Emily Johnson

One of the most inventive makeup releases I’ve seen recently has to be the new Hard Candy Ring Pop Lip Stains. Yes, I gave Too Faced grief for launching a lipgloss ring with their Holiday 2024 Collection but Hard Candy is getting a gold star from me for releasing a Ring Pop Lip Stain. THIS IS MY CHILDHOOD!

You didn’t grow up New York if you didn’t hit up the local bodega and grab an orange drink (all us New Yorkers sitting around like, WTF is an orange drink!) ahem scratch that I meant to say…..You didn’t grow up New York if you didn’t grab a quarter water, a ring pop, and some a pack of fake cigarettes (they were gum and you could literally puff smoke out of them! If this was around today it would be so political incorrect!). Ring Pops were such a major part of my childhood. I remember never wanting to actually lick/eat them but just wanted to wear them like the precious jewels they were.

Hard Candy is bringing back our childhood with these new Ring Pop Lip Stains.

Launching in five candy-colored shades these lip stains have a soft jelly-like texture (I assume like the Milk Cooling Water Jelly Tint) with a formula that goes on like a gloss and wears like a tint. I’m not sure how they close or what protects them but I assume they’ll be some sort of plastic cover they come with. They are in fact shaped exactly like a ring pop! So yeah, if you’re feeling frisky you can wear them on your ring finger but pretty sure we won’t want to do that as you’d end up with a bunch of lint and dirt on them. My mom always said you have to eat a pound of dirt before you die and I’m sure we all did when we actually wore the real candy ring pops back in the day. But as an adult, yeah, I don’t think so…!

But these are adorable to say the least. It’s a very cute, whimsical, and nostalgic release! Hard Candy Ring Pops will be arriving soon and available at Walmart and on Hard Candy’s website but sadly, not at your local bodega.

Where to buy

Walmart Hard Candy

Remember how I was trying to turn you onto Quai St Bart yesterday? Well, here I am influencing myself. We’ve been literally begging for Quai to release a leave in that smells like the St Bart’s scent and we got one! But only for a limited time…! WHY!?!?!? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I’m crying. Quai St. Barts Detangling and Frizz Fighting Leave-In Conditioner is available now for a limited time. Quai took their popular Leave-In Conditioner and added the delicious St Bart’s scent to it. It detangles, hydrates, fights frizz, and protects hair plus it adds the delicious tropical scent of St Bart’s into the mix.

Your hair will smell like notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and Baltic amber. I’m so here for that. A 4.2 oz bottle is $30 and I’m already putting three of them in my cart to grab when the Sephora Savings Event starts on Friday. I don’t care. I need to have a little stockpile just in case this either sells out or never returns to the face of the planet again!

Quai St. Barts Detangling and Frizz Fighting Leave in Conditioner is available now!

Where to buy

Sephora

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Sephora Blush & Go Longwear Matte Liquid Blush For Lip and Cheek, Blush Blush Blush. Cream & Powder Palette, Colorful Blush and Highlighter Glaze, and Color Twister Color Changing Oil-in-Stick for Lip + Cheek are four new blush picks being added to the Sephora Collection for Spring/Summer 2025. I may or may not have already indulged in the new Colorful Blush and Highlighter Glaze (they are so pretty, can’t wait to use them). These affordable picks are available now but if you’re Rouge you might want to wait till Friday as the entire Sephora Collection will be 30% off with code SAVEMORE (don’t worry, VIB and BIs can grab them too on April 8th!)

Let’s take a look at the new Sephora Collection Spring 2025 Blush Collection!

Sephora Blush & Go Longwear Matte Liquid Blush For Lip and Cheek $16 (30% Off with code SAVEMORE starting April 4th)
A new long-wearing liquid blush with a pigmented formula and a matte finish with a sponge applicator for easy dot and go application! Double up the formula and use it as a matte lippie as well!

Sephora Blush Blush Blush. Cream & Powder Palette $18 (30% Off with code SAVEMORE starting April 4th)
Look out One/Size Sephora is coming for you with their new blush palettes that feature a cream blush, matte blush, and a shimmering blush all in one compact!

Sephora Colorful Blush and Highlighter Glaze $14 (30% Off with code SAVEMORE starting April 4th)
If you love a radiant finish blush that acts as both a highlighter and a blusher this little compact is for you! Available in five shades get a gorgeous light-reflecting burst of color with this formula!

Sephora Color Twister Color Changing Oil-in-Stick for Lip + Cheek $12 (30% Off with code SAVEMORE starting April 4th)
This new juicy cheek and lip stick has a gel-like formula with a dewy finish that gives cheeks a natural stroke of color! Use it on cheeks or lips!

I feel like the Sephora Collection hasn’t had any new releases lately so I was pleasantly surprised to see this fun Blush Collection for Spring/Summer 2025. Some of these look really cute and they aren’t too badly priced either.

Sephora Collection Summer 2025 Blush Collection is available now!

