Belle’s Sephora VIB Sale Picks

Apr 3, 2014

If you love makeup, you need to sign up for Sephora’s Beauty Insider program.  Each dollar earns you points that can be redeemed for samples of new products or deluxe samples of beloved products.  Once you reach VIB status, the best perk of all is that a few times per year, you can save 15-percent on everything in the store.

I’ve received a couple of e-mails this week from readers who wanted to know what “splurges” I recommend picking up at the sale.  So here are my suggestions:

Brushes.  If you have acne, you need the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage brush.  It’s an acne covering laser.  Also, I’ve had mine for five years, and I’m just starting to think about replacing it, so it’s good quality.  I also like the Bobbi Brown blush brush.

Supersized Products.  Sephora offers a number of your favorite products in XXL sizes.  So if you know you love something, by all means, stock up.  This super-sized Josie Maran Argan Oil keeps my skin glowing all summer long…it’s also great on split-ends.

Makeup.  I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (I wear Mood Light and Ethereal Light).  I also think this NARS Oil-Free Primer is one of the greatest products that I’ve ever used.

Skincare. I’ve been trying to cut back on my use of really splurgy skincare products, but a sale always lures me back in.  If you have oily skin or blackheads, try the GlamGlow SuperMud.  The sale also gives me a chance to buy my new favorite anti-aging product, Philosophy’s Time in a Bottle at a discount.

Nails. How often can you say that you changed your polish after seven days and there were no chips?  Happens to me every time I use Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab base and top coat.  Makes any polish more durable, and I get 7-10 days of perfect nails.  She also makes a mini-size for $25, in case you want to try a smaller size before you drop $50 on it.

So are you a VIB?  If so, what will you be using your 15%-discount on?

Makeup

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  1. YES! Cherry blossoms and VIB sale. This is why Spring is my favorite time of year. I’m thinking of a Nars lip pencil I have been wanting to try, and the Deborah Lippmann gel lab that you recommend. I am a nail polish fiend, so I am betting it is worth it.

  2. Debbie says:

    I’m thinking about trying out the TRIA hair removal system. I just don’t have the time to go to a salon for laser hair removal and the TRIA gets great reviews. It’s a big splurge, but it’s less than the cost of laser hair removal at a dermatologist or spa. Any thoughts? I’m also a huge fan of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Mood Light. My skin has never looked better. Love the VIB Sale!

    • Bug says:

      I have the TRIA. It isn’t bad. It is not as strong as what you would get in a Dr’s office, so thicker hair will take many more times to treat, but on fine hair it works fairly quickly. Overall I think it is a good investment: takes more treatments and isn’t as fast/dramatic results as a dr, but it is a one time cost and you can use it whenever you want.

  3. K-Swizz says:

    I wish I could say something more exciting than new Clarisonic brushes and restocking my Chloe perfume. But I’m stoked to save $20, so hey.

  4. Cherrie says:

    Naked 3 Palette (because I might be the only one on the face of the planet that hasn’t picked this up yet) and more Urban Decay anti-aging eyeshadow primer. They were some marketing goddesses when they put samples of this goodness in the Naked 2 palettes.

  5. Joules says:

    I’m sincerely tempted by that Deborah Lippmann gel lab. I’ve gotten so tired of my nails chipping after several days that I’ve pretty much stopped painting them altogether.

    Style by Joules

    • Belle says:

      Joules, I had stopped painting mine for awhile because it would chip 24, maybe 48 hours later. To be able to get 6 or 7 chip free days, while cleaning, typing and working out, I’ll take it.

  6. Liz says:

    Skincare is my jam. I’ll be picking up a few bottles of my favorite moisturizer, potentially a serum (I got a sample and fell in love, but I hate dropping the cash), and a few new bases. Hopefully those will work out – I’m very pale, and it’s always a toss up. I don’t a Sephora near me, so I make liberal use of their return policy. Honestly, it’s why I’m such a loyal customer.

    My Mom’s birthday is in a couple weeks, so I might pick up something for her, as well. I’m thinking the Caudalie set – does anyone have suggestion for mature, combination skin?

  7. R says:

    Seriously, do not buy the GlamGlow SuperMud mask. The biggest waste of money I ever spent. I got it for myself earlier this year, and I kept waiting for something to happen. Nothing every did. I would buy Lumene Peat mask or Boots Organic Ionic clay mask. With both, I saw results immediately. Both less than $15.

    • Betsy says:

      Couldn’t agree more. I took mine back because after a couple tries I was not impressed and it dried up so fast in the container. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate works better for me.

    • S says:

      Really? See I feel it really helps my skin. It is totally expensive for such a small amount, but I have been using it once a week or twice a week for about six weeks or so, and I think that might be what finally broke the always have a breakout somewhere curse. I def want to try the two you recommended though – cheaper is always appreciated!

  8. Morgan says:

    I picked up the Hourglass Ambient Light – still trying to get the knack of this whole “highlighting and contouring” thing. Am also trying Makeup Forever’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation, which has been a huge improvement – but I don’t know if that has to do with the new Beautyblender. The big splurge was Perricone MD’s Chloro Plasma mask. So far, it’s been fantastic. Liz – that might be a good mom present.

    I’m kind of a sucker for Sephora sales.

  9. Betsy says:

    I came on here to double check your review of the Deborah Lippmann gel lab before making the splurge or not. Thanks for the help! I stopped in today to scope out birthday gifts for my mom and sisters coming up, mostly the perfumes and eye cream for me. Have you ever used Shiseido or Fresh eye cream? Thanks for the leads!

  10. Pancakes says:

    In case anyone was wondering, this sale also applies to regular BI too, not just VIB and VIB Rouge.

    I’m definitely looking to pick up a spot brightener treatment. I’m thinking the Kiehls one. I’m also maybe going to actually buy a Naked palette. Probably the 2nd one.

    • Belle says:

      Oh good, they didn’t really make that clear, I think they try to sell the VIBs on the notion it is just us for obvious reasons.

  11. Leigh says:

    I just got a bunch at Sephora last month (I had a gift card), so all I got was a rollerball of Balenciaga’s Florabotanica (it smells SO good, y’all), and a small think of Urban Decay’s De-slick setting spray. I figured I’d give it a try and see if I like it more than MAC’s Fix+.

    I’m trying to resist the urge to get the Naked3 pallette, but I really like my Naked2, and the rosy colors would be great with my green eyes, *and* it’s my birthday… Maybe I should get it, after all.

    • rar says:

      I’ve had the best luck with the Urban Decay spray! I work very long hours and it really keeps my makeup on all day (I do use a primer as well). Sometimes I work out at lunch and it even keeps my makeup on through my workout!

    • Sarah says:

      Give in to the Naked3. I have green eyes and it’s absolutely amazing. I was worried it would be too pinky but it reads more violet and is just all around amazing.

      • Belle says:

        I skipped it because I didn’t want to much pink, but I may need to try it.

        • Chels says:

          I have blue eyes and fair skin with pink undertones and I just can’t get it to work for me. I have seen other people with similar coloring pull off all the pink tones in the palette, but it makes my eyes look like I spent the morning rubbing them. Naked 2 works so much better, though I really wanted to love Naked 3.

  12. Nora says:

    I got one of the NARS Matte Multiples to keep in my purse for 5pm sprucing up!

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