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: 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.
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Best High-end Makeup Primer
First up is my favorite high-end makeup primer. The Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer is definitely the best way to go if you are willing to spend a few extra dollars. Here is everything you need to know about this amazing primer.
Why the Benefits Cosmetics Primer is the Best?
- Lightweight: The first feature of this primer is that it is lightweight. we love that we can put on this primer and our skin doesn’t feel heavy or cakey. This Benefit Cosmetics primer goes on smooth and sets your makeup firmly in place.
- Pore-Minimizer: Just like it says in the name, this primer will eliminate your pores and fine lines. Some primers can actually irritate your pores and make them more noticeable after application, but you can rest assured that this primer will make your face look smoother than it’s been in years.
- Clean Formula: As with any step in your makeup routine, you want to make sure that what you are putting on your face isn’t harming or irritating your skin. When trying a new product, it can be especially nerve-wracking for people with sensitive skin, because they don’t know how their skin is going to react.
- Luckily, this primer is made with a safe and clean formula. It is oil-free and translucent, so it can work with any skin tone. The formula is also made with a Vitamin E derivative, which can protect your skin from free radicals. Free radicals can break down your skin’s collagen and cause wrinkles and dark lines. Luckily, this primer is working double-time to protect against that and keep your makeup looking spot-on all day long.
- Hefty Supply: They have a jumbo bottle of primer. If the price of this primer still makes you nervous, don’t worry: you will not run out of this product soon. You don’t need to use very much, but the bottle also typically lasts four to five months! Basically, a twice-a-year purchase sounds a lot more convincing when thinking about the price.
- Versatile: This primer is also versatile. You can use it before or after you apply your makeup, or can use it as a standalone product. No matter when you use this primer in the makeup process, it will be sure to leave your face looking smoother with its 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?
- Lots of Shades: The first amazing feature of this foundation is that it has a lot of shades to fit every skin tone. The Too Faced foundation comes in 30 shades.
Additionally, if you buy the foundation on Ulta.com, you can use their shade finder tool to find the perfect shade for your skin tone. Plus, every shade is broken down by what kind of skin tone you have (ex. Natural Beige is for light-medium skin tones with neutral undertones).
When you find the right shade for you, you will not only have an amazing foundation, but you will have a deeper understanding of your skin tone that you can apply to other makeup products for the rest of your life. - Beneficial Formula: If you are looking for a foundation that has an amazing formula with a ton of skin benefits, then this is the foundation for you. The Too Faced foundation is infused with coconut water, which hydrates your skin and keeps it moisturized. It is also infused with alpine rose, which improves your skin’s overall health, and hyaluronic acid, which can give your skin a more youthful appearance.
And if all of that wasn’t enough, this foundation is also oil-free, so it won’t cause breakouts on your skin. - Photo-Friendly: Have you ever noticed that sometimes your makeup will look terrible under the flash of a camera? This is because many foundations contain zinc oxide, which typically causes that white cast on your face in pictures. This foundation is flash-friendly and will avoid the white cast altogether, so you can take pictures in confidence!
- Full-Coverage: Another benefit of this foundation is that all of the shades provide medium to full coverage. So if you are looking for a full-coverage foundation that still feels lightweight, the Too Faced Foundation has you covered.
- Natural Finish: The founder of the Too Faced brand sought to create makeup that looks natural (like you were “born this way,” hence the name). Luckily, customers agree that this foundation has a natural and smooth finish.
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: Just like the Too Faced Foundation, the Shape Tape Concealer offers a variety of shades for every skin tone. In fact, it comes with a massive 35 shades. Plus, the shades are described similarly to the Too Faced foundation, so you will have no problem pairing the two.
- Sensitive-Skin Approved: This concealer is also dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic, which means it does not have any harmful ingredients that will irritate sensitive skin. Plus, it is vegan!
- Ultra-Hydrating Formula: This concealer has a few key ingredients that will make you love it even more. First, it contains shea butter. Not only does shea butter hydrate your skin, but it also contains a skin emollient that helps your skin keep its elasticity. The Shape Tape Concealer also contains mango seed butter. This ingredient is filled with nourishing vitamins that protect from the free radical agents that I mentioned earlier. It also contains licorice root extract, which will do wonders for dark circles. Plus, it color corrects your skin!
- Doesn’t Crease: Sometimes the worst thing a foundation or concealer can do is crease and settle into your fine lines. But I love that the Shape Tape Concealer does neither. It provides full coverage without looking flakey and it covers up everything from wrinkles to dark spots and everything in between.
- Long-Lasting: Another great feature of this concealer is that it is long-lasting. Shape Tape is waterproof, sweatproof, and smudge-proof. It also provides 12-hour coverage, so you can wear it all day without having to reapply or redo any of your makeup.
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?
- #1 Setting Powder: Who doesn’t love a product that is in first place? The Laura Mercier setting powder is rated #1 for loose setting powders.
- Mega-Blurring Effect: One of the reasons this powder is so highly rated is because of its magical blurring effect. 92% of customers say that this powder instantly blurs all of their imperfections.
- Smooth Matte Finish: Another amazing feature of this powder is that it has a gorgeous matte finish. this powder goes on smooth and does not leave your face looking cakey or flakey. Instead, it provides a gorgeous matte finish to give you the perfect finishing touch for your makeup.
- Powerful Powder: This setting powder is also packed full of antioxidants and vitamins. It contains vitamins C and E which will make your skin look smoother and more even. Plus, the powder is derived from plants and has natural amino acids which absorb excess oil and give you an even smoother finish.
