The Best High-end Makeup that is Worth your Money

best expensive makeup products

 Best High-end Makeup products! A complete list of my all-time high-end makeup favorites.


I love to highlight some of my favorite drugstore makeup products, but sometimes we find out the hard way that drugstore makeup doesn’t always cut it.

But the thing about high-end products is that they are not cheap.

So, if you are looking to invest in some high-end makeup, it can be hard to determine which ones are worth the money.


Today, I am going through some of my favorite products to fit all of your high-end makeup needs.

Whether you are looking for a high-quality blush, eyeshadow, setting spray, or maybe all of the above, I’ve got you covered.

So, let’s dive right in with some of the best high-end makeup products that really are worth your money. 

best high end makeup foundation, best high end setting spray, best high end primer, best high end makeup brushes, best high end concealer

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

Best High-end Makeup Primer

If you’re willing to spend a bit more on a high-end primer,The Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer is a top pick. Here’s why:

Why the Benefits Cosmetics Primer is the Best?

  • Lightweight: This primer feels light on the skin, avoiding any heavy or cakey sensation while ensuring a smooth makeup application.
  • Pore-Minimizer: It effectively reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines, giving your skin a smoother look without irritation.
  • Clean Formula: Oil-free and translucent, it’s suitable for all skin tones and sensitive skin. The formula includes a Vitamin E derivative to protect against free radicals, helping to prevent wrinkles and dark lines.
  • Hefty Supply: A jumbo bottle lasts four to five months, making it a cost-effective choice despite the higher price.
  • Versatile: It can be used before or after makeup application, or even as a standalone product, always providing a smooth, matte finish.


Price: $32 at ULTA / Check current price on Amazon


Best High-End Makeup Foundation


Next, we are moving on to the best high-end foundation. Foundation is actually one of the best products to invest money in because many of us use it so often and it is necessary for most makeup looks. Unlike a lipstick or eyeshadow that we may only use sometimes, foundation quite literally provides the foundation for every look we create. 

The Too Faced Born This Way Foundation is one of the best high-end foundations on the market. Here’s why:

Why the Too Faced Foundation is the Best high-end foundation?

  • Wide Shade Range: With 30 shades, this foundation caters to every skin tone. Ulta.com’s shade finder tool helps you pick the perfect match, enhancing your understanding of your skin tone for future makeup purchases.
  • Beneficial Formula: Infused with hydrating coconut water, alpine rose for skin health, and hyaluronic acid for a youthful appearance, this oil-free foundation also prevents breakouts.
  • Photo-Friendly: Unlike many foundations, this one avoids the white cast in flash photography, ensuring you look flawless in every picture.
  • Full Coverage: Provides medium to full coverage while remaining lightweight.
  • Natural Finish: Designed to look natural and smooth, giving you a “born this way” appearance that customers love.

Price: $40 at ULTA / Check current price on amazon

Related Post: 12 Amazing Drugstore Foundation Dupes you don’t want to miss out!

Best High-End Concealer



Moving onto another important step to the makeup routine is my favorite high-end concealer. Perhaps you have never used concealer or don’t understand why you should spend a little more money on it. Finding a good concealer is actually one of the most important steps in my makeup routine!

Not only does it provide another layer of hiding those blemishes, but it also acts as a base for your eye makeup. Applying concealer around your eyes will leave your eyes looking youthful and more awake. 

My favorite high-end concealer has to be the Shape Tape Concealer!  

Why the Shape Tape Concealer is the Best high-end concealer?

  • Variety of Shades: With 35 shades, this concealer matches every skin tone and pairs seamlessly with the Too Faced Foundation.
  • Sensitive-Skin Approved: Dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, and vegan, it’s perfect for sensitive skin.
  • Ultra-Hydrating Formula: Infused with shea butter, mango seed butter, and licorice root extract, it hydrates, maintains elasticity, and combats dark circles.
  • No Creasing: Provides full coverage without creasing or settling into fine lines, covering everything from wrinkles to dark spots.
  • Long-Lasting: Waterproof, sweatproof, and smudge-proof, it offers 12-hour coverage for all-day wear.

