Usually Sephora has only two sales a year, but it looks like this year we are getting another “bonus” sale! The Sephora Summer Bonus Sale is from August 19 – 27, 2019. Here’s a look at the skincare I’ve been loving and some of the products I’m considering buying during the Sephora Summer Bonus 2019:
SKINCARE I’VE BEEN LOVING
Bakuchiol
I have been hearing more and more about Retinol for helping remove lines and wrinkles, but I hear there is a long “purging” period for your skin to get used to it. It seems like a really strong/harsh product and I am not sure I want to put my skin through that. The only retinol product I’ve used are the Miracle Worker pads from Philosophy which are amazing, but I am not sure how concentrated they are. Backuchiol is supposed to work like a retinol without side effects such as redness, irritation or peeling.
BIOSSANCE – SQUALANE + PHYTO-RETINOL SERUM
I’ve used my entire bottle of this retinol-alternative and I really liked it. I think it helped to improve my skin’s overall texture and keep my skin hydrated, which made my lines appear less visible. I never felt any skin sensitivity, redness, or peeling. The consistency is like a lotion-serum.; it’s creamy, but wet. It was easy to apply, but it didn’t absorb all the way and my skin felt a little slick afterwards. I think that has to do with the squalene which helps to lock in moisture on the skin. In the morning, my skin would look and feel really smooth and bright.
HERBIVORE – BAKUCHIOL
I just bought this before they announced the Summer Bonus Sale. This serum from Herbivore seems really nice so far. It has a gel-like consistency and absorbs really well into my skin. I bought this because I’d run out of the Biossance and wanted to try another Bakuchiol. So far I really am liking it, but I’ll do a full review once I’ve had a while to really see the effects.
Vitamin C
ALGENIST – GENIUS VITAMIN C+
I have used a couple Algenist products in the past and I’ve really like everything from them so far. This vitamin C serum is so nice for helping to brighten and even out my skin tone and texture. I really like the glow I get from using this in the morning. It sinks into my skin, but leaves a tacky residue and if I use too much before my sunscreen, it can start to pill. I really like it though especially right in the morning; I feel like it just makes me look more awake and clear.
Essence
I have used toners before as part of my skincare routine, but I never felt like they did anything. Some would make my face sting so I thought “it must be working”, but I’m pretty sure now that it was just their high alcohol content. Recently I discovered “essences” which are supposedly “liquid serums” that are highly concentrated with nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins.
TATCHA – THE ESSENCE
Tatcha’s Essence is so nice because it has all of those concentrated nutrients and it helps your skin to be able to absorb all of the other skincare much deeper. I wasn’t sure if I could tell a difference with this in my routine at first, but I really do think it is helping my skin. I just pour a little into my palms and press it into my face, neck, and chest. I’ll fan it dry or just let it sit for a wile before using my other products and it feels really nice.
Sunscreen
I have been a diligent sunscreen-wearer forever, but I am especially aware of the sun now that I am back in Southern California. The sun feels so much stronger here so I have been applying my sunscreen more frequently throughout the day.
TATCHA SILKEN PORE PERFECTING SUNSCREEN
I really love the texture of this Tatcha sunscreen. It goes on so smoothly, so it’s really easy to get a nice even coverage. I love that it has a semi matte-feeling finish that is soft but not drying at all. It definitely kind of soften/blurs your pores while protecting your skin with SPF 35. It feels really clean and nice on my face/neck/hands. I don’t wear any foundation, and I feel like this helps to even my skin on its own. I’m running low on this sunscreen so I may restock during the sale or just get from Tatcha.com directly since they have better samples and gifts with purchase. Use my link to get $20 off your first Tatcha.com order over $100.
JOSIE MARAN ARGAN DAILY MOISTURIZER
I have been using Josie Maran Argan Oil for years and I love that there is argan oil infused in this SPF 47 moisturizer. I find that this sunscreen is more “wet” than the Tatcha sunscreen so it starts off easy to apply, but there is a slight tackiness that requires a little more effort to blend in. I also end up looking a lot “more glowy” (greasy) with this sunscreen which I attribute to the argan oil. So while I really like this sunscreen, a little goes a long way. I like to alternate between this and the Tatcha sunscreen.
SEPHORA SUMMER BONUS
This is the second year that Sephora has had a summer sale which I’m happy about since it’s during my birthday month! With this Sephora Summer Bonus event, VIB will receive 15% off from 8/20 – 8/27 and Rouge will get 20% off from 8/19 – 8/27.
Also, if you are Rouge, you can shop in-store with a friend (who is at least a Beauty Insider) and share your discount. Both VIB & Rouge can use code: SUMMERSAVE to save when shopping online.
THINGS I WANT TO TRY OUT
I obviously prefer to make my purchases at Sephora when there is a sale going on; I usually have a cart full of things I want to restock or that I am interested in trying out. Right now, there isn’t really that much I need replenished. And I don’t like to have more products than I can reasonable use in my routine — I only have one face, so I don’t need 50 serums — but here are a few things I am considering:
JO MALONE – PEONY AND BLUSH SUEDE
I have never smelled this fragrance before, but I have heard great things about Jo Malone and this sounds like a scent I would like since I really love florals (Flowerbomb is my favorite). I had initially wanted to redeem my Sephora Rouge birthday gift for the mini Peony and Blush Suede fragrance, but it looks like it sold out/they rotated the gifts because it’s no longer available. I don’t really want to go in-store, but that looks like the only way I can try this fragrance before buying it. I wish there was a mini size I could just order instead.
TATCHA – FIRMING EYE SERUM
So far, I have loved mostly everything I’ve tried from Tatcha. I’ve been on the look out for an eye cream, but I haven’t liked any of the ones I’ve tried. I think my under eyes must be really sensitive because most products seem too thick or cause me to tear. I like how this Tatcha serum has a nice applicator and seems like it would work well with my existing skincare routine. As I’m writing this, the eye serum is sold out at Sephora, so hopefully it’s back during the sale. (Or I may just order from Tatcha direct).
SUPERGOOP – EVERYDAY SUNSCREEN SPF 50
This is an inexpensive sunscreen that has good reviews. I thought I would try out the small 2.4oz. size to see if I like it. I really prefer my Tatcha sunscreen, but it is on the more expensive side. This Supergoop sunscreen is SPF 50, but according to reviews, may be a little greasy. I thought I would give it a try during the sale.
FARMACY – HONEYMOON GLOW
This AHA seems really nice and I have really enjoyed my other Pharmacy products. I received a sample of this with my Herbivore Bakuchiol order and it was nice. I would need to try it over a longer period to really have an opinion, but I have been ready to try a new AHA after I finished my Sunday Riley Good Genes.
PHILOSOPHY – ULTIMATE MIRACLE WORKER PADS
I forgot how much I loved these and how well they worked for me until I wrote about it above. So, I put these in my cart to consider getting during the sale. I love these pads because everything is contained, until you pour the retinol liquid onto the pads to activate it. I would use a pad on my face, neck, chest, and the back of my hands. The slightly rough pad helped to buff the surface of my skin and my face always felt really bright and smooth the next morning.
Are you planning shopping during the Sephora sale? Let me know if you’ve had any experience with these new products I mentioned or what you are thinking about buying!
