Two Sephora Sale Standouts

And the battle of the foundation sticks

Apr 04, 2025

Shitters! When it comes to makeup, I’m not an artiste in the slightest, but there are a few easy-to-use things that make me feel better about how I look on a daily basis, and with the Sephora sale starting, what better time to share! The sale starts today for Rouge members (20% off), and opens on Tuesday, 4/8, for VIBs (15% off) and everyone else (10% off) with code SAVEMORE. Everyone seems to have recs, so even if you have to wait a minute to checkout, I’d start building/culling a cart.

The Standouts:

I tried them all so you don’t have to. Dior’s is the creamiest and the soft matte finish is still natural, but it looks more flawless than the rest. Westman’s is a very close second—your skin but better vibes, with a super natural finish. It looks like you aren’t wearing anything, but still evens out your skin tone and gives you coverage. Merit’s was a great shade match for me and similar natural finish, but had the least coverage/staying power IMO.

Dior Foundation Stick. This is a new-ish release that has gotten a lot of hype, and IMO it is FULLY worth it. Whether I’m dabbing on a little something before errands or heading out to an event, I use this for everything. I used to be a Westman loyalist in this department (theirs is still great and they have a much better shade range), but if you have a match in this formula, it’s my favorite of the two (I find Sephora’s match tool to be very accurate if you’re shopping online). It’s creamier and buffs into your skin so easily, and has a soft matte finish that makes your skin look perfect and even but still natural. It’s not full coverage, which to me is infinitely more wearable (you wouldn’t catch me in Haus Labs on a Sunday morning coffee run for example, but I would definitely wear this), but you can still build it up if you’re trying to hide pigmentation or want a more made-up look. Most of the time I’ll combine this with Rhode’s Glazing Milk for a sheer finish, but I’ll also just use it to spot conceal on days when I want to get up and go. When it comes down to it, this just makes me feel good about the way my skin looks.

The only drawback is the current shade range. I’ve been wearing 4N, which is the perfect match for me during the winter, but the jump from 4 to 5 is WILD, so it looks like I’ll be spending the summer in Westman in shade X. I’m waiting patiently for them to add more into the mix, but their liquid version has plenty of options in the same finish if you’re open to a traditional foundation.

Makeup by Mario Brush. If Sephora had an Oscars, this would win Best Supporting Actress—none of the above would be possible without it. I know spending money on brushes is annoying, but this is a one-time, relatively small purchase with STRONG ROI. It’s double-sided, so you’re getting two-for-one, and it’s amazing for buffing in pretty much everything. I use the bigger side for foundation, and the smaller side for everything from bronzer, blush, contour, etc. I own a lot of brushes at this point, but this is one of two that I regularly reach for (number two is this concealer brush—the shape is perfect for your undereyes).

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The Runner Ups:

Westman Atelier Bronzing Drops: These aren’t unnaturally bronzy like so many other drop products out there, and they’re not too red like so many of the cream bronzers I’ve tried. To me, they nailed the tone of summer skin, and the thin, liquid formula doesn’t move around, evaporate, or sit heavy on top of your skin (my biggest pet peeves with many cream products). I wear shade two (fully in stock here).
InnBeauty Extreme Cream: I cannot say enough good things about this cream (it made our best of 2024 list for a reason!). The texture and feel is phenomenal, it leaves your skin feeling hydrated and plump without any greasiness, and the price point is a fraction of what you’d spend on anything remotely comparable. It’s always my first step before doing makeup (and they just introduced an eye cream too).
Crown Affair Dry Shampoo: This turns one or two good hair days into three/ four/ five-plus—what more can I say! The formula is one-of-a-kind and it’s so easy to apply/buff in, even if you have darker hair. I’m still on my first container and it’s lasted me ages!

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Additional highlights:

Makeup: When I need a heavy duty event foundation, this is my go-to. This bronzer meets highlight is my favorite finishing touch for a night out (I wear Soleil, but I’m going back for Peche!). This is the only brow pencil that doesn’t make me look insane. I keep coming back to this clean mascara. Simple, but if you’re always wondering where your makeup went by the end of the night, you need this setting spray. Not on sale, but this brow gel and contour stick are key ingredients for my three minute everyday face.

Question for the class: Do you have a favorite powder that keeps everything in place/not too shiny without looking too “made up”? Let me know, I beg of you!

Lips: This gets its own category because I have a million and one lip products, but these are ones I’d repurchase if my whole stock went mysteriously missing: This SIBAL-favorite exfoliating gloss is restocked in every color (going FAST!), this liner in my everyday shade Minky, and this darker liner in Spiced Chai (half because the formula lasts longer than others I’ve tried, half because the second side has a very handy brush). If you’re into a gloss, this one in Rise has never led me astray.

Skincare: There are so many products out there that claim to heal acne, but Sofie Pavitt’s is the only one I reach for when I get breakouts. It’s gentle, but has worked wonders for me, and I know so many people feel the same. Her newest release is a rich cream that gives you overnight hydration with zero pore-clogging ingredients—if you’re still using Bader (WHY), allow me to save you a small fortune. Speaking of gentle things, this resurfacing enzyme mask empties my pores without the rashy, burning feeling that so many similar ones give me (extremely underrated IMO—I will be using the sale to repurchase). And if you’ve been here a while, you know that the brand behind this face wash needs to cut me a check because I haven’t shut up about them in years.

Hair: Ok, basically every single one of my favorite hair products is on sale—if I were you, I would buy all of these and call it a day. For wash day, I love Roz’s shampoo and conditioner (idk why Sephora’s pre-sale price is $12 less than the already discounted price on the brand’s site, but RUN), and Goop’s salt scrub is a must for days when I need something to tackle product buildup (this lasts forever and is worth grabbing while on sale). I use this heat protectant spray and this root lift spray for my at-home blowouts (powered entirely by the only hot tool I use anymore—10x better than the Airwrap, IMO). This is getting long, but I’d be remiss not to mention the claw clips and hair ties that I use practically every single day (they also make for great little gifts).

Questions? Comments? Concerns? I’m here for you! Drop them in the comments—happy to share all my intel!

What’s your one, ‘shout from the rooftops,’ don’t skip Sephora sale product?? Hell, tell me everything that’s in your cart! I could talk about this all day (and probably will).

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