5 Beauty Products A 40-Something Is Adding To Her Cart During The Sephora Spring Sale

If I’m going to get endlessly influenced when it comes to skincare and makeup, I demand a discount. Thankfully, the Sephora Savings Event—the retailer’s annual spring sale—is just around the corner. This year, the long-awaited tiered sale runs from April 10 to April 20.

Sephora members that hold Rouge- and VIB-level memberships enjoy discounts of 20% and 15% off, respectively, but even those of us who hold a basic Insider membership status are getting 10% off. Plus, you can score 30% off all Sephora Collection products. (If you're not a member of Sephora's loyalty program yet, you can sign up for free.)

Here’s what I’m adding to my cart during the big sale.

The Pouty Lip MVP

Make Up For Ever Artist Color Lip Liner Pencil in Endless Cacao, $36

I’ve been wooed by the endless reels on my Instagram feed from beauty influencers attempting to recreate the viral pouty lip that makeup artist Nina Park swears by when prepping her celebrity clients, like Emma Stone and Zoë Kravitz, for red carpet appearances. This liner—a cool-toned taupe that Park frequently uses to make her signature pout come to life—is key to trying the look at home.

The SPF with Skincare Benefits

Ultra Violette Fave Fluid Ultralight Screen SPF 50+, $57

I’m a late convert to daily sunscreen application (alas!), but I’ve become a devoted fan of this skincare-adjacent SPF by Australian brand Ultra Violette. The fluid texture goes on like a dream, and the addition of niacinamide and vitamin C gives my skin a much-needed brightness boost.

The Frizz Fighter

BondiBoost Infrared Thermal Bounce Brush, $169

Even with the discount, this one is a bit of a splurge. But as a perpetually frizzy gal, I think it’s worth it. I’ve heard very good things about this thermal round brush, which promises to smooth and style hair with less heat damage than your standard hair dryer and brush combo.  

The K-Beauty Moisture Booster

Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk Toner, $26

I started using a rice milk toner about a year ago to see if the moisture payoff was real or just hype, and I’m now a committed daily user. This Korean skincare brand gets high praise from some of my social media follows so I’m looking forward to seeing if this version brings the goods.  

The Easy-Breezy Dewy Tint

Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, $67

Now that I’m my 40s—a.k.a my drier, wrinklier era—I’ve given up on foundation and I’ve fully embraced skin tints. This one caught my eye because it promises a lightweight coverage and it's packed with skincare ingredients, like squalane and hyaluronic acid, that hydrate skin and give it a glowy finish. Sign me up!