Like any self-discerning beauty nerd, I know to never judge a moisturizer by its jar, a mascara by its tube, or a perfume by its tacky bottle. Sometimes the best products come in really ugly/tacky/boring/downright bonkers packaging. And sometimes those superstar products come in the packaging equivalent of Charlize Theron — that is, elegant, ethereal, and take-your-breath-away gorgeous.Sure, most of them may cost an arm and a leg, but if you're willing to put down the dough, you'll have a beauty goodie that doesn't just perk up your hair/skin/nails/makeup — it will perk up your very soul every time you gaze at it. Okay, maybe that went a little far. You get my drift.
Ahead, I've combed the internet to find the prettiest, coolest, chicest, most eye-catching (in a classy way, not in a "Why is there a giant gorilla with Band-Aid nipples on this cleanser bottle?" way) primpers on the planet. Some of them you'll conceivably be able to add to your beauty arsenal, if you forego your daily Chipotle chips-and-guac habit. The others on this list, well, let's just say those are only realities for those who are stupid-rich. But that doesn't mean they're not pretty to look at.
Click through to see all the beauty porn the internet has to offer — just be sure to refresh your browser when your boss goes by so you don't wind up in HR's office. Things are about to get all kinds of orgasmic up in here. You've been warned.
I want to wallpaper my house in the gorgeous prints in which Aerin Lauder clothes the body products in her signature line. Her newest scent, Mediterranean Honeysuckle, might be my favorite design — and scent — yet.
Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Body Cream, $58, available at Aerin.
Speaking of Charlize, whenever I see her ads for the cult-classic J'Adore fragrance, she looks like the bottle come to life. So, kind of an abstract take on Mannequin.
Dior J'Adore Eau de Parfum, $94, available at Sephora.
Poppy King, a.k.a. the Lipstick Queen, hit it out of the park with her Velvet Rope lip line. Each chic Art Deco tube has a substantial heft to it and makes you feel like a '40s film star every time you whip it out. Try Black Tie — the absolute most perfect red ever created.
Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope Lipstick in Black Tie, $50, available at Ulta.
Artis makeup brushes (because in case you don't know, this is, in fact, a makeup brush) are what would happen if a bottle of Dom, a spoonful of caviar, a slice of truffle, and some other 1% food I don't know about — because I am a poor — were stuck in a blender, poured in a brush mold, and then emerged like a beauty butterfly. That is to say, these are fance. They also work pretty well at applying your cosmetics, so, added bonus.
Artis Oval 7 Brush, $60, available at Net-a-Porter.
Can your blush be used to make a decorative floral arrangement? No? Sucks for you. Also sad? If you don't live in France or Asia, you won't be able to get your hands on it unless you've got a really, really nice friend.
Les Merveilleuses De Ladurée Face Color Rose Ladurée Mini, available at Ladurée.
While many pretty packages follow the vintage-lady or modern-simplicity aesthetic, Bumble and bumble takes more of a street-art/cool-kid approach with its freehand labels and art-supply-inspired creations.
"We take pride in elevating humble forms, especially when it comes to packaging," says Brett Dean, Bumble and bumble's VP, creative. "For each new product, we hand-draw, hand-sketch, and/or hand-paint to create the designs (from watercolors to grease pencils) — so no two products are alike."
Bumble and bumble Curl Style Conditioning Mousse, $31, available at Sephora.
Herbivore's apothecary-chic packaging has always been eye-catching, and never more so than in this Lapis Facial Oil. Using that dropper makes me feel slick, but not as cool as patting blue oil into my face. Double slam dunk of pretty, guys.
Herbivore Botanicals Lapis Facial Oil, $72, available at Herbivore Botanicals.
Makeup quads are basic when you compare them to this rippling wonder from Hourglass. Not only does the brand have some of the classiest packaging around — shiny bronze with gold lettering — what's on the inside is just as gorgeous. Its Ambiance powders and blushes are another great example of that masterpiece mentality.
Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette Exposure in Plums, $58, available at Hourglass.
Aesop's packaging is some of the most utilitarian out there — and to me, that's not only its strength, but also its aesthetic appeal. The no-nonsense labels and metal tubes are eye-catching because of their absence of frills. I also love the modern art, IDGAF presentation of its wares on its website — the crumpled-up tubes suggest a beloved skin staple that's been squeezed and clenched to get out every last drop. Which would not be untrue.
Aesop Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser, $37, available at Aesop.
Mention the name Diptyque to any fragrance obsessive and you'll find yourself subjected to a long-winded verbal love letter. The line was created by a painter, a set designer, and an interior designer, and it shows in the carefully crafted bottles and romantically designed labels — especially apparent in this limited-edition beauty.
