We wait all dang winter for Sephora’s beloved sale, and today, April 9, marks the official start to your soon-come flurry of beauty spending—if you’re a Rouge member, that is! Here are the details: From April 9 to April 19, Rouge Beauty Insiders will get a whopping 20% off their shopping haul, from April 13 to April 19, VIB Beauty Insiders will get 15% off, and from April 15 to April 19, Beauty Insiders will get 10% off. Just use promo code OMGSPRING at checkout, in-store or online. Oh, and let’s not forget that All Beauty Insiders can receive 30% off Sephora Collection products, no promo code needed, April 9 to April 19.
So what’s the writing on the wall, you ask? Basically, these eleven special days are the best time to spring for anything and everything you’ve been wanting to purchase from Sephora’s mecca of beauty offerings. That super expensive hair dryer you’ve had on your wish list? Now’s the time to splurge! The eye cream you’ve talked yourself out of buying too many times to count? Go for it!
We’re pretty sure you don’t need too much guidance here, but because Sephora carries hundreds of products (which can feel a titch daunting if you’re not sure where to start), we’ve combed through every single category (fragrance, skincare, makeup, tools, and more!) and hand-selected the splurge-worthy products we’d highly recommend adding to your cart. Of course, “splurge” is defined differently by everyone, so we’ve included products at a variety of price points to strike all types of fancies. Keep scrolling! Our editor-approved Sephora beauty splurges are just ahead. Happy shopping!
Trust me—once you try this foundation from legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath, you’ll never go back! True story: A well-known influencer once chased me down at a beauty event to ask what I had on my face to make it look so healthy and glowy. My answer? This foundation. If you really want to go for it, I highly suggest pre-gaming your foundation application with this face primer from the brand. (Again—just trust!)
Not a foundation person? This is the hybrid product to try for a glowing, even complexion without too much coverage. The color range is on-point (which is rare for tinted formulas!) and it’s made with tons of clean ingredients your skin will love. Me and my fellow beauty editor Courtney Higgs are both high-key obsessed.
New in from Tatcha is a silky, radiant-finish loose setting powder that’s great for anyone looking to blur the look of pores and/or kick stubborn greasies to the curb. Another fun fact? So many setting powders don’t play well with mature skin, but this formula is different. In fact, it features strategic anti-pollution and blue-light-blocking ingredients to prevent signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and dryness. This is the crème de la crème of setting powders.
We love a glowy flush 365 days a year, but there is something about spring that inspires us to take it up a notch or two in the dew department. This cult-loved stick from renowned makeup artist Gucci Westman is a standout in the clean beauty category, especially. In fact, it’s so beloved, that the brand just launched two new shades to meet everyone’s glow goals. It’s a splurge, but a little goes a long way, so it will last you forever.
Multitasking beauty products are always a smart buy, and this is best seller is the queen of them all. Use it as a primer, highlighter, or mix it into your foundation. Regardless, you’ll be raking in the compliments. Plus, the handy doe-foot applicator makes it so easy and mess-free to apply.
If you take a scroll through makeup artist Patrick Ta’s Instagram, you’ll notice his A-list clients have one glaring thing in common: a super-sculpted complexion. So, to help everyone get in on the magic, he just released this brand new bronzer and sculpting duo-compact that has everything you need for your shading and contour needs. It comes with a cream and a powder formula, and while you can definitely use both products on their own, Ta recommends applying your cream to the hollows of your cheekbones first and then layering the powder on top (blending out to the other highpoints of your face where the sun would naturally hit) for a believable end-result. FYI: His Major Sculpt Contour Brush ($35) is the cherry on top.
When it comes to expensive—albeit drool-inducing—eye shadow palettes, no one can compete with Natasha Denona. Yes, they’re a splurge, but the blendable, pigment-packed formula and beautiful array of colors are well worth the plunge if your budget allows. Plus, Denona’s shadows effortlessly adhere to your lids with zero creasing, therefore eliminating fallout and the need for eye shadow primers.
I’m warning you now: Dr. Lara Devgan’s beauty creations are investments, but as a beauty editor who has tried practically every skincare line on the market, her formulas are at the tippy top of my “hell yes, they’re 100% worth it” list. You’ll spot a few of her all-start products in this Sephora lineup, but first up is this lash-enhancing serum. Just check out the 300+ raving reviews if you don’t trust me. The proof is in the pudding, folks. Also, for what it’s worth, as someone with highly sensitive eyes who usually can’t tolerate lash serums, this one has never given me an ounce of trouble or irritation.
ICYMI, Kilian’s It scent, Love Don’t Be Shy, is our girl Rihanna’s favorite perfume. (My beauty PIC Courtney did an in-depth deep-dive, here.) Looking for the chic red lipstick of all chic red lipsticks? Not only is this satiny shade of crimson highly flattering and the only red bullet you’ll need in your life, but it’s also scented with Rihanna’s signature perfume. So, yes, you are really killing so many birds with one stone here!
