5 expensive products that are actually worth it

Beauty products can be bloody expensive. With many bloggers income increasing and press samples being handed out left right and centre, how do we really know what's actually worth spending your hard earned pennies (or most definitely pounds in this case) on? 

Doing what I do, I've had the incredible opportunity to try out some products that I would never dream about spending the cash on. Spending near to 100 quid, or even half of that on certain products seemed (and very much still does in most cases!) so alien to me, but when you try something that blows your socks off is when everything changed and you can see why. I hate the idea of picking up an incredibly expensive purchase and not loving it. I get that with beauty it's trial and error and pretty subjective but honestly, I generally just don't want to risk it - and I can imagine most of you are the same. 

I've tried a lot of products I don't like, but I've also tried products that are the complete opposite and I love. Here's why I absolutely adore these 5 luxury beauty products... 

Jo Malone Colognes, £43 for 30ml and £86 for 100ml

Expensive yes, but when really you look at the price you're spending on a fragrance in Boots or Debenhams, it really is worth it. You've probably drooled over the Jo Malone concessions or stores before, but if you haven't ever broken the boundary to purchasing one of their colognes then you really must. I have a lot of fragrances, in fact I'd go as far to say it's my thing at the moment and the Jo Malone ones in my collection are by far some of the best quality. The fragrances are exquisite and generally unlike any I've ever smelt before but the thing that blows me away the most about these is the lasting power of them. They last all day and all night and for me that's what wins. Buying a Jo Malone fragrance is an experience, from the time you spend in the store or purchasing online to the packaging the products are wrapped in. Jo Malone has to be one of my favourite brands at the moment. Honestly they can do no wrong and they've got some very exciting things in the pipeline, so keep your eyes peeled for them. 

Aurelia Skincare Miracle Cleanser, £38 for 120ml

I've flagged the cleanser here, but really I absolutely swear by the brand as a whole. I tried Aurelia around a year ago and I have been in love ever since. I didn't think I'd sway from my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and although I do still adore it, this cleanser has taken over in the meantime. From the beautiful packaging to the luxurious quality of the products, I absolutely adore everything about them. Much like with Jo Malone, buying from them is an experience and the packaging the products come in are so beautiful. I'd recommend trying the cleanser first but their Refine and Polish Miracle Balm, £57 is an incredible exfoliator and their Cell Revitalise Day Moisturiser, £52, Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser, £52 and Revitalise & Glow Serum, £57 are beautiful hydrators. Put it this way, I've not tried anything from the brand and not loved it. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit, £69

This has to be one of those products I've wanted to try for years. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders are endlessly raved about and I always wanted to see why. I finally got my hands on this beautiful marble-esque palette and it didn't disappoint. I do have to admit though I didn't think this at first. I generally veer towards palettes that pack a more powerful punch on first application because that's what gets me going back for more but initially I didn't feel that. I just didn't really get it but from hearing so much about the powders I knew I must be missing a trick. The effect is much more subtle and once I got behind that I really started to notice how incredible my skin looked when I used this. I initially was looking for a more impactful 'highlighter on fleek' kind of look and although it didn't give that it gave me something I had never experienced before. Put it this way, I've used the palette every single time I've done my makeup since because there's nothing else quite like it. 

This palette has it all; a powder, a couple of blushers, a highlighter and a bronzer and they all blend flawlessly together to create a beautiful 'lit from within' kind of look. This palette brightens me up to no end and I can't tell you what a miracle worker this is on a hangover. 

Oribe Dry Texturising Spray, £41 for 300ml

Again, this one was another product I had heard hyped up to no end and I really wanted to try it but I just could never justify spending £41 on a hair product unless I really did know that I loved it - and £20 on the mini just didn't really seem worth it. I love a beachy texture to the hair and by using this hair product I get the look that I love instantly without any effort at all. A quick spritz in my hair gives it that much needed boost when its looking a little lack lustre (and potentially in need of a wash) or finishes off my go-to look when styling my hair for the day or night out to follow. It's expensive but I've never used a hair product that feels so luxurious and I always get incredibly excited to use it. I've been using my bottle for quite a while now and it still seems to be going strong so I'd say you get a lot of use out of it too. Well worth it if you like a textured do and are a little on the lazy side like I can be... 

Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, £70 for 30ml

Face oils are bloody expensive and I just never got it. I didn't get the idea of slathering oil all over my face when a face cream or serum could hydrate my skin in the same way. But now I know that's because I hadn't tried a facial oil that actually worked for me like this one does. Again, this is an incredibly hyped product in the blogosphere and again its far too expensive to just try on a whim. Much like the Hourglass palette, I had to give this a go a few times before I really got what it was all about. I'm not going to lie, it took a lot to get over my aversion to face oils - in fact, sometimes I still struggle with it. It feels bloody weird but this oil makes it all worth it. My skin is on the dryer end of the spectrum and it's one of my go-to hydrators in the evening or if I've got a lot of time to let it sink in in the morning. It hydrates my skin incredibly well but it gives my skin a beautiful radiance like I've never noticed with another product. It's great if my skin is feeling a little sensitive and I can't tell you how luxurious it feels. It's got the most beautiful packaging and having it on my dressing table is just beautiful. I have tried the Luna Sleeping Night Oil, £85 and although it is great I think this one wins overall. 

What are your go-to high end beauty products? 

Lorna x

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