The fig leaves, wood, and cedarwood scent is housed in a transparent, glass-etched flaçon that depicts the fictional origins of the scent — a Greek fig tree baking in the afternoon sun. It paints a picture, in both senses of the word.
Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum Limited Edition, $165, available at Nordstrom.
I mean, it's a crystal-faceted nail polish with smoky glass and a spike-heel top. Not much else to say.
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour, $50, available at Nordstrom.
Kypris is one of those brands that is criminally unknown, and I consider it my mission in (beauty) life to change that. The printed glass bottles are some of the prettiest I've come across, and they always make me feel like a skin-care goddess when I pull them out of my medicine cabinet.
My favorite of the line is the Antioxident Dew, a weightless serum supercharged with antioxidants to protect the skin from free radicals and calm inflammation. It's the perfect post-toning, pre-moisturizer step in your skin-care regimen, and you really see a difference (dewier skin — no false advertising there) after you apply.
Kypris Antioxidant Dew and Moonlight Catalyst, $67-$72, available at Kypris.
Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury's eponymous line practically oozes Old Hollywood glamour. Her latest launch is less flashy than some of her others, but what it lacks in razzle-dazzle it makes up for in sheer power.
Magic Foundation (so aptly named) is a magically formulated full-coverage foundation that feels like, well, nothing. It just feels like your face, with maybe a soft, powdery texture. It covers acne scarring, redness, melasma, rosacea, age spots, deep wrinkles, and broken capillaries, and it generally perks up your complexion.
It also comes in 16 shades, including some half shades, which makes finding a perfect match much easier. Currently only shades 9, 10, 11, and 12 will work for dark skin types, but hopefully we'll see an expansion in the near future.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation, $44, available at Charlotte Tilbury.
You always hear about Mason Pearson's brushes, and while they are fabulous, I find this comb so intriguing. I mean, it's a $30 comb, so that's one point of interest. The brand brags that the products are handmade in a Swiss factory of only the "finest celluloid material in the world." Translation: fancy plastic. It's done an excellent job of making the comb look like real tortoiseshell, which, I imagine, is not an easy feat. Plastic artisan really is truly an underrated profession.
Mason Pearson Rake Comb, $34, available at Beauty.com.
In the packaging game, I always award bonus points to those that get clever with their names. This new-ish line racked up some extra accolades from me based on the Get It On line alone. Created by a husband-and-wife architect team, the Brooklyn-based brand not only looks good, it's also a strong supporter of environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Plant Bodywash, $20 each, available at Plant.
If you look at almost any hairstylist's station, you're bound to find a bottle of some Oribe product. The lacquered bottles and golden accents are impossible to miss. While everyone is always raving about the Dry Texturizing Spray (it's well worth the hype, BTW), I'm currently all about this aerosol conditioner. It's a lightweight hydrator that is pretty much the lightest you can get — it blooms into a conditioning mousse. Massage it into your hair and let it do its thing for a minute or so, then rinse your way to soft and shiny (but not weighed-down!) locks.
Oribe Essential Antidote Conditioner, $46, available at SpaceNK.
Listen, if you're going to charge $500 for a face cream, it better be covered in precious stones. This luxury night cream isn't dipped in sparkles, but it IS fashioned to look like the world's biggest Swarovski crystal. So it will look damn pretty on your bathroom sink — or behind a glass bell jar protected by a round-the-clock security detail.
As for that jar, the brand explains it as such: "Our multifaceted, diamond-like La Crème packaging speaks to the coveted nature of the product and brand. Packaging is very important in relaying our brand’s personality and in creating an entire Clé de Peau Beauté experience that is pleasurable and luxurious." Welp, mission accomplished there.
Clé de Peau Beauté La Crème, $535, available at Neiman Marcus.
Whimsical illustrations are the hallmark of Meow Meow Tweet's lineup of skin-care offerings. I'm particularly taken with this charcoal and tea tree bar soap because, you know, penguins. It's just a shame you have to toss it after you open it. I'd say don't open the soap and just use it as an interior design element, but the soap's just as good as the package. You could iron it out and try to frame it, if you're feeling particularly smitten/crafty.
Meow Meow Tweet Tea Tree Charcoal Bar Soap, $10, available at Meow Meow Tweet.
Sprung from the brain of Hard Candy founder Dineh Mohajer, Smith & Cult is the beauty brand for the all-grown-up HC devotee. You know who you are — you hear the word sky and you get nostalgic, and you're still kicking yourself for not holding on to that glitter jelly ring.
The chunky bottle and hammered metal cap convey both a sophisticated veneer and an avant-garde flair — and the lacquer inside it isn't half bad either.
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in Dark Like Me, $18, available at Smith & Cult.
