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I worked at Sephora for over 4 years. Here are 5 products I swear are worth the high price tag.

A pink lipstick in gold packaging sitting next to a pink box in front of a gold background
I've found a few products worth the splurge while working at Sephora. Emma Freece
Updated
  • As an ex-Sephora employee, I strongly believe in treating yourself to high-end beauty products.
  • I use the Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening dark-spot serum to help with my acne-scar pigmentation.
  • The Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipstick in Pillow Talk looks great on pretty much everyone.

As someone who's worked at Sephora for over four years, I know which products are worth spending a little extra cash on. 

Here are five luxe-feeling products from Sephora that are worth their high price tags. 

The Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening dark-spot serum is a great alternative to vitamin-C formulas.

The writer holds the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance serum in front of more Caudalie packaging and a plant
I use this $82 Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening dark-spot serum to remedy my pigmentation. Emma Freece

If you've struggled with dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or uneven skin tone, then you've probably turned to some sort of vitamin-C serum to help.

I like the Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening dark-spot serum ($82) since, according to the brand's website, it's more effective than vitamin C and can be used on sensitive skin.

I've tried countless serums to help brighten my acne-scar pigmentation, and none have compared to this Caudalie formula. I've repurchased this many times, and it's absolutely worth it.

The Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF-40 foundation covers my redness and has great ingredients.

The writer holds a white bottle with a tan cap of an ILIA skin tint against a white background
For $48, this Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF-40 foundation provides light, dewy coverage. Emma Freece

If you're looking for a makeup product that provides coverage while improving the health of your skin, then you have to try the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF-40 foundation ($48).

It has the perfect light coverage to even out redness and leaves me with a beautiful glowy finish.

I can't stress the importance of wearing sunscreen every day enough, so I love that this foundation has SPF 40. It also contains ingredients like squalane, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, which all have amazing skincare benefits, including softening texture, minimizing hyperpigmentation, and providing moisture.

I highly recommend getting a shade match at Sephora and asking for a product sample so you can test the foundation before buying. 

When I want my skin to look perfect, I use the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish setting powder.

A hand holding a compact setting powder with gold packaging in front of a Charlotte Tilbury display at Sephora
This Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish setting powder is $45. Emma Freece

I always want my skin to look airbrushed and the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish setting powder ($48) makes it look like my pores disappeared.

I use this to set my entire face of makeup, and it gives it the smoothest finish.

You can also purchase the mini version ($28) if you don't want to commit to the full-size powder at first.

The Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash MD lash-enhancing serum gave me the confidence to forgo false lashes.

A pink box with "Grande Lash MD" text and a white box with gold writing saying "longer thicker looking lashes in 4-6 weeks" and other product details against a green background
I used this $68 Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash MD lash-enhancing serum every night and noticed a stark difference. Emma Freece

After years of wearing falsies and having my natural eyelashes ripped out and weakened, I thought they'd never be long and full again — until I started using the Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash MD lash-enhancing serum ($68).

I noticed a huge difference when I used this serum every night for several weeks, and after a few months, my lashes were transformed.

I think this stuff is amazing and worth the cost because I can wear just mascara and feel confident without false lashes. 

That being said, be careful if you have sensitive eyes. I've never personally had issues with irritation, but I've heard this serum can irritate some people.

There's a reason that the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution hydrating lipstick is so beloved.

A pink box with loopy "Pillow Talk" text across the top next to a mauve-tone lipstick in a golden bullet on a white table and in front of a Champagne-colored backdrop
I get a lot of use out of this $34 Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution hydrating lipstick because the color goes with nearly any look. Emma Freece

The Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution hydrating lipstick ($35) in the shade Pillow Talk is a best-selling product for a reason.

It's the perfect pinky-nude shade, the formula feels comfortable, the lipstick is long-lasting, and the packaging is super cute.

It's beautiful as an everyday shade for nearly any skin tone. It would also be a gorgeous wedding lipstick for a bride-to-be.

This story was originally published on June 6, 2022, and most recently updated on October 14, 2024.

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