What will we buy during the Sephora Holiday Shopping Event?

Finally last week, our coveted 20% off VIB sale coupons came in the mail! The annual sale starts on Friday, which means we only have a few days to plan our attack…

Jess:

I usually split my wish list into two categories: boring things that I need to stock up on (BB cream, hair stuff) and things I have been wanting to try and/or are too shiny/cute to pass up. I love that this sale happens conveniently (by design, I’m sure) before the holidays, right as all of the gift sets, holiday palettes, and new discovery sets have been released. Let’s take a little daydream and see what’s in my basket, shall we?

We all love love love “discovery sets” that let you sample a few skincare items that may be cost prohibitive in their full sized versions (but you need more than a tiny sample to see if you like it), and Sephora also does a great job putting together packages of “favorites”, so there are all kinds of ways to explore new skincare this time of year. I recently got a deluxe sample of some Peter Thomas Roth facial cleanser, and was really impressed! I’ve heard great things about his masks, and have been eyeing up the 24K gold products, because who doesn’t want to put gold on their face?? But they are a bit on the pricey side. Imagine my delight when I stumbled across this Peter Thomas Roth Black and Gold Kit ($65) that includes a few decent sized items that look like will make me a poreless, glowing, living Snapchat filter. IN IN IN.

I am an absolute sucker for adorable, tiny lipsticks. Look how cute these little Marc Jacobs lipsticks are!! And all tucked in a little metallic hot pink case?? I die. It might seem slightly steep at $49 for five babies, but one full sized Le Marc Lip Creme retails for $30. ONE. These colors all look wearable and great, and the formula (long wearing but creamy) looks like something I’d be into. I’m resisting the urge to spring for this Kat Von D Everlasting Mini Liquid Lipstick set- the colors look like so much fun, and the little tubes are SO CUTE!! But I know this formula will break my heart (and shatter my lips into a thousand dry shards). DO NOT LET ME FALL FOR IT’S CHARMS.

Pamela:

There are things that I will always wait to buy during the 20% holiday event.  Like expensive, high end mascara.  I usually get the Dior Iconic Overcurl mascara, but this year I might go for the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir. I think both are great.  It’ll be a game time decision.

It seems like everytime I go to Las Vegas I purchase a perfume.  And while I did not make any fragrance purchases this time, I did get a sample of the Maison Margiela ‘REPLICA’ Lipstick On, and had a couple of days to test drive it.  It’s not scent I would normally gravitate toward, it’s a little out of my zone of things I like to smell or smell like.  But something about it works for me. I am also going to pick up the Discovery Set for Him for my husband (but I’ll probably wear them too.)

I also want a new face mist.  Want, not need.  It’s going to be a toss up between this Josie Maran one and this Herbivore one.

Sephora kills it with the “Sephora Favorites” gift sets – specifically curated multi brand sets with larger than just sample size, sizes. Unfortunately the one I want seems to be already out of stock.  I’m hoping it, the Glow For It set, gets restocked before the weekend. Truthfully, I’ll buy it without the 20% if it gets restocked afterward.  I REALLY want it! These sets also make great Christmas gifts, so I will be checking my list twice.

Lyn:

Sooo…I have a problem…and as a result…I already had my 20% Sephora sale. Ugh. It’s actually embarrassing how much money I have spent at Sephora this year. (okay, every year, but who’s counting?) Here are the highlights of what is getting thrown on a delivery truck and heading my way as we speak:

Like Jess and Pamela, I also like to mix repurchasing high end items with trying shiny new things and this Sol de Janeiro gift pack accomplished both! I already love the Bum Bum Cream–which is stupid expensive–and I’ve already repurchased it twice. It’s super thick and hydrating–and it lifts. I swear it really does! The Brazilian Body Boom pack contains the magic lotion AND the Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel which I haven’t tried yet–but have heard good things. So this baby is coming my way.

I have had really good luck in the past with the Algenist Genius products I’ve tried. TBH–I’m not sure why I moved away from them. I’ve tried the C+ Serum and the Melting Cleanser and liked them both lots. Now with Pamela’s recommendation on the eye cream–I’ve decided to give the whole line a go–and this special collection at a special price makes that possible.

I’m also a sucker for the Sephora Favorites–and for good reason!–they are a great way to try high end products at a much more tolerable price. Plus 20% off!! This year, I snagged the Skin Wonderland–mostly because it had a travel size of the SK-II Facial Essence that I’m crazy for–and the Give Me Some Bold Lip set. Bold lips are ALWAYS my thing–but something I’ve been especially into this fall. And I’ve checked out this collection at the store–and it’s not only packed with amazing colors–you get really deluxe sized samples, including one full sized lipstick–for less than the price of one ridiculously high priced tube by Marc Jacobs. So it’s definitely a great buy for anyone who wants to experiment with a port-stained pout.

And I bought a ridiculously high priced tube from Marc Jacobs Beauty. Because I have a problem.

We know a lot of you are also Sephora VIB’s with 20% off coupons.  What’s on your list? What do you always stock up on? What new things are you going to try? Tell us!