Sephora Sale Picks | Vanessa (she/her)

For a soothing and barrier strengthening serum

For a soothing and barrier strengthening serum

This is a really soothing serum that I was using before I applied Tret and it definitely helped reduce irritation, but it didn’t eliminate it altogether —but it’s a nice addition to a routine if you want some thing that is hydrating and skin soothing

For a well-aging serum

For a well-aging serum

The vast majority of my favorite serums are NOT sold at Sephora. But this is definitely a good one. This isn’t going to give you baby skin overnight, so adjust your expectations, but it is a beautiful serum that does offer some slight pumping, and a great user experience, which I appreciate

Great for those who want to hydrate skin and get some help support with fading pigmentation

Great for those who want to hydrate skin and get some help support with fading pigmentation

This is a really nice nice that I think folks with younger skin will love. At 41 I am using serums that tend to be heavy hitters, but 10 years ago I would have used this daily. I love the inclusion of niacinamide and the texture and scent is perfection.

Deeply hydrating toner you can spray in between layers

Deeply hydrating toner you can spray in between layers

I love this mist. It offers really great hydration and soothes skin too.

For pores (great for teens!)

For pores (great for teens!)

Nothing beats out the slurp Decalt for me when it comes to pores, but this is such a great and gentle option. My 12-year-old niece uses this and adores it I personally really like how they didn’t take a really aggressive approach to congestion and instead, it’s more of a Slow and Steady approach with the addition of PHA, which is another gentle exfoliant. And it has a great texture and smell as well.

Favorite for helping revive dull skin (Sephora link)

[NOTE: you can get a better discount at Dermstore, but I know some people still prefer to shop via Sephora] I have tried a lot of other AHA products for glow over the years, but I always come back to this because it isn’t too strong but isn’t too gentle and I just find it so plumping. When I really need glowing skin (like for special events), I use this as a primer under makeup (placing it on forehead and nasolabial folds and the crease on my chin before applying makeup). Otherwise, I use it a couple times a month to help exfoliate and keep my skin smooth (everyone's ideal frequency will be different). Oh and I ONLY like the Lactic Acid version (the O.G.) and not the Glycolic Acid version.

Favorite for helping revive dull skin - 25% off with code VANESSA

Eye cream focused on moisture and well aging

This is my mom's pick for an eye cream that is at Sephora. Its super moisturizing and she said it is a joy to use and it feels creamy and amazing under her eyes.

For dark circles and puffy eyes (when lack of sleep is main culprit)

This is my pick for an eye cream if you want to tackle some darkness under the eyes that stems from lack of sleep and if puffiness is your concern (fyi: for puffy under eyes I love to use a cryo stick from amazon to really help de-puff). This has ingredients to help constrict and minimize appearance of blood vessels and its subtle shimmer helps to deflect some light and therefor disguise some darkness.

For Dark Circles with pigmentation is the main culprit

This is my pick for an eye cream to help with darkness under the eyes, assuming the darkness comes from hyperpigmentation and not from your bone structure (loss of fat will make the under eyes have a shadow this no topical treatment will be able to address). This has ingredients that helped to faded and brighten my under eye area over time (you need to give this one a couple months to work though because it isn't a quick fix). One nice thing is that this bottle lasts SUCH a long time!

Serum Stick for on the go swipes of hydration (especially under eyes)

I keep this in my purse and swipe it under my eyes when they are starting to look dry I need to pick me up. Especially useful on airplanes.

For a daytime Moisturizer that won't leave you shiny/greasy

This is the moisturizer I find myself reaching for most days. It took me a second to wrap my head around the fact it is a liquid, but I am using it in the moisturizer spot, but it just works great. It leaves the MOST beautiful satin finish to the skin. Other creamy liquid moisturizers, like the Rhode, made me greasy later in the day. This does not. and a little goes a LONG way, so this bottle will last a really long time. Finally, I love the packaging which just feels luxe (it is a heavy bottle and the cap has a dip which just makes it feel really high end).

Richer cream moisturizer that still won't make you greasy

This has a really beautiful texture that is very similar in feel to the Augustinus Bader cream. The only thing I don’t like about this is how gigantic the bottle is, which makes it hard for travel and storage in my beauty cabinet. I thought that it would make my oily skin shiny throughout the day, but I’m happy to report that it did not.

