LADIES! Today is all about the Sephora Sale, and I’m excited to share my BEST OF SEPHORA picks so y’all will know just what you need to throw in your cart!
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.
Rouge members get 20% OFF right now, VIB members get 15% OFF right now, and all Insiders get 10% off. 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. It’s so easy!
Code: SAVINGS
First of all, click HERE to see all of the gift sets, because I’m telling you THE GIFT SETS ARE WHERE IT’S AT. They’re obviously super giftable, but also consider grabbing gift sets for yourself! Like this Clarins set that has gone totally viral.
Here are some of the items that I’m re-ordering or have caught my eye…
1) Clarins set / 2) Slip scrunchie set / 3) Amika hairspray / 4) Supergoop Glow Screen / 5) Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen / 6) Sephora brush set / 7) Fenty gloss bomb / 8) Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream / 9) Summer Fridays lip set / 10) Clarins Depuffing Mask / 11) Sol de Janeiro set / 12) Laneige peppermint lip mask / 13) Mega Mask face mask set
Click HERE for the Holiday Gift Guide.
Click HERE for gifts under $50.
Click HERE for gifts under $25.
Click HERE for Advent calendars.
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SOME NEWER FAVORITES
One of the last times I popped into Sephora, I grabbed a small handful of items that I had been interested in trying.
My girlfriend Cassie has been talking about Merit products for a while now, and I finally took the plunge.
Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm (Bounce – rose gold) / Merit Balm Cream Blush (Cheeky – cool pink)
I got the Merit Balm Cream Blush in “Cheeky”, which is described as a cool pink.
I love the color so much as it’s a nice rosy and deep pink. It goes on sheer, but it is easily buildable, so you can control the deepness of the color. I know that with mature skin that cream blush is better, and I can now say that I’m exclusively using this blush. I LOVE IT, and it looks very pretty on.
Merit Balm Cream Blush (Cheeky – cool pink)
Let’s talk highlighters. I’ve tried several in the past, and I’ve liked them all fine, but I was never WOWed by them. This product officially wowed me. It’s lightweight, buildable, and gives the prettiest dewy finish without being too sparkly. You can blend it with a brush or your fingers, but I just use my fingers. I apply it on all my high points and gently blend.
Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm (Bounce – rose gold)
I’ve loved Tarte Maracuja Juicy lip glosses for years now. They go on so easy, they are super moisturizing, and I love the colors they offer. I also love the light coconut smell. They recently came out with Tarte lip vinyls which are even glossier and shinier than the original. And the formula isn’t at all sticky, but it has more staying power!
As I get older, I find myself having to use more products and spend more time on my brows. It feels very old lady of me, BUT HERE WE ARE. 😉
I grabbed the Anastasia Gel Eye Liner because I read it glides smoothly and easily on your waterline, and that’s how I’ve been lining my eyes for about a year now. And it’s waterproof, which is necessary when lining your waterline.
The Anastasia Brow Definer is one of my newer additions to my makeup routine. I really like the slanted color tip, and the formula goes on easily and gives great color. I also really like the pencil and the spoolie brush to be on the same product for ease of application.
The Anastasia Brow Freeze Gel is a PHENOMENAL product. I’ve used eyebrow gels before, but this one is undeniably better. It gives my brows that laminated look that is so “in” right now, and they stay! They don’t feel too crunchy, but they stay! I love this product. It’s not sticky, and it doesn’t flake.
Anastasia Gel Eye Liner / Anastasia Brow Definer / Anastasia Brow Freeze Gel
Here you can see the angled tip on one side and the spoolie brush on the other.
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MY TIP TOP FAVORITES
These next items are products I personally own, use regularly, and LOVE!
The first time I used this product was at the ranch house when I used it from a travel set I had grabbed previously. After using it, I knew I had to get the full size for at home. It’s pricey and a total luxury, but I love it so much. It smells incredible.
Sol de Janeiro Shower Cream Gel
I love Fenty glosses and own several. During the last sale I bought this new gloss in Riri (a shimmering rose mauve nude). It’s GORGEOUS and quickly became a favorite.
