Gone Sale-ing: The Sephora Sale Strikes Again
How to navigate the Sephora Savings Event. Plus the products I recommend adding to cart, answering your questions and what I'm buying.
Welcome to yet another post about the Sephora Savings Event, which is set to take over the internet until at least November 11. And of course, I have so many thoughts and many recommendations to share. Whether you’ve been combing through each and every page of the Sephora website for days to make sure you don’t miss a hidden gem or two, planning to pick up only the necessary restocks, scouring the internet for reviews on and making pro and con lists for the alluring items sitting in your cart, considering if it’s *finally* time to purchase that one product you’ve been eyeing since it launched or are counting down the days until you don’t have to hear the words “Sephora sale” for at least a few months — we simply must discuss. Today’s post includes my thoughts on the internet’s favorite sale, a few things to consider as you shop (or don’t!), a meticulously curated list of the products I recommend most, answers to your questions submitted on my Instagram stories and what I have in my cart along the way. As always, my favorite part of each Sephora sale is discussing what’s in your cart, helping you get the most out of the sale and all the madness that ensues the minute the triennial sale begins. So please, don’t be shy! Ask all the questions! Also, sorry this is so long! Xo! Let’s dive in.
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The Elephant In The Room
Here’s the thing: I really don’t love the Sephora sale. And while I discussed many reasons why the triennial Sephora Savings Event isn’t the deal of a lifetime in my last Sephora sale post, I can’t help but reiterate a few things.
Gone Sale-ing: The Sephora Sale Post
Welcome to what is undoubtedly the thirty-eighth post you’ve seen today about the Sephora sale, which kicks off later this week. Whether you’ve been meticulously refining your cart for weeks, are planning to pick up only the necessary restocks (at least, that’s the plan) or have been counting down the days until you don’t have to hear the words “Sephora…
First and foremost, the Sephora Savings Event is not the preeminent beauty sale of our time. While the deluge of promotions and constant stream of other content surrounding the sale can make it nearly impossible to ignore, you can get the large majority of the products in your cart at a better discount — particularly if you’re only saving ten or fifteen percent. So many brands are running their own sales timed to the Sephora Savings Event and/or Cyber Week, Black Friday and throughout the holidays. In most cases, it’s very likely that a creator you follow (not just me) has a code that will give you the same or a bigger discount on your own time — not just until November 11. You can always find my codes in my Instagram bio or on my ShopMy page.
And while there are many great brands at Sephora, they don’t have it all. Generally speaking, the majority of my favorite products — from skincare to makeup, hair care, devices, body care, tools, fragrance and more — aren’t sold at Sephora. Of the nearly three-thousand skincare products on Sephora’s website, only a few really excite me or are ones that I use often. So the lists below highlight only my very favorite things and there’s not a recommendation for each category, because I think we have a mutual understanding that I’m not here to waste your time/money or mine. For the best of the best, keep scrolling!
If you have any questions or want more details, please feel free to ask away!
My Sephora Sale Recommendations
The first list is a carefully curated selection of my most favorite things that I really recommend getting during the sale. These are the products I will tell my grandchildren about, the ones the Nobel Committee should award with the highest honors, the treasures that are a critical part of my canon. Whether I use them every day or not, I hold them in the highest of regard for one reason or another. The second list is divided into sections, each containing up to five recommendations, to make it easier to navigate; and, frankly, to stop me from going through every product sold at Sephora. This list is filled to the brim with my most tried and trusted recommendations and comes from years of trial and error, going through each page of the Sephora website with a fine-tooth comb, trying all the things so you don’t have to and falling in love with some of them along the way. And while I would have loved to include every strongly held opinion on each product in Sephora’s vast collection, there simply isn’t enough space, energy or time to tackle *everything.*
For those of you who want even more and/or need no convincing, please let me direct you to the full list. I’ll update the longer list throughout the sale with things I’ve forgotten and it’s linked again below and in my Instagram bio — so make sure to keep an eye out for the latest. The best part of the sale is helping you build and refine your carts! Tell me everything and ask me anything in the comments below!
