IT Cosmetics is a US make-up brand famous for its CC+ Cream. The brand homepage showed no prices, so this review centres on the CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ using its Ulta product page.
A widely reviewed full-coverage, SPF-containing complexion product that earns good but not perfect ratings, with value and heaviness among the main complaints.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
CC+ Cream with SPF 50+: Ulta shows 4.3 out of 5 from 22,053 reviews, with about 87% recommending it. The star split is 14,074 five-star, 3,941 four-star, 1,659 three-star, 1,105 two-star and 1,274 one-star.
Most common praise: easy to apply (10,656 mentions), blends well (10,132), lightweight (8,786), good pigmentation (7,984).
Most common complaints: pricey or poor value (1,644), does not stay on (1,075), poor coverage (886), too greasy (723), heavy (684).
The brand’s homepage calls the CC+ Cream Illumination the “#1 best-selling foundation”, citing Circana US Prestige Beauty data for the 12 months to December 2023, so the claim is dated.
What’s New
The site shows newer variants, CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum SPF 40 and CC+ Cream Natural Matte SPF 40, but no launch dates or prices. I found no dated reformulation news.
Pros
Large review base with a mostly positive split.
Built-in SPF and easy blending, according to reviewers.
Cons
Some find it greasy, heavy or short-wearing.
Price is a common value complaint.
SPF in foundation is not a replacement for a dedicated, properly applied sunscreen.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a one-step full-coverage cream with SPF and do not mind a creamy texture.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone with oily skin who dislikes a heavy feel, or who wants a light, sheer finish.
Bottom Line
Popular and mostly well-liked; match the shade carefully and compare newer variants if the original feels heavy.
Tower 28 Beauty is a US make-up and skincare brand known for its lip jellies and concealers. Prices below come from the brand’s site and Sephora; I could not load the individual product pages on the brand site.
Low-to-mid priced products with a large review base for the lip jelly. I could only partly research the brand, so details beyond prices are limited.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
ShineOn Lip Jelly: Sephora shows 5.7K ratings and reviews but no average score. Reviewers praise colour, hydration and a non-sticky feel, and no cons were shown on the page.
Swipe Serum Concealer: Listed as a bestseller on the brand site.
SOS Rescue Spray: Tagged TikTok Viral by the brand. Sephora also names BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm and SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray as bestsellers; I saw no prices for those.
What’s New
The brand site tags the ShineOn Plumping Lip Jelly ($18), Swipe Serum Foundation ($36) and SOS Rescue Serum ($34, labelled new + improved) as new, along with an SOS Rescue + Relief Body Wash Treatment ($22, sold out when checked). Limited-edition Jell-O x Tower 28 sets include a Lip Jelly gift set ($24) and a Lil’ Pudding Mini LipSoftie set ($20). Launch dates were not shown.
Pros
Accessible prices for a brand with so many fans.
Lip jelly praised for hydration and comfort.
Cons
I could not verify ratings or downsides for the concealer and sprays.
Limited-edition sets sell out.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who want inexpensive, easy-to-wear lip and complexion products.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone who needs verified suitability for very sensitive skin; I did not confirm the brand’s skin-sensitivity positioning.
Bottom Line
Try the lip jelly first; read retailer reviews for the concealer before buying.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian is a Paris luxury fragrance house. This review is a price guide built from the brand’s US homepage. It did not show scent notes or customer reviews, so I make no claims about how the perfumes smell or perform.
Only the 70 ml size was shown. Check the brand’s site for current pricing and other sizes.
Short Verdict
A high-end niche house where even the cheapest 70 ml bottle is $275. Baccarat Rouge 540 is the most prominently featured line, though the site does not rank best-sellers, so that is an inference.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Baccarat Rouge 540: Offered as eau de parfum ($360) and extrait ($495), with a body and bath collection around it.
Le Beau Parfum, OUD satin mood, Reflets d’ambre: Priced at $340 each.
Entry range: gentle Fluidity Gold, Grand Soir and 724 at $275.
What’s New
Items tagged New are bath and body products: for the Baccarat Rouge 540 line a body lotion ($125, 350 ml), rich body cream ($170, 200 ml) and hand cream ($85, 70 ml), and for gentle Fluidity Gold a body oil ($115) and hair perfume ($100). Silver/Gold hand and body cleansing gels are $100. Holiday sets include a Countdown Calendar ($1,200) and a Baccarat Rouge 540 ritual set of 3 x 35 ml ($350). I found no new core fragrance and no launch dates.
Pros
A broad ladder of bath, body and hair products around the signature scents.
A 3 x 35 ml set offers a smaller-commitment option.
Cons
Very high prices.
No reviews or scent notes seen, so performance and longevity are unverified here.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Luxury fragrance buyers who have already sampled the scent in person.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone on a budget or buying blind.
Bottom Line
Smell it first and compare retailer prices; a sample or small set is a safer start than a $360 bottle.
Living Proof is a haircare brand best known for its Perfect Hair Day range and dry shampoos. Prices and ratings below come from the brand’s US site and Ulta.
Prices and sale prices change. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Premium-priced haircare with very strong ratings on Ulta. I only saw star ratings, not review text, so the reasons behind the scores are not verified.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Dry shampoos: The brand says one is sold every 10 seconds in its 2025 global sales; that is a brand claim.
Perfect Hair Day shampoo and conditioner: Everyday range at $36 each.
Moisture Rescue Mask: The highest rating I saw, 4.9.
What’s New
The brand site tags a Sheer Clean non-aerosol Dry Shampoo Mist ($33), Style Refresh Mist ($32) and a Frosted Fig limited-edition dry shampoo ($33) as new. Ulta also lists limited-edition Sun-kissed Pear and Velvet Amber dry shampoos at $33. The pages showed no launch dates, and I found no reformulations.
Pros
High ratings on large review counts for several products.
A range of limited-edition scents.
Cons
Premium prices compared with drugstore haircare.
I did not read review text, so verified downsides are unknown.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a refresh between washes (dry shampoos) or a hydrating mask for dry hair, and who accept a higher price.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Budget shoppers, or anyone who needs reviews explaining performance for a specific hair type. Suitability by hair type is my inference from product names, not verified.
Bottom Line
A well-regarded brand; compare sizes and sale prices across the brand site and Ulta.
Laura Mercier is a make-up brand famous for its Translucent Loose Setting Powder and natural-looking complexion products. Prices and ratings below come from the brand’s US best-sellers page.
Ratings come from the brand’s own site. The powder page showed Sold out when I checked, so availability may vary. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
A strong, well-reviewed lineup, led by a powder with a very large review base. Prices are mid-to-premium.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Translucent Loose Setting Powder: Brand-page rating breakdown: about 8k five-star, 1.3k four-star, 448 three-star, 98 two-star and 77 one-star, with 94% saying they would recommend it. It comes in four shades and is marketed as fragrance-free and non-comedogenic for normal, oily, dry and combination skin.
Tinted Moisturizers: SPF 30 Natural Dewy and SPF 25 Light Revealer, for sheer coverage.
Serum Concealer and Waterproof Foundation: Both rated 4.5 or higher.
What’s New
New items include Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Shimmer and Matte ($34 each), Tinted Blur Balm ($44), Bonne Glow Cream Face Palette ($59) and Secret Camouflage Complexion Perfector ($33). Blush Color Infusion Duo ($40) is tagged “New & Improved”; details were not verified. A Taste of Caviar mini eyeshadow trio ($35) is limited edition.
Pros
An AI summary on the brand page of the 100 most recent powder reviews highlights a lightweight finish, shine control without a cakey look and blurred pores.
Reviewers report it works on both oily and dry skin.
Cons
No puff is included with the powder, and some reviewers wanted better packaging.
Mid-to-premium pricing; availability was limited when checked.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a natural, set-without-cake finish and are happy to pay for a well-known powder.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Those who want built-in puffs, lower prices or full-coverage makeup.
Bottom Line
A highly rated brand to try, starting with the powder or the serum concealer.
First Aid Beauty (FAB) is a US skincare brand focused on sensitive and dry skin. This review uses the brand’s best-sellers and Ultra Repair Cream pages. No customer reviews were visible there, so it is a price and claims review.
Only the 6 oz Ultra Repair Cream price was confirmed. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
A moderately priced line with a clear hero cream. Evidence on the page is brand-run, so treat claims cautiously.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Ultra Repair Cream: Contains 0.5% colloidal oatmeal and ceramides and is described as National Eczema Association accepted. The brand lists it as suitable for dry, combination, oily, eczema-prone and sensitive skin. A brand clinical study of 21 people reported twice the immediate hydration, and a perception study of 23 people reported all users felt it soothed and moisturised. These are small brand-run studies.
KP Bump Eraser: A body scrub with 10% AHA.
Pads and cleanser: Glycolic and lactic acid radiance pads and a gentle face cleanser.
What’s New
The best-sellers page shows a Coconut Water Cream Duo ($36, regular $72, tagged New) and a limited-time Hello FAB Coconut Water Cream ($36), a sold-out Warm Vanilla Ultra Repair Cream ($60) and a Rescue Barrier Balm ($19 to $39). A 30% off code on the 14 oz cream was advertised; codes expire. Launch dates are not verified.
Pros
Many sizes and price points, from about $12.
Fragrance and sensitivity-focused positioning for the hero cream.
Cons
No customer ratings seen on the pages I read.
Supporting studies are small and brand-run.
Acid products can irritate; use sunscreen.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People with dry or reactive skin who want a gentle, well-known moisturiser.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone who wants third-party review data first, or who has skin conditions that need a doctor’s advice.
Bottom Line
A reasonable starting brand; buy a mid-size jar, patch test and read retailer reviews.
Sunday Riley is a US prestige skincare brand known for active-heavy serums. This review is price-focused: I could not find star ratings or review text on the pages I could read, so it makes no rating claims.
Per-size prices were not verified for the serums. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
A bestseller-heavy line with a wide size and price range. Without independent reviews I cannot judge results, and active products like these are not right for everyone.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Good Genes: Named the top seller on Sephora’s brand page.
Luna: A retinoid night oil listed as a favourite.
C.E.O. Vitamin C: A brightening serum; Sephora shows an unlabelled count of 2.4K next to it, which may be reviews but is not confirmed.
Auto Correct Eye Cream: The brand says it won an Allure Best of Beauty 2026 award.
What’s New
Ceramor Ceramide Barrier Replenishing Cream is labelled New on the homepage at $65 and is described as containing skin-identical ceramides, cholesterol, squalane, jojoba and shea esters. It showed as sold out. No launch date was given and I found no reformulations.
Pros
Several size options and entry-level items from $22.
A new barrier-focused cream for dry or stressed skin.
Cons
High prices for larger sizes.
Acids and retinoids can cause irritation and sun sensitivity; patch test and use sunscreen.
No verified customer ratings here.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who enjoy active-ingredient routines and are happy to start with small sizes.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone with very sensitive skin, or buyers who want proven ratings before spending.
Bottom Line
Start small, patch test and read retailer reviews of the exact product before committing.
Elizabeth Arden is an American skincare and fragrance brand with a mix of an everyday balm and premium anti-ageing products. This review uses the brand’s US best-sellers pages. They showed no customer reviews, so I do not quote ratings.
Check the brand’s site for current pricing; per-size capsule prices were not broken out.
Short Verdict
Eight Hour is the budget-friendliest way into the brand, while the retinol and Prevage lines sit at premium prices. Without reviews, I cannot rank them by performance.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Eight Hour Cream: An all-purpose skin protectant balm, the classic product of the brand.
Retinol + HPR Ceramide line: Capsule serum and water cream aimed at skin renewal, priced $56 to $130 and $103.
Prevage: The most expensive item on the list at $160.
What’s New
Items tagged new are mostly holiday sets: a 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar ($90), a Retinol Restoration 3-piece set ($170), a Twist & Lift Trio ($165) and a Prevage 4-piece ($206). The site also mentioned new sample packettes. At fetch time a promo of $50 off $200 was shown; promos expire. I could not verify any reformulation.
Pros
Accessible $38 entry point.
Many gift sets.
Cons
Premium pricing for actives ($103 to $160).
All products showed zero reviews on the brand site, so there is no rating evidence.
Retinol products can irritate skin and increase sun sensitivity; use sunscreen and patch test.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Gift buyers and people who want a simple all-purpose balm or a branded retinol routine.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers who need independent ratings first or want cheaper retinol options.
Bottom Line
Start with the lower-priced items and check retailer reviews before buying premium products.
L’Occitane en Provence is a French brand built around ingredients such as shea, almond and immortelle. This review uses the brand’s US homepage and Target’s L’Occitane listings; I could not read product-level customer reviews, so no ratings are quoted.
Sizes differ between the two stores, and Target sale prices may not last. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
A giftable, scent-forward brand with a wide spread from a roughly $14 hand cream to a $135 anti-ageing cream. Comparing retailers can save money.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Immortelle Divine Cream: Labelled “our #1 best seller” on the brand homepage.
Shea hand cream: A popular entry point to the brand at Target.
Almond products: The homepage features Almond gift collections at $90 each and a hand cream collection at $70.
What’s New
The homepage shows two new Hair & Body Mists, Almond Pistachio and Almond Creme Brulee, at $42 each, plus limited-edition Karite Comfort Shower Oil ($30) and Amande Sublime Shower Foam ($26). Launch dates were not shown.
Pros
Many gift sets and sizes.
Retailer discounts can bring some items well under list price.
Cons
Prices run noticeably above drugstore alternatives.
Scented products may not suit fragrance-sensitive skin.
I could not verify customer ratings.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Gift buyers and fans of shea and almond body care.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers watching budgets, or those who need fragrance-free products.
Bottom Line
Compare brand and retailer prices before buying, and read reviews of the exact product you want.
Burt’s Bees is a natural-origin personal care brand best known for its beeswax lip balm. The brand’s own site would not load for my research, so this review relies on Target and Walmart listings for prices and ratings.
Target prices and ratings were seen on 4 November 2026 and can change. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
An inexpensive, consistently well-rated lip care brand that works well for stocking stuffers and everyday balm stashes.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Beeswax Lip Balm: The core product, rated 4.7 on thousands of Target reviews.
Flavoured and tinted balms: Vanilla Bean is $3.59 (4.7 from 972 reviews); tinted balms are $4.99 (4.6 to 4.8). The Honey balm has the lowest rating I saw at 3.9 from 890 reviews; I did not read the reviews to learn why.
Overnight Intensive Lip Mask: $10.99, rated 4.5.
Walmart’s listing states the balm is made without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS. That is a brand claim, not a reviewer finding.
What’s New
I could not verify any recent launch. Target lists seasonal gift sets and mini sets at about $5.
Pros
Very low price per tube.
High ratings across large review counts.
Easy to find and good for gifting.
Cons
Some variants rate lower (Honey 3.9).
Beeswax and fragrance or flavour ingredients may bother some people; check the label.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Budget-conscious shoppers who want a simple natural-origin lip balm.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Vegan shoppers (beeswax is an animal-derived ingredient) or anyone with sensitivities to flavours and fragrance.
Bottom Line
A safe, cheap pick. Buy multi-packs for the best per-tube price.
The Body Shop is a British high-street beauty brand known for body butters and ingredient-led skincare. This review covers three products from its US site, with prices and ratings taken from the product pages.
Vitamin C Glow Boosting Intense Moisturiser (50 mL)
$38
About 4.55 from 1,661 reviews
Tea Tree Oil for Face (10 mL / 20 mL)
$22 (size not verified)
4.5 from 8 reviews
Ratings are from the brand’s own site and prices may change. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Well-rated, fairly priced body and face care, with scent and fragrance allergens worth noting for sensitive skin.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
British Rose Body Butter: Sold in mini, 200 mL and 400 mL sizes. Reviewers like the rose scent, creamy feel and quick absorption; one said it does not last long and recommended the largest size. The page says it is made with 96% ingredients of natural origin and claims 96-hour moisture (a brand claim).
Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser: Reviewers describe it as light, non-greasy and fast-absorbing. The ingredient list includes fragrance and fragrance allergens (limonene, linalool, citral).
Tea Tree Oil: Only 8 reviews, so the 4.5 rating is a small sample; one reviewer found it harder to apply than a blemish stick.
What’s New
The body butter page mentions an improved scent and recyclable packaging, and the moisturiser is described as a richer take on the original. Dates were not stated, so I cannot confirm timing.
Pros
Low entry price on body butter.
High ratings on large review counts for the two main products.
Cons
Fragranced formulas may not suit sensitive skin.
Some find the body butter does not last long.
Tea Tree Oil rating rests on very few reviews.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who enjoy scented body care and want affordable, well-reviewed basics.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone who needs fragrance-free products.
Bottom Line
A sensible high-street pick; buy the larger body butter size for better value and patch test fragranced products.
