POV: Your boyfriend sent you $50 along with a note that says “treat yourself to something nice at Sephora, babe.” But what he doesn’t know is that $50 can barely cover the price of one lipstick there.
With how pricey things are at Sephora, how do we know which products are worth dropping a bomb on without trying them first?
Not to worry — we asked around our friends and colleagues to recommend the best beauty products that they’ve already tried and tested. Here are 20 makeup and skincare from Sephora that are guaranteed to give the best bang for your buck.
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Price: $48
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer isn’t the number #1 selling concealer in the UK for nothing. With an easy blending and good coverage, it’s guaranteed to brighten up your dark under eye circles in no time.
As heard from a friend: “I use this concealer after applying a layer of primer — it doesn’t feel thick and cakey, and is suitable for everyday makeup.”
Get the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer on Sephora.
Price: $70
It’s impossible to deny the impact of the NARS Orgasm Blush, seeing as it’s been trending for years now. Sweep the blush on the apples of your cheeks to give an ethereal glow, or blend it outwards towards the temples for a lifted effect.
According to NARS’s website, this product is listed under their “Trending on TikTok” category.
As heard from a friend: “This blush may be pricey but it’s worth the money. It’s a universal pink shade with a gold shimmer, and it gives off the best glow.”
Get the NARS Orgasm Blush on Sephora.
Price: $78
TikTok has suggested many dupes for the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation, but if you ask us, you can’t outdo the original. This foundation suits all skin types and also includes sun protection — it’ll look and feel just like a second skin on you.
As heard from a friend: “The finish is great and it stays on my face the whole day. I’ve used other foundations and bb creams that slide off very easily or look patchy, but Estée Lauder’s Foundation is my holy grail.”
Get the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation on Sephora.
Price: $49
There’s no such thing as too much glitter. While Fenty Beauty’s products are often highly praised, many tend to overlook the Match Stix Shimmer Skinstix, a unique glitter stick to add highlight to your face.
As heard from a friend: “It’s a very pretty highlight and is easy to layer. I use the shade ‘Starlight’ and it gives off a pleasant glow.”
Get the Match Stix Shimmer Skinstix on Sephora.
Price: $33
Fun fact: the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara is actually a Sephora-exclusive product. Known for its long-wearing, lengthening and volumising properties, this mascara will make your lashes pop.
As heard from a friend: “The wand is really thick so it grabs onto your lashes well. One coat is great, but two coats make your lashes look juicy AF. It doesn’t smudge easily, stays on well and is easy to remove too.”
Get the Match Stix Shimmer Skinstix on Sephora.
Price: $39
Going hand in hand with the viral Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil is also their Liquid Blush. NGL, I’ve not heard of anyone who has used this and said that it wasn’t good. It’s highly pigmented and easy to blend over the cheek for a healthy glow.
As heard from a friend: “A little goes a long way — just one drop of this blush and you’re good to go. The shade ‘Encourage’ is my go-to and you can even use it as eyeshadow or a lip product.”
Get the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush on Sephora.
Price: $56
Beyoncé may have used the One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray while performing in the rain, but their Ultimate Setting Powder is just as amazing. Founded by American makeup artist Patrick Starrr, this setting powder will keep your makeup in place while helping you achieve that fully matte look.
As heard from a friend: “Get the mini version. This setting powder lasted me for so long and I love how it blurs my skin.”
Get the Ultimate Setting Powder on Sephora.
Price: $56
The most important part of any makeup look is the last step — setting spray. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is known for its natural, hydrating and long-wearing qualities to ensure your makeup stays on fleek throughout the day.
There’s also an XL version retailing at $73.
As heard from a friend: “This helps me to get an even, fine and uniform amount of product over my face. The formula is amazing too — it locks everything in place and keeps the oils at bay in this racket melting pot climate.”
Get the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray on Sephora.
Price: $202
Pat McGrath’s Mothership Eyeshadow Palettes are a cult classic. Don’t let the high price point scare you away — this eyeshadow palette is a worthy investment, as the high pigmentation will last you for a long time.
As heard from a friend: “The pigments pack a punch, blend like a dream, have a strong colour payoff, and last long.”
Get the Pat McGrath’s Mothership Eyeshadow Palettes on Sephora.
