It’s almost time for the Sephora VIB Sale, so I thought I’d round up some of my more recent-ish favorites if you’re looking for inspiration or gift ideas. Like I said in my last Sephora recommendations post before their spring sale this year, this isn’t meant to push you to buy anything - just because there’s a sale doesn’t mean you need to shop! I just know that a lot of people, myself included, use the fall Sephora sale as an opportunity to shop for gifts. I’ll also be sure to include if any of these products are part of a set - I think Sephora does a lot of great value gift sets! Also - all links here are affiliate links, meaning I’ll make a small commission if you make a purchase through any of them. It means a lot when you use my links, and it doesn’t change the price you pay for the products at all.
The sale details are as follows:
VIB Rouge: 20% off 10/30 - 11/9 code HOLIDAYFUN
VIB: 15% off 11/3 - 11/9 code HOLIDAYFUN
Beauty Insiders: 10% off 11/5 - 11/9 code HOLIDAYFUN
My Recommendations
Makeup
bareMinerals Bounce & Blur Blushes* - I always go back to these, and they remind me a lot of the hyped-up MAC Glow Play Blushes. They have a bouncy consistency that works well applied with fingers or a brush and have a really pretty subtle glowy finish. My favorite shade, Mauve Sunrise, is available as a mini in a set with a mini bronzer and a full-sized Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer - probably my favorite base product ever!
Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Glosses - These were a discovery at the beginning of the year and I’m still reaching for them quite often! They have such a lovely consistency - a bit creamy and balmy, but still really glossy (more glossy than the Roen Liquid Lip Balms I’ll mention below). They’re really comfortable and not sticky at all, and the color is sheer but beautiful. I wrote a post about them at the beginning of the year where I described the pigmentation as “watercolor-like,” and I still stand by that. I have the shades Slow Jam, a really pretty plum for a flush of color, and New Romantic, the perfect neutral pink. There’s also a set containing two minis of these glosses as well as two minis of the High Shimmer Lip Glosses.
Dior Lip Glow Oils - these are still my absolute favorite. They’re a great gloss formula - super glossy but not goopy or sticky. They subtly tint the lips like the original Lip Glow balms, and they feel super nourishing as well. My favorite is the Raspberry shade.
Gucci Beauty Sheer Lipsticks - I only recently rediscovered my love for this formula, but I thought I’d mention it since Gucci rarely goes on sale! I love this sheer formula because it’s not too glossy like a lot of other sheer lipsticks. It’s not matte like a Generation G or anything, but just doesn’t look like I’m wearing a gloss. They’re still balmy and comfortable, and although the color does fade, it sticks around longer than you’d think it would. I have the shade Louisa Red, which is a stunning deep cherry shade. If you go for a bolder shade, I think the sheer finish makes them really easy to wear! The packaging on these is beautiful, too, and the only reason I originally bought one to be honest. They have a slight floral scent that dissipates once you’ve applied.
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara - this is probably my favorite mascara, and I’ve lost count of how many tubes I’ve gone through. It's perfectly lengthening with just a little bit of volumization that’s great for everyday. It never smudges on me (note: it will smear if you get it wet) but is easy to remove. It comes in a set of Sephora’s bestselling mascaras as well as in a set of ILIA eye makeup favorites, including minis of the mascara, liquid liner, and their newest liquid eyeshadow.
ILIA Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil* - some lip “oils,” like the Dior ones, simply feel like regular glosses, but these feel thinner like true lip oils. The shades are really pretty (my favorite is Linger), and they’re great for an everyday makeup look.
Natasha Denona Glam Eyeshadow Palette - I haven’t been able to wear much eyeshadow this year (I’ve had eczema on my eyelids on and off all year), but I still had to jump on this palette when it launched. I’m a sucker for cool tones, and you don’t really see many brands coming out with cool-toned eyeshadow palettes that aren’t totally purple (which I also love, don’t get me wrong). I only got a chance to wear this a few times before taking another eyeshadow break, but I was blown away. The shadows are really easy to apply and blend, and I love the kinds of looks I can get out of this.
