Birthdays Aren’t Just For Kids. Here’s How To Make Your Next One Great
*This is a sponsored post on behalf of Sephora, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The way in which we celebrate our birthdays can often be used as a marker to separate childhood from adulthood. Indeed, many of us frequently look back on our childhood birthdays as the best birthdays as the responsibility for ensuring happiness on that day falls on somebody else’s shoulders. It’s up to your family and friends to make you feel special. All you have to do is show up and be ready to receive.
As an adult, I’ve learned that in order to have a happy birthday I have to take charge. Happy, of course, is relative, but for me, a happy birthday involves spending some cuddle time with my husband, eating at least two of my favorite meals, having a huge slice of birthday cake, and enjoying a bit of beauty pampering.
My advice for ensuring you have a happy birthday as an adult? Plan.
Planning for you might involve taking the day off from work, sitting on the couch, and eating junk food all day. Whatever happy is for you, plan to do that. My most lackluster birthdays have been when I’ve decided to go with the flow. This year, I plan to take a bit of my own advice and plan my day accordingly.
After dropping JB off with my parents for the day, I intend to hit up my favorite store: Sephora.
Beauty is my thing, this is no secret, so I’ve been a Sephora Beauty Insider for years. What this means, in a nutshell, is that whenever I shop at Sephora I earn points to be used towards various rewards. There are, however, tiers. The more you spend per year at Sephora, the more points (ie. perks) you receive. For instance, I’m currently Rouge. See below for an explanation of the teirs and benefits.
Why does any of this matter? Well, my birthday is on March 17, so as a Beauty Insider the time is here to select my free birthday gift, which I plan to pick up in-store in a few days. March’s Beauty Insider birthday options are:
KAT VON D BEAUTY TATTOO LINER, SETTING POWDER, AND LIPSTICK SET
In this set you’ll receive, a Mini Tattoo Liner in “Trooper Black,” a Mini Lock-It Setting Powder, and Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick Sample Trio in “Lolita,” “Outlaw,” and “Vampira.”
The Kat Von D Tattoo Liner is one of my favorite felt-tip liners. It’s easy to apply and gives you that super black liner you’re looking for. For those who want to practice winging it, this is the liner to work with. The setting powder is another fav. I like to mix it with a warm brown to set my undereye highlighter. Lastly, being able to sample lippies is a great way to try before you by. My vote, however, is for the color Lolita. It gives you the perfect rosy/neutral pout that’s all the rage these days.
DRUNK ELEPHANT MOISTURIZER AND CLEANSER SET
Any other skincare junkies in the house? Listen, when it comes to my skin your girl doesn’t play. And Drunk Elephant skincare products have become a cult fave.
In this set, you’ll receive a pH-balanced, unscented cleanser, and the original mega-amino protein cream.
- 15ml/ 0.5 oz Protini™ Polypeptide Cream
- 30ml/ 1 fl oz Beste™ No.9 Jelly Cleanser
If you’re VIB or Rouge you get even more choices– you can choose from the same mini set options above, and new this year – a surprise online-only Jo Malone mini set, or +250 bonus points to be added to your beauty bank so you can treat yourself. This online-only option is available for a limited time so get yours while you can.
JO MALONE MINI SET
This perfume smells divine. This scent unisex, by the way, so it’s worth a shot to snag if for your significant other, too. Head into Sephora to catch a sniff for yourself.
If you aren’t a Sephora Beauty Insider, what are you waiting for? It’s free to sign up, you get a birthday gift every year (no purchase necessary), and whenever you shop you earn points towards great rewards. It’s a win-win if you ask me. Sign up HERE.
Okay, so back to my Birthday. After snagging my free gift from Sephora, I plan to head off for a mani/pedi at the spa, followed by lunch at my favorite Thai spot. I live for Thai food, so if you have any other great Thai recommendations in the Boston-area please do let me know. I still need to plan for dinner.
I’ll close out the day singing myself a jolly happy birthday tune, followed by indulging in my favorite cake: Coldstone Creamery’s Cake Batter Confetti Cake. 
Ultimately, when it comes to adult birthdays, it’s all about what you make of it. Don’t depend or expect anyone else to make it special for you. What are your life’s simple pleasures? Pick a handful of those and do one of each on your birthday and you’re bound to have a happy day.
What are your tips for a successful adult birthday? Sound off below!
