Vest and jeans on sale

Labor Day sales are in full swing already! Large retailers are always having sales so I like to focus on many of the smaller brands that I regularly use and love. Their sales are few and far between so I rounded up the best ones now to miss this weekend!

Labor Day Sales + All My Recent Looks on Sale!

Dress on sale

Jeans on sale

Pants on sale

Shirt and pants on sale

Blouse and jeans on sale

Cardigan and sandals on sale

Pants and sweater on sale

Pants on sale

Skirt on sale

Jacket and jeans on sale

JEWELRY/ACCESSORIES

Aurate New York

20% off sitewide, both of my tennis bracelets are from here and are amazing!

Aureum Collective

25% off sitewide, their belts are worth every penny

Baublebar

Select styles on sale beginning at $10, love this colorful pendant necklace

Electric Picks

20% off sitewide, this is one of their best selling necklaces that so similar to the Van Cleef & Arpels version

Ring Concierge

20% off sitewide, I wear this diamond wrap ring every single day!!

Sophie Blake

20% off sitewide + MAREE15 gives you an additional 15% off! I’ve been wearing this adjustable gold knotted necklace non-stop 

Thatch Jewelry

25% off sitewide, my top-selling heart necklace is included!

PAJAMAS/LOUNGEWEAR

Forme Science

15% off sitewide, I have this posture bra which is amazing!

Harper Wilde

up to 40% off sitewide, their t-shirt bra is so comfortable yet still supportive

Lunya

up to 80% off on best sellers, their washable silk sets are worth every penny

Printfresh

up to 70% off select styles, they have some of the best pajama prints

CLOTHING

Ann Taylor

30% off sitewide, this new houndstooth jacket for fall is 10/10!

Boden

20% off sitewide, I want all of their new fall arrivals!

Cleobella

up to 70% off select styles, I love the print on this mini dress

Express

30% off sitewide, I love their blouses for classic wardrobe staples

Frame Denim

up to 70% off, this short trench is 40% off and perfect for fall!

Heidi Merrick

20% off sitewide,  I highly recommend her silky blouses – I own this one in black.

Hill House Home

up to 75% off select styles, this dress is what they are known for so now is a great time to get one!

J.Crew

40% off sitewide, now is a great time to invest in a new blazer while it’s on sale

Joe’s Jeans

30% off sitewide, I own two pairs of their Mia wide leg jeans – the fit is perfection!

Madewell

25% off select fall styles, how gorgeous is this woven leather tote?

Mango

30% off sitewide for orders over $260 with code: SALE30, their best sellers page has so many good pieces!

M.M. LaFleur

up to 70% off select styles, their workwear pieces are unmatched! A must if you work in a corporate environment and need great suits.

Paige Denim

25% off sitewide, these are one of my top 3 favorite wide leg jeans

Rails

30% off select styles, their new fall coats are included!

Spanx

30% off sale styles, my stretch twill cotton pants are included! A great workwear piece.

Splendid

up to 50% off sitewide with code: VIPWKND. Their best selling drawstring pants are included

SHOES/HANDBAGS/TRAVEL

Away Luggage

up to 20% off top sellers, this weekender bag holds everything

Cadence

up to 20% off sitewide, these magnetic travel containers are the best things ever

Dolce Vita

up to 50% off select styles, these are the best wedding guest dress sandals!

Larroude

up to 70% select styles, I own these and they are so comfortable!

Lo & Sons

up to 50% off sitewide, this is my one of favorite bags to wear when traveling – it has compartments for everything!

Mansur Gavriel

extra 15% off, this chocolate bucket tote for fall is everything

Nisolo

buy one, get one free on select styles, these classic mary jane flats are a great closet staple

Oleada

25% off sitewide, I have this bucket bag and it holds SO much.

Vee Collective

20% off sitewide, grab one of their top selling tote bags while you can! I own 3 and can confirm they are worth the splurge!

BEAUTY

Alpyn Beauty

25% off sitewide, their barrier cream is a dream for the cold weather

Bloomeffects

25% off sitewide, their milky toner is one of my favorite holy grail toners

Colleen Rothschild

Buy more, save more, I’ve been using this hydrating mask for 10+ years

Dedcool

20% off sitewide, I have the Xtra Milk fragrance and it’s the perfect scent for those who want something very subtle and fresh for everyday.