My Tippy Top Picks
If you only grab one thing, make sure it’s one of these. In no particular order…
While I hate to spoil an upcoming post, this post wouldn’t be complete without my wedding day foundation. I tested countless other foundations but this one bested them all. And while I could go on and on (and on) for hours about this foundation, one of its many outstanding qualities is how easy and uncomplaining it is. In my experience, this foundation can be worn as light coverage skin perfecter or a medium coverage foundation, it wears beautifully throughout the day, never pills, is very kind to dry skin, blurs like a dream, plays well with all of my other products and somehow always looks perfect — even when I’ve applied it haphazardly. And look, I know “matte is back” but as someone with dry skin, matte makeup is simply not a trend I can physically partake in. But rest assured, this foundation isn’t super glowy. Instead, it really adapts to the other products in your makeup routine and makes them all look better. Basically, it puts itself on, does what you tell it to and never disappoints. It may sound weird to say that my most used foundation is the one I wear to work, family dinners and on my wedding day (!!!) but it’s truly that versatile and stunning. Once you use this, it may be hard to reach for anything else. — I wear shade 0N.
Look, I don’t know how and I certainly don’t have the time to properly dry my hair. However, this unassuming device is the most effective and easiest way to give myself a blowout — or at least something close to it. And if I can do it, anyone can. I have several blow dryers and other hair tools from Shark and I really like some of them but they all just feel so overly complicated and come with a seemingly endless array of attachments. And while those attachments are very effective, this is SO much easier. I use my Shark FlexStyle (note: the SpeedStyle is offensively bad) to dry my hair most of the way and then I take this out to finish it off and give it a little extra bounce. And because my very fine hair refuses to hold a curl or wave no matter what, I’m very impressed by how effective this brush is. Honestly, it’s probably one of the best purchases I’ve ever made and I don’t say that lightly. Plus, it’s not a million dollars like the Dyson or the Shark.
I’ve tried a staggering number of skincare devices over the years but this simple, easy to use wand is easily one of my favorites. To make a long story somewhat short, every other device I own requires a lot of time and effort — which are two things I don’t have. For example, one treatment can take twenty minutes or more with some devices and others require that you cover yourself in a thick gel before using. And while it’s not the end of the world, I’m very lazy and I don’t want to have to wash my face, apply the gel, use the device and then wash my face again. And let’s not forget the attachments, ones that are not included with the device despite having paid hundreds of dollars for it — and forget about figuring out where to store all of it. ANYWAYS, none of these issues apply to this no fuss device. The wand has two settings (essentially) and takes no time getting to the desired temperature, is roughly the same size as many of my skincare products, it’s TSA approved (I brought it to Europe!) and lightweight. It’s intended to depuff your face — which it certainly did after a long-haul flight and lots of wine — but I also like to use it around my jaw because it seems to help relieve some of the discomfort associated with my *constant* jaw tension. Plus, the warm setting doesn’t cause my facial flushing to flare up. Yes, this device is simple by design but it’s also not prohibitively expensive (relatively speaking) and I actually use it almost everyday.
There’s a very short list of products that I can honestly say I’ve used consistently and almost daily for more than two years, and that list continues to dwindle as I try new and new-to-me products. However, this hydrating hero will always be on my short list and no matter how many similar products I try, this remains supreme. For context, I have very fine hair that I routinely bleached for over a decade. And while I haven’t bleached my hair in years, I’ve been on a journey to repair the damage and care for my hair for nearly two and a half years now — or as I like to call it, My Hair Care Era. Along the way, I’ve tried truly countless products at all different price points and no singular product has done more for my hair than this one. I credit it with really repairing my damaged hair, maintaining the health of my hair over the years until I found the other products in my hair care routine that work best for me and giving my hair a healthy shine. I apply roughly twenty-seven pumps (not really) to damp hair after showering and it’s been an absolute game-changer. It helps detangle my hair (which is *always* tangled) so I don’t rip out handfuls of hair in my post-shower dash, it never weighs down my hair or makes it look greasy, it has a delightful yet subtle scent and it’s perfect for travel! I can’t tell you how many people in our community have messaged me to tell me how much they love this product and I’ve turned countless friends and family members onto it, too. A full-sized bottle will last you several months and it works well on so many different hair types.
