I’ve Made A Lot of Expensive Mistakes at Sephora Sales, But These 8 Products Gave Me Zero Buyer's Remorse.

Plus loafers for folks with high insteps and mushroom cheese knives because WHY THE HELL NOT.

Today’s newsletter is a veritable cornucopia of delights, starting with my super tight edit of what you should buy from Sephora’s Savings Event. Why trust me? Well, I’ve been writing about beauty for over 20 years, am a Sephora Rouge member, which indicates that I spent too much money at this store, and I have bought so many sad trombone (wah wahh) products over the years, it makes my stomach hurt a little bit?

But Hillary, don’t brands send you products to test? Why are you making bad buying decisions all the time? 

Well yes, they do, and that’s a really lovely aspect of my job. But that doesn’t mean I get every shade of every product on the market. And I don’t want to bother the lovely PR team members at these brands if I’m just curious about something. So that means I buy stuff—a lot of stuff—so that I can test it in the peace and quiet of my own bathroom, and then talk about what I want, when I want. 

Not into beauty? Well then, shall we talk shoes? If you, like me, have been trying on loads of loafers, only to be confounded by your high instep, scroll on because I found two really incredible pairs that work on this foot shape and more straightforward feet too.

And finally, some limited edition Thanksgiving decor that is charming and affordable! 

See? Today’s newsletter really is a little of everything!

---

One last thing. As always: If there’s an item you’re shopping for or you need help sorting through the zillions of options out there, please don’t hesitate to drop me a comment. (And why am I prompting you to comment? Because while I love DMs and always try to answer you there, my inbox is messy, and comments here are much easier for me to find and use as source material as I’m working on new things. Also, I love comments; they make me feel seen.)

---

SEPHORA SAVINGS EVENT ESSENTIAL BUYS

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush ($23) in Joy

I adore blush, and am close to being a full-blown blush collector at this point. While there are many options I can recommend, this one is at the top of my list. As for the exact shade? Well they’re all good, as far as I can tell, but that said, Joy is Selena Gomez’s favorite, it’s beloved by Who What Wear’s incredible beauty director, Erin Jahns too, and it’s my go-to as well. (And by many other WWW editors; that link sends you to a really dishy story about the blush with lots of first-person testimonies from the team.). I also have the very subtle shade Happy, and plan on picking up Lucky, which is a brighter pink.

Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer ($29) 

I’ve talked about this recently—well, raved about it, tbh—and if you were on the fence, why not try it now with the sale pricing? I use shade 180, and honestly think it’s phenom. It’s really easy to apply, doesn’t get stuck in your under-eye fine lines, and blends like a dreamy cloud. 

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask ($75)

A surprise hit for me, this product really does wonders, especially if you use it correctly (wash hair first, but don’t condition, air dry until damp, really emulsify the product between your hands, apply, then wait four minutes before heat styling), which I didn’t the first few times I used it. Whoops. If you want to try before fully committing, there’s a less expensive mini version, too.

Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm ($28) in Runway (neutral nude pink)

The brand makes so many excellent products, but my favorite is this perfectly pink-rose butter-soft balm. I first spotted it on Who What Wear’s editor-in-chief, Kat Collings, and I begged her to share the exact shade with me. I bought the balm that day, and have been wearing it ever since. Also: All the colors are great. You really can’t go wrong with it.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner ($25) in Pink Venus

Pillow Talk is a cult classic for a reason, but for my money, I actually like this shade of Charlotte Tilbury’s lip liner better. It’s described as a peachy coral, but I think it’s just a bumped-up version of my own lip color, without the beige undertones of Pillow Talk.

Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel ($150)

Full confession: Shani sent me a press mailer of her incredible at-home peel months ago, and I loved it so much, I have purchased it from Sephora three times already. While I used to have a standing appointment with Shani (the luxury!), life has gotten in the way, but honestly, her products are so good, it’s almost like seeing her in person. This two-step mask makes my face look so clean and radiant, it would be a steal at twice the price, no joke. 

