LADIES! We are talking all about beauty today, and I am super excited to share my BEST OF SEPHORA picks just in time for the SEPHORA SALE. The sale opened to VIB members yesterday.
I did my first ever Sephora Haul in May of 2019, and I’ve been hooked on shopping Sephora ever since, ESPECIALLY during their Bonus Events. I always grab my favorite products that I need to restock at home, and the sale prices also give me a reason to order products I’ve been interested in and wanting to try!
The majority of today’s post is dedicated to these personal tried and true favorites of mine. I will also be sharing a couple of new (to me) products.
CODE: OMGSPRING
Click HERE to see what level you are at Sephora so you know when you can shop. Rouge members get 20% OFF right now, VIB members get 15% OFF now and all Insiders will get 10% off their purchase from 4/15 to 4/19. If you haven’t signed up for Sephora’s Beauty Insider program yet, just make sure you sign up now to unlock 10% off so you can start shopping the 15th. It’s so easy!
MY TIP TOP FAVORITES
Let’s start with some of my very favorite spring and summer products for my face. These are items I’ve been using for at least a year and HIGHLY recommend. I often get questions about how these face products differ. I’m going to talk about each product in detail below, but in a nutshell…
The Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops is a self tanner that “tans” your skin. I put it on at night, the color develops while I’m sleeping, and I wake up with a nice glow. I mix the tanning drops the Magic Cream, which is one of my favorite moisturizers. I also mix the Magic Cream with the Sunshine Drops. The Sunshine Drops are NOT a self tanner. Think of the Sunshine Drops as a very sheer tinted moisturizer. They provide really light coverage, but with a bronzy color. The SuperGoop Glow Screen is a heavier tinted moisturizer with SPF. I use the Self Tanning Drops every 3-4 days, and then I typically either choose to use the Magic Cream and Sunshine Drops combo OR the Supergoop Glow Screen for my “foundation”. All 4 of these products are amazing, more details below.
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops / Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream / Drunk Elephant Sunshine Drops / SuperGoop Glow Screen
The Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops were one of the blogger products that I’d heard about for well over a year before I decided to try them for myself. They totally lived up to all of the blogger hype. This product totally blows me away.
Here’s what you do. You mix drops of it into your favorite moisturizer (again, I use this Charlotte Tilbury one). The more drops, the deeper the tan. You rub it all over your face, being careful not to miss any spots. And within a couple of hours, a “tan” develops. It’s magical really. (Make sure you wash your hands very well afterwards.)
I appreciate that you can control the deepness of your tan with the number of drops you use. They call it “controlling your glow”, and I’m here for it. I grabbed the medium formula, and I using 3 healthy sized drops mixed in with my moisturizer. I feel like it gives me an even bronze glow that’s not streaky or orange.
I think it’s best to apply it at night so it can develop while sleeping. When using 3 drops, the color fades in about 3 days, so I typically use this product about twice a week.
I would like to direct your attention to my arm in the picture below. Do you see the horizontal stripe below my wrist and the vertical stripe down my forearm? That’s the sun-kissed glow it gives!
If you are still on the fence, I highly recommend hopping over to the site to read some of the other reviews. Because MY GOODNESS, people are obsessed with this product.
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops / Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
Okay, now let’s talk about Drunk Elephant Sunshine Drops. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. The packaging was recently updated to more of a rectangular bottle, but it’s the same product. I combine these drops with my Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream…and I’m telling you….MAGIC happens.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream / Drunk Elephant Sunshine Drops
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream – I added this moisturizer into my routine after reading about it on several blogs and in several “BEST OF” beauty articles, and now I’ve been using it for about 2 years now. Lots of users compared it to the much more expensive La Mer line, but said they preferred this product! That was it, I was convinced I needed to try it. Officially, it’s a cream that floods skin with moisture for a glowing complexion in a flash. A little goes a long way with this cream, and it’s not greasy, but it is incredibly hydrating. There is a very light rose scent to this cream, and I don’t normally care for rose, but it doesn’t bother me at all.
