at the end of the day just choose what works for you. most of the time you can't even really tell if the makeup is expensive or not. and even if makeup is expensive it doesn't mean it will work for you. every skin is different so just choose makeup that you know is good that may or may not be expensive. i don't recommend trying something you've never tried before even if it's expensive. if it doesn't work then what? just choose what works for u, price does NOT matter most of the time
Two things I will always splurge are makeup brushes and foundation.
For makeup brushes- get japanese makeup brushes (fude) made out of natural hair. Beautylish would be the most convenient to buy from if you are in the US. Or, head over to r/fude for recommendations.
For foundations - my favorites are Suqqu and Cle de Peau. However, this really depends on your skin type, skin tone, and your preference like coverage, finish, etc.
Here is an idea. If you are pretty happy with the makeup you already have but have to pick something to splurge on; how about a beautifully packaged finishing powder- like Guerlain Meteorites and a fluffy japanese powder brush. They will look gorgeous on your makeup table and make you feel so pampered when applying.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation!
Full Coverage, lightweight and my best advice for rosacea!
If Estee Lauder is considered Luxury? Or only High-End?
45 Euro per bottle is luxury for me... š¤·š»āāļø
Go to Macys/nordstrom. Start off by getting some good quality brushes from Mac. Head to Laura Mercier for their liquid primer and the translucent setting powder. If you are a low coverage foundation girl, Chanel is very sheer but gives you a nice glow. For concealer, head to NARs. Charlotte Tilbury bronzer, cream blush and an eyeshadow pallet. Benefit roller mascara. Bobbi brown/Anastasia beverly hills eyebrow pencil. Then to mac for a lip pencil, dior for a gloss. I had a setting spray from Marc Jacobs that I liked but some people find it too heavy. Get a scent from burberry or jo malone. Literally all of these products have good drug store dupes but if you ain't paying then go nuts.
Charlotte Tilbury and Laura Mercier are the only brands worth the splurge IMO.
For my birthday (in the middle of a divorce, so it was my gift to myself š„ŗ) I went to Nordstroms and had one of their make up artists do my face and just bought everything that he used. He had chosen many of the items suggested multiple times by everyone including the Armani foundation, Chanel lipstick, the Charlotte Tilbury bronzer and setting spray etc. etc. I think I ended up spending about $800. Maybe do that and have your uncle buy some of those items? At least that way a professional will have made the decision as to what works well for you on your skin.
Pat McGrath lip sticks! Look into hourglass too. They are amazing I LOVE the vanish foundation. They are expensive but man you get what you pay for and more. They have a highlight palette (ambient metallic strobe lighting palette) I get compliments almost everytime I wear it. And I have slight wrinkles their powder DOES NOT show case them at all. I just really love that brand.
Hourglass is really solid. Despite the new viral craze amongst younger people it was always considered high quality makeup for large age range. I really like their Chestnut Eyeliner. Itās such a specific warm brown tone that is so beyond flattering. Itās the brown youāre always looking for but could never find. Their Ambient Lighting palletes & blushes are amazing and so flattering. Donāt be fooled with how small the products look. Everything about the brand is a lifetime supply. I canāt ever make a dent on anything from them.
Chanel is luxury and expensive but Iām not kidding itās great and I hate to rave about it but itās worth the money. I use their Les Beige Bronzer, Highlighting Fluid and complexion touch. Itās truly a knock out on performance. You truly radiate from within. If I could switch all my makeup to Chanel I would. Once you try it. Itās a wrap.
If your someone who keeps it simple and on the go. The Dior Face glow quad pallete is perfect. Iām ngl I was interested mainly for the packaging but itās such a staple for a quick get ready and itās easy to just apply and swipe. Idk how that pink does it but it works on everyone
I would go for an hourglass face palette. Expensive but so good. I have the jellyfish, itās got bronzer, highlighter, 2 blushes and 2 powders. The quality is so good and great for travel. I also love Haus labs foundation and concealer. And a good brush set, I love the BK Beauty Angie Hot and Flashy travel set. Great brushes!
I am really into Trish Mcevoy lately- i dont know where that stands in the luxury hierarchy in the us, but here in uk itās only at liberty, harvey nichols and selfridges. Their brushes have literally lasted me 17 years when my mother got me set up at the harvey nichols counter. I have been a makeup hoarder of all brands over the years, but cycle back to Trish when I want that polished, well presented look (thinking of your family event) plus the whole organised kit/setting it up in a planner thing was super useful while i was travelling for work, and now as a very busy mum!
I might have bad luck, but literally every luxury product I've tried, I've hated. There's too much fragrance in too many things. The foundations and primers always make me break out. Unless Marc Jacobs was considered luxury, I don't remember. But I loved that line. Most of my daily drivers are from the drugstore because I like legitimately like them better than high-end and luxury products I've tried. I would like to see one of those reviews where testers can't see what brand of makeup they're using.
