The celebrity beauty brands that are *actually* really good

It seems like every celeb that’s walked this earth has also created their own beauty line. OK, we might be exaggerating a tiiiny bit, but celebrity beauty brands are legit everywhere.

If you think about it, it makes total sense. With the hours they’ve spent in make-up chairs, getting tips from mega-famous MUAs and trying out every brand known to man – they’re practically experts. Celebs know the tea on every formula, what works and what doesn’t and (importantly) how to market fabulously.

As a result, singers, fashion designers and reality stars have taken over the beauty space and are serving us some fire products that are definitely worth a try.

We know, we know – how can you figure out which brand to empty your bank account for when there’s so many to choose from? Don’t stress. We’ve created a list of the top celeb beauty brands, and the products within those brands that are worth your pretty penny.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.

HAUS LABORATORIES

Lady Gaga’s beauty brand, Haus Laboratories, was released in 2019 after MUCH anticipation from Little Monsters and make-up fans alike.

Gaga is the queen of eccentric stage make-up, outfits and just about everything else, so it comes as no surprise that her beauty brand is unlike any other.

With dramatic face mask stickers, album-inspired eyeshadow palettes and shimmer powders in a range of dramatic colours, Haus Labs products leave a lasting impression which SCREAM creativity. In true Gaga fashion, all products are also completely cruelty-free and 100% vegan.

It’s a yassss from us.

The collection is available exclusively on Amazon and the Haus Labs website.

Fave product

Our standout item from Haus Laboratories has to be The Glam Attack liquid shadows.

Liquid shadows are notoriously easy to get wrong, but the silky and pigmented formula of Glam Attack eyeshadows are easy to use and will leave your lid looking sparkly and pearly as ever. The formula dries quickly and doesn’t crease – a dream come true for liquid eyeshadow lovers.

The shadows are available in a range of shades, from pastel blue for a cute picnic look, to Metallic Gunmetal for a grungier vibe. We can’t help but stan.

Fenty Beauty

If you thought we were going compile a list without QUEEN RiRi’s legendary make-up brand, you were seriously mistaken.

Apart from being a pop and R&B star, model AND fashion designer, Rihanna went a step further by dropping the most inclusive make-up brand of all time. No. Really.

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty took the industry by storm, offering products in a whopping 50 shade ranges and giving women of all skin tones the options they deserve. Not only did Fenty give make-up lovers luxurious products to die for, it also single-handedly kick-started the conversation of the need for inclusivity in the beauty industry.

Time to Take a Bow if you ask us.

Fave product

We could be here all day talking about our favourite Fenty products – no joke – but if we had to crown a winner, then the Pro Filt’r Matte Foundation would take the cake.

With just one pump, this magic formula will have you looking airbrushed and snatched all day long. Your skin will appear pore-less and flawless, and with so many shades available, the colour match is unlike any other.

Victoria Beckham Beauty

It’s time to Spice up Your Life with Victoria Beckham’s very own make-up line.

Posh Spice, a self-confessed beauty lover, released her own make-up brand with the aim of filling the gaps she felt were prominent in her own beauty regimen - AKA the curse of the clumpy mascara.

The line debuted with a signature smoky eye collection, with universally flattering and easily blendable shades. The popstar-turned-designer highlighted the importance of functionality when creating her line, with every product easy to use on-the-go – so you no longer need to worry about waking up five mins before that morning call.

Fave product

Victoria Beckham’s signature smoky eye look was our 15-year-old selves’ dream, and that’s why the Smoky Eye Brick eyeshadow collection by VBB wins the medal for our fave product.

Ranging from humble earth tones to royal blues, the little four-shade palettes are a must for your make-up bag. The creamy shadows are highly pigmented and blend like a dream thanks to the Hyaluronic Acid Powder Complex. If you’re feeling a little more glam, you can go for the satin palette with tones infused with shimmer and sparkle.

Filter by Molly Mae

It turns out you don’t need to spend three months finding love in sunny destinations to look sun-kissed AF.

Love Island star Molly Mae knew the struggle of finding a good tanning formula that applied evenly, was suitable for all skin types and didn’t make us look like a Dorito (if you know, you know).

Filter by Molly Mae graced us with a tanning mousse that dries nicely, applies like a dream and doesn’t make us look like a streaky mess. The colour is so warm you’ll look fresh off the plane from Malia, and the formula is perfect for the sensitive skin gals.

Fave product

If you haven’t already guessed, we LOVE the Filter by Molly Mae tanning mousse which is available in medium, dark and extra dark. The large velvet mitt is also fab for blending the formula in as evenly as poss, making you look like a bronzed goddess.

Honest Beauty

Long before celeb make-up brands were a thing, Jessica Alba dropped her 100% clean and natural brand Honest Beauty.

The brand is aimed at making clean beauty affordable to everyone, releasing quality products of naturally-derived and non-toxic ingredients.

Simple but effective, the brand’s offerings range from lipsticks, face masks, body wash and lots more. Transparency lies at the heart of Honest Beauty, so no matter what you choose – you’ll know what’s in it.

Fave product

The Hydrogel Cream is the most raved about Honest Beauty product - and we totally get why.

The oil-free formula will flood your face with moisture, giving you smooth AF skin before you know it. Made with two types of Hyaluronic acid (the more the merrier) the cream induces hydration leaving your skin firmer and more radiant than ever. New skincare BFF? We think so!

