Prep & Set Makeup and Skincare Value Set

If you’ve ever stood in front of your mirror thinking, “I have 47 products and somehow still nothing to prep or set my face properly,” the Sephora Favorites Prep & Set Makeup and Skincare Value Set is basically that organized friend who shows up, grabs your chaotic makeup bag, and says, “Let me handle this.”

I picked this up for $58 and, for once, the phrase “value set” is not a scam in cute packaging. You get 11 essentials to prep, prime, protect, and set, and the overall rating (about 4.76 out of 5 from dozens of reviews) tracks with my experience: it really is that good.

What I Actually Use (a lot)

The standout for me has been the Tower 28 sunscreen. As someone with light-to-medium skin and pink undertones, I was pleasantly surprised by the slight tint. It doesn’t turn me orange, doesn’t feel chalky, and gives that soft, healthy finish that makes you question if you even need foundation that day. It reminds me of the sort of easy, flattering base I’d expect from something like Laura Mercier-tinted products—effortless, but put together.

The LYS pressed powder is another quiet overachiever. It’s light but blurring, not the kind of powder that screams “I am powder” from across the room. It smooths without making your face look like the desert at noon. Full-size here is a big win, especially considering the price of the whole kit.

I’ve also been reaching for the Makeup by Mario setting spray constantly. It’s great to lock things in after your morning routine, but where it really shines is as an afternoon refresher when your makeup starts to look like it’s questioning its life choices. A few spritzes, and everything fuses back together nicely—perfect when you’re transitioning to a night look.

Skincare & Extras

The DM balm is another favorite—rich and nourishing without feeling like you’ve shellacked your face. The Laneige spray, surprisingly, worked even on my oil-prone skin. It’s light enough that it doesn’t turn me into a disco ball, but still feels hydrating and pampering.

The set also includes things like First Aid Beauty pads, which I’d call “supporting characters” rather than leads. They’re not great for removing a full face of glam (don’t ask me how I know), but they’re nice on already-clean skin when you want a gentle refresh.

There are also smaller items like a bronze serum and Benefit POREfessional primer, which are definitely in “tiny but cute” territory. These are more like extended test drives than long-term relationships, but honestly, I don’t mind in a discovery kit—especially since the majority of the other products are travel-to-full sizes, not one-use packets.

Brands represented include Milk, Summer Fridays, Mario, Tower 28, Merit, First Aid Beauty, Glow Recipe, Laneige, LYS, and even a Topical/Topicals lip balm that has become pocket-permanent for some reviewers—and I get it. This is very much a “who’s who” of trendy, well-loved brands.

Value & Who This Is For

For $58, the set feels like it was priced by someone who temporarily forgot what beauty products usually cost. Between the full-size hero products, generous minis, and only a couple of true sample-sized bits, it lives up to being called a value set, not just a random assortment of sachets.

Is it perfect? Not if you’re expecting everything to be full-sized. A few items are undeniably small, and if you already own half these products, the magic drops a bit. But if you:

• Love trying new high-rated products without committing to full sizes
• Want a complete “prep and set” wardrobe in one box
• Travel often and need smartly sized staples

…this is absolutely worth it.

Overall, I’d give the Prep & Set Makeup and Skincare Value Set a very solid 5/5 for value and curation, and a 4.5/5 if you’re picky about product size. I’ll be watching for future Sephora Favorites sets now—partly because this one is excellent, and partly because my skin and makeup are officially too spoiled to go back.