Whether you’re a beauty junkie, or a bit more hesitant with beauty purchases (like me), I wanted to pop in to share a sale with you worth taking advantage of. The Sephora VIB sale is officially underway, so now through until Monday, April 23 you can get 15% off at Sephora if you’re a VIB (use code YAYVIB) or you can get 10% off if you’re a beautyInsider (use code YAYINSIDER).
While my beauty routine doesn’t vary too frequently, the reality of getting a little older has had me experimenting and investing in better skin care and more natural beauty products as well. I have found products I absolutely love and continue to buy each time the container sadly empties; included here are basically my holy grail purchases, along with two or three beloved products I noted that I plan to try as well.
MY ULTIMATE BEAUTY PRODUCTS LIST
SKINCARE: I recently gushed about this powerful line reducing concentrate that I’m so in love with (the bottle will last you!), and I’ve been hearing fanatical things about this facial mask from Drunk Elephant; the brand has a bit of a cult following and I’m all for refreshing a dull complexion and evening my skin tone. If you’ve been following here for a while you know I’m obsessed with this exfoliator… it’s pricey but I always buy the small “tester” size for under $25… a little goes a long way, and your skin feels incredible after just one use! FYI, I use it in combo with my favorite face wash.
Lastly in the skin care arena, I cannot say enough good things about Caudelie essence. Who knew we needed essence? I uncovered this thanks to a Sephora rep last year… it’s super similar to another product that’s three times the price. Give a quick swipe after you wash your face (it’s like a toner) to combat dull and uneven skin (mine looks brighter after consistent use), and help support cell turnover.
EYES: When it comes to eyes — remember this post about longer eye lashes? — now is the time to take advantage and do a lash upgrade! I have used another lash serum by Rodan & Fields (it really, really works!), but I also have a friend with mega watt lashes she completely attributes to Grande Lash (half the price) so I’m ordering it to test out. It legit makes your lashes longer after regular use.
Next up, you need this lash primer. If you’ve never heard of a primer don’t get intimidated. You swipe this on like mascara (except it’s white/dries clear) and makes your lashes thicker so when you swipe on mascara (I’m obsessed with this one), they immediately look thicker, longer and more plump. It’s magic. The extra 10 seconds is worth it.
For shadow, I cannot say enough good things about this palette from Anastasia. I bought it last year during the sale and the colors are gorgeous, go on so nicely and best of all: have great pigmentation and stay put.
As for brows… well you cannot see my brows if I don’t put something on them, and this color duo from Anastasia is a godsend. Pencils make me super nervous — they can go on harsh whereas a powder is much easier to layer on (I have this brush); my friend who has darker yet slightly sparse brows just got it and is obsessed with the impact.
MAKE-UP: When it comes to coverage, I don’t like the weight of a foundation but some BB and CC creams have been too translucent. Enter It Cosmetics CC+ Cream…. it’s the best, goes on light weight and yet effectively covers. I also use the brand’s concealer because it really illuminates and lightens around my eyes and other spots without looking cakey. For your eyes, I found this Laura Mercier brightening powder is my secret weapon — use a clean brush (I devote one specifically to this) to brush this over the concealer under my eyes to immediately diminish fine lines and wrinkles, add brightness and prevent the concealer from creasing. I used to have the worst, worst issues with this and this powder immediately solved it.
Lastly, the Becca “champagne pop” highlighter is a mega favorite — in fact, I had to try three times to find it in stock before finally getting it in November! For blush, this Laura Mercier find offers a gorgeous natural color that always goes on flawlessly… I find the “lotus pink” a great universal neutral.
Not at Sephora, but I love, love this “wonder pencil” from NYX (available at Ulta); use it for spot coverage, to line your lips, on your eye waterline… it’s basically the best multi-tasker, and under about $6.
LIPS: If your lips are dry, definitely start with a lip mask — you’ll wake up with instantly moisturized, refreshed lips. Every day, I will not leave the house without my Fresh “sugar” lip therapy treatment… I’ve tried less expensive options and I’m never as happy. I plan on ordering a back-up during this sale, and I equally love the colored options as well; I also have tulip, a very fun spring shade.
When it comes to a lip color, you guys know I live for NARS. The lip pigment in American Woman is my jam — and so universally flattering. I seriously haven’t seen it fail anyone yet. If you want to test it, I just spotted this mini lip duo for $26… definitely get this!
HAIR: If you haven’t tried dry shampoo yet… this one is a keeper! And, at Ulta, this curling iron is what helps me get those beachy waves every time. I swear people are always thinking I get blow outs… I’m the worst at doing hair, so if I can do this — and give the illusion of $40 blow outs! — you can do it, too.
Join the Conversation
Jessica
April 25, 2018 at 10:36 AMThat’s quite a comprehensive list, with lots of really good products. That palette from Anastasia is indeed gorgeous!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Cynthia
April 20, 2018 at 11:41 PMGreat post, but several of your links at the beginning of the post go to a Sephora page that says “product not carried”. This is the page: https://www.sephora.com/search/noResults.jsp?keyword=productnotcarried
Alyson
April 21, 2018 at 7:36 AMThanks so much for the heads up, Cynthia! I’m testing them here and not getting the same result… any chance you can tell me one or two that are causing you that issue? Thank you so, so much for letting me know. Hope you can use the photos at the end to click right through. — Alyson