Maybe you’ve celebrated a milestone birthday, wrapped a tough project or perhaps have been having a downer of a month and need a luxurious lift. Whatever the reason, sometimes you need to “treat yo’self,” and these products and experiences — all by us and made for us — might just be the ticket.
For the Glamour Queen: Pretty Your Pucker
What: Pat McGrath Labs Blitztrance lipstick
Why it’s splurge-worthy: Hailed as “most influential makeup artist in the world” by Vogue editor Anna Wintour, British-born Pat McGrath has designed makeup looks for brands including Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton and Versace. And now, with her eponymous line, even those of us more used to sitting in cubicles than strutting down catwalks can sample the McGrath magic. Our pick: This super-creamy, full-coverage lippy in Blood Rush is a classic red with copper pearl that’s perfect for the holiday season. Bonus: The glittery gold case makes you feel glam the moment you whip it out.
What it costs: $40 (patmcgrath.com)
You may also enjoy: a sultry shade from the Lip Bar (thelipbar.com)
For the Music Lover: Sit in the Front Row
What: Tina, The Tina Turner Musical
Why it’s splurge-worthy: We dare you to stay seated during this rousing retelling of the life and times of the queen of rock ’n’ roll, which debuted on Broadway on November 7. From her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, the musical, produced in association with Turner, traces the former Annie Mae Bullock’s rise to fame and triumph over adversity, with her biggest hits (“Private Dancer” and “Rolling On The River” among them) a fitting soundtrack. “Each night I want audiences to take away from the theater that you can turn poison into medicine," says Turner. Grab your best girlfriends and make a night of it.
What it costs: between $80 and $230 (tinaonbroadway.com)
You may also enjoy: Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations (ainttooproudmusical.com)
For the Style Maven: Go for the Gold
What: Auvere Large Golden Moon Earrings
Why it’s splurge-worthy: Gone are the days when we’d wait for a beau to buy us jewelry; now we buy our own baubles. And these classic earrings from Jamaican-American designer Gina Love are calling our names. Suitable for day or nighttime wear, the satin-finish studs are guaranteed to elevate your earring game and bring some well-deserved luxury to your lobes. And because they’re crafted from almost six grams of 22-karat gold, but priced at roughly what you’d pay for less valuable 14- or 18-karat, they’re a smart value, too.
What it costs: $725 (auvere.com)
You may also enjoy: earrings by Black Panther jewelry designer Douriean (douriean.com)
For the Globetrotter: Escape to Paradise
What: Spice Island Beach Resort
Why it’s splurge-worthy: Want to splurge with a capital “S”? Book a stay at this Grenada all-inclusive resort, one of only seven in the Caribbean to have earned the AAA Five-Diamond award. Owned by a local family for 30 years, it sits on Grand Anse, the best beach on the tiny Caribbean island. While you’re there, chill out in one of 64 plush suites (17 of them have private pools), savor local cuisine in two restaurants and be sure to book a treatment (or three) at Janissa’s Spa, where the Spice Classic body wrap incorporates organic island chocolate and nourishing oils.
What it costs: from $1,045 per night (spiceislandbeachresort.com)
You may also enjoy: Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia (salamanderhotels.com)
For the Foodie: Dine in Style
What: Red Rooster Overtown
Why it’s splurge-worthy: Miami residents have been licking their lips in anticipation of Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised chef Marcus Samuelsson’s newest restaurant, which will fire up its fryer in Magic City in December. Four years in the making, the 305 branch of Samuelsson’s fried chicken restaurant (the original is in Harlem, New York) will open in Overtown, a historically Black neighborhood which, during segregation, was once the only place our celebrities could stay. You’ll pay a premium for the upscale Southern-inspired menu, including Hot Honey Yardbird with garlic mash and Obama Short Ribs with lobster and biscuits. But if it’s anything like Red Rooster Harlem’s fare, it’ll be worth every cent.
What it costs:Obama Short Ribs are $40.
(grovebaygroup.com/project/red-rooster-overtown)
You may also enjoy: Milk & Honey in Atlanta (milkandhoneyatl.com)
Spice Island Beach Resort
