Which high end make up products are actually worth the money?

[Lottapianos]

I'm going to do a mini splurge on Autumn make up. I'm getting a bit fed up of buying cheap lipsticks that wear off in no time at all and are really drying (Revlon is definitely an honourable exception). On the other hand, I've heard really negative reviews of some high end make up products (Chanel nail varnish chips like hell, Urban Decan Naked palettes are no better than the ?4 MUA palettes etc).

Here's what I'm after:

• Foundation - I have dry and dehydrated skin, I like medium coverage, preferably no SPF as I use it separately, glowy but not shiny finish
  

• Concealer - something to use on dark circles, redness and mild melasma, which doesn't look cakey or heavy
  

• Powder - tone down the shine, glowy finish, keep make up in place all day
  

-Lipstick - moisturising or at least not actively drying, good colour staying power, a colour that doesn't transfer onto glasses, mugs etc would be great

I'm willing to spend on the right products so I'm saying no budget limit (eek!). Any recommendations? Thanks

[gonegrey56]

Two recommendations:
Foundation- YSL Le Teint Touché Éclat . Fantastic product, gives gorgeous dewy finish
Concealer - Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Both products worth every penny, and will last for months

[Dukketeater]

I use all sorts of makeup and the ONLY thing that I have found that I would religiously stick to is MAC Prep & Prime for lips. It keeps my lipstick lovely and smooth and in place.

I am fond of MAC lipsticks too but also use many other brands.

[Hornydilemma]

Chanel loose powder. Cost me 42 euro in Jan 2014 (yes 20 months ago!)and I've used it at least once every day since then. It looks like I've a month or so left in it. Nice and fine, doesn't stick to the little hairs on your face. I'm a bit shiny at the end of the work day (but that's 11 hours later).

I found YSL foundation lovely and dewy BUT it transferred something shocking. Lots of files in work now have my fingerprints on them in a lovely beige colour. Chanel was nice and dewy and stays on better. Estee Lauder Double Wear needed a hammer and chisel to remove at night, but after a while I found it a bit masky/chalklike. (now using Bourjois Healthy Serum foundation)

[MadAsgardian]

I'm not sure how much of a splurge it is to others but my Benefit mascara is a splurge for me at £17. It is the only mascara I like that doesn't clump or dry out. I have tried all the usual ones that people rave about but don't like them.

I like bad gal lashes and it is often on offer in Debenhams with a free mini tube which is really useful for handbag.

[DidgeDoolittle]

I would second the ysl touché éclat foundation and Benefit they're Real mascara.
Chanel les Beiges powder in the lightest shade,10 is fantastic. It gives a lovely subtle glow. Sadly, some bastard pinched my out of my bag when I was on the tube.
Lipsticks, I would recommend Chanel and Nars matte pencils.
Clinique concealer for under eyes is good.

[yazzy85]

Foundation - Nars Sheer Glow, perfect natural finiah without any shimmery glow despite the product name

Concealor - Collection 2000, a cheapie one but after having it recommended so many times on here I gave it a go and its fab!

Powder - Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural or Clinique Stay Matte

Lipsticks - Mac, Clinique, Bobbi Brown

[Famousfor5]

I honestly think that as I've got older more expensive make up does make a difference, and I'm someone who does their weekly shop in Aldi so I'm not generally a brand junkie. I have almost all Nars now. I don't wear loads of make up and I don't ever buy it except to replace products that have run out so I don't spend that much overall. I spent much more when I was younger on trying different things all the time even though the brands were cheaper.

[SewButtons]

Benefit they're real mascara for me and also Mac cremesheen lipsticks.
I've also recently tried Benefits porefessional primer and I like that so far but only for my nose and cheeks, still prefer my £10 bourjois primer for the rest of my face where my pores are fine.

[Bavmorda]

Another vote for Mac prep and prime lip and their lipsticks.

[Lottapianos]

Dukketeater, is Mac P&P specifically for lips or is it a general primer that you use on lips?

yazzy85, you've reminded me that I've heard rave reviews for Sheer Glow as a foundation for dry skin. May well go for that one.
Didge, do you find the NARS matte pencils drying at all?

Mad, ?17 for mascara definitely counts as a splurge! I used to use Benefit They're Real and quite liked it but it was a bugger to remove. I see now they're selling special mascara remover which is just taking the piss as far as I can see

Chanel powder seems to have a big thumbs up

I have a couple of MAC lippies and they're fine, but I can't say I would rave about them. I was thinking of spending an extra ?7 - 8 and going for Charlotte Tilbury or Estee Lauder Colour Envy instead - any experiences?

[notnowImreading]

I recommend Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara. It's the best one I've ever used and stays on all day. It doesn't clump and has quite a fine look so makes lashes longer rather than lots thicker so good for a naturalish look.

[SuperFlyHigh]

YSL glossy stain is great for staying on all day.

i will try the MAC prep and prime though.

I quite like Bobbi Brown lipsticks but Laura Mercier do nice lipsticks too.

My foundation tends to be either Chanel Vitalumiere (liquid) or a similar compact one but that runs out so quickly.

