If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Victoria Beckham knows a thing or two about looking polished. From her sharp tailoring to her signature smoky eye (thank you, Satin Kajal Eyeliners), everything VB touches carries an effortless elegance—and her beauty line is no exception.

So, when The Cell Rejuvenating Illuminator (£142) (formerly the Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturiser) received a recent glow-up, I knew it was finally time to try it out for myself. I'm already a superfan of Victoria Beckham Beauty and ever since I've been testing the illuminators, I've not only bid farewell to foundation for good, but I've had people asking me if I've just come from a facial. Scroll ahead for everything you need to know.

Victoria Beckham Beauty The Cell Rejuvenating Illuminator Review

The Formula

Developed in collaboration with Augustinus Bader (the cult skincare scientist behind the namesake brand), it includes Bader's patented TFC8® complex—this isn’t your average illuminator. It’s designed to support skin regeneration, plump out fine lines and bring radiance to lacklustre complexions.

The pearlescent tint (which comes in three shades, including a pinky rose and radiant golden tint) it bridges the gap between skincare and makeup. The silky, light-as-air formula melts into skin to hydrate while lending the skin a dewy glow, which looks beautiful worn alone, underneath foundation or applied strategically as a highlighter.

Alongside Augustinus Bader's TFC8® complex (which contains a cocktail of vitamins, amino acids and peptides) the illuminators also include fermented black tea extract and ectoin to shield the skin against environmental stressors such as pollution. You'll also find niacinamide, squalane and hyaluronic acid in the formula. The radiance of the illuminators themselves comes from plant extracts that help reflect the light on your skin.

The Shades

Victoria Beckham Beauty illuminator swatches; Golden, Pearlescent and Rose.

The Pearlescent shade is a translucent, pearly base that leaves skin looking healthy, rested, and ever-so-slightly angelic. Think “I just got back from a facial” kinda of glowiness, but without the spenny trip to a clinic. Golden brings a warm, subtle bronze radiance that’s stunning on medium to deep skin tones (and doubles as a subtle bronzing veil on lighter complexions). And Rose is soft pearly pink and gives that lit-from-within glow.

I’ve been using Golden on no-makeup days for a touch of sheer bronze and Pearlescent under a skin tint for an extra dose of radiance. On the other hand, Rose looks beautiful worn alone on the days when I don't want to wear makeup but still want to look effortlessly glowy, or tapped onto cheekbones over makeup as a highlighter. Whether worn alone or with makeup, it wears beautifully throughout the day—no pilling, no greasy T-zone situation, just gleaming, healthy skin. Bonus points for the packaging, which feels satisfyingly weighty in-hand and looks very chic on a dressing table.

The Verdict

Yes, it’s a splurge. At £142 to 50ml, it's a considerable investment and eyewateringly expensive. However, it does come in a 20ml vial for £76 if you did want to try it before committing to a full-sized bottle.

But, if you’re someone who’s looking for a hybrid product that actually earns its place in your routine—think skincare benefits, radiant glow, luxe texture and skin blurring effects—The Cell Rejuvenating Illuminator ticks all the boxes and may even replace your foundation. The fact that it's what VB uses herself for her fresh, luminous skin is another draw, alongside the skin-boosting benefits of Augustinus Bader's skin technology. When you wear this, the light catches your skin just right, you might want to forgo foundation forever.

In fact, you'll notice that Victoria Beckham Beauty is yet to come out with a foundation (it's just the concealer pen in the complexion category right now) and I think the brand really leans into the "no-makeup" makeup when it comes to the complexion with these illuminators. When I used this, all I needed was a touch of concealer around a few areas of redness and I felt comortable enough to head out without needing to mask my skin in makeup. Perfect if you're someone who loves the look of invisible makeup while wanting to remain looking and feeling polished.

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Cleansing is an essential step in every skincare routine, vital for removing makeup, product residue and excess oil, as well as for prepping skin for future product application and targeting concerns like dullness and congestion. "Washing your face really is the cornerstone of a great routine and glowing skin,” says facialist and skin expert Charlie Perry. "If you aren't cleansing your face properly with the best cleanser for your skin's needs, it’s very hard for everything that follows in your routine to go right.” Choosing the right formula can make a vital difference to your skin, with options ranging from balms and oils through to gels, milks, and foams. However, the best cleansers don’t necessarily need to be expensive or packed full of pricey active ingredients in order to be effective. 

"‘You get what you pay for’ is true of many consumer goods, but not necessarily beauty,” says beauty journalist and brand founder Sali Hughes. "I love many luxury beauty brands and their products, and I always will, but it’s important to remember that for every fancy jar, magnetic lid, beautiful ad campaign and gold-foil box, pennies and pounds are added to the price you ultimately pay from your purse.” It’s always worth keeping in mind that a product’s price tag is often dictated by these factors and so doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the ingredients used or the product’s formula. "I think increasingly, people are paying more attention to what matters,” adds Hughes. "The product at the heart of the fantasy. That’s what needs to be great. The rest is delicious detail.” It’s true; take a look at the offerings of affordable skincare brands like The Ordinary, CeraVe, and Beauty Pie, and you’ll see that there are plenty of standout affordable face washes out there. They may not have luxurious packaging, but it’s what’s inside that counts.