Shiseido is a Japanese prestige skincare brand. This review covers the Ultimune serum and Vital Perfection creams using the brand’s US pages. No customer ratings were visible there, so the review sticks to prices and brand claims.
Check the brand’s site for current pricing and size options.
Short Verdict
Prestige anti-ageing skincare with prices from $95 to $165. Independent proof of results was not available to me, so this is a guide to the range rather than an endorsement.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Ultimune serum: Carries a Best Seller badge on the brand site. Shiseido’s launch page cites its own consumer tests of 107 women (99% smoother skin after 3 days, 98% reduced signs of ageing after 8 weeks). These are brand-run results.
Vital Perfection creams: Positioned around firming and lifting, with three items badged Best Seller.
What’s New
The Ultimune page shows a new holiday limited-edition serum ($165), a limited-edition oil ($75) and a men’s Ultimune serum ($125). The Vital Perfection page shows a new Intensive SculptDefine Serum ($155). I could not verify an exact reformulation date. The Ultimune refill only fits the latest packaging.
Pros
Multiple sizes and a refill option for the serum.
Broad range for mature skin concerns.
Cons
High prices across the range.
No customer ratings visible on the pages I read.
Brand test results are small and not independent.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers looking for a prestige anti-ageing routine who are comfortable paying premium prices.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Budget shoppers, or anyone who wants review-backed evidence first.
Bottom Line
Read retailer reviews and consider a sample before committing to a $165 product. Skincare results vary between people.
Clarins is a French skincare house known for plant-based formulas and facial treatments. This price-focused review uses the brand’s US best-sellers page; I could not read independent customer reviews, so it makes no rating claims.
Per-size Double Serum prices were not shown. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
A mid-to-premium line with a clear hero product. Without review data I can only describe what the brand claims and what it costs.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Double Serum: A two-part serum marketed as containing 22 plants and 5 active molecules. Clarins claims it firms, smooths and refines pores within 7 days; these are brand claims, not independent results.
Multi-Active Day Cream: Listed for all skin types at $62.
Blue Orchid Oil: Positioned by its listing for dry skin.
UV Plus SPF 50: The most affordable item on the list at $49.
What’s New
The pages I read showed no new-launch labels and no reformulation notes.
Pros
Clear best-seller lineup across serum, cream, oil and sunscreen.
An SPF 50 option below $50.
Cons
Premium prices for serum and treatment items.
Efficacy claims come from the brand; I could not verify ratings.
Essential-oil and plant-extract formulas can bother sensitive skin; check ingredient lists and patch test.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who want a department-store skincare routine and value plant-focused branding.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Budget-minded buyers, or anyone who wants independently verified results before spending.
Bottom Line
Look up retailer reviews for the specific product before buying, and use sunscreen daily with any active skincare.
Guerlain is a long-established French luxury house covering skincare, make-up and fragrance. This review is price-focused: I could read the brand’s US site but not independent customer reviews, so it avoids rating claims.
“From” prices usually refer to the smallest size; I did not see per-size prices. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Guerlain spans accessible entry points (a $65 serum, a $110 fragrance) and very expensive niche perfumes. I cannot give a performance verdict without reviews, so treat this as a price guide.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil Serum: Tagged Bestseller on the US homepage, from $65.
Rouge G lipstick: Also tagged Bestseller; a customisable case system, from $87.
L’Art & La Matiere perfumes: Premium extrait-level lines at $445 and $660.
The page does not publish sales data, so “bestseller” is the brand’s own label.
What’s New
L’Heure Bleue Eau de Parfum is presented as a new amber-floral fragrance from $110. Limited editions listed include Meteorites Dreamlight setting pearls ($90), an Ombres G eyeshadow quad ($105), Terracotta bronzing powder ($65), KissKiss Bee Glow lip oil ($43) and a scented candle ($165). I found no reformulation information.
Pros
Wide price ladder, from about $43 to $660.
Range across skincare, make-up and perfume.
Cons
Luxury pricing, especially in the niche fragrance lines.
I could not verify customer reviews, so real-world performance is unconfirmed here.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who want a French luxury brand and are comfortable paying for it; the new fragrance and limited editions are the lowest-risk way in.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone on a tight budget or who relies on review ratings before buying.
Bottom Line
Read independent reviews of a specific product before buying; the brand site alone does not show ratings.
Chanel Beauty is the make-up side of the French luxury house, and its best-sellers are priced well above the drugstore. This review looks at Les Beiges foundation and the best-selling mascaras, using Chanel’s own US best-sellers page and Ulta listings.
Prices were checked on 4 November 2026 and change over time. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Les Beiges is a light, glowy foundation that shoppers rate highly, but it is a luxury purchase with a few recurring complaints about fragrance, shade range quirks and pump leaks.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation: Chanel describes light-to-medium coverage with a luminous finish in 42 shades. Chanel’s product page shows 4.4 out of 5 from 416 reviews; Ulta shows 4.5 from 161 reviews with 84% recommending it. The two retailers count reviews differently, so the numbers are not combined here.
Mascaras: Noir Allure ($43) and Le Volume de Chanel ($40) both appear on the best-sellers page. I did not check customer reviews for them.
Powder, glow stick, gloss and blush: Listed as best-sellers with prices above; I did not review-check them.
What’s New
The best-sellers page currently shows a Holiday 2026 limited-edition collection with icy, frosted and sparkling finishes, plus a Rouge Coco Hydra Gloss trio of limited shades (trio price not shown) and holiday Rouge Coco shades. I found no reformulation news for the foundation.
Pros
Reviewers describe a natural satin glow and a light feel.
Many report all-day wear and easy blending.
Wide 42-shade range, with shade matching often described as accurate.
Cons
Some reviewers notice a fragrance.
A few mention leaking pumps, especially when travelling.
Some shades read orange or too light for certain reviewers.
Can cling to dry patches; medium coverage means blemishes may need concealer.
No SPF, and the price is high.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a lightweight, glowy base and are happy to pay luxury prices; reviewers include combination and mature skin.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone who wants full coverage, fragrance-free formulas, built-in SPF or a lower price.
Bottom Line
A well-reviewed glow foundation for those who value the brand. Test the shade in person and check the pump before travelling.
Eucerin is a pharmacy skincare brand best known for rich body lotions and creams for dry skin. This review covers Original Healing and Roughness Relief, with prices from retailers and ratings from the brand’s own site.
Prices vary by retailer and change over time. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Eucerin offers affordable, fragrance-free body care, but the textures are thick and reviews on the brand site are mixed.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Original Healing: Marketed as fragrance-free, dye-free and non-comedogenic for very dry or sensitive skin. Ingredients listed include mineral oil, isopropyl palmitate and sorbitol. The brand site rating for the lotion is 3.3 from 105 reviews, with reviewers calling it thick or greasy and one finding it grainy.
Roughness Relief Cream: Lists 10% urea, AHA and ceramide-3, with a 24-hour hydration claim from the brand. Its site rating is 3.8 from 10 reviews, a small sample.
I could not verify US prices for Advanced Repair or UreaRepair, so I have left them out.
What’s New
I could not confirm any 2025-2026 launch; the pages I read showed no new labels.
Pros
Low prices on large sizes.
Fragrance-free and dye-free options.
Easy to find at pharmacies and supermarkets.
Cons
Thick, greasy-feeling textures for some reviewers.
Mineral-oil base.
The AHA in Roughness Relief can increase sun sensitivity, so use sunscreen.
Brand-site ratings are modest.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People with very dry or rough skin who want inexpensive, plain body moisturisers.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone who dislikes heavy, occlusive textures or wants mineral-oil-free formulas.
Bottom Line
Practical for dry skin on a budget. Patch test and confirm price before buying large sizes.
Prices are from Ulta listings when I checked; sizes were not shown except where noted. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Wet n Wild is great for trying makeup at very low prices, but the foundation range is limited.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
PhotoFocus Liquid Foundation: Described as matte and light-diffusing and tested under seven photo lighting conditions. It has six shades and is rated 3.8/5 from 2,067 reviews on Ulta, the lowest of the items I checked.
MegaGlo range: Includes a Liquid Highlighter at $5.99.
Color Icon: I could not find it on Ulta’s list, so I have left it out.
What’s New
Ulta tags 21 items as new, mostly licensed collaborations such as Hershey’s, Reese’s and Winnie the Pooh. Examples include a Hershey’s Eye & Face Palette ($11), a Reese’s Bronzer and Glow Duo ($11) and Winnie the Pooh blush and highlighter pots ($8.99). Dates are not stated.
Pros
Extremely low prices.
Fun collaborations.
Wide range of cheek and glow products.
Cons
The foundation has only six shades, a limit for shade inclusion.
Ratings on the foundation are modest.
Matte finish may not suit dry skin; I could not verify this.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Beginners and bargain shoppers who want simple makeup to experiment with.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
People with deeper or more varied undertones who need a broad foundation range.
Bottom Line
Best for highlighters and cheek products. Check shade availability before buying the foundation.
Cetaphil is a drugstore skincare brand known for gentle, fragrance-free basics. This review uses Ulta’s best-seller list to show prices and review counts.
Exact sizes were not shown on the page. Prices change, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Cetaphil’s strength is volume: strong review counts and low entry prices, with sizes that make the cleanser very cheap per use.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Gentle Skin Cleanser: The 16 oz size exists, but marketplace listings (such as a Walmart 2-pack at $42.60 from a third-party seller) are not representative of retail prices.
Moisturizing Lotion: The most-reviewed item, with over 32,000 reviews on Ulta.
Moisturizing Cream: $19.99 at Ulta.
I could not find a Healthy Radiance product on Ulta’s list, so I have left it out.
What’s New
The Nourishing & Hydrating lotion and cream are featured as the new range on the brand’s US homepage. I could not confirm a launch date.
Pros
Low starting prices.
Very high review volume.
Fragrance-free basics.
Cons
Sizes weren’t shown, so value per ounce is hard to judge.
The moisturizing cream costs more than the lotion.
Marketplace sellers inflate prices.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want gentle, no-fuss cleansing and moisturising on a budget.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers seeking targeted treatments such as serums or high-strength actives.
Bottom Line
A sensible default for basics. Confirm size and price before ordering.
Ulta’s page did not show sizes, so confirm size before comparing value. Prices change, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Aveeno offers gentle, fragrance-free basics at accessible prices. The Calm + Restore gel is the priciest item on the list.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer: The top seller on Ulta’s list at $26.99.
Daily Moisturizing Body Oil Mist: $12.99, available in two scents.
Online-only options: Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum ($26.99), Calm + Restore Daily Moisturizer Mineral SPF 30 ($25.99) and Positively Radiant Daily Face Moisturizer SPF 30 ($25.99).
What’s New
Ulta tags the Positively Radiant Vitamin C Serum ($22.99), Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion Cocoa Butter Vanilla ($15.99) and Daily Moisturizing Body Wash ($12.99, two scents) as new. A tag is not a confirmed launch date.
Pros
Gentle, fragrance-free options.
Prices mostly under $27.
Face, body and sun products in one brand.
Cons
Sizes were not shown on the page I checked.
Third-party Walmart sellers list the Daily Moisturizing Lotion at inflated prices (a 12 fl oz at $17.03 from a marketplace seller), so buy from the retailer itself.
The gel moisturiser is pricier than other lines.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers with dry or sensitive-feeling skin who want simple, fragrance-free drugstore staples.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone seeking prescription-strength or highly active treatments, or who prefers scented luxury textures.
Bottom Line
A dependable budget option. Check size and price before buying.
Aveda is a salon-style, plant-based haircare brand. This review lists size-by-size prices from its US site for the shampoos and treatments people ask about most.
These are the brand’s listed prices when I checked. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Aveda sits at salon pricing, with travel sizes that make testing cheap. Large bottles add up quickly.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Rosemary Mint: A daily clarifying shampoo; the brand lists it as 97% naturally derived and notes the packaging was updated while the formula stayed the same.
Botanical Repair: Listed as silicone- and sulfate-cleanser-free, vegan and for all hair types.
Invati Ultra Advanced: Formulated for thinning-looking hair routines. It is not a cure, and the brand’s strong percentage figures come from testing the full four-step system on hair tresses, not from the shampoo alone.
What’s New
Recent arrivals on the site include One For All Leave-In Elixir (30 ml $14; 200 ml $36), Ritual Bloom Pure-Fume Aroma Spray ($69, 50 ml) and a Ritual Bloom candle ($65). Invati Ultra Advanced is a refreshed Invati line, but I could not confirm its launch date.
Pros
Travel sizes at $11-$14.
Clear product roles across the range.
Vegan options.
Cons
Salon-brand prices, especially for litre sizes.
The Invati page was inconsistent about scalp type.
A full routine needs several products.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who like plant-focused, salon-style care and want to test small sizes before committing.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Budget shoppers or anyone expecting guaranteed results from a thinning-hair product.
Bottom Line
Good value only if you start with minis. Confirm size and price first.
ColourPop is a trend-led makeup brand known for low prices, Super Shock shadows and frequent collaborations. This review covers what the main lines cost on the brand’s site.
Prices are from the brand’s pages when I checked and sizes were often not listed. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
ColourPop gives you plenty of colour for little money. Stock shifts with each collaboration, so favourites can vanish.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Super Shock Shadow: $7 on the brand site. A Target listing showed one shade at $5.95 on sale (list $7).
Pretty Fresh: Also includes a Tinted Foundation Balm ($14).
Blush: The brand lists 88 items, including a pH Colour-Changing Blush ($14), Pokemon Cream Blush ($14) and Instant Crush Lip & Cheek Balm ($10).
Lip: Fresh Kiss Glossy Balm and So Juicy Plumping Gloss Balm are each $10. I could not confirm a current price for Lux Gloss.
What’s New
Featured collections include Hannah Montana x ColourPop ($110 full set), The Little Mermaid ($99) and a Twilight lip oil collection. Dates were not stated.
Pros
Low prices and lots of colour choice.
Fun collaborations for collectors.
Sales appear regularly at retailers.
Cons
Sizes are often not shown on brand pages.
Collab-driven stock changes.
Brand-site and retailer prices can differ.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Trend-driven, budget-conscious shoppers and collectors who like colour.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone who wants a stable core range or very minimal makeup.
Bottom Line
A fun, inexpensive brand if you are happy to follow its collections. Check stock and price first.
essence is a budget makeup brand that mixes trend-driven launches with very low prices. This review looks at its mascara, blush range and lip oil, with prices from the brand’s site and Target.
Prices are as shown when I checked and sales change often. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
essence is one of the cheapest ways to try current makeup trends. Expect limited shade ranges and frequent stock-outs.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Lash Princess Curl & Volume: $4.99 at Target, 4.3/5 from 621 reviews when I checked. I could not verify the price of the original False Lash Effect version.
Blushes: Also listed are Soft Touch Bouncy Blush ($5.99), Baby Got Blush Liquid ($3.99 on sale, regular $5.99) and Care Bears Cushion Blush ($5.99).
Hydra Kiss Lip Oil: The brand lists the trio as vegan and cruelty-free; it was sold out at fetch time. A single oil is 0.13 fl oz per Target’s listing title.
What’s New
The blush page shows Care Bears collaboration items and a Club Soleil Cream to Powder Blush. I could not confirm launch dates.
Pros
Very low prices.
Easy way to test a trend before spending more.
Varied textures across blush.
Cons
Limited shade ranges on some items.
Frequent stock-outs.
Sale prices on the brand site change often and may differ from retailers.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Beginners, teens and anyone who likes to experiment with makeup on a small budget.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers needing wide shade ranges or specific long-wear performance.
Bottom Line
A budget-friendly brand for trying new looks. Check stock and price before you order.
Bobbi Brown is a polished, natural-finish makeup and skincare brand. This review covers its best-selling products and their prices on the brand’s US site.
Prices are from the brand’s site when I checked; check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Bobbi Brown suits people who want a clean, skin-like finish and don’t mind paying for it. The 15 ml Face Base+ is a cheap way to try the brand.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Vitamin Enriched Face Base+: A moisturiser-and-primer in three sizes.
Skin Foundation Stick: A medium-to-full coverage natural finish. The page showed 43 shades listed while its copy said 31, so confirm the shade count before ordering. It was sold out when I looked.
Crushed Lip Color: A satin-matte lipstick in 18 shades.
What’s New
The homepage lists a “New & Improved” Face Base+ on pre-order (same sizes and prices; formula changes not stated), a new online-exclusive shade of the Skin Enhancer Multi-Stick (8 g, $35), a holiday Face Base+ Duo ($95) and a Bobbi Brown x The Met collaboration. Dates were not stated.
Pros
Natural-looking finishes.
Small sizes for trying products.
Eye cream offered with a cheaper refill.
Cons
High prices, including $115 for the largest Face Base+.
