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Hi everyone,
I am sadly leaving my job at Sephora. Before I go, I want to say a word to the women over 40 in the Sephora Beauty Insider Community: you are magnificent. Really gorgeous, inspiring, and beautiful. Thank you for validating my existence!
Here is my list of many products I've tried and loved while working at Sephora HQ. It is by no means definitive. But check out my picture below, its a pretty cool before and after of my first day (on left) and a recent day about 18 months in. I'm a babe!
Enjoy! And please leave your comments below mine to help others who are fabulous and 40+.
Yours in health and heat,
**
My Favorite Products Since Joining Sephora by Shira 🙂
Please note I have middle aged, normal or combination skin. Those with dry or oily might want to experiment on the skincare items.
Also: even though I work at a luxury makeup retailer, my tastes still mostly run to practical makeup that looks and feels great. Those looking for chichi brand recos….sadly, I cannot really help. On the positive side, I use all of the following items for real so I can sincerely recommend them, not just think I recommend them. Enjoy!
My biggest lessons so far:
- It doesn’t matter which one, but wear a serum underneath.
- With practice, some eye creams and makeup techniques do work.
- Always wear sunscreen.
- Women over 40 need highlighter. It is transformative.
- Most liquid lipsticks are drying.
- It’s true: the right brush makes the look work.
- Idiot proof makeup is easy to come by.
- Buying a “mini” (a non full size product but bigger than a sample) is a great way to try before you buy
- Most of one’s skin traits really are hereditary (i.e. my mother has flawless skin), or are a result of you monkeying around with your hormones. Having said that, some claims of serums and eye creams and whatnot are really real. If you have a specific problem area (like puffy or dark eye circles), try a few samples from a Sephora store for three days in a row and see what you think.Or ask a specific question to the Sephora Beauty Insider Community.
Favorite suncream for under makeup or alone:
Drunk Elephant Sheer Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen: Goes on clear almost like a gel. Light formula.
Favorite all over foundation/ complexion coverage:
-
Geurlain Concealer: If you used the MAC one in the small tube, this is a comparable product.
- Sephora Collection 10 Hour Foundation: I just love this formula that goes on sheer but is “buildable.” Results in a smooth matte look. Sephora Collection is our own in house brand that has high end ingredients. Don’t be fooled by the low price, this is a great brand.
Favorite multi-tasker:
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Hourglass Ambient Lighting: This is a power product that I use every day all over--the pigmented colors on my eyes and the highlights on my cheeks. Delivers a velvety finish with a bit of sheen.
Favorite makeup remover:
Sephora Collection Multi-Action: with all my new makeups I need gentle cleansing water that’s not oily-- I use with drugstore cotton pads followed by a gel or foam cleanser.
Most amazing old-skool mask ever:
Youth to the People Kale: When I washed it off, I got actual compliments on my skin. Its magical
Most amazing new-skool gel mask:
SC Pomegranate Sleeping Mask: cheap and lasts more than 1 application
This one may or may not be in stock in stores. In which case, try this one:
First and Beauty Hello FAB Jelly Mask
Favorite long flight product:
Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment :You can use it on a plane and not look like a serial killer.
Favorite eye creams:
Favorite moisturizer:
I just love Glamglow’s Waterburst Hydrated Glow --goes on like a gel or whipped, super light, super rich.
Favorite scrubs:
Anything by Kate Somerville
Idiot-proof eyebrow tool:
Sephora Collection Brow Builder: I guess brows are a thing. This one is very easy to use and you don’t have to color inside the lines.
Best daily mascara:
Sephora Collection Lashcraft: Wears beautifully all day. Does not run.
Favorite lip products:
- Best liquid: SC Cream stain lipstick --lasts all day and doesn’t dry. The Marvelous Mauve color looks outstanding on everyone.
- Best tube: BITE Amuse Bouche--gorgeous array of mostly matte colors, long wearing, moisturizing, tastes and smells amazing
- Best chubby:Tarte Lippy Lingerie-- matte stick that stays in nice neutrals
- Best lip balm in the history of lips:SC Rose Lip Balm
Eye palettes:
I actually use the following
- Hourglass Ambient as eyeshadow (see above)
-
Urban Decay Naked Heat (hot colors in the warm tone family)
Highlighters:
This newish category of makeup is a must wear for all women over 40. It brightens, and the right one won’t cake. You can go heavy or light and still get a great result. Most highlighters can do double duty as eyeshadows. There is no way to mess this up.
- Hourglass Ambient (see above)
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Josie Maran Argon Illuminizer (this one is probably NOT good for oily skin)
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Tartiest comes in a tube and has beautiful sheen
If you want to try highlighter and contour and believe in blush
Naked flushed palette is a great way to experiment and has contour (bronzer), blush, and highlighter in a smaller compact
Body lotion:
Brazilian BumBum is rich but not wet, has a super light sheen, and smells like vacation. Everything about it is lovable. I plan to give this as a gift forever.
Best opportunity to add some glitter:
Stila Glitter on the Go A. Must. Have!!
Eyeliner:
I cannot lie, I still wear Revlon liquid. It is $6 and it is idiot proof. Here is a very comparable Sephora product: Sephora Collection Long Lasting 12-hr
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