27 Sephora Products That, According To An Impressive Number Of 5-Star Reviewers, Actually Work

27 Sephora Products That, According To An Impressive Number Of 5-Star Reviewers, Actually Work

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2025-06-04 05:07

1. A bottle of Kora Organics Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser rich in antioxidants that'll remove makeup in a jiffy and make your skin ✨glow. ✨ Lots of reviewers call it the best face wash they've ever tried, so get in there and join their 5-star ranks!

Sephora

Promising reviews: "I was scared to try this product at first because I have dry, sensitive skin, but I still decided to give it a go. This has been the best face wash I have used and has cleared my face so well! I will buy again and highly recommend!" —Ally

"I started using this face wash a couple of months ago, and it's been amazing for my skin! It has cleared up my pores and dark spots so much. It’s the only face wash that makes my skin feel clean as someone who is acne-prone." —evamarunowski

Price: $19+ (available in two sizes)

2. Some Haus Labs (by Lady Gaga!!) medium coverage foundation reviewers are...well, going gaga for! And with good reason: buildable coverage, A+ ingredients, and the kind of lightweight breathability that will make you forget you're wearing anything at all, this foundation is abracadabra-amazing.

Sephora

Promising reviews: "Spent years trying to find the perfect foundation and this is it! Lasts all day, wears beautifully and perfect color match." —emily7394839

"Probably one of the few foundations that not only looks good but feels incredible on the skin. Super lightweight with a natural finish and matches my otherwise difficult to match skin perfectly! Highly recommend!" —sard92

"I usually wear a skin tint, but I wanted a foundation for more glam occasions. This foundation is perfection! It covered pimples, acne scars, looks like skin, and is that perfect balance of glowy and matte. 100 out of 10 recommend!" —HayleyB2025

Price: $49 (available in 51 shades)

3. Hourglass Skin Tint, aka my new holy grail that reviews convinced me to buy with my human dollars, AND I'M SO GLAD I DID. It does exactly what we want it to in the summer: perfectly blurs pores and redness without detracting from your own perfect skin. And y'all: I just put this on with my fingers. It is my new fave post-skincare sidekick.

Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed, Sephora

I needed something for the hot, HOT Texas summer that was going to give me an assist on facial redness, but not something that was going to melt off my face in clumps the second I stepped outside or leave me looking streaky if I sweat. I've been lovingly calling this my Balayage daily skin treatment because it blends in PERFECTLY when first applied, but doesn't make me look splotchy throughout the day. I pair this with the mini version of the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder and honestly? I feel like it's light enough I don't *need* to bother with much else if I don't want to. THE HYPE IS REAL, Y'ALL!

Promising reviews: "I’ve worn this three times now and EVERY single day someone has asked me what I’ve done to my skin to make it look so good. Today someone asked me if I just had a facial, so needless to say this is a new staple." —RhiJulia

"Lightweight skin tint with flawless coverage. I received so many compliments about my makeup. I will be wearing this all summer long." —meghui604

Price: $49 (available in 18 shades)

4. Everyone's favorite Ilia The Base Face Milk that is making the rounds on the internet for a reason: It is the perfect base for makeup and gives your skin that dewy glow without weighing it down. If you want to feel like you've been blessed by a milk fairy, this is 100% worth the splurge.

Sephora, Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed

See why it's worth the hype in this TikTok!

Hi. Me again. I was also taken in by the hype of seeing this literally all over my FYP, and once again, the people were RIGHT. I don't use this every day, but I do have some dryness in my T-zone for which I will "pull out the big guns" for special events, etc. This is that big gun. I can see myself using it even more this summer in place of heavier hydrating serums.

Promising review: "Improved my skin texture and dryness so much! What people don’t realize is this is NOT a heavy moisturizer or face cream. It’s a base. You put this on right before you use a heavier moisturizer or face cream. As someone with severe dry and flaky skin, this has stopped all of that texture and leaves my skin more glowy." —chrissyqns

Price: $28+ (available in two sizes)

5. The Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment with SPF 30. As a person who constantly has little red splotches on my face despite excellent skincare, I am obsessed with this stuff. The centella in this is a miracle worker and will give you an even-looking skin tone in SECONDS without needing heavy concealer or foundation. 

