No doubt about it: for most, there are strong emotions attached to make-up. It could come from a memory—your first time sneaking a swipe of your mom’s lipstick, admiring the colour payoff as its powdery scent permeates your nose. Later, it might be your first ‘big girl’ purchase: your pay check on that blush that’s highly raved about, the rosy colour glowing from your cheeks as you smile from ear to ear. Some of these beauty products just stick. They then become a go-to, following you through thick and thin.
And just as certain products define our personal journeys, others take on a larger life of their own. They become cult classics—lipsticks, powders, and palettes so beloved they’ve etched themselves into beauty history because they’re just that good. Think of a lipstick shade that has graced red carpets for decades, or a mascara that continues to be passed down. These icons survive trends, carrying the weight of both memory and cultural influence.
Trends may come and go, but real icons never stay gone for too long. As beauty cycles spin faster than ever, we’re seeing a resurgence of products that have already proven themselves with years of satisfied users under their belt. Vivid blue eyeshadows, gothic matte black lips, and concealer lips are all being revisited and reinvented—and yet, it seems nothing quite compares to the original products that first defined these looks. There’s a certain magic in reaching for the exact lipstick, shadow or liner that sparked a movement the first time around.
Nostalgia is powerful, and beauty brands know it. That’s why many classics never truly disappear from shelves. Tried and true, these products have earned their permanent spot in the lineup, outlasting fleeting trends with formulas and shades that continue to deliver. One day, these very same holy grails can be passed down: mothers sharing their favourite beauty products with their children, allowing a new generation to experience the magic that made them iconic in the first place. Below, an edit of the ones that have achieved viral status once more as of late, from Clinique’s Black Honey to Chanel’s Rouge Noir.
1 / 5
M.A.C Cosmetics Snob lipstick
The Snob Lipstick is back in the spotlight thanks to rapper JT’s curated lip combo set. Originally a satin blue-toned pink, Snob is now offered in a silky matte finish and paired with MAC’s Chestnut lip pencil and clear Lipglass for a modern 90s-inspired look. Dabbed in the centre over Chestnut, it creates a multidimensional effect, reinventing the lip look for a new generation to try this cult favourite that JT has loved forever.
M.A.C Maxcimal Matte Lipstick in Snob, $42, available at Tangs
2 / 5
Chanel Rogue Noir nail polish
Channeling vampy straight out of Pulp Fiction, Rogue Noir was originally a nail polish shade made on pure accident: debuting at the Chanel A/W 1994 show, it was birthed from mixing red and black polishes, creating the original unforgettable bordeaux iteration. The polish has since been officially released and flying off shelves. Till this day, we still see Rogue Noir around due to a resurgence in hauntingly stunning 90s glam.
Chanel Le Vernis in Rogue Noir, $33, available at Chanel
3 / 5
Clinique Black Honey
One of the best finds during the clean girl era of beauty Tiktok is Black Honey. Hailed as a my-lips-but-better product, this Clinique Almost Lipstick leaves a subtle sheen of berry-burgundy that gives the pout life. It’s no wonder that “seven tubes of Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is sold every minute”, as mentioned on the Clinique website. But the lip product itself is not new to Clinique itself. Created in the 70s, Black Honey was released as a set of balms packaged in pots during a time of bright colours and disco fever.
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, $40, available at Sephora
4 / 5
CK One Perfume
In 1994, Calvin Klein shattered conventions with the launch of its first unisex fragrance: CK One. Directed by Steven Meisel, the campaign was as groundbreaking as the scent itself—featuring a diverse cast that embodies the liberal, rebellious spirit of the 90s. Fresh, citric, and juicy, the fragrance captured the era’s craving for freedom, inclusivity, and new forms of self-expression. Now, with Charli XCX’s Brat album taking centre stage, the resurgence of club-driven rave culture is back in the spotlight. CK One has found fresh relevance, its clean profile once again aligns with a generation that thrives on fluidity and communal release.
Calvin Klein CK One Eau De Toilette, 100ml, $84.75, available at Guardian
5 / 5
Guerlain Météorites
First launched in 1987, Guerlain’s Météorites set out to do something revolutionary: combine the effects of different powders into one singular product. This is the predecessor of the many finishing powders we see today: something that blurs, evens out the skin tone, enhances make-up and leaves the skin looking radiant. Fast forward to 2024, Météorites is re-released and updated, keeping its luxurious packaging and pearls, offering a lustrous alternative to mattifying powders on the market.
Guerlain Météorites Light Revealing Pearls of Powder, $112, available at Guerlain