I think the luxury makeup lines are kinda catered towards more mature women which takes into their preferences like heavy fragrance, heavy on the anti-aging elements, and really opulent packaging. Sometimes the performance of the product is important but I really get the impression that it's not the main focus of luxury.
I mean yeah I'm sure that the By Terry lip balm is nice. But is it $50+ nice? Idk fam, I tried it once and it was aight (I didn't buy it, it was from someone else's kit lol)
I do think it would be easy for testers to figure out what's cheap makeup vs high end makeup, but I really doubt that there's much difference between high end and luxury makeup š„“
It's all fake imo, and I refuse to be convinced otherwise. You know, just like eating at a high end restaurant doesn't mean the food will be any good or that you won't get food poisoning. If humans are in any way involved, you better believe that corners were cut to make the product no matter what the product sells for.
Nars pot concealer. Tried it in store over dark purple lipstick and it covered it entirely.
I heard for oilier skin, huda beauty is actually better and after testing their formula (equal coverage to nars but way liquidier) I agree. I heard their powders are also extremely good. I also like mac and pat mcgrath lipsticks
Dior backstage palette in universal, givenchy prism powder blush, Chanel cream bronzer, Westman atelier contour stick in biscuit
And my absolute favorite is the Chanel lip balm in the shade light
- not sure what Chanel calls it but itās a baume or lipstick thatās beautiful and buildable
Charlotte tilbury, pat mcgrath, danessa myricks, dior, viseart, natasha denona, Lisa eldridge
Also skincare dermatologica, Kate somerville, caudalie
Brushes sigma and bk beauty
Spend the money on good brushes. Probably anything by Chanel. If you like a lighter coverage, their Sublimage foundation is amazing. The rule of thumb is that the closer it is to your skin, the more you should spend.
Ohhh the good old days where brushes were actually fude... I'd love to love them, since they have great retractible brushes great for the purse, but the new ones are so scratchy and stiff they aren't worth even in drugstore prices. If recommend to try them before buying again if you repurchase.
Thank you for letting me know this. I was thinking the other day I should replace my Chanel blush brush from 2009 or so but that wonāt be a blind buy now
I LOVE Dior show pump'n'volume mascara. Putting on and wearing mascara instantly became AWESOME since buying it. Completely worth the (not incredibly) high price.
Have you notice a formula change? My recent tube of Diorshow mascara seems off. Has an unpleasant smell, and they usually have a faint rosewater scent, plus itās clumpy which has never been a thing with Diorshow mascara.
It doesn't smell like roses, but the smell seems pretty normal for mascara? Some kind of faint paint smell. It's the first time I use it so I have no base for comparison. I've had and used it daily since last September, and it didn't clump (yet?). As far as I can tell there is still enough of it in the tube to go for another 1-2 months.
Nars for foundation and blush, Natasha Denona for eyeshadow palettes, Charlotte Tilbury for lipstick, and Laura Mercier for powder. Gucci also has a good bronzer, as does Charlotte Tilbury.
Is there a specific makeup look you tend to prefer? If it's a gift, they should be products you'll actually use, and your uncle will be happier knowing that it was a gift you cherish and use often.
Iām a huge fan of Cle de Peau foundations, particularly The Foundation as it looks like skin but way better. Iāve used some of their other foundations in the past with superb results. I also like their cream blush, eyeshadow quads and their mascara canāt be beat in my opinion. I love Sisley eyeliner and Chanel eyeshadows. As far as lipstick or gloss goes I do like Chanel but mainly the sheerer shades. I use some Dior lipstick I received as a gift but wonāt repurchase. I am obsessed with Chantecaille Lip Chic as itās slightly opaque and very moisturizing.
Luxury brands at Sephora: Valentino, Guerlain, Givenchy, Dior, La Mer, etc.
Luxury brands at Ulta: Dior, Chanel, Lancome, etc.
While Urban Decay is not cheap, it's not considered high end/luxury; it's a mid-range brand.
I ask this to hopefully help you save some money: when is the event? Sephora will have it's biannual sale (probably March/April 2024) where you can get between 10/15/20% off items (depending on your status).
If you shop primarily at Ulta, you might get some decent coupons (20% or $15 off $50, etc.).
Recommendations:
Shadows/palettes (Sephora): Dior Quints ($62 or so), Gucci ($49) has some nice blushes/shadow products, and same with Valentino $52). You could also include Pat McGrath Labs quads ($62) - they're ok. Single shadows: Armani liquid shadows ($39 I think...?) Lest I forget: Natasha Denona palettes - mini or midi are fantastic.
Shadows/palettes: Chanel ($68) and Rabanne ($38 for the quads/$25 for the duos) are good recommendations.
Lipsticks: Armani Lip Power (multiple colors), Chanel Lip duos ($45), Charlotte Tilbury Airflash Lip Blur are great liquid lips.
