Probably the best thing about travelling to the US is the amount of shite you can buy that is an absolute pain to get at home.

Although it’s not as bad as back in the day when you’d fly home from the states with a case full of Levi jeans and Abercrombie & Fitch hoodies, America has an awful lot to offer that is hard to get your hands on in Ireland, especially beauty-wise.

Let’s hope you have plenty of space in your case (and aren’t 10lb overweight on the flight over like yours truly), because we’ve put together a list of everything you absolutely need to get while in the US.

Sephora

If you’re an avid YouTube viewer like us here in STELLAR HQ, you’ll know that Sephora is the holy grail for all things makeup. I honestly believe that there’s no better feeling than landing in America and seeing the glorious black and white stripes of the Sephora exterior. Here’s a list of all the bits that are essential to bring home after a Sephora visit.

Beauty Blenders

The first thing I always pick up in Sephora is a new beauty blender, or seven. They’re perfect for blending cream and liquid products and, like most sponge products, I end up going through them like mad. The original pink is always a good choice, but they also come in lots of other fun colours.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter

Becca Cosmetics are one of those brands that are pretty tricky to get your hands on in Ireland. You can’t find any of their products in the likes of Brown Thomas, Arnotts or Debenhams, and Beauty Bay don’t stock the brand either. Becca are known for their highlighters and face range, but if I’m going to suggest one thing you need to pick up it’s the Backlight Priming Filter. It looks fab under foundation and all the influencers rave about it.

Sephora Sheet Masks

Sephora’s own brand sheet masks are hands down the best sheet masks I’ve ever tried. They’re super cheap and most of the time they have a deal on for buy two get one free, so they’re perfect prezzies to bring home to Ireland (or to stock up on yourself).

The Norvina Palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills

Although you can find some ABH products on Beauty Bay, the selection is limited and honestly, there’s no better feeling than seeing a real life swatch on your own skin. Their eyeshadow palettes are one of a kind and I’ve never found a formula like it from any other brand. I recently picked up their latest palette, Norvina, and it is beautiful.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red

People often forget about Sephora’s own brand, but they have some gems. Our very own Online Editor Valerie Loftus’ all time favourite red lippy is Sephora’s Cream Lip Stain in Always Red.

Ulta

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

Sephora tends to have everything stocked in Ulta, all but one very important product. I traipsed around every Sephora in Manhattan (and dragged along my poor boyfriend) before I knew they didn’t stock Tarte’s Shape Tape concealer. Although Sephora do stock Tarte, it’s only Ulta that sell the famous concealer. It’s worth the extra trek, trust me.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnNj7L3gaCc/?taken-by=tarte_cosmeticsth

Drugstore

Even the pharmacies in America are heaps better than our local Boots.

Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer

Despite being a cheaper, drugstore bronzer (hallelujah!), Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer is loved among the YouTube beauty community. It’s affordable, blends fantastically and has a yummy smell. Win Win.

CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara

We’re super unfortunate here in Ireland and can’t get CoverGirl products. This cheap little nugget can be picked up in a Walgreens near your airbnb or hotel and it’s known to be super volumising as well as affordable.

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• sephora
• Ulta