Sephora is one of the best one-stop shops for all things beauty. Its shelves and site are brimming with hundreds of the same products from all different brands, so it can be daunting trying to decipher which products you should take home with you. For a bit of an inside scoop, we chatted with Sephora employees who shared their favorite under-the-radar products that you need to pick up.
Tarte Maracuja Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer ($29)
“It is a skin savior!! For the winter when our skin becomes especially dry, and for the summer, when we want something lightweight but just with enough coverage to even out the skin tone. There are 20 colors, and the product itself is considered ‘stretchy’ so one shade can span out to at least three to four tones.”
—Refa N., Sephora Beauty Advisor
Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Eyebrow Gel ($24)
“A polished, put-together brow is always in. Our clients love natural, defined brows, and this product will comb your brows with a unique applicator and take care of the unruly hairs and really SET you up for a great brow day.”
—Sheala Feliciano, Sephora Sales and Service Leader
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Moisturizer ($68)
“This cream not only feels and smells amazing, but it also gives the perfect glow and is anti-aging and hydrating using purple rice flower.”
—Tiffany Santiago, Sephora employee
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Clay Cleanser ($35)
“Even oily skin types will benefit from this lightweight cream cleanser that won’t strip your skin of natural oils or make you break out.”
—Anonymous Sephora Employee in NYC
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream With SPF 50+ ($40)
“Now this is a holy grail for the babe on-the-go—the everyday woman. It’s an all-in-one sunscreen and an anti-aging, full-coverage foundation that’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins and hyaluronic acid. A little goes a long way and it leaves your skin bright and flawless. I love it!”
—Arianna DeJesus, Sephora Makeup Artist
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain ($15)
“Considering liquid lipstick is now all the rage, there are a million choices at Sephora, making it easy to overlook the Sephora Collection products. Working at Sephora, I’ve had a chance to try so many products and I can honestly say our cream lip stains are one of my favorites. I have super dry lips but these don’t dry them out and they still pack a bunch of pigment and are long-wearing so it’s a winner for me.”
—Naowshaba Ferdous, Sephora Color Artist & Editor at A Luxe Life
JLo Beauty That Limitless Glow Sheet Mask ($48)
“This is the best firming sheet mask I have ever tried. It literally makes you look like you had a mini facelift.”
—Tiffany Santiago, Sephora employee
Charlotte Tilbury Matte & Metallic Double Ended Eyeliner – Eye Color Magic Collection ($30)
“The Exagger-eyes pencil is a great duo. Black can be used to quickly create a smokey/sexy liner, while the gold side can be used in the inner corner for a pop of bling that also opens up the eyes.”
—Refa N., Sephora Beauty Advisor
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator ($59)
“My favorite daily exfoliator is Dermalogica Microfoliant. It has colloidal oatmeal and salicylic acid and leaves your skin feeling like a baby’s butt.”
—Tiffany Santiago, Sephora employee
OLEHENRIKSEN Lemonade Smoothing Scrub ($32)
“My favorite face scrub is the new OLEHENRIKSEN lemonade smoothing scrub with AHA and lemon peel extract to smooth away dead skin.”
—Tiffany Santiago, Sephora employee
Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($65)
“If you have problems using sunscreen, those days are now over! With this sunscreen, you will be protected and no one else will know. It’s 100-percent clear and goes on like a primer. It has a silky formula that disappears very quickly and provides amazing protection for all skin types and complexions. No more excuses for why you are not wearing SPF.”
—Anonymous Sephora Employee in NYC
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer ($52)
“I use this to prep every face I work on when applying makeup. This luxe, essential oil-packed primer is a must. Its shimmering, silky texture blurs the appearance of fine lines and large pores while leaving a moisturized and radiant finish—perfect for foundation applications.”
—Arianna DeJesus, Sephora Makeup Artist
Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner ($28)
“The Biossance Squalane BHA pore reducing toner keeps my skin clear and really helps with pores and texture.”
—Tiffany Santiago, Sephora employee
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ($33)
“The name says it all. This lightweight mist for all skin types will lock-in all your hard work for up to 16 hours. It lowers the temperature of your makeup, helping it stay put even in the most humid of occasions. Dance off anyone?”
—Arianna DeJesus, Sephora Makeup Artist