Today’s the day! Sephora is opening its much-anticipated Lincoln Park location at the corner of North and Sheffield. Which pretty much makes this the most dangerous intersection in the entire city —- a Sephora, Ulta, Whole Foods, Anthropologie, West Elm and J Crew all within a stone’s throw of one another? My weekend grocery runs are going to be so much more unproductive. Or more fun, probably. Having our very own city Sephora that is not downtown is a major treat!
The space is sure to be amazing. Look for more than 200 brands and 13,000 products housed in 5,300 square feet of beauty paradise. I can’t wait to check it out live…I’m hoping to finally get a glimpse of this — which has been at the top of my wish list for weeks!
Sephora Lincoln Park is located at 938 W. North Ave.
Let’s take a look at the COOLEST makeup bag EVER. I’d been hanging on to a Sephora gift card that was just begging to be spent. I intended to pick up a new eye primer and then I stumbled on this holographic bag that was calling out to me! The rose gold piping and sometimes pink, sometimes orange holograph exterior is just too cool for school. Even my husband was prodding me to get this. Genuinely, too. It’s like we were both under a holographic trance. Side note: I’m not sure when he became such an awesome shopping partner, but I’m totally enjoying this new era. He’s also the one who gave me the gift card, this past Valentine’s Day.
We drove down to the Shops at North Bridge for this excursion, and in order to get validated parking, I “needed” to make a Nordstrom purchase. Finally, the Deborah Lippmann Staccato polishes were out, so I splurged on the minty Rockin’ Robin. I’ve only been waiting for these to come out since February! I also snagged a tube of the new Supergoop CC Cream. It’s only been a few days, but I’m really liking it so far. With all of the BB and now CC cream madness, I’ll be sure to let you know where I stand on the subject soon.
The long weekend was pretty great — the warmest days in months, Easter festivities and an excess of Starburst jelly beans and Napoleon (family Easter dessert tradition!) On Saturday, I even did a little outlet shopping. It was the combination of ideal weather and sales (50% off at J Crew Factory!) that put me in the mood to shop shop shop. Some time during my sugar-induced haze, I stumbled onto Sephora’s spring clearance online. There’s some major beauty loot to be had! I promise, no April Fools tricks here (I really despise April 1 and its prankiness). Here’s what’s tempting me most…
I’ve been eyeing up the Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Conceal & Brighten duo for what it seems like ever. A 50% off sale is just the encouragement I need to give it a try. A concealer filled with PTR’s signature blend of peptides and wrinkle-fighters as well as a multi-tasking illuminator that can be used anywhere you need a little luminosity? Sounds dreamy, right?
Tarte’s holiday collection was just one huge ball of awesome – especially the Maracuja Rollerball Collectors Set (prettiest packaging!) that is now no sale. Three mini rollerballs filled with the a facial oil rich in vitamin C and fatty acids.
Sephora makes phenomenal face brushes (this one is an all-time fav) but they can be a bit splurgey, which is why 50% off is so major. While most have already sold out, this Sephora Pro-Tapered Foundation version is still in stock. This would be perfect for getting concealer or foundation around the eyes, nose and just for extra precision.
On the exterior, Tarte NeutralEYES Shadow Palette looks like a fab wallet but – surprise! – it’s actually 10 neutral eyeshadows, a double-ended brush and an eyeliner. I have this and love it — and the fact that it is 40% off is kinda mind-blowing.
Happy Monday! I hope you successfully avoid any April Fools duping. Remember, trust no one.
Scent has the power to bring us to another place or time. Like when I get a whiff of Love Spells randomly, I’m in high school again. Happens more than you’d think… Currently, though, I’m interested in transporting directly to the places Illume drew inspiration from for its Spring 2013 Eternal Nomad collection.
