Clean Sephora Favorites

The fact I’m here typing something on this blog I’ve only used twice in the past year and a half feels like madness. But I figure a permanent listing of my favorite buys at Sephora is probably a good resource for both you and me, so here we are!

When I first started my clean beauty journey (2015), it was not easy to shop clean at Sephora. It would be standing in the skincare corner trying to read every label reading ingredients. That’s not to say they haven’t always had some cleaner brands (looking at you, Boscia) but it just wasn’t a popular enough movement for them to put in any effort in marketing it. But WOW how times have changed!!! Not only has Sephora started marking their cleaner products with the Clean at Sephora certification, but they’ve also introduced clean brands I would have never expected them to sell (Ilia, my forever love, is now a Sephora mainstay after their packaging rebrand). As a decade long VIB rouge and a clean beauty enthusiast , I’m excited to share my Sephora favorites with you.

SKINCARE:

Before I list my favorites, let me talk to you a little bit about my skin. My skin is sensitive and highly reactive, leans drier, and doesn’t absorb most oils well. I have dealt with acne in the past but have only had the rare spot or two for the last few years.

Ren Clean Beauty Evercalm Cleansing Milk - The best creamy, soothing cleanser you’ll ever find.

Ren Clean Beauty Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask - I will always have this mask stocked in case I try a product that gives me a reaction or my skin is just feeling extra sensitive. It soothes any irritation or redness and feels like a hug for sensitive skin.

Ren Clean Beauty Overnight Recovery Balm - I did not think I would like this, because it is so oily and my oils don’t sink into my skin well. But my skin SOAKS this up. It’s a wonderful little topper after your evening skincare and ensures that I wake up with balanced and hydrated skin.

Moon Juice Acid Potion - This is my favorite exfoliating toner. I’ve been using it on and off for years (I love their rebrand). I use it every third or so day after cleansing.

Youth To The People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial - I use this exfoliating mask in the shower on days I wash my hair! It’s gentle and the slightest bit scrubby and helps unclog pores. I only leave it on for a minute or two (I think the suggested time is five minutes).

MAKEUP:

The fun category!

Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara - We will never break up. The best clean beauty mascara ever, hands down. Using it the past few years has also helped my lashes grow significantly.

Kosas 10-Second Liquid Eyeshadow - The eyeshadow of my dreams. No tools necessary and it really stays put. I have a lot of different shades of these and I truly hope they come out with more.

Kosas Revealer Concealer - Best concealer I’ve ever used and it comes in a pretty extensive shade range. My only thing is that both tubes I’ve had of this have broken and leaked. So, just be careful. I hope they fix it eventually!

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint - I LOVE SKIN TINTS. I have not worn thick foundation since my Disney performer days and I never will. I used to the Gl*ssier ones for years because it was the only one on the market, but I’m so glad other brands have started doing lightweight skin tints. AND this one has SPF. It’s great. I’m planning on trying a darker shade to blend with my current shade for summer.

Tower28 ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss - The most moisturizing, least sticky lip gloss you’ll ever use. My goal in life is to have every shade, but the public has not seen my face without a mask in a year so it’s lofty.

Tower28 Beach Please Lip + Cheek Cream Blush - My favorite way to add a little color. I apologize in advance because it’s always sold out!!!

Tower28 Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer - I place this like I would place highlighter, and it makes me look delightfully sunkissed which is wildly untrue because I don’t leave my house. I also almost always wear it on camera because it looks captures so beautifully.

Tower28 SuperDew Shimmer-Free Highlight Balm- The ultimate no-makeup makeup product. If I’m not wearing makeup, I still wear this for a little extra dewiness. Glazed doughnut vibes.

HAIR:

I don’t use a ton of haircare from Sephora (their clean haircare selection isn’t huge), but there are a few products I love! I will say I appreciate that their website allows you to filter and find products that are silicone free.

Olaplex No. 3 - I mean duh. I’ve been using Olaplex since I bleached my hair 6 years ago (it used to be IMPOSSIBLE to find it outside of a salon). My hair isn’t damaged anymore, but using it before shampooing about once a month has helped my hair grow longer and stronger.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Mask - This one is a crowd favorite for a reason. Though it’s probably a touch too heavy for my hair, it’s a great protein heavy mask to help repair and soften hair thats been damaged by heat, chemicals, or just environment.

Playa Pure Dry Shampoo - I rarely use dry shampoo, but when I do it’s this one.

BODY:

So Sephora sells Nécessaire, which is what I use for all my body needs. But I am a Nécessaire affiliate so I will encourage you all to wait for a Nécessaire sale so you can use my affiliate link and code and get yourself the best body products and support your favorite internet lesbian while you do it. Tysm.

FRAGRANCE:

Two years ago, Sephora really STOCKED their clean fragrance collection in store and it was a game changer. I was fresh off my college internship at Le Labo, armed with niche fragrance knowledge and learned all about the clean offerings at Sephora. I’m in the mental process of switching from being a “signature scent” person with one fragrance to “bitch with a fragance tray”, so while I don’t own a lot of these, I have tried samples and will hopefully one day own them for my future chic fragrance tray. How chic would I be with a fragrance tray.

Maison Louis Marie No. 4 Bois de Balincourt - This one I own. This one I will always own. In fragrance form, in perfume oil form, and in candle form. I’ve been buying it for years wherever I could find it, and now it’s very conveniently at Sephora. It’s often noted as a dupe for Le Labo Santal 33, though the MLM is lighter with less tobacco and more cinnamon. Also - the ingredients are much cleaner! It’s much more for me than Santal 33 (I prefer Santal 26, which is the home fragrance), and smells less like a mixologist in South Williamsburg.

Phlur Sandara - I’ve been crushing on this fragrance for years. I’ve had a few samples of it and while it isn’t as warm as I usually go for, it’s delightful. Will I add this to my dream perfume tray? Probably.

Heretic Dirty Vanilla - I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews on Heretic over the years, but “Dirty Vanilla” is probably my dream name for a fragrance and I’m still curious about it. Heretic doesn’t use any synthetics whatsoever, which I think is very cool and something I’ve always been excited about. Also - Heretic does all of the GOOP perfumes and candles including the Gwyneth vagina candle. So, just something to note.

By Rosie Jane James - If you are sensitive to fragrance or prefer something lighter, By Rosie Jane may be for you. I was sent a few of their fragrances a few years ago and they are wonderful for lightweight wear. James is my favorite for the warm, woody notes.

So that’s where we’re at! I will likely update this as time goes on and I find more things to love, but hopefully this is helpful for those of you into (or flirting with) clean beauty. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need any specific recommendations!