I think Designer brands should be the ones to focus on packaging. Have a core line of products that are refills. And then every season release new packaging designs like they do fashion designs. “Have you seen the new Armani lipstick cases?” I dunno I think that would be cool.
3 Fashion Brand products that I’ve found AMAZING 1- Dior face and body foundation: I’m oily AF, and this holds up without it looking drying/cakey/breaking up… 2- Marc Jacobs Omega Bronzer (discontinued, hopefully making a come back) 3- Tom Ford lip glosses. It’s a whole experience. Period.
I think you might like Armani Luminous Silk foundation.. it's perfect not too matte not too glowy... Light to medium coverage.. mixes well with a more matte foundation or a glowier one. It's just perfect.
I love the Gucci voile lipsticks. They are sheer but thats what I like and the formula is perfect. It's a lot firmer than other sheer lipsticks so it does actually stick around for a while.
Victoria Beckham eyeliners, give those a try. And the thing I like about the Dior rosy glow blush is how impressively long lasting it is. It’s there all day long, through a workout, and still there when I take my makeup off at 10pm.
I've heard that about the Dior blush which has made me want to try it even more. The Chanel cheek/eye looks gorgeous as well though. I just got a few Victoria Beckham liners and they wowed me! They're rich, gorgeous and glide on so easily with no tugging at the eye.
Designer brand makeup has higher highs and lower lows than other price brackets for me. I have a lot of designer makeup that I adore especially the Dior highlighter quad. But between that and luxury makeup I think luxury makeup is far more consistent. Like ND PMG etc
A couple of things about the blush comparison: I believe the issue really is with the finish of the Dior, but also remember that on the other side you practically layered several shades. Also, it's worth noting that the Backstage line is the "cheaper" and less luxurious of the Dior lines (which is also reflected in the packaging, as you've noted)
I also think the Backstage line is designed to be traveled with i.e. makeup artists on site aka “backstage”. It’s actually something I like about the packaging bc it keeps it lighter for my own traveling.
I’m a luxury makeup kind of woman, I personally just find fun in the experience and the quality of luxury makeup has improved tremendously but this look on you is stunning 💐
The Channel palette is actually meant to be an eyeshadow/blush combo. It sells for $90. Edited to add - I think the Dior blush looks great on your skin - one, the color is wonderful on you & two, as you wore it the warmth of your skin gave it a bit of a glow - at least on camera!
Tip with the hard panning: if you’re applying the Chanel blushes on top of an already applied cream blush, try using a clean brush to dip into the Chanel, and don’t dip back in once it’s touched your face to avoid oil transfer. Or build up the blush on the brush and tap onto your hand so you can kinda “dip back in” onto your hand. I’ve found this technique kinda useful when I’ve had hard panning in the past, mainly when applying pressed powder on top of wet base. :) xx
I really fell in love with Givenchy makeup lately. I feel that among luxury/designer brands they are seriously underrated. If you're ever interested in going for a matte lip look, you have to try their Le Rouge Sheer Velvet matte lipsticks. They are actually comfortable and look blurring and beautiful on the lips. Another Must by them is the Prisme Libre powder. I'm in my mid 40's and I have very dark, hollow undereyes that require quite a lot of corrector and concealer to somewhat hide. Since I got the Prisme Libre Powder, that's the only thing I use to set my undereyes, and they look better than ever. An absolutely stunning powder!
I am a huge fan of luxury design-house lipsticks, most notably YSL, Gucci, and Armani. I really like the Armani Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick, creamy finish and dries down to a demi matte. Also a huge favorite is the YSL slim lipsticks that have a really gorgeous packaging and both semi opaque formula are great for everyday application.
If you're getting into Chanel...girl, their cream bronzer is 👏 so 👏 GOOD! I was skeptical, but it just kept calling to me. That one is truly magical. Not only is it a nice balance between a cream/powder finish, but it does something to the skin, smooths it, or I don't know, but none of the cream bronzers I have does what that one does. It's just perfection. I've been up-ing my game recently like you have been, and there are some truly amazing high-end products out there that I've discovered. Little at a time of course 😂
You may want to try the individual Dior highlighters that come in a round compact with a cushioned exterior. They're very lux, and the powder's glow is versatile and delicate, with a light floral scent.
I adore the Dior Backstage Rosy Glow blush formula. I prefer a matte finish because it doesn’t enhance my more mature skin. The Dior makes my skin look better. I am 49 and I am all for any formula that improves appearance of my skin.
such a sultry look. The Gucci lipsticks are the ultimate makeup flex for me. Not because they are not good but because they look so beautiful formula & packaging. HLP Made me want them.
The YSL Volupte shine lipsticks are just ok.. If you want to be wowed you need to try the tatouage couture liquid lips.. It’s my all time favorite formula! It feel like water on the lips and looks undetectable. I always get compliments wearing it!
The Dior blush and highlighter quad you used are part of their Backstage line -- supposedly the emphasis is more on fashion-forward colours, with the packaging not really being a focus. (In other words, yep, it looks and feels cheap.😉 ) Dior's primary line contains blush, highlighter, powders, etc. that are definitely more luxe, in either a heavier sleek navy packaging, or a quilted compact, depending on the product.
Honestly, I feel most luxury makeup isn't completely worth the price. There are a few that are literal holy grails though. I love the Gucci lipsticks, givenchy lipsticks, givenchy concealer, and the Valentino blushes. I don't know why the Valentino blushes are so special, but literally one of my favorite formulas ever. Anything else I have I am happy to have, but I don't think I'd run out and repurchase.
I’d love to know your thoughts on luminous silk. It smooths out my texture and As long as I set it with powder it lasts all day. Edit: I love luxury makeup but the only foundation I’ve tried and loved has been GA Luminous silk
I have never tried luminous silk after all these years and I really need to cause it is so loved and honestly seems perfect with the glow and the matte!!
I’m a CHANEL girl, but my go to is Bobbi Brown eyeshadows. Foundation choice is Lancôme and CHANEL. Powder favorites are Givenchy in winter, and, Guerlain and Lancôme in summer.
