My Budget vs the Sephora Sale. Who Wins? 

How are you guys feeling about the Sephora Savings Event this year? Excited for a discount? Burned out on Sephora content?

Even though it was chaotic, I had so much fun watching this. I spent less than $200 this time around. I'm proud that I did the same thing. I added everything I wanted, and then cut out the unnecessary stuff.

More conscious & intentional beauty shopping videos please! I loved watching you actually take your life and financial needs into account when shopping for beauty. The internet needs more of this 😄

I just wanted to say thank you! Before watching your videos I would always go overboard on the Sephora sales, I would essentially buy everything influencers recommended. After I started watching your videos I’ve realized that I don’t need everything, that I should enjoy what I already own and that there’s always other sales. This Sephora sale I just repurchased my favorite mascara and that makes me happy 😊

Armani always have 30% off on their own website in holiday season! And also there are so many things that you can find cheaper other places. But sephora advantage is you can get many different brand all in one package. So it depends on if you want it now or can you wait? A side note if you do want to splurge! Love your videos and honesty to us viewers always!

These are my favorite videos around the sephora sale!! Sure everyone's recs can be fun but I really love you talking through your thought process on your own purchasing decisions!

Just a PSA, the Ordinary products are not included in the sale! (It's in the fine print) If you have a budget for the sale, wait until later for the Ordinary products.... Also goes for PROVEN skincare and MAC Viva Glam. Hope that helps

Girl in the same medical bill boat with ya and also in the same $2000 cart total with ya! 😂😅 appreciate you as always for keeping it so real! ❤

Love this! I’m learning that when I’m able to debate whether I need a product, it usually means I don’t need it

I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but The Ordinary is excluded from the Sephora sale anyway. Deciem runs a 23% off sale twice a year and that's one of the only times you can get a discount on those products.

I loved you explaining your process regarding the sale. And I’m sure the app situation was freaking annoying but I thought it was very real and funny ❤

I shopped the Sephora sale. It isn't a big deal for me because I'm an Insider (only 10% off). I bought the Patrick Ta Double-Take Creme & Powder blush in "She's That Girl" (again) and the Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush in Peachy. I'm glad you mentioned the financial aspect of buying makeup because I was getting a bit obsessed for awhile (especially with blush--specifically Nudestix Bloom blush and MAC blush). I've decided to lay low for awhile so I'm just watching videos and taking notes until I need to purchase something again.

i LOVE YOUR CONTENT. You speak for so many.

Loved watching this while I was narrowing down my cart! Sometimes it’s tempting to purchase everything I have been eyeing since I know I have throughly thought out all of the items. Ultimately, I have to stick to my budget and only purchase the things I am MOST excited about. This is the only Sephora sale I’ve ever felt very drawn too but I still need to stick to my budget! I’m so excited over this refreshing video!

I dislike immensely those other videos. They drive me nuts. I love the way you approach things. It’s so logical. I have a degenerative condition in my spine that impacts my nerves, movement and causes migraines. These conditions really sux don’t they?! Sending you love and hugs. Xxx

love your content kait!! i shopped in person and kept it reasonable, but this helped avoid any panic last minute feelings. thanks!!

The PEMF mat will help you So much! It works to overall calm the nervous system that is always overloaded with chronic illness and injuries. I paid out of pocket to use a professional grade unit in office for a year and it was the best money I’ve spent after dealing with a spine injury. The near/far infrared helps too.

I love shop with me videos! Proud of your budgeting and adored your Jeopardy dance interlude. But I was so infuriated with Sephora’s app and website, I couldn’t get in the first 2 days of the sale, so I gave up. I hadn’t planned to buy much anyway, but I ended up spending zero dollars. ZERO!!!

Love this video Kait! I have also been practicing the ‘need vs want’ method with my Sephora cart. I am now left with 2 items with my cart and I love to see an influencer promoting mindful purchasing. For skincare, I have drifted away from Sephora, and moved to Korean skincare. Would be very curious to see your take on Korean beauty!

This is one of my favorite videos of yours!

