The Sephora semi-annual savings event is always a popular time for creators to round up their favorites at the retailer, and even more so in the fall considering all of the holiday releases. It’s fun to chat makeup, and I love seeing everyone’s recommendations and why those products work for them!
For a slight change of pace, especially with having gone through most categories pretty recently in my Allure Best of Beauty 2026 post, I thought it might be nice to choose only my absolute, best of the best favorites. No requirement to choose from each category. No need to list everything I love within a category. Just what I would recommend without hesitation and that I would struggle to find better elsewhere.
A slight disclaimer: If you are feeling vulnerable to spend beyond your budget, break your no- or low-buy, put the shopping trip on a credit card – please skip this one (and all Sephora sales posts in general). You do not owe it to creators to read or watch this type of content if it doesn’t currently resonate with you. If you need a particular recommendation at any time, don’t hesitate to send me a DM; I just care much more about your well-being, especially within the current economic environment, than you being informed on my current favs. You will not offend me, and we can catch each other in the next one.
Let’s go.
Makeup
Primer
Ciele Prime & Protect: This is a really nice, agreeable primer for offering a slightly smoothed, grippy base under makeup. It’s a more lotion-like consistency, and my favorite shade is Mother (though the original is great as well).
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Water Powder Serum: If you have oilier skin (even if only in the T-zone), this is the one. It keeps you more matte for longer and sits really well under makeup. For folks like me with drier skin, I reserve this for the hottest summer days or in more humid climates.
Foundations
Natasha Denona’s Hy-Glam Foundation: Higher coverage, smooth finish, comfortable, and long-wearing. This is a more hydrating formula and dries to a pretty natural finish (though can lean dewy on others). While there are a few foundations that might fit this description at Sephora, the nuanced shades really cinch the deal for this one. If instead you prefer a more matte finish (whether in the fall/winter or just in general), Rare Beauty offers otherwise the same qualities.
Dior Backstage Skin Tint: Gorgeous. Gorgeous. If you’re looking for a skin tint (buildable to light coverage), this is so smooth and long-wearing and genuinely makes your skin look really fresh. Like, facial fresh. It’s just beautiful.
Concealer
Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer: This has many of the same qualities as the foundation but with a more natural finish imo. It’s pigmented, so you don’t need a lot to achieve coverage, which also helps keep it from looking heavy.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Concealer: The fullest coverage, long-wear concealer I’ve come across that still maintains its nice finish throughout the day. Shade 1.5 is also a really nice muted neutral shade for fair skin.
Color Corrector
One Size Ultimate Color Corrector Stain: I color correct my base and under eyes every day I wear makeup, and I’ve been really impressed by this formula. The coverage and correcting power this offers is heavy-hitting without looking dry or settling into fine lines. It’s not a “stain” in the traditional sense, but rather in the way that once you apply and blend it, it sets and doesn’t transfer up into your concealer or foundation as you blend those on top. I also really appreciate that a peach for fair skin has been included in the range (instead of only pink), as this shade has worked really well for my darkest under eye days! I know there were reports of this product having a bad smell at launch – I haven’t personally had this experience, but maybe something to check?
Bronzer + Contour
For a less hydrated and more creamy formula, I cannot rave enough about the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Stick. This is one of the most gorgeous formulas I have interacted with in a long time. It’s so smooth, the texture allows you to glide it directly onto your skin with no lifting and seamless blending, and the shade?! If you have fair skin, please check out the Milk Chocolate shade. I have completely finished one of these and am well on my way to finishing the second. FYI, it does have their famous cocoa scent in case you’re sensitive, but I can’t detect it once on the face.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Cream Contour Stick is an incredible formula. It’s a little bit stiffer than something like the Too Faced but still glides very easily such that you can apply it directly to your skin with no lifting or blending issues. I can use Half Tone as a bronzer (slightly warmer and more yellow compared to the Too Faced) and Greyscale as a contour.
For a powder bronzer, the Givenchy Prisme Libre Bronzer has been my go-to, not only for the stunning, soft-milled, blurring formula but also the lightest shade for fair skin tones. I use it almost daily to top my cream bronzer, though you can also wear it alone for a beautifully subtle but buildable effect.
For contour, the one from Sephora Collection is honestly great (and actually gray-toned for us fair-skinned folks!) and will be 30% off for everyone during the event.
