14 High End Beauty Products Worth Every Penny

Due to alarming economic trends with bank bailouts in Europe and skyrocketting inflation rates in China, it is no wonder that we are holding on tighter to our purse strings. However, if you're a Beauty Tyrant like myself, we could not resist indulging even in high end beauty products if it makes us drop-dead gorgeous *wink*. Therefore, I have compiled a list of 14 high end beauty products that are worth every penny. Let's see how many you already have in your holy grail or better still, make it your wish list this Valentine's. *wink* and boyfriends out there, please don't hate me. It's all about the love in February :)

14 High-End Beauty Products Worth Every Penny

See the high-end products beauty editors say they can't live without

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty products article A blow dryer worth $200? A lipstick that costs as much as a nice steak dinner? We know thousands of beauty products that don't warrant their big price tags, but these 14 luxury products are not it. Editors swear they're worth the hefty splurge. See what they are now. Get spendy

NO. 14: NARS LIPSTICK, $24

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.6

"The colors are very pigmented and super long-lasting, but still manage to leave lips well moisturized and never dried out."

NO. 13: CHI TURBO CERAMIC IONIC HAIR DRYER, $119

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9

"I will never use another hairdryer EVER AGAIN! The price seems hefty for a dryer, but with dry time cut in half and hair left soft and smooth, it's worth every penny."

NO. 12: BLISS LEMON + SAGE SOAP, $18

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.3

"My fiance won't use anything else."

Want to see what was No. 1? Click here!

♥ Your Glam Diva Revealing Fabulous Products and Beauty Tips ♥

Top 20 Earth-Friendly Beauty Products

Are you seeing green lately? No no, I don't mean the green eyed monster. What I really mean is, are you using earth friendly products? Natural products are such a rage these days, when everyone is going eco-friendly. Have you jumped on the earth-friendly bandwagon yet? If you've not, you're in luck. I have a list of 20 top earth-friendly beauty products that will make you look and feel better and at the same time, you know you're helping out Mother Earth too. Believe it or not, there is one particular product that you can even plant its packaging. How wicked is that? So, here goes, tried and tested green products that receive top ratings from us:

Top 20 Earth-Friendly Beauty Products

The hottest skin care, makeup and hair care on every green chick's list

What's the hot trend in beauty? Going green. But don't break out the emerald eyeshadow just yet, we mean green as in environmentally friendly. New to the green scene? Use TotalBeauty.com readers' unbiased ratings to help you know what products to try first. See products

No. 20: 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream, $19

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7*

Why it's great: Readers say it's "very moisturizing and soothing" and they can feel their "eyes tightening"...

No. 19: Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer, $28

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.8*

Why it's great: The certified organic white grape and pomegranate juice in this moisturizer "help balance out... oily skin"...

No. 18: DHC Olive Virgin Oil, $44.80

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8*

Why it's great: "It seriously softens and... feels great after flying." They also say even oily skin can use it at night...

Want to see what's #1? Click here!

Nature's Minerals Foundation from The Body Shop

There seems to be a crazy Mineral Makeup Mania these days. Almost every single cosmetic brand out there is having their own mineral makeup line. Unfortunately, I also hear lots of complaints about mineral makeup from my readers too. Most have difficulty finding the right shade for their skintone and some even suffered from dryness and breakouts. Bleagh! I've just recently been introduced to mineral makeup and still quite slow to pick up on it since I seldom use foundation, mostly tinted moisturizers. Being a newbie at mineral makeup, my best bet would be to try out The Body Shop's latest Nature's Mineral Foundation ($25). After all, TBS is one of my favourite brands to date and I trust it for great products everytime.

My verdict? I love, love, love Nature's Mineral Foundation and I'm hooked. Let me tell you why:

1) Natural Ingredients
[ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Titanium Dioxide (24.4%). INGREDIENTS: Kaolin, Illite. May Contain: Mica, Iron Oxides. ]

These ingredients are natural ingredients and are all precious minerals from earth. Not only that, they provide wonderful skin benefits too. Here it is in further details:

• Kaolin clay and Mediterranean clay are absorbent minerals that provide long-lasting coverage.
• Mica adds luster and has light-diffusing properties to help disguise fine lines and pores.
• Titanium dioxide and iron oxide protect skin from the sun without clogging pores.
• Dermatologist-tested with no added fillers, preservatives or fragrances.

And the best part of it all - Titanium Dioxide and Iron Oxide are natural sunscreens. So, this mineral foundation comes with SPF 25!

