From cult favourites to global bestsellers, these are seven iconic beauty products everyone should know, according to our beauty director.
Every beauty lover has that one product they can’t live without — the serum that delivers instant results, the glow-boosting makeup essential, or the fragrance that feels like confidence in a bottle. But only a few special creations go beyond individual love affairs to earn industry-wide cult status, finding a permanent place in the cosmetics cases of beauty experts, however many new products launch afterwards.
In celebration of our CF theme for November, Wonders of the World, our beauty director is spotlighting seven icons that have risen to define beauty across borders: the game-changers and the forever favourites that have shaped how we beautify ourselves today.
Ruby Woo isn't just a red lipstick, it is the red lipstick. Launched in 1999, its matte, blue-leaning tone was specifically designed to suit all skin tones and it still measures up today, meaning it continues to be a staple in makeup artists' kits worldwide. Best of all, the classic matte finish can survive a full workday and dinner with minimal touch-ups, and the iconic shade is an effortless head-turner.
Thought hyaluronic acid was a fairly recent skincare trend born out of social media? Think again! Back in 1982, Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair was already pioneering its use, with its lightweight but punch-packing formula that delivers instant hydration, radiance and smoothness overnight. The classic brown glass bottle is still instantly recognisable and loved. This is basically the concept of beauty sleep, bottled.
It's not a stretch to say that the hair-tools market was revolutionised (and perhaps left a little stunned) when James Dyson's vacuum company entered the fray, first with the launch of the Supersonic hairdryer in 2016 and then with the Airwrap in 2018. Now, Dyson haircare is not only in the bedrooms of almost every beauty insider but in luxury gyms and hotels the world over – as a symbol of luxury and effortless styling. One thing is certain, by pioneering the use of air – not extreme heat – to style and smooth, the Airwrap has earned its place as the ultimate modern beauty icon.
When Chanel No.5 launched in 1921, it broke every rule of perfumery. Here was a fragrance that didn’t try to mimic a single flower, but created its own signature scent using never-before-seen airy aldehydes to bring fresh life to rose and jasmine. Best of all, over a hundred years later, it still feels relevant and sophisticated to spritz now. Ultimately, No.5 isn’t flashy, trendy, or fussy; it’s a scent that arrived ahead of its time and, remarkably, has never needed to catch up since.
With a name that can make you blush but a formula that helps you fake it easily, Nars' Orgasm Blush still remains one of beauty’s most trusted products. The peachy-pink hue, flecked with golden shimmer, has inspired countless imitations but none that deliver quite the same coveted post-holiday glow in a single sweep. Universally flattering, it's no surprise that it remains a constant presence in the cosmetic cases of makeup artists and beauty lovers alike.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is more than a beauty classic – it’s a piece of skincare history. Created in 1930 by industry legend Elizabeth Arden, the balm was first used to soothe her prized racehorses’ legs before proving miraculous on her clients’ skin. When a loyal customer reported that it healed a child’s scraped knee in just eight hours, the now-iconic name was born. Nearly a century later, the rich, apricot-tinted salve still works wonders on your lips, cuticles, dry patches, and brows, making it the ultimate multitasker.
No single hair product brought the salon to your own shower quite like Olaplex No.3 – the little bottle that continues to take the stress out of treating and protecting against damaged hair. With patented bond-building technology (that was previously just a secret solution offered by top stylists) in just one treatment, frizz is softened, strands feel stronger, and colour-treated hair looks healthier than it has in months. It's your ultimate hair TLC essential.
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