Pat McGrath Labs Mothership VII Divine Rose Eyeshadow Palette - This is the palette I’ve missed the most while taking a break from wearing eyeshadows. The Pat McGrath eyeshadows are truly beautiful, and in my opinion, worth the price tag. I love pink-toned shadows, so I jumped on the Divine Rose Palette as soon as it launched last year. She also came out with a cheaper eyeshadow palette that I’ve got my eye on - the shades are gorgeous, and I don’t mind that the packaging is a little less extravagant and the pan size is smaller for the price cut.
Patrick Ta Major Brow Shaping Wax - If you love bushy, feathery brows and you have the chance to try this, do it. It allows you to sculpt each brow hair into place and also adds some volume to help fill in sparser areas. It has incredible hold, lasting 12+ hours on me, and I have quite unruly brows. Sometimes it feels like too much effort to have to spray some water on the pan and then work a spoolie (I really love the Patrick Ta one made to go with the brow wax) into it to pick up product, but the end result is so worth it.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush - I really, really love these liquid blushes. I wear one of the three shades I have every day! They’re easy to blend and last all day. They’re super pigmented so you only need a tiny bit, so the sets with minis that just launched would be perfect! This set comes with a mini of the shade Bliss, which I’ve been wearing the most often, as well as one of the tinted lip balms, and this set comes with two blushes in Love (matte) and Joy (dewy), as well as a dewy lip balm and matte lip souffle. It’s a great deal to try more from the brand!
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation - I’ve also been really loving this foundation a lot since I got it. It has a natural finish, looks super skinlike, and seems to just gloss over and blur any imperfections. You can read my full review here.
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer - I’ve been using this concealer every single day. It works well on its own or with a foundation, it’s hydrating, and gives medium coverage. If you’re looking for heavy camouflaging coverage, this isn’t for you, but if you want something lighter for everyday then this is great!
Roen Beauty Kiss My…Liquid Lip Balm - one of my most-worn lip products of the year. They have a creamy consistency and a more subtle balmy gloss finish (as opposed to a glassy-gloss). They’re super minty (which I love), smooth out the lips, and last well without running/traveling outside my lip line. Charlie is my favorite shade, although now that the weather is cooler I’ve been enjoying the berry shade, Scout, a lot too!
Roen Beauty Kiss My…Liquid Lip Balm in Charlie
Roen Beauty Cake Mascara - this performs similarly to the ILIA mascara for me. It really fans out and lengthens my lashes, but it gives a little more volume than the ILIA. I’ve actually been reaching for it more than the ILIA lately because I prefer the subtle extra drama I get. It layers really well without clumping, too.
YSL Water Lip Stain - I haven’t spoken about these much on here or on my Instagram, but it’s one of my favorite formulas I’ve tried this year. It’s a thin consistency that’s easy to apply and blend (and has a cool spatula-like applicator), and it settles into the lips to produce a long-lasting stain that won’t transfer - definitely a good pick for wearing under a mask. It reminds me a lot of the Victoria Beckham Lip Tints, actually, just a touch more liquid-y. I have the shades Dive in the Nude (my favorite) and Cascade Bordeaux.
Skincare
Biossance Rose Vegan Lip Balm - I’m on my third tub of this, and I love it so much. I’ve been using less and less lip balms that come in jars for hygiene reasons this year, but this is one I just can’t give up. It’s quite jellylike but doesn’t feel too thick on the lips. It’s very nourishing and seems to make my lips plumper and smooth out lines somehow, so it’s always a favorite pre-makeup. I also love applying a thick layer overnight. This lasts very well - I put some on when I’m getting ready for work at 6am, and I usually don’t have to reapply until after lunch. I’m weirdly sensitive to a lot of lip balms without any rhyme or reason, but this one doesn’t cause any reactions. It’s available in a set with a mini of their Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, something I used to use a while ago and really loved!
Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant* - this is such a good mask if you need something quick and versatile. Any time my skin is feeling a little lackluster or “blah,” I reach for this. It exfoliates with gentle bamboo powder and hydrates with snow mushroom. It feels very gentle, yet effective! It’s included in this variety set of minis from some of Sephora’s most popular brands.
Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm* - no matter how many cleansing balms I try, I always end up going back to Green Clean. It really effortlessly removes all my makeup, even heavier products like waterproof mascara, and it rinses away with no residue. I love the subtle lime scent, and it never irritates my skin or my eyes. This is included in a few different sets - this one has minis of their gel cream and cherry eye cream, this one has minis of all of Farmacy’s bestsellers (cleansing balm, honey mask, Vitamin C serum, and gel cream), and this one comes with their Honey Drop cream, Honey Potion mask, and Sleep Tight Night Balm.
First Aid Beauty Oat & Hemp Seed Dry Oil - this is one of my favorite facial oils. It’s super lightweight and never feels too greasy or heavy, but it’s incredibly nourishing and soothing. When my skin dried out and got really irritated last winter, this really helped solve the problem. I love that since it’s light, I can not only use it at night, but also during the day without worrying about my makeup sliding around. This comes in a set with some other First Aid Beauty favorites, including a full size of the Ultra Repair Cream (another winter staple for me!).
First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Serum - if you’re looking to add a retinol into your skincare routine, this is an excellent place to start. It has 0.25% retinol, which is on the lower end of what is offered in over-the-counter products, but I still saw great results without any of the irritation.
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser* - my ultimate favorite cleanser. It works as a first cleanse to take off light makeup, a second cleanse, and is gentle enough for me as a morning cleanse. Get the jumbo size, you’re going to love it. Fresh does so many cute gift sets, and since this is their cult-favorite product, it’s included in many of them. This one comes with a mini of their Rose Face Cream (a forever favorite of mine), this one comes with several of their most-loved products (Essence, Rose Mask, Lotus Cream, and Sugar Lip Treatment - again, all daily staples for me), and this one would make a perfect gift - it comes with a full size of the Black Tea Kombucha Treatment Essence as well as generous minis of the Black Tea Overnight Mask and Corset Cream.
Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask* - this is my other favorite mask if I feel like my skin just needs something, but I can’t put my finger on what. In just 10 minutes this leaves my skin looking plump, firm, bright, and glowy. It comes in a set with some of Fresh’s other bestselling masks, including the Rose Mask, Sugar Face Polish, and the Black Tea Overnight Mask.
Korres Greek Yoghurt Probiotic Superdose Mask - this is my most-used mask. It’s cooling, soothing, and hydrating, so it’s the perfect pick-me-up after a stressful day or when my skin is feeling hot after a workout. I use this after every workout - I love popping it on just before I get in the shower and let it sit and marinate until I get out.
Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask - I’ve gone through three tubs of this since last winter! It’s a great soothing overnight mask that really does lock in moisture all night long. It’s really soothing, so it will be perfect for the cold nights coming up. It’s not sticky or heavy - I was even able to use it throughout the summer without it feeling like too much.
Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser - I love this to gently remove makeup. It has a thin consistency that doesn’t feel slick like an oil, but it still manages to break everything down. It feels incredibly gentle, so I like using this as a morning cleanse as well.
Laneige Cream Skin Moisturizing Toner - This has been a favorite for such a long time - however long it’s been since it first came to Sephora. It’s thin like a toner, but as you pat it in it feels like you’ve just applied a moisturizer. This was such a staple in the summer for me, but I can see myself layering it up to keep my skin from drying out during the winter. My favorite way to use this actually is as a body moisturizer! I used it a lot over the summer when my other lotions felt too heavy, and now that it’s cooling down I’ve been using it under a light lotion. It comes in a mini size perfect for trying it out, as well as a mist, which I’ve been loving to use in the morning and throughout the day to keep my skin hydrated.
Primera Black Seed Cold-Brew Serum* - I haven’t spoken about this enough on here or my Instagram, but I absolutely love this serum. It really plumps up and hydrates my skin, and it feels quite soothing as well. It contains Black Rice Cold Brew Extract, full of potent antioxidants that help protect skin from stressors and fortify the moisture barrier (which will be especially needed come winter!), as well as Madecassoside, an ingredient extracted from centella asiatica, which soothes the skin. I’m hooked!
