Celebrity cosmetic lines: Tried and tested

From vagina-scented candles to cannabis-oil cosmetics, the beauty world can’t stop talking about Gwyneth Paltrow. Elevating the platform of her controversial brand Goop via a Netflix documentary, her particular take on wellness is fascinating to behold, but comes at a price—£54 powdered drinks, £112 acid peels, £30 bath soak.

As our appetite for wellness grows, Goop isn’t the only company capitalising on our enduring affection for the celebrity cosmetics brand. Whether we subconsciously believe that it’ll enable us to "get their look" or we simply trust their expertise from a career in the make-up artist's chair, the celebrity endorsement constantly draws more of our pounds than a regular brand.

With companies like Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty proving that you can satisfy a diverse audience without taking advantage, there is proof that not all celebrity merchandises have to involve a huge investment spend.

While there are always improvements to be made, here are three of the best bang-for-your-buck ranges…

Images via @koraorganics and @mirandakerr instagram

Who: Miranda Kerr, Australian model

What: 100 per cent Australian made, vegan-friendly skincare, crystals and wellness products, with a focus on achieving a youthful, dewy complexion fit for a Victoria's Secret angel. The packaging is fun without being gimmicky, and product sizes are generous, in keeping with the standard of most high-street brands.

Price points: Mid-tier but competitive. Best selling products include the Tumeric Brightening and Exfoliating Mask (£31 for 100ml), the Noni Fruit Bright Vitamin C Serum (£60 for 30ml) and the balancing Rose Mist (£30 for 100ml), all shipped from Australia.

Hero product: Dispensed in a handy compact tube similar to a roll-on deodorant, we were most impressed with the Noni Glow Face Balm (£21). Small enough to pop into a handbag, it packs a surprising amount of nourishing antioxidants to revive tired or dry skin, leaving behind a light scent of coconut and rosehip. If you struggle to achieve a fresh finish to your make-up without appearing sweaty, a quick slick of this across brow and cheekbones could be the answer.

Images via @flowerbeauty and @drewbarrymore Instagram

Who: Drew Barrymore, esteemed actress, producer and director

What: Vibrant and retro-inspired make-up, brushes and accessories, paying homage to the glitz and glamour of a red carpet. Products appear to appeal to a whole age range, with a focus on shine and shimmer.

Price points: Highly affordable—bestsellers including a pore-minimising primer (£9.99), Lash Warrior mascara (£10.99) and blush bomb colour drops (£11.99), all currently available in the UK via Superdrug.

Hero product: In the spirit of finding products with multiple uses, the Mix N Matte Lipstick Duo (£7.99) impressed—one end of a traditional lipstick, the other of gloss, the colour builds well without undue stickiness, creating a pearlescent finish that is wearable in both day and night.

Images via @patternbeauty and @traceeellisross Instagram

Who: Tracee Ellis Ross, actress and television host seen in Girlfriends and Black-ish. Daughter of Motown star Diana Ross.

What: A haircare range dedicated to afro and 4C pattern curls, including washes, brushes and clips. Luxurious, modern packaging is the sort you’ll want to display on bathroom shelves, and sized generously—you’re unlikely to find something similarly high-end at this price point.

Price points: Extremely fair for the market—approximately £15 for 260ml hydrating shampoo or conditioner, or just under £20 for a three-piece travel-size kit.

Hero product: Where many leave-in conditioners render curly hair greasy and flat, the medium-weight conditioner (£15) brings about a sense of renewed moisture and definition without weighing the natural curl down. A subtle scent of Neroli, Rose and Patchouli won’t compete with any other scents you wish to wear that day, making this a vastly superior product to many conditioners on the market.

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