I’m a Beauty Editor—Here Are the 12 Products I’m Buying During Violet Grey’s Crazy Good Sale

There are insane discounts on Augustinus Bader, Westman Atelier, U Beauty, and more.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of)
Samantha Holender
By
published
in Buying Guides

I’ll be honest: Memorial Day sales are occasionally lame. 10 percent off? It just doesn’t impress me. But 50 percent off? Now we’re talking—and lucky for me, you, and every beauty lover out there, Violet Grey is offering just that. As part of the retailer’s “Put It In The Bag” shopping event, which runs from May 23 through May 29, cult-favorite brands like Augustinus Bader, Dr. Barabara Sturm, and Westman Atelier are on super-sale, with up to half-off discounts. 

Now deals this good, on products this amazing, don’t come around often. So if I were you, take this as your cue to stock up on summer skincare staples, new makeup launches, and splurge-worthy devices. The on-sale items are plentiful—and a smidge overwhelming—so I’ve made it my mission to do the hard work for you. I combed through the dozens upon dozens of beauty products on the site and selected the 13 best deals. To shop my picks, scroll ahead. 

U Beauty Barrier Bioactive Treatment, $198 $158

U Beauty Barrier Bioactive Treatment, $198 $158

With a 20 percent off promotion being offered across the entire brand, you genuinely can’t go wrong. Every single product in the line is equivalent to liquid gold. My personal favorite? This intensely rich and nourishing moisturizer which is amazing for dry skin types, sensitive skin, or anyone with a compromised skin barrier. You’ll be left with an instant glow, deep hydration, and a firmer, plumper complexion.

Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops, $68 $54

Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops, $68 $54

If you’re on the hunt for a summer foundation that feels absolutely weightless, allow me to direct your attention to these gorgeous drops. They give a very dewy finish (you won’t even need highlighter) and are packed with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and antioxidants. I personally like to choose one a few shades darker than my skin tone for a built in tan, but it’s completely up to you. 

Dr Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, $42 $34

Dr Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, $42 $34

Memorial Day marks the *unofficial* start of summer, so take it as your cue to start stockpiling sunscreen. Because let’s be honest: You can never, ever have enough. One of my new favorite facial SPFs from the one and only Dr. Dennis Gross. It’s an extremely elegant oil-free formula that protects against all the skin aggressors: UV rays, pollution, and blue light—it’s a triple threat. 

Kjaer Weis Im-possible Mascara, $32 $16

Kjaer Weis Im-possible Mascara, $32 $16

As a self proclaimed mascara snob, you can trust me when I say that this mascara is one of the absolute best on the market. The sustainably sourced formula is focused on keeping your lashes healthy and strong, while simultaneously lengthening and volumizing without a clump in sight. You’ll have a more natural looking vibe with one swipe, but the formula is extremely buildable.

Susanne Kaufmann Home Spa Collection, $75 $38

Susanne Kaufmann Home Spa Collection, $75 $38

Elevate your summer shower situation in one swoop by purchasing this luxe lineup of products. I swear nothing smells quite as delicious. Fill your bath with these salts or lather on this body oil and you’ll instantly be transported to a spa. My personal favorite of the bunch? The Moisturizing Mask, which feels other-worldly after a day spent in the sun.

Augustinus Bader The Foaming Cleanser, $70 $53

Augustinus Bader The Foaming Cleanser, $70 $53

Very rarely does a new cleanser swoop me off my feet, but Augustinus Bader’s latest launch did just that—and now is the time to scoop up a sample. It works up into a nice foam without stripping the skin, reduces redness thanks to the inclusion of niacinamide, and leaves skin feeling genuinely clean and refreshed. I noticed a brighter complexion in just about a week. 

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, $320 $240

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, $320 $240

A cult-favorite product if there ever was one, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s hyaluronic acid serum deserves all the hype. And thanks to this ~phenomenal~ sale, you can get it for $80 off. It leverages long and short chain hyaluronic acid molecules to hydrate deep into the skin and create a plumper appearance right off the bat. Purslane extract, which is rich in antioxidants, also made its way into this all-star formula, making this a great option for anyone with sensitive skin. 

BeautyStat Universal C Refiner, $85 $64

BeautyStat Universal C Refiner, $85 $64

Vitamin C and sunscreen work better together, so make sure you have an antioxidant-packed formula you love ahead of summer. My recommendation? This BeautyStat formula, which features 20 percent l-ascorbic acid. Thanks to a unique patented encapsulation technology, the formula will stay stable and powerful so you can reap the full skin-brightening, pore-reducing, fine-line minimizing benefits. 

111Skin Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Facial Mask, $135 $101

111Skin Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Facial Mask, $135 $101

These are my special occasion masks. I whip one out when I have a big event because the results are truly unbelievable. After just 20 minutes, I promise your skin will look refreshed, renewed, and rehydrated. It soothes, plumps, strengthens, brightens—it basically does absolutely everything. The best part? The biocellulose design doesn’t slip and slide. It stays secure on the skin until you’re ready to rip it off. 

Tan Luxe The Face Illuminating Self Tanning Drops, $50 $38

Tan Luxe The Face Illuminating Self Tanning Drops, $50 $38

I do my absolute best to stay out of the sun, so a real tan is pretty much not in the cards. But I still like a little sun-kissed glow, which is where these life-changing tanning drops come into play. They’re the only ones that don’t make me break out or turn me a nasty shade of orange. Instead, they give me a gradual, buildable tan that, if I do say so myself, looks impeccably natural. 

Georgia Louise Cryo Freeze Tools, $130 $98

Georgia Louise Cryo Freeze Tools, $130 $98

There is no better feeling in the world than coming in from a day spent in the heat and giving yourself an ice-cold facial massage. The anti-inflammatory benefits are unmatched, puffiness is deflated, and the cooling sensation feels delightful. Enter these cryo orbs. Just pop ‘em in the freezer and whip them out when you want to soothe irritated skin or give yourself a lymphatic drainage massage. 

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand, $42 $32

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand, $42 $32

Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Light Wands are normally sold out. When they’re no sold out, they’re full price. But thanks to this wonderful sale, you can scoop up all the shades, including the just-launched Pinkgasm, at a discount. It’s the perfect summer makeup stable and ideal for on-the-go applications. Just dab some on your cheeks, eyelids, and even your lips for a glowy face beat. 

Samantha Holender
Samantha Holender
Senior Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.

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