British Vogue Was First In At SEPHORiA London – Here Are 9 Brands You Won’t Want To Miss

If ever there were an amusement park for beauty lovers, it would look a bit like SEPHORiA. The blockbuster beauty event, hosted by Sephora, is throwing open its doors in London for the first time today and tomorrow, and British Vogue had a first-look tour of the space at 180 Strand ahead of time.

So ahead of time, in fact, that the finishing touches – a lick of paint here, a beauty picker machine there – were still being put in place. But in spite of the last-minute preparations, we’ve never seen a beauty playground quite like it.

The whole experience is an homage to London, of course, with mock Tube carriages leading you into the space, and different areas inspired by specific neighbourhoods, from Notting Hill to Camden. Armed with a map (trust us, you’ll need one), you can make your way around the mini city, try on lipstick-kiss adorned merch by London-based designer Ashish, and collect more samples and freebies than you’ll know what to do with.

SEPHORiA brings together your favourite beauty brands under one roof: there’s a fragrance haven where Kayali meets Phlur and Fugazzi, enough make-up booths (Charlotte Tilbury, YSL, Marc Jacobs) to convince you to overhaul your entire beauty bag, and an impressive line-up of skincare brands. A standout is the dedicated K-beauty space spotlighting some of Korea’s most sought-after products, including Aestura, Laneiege, Anua and more.

Shop our Vogue-approved beauty picks from SEPHORiA below.

Obart Fragrance Primer P3, £34

If your fragrance fails to linger, you’ll love Obart. This clever perfume primer is a lightweight serum – packed with barrier-supporting ingredients like panthenol and niacinamide – that sinks into the skin, forming a microfilm that helps keep fragrance molecules under lock and key, so your favourite scent lasts longer.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6, £69

British Vogue’s beauty director Funmi Fetto swears by Medik8’s Crystal Retinal 3 for brighter, smoother skin. Retinal works 11 times faster than retinol, but Medik8’s is built differently to others. The star ingredient is housed in an encapsulated formula, and delivered in a much gentler way, minimising irritation and dryness.

Marc Jacobs Joystick Blush Stick, £28

Marc Jacobs’s Joystick Blush is a total pleasure to look at, but it’s not all style over substance. Available in eight different shades to suit all skin tones, the creamy, moisturising formula blends seamlessly while the pigment packs a serious punch. No top-ups required.

Phlur Vanilla Canyon Eau de Parfum, £99

Even vanilla naysayers will be swayed by Phlur’s Vanilla Canyon, a deeper, more brooding take on an otherwise saccharine note. That’s thanks to creamy oakwood, earthy patchouli and nutty tonka bean, all of which lend the fragrance a richer edge.

Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream Skin Barrier Cream, £26

Vogue’s acting beauty and wellness editor has been through multiple tubes of Aestura’s Barrier Cream, and for good reason. It’s filled to the brim with ceramides, an ingredient that acts like glue between skin cells, keeping your skin barrier healthy and smooth. It’s especially great under or over retinoids, to minimise dryness and irritation.

One/Size Beauty On ’Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray, £32

This is a serious contender for one of the best setting sprays around, thanks in no small part to its clever aerosol delivery, which dispenses a fine, even mist that dries in seconds, rather than soaking your make-up.

Yves Saint Laurent Lovenude Balm, £40

Mastering the cloud lips trend has never been easier with Lovenude, a soft, blurring balm that lends a diffused, gauzy effect on lips without compromising on moisture or hydration.