If I Gave WWW Editors a $500 Stipend, These Are the Beauty Products They'd Actually Buy
Some beauty products are series regulars—a trusty SPF, hyaluronic acid serum, or foundation, for instance—while others take on more of a cameo role. Sure, you may feel comfortable shelling out $75 for a retinol you use every single night, but a clay mask of the same price feels like a special-occasion buy—a "nice to have" as opposed to an absolute nonnegotiable. This is true even for beauty editors who have access to a plethora of brand samples for product testing. When we do spend our hard-earned dollars on a refill, it's likely something with stalwart status, unless, of course, we have a gift card to spend.
When buying a "treat yourself" present (be it to celebrate a momentous occasion or just because you damn well can), I'd assume you want to steer away from regular purchases and focus on something snazzy, like a luxurious perfume you've been eyeing for some time but haven't been able to justify. I'm curious what products my fellow Who What Wear editors consider worth-it splurges, so I decided to give each a metaphorical $500 stipend and urge them to go wild on beauty products. Here's how they'd indulge…
"My best friend recently came to visit me (long-distance besties can relate) and asked if she could borrow a hair straightener. I handed her my GHD Chronos (which, admittedly, I had gotten used to just how good it is), and she was instantly blown away by how much silkier, shinier, and easier it was to use compared to her own. After sending her home with mine (she straightens her hair way more than I do), it made me realize what a difference a quality hair tool makes to your daily routine. If you're able to splurge, you won't regret it."
Alyssa Brascia, Associate Beauty Editor
Dr. Diamond’s Metacine
Instafacial Emulsion
"If I had a hefty gift card to shop with, I'd let myself splurge on this $350 night cream from Dr. Diamond. I stand firmly behind my statement that this is one of the best, if not the most elite moisturizer I've ever tried—offering plush, otherworldly smooth results from the very first smear. I've even gotten my 53-year-old mom hooked on this magical stuff (she swears that her makeup never looks better than when she wears the Instafacial Emulsion the night before)."
Kérastase
Elixir Ultime Refillable Hydrating Hair Oil
"With the bit I'd have left over, I'd waste no time adding Kérastase's Elixir Ultime Refillable Hydrating Hair Oil to my cart—a $62 potion that makes my hair feel, look, and smell heavenly soft (I feel bad every time I recommend it to my friends because the price is slightly too high)."
Westman Atelier
Face Trace Cream Contour Stick
"[I'd also buy] Westman Atelier's $48 Face Trace Cream Contour Stick. I've heard the highest praises but have yet to try."
Natalie Gray Herder, Branded Commerce Editor
Omorovicza
Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream
"I don't go around spending $240 on a night cream often, but this one changed the game for me this year. I have extremely dry, dehydrated skin that is borderline unbearable to deal with from November to March. This night cream in conjunction with the Queen Essence made this the first winter I didn't constantly notice my fine lines or dry flakes. I'm sure there are great under-$100 moisturizers that would help my skin, but using this product was such a luxurious experience and the results were undeniable."
