My Top Luxe Beauty Buys

When it comes to curating the perfect makeup stash I feel that there are some areas where it’s worth splurging on slightly higher-end products, then there are others where a trip to the aisles of Boots can sort you out just as well. That’s what topic I’m covering in today’s video, so have a scroll down below to get your peepers on that, but in the meantime here I thought I’d cover the best luxury buys that I feel it’s worth squirrelling your pennies away for…

As I mention in the video I don’t think that the best bases available are always high-end, but when it comes to fuller coverage ones I do tend to find that slightly pricer formulas sit better on my skin. Case in point: Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation (and their Power Fabric Foundation too, but more on that next week). I’ve been a lover of this for years and whenever I want to whack on a layer that covers pretty much everything, but still looks like skin, this is what I go for. One that does doesn’t fit into my theory is the CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation, which I always make sure I have a bottle of. This is my ‘elevated everyday’ formula that I go for when my skin’s in pretty good nick, but just needs a bit of evening out. I use B10 on my paler days and B20 on my more tanned ones.

As a sweeping statement, luxury powders tend to be more finely milled and undetectable on the skin which is exactly what I want, whether I’m just adding a translucent glow to my face or some colour on my cheeks. I got the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palettes years ago now and it’s still going strong. It’s one of those items where I feel like I see a real difference when I use it – I tend to sweep it on as an all-over makeup-setter, glow-giver – but no one else would be able to pin down itss effect. The other compact that I love is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow, which I feel like would be in 95% of people’s ‘Best Luxury Buys’ picks. The highlight side adds a subtle radiance and the bronzer side is a nice honey-toned warmer-upper on my skin.

I’ve got into a real routine with my eye look (hello MAC Soba!), but when I want to change it up a bit I use the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise in Bette. I’ve been in love with this since it was first released and although I find the metallic sheen a little too much for everyday, it’s what I reach for on evenings out without even having to think about it. Burberry’s Wet & Dry Silk Eyeshadow in Pale Barley is a great low-key option though and gives a light pearlescent sheen to the lids, almost like a natural shadow. I’m not really much of an eyeliner girl – especially the liquid stuff – but it has to be said that Tom Ford’s Eye Defining Pen stands in a league of its own, even more so if you’re crap with the stuff like I am. It’s perfectly weighted so easy to control, and the choice between the tiny tip or the longer one gives you plenty of options for evening out those darn flicks.

Lipstick-wise there are no surprises. I will forever have a special place in my heart for the CHANEL Rouge Coco Lipstick in Adrienne, which always make me feel so darn chic when I use it and is my perfect nude. SCORE. Then there are the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks in Super Cindy and Very Victoria – both of which can often be found in my everyday makeup stash. Super Cindy is more of a coral and Very Victoria is a plain nude, which also smudges out beautifully on the cheeks. The formula is shine-free, yet creamy and fits into the ‘no makeup, makeup’ vibes that I’ve forever trying to channel.

Then there are tools. Now these aren’t the sexiest purchases, but they’re the ones that will see you through years and years of makeup application. I have the Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder Brush and the Eye Blender Brush. Both I use everyday – the former currently for highlighter, although it has been used for contour, bronzer and blush in the past and the latter for the final eyeshadow blend to fool people into thinking I’m semi-alright at applying makeup. There’s also the Surratt Eyelash Curler which is honestly one of the best things I’ve ever purchased. If you’ve got elephant-straight eyelashes like me then lob that one you got in a pound shop five years ago out the window and purchase this one immediately. As with the rest of the items mentioned here, it’s well worth the price tag.

Photos by Lauren Shipley (leaf holding by yours truly)

SHOP THE POST