Let’s talk new finds, instant repurchases, and the wishlist in constant update mode.
Hey normies, it’s just about time. The Sephora Savings Event 2026 is about to open up to the masses and I for one, have been taking notes.
You may have heard (lol) that the sale opened up for the biggest spenders on October 30th and I have been cheerfully following the discourse. Spending that kind of money at Sephora tells me that she is buying and trying a lot and that’s an opinion I’m interested in. I salute you, Rouge-ers. I love a recommendation from she who goes before me.
As for me, I am as normie as they come. We come in many stripes, but here are my qualifiers: I am a working mom. Technically mid-30s, but knocking on the door of late. Average salary. Likes to look nice. Has to look professional most days of the week and I haven’t gotten enough sleep since 2015.
Distill that down and what I mean is this: I’m interested in good quality products, but I don’t have endless cash to throw at them. Give me efficient luminosity or nothing at all. I’m not an industry insider - I’m just a real person who likes nice things but lives in the real world. If you’re that kind of gal too, you know we demand results.
Let’s get into it.
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What I’m Repurchasing -
So nice, I bought it twice. Or three or four times. Who’s counting?!
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - this is the kind of high-end product that teaches you the value of high end products. It just does exactly what it promises: excellent coverage that looks airbrushed and lasts all day. If you try one product during this savings event, let it be this one.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush - Trust me, just get the mini. You can paint an entire wall with the amount of pigment in this sucker, so a tube the size of your thumb will last you a good year. The formula is extremely creamy and just a single dot blends out into a beautiful flush.
Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder - A staple and a classic for a reason: it magically blurs everything. This sets your makeup and leaves behind a soft finish that will make you feel like you have a real life IG filter. It’s spendy, but will last for a long time and for me, has been well worth the eye-watering price tag.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Iconic Nude - If Pillow Talk reads too pink on you, try Iconic Nude. It leans more cool brown and I have never found a lip liner that lasts longer than CT.
DedCool Milk - An excellent signature scent that is warm without becoming gourmand. It’s more unique than basic vanilla and just smells good. Buying directly from the brand was a terrible customer service experience, so ordering through a distributor is the move here.
The Ordinary Daily Moisturizer - A top notch moisturizer that deeply quenches without feeling heavy. And a bonus: it comes in at a very good price point, even outside of the sale. Nothing fancy, but she does the job!
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid - Azelaic Acid is having a moment and it’s well deserved. I apply it every morning and see such a difference in the brightness of my skin. It just turns the lights on!
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What’s on My Wishlist -
These are the things I'm curious about, so I’m not pretending I've already tested them! But if you have, please report out!
Soft Services Buffing Bar Miniature Collection Volume II - I have tried two varieties of this buffing bar and while I like the product, I have not been sold on either scent (Orange Affogato and the Vacation collaboration). I’d like to get this sampler set to test drive the other scent options because boy, I want to love this product, if we can just jump over the scent hurdle. The bars themselves are exquisite - the fine grain exfoliator really takes care of dry skin and tiny bumps. Easy to travel with and makes my skin feel so soft.
Glossier Toasty Nuts Balm dotcom - Look, it’s the millennial in me but I just can’t quit the Glossier balms. They’re iconic to my generation and they’re also totally functional. It’s a thick, heavy balm that feels like Vaseline (also iconic) and just locks in moisture. This is a new flavor/scent combo this season and like every new release before it, I can’t resist adding it to my collection. There is also a Just Baked release that promises to smell and taste like sugar cookies and you know what, I might grab that one too.
Phlur Mini Sampler Set - I treat myself to a sniff of one of these every single time I walk through Sephora and have yet to commit to just one. I get into decision paralysis and leave without any of them. This is my perfect solution: a low-commitment sampler set that conveniently includes three of the scents I waffle over the most.
Cozy & Clean Makeup Value Set Sephora Favorites - these always go fast because the value to cost ratio is definitely in our favor and isn’t it just plain fun to try new, trending products? I’m hoping to snag this annual set of Sephora bestsellers in trial size before they’re gone!
Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant - a beauty classic that has maintained its cult status since the earliest days of blogging and influencing. I’ve never tried it! But I want to and maybe this is the year!
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What I’m Skipping -
Full transparency and reporting out on a few things I’ve bought during previous sales events that I will not be repurchasing:
Make Up Forever HD Skin Matte Blurring Powder - Expensive and looks cakey on my skin. I spent so much money on this that I refuse to throw it away, but every time I try it again, I just get mad. Dry-skin girlies, this is not for us.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blurring Matte Powder Bronzer - It’s a lot of money for a product that doesn’t really do anything special. There are plenty of other bronzing powders on the market that do the job at a lower price point.
Makeup By Mario F1 Dual Ended Contour and Blush Brush - It’s fine, but just fine isn’t enough to justify the price point. Skip!
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PS - A few more things:
The Amazon holiday beauty event is also going on!
Related: 9 Things I Actually Use and Love
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