Sephora gift card--what to buy?

I have a gift card for $25 and I can't decide what to get. I was thinking of a hair product to help with my "new" hair texture, but I am not really feeling up to it yet. I mean, I have so many half used or barely used jars, bottles, and tubes of hair product it's almost criminal. It gets so expensive to try all of them! I just bought Tresemme Curl Milk to try and I'm hoping I won't have to foray into the pricey world of salon brands.

I was thinking about Tarte cheek stain. I'm not an eye or lip person but I could probably do with some color in my cheeks. Or I could go the skincare route and get some moisturizer with SPF? I'm currently using a tinted moisturizer, but I heard it's not enough. Is that true? I mean, I heard the SPF isn't as effective in a makeup as it is in a plain lotion. My skin is oily now but in winter it gets surprisingly dry, so I might need something extra anyway. Once again, though, I wonder if I really need a fancy Sephora brand or if I can just find something effective at the drug store. Whatever I get from Sephora should be something I can maintain without a gift card, which is why I mention this.

Any suggestions are certainly welcome. This wouldn't normally be my choice of gift card so it's a bit perplexing...

15 years ago

medusa

Veteran

If you don't currently use a lotion with SPF I would say go for that. What's the SPF of your current moisturizer?

Maya

It's 20, which is plenty for me. I spend probably less than an hour in the sun every day (sad but true), and I do not burn or have thin/fair skin by any stretch. I am just not sure if it is as effective when it's in a makeup.

I do use a sunscreen spray on the rest of my body every day though, but it's just a drug store brand. Nothing fancy.

crazyone

Maya: my dermatologist says that moisturizers with SPF are a waste and that one should apply a true sunscreen separately...

Mellllls

manicure set? or use it buy a gift for someone?

annagybe

(website)

Can't tell you what to buy, I wouldn't get the Sephora by OPI nailpolish. I always get seduced by the colors but it always take 3 coats to get the color right.

That's frustrating C1. I just get concerned with how much gunk I have to slop onto my face. Sunscreen THEN moisturizer THEN makeup. I got an SPF tinted moisturizer because it accomplished all 3 in one sweep, or so I thought. I guess I can just use the same spray I use on my body on my face.

Megan

Active Member

I love my cheek stain (I use a revlon one)- so much more natural than powdered blush. That's what I'd go for!

Maya: for what it's worth, I find most of the sunscreens pretty moisturizing, so since I've started wearing sunscreen on my face every day, I don't put moisturizer on most days.

Louise

On sunny days I just use sunscreen, I don't bother with moisturiser then a sweep of powder foundation to blot the excess shine and give me a bit of coverage. On cloudy days I just slap on some SPF25 moisturiser x

Anonymous

I think cheek stain sounds like a wonderful idea.

chewyspaghetti

I've been wanting to try some Urban Decay spray on setting stuff that is supposed to keep your make up from melting off, so I would have used it toward that. I was just going to suggest nail polish, but then I remember that I think you don't use it. Why don't you save it until there is something that you need?

Sarah

Yeah, I'd recommend Benefit Benetint for a cheek stain, but if you don't NEED anything now, I'd hold off till you do.
I personally love the Sephora polish in "Lost Without my GPS" and have found that two coats is plenty. Maybe I just haven't tried the dud colors.
http://sephora.com/browse/prod.....goryId=B70
I've also been pleasantly surprised with Sephora brand makeup. I have this kit
http://sephora.com/browse/prod.....inate=true
as well as a mascara and lip gloss that work just as good as some of the more expensive brands.

Rosie

Frankly, Neutrogena sunscreens are just as good as most of the brands Sephora has. My favorite sunscreens are Skinceuticals but those are NOT cheap. I'd recommend trying the Neutrogenas first.

I like both the Tarte and the Benefit cheek stains. The Tarte are much easier to work with as they are solids gels and not liquids, which you have to blend quickly. But, the Benefit will last all day and the Tarte most likely won't.

I agree not to rush into using it. Take your time to test the products you are considering to see how they wear on you. It won't expire anytime soon. (Well, I don't know if NYC is like CA, but gift certificates cannot legally expire here...)

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I vote lipstick, gloss (if you wear gloss) and mascara.

I vote lipstick, gloss (can't remember if you wear gloss) and mascara.

Lisa

What about a bag/holder to store your make-up or brushes in? I got a great bag that you zip closed, is easy to wipe clean and holds brushes in place along one side in pockets.

sorry about the double post

Haha, Lisa, I don't have any tools to justify something to carry them in!

I'll have to give it some more thought. I am very low maintenance when it comes to makeup. I wonder if this gift card was meant to be a gentle hint...

lemonade

If you don't really use make-up, I would recommend going for something as a "treat" to yourself - splurge on something like a body scrub, yummy smelling body lotion or shower gel. Some stuff that I like: Fresh (love the Lemon Sugar body lotion), Philosophy (so many great scents like Vanilla Cake but I like Pure Grace because I think it reminds me of fresh laundry) or Cake (Smoothing Brown Sugar Scrub).

keeping it until you need something is also a great idea.

julieanne

I have this and LOVE it. http://sephora.com/browse/prod.....goryId=B70

Well there's always a tool, tweezerman tweezers or a nail clipper.

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