My Sephora Sale Restock: Editor’s Top Beauty Picks
Skip to main content I've been testing beauty products for nearly a decade—these are the ones that never leave my toiletry bag. All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. I’ve been obsessed
I’ve been testing beauty products for nearly a decade, and only a handful make it into permanent rotation. As a shopping editor and frequent traveler I push lotions, sprays, and makeup through long-haul flights, humidity, hotel showers, and full-day shoots. When something earns my wallet twice—first buy and second repurchase—it’s worth stocking up during a major sale.
Disclosure: All items below were chosen independently, but the original feature may include affiliate links and we may receive compensation when you buy through those links.
Why I wait for the Sephora Savings Event
The Sephora Savings Event is the perfect time to replace staples and try travel-size favorites at a discount. The sale runs online and in stores for Beauty Insider members; the level of discount depends on your tier: Insiders (free) get 10% off, VIB members (spend thresholds apply) get 15% off, and Rouge members get 20% off—use the code EVERYTHING. Sephora Collection lines also receive a larger promo during the sale. (This year’s event was scheduled for October 31 through November 10, 2025.)
Here are the products I’m repurchasing right now and why they’re worth a spot in my toiletry bag.
1) Rhode — The Peptide Eye Prep Set
Why I love it: These under-eye patches are travel-friendly, stay put on the plane, and deliver a cooling, tightening effect that brightens my under-eyes after long flights. The minimalist packaging and no-slip formula make them perfect for in-flight self-care.
2) Color Wow — Dream Coat Supernatural Treatment Spray
Why I love it: A humidity-protective spray I use on wet hair before blow-drying. It seals the cuticle, smooths frizz, and leaves hair glossy without weighing it down—especially useful for humid destinations or unpredictable weather.
3) Tower 28 — Mini SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Why I love it: This hypochlorous-acid facial spray soothes travel-related breakouts and calms stressed skin without drying. I keep a mini in my plane pouch for quick refreshes and to tamp down inflammation after long flights.
4) Sol de Janeiro — Delícia Drench Moisturizing Shower Oil
Why I love it: An indulgent shower oil that foams into a silky lather and leaves a long-lasting scent of vanilla orchid, violet, and sandalwood. I save it for days I want to feel extra put-together on the road—light, hydrating, and travel-friendly.
5) One/Size — Mini On ’Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
Why I love it: A heavy-duty, non-sticky aerosol setting spray that really locks makeup in place. The travel-size version kept my makeup intact for a destination wedding day and handles oily skin and humid days thanks to its mattifying ingredients.
6) Phlur — Mini Mrs Smith Body & Hair Fragrance Mist
Why I love it: A crisp, apple-forward scent with notes of apple blossom, pear, praline, and musk. I mist this on hair and clothes for a quick scent refresh; the mini fits neatly in a bag and smells seasonal and sophisticated.
7) Estée Lauder — Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Why I love it: My go-to full-coverage foundation for oily or long days. It controls shine, doesn’t crease or oxidize, builds well without looking cakey, and I trust it for events that require long wear. I used it on my wedding day for that reason.
8) Huda Beauty — Easy Bake Blurring Loose Baking & Setting Powder
Why I love it: This powder mattifies without feeling heavy and blurs texture beautifully. It’s extremely lightweight, prevents shine, and doesn’t cake—ideal for touch-ups on the go.
9) Touchland — Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer
Why I love it: A compact, hydrating sanitizer that sprays on like a mist and isn’t sticky. The size is slim and pocketable, and the scented options (watermelon is my pick) make regular hand sanitizing feel less clinical.
10) Haus Laboratories — Color Fuse Talc-Free Blush Powder
Why I love it: A pressed powder that blends like a cream and lasts all day. A little goes a long way—my Pomelo Peach pan lasted ages—and it’s foolproof for travel when I want a natural, matte cheek without constant reapplication.
How I shop the sale
- Make a list of true staples first—those items I reach for daily or only buy when they’re running low. Those are the items I repurchase in multiples during the sale.
- Try travel or mini sizes to test new scents or formulations without committing to a full-size.
- Remember your Beauty Insider tier and apply the correct code at checkout (EVERYTHING) so you don’t miss the discount.
Final notes
Sephora sales are a great time to restock trusted products and safely try new ones that travel well. I prioritize formulas that withstand different climates, don’t irritate my skin, and keep my routine simple on the road. Happy shopping—and pack a few extras for your next trip.