Beauty

I worked at Sephora for 11 years. Here are my absolute favorite beauty products of all time.

  • After working at Sephora for 11 years, I have lots of go-to makeup and skincare products.

  • The First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads and pure-skin face cleanser are great products.

  • I love the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech foundation and Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond long-wear lipstick.

I saw a lot of changes in beauty trends during my 11 years at Sephora. But one question clients ask me always remains the same: Which products would you recommend?

Despite the gloomy outlook of the economy, shoppers are still spending their cash on beauty products and looking to get the best value on the items they buy.

Here are my favorite makeup and skincare products as a freelance makeup artist and former Sephora employee.

The Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech foundation makes my clients’ skin look flawless.

Display of circular-shaped bottles of Haus Labs foundation at Sephora.  A graphic of Lady Gaga sits next to the foundationDisplay of circular-shaped bottles of Haus Labs foundation at Sephora.  A graphic of Lady Gaga sits next to the foundation

The Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech foundation has an amazing formula.Nora Candreva

The Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech foundation creates a natural medium-coverage look. This product has an amazing formula with skincare ingredients like fermented arnica, which can help reduce redness.

The brand’s concealers are also fabulous and can even be used as foundation.

The Ilia Super Serum skin tint features great skincare ingredients.

A hand holds a white bottle with Ilia logo and a tan dropper in Sephora.  Other bottles are on display on a pink shelf in the backgroundA hand holds a white bottle with Ilia logo and a tan dropper in Sephora.  Other bottles are on display on a pink shelf in the background

The Ilia Super Serum skin tint SPF 40 provides light-to-medium coverage.Nora Candreva

Full disclosure, I work as a brand ambassador for Ilia at some Sephora stores — but I genuinely love the Ilia Super Serum skin tint because it has great skincare ingredients.

The SPF 40 product contains ingredients such as niacinamide, which can treat acne, and squalane, which hydrates the skin. It’s a beautifully tinted serum with dewy light-to-medium coverage.

When it comes to mascara, I have to recommend the Diorshow products.

Diorshow lash maximizer and mascara on display.  The lash maximizer comes in a white tube, and the mascara comes in a black tube.Diorshow lash maximizer and mascara on display.  The lash maximizer comes in a white tube, and the mascara comes in a black tube.

The Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D triple-volume plumping lash primer and 24h buildable-volume mascara are a great combination. Nora Candreva

I usually point clients who want voluminous lashes to the Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D triple-volume plumping lash primer and the 24h buildable-volume mascara. Personally, I prefer the waterproof Diorshow mascara formula.

The primer can nourish and curl your lashes, and the Diorshow mascara is great for building volume.

Take care of your lips with the OleHenriksen Pout Preserve hydrating peptide lip treatments.

Testers for Ole Henriksen lip treatments.  The tubes come in red, yellow, pink, and purple colors and sit on a beige trayTesters for Ole Henriksen lip treatments.  The tubes come in red, yellow, pink, and purple colors and sit on a beige tray

The OleHenriksen Pout Preserve peptide lip treatments come in various shades.Nora Candreva

My lips always feel hydrated and plump when I use the OleHenriksen Pout Preserve hydrating peptide lip treatments.

I love the Strawberry Sorbet shade because it leaves a beautiful hint of pink on the lips.

The Urban Decay Vice Bond glossy long-wear lipstick is truly impressive.

Display of Urban Decay Vice lip bond liquid lipstick.  The tubes of lipstick are rectangular shaped and have shiny lids in various shades of pink, red, and brown.Display of Urban Decay Vice lip bond liquid lipstick.  The tubes of lipstick are rectangular shaped and have shiny lids in various shades of pink, red, and brown.

When I want lip colors that last, I go for the Urban Decay Vice Bond glossy long-wear lipsticks.Nora Candreva

I was wowed when I first tried the Urban Decay Vice Bond glossy long-wear lipstick.

The highly pigmented colors stay on my lips longer than the rest of my makeup. To use it, shake the lipstick, apply it to your lips, and let it dry while you keep your mouth open.

Sephora Collection setting products seal makeup in perfectly.

Self of Sephora beauty items in store.  From left to right, a yellow tube of Sephora mattify and refine primer, a black container of translucent setting powder, and a black container of setting spray are on displaySelf of Sephora beauty items in store.  From left to right, a yellow tube of Sephora mattify and refine primer, a black container of translucent setting powder, and a black container of setting spray are on display

I love the Sephora Collection translucent setting powder and setting spray.Nora Candreva

Because I was encouraged to sell Sephora Collection makeup when I worked in the store, I’ve tried many of the products.

My favorites were always the setting products because they locked down makeup for a reasonable price.

I’d even say the Sephora Collection translucent loose setting powder is comparable to the pricier Laura Mercier translucent one.

Similarly, the Sephora Collection all-day makeup setting spray is just as good for setting your face as the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless spray.

In terms of skincare, there are some great sunscreen options to choose from at Sephora.

