Makeup has evolved a ton over the years, but it seems lately the beauty world has made a dramatic appearance -- and everyone is on the train. If you're new to makeup, the endless possibilities and choices that come with makeup may be intimidating. Walking into Sephora, and immediately being flooded with thousands of amazing products, can cause a lot of stress if you don't know what you're talking about or where to begin. Here are holy grail products from Sephora that you never knew your collection needed:
Face:
Primer
1. Two Faced Replenishing Face Primer
Better than the Benefit POREfessional, in my humble opinion.
Cruelty Free
2. Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer
For those of you who want to be on top of the radiant skin game.
Cruelty Free
3. Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
A setting spray is a necessity -- this is the best one. Again, this is a necessity.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
Foundation
1. Josie Maran Vibrancy Argan Oil Foundation Fluid
I decided to share this foundation, because it is perfect for every skin type of all ages. It is truly a holy grail product. This product will leave your skin with a perfect radiance.
Cruelty Free
2. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15
Like the Josie Maran foundation mentioned above, this foundation is wonderful for all ages and works well with every skin type. However, this foundation is much heavier in consistency and is much greater in coverage.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
3. bareMinerals Matte Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Much cheaper than the other two foundations, this powder foundation leaves a nice matte finish. Apply it over your foundation to ensure an ultra matte look, or use it on it's own for less coverage. Side note: this is wonderful for people who don't like how heavy liquid foundation feels.
Cruelty Free -- however, parenting company is not.
Concealer
1. Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer
This concealer is one of the most moisturizing concealers for under the eyes, and doesn't leave any creasing. This is my holy grail concealer.
Cruelty Free
2. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat - Radiant Touch Concealer
While this may be a pricier product, this concealer leaves your eyes looking awake and refreshed in the most beautiful way. You get what you pay for when it comes to this product.
3. Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer
Again, on the pricey side, but it is worth it for those who have acne scars and prominent blemishes. This is an extremely full coverage concealer, and it will do the trick of hiding all the imperfections within your skin.
Setting Powder
1. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
The best for setting your face.
2. Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder
Similar to the setting powder mentioned above, but leaves less of a white cast.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
3. Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
The best for setting, and baking, under the eyes.
Other
1. Beauty Blender
I had to include this, because it seriously changes the way your makeup looks when applied correctly. While the picture shows a black beauty blender, my favorite, they come in multiple different colors. Tip: Dampen before usage, and make sure to clean regularly.
Cruelty Free and Vegan
Cheeks:
Contour/Bronze
1. Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette
This palette is the best, because it has contour and highlight shades sufficient for people of all skin tones. Many people complain that most palettes don't have a dark enough contour, or light enough highlight, but that's not the case with this one.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
2. Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer
This bronzer is matte, and perfect for when you want to contour your face, but don't want to spend money on an entire palette.
3. NARS Bronzing Powder
The shade Laguna has a little shimmer in it that gives the skin a beautiful bronze.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
Blush
1. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush
Coming in six different shades, this blush gives a beautiful glow and flush of color to the cheeks. This is best for when you're focused on the highlight and radiance of your skin.
Cruelty Free
2. NARS Blush
The most coveted shade is Orgasm
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
3. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
This blush comes in 17 different shades that vary between matte and shimmer. This is best when you want a longer wearing finish.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
Highlight
1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit
This palette will give dimension, as well as an incredible highlight.
Cruelty Free
2. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter
Jaclyn Hill's shade, Champagne Pop, is one of the best in the game.
Cruelty Free
3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
This gives your skin a really naturally radiant finish, but still shows the extra pop everyone is looking for. If you're looking for an intense highlight, this one isn't for you.
Cruelty Free
Eyes:
Brows
1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
In case you didn't know, Anastasia Beverly Hill is the OG of all brow products. This brow wiz is the best brow pencil in the industry.
Cruelty Free
2. Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomeade
Yes, another ABH product -- I'm telling you, they're magical. This product gives the term "brows on fleek" a whole new meaning. Your brows aren't going anywhere when you use this. Tip: Use a light hand when applying.
Cruelty Free
3. Benefit Cosmetics Ready, Set, Brow! 24-Hour Setting Gel
This product allows your brows to stay in place all day long.
