Must-Haves from the Sephora Beauty Insider Sale

Hi everyone, and happy Friday!  It’s been a minute since I’ve written a blog post – things have been so busy!  If you follow along on Instagram, you know we just got back from an amazing vacation in the Turks & Caicos!  Now we are back to reality and slowly trying to get back into the groove of things!  I had a lot of questions from you all about the Turks & Caicos, so I plan to write a Travel Guide post very soon – stay tuned for that!  In the meantime, I wanted to share the details about the big Sephora sale that kicks off today!

First things first, are you a Beauty Insider at Sephora (i.e.: the Sephora Rewards program)?  If you are, then you are in luck!  Early access to the big Sephora sale event starts today for VIB Rouge members, and the main event begins for everyone else on August 30th.  If you are not a Beauty Insider, you can sign up here for free.  To break it down:

• VIB Rouge Members can start shopping the sale TODAY and will receive 20% off with code YESROUGE
• VIB Members (non-Rouge) will be able to start shopping the sale on August 30th and will receive 15% off with code YESVIB
• Beauty Insiders that are not VIB or VIB Rouge will also be able to shop the sale starting August 30th and will receive 10% off with YESINSIDER

Now is a great time to stock up on products you are about to run out of or new items that you may have been wanting to try!  Below I am sharing a few of my favorite items that I have used and loved.  One quick note – if you are in the market for new skincare, make sure to check out my recent post on my skincare routine – everything I shared in that post is from Sephora and is a part of the sale, too!

• Foundation Primer – Primer is not a part of my everyday routine, but when I do decide to use it, this is the one I keep on hand.  I typically use a primer if I have extra time while getting ready, or if I am going out and want my makeup to look extra special.  This primer makes my skin feel like velvet, and it truly helps make pores less visible when applying my foundation.  I like that this comes in a smaller bottle for only $15, too.

• Under Eye Brightener – I just added this to my routine about a week ago to help combat dark under eye circles, and so far I am liking it!  I use this as a first step to my makeup routine, and I apply it in an upside-down triangle under my eyes, blend it in with a beauty blender sponge, then I apply my foundation.  I have it in the “Light to Medium” color.

• Foundation – This is my favorite foundation of all time.  I have tried many, and always come back to this one.  For all day foundation, I like a lot of coverage and this one delivers in that department. It is buildable so you can go as heavy or light with it as you want, and it literally lasts all day.  I use a brush to apply my foundation, and the specific brushes I use are mentioned below in the last bullet.  Depending on how much you use, one bottle of this foundation will last you quite a while.  I also love that this has an SPF, which is super important to me.  I use color #21, “Linen”.

• Tinted Moisturizer – I have had this tinted moisturizer for a couple of years.  I like to use it during the summer on days where I don’t want to wear full foundation.  If you don’t like wearing full foundation at all but just want a little color, then this is the product for you! Plus it has an SPF included.  I recently mentioned a tinted sunscreen and bronzing serum by Drunk Elephant that I have been trying out, and while I like those products, this moisturizer is kind of like the best of both in one bottle, and I think it covers a little better.  I usually apply this with a brush just like I would with regular foundation.  I have this in the “Tawny” color which matches my skin well when I am more tan in the summer months.

• Concealer – After I apply foundation, I apply concealer under my eyes, and blend it with either a beauty blender sponge or a concealer brush.  I just started using this concealer a week ago and so far, so good.  I do think the color I went with is a little too dark, so I may switch it out, but I really like the coverage and thickness of the product.  Between this and the undereye brightener, I think my dark circles are a little more under control!  I also think this concealer is thick enough and covers well enough to be able to wear alone without any foundation.

• Bronzer – I used to solely use the Nars Laguna bronzer, and while I loved it, I always heard about how great this bronzer was, so I switched over about six months ago and I have loved it!  I am still using the same compact, but it is quickly running out so I may replace it while the sale is underway.  Beyond the fact that the color and coverage is perfect, it also comes with the best little brush that allows you to apply the bronzer just right.  I highly recommend this…and if you don’t want to splurge on the full size, it comes in a smaller size for only $15.  I have this in the “Natural Bronze”.

• Highlighter – I have played around with several different highlighters in the past and could never find one that worked until I tried this one – I am so obsessed with it!  I bought the smaller one because I wasn’t sure if I would love it, but next time I will be getting the full size!  I lightly sweep it across the top of my cheek bones and I also use it on my brow bone underneath the arch of my eyebrows.  I bought this in the “Opal” color and it gives that perfect dewey glow!

• Blush – I don’t always use blush, but when I do, this is my go-to.  It’s the prettiest pinkish-peach color with a touch of shimmer for a pretty glow.  I always go with the “Orgasm” color, and since I don’t use it often, one compact lasts me forever – well over a year.

• Eyeshadow – This is the eyeshadow palette I have been using for the past couple of months and it has some really pretty shades.  I like that there are some warmer tones in this one, which is perfect for fall.  Also, sidetone, but I have not used an eyeliner pencil in a while.  I have actually been using the darkest shade of eyeshadow in this palette (“smokeshow”), and dipping a flat, angled eyeliner brush into it and applying it like a liner.  It does the trick for now!  I also really like this palette – I have used it in the past and I think it is similar to the Tartelette one, it just has fewer shades – you can’t go wrong with either really!

• Mascara – So full disclosure here, I have not yet tried this mascara, but it is on my list to try next!  I have gone from high-end mascaras to drug-store brands, and still have not found the holy grail!  I have heard rave reviews about this one, and I like that you can buy it in a smaller tube if you just want to try it out before buying the full-size!

• Perfume – While this is not make-up, I did want to share my new favorite perfume.  I have seen Jo Malone around for ages, but have never tried any of their fragrances.  Earlier this year, I received a sample of the “English Pear and Freesia” and was immediately in love!  I am a perfume junkie, so I am always excited to find a great new scent.  Even two of my best friends had to buy a bottle once they smelled mine when we were in NYC a few months ago.  And like with some of the other products, you can buy this in a smaller bottle that won’t break the bank.  Highly recommend!

• Brushes – This is the line of makeup brushes I have been using for about two years now.  Unfortunately, they are not sold at Sephora, but I was able to find them at Nordstrom.  This is a great starter set, as there is a brush for applying foundation, concealer, and a blending brush (as well as a couple others).  You could also use one of these for applying the highlighter and blush.

That’s pretty much the low down on my make-up must-haves, including what I use on a daily basis.  If you have any questions about any of the products I have mentioned, be sure to let me know!  I always respond to the questions/comments that I receive and I am happy to help!  You can also shop everything I’ve mentioned in this post via the rotating bar below!

Go ahead and get your shopping lists ready for the sale – and remember if you are not VIB Rouge, you’ll be able to shop the sale starting August 30th through September 3rd as long as you are signed up for the Beauty Insider program!  By the way, the Beauty Insider program is great – you earn rewards on every purchase, and if you hoard your points like I tend to do, you can end up redeeming for some pretty awesome products/gifts.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!