Top 5 high end beauty buys featuring YSL, Marc Jacobs, Hourglass & more

I know from experience that high end prices/brands don't always equal amazing products or results but today I want to share with you my top 5 high end beauty purchases that I believe are worth the price tag. I have quite a large make-up collection that consists of mainly mid-high end products with some budget gems in there too and I have tried quite a lot of high end brands but when I got to thinking about this post, I finally narrowed it down to these five products that really stand out for me and I would wholeheartedly recommend to others who want to make a luxury make-up purchase. I haven't included any skincare because I will do a separate post on my top 5 high end skincare buys another day. So let's get started!

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk: This was the first product that sprang to mind when I decided on this post because it is the foundation that I can totally depend on and have gone back to time and time again over the last 8 years. It has a pump dispenser, which is my favourite for foundation (I hate the pipettes that a lot of brands are using these days or no dispenser at all is a pain - looking at Chanel Les Beiges and Nars Sheer Glow here!) and around 2 pumps will give me medium to full coverage. When I use this foundation, I need very little concealer and it leaves my skin looking pretty much flawless. It doesn't settle into any dry patches or exaggerate fine lines or accentuate pores. It makes my skin look very healthy - not matte, not satin but not overly dewy - just luminous as the name suggests. It is also long-lasting so it is the foundation I go for special occasions or days when I need my base to stay flawless for hours on end. It doesn't contain any SPF so is perfect for nights out or times where you know people will be getting snap-happy! It is quite pricey at €45 but I usually buy it in Duty Free where it is almost €10 cheaper. It comes in 16 shades so hopefully there is a shade there for everyone. If you have oily skin, try Armani Lasting Silk.

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow: Despite the fact that I really don't like any of Charlotte Tilbury's skincare products, I love her make-up and my number one choice of all of her products is Filmstar Bronze & Glow. The contour shade in this palette is perfect for soft definition rather than a Kin K-W contour and it adds some life to the skin. It isn't too warm and definitely isn't grey-toned so would suit most light-medium skin tones but it also comes in a medium-dark option too. The highlight is very natural colour and is very flattering plus isn't at all glittery so is perfect for daytime wear. It is so buttery soft and easy to blend and is an all-round winner in my opinion. The packaging is also to die for! It is expensive at €65 but totally worth it in my opinion because I've never found any other product of this type that works as well as this one.

Hourglass Lighting Blush: This blush palette is no longer available but the blushes can be bought individually. These blushes are an absolute dream to apply - they don't kick up too much powder, they are smooth and almost silky in texture and the marbled powder they are combined with give a very radiant finish. They are also long-lasting and are clearly visible when I take my make-up off in the evening. They are priced at £32 each and although I have tried a lot of blushes, nothing compares to these, so again, I think they are worth the price.

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara: I know that a lot people prefer drug store mascaras and can't justify buying high end because they only last for 6 months approx but I have never found a drugstore mascara that matches my favourite high end choices and it is the one product that I have almost always bought from high end brands, despite dabbling in budget brands. My all time favourite for around 15 years was YSL Faux Cils and whilst I still love that one and will definitely repurchase at some point, this new Marc Jacobs mascara is my absolute favourite. I like black, dramatic lashes with lots of volume but I don't like clumpy, crispy or smudged lashes. This mascara is the dream - it gives volume, drama, curl, is very black and doesn't flake, smudge or make my lashes crispy. I absolutely love it and will undoubtedly repurchase. It is priced at £20 and Marc Jacobs products are available to buy in Harrods in the UK (or via the Parcel Motel in Ireland!).

YSL Rouge Volupte #1 Nude Beige lipstick: This is my favourite lipstick of all time so I had to include it. The packaging is absolutely beautiful as is expected from YSL, but the lipstick itself is so creamy and comfortable to wear. It isn't so slippy that it will end up all over your teeth or face and despite the creaminess, it lasts 3/4 hours on the lips before it needs re-applying. This nude colour goes with all make-up looks and has been a staple for me since I bought it. It is a pinky-nude and I think it would be flattering on a range of skin tones and it is neither too pink nor nude. 

When friends or family ask me what products I recommend when they are feeling spendy or when they want to buy a treat gift for somebody, these are the products that are top of my list and they are all products that I either have already repurchased or will do so in the future. In my opinion, you just cannot go wrong with them! Tom Ford is a high end brand that I have yet to try anything from but will hopefully indulge at some point! I'll post my luxury skincare favourites soon! I would love to hear your thoughts on these products and also what your favourite luxury products are? Please tell me in the comments below!

Don't forget to enter my Abercrombie & Fitch giveaway here!

Thanks for reading!

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All of these products were bought with my own money.