What are your top three high-end beauty buys that were worth saving up for?
What are your top three high-end beauty buys that were worth saving up for? Share!
Cle de Peau #2 Lipgloss, Guerlain Parure Gold (discontinued now) so I’ll just say Guerlain foundation in general, Kate Somerville ExfoliKate.
Thanks to Dorothy for today’s question! Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.
foundation, makeup brushes, moisturizer.
foundation, lipstick and liner!
Foundation, brushes, nail polish
Foundation, concealer, powder. I think there’s a reason why good ones are expensive.
Dior Amber Diamond, Benefit Bad Gal Lash
and Laura Mercier eye basics in Wheat.
YSL Touché éclat foundation, estee lauder illumimating powder gelee and jan marini age intervention retinol plus
What’s the Jan Marini retinol plus?? You peaked my interest!
it’s a retinol product that has a serum/light moisturizer texture. it is loaded with antioxidants and peptides. I only use this two times a week, I find the retinol can be a little strong for my skin but I love what it has done. I do only use this at night since there is no sunscreen. It is EXPENSIVE, $65 for 1 ounce (BOOOOO). My moisturizer is a mix of coconut oil, argan oil, pumpkin oil and apricot oil 🙂 and my skin loves the combo of products
Laura Mercier mineral powder, MUFE Smokey Lash mascara, MUFE AquaEyes eyeliner in 0L I think that if you love these products, you’ll have trouble finding cheaper dupes. I’ve bought these all multiple times, for myself and others.
They are $$$ but worth it.
I’m cheating because I can’t pick just three! I can’t! I’m sorry! I did try to compensate by narrowing it down to categories though. 🙂
Foundations: YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat, Dior Airflash, and Laura Mercier Creme Smooth
Mascaras: Chanel Inimitable Intense and virtually all of Dior’s offerings (they really are wonderful!)
Skincare: Algenist, Caudalie, Chantecaille, and StriVectin are great. I also just started getting into Dior skincare. I’m kind of a Dior junkie, haha.
Me too! I’m in love with my Dior products. Saved up for their Diorsnow skincare range (moisturizer, lotion, eye cream) and I really like it!
I just got into Dior skincare too! Dangerous! I love the Total One Essential serum and the hydra life day, night and eye creams.
Foundation, perfume, and eye liner. Although, i saw a perfume for $200 the other day, not sure I’d ever buy that unless very wealthy!
Tawni
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation, Hakuhodo brushes, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light.
I don’t actually “save up” for anything, but I have moved things around on my list. I allow myself a certain amount every month, and I just go down the list as opportunity hits. However, last week I found NARS Ninotchka on ebay, and given the fact it’s VHTF, I skipped a couple of items I planned to buy in-store this week. I must say it was definitely worth the sacrifice (the other items on my list are easy enough to pick up later). A couple of months ago, I decided to pick up Kevyn Aucoin contour & highlighting powders, and while the highlighter was worth it, the contour powder left a bit to be desired…
I’ve been picking up quite a few face products lately, although I’m usually all about eye products. If I would have stayed on track, my list would have been done, but due to findinggood prices, or just being at a mall that carries certain products, I’ve been taking advantage of opportunities to pick up products that were at the bottom of the list.
I just turned 30, so I’m on a real skin care kick right now. I’m loving Dior’s Total One Essential serum and the hydra life day, night and eye creams and my Clarisonic brush. Coincidentally, these all were a bit of a splurge.
Guerlain Meteorites (loose pearls and pressed), Chanel Illusion d’Ombre in Mirifique, and Chanel Rouge Allure in Chanel. 🙂
can you do a post about your fave products of all time please?
Any Japanese cosmetic brands. If I went to Japan, I could easily spend at least thousands of dollars, Suqqu, Three, Addiction, Kose, Jill Stuart, etc. Lipstick, Eyeshadow, facial products. Brushes. Love them all.
Make up for ever face and body foundation. Mac 150 stippling brush and my tarte fantastic 4 blushes set.
MUFE Aqua Brow. So worth it. And since it lasts ages, not so expensive in the end.
I just got my hands on a sample of Guerlain’s Tenue de Perfection foundation this weekend, the first Guerlain foundation I’ve tried. It is really impressive! In terms of other beauty splurges, I’ve started spending more on toners in the last 6 months or so, and it’s made a pretty big difference for me. My skin is more even in tone and texture, and it is able to heal itself faster, too.
Skincare, foundation and perfume, for me.
Guerlain Terra Ora
Dior duo blushes ( Paradise duos )
M.A.C Temperature Rising lipsticks
(spring/summer 2013 edition ! 🙂 and among others )
Armani Maestro Foundation, Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation, Burberry Beauty items.
Clarins Everlasting foundation, Dior Airflash foundation, Chanel Poudre Universel, Dior Rosy glow blush, Guerlain Bronzer, Smashbox color correcting primer, Clarins beauty flash balm.
