The much-awaited (and requested!) guide to the Sephora sale is here.
First — the details.
It starts Friday, October 27th for VIB Rouge members and then so forth. Here are the deets. As a loyal Sephora girl, I’ve developed my own strategy for the sale, after years of overspending and splurging. Because let’s be real — sales are created for us to spend more than we should.
Rounding up some of my favorite recommendations below (especially if you have pigmented, acne-prone skin and fine/color-treated hair). Most of these are part of my daily routine or have been researched/tested.
Note: This does not include skincare for face — I’m happy to share what I use if anyone wants to know but I don’t like sharing blanketed skincare recommendations. I know firsthand how skincare is SO specific to your skin type and what you’re looking for. There truly is no one product that works for all. My 25-year old self did not know this and ruined my skin via by trying everything being recommended online (proof via my OG skincare insta). I mean, I was pairing Drunk Elephant Vitamin C’s with Sunday Riley’s salicylic acid and so forth. Ya live and ya learn.
TMM Sephora Sale Rules
Remember, sales are created to trick us into spending way more than we should. Don’t get crazyyyyy.
Spend time in-store if you can trying, testing, and seeing what you like. From those, pick 2-3 products that have been on your list to buy.
Don’t be afraid to use the Sephora sampling program — get samples of foundations, concealers, skincare etc and test before you buy.
Sephora has one of the best return policy programs. Don’t abuse it obviously but if you buy something and then try it on at home and don’t love, return it for a new shade or product.
Make a list of everything you need to re-purchase (daily routine products) and buy them during the sale since you know you will be using them.
You don’t need everything from all the “EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET DURING THE SEPHORA SALE” TikTok’s and articles. Keep in mind your skin, your makeup habits, and what you always reach for.
GREAT time to buy holiday gift sets & perfumes/colognes if that’s your kinda thing.
Build your online cart in advance so you can check out — a lot of the cult fave products do sell out.
Ok, let’s get into it.
Hair
ColorWow Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Spray is MUST if you struggle with at-home blow-drys and want them to look just a bit more professional. (They have a curly hair version too).
JVN Air Dry Cream for those lazy winter days when you cannot be bothered to dry your hair or make an extra effort. It’s non-greasy and doesn’t weigh hair down. Gives hair a glossy look and reduces frizz.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray smells just as fantastic as it works. It acts somewhere in between a dry shampoo and a hairspray (non-crunch) and gives your hair volume right where you need it. It’s a hairstylist fan favorite.
Kérastse Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil Serum if your hair needs post-wash extra hydration. One small drop goes a very long way.
OUAI Detox Shampoo is a must for scalp build-up. No other shampoo makes my head feel cleaner post-wash. If you already have this and love then get the deluxe size so you can refill your bottle vs. buying new each time.
Fable & Mane Pre-Wash Treatment Oil is a great quick oil treatment with a dropper when you want a little nourishment pre-washing. I’ve been trying to change my routine to always having something in my hair before I wash it to help with dryness/maintaining color.
Products I wouldn’t recommend — Bumble & Bumble Invisible Hairdressers Oil (made my hair greasy), JVN Hair Oil (was fine but not worth the $), AMIKA Perk Up Dry Shampoo (has an odd smell), and the VERB Glossy Shine Heat Protectant Spray (the TRESemmé drugstore one is way better).
Eyes & Brows
Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eye Pencil in Brown is the perfect subtle smokey eyeliner look and easy for beginners to use.
Kulfi Beauty Underlined Kajal Eyeliner in Rain Check (blue) is such a fun pop of color, honestly all their eyeliners are great and glide on so well.
Caliray Come Hell or High Water Tubing Mascara is the IT girl for easy, clean daily mascara and bonus for if you have sensitive eyes or are lazy to spend 10 min removing mascara at the end of the day. (Pro-Tip: never buy full size mascaras, always sample size - they dry out fast so this way you don’t waste product).
Tower28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening Mascara for a more dramatic, fuller look but still within the clean beauty range and easy to remove.
Sephora Collection Liquid Eyeliner is my holy grail (all their eyeliner products) and also there is an extra sale on all their products. You cannot go wrong with these OR their individual eyeshadows, especially if you want to try new shades.
Kaja Moon Crystal Sparkling Pigment if you’re in the market for a strong shimmer cream eyeshadow. Love the shades Goddess and Luminary.
Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette is the 2023 version of the Naked Palette era. The shade variety is perfect for all skin tones and the shadows are buildable so you can go from day to weekend glam without switching between multiple palettes.
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Shadow is the easiest way to add sparkle to your eyes with literally no effort. This applies so well with a finger or a brush, dries as powder, and a little goes a long way. Fave shades are Champagne and Walk of No Shame.
