According to Our Editors, These Are the Luxury Beauty Products Worth Investing In

“It’s pretty safe to say that most of us don’t want to spend more than $10 on a tube of lip product — especially when you can just swipe on some Chapstick and call it a day. But hear me out: This lip oil went viral for a reason. It’s that incredibly rare combination of actually being hydrating yet perfectly tinted, which results in a plump, subtly colorful pout. Plus, it goes on like a gloss, but without that annoying sticky feeling.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor

“My childhood friend has been raving about Tracie Martyn’s facials, so I finally took the plunge and purchased the Amla Cleanser and the Enzyme Exfoliant. The Amla Cleanser is a sulfate-free, Vitamin C-rich cleanser that gently removes impurities without messing up the skin’s natural barrier. This miracle cleanser contains natural acids and fruit extracts to prevent breakouts with daily exfoliation. The Enzyme Exfoliant is a 15-minute facial mask with a powerful combo of AHA/BHA complex, pineapple enzymes, and volcanic minerals. The formula instantly revitalizes dull skin and makes me look so much brighter.” — Jessica Lindell, Head of Sales & Partnerships

“I know what you’re thinking — you already have a blow dryer and a round brush. Why buy a completely new heat tool that combines the two? Well, I’m here to tell you that you absolutely need this volumizer if you love blowouts and hate wet hair. Using this tool, you can dry your hair incredibly fast while also giving it ample lift and a smooth texture. Just be sure to pair your fab new blow dryer brush with your favorite heat protectant spray.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor

“I’ve always had really thick, hard-to-dry hair, so I’ve never truly loved a hair dryer until now. Instead of spending what felt like hours aiming a too hot contraption at my scalp, I can now get my entire head rough-dried in a matter of minutes with the Shark FlexStyle. Not only is it super easy to use, but it quickly transforms from dryer to curling wand to round brush with the push of a button and switch of an attachment, making it a do-it-all wonder in my teeny tiny bathroom.” — Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor

“After struggling with an extremely flaky scalp for months and finding no relief from the constant itching and burning (not even from prescription creams), I finally met with trichologist and Act+Acre founder Helen Reavey to learn about how to care for my scalp. After looking at my scalp with a magnifying camera and talking about my concerns, she used this serum on irritated, scabby spots on my head. They were gone by the next morning. I was shocked. I now use this serum any time I have flare-ups, want to treat myself to a head massage, or just want to nourish my hair and skin.” — Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor

“I’ve been wanting a more lightweight skin option for summer that gives a little tint and evens things out without being as thick as foundation. I found my answer in this tint that also acts as a primer. It’s so airy and soft to the touch. When I put it on, my skin literally feels like butter.” — Sara Levine, Newsletter Editor

“I have a confession to make: I only recently got rid of the Victoria’s Secret Love Spell body spray I’d been hanging onto since middle school. (Yes, middle school. And yes, it was still perfectly fine, which should raise some questions.) That’s because I discovered whind’s intoxicating eaux de parfum. The Lalla La Rose is floral, like my beloved Love Spell, but not as sickly sweet — in addition to rose petal, it also has the scents of coconut, spiced vanilla cream, and Moroccan woods to create a rich and elevated fragrance.” — Sara Levine, Newsletter Editor

“I always thought primers were a beauty industry gimmick — unnecessary and ineffective. But all of that changed when I picked up Dior’s Glow Veil primer during this summer’s Sephora sale. Applying it before my tinted moisturizer not only extends the life of my makeup, but it also provides a radiant, natural appearance without any cakeyness. If you’re looking to keep your makeup intact for an event or a night out, I support you splurging on this product.” — Alaina Mancini, Managing Editor

“This anti-aging serum packed with Vitamin C is a bestselling skincare product year after year for good reason: If you use it consistently, you will see results. I noticed smoother, softer, and more plump-looking skin after applying it every day (pre-moisturizer) in just one week. Now, I can’t go 24 hours without a pump or two of it. It’s like a shot of hydration for my face.” — Alaina Mancini, Managing Editor

“I take a very low-maintenance approach to hair styling, and this is my absolute favorite curling iron for adding quick volume to my locks. The one-inch barrel heats up in what feels like five seconds, and with just one single pass, it turns dull-looking hair into shiny, glossy strands. It’ll also smooth your hair out in an instant, even if you aren’t planning to curl it.”  — Alaina Mancini, Managing Editor

“So many of us forget that skincare shouldn’t just stop at the jawline — neglecting your neck and chest area can lead to thin skin and fine lines, or ‘crepey neck skin.’ This cream was formulated to solve precisely this issue, and combines a bi-mineral contour complex with retinoid and arbutin to target signs of aging in the neck and chest area. According to their clinical trials, 97 percent of participants saw visible improvements in their décolletage after eight weeks.” — Sara Levine, Newsletter Editor

“My roommate introduced me to this foundation my sophomore year of college and I haven’t strayed from it since. When I’m having a bad skin day, this magical liquid covers all of my problem areas and breakouts. When it’s 90 degrees out, I can count on the foundation’s full coverage without it feeling heavy and cakey like others I’ve tried before. A little bit goes a long way, too — my method for making it last as long as possible is to dip a tiny bit out with a makeup brush handle, dab it on my face, and then blend it in with my foundation brush or a beauty sponge.” — Meredith Struewing, Social Media Producer

“The Dr. Dennis Daily Peel has become a must-have in my skincare routine in recent years. As someone who deals with unpredictable, acne-prone skin, I’ve tried every product under the sun. These peel pads have completely transformed my skin, leaving it brighter, shrinking my pores, and keeping any breakouts at bay. I can’t recommend this product enough!” — Victoria Bellucci, Account Manager 

“As someone with sensitive skin that’s become more acne-prone over the past couple of years, I was skeptical that a face oil would work for me and was overjoyed to find one that does. Three drops in the morning (two in the summer) leave my face feeling soft and moisturized, plus it gives me a golden-hued glow that really came in handy this winter. Now you can get it in a mini version that costs less than half the full size and will still last you for months. Highly, highly recommend.” — Ciara Hopkinson, Senior Associate

“For those of you who don’t have it, keratosis pilaris is a very common, very frustrating skin condition that causes little painless bumps or red dots on your arms, thighs, and cheeks. For those of you who do, you can probably relate to my many and varied attempts to achieve smooth arms, from loofahing my skin raw to purchasing every variety of medicated lotions, specialized exfoliators, and drugstore sugar scrubs. Thanks to a well-placed Instagram ad, I decided to try Beauty Pie’s AcidEnzyme Exfoliating Face & Body Cleanser and…it works. It actually works! It uses salicylic acid and a papaya enzyme complex to clear out pores without irritating the skin, and you can leave it on for an extra long time for boosted exfoliating power. My arms may not look like I stepped out of a magazine, but they’re certainly smoother than they’ve ever been — I can’t recommend it enough.” — Ciara Hopkinson, Senior Associate

“Since quarantine, I’ve solely been using light coverage, dewy skincare that doesn’t make my face feel so made up. And I think this Tula serum may be my new holy grail. $40 may sound like a lot for a skin tint, but trust me. This makeup/skincare hybrid brightens my complexion, protects me from the sun, and also evens out some of the discoloration from a couple of old acne scars (cute, right?). Plus, the Tula ‘Find My Shade’ tool is among the most accurate I’ve ever used.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor