My Must-Haves: Shop the Sephora Sale Like a Pro
It's that time of year, friends.
Whether you're stocking up on your can't-live-without products, or finally trying out something you've had your eye on for a while, there's nothing like a great discount to sweeten the deal.
Below, I'm listing out my picks for the Sephora Spring Sale. I'll highlight a few here and there, but trust me, these all have winning potential.
Skin - Foundation/Tinted Moisturizers
I am all about a natural finish and these beauties below all deliver. Remember, the key is light layers. Don't smear on foundation like you would sunblock. Go for 2-3 dots and blend, blend, blend until it looks like skin. You'll need more product in a tinted serum, like the ones linked here by Ilia or Fenty, but still, add layers instead of trying to get it all on in one go.
Tinted Serums - Most natural coverage. These are the new tinted moisturizers, if you're a fan of that barely there look. FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint // ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation // LYS BeautyTriple Fix Serum Foundation
Foundations - The NARS and Pat McGrath formulas are staples in my rotation and feel weightless on my skin; never heavy or cakey. I haven’t tried the Givenchy but I love their finishing powder in the same range. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation // PAT McGRATH LABS Sublime Perfection Foundation // Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation
Concealers - Pro Tip: I use this as foundation most days. Dot on a few extra dabs on the rest of your face after your under-eyes and blend away. I cannot be without these two in my arsenal, and the shade range is thorough. Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer // PAT McGRATH LABS Sublime Perfection Concealer
Brows/Lashes
For brows, Fenty is my go to, and while the pomade in the Anastasia line gets all the hype, her powder product is where it's at for me. The matching double-ended brush is a winner, too. And I haven't found a more amazing mascara for my there-but-so-fine-you-can't-see-them lashes than the Dark Star formula by Mother Pat.
FENTY BEAUTY by RihannaBrow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil & Styler // Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil Waterproof Eyebrow Definer // Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo // ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara // PAT McGRATH LABS Dark Star Volumizing Mascara
Color - Eyes, Blush and Lips
As the weather warms up, I love a good cream multi-stick like Ilia's for eyes, cheeks and lips, or a creme crayon like Laura Mercier's for eyes. I apply it with fingers and it's so easy. I also reserve my right to wear a poppy, fun lip, and the Rare Beauty ones stay put. For Fenty, Honey Waffles and Cookie Jar are on my list.
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush // FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream // PATRICK TA Major Beauty Headlines - Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush // Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Lip Souffle Matte Cream Lipstick // ILIA Multi-Stick Cheek & Lip // LYS BeautySpeak Love Glossy Lip Treatment Oil // Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow
Setting Powders and Finishing Powders
Right now, the Lancome is my absolute fave for undereye - no creasing and it blurs like a dream. Danessa Myricks' Black-owned products are amazing - I use her Evolution powder in Shade 3 to set my face for a natural and not too "baked" look. And I am obsessed with Kosas's bronzer, linked below, so I can't wait to try their newest powder.
Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder // Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder // Danessa Myricks Beauty Evolution Setting Powder // Lancôme Long Time No Shine Loose Setting Powder // Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder //Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Bronzers - Check out my YouTube review of a bunch of popular bronzers here
Kosas The Sun Show Moisturizing Baked Bronzer // Danessa Myricks Beauty Power Bronzer Cream Bronzer
Contour - Both of these products made contouring a thing for me. Before these, I could never get it right and always feared looking Kardash-esque. The tones in these are really natural and it's hard to overdo it.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand // TOM FORDShade and Illuminate
Face and Body
Toners - I love these for an extra layer of light hydration before continuing with my skin care routine. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA +BHA Pore-Tight Toner // Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner with Moringa + Papaya // SK-II Facial Essence
Acids - These are what I go to when my skin feels blah. The Alpha H and the Farmacy Honeymoon glow are faves. Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment with Glycolic acid // Paula's Choice Mini Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant // Farmacy HONEYMOON GLOW AHA Resurfacing Night Serum with Hydrating Honey + Gentle Flower Acids
Vitamin C - Paula's Choice C15 Vitamin C Super Booster
Retinol - Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform®
Serum - This one deserves special mention. It's one of the only products I can tell when I'm not using it. It helps with redness, dark spots, and evens tone. It's so good that my mom and grandmother now use it and won't be without it either. Edible Beauty No. 3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum
Moisturizers - Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream with Ashwagandha + Reishi // Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid // Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer
Hair - Generally, anything Olaplex. Start here, or check out a sample set. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector // dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer Limited Edition Gift Set
Body - L'Occitane Cleansing And Softening Shower Oil With Almond Oil // philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion
Sunscreen - This is non-negotiable, folks! Both rub in completely with no white cast. I love the Glow one for a little pizzazz but nothing crazy. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++ // Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++
And there you have it friends. I can't wait to hear all about what you pick up and what you're loving!
