In this economy, it’s tough out there right now. But there are some things in life worth spending a little extra on: a good pair of shoes, a really great handbag and, apparently, a lipstick that costs more than your Friday night Uber.

A fancy logo and glittering packaging don’t always guarantee a better product, but some luxury beauty brands have earned cult status for good reason. We’re talking formulas that actually deliver, products that stand the test of time and packaging so pretty you’ll want to display it proudly on your IKEA Alex Drawer setup.

From Hollywood’s A-list to the backstage kits of fashion’s biggest names, these are five luxury makeup brands worth the splurge. (Your bank account may disagree, but your makeup bag will thank you.)

Givenchy

Long before Givenchy was making some of the most coveted setting powders on the market, the French fashion house was dressing Audrey Hepburn. Founded in Paris in 1952 by Hubert de Givenchy, the label became synonymous with beautiful tailoring and that certain kind of French sophistication that never goes out of style.

That same couture influence carries through to its beauty collection, with beautifully considered packaging and formulas that feel just as fancy as they look.

The star of the show is Prisme Libre 4-Color Loose Powder, which uses four complementary shades to colour-correct, blur and brighten the complexion. Givenchy has been playing with this concept since the late ’80s, so it’s fair to say they know a thing or two about a good powder (let’s just not talk about the reformulation…) The result is a soft, diffused finish without looking like you’ve fallen into a bag of flour.

For a more luminous base, there’s Prisme Libre Glow Serum Foundation, designed to deliver radiant coverage with a skincare-inspired feel. Then there’s the brand’s collection of luxe lipsticks, including Rose Perfecto Shine Serum Lipstick, which looks every bit as gorgeous coming out of your handbag as it does on your lips.

Hourglass

Ever wondered how some people manage to walk around in real life looking like they’re on The French Show With The Good Lighting? Allow us to introduce you to Hourglass.

Founded in Los Angeles in 2004 by Carisa Janes, Hourglass has become a beauty favourite for its skin-perfecting formulas, sleek gold packaging and approach to makeup that favours glow over glitter. It’s also been cruelty-free since day one and fully vegan since 2020, another big tick in our books.

Among its famous faces is British singer and all-round cool girl Olivia Dean, who became a global brand partner in 2026 and curated her own edit of the brand’s lip products. If you’ve been lucky enough to see Olivia’s effortlessly polished pout at one of her recent Aussie concerts, the partnership makes perfect sense.

While the cult-favourite Ambient Lighting Powder put Hourglass on the map, the Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF 30 is another reason to get acquainted. Combining buildable coverage with a hydrating, luminous finish, it’s designed to give skin that well-rested glow, even when you’re decidedly not. Add a few drops of Unreal Liquid Highlighter for extra radiance, minus the disco-ball effect.

Pat McGrath Labs

There are makeup artists, and then there’s Dame Pat McGrath. Known as the ‘Mother of Makeup’, the British beauty icon has spent decades creating some of fashion’s most memorable looks, working backstage for Prada, Versace, Valentino and just about every major designer you can think of.

Remember Taylor Swift’s gloriously over-the-top Bejeweled music video? That was Pat McGrath’s handiwork, complete with glittering eyes, jewel-encrusted details and enough sparkle to make even the most committed minimalist consider a little eyeshadow. McGrath even made a cameo as the Queen, naturally.

Launched in 2015, Pat McGrath Labs brings all that runway artistry into our makeup bags, with rich pigments, incredible textures and packaging that feels more like a collector’s item than everyday cosmetics.

While the extravagant Mothership Eyeshadow Palettes have become collector’s items, there’s plenty to love beyond the eyes. The Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation delivers a luminous, skin-like finish, while the brand’s highlighters bring a little runway-worthy radiance to your cheekbones. And for a statement lip, the richly pigmented MatteTrance Lipsticks are practically works of art, right down to their signature gold-lipped packaging.

Would we wear a full Pat McGrath runway look to the supermarket? Probably not. But it’s nice to know we could.

Charlotte Tilbury

If Hollywood glamour came in a rose-gold tube, it would probably have Charlotte Tilbury’s name on it, darlings.

Before launching her beauty empire in 2013, the British makeup artist worked her magic on some of the world’s most famous faces, from Kate Moss and Nicole Kidman to Amal Clooney. And while those connections are impressive enough, the brand’s latest campaign might just be our favourite yet.

Enter Christina Aguilera, millennial pop royalty and the face of Charlotte Tilbury’s 2026 holiday campaign. Yes, Xtina herself! Complete with old-school Hollywood glamour and a healthy dose of nostalgia, it’s a pairing that feels almost too perfect. Suddenly, we’re ready to dig out our Stripped CDs and invest in another almost-too-nude lipstick.

Of course, you can’t talk about Charlotte Tilbury without mentioning Pillow Talk. Originally launched as a lip liner in 2013, the flattering nude-pink shade became a beauty phenomenon, with little sister lipsticks, blushes and eyeshadow palettes. Its appeal? Making “your lips look like yours, only better.”

For the full Charlotte experience, there’s Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir, a hydrating serum designed to leave skin looking plump and ready for makeup, and the Luxury Palette, a beautifully curated eyeshadow quad that takes the guesswork out of creating a polished eye look.

It’s glamorous, a little bit extra and very, very Charlotte. Exactly how we like it!

MERIT

On the other end of the luxury beauty spectrum sits MERIT, the effortlessly chic American brand making a convincing case for doing less with your makeup.

Founded in Los Angeles in 2021 by entrepreneur Katherine Power, MERIT arrived with a simple concept: high-performing essentials designed to make getting ready easier, not more complicated. No elaborate 12-step routines, no endless layering and definitely no need to spend half your morning blending foundation.

Its understated aesthetic has earned a celebrity following, with Katie Holmes, Martha Stewart and Jenna Dewan among its fans. Not bad for a brand that’s only been around for five years.

Think minimalist makeup for people who still appreciate the finer things. Beautiful gold packaging, sheer, buildable formulas and products that look just as good on your bathroom counter as they do on your face.

The Flush Balm Cream Blush is a particular favourite, offering a sheer, dewy flush of colour that melts into the skin with minimal effort. Pair it with The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, a foundation-and-concealer hybrid that evens out your complexion without hiding your natural skin. Finish with a slick of Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil and you’re out the door.

While MERIT first became available online in Australia in 2024, its arrival at Sephora Australia stores in September 2026 means we can finally try the collection in person.

For anyone who prefers a five-minute makeup beat but still wants to look like they’ve made some sort of an effort, MERIT might just be your new favourite beauty indulgence (and it’s now available at Sephora!)