Welcome to Polished with Elise Wilson, where Daily Mail's qualified makeup artist and hair stylist answers your questions, shares advice, and trials the up-and-coming beauty and skincare trends so you don't have to.

The idea for this week’s column struck me after a catch-up with notorious funny-woman Celeste Barber, who was in full celebration mode as her beauty line 'Booie' rolled into Woolworths stores across the country this month.

Then, as if the universe wanted to keep the celebrity-beauty theme going, I'm off to see Lady Gaga (the brains behind game-changing makeup line Haus Labs) perform in Sydney on Friday night.

Indeed a very fun and festive couple of weeks - but it also got me thinking about the meteoric rise of celebrity beauty right now. 

If I’m honest though, the turning point came in November, when the internet erupted over claims that Hailey Bieber’s Rhode line will at last hit Australia in February 2026. 

As a devoted disciple of the glazed-doughnut-skin aesthetic - and an equally long-standing admirer of Justin Bieber's far more interesting half - I've already begun counting down the days (and budgeting accordingly) for Rhode's arrival in Australia. And trust me, the anticipation is entirely justified. 

Whether you love her or not, Hailey has managed to build one of the most influential beauty brands on the planet right now - minimalist, modern, and annoyingly chic in that effortless 'of course she looks like that' way.

Seventeen years ago, when I first started my beauty career, celebrity launches were mostly met with a polite eye roll. We were deep in the Britney/Paris/Mariah fragrance era where a new bottle magically appeared every few months.

Fun? Yes. But did anyone genuinely believe these stars were in the lab formulating? Absolutely not.

Fast-forward to now, and the landscape is totally different. Some of these brands are smart, considered and genuinely well-formulated, and created with real industry experts behind the scenes and celebrities who actually understand their audience.

Take Celeste, for example. Everything she touches seems to turn to gold, not because she's famous, but because she's authentic, smart and deeply connected to the women who follow her.

Or Trinny Woodall, who built an entire brand around empowering real women long before it became a marketing buzzword.

And Victoria Beckham? Her meticulous, elevated approach to beauty has already produced one of the most luxurious, 'high-tech' foundations in the world.

Of course, Selena Gomez deserves a shout-out too. Rare Beauty isn't just good, it's consistently excellent. Her Soft Pinch Liquid Blush alone could fuel a million 'holy grail' lists, and the entire brand feels thoughtful, grounded and refreshingly sincere.

So no, I'm not rolling my eyes at celebrity beauty anymore. In fact, quite a few of these brands have earned a permanent spot in my everyday routine - nestled right alongside the legacy houses and pro-artist staples I've sworn by for years.

After countless swatches, wear-tests, red-carpet trials and a few too many 'just one more' beauty hauls, these are the five celebrity makeup brands I genuinely believe deserve pride of place on your top shelf.

Booie Beauty

Let's start with an Aussie, because honestly, I (and most of the country) owe a lot to Celeste Barber for the way she champions middle-aged women.

When she told me that Booie was named after the affectionate nickname she uses for her kids, it made the whole brand feel even more personal.

This is a completely self-funded passion project designed to empower everyday women to feel great, look great, and buy products that actually make sense for their lifestyle.

Which is why her nationwide Woolies launch feels so right. It's accessible, fuss-free beauty that actually performs.

Product picks:

You're Welcome Tubular Mascara ($31) - Celeste told me this is 'the best tubing mascara in the world' and I have to say… she wasn't joking. 

As someone who fully converted to tubing years ago (because who has time to deal with smudging?), this formula completely holds its own against the big global players. Zero panda eyes, easy removal, incredible lift.

Eyeshadow Stick in Champagne ($31) - I love a shortcut to looking well-rested, and this is it. I swipe this under the eyes and in the inner corners for instant brightness. 

It blends with just a fingertip and gives a soft, diffused glow that makes me look like I slept eight hours.

Victoria Beckham Beauty

Posh knows how to create a moment, and her beauty line has been captivating the industry since it launched in 2019. 

The packaging is impossibly chic, the formulas feel expensive (because they are), and now that it's finally available at Mecca, my bank account doesn't stand a chance.

Product picks:

Colour Wash Blush Water Tint ($77) - This blush is one of the most natural-looking formulas I've ever used. It melts into the skin like a genuine flush rather than sitting on top, and it lasts all day - which is unheard of for a tint.

Just work fast and wash your hands after, because the pigment is no joke.

Satin Kajal Liner ($57) - If anyone was going to perfect the smoky eye, it's a former Spice Girl. 

This liner glides on effortlessly, delivers rich pigment, and smudges just the right amount before setting. 

The shade Bordeaux is my go-to burgundy when I want drama without effort.

Haus Labs

Lady Gaga's makeup brand has had a full glow-up in the last few years, and honestly, the transformation is phenomenal. 

These products don't just compete with the biggest brands out there, most of them outperform them entirely.

The formulas are lightweight, long-wearing, and incredibly skin-friendly.

Product picks:

Colour Fuse Glassy Blush Balm ($59) - At a recent Sephora event I was shade-matched to Glassy Pitaya, a vibrant Barbie-pink I normally wouldn't choose… and yet it completely lit up my face.

It can be bold or beautifully diffused, and it lasts for hours without going patchy.

Triclone Skin Tech Foundation ($85) - I don't wear foundation every day, but when I do, it's this one. It's weightless, blends like second skin, and the arnica infusion calms redness so well it almost looks like a filter. I wear shade 210 Light Medium Neutral.

Trinny London

I first met Trinny Woodall back in 2018 when she was launching her brand in Australia, and seeing how huge Trinny London has become since then is genuinely inspiring.

The stackable pots, the cream textures, the skincare-first mindset, are all designed to simplify beauty without sacrificing impact.

And her Match2Me online tool really is a game-changer. It takes the guesswork out of building a routine that truly suits your skin.

Product picks:

Lip2Cheek ($49) - I've used these for years. Freddie looks intimidating in the pot - a deep brick shade, but on the skin it becomes the most flattering, healthy flush.

BFF Cream SPF30 & BFF De-Stress Serum ($78) - These are incredible if you love skin to still look like skin, and are Trinny's bestsellers since day one.

The Cream adapts to your skin tone as if by magic and gives sheer, glowy coverage, and the Serum formula has a bit more oomph. Both blend beautifully with fingers (just as Trinny does) for a luminous 'your-skin-but-better' finish.

Miracle Halos ($62) - My secret to looking alive. I apply these under makeup for the most natural, lit-from-within radiance.

Sunlight is champagne-perfect, Candlelight has a rosy warmth, and Firelight gives a golden bronze glow. They mix beautifully with foundation too.

Rare Beauty

Selena Gomez has quietly (and impressively) built one of the most successful celebrity beauty brands in the world.

Rare Beauty's formulas are consistently gorgeous with silky textures, flattering shades, and that signature 'soft glam without trying' vibe. It's no wonder the brand has become a cult favourite at Sephora.

Product picks:

Soft Pinch Liquid Contour in Mellow ($50) - A dream to blend. This contour adds definition without looking harsh, and the shade range is so wearable for every skin tone.

Positive Light Liquid Luminizer in Mesmerize ($48) - If you've spotted a them, it's correct – I love liquid highlighters. This one is a little more in your face with how much it sparkles, but that's why everyone loves it.

Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Happy & Joy ($45) - The blushes that broke the internet for a reason. They're pigmented but blendable, long-wearing but natural-looking, and a little goes a very long way.

Happy is my cheerful pink go-to and Joy gives a warm peachy flush.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and do not reflect those of any brands or companies mentioned. This content is not sponsored or endorsed.