There’s a Lot of Hype Around Hundreds of Celebrity Beauty Brands, but These 11 Are *Actually* Worth It
These days, it feels kind of weird when a celebrity doesn’t have a beauty brand. Between Rihanna, Hailey Baldwin, and Jessica Alba, you could have it so your makeup, skin care, and personal care routine was entirely curated by the rich and famous. It might seem a little weird when you think about it. However, the concept of a celebrity-owned beauty brand is nothing new.
Back in 1994, the model Iman launched Iman Cosmetics (which was also the first beauty brand for women of color), and if you were blessed to exist in the early aughts, you may recall the failed-yet-totally-iconic edible beauty brand Dessert By Jessica Simpson (I may still have a Dessert Beauty lip gloss and perfume laying around). Then, of course, are the countless celebrity fragrances, which go all the way back to the 1980s.
But over the past decade, celebrity beauty brands have begun to materialize more and more, with a great deal of them popping up in the last five years, conspicuously after the groundbreaking success of Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty. And it’s not just women celebrities—Harry Styles, Idris Elba, Travis Barker, and Machine Gun Kelly have their own brands, too. It’s no surprise that people complain that the market is overrun with celeb beauty brands, especially when the cosmetic industry in general is already oversaturated.
But it is what it is. More will come, and time will tell who will be the next Fenty Beauty or the next, not to be harsh, but, well, failure. The thing is, a lot of these celeb beauty products are damn good. And speaking from experience as a beauty editor (and, again, someone who still grieves the loss of Dessert), quite a few of them are so good, they’ve become my holy grail! Keep scrolling for a list of my current favorite celebrity beauty brands that are totally worth your hard-earned cash.
11 celebrity beauty brands worth the hype (and the money)
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
There’s no doubt that Fenty is the godmother of modern celebrity beauty brands. We all know how Rihanna single-handedly changed the industry when Fenty first launched in 2017 with an unprecedented range of 40 (now 50) foundation shades. The singer helped put inclusive beauty at the forefront of the industry where it always should have been. The brand has a huge category range, offering everything from bronzers to lip gloss and has since expanded into skin care with Fenty Skin (and possibly Fenty Hair according to a trademark filed in July).
It’s described as a warm floral due to its magnolia, musk, and Bulgarian rose notes, but if you’re into gourmand fragrances like I am, you’ll love this (it also contains vanilla, coconut, and blueberry). It sold out fast and once it came back in stock I rushed to get it, I’ve been wearing it almost every day since.
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez launched her makeup brand in 2020 with the goal of helping people celebrate their uniqueness and knowing that they belong. The brand was launched in conjunction with a nonprofit, the Rare Impact Fund, which donates 1 percent of all sales to different mental health and education organizations. With Rare, you’ll find classic tones like Selena’s signature red lipstick and neutrals, no wild colors or bold brights.
Cream blushes are my jam these days, and this one is at the top of my list. It brightens up my face and sits on my skin seamlessly, unlike some other blushes that don’t settle well.
about-face by Halsey
Halsey’s makeup brand, which came out in 2021, is inspired by all things art, music, and fashion, and it’s evident by how bold and playful the products are. If it’s colorful, bright shades that you want, about-face is where you'll find it. What’s unique about this particular line is that Halsey actually is a self-taught makeup artist, and frequently did their own makeup for shoots and videos. So, you know that this is super special to them. I’ve loved every single product I’ve tried, which is pretty much all of them!
To my matte lipstick aficionados, this lipstick is something you need in your collection if you don’t already. It stays put but doesn’t feel heavy or crack. I have one in every bag!
Rhode Skin by Hailey Bieber
One of the newer celeb beauty brands, Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Skin was an immediate hit. In fact, it keeps selling out. It’s not hard to see why, the line is simple (currently only three products) with scientifically-proven, effective ingredients. Plus, everything is under $30.
Everybody wants Hailey’s glazed donut skin, and this is how you get it: A skin-soaking serum with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and marula oil—a powerhouse combo that infuses skin with the maximum amount of hydration that leaves it looking and feeling more plump and supple.
