Happy almost-Friday, friends! I’m bringing my Friday post a day early this week because Sephora’s huge Spring Savings Event starts today, with up to 20% off site wide for all Beauty Insiders. Not an Insider member yet? No problem, simply sign up HERE, and instantly save 10% off your entire order with code SPRINGSAVE. You can use the code as many times as you want until this coming Monday, too!
Beauty, hair, and wellness have become popular topics here on Hi Sugarplum in the last year, and I’m thrilled you love chatting it up as much as me. I tend to stay extremely loyal to a product once I’ve fallen in love, but part of my job here is to find and share the latest and greatest… in both style and beauty.
So by popular request, Sephora Hauls have become a monthly series around here (see them all HERE), and I’m back this month with more… here’s the best of my Sephora Haul lately, and it all ships free to US and CA with code FREESHIP!
Sidenote: I tried these products several times before sharing with you, so these aren’t just first impressions!
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel
Self-care has become a full-time thing around here! A day doesn’t go by I’m not dermaplaning (tutorial coming soon), masking, hydrating… and now, thanks to this incredible product… peeling!
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peels are an iconic two-step daily peel with over 5,000 5-star reviews! Step 1 uses potent mandelic acid and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate skin, treat signs of advanced aging, and support natural cell renewal. Step 2 treats your skin with retinol and resveratrol for maximized anti-aging benefits, skin protection, and hydration for a youthful complexion. Together they reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, pores, and shine. They’re like five products in one!
I use them every 3-4 days (daily is a little strong for me), and after only a month, I’m addicted to how they make my skin look and feel! There’s no actual peeling or flaking, but you can tell they reveal fresh skin. I prefer to use them in the morning before my skincare so I can benefit from the fresh glow all day. Makeup goes on smoother after, too, with less shine.
Tan-Luxe THE FACE Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
I shared my Tips for a Natural Self-Tan at Home HERE, but a lot of you asked me to expand on how I tan my face. The answer is Tan-Luxe THE FACE Illuminating Self-Tan Drops!
These clean, non-toxic drops mix with your usual moisturizer, serum, or face oil for a natural-looking tan, but also have built-in skincare benefits! They’re packed full of high-performing, natural actives like raspberry seed oil, aloe vera, Vitamins B, C, and E, and unique Eco-cert organic tanning actives. Plus, there’s no smell or streaking!
I use two drops in spring and summer to match the tan on my body, and one drop the rest of the year when I want a little boost. You can customize the level of tan depending on the number of drops you use, and there’s a light or dark formula. I use dark so it requires less product (one drop of Dark is comparable to several drops of Light), and I’m still on my original bottle from over a year ago!
Shiseido Eyelash Curler
My whole life I thought all eyelash curlers were the same. I mean, an eyelash curler is an eyelash curler, right?! Nope! The Shiseido Eyelash Curler delivers an intense curl that instantly opens the eye. In fact, I have to be careful with over curling them!
The edge-free design reaches every single lash, even those tiny ones on the ends. It’s gentle and safe on the lashes with no pinching, and curls them from the base to the tip. No wonder it’s a cult favorite and Allure Best of Beauty winner!
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Our faces may be benefitting from staying home, but the constant hand-washing is wreaking havoc on our hands! I’ve tried a slew of hand creams over the years, but none have come close to the healing and moisturizing of Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve.
This thick, rich cream was created to repair the appearance of severe dryness caused by manual labor, neglect, or exposure to harsh elements, so you know it’s effective against constant hand-washing! It allows skin to draw and absorb water from the air, forming a ‘glove-like’ protective barrier against moisture loss. It’s instantly soothing, rubs easily, and absorbs quickly.
The eucalyptus gives it a slight medicinal smell that I love, and feels like actual healing, rather than just temporary hydration.
NARS Bronzer Powder
I love pretty much every product NARS makes, so I couldn’t resist trying their fan-favorite NARS Bronzer Powder (it has over 3,000 5-star reviews!). This highly-pigmented powder delivers a natural sun-kissed glow, with just a touch of shimmer.
The shades are very natural, and brush on easily and blend smoothly. I’ve been using the ‘Laguna‘ shade, and a little goes a long way. The package is also larger than I expected, so you get a lot of product!
