Let’s get one thing clear: I love my 99-cent lipsticks just as much as my $90 ones. However, there are certain products on the pricey side that I consider to be the best. As a beauty editor, I recognize the privilege I have to be able to test high-end makeup and skincare for a living. And I’m here to argue that some of it is worth splurging on.
I won’t say that all luxury beauty products are necessarily better than mid-priced or drugstore products. Though, I think it’s on a case-by-case or product-by-product basis. After all, beauty is personal and subjective. Also, some high-end beauty products are priced that way for a reason. For example, they may contain premium ingredients sourced from some mountaintop in a corner of the world the average person would never be able to visit or are processed using proprietary technological methods.
There’s also the longevity factor. Luxury may come with a hefty price tag, but sometimes, the efficiency of the product is well worth it. Or if it’s something that will last you a while, the investment makes more sense over time. On the other hand, there’s plain ol‘ preference. Maybe a $50 eyeliner works better on your lids than a $5 one.
Ahead, find 15 of my favorite luxury beauty brands and products worth spending a little more on, from Chanel lipsticks to fancy scalp scrub. Consider adding these to your cart if you’ve been curious about high-end beauty. You deserve it.
I could write a whole list of my Shiseido favorites, from the Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion to the Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation, but the new Legendary Enmei Ultimate Brilliance Eye Cream needs its own time in the spotlight. This isn’t your typical eye cream. It uses an impressive number of ingredients such as green treasured silk, Japanese Akoya pearl shell extract, and my favorite, the legendary Enmei herb. Shiseido was so serious about making this the eye cream to beat all other eye creams that it infused it with this herb harvested on one of the few auspicious days of the Japanese calendar known as Tenshanichi.
La Mer’s Soft Fluid Foundation became my holy grail a couple of years ago, and my love for it is still going strong. But I also want to shout out the Revitalizing Hydrating Serum, a sleeper hit for me. My skin has been so dry no matter what I’ve tried to use, but when I started using this at night, I got instant hydration. Even better, in the morning when I wake up, my skin is bouncy and STILL feels hydrated. It’s a go-to, especially during winter.
I credit this Ranavat product for opening my eyes to hair oil. I use this to moisturize my super-dry ends, massage my scalp, or just to make my hair smell good. It’s heavenly, and a little goes a long way (which is great news for the bank account).
I won’t lie. When I saw this vault, I gasped and let out an animal-like squeal. It’s beautiful! The brand came out with one last year, but this is even better, as it has $556 worth of 14 full-size Pillow Talk makeup products. There’s Matte Revolution Lipstick, Beauty Light Wand (a favorite of mine), plus Pillow Talk Beautifying Face Palette, Hollywood Glow Glide Face Architect Highlighter, and tons more. And the box is an actual vanity case. Dreams really do come true.
I don’t know how many times I’ve written about this scalp scrub, but I remain unconditionally and irrevocably in love with this scalp scrub (Bella from Twilight voice). Seriously, it’s just one of the best beauty products I’ve ever tried. To really treat your hair the way it deserves, get a sampling of all the Philip B products with the 12 Days of Christmas Philip B Collection Calendar ($285). It has many other favorites, like the Peppermint Avocado Shampoo, Thermal Protection Spray, and the Weightless Conditioning Water.
Retrouvé is a small-batch, family-owned brand whose products contain the highest-grade ingredients (they also use produce grown on their farm in Malibu) and are made via technically advanced methods. The result is incredibly effective and luxurious products like this facial moisturizer, which contains antioxidant ingredients such as apple stem cells, coenzyme Q, and Padina pavonica (brown seaweed).
TBH, I never cared much for lip glosses until I got my hands on Dior Lip Glow Oil and Lip Maximizer. The latter is my jam right now, particularly in the shade Pure Copper. The sparkly bronze finish makes me feel like a star.
The Airwrap is a national treasure, but if you’re just looking for a hair dryer, I can’t recommend the Supersonic enough. It changed the blow-dry game for me. I love that it’s quiet and dries my hair quickly without making it frizzy or damaged. I just need it in this cute Ceramic Pop color!
My love affair with Tatcha spans years—years! Whenever someone asks me for a moisturizer recommendation, I always say Tatcha’s Water Cream. It’s great for all skin types, provides hydration and antioxidant protection, and improves the appearance of pores and skin texture. Plus, this limited-edition pot is too pretty!
Get ready to glow for the gods with this gorgeous highlighting powder. Made with light-reflecting opal powder and argan oil, this highlighter feels lightweight and silky but packs a punch. And that packaging!
Friends, nothing brings me joy quite like Chanel lipstick. I implore everyone (especially if you’re a red-lip lover like moi) to give yourself the gift of a Chanel lipstick one day. This one is highly pigmented but also provides hours of hydration in just one swipe.
One of my favorite skincare products is a water-activated exfoliant, and this one from Sisley-Paris is straight from heaven. It uses papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate the skin while keeping it soft and nourished. There’s a reason this exfoliant mask has won a ton of beauty awards.
If you’re going to get a single eye shadow instead of a palette, spend your cash on one of these stunning award-winning shades from Chantecaille. Each one has an image of an animal because proceeds are given to a wildlife charity with every sale.
When Valentino launched a few years ago, I loved everything in the line, and guess what: I still do. But I can’t recommend the Twin Liner enough for my fellow cat-eye lovers. A multipurpose product is always a steal, but this duo eyeliner is especially amazing for anyone who loves a winged eye or a smoky look. It’s rich and super pigmented and lasts all day without smudging.
This was the essence that made me fall in love with essences. Made with Pitera, proprietary fermented yeast, this infuses the skin with over 50 micro-nutrients, doing everything it says it does: reduce wrinkles, lighten hyperpigmentation, improve texture, and more. Truly miracle in a bottle. I never looked back!
