Sephora Birthday Gift 2023 | Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow

Every year, Sephora offers their Insiders and VIB customers a free Birthday gift for their birthday.  Each year there is a new selection of free, sample-size products to choose from. Anyone can become a Sephora Insider and it's free to join. You become a VIB member once you've spent a specific amount with Sephora per year.

This year, there are a total of 6 Birthday gifts to choose from and all but one of those are available to all Sephora Insiders.

This year's choices are:

1. Ilia Makeup set with Multi-Stick and Mascara 

2. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow set featured in this post

3. Dior Fragrance set

4. Ouai hair sample set

5. 250 Bonus Points (can be redeemed for free bonus point products which change frequently)

6. Farmacy Skincare set - for VIB members only 

View and learn more about these options on Sephora.com.

Choosing my freebie is always a tough choice for me because the samples are all so tempting. Plus, I love skincare, makeup, haircare, and all things beauty!

I finally settled on the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow set as the value seemed good and I have heard great things about their products but haven't tried them before.

I picked up my free Birthday Gift up in store and as usual, no purchase was required. If you want to order your free Birthday gift online, a purchase will be required, although there is no minimum purchase and shipping is free right now with no minimum purchase. 

About Glow Recipe Birthday Gift Set:

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Skincare Birthday Gift Set featuring Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops mini and Watermelon Glow Pore Tight Toner mini.

- Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops mini: A breakthrough, multiuse highlighting serum that hydrates and visibly reduces the look of hyperpigmentation for a dewy, reflective glow—without mica, glitter, or gray cast.

- Watermelon Glow Pore Tight Toner mini: A bestselling, gentle, PHA- and BHA-infused watermelon toner that hydrates skin and minimizes the appearance of pores.

This reward includes:

- Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops mini: 0.5 fl. oz./15 mL
- Watermelon Glow Pore Tight Toner mini: 0.84 fl. oz./ 25 mL

After using the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow toner and serum (Dew Drops) all week, I am really happy that I chose this set. 

The Watermelon Glow Pore-tightening toner contains acids like PHA + AHA as well as hyaluronic acid and Cactus Water, Cucumber, Tea Tree & Hyaluronic Acid and other skin-loving ingredients to keep skin exfoliated and hydrated. I've found that it really diminished the appearance/ shrank my pores and leaves my skin feeling very clean but not dry or stripped. 

The Watermelon Glow Niacinimide Dew Drops contains skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, moringa oil, and vitamins E and C, just to name a few. The serum is supposed to help with hyperpigmentation over time. I have melasma so I am always looking for a solution other than hydroquinone. Although this product provides some immediate benefits like hydration and a glow, it would definitely take a lot more time to see if it would help reduce or eliminate my melasma and dark spots. What I can say, is that this serum is more hydrating than I could have ever imagined- much needed during these cold months! And it definitely gives my skin long-lasting hydration as well as a beautiful youthful looking glow.

I have been using both products AM and PM and find they complement each other very well! My pores are more refined and my skin stays hydrated all day and night. I was concerned that the serum would make me breakout because of past experiences with serums that have a gel-like consistency, but I haven't experienced any breakouts at all with Glow Recipe.  I still use a moisturizer on top of the serum but I don't think it's necessary.  The toner and serum pair beautifully together for clear but hydrated and youthful-looking skin. I realize now that my skin really benefits from a toner like this one with gentle acids and I really need to incorporate one into my regular skincare routine.

I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to try these products out for free as I may not have tried them otherwise.  I like them enough that I would consider purchasing the full sizes in the future and the prices are not outrageous!

These products are free of Parabens, Mineral Oil, Sulfates, Phthalates, Drying Alcohols, Synthetic Dyes. And, they are Vegan. Cruelty-free.

Details on the free Birthday Gift program from Sephora:

*Beauty Insiders can redeem one birthday gift per year in Sephora US and Canada stores, on sephora.com and sephora.ca, in Sephora at Kohl’s stores, and on kohls.com, while supplies last. Selection may vary. A birthday gift of 250 points is available in Sephora US and Canada stores, on sephora.com and sephora.ca only. Merchandise purchase required for online redemption. Online-exclusive birthday gifts are redeemable by VIB and Rouge clients only and are not available on kohls.com. Redeem two weeks before or after your birthday or any time during your birthday month.

This post contains affiliate links.

Weekly Favourite | Cala Eye Need It Essential Makeup Brush Kit Review

I spotted this gorgeous, budget-friendly Cala Eye Need It Essential Eye kit at my local Marshall's store. They had it available in black, pink, silver/multi-metal, and this rose gold set that I purchased. I knew right away that I had to have it as it is perfect for travel and to throw in my makeup bag that I keep in my purse. Little did I know that I would end up using it for my everyday eye makeup!

Since I have been keeping my makeup routine very simple these days, I now keep my everyday makeup in my bathroom, and this brush set takes up very little space and fits perfectly into my everyday makeup setup.

About:

The super soft bristles are the perfect way to blend your colors. These five essential brushes with sleek tube will help create the perfect eye look for any occasion.

Set Includes: Eye Shadow Brush, Tapered blending brush, blending brush, angled brow brush, smudge brush.

There are other variations available as well.

Packaged into this beautiful, sleek but small tube are 5 quality makeup brushes that are all you need to create any eye makeup look.

What I love about this set vs. others that I've seen, is that it has round/blending brushes for using in the crease of your eye. Having hooded eyes, this is a must for me.

The brushes are of great quality. They are nice and soft and blend my makeup well. They wash up nicely too and don't shed. 

I use every single brush in this set, so nothing is going to waste. It truly has everything you need- from liner brushes to crease and lid brushes.

As you can see from the pictures, the tube is nice and sleek and takes up very little space.

Whether you need something for travel or for your makeup bag, this set is a perfect choice. Or, maybe you are a minimalist or just want to downsize, it's also perfect to keep with your everyday makeup as it takes up such a small amount of space, yet it contains all the essential eye makeup brushes that you need. 

The only choice to make is which colour to get or maybe you want them all! 😀

Cala beauty is Cruelty-free 🐰 

 

Purchase Cala Eye Need It kit in the USA  🇺🇸 

Purchase Cala Eye Need It kit in Canada 🇨🇦 

*Check for other colours as prices vary online.

                                                    

#lovemarshalls 

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support if you choose to use them.