Price: $29 at ULTA / Check current price on Amazon

Related Concealer post: This simple routine will STOP your Concealer from Creasing Under eyes (All my secrets revealed!)

Best High-End Powder


Next on the list is the best high-end powder. Setting powder is crucial for your makeup routine because it ensures that all of your hard work does not go to waste. The best setting powder will keep your makeup firmly in place without making your face look shiny or cakey.

My favorite high-end makeup powder is the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. Check out all of the best things about this powder below.

Why the Laura Mercier Setting Powder is the Best?

  • Mega-Blurring Effect: Instantly blurs imperfections, with 92% of customers praising its magical effect.
  • Smooth Matte Finish: Provides a smooth, non-cakey matte finish for a flawless look.
  • Powerful Formula: Packed with antioxidants and vitamins C and E, it smooths and evens skin while absorbing excess oil.
  • Lightweight and Buildable: Finely-milled, lightweight formula that feels comfortable on the skin and lasts for months.

Price: $39 at ULTA / SEPHORA

Related Makeup post: 15 Surprising Concealer Hacks you should know!

Best high-end Bronzer


Bronzer (especially shimmer bronzer) is a fun step for anyone who wants to look a little sun-kissed without even setting foot on the beach. If you follow any beauty bloggers, you will probably know exactly what bronzer is at the top of my list, because it has been trending for years. The Benefit Cosmetics Jumbo Hoola Bronzer is definitely worth the hype if you are looking for a high-end bronzer. Here’s why:

Why the Hoola Bronzer is the Best?

  • Built-In Mirror and Brush: Comes with a full-size mirror and a jumbo brush for on-the-go application.
  • Natural Tan Finish: Provides a natural-looking tan without the unnatural, overly-tanned appearance.
  • Versatile: Can be used as a bronzer, contour, or eyeshadow, offering multiple uses in one product.
  • Blendable: Extremely blendable and buildable, ensuring a smooth, non-cakey finish that pairs well with other makeup.
  • Long-Lasting: The bronzer lasts all day on your face, and the product itself lasts a long time, especially in the limited-time jumbo size.

Price: $30 at ULTA / SEPHORA

Best High-End Blush



Blush is a great addition to your makeup routine, whether you are going for a subtle rosy cheek or a bold look. But, not all blush was created equal. Some blushes will leave you looking a little more like a clown than giving you that natural flushed look, and you cannot have that when you are spending a few more dollars on a product. So I have picked out two of my favorite blush products; The Nars Blush (a traditional powder blush) and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush. No matter which blush you choose, you will fall in love with all of the amazing features of these products!

Why the Nars Blush is the Best POWDER BLUSH

  • Variety of Finishes: Available in matte, satin, and shimmering finishes, perfect for any look you desire.
  • Long-Lasting: Highly-pigmented formula means you need just a little for a bold look that lasts all day without smearing or fading.
  • Natural Finish: Made with super micronized powder, this blush is buildable, blendable, and gentle on your skin, offering a gorgeous natural finish.

Price: Nars Blush $30

Why the Anastasia Beverly Hills is the Best STICK BLUSH?

  • Soft Cream Finish: This highly pigmented cream formula melts into your skin, avoiding cakiness and staying smudge-free all day.
  • Perfect for On-the-Go: Comes with a built-in blush brush, eliminating the need for a separate brush and reducing mess.
  • Built for Sensitive Skin: Free of fragrance, oils, parabens, and phthalates, and dermatologist-tested, making it ideal for sensitive skin without causing irritation.


  • Price: Anastasia Stick blush $32
Master Makeup Program Transform your passion into expertise with the Master Makeup Program: from makeup basics to professional tips from a working makeup artist! Includes digital guides, a MAKEUP MANUAL delivered to your home, 1:1 FEEDBACK, and a CERTIFICATE PLUS bonuses– all in one online self-paced program!

