Cheryl Shops

The last few months have made me truly appreciate the simple things in life, and one of those is shopping in a store that's not Target or the grocery store. Yesterday I went to Sephora for the first time since March, and I was so happily overwhelmed that I was there for over an hour and had a conversation with every Beauty Advisor in the store. I didn't even care that I couldn't use any of the testers; being there was exciting enough. Sephora is likewise excited to welcome its clients back, and to sweeten the deal, they're running a sale now through Sunday, August 23rd: $15 off a $75 purchase or $20 off a $100 purchase. You can use code WELCOMEBACK once online, but the best part is that you can use it as many times as you want in stores. The location I went to was super clean, and I was offered hand sanitizer when I entered, plus everyone was wearing masks (which should go without saying at this point, but...); the stores are also running a giveaway game that you play on your phone. I didn't win, but I did buy a lot of stuff. Full disclosure: as I mentioned in my last Sephora post, I work for their corporate office, so I received some of these items gratis. But here are my current recommendations on what to buy during the Sephora sale. 

Morning skincare routine

I recently realized that I'm developing age spots (welcome to your 40s, Cheryl), so I'm going all in on brightening products. This serum has vitamin C, which should help, although not as much as my holy grail from Drunk Elephant. It is, however, very budget friendly. 

Sephora Collection Ultra Glow serum $20

My days of not having any dark undereye circles are also over, apparently, so I'm targeting them with this serum, which also helps fight fine lines (yep, I have those too). 

Dermalogica Biolumin-C eye serum $70

I'm trying my hardest not to get more of those aforementioned age spots, so I'm slathering on the sunscreen religiously. I think Dermalogica makes some of the best, and this one is neither chalky nor pilly, plus it doesn't break me out. 

Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30 moisturizer $65

Nighttime skincare routine

I've tried—and liked—Sunday Riley's Good Genes, but I read that this is pretty much the same active ingredient (lactic acid) and it's less than a tenth of the price. Because my skin is on the sensitive side, I'm mixing it into my nighttime moisturizer and so far, so good. 

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA $6.80

I will try any moisturizer that comes my way, but with a combination of vitamin C, bakuchiol (nature's retinol), and squalane, this one is perfect for dry, aging complexions like mine. I love how smooth and soft my skin is when I wake up in the morning. 

Alpyn Beauty Plant Genius Melt moisturizer $60

And because there's apparently no such thing as too much vitamin C in my world, I use this eye cream again at night. 

Dermalogica Biolumin-C eye serum $70

Once a week

Doing a mask on Sunday morning is one of my favorite self-care rituals, and after a certain C-level executive at work told me that this is a dead ringer for Drunk Elephant's Babyfacial (and $30 less), I immediately added it into my rotation. 
Herbivore Prism Exfoliating Glow Facial $58

Hair stuff

My hair feels a little straw-like after getting highlights a few weeks ago, so I'm finally going to drink the Olaplex kool-aid. Everyone raves about the transformative power of this treatment, so fingers crossed that it works for me too. 

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector $28 

Ouai's products already smell amazing, but when I saw that they partnered with Byredo to produce this limited-edition dry shampoo in their Mojave Ghost scent, I instantly added it to my cart. I generally prefer powder over aerosol dry shampoos, but it smells so good, I almost don't care if it doesn't absorb any oil. 

Ouai x Byredo Super Dry Shampoo Mojave Ghost $24