29 Sephora employees reveal the one product you should buy
- Though shopping at Sephora can be fun, visiting the store can also be overwhelming, as there are so many beauty products to choose from.
- To help make the selection easier, Insider previously spoke with numerous employees of the retail chain to learn what products they swear by.
- Sephora employees on TikTok have also shared their recommendations.
- While some suggest $9 lipsticks, others say you should try a $95 beauty oil.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
With its many gleaming rows of beauty products, Sephora is a makeup lover's heaven. But it can also be a nightmare — with so many options, it's hard to know what's really worth spending money on.
To narrow down the beauty chain's must-have products, Insider previously asked store employees, as well as Sephora Collection's national makeup artist, for the single item they can't stop wearing. Some Sephora employees have also shared their product recommendations on TikTok.
From a $9 lipstick to a $95 beauty oil made with real gold, here's what Sephora staffers would really recommend.
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Sephora Collection — 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation
Sephora employee Kayon told Insider she wears this $20 foundation every day. "It's lightweight, smooths over fine lines, and adjusts to my skin tone," she said.
Cost: $20
Find out more about Sephora Collection 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation here.
Anastasia Beverly Hills — Brow Wiz
This eyebrow pencil and brush "works for me everyday," Sephora employee Iffat said. "It's the only thing I use on my eyebrows. It stays on all day long."
Cost: $23
Find out more about Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz here.
Benefit Cosmetics — Hoola Matte Bronzer
Beauty class facilitator Sheala said her favorite product, Benefit's Hoola Matte Bronzer, is "perfect for summer." The popular powder "complements skin tone," and "blends perfectly," she said.
Cost: $30
Find out more about Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer here.
Sephora Collection — Long-Lasting 12 HR Wear Eye Liner
"It gives you a nice matte finish and lasts all day," makeup artist Noshi told Insider. "It's really easy to apply because the brush has a nice pointy end." She added that it's versatile enough to paint both fine and thick lines.
Cost: $12
Find out more about Sephora Collection Long-Lasting 12 HR Wear Eye Liner here.
Marc Jacobs Beauty — Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator
Sephora Pro makeup artist Karoline wears this non-powdery highlighter in the 007 shade. "It gives a beautiful dewy sheen to the skin," she said.
Cost: $42
Find out more about Marc Jacobs Beauty Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator here.
Sephora Collection — LashCraft Length & Volume Mascara
"I love LashCraft mascara," Sephora Collection's national makeup artist, Helen Phillips, told Insider. It's "one of my all-time favorite mascaras," she said, adding that "it does not smudge at all throughout the day."
The product is also "super easy to remove" with warm water, she said. "I literally never leave the house without mascara."
Cost: $12
Find out more about LashCraft Length & Volume Mascara here.
IT Cosmetics — Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+
Senior makeup artist Sandra said this CC cream gives her "really good coverage," and is "amazing for everyday." A step up from BB cream, IT Cosmetics' CC cream has a high sunscreen, she said, making it ideal "for someone worried about covering their skin."
Cost: $39.50
Find out more about IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+ here.
GLAMGLOW — THIRSTYMUD™ Hydrating Treatment
Sephora employee Marguerite swears by this GLAMGLOW hydrating mask. Because it's "invisible" on the skin, she uses it when flying to give her skin a hydration boost. She also applies it daily during the winter.
Cost: $59
Find out more about GLAMGLOW THIRSTYMUD™ Hydrating Treatment here.
Skin Laundry — Gentle Foaming Face Wash
Cash wrap coordinator Grady swears by this Skin Laundry cleanser. "It's so smoothing," he said, "and doesn't leave your skin dry."
Cost: $20
Find out more about Skin Laundry Gentle Foaming Face Wash here.
La Mer — Crème de la Mer
Makeup artist Stephanie K. said she's obsessed with Crème de la Mer. It's "incredibly moisturizing," she said. "A little bit goes a long way."
Her colleague, makeup artist Roxanne also adores the cream. "It's so highly concentrated," she said, that you only need "just a little bit." She applies it by gently tapping it on her skin every morning.
A.Love, another makeup artist, sang its praises as a hydrating moisturizer: "I sleep in it. It stops my skin from cracking."
Cost: $90 - $510
Find out more about La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream here.
Huda Beauty — Classic False Lashes
"They look thick and heavy, but they feel light," makeup artist A.Love, who said she couldn't pick just one product, told Insider.
Cost: $20
Find out more about Huda Beauty Classic False Lashes here.
Marc Jacobs Beauty — Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara
"I'm scared of waterproof mascara so this is a non-waterproof formulation," personal shopper Vivian said. She loves that it adds volume to her eyelashes and "no racoon eyes."
Cost: $27
Find out more about Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara here.
KVD Vegan Beauty — Lock-It Powder Foundation
Sephora employee Amanda uses this KVD Vegan Beauty foundation to hide dark circles. It's "super fine" — and light enough just to "put the powder on and let it sit" — and "awesome for baking," she said.