I love the Chanel Ultra Wear Liquid Lip Colour (with the gloss on the other end). It does not budge! It is what I wear whenever I know I have a long day and won't be able to touch up or reapply. My favourite colour is Tender Beige for every day, but I also wear Soft Coral a lot in spring/summer.
I agree on the Dior blush. I waited til this Sephora sale to get it, and it just didnt live up to my expectations. It's pretty, but i was hoping it would melt into the skin and create a lit from within glow, but it just always looks makeupy, no matter what i do. Ive try bare face, tinted moisturizer, and medium coverage foundation. It just never quite looks how i want it to.
I believe that at one point you gave HLP one of the Armani cream blushes (maybe?), and oh my goodness those are just gorgeous. I bought the cool brown shade first and have picked up another three or four since. The colors are so nuanced and special, and the formula is the moussier sister to the Phytosurgence cream blush. Goes on so soft and dries down in the most flattering way (and actually lasts on my oily skin!)
I feel you on the lip products. It's like due to how slippery the product is, you become immediately aware of every lip flake and post-lunch crumb on your mouth lol
The first Tom Ford quad you showed kind of reminded me of Flower Beauty Desert Lights palette. I bought the Tom Ford Body Heat quad at the Cosmetics Company Store for 75% off.
the only products in my collection that are worth the "luxury" title are the pat mcgrath cheek/highlighter palettes and natasha denona cream blush. granted i havent tried every luxury product in every category but for the way i do my makeup i almost exclusively use them and have to force myself to use my other products
FYI - that Chanel combo blush looks amazing on you, absolutely lovely. I love my Dior foundation and concealer they are a match made in heaven on my skin. I have several Chanel blushes before they changed their formula and I love them. I also purchased two of the new Armani blushes during the Sephora sale, they are fine but I don't think I will purchase anymore. For eyeshadow nothing beats and Indie brand so I don't normally go for designer shadows. I do like the Gucci mascara. Most things I use are either luxury or high/mid level brands. I have never had good results with drug store makeup products. Just for reference, I am 60 years old with combo skin with hyper pigmentation in some areas along with all the lines and wrinkles that come with it.
I use the YSL Volupte Shine lipsticks (the light colours) as a topper/gloss type situation. I agree with you totally, on their own they are a little thin. The packaging though is pretty darn luxe 🦋
I have the Dior Rosy Glow blush in the viral pink (but I have had it for like 5 years) and I have never loved it. I like the color, it works well with my coloring, but it just does nothing special for my cheeks. Give me a Tarte or Nars blush any day! Just finished the video and you look stunning!
I agree with you. I literally have the YSL lipsticks front and center just for aesthetics and I never reach for them. I love reaching for my Gucci lipsticks over the YSL. Not that there’s anything wrong with the YSL but I do get that weird balling /pulling type of thing like you were talking about with the grit.
I think that the Dior side of the blush actually looks better but it could just show up in camera a little better. Love your videos, you’re my fave creator
i totally agree about that dior blush! i have it in pink, and it is soooo difficult to make do anything. i use it to cool down my warm blushes a bit. or as a topper when i need that color.
I’ve had a lot of designer make up over the years that I’ve loved. Armani foundation, I loved Dior airflash which is now dcd. Givenchy lipstick is incredible, the sheer matte but also their standard lipsticks. Tom Ford had a glossy lip a couple years ago that were my absolute favorite. I’ve had some Chanel products that were just amazing, blush and highlighters. Huge love to some glossy YSL lipsticks as well as the Dior addicts. Guerlain lipsticks with the metal cases are lovely but heavy. But makes checking your lipstick easy in public.
I wonder what you may think about the classic Dior line vs. the Backstage one, as the latter is considered the cheaper and more accessible line of the house (hence the cheaper package too). From my understanding, Backstage was supposedly a line inspired by makeup artists and hence the clear cases, etc. So I would not necessarily call it full luxury and, instead, more high end/street.🤷🏻♀️
I saw the Backstage Dior highlighter palette so I'm commenting this before I watch the full vid. Its worth it. Its so very worth it if one wants to splurge on a fancy product. I got it for my birthday and its so beautiful. 🥰🥝💚🖤
Gucci lipsticks are next level for their packaging. I absolutely love it. I'm always tempted to throw out my collection and just buy theirs. They feel so good on my lips too.
I've been on a journey to scale down my makeup since i hate looking at product i don't use. I found that i really appreciate form and function - the packaging has a big part to play as much as the product. So like the hourglass confessions, the magnetic closure on an Armani lipstick, the black lacquer of Pat McGrath - all of it makes using the product an experience. I've tried YSL several times but i can taste the fragrance and as someone who bathes in perfume it's far too much for me so YSL as a brand is out
The Dior Blush looks stunning in your skin!😍 It looked like porcelain (before adding highlighter, after highlighter, it looks like the Chanel.) Love the Givenchy balm, such a nice feeling when pressing lips.
The packaging and that aesthetic experience of interacting with it makes luxury worth it for me. Try the Tom ford shade illuminate contour it’s a stunning product, also Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation.
The older i get the more i appreciate brands like chanel and dior and armani that just nail complexion, lips and eye products. They really get the sophosticated sublte make up looks but can easily be amped up but are still super flattering .
The Dior backstage line the clear packaging was always directed at the younger crowd...for buying anyway, that's why its a bit cheaper price point..And you should get your Tom ford at the cco its at least 50%off not the newest out but palettes are about$30 soooooo lol I buy them their...and he just left I believe so hopefully still as good!!!!