Farmacy Beauty

25% off sitewide, the green clean cleansing balm is a must try! It removes every last bit of makeup effortlessly

Fresh Beauty

up t0 30% off sitewide, this new jelly cleansing balm is on its way to me right now! Can’t wait to try it.

INNBEAUTY Project

up to 25% off sitewide, their Extreme Cream is a top seller for good reason

Kosas

25% off sitewide, this pink setting powder is one of my favorites!

Lake & Skye

Buy more, save more, this body mist is one of the best!

Literie Candles

20% off their fall collection with code: LDW20, this apple orchard candle sounds amazing

MAKE Beauty

20% off sitewide, these shimmer shadows are one of my favorite formulas

Medik8 Skincare

25% off sitewide, I use their products religiously. Their retinal, peptide serum and moisturizers are a must try!

Mother Science

20% off with code: LABORDAY20, this is my holy grail dark spot serum

Necessaire

20% off sitewide, I love their body washes

Nopalera

Buy more, save more. This is one of my favorite new fragrances I discovered this year!

Oak Essentials

20% off sitewide, their body products are insanely luxe!

OGEE Makeup

20% off sitewide, this matte cream blush in the shade Rose Quartz is my newest blush obsession

Remedy Skincare

15% off orders $50+, I always buy multiples of this cleansing balm every time it’s on sale

Saltair

15% off sitewide, I love just about everything from this brand but I’m going to stock up on shower gels during the sale

Sweet Chemistry

25% off sitewide, this is one of the best barrier repair serums I’ve tried

Tocca Fragrance

up to 30% off, this has been one of my favorite body mists from 2026

U Beauty

use my code: MAREE20 for 20% off the entire site, the Super Hydrator and Resurfacing Flash Peel are my two non-negotiable products from them!

HEALTH/WELLNESS

CANN

Buy one, get one 30% off, I love their CBD + THC tonics and have repurchased them so many times

Earlybird CBD

20% off with code: LABOR20, these are the CBD gummies I take that really help me to relax and get to sleep at night

The High Confectionary

20% off all sleep gummies, these contain a microdose of THC so perfect for super gentle relaxation.

Higher Dose Wellness

20% off sitewide, this infrared sauna blanket is one of my most used items ever – it’s like having your own personal sauna at home!

LEMME Gummies

25% off sitewide, I’ve repurchased their Sleep Gummies so many times!

Moon Juice

25% off sitewide, I love their magnesium powder to drink in the evening

Nutrafol

up to 25% off, this is the hair growth supplement I take everyday

Perelel Health

20% off sitewide, I just repurchased these perimenopause supplement packs after finishing a box

Raw Generation

20% off sitewide, their frozen juices are a must try!

Ritual

up to 30% off sitewide, I recently switched to their probiotic and really like it!

Trask Toothbrush

15% off 2+ brushes, they have the cutest toothbrushes with the softest bristles – just placed my reorder

HOME/DECOR/BEDDING

Bose

up to 45% off sitewide, these are the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever tried

Caraway

save on bundles and sets, I use these storage containers every single day

Cumulus

25% off my cold brew coffee machine! This machine is worth the splurge and rarely ever goes on sale.

Helix Mattress

up to 30% off sitewide, I have the kids’ mattress for Miles and he LOVES it!

Ourplace

up to 45% off sitewide, I cook with this pan a few times a week

KIDS

Hanna Andersson

40% off sitewide, these are the only pajamas I buy Miles – they have the best prints and last forever.

Makeup is an important part of a beauty routine, but getting started and figuring out what makeup to buy can feel overwhelming. The goal is to understand the basic products, colors, and tools that can help create the looks you actually want. The right choices can vary depending on your skin type, skin tone, preferred coverage, and personal style. Today’s post is going to be a round up of makeup essentials that you need to build your collection.

