Sephora's Favorites Value Sets 2014 | PART IV: Beauty Oil Essentials

Beauty Oil Essentials Kit (retailed value: $56) was limited edition in 2013 and unfortunately is no longer available from sephora.com. However, I decided to review this kit anyway because I’m in love with most of the items Sephora curated. I would’t hesitate to repurchase if something similar like this is released in the future, and hopefully you will, too!

Photo Source: http://www.beauty4free2u.com/2014/02/sephora-favorites-beauty-oil-essentials.html

Cleansing Oils

1.7 oz Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil

Full size: 5oz, $28

Value: 34% of the full size, $9.52

Standing toward lighter-weight side, this oil has subtle minty scent and tingling sensation that are actually pleasurable to work with. However despite the name "breakup", its makeup breaking job is mediocre at best. I guess seeing cetyl ethylhexanoate, the skin emollient and conditioner, as the first ingredient explains me why. 

0.5 oz Nude Skincare Perfect Cleansing Oil
Full size: 3.4oz,$36
Value: 14.7% of the full size, $5.29

Amazing! The slightly almond-y scent is absolutely heavenly. It breaks down my makeup, but requires a bit of splash of water in order to thoroughly remove the oil residual. It is definitely overpriced for what you get, but once in a while, this is perfect for some nights when I want to use something more luxurious than coconut oil! Definitely worthy to be on my repurchase list.

Face and Body Moisturizing Oils

1 oz Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil
Full size: 3.4oz, $57
Value: 29.4% of the full size, $16.76

Moisturized my body, just like other hundred million oil moisturizers do. The herbal scent from essential oils however was a bit of problem for me, and I did not see any progress or tightening on my stretch marks. 

0.5 oz L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil

Full Size: 3.4oz, $42

Value: 14.7% of the full size, $6.17

The almond scent in this oil is much more vivid and stronger than the nude cleansing oil, but it is still enjoyable to use. There really isn't any cons I could find and I'd love to try other products in L'Occitane Almond collection as well. 

0.5 oz Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light
Full size: 1.7oz, $48
Value: 29.4% of the full size, $14.12

I am already familiar with the original Josie Maran Argan oil and I know it leans towards heavier than most facial oils I've tried. Thus I was excited to try out their light version. Argan oil is already well-known to public and beloved for being natural emollient, but this product felt extra light on my skin.  There is this woody scent but it is nothing particularly bothersome. I recommend the original to dry, mature aging skin (such as eye areas) and the light version of oil to oily combo skin (e.g. T-zone). 

0.23 oz Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil
Full size: 3.4oz, $75
Value: 6.76% of the full size, $5.07

Another personal favorite. Passion fruit oil (aka maracuja oil) is lightweight, orderless, moisturizing and full of antioxidant components-- truly a wonderful gift from mother nature. Although it works just as well as argan oil, I surprisingly find that I could use more amount of maracuja oil than argan oil-- it sinks into skin faster and is even lighter (thiner?) to work with. Dry skin might find this a bit too matte for their skin and more likely better tolerated by oilier skin. 

0.5 oz Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil
Full size: 1.0oz, $45
Value: 50% of the full size, $22.5

Rose hip oil is listed as the first ingredient here but surprisingly the first thing I detected was lemon scent followed by fish oil. Many websites on google search assured me that rosehip oil typically has a fishy smell of its own. This was the only product that was sealed completely in plastic and had an expiration date.

0.34 oz Nude Skincare ProGenius Treatment Oil
Full size: 1.0oz, $78
Value: 34%of the full size, $26.52

Texture-wise, it is excellent. Ordorless and lightweight but there is even luxurious feel that was missing in  maracuja or argan oil. Perhaps it has to do with the formula, or it might just be that apricot oil works particularly well for me. 

0.05 oz Bite Beauty Cinnamon Lip Plumping Oil
Full size: 0.13oz, $22
Value: 38.46% of the full size, $8.46

I almost got traumatized when I first tried it on my lips-- the cinnamon & peppermint scent is so off and overpowering that it made me want to puke. But once I got used to that, I actually love how it makes my lips look and feel-- not glossy or sticky but just hydrating and healthy with just a right amount of color. Still clueless whether I want to go for a full size. 

Hair Oils

0.85 oz Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
Full size: 3.4oz, $38
Value: 25% of the full size, $9.5
Although I don't like my face smelling like perfume, I do like when my hair smells fresh and flowery. Bumble and Bumble's hair oil was the nicest scented thing in the kit-- slightly nutty and vanilla. The consistency tends to be runny and the texture is thin and lightweight. It mostly detangled and softened up my hair. 

0.85 oz Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist
Full size: 4.2oz, $25
Value: 20.2% of the full size, $5.06

Thank god it's spray nozzle! Just squirt a few times all over the damp hair before blow dry or use it as leave in conditioner. It is almost water like consistency so it won't weigh down the hair. The flowery scent is very nice too.

0.5 oz Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum
Full size: 4.0oz, $50
Value: 12.5% of the full size, $6.25

I think this is a fabulous product and even comparative to Biosilk Silk Therapy Serum. A quick warning that Argan oil in this serum is actually the 4th ingredient and the first three are different types of silicone. I really love how it holds up my hair in place, hides out slit ends and gives nice shine to my lifeless dull hair. A few downsides are 1. the texture is quite thick and heavy so moderation is key to avoid any weighing down issue and 2. the artificial lemon scent which I'm not a fan of.

Total Value of Beauty Oil Essentials: $137.1     Sephora’s Claimed Value: $162 

Verdict: Overall, this kit was simply amazing.  Originally I was only interested in the facial cleansing oils and moisturizing oils, but I am so glad to discover nice smelling body oils and hair oils as well. I All of these items are certainly high quality oils that are beneficial to skin healing. I also love how most of the deluxe size comes in either pump or dropper in order to keep the product safe and hygiene.