I warned you, remember! Honestly, put every other gloss down and just get this one instead. It’s spiked with SPF, it gives megawatt shine that’s not too sticky, and it’s the best plumping formula I’ve ever laid my lips on. Seriously, the results rival actual lip injections, which isn’t all too surprising since Dr. Lara Devgan is a world-renowned plastic surgeon. This is one of my favorite beauty products of all time.
That said, if you’re not a gloss person but still want to give your lips an extra little somethin’, I highly recommend Nars’ Afterglow balms. I think I own every color, and while they’re definitely spendy for something as simple as a balm, the luminous finish and subtle kick of color are just unbeatable in my book. Try one (or three!) and you’ll see what I mean.
I go on and on about this blush. It’s my favorite blush in existence, and it’s the perfect compromise between flush and glow. That being said, I always feel a tad guilty recommending it to my friends since it’s high on the sticker-shock factor. So believe me, now is the time to go for it!
If we’re talking beauty items to add to your bucket list, this best-selling moisturizing cream from La Mer should be at the top of your list. Beloved by editors, makeup artists, and celebrities, alike, it will make your face feel as soft and luxurious as the most expensive silk pillow.
I’m not even a facial-oil person, but I still love this fan-favorite one from Biossance. It’s dosed with brightening vitamin C to combat dullness and squalane gives you a one-to-punch of lasting hydration. Pro-tip: Mix a little in with your moisturizer (or even your foundation!) for the dreamiest finish.
I’m just going to put it out there that if I had all the money in the world I would use Sephora’s Spring Savings Event to buy literally everything Tata Harper sells. But if you’re looking to super-charge your radiance and hydration efforts this spring, it just doesn’t get more sublime than this brightening essence from the brand. It’s chock-full of high-performing organic ingredients that simultaneously brighten and illuminate your skin while targeting and reducing the appearance of discoloration or dark spots. Not sure what makes essences so special? Read up on them here.
Again, it’s hard to choose a favorite child from Dr. Barbara Sturm’s eponymous skincare line, but if you were to take a tour through every single model and celebrity’s beauty stash, you’d find this prize cleanser. It’s equal parts exfoliating and cleansing, and you’re sure to notice a serious brightening and skin-clearing effect with regular use.
Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion—ever heard of it? It’s pretty much the most fawned-over French beauty product in history, and I’m 100% confident saying this exfoliating liquid from Peter Thomas Roth is the best affordable dupe I’ve found for it. (Dare I say the glowy, bump-eradicating results are even better?) It does have a slightly tacky feel after you’ve applied it, but trust me, the radiance you wake up to the next morning is worth every semi-sticky penny.
This tingly scrub is iconic, and while it’s been on our It list for years and years (I think it might have actually been my first-ever Sephora purchase back in high school!), it’s still one of our all-time favorite formulas for getting a facial-like treatment from the comfort of your shower. (Plus, it smells absolutely divine.)
One use and this hyaluronic acid serum will change your skin. Not kidding! It immediately plumps up a tired, lackluster complexion and lends that coveted glass-like finish to your skin. The magic is all in Devgan’s ingenious blend of mixed-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (the mixture of both is rare and key for an effective HA serum), vitamin B3 (for firming and radiance), and vitamin B5 (to plump of fine lines and boost elasticity). Sure, $245 is a lot to handle, but if you’re going to make one splurge, make it this!
This. Stuff. Is. Gold. I love eye creams, and they’re a weird point of passion for me, but if I could only use one for the rest of my life, it would be this one. It’s so hydrating, it doesn’t irritate my eyes, and it works serious wonders under concealer.
Dryness, irritation, and redness can all be exacerbated during a season change, which is why I hold on tight to this calming, and deeply moisturizing overnight mask from Dr. Jart+.
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t possess a deep admiration for J.Lo’s signature glow. While you might not be able to actually become J.Lo, you can get in on her skincare routine by incorporating these super-charged sheet masks into your regular skincare mix.
The prices of Oribe’s luxe haircare products are nothing to sneeze at, but once you try the brand’s Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo and Conditioner, you’ll feel less chagrinned in the budget department. I consider the pair two of my most prized hair possessions, and there really isn’t one box they can’t tick! The Gold Lust formula soothes dryness, eases flakiness, prevents damage (like split ends and breakage) all while infusing stressed strands with strength, moisture, and protection.
As the go-to hairstylist of names like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, you could easily say celeb hairstylist Chris Appleton reigns supreme in the expensive-looking hair department. So he did us all a favor by collaborating with beloved haircare brand Color Wow and launching this brand-new hair mask. It plays nicely with all hair types and textures, and strength-, moisture-, and gloss-enhancing perks come courtesy of strategic ingredients like Mediterranean-derived marine actives.