Many items were on pre-order or sold out.
The foundation stick page had inconsistent shade counts.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who prefer a polished, minimal makeup look and want a hydrating base step.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Budget shoppers or those seeking dramatic, high-colour makeup.
Bottom Line
Reliable and refined. Start with a small size and confirm stock and price first.
Make Up For Ever is a professional-leaning makeup brand known for its HD Skin foundations, pigmented pencils and primers. This review covers the products I could price from the brand’s US site and Sephora’s brand page.
Prices are as shown when I checked and may change. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Make Up For Ever sells high-pigment, performance-focused products at premium prices. It suits makeup enthusiasts more than casual buyers.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Aqua Resist Color Pencil: The current name for the Aqua XL pencil, in matte, metallic, glitter and shimmer finishes. The brand cites 24-hour wear based on an instrumental test on 25 people, which is a brand claim.
Step 1 Primer Color Corrector: Comes in six corrector variants aimed at concerns such as redness, yellowness and dullness.
Artist Color Pencil: Sephora names Wherever Walnut and Anywhere Caffeine among its best-selling shades.
I could not confirm a current price for the Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation.
What’s New
The brand’s listing shows HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation ($49, 37 shades) as “coming soon”. It also references new Artist Color Pencil shades. Launch dates are not stated on the pages.
Pros
Broad shade ranges and professional pigments.
A choice of finishes from matte to dewy.
Mini sizes such as HD Skin Mini ($23) for testing.
Cons
Premium pricing for a pencil ($27) and primer ($42).
Several items were out of stock or waitlisted on the brand site.
Sizes are not listed for the foundations on the page I read.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Makeup lovers who want long-wear, high-impact products and are happy to pay for them.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Budget shoppers or anyone who wants a minimal routine.
Bottom Line
A strong pick for pigment and wear. Check stock and price before you plan a purchase.
OUAI is a haircare brand known for its Wave Spray and scented styling and care products. This review covers the main products, current prices at the brand site and Ulta, and what reviewers say.
Prices are from the pages when I checked and may change. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
OUAI’s Wave Spray is the standout, while the rest of the range is scent-forward and priced above drugstore options.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Wave Spray: $30 for 6 oz; the brand site offers $27 with subscribe-and-save, and Ulta shows $28.50 with Replenish & Save. The brand describes it as salt-free and free of parabens, phthalates and SLS/SLES, and cites up to 69% less frizz and up to 8 hours of hold. These are brand claims, not independent tests.
Leave-In Conditioner: Offered in scents including St. Barts, North Bondi and Melrose Place, with high ratings on Ulta.
Dry shampoos: Melrose Place and Cape Town versions run $16-$30 across two sizes.
What’s New
I could not confirm any 2025-2026 launch or reformulation from the brand site or Ulta.
Pros
Wave Spray is well rated for a non-sticky texture.
Care products come in hair-type-specific versions.
Subscription pricing lowers the cost slightly.
Cons
Some reviewers find the scent too strong.
One reviewer reported a faulty sprayer and another said roots looked greasy by day two.
The brand site lists Wave Spray as final sale.
$30 for 6 oz is pricier than many drugstore alternatives.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a beachy, textured look without crunch, and who enjoy fragranced haircare.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers who are scent-sensitive, have oily roots, or want a cheaper shampoo routine.
Bottom Line
Worth considering for the Wave Spray alone. Weigh the scent and price against your hair type before buying.
Versace’s fragrance line covers loud men’s staples like Eros and Dylan Blue and a fresh women’s pick in Bright Crystal. This review uses Ulta’s listings to show what they cost.
Ulta shows ranges across sizes. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Versace sells recognisable designer scents at a mid-premium price. The key is picking the right size and buying from an authorised retailer.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Bright Crystal EDT (3.0 oz): $138 at Ulta ($131.10 with Replenish & Save), rated 4.6/5 from 1,400 reviews with 94% recommending. Ulta lists notes of yuzu, iced accord and pomegranate; peony, magnolia and lotus; and amber and musk.
Eros family: Eros EDP is $149-$195, Eros Flame EDP $119-$149, Eros Energy EDP $149 and Eros Najim Parfum $140-$179.
Bright Crystal Absolu EDP: $135-$158.
What’s New
Ulta flags a Women’s Miniature 5-piece Discovery Set ($49) and a Crystal Emerald 2-piece Gift Set ($98, Ulta exclusive) as new. Both are sets rather than new scents, and I could not confirm launch dates.
Pros
Discovery sets make sampling affordable.
Strong ratings on the Bright Crystal listing.
Broad choice of concentrations.
Cons
Full-size prices are high.
Marketplace listings elsewhere show far lower prices that may come from unauthorised sellers, so buy carefully.
EDT versions may not suit anyone who wants very long wear.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Designer fragrance shoppers who want well-known scents and prefer to test with a discovery set first.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Those seeking a niche or subtle fragrance, or anyone on a strict budget.
Bottom Line
A solid designer option. Compare sizes, favour authorised retailers and confirm the price before buying.
Dolce & Gabbana’s fragrance line is anchored by Light Blue, The One and Devotion. This review uses Ulta’s listings to show how widely prices vary by size and concentration.
Ulta shows ranges across sizes rather than per-size prices, and the low end is typically a mini. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
The range is broad enough to suit many tastes, and the wide size spread makes it easy to start small. Plan on premium prices for full bottles.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Light Blue: Offered as Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum for women and as Pour Homme for men ($38-$185 for the EDT). Widely described as a fresh citrus-led scent for warm weather.
The One: The men’s Eau de Toilette is listed at $115, with the Eau de Parfum at $38-$205 across sizes.
Devotion: My Devotion EDP Intense runs $40-$190 and Your Devotion EDP Intense with Orange Blossom and Vanilla Milk $40-$190.
What’s New
Ulta currently lists gift sets such as a Light Blue EDT 3-piece ($82, Ulta exclusive), a Light Blue EDT 2-piece ($125), a Light Blue Pour Homme EDT 2-piece ($120) and a Your Devotion Duo EDP Intense ($125). Light Blue Capri In Love also appears (EDP $150-$185). I could not confirm launch dates, so treat these as “currently listed”.
Pros
Many sizes, including minis, so testing is cheap.
Gift sets can lower the cost per item.
Light Blue is easy to find at multiple retailers.
Cons
Prices vary a lot by size and seller.
Light Blue is popular, so it may not feel distinctive; I could not verify longevity, so test it first.
Promotions and free gifts rotate and may not be available when you shop.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want an easy, recognisable designer fragrance and like to compare several concentrations before buying.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers on a tight budget for full-size bottles, or anyone wanting a niche, unusual scent.
Bottom Line
A dependable designer line with many entry points. Buy a mini or gift set first and confirm the price for your size.
Carolina Herrera’s fragrance range leans on three recognisable families: Good Girl, Bad Boy and 212 VIP. This review shows what they cost at Ulta and on the brand’s US site, and who they suit.
“From” prices refer to the lowest size shown on the page. Prices change, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Carolina Herrera’s best-sellers are sweet, glamorous and aimed at evenings. Pricing is premium, particularly for Good Girl at full size.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Good Girl: Ulta lists sizes from 0.3 oz to 5.0 oz, and only the 2.7 oz price ($164) was shown when I checked.
Bad Boy: The brand site lists Bad Boy EDT from $104, Cobalt from $125, Cobalt Absolute from $132, and Elixir and Cobalt Elixir from $144.
212 VIP Black: The Eau de Parfum is from $104 and the Elixir from $126 on the brand site.
What’s New
The brand site currently shows advent calendars (12 Days of Beauty at $210 and 24 Days of Beauty at $450) and limited editions CH Men Birds of Paradise ($120) and CH Men Swing ($135). Retailer listings also show Good Girl Blush and Good Girl Blush Elixir, though I could not confirm launch dates.
Pros
Wide size range for Good Girl, including a mini.
Multiple concentrations across Bad Boy and 212 VIP Black.
Gift sets and advent calendars at holiday time.
Cons
Full-size Good Girl is $164 at Ulta, a premium price.
Ulta lists the brand as excluded from most coupons.
The sweetness is divisive and may not suit everyone.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who like sweet, bold fragrances for evenings and special occasions, and gift buyers looking for recognisable bottles.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone wanting a subtle everyday scent or a lower price per ounce.
Bottom Line
A reliable choice if you already enjoy sweeter fragrances. Try a small size first and confirm prices before buying.
Jean Paul Gaultier is best known for its torso-shaped bottles, and the Le Male line is the centrepiece. This review covers the Le Male variants, what they cost at Ulta, Nordstrom and the brand’s own site, and who they suit.
$37-$160 across 3 sizes; from $126 on the brand site
Ulta, brand site
Bold, warm fragrance fans
Le Male Eau de Toilette
$132 (size not shown)
Ulta
Classic Le Male fans
Le Male Elixir Absolu Parfum Intense
$150-$189
Ulta
Those wanting more intensity
Prices are what the pages showed when I checked and they move with promotions. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Le Male Elixir is a big, sweet statement fragrance with a gift-ready tin bottle. It is a good pick if you like gourmand scents and a poor one if you want something light.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Le Male Elixir Parfum: Nordstrom describes a sweet lavender, benzoin and tonka profile and shows a 4.7/5 rating from 2,935 reviews. Ulta lists three sizes from the 0.34 oz mini at $40 up to $178 overall.
Le Male Le Parfum: The brand site lists it from $126 in 2.5, 4.2 and 6.8 oz sizes.
Le Male Elixir Absolu Parfum Intense: A more concentrated variant listed at $150-$189 at Ulta.
Scandal and Classique also belong to the brand, but I could not verify US prices for them, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
What’s New
The brand’s US page shows Gaultier2 EDP ($144, 3.4 oz) and Ma Dame EDT ($150, 3.4 oz) as limited-quantity re-releases, along with Le Beau Le Parfum (from $134) and Le Beau Paradise Garden (from $126). Scandal Intense appears in the page metadata as new. I could not confirm launch dates.
Pros
Distinctive bottle that works well as a gift.
Mini size at Ulta lowers the cost of trying Elixir.
Strong review volume on Nordstrom.
Cons
Nordstrom reviews mention leaking atomizers, dented packaging and late delivery.
The sweet profile can feel heavy in hot weather or an office.
Full-size prices are high compared with many fragrances.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Fans of sweet, warm lavender-and-vanilla fragrances who want something for autumn, winter or evenings.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone wanting a light, fresh summer scent, or shoppers sensitive to strongly sweet notes.
Bottom Line
Start with the mini, then decide whether to invest in a full bottle. Inspect packaging on arrival if you order online.
Rabanne, the fragrance house long sold as Paco Rabanne, is built around a handful of loud, sweet crowd-pleasers: 1 Million, Lady Million, Phantom and Fame. This review looks at what each costs at Ulta and who is likely to enjoy them.
These are prices shown on Ulta listings when I checked; they change with promotions, so check the brand’s site or retailer for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Rabanne sells confident, easy-to-recognise scents rather than subtle ones. If you want a fragrance people notice, the range delivers; if you prefer quiet skin scents, look elsewhere.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
1 Million: Ulta’s page lists blood mandarin, peppermint, rose absolute, cinnamon, a leather accord and amber, and notes that the Eau de Toilette won a Fragrance Foundation Hall of Fame award in 2025. Ulta carries sizes from 0.34 oz to 6.8 oz; the brand page shows an overall range of $35-$172 across the line.
Lady Million: The 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum is $135 at Ulta. A 1.0 oz size is listed but its price was not shown when I looked.
Phantom and Fame: Both come as multiple concentrations. Phantom Parfum is listed at $132-$172, and Fame Eau de Parfum Intense at $99-$175 across three sizes. I could not confirm per-size prices.
What’s New
Ulta lists newer 1 Million variants: Elixir ($168), Night Elixir ($168, online only) and Lucky EDT ($126), plus Phantom Elixir ($183). It also flags a 1 Million Best Seller Mini Trio ($50) and a 10-piece cologne discovery sampler ($25) as new. I could not confirm launch dates for any of these.
Pros
Recognisable, widely loved scents.
Mini sizes and sampler sets let you test before committing.
Several concentrations to choose from.
Cons
1 Million is very common and very sweet, so it can read as “everywhere”.
Ulta lists the brand as excluded from most coupons and unable to ship by air.
Per-size prices are not always shown, so compare before buying.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who like sweet, spicy or gourmand fragrances and want something bold for evenings, nights out or gifts.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone sensitive to sweet notes, or who prefers fresh, clean or very subtle scents.
Bottom Line
Rabanne is a strong choice for statement fragrances, especially if you test a mini first. Confirm size and price before you buy.
Garnier is a mass-market French beauty brand best known for its SkinActive micellar cleansing waters, vitamin C skincare and the Whole Blends haircare range. This review focuses on those hero lines and what they cost at a major US retailer.
Prices are US dollars as displayed on Walmart.com listings when I checked, and they shift with promotions and third-party sellers. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Garnier is an easy, low-cost entry point. The micellar waters and Whole Blends haircare are priced for everyday restocking rather than splurging.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water: An all-in-1 formula for removing makeup and cleansing. Walmart lists several variants, including waterproof and oily-skin versions, in sizes from 3.4 fl oz ($4.00) to 23.7 fl oz ($11.82).
Whole Blends haircare: A broad range of shampoos, conditioners, styling creams and leave-ins built around honey, coconut and oat themes. Many core shampoos and conditioners sit around $9.47 for larger bottles.
Vitamin C skincare: The Vitamin C Glow Boost Serum (30 ml) showed a lowest price of £23.13 on PriceSpy UK, and a Vitamin C Brightening Serum Cream (50 ml) was shown at £8.62 on Superdrug, though that page said it was no longer available online. These are UK figures, so US shoppers should check the brand’s site for current pricing.
What’s New
I could not confirm a specific recent launch from the pages I checked. Retailer listings do show Whole Blends expanding with Honey Water and oat-based options alongside the older honey and coconut lines.
Pros
Low shelf prices across cleansers and haircare.
Wide choice of sizes, including travel and value bottles.
Easy to find at big-box retailers.
Cons
Prices vary between sellers and over time.
Vitamin C pricing differs by market and I could not verify US figures.
The catalogue is large, so picking the right variant takes some reading.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who want simple, affordable staples: a daily makeup-removing cleanser, or a shampoo and conditioner pair for dry or frizz-prone hair.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone seeking specialist or fragrance-free formulas, or those wanting a verified US price on the vitamin C line, may prefer to compare other brands or confirm details on the product page.
Bottom Line
Garnier’s micellar waters and Whole Blends range offer accessible entry points for a basic routine. Confirm size, variant and price before you buy.
Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment Serum
$32.00
Scalp serum
Scalp-care routines
Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Oil
$16.00 to $32.00 depending on size
Pre-shampoo oil
Pre-wash treatment fans
Prices come from Ulta’s Briogeo page in US dollars. The page did not list bottle sizes, only the number of size options, and prices change often. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Briogeo gives you a lot of choice across a few clear collections. Costs add up quickly on full-size bottles, so the smaller sizes are a sensible way to test a range.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Don’t Despair, Repair!: The brand’s repair-focused range, covering a mask, shampoo, conditioner, leave-in and hair oil. A bond-repair version of the mask is also listed.
Be Gentle, Be Kind: An aloe and oat milk range that Ulta lists as fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, including a detangler ($25) and a cleansing bar ($25).
Scalp Revival: Charcoal-led scalp products, plus dandruff-focused shampoo and conditioner at $42 each.
What’s New
I could not confirm specific 2025-2026 launches, reformulations or ownership news from the pages I reviewed. The current range on Ulta includes a Rosemary Pre-Wash Oil and a Dandruff Relief shampoo and conditioner. Check the brand’s site for the latest releases.
Pros
Small sizes available for trying products
Fragrance-free option in Be Gentle, Be Kind
Starter sets from around $30
Cons
Full-size prices can reach $69 for shampoo
Large range may feel overwhelming
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a branded, collection-based routine and like to build it from small trial sizes.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers on a strict budget, and anyone with a scalp concern that calls for a professional’s advice.
Bottom Line
A well-organized brand with options for dryness, sensitivity and scalp care. Start small and compare retailers.
Redken is a salon-heritage haircare brand whose range includes All Soft for dry hair, Acidic Bonding Concentrate for damaged hair and the One United all-in-one treatment spray.
Pound prices were seen on Sephora UK; the balm price is in US dollars from a January 2026 announcement. Sizes for the sets and balm were not listed on the pages I saw. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Redken covers most needs with three recognizable lines. The Acidic Bonding Concentrate system costs more than All Soft, so decide whether you need targeted care for color or heat damage.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
All Soft: Argan-oil-based range aimed at dry, brittle hair. Sephora UK describes the shampoo as helping to detangle and restore moisture.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate: Described by the retailer as Redken’s most concentrated all-in-one formula, using citric acid and an acidic pH to counter color, lightening and heat styling.