Hughes herself recently collaborated with beauty brand Revolution to create her own line of affordable skincare products. "It was my number one priority to make this product range available to as many people as possible, and that meant keeping the prices as low as I could squeeze them without compromising on quality and ingredients,” she says. "I just very strongly believe that great, effective, high-quality and intelligently formulated skincare formulas should be available to the overwhelming majority of people who have to consider and prioritise where their hard-earned cash goes.” We are, after all, in a cost-of-living crisis, and so it makes sense to cut down where it’s possible to do so. "A cleanser is always the product I'd recommend saving rather than spending on,” says Perry. "It's not on your skin for long, so pricey actives have a short time frame to work their magic, and the best formulas don't need huge amounts of actives to be effective.”

If you’re building a budget-friendly skincare routine and looking for affordable versions of your favourite luxury cleansers, look no further. With like-for-like textures, formulas, functions and hero ingredients, these cleanser dupes are just as good as (if not better than) their more expensive counterparts.

If you love: Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel

Try: Revolution Skincare x Sali Hughes Clean Sheet Morning Cleanser

If you love: Kate Somerville Delikate Soothing Cleanser

Try: E.l.f. Skincare Pure Skin Cleanser

If you love: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Try: Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser

If you love: Eve Lom Cleanser

Try: By Beauty Bay Chamomile + Oat Lipid Cleansing Balm

If you love: Dermalogica Clearing Skin Face Wash

Try: CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

If you love: Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil

Try: The Body Shop Camomile Makeup Cleansing Oil

If you love: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Try: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Hot Oil Cleansing Balm

If you love: SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel

Try: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

If you love: Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel 

Try: The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

If you love: Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip

Try: Skin Proud Wonder Clay Cream Cleanser

If you love: Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Micellar Water

Try: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Next Up: These 15 Budget Serums Are Just as Good as the Expensive Versions

 Opening Image: @amaka.hamelijnck

If there's one thing people ask me the most as a beauty journalist, it's whether the luxury skincare brands are really worth the money. After all, it's so easy to be drawn in by the allure of a £200 pot of moisturiser for the thrill of owning a cult product. There's nothing like an eye-watering price tag to build hype and intrigue.

Sure, those luxury skincare brands that you see dotted on the vanity tables of Instagram do look enticing, but do they actually cut the mustard when it comes to results? When you're looking to invest in beauty products, you want to ensure that your hard-earned money is going to give you a good return on investment. Whether it's glowing skin or the promise of targeting troublesome acne or pigmentation, when you're making a skincare investment, you want it to work.

We're big believers that you don't have to spend a fortune to get great skincare. (These cheap moisturisers feel so much more expensive than their price tags.) But sometimes, it's fun to splash the cash on luxurious skincare. So I spoke to some of my beauty-journalist pals who have tried all the best brands during their careers. These are the best skincare investments they recommend.

Keeks Reid, Freelance Beauty Editor and Who What Wear Contributor

"The KateCeuticals range by Kate Somerville is expensive but so, so worth it. I'm honestly obsessed with the Total Repair Cream and do a little cry each time I get to the end of the tub, as it costs a whopping £110. Kate describes it as her facial in a bottle, and I get it. My skin looks and feels instantly plumper and hydrated after use."

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Georgia Seago, Editor of The Tweakments Guide

"Exuviance is probably my favourite skincare brand. It’s all I’d use if I had to choose just one brand. It’s clinical-grade, professional skincare that I’d be confident recommending to anyone because it just works. The level of skin science that goes into research and development is truly impressive. Plus, the formulas and textures are really enjoyable to use. The Skin Rise Bionic Tonic pads literally change people’s skin, and I also love the brand’s 20% vitamin C capsules—the best vitamin C I’ve used."

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Anita Bhagwandas, Beauty Journalist and Author of Ugly (out 2023)

"One premium skincare brand that's really impressed me is Ranavat, which is based on traditional Indian and Ayurvedic ingredients. Not only are the textures one-of-a-kind and packaging incredibly chic, but I notice a huge difference to my skin when using them. Because the smells—like jasmine and saffron—feel so familiar to me, and I know the care that's gone into creating them, I feel more connected to myself and my Indian heritage each time I use them. I can't stop raving about it—definitely worth every penny."

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Amanda Pauley, Deputy Editor at Professional Beauty

"111Skin is known for its super-hydrating sheet masks, but this serum from the brand should be in everyone’s beauty cabinet too. Yes, it is on the spenny side, but it really is worth it. If, like me, you struggle with hormonal breakouts every month, then this serum is going to be a game changer. I’ve been using it for the past three months, and my complexion is now glowy and spot-free on the regular, and that’s thanks to its powerful blend of salicylic acid, colloidal silver, colloidal sulphur and kojic acid, which targets blemish-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation and helps minimise pigmentation marks after a breakout. The serum is super lightweight—perfect for oiler complexions—and it doesn’t dry the skin out like other spot-fighting products do, so you won’t experience any annoying flakiness during the day."

