Sorry, But These Bougie Luxe Makeup Products Are 100% Worth the Money
Alisha Bhojwani is a Sydney-based digital strategist and content specialist. When she's not reminding her friends to wear SPF, you can find her drenching her face in Vitamin C and consuming copious amounts of peanut butter. You can find her on Instagram here @alishabhojwani_.
I’m a simple woman to please when it comes to makeup. Bargain or bougie, I don’t have a preference.
As long as there are shades for my skin tone, the products won’t pill and I end up looking dewy AF, I’m sold.
Call me old school, but even though ‘drugstore’ makeup has come a long way, there’s just something about using a luxury makeup product that makes me feel like I have my life together.
Could I afford to only use luxe makeup? Not yet.
But when my editor asked me to create a luxe beauty routine as if money were no object, I immediately hopped onto Adore Beauty and began browsing Giorgio Armani, YSL and Lancôme...
Best Luxury Makeup Products.
@adorebeauty All available at Adore Beauty 🤩 (link in bio) Via @lishyglows ##fyp ##foryou ##bougie ##makeup
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I’ve been road-testing a handful of luxe makeup products for a few weeks now.
Some I wouldn’t repurchase because I already have my budget makeup favourites (I won’t say which products because silence speaks volumes).
But the products I’m about to tell you about - well, I’m almost annoyed by how good they are considering I won’t be able to do my makeup without them now.
Keep scrolling for the luxe makeup products I think are genuinely worth the money, in case you win the lotto or want to treat yourself.
P.S. I apologise to your bank balance in advance.
1. Giorgio Armani Prima Glow-On Moisturising Cream, $158.
What:
A moisturiser that doubles as makeup primer thanks to the infusion of rosewater and hyaluronic acid.
Why it’s so good:
You know that incredible soft skin that only a newborn baby has? Imagine that bottled up into a sleek white jar.
That’s what using the Giorgio Armani glow-on moisturising cream feels like.
Here's an up close look at how this glow cream wears under foundation.
I like to think of myself as someone who is very well-versed when it comes to skincare, so it takes a lot for a product to blow me away.
And let me tell you – this exceeded ALL my expectations. I’m big on skin prep and always pop on a hydrating cream before foundation.
Upon first swipe the texture is squidgy but immediately melts into the skin and feels like pure luxury.
It’s an EXPERIENCE. One that will elevate your base and leave you subtly dewy.
Exhibit A below. Just look at my smile!
It’s filled with the type of joy you get when you find a product that just works.
2. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $105.
What:
A liquid foundation that offers a luminous finish and imparts a ‘lit from within glow’.
This is a cult classic amongst makeup artists and beauty lovers everywhere.
Why it’s so good:
Created by the one and only celeb makeup artist Pat McGrath, the iconic formula hasn’t changed for 15 years.
And after putting it on my face, I can see why.
With 40 shades to choose from, this is the gold standard of foundation in my humble opinion.
From the packaging which is both aesthetic and functional (hello pump technology) to the formula which delivers a silky satin natural finish, this foundation lives up to the hype.
It also has micro fill technology that blurs imperfections and brightens your complexion – both of which I found to be true.
I applied with my fingers (which I NEVER do) and it fused into my skin instantly.
I know it’s $105 but it’s worth every blood penny.
You can learn more about why Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation is one of our best sellers in this YouTube video below.
3. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer, $44.
What:
A high coverage concealer that has a 15-hour wear time and a natural matte finish.
Why it’s so good:
I’ve never been a double wear girl – blame my combination skin but the foundation never sat well on me as a teenager.
As a 30-year-old woman however, this concealer is everything my dark circles needed.
With 23 shades to pick from, it comes in a tube with doe foot applicator. It’s thick but creamy and VERY full coverage.
A little goes a long way and surprisingly, it left me hydrated and concealed, which is rare for a high coverage concealer.
I also noticed that it wore well with minimal creasing and stayed put for over 10 hours.
But don’t take just take my word for it, it has a 4.3-star rating on Adore’s website so you know it must be worth the $44.
4. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat High Cover, $70.
What:
A high-performing concealer that promises to conceal, brighten and leave you glowing with just the click of a button.
Why it’s so good:
If a matte finish concealer isn’t for you, I guarantee this radiant one will be.
I’ve loved this concealer for years. So much so, I used to steal my sister’s every time she bought it then convince her she'd lost it...
Instantly recognisable by its gold pen-like packaging, the true standout of this concealer is its ability to deliver luminosity and coverage with just a few clicks.
I love using this right after double wear in the inner and outer corners of my eyes to give me a slight lift.
Bonus points: It’s easy to blend and didn’t settle into any fine lines.
5. Giorgio Armani Neo Nude A-Blush, $69.
What:
A liquid blush that delivers a healthy flush of colour for that no-makeup makeup look.
Why it’s so good:
I don’t know if this article should be a love letter to Giorgio Armani, but I am genuinely impressed with every single product I’ve gotten my hands on.
The Neo Nude A-Blush is no exception.
The packaging reminds me of a mix between a lipstick and nail polish, and the formula has a watercolour-like finish.
I’m wearing shade 52 in my TikTok video above, and it leaves me glowy with a subtle wash of pink on my cheeks.
With 8 shades to choose from, its versatility and blendability make it a 10/10 for me.
6. Lancôme Grandiose Extreme Mascara, $59.
What:
An ultra-volumising mascara with a fan applicator that promises not only length, but extreme drama.
Why it’s so good:
Look, I’ll be honest with you guys – I’ve been wearing the same $7 drugstore mascara for the last 5 years.
I’ve never REALLY bought into the hype of mascaras being life changing… until now.
I'm calling it: Lancôme truly do the best mascaras.
If you want extreme volume, intense pigment, and all-around GREAT lashes, you need this mascara in your life.
I’ve actually been testing the new Lancome Lash Idole Mascara too - you can see how it works in real time in this Instagram video below.
7. Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color, $58.
What:
A matte lipstick that provides intense pigment and offers 12-hour wear.
Why it’s so good:
Bobbi Brown can do no wrong when it comes to lip products. I’ve got their glosses, satin finishes, and matte finishes all on high rotation.
Considering Christmas is just a few weeks away, I couldn’t go past trying out their Luxe Matte Lip in the shade Red Carpet.
Encased in a heavy gold tube with black writing it, screams luxury.
The formula glides on smooth and doesn’t dry out my lips.
This isn’t your typical matte lipstick – it’s comfortable, easy to apply and the colour payoff is incredible.
If you’re in the market for a true red to get you through all lunches, dinners, and drinks – this is it.
OK, So Is High End Makeup Worth the Money?
Now the real question is… am I converted to luxury makeup?
The answer: Yes. Yes I am.
But because I don’t have a spare $550 on me at any given time, I will happily buy a mix of drugstore and luxury makeup, and mix and match depending on the occasion.
E.g. As I mentioned in my first date makeup routine article, I never wear a luxe foundation like Luminous Silk on a first date.
If you’re able to spend a bit more cash in the name of beauty, I highly recommend you bookmark this article and add everything I’ve suggested to your next Adore Beauty order.
You can find more product reviews and recommendations from Alisha in these articles below...