My favourite designer brand is Dior, for sure. Their lipsticks have been iconic for decades, and their eyeshadows are really great quality (albeit sadly neutral), but their complexion lines are so damn good. The backstage line is incredible, and overall the foundations and concealers are some of the best out there, with a vast selection of finishes and coverages. And I’m particularly grateful for the light olive undertones in the line… Love love love them. I don’t own any of the blushes, though… I feel most other brands do have some incredible star products, but not as complete range of products in all their different lines… That being said, I think Gucci has the most gorgeous packaging and I think if I could I’s collect almost every product… So gorgeous they should be refillable…
The way you do your brows is really aestheticly pleasing to watch. 😊That...sounded weird but that's the best way my mind could put it into a coherent sentence. 😅🥝💚🖤
I'm a Chanel Beauty advisor! If you're wanting to try other products, I would for sure recommend the Les Beiges Glow Bronzer, the Essential Baume in Sculpting for a super pretty glow, and the Les Beiges foundation! The base products are so bomb.
I also love Gucci lipstick in this balm formula with flowers on the packaging ❤ I have two of them, cherry colour and red colour. Cherry somehow became my everyday choice. Also I like Gucci mascara, very interesting formula and looks good on my long lashes❤
I’m oily and almost 38…so wrinkly and oily. I LOVE the Auric glow lust. It does not add to the oils in my skin anymore than the born this way foundation. It’s amazing and worth the $$.
Have you tried the YSL candy gloss formula? I think it may be more up your alley and in my opinion is worth the price tag, it’s shiny, moisturizing, pigmented where you can sheer it or build it, I’ve tried lots of their formulas over the years and it’s my favorite so far. This was a great idea, thanks for the vid 😊
The only high end product I've ever tried (and still use is the Armani luminous silk foundation. It is TOTALLY worth it! It has the most beautiful finish. You can actually achieve different finishes with it, depending if you use a brush or a beauty blender. I love both looks. ❤❤
I love Tom Ford eyeshadow in the wet dry baked formula. Suspicion, Nude Dip, Apres Ski and Honeymoon are my favorites and Hazy Sensuality and Peach Dawn are on my wishlist. I usually only use two shades. They blend themselves and are so flattering. I hate scented makeup so I avoid a lot of the designer lipsticks. Fun video!
I do enjoy your clear honest opinion and breakdown of products 👍I've been loving the Naito telescopic mascara. And another tip I've discovered is use 2 types.. so I use that first, then one with a lash builder/lengthening one (I'm using Lancomé atm) have the best looking lashes ever!
I think its very easy to get hard pan on baked items, a tiny bit of moisture from fingers or your brush will do that to baked items. Besides the Dior backstage line are their cheaper line, for younger people. That's why the packaging is the way it is.
I’ve always wanted someone to film a video in which they say each product is a designer item and then they reveal at the end that they were drugstore or affordable products.. just to sort of fool the audience. Maybe people would take a moment for to take an internal temp and realize how they felt when they watched the products initially vs how they feel about them now. I know that’s not really possible because the beauty community is all about transparency but a girl can dream. That being said, I own designer makeup and I love the items I have. Like Tom Ford’s cream eyeshadows and shade & illuminate? Pat McGrath eyeshadow? Incredible. P.S. I love the dior blush on you. It looks so seamless on the skin and the color brightens the face.
THANK👏 YOU👏bought dior rosy blush twiceee!! Each color because I always felt I was missing out. As someone with texture it definitely is not complementing on face. It almost makes my skin texture look worse. Glowy but not smooth at all. But the colors are really pretty😂😬🥴
It’s so funny you mention Makeup by Tiffany D because she was the one back in the day that hooked me on beauty CZcams and Armani Eyes to Kill mascara. Still my holy grail mascara to date.
As an combo oily girl, I love the Dior Matte foundation BUT the primer makes a big difference. Milk hydrogrip worked great-best foundation I’ve ever tried, including more expensive ones. However, combined with a Tatcha dupe primer that I normally like made me so very oily.
Great video Lauren, I’m so happy I found you from your Mario palette review re sparkly eyeshadow toppers! The Dior highlighter packaging feels so cheap because it’s part of their ‘Backstage collection’ which is at a lower price point from other products in their luxury brand.
I have Chanel Boy and do really like it. It's a very balmy melty type of lipstick. I highly recommend the regular Chanel lipsticks. they're beautiful and along Dior my fave luxury lipsticks.
Hi, Lauren! I haven’t tried the Valentino primer, but by the way you describe it, I think that you might like the Clarins SOS primer in Universal Light. I would also describe the Clarins as glowy matte, very different from the Hollywood Flawless Filter. I have dry skin and I actually don’t like much the Clarins SOS because it’s “dry” (compared to CTHFF).
The Dior Rosy Glow blush in Pink is my favorite and I use it on top of loose mineral foundation, it looks fresh and natural. I guess it depends on the skin type and preferences. I have oily skin so I like more matte finish to my makeup, but it never looks flat on me. I’m tempted to buy the lip oil in the same color 😅
Man, all the Tom Ford eye shadow products tempt me so badly, but I just can’t justify the price! Particularly when I already own Charlotte Tilbury, Pat MacGrath, Hourglass and Natasha Denona shadows and they’re all great. Tom Ford in general as a brand tempts me a lot, especially the fragrance bottles omg!
I tried a few luxury bronzers. Most recently Chanel cream bronzer since they came out with the deep shade and I want to love it more than I do. The texture is great but it’s practically invisible on my skin. Not that deep at all and I’m only in the deep tan color range. However.. I adore the Hermes 😁. Gucci is nice but runs a little too red for my skin when built up.
My dior highlighter quad, (not the one you have), I use as a full face of makeup, the bronzer blush and highlighter, the, I use them on my eyes as eyeshadow and I absolutely love it. It turns into a nice soft girly look as far as I'm concerned and I'm due because it's very much a spring/summer look. Wow, Louboutin mascara now that is posh big time 😂❤ my absolutely favorite mascara that I got by accident from boxycharm was a 100$ cad from chantecaille. I hano lashes as well as very short, it makes my lashes look li I have extensions. I need it😢 😅. 😘💖😘💖
I used to roll my eyes at the idea of spending money on the more expensive brands because drugstore was just as good, right? It’s all a scam to pay for the name, right? Nope, not all of it. I bought a Lancôme foundation last year and now I get it. Some things really are worth the price, but it’s almost never going to be the quickly-made “trendy” products. There’s products that have been amazing for YEARS that are definitely worth the bigger price tag. My foundation looks amazing and finally works with my skin.
