Is there a high-end foundation that’s actually worth the splurge?

I keep going back and forth on whether luxury foundation is really better or if I’m just paying for branding.

For those of you who’ve tried a lot of base products, is there one higher-end foundation that truly performs better than the rest? I’m looking for something that wears nicely, doesn’t turn cakey, and still looks flattering after a few hours.

I’d love honest answers from people who’ve tested both affordable and expensive formulas. Which one made you understand the hype, and which ones were not worth it?