A few weeks ago I walked into Sephora with a deliberate edit in mind — new launches, brands I’d been building relationships with, and a few wildcards that had been on my radar. I promised to report back once I’d actually lived with everything. Here’s the honest truth on each one — before the Spring Savings Event in April so your cart is already decided.
Urban Decay Liner
Kosas highlighter on eyelids
YSL lash clash mascara
Summer Fridays Lip
m.ph by Mary Phillips Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation in Medium 150 N
Mary Phillips designed this to feel like nothing on your face — medium coverage built over her underpainting technique, with 2% niacinamide and a finish that’s meant to read as skin. My verdict: it delivers, though I’d describe the finish as dewy rather than the natural-skin result the name implies. On my skin specifically it works beautifully — luminous without tipping over. The coverage is buildable without becoming heavy, and the niacinamide gives it a skincare quality that you actually feel. A spring and summer staple.
m.ph by Mary Phillips The Foundation Brush
Purchased as a system with the foundation and I cannot overstate how much the tool matters. Mary designed this brush to diffuse Le Skin while blending underpainting seamlessly — the shape and density hit exactly what I look for. One of the best foundation brush shapes I’ve worked with. These two together are a permanent pairing in my routine.
Kosas Shiny Objects Wet Glisten Highlighter in Haloed
New for 2026. Kosas describes this as a wet-look transparent glow for face and eyes — and that’s exactly what it is. Goes on like butter. The finish is what I’d call ethereal: cool, iridescent, not blinding, not frosty, not warm. A perfect champagne that’s genuinely flattering. Application note that matters: finger on the eyes for intensity, brush for a softer diffused effect. Both work exactly as intended. Inner corner highlight through spring and summer, done.
Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Stick Retractable Eyeliner in Fluid Fig
Urban Decay’s claim is 24-hour wear with a formula that glides without skipping. Fluid Fig is a deep plum that reads as a sophisticated neutral — and they’re right that it emphasizes brown eyes beautifully. The consistency is smooth without tugging, which should be a baseline but isn’t always. The dual-ended smudger is what makes it versatile — precise line for day, softened out for something smokier. A genuinely great find and one I’ll be reaching for all season.
Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in Toasty
Mario’s brief on this liner is precision with a creamy formula that doesn’t feel stiff on the lip. He’s right — it has enough structure for a clean edge but is noticeably softer than comparable liners like MAC or even Mary Phillips’ own version. Toasty is warm and exactly the nude I reach for anyway. The built-in brush at the other end is the detail that earns its keep daily — blurring the edges gives a lived-in softness I’ve been gravitating toward. Staying in permanent rotation.
Urban Decay Liner
Kosas highlighter on eyelids and cheekbones
Makeup By Mario Jelly lip as blush
Makeup By Mario lipliner and Jelly lip
Makeup by Mario Jelly Jar Lip & Cheek Multi-Use Balm in Mauve Latte
Multi-use products earn their keep when the formula is right and the color actually works. Mauve Latte is a soft lived-in rose — exactly what I reach for naturally. The consistency is genuinely unique, not quite cream, not quite gloss — effortlessly blendable once you’re working with it. What I didn’t expect to love as much: it works equally well on both lips and cheeks, making a genuine monochromatic moment with zero guesswork. The finish on both is beautiful. A versatile product that removes decision fatigue from your routine, which is its own form of luxury.
Summer Fridays Flushed Lip Stain in Almond
The pen format is having a moment and I wanted to understand why. Summer Fridays’ claim is 12-hour stain in a formula that starts sheer and builds. My experience: it opens as almost a watercolor stain — light, translucent, effortless. With additional layers it builds toward something closer to a soft matte liquid lip. Which means this is genuinely two products depending on how you use it. Almond works bare-faced or over liner equally well. Effortless in every sense — formula, packaging, and finish.
YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara — in Brown
Received this in PR from YSL Beauty. The formula is not thick or clumpy — it doesn’t try to do too much. What it does instead is elongate and add fullness that looks like your lashes having their best day rather than something sitting on top of them. I went with brown and I will not be going back. One swipe and the effect was immediate. Brown mascara reads as one of those subtle choices that actually transforms a look. Already a staple.
That’s seven honest verdicts. No gifted product, no incentive — just what I actually found after spending real time with each one. The Sephora floor at its best is exactly this: a place where the right edit, made thoughtfully, consistently delivers.
The Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation and the Jo Malone Scent-Layering Set both get their own dedicated moments — stay tuned.
The Sephora Spring Savings Event runs April 4–14. Everything above has been vetted. Your cart is ready.
