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Some luxury makeup products are worth the splurge.
We test a ton of makeup and our main goal is to find the best products for the value and performance. Often times these are found in the prograde beauty category. That being said, there are several luxury makeup brands we love and some of the products are worth the splurge. We know luxury beauty isn’t the most obtainable and, if you’re going to spend over $25 on a lipstick or brow pencil it better be the best you’ve ever used. The makeup products in this article are the best of the best in luxury and, in our opinion, have the performance worth the price tag. Keep scrolling for a full face of luxury makeup!
Note: Our definition of luxury makeup above the average cost with most all products sitting above $30. For example, affordable/value brands are those found at the drugstore, like e.l.f., Morphe, Maybelline. Prograde beauty includes brands like Kosas, NARS, Fenty, Urban Decay, Lancome. Luxury makeup includes brands like Hourglass, Dior, Gucci, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel.
Westman Atelier Vital Skin Full Coverage Foundation and Concealer Stick
Vital Skin Full Coverage Foundation and Concealer Stick
Price: $68.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Application: Effortless to blend with brush or sponge
- Coverage: Buildable light to medium
- Texture: Natural radiant finish that doesn’t exaggerate texture + imperfections
- Longevity: 8+ hours
- Shade Range: 21 shades
- Extra Benefits: Safe for sensitive skin; Infused with squalane, berryflux vita extract camellia seed oil, and coconut oil; Cruelty free; Vegan
- See Foundation in Action ▶️
Why We Love It: Cream foundation isn’t usually our preferred formula, but there is something special about Vital Skin from Westman Atelier, a clean luxury makeup brand. Described by the brand as a “molten texture,” this cream foundation stick glides on easy and blends in effortlessly. It has a natural, second-skin finish that dries down without feeling tacky and without need for a setting powder. The coverage is buildable light to medium. We wouldn’t recommend trying to build up to a full coverage as it can start to look cakey and crease if too much is applied. Vital Skin doesn’t require a primer underneath, however we find it wears best with well-moisturized skin. The stick packaging makes it perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, but you won’t need many because this foundations has a phenomenal long wear!
Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation has an overall rating of 4.1. If price + value weren’t factored in, this product has a performance rating of 4.4. Check out our individual posts for more details and compatible products.
PROS
- Easy to apply
- Second-skin finish
- Non-tacky finish; Doesn’t need to be set
- Long wearing (8+ hours)
- Perfect for on-the-go touch-ups
CONS
- Lack of undertones in shade range
- Can cling to dry patches if skin is not properly prepped
- Can crease/look cakey if too much is applied
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Price: $36.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Application: Blends easily with brush, sponge, or fingers
- Coverage: Full coverage
- Texture: Crease-resistant, natural finish
- Longevity: Up to 16 hours
- Shade Range: 22 shades
- Extra Benefits: Waterproof; Light-reflecting micro-spherical powders diffuse pores, lines, and wrinkles; Non-comedogenic; Free of gluten, talc, GMOs, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes + fragrance; Cruelty free; Vegan
- See Foundation in Action >
Why We Love It: Hourglass Vanish Concealer is one of the best concealers in the luxury makeup realm. The full coverage formula is creamy and emollient, blending effortlessly with a brush, sponge, or fingers. It’s long wearing, boasting up to 16 hours of settle-proof, crease-resistant, waterproof wear (we find it wears well for 8+ hours). This Hourglass concealer is extremely pigmented, and a little bit goes a long way. Because off this, it can look cakey if too much is applied – it’s best to start small and build in thin layers. If we had to nitpick this concealer, it does have an unpleasant smell. However, the smell goes away once blended in and you can’t smell it while you wear Vanish Concealer.
Hourglass Vanish Concealer has an overall rating of 4.2. If price + value weren’t factored in, this product has a performance rating of 4.6. For a more budget-friendly option, Hourglass Vanish Concealer also comes in a mini size.