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Sarah Barnes, Beauty Editor at PIBE Magazine

"Is it just me? Upon entering my late 20s, I have found that my dark acne spots tend to outstay their welcome long after the spot itself has gone! Shiseido's White Lucent Illuminating Micro-Spot Serum is a pricey bottle but worth every single pump. Silky in texture, it's like a big drink of water for my skin and contains Shiseido’s advanced 4MSK skin-brightening technology. This star ingredient has helped even out my skin tone, work on pesky hyperpigmentation and brighten up my whole complexion. It has honestly become my most-reached-for serum and choice of weapon against those stubborn dark spots."

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Lollie Hancock, Editorial Assistant at Professional Beauty

"If you told me a year ago I'd be considering spending £280 on a 30-millilitre serum, I would have called you crazy. But Augustinus Bader made me realise some products may actually be worth the price tag. Whilst I definitely try not to use this every day for the sake of my bank account, the serum is now essential in colder months when my skin needs a bit of extra TLC. I like to use it as the last step after giving myself a full at-home facial to really lock in those products and give my skin one last hydration boost."

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Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear U.S.

"I've recently become obsessed with this brand after I got a Luzern facial with organic aesthetician Katie Sobelman. The brand's products are rich in Swiss Alpine botanicals and blend both organic elements and advanced cosmeceuticals together so perfectly. To me, it's better than other iconic brands out there, and I couldn't recommend the brand's L'Essentials Hydrating Essence, Serum Absolut Radiance Brightening Booster Complex, and Force de Vie Crème Luxe enough!"

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Erin Jahns, Senior Beauty Editor at Who What Wear U.S.

"U Beauty makes some of the most expensive products in my medicine cabinet, but I find them worth every single penny due to how transformative they've been for my skin—smoothing out my bumps, evening out discolouration, curbing breakouts, the full monty! If you don't believe me, celebrities are equally smitten, and most recently, Paris Hilton waxed poetic to me about her love for the brand's Barrier Bioactive Treatment. It contains the brand's signature technology, the Immortal Siren Capsule delivery system, and is the closest thing to bottled magic I've tried in a long, long time. I'm also obsessed with the new Plasma Lip Compound, which is the next best thing to filler."

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Katie Berohn, Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear U.S.

"SkinCeuticals is a brand founded on skin health, so you can be confident that every product you use is scientifically backed. SkinCeuticals' philosophy is 'prevent, protect, correct,' and every product I've tried from the brand has lived up to these pillars. With SkinCeuticals products, I actually have seen my skin change for the better, particularly after religiously incorporating its cult-favourite CE Ferulic."

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Shannon Lawlor, Freelance Beauty Editor and Who What Wear Contributor

"I fundamentally believe that luxury skincare is only worth the money if you can actually afford it. Never, ever put topical skincare on a credit card—it's not worth it, and it won't change your life. Having said that, if you do have the money to spend, Dr. Barbara Sturm products would be my go-to. Celebrities swear by these products, and I love them every bit as much. While the cleanser is adored by the likes of EmRata and the Clarifying Mask is Hailey Bieber's go-to, my favourite products are without a doubt the Sun Drops (they come Rosie HW approved, FYI) and Enzyme Cleanser. Sun Drops is easily the most glow-boosting, non-greasy, easy-to-wear SPF product I have ever come across and genuinely makes the chore of daily sun cream application feel luxurious and joyful, while Enzyme Cleanser is one of the hardest-working blackhead-busting treatments that my skin has experienced."

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Zeynab Mohamed, Freelance Beauty Journalist

"There is nothing that compares to finding skincare that actually works for your skin. One brand I always find I can rely on to deliver the goods is Allies of Skin. Everything that I’ve tried from the brand I’ve been seriously impressed with. My skin has a complicated history with vitamin C, but the Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum is seriously impressive stuff. Expect glowing, radiant skin within days. And of course, I have to mention the almost always sold-out Allies of Skin Promise Keeper Blemish Facial. This is what skincare dreams are made up of. As someone with pesky breakouts, I can say this product has helped to keep them at bay, and trust me—I’ve tried heap-loads of breakout products. It works to nourish problematic skin, unclog pores, tackle old blemishes, refine skin texture and brighten the complexion. I mean, what more could you want from a product?"

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Up next: These Budget Skincare Buys Are Just as Good as the Expensive Versions

When it comes to hair products, I am more than a little fussy. My hair is thin and fine (as well as being very, very long), which makes it difficult to disguise any mishaps. In short, if my hair is greasy or weighed down with too much product, you’ll know about it. The perfect hair product, if you ask me, is one that gives my hair a little bit of body without weighing it down.

