My Picks For The Sephora Spring Savings Event
First off, I want to say THANK YOU to every one of you who left me a testimonial to be a part of Sephora’s 2021 “Squad.” Finalists will be announced at the end of April, and whether or not I get selected doesn’t matter because it’s enough knowing that you guys trust my very amateur beauty recommendations anyway.
The Sephora Spring Savings Event kicked off Friday for Rouge members and ends April 19. Let me quickly break down how the event works because you know there are rules.
Friday, April 9: Rouge members (meaning, those who are Sephora obsessed and have spent way too much money there over the years (me)) get first access to the event and 20% off their orders
Tuesday, April 13: VIB members (one step below Rouge. Like, you love Sephora but maybe aren’t as irresponsible with your shopping) can start shopping for 15% off their orders
Thursday, April 15: Insider members can start shopping for 10% off! *Note: Literally anyone can be an Insider even if you’ve never shopped at Sephora or spent more than $5 there. You just sign up on the spot online and boom, you’ll get at least the 10% off.
The sale ends Monday, April 19, so you’ve got time. Don’t stress—it’s not good for your skin.
In the true spirit of being a pseudo beauty blogger, I rounded up my Sephora favorites in case you’re looking to change it up and want some recos. My skin is super sensitive, so I stay away from heavily fragranced products. Everything I use is sensitive skin friendly! I broke it into four categories to keep things less chaotic: Skincare, Scents, Beauty, and Hair. Be sure to scroll all the way to bottom because Ellen (my mom) weighed in with her picks, and we know that Ellen knows all.
Moisturizer: Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream with Ashwagandha + Reishi
I got this last April and love. it. The normal 2 oz. size is always out of stock, so I order two minis at once and just work my way through them. It has no scent whatsoever and is just a great, neutral moisturizer.
Face Oil: Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil
I also got this last April and AM OBSESSED. My skin drinks this shit in. It barely has a scent and truly goes out of its way to hydrate your skin. I use 5 drops every morning and night, just about.
Lip Mask: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
This is 100000000% worth the hype. I apply it every single night and have one in both the bathroom and by the bed. I’ve always stuck to the original Berry flavor (is flavor the right word here?), but I’m sure any of them are great. 12/10 recommend.
SPF: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Sensitive skin and sunscreen sometimes don’t mix; however, I know how important SPF is for your face especially during the summer. I bought the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen last season and really liked it. It feels like fucking velvet and sits very neatly under your makeup. It also doesn’t have that sunscreen smell. In fact, it’s totally scentless! I try to remember to put it on every day once spring and summer arrive. It’s oil-free and clean beauty, too, which is always a plus!
Body Scrub: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA
If you suffer from the dreaded Keratosis Pilaris like me, you know the struggle. There is no cure, but 1,000 methods people swear by to make it better. I’ve tried so many and can’t seem to stick with them, but I recently got a bottle of this stuff. I can’t provide a before/after just yet—I want to use it consistently for a lot longer to see if it actually works, but I’ve heard really great things. I keep it in the shower and use it on my upper arms, thighs, and butt twice a week to combat KP (the nastiest skank bitch I’ve ever met).
Body Wash, Lotion, and Hand Cream: Necessaire
I had no idea Sephora carried Necessaire?! I wish they’d give me a damn ongoing discount code, but I digress. If you’ve been wanting to try this skincare line and also curse that I don’t have a discount code to offer you guys, NOW’S YOUR CHANCE! I legitimately haven’t used another body wash or body lotion since becoming a Necessaire ambassador. The sandalwood scent is BY FAR my favorite—it’s such a gorgeous scent. The body lotion is completely fragrance-free and the perfect weight for spring/summer. It’s moisturizing, but not greasy or thick like a winter lotion. The hand cream is great, too—I have one in my bedside drawer and in my purse!
This is legitimately what I was most excited to order this go round. My best friend, Whitney, was saying how much she loves the scent so I randomly popped into Sephora one day to try it and wow. It’s the perfect mixture of rose/florals + amber/patchouli. I love anything with amber or patchouli, though. It had good staying power to the point where Zac smelled it at the end of the day when he got home and approved (yes, I have to get “approval” about scents now because, well, #man). I ordered the 2.5 oz and the smaller roller ball for travel and my bag!
Maison No.04 Bois de Balincourt Eau de Parfum
Listen to me closely. If you’ve ever smelled Le Labo’s Santal 33 perfume, loved it, and then threw up in your mouth a little over the price of it, THIS IS THE BEST DUPE OUT THERE. Every single time I wear it, some lady close by says “Santal 33?” And sometimes I say “Yes!” if I’m feeling rich and stuck up, but other times I say “No, it’s a dupe!” Sandalwood, vetiver, and amber scents? Bye. It’s seriously such a gorgeous, heady yet light scent. Perfection.
I don’t even know what oud is, I just know I love it so much when it comes to candles. This scent feels up your entire home and is so gorgeous. NEST candles are high quality and really “throw” (that’s inside lingo for throwing off a strong scent. Now you know).
If you’ve been following me for a long time, none of these products are going to be a surprise to you. While I love to try new beauty products, I stick to what I know in regards to foundation and whatnot because, again, sensitive skin problems. But lipsticks, eyeshadows, hell even blushes—I’ll flirt with that shit.
