As you may or may not know, I’ve been wearing the same makeup for years and years. And by “same” I mean literally have been milking the same bottle of foundation and stick of lipstick for a LONG TIME. So long that I was getting lip acne that I blamed on wearing masks, but then I realized I was rarely wearing a mask because I work from home so why the acne? When I googled “Why am I getting zits around my lips” the first thing that came up is ‘”Are you wearing old lipstick?” and I was like, “Whoops. Yah. Gross. You dummy.” So now that the mask mandate is lifted here I felt it was time to go in person to Sephora to get some fresh face supplies during their sale. While there I asked the salesperson what were the new products that everyone was freaking out about? Anything new that people love or are raving about? Their big sale started yesterday so I figured it was a good time. Then beyond what’s hot, I told her my needs and she was SO HELPFUL. Here’s what she recommended:
Dior Lip Oil
Dior Lip Oil: It was sold out at the store and apparently still is everywhere – I even saw it on Poshmark for $90 (it retails for$35) so good luck finding it, but I still wanted to share it just in case you happen upon it at a random store. It sure must be amazing 🙂 Since they were out of that she recommended the Merit Tinted Lip Oil, which I did get and love. It feels so moist, but not sticky and the color stays (I’ve only worn it for one day, but so far so good). I got it in “Au Naturel” and “Cara Cara” which is slightly more of a pop, but not too bright.
Peter Thomas Roth Temporary Eye Tightener
Peter Thomas Roth Temporary Eye Tightener: I’m never leaving the house again without it (for shoots anyway). It absolutely diminished the appearance of fine lines. It felt tight and just worked. It’s mostly peptides I think but beyond that, I have no idea how it’s so effective so fast. I’m not saying it’s “good” for your skin, you simply look less wrinkled if you are into that. I think this is an excellent gift to give someone you are close enough to give a wrinkler reducer gift to. I was SHOCKED. I didn’t do a before/after when I put it on the first time but will today and put it on social for you. It does feel VERY tight though. It’s not uncomfortable per se but you can feel it on your face.
Super Goop Glow
Super Goop Glow Oil: I’ve been wearing the face sunscreen for a long time, but this is awesome because it’s a spray that you can easily reapply over lotion/makeup. People are super into I guess. Caitlin concurred that she loves it too and wears it every day.
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil
Benefit Brow Pencil: I went to get a new brow pencil from Anastasia (which are excellent because they are so fine) but I complained to her that they don’t last that long and she agreed. She said for that reason she recommends the Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil instead. I guess it has hair-like strokes (and was more affordable). I got it in “Warm Light Brown”. So far so good, although I really do need someone to still help me with my brows. Does anyone know any great portland brow people??
Nars Light Reflecting Foundation
Nars Light Reflecting Foundation: My friend Whitney told me about this first, then the salesperson confirmed that indeed people are FREAKING out about this foundation. I guess it’s trying to compete with the Armani foundation I’ve been using for a decade. I bought it and sadly the color I chose is slightly too warm for me so I need to exchange it if they let me (I got #5 Salsburg, when I should have gotten 4, I think). She also recommended Kosas foundation for the exact same results – light reflecting, light on your skin, etc – and Kosas is clean beauty (it was just sold out at the store, otherwise I would have snagged it).
Hourglass Ambient® Lighting Powder
Hourglass Ambient® Lighting Powder: I bought this a couple of years ago and still LOVE IT. Whitney confirmed it was great and the salesperson also adamantly agreed. I bought radiant bronze light (for more tan/sunkissed) and ambient (more everyday glow). BIG FAN.
Laura Mercier Light Revealer Tinted Moisturizer (SPF 25)
Laura Mercier Light Revealer Tinted Moisturizer (SPF 25): I have the oil-free version (which I think I bought because I have lash extensions and you try to reduce the amount of oil on your face with those) but my skin is dry so I need oil. This one has the oil and so far it’s great (and that’s the general consensus). You have a lot of flexibility with the shades since it’s just a tint, so it’s easy to reapply on the go, etc.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Charlotte Tilbery Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray: They were out of this, but they had the sample that we tried on our wrist and it did leave a glow. I wouldn’t have thought so since it’s a “setting” spray but it was a lovely sheen. I just ordered the mini size to try it out.
