The absolute best beauty products to buy with a $50 Sephora gift card

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The holy grail holiday present for any beauty lover is the coveted $50 Sephora gift card. The little striped rectangle of plastic allows you the freedom to choose your own makeup present and refill on empty beauty favorites for the new year.

But beauty products can be expensive, and $50 might not stretch as far as you think. Deciding how to spend the generous gift is an all-important task for any serious makeup collector. With Sephora’s extreme number of brands and products, navigating it all with $50 in tow can seem daunting. 

If you have a $50 Sephora gift card at your disposal, there are several ways to make sure your money is well-spent. Here are five curated carts that equal exactly $50. All you’ll have to do is pay tax and enjoy your spoils. 

Shop Cart One: The On-The-Go Quad

Milk Makeup Lip & Cheek Mini, $15; Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel Mini, $12; Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Mini, $13; Tarte Mini Creaseless Under Eye Concealer, $10

This quad is perfect to throw in your bag for on-the-go looks or quick touch-ups. Plus, buying minis with gift cards is a genius hack, letting you test products you’ve had your eye on without spending your own money.

Shop Cart Two: Luxe On A Budget

YSL Libre Eau De Parfum Travel Size, $30; Marc Jacobs Reinvented Lip Duo, $20

If you want a duo of luxe products that are actually worth the splurge, this one is for you. Libre by Yves Saint Laurent was one of the biggest scent launches of 2019, while this Marc Jacobs lip pair is universally gorgeous.

Shop Cart Three: Black-Owned Beauty Buys

Pat McGrath LUST: Mini MatteTrance™ Lipstick Trio, $25; Fenty Beauty Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette, $25

Rihanna and Pat McGrath are two of the biggest names in beauty — and their products prove why these bold and brilliant Black women are at the forefront of the makeup industry. This duo gives you a taste of both brands — and you’re bound to go back for seconds.

Shop Cart Four: Euphoria Vibes

Touch In Sol Metallist Sparkling Foiled Eye Shadow, $18; INC.credible You Glow Girl Loose Pigment Highlighter, $13; Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Loose Glitter, $15; Sephora Collection Silver Glitter Hair Gel, $4 (Orig. $8)

Euphoria’s release was one of the biggest makeup moments of the year, single-handedly shifting beauty trends. With the show came a lot of glitter. Channel your inner Jules and Maddy with this collection of sparkly gems.

Shop Cart Five: Sephora Collection Haul

Eye Love Eyeshadow Palette, $14; Clay Mask, $8; #LipStories Lipstick, $8; Peppermint Hair Cleansing Salt Scrub, $7; Color Hit Mini Nail Polish, $5; Charcoal Nose Strip, $3; Lip Mask, $3; Fizzing Bath Star Mini, $2

Sephora Collection is the most inexpensive brand at the retailer, providing high-quality budget buys. If you want a certified hall for $50, consider it done with these selects.

Full-Budget Faves

Let’s face it, sometimes a $50 gift card can only get you one product — or can merely put a dent in a particularly luxe purchase. If you are willing to blow your full budget on a $50 find, these products are for you. All products are between $45 and $50, possibly leaving you some additional dollars for tax. You’re welcome.

Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Sleeping Face Mask, $49

Dior Backstage Eyeshadow Palette, $49

Herbivore Balance + Clarify Natural Skincare Mini Collection, $49

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, $48

Anastasia Beverly Hills Jackie Aina Eyeshadow Palette, $45

Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan, $49

Natasha Denona Cranberry Eyeshadow Palette, $48

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, $49

Tarte Tarteist™ PRO Amazonian Clay Palette, $49

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