— Note: You can always save 15% with code: natalie15
Just the thought of an eyeshadow palette is enough to overwhelm (and inevitably disappoint) me. And over the years, I’ve realized that quads are my sweet spot and there is no sweeter spot than this stunning eyeshadow quad (specifically in the shade Nude Dip). This particular palette is made up of a breathtaking array of cool and neutral shimmers that dance across your eyelids whenever the light strikes. Each shade builds slowly and is pigmented just enough to make an impact without swallowing you whole. It’s uniquely versatile for all occasions and swatches really don’t capture how subtle and spellbinding the shimmers appear on your lids. If I lost all of my makeup, it’s the first eyeshadow product I would purchase and if I could only keep one of my (many) quads, I would choose this one. And while I know that an all shimmer quad might not be what you had on your Sephora sale bingo card, hear me out. For all intents and purposes, I am horrible at applying makeup and really need my products to put themselves on without any fuss. And, well, I’m particularly bad at eyeshadow. However, it’s not at all an exaggeration to say that this specific palette *always* saves the day no matter how patchy and awful my shadow looks. I consider this palette to be the Eighth Wonder of the World and truly cannot recommend it more highly. Swatches below! — My favorite is Nude Dip but I also like Hazy Sensuality and Honeymoon.
Nat Note: Normally I have a no palette rule for myself because I never use and am largely disappointed by them but I recently broke my rule twice for the new Makeup By Mario palettes. The cool color story in both should have made them a lay up for me but the formulas are not even remotely worth your time. Even the shimmers seem to be working against me and frankly, I do not recommend either of them.
My Sephora Must Haves
In absolutely no particular order…
Skincare
Whenever the Sephora sale comes around, this indulgent moisturizer always ends up in my cart and it’s the product I recommend most from the brand. This nighttime delight is the perfect addition to your skincare routine during the cooler months and will help lock in hydration all winter long — and if you’re have extremely dry skin like me, you’ll love it throughout the year. The unique balmy, serum-y, cushiony texture is what hydration dreams are made of and makes it stand out from all the other moisturizers at Sephora. It’s designed to help soothe irritated, sensitized skin and is fragrance-free (if that means something to you). In my experience, this gets along with everything else in my skincare routine, never pills and always leaves my skin looking and feeling better. I think the brand does a sale around the holidays but I don’t think it’s more than 20%, so this is the perfect time to stock up!
While I’m largely unimpressed with the serums and treatments sold at Sephora, Unspotted is one of the few serums that I’m really excited about. After having this brightening serum on my wishlist for months, I finally got my hands on it a few months ago. And while it’s still a newer-to-me product, I’ve used it consistently since August and I’m impressed! Not only is the packaging fun and unique but the serum feels cosmetically elegant on the skin and seems to get along with everything else in my routine. Unspotted is formulated with a fifteen percent blend of AHAs (including my favorite Azelaic Acid!) and antioxidants to target hyperpigmentation and dark spots. And while I can’t speak to all the brand claims, I do think it has contributed to improving my skin’s overall brightness and minimizing a stubborn acne spot was bothering me for months. Plus, I haven’t experienced any irritation. Of course, my personal experience is purely anecdotal but the clinical results are promising and it’s been such an easy product to incorporate into my routine. If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation, this is the product I recommend picking up during the sale.
