Beautifully Boring: Fifteen Luxury Makeup Products I Swear By
The list of luxury beauty that's worth the price (and the hype).
Welcome to the latest installment of Beautifully Boring, a conversation devoted to navigating all things beauty, makeup and other cosmetic endeavors. To say that I love luxury beauty products would be the understatement of the year, and I’ve tried just about everything in my quest to find the best of the best. Not only does a luxury product have to feel luxurious to interact with but it also has to be versatile and nuanced, perform under pressure (read: sometimes I actually need my makeup to look good for twenty-four hours) and basically apply itself. So if you’ve found yourself wondering if a certain $150 foundation is too good to be true (I don’t think it’s worth it), or if you should finally buy that powder that once fueled 99.9% of your social media feed (it’s amazing) or if you just don’t get the hype around that one brand with the eyeshadows — this post (and really this newsletter) is for you. And while everyone’s definition of “luxury” is different, I think we can all agree that luxury beauty has to make you look and feel your best. Today’s post is all about fifteen of my absolute favorite luxury makeup products — the ones I reach for the most, likely already have a backup of, would toss into my cat’s carrier on my way out if the building were on fire and that truly make me feel like a Disney princess meets Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy meets Zendaya. You can find every installment of Beautifully Boring here. Let’s dive in.
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The Luxe List
1. Victoria Beckham Beauty · Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer: A glowy primer is a nonnegotiable step in my makeup routine and this primer (specifically in the shade Golden) from Victoria Beckham Beauty is truly in a league of its own. It’s my holiest of holy grails and that I’ve used for years. And while I’ve spent that time searching far and wide for a ‘dupe’ at any price point, one simply does not exist. This primer is my secret to achieving an effortless, highly coveted, lit from within ethereal glow that actually looks natural — while also keeping skin hydrated. It has the rare ability to elevate my makeup and makes whatever foundation I’m wearing look noticeably better than it should. While some glowy products end up highlighting texture you didn’t even know you had, this is so beautifully blurring it should win a lifetime achievement award. The shade Golden adds a kiss of subtle warmth that makes my otherwise gaunt complexion look healthy, alive and naturally radiant. On days when I’m not wearing any makeup, one pump of this makes me feel endlessly more confident and frankly, that alone is worth every penny.
2. Dior · Forever Skin Glow Hydrating Foundation: Look, I know. You sat through months of me ranting and raving about the foundation and it didn’t even make this list. But before you write me off as an unreliable narrator, please note that I really hemmed and hawed over this one. Ask me again in a few months but for now, my pick is the foundation I’m (most likely) wearing on my wedding day. In case you’re new here, my skin is akin to an arid climate and is far more dry than that person you follow who claims to have “really dry skin.” Even with an exhaustive skin prep regimen (see my Instagram Stories) and my holy grail primer (see above), most foundations are doomed from the start and will inevitably make my skin look like a dry, crusty sponge within minutes. But Dior’s Forever Skin Glow Hydrating Foundation feels like it has all of the best qualities of my other favorite foundations all in one. It’s also one of the most reliable foundations I’ve ever used. No matter how many layers of powder, cream and more powder I apply on top, it remains wonderfully hydrating and wears well throughout the day — whether I’m running around in the debilitating heat and relentless humidity that suffocates the swamp or cooped up in the bizarre climate of my office building. It’s beautifully blurring and perfecting, blends without any effort, refuses to get cakey, never looks overdone and basically applies itself. I tend to haphazardly apply two pumps for medium coverage or one pump for a sheered out “no makeup makeup” look. I wear shade 0N.
3. Tom Ford · Traceless Soft Matte Concealer: As a night owl with clinically diagnosed insomnia, an extremely demanding (and unpredictable) schedule and the world record holder for the driest under eyes, I need a concealer that can perform miracles. Over the years and after much trial and error, a handful of concealers have become absolute must haves (and I’ve gone on and on about them in other posts) but my favorite is the Traceless Soft Matte Concealer from Tom Ford. It’s one of the very few stick concealers I’ve ever gotten along with and it’s absolutely perfect for travel, on the go touch ups and everything in-between. This concealer works remarkably well under my eyes, as an all over base in a pinch, on hard to hide spots and can be built up for more coverage that lasts. It never looks dry or cakey and it gets along well with everything, feels hydrating, blends seamlessly and looks like skin — so much so that I sometimes forget to blend. It’s easily the most versatile concealer I own and while I thought it would be another “meh” concealer to add to my collection, it’s stunning. Truly. I’ve always been creamy concealer person and really didn’t want to fall in love with this; however, if anything on this list is worth its weight in gold, it’s this product. Promise. I wear shade 0N0 Blanc.
