Sephora Favorites: Luxe Vibes Mini Luxury Beauty Sampler Set Review

Everyone knows Sephora is a beauty store where you can find almost anything and everything related to makeup, skincare, body care, hair care, and self-care, but they also released curated sets under their Sephora Favorites brand. A subsection of that is their LUXE  line, which (normally) is a $25 box featuring higher-end minis from luxury brands like Yves Saint Laurant, Dior, La Mer, and more. Sephora recently released a new Luxe favorites set at a much higher price point- the Luxe Vibes Luxury Beauty Sampler Set.

FYI – this set is still available, while supplies last.

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

First Impressions

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This set comes with everything securely packaged inside a green box and wrapped with a black bow. The back of the box has ingredients for the products included.

Every Sephora purchase lets you use choose two free samples when you check out. Here is what I chose.

When you make a purchase over $25, you're eligible for various GWP. I chose a Valentino lipstick sample with a value I calculated to be $16.17 (I actually love this lipstick, but I can't believe the full-size version is $55!!).

The Breakdown – What’s Inside This Limited Edition Box From Sephora

GUERLAIN L'Or 24K Gold Radiance Primer, 5 mL - Estimated Value $12.33 (buy the 30 mL version for $74)

This primer has a more watery consistency than I was expecting for a gel primer, but that isn't a bad thing. The thin texture absorbed into my skin pretty quickly, and I rather liked how easy it was to apply and move on to the next step in my routine. This is infused with 24K gold flakes and vitamin C to give your skin a boost of radiance, and while I don't think the gold flakes are actually noticeable once it's applied to my skin, I still really liked the finish and performance of this primer. This is a primer I could see myself buying (or requesting as a gift from my mom or boyfriend) if I really wanted to treat myself to something nice, and it would be a product I would reach for on special occasions.

Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Matte Lipstick in 208 Venetian Red, 1.5 mL - Estimated Value $8.64 (buy the 6.6 mL version for $38)

There's no denying that this is a very small lipstick and it feels very out of place in a kit at this price point. 1.5 mL is the same size as the Tarte concealer I got in my $13 Ipsy Glam Bag, and I don't think it would have been impossible for this set to include a bigger lipstick sample. Maybe it's an optical illusion and the difference between liquid lipstick and bullet lipsticks, but it just ruffles my feathers in the wrong kind of way that my free sample of Valentino lipstick looks bigger (and has a higher value) than this Armani lipstick sample. This also isn't the most flattering lipstick shade, for my complexion at least. I'm not really a brown lipstick kind of gal, and the brown undertones of this brick shade just don't spark joy the way other shades would have. The formula of the lipstick itself is very nice. It's not too drying for a matte, and it has really good staying power on my lips.

Here is the lipstick swatched underneath the primer (that you can barely see- no large gold flakes here).

shu uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil, 1 oz - Retail Value $28

I haven't really heard of this brand before, but my hair has really been enjoying this oil. I have been pairing it with the Christophe Robin Regenerating Hair Serum, and I only need a few drops to nourish my curls and keep frizz at bay while giving my hair some shine. I normally don't like hair oils made with silicones, but this is formulated so nicely that my hair didn't even notice.

Saint Jane Beauty Serum Calming Treatment, 4 mL - Estimated Value $16.89 (buy the 9 mL version for $38)

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I love the attention to detail that Saint Jane took with this serum sample- even though this is a very small bottle, it still has the gold plate attached to the front the way the full-size bottles do. My sensitive skin and I are always eager to try new products that promise to be ~calming~ on the off chance I find my next holy grail product. Saint Jane classifies this as a lightweight serum, and I do disagree with that just because it's an oil blend and I think people looking for a lightweight serum probably don't want a serum with an oil consistency. I still liked it- I would describe this as a lightweight oil, and the full-spectrum CBD oil is paired with soothing botanicals like sea buckthorn oil, rosehip oil, and jojoba seed oil. I think my skin has been enjoying this and I only need a few drops for my entire face, but I don't think it's lived up to the price tag.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream, 20 mL - Estimated Value $86 (buy the 15 mL version for $68 and the 50 mL version for $215)

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Barbara, Barbara, Barbara. If you've been wanting to try the face cream from this brand, then I do recommend buying this set just to try it- it's like getting a discount on the moisturizer and getting everything else for free. If you're like me and am more "ho-hum" about this luxury skincare brand with a high-end price tag, this face cream doesn't impress me. I don't hate it- I would even go as far as to say as I do like it. It has a nice texture that is hydrating without being heavy, and it absorbs quickly into my skin. When I used this in my evening routine I had issues with this pilling when I layered it with other products like a facial oil, but since I prefer heavier creams at night this is better suited for my morning routine anyway. This is a nice cream, but I don't feel the need to write home about it or spend over $200 for the full-size jar.

Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau De Parfum, 10 mL - Retail Value $30

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*Note- this product comes as a redeemable voucher

Yup, you read that right- this set comes with the voucher that you redeem for the travel-sized YSL Libre perfume, rather than cutting out the extra steps and just sending the perfume. I truly don't understand what happened here- maybe it was an issue with the supply chain so issuing the vouchers meant they could release this set on time? It's not hard to redeem the voucher- you can use it in-store or online, and if you use it online you can add two free samples and qualify for free shipping. The perfume itself is very nice. The fragrance has notes of lavender essence, orange blossom, and musk. I couldn’t really pick up the lavender, but the orange blossom and musk combined for a warm floral scent with more depth than your typical flowery perfume. This smells really sophisticated to me, and this is the perfume I reach for when I want to feel fancy and also need a confidence boost that certain perfumes just give you.

Value – Was This Box Worth It?

The Cost: $65

Cost Breakdown: 

• Guerlain: $12.33→ $4.40
• Armani: $8.64 → $3.09
• shu eumura: $28 → $10
• Saint Jane: $16.89 → $6.03
• Dr. Barbara Sturm: $86 → $30.74
• YSL: $30 → $10.72

This set promises a $166 value and my math adds up to $181.86. That means this set is worth almost three times the cost of the box.

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Key Takeaways

I knew when I purchased this set to review I would be giving it an especially discerning look- Sephora is essentially asking for it with that price tag. My favorite products are the shu Uemura oil and Guerlain primer, and I liked the YSL perfume and Saint Jane serum. The Armani lipstick and Dr. Barbara Sturm moisturizer were misses for me, and that accounts for almost half of the kit's entire value. I would say this would be a nice gift for someone you wanted to treat to a few luxurious things, but the especially small lipstick sample and the fact that a voucher for the perfume is included rather than the perfume itself mean I can't whole-heartedly recommend this as such. I think some people will buy this and be happy, but most people will probably be dissatisfied with the sizes and the value of the kit for the price.

Other Things You Should Know

Can you still get this box if you order today? Yes, this is still available.

What do you think of the Sephora Favorites: Luxe Vibes Luxury Beauty Sampler Set? Sephora has released quite a few new kits lately- which one would you like to see reviewed next?