[Getuhda348]

I think you dont really have to splash the cash for most make up anymore. Fondation Estee Lauder double wear... I've tried everything but nothing compares.
Concealer i use collection super cheap though much better than any high end products I've used.
Mascara max factor 2000 calorie again another cheapie but prefer that by miles to benefit.
Nail varnish Barry m gel easy application and lasts ages with minimum chips
Chanel powder
Brow zing by benefit... a life saver for me as I have ridiculously sparse eyebrows. Expensive but I've had mine 3 months use it daily and the end is still not in sight.
I LOVE no 7 eyeshadow much better than my urban decay pallets.
I'm currently testing lipsticks but my mac has zero staying power.

[Getuhda348]

Oh and my nivea eye makeup remover ( comes in a little blue bottle) takes benefit mascara of super easy don't spas on their eye make up remover. Or better yet just use the 2000 calorie

[MozzchopsThirty]

I honestly can't recommend any high end products that are worth the money.

Pre divorce I would be buying clarins foundation, ysl touché éclat, Chanel mascara.

Post divorce I use max factor foundation which I adore, Rimmel mascara, collection concealer. My only slightly expensive buy is Liz Earle creme blusher at £16

Everything else is a con, including skincare (superdrug is just as good)

[Nabootique]

Ones that are worth it IMO:

Nars eye primer (it works, and I have really greasy eyelids so I won't be giving this up any time soon)
Benefit Boing concealer, although I will be trying the Collection one after I've finished this due to all the rave reviews
Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer and Flawless and Poreless primer (silicone free, make up goes on better, stays on better and the former gives nice glow)
Jouer Illuminating Moisture tint (just lovely, airbrushed looking loveliness)
Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick (if I could find something cheaper in the same shade I would get that, but haven't so far)

Everything else is drugstore, especially nail polish as I'm an addict (Barry M usually) and eyeshadow because, again, I have lots and like having loads of colours. Love GOSH for eyeliner pencils.

[PurpleDaisies]

Another vote for YSL touché éclat foundation. Goes on like a dream, looks really natural but you have gorgeous skin. I also rate dior's rosy glow blusher which gives the same naturally lovely flush that lasts all day. Chanel's waterproof eye pencils (the twist up ones) are practically bomb proof in their staying power.

[Dukketeater]

The mac prep & prime for lips is the one I am talking about so made specifically for lips. It looks like a lip balm and its fab.

[measles64]

Estee Lauder little black primer mascara. It really is amazing I have short sparse lashes and found their mascara good. The lady was demonstrating the primer on a member of staff so unusually for me I was talked into it. Now I use the primer first then top up with the mascara. Wow thick longer lashes.

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

Foundation - la prairie caviar something don't remember the name but it's in an round tall jar with a small concealer on top. I paid £100 5 years ago and I'm still using it!! Best value product I bought and it's amazing!
Concealer - Boeing I think it's called from benefit covers everything pretty much
Powder - benefit bronzer again amazing!
I'm jealous you're spending so much money for shopping!

[measles64]

I am still using ultraglow bronzer, loose powder, can still not find anything to beat it, but willing to hear any ideas of a suitable replacement. Have tried a lot of others over the years.

[pinkfrocks]

Foundation: my choice is ruled by shades. I am pale and so many brands don't go light enough.

Used to find one Clinique that I could use but not the only one pale enough is Perfectly Real. It's not dewy but gives light natural cover.

Nars sheer glow is a nice foundation but no shades suit me- too pale, too yellow, too pink.

Dior Star- like this a lot in 010 shade. Doesn't last long (over the day) but might if you use powder.

Blusher- like Bobbi Brown

Mascara - keep coming back to Lancome Hypnose and the only one that builds and doesn't go spiky or hard.

Lippy- love Clinique Butter Surge and their new lippy with Primer- Pop.

Eye pencils- find cheap brands hard, like Clinique and Bobbi Brown

Eye shadow- Bobbi Brown - quite £££ but pan last me 6-12 months even using daily.

[milliemanzi]

I use nars creamy concealer but on top of kiehls avocado eye cream otherwise it cakes a bit, it's a really good combo that works for me, goes on so smoothly!

I also love Laura mercier tinted moisturiser. Wear these 3 expensive things with various other more budget lipsticks/eyeshadow/mascaras.

I used to feel guilty about spending so much on makeup but actually they last aaaages.

[goldenhen]

I don't have your skin type so I won't recommend foundations (I wear YSL Fusion Ink but it won't be dewy enough for you I don't think), but if you're near a Selfridges the Charlotte Tilbury jumbo eye pencils (she does a few, for different eye colours) are worth whatever they cost. Nars blushes are great. You can't beat MAC lipsticks and they almost count as mid-price now loads of other brands are over £20. The best gel eyeliner is Shu Uemura but it's not THAT much better than the Topshop one which is a third of the price. Nail Varnish - my favourite is & Other Stories, hundreds of shades and they're only a fiver.

[GingerFoxInAT0phat]

I also have dry skin and can easily get those patches where the foundation sticks to them.

I love Armani luminous silk and also Chanel vitaluminaire (sorry not sure if I have spelt it right!)