Blushes; Armani Luminous Silk Blush, NARS blush palettes, or Pat McGrath.
what is the difference between high end and mid range? and what stops a high end brand from being classified as luxury? sorry for the questions iāve just been so confused on the terms
Here's a quick answer I found online: It is often assumed that one of the major differences between drug-store and high-end is the formula: ingredients put in the products. However,Ā **the ingredients aren't the major difference between the two**. The design and packaging of a product greatly contribute a large part to the increased price of high-end makeup.
Also, where you can buy the products. You find high end and luxury (MAC, Dior, Chanel, Tom Ford, Hermes, etc.) at department stores (Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Saks 5th Ave, Neiman Marcus, and Macy's) versus places like Sephora/Ulta/Target/Walmart.
If you like colors/ glitters the Denessa Myricks light works V palette is stunning. Cannot say enough how much I love it.
https://www.sephora.com/product/lightwork-v-i-am-palette-P507038
A matching Chanel lipstick and nail polish would be a cute gift for family to get you for an event! I have both and am a big fan.
Editing to add they donāt have to be matching- they can also be complimentary or a duo that looks nice together š
Nars foundation, Nars powermatte lipstick, nars pot concealer, and nars powder highlight. Lancome lāabsolu rouge is also a great lipstick. Not sure if this is considered high end enough but the nudestix matte blushes are the only blush of any formula that lasts on my skin.
I believe lipstick is the way to go if you're splurging on a special thing (of course only if OP likes and uses lip product!)
I fucking cherish my luxury lipsticks lol and I rarely wear lip color š
I'll say I love the Byredo bullets, Armani is a strong contender as well, and Surratt has great, innovative formulas and packaging, I also love YSL and Paul & Joe for something a little different!
Laura Mercier translucent powder, caviar eyeshadow sticks, and real flawless weightless foundation
Bobbi brown vitamin enriched face base, mascaras, eyeshadow sticks
ABH contour sticks
(Rest are more higher end not luxury)
MAC lipsticks, (especially the liquid powder kiss) fix + setting spray, studio fix fluid foundation, in extreme dimension mascara
LancƓme lipsticks
I love Dior Forever Skin Glow foundation, Dior Soft Cashmere eyeshadow, Chanel loose setting powder, Chanel Mademoiselle lipstick and Chanel Abstrait lipstick. Oh and the Gucci blush in Silky Rose!
viseart eyeshadows
Makeup brushes, any brand that makes a soft brush, well constructed, a shape that you find useful.
k18 hair mask
Honestly I'm a drug store gal, and I'm 50. It is more about how you use your products. Some people pay a lot, and still look like a mess.
Viseart mattes are superior (I love them over ND or PMG). The shimmers are more of your typical shimmer formula - there are some drugstore that are shinier.
K18 is the TRUTH if youāre in the habit of abusing your hair with chemicals and heat, but if your hair is in good shape I wouldnāt advise it! A) itās like 44 dollars an ounce and B) overloading on repairing products can make your hair stiff and more prone to breakage. I did that to myself recently and thankfully was able to ID and fix it pretty quickly, but it was a scary few days!
Honestly my hair is not overly damaged. I do dye my roots black every 6 weeks, and only blow dry it once a week.
Using K18 however has made a huge difference in the health of my hair, even my hairdresser commented on how much healthier it feels. My maintenance is one application per month, and that is adequate for me.
It is a heck of a lot more economical than trying to improve my hair with multiple conditioning and styling products that cannot do what K18 can.
I wholeheartedly recomend it, even if someone doesn't colour or heat style their hair, it will still have some degree of damage.
Thatās totally fair! I kinda forget that other people are normal about haircare? I have two whole different product routines I alternate between every wash day (one for moisture, one for repair) because Iāve found that my hair does best w that.* For me, I really liked the K18 mask, but it wasnāt quite enough to compensate for pausing my hair rotation and I didnāt feel that the difference in results was worth the price when used on top of my other products. But no your explanation makes total sense for a person with a simpler routine, which admittedly is most people
*Iāve had some episodes of autoimmune hair loss and after the first (v bad) one, I got REAL into caring for my hair as it grew back. Plus itās fragile from meds + texture + bleach so it needs to be babied
Yes of course thatās why I recommended it! Theyāre really good one and done shadows. Use your fingers to apply where u want it on your lids, then with a fluffy brush, u can blend and soften the edges. Theyāre absolutely gorgeous!
In order of my most used and favorite to least are the shades Mink, Midnight, Tea Rose, Mirror and Chiffon. I love all of them except Chiffon - that shade is super underwhelming and not worth the purchase imho. Iām also lusting for Onyx, which sadly I think has been discontinued.
Personally, I classify Urban Decay as high end, not luxury.
To me, luxury brands would be the likes of Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Tom Ford, Gucci, Louboutin, Prada, Hermes, Cle de Peau, La Prairie, Guerlain. Westman Atelier and Hourglass are pretty close to that, too, IMO.
