Sephora

AlexBT

Monthly Faves: November 2025!

Howdy, BIC! I hope you’re all doing well, spending quality time with loved ones, taking care of yourselves, and getting ready to close out the year! I want to recognize that this season, especially now, can be extra busy with lots of pressure to shop ‘til you drop (hey, sometimes that is its own form of self-care 😜), so manifesting lots of peace, joy, and ~balance~ for my fellow Community members, whatever that looks like for you! As for me, I simply cannot resist a good deal, but I’ll be hyper-focused on mindful gifts and must-haves (okay, and maybe a treat or two for myself…) 😁

Speaking of self-care, here are some products that have sparked joy for me this month:

Your turn, BIC! Use the reply button below to share your own favorite products for November. Be sure to tag any products you mention with the “#” symbol (hair, makeup, fragrance, wellness, skincare, etc.)!

itsfi

Thank you @PrettyPaint; I was very happily surprised by Merit Capricorn. Most of the Merit lip liners that I have wear similarly on my lips as they swatch on my hand (I included a swatch in one of my reply posts below ⤵️), but it seems like the two shades at the end of the ranges (Beverly Hills and Capricorn) are the ones that look differently on my lips, both in ways I like.

The INNBeauty sunscreen is nice; I'm kicking myelf for not having reached for it more often earlier on, but I'm using it now and have time to enjoy it without rushing before the expiration date. The glow on this is nice and when paired with a skin tint that gives a glow, it is very, very fresh faced dewy! I've been pairing it with the Tower 28 SunnyDays skin tint and sometimes I think it's too glowy that combo but a little powder to set and it's a good amount of glow for me. I'm planning on giving it a try with the MILK skin tint this weekend to see how that pairing works.

PrettyPaint

@itsfi Oooh, I'd like to hear how that goes with the MILK, as I have that one.

itsfi

@PrettyPaint, I've been wearing that combo over the weekend and a couple of times during the week and it's a hit in my book. I'll definitely be pairing them together again. As the day wears on, the glow fades but never entirely in the sense that I still have a brightened complexion after, say, 8+ hours but less so (of course) than when I started the day. The higher points of my cheeks and area around my eyes still have a bit of that alert and awake aspect to them even if I'm not necessarily feeling like it. I've also tried reapplying in the afternoon to perk up my complexion a bit and mixed the sunscreen with an ever so teensy bit of the MILK.

Here's what I've been doing for "no makeup" makeup days; I don't even bother with a highlighter when I use the INNBeauty SPF + MILK (or Tower 28) skin tint. On good skin days, it's just the INNBeauty SPF, concealer(s) and a light dusting of setting powder over the areas where I've applied concealer.

rhode Barrier Butter Intensive Moisture Balm 3.4oz/100ml
INNBEAUTY PROJECT Mineral Sun Glow Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 43 PA +++ with Peptides and Vitamin ...
MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip 12-Hour Hydrating Gel Skin Tint
Armani Beauty Power Fabric + Longwear Matte Concealer on a couple of dark spots
Victoria Beckham Beauty The Concealer Pen with TFC8® for dark circles (which I'm finding creep up more these days 😔) but this with the INNBeauty + skin tint (MILK or Tower 28) adds coverage and glow
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Cream Blush Provence
MERIT Solo Shadow Cream Eyeshadow Glacé
Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Waterproof Mascara Black
LYS Beauty Triple Fix Setting Powder
Gucci Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist 2.7 oz / 80 mL

PrettyPaint

@itsfi Thanks so much for posting your no-makeup makeup routine. You have some products I've been curious about on the list!

That's really cool that the Innbeauty sunscreen brightens up your undereye area. That is my biggest trouble area. I didn't realize you had VB's Concealer Pen. Does it help decently with the dark circles? I believe I have bags and dark circles, so it's always a battle figuring out how to deal with that.

