heeeeeeeelp (Sephora) - thank you!

I have a pretty generous gift card to spend and would really like to upgrade my makeup (right now I use mainly drug store brands). I walked into Sephora and then walked right out - too overwhelming.

Any tips? Is it worth asking the sales associates or will they just make stuff up? (I worked at Ulta in high school and "helped" people all the time, but we basically just read the labels of stuff and gave advice out of our asses)

I'm pretty sure I want some kind of primer, a good eye shadow that won't disappear after 2 hours, and a good concealer (I have clear skin but dark circles). I'm open to trying other things too ...

I'm also slightly skeeved by trying the testers, even though they give sample applicators (I've seen people stick their fingers in the tester makeup)

So... help!

Message edited 2/6/2010 9:24:15 AM.

Re: heeeeeeeelp (Sephora)

Check out the Laura Mercier counter. I love her make-up

I use Smashbox Photo finish primer
Urban Decay eye shadow primer
Laura Mercier concealer
I use a lot of the urban decay eye shadows as well

Message edited 2/2/2010 6:21:04 AM.

Re: heeeeeeeelp (Sephora)

Two faced eye shadow primer.. Best product eye primer I have ever used..
You shadow will stay all day I promise..
I haven't used Urban Decay primer yet but I will try that one next...


I love Benefit erase away concealer.. I also love the eye bright pencil by them.

I only use Mac eye shadow so I can't help you in that area.

One other product that I love in Sephora is lip fusion.. I love it because it actually keeps my lips moisturized and no more pealing or cracking in the winter.

I also love striptease by Nars Lipgloss.

Re: heeeeeeeelp (Sephora)

I usually just go on their website and do my own research on the products that I need/want.

I love:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Nars ****** Blush
Nars Concealer

Re: heeeeeeeelp (Sephora)

The testers are always pretty gross at Sephora-my advice? Try to go around opening time so the testers will be clean and not have a few hours worth of fingers in them.

PS Laura Mercier secret camoflage concealer is the best!!

Re: heeeeeeeelp (Sephora)

What do you normally wear? I wear it all from foundation to eyebrow powder, and I've tried EVERYTHING so i can probably help you figure some stuff out. The good thing about Sephora is that they will take back stuff if you try it and don't like it, so you can "gamble" with online purchases.

My staples are:

You Rebel Lite Tined Moisturizer (Benefit)
Laura Gellar Foundation
Clinique Stay Matte Pressed Powder
Stila Pan Eyeshadow in Kitten
Any Black Eyeliner pencil--I have a million, though I find plain ol' Maybelline to work wonders.
Nars O-gasm (the stick, not the powder)
Smashbox bronzer and highlighter (I'm a big Smashbox fan in general)
Lately I love Buxom Lip Gloss by Bare Essentuals. (i think my fave is Eva, but I have a few...)
For lip balm I go for Murad Pomegranate lip balm.
Clinique Eyebrow powder
I also love Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin (but it's a biitch to wash off!)
I don't have a favorite mascara. My lashes suck, so nothing really works wonders on them. Everyone raves about DiorShow, but I don't think it's all that.

Anyway, hope this was a decent starting point for you!

Re: heeeeeeeelp (Sephora)

I just recently bought the Urban Decay Sin eye shadow primer and love it! It matches the color I normally wear for eye shadow so it was one thing less for me to wear.

If I had a few bucks to spare there, I would have bought a new perfume since I've been wearing the same one for 3 years.

Have someone there show you a bunch. Explain you are unsure and tehy will take you under their wing if they are good!

Re: heeeeeeeelp (Sephora)

thank you so much for the recs! i will print this when i go and check those out first.

Re: heeeeeeeelp (Sephora)

The good thing about Sephora is you really don't have to buy anything if you get their help there....I feel much more obligated to buy stuff if I go to a small makeup counter at a department store.

I would tell the sales person at Sephora what you are looking for and let them experiment with you. You most likely won't like a lot of what they show you (at least I don't)...go with your instincts and buy only what you really love.

Whatever you buy, take note of the brand and at that point I would visit that makeup counter at their location (not at Sephora)....b/c you already know you at least like a few products of their brand....

Good luck!

Message edited 2/2/2010 7:26:42 PM.

Re: heeeeeeeelp (Sephora) - thank you!

i actually printed this thread out and took it with me to sephora this week.

i got urban decay sin eyeshadow primer (LOVE IT!! my eye makeup stayed on all day instead of a few hours and i like the color of the primer itself) thank you so much for recommending this!

i was overwhelmed by concealers so i asked for help, and the woman tried a few things on me. i ended up liking the hourglass brand concealer that comes in a lipstick tube. was hesitant to buy bc it was pricey ($32) and i never heard of that brand before, but it has really good reviews and i like it so far

also got 2 eyeshadow palettes and a laura mercier sample (qualified with my sephora points) although i may bring back the sephora palette....

i still have some $$$ left on my gift card so i'll be going back but i'm going to play around with these for a little first - thank you for your suggestions :)

links to what i got:

http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P229510&categoryId=B70

http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P229800&categoryId=C19970&shouldPaginate=true

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P193236&searchString=

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P190710&categoryId=B70

and a sample of this:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P109929&categoryId=B70