One United: A leave-in spray marketed with 25 benefits, including detangling, frizz control and heat protection.
What’s New
In January 2026 Redken launched the Acidic Bonding Concentrate Hair Bandage Balm, a leave-in treatment for damaged ends priced at $45. The brand also announced it is the official hair care partner of the 2026 Grammy Awards, with Sabrina Carpenter fronting the balm campaign.
Pros
Distinct lines for different hair needs
Sold widely through salons and retailers
Sets offer a saving over buying separately
Cons
Bonding range sits at a higher price
Some items showed as out of stock at retailers
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People with dry, colored or heat-styled hair who want salon-linked products and a clear routine.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone wanting fragrance-free or minimal formulas, or those on a low budget.
Bottom Line
All Soft is the entry point, Acidic Bonding Concentrate is the targeted upgrade, and One United is the quick fix. Compare retailer prices first.
Dr. Jart+ is a Korean skincare brand best known for its Cicapair tiger grass line, the Ceramidin barrier-focused range and the Vital Hydra Solution hydration collection.
Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment (50 ml)
€49.00
Green-to-beige color-correcting cream
Redness-prone, sensitive-feeling skin
Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream (50 ml)
€40.60 (listed from €58.00)
Moisturizer
Skin that looks easily flushed
Ceramidin Moisturizing Cream (50 ml)
€41.30 (listed from €59.00)
Barrier-focused cream
Dry, tight-feeling skin
Ceramidin Moisturizing Serum (30 ml)
€39.90
Serum
Layering under a cream
Vital Hydra Solution Hydro-Plump Water Cream (50 ml)
€39.90
Lightweight hydrating gel-cream
Normal to combination skin
Dermask Vital Hydra Solution PRO (26 g)
€9.90
Sheet mask
A low-cost hydration boost
Prices above were seen on Sephora France in euros and include loyalty-offer markdowns where noted. For comparison, Boots UK listed the 50 ml Cicapair color corrector at £34.00 (marked down from £40.00). Prices shift often, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Dr. Jart+ organizes its range into clear collections, which makes it easy to pick a lane: soothing, barrier support or hydration. Prices sit in the mid-range for Korean skincare sold in European department stores.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment: A tinted cream that shifts from green to beige on skin. Boots describes it as designed to neutralize redness and it can double as a primer.
Ceramidin Cream: The brand’s barrier-focused moisturizer. It is the line’s flagship and is sold alongside a serum, eye cream, lip balm and mask.
Vital Hydra Solution: A hydration collection that includes the Hydro-Plump Water Cream, a treatment essence and sheet masks.
What’s New
I could not confirm a major 2025-2026 reformulation or ownership change from the pages I reviewed. Regional expansion has continued: a Philippine news article described a Cicapair-led launch event there. Check the brand’s site for the latest launches.
Pros
Clearly organized collections
Wide choice of formats, from masks to creams
Widely stocked across European and UK retailers
Cons
Full-size creams cost more than many drugstore options
Prices vary by retailer and by promotion
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who like a structured Korean skincare routine and want one collection for soothing, barrier care or hydration.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone on a tight budget, or anyone with a skin concern that calls for a professional’s advice rather than a cosmetic product.
Bottom Line
A tidy, giftable range with a recognizable hero in Cicapair. Compare retailer prices before buying, since promotions are common.
Origins is an Estée Lauder Companies skincare brand known for GinZing energising products, Clear Improvement charcoal masks and plant-focused ranges such as Mega-Mushroom.
Prices are US dollars from Ulta’s brand page; the page did not list sizes except where noted, so check the brand’s site for current pricing and volumes.
Short Verdict
Origins offers approachable mid-priced staples. The charcoal mask has a low-cost size, while serums and treatment lotions sit around $40-50.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
GinZing: The brightening line, including a serum, eye cream, gel moisturiser, scrub cleanser and SPF options.
Clear Improvement: Charcoal mask, a mask-to-scrub and a lotion for blemish-prone skin.
Checks and Balances: Cleansers, toner and a scrub for a simple daily routine.
Mega-Mushroom: A soothing line with lotion, serum and moisturisers.
What’s New
Origins launched in the Amazon Premium Beauty store in the US, announced 16 May 2025, featuring GinZing Brightening Eye Cream, Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash and the Mega-Mushroom lotion.
Pros
Broad choice at accessible prices
Small mask size for trying first
Now sold via Ulta and Amazon in the US
Cons
Plantscription anti-ageing items run $70 to $139
Some items are online-only
Sizes were not shown on the listing I read
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who like fresh-scented, plant-led routines and want a single brand for cleanser, mask and moisturiser.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone sensitive to fragrance or essential oils should patch-test carefully, and those with skin concerns should consult a professional.
Bottom Line
Start with the GinZing gel moisturiser or the smaller charcoal mask. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Vichy is the L’Oréal-owned French skincare label built around Vichy volcanic water, with Mineral 89 for hydration, Liftactiv for ageing concerns and Capital Soleil for sun protection.
Prices are in pounds from Skinlovers’ UK store and will differ elsewhere. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Vichy offers a clear ladder: affordable Mineral 89 hydration, mid-priced sun care, and a pricier Liftactiv line for those after anti-ageing formulas.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Mineral 89: Hyaluronic-based hydration range with creams, a night cream and an eye serum, all around the £19-21 mark at this retailer.
Liftactiv: Includes B3 and Collagen Specialist products, from a £30 H.A. cream up to the £46.84 SPF50 cream.
Capital Soleil: UVAqua fluids in light, medium and invisible versions, plus UV-Age daily options at £23.80.
What’s New
A German trade report describes Liftactiv Collagen Specialist 16 Crème LSF 50 as arriving in pharmacies in August 2025 at a recommended €45, with refill options. That article was a paid L’Oréal advertisement, so the performance claims come from the manufacturer.
Pros
Clear ranges by concern
Mineral 89 and Capital Soleil are reasonably priced
Refills available on some Liftactiv items
Cons
Liftactiv costs noticeably more than the rest
Pricing varies by country and shop
Brand claims are not independent proof of results
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who like pharmacy-style skincare and want one brand covering moisturiser, sunscreen and an anti-ageing step.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Budget-minded buyers may find cheaper alternatives to Liftactiv, and anyone with a skin condition should seek professional advice.
Bottom Line
Mineral 89 and Capital Soleil are the easy entry points. Check the brand’s site for current pricing before buying.
Bioderma is the French pharmacy-style skincare label best known for its pink-capped Sensibio H2O micellar water, alongside sun care (Photoderm), dry-skin care (Atoderm) and oily-skin care (Sébium).
Prices are the regular prices shown on a Spanish retailer page (Farma2go, euros) and vary by country and shop. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Bioderma earns its reputation through simple, fragrance-light everyday staples. The micellar water is the entry point, and the larger sizes are priced sensibly for what you get.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Sensibio H2O: A micellar water designed for sensitive skin; it is sold in many sizes, including a 100 ml mini and a 500 ml bottle.
Photoderm: The sun range, with tinted, fluid, spray and children’s formats listed at UK and EU retailers.
Atoderm: Creams, balms and shower oils aimed at dry skin.
Sébium: Cleansers and gel-creams for shiny, blemish-prone complexions.
What’s New
UK retailer Escentual lists the Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution as “formerly Crealine”, and the range also includes Pigmentbio products aimed at uneven tone, such as a daily SPF50+ care and a micellar water. Beyond that, I could not confirm specific 2025-2026 launches from pages I read, so check the brand’s site for current pricing and new releases.
Pros
Widely stocked in pharmacies and online
Large refill-style sizes keep cost per ml down
Clear ranges for dry, oily and sun-care needs
Cons
Prices differ a lot between countries and shops
Several listings I checked showed as sold out at the time
Micellar water still needs a thorough rinse or follow-up cleanse for some people
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Anyone wanting a low-fuss routine: a gentle makeup remover, a basic body cream, or a daily sunscreen from one pharmacy brand.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want trend-led actives or luxury textures, other brands may suit better. Anyone with a skin condition should ask a professional before switching products.
Bottom Line
Start with the 100 ml Sensibio H2O if curious, then move to the large bottle if it works for you. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Armani Beauty is known for Luminous Silk foundation and a lineup of cheek, lip and eye products. Luminous Silk received an updated formula in early 2026.
Prices come from LookFantastic UK (GBP), the UK brand site and Sephora Canada (CAD), so currencies differ. Promotions change often. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
A luxury makeup brand built around skin-like, glowing finishes. The foundation is the centrepiece, with cheek and eye products around it.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Luminous Silk Foundation: Described as medium coverage with a weightless, skin-like feel and a natural glow.
Luminous Silk Concealer: The companion concealer at 12 ml.
Dolci Blush and Cheek Tints: Cheek products priced from £38 to £39 at LookFantastic.
Vertigo Lift Mascara and Eye Tint: Sold individually and as a LookFantastic bundle at £49.60 (RRP £62.00).
Lip Power and Lip Maestro: Sephora Canada lists Lip Power at C$62 and Lip Maestro liquid lipstick at C$65.
What’s New
The Glass Magazine reported that Luminous Silk Foundation was reformulated, available from 28 January 2026. The update adds glycerin, niacinamide and plant extracts, widens the range to 44 shades (18 new) and adds pigments aimed at deep and olive skin tones.
Pros
Large 44-shade foundation range
Companion concealer, blush and eye products in a consistent style
Lip products in several formats
Cons
Premium pricing across the range
Prices and currencies vary by retailer
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who like a natural, radiant base and want shade choice across tones.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone seeking full, matte coverage or low-cost options.
Bottom Line
Try a sample or trial size of Luminous Silk first, then add cheek and lip pieces if you like the finish.
Yves Saint Laurent Beauty is best known for the Libre fragrance family and a handful of makeup icons, including the Touche Eclat pen and its lip range. This review covers what is selling, what it costs at Sephora US, and who it suits.
Prices are US dollars from Sephora US listings. Sizes and prices vary by shade and bottle size, and the Libre line spans roughly $38 to $225 depending on format. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
A polished, fragrance-led brand with a few reliable makeup staples. Expect premium pricing, particularly on perfume, and strong choice in lip products.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Libre Eau de Parfum: Sephora describes it as a bold floral with lavender, orange blossom and a musk accord. The bottle is refillable, with a 100 mL refill sold separately.
Touche Éclat pen: A click-pen concealer that Sephora lists in 16 colors, with a radiant, non-shimmery finish and light coverage.
Loveshine and Lovenude: Two lip formats, one glossy and one soft-focus, which cover most everyday lip moods.
Make Me Blush: A liquid blush offered in 9 colors.
What’s New
Sephora US currently flags Libre Santal (a limited edition at $155) and Black Opium Pink Glaze (listed from $37 to $150) as new, alongside Libre Vanille Couture. Babycat Eau de Parfum also appears in the fragrance range at $195 to $240.
Pros
Wide shade ranges on concealer and lip products
Refillable Libre bottle
Several small sizes and minis make trying scents easier
Cons
Full-size fragrances sit at a high price point
Concealer pen holds a small amount of product (2.5 mL)
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who want a recognisable signature fragrance, or a few giftable makeup pieces with a luxury feel.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone on a tight budget or wanting heavy full-coverage products, as the standouts here are light and sheer.
Bottom Line
Start with a small Libre size or a Touche Éclat pen to see if the style suits you before committing to larger bottles.
Lancôme is a French luxury beauty house, and its makeup is led by Teint Idole foundations, Lash Idôle mascara and L’Absolu Rouge lipsticks, alongside well-known skincare such as Génifique.
Prices are US dollars from Ulta’s brand page; sizes were not listed there. A UK retailer listed the 30ml Teint Idôle Ultra Wear Foundation at £41.00. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Lancôme makeup sits in the prestige tier, with the Teint Idôle range as the anchor. Shade range is a notable strength.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Teint Idôle Ultra Wear: Offered in a matte version with 55 shades and a Care and Glow version with 30 shades, plus a concealer.
Lash Idôle: A lash-lifting, volumizing mascara at $30 on the Ulta page.
L’Absolu Rouge and Juicy Tubes: Classic lip products at $35 and $25.
Génifique: The skincare hero; the Ulta page shows a serum range from $65 to $260 across five sizes.
What’s New
The Ulta page currently lists the Teint Idôle Care and Glow foundation and Lip Idôle Squalane-12 Butterglow lip balm ($32, 14 colors) among its range. I did not find dated 2025-2026 reformulation or ownership news in my research, so check the brand’s site for launches.
Pros
Very broad foundation shade range
Polished, premium packaging
Strong lash and lip options
Cons
Higher prices than drugstore brands
Foundation prices rise quickly with extras
Skincare sizes vary widely in cost
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who want a long-wear base with many shades and are comfortable paying prestige prices.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone on a tight budget, or who wants a minimal routine, can find cheaper alternatives.
Bottom Line
Lancôme is worth a look for base makeup and mascara if shade range and wear matter to you. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Prices are in British pounds from a UK retailer (Escentual) and some are “from” prices that may reflect sales or smaller sizes. US prices differ. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Urban Decay is a mid-to-premium makeup brand with two clear strengths: eye products and long-wear setting sprays. The mini palettes and smaller spray sizes are a cheaper way in.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Naked palettes: The line that made the brand famous, available as full-size and mini palettes in several color stories.
All Nighter Setting Spray: Described by the retailer as a fine mist meant to keep makeup from melting or fading for up to 16 hours, vegan and cruelty-free; multiple sizes exist.
Eyeshadow Primer Potion: A long-running base for eyeshadow, sold in Original and Anti-Aging versions.
Perversion Mascara and 24/7 pencils: Core eye staples.
What’s New
The original Naked palette, discontinued in 2018, was relaunched in limited supply through Ulta Beauty in the US in 2024, reportedly with a new vegan formula and a close match to the original 12 shades. Newer extras in the range include Naked mini palettes and the Hydromaniac Blush Glow Hydrator. Check the brand’s site for what is currently in stock.
Pros
Iconic, well-known shade stories
Mini palettes lower the cost of entry
Broad eye-product range
Cons
Full-size palettes cost more than drugstore options
Sale prices vary a lot between retailers
Limited editions can sell out
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Eye makeup fans, people who want a reliable neutral palette, and anyone who wears makeup through long days and wants it to hold.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers who want a base-focused or skincare-first brand, or who need the lowest possible prices, may do better elsewhere.
Bottom Line
A solid choice for eyes and setting spray, best approached through minis first. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
NYX Professional Makeup is a budget-friendly makeup line best known for its Butter Gloss, plus newer trend-driven lines like Buttermelt, Duck Plump and Fat Oil.
Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss (0.23 fl oz)
$12.99
Plumping gloss
Fuller-looking lips
Buttermelt Blush (0.17 oz)
$9.99–$10.99
Cream-style blush
Soft color pop
Buttermelt Glaze Skin Tint SPF 30 (1.01 fl oz)
$15.99
Skin tint
Light, natural coverage
Smushy Soft Matte Tinted Lip Balm (0.27 fl oz)
$8.49
Tinted lip balm
Comfortable color
Prices are US dollars as listed on Target at the time of writing and can change or vary by shade and retailer. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
NYX is an easy place to try a trend without spending much. Its lip products in particular sit at the low end of the price range, which makes experimenting low-risk.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Butter Gloss: The brand’s signature gloss, sold in a long run of shades, with a cushiony feel that is marketed as non-sticky. At $5.99 it is the cheapest item in this lineup.
Fat Oil Lip Drip: A gloss-oil style product aimed at people who want a wet-look finish.
Duck Plump: A pigmented plumping gloss, priced at the higher end for the brand.
Buttermelt Blush and Skin Tint: Newer base-and-cheek products that extend the “butter” theme beyond lips.
What’s New
In April 2026 NYX announced its first body care line, the Fat Oil Body collection, with body oils, mists, lotions and butters across four scent concepts; global retail availability was reported as starting May 1, 2026. Target also lists a Bridgerton Royal Butter Gloss. I did not see pricing for the body line, so check the brand’s site.
Pros
Low prices on lip products
Wide shade ranges on core items
Frequent trend-led launches
Cons
Some lines are trend-driven and may rotate
Prices vary by retailer and shade
Not a luxury-feel experience
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers on a budget, beginners building a makeup bag, and anyone who likes to try viral formats cheaply.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
People who want a very small, stable edit of long-running staples or prestige packaging may prefer a premium brand.
Bottom Line
NYX remains a strong value pick, especially for lip products, and its move into body care shows the brand is still expanding. Check the brand’s site for current pricing before buying.