A hand holds a white bottle with Ilia logo and "C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40" text;  A bright-yellow tube of Tula Skincare protect + glow SPF on a shelf with blue boxes behind itA hand holds a white bottle with Ilia logo and "C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40" text;  A bright-yellow tube of Tula Skincare protect + glow SPF on a shelf with blue boxes behind it

I’d usually recommend the Ilia C Beyond triple serum SPF 40 or the Tula Skincare Protect and Glow sunscreen gel.Nora Candreva

I always tell my clients that sunscreen is like health insurance for the face.

I swear by the Ilia C Beyond triple serum SPF 40 because the tinted formula, which comes in three shades, can cover redness without leaving a white cast. It also layers underneath foundation beautifully.

The Tula Skincare Protect and Glow daily sunscreen gel SPF 30 gives the skin a gorgeous glow while protecting it from sun damage.

The right balm and oil cleansers remove makeup and sunscreen effortlessly.

A white bottle with a gray pump of Dermalogica precleanse in front of white and gray Dermalogica boxes at SephoraA white bottle with a gray pump of Dermalogica precleanse in front of white and gray Dermalogica boxes at Sephora

The Dermalogica Precleanse cleansing oil can remove dirt and impurities. Nora Candreva

Double cleansing, or washing your face with two cleansers, starting with removing makeup and sunscreen with balms or oils.

I recommend the Farmacy Green Clean makeup-removing cleansing balm or the Dermalogica Precleanse cleansing oil. Be gentle when massaging these products on the skin, especially around the eyes, so you don’t lose any lashes.

Choose cleansers that complement your skin type.

Blue and white tubes of First Aid Beauty pre skin face cleansers on shelves at SephoraBlue and white tubes of First Aid Beauty pre skin face cleansers on shelves at Sephora

The First Aid Beauty pure-skin face cleanser is a great cream-based product.Nora Candreva

I recommend choosing a basic cleanser according to your skin type and concerns.

For example, I have combination skin (oily and dry), so I use the gel-based Shani Darden cleansing serum. The cleanser feels luxurious with how it foams up. I also felt like how it removes dirt and oil without drying out my skin.

If your skin is dry and sensitive, I recommend a cream-based product like the First Aid Beauty pure-skin cleanser. The fragrance-free cream formula even doubles as a makeup remover.

The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliant can help smooth textured skin.

White container of Dermalogica daily microexfoliant on a shelf at Sephora.  A chart of showing textured skin sits next to the bottleWhite container of Dermalogica daily microexfoliant on a shelf at Sephora.  A chart of showing textured skin sits next to the bottle

The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliant activates when mixed with water.Nora Candreva

I usually recommend an enzyme exfoliant for those with dry or flaky skin and a chemical exfoliator with glycolic or lactic acids for clients with textured skin.

The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliant is an enzyme powder that’s activated when mixed with water.

This gentle yet effective scrub helps even skin tone while cleansing and reducing the appearance of pores. It’s a great step before applying foundation.

I have a few go-to chemical exfoliants that nourish the skin.

Dr.  Dennus Gross universal daily peek pads in orange boxes on shelf at Sephora;  A round blue container of First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads on aa blue shelf at SephoraDr.  Dennus Gross universal daily peek pads in orange boxes on shelf at Sephora;  A round blue container of First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads on aa blue shelf at Sephora

Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads and First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads are good chemical exfoliants.Nora Candreva

When I want a chemical exfoliant that nourishes my skin, I use the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta extra-strength daily peel pads.

I also loved using the First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads when prepping clients’ skin at Sephora’s Beauty Studio. They’re a staple for preparing a good base to apply makeup to, and I’ve even found they work for people with sensitive skin.

For moisturizers, Skinfix products are my holy grail.

Blue Skinfix products on display at Sephira.  Light-blue boxes of the Skinfix barrier+ skin barrier restoring gel cream sit next to containers of the creamBlue Skinfix products on display at Sephira.  Light-blue boxes of the Skinfix barrier+ skin barrier restoring gel cream sit next to containers of the cream

The Skinfix Barrier+ products can help restore skin health.Nora Candreva

I suggest people with dry skin go for a cream-based moisturizer because it has a thick consistency that will lock in moisture.

On the other hand, I recommend those with oily skin opt for a gel or lightweight formula with a watery texture that won’t feel too heavy.

The Skinfix Barrier+ strengthening and moisturizing triple lipid-peptide cream and lightweight pore-refining gel cream hydrate and help to restore the skin barrier.

The Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae eye cream is one of my favorite skincare picks.

A dark-green container of Biossance squalane + marine algae eye cream on a shelf in front of cream-colored boxes at SephoraA dark-green container of Biossance squalane + marine algae eye cream on a shelf in front of cream-colored boxes at Sephora

The Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae eye cream instantly brightens the skin.Nora Candreva

My all-time favorite eye cream is the Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae product.

It’s the ultimate one-and-done eye cream because it can firm and instantly brighten the under eyes. For an extra refreshing application, chill your eye cream in the fridge.

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