The Things You Need From Sephora

I get a lot of questions from people on Twitter and instagram about what I would recommend from Sephora. We don’t have the black and white store of dreams in the UK (anymore) so when people find themselves abroad and in store… it can be a bit overwhelming. So I am here to help, with my recommendations of the things you need from Sephora.

The Things You Need From Sephora

There are a lot of brands stocked in Sephora that are not available in the UK so these are the ones I naturally gravitate towards. However, the first mention has to go to the Sephora own brand products, as I think they might be some of my favourites of all.

Sephora own brand

One item I cannot resist when I  go into Sephora is the Sephora Cream Lip Stains. These things are seriously goo. They apply like a gloss but dry down to a perfect matte: comfortable to wear, not flaky or drying, just seriously beautiful colours that last ages. I think I have 5 or 6 of these and need more: 01 Always Red is probably my go to matte red.

The Sephora Formula X nail varnishes are really good (and you can’t get these delivered to the UK so have to be an in-store purchase unfortunately). So many great colours and a formula that’s hard to beat – these apply well and easily last for a week on me (with topcoat obv).

Sephora Eye Masks are my in flight secret weapon – I have very sensitive eyes that don’t react well to flying, but I just put one of these masks on about 45 mins before landing and all puffiness is gone and my eyes feel soothed and less aggravated. Wonderful things.

I am a big fan of eyeshadow pencils that are like giant crayons. They make applying eye make up so easy when you’re having a lazy day: you just swipe around the eyes and smudge away. The Sephora Colorful Shadow & Liner pencils are bloody great and the colours are wonderful.

Kat Von D

In my eyes, Kat Von D can do no wrong. She consistently brings out products that are not only amazing quality but in colours that are unique that really set her stuff apart. I’m a big matte liquid lipstick fan (I dread to think how many I have) but the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks are up there as some of my favourites. I already have my eye on more for my next Sephora order!

If you’re into liquid eyeliners, Kat Von D has some really unusual shades in the Kat Von D Ink Liner range: I have the white and the periwinkle blue and they are super pretty. The teal looks like the eyeliner dreams are made of…

The Kat Von D Studded Kiss lipsticks are dreamy. Just look at the colours and packaging. I don’t feel like I need to say anything else.

Mini shout out to the Kat Von D Tattoo Brow pen as well, mine has now run out but I used that bad boy every day for the month after I bought it, it’s *that* good.

Anastasia Beverly Hills

If you’re into brows it’s likely you’ve heard of Anastasia Beverly Hills. If you haven’t, you only need to know one thing: she knows brows. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is a cult product and for good reason. It’s a super fine eyebrow pencil with a spooley on the other end and the size of the pencil gives you so much control so you can get a really natural look or build it up for a more dramatic brow. Plus is stays put ALL day. (NB: You can get some ABH products in the UK online but with brow products I do prefer to test them out in person to make sure I get a good colour match).

Perfume Rollerballs

Another one you can’t order online to be delivered to the UK – perfumes. One of my favourite things about Sephora is their wall of perfume rollerballs. I have a lot of perfume already so couldn’t really justify spending £60 on a whole bottle, so these little bottles are the perfect compromise. They are ideal for your handbag and mean you can try lots of perfumes without the big cost.

Josie Maran

It’s rare that I find a company from whom I like make up and skincare. I feel like it’s very rare for both sides to be equally matched – one side is always a lot better in my experience. Josie Maran changed that for me – her skincare is phenomenal. On my recent New York trip I picked up this little Argan skincare ritual set as I’d tried the 100% Pure Argan Oil Light previously and LOVED it. The cleansing oil and SPF are both wonderful so this got three thumbs up from me (I borrowed a thumb from Aaron). This is the minis set, but I now wish I’d got this version!

In the spring and summer I love to use cream blushers as they give such a nice dewy glow, and this Josie Maran Coconut Waterproof Cheek Gelee is a firm favourite. It has an unusual bouncy jelly-like texture and applies really sheer so you can build it up to the finish you want.

Honourable mentions

There isn’t room for me to wax lyrical about all the products I’ve tried and loved so here are a few other things for you to keep your eyes peeled for: Boscia skincare – their Make Up Break Up Cool Cleansing Oil is a joy to use. Tarte make up is seriously beautiful and really high quality. Their blushers in particular are excellent. Marc Jacobs make up is wonderful if you want a bit of a splurge. I’ve heard seriously great things about Kate Somerville skincare and BECCA make up but have yet to try them so I’d give them a nosey. I would also save quite a bit of time for the minis section of doom. I always think I’m was done and head over to the tills and then you’re confronted with shelves of travel sizes of so many products. I think I blacked out for a bit, but then I came to I had somehow acquired another basket of stuff… In all seriousness, this is such a great idea as you can find bits and pieces that are perfect for travel e.g. the Josie Maran gift set) and also take the chance to try products without shelling out for the full size products (I got some Bumble & Bumble hair products, bits of skincare I wasn’t sure would agree with my rosacea – First Aid Beauty Radiance Pads were a prime example. P.S. they did absolutely nothing for me so I’m glad I only paid for the mini!)

I hope you enjoyed my recommendations for the things you need from Sephora. I am always building the ultimate shopping list for my next haul so please do let me know what your favourite products or shades of products are in the comments below.

Lex