Nicola Louise Makeup

View Original

Sephora UK - What I Would Buy!


If Sephora Was On My Doorstep I Would Have A Field Day!


Disclaimer - This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.


A shopper of convenience, if there is one place that sells ALL the skincare and makeup that I want and need, I am your best customer!

My main space for shopping online is Look Fantastic as they have so many amazing brands and products, Sephora is equally great and now they are opening stores in the UK that’s a big thumbs up from me!

So, if I had to rebuild my makeup bag and skincare from scratch, and could pop into a Sephora store these are the products I would buy, of course if there was no budget involved!

* Disclaimer - Affiliate links are used in this post, if you click on the links and make a purchase I earn a small commission from the retailer at no extra cost to you.

Skincare is an important step in any beauty routine, you want to choose your products depending on your skin type to achieve the most hydrated base possible. Hydrated skin is the key to getting your makeup to apply well, to look amazing and to last the day.

  • BIODERMA Hydrabio Hydrating Micellar Water - this is a great initial step when removing your makeup. It will get the bulk of it off to allow your cleanser to clean your skin and into your pores more effectively. A step I always use when removing my makeup at the end of the day.

  • CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid - a hydrating cleanser is going to be your best friend if you have dry, dehydrated, combination skin. If your skin feels tight after washing your face you will not get that with this product. It is designed to hydrate your skin, and repair your skin barrier if you have damage from overuse of too many exfoliating products.

  • Gatineau Radiance Enhancing Gommage - a dream of an exfoliator, it is suitable for all skin types. It begins as a sticky gel but after massaging this on your face for up to 2 minutes it transforms into a more oil texture. When the product changes texture that’s when you know the exfoliating process is complete. Your skin will be left looking radiant and soft to touch.

  • La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum - if you are looking to address dehydration in your skin this hyaluronic acid serum is amazing with giving instant results. Your skin will feel soft to the touch, plump and generally quenched.

  • La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum - a very gentle Vitamin C serum which works well layered over the hyaluronic acid serum. This is suitable for sensitive skins.

  • Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm - perfect as a second cleanse product after removing your makeup. One of the most luxurious cleansing balms that I have used which leaves your skin supple, plumped and feeling clean.

  • Lancôme Genifique Eye Cream - this eye cream is the perfect texture, it glides onto the skin and sinks in well. It leaves the under-eyes feeling nourished and soft.

  • Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream - a great moisturiser overall but works amazingly before makeup. Your skin feels nourished, soft and plumped. Foundation will glide over and will have a very slight dewy look thanks to this moisturiser. Definitely worth the splurge!

  • La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF50+- this sunscreen is perfect if you prefer a product similar to the consistency of a moisturiser. It never balls up onto the skin and is easy to blend in. Makeup sits really well on top of this, and this product in particular is great if you are looking to treat and prevent age spots.

Face products are my absolute favourite when it comes to makeup, what you use can make or break your whole look. All of these products have impressed me not just personally, but professionally too. Each and every product mentioned does the job it is supposed to do, the quality is amazing too!

  • BOBBI BROWN Creamy Corrector - being a sufferer of dark circles this is the one product which helps to lift the shadow and not interfere with the concealer you then use on top. Such a creamy formula which is best applied with your finger. A product I have personally and in my kit.

  • KOSAS Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer - I only recently tried this concealer, it is a never ending battle to find something that covers dark circles without looking heavy. This is by far the BEST concealer I have ever used. It glides onto the skin and provides amazing coverage. I would even go as far to say that you really do not need a setting powder for this product either.

  • Clinique Even Better Makeup - a great all rounder foundation for all skin types and ages. The finish is beautiful, you get a lovely dewy finish - your skin but better look. It is a medium coverage which is easily buildable. If you are looking for a lighter coverage a damp sponge would be the way to go, otherwise a firm brush will help you to achieve a smooth look.

  • Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder - generally speaking I am not a fan of powdering the face, however this Charlotte Tilbury powder is the exception to the rule. It has a blurring and smoothing effect when lightly applied to the skin. It makes your makeup look amazing when used in areas that need a bit of shine taken away. A small amount goes a long way.

  • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Volume II - a luxurious but worth it splurge! If you want to create a soft focus look to your makeup, this palette is perfect for dusting over your makeup to help blend it seamlessly, It leaves a very soft satin look to the skin, truly beautiful to wear all year round.

  • RARE BEAUTY Soft Pinch Liquid Blush - another recent purchase and another product worth every penny. The blush has a lot of pigment so you only need the smallest amount, it blends onto the skin beautifully. It doesn’t stick in awkward places making it difficult to blend, you can achieve a flushed look or a stronger blush. Lots of shade choices!

  • DIOR Rouge Blush - Cheek and Cheekbone Blush - if you prefer a powder blush I would highly recommend the Dior powders. The pigment is just right in that it does not go on too sheer, or too strong. It blends onto the skin well and looks fresh.

  • DIOR Forever Natural Bronze - bronzers have always been a sticking point for me, my favourite from Laura Mercier is always going in and out of stock. It is hard to find the right tone of bronzer and the most natural looking finish, however Dior have created the most beautiful product. A slight satin finish in different undertones to suit your skin tone. It blends beautifully and looks very natural.

  • LUMENE Invisible Illumination Liquid Bronzer - a liquid bronzer is a great choice if you like to have a little colour on your face, or if you just prefer the finish. This is a great product if you want to create a sheer wash helping the skin to look dewy and healthy.

  • Benefit Gimme Brow + Volumising Brow Gel - if you have sparse brows and struggle to fill them in with a pencil, this gel is going to be your best friend. Not only will this tint your brow hairs the formula also contains little fibres which will attach to your existing hairs creating the look of a fuller brow.

  • ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Strong Hold Clear Brow Gel - if you have no need to fill in your brows but you want help to keep them groomed and in place, this clear brow gel stays in place all day. Once you have applied the gel it will dry down and the hairs will not budge.

  • TARTE Tartelette™ In Bloom Clay Palette - a superb eyeshadow palette with a lovely selection of neutral colours. The pigment on the shadows are excellent and the formula blends incredibly well.

  • Benefit Roller Lash Lifting & Curling Mascara - a really great mascara if you have straight lashes and struggle to hold a curl even from using a lash curler. The formula helps to lift and curl the lashes and really open up your eyes.

  • Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 In Love With Olivia - a versatile lipstick shade which looks beautiful on the majority of clients I have used it on. It has a rose undertone to it but can sometimes come up a little bit more coral depending on how deep your natural lip colour is. The formula is hydrating and has a soft sheen to it.

  • Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray - if you are looking for a way to help your makeup to stay in place all day I can highly recommend this setting spray. It has never failed me on clients whether that has been a special occasion or a bride!

  • M.A.C Fix + Setting Spray Original - also a setting spray but I like to use this before the Urban Decay. I find that it helps the makeup to melt together beautifully and look more natural. It is also great if you have been a little too heavy handed with powder products that it will dial down the intensity.