The Best Beauty Products Actually Worth the Splurge
Over the years that I have worked as a beauty editor and writer, I have tried many, many products in search of that elusive beauty holy grail. There are loads that I return to time and time again, others that I really wish I'd never applied to my face. And I also learned that some beauty products really are worth the extra cash, while others are decidedly a scam. Below, I have rounded up my favorite splurge-worthy beauty products and why they should be in your skin care routine.
DISCLAIMER: Most of these were sent to me as potential editorial consideration for my work as a freelance beauty journalist, but am in no way affiliated with any of these brands. The unbiased opinion here is listed in products I would spend my money on. Actually, some of them I did repurchase using my own money.
Best Beauty Products Worth The Splurge
SKINCARE
CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture for Face, Neck & Scalp
I have the most sensitive skin, and I'm always on the hunt for a gentle moisturizer. I love mixing this CV Skinlabs pick into my lineup. It's super calming, never irritating, and has a really nice lightweight-but not too lightweight, I like my creams on the thicker side-formula that soaks beautifully into my skin. I love that it's fragrance-free and no-nonsense. Just a few reasons why this is one of the best beauty products worth the splurge.
Doctor Rogers Natural Restore Face Cream
Ah, this is just another super gentle moisturizer with which I immediately fell in love after doing some freelance content work for them. This cream is super, super thick-just how I like it-and it has such a lovely texture. It's probably not ideal for hot summer months, but I do like using it when I catch a sunburn on my face and feel my skin needs some extra moisture.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro
I was gifted this device from Dr. Dennis Gross and I’m consistently amazed by how less red my face is after each use. It does an incredible job of calming down any inflammation I might have, from dermatitis to acne. I like to use it for six minutes most days to keep inflammation at bay.
It contains red light for anti-aging and anti-inflammation properties, while the blue light kills bacteria on the skin that cause acne. It also has a setting where you can turn on both the red and blue lights to get both anti-aging and anti-acne properties.
Available on Amazon ($455)
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
But in all seriousness, this is an award-winning product; many a beauty editor and dermatologist lives and dies by this stuff.
I've been using this as my vitamin C serum when my skin isn't freaking out and being sensitive. It smells bad, but it is good for fighting against free radical damage and turning back time. Note that vitamin C is a super unstable ingredient-so you'll want to use up this product relatively quickly so that it doesn't go bad/become ineffective.
PCA Skin Hydrating Serum
PCA SKIN Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30
This one from PCA Skin doesn't give me a breakout and is so lightweight.
The active ingredients are octisalate, octocrylene, and zinc oxide. It has added hydrating properties to keep my skin moisturized; a lot of times, I will just use it as moisturizer in the summer when I'm going to be at the beach all day.
Marie Veronique Soothing B3 Serum
SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
Alastin Skincare Procedure Enhancement System
I once had a derm go ham on the laser during a laser treatment appointment, and I was left with some pretty gnarly post-procedure bruising all over my face. I used a ton of products from Alastin, and was so impressed with just how well the products helped to expedite my skin's recovery. If you're someone who gets lasers, Botox or filler, or other facial procedures often, I'd highly recommend investing in this kit.
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
I'll be brutally honest and say I didn't really expect much with this cream the first time I tried it, but, man, was I ever blown away after that first application. It's truly a game-changer. I mean, this cream has the most fantastic consistency and texture to nourish and, honestly, I would bathe in this shit all day, every day. In fact, this is recommended for anyone who has irritable skin or just needs a little extra TLC in their skincare routine.
Fresh Rose Face Mask
The Canopy Humidifier Starter Set
StackedSkincare High-Frequency Acne Device
Available at Amazon ($70)
GLAMGLOW THIRSTYMUD 24-Hour Hydrating Treatment Face Mask
This face mask really hydrates my skin, especially during cold and brutal winter months on the East Coast. I like just to dot some of this on specific areas-if I have a chapped nose or any areas on my face-and let it soak in. It's one of the best fighters of the facial flakes.