After falling in love with this essence over the last year, I decided to add a backup to my sale cart. From the luxurious, heavy packaging that doubles as a weapon to the elegant, lightweight fluid consistency, I absolutely love how seamless it is to incorporate this into my skincare routines and it helps add a little boost of hydration to my skin. While I can’t speak to many of the brand claims, I just really like this product. It’s lovely. Sure, this may not be the most resounding endorsement but it doesn’t have to be. No product is going to turn back time or solve for a specific skin concern overnight; however, they can be delightful to interact with and sometimes that’s enough.
While it would be quicker to tell you which products from this brand I don’t like, there’s a few heroes that I can’t help but highlight. There was a considerable period of time when my Instagram was essentially a fan account dedicated to this serum. And though I still absolutely adore the serum, I’ve recently become obsessed with its matching eye cream. In my experience, the most effective way to retain moisture is to apply thin layers of hydrating ingredients on top of each other and I’m a big believer in doing this with my eye products. This lightweight serum-y cream is absolutely perfect for layering under my thicker daytime eye cream for extra hydration and brightening without causing any pilling. To be clear, most people will love using this on its own without layering it but because my skin is akin to an arid climate, I layer to live. I also adore using this eye serum in my nighttime routine because it has my favorite ingredient, resveratrol. And if you’re looking for one of the best nighttime moisturizers, they also have you covered with this rich night cream. It never pills, it never causes any irritation and it always keeps my skin hydrated all night long. I’ve truly gone through countless jars and couldn’t recommend it more.
If you’re new here, moisturizers are one of the greatest passions of my life and there are few daytime moisturizers that I love more than this cushiony delight. The packaging is heavy and luxurious, the moisturizer quickly absorbs into the skin without causing other products to pill and it helps lock in hydration to keep skin moisturized all day long. Whether you have dry skin and use this during the day or normal to oilier skin and use it at night, it’s absolutely one to have on hand. It truly feels like a cushiony cloud and has been one of my favorite discoveries of the year — which is no small feat. Plus, when you finish the moisturizer you can use the packaging to store other tiny treasures!
Lip Products
There’s a distinct difference between lip care products and lip color products, even if they all get lumped together in under the confusing umbrella of glosses / balms / butters / glossy balms / oils / treatments. And at Sephora, two products reign supreme among the overcrowded sea of lip products.
While I don’t love the shades in this lip caring balm, the clear balm is one of my absolute favorite lip products. From the metal tip applicator to the bouncy, non-stick formula, this is one of the rare lip products that you’ll actually use until the very last drop. Of course, the shades come down to personal preference (note: they are not featured in the images below) but in my experience, the formula is just too pigmented for the amount of product I want to put on my lips. And because this feels like a true lip caring product, I’d rather it be clear — but that’s just me.
However, my favorite product in the lip care category is probably already in your cart because this lip caring balm is worth all the hype and then some. With one of the most comfortable applicators and several sheer shades that add the perfect barely there tint to the lips, you truly cannot go wrong with this formula. While I have every shade, my favorite is undoubtedly Strawberry Sorbet (shown below). Unlike the product above, this tinted balms in this formula are very sheer and add a very subtle wash to the lips that I personally love. I also recently purchased their limited edition collab with Anime Bing called I 🤍 Me (shown below) but still think the strawberry is best. The one somewhat odd thing about this product is that the “Original” shade is actually yellow and I don’t love the scent (they all have a subtle scent), so I recommend grabbing strawberry or whichever one you’ll like best.
When it comes to lip color products, there’s only a few glosses I really love and find hydrating enough for my dry lips at Sephora — and they’re all different shades in a few special formulas.
While I only swatched one, I highly recommend every shade of this hydrating lip gloss. Like all products from the brand, the packaging elevates the user experience and the shades are nuanced, dialed in and nearly impossible to replicate. I personally own every shade with the exception of the two reds and have repurchased a few on more than one occasion. While these don’t actually plump, they absolutely enhance the lips and make them look fuller and better than ever. In my experience, each shade is relatively sheer and wears into the lips without leaving behind any unwanted residue. I recommend these with every fiber of my being and don’t think you can go wrong with whichever shade or shades you like best. This is one of those cases when you just add to cart. — I love Chou Chou, Garconne and many of the limited edition / site exclusive shades.
