We asked an ex-Sephora employee for their top beauty picks — here's what to add to your cart
From haircare to skincare and more. 💄
A Sephora store. Right: A person tries Sephora makeup.
Looking to up your beauty game? Whether you're looking for the next best thing in haircare or a staple skincare product to add to your routine, who better to go to than Sephora?
We asked a former Sephora Canada employee for her top picks from the store, and you'll definitely want to add these to your shopping cart.
Right now, you can get a discount on tons of Sephora products with the Sephora VIB sale. The spring sale is on now until April 15, and you can save on skincare, makeup, fragrance and more.
Ready to shop? Here are 10 Sephora Canada products that are absolutely worth the money, according to a former employee.
Sunday Riley Ceramide Ice Moisturizer
Price: $30+
Why You Need It: "I love the Sunday Riley Ceramide Ice moisturizer, it's by far the richest most nourishing moisturizer so I highly recommend that," says Hayley*, a former Sephora Canada employee.
Containing ceramides (an essential component of a healthy skin barrier), Vitamin F and coconut extract, the Ceramide Ice Moisturizer is meant to strengthen the skin's natural moisture barrier against environmental stressors, to deliver "plump-looking, baby-soft" skin.
The moisturizer is best for those with dry skin looking to target dryness, dullness and loss of firmness.
Haus Labs Medium Coverage Foundation
Price: $65
Why You Need It: "It's got so many skincare benefits," says Hayley. "I think it's a great starting point."
For those who don't know, Haus Labs is a beauty brand by Lady Gaga that centres around clean makeup. The Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation is a medium coverage, weightless foundation with fermented arnica that helps reduce redness and protect from environmental stress.
"It's buildable, it's got a nice kind of like semi-matte, semi-dewy finish. It's just got a really nice, natural finish," says Hayley.
Yves Saint Laurent Nu Skin Tint
Price: $59.50
Why You Need It: "I love the YSL Nu [skin tint]. I recommend that one to a lot of people," says Hayley.
"It's probably my most complimented foundation. My coworkers would be like, 'oh my god, what are you wearing?' and they adore it."
The YSL Nu Bare Look Tint is a lightweight skin tint that promises to visibly plump and moisturize the skin with buildable coverage.
"Again, that's another one that's got hyaluronic acid in it so it's not going to make you feel dry throughout the day," says Hayley.
"It's got a nice buildable coverage so you can use it just to kind of minimize skin imperfections, like discoloration, or you can use it to actually get a nice full-coverage base."
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Price: $32.50
Why You Need It: Hayley says Summer Fridays lip balms really are all that.
"The lip balms are very good, they're definitely worth the hype," she says.
The vegan lip balms promise to hydrate and soothe dry lips in seconds, and contain natural moisturizers like shea and murumuru seed butters.
Made with vegan wax, you can expect them to soften the lips and boost shine without feeling greasy.
"I adore them," says Hayley.
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Sunscreen
Price: $48.50
Why You Need It: Hayley also highly recommends the Summer Fridays ShadeDrops mineral sunscreen.
"Their mineral sunscreen does not leave a white cast," she says. "I find that it's perfect for wearing under makeup because it doesn't pill."
Summer Fridays' mineral sunscreen is a lightweight, reef-friendly sunscreen with an SPF of 30. The sunscreen leaves skin with a soft, natural-looking finish and contains squalene, which leaves the skin appearing softer, smoother, and plumped.
"And that's a really good sunscreen that I recommend to a lot of people when they come into the store. So like 10 out of 10, that one's probably the best."
OUAI Detox Shampoo
Price: $43.50
Why You Need It: "The OUAI Detox Shampoo is amazing," says Hayley.
"I recommend it to a lot of clients, especially if they have a lot of buildup in their hair."
The OUAI Detox Shampoo is a clarifying shampoo that promises to deeply cleanse away dirt, oil, and buildup in the hair without stripping it.
The shampoo contains apple cider vinegar to help exfoliate and remove hair flakes, residue, and buildup while keeping hair healthy and shiny, as well as keratin to help smooth and soften hair and add shine.
"It's a 10 out of 10, so good," she says, noting that it's one of her "ride or die" products.
Bare Minerals Strength & Length Mascara
Price: $30
Why You Need It: "For mascaras, I always recommend the Bare Minerals [strength and length mascara]," says Hayley.
"It's got a really funny applicator, but it's so convenient because it helps to push up your lashes."
She notes that the Bare Minerals mascara, which uses a plant-based serum to lengthen and volumize lashes, also contains a peptide complex for lash strength.
"So if you struggle with shorter lashes or you just want to grow your lashes, that one's amazing," she says.
Hourglass Vanish Concealer
Price: $49
Why You Need It: According to Hayley, this cult-favourite concealer is worth the hype.
She says the Hourglass Vanish Airbush Concealer is especially great "if you need more full coverage."
The Hourglass concealer is a full-coverage, weightless, and waterproof liquid concealer that contains microspherical powders to blur and brighten the skin.
"I had a lot of clients coming in with bruises from lip filler. They absolutely adored that concealer because a little bit goes a long way," says Hayley.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Liquid Lipstick
Price: $47.50
Why You Need It: "For lipstick, I absolutely love the [Charlotte Tilbury Blur lipstains]," says Hayley.
"Those last so long. I've worn them through an entire 8-hour shift and it still looks amazing."
Charlotte TilburyAirbrush Flawless Matte Lip Blur Liquid Lipstick is a "matte-meets-moisture" liquid lipstick that promises to smoothe, blur and hydrate the lips.
The lipstick gives lips an airbrushed look without drying, creasing, or settling into fine lines, and comes in eight shades.
"You hardly have to reapply it and it's so nice and soft on the lips. They won't peel or crack."
Miss Dior Parfum
Price: $149.50
Why You Need It: For fragrance, Hayley recommends cult-favourite Miss Dior for "its lasting power."
The layerable fragrance contains notes of mandarin, jasmine, and amber wood for a fresh, floral scent.
"It lasts all day," she says.
For those not into florals, she also recommends the Yves Saint Laurent Libre Intense perfume, perfect for those who like a warmer vanilla scent, and Kayali perfumes for "people who are trying to get into fragrance."
"Kayali's just has nice starter fragrances, and you can pair them with other things to intensify the fragrance."
Happy shopping!
*Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality. Narcity has verified their identity.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.