Florence by Mills

When Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown launched her beauty brand, fans were surprised. Not long after, Florence by Mills became one of the hottest beauty brands of the moment.

Florence by Mills delivers skincare and make-up products designed to hydrate and nourish the skin, with a focus on clean and PETA-approved beauty. Products available include a hydrating lip oil, eye masks, mascaras, blushes – to name just a few.

Having been in a make-up chair since age 10, it’s safe to say that MBB knows what she’s doing, and her quality products and sleek branding are a true testament to that.

Fave product

The Cheek Me Later cream blushes from Florence by Mills are definitely worth your pennies.

The cream blush will blend nicely into your skin, giving you a pop of colour and natural finish that will leave you absolutely glowing. The blush will last you all day thanks to the secret ingredient kaolin clay - an oil-absorber that makes sure the colour stays put.

The product is also versatile AF, meaning you can use it on your cheeks, lips or eyelids as you please.

Kylie Cosmetics

Easily the most popping celeb make-up brand to ever exist, Kylie Cosmetics ruled the beauty world for a hot minute.

Kylie Jenner created a brand that teen beauty lovers absolutely FLOCKED to, helping make KJ the first billionaire in her family. The Lip Kits, in particular, went viral, but all Kylie Cosmetics products including eyeshadows, highlighters and eyeliners are pretty lit.

Kylie’s latest release was a grinch-inspired collection of shadows, blushes and lotsss more – weird flex, we know, but we admire the festivity.

Fave product

As much as we wanted to stray from the classic Lip Kits, there’s no denying that these are well worth the hype.

While you can’t go wrong with any shade, our personal fave is the deep red Lip Kit in Mary Jo – because who doesn’t love a red lippy?

You can probs scoff down a full-course meal and still have flawless-looking lips with this liner and lipstick combo. Unlike many other formulas, this one won’t crumble, and all you need is a thin layer to get a beaut colour.

PLouise

Manchester-based influencer and make-up artist, Paige Louise, is making waves in the industry with her beauty brand PLouise.

The brand has been a huge success from day one, worn by Hollywood icons Kim K and Cardi B. The ultimate seal of approval was given by the queen of make-up herself, Nikkie Tutorials who crowned the PLouise Eyeshadow Base as "the best eye base in the world" - brb, need to do some shopping.

One of the latest drops by PLouise is the Cancel Collection, a collection aimed at spreading a message regarding toxic cancel-culture and other damaging effects of social media. The line boasts a 36-shade palette, cosmetic paints and blending brushes named "PLouise is Trash" - iconic.

Fave product

It's simple. If you like to wear eyeshadow all day long without creases or a sweaty lid - you NEED this product.

This luxurious and creamy base will help blend your eyeshadow beautifully and keep it in place with absolutely no cracks. You no longer need to worry about sweating your eye make-up off at the end of a long day - the PLouise primer ensures no fading, change in pigment or creases.

What are you waiting for?

Tanologist

Another fake-tanning FAVE, Lottie Tomlinson has hit the spot with her self-tanning brand Tanologist.

While we all love a synthetic glow, self-tanning lotions are infamous for leaving us with nasty breakouts that just make the whole experience disappointing.

Well not anymore. Lottie has come to the rescue with a dermatologically tested formula containing ZERO irritants, that will leave you with a rich and golden tan. Tanologist boasts a range of products from self-tan mousses, water and drops, to illuminators and tan erasers.

Fave product

Not an easy choice, but we’ve nailed it down to the Self Tan Water and Self Tan Mousse.

While both are equally as fabulous, easy to apply and long-lasting, the mousse may be your best bet if you’re new to tanning. The formula blends easily and will glow you up in a matter of hours, without the patchiness and potent scent that most self-tanners come with.

You’ll also be pleased to know that Tanologist products won’t hurt your pockets and are affordable AF – you can thank us later.

Read next:

The best cruelty-free and vegan beauty bits in 2021

12 lockdown care packages to send loved ones in need of TLC

The 16 best hot air brushes for your easiest at-home blow-dry ever

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Tips for achieving flawless base make-up

Now that you've bagged all the tools necessary to look on-fleek - what's next?

We hate to say it, but even with the most amazing products in the world, a little technique is needed to look red carpet-ready - and it all starts with the base.

First and foremost - skincare, skincare, skincare (anyone else dealing with maskne, RN?). We can't tell you how important it is to start off with clean, hydrated and (preferably) exfoliated skin - we promise, it'll make all the difference.

Next, colour-match. This one seems obvious, but the wrong foundation or concealer shade can throw off your whole look. Brands like Fenty make this step easy, but if you're finding it tricky to get the right shade, don't be afraid to mix two shades together.

It needs to be said: concealer is your best friend when it comes to achieving a flawless look. If you suffer from dark circles, go for a concealer that is a shade lighter for the ultimate brightening effect. If you're experiencing a breakout, you can spot-conceal your problem areas to look even more airbrushed.

Finally, highlight, contour and setting powder. A little goes a long way with all of these. Make sure to apply your highlight to only the highest points in your face for the perfect subtle glow. For contour, we recommend a liquid product as this will blend nicely into your skin, and choose a lightweight setting powder for the perfect finish.

Voila - who's gonna call the paps?