Dior DiorShow Iconic Overcurl Mascara ($32) in Black

Folks, I buy every single buzzy mascara on the market, and yet this is the one I return to over and over and over again. I bought three to have on hand, because I always worry that it will somehow get discontinued? Considering what a best-seller it is, that’s unlikely, but still. It’s perfect for lazy ladies like me who don’t use a lash curler, but could use a little lift, plus it’s mega volumizing and thickening. 

Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm ($32) in Cava

If you are a grownup (meaning: you don’t crave glitter in your highlighter) and you want to look lit from within, this is the only glow stick you need. Again, I promise you I’ve tried every hyped one out there, and nothing is as foolproof and sophisticated as Merit’s iteration.

---

LOAFERS I LOVE

My feet are not always the easiest to shod. But the trickiest part is not that they are short (they are), not that they are wide (they are), and not that my toes are weirdly all almost the same length except for the pinkies (also true). No, it’s my mid-foot that confounds. I have both a very high arch and a very high instep, and the resulting shape means a boot without a zipper is usually a no go, sandal straps don’t always fit, and loafers are hell to find.

Over the last year, I’ve tried on…three dozen loafers? Maybe a little less, but still: A hell of a lot of loafers! Invariably the same thing happens. If I want to get my instep inside the loafer in question, I am required to go up so many sizes, that my foot sloshes around the shoe like a tipsy girl pinballing down a hallway. 

But!

I recently found not one but TWO pairs I adore.

The first: Chloe’s Marcie Embellished Leather Loafers ($990) in Black.

These are an investment, to be sure, but I still have multiple pairs of Chloe leather-and-wood sandals I bought in the mid-aughts that have held up amazingly, and I generally find Chloe shoes to be extremely well made and comfortable. (It’s silly to call Chloe a “sleeper brand” in any way, but their footwear doesn’t get enough love. Just saying.) I like the fact that this style has a low-ish heel, which always feels a touch more polished for me for work, and the hardware looks purposeful, without being too shouty or logo-forward. I’ve been breaking them in by wearing them around the house with J.Crew silky socks, and they’ve been remarkably kind to my feet. 

The second: Sezane’s Andre Loafers ($225) in Leopard.

Obsessed to the tenth power, and then some. These better-priced loafers are an actual dream. Wildly comfortable—I’ve been wearing them sockless since the moment I got them, and they feel just dreamy—and totally cute, these leopard-print loafers are an 11/10 purchase. In terms of fit, I bought the size 8 and the size 7, and the 7 won, no question. The notes online say that if you’re between two sizes (they don’t have half sizes for everything), go down, and that’s definitely true. 

The Sezane loafer! Ignore the fact that I should have moisturized my feet before taking this photo, and also the way the loafer is rippling on my right foot; it’s only doing that because I’m holding my feet in a weird way to get this photo.

THANKSGIVING DECOR

My friend Will Kahn—if you don’t follow his incredible account @willsnotebook, you should!—has exquisite taste, so when he posted a story about the new John Derian x Target holiday collection, you best believe I clicked quickly.

I’m not much for themed holiday decor, but there are some really special pieces in this limited edition collaboration that are still in stock, and definitely worth checking out if you’re hosting this year. (Note: My favorite piece, a mushroom-print platter, has sadly sold out.)

Also, if you just had some version of the thought “Isn’t it awfully early to think about Thanksgiving; Halloween hasn’t even happened yet?” to that I say: Not if you’re a Virgo.

John Derian x Target 3 Piece Fall Vegetable Stoneware Cheese Knife Set ($15)

The mushroom one alone would be worth the price of all three!

John Derian x Target 4 Piece Earthenware Fall Turkey Coast Set ($10)

The abstract feathers are actually quite elevated. Thematically sensical, but not too on the nose.

John Derian x Target Printed Tablecloth Fall Flowers ($25)

It’s a little kitschy, very Americana, and a tiny bit funny with all the mushrooms.

---

Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.