Some beauty brands are unmistakably (and unapologetically) affiliated with celebrities. Their name, likeness, and maybe even popular lyrics are splashed all over the packaging — and the products inside might even reflect their signature look.But, as is the case with many celebrity-owned food companies, there are a lot of actors, models, and musicians who keep their entrepreneurial efforts a little more discreet. And we're here to bring them to light. Ahead, find 24 beauty companies you probably had no idea were tied to your favorite celebrities. Then, let us know which ones surprised you the most in the comments below.
Salma Hayek
Take one look at Salma Hayek and tell us you wouldn’t buy anything and everything she’s selling — from skin care to makeup to hair products.
Luckily, it won’t cost you much. Her products at CVS all come in at under $20 — and they’re seriously high-quality. We’re huge fans of this wave enhancer, inspired by hairstylists who combine gel with cream for soft, lasting definition.
Nuance Salma Hayek Blue Agave Wave Enhancing Styling Cream, $12.99, available at CVS.
Will Ferrell
This one came as a surprise even to us — but Will Ferrell is indeed in the beauty business. Although it wasn't shocking that his debut product is hilarious.
Yes,Will Ferrell Super Mega Sexy Hot Tan is a real sunscreen — complete with Ferrell’s likeness and Mugatu-level quotes adorning the packaging: “The sun is an evil celestial demon. It tricks us into worshiping it with its warm alluring rays and bright primary color. Don't be fooled. It was to destroy us and is hell bent on world domination.”
Even better than, well, everything about this? The product was created for Cancer for College, a charity that provides college scholarships for cancer survivors. The charity has given $2 million in aid so far, a “large chunk of which is due to Will Ferrell’s involvement,” Greg Flores, the executive director of Cancer for College, told Allure.
Will Ferrell’s Super Mega Sexy Hot Tan (2 Bottles), $20, available at Cancer for College.
Kristen Taekman
There are tons of Bravo personalities with beauty lines. The latest? The Real Housewives of New York City star Kristen Taekman.
The former model recently launched a line of nail polishes made in New York. The range includes brights like cobalt and orange, as well as softer nudes and browns — “all inspired by the greatest city in the world.” Fun fact: Taekman used to be a hand model (and serves as one now in the ads).
Pop of Color by Kristen Taekman Delusional Nail Polish, $8, available at Ricky’s New York.
Jennifer Yen
You might have watched Jennifer Yen fighting the Power Rangers as the evil villain Vypra back in the '90s. At the time, Yen was up against another struggle: her skin. "Within six months of landing Power Rangers, my skin was wrecked from wearing layers of heavy makeup," she told Refinery29. "I developed rosacea, psoriasis, adult acne, hives — you name it, I had it!"
So, she did what any high-achieving villain would do and cooked up her own solution. Yen decided to leave the acting world to develop Pūr~lisse products. The gentle BB cream is a big hit among editors.
Pūr~lisse BB Tinted Moist Cream, $32, available at Pūr~lisse.
Alicia Silverstone
Silverstone isn't shy about discussing her vegan lifestyle — and that extends to makeup as well. She designed her own highlighter for Juice Beauty, a certified-organic makeup brand owned by another famous face, Gwyneth Paltrow. (More on her later.)
The peachy-pink shade is intensely hydrating thanks to the shea butter in the formula.
Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty Irresistible Glow Facial Highlighter, $22, available at Birchbox.
Hayley Williams
The Paramore front woman is known for her fiery-red mane — so it makes sense that she would launch a line of products designed to help others achieve the same bold, bright hues. Her aptly named Good Dye Young line was announced just this month.
Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest has taken his money-making baby face into an industry that makes complete sense for him: skin care. The seemingly ageless host has partnered with dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD, on an upcoming line of men’s skin-care products.
No word yet on the specific products (Placenta face masks? Self-tanner?), but he and Dr. Lancer allegedly text ideas back and forth every day. With emojis, we hope.
