The Sephora sale couldn’t have come at a better time for yours truly. While some may consider beauty products like this unimportant or vain, I consider them mood-lifters.
There is something about taking care of myself physically that affects my mental & emotional health as well. It’s not necessarily about the way others see me ( though, I’ll admit that’s a part of it ) as much as it is about the feeling of both indulgence & how I see myself.
Whether I’m taking careful care of my hair ( my new thing ), giving my skin what it needs to stay hydrated & glowing, or throwing on a little makeup to feel more put-together, putting effort into my outsides makes me feel clean, fresh & renewed. It’s not-so-serious. It’s FUN. It’s supposed to be!
Though beauty products might not be considered “essential” during a crazy time like this, I figure some of you may really appreciate the discount on products you’d normally buy yourself when your wallet is feeling a little more… full, if you will.
Today, I’ve rounded up the products I use on a daily or weekly basis for y’all. This list contains my COVETED & most-used products. These are products I’d, as-per-usual, 100% recommend.
To see many of these in-action, watch this makeup tutorial.
sephora favorites
One of my favorite makeup artists, Alexis Oakley, got me HOOKED on this cult-favorite moisturizer. It’s pricey, so I like to use it sparingly. Rather than using it for everyday, I use the moisturizer like she does: as a PRIMER, of sorts, before shoot, date-night, event, or going-out makeup.
I noticed Alexis slathering this moisturizer on pre-foundation ( especially around the under-eye area! ), and my makeup goes on incredibly smoothly every. single. time. It’s magical.
This isn’t a NEW product favorite for me, people, so I’ll do less explaining. I use this sleeping mask before bed every night, as well as occasionally throughout the day.
Like the Tatcha Water Cream, I use Laneige before makeup as a primer/hydrator for my lips. Color goes on smoother & my lips appear more full & plump ( GOALS ).
I’ve been into this product for YEARS. Fun fact: I was actually IN the online-commercial for the launch of Kopari’s Deodorant. So, I’m an OG, one could say.
This is a natural deodorant ( aluminum-free! ), meaning using it WILL start with a detoxing process ( you can read about that here ), but what better time to do a lil natural deo detox than while you’re not around a bunch of people??
DUH. If you have color-treated hair, there’s no doubt you’ve at least HEARD of Olaplex. I use this shampoo & conditioner at least once a week ( I usually only wash my hair twice a week, if possible. For the other shampoo, I use a scalp clarifying system for hair growth ).
I love the Sephora sale for stocking up on products like this!
The OG at-home Olaplex treatment is a very important part of my weekly haircare routine. I use this product once a week before shampooing. It helps keep my hair strong through the coloring HELL I put it through!
While we’re on the subject of hair health, I had to mention this shower head filter. Los Angeles is KNOWN for its hair-ruining water ( I learned this the hard way over the course of the last 3 years ), and this little gadget is the way I’m combatting that.
No more hard water on my delicate strands.
I replace the filter in this shower head every few months ( they’re super affordable on Amazon ), btw!
The last hair-related product in this round-up is this T3 blow dryer. I’ve been using this for the last few years, and it does not disappoint. This blowdryer doesn’t over-heat my hair while also blowdrying it quickly.
Plus, it’s pretty.
This is one of those perfumes I always come back to. I’ve been a fan of Alien for YEARS ( literally a decade ). It’s a unique scent that will always brighten my day.
Everyone wore Alien where I grew up, but I noticed its much less popular in California, so I feel very fresh n different here.
If you’re looking for a new scent, I highly recommend!
This lip color is FAR-&-AWAY my most-asked-about beauty product via Instagram DMs & comments. The formula gives a plumping, lip-filler-effect ( people constantly ask if I get my lips done while I’m wearing this! ) & this particular color is perfect for a natural-looking pout, IMO.
I over-line my lips with a liner close to my lip color ( my lips are naturally pretty dark, almost the color of this gloss! ) & slather Dolly on top. This product is MAGIC.
The concealer we all know & love. This is my concealer-of-choice for my under-eyes, because it doesn’t dry out my skin.
Using NARS Creamy Concealer in Creme Brûlée for under-eye coverage after applying my Tatcha Water Cream is a match made in makeup heaven. Then, I’ll set it with…
Becca Under-Eye Setting Powder
I find that normal setting powders are too drying & mattefying for my under-eye concerns. I don’t have dark circles as much as I have under-eye bags, which means I want don’t want to mattefy my under-eye too much, as it draws attention to the bag.
I need something that reflects brightness while also preventing creasing. Enter: BECCA. This super-fine setting powder is perfect for use on the under-eye area.
A cult-classic. A must-have. A staple.
I always find myself returning to this particular bronzer because I trust it. This color gives me a subtle, natural glow & the formula lasts on my skin.
I’ll wear this bronzer for both natural makeup looks and going-out, glam looks. I’m assuming y’all all know about it, but this is serving as your REMINDER that it exists, if you’ve forgotten about the classics.
I’ve been getting asked about my mascara-of-choice lately because I’ve been actually doing my makeup in recent weeks. My boredom has inspired some experimenting.
I’ve been wearing Benefit’s They’re Real mascara for volumnizing & lengthening nowadays. Apply two coats of this & you’re GOLDEN. I have it in both brown & in black.
Kevyn Aucoin Glass Skin Highlight
This TRULY gives you a GLASS SKIN effect. I prefer a dewy, glossy look to a shimmery finish when it comes to my highlighter.
A little of this product goes a long way, so it will last you quite awhile. I apply this to my cheek bones, my brow bone + inner corners of my eyes, bridge of my nose, and on my collar bone for an added glow.
The color I like is Prism Rose.
The last products I’m sharing with y’all is this natural-yet-concealing foundation I’ve fallen in love with in the last year or so.
The coverage is buildable, yet it always leaves me with the dewy finish I can’t get enough of. Cakey, skin-suffocating foundation is NOT the move! I need something that’s going to cover break-outs, redness & dark spots, but do so in a natural way.
I want my skin to look like SKIN, ya know? I apply this foundation with a damp beauty blender ( or, if my skin isn’t having the best day, I apply in break-out areas with a makeup brush & blend out with a beauty blender in areas I don’t need as much coverage ).
I’m color 34N, for reference!
I hope a little shopping spree ( even if it’s just something small that will make you feel comforted, clean or FRESH ) is helpful to y’all while we’re all stuck indoors, minding our own damn business.
I’m planning on coming out of this with glowing skin, revitalized hair, & a newer, more simple outlook on the way I live my life. Ya feel meeeee?
Happy shopping, babes! x