4. Givenchy · Prisme Libre Finishing & Setting Powder: After listening to everyone rant and rave about this powder, I reluctantly decided to give it a go and was probably one of the last people on the internet to do so. And while I was initially unimpressed, it didn’t take long for me to fall madly in love with this (somewhat messy) powder. It’s the only powder in my crowded collection that’s a true setting powder — meaning that it really will keep things intact and in place for several hours no matter the exacerbating heat and humidity. And as someone who has exclusively used “translucent” or “fair” powders my entire life, I cannot overstate the enormity of the following words: I actually really like the pink. In my experience, the chorus of pinky hues fuse together flawlessly to add an incredibly subtle yet meaningful touch of life to my face that is desperately needed at all times. I try to apply the smallest amount whenever I use this (I press my brush into my hand to get most of the powder off) and it’s never once gotten cakey — even when I accidentally apply way too much. It really does blur better than any other setting or finishing powder I have. Plus, this works surprisingly well under my eyes! Givenchy’s Prisme Libre Finishing & Setting Powder has become my must have powder, and I even have a mini for travel. It’s utterly perfect in every way. I wear the shade 03 Voile Rose.
5. Hermès · Plein Air H Trio Healthy Glow Mineral Powder: While most bronzers are far too saturated or lean too orange (or red) for my very fair and desaturated complexion, the Hermès Plein Air H Trio Healthy Glow Mineral Powder is one of the very few that truly looks at home on my face. Though it’s described as a bronzing powder, I like to think of it as an all over skin enhancer that’s both a subtle bronzer and an everywhere you want to use it blurring powder. The finely-milled enhancer is comprised of an intricate gradient of nuanced iridescent and matte shades that work in harmony as an effortless, barely there, natural kiss of warmth on my skin. The faint differences in the shades and finishes create a beautiful depth that’s impossible to capture in a swatch but is undeniably breathtaking and utterly unique to Hermès. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this powder always saves my makeup when I can’t be bothered to blend or color in the lines. While it’s pricy (even for luxury), it’s worth every penny in my book. I wear the shade 01 Tottori.
6. Victoria Beckham Beauty · Matte Bronzing Brick: When I think about the products in my makeup collection that I reach for the most, this bronzer / contour duo always tops the list. Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Matte Bronzing Brick is one of the few products that’s so life-changing it deserves its own national holiday. While most two-in-one products feel like they’re trying to do too much and ultimately fall flat, this product is a masterclass in how to do it right. Both shades in the Matte Bronzing Brick are expertly refined and able to hold their own, blend together seamlessly and make it easy to sculpt and define your natural contours. The soft powder blurs while still allowing your skin to look like skin and never looks patchy. In my experience, it’s easy to blend the shades together to craft the perfect shade for your skin throughout the year — particularly as the warmth of summer gives way to cooler makeup looks in the winter months. But it’s not just the powders. It’s also the elegant, polished and remarkably durable tortoise shell compact that weighs more than anything else in my collection and stands out on my vanity. Like so mosts products from Victoria Beckham Beauty, the compact looks like a work of art and was made with the user experience in mind. Because if you’re going to interact with a product everyday, you should enjoy every indulgent moment. I wear the shade 01.
