2021 Sephora Sale Recommendations, Part 1: Skincare, bodycare, haircare

The Sephora Sale is coming back soon, which means a sitewide sale with discounts of 10%-20% depending on your VIB rewards tier. For many brands, this is the only time you can get a discount, and I’ve put together recommendations for new products and products I’ve tried in the last year for you.

The sale dates are as follow:

VIB ROUGE – 20%: 11/5-11/15
VIB – 15%: 11/9-11/15
INSIDER – 10%: 11/11-11/15

I’ve split this year’s recommendations into 2 posts: one for skincare/body/haircare, and another for makeup/fragrances. This post will highlight all the skincare/body/haircare I’m recommending, and part 2 will have my makeup and fragrance recommendations.

I still stand by all the recommendations I’ve made in past sales, which you can see here (for last year’s VIB sale) and here (for this past spring’s sale). I consider these products my ultimate picks from Sephora. Some products from previous posts might be no longer available (i.e. Roen has left Sephora), or if they were limited edition products from previous years.

A few notes before I dive into my recommendations:

Please do not feel pressured to buy something just because there is a sale. There will always be more sales in the future, and even though I seemingly live and breathe beauty products, they are ultimately unnecessary items in the tier of the financial responsibilities. If this isn’t a good time for you to spend money, skip this post.
On the note of more sales, there are many brands that offer better discounts on their own websites, particularly if you are an Insider or VIB status, which only gives you a 10% or 15% discount, respectively. Brands like Armani Beauty, Bobbi Brown, Farmacy, Urban Decay, YSL, and even Fenty have their own sales throughout the year that are anywhere from 20-30% off. And luxury brands like Gucci are sometimes on sale at Saks for 15% off.

I’ve also included a table of contents so you can skip straight to the part you’re most interested in:

SKINCARE
BODYCARE
HAIRCARE
WHAT’S ON MY LIST

Look out for the makeup and fragrance section coming in a few days!

Reminder that I have many more recommendations from previous posts for all categories, in case you’re looking for my thoughts on something you don’t see here.

A * denotes a product that sent to me in PR. As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own and if they’re in my recommendations, it means I really do like it.

SKINCARE

CLEANSERS

First cleanse: Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm* ($34 for 3.4oz/100ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $27.20
VIB 15% off: $28.90
VIB 10% off: $30.60

This is a brand new launch from YTTP, and it’s a hit. This is a super rich cleansing balm that feels like cold butter when you first apply it, though it quickly transforms into an oil that emulsifies into a milk. It’s not the absolute quickest-emulsifying balm, but it’s definitely in the top 3, and the only one of the 3 available at Sephora. It removes all my makeup so easily, and this will be a great option for me in the winter. Drier skin types will probably love this all year round.

Second Cleanse: Josie Maran Pineapple Enzyme Pore Clearing Cleanser* ($28 for 5oz/150ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $22.40
VIB 15% off: $23.80
BI 10% off: $25.20

This cleanser has a refreshing gel finish that starts to lather up once you massage it in your skin, and I love how refreshed my skin feels after this.The pineapple enzymes help to naturally exfoliate skin, though it doesn’t sting or irritate my face at all.

TONERS

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence ($54 for 5oz/150ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $43.20
VIB 15% off: $45.90
BI 10% off: $48.60

I bought this and kept it unopened for a year…and I definitely regret doing that. This essence is really like a burst of fresh air that I love post-cleanse and to prep my skin for all my skincare afterwards. It has a light dose of glycolic acid that helps exfoliate, but still feels extremely gentle.

Youth to the People Mandelic Acid + Superfood Unity Exfoliant* ($38 for 4oz/118ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $30.40
VIB 15% off: $32.30
BI 10% off: $34.20

It seems like every year I find a new BHA toner that my skin loves. First it was the Glow Recipe Pore Tight Toner, then it was the Farmacy Deep Sweep Toner, and now this one has entered the ranks. Don’t get me wrong, the other 2 are still fantastic for my skin, but this one also has some AHA and barrier-supporting ingredients to make it a 3-in-1 toner for me.

SERUMS

Brightening Serum: Eadem Mlk Marvel Dark Spot Serum with Niacinamide and Vitamin C* ($68 for 1oz/30ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $54.50
VIB 15% off: $57.80
BI 10% off: $61.20

This is a really cool new brand and this is their debut product. It’s a milky serum meant to reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots. While I rarely have issues with dark spots (resulting from acne) these days, I still really enjoy this milky serum for its gentle brightening properties. It’s also lightly moisturizing and an overall pleasure to apply, so I still love to use this.

Vitamin C Serum: Hyper Skin Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum ($58 for 1oz/30ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $46.40
VIB 15% off: $49.30
BI 10% off: $52.20

I’m so excited that this Black-owned brand is now at Sephora. I used this Vitamin C serum last year and it’s a really great one! It definitely gave my skin a nice glow, and had a really nice light texture, which is great if you have oily skin. There’s also a mini 15ml size in case you don’t want to commit to a full bottle.

