8 Splurge Worthy Beauty Products

"Wow, is it really worth that much money?" How many times do you ask yourself this question about the price of a beauty product? There are many products that once given a try, we experience and understand the difference. There are a variety of reasons we find greater value in these products and believe they are really worth the hefty price...texture, fragrance, wearability, ease of application and most of all, impressive results. 

Here are my top 8 picks...

1) Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is a lightweight, buildable foundation. This formula gives a "lit from within" healthy glow to your complexion. 

2) Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat is an iconic face highlighter. It brightens and smooths the look of your complexion. It can also be used to highlight your bone structure in a natural looking way.

3) Tom Ford Liquid Eyeliner is a dual-ended matte black liquid eyeliner. It stays in place all day and is a dense true black. Both ends resemble a felt tip marker, one side with a longer, fuller applicator and the opposite side with a short, fine-tip applicator. 

4) Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer is available in a variety of shades, all resembling a true suntan or sun-kissed glow. It has moisturizing benefits and is long wearing. 

5) Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask provides an instant glow. This award-winning mask helps minimize the look of your pores and improves overall texture to your skin. 

6) SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is considered a tried-and-true treatment product. It is used prior to other serums and your moisturizer. It helps with many skin concerns, including skin cell renewal and an overall balanced, glowing complexion.  

7) La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask is an overnight treatment that increases skin's firmness and elasticity. This luxurious treatment improves the skin's overall texture and appearance. 

8) Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray is a great alternative to dry shampoo. It boosts your hair's volume and creates texture. An added bonus, it smells incredible. 

10 Tips for a Polished Look in 5 Minutes

We all have those days that we want just a few more minutes of our beauty sleep.  Here is a list of 10 tips to look polished in 5 minutes.

1. TINTED MOISTURIZER

Choose a tinted moisturizer with a SPF 30 or higher.  It should match your skin to even out discoloration.  I prefer to use one that also has additional skincare benefits, such as NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.

2. CONCEALER

This product is a quick pick-me-up.  Apply to any blemishes, lightly around your mouth, the corners of your nose, under your eyes and my favorite spot...under your eyebrows.  Applying here will disguise unwanted regrowth and give a lifted, defined look to your brows.  My go-to concealer is Cle de Peau, an award winning multi-use concealer.

3. GEL EYELINER 

Gel eyeliner is a staple for your makeup collection.  It can be used for so many looks.  For the 5 minute look, naturally, we are not going to try to attempt a winged eyeliner style.  This is the time for using your flat eyeliner brush and simply pushing a touch of the gel liner into your lash line.  Quickly, this gives you definition and the illusion of fuller lashes.  

4. MASCARA 

This is the time to reach for your black, full volume mascara.  A good coat or two on the top lashes is all you need.  Make sure you start from the base of your lashes, wiggle the wand slightly as you continue to apply in an upward motion to the tips of your lashes.  This motion will give you maximum volume and encourage a curl, opening up your eyes.  

5. BROW GEL

Brow gel is perfect for taming overgrown hairs for a more sculpted brow look.  It will hold your brows in place throughout the day easily giving them a more defined look.  If your brow hair does not match your hair or you have very fair brow hair, choose a tinted brow gel.  

6. BRONZER OR HIGHLIGHTER 

I know, I know...why "or"??  Because this is the 5 minute look!  My recommendation is to choose whichever feels right to you.  If you're feeling a bit washed out, go for the bronzer.  If you want a radiant glow, reach for your highlighter.  Keep it simple.  Bronzer applied lightly to your forehead and cheeks.  If your neck tends to be a bit lighter than your face, apply it there as well for a more even look.  If you opt for highlighter, apply to the inner corners of your eyes and on the top edge of your cheekbones, applying in an upward motion towards your hairline.  I love the options of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Collection. 

7. BLUSH

Think a subtle pop of color.  Apply a small amount to the apples of your cheeks.  For a soft and easy-to-blend blush with a beautiful color range, try Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush.  

8. LIPSTICK

Remember this is 5 minutes, lipstick only.  So we can cheat a bit here and go for a fat lipstick pencil.  Choose for a creamy formula with a complimentary pop of color.  

9. DRY SHAMPOO

This product is such a time saver.  Dry shampoo is used to absorb oils in the hair, creating more volume.  

10. EARRINGS

This is a fun tip to complete your look.  Choose a pair of earrings to coordinate with your lip and cheek color or a pair that makes your eye color pop.  

I know it's only a few minutes, but how we feel when we walk out the door sets the tone for our day.  I hope you enjoy these tips and have a wonderful day!