Im a Beauty Writer and the 7 Products I Always Splurge on Are on Sale

On a recent FaceTime, my sister was slathering face oil from a popular, objectively pricey skincare brand. “It just makes me feel so luxurious,” she noted, adding, “I don’t feel like it works any better than more affordable face oils.”

While it’s not wrong to value sensorial experience and brand name recognition over efficacy or quality in a beauty product, it’s a bit trickier to ignore when the product costs three or four times more than similar options. At least that’s the case for many friends, strangers, and family who’ve asked me for the scoop on whether certain pricey classics — La Mer, for instance — are actually worth shelling out for. I have a running list of ultra-luxe beauty buys that, after eight years testing hundreds of products, I’ve deemed inimitable — and thus worthy of splurging on. 

The good news? Seven of my selects are currently on sale for a limited time at Gilt, a members-only site where you can save big on designer brands. Simply head over to the under-the-radar, InStyle-exclusive curation page and enter your email address to access the sale. Happy shopping — and hurry, these discounts end soon.

Shop iconic luxury beauty products on sale:

Augustinus Bader The Light Cream

Like Victoria Beckham, Hailey Bieber, and seemingly every fashion mogul, I’m partial to Augustinus Bader products. The Rich Cream, the debut product, takes a breezier form in the aptly named Light Cream. Like all of Bader’s anti-aging elixirs, the cream contains its proprietary anti-aging complex, TFC8. If you’re a fan of the brand’s Rich Cream, or simply want ultra-hydrated skin sans greasy residue, consider this your springtime swap-out.

Sisley Paris Velvet Sleeping Mask With Saffron Flowers

In my experience, Sisley Paris has yet to make a subpar skincare product. Choosing a favorite formula is akin to choosing between my two cats — but this velvet sleeping mask is certainly the most unique. True to its name, the formula creates a velvety, supremely soft skin feel. Pricey as it is, this mask is one I recommend to friends with full faith they’ll consider it money well-spent. 

K18 Pro Hair Mask

If I were limited to only one hair product for the rest of my life, K18’s miraculous mask would top the shortlist. It’s truly transformative — particularly if your hair, like mine, is frizzy, dull, and haylike in texture. The leave-in smoothing and strengthening mask has been a godsend, particularly when I’ve bleached my hair within inches of its life. The peptide-rich formula fortifies strands over time, but you can expect significantly softer hair almost instantly after one use.  Try it and you’ll understand what the hype is all about. 

Byredo Gypsy Water

A best-seller for Byredo, this fresh, ethereal, subtly sexy scent is perfect for daily wear. In fact, I’ve received more compliments when I wear it than the combination of all my other fragrance-focused compliments combined. While I’d love to think the formula — notes of juniper, bergamot, incense, and sandalwood — is uniquely suited to my skin, Gypsy Water is among the scents that smell fantastic on everyone. I’ve never seen it on sale — and fully intend to stock up. 

Oribe Dry Texture Spray

Jennifer Lopez uses this hair spray — enough said. The invisible mist serves sexy, tousled, and unfussy; the quintessential French girl motif. The mist has been stocking celebrity stylists' kits for over a decade — and in my medicine cabinet for almost as long. A few bursts of the aerosol mist, even on bad hair days, gives it a je ne sais quoi I’ve not experienced with other sprays. Similarly, its fragrance is uniquely Oribe, and gives hair an expensive-smelling sillage. Snag the travel-sized version, also on sale.

Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Awakening Lip Balm

Forget what you know about lip balm. Dior’s Lip Glow series, true to its title, illuminates lips in a lit-from-within manner. It’s semi-sheer, buildable, and fuss-free to swipe on like you would with traditional lip balm. The shades are universally flattering, too. Plus, I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel glamorous anytime I whip out the iconic silver tube in public to touch up.

La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream

Whether La Mer is worth the price is, hands down, the most frequent question from friends, family, and strangers seeking advice on luxury beauty. Simply put: Yes — especially on sale, which is a rare occurrence. The formula softens and soothes even the most sensitive skin types in seconds, and fades fine lines over time. Plus, as my sister might add, the experience alone is indulgent enough to justify the price.

Shop splurge-worthy, iconic hair, makeup, and skincare selects on sale for a super limited time on Gilt’s InStyle-exclusive curation page.

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