What I NEVER Buy at Sephora

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Please enjoy this post from the archives – it’s still definitely accurate today!

What I NEVER buy at SephoraI’m generally comfortable with investing in quality products, and there are some things I am glad to splurge on. In spite of just locking in VIB for another year, though, there are some things I NEVER buy at Sephora. This is just a list of things I won’t buy for myself; I may buy them as gifts if I know the recipient would love it. This is also not a list intended to criticize people’s shopping choices (except maybe the Louboutin nail polish), just to point out what I choose not to buy.

Manicure Products

Sephora just isn’t the place to go for manicure offerings. I know some people love Deborah Lippmann, but I just haven’t been ensorceled by her products. I’ve shared my thoughts on freaking Louboutin making lacquer, on not liking FormulaX, and how unbelievably ridiculous Nails Inc is with their NAILKALE. If I’m shelling out $15-30 dollars on polish, you can bet it’s going to be UV/LED cured and a massive, pro-sized bottle, at that.

There are more brands, but the best bang for your buck when it comes to manicure supplies is simply NOT there at Sephora.

Mascara

Although my favorite mascara to date is prestige, I never buy at Sephora and pay prestige prices for mascara. This drugstore option gets me results nearly the same – and for the $12/tube savings, I’m fine with a potential and slight drop in quality.

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Manicure Monday – 11/26 – OPI Infinite Shine Icelanded a Bottle of OPI

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Last week, I took the week off. Between life and the holiday, the need for a break snuck up on me. If you’re in the US, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. If you aren’t in the US, I hope your Thursday was pretty badass, too.

Update from my Previous Manicure

Gelaze Recycle wore like a champ. Not a chip or flaw anywhere, didn’t lift. In fact, I had to fight it off my nails yesterday morning in order to do this set. It wore like steel (that wasn’t a grey joke, but do what you want) and I was thrilled; it needed to be refreshed, though, simply due to the amount of outgrowth.

So, yeah, that’s right – I got THREE WEEKS of wear out of that set. Brings a tear to my eye!

OPI Infinite Shine Icelanded a Bottle of OPI

This Manicure – OPI Infinite Shine Icelanded a Bottle of OPI

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I Don’t Get Cleansing Sticks

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Cleansing Sticks

Cleansing sticks aren’t new, but they seem to have had a resurgence. You can find them in a slew of price points from drugstore (St Ives, $7) to prestige (Milk, $26; Origins, $28)

In short, I don’t get cleansing sticks. They seem gimmicky to me, and they present a sanitary/hygiene conundrum.

But, Beauty Skeptic, why do bar cleansers not offput you in the very same fashion?

Well, Dear Reader, the answer is twofold.

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What I Bought at the 2018 VIB Sale

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The November Beauty Insider / VIB Sale is now behind us. What, for many beauty lovers, is a time of spending excess was calculated restraint for me. Although I’ve heavily reined in my beauty spending over the past few years, purchasing a home does a number on your priorities.

Details on what I bought at the 2018 VIB Sale after the jump.

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Bi-Weekly WTF :: Vol 19 – The Intersection of Wellness and Beauty

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“I want to be unhealthy,” said no one ever. There is a reasonable intersection between health and beauty. Healthy bodies with healthy skin, hair, and nails all feel and look better. It just makes sense to start with a foundation of health. Neglecting the former in favor of the latter is counter-productive.

What I do not buy into, however, is beauty retailers and resources pushing wellness products. Sure – you might want to take a biotin supplement for your hair and nails (but be careful). Do you really need to source that from Sephora, though? Sephora’s Inner Beauty section just makes me cringe, frankly.

Earlier in the Bi-Weekly WTF series I expressed my dismay over beauty gurus, “developing,” and peddling their own vitamins/supplements. This is along those very same lines! Just like how I’m not asking a beauty guru or haircare company for advice on car maintenance, I’m not asking them for health advice or products.

The Bottom Line

I simply don’t find it appropriate to buy wellness products from a company that makes hairspray. While our health and wellness impacts both our innate beauty and the resultant efficacy of products we use, Sephora isn’t the place for me to buy it.