My 2016 Beauty Booty, aka Sephora Stash

I've found a surprising number of people actually LIKE seeing my hauls. I don't know why. But it's fun for me so I'm all about it. And if a handful of people enjoy it, that's cool too.

Also, check out the end of the post for some awesome details about the perks you receive as a SEPHORA BEAUTY INSIDER and from ordering online at Sephora.com.

#4100538517*20160602

- Sephora Collection Make You Blush! colorful cheek ink trio (a $22.05 value for $10.00)
- Formula X The Effects nail polish in Serendipity (0.4oz, $12.50)
- NAILS, INC Galaxy nail polish in Buckingham Court (0.33oz, $7.00)
- Bumble and Bumble Bb.Curl Style Defining Creme deluxe sample (PROMO 1oz, ~$3.65 value)
- Chloé by Chloé EDP sample
- Roses de Chloé by Chloé EDT sample
- fresh Rose Hydrating Skincare Ritual sample

Sad to say, but sometimes I place an order for the promos and samples more so than the items themselves! I jumped on this one primarily for the Bb.Curl Defining Creme mini, but I had also been looking for a good cheek stain.

#467558904*20160607

- Bumble and Bumble Wavy, Windswept Hair Anywhere Surf Travel Set (a $36.73 value for $31.00) includes: Bb.prep Primer (2oz, ~$6.25), B&B Surf Spray (1.7oz, ~$11.48), Bb Prêt-à-powder (0.5oz, ~$7.00), and B&B beach travel pouch ($12.00)
- Eros pour homme by Versace EDT deluxe sample (PROMO: 0.17oz, ~$6.90 value)
- Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren EDT deluxe sample (REWARD: 0.25oz, ~$6.90 value)
- Sauvage by Dior EDT deluxe sample (REWARD: 0.34oz, ~$9.50 value)
- Luna Rossa Sport by Prada EDT sample
- Bumble and Bumble Bb.Curl Care shampoo and conditioner samples
- fresh Rose Hydrating Skincare Ritual sample

This is order was a homer. All of the bases covered. Had to have the B&B set. It helped that the promo was a tiny cologne. I LOVE tiny perfumes and colognes. Also had two more awesome tiny colognes available in the rewards section. And to get a Bb.curl shampoo/conditioner sample AND a Prada sample??? Wow. One of my bests!

#4695412867*20160613

- Sephora Collection Lip Artist palette ($7.00)

- Urban Decay Heavy Metal glitter eyeliner in AC/DC (0.25oz, $20.00)

- Urban Decay Vice lipstick sample set (PROMO: 24)
- Armani Code by Georgio Armani Beauty EDT sample
- Rain Day by Derek Lam 10 Crosby EDP sample
- Silent St by Derek Lam 10 Crosby EDP sample

Sheesh! That lipstick sample set was too incredible to overlook. Sometimes in life we just need things that we never knew existed until we actually see them. #FirstWorldProblems

#4715150413*20160703

- Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil (0.1oz, $25.00)
- Roses de Chloé by Chloé EDT sample
- Mod Noir by Marc Jacobs Fragrances EDP sample
- Polo Black by Ralph Lauren EDT sample

An instant regret, this one. Who spends $25 on a strange product just to get three perfume samples? Me. And it won't be the last time. Good thing for me that lip oil feels amazing.

#4773264399*20160814

- tarte Amazonian Butter lipstick in Park Ave Princess (0.1oz, $17.00)
- Formula X Studded X mini lip and nail polish duo in Coven ($15.00)
- Formula X Studded X mini lip and nail polish duo in Slayer ($15.00)
- Sephora Collection Lip Liner To Go in Deep Ruby (0.025oz, $6.00)
- Midnight Romance by Ralph Lauren EDP deluxe sample (PROMO: 0.25oz, ~$11.18 value)
- Artisan Acqua by John Varvatos EDT sample
- Pomélo Paradis cologne absolue by Atelier Cologne EDP sample
- Vanilla Insensée cologne absolue by Atelier Cologne EDP sample

This order was definitely the product of a perfect storm. I had been staring that lipstick down for weeks. Then I see these great Kat Von D lippies and nail polishes. The perfume mini... well, we've already addressed that compulsion. And perfume samples. I didn't stand a chance.

#4931374878*20161024

- Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in White (0.24oz, $26.00)
- fresh birthday set - Soy Face Cleanser (GIFT: 0.6oz, ~$5.29 value) and Rose Face Mask (0.5oz, ~$12.50 value)
- Not A Perfume by Juliette has a gun EDP deluxe sample (PROMO: 0.17oz, ~$10.00 value)
- CK2 by Calvin Klein EDT sample
- John Varvatos by John Varvatos EDT sample
- L'Homme Ultime by Yves Saint Laurent EDP sample

I don't even have to feel guilty about this purchase. It was my birthday gift to myself and Sephora gave me a little sumpin sumpin too. So obviously I did purposefully order to get my free birthday present. That set from fresh was worth almost 18 bucks and I lurve me some fresh. I'd also been eyeing that Bobbi Brown lip gloss. From the day I first discovered makeup I've always found that her line is top notch, if not pricey, and that lip gloss is ones of those kind of products that can be used every day.

