Here’s What ELLE Editors Are Actually Buying From the Sephora Sale
2 min readTime waits for no one, so if you’re looking at the calendar and wondering whether October is too early to start holiday shopping, Sephora has the answer. It’s officially a beauty lover’s favorite time of year—our Super Bowl, otherwise known as the annual Sephora Savings Event. For those unfamiliar, each year Sephora runs a tiered discount event for about a week (this year it begins today, October 30, and runs through November 9) that puts the whole site on sale—yes, all your favorite brands, products, and gift sets are up for grabs.
Of course, there’s a tiny caveat: the sale opens at different times throughout the week with different percentages off your purchase depending on your membership tier. If you’re a Rouge member, the highest tier, today is your day to shine with 20 percent off; VIB (15 percent) and Beauty Insider (10 percent) shoppers will join in on the fun starting on November 3. However, if you’re shopping the Sephora Collection, no need to wait, as the entire offering is 30 percent off for everyone from the moment the sale opens. Use code ALLONSALE at checkout to save on everything.
While this time of year is sure to inspire holiday gifting, the sale is also a perfect time to stock up on tried-and-true formulas or finally check off your beauty wishlist. Looking to enhance your “everything” shower? Start with classics from L’Occitane or discover new favorites from Cyklar. If hair or skin tools are calling your name, editor picks from Shark and T3 are worth the investment. We understand parsing through the sprawling pages of Sephora could be quite intimidating if you don’t have a game plan. Luckily, ELLE editors’ Sephora sale picks are too good to ignore. Ahead, scroll through the items our shopping-obsessed editors can’t get enough of.
Shop the Sephora Savings Event Sale
Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
“I love to smell good, and for years, the Fenty Skin body butters have been at the base of all my scent layers. Recently, I fell in love with Amber Bouquet, a warm, slightly woody aroma that feels primed for the cold-weather months. As someone who travels frequently, this trio is the perfect carry-on companion. Three of my favorite scents in bite-sized pouches so I can smell delicious wherever I go? I’ll take it.”
“I’ve written extensively about my love for Cyklar products, but this latest launch takes the cake. From the rollerball perfume oil to this body wash, Sex Musk is quickly becoming my favorite scent collection from the brand. The seductive scent lends to its name, combining spices, woods, and musks that kiss the skin and linger like a warm embrace. This body wash leaves my skin feeling so supple that I can only hope a body lotion is coming soon.”
“A flawless silk press is only as good as the products and tools used. Believe it or not, I’ve had my flat iron since college, and while it’s held me down for a decade, it’s time to upgrade to something that’ll take over for the next. This flat iron features curved edges to curl as it straightens without those pesky bends.”
Katie Berohn, beauty editor
“When the weather starts to get cooler, my skin becomes insanely dry. I rely on this body scrub to soften my skin without being too harsh. I like that it has two different forms of exfoliators—physical pumice beads to slough off dead skin, and chemical glycolic and lactic acid to brighten and refine texture.”
“Biodance’s founder, Mihwa Kim, told me that she uses one of these masks every single day. It sounds like a lot of effort, but she has better skin than anyone I’ve ever met. I’ve been using them frequently too, and I’ve never gotten more compliments on my own skin in my life. This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on masks for glass skin.”
Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty commerce writer
“At 24 years old, I decided it was time to start taking red light seriously, which meant masking it up every single day to let the wavelengths really do their thing. I am extremely prone to puffy eyes, so the cooling technology on the Shark CryoGlow mask instantly excited me. It’s been a few months, and so far, the Shark CryoGlow mask has been incredibly easy to implement into my routine—and the InstaChill under-eye technology feels just as amazing as it sounds. The only downside is the high price, which makes it the perfect item to snag on sale.”
“If your TikTok FYP looks anything like mine, you’ve probably seen hundreds of girls promoting this curling iron on TikTok Shop over the last few years. I curl my hair at least twice a week, so a few months back I finally gave in and hit purchase. After just one use, I couldn’t believe I didn’t do it sooner. The extra-long barrel makes a huge difference if you have longer hair (or 20-inch extensions like me), and the special ionic technology actually locks in moisture and seals the cuticle as you curl, delivering shiny, smooth strands. The same technology also ensures your hair glides smoothly through the barrel without any annoying yanking. I use the 1.25-inch barrel for a looser look, but you really can’t go wrong with any size.”
Dale Chong, senior fashion commerce editor
“I’ve been converted to someone who actually styles her hair in the morning, all thanks to this.”
“While good skin care is always my priority when it comes to beauty, I can’t ignore the fact that Hourglass’s Ambient Lighting Palette only makes my skin look better. I love the Hope Palette for my medium-shade skin since it features warmer blushes and a bronzer that doesn’t feel overpowering, especially during the colder months. If there’s one makeup product I’ll be suggesting for my friends, it’s this.”
“Honestly speaking, I love everything in Davines’s Oi program, but this has to be the Number One product for me. The fragrance is incredible, and it always leaves my strands feeling silky smooth and shiny.”