It’s only the fourth month of 2024, and I’ve already smeared, swatched, and slathered my way through 119 beauty products, both brand-new and timeless picks. As a beauty-obsessed shopping writer, I’m always thrilled to test out fresh formulas—and you can bet our Real Simple beauty editors, Hana Hong and Heather Muir Maffei, have also gotten their hands on a fair share of samples these last few months. However, it’s the ones that we keep coming back to and grow to rely on that earn a permanent spot on our beauty shelves. So, when Sephora’s highly anticipated semi-annual VIB sale rolls around, there’s only a handful of products that we’re sure to replenish.
Starting today, Friday, April 5, Sephora Rouge members can save 20 percent on almost everything, aside from products from the Ordinary, MAC’s Viva Glam collection, and sale items. Plus, all tiers can shop Sephora brand products at 30 percent off. Just use the code YAYSAVE at checkout.
The sale will officially open to VIB and Insider members on Tuesday, April 9, and every level can shop the sale through Monday, April 15. While Rouge and VIB status holders are required to spend a certain amount of money to reach their rank, it’s free to join as an Insider member, so you can still save at least 10 percent. Get your virtual carts ready.
17 Beauty Essentials to Shop During Sephora’s VIB Sale
- Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder, from $26 with code YAYSAVE (was $32)
- Laneige Dreamy Lip Kit, from $16 with code YAYSAVE (was $20)
- Ouai Mini Hair Oil, from $13 with code YAYSAVE (was $16)
- Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’40 Bom Dia Hair & Body Mist, from $31 with code YAYSAVE (was $38)
- BeautyBlender Limoncello Makeup Sponge, from $16 with code YAYSAVE (was $20)
- Bread Beauty Supply Clear-Wash Detox Clarifying Shampoo, from $20 with code YAYSAVE (was $24)
- Milk Makeup Cloud Glow Priming Foam, from $23 with code YAYSAVE (was $28)
- Huda Beauty Faux Filler Lip Gloss, from $16 with code YAYSAVE (was $19)
- Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip Smooth + Glow Barrier Serum, from $32 with code YAYSAVE (was $39)
- Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork Blooming Romance Palette, from $52 with code YAYSAVE (was $65)
- Laura Mercier Ultra-Blur Translucent Pressed Setting Powder, from $42 with code YAYSAVE (was $52)
- Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Neutrals, from $40 with code YAYSAVE (was $50)
- Topicals Sealed Active Scar Filling Primer, from $28 with code YAYSAVE (was $34)
- Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Concealer, from $24 with code YAYSAVE (was $29)
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, from $40 with code YAYSAVE (was $49)
- Farmacy Honey Halo Ceramide Moisturizer, from $39 with code YAYSAVE (was $48)
- Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer, from $17 with code YAYSAVE (was $21)
Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder
Sephora
It was truly love at first swipe with this buttery pressed blush. The Haus Labs blush now comes in much prettier packaging and in two new shades: A dark neutral rose called French Rosette and a deep peach called Fire Moon. I initially believed both shades to be overpowering for my light olive complexion, but I was so wrong. I dab my brush in the pan just twice to get an all-day color payoff. I need to restock on French Rosette, my new go-to color that complements endless makeup looks.
Laneige Dreamy Lip Kit
Sephora
Why stop at one potent iconic lip mask when I can get four at a fraction of the price? Anytime Laneige Lip Masks are on sale, I grab them, and the Dreamy Lip Kit includes mango, berry, peach iced tea, and sweet candy flavors that will be fun to alternate between. Besides, I’ll keep one on my desk, another on my nightstand, and a third tucked carefully into my purse to help deal with my chronically dry lips.
Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip Smooth + Glow Barrier Serum
Sephora
Ever since I got my hands on this serum, I couldn’t put it down, and now it’s time to pick up a new bottle. The creamy formula is stuffed with hydrating ingredients, like ceramides and the brand’s proprietary superfood blend of kale extract and cold-press broccoli seed oil. The second I apply this, I’m greeted by a cooling splash of moisture that my skin’s become desperate for.
Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer
Sephora
Real Simple’s beauty director, Heather Muir Maffei, swears by this formula. “I’ve tried countless concealers, but this one is my ride-or-die,” she says. “It covers dark circles and redness alike, never settles in my creases, and I love that you don’t need to set it with a powder. I use it to draw an upward flick at the corner of my eyes and look instantly lifted. It’s my desert island pick!”
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’40 Bom Dia Hair & Body Mist
Sephora
There’s a reason this delicious body and hair mist is a best-seller. I purchase Sol de Janeiro products for their invigorating results, but I definitely stick around for the intoxicatingly flavorful and sweet smells. Just a spritz of this floral-inspired spray, and I smell like the brand’s coveted Bom Dia Bright Cream.