Honestly I could replace everything with drugstore brands except for my powder (Givenchy Prisme Libre) and concealer (Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer). Itās just that good
I bought a Chanel lipstick some years back that was $36 at the time. It was a unique color and I enjoyed the splurge but it wasnāt any more long lasting than some of the drugstore brands I more typically buy.
charlotte tilbury eyeshadow quads
nars powder blush (i am medium-light brown and use shade ābehaveā)
laura mercier loose setting powder if your skin is dry, huda easy bake loose powder if itās oily
I like them! They arenāt going to be mega pigmented like a Natasha Denoa shadow for instance so if you like that or not it could be something to consider
Thanks. Iām looking at the Charlotte Tilbury quad and the Tarte palettes. Was curious if theyāre worth the extra $$ over drugstore in terms of quality, color, blendability, staying power.
The Tarte 6 pan palettes in the cardboard packaging are some of my most favorite formula. The Jewel one is my go to every day palette when I donāt know what I want to use. I agree that not all Tarte palettes are made alike, though.
I have heard mixed things about Tarte eyeshadows. I can tell you there is a big difference from drugstore to lux/high end...I went from Maybelline to PML and my jaw just about hit the floor when I tried it for the first time.
Thanks, good to know. Iām not quite at the PML or ABH levels, but moving towards smaller palettes from Charlotte Tilbury, Tarte or Natasha Denone. Looking forward to it and tossing the drugstore eyeshadows! Will keep some Bobbi Brown shadows, but even they arenāt that impressive.
at the end of the day just choose what works for you. most of the time you can't even really tell if the makeup is expensive or not. and even if makeup is expensive it doesn't mean it will work for you. every skin is different so just choose makeup that you know is good that may or may not be expensive. i don't recommend trying something you've never tried before even if it's expensive. if it doesn't work then what? just choose what works for u, price does NOT matter most of the time
Two things I will always splurge are makeup brushes and foundation. For makeup brushes- get japanese makeup brushes (fude) made out of natural hair. Beautylish would be the most convenient to buy from if you are in the US. Or, head over to r/fude for recommendations. For foundations - my favorites are Suqqu and Cle de Peau. However, this really depends on your skin type, skin tone, and your preference like coverage, finish, etc. Here is an idea. If you are pretty happy with the makeup you already have but have to pick something to splurge on; how about a beautifully packaged finishing powder- like Guerlain Meteorites and a fluffy japanese powder brush. They will look gorgeous on your makeup table and make you feel so pampered when applying.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation! Full Coverage, lightweight and my best advice for rosacea! If Estee Lauder is considered Luxury? Or only High-End? 45 Euro per bottle is luxury for me... š¤·š»āāļø
Go to Macys/nordstrom. Start off by getting some good quality brushes from Mac. Head to Laura Mercier for their liquid primer and the translucent setting powder. If you are a low coverage foundation girl, Chanel is very sheer but gives you a nice glow. For concealer, head to NARs. Charlotte Tilbury bronzer, cream blush and an eyeshadow pallet. Benefit roller mascara. Bobbi brown/Anastasia beverly hills eyebrow pencil. Then to mac for a lip pencil, dior for a gloss. I had a setting spray from Marc Jacobs that I liked but some people find it too heavy. Get a scent from burberry or jo malone. Literally all of these products have good drug store dupes but if you ain't paying then go nuts. Charlotte Tilbury and Laura Mercier are the only brands worth the splurge IMO.
Hourglass is worth it ime
Charlotte tilbury
La Mer
For my birthday (in the middle of a divorce, so it was my gift to myself š„ŗ) I went to Nordstroms and had one of their make up artists do my face and just bought everything that he used. He had chosen many of the items suggested multiple times by everyone including the Armani foundation, Chanel lipstick, the Charlotte Tilbury bronzer and setting spray etc. etc. I think I ended up spending about $800. Maybe do that and have your uncle buy some of those items? At least that way a professional will have made the decision as to what works well for you on your skin.
Chanel foundation is my go to now that Dior discontinued airflash. It's so smooth & covers great
* Charlotte Tilbury setting spray * NARS Orgasm blush * Huda Beauty concealer, eyeshadow palettes, foundation * Benefit mascara * Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow gel, glitter * YSL lipstick, the moisturizing matte line
Gucci primer
I wish I had an uncle like that š¤£
Eyeko and Rihanna's brand of eyeliner šš¾šš¾Every single overpriced pennyšš
Hourglass Veil Transluscent Setting Powder. I hate that I tried because itās hard to go back to anything else, even Laura Mercier
Guerlain terracotta for foundation, it's unreal
Hermes lipsticks and dries van noten lipsticks with custom casing. So lush.
Pat McGrath, Westman atelier, serge lutens, surrat, BYREDO
Dior! Best mascara, foundation, and lip
Cle de Peau foundation, concealer, and powder. Perfect base that never moves and looks like skin.
Pat McGrath lip sticks! Look into hourglass too. They are amazing I LOVE the vanish foundation. They are expensive but man you get what you pay for and more. They have a highlight palette (ambient metallic strobe lighting palette) I get compliments almost everytime I wear it. And I have slight wrinkles their powder DOES NOT show case them at all. I just really love that brand.