I find the best designer brand overall in terms of having the most products that are really good is Dior. They have several foundations for different tastes (one of them is my holy grail), the same with the concealers, and they actually cater to different undertones. I can’t with brands with 5 shades, like Chanel. Dior also have really good complexion products overall, gorgeous lipsticks, and even their weakest offering - the eyeshadows - do still perform very very well. The colour stories will never be all that, but the actual quality is nice. All the other brands (for me) may have nice packaging and a couple of interesting products, but nothing that keeps me coming back. I have a very old quad from Chanel, their stick highlighter and used to have a couple of lipsticks and a blush. I tried some Burberry lipsticks, were fine; can’t with YSL intense perfume on everything, and I can’t pay Tom Ford prices for a generic quad of neutrals. I am a sucker for Gucci packaging and out of the box lipstick offering (have one bronzer and a couple of lippies), but overall I don’t feel drawn to the designer brand counters… Funnily enough age didn’t make me a make up minimalist lady who loves all the logos on the packaging. I love finding products that perform perfectly.
Tom Ford lip products. I die. I have an unhealthy addiction to them given how expensive they are. And no matter how much I search for less expensive dupes for colors or finishes, I end up just getting the TF one I wanted. And the packaging is so luxe.
I love luxury makeup! And I include some of the just makeup lines like Natasha Denona or CT in that because the packaging is gorgeous. And that’s totally something that sucks me in (as long as the product is really good). I agree that the Dior blush is very flat! I don’t love most powder blushes anyway, but the Chanel powder blushes as well as the original Dior blushes have a beautiful sheen to them even on my dry skin. And I agree that the clear plastic packaging is not as aesthetically pleasing as the more substantial black or solid colored or gold compacts. A pretty package always makes me want to pick it up. Now the dior concealer is awesome! I use it as a spot concealer and face light coverage as I do t wear foundation. I found it because they have a true light to medium olive color. I need to lighten it a bit with a bit of light warm or yellow concealer at my lightest, but it is perfection. Been using it for years. Loved this video!
i feel like designer makeup is mostly about packaging and colours - they tend to be a bit more subtle and nuanced. i really like chanel loose powder, it’s very delicate, sets the makeup but doesn’t look heavy. awhile back i also had the vitalumiere aqua foundation from chanel and it was really nice 👌🏻 also their le volume de chanel mascara was criminally good, i just had a sample and couldn’t get to spend almost 40€ on a full packaging, but i have my eye on it ever since. i try not to buy anymore from brands that are not cruelty free and i don’t really need any new makeup but that chanel face palette and valentino primer look great 😃
I love the Dior foundation, it really has a pretty finish and they have a matte option. I use the other, so I can’t vouch for the matte. I’ve also been thinking about trying the Guerlain bronzer…
It’s a total scam lol. They offer nothing that you couldn’t find anywhere else for way less. People will justify to themselves why they buy designer makeup for various reasons, but with the insane markup regular makeup already has I know the luxury brands are laughing all the way to the bank at those who buy their stuff. In addition, as a black women a lot of the “high end” offerings are bad in terms of shade range and ability to show up on skin tones similar and darker than mine. This is a deliberate choice on their part as they’ve ignored requests from minority clientele, and even now only do their bare minimum to avoid critique. That is if they’re not deliberately making poor ranges to utilize outrage marketing. I spend my money where I’m wanted and towards brands who don’t see their average customer as idiots (Chanel anyone) and luxury brands def don’t fit that bill
Lauren, can you do a CZcams Short with more detailed swatches of that Dior highlighter palette? I have been eyeing it for a very long time, but I haven’t been able to find swatches that really show the exact textures very well.
I wonder if you might like that Dior blush better if you used a sheer blush topper over it to give it a bit of sheen? I do really like that Dior highlighter/bronzer quad. I think I have both colors, but use the one you have the most. I have heard other influencers talk about how the Chanel face palette for hard pan pretty quick.
I think you got a bad Chanel Rouge Coco Flash. I have about 13 of them; Boy included. Never any grit- Just a plush lip. All of Chanel foundation is amazing💖💖
I think Designer brands should be the ones to focus on packaging. Have a core line of products that are refills. And then every season release new packaging designs like they do fashion designs. “Have you seen the new Armani lipstick cases?” I dunno I think that would be cool.
Exactly!!! I've always thought the same thing.
Yes, absolutely agree.
Completely agree!
Yes, and Guerlain does it with lipstick cases. It's way more appropriate to put in your expensive purse for touch-ups
I completely agree. Rose Inc., although not designer, has the right idea. I wish designer brands would do the same on a more luxurious level.
I’ve found that by and large, I’m most impressed with mid range. IMO truly luxury/designer makeup is just as hit or miss as drugstore.
I think that is a fair take.
Agreed
I agree
Same, especially indie brands. Far more likely to get what we pay for than with both ends of the spectrum.
3 Fashion Brand products that I’ve found AMAZING
1- Dior face and body foundation: I’m oily AF, and this holds up without it looking drying/cakey/breaking up…
2- Marc Jacobs Omega Bronzer (discontinued, hopefully making a come back)
3- Tom Ford lip glosses. It’s a whole experience. Period.
I think you might like Armani Luminous Silk foundation.. it's perfect not too matte not too glowy... Light to medium coverage.. mixes well with a more matte foundation or a glowier one. It's just perfect.
I think it would be cool to do a blind test of makeup and seeing if you think it’s high end or drug store
That would be cool!
great idea!
The Valentino blushes are phenomenal! I thought the ones by Gucci were top tier but Valentino created something truly special.
I love the Gucci voile lipsticks. They are sheer but thats what I like and the formula is perfect. It's a lot firmer than other sheer lipsticks so it does actually stick around for a while.
Victoria Beckham eyeliners, give those a try. And the thing I like about the Dior rosy glow blush is how impressively long lasting it is. It’s there all day long, through a workout, and still there when I take my makeup off at 10pm.
I've heard that about the Dior blush which has made me want to try it even more. The Chanel cheek/eye looks gorgeous as well though. I just got a few Victoria Beckham liners and they wowed me! They're rich, gorgeous and glide on so easily with no tugging at the eye.
Designer brand makeup has higher highs and lower lows than other price brackets for me. I have a lot of designer makeup that I adore especially the Dior highlighter quad. But between that and luxury makeup I think luxury makeup is far more consistent. Like ND PMG etc
A couple of things about the blush comparison: I believe the issue really is with the finish of the Dior, but also remember that on the other side you practically layered several shades.
Also, it's worth noting that the Backstage line is the "cheaper" and less luxurious of the Dior lines (which is also reflected in the packaging, as you've noted)
I also think the Backstage line is designed to be traveled with i.e. makeup artists on site aka “backstage”. It’s actually something I like about the packaging bc it keeps it lighter for my own traveling.
I’m a luxury makeup kind of woman, I personally just find fun in the experience and the quality of luxury makeup has improved tremendously but this look on you is stunning 💐
The Channel palette is actually meant to be an eyeshadow/blush combo. It sells for $90. Edited to add - I think the Dior blush looks great on your skin - one, the color is wonderful on you & two, as you wore it the warmth of your skin gave it a bit of a glow - at least on camera!
Tip with the hard panning: if you’re applying the Chanel blushes on top of an already applied cream blush, try using a clean brush to dip into the Chanel, and don’t dip back in once it’s touched your face to avoid oil transfer. Or build up the blush on the brush and tap onto your hand so you can kinda “dip back in” onto your hand. I’ve found this technique kinda useful when I’ve had hard panning in the past, mainly when applying pressed powder on top of wet base. :) xx
I really fell in love with Givenchy makeup lately. I feel that among luxury/designer brands they are seriously underrated.
If you're ever interested in going for a matte lip look, you have to try their Le Rouge Sheer Velvet matte lipsticks. They are actually comfortable and look blurring and beautiful on the lips. Another Must by them is the Prisme Libre powder. I'm in my mid 40's and I have very dark, hollow undereyes that require quite a lot of corrector and concealer to somewhat hide. Since I got the Prisme Libre Powder, that's the only thing I use to set my undereyes, and they look better than ever. An absolutely stunning powder!
Girl - I DO think your makeup looks next level - particularly your base. Thank you for this video - VERY helpful!
I recently picked up the Dior nail glow and I will never go without it again. It makes my hands look so pretty.
I am a huge fan of luxury design-house lipsticks, most notably YSL, Gucci, and Armani. I really like the Armani Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick, creamy finish and dries down to a demi matte. Also a huge favorite is the YSL slim lipsticks that have a really gorgeous packaging and both semi opaque formula are great for everyday application.
If you're getting into Chanel...girl, their cream bronzer is 👏 so 👏 GOOD! I was skeptical, but it just kept calling to me. That one is truly magical. Not only is it a nice balance between a cream/powder finish, but it does something to the skin, smooths it, or I don't know, but none of the cream bronzers I have does what that one does. It's just perfection. I've been up-ing my game recently like you have been, and there are some truly amazing high-end products out there that I've discovered. Little at a time of course 😂
You may want to try the individual Dior highlighters that come in a round compact with a cushioned exterior. They're very lux, and the powder's glow is versatile and delicate, with a light floral scent.
Yes!! I have one of these, and it's one of the best highlighters I own.
I adore the Dior Backstage Rosy Glow blush formula. I prefer a matte finish because it doesn’t enhance my more mature skin. The Dior makes my skin look better. I am 49 and I am all for any formula that improves appearance of my skin.
such a sultry look. The Gucci lipsticks are the ultimate makeup flex for me. Not because they are not good but because they look so beautiful formula & packaging. HLP Made me want them.
The YSL Volupte shine lipsticks are just ok.. If you want to be wowed you need to try the tatouage couture liquid lips.. It’s my all time favorite formula! It feel like water on the lips and looks undetectable. I always get compliments wearing it!
The Dior blush and highlighter quad you used are part of their Backstage line -- supposedly the emphasis is more on fashion-forward colours, with the packaging not really being a focus. (In other words, yep, it looks and feels cheap.😉 ) Dior's primary line contains blush, highlighter, powders, etc. that are definitely more luxe, in either a heavier sleek navy packaging, or a quilted compact, depending on the product.
the quad is amazing and versatile despite lackluster packaging.
Honestly, I feel most luxury makeup isn't completely worth the price. There are a few that are literal holy grails though. I love the Gucci lipsticks, givenchy lipsticks, givenchy concealer, and the Valentino blushes. I don't know why the Valentino blushes are so special, but literally one of my favorite formulas ever. Anything else I have I am happy to have, but I don't think I'd run out and repurchase.
I’d love to know your thoughts on luminous silk. It smooths out my texture and As long as I set it with powder it lasts all day.
Edit: I love luxury makeup but the only foundation I’ve tried and loved has been GA Luminous silk
I have never tried luminous silk after all these years and I really need to cause it is so loved and honestly seems perfect with the glow and the matte!!
I love the GA luminous silk. It’s one of the few designer products that I have and it was worth it.
I’ve never been a fan of the TF quads. But I gotta say that eye look you achieved is 100% rich b@#&* awesomeness.
Guerlain lipsticks in the metal cases. So beautiful when taken out of the purse in public!❤
I’m a CHANEL girl, but my go to is Bobbi Brown eyeshadows. Foundation choice is Lancôme and CHANEL. Powder favorites are Givenchy in winter, and, Guerlain and Lancôme in summer.
Valentino is coming out w cheek lip creams excited to see them reviewed - added Valentino primer in my shade to cart. Looks gorgeous on you
I love the Chanel Ultra Wear Liquid Lip Colour (with the gloss on the other end). It does not budge! It is what I wear whenever I know I have a long day and won't be able to touch up or reapply. My favourite colour is Tender Beige for every day, but I also wear Soft Coral a lot in spring/summer.