Super Stay Lumi-Matte Foundation (1 fl oz, 24 shades)
$11.97
Liquid foundation
Long wear, shine control
Super Stay Skin Tint with Vitamin C (1 fl oz)
$13.98
Skin tint
Light coverage
Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation (1 fl oz)
$8.98
Liquid foundation
Budget everyday base
Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer (0.2 fl oz)
$9.98
Multi-use concealer
Under-eye touch-ups
Lifter Glaze Hydrating Lip Gloss (0.1 oz)
$6.97
Lip gloss
Easy, glossy lips
The mascara list price comes from maybelline.com; the other prices are US dollars from a Walmart listing page and vary by shade, store and day. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Maybelline keeps most products near or below $15, making it an easy place to experiment with trends without a big spend.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Sky High Mascara: the brand calls it its number one mascara. It is flake and smudge resistant, with up to 12 hours of wear per the brand FAQ.
Super Stay Lumi-Matte: the listing claims up to 30 hours of wear, a matte finish with some luminosity, and 24 shades.
Super Stay Skin Tint: a lighter alternative to full-coverage foundation.
Lifter Glaze and Lifter Gloss: the lip range, priced under $10 for the glaze.
What’s New
The retail listing shows a broad Lifter lip and concealer lineup, plus Super Stay skin tint and powder foundation, alongside long-running Fit Me and Instant Age Rewind products.
Pros
Low prices
Wide availability in US drugstores and online
Many shades in the foundation lines
Cons
Wear-time claims are brand figures and results vary
Prices shift between stores
Some sizes are small
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Budget-conscious shoppers, beginners, and anyone who wants to try several products without a large outlay.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a very specific luxury finish or fragrance-free formulas, check each ingredient list or look at prestige brands.
Bottom Line
Maybelline is a practical, low-cost option. Start with Sky High mascara or a Super Stay foundation.
Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation (56 colors)
$46.00
Radiant foundation
Skin that prefers a glow
M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick (44 colors)
$25.00
Matte lipstick
Bold lip colour
Lipglass High Shine Lip Gloss (16 colors)
$25.00
Lip gloss
Glossy finish
M·A·CStack Mascara
$29.00
Mascara
Volume and length
Fix+ Stay Over Setting Spray (2 sizes)
$18.00–$38.00
Alcohol-free setting spray
Locking in makeup
Prices are US dollars from Ulta’s MAC listing at the time I viewed it; MAC’s own site was not accessible to me, and prices differ by retailer and country. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
MAC’s core range is priced in the mid-range, with most lip products at $25. The strength is breadth: dozens of shades across foundation and lipstick.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Studio Fix Fluid: listed as a 24-hour matte foundation with oil control and SPF 15, in 67 colours at Ulta.
M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick: sold at Sephora as a matte formula claiming up to 12 hours of colour, with coconut oil, shea and cocoa butters; 0.12 oz.
Lipglass: a gloss line, with a newer Lipglass Cushion lip oil also listed.
M·A·CStack Mascara: available in standard and waterproof versions.
Fix+: offered in several versions, including a Matte 24HR alcohol-free spray.
What’s New
The Ulta listing shows newer lines such as Lustreglass sheer-shine lipsticks, Powder Kiss Hazy Matte lipsticks, Glow Play cushiony blush and Strobe Dewy Skin Tint, alongside the classic Studio Fix range.
Pros
Very wide shade ranges
Lip products mostly at $25
Easy to find at major retailers
Cons
Foundations are above drugstore pricing
Matte finishes may not suit very dry skin
Pricing varies by retailer
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a matte, longwear base or a large choice of lip shades, and who like trying products at a counter.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you prefer a dewy, skin-like base, check the radiance options first, or consider other brands. Budget shoppers can find cheaper lip colour elsewhere.
Bottom Line
MAC remains a dependable pick for lipstick and matte foundation. Compare retailer prices before buying.
Dior Beauty spans makeup, skincare and fragrance, but its makeup line is the easiest way in, led by the Forever Skin foundation family and the Addict lip range.
Foundation prices come from dior.com’s US site. The lip oil and blush prices were listed in dollars on a beauty blog’s spring 2026 round-up, and sizes vary by product. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Dior sits firmly at the luxury end. The foundations offer wide shade ranges and a choice of finish, and the Backstage and Addict lines give you smaller, lower-priced ways to try the brand.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Forever Skin Glow: the luminous option in the Forever range, with SPF 25 and 42 shades.
Forever Skin Wear: the longwear counterpart, listed with SPF 20 and 42 shades.
Forever Skin Perfect: a stick format with 22 shades, handy for touch-ups.
Backstage Glow-Up Skin Tint: a lighter-feeling base for people who skip full coverage.
Addict Lip Glow Oil and Rosy Glow Blush: the entry points at $42 each.
What’s New
The spring 2026 collection brought a reformulated Addict Lip Glow Oil with a thinner texture and three finishes (Juicy, Glaze, Sparkly), new Rosy Glow Blush shades (Ultra Pink and Orange Fizz), a Forever Glow Luminizer, Forever Skin Bronze balm sticks, and a new Addict Eau de Parfum, priced at $98 to $120 in the round-up I read.
Pros
Broad shade ranges across the main foundations
SPF built into the Glow and Wear foundations
Several formats: liquid, stick and tint
Frequent seasonal launches
Cons
Foundations start at $55, well above drugstore levels
Seasonal items may be limited-run
Prices and sizes vary by market
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who want a polished luxury base with plenty of shades and are happy to pay for packaging and brand. The $42 lip and blush items suit anyone dipping in with a smaller purchase.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If budget is the priority, mass-market foundations cover similar finishes for far less. Those wanting fragrance-free formulas should check each product’s ingredient list first.
Bottom Line
Dior Beauty is a well-stocked luxury line. Start with the foundation matching your preferred finish, or pick up a lip oil or blush if you want a lower-cost taste.
$39.00 on one listing; sizes 50 ml, 150 ml, 400 ml
Cleanser
Daily cleanse
Black Tea Age Renewal Cream
$76.00 (was $95); 50 ml and 100 ml sizes
Face cream
Premium routine
Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence
$85.00 on one listing; 50, 150 and 250 ml sizes
Essence
Hydration
Several products appear with different prices for different sizes and promotions, and I could not map every price to a size. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Fresh is a prestige skincare brand whose lip care is the cheapest way in.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Sugar lip range: Fresh’s best-sellers page lists the Sugar Lip Treatment and Sugar Advanced Therapy.
Soy Face Cleanser: offered from travel to jumbo size.
What’s New
New lip items (Soft Set, Lip Drip and Sugar Melt Lip Cream, $25 for 12 g) are badged new. I found no reformulation news.
Pros
Travel sizes available.
Large lip range.
Cons
Confusing pricing across sizes.
I found no ingredient or independent review data to assess suitability.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Gift buyers and lip care fans.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers who need verified suitability for a specific skin type; check the label.
The page did not state the currency (US site presumed) and sale prices change. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
A focused brand with a clear hero ingredient. Jumbo sizes bring the price per ml down.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Omega Repair Cream: the brand calls it its number one selling face cream, fragrance-free and vegan, and National Eczema Association accepted. A brand-run study of 35 women is cited; treat results as marketing.
100% Squalane Oil: a single-ingredient-style oil in a large bottle.
What’s New
THG PLC bought Biossance from Amyris for US$20m at an auction on 30 November 2023. I verified no 2026 launches beyond holiday sets and an advent calendar.
Pros
Brand says all formulas are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.
Jumbo sizes.
Cons
Mid-to-high prices.
Contains phenoxyethanol; people with nut or shea sensitivities should read each label (my caution).
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People with dry skin who want a short routine.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone avoiding oils, or on a tight budget.
Bottom Line
Patch test, and see a professional about eczema or other conditions.
UK pricing was only partly found (foundation £35, Cloud Set £30 in a trade article). Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Kosas is a mid-to-premium brand for people who want creamy, skin-like finishes.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Revealer Concealer: the brand says it has medium, buildable coverage and contains caffeine, pink algae, hyaluronic acid, arnica and peptides. It is described as dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and silicone-free. In the brand’s own 28-day consumer study of 20 people, all agreed it improved bare skin quality. Size is listed as 5.3 ml on one part of the page and 6 ml on another.
What’s New
Impressionist Multistick is marked new on the US site. Kosas has expanded to Sephora UK and Space NK, according to CEW UK; the article did not state the year in the text I read.
Pros
38 concealer shades.
Brand says it suits sensitive skin.
Cons
Five deeper concealer shades were sold out when I checked.
Superfood Retinol + Collagen Peptides Protein Balm
$58.00 (new)
Balm
Nighttime routine
Ranges reflect sizes. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
The cleanser is a gentle daily option in a refillable format, though it costs more than drugstore cleansers.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Superfood Cleanser: the Sephora page describes a non-drying antioxidant gel cleanser with kale, spinach and green tea extracts that removes makeup, SPF and oil. It is vegan, sulfate-free and in recyclable packaging, with a refill pouch available. In the brand’s own 173-person, 4-week study, 90% said it cleanses deeply and removes SPF gently; these are brand figures.
Air-Whip Moisturizer: a hydrating cream named among top items.
What’s New
The Retinol + Collagen Peptides Protein Balm and holiday sets, such as a Wishing You Clarity Cleanser Duo ($45), are labelled new at Sephora. I could not verify ownership.
Pros
Refill option reduces packaging.
Sephora lists it for normal, dry, combination and oily skin, and describes it as suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
$52 on brand site (Sephora range $10 to $52, 57 colours)
Longwear foundation
Long days
Double Wear 24-Hour Longwear Concealer
$38
Concealer
Coverage
Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt Eye Cream
$88
Eye cream
Eye area
ANR Serum Skincare Gift Set (4 pieces)
$135
Gift set with a 1 oz serum
Gifting
I did not find a standalone full-size serum price, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
These are established products with a high price at full size. The $20 mini is the cheapest way to try the serum.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Advanced Night Repair: the brand calls it a fast-penetrating face and neck peptide serum with antioxidant defence. Its claims, such as visibly reducing signs of aging, come from consumer testing the brand footnotes (101 and 110 women); they are not independent.
Double Wear: the brand calls it a 36-hour longwear matte foundation with buildable coverage and oil control, for all skin types.
What’s New
I found no confirmed 2026 reformulation. Holiday sets are on sale now, including a Hello Bright Eyes set ($78, limited edition).
Pros
Many sizes, including minis.
Wide foundation shade range.
Cons
High price for the full-size serum.
Brand claims rely on its own testing.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a classic prestige routine.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers on a budget. Consult a dermatologist for skin concerns.
$105 for 1.7 fl oz (Kohl’s). Sephora US shows a $29 to $150 range across sizes
Warm vanilla gourmand
Sweet-scent lovers
Yum Boujee Marshmallow | 81 EDP Intense
Sephora US range $29 to $150 across sizes
Marshmallow gourmand
Dessert scents
Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar | 42
Not found
Sweet fragrance
Candy-style scents
Yum Boujee Marshmallow | 81 Silk Soufflé Body Cream
$48.00 (Sephora US)
Body cream
Layering
Per-size prices were not available for most items. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Kayali is for people who actively like sweet fragrances. Try a small size before buying a full bottle.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Vanilla 28: Kohl’s copy lists notes including vanilla orchids, tonka absolute, amber woods, jasmine, patchouli and brown sugar, in a warm and spicy family.
Marshmallow 81 and Rock Sugar 42: named by Sephora as best-sellers.
What’s New
In February 2025 Huda Beauty sold its stake, and co-founder and CEO Mona Kattan and General Atlantic now co-own Kayali. Sephora US tags a marshmallow body cream and a Yummy Marshmallow Kiss Set ($42, limited edition) as new, and kayali.com shows Yum Vanilla Cupcake | 108 (100 ml, AED 559 on the UAE site).
Pat McGrath Labs is a luxury makeup line from the make-up artist of the same name. Its ownership changed in 2026, which is worth knowing before you buy.
I could not open the brand’s own site, so check the brand’s site for current pricing and sizes.
Short Verdict
This is a luxury-priced line with deep shade ranges. Expect to pay more than at most competitors, so choose a few key products.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Divine Blush: Sephora’s copy describes it as a petal-soft powder blush with a featherlight, silk-velvet finish and medium coverage. It is listed as vegan and free of parabens, phthalates and SLS/SLES sulfates.
Skin Fetish base: foundation and concealer both come in 33 shades.
What’s New
MF Milano Finanza reported on 23 April 2026 that a court-approved restructuring plan gives GDA Luma, a Miami investment firm and the main creditor, 100% of the company through a new holding company. Pat McGrath stays chief creative officer. I could not verify the filing details beyond that report.
Pros
Deep shade ranges.
Sephora says shades suit all skin tones.
Cons
High prices.
Ownership change adds some uncertainty about the brand’s direction.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Makeup lovers who want a luxury finish and a wide shade match.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers who are price-sensitive.
Bottom Line
Divine Blush or a lipstick is a lower-cost way in than the $69 foundation.
I did not open the brand’s own site, so check the brand’s site for current pricing and sizes.
Short Verdict
Milk is an easy-to-apply, travel-friendly brand with products aimed at people who prefer sticks and gels to brushes.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Hydro Grip Primer: retailer listings describe it as hydrating, with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Sticks: the Lip + Cheek and contour sticks are among the best-selling items on Ulta’s sorted list.
What’s New
Hypebae reported in August 2026 that, for the tenth anniversary, Milk launched a new Line + Fill lip product (10 shades, creamy matte, $22 at Ulta) and relaunched its sticks. Per that article, sticks grew from 6 g to 8 g with a click closure and more pigment, the brand claims 8-hour wear, and the range expanded from 24 to 32 sticks including 8 new Blur finish shades.
Pros
Simple formats that suit quick routines.
Wide colour choice across sticks.
Cons
I did not find independent reviews or ownership details.
Prices vary by size.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who like cream products they can apply with fingers.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone who wants high-pigment powder products or full coverage.
US: $32 to $58 (8 shades). UK: £54 at Sephora UK (10 g)
Soft-focus finishing powder
Blurred, glowy finish
Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked palette
US: $98
Custom powder palette
Gifting, multiple shades
Vanish Airbrush Concealer
US: $20 to $39 (32 shades)
Concealer
Coverage
Veil Translucent Setting Powder
US: $26 to $52 (3 shades)
Setting powder
Setting makeup
Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF 30
US: $60 (32 shades)
Foundation
Glow finish
Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
US: $49 (18 shades)
Skin tint
Light coverage
Ranges reflect sizes. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Hourglass is a luxury-priced complexion brand with a broad base-product range. Some Sephora reviewers called the powder pricey, so go in knowing it is a finishing step, not a necessity.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Ambient Lighting Powder: Sephora UK’s copy describes it as a “bestselling finishing powder” that blurs and smooths, is talc-free and vegan, and is meant as a last step rather than a highlighter. Sephora UK showed a 4.28 average rating from 2,645 reviews at the time.
Vanish Airbrush Concealer: expanded to 32 shades in 2025.
What’s New
In April 2025 trade press reported that Gracie Abrams became global brand partner, with new concealer shades, an Illusion Priming Moisturizer and travel sizes. The site also shows newer items such as Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm and Unreal Liquid Blush, with no dates I could confirm.
Pros
Wide shade ranges in concealer and foundation.
Vegan powder, per the retailer.
Cons
Premium prices.
Some reviewers felt a finishing powder was unnecessary.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who like a soft-focus finish and enjoy a polished routine.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers wanting a basic powder or a highlighter.
Bottom Line
If you try one thing, try the smallest Ambient Lighting Powder in your shade family.
Prices are from glowrecipe.com on 1 November 2026. Mini (15 ml) and jumbo (80 ml) Dew Drops exist, but I did not find their prices, and the page metadata showed a conflicting $20, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Glow Recipe works well as a gift or a fun-to-use routine, but the serums are mid-priced, so buy a mini first if you can.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Dew Drops: the brand lists 2% niacinamide, watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid and moringa seed oil, and says it is glitter-free, vegan and cruelty-free. It cites its own consumer studies (for example 32 and 30 participants). It calls the product “Sephora’s #1 niacinamide serum” based on third-party 2025 data.
Plum Plump: the brand says it uses five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid and is free of parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrance. One reviewer on the brand’s page found the texture sticky.
What’s New
The homepage shows a Glow Recipe x Buldak Glass Balm Lip Duo ($38, limited edition), a 12 Days of Glow Advent Calendar ($214 on the page, with a second lower price shown) and a vegan PDRN tinted lip balm ($22, new). Some shades were sold out when I checked.
Pros
Brand says Dew Drops suits all skin types, including oily and acne-prone.
Gift sets and minis available.
Cons
Dew Drops contains fragrance under 0.5%, per the brand, so check the label if you are sensitive.
