Rouge Alert: We Have a (Spending) Problem
New Sephora sale standouts, plus hidden gems and forever favorites
Shitters! How do you measure a year? In daylights? In sunsets? In midnights? In cups of coffee?? (Now is probably a bad time to admit that I’ve never actually seen Rent, but thanks to middle school girls chorus, this song is ETCHED into the wrinkles of my brain.)
As it turns out, my years are measured Sephora sales. There are two big ones every year, and every time one comes around, I always find myself reminiscing on what was happening in my life during the last one. Now that’s not something I’m particularly proud of (nor do I do that with any old sale), but for whatever reason, Sephora’s has become a true anchor in the passage of time in my life... perhaps something to unpack at a later date.
These musings were brought on by none other than Sephora’s Spring Savings Event (code SPRINGSALE). It starts today for Rouge members with 20% off (this is the first year in a while that I don’t have Rouge status, and though that’s probably because I’ve made it onto a couple PR lists, I would like to think that nature is healing!), and it opens on Monday for everyone else with 10-15% off.
Think of these as the highlights—the new releases that are worth the hype, the hidden gems worth checking out, and the old faithfuls that I always add to cart. (Protip: The code works throughout the duration of the sale, so use it as many times as you like!)
New Standouts
m.ph Le Skin Weightless Foundation + Brush
I have a weakness for complexion products, but dare I say this one is the very best. It has a thin, serum-like consistency and super lightweight feel with medium coverage and an absolutely gorgeous finish. It isn’t no makeup-makeup—it’s what a no makeup-makeup girl would wear if she wanted to go out but not look too done up. I’ve worn it to every special event, big night out, hot date, less hot date, etc., and it has never once made me look cakey or pulled a disappearing act. Most of the time you don’t need a new brush for a new foundation, but I will say, this one is helpful for the best application. It’s fluffier and much less dense than traditional foundation brushes, which is ideal for this formula. I went into the line expecting their underpainting palette to be my favorite, but to me it’s this foundation and Lip Ciggy in Overdrive for life.
Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime Sunscreen SPF 30
Daily SPF use is the single most effective way to protect against skin cancer and premature signs of aging. Read that again. You’re not stupid, so don’t do something as stupid as skipping sunscreen! This is the SPF for the skincare lover, the sunscreen hater, and everyone in between. Zero white cast. Feels like your favorite moisturizer. Won’t break you out. Easy to reapply. It’s hydrating without looking or feeling greasy, has no tint (which my preference for daily wear and makes it easy to share with the boys), and it doesn’t pill under makeup. Boom, one and done, the one product everyone needs.
Eadem The Mark Advanced Dark Spot Concentrate
I’m always hesitant about adding new things into my skincare routine, but this targeted dark spot treatment came recommended to me by Sofie herself. If you deal with with dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or age spots, this is worth trying. It’s formulated as a spot treatment with high concentration of tranexamic acid along with brightening ingredients like kojic acid and alpha arbutin that work to fade dark spots quickly. I’ve only been using it for a month, but I’ve noticed improvements in stubborn areas already.
InnBeauty Project Pro C Serum
This is another skin standout. It has 15% vitamin C and ferulic acid, similar to SkinCeuticals’ cult-favorite (and vastly more expensive) CE Ferulic serum, but with ingredients like tranexamic acid, alpha arbutin, peptides, and growth factors specifically to brighten the skin and target dark spots and hyperpigmentation. If those are the results you’re looking for, this is a really good option. In general, this brand excels at delivering effective formulas (their Extreme Cream has long been a SIBAL-favorite) at much better prices than their comps.
Saie CitySet Setting Spray
Setting spray is nothing new, but Saie is a clean beauty brand, and it’s really impressive to me that this longwear version works better than my old one with their higher standard for ingredients.
More Highlights
Skincare
I never used to buy any skincare at Sephora, but they’ve really stepped up their selection! My favorites include Dieux—I’ve tried a million cleansers, but I always come back to theirs, Sofie Pavitt Face—her hero Mandelic Serum embodies her low and slow approach to clearing skin and you already know how I feel about her SPF, and EADEM—their lip balm is the OG, but the dark spot concentrate mentioned above is my new favorite. They also stock U Beauty now, so this is a good time to save (their neck cream is my new obsession). InnBeauty Project’s Vitamin C serum from above is a hidden gem. And don’t forget my favorite Rhode moisturizer (now under $30), and these Shiseido cotton rounds either.
