Quick answer: As a licensed esthetician, Nikol says it's not about buying the most expensive beauty products — it's about knowing where to invest. She names six categories worth spending on: skincare, foundation and base products, makeup brushes and tools, haircare and heat protection, brow and lash care, and fragrance. In each, choose the best quality you can afford for your needs rather than owning a pile of products that don't work.
Key takeaways
- Value isn't about price — it's about spending where it makes a real difference for you.
- Great skincare (cleanser, moisturizer, SPF) is the foundation for makeup that looks fresh, not dry or cakey.
- Soft, quality brushes and reliable tools change how any makeup performs on the skin.
- Sulfate-free haircare plus a heat protectant help prevent breakage and damage.
- Brow and lash products, and a signature fragrance, round out the categories she'd never skimp on.
Hey ladies! Where should you splurge, and where can you save? In this video Nikol walks through the six beauty and skincare categories she believes are genuinely worth the investment — with the reminder that the goal is smart spending, not the biggest price tag. Here's her honest, no-nonsense breakdown.
Why invest in skincare and base products first?
Skincare is Nikol's number-one category because it's what makes your makeup look amazing. A solid routine — cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting — matters more than a cabinet full of extras. She notes that makeup wipes alone won't cut it, especially for mature skin; a cleansing balm removes makeup, dirt, sebum, and SPF, while a well-matched moisturizer keeps skin from looking dry or flaky under foundation. And it's never too late to start protecting your skin with SPF.
For base products, the right formula keeps foundation from looking cakey or mask-like. Nikol favors radiance and light-reflecting finishes for mature skin, and points to lighter-coverage options too. She formulated her own semi-matte BB Cream and, because she loved how sheer and silky they feel, a few-drops Serum Foundation. Whatever medium you choose, a smoothing base like her Face Primer — applied after moisturizer — gives the skin a smoother canvas. Choose skincare and base products for your skin type; when in doubt, patch-test new products and consult a dermatologist or esthetician.
Do brushes, tools, and haircare really make a difference?
Yes, according to Nikol. You can own the most beautiful makeup, but scratchy brushes and dirty sponges will sabotage the result. Drawing on years in the makeup chair as a model, she designed a compact essential brush kit of just ten ultra-soft, vegan brushes because she feels that's all you need. She also treats tools as long-term investments — her eyelash curler has lasted decades with a simple rubber-insert swap and an alcohol clean.
Haircare and heat protection are her fourth category. Sulfate-heavy shampoos can strip and dry the hair, leading to breakage, and skipping a heat protectant doubles the damage. There are sulfate-free options at every price point; the key is identifying your main concern — dryness, frizz, moisture — and choosing products (and, if needed, a mask) that actually address it. Since going gray, Nikol has found gray hair to be higher-maintenance than expected, so she's specific about the shampoo and heat protectant she relies on.
What about brows, lashes, and fragrance?
Brow and lash care becomes especially important for mature women, as brows can turn sparse or gray and lashes shorten. Nikol suggests investing in the right brow pencil or brow mascara in the correct shade to fill, tame, and cover gray, plus a brow serum if you want one. For lashes, she cautions that waterproof mascara can be drying and harsh to remove if you're not using the proper remover, and recommends finding a formula that lifts and separates without clumping or flaking.
Her final category is fragrance. A signature scent is deeply personal — it can elevate your mood, presence, and confidence. She points to the many phthalate-free, cleaner-fragrance options now available, so you can pick something high-quality that simply makes you feel incredible.
The bottom line
Nikol's philosophy is simple: it's better to invest in one product that truly works than to own ten that don't. Take your time, expect some trial and error, and focus your budget on the categories that genuinely earn their place. Explore Nikol's face collection, browse her brushes and tools, or start with her best-sellers to build a routine that works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What beauty products are worth the investment?
Nikol names six categories worth investing in: skincare, foundation and base products, makeup brushes and tools, haircare with heat protection, brow and lash care, and fragrance. The idea isn't to buy the most expensive option in each, but to choose the best quality you can afford for your specific needs so your money goes where it makes a real difference.
Should you splurge or save on skincare?
Skincare is the category Nikol prioritizes most, because healthy skin makes makeup look better. You don't need every extra — a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF that suit your skin type are the essentials. Whether you shop drugstore, department store, or a professional, invest in a cleanser that doesn't strip your skin and a moisturizer suited to your needs.
Do you really need a face primer?
If your skin doesn't feel smooth when you apply foundation, BB cream, tinted moisturizer, or serum foundation, a good face primer helps. Applied after moisturizer and before your base, it smooths the skin and creates an even canvas so your complexion products sit better and look more natural throughout the day.
What should I look for in a foundation for mature skin?
Nikol suggests formulas that work with your skin rather than sitting on top of it, so it won't look dry, cakey, or mask-like. For mature skin she leans toward radiance and light-reflecting finishes, and notes lighter-coverage options like BB creams, tinted moisturizers, and serum foundations. Consider your lifestyle and the coverage you actually need before choosing.
Is waterproof mascara bad for your lashes?
Nikol cautions that waterproof mascara can be drying and, if not removed properly with the right eye-makeup remover, harsh on the lashes. She's seen clients with flaky, stressed lashes from harsh formulas. The goal is finding a mascara that lifts and separates without clumping or flaking, and always removing it gently.
How many makeup brushes do you actually need?
Nikol designed her essential kit around just ten brushes because she feels that's all most people need. What matters more than quantity is quality: ultra-soft, well-made brushes and clean tools help any makeup apply better. She treats good tools, like her long-lasting eyelash curler, as worthwhile long-term investments.
