I Have Faith in High-Low Shopping—4 Drugstore-Luxury Combinations That I’m Convinced Were Meant to Be Together

      I strongly advocate for high-low shopping in every aspect. Whether it's combining a $50 ASOS top with a $500 Aje skirt or layering a $300 moisturizer over a $13 serum, finding a balance is essential for most budgets. I've discovered that some of my most transformative beauty combinations stem from fortunate mishaps, such as accidentally overlooking a trendy lip gloss and opting for a forgotten alternative, only to realize it costs significantly less than the lost item. (Extra points if it leaves my lips looking glossier and more hydrated.)

      However, it’s important to note that not all beauty products are equal. As someone who tests products professionally, I often deal with items that pill after layering, cause breakouts when paired poorly, or leave my hair limp after trying a "volumizing" product. Yet, a few standout products exist that balance each other out in terms of price, and my fellow editors and I continuously revisit them—especially when used together.

      **The Best High-Low Beauty Pairings**

      1. **Smooth-Skin Saviors**

      My initial experience with Skintimate's Shave Oil and Tronque's Triple Active Body Milk was purely coincidental. I'd recently received both items and wanted to evaluate them before making a decision, but I never anticipated they would revolutionize my shower routine. The coconut-scented Skintimate Shave Oil left my skin incredibly soft, almost eliminating the need for another moisturizer. However, I noticed the red Tronque bottle catching my eye, prompting me to apply the runny serum to my legs.

      Instead of the slick, sticky texture I expected from over-hydration, my skin felt wonderfully smooth—a lightweight hydration that absorbed quickly without feeling greasy when I slipped under the covers shortly after. Despite my usually dry skin, this foolproof combination swiftly improved my skin's texture, making it my go-to routine. Initially, I considered creating a TikTok about this find, but then I remembered writing is my profession.

      **Shop the Combo**

      Skintimate 2-in-1 Shave Oil & Moisturizer

      Tronque Triple Active Body Milk

      2. **Preventative Nighttime Routine**

      Senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider has a similar story, often discovering her favorite pairings through TikTok trends, timely deliveries, and some creative mixing. Her current skincare routine features Irene Forte’s $225 Hibiscus Night Cream for her face and Weleda’s $12 Skin Food Ultra-Rich Cream for her neck and décolleté.

      Schneider focuses on preventative care in her skincare routine, utilizing products that not only hydrate her “scaly” skin but also work to avert premature wrinkles, uneven texture, and hyperpigmentation. Although these two products differ significantly in price, they provide many similar benefits: deep hydration, soothing skin barriers, and a plumped, wrinkle-free complexion.

      The Irene Forte facial cream, being pricier and thinner, should be used sparingly—primarily on the face, although the neck can benefit from its rejuvenating properties if you're feeling generous. The Weleda formula stands out for its affordability and gentle ingredients, making it an excellent everyday body cream as well as a spot treatment for particularly dry patches during colder months.

      **Shop the Combo**

      Irene Forte Skincare Hibiscus Night Cream

      Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Body Cream

      3. **Low-Maintenance Matte Lips**

      My lip combination is constantly changing, largely based on the random products I find at the bottom of my purse. Recently, I've intentionally moved a drugstore lip liner and an editor-favorite high-end lipstick with a matte finish that doesn’t dry me out from purse to purse.

      As a beauty editor, I have a variety of mid-range and luxury lip liners, but there's something about this classic Maybelline option that keeps me returning. Its creamy formula glides effortlessly, even on slightly dry winter lips; each application adds dimension and shape with long-lasting wear. However, I’ve found that glossy layers tend to make this formula fade quicker than I’d prefer, so I switched from regular glosses to this hydrating, barely-there lipstick from Westman Atelier.

      While “hydrating” and “matte” might seem incompatible, let me assure you—this “Lip Suede” lipstick offers a non-reflective, smooth finish without the dryness typical of past matte liquid lipsticks. The formula includes hyaluronic acid for hydration, meadowfoam extract to seal in moisture, and kaolin clay to mattify without stripping the lips. Additionally, it features anti-smudge technology that keeps the lipstick in place for hours, making my preferred lip look both practical and stylish.

      **Shop the Combo**

      Maybelline Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner

      Westman Atelier Lip Suede Hydrating Matte Lipstick

      4. **Summer Beach Waves**

      In the summer, I rarely use hot tools to style my hair. The humidity and