Foundation: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation
I’ve been using this for 5? 6? Years? I honestly can’t remember at this point, it’s been that long. I swear by it. The SPF in it doesn’t make my skin angry and, to me, it’s the perfect middle between tinted moisturizer and heavy foundation. It’s full coverage but not cakey, and it goes on like a dream. I don’t know… maybe it’s time to try something new, but I don’t really want to! I apply it with this foundation brush, which is a Sephora special.
Blush: NARS Multiple Stick in Portofino
This I can confidently say I’ve been using since college. No, really. I’ve never changed it up HAHA. I love cream blush > powder blush. IMO, it looks more natural and has a bit of a dewy finish. I use Portofino for my skin tone, but Orgasm is the most popular color, for sure. Also, this isn’t just a blush stick. You can use it on your eyes, nose, and body to blush, highlight, or contour. She works hard for the money.
Contour and Highlight: Mini Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo
I just got into the world of contour and highlight a few months ago. It’s scary and very intimidating, so I started slow with a mini version of Charlotte’s duo and love it. It’s very easy to apply, even for a simpleton like me. I got her special contour brush to apply it with, too, which really helps. Absolutely recommend starting here if you’re new to contour and highlight like me!
Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder in “Honey”
When I realized Laura Mercier rolled out actual shades of her perfect setting powder, I mentally jumped for joy. I’ve been using this stuff for a long time and was excited to be able to get the Honey shade for my complexion. It’s the perfect setting powder—light with full coverage.
Lipstick and lip pencil: NARS
Jungle Red is my signature NARS lipstick color, but I’m pretty sure it’s discontinued because I’ve only been able to find it via Amazon for the last year or so. That’s okay, though, because their lipstick quality is good enough that I’ll replace it with a new red like Bad Reputation or Inappropriate Red. The Precision Lip Liner in Mariachi is the perfect red and literally blends with almost any red lipstick, too!
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury, “Secret Salma”
Charlotte also makes incredible, super creamy lipstick. One of my best friends wore this deep rose plum for her wedding and I loved it so much, I bought a tube and wear it often. It’s such a gorgeous color—I always get compliments when I wear it.
Lipstick: Hourglass, “Activist”
Ok, Hourglass lipstick is SO GOOD. I wear the color Activist as my everyday lipstick because it’s the perfect neutral rose, literally. It’s so easy to wear when you don’t want a bright, bold lip but you want something more than just chapstick. I’ve gone through two tubes of it, in fact! I ordered another to try from them this sale—the blue red “Icon.” I will report back, obviously.
The OG Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette was the best thing since sliced bread, IMO. I still have mine even though it’s easily 5+ years old and my favorite shades are gone. This mini palette is the perfect neutral to smoky combo of shadows and a great add to your makeup arsenal, for sure.
Eyebrows: Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows Tinted Eyebrow Gel
I was a Glossier Boy Brow girl for years before I decided it was a bit too heavy and thick for me. I’ve been using Charlotte’s brow gel for a while now and absolutely love it. The microfine brush creates such a natural, defined look that I just haven’t been able to achieve with another brow gel. I use the dark brown shade!
The thing with dry shampoo and curly hair is that it’s not as necessary. Curly hair is prone to dryness, which is why I can go a week without showering and my hair will still not be greasy. However, there are moments in which dry shampoo is helpful and my go-to is the Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) (clever girl). I love the smell, and it’s high quality stuff that actually works. Like you can visibly see the white dry shampoo when you spray. I hate the invisible ones. It’s like, am I really using dry shampoo on my hair or is this all a big joke?
Hair towel: DEVATOWEL Anti-Frizz Microfiber Towel
I’ve used this hair towel for YEARS. You can buy cheap microfiber towels anywhere, but the quality won’t be nearly as good, trust me. It’s big so it can cover any length of hair and it’s gentle on curls and all hair types! Cannot recommend this microfiber hair towel enough, really.
Another hyped product that’s worth the hype. When I got color in my hair for the first time last summer, I bought a bottle and have used it once a week for 30 minutes ever since. It’s not a deep conditioner; it’s a strengthening product for damaged and/or colored hair and, if you use it religiously, it definitely makes a difference.
ellen's quick picks
Nest NY South Pacific Sandalwood Perfume Oil Rollerball
This is a new scent offering. They have a handful of others in the roller ball, which get mostly good reviews. This one sounds like it lasts and was compared to Byredo Mojave Ghost. I like Sandalwood, plus it has notes of violet and vetiver. All of them are in my wheelhouse, so for 20% I will believe the good reviews, and see if it lasts...because it also comes in a large size that uses a dropper. But I ain't usin' no dropper, so please STOP, sir.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil
This shade is a dupe for my Lancome "Bronzelle" lip liner, which is more expensive, and harder to find. It glides on without any 'pull,' and it's a shade or two deeper than my lips, so I will use it with every lippie I own and I will be happy. Most of the time.
Benefit Cosmetics Mini Hoola Matte Bronzer
Ok, I know I sent this to you during the last sale BUT...it is a great bronzer. Doesn't oxidize and never breaks out my very sensitive skin. The brush in the small travel size and the regular size are shite so I use a different one to apply. It comes in a regular size and you can jumbo size it, too. I only use it 4 months or so out of the year, so a mini is better for me... and for travel.
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in the color, "Backtalk"
It's a matte, but not a drying one. Reads pinky mauve...so it has something going on and is a great everyday lippie.
Tarte Quick Stick Waterproof Shadow and Liner
This is new from Tarte. Comes in 6 combinations. A few are not available on Sephora, as they sold out. There are shimmer tones and a few matte colors. Intrigued to try this out, and it gets good reviews so far. I am going for the matte and we shall see.
