10 Cult-Classic Makeup Products That Stand the Test of Time

The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and exciting new products hit the market seemingly every day. While we’re game to try them all (and we do, with enthusiasm), we find some products just can’t be beat: Think Coty’s iconic setting powder or L’Oréal Paris’ classic mascaras. 

These timeless picks may not be trendy — in fact, many of us first discovered them when rifling through Mom’s makeup bag as teens — but they deliver in every other way. And that makes them true classics. Ahead, we’ll share 10 of our favorite tried-and-true makeup products that have stood the test of time and explain what, exactly, makes these must-haves so iconic. 

1. M.A.C Lipglass

If you wore makeup in the ’90s, you’re undoubtedly familiar with M.A.C Lipglass — it was the gloss of the decade. It contains just four ingredients, including jojoba oil, which moisturizes the lips while adding tons of nonsticky shine. You can use it alone for a subtle glossy lip, pair it with lip liner, or layer it over lipstick. The unique formula can also be mixed with the brand’s powder pigments and used on the body — makeup artists even use it in film and on TV to fake sweat. As far as lip glosses go, this iconic — and versatile — formula can’t be beat. 

2. Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey

Before Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment and Glossier’s Generation G, there was Clinique — specifically, Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. This glossy balm-lipstick hybrid remains a classic more than 50 years after its debut, thanks in large part to its ability to flatter literally everybody. The sheer, glossy formula looks a little bit different on everyone, but most commonly takes on a subtle, raisin-y tint that looks like your lips, but better. It’s no wonder the brand swears it’s the bestselling lip color in the United States.  

3. L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara 

If you favor a natural but still luscious lash look, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better mascara than this classic one. The beloved formula separates and builds each eyelash, leaving your lashes thicker without any clumping or smudging. Snag the original formula, or, if you need something a bit more durable, opt for the slightly newer (but just as good) waterproof version. 

4. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder

French brand Coty began as a perfumery in 1904 and expanded into cosmetics not long after, debuting its Loose Face Powder in 1934. Nearly a century later, the finely milled powder remains a makeup artist favorite, thanks to its lightweight feel and long-lasting, smooth coverage. You can use it alone to help mattify the skin and minimize the appearance of texture, or pat it on over foundation to help set your base. Plus, unlike the pricey setting powders you may begrudgingly buy from Sephora, this longtime favorite clocks in at less than $15 (which, accounting for inflation, actually makes it cheaper than it was when it first launched). 

5. Nars Powder Blush in Orgasm

Nars has plenty of powder blush shades in its lineup, but Orgasm — a peachy-pink hue with subtle golden shimmer — is undoubtedly the most well known. The summery shade debuted in 1999 and instantly became a cult classic, earning a band of devoted followers around the world. While there are now several iterations of the iconic blush (including a liquid version we love for dewy makeup looks), the original talc-free powder formula remains unsurpassed. 

6. YSL Beauty Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen

Given its monumental popularity today, it’s hard to believe that it took makeup artist Terry de Gunzburg three years to convince YSL Beauty to launch Touche Éclat. Her effort obviously paid off: The concealer-highlighter hybrid is among the brand’s bestselling products, more than 30 years after its debut. The cult-classic brightens and illuminates skin (“éclat” literally translates to “glow”) and helps offset dark under-eye circles without covering up your skin. The result: a fresh, rested look, no heavy concealer needed.

7. Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray

According to the brand, one bottle of this long-lasting setting spray is sold every 11 seconds, and if you’ve tried it for yourself, it’s not hard to see why. The bestselling formula helps keep your face cool so your makeup won’t slide off, providing up to 16 hours of crease-, smudge-, and transfer-free makeup wear. Plus, it’s waterproof, suitable for all skin types, and boasts a natural-looking finish. 

8. NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil

You don’t have to spend a fortune for high-quality makeup, and this ultra-affordable lip pencil from NYX Professional Makeup is proof. The pencil, which comes in 30 shades and clocks in at just $5, offers smooth, long-lasting wear that won’t feather, bleed, or fade. While the classic pencils may not be the fanciest lip liners on the market, they are among the best — even Hailey Bieber is a fan.

9. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation 

Estée Lauder’s beloved Double Wear foundation first debuted in 1997, and it remains the United States’ bestselling foundation to this day, according to stats provided from the brand. It’s no surprise, really, given that the iconic formula checks all the boxes. It’s buildable and lightweight, yet wears up to 24 hours; it mattifies without making the skin look dry; and it’s waterproof, sweat-resistant, transfer-resistant, and noncomedogenic. Plus, it comes in more than 55 shades designed to flatter a diverse range of skin tones and undertones.

10.  Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip + Cheek Blush Stain

In the early and mid-2000s, liquid blush simply wasn’t a thing; your options were limited to either matte powder or shimmery powder. That is, until Benefit’s iconic Benetint stain came along. The multipurpose formula is designed to be used as both a lip stain and a blush, and it provides a subtle flush of color that seamlessly blends in with the skin. While there are now more liquid blushes on the market than we can count, this buildable formula remains a favorite among makeup enthusiasts around the world.