Sounds simple, right? Only it’s not. You see, the term weightless is thrown around a lot when talking about hair products but rarely does it actually refer to its true meaning. Having thin hair means strands are particularly susceptible to "weight” in hair products. Whether it’s a super-nourishing mask that leaves strands heavy and flat at the root or a styling spray that causes hair to clump, in order for my thin hair to have any sort of volume, I need to avoid any sort of heavy product.

As a result, I am on a never-ending quest to find the very best hair products out there that suit my needs. Every shampoo, conditioner, mask, treatment and oil that comes my way gets tested meticulously. More often than not, I am let down. But a couple of weeks ago, news broke that cult skincare brand Augustinus Bader was releasing a haircare line, including shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, scalp treatment and leave-in.

And at first, my hopes weren’t particularly high. Don’t get me wrong—I love Augustinus Bader products, but they tend to champion rich hydration, which doesn’t bode well when it comes to lightweight volume in hair. On top of that, as you would expect, the products are really expensive, with the shampoo and conditioner priced at £40 each. But given the track record of success I have had with all of the brand’s skincare products, I felt it was important to give it a go.

The packaging is as you would expect—simplistic blue and gold, in the typical Augustinus Bader design, and very chic. The formulas contain the brand’s famous TFC8 complex to deliver hydrating and nourishing nutrients to hair, scalp and follicles for healthier growth and stronger, smoother strands. The products promise to suit every hair type and claim to deliver healthier, stronger and fuller hair from root to tip to help prevent loss and breakage. So with the claims in mind, I overhauled my hair routine to be exclusively blue and gold and dove right in.

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of each product, I want to address something very important. As we’ve established, my hair is thin, fine, long and naturally very straight. After using these products for a couple of weeks now, I want to say that I would never in a million years dream of recommending them to someone with thick curls or coils. Because actually, they’re not nearly as rich as I expected. In fact, in order to get the nourishment you’d need, you’d probably have to empty the entire £40 bottle of conditioner onto your ends. So I'm busting that "suitable for all hair types” claim.

But if your hair is thin and fine, like mine, then listen up. The shampoo is really hard-working. My hair was squeaky clean from root to tip (literally, the squeak was real). And the conditioner was not what I was expecting at all. Part of me thought it would be thick, rich and creamy, much like the brand’s cult moisturisers, but it’s runnier than I expected. At first, you’ll question whether you’re using enough, but then it sort of nourishes the hair and detangles ends without coating it in a thick, weighty cream.

After towel-drying my hair, I massaged in the scalp treatment and applied the leave-in treatment and oil to the ends, as they felt like they needed some extra nourishment. (My strands are bleached and prone to matting.) Before I turned the hair dryer on, I couldn’t help but feel as though my hair lacked moisture, but once my hair was dry, the magic happened.

After washing, my hair feels light and bouncy and possesses a certain amount of grit that means a quick zhoosh with fingers gives roots a long-lasting lift. But the best bit is said grit is totally invisible and doesn’t add anything but body. No, my hair doesn’t look the silkiest it’s ever looked, but the volume and movement are all there.

Would I personally spend circa £40 on each product and use them every day? No. They’re good, but no amount of volume is worth clearing my bank account for. If I had to hero one product for thin-haired folk, it would be the conditioner (but remember it probably won’t be rich enough for thicker styles). However, if you do have the money to spend, chances are you won’t be let down. Keep scrolling for more information on each individual product.

Next up, 15 haircuts that will trick people into thinking you have three times more hair.

As a beauty lover long before becoming a beauty journalist, I have fond memories of saving up my weekly college money and heading to Superdrug and Boots on my lunches with my twin sister to check out (and ultimately buy) the latest makeup and skincare products on offer. There was something about it that would give me the biggest boost of serotonin and still to this day, I love nothing more than taking myself on solo shopping trips to check out what's in store.

As I've gotten older the amount I spend on beauty products has definitely increased but isn't extreme. I realised quite early on that the price of a product whether affordable or on the higher-end doesn't determine how you get on with the product.

Now, the most I've spent on a serum is probably around the £30 mark. I'm yet to personally spend anything over that but have been lucky enough to have been sent higher priced ones under £100 that I personally loved and would happily consider purchasing once I run out (preferably when it's on offer). So when a buzz started to circulate around Augustinus Bader's The Serum (£280) it was safe to say I was more than intrigued and for good reason too. Below, I detail my honest review.

Vanese Maddix before applying Augustinus Bader The Serum.

I without a doubt had high hopes for this serum, not just because of the price tag, but also due to the sheer volume of praise that it has received from beauty lovers, editors and celebrities. The first thing I noticed was its lovely texture, which lightweight but not too thin or thick. It's described as a serum that works to nourish, replenish, protect and hydrate the skin due to the use of TFC8, which is the brand's famous complex of amino acids, vitamins and synthesised molecules that mimic those found naturally in the skin, and in turn, the formula is said to create an optimal environment for your skin's own repair and renewal processes.

You're encouraged to use it in the morning and evening, or as you desire. Simply take some serum and in an upward motion smooth over the face and neck until it has fully absorbed before proceeding with the next step in your skincare routine.

