5 Must Haves from the Sephora Sale ...and 5 Cult Favorites that are Misses
Favorites and Makeup Reviews from Sephora’s 2020 Spring Sale
The annual 2020 Sephora spring sale is a beauty buff’s dream. I do my best to make this the time of year that I stock up on all my hair and makeup basics, as well as try any new lines that are even better at a discount. Inevitably, there are a handful of products I go back to time and again that end ups “bottom-of-the-jar” faves. There are also some that seem to be cult classics that just don’t work out for me. This year, here are the five favorites I picked up at the sale, and the reasons a few bestsellers were a bust.
My Top 5 Beauty Favorites
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara: Do I wish I had a makeup bag full of completely clean favorites? Yes! Do I? No. But this mascara puts me a step in the right direction and is shockingly been what I’ve reached for on the daily during quarantine for a fresh, natural, everyday lash. The dual-sided brush is sleek and the color, as advertised, is jet black, a must for my blonde lashes.
Youth to the People, Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream with Ashwagandha + Reishi: This moisturizer is another clean product that made its way to my medicine cabinet this year. As advertised, it is a perfect wash of moisture that absorbs beautifully, even as I pile it on. it lays well under makeup, and despite giving a hearty dose of hydration, never breaks me out.
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer: The world’s most popular concealer might be a boring addition to a list of favorites, but it’s mine for a solid reason. As a not-25 year old woman, my under eyes need more care than they used to. This goes on seamlessly, albeit a little thick, but when buffed out with a wet beauty blender, leaves a bright and natural finish that doesn’t crease or settle in fine lines.
Milk Makeup Highlighter: In the color radiant finish, this is the perfect quick highlight that needs next to no buffing to finish off a light “glass” makeup look and provide just enough gleam to a fresh, dewey face. It’s also super affordable, and even the mini size lasts forever, so it’s a fabulous value-for-money option to throw in a gym bag or desk drawer (if we ever see either of those places again.)
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA: I don’t know what unicorn tears they put in this, but for under $12, it’s got to be the most powerful anti-aging bang for your buck out there. The hyaluronic acid is a known plumper, and Matrixyl is often called the new botox for it’s powerful anti-wrinkle and smoothing benefits. I slather it on morning and night guilt free, (even up to my eyes) because again—twelve. dollars.
Sephora Sale Items that are Being Returned
Nudies Matte Blush and Bronze: Isn’t it weird when you’re not into something that a million people love? I am a huge fan of this brand, but this product fell so flat for me. It’s thick, sticky, and tugged at my skin straight from the tube. The bronze I was after also pulled super orange on my light olive skin. Back it goes.
Becca Skin Love Glow Shield Prime and Set: This is supposed to be a strong dupe for the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin mist and sadly, it doesn’t hold a candle. Is it refreshing? Sure. But it dries down quickly to essentially a matte finish for me, which is not what I’m looking for. Yes, it’s more affordable. But if it’s not a real dupe, then sadly, it’s not a value.
Tarte Sea Breezy Cream Bronzer: Maybe it’s the packaging and delivery mechanism that makes this a fail, but cream bronzers are already a tricky bunch. This was too sheer to contour, too light to bronze. I’ll gladly take the Hoola Contour stick over this one any day. (PSA - Maybe grab a couple of those, because they seem to be on their way out…)
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk: Yet another brand I love where this cult favorite is a product fail for me. I love the shape of the lipstick; it definitely hugs the curve of your lips and acts as a good liner. The color is lovely for the right skin tone—it’s just not mine. And at that price, I’d rather pick up a couple of Bite or Nars minis that are a better color fit for me.
Benefit Cosmetics Cookie Highlighter: People are nuts about this, and I was hoping it might be the sneaky reincarnation of my beloved Perfect 10 that was discontinued years ago, and the shards of which I still desperately hold on to, saving for only the most special occasions. In fact, it is not. If you are the gal who is after a gleaming, blinding, slick, wet highlight…run don’t walk to this snack. For the rest of us that are more shine than shellac, pass.