Sephora

The active ingredient, centella asiatica, has been recognized for its medicinal use and helps support wounded skin exhibiting inflammation, redness, or blemishes. Learn more about it at the Cleveland Clinic

Promising reviews: "TikTok doesn't lie! Wow, the reviews are no joke. My skin is relatively clear, but with rosy undertones that I like to cancel out. With this cream, I was able to go without concealer and just add blush?! Will continue to rebuy!" —creneed

"This stuff is a life-changer for me. I’m in my early 40s with a light skin tone and freckles. I have blotchy redness around the nose and dark eye circles. I applied this after my daily moisturizing routine, and I’m speechless. I’m not a heavy makeup wearer to begin with, so I will be buying the bigger size and ditching all my concealer. 10 out of 10 recommend for a NATURAL look...don’t buy this thinking you’ll come out looking airbrushed, though." —SaltyPearl

Price: $25+ (available in two sizes)

6. Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant — the GOAT of chemical exfoliants because it's easy to use and reviewers say it actually works to help clear blemishes, reduce the appearance of pores, and clean out all that deep-seated gunk we don't want in our skin. This is basically taking a Hoover to your pores, and you can thank me later for adding it to your cart yesterday. 

Sephora

This was actually one of my very first skincare routine additions years ago, and it's STILL a must for me. If you see me with a bunch of tiny blackheads on my nose, remind me to use my Paula's BHA, please. 

Promising reviews: "I have very sensitive skin and have zero issues with this product. Get the mini and test it out. My pores are smaller; if I have acne, it disappears. This product is hydrating, so I don’t feel tight skin after." —NickCole0001

"Must-have in nighttime routine! After using this product once or twice a week, it has helped my skin tremendously! You can actually see all the gunk coming out on the cotton rounds!" —Sephora Customer

Price: $14+ (available in two sizes)

7. A Dieux Instant Angel moisturizer with over a thousand 5-star reviews and the kind of "JUST DO IT" attitude from its devotees that will have you wondering how you missed the boat. ("The boat" being peptide and lipids getting together to moisturize your face and mend your skin barrier, of course.)

Sephora

This product is free of parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, mineral oil, sulfates (and other ingredients), and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance. It is also gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.

Promising reviews: "I have really dry skin and am always trying new moisturizers, but keep coming back to this one. My skin absorbs it, leaving a perfect canvas for sunscreen and makeup, without an oil slick or sticky feeling that I get from other dry skin moisturizers." —lucysunshine7

"I have oily, combination, acne-prone skin. I am using tretinoin, so I do get some dry patches from this treatment. I also live in Minnesota, where we have very dry and cold winters. This has SAVED my skin! My skin barrier is so much better. It no longer feels sensitive to the weather, and my dry patches are gone. It wears beautifully under makeup, and it does not make me any more oily during the day. I love the silkiness and the way it makes my skin feel. I understand the hype. I will always have this on my vanity!" —amklick

Price: $45 (also available in a value size)

8. A tube of Tatcha Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser for the gentlest wash of your life. With a texture that screams luxury, you'll actually look forward to washing off all your makeup at the end of the day because your face will feel so soft when you're done!

Sephora

Promising review: "Every time my friends or family come over, they use this. And every time they are like?? OK, wow, that's amazing. It's just the best. I didn't know a cleanser that's on your face for like max 60 seconds could make such a difference, but it does." —KaityLauz

Price: $18+ (available in two sizes) 

9. The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm because it is everywhere right now: celebrity GRWMs, "what's in my bag" interviews, and very likely your bestie's pocket, too. Super hydrating without being tacky, and with just a *smidge* of color that will have you looking like you just stepped off the set of a period drama, you're going to have a hard time picking just one.

Sephora

I bought three shades "to rotate between" and now they ALL live in my purse always. Oops.

Promising review: "This is my holy grail for extremely dry lips. I love the feeling, and it stays on for a long time." —relax4lfe

Price: $24 (available in nine shades)

10. Some K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Mask Treatment to revitalize your tired tresses and give them the nutrients and fluff they need, too. Simply shampoo like normal and skip the conditioning, because this tiny tube packs a BIG punch and can help you all on its own post-wash.

