With nearly 300 brands on shelves, along with its own private label, the Sephora buyers must have a tough – but incredibly amazing – job picking their favourite retail beauty products.
We caught up with members of the Sephora buying team, who shared with esprit the products they can’t live without.
Sophie Wayman – Head of Category
Arcona Triad Pads: Genuinely the best and most versatile skincare product I own – and there is no better makeup remover out there. These all-in-one pads remove makeup, cleanse, tone all in one go, and are packed with vitamins and fatty acids so you know they aren’t just stripping the skin, so you’re not sacrificing your skincare for convenience.
Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir: Mascara is my go-to colour product and I have tried them all. We’ve seen so many new mascaras launch but still nothing beats Marc Jacobs Beauty for the blackest-black formula while also giving great volume with staying power.
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation: On the more expensive end of the foundations we stock, but in my opinion worth every cent. The formula has a serum-like consistency, with ingredients that help to hydrate, blur, and smooth the skin, giving you a flawless finish, instantly.
Karen Styles – Category Manager, Colour and Fragrance
Nudestix Tinted Cover Foundation: My go-to foundation for a light weight, buildable and natural finish. The formula features Korean skincare and natural active ingredients that help to moisturise and hydrate, while the lightweight tinted mineral pigments blend with your natural skin tone and texture rather than sitting on top. Go a shade deeper to add more depth to the skin without needing to add bronzer.
Ouai Volumizing Hair Spray: Ouai can do no wrong. The Volumizing Hair Spray provides volume to my otherwise naturally dead straight and flat hair without the need for using hot tools every day.
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: Soothing and gentle everyday cleanser that removes all make up and impurities.
Caitlan Wyer – Category Execute, Skincare, Haircare, Wellness
Youth To People Kombucha +11% AHA Exfoliation Power Toner: I love this as an overnight resurfacing and hydrating treatment because it is effect and natural but isn’t harsh on your skin. I wake up with soft, hydrated, plump and bright skin. The great thing about this is you can build up to every night use and it won’t react or hurt your skin – it just gets better and better.
Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand: I use this on the apples of my cheeks, check bones, over the top of my foundation as an illuminating blush or bronzer for a flawless glow. The texture isn’t too thick and is dewy so makes the skin texture smooth and not cakey. Since using this I get lots of comments about how clear and good skin looks.
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain: By far the favourite lip product I have ever used, and believe me, I’ve tried a lot. One try with this and I was hooked. The formula goes on smoothly and stays all day without drying out. My favourite colours are #78 Chilli Pea which is an orange red and #13 Marvellous which is a dark nude.
Cherie Beslich – Buyer and Assistant Brand Manager Sephora Collection
Sephora Collection Outrageous Plump Lip Gloss: The super hydrating formula not only plumps but provides a glossy shine that is comfortable on the lips. Enriched with sunflower, peppermint and ginger oil, my go to shades are 01 Universal and 02 Nude. It’s the one product I can’t live without – I have it in my car, beside my bed, on my desk.
Ultra-Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Facial Sunscreen: This product is a god send, it sits seamlessly underneath foundation and keeps my skin dewy and hydrated all day long, without that nasty sunscreen smell. Since discovering this gem, I haven’t left the house without applying, I’m now onto my second tube. SPF is a step not to be missed in any routine.
IT Cosmetics CC Cream: I’ve tried a lot of foundations over the course of my time and nothing quite compares to this CC cream. It’s full coverage yet feels extremely light on the skin, with added SPF 50+ and anti-aging properties it’s hard to beat. Buff into the skin for a flawless finish that doesn’t require setting and won’t budge.