Ready to take your makeup skills to the next level? Click to Enroll today!

Best High-End Makeup for Eyebrows


Don’t think your eyebrows don’t get attention too! If you love your brows and want to give them the VIP treatment, I have a few products that are worth the price tag.

If you are looking for a brow pencil, the Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Pencil is the best way to go. If you are looking for a styling wax, you can’t go wrong with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Freeze-Styling Eyebrow Wax. Finally, if you are looking for a gorgeous tinted gel, the Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Tinted Eyebrow Gel is at the top of my list. 

Why the Benefit Cosmetics Eye Pencil is the Best?

  • Dual-Features: This eyebrow pencil comes with an ultra-fine tip that will give you maximum precision.
  • Different Shades: This pencil also comes in 12 different shades, so you can find the perfect one for your brows.
  • Long-Lasting: This is another product that is long-lasting. It will last up to 12 hours on your face. Plus it is waterproof and sweatproof

Price: $24 at ULTA


Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyebrow Wax

Why the Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyebrow Wax is the Best?

  • Easy Application: Some eyebrow waxes are tricky to use. They might require water, different tools, or a lengthy list of instructions that make no sense. But, the Anastasia Beverly Hills wax is easy to use and no water is needed. 
  • Holds in Place: Of course, you want your eyebrow wax to hold your brows in place, but some waxes will leave your brows feeling stiff or flakey. Not this one.
  • Universal Formula: This wax is clear, so it is suitable for every skin tone. It is also oil-free, alcohol-free, and free of parabens, so it is great for sensitive skin!

Price: $23 at ULTA.com


Benefit Cosmetics Eyebrow Gel

best high end eyebrow makeup product

Why the Benefit Cosmetics Eyebrow Gel is the Best?

  • Volumizing: If you have thin brows and want to give them more volume, this is the eyebrow gel for you!
  • Precision Application: Another awesome feature of this gel is that it has a brush specifically designed to shape your brows. Just like mascara, this tapered brush provides an easy and mess-free application. 
  • Perfectly Tinted: This gel doesn’t just give you thicker-looking brows, but it also comes in different shades to bring out your natural brow color. 
  • Tames Unruly Brows: Perhaps you have full brows but you just want a nice brow shape. With this gel, you can shape your unruly brows exactly how you want!

Price: $24 at ULTA.com

Related Post: How to Shape your Eyebrows at Home! (Easy tutorial with pictures)

Best High-End Lipstick


Finding a great lipstick is not an easy task. You need all of the perks: long-lasting, great pigment, no smearing or fading, and when you are investing some money into a shade, you want to make sure you found the best quality lipstick.

Luckily, I have highlighted two of my favorite high-end lipsticks below.

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick is amazing if you love liquid lipsticks.

If you can’t resist matte lipstick, the Huda Beauty Power Bullet will be your new best friend. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

Why the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipstick is the Best high end liquid lipstick?

  • Durable: The best thing about this lipstick is that it is durable. It is waterproof, smudge-proof, long-lasting, and smear-proof.
  • Non-Drying Formula: Since this is a matte lipstick, a common fear is that it will dry out your lips, but this liquid lipstick has a smooth matte finish without leaving their lips feeling dry. 

Price: $20 at Ulta.com


Huda Beauty Lipstick

Why the Huda Beauty Lipstick is the Best?

  • Highly-Pigmented: The Huda lipstick comes with a warm and cool collection, which total 25 highly-pigmented shades, perfect for a bold lip.
  • Long-Lasting: This lipstick will also stay on all day long, and its matte formula will look fierce even after eating and drinking!

  • Price: $25 at SEPHORA.com

Best High-End Eyeshadow palettes



Before we check out the best brushes and setting sprays, I have to share a few of my favorite eyeshadow palettes.

It is hard to narrow down the best palettes when there are so many different shades and styles available, but if I had to choose only three, they would definitely be as follows:

Why the Anastasia Beverly Hills is the Best?