Guerlain Les Fumes eye shadow palette (though I got it with Shopper’s Drug Mart points so while I didn’t save up “cash” for it, I did save up points), Guerlain Lingerie de Peau foundation and absolutely Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer. Christine, if you really love ExfoliKate, I heartily suggest trying Brighten Up by Vasanti, a Canadian company that is available online. Honestly, I’ve used them both and find them almost identical (might actually prefer the Brighten Up). Brighten Up costs about $35 for more than 4 ounces compared to over $100 here for 2 ounces of ExfoliKate. I used to “treat” myself to the half ounce size at $25 and always felt sort of stupid and ripped off, even though I loved the product. The Vasanti exfolicating product is really excellent.
I have a few HG products that were quite pricey and they totally diserved the cost, but my top three products that really deserved the money and did what they promised are:
– my Clarisonic Plus which was very hard to get. Now that I use twice a day I can say that is a life changer and the best choice to improve and take care of my complexion! It’s amazing!
– my Wild & Chic Collector Case from MUFE! It was very costly but all the products are amazing and I use them with delight because the quality is there as expected;
– a few skincare products from Chanel & Dior! Costly again but so good! It really makes a difference in the way these products feel on the skin! Love them!
I am raising money right now to buy some Tom Ford makeup. I blame you Christine for intriguing me so much! I haven’t decided yet which ones to buy. I’m still reading everything I can find on Temptala. I don’t know what about you guys but for me it’s so frustrating to not have any brand in my country. I have to ask a friend from Rome to buy me Tom Ford makeup! We only have the fragrances in Romania! 🙁
Hear, hear on the MUFE W&C Collector’s Case. I, too, blame Christine for my new obsession with Tom Ford. She Wolf will be coming home to me very soon! 😀
start with the blushes, they are the absolute best blushes I have ever came across, and now I find myself gravitating more toward them than my other ones, even my other favorite ones! I own flush and wicked, but if I had to choose one, it would be wicked all the way, its stunning, and it is opaque enough to show on darker skin tones, but it still looks stunning on light skin tones as well.
Thanks for this heads up, Carol. I’ll go take a look at swatches and add them to my shopping list. 😀
🙂
Dior Red Royalty. Perfect formula + brush = perfect application. And high-end usually have better shades too! This is my go-to red.
Bobbi Brown corrector in Light Bisque, Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation, Guerlain Four Seasons bronzer in 00 nude.
Foundation (I use a MAC BB with primer in it that’s $30, so not much of a splurge, but it’s only 1 fl oz so it has to be repurchased more often), highlighter, and eyeliner.
I’m 50/50 on whether luxe brushes are better than cheap ones — while I have eye brushes from MAC that work excellently, I also have some from E.L.F. that are essential.
Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Malice
MAC 187 Brush
Laura Mercier Illuminator in Spellbound
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation and YSL lipsticks!
Ooops forgot about the third one! I really think GA Lip Maestros are worth the splurge
YSL Touche Eclat Foundation, Caudalie S.O.S. Serum, Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Oil. I think those are my top three haha. It’s hard not to add more.
1 – E.L. Double Wear concealer;
2 – Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill mascara;
3 – E.L. Double Wear Light foundation;
Guerlain pressed Meteorites, Clinique Airbrush concealer and By Terry Baume de Rose.
Bobbi Brown extra eye cream. I wasted so much money trying to find a cheaper alternative. It works the best for me, so I just treat myself.
Chanel e/s quads and blushes. Same as above
Guerlain Les Fauves palette
Guerlain Rouge G in Galante
Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in MIrifique
I’d say skin care – cream/moisturizer, serum and essential oils. For decorative cosmetics – there are good deals that look amazing even at a small price.
And good perfume you love! There are so many kinds, I’m currently saving on Serge Lutens and Viktor & Rolf fumes.
Third… I’d say would be the item of dream. Mine is Guerlain Meteorites)))
I love the pressed meteorites. Such a subtle, beautiful difference that product makes!
giorgio armani lasting silk foundation, chanel loose powder, tom ford blushes.
1. Giorgio Armani Luminous silk foundation
2. chanel fandango blush
3. urban decay naked palette
Guerlain Meteorites
Dior Rose Diamond
Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Awakening Blush
Make Up Forever foundation, Urban Decay lipstick, & Dior (or Marc Jacobs, not sure yet) Mascara!
Hourglass Immaculate, NARS tinted moisturiser, and ExfoliKate. I really have trouble repurchasing exfolikate though; it’s so pricey, but it does work.
A small Rouge Bunny Rouge haul, a Dulce Gabbana powder rouge, and Burberry lipsticks.
Not super high end but these products are always worth saving up for in my opinion
Prescriptives Flawless Skin Foundation
Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
Estee Lauder / Prescriptives brushes
1. Lorac’s POREfection baked finishing powder (used as foundation) I seriously can’t recommend any product more than this one.
2. Korres Lip butter in Plum – It’s the most natural berry shade.
3. Bioderma (with the pink/red cap). I bought this on a trip in Canada and it was quite spendy (~CAD$20), but it REALLY takes off all of the extra makeup that still remains after washing and using my Neutrogena makeup remover wipes, while lightly hydrating my skin. It’s actually kind of amazing.