Blush
There are too many good blush formulas that have been released over the past couple of years especially to name only one, so I’ll give you one option per formula.
MAC Glow Play Blush: This is a plush, cream-to-powder formula that offers a natural but blurred finish in a lightweight formula. It also has wonderfully nuanced neutral shades, as well as some unique shades.
Rhode Pocket Blush: A beautifully creamy, hydrating but longwearing formula in such good shades. Absolutely worth a mention, but I’ve already waxed poetic about them here.
NARS Insatiable Liquid Blush: If liquid formulas always appealed to you but felt fussy, try this one. Similar to the Rhode blushes, you can check out all my thoughts here.
Highlighter
My favorite highlighter formulas at Sephora are definitely the Dior (powder and liquid). However, since I’ve mentioned those in the Allure post, I wanted to include a new-to-me one I decided to try after watching Nikki La Rose’s Allure video – the Aora Mexico Inicia Primer. The photos do this absolutely no justice. It’s a smooth but impactful light champagne gleam that can either remain concentrated or sheered out to use as a primer. Aluminum packaging is also typically quite finicky, especially by either cracking or continuing to push product out, and I’ve not had this experience any single time I’ve used it over the past few weeks.
Eyeshadow
If you’ve been here for any length of time, you already know I’m a fan of the Natasha Denona palettes (reviews for Tan, I Need A Cool, and Gloom). The other formula at Sephora that I constantly reach for are the YSL Couture Mini Clutch palettes – So many colorways, but I think 720 Captivating Dunes is my favorite.
For liquid shadows, I wasn’t kidding when I called the MAC Multisculpt Mattes one of my favorite releases of the year – back in April! When you know, you know, okay? They’re absolutely incredible for a base shade/tinted primer. If you’re looking for a more unique shade, Slate from the Makeup by Mario cream shadows is really nice, and the matte formula is also super long-wearing and hardy. (I wasn’t overly impressed with the shimmer formula.)
Eyeliner
Sarah Creal Eyes Up Liner: I’ve been really liking this one on the search for an alternative to the Victoria Beckham Beauty liners (considering Sarah Creal herself was behind the VBB formula). The softer gray tone of Grey Area is much appreciated to give some dimension and definition without being too harsh.
Prada Pradalines Eye Pencil: This one is lovely for similar reasons, and the shade Ember is quite unique!
Lip Balm
Eadem Le Chouchou: These are well-loved for a reason. The thicker formula sits so nicely on the lips and is really hydrating and reparative. The metal cooling tip is such a nice sensory touch during application and feels really luxurious. Plus they’ve been releasing more scents and shades so that everyone can find one they love! I can use this either during the day or as a night treatment.
Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve: This one has a lot of the same properties as the Eadem but is maybe slightly more smoothing upon application while maintaining a similar level of glossiness. The only thing that does cause me some hesitation when purchasing and recommending is the intensity of shades and scents. If you find one you like, it’s a lovely experience but can otherwise be a little overbearing. That being said, I’m really intrigued by the Scandi Candy scent and will be purchasing.
Experiment Softwear: I can’t praise this one enough. It’s so unassuming, and many people – myself included – weren’t sure how I would get on with it long-term, but it’s incredible. Compared to formulas like Ole Henriksen, it’s thinner in terms of density and the layer it creates on your lips but also more viscous and occlusive. It really grips your lips to create a cushiony feeling and also has gentle exfoliating properties to recover chapped lips. It’s also less glossy than most of these treatment-oriented products with a nuanced/muted shade selection, which just makes it more comfortable to throw on. I will 1000% be picking up the new shade 4D, described as a cool, opalescent taupe.
Lip Gloss
Sarah Creal No Further Questions Lip Gloss: I finally tried this product when the shade Casual was released because did you SEE that color?! Gimme. And it’s more gray and muted in real life. It’s a very comfortable, slightly thinner gel formula that’s non-sticky but a bit cushiony. It never bunches or gathers into lines for me, and the packaging is a really luxurious and satisfying experience.
Danessa Myricks GlossWork 4D: Danessa really doesn’t release a product unless it’s truly innovative, and that tradition continues with this product. The texture, thickness, glossiness, and grip remind me of the Eadem and Ole Henriksen, just positioned in a more makeup-forward (rather than skincare-forward) format. It’s really lovely, and for me, serves as a gloss with skincare benefits but can also be used as a treatment. My only wish is for more muted and cooler-toned shades to be released, as the range is currently quite saturated.