7. Chantecaille · Eye Brightening Kajal: As I mentioned above, I could really use more sleep and I’m always exhausted. Still, I never want to look like I just stayed up all night (or for several nights in a row) and Chantecaille’s Eye Brightening Kajal has become my secret to appearing well-rested and alive. I’ve tested dozens of eye brightening pencils over the years and so many of them are too white and/or are oddly glittery; however, Chantecaille’s is slightly muted by comparison and doesn’t have any shimmer — allowing for a more natural and subtle brightening effect. And while Chantecaille makes many of my absolute favorite skincare and makeup products, the Eye Brightening Kajal earned a highly coveted spot on my list for a reason — it’s just that good. Sure, it’s one of their most overlooked and underrated products but I can’t recommend it enough, especially if you want to fake eight hours of sleep after a long night of reorganizing your sock drawer, researching jade objects from China’s Neolithic period, watching every episode of season one of True Detective, lost in a Pinterest rabbit hole, lost in another rabbit hole or stealing the Declaration of Independence.
8. Chanel · Stylo Ombre et Contour: I’ve spent a somewhat ridiculous amount of time and money on a quest to find what I believe to be the very best eyeshadow sticks — ones with the most nuanced shades, that apply themselves and stay put all day long. And I’ll be the first to admit that there are several different formulas I’ve fallen in love with along the way but Chanel’s Stylo Ombre et Contour easily bests them all. It’s the most versatile shadow stick in my collection and it was designed to work as an eyeshadow, eyeliner and crayon. It blends and builds like a dream, and can be worn on its own or with all the other eyeshadows you decide to throw on that day. And it wears beautifully throughout the day, which is particularly impressive given that nearly every eyeshadow creases and disappears on me in a matter of minutes despite my best efforts (and eyeshadow primer). And while the shade 12 Contour Clair may look like just another brown shadow, it’s exquisitely nuanced in person. This specific shade manages to effortlessly elevate even the most simple eyeshadow look (read: like when I do my makeup in twenty seconds) and is truly in a league of its own. You can apply as much or as little as you want — as an eyeliner and/or an eyeshadow — and know that it will look just right each and every time.
9. Surratt · Artistique Eyeshadow Custom Palette · save w/ myskinterest15: I really don’t say this lightly — Surratt’s Artistique Eyeshadow formula is truly unlike any other and whether you’re a beauty aficionado or can’t blend to save your life, you will love their eyeshadows. Both the shimmer and the matte shadows feel as if they were masterfully crafted from fine silk and each shade is indulgent, alluring and impossible to pinpoint. Which is to say, their shadows aren’t just a singular color but a kaleidoscope of dimension, pigment and shimmer that adds remarkable depth to any look with just one swipe. And while the mattes deserve their own chapter in history, the shimmers are unexpectedly understated, elegant and playful. Though I highly recommend Surratt’s Beyond Beige palette for the versatile, polished everyday eyeshadow quad, I’m partial to my custom palette — which includes two of shades from Beyond Beige. My curated palette features: Cuivre (Satin Shimmer Copper), Griege (Matte Grey Taupe), Zibeline (Satin Shimmer Shimmering Taupe) and Ombre (Matte Warm Deep Beige). Though I wasn’t looking to make my own palette, Ombre changed everything for me the moment I swatched it in a Blue Mercury. It’s my perfect eyeshadow and together, these shades are really all I need for any occasion. Few products are really worth the splurge like Surratt’s shadows. — save w/ myskinterest15
Pro Tip: Surratt’s eyeshadows always go in and out of stock. If you want to curate your own palette, buy whatever shades you love that are in stock and fill the palette with the rest as the become available.
10. Tom Ford · Eye Color Quad Eyeshadow Palette: Few luxury beauty products are more controversial than a Tom Ford eyeshadow quad — you either love them, hate them or have never tried one and have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about. Generally speaking, one of the most prominent criticisms of Tom Ford’s eyeshadow palettes that I hear is that the shadows aren’t pigmented enough to justify the (admittedly steep) price tag. However, I absolutely adore Tom Ford eyeshadow palettes, and my favorite is Nude Dip. This particular palette is comprised of an enchanting constellation of cool and neutral shimmers that dance across your eyelids whenever the light strikes. The color story told by the four shimmering shades is gripping, polished, captivating and edgy (I know, I’m literally the opposite of edgy), and each shade is pigmented just enough to make an impact without swallowing you (or your eye look) whole. I constantly reach for this palette when I want to add a whisper of shimmer to an otherwise matte eyeshadow look that’s still appropriate for a work meeting or layer on a touch more for an evening on the town. Of course, no swatch will every really do any product justice — particularly Nude Dip — because you can’t see how the shadows interact with others or appear on your lids but if I lost all of my eyeshadows, this is the only all shimmer palette I would buy. And while I also really love other quads from Tom Ford, there’s just something about Nude Dip that’s uniquely special and truly alluring.