I haven't tried Lash Clash either, but I've read some great reviews about it.

itsfi

I have quite a few of the VBB products; when she first launched, I picked up her releases pretty much immediately but have since been more selective about what I pick up and when. The only thing I don’t currently have or that I haven’t tried are her cleansers, the new foundation and liquid blush, though I think I may have one of the blushers(?) Oh, and I did not pick up the reformulated eyeshadow quads.

Puffiness and dark circles are a relatively new thing of late @PrettyPaint, a lot of it is needing better quality sleep more regularly and for longer periods. Sigh. I have found that the VBB has done a nice job of toning down how visible both the puffiness and dark circles come across. Even more so with the latter of I combine it with a good color corrector. I’ve been pairing it with either the Isamaya Lift Illuminator or the OleHenriksen Color Corrector Stick because they have a lighter consistency and don’t look cakey when I layer the VBB over either. The OH is a little more tacky to the touch but since I’m applying the VBB over it, it’s not really an issue.

YSL Lash Clash is a good mascara. 👍🏻 I reach for the waterproof version most often but the non-wp one is pretty good - it’s one of a small few of non-wp mascaras that I don’t hesitate so much to wear. The color versions are also excellent (the blue was my intro to them, at SEPHORiA 2023 NYC).

PrettyPaint

@itsfi Sorry you've been dealing with dark circles as well. I hope you see some improvements in your sleep quality in the future. I think that's probably the cause of my dark circles, though it's probably hereditary as well. That's great that the VBB helps with puffiness. Maybe I'll pick it up next time they have a sale.

Which color of the OleHenriksen Color Corrector Stick do you use? Guava? I know I've tried it before, but I think this was before they had come out with the various color varieties.

Yeah, you don't want to try the VBB foundation. It's definitely pricey. And I hate to say that I really, really love it. I kind of wish I hadn't tried it because my skin looks incredible when I wear it.

itsfi

@PrettyPaint, thank you; I go through waves with sleep issues. It's been a colder November and December than I remember for us, so I wonder if I just don't have enough layers of blankets piled on top of me at night. That might help it some.

I picked up the original 3 shades (Banana, Apricot & Pumpkin) of the #OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright+ Vitamin CC Eye Sticks for Dark Circles when the product first launched in spring 2023? (oh wow, I just realized it was 2 years ago) and swatched the Guava shade in store when it was released a year later. The guava shade was described as being for fair skin but when the 3 shades were first released, the different shades were marketed based on the color of the dark circles you were trying to correct/neutralize - (see OLEHENRIKSEN Color Correcting Stick). I ended up mixing the the banna shade with one of the other color correctors from the range or layering them atop of each other depending on the degree or nature of the darkness I was trying to conceal. At that time, the darkness was due to both issues from lack of sleep and a mishap with a lash growth serum (user error). There are other color correcting sticks out there but I liked the OH ones because they included skincare like Vitamin C for brightening which was also helpful for me for addressing the darkness from my user error with the lash growth serum.

It's good you found a foundation you love. I've heard that a little goes a long way so that's good news. I've used and have my fair share of extravagently priced foundations, like the Cle de Peau The Foundation I'm currently working my way through (it's beautiful, there's just a lot of product in the jar and I just need a teensy bit so it's going to take me some time) so if it's something that works for you then it may be worth the price. I'm trying to be firm about holding off on seriously thinking about picking up any more foundations until I use up 2 - 3 of the skin tints I currently have open and 2 other foundations I'm about halfway or more through. They work for me just fine (and a good thing that CdP does, but I've used it before so I knew what I was getting into when I made the splurge). Anyhow, by the time I get through some of my open bottles, she may have come out with another foundation product, lol.

Oh, since we're talking about under eye puffiness and dark circles, it's very early in my testing/use, but I've been trying a serum that was included in the advent calendar I have this year and so far, the Typology eye serum has been impressive. I've read that some have seen noticeable results in as little as 4 weeks (most were 4-6 weeks) so if I find that to hold true, I will let you know. Advent Calendars 2025 - Typology Day 3

caitbird

@itsfi love these favorites! That Innisfree sunscreen sounds super interesting - I'm always interested in products that give a good glow. And I know I already commented in the lip combos thread, but that lip combo is so lovely on you!

