Blaq Vixen Beauty

If you count yourself as a die-hard beauty buff,  Sephora's Friends and Family Sale is one of the highlights of your year, right? This special sale started last Thursday, October 20 and is live until November 2, 2011 (at 11:59 PM PST/PDT). If you haven't already, visit sephora.com/friends, type in your email and get your special promo code to receive 20% off your online purchase.

I meant to have this shopping guide up earlier (two weeks ago like a good little beauty editor) but I realized I had to create multiple lists---a list of products that I actually tried and loved and lists of beauty products that I've been lusting after. Check out my favorites below from Marc Jacobs, Illamasqua, Caudalie, Bobbi Brown, Bliss and NARS:

Nail Polish by Sephora

And now for the fun part--- my birthday is coming up soon and seeing as Sephora's sale ends on November 2, I should spoiled myself for the occassion, right? Right! However, it's long and we all know how long-winded I can be at times so I thought instead of cramming all of the products that I wanted in one post, I could do a mini-series of products on my lust list! It'll definintely be sporadic but I'll try to post everything that I've had my eye on.

In the meantime, what have you bought? If you haven't bought anything yet, what are you planning to buy?

Image via WireImage

I've forgotten how fun it is to participate in a beauty tag...even if I tend to overthink my answers! The stunning Khadine from Cosmetic Passion recently tagged me on her blog in a beauty preference meme in which I have to choose one beauty product in a series of questions:

[blush] or [bronzer]?

Sure, I love using bronzer as blush, eyeshadow and as a highlight, but nothing beats a gorgeous, ethereal glow you can get with a coral-, orange- or peach-hued blush. My favorites:

Face Blush by Iman

[lipstick] or [lip gloss]?

Purple lipstick please! But I think I might be wearing a host of fun lip tattoos this fall just because I hear they stay on forever with minimal retouching. My favorites:

Lipstick by M·A·C

[eyeliner] or [mascara]?

I know winged eyeliner and its variations is hot right now but give me a great mascara to define my eyes. Too much work to get the perfect cat eye nowadays! My favorites:

Mascara at Target

[foundation] or [concealer]?

Hands down, I have to choose foundation---especially a cream foundation that can double as a concealer. My favorites: In progress.

[neutral eyeshadow] or [colored eyeshadow]?

I love a nice wash of a metallic, neutral eyeshadow just because I'm too lazy to blend colored eyeshadow and make it look presentable. Besides, metallic eyeshadow is a great Fall trend! See below!

[loose eyeshadow] or [pressed eyeshadow]?

I hate loose shadow (too messy) but it doesn't stop me from using the loose eyeshadows that I have. I love pressed eyeshadows in palettes though...granted that I don't break them! [laughs] My favorites:

More Ulta...

[brushes] or [sponges]?

Believe it or not, I prefer using my BeautyBlender over my makeup brushes. I know there are people out there who think the BeautyBlender is nothing special but I have to disagree. First off, you're supposed to use it to stipple foundation, blush, etc. on the skin. If you use it like a regular sponge, you'll be disappointed. I love it because the technique is so artistic to me. My favorites:

More Beautyblender...

Which ones would you choose?

Photo via WireImage

Yesterday, another major thing took place that I'm really excited to share. I finally visited McChord AFB's Exchange - my mom wanted to buy her MacBook - and there I discovered their Beauty Bar. This was the first time I ever saw such prestige beauty brands such as NARS Cosmetics, Smashbox, Too Faced, Strivectin, and Clarisonic at any military base before. The Beauty Bars "include innovative brands of prestige cosmetics to meet the needs of young women 18-28 and women with darker skin tones." I wish they had a contract with MAC or even MAKE UP FOR EVER though. I noticed Shiseido among the brands too.

Read more!

Emma shows the surprising amount of coverage offered by Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturiser over at BirdsDecorateBranches!

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Whitney from Whitz World of Beauty tells the adventure of her Spa Day at Alexis K in Solana Beach, California!

Pink Diva's Beauty Spot has been busy trialling and testing new NIVEA skin care. Check out her honest product reviews on the products and share your thoughts on the brand.

NIVEA

Rachel discovers duochrome nails with the new Accessorize range over at at Queen of Turquoise.

Readers at Lipglossiping.com share their tried and tested tips for recreating the ultimate salon blow dry DIY style!

Beautywoome highlights the rebirth of the early '90s cream-mauve-plum nail.

Phyrra's Indie Spotlight for November is one to be thankful for! It's an exclusive interview with Tammy from Meow Cosmetics.

The Gloss Goss found love in the form of Chanel Extrait de Gloss and ended up going back for more.

Retrodiva has five steps for getting glowing skin just in time for the holidays.

Madame B Fatale talks about how she likes to get hair free for summer.

Join in the weekly This or That fun over at Audrey Dao - Confessions of a Beautyholic.

The Lip Print go pink crazy with Lush's Snow Fairy Christmas treats!

Jellyminx reveals a brief history of her hair through some comical photos!

Krasey Beauty takes a look at some of the newest editions to the Ellis Faas cosmetics range, just in time for the holidays.

Do you love NARS Orgasm but hate the price? Katie at My Lips But Better has the scoop on a dupe!

Makeup Zombie has a Blush Showdown featuring the cult classic NARS "Orgasm" blush!

NARS Orgasm

Sarah at IHeartCosmetics decides once and for all if Cloud Nine hair straighteners are better than GHD ones.

Did you miss Toronto IMATS 2010? Don't worry Jenn from Spiced Beauty has the full event coverage here.

Jeweled Thumb discovers a Chanel Paradoxal dupe that has arrived on American shores!

Amy Antoinette has afternoon tea with Alexa Chung at the Lacoste Touch of Pink perfume launch.

Daily Polish finally conquers an 18 month lemming with Jessica's Birds of Paradise...possibly the most beautiful purple polish in existence? You decide!

theNotice gets a new "home" (okay, a new url...) and is celebrating with a flatiron giveaway!

Beauty Crazed not only shows you all of the Givenchy holiday fragrance sets, they are giving one away!

Make a Wish Smashbox's Perfect Pencils set on Prime Beauty--it may come true!