When I heard that our next Makeup Wars challenge was to create our most expensive face I knew it was a project I could excel at. If you are a regular reader of this blog you know that I have a weakness for luxury and niche cosmetics. This really has been an eye opening experience. I can certainly admit that I have a little bit of a “problem” but my problem is your gain. Seeing it all laid out like this is a bit frightening. It is both my passion and my crutch. This post reminded me of why I started this blog. I needed to give my rather excessive passion for the world of beauty more of a purpose. Being able to share my experiences with you has made my indulgences seem more worthwhile.
Now this look was created with this challenge in mind so of course I made sure to include my pricier items, and did what I would consider a special occasion or going out face, but in truth this look could have just as easily happened by chance. This is what I do. I have so many beautiful things and I only buy and keep things that I know I will use regularly. I think you would be surprised that my overall collection is likely a lot smaller than many of yours as a treat it as a very selective process. I periodically clear out with blog sales, swapping, gifting, etc. as I get overwhelmed by having too much stuff and like to be able to see and find what I love and not be lost in a sea of dupes and items that I don’t care for as much as others. I also do not ever purchase backups. I know I will be in love with something new by the time I ever get to the point of requiring one.
You will also see that I tend to get a bit carried away with my looks. I love to play with “a little bit of this here” and oh “a sweep of this here will be just the right finishing touch”. I have become so used to operating this way that I spend WAY too long on a regular basis doing my makeup. I know how to throw together a 5 or 10 min face but I just never seem to. I like this ritual. It’s me time. Even if it means getting up that much earlier then that is what needs to be done.
I have linked to original reviews for any products which had them available. This also made me realize just how many products I use on a very regular basis that I still haven’t reviewed! There’s just never enough time in the day!
This is the current lineup of products I am using and testing on a daily basis. The Perricone MD Skincare is probably the most expensive skin care I’ve ever purchased. I can’t say I’m too impressed. I’ve been using it for several weeks now and haven’t really noticed any difference in my skin. Bummer. I was really hoping for my miracle product. I am in love with the Algenist UV Defense Fluid and will try to have a review up for it soon. We may be talking about holy grail material here! The cleansing oil is not something I would always use in the morning but I am so in love with the scent of the shu uemura cleansing oil that I have been using just a bit in the morning for the pleasure of it.
shu uemura Ultime8 Cleansing Oil* $98
Perricone MD Acyl-Glutathione Eye Lid Serum $140
B.Seen I’m Dark Circle Reliever* $35
Perricone MD Acyl-Glutathione Face $215
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Face $190
Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer $85
Algenist Ultra Light UV Defence Fluid SPF 50* $38
Alegenist Targeted Deep Wrinkle Minimizer* $55
For a typical everyday face I would exclude a couple of these products. I am happy enough with the more flawless looking result I achieved though that I will be recreating this complexion again!
Complexion and Cheeks:
Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Tinted Treatment $125
Rouge Bunny Rouge Milk Aquarelle Foundation in Coconut Milk Pafait* where additional coverage needed $70
Rouge Bunny Rouge Luminous Skin Wand Orionis $40 under eyes
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder $26 to set RBR Orionis under eyes.
Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer $36 where needed.
Guerlain Meteorites Compact Powder Teint Rose 01to set $66
Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray $19
Total Complexion and Cheeks: $868
Doing this kind of elaborate work on my eyes is pretty standard for me. I wore almost this identical eye look to a wedding three weeks ago. I like layering the Maybelline creme shadow under the Summer Armani ETK shadows to bring out their teal undertones and the layering of the gorgeous matte deep teal Inglot 338 provides Obsidian Grey with added dimension.
Eyes:
Make Up For Ever Eye Prime* $25
Too Faced Glitter Glue Shadow Insurance on inner corner and lower lash line $24
Rouge Bunny Rouge Fire Drops Loose Glitter Pigment in Spun From Sunny Seawater* on lower lash line $31
Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Strawburn $29
Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil in Caramel $26
Just a simple lip with one of my favourite lip products from Le Metier de Beaute. I need to get a review up soon for the Rouge Bunny Rouge Long Lasting Lip pencils as they are a hidden gem. They really anchor your lip look and last forever.
Rouge Bunny Rouge Long Lasting Lip Pencil Forever Yours in Raold* $26
Le Metier de Beaute Aurora Lip Kaleidoscope* all shades layered $95
Total Lips: $121
I don’t have an expensive brush collection but I do like to use a lot of brushes when I work. Sorry the brushes are dirty. I had taken photos of them clean before doing my look and then while applying realized I forgot to include some like the addition of the EcoTools brush to sweep off some fallout.
EcoTools Bronzer Brush $17
EcoTools Powder Brush $10
Total Tools: $635
Grand Total Silly Expensive Face: $3,024!
Now I know this seems excessive but keep in mind these products have been acquired gradually over a period of years and I did not purchase all of these items myself. The items included in this post that I received from the company for consideration are marked with an *. The prices listed are a mix of Canadian and US. It is still a little disturbing though. I can guarantee you this face is worth more than my entire wardrobe. I do only have this one weakness.
Here are photos of the look.