Freck Rich Bitch Lotion
Rich Bitch Lotion: Y’all the founder, Remi used to work for me. Her company Freck Beauty, which started with this fake freckle product, has expanded a lot. When she sent me her new line including this lotion a couple of years ago I expected to like it fine enough, but was super surprised. The lotion is EXTREMELY hydrating. I buy spendy stuff (like Tata Harper, PCR) which I also like, but there were many times since I’ve run out of this lotion that I’ve wanted it on my face. It’s just extremely moisturizing without being “thick”. Anyway, I asked the salesperson about it and she was like “oh I LOVE this lotion” which confirmed it. I am psyched to have it again. I use it as a night cream because my skin wakes up still feeling soft.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Charlotte Tilbery Hollywood Flawless Filter: OH the marketing manipulation on that name. But Whitney told me that it has a cult following even before I went into Sephora. It was one of the first things my salesperson shouted about. I bought it. Haven’t used it yet, but maybe I will today and show you on Instagram stories.
The other things I bought and loved are a Milk blush/lip cream (in “Dash” which is pretty light – I wish I had gotten brighter), and the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm which is super soft and shiny (not sticky). Now my biggest debate during the Sephora sale is that stupidly expensive Dyson Hair Dryer. I used it at my friend’s the other day and yes, of course, it’s wonderful. My hair was far less frizzy, and it was super fast. It’s just so hard to justify that kind of money on a hair dryer, but if I’m ever going to it should be while it’s on sale.
SO that’s my Sephora haul and I am very happy with it and that I (hopefully) won’t have lip acne anymore. What are your top makeup or skincare products you use year after year? I’d love to know xx
Opener Image Credit: Home of Corbett Tuck | Styling by Velinda Hellen, Emily Bowser, & Erik Staalberg | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: The New Design Rules
I love the dyson hair dryer. Worth it. (I also blow dry my hair every day so anything that shortens the time is like gold.)
I literally just put this hair dryer on my vision board, like 5 minutes ago. Haha!
Agreed 100%. I felt ashamed spending that amount of money on a hairdryer at first but after using it even just once it proved to be worth the investment.
I have the airwrap. Got it for Christmas. Is it ridiculous amount to spend on a hair dryer? Yes. Does it bring me joy every time I use it? Also yes.
I got a refurbished Dyson hair dryer for a bit more than half the retail price 4 years ago and it still works like a dream. I love it so much I would consider paying full price, but I think it’s definitely worth looking for a refurbished one first.
Agreed–worth every penny.
I use the Laniege lip sleeping mask everynight. It’s so great! Worth it.
Thanks for this fun post!
Totally agree. Though the Laniege flavors make me feel like a middle school girl!
Emily, Thanks for sharing, and maybe you can share eco friendly/ low toxin products as well? There are a lot at similar price points. It’s an opportunity as an influencer to use your power to increase awareness re little things we can all do to help reduce climate change. Your website is such a go-to for so many!
I’d love information and info on low toxin and safer products too
“low toxin” is as meaningless as the phrase “clean” beauty. please, oh my goodness please, give charlotte palermino (charlotteparler@) a follow on instagram to learn about this incredibly misleading marketing nonsense you’re repeating here. or ask literally any dermatologist.
100% agree. It’s all marketing. Look up Dr Dray on youtube – she’s a dermatologist that dispels these myths.
I have similar hair to you Emily and LOVE the Dyson drier.
Last year I turned 40, bought myself eyebrows, and absolutely love them. Should have invested in microblading years ago! Instead of reinventing the wheel each morning with my little brow pencil, trying to fill in and create an arch, I now slick on some boy brow and am good to go. Erica at Studio Meraki in Portland was the best – totally natural looking (really!) And can’t recommend them highly enough.
I wear mascara (I have naturally really long blonde lashes that are invisible without it) and use a brow smudger since my eyebrows are almost invisible too. Looks much more natural than a pencil. Plus moisturizer and SPF 50.
Gone are the days of a mud-pack on my face for work.