Where to buy

Sephora

I’m feeling a stupid sort of sadness at the moment because Ulta took away the $3.50 off $15 coupon code last week. As you know they are having a massive sale at the moment which is the Ulta Spring Haul Sale. And honestly, this is always such a fabulous sale for not only scoring something new but also, stocking up on staples. I realize $3.50 off isn’t a lot but I used to love being about to stack that little coupon with items that were on sale during the Spring Haul Event. For example, if I snagged two About-Face Cherry Pick Lip Color Butter and applied the little coupon they’d be $9.45 each down from $11.20. Yeah, sure it isn’t a ton of money but the girl math I’m doing over here makes me happier seeing $9 versus $11!

But Ulta isn’t alone. A lot of stores are either not doing coupons lately or they do them but you’re not saving much as the coupon brings it down to the original retail price we were paying a year or two ago before prices got so out of control. Hell, remember when Bed, Bath, and Beyond’s bankruptcy woes were blamed on coupons?

Again, the sale is awesome, but I did appreciate that little stackable coupon as it made things a bit sweeter. I suspect we’ll see more and more of this in the future as price hikes and inflation continue with no relief in sight.

Do you miss that little coupon or could you careless? It’s probably not gone for good but I guess they figured with the Spring Sale they’d take it away! Sigh!

Where to buy

Ulta

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It’s time! The Sephora Spring 2025 Savings Event starts April 4th. How is this even happening again already? I feel like we just did the Sephora Holiday Savings Event. But here we are and of course we need to know how to shop the Sephora Savings Event like a pro because lord knows, we have to spend our money smart nowadays!

First off, when does the Sephora Savings Event for Spring 2025 start? It starts for Rouge Members on April 4 and it ends on April 14. On April 8th the sale opens up for VIB and BI Members who will save 15% and 10% off. EVERYONE can enjoy 30% off the Sephora Collection which is cool as some of the new blushes they just dropped are amazing. The promo/coupon code is SAVEMORE. Use it at checkout to apply your discount.

There are a lot of new items popping up the past few weeks that you might want to grab during the sale. But as always, I urge you to think really hard about your purchases and remind yourself, it’s ok to be selective about what you want and if you need it right now. It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of this sale especially as certain brands like Dior, Chanel, etc…aren’t as heavily discounted as they are during this sale. But just be aware of what you’re buying, asking yourself if you need it, and of course, make sure you can’t get it for a better deal from the brand itself. For example, Tarte has 30% off this week and that’s a way better discount than 20% or 15% at Sephora.

My biggest tip is to put everything in your cart before the sale starts. Do it now. Just go absolutely insane and add it all into your cart. By the time the sale starts I can guarantee you’ll have second thoughts about the items in your cart after a few days and you’ll start deleting items. I do this with a lot of my purchases. Just let it sit in my cart a few days and never hit submit the same day. I just let it marinate a bit and after a few days I realize, “I don’t need this!” I definitely use a more critical eye at checkout when I let items sit in my cart for a few hours or a few days or even a week! Also, if you’re having anxiety that something will sell out just head over to kohls.com as Sephora might sell out of something but Kohl’s is less likely to and their stock seems to be considerably better around sale times! The same promo/coupon code applies on the kohls.com website!

Another tip is try not to use the sale as an excuse to restock your staples. In the past, this was always a good idea for me but the sales happen so frequently lately it isn’t really necessary. If you have a nearly full container of your fav moisturizer don’t bother restocking it now. Chances are another sale will happen or you might not even run out before the Sephora Sale happens in a few months ago. Don’t use the sale as an excuse to stock up. It’s really not necessary in my opinion.

Of course, my biggest hack during this sale is to shop the sale during the sale. Remember Sephora and Kohl’s has a huge clearance sections and you can stack your promo code with those sale items for an even bigger deal!

As I mentioned above make sure you’re questioning your discount. Is 20% a generous discount for the item in your cart or can you get it somewhere else for less? I’ll be the first one to say that sales seem to be few and far between lately but they are still around and some brands have way better deals than 20% or if you’re VIB 15% off isn’t all that great if you can head over to a brand’s website, sign up for text alerts, and snag a 20% off coupon code. Again, it’s tempting to do one and done shopping at the Sephora Savings Event but you make sure you aren’t missing out on a better offer somewhere else.

As always, I urge you to think before you buy. Question, whether you really need something or you just want it. Will you use it or will it sit in a drawer somewhere? Just be smart with your money and don’t put yourself into debt for makeup! Makeup sales are fun but shopping wisely will save you money for something else in the future.

Are you looking forward to the Sephora Savings Event? Did you make a wish list already?

Where to buy

Sephora Kohl’s

Oh I am so excited about this little set. OUAI just dropped a Mini St. Bart’s Body Set and oh my gosh you need it. Hear me out, the OUAI Mini St. Bart’s Body Set is actually a very cute travel set if you know, love, and use these products already. But I THINK it’s a fantastic starter set for anyone who hasn’t used these items before. Plus it’s going to be an even better deal during the Sephora Spring Savings Event that starts this week as you can snag it for 20% off starting Friday (Or April 8th get it for 15% Off if you’re VIB or 10% off if you’re BI) with code SAVEMORE.

