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Oct30 Beauty

My Sephora Sale Favorites (+ is it even worth shopping?)

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I love skincare and makeup and am always hunting for the best products and switching up my routine as I find new favorites. The Sephora sale is happening now, which means I’m stocking up on a few of my trusty must-haves and favorites, and I’m also ordering some new-to-me products. I love that the sale is happening right before the holidays truly hit because I love to refresh my skincare and makeup products for the winter season! I’m also shopping for a few Christmas gifts for the beauty junkies on my list.

How does the Sephora Sale work?

The Sephora sale has three discount tiers:

Rouge members (the highest level, spends $1000 a year) get 20% off
VIB members (spends $350 a year) get 15% off
Insiders (free to join here) get 10% off

All of the membership levels use the same promo code: TIMETOSAVE at checkout.

AND, all members get 30% off the entire Sephora Collection items, which are their branded products. It’s a great way to save on some beauty basics, like beauty tools, mini palettes, eye makeup, and even affordable skincare. I particularly like the Sephora brand makeup brushes so I’ll be snagging some new ones.

Be sure to note that each level of membership also has different shopping days. The sale opens to each level as outlined below:

Rouge members can shop on October 27
VIB members can shop on October 31
Insiders can shop on October 31

The sale ends for everyone on November 6.

Things don’t usually sell out, so I’m not too worried about shopping as soon as the sale opens for my level (VIB). I should also note that there are a handful of brands that have better discounts through their own website. Tarte is a great example of this, and I’ve included notes throughout the post (with promo codes) when you can get a better deal somewhere else. If you’re already placing a Sephora order, it might be worth buying Tarte from there, but if you’re only buying Tarte, for example, I’d do it through their own site.

I’ve noted what I already own and love + what I’m eyeing below. If you need recommendations for anything specific, leave a comment and if I have a favorite brand for that type of product, I’ll let you know!

Terilyn Adams holding her favorite sephora products

My 2023 Sephora Sale Favorites

I’m sharing my favorite picks from a few different categories below, but if I were only going to get a few things, it would be these:

Skincare

What I tried & liked:

Tata Harper Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Serum

I got this serum in my Swan Beauty Box last year and really liked it. I have a few anti-aging serums that I alternate among and while I don’t currently own it, it is a great one if you’re in the market.

The Rich Cream with TFC8® Face Moisturizer

This is super pricey, so I would only get it while it’s sale. It’s an anti-aging moisturizer, that is incredibly hydrating without feeling heavy. I still prefer the Beautycounter Supreme Cream or the Alpyn Super Peptide moisturizer (details on that below) over this but I know lots of people find that too thick (that’s what I like about it though). If you need hydration without a heavy formula, you’ll like the Rich Cream.

Alpyn Beauty Super Peptide Moisturizer

I started using this Alpyn moisturizer a few weeks ago and love it. I’ve been using it as my daytime moisturizer since my skin has been drier with the season changing. It’s super hydrating but not too thick (but it’s also not a thin lotion!).

Alpyn Beauty Juneberry & Collagen Hydrating Cold Cream Cleanser

This cleanser is also somewhat new to me and I am REALLY loving it. I think it’s my FAVORITE cream cleanser ever and will be at the top of my Best of Beauty cream cleanser list (which I’m planning to write). It has jojoba beads for a gentle exfoliation and eucalyptus which makes my skin feel so fresh. I’m honesty shocked by how much I like it.

ILIA Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment

This is a very thick lip treatment that I swear has helped plump my lips. I’ve even had people ask if I’ve had filler, but I haven’t (and it’s always after using this). It does slightly exfoliate your lips so if you notice some flaky, just gentle rub your lips with a warm, wet cloth in the morning. I have a full review of ILIA products on the blog. I do have to note, I have a few lip masks and the ILIA one is not the tippy top of my list, although it’s good (and worth buying if you’re already placing a Sephora order). But if I were to only recommend one, it’s this one by Colleen Rothschild. If you use the code TERILYN20, you’ll get 20% off too.

Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40

I bought this illuminating tinted sunscreen earlier this year and have really loved it. It is a chemical sunscreen, which isn’t quite as clean as a mineral sunscreen, but in general, Supergoop does a good job with their ingredients. I really like the glow this gives me underneath my makeup and it absorbs more easily than zinc-based sunscreens. I really like that you can buy it in a mini size since they’re cheaper and usually last a good while anyway.

What I’m eyeing:

Nécessaire The Neck Serum

I’ve heard a few bloggers talk about this on social media, and I want to try it out! It’s a serum that you can wear throughout the day to protect your neck from harmful light exposure and other factors that result in aging skin. I’m great at wearing sunscreen and other protective serums (like this vitamin C serum) on my face, but I tend to forget about my neck when it comes to skincare. (Y’all remember my sunburn from the Masters?) This brand has the prettiest packaging too.

Makeup

What I’ve tried & liked:

Tarte Opening Act™ Lash Primer

I really like this lash primer. Mascara is one of those products that I’m always hunting for the very best one (I’m picky!), but a lash primer is non-negotiable. It goes under every brand of mascara I use. If you only buy one thing during the sale, make it this. You can also get this directly from Tarte for 15% off with code “terilyn15” so if you’re not a Rouge or VIB member, use my code on Tarte.com instead. 😉 Buy their Tartlette mascara and some Maracuja lip stuff while you’re at it and thank me later.

I will note, however, that I recently tried a new lash primer from DIME that I like even better. It’s not included in this sale, and the difference isn’t too significant, so I’d get the Tarte one if you’re already making a Sephora sale purchase. If you decide to try the DIME version instead, make sure to use the code TeriLyn20 for 20% off.

