I've loved Sephora ever since they opened and specialized in their own line of body washes in half-moon containers with scents as cool as evergreen and caramel that literally made you think it was edible both in color and texture. The rainbow spectrum-themed line each had a different color and the bottles were clear and lined up in "color order" on their shelves with what I think was matching lotions. Their new lines are ecstatically modern and inspired with exceptional choices of contouring items, actual holographic blush, highlighters, and eye shadows, Derek Lam perfumes that smell like sex, and a new glitter gloss from bite that does not have a sticky feel and is extra thick in color, for example. There are also some cool mascaras that break old rules like Lancome's Grandiose with bent brush that delivers strong volume with a plastic shorter applicator rather than a long traditionally bristled one. Also, Sephora's Outrageous Volume is insanely priced under $20 and makes your lashes look fake. An interesting find that I tried today was Perversion black mascara by Urban Decay. Although it's really great to make use of the new thick plastic volume brushes, this old fashioned brush is not what it even looks like. Instead of your usual hard bristles that can be effective, you are rather in for a unique sensual experience with bristles that feel like mink. The texture of the product is softer that some others and the bristles supersoft (almost Dandelion-like) so you feel like you are massaging your lashes when you put it on. It takes a little longer to get the effect of the plastic brush but the finished effect is soft feeling lashes as if there is oil in the formula -- ironic for a product called, "Perversion." I recommend this lash enhancer heartily for it's restorative effects for your stress level and probably the health of your lashes.
Circa mascara from Duane Reade is incomparable in its price ($10) and practicality for the more fun girl or woman with an entirely neutral brow tamer/lash enhancer with silver glitter on one side of the tube and a very good volume mascara at the other end in basic colors like extreme black, black, and black brown. After I attained it last year (since I am homeless, yet a yet-to-be style leader) it flew off the shelves in NYC in the color I usually get -- Extreme Black. I have yet to explore more products like these on my temporary "no budget" budget, but I commend Sephora on its still consumer friendly displays, computer generated color matches for lipstick and foundation, and ongoing classes and makeovers with themes that are relevant to new or revisited historical makeup looks like winged eyeliner or holographic highlighting or contouring. Also, their own brand has gorgeously packaged masques of all kinds to harken you back to your grade school days with catchy and appealing types like Rose or Pearl. They are priced well, too. So, Sephora has not lost its direction or heart. Check back after i have some more funding for more pro commentary on life enhancing products for women and men since this "layover" of death of the past two years has denied males what they were promised from fashion and daily life -- more color options with make-up and fashion. HA!
"HA!" exclaimed by the character Olive in Bullets Over Broadway