It not only features the yummy tropical St Bart’s Hair and Body Mist but also, the St Bart’s Body Wasn, and the St Bart’s Body Cream! A perfect layering trio! Why am I so over the moon about this set? I just love the scent. St Bart’s is one of Ouai’s most popular fragrances and to me it’s sort of a solar tropical scent with notes of orange oil, ocean breeze, dragon fruit, orange blossom, sampaguita, and tuberose with a warm finish of musk and blatic amber. It’s warm, sexy, and tropical!

The set includes:

• St. Barts Moisturizing Body Cream 3.4 oz
• St. Barts Gentle Body Wash 3 oz
• St. Barts Hair & Body Mist 0.84 oz

It’s $35 bucks but if you have that Rouge discount you’re at $28! $35 is still a steal but the 20% off makes it even sweeter.

The Quai Mini St. Bart’s Body Set is available now.

Where to buy

Sephora Kohl’s

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If you’re only a Sephora VIB or BI the discount isn’t so great for the Sephora Spring Savings Event! If you have popular products from Farmacy Beauty on your wish list like their cleansing balm (P.S. They have a fragrance-free version now), Honey Halo Moisturizer, and other cult favorites you can snag them at 20% off during their Friends and Family Sale. No code required, discount at checkout plus spend $100 and get a free four piece gift set valued at $50.

Enjoy!

Where to buy

Farmacy

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Ulta’s Spring Haul Sale is in on like Donkey Kong and guys, they legit have thousands of items on sale right now some of which are as low as $3 bucks! If you want to treat yourself to a little budget drugstore makeup and beauty this is the sale to shop!

Essence What A Tint! Lip & Cheek Tint $3.49
Don’t wanna spend $26 to replenish your Benetint? Snag Essence’s dupe for $3.49 and call it a day!

Essence Pure Nude Baked Blush $4
Baked blush with a silky, pigmented formula? Ok, Essence we’ll take it!

Essence Pure Nude Baked Blush in Bold Heart and Rosy Rosewood Swatches

Flower Beauty Ultralight Liquid Blush $10
Just a pinch of the perfect blush color? Flower Beauty’s super lightweight, creamy blush is the perfect weightless blush that gives natural color with easy application!

J.Cat Beauty 2 In 1 Piece Of Cake Blush + Highlighter $4.49
Speaking of blush…! Want bold? J Cat’s 2 in 1 Blush + Highlighter gets you a bold, vibrant blush and a matching highlighter for glowing, blushing cheeks!

J Cat Beauty 2 In 1 Piece Of Cake Blush + Highlighter (Swatch of Shades Blended Together, Swatch of Blush, Swatch of Highlighter)

Essence Jelly Grip Hydrating Primer $4
Need an inexpensive gripping primer? This Essence one is $4 bucks!

Winky Lux Peeper Correct Color Corrector $9.80
I don’t really use Winky Lux’s corrector for under eye circles! I actually use the peach as a brightening, sheer concealer and it works a treat. It’s super lightweight, creamy, and it blends very nicely! If you do want to wear it under concealer it’s not too heavy so that makes it ideal as a corrector formula.

Garnier Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm Hyaluronic Acid $10
Take advantage of Garnier’s newest cleansing balm! Available in a moisturizing formula and a Vitamin C one this soft, sorbet-like cleansing balm removes makeup easily!

Revlon Glimmer Brightening & Correcting Concealer $10
If Revlon’s latest concealer formula is on your wish list now is the time to snag it on sale!

Revlon Glimmer Blush Drops $7
Revlon’s SUPER pigmented blush drops are also, part of this week’s sale!

Revlon Glimmer Blush Drops Swatches (Coralicious and Field of Roses)

Revlon Glimmer Blush Drops Swatches (Coralicious and Field of Roses)

Essence Love It A Choco’ Lot! Blush Mousse $3.49
If you’re a cream blush fan girl this limited-edition chocolate scented blush from Essence is a must!

Milani Keep It Full Glossy Plumping Balm $11
I LOVE this formula! Milani did a fab job with this melty, glossy, moisturizing balm that looks like a gloss, feels like a balm, and has the color of a lipstick!

Revlon Super Lustrous Glimmer Gloss $7
Shiny, pigmented, not tacky, and sparkly these glosses are fantastic!

Pixi LipMask Tinted Lip Jelly $8
Pixi’s new moisturizing lip jellies are now on sale! Possible Tatcha dupe? We can hope so!

CoverGirl Clean Fresh Yummy Blur Lipstick $7
If you’re a matte fan Covergirl has a brand new soft, pillow matte lipstick that applies blurring lip color in a single swipe!

CoverGirl Clean Fresh Yummy Lip Gloss $7
My absolute fav drugstore lipgloss! Super shiny, moisturizing, and so pretty on lips! A must have!

Covergirl Yummy Gloss Daylight Swatches (Sunset Blush, Twilight Beam, Sunset Skies, and Moonlight Eclipse)

Enjoy the sale!

Where to buy

Ulta