I agree on the Dior blush. I waited til this Sephora sale to get it, and it just didnt live up to my expectations. It's pretty, but i was hoping it would melt into the skin and create a lit from within glow, but it just always looks makeupy, no matter what i do. Ive try bare face, tinted moisturizer, and medium coverage foundation. It just never quite looks how i want it to.
I believe that at one point you gave HLP one of the Armani cream blushes (maybe?), and oh my goodness those are just gorgeous. I bought the cool brown shade first and have picked up another three or four since. The colors are so nuanced and special, and the formula is the moussier sister to the Phytosurgence cream blush. Goes on so soft and dries down in the most flattering way (and actually lasts on my oily skin!)
I feel you on the lip products. It's like due to how slippery the product is, you become immediately aware of every lip flake and post-lunch crumb on your mouth lol
Yes!! haha
I wish more lux makeup was unscented
The first Tom Ford quad you showed kind of reminded me of Flower Beauty Desert Lights palette.
I bought the Tom Ford Body Heat quad at the Cosmetics Company Store for 75% off.
the only products in my collection that are worth the "luxury" title are the pat mcgrath cheek/highlighter palettes and natasha denona cream blush. granted i havent tried every luxury product in every category but for the way i do my makeup i almost exclusively use them and have to force myself to use my other products
FYI - that Chanel combo blush looks amazing on you, absolutely lovely. I love my Dior foundation and concealer they are a match made in heaven on my skin. I have several Chanel blushes before they changed their formula and I love them. I also purchased two of the new Armani blushes during the Sephora sale, they are fine but I don't think I will purchase anymore. For eyeshadow nothing beats and Indie brand so I don't normally go for designer shadows. I do like the Gucci mascara. Most things I use are either luxury or high/mid level brands. I have never had good results with drug store makeup products. Just for reference, I am 60 years old with combo skin with hyper pigmentation in some areas along with all the lines and wrinkles that come with it.
I use the YSL Volupte Shine lipsticks (the light colours) as a topper/gloss type situation. I agree with you totally, on their own they are a little thin. The packaging though is pretty darn luxe 🦋
I have the Dior Rosy Glow blush in the viral pink (but I have had it for like 5 years) and I have never loved it. I like the color, it works well with my coloring, but it just does nothing special for my cheeks. Give me a Tarte or Nars blush any day!
Just finished the video and you look stunning!
I agree with you. I literally have the YSL lipsticks front and center just for aesthetics and I never reach for them. I love reaching for my Gucci lipsticks over the YSL. Not that there’s anything wrong with the YSL but I do get that weird balling /pulling type of thing like you were talking about with the grit.
I think that the Dior side of the blush actually looks better but it could just show up in camera a little better. Love your videos, you’re my fave creator
i totally agree about that dior blush! i have it in pink, and it is soooo difficult to make do anything. i use it to cool down my warm blushes a bit. or as a topper when i need that color.
I’ve had a lot of designer make up over the years that I’ve loved. Armani foundation, I loved Dior airflash which is now dcd. Givenchy lipstick is incredible, the sheer matte but also their standard lipsticks. Tom Ford had a glossy lip a couple years ago that were my absolute favorite. I’ve had some Chanel products that were just amazing, blush and highlighters. Huge love to some glossy YSL lipsticks as well as the Dior addicts. Guerlain lipsticks with the metal cases are lovely but heavy. But makes checking your lipstick easy in public.
I wonder what you may think about the classic Dior line vs. the Backstage one, as the latter is considered the cheaper and more accessible line of the house (hence the cheaper package too). From my understanding, Backstage was supposedly a line inspired by makeup artists and hence the clear cases, etc. So I would not necessarily call it full luxury and, instead, more high end/street.🤷🏻♀️
I saw the Backstage Dior highlighter palette so I'm commenting this before I watch the full vid. Its worth it. Its so very worth it if one wants to splurge on a fancy product. I got it for my birthday and its so beautiful. 🥰🥝💚🖤
Gucci lipsticks are next level for their packaging. I absolutely love it. I'm always tempted to throw out my collection and just buy theirs. They feel so good on my lips too.
100% agree. Luxury/high end is expensive makeup w hopefully nice luxurious packaging. Designer is attached to a fashion house. Just my thoughts 😊
Ahhh thank you Lauren for blessing me with some pre-Vanderpump entertainment! I just LOVE you!😅😊
I've been on a journey to scale down my makeup since i hate looking at product i don't use. I found that i really appreciate form and function - the packaging has a big part to play as much as the product. So like the hourglass confessions, the magnetic closure on an Armani lipstick, the black lacquer of Pat McGrath - all of it makes using the product an experience.
I've tried YSL several times but i can taste the fragrance and as someone who bathes in perfume it's far too much for me so YSL as a brand is out
The Dior Blush looks stunning in your skin!😍 It looked like porcelain (before adding highlighter, after highlighter, it looks like the Chanel.) Love the Givenchy balm, such a nice feeling when pressing lips.
This look was sooooo pretty 😍
The packaging and that aesthetic experience of interacting with it makes luxury worth it for me. Try the Tom ford shade illuminate contour it’s a stunning product, also Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation.
The older i get the more i appreciate brands like chanel and dior and armani that just nail complexion, lips and eye products. They really get the sophosticated sublte make up looks but can easily be amped up but are still super flattering .
The Dior backstage line the clear packaging was always directed at the younger crowd...for buying anyway, that's why its a bit cheaper price point..And you should get your Tom ford at the cco its at least 50%off not the newest out but palettes are about$30 soooooo lol I buy them their...and he just left I believe so hopefully still as good!!!!