While the product above is undeniably a lip gloss, this delightful formula exists in the grey area between a lip balm, lip oil and lip gloss. Still, it’s worth taking a small leap of faith and adding one or both of my favorite shades (shown below) to your cart. These are hydrating and slightly more pigmented than you may expect and create the most beautiful glossy perfecting effect on the lips. Truly, my lips rarely look better than when I wear one of these. I love the subtle vanilla scent, the barely there shimmer that shade 07 has and love that the packaging corresponds with each shade. To be honest, I wasn’t sure about the applicator at first but now I can’t imagine applying these any other way. If I had to pick between the two shades swatched below (01 and 07), I would probably pick 07 but argue to for both. I think the formula is unique enough to stand out from the other thousand glosses on Sephora’s website and I wouldn't say that about any of the other lip products from the brand. — I love shades 01 and 07.
Here’s the thing: my lips are like the Bermuda Triangle, which is to say that they defy color theory and modern science — making it near impossible to find my perfect lip liner shade. Ultimately, most lip liners appear orange or brown on my lips and even the cool toned mauves end up looking warm and awkward on me. However, by some miracle, there happen to be four at Sephora that I absolutely and completely adore.
While I only just discovered this lip liner, I’m already obsessed. This lip liner is retractable, very creamy and one of those products I constantly reach for to reapply. It’s so comfortable, the shade 01 is so beautiful and it’s actually cool toned; plus, the price is right. I’ve gone to multiple Sephora’s to try other shades (there’s a lot) but the other one I’m most excited about is out of stock everywhere — and this shade only just came back into stock! Which is to say, I’m certainly not the only one who loves this formula and I highly recommend picking it up while you can. — I wear shade Nudest 01.
Of the four, this lip liner is my favorite and the one I recommend most. While the photo below doesn’t do any of the shades justice, this particular liner comes in a shade that truly is my exact lip color and truly enhances my lips unlike any other product. Of course, that’s very specific to me but putting the nuanced shades aside, I think this formula strikes the perfect balance between creamy and waxy — making it easier to control than other formulas. I find that this formula sticks around on my lips pretty well, is extremely comfortable, wears in beautifully and it has the perfect amount of pigment that is easy to build up or sheer out. Not only does the bright blue pencil make it easy to spot but it also comes with a very nice metal sharpener and for me, those little details are everything. I love this lip liner so much that my pencil is about half the size it was originally and when I lost it for two minutes, I immediately purchased a backup. I cannot recommend this formula or shade enough! — I wear shade Doux.
Once you let this lip liner set on your hand or your lips, it’s not going anywhere. And for the price, it should absolutely stay put for drinks, dinner and the after party. The shade Close Up (shown below) is a near perfect match for my lips but I have to imagine that many people will be able to find a shade they love in this formula. While not quite as creamy as the first lip liner highlighted above, this one is definitely on the creamier side and is more pigmented with one swipe than I expected at first — and that combination forces me to apply it more carefully than any of the others included in this post. And although I think this lip liner is very special, I have a few caveats. Like with any creamy lip liner formula, I end up going through this more quickly than I’d like and mine is getting pretty short even though I don’t wear it as much as the one above. Also, unfortunately, the branding and other details on the pencil disappeared after one day in my bag — which definitely matters more to me than it would to most people. Of course, I still love and recommend this product but keep in mind that it’s not quite as easy to throw on. — I wear shade Close Up.