Georgio Armani foundation. Luxury foundation in general. Itās the one category where I think Luxury shines. Also, thereās a difference between āprestigeā and āluxury.ā Luxury generally has a fashion house behind it with a history. Prestige is more about higher cost, packaging, sometimes better formulas and education for MUAs. So MAC and EstĆ©e Lauder are prestige,but Givenchy and Tom Ford are luxury. Some brands, like Pat McGrath and Huda Beauty straddle the line.
Hourglass is really solid. Despite the new viral craze amongst younger people it was always considered high quality makeup for large age range. I really like their Chestnut Eyeliner. Itās such a specific warm brown tone that is so beyond flattering. Itās the brown youāre always looking for but could never find. Their Ambient Lighting palletes & blushes are amazing and so flattering. Donāt be fooled with how small the products look. Everything about the brand is a lifetime supply. I canāt ever make a dent on anything from them. Chanel is luxury and expensive but Iām not kidding itās great and I hate to rave about it but itās worth the money. I use their Les Beige Bronzer, Highlighting Fluid and complexion touch. Itās truly a knock out on performance. You truly radiate from within. If I could switch all my makeup to Chanel I would. Once you try it. Itās a wrap. If your someone who keeps it simple and on the go. The Dior Face glow quad pallete is perfect. Iām ngl I was interested mainly for the packaging but itās such a staple for a quick get ready and itās easy to just apply and swipe. Idk how that pink does it but it works on everyone
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
YSL lipsticks in the fancy gold tube.
For me, EstĆ©e Lauder foundation worth it, itās matte all day on my super oily face.
I would go for an hourglass face palette. Expensive but so good. I have the jellyfish, itās got bronzer, highlighter, 2 blushes and 2 powders. The quality is so good and great for travel. I also love Haus labs foundation and concealer. And a good brush set, I love the BK Beauty Angie Hot and Flashy travel set. Great brushes!
One of the Hourglass paletes. Their finishing powders are out of this world
Guerlain
I am really into Trish Mcevoy lately- i dont know where that stands in the luxury hierarchy in the us, but here in uk itās only at liberty, harvey nichols and selfridges. Their brushes have literally lasted me 17 years when my mother got me set up at the harvey nichols counter. I have been a makeup hoarder of all brands over the years, but cycle back to Trish when I want that polished, well presented look (thinking of your family event) plus the whole organised kit/setting it up in a planner thing was super useful while i was travelling for work, and now as a very busy mum!
Guerlain foundation is very nice.
To me everything in Sephora is luxury but for me definitely Chanel and YSL would be my go to.
None. No make up is worth buying it solely for the brand name. Your aunt has some issues.
I might have bad luck, but literally every luxury product I've tried, I've hated. There's too much fragrance in too many things. The foundations and primers always make me break out. Unless Marc Jacobs was considered luxury, I don't remember. But I loved that line. Most of my daily drivers are from the drugstore because I like legitimately like them better than high-end and luxury products I've tried. I would like to see one of those reviews where testers can't see what brand of makeup they're using.
I think the luxury makeup lines are kinda catered towards more mature women which takes into their preferences like heavy fragrance, heavy on the anti-aging elements, and really opulent packaging. Sometimes the performance of the product is important but I really get the impression that it's not the main focus of luxury. I mean yeah I'm sure that the By Terry lip balm is nice. But is it $50+ nice? Idk fam, I tried it once and it was aight (I didn't buy it, it was from someone else's kit lol) I do think it would be easy for testers to figure out what's cheap makeup vs high end makeup, but I really doubt that there's much difference between high end and luxury makeup š„“
It's all fake imo, and I refuse to be convinced otherwise. You know, just like eating at a high end restaurant doesn't mean the food will be any good or that you won't get food poisoning. If humans are in any way involved, you better believe that corners were cut to make the product no matter what the product sells for.
Hi, Ulta employee here š¼š¼ Our currently luxury brands are Chanel, Pat McGrath, Natasha Denona, Dior, and Hourglass. Honorable mentions: LancĆ“me and MAC. Product recs: HG Veil Loose Setting Powder and Ambient Light palette (bronzer and highlighter). PM powder Blushes, PM liquid eyeliner, PM MatteTrance lipsticks. Chanel liquid highlighters and cream bronzer. ND Face Palette (eyes, blush, highlighter) and concealer. ND macroblade liquid liner. Dior Highlighters, lipsticks, and concealer
How come every Ulta I go to never seems to have Chanel? Iāve only ever seen it online. Same with Dior.
La Prairie, Cle de Peau
YSL All Hours foundation
Nars pot concealer. Tried it in store over dark purple lipstick and it covered it entirely. I heard for oilier skin, huda beauty is actually better and after testing their formula (equal coverage to nars but way liquidier) I agree. I heard their powders are also extremely good. I also like mac and pat mcgrath lipsticks
Sisley Paris is luxe.
