There's nothing quite like the luxe packaging and top-notch pigmentation of an expensive makeup product. Sadly, this level of exquisiteness does not always come along with the hefty price tag. In this post, I will be outlining my list of high-end makeup items that have truly lived up to their hype.
1. Eye Primer - Too Faced Shadow Insurance or Urban Decay Primer Potion
Priming my lids
is a non-negotiable step in my makeup routine. I would recommend either of the
two primers listed above, but more so, the small size of Urban Decay's primer
potion. Unless you are a makeup artist or apply eye shadow every day, the full
sized tubes won’t get used up before their expiration. You can see my eye primer review here.
Tarte makes some
very nice products, many of them incorporating this Amazonian clay. I have
found their long lasting blushes to stand true to their name, seeing as how
they stick around for hours on end.
The Bobbi Brown
pot rouge is a great multi-tasker, suitable for use on both the cheeks
and lips. I actually love layering this pale pink shade underneath my Tarte
dollface blush. The pot rouge does not dry down to a matte finish so this
layering method really sets it.
3. Matte Bronzer - Too Faced Chocolate Soleil
This bronzer is
a beautiful warm matte brown, which works best on medium skin tones. I
purchased mine before the milk chocolate soleil was released, which would be a
better match for my pale complexion.
4. Concealer - MAC Studio Finish
This is a true
makeup artist favourite. I have the palette form of this classic MAC concealer,
which I use nearly every single day. Incredible coverage and an even better
shade range. Go MAC!
5. Eye shadow & Brow Powder - Bobbi Brown shadow in bone, saddle,
mahogany
This small
palette was a 500 point perk from Sephora, which includes 4 of Bobbi Brown's
best eye shadow shades. I love the combination of these neutral matte shadows
since they can create a beautiful smoky look, while also doubling as eyebrow
powder.
6. Pencil Liner - Bourjois effet Métallisé and Liner Clubbing
I love creamy
and richly pigmented eye pencils, but can't justify spending a ton of money on
them. Bourjois is an amazing French "drugstore" makeup brand, which,
so they say, is produced at the same factory as Chanel makeup. These liners are
sold at many Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Canada and are under $20.
7. Makeup Base - DiorSkin Airflash Foundation
Oh what a
beautiful product this is. Dior Airflash aerosol makeup is formulated with a
very fine mother of pearl pigment, best suited for special occasion makeup. I
of course thought this pearl pigment was complete bs.. until I tried it. The
sheen of this product is so unique and definitely pearl-like- Not matte and not
shimmery. Unfortunately, the shade range is quite poor and runs fairly dark. I
apply this foundation with a synthetic foundation brush to achieve the most
natural, lightweight finish. Be sure to shake, spray onto a small bowl, and
then apply. Don’t spray directly onto the skin!
8. Powder - Laura Mercier Mineral Powder
Mineral powders
are so versatile since they can be used as a setting powder, or buffed into the
skin as a full on foundation. Laura Mercier's mineral powder has a gorgeous,
glowy finish and looks very natural on the skin. She also has a translucent
setting powder, which is even better for setting a more full coverage
foundation.
9. Mascara - Dior Diorshow
I honestly hate
expensive mascara. I've read that even the best makeup artists in the world
swear by the classics, like Covergirl LashBlast. That being said, I only use
sample sized high-end mascaras and have gone through a few Diorshow's over the
years. It is a wonderful mascara and won’t let you down if you’re looking for
added volume and length.
10. Lip Product - Clinique Chubby Stick
These Clinique
lip products are veterans in the new “tinted lip balm/stain twist-up crayon
stick” craze. After getting one right after their release in 2011, I was just
waiting for drugstore brands to come up with their own rendition. Sure enough,
Revlon has now taken the lead in producing these fun, twist up jumbo crayon
balms. It now seems like every single makeup brand is also hopping on the
tinted balm bandwagon. I will stay true to my roots, and say that the Clinique
formula is more comfortable on the lips and has a more classic colour range.
* Bonus: Nars Blush in Orgasm
This blush deserves an honourable mention since it's the
ultimate superstar in high-end makeup. Although I wouldn't say it's completely
worth the hefty price tag, the unique sheen and of this powder is absolutely
stunning on all skin tones.
When I'm in the market for a new makeup product, I don't immediately resort to searching through Sephora. Department store brands
are not always better quality than cheaper drugstore options, so try to avoid
getting suckered into the claims. For those interested in my lower-end
faves, see my top 10 drugstore makeup products, here.
Keep smiling :)
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