Luxury makeup is often associated with superior quality, flawless finishes and elevated performance — but in reality, not every high-end product earns its price tag. As a professional luxury makeup artist with over seven years of experience working with high end brands such as Chanel, Faberge, JW Anderson, Carolina Herrera I’ve tested countless products in real-world conditions.
In this guide, I’m sharing the high-end makeup products that are truly worth investing in, alongside a few controversial luxury products I personally don’t believe offer good value. My goal isn’t to discredit luxury makeup but to help you spend wisely and build a refined, effective makeup collection.
This foundation is, without question, worth the investment. The formula delivers a refined, skin-like finish that enhances the complexion without ever looking heavy or overdone. What makes it exceptional s the skincare-infused formulation, powered by Augustinus Bader’s renowned technology — a genuine benefit, not just a marketing claim.
It blends seamlessly, wears beautifully throughout the day and photographs impeccably, making it a staple for both
everyday wear and professional makeup applications.
Why it’s worth it:
lightweight luxury finish, impeccable blendability and added skincare benefits.
This is one of the most versatile luxury makeup products you can own. The finely milled powders melt into the skin, creating a refined glow that never appears glittery or textured.
The palette can be used as a highlighter, eyeshadow or glow enhancer, and the four thoughtfully curated shades make it suitable all year round and across a wide range of skin tones. It’s a staple in my professional kit for good reason.
Why it’s worth it: multi-use functionality, universally flattering tones and a sophisticated glow.
This product is an absolute essential — both for professional makeup artists and for everyday use. The cream texture blends effortlessly into the skin, delivering a naturally bronzed, healthy glow with no muddy or cakey undertones.
It’s practically foolproof, making it perfect for:
The finish is fresh, luminous and refined — a perfect example of modern luxury makeup.
Why it’s worth it: effortless application, natural warmth and flawless results with minimal skill required.
There’s no denying this is a beautiful, lightweight foundation with a soft, radiant finish. However, at nearly £40, I don’t personally believe it offers enough of a difference to justify the price.
The L’Oréal True Match Foundation is an almost exact dupe in texture, finish and wear — at around £12. When comparing the two side by side, the quality difference is minimal, while the price difference is significant.
Why I’d skip it: lovely formula, but too similar to a far more affordable alternative.
I appreciate a compact eyeshadow palette for convenience and travel, and the quality of these shadows is undeniably beautiful — smooth, refined and blendable.
That said, for the price point, four shades simply don’t offer enough value. Many other brands provide comparable quality with double or triple the shade range, making them a more practical investment.
Why I’d skip it: excellent quality, but limited versatility for the cost.
This may be the most controversial opinion, but after more than seven years as a professional makeup artist, I’ve never seen the necessity for expensive makeup brushes.
There are outstanding, affordable brush ranges available — particularly on Amazon — that perform just as well as luxury brands such as Hourglass. The Maange brush range, for example, offers excellent quality and durability, and I’ve seen many professional artists use them regularly.
Brush performance comes down to shape, density and technique, not branding.
Why I’d skip them: exceptional affordable alternatives exist that deliver the same results.
Luxury makeup is not about price — it’s about performance, finish and reliability. Some high-end products truly elevate a makeup look and are worth every penny, while others simply don’t offer enough improvement over well-formulated, affordable alternatives.
Knowing where to invest and where to save allows you to build a curated, intelligent makeup collection that delivers professional results — whether you’re a makeup artist, a bride, or refining your everyday routine.
If you’d like personalised product recommendations, bridal-specific advice, or help building a luxury makeup kit, feel free to get in touch
MAKEUPBYEMIE™