6 Investment Beauty Products That Are Worth the Splurge
For beauty geeks, the struggle is real when it comes to shopping for beauty products with a heavier price tag. On one hand, you want to treat yourself, while on the other, with a one year (or less) expiration date on many of the products, sometimes you just don’t think it’s worth breaking the piggy bank. So what’s a beauty loving gal gotta do? Trust the experts, of course. Luckily, we’ve got just the right people help you out. To give you a little guidance on what beauty products are actually worth the splurge, we asked our Beauty Panel to weigh in. From a customizable (and organic) lipstick to an anti-aging saviour, see six tried-and-true beauty products you need to add to your shopping basket, stat.
Challenge 129: What is one beauty product that is worth the investment? See the answers now! »
Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.
Stephanie Lau
Toronto | Fun Size Beauty
The perfect lipstick is worth the investment. I’m talking perfect colour, perfect formulation and perfect packaging. You’ll know it when you pick it up and swipe it on your lips. It’s a lipstick that you can wear for any and all occasions.
My perfect lipstick is one that I customized at the Bite Beauty Lip Lab. Made in Toronto, Bite Beauty is formulated with food-grade ingredients (it’s so good that you could eat it!). The Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick formulation ($55 for one lipstick or $80 for two) is my all time favourite. It has a slightly shiny finish and feels like butter on the lips. In terms of colour, it’s a warm, muted berry that’s slightly deeper than my natural lip colour. It smells like citrus and mango and lime, a combo that I picked out myself. Every time I put it on I feel like a million bucks. And why not spend a million bucks on a lipstick that will make you feel like a million bucks too?
Colleen Conroy
Vancouver | Blush Rouge
If you are trying to figure out you can save a little money in your beauty routine, and where you should shell out a little more, my honest opinion is to splurge on skincare. Your skin is the base for all makeup, and if you’re taking great care of it you will be glowing no matter what. My suggestion is to go with quality organic choices. Your skin soaks up so much, so why not feed it beautiful, organic products. My go to? Éminence Handmade Organic Skin Care. My absolute favorite product right now is the Rosehip Triple C + E Firming Oil. It makes my skin so unbelievably smooth and I can feel it counteracting any signs of aging by its ability to increase collagen production, reduce inflammation, and soothe the skin. A great way to get the best bang for your buck with more expensive skincare is to take advantage of holiday packages. We are coming into that time of the year, and there are some gorgeous gift sets available (such as this one – the Oils & Serums Signature Series Discovery Set retailing for only $95). Added bonus: You can keep the mini bottles and refill them later so you have small ones to travel with!
Products used: Éminence Oils & Serums Signature Series Discovery Set including: Rosehip Triple C + E Firming Oil, Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Serum, Facial Recovery Oil, Stone Crop Serum, Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum.
Shayna Wiwierski
Winnipeg | A Pop of Colour
Being a beauty blogger, I get to try out so many different products ¬– some high end and some drugstore. Since my collection is quite vast, very rarely do I come across a product where I need to repurchase it when I run out. In fact, I think I can only think of a handful of items.
There was so much hype over the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders when they first came out, and being like any makeup aficionado, I just had to try one. For $55, these powders don’t come cheap, but they are aimed to recreate flattering light. I have the one in “Dim Light” and although I don’t think my face looks quite like how it could look in dim light, the powder does look like you have a slight tan and really does blur away any imperfections. I was skeptical about these at first, but then once I got around to trying them, I fell in love. So much so, that I always need to have this powder in my makeup collection, regardless of the price tag.
Products used: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Dim Light”
Shawna Friedberg
Toronto | Spill the Beauty
One beauty product that I think is worth the investment is definitely highlighter. The highlighting trend has been everywhere lately, and I’m all about it.
I’m someone who doesn’t like to spend too much on beauty products, so choosing to pay full price for my first highlighter (Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed “Champagne Pop”) was a tough decision. Spending $53 on a single beauty product is a tough pill to swallow, but the second I started using the highlighter; any price issue was immediately forgiven. Not only did the highlighter look beautiful, but the smallest bit went a long way.
