What I Bought From the Sephora Sale Plus My Faves
When it comes to beauty products, I can’t get enough. I love trying new products just as much as I love finding favorites that I can’t live without. So it goes without saying that I live for the Sephora sales. It’s my time to stock up… and try new things. This is typically when I’ll splurge on a big-ticket item, like the T3 and ghd hair tools shown below because it’s such a good price with the sale.
Here’s a sampling of what I got this time around, along with some favorites that I always have on-hand.
ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer with Vitamin C in Suma SC1.5 is always in my makeup bag. I’ve been using this for a year or so now and I love that the Ilia products are skincare plus makeup. For example, this concealer has vitamin C. I use this around my eyes and nose and to conceal any blemishes.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation in Bom Bom ST5 is something I’m excited to try. As we get closer to summer I know I’m going to want to wear less makeup and I appreciate the SPF in this, too. Since I wasn’t sure what shade to try, I used the Selfie Match tool on the Ilia web site which was quick and easy, and I received a personalized response in just a few days.
ILIA Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream is another new-to-me item with this sale. My aging eyes need all the help they can get, and I like that this has retinol.
ILIA Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint in Tenderly has been a favorite for a long time. While it’s a multi-stick, I primarily use this on my cheeks. It gives a subtle flush of color and I really like the dewy, fresh finish. I’ve tried it on my lips but I find it wears off almost immediately.
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes is something I was turned onto a while back, and if you can, snag a pot of it because it sells out all the time! It is the best under-eye powder I’ve ever used, but know that it is only for use under your eyes. It is a very white, brightening powder. I don’t get the creases that I often get with a translucent powder under my eyes.
Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer in Wheat is my go-to primer before applying eye shadow. It isn’t oily and sinks into the eyelids nicely; I apply my eye shadow immediately after I apply the primer. No cracking or lines in my creases.
Urban Decay Vice Hydrating Lipstick in Hollyweird is a bold pink that I’m excited to try for spring. It is bright, so we’ll see how I like it. I’ve used this lipstick in other shades before and like it because it’s long-lasting and not drying.
Urban Decay Vice Hydrating Lipstick in Naked is another new-to-me hue I snagged at this sale. This is a more natural, everyday look.
NUDESTIX Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil in Kiss falls between the two Urban Decay colors I’m trying. I use this solely as a lip pencil but need to try it on my cheeks. I like that it’s a soft but vibrant pink that makes me look awake. I alternate between wearing it on its own for a matte finish and dabbing just a few dots of gloss on top for shine.
Dr. Zenovia Skincare Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer was purchased on a whim. I like to try new moisturizers and this one got good reviews. Plus, it’s said to increase hydration which I find that I need as I’m getting older.
ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer is something I’ve had in my hair tool arsenal for a few years. It was a big ticket item at a previous Sephora sale and I love it. It is very powerful yet not heavy to hold. Good quality and dries my hair quickly on the medium heat setting.
Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW Brow Enhancing Serum has made such a noticeable difference in my brows, even my aesthetician has commented on them. It really worked to fill in the gaps that I had in my brows and they’re so much thicker now. I have been using this for well over a year if memory serves, and I use it religiously which I believe is the trick.
Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH - MD Lash Enhancing Serum is another win for me, similar to the brow serum. People have commented on my lashes and for the first time in my life I’ve had the inconvenience of my lashes hitting my sunglasses lenses… such a problem to have, right?! This stuff really works. Like the brow serum, I find that you have to be diligent about using it every single night. And my lashes go through growth cycles, so there is a period when my lashes thin out, for lack of a better way of putting it, and then grow back again but it’s worth it to me. I was hesitant to try this because I have such sensitive eyes but happily I’ve had no issues with this product.
T3 Lucea 1 ½” Professional Straightening and Styling Iron was also a splurge at a past Sephora sale. I actually have the 1” but this is similar. All of the T3 products I have are high-quality and aren’t damaging to my hair.
T3 SinglePass Curl 1.25” Professional Ceramic Curling Iron was another splurge at a previous sale! I like the multiple heat settings and how gentle it is on my hair; there’s no pulling or pinching.
Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Hair Mask is regularly in my hair care rotation. It’s exactly what it says it is - deep conditioning. Leaves my hair feeling silky smooth and healthy. My hair is very fine and straight and this works equally well on my daughter’s hair which is thick and curly.
Drunk Elephant Slaai™ Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser feels so decadent - with or without the charcoal scrub. This is not my daily cleanser but I use it with the charcoal scrub roughly once per week, and I use it on its own sporadically throughout the week. It leaves my skin incredibly soft and smooth.
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil is my favorite everyday face oil. It isn’t too heavy and it soaks into my skin really well, and relatively quickly. Even in the hot, humid Austin summers, this oil still works for me.
I could happily talk about beauty products all day long. If there’s something you’re looking for or want to try, let me know in the comments. Chances are I’ve tried it and/or have a suggestion for you.
