Sephora Favorites are Everyone's Favorites?

Is there such a thing as a holy grail lip product or are we always going to find something shinier and just all around better? As a self proclaimed lippie junkie I was elated that my hunk of a husband decided to feed my habit and gift me the Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip set for Christmas. This was a limited edition 6 piece set from Sephora and quickly sold out online. These are labeled as Sephora's Favorites which led me to wonder as these really some of the best lip products out there or they simply the cult items that make the $$$ for this franchise? Let's find out!

1. Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in the shade Dolly (Deluxe Sample Size 2mL/0.07 fl oz.)

Full Size retails for $19.00 and color is described as a shimmering muted plum.

I personally already own some of these glosses in other colors so obviously I like them. Presentation is important to me and I love the packaging. The brand claims to contain Vitamins A and E and to be formulated without Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates. It is a slightly sticky formulation but that adds to the long wearing capability!  It smells heavenly of vanilla and sugar and does tingle when first applied, but I personally do not find either the smell or the tingle sensation overwhelming. All in all my take on this "FAVORITE" is that the product itself is definitely on my list of top 5 glosses but I could take or leave the color Dolly. If you are in the market to try one out I suggest picking up Samantha, Princess, or Nicole instead!

2. Laura Mercier Lip Glace in the shade Bare Pink (Deluxe Sample Size 2.8g/0.1 oz)

Full Size retails for $24.00 and the color is described as a light pink. 

This is my first experience with any of the Laura Mercier lip products and I have to say the very first thing I noticed was the smell and not in a pleasant sense. It's almost like it's trying too hard to smell like vanilla in order to cover up the bad plasticky smell. I do have to say that the color (seems more like a true baby pink to me) is very pretty and the fact that it does not have a sticky feel and glides on is nice even if the lasting capability isn't all there. I'm wondering if I got an old one since I really dislike the smell but if not I wouldn't purchase this product on that fact alone and I am usually very easily pleased when it comes to smell. If mine truly is an oopsie then I would have to say at this price point and with it not being a super long lasting gloss then I would probably still not buy since there are comparable baby pink glosses flooding the market.

3. FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in the shade Rose (Deluxe Sample Size2.2g/0.08oz)

Full Size retails for $22.50 and the color is described as sheer berry rose in a pink case

 I was a FRESH virgin and this is my first experience with this product. WHAT?!?!? This is one bandwagon that I admittedly might have missed out on. I could tell you verbatim all of the claims that the brand says about this miracle stick but I'll just say it has all the awesome ingredients for your lips including SPF and doesn't have any of the bad junk like mineral oil or parabens. I feel like it truly makes my lips softer and the slight color is amazeballs. I always thought $22.50 was too steep for a glorified lip balm but I am here to admit that I would definitely and probably will buy it in one of the other deeper shades like passion or plum very soon, This made it on my favorite list and I applaud it for being in this set.

4. Tarte LipSurgence Lip Luster in the shade Glitzy (Full Size 3g/0.1 oz)

Retails for $24.00 and color is described as an antique pink luster.

I have tried one of these before that came in a set and it was pleasant. These are marketed as lip tints that are meant to give shine and that is exactly what it did. I like the crayon like packaging and the peppermint smell is very nice and refreshing! It is definitely a tint and doesn't give a full on dose of color but I can see myself wearing this as a topper to a lipstick and loving it. Not sure if there is a tiny glitter in this but I did feel a slight grit when I rubbed my lips together which I wasn't completely elated with. My verdict on these is that they are a nice product and if I bought them when they come in one of the Tarte gift sets it would be a steal but I wouldn't personally shell out the $24 to buy one on it's own.

5. NARS lip gloss in the shade Turkish Delight (Deluxe Sample Size 0.14oz)

Full Size retails for $25.00 and the color is described as a pink sorbet

This is THE cult followed NARS lip gloss made famous by the likes of Kim Kardashian herself. NARS says that it is a pigment dense lip gloss and I give it to them that is definitely is such. This shade is a milky baby pink color and I haven't quite found another lip gloss that is as opaque and milky in this baby pink shade before. Again the smell is straight up plastic but once it is on the lips it becomes less noticeable. I am happy that this was included in this set so I could see the hype for myself and it definitely has its redeeming qualities but I would have to say that its not something I would rush out and spend $25 on especially with some of the ingredients that it uses to acquire that attractiveness that it bestows.

6. BITE Beauty Matte Lip Pencil in the shade Rhubarb (Deluxe Sample Size 1.48g/0.05 oz)

Full Size retails for $24.00 and the color is described as plum rose

From what I know about Bite Beauty it is a great brand that doesn't use harsh ingredients and is cruelty free if that is important to you. This matte pencil is great quality and I love pencil lipsticks because they are so easy to apply. There is no discernible smell that I can make out and it is quite long lasting. Rhubarb is one of those shades though that doesn't quite do anything for my teeth or my complexion. There isn't anything WOW about it! The product itself is nice and I love the fact that it is antiaging and contains resveratrol. My take on this is that I am glad the line offers a variety of shades. Violet and Corvina look like they would be amazing spring and summer shades but leave good ole Rhubarb on the 

shelf!