If you are a VIB Member, use the code "GIFTVIB" and for VIB Rouge Members, use the code "ROUGEGIFT" from November 6th through November 10th for 20% off of EVERYTHING!!! Also, remember to access Sephora through eBates first for additional cash back. (Yes it's legit - I use it all the time!!!)
Let’s start with a bit of strategy. Since it’s a rarity to receive such a fantastic discount on everything beauty, it’s the perfect time to stock up on necessities and daily use-type items. We’re talking facial cleansers, moisturizers, lip balms, eye shadow primers, mascaras, etc. A few staples I am considering are the Josie Maran Argan Oil, the Ole Henricksen Truth Serum and Total Truth Vitamin C Eye Cream SPF 15, the Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment, the NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, and maybe some Jack Black Lip Balms. If you use any foundations, hair or body products available at Sephora, now’s the time to stock pile those as well!
Moving on to items that you might not ordinarily splurge on. There are plenty of these types of items in my opinion! J If you’re dying to try the new NARS Audacious Lipsticks (which I just tried and, spoiler alert – not a huge fan), why not grab one at 20% off? Deborah Lippmann nail polishes are also a nice, but an expensive treat as well. The Ardency Inn Modster Manuka Honey Enriched Pigments are insanely beautiful and totally worth the $21 price tag, but they are pricey. Enter the 20% off! JBasically anything on your wish list that isn’t already a staple, or is a shade you might not ordinarily wear, falls into this category. My list is endless! J
Then there are the fantastic Holiday specials – be it palettes, sets or the many minis that are available right now. These are almost always limited editions and many of them fly off the shelves…especially during this sale! Some things I would definitely consider grabbing are the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette (reviewed here), any of the fabulous eye shadow palettes from brands like Tarte, Too Faced and Urban Decay to name a few, the Bite Beauty minis that have suddenly flooded the Bite section of Sephora (fantastic deals!!!), and some of the skincare sets from brands like First Aid Beauty and Ren. Not to be forgotten is the limited edition blush palette from NARS that’s always an immediate sell out. These types of items are great gifts, or wonderful ways to sample a new brand.
Last, but not least, think about GIFTS! We all need to get something for family and/or friends. Why not pick out some items that you can snag at 20% off? Again, the limited edition palettes and minis are probably some of the best items for gifts. Don’t overlook things like your sister’s favorite lipstick brand in a shade you think would look fantastic on her. Or why not get that eye liner or nail polish your friend would love to try, but would never spend the money on. Obviously what works in this category is really going to vary depending on whom you’re buying for and how well you know his/her taste in beauty products. I can’t really give specific suggestions since I don’t know whom you’re buying for, although I will say that some of the Sephora Favorites sampler sets can be great for this kind of gifting. That said, they pretty much always contain some brands that are not cruelty free so it’s kind of a judgment call as to whether or not you feel the recipient would take issue with that (or if you yourself do!). I always find beauty gifts a bit tricky to choose, but they’re rarely met with disappointment and the 20% off is great incentive to cross a few people off your list a bit early! J
So, with some of the ideas out of the way, here’s a list of the brands that I believe to be cruelty free at Sephora:
Agave (last time I checked a month or two ago, though they may be entering China – it wasn’t known either way to the person I heard from) Alterna (not 100% on this one) Anastasia Beverly Hills ARDENCY INN
Bare Minerals (parent is not) BECCA Bite Beauty Butter London Buxom (parent is not)
Carol’s Daughter (recently purchased by L’Oreal, but still cruelty free to the best of my knowledge) Ciaté COVER FX (many, if not all, vegan options as well)
Deborah Lippmann DevaCurl (as far as I know) Dr. Dennis Gross
Eve Lom Eyeko
First Aid Beauty
Hourglass
Jack Black Josie Maran
Julep Jurlique (as far as I know)
Kat Von D Koh Gen Do
LAVANILA Lit Cosmetics Living Proof (last I checked)
Murad (as far as I know)
Nails Inc. NARS (parent is not) NUDE Skincare (as far as I know)
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, or OCC (also 100% VEGAN!!!) Ole Henricksen (as far as I know)
REN (last I checked)
Smashbox (parent is not) Soap & Glory
Tangle Teezer Tarte (parent is not) TheBalm TokyoMilk Dark Too Faced
Urban Decay (parent company – L’Oreal – tests) WEN by Chaz Dean (as far as I know)
I’m sure I’m missing brands, so please add them in the comments if you feel I’ve missed anything, or if you take issue with any of these. Hopefully this helps a bit with your Sephora VIB Sale shopping. Feel free to ask any questions should you have them and I’ll see if I can answer them! Happy shopping and get excited for the Holidays!!! J They’re getting so close!!!