To be honest, the last lip liner included here is kind of a half-hearted recommendation. While I absolutely *adore* the shade and the blurred out look on the lips, the product itself broke inside the component and I didn’t notice until it fell into my lap the first time I tried it on the first day of our honeymoon. But because I really love the matte, blurred, undone look of this so much (and because I’m me), I bought another one to see if it would also come broken or not. Unfortunately, the second chance liner also arrived broken in the component. Personally, I like this product enough that the issue isn’t a deal breaker for me but it definitely makes me less enthusiastic to recommend it to you and is something I want to flag just in case it would be for you. — I wear shade Mauve.
Makeup
Despite the absolute deluge of makeup products on the market, finding a believable, natural bronzer and/or contour can feel like a daunting task — let alone the cream or powder bronzer of your dreams. However, this contour stick has been my go-to for years and is one of the few cream bronzers that doesn’t turn orange or green or red on my skin. In my experience, the lightest shade is really more of a bronzer than a contour (on me). But if you’re like me and have no idea how to contour your face, this is perfect for you. Unlike so many stick products, I find that this never really runs away from me and it’s incredibly easy to blend out if I ever add too much. I also like that this really does dry down (don’t worry, you have plenty of time) so my hair isn’t sticking to it and it kind of just becomes one with all the other products on my face. It even comes in a mini. That being said, there’s another bronzer / contour stick to have on your radar. A more recent edition to the market, this contour stick is ever so slightly cooler than the one mentioned above (at least in my shade) but is still too warm to be a true contour on me. And while I like this stick bronzer, I recommend it with a few caveats. The first being that it’s *really* pigmented and it can run away from you before you know what’s happening. The second is that I find this one to be slightly more emollient and it has disrupted the makeup I have on underneath on more than one occasion. Also, this one is scented. Still, both are really great options, blend beautifully and will last you a lifetime. But if you have a shade in both and don’t know which one to choose, ask yourself this: which one will I enjoy using more? For example, I personally enjoy using this one more because I prefer the packaging and I think it’s easier to work with (and if you know, you know I have no idea how to do my makeup). — I wear shades Biscuit and 01 Light, respectively.
Sticking with bronzers, this powder bronzer is easily my favorite at Sephora. It goes without saying but also bears repeating that the shade range needs to be improved. For my skin tone, the lightest shade is my perfect bronzer and one of the few that doesn't appear orange or red on me. It’s what I wore on my wedding day (among others) and is truly one of the greats. It blends without ever appearing patchy, it builds slowly and actually looks natural on my skin. I absolutely love it and I wish more people could experience it! — I wear shade Coup de Soleil.
While my *severe* facial flushing has been under control for a few years, I do my best to cancel out the naturally occurring redness that remains. And although this really isn’t the time to share my long and storied history with green color correctors, let’s just say I’ve tried them all. But last year I stumbled across this green color corrector and never looked back. For my skin tone, it is the most effective green color corrector I’ve ever used and it’s really been a game-changer for me. It’s easy to apply just where you need it (I use it after a primer and before foundation), it lasts all day and it plays well with every makeup product in my daily rotation. Because I really have been so self conscious about my facial flushing since I can remember, this product has been such a relief and major confidence boost. I know this won’t apply to everyone and I can’t speak for the other shades but this is definitely one to try if you struggle with redness.
Look, my experience with many of the buzziest foundation sticks at Sephora has been in stark contrast to the profuse endorsements I see from others. And while the beauty of beauty is that we all love different things, I really don’t want you to buy a product and be disappointed. In my experience, this foundation stick is the only one at Sephora that is worth your time, attention and a lifetime achievement award. But to call it a foundation stick is truly a disservice to its unrivaled versatility, as you can wear it as a foundation, concealer or however it works best for you — it’s like an everything stick. It’s easy to customize to your desired level of coverage and it’s amazing for dry and maturing skin (yes, even under the eyes!). Part of what makes it so special is how beloved it is across so many different skin types and states. From the heavy, luxurious packaging to the performance, this is the only foundation stick you’ll ever need — literally because you’ll never use up all the product and it will become a family heirloom of sorts. It’s also the only foundation stick that hasn’t broken in the packaging or exploded in my bag. Trust me on this one! — I wear shade 0.5.
