My Tried and True Products in the Sephora Sale

It’s the Sephora sale! Now through the 19th you can get 10% off your order (or up to 15-20% off depending on your Sephora status) with code “OMGSPRING”. It’s not a sale that’s necessary to shop, but honestly I’ve found that with quality makeup and skincare, snagging them when they are marked down makes a difference. It’s taken me a long time to find products that work on my oily-combo skin, acne and congested pores. But, after many trials and tribulations, I wanted to share the items that work for me and are included in the sale.

Okay! So, something I set out to do during quarantine is really figure out my skin and what products will keep my skin balanced, hydrated and slightly dewy. But, here’s the thing. No complexion is perfect, but with the right products you can help to get your skin to a place where you’re confident. I knew from the get-go that this would be a long process that would require patience and trying quality items in earnest (aka not giving up after one week). For context, I have a long history of acne. I did three rounds of Accutane in high school and years of different antibiotics and creams. My acne for the most part is gone, but I do still deal with adult acne, enlarged pores, congested pores and excess sebum/oil. I’ll never have “perfect” skin, most of us won’t, but here’s what I love and would recommend:

BODY AND SKIN: 

Necessaire Body Exfoliant: I am absolutely in love with Necessaire. I’m actually a Necessaire ambassador. I love them so much and I can’t wait to share more there. I started using their body wash, scrub and lotion in the Fall and have not strayed away since. They are clean products that feel spa-like at home. I cannot begin to explain how heavenly the body scrub is. I am a huge fan of the Eucalyptus scent as well as sandalwood, and they have fragrance free as well. I found the body scrub is really great for detoxing underarms.

Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser: This cleanser is it for me! A purifying cleanser works well for most skin types, but for my congested and clogged pores it’s a must. This is a gel to oil cleanser, but hear me out. The oil actually works to purge your pores and the oil actually helps to balance sebum and oil in your skin. I also use their Clarifying Cleanser, which has BHA and AHA (so I don’t mix with other BHA products when using), for when my skin is feeling extra oily or I’m having breakouts. I always suggest trying the mini size first! 

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: ALL HAIL THE SUPERGOOP UNSEEN! I told you guys when I first came down to Florida that sunscreen was causing some issues for my complexion. This sunscreen is the only one that I can use that 1. Keeps my oil under control and 2. Doesn’t cause me to break out. It’s almost like a clear, smooth gel consistency. It has no pigment and leaves a silky yet matte feel. 

Sunday Riley UFO Clarifying Acne Oil: I know I know, oil and oily acne prone skin? I have to say that I just love oil based products. I think they feel luxurious and oil for oily skin can actually help restore moisture that was stripped away and caused you to over produce oil. This oil has 1.5% salicylic acid, BHA and milk thistle and cucumber that all work together to unclog pores, treat acne, remove dead skin and restore moisture. When I use this consistently, my pores are not clogged with sebum and I wake up with an even complexion! I use this every other night. 

Alpha H Vitamin B Serum with Niacinamide: This serum is the BEST! I get such a glow from it. Alpha-H was a new to me brand, but I am so pleased with the line. This serum has a slightly sticky consistency but smooths out really well and absorbs into the skin. The copper tripeptides, vitamin B and niacinamide help even out your skin and boost your glow.  I use this everyday after my toner and underneath my moisturizer. 

Farmacy Deep Sweep Toner: I have had a HARD go with toners. I have super enlarged pores that are often congested and dehydrated. A lot of toners would make my skin feel rough almost and, yes they would shrink my pores, but I was not pleased with my texture. This toner is so fresh, lightweight and is alcohol free. it works to clear my pores and minimize them. It also helps pack in moisture too, not stripping anything away. It has BHA, papaya and moringa. I use morning and night after cleansing, I love this so much! 

MAKEUP: 

Saie Liquid Super Gel Dewy Illuminator: So I got the mini size as a free sample a few weeks back and have been enjoying it so much. This is not a highlighter, it really is an illuminator that helps you get that glowy look. I apply it in places I want extra glow (cheeks, nose tip). I apply mine after my primer if I am using a foundation stick, or I will mix it in with my tinted moisturizer or foundation. It’s so sheer and lightweight and I find that it gives a glow without looking oily and actually works on my combination skin. 

RMS Living Luminizer Cream Highlighter: Another highlighter that works well with oily or combo skin! This cream highlighter is something I include in every makeup roundup. It can be used as eyeshadow, highlighter or bronzer depending on the shade. I pat this on my cheekbones, inner eye corners and tip of nose when I want a little shimmer that is not overpowering. It’s really understated and lovely. 

Merit Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick: I think this is the product i’ve been waiting for my entire life!! I first learned of Merit when my friend Nan shared them and I immediately ordered the complexion stick and some other products. As my skin has evolved, I really prefer a minimalist makeup look. With Merit, the quality is amazing, it’s clean, and it provides a minimalist, effortless fresh face look. 

The minimalist complexion stick is a foundation stick that can also work as a concealer. I no longer use foundation on a regular basis, rather I use tinted moisturizer, Saie illuminator, and this foundation stick (of course concealer, too). This allows you to put foundation in the places you need it and it seamlessly blends into the rest of your skin. Idk how it works, but it just does and it’s magical. It’s great for oily skin, too. I find that this coupled with the Saie and a tinted moisturizer create a really balanced look. 

Merit Lip Oil: Wow. Just wow. This product is a lip oil, meets lip tint, meets lip gloss. It is the lightest lip product I’ve tried and is so smooth and isn’t sticky. The wear on this is great because as the oil and gloss fade, you’re left with a lovely tint on the lips. This is the color Marakeech and I’ve been wearing it in most of my photos lately. I just ordered all the other available colors. 

Hourglass Unlocked Mascara: You guys know I love this mascara. I featured it in my favorite items from February, because I was struggling to find a relatively clean mascara that did not smudge. You won’t get sky high, fluffy lashes with this, but you will get really even, lovely, natural looking lashes. I love how it gives a minimalist look (it’s a theme here), while making you still feel like you have some oomph. I love the applicator and it’s smudge free too! 

Hourglass Veil Primer: My primer for the last few years! My only complaint is the bottle can be hard to get extra product out of towards the end, so I always end up taking the cap off and scooping it out. However, it blurs my pores, feels silky and controls my oil. It also has SPF in it, which your girl loves. 

ILIA Sheer Finishing Powder: This finishing powder is so fantastic. Because I am oily, I use it in my t-zone after applying my face. It’s a lighter finishing powder that is translucent but doesn’t make your complexion look flat. I have to have this in my routine and have tried so many, the other one I love is by Beautycounter.

Tower 28 Cream Blush: Tower is a new to me brand that I learned about from Rudi Berry (she and I have similar complexions and she shares her struggle with acne and Tretinoin journey over on TikTok). This cream blush is SO GOOD. The consistency is fabulous and it works on my oily skin. It’s pigmented but not overpowering and wears well over time. I also appreciate how it doesn’t draw extra attention to my larger pores on my cheeks. I also use on my lips.

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