While these particular sets are no longer available, the products are all regular items. There were some great hits and disappointing misses, so read on for details:
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Deep End and Scorch - If you haven't heard about these UD pencils, you may be living under a rock. I have so many colors, but when Urban Decay had them for $10 a pop on their website over Black Friday weekend, I snatched up a couple. I went with Scorch, a bronze shimmer with silver micro-sparkle, for its bronze brown (not orange) hue. I have an orange based bronze that makes my eyes look kind of red and bloodshot. No good. Scorch is light enough for me to wear under my eye and not look tired and racoon-like, while adding some color and a hint of shimmer. I own nothing like Deep End, a bright metallic peacock shimmer. It is a gorgeous bright turquoise shade that really pops! As usual, once these set they stay on well. Love them!
Make Up For Ever Get Glossy Lab Shine Gloss in D16 and D14 - Before these glosses, I had only used Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream and Aqua Seal and the HD powder and primer. I love MUFE products and was looking forward to trying these glosses. While they are stickier glosses (which means they last longer), I was disappointed with the colors. I expected the pinky one to have a bit more pink color to it. They are both beautifully sparkly, but they pretty much look the same to me otherwise. Also, not a huge fan of the brush tip applicator. Swatches after the next review.
Kat Von D Lip Love Set - This set included the Studded Kiss Lipstick in Lolita and the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Berlin. I haven't worn these extensively, so my opinion is based on a few wears of each.
Lolita is described as a "matte dusty rose". It was more rosy brown to me, almost my lip color but more brown based. That said, it is a really great neutral color that I love to wear. The finish is matte, but it doesn't feel too drying. It went on really smooth and pigmented and stayed on for quite a while. I was really impressed.
Same for the the liquid lipstick. The pigmentation and staying power are great! Berlin is described as a "warm rose". It looked way more like a bright pinky coral shade on me. I loved it still because I love bright shades, but it definitely seems like more of a spring and summer shade than a winter one. The matte finish is smooth and pretty without feeling too dry or flaky like so many other long-wearing lipsticks. I found it very comfortable to wear.
Boscia Pore-Purifying Duo - This set included the Luminizing Black Mask and Black Charcoal Blotting Linens. I haven't used the blotting papers yet because I am trying to use up the ones I have in my purse right now. I never realize just how many are in a container. BUT I did use the charcoal mask. It felt really nice on, didn't dry too tight, and was very easy to peel off. After using it just once, my skin felt super soft and seemed brighter. I would also add that it noticeably cleared out some pores as well. Thumbs up for the mask, for sure!
Josie Maran Argan Hand Healers - This set included Whipped Argan Oil Intensive Hand Cream and BearNaked Nail Wipes. I bought a Josie Maran set last Black Friday that included the Nail Wipes and BearNaked wipes for removing makeup, both great products. I was excited to see another set including the nail wipes at least. The nail wipes themselves are moistened pads of acetone free, grapefruit scented polish remover that helps to repair dry cuticles and promote healthier nails. They work really great for me and are something I will be repurchasing.
The hand cream has a great orange creamsicle-like scent (the website says "vanilla apricot") in a creamy, hydrating formula. I was drawn to it because it is paraben free and says it is "never greasy". I feel like it does a pretty good job, but I only put it on before bed because it is oily and will leave fingerprints on whatever you touch, aka greasy. lol
Origins Task Maskers (Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, Modern Friction Gentle Dermabrasion, Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask) - So far, I have only tried out one of these. The Drink Up Mask provides great hydration overall. You put it on overnight (it is more like a moisturizer) and wash it off in the morning. In addition to putting some on my face, I also placed some on my elbow overnight. It didn't completely get rid of the dry patch, but it did noticeably diminish it.
Sephora Collection Nail Patch Art in French Dentelle - I love buying these nail art sets when they go on clearance. I think the OPI brand has the best ones that I have tried so far, but the Sephora ones are pretty good. They are kind of like stickers of nail polish that are easily applied to the nail and sized to fit with a nail file. The fun part is that you don't have to wait for them to dry! As many nail polishes as I own, I rarely have time to let them dry. Regular nail polish lasts a long time on my toes, but not on my hands. With these nail art "patches", I get a really cute patterned nail that lasts about a week.
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray - I used 100 of my Beauty Insider points to get this hairspray. I have heard great things about the Bumble and Bumble brand, but had yet to try any products. This hairspray is light and flexible to give hold with no crunch or stiffness. I do find that it can leave your hair feeling a little filmy. It is a similar feeling when I use any beach spray. Overall, I really like it and have added it to the list of flexible hairsprays that I enjoy using.
Lipstick Sample Bag - This sample bag was one of the weekly specials via a coupon code. It is a cute little bag with a ton of stuff to try. I love using these samples for travel or during the day to try new products. The list of everything in the bag is below. I like the Dr. Jart+ Beauty Balms. They have a nice color and coverage and don't feel too greasy on my oily skin. The Yu-Be Skin Cream is like a creamier version of Vaseline in that it is super moisturizing, but goes on like a lotion. I swear by the Benefit POREfessional. If you have any pore issues at all I highly recommend it or Dr. Brandt's Pores No More primer to wear under your makeup. I have also tried the Origins Gin-Zing and Ole Vitamin C serum and like them, though one sample isn't enough to make a true opinion on their ability. The Soap and Glory body butter is a rich, thick creamy lotion that hydrates well without being greasy. It also smells like a sugar cookie, a bit vanilla musky but not too sweet. The scent is warm and spiced compared to my usual mango body butter.
(The bag included: Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm, Clinique Moisture Surge, Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream, Versace Bright Crystal Fragrance, L'Occitane Precious Cream, Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup, Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Lightly Whipped Body Buttercream, Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream, Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer, Benefit The POREfessional, Ole Henriksen Vitamin C Brightening Serum, Ole Henriksen Reparative Anti-Aging Oil)
Samples: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, Jurlique Purely Bright Treatment Serum, Origins Smarty Plants CC SPF 20 Skin Complexion - I haven't used any of these samples yet, so I can't give you an educated opinion.
And there you have it - a mostly great and sample rich holiday haul! I would love to know if you bought any of these Sephora sets or what you think of any of these products. Let me know in the comments!