This year I have it pared down to just 2 to 3 big purchases that I have wanted for a few years. I have to remind myself that most of the products will be there next time and I'd rather not get financially strapped at the beginning of the holiday season. Still, it's so tempting!!! I love that feeling when there's a new package in the mail. Consumerism is a strong force.

I would skip the mat and save for an at home infrared sauna. Especially since you have a chronic condition. They range from $2k-$4k. I had a $100 GC and I bought the Merit eyeshadow in Midcentury, the CT Matte PT Wand, Paula’s Choice BHA, Necessaire Barrier hand cream and LYS Beauty brow gel. A few months ago I bought The Ordinary Retinol .05 in Squalane for my hands and chest. I use nicer stuff for the face and neck.

You and Jenn Phelps win "best of Sephora sale" video awards. You for reality and humor and Jenn for telling you which items to wait for the company's individual sales. The rest were exhausting.

omg can't wait to hear what you think about the lip liner!!

I really do LOVE the haus labs concealer brush.. it’s my favorite. i would recommend!

Just found you today, and your vibe was awesome and similar to mine. This was my first time participating in the Sephora sale. I may have gone a little crazy, but no regrets. Can't wait to watch more of your content.

I’ve been really enjoying the new Glossier foundation (dry, acne prone skin). Also, that’s a cute top!

Thank you for your honesty!

I had to come back later in the day to comment that I LOVED this content. What a wonderful new take on the Sephora sale.

This video was fun! I think I'm really starting to prefer the "shop with me" style for the Sephora sale vs recommendations anyway. Recommendations can get repetitive so quickly and if I'm caught up on my favorite creators videos--and those are the same people whose recs I would trust--I don't usually need a recap of faves, and I want to "spend time" with them seeing what they're excited to bring home.

This was brilliant! Helpful for everyone. Thanks!❤

Love the candor about your financial priorities! I can relate, I pick a couple of favorites in the sale to buy for myself - and then wait for gifts ;)

Loved this video! I did pick up the glossier foundation and love it! I also picked up Dev’s recommendation for the lip liner. My big splurge was one of the hourglass face palettes. I have been wanting one for a long time, and I decided to go for it even though it was such a splurge. Love it!

Your Sephora sale video is the only one I’ve watched this year! I am not Rouge this year for the first time since the program started, and to be honest, there just isn’t much I find myself wanting that I either can’t get at Ulta (bc I’m still Diamond there, thanks to including my husband’s stuff in my purchases when they have sales coupons), or on brand websites. I ended up getting the LYS blush trio, so I came in under $20. I’ve been wanting to try their blushes for a while, and I appreciate the smaller sizes. I really enjoyed watching you talk it out on what to/not to buy. I need to rewatch this before the BF/CM sales start to reset! 😆😉 Thank you, Kait!

You officially influenced me! This past weekend I was in store and bought the Innbeauty kit with the Face Glaze and Bright & Tight eye cream. I'm so happy with them both so far! Gorgeous products. Other purchases I made from your ig videos have been the Kulfi concealer, the Kulfi cream eyeshadow pots, the Milk lipgloss in Trek, the Haus Labs concealer and the Tower 28 lip pencil. Thank you for all your incredible content!

The Gucci rosy beige is beautiful but it’s really really luminous (to me) so doesn’t translate as very matte in my eyes. A total sleeper that no one talks about but is one of the most BEAUTIFUL formulas and colors is the Lancôme blush subtile in the shade Rose Fresque. It’s become my absolute favorite shade and formula and since I discovered it I haven’t used anything else. I think if someone told me to try a Lancôme blush I would have rolled my eyes and laughed but it is truly stunning.

Love that last sentiment: that financial stability is better than having stuff. ❤ I didn’t set a budget (should have) but ended up spending less than in years past I believe. Restocked for the colder weather on the DamDam cleansing oil and Mochi moisturizer, treated myself to the Caudalie brightening eye cream, since I had a merchandise card/credit for half of it’s price. Wanted to try the Mangopeople products, but don’t need right now.