2) Coverage - Natural finish
I'm a huge fan of the sheer and natural look. This mineral foundation really aced it. It does not look heavy after application and does not look cakey. In fact, I look like I'm not wearing anything, yet with the perfection that I crave. I'm sold on this already. However, I have to note that the makeup does not wear well for long hours. Maybe about 4-6 hours max. For me, it's not really a problem, just simply touch up and you're good to go. It's natural looking, so don't worry if you have to layer on more for your touch-up. To be honest, I wore this mineral foundation on a long trip and I only needed to touch up maybe about twice only. To me, it's really very wearable.

3) Color Selection
There are 6 shades to choose from and I chose #2 and it suited me perfectly. It really blends well with my skintone. I only use the mineral foundation on areas that needed more coverage and voila I look naturally beautiful. Normally, I really have a hard time choosing foundations but this color really nailed it. My complaint would be, the color selection is too limited. A wider color selection will be perfect.

[Note: Another important point to note, I've heard complaints that this mineral foundation will oxidize, so you'll have to choose one shade lighter just on the safer side. However, for me, I feel that it didn't oxidize much or it was barely noticeable.]

4) The finish
I love putting on the foundation. My skin looks so radiant and healthy. The mica in the powder helps to reflect light, which gives off a radiant pearlescent finish. The mineral powder is very, very fine and it blends right into my skin. Never cakey, which is a very important criteria for me. I'm prone to dry skin but surprisingly, the mineral foundation does not dry out my skin at all! It does help to cover up blemishes and flaws, but it takes alittle blending to achieve the flawless look. For me, I first dust the mineral foundation loosely on my face. On problem areas, I press the powder onto the trouble spots and slowly blend onto my skin. Sometimes, I need to layer on a little more to cover up the trouble spots. It does take a while, but it's worth it, trust me! So far I've not seen any acne breakouts yet...touch wood!

5) Packaging
The packaging is simple and it comes in a tub with a fine sifter, which helps to ration the amount of powder that comes out from it. Most of the powder is kept neatly inside the tub, minimizing any spillage. I'm prone to that, maybe because i'm quite a klutz most times, especially in the mornings! Oh, that also means the foundation lasts longer with less spillage. Also, don't skimp on the foundation brush. Application is much easier and better using the Nature's Minerals Foundation Brush. [I know that first hand, coz I thought I could substitute it with my other kabuki brushes, but nah, you'll see and feel the difference. I subsequently got the brush the next day]. The brush is also much denser and softer and it really makes a difference in application.

So TBS has come up with a gem with this new Nature's Minerals line. I really love how it feels and looks on me. I'll be reviewing their eyeshadow and blush too. So stay tuned people. By the way, interested in more mineral foundations, you can check out more Minerals Foundation Reviews here!

Makeup: Gold Medal-Worthy Foundations

Foundations may be one the the hardest makeup item to shop. Yet, it is one of the most crucial makeup item for creating a beautifully flawless look. Here we are, bombarded by such a vast array of foundations such as liquid foundations, powder foundations, air-brush spray on foundations, 2-in-1 foundations and the list goes on. The various different textures of foundations also leave us alittle baffled. Seriously, too much choices to choose from! Not only that, choosing the wrong foundation not only makes you look like you're putting on a mask, it could also leave us with breakouts and unsightly blemishes. If you're like me, always on the lookout for the best foundation, here is the much-awaited list of foundations that have met the stamp of approval from the beauty readers from Total Beauty. Maybe it's time to switch your foundation!

TotalBeauty.com content:

Makeup: Gold Medal-Worthy Foundations

One of these 14 crowd pleasers from Revlon, Prescriptives, MAC and more could give your skin a flawless finish -- sans airbrush experts

We've heard complaints about foundation ranging from too heavy and drying to too light and oily, not to mention "too few shades" and "too expensive." So we made a list of the foundations that garnered praise from TotalBeauty.com members. Check out which brands and formulas got the most consumer stamps of approval and consider whether you should switch to something new. Best foundations

The 'truth lights' remedy: Max Factor Age Renew Foundation

I totally despise white lights, which I coin them as the much dreaded 'truth light'. That's the reason why you will notice that you always look better in hotel mirrors than when you're looking at yourself in your bathroom mirror. 'Truth lights' are very harsh and it literally screams out every minute wrinkle, fine lines and blemishes and just about any other imprefection. Whereas, warm yellow lights flood your face in a warm glow that flatters any skin tone. What would you say if there is a foundation that basks your face in that soft glow and you look radiant even under the truth light? In fact, I think I've just found the answer to that!

Ladies, I've recently tried out Max Factor's Age Renew Foundation in Warm Almond and I've been spotting that warm glow all over my face even after the entire day being out under the sweltering summer heat. Here's the science behind this foundation: Age Renew Foundation contains pigments held in a fixed fluid film that soften fine lines and wrinkles and cover blemishes without settling into or accentuating texture. However, in addition to covering the signs of ageing, Age Renew Foundation also uses light enrichers to create an instant "warm light effect" that makes skin appear more translucent and restores inner warmth and radiance.