PROS
- Creamy formula
- Easy to apply
- Long wearing
- Super pigmented; A little bit goes a long way
- Blends well with brush, sponge, or fingers
- Comes in mini size
- Decent shade range
CONS
- Unpleasant smell
- Can look cakey if too much is applied
Gucci Éclat Soleil Luminous Bronzer
Éclat Soleil Luminous Bronzer
Price: $64.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Formula: Pressed powder
- # Of Shades: 5
- Finish: Natural, soft-matte
- Extra Benefits: Infused with shea butter and hyaluronic acid to nourish skin; Soft-focus microspheres and biomimicry pigments create a long-lasting glow; Floral scent; Dermatologically tested; Talc free; Vegan
- Best Applied With: Brush
- See Quick Reel Video >
Why We Love It: Housed in beautiful teal and gold packaging is the ever-so-stunning Gucci Éclat Soleil Luminous Bronzer. It has a buttery, silky texture that applies effortlessly over any product for an airbrushed finish and warm glow. The powder is finely-milled, infused with hydrating ingredients and microspheres that blur pores, lines, and texture. Gucci promises a long lasting wear, and we agree. This bronzer wears beautifully without settling, looking patchy, or fading. You’ll have a sunkissed, softly-sculpted complexion all day long.
Gucci Bronzer has an overall rating of 4.2. If price + value wasn’t factored in, this product has a performance rating of 4.7.
PROS
- Effortless to blend
- Buildable pigment
- Long wearing
- Buttery, silky, velvety texture
- Beautiful packaging
CONS
- Contains fragrance
- Pricey
Gucci Luminous Matte Beauty Blush
Luminous Matte Beauty Blush
Price: $49.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Formula: Pressed powder
- # Of Shades: 6
- Finish: Luminous matte
- Extra Benefits: Multi-use for cheeks and eyes; Infused with shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and black rose oil; Floral scent; Dermatologically tested; Non-comedogenic; Talc free
- Best Applied With: Brush
Why We Love It: Properly known as ‘Blush De Beauté,’ Gucci Blush is the brand’s first powder blush, and it’s made for “pure creative expression.” Its buildable pigment has a matte finish, yet skin still looks luminous and healthy (hence the name, Luminous Matte Blush). It’s infused with hydrating skincare properties so skin feels nourished while wearing. The blush is incredibly easy to apply and use on any skin type, regardless of texture, lines, and pore size. Gucci Blush De Beauté is one of our favorite rouge launches recently. Powered by performance and housed in adorable pink packaging with gold stars, this will be your new favorite blusher.
Gucci says Blush De Beauté is safe for both eyes and cheeks. Try out a fun monochromatic look by wearing your cheek color on your eyelids! Then, pair a matching Gucci lipstick to finish your look.
Gucci Blush has an overall rating of 4.3. If price + value wasn’t factored in, this product has a performance rating of 4.8.
PROS
- Effortless to blend
- Buildable pigment
- Doesn’t accentuate texture
- Long wearing with minimal settling
- Beautiful packaging
CONS
- Contains fragrance
- Pricey
Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder
Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder
Price: $58.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Formula: Loose powder
- Effect: Mattify, Blur, Illuminate
- Shades Available: 6
- Extra Benefits: Includes 2 shades for color correcting and 2 for added radiance; Ultra-fine texture; Polymer complex absorbs excess sebum and mattifies skin; Silica spheres and mica blur imperfections; Light adaptable pigments provide a luminous complexion for up to 6 hours, allowing makeup to adapt to the light of any environment; Contains vitamin E; Non-comedogenic
- Best Applied With: Brush or powder puff
Why We Love It: Givenchy Prisme Libre recently went viral on social media, and for good reason. This loose powder is unique with its 4-in-1 formula, featuring 2 powders that color correct and 2 that add radiance to the complexion. Plus, Prisme Libre is designed to color correct, mattify, blur, and illuminate – all at once. How? The 4 powder colors work together to address the unique needs of your specific skin tone (Prisme Libre is available in 6 unique shades). Its finely-milled powder resists settling and creasing to extend makeup wear time while blurring and diffusing imperfections. There is no oxidation of this powder or the makeup below it.
Be careful when using this powder! The packaging doesn’t include a sifter, lending to a messy and wasteful use.
