Twice a year, I stock up on all my holy grail skincare, haircare, bodycare and makeup. And that time is almost here! That’s right, this week the Sephora sale opens for Rouge members, offering them 20% off.
Full disclosure, I do hold Rouge status, which makes the sale worth it for me to shop. If you are in a different Beauty Insider tier, the discount may not be worth it. Additionally, I want to make it clear that just because there’s a sale doesn’t mean you have to buy something for the sake of making a purchase. If you don’t need any new skincare, or non-necessity purchases aren’t in the budget right now, don’t feel pressured to buy something based off my recommendations. Do what is right for you, your skin, and your finances.
Now, without further ado, let’s get into some of the things I would recommend picking up!
How the Sephora Sale Works
I’m sure you all know how the sephora sale works, but just in case you don’t, it is split into three tiers based on your status within the Sephora Beauty Insider program.
- Rouge, the highest tier, gets 20% off from 10/30 – 11/09
- VIB, the second highest tier, gets 15% off from 11/3-11/09
- Beauty Insider gets 10% off from 11/05-11/0
The code o get the discount is HOLIDAYFUN.
Sephora Sale Recommendations: Skincare
Cleansers
Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Who here is a fan of YTTP? I’ve raved about their line in my brand review, but so many of their products made it into this recommendations list because the line is absolutely amazing. I’ve purchased this cleanser three times and absolutely love it. It smells like a green juice for your face. Ingredients like Kale, Spinach and Green Tea soothe and support skin, leaving it feel clean without feeling stripped. I’s a great morning cleanse in particular. I would recommend this for all skin types but especially normal/combo to oily.
Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser
If your skin is super dry and sensitive, THIS is the cleanser for you. Super creamy and gentle, it cleanses your skin without causing any irritation or dryness. I can’t recommend this enough if most cleansers leave your face dry and tight!
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
I will always keep this cleanser in my stash, because it’s the ONLY cleanser that I can use to take off my eye makeup without causing blurry eyes. It did take me a little while to get used to the scent, but once I did it’s become the definition of a holy grail. While I may not reach for it every night, I always know I can trust it to cleanse my skin gently and effectively.
Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
I’m a huge fan of this Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser for my morning cleanse. With fruit extracts that exfoliate and brighten, it’s a great option a few times a week to give you an amazing morning glow.
Masks
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask
This is my favorite clay mask available on the Sephora website since the Sand & Sky pink clay mask is no longer sold there! It is INTENSE – you can see all the blackheads and gunk being drawn out of your pores. I leave it on for 7-10 minutes and my face feels so much cleaner and lighter. The tube lasts quite a while as well, especially as you can spot treat areas like your nose and forehead and not coat the whole face with each application.
Korres Hydrabiome Mask
This is my go-to hydrating mask. Made with greek yoghurt, it is super soothing and has a nice cooling effect. I can leave it on for up to an hour to really see the hydrating effects. My skin looks soothed and calm. You know the love is real for this one because I’ve repurchased it eight times.
Fresh Black Tea Mask
If love is repurchasing a mask eight times, buying it twelve times might be borderline obsession. But if loving the Fresh Beauty Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask is wrong, I don’t want to be right! This is another true holy grail for me. I use it probably 2-3 times a week, particularly before applying makeup. It has the most amazing fluffy whipped texture and the best cooling effect. The price of $92 is hard to swallow, but the sale drops it down to $74 if you are in the Rouge tier. If you want to read more of my thoughts on this mask, you can check out my full Fresh Beauty brand review here.
Fresh Beauty Creme Ancienne Ultimate Nourishing Honey Mask
This is one of the most expensive masks I own, which is why I always purchase it during a sale. It is super hydrating, even more so than the Korres Hydrabiome mask, and feels like a warm blanket for your face. While you definitely don’t NEED a mask this expensive, it’s an amazing luxurious treat. The jar also lasts forever!
Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
I’m wrapping up my mask recommendations with my go-to overnight mask, the Youth to the People Dream Mask. It has an amazing creamy, buttery texture that is super enjoyable to use. I love the effect this has on my skin – I wake up looking glowy and bright. I can trust this mask anytime I need a simple routine, or my skin is freaking out. It’s definitely worth the purchase.
Toners
Indie Lee Coq10 Toner
Some people don’t think toners are a necessary step in a routine. To them I say, have you met the Indie Lee COQ10 toner? Kidding (kind of), but I love this toner so much. It’s a necessity in both my morning and evening routines. To apply, I spray a cotton pad with the toner and wipe over my whole face. It soothes, hydrates and preps my skin for the rest of my routine. I love so many Indie Lee products, but this is one of my holy grails; I’ve bought a total of 12 bottles!
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner
First Aid Beauty is amazing for sensitive skin, and this toner is no exception. If you suffer from dry skin, or you’re just looking for some extra hydration during the colder months, you should definitely consider picking up the wild oat toner. It has a thicker texture, almost essence/serum like, and is super soothing and hydrating. It was perfect for my skin in cold D.C. during the winter!
Mists
Youth to the People Adaptogen Soothe & Hydrate Activated Mist
I love a good mist, and this is one of my most-reached for ones in my collection. I’ve repurchased it four times, because I can always trust it to soothe any irritation or redness. While some say it has a strong smell, I’ve never been bothered by it. The ingredients are amazing, and like everything YTTP does it delivers on its promises.
Tower 28 S.O.S. Spray
I’ve reviewed this fantastic mist previously in my face mists roundup, but the Tower 28 SOS spray deserves another mention here. This includes hypochlorous acid, an amazing ingredient for fighting acne. It is super refreshing and seems to help immediately with my redness. After a workout, this is especially good to have on hand!
Eye Products
Indie Lee Eye Waken Eye Serum
I prefer eye serums to eye creams as they’re lighter and I tug the skin around my eyes less when using them. This one from Indie Lee is amazing in my morning routines – I feel like it helps with puffiness and makes my eyes look more awake.
Fresh Beauty Black Tea Firming Eye Serum
This is another great eye serum but it has a slightly different goal than the Indie Lee serum. In addition to de-puffing, it really helps with firmness and tightness around the eyes. I think this would be perfect for anyone worried about fine lines or wrinkles.
Youth to the People Dream Eye Cream
Full disclosure: I received this product in PR, but was intending to purchase it anyways before getting a package from YTTP. It is quite similar to the dream mask, but with a softer, airier texture that is more gentle around the eyes. I surprised myself with just how much I enjoyed it. While it’s definitely not a necessity, this sale would be a good opportunity to try it out.
Serums
Caudalie Vinopure Serum
I love a good salicylic acid serum, and this one from Caudalie is such high quality. It has a nice texture and is effective without being harsh on the skin. While using consistently, I’ve seen a great impact on my blackheads and pores. If you’re looking for a serum to target oily or acne-prone skin, I recommend this one.
Volition Strawberry C Brightening Serum
I’ve tried a bunch of vitamin C serums, but so far this has been my favorite of all of them. It’s unique in that it uses strawberries rather than oranges. The texture is quite viscous yet still lightweight. I saw a moderate brightening effect, but more importantly I saw an overall improvement in tone and pigmentation. This serum is a great option if you are new to vitamin C and don’t need one with a ton of strength.
Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
If you are a no-muss, no-fuss kind of skincare person, this HA is where it’s at. It is a STEAL at $8 (6.40 during the sale for Rouge!) and does exactly what it says it does. It is lightweight, absorbs nicely and didn’t pill for me. While there are a lot of fancy hyaluronic acid serums, this one is nice and simple and gets the job done.