I don’t think I’ve ever saved money to purchase makeup products. The most expensive makeup I own are Chanel foundation and blush. They were both impulse buys.
– Tatcha Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream = $185.00
– Le Mer The Powder = $65.00
– Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation = $62.00
SUPER expensive, but well worth pinching pennies for. 🙂
Urban Decay Naked2 Palette, Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill eyeshadow, Lorac Pro Palette
Foundation, Concealer and Makeup Brushes for sure1
Mac MSF Medium/Natural and Shimmer, Urban Decay Naked palette & Sigma Premium Brush Kit
If I had to save up, I’d think Chanel’s creme blushes and lipsticks, and UD’s Naked palette and foundation. I need to expand my horizons with different high end brands, I think.
Oh, I better add UD’s Revolution lipsticks. They’re definitely worth it, imo.
Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, Loose Powder, and Powder Foundation (the only foundation formulas that actually improve the condition of my skin). I’ll pay more for these knowing they are really treatment and foundation products in one. Chanel Rose Initiale Blush (perfect pink) and Harmonie du Soir Eyeshadow Palette. And, a new find…AmorePacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment. At $35, it’s the most expensive lip treatment/balm I’ve ever purchased, but it is truly excellent.
I really want to try some Tom Ford products, so I’m saving up and trying to figure out my “must haves.” Any suggestions?
Blushes for TF <3
I bought TF’s Wicked blush. I’ve only used it once. It just didn’t work for my skin tone. It looks so good on you I had to have it!
Not sure what to do with it. I don’t want to throw it away because it was so $$$.
Maybe re-gifting to someone else? Sorry it didn’t work out for you 🙁
I may just do that. Need to find someone who understands that you can sterilize makeup after it’s been used. 🙂
In no particular order: MAC Lipglasses (especially tinted & pro longwear lines), MUFE foundations, UD eyeliners
I don’t have too many higher end products, but from them:
Clinique A Different Nail Enamel (amazing staying quality on my nails!)
Estée Lauder Sumptuous mascara
Guerlaine Rouge Gs!
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic.
Neocutis Lumiere Bio-restorative Eye Cream.
Geurlain Tenue de Perfection Foundation & Givenchy Teint Couture Long-Wearing Fluid Foundation (tie).
Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk foundation, Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser concealer, and YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick.
I don’t know what it is, but even though I’ve been buying high-end makeup products for several years now, it’s always so hard for me to justify their price tags. In the back of my mind I still hear that irritating voice saying that drugstore makeup is essentially the same thing, only in cheaper packaging. Great, now I am admitting to hearing voices in my head, haha.
Is the Guerlain Parure Gold foundation really discontinued? It’s still up on their international website. I need to stock a few if it is indeed discontinued.
Unfortunately, Guerlain’s PR department confirmed it was discontinued!
Sigh. At least I have some advanced warning. Thanks muchly for the heads up, Christina. I need to get a few back-ups as this is a really good match for me, for special occasions (and if it weren’t too pricey, I’d have use it everyday).
I haven’t tried it, but fingers grossed Tenue is a replacement… though honestly, it didn’t sound a lot like a replacement IMO.
Tom Ford cosmetics, La Mer skin care, all things Guerlain 🙂
Hmm…let’s see. I really don’t have anything THAT high-end but here goes…
Topix Replenix CF Cream
MUFE Full Cover
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner
I would say skin care, foundation and concealer.
I’m going to say foundation (just bought Chanel Vitalumiere), concealer (love my CdP), and palettes/sets (they are normally very worth the price and more)
This was the year of Chanel for me. I still use more in other brands but the few items I have were well selected after much research:
Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation
Raffinement eyeshadow quad (nice buttery neutrals that are not too warm or too cool – and they
travel well)
Le Crème Blush de Chanel number 63
MUFE Wild & Chic Collector’s Case. I wanted to get a nice collection of MUFE products since I only had one or two items. That collector case had everything I needed in it and more to get a nice representative sample of their products.
It was $330, but I got the Sephora VIB 20% off and am thrilled. My ultra-über-sensitive skin tolerates all of their products beautifully. A match made in heaven.
Ooh, a few more:
Guerlain Shalimar Parfum $125 for .25 oz (not Eau de parfum or Toilette — straight Parfum — there’s a difference and it is intoxicating to me and my husband!)
Chanel No. 5 EDP
Guerlain Rouge G Compact lipsticks. Every. Single. One. They’re a work of art.
One more: My massive collection of Hakuhodo brushes. I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 25, many from the S series (and the lettering doesn’t rub off on the S series!)
Oooh, and Shiseido skin care line, which my skin seems to love.
YSL mascara effet faux-cils (I have very sensitive eyes and it’s the only one I tolerate, I love the smell and the beautiful eyes it makes)
CHANEL illusion d’ombre émerveillé
GIVENCHY all the limited edition blushes
And for skincare ….
PAYOT crème matifiante (for combination to oily skin)
anything from DIOR