PROS
- 4-in-1 finishing powder
- Color corrects
- Blurs skin texture, pores, and lines
- Controls shine + oil without looking dry
- Brightening and illuminating
- Extends makeup wear time
- No oxidation
CONS
- Packaging can be messy and wasteful
- Can settle into fine lines depending on what makeup is worn underneath
Dior Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil
Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil
Price: $31.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Formula: Retractable pencil
- Longevity: 8+ hours without fading or smudging
- # Of Shades: 6, including two universal browns
- Extra Benefits: Ultra-fine precision tip; No cap for pencil end
- Video >
Why We Love It: You’re probably thinking, “a $31 brow pencil? That’s a bit excessive.” But, trust us on this one: Dior Brow Styler is a phenomenal eyebrow pencil and worth every penny. Brow Styler has an ultra-fine precision tip to allow you to achieve tiny, hair-like strokes to make brows look fuller and more defined. It doesn’t take a lot of pressure to apply product, nor does it take much, which means you don’t go through the pencil very fast (on average, we get about 3 months of use from a single pencil). The formula is a drier, waxier formula that is stiffer than most so it doesn’t break as easily. That being said, it doesn’t come with a cap for the pencil end so you do have to remember to twist down the exposed product after every use.
If you’re in the market for a new brow pencil Dior Brow Styler would be worth a look into. Plus, their universal shades are flattering on so many hair colors!
PROS
- Great shade range
- Stiff pencil that doesn’t break easily
- Drier, waxy formula
- Comes with attached spoolie
CONS
- Expensive for a brow pencil
- No cap for pencil end; Must retract after every use (also a pro, because no cap to lose)
Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Eyeliner
Satin Kajal Eyeliner
Price: $28.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Formula: Kajal pencil (has to be sharpened)
- Longevity: Waterproof, smudge-free wear
- # Of Shades: 9
- Extra Benefits: Infused with vitamin E, hydrating pro-vitamin B5, and chamomile; Safe for waterline used; Safe for contact lens wearers; Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested; Gluten free; Cruelty free
Why We Love It: Another clean luxury makeup brand, Victoria Beckham is home to some pretty bomb makeup (Lid Lustre is one of our faves). Another one of our faves is her Satin Kajal Eyeliner: an incredibly versatile and easy to use kohl eyeliner pencil. There’s no tugging or skipping when applying, just a super smooth application thanks to the creamy formula. You can create a messy smudged, smokey eye, a sharp wing, and everything in between with this eyeliner. The formula has the perfect amount of playing time before drying down to no-budge, waterproof wear. This liner will withstand beach trips, gym sessions, and everyday life without smudging, transferring, fading, or creasing – AKA its virtually life proof and the perfect companion for hooded eyes.
Tip: To make removal at the end of the day a breeze, make sure you have a good cleansing balm on your hands!
PROS
- Creamy formula that is easy to work with
- Has a bit of playing time before drying down
- Intense pigment
- Waterproof and long wearing
- Has included smudger
- Safe for waterline use
- Ophthalmologist tested
CONS
- If you use too much pressure, the pencil can break
- Packaging gets dirty easily
Hourglass Unlocked Instant Lash Extensions Mascara
Unlocked Instant Lash Extensions Mascara
Price: $29.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Best For: Length, definition, lift
- Wand Type: Silicone rubber bristles
- Formula(s): Tubing; Water resistant
- Color(s): Black
- Extra Benefits: Gives look of lash extensions; Film-forming technology; Removes easily with warm water; Ophthalmologist tested; Free of gluten, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, talc; Cruelty free; Vegan
Why We Love It: Hourglass Unlocked Mascara doesn’t claim to be a tubing formula, but we think it is and love it. As described on Hourglass Cosmetics’ website, this mascara gives the look of lash extensions and has a film-forming technology for a smudge-proof wear. Sounds like a tubing formula to us! This mascara promises length, lift, and definition – and it delivers. In addition, you get subtle volume at the base of your lashes for a thick, full lash look. The long wearing formula has no transfer or smudging and minimal flaking (the flakes don’t stick and can be easily wiped away). Then, when it’s time for removal, it removes easily with warm water.
We do want to note that the packaging of this Hourglass mascara has been reported faulty by some users. On some tubes, the wand gets stuck and removed from the cap.
PROS
- Lengthening
- Lifting
- Defining
- Natural volume at base of lashes
- No transfer or smudging
- Minimal flaking
- Water resistant, tubing formula
CONS
- Can look clumpy and weigh down lashes if too many coats are applied
- Some consumer complaints about faulty packaging
Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick
Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick
Price: $42.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Formula: Cream
- Finish: Ultra-matte
- Longevity: Up to 16 hours of transfer-proof wear
- Shade Range: 28
- Extra Benefits: Contains peony extract which helps lips maintain hydration and jojoba to maximize comfort; Ultra pigmented; Bare lip, comfort feel; Free of parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, sulfates
- See it in Action ▶️
Why We Love It: When dipping your toes into luxury makeup, a lipstick is often the first purchase. And, let’s be honest: luxury lipsticks have the most stunning packaging out of all lipsticks and are a gorgeous accessory to tuck into your purse. Not only is a Dior lipstick a classic, but it also performs well. Dior Rouge Transfer-Proof Lipstick is one of the longest wearing on the market. It’s actually transfer proof and wears without smudging, bleeding, feathering, and with minimal fading. What makes this bullet lipstick unique is its size. It has a smaller size which makes it easy to apply for precision and on any size lips. And we can’t forget about the shade range. Dior has an extensive range of 28 shades, often releasing limited edition shades too.