Lip Liner
Haus Labs The Edge Lip Liner: Maybe my favorite lip liner formula of all time? They’re a creamy formula that glides really easily without being difficult to control but also deposits pigment evenly. You never have to be concerned that they’re either going to skip or do that weird bunching where pigment piles on top of itself, looking almost grainy. After application, you have a few seconds to blend before these set for the day, wearing impressively well. The nuanced shades are of equal importance and were expertly designed. Check out all my thoughts here. (Fair warning: Everyone who has come back to me after purchasing on my recommendation has loved them!)
Merit Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner: This sheer but buildable formula is much more gel-like and glides with no friction. These initially apply slightly glossy but do then set, leaving a kind of natural finish. The shades are similarly great. If you’re someone who wants to include lip liner in their routine but everything seems too intense, you might really love these. I literally own every single shade.
Lipstick
Westman Atelier HydroBalm: These are effectively a sheer lipstick (and I do personally differentiate between sheer lipstick vs. tinted lip balm based on its properties, though it can be a blurry line). Very comfortable in both wear and color, you swipe these on or build them up with the fullest opacity probably landing around medium coverage. What makes these the most special in my opinion is the shades, which are very dialed in and flattering for many. My absolute favorite shade is Café Crème because it’s so uncommon – light, cool, but not overly grayish. I was initially wary of the $50 price point, but I haven’t stopped reaching for it since I purchased. The packaging admittedly isn’t my favorite as it’s a bit chunky and heavy for throwing in my bag, but that’s another reason I’d prefer to grab this lipstick on sale.
Merit Lip Blush: Another more sheer lipstick formula but landing in the soft matte zone vs. comfortably glossy. They deliver really even color, while the sheerness makes them very versatile and also really lightweight. Importantly, unlike many other blurry matte formulas, this one isn’t drying. Of course I have this in their signature shade, Bespoke.
Powder
Givenchy Prisme Libre Pressed Powder: Holy grail status, my favorite of all time. It’s so lightweight, blurring, subtly color-correcting, never cakey… you get the gist. This only ever enhances my makeup. My favorite shade seems to be exclusive to Givenchy’s site, but the rest of the line offered at Sephora is still great.
Dior Forever Loose Setting Powder: Impressively blurring and smoothing. It mattifies my skin with such a small amount of product, preserving the lightweight feel and natural finish I aim for. This was an instant favorite when I tried it upon its release, and I’m so glad it’s available at Sephora. I use the 00 Translucent shade, which I find is truly translucent and doesn’t darken my base.
Setting Spray
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray: My everyday driver that serves as both a finishing and setting spray with the way it melds products together and meaningfully extends the wear of my makeup. I’d recommend this to everyone.
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Mattifying Setting Spray: Incredible. I didn’t try this until some trusted creators with dry skin endorsed this with their full chest. I didn’t think this would work for me, but it absolutely does. Dry-skinned folks, do not use setting powder on the days you reach for this as it is seriously mattifying, but it maintains that beautiful finish through the entire day. The cherry on top? It actually is blurring, so I don’t even have to miss my setting powder.
One Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray: If you struggle with transfer, this is your partner in crime. Originally I bought this for the summer months (especially when wearing white tops), but this is also going to be a fall/winter staple with coats and scarves.
Skincare
Cleansers
I always double cleanse at the end of the day to ensure all makeup and sunscreen is removed.
Farmacy Sweet Clean Trio Gift Set: The Farmacy cleansing balm is great, I just think my Asian beauty cleansing balms are more effective (especially against Asian mascara) for a lower cost. The one exception I make is for the holiday set where they release minis in limited edition scents, like this year’s which contains black cherry and sweet apple. For that reason, these are my favorites to keep around for when you just need to add a little joy to your routine that day.
FYI: Since the Allure post, I’ve tried the Innisfree Double Cleansing Balm and don’t recommend it. It has a thicker, almost paste-like consistency, which means using more product to ensure you can spread it around your face. That would be fine for at least finishing the tube, but it also doesn’t clean effectively and can sometimes bother my (albeit very sensitive) eyes. Next on my list will be the Fresh Soy Cleansing Jelly Balm as it’s gotten much better feedback!
