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It’s that time of year when Beauty Insiders everywhere get the chance to score big during the Sephora Savings Event. And I, for one, have been waiting for weeks to snap up some of my favorite rarely on-sale products from brands like Rare Beauty, Summer Fridays, Ilia, and even Dyson.
Before you start shopping, here’s a reminder of how the event works: Starting today, the sale is open to all membership tiers, with Rouge members (those spending upward of $1,000 per year) receiving 20 percent off their entire purchase. VIB members (those who’ve spent at least $350) and Insider members (all other members) will earn 15 percent and 10 percent off, respectively. And finally, everyone can save 30 percent on Sephora Collection products until April 15 — no account necessary.
To unlock your discount, use the code YAYSAVE at checkout (there’s no limit to how many purchases you can make using the code throughout the sale). As you scroll on, you’ll notice that I’ve applied the 20 percent Rouge discount to all of the items here. I’ve rounded up the very best deals I’ve spotted — just beware that prices and availability can change rapidly. And for even more Strategist-approved sales, don’t forget to sign up for our email newsletter.
Skincare
Our beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton swears by this Banana Bright+ Eye Cream to banish dark under-eye circles. (She also loves to use it to help under-eye concealer stay put for longer.)
Those on skin-care TikTok will know that Glow Recipe is still having a moment — and this serum is one of their formulas I always see on my FYP. It contains niacinamide and anti-inflammatory watermelon extract to minimize the appearance of pores and soothe skin. (It’s also been recommended to us by drag queen Farrah Moan.)
Our top face wash for oily, acne-prone skin is Youth to the People’s gel cleanser, which dermatologists love because it contains organic antioxidants — including kale, spinach, and green tea — to boost moisture without leaving skin dry or tight.
For a new daytime moisturizer that’ll melt into skin, I recommend this lightweight formula from Dieux. It’s ideal for sensitive to oily (and acne-prone) skin and contains barrier-restoring ingredients like glycerin, squalane, urea, and amino acids.
Speaking of creams, here’s one of our favorite night creams that’s paraben-free and noncomedogenic, meaning it’s safe for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin.
This mask from Summer Fridays is still one of the brand’s most beloved products — and for good reason. It drenches skin with a blend of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to soothe and renew your complexion. (Many folks swear by it for in-flight hydration, but it can also be used as a daily moisturizer.)
My skin starts to get shinier than usual during this time of year, so Supergoop’s lightweight, primerlike sunscreen is essential. It dries completely clear and blends seamlessly into my makeup routine.
Deemed our best self-tanner for the face, this lotion from Tan-Luxe is “basically skin care with a tanner in it,” says spray-tan expert Sabrina Johnson, who cites the formula’s moisturizing ingredients, including raspberry-seed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera.
Beloved by Rio (and Strategist readers), this radiance-boosting moisturizer from Tatcha instantly makes skin look “plumper, brighter, and intensely nourished.”
Makeup
There’s no better time to trade your old mascara for a tubing formula such as Merit’s Clean Lash. It won’t smudge or flake, and our writer Kitty Guo says it’s her pick for an everyday “your lashes but better” look.
And for a no-makeup makeup look, Guo recommends a few swipes of Glossier’s Lash Slick, which makes her eyes appear brighter and more awake but doesn’t overdo it.
If you’re already a fan of the vanilla lip balm from Summer Fridays, try this tinted (and equally moisturizing) “brown sugar” shade.
Strategist contributor Cheryl Kramer Kaye struggled to find a highlighter for her mature skin until she discovered this Iconic London formula, which she now mixes into her moisturizer for a “glorious glow” that melts into the skin.
When I don’t want to wear foundation, this Ilia skin tint is my go-to. The formula offers a light, glowy finish, plus it contains SPF protection and plenty of nourishing skin-care ingredients like squalane, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.
We found Rare Beauty’s liquid blush to be the most buildable in our roundup of the best in the category. It’s available in two finishes (matte and radiant) and ten shades, which can even be applied as an eyeshadow or lip tint.
When we spoke to Sephora employees about what TikTok-recommended products are actually worth it, they told us about this dupe for Tarte’s Shape Tape. And when our writer Arielle Avila tried it for herself, she reported that it’s actually better: “It’s long-lasting and buildable, and it keeps my under eyes hydrated and glowing,” she says.
Multi-sticks have become super popular in the last year, and Ilia’s three-fer formula — which combines a blush, highlighter, and lip tint — is one of the most in demand right now, according to our writer Ambar Pardilla.
After testing over 20 cream blushes to find one that actually lasts, Rio crowned this formula the winner. She says the high pigment, in conjunction with the soft, powdery finish, is what makes this Danessa Myricks blush really stick to the skin.
Hair and styling tools
K18’s powerful treatment mask is a must-have for anyone with color-treated hair. It’s extremely hydrating and works to repair the breakage I often notice after lightening my roots.
I’ve heard great things about Color Wow’s Dream Coat spray, which works to keep hair from getting puffy and frizzy even on humid days.
I’ve also got my eye on Shark’s powerful blow-dryer brush. It’s half the price of Dyson’s Airwrap (even cheaper right now) and utilizes the same high-speed airflow technology and variety of attachments.
Briogeo’s brush is one of Rio’s all-time favorite hair products because it leaves her strands “looking smoother, silkier, and with no knots or flyaways.” (It even replaced her more expensive Mason Pearson hairbrush.)
Bath and body
In my new roundup of the best body scrubs, I crowned this my top choice for treating keratosis pilaris. It contains tiny pumice buffing beads that work to brush away dead skin cells, so it also works for clearing up buttne (butt acne) and loosening ingrown hairs.
If you’re dealing with skin dullness, another body scrub I like is this one from Skinfix. It contains both physical and chemical exfoliants that work to smooth skin texture and improve discoloration.
If your post-winter hands are feeling dry and scaly, our writer and resident beauty expert Tembe Denton-Hurst says nothing compares to Nécessaire’s “practically perfect” cream. It’s deeply moisturizing, and leaves her hands with a “subtle sheen without going greasy.”
Or treat yourself to this coconut-rich mask that’ll leave your feet silky smooth for sandal season.
Beauty tools
I own our best overall humidifier from Canopy and don’t go a day without using it. It’s compact, easy to clean, and keeps my complexion super hydrated.
And finally, here’s Shiseido’s “classic curler,” which features a very wide base, so fewer lashes will escape uncurled.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