REN Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm - If I had to choose one favorite product from REN, it would be this! It’s a thick balm that melts into an oil as you massage it into the skin, and it’s always the first thing I turn to when my skin is feeling irritated. It calms and soothes right away, leaving a comforting layer of moisture that will last all night. I especially love mixing this into the Laneige Cica Mask for an extra soothing hit.
Youth to the People Adaptogen Mist - speaking of mists, this is another one of my favorites that feels like it’s actually doing something. It’s not only hydrating, but also feels instantly soothing and seems to knock out some redness as soon as I spray it on. I went through this rather quickly, but I’d still definitely repurchase once I get through some of my other mists. This is included in a couple sets - this one comes with five YTTP minis in refillable glass containers, and this one comes with a mini of their Adaptogen Cream, which I’ve tried a sample of and loved!
Youth to the People Dream Eye Cream - I’ve only tried a sample of this, but I’m hooked! It has the loveliest buttery texture that melts into my undereyes and really has seemed to make a difference in brightening them by morning. I still have some full-sized eye creams to work through, but I’ll be grabbing the full size in the future. If you’re looking for a nighttime eye cream, I’d really recommend this one!
Hair
Amika Normcore Shampoo & Conditioner - these are my go-to shampoo and conditioner lately. They hit that sweet spot of getting my hair just clean enough, but not stripped, and just hydrated enough, but not greasy. If you’re in need of just a good, basic shampoo & conditioner, check these out!
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo* - I used to never use dry shampoo because they all seemed to make my hair feel even dirtier, but then I tried Amika’s. It actually does make my hair look cleaner and less greasy, and it doesn’t make my scalp feel overloaded or itchy throughout the day. I’ve been trying to stretch the time between hair washes lately because I’ve been heat styling more, so this has really come in handy! Since it’s one of Amika’s bestsellers, it’s included in a ton of sets: this one has two of my other Amika favorites included, this one has a good variety of products if you’re new to the brand, this one is for blonde maintenance, and this one comes in a super cute bag and includes two more of my favorites (the scalp cleansing oil and shine mask).
Amika Reset Charcoal Detoxifying Scalp Cleansing Oil* - Since I’ve been going longer between hair washes, sometimes I feel like I need a really good clean. On those days (usually Sundays), I’ll apply some of this to my scalp before hopping in the shower, massage it in, and then rinse it out before shampooing. It really makes my hair feel super clean, but I love that it doesn’t dry my hair or my scalp out. It also feels nice and cooling and minty, which is a sensation I enjoy.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Hair Oil* - this has been keeping my hair frizz-free since the summer. A little goes a long way, and it never feels heavy in my hair. Some oils make my hair need a wash faster, but this one doesn’t. A mini is available in a set with a mini of their Don’t Despair, Repair Hair Mask, which is another one of my favorites.
Virtue Create 6-in-1 Styler - I’ve recently discovered Virtue, and this is probably my favorite product I’ve tried from them. I put it in damp hair after washing, and it helps my hair look not so “freshly washed” when it’s dry. It adds shine, a bit of texture, and helps reduce frizz for me. It also doesn’t weight my hair down or look greasy.
Body
Necessaire The Body Wash* - Necessaire is at Sephora now! I love their body wash - it still lathers up so I feel super clean, but it’s full of oils and skin-loving ingredients to make sure my skin is never dried out. The Eucalyptus scent is my favorite.
Necessaire The Body Serum* - I was mixing this into body lotions all last winter and I don’t think I had one dry patch on my body at all. It’s seriously hydrating and really amps up whatever lotions you put on top.
Necessaire The Sex Gel* - my favorite! It feels gentle and has good ingredients, doesn’t have any weird scents, it’s slick enough, and it doesn’t stain the sheets or clothes.
Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 - this is my favorite body sunscreen, and I really like it for my face, too. It doesn’t have that awful typical “sunscreen feeling” when you have it on (sticky and slimy at the same time), it instead just feels like a regular body lotion. It does have a sunscreen scent, but it’s not strong and it’s never bothered me. I always buy the big pump bottle at the beginning of every summer and go through the whole thing! Supergoop always does a great job with their value sets - the Play lotion is included in this one with the spray SPF 50 (another favorite of mine), the SPF lip balm, and the Superscreen moisturizer, and this one comes with the Unseen Sunscreen and Defense Refresh Mist (another two favorites!).
Other
Otherland Candles - Otherland just launched at Sephora! They’re one of my favorite candle brands - the candles burn really smoothly and cleanly, and the scents are all so unique. I’m always burning at least one of these in my house! It looks like their core collection and a few of their winter candles are available now. My favorites from their core collection are Daybed, Rattan, and Canopy. Daybed is deliciously floral, and while some florals seem too strong and headache-inducing for me, this one is beautiful. It smells mostly of rose, but there’s some softness and freshness in there from a pear water note. I had this one burning at the head table at our wedding, so now the scent always reminds me of the best day of my life! Rattan is a warm sandalwood scent that feels very cozy. It also has amber and musk notes for a warm, creamy scent. I’ve burned through a whole candle of Canopy and love it - it’s very green and fresh, with notes of fig and ivy. It’s more of a spring-y scent to me but I think I’m going to grab another one during the sale! As for their winter collection, I never want to run out of their Fallen Fir candles - it may just be my favorite winter-y scent. It smells like pine trees, but not in a traditional “Christmas tree” kind of way. There’s also some warm spice and some kind of ember-y notes, so it smells like a warm campfire in the middle of a frosty forest. It’s incredibly cozy!
What’s in My Cart
I’m still not sure if I’ll be placing an order this time around, at least with things for myself, but if I do, here’s what I’ve been considering:
Amika New York Minute Hair Blow Dryer Set - I’ve really got my eye on this set. I’ve been dying to try Amika’s new Blow Dryer Brush - I have the Revlon one and while I love it, I feel like I’m just slowly frying my hair because it gets so hot. I’ve heard Amika’s is less damaging, so I’m interested to see if the price difference is worth it. The price of the set is the same price as the brush on its own, so you’re basically getting the other two products for free. It comes with the Perk Up Dry Shampoo, which is my favorite dry shampoo, and The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray, another favorite - I love it to keep my hair from getting too frizzy from the humidity during the summer, but I discovered last winter it actually works really well at keeping my hair from getting static-y when I take off winter hats.
Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee - I’ve been on the hunt to update my everyday fragrance for fall, and I blindly bought the travel size of this one over the weekend. I’m already so in love with it and could definitely see myself wearing it for years. It’s a warm, slightly spicy vanilla scent, but it’s truly unlike any other vanilla scent I’ve ever tried. I’ve had it on my radar ever since Samantha Ravndahl described it as “expensive vanilla” on her YouTube channel, and I think that’s exactly right. I like that it’s sweet without being cloying, and it wears close to the skin, so there’s not a cloud of scent entering the room before I do. It wears really well on me, and over time it turns into more of a woody, musky scent.
bareMinerals Barepro Longwear Matte Lipstick in ‘Cinnamon’ - I’ve had this sitting in my cart since Kelsey (@rosalierouge) featured it in one of her GRWMs on Instagram. It looks like the perfect neutral lipstick shade for fall, and she says since it’s matte, there’s minimal transfer so it’s good to wear under a mask.
Necessaire Hand Cream - as you can see from the list above, I love Necessaire. I haven’t gotten a chance to try their new hand cream yet, but I’ve heard great things about it. Because of the frequent hand-washing, I find I’m blowing through my hand creams left and right. I love that it’s fragrance-free so I could use it at work without worrying about bothering anyone around me.
REN Perfect Canvas Jelly Oil Cleanser* - I’ve almost used up my first tube of this cleanser, and I’m really loving it! It’s quite thick, but melts down as you rub it into your skin and easily removes all makeup. I’ve been rotating through a few different makeup-removing cleansers lately, but I think this one is shaping up to be my favorite.
Are you shopping the Sephora sale?
Products marked with an asterisk (*) have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own.
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