My trip to Sephora (General knowledge) by MeiyappanS

First stop: the perfect foundation. I like the texture of NARS Sheer Glow and discover that my shade is medium-dark with brown undertones and named for THIS HISTORIC CITY in Sicily, as well as the 4th largest city in the state of NY.

While I’m at the NARS counter, I take a look at their iconic blushes, whose names are sure to make one, well, blush: There’s “Torrid,” “Orgasm,” and this one, possibly named after THIS 1943 WESTERN FILM, generally known as Jane Russell’s breakthrough role.

A bestselling mascara at Sephora is Diorshow by Dior. Part of its success may be owed to having THIS ITALIAN ACTRESS as the “face” of its beauty brand. Portraying Lucia Sciarra in the 2015 film Spectre, she became the oldest “Bond girl” in the Bond movie franchise.

For Priyanka Chopra-worthy eyebrows, ladies turn to the cult brand that shares its name with THIS GRAND DUCHESS and youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas, also the subject of a 1997 animated musical, to which Meg Ryan lent her voice. (edited at 6:18 am, May 2, 2016 (CST))

For that perfect cat-eye look, I reach for the liquid eyeliner from the makeup line of THIS TATTOO ARTIST, who was once engaged to Jesse James, right before he married Sandra Bullock…and we all know how that turned out…

For beachy waves, I look to DryBar and its potent potable-named hair styling products. I might start off with the Texas Tea volumizing shampoo and conditioner, and finish off the look with the sea salt spray named after THIS COCKTAIL made of rum, Curacao liquer, and lime juice; it was highlighted in Elvis’ film “Blue Hawaii.”

Face oils are all the rage – they boost skin’s moisture and deliver powerful antioxidants. Why, there’s avocado, seabuckthorn, and THIS PLANT OIL endemic to Morocco and features prominently in model Josie Maran’s line of skincare products.

I’m intrigued by Tocca’s collection of perfumes, named for femme fatales – There’s “Florence” (A Parisian sophisticate), “Stella” (a tempestuous Italian beauty), and ___________, named for THIS MEDITERRANEAN SEDUCTRESS, a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty whom Plutarch described as having “an irresistible charm.”

Edgy makeup brand Urban Decay recently collaborated with THIS HOLLABACK GIRL to create a limited-edition eye shadow palette. Well, what you waiting for? Guess who she is!

Made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, THIS LIQUID is a key ingredient in facial masks, eye concentrates and night creams from the brand Fresh. It is much more oxidized than the green and white varieties.

A favourite offering from Philosophy is this “stunning” and “delicate” fragrance, named for THIS HYMN (that is equally stunning and delicate), written by English clergyman John Newton in 1779.

The name Sephora is actually a portmanteau of “sephos”, which means beauty, and “Zipporah,” who was a woman mentioned in the Book of Exodus and was the wife of THIS PROPHET. In Hebrew, he is called “Moshe Rabbenu.”