Archived Post

What luxury brand and/or product would you recommend for a first-time splurge?


What luxury brand and/or product would you recommend for a first-time splurge? Share!

Guerlain Rouge Gs or foundation, or Tom Ford Blushes!

Thanks to reader Toni for today’s question idea Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.

74 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Raania Avatar

After seeing your reviews I bought LM caviar sticks and wow worth every single penny such buttery smooth and long lasting formula thanks for introducing me such great product 😉

Astrild Avatar

Which Guerlain Foundation would you recomend for combination skin and medium coverage? I’d want to try one, but I have no idea about Guerlain Foundations.

helen Avatar

Cle de Peau foundation, concealer (my favourite), highlighters (just read about them in one of your posts). As well as the Guerlain G lippies.
As far as Guerlain, i feel that my foundation (finishing off the last of my Extreme) is more of a necessity than luxury. I don’t know what i will use after my Extreme is finished. I love the coverage in the winter. Any suggestions, Christine?

Melissa W. Avatar

Guerlain Rouge G lipstick

Hakuhodo S103 (H2004) $97 Blush Powder/Pointed Goat (Sokoho)
** Very soft brush, so I would recommend for a light touch blush or highlighter. The feel is pure lux!

Hakuhodo G543 (H2220) $98 Goat (Sokoho)
** I wouldn’t recommend this one for dry skin because the bristles exfoliate if your skin is dry, but normal or oily — this brush renders an exquisite, perfect complexion!

Michelle Avatar

I’d have to say Guerlain. I learned about the brand here, up to then it wasn’t even on my radar. My first product was the Meteorites, then Lingerie de Peau foundation, then I purchased the LDP BB and then Terracotta Joli Teint Foundation. I have to say that for me the Meteorites while nice, didn’t overly impress me but all of the foundations are INCREDIBLE.

Sara Avatar

I remember when I bought Naked 1 and it felt like SUCH a splurge because it was $50! Since then i’ve bought a few of the more expensive UD palettes (Vice 1 and 2), so $50 on a palette is less crazy. I think those are the most expensive makeup items I own. My $27 Clinqiue Even Better foundation was a big leap for me, from $8-10 drugstore ones, but SOOO worth the extra money!

alex Avatar

For a real splurge (the kind that makes you want to close your eyes when the price is rung up) I would recommend Cle de Peau concealer. It’s the sort of thing I use almost everyday and, despite my initial expectations, far out preforms any of the other bands I’ve tried.

Georgio Armani Maestro Foundation is my Holy Grail foundation but it’s definitely a splurge (though not as bad as Cle de Peau’s concealer). However, the formula is so unique and just *perfect* for my combination skin that I still make room in my budget for it. The sale’s lady told me that each Armani foundation is inspired by the feel of a fabric and Maestro Foundation was inspired by silk chiffon. The formula really does match up as it’s so light, airy, and provides sheer but buildable coverage.

There’s also Georgio Armani Lip Maestro. Oh. My. God. The color payoff, the staying power, and the velvety feeling on my lips make this my absolute favorite lip product. I found my perfect red in Armani Lip Maestro 400 and a truly lovely MLBB shade in 501.

zainab Avatar

Any of the Hourglass Ambient powders or blushes, or Guerlain Meteorites or one of their perfumes (I’m saving up for a bottle of Chamade). I think the Meteorites and Ambient powders in particular are good splurges because you can use them often for a bit of daily luxury, and not worry about using them up too quickly.

Veronica Avatar

It really depends on what they like and what they consider a splurge. If they want the height of luxury, I’d probably point them in the direction of Serge Lutens or Cle de Peau. If they’re looking something more moderate for a first dip, I’d suggest Chanel blushes or Guerlain’s lipstick lines.

Eliz Avatar

Guerlain (meteorites, mascara, lipstick) would be my first recommendation as their products stand out in terms of quality and packaging. Dolce & Gabbana Beauty (foundation, blush) has also impressed me and is worth the splurge.

I think a good starting point is to choose whatever type of product is your favorite (lipstick, blush, etc.) and then narrow down the brand and color. Whatever you choose to splurge on…use and enjoy it!

Tangie W Avatar

Hourglass powders
Burberry lip mist or Dior Addict lipsticks
Nars blushes
Bobbi Brown foundation stick
Burberry eyeshadows
Kevyn aucoin cream highlight in candlelight

Gingerpeach71 Avatar

Rouge Bunny Rouge highlighting liquids. There are 3 of them and they are gorgeous! You can get samples of them through Beautyhabit. They are super expensive and I have never ordered the full sizes. I have also been loving Charlotte Tilbury Bar of Gold highlighting powder and Wonder Cream primer (I mix with foundation). I don’t know if these are luxury brands, but I am obsessed!

issy Avatar

My most anticipated luxury treats were these below so I would recommend them depending on skin type and other requirements:

Out of this world performers in my opinion:
-YSL Nail polishes
-Illamasqua Nail polishes

Succesful to Very Successful on me
-Terracota Khol by Guerlain
-Nars one nigh stand palette ( with laguna, orgasm, deep throat + 3)
-Baume de Rose lipbalm or even better the Clinique superbalm

Just OK – maybe I had too much expectations with these
-Astalift ( the orange jelly)
-Skinesis overnight facial

Not for me I am afraid (but works perfect in about 90% of the population – or it seems so according to reviews and blogs etc:
-Benefit They are Real Mascara

issy Avatar

On second thought there is something I am really really looking forward to trying but I cannot really recommend as i haven’t tested them myself but everyone is raving about these:

Makeup- Something from Charlotte Tilbury. Everyone is talking about her products in this ( European) side of the pond. The prices are really high. I might get myself one of her “lip cheat” lipliners, possibly in the shade pillow box. The powders look amazing too, including eyeshadows but they will have to wait.

Skincare- Creme de la mer. I am holding to my little 7ml moisturizing lotion sample like golddust and would looove to buy something bigger as I do like the feeling of my skin when i use it .

Donna Avatar

Dior Airflash. This foundation work so well and is very natural. I’ve had nothing but good experience with it. YSL Lipstick is also amazing.

Genevieve Avatar

I would recommend:
UD Vice Palette 2 – such an array of colours that are all beautiful
Guerlain – such a fan of the eyeshadow palettes – whatever takes your fancy
YSL lipsticks – fantastic
China Glaze nail polishes
Elizabeth Arden’s Perfectly nude foundations – lots of shades
Shiseido – eyeshadow trios, especially Jungle and Snow Shadow.

Kate Avatar

As my budget doesn’t allow, I’ve had very few luxury splurges; however, Chanel nail polishes are to die for. Dragon is my “go to” red. I believe it’s a favorite of yours, too. :). My daughter also covets Chanel polishes and has more than I do. She recently splurged on one of their new eyeshadow quads. I’ve become a fan of Estée Lauder eyeshadows and Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face Creme. I plan to try the companion eye creme in the near future.

Rachel R. Avatar

I don’t do luxury brands hardly ever. I would suggest that person splurge on whatever makes her happiest to have. If someone is looking to splurge/invest, a great foundation will truly be the base that anchors the rest of the makeup. Or perhaps invest in a great, grown-up perfume.

Nicole Avatar

A product for a first-time splurge? I would either go for a lipstick by Armani or an eyeshadow by Laura Mercier or cream shadow by Bobbi Brown.

asare Avatar

My favorites that seem most worth the price for my very dry, cool and fair skin are:
Foundation – Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua
Lipstick – Dior
Mascara – Lancome Hypnose
Eyeliner – Guerlain Liquid Eyeliner

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!