Swimsuit

The Beauty and Fashion Items Hailey Clauson, Ellie Thumann and Lauren Chan Splurge On

These SI Swimsuit stars divulge the items they think are worth the investment.

Cara O’Bleness

Hailey Clauson, Ellie Thumann and Lauren Chan.

Hailey Clauson, Ellie Thumann and Lauren Chan.

When it comes to skincare, beauty and fashion, there are some items that are simply worth the investment. While we’re all about staying up-to-date on the latest trends here at SI Swimsuit, we also understand the urge to occasionally splurge on a timeless staple—whether that means investing in a pair of designer shoes or your skin with high-quality products.

Ahead of National Splurge Day on July 18, we chatted with a few of this year’s SI Swimsuit Issue stars to learn what types of products they believe are worth the extra money.

Hailey Clauson

Clauson, who returned to the fold for her seventh year, says that anything classic and timeless is worth splurging on, rather than trendy items that you might not be interested in a year from now. Chanel is the model and entrepreneur’s favorite luxury brand, particularly for accessories. 

“My black Chanel flats are my favorite item that I have splurged on, I have literally worn them to the bone,” she says. “I actually really need to buy a new pair because my current ones have a hole in them.”

As for the splurge items she uses on her skin, Clauson has a few particular go-to’s, including under-eye patches by Peter Thomas Roth and a daily facial peel from Dr. Dennis Gross. “I spend money on products that I know work well for me,” she explains.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches, $55 (sephora.com)

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These patches are packed with hyaluronic acid to help improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles while delivering a dose of hydration.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel Pads, $92 (sephora.com)

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Designed for daily use, these antioxidant-soaked pads are great to take on the go and help improve the tone and texture of skin.

Ellie Thumann

A rookie in the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue, Thumann has a similar mantra when it comes to splurging on skincare. 

“I’m not huge into designers or feeling like I need the most expensive jewelry pieces... I would personally rather put that money into beauty products with really high quality that may be a little bit more pricey,” she admits. “I love shopping more affordably when it comes to clothing and accessories because I think my style changes so much that it’s easier for me to justify switching things around more often.”

The YouTuber gravitates toward Dr. Barbara Sturm for skincare, while she loves Dior’s foundation and lip products.

“I’m super picky when it comes to lip product and I feel like they always make me feel amazing,” Thumann says. “I also love [Dior’s] foundation. It’s super easy for me to be picky when it comes to skin makeup products and I find theirs to be super high-quality.”

Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation, $43 (dior.com)

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This foundation offers buildable coverage and is resistant to both water and heat, so your look will stay flawless no matter what.

Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, $40 (dior.com)

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Thumann swears by this viral TikTok product, which is designed to hydrate and soften your lips while providing a glossy sheen.

Lauren Chan

In addition to being a 2023 rookie, Chan is also the founder of Henning, a plus-size luxury womenswear brand, and a former fashion writer and editor, so we would be remiss to not get her thoughts on stylish items worth the splurge. 

“I’m a pretty savvy shopper and I don’t splurge often,” she shares. “However, when I do, it’s always on something that I can get a lot of use out of.”

Chan notes that she enjoys supporting small brands that create luxury items, such as Miaou, Ester Manas, Willie Norris, Sami Miro Vintage and Kathryn Bowen. 

Shop two of her favorite accessory splurges below.

Noble Diamond Tennis Bracelet, $2,195 (stoneandstrand.com)

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This timeless and ethically-designed piece is crafted in New York City and is available in white or yellow gold.

Flamenco Clutch in Nappa Calfskin, $2,550 (loewe.com)

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Roomy enough to carry all of your essentials, this gorgeous designer bag features a detachable strap so you can style it as a shoulder bag or clutch.

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Published
Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.