Disclaimer
Beauty Insiders are eligible to redeem one birthday gift per year. 250 bonus points and the surprise online-only gifts are only available to VIB and Rouge members. In-store redemption: no purchase necessary. Redeem in Sephora or Sephora inside JCPenney stores during your birthday month by providing your Beauty Insider email address. Online redemption: a merchandise purchase is required. Redeem two weeks before or after your birthday and any time during your birthday month. Offer not valid on jcp.com. If you are having problems redeeming online, please contact customer service at Sephora.com/contact-us. Substitutions may occur. Valid while supplies last. This offer is subject to change, alteration, or termination by Sephora at its sole discretion at any time.
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Sephora Beauty Insider is absolutely the best perk of being a sephora-aholic! I love my birthday treats and get so excited to use my points.
This is such good advice, I let my birthday just be another day last year and it was super underwhelming.
My birthday was last month and I still haven’t gone to Sephora to pick up my birthday present! Definitely gonna remedy that this weekend and also pick up a few other things. Planning birthday stuff is always so stressful for me (too much pressure i guess lol) but yasss to free birthday goodies!
Omg that cake looks so good!
Demi | http://demibang.com/
I’m gonna be 35 this year. I normally don’t do much for my birthdays but this one I will surely plan. Also, this post made me realize I forgot to go get my birthday gift from Sephora last November. ?
I love Sephora the quality of their products are top notch! I used to enjoy picking up my birthday presents too! Love beauty products.
I LOVE my birthday! It’s my own personal holiday! I celebrate AND accept gifts all month long! My key to the perfect birthday is the “Birthday Trifecta”: something to open, something sweet to eat and some sweet love!
My favorite birthday pampering involves a facial and massage. So I say go with the skin care set!
The Jo Malone perfume sounds interesting. Thanks for the tip! Happy Birthday ???
Sephora has the BEST bday gifts! My local store had extra ones from last year so they were letting us pick two this year #winning
Hmm, I see that I must give that Kat Von D Tattoo liner a try! Thanks Lisa!
Adult birthdays can be pretty painful and lonely sometimes if you fail to plan. I learned this the hard way a while back and since then try to plan early to make my special day, even more special! I too, love the free perks, especially, Sephora’s Beauty insider box. It’s the little joys in life that makes me smile!
I love celebrating my bday. And I always, ALWAYS hit up Ulta and Sephora for birthday freebies. I was so bummed I didn’t have time to make it to Sephora this year. Guess, I’ll just have to go spend regular money in there, lol.
I love getting my annual birthday gifts from Sephora!
You are gorgeous and I looove Sephora! Happy belated birthday!
I LOVE birthdays! Especially mine. I make a big deal of it year and this year is no different. My only tip for a great adult birthday party is, DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY! Have fun…do something spontaneous. Take a vacation by yourself…heck throw a mega party. Just have some fun celebrating you.
This next year I NEEEEED to really plan and make sure my birthday is popping! I’m speaking Trinidad and dewy vibes all January 2020. Definitely gonna check out these products cu I need to serve LEWKS in my birthday photo shoot. I’m about to celebrate half birthdays too starting this year !!!! #WhyNot #MoreLife
I look forward to my Beauty Insider Gift every year! Looks like an awesome selection!
xoxo Olivia
http://www.ourwanderingmind.com
I love my birthday and this was the first year I was able to celebrate it in full fashion! I actually am not a beauty person, but I definately do love a good skin care routine. I will have to check these beauties out.
I LITERALLY just left Sephora and wished it was my birthday (I wanted the Drunk Elephant cleanser). Their birthday gifts are my favorite thing to look forward to every year. I’ve tried out so many amazing products for free because of them. Thanks for this post!
Make plans early in case an appointment is needed. I always try to do something I’ve never done or something I’ve always wanted to do. I celebrate myself every year sometimes extravagant and sometimes not. I also always put on a nice perfume.
Oooh. You just reminded me to try Drunk Elephant. My birthday is approaching on the 8th, need to add it to my wishlist.
Thanks, Lisa!
I can always count on your for skin care products and tips! And yes, Sephora is everything!
I have to try that Kat Von Dee liner. I love a good wing but getting it is tricky, lol.
I didn’t even know anything about the beauty insider program. My birthday is in a couple of months. Time to start shopping at Sephora again!
I am just an Insider because I don’t have the funds to drop to become rouge. I think I can only pick one of these. Has Sephora changed the Birthday freebie to be different every month now? I thought it was the same options for the entire year.
As for planning birthdays, you kinda have to. Everyone has busy schedules so you gotta get people together when they are free. Shoot, I’m trying to see if I can get a money cake this year. lol
I absolutely LOVE getting my free gift on my birthday! It’s how I discovered my signature lip color.
I love my birthdays and turn them into month long celebrations lol
Love these ideas! Sephora is the BEST bday jam!!
