The Sephora VIB Sale is a very exciting time in the life of a beauty lover. It happens twice a year, typically in mid-April and in November. It’s the time when pretty much all brands and products carried by this giant beauty retailer go on sale: everything is 20% – 10% off in store and online (except for The Ordinary and MAC Viva Glam). Did you hear that?!! From April 26 thru May 1st, Rouge cardholders (those who spend over $1,000 annually) are offered 20% off with code ‘HeyRouge’ at checkout. During the period May 2 – May 6, Sephora VIB member are offered 15% off with code ‘HeyVIB’ and Sephora Insiders are offered 10% off with code ‘HeyInsider’.
It is the perfect excuse for stocking up on old favorites and trialing new brands and products. You can always return if not satisfied, Sephora is one of those stores with excellent customer service. But chances are you’ll probably find a keeper, something absolutely fantastic that you simply cannot live without! Yes, that always happens to me.
I have a previous post here that details some of the products I simply can’t live without and another post covering some of my recent Sephora splurges here. But today I’d like to share with you 10 NEW Products Available at Sephora that you might want to consider and add to your cart during the VIB Sale.
Note: This post is not meant to be an in-depth review of every product mentioned, but rather a quick overview. I will, however, link a detailed review where I can find one. So get your pen and paper, let’s begin …
Admittedly, I’m not a fan of leave-in overnight masks. Most of them have a sticky texture and I seldom see results. This however, is the exception! The newly released Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask is a ‘full night’s rest in a jar’! It’s a 2-step mask that replenishes the moisture lost during the day and locks in moisture overnight. After cleansing your skin, apply the gel essence (step 1) and let it absorb. Immediately follow with the water-cream mask (step 2). You wake up in the morning with skin that’s refreshed, plump and youthful. I love the texture and feel of both the essence and the water-cream. And what’s more important, they deliver incredible hydration and moisture. You simply have to give it a try!
The Fresh Lotus Dream Cream is the brand’s first ever nighttime moisturizer, jam-packed with powerful anti-oxidants. It works for every skin type and addresses concerns such as: fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity, dullness and uneven texture. I have a detailed review and share my experience with using this moisturizer in a previous post here.
It’s always refreshing to see brands taking feedback from their fans and recently, Drunk Elephant has done just that. Earlier in the month, they released SLAAI Cleansing Balm, a multi-tasking cleansing oil balm which is gentle, yet incredibly effective. It masterfully melts away all traces of dirt, makeup and sunscreen from face and eyes. And it does so while nourishing and protecting the skin’s natural barrier. In short, it cleanses and moisturizes without any irritants and sensitizers. More on this balm and why you need to try it in a previous post here.
Chances are you’ve already heard about the skincare benefits of Retinol. You can read more on that here. What immediately attracted me to Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol is that it can be mixed in with other products before applying. That means you can completely control the amount and allow your skin to adjust to it. It is a clean, cutting-edge formula with 1% vegan retinol and superfood-rich ingredients to diminish the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It works well on my sensitive skin without drying it out or irritating it. I highly recommend it if you’re looking to up your skincare game.
Urban Decay partnered with the Game of Thrones franchise to create a makeup collection inspired by what is now HBO’s most successful show to-date. I reviewed EVERYTHING from the collection and showed you how each product translates on the skin in a previous post here. If I had to pick and choose from this collaboration I would recommend the eyeshadow palette, the eyeliners (favorite shades are: Dragon Smoke and Night King) and Vice lipsticks in the colors Daenerys Targaryen (which I’m wearing in the photo below) and Sansa Stark.
I bought this mini palette because I really wanted to try something from Natasha Denona. Her eyeshadows are typically quite pricey. So, curiosity got the best of me! But I don’t regret giving into the hype. It is quite small, but no shade is a dud. The colors are vibrant, versatile and the formula is incredible. I think this mini size is a great opportunity to try the brand. You will not be disappointed. You can find a detailed review, swatches and a makeup look in a previous post here. I now have my eyes on a bigger neutral-toned palette from Natasha Denona called BIBA, which you can see here.
Matte lipsticks are here to stay and Pat McGrath has revolutionized the trend with the creation of her MatteTrance range! I’m a bit late to the Pat McGrath bandwagon, because frankly I’m not a big fan of matte lips. But her lipstick formulas are the ones to try! Her mattes are kind on the lips and richly pigmented. They are opaque with one swipe and feel comfortable on the lips. The shades shown in the photo are Full Panic (a sophisticated, lively fuchsia) and Vendetta (an elegant, deep red).
As soon as I got a chance to test out the new Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Highlighter + Balm Duo, I just knew I had to include it in my Sephora VIB Sale roundup. This highlighter duo creates a beautiful sheen that catches the light at every turn. You first apply the transparent balm directly on the skin using the stick or your fingertips. It works equally well on bare skin as well as on top of other makeup. Follow with the highlighter stick. Again, use the stick directly on the skin. Or use a brush or your fingers. I sometimes struggle with powder highlighters, as they tend to over-emphasize dry patches and pores. Because you use the balm first, the skin is prepped and moisturized. This highlighter duo creates a more natural, lit from within glow. It comes in 3 different shades. I have the shade Golden. This product is also an Allure Magazine Best of Beauty winner.
Lancôme came out with these full-coverage color correctors that camouflage imperfections based on your skin concern and skin tone. So anything from dark circles, discoloration, acne scars, redness, sallowness –they have you covered. The correctors feel lightweight on the skin, blend easily and won’t cake or crease throughout the day. My favorite is the Peach one. I simply dab it around the under-eyes first and then follow with my concealer. I have a detailed post on How I Manage My Under-Eye Dark Circles here.
There are very few brands out there that are as consistent and as luxurious in every way as Kérastase. I discovered the brand many moons ago, when I first dabbled in balayage hightlighting. I loved the sun-kissed multi-dimensional look, but hated the way it left my hair: dry, brittle and weakened. Kérastase is a luxurious Parisian brand I’ve come to rely on for gentle yet effective products that will look after my sensitive hair. And recently, Kérastase expanded their exquisite haircare range with the addition of 2 new products: Elixir Ultime Sublimating Marula Oil Infused Hair Mask and Elixir Ultime L’Huile Légère Bi-Phase Oil Mist. I reviewed both products in detail here. Both are liquid gold for distressed hair and both have officially earned a permanent spot in my beauty cabinet!
Are you shopping the Sephora semi-annual sale? What’s on your list? Please do share in the comments below.
This is NOT a sponsored post, but it does contain referral links. Read my Disclaimer policy for more info.
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