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I Worked At Sephora For 11 Years. Here Are My Absolute Favorite Beauty Products Of All Time.
I worked at Sephora for 11 years.
Nora Candreva
- 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 asked me always remained the same: Which products would you recommend?
Despite the murky 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.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.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 like 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 the lashes, I have to recommend the Dior Diorshow 24h buildable-volume mascara.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 24h buildable-volume mascara. Personally, I prefer the waterproof formula for building volume.
Take care of your lips with the OleHenriksen Pout Preserve hydrating peptide lip treatments.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.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.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 lock 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.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.The Dermalogica Precleanse cleansing oil can remove dirt and impurities.
Nora Candreva
Double cleansing, or washing your face with two cleansers, starts 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.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.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. 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.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.
I like a few Skinfix products, but the Barrier+ strengthening and moisturizing triple lipid-peptide cream hydrates and helps to restore the skin barrier.
The Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae eye cream is one of my favorite skincare picks.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.
This story was originally published on March 18, 2024, and most recently updated on November 22, 2024.
Read the original article on Business Insider
