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The New Icons: 15 Beauty Products That Have Reached Cult Status (And Why)
Summer Fridays / Ami Cole / Drunk Elephant / Sephora / Dr Dennis Gross / Byrdie
To ask a beauty lover what their favorite products are is like asking Carrie Bradshaw to choose her favorite pair of shoes. It’s nearly impossible. But if we’re honest with ourselves, some beauty products are in a league of their own. Whether they went viral on TikTok (for the right reasons) or have been immediate staples in industry expert’s kits, there are certain formulas that everyone gets excited about using.
What sets these launches apart is the mark they make on the industry. They have that certain star quality to them so to speak. Having tested thousands of formulas and technologies in our careers, beauty editors know what classifies the best of the best. On theme with our Muse Issue, we wanted to recognize the next generation of iconic products that have made a name for themselves over the past few years.
What Makes a Product an Icon?
In our eyes, three main components need to be checked off. First and foremost, the quality of the formula has to be top in its category. There is something innovative and unique about this specific product that is noticeably different from other options. Then there is the question of a “cult following.” Just because one person might sing the praises of a beauty product does not mean it is actually that good. Where there is a large loyal fan base there is usually something special. Would a diverse group of people agree with this item being branded as iconic? For all our selects below, the answer is yes. Last but not least, this product goes beyond just a trend. Whether it be a pimple patch, a cream blush, or a perfume, there wasn’t just a six-month period where this product got all the buzz—it’s a forever thing.
Below, see the 15 products we think will hold their icon status for the rest of time.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Summer Fridays
Look in anyone’s bag, backpack, or back pocket, and there’s a very high chance you will find a Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. The original launch consisted of just one clear shade, but now there are eight to choose from. The latest iteration? A light brown tint inspired by the scent and hue of iced coffee. What makes this product iconic is the hydrating formula that seals in moisture with each use. Plus, the curved tip glides perfectly across any lip shape for a seamless application every time.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops
Drunk Elephant
No matter how many other brands create versions of bronzing drops, Drunk Elephant’s OG formula will always reign supreme. It’s an industry go-to whether you want to add a tint to your moisturizer, a bronzy glow to a foundation, or simply elevate your daily antioxidant product. Reminder: This can be used on any part of your body, not just your face.
Starface Hydro-Stars Pimple Patch Acne Stickers
Starface
Remember the days when we used to try to hide pimples and unwanted blemishes? Thanks to Starface, people actually look forward to having an excuse to put a pimple patch on their face. Seen on celebrities like Justin Bieber and Charli XCX, Starface Hydro-Stars have almost become a status symbol. Over the years, the brand has expanded the patches, so they now come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. But one thing that never changes is how fun and fast it is to zap a pimple away.
Ami Colé Lip Treatment Oil
Ami Colé
A newer brand on the scene, Ami Colé only launched in Sephora two years ago. In just a short time its chic beauty products have become immediate favorites. Formulated as makeup for melanin-rich skin, every release is intentional and innovative. Many would agree that the one product that stands out the most is the Lip Treatment Oil. Take your pick of six shades and experience the oil-to-gloss formula that leaves your lips plumped and shiny for hours.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Fragrance can be a personal experience, but when a perfume smells this good, sometimes it’s okay to smell like everyone else. Since the Baccarat Rouge 540 went viral on social media, the familiar scent can be found around any corner. Notes of jasmine, saffron, and cedar wood are at the core of each luxurious spritz. While you may hear about “dupes”, nothing will be as iconic as the original red label.
Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler and Dryer
Dyson
There are hair tools, and then there are Dyson hair tools. The brand is known for being at the forefront of innovation across home and beauty. People trust that when Dyson comes out with a product, not only is it top-tier quality, but it’s also unlike anything else on the market. The Dyson Airwrap has taken over the hair tool conversation and shows no signs of dropping in popularity. Bouncy blowouts, voluminous curls, and endless hair hacks have all been at the forefront of hair trends all thanks to this one tool. Talk about having influence.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Red light therapy has become a popular practice over the past few years. Its notable benefits include reducing inflammation, addressing signs of anti-aging, and boosting your complexion. Plugging in a red light mask is now considered common practice for any skincare afficionado. Out of all the devices out there, the Dr. Dennis Gross LED Mask is a coveted find. Not only is the rose gold exterior aesthetically pleasing, but the quality and structure of the masks are also second to none.
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek and Lip Stain
Benefit Cosmetics
We love a two-in-one. This cheek and lip stain has been at the center of several major beauty trends, including boyfriend blush, sunset blush, lip blushing—you name it. The universal rose shade can be applied anywhere you want a pop of color. It’s buildable, transfer-proof, and smudge-proof. When a product offers so much opportunity to play, it’s hard not to make it a staple in your routine.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Rare Beauty
Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty has solidified its spot as a top brand—and not just because it has a celebrity founder. The lineup is full of formulas that have become top choices among beauty experts. Once you add one product to your beauty bag, it’s hard not to want more. But the one item everyone talks about? The Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. The color has a huge payoff, a little goes a long way, and it is super blendable.Available in 13 highly pigmented shades, this is one of the best liquid blushes on the market.
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Skinstick
Fenty has been an iconic makeup brand since the day it launched. Created to disrupt the status quo in shade range, quality, and diversity, there is yet to be a drop that has disappointed. Among, the top sellers is the contour stick category, the creamy hues have been bestsellers since the brand’s conception and were given a refresh a few years back to include color-correcting shades. Whether you want to do a full professional contour or add dimension to your complexion, this stick will deliver a smooth matte finish.
Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup By Mario
Mario Dedivanovic knew what he was doing when he made his eye shadow palettes. Makeup artists, influencers, and consumers alike have consistently sold out this product since the day it became available. What makes this eye shadow selection unique is that every shade is inspired by human skin tones. The result? A highly versatile color range with endless combinations. In other words, you don’t have to be a pro to master an eye look thanks to this product.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Glow Recipe
Whether you are a member of Gen Alpha or just know a Sephora tween, this pick should come as no surprise. Glow Recipe is placed front and center on the younger generation’s beauty vanities. The Dew Drops are a watermelon-scented serum packed with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and even out complexion. This is a great introductory product to the brand and will most likely lead to a fully curated Glow Recipe routine.
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Tarte
Concealer is one of those products that you need to be able to rely on. If it cakes or doesn’t blend well, it will be extremely obvious. Tarte’s Shape Tape Concealer has been a longtime industry favorite. What keeps it at the top of the concealer category is the continued expansion of the line. Now you can choose from full-coverage, medium-coverage, and ultra-creamy formulas to best suit your skin type.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk Fair
Charlotte Tilbury
The queen darling of beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, loves to create iconic products. It’s hard to choose just one from the bunch, but perhaps the most recognizable of her innovations is the Pillow Talk line. The brand recently expanded the shades offered to include the lightest color yet, Pillow Talk Fair. Still in the iconic cool-toned pink range, this new color is a lighter hue that’s meant to complement fair skin tones.
Glossier You Eau de Parfum
Glossier
Fun fact: Everyone could own a bottle of this perfume and it would smell different from person to person. How, you ask? The fragrance is formulated to adapt to your skin’s natural scent (think pH levels, pheromones, etc.) and enhance it. However, base notes, such as pink pepper and iris, build to create the sweet, cozy smell we’ve all come to know and love.
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