As a professional beauty editor who rigorously evaluates hundreds and thousands of cosmetic products each year, I have developed a highly discerning palate through extensive testing across the entire spectrum – from affordable high street finds to exclusive luxury formulations. Naturally, when it comes to celebrity-fronted beauty lines, public reactions span from sceptical eye-rolls and low expectations to fervent, collector-level enthusiasm. However, if you find yourself suffering from celebrity-beauty-blindness or harbour a 'what do they actually know?' attitude, I can definitively confirm that numerous products within this market segment are genuinely excellent. Continue reading for an authoritative guide to the celebrity brands that truly merit your investment, alongside specific product recommendations from each.
On My Approved List: Celebrity Brands That Deliver
RARE BEAUTY (Founded by Selena Gomez)
Launched in 2020, Rare Beauty offers a comprehensive range encompassing colour cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance. The brand has established a strong reputation for quality and thoughtful formulation.
Rare Beauty Harmony Flexible Lifting Gel
I am thoroughly convinced this represents the finest eyebrow gel currently available. Despite testing countless alternatives, nothing has surpassed its exceptional performance. Whether your preference leans towards subtly tamed brows or a fully laminated effect, this mighty, compact tube will securely hold every stray hair in place. Application is simple: brush through to coat the hairs, then sweep through a second time to set your desired shape perfectly.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
This product achieved viral status in 2022, and the acclaim is entirely justified. Its highly pigmented formula means only a minuscule dot is required to achieve a healthy, natural flush, ensuring the product lasts for an exceptionally long time. The texture is thin and weightless, blending seamlessly into the skin, and it is available in an extensive shade range designed to complement all skin tones beautifully.
Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream
I must confess to frequently neglecting hand moisturisation, which is ironic given my well-documented obsession with head-to-toe hydration. Thankfully, Selena Gomez's perfectly sized hand cream is effortlessly portable. Its firm, slim packaging with a secure twist-top cap prevents any leaks in your bag. The formula is deeply nourishing, and the scent is so delightful it might tempt you to discreetly sniff your own hands in public – consider yourself forewarned.
FENTY BEAUTY (Founded by Rihanna)
Rihanna revolutionised the industry with the launch of Fenty Beauty in 2017, debuting with a groundbreaking collection of 40 foundation shades. This move received worldwide acclaim for addressing a significant gap in the market for women of colour, catalysing an industry-wide shift towards more inclusive shade ranges.
Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream
This is a product I will use religiously until the very last drop. It is my exclusive moisturiser of choice whenever my limbs are on display, primarily due to the exquisite finish it imparts. While it is profoundly hydrating, with a sumptuous texture and delightful fragrance that melts wonderfully into the skin, its true magic lies in the radiant gleam it leaves on legs and collarbones, making skin appear healthier, smoother, and more luminous.
Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting & Blotting Powder
For those who, like me, dread the mid-afternoon oil slick on the T-zone, this compact is a revelation. The transparent lavender shade works universally across all skin tones, effectively blotting excess grease and shine without leaving a flat, powdery appearance. Notably, Rihanna herself utilised this product midway through her iconic Super Bowl halftime performance. If it meets her standards under such pressure, it certainly warrants consideration.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
As highlighted, the shade range is exceptionally extensive. The foundation provides high coverage that adeptly conceals redness and pigmentation. It delivers a velvety, soft-matte finish that appears almost airbrushed, avoiding any chalky or overly 'made-up' look.
VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY (Founded by Victoria Beckham)
Following a successful collaboration with Estée Lauder, Victoria Beckham officially launched her eponymous beauty line in 2019 at her London Fashion Week show, where it was used exclusively. She has since partnered with luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader to further develop her range.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner
This liner is silky, smooth, and creamy, gliding effortlessly onto the eyelids with highly pigmented, intense colour payoff. It is supremely blendable, ideal for creating a perfectly smoked effect, yet once set, it remains impeccably in place without budging. Available in both matte and shimmer finishes across a wide spectrum of shades, it is designed to make every eye colour truly pop.
Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops
I must acknowledge the substantial price point upfront – it is undeniably expensive. However, the performance is exceptionally impressive. The formula boasts a lightweight texture that melts seamlessly into the skin, smoothing out texture and fine lines while blending like a dream. It offers a radiant, yet natural and non-greasy finish, with impressive longevity. The range includes 19 thoughtfully curated shades. When considering cost per wear, the investment may well be justified.
RHODE (Founded by Hailey Bieber)
Hailey Bieber's skincare brand finally arrived in the UK in 2025, greeted by considerable anticipation and lengthy waiting lists. The entire range is fragrance-free, gentle, and focused on barrier repair, and has since expanded to include colour cosmetics.
Rhode Pocket Blush
True to expectations from Mrs. Bieber's line, this blush features an exceptionally creamy texture. It is densely pigmented yet blends out with remarkable smoothness, imparting a lovely dewy finish that enhances radiance. The charming, compact size is not only adorable but also highly practical.
Rhode Barrier Butter Intensive Moisture Balm
Despite its chic appearance, this is a straightforward, no-nonsense product offered at a reasonable price point. It is not exorbitantly expensive, it delivers precisely on its promises, and serves multiple purposes. Use it as the final step in your nighttime routine to seal in hydration and awaken to plumper, more contented skin.
The Notable Disappointment: One Brand That Failed to Impress
KYLIE COSMETICS (Founded by Kylie Jenner)
Kylie Jenner sold a 51% stake in her company to beauty conglomerate Coty for $600 million in 2019, marking a significant moment in celebrity beauty business.
Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lip Kit
I will acknowledge that the accompanying lip pencil is silky and perfectly acceptable. However, the matte liquid lipstick component is profoundly disappointing. It is intensely drying, accentuates fine lines, tends to flake off unevenly, and carries a pronounced chemical scent. My firm recommendation is to avoid this product entirely.