I’m all about the birthday gifts for Beauty Insiders! I’m like a kid in a candy store when I go to Sephora! It’s my favorite!!! Hope you had an amazing birthday!!!
Absolutely love this. Didn’t know this about Sephora but I will be signing up. Thanks for sharing!
This definitely sounds like my kinda birthday gift list. Pity coldstone closed down over here.
Great article!
Great post Lisa.
I believe too that we can enjoy birthdays at any age.
right??!! I’m all for celebrating every age!
Happy Birthday! I definitely don’t enjoy birthdays like I used to. I think you’re right. Time for a plan and to treat myself! My birthday is next week. Time to look up my status and get some makeup and maybe find a place with a good margarita after!
Thank you!! And I’m jealous about the margarita!!
I’m overdue for a trip to Sephora. Thanks for the info on the Beauty Insider program!
Girl, you better sign up and get your free gift! So many goodies in store, too
Sounds like a great way to spend your birthday!
indeed!
Create a bucket list….and every year Cross one thing off!
That’s a great idea!
GREAT TIPS! The countdown is on!
Yas! happy early birthday
My birthday is ALWAYS a big deal!! Thanks for the tips girl!!
you’re so welcome!
I absolutely love this! I agree that birthdays should still be a big deal for adults too. I’ll be bookmarking this as a reminder for my birthday later this year.
yes!! thanks for stopping by!
Gotta treat yourself. I usually at least take the day off to do something I want to do, every year alive and well is one to celebrate, big or small not matter how old you are. Love Sephora Insiders!
My father grew up Jehovah’s Wittness so birthdays were never big growing up. It’s hard to get the energy as an adult to celebrate but these are really good simple ideas to celebrate myself!! Thanks!! And I can’t wait till November so I’m headed to sephora today!
Thanks for this. I am signing up.
I definitely agree, planning is absolutely necessary these days to ensure your birthday is what you want and enjoy. Happy Birthday!
Love it! I’m going to definitely use this!
This is awesome! I’ve been on the fence about trying it, but I think I’m sold! And on a side note I love drunk elephant products !!!
After having my son I pay attention to so much to celebrating him. Ironically I turn 30 this year. I guess I should start making plans etc
I’ll definitely be treating myself this way this year ?
Bomb post per usual!! I love Sephora and can’t wait til my bday to see what goodies they’ll have available for me to pick from.
Awesome post! Birthdays are the main days that we celebrate the most in my household. We absolutely agree that adults should celebrate their birthdays as much as they celebrate their kids birthdays. Cake anyone? ? ?
Fantastic post. I really regretted my birthday this year, I wish I had read this a couple weeks ago! Haha
Love these tips! My birthday this year is definitely a big deal!
This is a great idea and post! I will definitely plan things out to make sure that I actually celebrate and enjoy all my future birthdays. Thanks for the inspo, bella!!
I “make” my family celebrate my birthday week! LOL! #truestory
Anything Kat Von D makes, I’m checking out!
Today is my actual 40th birthday! A reminder I need to pick up my birthday gifr from Sephora and use my giftcard LOL
Happy birthday! Go get your freebies!!
What great ideas! Just because we aren’t children doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t celebrate our special day.
This reminds me that I need to go ahead and put in my notice about birthday time off. Think I may take some time to visit Sephora as well and treat myself. I deserve!
These are some dope ideas to treat myself to for my birthday. I adore Sephora!
I still celebrate my birthday the same as a kid…I get myself a crown and hit up all my favorite spots for my birthday treats. Celebrating is not just for the young, I celebrate another year of life, health and blessing. That’s enough for a party!
I LOVE the goodies from Sephora. Sometimes they have stuff I have been eyeing for a while, and I get so excited when I get a birthday gift or one of those “500 point” goodies and they are something super useful.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Just in time for my birthday ? Hapoy Belated Birthday beautiful and keep doing your thang miss ?
I love shopping at Sephora! I also enjoy the occasional birthday surprise and the freebies at check out. My personal choice is the fragrance samples. You look glamorous doll and I enjoyed reading this birthday ideas post! Thanks for sharing.
Happy birthday! Love all these ideas . Birthdays are still so fun in my thirties !
You are NEVER TOO OLD for a Birthday CELEBRATION!!!
Happy belated bday! I love being a Sephora insider myself as well. So many great perks and samples!
Great tips. I needed this info.
Man listen I look forward to my Sephora birthday gift every year and to use my points too. Congrats boo on you new bundle coming.
Thank you Lisa
Great Article
We really appreciate you
I need to get up on my skincare game. You always have a good skincare routine. Thanks for the suggestions!