SEPHORA VIB 20% OFF SALE: RECOMMENDATIONS

Holy moly, is it really November already? I can't believe that I've been away for so long! I had computer problems and needed to send my laptop to the doctor. Eight long, torturous weeks later, it came back and has been working well ever since. Right around that time, lots of big, exciting changes began to happen in my personal life. Lots. I'll explain everything in another post because after such a long hiatus, I want to get right down to business!

Like many of you, I was a little upset to learn that Sephora's 2012 Friends & Family sale was going to be considerably more literal this year than in the past. (Basically, it was open to the Sephora family and those who know the staff well.) After years of purchase after purchase, I would have thought that Sephora and I were, in fact, good friends. No matter, because as it turns out, Sephora thinks I'm very important. Super. After the amount of business I've given them over the years, they'd better!

So what am I getting at? Sephora's annual 20% off VIB sale hits stores and Sephora.com tomorrow and ends on November 12th. Not a VIB (Very Important Beauty) Insider? Unfortunately, you can't enjoy this deal, which bothers me immensely considering Sephora already cheaped out on the F&F sale this year. If you are a VIB, use the code "CELEBRATE" at checkout. And if you use Ebates, you get an additional 4% cash back. Not an Ebates member? Join now and thank me later.

I always use Friends & Family and the VIB sales to stock up on essentials and grab some holiday gifts, but I will do a blog post or video entirely devoted to gift ideas in a few weeks. In the mean time, I want to recommend some great products (only a handful of which I haven't tried) that you might typically shy away from given the initial price tag, but that may seem more reasonable with the sale and Ebates.

What I Might Get:

Beautyblender Set
     * Worth the hype?
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
     * A winter weather staple
Josie Maran Moroccan Bazaar Argan Set
     * Staple (Argan Oil) + new products I want to try
Josie Maran Bear Naked Nail Wipes
     * Does natural nail polish remover actually work?
Josie Maran Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick
     * To soothe cracked, winterized skin
Make Up For Ever High Definition Foundation *OR*
Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation
     * To get "perfect" skin

My Recommendations:

Benefit Sexy Little Stowaways Set
     * 10 travel-sized bestsellers
Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System
     * Holy Grail product and worth every penny
Clarisonic Brush Heads
     * Suggested replacement: every 90 days
Fresh Sugar Addiction Mini Lip Collection
     * 6 mini tube varieties of this bestselling lip balm
Ghd Classic Straightener/Styler
     * Curl, wave or straighten with ease
Guerlain Meteorites Powder
     * An iconic product; I haven't tried it
Josie Maran Argan Oil
     * One of my skincare staples
Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover
     * By far my favorite eye makeup remover
Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Collection
     * All you need to define your eyes
Kate Somerville Exfolikate
     * Very expensive, but makes skin glow
Make Up For Ever Complexion Starter Kit
     * 4 items to make a flawless face
Nars Blush or Bronzer
     * Iconic powders
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar
     * Great lip stains; make sure to apply precisely
Philosophy Shower Gel
     * Candy Cane is my personal favorite
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser
     * Removes makeup with ease
Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder
     * Mix with moisturizer to gradually even out your skin tone
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
     * Naturally resurface your skin (I've heard great things; on my wish-list)
Sephora by OPI Tinsel Town Collector's Set
     * 16 mini bottles for the nail polish junkie
Sephora Collection Premium I.T. Brush Set
     * For face and eyes; comes with a stand
Sephora Fragrance Sampler
     * Find your new favorite fragrance; great gift
Sephora Lash Stash
     * Find your new favorite mascara; great gift
Sultra 1" Bombshell Curling Iron
     * Makes tight curls or loose waves with ease; my favorite curling iron
Sultra Seductress Curl, Wave & Straight Iron
     * Easily straightens, curls or waves; varied heat settings
Urban Decay Naked 1 or 2 Palette
     * Iconic eyeshadow palettes for the girl who loves neutrals
Urban Decay Ocho Loco 24/7 Eye Liner Set
     * 8 waterproof eyeliners and fantastic double-barrel sharpener
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
     * Radiance in a tube; not meant to replace your concealer

Boy, do I wish that Sephora still sold Chanel and Mac makeup. (Am I dating myself?) I would stock up like crazy! *Sigh* Anyway, this list is not exhaustive, so feel free to add any product recommendations that you have in the comments section below. Happy shopping!

SHOP ONLINE AND SAVE MONEY

With the holidays (and Black Friday/Cyber Monday) coming up, I just had to pass this information along. If you’ve seen my YouTube channel or read about my recent Nordstrom excursion, you know I love to shop! This time of year, I try to avoid the stores. I don’t feel like dealing with the crowds, being near sick people, waiting on lines or driving around the mall looking for a parking spot. Instead, I prefer to shop online so I can stay in the comfort of my own home and in my pajamas.

This is where Ebates.com has come in handy for me over the years. (Disclosure: this is a referral link. Each person you refer will get you the same deal.) I’ve been using the website to shop since 2009 and to date, I have earned $277.27 cash back on my purchases and found coupons or stores I would have never otherwise discovered. Ebates pays its members via cash back checks or Paypal deposits quarterly, so if you join, you will receive payment every three months. The company is backed by the Better Business Bureau, so it is 100% legitimate and safe to use.

My most recent "Big Fat Check."

It's free to join and after signing up, you can pick one of the current bonuses: $10 gift card to Barnes & Nobles, $10 gift card to Target, $10 gift card to Home Depot, $10 to magazines.com, or $5 extra cash back in Ebates. For individuals who live outside of the United States and Canada, Ebates still works as long as the store you want to buy from ships to your country.

I’ll explain how Ebates works, but I think it’s easiest if I use the company’s own words. “Ebates is the pioneer and leader of online cash back shopping. Ebates pays members cash back every time they shop online as well as provide them with the best coupons and deals online “ (from the website’s “How Ebates Works” page).  “People often ask: ‘This sounds too good to be true, how are you able to do it?’ It really is quite simple. Just like almost every other online shopping center, we get a commission from the stores when you make a purchase. Instead of keeping that money - like almost all other sites do - we share it with you!” (found under “About Ebates”).

They work with over 1,200 stores that range from appliances to travel and everything in between. All stores they work with have secure transaction policies in place, so your personal data is safe. Ebates does not sell your information, nor will you see an increase in spam. Ebates will have some really big deals on Black Friday (November 25^th) and Cyber Monday (November 28^th), so check it out and start saving!