As someone with skin that’s akin to an arid climate and exorbitantly high expectations, I would say I’m uniquely picky when it comes to concealers. And trust me, I truly have tried all that Sephora has to offer so if I don’t mention one here, it’s safe to say I don’t recommend it. Though it goes without saying, all of the ones highlighted below perform effectively and exceptionally without complaining.
Perhaps my favorite concealer ever, and certainly my favorite at Sephora, is this stick concealer. Not only is it the only stick concealer that’s ever worked for me in this history of stick concealers but it’s also *so* kind to dry and maturing skin, perfect to take with you for mid-day touch ups and you can really customize the level of coverage you want. I find that a lot of concealers want to be yellow or pink when you get to the lightest shades (read: sorbet colors) but the shade I wear is neutral on my skin tone and is *really* effective as a spot concealer as well. The sophisticated, emollient formula never tugs at my skin but still dries down very nicely. — I wear shade 0N0.
While it’s not the buzziest concealer at Sephora, this cult classic concealer easily one of the best and one you can trust to handle all of your concealing needs. I first bought this on the recommendation of a friend with oilier skin and was worried it wouldn’t work for my *very* dry skin (did I mention I have dry skin?) but thankfully, it’s perfect. I wear this nearly every time I do my makeup and love that it’s medium coverage, reliable, gets along with all of my other products, never looks cakey and is kind to dry and maturing skin. Simply put, this concealer is the whole package and proof that the best things aren’t always new. I will say that I had a hard time finding my shade at first, partly because I will never accept how truly pale I am but it was worth the trial and error. I have a backup in my cart! — I wear shade Chantilly (01).
Over the last year I’ve been in my Dior Era and can’t say enough about their complexion products. And while I already wrote a love letter to their foundation above and in countless other posts, they also make one of my absolute favorite concealers. This is easily the most full coverage concealer I own and I *love* how the creamy formula blurs and blends beautifully without any fuss. While other full coverage concealers end up revealing dry patches I didn’t know existed, this one works seamlessly under my eyes and wherever I need extra coverage. A little goes a long way and I’ve never had any issues with it. And while I also like this concealer, I don’t think it’s as easy to wear and it doesn’t get along with some of my foundations. — I wear shades 00 (to brighten) and 0.5 (to match my skin tone).
Finally, the newest concealer in my collection doesn’t disappoint and lives up to the very high standards set by the brand. While I don’t reach for this one as often as the others included on this list, it gets my full endorsement. Despite the initial claims, I would argue this is a solid medium coverage concealer that works under the eyes and anywhere you need it — and of course, the packaging is divine. More so than any of the other concealers I included here, this has a self-setting quality that distinguishes it from the other complexion products from the brand. At the end of the day, I wouldn't recommend this one over another medium coverage concealer highlighted here but it’s a great product for those who love the brand or are looking for a “clean” concealer (and please know that I say clean with the most dramatic eye roll possible). — I wear shades L1 and L2 but prefer L1.
While most of my favorite makeup brushes aren’t sold at Sephora, one of my most used and most loved brushes can only be purchased at Sephora. When it comes to eye brushes, this brush is the best and one of those items that should be in everyone’s cart. I use it nearly every time I do my eye makeup and truly could not recommend it more. It works with so many different formulas and textures, blends beautifully and is the perfect size and shape.
Though not unique to Sephora, this powder brush is a sleeper hit. The shape and size make it incredibly versatile (note: it’s smaller than the previous brush), it’s soft but not too soft, picks up just the right amount of product, blends without blending away and is really well made. Though this is my favorite brush from this collection, they also make others I use daily that aren’t on Sephora’s website.