Tarte Tartlette Tubing Mascara

This is my very, VERY favorite mascara of the dozens I’ve tried. I have a full review here on the blog.

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint

I LOVE this lightweight foundation. It’s almost more like a tinted moisturizer but with slightly more coverage. My skin looks flawless when it’s on, but it also looks like I’m makeup free. It has SPF and makes skin glowy without ever looking greasy or shiny. I find many tinted moisturizers with SPF drying as I’ve gotten closer to 40, but not this Ilia one. I wear shade STA OR6. There’s a photo of me wearing it in this review of Ilia Makeup. (If you have normal or slightly oiler skin, you may like this tinted moisturizer fro Beautycounter better.)

ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara

I’ve used this in the past and loved it! It’s VERY natural looking, so if you like a no-makeup look but still want some major length, this is perfect!

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk

A cult favorite for good reason. This is the perfect nude pink lipstick. I wore it in our family photos a few weeks ago (and two family photoshoots before that in the past year!) and I wear it for almost all my work photoshoots. It’s beautiful, hydrating and long lasting.

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump

I’m obsessed with this lip stuff. I have one in every room of the house, in every purse, in my car and find them in jackets and jeans pockets too. It’s SO pretty, hydrating and you don’t need a mirror to apply. It’s shiny lip a lip gloss but not sticky and more hydrating. You can also get this directly from Tarte for 15% off with code “terilyn15” so again, if you’re not a Rouge or VIB member, use my code on Tarte.com instead. 😉

Tarte Tartelette™ In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette

It’s rare when I find an eyeshadow palette where I’d use every shade. This one checks that box. Again, if you’re an Insider, you’ll get a better discount from Tarte with code “terilyn15” for 15% off.

NARS Blush

Are you even in your 30s if you didn’t wear the Orgasm blush by NARS? It’s been a while since I used this NARS powder blush but it’s a classic for good reason – it blends easily and lasts all day. Their shades are natural looking and these pallets last FOREVER.

What I’m eyeing:

PRO 8-Piece Face & Eye Brush Set

I am DEFINITELY getting this Sephora Collection makeup brush set. It comes with 8 brushes and I’ve been needing to replace my current brushes, so this is a steal for 30% off.

NARS Laguna Bronzing Cream

I’m getting this cream bronzer after seeing a few other influencers rave about it. I’ve heard it really helps warm up your face with a natural looking glow and I love cream products in the colder months.

GUERLAIN Terracotta Light Healthy Glow Bronzer

This bronzer/blush situation is a cult favorite, and I’m dying to try it even though I already have three bronzers. The multi-shade palette would be easier to blend than a single-shade bronzer and look very natural for an all-over glow.

Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation

I love the Beautycounter and Chantecaille foundations, but I want one that is more full coverage. I got a sample of this in a Swan Box last year and really liked it! This one is also a cult favorite among beauty influencers. It comes in a mini size which makes the decision to buy it so much easier.

Dior Forever Matte Foundation SPF 15

Another foundation I’m considering. This price point is a little better than the foundation above but I’m hesitating because it’s matte and I tend to like a little glowiness.

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops with Peptides

I keep hearing about these! You just add them on top of foundation where you’d typically add bronzer. The color of the product looks very dark, but I’ve read it actually works with every skin tone.

Line It Up Clean 24-Hr Gel Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner

I want to try this waterproof liner to see if it’s actually smudge proof (ALL liners come off on me!!). The one I’ve found that stays the best is Chantecaille but it’s not on sale.

Westman Atelier Face Trace Cream Contour

I thought I was getting this bronzer with a set I bought from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale two years ago, but it didn’t come with it! I’ve wanted to try this for months since I love the other Westman Atelier products I have. They’re so creamy and blend in beautifully without disappearing. Make sure your skin is well hydrated whenever you use Westman products (it makes them look SO good).

Buxom Full-On™ Plumping Lip Polish Gloss

I love the Buxom lip stain, so I want to try this too!

Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer-Proof Lipstick

Transfer free but NOT drying is always a tricky combo but I’m excited to try this! Those reviews are GOOD.

Hair and Body

What I already own and LOVE:

Dyson Airwrap

If you want to transform your hair game, you need the Dyson Airwrap. I LOVE mine (here’s how I use it). And since Sephora has a great return policy, there’s no need to panic if you don’t love it as much as I do.

T3 Curl ID 1.25” Curling Iron

My favorite curling iron! When I finally upgraded my curling iron from the $30 one I had, I regretted not doing it sooner. (Read my review of T3 curling irons here on the blog.)

Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer

Best hairdryer ever. The end. My review here. I don’t think you need this AND the Airwrap though. The Airwrap has a hair dryer attachment.

Double Pint Large Round Ceramic Brush

I love a big round brush for sleek blow outs when my hair is shoulder length or shorter.

Goop G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo

I use this scalp scrub once a week to help get any leftover product buildup out of my hair. It smells great and makes my hair feel so clean. If you use dry shampoo during the week, you definitely want to scrub your scalp at least once a week to get it clean. I love love love this and always get it during the Sephora Sale.

Nécessaire The Body Serum

I’m including this because it has such a cult following, but I was underwhelmed when I bought it during the sale last year. What’s the hype??

What I’m eyeing:

Nécessaire The Body Wash

I hear amazing things about this, so it’s time to finally buy.

COLOR WOW Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer

I keep seeing people talking about this on social media and I’m dying to try it. My hair has been flat ever since I started keeping it closer to my true color (vs. very blond highlights), and I haven’t found a volumizer I absolutely LOVE.

Did I miss anything? I’d love to know if you have a Sephora favorite we should know about in the comments!