Today was the first day to use the Sephora V.I.B 15% off coupon + V.I.B’s get a free umbrella + bag full of samples with any purchase. Of course, I was hooked and went to my local Sephora to see what’s in store.

I ended up buying three things – Dior Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10, NARS Roman Holiday Lipstick, and Dior DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum & Primer. Needless to say, I blew half of my biweekly paycheck, but at least I got things I don’t have and that I wanted, right?
Here’s a quick review/rundown of my haul!
1) Dior DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum & Primer
This lash primer is supposed to be a base before you put mascara on. It claims to comb, curl, and coat each lash. It is also a treatment to enhance lash growth and strength.
I wanted to get this for a while because I’ve heard great reviews for it. Also, because I have uneven eyelids, my eyelashes look shorter than they actually are, especially on my right eye. I tried this on when I got home and my eyelashes did look longer. I’m going to try to wear this regularly for the next week to see if I see any change in my eyelashes and let you know!

2) NARS Roman Holiday Lipstick: My first lipstick! I was looking for something subtle, but pink. Sheer, but build-able. I was poking around the NARS area and the assistant showed me this color and let me try it and I love it!

Product Story from the site:
A beautifully sheer formula infused with ingredients to improve the condition of the lips. Sheer, long lasting color pigments have been suspended in this tranlucent formula to provide a sophisticated shine.
- Lightweight formula glides on smoothly
- Lush shade range
- Patented blend of conditioners and antioxidants hydrate, nourish and protect lips

After wearing this for several hours, my lips didn’t feel dry or flaky. The color was still visible too!
3) Dior Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10

I have been looking for a liquid foundation for quite some time now, and a sales associate tried this on me and I was blown away how natural it looked on my skin. It had a hefty price tag, but all the other foundations did too, and I had 15% off so I decided to try it. The sales associate only used a little, but it covered my entire face. My face did not feel dry or look cakey at all.
Because I am a V.I.B, I get a free goodie bag + umbrella.Getting the umbrella is quite a story, but I’ll save that for the end.
Goodie Bag of Samples:

The samples came in a striped Sephora plastic bag (you can see a bit of it in the picture at the top right hand corner.) I recieved
-Viva La Juicy Perfume Sample
– Givenchy Mister Light
– Sephora Full Action Extreme Effect Mascara
– Make Up Forever Smoky Lash mascara
– Bumble and Bumble thickening shampoo + conditioner
Quite a bag! I can’t wait to try these and review how they are!
Now onto the umbrella.
When I purchased my stuff, the sales associate did not give me an umbrella. Naturally, I questioned why. She said that customers were at the mall since 9am and they were all sold out. Fair enough. It was my fault I shopped later in the day.
I walked past the store again later, and I saw a girl coming out with an umbrella. That spiked my curiosity. Then I saw another girl with an umbrella. I was getting curious so I went into Sephora. I stood near the Benefit area, where you can see the area behind cashiers, and I saw umbrellas.
So I went to another sales associate and this is the conversation:
Me: ” Hi, I purchased something earlier as a V.I.B, but I never got an umbrella!”
Sales A: ” Oh really? I think we ran out of them earlier.”
Me: “Are you sure? I just saw a lady walk out with one.”
Sales B comes over: “‘I think there’s three left, isn’t there?”
Sales A: “No, it’s sold.”
Me: “But I saw someone go out with one.”
Sales A:”I’ll go check.”
Sales A comes back with an umbrella and apologizes and says I should’ve gotten one, after I showed her my receipt.
Seriously?? If I didn’t say I saw someone walk out with an umbrella, they would’ve found an excuse to push me away. I never liked the location at Richmond Centre, but this lack of customer care and service seriously turned me off. I won’t be coming back anymore. I rather take the skytrain to go to a better Sephora with better service.
Luckily I got the umbrella, because it was raining hard when I was busing home.


And, when I got home, I found this sitting in my mailbox!
A sample of the new Garnier BB Cream.

BB Cream is famous in the Asian markets, and now it has hit the American markets! This cream can even skin tone, corrects imperfections, brightens complexion, hydrangeas for 24 hours, and protects skin with SPF 15. I can’t wait to try this out!
Have you tried Garnier BB Cream? Let me know what you think about it!
Also, let me know if you went to the Sephora V.I.B Event! Hope your experience was better than mine!
[edit on July 6 2012]
I have returned the Christian Dior foundation since I couldn’t justify the price 🙁