MAKEUP
Pat McGrath Labs Mothership VII Eyeshadow Palette – Divine Rose Collection
Not only do I love the texture, payoff, and colors in this gorgeous Pat McGrath Labs eyeshadow palette, but I also can't get over the packaging. Really, all of her products come in the most gorgeous packaging and are well worth the high price tag in my opinion. This palette comes in rose-toned hues and includes eyeshadows with matte, shimmer, metallic, and radiant finishes.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick
If a lipstick could be considered sexy, the Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick would be it. I mean, is there anything the Spice Girl can't sexify? I love these lipsticks because they are rich in color, super hydrating and nourishing, and aren't some kind of cakey matte texture-neither here nor there, anyway. Although not as widely available online, it is one of my favorite beauty products worth spending money on.
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadow
The pigment on these is insane, and I’m just obsessed with all things Charlotte Tilbury (I’ve met the famous makeup artist twice and she’s a doll). This eye makeup is super easy to apply, blends out beautifully, and every shade somehow complements my skin wonderfully — 10/10 recommend!
Tom Ford Lip Color Lipstick
Nudestix Euphoric Nudes 7pc Festival Palette
I love this brand so much, and I love the founder even more. I wear something from Nudestix most days of the week, and the Magnetic Eye Pencils are definitely my fave. One thing that I love is just how dang easy these babies are to travel with, and I love all the colors, too. It was, of course, a no-brainer for me to put this on my list of beauty products worth the splurge.
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo
I've been obsessed with this palette for years, and even when trying other bronzer and highlighter duos, always find myself coming back to this one. I'll admit that I use the highlighter side much, much less than the bronzer side, and always end up hitting pan on the bronzer way before the highlighter.
Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette
Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation
This is one super-lightweight foundation that will leave your skin glowing once applied, and that's just why it's one of many beauty products worth a splurge. If medium to heavy coverage is what you're after, then I'd suggest looking elsewhere; this pick falls into the light-to-medium category and looks super natural.
Sigma Beauty Essential Kit
HAIR
Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long
I've written about my love for the Dyson Airwrap previously, and I really do recommend it to anyone that styles their hair regularly. Yes, it is a very expensive blow dryer, and is the most expensive product on this list, but there's just no denying it—the Airwrap does an amazing job of replicating multiple styles using just one base and six attachments. It would be such a disservice to call it merely a hair dryer because it does so much more than that!
CHI Spin N Curl Ceramic Rotating Curler
I thought this self-rotating curling iron was so sick the first time I tried it, and I couldn't believe how well-and easily-it curled my hair. Admittedly, it felt a bit scary putting my hair into this contraption. I said a little prayer that it wouldn't get sucked into the barrel and fry off. Never had any problems with it, though, and I just love how it is so easy to achieve a nice curl. While I do love this pick, I will say that I don't get as much control over my curl as I would with my Bio Ionic curling iron, so that's something to consider.
BIO IONIC Long Barrel Styler
This is a great curling iron that I know will last me a really long time.
I like using the 1.25-inch barrel for looser curls. Also, I find my curls last.days.after using this product. It has six different heat settings; I like to use low heat for looser waves and a higher heat setting for tighter curls. Also, I like that this pick comes with a clamp rather than it being some kind of styling wand. I used to use a wand back in the day, but I find that method to be such a pain in the ass, and I love the curls this curling barrel with a clamp gives.
Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Volume Texture Spray
This texture spray reminds me of going to my very first real salon with my mom-those salons that used to spray this stuff around like nobody's business. The smell is super nostalgic for me, and the body this spray adds to hair is pretty good.
Jupiter The "Whole Darn Set" Set
I've been having dandruff for quite some time now, and I have tried numerous products to fight these flakes. Honestly, what really sets Jupiter apart from other anti-dandruff brands is the emphasis they put on their hero ingredient: zinc pyrithione 1%. I also find that their line not only soothes but super hydrates my hair and scalp, too, which is hard to find in other anti-dandruff products.
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