Cindy Barshop
The Real Housewives of New York City star parlayed her hair-removal expertise into a full-fledged line of at-home products.
The collection includes waxing sets, strips, and even hair-minimizing lotions. (Contrary to what the name suggests, how much or how little hair you remove with the products is completely up to you.)
Completely Bare Salon Quality Bikini & Body Wax Kit, $16.99, available at Ulta.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
After walking her fair share of runways and red carpets, this model became something of a beauty buff. She recently launched a line of (really, really pretty) cosmetics with Marks & Spencer (she also creates fragrance, activewear, and sleepwear for the brand).
While the products are only available in the U.K. for now, here's hoping they hit stateside soon. We're already crushing on this Champagne highlighter.
Rosie for Autograph Starstruck Highlighter, available in the U.K. at Marks & Spencer.
Eva Mendes
We love Mendes as an actress, but her true calling in life might very well be cosmetics. Her line, Circa, which launched this year, contains some of the most high-end drugstore makeup we've ever tried.
And you'd never guess Mendes is behind it, since her name is noticeably absent from the packaging. Instead, you'll find the prettiest black-and-gold designs that look like something from a department store. The velvety-soft eyeshadows and creamy lipsticks inside are equally high-end.
CircaBeauty Color Absolute Velvet Luxe Lipstick in Ava, $10, available at Drugstore.com.
Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen
The dynamic duo that brought us Passport to Paris and When In Rome grew up and started a successful fashion brand, Elizabeth and James. (It's named for their siblings.) The designers then expanded into fragrance, and most recently, hair products.
Want to score the twins' bohemian, model-off-duty texture? This floral-scented dry shampoo is the ticket. (If you want a muskier smell, try Nirvana Black.)
Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Dry Shampoo, $28, available at Sephora.
Katie Holmes
When Holmes had long, glossy hair in Dawson's Creek, we busted out our flat irons and heavy shine sprays. When she chopped it into a sharp bob years later, we also picked up the scissors. So, it was no surprise that the actress would eventually venture into hair care. But instead of just offering up her face for an ad campaign, Holmes went a step further and became part owner of natural hair brand Alterna.
“I love that Alterna uses natural and organic ingredients and stays away from harsh chemicals, like sulfates and parabens. It’s good for my hair and good for the Earth, so I feel good using it," Holmes told WWD. If it makes our hair as shiny as hers, sign us up.
Alterna Caviar Repair RX Instant Recovery Shampoo, $32, available at Ulta.
Alexa Chung
Style star Alexa Chung is known for her eyes, and has unsurprisingly hitched her wagon to a brand famous for the same thing: Eyeko. Not only does she appear in the company's ad campaigns, but the "creative consultant" also helps design products, shade names, and packaging (on which she includes her own doodles).
This sharp liquid eyeliner is what Chung uses to get her signature black cat-eyes. Fun fact: The phrase "that's where I draw the line" on the tube is in her handwriting.
Jennifer Aniston
For a woman who has a haircut named after her, this was a no-brainer. Like Holmes, Aniston became part owner of MIT-based hair company Living Proof. Unsurprisingly, she brought her longtime hairstylist and friend Chris McMillan onboard as the brand's celebrity hairstylist.
"Chris and I have worked together for years and have always discussed doing something together that would be innovative, fresh and have the actual science behind it," she says on the brand's website.
One of the best products to launch since Aniston joined the team? Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo. The aerosol spray actually cleans your hair and is one of the most effective root-soppers we've used in a while. Something tells us yogi-obsessive Aniston approves.
Lindsay Ellingson
This model (and self-proclaimed beauty junkie) was often spotted backstage at the Victoria's Secret fashion shows curling her own lashes. So, it was no surprise when she launched her own makeup line.
Wander Beauty, which debuted with a dual-ended highlighter-and-blush stick, recently expanded to include lipsticks, eyeshadows, balms, eyeliners, foundations, and more.
