27-01-2025
In The Vast, Crowded World Of Beauty Products, These 27 Holy Grail Sephora Items Stand Out From The Rest
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Hydrating blush, I'll take five, thanks.
1. Glossier You smells slightly different on every wearer — and that's why reviewers adore it. This woody scent is infused with pink pepper, amber, and iris, a sultry trio that's distinct but never overwhelming.
Sephora
Promising review:"I have been in a committed relationship with Glossier You since the day it came out. No other scent has felt more like me ever before! It's clean, cozy, slightly sweet and almost slightly tart. It's not a huge projector but I've worn this to work in the medical fields for seven or so years and never had anyone complain about it. If you like your skin but better scents you will love this!!" — Jogirl
3. Tatcha Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser contains hyaluronic acid, red algae, and a pH-neutral Amino Acid Base to ensure your complexion is clean but not overly dry. Rice powder for gentle, baby smooth exfoliation is the cherry on top of a blissfully good formula.
Sephora
Promising review:"Every time my friends or family come over, they use this. And every time they are like?? Ok, wow that's amazing. It's just the best. I didn't know a cleanser thats on your face for like max 60 seconds could make such a difference, but it does." — KaityLauz
4. Saie Glowy Multipurpose Illuminator is a perfect alternative for drank-a-ton-of-water, slept-eight-hours, didn't-doom-scroll-last-night dew. It adds glow without sparkle and can be worn on its own for a ~smoother~ complexion or layered under full-coverage foundation.
Sephora
Promising review:"This is one of my favorite products I've ever purchased. Been buying it since early 2023. Works great with my fair skin. I use it under my foundation, as highlighter over my foundation and just by itself to make my skin look dewy. I don't like when I can see glitter on my skin from highlighter, but luckily it's not the case with this product." — lauraliisall
5. Westman Atelier Face Trace Cream Contour Stick adds warmth and definition with just a few tactical swipes at the hollow of your cheekbones and crease of your eyelids. And the packaging? Simply begging to be displayed on your bathroom vanity.
Sephora
Promising review:"This is my contour/bronzer on light-medium neutral undertone skin and a staple in my makeup bag. Blends beautifully. I wear this with or without other makeup. Will repurchase when it runs out." — tadpole0225
6. Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil checks all the requirement boxes for a purse staple moisturizing gloss: hydrating, not sticky, with buildable swashes of sheer color and high shine.
Sephora
Promising review:"I've tried a bunch of lip oils, and this one actually feels slick like oil and dries to a nice tacky nonsticky through the wear. Holy grail level for me. Will repurchase." — ddmommy4
7. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Collection looks like a piece of artwork, and while you may be tempted not to use it as a result — we've been there — rest assured, you should. This melts into your skin for an illuminating finish that stays put for hours on end.
Sephora
Promising review:"I was unsure of this product because of the hype, but it ended up being my fav blush I've ever tried. It's very natural and able to be built up which I love!!" — mullinsem
8. Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick is full-coverage — but the formula is so tactfully lightweight that you'd be fooled into thinking that, actually, your lips are naturally bright fuchsia. Perfect if you want a matte finish that doesn't feel cakey.
Tap to play GIF
/ Via @patmcgrathreal, / Via @patmcgrathreal
This lipstick tube is probably the most beautiful thing I've ever laid my peepers on. Consider this the Gigi Hadid of your makeup vanity.
Promising review:"This is pretty amazing and I don't even care how much it costs anymore, lol. Just one swipe on my lips and you can see how pigmented it is. Plus, IT LITERALLY FEELS LIKE I HAVE NOTHING ON. That's my favorite part! I hate feeling like my lips are suffocating or dry, but this formula is so lightweight." — Talia2011
9. Tower 28 Daily Rescue Facial Spray revitalizes skin with three simple ingredients: hypochlorous acid, water, sodium chloride. Looking to cleanse, soothe redness, and calm irritation? Just give your complexion a spritz of this trio.
Sephora
Tower 28 is an Asian woman-owned clean beauty brand designed for sensitive skin. Their products are nontoxic, nonirritating, vegan, and cruelty-free, so you can rest easy when applying.
Promising review: "Nothing helps me when I have an outbreak of perioral dermatitis; I usually have to take antibiotics for it to go away. I saw a derm recommend this on TikTok, so I gave it a shot, and it has actually helped so much that it has cleared my outbreak up! Please give this a try if you suffer from this as well." — smooly
"HOLY GRAIL!! I tried this spray for the first time about a year and a half ago. I had moved from a dry climate to a humid climate, and my acne was out of control! I tried so many products before SOS. When I tell you my acne cleared up within a week….SHEESH! I haven't been without this spray since! I keep a mini with me at all times and for travel and recommend it to all friends with skin concerns. Don't walk, RUN to Sephora to get it!" — KuhKristen
11. Huda Beauty Loose Baking and Setting Powder earns loud praise from reviewers who swear this vitamin E formula keeps their look in place for hours, noting that it blurs pores without settling into fine lines and looking cakey as the day draws to an end. Under-eye concealer, get ready to last.
