It’s that time of year – what I always look forward to in April! The Sephora Savings Event starts today. Like my wardrobe, I enjoy a fuss-free skincare and makeup routine. There’s nothing I love more than a minimal beauty roundup, and that’s exactly what I’m doing here. I’ve put together my top picks and holy grail products that are tried and true favourites of mine.
The Sephora Savings Event normally happens twice a year – the other in November. It’s normally when I like to stock up on my usual goodies, and perhaps even try out a new product or two. I rarely purchase items outside of these sales, unless I didn’t account for something properly or if a product sells out right before the sale.
Sephora Savings Event
This spring, the Sephora Savings Event runs until April 24 and begins on the following dates (based on tiers):
4/14 – Rouge 20% off
4/18 – VIB 15% off
4/18 – Insider 10% off
Use code SAVENOW. You can sign up here and read all about what’s being offered if you’re not already a Beauty Insider member. I’ve been enjoying their points system (1 point for every $1 spent) over the years since I can collect points on items I’d buy anyway. These points can be accumulated and used on samples or even on $$$ off an order. As a Rouge member for quite a few years now (total spend of $1,000 or more per year), I’m a part of the group that gets first dibs on all products. This is an added perk since a lot of the good stuff sells out quickly!
Read on for my skincare and makeup recommendations, along with a few new-to-me items I’m currently eyeing. I’ve left out eye products since I don’t normally use those anymore. Instead, I opt for eyelash extensions (a monthly investment I choose to make) since they provide me with convenience and confidence. Hooray to a less than 10 minute makeup routine!
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Skincare
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm – if I’m wearing makeup, this is the first product I use in my evening skincare routine. It gets rid of all my makeup without tugging at my face as a facial wipe would. Before this, partially out of laziness, I’d rely on my cleanser to remove my makeup and wonder why I was still constantly breaking out. After incorporating this my skin has been a lot better since it takes off whatever is first on the skin, then allows for a cleanser to get into the pores. Double cleansing for the win! Unfortunately, this item can no longer be shipped to Canada (so sad!) so I’ll be trying something else, which we’ll get to below.
Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Pore-Minimizing Cleanser – a gentle cleanser that doesn’t dry out my skin. It gets rid of whatever remains of makeup and impurities, and my skin feels so clean after its use. I also appreciate Biossance as a whole for its vegan and clean ingredient implications.
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream – hands down, my holy grail eye cream. I get compliments all the time about my lack of crow’s feet, even as someone approaching her mid-30s. It’s quite a rich formula that hydrates super well.
Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil – ever since I stopped using my prescribed tretinoin a few years back after my acne cleared, I’ve been using this product as a more subtle replacement. I love that it has both retinol and salicylic acid to help keep breakouts at bay. Pricey, but I use about 4 drops per night (as opposed to the recommended 6-10) so a bottle normally lasts me a very long time.
Tatcha The Water Cream – I just love the smoothing effect I get from this moisturizer, not to mention the hydration it provides. It has a light + airy formula and is oil-free, which is great for combo skin like mine. I will say I need more intense moisture during our Canadian winters, but I love using this for all other seasons.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator – for a great everyday exfoliator (or for whenever I *remember* to use one) this is my go-to. It turns into a foamy paste once applied, and my skin always feels silky smooth and looks noticeably brighter after use.
Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers – this stuff is perfect for when my t-zone gets oily. It absorbs excess oil quickly and easily without removing my makeup.
Makeup & Hair
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer – The first thing I put on right before makeup. This helps create a smoother canvas and extends the wear of my makeup. Whenever I use this, I have fewer cakey spots and less shine, while everything looks more blurred. Usually, one pump does it for my face, so it’s a product that lasts a while.
Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder – as my go-to foundation, I love how easy and compact this is. For complete ease and lightweight coverage, I turn to this powder which has a quality sponge already included. You can also dampen the sponge for more coverage. I use colour 3.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation – if I have an event or occasion to attend, or if I’m up for using a brush, I’ll opt for this instead of the foundation powder. It creates a beautiful finish and provides great coverage. I use the shade Ecru, and I’m also considering a darker shade for summer.
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer – I use this mostly for my under eyes and it blends beautifully while providing wonderful coverage. I remember trying this for the first time several years back in Miami, and I was immediately hooked! I was thrilled when they finally announced it was available in Canada. But now, it looks like Sephora US doesn’t carry it anymore.
Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Setting Powder – another compact powder that is super easy to use. This also comes with a sponge and provides great matte coverage. I use this to set my makeup and it controls shine that would normally come from my t-zone.
Benefit Hoola Bronzer – I have been using this matte bronzer literally since my high school days! I’ll brush it right under my cheekbones, my hairline, and beneath my jawline for an instant pick-me-up, bronzed look.
Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush – okay, you probably see a pattern here. I prefer products that don’t require the use of a brush, haha. I love that I can use my fingers to apply this to my cheeks. It blends so beautifully, I even use it on my lips sometimes. I have it in the colour Cheeky – cool pink.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray – my girlfriends introduced this to me on our last trip to Vegas together and I was immediately hooked. It sets my makeup for hours, feels weightless, and smells lovely. It’s the perfect finishing touch!
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) 5-in-1 Styling Treatment – I always get asked what I use to style my hair. This is it – the only product I use that helps condition, strengthen, and protect from heat and UV rays.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – it always feels like a treat when I apply this to my lips. It goes on like a gloss without being annoyingly sticky. I use the shade Vanilla Beige.
Products I’m Eyeing
Dermalogica Precleanse Cleansing Oil – since I now have to find a different makeup remover (sad face), I’m considering this due to its raving reviews. Highlights mention it’s good for acne/blemishes so I’m curious to see if this oil will work well on my acne-prone skin. I’ll likely grab the mini size to try it out.
Living Proof Mini No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream – I don’t normally have to deal with too much frizz, since it’s really dry where I live. This is more so for when we travel to Japan next month, hence my consideration of the mini version. I’ve read it’s pretty humid there, so my hair may thank me later.
T3 SinglePass Curl 1.25” Professional Ceramic Curling Iron – definitely a splurge item, but I’ve heard great things about this. I’ve been longing for a quality curling iron for quite some time. The one I have has to be at least 10 years old! I’m also looking for something with a larger barrel for larger curls.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Cherry – a new shade! Since it’s a beautiful bright red, I’m curious to see how the subtle colour will look on my neutral lips.
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector – since colouring my hair to cover up my greys before the wedding, its in need of some extra moisture. I’m eyeing this since I know it works wonders on coloured hair.
I hope you enjoyed my Sephora Savings Event picks! Let me know if you try any of these products. Or, if there are any holy grail products you’d recommend, feel free to let me know in the comments!
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