Best in Beauty: My Top 5 Favorite High-End Makeup Finds
Hey, pretty girls! Last week I posted about my top 5 favorite drugstore makeup finds, but this week we are taking our (hopefully) filled wallets from either working over winter break, gift exchanges, or generous family gift money, and are branching out into the unknown lands known as Sephora, Ulta, and MAC.
Though it’s smart and fabulous to get makeup from the drugstore, it’s also really fun to pick up the occasional high-end product to compare the quality and treat yourself! So, as a slight continuation of my post from last week, today I’m going to share with you a list of my top 5 high-end makeup products.
1. Urban Decay Naked Palette
Urban Decay Naked Palette – $50.00 at Ulta
By now, you’ve probably heard all about it, but just in case you haven’t, let me reiterate: This palette is seriously amazing. If you’re going to spend $50 on eyeshadow, don’t buy single shadows – just get this palette! I have had it for about 2 years now and I still have a ton of product left- so it’s a great investment.
I’ve always been a huge Urban Decay fan – their eyeshadows are some of the most pigmented I’ve tried, and this palette has all of their best shades. Not only are the colors extremely pigmented and easy to apply, the shades are very natural-looking and can be used on an everyday basis. My favorite color in this palette is the second one from the left, called Sin – it’s so beautiful when it catches the light!
2. MAC Lipsticks
Lipstick – $15.00 at MAC
MAC has the best lipsticks I’ve tried to date! With over 50 (seems like 1,000) shades to choose from, I’m sure you wont have any trouble finding one that will complement your complexion!
The shade I have here is called Angel (a.k.a, Kim Kardashian‘s fave!). It is a pinky-nude color that looks beautiful on everyone.
What I love most about MAC lipsticks is that they don’t dry out and make your lips looked chapped, unlike most lipsticks I’ve tried. Instead, they moisturize your lips while also adding beautifully pigmented color! I have about 7 MAC lipsticks in my collection, and it’s still growing – I’m a little obsessed!
3. Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Benefit Hoola Bronzer – $28.00 at Sephora
I’m not one to wear bronzer on a day-to-day basis because I’m pretty pale and have naturally red cheeks, but when I do want a nice sun-kissed glow, I always reach for my Benefit Boxed Powder in Hoola.
This bronzer (which is one of our favorite bronzers ever here at CF) is fabulous for everyone because it looks good on almost all skintones! It’s extremely pigmented but blends very easily, so no worries if you accidentally apply too much and show some signs of looking like Snookie – that happens to me all the time. With a few strokes of your brush, it’ll blend in a flash and you’ll be left with a gorgeous golden glow!
4. Bare Minerals Well-Rested
BareMinerals Well-Rested – $18.00 at Ulta
Like most college students, I don’t get much sleep at night – with countless hours of homework and reading assignments, I’m always up late, meaning I usually arise to find beautiful under-eye circles. What do I use to get rid of them? My BareMinerals Well-Rested powder.
Let me just say, this stuff is incredible. You simply apply this powder (I usually use a small blush brush) anywhere that needs brightening and BAM! - you instantly look 10 times more awake! I use this powder to set the Maybelline concealer that I apply under my eyes to completely eradicate those dark blue circles.
5. Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream – $39.00 at Sephora
If you want flawless skin and aren’t afraid of prices, seriously, look no further – Smashbox’s Camera Ready BB Cream (click here for a primer on what BB creams are) is absolutely fantastic. The coverage is medium-to-full and it honestly feels like you’re not wearing anything. Perfect, right?
Not only does the Camera Ready BB Cream cover any and all imperfections also boasts an SPF of 35 – so it not only makes your skin look flawless, but it protects it from the sun, too. This is pretty much the perfect product.
What are your high-end favorites?
Now, of course, you can still stick to your drugstore faves! I’m not telling you that you have to shop for high-end products, but it is fun to treat yourself every once in a while.
I’m really interested to hear what your favorite splurge items are! So, if you were given, hmm, let’s say $200, what 5 high-end products would you purchase? Let me know in the comments below!
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Posted on on January 15, 2013 / Filed Under: Beauty & Hair / Tags: beauty and hair, Cosmetics, high-end, MAC, Makeup, Sephora, Ulta
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leigh
I adore Estee Lauder max coverage foundation, it makes my skin look airbrushed! The glossy stains by Yves Saint Laurent look like a lipstick but don’t smear or feather. MAC blacktrack cream eyeliner is amazing. Number four is Diorshow Iconic mascara and he last product I swear by is Urbam Decay Primer Potion.
Ging Stecki
If I was given $200 for beauty products, I would splurge on…
Kate Sommerville Complexion Correction Discoloration Perfector (70)
Clarins Brightening Luxury Set ($91)
and
Bare Minerals Pressed Powder $29
or
T3 Featherweight 2 ($200)
Emily K
NARS bronzer in Laguna (about $32) is the best bronzer I’ve ever used, though I’d try the Benefit Hoola Bronzer!
Jessica
I have sooooo much eye shadow all ready but the Urban Decay palette is still tempting. Can you do a make-up demo using this palette, or post pictures with some different combinations?
Emma - University of Southern California
That seems like a great idea! I’ll see what I can do!
