My Picks from the Sephora Spring Savings Event

Beauty products may not be at the top of everyone’s list of essentials right now but anytime I can snag my everyday favorites on sale—I’m in. I wanted to take a moment to round up my personal picks from the Sephora Spring Savings Event all in one place. I’ve been making the switch to cleaner products and while not every product is clean, there’s a fair share of cleaner beauty options, especially on the skincare side. I also know the #cleanatsephora stamp of approval does not encompass all of the ingredients to meet stricter clean beauty standards so I highly recommend always checking ingredient lists if that is something important to you. With that being said…here’s what I’m using now.

Sephora Sale Details

Rouge Members: 20% off 4/17-5/1

VIB Members: 15% off 4/21-4/29

Beauty Insiders: 10% off 4/23-4/27

Use code SPRINGSAVE

My skin type: combination to dry/dehydrated, sensitive, acne-prone

Highlighting a few below

1. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer: I’ve been using this as my nighttime moisturizer for a couple of years and I love how it’s hydrating, moisturizing, calming, plumping and pillowy-soft. The texture is a dream and it feels like a “basic” moisturizer that’s really not-so-basic.

2. Nars Sheer Glow Foundation: I’ve used 3 different foundations over the last 5+ years and Nars Sheer Glow is one of them. Despite the name, it offers beautiful (not sheer) coverage. Although you can easily mix it with your moisturizer to sheer it out. I love this one because it’s not matte, it’s not dewy, it’s just natural. I have the color “Punjab” and it’s more of a summer shade for me but blends nicely and since I often mix it with my moisturizer, it blends out nicely. I also have highly breakout-prone skin and foundations are often a culprit. This one is safe for me.

3. Drunk Elephant Babyfacial: I am a huge huge fan of acids to exfoliate my skin and this has a great mix of AHA/BHA/salicylic acid in a mask form. I use this once a week as a mask to improve texture and tone and it leaves my skin feeling baby smooth. Note: it does tingle - something to be aware of.

4. Tarte Knockout Tingle Treatment Toner: I fell in love with this the minute it worked on a stubborn milia spot on my cheekbone—like overnight!—and that’s all I have to say. But also…it’s a liquid exfoliator you apply with a cotton pad and leave on overnight. Again note this does tingle and leaves my skin a bit flushed (especially when you first start using it) but it helps so very well with texture and pores.

5. Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser: I ditched makeup wipes this year (hello not sustainable and also cause inflammation??), switched over to a double cleanse and haven’t looked back. You want to use an oil cleanser on dry skin to melt away makeup and SPF, then follow with your normal cleanser. I’ve tried a few and love how this one melts into the skin and feels oh-so-nourishing. I recommend trying this in the Nice to Meet You set because it also comes with my favorite moisturizer: Protini!

6. Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask: This is a new product from the brand and it’s also newer to me but I absolutely love the extra hydration it adds. The recommended application is a bit odd (you apply it as your last step) but I’ve found it also works beautifully before applying makeup.

7. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask and Nighttime Lip Therapy: As a recovering Chapstick addict, these have been some of the only lip products I can tolerate. And my lips are highly sensitive and chap easily. I will say - it sounds like they may have changed the formula of the lip mask but I did repurchase it recently and mine new tube is just fine. To each their own I guess because the Laneige sleeping mask has glowing reviews and I absolutely hated it. The lip mask (in the tube) is thicker and a little sticky but they both feel highly moisturizing and don’t have an obnoxious smell.

8. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Pillow Talk: I have never been a lip liner kind of girl until I tried this on a whim. It really does help define the lips and add fullness in such a natural way. It’s a new must-have for me.

9. Dior Lip Glow in 001 Pink Glow: Another product I’ve used for years. I don’t use any other color on my lip besides this and now the lip liner. It’s supposed to adjust to your own chemistry for the perfect shade of pink and while I don’t know if that’s the case, it is just a beautiful, natural pink. The perfect hint of pink, if you will, though it can easily be built up to something more intense. It’s very creamy and not at all irritating on my sensitive lips.

10. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow: I have this in a couple of colors (Metallic Taupe and Au Natural) and the Metallic Taupe is my favorite. For a minimal everyday routine, I dust my bronzer into my crease and then apply this on top, concentrating at the center of the lid and lash line. It just gives the prettiest golden glossy sheen/sparkle that somehow still feels natural. So quick and easy.

11. Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder: This is one of those powders that just gives a flawless, smooth, pore-filling appearance. I don’t use this every day but when I do I notice a huge difference in the appearance and texture of my skin. For reference, my skin is on the combination to dry side so I don’t really need oil-absorbing and can’t speak to that. A little goes a long way!

12. Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder: I alternate between two bronzers: this one and the Becca Sunlit Bronzer in Capri Coast and this one is by far the most natural. It’s actually a setting powder that perfects the skin and offers a subtle glow. To use it as more of a bronzer, I went up a couple of shades to the “light to medium.”

13. Benefit Benetint Cheek and Lip Stain: Another product I’ve used for years (honestly probably 10+) that just adds the perfect natural flush to the skin. I use this as the last step in my makeup routine and I find it also helps make any makeup or powders look more natural. Like you’ve just added a “skinlike” flush and finish back to the skin. I dab the brush on my ring fingers before patting into the tops of my cheeks for a natural flush.

14. The Ouai Wave Spray: I bought this a few years ago for a Mexico vacation and recently revitalized it in my routine. I use this as my last step on damp hair, scrunch a little and let my hair air dry behind my ears. On my finer, straighter hair it helps create that effortless bend.

15. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector: I use this treatment once a week or when my hair feels “blah.” I think it really helps when you’re in need of a cut or when your hair just doesn’t feel manageable. It just adds life back to your hair and I find it makes mine feel fuller. When I have the time, I’ll wet my hair and let it sit for 25-30 minutes before I get in the shower. Otherwise, I’ll run it through my hair right when I get in the shower and try to leave it on for 10 minutes before shampooing out. I also use their N0. 4 Shampoo about once a week and their conditioner almost daily.

A few new products I’m trying but can’t really speak to…

1. Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation: On my quest for a cleaner foundation option that looks like skin.

2. Ilia Illuminator in Cosmic Dancer: I usually use more of a matte cream highlighter or a powder with a subtle shimmer and thought this would be a good in-between.

3. Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser: I actually use the Trader Joe’s antioxidant cleanser and have for years but have been wanting to try this brand and this one has great reviews. I picked up the mini size.

As always, thank you for reading!

xo Tyler

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