6 Sephora Own Brand Essentials

Sephora is any beauty lover's Mecca - the slick store front lures in even the most hardened of beauty shoppers time and time again, but where do you begin to start to shop, with a store heaving with just about every cosmetic brand under the sun? In my opinion, their own in- house range - Sephora Beauty is vastly overlooked and often the only reason I step inside to shop.

Now admittedly, Sephora Beauty isn't as cheap as I'd like but as the quality is often exceptional, it is an issue I'll over look - or in the very least grit my teeth and accept that this isn't changing anytime soon.

Much like Sephora, their own beauty range is vast and includes both make-up and skincare; the latter is a post for another time - I promise - but until then, I have narrowed down Sephora Beauty to six must-have products, all of which are universally appealing and available in numerous shades.

6 Sephora Own Brand Essentials

If a Sephora list of essential products doesn't at least include a nod to Sephora Cream Lip Stains, disregard it immediately. I'm of course somewhat joking but the Sephora Cream Lip Stains ($14) are easily one of the best matte, liquid lipsticks I have ever come across. The shade range is beyond expansive (I've made it my personal mission to try each and every colour): from nudes, to every red hue imaginable and of course bold, unusual pops of colour -  there is something for everyone and then some. I'll be the first to admit that the Sephora Cream Lip Stains are not the most nourishing of lipsticks but then again what true matte choice is? If you can look past the odd bout of dryness, you'll have a beyond long-wearing, bold and flawless lip colour that will have you coming back for more, time and time again.

6 Sephora Own Brand Essentials

The thing about Sephora is that stock differs per store and as such some real beauty gems can go unnoticed. If ever you do find the Sephora Nano Lip Liners, grab a few. They are perfectly proportioned to fit in even the smallest of pockets and bags, and boast a firm yet creamy, long wearing formulation. Insider tip - if you can't find the Sephora Nano Lip Liners ($6) amongst on the main floor, sometimes they are nestled in amongst their "Beauty to Go" section.

6 Sephora Own Brand Essentials
6 Sephora Own Brand Essentials

Not one but two highlighters make the essential cut and for two very reasons:

Sephora Radiant Lumizing Drops ($14) - a beautiful range of liquid highlighters that work well, blended into the skin but their real magical quality is when combined with liquid foundation. A drop or two will change even the heaviest of foundations into a glorious, skin illuminating tint without compromising coverage or texture. If that's not enough, you can also mix a little into a body lotion for illuminated limbs.

Sephora Mircosmooth Baked Luminizer - if powder highlighting products are more your calling, then the small but perfectly formed Sephora collection will be something you are going to want to seek out. Yes both of the shades within the range are wonderfully pigmented but they can just as easily be pared down with a soft, fluffy brush, or amped up to a foil-finish with a damper brush. A little goes a long way and the name product here are very reminiscent of Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighters when applied to the skin. Annoyingly Sephora don't stock this range online but rest assure you will find both shades within the collection in store.

6 Sephora Own Brand Essentials
6 Sephora Own Brand Essentials
6 Sephora Own Brand Essentials

What I respect most about Sephora is that their in-house brand is not built upon intentional dupes, rather any that happen are happy accidents. In my opinion there are no more convenient coincidences than the duo below:

Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Foundation Face Powder ($22)- yes this is somewhat comparable to the now iconic MAC MSF Skinfinish, however the Sephora alternative comes in more skin natural shades and the finish is a little lighter too - easily the most comfortable face powder I own. You can apply this as you would with any other face powder to set make-up, wear it in place of liquid foundation or dampen it to create a powder-come-cream texture that offers a little more coverage.

Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer ($14) - A great alternative to NARS Creamy Concealer in terms of finish and shades, however the gel-come-serum texture is easier to blend and less prone to settling into dry areas (and fine lines for that matter) than its pricey counterpart.

Truthfully, I could easily talk about the Sephora Collection for another seven or so paragraphs; it is seldom such range disappoints me but the above are my bare essentials, and as such products I've bought countless times over the years - and forced into the basket of many a friend.

What are your Sephora must-haves?