What to Buy at Sephora's VIB Sale | High-End Products Worth the Splurge

My relationship with Sephora is really starting to mimic that with Starbucks. I don't like paying a premium for things I can find at a lower price-point, so I generally hold off shopping there. I'm also lucky enough to be able to work on my blog in my spare time, which grants me access to occasional press samples (and some ad revenue, which I look at as an opportunity to re-invest in my blogging gadgets!) 

So I haven't been VIB at Sephora for a while now, and I'm honestly very proud. I don't like watching my expensive makeup expire, so I try to maintain a reasonable stash while also indulging in a few fancy goodies here and there to aid in my reviews online. With this surprise Sephora sale (on now!) you can receive major discounts on all of your favorite products - and when you partner the 10-20% off with an Ebates discount, you're scoring even bigger. 

Here's a quick rundown on Sephora's membership program: If you spend $350 in a year, you're a VIB (Very Important Beauty Insider), and if you spend over $1,000 in a year, you become a Rouge member. During this sale, Rouge members will receive 20% off all products in store and online with the code YESROUGE, starting August 29. All VIB and Beauty Insider members can start shopping the sale on August 30. (VIB members will receive a 15% discount with code YESVIB, and if you're an insider, you'll get 10% off with code YESINSIDER.) This sale runs until Sept. 3, so I wanted to share a few of my favourite products at Sephora to help fill your basket.

SKINCARE

CLARINS Liquid Bronze Self Tanning $38

This is my OG self-tanner for the skin because it moisturizes, tames redness and gives a natural glow overnight with no patchiness.

CLARINS Hydra-Essentiel Bi-Phase Serum $57

Where serums are concerned, I recommend all of these. But I was talking with blogger friends Andy and Shawna and we decided that Hydra-Essentiel from Clarins takes the cake as best serum ever. It's a splash of water that plumps, clams, hydrates, wakes you up, and still manages to put you to sleep, when necessary. The end.

CLARINS Extra-Firming Day $88

This day cream comes in a luxe container and makes my skin feel immediately transformed - the perfect base for makeup. Though it works instantaneously, it also works at making my skin more plump, smooth, even, and firm overtime. 10/10

CLARINS Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate $85

What makes this eye cream different? It is incredibly hydrating for any dry areas, without clogging pores and causing milia. The packaging is very clean - since I rarely go through eye cream, so this pump allows for little to no oxidation, and eliminates the need for dipping grubby fingers into a container. This packaging is great for travel and though I prefer eye cream overnight, this one works great under makeup too. It's perfect for application on the lids and conditioning brows/lashes. It is also safe for contact wearers and sensitive eyes, since it's ophthalmologically tested.

L'OCCITANE Divine Star Gift $199

You all know I adore L'OCCITANE Oil Make-Up Remover ($34), which is something you should stock up on always, but with Christmas coming up and #treatyoself apparent every day, you need to get the Divine Star Gift, without a doubt. The cleanser is incredible for all skin types, the lotion will literally make your skin look and feel like that of an angel, the eye cream is a perfect mini to use immediately or throw in your travel bag, and the oil is amazing for giving your shoulders a glimmer in the summer, or for locking in your moisturizer overnight - kind of like a warm, cozy blanket to help your skin regenerate while you sleep. This is an outstanding deal that anyone will enjoy.

CLINIQUE Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask $36

This is the best mattifying mask on the market (especially for sensitive skin) that absorbs oil, impurities, and environmental pollutants to help detoxify skin. I first talked about this product in 2015 here when I showed my multi-masking routine! And I've loved it just the same ever since.

MAKEUP

YVES SAINT LAURENT Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain in 23 Singular Taupe $44

I first saw this product on Sandra's channel here, and now I can't get enough. The formula is incredible, the brush has the coolest swivel thing that you can see in the image above, and it applies easier than anything else I've tried. The finish is a comfortable satin-matte that wears off evenly, and stays on well throughout the day without ever making your lips feel dry. It's so luxe, and so worth it.

DIOR Dior Addict Lacquer Stick in 882 Sassy - dark fuchsia $43

If you want an intensely pigmented, super moisturizing and smooth lippe, look no further than Dior Addict Lacquer Sticks. They have a light fragrance, similar to YSL - floral but still yummy. This can be buffed out to a stain-like finish too.

SMASHBOX Photo Finish Primerizer $50

My favourite Smashbox Hydrating Primer, is discontinued, and replaced with this! So for anyone looking for a moisturizer that preps your skin perfectly for makeup, this is it. Combo/normal/dry skin peeps out there, this is your primer. It's also great to layer over a moisturizer (hi, Clarins) if you want a serious plumped glow going on allllll day.

BITE Matte Crème Lip Crayon in Glacé $28 & BITE Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Chai

I chose these lippies for my Sephora birthday gift, mainly because any Bite Beauty set is a great value, in my opinion. Both the crayon and lipstick are outstanding shades for anyone, the best warm nude colours that last well and have food-grade ingredients. Yay for Canadian companies!

Samples from a recent Sephora order: DIOR Backstage Face & Body Foundation trial size in 2N and 1N & HOURGLASS Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in Shell 

NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Chantilly $37

So I first reviewed a Nars concealer here, where my Clarins Instant concealer won. Now I wanted to try the lightest shade of Soft Matte, since I've seen a ton of rave reviews and I personally adore concealers in a pot since they're easier to apply with a targeted brush. Though this jar format has almost the same amount as the creamy concealer in the tube, this is a better deal since you can get out every last bit and the consistency is way more pigmented. I have oily skin so this concealer lasts all day, and feels dry-ish under the eye - almost eliminating smudging and transfering from my mascara. 

TARTE Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector $32

What makes this colour correcting concealer base different? The fact that it is moisturizing, very pigmented, but so natural on the skin. I love the versatility of shade "light-medium", it works for me in both the winter and summer and pairs beautifully with the soft matte concealer metnioned above.

LANCÔME Monsieur Big Mascara $32

My go-to mascara right now is L'Oreal Lash Paradise, but at a Sephora price-point Monsieur Big wins for delivering intense volume, definition and length at a minimal amount of swipes. The black pigment is beyond black, it doesn't flake and it comes off easily. This is tied with Charlotte Tilbury The Legendary Lashes Vol 2, which should be available at Sephora soon!

BENEFIT COSMETICS Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define Mini $17 

Benefit makes outstanding brow products. And $17 isn't bad! this pencil comes in an amazing array of shades, I use #3, and I love how easy it is to apply. The little spoolie is amazing and the packaging is super fun. The silver bullet is a bit outlandish, not really my style, but a great product nonetheless.

GUERLAIN Terracotta Light Healthy Glow Vitamin-Radiance Powder $64

Terracotta powder is one of the most iconic makeup products ever. Guerlain makes incredible products overall, and this bronzer is no exception. The new line of Terracotta powder bronzers is comprised of 6 highly flattering shades in the most exquisite packaging. The powders are so easy to use, and sleek enough to throw in your bag for a touch up throughout the day.



Also, PSA! Sephora now sells MAC products, so here are some of my favourite MAC shades as of late - I was trying to match this matte pink from QUO which has been discontinued, so I bought Pink Plaid from MAC  :)

Happy Shopping,
xx