Many of you may not know this, but before I started this career, I worked Full Time for Estee Lauder and Clinque at Macy’s while completing my Undergrad in Orlando for the best boss in the world (hi, Alida!). My first passion was always Cosmetics since I was young. Skincare fascinated me once I (unfortunately) suffered from severe cystic acne at nineteen. I still have crater scarring and am always in the US and Korean market for the best skincare and makeup.

no filter, just good products!

Coming up is a sale at SEPHORA for all VIB (15% off) or Beauty Insider (10% off) members from August 30, 2018-September 4, 2018. Signing up to be a Beauty Insider is totally free. You get VIB if you spend $350/year there which is sadly easier to do than you think. In store you don’t need a code but online, use YESVIB or YESINSIDER based on your Sephora Status.

Let’s jump into my picks for this years sale!

Skincare

1. Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water 

This is the greatest thing ever. It’s a soap-free, no-rinse micellar water to remove makeup, cleanse, and tone your skin in a pinch. It helps with dullness and is soo ideal for early morning, especially if you’re in a rush! Applied to a cotton pad and your skin is glowing all day. Can also be thrown in a gym bag for a post-workout cleanse.

Normal cost: 200mL bottle is $28 and it lasts a long time

2.  Laniege Water Sleeping Mask

I have said it before, and I will say it again: this is the BEST night moisturizer of all time. It’s gel based, cool, and it gives you refreshed skin in the morning. A korean beauty favorite that is now sold in the USA!

Normal cost: 70mL jar is $25

3. ESTÉE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

Not to be dramatic, but I wish I could bathe in this. It’s a steep price so now is the best time to buy it! Mix it with your foundation for a beautiful glow, wear it at night smell amazing, slather yourself in it to never age…it is by far my favorite product and I can never afford it. When I used to work at the counters, older women would come in and make me guess their age. One woman was 76 and I genuinely thought she was in her 50s. Her only “trick”: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. You’ve got to try it!

Normal cost: $98 for 50mL… yikes.

Makeup

4. Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara

I hate that I love this mascara because I’d much rather pay the $6 at Walgreens, but I am a believer. This mascara is JET black and lengthens my lashes for days. My natural lashes are short and thick so I need a lengthening mascara and I have never, ever found something as perfect as this.

Normal cost: $23

5. Huda Beauty Faux Mink Lashes: Farah #12

If you are NOT a beginner at applying false lashes and you want to take it up a notch or you have a special occasion, I suggest these glamorous lashes. They’re durable and beautiful in photos. You can wear multiple times if you care for them properly, as well.

Normal Cost: $20

     6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

A classic!! This is my go-to for brows and I will never go astray. I have very thick, heavy brows as is, but they’re sometimes uneven, have bald spots (I have a scar on my eyebrow) or a little wild. To make sure everything is in place, I use this trusty brow pencil to fill in and sharpen everything. It makes the world of difference and I am a firm believer in this product!

Normal cost: $23

   7. Tarte Park Ave. Princess Bronzer & Contour Palette

If you have olive undertones and struggle finding shades for contour…look no further. This is my favorite contour kit I have ever used. Its extremely blendable and I love the shades. They are lovely and offer the best variety for me whether I’m more fair in winter or have a tan in the summer. I have used this so much since winter and have yet to “hit pan” like I did so soon on my contour palettes in the past. Plus, I’m a sucker for pretty packaging and you can’t deny this one is to die for.

Normal cost: $45 which is honestly a steal at Sephora. Highly recommend.

MISC.

8. DevaCurl Melt into Moisture Matcha Butter Mask

I got this product in a small sample and I wish I didn’t fall in love because of the hefty price. However: it rocks. I have FRIZZY, wavy, dry hair and I struggle with moisture. Apply this mask once a week for 15 minutes, rinse, and you have soft/shiny/frizz free hair for days. I love it.

Normal cost: $64 for 525 mL but they offer other sizes

Okay, now I want to let you know what to SKIP at the Sephora sale:

Beauty blender

Every blog post will tell you to buy this and I’m telling you to opt for the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge instead. On Amazon, you can get TWO for $8.99 whereas Sephora sells one Beauty blender for $20. Personally, I prefer the real techniques sponge for the pliability and for the flat edge (you can use it dry for powders!)

Laura Mercier Setting Powder

Again, every blog post will tell you to buy this. Although, it works beautifully, there are TWO dupes for an 1/8 of the price. #1 is Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder for $6.99. Works just as great, bigger packaging & you can buy it at Walmart or Amazon. Only downfall: it smells like baby powder. #2 RCMA No-Color Powder. It sells for $20 on Amazon but I’ve been using it for a year and i’ve used maybe a 1/4th. Pretty sure this stuff just stays with you for life. No smell! Only complaint is the packaging because it goes everywhere, but I actually PREFER this over the $45 Laura Mercier powder.

Hope you enjoyed this post! If you bought anything from the list, let me know! I’d love to hear <3 Until next time!

If you’d like to revisit some of these products or want more Korean Skincare, check out my post on my Korean Skincare favorites from a few months back.

XOXO Alex