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Sephora is having their Holiday Bonus Beauty Insider Event, and they surprised us this morning by entending the sale to all levels from now until Monday {11/19}!  That means you can shop as long as you’re a rouge, VIB or beauty insider!  If you’re not signed up with a Sephora account, do not fret. You can do so, very easily, right here. Once you’re logged in, you will immediately be able to shop everything on the site for 15% off! Rouge and VIB members get 20%.

A lot of the brands on Sephora don’t ever go on sale, so this is a huge opportunity to snag those big ticket must-have items {like a Dyson hairdryer! or La Mer moisturizer!} or any gifts you might want to buy while they are 15-20% off! My favorite everyday items, and gifts, included in the sale are above & descriptions below.

1. Nest Holiday Candles – When it comes to preparing for Christmas, there is no better way than lighting one of Nest’s Holiday candles. With the combination of pine, spices and citrus all perfectly blended together, the fragrance is a tradition that my husband and I can’t live without. I give these as gifts to all my friends and family throughout the holiday season! The votive size makes a great teacher or neighbor gift, while the classic size is great as a hostess gift.
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2. La Mer Moisturizing Cream – I bought this item last year during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and was so disappointed.  It was so thick and heavy and just made my skin feel so weighted down. I put it away into a drawer and completely forgot about it until a few weeks ago, when talking to my facialist {Rebecca at Joanna Czech} about my super dehydrated skin and she mentioned the original formula La Mer cream to me. She said “don’t you have some of that?” And I was shocked that I had completely forgotten all about it! Rebecca suggested I mixed the cream with my daily serum and then apply that to my face. I haven’t missed a day since and my skin has done a 180 – it is looking plump and hydrated and feeling better than ever {I’m serious!} I went from having skin peeling off my nose, to having a glow again, and I must give credit where it’s due – this once hated, and too heavy cream {for the summer} has become my life saver during this harsh & freezing winter.
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3. Slip Sleep Masks – I used to think I didn’t like sleep masks. Maybe it was the added weight on my eyelids, or the feeling of being ‘blacked out,’ I’m not sure, but what I do know is that last year something  changed and now I love the luxe feeling of slippery silk on my eyelids when I hit the hay. The weight is now a comfort I crave and especially so when I’m traveling – you never know if the place you’ll lay your head at the end of the night will have black out shades or early sunrises, and this little mask is incredible for blocking all that out.
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4. Brush set {under $50} – I don’t own this set, but I love that you get a nice range of brushes for such a great deal. Would make a great gift!
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5. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask – It’s no surprise that we have dry skin post travel – the high altitude, bright lights and dry cabin air can be extremely tough on our skin and it can take a little extra love and care to protect it during these times. That’s why I love Summer Friday’s Jet Lag mask. It’s a product you can use on or off of the plane. This mask goes on smooth and completely absorbs into the skin. Once it sets, your skin feels smooth and looks matte – so no one around you would even know you’re rocking a full face mask! According to the directions, you can leave this on your skin for as little as 5 minutes, but in my personal experience, you need to leave it on for atleast 4-6 hours to feel a difference in your skin. I like to put mine on 15-20 minutes before bed {giving it time to throughly soak in} and sleep in it overnight. Or if I’m traveling on a long distance flight, I put it on right after take off, but before I’ve had dinner. I always wake up with noticeably hydrated skin. This product also gets bonus points for being considered a Sephora ‘clean’ beauty item – Sephora’s stamp of approval means that this product is free from harmful ingredients such as artificial fragrance or color, harsh surfactants, petrolatum, GMOs, triclosan, hydrogen peroxide, EDTA’s, BHT or BHA, formaldehyde, or propylene glycol. The perfect gift for the jet setter in your life!
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6. Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask – Tata Harper products are amazing because they’re toxic free and not tested on animals, making them a Sephora ‘clean beauty’ item. This mask leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth.
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7. La Mer Eye Concentrate – The eye area is one of the most important areas of the body, making eye cream one of the most important steps in your routine. The skin around your eyes is extremely delicate and needs as much love and attention as it can get. Starting to use an eye cream at a young age is the best thing you can do as it  prevents fine lines and wrinkles from forming, & also helps keep your eyes looking bright and awake while reducing dark circles and puffiness. I started using the La Mer Eye Concentrate a few months ago and haven’t looked back since. A little goes a long way and I’ve barely made a dent in my supply. The gel-like consistency glides on really easily, and doesn’t weigh down my lids leaving them feeling refreshed and moisturized.
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8. Erno Lazlo Vitamic C Mask – This mask is one of my favorites for brightening because the results are immediate. You notice a difference in your skin right away! It also smells heavenly – like oranges! – and is so quick and easy, and leaves your skin glowing.
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9. Sunday Riley Sleep Oil – I bought this sleeping oil in the last Sephora sale and have heard great things about it. Haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but it is next on my list!
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10. Brush Set {$56} – I own this brush set and love it {see it in use here} For the price, you get a huge array of sizes and styles and will never need to buy another brush!
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11. Marc Jacobs Lipstick – I was introduced to this lipstick a few months back at a wedding by a good friend, and by the end of the weekend every single bridesmaid was wearing it. The consistency is so nice { smooth, a little slick, but not sticky} and the color {One Mauve Time} is so flattering on everyone. It’s my absolute favorite lip color right now!
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12. GloPro – I have had my GloPro microneedling tool for almost a year now and use it 1-2x a week. As I explained in my post here, I believe in the fact that it helps my skin better absorb the products I’m putting onto it {important when I’m spending an arm and a leg on products like La Mer!}
