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I finally opened my box! yay!!
I’ve been traveling and busy with work, and had my VIB sales box sitting for the longest time.

When I got my VIB offer in the mail, I was thinking of hoarding my skincare products, but they were all blocked out from the sale (MAP violation policies, perhaps), and only a handful of brands were actually available. I didn’t see much that were eye-grabbing, but managed to add a couple of things into my basket.

Most of the stuff are skincare products.

I wasn’t really thinking of any particular brand when I was putting items into my cart, but Origin has dominated this time.

Let’s start with the Plantscription SPF25 Oil-Free Anti-aging Cream

Seems like it’s made with all the goodies one could ask for. No parabens, animal ingredients (very nice!), synthetic ingredients, etc., while offering SPF, Anti-aging NAD oil-free all in one cream! Sounds like a miracle cream! 😀

I based my purchase mostly on reviews at Sephora’s website and overall it seemed like a well-loved product.  I have yet to use it, but I was very surprised at the thickness of the cream when I opened the lid (see above picture). A more in-depth review will follow once I finish my Nars moisturizer and start using this one.

Next is also a skin care product : FAB First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

I’ve tried First Aid Beauty’s shaving cream that was in one of my glossy boxes (you can read a brief review here), but it never led me to investigate other products from the brand. I recognized the brand while browsing and saw this product pop up. After reading glowing reviews of the product, I decided to give it a try. It was really cheap for the amount offered too ($28.00 for 6.0 oz).

Most of the reviews testified that this cream helped with their flaky, dry patches. One person even said that it helped even out her combination, weird skin type.  I’m usually very easily persuaded by reviews, so I went ahead and decided to give it a try. This too has an extremely thick, whipped texture.

I’ve tried it on my dry areas on my cheeks a couple of times, and so far, I’m not seeing the miraculous results others are seeing. I do like the fact that this isn’t greasy and absorbs quickly, but I don’t think it’s a reparative cream (at least for me). I’m a huge skeptic and tend to be on the criticizing side when it comes to reviewing products, so we will have to see. Maybe I’ll be blown away as I keep using this cream! 😀

Next is the Sephora Exclusive Origins Value Set.

I bought it mostly because there’s a full sized eye cream in it.
I haven’t used any of the products except the eye cream – and I must say I really like it! It’s smooth and soft, rather light-feeling when scooped out of the jar. However, the cream settles in really quickly and has a secure, thick build around the eye area that locks in the moisture. I love how my under eye area is soft and moist when I wake up, compared to dry and puffy when I don’t put eye cream on at night.

So far, my first impressions on Origin products is positive.

Also, I always try to use my Beauty Insider points whenever I make a purchase, so this time I opted to get Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial Deluxe, along with my three free samples. 

Also, a sephora lip bag was thrown in 🙂 along with a colorful birdie! LOL

To conclude, I feel like I’ve figured out a new great brand.
I’m super excited about Origins – I know, I’m always late on the good stuff, but I like the feeling of figuring things out by trial and error instead of blindly hoping on a bandwagon. Not that the bandwagon is always bad or anything.. 😉

Anyway,
Happy belated Thanksgivings to you all and I will see you guys in my next post!

Cheers!

PS,
Here are some pictures from my latest business trip to San Francisco..

I was there for two nights and the day I arrived was the day the weather decided to go ape sh*t and start pouring like never before.  I conducted business through the second day and had a couple of spare hours to walk around the city and go to Boudin Bistro to have dinner. It would’ve been nice to meet up with my college roommate, but she too was traveling and the trip was short notice anyway, so I had some quality Catalina-time. :p
I haven’t been to the bay area for almost ten years, so good and bad memories came back as I walked through the chilly city.

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The day I was leaving, I decided to take a long route to SFO and stop by the Golden Gate Bridge to snap some photos. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the pictures came out so beautifully.  Should I have known my flight was going to be delayed 4 times (Delta? cough cough), I would’ve stayed longer and enjoyed the view more.

Below pictures were taken from Battery Spencer (north side of the GGB), which I think is the BEST spot to enjoy the bridge.  You see the city, Alcatraz AND the bridge all at once. All you have to do is come down from Richmond – take 101 south and as soon as you come out of the tunnel, make a sharp right, and then left (towards Hawk Hill), and bamb! you’re at the Battery Spencer.

First site when you come out of the tunnel down the 101 from Richmond – OMG, I screamed out of excitement when I saw the tip of the bridge. It feels like it’s right in front of you in real life. I’ve never taken this route to see the bridge before, so it was so exciting for some reason. :p

Took my birdies (cut out) for their instagram account. It was so hard getting them, the bridge and everything into a tight square.

..And, I present the Golden Gate Bridge :)It was such a beautiful day.
So perfect, I loved every moment of my time at the Battery Spencer. 

Hope you guys enjoyed this post – see ya’ll in the next one 🙂
Catalina