Beauty Products That Are Worth the Investment

When I was 14, my mother gifted me a small Estee Lauder "gift with purchase" bag, which marked the very beginning of my relationship with beauty consumerism. It's been a while since then and I've come to learn that there some beauty products that are okay to save money on, and there are some that are especially worth the investment. Here is a list of product categories that I tend to always invest a little more money on:

Sunscreens

A common cause of premature ageing is exposure to the sun's UV rays. Unlike smoking or unhealthy eating habits, UV is something we can't avoid. Invest in a good sunscreen that has a high level of protection from both UVB (the rays that cause sunburn) and UVA radiation (the rays that cause photodamage leading to premature ageing). Finding a sunscreen that is protective AND moisturising can drive the price up. Given that it sits on your skin for the entire day, it's well worth the investment. My favourites are from Shiseido's WetForce line and Avene's Mineral Light.

Perfumes

Perfumes are a really personal thing. For the majority of us, we tend to search for a signature scent that not many others have. In order to find that, we'll need to invest in a unique scent with a niche positioning. These are almost always on the higher-end with rare and unique compositions. Brands I'm loving at the moment are Le Labo and Jo Malone. I've linked my favourite scent from them below:

Shampoos

I'm sure you all expected it: hair care has always been, and always will be, something I'll invest in. Shampoo, in particular, is very important. It's a product you need in order to keep your hair clean, but often contains ingredients that can be bad for it. Investing in a sulphate-free shampoo filled with botanical extracts to counter the drying effects goes a long way. Yes, these ingredients can be expensive, but it's well worth it for the long-term results. I've written a comprehensive post on my favourite shampoos here.

If you want to dive deeper into my hair care secrets and learn which products are worth your investments and how you can save money while growing your longest and strongest hair yet. Check out my The Hair Growth Lab to find out more!

Hair Brushes

Cheap drugstore hairbrushes made of plastic bristles can pull and break hair. Using a high-quality wooden bristle brush is not only gentle on your hair, but also transports oil from your scalp down to the ends. I use a non-branded one from the drug store. These brushes are somewhat affordable, however, they will definitely set you back more than commonplace plastic bristles.

Foundations

I don't wear foundation often, but when I do, it has to be of high quality. You'll find that high-end foundation oxidises at a much slower rate, and sometimes it's not noticeable at all. You'll also have access to wider range of shades and textures when you opt to pay more. We all wear foundation to give us a more even complexion, so invest in a good one in order to get a near perfect colour match and a formula that does wonderful things to the skin.

Lipsticks

The number of shades and formulations available at the high-end makes splurging on lipstick worth it for me. I love drugstore lipsticks but I often find the colour offering can be a little small. I'm sucker for Tom Ford lipsticks - so smooth and moisturising with an extensive range of colours. I also love all YSL lipsticks. Both brands always have a subtle and pleasant scent to them.

Nail Polishes

Expensive nail polishes are formulated to last longer and offer a better finish. They also come with a high-quality brush for a cleaner application. A good manicure goes a really long way. A few firm favourite brands of mine are OPI, Butter London and Nars. My go-to nail polish colours that suit every outfit (and seen in a lot of my Instagram photos) are shown below:   What beauty products do you invest in? I'd love to know in the comments!