Eye Primer
1. Urban Decay Primer Potion
The best eyeshadow primer at Sephora -- this primer locks in eyeshadows all day.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
2. NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Similar to the Primer Potion, except this one goes on white to clear (instead of beige to clear).
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
3. Too Faced Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue Glitter Bonding Eye Shadow Primer
Glitter and metal eye shadows are becoming extremely popular; this primer is best for achieving those looks!
Cruelty Free
Eyeshadow (Palettes)
1. Viseart Eyeshadow Palette
This palette is on the more expensive side of things. However, each eyeshadow is incredibly opaque, effortless to blend, and with hardly any fallout. This all matte palette is a must-have.
2. Urban Decay Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette
Of all three of the Naked Palettes, I included this one -- because it's the most suitable for all skin colors. This palette includes an array of mattes and shimmers, but it does have a little fallout.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
3. Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette
Made for on-the-go, this mini palette is about the size of a credit card. It includes four glitters and four mattes, making it easy to create any fast day or night look.
Eyeshadow (Singles)
1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Shadow Singles in Burnt Orange
This is the perfect transition color for any skin color. I know you may think orange is crazy, but don't knock it until you've tried it.
Cruelty Free
2. Stila Eye Shadow in Kitten
Price: $18
This is the perfect everyday shade to use all over the lid, or just in the inner-corner and browbone.
3. MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Shadow Eye Shadow
There are 197 shades to choose from this range of eyeshadows. This is one of the best formulations of eyeshadows from Sephora, and they are super easy to work with.
Eye Liner
1. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Every single time I wear this eyeliner, I get asked what product it is. If you struggle with creating a sharp winged eyeliner, consider trying this product out because it seriously helps. Bonus: This eyeliner actually holds up to what it claims, and truly stays all day.
2. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
If you're looking for a gel eyeliner that is creamy, and doesn't tug at the eyes, this is the one you need. It also doesn't dry out quickly, giving you more uses than most gel eyeliners.
3. Lancome Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner
This eyeliner doesn't last as long as the Stila eyeliner mentioned above, but this eyeliner is one of the blackest, most prominent eyeliners out there. It is worth the extra dollars.
Mascara
1. Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara
This mascara gives your eyes the most beautiful, and defined look to them. The best part? This mascara allows your lashes to keep their shape all day.
2. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
This mascara lengthens and defines every lash to give them a more glamorous look. This will give your eyelashes serious volume.
Cruelty Free
3. Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
You may not think it's necessary to have a mascara for your bottom lashes, but it is if you want to make your mascara last longer. This mascara has a wand tiny enough to reach every individual lash, and the formula ensures for zero flaking throughout the day.
Lips:
Lip Balms
1. Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment
This is a lip balm and treatment all in one. It keeps your lips super moisturized, and prepares them well for anything.
2. Korres Lip Butter
This is perfect for hot summer days when you want a wash of color and extreme moisture. Bonus: They smell amazing.
Cruelty Free
3. Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve in a Tube
Like the coveted Rosebud Salve in a jar, this one comes in a tube for a less messy, easier access. As you can probably guess, this lip balm smells like roses.
Cruelty Free
Lip Liner
1. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil
This is a waterproof lip liner that comes in 24 colors. Makeup artists use this on models because of it's staying power!
2. Stila Stay All Day Lip Liner
Coming in 7 different colors, this range of lip liner is long lasting and really helps lipsticks stay all day.
3. NARS Velvet Lip Liner
These lip liners have a smoother formulation than the first two mentioned, so these are ideal when you don't want to achieve a matte lip.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
Lipsticks
1. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick
All of Kat Von D's products are made in the same warehouse as Jeffree Star's Liquid Velour Lipsticks. So, they are very similar in formulation. Check these out if you haven't had luck with ordering any of his products, but want to try liquid lipsticks!
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
2. Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick
You wouldn't believe this product stays on all day due to it's light consistency, but this liquid lipstick competes with some of the most raved about liquid lipsticks in the game.
3. Urban Decay Vice Lipstick
This product is for those who don't want to join the liquid lip bandwagon, but still want a lip color that is high in pigment and has a smooth application. There are 99 shades to choose from, so your lip game will always be on point.
Cruelty Free - however, their parent company is not cruelty free.