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga
I have been a fan of Haus Beauty since its first iteration in 2019. The brand relaunched this year with a focus on clean and innovative ingredients, such as arnica, which helps reduce redness and (Gaga used arnica to treat inflammation related to fibromyalgia). The entire makeup line, which consists of lipsticks, eye products, brow, and base makeup, contains skin-loving ingredients like prickly pear oil, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and more.
I just can’t get enough of this pigmented, bulletproof lipstick. With one swipe, you’re good for the entire day, making it a much quicker application than the two-step ones in the market.
The Outset by Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson was motivated to start her own skin-care line after being the face of so many brands throughout her career. However, she had some goals in mind: She wanted to create products that were simple, effective, and easy to use. The Outset’s products also don’t use 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients (like parabens, phthalates, and microplastics).
My combination skin has been loving this lightweight moisturizer. It contains plant extracts like hops for conditioning, edelweiss (which has double the antioxidants of vitamin C), nourishing red rice, plus squalane, of course, and the brand’s proprietary botanical complex that hydrates and soothes.
GXVE by Gwen Stefani
If you ask me, Gwen Stefani was always meant to have a makeup brand. She’s been a beauty icon since the ‘90s, and also did her own makeup back in those days! GXVE (pronounced “give”) is inspired by Gwen’s signature look (that red lipstick and smokey eye), and is made with high-performing formulas.
Truly one of the best red lipsticks I’ve ever used. It lasts long and feels light on the lips, and glides on effortlessly.
r.e.m. Beauty by Ariana Grande
Named after that deep phase of sleep where “your most creative, limitless and vivid dreams occur,” Ariana Grande’s r.e.m. beauty encourages us to bring those dreams to reality…with her makeup! The singer is known for her dramatic cat-eye, sky-high lashes, and nude lip, so you’ll find products to create that signature makeup and more.
Since Grande’s go-to look is a sharp wing, this liner had to live up to that, and it does. It’s also easy to hold, which is the key to creating an impressive cat-eye if you’re not a pro.
Body By TPH
Taraji P Henson has had her haircare line, TPH By Tajari, since 2020, but this year, she decided to launch a body care line at Walmart. She wanted to help people achieve that self-care we all need since the beginning of the pandemic, and I have to say, it’s incredible. The line contains body butters, body cleansers (energizing ones for morning and relaxing ones for night), scrubs, and more.
Every time I use this scrub, I literally sigh out loud, lol. The vanilla scent is amazing and I honestly feel like I’m at a spa. Thanks to the niacinamide, you’ll achieve a more even skin tone, and the lactic acid aids in exfoliating skin (making brighter and smoother). Plus, the infusion of glycolic acid removes dead skin cells, which leaves skin softer than a baby’s butt.
Guide Beauty by Terri Bryant
Guide Beauty was launched in 2020 by celebrity makeup artist Terri Bryant, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and experienced a loss of dexterity in her hands which led to difficulties applying makeup. The brand sells makeup products and tools that are ergonomically designed to help people who have difficulty holding items apply the makeup. In 2022, Selma Blair, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, joined Guide as its Chief Creative Officer.
This 3-in-1 brow product allows you to shape your brows, fill them in, and set them with a buildable formula. But the real highlight is its applicator, which comes with an easy-to-hold grip so hands can stay steady when putting it on. The brush is also smaller and precise to help shape your brows.
Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr is actually one of the early players in the celebrity beauty game. She started her skin-care brand back in 2009 and was doing the whole “clean beauty” thing before it was the trend it is now. The brand uses certified organic ingredients that are absent of harmful ingredients like synthetic fragrance, sulfates, parabens, silicones, PEGs, among others.
This face cleanser is just heavenly. I love anything with the anti-inflammatory powerhouse turmeric, plus it has peppermint, palo santo, and rosemary, so you know the scent is out of this world.
Sourse by Sarah Hyland
Sourse officially launched in 2020, but rebranded this year and added Sarah Hyland to its team. The vitamin-infused chocolate brand has different “bites” that help with everything from mood, skin, energy, and focus. The concept is personal to Hyland, who takes tons of pills and vitamins every day due to her health issues (she has kidney dysplasia and endometriosis).
These bites help bring hydration to the skin thanks to its patented gluten free phytoceramides. The only issue is it’s hard not to just eat two a day (the recommended amount) since they’re so delicious!
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