Not so long ago, celebrity make-up ranges were a bit of a joke. Like perfumes and concert T-shirts, they seemed to be just another way to make money from fans.
But in 2017, Rihanna changed the game with her range, Fenty. The shades were inclusive, the formulations sophisticated and the packaging was slick.
That upped the ante and many others followed — the latest A-lister to field a credible lippie is Lady Gaga, with her Haus Labs line, which landed in the UK at the beginning of this month.
Here’s my verdict on the must-buys in the celebrity cosmetics world.
Experts have raved about the textures, formulations and wearable colours in Lady Gaga’s Haus Labs make-up range
Victoria Beckham Beauty by Victoria Beckham (victoriabeckhambeauty.com)
Victoria Beckham creates sophisticated, wearable products in elegant shades. The eyeliner pencils are among Beckham’s standout products
Victoria’s first foray into make-up was a collection with Estee Lauder, but in 2019 she launched her own line of luxury cosmetics which has won critical acclaim. A make-up obsessive, Victoria creates sophisticated, wearable products in elegant shades.
The heroes: Victoria’s signature smokey eye is a great showcase for her Satin Kajal Liner pencils (£26) and creamy stick shadow Eyewear (£30). Both are packed with pigment that blends easily, then doesn’t move. Make-up artist Monika Blunder loves them. I’m a fan of the shadow Eyewear (£30) — the matte brown Pecan shade is great.
Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley partnered with biotech firm Amyris to create her smart skincare and make-up range
ROSIE CHEEKS
Rose Inc by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (roseinc.co.uk)
The supermodel once famous for her M&S undies is now being lauded for her beauty savvy. Rosie partnered with biotech firm Amyris to create her smart skincare and make-up range.
The heroes: Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum (£39). In 14 shades, it comes out of the bottle looking like it’s been curdled but you mix to blend the pigment with the skincare ingredients and end up with the perfect summer base — light coverage and hydrating.
Then there’s the Cream Blush Refillable Cheek & Lip Colour (£25), loved by make-up artists and beauty editors alike. It comes in 12 shades in a hydrating, easy-to-apply-with-fingers, cream format.
DIAMOND BUYS
Fenty by Rihanna (fentybeauty.com)
Rhianna’s Fenty beauty features the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation in more than 50 shades
The singer was inspired to create her range after feeling that not all skin tones and types were being served — and it was the 50-plus shades of Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation that grabbed headlines.
The heroes: Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara (£16). This impressive, long-lasting mascara thickens and lengthens lashes.
Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in eight shades are portable, iridescent sticks that can be used as highlighters, blushers or eye shadows.
Look for the Correcting Skinsticks and Contour Skinsticks for a more matte alternative (all £25).
PUMP UP THE VOLUME
Rem Beauty by Ariana Grande (Sephora)
Pop icon Ariana Grande’s range Rem Beauty was Selfridge’s brand of the year in last year’s beauty awards
Pop icon Ariana’s range has a lower price point — but don’t write it off as just for teens. Selfridges made it their brand of the year in last year’s beauty awards, and for good reason.
Rem Beauty’s popular eye palettes come in five colourways
The heroes: Midnight Shadows Eye Palette (£22) — these six-pan palettes come in five colourways and while the turquoise and lilac of Gogo Boots may be a bit out there, Babydoll’s more muted browns and neutrals are very wearable. Great for on-the-go beauty, Eclipse Cheek & Lip Stick (£18) is a chunky bullet offering swipe-on cream colour in four different shades. Blend well and smudge into lips for a pulled-together effect.
It’s the brand’s best-selling product at Sephora.