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
This product isn’t a new find, but since it’s one of my holy grails I figured it needed a spotlight! NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30Â has been a favorite of mine for years, but especially now with so much time at home. It’s pretty much all I wear these days for light coverage and sunscreen protection.
The lightweight, creamy formula absorbs quickly while evening out my skin tone and adding a subtle glow. It’s moisturizing, but doesn’t leave my skin tacky or chalky like other formulas, and it stays put all day. It doesn’t settle in to fine lines and wrinkles, either.
I love the natural finish that makes me feel like I’m wearing makeup, but doesn’t look like I am. I wear shade ‘Alaska.’
NARS Lipstick in ‘Niagara’
Y’all know I love a bright lip, but have been on the hunt for something a little more subtle for wearing around the house. NARS Lipstick in ‘Niagara’ has been my go-to recently… it’s a soft pink with a little bit of a warm coral undertone. It’s neutral enough to match pretty much every outfit so far, too.
It’s a creamy satin finish that leaves my lips moisturized.
Now to celebrate Sephora’s huge Spring Savings Event, here’s a round-up of my beauty must-haves… the products I always stock up on during sales. None of them should come as a surprise, you’ve heard me talking about them for years!
one // NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer // A creamy, hydrating formula with incredible coverage, and perfect for more ‘mature’ skin. I wear ‘creme brûlée.’
two // IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination with SPF 50+ // Full coverage with a touch of illumination, it’s the secret to Mama Sugarplum’s glow! We both wear ‘light medium.‘
three // Tan Luxe THE FACE Illuminating Self-Tan Drops // Added to my moisturizer a few times a week, it gives the best natural color.
four // Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil // Â Good brows can make you look 10 years younger, and this pencil is fool-proof. I wear ‘taupe.’
five // Tarte Fake Awake Eyeliner // My favorite makeup trick… line your lower waterline with this nude to neutralize redness and instantly brighten eyes.
six // IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout Volumizing Mascara // The thin, wet formula coats lashes from base to tip and layers easily for thicker, fuller lashes. I’m obsessed!
seven // Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask // No more chapped lips! I slather this on every night, and even use it as a light gloss during the day. I’ve yet to find anything as effective.
eight // Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer // Pricey? Yes. Worth every penny? Absolutely. Dries hair faster, leaving it smooth and shiny.
nine // Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel // Yep, after only one month, these have already made it to my Must Have list!
ten // Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 // Honestly, could I sing the praises of the entire Olaplex line any more? Just get it… your hair will thank me!
eleven // Dry Bar High Tops Self-Grip Rollers // My secret weapon for volume at the crown and reviving day-old hair. I set my part and crown with these large rollers immediately after blow-drying for more volume and smoothness, without additional heat.
twelve // Dry Bar The Morning After Shower Cap // Surely you have this by now? The only way to preserve a blowout, it’s lined to absorb moisture and humidity while you shower, leaving your hair exactly the same!
As for what’s in my Sephora cart now… here’s my beauty wish list (so expect to see some of them in next month’s Sephora Haul).
one. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in ‘Pillow Talk’ //Â two. Tarte Tartelette Tease Eyeshadow Palette
three. Peace Out Pore Treatment Strips // four. Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen
five. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion //Â six. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Highlighter Wand
Don’t miss out on this great chance to splurge, restock your current favorites, or discover something new during the Sephora Spring Savings Event!
If you’re not familiar, this site-wide event happens just twice a year, and is open to all Beauty Insider Members for unlimited use. Not a Sephora Beauty Insider member? No worries, simply sign up HERE for immediate access to the offers as a Beauty Insider (it’s fast and free!) and save with code SPRINGSAVE.
- Rouge Members get 20% off unlimited purchases online until 5/1
- VIB Members get 15% off unlimited purchases online until 4/29
- Insiders get 10% off unlimited purchases online until 4/27
What are your beauty Must Haves? What are you stocking up on or trying new lately?! Find all my top Hair & Makeup Products HERE.
More Hi Sugarplum beauty posts:
Beauty Q&A | Answering Your Top Questions
Five Best Makeup Tips from a Pro
My 3-Minute Work From Home Makeup Routine
How to Create Beachy Waves
Five Makeup Tips to Help You Look Younger
Tips for Applying Self-Tanner
Dyson Dryer – Worth the Hype?