Creed is one of those heritage fragrance brands that is unassuming in its elegance. Case in point: Silver Mountain Water. Besides having a cool AF name, the bottle flaunts its simplicity — a monochromatic bottle of white frosted glass with white lettering and silver accents. It's the fragrance equivalent of a P. Diddy White Party of old.
Creed Silver Mountain Water, $370, available at Creed.
For anyone who thinks men's grooming has to be either spartan or testosterone central, let me squash that misconception with one word: Harry's. Aside from its clever play on words, the brand rocks the hair-removal space with razors, creams, and post-shave balms that set it far apart from the usual car/jet/speedboat-marketed offerings.
I'd spout the usual "so refined you won't feel embarrassed stealing it from your man" drivel, but A) that's lame and B) I have no shame swiping my S.O.'s razor just because it isn't "lady-colored." And, you know, you don't need to be a man to actually purchase a man's razor. Oh, brave new world that has such creatures in it.
Harry's Winter Winston Set, $30, available at Harry's.
Besides offering a wide array of badass lip hues, MDM Flow takes the term lipstick bullet quite literally.
MDM Flow Lipstick in Milkshake, $18, available at Nasty Gal.
Like Aerin, Nest draws inspiration from nature and then creates an artsy interpretation. Unlike Aerin, Nest's bottles tend to be a bit more on the gothic-romance side. The botanical designs on the outside are modeled after the works of an 18th-century British artist named Mary Delany and are meant to visually display the fragrance within. In this case, that would be notes of Amazon lily, lime, driftwood, tangerine, and musk.
Nest Amazon Lily Eau de Parfum, $68, available at Sephora.
Another beautiful-in-its-simplicity entry (noticing a theme here), Rodin's powder cleanser combines a hefty glass bottle with finely milled powder that looks like someone funneled a handful of Caribbean sand into the bottle. The tapered top also ensures you don't accidentally dump half the bottle/jar into your hand while you're trying to shake some loose.
Rodin Olio Lusso Facial Cleansing Powder, $45, available at Barneys New York.
Danish-born makeup artist Kjaer Weis combines two things that don't usually go together in the makeup world: organic and super-luxurious packaging. Her refillable metal compacts are made to last and feature an Art Deco design that slides open to reveal beautiful textures and hues — like this stunning pink blush. As an added perk, the grained red box it comes in can double as a jewelry holder — I keep one by my bed to store my wedding rings.
Kjaer Weis Cream Blush Compact, $56, available at Spirit Beauty Lounge.
Another under-the-radar brand, Joya has fragrances that are like nothing you've ever smelled before. They are also some of the most elegant fragrance objets d'art I've ever laid eyes on. This handcrafted porcelain flaçon contains a 22k gold wand, so you can delicately drop beads of the mandarin, quince, tuberose, camellia, and sandalwood scent on your wrists.
Joya Composition No. 1, $135, available at Beautyhabit.
Facial massage in and of itself is a very indulgent beauty habit, but geisha-inspired beauty brand Tatcha took it next-level with a massager covered in gold leaf. Use it hot or cold to help lift, tone, and eliminate skin puffiness.
Tatcha Akari Gold Massager, $195, available at Tatcha.
Unlike the flashier picks on this list, Farmacy caught my eye because of its rustic charm. The grained wood lids are attention-grabbing without having to be loud. The overall effect is charming and cozy.
Farmacy Rise 'n Shine Daily Moisture Lock, $40, available at Sephora.
Another minimalist superstar, Reverie uses lacquered glass bottles in only black-and-white designs for its spectacular products (Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-In Serum, an R29 Beauty Innovation Award winner, and brand-new texture balm Rake are both must-tries). The resulting mod effect is anything but boring. Who needs bright colors to stand out? It's the quiet ones, after all, that you have to look out for.
Reverie Cake Anti-Aging Growth Serum, $72, available at Reverie.
Skin-care brand Red Flower lives up to its name, offering botanically based lotions, washes, conditioners, and shampoos that are all embossed with delicate blooms. The gorgeous scents inside live up to the pretty packaging — Icelandic Moonflower is a particularly captivating and unique scent.
Red Flower Icelandic Moonflower Cleansing Hair Wash, $28, available at Beauty.com.
Tom Ford Beauty, just like its namesake designer, keeps it sleek and sexy with its packaging. Chocolate brown lacquer with gold details opens to reveal even more beautiful products — like this new lip gloss-y lipstick. Not a really a gloss, not really a lipstick, it provides —you guessed it — a patent-like shine and fully pigmented shades that stay put all damn day.
Tom Ford Beauty Patent Finish Lip Color in No Vacancy, $52, available at Nordstrom.
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