Hello, Lover. Or...Sephora by Mail

Yesterday, this box of lovelies arrived at my door:

I had been promising myself that after the wedding I'd invest in some good makeup. I had been feeling far too much guilt when it came to spending money on beauty products (ie if it wasn't on clearance at Walgreens, I wasn't buying it!), so I decided that I would finally hit up Sephora with a set budget in mind, and have them help me build a new face.

Needless to say, I was too lazy to actually go to a Sephora (and really, it's much easier to stick to a budget when you're not actually seeing the products in person). So, I decided to be my own makeup artist and last week I picked out some fun products. Mind you: both choosing and applying makeup are not my forte. I truly excel at buying a lot of products I'll never use, though.

So, I started with some Sephora Collection Lip Attitude - Chic lipstick. It was a steal at $6.00. And no, I didn't buy it in this fabulously bold red (because if you couldn't guess, I've never learned how to do a great red lip).

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Instead, I purchased it in this Sexy Jungle which is supposed to be a "cool toffee brown." Umm, it's really a very pale neutral, but on the upside it's super moisturizing, smells faintly of cherry chapstick (mmm) and I can apply it without needing look in the mirror.

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I've been told that the key to starting a good makeup collection is a nice set of brushes. I can't afford a nice set of brushes. So, I bought this little pocket brush set for $15. It's small, but since I don't have a clue how to use most of the brushes, I think this is a great jumping off point for me. Kind of like brush training wheels before I get the grown up kind.

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I have wanted these Stila lip and cheek stains for FOR.EV.ER. But come on, $24? So when I saw this A Couple of Crushes set for $10 I jumped on it. I don't think these are smaller than the product normally is, and it was such a great deal. I have no clue why, but who am I to question my good fortune?

The only downside is that the product is a little runny, so it feels weird on the lips. But I'm sure that's how it's supposed to be. I might be a little bummed out by that if I had paid full price, but since I did not I'm gleefully happy with this product. It also looks great on the cheeks.

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When I had my makeup done for the wedding, it was the first time I had my makeup done professionally. Ever. So when she filled in my eyebrows a bit I loved how it looked - I'd never done that before (shocker, I know).

So, I searched around for an eyebrow kit. And, of course, I also searched for the cheapest one I could find. Ta da - Lorac's Take a Brow for $22. The pricier kits ($30+) all included extra tools like mini tweezers. I can live without those, thankyouverymuch. I looove this little kit. Brush some powder in, pretend I have a clue what to do with the wax, done! Easy and makes a big difference.

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I always end up buying the same eye shadows - pinks or browns. Without a professional to help me, I ended up with some of the same, this Stila Eyeshadow Trio in Bella for $20. But I love the shades...they're very rich colors, go on nicely, and so far today they are wearing well! Oh, and this was about the cheapest eyeshadow I could find on the site. Yes, me = cheapskate.

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If you sign up for Sephora's Beauty Insider group, you can get a present! I signed up a couple of weeks ago since my birthday is next week. Pretty much just to get the free present. I ended up getting a little set of three of the Sephora Collection Mini Super Shimmer Lipglosses. I have three of the colors that are in the picture below...I think actually the first three in the line. They're fun colors, make your lips smell like grape bubblegum (not overpowering, just good), and they were FREE.

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I also ended up with a few different free samples (since they give those with every purchase) as well as a free little tube of Smashbox Photo Finish Targeted Pore & Liner Primer. I'll be honest, I have no clue what to do with this stuff, but it was free so I'll give it a try. Since the "real size" product looks pretty tiny and is $32, it would have to make me look like a new person for me to actually purchase it.

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So, what started out as an "I'm going to splurge on some fabulous makeup that's just right for me" turned into a bargain-hunt-bonanza with products that are great but not purchased under the watchful eye of a professional. However, I feel like I got a lotta goods for $78. Right? Right.

What are your "go to's" in the makeup department? And, would you like to take me shopping for some more? Obviously I'm a wee bit hopeless (and, umm, poor)!