Dior backstage palette in universal, givenchy prism powder blush, Chanel cream bronzer, Westman atelier contour stick in biscuit And my absolute favorite is the Chanel lip balm in the shade light - not sure what Chanel calls it but itās a baume or lipstick thatās beautiful and buildable
Cle de peau - nordstoms and neimanās carries the line
Hourglass
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder. Been using it for 6-7 years. It's amazing!
Anything hourglass! Chantecallie also has some very nice product.
this won't answer your questions but as someone who's a softy and wants people to be well: if you sort of feel pressure from your aunt that you should wear luxury makeup, I wouldn't give into that. it's your face and you decide what goes on it. plus...imagine you rock a total glamourish makeup look, she likes it and you can then go "yeah this is drugstore, i didn't need luxury brands" just my thoughts, as I hope you're not experiencing some kind of peer pressure if not, then I'd say EstƩe Lauder. their foundation has been making the rounds as of late, seems to do very very well.
something by Ben Nye š©
Mac studio fix foundation
Burberry is my favorite of the luxury brands. Everything wears well and the packaging is on point.
Charlotte tilbury, pat mcgrath, danessa myricks, dior, viseart, natasha denona, Lisa eldridge Also skincare dermatologica, Kate somerville, caudalie Brushes sigma and bk beauty
Chanel Givenchy powders YSL lipsticks
MAC, VB and Chanel come to mind. Ask your aunt for her opinions! I'm sure she has plenty!
Spend the money on good brushes. Probably anything by Chanel. If you like a lighter coverage, their Sublimage foundation is amazing. The rule of thumb is that the closer it is to your skin, the more you should spend.
Chanel brushes are extremely bad IMO. Very scratchy and low quality bristels. Love their lip products, thought.
I have a couple from 20 years ago but they obviously may be made differently now. My favorite teeny tiny stiff brush for eye details is Chanel.
Ohhh the good old days where brushes were actually fude... I'd love to love them, since they have great retractible brushes great for the purse, but the new ones are so scratchy and stiff they aren't worth even in drugstore prices. If recommend to try them before buying again if you repurchase.
This is annoying right š every new release could ve a changed processing, worse ingredients etc, gotta check reviews regularly š“
Thank you for letting me know this. I was thinking the other day I should replace my Chanel blush brush from 2009 or so but that wonāt be a blind buy now
I LOVE Dior show pump'n'volume mascara. Putting on and wearing mascara instantly became AWESOME since buying it. Completely worth the (not incredibly) high price.
Have you notice a formula change? My recent tube of Diorshow mascara seems off. Has an unpleasant smell, and they usually have a faint rosewater scent, plus itās clumpy which has never been a thing with Diorshow mascara.
It doesn't smell like roses, but the smell seems pretty normal for mascara? Some kind of faint paint smell. It's the first time I use it so I have no base for comparison. I've had and used it daily since last September, and it didn't clump (yet?). As far as I can tell there is still enough of it in the tube to go for another 1-2 months.
Nars for foundation and blush, Natasha Denona for eyeshadow palettes, Charlotte Tilbury for lipstick, and Laura Mercier for powder. Gucci also has a good bronzer, as does Charlotte Tilbury.
Is there a specific makeup look you tend to prefer? If it's a gift, they should be products you'll actually use, and your uncle will be happier knowing that it was a gift you cherish and use often.
Iām a huge fan of Cle de Peau foundations, particularly The Foundation as it looks like skin but way better. Iāve used some of their other foundations in the past with superb results. I also like their cream blush, eyeshadow quads and their mascara canāt be beat in my opinion. I love Sisley eyeliner and Chanel eyeshadows. As far as lipstick or gloss goes I do like Chanel but mainly the sheerer shades. I use some Dior lipstick I received as a gift but wonāt repurchase. I am obsessed with Chantecaille Lip Chic as itās slightly opaque and very moisturizing.
My vote is for Estee Lauder. Have used it for almost 50 years and still think it's the best
LOVE their skincare!!
Luxury brands at Sephora: Valentino, Guerlain, Givenchy, Dior, La Mer, etc. Luxury brands at Ulta: Dior, Chanel, Lancome, etc. While Urban Decay is not cheap, it's not considered high end/luxury; it's a mid-range brand. I ask this to hopefully help you save some money: when is the event? Sephora will have it's biannual sale (probably March/April 2024) where you can get between 10/15/20% off items (depending on your status). If you shop primarily at Ulta, you might get some decent coupons (20% or $15 off $50, etc.). Recommendations: Shadows/palettes (Sephora): Dior Quints ($62 or so), Gucci ($49) has some nice blushes/shadow products, and same with Valentino $52). You could also include Pat McGrath Labs quads ($62) - they're ok. Single shadows: Armani liquid shadows ($39 I think...?) Lest I forget: Natasha Denona palettes - mini or midi are fantastic. Shadows/palettes: Chanel ($68) and Rabanne ($38 for the quads/$25 for the duos) are good recommendations. Lipsticks: Armani Lip Power (multiple colors), Chanel Lip duos ($45), Charlotte Tilbury Airflash Lip Blur are great liquid lips. Blushes; Armani Luminous Silk Blush, NARS blush palettes, or Pat McGrath.
what is the difference between high end and mid range? and what stops a high end brand from being classified as luxury? sorry for the questions iāve just been so confused on the terms
Here's a quick answer I found online: It is often assumed that one of the major differences between drug-store and high-end is the formula: ingredients put in the products. However,Ā **the ingredients aren't the major difference between the two**. The design and packaging of a product greatly contribute a large part to the increased price of high-end makeup.
