15 beauty products Sephora beauty directors say belong in your cart

Both Sephora beauty director Melinda Solares and I love these exfoliating pads for keeping skin radiant and smooth. "The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads might be the skin care item I have recommended the most in my eight years at Sephora!" she shares, adding that her favorite thing about them is that "they work magic without irritation (even for people like me who have skin sensitivities)." She recommends getting this value set that includes both the extra-strength and daily peel pads (for reference, a single box of 60 is usually $153).

"The key to maintaining healthy skin is protecting and strengthening your skin’s barrier," says Sephora beauty director David Razzano. He loves the simplicity of Skinfix's products and the value you can get in this set that includes a "deeply hydrating moisturizer" and a "cleanser that removes all makeup and impurities without stripping the skin." While it's suitable for anyone, Razzano particularly recommends it for those with dry or sensitive skin. "Plus, Skinfix partnered with a nonprofit that fights climate change, so you can gift great skin and a happier planet!" he adds.

"Tatcha makes a perfect skin care set for the chilly winter months that will leave your skin dewy and hydrated," says Sephora beauty director Helen Dagdag. "It has a gentle face wash, a super hydrating serum and a moisturizer that plumps the skin right up. On days when my skin is parched, I use the serum as an under-eye touch-up over my makeup."

"I want everyone to promise to treat the skin on their body as well as the skin on their face," says Sephora beauty director Myiesha Sewell. She raves that this nourishing body cream is a great introduction into body care that you'll want to slather on. "54 Thrones' signature shea butter combined with Ethiopian tree flower honey, peptides and hyaluronic acid creates the perfect treat for dry winter skin," she says.

"Sephora Collection has done this epic sheet mask set for a few years now, and it always sells out," Solares says. Keep them all for yourself, use them as stocking stuffers or share them with loved ones — Solares says that she personally likes to grab a friend and do a self-care night with the masks.

"When I look at my skin and don’t have to deal with my past acne woes, I’m reminded of why I’m such a huge Shani Darden fan," says Sewell. "Her Retinol Reform serum gets plenty of deserved praise, but her entire range is worth checking out. The Skin Renewal Trio is the perfect place to start."

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Not skin care but definitely a self-care essential, quality candles set the mood for your me-time. Razzano notes that they're an effortless gift at any time of the year. "I feel like it’s a little touch of ambience that makes your loved ones think of you when they light the candles in their homes," he says. "This 'best of Nest' set contains some holiday scents, plus a few of their famed favorites, including Grapefruit, Bamboo and Madagascar Vanilla. And, yes, I will be getting one of these sets for myself as well!"

"I know I’m not the only one that loves Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush," says Solares. "I literally could not open TikTok without seeing a beauty lover gush over the glowy blush and enhance their looks with Rare Beauty's highlighter."

If you haven't tried the latter yet, the expert says to grab the Mini Blush & Glow 4-Piece Set, which includes two of the fan-favorite blushes and two dreamy luminizers.

Razzano loves this limited-edition palette that he says is "a beautiful and unique assortment of eye and face products that you can’t find anywhere else." What makes them so special? The beauty director explains that the stunning colors shift in the light, so you'll get "glacier blue to soft lilac, or a rosy apricot to chartreuse yellow."

Another product that Razzano has been reaching for, this Sephora Collection palette features a whopping 88 shades with a variety of uses. As Razzano breaks it down, it includes 54 eye shadows, 28 cream multiuses (18 lips and face, 10 eyes and face), three brow powders and three powder liners. "Who wouldn’t appreciate all that in one streamlined compact palette? You can create any imaginable eye look balanced out with cheek colors and lip tones for the inner artist in everyone!" he says.

"I love Saie Glowy Super Gel because it makes your skin look glorious and reflective but has zero chunky glitter," says Sewell. "If I’m ever overdue for a facial or just need to boost a flat complexion, this product gives my skin the healthiest glow. The lightweight water-based formula also works on any skin type under, over or mixed into any foundation."

This set, which Dagdag says is a hit around the holiday season, includes six full-size lip colors (which retail for $15 each). You get a range of long-lasting colors, so you can keep your favorites and gift the rest.

Dagdag even incorporates them into her holiday celebrations: "Every year, I buy a few of these kits and use them as wine glass markers for my holiday party," she shares. "I split them up and tie them with a bow. Hostess with the mostess!"

"When I met Babba, the founder of Ceremonia, she and I instantly connected on our Latinx heritage and how it shaped our journey in the beauty industry," shares Solares. "Babba has taken beautiful and effective hair rituals from her parents and infused it into Ceremonia. This scalp oil is amazing for scalp health, which leads to happy hair!"

"The innovative K18 mask cannot be beat," Dagdag says. "No doubt that once you try it, you’ll be hooked!" This set includes the bond-repairing leave-in mask, plus K18's hair oil, which Dagdag assures is also "magic in a bottle." The beauty director even has a pro tip to share: "I learned a great tip from the K18 stylists and formulators: Work the mask between your hands until it becomes an opaque white, then work it through your hair. It helps deposit the product evenly, leaving you with gorgeous, silky hair."