8 Bougie Beauty Buys to Add to Cart or Gift Someone Special (Because You Deserve It)
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
Believe it or not, despite the Antarctic weather in Australia currently forcing us into borderline seasonal depression, there are some fun things to look forward to in the coming months.
Firstly, our European summer travellers (me included) are about to escape said Antarctic weather, and one more thing that’s almost as exciting as sipping cocktails in the South of France (Ok, Ok I know nothing beats that, but this comes close) it’s almost tax return time!
Which means some pretty decent pocket change showing up in our bank accounts.
So it got us thinking, this might just be the perfect time to start keeping your eyes on that coveted beauty product that you’ve always wanted.
Maybe it’s that hard-working bougie serum that delivers on radiance like no other; maybe your dry strands are begging to be treated to some luxe haircare? Or maybe, you’re finally ready to splurge on a fancy foundation that’s worth every cent.
Whatever luxe beauty product is calling your name, whether it’s for yourself or a considered gift, we say, it’s time to bite the bullet and add it to cart.
Not sure where to start?
I asked our brands team to give me one luxe beauty product they would add to cart today as a “not a must-have, but I really want it because it makes me feel special” pick for some inspo…
1. DIOR Miss Dior Eau de Parfum.
Would it truly be a “treat yourself to a bougie, luxe product” list without an iconic fragrance from the house of DIOR? Absolutely not.
And this captivating, floral-forward Miss DIOR perfume is the perfect pick.
What makes it special:
- The Miss DIOR fragrance takes inspiration from 'millefiori', with a bouquet of fresh, velvety and powdery floral notes.
- Notes description: Centifolia Rose, with its honeyed and pepperynotes, reigns over a delectably creamy velvet heart. It is embroidered with fresh Lily-of-the-Valley notes, an apricot-tinged Peony accord, and powdery Iris notes. Miss Dior is thus built around an elegant, striking bouquetlike amillefiori that seems to carry countless flowers in endless colours. At the base, slight notes of tender wood envelop the composition.
Bliss!
DIOR Miss Dior Eau de Parfum review:
"Enough said in the title. I've never had multiple people in a day asking what event I'm wearing. Really beautiful feminine scent without being too flowery." - AB customer Bree.
2. SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion.
SK-11’s best-selling product and praised by beauty editors for years.
Containing AHAs, the SK II facial treatment essence helps to gently remove dirt and leaves your skin clean and ready for your follow-up serums.
The hero ingredient giving this essence its superpowers?
- PITERA - a natural bio-ingredient containing over 50 micro-nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids and organic acids that condition the skin's natural functions.
What makes it special:
- Helps improve the appearance of dullness and uneven skin tone by exfoliating dead surface skin.
- Refines skin texture.
- Makes skin firmer.
- Offers wrinkle resilience.
SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion review:
"My favourite parts of my routine is the essence, this one I reach for when my skin is beginning to misbehave. Sinks into the skin quickly and easily layered." - AB customer Elleem.
3. GIVENCHY Prisme Libre 4-Color Loose Powder.
A luminous matte setting powder made famous by Kylie Jenner. So if you're ever wondering “what beauty products does Kylie Jenner use?” this four-shade colour-correcting compact is one of them!
What makes it special:
- Promises to set makeup for up to 12 hours and provide up to 24 hours of illumination.
- Combines four harmonious shades to blur imperfections, set makeup, and enhance your skin's natural radiance. Has a lightweight, ultra-fine texture.
- Blends seamlessly for a soft, matte finish with a subtle glow.
- Works on all skin tyes and skin tones.
- Features micronised powders that feel weightless on skin.
- Promises to set makeup or up to 12 hours and providing up to 24 hours of illumination.
- Water-resistant, smudge-proof and mask-proof.
4. HERMÈS Barénia, Eau de Parfum.
Hermes fragrances are iconic, impactful and unlike your other traditional perfumes.
HERMÈS Barénia has both a woody, earthy and sensual feel that envelops skin with notes of oakwood, mysterious patchouli, butterfly lily and of course, the latest fragrance note craze - berry.
What makes it special:
- An elusive, stirring and surprising chypre with a sensuous texture.
- Made in France.
- A skin perfume, bringing together strength and softness.
Watch the YouTube video for more bougie fragrance inspo:
5. Gucci Beauty Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick.
A lipstick really is that girl that anchors your makeup look (close tie with blush of course) so why not treat your sad winter pout to a fancy lippie to instantly lift your mood?
Gucci? A perfect place to start.
Gucci’s makeup artistry never ceases to amaze. From their stunning fragrances to their lustrous lipsticks their Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick lasts all day and leaves lips smooth and soft.
What else makes it so special:
- Available in a wide range of colours, from nudes and reds to pinks and oranges.
- Flattering on all skin tones.
- Formulated with oils and a mix of waxes and resins, its creamy formula feels comfortable and moisturising.Has a buildable from medium to high coverage formula.
- Its satin finish glides on easily and lips feel hydrated, while looking lush.
- Is presented in a gold-toned tube etched with an Art Deco motif.
Gucci Beauty Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick review:
"Beautiful satin lipstick, divine. Non drying, only can think of positive things about this lipstick." - AB customer Vivi.
6. IKKARI The Apothecary Hand Wash Green Mandarin.
You know how most normal functioning people in society have a pair of supermarket hand washes for daily use and stash their “cool” “fancy” ones for when guests come over?
This Australian-made spa-like hand-wash by ikkari is on the “fancy bathroom products for when people come over” list.
This beautifully-vesseled hand wash would also make the perfect luxe housewarming gift as suggested by one reviewer.
7. BDK Parfum Impadia.
I first discovered BDK when I started working at Adore Beauty and fell in love with their powerful and unique scents (in fact, I included them in a story about niche fragrances).
My personal faves? Tabac Rose and Ambre Safrano.
What makes Impadia so special:
- A floral-woody fragrance with notes of citrus, rose, vanilla and sandalwood.
- This scent is an ode to the gardens of Paris, blending floral beauty and woody depth for effortless sophistication.
Notes:
Top: Pear, Italian mandarin, Italian bergamot.
Heart: Bulgarian rose, Turkish rose absolute, orange blossom absolute.
Base: Akigalawood, vanilla absolute, sandalwood
8. Giorgio Armani Crema Nera Supreme Light Cream.
What this tells me about the person who chose this dreamy anti-ageing cream: They’re a Giorgio Armani fan and they like the finer things in life - including sleek packaging.
Have a special person in your life who loves skincare and has a birthday coming up? This is a strong contender for gifting too.
What makes it special:
- This luxe face cream boosts radiance, refines skin texture and minimises the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Formulated with ingredients inspired by the Italian island of Pantelleria.
- Contains regenerating volcanic minerals.
Giorgio Armani Crema Nera Supreme Light Cream review:
"This expensive, yet luxurious cream is the end all be all of creams- it is rich and soothing on the skin. It absorbs easily and leaves the skin brighter with minimised pores." - AB customer Lara.
Want more bougie products to splurge on? Check out these recommendations below:
