Sephora, Ulta and Tower 28 deals slash prices on self-care staples

Sephora, Tower 28 and Ulta turned self-care into a smarter buy this weekend, with real savings on the products people actually finish. The best deals were the ones that made stocking up feel obvious: a $28 sensitive-skin spray marked down by 20%, a $25 cream blush small enough to live in a tote, and a free-to-join Sephora program that unlocked extra discounts on everyday beauty basics.

The biggest reason to look now was Sephora’s tiered Savings Event, which ran through April 20. Rouge members got 20% off, VIB members got 15%, Insider members got 10%, and all Beauty Insider members could take 30% off Sephora Collection. That last detail matters more than it sounds. If you are gifting someone who burns through cleanser, lip balm or face wash faster than fancy products, a free Beauty Insider signup can turn an ordinary restock into a genuine deal. The program also includes exclusive sales, gifts, app-only offers, Auto-Replenish savings, digital events and Rewards Bazaar access.

The sharpest standalone buy was Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray. The 4-ounce bottle costs $28, and the FORBES20 code brought it down 20% through April 27. Tower 28 says the hypochlorous-acid formula is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, which makes this a thoughtful gift for the friend whose skin flares up after workouts, travel or a bad night of sleep. At $22.40 after the code, it is one of the few beauty gifts that feels both useful and genuinely calming.

Rhode’s Pocket Blush was another smart pick at $25. The 5.3-gram cream blush is small enough to slip into a pocket, and the shade range runs from Piggy and Sprinkle to Spicy Marg, Toasted Teddy and Candy Apple. That makes it a strong gift for the person who wants one compact color product, not a drawer full of makeup. It reads as fun, but the price keeps it in impulse-buy territory.

For body care, Nécessaire’s The Body Lotion Fragrance-Free stood out at Sephora in a 15.2-ounce value size for $52. It carries 2.5% niacinamide and five peptides, with a 48-hour moisture claim and no fragrance. That is the kind of present that works for the minimal, ingredient-conscious friend who likes body lotion to do more than smell nice. Vacation’s Classic Face Lotion SPF 45 was the cheaper, easier add-on at $18, with an ultra-light feel, skincare-grade hydrators, a signature scent, and claims of Hawaii Act 104 compliance and dermatologist approval.

Ulta kept the deal drumbeat going with offers ending April 25 and May 10, a reminder that its sale calendar rarely stops at one event. T3 products were also set to take 20% off with FORBES20 beginning April 20, which is the practical move for the person who treats a good blowout as part of self-care, not a splurge.