But even better than the professional formulas? The tips and tutorials Ellingson posts to her Instagram. Girlfriend could moonlight as a makeup artist, she's that good.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Paltrow, being the entrepreneur that she is, launched a venture between her lifestyle brand Goop and organic cosmetics company Juice Beauty. And, in the process, she became creative director of its entire makeup division.
Her first order of business: launching a new organic makeup collection set to launch in early 2016. (In the meantime, we really love this CC cream.)
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream, $39, available at Juice Beauty.
Her second order of business: dropping this epic collection of skin products you can read all about right here.
This isn't Paltrow's first foray into beauty, either. Just last year, she launched a line of oils with longtime facialist Sonya Dakar. (More on that here.)
Sonya Dakar Hoya Flower Collection, $65 to $95, available at goop.
Elle Macpherson
With a nickname like "the body," Macpherson's product really shouldn't come as a surprise.
The Super Elixir, created by the supermodel, is a protein-rich supplement based on the body's pH balance. And yes, Macpherson chugs it every day.
WelleCo The Super Elixir, $135, available at WelleCo.
Miranda Kerr
Kerr's poreless baby face can certainly be attributed to killer genes. But she'd likely also give credit to her skin-care line: Kora Organics.
The organic skin and body line, developed by Kerr, includes hand creams, moisturizers, masks, and eye creams. We're partial to the rosehip oil — a silky blend that also includes jasmine, sea buckthorn, rose, and pomegranate oils.
Kora Luxurious Rosehip Oil, $49, available at Kora Organics.
Kim Kardashian
Kardashian's (very famous) name is on everything from makeup and fragrance to hair tools — but recently she made a quieter investment in the world of "organic botox."
Kardashian (who is not shy about sharing her love for regular Botox) bought the U.S. licensing rights to Biotulin, an organic gel that temporarily smooths wrinkles. Does this mean K-Botox is in our future? Only time will tell.
Biotulin Supreme Skin Gel, $54, available at Biotulin.
Jessica Alba
Alba's natural brand, Honest Company, includes just about everything — from hand soap to diapers. Her latest venture, Honest Beauty, is equally vast, with hundreds of products including skin-care and makeup. (A haircare line is rumored to launch next year.)
And while the brand is not without its controversies, we have to admit — this stuff is good. We especially love the highlighters for various skin tones and this deep-cleansing gel.
Olivia Palermo
Years after doling out unsolicited advice onThe City, Palermo is now being paid for her opinion. The creative director for Ciaté London offers input for the entire brand, in addition to releasing her own special collections.
And the results are unsurprisingly chic — including this classic red polish that's perfect for the holiday season.
Drew Barrymore
Barrymore really couldn't have picked two better business ventures — wine and beauty. We've been totally obsessed with her drugstore brand, Flower, since its launch in 2013.
The lipsticks are creamy and pigmented, the eyeshadow quads are soft and feature on-trend shades, and the brushes work like a dream. Barrymore, you keep doing you.
Rob Lowe
If perennial baby face Rob Lowe was going to invest in any beauty venture — a skin-care line was the obvious choice. His brand, Profile, just launched this month.
And while it's technically marketed toward men — there's no reason women wouldn't enjoy these products, too. (We've got our eyes on this hyaluronic-acid-packed moisturizer.) If you want to know exactly what Lowe uses on his complexion every day — because who wouldn't? — you can find the full breakdown here.
Profile Lift Anti-Gravity Moisturizer, $57.50, available at Profile.
Rihanna
While we have yet to see the physical products, Rihanna tells us that a beauty line is imminent. And, considering she quietly registered it under her lesser-known last name, Fenty, we're predicting the packaging to be equally discreet.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Ariel Winter Debuts A Major New Tattoo
Beauty Addicts Share Their Favorite Makeup Organizers
29 Women Who Changed The Beauty World — & Made Millions