Fenty Beauty lip gloss in Riri
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 used to put it on at night, the color would develop while I was sleeping, and then I would wake up with a nice glow. I mixed the tanning drops with the Magic Cream, which is my very favorite moisturizer. (I no longer use the self-tanning drops on my face because I started feeling like the color would cling to my already hyper pigmented spots, and I didn’t want to highlight those. If you don’t struggle with dark spots, I still highly recommend these drops. I loved them and the glow they gave, and I totally miss using them.)
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. I also mix these with the Magic Cream.
The SuperGoop Glow Screen is a heavier tinted moisturizer with SPF.
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 blew 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. When I still used them, I used 3 healthy sized drops mixed in with my moisturizer. I felt like it gave me an even bronze glow that’s not streaky or orange. I MISS USING THEM SO MUCH. (Again, I only stopped because I didn’t think they were good for the hyperpigmented spots on my face.)
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.
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!
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 like 5-6 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! Several summers ago 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.
When Carter got terrible wind burn playing in a soccer tournament one weekend, we were able to totally get them back to normal just using this product for 2 days. This mask has over 20,000 5-star reviews, and I totally get 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.
The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is a TIP TOP favorite of mine. Carter swears by it now too.
When using, resist the urge to shake the bottle (the product appears separated). Leave the pink product at the bottom and dip a Q-tip in to grab some product. You then just dot the product on the affected area. Apply it as soon as you think you see a pimple forming, and I think you will be astounded at the results.
This is a PHENOMENAL product. I’m wearing it as we speak, and I expect the area to be clear in the morning.
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MAKEUP FAVORITES
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. 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.
NARS blush – I like a bright pink blush (my shade is called “Amour”), and this one does the trick. I love the rosy hue! For those of you that don’t love a pink, the Nars “orgasm” shade is supposed to be a universally flattering color.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Powder – Believe the name. Officially, it’s “a loose setting powder that blurs imperfections, veils shadows, and visibly boosts radiance.” I swipe it on, and I love the look. It really does seem to just even everything out and give a beautiful matte finish, without settling in lines! Some reviewers complain of a smell, but I haven’t noticed anything! I’m Color 1, which is fair.
Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush – I like my brush and have used it for years, but it doesn’t have great reviews, so click HERE for other brush choices.
Fenty highlighter duo – This highlighter duo has thousands of 5-STAR reviews. It’s a cream powder hybrid that “melts into skin”. I like it a lot, but I don’t think I know how to use it to its maximum potential. I need to go back in to Sephora for a little tutorial, but right now I just put it along the top edge of my blush line and down the bridge of my nose. It definitely gives a radiant boost to my face. One review made me realize the fact that I probably need pointers on how to use it….she said “Trophy Wife” makes my face look like God himself descended from heaven, grazed his almighty fingers across the highlights of my face, and said “let there be light.” I mean, that’s a rousing endorsement!
NARS blush / Fenty highlighter duo / Charlotte Tilbury Magic Powder / bronzer brush
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OTHER FAVORITE PRODUCTS
Now I have some product favorites that aren’t makeup…
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.
I was also interested in a new hairspray, and the helpful Sephora employee recommended these as the 2 most popular. One is a flexible hold, one is a firm hold, and I really like both of them depending on what my needs are for that day.
Living Proof Flex Hairspray / Moroccanoil Treatment / Moroccanoil Hairspray
Before I started using the Colleen Rotschild hair products, this is what I used…
Moroccanoil– I’ve been hearing about this product for years from friends, and I finally tried it. And now that I have, I feel so stupid for waiting so long. BECAUSE IT’S AMAZING. 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 flyaways 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! They make awesome stocking stuffers.
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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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And don’t forget, you can shop the entire Sephora Collection HERE for 30% OFF!
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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!
Erika Slaughter says
SO MANY GIFT IDEAS! I’m off to shop!
AngieN says
Would love a tutorial on how to apply the Merit products you purchased. I’m 61 and have never used a cream blush! Love your posts!