Base Face
Putting makeup on dry skin is miserable—I moisturize beforehand (either with Sofie’s SPF or this), or rehydrate/prime with Rhode’s Glazing Milk. For foundation, I switch between this Westman Atelier stick for everyday and m.ph’s foundation when I want to step it up. I prefer spot concealing during the daytime as opposed to wearing a full face of product, but if you like a tinted moisturizer, Merit’s tinted mineral SPF is worth your attention. It has a slightly matte, perfecting finish that’s surprisingly similar to Dior’s foundation stick, great shade matches, and SPF 45. It’s as much of a standout makeup product as it is standout sunscreen, which is HARD to pull off. Haus Labs concealer does the job if I need some extra coverage, and I top everything with Saie’s powder and setting spray.
Blush, Bronzer, and Highlighter
Aka the stuff that makes you look alive! I’m a big fan of Rhode’s Pocket Blushes—they’re relatively inexpensive and are easy to apply. My favorite is Sleepy Girl, but I like Tan Line for the summer—it wears like a blush/bronzer combo. Westman Atelier’s Garconne is a more upscale, clean version, but they’re in a similar color family. Three bronzer recs depending on your preference: Makeup By Mario is the OG and truly foolproof (I like it for underpainting), Westman’s bronzing drops are the most natural-looking tan (but note that the shades run dark—I wear #2), and Saie’s new bronzer is bringing powder back! I like to dust it on top of simple makeup, or use it to set cream bronzer (I wear shade Portofino). And don’t forget a little highlight. I use this mini by Westman to bring a little glow back to the skin at the end. Trust me, you don’t need the big size.
Eyes, Lips, and Extras
The fun stuff! I love Rhode’s lip liners (Twist is super flattering, but if you like a lip contour shade, try Lean), Merit’s Satin Lipstick in 1990 is my dream 90’s brown, and m.ph’s sheer balm in Overdrive might be my favorite lip product of all time. If you like a plumping gloss, Fara Homidi’s works without stinging, and Eadem’s exfoliating balm is the best for my fellow chapped lip girls. Eyes-wise, I’ve been really impressed with Kulfi’s mascara for everyday, Kosas makes the only brow pencil that doesn’t make me look like a cartoon villain, and Merit’s Solo Shadow in Glacé is super flattering. And I don’t love most of the fragrance at Sephora, except for DedCool’s. Milk is their classic you-but-better scent, but their new Mineral Milk is my favorite. It’s more marine and serene.
Brushes
You don’t need a million of them, but the right brushes change everything. My old faithfuls are these by Makeup by Mario (1/2)—you can do a whole face with just those. This one in particular is the only reason I can blend cream or liquid blush. I mentioned m.ph’s earlier—it’s different than most other foundation brushes and pairs really well with their formula for light application. Haus Labs makes an amazing concealer brush, and Saie’s brushes are so well-made for the price. This fluffy one in particular is my go-to for powders.
Hair
You know I love ROZ’s Shampoo and Conditioner (the sale applies to that already discounted set), and their Salt Scrub is a newer favorite (but be careful using it with keratin or color-treated hair!). For the days you have less time, Crown Affair’s dry shampoo has your back, and now they make a refillable travel size so you don’t have to lug the big one everywhere. I’m loyal to this blow dry brush for styling (sorry Dyson!), and I’m curious about this brand too—I’ve heard lots of good things! This OG by Kerastase is still my heat protectant of choice, and I will never say no to more of these green silk scrunchies.
Body
A few girlfriends were asking me about body moisturizers recently—my favorite is hands down Kate McLeod’s body stone. They’re solid lotion bars without the dilution of traditional liquid lotions and the extra packaging that goes to waste. They feel super luxurious and are my favorite thing post-shower (I like the Daily and Grounding stones best). Hanni does a similar concept that’s easier to bring on the go/on travel. Soft Services makes a mean buffing bar, and they do fun scent collaborations (the latest one is with the sunscreen brand Vacation). And speaking of sunscreen, Ultra Violette makes the single best body SPF I have ever tried. Lightweight, water-resistant, absorbs easily, no white cast. If you go to the beach, play sports or exercise outside, or just like having fun in the sun, you need.
