Mini Sephora Haul... including the best brush EVER

How could I visit Paris without frequenting the original French beauty store? Even a bomb scare in the Latin Quarter couldn’t stop me –no joke, I walked for what seemed like miles to reach the Boulevard St-Germain store and the police had the road cornered off!!! After a mini tantrum and a maxi diversion, I made it to the Champs Élysées store. It’s way bigger than any of the New York Sephora’s... busier too. A myriad of beauty products and counters, it attracts more than 6 million people a year! Sadly, after all that hype, I haven’t got much to show you. Unlike New York’s Sephora’s, it isn’t cheaper than the UK, in fact most products, even French brands like Dior and Chanel were actually more expensive in Paris than they are in the UK and American brands like Urban Decay and Benefit... forget about it! It’s probably down to the exchange rate, but the only brand that was reasonable was Sephora’s own. Sephora Classic Mineral Powder Brush #45 - 17.95 euros J'adore this brush! I’ve had my beady little eye on it for some time. Its plump shape complements the circular movements needed for applying mineral powders, but you can use it for any kind of powder or liquid applications. The bristles are super, super soft and densely packed in, a little like a kabuki brush. I’m using it to apply MAC Mineralise Skinfinish powder to set my foundation. It’s the perfect size for me, not too big, not too small, and ideal for navigating around the nose and between the brows. I’ve also heard some people use it as a foundation brush and because the bristles are so densely packed it gives a flawless, no streak finish. It’s a great buffing brush too... in fact it’s a do-it-all kinda brush.

Sephora Blush Apricot Sheen 02 - 10.90 euros I bought a Sephora blusher from NYC last year (see it here) and was really impressed the quality, so I stood in the Champs Élysées store swatching every shade to find another I could love. I side stepped the pinks (for a change) and ended up with Apricot Sheen – I nearly went for Coral Crush but the shimmer was too glittery for me. Described as a medium orangey brown with gold shimmer, Apricot Sheen is unlike any other blush in my collection, and that’s why I picked it. It’s a peachy apricot shade that will work perfectly with a tan (roll on summer). It does have a gold shimmer, but it’s not too strong and overall the blush applies lightly so you can work it up to your desired level.

I’m sure you know already, but just in case... The GOOD NEWS is, Sephora now ships to the UK. $10 shipping on orders over $75 here.