MOISTURIZERS

Korres Night Wild Rose-Brightening Sleeping Facial* ($48 for 1.35oz/40ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $38.40
VIB 15% off: $40.80
BI 10% off: $43.20

This is really a moisturizer/overnight mask hybrid. It’s one of the few overnight masks that really leaves my skin glowing and radiant like no other overnight mask can. It has a lotion texture that still feels lightweight. I use this probably once a week when I want my skin to look more refreshed while doing all the work when I’m sleeping. It’s truly a staple in my rotation now.

Eye Cream: Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb ($48 for .84oz/25ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $38.40
VIB 15% off: $40.80
BI 10% off: $43.20

If you want a thick eye cream, this one is it for you. It feels more like an eye mask than an eye cream, but I have used this during the daytime under makeup without any issues. I love this for the winter or when I’m traveling on a long-haul flight. It’s like a thick thick buttery cream and a little dab will go a long way. This little tub will last you far longer than you think it will.

MASKS

Youth to the People Superclear Purify + Clear Power Mask with Niacinamide* ($36 for 2oz/60ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $30.40
VIB 15% off: $32.30
BI 10% off: $34.20

This is now the clay mask to end all clay masks for me. It has a powerful trio of clay, niacinamide, and BHA to clear out more pores without completely irritating them. I use this when I really want to bring out the big guns when my skin is feeling clogged. This is hands down my favorite clay mask in my arsenal right now.

SKINCARE SETS

Youth to the People the Youth System ($55)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $44
VIB 15% off: $46.75
BI 10% off: $49.50

I’ve raved a lot about Youth to the People products because I’ve had a good experience with everything I’ve tried, and this set is a good way to try several products from their lines in mini form.

Jack Black lip balm set ($25 for 4 lip balms; usually $8 each)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $20
VIB 15% off: $21.25
BI 10% off: $22

These are my absolute favorite lip balms, and this set includes their new overnight lip balm. I swear by these when my lips are absolutely destroyed from the winter and this revives them in just a few hours. I’m never without a backup of these, and this is a great set.

BODYCARE

Body lotion: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Pink Dream Body Cream* ($28 for 8.4oz/240ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $22.40
VIB 15% off: $23.80
BI 10% off: $25.20

I completely fell in love with this over the summer, and I could not get enough of it. It’s lush, thick without being too thick while also absorbing almost instantly, and made my skin so incredibly soft thanks to a little bit of AHAs. It also has a refreshing aloe-watermelon scent that is just like endless summer. The scent does make me want to wear this more in the summer but it could definitely work year round.

Body Wash: Necessaire The Body Wash* ($25 for 8.4oz/250ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $20
VIB 15% off: $21.25
BI 10% off: $22

I didn’t think I would ever love a $25 body wash so much…but I’m a convert. If I’m honest, it’s the scent (Bergamot or Sandalwood especially) that make this special for me. It’s fragranced without being overpowering or cheap. The formula is also non-drying while lathering up in a satisfying way. Could I still buy and love cheaper body washes? Of course, but this one feels like a nice treat every morning.

Body Oil: Herbivore Jasmine Glowing Hydration Body Oil ($44 for 4oz/118ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $35.20
VIB 15% off: $37.40
BI 10% off: $39.60

This is the best jasmine scented body oil I’ve ever used. It has a light sweet jasmine scent that doesn’t have any orange blossom, which keeps it light and floral. It’s also not too grassy, which I’ve found other jasmine body oils to be. This is a thinner oil that can be used easily on its own.

Body Oil: Necessaire The Body Oil* ($35 for 3.4oz/100ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $28
VIB 15% off: $29.75
BI 10% off: $31.50

This is a thicker body oil that I like to mix in with the Body Lotion, or other body lotions. It’s a little too thick to spread easily on its own, but it is full of fatty acids to really moisturize the skin. I always feel the difference in how moisturized my skin feels as soon as I apply this.

Necessaire The Body Ritual set ($40 for 4 minis)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $32
VIB 15% off: $34
BI 10% off: $36

If you’re new to Necessaire, you really can’t go wrong with this set, which comes with a mini version of the Body Exfoliator, Body Wash, Body Lotion, and Body Serum. It’s a great way to try the whole range to decide if you like the products.

Self tanner: Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil* ($39 for 4.3 oz/127ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $31.20
VIB 15% off: $33.15
BI 10% off: $35.10

I am terrified of tanning oils. I am terrified of streaks, turning into a carrot, and smelling like bad tanner. This oil is none of those 3. With the mitt, it gives a subtle golden glow that is very foolproof, even for a newbie like me, and has so far given me 0 streaks. The vanilla apricot scent is also a wonderful alternative to the un-appetizing scent of most self tanners. I use the mitt to buff this into my skin, after my morning or afternoon shower, and it dries down fairly quickly. By the time I shower the next morning, I have a nice little glow that makes me look and feel a little more sun-kissed.