How do you like the formula/application of the Merit lip liner? Do you find it is more "forgiving" than other lip liners?

itsfi

@caitbird, thank you. I have a few of the Merit lip liners - Capricorn, Brownstone, Coupe, Bespoke (from a 2023 limited edition set before the release of the lip liner collection but the formula is essentially the same) and maybe a couple of other shades - and they're good - lightweight, creamy, which makes them glide on the lips easily and wear comfortably,

They're on the sheer side but buildable. If traditional lip liners are too drying for you or deposit more pigment than you'd like, these would be worth looking into. That said, their wear time isn't as long, in my experience, as other liners. These liners have a rounded tip too - I can still get a precise line but it'll be slightly thicker than a traditional liner where you can sharpen it to a more pointed tip.

Shade-wise, the range consists mostly of neutral pinks and browns, though the most recent limited edition set included a warm-rosy brown which may speak to where a new future release of shades may be headed. Also, as Capricorn on my lips shows, just because it's a "rich brown" in the pencil doesn't mean it will translate exactly as swatched on the lips.

caitbird

@itsfi thanks so much for the feedback + swatches, very helpful! These sound like they might work well for me; I might just have to pick one up. I'll have to take a look at my current lip liners and see what shade I might like to try.

itsfi

Oh @caitbird, you are spot on with the "I'll have to take a look at my current lip liners..." 🤣 That is one approach I want to be more diligent about next year (and the remainder of this year as well, but a focus point for next year). With lipstick, I've been trying to branch out a bit every so often and choose shades that I don't necessarily have or have a lot of in my collection already, but that are not too far off from my comfort zone. It's worked out pretty well this year.

SportyGirly125

@caitbird I have a merit lipliner in the shade MERIT Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner Sportif and love it.

CorgiMommy

That sunscreen sounds interesting @itsfi

itsfi

@CorgiMommy, the range on the tint could use some work in my opinion but I like the anti-aging, brightening and sun protection ingredients in it.

caitbird

@AlexBT great faves! Oh man, is it the end of the month already?! How did that happen? 😅 I'll be back with my favorites of this month once I'm able to take a picture.

Btw, this is the first I've learned about the VIOLETTE_FR LUNE LINER Multichrome Liquid Eyeliner and I'm very intrigued! Does it last well without crumbling off? And how quickly does it dry down once applied?

AlexBT

@caitbird It's SO pretty. I have yet to put it to the full-on holiday party wear test, but I didn't notice any crumbling or transferring on the handful of times I've worn it (and my eyes are fairly hooded, so normally if my eyeliner has a chance to transfer, it will!)

miss8

@AlexBT , #DontJudge 😂 I've Been Spending All My Hard-Earned At #Target 🛍 #OhWhatADeal

#TheTargetDog

itsfi

Oooohhh 😍 my lip-balm-loving-heart smiled when I saw that Eadem @AlexBT; Burnt Malai is a gorgeous shade! That Sarah Creal concealer sounds like it would be fabulous for the under eyes, especially with it containing caffeine. It wears well throughout the day? It must if it made your monthly fave. Do you find you have to touch it up during the day? I've tried her lip balm; maybe her concealer is the next thing I pick up from her line. 🤔

AlexBT

@itsfi Yes the concealer has great coverage, but glides on super light so it doesn't feel cakey or crease-y, which is key for me. Perfect for my elder millennial undereyes. 😉

itsfi

Great coverage, super light and not cakey or creasy sounds amazing @AlexBT! 😍 I'll have to see which store(s) in the city or the East Bay carry it and find myself "conveniently" in the neighborhood to do some swatching and shade matching. 😂🤣😂 Girl, you are not elder!!

AlexBT

@itsfi Yes, swatching is key! Mine could be a slightly better shade match because I didn't get a chance to see them in person before I impulse-bought, but I've been making it work! (and LOL, okay maybe just a regular millennial... but I'll still take any undereye help I can get 🤣)