Tip: While Dior claims this lipstick isn’t drying, we find it can settle into lines and feel drying when lips aren’t properly prepped. Make sure to exfoliate your lips and use a nourishing balm before apply for best results.
PROS
- Extensive shade range
- Extremely long wearing
- Transfer-proof
- Size of lipstick makes it easy to apply
- No bleeding or feathering
CONS
- Can be drying when over-applied or lips aren’t properly prepped
- Contains fragrance
- Can settle into fine lines of lips
Dior Backstage Flash Perfector Face & Body Concealer
Price: $29.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Formula: Liquid
- Finish: Natural, radiant
- Longevity: Up to 16 hours of transfer-proof wear
- Shade Range: 28
- Extra Benefits: Caffeine infused; Waterproof; Unique brush applicator; Crease-proof; For face & body
- See it in Action ▶️
Why We Love It: Long wearing meets hydration with Dior Flash Perfector Concealer. Formulated for use on face and body, Dior Backstage offers waterproof, buildable medium coverage that brightens, corrects, and evens out skin tone. The caffeine infused concealer is perfect for under eye use as it resists creasing and settling. It has a silky texture that doesn’t accentuate pores or fine lines either. Because this concealer is so hydrating, it doesn’t set down and does need to be set with powder for best results, especially if you have oilier skin! Between the formulation and the unique brush applicator, this concealer is just stunning.
One thing to note is the packaging is prone to leaking. You have to make sure to fully tighten the lid or else it will leak and be messy!
PROS
- Unique brush applicator
- Silky, easy to blend texture
- Buildable medium coverage
- Doesn’t accentuate pores or fine lines
- Minimal creasing and settling
- Caffeine infused
- Waterproof
CONS
- Poor packaging design
- Doesn’t fully set
- Not as full coverage as claimed
Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation
Price: $96.00 >
HIGHLIGHTS
- Formula: Liquid
- Finish: Natural, dewy
- Longevity: No claims
- Shade Range: 10
- Extra Benefits: Formulated with exclusive Gloss Film Powder which diffuses light and minimizes pores; Resists sweat and oiliness; Breathable; Moist Drop Powder helps hydrate skin by absorbing humidity; Contains T3 Oil, an exclusive oil blend of jojoba, olive squalane, and shea butter; Cruelty free
- See it in Action ▶️
Why We Love It: It’s a splurge, but Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation is just *chefs kiss* and worth every penny of its $96 luxury makeup price tag. A single pump of this foundation provides beautiful medium coverage that gives that glass-like, youthful glow. Its formulated with Koh Gen Do’s exclusive ‘Gloss Film Powder,’ light-diffusing minerals that brighten, minimize pores, and control excess oiliness. Aqua Foundation has a weightless, serum-like formula that is comfortable to wear and helps improve skin hydration. It does have a tacky texture that wears best when set with powder. But, even despite its more dewy finish, it doesn’t contribute to excess oiliness and is actually formulated to resist sweat.
If you want to treat yourself to a foundation that will make you feel and look bougie every time you wear it, Koh Gen Do Aqua is it.
PROS
- Lightweight, breathable
- Buildable light to medium coverage
- Easy to apply
- Doesn’t accentuate pores or dry spots
- No settling into pore or fine lines
- Hydrating
- Doesn’t contribute to excess oiliness
- Skincare benefits
CONS
- Very small shade range (only 10)
What Are MILABU PICKS?
MILABU PICKS are makeup products that lead the industry in their price categories (i.e. value, pro-grade, luxury) and product type. These products are reviewed and chosen by the Milabu team on a yearly basis. Many of these makeup products exceed the industry standard favorites, and some of them are, to this day, the industry standard leading the makeup industry.
Edited by Maddie
*Some links to purchase are affiliate.