Vanese Maddix after applying Augustinus Bader The Serum.

I've been testing it out in the mornings and evenings over the past few days and I have to say it's been a really nice addition to my routine. I have a normal-to-dry skin type but the frequent cold weather has my skin feeling drier than ever before. I've found the serum has really helped with giving an instant boost of hydration and radiance to my skin when applied. It helped my skin to feel super soft and supple with no dry patches in sight.

Whilst I can't fault it for the instant improvements it's been able to make I personally didn't find it to be as long-lasting with its hydration as the other serums I reach for. As I say with all products, everyone will have their own skin concerns that they want products to tackle, and mine is definitely all about the feeling and look of hydration from the inside-out that pretty much lasts all day.

I'll definitely continue to reach for this until the very last drop as it has definitely helped with giving instant hydration for my skin, but I couldn't justify and wouldn't want to justify spending £280 on a product that personally doesn't check all the boxes for me. I'll continue to stick with the products I currently know and love but it's clear to see why this serum is so raved about.

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Whether you're looking to smooth, hydrate, plump or bestow radiance, finding the perfect skincare to suit your derma needs isn't always easy. With thousands of creams, serums and oils to choose from, it can be overwhelming, which is why many of us will make our selection based on the formula we can afford at that particular moment. 

While there are countless amazing affordable skincare buys out there, many of which are staples in our editors' respective routines, that doesn't mean you should disregard luxury skincare altogether.

As with every purchase we make, we don't take investing in luxury skincare lightly, but there is some truth to the saying "you get what you pay for." Between us, we've tried our fair share of products from luxury skincare brands, most of which promise instantaneous results. Of course, some fall short on that promise, but others? They're a skincare revolution!

So whether you're looking to up your skincare ante or you're keen to see if the cult product you've been reading about for years is truly worth the hype, we're here to help. Keep scrolling to see our edit of what we consider to be the best luxury skincare brands to spend your precious earnings on. 

1. CHANEL

Chanel has some extraordinary skincare amongst its range. Beauty editor Eleanor Vousden says that the N°1 De Chanel Revitalising Mask was amongst one of the best new skincare products she has tried, saying that it leaves her skin looking like glass. The Sublimage is both luxurious and efficacious, and worth the investment if you want to address fine lines and wrinkles, while the Hydra Beauty range hydrates and plumps skin like none other. Naturally, the textures and formulas feel luxurious on the skin, and even the subtle scent makes your skincare routine feel that little more indulgent. And who doesn't want a jar on Chanel upon their bathroom shelf?

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2. LA MER

No luxury skincare roundup would be complete without La Mer. The beauty brand's origin story is as epic as they come. It was initially developed by scientist Max Huber to treat burns sustained after a lab accident. La Mer's signature sea kelp formula has seen its moisturiser become one of the most iconic products on the skincare scene and counts many an A-list celebrity amongst its fans. Today, the range has expanded to serums, balms, and body products, all of which deliver seriously impressive results. 

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3. AUGUSTINUS BADER 

The work of world-leading stem cell research expert professor Augustinus Bader, this skincare collection has been 30 years in the making, and it’s undoubtedly been time well spent. Augustinus Bader’s groundbreaking skincare uses a unique, patented Trigger Factor Complex (TFC8) to help visibly reduce lines and wrinkles, as well as damage caused by environmental stressors. Victoria Beckham has previously professed her love for this brand (so much so that she actually collaborated with Bader for her own line), and we all know how glowy her skin looks. 

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4. TEMPLESPA

Templespa's efficacious formulas have earned the brand a number of beauty awards. Not only do the products have sensorial, spa-level formulas, but you only have to take a look at the several 5-star reviews from the brands loyal customers to know that these products really work to deliver visible results. The Trufflelixir range is particularly worth the investment, which features the namesake ingredient that delivers both short and long term results to leave skin looking smooth and radiant. We'd also recommend the bestselling Let's Concentrate serum if you're looking to address pigmentation while giving your skin an unrivalled glow.

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5. SKINCEUTICALS

SkinCeuticals products might not have the same luxurious packaging and texture as most of the others on this list, but trust us when we say the products work. Formulated to be used in clinical settings, the products are totally no-frills, but are created with science at their core. Do they look luxury no? But you'll soon realise that the hefty price tags are worth it once you try the products.

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6. STELLA MCCARTNEY BEAUTY

Stella McCartney beauty is the pairing of both luxury and eco-conscious skincare. Offering clinically proven results, you'll find a concise edit of sustainable and vegan skincare which focus on regenerating the skin barrier to reach optimum glowing results. What's unique about this luxury skincare brand is that each and every product is refillable (even its travel-sized miniatures) so you can play your part in cutting down on waste while indulging in great skincare, too. If you only try one product, make it the Alter-Care Serum, which boasts an award-winning formula of hyaluronic acid, squalene and rock samphire extract, which work in tandem to cushion and fortify the skin's delicate barrier. Fun fact: The serum is perfumed with the brand's High Cliff scent, created by Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian (yes, the very perfumer behind the TikTok-viral Baccarat Rouge 540 fragrance).

