My Tried & True list of loves
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The annual Sephora VIB sale! There are amazing goodies this time of year especially, but I figured I start by sharing my holy grail Sephora products.
Sephora is my favorite place to buy beauty items because they have great customer service, rewards, an amazing return policy and good value gift sets.
Finding what works for your skin or hair is tough. The amount of money I’ve wasted on products that didn’t work, especially in my younger years, is probably frightening. I will forever shop at Sephora because you can return anything and get your money back if a product doesn’t work for you. These items can be an investment so trying them would be risky if you couldn’t return. They make it easy for you and because of that I am a loyal customer.
These are some of my tried and true, holy grail Sephora products. I have repurchased these and will continue to do so for years to come.
Note on my skin type – I’m 29 and definitely getting lines and wrinkles. Forehead lines and large pores are a real issue in my family. I’m always battling with blackheads and those underneath the skin white bumps. My skin is always oily by the end of the day, but I also find I really need hydration too so trying to find a good balance. I am also fair-skinned so I always want SPF. Hopefully, this is helpful as you read what products I love.
Skincare
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial Mask – If you are going to splurge on one thing make it this. This is literally a facial in a bottle. It’s an AHA/BHA mask that resurfaces your skin for greater clarity and improves skin texture and tone.
What does AHA/BHA mean? –
- 25% AHA Blend (glycolic + (T) tartaric, (L) lactic, (C) citric acids): Exfoliates dead skin cells, helps speed up surface turnover to smooth and brighten the appearance of skin.
- Salicylic Acid (BHA) 2%: Penetrates to exfoliate and unclog pores., making skin more clear while soothing redness.
I try to use a mask weekly and this is always in the rotation. I also use it any time my pores are feeling congested. This will be my 3rd or 4th time purchasing it. It is pricey, but you will pay at least $100 for ONE good facial and you’ll get a least 30 “facials” out of this. My skin always feels softer and smoother after. It also comes with a small size of their Marula Oil which is the perfect compliment to use after the mask. It nourishes your skin and makes you glow! Tip – they have this value set right now and you can get a full sized Babyfacial plus other goodies for only $8 more!
This mask has won – Glamour, 2019 Glamour Beauty Award – Martha Steward Living, 2019 Living Editor’s Pick & Harpers Bazaar, 2019 Anti-Aging Award.
Sharing a little more about Drunk Elephant because there are more DE items on this list of holy grail Sephora products. Drunk Elephant is committed to using only ingredients that directly benefit the health of your skin. The brand focuses on healthy pH levels, formulas the skin recognizes and easily absorbed ingredients. All of their products are designed to be mixed together like a smoothie for your face. Their Instagram has great details on their products too.
Bonus, Drunk Elephant is a supporter of the International Elephant Foundation and is cruelty-free. What’s not to love?
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum –
Another great Drunk Elephant product. I have tried similar products, but this is one I’ll keep going back to. It’s similar to the Babyfacial, but one I can use almost nightly. It resurfaces congested skin by lifting away dead skin cells to improve skin tone, texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. It helps exfoliate my skin to feel brighter and smoother overnight. I use this underneath my night cream.
Again what do the fancy letters mean?
- T.L.C. Framboos AHA Blend: (G) glycolic plus (T) tartaric, (L) lactic, and (C) citric acids exfoliate built-up dead skin cells, resurfacing dull, uneven skin for a smoother, brighter, more even-looking complexion.
- Salicylic Acid (BHA): Loosens sebum to unclog pores while soothing skin.
- Raspberry Fruit Extract: Rehydrates and soothes skin while fighting free-radical damage with antioxidants.
It has also won the InStyle, 2020 Best Beauty Buys and Harper‘s BAZAAR, 2020 Anti-Aging Award.
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum –
Give your skin a cool drink of water. This hydrating serum replenishes your complexion and improves the look of skin texture and tone. Especially in the winter, I need extra hydration and this has been my favorite way to get it. It’s lightweight and has a great consistency. I use it morning and night to give my skin a little extra love.
Fresh Soy Makeup Removing Face Wash –
This is a three-in-one face wash that gently takes off makeup, even mascara (without bothering your eyes), removes impurities, and tones for more balanced skin. It is pH balanced and gentle. A few key ingredients are:
- Amino Acid-rich Soy Proteins: Help maintain skin elasticity and suppleness.
- Cucumber Extract: Aids in soothing the skin.
- Rosewater: For calming and balancing your skin.