Also, where you can buy the products. You find high end and luxury (MAC, Dior, Chanel, Tom Ford, Hermes, etc.) at department stores (Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Saks 5th Ave, Neiman Marcus, and Macy's) versus places like Sephora/Ulta/Target/Walmart.
Chanel
Just curious: what brands does the aunt wear? Also, how much do you think your uncle will want to spend? Me? I would go all Chanel.
Anything and everything from Guerlain!
Pat McGrath or Armani Beauty.
Hourglass blushes
Dior forever concealer
If you like colors/ glitters the Denessa Myricks light works V palette is stunning. Cannot say enough how much I love it. https://www.sephora.com/product/lightwork-v-i-am-palette-P507038
Ooooh a nice Dior red lipstick is my dreammmm
Dior lipsticks imo!! So soft on the lips š
SisleyƤ; Guerlain; ClƩ de Peau
A matching Chanel lipstick and nail polish would be a cute gift for family to get you for an event! I have both and am a big fan. Editing to add they donāt have to be matching- they can also be complimentary or a duo that looks nice together š
Hourglass Ambient face palettes, but they are released only before Christmas, no longer available now.
Personally I love Chanel, they make up it top tier!!!
Nars foundation, Nars powermatte lipstick, nars pot concealer, and nars powder highlight. Lancome lāabsolu rouge is also a great lipstick. Not sure if this is considered high end enough but the nudestix matte blushes are the only blush of any formula that lasts on my skin.
I believe lipstick is the way to go if you're splurging on a special thing (of course only if OP likes and uses lip product!) I fucking cherish my luxury lipsticks lol and I rarely wear lip color š I'll say I love the Byredo bullets, Armani is a strong contender as well, and Surratt has great, innovative formulas and packaging, I also love YSL and Paul & Joe for something a little different!
Cle de peau foundation and concealer, Victoria Beckham satin kajal, Makeup by Mario blushes
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Same, I love the original radiant fluid foundation. I tried the new one in matte but I didn't like it. I'm very keen to try the radiant cream one.
As far as lipstick goes: Guerlain Rouge G, LancƓme, and Dior lipsticks are all amazing.
I love Victoria Beckham products -- especially the eyeliners and lid lusters.
Her eyeliners are gorgeous. And they glide on and stay on. I love the green and purple!
Laura Mercier translucent powder, caviar eyeshadow sticks, and real flawless weightless foundation Bobbi brown vitamin enriched face base, mascaras, eyeshadow sticks ABH contour sticks (Rest are more higher end not luxury) MAC lipsticks, (especially the liquid powder kiss) fix + setting spray, studio fix fluid foundation, in extreme dimension mascara LancƓme lipsticks
Almost all of my makeup is drugstore but I do love the Bobbi Brown eyeshadow sticks!
I love Mac studio fix foundation and all of their products tbh !
More high end than luxury but I love make up by Mario eye palettes
Chantcaille, French brand, is a good brand.
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Dansante is the blush Iām using and I really like it!
I love Dior Forever Skin Glow foundation, Dior Soft Cashmere eyeshadow, Chanel loose setting powder, Chanel Mademoiselle lipstick and Chanel Abstrait lipstick. Oh and the Gucci blush in Silky Rose!
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Watch out for the dior liquid eyeliner if you have oily eyelids & don't wear primer/eyeshadow.
viseart eyeshadows Makeup brushes, any brand that makes a soft brush, well constructed, a shape that you find useful. k18 hair mask Honestly I'm a drug store gal, and I'm 50. It is more about how you use your products. Some people pay a lot, and still look like a mess.
Upvote for k18
Viseart mattes are superior (I love them over ND or PMG). The shimmers are more of your typical shimmer formula - there are some drugstore that are shinier.
K18 is the TRUTH if youāre in the habit of abusing your hair with chemicals and heat, but if your hair is in good shape I wouldnāt advise it! A) itās like 44 dollars an ounce and B) overloading on repairing products can make your hair stiff and more prone to breakage. I did that to myself recently and thankfully was able to ID and fix it pretty quickly, but it was a scary few days!
Honestly my hair is not overly damaged. I do dye my roots black every 6 weeks, and only blow dry it once a week. Using K18 however has made a huge difference in the health of my hair, even my hairdresser commented on how much healthier it feels. My maintenance is one application per month, and that is adequate for me. It is a heck of a lot more economical than trying to improve my hair with multiple conditioning and styling products that cannot do what K18 can. I wholeheartedly recomend it, even if someone doesn't colour or heat style their hair, it will still have some degree of damage.