- Lightweight and Buildable: Another great thing about this powder is that it is lightweight. It doesn’t make your skin feel cakey or heavy because it is a finely-milled formula that goes on light and allows you to build and blend easily. Plus, one container will last you 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 months. 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: I love when makeup products come with bonus products, and this bronzer comes with two. You get a full-size mirror AND a jumbo makeup brush so you can apply this bronzer on the go.
- Natural Tan Finish: The worst thing about a bronzer is that many of them look unnatural. Some bronzers will leave you looking like you spent too much time in a tanning booth, and when you are looking for a natural tan finish, it can be hard to find a bronzer that does the job. But, the Hoola Bronzer will not disappoint. Just a quick swipe in the winter will leave you with a soft tan finish, and in the summer you will definitely look like the sun goddess you are with this bronzer!
- Versatile: Not only is this a great bronzer, but many people use the Hoola Bronzer to contour as well. Some customers say they even use it as an eyeshadow. There is no shortage of different ways you can use this product!
- Blendable: Another perk is that this bronzer is extremely blendable. You don’t have to worry about it looking cakey, and it can pair well with virtually every product in your makeup routine! Plus, it is buildable, so you can use a little or a lot to enhance your gorgeous face.
- Long-Lasting: Not only will the Hoola Bronzer last all day on your face, but the bronzer itself lasts a long time. The jumbo size linked above is only available for a limited time, but it is twice the product for a cheaper price, so it is a steal if you are looking for a long-lasting bronzer!
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: This blush features three different finishes: matte, satin, and shimmering. So whether you are looking for a natural matte or a pop of sparkle, the Nars Blush has every finish that you could wish for!
- Long-Lasting: These blushes will last you forever because they are highly-pigmented and you don’t need a lot to create a bold look. Plus, they will stay firmly on your face all day without smearing or fading.
- Natural-Finish: If you are looking for a blush that will give you a gorgeous natural finish, this is the product for you! The formula itself is made with super micronized powder, so it is buildable, blendable, and gentle on your skin.
Price: Nars Blush $30
Why the Anastasia Beverly Hills is the Best STICK BLUSH?
- Soft Cream Finish: If you have never used a stick blush before, it is a game-changer when it comes to color and style. This cream formula is highly pigmented and will melt into your skin. It avoids cakiness, and will not smudge or smear all day long.
- Perfect for On-the-Go: One of the best parts of this blush is that it has a blush brush on the other side. No more carrying around a dusty container of blush and getting your purse covered with blush from the brush! Instead, swipe on the color and flip the stick around and blend with the brush on the other side.
- Built for Sensitive Skin: This stick is free of fragrance, oils, parabens, and phthalates. It is also dermatologist-tested. All of this together means that it is perfect for sensitive skin. You don’t have to worry about breakouts or skin irritation with this blush stick!
Price: Anastasia Stick blush $32
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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. Plus, if you flip it to the other side you will find a built-in spoolie brush!
- Different Shades: This pencil also comes in 12 different shades, so you can find the perfect one for your brows. But if you are having trouble, Ulta provides a shade guide to tell you exactly what shade will look most natural on 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, so you don’t have to worry about smudging or smearing.
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. This wax holds your brows firmly in place without your brows feeling like you just dumped Elmer’s glue on them!
- 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
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! 94% of customers say that their brows looked visibly thicker after using this wand!
- 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. Many customers say that it lasts at least 5-8 hours without any touch-ups.
- Variety of Shades: From a bold red lip to a daring mauve, this lipstick comes in 23 beautiful shades, and it will be difficult to not add all of them to your cart!
- 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!
- Cruelty-Free: If you are looking for one more reason why this lipstick needs to be in your cart, it is also cruelty-free!
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: The Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette, the Morphe x Jaclyn Hill Palette, and the Tartelette Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette.
Why the Anastasia Beverly Hills is the Best?
- Variety of Shades and Finishes: This palette comes with 14 shades, and it features matte, metallic, and duo-chrome finishes! The colors themselves vary from a subtle pink to a deep red and they even have a luxurious dark brown. Whether you want a subtle day look or a bold night look, there is a shade in this palette for it all.
- 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. It also includes matte, shimmering, and satin finishes.
- Range of Looks: This palette is also extremely blendable, so the looks that you can create with this palette are endless. Customers also love that the colors are extremely bright after just one application!
- Lasts All Day Long: Since this palette has such pigmented colors, they will not fade throughout the day. Your eyes will be looking just as bold at the end of the day as they did right after you applied your makeup.
Price: $39 at ULTA.com
Why the Tartelette Palette is the Best?
- Matte Shades for Days: If you aren’t a fan of the shimmer eyeshadow palettes and would prefer an exclusively matte palette, look no further. The Tartelette palette has 12 matte shades with both warm and cool nude tones.
- Clay-Infused: This palette is unique because each shade is infused with an Amazonian Clay formula. These shades will glide on like a cream and stay firmly in place all day long.
- Perfect for Sensitive Skin: Did you know that the area around your eyes is one of the thinnest layers of skin on your whole body? If you have sensitive skin, anything you apply to your eyes has to be built with you in mind. This palette is dermatologist-approved and doesn’t contain any harsh minerals, parabens, phthalates, or gluten.
Price: $39 at SEPHORA.com
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!
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WAIT! Want to Apply Makeup like a Pro? Get The Ultimate Professional Makeup Bundle and learn the Makeup fundamentals, with pro step-by-step guides, charts, cheat sheets, SECRET professional makeup tips, a makeup face chart workbook & all you need to start to level up your makeup game!