Emma - University of Southern California
I have NARS Laguna bronzer and I actually prefer the Hoola bronzer over it!
Emma - University of Southern California
I have never heard of the T3 Featherweight 2! I’ll have to look it up!
Emma - University of Southern California
Urban Decay Primer Potion is definitely one of my holy grail items!
Kate
the NAKED pallet is the best thing ever! my sister won’t travel anywhere without it
Allie
I agree with Jessica, I also have the Naked palette and would love to see some eye-makeup demos!
kera
I have a sample of Smashbox BB cream and I love. It doesn’t feel like make up yet gives the coverage of make up. Once I run out of my current foundation, I am planning on getting the smashbox BB cream.
Emma - University of Southern California
Kera, you totally should!
Emma - University of Southern California
I totally agree!
Emma - University of Southern California
I’ll definitely look into it!
Leii
Hi Emma! I wanted to know what type of skin the Smash Box BB cream best fits? I am an oily skin type. Also, I live in humid Hawaii and go to school in hot hot AZ, what type of BB creams would best fit these type of weather conditions?
Thanks! (:
Emma - University of Southern California
Hey, Leii!
My younger sister has extremely oily skin and it really worked for her!
I actually just vacationed in Hawaii (I went to Maui for winter break) and I used the Smashbox BB Cream everyday and it worked perfectly! So I think that it will be great for both Hawaii and Arizona!
JJ
My must have splurges:
Nars Orgasm blush
Lancôme Hypnose Star mascara
Urban Decay De-Slick setting spray
Never leave home without these! I used to swear by Diorshow until they changed the formula a couple years ago and it went all clumpy :(
Katie
The BEST concealer for chronic under eye dark circles is Bobbi Brown’s creamy corrector and concealer. It comes in tons of shades, and covers everything! I’ve been using it for years, and it is a miracle product!
Kelsey
I typically don’t splurge on makeup., but in April I tried Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream and it was one of the best investments! The one bottle lasted for months and it works perfectly on my combo skin. I tried a million different drugstore foundations before this, but nothing worked as well or felt light like this.
Emma - University of Southern California
JJ I LOVE Nars Orgasm blush! It’s so pretty!
Emma - University of Southern California
Katie, I have always wanted to try to Bobbi Brown concealer! I’ve heard great things about it!
Emma - University of Southern California
Kelsey, I honestly couldn’t agree more with you!
Megan
Recently I’ve been getting tired of my same old drugstore products and have been thinking of splurging into high-end territory, so this article is perfect! I definitely might have to go for that Urban Decay Palette…
jacquie
bb cream is the best invention ever by the makeup world! i just bought Urban Decay’s bb cream and it is amazing. i also cant live without laura mercier’s cream blush in nude coral. it gives the perfect amount of color without saying “hey everyone i have blush on!”
Katie
jane erydale bb cream :)
Emma - University of Southern California
You definitely should!
Emma - University of Southern California
Wait, Urban Decay has a BB Cream out right now? I have to go get that…
Emma - University of Southern California
I haven’t heard of it before!
pluto
I’m very happy to see the Smashbox BB cream in this mix. Western BB creams are notorious for not living up to their East-Asian counterparts, but I believe this is the best one out there. If you’re on a buget I recommend you haul-tail to your nearest Asian makeup/skincare store for great deals on the real thing…
Emma - University of Southern California
Is there a specific brand you recommend?
Annelis R
OMG!!! I love the Urban Decay Naked palette….butt my other splurges:
Perricone, MD No Foundation Foudation ($55), feels amazing and makes your skin absolutely GLOW, entirely covers your face with just a single pump!!!
Too Faced chocolate soleil bronzer ($29) – BEAUTIFUL, pigmented bronzer, perfect for bronzing. It has actual cocoa powder in it – so you’re basically putting chocolate on your face!!! And what girl doesn’t love chocolate?!
Urban Decay Baked bronzer in Gilded ($26) – this may be more of a guilty pleasure – the reason I love this bronzer is that it has gold flecks in it…so not only does it warm my complexion, it just makes me feel like royalty :)))))
Sephora Smoky Studio eye shadow trio pallete ($34) – this has THE most beautiful collection of colors!!! All amazingly pigmented, and it has a little empty compact in the bottom so you can pop the trios out of the case, put them in the compact, and take them with you!
AND an absolute necessity: Urban Decay All Nighter makeup setting spray ($29) – IT WORKS. Nuff said.
And has anyone tried Stila face primer? I wanna get it!!!
Kate
ELF’s mineral eye brightener is an EXACT dupe of Bare Minerals well rested.
Emma - University of Southern California
Kate- NO WAY?! Really??
Emma - University of Southern California
Annelis- I have tried the spiral-y face primer from Stila (the one that looks like DNA) and I must say it does not work very well! I don’t see a difference when I use it! It’s supposed to be color correcting and it does NOTHING to help take down some of the redness in my cheeks!
Cat
In my opinion, BB creams are a little bit of a gimmick. I’m not a huge fan, BUT I do like them for the purpose of a tinted moisturizer that has SPF. I don’t think any of the new ones are true “beauty balms” that transform skin, but that’s just one way of looking at it. Anyone else think so?