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7. CHANTECAILLE 

While naturally derived beauty products are all the rage right now, Sylvie Chantecaille recognised the potential in botanical ingredients over 20 years ago, when the idea was less commonplace. She created a company that tapped into plants, flowers and ground-breaking science for its game-changing, high-performing skincare products. Today, Chantecaille is a family-owned, independent business that is committed to making healthy, clean beauty products as well as protecting the planet through philanthropy collections to support wildlife conservation.

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8. 111SKIN

Upon hearing the words "Harley Street," chances are the words "plastic surgery" swiftly follow suit. The area in London is known for its industry-leading procedures, carried out by the world's most-skilled surgeons, one of whom is Yannis Alexandrides, MD. Recognising the gap in post-treatment skincare, Alexandrides set out to develop the perfect skincare collection for his patients. What he ended up creating was the renowned luxury skincare brand, 111Skin. Designed to protect skin against environmental aggressors, the products' potent healing ingredients promote a youthful and radiant complexion like nothing you've seen before. If you're new to the brand, we recommend starting with its face masks. They're the best we've tried. 

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9. 3LAB

Another brand that brings science and beauty together is 3Lab. This technology-led range has been rigorously developed to tackle your every skin concern, from combating environmental damage to smoothing and hydrating. Expect surprisingly lightweight formulas that stretch way beyond what you might expect—a little goes a long, long way with 3Lab's creams, serums, and toning sprays. 

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10. SARAH CHAPMAN

As one of London’s most sought-after facialists, Sarah Chapman’s Chelsea Skinesis clinic has become a mecca for skin-savvy celebrities, editors and skin obsessives—all of whom were beyond delighted when she finally launched her eponymous range. Her products deliver results at a cellular level and on the surface, so you can apply your serums and creams confident in the knowledge that the results will be anything but fleeting. 

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11. ALBIVA

Some of the best luxury skincare brands surpass all expectations, and Albiva is one of them. Albiva blends more than 50 high-quality active ingredients, which seek to stimulate and support the skin's cellular healing. The products are free from chemicals‚ synthetic compounds and fillers, so the impressive results you see entirely, down to its potent blend of sustainable ingredients. Owing to the active properties found within its bottles, Albiva products are best kept in a fridge (even though the wooden packaging would look stylish sitting on your bathroom shelf). 

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12. LA PRAIRIE

Skincare stalwart La Prairie utilises the latest scientific breakthroughs to provide true excellence in skincare. Developed at Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland, its products help prolong the youthful appearance of even the most delicate skin. Using the most precious ingredients (think rich caviar, rare platinum and opulent gold), the term "luxury skincare" was practically invented to summarise La Prairie's range of cult products. 

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13. RÉVIVE

Drawing on his expertise as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Gregory Bays Brown developed his luxury skincare brand, RéVive, to help restore the skin with a luminous glow. Inspired by patented and Nobel Prize–winning science, RéVive's groundbreaking formulas help renew and rejuvenate skin by boosting collagen and elastin production for a youthful, glowing complexion. Its Radiance Oil is a great product to start off with. Though, RéVive's anti-ageing serum is fast becoming the stuff of legend. 

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14. EPARA

Epara was founded by entrepreneur Ozohu Adoh, who had long suffered from a condition that made her skin dry and uneven. She couldn't find a product that solved her skincare woes, so she set about developing her own formulas. As such, Epara was born. An edit of high-quality, scientifically proven products, all derived from the rich soils of Africa, Epara skincare boasts potency and luxury in equal measure. The products work to repair and pamper simultaneously, leaving skin moisturised, hydrated and looking its very best. 

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15. DR. BARBARA STURM

Barbara Strum believes that the secret to beautiful skin doesn’t lie in an exhaustive routine. Instead, she insists that you only need a minimal number of expertly crafted products to see the best results. And that’s precisely what she has created with her namesake luxury skincare brand. Based on a thorough medical understanding of cells and anti-ageing, her products protect, strengthen and detoxify without overburdening the skin and are gentle enough for sensitive complexions. While her entire range is noteworthy, her most iconic product is undoubtedly her hyaluronic serum.

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16. VALMONT

The expert clinical team at Valmont, another Swiss skincare offering, has been creating top-of-the-line skincare on the banks of Lake Geneva for over 30 years. Utilising pure and natural ingredients and implementing them with unique cellular cosmetic research, Valmont's efforts have resulted in highly effective products that instantly revive and rejuvenate the skin, leaving the complexion radiantly healthy and smoothed.

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17. SISLEY

Sisley might not be the first French beauty brand that comes to mind, but it's certainly deserving of your attention. Founded in 1976, Sisley was one of the first companies to use botanical essences in cosmetology and to this day remains a family business—albeit one with worldwide success. Renowned for its advanced scientific formulas, which combine the best of technology with the best of nature, Sisley skincare is known for its outstanding results and formulas of the highest quality. 

