Nars Orgasm, Diorshow, & More Product Worship
Photo: Keate
With new product launches every day, it takes a lot to get noticed, let alone fly off shelves, create waiting lists, and win awards. From creative product names to revolutionary formulas, these are the cosmetics that have established themselves as must-haves and trulydeliver on their promises.
Nars Orgasm Blush ($30)
The name may have made us blush naturally, but the product is great at faking it. Created in 1999, the peachy pink shade flecked with gold shimmer brightens most complexions in a noble attempt to recreate that enviable post-sex flush. Once women got over the initial embarrassment of asking for the product by name, it became one of the brand’s best sellers and spawned an entire offshoot collection.
Urban Decay Naked Palette ($54)
Adored by makeup artists and product junkies alike, this palette contains a dozen ultra-wearable eye shadows so you’ll never have one shade used up while the others collect dust. The bestseller spawned an entire collection, with last year’s Naked 3 palette selling out everywhere (one flew off shelves every second the week of launch).
Related: In Defense of Being “Basic”
Chanel Black Satin ($27)
Originally released in the summer of 2006, the dark polish with a hint of shimmer was so popular they sold 1,000 bottles a week, causing waiting lists and absurdly pricey listings on eBay. While the shade still has its devotees, you can now pick up a shade without the hassle.
Lancome Definicils Mascara ($28)
A top-seller since the ‘90s, you can’t go wrong with this classic tube for natural-looking lashes. The grooved bristles are designed to evenly distribute just enough of the formula to get a full, separated look.
Guerlain Teracotta Bronzing Powder ($52)
These tortoiseshell compacts come in a range of eight shades to give you a gorgeous glow year round without the shimmer that’s so often ingrained in bronzer.
MAC Ruby Woo ($16)
Launched in 1999, this was essentially created to be the matte version of the brand’s popular Russian Red lipstick. It was the best selling tube of 2013. (Rihanna loved it so much she tweaked the shade to make her own custom color, Riri Woo, which sold out within minutes.)
Benefit Benetint ($30)
This was actually the brand’s first product, launched in 1976 (originally called Rose Tint), and created for an exotic dancer seeking a nipple tint. The stain took off for its ability to tint lips, cheeks, and clearly many other body parts with a natural flush. It remains the brand’s best-selling item to this day.
Dior DiorShow Mascara ($25)
“Are those your real lashes?” That’s what everyone wants to know when you swipe on a coat of this legendary formula. After makeup artist Pat McGrath used a toothbrush to paint models’ lashes backstage at a Dior fashion show, the brand created this wand in 2002 to creates incredibly lush, voluminous lashes. It mimics the look of falsies like no other.
Related: Maybelline Improves Their Best-Selling Great Lash Mascara
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($62)
As smooth and fluid as, well, silk, this lightweight formula has won the praises of makeup artists and industry awards for the past decade. It somehow provides great coverage while replicating the appearance of skin, so your complexion looks radiant and flawless without the easily detectable pigment of most formulas. The wide color range makes it a favorite for women of every skin tone.
Tom Ford Bruised Plum Lip Color ($50)
RIP, Black Orchid. The popular dark berry shade was discontinued last fall. The good news: It was replaced by a perhaps more hue in the same rich, moisturizing formula. Fifty bucks is a lot to pay for one lipstick bullet, but you know what they say: Treat yourself!
YSL Touché Eclat ($41)
One of the world’s most iconic products, this magic wand created in 1992 erases dark circles, fine lines, and your lack of sleep with a few carefully positioned strokes. It doubles as a great highlighter along the brow bone, cupid’s bow, smile lines, inner corners of the eye, or anywhere else that needs a brightening effect.
Related: How to Get a Grip On Dark Undereye Circles
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick ($44)
Who wants to use a messy liquid foundation and sponge when you can use a handy, blendable stick on the go? This ingenious design created in 1992 is in every woman’s makeup bag because it allows for natural, buildable coverage or seamless spot-application only where you need it.
(Disclaimer: Bobbi Brown is the EIC of Yahoo Beauty.)