11. Byredo · Kajal Pencil: In a world of remarkably underwhelming brown eyeliners that are all the wrong shade of brown and seem to be formulated by someone who has never actually used eyeliner, Byredo’s jumbo eye pencil is a revelation. But even against the backdrop of the handful of brown eyeliners in my collection that I love and rely on, Byredo’s Kajal Pencil in the shade Bhoora Bhoora is easily my favorite. Sure, it doesn’t look like your typical eyeliner and the mere thought of an eyeliner that isn’t freshly sharpened may be enough to put you over the edge. However, this eyeliner is one of the many hills I’m willing to die on because, frankly, it’s the best eyeliner I’ve ever used. I even prefer the jumbo pencil size and shape to a traditional eyeliner — for me it’s actually easier to apply. While most eyeliners are too creamy or too dry (or somehow both at the same time), Byredo’s exists in an enchanting sweet spot and manages to be just right in every way. Bhoora Bhoora is nuanced brown that doesn’t pull warm or red, it’s not muted or flat — it’s something you have to interact with in person to really appreciate. The formula is delightfully pigmented and easy to glide on, smudge and diffuse. And it lasts! It’s my best kept secret to making my lash line look fuller or more dense on “no makeup makeup” days and it truly brings me so much joy to use. But most of all, I feel like the size and shape of this eye pencil gave me the freedom to embrace the imperfect, smoky and diffused eyeliner look that I love but wasn’t sure how to do. Of course, there’s a time and a place for a crisp, thin line of eyeliner but frankly, that time and place isn’t somewhere I plan to be.
12. Surratt · Noir Lash Tint · save w/ myskinterest15: There’s a million reasons to love Surratt’s constantly sold out mascara, the Noir Lash Tint. Simply put, it’s not your traditional mascara. While every other mascara in my collection has bristles of some sort, Surratt’s Noir Lash Tint has a thin, slightly ribbed metal wand that almost looks like a screw but less scary (and is a design more common among Asian beauty brands). The metal wand perfectly separates and applies weightless coats of mascara on each lash without any clumps, helping to enhance, darken and define your lashes for a more natural, “no makeup makeup” look. While I am someone who lives for lashes with volume, this makes my lashes look fluttery and angelic in a way that no other mascara ever has. And because the wand is able to apply the mascara in truly weightless coats, even the most stubborn lashes will be able to hold a curl. Whenever I wear this to work, an event or drinks with friends, I inevitably get asked over and over if I just got a lash lift and tint. Although it’s not described as a tubing or water-proof mascara, this lasts on me all day. It’s magical and while I know I’ve already said this once or twice — trust me, you absolutely need to try this product. It’s out of stock (of course) but you can add yourself to the waitlist! — save w/ myskinterest15
13. Surratt · Relevée Eyelash Curler · save w/ myskinterest15: While I recently received and invested in better makeup brushes, I do most of my makeup with a sponge I bought off of Amazon. And frankly, expensive tools are largely lost on me because I have the makeup application skills of a squirrel. However, there is truly not a day that goes by that I don’t use my beloved Relevée Eyelash Curler from Surratt. And I know it may sound dramatic to say that an eyelash curler changed my life but honestly, Surratt’s eyelash curler changed my life. To just be blunt, I’m absolutely obsessed with my eyelashes. And while I’m far too afraid to do a lash lift, tint or get extensions, it’s incredibly important to me that my eyelashes look long, full and fluttery. I’m so obsessed that I once used an eyelash serum that I was very allergic to for several years because it made my lashes look fake in the best ways (read: Disney princess). Though I’ve tried countless eyelash curlers over the years, nothing has ever lifted and curled my lashes this one. Some lash curlers do nothing, others can make it look like you used an iron to curl them at a ninety degree angle and some can even damage your lashes. But Surratt’s is perfect. Not only does Surratt’s lash curler look and feel luxurious but I can personally attest to its durability after spending the last two years throwing it in bag after bag. As someone who used to lose my lash curler every other week and have to buy yet another, the sheer amount of time I’ve had this one should tell you all you need to know. If I had to play favorites, the Relevée Eyelash Curler would be my favorite product on this entire list. — save w/ myskinterest15
