The Biggest & Most Profitable Beauty Brands Launched by Influencers & Celebrities

The beauty industry has undergone a massive transformation in recent years. Today, it’s not just traditional cosmetic giants that dominate the market; influencers and celebrities have stepped into the spotlight, launching their own beauty brands and turning them into lucrative empires. These brands blend personal stories, cultural trends, and savvy marketing to captivate consumers globally. From Hollywood to Seoul, the beauty world is buzzing with star-powered brands making billions.

Here’s a deep dive into some of the biggest and most profitable beauty brands created by influencers and celebrities, including a few game-changing K-beauty names.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna: Redefining Inclusivity

When Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, the industry took notice. Her brand shook up beauty standards by championing inclusivity with a groundbreaking range of foundation shades—50 at launch—that catered to all skin tones. This bold move not only earned massive praise but also reshaped the way beauty brands approached diversity.

Fenty Beauty’s product line extends beyond foundation to include highlighters, lipsticks, and eye products, all known for their high performance and innovative formulas. By combining Rihanna’s global superstar status with authentic brand messaging, Fenty quickly became a multi-billion-dollar brand under LVMH’s umbrella, redefining the modern beauty business.

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez: Embracing Imperfection

Selena Gomez launched Rare Beauty in 2020 with a mission to promote self-acceptance and mental health awareness. The brand’s ethos resonates deeply with Gen Z consumers, blending effective makeup products with campaigns focused on authenticity and wellness.

Rare Beauty has gained significant traction for its liquid blushes and foundation, praised for their natural finish and skin-like texture. By tying beauty with meaningful social impact, Rare Beauty has become one of the fastest-growing celebrity brands in the industry, with revenues climbing steadily each year.

Glossier: The Power of Community and Minimalism

Glossier was born from the popular beauty blog Into The Gloss by Emily Weiss, who leveraged her intimate knowledge of consumer desires to build a minimalistic, skincare-first brand. Glossier focuses on enhancing natural beauty with products that promote healthy, glowing skin rather than heavy makeup.

The brand’s cult favourites—like the Milky Jelly Cleanser and Boy Brow—became staples thanks to strong social media engagement and a devoted community of users. Glossier’s direct-to-consumer model and relatable branding helped it grow into a multi-hundred-million-dollar company, setting a new standard for influencer-led beauty brands.

K-beauty Success: Peach & Lily by Alicia Yoon

Alicia Yoon, a Korean-American beauty influencer, founded Peach & Lily in 2012 to introduce authentic K-beauty to the American market. The brand started as a curated retailer and later expanded into creating its own innovative skincare products.

Peach & Lily’s offerings emphasize clean formulations, advanced ingredients, and traditional Korean beauty wisdom. Products like the Glass Skin Refining Serum and Dreamy Youth Creme exemplify this balance. By educating consumers on K-beauty rituals and sourcing premium ingredients, Alicia Yoon’s brand stands as a bridge connecting Eastern skincare heritage with Western consumers’ growing appetite for transparency and effectiveness.

Kylie Cosmetics: Turning Fame into a Billion-Dollar Brand

Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics is perhaps the most famous example of an influencer turning personal brand power into a beauty empire. Launched in 2015 with the iconic Kylie Lip Kits, the brand quickly tapped into social media buzz and celebrity culture.

Though controversial for its valuation claims, Kylie Cosmetics undeniably sparked a new era of influencer-driven beauty. The brand expanded into skincare and collaborations, eventually being acquired in part by Coty Inc., solidifying Jenner’s position as one of the highest-earning celebrity entrepreneurs even among the Kardashians.

Dr. Jart+: A Doctor’s Vision Meets Celebrity Endorsements

While not an influencer brand in the traditional sense, Dr. Jart+’s meteoric rise can be credited to the vision of dermatologist Dr. SungJae Jung combined with savvy marketing and endorsements from K-pop stars and influencers.

Launched in Seoul in 2004, Dr. Jart+ introduced innovative skincare solutions like the Cicapair and Ceramidin lines, blending science and beauty seamlessly. Its global success owes much to endorsements from K-pop idols and actors, as well as its viral presence on social media platforms, turning it into a global K-beauty staple.

Pony Effect: The Power of a K-Beauty Icon

Created by Park Hye-min, better known as Pony, one of Korea’s most famous makeup artists and influencers, Pony Effect exemplifies the influence of personal branding in beauty. Launched in 2015, the brand reflects Pony’s signature style—bold, polished, and trend-forward. Pony Effect offers high-quality makeup products that cater to both beginners and professionals, including cult-favourite lip tints, eyeliners, and innovative cushion foundations. With Pony’s extensive following and deep understanding of beauty trends, the brand has flourished domestically and internationally, becoming a benchmark for influencer-led K-beauty lines.

Rhode Skin: The Celebrity-Driven Skincare Revolution

Founded by Hailey Bieber, Rhode Skin has quickly become a standout in the crowded skincare market. Launched in 2022, Rhode Skin reflects Hailey’s minimalist beauty philosophy—simple, effective, and rooted in healthy skin maintenance. The brand’s transparent ingredient lists and user-friendly formulations resonate with consumers seeking clarity and honesty in their skincare routines. Hailey’s influence on social media, paired with Rhode Skin’s dermatologist-approved products, have made it a favourite among beauty insiders and everyday users alike. Its success underscores how celebrity-led brands that prioritise skincare health can carve a significant niche in the market.

The Impact of Influencer & Celebrity Brands on Beauty

The brands launched by influencers and celebrities represent more than just products; they are cultural phenomena. These brands harness personal stories, social media savvy, and authentic connections to build trust with consumers. Their success has pressured traditional beauty houses to rethink inclusivity, transparency, and community engagement.

Many of these brands have also incorporated wellness and mental health into their messaging, reflecting a holistic approach to beauty that resonates deeply with younger generations. The fusion of K-beauty’s innovative formulations and celebrity influence has particularly accelerated global interest in skincare routines that emphasize natural radiance and skin health.

Final Thoughts

From Rihanna’s inclusive empire to Selena Gomez’s socially conscious Rare Beauty, the influencer and celebrity-driven beauty landscape is booming. K-beauty brands like Peach & Lily and Dr. Jart+ have further demonstrated the power of combining expertise with star power.

In 2025 and beyond, these brands continue to shape the future of beauty, proving that when influencers and celebrities bring their passion and authenticity to the table, the results can be truly transformative—for the industry and consumers alike.