  • Versatile Shades and Finishes: This palette comes with 14 shades, and it features matte, metallic, and duo-chrome finishes!
  • Bonus Tools: The Soft Glam Palette also comes with a built-in mirror and a double-sided brush. Talk about a deal!
  • Blendable: One of the best things about this product is its ability to blend and mix colors. Whether you are a beginner or like to do more advanced looks, this palette allows you to mix colors easily to create many fun looks.

Price: $45 at Sephora.com


Why the Morphe Palette is the Best?

  • Bright Colors: Unlike the Anastasia Beverly Hills palette, which only features a variety of colors on the red spectrum, this palette includes 35 bright shades.
  • Range of Looks: This palette is also extremely blendable, so the looks that you can create with this palette are endless!
  • Lasts All Day Long: Since this palette has such pigmented colors, they will not fade throughout the day or night.

Price: $39 at ULTA.com


Why the Tartelette Palette is the Best?


Best High-End Makeup brushes



So what happens when you have high-end products but cheap makeup brushes? Your brushes could damage the products, collect more between the brushes than necessary, and affect your application.

This is all to say that having good makeup brushes is crucial to your makeup routine!

Luckily, the Morphe x James Charles brushes are perfect if you are looking for eye brushes, and the Real Techniques Everyday brushes are a great fit for the rest of your makeup routine.

Why the Morphe x James Charles Brushes is the Best?

  • Quantity and Quality: This brush set contains every eye brush you could ever need (and probably a few more). This set contains 13 brushes and a cute carrier for all of them. Plus there is a brush for your eyebrows, and a concealer brush!
  • Soft: These brushes are also soft and don’t waste product. They are also easy to use.

Price: $35.40 at ULTA.com

Why the Real Techniques Brushes is the Best?

  • Easy to Use: One great feature of these brushes is that they are easy to use. Ulta gives a lot of detail about which brush to use for what makeup, so you won’t be lost when using them.
  • Vegan: The bristles are all synthetic, so this set is 100% vegan!

Price: $19.99 at ULTA.com

Best High-End Makeup Setting Spray


At the end of your makeup routine, having a great setting spray is a definite plus. The Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray is my favorite! 

Why the Urban Decay Setting Spray is the Best?

  • Long-Wear: This setting spray is called the “all-nighter” for a reason. It will hold your makeup in place for 16 hours! 
  • Temperature Control Technology: This spray also uses temperature control technology to ensure that your makeup stays in place no matter how hot or cold it is. It is waterproof, smudge-proof, sweatproof, and transfer-resistant.

    This actually the only setting spray that I recommend that TRULY do the job! and it’s the key to keep your makeup set in place all day or all night!

    Price: $33 at ULTA.com

Final Thoughts on the Best High end makeup products!



While there are so many different options for high-end makeup, it can be hard to narrow down which products are worth spending the money on. Whether you are looking for a high-end foundation or eyeshadow palette, or maybe a little bit of everything, I hope this list gave you a few new products to add to your shopping list!

Did you notice that I don’t have in this list some popular brands like MAC or Dior? I only featured here products that I know for sure does the job and really worth your investment! Because high-quality makeup (more than High-end or expensive makeup) is an investmentfor you even if you don’t work as a makeup artist.

As a Makeup Artist, I have tried several makeup products with different skin types on my clients and this list is the result of my all-time favorite high-end makeup!
I also have a list of my all-time favorite drugstore makeup products you can check here.

Leave a comment below sharing what are the best high-end makeup products you love and is not in this list? I’d love to know more about makeup holy grails!

Related Makeup posts:

Master Makeup Program Transform your passion into expertise with the Master Makeup Program: from makeup basics to professional tips from a working makeup artist! Includes digital guides, a MAKEUP MANUAL delivered to your home, 1:1 FEEDBACK, and a CERTIFICATE PLUS bonuses– all in one online self-paced program!

Ready to take your makeup skills to the next level? Click to Enroll today!

The Best High-end Makeup that Worth your Money

Real Beauty School