My mornings are so much easier and natural these days. 🤗
I second tge commrnt about promoting eco-friendly products. Also, excess and non-recyclable containers and packaging and shipping are important issues too. 🌏
I have the same light hair situation. I realize it’s a niche, but I really wish they made a more natural color mascara for blondes. Tinting eyelahes gorgeous but stupid expensive and time consuming. It wanted to add I’ve taken to coloring my eyebrows with Just for Men mustache dye. You can get good natural colors and it lasts about ten days or so.
Go for brown mascara – there are lots of them at the drugstore.
As a redhead with eyebrows that have pretty much vanished (I’m 57), could you please share which brow smudger you like best? Any help is GREATLY appreciated – thanks!
Believe it or not … “Maybelline, Brow Satin”.
One end is a fine, screw out pencil. The other end is a smudger. (I mostlyuse the smudger end coz once it’s got some colour in it, it goes a long way)
Don’t rub the smudger end back n forth – brush lightly in one direction.
I’ve used both medium brown and dark brown. Medium is better for my hair/skin.
*I’m a fading strawberry blonde redhead with a few freckles, so it’ll probably be worth a go for you.
😊xx
Great info, thanks SOOOO much Rusty!!
Thanks for the fun product inspo! My social ads are hounding me to buy Bobbi Browns new Jones Road make up. Anyone tried this yet?
Yes, I do know great brow people in Portland! I just moved to Portland a few months ago, and found a wonderful place. It’s called Treat, https://www.treatyou.com/. I got the best waxing/shaping I’ve ever had from Megan. Really nice people, a boutique type of experience.
It’s so interesting to see what’s deemed popular at Sephora vs. all the Holy grail products people test in the Beauty community on youtube. There is a WORLD of makeup out there, and I LOVE watching dupes videos, wear tests, swatches, etc. My favorites – 1. Thrive Causemetics liquid lash extensions mascara – tubing mascara that gives great volume and length while being easy to remove at the end of the day 2. MAC eyeliner pencil in Teddy – classic brown kohl liner that I use at the base of my top lashes to make my lashes appear thicker 3. Paula’s Choice Ultra light wrinkle reducing tinted SPF 30 – holy grail day to day ti ted mineral sunscreen. 4. Maybelline FIT Me concealer and loose perfecting powder – classics that come in a GREAT shade range 5. Nars highlighter in Capri 6. Milani baked blushes in Luminoso (nars Orgasm dupe) and Berry Amore – such a beautiful glowy formula 7. Milani Silky Matte powder bronzer, Maybelline City Bronzer has a wonderful light shade for fair skintone 8. Any and all eyeshadow palettes by Colourpop – they have an amazing formula and are super affordable. Highly recommend the Going Coconuts… Read more »
Lady, you should do a Guest Star appearance every month on make up recommendations! 😉 !!
That would be so fun! I love makeup! I get a lot of recs from Taylor Wynn, Jessica Braun, Jenn Phelps, and others on youtube.
Love Jess and Taylor too! Real reviews on wearability:)
Seriously, my two great loves in life are remodeling and makeup and so naturally this post left me a little…
Well. Less than impressed lol.
I highly recommend the Harry Josh hairdryer from Dermstore. It’s about half the cost of the Dyson (still is a splurge), but my hair has never looked shinier and it cut my hair drying time by 1/3
Echo natural beauty in portland is fantastic for brows and makeup!
Emily,
Are you sure you didn’t get supergoop resetting spray? That one is a touch-up mist. Glow oil in my experience is very oily and more of a body sunscreen (feels great going on). I’ve never used it on my face, tho maybe this is the new thing!
Go see Rebecca at Marjorie May for eyebrows, she’s wonderful! I’ve also heard great things about everyone at Miss Knockout in NW, and had a lovely experience at Treat, too.
I love your blog. Thanks for sharing this amazing post with us.
In Portland Megan at Darc is a brow angel https://www.instagram.com/studiodarc/?hl=en
UGH! Why are people still buying products that are tested on animals?! There are a zillion cruelty-free options! Thanks for highlighting CF brands Charlotte Tilbury, Hourglass, Freck, and Supergoop. You can find more at http://www.cruelty free kitty.com. Plus you can search for cruelty-free on Sephora!