Sephora

BuzzFeed editor Melanie Aman swears by this stuff:

"I bleach my dark brown-black Asian hair blonde every six to eight weeks, so I was immediately intrigued when I first heard some stylists at my salon raving about K18. And it turns out the rest of the world loves it, too, because it was sold out at Sephora the first time I tried to buy it. I eventually snagged a bottle and was gobsmacked at how much softer my hair was. Seriously. I spent the whole day touching my hair, and even my boyfriend agreed that my mane was noticeably silkier.

Olaplex was my go-to before I tried K18, and I still stand by it as a product, but I really love that K18 is a leave-in treatment rather than an in-shower mask. Having to let the Olaplex sit for 10 minutes felt like forever, especially when I wasn't taking an everything shower (you know, the ones where you exfoliate and shave). With K18, you let it sit in your hair for four minutes post-shower to activate, and then you can style your hair (or just let it air dry like I do).

I've found that my hair is softest the next day, so don't be discouraged if your hair looks or feels the same the day you use it. One last thing: It is pretty pricey, but a little goes a long way. The full-size 50-mL tube lasts me ~four months, and eventually, K18 can become a maintenance product, so you won't need to use it every time you wash your hair."

Promising reviews: "This has fixed my hair! My new hairstylist used this on me once before and told me to get some to help fix prior damage from a previous hairstylist, and this has been a life-changer! I started off using it once a week, and now I use it every few weeks." —Mjbaby23

"Wow. I have never used a product where I have seen a difference in just one use. It is pretty pricy, but it is so worth it. It left my curls healthy and hydrated. I have 3a curls, divided into three sections, and I used one pump on each section. I love that this brand has light/no fragrance. Curly hair product scents can be very overwhelming and make me nauseous. I would buy this product all over again!" —Anonymous

Price: $29+ (available in two sizes)

11. An Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening mascara that easily rinses off with warm water so you can rock Rapunzel-like lashes by day and not fear raccoon eyes by night. Plus, it's safe for sensitive eyes and contact wearers, so no worries that your fresh lifted look is going to cause annoying irritation.

Sephora

Promising review: "Perfect for sensitive eyes or dry eyes. It lengthens lashes and plumps! Love." —SunnyHINV

Price: $16+ (available in two sizes and two colors)

12. The ultra-fine Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder to help keep your makeup in place without annoying caking. Made with rose wax and almond oil, it also helps hydrate the skin. One of these LIVES in my purse to combat unwanted shine, especially in the warmer months.

Sephora

Promising review: "Blurs the skin beautifully and makes my skin look so smooth. Great for setting my eyes as well. Prevents creasing and stays in place all day. This is my go-to pressed powder!" —SunnyD418

Price: $28+ (available in three sizes and four shades)

13. A Shiseido eyelash curler if your eyelashes are board-straight and that's making you straight up bored: Add a little flounce to your look with this cult-fave eyelash curler that reviewers say works so well, it makes you look like you applied mascara without wearing any at all!

Sephora

Promising reviews: "Best eyelash curler that helps me look awake without creating any kinks in my eyelashes. Just bought one for my tween, and she loves it! Very gentle on the eyelashes." —Tygrliliee3

"This is the best eyelash curler I have ever used, especially if you have almond eyes. One squeeze, and you have your eyelashes up for the whole entire day." —Tita2011

Price: $27

14. Internet-famous Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush for the kind of buildable color that is going to make you pink in the cheeks with joy...literally!

Sephora

Promising review: "I love this blush. I usually go for powder blush, and I was scared to try liquid blush, but I’m amazed with the results. Easy to blend and has a good amount of pigment. Would highly recommend." —gursimran13

Price: $15+ (available in 2 sizes, 2 finishes, and in 15 shades)

15. A tube of Clinque's Almost Lipstick in "Black Honey" so you can have that sheer, barely there, glossy look to your lips that is perfect for warmer weather. Plus, it's famously what Liv Tyler wore on the Lord of the Rings set when she played Arwen, so let those elvish vibes roll.

Sephora

Promising review: "This is my go-to lipstick whenever I want a pretty sheer dark cherry lip. I can describe it as biting into a cherry and having residue on your lips. I love it; it’s my third time buying it." —jacquelineb25

Price: $25 (also available in "Pink Honey")

16. An Urban Decay 24/7 waterproof eyeliner if you are tired of going through the effort of getting the perfect wing only to have it smudge five minutes later. Smudge-no-more with this budge-proof liner that has over 11,000 5-star-reviews. (Shooketh, tbh.)