My Top Hair & Makeup Products
*20% offer valid for Rouge members 4/17/20 – 5/1/20 at 11:59pm PT; 15% offer valid for VIB members 4/21/20 – 4/29/20 at 11:59pm PT; and 10% offer valid for Insider members 4/23/20 – 4/27/20 at 11:59pm PT. Offer only valid on merchandise purchases made in Sephora U.S. and Canada stores, Sephora inside JCPenney stores, on sephora.com and sephora.ca. Offer not valid on jcp.com. Limitations: one Dyson item and five Morphe items per SKU per transaction. Not valid on The Ordinary products, MAC Cosmetics VIVA GLAM products, in-store services, previous purchases, gift wrapping, packaging, taxes, or shipping & handling charges. Return of discounted merchandise will be for price actually paid. Sephora is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen offer materials or barcodes. Offer has no cash value and may not be altered, sold, bartered or transferred. Applicable Beauty Insider status must be attained prior to redemption. No minimum purchase required. Due to heavy demand, Sephora FLASH delivery times cannot be guaranteed for this offer. Not valid on orders shipping outside the U.S. or Canada. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offer or reward. Sephora and JCPenney employees are not eligible. Sephora may modify or cancel offer at any time. See Beauty Insider Terms for details, including exclusions on what purchases qualify toward spend thresholds.
*This post created in collaboration with Sephora and ShopStyle, but all product selections and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*
Great finds!
Thank you! I love doing these Hauls for you all! xo, Cassie
How does the Dr. Dennis Daily Peel compare to the Colleen Rothschild Glycolic Acid Peel Pads? If I remember correctly, you were using those too.
Yes! I love Colleen’s pads, as well! Unfortunately, hers sold out and they aren’t sure when they’ll be back. The Dr Gross pads are significantly stronger, and I’d only use 2-3 times per week…where as CR pads (while still strong), have more of an astringent feel, and I use them every other day or even daily. I hope that helps!
Try the UD Primer Potion in the Eden color vs the colorless original. It works fabulously as a shadow primer and the color just gives you a nice clean canvas. I like to use it even on “no makeup” days just to neutralize my lids.
Oh, good to know!! Thank you so much for sharing! xo, Cassie
I got that IT mascara recently and I love it! I had tried another formulation of theirs and didn’t like it nearly as much. I think I put this in my basket on a whim, but it’s become my new favorite mascara.
Love to hear that! I couldn’t believe that I was going to love this mascara more than my previous holy grail product, but here we are! It’s just that good! xo, Cassie
I recently got a few samples in my Birchbox that I LOVE and will be purchasing the full size!!!! 1. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery eye cream, 2. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery concentrate, 3. Stila lip gloss (Beauty Boss), & 4. Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Go eyeshadow (Kitten Karma)!
Having a box delivered each month is really great right now while we are stuck inside! It’s like a tiny box of happiness 🥰🥰🥰
All of those products sound heavenly!! I’ve heard great things about that Kiehl’s eye cream! xo, Cassie
Who makes your bracelets?
They are linked here! Use code ‘SUGARPLUM40’ to save 40%, too! xo, Cassie
https://shopstyle.it/l/bgrf0
Do you have any products that your daughter loves? My daughter is 14 and loves all beauty products, some makeup, but lotions, shampoo, etc. Could your daughter do a favorite items list?
That’s a great idea! She has fairly sensitive skin, and loves the Kiehls line! Becca highlighter in ‘champagne pop’ is another teen fave!
I’m excited to try the tanning drops for the face! However, that makes me wonder what to do for any needed coverage when using the self tanner (i.e. do I get a darker shade concealer for under my eyes)? I feel like I’m matching paint samples…haha!
Haha…yes, you might want to go a shade darker in your makeup when using the tan drops. I don’t wear full-coverage foundation, but do have two shades that I alternate (and mix) depending on the season.
Do you know how the Dr. Dennis peels compare to the Goop Beauty Glycolic Acid peel? I’ve used those and Loooove them, but they’re pricey, too. Wondering if I should give Dr. D a try…
I’m sorry, Amy, but I don’t! This is my first leap into the peel pads! But I would imagine anything Goop does is pretty good!