Sephora employees' beauty gift quick picks
Even though the Sephora Savings Event just ended, we’re still on a roll when it comes to holiday shopping and finding the best beauty gifts, so I went straight to the source and consulted Sephora beauty directors on the products that are actually worth it. These experts are immersed in a world of makeup, skin care and hair care day in and day out. They’ve tested, experimented and discovered the must-haves of beauty, and they’re here to share them all.
From makeup samplers to skin care essentials, these are products that the experts say are worth their weight — and they know beauty best. Plus, the pros have plenty of holiday tips to share, and many of their picks have unbeatable value that you’ll only catch this time of year. Check out the four Sephora experts’ favorite beauty gifts and stocking stuffers that you’re sure to love, too. The cherry on top? All of their picks are under $100.
Skin care favorites
Check out the Sephora beauty directors’ favorite skin care sets and products for winter and beyond. Think hydrating heroes from head to toe and multitasking products that will upgrade your whole beauty routine.
Sephora beauty director David Razzano loves this trio of K-beauty products. "This holiday set includes the Green Tea Cream, Green Tea Serum and Daily UV protection, which make for a fantastic routine to get your skin smoother, hydrated and protected every day," he says.
"I’m always recommending Glow Recipe’s watermelon range, so this set is the perfect way to introduce someone to the glowiest skin they’ve ever had," says Sephora beauty director Myiesha Sewell. It includes full sizes of the fan-favorite Niacinamide Dew Drops and PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner, plus a mini size of the Pink Juice moisturizer.
"This balm has entered a new high echelon in my kit," Sephora beauty director Helen Dagdag says of this editor-favorite product. "Everyone needs a good moisturizing balm, and I love that they make an assortment of subtle colors and fragrances."
For the holidays, Summer Fridays also has a set of three full-size Lip Butter Balms for $49.
If you have a friend or family member who is always trying new skin care or skin treatments, Sephora beauty director Melinda Solares recommends this kit. "We love a skin care enthusiast, but their skin might not always love it," she says. "This is a set of barrier-nourishing essentials formulated to refresh, visibly plump and intensely hydrate your skin during the dry winter months and between new face masks, facials and lasers that may challenge your skin barrier."
"This is the perfect gift for someone who loves to hydrate their skin from head to toe," Razzano says. He calls this set of luxurious creams a "dynamic duo" that will provide all-day hydration. It features a rich hand and body butter for areas that need extra TLC and a peptide packed body cream.
"Tower 28's SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray is a lifesaver," Solares says. "Not only does it refresh, but it also soothes and purifies stressed-out skin, helping to calm visible irritation and redness." She notes that it's great for balancing sensitive skin and even for after-sun care and kicking a sunburn.
A great hybrid skin care and makeup product, Cay Skin’s Isle Lip Balm is a favorite of Sewell's. It's a lip product with SPF, "without the dreaded SPF taste or scent," she says. Sewell adds that the shade range is super versatile — "each shade looks beautiful on the lips, whether you’re going makeup-free or full glam."
Makeup favorites
When it comes to makeup, the experts are all-in on variety sets that allow you to try out multiple products or shades.
There's no such thing as blush blindness with these blush sticks. "These highly pigmented blushes melt onto the skin and blend easily while creating a natural wash of color with a gorgeous glow," Razzano says. "Each shade can be used on any skin tone, so it makes an easy choice for a wonderful gift."
"Mascara lovers are some of the most particular people on the planet, so having access to three of Sephora Collection’s best formulas in one set will blow their minds," Sewell says. "They can experiment and layer their lashes to their heart’s content!"
These lip oils are super glossy and conditioning, if I do say so myself. Razzano recommends this four-piece gift set for anyone who "loves to get their shine on when it comes to glazed lips." The colors are shiny, sheer and suitable for all skin tones.
"This is my go-to set, season after season," Dagdag says of this eight-piece makeup brush kit. "I love having a new set of brushes to kick off a new year, and this one comes with a very handy travel pouch. The value is incredible, which is why I always get one for me and one for a friend!"
Hair care favorites
From rich hair masks to bestselling leave-in conditioners, the Sephora beauty directors’ hair care picks are perfect for elevating your everything shower routine and delivering luscious locks.
Dagdag thinks the K18 bond repair hair mask is a hair game changer, and I agree. "It repairs hair from within and makes styling so much easier," she says. The set includes a full size of the leave-in mask and a sample of the Peptide Prep shampoo. "The shampoo is a bonus because it cleanses your hair of product and mineral buildup, but it makes your hair super soft when used with the mask," Dagdag says.
"Ceremonia has quickly become one of my favorite hair care brands, with its simple, super-hydrating formulas," Sewell says. She's already a fan of the Mascarilla de Guava hair mask and is excited to try the Guava Leave-In Conditioner too. As a bonus, the full-size set includes limited-edition headband.
"As a traveler, stocking stuffers are my favorite opportunity to gift (and receive) travel essentials for the year," Solares says. "Not only do stockings keep us closer to TSA-approved sizing but the value in holiday sets is unbeatable." She recommends this palo-santo-scented Pattern Beauty set that's perfect for curly and coily hair.
Fragrance favorites
Gifting a fragrance is notoriously tricky, so the beauty pros suggest playing it safe with a sampler set. That way, the receiver can find their personal favorite perfume from the bunch. Alternatively, you can spread the love and split the set into multiple mini gifts.
Sewell says her signature holiday move is buying a set and breaking it up for stocking stuffers. "These mini perfumes are so incredibly cute," she says. "Anyone would be delighted to find these little treasures in their stocking." The assortment includes designer fragrances from Carolina Herrera, Maison Margiela and Phlur. Plus, you'll get a voucher to redeem for a full-size bottle of your (or your loved one's) favorite fragrance from the set.
Perfect for trying out or traveling with a trio of By Rosie Jane perfumes, Solares says this pick is great for exploration. "Perfect for the person who is impossible to shop for," she says. "We all have them in our life, in fact, I may be one of them! A fragrance discovery set is the perfect solution."
"This beautiful fragrance set contains four unique scents that touch upon notes of sweet vanillas, earthy musks, fresh greens and invigorating citruses," Razzano says. He notes that the "farm-to-fragrance collection is crafted with sustainable ingredients and planet-positive considerations in production and manufacturing," so it's an ideal choice for clean beauty enthusiasts.
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have an experienced team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to ensure we are testing each product accurately and speaking about pros and cons of each item. For this article, we spoke to four Sephora beauty directors about the products they’ve tested and love for the holidays.