The Ultimate Guide to Sephora's Sale: A Deep Dive
Greetings, my savvy skincare enthusiasts, and a hearty welcome to "But More Importantly." Our weekly deep-dive into the realm of skincare and cosmetics, covering concerns, ingredients, and the tales behind them. If you're yet to subscribe or follow us, it's high time you do, so you never miss an update.
Now, let's cut to the chase and answer the burning question - who are we? Simply put, we're a collective of beauty aficionados with extensive experience at renowned cosmetic brands, retailers, and ad agencies. Today, we're all set to delve into the Sephora sale!
To ensure you get the most comprehensive perspective, we made a trip to a Sephora store ourselves. Quick heads up - some of the products we'll be discussing contain hyaluronic acid. But before you ask, no, you don't need a hyaluronic acid serum, so you won't find one in this roundup.
Decoding Skincare: Unearthing the Best at Sephora
Tatcha
First up, we have Tatcha - a brand we hold in high esteem. Let's begin with their Indigo Overnight Repair Cream, usually priced at $92. Particularly suitable for dry climates, this cream is something we recommend, especially now that you can snag it at a discount. In case you're wondering, the newer formulation no longer sports the old blue look. It's lighter and more elegant than its predecessor, which was a tad chunkier.
Another Tatcha product that has won us over is their Dewy Cream. This purple-hued cream has a luxurious velvety texture, boasts the antioxidant qualities of Japanese purple rice, and is an excellent pick for winter skincare routines. The Tatcha sunscreen, retailing at $62, is also worth considering. A mineral broad-spectrum sunscreen enriched with niacinamide, our darker-skinned community members have often vouched for how seamlessly it blends into their skin.
Ole Henriksen
Next on our list is Ole Henriksen. Their Banana Bright Eye Cream was a personal favorite until one of our team members developed a reaction to it. Thankfully, the formula has been upgraded, likely in response to user feedback. Now, it's rumored to be even better, and we’re excited to try it. Priced at $42, this vitamin C-infused eye cream is definitely worth a shot if you're in the market for one.
Glow Recipe
Glow Recipe is a brand that truly deserves its immense popularity. One of their standout products is the Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum, available for $45. If hydration is what your skin craves, this product is a gem. It glides on your skin effortlessly without any sticky residue, combining the power of ceramides and allantoin for maximum soothing effects.
Kate Somerville
Next, let's talk about Kate Somerville, a renowned name in the Sephora collection. This is the perfect opportunity to try out high-end products that may ordinarily be out of reach. Her exfoliator comes with a hefty price tag of $105, but a mini version is available for $28. It blends enzymes from papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin that act as natural exfoliators, along with a lactic acid (AHA) and salicylic acid (BHA) scrub. This product is more than just a scrub - it breaks down the bonds between skin cells without any physical abrasion. Kate’s retinol eye cream, priced at $98, is another product we swear by. It successfully targets specific concerns, either brightening the undereye area or promoting collagen production, thanks to a blend of retinol and hydroxypinacolone retinoate. The metal tip applicator cools the skin upon application, providing extra relief.
Dr. Jart
Moving on to Dr. Jart, this fictional character's brand has a fantastic product worth mentioning - the Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment with SPF 30. Priced at $52, it not only protects your skin from the sun but also corrects redness. However, it may not be suitable for all skin types, particularly darker ones.
Kiehl’s
Then we have Kiehl's, a brand synonymous with tradition and skin barrier relief. Their Ultra Facial Cream is a delightful treat for your skin, which we absolutely adore.
InnBeauty Project
Inn Beauty Project is a new yet impressive player in the beauty industry. They offer fun, affordable products with innovative formulations. A prime example is their Green Machine, a greenish serum that's perfect for those prone to rosacea or redness, thanks to its Vitamin C and hexadecyl ascorbate content.
Shani Darden
Lastly, let's talk about Shani Darden's Retinol Reform. Priced at $68, this product features a gentle, encapsulated form of retinol that can enhance skin texture and reduce fine lines. However, they do not disclose their product's exact percentage, so it's best to start slow and low, especially for sensitive skin.
Wishful
If the premium Kate Somerville Exfoliate isn't quite within your price range, consider trying the Yo Glow AHA BHA Facial Enzyme Scrub by Wishful. Priced at $39, this product boasts ingredients like papaya and pineapple extracts along with BHAs and AHAs. Although devoid of pumpkin enzyme, it makes up for it with an enticingly pleasing aroma, adding an element of luxury to your skincare routine. However, those sensitive to fragrances may prefer to steer clear.