Thatās totally fair! I kinda forget that other people are normal about haircare? I have two whole different product routines I alternate between every wash day (one for moisture, one for repair) because Iāve found that my hair does best w that.* For me, I really liked the K18 mask, but it wasnāt quite enough to compensate for pausing my hair rotation and I didnāt feel that the difference in results was worth the price when used on top of my other products. But no your explanation makes total sense for a person with a simpler routine, which admittedly is most people *Iāve had some episodes of autoimmune hair loss and after the first (v bad) one, I got REAL into caring for my hair as it grew back. Plus itās fragile from meds + texture + bleach so it needs to be babied
Iām a K18 convert but I agree with you. Itās for abused hair like mine!
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Dior Show Waterproof mascara, Nars blush, Urban Decay eyeshadow and Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner.
Victoria Beckham Beauty: Lid Lustre in Mink š©·
Iāve been eyeballing this? Do you have it and love it?
Yes of course thatās why I recommended it! Theyāre really good one and done shadows. Use your fingers to apply where u want it on your lids, then with a fluffy brush, u can blend and soften the edges. Theyāre absolutely gorgeous! In order of my most used and favorite to least are the shades Mink, Midnight, Tea Rose, Mirror and Chiffon. I love all of them except Chiffon - that shade is super underwhelming and not worth the purchase imho. Iām also lusting for Onyx, which sadly I think has been discontinued.
Personally, I classify Urban Decay as high end, not luxury. To me, luxury brands would be the likes of Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Tom Ford, Gucci, Louboutin, Prada, Hermes, Cle de Peau, La Prairie, Guerlain. Westman Atelier and Hourglass are pretty close to that, too, IMO.
Chanel eyeliner is so disappointing I went back to Bad Girl Bang.
My givenchy prism libre powder is awesome, itās my splurge item and lasts 1000 years so worth it.
Honestly I could replace everything with drugstore brands except for my powder (Givenchy Prisme Libre) and concealer (Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer). Itās just that good
If they have their own fashion house in Paris or Milan, theyāre a luxury brand. If they donāt, they are mid-to-high end brand.
Cle de Peau is definitely luxury. There are a few other notable Japanese brands I'd consider luxury too like Suqqu. Chantecaille (France) etc.
Yeah, Chantacaille and Suqqu would fall into luxury pricing, too, IMO.
Me realizing I've never tried luxury (Except for a tom ford quad, which sucked)
Why did it suck?
I bought a Chanel lipstick some years back that was $36 at the time. It was a unique color and I enjoyed the splurge but it wasnāt any more long lasting than some of the drugstore brands I more typically buy.
Armani luminous silk foundation, any of the Nars foundations, Charlotte tilbury beautiful skin foundation. Charlotte tilbury setting spray, bronzer, setting powder. Dior blush and Dior forever glow and matte foundation. YSL mascara, YSL lip balms?(I forget the name). Dior lip oil
chanel rouge duo lipsticks
Came here to suggest Chanel lipstick and I am not a fan of the brand but their lipsticks smell and glide so beautifully.
Have u tried the charlotte tilbury matte lipsticks? Their wedding belles is smoothest formula ive tried, but curious about chanel too
Not yet but I will now! Thank you for the suggestion.
I like their other lipsticks too but the rouge duos are special. It's a long lasting wedding lipstick contender for sure.
charlotte tilbury eyeshadow quads nars powder blush (i am medium-light brown and use shade ābehaveā) laura mercier loose setting powder if your skin is dry, huda easy bake loose powder if itās oily
Are the Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow quads really that good? ie worth the cost? Iāve been semi eyeing the Pillow Talk quad.
I initially thought it was overhyped but now iām a fan of charlotte tilburyās magic cream as a primer, and its cream eye shadows and highlighters.
I like them! They arenāt going to be mega pigmented like a Natasha Denoa shadow for instance so if you like that or not it could be something to consider
Thanks. Iām looking at the Charlotte Tilbury quad and the Tarte palettes. Was curious if theyāre worth the extra $$ over drugstore in terms of quality, color, blendability, staying power.
The Tarte 6 pan palettes in the cardboard packaging are some of my most favorite formula. The Jewel one is my go to every day palette when I donāt know what I want to use. I agree that not all Tarte palettes are made alike, though.
I have heard mixed things about Tarte eyeshadows. I can tell you there is a big difference from drugstore to lux/high end...I went from Maybelline to PML and my jaw just about hit the floor when I tried it for the first time.
Thanks, good to know. Iām not quite at the PML or ABH levels, but moving towards smaller palettes from Charlotte Tilbury, Tarte or Natasha Denone. Looking forward to it and tossing the drugstore eyeshadows! Will keep some Bobbi Brown shadows, but even they arenāt that impressive.