Luxury beauty is judged on formulation, results and pleasure. We chose houses with proprietary research or exceptional craft, a hero product with a track record and packaging that survives a bathroom. Prices are for the hero product.
Skincare
La Mer
The Miracle Broth cream that started luxury skincare as a category. Rich, calming and, for dry or stressed skin, still hard to beat.
Skincare
Augustinus Bader
A stem-cell scientist’s complex in a minimalist cream with refills. The most-awarded skincare launch of the past decade, for good reason.
Skincare
Sisley
French botanical formulation at its most luxurious. The family-owned house makes products that feel like a treatment every night.
Skincare
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Anti-inflammatory science from an orthopaedic doctor turned skin specialist. The serum that made hyaluronic acid a luxury.
Skincare
La Prairie
Swiss cellular science in cobalt-blue jars. The most expensive routine on this list and the one with the most devoted clients.
Fragrance
Frédéric Malle
The house that publishes its perfumers. Portrait of a Lady, by Dominique Ropion, is the modern rose-oud reference.
Fragrance
Creed
Pineapple, birch and musk in the most imitated men’s fragrance of the century. Green Irish Tweed for something quieter.
Fragrance and make-up
Byredo
Stockholm minimalism in a bottle: modern, unisex, worn by people who do not want to smell like anyone else’s father.
Make-up and fragrance
Hermès Beauty
Refillable lacquered cases, colours from the silk archive and the house’s perfumer, Christine Nagel, on the fragrances. Beauty as a leather-goods house would do it.
Make-up and fragrance
Tom Ford Beauty
The Private Blend collection made oud, tobacco and vanilla mainstream luxury; the make-up is used backstage and at weddings alike.
| House | Category | Hero product | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mer | Skincare | Crème de la Mer | from $200 |
| Augustinus Bader | Skincare | The Rich Cream | from $180 |
| Sisley | Skincare | Black Rose Cream Mask | from $170 |
| Dr. Barbara Sturm | Skincare | Hyaluronic Serum | from $300 |
| La Prairie | Skincare | Skin Caviar Luxe Cream | from $500 |
| Frédéric Malle | Fragrance | Portrait of a Lady | from $300 |
| Creed | Fragrance | Aventus | from $350 |
| Byredo | Fragrance | Gypsy Water | from $200 |
| Hermès Beauty | Make-up | Rouge Hermès lipstick | from $75 |
| Tom Ford Beauty | Fragrance and make-up | Oud Wood | from $250 |
Try it yourself
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Which luxury skincare brand is the best?
La Mer, Augustinus Bader, Sisley, Dr. Barbara Sturm and La Prairie lead the category, each with a distinct approach. Results depend on skin type and consistency.
Is La Mer worth the money?
For dry, sensitive or stressed skin the Crème de la Mer is a genuinely effective and pleasurable product. Oilier skin may prefer lighter textures.
What is the best niche fragrance house?
Frédéric Malle for perfumer-led compositions, Creed for classics, Byredo for modern minimalism, Amouage and Roja for opulence.
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