Sephora

Promising reviews: "Love using the whiskey shade to create a brown shadow liner Smokey eye! Mistakes blend nicely and lasts all night without smudging under my eye. Will repurchase other colors." —smithitten

"This is the best eyeliner I have ever used. No fading, no smudging at all. Will be purchasing more shades!" —hmacleod

Price: $23 (available in five finishes and 34 colors)

17. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray with antibacterial properties to help shield your skin from harmful bacteria, cut back on redness, and soothe irritation. Throw it in your gym bag to use before your workout and thank yourself later!

Sephora

Tower 28 is an Asian woman-owned clean beauty brand designed for sensitive skin. Their products are nontoxic, nonirritating, vegan, and cruelty-free, so you can rest easy when applying.

Promising reviews: "Nothing helps me when I have an outbreak of perioral dermatitis; I usually have to take antibiotics for it to go away. I saw a derm recommend this on TikTok, so I gave it a shot, and it has actually helped so much that it has cleared my breakout up! Please give this a try if you suffer from this as well." —smooly

"HOLY GRAIL!! I tried this spray for the first time about a year and a half ago. I had moved from a dry climate to a humid climate, and my acne was out of control! I tried so many products before SOS. When I tell you my acne cleared up within a week….SHEESH! I haven’t been without this spray since! I keep a mini with me at all times for travel and recommend it to all friends with skin concerns. Don’t walk, RUN to Sephora to get it!" —KuhKristen

Price: $12+ (available in three sizes)

18. Some K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Mask Treatment that's highly concentrated so a lil' bottle will last you a while, and you'll be so glad it does, because it's a leave-in treatment instead of one that you have to wash out in the shower. (Passive haircare is the BEST haircare, y'all.)

Sephora

Promising review: "I ADORE THIS PRODUCT! My hair is one of the few things I splurge my money on. As a college student, I need to pick and choose what things are worth spending a pretty penny on, but honestly, with how little product I use of this after every hair wash, it’s not even that expensive. Before I started to use this product, I had many noticeable split ends. I like to straighten my hair once a week and wash my hair twice a week. After having used this product for the recommended five consecutive times on the back of the bottle, my hair feels UNREAL. It is silky soft, shines, and I’ve been receiving compliments on it ever since. Totally recommend it. I already got all the girls in my family to start using it. And no, this isn’t sponsored (I wish!)." —Rachael411

Price: $29

19. The Inkey List de-puffing cream giving your under-eyes a little caffeine boost without even having to touch your cup of coffee. (Caffeine helps relieve any water retention you've got stored up!) Plus, it goes on ~smooth~, so if you want to layer some of that Kosas concealer all of TikTok is raving about on top of your eye cream, YOU TOTALLY CAN.

Sephora

Read more about the skincare benefits of caffeine at the Cleveland Clinic.

Promising review: "Great eye cream, great price! This eye cream is fantastic, really does help with dark circles. You definitely see a difference within 1–2 weeks of use." —Nena08Hrdz

Price: $11

20. An Urban Decay Naked2 matte eyeshadow palette everyone loves for its long-lasting staying power, the smooth application, and its variety of neutral shades. If you're intimidated by palettes and want to give them a go, this is an EXCELLENT choice for beginners and makeup pros alike.

Sephora

Promising review: "Love this little palette. All shades are velvety, and blend really well. The two middle shades are perfect neutral crease colors. The mirror bends almost all the way back, so I end up using it to do my eyeshadow most days. Will definitely buy again." —SnarlyCarly

Price: $35

21. A Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream because flyaways simply need to ~fly away~ and leave our fabulous hair twists alone, thanks. This comes with a built-in mascara-like wand to help style and slick your hair into absolute perfection.

Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF

Dae Hair, Sephora

Promising review: "I got this because I have so many little hairs, and it definitely helped tame them! Smell is amazing and leaves no residue after use! I loved it so much after my first try using it that I immediately bought another one for my mom, and she loves it!" —SageM23

Price: $18

22. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi bronzing drops with peptides if your sunscreen game is so good that you need a bit of help in the touch-of-sun, glowing department. Use on its own or mix in with your fave moisturizer for that post-beach-vacay look.