14. Sisley · Phyto-Lip Twist Balm: Generally speaking, I’m less likely to use a product if I don’t like the packaging and I’m certainly unlikely to spend months searching for one specific shade in said product. But as they say, every rule has an exception and the Phyto-Lip Twist Balm from Sisley is mine. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I think of this product as the Eighth Wonders of the World. And after spending months venturing to different Blue Mercury locations in my area and religiously checking online at Blue Mercury and other major retailers countless times a day — the Phyto-Lip Twist Balms started to actually feel like a hidden wonder. But I finally got the shade that was the end of an era and the start of an age — shade 24 Rosy Nude — and collected several others along the way, including 1 Nude, 11 Litchi and 15 Nut (which are all in stock here). On me, 1 Nude is almost a desaturated and mauve with a touch of plum (and shimmer). Meanwhile, 11 Litchi is a total crowd-pleaser (read: the perfect peachy pink) and 15 Nut is more decidedly red than the others but still lands somewhere in the magical in-between of balmy pinky reds that look different on everyone. And 24 Rosy Nude is essentially a combination of every perfect pinky hue all in one (and it looks amazing on literally everyone). The formula isn’t sticky at all (no, really) and the shine of a gloss, the color of a stick and the comfort of a balm. I know, I know — it sounds too good to be true. It’s not. And while I don’t live for the packaging, I do love that it’s not one of those click up glossy balms and allows you to twist up or down the product with ease. I can’t say the photo below truly captures how stunning each shade is but I can say that you won’t regret buying any of them.
15. Fara Homidi · Smudge & Contour Lip Pencil: In recent years, I’ve tested close to one hundred different lip liners in a somewhat desperate search for one that perfectly matches the color of my lips and enhances them without lip filler. However, my lips are like the Bermuda Triangle, which is to say that they defy color theory and modern science — making my quest for the made-for-me lip liner all but impossible. Generally speaking, the large majority of lip liners I’ve tried ultimately fall short because: [1] the shade is astonishingly awful on me to an extreme that would be comical if I hadn’t spent money on it; [2] the formula lasts all of fifteen minutes on my lips and is either painfully dry or bizarrely creamy; and [3] a baffling combination of all of the worst case scenarios. However, Fara Homidi’s Smudge & Contour Lip Pencil — specifically in the shade Doux — is an absolute triumph. Not only is Doux my ideal shade of cool pink but the formula is truly the perfect density and it lasts longer than any other lip liner I’ve ever tried. The pencil itself is a beautiful robin's-egg blue hue and comes with a matching metal sharpener, making it easy to find at the bottom of your bag or in the abyss where you keep all your lip liners and other tiny beauty items (we’ve all been there). I haven’t reached for or thought about any other lip liners since purchasing the Smudge & Contour Lip Pencil, and I really need a lifetime supply. I realize I’m not doing this product justice here but that’s largely because it’s more captivating, effective, unique, effortless and exquisite than words can convey. And whether Doux is the color for you or not, you really should buy whatever shade looks best for you. I wear shade Doux.
Tell Me More
Naturally, you’ve already started to create your own list of your luxury must haves in your head (unless our brains are entirely different). And I want to hear about it all in the comments!
So tell me, which ones made the cut?
What luxury makeup products are you most likely to splurge on?
Do we have any of the same favorites?
Would you be interested in seeing more lists like this from me? If so, what would you want them to focus on?
Until next time, follow along on Instagram and browse all of my favorite things. myMusings is a labor of love but it is labor. Don’t forget to click the 🤍 button before you go! Thank you for being here. Talk soon.
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I have the vbb golden moisturizer and everytime i remember it i end up not using it because i am never sure if i should be using it under or over sunscreen. I’d think moisturizer means it should go on before spf, but when i put my spf on it it just becomes… muddy? How do you use it?