My Top Sephora Picks

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I’m Makena, the creator and editor of Makeup By Makena — a beauty blog dedicated to empowering others through the art of makeup.

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Beauty Book

This 32-page magazine is a guide to my all-time favorite beauty products.

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The Sephora Spring Savings Event is almost here, and, if I’m being honest, it is the main thing I am looking forward to right now. I have rounded up my list of recommendations and am also sharing what I want from the sale.

Use code ‘OMGSPRING’ to save up to 20% sitewide.

{Rouge}
20% off
4/9 – 4/19

{VIB}
15% off
4/13 – 4/19

{Insider}
10% off
4/15 – 4/19

~My Recommendations~

Here are twelve of my all-time favorite beauty products, including skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair tools. I made sure each of these picks are versatile and would work well on any skin type, and I cannot say enough amazing things about them.

Volition Beauty Celery Green Cream ($55): This is a lightweight yet hydrating gel moisturizer with celery seed extract, hyaluronic acid, and peptides, and it works with any skin type. I haven’t found a primer I love, so I use this as a skincare and primer hybrid before my makeup because it makes my skin, especially my pores, look and feel incredibly smooth.

Fresh Soy Makeup Removing Face Wash ($15 – $69): Everyone needs an effective cleanser with clean, quality ingredients, and this is my favorite. I have dry, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, and this is so gentle and hydrating. It has soy proteins, which promote elasticity, and cucumber and rosewater, which are calming. I recommend getting the largest possible size to save money long term.

Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturizer ($36): For a lighter, more everyday look, I love this tinted moisturizer. Unlike others I have tried, it has enough coverage to minimize discoloration and blemishes, and it’s glowy while still lasting all day.

NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation ($49): When I’m going for a more glamorous makeup look, I always reach for this foundation because it is full coverage and long lasting, has a slightly luminous finish, and looks like my skin but way better. It comes in a lot of shades and would work well with all skin types.

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush ($40): I have been very into blush lately, and although I prefer a drugstore option, I do think this formula is worth the price. It’s pigmented without being overpowering and has the prettiest finish, with the inner pop shade also doubling as a highlighter. I have ‘Pillow Talk,’ a pinky nude shade, but ‘The Climax’ also looks stunning as we move into summer.

Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer ($30): You all know bronzer, especially cream bronzer, is my favorite, and this is by far one of the best I have tried — definitely right up there with my Chanel. It looks so natural and blends so easily. I wear the darker shade, ‘Blaze,’ but I wish there more shades.

Natasha Denona Mini Retro Palette ($25): This is my first Natasha Denona purchase and the formula is impeccable. I find that I get more use out of smaller palettes like this, and this color story has my go-to pinky nudes with a couple more unique olive shades.

Charlotte Tilbury ‘Pillow Talk’ Mini Lipstick & Liner Set ($25): For Christmas, I received I ‘Pillow Talk’ lip set, and I finally understand what all of the hype is about. Both of these formulas are so creamy and comfortable, and this shade is a universally flattering neutral pink.

Smashbox Always On Longwear Matte Liquid Lipstick ($24): I despised liquid lipsticks until I found this formula — it’s opaque and insanely long lasting but its somehow still comfortable. I own the shade ‘Fair Game,’ a more beige nude, and then I also have samples of the shades ‘Driver’s Seat,’ a coral nude, and ‘Audition,’ a rosy nude.

Beautyblender ($20): Makeup sponges aren’t the most exciting beauty product to spend your money on, so I always repurchase mine during the sale. I honestly do not know how to do my makeup without one, so for me, they are the worth the price.

T3 SinglePass Curl Professional Ceramic Curling Iron ($150): T3 always creates the most high quality hair tools, and now is the time to splurge. Not only is this curling iron aesthetically pleasing, but so many people swear by it.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb ($32- $215): Everyone needs a signature scent, and at the moment, this is mine. It is somehow sexy, sweet and sophisticated all at the same time.

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~My Wishlist~

Here are the products currently in my cart — don’t worry, I will narrow it down as we get closer. I haven’t tried any of these before but have heard amazing things and am looking forward to adding a few of them to my collection.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops ($34)

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($45)

Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation ($40)

Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer ($36)

Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette in ‘Universal’ ($45)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in ‘Radiant Bronze Light’ ($52)

Iconic London Sheer Cream Blush in ‘Rose Riot’ ($25)

Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush in ‘She’s So LA’ ($34)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Styling Wax ($23)

Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette ($48)

Tower 28 ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly Gloss in ‘Cashew’ ($14)

Gisou Curling Routine Kit ($63)

What are you planning to purchase during the Sephora sale?

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I’m Makena, the creator and editor of Makeup By Makena — a beauty blog dedicated to empowering others through the art of makeup.

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