Even though the product can sometimes come with a steep price tag, a product like a single Becca highlighter can easily last me for a while. Fast forward a year later, and I have told myself that I’m not allowed to buy anymore highlighters, as I’ll never use up my collection during this lifetime.
Products used: Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed “Champagne Pop”
Maria Aguilar
Toronto | Beauty and a Bite
The answer is a really good red lip. It’s classic, works with all seasons and is universally flattering. You can wear a red lip by itself or with a smoky eye – it’s super versatile and always leaves an impression. I am a believer than anyone and everyone can rock a red lip – you just have to try it and choose the right shade. I recently tried the new Rouge Dior in the iconic 999 Matte shade and I am in love. Not only is the new formula ridiculously hydrating and long lasting, this shade of red is perfect and works with all skin tones. The packaging is also beautiful and has a snap-on lid. But with a price point of $43, it’s definitely an investment that’s well worth it!
Marilou Moles
Ottawa | Twenty York Street
As much as I love make-up, I’m obsessed with skincare. I believe, like an artist, one needs a clean canvass to create beautiful art. Though I don’t have wrinkles (yet!), I’m hoping they never come so I’m keen on preventive measures. One product that is worth the investment is the Estée Lauder Global Anti-Aging Revitalizing Supreme + Power Crème.
I stress out a lot and with my five jobs, I’m almost out every night therefore lacking some much-needed sleep. The Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Serum ($360) along with the Estée Lauder Global Anti-Aging Revitalizing Supreme + Power Crème ($94), which features an exclusive Moringa extract that supports skin’s natural activation of a protein to help “turn on” multiple anti-aging and anti-oxidant benefits. Not to get all scientific but this product simply is a big help for my skin to recover quickly from the visible effects of daily stress and fatigue. I’ve noticed an improvement on my skin’s visible firmness, density and elasticity. Upon application, your skin looks and feels instantly nourished. Over time, I hope to have a skin with no signs of aging but rather, one that glows with radiant vitality.
Products used: Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Serum and Estée Lauder Global Anti-Aging Revitalizing Supreme + Power Crème.
 expiration date on many of the products, sometimes you just don't think it's worth breaking the piggy bank. So what's a beauty loving gal gotta do? Trust the experts, of course. Luckily, we've got just the right people help you out. To give you a little guidance on what beauty products are actually worth the splurge, we asked our Beauty Panel to weigh in. From a customizable (and organic) lipstick to an anti-aging saviour, see six tried-and-true beauty products you need to add to your shopping basket, stat.
Challenge 129: What is one beauty product that is worth the investment? See the answers now! »
Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at beautypanel@fashionmagazine.com. Read on for the answers to this week's challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.
Stephanie Lau
Toronto | Fun Size Beauty
The perfect lipstick is worth the investment. I'm talking perfect colour, perfect formulation and perfect packaging. You'll know it when you pick it up and swipe it on your lips. It's a lipstick that you can wear for any and all occasions.
My perfect lipstick is one that I customized at the Bite Beauty Lip Lab. Made in Toronto, Bite Beauty is formulated with food-grade ingredients (it's so good that you could eat it!). The Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick formulation ($55 for one lipstick or $80 for two) is my all time favourite. It has a slightly shiny finish and feels like butter on the lips. In terms of colour, it's a warm, muted berry that's slightly deeper than my natural lip colour. It smells like citrus and mango and lime, a combo that I picked out myself. Every time I put it on I feel like a million bucks. And why not spend a million bucks on a lipstick that will make you feel like a million bucks too?
Colleen Conroy
Vancouver | Blush Rouge
If you are trying to figure out you can save a little money in your beauty routine, and where you should shell out a little more, my honest opinion is to splurge on skincare. Your skin is the base for all makeup, and if you’re taking great care of it you will be glowing no matter what. My suggestion is to go with quality organic choices. Your skin soaks up so much, so why not feed it beautiful, organic products. My go to? Éminence Handmade Organic Skin Care. My absolute favorite product right now is the Rosehip Triple C + E Firming Oil. It makes my skin so unbelievably smooth and I can feel it counteracting any signs of aging by its ability to increase collagen production, reduce inflammation, and soothe the skin. A great way to get the best bang for your buck with more expensive skincare is to take advantage of holiday packages. We are coming into that time of the year, and there are some gorgeous gift sets available (such as this one - the Oils & Serums Signature Series Discovery Set retailing for only $95). Added bonus: You can keep the mini bottles and refill them later so you have small ones to travel with!