What Makeup Do I Need

When it comes to makeup essentials, there are products that are useful basics and others which are optional. Complexion products like foundation, skin tint and concealer are necessities to help even out the skin tone. Following this, a product to define the eyes, one to give color to the cheeks and something on the lips to finish off the look is the next step in makeup essentials. A balanced makeup look should have something for each area of the face (eyes, lips, cheeks) to make the look appear polished and complete. Optional makeup products that you can use to further create dimension for the face would be a light dusting of setting powder, highlighter for the cheekbones, lip liner to define the lips, etc.

For more posts on makeup techniques and recommendations, here are some posts not to miss:

What Order To Apply Makeup

Best Drugstore Makeup for Mature Skin

No Makeup Makeup Products

Do You Need A Lot Of Makeup

Having more makeup does not necessarily mean having a better makeup routine. A smaller collection of versatile products can be enough for everyday makeup, particularly when the products work for multiple purposes or can create different levels of coverage.

Makeup Essentials

Skin Tint/Foundation

Evening out the complexion creates a smooth base to begin your natural makeup look. Choose formulations that provide sheer coverage. Products like skin tints, tinted sunscreens and tinted moisturizers are great options. Apply foundation with a makeup brush if you want more coverage or use a damp sponge to give a skin-like application.

Versed Skin Multi-Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

Lightweight and skin-like, this tint evens out the complexion perfectly while also providing SPF 40 sun protection. In between sheer and medium is where the coverage falls but you can definitely build it up slightly if needed. The finish is natural with a soft dewy finish. It makes the skin look healthy and fresh without being too dewy or shiny.

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

The Merit Minimalist Complexion Stick gives a creamy satin finish to the skin, sheer to light coverage and easy application with the stick format.

Concealer

Use a concealer to add a touch more precise coverage to places that may have some discoloration. That could be under the eyes or any dark spots/blemishes on the face.

MAKE Beauty Skin Mimetic Concealer

This concealer provides light to medium coverage in a serum-like consistency with a radiant dewy finish. While it’s somewhat buildable, it’s not meant to be full coverage. The formula has skin mimicking pigments so it does blend in effortlessly and lasts nearly all day.

Sarah Creal Face Flex Concealer & Complexion Enhancer

The Face Flex Concealer and Complexion Enhancer is designed to be a multi-purpose complexion product that moves with your face throughout the day without creasing or fading for up to 12 hours. I personally use it only as a concealer but it can easily be dabbed all over the face and blended out as a light foundation or complexion enhancer. This is creamy and smooth perfection!!! Some concealers claim to be creamy and hydrating but still dry down and make my under eye area look cakey. This does not at all. It’s super blendable but does set after a few minutes. It’s moisturizing and slightly blurring.

The Face Flex Concealer gives medium coverage though can easily be sheered out by applying a smaller amount. For me, it is the perfect amount of coverage and manages to look absolutely flawless on the skin. It gives a nice natural finish that mimics the look of real skin. It’s truly beautiful.

Brow Pencil

Brows frame the face and can make a huge difference in creating a balanced makeup look. You don’t have to draw them in per se but rather fill in any sparse areas by drawing short strokes with your brow product to create the look of real har. My go-to brow tool that I have been using for nearly 12 years is the Hourglass Brow Tool in Soft Brunette. The color is perfect for my dark hair and the formula is long-wearing so it lasts all day long regardless of what I’m doing.

Mascara

Even though I have naturally dark lashes because of my dark hair, I still need the added definition of mascara. Personally I love a super inky black formula that gives volume and drama. I’ve experimented with tons over the years but have settled on tubing mascaras as my personal preference. Tubing mascaras do not flake or smudge like regular mascaras and the formula I really enjoy is the Tarte Tubing Mascara.

Neutral Eyeshadow

Choose a satin or soft matte texture for everyday. A shade that is close to your skin tone is a few tones darker/lighter so that your eye makeup looks natural and undetectable.

L’Oreal Le Shadow Stick in shade Alluring Rose

These shadow sticks are smooth, creamy, long lasting and come in a ton of everyday wearable shades. I also recommend these to anyone that struggles with crepey lids because they show very little texture and have a subtle blurring effect. The shade Alluring Rose is a soft satin neutral rose that would make the perfect everyday eyeshadow for work.

