Our Editors’ Holy-Grail Sephora Buys Under $50

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $24

I’ve tried an obscene number of eyeshadow primers, but I come back to this one every time. It gives my lids an even canvas for any eye look and helps even the flakiest powders stay put all day. I even like to layer it under cream shadows because I find it helps the pigment really pop. Pro tip: Dab a little under your eyes to act as a defacto brightener/concealer.

Erborian BB Cream Tinted Moisturizer, $39

The thought of having to enter and exit the mecca of makeup with just one (I repeat: ONE) beauty product in my bag is terrifying and seemingly impossible. But armed with $50 and the requirement to narrow down my haul to a singular item, my choice is easy. I would purchase the Erborian BB Cream Tinted Moisturizer. It’s one of my ride-or-die products for sure. It has lightweight, buildable coverage and gives my skin the perfect amount of dewiness; it’s not too greasy or shiny but also not matte. My skin looks plump, hydrated and healthy after application. Plus, I love that it packs in SPF 20, too.

YSL Beauty 30mL Libre Eau de Parfum, $30

I’ve always been infatuated with fragrance. I’m not sure if it’s because I love to decorate my room at home with pretty glass bottles of liquid on my shelves, vanity and nightstand, or that I just can’t get enough of wearing different scents based on the occasion. But either way, as soon as I enter Sephora, my eyes dart around for the perfume section almost immediately. Luckily, the beauty store carries the YSL Libre Eau de Parfum, which has been one of my favorite scents to spritz on lately. It simply makes me feel *chic* whenever I wear it, and its bottle glistens in the sunlight on my shelf. Win-win.

IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout Mascara, $25

I never leave the house without curling my lashes and applying a few coats of mascara, so it’s fitting that my holy-grail product from Sephora is a mascara. The jumbo brush paired with the lengthening formula of the IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout Mascara gives me full, fanned-out eyelashes. Despite the next-level volume, the result is still natural and my lashes feel touchably soft. And because the mascara is infused with biotin (a vitamin that promotes healthy hair growth), I feel like I’m nourishing and conditioning my lashes during wear.

Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick, $38

While blowing my entire budget on a tube of lipstick may seem a little, well, absurd, hear me out. This Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick is heaven in a tube. The soft and creamy formula is so luxurious, and it effortlessly glides onto my lips. Although it is a matte finish, it’s super hydrating and doesn’t leave your lips feeling uncomfortable or taut. My favorite shade of all time is Sandstone because it’s a perfect nude that complements my medium-light skin tone no matter what makeup look I’m wearing. Even when I’m going bare face, I pop a little bit of this lippie on and can’t help but feel put together and confident.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in Red Velvet, $15

To call me lipstick obsessed is an understatement. It’s not uncommon to see me carrying around a small handful of lip options at all times. That being said, I’m a firm believer that every beauty lover should own two things: the perfect red lipstick and the perfect liquid lipstick. The Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in the shade Red Velvet is the ultimate two-in-one. The pigment is absolutely stunning and can be worn year-round, while the formula is non-drying and doesn’t bleed. Whenever I wear this, not only do I rarely have to reapply, but I also feel super confident because of the show-stopping color.