Not to brag, but I spend a f*ck ton of money at Sephora. So when twice a year they have their seasonal bonus discount, I’m happier than a Game of Thrones fan on a Sunday night. Like, let’s face it—it’s expensive to be beautiful. Even if you’re not into makeup, keeping up with a five hundred step Korean skin care routine costs enough to make you want to quit your day job and just become a stripper. Sorry mom and dad, but I have to afford this flawless face somehow… Anyway, we all should take advantage of this rare discount on beauty (which will also help keep me off the pole for another month or two until I run out again.) Sephora’s spring bonus offer started on April 26th for Rouge members (yes, of course this is me) and starts May 2nd for VIB and Insiders, ending on May 6th for all parties. So that being said, here are the must-buy items from Sephora that you should be adding to your cart like, rn.
1. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask ($20)
This product is my holy grail. No joke, I haven’t had chapped lips even ONCE since I started using this a few months ago. I have tried sooo many lip products in an attempt to relieve my chapped lips, and this is the ONLY one that has actually worked. I use this on my lips every night and wake up with luscious soft lips in the morning. Even though it’s a sleeping mask, it also works great as a hydrating gloss for the day. It makes your lips look instantly moisturized and gives them a perfect subtle pink glow.
2. Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops ($49)
This product has been my secret weapon for over a year now, and I can’t say enough good things about it. In fact, I’ve turned several friends and family members into religious purchasers of the product. First off, Tan-Luxe’s mission is to bring a skin care approach to self-tanning, so you can trust with full certainty that it’s both safe and beneficial for your skin. Additionally, their products are organic, non-toxic, and cruelty-free. And, probs most importantly of all, their products give you that subtle just-got-back-from-vacation glow that we all constantly strive to achieve. These drops are intended to be added to your regular moisturizer, serum, or oil. However, I find the best results when, instead of mixing with my moisturizer, I apply my moisturizer, then wait a few minutes and apply the drops directly on top. It’s an oil, so it goes on super smooth and consistent, and the result is a tanned and flawless face, with imperfections blurred and all. No need to Facetune this selfie, baby!
3. Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel ($24)
If this makeup product were a book, it’d be “How To Do Your Eyebrows For Dummies.” It’s the simplest product to use with maximum results. Yes, like I’m sure many of you are, I too am a devotee of Anastasia Beverly Hills’ brow pencils. However, I’m rarely sitting around with enough time in the morning to spend filling in my mismatched eyebrows hair by hair. By using tiny microfibers to give your brows instant fullness and definition, Benefit’s brow gel takes 30 seconds to apply and looks super natural. This is my day-to-day necessity because like, eyebrows can make or break a person. And, for anyone who’s ever experienced the misfortune of over-tweezing their brows, you know how truthful of a statement that really is.
4. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter ($38)
This highlighter is a cult-favorite among makeup enthusiasts everywhere, and let me just tell you, it’s for good reason. Like, you know when you see all those makeup artists on Instagram whose clients have the most radiant, dewy glow??? Well, that’s actually achievable sans a glam squad for even us mere peasants with this product. Especially if you get the iconic Champagne Pop shade, which is their best-selling shade of soft gold with a peachy-pink pearl glow.
5. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel ($88)
Okay, so these peel pads are obvi a bit pricey, which is why I always wait for the twice a year bonus offer to purchase them (or at least, I try to). Because honestly, even without the bonus, these peel pads are still worth it. Dr. Dennis Gross knows his sh*t, and these daily anti-aging peel pads are a true testament to that. Of course, given their price, I definitely do not use them on a daily basis as suggested. Rather, I use them 2-3 times per week and, let’s just say, they have become an ESSENTIAL part of my skin care routine. Like, I can see a noticeable difference in the brightness of my skin when I’ve procrastinated buying a new box and don’t use them for a few weeks. So trust me, take advantage of the spring bonus offer to get a discount on this incredible product while you can.
6. Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ($32)
I’m pretty sure every girl knows the eighth wonder of the world that is this setting spray, although I had to still put it on this list because it would be a sin not to. This amazing weightless setting spray keeps your makeup intact and fresh for up to 16 hours. And, let’s just say, I’ve had a few benders in my college days that would serve as testament to the effectiveness of the product. Oh, and also, for anyone who’s ever accidentally taken an extra long nap post-day drinking, just to wake up at 10pm as all your friends are about to leave for the bar, this product is a true FOMO preventer because you’ll be pretty much ready to go right after waking up. But that’s just for anyone out there who’s ever experienced that—not myself of course.
7. FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer ($18)
I get it, some of you may consider lip gloss to be juvenile. You’re all about a matte ~lewk~. Well, to each their own, but I’m here for a dewy look. Like, before highlighter was a thing, I was putting baby oil on my cheekbones for a subtle glow, something I learned from the Olsen twins in one of those $10 special edition magazines all about them. (I was a true fan girl, to say the least.) So anyway, back to what I was getting at: I love a subtle nude glossy lip, and this lipgloss is the epitome of that. It’s a universally flattering rosey nude shade that looks great either alone or applied over your lipstick. Not to mention, it’s not sticky and glides on smooth for a perfect flawless finish.
8. Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar Refreshing & Refining Moisturizer ($39)
I am a slut when it comes to moisturizers. As someone whose skin is often way more dry than anything else, I’m always on the hunt for a good new moisturizer. And let’s just say, I have about ten different ones in my bathroom currently. However, I put this one on the list because it is one of the few options that is lightweight enough to wear during the day, while still being hydrating and powerful enough to use at night. For example, I’m madly in love with La Mer’s classic Crème de la Mer. However, it’s just way too thick for wear during the day. On the flip side, this Philosophy moisturizer is suitable for both day and night, not to mention also for all skin types. It gives a soft dewy hydrated feel that isn’t too thick or slimy, so you can easily still apply your makeup over it.
9. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($39)
This is another beauty product with a devoted following, so I’m going to assume this is not the first time you’re hearing about it. But, what I can do is be here to vouch for it. This powder is the perfect final step in your beauty routine to not only make sure your makeup stays on your face, but actually stays in place on your face. It’s lightweight, and blends seamlessly over your makeup for that final no-filter-filtered makeup look. Like, attention Insta thots everywhere, you’ll no longer have to hide behind the dog filter because this product gives your skin that perfect flawless finish.
10. Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen ($36)
This BB tinted moisturizer is my daily replacement for foundation when I don’t want a fully snatched face. Like, on a casual Tuesday I’m not trying to have a beat face, ya know? So instead, I use this and it provides just the right amount of coverage to blur all my imperfections without making me look caked. Not to mention, it also has vitamins and sh*t in it, like Amazonian clay (hence the name) and chamomile, to bring your skin amazing benefits while you wear it.
So disclaimer, everyone’s skin is different, and what works for me may not work for you. However, as a human guinea pig for all things beauty, these are the products that have proved to be stand out stars, at least in my book. And, as someone who has wasted enough money on this sh*t to have just paid off her student loans by now, I’m experienced and somewhat credible in this department. Somewhat.
Images: @BoxedWaterIsBetter / Unsplash; Sephora (10)
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