For Last Step in Night Routine - Focused on healing/nourishing skin

Amazing as the last step in your nighttime routine, you will wake up with juicy glowing skin. A little tacky but not annoyingly so

For Last Step in Night Routine - Focused on adding hydration & helping with radiance (over time)

This is such a unique and fluffy texture. It also leaves more of a natural finishes skin rather than that glazed doughnut look. So I find this to be really comfortable to wear because it isn’t heavy in anyway. Works great as a last step in a skin curtain, but didn’t do enough when I just used it on its own —so I would use it as a topper rather than a solo product.

Oil based cleanser to take off makeup/sunscreen (top pick)

This is my favorite liquid, oil cleanser. Removes makeup really well and leaves my skin feeling perfectly nourished and never stripped. Doesn't make my eyes cloudy or sting them. Never breaks me out. Smells like a spa. Doesn't leave a film on my skin. it is just awesome.

Oil based cleanser to take off makeup/sunscreen (2nd pick)

Another beautiful cleansing oil that takes off makeup and sunscreen and leaves skin nourished. I prefer the Sulwhasoo over this mainly because it has a better price per oz — but both are great cleansers

To prevent Ingrown Hair

After I shave my bikini line or underarms I use to avoid ingrown hair

Lightweight SPF with bonus skincare ingredients

There really aren't any sunscreens i love that are sold at Sephora, but this is a great one. This is great for people that also want to skip a moisturizer--but just be sure to use enough (1/4 tsp)

Oil to soothe redness or support skin's barrier

The Best Hand Mask I have Tried

Just trust me on this. Buy it. And report back. It really is amazing. I bought this after Sarah told us in a group text that we all needed to try it and she was right.

For ALL Day pigmented blush - Rosé N Brunch

Love this shade! Super pigmented so I dab and swirl in the lid before stamping lightly on cheeks. I love this bc it lasts ALL day

Brush I use for Danessa Myricks Blush

Cream Blush Brush

My go to for applying cream blush (except for the Danessa Myricks which I prefer more or a stipple motion. This is what I use for my Westman Atellier blush and my Chantecaille and any other cream blush that isn't highly pigmented, like DM, and just needs to be blended out seamlessly -- the slanted head is just so good. it blends things out so nice and never sheds!

Super easy swipe of color - Chouchette

Chouchette is my favorite cream blush. And I love the magnetic packaging. So easy to swipe on and have a beautiful look. I also really like Dou Dou and Petal.

Cream Contour Stick - Shade Biscuit

Hard to find 20% off but it happens - i am on my second tube of this. Love it for contour. I have biscuit

Foundation and Bronzer Buff Brush

I use this every day to apply foundation or buff out bronzer — love it! It just buffs things out beautifully.

What I use to apply the Makeup by Mario Bronzer

I like to have a dedicated brush for the makeup by mario because it soaks up more of the product. This one is great because it isn't too large so I can have a targeted application

For a glowy cream bronzer - Light Medium

This helps to just warm up the skin in a really pretty and natural way.

Speed up hair drying in a chic hair towel

IYKYK I tested tons of hair towels and this was my favorite for speeding up dry time and comfort

For a plush lip oil that gives high gloss shine

Love the bigger doe foot applicator— leaves a thick but not sticky finish to lips

My everyday scent that always gets complimented. Sexy but not too sweet

Favorite perfume and TF isn’t on sale elsewhere (or it rarely is) so I bought this last Sephora sale

My summer scent for when I want to feel like like I'm on a fancy beach vacation

This is my summer scent. Smells like I am a rich Tahiti vacation. What I like most is how it smells about 30 min after applying it. The first sniff I didn't love it, but on my skin I love it.

My favorite sultry/smokey winter scent

This is my winter/sultry scent. Quin wears it too sometimes

What I bought: Setting Spray to compare to Benefit Setting Spray

I bought the mini size of this to compare to my favorite setting spray by Benefit. My sister in law says she uses this for my nieces dance makeup and it makes their makeup last nicely (they are competitive dancers and a full comp day will be 12 hours of wear)

What I bought: Weird looking mascara

HAVEN’T TRIED YET: I saw this in. The store and then watched like 15 tiktok videos about it and now I’m super intrigued so I had to buy this

What I bought: I wanted to try out this new body sunscreen

HAVENT TRIED YET: I’m buying this to check it out!

What I bought: New scent to wear in summer

I bought this for my niece for Christmas and I need one for myself because it smells amazing. It reminds me of Baccarat 540

TOM FORD | Cherry Smoke Eau de Parfum