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I’m a big fan of low-cost, high-performance products. Building a thorough grooming regimen doesn’t have to be a huge drag on your finances, and there are plenty of affordable brands that can give you an excellent baseline routine. But with that in mind, the opposite can also be true: Certain grooming products are absolutely worth splurging, especially if they’re products you use every day and from which you expect significant results. While many high-cost products are just expensive brands and pretty packaging, this isn’t always the case.
But it can be hard to know which ones are worth the upgrade. Read on for 10 such grooming products, all of which you could justify dropping a pretty penny (or, you know, tens of thousands of pretty pennies).
Drunk Elephant Vitamin C serum
Compared to other products on this list, this serum isn't that much of a splurge. However, when you consider that Vitamin C is a fairly volatile ingredient. That's why I stand by this Drunk Elephant Vitamin C serum so faithfully. Not only does it help my skin radiate moments after application, but its long-term complexion-toning abilities keep hyperpigmentation and dullness at bay. And you know it's fresh: When you buy the product, you have to manually mix the serum base into the Vitamin C powder, so you know it's fresh upon first use, unlike most Vitamin C options that age out as they sit on store shelves.
Dyson Supersonic ionic hair dryer
Dyson's Supersonic consistently tops our list of the best hair dryers, since it routinely delivers smooth, frizz-free results, with minimal long-term breakage and fraying of the strands. Whether you want to grow your hair long or simply use it daily to set your style, this one runs laps around other options in terms of both efficiency and hair health.
Dr. Barbara Sturm anti-aging serum
If you're going to spend nearly $400 on a serum, then you're probably going to want to make sure it's got Dr. Barbara Sturm's name on the bottle. Whenever I'm lucky enough to have this serum on my vanity, I apply a couple drops before bed and, within a few weeks, I've got firmer, clearer, more buoyant, and glowy complexion. I'd argue that it could replace damn near every other need for a serum in your regimen, so you can start justifying its cost by subtracting the amount you spend on other high-performers.
Tom Ford Oud Wood eau de parfum
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Of the many fantastic Tom Ford fragrances, Oud Wood is often considered the best. And at nearly $400, the standard-sized 3.4-oz. bottle is significantly costlier than other colgones. But if you consider things like sillage (the way it lingers in the air as you pass), longevity of wear, and the radius it casts at a standstill, then suddenly the price tag on this spicy-woody scent makes sense. A little application goes a long way.
Ourself hyperpigmentation regimen
If you're someone who experiences frequent hyperpigmentation (either in patches or in one-off spots left behind by acne), then you know how frustrating it can be to endure the slow, steady process of cellular turnover. It can take months for the problem to leave your face. Ourself's products arm you with the ingredients to prevent hyperpigmentation (from the obvious UV protection, to the brand's proprietary peptide-powered creams). But it is Ourself's two peels that steal the scene; the 34% glycolic acid peel is an all-over application that lifts away all dead, dulling, texture-comprising cells, while the incomparable dark spot peel is a miracle worker in accelerating dark spot turnover (using a high-grade concentration of 13.6 trichloroacetic acid). Use both peels with caution, as directed by the brand; the last thing you want is reddened skin from incorrect use.
Panasonic MultiShape trimmer, clipper, and electric razor
This GQ Grooming Awards winner was my favorite launch of 2022. It's the single best device for guys who need both an electric shaver and a great, customizable beard trimmer. And on top of that, it's terrific as a hair clipper, body trimmer, nose hair trimmer, and facial hair detailer, too. Most multitasking devices excel at one of those things, and any other functions feel like an afterthought. But with the MultiShape, all of those functions give top-tier results. (The toothbrush option is extraneous. Skip it.) The $190 price shown here is resultant of the brand's Build-Your-Own-Kit option, including all but the toothbrush heads. So, I recommend picking up the following parts for a truly all-in-one device: the lithium-ion battery base ($60); the narrower beard and hair trimmer head ($35); the wider beard, hair, and body trimmer head ($40); the three-blade shaver head, ($35); and the nose, ear, and facial hair detailer head ($20). And really, $190 for a device like this isn't much of a splurge if you consider the fact that it's going to last you half a decade (or far more), and negate the need for multiple devices. But it's still a steep charge up front. Rest assured it pays off, fast.
Kiehl's night cream
Maybe $60 isn't considered a splurge, especially compared to other products on this list. But for some people, it can feel silly and extraneous to have a dedicated night cream—why can't it be the same moisturizer you use during the day? Look, you should be using SPF during the day, so it makes more sense to have an SPF moisturizer, and you certainly don't need SPF to sleep. But what you do need is a cream that feels pillowy soft on skin, but also like a weighted blanket. Kiehl's checks both boxes, and helps lock in moisture you (as well as any serums you applied prior). You'll wake each morning with more buoyant, alert, and never-dry skin.
Bolin Webb razor with stand and case
We all have that friend who buys well-design status products—you know, the Eames chair, the Moccamaster, or even the Aesop liquid hand soap (guilty). Hey, these people have taste, but sometimes you wonder if they just copy-pasted it from someone's Instagram. While Bolin Webb's razors could satisfy those same folks, it's also an investment that frequent shavers should consider. Think of it this way: shaving should never be an expensive habit, given that quality razor blades from brands like Gillette are so easy to come by and can deliver smooth, comfortable results. But think of the razor as the gasoline for a vehicle that needs to last years, and please you while it's at it.T hat's the Bolin Webb. From the sleek, wide-set handle to the horizontal stand, this is a device that will have you looking forward to shaving. It fits Gillette blades, so beyond the initial and lasting razor investment, the upkeep is no more costly than other options.
Claus Porto bar soap
When some of the best bar soaps are your $2 drugstore Dove types, it might feel crazy to splurge on a $20 pick. But Claus Porto's nourishing and deliciously scented bars will probably last you 10 times longer than any low-cost picks, and they'll look a helluva lot better on the bathroom vanity—especially if you're entertaining guests and want something as simple as a bar of soap to be a head-turning talking point. Not to mention, they make for a can't-fail gift for anyone hosting you on your own travels. I've gifted the brand's soaps, shave creams, lotions, candles and more to dozens of people, and the excitement always surpasses that from a box of chocolates or bottle of wine.
Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900 Power electric toothbrush
There's an assumption that merely using an electric toothbrush will boost your oral wellness. And while most high-powered brushes are worth the upgrade, there isn't a big difference between the $40 options and the $150 ones—not to mention, many of them can be too powerful without adjusting for your human error, and might wear away at gums. Enter the Prestige 9900, which with 62,000 different motions could polish your boots if you absolutely needed it to. Sync it to an app that tracks your brushing habits, choose your intensity, and let its "SenseIQ" technology adjust brushing techniques to your specific pressure, motion, and coverage. It'll alert you if you're "scrubbing" instead of brushing, and will ease up on the intensity if you press too much. You can get guidance as you brush from the app, but also don't need to have the app open in order for your habits and patterns to be stored in the database. Plus, the chargeable carrying case ensures that it stays juiced up on your long vacations.