Loved this video, Kait. I def didn’t do as well controlling my spending but ya live & learn I suppose. Hopefully will do better next time! I do love that Glossier foundation so I hope you’re able to grab it eventually. 😊❤

Loved this video, thanks Kait! I regrew my eyebrows with rogaine! It’s SO cheap once you factor in cost per use, and it is proven to work. It totally worked for me 😊

This is so relatable! I loved this video. I actually think that Black Friday deals from individual brands are actually a way better deal than Sephora deals. I’m always underwhelmed by the Sephora sale because I don’t feel like you save that much unless you are rouge.

i enjoyed this video, despite all the Sephora crashes! i only bought a blush, an eyeshadow primer and a perfume! also, as a fellow zebra, i understand the hand concern! we apparently can get acrogeria (quicker aging of the hands!).

I am pretty sure you’ve said before, but where did you get your earrings??

I know that it isn’t really my place as some random subscriber to give advice when it comes to medical bills, but you really should look into calling the hospital/doctors and ask for an itemized bill. Often times, they’ll just over charge you since they assume patients wont look into the bill or they will accidentally bill you for things you didn’t receive/bill you twice for something. I know of people who have reduced their medical bills by over half by just calling and asking to see the itemized bills and then magically its all reduced by a lot. Hope this helps :)

Aah I actually really enjoyed this video! Firstly because I just love hanging out here while you talk about…anything 😂 but also because we have similar taste (candle addiction haha) and it is quite interesting to see somebody going through the mental exercise that we all have to go through! (At least for people that are not influencers and don’t have an unlimited budget). I do however enjoy the sale a lot! For things that are very expensive and quite the splurge, I have no problem waiting months or years even and wait for the sale to make sure I get the best price. I also use the sale twice a year diligently to buy what has been in my skincare routine forever and I know exactly when I will be running out, therefore I buy exactly what I need to last me until the next sale (like the REN serum for sensitive skin - side note: I really want to try saatchi!). For things that are a bit in the middle, great if they happened to be here, otherwise I usually don’t mind paying full price for them. Now to talk about what is on your whishlist, I cannot wait for you to try the Gucci blush!! I totally fell in love with the colour and actually bought it on the last Sephora sale and I absolutely do not regret it (same as the Gucci bronzer). The color of the blush is so beautiful and works so well on fair skin. YUM. Then for the Glossier foundation, I totally caved last month and went to the store to get shade matched and I bought it xD I love it, it feels so much like a cocoons on the skin. I do have very light 4 and it is definitely neutral enough for me (I am square in the middle, neither warm nor cool tone), and I would say it is a very good match, maybe a tad darker than the rest of my body but only ever so slightly and you would never be able to tell. Funny enough, my other favourite foundation is the Armani as well. I feel like it is a splurge in a way to own both but the Armani is so much lighter on the skin, it really does not give me the same results. Therefore I tend to use them both for different occasion, or depending on how my skin is feeling. One other foundation that I did not expect to like and was a total splurge was the Channel Les Beiges Touché de feint Water Fresh complexion touch - oh my! It has way more coverage than you think and has almost like a powdery finish. I am combination skin so my needs often change, but if you have an oilier skin type, I think this would totally be worth trying. Finally, totally love the message about financial stability, I could not agree more :) Sending you great vibes! x Mai

Awesome video! I’d love to see a video on your sheer matte lipsticks.

Replica needs to create an actual bubble bath product in the bubble bath scent. I would die! Of joy!

I had a smaller order than usual, but the Innbeauty face glaze was in there and I'm looking forward to trying it.

I think you made the right choice in not getting the glossier foundation until you swatch it in store. The shades and undertones are extremely all over the place compared to their description, at least for me.

Loved the video❤

I had the same frustrating experience with the website and app. They must not have been prepared for the amount of shoppers getting on.

I bought the Farmacy Green Clean cleansing balm trio :) I love it!! I wish they sold the chai flavor in full size. It’s sooo lovely!