#5225007160*20161218

- Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara in Violet Incredible (0.25oz, $26.00)
- Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Mini Travel Spray Set (a $28.80 value for $24.00)
- House of Burberry Men's Sampler (PROMO: Brit EDT, Brit Rhythm EDT, and Brit Splash EDT)
- Bright Crystal by Versace EDP sample
- Rosa Nobile by Acqua di Parma EDP sample
- 'Replica' By The Fireplace by Maison Margiela EDT sample

Yeah. By now you guys should have figured out that all those perfume samples and promos were the primary reason I scoured the site for something to buy. But it didn't take long because I'd been wanting a GOOD purple mascara for a while.

                                                                                                                    

Sephora Beauty Insiders:

By signing up to become a Beauty Insider, you open up a whole new world of Sephora awesomeness. Becoming a member is easy and free. You can do it in-store or online. When you sign up, you'll be assigned a card number that will automatically be applied to your purchases online, and can be scanned from your smart phone in-store. Pre-tax and pre-shipping, you'll receive one point for every dollar spent, excluding gift cards. However, if you use a gift card to pay, you will still receive points.

There's also a great app you can use to shop. Some of the perks of using the app are instant notifications that you will receive to notify you of exciting new opportunities. You'll also get app-only previews and promotions, be able to use the virtual artist program to try on various cosmetics, and be able to save all of your LOVES for future purchases.

Some of the other benefits of being a Beauty Insider are:

• Birthday Gifts each year that you are a member. Usually you can select from several options of minis worth $10-$20. There is no purchase necessary in-store and only a small minimum purchase required online. These can be redeemed anytime during your birthday month in-store, and two weeks before and after your birthday AND during your birthday month online.
• Rewards! Use your points in the Rewards Bazaar to get really cool deluxe samples of some of Sephora's favorite products. Use any amount from 100 points and up to access these great bonuses. Obviously, the more points, the more incredible the items. New rewards are constantly being added and some are even for trips, like to New York Fashion Week or to visit various spas and boutiques belonging to brands like Caudalie, Make Up For Ever, benefit Cosmetics, and more. Some even including travel!
• Access the Beauty Insider Community. You can join groups, participate in the forum discussions, and chat with other insiders to get info and recommendations. Complete your beauty profile to receive personalized makeup color matches.
• Free Beauty Classes where you can learn from an instructor the basics like skin care routines, all the way up to creating new makeup looks based on today's trends.

Once you've spent $350 in one calendar year you'll become a VIB (Very Important Beauty Insider), and if you spend $1,000 you'll attain Rouge status. Both of these add to the special privileges you can receive as a Beauty Insider. For example, as a VIB you'll also get to have one Free Makeover a year in Sephora stores and a Monthly Gift. A VIP Rouge member gets unlimited free makeovers, Free 2-day Shipping, and invitations to Private Events.

What's great about shopping online is you'll get to choose three Free Samples of sweet products from a list of 12, free shipping when you spend over $50 (or for any amount if you purchase Flash Shipping for $10 per year), AND PROMOS! Do not forget to enter a promo code for orders $25 and up. Some require a higher minimum purchase, but all of the free goodies are fabulous - deluxe samples, fantastic extras with select fragrance purchases, and occasionally makeup baggies full of perfume, skincare and makeup samples. There are even coupon codes for $10 off from time-to-time. You can find these promos on the site under Beauty Offers, by the promo entry space, or at coupon code sites such as Groupon or RetailMeNot. You supposedly cannot enter codes once they've been taken off the site, but I've found I can sometimes still enter a code in the first couple of days afterwards. Don't take my word for it! If you want something badly enough, place that order as soon as possible. Usually items are only added or removed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

All samples, promotions, and rewards are first-come, first-serve, so if you see something you really want, make sure to grab it while you can. But don't worry. Even if you miss one, there are new items being added all of the time.

I've found that purchases in-store can be hit-or-miss when it comes to getting samples and other freebies. Some times they have nothing in the original packaging. Other times you might get something unbelievable like a deluxe sample of a really expensive face cream, etc. One thing is true for almost all stores is that a beauty expert will pack you up a sample of almost anything you want from their product selection.

One last thing... Sephora has a beauty subscription service call PLAY! PLAY is $10 per month (with free shipping) and you will be sent five to six samples and/or minis, in an adorable pouch, straight to your door. Included is a PLAY Pass that you can redeem in-store for 50 Beauty Insider points with a full-size purchase, AND a one-on-one consultation to learn how to use your products for that month. Look through some of my PLAY reviews to get an idea of what kind of goodies you can expect to receive with your subscription.