Sephora is having a sale! This is huge, because the annoying thing about beauty products is that they almost never go on sale. But those rare times when they do are amazing, because it's the perfect time to either a) stock up on your favorites or b) try something new you've had your eye on. Below I've listed what I'm humbly calling the very best things in the Sephora sale. I've included some of my all-time favorites, many of the awesome products I currently use in my own routine, and a few newer things I'm dying to try myself. Before you get shopping, here are some basics to know: -The sale starts today and goes through Monday. -Insiders gets 10 percent off with code YESINSIDER. (Note: Anyone can become an Insider--there's no cost or catch. Joining is really a no-brainer--it even gets you free samples with every order! You can join here.) -VIB members get 20 percent off with code YESVIB. -You can only use the code once online, but you can use it in store as many times as you want.
-The only brand not included in the sale is Dyson, and the only other rules are that you can only get three Drunk Elephant products (make sure Baby Facial is one of them!) and three Tatcha products. Other than that? GO. TO. TOWN. Here what I'd get....
I've been a beauty editor/writer for well over a decade, so trying new products is literally my job. Still, when it comes to skincare, I've always been very guilty of an if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it approach. I haven't had great skin for most of my life, so when I find stuff that doesn't make me break out, it's hard to stray. But I've made a real push to try more things over the last few months, and I recently realized that my skincare routine is suddently totally different than it was a year ago. And it's good! In fact, I feel like my skin looks and feels better than it has in a long, long time. In today's post, I wanted to share what's gotten me to this place. So here's what I actually do every day for my A.M. and P.M. skin-care routines. Enjoy! Morning Routine Bioeffect Volcanic Exfoliator or (not shown)Aveeno Positively Radiant Scrub- I use one of these exfoliators in the shower a couple of times a week. As I've said before, I'm bad at remembering to scrub, but somehow keeping the tubes in the shower makes me so much more likely to actually use them. Both of these are gel formulas, which I personally like so much better than creams, and bothare gentle and effective. Sunday Riley C.E.O Rapid Flash Brightening Serum - Antioxidants are a must. If you're not using them, you're nuts. And vitamin C is one of the absolute best, especially when you want to battle dull skin, which is pretty much a constant issue for me. Problem is, most vitamin C products are smelly and runny and just kind of awful to use, but this one (which I also mentioned here) couldn't be more pleasant. It's a creamy formula that smells like citrus. And I swear, my skin looked noticeably brighter after just a few weeks of use. I'm obsessed! Skinceuticals Light Moisture UV Defense SPF 50 - This is not the true packaging, FYI; I'm using a lab sample. (I got an early peek at it for a sunscreen story I did for Rachael Ray Every Day magazine, and real packaging wasn't available at the time. It really looks like this.) This is one of those new supersheer formulas that feels and looks totally invisible. It works perfectly under makeup, and I like that it doesn't clog my pores the way many of these ultra-sheer sunscreens tend to do. Clark's Botanicals Retinol Rescue Eye Serum - I have been using this for several months now and I love it so much!! I really feel like it made a noticeable different in the lines under and around my eyes very quickly, and I'm obsessed with the applicator. It's cold-to-the-touch, so it de-puffs as you apply it. It also works really well under makeup, acting almost like a primer to smooth out lines before you put on concealer. Tata Harper Illuminating Moisturizer - I wrote about this for a magazine article coming out this fall, and (spoiler alert) I described it as giving you "millennial skin." And it does! It has diamond dust in the formula that gives the most amazing youthful, radiant glow that still shows through when you apply your foundation. And it's natural! This is expensive, but honestly so worth it. It makes your skin look like J.Lo's skin, no highlighter required. (One note: It has a heavy floral scent, which I didn't love the first couple of times I used it. But I got used to it fast. I don't even notice it anymore.) Evening Routine Simple Face Wipes - They're not fancy, but they work. They whisk away makeup, and don't leave my skin stripped or oily. They're also one of the only beauty products I actually buy. (I'm lucky enough to get most things for free, but I go through these so quick--and they're so affordable--that I just buy them at the drugstore myself.) Prescription retinoid - Everyone needs to be using a retinoid. Period. I've used one on and off since my late teens, but I wish I had been consistent earlier. They're one of the only ingredients proven without a doubt to fight lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. It's basically a fact that people who regularly use retinoids look younger than people who don't. So, get on it! And, yes, I know they can be irritating. That's the reason I was on and off for so many years. For me, the biggest issue was excessive dryness, which was awful. Start with a low dose because you can always move up. Also, try different kinds if one doesn't work for you. For example, Tazorac--a really strong retinoid that many people I know are absolutely obsessed with--is too strong for me. The best I've found for me is this one: a generic 0.025% tretinoin. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream - Super moisturizing, but not at all greasy. And it's packed with potent-but-gentle anti-agers to work on lines and spots while you sleep. Since using it, my skin is so much softer when I wake up in the morning, and just looks so much plumper and healthier. Clark's Botanicals Retinol Rescue Eye Serum - I use it again at night. Nothing's better for eyes! Lanolips Coconutter Hand Cream Intense - I never used to wear hand cream at night, but then I found this. I apply the tiniest dab to my hands and to my dry, rough heels, and let it work overnight. Best part: The smell is absolutely fantastic. A little bit coconut, a little bit spicy-cookie. So good!