HAND CREAMS

Necessaire the Hand Cream* ($20 for 2.2oz/65ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $16
VIB 15% off: $17
BI 10% off: $18

If this sounds like a Necessaire fan post, it kind of is. This hand cream is pretty much perfection for an everyday hand cream. It’s loaded with ceramides and peptides, and it absorbs so quickly and easily it’s almost a miracle. I actually love that it’s unfragranced, which means it doesn’t interfere with anything else I’m wearing or give me a headache. It’s not a super rich formula, but it somehow improves the texture of my skin better than most rich hand creams I’ve tried.

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream ($15 for 2.5 oz/75ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $12
VIB 15% off: $12.75
BI 10% off: $13.50

When my hands are craving something a little more rich while still being fast absorbing, this Caudalie one is it. I keep this by my desk because it is another quick absorbing hand cream. In fact, within 30 seconds of applying this, I can type away without anything getting greasy. The texture of this one is different than Necessaire – it is a light, yet slightly richer formula, and they also have some fragrance. This gift trio is an even better deal as you get 3 mini sizes in different scents for the price of 1 full size.

Fenty Beauty Hydra Reset Intensive Recovery Glycerin Hand Mask* ($22 for 2.5oz/75ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $17.60
VIB 15% off: $18.70
BI 10% off: $19.80

If you want something thick, this is it. This is very much an overnight recovery hand mask, because it’s a little bit like applying something like the texture of a thick lip balm to your hands. It does absorb, but you’re not going to be typing comfortably with this. I would definitely use this as a treatment if my hands are super cracked and dry, but I’ve also been using this lately just as an overnight hand cream and it feels absolutely delightful.

Supergoop Hand Screen SPF 40 ($38 for 6.76 oz/200ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $30.40
VIB 15% off: $32.30
BI 10% off: $34.20

You don’t necessarily need a dedicated hand SPF – you could easily use a regular spf on your hands – but this one really marries the best of a non-greasy hand cream with SPF 40 protection. I can apply a generous layer of this and my hands still don’t feel greasy, which makes this an incredible formula for me. I love that this comes in a bigger bottle, and I sometimes decant it into smaller tubes so I can take it with me.

HAIRCARE

My haircare hasn’t changed much since recent post, but I’ve tried 2 products that I’ve been loving:

Oribe Serene Scalp Soothing Treatment: ($48 for 1.7 oz/50ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $28.80
VIB 15% off: $30.60
BI 10% off: $32.40

I still love the Briogeo Scalp Serum I raved about last year, but I wanted to try something new and gave this Oribe one a lot. I can’t say I tell a huge difference between the two, but they both work to keep my scalp from becoming dry and flaky between washes. I prefer the packaging of the Oribe one as it comes with a fine point nozzle vs a dropper, plus this one is actually slightly cheaper when you compare the price per oz, so I may keep repurchasing this one.

Living Proof PHD Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo ($30 for 5.5oz/184ml)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $24
VIB 15% off: $25.50
BI 10% off: $27

I first tried this dry shampoo because of all the Instagram ads I saw, and this really is incredible. I wasn’t a fan of their original dry shampoo, but this one is a miracle worker. It’s a fine mist, absolutely clear, and makes my hair feel like first day hair without leaving any grittiness or texture. I’m completely convinced by this one!

MISCELLANEOUS SETS

Sephora Favorites Black Owned Beauty Set ($35)
VIB Rouge 20% off: $28
VIB 15% off: $29.75
BI 10% off: $31.50

This is such a fantastic set that gets you a little bit of everything. It includes a full-size Pat McGrath lipstick in Omi, as well as a full-size Fenty mascara, along with minis of the Fenty cleanser, Bread oil, Adwoa deep conditioning mask, Shani Darden retinol, and Briogeo hair mask. If I didn’t already have several of these products I would absolutely get this.

WHAT’S ON MY LIST

Finally, we’re on to what’s on my list for this year:

Fenty Beauty Resting Peach Face Cream Blush and Mini Gloss Bomb Cream Duo ($25) – I love the look of this peachy blush and lip gloss set. I swatched it in store and it seems like such a fun shade. It is definitely more suited for spring/summer for me but I might pick this up anyway as I love the cream blush formula.
Sephora Favorites Give me Some Favorites lipgloss set ($34) – I always love the Sephora lip sets, and this one has products I already love (Fenty lip gloss, Nars tinted lip balm, Pat McGrath lip gloss), but in shades I don’t have yet
Rose Inc Blush Divine Clean Dewy Cream blush ($30) – Rosie Huntington-Whitely has made a huge splash with her new makeup line and it seems like the cream blushes are a hit. I swatched the shade Foxglove, and it’s a gorgeous terracotta red that I’m dying to try
A restock of the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro Exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo ($24). I love the Living Proof one, but I especially love that the Briogeo one is not an aerosol, so I can travel more easily with it. Plus, I feel like non-aerosol dry shampoos always last a lot longer on me.

As always, I will probably pick up a couple more things that catch my eye in store as I swatch and find new shades of products I already love!