Putting your name on a bottle doesn't guarantee success in the beauty industry. While some celebrities amass fortunes, others quietly fold. Harper Beckham, the 14-year-old daughter of Victoria and David Beckham, has reportedly encountered setbacks with her proposed brand 'Hiku by Harper', facing naming rights issues in the US due to trademark confusion. Despite this, her mother Victoria, who runs a respected premium beauty line, calls Harper a "little entrepreneur" drawing from her own skincare experiences.
Celebrity Beauty Success Stories
Several A-listers have built lucrative beauty empires. Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty, launched in 2020, became a viral sensation with products like the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, emphasizing self-acceptance and mental health. Rihanna's Fenty Beauty expanded into skincare in 2020, offering accessible, results-driven formulas. Hailey Bieber's Rhode, founded in 2022, focuses on affordable, barrier-supporting skincare, popularizing the 'glazed donut' glow.
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Known for lightweight, easy-to-use makeup, Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush (£24) and Positive Light Liquid Luminiser (£26) are top sellers. The brand's mental health messaging sets it apart.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Fenty Skin includes products like Cherry Dub Superfine Daily Cleansing Face Scrub (£20) and Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser (£25), with strong social media promotion.
Rhode by Hailey Bieber
Rhode's Glazing Milk (£32) and Peptide Lip Treatment (£16) are bestsellers, focusing on hydration and simplicity.
Failed Celebrity Beauty Brands
Not all ventures succeed. Kim Kardashian's KKW Beauty closed in 2021 despite initial sales. Madonna's MDNA Skin vanished from mainstream retail after failing outside Japan. TikTok star Addison Rae's Item Beauty ceased in 2023 due to market saturation. Even Millie Bobby Brown's skincare line faced early criticism but succeeded, now stocked in Boots.
Harper Beckham's determination mirrors Millie's early start, but trademark hurdles may challenge her path. The beauty brand game remains unpredictable, with success depending on more than just a famous name.