My favourite designer brand is Dior, for sure. Their lipsticks have been iconic for decades, and their eyeshadows are really great quality (albeit sadly neutral), but their complexion lines are so damn good. The backstage line is incredible, and overall the foundations and concealers are some of the best out there, with a vast selection of finishes and coverages. And I’m particularly grateful for the light olive undertones in the line… Love love love them. I don’t own any of the blushes, though…
I feel most other brands do have some incredible star products, but not as complete range of products in all their different lines…
That being said, I think Gucci has the most gorgeous packaging and I think if I could I’s collect almost every product… So gorgeous they should be refillable…
Loved the video concept but also LOVED how your makeup turned out in the end, BEAUTIFUL!
Thank you so much!! 😊❤️
The way you do your brows is really aestheticly pleasing to watch. 😊That...sounded weird but that's the best way my mind could put it into a coherent sentence. 😅🥝💚🖤
I'm a Chanel Beauty advisor! If you're wanting to try other products, I would for sure recommend the Les Beiges Glow Bronzer, the Essential Baume in Sculpting for a super pretty glow, and the Les Beiges foundation! The base products are so bomb.
I have one Chanel makeup product so far... the Baume Essentiel in Lilas. OMG, do I love that stuff!
@@JackOllie4 they’re so lovely! I bought it before I started working for them and it’s such a standout product.
I love the Armani Lip Power Satin Long Lasting Lipstick! The quality and packaging are worth the price!
I also love Gucci lipstick in this balm formula with flowers on the packaging ❤ I have two of them, cherry colour and red colour. Cherry somehow became my everyday choice. Also I like Gucci mascara, very interesting formula and looks good on my long lashes❤
I love this idea! What a creative way to examine these expensive make up products. I love a designer make up brand so this comes in handy! ❤
I just loooove your content!!
Awww thank you!!!! 😊🥰❤️
I’m oily and almost 38…so wrinkly and oily. I LOVE the Auric glow lust. It does not add to the oils in my skin anymore than the born this way foundation. It’s amazing and worth the $$.
Have you tried the YSL candy gloss formula? I think it may be more up your alley and in my opinion is worth the price tag, it’s shiny, moisturizing, pigmented where you can sheer it or build it, I’ve tried lots of their formulas over the years and it’s my favorite so far. This was a great idea, thanks for the vid 😊
Yes!! I have the shade sweet pink and it’s quickly became one of my favorite lip products. Definitely worth the money IMO
The only high end product I've ever tried (and still use is the Armani luminous silk foundation. It is TOTALLY worth it! It has the most beautiful finish. You can actually achieve different finishes with it, depending if you use a brush or a beauty blender. I love both looks. ❤❤
I love Tom Ford eyeshadow in the wet dry baked formula. Suspicion, Nude Dip, Apres Ski and Honeymoon are my favorites and Hazy Sensuality and Peach Dawn are on my wishlist. I usually only use two shades. They blend themselves and are so flattering. I hate scented makeup so I avoid a lot of the designer lipsticks. Fun video!
I do enjoy your clear honest opinion and breakdown of products 👍I've been loving the Naito telescopic mascara. And another tip I've discovered is use 2 types.. so I use that first, then one with a lash builder/lengthening one (I'm using Lancomé atm) have the best looking lashes ever!
I think its very easy to get hard pan on baked items, a tiny bit of moisture from fingers or your brush will do that to baked items. Besides the Dior backstage line are their cheaper line, for younger people. That's why the packaging is the way it is.
I’ve always wanted someone to film a video in which they say each product is a designer item and then they reveal at the end that they were drugstore or affordable products.. just to sort of fool the audience. Maybe people would take a moment for to take an internal temp and realize how they felt when they watched the products initially vs how they feel about them now. I know that’s not really possible because the beauty community is all about transparency but a girl can dream.
That being said, I own designer makeup and I love the items I have. Like Tom Ford’s cream eyeshadows and shade & illuminate? Pat McGrath eyeshadow? Incredible.
P.S. I love the dior blush on you. It looks so seamless on the skin and the color brightens the face.
THANK👏 YOU👏bought dior rosy blush twiceee!! Each color because I always felt I was missing out. As someone with texture it definitely is not complementing on face. It almost makes my skin texture look worse. Glowy but not smooth at all. But the colors are really pretty😂😬🥴
I see you rocking those creator trip white elephant nails! Slay.
You and Amanda Z turned me onto the Revlon So Fierce eyeshadow quads and I adore them
It’s so funny you mention Makeup by Tiffany D because she was the one back in the day that hooked me on beauty CZcams and Armani Eyes to Kill mascara. Still my holy grail mascara to date.
As an combo oily girl, I love the Dior Matte foundation BUT the primer makes a big difference. Milk hydrogrip worked great-best foundation I’ve ever tried, including more expensive ones. However, combined with a Tatcha dupe primer that I normally like made me so very oily.
The Chanel blush is gorgeous on you.
Great video Lauren, I’m so happy I found you from your Mario palette review re sparkly eyeshadow toppers! The Dior highlighter packaging feels so cheap because it’s part of their ‘Backstage collection’ which is at a lower price point from other products in their luxury brand.
Also that too faced powder... I love so much
I have Chanel Boy and do really like it. It's a very balmy melty type of lipstick. I highly recommend the regular Chanel lipsticks. they're beautiful and along Dior my fave luxury lipsticks.
Hi, Lauren! I haven’t tried the Valentino primer, but by the way you describe it, I think that you might like the Clarins SOS primer in Universal Light. I would also describe the Clarins as glowy matte, very different from the Hollywood Flawless Filter. I have dry skin and I actually don’t like much the Clarins SOS because it’s “dry” (compared to CTHFF).
The Dior Rosy Glow blush in Pink is my favorite and I use it on top of loose mineral foundation, it looks fresh and natural. I guess it depends on the skin type and preferences. I have oily skin so I like more matte finish to my makeup, but it never looks flat on me. I’m tempted to buy the lip oil in the same color 😅
Man, all the Tom Ford eye shadow products tempt me so badly, but I just can’t justify the price! Particularly when I already own Charlotte Tilbury, Pat MacGrath, Hourglass and Natasha Denona shadows and they’re all great. Tom Ford in general as a brand tempts me a lot, especially the fragrance bottles omg!
