We Don't Know What's Better: Our Editors' First Big Beauty Buys or the Stories Behind Them

"My very first beauty splurge was on the NARS Orgasm Blush ($30). I grew up on the beauty side of YouTube and it was the one product every single vlogger at the time talked about. I just knew I had to own it. Believe it or not, I kept that exact pan of blush for years and didn't throw it away until I got my first full-time job in beauty. I'm not sure if it was the anxiety of never being able to afford (or justify) a $30 blush ever again or if it held some sentimental value, but it was loved well and for long, like, way too long." — Samantha Sasso, beauty editor, Brandshop

"I can remember the day vividly: I ventured into Sephora at the mall with my mom ahead of my 8th grade graduation in search of a makeup setting spray that would keep my face full of product in place for the duration of the ceremony and dance that followed. I had seen the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ($33) on some of my friends' vanities but had never bought anything from the brand myself (I was all about that drugstore beauty product life). It took a lot for me to muster up the courage to spend $30 from my literal piggy bank — I think a checking account came the year after — on a single product but it was so worth it. After that, I used it sparingly and held onto that same bottle for way longer than I should have." — Jessica Harrington, associate beauty editor

"This might sound silly, but my first 'splurge' was on the Urban Decay Naked3 Palette ($54). I think I was 18 when I bought it for myself but I remember being so excited to get it because, not only did I see so many of my favorite beauty bloggers at the time using it in their videos, but it was also my first time buying makeup from a higher-end brand. (As a teenager, I had only ever used drugstore makeup.) I used that palette until almost every shade in it was empty, and it really came in handy during performances in college, so I'd say it was a good investment." — Danielle Jackson, assistant beauty editor

"Before I really got into beauty and built a dedicated closet just to house all my products, I was still totally captivated by the chic-ness that is La Mer. I distinctly remember how cool I felt after purchasing my first jar of the classic Crème de la Mer Moisturizer ($345), even though it put a bit of a dent in my then-college-student checking account balance. I think it probably took me a year to use the whole thing since I was so precious about the lovely cream, but it was worth it. The product continues to be one of my all-time favorites all these many moons later." — Aviel Kanter, associate director, Native

"I will never forget my first beauty splurge as a teenager — I was at the mall with my mom and decided for the first time that I'd venture into the MAC Store with my high school allowance. I had seen dozens of photos of MAC eyeshadow singles all over Tumblr, and I had saved up enough money to get two (13-year-old big spender over here, I know). Once in the store, I stared at the rainbow of single eyeshadows for more than 15 minutes, but finally decided to buy Black Tied ($18) and Stormwatch ($18). It wasn't until I got home that I realized I'd never actually wear either of these eyeshadows on a daily basis and that they were a little too advanced for my rookie makeup skills. Nevertheless, I enjoyed looking at them and took tons of photos of them for my Tumblr, too. While this first makeup splurge didn't prove to be useful at the time, it definitely gave me one thing: the urge to actually learn how to use them one day." – Alanna Martine Kilkeary, assistant managing editor, Makeup.com

"I got my first paycheck for my first job (at B. Dalton bookstore in the mall), and I went straight to Sephora and blew the entire thing. I think I also picked up a lip gloss and eyeshadow, but the Nars makeup brushes ($40) stand out in my mind — they were so expensive but also so beautiful, and it felt like a grown-up thing to buy." — Dawn Davis, senior editorial director, Brandshop

"When I was in college, splurging on skin care didn't necessarily fit into my budget but after scoring a sample of the Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Mask ($120) from Bluemercury, I was instantly hooked. I went straight back and bought a full-size jar. This face mask (which is my favorite product to date, BTW), is my go-to when my skin feels tight, dry, red, or irritated. While I only need about 20 minutes for it to really work it's magic, I'll leave on the calming formula, which is infused with purslane, aloe vera, and chamomile, on for hours. And as soon as I rinse it off, my skin always feels soothed and looks insanely glowy. The transformation is unbelievable. Trust me, the mask is worth every penny." — Samantha Holender, assistant editor, Makeup.com

"My first splurge became a deep obsession with a product that got discontinued. I got it at Neiman Marcus. It was Prada Lip Balm — literally the best product ever. It was eight small tubes individually packaged in a box that I think was $58. When it was discontinued I bought up as many boxes as I could; it lasted a long time. It is my absolute favorite and I'm still waiting for it to be reissued. Every once in a while I find an old one in a purse or coat pocket and I know it's going to be a good day." — Lisa Sugar, editor in chief

"By the time I bought the Chloé Roses De Chloé ($125) perfume in a Duty Free shop somewhere in France I had owned and hoarded enough beauty products to satisfy my entire sorority, but this splurge still means the most. I was 20 years old, just hours away from landing on US soil after spending six months in Paris.

"Like any good study-abroad kid, I can say that that trip changed my life, and even though I'd taken about one thousand photos and owned enough European city merch to last me a lifetime, I panicked inside this French airport convinced I had — absolutely had — to buy one last French-ish product to solidify the memories. So, I ran into the Duty Free, found a bottle of Chloe I knew my roommate back home didn't already own, and checked out using probably the last bit of my study abroad allowance. A few hours later, mid-flight, I suffered from an allergic reaction to a sandwich I bought at our first layover stop. Even still, that horrid memory comes only second to the excitement I felt while dropping 100 euros on this perfume. It seems insignificant, but it's still the first memory I recall when thinking about that homebound trip. (Sorry to the tree nuts that tried to kill me.)" — SS

"If I told my teenager self that I would willingly spend $65 on a moisturizer as an adult, I'd probably be in shock, but I swear the Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream ($65) isn't your typical moisturizer. It's like a cloud in a jar that soothes dull, dry skin back to its glowing, happy, and healthy state. The formula is infused with ceramides to protect your skin's natural barrier and lock in maximum moisture. It's luxuriously rich but it absorbs quickly into the skin offering a radiant and hydrated finish. I swear it's no match for dry skin, patches, or flakes which is exactly why I'll guiltlessly buy another one once I finish my current jar to its last drop." — Genesis Rivas, assistant editor, Makeup.com

"My first-ever beauty splurge was a small round compact makeup mirror — like this Portable Handmade Double Side Crystal Make-up Mirror ($30) — that I could take with me everywhere. I used to always worry about something being stuck in my teeth, but, of course, I used it for more than that (to apply my sunscreen or check on my lipstick). I loved the lightweight and gold finish, which made it both convenient and stylish." — Shelcy Joseph, assistant editor, Shop

"I test out my fair share of cleansers as a beauty editor, but I splurge on repurchasing the RéVive Foaming Cleanser Enriched Hydrating Wash ($75) — because yes, it's really that good. The cleanser works up such a rich lather that foams up in seconds. As far as the formula is concerned, it's infused with vitamin E beads that not only clean away excess oil and makeup, but also leave the skin feeling moisturized and soft. It's definitely on the pricey side for a cleanser, but it'll make your evening routine feel like a detoxing escape from the day." — SH