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13. Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Hydrating Mask – Recently purchased this mask and was not disappointed. It made my skin feel so smooth and after 24 or so hours I really saw a difference in the hydration level in my skin. I think with consistent usage {2x a week} you would see very noticeable changes! I also love that the mask goes on as a liquid, but then forms into a gel! I loved peeling it off – it felt so good on my skin!
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14. SK-II Sheet Masks – Stick these in the refrigerator and thank me later {best for mornings after a long night!}
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15. Towel Head – My mom just bought one of these for me and I love it. I used to have one of these years ago when I was a camper at sleep away camp and it was a total lifesaver. It’s great because it really gets all the moisture out of your hair, but it also frees up your bath towel so you can wrap that around your body {I hate using two towels!} This would make an awesome gift!
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16. Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel Wipes – I can’t remember where I first heard about these resurfacing peel wipes, but I bought them on a whim and man oh man  -they are amazing.  The first time I used one, I followed the instructions and used it right before bed. I went to sleep, and by the time I had woken up the next morning, I forgotten all about it. The next day I was filming a few stories for my Instagram and noticed my skin looked especially bright. It was radiant and glowing – I honestly felt like I looked like I had just gotten a facial from my beloved Joanna Czech. Yes. They’re that good. Ever since, I’ve been using this product 1x a week, but need to amp that up to 2x with what it is doing to my skin!! This product is my new holy grail. Do not walk – run!
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17. Belif Hydrating Cream – This moisturizing cream was recommended to me by a friend who lives in Colorado. She knew I was struggling with super dry skin patches on my face and said this Belif cream was a lifesaver for her {and her skin!} while living in a much dryer climate. It is an ultra-lightweight, oil-free gel-cream that instantly cools and feels refreshing on the skin. I love the consistency of this product especially because it doesn’t feel too heavy – it absorbs right into the skin and leaves it feeling clean {not tacky}. This product is also very gentle, so it is great if you have sensitive skin. With over 2,000 5 star reviews on Sephora, I know I’m not the only one seeing major improvements in the hydration of my skin. I also love that this product is free of mineral oils, petrolatum, synthetic preservatives, dyes, fragrances, and animal origin ingredients.
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18. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream – I really love the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. It’s slightly heavier than a light moisturizer, but still goes on really smooth and has a lightweight texture. It also has such a nice, light smell that I love. I’ve had my jar for a year and a half and I’m only now reaching the end of it – a little goes a long way!
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19. Dyson Hair Dryer – The first time I used a Dyson hair dryer was in a hotel of all places. In December 2016, I went to London with my family for a few nights and stayed at Clairdge’s, which is a beautiful old hotel in Mayfair. Beyond the beautiful tea room downstairs, and all the festive Christmas decorations, one of my favorite parts about the stay was the Dyson hair dryer that came with the room. I had heard great things about this tool, but hadn’t ever had a chance to use one {no one I knew would spend the $400+ to buy one!} Needless to say, I was hooked on it by the time I left – who knew blow drying your hair could ever be a pleasurable experience?! It was powerful, lightweight, sleek & dried my hair in under 3 minutes. Yes. 3 minutes. At over $80 off, and with $90 of free products from Ouai included, this deal is too good to pass up. There is no time like the present to treat yo’self, am I right?!
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20. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial – I have heard incredible things about Drunk Elephant – namely, that the entire range is all natural and toxin free – but no product in their lineup has reached superstar status quite like their Babyfacial. It has over 80K favorites on Sephora.com and a cult like following. This was further confirmed when I mentioned this product on my Instagram on Friday and received tons of messages from you guys reiterating this fact. To borrow from their website: ‘This innovative at-home “facial” contains a whopping 25 percent AHA and 2 percent BHA, plus Drunk Elephant’s dream team blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric, and salicylic acids. It gently but efficiently resurfaces the skin as it exfoliates, getting rid of built-up dead skin cells by breaking down the substance that holds them to the surface. Think of it as an extra nudge for stubborn, dull skin (in other words, it’ll knock your cells off).’ My take on this product? It made my skin tingle {which is something I always kinda like, I gotta admit}, and afterwards, my skin felt super smooth and hydrated leaving a nice glow. Pro tip: use this mask at night as it can be a little harsh, and sleep {& your favorite moisturizing serums + creams!} will help repair & hydrate the skin even more.
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21. Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow – This product comes out of the tube white, but instantly transforms on the skin. It gives such a nice, glowy look to your face that I can’t go a day without it in the summer! It’s so much better than damaging your skin trying to get a real glow from the sun, and the results are the same {if not better!}
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22. Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum – As mentioned above, Tata Harper products are ‘clean beauty’ so you don’t have to feel bad using them! I have total confidence in this brand, and this product in particular is extremely hydrating. I use at night! Only downside is the extremely strong floral scent!
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23. SK-II Treatment Essence – This product has been referred to as ‘miracle water’ and I know why. After using for several weeks, my skin became so soft and so smooth that even my husband noticed. I was so taken aback that I actually stopped using the product for a few months because I didn’t know what to think – but with all my recent traveling and skin changes, I’m back and have never been happier. Not only does this product make your skin insanely soft, but it reduces redness & evens out your skin tone {if you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know I talk about dealing with both of those issues often!} The main ingredient in the essence is Pitera and often referred to as ‘youth in a bottle.’ Read more about that ingredient here. To apply, I pour a few drops into the palm of my hand and gently pat it into my skin.