Illume, best known for chic design and home fragrance, is expanding its travel-inspired Eternal Nomad bath and body care collection into more Sephora stores this spring (including Chicago’s State Street and Northbridge locations!) Look for Illume’s signature Thai Lily and Coconut Mango fragrances as well as brand new scent Cactus Verde. There are five products in total, designed to be layered – Intensive Moisture Body Wash, Cocoa-Illipe Body Butter, Lathering Body Scrub, Gold Lustre Shimmer Mist and Sunlit Bronzing Lotion. The Lathering Body Scrub is a welcome add to the shower. It has a ton of tiny beads that, when wet, seem to transform into soft miniature sponges. This and the deliciously thick (and super moisturizing!) Cocoa-Illipe Body Butter might be my favorite products in the collection.
After slathering on the Cactus Verde, I felt summoned to a place where all I need is SPF and sunnies. Likewise, the sweet and girly Thai Lily has me thinking of a colorburst sunset. Coconut Mango? That definitely has an easygoing tropical vibe. I imagine a different makeup bag accompanying each Eternal Nomad destination. To bring these personas (/wishlist vacations) to life – or just inspire a trip Sephora – I’ve selected some spring makeup bag essentials!
The scent: Cactus Verde, a bright blend of cassis, pink sea salt, aloe vera and wild geranium with a hint of avocado.
Makeup bag essentials: Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer, Josie Maran Argan Brightening Bronzer Sun Spot Corrector, NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Mad Mad World.
312 Beauty tips: Tarte offers the perfect mix of coverage and sun protection (SPF 30!) A sweep of bronzer – Josie’s has argan oil and vitamin c! – along the hollows of cheeks, jawline and temples is all you need to look desert-ready. I love layering the blue and emerald in Mad Mad World for a custom shadow.
The scent: Thai Lily, a sensory ritual of Bali mango, blood orange and white nectarine – with Brazilian teak, Asiatic lily and a hint of musk.
Makeup bag essentials: Hourglass Aura Cheek Stain in Petal, YSL Glossy Stain in #12 Coril Fauve, NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Bouthan.
312 Beauty Tips: This scent is sweet and girly, therefore you have permission to wear a lot of pink. Hourglass Aura Cheek Stain is like the cheek fountain of youth and layering NARS Bouthan on eyelids gives a soft and feminine effect. The light pink shade can even double as a highlighter on cheekbones.
The scent: Coconut Mango, a tropical fusion of mango and coconut milk, infused with orange and eucalyptus oils.
Makeup bag essentials: Benefit Sun Beam, Becca Eye Tint in Vicuna and Ojon Rare Blend Total Hair Therapy.
312 Beauty Tips: Mix a little of the golden Sun Beam into your sunscreen or base for extra radiance, layer on Becca’s Beach Tint in a creamy opal shade and make sure hair is protected with Ojon’s Rare Blend mutli-tasking oil. Then proceed to soak up the sun all day long.
Now for the exciting news! Illume has teamed with 312 Beauty on our first ever giveaway!Tell me in the comments here which Eternal Nomad spring scent you’d most like to try. Do this by Saturday, March 23, and I’ll pick one winner* to win the 5-piece Eternal Nomad collection of their choice!
*winner must reside within continental U.S.
note: Illume provided me with samples of the Eternal Nomad collection for review purposes
update: The giveaway is closed! Congrats to Lauren, who won the Illume Coconut Mango Eternal Nomad collection.
Today’s the day! Sephora is opening its much-anticipated Lincoln Park location at the corner of North and Sheffield. Which pretty much makes this the most dangerous intersection in the entire city —- a Sephora, Ulta, Whole Foods, Anthropologie, West Elm and J Crew all within a stone’s throw of one another? My weekend grocery runs are going to be so much more unproductive. Or more fun, probably. Having our very own city Sephora that is not downtown is a major treat!
Let’s take a look at the COOLEST makeup bag EVER. I’d been hanging on to a Sephora gift card that was just begging to be spent. I intended to pick up a new eye primer and then I stumbled on this 
