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Beauty and music go hand-in-hand. Whether you’re strutting onstage in full face, à la Lady Gaga on the Mayhem Ball tour, or getting glammed up to see your favorite musicians in concert, music and makeup give fans an opportunity to express themselves in fun, creative and eye-catching new ways.
There are a plethora of musicians who have gone on to start their own cosmetic brands, from Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez to Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez. (Beyoncé and Shakira both have successful hair care lines but for the purposes of this article, we are only including beauty brands) As a longtime lover of beauty, these brands have always caught my eye because they’re an extension of each musician’s identity and persona, expanding their art and creativity beyond the stage.
Brands backed by the likes of Gaga (Haus Labs) or Halsey’s About Face feature bold offerings with formulas that are just as unique as they are, while Gomez’s Rare Beauty focuses on softer, more wearable tones with user-friendly formulas, mirroring the singer’s everyday makeup. Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, meanwhile, is glamorous and just as artful as she is, utilizing colors and glittering finishes that remind me of the “Diamonds” singer’s equally bold and experimental fashion choices.
This concept of musicians and makeup isn’t new, of course. Stars like Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Gwen Stefani and even Victoria Beckham have been lending their acclaim to the cosmetics industry since the dawn of time, urging fans to shop everything under the sun from body mists to edible makeup (if you know, you know).
Still, not all celebrity makeup and beauty brands are created equal. Some stars are more involved in the production of their lines, while others may just see them as a — literal — vanity project. Below, I’ve ranked a few of the top musician-owned beauty brands, based on formulas, pricing, uniqueness and accessibility. I’ll be breaking down the pros and cons of each line and diving deep into why they’re ranked where they are.
As for why I got this assignment: I am an avid beauty lover and have been since I was 13, and I have covered the beauty and fashion beats at many different publications over the years, including Allure, WWD, Glamour and now Billboard. If that doesn’t convince you, I have very strong opinions — especially on the beauty industry and its practices.
Read on for the best musician beauty brands that you can buy online right now.
NO. 7
JLO Beauty by Jennifer Lopez
Pros: Beautiful packaging, strong branding identity, focus on body care
Cons: Outdated product, pricing
Lopez launched JLO Beauty in 2020, and it was made available to the public the next year in 2021. The brand features everything from skincare to body care, with a few makeup products here and there. JLO Beauty’s focus on body care and skincare is what differentiates it from the other brands on this list, making it a standout if you’re looking for coverage beyond just your face.
The packaging is also a big draw for me, with all the gold accents and eye-catching JLO branding. Some of my favorite products from the brand include their That Star Filter Complexion Booster for $39 and That Limitless Glow Sheet Mask 3 Pack for $49. Both those products and the brand’s existing line can be shopped at Revolve.
If I could pinpoint where the brand needs to revamp, I can think of two things: First, the product is outdated, with formulas that have been done before. While Lopez’s skin is amazing, it is likely thanks to the treatments she has had as a world-renowned celeb, not because of her product line. Personally, when I think of JLO, I am not thinking about her skin. I’m thinking about her hit music. She needs to make herself an authority on the subject of skincare if she wants to get people excited about her products. I’m craving more inventive product, even a rebrand if possible — something to further differentiate her brand from the rest.
NO. 6
GXVE by Gwen Stefani
Pros: Strong branding, affordable pricing
Cons: Non-inventive products, needs a formula revamp
Stefani began GXVE in 2022 and it was launched in Sephora only a few weeks later. The product line backed by the “Luxurious” singer is exceedingly affordable, boasting strong and eye-catching branding that matches the singer’s own unique sense of style. The product line is also extremely stripped-down, filled with simple and easy-to-use products for the everyday girl looking to get glam.
Some of my favorites from the brand include their Paint It Up Clean 24-Hr Cream Eyeshadow for $10 and the Pick It Up Cream Contour & Talc-Free Powder Bronzer Duo for $14. Every product mentioned, and much more, can be shopped at Sephora.
Where GXVE lacks is inventiveness. The product line is barebones and contains makeup that has been done before, and done better. With a formula revamp, and a quick trip back to the drawing board, I believe the brand could be even greater. I’d like to see new product ideas that fit the 2025 consumer with innovation in mind. With a name like Stefani attached to the line, the brand has the power to do more and go farther.
NO. 5
R.E.M. Beauty by Ariana Grande
Pros: Affordability, cohesive product line, unique range, best basics
Cons: Brand identity, consumers are craving something new
Grande’s R.E.M. Beauty launched back in 2021 with an “Ultraviolet” collection. The line has since grown to include skincare and makeup brushes. The line is affordable and tells a cohesive story with products that reflect Grande’s personal tastes. The basics, like blushes, highlighters and lip products, are solid through and through, boasting a healthy range of both experimental and wearable hues. Some of my favorites include the Essential Drip Glossy Balm for $19, Hypernova Satin Matte Blush for $22 and their Hypernova Satin Matte Bronzer for $28. All of these products can be shopped at Ulta Beauty.