Have you guys tried any of these? What other skin-care products are you loving right now?
I love beauty products. You love beauty products. But the super annoying thing about beauty products is that they pretty much never go on sale. That's why I was excited to hear about a secret, once-a-year sale happening at Sephora (!) right now. It's happening today April 20th through April 23rd. The deal: Beauty Insiders will get 10 percent off their entire purchase, and those who've reached VIB status (achieved once you've spent at least $350) get 15 percent off. Here are the codes:
Insider code: YAYINSIDER for 10 percent off
VIB code: YAYVIB for 15 percent off
If you haven't joined Sephora's Insider program, it's kind of a no-brainer. It's free, you earn points for every purchase (that can then be redeemed for products), and you'll get you access to cool sales and discounts like this one. You can also sign up instantly if you just want to do the sale today. You do it right here. *And by the way, this is not an ad or a sponsored post for Sephora. I'm just sharing the beauty love! :)
Basically, this rare sale is a great time to stock up on your go-to products, to try some new stuff, or to nab something expensive (like the Dyson blowdryer!) at a discount. Here's a few of my favorites to get you started. Happy shopping!
Favorite spray sunscreen, heavenly-smelling shower gel, Chloe's gorg new fragrance, and more. -- Now tell me: What are some of your beauty favorites that I have to try next??
Things have been crazy since we've been back from Hawaii! I've been slammed with all the work I didn't do while on vacation, and the biggest news...we got cats! Yep, we adopted two eight-week-old kittens from Beth Stern. I'll be doing a larger post on them (and on the whole process of adopting one of Beth's coveted Instagram cats) soon, but in the meantime, just know that Bobby and Lulu are pretty much the cutest things I have ever seen. And for proof of that, you can follow them on Instagram at @bobbyandlulu. If you've been watching my Instagram Stories, you know that I am actually incredibly jealous of their account. (And I wish I was kidding about that!) They have unbelievable engagement from their followers, and usually get 2,000 likes for their photos! I would say that I need to know their secrets, but I'm pretty sure it involves a furry coat and looking tiny and adorable. ;) This weekend, we are going to be laying low. Next week is going to be even busier, so I'm hoping to squeeze in some relaxing time while I can. Whatever you're up to this weekend, I hope you make it a great one. Here's a few fun links to check out in the meantime. • Love the exposed buttons on these high-waisted denim shorts! (FYI, you can get 20 percent off these or anything else at Madewell with code FOLLOWURCART) • Such an easy, breezy, pretty summer dress. (Love those pom poms!) • Since I'm into poms poms right now, I'm also really loving this cute straw pom pom fedora. It's also 40 percent off with code HAPPY, so it's actually under $20 at the moment! • Beauty product I'm loving right now: Sunday Riley C.E.O Rapid Flash Brightening Serum. My skin has seemed extra blotchy lately, so I was looking for a good vitamin C serum, which is the best OTC thing for brightening--and for preventing new spots. I love that this one has a creamy texture, which makes it really easy to spread. It also smells fresh and lovely (very unusual for vitamin C products!) and really does seemed to have already brightened my skin noticeably in just a few weeks.
• Speaking of vitamin C, I really liked this PureWow guide about why it's important--and how to find the best vitamin C product for you.
• How pretty would this dress be for a spring wedding?
• This roundup of beauty products that seem like scams was kind of great. (And I totally agree about lip scrubs. An old toothbrush is far superior--and less messy.) • I wrote about great beauty products that contain jasmine for Refinery 29! • Busy Phillips is my absolute favorite person to follow on Instagram Stories. She's so funny and so relatable. So I loved this behind-the-(Story)-scenes profile of Busy. • There is pretty much nothing more important this year than the midterm elections in November. That's why I love this t-shirt from Rebecca Minkoff and Cosmo. It encourages women to vote twice (once in the primaries and then again in November) and even includes the primary dates on the back. But best of all, all proceeds go to Ignite, an organization that gets young women involved in the political process. (And that's something I think we can all agree is a good thing, right?) • Keto, Paleo, low carb, low fat--there are zillions of diets out there these days but the basic facts about healthy eating remain. This fun Q&A cuts through all the B.S. out there in the food/diet world and tells you what you really need to focus on. Such a good read! • Speaking of healthy, this vegan truffle potato bisque from my friend Hitha is so. damn. good. (And it does not taste vegan!) • Flat shoes are officially back. Thank GOD. • The New Yorker wrote this really snarky review picking on Girl Boss magazine, but you know what? I think it sounds pretty awesome. I love that there's actually a magazine for tween girls that focuses on business tips rather than boys and beauty. I would have loved it as a kid--and I totally want to get copy for my daughter. • Things to make you happy. And in case you missed it, I... • Went a little crazy in a big box store. • Packed for a beach vacation. • Had a sick kid...on a plane! • Watched my other kid turn 8 years old. • Fell in love with some beauty products. Have a great weekend!