What eyeshadow are you wearing? I love that shimmer on the lid

The Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit perfume smells like gingerbread. I love it, but on my skin the wear time is about 8 hours by itself which is not long. BUT, I layer it with my Chanel Mademoiselle and the new Burberry Goddess perfume and the wear time doubles and the smell is fantastic.

Laura Mercier chai or ginger might be the blush shade you’re looking for! 💜

Joe Malone is a very expensive brand. I'm surprised the price wasn't the very first thing you noticed about the candle😄 I bought a perfume from his line, the small one, mind you, for around 80 dollars. I only bought it because I love the smell of fresh cut roses and that perfume got it down perfectly.

Genetically tested positive for EDS as well as a few other diseases. One of the therapists that I go to weekly uses the infrared mat and it is amazing. My primary care physician said that there are more studies coming out about the benefits. I want to purchase one so bad! Maybe insurance will eventually cover some of the cost.

Have you tried the Dieux skin reusable eye patches? I have nothing else to compare them to. Seem plenty thin so they can go close to lash line. If I try to talk or move face with on then I feel the pressure on my eyeball which I don’t like, but they definitely fit on me.

Have you tried the loops brand eye masks? They’re my favorite. Thin but don’t slide all around.

Dieux has a great reusable silicone eye patch that's thinner than anything I've been able to find. Also they come with a nice case! Not sure if you've tried them before and didn't like them, but if you haven't I think that might be worth a try for you in regards to a more sustainable option.

If you have so many things, you don't need the foundation that is almost the same as the ones you already have forgotten or all the blushes in the world if you have a money problem. None of the products you are going to buy perform a miracle, I assure you. Kisses from Chile ❤️

i noticed farmacy often has sales on their website so I've gotten their cleansing balms super discounted before!

I had a few things I want and it was mostly replacements

There are refillable candles / diy mixtures that you can fill in your old jars. Way more cheaper and sustainable

I noticed L'oreal released new shades of their volume matte lipsticks. Would love to see you swatch them!

Kait, that was me on the first day of the sale lol There was so much traffic on the site it was so frustrating 😫 So I gave up and just went into store. I purchased everything I wanted. Plus I got to try on some items I’m eyeing 😊

This video is real and sooooo relatable 😂. Im so proud of myself for spending only $400 this sale 😂. My cart was $3000 and that really scared the heck out of me and my husband lol. I got the YSL duo and hourglass duo since I always wanted to try these shades, and with a 20% on top that’s a no brainer. I added a gucci blush in my cart as well but ended up purchasing dior rosewood instead, not really a fan of gucci blush packaging tbh.

I like upcircle eye brightening masks (the orange color, which contains caffeine). They dissolve in hot water. They do slide down a little at first but as they dry out a little after a min, they stick well. They just had a 50% off sale, maybe they will do that again.

Kate I did really well and only got 1 blush on the Sephora sale 🎉

The nudest is my fave!

Have you compared make beauty’s celestial rose blush to Gucci rosy beige? I think they’re pretty close! Also trying to talk myself out of getting the Gucci blush 😅

I need a tutorial on this makeup look!!! Please 🫶 thank you! 😊

Sephora needs to work with you Kait!

We all felt that chaos with the app 😂

This time I'm only focusing on shampoo for me and eyeliner for my teen. She's in college now so I need to dial back on makeup since I do have enough everything. I do need eye masks.

I will wait until the companies hold their own sales unless I know I can't get it otherwise. The end. And I'm exhausted from the push. And like you, I'm not a palette stan.

I was trying to go on the Sephora website that day, and it was impossible to reach my cart. It is much funnier to watch the situation on your video 😀 I just bought some Laneige skin care backup products and a mini Tower 28 mascara, just to try. I didn’t buy the lip masks by Laneige even if it was tempting, because I realized that it was making my lips very dry in the morning. I didn’t buy anything else in makeup because I already have everything I need. I prefer having less and using them a lot. I actually have the Mario bronzer/enhancer that you showed, I love it too, it is an amazing product.

Also burned out by the Sephora recs videos. I bought my 3 items and I'm out, haha. Re: Gucci blush - have you tried the Jones Road Bronzer in dusty rose? I'm not sure how it compares to the CT wand color, but it looks similar (on my screen) to the Gucci shade you're considering.

