What Makes Makeup Look Expensive?

The world of beauty and makeup can sometimes feel like a minefield, especially with the variety of different products currently on the market. Many different factors can influence how flawless or professional your makeup looks. It can often be affected by our skin and complexion; for example, individuals with dry skin may struggle to achieve a glowy finish, whereas those with oily skin would have the opposite problem and struggle with their makeup looking shiny and greasy. Alternatively, the finish of your makeup look can be affected by the brushes and application techniques you use. With so many different influences that all play a part in how your makeup turns out, it can be hard to identify exactly what you need to improve.

The ultimate goal for most men and women when using makeup is to achieve a look that’s both natural but distinctive, and one that complements their skin type – rather than works against it. Many consumers who have the makeup professionally done often describe their finished looks as flawless and expensive. But how exactly can we achieve this look at home, and at a fraction of the cost? In this article, we will explore what makes makeup look expensive, with practical product recommendations and techniques to help you upgrade your everyday makeup routine.

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The Ingredients

One of the most important factors to consider when trying to create an expensive makeup look is the ingredients in the products you use. It’s certainly true that even though some high-end makeup products can be perfect for creating a seamless and luxurious look, some of the best products are those that you can easily pick up from a high street beauty store.

The first consideration to make when exploring the ingredients in your beauty products is whether or not they’re safe and tailored to your skin type. If you’re someone who suffers from acne or skin conditions like eczema, you should first consider beauty habits that support your skin barrier so that makeup doesn’t irritate or worsen it. For dry skin, products with hydrating and water-based ingredients are highly effective and look balanced on the skin. Look for ingredients like humectants, which draw in water, and emollients, which smooth the skin. Here’s a list of safe ingredients for dry skin:

• Shea Butter
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Ceramides
• Squalane

Contrastingly, if you’re someone who suffers from oily skin, the ingredients you should look out for will be entirely different. The purpose of ingredients in beauty products for people with oily skin is to unclog pores, which typically fill with excess oil from the skin. Here’s a list of ingredients to look out for if you’re prone to oily skin.

• Salicylic Acid
• Retinol
• Niacinamide

Natural ingredients are far better for all skin types than artificial or manufactured ingredients, so choosing products that prioritise botanical ingredients will help you to achieve a flawless and expensive makeup look. Brands like REFY Beauty produce vegan and cruelty-free makeup products like lip liners and face primers which are made with skin-loving ingredients rather than harsh chemicals that can leave your makeup looking cakey and dry.

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Application

The next step towards achieving a makeup look that looks expensive is your application technique. The brushes and applicators you use have a huge role to play in creating that airbrushed and professionally-finished look, but equally how you layer products is also important. Choosing the right brushes to apply your makeup with is easy, as most manufacturers have created tailored brushes for each step in your routine. For example, concealer brushes tend to be a flat paddle or small dome shape to help press the product lightly into the skin. They can also be dense or fluffy – depending on the application you’re looking for. Make sure you purchase a different brush for each product in your makeup routine, from eye shadow to contour brushes.

Once your brush collection is complete, you should then think about which order to layer your makeup products. If you choose to use them in a random order, your makeup will likely look patchy and won’t last the duration of the day. Below is the most popular method to layer your makeup products, recommended by professionals to achieve an expensive makeup look:

1. Hydrating face primer tailored to your skin type
2. Medium-full coverage foundation
3. Cool-toned cream contour
4. Warm-toned cream bronzer
5. Hydrating concealer
6. Brightening powder
7. Cream blusher
8. Powdered bronzer
9. Powdered blusher
10. Eye and brow makeup
11. Hydrating setting spray

Just as layering is important in achieving a polished and radiant makeup look, placement is also an important consideration. Make sure to keep each product in the areas where they’re meant to be applied, such as contour, which should be used on the cheekbones and forehead. Keeping the placement of products in their specific areas will help your makeup to look snatched while also looking natural. It will allow you to use the natural contours of your face so the makeup can enhance your features rather than completely change them. Pay attention to your face shape, as this will also affect where your makeup should be placed. For example, those with natural round faces would benefit from applying concealer and brightening products in the centre of the face and to high points such as the temples.

Although it may seem like to upgrade your makeup look you need to overhaul all the products you already own and build an entirely new collection, you don’t! After all, you don’t know how good new products are until you try them, which is why it’s a good idea to introduce new products into your makeup collection gradually, and be sure to test them in-store before you purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can you make your makeup look expensive?

A. You can make your makeup look expensive by preparing your skin properly, choosing products suited to your skin type, blending foundation and concealer evenly, and applying contour, blush, and bronzer with a light hand. Well-groomed brows, complementary shades, and a setting product suited to your desired finish can help create a polished look without relying on expensive brands.

Q. Which makeup ingredients are best for dry skin?

A. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, squalane, and shea butter can help hydrate or soften dry skin. Look for a foundation and primer that provide a comfortable, moisturising finish. Individual skin needs vary, so patch-test new products if you have sensitive skin.

Q. Which makeup ingredients are suitable for oily skin?

A. Niacinamide may help regulate excess sebum, while salicylic acid can help unclog pores. Retinoids may also help manage acne, but they are skincare treatments rather than standard makeup ingredients. Choose lightweight, non-comedogenic makeup if you are prone to clogged pores, and remember that suitability depends on your skin and the product formulation.

Q. What is the correct order to apply makeup?

A. A common makeup routine starts with skincare and sunscreen during the day, followed by primer if desired, foundation, concealer, and other complexion products. Cream products are generally applied before setting powders, followed by powder bronzer or blush if desired. Finish with eye and brow makeup and setting spray. The exact order can vary depending on the formulas and the look you want to achieve.

Q. Do expensive makeup products create a more flawless finish?

A. No. Expensive makeup products do not automatically provide better results than affordable alternatives. Product formulation, shade matching, skin preparation, application technique, and blending all influence the final appearance. Affordable products can also create a smooth, professional-looking finish when they suit your skin and are applied correctly.