Study results are brand-run and self-reported.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who enjoy light, fruity textures and gift sets.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone avoiding fragrance, or wanting the cheapest niacinamide option.
Bottom Line
Patch test first and treat brand claims as marketing, not guarantees.
From $19 (0.68 fl oz); sizes 1.7 and 2.5 fl oz and a 2-pack, up to $76
Invisible-finish daily sunscreen
Under makeup
Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
$22
Heavier version of Unseen
Those preferring SPF 40
Glowscreen SPF 40
From $19 (0.68 fl oz); up to $48. Four shades
Glow-finish sunscreen and primer
Normal to dry skin
Prices are from supergoop.com on 1 November 2026. Per-size prices were not shown separately, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Supergoop makes sunscreen feel like part of a makeup routine. It is pricier than drugstore sunscreen, so the small sizes are a sensible way to test the texture.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Unseen SPF 50: the brand says it has no white cast on all skin tones, works as a primer and is non-acnegenic. It uses chemical filters (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene). The brand cites its own consumer studies of 33 to 106 participants.
Glowscreen SPF 40: contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, per the brand, which reports a 78% hydration increase after 8 hours in a 33-person study of its own.
Others listed as best-sellers: PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50, Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 and Protec(tint) Skin Tint SPF 50; I did not verify their prices.
What’s New
Per trade coverage, Supergoop launched best-sellers at Target in February 2026, opened an Amazon Premium Beauty storefront on 19 May 2026 and added a new chief marketing officer. Blackstone has been the majority owner since 2021.
Pros
Brand says Unseen carries the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal and is vegan and cruelty-free.
Wide shopping access, including Target.
Cons
Premium price per ounce.
Unseen and Glowscreen use chemical filters; a mineral-only shopper would look elsewhere in the range.
Glowscreen is described for normal, combination or dry skin, so oily skin may prefer another product.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who wear sunscreen daily and want a light finish under makeup.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers on a tight budget. Sunscreen only works if you use enough, so a cheaper product you will apply generously can make sense.
Bottom Line
Start with the smallest Unseen SPF 50, and follow the directions on the pack. Ask a dermatologist about sun care for specific skin concerns.
Diptyque, the Paris house that says it has been “transmuting light into perfume since 1963”, is best known for its candles, with perfumes and home fragrance alongside.
Baies, Roses, Figuier, Feu de Bois candles (190 g)
$90
Classic scented candle, about 50 hours burn
Gifting, home scent
Tubéreuse candle (300 g)
$130
Medium candle, about 75 hours
Larger rooms
Large candle (600 g)
$250
About 90 hours
Statement piece
Retailer listings sometimes show different prices and I could not confirm which sizes they referred to, so check the brand’s site for current pricing. I did not verify perfume prices.
Short Verdict
Diptyque is premium-priced, and you are paying for fragrance quality, design and the gift appeal as much as for the burn time.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Candles: Baies (berries), Roses, Figuier (fig tree) and Feu de Bois (wood fire) lead the brand’s candle collection.
Perfumes: a US retailer’s bestseller list includes Eau Rose and Philosykos eau de toilette and Orphéon, Fleur de Peau and Do Son eau de parfum.
Range: the brand says it offers over fifty scents across five families: woods, spices, flowers, fruits and herbs, and that its Les Mondes de Diptyque candles and diffusers are refillable.
What’s New
The holiday range includes a limited-edition Sapin (pine tree) collection with a candle and advent taper, Citrouille (pumpkin) as the Candle of the Month, and a hand care gift set.
Pros
Recognisable scents and packaging.
Several sizes, from miniatures to 600 g.
Refillable options, per the brand.
Cons
High price for a candle.
Scent is personal; test before gifting where you can.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Gift buyers and people who treat home fragrance as an investment.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Anyone who wants a low-cost candle or who dislikes strong fragrance.
Bottom Line
If you buy once, choose a classic scent such as Baies or Figuier in the 190 g size.
COSRX is a Korean skincare brand whose Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence became a global talking point. It is simple to use and priced at the lower end of the category.
$25.00 (sizes 100 mL, 50 mL and 30 mL are listed; the homepage says from $9.99)
Lightweight hydrating essence
Easy hydration step
Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream (200 g tube)
From $15.00
Moisturising cream
Budget moisturiser
Blue Peptide Bakuchiol Plump Duo
$49.50
Two-product set
Newer peptide routine
Prices come from cosrx.com on 1 November 2026. The 100 mL essence was backordered when I checked, and the page shows one price for all sizes, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
COSRX is an accessible entry point to Korean skincare. The essence is a one-step addition rather than a whole routine overhaul.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: the brand says it contains 96.3% snail secretion filtrate, sodium hyaluronate, allantoin, panthenol and betaine, and is fragrance-free and paraben-free. COSRX also reports results from its own studies; treat these as brand claims, and note the product page cites two different study descriptions.
Snail 92 All in One Cream: the brand says it is trusted by 13 million users.
What’s New
The homepage shows new launches including a 5 Peptide lip line ($15 to $16), an Azelaic Acid 10 B5 Redness Soothing Cream ($20), 5 PDRN Hydrogel Eye Patches (from $23) and a Red Rice Inositol Peel Serum ($22) and Cleanser ($20). No ownership news was found.
Pros
Low entry price.
Brand says it suits all skin types, including dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free, per the brand.
Cons
The essence is not vegan, according to the brand’s FAQ, despite “no snails are harmed” wording.
Brand-run studies are not independent.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Beginners and people wanting a simple, affordable hydrating step.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Vegans, or anyone who avoids animal-derived ingredients.
Bottom Line
Try the smallest essence size first. Patch test new products, and see a professional for any skin concern.
Benefit Cosmetics built its name on brows and lashes, and its Gimme Brow+ gel and They’re Real mascara are still the products most shoppers start with.
$28.00 list; seen at $19.60 in a pre-Black Friday sale. Mini $16.00, jumbo $40.00
Tinted brow gel, 10 shades
Fuller-looking brows
They’re Real Lengthening Mascara
$29.00 full size (8.5 g); mini $16.00 (4 g)
Lengthening mascara, black only
Long, defined lashes
Precisely, My Brow Tinted Eyebrow Wax
$28.00
Brow wax, 12 shades
Precise brow shaping
Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara
$16 to $29 depending on size
Curling mascara
Lifted lashes
Prices were checked on Ulta and Benefit’s US site around 1 November 2026 and move with promotions. Check the brand’s site for current pricing, especially in the UK and Europe, which I did not verify.
Short Verdict
Benefit is a focused brand: if you care about brows and lashes, it offers a reliable set of mid-priced staples, and the minis make it easy to try before committing to a full size.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Gimme Brow+: a tinted gel that adds fibres and colour. Three sizes mean you can test the mini at $16.00 first.
They’re Real: Benefit says it gives 36-hour wear in an instrumental test with 27 people, is smudge-proof and water-resistant, and is ophthalmologist-tested and suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. These are the brand’s own claims.
Precisely, My Brow: a wax-style product for people who want a more drawn, defined brow.
What’s New
Benefit’s holiday range includes The POREfessional Concealer ($32, 35 shades), The Great Brow Hall ($30), Rhythm & Beauty Radio ($39) and a 24-day advent calendar at $168. I found no ownership or reformulation news.
Pros
Clear hero products with minis available.
Brand says They’re Real suits all lash types, including short or sparse lashes.
Cruelty Free International approval for They’re Real, per the brand.
Cons
They’re Real comes in black only.
Full sizes are not cheap and sales are frequent, so list prices can look high.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Anyone building a brow and lash routine who likes a recognisable, easy-to-find brand.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shoppers who want coloured or waterproof-only mascara options, or the lowest possible price.
Bottom Line
Start with the minis of Gimme Brow+ and They’re Real, then upgrade to full size if you like them.
Revolution runs frequent sales, so the discounted prices above may not last. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Revolution is one of the cheapest ways to try full-coverage makeup. Because the products cost so little, you can test shades without much risk.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Conceal & Define: the brand says the concealer launched in 2018 and comes in around 50 shades, with a 16-hour wear, matte finish and crease-proof formula; it is described as vegan, cruelty-free and non-comedogenic. The brand also says one concealer sells every 20 seconds in the UK; that is the brand’s own claim.
Infinite Longwear: a newer concealer in a glass bottle with a jumbo doe-foot applicator.
Pros
Very low prices.
Very wide shade range.
Vegan and cruelty-free, per the brand.
Cons
Matte full-coverage formulas can feel drying.
Shade numbers vary and online matching is hard.
Discounts change often.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want inexpensive full-coverage concealer and enjoy trying new shades.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a sheer, glowy finish or premium packaging, look at other brands.
Bottom Line
Buy one concealer in your best-guess shade, and adjust from there; the low price makes mistakes cheap.
Maison Margiela’s Replica collection is a line of eau de toilette scents inspired by places and moments. Jazz Club and By the Fireplace are two of the better-known names.
Cardamom, iris, violet, Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, with spicy, leathery and musky notes
$113 to $348 at Bloomingdale’s; $107 to $335 at Saks; Selfridges US lists $215 for a standard bottle and $92 for 15 ml
Woody, smoky scent lovers
Another 13 Eau de Parfum
Ambroxyde, jasmine and moss, described as an addictive, musky scent
Same range at Bloomingdale’s and Saks; Selfridges US lists 15 ml at $92
Skin-like musky scents
Rose 31 Eau de Parfum
Centifolia rose with cumin, olibanum, cedar and amber
$113 to $348 at Bloomingdale’s; Selfridges US lists $215 and 15 ml at $92
Spicy, woody rose
Prices depend on bottle size and retailer, and the brand’s own pages did not show prices in the text checked. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Le Labo is a high-priced niche brand with a loyal following. The 15 ml size cuts the entry cost to about $92 where available.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Santal 33: described by the brand as an open fire and the soft drift of smoke, built on sandalwood and cedarwood. Retailers flag it as a bestseller.
Another 13: created in 2010 for An0ther Magazine and later added to the Classic Collection.
Rose 31: a rose scent the brand says is meant to be worn by anyone.
Pros
Distinctive, well-known scents.
Smaller bottles are available at some retailers.
Retailer refill programs exist.
Cons
High price for full bottles.
Prices vary by retailer and region.
Popular scents can smell very different on different skin.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who enjoy woody, musky or spicy niche perfumes and are willing to test before buying.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you like sweet or very fresh scents, or you want a budget perfume, other brands may suit you better.
Bottom Line
Sample first, then pick the size that fits your use.
US 1.7 fl oz: $300; Australia: $430; DFS New York duty free: USD 270 (listed with a 20% discount to USD 216)
Everyday bottle
100 ml
£320
Australia: $595
Long-term use
250 ml
£585
Australia: $1,210
Collectors
Prices differ by country and retailer. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Tobacco Vanille is a luxury, high-priced fragrance with a distinctive warm character. The 10 ml size is the cheapest way to find out whether the scent works on your skin.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Tobacco Vanille: the brand describes a warm blend of tobacco, vanilla and sweet wood sap accords, with tonka bean, cocoa and dry fruit in the official Australian description.
Pros
A clear, recognizable scent profile.
Five size options on the UK site.
Labeled a best seller by the brand.
Cons
High price per ml.
A heavy, warm scent is not for everyone or every season.
Prices vary a lot between regions.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who like warm, rich, sweet fragrances for cooler weather or evenings.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you prefer fresh, light fragrances or want a lower price, look elsewhere.
Bottom Line
Test it on your skin, or buy the 10 ml first, before paying for a large bottle.
Price (as listed on Tatcha’s Canada bestsellers page)
What It Is
Best For
The Dewy Skin Cream
$93
Rich moisturizer
Dry skin wanting a plush cream
The Water Cream
$93
Lightweight moisturizer
Combination or oily skin
The Rice Wash
$59
Soft cream cleanser
Daily cleansing
The Rice Polish: Classic
$69
Foaming enzyme exfoliant powder
Gentle exfoliation
The Camellia Cleansing Oil
$50
Makeup remover and cleanser
Removing makeup
The Dewy Serum
$89
Hyaluronic acid serum
Hydration layering
The Kissu Lip Mask
$29
Lip mask
Dry lips
The page did not state a currency; it is the Canada version of the site, so the figures are likely Canadian dollars and US prices may differ. Check the brand’s site for current pricing in your region.
Short Verdict
Tatcha is a luxury-priced skincare brand, with moisturizers around $93 and a serum at $89 on this page. The cleansers and lip mask are the more accessible entry points.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
The Dewy Skin Cream: described by the brand as a rich, line-plumping moisturizer and sold in full size, refill, mini and gift sizes.
The Water Cream: described as a lightweight, pore-refining moisturizer with the same price as the Dewy Skin Cream.
The Rice Polish: a foaming enzyme exfoliant powder at $69.
The brand also lists high-end items such as The Essence at $157 and Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream at $198.
Pros
Refill and mini sizes for many products.
Clear split between rich and light moisturizers.
Lower-cost items like the lip mask and oil cleanser.
Cons
Very high prices for premium creams and essences.
Full routines can become expensive quickly.
Prices and currency differ by region.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who enjoy luxury skincare textures and are willing to pay for a simple, ritual-style routine.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you are on a tight budget or want a clinical, active-focused routine, other brands will cost less.
Bottom Line
Start with a mini size or the cleanser and decide if the brand’s feel is worth the price.
Retail prices change often and differ by store. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Neutrogena is one of the easiest brands to find and its main products are priced well below prestige skincare. Read the ingredient list on the sunscreen you pick.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Hydro Boost Water Gel: the brand describes it as dermatologist-tested, lightweight, non-greasy and noncomedogenic, for normal, oily and combination skin, with 24-hour hydration claimed. It comes in 0.5 oz and 1.7 oz, and the brand lists key ingredients including glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Target shows a 4.5 rating from more than 6,000 reviews.
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch: sold in several SPFs and sizes; Amazon shows a 4.5 rating from over 41,000 ratings for the SPF 70 lotion.
Hydro Boost sunscreen: a hydrating sunscreen lotion with SPF 50.
Pros
Low prices and wide availability.
Fragrance-free versions of Hydro Boost exist.
Mini sizes for trying.
Cons
The standard Water Gel contains fragrance.
Some sunscreens use chemical filters that some people avoid; check labels.
Retail prices vary between stores.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want simple, budget-friendly skincare from a store near them.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you have sensitive skin or want a particular ingredient profile, check the label closely or look for a mineral option.
Bottom Line
The Hydro Boost Water Gel in the fragrance-free version is a safe low-cost place to start; compare retailer prices first.
The UK and German pages also show lower-priced options, which appear to be refill formats, but the labels were not clear, so check the brand’s site for current pricing and the exact options.
Short Verdict
It is a luxury hair oil with a high price per ml. The brand’s refill option and the 30 ml size help to lower the entry cost.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
L’Huile Originale: the brand describes a lightweight leave-in oil with wild and French camellia, for all hair types. It says the formula gives up to twice the shine for 48 hours and heat protection up to 230°C; these are brand test claims.
Refillable bottle: the oil is now sold in a refillable bottle with matching refills.
The UK page shows a 4.7 out of 5 average from 1,285 reviews at the time of checking.
Pros
Refillable packaging and a smaller size.
Lightweight, per the brand.
Highly rated on the UK site.
Cons
High price per ml.
Prices differ between countries.
The scent may not suit everyone.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a salon-brand finishing oil and use heat styling.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a budget oil or fragrance-free products, look at other brands.
Bottom Line
Buy the 30 ml first, then consider the refillable bottle if you use it regularly.
The brand’s homepage shows the Treatment Original as a range of $18 to $48 across sizes. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Treatment Original is a long-standing premium hair oil with a clear role: finishing and smoothing. It is priced high for a hair oil, so the smaller sizes make sense for testing.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Moroccanoil Treatment Original: the brand describes a multitasking hair oil for all hair types that smooths frizz, detangles, conditions and boosts shine by up to 118 percent. The brand also says it is the number one hair oil in the US; both are brand claims.
Pros
Sizes from 25 ml to 100 ml.
Available widely at retailers.
Designed for all hair types, per the brand.
Cons
Premium price for 100 ml.
Prices differ across retailers.
Oils can look greasy if over-applied.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People with frizzy or dull-looking hair who want a finishing oil.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you prefer lightweight or oil-free styling products, or want a cheaper option, look at other products.
Bottom Line
Start with the 25 ml mini and use a very small amount.
Prices came from the brand’s own collection pages. Check the brand’s site for current pricing and shades.
Short Verdict
The brow products cost between $25 and $30 on the brand’s site, which is mid-priced. The brand is a good pick if brows are the part of your routine you care about most.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
DIPBROW Pomade: a full-pigment, waterproof pomade that the brand describes as smudge-proof and buildable, finishing matte. Shades listed range from Blonde and Taupe to Dark Brown, Ebony and Granite.
