter more youthful glow.

Price: $80.00

Thoughts on Hauls & Excessive Beauty Consumption

In many of my hauls I disclaim that I am in no way trying to encourage excessive consumption, nor am I trying to shame anyone for his or her shopping habits. To each their own. However, knowing that I frequently write about my beauty-related shopping habits and my on-going minimalism journey, these types of posts help to keep me accountable.

Moving forward, when and if I post a haul, I intend to stick to the format I used for my Fall 2018 Sephora VIB Sale haul. I want to provide readers with as much information as possible. This way, anyone tempted to buy something I’ve “hauled” can make a more informed decision about their potential future purchase.

I genuinely enjoy trying new products. I have such a passion for this industry. There are so many innovative and beautiful products to try. Moreover, I  love how makeup allows me to express myself and helps me to feel more confident. Finally, my beauty routines (for cosmetics, skincare, and hair care) are one of my top forms of self-care.

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Did you enjoy my Fall 2018 Sephora VIB Sale Haul? Check out my huge 2019 Sephora VIB Sale Haul.

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Did you own anything that I picked up during my Fall 2018 Sephora VIB Sale Haul? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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