Your Ultimate Guide to the Sephora Spring Sale
A master list of everything you should get, because you deserve it, and I'm an enabler.
Your cheat sheet to the best of Sephora is here — check out my 54 recs here!💄
It’s that time of year again: nestled at some point between Third Winter and The Pollening, Sephora invites swarms of tweens drunk on elephants and glamorous adults with little to no impulse control to fork over more but “less” of their dollars to their ever overstuffed pockets. Cosmetic prices are still climbing, beauty is still a performance, et cetera, et cetera, but I’m not here to write a dissertation on the subject. I’m here to tell you what’s actually good. I feel qualified to advise on this, as a VIB Rouge member (you have to spend $1,000 a year to join that tier — pocket watchers and coin counters, put your tongues BACK in your mouths!) and a makeup lover since I saw Nicki Minaj’s winged eyeliner in 2010. I’ve compiled a detailed master spreadsheet with links to 54 incredible products to help you on your mad dash to your basket — to be clear, I’m not buying all of it LOL. I’ll list the Top 10 down below!
You have some time to strategize — The Sephora Savings Event goes from April 5th to April 15th, with VIB Rouge members getting first dibs. Regular Rouge members (they spend a more reasonable $350 a year) get access on the 9th. Note that Insiders (THE FREE TIER!) only get a paltry 10 percent off, but better than nothing! Here’s how I would plan ahead, and jsyk, this is #notsponsored, I’m just deranged. — MF
So, I don’t have much to contribute to the Sephora sale master list (I promise you wouldn’t want my advice!) but I will share this: One time years ago, before a wedding, I didn’t know how to do my makeup — or even how to buy my makeup — so I went into an Ulta, put Melinda on FaceTime, and she literally told me where to go and what to pick up like she was playing a video game. Later, she did a step-by-step tutorial over FaceTime for me… And I still wear exclusively a variation of that look to formal events today. So believe me when I say: Trust this woman with your life!! — LM
The Top 10 must-buys from the Sephora Sale, according to Melinda 🧺🏃🏾♀️
Dermalogica Precleanse Oil Cleanser — If you haven't heard the gospel of double cleansing, now is the time to be saved! Going in with an oil cleanser and then a regular cleanser is a great form of manual exfoliation. If you've worn makeup that day, a double cleanse is key. You'd be shocked how much residue a regular cleanse leaves on your face. This oil cleanser physically pulls the dirt and sweat out of my pores like grains of nasty sand, and also it just feels really luxurious. This will never leave my rotation, definitely stocking up.
Dieux Air Angel — A nice summer lighter alternative to Instant Angel, which is a thicker moisturizer. Dieux forever and ever — and for those who care (not me) it’s Hailey Bieber approved.
Clarins V-Facial Instant Depuffing Mask — Incredible, no notes, a MUST. Will snatch your face immediately. I don’t get how this works, but I’ll never stop buying it (and a jar lasts a really long time!)
L'Occitaine Cleansing Shower Oil — So good for a single or double body cleanse, make my skin crazy soft, inoffensive slightly warm skin scent, never leaving my shower routine.
Makeup by Mario Warm Eyeshadow Palette — I use this almost every single day, and I love that the size is travel friendly. This palette is so beginner friendly, nobody can mess it up. You can even do your eyebrows, highlight, and liner with it.
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint — HOLY GRAIL. Nonstop compliments when I wear this. So comfortable and skin like, no other skin tint on the market delivers like this.
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skim Blurring Balm Powder — HOLY GRAIL BUT MATTE. Just an unreal product, buildable like a concealer, performs like a fantastic foundation. Sometimes I just dab a fingertip’s worth to cover hyperpigmentation and wear no other makeup. Sometimes I do a full face’s worth. Sometimes I use it as a bronzer. Can’t believe this exists, and TBH I need to stop talking about this, it’s so gatekeep worthy.
Bobbi Brown Skin Color Corrector & Brightening Concealer Stick —HOLY GRAIL BUT FOR UNDER EYES. You can wear this with nothing else.
One Size Matte Setting Spray — The hype is true, unfortunately. As an oily girl, this is an essential, and it’s pretty much a need for summer. For all the “take her swimming on the first date” idiots, you’ve met your match.
Dulce by Rosie Jane Perfume — A gorgeous true vanilla bean scent, and extremely affordable as far as perfumes go. HOLY GRAIL, and from a clean fragrance house. I have the matching body lotion and shower wash.
And 5 new to me products I’m adding to cart 👀
Dr. Idriss The Depuffer Roll-On Serum — I’ve heard great things, and I really want to try it since I’m always looking for ways to snatch my face. Arnica is supposed to be a really good depuffer, so I’m intrigued!
Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum — A Vitamin C alternative that the Reddit girlies swear by.
Clarins Cryo-Flash Mask — This and a blunt in the summer is going to fix everything.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette — Everyone raves about this. I'm not big on highlighter but could be time to see what all the hype is about.
Fenty Gloss Bomb in Fuschia Flex — I've had some previous Gloss Bombs and they're tried and true, but not this color. Uche Natori used this shade in a recent video and I immediately added to my list, such a beautiful, buildable shimmer gloss!
To see the rest of the 54 product rec master list, click here!💄
Hunter-gatherer corner
What we’ve read and DMed each other about lately — our internet bounty is below!
“What Happens to the Stay-at-Home Girlfriend After a Breakup?” by Erika W. Smith - Cosmopolitan — Yup, I am sharing yet another article about how what we see on TikTok is NOT reality. In this piece, Smith interviews women who first found their followings online by posting about how their boyfriend afforded them a softer life by funding their lifestyle and then found themselves dumped with no home or no income. Required reading for anyone who finds themselves thinking “Why do we want the right to work for women again??” — LM
“How Quinta Brunson Hacked the Sitcom” by Molly Fischer - The New Yorker — I am not a huge sitcom fan, but I love Abbott Elementary and Quinta Brunson. I think she’s a genius, and it’s incredible how she makes a form that can be so wishy washy so exciting. — MF
Spring wardrobe! — MF
Why Not?
Why Not? is our biweekly list of recommendations. Think recipes, gift guides, podcasts, clothes, and anything we consider to be generally chic. Have a suggestion? Let us know!
Yours Conditionally - Tennis — I first discovered this album in early college, back in the days when I found new music by reading Pitchfork (rip) and the blog section of Vinyl Me, Please. I hadn’t listened to it for years, but remembered liking it, so I threw it on during a longer drive. Now, I’m re-obsessed. Whenever I hear the three-song stretch of “Please Don’t Ruin This for Me,” “10 Minutes 10 Years,” and “Modern Woman,” I need to go back and listen to it again (and again). — LM
Clarifying Clay Mask - SkinCeuticals — Similar to how I don’t buy makeup unless it’s recommended to me by my Melinda, I don’t buy skincare unless it’s recommended for me by my esthetician. She put me on to this clay mask a little bit before my wedding and it’s been part of my weekly routine ever since. It comes with a hefty price tag but I’ve been using the same one for maybe six months — so it lasts! — LM
Zenni Satin Dress - Reformation — This LBD is super comfortable. I had an event a few weeks ago where I didn’t know how formal or casual people were going to go, so I threw it on with heeled boots and a leather jacket to make a case for either side. — LM
If you liked this issue, tell a Sephora teen to get out of your way! Tell us your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram (@lilly_milman | @melindafakuade), and share it with your favorite beauty junkie!
THE LORD'S WORK