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Sephora Favorites: Superstars Review – October 2019

Jessica Hapak
ByJessica HapakOct 13, 2019 | 7 comments

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Sephora released some new Favorites Kits recently, including their Superstars Set!

FYI – this Sephora Kit is still available for purchase!

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My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

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About this Sephora Favorite

The Box: Sephora Favorites: Superstars

The Cost: $48 ($137 value)

The Products: A collection of Sephora's 9 best-selling makeup essentials.

Shipping: $5.95 if your purchase is under $50, free if you are VIB Rouge. This is also available in stores.

Sephora Favorites: Superstars Review

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel, 0.28 oz - Full-Size! Retail Value $22

I am the one person who just never uses clear brow gel- the entirety of my brow makeup game is using a tinted gel (like the Dipbrow brush-on gel!) so I can swipe and go. I know people who have a more serious brow game than I do really love this brow gel, and when I use it my brows stay in place. 

milk

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer, 0.13 oz - Estimated Value $6 (Buy the 0.33 oz version for $15)

Some of the people I follow on Instagram really love this primer, so I was excited to try it for the first time. I actually love it too- it leaves my face almost sticky and ready for foundation, and when my face is on it isn’t moving. One small pump is all I need for my entire face, and this is a primer I could see myself purchasing. 

nars

NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Dolce Vita, 0.086 oz - Full-Size! Retail Value $27

This is also the same shade that came in the September Allure box, but honestly, I love it so much I don’t mind having a backup. It is creamy and smooth to apply, and it gives a slightly sheer red berry tinge to my lips while also being incredibly comfortable to wear. This didn’t have the same staying power as a liquid matte lip, but for this pencil, the comfort is worth the need to reapply. 

bite

Bite Beauty Agave+ Daytime Vegan Lip Balm, 0.5 oz - Estimated Value $4.67 (Buy the 0.15 oz version for $14)

This is a popular lip balm, but it’s at that price point that’s hard to swallow for a vanilla lip balm when you can get decent lip balms for much cheaper or deeply hydrating lip masks for a few dollars more. This is a good lip balm, but not something I would repurchase beyond using the sample up. It’s also not so bad that if someone gifted this to me I would return it- it’s just very middle of the road but still practical and effective. 

urban decay

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, 0.5 oz – Estimated Value $7.50 (Buy the 1 oz version for $15)

This cult-favorite setting spray sets your makeup and makes it stay. I love using this in the humid Louisiana summers because without a good setting spray I am wasting makeup due to how quickly it will melt off. This is one of the better setting sprays I have tried, and I am always happy to have more samples (especially because I can’t bring myself to pay the price for the full-size version).

 

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, 0.01 oz - Retail Value $12

I like the Roller Lash mascara from Benefit, and I was excited to try out this liner. While it doesn’t top my HG Fenty Flyliner, this does a pretty great job of hugging my lashline and giving me a sharp eyeliner wing. The long felt tip helped when I was doing a more dramatic eye, and the pigment is a nice inky black. 

 

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Metallic Taupe, 0.3 oz - Estimated Value $17.40 (Buy the 0.05 oz version for $29)

I’ve tried other shades of this eyeshadow before and was less than impressed. They never were *bad,* but the colors didn’t wow me. This shade, on the other hand, is perfect. I love using it on the inner corners of my eyelid when using brown eyeshadow to add some sparkle and metallic shine, and it blends into other eyeshadows very well. I have used this more than a handful of times since receiving it, and I may consider picking up the full-size version. 

too faced

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, 0.13 oz – Estimated Value $9.94 (Buy the 0.17 oz version for $13)

I feel like this mascara and the tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara are the two most common mascaras in subscription box land, but I don’t love either. This mascara gives me good volume and curl, but it definitely smudges on my face as I wear it throughout the day.

 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Mean Money/Hu$tla Baby, 2 x 0.12 oz - Full-Size! Retail Value $36

The full-size Fenty highlighter in this box was the big seller for me, especially when this alone costs only $12 less than the entire box. I love that this duo has a subtle shade and a standout shade, so I can go for a natural glow or an all-out highlight depending on the time of day and what the occasion is. Both shades are gorgeous, and the cream to powder texture has a smooth, velvety finish.  

swatches

Here are the swatches! From top to bottom we have the caviar stick, Benefit liner, NARS lipstick, Mean Money highlighter, and Hu$tla Baby highlighter.

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Here I am wearing the NARS on my lips, Benefit, Laura Mercier, and Too Faced on my eyes, the Milk as a primer, Mean Money as a soft highlighter, and set with the Urban Decay.

The Verdict: I thought this kit was an absolute homerun- all of the products work well, together they made a cohesive look while also being able to stand on their own, and the shades should work for a large number of people. I can see why this is a superstars kit- all of the products are top-notch, but I am most excited about my full-size Fenty highlighter.  I calculated a total value of $142.51, which is slightly above the promised value of $137.

To Wrap Up:

Can you get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this kit still available.

Value Breakdown: This box cost $53.95 ($48 + $5.95 shipping) and had a total value of $142.51, which means you are paying approximately the following per item:

  • ABH: $8.33
  • Milk Makeup: $2.27
  • NARS: $10.23
  • Bite Beauty: $1.76
  • Urban Decay: $2.84
  • Benefit: $4.54
  • Laura Mercier: $6.59
  • Too Faced: $3.76
  • Fenty: $13.64

Check out all of our Sephora Favorites Kit reviews, along with the best skincare and beauty subscription boxes of 2019!

What do you think about the Superstars kit from Sephora?

Jessica Hapak
Jessica Hapak
I am a staunch believer that pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza and when I’m not working as a family law attorney I enjoy hiking the Louisiana trails (alligator sightings are a favorite!) or relaxing with Duchess, my cat. I’m a sucker for anything labeled a mystery box and I’ve never met a bath bomb I didn’t like.

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7 comments

Elizabeth

I’ve been eyeing that exact fenty highlighter for a while now… may pick up this kit since the milk primer, ud setting spray and better than sex are some of my all time fave products

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BG

ABH gives me brow dandruff!

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nursermk

The lips, the eyes, well, the whole set looks gorgeous on you, what a great color palette!

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Vi

Agreed, beautiful pic too. Great review as always!

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Jennyjenny

My holy grail liquid liner is Stila but is the Fenty one better?

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Tanya

Just my opinion but I think Stila is way better than Fenty. I have tried several Fenty products including the eyeliner, foundation, lipstick and highlighters. In my opinion Fenty is really not a great brand. I haven’t been impressed with any of the products. Just because a trendy celebrity is behind it doesn’t make it worth the price. Stila is my favorite too and I am sticking with it.

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Christianne

I would like to know this, too! Stila liquid eyeliner is also my HG but I’m curious to know how Fenty compares.

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