High End Products That Are Worth Your Money

Makeup shopping is hard work, even for the addicts amongst us. Unless you’re willing to spend hours scrolling through reviews and product descriptions online every time you need something new, it’s difficult to tell whether or not something is going to work for you. That confusion quickly turns into frustration when you go into ‘Treat yo self’ mode and splurge on a high end product that ends up being a total let down that you never actually end up using. The betrayal!
If you know this feeling all too well and don’t want to risk it again, then it’s your lucky day. I’ve splurged all of my money so you don’t have to! I am SUCH a kind person. Scroll down to see which high-end products have become staples in my make-up bag…

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder – £29

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If I had a pound for every person that I’ve recommended this powder to who went out and bought it and absolutely loved it, well, I’d be splurging a hell of a lot of money at the Nars counter every weekend. This product has become a holy grail for makeup lovers everywhere, and once you try it, it’s easy to see why.

If, like me, you have oily skin and struggle with keeping your makeup in place all night, this powder is the one for you. You’ll see an incredible difference in the finish of your makeup from the second you finish applying it all the way through to the early hours, especially if you use the ‘baking’ method (if you’re not sure what baking is and you think I’ve lost the plot, have a read of my ‘All About The Base’ post!).

There are tons of reasons why this product is worth splurging on. First of all, you get so much bang for your buck with this powder – £29 may seem excessive, but you get 29 grams of product which is twice as much as you get with your average drugstore pressed powder. I’ve had mine for about 4 months and I still have SO much left! Secondly, I’ve tried finding a dupe for this powder, using the same technique, the same application, the same foundation and concealer, and I can honestly say that nothing else that I’ve tried even comes close. It’s reliable and long lasting, and once you try it you’ll never look back!

 

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray – £22 (full size)

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As you’ve probably guessed by the name, this is another product that will keep your face looking fresh ’til the early hours. I really believe that any product that improves the longevity of your makeup is well worth investing in! The first time I bought this, I was a little sceptical and I didn’t really expect it to make much difference. I spritzed it on after I’d finished my makeup before heading on a night out, and didn’t think anything more of it. Next thing I knew, I’d woken up the morning after and found that I’d committed the sin of all sins – I’d slept in a full face of makeup. Aside from having a foggy head and panicking about the well-deserved breakout that mother nature was probably about to deliver, I couldn’t help but notice that my makeup looked exactly the same as it did the night before. I mean seriously, EXACTLY the same. I couldn’t believe how well my makeup lasted, and from that moment onwards I knew that this setting spray was going to be a holy grail item in my makeup bag.
You can purchase the full size 120ml version of this setting spray from any Urban Decay counter for £22, or if you prefer to test things out first, they sell a travel sized version (this is what I have in the photo above) for £9. Setting spray may not be an obvious addition to most peoples makeup bag, but I promise that this one will be worth your while.
Chanel Soleil de Tan Bronze Universal – £32
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Okay, I admit it. The first time that I purchased this bronzer it was mainly because of the dreamy, iconic Chanel packaging. I wanted to treat myself and this luxurious little number won me over the moment I saw it. But the love affair doesn’t end there – this bronzer is absolutely fantastic, and I would re-purchase this product over and over again.

It’s unlike any other bronzer I’ve ever used before – it has a whipped, creamy texture that can be buffed into foundation for a seamless, natural tan. It also works brilliantly on bare skin for an extra glow. The bronzer sets to a satin finish which isn’t sticky or greasy at all, and the colour is a warm, creamy bronze which would suit light to medium skin tones. This bronzer is an absolute essential for me when I’m on holiday because I can apply it over my SPF to glam myself up a bit without having to apply any other makeup (if your face-to-body tan ratio is as disproportionate as mine, you’ll know the struggle). It’s also great for contouring if you prefer a warmer look. If you’re searching for a new bronzer or you just feel like your complexion needs a bit of a pick me up, I highly recommend giving this a try.

 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation – £31

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I’m sure most people reading this will have heard of Estee Lauder’s Double Wear foundation. It’s a cult classic and so many girls swear by it. I’ve tried a ton of different foundations over the past few years and this one really is a cut above the rest. It is incredibly reliable and you can guarantee a flawless, full coverage finish every time. It lasts forever and a little goes a long way, so despite it being a bit more pricey it’s actually great value for money. This is the only foundation that I have ever tried that stays matte and flawless all day and night, without the help of any other products.

It kills me to say that I do have one massive problem with this foundation, and it breaks my heart a little inside whenever I think about it. This foundation contains SPF, which means that it can give that awful, ghostly white flashback effect in flash photography. Everything else about this foundation makes it absolutely perfect for any event or night out, but this one little downfall means that I always reach for something else when I’m getting ready for a big occasion. If, however, you only really wear foundation in the day time and aren’t too fussed about photographs at evening events, then you should fall madly in love with Double Wear. I can safely say that if they ever changed the formula of this foundation and removed the SPF, I would never touch another foundation ever again. That’s how amazing it is!

 

MAC lipstick – £15.50

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Now let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be a high end product post without a bit of MAC. I think every girl has probably owned a MAC lipstick at some point in their life, so it’s no surprise that their lipsticks are one of their bestselling products.

For me, MAC lipsticks stand out against other brands because they have such an incredible range of shades and textures, and they are always coming up with new, fashion forwards colours. I own so many nude lipsticks from MAC, and I know to some people that might seem crazy. But I promise, they’re all so different in their own special way! Every shade has a different undertone, a different finish, and a different feel to it, which is why I always go back for more. Stepping away from my trusty nude shades, MAC are also so innovative when it comes to creating bold, unique shades that you just cannot find on the high street. What’s more, the quality of the product isn’t compromised in creativity. They are pigmented, long lasting, and smell good enough to eat (priorities, right?).

 

So, there you have it. You can now splurge away totally guilt-free knowing that your money is well spent. You. Are. Welcome!

G x

2 Comments

  1. Sarah says:

    Love this post! I feel the same about Doublewear, it just doesn’t photograph well does it!

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    1. I know! It’s soo annoying because everything else about it is amazing. Maybe one day they’ll answer our prayers!

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