Caudalie Vinosource SOS Deep Hydration Serum
If you are looking for a hydrating serum that packs a bit more punch, caudalie’s vinosource serum is a great option. It’s a little more elegant than the Inkey List, and I think it made my skin feel smoother and more hydrated. It is more expensive, however – but that might make the sale a good time. topick it up!
Moisturizers
Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream
Meet my go-to daytime moisturizer. This cream has the perfect airy texture that feels amazing and hydrating. It’s lightweight, sinks in immediately, and doesn’t pill with any other product I’ve used it with. I know I can trust it, which is why I’ve repurchased 3 times.
Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream
The only other moisturizer I’m recommending during this sale is also from YTTP (can you tell that I’m absolutely head over heels with them?) This is my go to evening moisturizer, especially in the winter months when my skin can get drier. It’s so soothing yet surprisingly lightweight. Can’t get enough of this one’s creamy texture!
Facial Oils
Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate & Glow Oil
Another YTTP pick (the last one in these recommendations, I promise!), I need to include their hydrate & glow oil in my picks for facial oils. This gives the most beautiful glow and leaves my skin looking flawless. I love the smell, the texture and the results. I’m actually finally restocking this during this sale!
Herbivore Lapis Blue Tansy Facial Oil
Facial oils can feel a little scary if your skin is acne prone. If oils freak you out, I definitely recommend checking out the Herbivore Lapis oil. It contains blue tansy, which is a godsend for fighting acne. When I use this, I get less breakouts, active breakouts are soothed, and my skin looks calmer.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oat & Hemp Seed Dry Oil
The last facial oil recommendation I have for you is this innovative dry oil from FAB. It is immensely hydrating and super reparative if you have dry or irritated patches, but it doesn’t feel heavy at all! Most importantly it doesn’t leave you looking like an oil slick, so you can use it during the daytime. I’ve missed having this oil in my stash.
Sunscreen
Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting SPF
There’s only one SPF I’ve tried from sephora that I feel enthusiastic about recommending, so here it is: The Tatcha Silken pore perfecting sunscreen SPF 35. I love the creamy texture and the blurring effect it has on my pores. It works really well as a base under makeup and sits comfortably throughout the day. It’s not as lightweight as some of my other favorite sunscreens, but it’s a good option.
Sephora Sale Recommendations: Makeup
For makeup, I don’t have detailed reviews to give on these products, as I’m not particularly well-versed in makeup; I’ve just included the makeup items I use on a day to day basis that I really enjoy. Since some of these, especially the palettes, can be quite expensive, I definitely recommend grabbing them during a sale.
Eyes
Urban Decay Naked3 Palette
I love the tones in this palette! It’s my favorite of all the urban palettes.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette
Another great eyeshadow palette with some moodier colors to choose from. Between the two, I have all my eyeshadow needs covered.
Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Liner
I am obsessed with this liquid eyeliner! The tip makes it easier to apply a sharp line and the color is rich and black.
Lip
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint
The BEST lipstick. This red color looks bomb on anyone – so fierce!
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
I find these lip glosses fun and easy to wear, and I like the fun shades they come in. They’re a great way to add a little shine to a look.
Face
Benefit the POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer
I use this to prep my skin for every makeup application. It smoothes out my skin and helps make my pores appear less enlarged. I’ve gone through a few tubes of it!
Milk Makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation
This is the foundation I’m currently using. It’s a really nice base that blends well. I don’t have to use a lot of product and it wears comfortably.
Sephora Sale Recommendations: Haircare
Shampoo & Conditioner
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo
Do you want to know how many times I’ve repurchased this shampoo.
EIGHTEEN.
I have gone through EIGHTEEN jars of this, and currently have three in my bathroom.
It is THAT GOOD.
You can read more about this and other briogeo products in my full brand review, but tl;dr you need this shampoo in your life. It has cured itchy scalp for me and made my hair look and feel so healthy.
Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Matcha + Apple Replenishing Shampoo
This is my go-to shampoo. It smells amazing, makes my hair feel so light and healthy, and cleanses gently without stripping. It’s even worked well when I color treat my hair.
Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Kale + Apple Replenishing Superfood Conditioner
The conditioner companion to my favorite shampoo, this is amazing for smoothing and softening my locks. When I use these together, my hair looks like it came straight out of a magazine. I’ve gone through about 12 bottles of each and no matter how many other shampoos or conditioners I try, I always come back to these two.
Hair Masks
Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Avocado Kiwi Mask
Briogeo’s new hair mask has become a holy grail for me! The Be Gentle Be Kind line is my absolute favorite to use, and the mask is no exception. The avocado in it is one of the best ingredients to use in a hair treatment. It makes my hair super hydrated and healthy. I love using it once a week to keep my hair looking its best.
Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask
Another very good hair mask that I’ve enjoyed a lot, Amika’s soulfood mask is very nourishing and deeply hydrating. This is great for hair that is very stripped of moisture and needs an intense treatment.
Verb Ghost Hair Mask
This is a great hair mask if you just need some effective deep conditioning but aren’t looking for anything fancy. I really love how soft my hair feels when I use the ghost line, and even more so how weightless it makes my locks feel.
Post-Shower Treatments
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo
The most unique dry shampoo I’ve used, this doesn’t have an aerosol! The powder is super effective at soaking up grease and grime and making three day old hair look pretty good! My pro tip: apply this before a workout to absorb the sweat 🙂
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
If you’re looking for a more traditional dry shampoo, this is a super effective option. It’s a great refresh for day two hair, and really adds some life if my hair looks a bit flat.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal & Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
If you’re looking to splurge a bit during the sale and get something that’s not totally necessary, this scalp treatment is a great option! It’s amazing for anyone who suffers from an itchy scalp and is looking for a soothing, cooling solution. It’s very effective. I use it almost every night.
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
The question I’ve received so so many times: Is this hair oil (and Gisou as a whole) worth it?
While not every Gisou product lives up to the hype, this hair oil certainly does. My hair was healthy prior to using this, but applying it takes it to a whole new level. It smoothes, softens and creates this beautiful shine to my hair. I swear my hair has never felt softer. Best of all, the bottle lasts forever – I’ve had the 1.7oz since July and am still only about 1/3 of the way through the bottle with 3-4x a week use.
Sephora Sale Recommendations: Bodycare
Necessaire Body Wash
I’ve reviewed the entire Necessaire line here, but just in case you haven’t read that post yet, I want to emphasize just how amazing this body wash is! It is one of the few body soaps that doesn’t irritate my skin. The gentle leather cleanses effectively without causing any reaction or dryness. I’ve repurchased the sandalwood wash four times now!
Necessaire Body Serum
A body serum definitely isn’t a necessity, but this Necessaire product has got me hooked. It makes my skin feel unbelievably smooth, and has really helped with my bumpy arms and legs. I’m obsessed with it! Oh and fun fact: you can also use it on your face!
Necessaire Body Lotion
I would also highly recommend picking up the Necessaire body lotion. It’s such a simple, no-frills product (fragrance free if you’re sensitive!) that works so well to hydrate and moisturize your body. So far, it’s my favorite body lotion I’ve ever tried.
Final Thoughts on the Sephora Sale
I hope you found these recommendations helpful! I enjoy shopping the sephora sale each year, particularly the one that occurs in November, as it’s a great time to pick up gifts for my friends and family.
That being said, it isn’t necessary to shop just because there’s a sale. If you are planning to wait for Black Friday deals, many brands offer better discounts on their own sites if you aren’t a Rouge deal. Do what is right for you.
On a final note, I will also be talking about some of my favorite gift sets that are on offer this year – look out for a blog post about that roundup soon!
Happy shopping <3
**All opinions included in this blog post are my own. No companies asked to be included or were otherwise involved in the creation of this post.**
Wow ? amazing recommendations. Love it . Thank you ?. Very informative.