Summer Fridays
For a mere $24, Summer Fridays presents a delightful lip balm enriched with shea and murumuru seed butters, and vegan waxes, designed to soften lips whilst enhancing their shine. This is a worthy alternative to consider if the Laneige lip balm doesn't entirely meet your requirements.
In addition, they also offer a blend of Vitamin C and Niacinamide serum retailing at $66. Although the Vitamin C Ester isn't the active form of Vitamin C, it does have a light texture. This cream can be an excellent choice for morning use, especially for those with sensitive skin who cannot handle Vitamin C. For improved sunscreen efficiency, it's imperative to apply Vitamin C before the sunscreen.
Their latest addition is the Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum, priced at $69. This vegan product extracts its retinol linoleate from pro-retinol, which combines retinol and high purity linoleic acid derived from safflower oil - a feature similar to Glossier's Universal Pro Retinol Overnight Renewing Treatment. While it's not a pure retinol product, it's an optimal choice for retinol newcomers, particularly those with sensitive skin.
Paula’s Choice
The next brand on the list is Paula's Choice, a brand lauded for their superior formulations and dedication to educating consumers about ingredients. They present a 2% BHA liquid exfoliant available for $34. While tailored for oily or acne-prone skin, this product has proven beneficial for individuals without oily skin.
Glossier
As we move on, we encounter Glossier, which presents their Pro Retinol Overnight Renewing Treatment for $35. Similar to the previous product, it's a light beginner retinol derived from retinol sunflowerate. Although the marketing may be slightly misleading, it's an excellent product for novices. They also offer a clarifying face serum with Niacinamide and Zinc, which only contains 5% niacinamide to prevent any potential skin damage.
Supergoop!
When discussing sunscreens, our top choice always lands on Supergoop. This trustworthy brand is a personal favorite, and its products are our go-to sunscreen during summer. They provide your skin with a radiant, makeup-free glow.
This brings us to the topic of Supergoop's Glowscreen, which we use more like makeup than a standalone sunscreen. I layer it on top of my mineral sunscreen, and if I apply it generously all over my face, I may end up looking a bit too shiny. But hey, we embrace it here at But More Importantly.
Next, let's talk about Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen. Despite its steep price tag of $48 and an SPF of 40, it's not my favorite. The slippery texture due to the silicone content might be appealing to those with dry skin, but it's just not for me.
Lastly, we come to sunscreen powders. A common question I get is if they provide enough protection throughout the day. The answer is a clear no. However, they can be a useful addition to your skincare routine to maintain some level of protection as the day goes on. Frequent reapplication even with makeup on is possible, so this product is a city dweller's essential - something is always better than nothing. It's available in four distinct shades, and the refillable feature is a plus. However, remember to clean the brush for hygienic uses.
The Makeup Essentials: Trusted Brands from Sephora
Shifting our focus to the land of makeup, I'm no artist but there are a few brands I swear by.
Tower 28
Initially useful underneath my mask during the pandemic, SOS daily rescue spray still serves me, helping prevent breakouts. It's fantastic for soothing your skin.
Now let's talk about their makeup. Recently, I found their pen quite addictive. A lip liner, eyeliner, and cheek pencil rolled into one - I primarily use it on my lips for a hint of color. The Fill Me In shade of their multi-liner, sells for $15. They also offer a non-stick lip jelly for $16, displayed here in coconut. It's classy and feels great; I might just become a lip gloss fan.
Another favorite of mine is their Make Waves mascara, which I've purchased repeatedly. It meticulously brushes each lash and is worth every bit of $20.
Westman Atelier
Westman Atelier's lit highlighter stick is another recommendation for a subtle brightness on facial high points, or their trace contour stick for $48.
Laura Mercier
Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer Light Revealer is my daily sunscreen go-to. With SPF 25, it provides sun protection and evens out my skin tone. It's adequate if you're mostly indoors, moving from one building to another.
The Beauty Tools: Making the Most of Your Sephora Purchases
And finally, we have the Beauty Blender. Now is the best time to replenish your stock. I count on Beauty Blenders not just for makeup application but also for spreading thick ointments and moisturizers, like Weleda Skin Food, on my face. A word of caution: always dampen it and remember to clean it regularly.
So, that's the complete Sephora rundown. I hope you found this article enjoyable. We'll be back next week with another But More Importantly Deep Dive. Enjoy shopping at the Sephora sale and comment with your purchases down below!