I’m now devoted to it. It has a cult following and a large group of women that absolutely swear by it. I’m now a part of that group.
Drunk Elephant Sunshine Drops – This product is awesome. AWESOME. I mix it with the magic cream and just use one full squirt of the sunshine drops. It gives a really pretty glow with a bit of coverage immediately! Again, this is NOT a self tanner. It’s a tinted moisturizer. It’s very sheer, and I love the amount of color it gives. These drops also have a lot of amazing ingredients in them that are great for your skin. They are made of vitamins, antioxidants, platinum peptides, and barrier-supportive fatty acids that defend skin from environmental free radicals. YES, PLEASE!
Below you can see how I just add a pump to the magic cream and then blend it together before applying it all over my face and neck. I’m telling you, it just gives your face a wonderfully healthy looking GLOW.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream/ Drunk Elephant Sunshine Drops
The Supergoop Glow Screen is a makeup primer with SPF40! And the best part is that it has a pearlescent finish which also gives an immediate glow. The Glow Screen gives a bit heavier coverage than the Sunshine Drops give, and it’s also a bit more glowy, but doesn’t give as deep of color. You can wear it under other foundation, which I’ve definitely done, but I most frequently wear it on it’s own as my “foundation”.
And y’all! Yesterday I had a FANTASTIC idea (if I do say so myself). I mixed one pump of the Sunshine Drops with the Glow Screen (instead of the Magic Cream). It resulted in heavier coverage and deeper color! I MEAN! GENIUS!
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Some of my other very favorite products that I absolutely swear by are the lip products below. Like I’m telling you right now, I can’t live without them.
Brazillian Kiss Lip Butter / Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
The Brazillian Kiss Lip Butter is only $18, and I think it’s an awesome product. First of all, it smells heavenly. It goes on very smoothly and isn’t sticky at all, but the best part about it is definitely the smell.
If you needs something super hydrating that will repair cracked and dry lips, go with the Lip Sleeping Mask.
Brazillian Kiss Lip Butter / Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
This Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is a product that I absolutely swear by. I keep it on my nightstand and use it every single night. Like, I can’t go to sleep if I don’t have it on, and I travel with it too.
I don’t suffer from dry and flaky lips, which is what this product really targets, but I do love going to bed at night with super moisturized lips and my goodness does this product deliver. For me, it just gives me extra silky and smooth lips. If you suffer from dry and flaky lips, this is going to be a game changer for you. If you apply a thick layer at night, when you wake up the next morning, the flakes are going to be sitting on top of the skin. They then recommend taking a damp wash cloth to wipe the flakes away.
Carter got terrible wind burn on his lips playing soccer last weekend, and we were able to totally get them back to normal just using this product for 2 days. This mask has over 8,000 5 star reviews, and I totally get it.
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NEW TO ME PRODUCTS
I grabbed this product a couple of months ago, but today is the first time I’m talking about it.
Check out these Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops! This product is for all skin types and it combats dryness and dullness. It makes my skin feel great, look great, and it smells freaking amazing. My favorite way to use this product is just to apply it to a clean and dry face on the days I’m at home and not wearing makeup. I’ve also applied it to the high points of my face as sort of a natural highlighter, and it can also be used under makeup as a primer.
I haven’t tried the Maria Badescu Drying Lotion yet (because I have and love the Origins Spot Remover that I talk about later in the post), but I grabbed it on sale because so many other influencers totally swear by this product and I wanted to give it a try! I do know that you aren’t supposed to shake the bottle (the product appears separated), and that you’re supposed to apply it as soon as you think you see a pimple forming.
I picked up the Banana Bright Eye Cream on my last trip to Sephora. Shay loves it and totally convinced me I needed to try it. #influenced It targets dryness, fine lines and wrinkles, and darkness. It’s enriched with Vitamin C (soooo good for uour skin!) and will revive and brighten your eye area! I love the way it looks (it really does brighten the area immediately), and I’m excited to see long term results.
The Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Setting Spray has FANTASTIC reviews. It’s alcohol free, oil free, and it hydrates while setting your makeup. The reviews convinced me because people say that they’ve tried dozens of makeup setters, and this is the only one that they’ve ever purchased again!
Banana Bright Eye Cream / Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Setting Spray
Here we are after we grabbed lunch last week. We had such fun in Sephora, trading “secrets” on our favorite products and convincing each other what we needed to try.
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MAKEUP FAVORITES
This next one is probably my favorite new beauty product find of 2020.
We’re talking about the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream.
IT’S TOTALLY LEGIT. And because I didn’t know for a lonnnnnnnnnng time, CC stands for “Color Correcting.” It makes so much sense. Ha!
IT Cosmetics has the #1 CC Cream in America with over 20,000 5 STAR REVIEWS! It will provide you with:
- Lightweight, hydrating texture that won’t crease or crack
- Hydrating anti-aging serum that improves the look of your skin
- Physical sunscreen with up to SPF 50+—perfect for even sensitive skin
CC+ Cream / Heavenly Skin Skin Smoothing Complexion Brush
So in the spring and summer, I use the products I talked about at the beginning of the post for my face (because I want a light coverage and bronzy color).
But during the fall and winter, I will now be wearing the CC+ Cream. I’ll also be wearing it for date nights, girl’s nights out, and any “special” occasions. But maybe you want full coverage ALL YEAR LONG. If you do, you need to try it.
I appreciate that I now have this as an option. I mean, heaven knows I’m not getting any younger. There are many of you out there who don’t love my other recommendation simply because you feel they are too sheer for your needs. WELL. This CC+ Cream is going to make you SO HAPPY. I have sun spots on each side of my face, and the CC Cream does a much better job of evening them out and camouflaging them. I’m VERY happy with the results.
Here’s what the brand has to say: Infused with hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins, this skin-loving full-coverage foundation reduces the appearance of acne scarring, wrinkles, redness on skin, dark circles under eyes and large pores—all while giving you a luminous, supple, flawless-looking complexion. It’s truly your one step for instant complexion perfection!
Well, all righty then!!! Doesn’t it sound amazing?!?
I mean, look how happy it makes me.
CC+ Cream / Heavenly Skin Skin Smoothing Complexion Brush
If you hop over to the It Costmetics site and scroll down, you will be directed to a chart that helps you know if your undertone is Cool, Neutral, or Warm…which will in turn help you choose a color. And if you scroll down right under that chart, you will also see a Before and After picture where the CC Cream is showing off. The After pics are awesome.
Until finding the CC+ Cream last year, I had gotten away from using full coverage foundations because I always found them to be drying and to look cakey. WELL, NOT THIS ONE!
When applying, a little product goes a long way. I dab a couple of dots on my forehead, a couple on each cheek, and one on my nose and my chin. I then get to work smoothing it out with the makeup brush.
CC+ Cream / Heavenly Skin Skin Smoothing Complexion Brush
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I really can’t say enough great things about the Bobbi Brown Brow Pencil. WHY DIDN’T ANYBODY TELL ME I NEEDED TO BE FILLING IN MY BROWS? I have pretty substantial brows, so I thought I was good in the brow department, but I hadn’t realized they had started thinning. Filling them in makes such a difference! The tip on one side allows me to draw on little brush strokes that mimic hairs, and then the little brush on the other side allows me to shape my brows and soften the marks I draw. I now feel naked if I don’t have my eyebrows on. Haha!
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The eyeliner and the lash primer are products I’ve used for years and absolutely swear by.
Stila Eyeliner / Diorshow Eyelash Triple Volume Lash Primer/ Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes mascara
Stila Eyeliner – This liquid eyeliner is one of my tried and true products that I cannot live without. It is by far my favorite eyeliner product I’ve ever used, and I can’t imagine ever switching. I use the grey (called “alloy”) because the black is too stark for me. I also use labradorite-charcoal on occasion for a more dramatic line. It glides on SO easily, and it stays on with no smudging during the day. Now, don’t let the “liquid” title scare you. It is like a very fine tip marker that you just easily glide on for a very clean line, and you can decide if you want a thin or a thick line. It doesn’t skip, it doesn’t smudge (it really does stay all day), and it’s so easy. I can apply it in 1 stroke using only one hand! No need to pull the eye taught or anything!