The Valentino eyeshadow palette had me feeling that way
A must try is the Burberry Highlighter - holy grail!
I tried a few luxury bronzers. Most recently Chanel cream bronzer since they came out with the deep shade and I want to love it more than I do. The texture is great but it’s practically invisible on my skin. Not that deep at all and I’m only in the deep tan color range. However.. I adore the Hermes 😁. Gucci is nice but runs a little too red for my skin when built up.
My dior highlighter quad, (not the one you have), I use as a full face of makeup, the bronzer blush and highlighter, the, I use them on my eyes as eyeshadow and I absolutely love it. It turns into a nice soft girly look as far as I'm concerned and I'm due because it's very much a spring/summer look. Wow, Louboutin mascara now that is posh big time 😂❤ my absolutely favorite mascara that I got by accident from boxycharm was a 100$ cad from chantecaille. I hano lashes as well as very short, it makes my lashes look li I have extensions. I need it😢 😅. 😘💖😘💖
I had a sample size of a Dior mascara, and it was so heavily floral-fragranced! I liked the mascara but couldn't stand the smell.
I used to roll my eyes at the idea of spending money on the more expensive brands because drugstore was just as good, right? It’s all a scam to pay for the name, right?
Nope, not all of it. I bought a Lancôme foundation last year and now I get it. Some things really are worth the price, but it’s almost never going to be the quickly-made “trendy” products. There’s products that have been amazing for YEARS that are definitely worth the bigger price tag. My foundation looks amazing and finally works with my skin.
There are no lipstick formulas like dior formulas. They are SO good
I find the best designer brand overall in terms of having the most products that are really good is Dior. They have several foundations for different tastes (one of them is my holy grail), the same with the concealers, and they actually cater to different undertones. I can’t with brands with 5 shades, like Chanel. Dior also have really good complexion products overall, gorgeous lipsticks, and even their weakest offering - the eyeshadows - do still perform very very well. The colour stories will never be all that, but the actual quality is nice.
All the other brands (for me) may have nice packaging and a couple of interesting products, but nothing that keeps me coming back. I have a very old quad from Chanel, their stick highlighter and used to have a couple of lipsticks and a blush. I tried some Burberry lipsticks, were fine; can’t with YSL intense perfume on everything, and I can’t pay Tom Ford prices for a generic quad of neutrals. I am a sucker for Gucci packaging and out of the box lipstick offering (have one bronzer and a couple of lippies), but overall I don’t feel drawn to the designer brand counters…
Funnily enough age didn’t make me a make up minimalist lady who loves all the logos on the packaging. I love finding products that perform perfectly.
Tom Ford lip products. I die. I have an unhealthy addiction to them given how expensive they are. And no matter how much I search for less expensive dupes for colors or finishes, I end up just getting the TF one I wanted. And the packaging is so luxe.
I love luxury makeup! And I include some of the just makeup lines like Natasha Denona or CT in that because the packaging is gorgeous. And that’s totally something that sucks me in (as long as the product is really good). I agree that the Dior blush is very flat! I don’t love most powder blushes anyway, but the Chanel powder blushes as well as the original Dior blushes have a beautiful sheen to them even on my dry skin. And I agree that the clear plastic packaging is not as aesthetically pleasing as the more substantial black or solid colored or gold compacts. A pretty package always makes me want to pick it up. Now the dior concealer is awesome! I use it as a spot concealer and face light coverage as I do t wear foundation. I found it because they have a true light to medium olive color. I need to lighten it a bit with a bit of light warm or yellow concealer at my lightest, but it is perfection. Been using it for years. Loved this video!
i feel like designer makeup is mostly about packaging and colours - they tend to be a bit more subtle and nuanced. i really like chanel loose powder, it’s very delicate, sets the makeup but doesn’t look heavy. awhile back i also had the vitalumiere aqua foundation from chanel and it was really nice 👌🏻 also their le volume de chanel mascara was criminally good, i just had a sample and couldn’t get to spend almost 40€ on a full packaging, but i have my eye on it ever since. i try not to buy anymore from brands that are not cruelty free and i don’t really need any new makeup but that chanel face palette and valentino primer look great 😃
I love the Dior foundation, it really has a pretty finish and they have a matte option. I use the other, so I can’t vouch for the matte. I’ve also been thinking about trying the Guerlain bronzer…
you have the most beautiful eye shape, lauren!
It’s a total scam lol. They offer nothing that you couldn’t find anywhere else for way less. People will justify to themselves why they buy designer makeup for various reasons, but with the insane markup regular makeup already has I know the luxury brands are laughing all the way to the bank at those who buy their stuff.
In addition, as a black women a lot of the “high end” offerings are bad in terms of shade range and ability to show up on skin tones similar and darker than mine. This is a deliberate choice on their part as they’ve ignored requests from minority clientele, and even now only do their bare minimum to avoid critique. That is if they’re not deliberately making poor ranges to utilize outrage marketing. I spend my money where I’m wanted and towards brands who don’t see their average customer as idiots (Chanel anyone) and luxury brands def don’t fit that bill
Have you tried Tom Ford Sculpt Duo? The bronzer in that is just the best!
Lauren, can you do a CZcams Short with more detailed swatches of that Dior highlighter palette? I have been eyeing it for a very long time, but I haven’t been able to find swatches that really show the exact textures very well.
chanel blush looks way Prettier on you ! so natural and Pretty❤
I absolutely love my dior foundation
I wonder if you might like that Dior blush better if you used a sheer blush topper over it to give it a bit of sheen? I do really like that Dior highlighter/bronzer quad. I think I have both colors, but use the one you have the most. I have heard other influencers talk about how the Chanel face palette for hard pan pretty quick.
Kind of. It depends. It's not anything you can't get from regular makeup. But it's good.
I think you got a bad Chanel Rouge Coco Flash. I have about 13 of them; Boy included. Never any grit- Just a plush lip.
All of Chanel foundation is amazing💖💖