SEPHORA SPRING 2017 VIB SALE | Product Recommendations

It is that time again.  If you are not aware of the Sephora VIB Sale, let me give a brief summary.  Basically it is an event that Sephora does twice a year: one in the Spring (typically every April) and one in the fall (around November).  The Spring sale gives 15% off to VIB (silver cards) and VIB Rouge (red cards) Clients only.  I believe regular Beauty Insiders (black cards) get a 10% discount during this event.  The one in the fall is 20% for VIB and VIB Rouge Clients and 10% for regular Beauty Insiders.  For some reason, the spring sale is not as hyped as the fall sale and I have no clue why that is.  Usually in the fall, e-mails are already sent out about the sale, however, for this spring, there seems to be a lack of information relay about it.

It is similar to Ulta's 21 Days of Sale (which is happening right now) just a different process due to the fact that Ulta has specific items that they mark down for 50% off each day.  If you're going to ask me which one is better between the Sephora VIB Sale Event or Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty, I'd say it depends.  Overall, Ulta has better sales and does it more often than Sephora does.  However, Sephora tends to have more higher end brands that I like.  The one thing I like about the VIB Sale is you can get all of your beauty products all at once.  This means if you shop online you can do it in one big purchase and be done with it.  With Ulta, since it is a different item each day, you do have to check out all of the items separately.  Which means unless you are ordering $50 worth of products every time you want a deal each day, you are going to pay for shipping and you will get your items separately because each day is a different sale.  So it really depends what you prefer.  

Now on to my recommendations and thoughts on the products mentioned.  They are mostly summer time skincare related items (except for the bronzer) because I feel this is the best time to stock up and prepare for the summer months with some heat essentials.

1.  It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC + Illumination Cream with SPF 50, $38
Product Description
A full-coverage, color-correcting, antiaging skin care cream with SPF 50+ sunscreen and illuminators.  Infused with proprietary Drops of Light Technology™ for a subtle touch of radiance, Your Skin But Better™ CC+Illumination™ Cream with SPF 50+ delivers full, flawless, perfect coverage and protects your skin with SPF 50+ UVA/UVB broad-spectrum physical sunscreen. Clinically shown to provide intense hydration, support improved appearance in skin texture, and enhance skin brightness without glitter or shimmer, this breakthrough color-correcting cream never creases or cracks and instantly camouflages imperfections, including dark spots. It’s formulated with an advanced antiaging serum made of hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, vitamins, and antioxidants that work in harmony to visually diminish the look of wrinkles and pores for a more luminous, supple, and flawless-looking complexion. Paraben and Pthalalates free.

Thoughts about this product
Everyone and their mother is talking about this CC Cream (they also have the regular kind).  I like that it has a higher SPF level which is great for hot summers.  There is always something special about products that multi-task such as this one where it gives you some coverage but also protects your skin from the harmful sun rays.

2.  Algenist SUBLIME DEFENSE Ulta Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50, $28
Product Description
An ultra-sheer, weightless fluid for everyday protection against broad-spectrum UVA/UVB damage.
This fast-absorbing, ultra-lightweight fluid provides daily protection against broad-spectrum UVA/UVB damage. Alguronic Acid combines with antioxidant-rich botanicals and UVA/UVB protecting actives to delay signs of aging caused by sun and environmental stressors. This oil-free, sheer formula has a silky texture and weightless feel, designed to apply smoothly on top of other skin care products and under makeup for a soft, matte finish.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

Thoughts about this product
There are probably much more affordable products from the drugstore but many sunscreens out there have a lot more chemical ingredients that can damage the skin.  This one has less comedogenic ingredients and also multi-tasks as an anti-aging product.

3.  Sephora Collection 8HR Mattifying Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 20, $23
Product Description
An exceptional moisturizer infused with antioxidants and pro-vitamin B5 to help prevent visible signs of aging, prevent unwanted shine for up to eight hours, and protect skin from the sun.  Be fabulously shine-free for up to eight hours with this long-lasting moisturizer. The non-greasy, moisturizing formula mattifies the skin while providing hydration through HydroSenn+—an ingredient that provides a protective barrier on skin's surface to retain water. It also contains UVA/UVB filters and antioxidants to help combat visible signs of aging.  Paraben-free.

Which skin type is it good for?
✔ Normal
✔ Oily
✔ Combination
✔ Dry
✔ Sensitive

Thoughts about this product
Whether you have normal or oily skin, hot weather is always going to produce some type of oil.  Let's just face that.  This product is perfect to reduce the oily tendencies that the heat creates.  It has SPF  20 to protect you from the sun while it moisturizes and keeps (or decreases) the face oil-free and mattified.

4.  Sephora Collection Creamy Night Mask - Moisturizing and Plumping, $10
Product Description
A rich night mask with triple hyaluronic acid complex to retain water and leave skin looking plumper and feeling recharged, soft, and hydrated.  This intense moisturizing cream mask rehydrates skin throughout the night. The smooth, creamy texture works to create a visibly luminous and radiant complexion by morning. The noncomedogenic formula is clinically proven to suit all skin types, even sensitive skin.

Which skin type is it good for?
✔ Normal
✔ Oily
✔ Combination
✔ Dry
✔ Sensitive

Thoughts about this product
If you are anything like me and love the sun, you know that no matter how much SPF you put on your face during the day to protect your skin from the harmful rays and environmental stress you are still going to need to recharge or bring back hydration to your skin.  This is a good product to do that and you can do it while you sleep.

5.  First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer, $24
Product Description
A luxurious, nourishing moisturizer specifically formulated for use on the face. It delivers the restorative power of FAB Ultra Repair Cream in a lightweight formula for the face. This quick-absorbing moisturizer provides immediate hydration with a velvety soft finish. Meadowfoam seed oil and avocado oil soften and hydrate while shea butter and ceramides help protect the skin’s barrier function.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

Thoughts about this product
You can never have enough moisturizers for different weather types, not just skin types.

6.  Sephora Collection Bronzer Powder in Los Cabos, $17
Product Description
A bronzing powder that provides an instant ultra-natural tanned and radiant complexion with either a matte or a shimmer finish.  These exceptional bronzing powders feature an embossed sun pattern and a smooth, ultra-sheer texture to blend perfectly with skin for an ultra-natural, healthy glow that lasts. The matte or subtly shimmering shades create a natural, tanned effect that is extremely blendable and doesn’t streak.  Paraben-free. This product is not tested on animals.

Thoughts about this product
This was one of my holy grail products in 2012. Bronzers give your face life, so why not?!

What products are you getting during the VIB Sale?