I’ve been receiving messages in my Instagram DMs asking me about my Sephora favorites and which products I recommend purchasing during the Sephora sale that’s going on now, so I thought I would chime in!
My goal is that this post can be a resource for you when you shop at Sephora. Since they run sales a few times a year, feel free to check back to this post periodically for my opinion on my top recommendations. The following 10 items are items that I’ve repurchased and swear by; they’re the best of the best which is why I consider them to by my Sephora favorites!
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner
I recently posted about this shampoo and conditioner in my Instagram stories while I’ve been in Turks & Caicos. This is the best shampoo and conditioner I’ve ever used. It’s a bit of a splurge – which is why I only buy it when it’s on sale! Its ability to detangle your hair and make it easy to comb out, while also nourishing and moisturizing your hair is like no other. I swear by it for winter and for beach vacations where I’m in and out of chlorine and salt water. The best!
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
I’ve posted about this cleanser quite a few times (read posts here and here) it is the best and I legitimately couldn’t live without it. I have to have extras on hand so that I never run out unexpectedly. It’s the ONLY cleanser that keeps my chin from breaking out with cystic acne. Someone who works at the Fresh store on Newbury Street in Boston mentioned that it’s so great because of the antioxidants it contains. They recently started offering an even larger size of the product with a pump (the 13.5-oz sizethe 13.5-oz size) – I typically buy the the 6.7-oz size!
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel Pads
File under exfoliators I can’t live without (I’ve posted about these before here). In my upper 20s and now (30 eeek! hehe) I started using chemical exfoliation rather than physical – sounds scary, but really it just means that I use products that contain acids that get rid of dead skin cells rather than sloughing them off with a thick apricot style scrub. Don’t get me wrong, I still love using a wash cloth on my face at night, but BHAs and AHAs will change your skin and give you such a deeper exfoliation (just be really careful about what other skincare products you use while using these… e.g. don’t use retinol or other products that contain other active ingredients with these or it may result in an allergic reaction…. I’ve been there and it’s not fun).
This product comes in regular strength (found here) and the Extra Strength formula which I use. I truly love both, but mainly use the Extra Strength formula because I feel it gives a bit of a better exfoliation. If you’re new to peels or chemical exfoliators, maybe try starting with the regular strength and work your way up! These are another item that are a bit pricy, so I only purchase when they’re on sale.
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Moisturizer
It’s no secret that I love Fresh’s products – they just agree with my skin! I’ve repurchased this moisturizer 3 or 4 times now – so, so good and truly gives you dewy skin. Even Geoff said so, so if a guy notices, you know it’s legit! 😂 The best way to describe the texture of this moisturizer is that it’s gel-like. My skin immediately absorbs it and makes it look dewy and hydrated. It’s cooling and has minimal fragrance – just a little bit of rose. I have sensitive skin and this doesn’t bother me whatsoever. I use it morning and night. Truly the best moisturizer ever!
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow
Of all of the products on this list, this product is the newest to me and one I’ve bought twice now. See above where I talk about AHAs and BHAs. This product contains a 14% AHA/BHA acid blend. Truly worth the hype. I use this as a serum a couple nights a week (no more than twice) and it exfoliates your skin to reveal the most amazing deep-from-within glow the next day. It’s also one of the few products I’ve tried that temporary minimizes my pores. I say temporary because there’s no way to truly, permanently minimize your pore size, but this does a great job of giving them a minimized look the next morning.
This is one of those products that you don’t want to combine with any other harsh active ingredients. Use a gentle cleanser prior to using, then put this on dry skin, then use a very gentle moisturizer (the above moisturizer I listed works perfectly). Not going to lie, this stung the first couple times I used it, but wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. One of the few products that I feel gives you a noticeable difference from night to AM! Will keep hyping this up because I LOVE it – plus, Farmacy’s products are clean.
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Affogato
The best concealer ever. I use this concealer in the shade “Affogato” which is a little on the light side for me while tan on vacation like I am now, but it’s perfect for me in the winter months. Besides, I love a bright under eye, and this does the trick!
One of the reasons I love it so much is that it really lives up to its name with “radiant.” It gives such a glowy, radiant finish and has minimal creasing. I’d say it gives medium coverage.
Nars Bronzer in Laguna
Another item from Nars! This bronzer is so worth it and a cult favorite. It’s the absolute perfect shade of bronze!
Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum
I have talked about this serum quite a few times and have probably purchased it 10x over. I’m obsessed with it. I use this at night when I’m not using retinol or AHAs/BHAs, etc. It is your perfect night serum when you want something gentle and not as intense as your other serums or treatments.
I love it because it’s brightening, helps get rid of dark spots, and keeps my skin in check – I don’t know what it is about it (I think it might be the lactic acid) but it keeps my skin from breaking out 99% of the time. If I get a pimple (usually around that time of the month), it makes the life of the pimple so much shorter. I can’t live without this serum! Insider Tip: During the holiday season, make sure you buy it in this gift set – the same price as just the serum and you get a couple extra products for free!
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
This palette! I’ve used it for 6+ years and it’s incredible. I knew it was legit because when Geoff and I first started dating, a friend complimented on a photo of us saying that I was “glowing.” 😏 She was hinting at me being in love (which I was 🥰) but I swear it was really this palette! I use the middle shade all over my face because it mimics the satin finish and the glowy look your face has over candlelight – it seriously gives the most gorgeous finish! I use the lightest shade as a highlighter on the bridge of my nose, the top of my cheekbones, etc.
Retinol Reform by Shani Darden
I’ve been using this retinol for 5+ years and have actually been buying it long before it’s been available on Sephora (it only recently has been added to Sephora’s beauty brands). One time when I was 24 or 25, I woke up and I swear I had wrinkles out of nowhere 😂 or maybe I just noticed them for the first time…. Obviously I started freaking out because how did I get old over night?! (I’m delusional lol!) Anyway, I had been researching Shani Darden and her products (she’s a master esthetician to top celebrities like Rosie Huntington Whitely and Jessica Alba). In my research, her Retinol Reform kept coming up again and again.
Retinol is known for being a miracle product at reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and also clearing acne. But… retinol is also known for being harsh, drying out your skin, and sometimes even making your skin peel. I don’t know how Shani does it, but this version is incredibly gentle. I swear by it. If you’re 25+, you need to be using a retinol (if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure to consult your doctor. Most do not recommend using a retinol). I’ll be stocking up on this so I can get my skin in check for my wedding.
What are your Sephora favorites?! Have a product I need to know about? Let me know in the comments! 💗
