It's My Birthday! Also, the Sephora Sale.

+ a 38% discount in honor of entering my late 30s

It’s my birthday today and I’ll cry if I want to and I really hope I don’t, but I’m not making bets because we’re leaving Ziggy for the first time since he entered this world so a quick little weep is not off the table, I fear.

If you’re reading this, we’re more than likely on our way to Durant, Oklahoma. You see, Sturgill Simpson is playing a show at Choctaw Casino tomorrow night, and Zac and I thought why not make a weekend getaway out of it for my birthday and live in the Oklahomian lap of luxury for two nights at the Choctaw Resort itself? So that’s what we’re doing.

I have no idea what to expect in terms of quality from this resort; all I know is this — I will be sleeping as much as my body wants. I may not even leave the room Saturday until it’s show time. I would’ve spent the day at the pool if the weather cooperated, but it’s in the mid 50s this weekend so… bed it is!

Today, on my 38th year of life, I wanted to share 38 hard-won life lessons with my paying audience. Alas, one of the more recent hard-won lessons I’ve learned is that being a new mom is demanding and I hit max capacity much harder and faster than I ever have so those 38 lessons (37?) will have to wait until next week.

So all you’re getting today is my in-depth Sephora sale breakdown. Enjoy.

REAL QUICK, THOUGH

I’m offering 38% off a monthly or yearly subscription in honor of my birthday. It’ll be live until Sunday, so hop to it! Also, yes — once you’re a paying reader, you get access to every paid post I’ve ever written. If you’re gonna come to the dark side, you deserve to see it all.

Sephora Sale Stuff

So, here’s the deal. The Sephora Sale is happening now through April 14 but is only accessible based on your status as a customer.

Rouge members can start shopping today (4/4) for 20% off

VIB members can start shopping Tuesday, 4/8 for 15% off

Insiders can ALSO start shopping Tuesday, 4/8 for 10% off

The discount code no matter your status is SAVEMORE

With all that out of the way, here are the products I use whenever I wear makeup. This is it. No more, no less. Just these.

Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation: No other foundation I’ve ever used compares to this stuff. I’ve been on it for years now, and the coverage and color are just perfection. Cannot recommend it enough. It offers a flawless, beautiful finish!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: Also been on this for years and won’t stray. I feel like every other concealer I’ve tried gets cakey, but not this stuff. Love it.

Makeup by MARIO SoftSculpt Cream Contour & Bronzer Stick: I don’t use contour often - really just for date nights and the like. I love this stick. It’s so easy to use and apply with Sephora’s buffer brush. It has one built-in, but mine got kinda gross. Anyway, LOVE!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer: When I’m not reaching for the hard stuff (see above), I use this lovely powder bronzer instead for a lighter touch and it’s lovely. “Luminous Bronze Light” is the way.

Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush: I just love this stuff so much. No other blush does what this does for me. I use the Persimmon color which is a soft orange/red. Sometimes I apply it with my fingies; other times, I use a blending brush. Just depends on my mood.

Laura Mercier Translucent Looser Setting Powder: Been using this for years. YEARS. “Nothing compares” seems to be my line of today, but really — NOTHING COMPARES. Gets rid of the shine without removing the glow.

Makeup by MARIO Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: I don’t do eyeshadow, really. But WHEN I DO, it’s this palette or nothing. Or that powder bronzer as eyeshadow. Or nothing. This is the only palette that matters and what my wedding MUA used, so you know it’s legit.

Diorshow Lash Primer-Serum: This changes the mascara game, trust me. Apply one coat of this on both eyes, give it a few seconds to dry, then apply two coats of Covergirl’s Clump Crusher mascara. You’re WELCOME.

Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Highlighter: If you want the perfect touch of glow and shimmer, this is the product for you. A teeny tiny drop goes a LONG way. I originally got the Starglow color, which is a universal champagne, but I think I’m going to get the Warmglow this time (it’s a soft, warm gold).

Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick in "Pillow Talk": The literal best everyday lipstick. It’s subtle, it stays, it’s soft, and it’s so pretty. It also is the perfect shade that looks good on every single skin color IMO.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Hydrating Lipstick in “Walk of No Shame”: I love this lipstick formula in general, so I don’t think you can go wrong with any shade. Personally, though, one my favorites is the berry rose Walk of No Shame. It’s just a lovely, well-rounded red.

Ok, now here are the 4 new products I’m adding to my arsenal.

Sephora Brand Powder Puff: I want a triangle-shaped powder puff to get into my crevices. I’m tired of the round shit. So, I’ll be adding this $8 cutie to cart.

Benefit Mighty Fine Brown Pen: YOU GUYS. IF YOU READ ONE THING IN THIS LETTER, LET IT BE THIS. I tried this on in store and holy FUCK. Please see below for results (left is natural brow, right is with this stuff applied).

Not the best picture, but you get the point. This shit is so good. It fills them in so precisely! I haven’t switched up my brow game in forever, so this is an exciting moment. FWIW the 4.5 “neutral deep brown” is my shade.

Makeup by MARIO SuperSatin Lipstick in “Broadway”: This lipstick is so rich and creamy and it has staying power. I didn’t have to reapply for HOURS! I love this fun, bold pink and suspect I’ll get many more colors down the line because it’s just so good.

OUAI Hair and Body Mist: I don’t wash my hair much. Like, maybe once a week? Curls don’t need more than that. So you can imagine that it gets a little stale-smelling in between washes. This hair and body mist smells like what I imagine the White Lotus resorts smell like (minus the suppressed rage, regret, jealousy, fear, depression, etc). I’m excited to have a go-to to mask my foul nature throughout each week.

Have a great weekend!

— EGM