Sephora Spring Sale 2020: Here’s the Best Things Worth Buying

Gone are the days when I used Smashbox’s Photofinish Primer and yearned for something more. The primer was great, but I’ve been using it for years and need something more up-to-the-times. Smashbox must have heard my silent prayers because I discovered this gem through a Toronto-based influencer.

The primer boasts ingredients like cannabis sativa hemp seed oil, red algae, and green tea. It’s not just for smoothing out makeup – the primer is omega-rich and reduces redness and visible signs of irritation. I’ll take one of these, please.

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Smashbox Mindful 5 Nourishing Primer Serum, $50

While scrolling through photos of this product on Sephora’s website, I came across a before-and-after shot of a South East Asian woman who had been using the product on her dark spots. The photo showed her with visibly reduced dark spots and glowing skin. I was sold in an instant.

If you’re a woman of colour like me, you probably have the same issues with dark spots in the most random, inconvenient places. A toner like this with glycolic acid, lactic acid and witch hazel water would help to brighten the skin and even out your skintone.

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Olehenriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner , $50

We’ve all had one of these moments where we’re buying our Sephora goodies and find ourselves in a trance staring at the cashier’s makeup. I have absolutely no problems asking the Sephora cashiers to break down their makeup look for me and detail exactly what products they’re wearing. One cashier told me about this eyeliner when I asked about her intricate cat eye. She said it was one of the best liners she’d ever tried and the felt tip gave her control and precision when creating her looks. I’ve put it on my shopping list ever since.

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KVD Vegan Beauty Tattoo Eyeliner , $28

I recently wrote a piece for Slice on upping your skincare in quarantine – that’s where I started investigating mandelic acid and its benefits. Mandelic acid is a gentle exfoliant that accelerates cell turnover, revealing brighter, more youthful-looking skin. The Ordinary is the perfect place to start experimenting with new serums because of the affordability, which is why this one is on my shopping list.

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The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA , $7

On a trip to Sephora, I found myself swatching every colour of these glosses on my hand. I was addicted to how rich the formula was and how the colours looked against my skin. But, the price tag! I had to wipe off my hands and put everything back because $40 for a lip gloss was just out of my budget. This Spring Sale gives me just the opportunity I’ve been looking for to cut the price of this high-quality gloss.

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Hourglass Unreal High Shine Volumizing Lip Gloss , $40

No, I’m not in denial – I know full well we won’t be spending time outside any time soon. But, I’ve developed such a deep-rooted habit of applying sunscreen in the morning that I can’t stop now. I go for walks every now and then, and my windows don’t protect against UV rays, so there – my justification for buying this product. Call it wishful thinking.

The best part about this cream is that it doesn’t have that white residue or greasiness that most sunscreens have. A sunscreen is probably your most powerful weapon against aging caused by the sun – you’ll want to keep this one handy.

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Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 , $45

I truly believe this product would look good on every skin tone out there. It’s a multi-purpose highlighter that can be used as a blush, bronzer, or eyeshadow. It has a reflective foil-like quality that would add dimension and brightness no matter how you want to use it. I can see this as my next secret weapon product, and I need it in my makeup bag now.

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Fenty Beauty Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter, $40

This tried-and-true product is known as a cult favourite – it’s a product people swear by. I’m tempted to think that if I start using it now, maybe I’ll age like Jennifer Lopez. Fighting fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, and uneven texture, this anti-aging serum is one I can see myself using for decades to come. With a steep price tag, this product is only for those who are serious about skincare.

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Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II , $90

I’ve been meaning to try this concealer for years after seeing it in beauty tutorials over and over again. Why do so many people swear by this concealer? I want to find out. It claims to last up to 16 hours and comes in a wide range of colours, which is really important to me. I finally want to see what the hype is about.

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NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer , $39

I stumbled upon a video on Instagram – an influencer stroking this foundation across her skin. The glow and sheer perfection she created on her skin is hard to put into words. I’m pretty sure my mouth fell open – this is the foundation I’ve been waiting my whole life for. I think it might be worth every penny of that hefty price tag.

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Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation, $90

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