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18. NATURA BISSÉ

Barcelona-born luxury brand Natura Bissé uses groundbreaking technology with high-performance, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients for targeted smoothing results. Natura Bissé's powerful concentration of amino acids works to stimulate skin cells, fight free radicals and erase imperfections, leaving you with glowing, rejuvenated and visibly plumped skin. What more could you ask for? 

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19. DIOR

While we understand that people can be dubious of buying skincare from brands that have their eggs in many baskets, trust us when we say that Dior get it right across the board. The brand's skincare labs, based in France, are at the forefront of cutting-edge skincare technologies—and it shows from the products. If you like your skincare to ooze luxury while knowing your skin is in safe hands, Dior is a great place to start.

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20. SUSANNE KAUFMANN

Formulated and created in the Alps, specifically in Kaufmann's hometown of Bezau, this eponymous skincare line is one that beauty editors swear by for healthy skin. Yes, it's fairly expensive, but the formulations are science-led with a spa-like feel and they genuinely work. Plus, the unassuming packaging is both chic and also sustainable. The brand prides itself on running their production units on renewable energy, the glass packaging is made from recycled glass and a great many of their products offer refills. If you haven't tried it yet, then it's well worth the investment. 

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21. EVE LOM

Founded by Hollywood facialist Eve Lom, this skincare line is one that beauty editors and skincare professionals have long since recommended to those looking for spa-grade products to use at home. The nourishing formulas are focussed on restoring and rejuvenating skin with healing and reparative ingredients. Plus, every product is designed to feel and smell incredible, so you really can recreate a spa facial from the comfort of your own bathroom.

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This piece was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

I’m a bit of a cleanser snob if I’m being honest. I don’t care about luxury or expense (some of my favourite cleansers ever cost less than a tenner), I’m just fussy. If you ask me, a great cleanser that offers up a deep clean without disrupting the skin barrier and causing tightness lays at the heart of any perfect skincare routine. Because the truth is, and I know you don’t want to hear this, but that rather satisfying tight feeling you get after going in with a new cleanser doesn’t mean your skin is super clean, it’s just its way of crying out for help.

My skin is naturally quite oily, so although my cleanser of choice is never stripping or drying, that’s not to say balmy, creamy, moisturising cleansers do my skin any good either. The sweet spot, for me, is a cleanser that really does its job at clearing pores of gunk and bacteria, but doesn’t leave it looking or feeling taut afterwards. It doesn’t sound like a big ask, but you’d be surprised. The real issue is that actually, cleansers that promise to keep the barrier in check all too often leave a sort of moisture film over the skin which always proves bad news for my blackhead situation.

So, when I caught news of the fact that Augustinus Bader was due to bring out a new cleanser, you can probably understand that I was a little bit dubious. For those that aren’t familiar with the brand, Augustinus Bader is a super-luxe German skincare brand (headed up by professor Augustinus Bader himself) famous for creating seriously efficacious moisturisers that are loved by some of our favourite celebs (VB, Alexa and Margot, I’m looking at you). From the iconic The Cream to the cult glow-boosting, skin-loving Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum formulated in collaboration with Victoria Beckham Beauty, all of the Augustinus Bader products have one thing in common: they all contain the brand’s famous (and of course patented) TFC8 complex which works to reduce signs of damage and ageing.

Let me first say that I am a huge fan of the TFC8 complex. The VB Beauty serum is basically one of my favourite skincare products ever and there is no doubt that long-term skin health is at the centre of all Bader products. So, in theory, I should have been totally over the moon about the new cleanser. However, my initial reservations were founded in the fact that I’m not a huge fan of the original moisturisers (The Cream and The Rich Cream). For my oily skin, they are simply just too rich for my already congested complexion. My concerns were that the new The Cream Cleansing Gel (£50), would also have a thick, rich cream consistency that my skin rejected. But good grief, how wrong I was.

After using Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel.

The truth is, the new cleanser is genuinely the most perfect cleanser my face has ever been blessed to. My concerns that the texture would be overly creamy and sumptuous were totally wrong. Actually, it’s a relatively runny, gel-like formula that has the silkiness and nourishment of a cream, but the deep cleansing abilities of a gel. With aloe vera leaf juice, cucumber extract and rose flower water, it’s calming, soothing and purifying, making it ideal for sensitive skin types like mine. However, most importantly, it’s formulated with TFC8 to deliver all of those high-grade vitamins and amino acids to boost cell renewal and repair. When massaged into damp skin, it creates a luxe-feeling lather that cleanses pores with ease and, once rinsed, leaves skin feeling healthy and, dare I say, normal. Plus, after a couple of weeks of use, my skin looks healthier, clearer and noticeably more glowing than it did previously.

Any downsides? Well, as with all Augustinus Bader products, the price is a total elephant in the room. Sure, it’s wonderful in just about every single way, but a puny 100ml will set you back a staggering £50. However, as I sat in front of my bathroom cabinet and really thought about this for some time, I realised that actually, if I were to add up the cost of all of the waste-of-space cleansers that I find myself buying throughout the year just to "give them a go”, I’d probably get to £50 in no time at all. Plus, the power of this cleanser means you require much less product than you might be used to applying.

