Ulta Skincare Sale picks

Anytime Ulta has a skincare or makeup event, it always warrants a glance through the ad that shows up at my front door. Some of my most-used beauty items I’ve discovered through these sales, the discounts make it so much easier on the wallet to try something new.

Ulta’s Love Your Skin skincare event runs from January 3 - 23, and after some perusal for this year’s offerings, here are my recommendations, and some items I’m thinking about trying, for Ulta’s first sale of the year.

(Pro-tip: don’t forget to check Ulta’s app/email during this event. They often throw in some extra app-only or members-only deals the day of!).

January 3: It Cosmetics Eye Cream

I recently tried Ulta’s skin analysis app, and the biggest surprise from my result wasn’t that it noticed the fine lines developing on my forehead, but that the assessment called out my eye area, specifically that it looked under-hydrated.

I’ve tried this eye cream in the past and the number one thing I liked about it was how it wasn’t as greasy as some of the stronger, more cult favourite creams are. It’s especially great in a morning routine, great under makeup, and soothing and hydrating as well. As with all my picks on this list, it’s a great product at an even better price during this sale.

January 9: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

I’m a loyal cleansing balm user when taking my daily makeup off, and I’m always looking to try a new one. The reviews on this Clinique balm are enough for me to try, and the $15 price tag puts this balm cheaper than my favourite Versed cleansing balm that I’ve been repurchasing forever.

January 15: Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover

I’m a pretty loyal cleansing balm user, but on days where I’m sporting super-waterproof mascara or a thick layer of glitter or metallic eyeshadow, nothing sweeps away hard-to-remove eye makeup better than this. It’s a cult favourite for a reason!

January 17: COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Essence is one of the keys to my morning routine, pumping some much-needed hydration in my skin to start the day. COSRX’s essence has been in my saved cart for a while and is also highly touted by the beauty editors at Allure, so at this discounted price this is the perfect time for me to finally purchase.

January 18: Skyn Iceland Eye Gels

I love Ulta’s travel beauty section, and before one of my trips out west a couple of years ago, I stopped in to pick up some necessities. When an Ulta associate saw me stocking up, she recommended these eye gels to add to my carry-on for a post-flight refresh. I wish I would have gotten her name because these wiped out any trace of eye fatigue from a 5+ hour plane ride, and I was refreshed and felt put together enough to go directly to my work conference upon landing. (I’ve also seen Patrick Ta use these in his makeup tutorials – that endorsement alone tells you these are good!).

January 19: Peach & Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask

If you’re only going to buy one Peach & Lily item today, make it the resurfacing mask. I haven’t tried this mask yet, but I have tried the refining serum, and to be honest, I was less than impressed. This mask has been on my “to try” list for a while, I've been looking to switch up my weekly Drunk Elephant Baby Facial. And it comes highly recommended by one of my favourite influencers, so I think I'm going to have to pull the trigger on this one.

January 21: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Similar to the Clinique balm also on this list, this is another cleansing balm I'm interested in trying in my nighttime double cleanse routine. The anti-ageing benefits with this balm do have me intrigued. I can't justify purchasing a face cleanser (just yet) at this balm's regular price, so while $32 is still quite pricey for something like this, given its regular price, now might be the time to finally try it and purchase.

January 23: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

If you’re looking for a brightening, and eye-opening, eye cream, this origins one is a great buy. I just finished one a few weeks ago and can attest that it does brighten the eye area, and wake it up (both visually and topically).

One note: Make sure this eye cream is something you’re dedicated to using once you open it. In my experience, my eye cream turned tacky and hardened when I came back to it after a couple of months of using something else.