Hair Care
While I only highlighted one of their products on my list of tippy top recommendations, I could have included every single product from Crown Affair because I truly love and use the entire line daily. If you have been waiting for someone to confirm that their products are worth every penny (at least for my very fine hair), then please let this be your sign. If I had to rank a few for my must haves, the first would obviously be the one above. But I would also emphasize that this specific brush has made a surprising yet considerable impact on my hair because of its unique wooden pins. As someone whose hair is always tangled to some degree, this brush has been an absolute game-changer and strand-savior as it allows me to get out the knots without taking all of my hair along with them. The real hair gurus will tell you that you should only use a comb when your hair is wet but I like to think of this brush as the next best thing for those (like me) who don’t have the time or patience for a comb. I also have about ten pairs of these little marvels and truly cannot live without them, and this duo is my go-to in the shower. With Crown Affair, you really can’t go wrong.
— Note: You can always save 15% with code: natalie15
I’ve found that my hair is happiest when I switch up my shampoo every few washes so when I’m not using my go-to shampoo, I reach for this shampoo or this shampoo. Both really go above and beyond to clean my hair and keep it from getting greasy without twelve hours of washing (note: I wash my hair everyday and will never change), and I love how they smell. I first purchased these on a friend’s recommendation and now they are *staples* in my shower. I’ve repurchased them countless times and bought their value sized of each during one of the last Sephora sales — and they’re in my cart once again! If you’re looking for a shampoo that cleans without stripping and is really great for fine hair, these are what I would recommend.
Perfume
Over the last year I have become a perfume addict and basically tripled the number of perfumes I own. It’s honestly getting to be a bit of a problem and I need to rein it in. However, until that realization becomes reality, I will continue to purchase all the delicate and delightful perfumes that truly interest me. And while most of my favorite perfumes are — you guessed it! — not at Sephora, my wedding day perfume is! It’s truly the most intoxicating and balanced yet true vanilla scent I own and I always get compliments when I wear it. My other favorites include this perfume oil — it’s better than the EDP!! — and this perfume, which smells like joy, laughter and childhood in a bottle. I discussed a bit more about the last perfume and some of my others here.
Answering Your Questions
While the recommendations throughout this post addressed the lion’s share of questions I received leading up to the Sephora sale, let’s take a moment to
Sets: Generally speaking, I think the majority of sets released around the holiday season sets are largely a waste of packaging and fail to execute a complete thought. However, I truly believe that both of Crown Affair’s sets are absolutely perfect and exactly how I would have made my own sets — you know, had I been consulted. While the ones on their website have elevated limited edition products (!!!), I think this is one of the best sets you can get at Sephora.
— Note: You can always save 15% with code: natalie15
Skin Tint or Light Coverage Foundation: My go-to at Sephora is this skin tint, which I think is a perfect product. I tested this skin tint in store and am picking it up during the sale! I’m the lightest shade.
Setting Powder: Of all the setting powders at Sephora, this is my favorite. I wore it on my wedding day and the compact is *perfect* to take on the go.
Oil-Based Cleansers: This is the only liquid oil cleanser that I use and love, and this is my favorite balmy oil cleanser at Sephora.
— Note: You can always save 15% on most brands at Dermstore with code: myskinterest
Vitamin C Serum: While I didn’t speak to it here, this is easily the best and only vitamin c serum I recommend at Sephora. I discussed it more here!
Cream Blush: I picked up this cream blush during the last sale (I think?) and I love the shade Mauve. I don’t reach for it as much as other cream blushes not at Sephora but it’s really pretty.
Tell Me Everything and Ask Me Anything
Have questions on a specific product not included here? Dying to know more about that one thing I briefly mentioned? Want more insights on a product in your cart that I’ve talked about at one point or another? Don’t be shy! Leave all the comments! Let me help you get the most out of the sale!
Until next time, follow along on Instagram and browse all of my favorite things. myMusings is a labor of love but it is labor. Don’t forget to click the 🤍 button before you go! Thank you for being here. Talk soon.
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