I'm so happy. Now I don't have to look like a ghost when I'm at airports. You know, some of them have really awful truth lights.

Another reason to love, especially moi the skin obsessed beauty junkie; this foundation not only helps you to look great and flawless, it nourishes your skin over time too. Renew contains an advanced skincare complex, with vitamins B3, B5, E, green tea extract and penta-peptide. It has been shown to help reveal new skin and fight the signs of ageing over time. Isn't that more reason to just love it? After 8 hours of application, my skin still feels soft and dewy and never cakey. I hate it when foundation cakes and accentuates the lines further. The finish for the foundation is natural and dewy and it's perfect for me. The coverage is great for a natural look, but for those who have more to conceal, I suggest using a concealer before and then applying the foundation over for more coverage.

The price is great too. It's a drug store brand after all but the performance is stellar. So far, I've not broken out yet. Touch wood I hope it won't coz I'll be really crushed. An extra plus point, it has SPF 10 in it too.

After all the good things, here are my gripes over it...

Max Factor claims that Renew will make you look 5 years younger after using it. But, I've yet to see that promise coming through. In fact, I think it's quite a far-fetched claim to make in the first place. It so doesn't make me 5 years younger, oh how I wish, but it does make me look flawless and yet natural. I don't look like I have a mask on, which I absolutely loathe about certain foundations. I would say it's a first class foundation and excels in all areas except that tall claim. I have to stress this another time, it's great for the skin too with those skin-loving ingredients in its formula.

Would I purchase it again, I definitely would without any hesitations. Would you ladies give this a try?

Fabulous Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder

Have you ever fallen in love with a product so much that you absolutely can't live without it. Well, that's exactly what happened to me and my foundation compact. The compact I've been using all along was Maybelline's Pure Stay Foundation Compact in Nude. This color is absolutely perfect for me. I didn't appreciate it as much until it was gone for good.

You see, I had to discover it through the hard way. I've finished my last and desperately needed to buy a new one. So, I've went to the shops and was rudely shocked that this range has been discontinued. It has never occured to me that it might be discontinued until that miserable rude awakening. I desperately needed a substitute! I've bought the other Maybelline range like Dream Matte Mousse Foundation in Nude but somehow the color was a tad not to my liking. It somehow didn't blend well with my skin. Then, I've also tried Clinique's Perfectly Real Superfine Compact Makeup with Silver Toned Auto Open Case in #03 Fresh Beige It's quite a super light texture but still the color just doesn't work well with my skin tone. Under strong lights, the powder makes my skin look whittishly fluorescent. Totally unflattering for me. But, it has a really pretty casing though.

Mind you, I've tried to look for the perfect color for my new illusive compact for 3 months and still high and dry. Either they are too fluorescent-looking (I know it's strange but it really does look fluorescent) or they don't blend with my skin tone. I've tried all the colors from all the ranges in Maybelline, Clarins, Christian Dior and Clinique just to name a few. But they just don't make the cut.

I was disappointed till I've chanced upon my new favourite foundation compact (thank God!) after 3 long desperate months. When I've tested it, I immediately fell in love with the color. It was a perfect match and the texture of the powder is so soft and light it's almost invisible on my skin!! I couldn't believe it that I've managed to find my substitute in the city of love. I loved how the color looked on my skin under the bright white lights in the shop. I also checked out how it would fare under natural light and it's just perfect. I've learnt from previous experiences to always remember to examine how the powder looks on my skin in natural light too.

My new favourite compact is none other than Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 - # 40 Sable

Buy MAC, Lancome, Clinique, YSL, Chanel and more name brands at discount prices at Makeup.com Discount.

When I wear it, it totally blends into my skin and it doesn't even look like I'm wearing any powder. It helps to mattify shiny areas like the nose and forehead areas. It's perfect for long-time wear and best of all, doesn't cake up at the end of the day. Needs little or no touch up throughout the day and it's a real bonus for busy darlings like you. It lasts really long too, because you only need the lightest brush of powder for beautiful coverage. Oh, most importantly, it has SPF in it too. It's important to use compact powder with SPF in order to protect your skin further.

You should try it out, the texture is excellent and the colors are so natural. It's been indicted to my list of things I could never live without.

A beauty tip: When buying compact powder or foundation, always examine whether the color looks good under natural light. You can go near a window or step outside under the sun to see how the color looks on you. It's really important to find a color that blends well with your skintone. This way, you won't commit makeup mistake #1 with your new purchases