Tatcha Rice Wash Cleanser: I’ve used this on and off for several years, even taking it traveling as my primary cleanser. If you have dry and/or sensitive skin, I recommend this for a really gentle exfoliation that still leaves you feeling cleansed. The full name contains “Soft Skin,” and that’s a very accurate descriptor. I initially thought the price was really high for a cleanser – and don’t get me wrong, it’s not cheap – but I need to use so much less of this than a traditional cleanser. Just a small bead of product lathers up very easily, allowing it to last for much longer. (Tatcha also typically has good Black Friday deals, so I would recommend that instead if you’re looking to purchase more than one Tatcha product.)
Toners & Essences
Eadem Cashmere Peel Milky Exfoliant: If you prefer a chemical exfoliant over a physical one, this is the one I’d recommend. They tend to be gentler on the skin (provided it’s the appropriate type and balance of exfoliants), and this also doubling as a hydrating essence highlights the best of what these product types can be. Of course it was formulated in Korea!
Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk Toner: Listen, I love a milky toner! This is what I currently grab either in the mornings or when I don’t need the additional exfoliation that the Eadem offers. It’s hydrating, soothing, and has a really pleasant thinner texture so it doesn’t ever feel heavy. I really don’t think you can go wrong with this one. Because of how much I’ve enjoyed this product, I’m actually curious to try the mist!
Serums
Medik8 Liquid Peptides Serum: This is the peptide serum I’m currently using. After about 5 weeks, my skin texture is a little smoother and maybe a little firmer as well. It’ll take more time to be sure of the full effects, but the silky, slightly thicker texture is so cosmetically elegant that I have no problem continuing to use it to find out for certain.
Experiment Super Saturated Serum: My absolute favorite hydrating serum. If you need both immediate and lasting hydration, this plumps and sooths my skin like no other. You will not find me without this product, whether I’m at home or traveling, and I’m so glad Experiment is now at Sephora. It was already a cost-effective solution for how much it offers me, but they also now have a value size that gives double the product for a $10 savings.
Cream
Dieux Skin Mercy Recovery Cream: A staple in my bathroom now. Whenever my skin is feeling irritated or reactive, this is the product I reach for, and my skin immediately feels more calm.
Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair: This is the all-in-one moisturizer + treatment when my sensitive skin needs deep hydration and nourishment. There are plenty of great nighttime moisturizers, but this is a special product for when you just need something *more* or when you want a really quick routine that will still serve your skin all night long.
Hair
I rotate through hair products a lot, but there are three products I feel sufficiently passionate about to recommend in the sea of Sephora haircare.
K18 HeatBounce Leave-In: I have fine hair but a lot of it, so I need something nourishing but that has no chance to weigh down my hair. When my hair is wet before heat styling, this is what I reach for. It hydrates, smooths, and protects while maintaining the little volume I have!
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray: When my hair is dry after blowing it out but before using a hot tool, this is what I use. It gives me an extra layer of protection, but the aerosol formula keeps it lightweight. Pricy but does last a long time.
K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo: The most powerful dry shampoo I’ve ever tried. If you need a light refresh, I’d go for a different formula. If your hair gets really oily or you go longer in between washes, this is the one. Be warned not to overdo it though: 3-4 light sprays maximum at the roots only, brush it out, and go about your day. Because of this, it also lasts forever and actually offers cost savings compared to how much other dry shampoo you’d go through to get the same benefits – seriously.
Body
Soft Services Buffing Bar: An elite body exfoliator and in such a convenient format. These are shaped like a soap bar and come in a pack of two. You only need to skate it across your skin (no need to apply pressure), and it will give you a scrub, though there are softer options available in this product as well. I like both the product and its effect better than any tub or tube exfoliator I’ve tried.
Cyklar: If you read my Allure post, you know Cyklar replaced quite a few body care recommendations. My love for these formulas and scents runs deep, and they’ve since released Sex Musk in both the body wash and deodorant, both of which I plan to pick up. I grabbed this after reading reviews when it was only available in the perfume oil on their site, and despite the name, it’s actually a really nice clean, close, musky but not too powdery unisex fragrance.
Those are all of my recommendations this time around. I’d love to know what you’re planning to pick up!
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