Sephora and Ulta 20% off Sale Recommendations

With both Sephora and Ulta running 20% off promotions right now (details in my prior post about their sales), here are the products I absolutely love that I would definitely recommend grabbing at 20% off.

Don't fret if you haven't been lucky enough to score a Sephora Friends & Family code...they usually run their BI/VIB sale shortly after F&F ends on October 30.  If you aren't a Beauty Insider, you definitely need to join!!!  Do that here, right now, before you do anything else.  Same with Ulta Rewards!

My Product Recommendations

Image Source: sephora.com

The Clarisonic (and extra Brush Heads)  (Sephora and Ulta both sell this!)

I use the Clarisonic Mia ($125) and it has absolutely changed my skin.  I seriously cannot rave enough about this product.  My skin is clearer, has fewer clogged pores and less uneven tone, and is always wonderfully exfoliated.  I use the Sensitive Brush Head once per day.  This brush was honestly worth every single penny I spent on it...and I got mine 20% off during the 2011 F&F Sale!  I always pick up replacement brush heads during the 20% off sales.

Shiseido The Makeup Facial Cotton ($9.50) (Sephora Only)
Yes, I am telling you to go spend ten bucks on cotton rounds.  Why?  Because they are SO worth it.  I would never use these to remove nail polish or anything like that, but for eye makeup removal, they are where it's at.  It's the biggest luxury $10 can buy you ($8 during this sale!).  These squares are thick, don't shed, and help get every last bit of makeup off.  They're so thick that I often use the same square twice, just flipped over.  It's a small splurge that will make you feel like you've treated yourself in a big way.

Hourglass Veil Primer  (Sephora Only)

My Holy Grail primer.  This stuff is incredible.  It is the only face primer I've ever used that actually does keep my makeup on all day.   It is stupid expensive ($52 for 1 oz; $18 for .33 oz) but omg is it amazing.  It's silky smooth, blends away uneven skin texture and skin tone, and even has SPF.  One pump will cover your entire face, so the bottle will last you forever.  I will definitely be picking up a full size bottle for when my small one eventually does run out.  I cannot live without this stuff!!

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation ($55)  (Sephora Only)

To pair with your amazing primer, if you have oily skin, you must try this foundation.  It keeps me matte all day long and helps my powder blush and bronzer stay on my skin for 8+ hours, too.  Rather than rave for hours about it here...I'll direct you to Josh Collier's video explaining all there is to know about how amazing Immaculate is!  It's long, but it's well worth watching.  (Josh works for Hourglass, but his product reviews are always spot-on and honest.  He is one of my favorite YouTubers...I highly recommend subscribing to his channel!)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders ($45)  (Sephora Only)

Another Hourglass rave.  Go figure.  They've become my favorite brand this year!   I use Diffused Light on a regular basis, and love how it blends away any redness that my foundation or concealer didn't cover.  It also helps blur pores and imperfections, and who doesn't want that?  These powders are great!

Beauty Blender ($19 for 1; $29 for 2) & Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser ($16) (Sephora Only)

Proof is in the pudding.  The solid cleanser is great!

I know you probably all think I'm insane for recommending you buy a $20 cosmetic sponge.  I thought fans of the Beauty Blender were nutso, too, before I tried it.  There really is nothing else like it on the market.  I bought the 2-pack during last year's VIB sale, and my first sponge is finally getting to the point where I should toss it - point being - they last a while.  A damp Beauty Blender applies liquid foundation (plus cream bronzer/blush/highlighter) so flawlessly it's unreal.  And yes, you should just suck it up and get the cleanser.  I cleaned mine for a while with baby shampoo or Dr. Bronner's soap (what I use to clean my makeup brushes) but it didn't get my Beauty Blender even close to as clean as the solid soap did.  I paid full price for the solid cleanser and still think it was worth every red cent!

Image Source: thepolishaholic.com

Deborah Lippmann Glitter Polishes ($19) (Sephora only)

There is no better way to splurge on a nail polish than to pick up a Deborah Lippmann glitter.  She just does them better than anyone else.  I know they're expensive, but at 20% off, 1 polish is basically the price of 1 salon manicure.  Grab the polish, give yourself your weekly mani, and you've broken even.  (Give yourself manis every week and save a mint!  More on that to come!!)  I'm dying to grab Candy Shop!

Benefit They're Real Mascara ($23) (Sephora and Ulta both sell this!)

My Holy Grail mascara.  It's a wet formula, but like all of them, dries a little in a few weeks.  It's been raved about so much in the beauty community, I don't know that I can do it any more justice.  It makes your lashes long and thick, and the spiky end of the brush lets you get every last lash.  Perfection in a tube.

Fake Bake Flawless ($25) (Ulta only)

If you like to self-tan and haven't yet tried this, I have no idea what you're waiting for!  This is bar none the best self-tanner I've used.  The mitt it comes with gives you a flawless application...it's virtually impossible to be streaky.  This is the first (and only) tanner that I was brave enough to do my entire body with, by myself without help.  Even my back was streak-free! 

Also consider grabbing any hair styling tools (hot irons, blow dyers, etc), fragrance (at Sephora), or anything you regularly use while you can get them all 20% off!

Do you plan to grab anything?  Leave your wishlist or anything I need to add to mine in the comments!

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.