The brand’s complexion line is where improvements can be made. The Sweetener Foundation is serviceable, as is their concealer of the same name, but both are not in any way remarkable. It’s something we’ve seen before, a lightweight but full-coverage finish. You’ve likely not heard much buzz about those products for that reason. In general, R.E.M. Beauty’s product line is for those looking for approachable products with makeup that you can trust.
NO. 4
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Pros: Inclusivity, affordability
Cons: Too many eggs in one basket, flash-in-the-pan virality
One thing I will always give Rihanna flowers for is Fenty Beauty’s commitment to inclusivity, something that not every brand aims to prioritize. When the brand launched in 2017, Rihanna was almost immediately praised for her line of Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear foundations. At the time, it came in 40 shades, a massive feat for 2017. Since then, the foundation line has included 10 more, bumping the total shade range up to 50.
The brand is also exceedingly affordable, even with a celebrity name attached. No makeup-centric product in the line, including brushes, is over $60. If all that wasn’t enough, the brand is extremely accessible, available in store and online at both Ulta Beauty and Sephora. Some of my favorite products from the Rihanna-backed line include their Bright Fix Instant Brightening + Blurring Powder for $38, Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick for $26, Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil for $43 and Match Stix Contour Skinstick for $32.
A common issue with celeb-run brands, and where Fenty Beauty suffers, is that they really have too many eggs in one basket. With a skincare line, their very own brushes, fragrance line, haircare line and makeup all under one roof, it can be easy to produce product that is uninteresting or of less quality. My belief is that if the brand focused all of its time on makeup, every product would be a slam dunk.
NO. 3
About Face by Halsey
Pros: Creative product, unique formula, artistic perspective, beautiful packaging, affordability
Cons: Not for everyone, lack of complexion products
Halsey’s About Face is all about artistic perspective. I fell in love with the brand’s creative product line, which boasts unique formulas with affordable price tags to boot. The makeup line is for those looking for something exciting and inventive out of their beauty products. Some of my favorite products launched from About Face include their Holographic Eye Paint for $19, Cheek Freak Blush Balm for $18, Line Artist Liners for $15 and their Curtain Call – Set & Smooth Loose Powder for $21. You can snag all these products, and more, in store and online at Ulta Beauty.
My only gripes with the brand are that the product can be unapproachable, what with the extreme and unique shades of lip gloss, blush, eyeshadow and even setting powder. About Face’s complexion products are also lacking. The brand has a pretty standard foundation but no concealer, which I find a little odd.
NO. 2
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Pros: Inclusive packaging, niche market, everyday makeup, clean beauty, easy to use
Cons: Lacking creativity, simple product range, not for experimental beauty
Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty was launched in 2019 and filled an inclusivity hole in the beauty market. The product launch was, and is, focused on inclusivity, giving those with disabilities access to makeup that they can actually use (all of the product packaging is easy to open and close, and easy to apply for those with dexterity issues). The makeup itself fits into the “clean beauty” category, with shades and formulas that are standard and less inventive than something like Halsey’s About Face.
If you’re looking for product that works, and works well, with shades and formulas that work for everyone, then Rare Beauty should be your go-to. Some of my favorites from the brand include their Kind Words Lip Liner for $16, Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil for $19 and, a sleeper hit, their Rare Fragrance Layering Balms, also for $19. These products are available online and in store at Sephora.
A note: This makeup line is not for those seeking out extremely creative formulas. The product is simplistic, oftentimes lacking creativity. All that to say, don’t expect to be creating colorful looks with Rare Beauty products. You’ll likely have to look somewhere else for that.
NO. 1
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga
Pros: Inclusive line, innovative products, quality formula, focus on artistry
Cons: Product line might not suit everyone’s makeup style, eyeshadow department needs an upgrade, lack of affordability.
When Haus Labs launched in 2019, I was immediately drawn to the brand. It just made sense from an artistic perspective, knowing Lady Gaga’s proclivity for fashion and beauty. The musician is well-known for her striking makeup. It’s been a key part of her identity both on and off stage. The line’s star performer, their Triclone Skin Tech foundation, went viral for its airbrushed finish and buildable coverage, making skin look like skin.
Not only that, but the shade range was impressive, boasting 51 total shades as of 2025. This is another brand focused on artistry, with quality formulas and inventive color stories across the board, reflecting Gaga’s love of maximalist looks. Some of my favorites from the brand include the Triclone Skin Tech foundation for $49, Color Fuse Blushes for $32, PhD Hybrid Hydrating Tinted Lip Oil for $26 and their Cruelty-Free Foundation Brush for $39. All of these products are available online and in stores at Sephora.
My big hang-up for Haus Labs is their affordability. The price tag might be due to Gaga’s name tied to the project, or perhaps the quality of packaging and product. Whatever the case may be, the price tag certainly makes the brand less accessible. The product line is more inventive, which could also deter those looking for more natural, everyday makeup.