I switch off between a few different cleansers, but because this one can help take off makeup and is gentle I will always keep it in the rotation. Sometimes I use a cleansing balm to help take my mascara too, but you could get away with just this and a washcloth. I love it for traveling to eliminate multiple products.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 –
We all need SPF! Yes, even you with your beautiful skin that never sunburns. SuperGoop! makes some of my favorite SPF products, but this one makes the holy grail Sephora products list. It acts as a great primer, is invisible, weightless and protects your skin at the same time. It increases hydration, protects against blue light, helps with skin texture and has a velvety finish. They also have a Matte Screen and a Glow Screen that I love too!
lips
Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 15 –
This is my all-time favorite tinted lip balm because not only is hydrating, but it also has SPF. It is infused with nourishing oils and moisture-preserving sugar to deliver nonstop hydration. Honey is my absolute favorite color! It’s a great bold warm nude color that I think would look great on a lot of skin tones. My other favorite colors are petal and rose. This is probably my most repurchased item on this list.
Fresh Sugar Hydrating Lip Balm –
Every night, I put on an extra hydrating lip balm and it’s always this one or the one below. I personally like this one more though. I think it helps heal and hydrate my lips more, but I will always continue to buy and use both. They both have a great selection of flavors and don’t really add color. I use them during the day too.
A cult classic for sure! Again, very hydrating and thick. Layer it on at night to keep those kissers smooth and supple.
body/tanning
Granted I’ve been wearing this for probably 10 years, but I still don’t think I have ever received as many compliments on any one thing. Viva la Juicy combines delicious wild berries and mandarin with vanilla, praline, jasmine and honeysuckle. I think I will probably be wearing this scent for the rest of my life. Also, the packaging with the gold and bright pink bow are gorgeous.
St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse –
My skin does not tan well at all so I always need to some extra help at home. This is by far my favorite tanning mousse. This mousse gives you a great warm color and is buildable. It is the best for quick noticeable results, making it my go-to before a trip, wedding, etc. I will say I don’t always get it perfect. I definitely have messed up before and have had some darker spots but those are really only in the trouble areas when I’m not being careful. It isn’t streaky and by far the best I’ve tried. Tips – I find that putting a thin layer of lotion on my feet, ankles, elbows, knees and around my armpits helps to have the color come out evenly. And always, always, always use a tanning mitt.
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops –
Another buildable, beautiful glow, but this one is a little more gradual. I like this one a lot because you can mix it with your regular daily lotion and put it directly on without a mitt (make sure to wash your hands though right after). I use the medium color so I’d say get a color darker than you think. These are small bottles too so you could use the mousse at home and then take this with you to keep the glow going. This is also by far my favorite product for tanning your face. I just mix a little with my moisturizer. I know it made me nervous too, but I promise it works well.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream –
This is a luxurious tropical vacation in a body butter form. The smells transports me to crashing waves and waving palm trees. It’s an award-winning cream infused with caffeine-rich guaraná and a Brazilian blend of skin-loving ingredients. It melts into your skin and has a subtle shimmer. I love the strong scent and the texture is extra creamy and hydrating.
Makeup
The brow wiz is an ultra-slim, retractable pencil for precise detailing and creating hair-like strokes. You can make it this one look very natural. They have a variety of colors and I use soft brown. It goes on really well and lasts longer than most others I’ve tried. I use this and then apply a colored brow gel over it.
Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer –
Anyone else want longer, fuller eyelashes, feel like their mascara flakes off as the day goes on, or wants to condition their lashes over time? This for you! This primer is worth every penny. Not only does it make my lashes have more volume and length, but it also helps my mascara stay on all day.
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer –
Another cult classic, award winner, but for good reason! It comes in four different shades to flatter all different skin tones. I have used others, but this is one I’ll always come back to. I love that it isn’t shimmery but adds the perfect warmth.
hair
Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray –
The best medium hold hair spray that can be used to set, style and finish without the stiff crunchy feeling that we all hate. It allows your hair to stay in place while still being touchable and brushable. It also doesn’t get clogged up where the spray comes out on the can. I have had that happen with too many hairsprays and try as I might to fix them it’s never quite the same. Bonus it adds shine and heat protection.
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo & Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo –
A holy grail Sephora products list without a dry shampoo? I would never! These two are so close that I can’t choose a favorite. I have them both, have repurchased them both and will continue to do so. They quickly absorb oil and sweat. These have a clean smell that I love. I’d say Drybar might give me a little extra volume, but it has can have a little white residue after running my hands through my hair, but it’s not noticeable in my hair. You can’t go wrong with either one though. Keep that day 3 or 4 hair going strong.
Alright, that’s it for all my tried and true, holy grail Sephora products! I love them all and truly do not hesitate for a second to recommend them. I hope you are able to snag some of these with the current Sephora sale going on (Code HOLIDAYFUN and ends November 9th) and end up adding them to rountine for years to come.
XO, Tracy