It’s always fun to try out a new mascara or test drive a statement lip color. But when it comes down to my every day beauty routine – the one I need to cruise through in five minutes and know it’s never gonna let me down – I’m a product loyalist. When I find something that solves an actual problem (hello breakouts, split ends, dry lips) and outperforms all the others, I stick with it and use that baby up until the jar is empty. And I know it’s found an official spot with my ride-or-dies when I actually go out and purchase a replacement of the exact same product. I’ve got my drugstore faves which I’ll share in another post soon – I tend to go the cheaper route when it comes to things like body lotion, eyeliner, mascara, and trendy lip shades.
But found in my can’t-live-without-them collection are a few pricier standouts that I keep buying because they really just work better than any others I’ve tried.
For almost all of these, a dab will do you, which means that one of them will last a really long time. So when I’m cringing at the purchase price, it helps to think in terms of CPU (cost per use), and I also remind myself that especially when it comes to what I put on my skin, sometimes it’s really worth the investment. Read on for my beauty splurges that are actually worth it, and I’d love to hear yours in the comments. Though my wallet might regret it. 😉
1. Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum
When I first heard about this all-natural antioxidant-packed treatment, I found it hard to believe that people would pay this much for a face serum when there are so many less expensive ones on the market. Then the brand sent me a bottle to try out, and within a couple weeks of using it morning and night, my skin was visibly glowier and had zero breakouts. My complexion was in perfect balance, and what’s even better is that since the product is packed with 22 botanicals and 60+ bioavailable nutrients, you don’t really need to layer on other skincare to achieve that radiant, youthful skin you’re after. I made this bottle last a long time and then when I’d squeezed the last ounce out of the dropper, I hopped online and scooped up a new one. Now I’m just trying to figure out how I can get back on their media mailing list #skincarefantasy.
2. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Friends, this hair dryer became an instant legend for a reason. I was an early adopter and have never looked back. Like pretty much all of Dyson’s products, the engineering and design on this beauty is near perfect, and it gives me back my most valuable resource: my time. I used to dread the 20+ minutes it took to dry my hair, and now I flip my head over and go from sopping wet to bone dry in 5 minutes flat. If you’ve got the cash, splurge for this dryer and trust Auntie Camille that you will not regret it. (ps – I’m super curious about the new Dyson Airwrap Volume + Shape Styler – anyone tried it? It looks sooo cool!)
3. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Foundation Le Teint Radiance Awakening Foundation
Okay, the name is a mouthful, but this foundation has been my go-to for ages and every time I cheat on her, I immediately remember the reasons I love her over all the rest. Flawless cover, luminous finish, invisible texture that lets your real skin show through, and on top of all that, it lasts all day. I wear shade B60 – which I remember because I just placed an order for what’s probably my 20th bottle of this liquid skincare gold.
4. Skinceuticals Retinol Refining Night Cream
It used to be that the only way to get a really high-quality retinol product was with a prescription from your dermatologist, and it usually required suffering through a week of flaky, inflamed skin as your skin adjusted. This night cream is a game changer for its ability to simultaneously promote cell turnover and provide moisture that minimizes the usual irritation associated with retinol. If you want to dramatically diminish fine lines and discoloration, you’ll want to go with the highest concentration (1.0.) I’m linking to the one I use (.5) which is a little gentler but still strong enough for me to see a difference in my skin. My best tip for using this is to make sure your skin is completely dry before applying, then I go watch a show or read for 30 minutes before applying my moisturizer on top and going to bed. Giving it time to absorb before applying anything else is key to its efficacy. And make sure you start out by just using it a couple times a week, then work your way up to every night to build up your skin tolerance. Here’s what my dermatologist has to say about retinol and why everyone should be using it.
5. Go Smile Teeth Whitening System
There are few things that make such a noticeable impact on your appearance than really sparkling white teeth. I’ve been using this electric toothbrush with a sonic blue light to brush my teeth for a few years now, and I really think that it’s the secret to keeping my teeth super white despite all the coffee and tea that I sip daily. You have to use it with their special whitening gel which responds to the blue light, and you’ll use a regular toothpaste for actual cleaning, and it is seriously so much less annoying than using whitening strips. I’m also a big fan of how sleek and lightweight it is compared to other electric toothbrushes.
*And a couple bonus products that our editors swear by!
6. HydroPeptide 5x Power Peel Face Exfoliator
When it comes to skincare, I’m both a minimalist and a purist. My routine includes few products, and those that do make the cut must be both easy to use and cruelty free. These Face Exfoliator Pads check all boxes. They whisk away dull skin cells while encouraging collagen and cell renewal, feeling like a full on facial in a wipe. Plus, their gentle-yet-effective ingredients mean they don’t irritate my super sensitive skin. Highly recommended!
– Chanel
7. Kypris Cerulean Mask
This mask is the mask of all masks. Yes, the price tag is steep, but it’s worth every penny! This restorative mask does it all. Made with with over 36 active natural ingredients, this mask is MAJORLY hydrating, plumping and oxygenating, boosts collagen production, enhances elasticity, calms irritations and troubled skin, and soothes weather damage (wind, sun, pollution etc.). I have somewhat fussy skin – it’s dry, but I’m prone to breakouts – and this mask isn’t too heavy and doesn’t clog pores. It can basically be worn any time and as often as you want, even to sleep in! Still need another reason to justify this purchase? A little goes a long way and this will last you for months!
– Hannah
