The world's most popular beauty products (2024)

Ask a beauty editor to name a classic nude lipstick and Mac'sVelvet Teddy always gets mentioned, so it's perhaps little surprise that the universally flattering shade has been declared the world's most popular cosmetic.

The lipstick came out on top in an impressive46 countries, including the UK, Australia and China, with 266k annual global searches. Kylie Jenner no doubt contributed to that surge, when she revealed it asher colour of choice too.

That said, Mac nudelipsticks have long been some of the world's most-loved products, with searches forMehrandTwigeach receiving over 145k searches in 2020. Moreover, 14 out of 15 of Mac's top searched lipsticks were nude (emphasising its brilliant inclusive offering) with the boldRussian Red, loved by Dita Von Tesse, the standout red.

Benefit knows more than a thing or two about brows and lashes and this mascara, narrowly beaten into second place, proves it.

The formula manages to lift and lengthen your lashes without causing annoying smudging or clumping,meaningeven the most sleepy-eyed canlook more awake. It's popular the world over and was the most searched forin 21 countries.

The popularity of Anastasia Beverly Hills' pomadewas truly grownon social media, changing how many beauty loversdarkened and defined their brows forever.

It's fitting then that the classic Dipbrow Pomade, designed to be applied with precision using an angled brush, comes in at third place, reigning supreme in 20 countries.

Laura Mercier's translucent powder has always been popular due to its ability to keep your base looking perfect without a heavy, powdery finish. However, it was the launch of a new Honey shade in 2020, which expanded its appeal, ensuring that darker skin tones could use it too.

We predict thatLaura Mercier's best-selling productnowhas just as much staying power in this top ten as it provides for your complexion.

The second Mac product to crack the top ten most popular beauty products this year can be trusted to define and enhance your lips in just a few strokes.

Cork was the shade of choice –a muted golden brown that works wonderfully as a nude colour for deep skin tones. For lighter skins, it makes theperfect liner for embracing the resurgence of brown lipstick, a former 90s trend.

Liquid eyeliner can be tricky, but the best piece of advice we can give you is to find a narrow-nibbed pen that makes the process a lot less stressful.

No wonder then that Maybelline's liner, which is precise by both name and nature, was the sixthmost popular product in 2020. It allowsyou to create fine eye-defining lines with less risk of streaks and feathering.

One of the original super long-lasting foundations, Estée Lauder's full-coverage Double Wear claims seventh place.

Available in 54 shades, so you are highly likely to find a perfect match, the creamy formula banishes away redness, discolouration and pores, for a smooth, flawless finish.

Urban Decay may have discontinued the original Naked palette back in 2018, but two years later the more recentofferings haven't lost their sparkle.

Naked 3 is a gorgeous selection of pinky shades, alongside deeper colours to add definition and smokiness. Plus, you shouldn't overlook how much easier having a brush and mirror included makes application.

Need to fake your way to a lit-from-within-glow? Mac's finely-milled highlightingpowder is so universally popular because itprovides the radiance you desire without turning you into a discoball.

It alsocomes in five shades – with bothwarming and cooler options – so you can more easilyfind the one that looks most natural on your complexion.

Rounding up the list in 10th place,Too Faced'slip-boosting gloss has definitely benefitted from theincreased interest in lip fillersover the past few years.

Certainly one of the best non-needle options for a plumper pout, there's a little tinglebut no nasty sting or stickiness that lesser formulas can bring. Thus, the product is wonderfully nourishing when worn alone or over your favourite shade.

Lookfantastic also researched the most popular femininefragrances around the world and it was Carolina Herrera's Good Girl that took top spot.

The impactfulcombination of almond, jasmine, tuberose and tonka beanwas the favourite in 42 countries, so could be your next signature scent in 2021.

The second most popular women’s fragrance around the world wasTom Ford’s Black Orchid, which is known universally for its seductive blend of black truffle, plum and patchouli.

It is particularly popular in the Middle East and was the favourite in 21 countries, includingUnited Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Themost popular feminine fragrance in the UKwith 486k annual searches(and third overall) was the classicfresh floral from Marc Jacobs, Daisy.

The notes of jasmine, violet, berries and sandalwood immediately lift the spirits, which is why it also makes a wonderful gift for someone you love.

The competition for the most popular masculine fragrance was especially tight this year, but Paco Rabanne's 1Milliontookthe crown.

It was the favourite in 26 countries, including the UK, suggesting that men are really favouring bold anddecadent woody scents right now.

There is something so luxurious about every Tom Ford fragrance, so we weren't surprisedthat this warm blend of spices, vanilla and tobacco was a favourite for men in 22 countries.

In fact, we would consider all Tom Ford scents as unisex, so expect to want to steal this bottle from the men in your life as soon as you smell it.