WORTH IT.

The brands (and products) worth spending the big bucks on.

People often ask me whether beauty is ‘worth’ spending money on and whether it’s all just marketing to get you to consume. I tell them that a huge part of beauty is marketing, of course, but that doesn’t mean that it’s all just a big fad.

People wouldn’t keep buying products if they could see they didn’t work. And part of this is shopping at the more expensive end of the spectrum in beauty. It’s often the case that you think a product is better because it’s more expensive, and that can be true, but also there are some ridiculously overpriced products available. So here is my definitive list of which brands you can trust, and my favourite products from each. I think with it’s worth adding too that all these products last a really long time as they are so potent only a small amount for each application is needed.

 

Zelens
I first tried Zelens 6 months ago (at time of writing) and ever since several of the products have been part of
my everyday routine. The Z  Matric Energy and Moisture Infusion is a gel cream texture that hydrates the skin without leaving it feeling greasy, plus it’s anti inflammatory. Honestly I think doctor brands (this is run by Dr. Lens) are always very trustworthy as it has been created with such expertise to skin and what customers are after. I also use the Triple Action eye cream morning and night and of course the Daily Defense Sunscreen SPF 30.

 

Estee Lauder
It’s no surprise here that I’m addicted to the Advanced Night Repair serum, which maximises the skin natural renewal process overnight. More new cells = more glowing skin. But of late I’ve also fallen for the ANR ampoules (great for travelling as you can just take 1 ampoule per night of your trip) and the ANR sheet foil mask which is the perfect compliment to the serum, allowing the ingredients to be pushed even deeper into the skin – this is my go to for the morning of a special occasion as it creates a wonderful texture on the skin for a smooth makeup application.

Dr Dennis Gross
A practising  doctor of dermatology that has worked in the industry for years – Dr Dennis Gross knows what we want and will do everything to give it to us. He manages to give his clients and consumers the salon effect at home and so has created some of the most incredible skincare gadgets out there – my personal favourite is this spot treatment  LED light that kills acne bacteria –  and offers great high grade actives in a safe way to use at home – his most famous product is his Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel that is a easy to use two step to reduce wrinkles and pores. Plus he does the best Vitamin C + retinol eye serum with no irritation. I trust him and you should too.

La Mer
Great skincare is all about cell renewal and the Intensive Revitalizing Mask from La Mer uses the renewing energies of the sea to promotes the renewal process while also deeply hydrating. All this in just 8 minutes. Other favourites from the brand which are totally worth the spend the Revitalizing Hydrating Serum which literally floods the skin with hydration, followed by the Moisturizing Soft Lotion which is a lighter, more quickly absorbed version of the classic crème aka perfect for  combination/oily skin. All the products contain the Miracle Broth that made the brand so famous –  a blend of sea kelp, calcium, magnesium, potassium, lecithin, iron, Vitamins, C, E and B12, plus oils of eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower go into the broth, but its “miracle” lies in the way these ingredients are combined – a process called bio-fermentation.

 

Sisley Paris
The reason our skin ages is because it is exposed to outside aggressors which over time take their toll on the skin. The All Day All Year from Sisley is the ultimate protector (it should really wear a superhero cape) as it keeps your skin safe from UVA, UVB, free radicals and oxidative stress. It’s great if you’re wanting to start anti-aging but also will reduce the signs of aging if they’re already there. Other products that are a must to try from Sisley are the cult classic Black Rose Cream Mask that gives you that post facial / I just slept for twelve hours and then a relaxing massage kind of glow. In fact the masks are a stand out from Sisley and can work really fast if you need them to – in particular the Radiant Glow Express Mask.

Augustinus Bader
Professor Augustinus Bader is one of the world’s leading stem cell and biomedical scientists, and created the breakthrough medical treatment that activates and orchestrates the body’s innate regenerative processes. Essentially: our body can heal itself, we just need to give it the tools to do so. He worked with many burn victims to help regenerate the skin and realised this same science could be used on all skin to helps triggers the regenerating  process and diminish signs of ageing – and literally any other issues. Perfect cells = perfect skin, after all. He knew we didn’t need 10 different products with the Trigger Factor (TFC8) in so kept it simple: one cream, two textures. Normal and Rich. There are various sizes available, including 15ml of each if you want to try before you spend big. Never have I hear of anyone trying it and not being so impressed at their skin, so I’ll warn you – it’s addictive! Late last year they also launched The Body Cream which has the same cell regeneration and skin barrier boosting properties – for the neck down.

Dr Barbara Sturm
Dr Barbara Sturm runs her aesthetic medicine clinic in New York and Dusseldorf and is known worldwide for her non surgical anti ageing facial treatments. She launched the skincare line Molecular Cosmetics in 2014 to allow even more of us to experience the results of the luxury facials. The unique skincare line focuses on healing the skin and removing inflammation – providing hydration, nutrition, regeneration and glow. The ingredients are potent and targeted and well, they work. It is quite impossible not to notice the natural glow in your skin after using the Enzyme Cleanser – a powder that forms a gentle exfoliating paste when mixed with a little water. She is also renowned for her multi molecular Hyaluronic Acid serum that penetrates both high and low layers of the skin resulting in deep hydration all over. Another favourite of mine is the Clarifying Spot Treatment that is essentially an amazing spot concealer with skincare built in: so that you can target the spot while concealing it.

La Prairie
Last but certainly not least, La Prairie. The reason I trust these products is because they have the most incredible science and years of research behind them. All La Prairie products have caviar in them, caviar is full of vitamins and nutrients for the skin, but don’t worry you don’t need to put actual fish eggs on your face. The La Prairie lab extracts the cellular material from the eggs and use this in the skincare: it helps stimulate collagen aka plump and repair the cells. This is what is in all the products in the Skin Caviar collection, and the other collection have added ingredients and benefits – which are recognisable by name. For example the White Caviar Pearl Infusion also has pearl in which is an extremely brightening property, alongside managing to target darkness, redness and greying of the skin by encapsulating powerful ingredients in the caviar like bubbles which are only released when you actually press down on the nozzle to use. Genius, right?
Other favourites of mine are the Essence In Lotion which deeply nourishes and prepares the skin for serums to follow and the Skin Caviar Eye Lift is a clever duo pump product that blends the caviar extract with a cellular complex to firm and tighten both crows feet and the actual eyelid.

 

Which are you favourite luxe products? Let me know over on instagram!