Ouai Mini Hair Oil
Sephora
Ouai’s Mini Hair Oil is always welcome in my travel bag. It’s the perfect on-the-go frizz smoother, UV damage protector, and gloss booster with just one squirt. I seriously can’t get over how tiny it is too—small enough to slip right in my most compact of clutch bags. It also never weighs down my fine, wavy hair.
BeautyBlender Limoncello Makeup Sponge
Sephora
If I were stuck with just one beauty tool for the rest of my life, I’d want it to be a BeautyBlender. I’m constantly stocking up on these makeup sponges in various colors, and recently, the Limoncello version has caught my eye. I use these wet and dry with my liquid, powder, and cream products whenever I need help blending, or I’m aiming for lighter, more natural-looking coverage.
Bread Beauty Supply Clear-Wash Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Sephora
Bread’s detox shampoo has been my go-to for quite some time, and I’ve finally run out. This formula removes product buildup from my oils, creams, pomades, and hair treatments without stripping my tresses or leaving them feeling brittle. The gel is infused with several potent ingredients, such as rosemary, sage, ginger root, and a blend of 12 amino acids. I pair it with the Baby Soft Conditioner for clean but soft strands.
Milk Makeup Cloud Glow Priming Foam
Sephora
Possibly the strangest primer I never saw coming was Milk Makeup’s Cloud Glow Priming Foam. That’s right; it’s a foam makeup primer that imparts a rush of hydration thanks to the turmeric, apricot, saffron, and wu-shu-yu extracts. The milky foam is actually fun to apply and doesn’t take long to melt into my skin, so I can put on my makeup almost immediately.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Sephora
“I’ve been using this complexion booster ever since it launched (I legit can’t go a day without it),” Maffei raves. “I use it as a primer, layering it under foundation. It cuts my redness and blurs all of my imperfections so I can use less foundation for a gorgeous glow. I recently interviewed Charlotte and she said she created this formula to mimic the amazing lighting celebs use in movies and shoots—I’m obsessed!”
Huda Beauty Faux Filler Lip Gloss
Sephora
I never thought I’d see the day when I actually enjoy wearing lip gloss, but with the modern non-sticky formulas, like Huda Beauty’s Faux Filler line, I’m reaching for them more often than ever before. The dark, rosy Posh shade is my secret to nailing pink lips. No matter what lipstick I layer it over, it always solidifies my look without feeling uncomfortable.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork Blooming Romance Palette
Sephora
Surprise! Danessa Myrick’s incredibly versatile Groundwork palette now comes in a lovely pink variant. After hitting pan on a few essential hues in the original palette, I’m opting for this one next. The fact that I can use it all over, from my lips to my cheeks to my eyes, makes it a no-brainer for me. It’s going to be a staple in my kit while I’m traveling this spring and summer.
Laura Mercier Ultra-Blur Translucent Pressed Setting Powder
Sephora
I finally found a blurring powder to throw on my T-zone. This setting powder comes in translucent, honey, and medium-deep tones to suit multiple skin colors. I use the translucent shade and pack it in my purse until I notice my nose getting a little shiny. I pat on the tiniest bit without disturbing the rest of my makeup and get a beautiful diffused effect.
Farmacy Honey Halo Ceramide Moisturizer
Sephora
“This cream has a glorious, silky slip that leaves my skin glowy and hydrated for a good 12 hours, which is an impressive feat for my chronically dry skin,” shares Real Simple’s beauty and fashion editor, Hana Hong. “But don’t think that means it’s heavy or greasy—thanks to the gel-cream consistency, the formula soaks in seamlessly and sits wonderfully under foundation (read: no pilling).”
Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Neutrals
Sephora
Makeup by Mario’s original Master Mattes palette may actually be the first eyeshadow palette I hit pan on in years—that’s how often I used it. This cooler-toned rendition is quickly becoming a staple in my routine. The formula glides on so smoothly, making it very easy to blend, even when I accidentally get carried away on a darker pigment.
Topicals Sealed Active Scar Filling Primer
Sephora
While I may not suffer from chronic acne, I absolutely get the occasional blemish that I can’t help but pick at. If you’ve ever had a pimple, then you know how impossible it is to mask it. That is until I discovered this gem. I dot it on my severe breakouts and also use it to fill in porous areas around my cheeks to achieve a very smooth base.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
Sephora
Hong also recommends this lip gloss as a handbag essential. “My friends know you’ll almost never see me leaving the house without Gloss Bomb,” she reveals. “Unlike overly goopy or runny formulas that feather or bleed into lip lines, this one feels comfortable on the lips and keeps them feeling hydrated. The best part is it’s extremely low-maintenance—the lifespan of one application is really strong so you don’t need to constantly reapply. Even when the glossy finish fades, it leaves behind a good amount of pigment.”