While this hair oil is especially fantastic for medium to thick hair, all hair types can benefit from its silicone-free, smoothing perks if you’re just careful how much you used. (A little goes a long way!) It’s definitely our favorite healthy shine-enhancing finisher in the hair category right now.
There’s a whole lot of goodness packed into this cute little blue tube. Its hero ingredient, the brand’s Healthy Follicle Complex, goes to town to improve the appearance of thinning hair by reinvigorating your roots with snap-proof strength. Not to mention, it also boasts a special blend of peptides to beef up hair fibers, and jojoba esters and vitamins to nourish and hydrate for a more balanced scalp environment.
Acqua di Parma’s Sakura Eau de Parfum is the next best thing to taking a stroll through a flower shop. Actually, scratch that. It’s better. Blame it on the intoxicating yet sophisticated medley of bergamot, musk, pink pepper, jasmine, and, of course, the sakura flower.
Every time I spritz this perfume, I can practically feel a snappy sea breeze on my face and salt in the air. No one’s collection of Jo Malone fragrances can be complete without Wood Sage and Sea Salt, and if you’re new to the brand consider this your gateway to a brand-new fragrance addiction. If you’re someone who loves crisp and clean scents, you 100% need it.
Whoever said sweet perfumes were just for our middle school years was seriously disturbed. (Please tell me you picked up on that Legally Blonde reference?) Well, perhaps they’ve just never smelled Ellis Brooklyn’s aptly named Sweet Perfume—a gorgeous blend of juicy pear, warm ambrette, and marshmallow. Prepare yourself, because compliments and questions will definitely follow you wherever you go when you wear this scent!
I’m personally not someone who goes for earthy, woody, or more “masculine” scents, but this new perfume from Tom Ford got me and got me good. Notes from cypress, lemon, and oakwood will make you smell like you just came in from a hike in some kind of enchanted forest. It’s a little rugged, but pleasantly wearable. You’ll love it more and more as it melts into your unique skin chemistry.
I’m not sure what kind of car the kids think is the coolest this day in age. A Tesla? Maserati? Porsche? I’m still not sure after inconclusive Google searches, but whatever it s, this iconic hairdryer is that. (But of course, the hair version!) It’s lightweight, it’s less damaging, and it will give you a salon-worthy blow-dry in record-time speed from the comfort of your own home. If you can make the splurge, it’s definitely worth it. You’ll never look at another hairdryer again—promise!
I noticed a huge change in the integrity, strength, and shine of my hair once I switched over to this über high-tech flat iron from T3. As far as flat irons go, this one is as good as it gets, IMO. Essentially, you customize the settings to suit your hair type (texture, length, and color), and then it monitors and maintains the heat of the irons to keep your strands safe and happy.
The nineties are back in a big way within the beauty circuit, and if you’re looking to channel the era’s classic waves in your next styling session, Amika’s Deep Wave Hair Crimper is the model to reach for. It’s one of my all-time favorite hair tools and an immediate solution for every bad hair day.
I personally love curling wands more than irons, and this model from GHD is my top pick from Sephora’s selection. Your curls will last longer and your strands will feel less stressed and over-taxed thanks to the wand’s Tri-Zone Technology which ensures constant, even optimum temperature for healthy, damage-proof styling.
I love this at-home LED mask from Dr. Dennis Gross so much, that I dedicated an entire review to it. Spoiler: It completely cleared my acne and also helped nix stubborn redness and scarring. I use the blue setting to help manage my breakouts, but there’s also a red setting to help fight against premature aging (i.e., fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of collagen). Or, you can pull a double-whammy and use the red and blue LEDs at the same dang time.
Yes, there are expensive, in-office micro-needling treatments available that can have great benefits for acne and other skincare concerns, but doing the treatment at home with a high-quality microneedling tool can actually reap similarly exciting results. (Especially if you’re consistent and invest in great products to accessorize your regimen with.) It’s a lot to spring for in the price department, but BeautyBio’s GloPro model is known to be one of the best of the best.
I prefer high-quality dermaplaning tools for a nice dose of physical exfoliation versus harsh, super-grainy scrubs that scratch my skin up. This is my favorite model for maintaining a silky-smooth, fuzz-free complexion. (Just make sure to disinfect your blade after every use and replace your blade entirely, on a monthly cadence.)
True story: I stopped using all of my other facial rollers once this one from Nurse Jamie came into my life. My favorite thing ever is to apply a sheet mask, lay down, and use the smooth end to roll over the mask and really push the mask’s ingredients further into my skin to enhance the benefits. But I also love the bumpy side, which features 24 individual massaging stones, when I need help in the lifting and de-puffing arena. Next: I Haven’t Shopped for Beauty IRL for a Year—These Online Finds Have Saved Me