In fact, after much debate, I’ve come to the conclusion that if testing new products wasn’t my job and my life as a beauty editor was a distant memory, Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleaning Gel would be the only cleanser I use.

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Chances are you've seen or at the very least already heard about Victoria Beckham's new Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum. It could be that you recognise the distinctive glass bottle from your Instagram feed or it might just be that you've heard all about the expensive new skincare product that Victoria Beckham is loving. Either way, it's fair to say that the beauty world is a little obsessed. And when a product garners as much hype as this one has, it can make it difficult to figure out whether it's actually any good at all.

If you're more or less in the dark about what exactly Victoria Beckham Beauty is and why everyone seems to be so excited about it, let me give you a little rundown: Last year, Victoria Beckham launched her beauty line with a range of eye makeup products. The products were incredibly pretty to look at, seriously pigmented and impressively luxe (with price tags to match). Basically, the beauty world was seriously impressed. Gradually, over the course of a couple of months, the collection expanded into lips and later skincare. In November, VB announced that she was launching into skincare with a priming moisturiser, formulated in collaboration with beauty's brands of the moment, Augustinus Bader, famous for its game-changing moisturisers already loved by celebs including Margot Robbie, Alexa Chung and VB herself.

And the truth is VB's first foray into skincare proved really quite popular, with the moisturiser promising a natural-looking, radiant glow that provided the ultimate perfecting base for foundation. It's safe to say, therefore, that a VB serum, also formulated with Bader's patented technology, was destined for greatness.

When I first discovered that Victoria Beckham Beauty was bringing out a serum, I'll admit that I got just as excited as you'd expect a beauty editor to get. Within seconds of getting my hands on it, I'd torn the box open and was pretty much cradling the glass bottle, whispering "my precious." This brings me onto my first point: It really is a beautiful product. Housed in a frosted glass bottle with a chic tortoiseshell-patterned base and a unique dispensing system, it really isn't a bottle I'd want to hide away in my bathroom cabinets.

But as we all know, pretty packaging does not justify a £180 price tag. So what exactly is it that this serum actually claims to do? Well, essentially, it's what the beauty industry calls a "barrier protecting" product. Using Augustinus Bader's TFC8 technology, the formula contains a whole host of antioxidant vitamins, amino acids and moisturisers to strengthen the overall health of the skin. In short, it promises to "turn redness down and radiance up" as well as defend skin from potentially damaging aggressors such as pollution.

Before we get into my actual review, I would really like to highlight a couple of things that I feel you might benefit from knowing. First of all, I want you to know that I really appreciate that it is eye-wateringly expensive, and that's one of the reasons I want to give an in-depth review. Secondly, it's probably worth knowing that I am by no means a huge fan of Augustinus Bader The Cream. I have combination skin that is prone to congestion and redness, and even though I like the product, I do appreciate that other much more affordable products do better things for my skin. So with that out of the way, here's what happened when I put Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum to the test.

Because I wanted to give the serum a fair chance, I started using it at a time when my skin was more or less behaving itself. As a rule, because my skin is so sensitive, I personally rate a product on whether or not it causes my skin irritation or upset, maintains a healthy-looking state or actually manages to improve its appearance.

So besides the blackheads on my nose (which are more or less always there), my skin was starting out in good shape. For three weeks, I swapped out my usual antioxidant serum for this one and used it morning and night. I simply applied a few drops directly onto my face (at £180, I didn't want to waste any product on my hands, thank you very much) and massaged it in upward strokes.

As far as using the serum goes, it's actually quite an enjoyable experience. The texture isn't particularly rich or oily, it doesn't have much of a scent and my skin totally drinks it up which means it doesn't leave behind any residue. If I had to compare it to anything else on the market based on texture and consistency, I'd liken it to Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair. If you like that one, then I think it's safe to say you'll love Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum too.

During my three weeks of use, it's worth noting that I was hit with the flu. Usually, when I get even a hint of a cold, my skin is the first thing to freak out. It breaks out, dries up and gets sore and red. This time around, however, my skin didn't have anything to say. It stayed radiant, glowing and clear. And while I can categorically say this isn't the sort of skincare product that will have you waking up in the morning looking like a totally new woman, it does seem to keep your skin looking and feeling its best without any fuss. Unlike other VB or Bader products, this stuff doesn't moisturise for an instantaneous glow.

Three weeks later, and my skin is totally clear and actually looking really healthy. Whereas my cheeks are often plagued with redness and my chin is dry and prone to breakouts, I've had three weeks more or less problem-free—something that's usually unheard of for me.

So, overall, yes it's very, very, expensive, but it's an investment I'd be willing to make. If you're looking for a product that is going to totally change your skin texture and inject next-level glow overnight, move along. However, if like me you're constantly on the lookout for a no-frills product that works to keep your skin happy, this could well be it.

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Next up, eight products that VB actually keeps in her makeup bag.