Sephora Favorites Review – LUXE The Next Level Collection

Sephora Favorites are exclusive, limited edition sets filled with Sephora's top-selling and highly coveted beauty and skincare products. Sephora Favorites kits are released several times a year and the curated collections sell out quickly. 

They recently released their Sephora Favorites: LUXE - The Next Level Collection featuring six deluxe product samples from Sephora's top luxury brands, and I snapped it up fast.

FYI – this is no longer available!

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

About this Sephora Kit

The Box: Sephora Favorites: LUXE The Next-Level Collection

The Cost: $25 ($100 value)

The Products:

Sephora Favorites: LUXE The Next Level Collection Review

Don't forget to add your two free samples with every Sephora purchase!

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Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara, 0.12 oz – Estimated Value $8.84 (buy the 0.19 oz version for $14.00)

It's been a while since I've had a mini of this Hourglass mascara and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Along with having sophisticated packaging that I love to look at, the performance of this mascara is up to par. It is designed to give length, lift, and volume and I can confirm it does all three – while remaining clump-free. I like how my lashes stay separated when I apply this because it helps my eyes look more awake, and while this mascara adds length, it doesn't make my lashes look spidery. I did have some slight smearing when I wore this (mainly at the top of my eyelid of all places), but it wasn't enough of a big deal to deter me from wearing it again.

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Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm in 12 Corail Dolman, 0.05 oz – Estimated Value $15.43 (buy the 0.11 oz version for $38.00)

Corail Dolman is described as a “bright cajun coral,” which cracks me up as a resident of south Louisiana because I have no idea why Cajun would be associated with this shade of coral (or any coral, really). This lipstick balm definitely has the texture of a balm, so while it gave my lips a pigmented coat of shiny coral, it faded away fast as soon as I decided to eat something for breakfast on my way to work. I don't like high-maintenance lipsticks in these bright colors, but the formula was comfortable enough that I would look into getting a more nude shade in this formula. This really gave the hydration of a lip balm, but the short life span on my lips is what kept this from being a winner.

Here I am wearing the mascara and lipstick.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum, 0.27 oz – Estimated Value $11.87 (buy the 2 oz version for $89.00)

I really like the Sulwhasoo brand, so I am always happy to see them in subscription boxes and curated sets. This serum is incredibly thin. I applied it before any of my other serums, and it absorbed into my skin nicely. Just because it is thin in texture doesn’t mean it lacks in performance, though – this added a boost of moisture to my skin without being heavy, and the botanicals in the formula work to add radiance and a healthy moisture barrier. I really think this would work for a variety of skin types and in a wide variety of routines, which is probably why this serum is highly recommended by so many people.

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La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizer, 0.24 oz – Estimated Value $44.33 (buy the 0.5 oz version for $95.00)

Honestly, it is mindboggling to me that this moisturizer is 1) so ludicrously expensive and 2) still a highly sought-out product. I mean the actual performance of the moisturizer is nice, but I just can’t wrap my head around a cream that costs $190 per ounce. Luckily, we get to try it at a nice discount through this Sephora set, and it definitely helps with the “luxe” theme. This is a heavier cream that my dry skin really likes, and it is formulated with the signature La Mer Miracle Broth™ (a signature blend of fermented sea kelp and other botanicals) and lime tea concentrate. This has a soft powdery perfume scent that I found pleasant, and while the cream is thick, once I applied it, it melted into my skin quickly.

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Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask, 0.85 oz – Estimated Value $6.20 (buy the 8.5 oz version for $62.00)

This is a really trendy haircare brand, and I can’t recall ever seeing them in a subscription box or other curated Sephora set. The signature product from Gisou is their honey-infused hair oil and this mask is made with the same mirsalehi honey (from the family-owned bee garden) that goes into every Gisou product. I’ll be honest, as much as I love honey as an ingredient and the pretty aesthetic packaging of this brand’s products, I don’t actually love the way this mask performed – it didn’t do much for my hair. My curls need deep nourishment often, and I think this hair mask would be better suited for those with thin or fine hair. I’m able to use this on days when my curls are already well moisturized, but when the full-price product is $62 I am looking for more results. I enjoyed the honey scent of the mask, though!

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Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb, 0.24 oz – Estimated Value $23.27 (buy the .33 oz version for $32.00)

This perfume has been around for a while, so this isn't the first time I've smelled it. Described as a warm gourmand scent, this features key notes of jasmine, orange blossom, and patchouli. I definitely would describe this as more of a floral than gourmand – my nose picks up the flowery notes of jasmine and rose the most, and those notes are rounded out by a warmth that comes from the patchouli and vanilla bean. The sizing on this mini perfume is generous, and it will last a while. I wish it was a spray nozzle to apply rather than dabbing it on, but I like how this mini pink grenade bottle looks on my vanity.

The Wrap Up:

The Verdict: It's rare that I do not like a Sephora Favorites set, and this one is no exception – I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a good mix of skincare and makeup, and the mini perfume bottle was the perfect way to round out the curation. I have tried some of these products before, but I do agree that all of them belong in the luxury beauty category. Sephora promised a value of $100 in this set, and my math indicates that everything included adds up to $109.94. If you don't enjoy the La Mer moisturizer you might not feel like the value is there since that makes up such a large chunk, but in my mind, Sephora delivered on what they promised with this curation.

Can you still get this box if you order today? No, this is sold out.

Value Breakdown: This kit costs $25 and has a value of $109.94, which means you're paying approximately the following for each item:

• Hourglass: $2.01
• YSL: $3.51
• Sulwhasoo: $2.70
• La Mer: $10.08
• Gisou: $1.41
• Viktor&Rolf: $5.29

Check out all of our Sephora Favorites reviews plus our best beauty boxes of 2021!

What do you think of the Sephora Favorites: LUXE The Next Level Collection? What is your favorite luxury beauty product?