Sephora
Promising review:"This is the most thin and blurring weightless powder I've tried. It smells good and it works. I've worked out in 90-degree weather sweating, and this plus the Huda concealer didn't come off or budge. The Huda FauxFilter concealer is perfect to go with this powder, and the two are my holy grail because it doesn't crease and is the most long-wearing and smoothing combo. I have dark circles and very creasy eyes that are dry, and these are the only two products I use, and I feel beautiful." — sonyiahon
12. Make Up For Ever Artist Longwear Lip Liner boasts a smooth and blendable formula that glides on with crayon-like ease. And while all of the available hues are lovely, the particular hype around "Wherever Walnut" as the perfect pinky brown is well-deserved.
Sephora
Promising review:"My favourite! The formula is smooth, creamy, and easy to blend out with my fingers. It's super versatile and can be used on the eyes, lips, and even for faux freckles." — ReneeRia
13. Dr. Jart+ color-correcting treatment contains tiger grass (Centella asiatica), the superstar behind this green-to-beige product capable of remedying redness, soothing sensitive skin, and covering up pimples — no heavy, crease-y concealer necessary.
Sephora
Promising reviews: " TikTok don't lie! Wow, the reviews are no joke. My skin in relatively clear, but with rosey undertones that I like to cancel out. With this cream I was able to go without concealer and just add blush?! Will continue to rebuy!" — creneed
"This is my holy grail product!! I have spent tens of thousands of dollars on skincare/makeup that I end up throwing out or simply don't use. But this product I have been using for about two weeks now as I was influenced by someone on Instagram as she swore by this. On a whim I decided to pick it up. It is the product I have been searching for my whole life. It does what it says and makes my skin flawless. Hides all my imperfections and has even improved my skin a ton. As a 36-year-old having acne still, I find that this is something that bothers me but this has actually made my skin clear up. I also have oily skin and this doesn't make me any more oily. Truly is amazing! I will use this for the rest of my life." — MamaBear2425
14. Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Mask takes split-ends and says "boo." This leave-in formula is beloved by reviewers with brittle and color-treated hair, noting that while it's super moisturizing and helps visibly replace damage, it doesn't feel greasy and gets absorbed by every strand.
Briogeo
Promising review:"I've used this product twice now, and I already see improvement with my hair. My hair is usually frizzy even when I blow-dry it and use a smoothing serum, but after using this product twice, my hair is always smooth and silky afterwards. I wanted to see if it was this product that made a difference so I just used this and let my hair air dry afterwards, and it still felt smooth and silky. Definitely recommend!" — AraM123
15. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray locks in your look to ensure that humidity, sweat, and tears become irrelevant to the status of your foundation. This prevents makeup from turning into a runny mess and somehow landing on the collar of your shirt.
Tap to play GIF
Sephora,
16. Supergoop! SPF 40 Glowscreen can (and should) be added to your morning routine for an immediately brightened complexion. It contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and niacinamide for a sheen of glow and light coverage, meaning you'll get lit-from-within radiance *and* sun protection in one swipe.
Sephora, Sephora
Promising reviews:"I really love this sunscreen. I've tried so many and they usually leave a dry chalky feel. Not this one. I have dry skin and this one feels so smooth and hydrating and I love the glow that it leaves. It will be my new go-to!" — Sephora Customer
17. Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara lengthens and defines each individual lash, with a smooth one-stroke-required formula that doesn't clump or smudge as the day wears on. Reviewers note that it's great for bottom lashes, too.
Sephora
Promising review:"Best mascara EVER. I love the wand and how easy it applies on lashes, especially if you struggle putting on bottoms! I usually get irritated wearing mascara as it tends to smudge but this formula does NOT smudge and is very easy to remove! Worth the money its my go-to mascara for now on and it makes my average lashes look so beautiful and full :)" — Vance27
18. Dyson's Air Wrap Multi-Styler uses air (yes, you read that right) to dry and style tresses with minimal heat damage and frizz. It comes with six attachments to nail the salon-worthy look of your dreams: a pre- and post-styling dryer, two smoothing brushes, *and* two sizes of curling barrels.
Dyson
Promising reviews:" WORTH EVERY PENNY. I LOVE MY DYSON. This hairstyling tool is beyond perfect! I can straighten, curl, and tame flyaways with just this product alone! Gives me the perfect blowout every time I use it." — alysonnicolee
19. One Size 24-Hour Liquid Eyeliner bids adieu to runny formulas of eyeliner's past with a waterproof finish that *stays* waterproof all. day. long. No smudging. Seriously.