Diorshow Eyelash Triple Volume Lash Primer – I SWEAR BY THIS PRODUCT and have for years. I sweep it on my lashes right before I put on my mascara. It both lengthens and plumps my lashes with white fibers, but they don’t fall off into my eyes. It’s pretty magical. It goes on white, so you do have to wear mascara over it, but the white doesn’t show through after the mascara goes on. I do one eye with the lash extender and then the mascara before moving to the other eye. I’ve found that my results are best when the mascara goes on before this product dries. Listen, I switch mascaras alllllll the time because I’ve never found 1 that I love for very long, but I ALWAYS wear this primer.
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I love the Maracuja Juicy Lip in Strawberry from tarte. The color is so soft and pretty, the formula is very hydrating, AND it smells like coconut! My entire face is done with tarte products in this picture, and you can head to my instagram story highlights and click on the one that says “tarte” for direct swipe ups to all products used in this picture. Click HERE for all tarte products at Sephora.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Glass Bomb Lip Lumizer – I’m a lip gloss lover, but I’m SUPER picky. It can’t be sticky, it can’t have a weird smell, it needs to have staying power for a gloss, and it needs to be VERY SHINY. After seeing the number of 5 star reviews and reading the words “explosive shine”, I grabbed this one. It goes on very smoothly, the applicator is a good size and shape, it’s hydrating, and it truly offers explosive shine.
This very well could be my favorite lip gloss ever. I have a couple of different full size glosses and I also got a small sampler pack during Christmas. I love every single color I’ve tried. One more thing I love about it? The scent! It smells like peaches and vanilla. It’s not overwhelming at all though, it’s just delightful.
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OTHER FAVORITE PRODUCTS
Now I have some product favorites that aren’t makeup…
Breakouts aren’t something I thought I would still be dealing with at my age, but here we are. Now, they aren’t frequent, but they do still happen. For the past couple of years, I’ve been spot treating any little bumps that popped up with the Colleen Rothschild clay mask, and it worked pretty well, but now I feel like I have a secret weapon.
This tiny little bottle is packed full of salicylic acid that powerfully spot treats blemishes. My spots disappear faster, as does the redness that always goes along with them. And I’ve found that it dries the spot out, without over-drying my skin or causing me to peel. The second I even start to think that a blemish is about to pop up, I cover it up with just a dab of this gel. A teeny tiny little bit goes a long way. #alittledabwilldoya The bottle is TINY, but I’ve had it for over a year.
If like me you are still struggling with occasional blemishes, I highly recommend giving this product a try!
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The Peter Thomas Roth Hydra Gel Eye Patches have gained some serious popularity over the last couple of years.
I was first introduced to them in April of 2018, and I’ve been using them ever since.
You use the enclosed spatula to gently lift and separate a patch from the others, and then you apply the patches under your eye to clean and dry skin.
If you apply with the pointy side up, you will target under eye puffiness and wrinkles. If you apply with the pointy side down, you can target your crow’s feet. They feel nice and cool on your skin when you put them on (I’ve heard some even keep them in the fridge), and I leave them on for 10-15 minutes. The caffeine that’s in them helps de-puff the eye area, and the 24K gold will leave your skin appearing firmer, lifted, and brighter! #YESPLEASE
They are expensive, but I really do notice a marked difference after using them. I don’t use them every day, only when I look extra tired or have extra puffy eyes.
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Moroccanoil– Y’all know I love the Colleen Rothschild Smooth and Shine Serum, but this product is awesome too. It’s used for conditioning, styling, and finishing. It claims to detangle, speed up drying time, and boost shine. It does not contain Parabens, Sulfates, or Phthalates.