Cashier Vanessa also wears the product, which she said gives her "full coverage" and "doesn't look cakey."
Cost: $37
Find out more about the KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Powder Foundation here.
Lancôme — Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation
Color consultant Chenzira and her colleague Daverene both said they use this foundation daily. While Chenzira said she loves the "matte finish" it gives without drying her skin, Daverene said the foundation stays on all day — from her morning commute through to her night out.
Cost: $47
Find out more about Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation here.
Milk Makeup — Highlighter
Beauty class facilitator Alexandra told Insider she uses the Milk highlighter on her cheeks and eyes. She said she loves its versatility, and how it "feels light" and "dries nicely."
Cost: $28
Find out more about Milk Makeup Highlighter here.
Sephora Collection — Illuminate Palette
Color manager Gail uses this highlighting palette to brighten the highpoints of her cheekbones, her lips, and under her eyes. She said it "awakens you immediately."
Cost: $29
Find out more about Sephora Collection Illuminate Palette here.
Tatcha — Gold Camellia Beauty Oil
Senior artist Ashlee said she applies this beauty oil to give her glowing, hydrated skin.
"I'm not a big foundation wearer but I wear it under my makeup," she said. The oil contains 24k carat gold flakes, which she said make it feel even more luxurious.
Cost: $95
Find out more about Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil here.
Tarte — Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
This Tarte product is makeup artist David's favorite mascara. "It gives me the most versatility," he said, adding that it builds quickly, giving a "fluffy but full," and "camera-ready lash."
Cost: $23
Find out more about Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes™ 4-in-1 Mascara here.
Yves Saint Laurent — Touche Eclat Radiance Perfecting Pen
Former Sephora cast member Jessica recommends this glitter-free concealer and highlighter. "Worth every single penny and lasts forever," she said.
Cost: $35
Find out more about Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiance Perfecting Pen here.
Anastasia Beverly Hills — Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette
"Modern Renaissance is a beautiful formula," Sephora cast member Keisha told us, adding that she likes how easy it is to blend the different shades.
"My biggest pet peeve is when colors end up looking muddy within the same palette and that doesn't happen with this one," she said. "It's a very neutral palette, especially if you're into rosy colors."
Cost: $42
Find out more about Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette here.
Bite Beauty — Agave Lip Mask
Sephora employee Jessica S. told Insider she used the mask when preparing for makeup appointments. In particular, she said the mask is "great as a heavy duty lip balm," and loves its "yummy light agave smell."
Cost: $26
Find out more about Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask here.
Boscia — Exfoliating Peel Gel
Boscia's Exfoliating Peel Gel is Sephora employee Lissa G.'s product of choice.
"It's instant gratification when exfoliating your skin," she told us. "It gently removes the top layer of thin dry skin from your face instantly without peeling a layer of skin or leaving you irritated."
Cost: $34
Find out more about Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel here.
Sephora Collection — #LipStories Lipstick
"All of the colors are super pigmented and they last a long time," Sephora employee Liv told us. "Honestly they are my favorite lipstick I use."
She especially likes how affordable they are, and the range of colors and finishes available.
Cost: $9
Find out more about Sephora Collection #Lipstories Lipstick here.
Drunk Elephant — TLC Framboos Night Serum
"My favorite product is definitely Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Night Serum," Sephora employee Riley told us. "It has 12% glycolic so it's facial grade and it's really changed my skin so much for the better."
Cost: $90
Find out more about Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Night Serum here >
Marc Jacobs Beauty — Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate
Former employee Olivia told us that this Marc Jacobs foundation is her go-to product. "I use a pea-sized amount and add it into my Laura Mercier Candleglow foundation," she said, adding that it gives her "a matte look with a slight glow."
Cost: $56
Find out more about Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate here.
Farmacy — Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask
Sereena Ortiz-Castro, a former Sephora employee, said on TikTok that the product feels "super warm" when applied to the face, and leaves you with glowing skin.
Cost: $38 - $56
Find out more about Farmacy's Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask here.
Dr. Dennis Gross — Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
According to Sephora employee and TikTok user Warda, these wipes are "super worth the price tag." In her video about must-have products, she also said they'll start to take effect within a week.
Cost: $88
Find out more about the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel here.
Sephora Collection — Outrageous Plump Lip Gloss
"Since I've been a Sephora employee, these have always been a must-have and a re-purchase for me," employee Briana Barbz said in a TikTok video.
Cost: $12
Find out more about the Sephora Collection Outrageous Plump Lip Gloss here.
Caudalie — Grape Water
A Sephora employee who goes by Havana on TikTok said in a video that she likes this spray because it's affordable and multipurpose. She recommends using it as a setting spray or as a way to soothe irritated skin.
Cost: $10
Find out more about Caudalie's Grape Water here.
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