Some designer makeup brands come with a hefty price tag. In 2021, more drugstores are retailing even more expansive lines of beauty products for all skin types. Since the quality has improved over the years, some beauty influencers claim that drugstore beauty products are comparable to luxury brands.
While the brand’s name might be the most exciting part of a beauty product, it can be disappointing when you invest in something that doesn’t live up to its reputation. Our team has reviewed and curated a list of big brand makeup products that actually deliver!
PAT McGRATH LABS Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette Bronze Seduction ($125, shop here):
We know what you’re thinking– $125 for an eyeshadow palette is absurd. However, the smooth, easy-to-blend application and strong pigment alone are worth the price. Pat McGrath is a leader in the beauty world and she has developed shadow formulas that are one-of-a-kind and can’t be replicated.
The 5th Mothership palette from her collection is a beautiful mix of neutrals with various shimmery finishes. While this palette only has ten shades, the color story is stunning. Bronze selection has a beautiful range of golds, metallics, browns, bronze, and red tones that are striking, flattering and worth every penny.
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation ($49, shop here):
NARS may not be considered as high-brow as Dior or Pat McGrath, but is the reputation and product quality worth the $50? The short answer is yes if you have dry skin and plan to layer with other coverage. According to most reviews, the foundation looks lovely but will last 3 to 5 hours tops before you need to freshen up.
It’s full-coverage and buildable, leaving a natural, dewy finish. While it’s formulated for combination, dry and normal skin types, people with oily skin might consider it, too.
Dior BACKSTAGE Glow Face Palette ($45, shop here):
$45 is a small price to pay for a beautiful glow. Highlight, blush, and bronze with a luxury formula and convenient palette leave a shining and shimmery lustrous look.
This palette is one you will find in most professional makeup artist’s essential stash.
Natasha Denona Metropolis Eyeshadow Palette ($129, shop here):
Natasha Denona is another brand that produces some of the most high-quality eyeshadow palettes. This Metropolis palette is a wondrous playground of colors. It applies easily and has a strong pigmentation.
Natasha’s eyeshadow palettes are buttery, creamy and pigmented. This palette contains every nude or neutral shade ever, along with a few pops of green and blue. With 28 shades as opposed to Pat McGrath’s 10 shades, you will ultimately get more bang for your buck.
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate ($88, shop here):
We have all heard of the Chanel cream bronzer, but there is just something about this one from Tom Ford that is so much better. For starters, it’s easy to blend and gives you a natural, youthful look, or you can build on it for smooth, long-lasting nightwear.
The two shades work together to sculpt and highlight the skin without any glitter or shimmer, and make it a simple 2-in-1 process. The cream formula blends smoothly into the skin to create the perfect amount of depth.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette ($64, shop here):
It seems like people rarely use pressed powders these days; however, Hourglass created a product that revitalizes the skin, leaving a healthy-looking glow. The ambient lighting powders are unlike any other powders on the market.
A fusion of a setting powder and highlighter, this product adds a glowing and youthful sheen to the skin.
Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer ($52, shop here):
This silk canvas primer from Tatcha creates a beautiful base for the rest of your products to layer on. While it has a steep price at $52, this Silk Canvas Protective Primer will decrease the lines on your face and create a smooth canvas to work with. You get a beautiful natural finish, which means you can also wear this product on its own for those no-makeup-makeup days.