Sephora

Promising review: "Babes, honestly buy it. Love the bronze look, and it blends perfectly with a moisturizer. Also, if you’re debating over the price, it’s worth it. Mine has lasted over a year I still have product left. Like, it’s shocking me!" —LadyLondon4

Price: $39

23. The beloved Laneige Cream Skin toner and moisturizer. One full jar of moisturizer and one full bottle of toner in one glorious package? Yes, please. Whether you're looking to elevate your routine or simplify it, Laneige has designed the ideal addition to your cart.

Sephora

The perfect little treat, just because you've earned it. 

Promising review: "This is my desert island skincare product. I’ve refilled it close to 10 times now and genuinely never want to be without it. It’s equally hydrating in Texas summer and the dead of winter and is perfect for my sensitive skin. I’ve been able to narrow down my routine into this, a serum, and a moisturizer, and my skin has never been happier!" —emborst

Price: $16+ (available in four sizes and with a separate mist pump)

24. Cult-fave Supergoop! SPF 40 Glowscreen because the #1 rule of skincare is that you MUST. USE. SUNSCREEN. Use this lightweight, no-cast formula to protect your skin and your looks, because it doubles as a primer. 

Sephora, Sephora

Promising reviews: "I really love this sunscreen. I’ve tried so many, and they usually leave a dry chalky feel. Not this one. I have dry skin, and this one feels so smooth and hydrating, and I love the glow that it leaves. It will be my new go-to!" —Sephora Customer

"Obsessed with this product! I get the perfect no-makeup makeup look. I use it every day and get compliments all the time. It gives you a natural glow while protecting your skin. You don’t even need to wear a lot of foundation over it. I use it with the Nars Light Reflecting foundation, Ilia Super Serum skin tint, or L’Oreal tinted skin serum. Staple in my skincare routine!" —Sephora Customer

Price: $22+ (available in three sizes and four shades)

25. A Briogeo exfoliating scalp scrub shampoo that is basically a cauldron of awesome for tackling dandruff. Made with charcoal, coconut oil, and micro-exfoliants, this can help scrub your scalp squeaky clean and nourish your hair. Reviewers call this their miracle product, so maybe do yourself the favor of getting the value size for your cabinet now.

Sephora

Promising reviews: "This is literally one of the best products I have used!! I deal with a flaky scalp in the winter, and this is so helpful in minimizing flakes and exfoliating. It has this cooling feel on application and helps extend the days I can go without washing my hair. This will be one of my staple products moving forward!!" —LizJackson

"Perfect for sweaty summer hair. I use this and focus on my scalp. And my hair ends up soft and shiny." —katjnap

Price: $15+ (available in three sizes)

26. A jar of Charlotte Tilbury's magic cream to help your skin look bouncy and ✨glowy✨ with a shot of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides. Reviewers say their skin feels firmer and their fine lines are less visible. Dare I say this is the PERFECT base for your makeup look?

Sephora

Promising review: "I got a sample for my birthday and OMG! It’s the best cream ever. I have only used it for four days and can tell a huge difference in my skin. It’s so much softer, the color is more even, it’s literally glowing. Just ordered full size." —traceymichelle

"This is my absolute favorite face cream. Always so hydrating and actually absorbs into my skin. Feels like a dream while applying to my face." —Louloulane07

Price: $30+ (available in five sizes)

27. A Jo Malone London wood sage and sea salt cologne I was influenced to buy (you guessed it) on TikTok. The smell is fresh without being too sweet, and the base scent of sage makes it warm and cozy with a touch of ruggedness, so you can stand out in any perfume-loving crowd! Plus, the scent sticks around properly, so no need to worry about reapplying an hour later.

Sephora

Promising review: "HOLY CRAP, this is THE scent. I am so picky with perfumes and usually don’t agree with the popular ones, but this one deserves all the attention! So glad there’s finally an attractive fresh scent without the fruity or floral aspect." —Shay100

"Love this scent — I’m someone who likes to smell good/use a fragrance before bed and after the shower, even if I’m not going anywhere. THIS scent is best on your skin after a warm shower — its mineral and fresh notes are therapeutic and calming." —kyleangel

Price: $32+ (available in four sizes)

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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