Sephora sale picks
It doesn’t happen often, so when it does, you have to make the most of it. I’m talking about a Sephora sale, here. It’s not their big tiered sale that they do in the Spring, but right now, they are offering $15 off of $75, and $20 off of $100, which is a pretty quick limit to hit when you’re shopping makeup or skincare.
That means it’s a great time to try new products you’ve had your eye on, or repurchase some of your regulars that are a bit more of a splurge. Because I am a skincare and makeup junkie, these sales are more of an opportunity for me to try new things without feeling too much guilt- and the money off ends up adding up to a product or two for free. So it’s really worth it when you think of it that way and stick with lower-spend items, if that’s more what your budget needs.
Being at home has meant that I haven’t really worn a ton of makeup, but I am really getting the itch lately to want to get myself a little bit glammed up, for no real reason other than my love for playing with makeup. Before working from home, doing my makeup was a huge part of my morning ritual. I usually wake up about an hour before I leave to take my time doing my skincare and makeup routines.
If you don’t follow Katie Jane Hughes, I cannot recommend her enough. She is a Brooklyn-based makeup artist that collaborates with incredible brands like Glossier, while also serving as the makeup artist for the queen, Ashley Graham. She creates incredible instagram makeup content that is both ready-wear and features products for so many budgets. So much of my own makeup inspiration I pull from her, including two of my own picks that I got in the Sephora sale- that gorgeous golden rose blush and the NARS mascara. She also inspired so many of my tried and trues that I put together for you in my ten makeup picks.
I really want to put together a post for you on mascaras, including all of my favorites. Mascaras are one makeup item that I think you can get a great one at any budget. I ordered two mascaras that I’ve wanted to try for a while- the NARS climax mascara and the Too Faced Better than Sex mascara, both in mini-sizes. They are only $13 each, and a great way to try a pricier mascara without committing to the price of a whole tube for something you don’t even know if you will like. This is how I often find many of my favorites.
For me, even without makeup, the one thing I will always do is my brows. Brows shape your face, and bringing them life means giving you a more sophisticated and awake look. I have my favorite brow items that I highlighted in my easy summer makeup post, but I want to try some new items to see if they compete. So far, nothing has. If I like these products, I will put together a post on all of my brow products and my brow routine, because I take them quite seriously.
I couldn’t pick just ten products that I would recommend to anyone shopping the sale right now, or really shopping at Sephora ever, so I broke down by skincare and makeup. Skincare is up first, because you can’t have great makeup without great skincare setting it up for success.
My ten skincare picks include some more splurge-worthy items that are great to snag now when you can shed a few dollars off. I included three of my all-time favorite masks- these three are real MVPs and worth every penny they cost, in my opinion. There are two from Summer Fridays- even if you just buy these two (exfoliating and hydrating), you are setting yourself up with a sweet weekly mask duo- and this gorgeous mask from Farmacy that lasts forever, and just feels so luxe. I also threw in my favorite eye patches, because they are on the pricier side, but they really do the trick. I even get two uses out of each set if you preserve them right, which makes them slightly more cost-effective.
I also included a couple of skincare routine staples, including this cleansing balm that is the most high-end in my post I wrote here, my favorite toner that leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed, a great lactic acid option for a nightly treatment or once-weekly exfoliating mask, and my all-time favorite bronzing drops that I add each morning to my moisturizer for a subtle glow on underneath my makeup. I couldn’t not include this cult-favorite lip balm, and my new obsession of a self-care beauty tool, the gua sha.
Moving on to makeup, I put together some of the makeup that I am turning to most this summer, with a much more paired down makeup routine. Makeup can be expensive, and this is the perfect time to buy that palette you’ve had your eye on, or the lipstick that you can’t justify.
I started with cream/liquid blushes, because to me, they are a simple step to creating a simple daily makeup routine. I picked this mauve color from Tower 28, and this gorgeous liquid blush from Nars that suits every skin tone because of its consistency. A little bit goes a long way with a liquid blush. I also threw in my favorite bronzer that comes with a perfect brush for some natural contouring that you can’t mess up, and my favorite highlight palette, both of which can serve as an easy eye shadow look in a pinch.
Right now (and for the foreseeable future), we are all wearing masks, which make makeup a little bit tricky. You really have to find the right foundation base that isn’t going to get greasy under your mask, and won’t rub off under a mask. I picked three favorites- this tinted complexion product with SPF from BareMinerals, a serum-based foundation with SPF from Ilia that really sinks into the skin like a skincare product would, or my all-time favorite concealer, which you can use in place of foundation, only in the places where you need it. I know lips might feel like a waste of time when you’re wearing a mask, but if you’re going out to outdoor dine, you could always throw this elevated natural shade that has a cult-following on when you get there and de-mask.
Last but not least, these multi-purpose pencils from Make Up For Ever are clutch- they give you the perfect lip liner or eye liner look. I love Endless Cacao and Wherever Walnut for two shades that are easy to use anywhere. And then there is the mascara I currently have a rotation. I love this mascara for a natural lash look that brings volume without clumping. This is a mascara that gives you what you pay for.
At the end of the day, order what you need. I hope my selections are helpful, and that you use this as a chance to order something you’ve had your eyes on for a while. The gift sets are another great option to maximize spending power. I love this set from OleHenriksen (three staples in my daily skincare routine), and this set is a great chance to try Drunk Elephant products to see what/if you like before you spend.
**Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliated links, which means I may make a small commission on any purchases using these links.**
