CLAIRE COLEMAN on celebrity beauty lines that are shockingly good

Not too long ago, celebrity makeup sequences were a bit of a joke. Like perfumes and concert T-shirts, they just seemed to be another way to monetize fans.

But in 2017, Rihanna changed the game with her range, Fenty. The shades were inclusive, the formulations refined, and the packaging was slick.

That raised the bar and many others followed suit — the latest A-lister to land a credible lippie is Lady Gaga, with her Haus Labs line, which landed in the UK early this month.

Here’s my verdict on the must-buys in the world of celebrity cosmetics.

OO-LA-LA LIPPIE

Haus Labs by Lady Gaga (hauslabs.com and Sephora)

Gaga describes her line as “supercharged products with innovative formulations and new ingredients,” and experts rave about the textures, formulations, and wearable colors.

The heroes: Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer (£25.99), a high-shine liquid lipstick in six shades that lasts. Make-up artist Nikkie de Jager’s TikTok video on which she uses it has been viewed more than five million times in less than 24 hours, while Lady Gaga’s own video has been viewed almost 14 million times.

Then there’s the Bio-Radiant Gel-Powder Highlighter (£39.99), which applies as a powder and melts into the skin like a gel. Among the ten shades are beautiful browns and pinks that work as a bronzer and blusher with a dewy finish.

PICKED PENCILS

Victoria Beckham Beauty by Victoria Beckham (victoriabeckhambeauty.com)

Victoria’s first foray into makeup was a collection with Estee Lauder, but in 2019 she launched her own line of luxury cosmetics to critical acclaim. Victoria is a makeup obsessive, creating sophisticated, wearable products in elegant shades.

The Heroes: Victoria’s signature smokey eye is a great showcase for her Satin Kajal Liner Pencils (£26) and creamy stick shadow Eyewear (£30). Both are packed with pigment that blends easily and then doesn’t move. Make-up artist Monika Blunder loves it. I am a fan of the shade Eyewear (£30) – the matte brown Pecan shade is great.

ROSIE CHEEKS

Rose Inc by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (roseinc.co.uk)

The supermodel who was once famous for her M&S underwear is now praised for her knowledge of beauty. Rosie teamed up with biotech company Amyris to create her smart skincare and makeup line.

The Heroes: Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum (£39). In 14 shades, it comes out of the bottle looking like it’s curdled, but you mix to blend the pigment with the skincare ingredients and end up with the perfect summer base – light coverage and hydration.

Then there’s the Cream Blush Refillable Cheek & Lip Color (£25), loved by makeup artists and beauty editors alike. It comes in 12 shades in a moisturizing, finger-applying, cream format.

DIAMOND BUY

Fenty by Rihanna (fentybeauty.com)

The singer was inspired to create her range after feeling that not all skin tones and types were served – and it was Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation’s 50+ shades that made headlines.

The Heroes: Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara (£16). This impressive, long-wearing mascara thickens and lengthens lashes.

Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in eight shades are portable, iridescent sticks that can be used as highlighters, rouge or eyeshadow.

Look for the Correcting Skinsticks and Contour Skinsticks for a more matte alternative (all £25).

TURN THE SOUND Louder

Rem Beauty by Ariana Grande (Sephora)

Pop icon Ariana’s range is priced lower, but don’t write it off as just for teens. Selfridges made it their brand of the year at last year’s beauty awards, and rightfully so.

The Heroes: Midnight Shadows Eye Palette (£22) – these six-pan palettes come in five colorways and while the turquoise and lilac from Gogo Boots might be a bit off, Babydoll’s more muted browns and neutrals are very wearable . Great for on-the-go beauty, Eclipse Cheek & Lip Stick (£18) is a thick bullet with a cream smudge in four different shades. Blend well and sweep into lips for a contracted effect.

It is the brand’s best-selling product at Sephora.