Price: $62
It’s tough to find a good primer that suits your skin tone so you won’t struggle with an oily look throughout the night. Luckily, Make Up Forever’s Grayness Reducer Step 1 Face Primer has a range of different ingredients to suit your skin type.
It also helps to balance any uneven skin tone so that your foundation will be able to blend easily into the skin.
As heard from a friend: “I can really see the difference in my makeup look after applying this primer on first. It’s definitely worth the extra step.”
Get the Make Up Forever’s Grayness Reducer Step 1 Face Primer on Sephora.
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Price: $47
It’s safe to say that eyebrows are one of the most important features of your face. Benefit Cosmetics’ Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil is for those who are looking for a natural look that’s easy to apply. They also have a variety of shades to choose from.
As heard from a friend: “I’ve been using this product for years as it’s quite pigmented so you don’t really have to put a lot of product on. Just draw a bit on your brows and shade it, and you’ll get a very natural brow look.”
Get the Benefit Cosmetics’ Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil on Sephora.
Price: $70
Makeup and skincare all in one? Yes please. It Cosmetics’ Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is a great product to use for a natural no-makeup makeup look. It provides great coverage and brightens the skin — the SPF 50 is an added bonus too.
As heard from a friend: “This doubles as both skincare and makeup and has good coverage. It’s the only cream I use now.”
Get the It Cosmetics’ Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream on Sephora.
Price: $77
Dealing with the hot and humid weather in Singapore is no easy feat. To counter dry skin, Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream Moisturizer aims to make your skin feel silky smooth with every application, no matter if it’s morning or night. Bonus points for the amazing smell too.
As heard from a friend: “It’s super hydrating yet not too heavy, and it can even clear up any flaking on my skin within a day.”
Get the Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream Moisturizer on Sephora.
Price: $56
One of Fresh’s best selling products is their Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash. It’s made with real strawberries and smoothing sugar crystals that melt as they polish. Hopefully, as quoted from Harry Styles’ song, this sweet product will make your skin taste like strawberries, on a summer evening.
As heard from a friend: “I was really impressed because the exfoliating particles are very gentle, but at the same time, it does the job in making my face feel very clean afterwards.”
Get the Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash on Sephora.
Price: $36
Pro tip: Stop using your bare hands to pop your pimples and look for acne treatment gels instead. The Origins Spot Remover Anti-Blemish Treatment Gel contains salicylic acid to quickly treat acne blemishes and clear clogged pores.
As heard from a friend: “This works like a miracle for me when it comes to calming angry and red pimples. I use it at night before going to bed and by the next morning, my pimples become significantly reduced.”
Get the Origins Spot Remover Anti-Blemish Treatment Gel on Sephora.
Price: $62
If Beauty of Joseon is a must-have sunscreen from Olive Young, then Supergoop is the equivalent for Sephora. Start off your skincare routine with the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, an invisible, weightless and scentless sunscreen with SPF 40.
As heard from a friend: “This is great for those with combination or oily skin. It really helps to mattify your skin and your makeup will cling onto your face nicely.”
Get the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen on Sephora.
Price: $79
If you’re still on the search for the best serum to complete your skincare routine, look no further. Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops is a hydrating serum that visibly reduces hyperpigmentation, so you can achieve that reflective and dewy glow to your skin.
As heard from a friend: “I cannot live without this. This serum is what makes my skin glow from within.”
Get the Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops on Sephora.
Price: $60
Age backwards with the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil, targeted to restore a youthful glow to your skin. It’s made with antioxidants and vitamins, so you can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
As heard from a friend: “I use this before going to bed and it makes my face feel hydrated the next morning. I don’t have to use too much either, which makes the product last for quite a long time.”
Get the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil on Sephora.
Price: $65
Puffy eyes and dark circles begone. Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream is a brightening cream with a ceramic applicator to give your skin a cooling effect. For those who often burn the midnight oil, this product will ensure a refreshed look before you head out of the house.
As heard from a friend: “I really like the applicator as it makes it easy for me to apply the product to my under eyes. I also keep the product in the fridge, so it feels cool and reduces my swollen eyes when I wake up in the morning.”
Get the Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream on Sephora.
The next time your man is hoping to treat you to something from Sephora, perhaps you can send him this list as inspiration for your future gifts. All of the products are available in Sephora stores islandwide as well as on their online website, so make sure to snag these must-haves before they sell out.
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