Happy Friday, friends, and cheers to the weekend! And this week, I truly mean that! Our first week of ‘at-home school’ went fairly well, but to say we’re all ready for a break would be an understatement! All I can say is teachers are HEROES! We are so grateful for all the work they’ve put in to make this season a success for the kids, and keep their learning on track.
But today let’s talk beauty! Beauty, hair, and wellness became 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!
Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette
Funny enough, I get asked about my eyeshadow almost every day! Funny because it’s not really something I notice on other people, but I guess when you’re staring at someone’s face on Instagram Stories every day, you notice all kinds of things!
This Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow in ‘Uptown Girl’ has been my go-to palette for the last several months, and I love the non-creasing formula and high pigmentation. The quad is created as an easy, step-by-step application, telling you exactly where to use each shade.
I love the ‘Uptown Girl‘ for the light and bright shades for everyday, and the smokier shades for adding drama at night. For these days at home, I’ve just been wearing the primer shade on my entire lid to brighten up my eyes. There is a touch of shimmer to some of them, but I need all the sparkle I can get!
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo has been my BFF for years, and is getting even more play these days considering I’m long overdue for a root touch-up! Oils in my hair just enhance my dark roots, so I’m using dry shampoo almost daily.
Drybar has been my go-to choice for a few years, but I was hearing so many things about Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, I had to try it for myself! Both do their job well, but the biggest difference for me is the texture of each spray. The Living Proof is a fine mist, while the Drybar is a bit thicker with a slight ‘powdery’ finish.
Since I’ve been using dry shampoo daily, I reach for the finer formula of the Living Proof. I don’t need the product to absorb a huge abundance of oils. But in ‘normal times,’ I only use dry shampoo on days 3 and 4, in which case I reach for the Drybar. I also prefer the scent of the Drybar over the Living Proof, but that’s just a personal thing.
Sugarplum Tip: Not sure about a product? Order the smaller, travel size to try it out. That way if you don’t love it, you didn’t make as big of an investment, and if you do love it… order the full-size and keep the small one for travel!
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
I’ll admit, this purchase was spurred by Little Miss, as it’s never occurred to me I needed to set my makeup! The Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is iconic in the YouTube beauty world (as proven by the number of 5-star reviews!), and she insisted I needed to add it to my routine!
You spray it on as the final step in your makeup application, and it acts as a finishing smoother, and sets makeup in place for up to 16 hours! The weightless mist lowers the temperature of your makeup, from foundation and concealer to eyeshadow and blush, to lock it in place, and create a ‘just applied’ fresh look all day, without fading!
Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF40
Since spending our days at home, I’m giving my skin a break from foundation and CC creams, and focusing on hydration. But we’re also getting outside a lot more, which means SPF is essential. Even working near a window requires sunscreen from UV rays!
Supergoop, with their clean formulas and lightweight application, has been my sunscreen brand of choice for years… especially for the kids. This Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF40 is not only great sun protection, but also has a touch of tint and a pearlescent finish to leave skin literally glowing! It’s also super-hydrating and a great make-up primer, but I love it just by itself.
And did you know that even your computer or tablet emits damaging blue light? This product also provides against tech protection. But if you prefer something with no tint or pearlescent finish, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 is a great option.
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo & Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Yep, another Sephora Haul, another Olaplex product! It started with Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3… my hair stylist insisted it was essential for repairing my fragile, color-treated hair. And I was shocked at the difference after only a few uses.
So I added the Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Reparative Styling Creme, and was instantly smitten with how smooth it left my hair after drying. Not to mention how much faster my hair dried! So it was only natural that my next step would be to include Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner to my hair routine.
I started out using waaaay too much shampoo… assuming it was like most every other shampoo I’ve used. But I soon discovered it actually takes very little to create huge lathers. I squeeze a quarter-size in my hands, rub them together, then apply from root to ends. At first it seems you’ll need more, but with continued massaging and adding a little water, you’ll soon have an abundance of suds.
Same is true with the conditioner… I apply just a little on the bottom half of my hair, focusing on the ends. It’s safe to say I’ve officially drunk the Olaplex Koolaid, and actually look forward to washing my hair and following the full routine! The difference in the health of my hair is indisputable. Plus, it smells divine!
Now I’m trying out the Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil, and will report back next month! But the question is, where is No. 1 and No. 2???
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is no stranger around these parts… I’ve been using it for years! In fact, I’d say it’s in my Top 5 makeup faves. It’s super-hydrating, which is especially good for those of us no longer in our 20s!
The creamy, lightweight formula blends easily, with excellent medium coverage, yet doesn’t settle in to fine lines like most concealers. It also lasts all day and comes in a ton of shades. I wear ‘creme brûlée’ pretty much year-round.
Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer is my other favorite… providing amazing, full coverage, with a super-hydrating formula and even a touch of brightness.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
It’s no secret I love a bold lip… especially bright pink. It instantly brightens your face, draws attention to your smile, and makes teeth look whiter.
But a bright lip isn’t necessarily practical when you’re spending your days at home. I went without lipstick for the first two weeks of quarantine, instead opting for my Laneige Lip Mask. But after so many days, I don’t really feel like myself without color on my lips.
So I’ve been in search of a great everyday lipstick, with just a touch of color. I started with the fan-favorite Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in ‘Pillow Talk,’ and while I love the long-lasting, hydrating formula that goes on smooth, the nude shade is a touch too brown for my liking.
It’s also hard to go from NARS Satin Lipstick Pencil in ‘Yu’ to a nude though! I’d love to hear your ‘touch of color’ faves… especially if they’re in the pink and red family!
Okay, that’s it for this month’s Sephora Haul! Are any of these products already on your must-have list? What do you love that I should try next? And if you’re a beauty junkie like me, make sure you’re a Sephora Beauty Insider (sign-up is free HERE!)… they offer exclusive deals and sales, along with bonus samples, rewards, and points with every purchase!