Brow Wiz: a slim brow pencil in 11 shades.
Brow Quiz: the brand offers an online quiz to match products to your brows.
The brand says it was the number one brow brand in the US based on NPD Group data for 2022; that is an older, brand-cited figure.
Pros
Wide shade range for different hair colors.
A brow-specific range with pencils, pomade and powder.
Subscription discounts on the brand’s site.
Cons
Pomades need a brush and some practice.
Prices are higher than drugstore brow pencils.
Some shades may be out of stock.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who fill in their brows daily and want long-wearing, waterproof color.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you do not use brow products or want the cheapest option, a drugstore pencil is enough.
Bottom Line
Take the Brow Quiz and start with one pencil or the pomade, not the full kit.
Too Faced is a makeup brand whose Better Than Sex mascara is its bestselling product, sold in original, waterproof, chocolate and naturally-derived versions.
Prices vary by country and size. Check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
Moisture Surge is a mid-priced moisturizer with a recognizable texture and several size options, which makes it easy to test with a travel size first.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Intense 72H hydrator: the brand calls it a rich cream-gel with hyaluronic acid, activated aloe water, caffeine and cica; it is oil-free and the brand says it delivers 72 hours of hydration. Skin types listed are very dry to dry and combination.
100H hydrator: the brand describes it as absorbing instantly and keeping skin hydrated for 100 hours.
These hydration-time figures are Clinique’s own claims.
Pros
Several sizes, including a 15 ml travel option in Germany.
Oil-free formula per the brand.
Easy to use alone or under makeup.
Cons
Prices differ a lot between countries.
Larger sizes are noticeably more expensive.
Gel textures may feel light for very dry skin in winter.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who like a gel-cream moisturizer and want a simple hydration step.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a thick barrier cream or a budget moisturizer, other products may be a better match.
Bottom Line
Try a small size first, then move to the larger bottle only if you like the texture.
Prices came from the brand’s site and Sephora when checked. Check the brand’s site for current pricing and shade availability.
Short Verdict
Shape Tape is a pricey concealer at $32, but it remains the brand’s hero product and it is built for people who want strong coverage. If you prefer a light, dewy finish, it may feel too matte.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Shape Tape Concealer: the brand describes full coverage, a natural matte finish and crease-proof under-eye coverage, with 16-hour wear aimed at combination or oily skin.
Shade finder: Tarte offers a find-my-shade tool, which helps because shade range matters a lot with a full-coverage formula.
The brand quotes consumer-study figures such as 100 percent saying it does not crease; those are the brand’s own survey results.
Pros
Strong coverage in a single product.
Travel size and sets available.
A shade-finder tool on the brand site.
Cons
Matte formula may not suit very dry skin.
$32 is high compared with drugstore concealers.
Some shades go out of stock.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want full coverage on under-eyes or blemishes and prefer a matte finish.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a sheer, glowy concealer or a budget option, other formulas will fit better.
Bottom Line
Use the shade finder first and consider the travel size before buying the full tube.
Laneige is a Korean skincare brand whose hydration-focused range includes the Lip Sleeping Mask, the Water Sleeping Mask and the Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream.
These are the prices shown on the brand’s US site when checked. Check the brand’s site for current pricing and offers.
Short Verdict
Laneige sits in the mid-price range and its lip mask is the cheapest way to try the brand. The Water Bank cream is the better choice if you want a full moisturizer.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Lip Sleeping Mask: an overnight leave-on lip mask with Berry Fruit Complex, murumuru seed and shea butter. Flavors listed include Vanilla, Sweet Candy, Gummy Bear, Berry (original) and Watermelon Pop. Laneige cites Circana data to say it was the number one US prestige lip treatment brand from 2022 to 2025; that is the brand’s own claim.
Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream: the brand says it gave hydration for up to 100 hours in a four-week study of 32 women. It is aimed at normal and dry skin and includes blue hyaluronic acid, squalane and ceramide.
Pros
Lip mask offers many flavors at one price.
Refill and mini sizes lower the cost of trying products.
Simple hydration-focused routine.
Cons
The cream is listed for normal to dry skin, so oily skin may want a lighter gel.
Prices outside the US vary widely, for example in Indonesia and the Philippines the brand lists them in local currencies.
Study claims are small and come from the brand.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want a dependable hydration routine and enjoy a night-time lip mask.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want targeted treatment actives or a budget moisturizer, other brands may be a better match.
Bottom Line
Start with the Lip Sleeping Mask or the mini cream and decide from there whether the full routine is worth it.
The brand also offers limited editions; its Lip Butter Balm Vault with all 18 flavors listed at $315 and was sold out when checked. Prices change, so check the brand’s site for current pricing.
Short Verdict
The Lip Butter Balm is a pricey lip balm by drugstore standards, but it is the product the whole brand is built on and it comes in many flavors and sheer tints. It makes most sense as a treat or a gift.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Lip Butter Balm, Vanilla: a sheer beige balm with a hint of vanilla. The brand says to use it for instant moisture and shine, or at bedtime as an overnight lip mask.
Lip Butter Balm, Iced Coffee: a version with a touch of sheer cocoa color.
Hot Cocoa: a limited-edition flavor with warm chocolate color.
The brand says it was the number one prestige lip brand by US sales in 2025, citing YipitData; that is the brand’s own sourced claim and not something verified here.
Pros
Vegan formula with many flavor and tint options.
Can be worn by day or overnight.
Subscription and auto-replenish discounts available.
Cons
$24 for 15 g is a lot compared with basic balms.
Limited editions sell out and some are capped per customer.
Flavored balms are not for people who dislike scented lip products.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who like a glossy, comfortable lip balm and enjoy trying flavors.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a cheap, fragrance-free balm for everyday use, a drugstore stick will do the same basic job for much less.
Bottom Line
Try one classic shade such as Vanilla before buying a bundle, and use the subscription discount only if you know you will use it up.
Rhode is the skincare and lip brand founded by Hailey Bieber, built around a short list of products rather than a huge catalogue. Its Peptide Lip Treatment is the item most people start with.
Prices are what the brand’s own collection pages showed at the time of writing. Check the site for current pricing and any bundles.
Short Verdict
Rhode keeps things small and affordable at the entry level: the $20 lip treatment is the easy way in, while the $32 skincare pieces sit in the mid-price range. It is a brand for people who like a short routine, not a shelf full of steps.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Peptide Lip Treatment: a 10 ml gloss-style treatment that Rhode describes as hydrating and leaving lips pillowy-soft. It comes in strawberry glaze, rhode vanilla, salted caramel, watermelon slice and unscented, and the brand says the range now uses an improved formula.
Peptide Lip Tint: the brand says every shade in its core lineup is now permanently scented, including newer scents such as PBJ and Salty Tan.
Peptide Glazing Fluid: a dewy gel serum meant to give skin a glossy finish; it is the priciest of the everyday products at $32.
Pros
Low entry price for the lip products.
A short, easy-to-understand range.
Many lip scents and shades to choose from.
Cons
Scented lip products are not for everyone; an unscented version exists for the treatment.
Cases, kits and sets can push the total up quickly.
Availability and pricing outside the US can differ, so compare before ordering.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People who want simple, glossy lip care and a minimal skincare routine with a modern look.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a deep, multi-step skincare range or fragrance-free everything, a more specialised brand may suit you better.
Bottom Line
Start with the unscented or your favorite scent of the Peptide Lip Treatment before buying kits, and see whether the gloss texture works for you.
Jo Malone London is a fragrance house known for light colognes that are designed to be layered. Its best-known scents are English Pear & Freesia and Wood Sage & Sea Salt.
Paula’s Choice was founded in 1995 by Paula Begoun and focuses on ingredient-led skincare. Its signature product is the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, backed by a range of other exfoliants and treatments.
Drunk Elephant is a prestige skincare brand known for its moisturizers, particularly Protini Polypeptide Cream and Lala Retro Whipped Cream, along with serums, cleansers and the Bora Barrier Repair Cream.
e.l.f. Cosmetics is a budget makeup brand whose hero products include the Power Grip Primer and the Halo Glow range. Most of its makeup is priced under about $15.
La Roche-Posay is a pharmacy skincare brand with a focus on sensitive skin. Its most visible lines are Cicaplast (repair balms and gels), Anthelios (sunscreens), Toleriane (gentle cleansers and moisturizers) and Effaclar (for oily, blemish-prone skin).
Prices come from LookFantastic, Walmart and PriceRunner. UK retailers regularly discount below RRP.
Short Verdict
La Roche-Posay is a reliable mid-priced choice for sensitive or reactive skin, with the Cicaplast balm and the Anthelios sunscreens as the standouts.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Cicaplast Baume B5: a multi-purpose balm that LookFantastic shows rated 4.8 stars from over 1,000 reviews.
Anthelios UVMune 400: a sunscreen line that includes fluid and tinted versions.
Toleriane: a range of cleansers and moisturizers aimed at sensitive skin.
Effaclar: cleansers and treatments for oily skin.
Pros
A focused, easy-to-navigate range.
Pharmacy availability in many countries.
Several sizes, from travel to large.
Cons
Pricing varies a lot between countries.
Some products are pricier than comparable drugstore options.
Even gentle lines can irritate some skin, so patch testing still applies.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
People with sensitive or dry skin looking for simple, repeatable basics, and anyone wanting an easy daily sunscreen.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you are on a tight budget, CeraVe-style basics cost less; for medical skin conditions, ask a dermatologist rather than relying on any cosmetic line.
Bottom Line
Cicaplast and Anthelios are the two best places to begin.
Olaplex is a salon-style haircare brand whose products are numbered by step: No.3 Hair Perfector, No.4 shampoo, No.5 conditioner and No.7 Bonding Oil are among the most visible.
Byredo is a niche Swedish fragrance house whose best-known scents are Bal d’Afrique, Mojave Ghost and Gypsy Water. Bal d’Afrique was introduced in 2009 and remains a cornerstone of the line.
Glossier is known for minimal, skin-first makeup and a short list of recognizable best-sellers: Boy Brow, Cloud Paint and Balm Dotcom, plus the Glossier You fragrance.
CeraVe is a drugstore skincare brand that centers its products on ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Retailers like Cult Beauty describe the formulas as built around that combination to support the skin barrier.
The Ordinary is known for single-active skincare at very low prices. Its bestsellers center on a handful of familiar ingredients: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and peptides.
Prices are the list prices shown on the brand’s regional storefront; the same page often shows temporary reduced prices, and European and UK prices differ.
Short Verdict
The Ordinary is one of the cheapest ways to try well-known actives. The tradeoff is that you build your own routine, which takes some reading.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: a perennial bestseller, marketed for blemishes and visible pores.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Space NK points to its low price as the reason it tops the bestseller list.
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner: a gentler entry to AHAs than the brand’s stronger peel; it was named best toner at the Women’s Health Skincare Awards 2022, according to the brand.
Multi-Peptide + HA Serum: the brand’s anti-aging peptide option.
Pros
Low prices on single, clearly labeled actives.
Easy to add one product at a time.
Wide international availability.
Cons
Strong acids and retinoids can irritate if overused.
Layering rules take research.
Texture and packaging are basic.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Budget shoppers who like understanding exactly what is in their skincare.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a ready-made routine or have very sensitive skin, a dermatologist-oriented brand with pre-built regimens may be easier.
Bottom Line
Start with one product, patch test, and add others slowly.
Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez’s makeup brand, is built around easy-to-use color products, with the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush as its clear hero. The brand also funds mental-health initiatives through its Rare Impact Fund, which is part of how it markets itself.
Prices come from Space NK and Ulta listings and vary by retailer and promotion.
Short Verdict
Rare Beauty has a small number of products that are consistently popular, led by Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, which Space NK describes as easy to use even for non-professionals. The brand sits in the middle of the prestige price range.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush: the most popular product on the brand’s range according to skincare database SkinSort. Popular shades noted by retailers include Hope, Happy and Joy.
Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer: a lightweight option with SPF 20 and a large shade range.
Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush: a hybrid of the brand’s liquid blush and highlighter, aimed at people who prefer powder.
Positive Light Liquid Luminizer: a liquid highlighter also sold in a mini size.
Pros
Easy application, with a little going a long way.
Mini sizes make shade trials cheaper.
Available at many major retailers, often in bundles.
Cons
Highly pigmented liquids can be overapplied quickly.
Prices outside the US can be noticeably higher after conversion.
The brand is focused on face and cheek, so it is not a one-stop shop.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Makeup beginners and anyone who wants a quick, no-fuss cheek product.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a full, heavy-coverage base, the tinted moisturizer is too sheer; look at the brand’s foundation line or another brand.
Bottom Line
Start with a mini Soft Pinch Liquid Blush before buying anything else from the line.
Fenty Beauty launched with a foundation range of 40 shades, which was unusual at the time, and the brand has kept shade inclusivity at the center of its pitch. The range has since grown well beyond foundation into lip, cheek, skin tints, body products and fragrance.
US prices come from a L’OFFICIEL roundup and UK pricing from Space NK. Retailer discounts are common, so check current prices before buying.
Short Verdict
Fenty Beauty is a mainstream prestige brand with a few genuinely popular hero products, mainly the Pro Filt’r foundation and the Gloss Bomb. The pricing sits at the accessible end of prestige: well above drugstore, but not luxury territory.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation: the brand’s first launch. It started with 40 shades and has since expanded to roughly 50, and it is marketed as sweat-resistant and shine-controlling.
Gloss Bomb: described by reviewers as shiny without feeling sticky. The family now includes a cream version and a plumping Heat version.
Stunna Lip Paint ($26): a longwear fluid lip color for people who want more staying power than gloss.
Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($22): a simple cream blush that is easy to apply with fingers.
Pros
A very wide foundation shade range compared with many competitors.
Gloss Bomb is a low-risk, widely liked entry point at $20.
Wide availability across major beauty retailers, with frequent sales.
Cons
The matte foundation may not suit dry skin that prefers a dewy finish.
Hero products are priced above drugstore equivalents.
Prices and shade availability differ by country and retailer.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who struggle to find a foundation shade, and anyone who wants a dependable everyday gloss, will get the most from the brand.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you want a skin-like dewy base, check the brand’s hydrating foundation or skin tints before committing to the matte formula, or compare with a tinted moisturizer.
Bottom Line
Fenty Beauty is worth a look mainly for its foundation range and the Gloss Bomb. Treat the rest of the catalog as optional.
Equivalenza is a Spanish fragrance retailer best known in the perfume world for selling “equivalent” scents — numbered fragrances positioned as similar in character to well-known designer perfumes, at a fraction of the price. Its own current marketing leans more on personalization and refills than on explicitly naming which designer scent each number is meant to resemble, which is worth knowing before you shop expecting a direct dupe list.
Prices in euros, as listed on equivalenza.com. Free shipping applies from 34.95€, and a 10% first-purchase discount is offered through the brand’s Equilovers loyalty program.
Short Verdict
At 23.95€ for a 100ml bottle, Equivalenza undercuts designer fragrance pricing by a wide margin — a comparable 100ml designer eau de parfum regularly runs well over 100€. The tradeoff is concentration and longevity: fragrance-equivalent brands in this category generally use a lighter concentration than the originals they’re compared to, and Equivalenza’s own site doesn’t publish fragrance concentration percentages, so you’re buying on scent description rather than a transparent ingredient or concentration comparison.
What It Is
Equivalenza sells its fragrances under numeric codes (such as “013 Sunny Riviera” or “753 Jasmin de Minuit”) rather than naming them after the designer scents they’re historically associated with resembling. The brand’s current site markets a “Personaliza tu esencia” system: shoppers choose a fragrance, a bottle style, and a cap, building a personalized product rather than buying a fixed, pre-packaged item. A refill model lets customers return to a physical store to refill a bottle they already own with a new fragrance, which the brand frames as both a cost-saving and sustainability feature.
The Pricing Model, Explained
Standard vs. personalized: a standard best-seller bottle costs less than a personalized one at the same size — a 50ml standard runs 17.95€ versus 19.95€ personalized, a 2€ premium for choosing your own bottle and cap combination.
Les Secrets premium line: priced roughly 4€ higher than the Best Sellers line at equivalent sizes, positioned as the brand’s higher tier.
No per-ml pricing shown: unlike some fragrance retailers, Equivalenza’s site doesn’t break out a price-per-ml figure, so comparing value across sizes requires doing that math yourself.
Refills: the brand markets refilling an existing bottle as a core feature, though exact refill pricing versus a new bottle purchase isn’t broken out separately on the general pricing page.
Pros
Dramatically lower price point than designer fragrances at comparable bottle sizes.
The refill model is a genuinely different approach from most fragrance retailers, which sell one bottle at a time with no return/refill path.
Personalization (bottle and cap choice) adds a gift-shopping angle most budget fragrance brands don’t offer.