Products used: Éminence Oils & Serums Signature Series Discovery Set including: Rosehip Triple C + E Firming Oil, Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Serum, Facial Recovery Oil, Stone Crop Serum, Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum.
Shayna Wiwierski
Winnipeg | A Pop of Colour
Being a beauty blogger, I get to try out so many different products ¬– some high end and some drugstore. Since my collection is quite vast, very rarely do I come across a product where I need to repurchase it when I run out. In fact, I think I can only think of a handful of items.
There was so much hype over the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders when they first came out, and being like any makeup aficionado, I just had to try one. For $55, these powders don’t come cheap, but they are aimed to recreate flattering light. I have the one in “Dim Light” and although I don’t think my face looks quite like how it could look in dim light, the powder does look like you have a slight tan and really does blur away any imperfections. I was skeptical about these at first, but then once I got around to trying them, I fell in love. So much so, that I always need to have this powder in my makeup collection, regardless of the price tag.
Products used: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Dim Light”
Shawna Friedberg
Toronto | Spill the Beauty
One beauty product that I think is worth the investment is definitely highlighter. The highlighting trend has been everywhere lately, and I'm all about it.
I'm someone who doesn't like to spend too much on beauty products, so choosing to pay full price for my first highlighter (Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed "Champagne Pop") was a tough decision. Spending $53 on a single beauty product is a tough pill to swallow, but the second I started using the highlighter; any price issue was immediately forgiven. Not only did the highlighter look beautiful, but the smallest bit went a long way.
Even though the product can sometimes come with a steep price tag, a product like a single Becca highlighter can easily last me for a while. Fast forward a year later, and I have told myself that I'm not allowed to buy anymore highlighters, as I'll never use up my collection during this lifetime.
Products used: Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed "Champagne Pop"
Maria Aguilar
Toronto | Beauty and a Bite
The answer is a really good red lip. It’s classic, works with all seasons and is universally flattering. You can wear a red lip by itself or with a smoky eye - it's super versatile and always leaves an impression. I am a believer than anyone and everyone can rock a red lip - you just have to try it and choose the right shade. I recently tried the new Rouge Dior in the iconic 999 Matte shade and I am in love. Not only is the new formula ridiculously hydrating and long lasting, this shade of red is perfect and works with all skin tones. The packaging is also beautiful and has a snap-on lid. But with a price point of $43, it's definitely an investment that's well worth it!
Marilou Moles
Ottawa | Twenty York Street
As much as I love make-up, I’m obsessed with skincare. I believe, like an artist, one needs a clean canvass to create beautiful art. Though I don’t have wrinkles (yet!), I’m hoping they never come so I’m keen on preventive measures. One product that is worth the investment is the Estée Lauder Global Anti-Aging Revitalizing Supreme + Power Crème.
I stress out a lot and with my five jobs, I’m almost out every night therefore lacking some much-needed sleep. The Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Serum ($360) along with the Estée Lauder Global Anti-Aging Revitalizing Supreme + Power Crème ($94), which features an exclusive Moringa extract that supports skin’s natural activation of a protein to help “turn on” multiple anti-aging and anti-oxidant benefits. Not to get all scientific but this product simply is a big help for my skin to recover quickly from the visible effects of daily stress and fatigue. I’ve noticed an improvement on my skin’s visible firmness, density and elasticity. Upon application, your skin looks and feels instantly nourished. Over time, I hope to have a skin with no signs of aging but rather, one that glows with radiant vitality.
Products used: Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Serum and Estée Lauder Global Anti-Aging Revitalizing Supreme + Power Crème.){kind=link}