The main benefits I’ve noticed is that it tames fly-aways and BOOSTS THE SHINE LIKE CRAZY. My hair is silkier, softer, and more manageable. It’s seriously SO SOFT and SO SHINY.
I do wish it came with a pump dispenser, but I just turn it over with my middle finger placed on top to make sure I don’t pour too much out at a time. I rub it on my palms or on my fingertips, and then I apply the oil all throughout my hair. It’s not greasy, but it’s incredibly moisturizing. It doesn’t weigh my hair down, and it smells amazing.
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These masks are placed strategically at the check-out counter at Sephora. #wellplayedsephora
They are brightly colored, look like a lot of fun, and the packages tell you what the masks target. For example, the pink mask is “ultra moisturizing and brightening”. The yellow mask is “pore perfecting and smoothing”.
I grab one or two masks like this every single time I place an order or go to Sephora.
Click HERE for a large selection of single use masks to choose from!
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Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream – Okay, this product has been all over blogger’s feeds for a good long while. People scream and shout about it. People say it smells like a little piece of Heaven. People says they will never go without it. But even with all of the hype, I’m going to be honest, I had no idea what it was for. WELL. It’s what it sounds like. It’s cream. For your bum bum. But not just your bum bum. For your whole body really. It’s thick and rich, and it’s supposed to combat dryness, dullness, and uneven texture. And it’s formulated to promote firmness and elasticity. And after reading tons of online reviews (and seeing some before and after pictures), some users are even reporting that it combats cellulite! WHOAH. Other reviewers say it’s worked wonders on their dry and cracked heels and hands, so I’m going to start putting it on my heels for sure.
I like that it’s not oily or greasy, and it really just absorbs into the skin. It has a very subtle shimmer to it, but don’t let that scare you! It’s VERY subtle. I’ll be honest, I’m not great about consistently applying body butter or lotions to my body, so I don’t notice any big time results….but it feels and smells amazing, and it’s super hydrating.
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And just because we’ve now talked about soooooooooooooooo many beauty products today, I thought it might not be a bad idea to highlight one of my favorite beauty organizers again!
I’ve been SO HAPPY with the purchase of this 360 degree beauty organizer. You can adjust the shelf height for your personal needs, it spins all the way around, the products are super accessible, and it holds ALL THE THINGS! I highly recommend this baby.
I’ve also been totally pleased with this organizer. I bought them both so I could have pretty pictures for a previous beauty post, and now I can’t imagine my life without them.
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Whew! That’s all for today, y’all!
Tons of beauty products that I LOVE, ADORE, and HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
In closing, I wanted to give y’all a reminder that if you aren’t in the program already, you can sign up to be a Sephora Beauty Insider for free! As an Insider, you will receive birthday gifts, product samples, and access to the special events where you get discounts. After you are in the program, you will start collecting points based upon your purchases, and your points will determine your level (which determines when you can shop during these events). As soon as you sign up, you’ll be classified as an Insider.
So now I want to know…
Do you have some Sephora favorites that you think I need to try? Influence me in the comments! l will choose 3 new products to try based upon your comments (it’s YOUR turn to tell ME to and convince me why I need to try YOUR favorite product). I’ll send 3 of you one of my Sephora favorites!
Erika Slaughter says
That lip butter you talked me into is GOOD and it smells amazing!
Shay Shull says
I smelled so delightful yesterday thanks to you and your recommendation!!
Allison says
Me seeing it’s a Sephora post: “I guess I’ll read it but there’s nothing I need from Sephora.”
Me after reading the posts: “I need six things!”
? ? ?
Also: I recently got a sample of Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream from a Nordstrom order and holy crap. I think I looked younger after one day of use. I haven’t purchased yet (it’s expensive) but I’ll bet I do. It was that good.
Sheaffer says
Allison! Looked younger? ADD TO CART. Thanks for the recommendation! xoxo
Jess says
I love this post! Do you use the Sunshine Drops every day? I want to try those and the self tanner drops!