A 10% first-purchase discount and free shipping over 34.95€ make a first order relatively low-risk to try.
Cons
No published fragrance concentration (EDT/EDP equivalent) on the main pricing page, making it hard to judge longevity before buying.
Numeric naming means you’ll likely need to cross-reference third-party “equivalent fragrance” guides if you’re trying to match a specific designer scent, since the brand’s own site doesn’t spell out those comparisons.
No per-ml price comparison tool on the site, so value-per-size requires manual math.
Refilling requires a physical store visit, which limits the feature’s usefulness if you don’t live near a location.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Budget-conscious fragrance shoppers who want to try a lot of different scents without committing designer-perfume money to each one are the clearest fit, and the personalized bottle/cap option makes it a reasonable gift option at a lower price point than a boutique niche brand.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If concentration, ingredient transparency, and verified longevity matter more than price, niche fragrance houses like Atelier Cologne or Mugler (both bookmarked elsewhere on this blog) publish clearer concentration and ingredient information, at a correspondingly higher price.
Bottom Line
Equivalenza’s pricing genuinely delivers on affordability, and the refill-and-personalize model is a legitimately different approach to buying fragrance. Just go in knowing you’re buying on scent description rather than a transparent concentration or ingredient comparison to the designer scents these numbered fragrances are known for resembling.
Jeffree Star Cosmetics built its name on ultra-pigmented liquid lipsticks and some of the most talked-about eyeshadow palettes of the late 2010s YouTube beauty boom. Years after losing its retail deal with Morphe and reportedly seeing revenue decline from its peak, the brand is still selling direct-to-consumer, with mystery bags, bundle deals, and its original core products still in rotation.
Matches the brand’s original liquid lipstick shades
The Gloss
$22
Lip gloss line
Vitamin C Skin Perfecting Serum
$38
Part of the brand’s smaller skincare push
Magic Star Mushroom Mist
$28
Setting spray / skin mist
Ultimate Heavy Metal Couture Bundle
$103.70 (was $122)
Bundled discount set
Limited-Edition Fall Mystery Bag
$115 (was $250), US only
Randomized product bag, seasonal
Prices and availability confirmed live on jeffreestarcosmetics.com; several items (travel tote, select bundles) were marked sold out at the time of writing.
Short Verdict
The brand that made liquid lipstick a beauty-YouTube staple is still operating, still shipping, and still running the same seasonal mystery-bag promotions that built its early fanbase. What’s changed is the retail footprint — it’s direct-to-consumer only now, after Morphe dropped the brand from its stores in 2020 — and, per third-party revenue estimates, a smaller business than it was at its peak. Whether that affects anything a customer actually experiences at checkout is a separate question from the company’s broader financial trajectory.
What It Is
Jeffree Star Cosmetics launched in November 2014 with three Velour liquid lipsticks, founded by YouTube personality Jeffree Star with early investment from co-owner Jeff Cohen. The brand grew through a combination of online sales and, for a period starting in 2018, physical retail distribution through Morphe stores, including international launches in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. It now sells exclusively through its own website.
What Changed, and When
July 2020: Morphe ended its commercial relationship with Jeffree Star Cosmetics following public allegations against Star, removing the brand’s main physical retail channel.
Revenue trajectory: third-party estimates cited on the brand’s Wikipedia page put annual revenue around $100 million at an earlier peak, down to roughly $45 million in a 2022 estimate (NeoReach) and about $31.7 million in a 2023 estimate (Zawya). These are outside estimates, not figures the company has published itself, and no more recent estimate was independently verifiable at the time of writing.
Current operations: as of today, the brand’s own site is live, processing orders, and running an active seasonal promotion (“Spooky Bags”), with free domestic shipping over $60 — all signs of a functioning, if smaller, direct-to-consumer business.
Pros
Still actively selling and shipping, with the original Velour-based product lines intact.
Bundle and mystery-bag pricing (like the $115 Fall Mystery Bag, discounted from $250) offers real per-item savings if you’re comfortable with randomized contents.
Branched into a small skincare line (Vitamin C serum, setting mists) beyond its original color-cosmetics focus.
Prices for individual items ($20–$38) sit in a comparable range to other mid-tier independent beauty brands.
Cons
No physical retail access anymore since losing the Morphe partnership in 2020 — you can’t swatch or test before buying.
Reported revenue estimates show a real decline from the brand’s peak, even though exact current figures aren’t independently confirmable.
Mystery bags are, by design, non-returnable randomized contents — a real risk if you’re buying for specific shades or products.
Some bundles and accessories (travel totes, specific kits) were sold out at the time of writing, suggesting inconsistent restocking on non-core items.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Existing fans of the brand’s original liquid lipstick and eyeshadow formulas, and shoppers comfortable buying direct-to-consumer without in-store testing, are the realistic audience here. The bundle and mystery-bag pricing rewards people who already know they like the brand rather than first-time buyers.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
First-time buyers who want to test shades in person before committing should look at brands with wider retail distribution, like Charlotte Tilbury or KIKO Milano (both reviewed separately on this site), rather than buying blind from a direct-only site.
Bottom Line
Jeffree Star Cosmetics is a smaller company than it was at its mid-2010s peak, by every outside estimate available, but it’s a real, currently operating business shipping the same core products that built its reputation. Whether that’s a “buy” depends entirely on whether you already trust the brand — this isn’t a storefront built for first impressions anymore.
Kiehl’s has sold itself on the same “pharmacist-style apothecary” positioning since its founding, and its best-sellers — the Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps, and a handful of serums — have barely changed their formulas or packaging in years. That consistency is the brand’s whole appeal, but it also means the prices have had a long time to climb.
Normal to combination skin wanting all-day hydration
US prices are from kiehls.com. The Ultra Facial Cream’s US price couldn’t be confirmed directly from Kiehl’s own site at the time of writing, so its UK sizes and sale prices (via Sephora UK) are shown instead — expect the US price to differ.
Short Verdict
Kiehl’s earns its reputation less through marketing and more through sheer repeat-purchase loyalty — the Ultra Facial Cream and Creme de Corps have been best-sellers for years because they work reliably on a wide range of skin types without being heavily fragranced or actively trendy. The prices sit in upper-mid prestige territory: not as expensive as a luxury serum brand, but well above drugstore moisturizers doing a similar job.
What It Is
Kiehl’s, owned by L’Oréal, is a skincare brand with roots as a New York apothecary, and its branding — simple labels, ingredient lists prominently displayed, in-store consultations — still leans on that pharmacy-counter identity. The catalog spans facial moisturizers, body care, sun protection, and a smaller color/men’s grooming line, with a handful of hero products anchoring most of the brand’s visibility.
The Best-Sellers, Broken Down
Ultra Facial Cream: the brand’s signature moisturizer, built around squalane and glacial glycoprotein. Its draw is that it works for most skin types without feeling heavy — which is why it’s stayed a best-seller across multiple reformulation cycles.
Creme de Corps ($85 for the 8.4 fl oz pump): a thick, cocoa butter-based body lotion sold in sizes up to a full liter, with a refillable pump option — a meaningful cost-per-ounce savings over buying smaller bottles repeatedly.
Avocado Eye Cream ($62): a rich, occlusive under-eye cream aimed at dryness rather than dark circles or puffiness specifically — worth knowing if you’re shopping by concern rather than just skin type.
Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+ ($45): positioned as a serum-sunscreen hybrid with a collagen peptide, priced in line with other prestige mineral/chemical hybrid sunscreens.
Pros
Hero products have stayed consistent for years rather than being reformulated or discontinued for trend reasons.
Refillable options on Creme de Corps and the Ultra Facial Cream line reduce long-term packaging waste and cost-per-use.
Minimal, ingredient-forward branding makes it easier to understand what you’re buying compared to heavily marketed “glow” or “filter” language used elsewhere.
Wide size range on body care (from travel sizes up to 1-liter pumps) lets heavy users buy in bulk at a lower per-ounce cost.
Cons
Prices sit well above drugstore equivalents doing a similar basic job (plain moisturizer, body lotion).
The Avocado Eye Cream targets dryness specifically, not the dark-circle or puffiness concerns many under-eye-cream shoppers are actually looking to solve.
US pricing for some flagship products, including the standard-size Ultra Facial Cream, isn’t consistently easy to find directly on Kiehl’s own site.
As a L’Oréal-owned brand, Kiehl’s doesn’t have the small-batch or independent positioning its apothecary branding implies.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Anyone who wants a dependable, fragrance-light moisturizer or body lotion without chasing the latest skincare trend will get solid, repeatable results from the Ultra Facial Cream and Creme de Corps specifically — these are the two products most worth trying before anything else in the catalog.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If dark circles and puffiness, not dryness, are the actual under-eye concern, a targeted caffeine- or vitamin-K-based eye cream from another brand will likely do more for that specific issue than the Avocado Eye Cream. Budget-focused shoppers looking for a similar basic moisturizer at a fraction of the price should compare against CeraVe or Vichy, both mentioned elsewhere in this blog’s bookmarked brand list.
Bottom Line
Kiehl’s earns its best-seller status the old-fashioned way — by not messing with formulas that already work. The prices are a real step up from drugstore basics, but the Ultra Facial Cream and Creme de Corps are reasonable places to spend that premium if simple, dependable skincare is what you’re after.
KIKO Milano occupies an unusual spot in the makeup market: it’s sold mostly through its own freestanding stores rather than big-box retailers, markets itself on Italian design and manufacturing, and prices most products between $13 and $20 — above true drugstore brands, but well under prestige labels like Charlotte Tilbury or YSL Beauty.
Prices sourced from KIKO Milano’s US site. The brand also sells skincare, fragrance, nail, and accessory lines, though it doesn’t publish prices for all of them on its homepage.
Short Verdict
KIKO Milano’s whole pitch is “Italian quality at affordable prices,” and at $13–$18 for most individual products, it holds up against that promise reasonably well. It’s not a true drugstore-tier price (expect to pay a few dollars more than a Maybelline or NYX equivalent), but it’s a meaningful step down from Sephora’s prestige shelf, and the brand’s shadow sticks and gloss formulas have a loyal following among people who’ve tried a lot of options in that middle price tier.
What It Is
KIKO Milano is an Italian cosmetics brand sold through its own standalone stores across Europe and a growing number of other markets, plus its own e-commerce site. Unlike brands that lead with celebrity endorsements, KIKO’s marketing leans on its Italian design identity and a large, frequently refreshed product catalog spanning face, eyes, lips, nails, skincare, and fragrance.
Where the Value Actually Is
Eyeshadow sticks and water eyeshadows ($13–$15): these cream-to-powder and liquid-metal formulas are frequently cited as the brand’s strongest category, competing with much pricier cream shadow sticks from prestige brands.
Lip gloss and lip liner ($13–$14): priced close to true drugstore gloss, with a wider, more frequently updated shade range than most budget competitors.
Mascara ($18): priced closer to the mid-tier than the rest of the catalog, putting it in direct competition with brands like Maybelline’s premium lines or L’Oréal’s higher-end mascaras.
Seasonal sets ($28–$150): the advent calendar and holiday bundles are where KIKO leans into gift-set economics — a larger upfront spend for a bigger per-item discount.
Pros
Most individual products land in a genuinely accessible $13–$18 range.
Eyeshadow sticks and liquid shadows punch above their price point compared to similarly priced competitors.
Large, frequently refreshed catalog gives more shade and formula variety than most budget brands manage.
Standalone stores mean you can swatch and test in person in markets where KIKO has a physical presence — something many budget brands sold only online can’t offer.
Cons
Not actually drugstore-cheap — expect to pay several dollars more than Maybelline, NYX, or e.l.f. for a comparable product.
Store footprint is uneven outside Europe, so trying products in person depends heavily on where you live.
The brand doesn’t publish a founding date or store count on its own site, which makes it harder to independently size the company or verify how long it’s been operating.
Fragrance and skincare pricing isn’t listed on the main site, so you can’t comparison-shop those categories without digging into individual product pages.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Shoppers who’ve outgrown the cheapest drugstore options but don’t want to pay prestige prices are the clearest fit — especially for eyeshadow sticks, gloss, and face products where KIKO’s formulas are frequently compared favorably to brands costing two or three times as much.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If true rock-bottom pricing is the priority, standard drugstore brands will still undercut KIKO on most categories. And if you want the “celebrity hero product” shopping experience — a small, curated, heavily marketed lineup — Charlotte Tilbury (reviewed separately on this site) is built around that model in a way KIKO’s sprawling catalog isn’t.
Bottom Line
KIKO Milano delivers on its mid-tier pricing promise, particularly in eyeshadow and lip products, without quite reaching true drugstore prices. It’s a solid middle ground for anyone shopping between the cheapest shelf and the prestige counter.
Charlotte Tilbury built an entire makeup brand around a handful of hero products — a universally-flattering nude lipstick shade, a cream that promises red-carpet skin in one step, and a liquid highlighter that’s been copied by half the drugstore. The products are genuinely good. They’re also priced like it, and the brand leans hard on “celebrity makeup artist secrets” marketing that doesn’t always match what’s in the formula.
Eyeshadow palette in Pillow Talk-coordinated shades
A no-brainer eye look that matches the lipstick
Prices sourced directly from charlottetilbury.com’s US site; the Magic Cream refill is sold separately from the original jar, which stays reusable.
Short Verdict
Charlotte Tilbury’s reputation rests on real product quality, not just branding — Pillow Talk’s shade range genuinely works on a huge range of skin tones, and the Magic Cream’s immediate plumping effect is noticeable even if it’s more “instant glow” than long-term skincare. The prices sit at the top of the prestige-beauty tier, though, and a few items (the eyeshadow palettes especially) get mixed reviews on pigmentation and fallout compared to what you’d pay elsewhere at the same price point.
What It Is
Charlotte Tilbury is a British luxury makeup and skincare brand founded by celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, sold through its own stores, its website, and major beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta. Its marketing centers on reproducing specific celebrity looks (“The Bella Sofia,” “The Dolce Vita”) using a small, famous set of hero products rather than a sprawling catalog.
The Hero Products, Broken Down
Pillow Talk lipstick ($37): the brand’s single best-known product, in a dusty rose-nude that’s genuinely wearable across a wide range of skin tones. It’s available in matte, satin, and sheer finishes under the same name, which causes some buyer confusion about which one to pick.
Charlotte’s Magic Cream ($105 for 50ml, $95 for the refill): a moisturizer built around the brand’s “Magic 8” peptide/hyaluronic acid blend. The $95 refill price for the same 50ml amount as the original jar is worth noting if you’re reusing the jar — it’s a real but modest discount, not a dramatically cheaper option.
Hollywood Flawless Filter ($50 full size, $19 travel): a liquid skin-illuminating primer/highlighter that can be worn alone, under foundation, or mixed in. It’s one of the most-copied formulas in prestige beauty, which says something about how well it photographs.
Luxury Palette in Pillow Talk ($58): a coordinated eyeshadow palette meant to pair with the lipstick line. At six shades for $58, it’s pricier per-shade than most eyeshadow palettes in its tier.
Pros
Pillow Talk’s shade range genuinely flatters a wide variety of skin tones, which is rare for a single “universal” shade claim.
The Magic Cream and Hollywood Flawless Filter deliver a visible, immediate finish that photographs well — the core promise of the brand.
Refillable packaging on the Magic Cream reduces plastic waste on repeat purchases.
Available at major retailers (Sephora, Ulta) as well as direct, so returns and price-matching are easier than with a direct-only brand.
Cons
Prices sit at the top of the prestige tier — $37 for a single lipstick, $105 for a moisturizer jar.
The Magic Cream is more of an instant-plump, dewy-finish product than a long-term anti-aging treatment, despite marketing that leans toward the latter.
Eyeshadow palettes get more mixed reviews on pigmentation and fallout than the brand’s skin-focused products.
The shade-finish naming (multiple “Pillow Talk” products across different formulas) can make it unclear exactly what you’re buying without reading carefully.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
Anyone who wants a small, curated set of reliably flattering products — rather than a huge catalog to sort through — is the brand’s intended audience, and Pillow Talk and the Flawless Filter are reasonable entry points before committing to pricier skincare. If a dewy, “lit from within” finish is the look you’re going for, this is one of the more reliable places to get it.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If budget matters more than brand cachet, KIKO Milano (reviewed separately on this site) covers similar matte lipstick and glow-primer territory at a fraction of the price, and drugstore dupes for the Flawless Filter and Pillow Talk shade are widely documented online if you just want the look, not the label.
Bottom Line
Charlotte Tilbury earns its hype on a handful of genuinely well-formulated products, especially Pillow Talk and the Hollywood Flawless Filter. The prices are a real premium, though, and the brand’s broader catalog (especially eyeshadow) is less consistently worth that premium than the hero items that made it famous.