Ok phew! We made it. In my opinion, those are the *best* items on sale at Sephora right now, but go ahead and take a look for yourself! You won’t be disappointed!

When it comes to preparing for Christmas, there is no better way than lighting one of Nest’s Holiday candles. With the combination of pine, spices and citrus all perfectly blended together, the fragrance is a tradition that my husband and I can’t live without. We seriously look forward to this time of the year where we can light our candles as soon as we get home and enjoy the subtle scent of Christmas. Nest also makes other holiday scents like ‘Sugar Cookie‘ and “Birchwood Pine‘ {my mom’s personal favorite}, but to me, none hold a candle {no pun intended} to the magical scent of the Holiday fragrance.

The candle comes in an array of sizing options – one for each of the needs in your life. A votive size ($16) for your powder bath, or coworker gifts. The standard size ($42) for your office, or as a hostess gift, and lastly, the 3-wick ($64), which is perfect for a large space, like the entryway of your home or living room. Oh! And of course there is the reed diffuser ($48). My mom actually prefers this to the actual candles because she has such a strong sense of smell and the reeds don’t give off as much of a scent {in her opinion!} For me, the reeds don’t do enough – but that’s what I meant when I said there is truly a size and a scent for everyone!

As I mentioned above, with it’s fuzzy, velvet-like red and gold box, the Nest Holiday candles make the perfect gift. My favorite way to gift them is to place them in a clear gift bag, and tie them with a ribbon. That way you can let the beautiful and festive box do all the work for you!

Nest Holiday Candles can be found at all of the below retailers
{I have included several as they oftentimes go on sale/sell out throughout the season!}

NORDSTROM
Votive // Classic // 3 wick // Reed Diffuser

SEPHORA
Votive // Classic // 3 wick // Reed Diffuser

AMAZON
Votive // Classic // 3 wick // Reed Diffuser

BLOOMINGDALES
Votive // Classic // 3 wick // Reed Diffuser

ANTHROPOLOGIE
Votive // Classic // 4 wick // Reed Diffuser set

There’s truly no better way of ringing in the holiday season than by filling your home with the scents of the evergreen, spice, and your favorite wintery treats. So, pick out a few, light them up and just bask in the glory of these incredible scents 🙂

photos: The Retro Penguin