Sheaffer says
I choose if I’m going to use the Sunshine Drops or a different type of tinted moisturizer or foundation each day. During the spring and summer, I most often use the Sunshine Drops (mixed with moisturizer). However, I mentioned in the post that for the first time I had the idea to mix the sunshine drops with the supergoop glow screen. I loved the results! xoxo
Heidi P says
Oooooooo Sheaffer…. you need to try the Dr. Brandt Skincare
needles no more® NO MORE BAGGAGE™ eye de-puffing gel. I’m 51, and time has not been kind to my undereye area! 🙁 This stuff really helps with the fine lines and wrinkles under my eyes. It has a kind of “pulling” sensation that makes me feel like it’s actually smoothing out my wrinkles and camouflaging them. 🙂
Sheaffer says
ADDING TO CART, Heidi! Thank you!
Ana Martinez says
Thanks to you I am a fan of the tanning drops and the lip mask! Such great products! Thanks for sharing this updated list 🙂
Elizabeth Kelly says
Okay, we have so many favorites already, but here are a few more that I love- even though I’ve tried other/cheaper vitamin C toner options, I keep going back to:
*REN Clean Skincare
Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Toner
I use this right after I get out of the shower every morning and my face feels so fresh and not dry or tight, and if you read the comments, there are other advantages too.
another is…
*Lauren Mercier caviar sticks
I use them mostly as a primer, but on days that I do the bare minimum on makeup, this is all I use in regards to eyeshadow or anything.
one more…
*BECCA Cosmetics
Under Eye Brightening Corrector
I will start by saying I never used under eye corrector before this, but I LOVE this and again, I’ve tried dupes and less expensive options, but always come back to this one.
Thanks for all of the suggestions you share!
Sheaffer says
Oooooooh! Thanks for the recommendations, Elizabeth!!! I’m super interested in the toner and the under eye brightener and corrected. I use the Bobbi Brown equivalent of the caviar sticks and love them! xoxo
Alisa says
The 3.4oz bottle of the Moroccanoil Treatment should come with a pump! I think it’s just the smaller bottles that dont.
Sheaffer says
That’s right, Alisa! Now I remember somebody else telling me that before. My bottle is lasting FOREVER, but I’ll definitely upgrade the size next time so I can get the pump! xoxo
Jenessa S. says
You should try the new Bom Dia cream from Sol de Janeiro! I’m so curious if it makes a noticeable difference and I’ve never thought about vitamin C for the whole body, just the face!
Sheaffer says
Good rec, Jenessa! Thanks!
Amber says
I love Isle of Paradise. But I’m excited to try Drunk elephant.
Jean E says
Hi Sheaffer! I bought the Glow Screen based on your recommendation and am loving it!
Have you ever tried Korres vitamin C Wild Rose Spotless Serum? It also has a rose scent, as the name suggests, but it is very light. It was a recommendation of Sharlyne Joynt (of Bachelor fame) and it is lovely!
Jessica Tribbett says
Does the Banana eye cream smell AT ALL like bananas?!? I want to try it after reading both you and Shay’s reviews but I can NOT STAND bananas…
Sheaffer says
GREAT QUESTION, Jessica! I DESPISE bananas. The taste, the smell, everything. So no, the eye cream doesn’t smell at all like bananas. Yay! 🙂 xoxo
Susan Basnett says
Hi Sheaffer! I think you should try the Biossance line! Reese Witherspoon just became a spokes(wo)man for them. I especially like the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. It adds extra moisture to dry skin!
Sheaffer says
Okay, totally looking into this Susan! Thanks for the rec! xoxo
Kelley says
Thank you so much! You saved me and I’m sure so many of us tons of time in research. Loved this!!
Adrienne says
Do you have any recs for sunless tanner for legs and arms?
Sheaffer says
YES, Adrienne!!!!!! I talk about it a lot and LOVE IT! Here’s a link to a post that you can copy and paste into your browser: https://sheaffertoldmeto.com/5-outfits-for-spring-and-summer/ It’s linked in the last collage on the post! It’s so easy to apply because it goes on brown and it’s a really pretty color! xoxo