Oh, and I MAY BUY the Mario etheral palette but will buy fragrances that I see Sephora is discontinuing so it will be a double discount. None of those fragrances are really well known but are niche.

Persona in Caramel was my first thought. That one is SO pigmented though. Gotta be careful.

I was super disappointed in The Ordinary brow/lash serum. Very little product and I saw no difference. I’m getting better results on my brows just using castor oil.

I always get excited for the sale and I had big dreams for this iteration. But I got real with myself because I'm moving to Japan in March and so I said to myself "Self, no! Use up the things you already have and then you can go batshit crazy in the spring 2024 sale." So I only ended up buying an $18 tacha body wash I really wanted to try and the Natasha denona liner in fushi just in case it's limited edition. I'm not sure if I'm going to buy anything else for the sale but I am trying so hard to stick to what I told myself. Wish me luck!

The Sephora website was VERY frustrating! Grrrrrrr

For the brow serum- the ordinary one did nothing for me. Kosas serum also did nothing for me. But the grande brow serum actually grows my hair back - I would recommend the grande brow instead

Kait, are you able to use your HSA on that mat? Just a thought. ❤

I used the Ordinary lash and brow serum - and I did not notice anything remarkable at all. And I have tried many - - I have tried Latisse, Augustinus Bader, Beauty Pie, the Ordinary, Grande lash, Revitalash, Rapidlash and plain old Castor oil Sadly, the only one that really did anything was the Latisse, and it even kind of stopped working after a while 😵

also heads up but ordinary is not part of the sale unfortunately

I’m curious how much business Sephora lost because their App tanked. Such a frustrating shopping experience. I bought Sephora favorites lip set and sephora holiday must have favorites. I recommend both, good values and all products I am likely to use. I limited myself to $300 too- half allocated to gifts for my daughters. Only new products for me small phlur father figure and Patrick Ta blush duo.

I managed to restrain myself and only got 3 outrageously expensive products where 20% would really make the spend worth it. Oribe Texturizing Spray $50?!?!? Obscene, but worth it.

Oooh is that shirt dressed in lala?!

Does the Cinnamon Bun lip glaze have any burning/warming sensation? I would guess not because I don’t think you would like it if it did 😂 I also don’t think Inn Beauty would ever do that to us. I’m proud of myself! I kept my purchase to $175 after the discounts. I know this is still not a small amount or money, but it is definitely less than I normally spend.

Hey Kait! I've tried both the Gucci blush and those Sephora lip liners and both were really unpleasant smelling. I don't want to be a downer I love your channel but the Sephora lip liners smell like a combination of burning plastic and expired maple syrup and the scent unfortunately lasts all day on the lips 😔 These are my opinions though and I hope you have a better outcome with those but im very sensitive to smells. It sucks because the formula on both products so good!! The Gucci blush has this floral, old (I don't want to say old lady and offend anyone) perfume smell. I was watching the video thinking oh no. I'm sorry the site kept crashing on you but you managed to still pull off the video and the part where you were dancing was so cute and fun my husband was even laughing (we all know how that feels waiting and you nailed it with the music and the dance plus my husband knows all about your channel I can't shut up lol). I hope you had a wonderful Halloween Kait and love what you get! 🎃

Totally unrelated question. I guess RU-vid has increased ads, playing them in the middle of videos now. I’m 25 minutes into this video, and I just had what I think was the 4th ad break, not including the ads that play before the video. I know that it does matter to content creators if we watch a certain amount of the ads. Last I heard, it was if we watched the first of two ads, or at least half of the ad if it’s only one. So. With all these new ads, do you know how much of the ads we need to watch in order to be fully supporting you? I’m totally willing to watch ads if it benefits you, but this is getting intense!

If this is totally inappropriate then tell me to shove off! But do you have an autoimmune condition? Love you videos!!!

You don't need that candle. Overpriced.

Makeup by Mario bronzer might look cute but it seals your skin with wax (ew) so if you have any chance to break out with your skin type you will.