Kosas Airbrow Tinted Eyebrow Gel is a staple. Self-explanatory but just a great addition to your daily brow routine or if you’re looking to start one.
I’m a Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyebrow Pencil loyalist but this Sephora Collection one is just as good and cheaper.
Rare Beauty Weightless Eyeshadow Primer is a staple — if you feel like your eyeshadow always falls off and you’re not wearing primer, now you know why.
Products I wouldn’t recommend — the MERIT Solo Eyeshadow (the color range all kinda looks the same when you apply, especially on brown skin), ILIA mascara (didn’t do it for me, clumped easy), and the Charlotte Tilbury Color Eyeshadow Pencil (was an eh, definitely better out there like Sephora Collection or Laura Mercier).
Face
Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation…at this point if you don’t have this, we can’t be friends. Kidding but honestly I have stopped using every other foundation I own…and you know I have a handful of these. However, Lady Gaga and team are doing something right if you’ve been debating trying the Haus Labs one, formula is 10/10.
The Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Under Eye Color Corrector (if you can get your hands on it, always sold out) is a TikTok fan favorite and rightfully so.
NUDESTIX Nudies All Over-Blush is the best stick cream blush I’ve tried and I’ve been using this since before Sophia Richie took over our feeds ;) Pretty Peach and Rosy Posy are my shades of choice.
Kosas Super Creamy Concealer has taken over my life in the best way. You know it’s good when it replaces a concealer you’ve been using since age 18 (NARS Radiant Creamy).
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush is not for the faint — super pigmented, needs a good brush or a soft hand to blend but the shade and colors are perfection. A must if you’re a makeup girl and love some glam.
If you’re looking for a good contour product, my favorite stick contour is Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt and for cream/powder contour the Patrick Ta Major Sculpt.
OneSize by Patrick Starr Blurring Setting Powder would win if TMM ever held a beauty award — I’ve tried several this year and this one blurs, brightens, and locks like none other. I use shade Pure Honey.
Saie Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer comes very close to the OG Laura Mercier one — perfect for everyday wear. (Reminder: just because it has SPF in the product doesn’t mean you don’t need actual sunblock on top).
Products I wouldn’t recommend are Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Foundation (this ain’t it), Huda Beauty Baking Powder (good not great), and the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Powder (cakey and went on super thick).
Lips
Sephora Collection Cream Liquid Lip Stain — stock up on any and all colors from here, this one is non-drying and the shade range is massive.
Tower28 Jelly Non Stick Lip Gloss is with me wherever I go. Speficially the Clear, Almond, and Cashew ones are my picks. Extremely obsessed with this formula.
Danessa Myricks Lip + Cheek pigment if you’re more of a seasoned pro and want more of a “lip lewk”. Use a lipstick brush if you’re using this (not your finger). Love the shades Latte and Dessert Rose.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks are a must — obviously the shade Pillow Talk or Pillow Talk 2 (definitely worth it). The shade I am most obsessed with was limited edition called Super Nineties, if anyone has a lead on a similar shade please let me know because they don’t make it anymore :(
Gisou Lip Oil is on my list, I saw a friend wearing this and I loved how it added a healthy shine to her lips.
Lawless Forget The Filler Lip Plumping Gloss has been on my list since Ami Desai recco’d it in our episode together. Specifically the shade George.
Urban Decay Lip Liner in shade Liar and Makeup Forever Aqua Lip Liner in 3C are essentials. Find a shade that works with the kind of lip colors you normally go for.
Makeup by Mario MoistureGlow Lip Plumping Serum in shades Cinnamon Glow and Mauve Glow. Loooove this.
Products I wouldn’t recommend is the REFY Lip Sculpt & Liner (didn’t love the shades) and the Milk Hydrating Non-Sticky Lip Gloss (didn’t last long/felt sticky).
Brushes
Sephora Collection Pro Foundation Brush is a must-need brush if you want professional application but don’t want to splurge.
Tarte Airbrush Finish Buffing Brush is my go-to for those who like heavier applications - works like magic for acne texture and covering cystic acne.
If you’re looking for the whole shebang in terms of brushes, get this Sephora Pro Collection set with all the key brushes you need.
Product I wouldn’t recommend is the REFY Duo Brush, I fell into the hype — thought I liked it and realized the more I used it, the more it did not work for my skin type, the bristles actually settled the product into my acne instead of covering. A lot of people love it but wasn’t for me.
Also — you DO not need expensive brushes. Get them on sale or buy in a set if you want to invest.
Thanks for being here and happy shopping! Comment below if you have any other favorites or products you’re eyeing.