Sephora
This is vegan and cruelty-free!
Promising review:"I used KVD for years and have tried many others. This is my new favorite eyeliner. It goes on super smooth and mine stays all day." — JSGeyeliner71
20. Crown Affair Refillable Dry Shampoo convinces the world that your hair is, in fact, freshly washed (even when a questionable amount of days has passed since your last proper shampoo). Simply apply this talc-free powder directly to your roots via the included kabuki brush.
Sephora
Promising review:"Travel-friendly dry shampoo with a nice scent. Bought this on vacation after forgetting to pack dry shampoo. Normally, I cannot stand the overpowering smell of most dry shampoos, but this one is clean and more subtle. I like the brush, as it allows me to target my roots without wasting product. Works great on my thick hair without weighing it down or making it feel powdery." — gaga23
21. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer covers dark circles, pulsating zits, and redness with just a few dots of product. This medium-to-full coverage formula is buildable and won't crease, *plus* it has a staying power of up to 16 hours. My eyes just lit up at the thought. Literally.
It uses magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract, and vitamin e to hide imperfections while supplying some much-needed hydration — so if you have fine lines and a ton of redness, this sulfate- and paraben-free bottle is for YOU.
Promising review:"This is my holy grail. This is the only concealer I have ever used for two years! It blends seamlessly into the skin and works if you have no blemishes or if you do have acne. I can't recommend it enough." — sesh2death
22.
The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum lets you try a holy grail ingredient for cheap. Hyaluronic acid = a unicorn tears blend that plumps, hydrates, and soothes. This cruelty-free product is suitable for all complexion types (normal, oily, dry, combo) and requires just a pea-sized amount pre-coffee and pre-Zzzs.
Sephora
23. Korres Greek Yoghurt Probiotic Superdose Face Mask tackles redness with a vengeance. Quality ingredients like Greek yogurt, lactic acid, and a microbiome re-balancing technology help nourish your skin's natural protective layer (the kind ruined by never-ending stress and deliciously greasy food), plus improves overall texture.
Sephora
Promising review:"This is the first and only face mask I've used an entire jar of, and then I bought more! I love this mask so much. I have combination/oily skin, and it didn't cause any breakouts or increased oil production. I have a lot of redness in my nose and cheeks and this instantly makes the redness better. My skin feels incredible after this, so silky soft and moisturized. Even though this is expensive, I think it's worth it. I've never had a mask show immediate results before." — TinaOOO
24. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator targets several skincare concerns — fine lines, acne, enlarged pores, dullness — while remaining gentle enough to use nightly. Papain, salicylic acid, and rice actives are released when combined with water; green tea and colloidal oatmeal calm down redness in a jiffy.
Sephora
Promising review:"My crops are flourishing, my grades are high, and, most importantly, my skin has NEVER been so clear! I have tried everything Sephora has to fix my acne and nothing worked until now! I've been using this for about a month and the difference is incredible! My skin is zit-free, my pores have shrunk, my skin is brighter, and my face hasn't been this soft since I was a CHILD. The price was a bit of a turnoff for me at first, but now I know its a really good deal for what you're getting!" — Jurban
25. Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser packs superfood greens into one cold-pressed product. Harnessing the power of kale, spinach, and green tea, this oil-based gel fights acne and stubborn foundation in one rinse.
Promising review:"This cleanser is absolutely a life-saving product. Seriously I can't use any other cleanser since I have very sensitive skin. This makes my skin feel extremely soft and prevents from acnes and redness. Normally, any other cleansers make my skin burn when I wash my face, but this one doesn't! Plus, you only need a tiny amount." — Patilo
26. Beautyblender condenses several brushes into one, ~blending~ everything to perfection so that you're not stuck with random splotches of oompa loompa orange across your cheekbones. This can be used for everything from concealer to setting powder when damp.
Sephora
The limited-edition sponge featured above actually changes color when it comes in contact with water.
Promising review:"This product is incredible. I had been avoiding spending this much money on a sponge for a long time and finally caved to see what all the hype was about. It was 100% worth it and I cannot go back. It is very lightweight, does not absorb too much product, and is the perfect shape. I would absolutely recommend trying this product if you are on the fence about it." — jluch
27. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Hydrating Lipstick is a classic matte formula best known for its beloved ~Pillow Talk~ shade, a pink/nude hybrid fated to become your new go-to. A square-angled tip for easy application is simply another perk.
Sephora
Promising review:"These are the absolute best lipsticks ever. Long-lasting and not at all drying. Every shade is extremely wearable. Very Victoria is stunning if you're looking for a nude with a little depth. Worth every penny!" — CMatthew
Price: $35 (available in 20 shades)
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