Trinny London Eye2Eye Cream Shadow in Mystery

This is one of my most recommended shadows for a professional makeup look. It’s a soft satin finish that doesn’t look too shiny but gives the lids a bit of luminosity. The taupe shade is subtle yet still gives the eyes definition and dimension.

Cream Bronzer/Cream Blush

I would argue that a cheek color, whether that be blush or bronzer, is the most important step in creating a natural makeup look. A bit of color added to the apples of your cheeks will mimic the way the face naturally flushes. Cream and liquid products look the most like skin so it’s best to choose those types of formulas.

Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer

This is a lightweight sheer cream bronzer that can be used on specific parts of the face or all over to give a soft natural glow. It’s a complexion balm that adds warmth to the complexion and can be used to even out the skin tone.

Pixi On-the-Glow Tinted Moisture Stick Blush (discount code: MAREE10)

This formula is super sheer but gives the cheeks a natural flush of color. Easy to apply and blend, this product is foolproof. If you are someone who loves a no makeup makeup look, these blush sticks are a must have.

Merit Beauty Flush Balm Cream Blush

The Merit Beauty Blush Balm is a cream blush designed to give a tint to the cheeks and a “lit-from-within” finish to the skin. The texture is very emollient and balm-like so it melts into the skin. Microfine pigments provide a touch of color without covering up your natural skin texture.

Tinted lipstick/balm

Finishing off the look with a swipe of a tinted lip balm or gloss will help create a polished yet balanced look.

Sarah Creal Beauty No Further Questions High Glide Peptide Lip Gloss

The formula is creamy and intensely nourishing while the pigment is just opaque enough to give the perfect amount of color. My favorite shade to wear day to day is Deal With It which is a gorgeous rosy pink. For something a bit less intense, I love the shade Calm Down.

OneSkin OS-01 Lip Shield SPF 15 in Bare Blush (discount code: MAREE15)

I love everything OneSkin does so I knew I would adore this new lip launch. And I was right! But I didn’t just adore it – it immediately became a favorite. The color is the perfect neutral everyday pink that I can wear with any makeup look. It feels nourishing with no tackiness (and no weird sunscreen scent).

Versed Cashmere Color Smoothing Lip Blush

If a glossy lip is not your preference, these soft-matte tinted lip balms are exactly what you need. The formula is so smooth and leaves a beautifully blurred finish to the lips with just a hint of color. These don’t have a ton of pigment so the color payoff will be very soft and natural. Perfect for an everyday no-makeup makeup look!

How To Choose What Makeup You Need

Understand your lifestyle

Try to find products that fit your lifestyle. Find products that have multiple purposes like lip/cheek sticks or a tinted sunscreen if you are looking to cut down on the number of steps in your makeup routine.

Be sure to create a balanced look

Regardless of how simple or involved of makeup look you want to create, it’s important to ensure you have the products needed to create a balanced face. Using a product for the eyes (eyeshadow, liner, mascara, etc), something for the cheeks (blush, bronzer, etc) and something for the lips (gloss, balm, lipstick, etc) is key to creating a polished face.

Trial and error

Sometimes it can take a few tries and different products to find what will work for your desired makeup routine.

How To Build A Makeup Routine

Find images of inspiration

Whether on Pinterest or social media, try to find makeup looks that you love. This will give you an idea of your own personal makeup preference and style.

Visit a makeup counter or makeup store

While so much is available online, there is nothing like a good ol’ fashioned makeup consultation or a basic makeup lesson. It is how I learned and how I was able to get more knowledge of makeup techniques. You can visit a department store, Sephora or even a local salon for help on understanding your skin tone, the order of makeup application and how to achieve the looks you want.

Start small

You do not have to revamp or identify your everyday makeup look all at once. Order a few eyeshadows that interest you and try them out. It may take wearing that shade for a few weeks to determine if you like it, but once you know you can then move on to the next category or product.

Research different brands

Is there something specific that you want out of a brand? Are you wanting cruelty free products? Vegan products? Make a list of the brands that fit your own criteria and then look at the products that they offer.