Top Makeup Brands: Elevate Your Beauty Game with these Iconic Labels

In today's beauty industry, the options for makeup brands are more diverse and impressive than ever. From luxurious high-end labels to effective drugstore gems, finding the right fit can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you're after a perfect foundation, a striking lipstick, or an enchanting eyeshadow palette, certain brands consistently stand out for their quality and innovation. Excited to discover which brands top the list? Read on below to find out which makeup brands deserve your attention this year.

Illustration of makeup

Best brands of makeup in 2025

MAC Cosmetics

MAC Cosmetics, founded in Toronto in 1984 by Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo, is a leading global makeup brand with a reported annual turnover exceeding $1 billion. Recognized for its professional-grade products and commitment to diversity, MAC offers over 100 shades of cosmetics and boasts a strong presence in over 130 countries. It's a favorite among makeup artists and consumers, with a high brand awareness of 52% in the US among online beauty shoppers and an 85% customer loyalty rate. In 2023, an estimated 2.6 million people in Great Britain used MAC lip products. Discover their range of products at MAC Cosmetics.

Estée Lauder

Estée Lauder, a leading makeup producer with a strong presence in the prestige beauty market, recorded $15.61 billion in net sales for fiscal year 2024, despite experiencing a 2% decrease compared to 2023, with its Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation being a consistent best seller and the number 1 prestige foundation in the UK; the company anticipates a rebound in global prestige beauty by 2026, while addressing current challenges in the Chinese market. Estée Lauder's revenue increased at an average rate of 4.4% from 2020 to 2023.

Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty, launched by Rihanna on September 8, 2017, quickly became a leading makeup brand renowned for its inclusivity, initially offering 40 foundation shades, now expanded to 50, and achieving a staggering $72 million in sales within the first month, with a brand awareness reaching 53% in the U.S. with about 14% of consumers using the brand. Fenty Beauty is considered the most successful celebrity beauty brand with annual revenue of $582 million and a valuation of $2.8 billion, and it is co-owned by Rihanna (50%) and LVMH (50%). You can explore their diverse range of products on their official website.

NARS

NARS, founded in 1994 by François Nars with an initial launch of 12 lipsticks, is now a globally recognized brand known for its high-fashion and innovative approach to makeup, with bestsellers like the 'Orgasm' blush, reportedly selling one every 20 seconds, and a wide range of foundations that cater to various skin types, making it a favorite among makeup artists and consumers alike and, as of 2024, celebrating 30 years of groundbreaking beauty. You can explore their products at NARS Cosmetics.

Chanel

Chanel, established its beauty presence in 1924 with its first makeup line featuring powders and lipsticks, is a renowned luxury brand known for its high-quality, innovative cosmetics, achieving a 14.6% sales growth in 2023, and continues to be a leader in the beauty industry, offering iconic products and a sophisticated "French-girl" makeup aesthetic. You can explore their range of products at their official website.

Urban Decay

Urban Decay, founded in 1996, is a renowned makeup brand recognized for its high-pigment, long-lasting, and cruelty-free products, boasting a 100% commitment to being cruelty-free. The brand is well known for its Naked Palettes, 24/7 eyeliners, and All Nighter Setting Spray, which has a 16-hour staying power. Urban Decay's products are available at major retailers such as Sephora and Ulta, further solidifying their presence in the beauty industry.

Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown, founded in 1991, revolutionized the beauty industry with its natural approach to makeup, starting with 10 simple lipsticks that sold out quickly, and has since become known for its user-friendly products, with 13% of UK cosmetics users currently using the brand; they are considered a luxury brand by 47% of U.S. women who shop online for cosmetics, and the brand's influence extends globally, with the Asia Pacific region holding 46% of the market share. You can explore their products at Bobbi Brown's official website.

Too Faced

Too Faced, founded in 1998 by Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson, is a renowned American cosmetics company known for its innovative and cruelty-free makeup, with a brand image that is fun, sassy, joyful and unapologetic. Acquired by Estée Lauder Companies in 2016 for $1.45 billion, Too Faced has seen significant growth, including a 70% increase in sales between 2015 and 2016, with net sales of approximately $270 million. The brand boasts impressive popularity, with a strong social media presence of over 14 million followers combined on Instagram and TikTok, and its "Better Than Sex" mascara is the #1 mascara in the U.S. with the brand also being the #1 lip plumping brand in the US. Their "Born This Way" foundation and "Lip Injection" products are also very popular, and with their continued innovation, Too Faced remains a top choice for makeup enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, explore their official website.

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Anastasia Beverly Hills, founded in 1997 by Anastasia Soare, is a leading American cosmetics company, renowned for its brow products and the "Golden Ratio Eyebrow Shaping Method," and has grown to offer over 485 products in over 2,000 stores worldwide, achieving approximately $240 million in annual revenue as of 2022. The brand's best-selling products include the Brow Wiz, DIPBROW Pomade, and Lip Velvet, and while experiencing a slight dip in sales to $243.6 million in 2023, the company was valued at around $500 million that same year; furthermore, despite some challenges with skincare and seasonal collections, their brow products maintain a strong market presence. You can explore their products at anastasiabeverlyhills.com.

Huda Beauty

Huda Beauty, founded in 2013 by the visionary Huda Kattan, has swiftly become a leading makeup brand, offering a diverse array of over 140 products including highly-rated items such as their Easy Bake powder and versatile eyeshadow palettes. By 2019, the brand achieved approximately $200 million in annual sales and was valued at $1.2 billion in 2017. With a strong online presence, Huda Beauty boasts over 10 million followers on TikTok as of December 2024. For more details about their exceptional offerings, explore their official website here.