Michele's Makeup Blog

I have waited for this day so long.  I thought it would never come.  We FINALLY have Sephora in Springfield.  Okay, so it's not a full size Sephora but it's as close as we're going to get.  So I'm not complaining.

A few years ago, JC Penney started putting mini Sephoras in their stores.  I guess our number finally came up.  Now I don't have to drive to St. Louis to get my Sephora fix!

Naturally, I have already stopped by the new store.  In case you aren't aware, JC Penney has been doing a major remodel on their store.  From what I've seen, it looks nice.  Sephora is pretty much right in front of you when you walk in the doors.  You don't have to wade through the whole store to get to it, which I like.  Now if you're wondering "what is the difference between Sephora and Ulta?"  Both specialize in cosmetics.  However, while Ulta sells drug store brands and high-end cosmetics, Sephora sticks with the high-end stuff.  Ulta has a hair salon in the store, Sephora does not.  Ulta carries a lot of hair products, appliances, and accessories....Sephora has some hair stuff, but it's not their focus.  Sephora really focuses on makeup and skin care products.  Personally I prefer Sephora.

I picked up a couple of things while I was there (duh), and I'd love to tell you about them.  Sephora has their own line of makeup, and several of their products are designed to teach.  It's a great idea, I think, because so many of us are intimidated by different techniques.  I mean where exactly is my crease, and what am I supposed to do with it?

I decided to try Beauty in a Box Natural Eye Tutorial.  It looks like a little book, and opens up to reveal all the products on the right and a mirror and instructions on the left.

There are three eye shadows, a brush, an eyeliner, and a mascara in the kit.  The brush is totally worthless, so you can just toss it as far as I'm concerned.  Everything else in the kit I LOVE. 

The instructions fold out and tell you exactly what to do with each products.  The eye shadows are even stamped with numbers and the names "base," "contour," and "light."  What could be easier?  As for results, I am thrilled.  I've always wanted to find the perfect combination of colors for this look, but I've never been able to put it together myself.  It is the perfect every day look for work or the weekend.  Easy, polished, not too much.  I'm in love.