Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Makeup That Makes You Look Expensive
24
items You don't need a drawer full of luxury makeup to make your makeup look expensive. The trick is choosing formulas and finishes that make everything look more polished: skin-like complexion products, softly sculpted cheeks, diffused eyes, hydrated lips...
Sections
5
THE EXPENSIVE-LOOKING BASE
THE “NATURALLY PRETTY” FLUSH
EYES THAT DO THE WORK FOR YOU
THE LIPS EVERYONE NOTICES
THE FINISHING TOUCHES
THE EXPENSIVE-LOOKING BASE
A strong choice for the “my skin but somehow better” effect. Recent beauty editors have highlighted its balanced texture and medium coverage, making it particularly suited to the polished-but-not-heavy aesthetic.
Suprême Bio-Complex Liquid Foundation
A natural-finish foundation with 32 shades that fits the current preference for complexion products that look like skin rather than a layer sitting on top of it. Makeup by Mario currently lists it among its 2026 essentials.
SurrealSkin® Natural Finish Foundation
For the expensive-looking effect, strategic concealing often works better than piling on foundation. Haus Labs' concealer has recently been positioned around lightweight, skincare-infused coverage and a more natural approach to complexion.
HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating ...
A useful finishing step when you want the complexion to look refined rather than shiny everywhere. The soft-blur idea also fits directly into the bigger 2026 blurred-makeup movement.
SurrealSkin® Talc-Free Soft Blur Setting Powder
For someone who doesn't want a traditional foundation look, complexion drops are a great way to maintain that sheer, skin-first finish that is currently dominating beauty conversations.
Vital Skincare Complexion Drops | Clean Makeup
THE “NATURALLY PRETTY” FLUSH
A particularly timely pick: Nordstrom's national beauty director recently highlighted it for its fresh, flushed finish.
Insatiable Liquid Blush
A great option for a softer cheek because it gives you a more diffused alternative to an intensely pigmented powder blush. The brand currently lists it among its 2026 essentials, with 10 shades.
MAKEUP BY MARIO Soft Pop Plumping Cream Blush Veil
Creamy blush fits perfectly into the current “skin first” direction. It is especially useful for creating that softly melted, fresh-cheek effect instead of a visibly powdered one
Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm 4ML
For subtle warmth rather than obvious contour, this is a strong discovery-style addition. InStyle's 2026 editor picks specifically praised it for creating a natural, sun-kissed effect.
pocket bronze - shade
This is the sort of product that can make the entire face look more dimensional without giving you an obvious contour stripe. Makeup by Mario currently lists it among its core 2026 products.
MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer
EYES THAT DO THE WORK FOR YOU
One of the more interesting current discoveries. The new SuperSuede collection leans into soft-matte, wearable shades such as chocolate, taupe and buff — essentially the colors of the current “suede eyeshadow” trend.
SuperSuede™ Baked Eyeshadow
A sophisticated alternative to an ultra-sharp liquid liner. The softer kajal finish works particularly well for creating subtly smudged, defined eyes — and Victoria Beckham Beauty's liner has been a notable bestseller in Who What Wear UK's beauty cov...
Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner: My Thoughts + ...
For when you want something more glamorous without committing to a full eyeshadow look. A single wash of strategically placed shimmer fits the current movement toward impactful makeup that doesn't require complicated application.
Soft Shimmer™ Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
A polished eye doesn't necessarily need dramatic false lashes. A good defining mascara can make the eyes look cleaner and more intentional while keeping the rest of the face understated.
Lash Sculpt Mascara - REFY
For someone who wants an entire polished eye wardrobe rather than a single product. The Original palette remains one of Makeup by Mario's most established products, with hundreds of current reviews on its Pakistan storefront
MAKEUP BY MARIO Ethereal Eyes™ Eyeshadow Palette
THE LIPS EVERYONE NOTICES
A lip liner is one of the easiest ways to make an otherwise simple makeup look appear more intentional. This one comes in 22 shades, giving plenty of room to match different lip tones.
Makeup by Mario's Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil
The kind of product that works beautifully for the effortless-luxury aesthetic: hydrated-looking lips, a subtle wash of color and a finish that doesn't scream “heavy makeup.” It is also currently being highlighted in 2026 beauty coverage.
Lip Butter Balm - Summer Fridays
A good middle ground between a traditional lipstick and a sheer lip product. Recent beauty editors have highlighted the formula for its long-lasting color while maintaining a more effortless finish.
Lustreglass Stainglass Lip Tint
For the polished glossy-lip element without needing to completely rebuild the rest of your makeup. The current line includes 11 shades.
MAKEUP BY MARIO Hydrating SuperShine™ Lip Gloss
A more discovery-oriented choice for the list. InStyle's current 2026 editor roundup highlighted it for its hydrating tinted formula — exactly the kind of low-effort lip product that works with this concept.
Like A Gloss Hydrating Lip Tints
THE FINISHING TOUCHES
21. Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Soft Setting Spray A polished look isn't particularly useful if it disappears halfway through the day. This setting spray is currently part of Makeup by Mario's 2026 essentials collection.
SurrealSkin® Soft Setting Spray
A more premium option for someone who wants their finished makeup to have serious staying power. InStyle included Pat McGrath's setting spray among its editor-loved 2026 products
Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray
A useful finishing investment for anyone who wants softer, more controlled cheek placement rather than obvious stripes of bronzer or blush.
F1 Dual-Ended Contour and Blush Brush
An excellent final addition for the “expensive lips” effect — hydrated, smooth and glossy rather than excessively lined. The current formula is available in 18 shades and has accumulated a substantial number of reviews on the brand's storefront.
MAKEUP BY MARIO MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum