Overhyped or Worth The Buy: Celebrity Beauty Brands Rated by Customers With Honest Reviews

With celebrity beauty brands overwhelming nearly every corner of the internet and retail stores, it can be difficult to distinguish authentic, effective beauty products from those recognized only by the celebrity attached to them. Is it worth it, or is it overhyped? Did you get paid to promote, or did you pay, then freely promote? What do strangers with no affiliation think?

These are questions on the minds of many, and they rightfully need answers. It’s time to dig into some truths and figure out which celebrity beauty brands are overhyped or what’s worth buying. 

1. Grow-Good Beauty by Cardi B

Bronx rapper, reality TV star and most recently, Grow-Good Beauty owner, Cardi B, is making the rounds on social media as her hair care line has taken the internet by storm. Selling out of the brand’s entire inventory, Grow-Good Beauty’s shampoo, conditioner, hair mask and serum were out of stock within 90 minutes of the presale. Preceding the sell-out, Cardi’s journey with her hair had already received praise. A few years ago, she went viral for a DIY hair mask that left the internet stunned. Ultimately, her line, Grow-Good Beauty, has customers expecting the same effect.

At a New York City pop-up, the Grow-Good Beauty team gave out samples, and one user says the hair clips are “fire,” the serum smells “very good, very fresh, very botanical, something you would make at home.” “I can’t get over the scent. “If you ordered this for presale, then you’re in for something good.”  Other users say, “The serum product is amazing, it looks like I have a gloss and I don’t, it’s just a blowout.” Grow-Good Beauty is expecting to launch and restock on April 15th. 

2. TONE by AMP

TONE, a brand launched by six successful, well-known streamers from the AMP group, iamDavis, Agent00, Fanum, Duke Dennis, Chrisnxtdoor and Twitch’s current most subscribed-to creator, Kai Cenat, features a unisex line of body wash, aluminum-free deodorant, cologne, body mist, oil, lotion and lip balm. Sold exclusively at Target and on the TONE website, consumers mostly rated the product’s scents positively, with a few users’ experiences suggesting otherwise. Users have reported that the body lotion, wash and body mist scents linger for hours. “I could smell it on my skin, and I didn’t have to use a ton, compared to what I’m using. It suds up, it made enough suds as to what I was using,” one TikTok user said.

Other consumers have mixed reviews of the aluminum-free deodorant; one customer stated, “The scent did last for the 48 hours, I put it on at nighttime, and it also works while you’re playing basketball, so that’s a good one.” In contrast, one user says, TONE isn’t ideal for them. “Long story short, I don’t like it; the deodorant makes me sweat more, and it’s very thick. I’m sweating the moment I put it on. I don’t like the smells, they’re too masculine for me.” The difference in opinion is major, but many suggest AMP’s TONE is the way to go. AMP’s TONE may yield different results; we cannot confirm or deny whether it is overhyped.

3. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Music mogul, fashion icon, and notably the first Black woman to build two billion-dollar brands, Rihanna, has steadily proved why she is an entrepreneur and a true hustler. Having not released an album in 10 years, Rihanna has focused on her brands: Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. Fenty Beauty features a wide range of makeup, skincare and fragrance products that are inclusive for all. Over the years of being chronically on every corner of social media, I have witnessed excellent reviews of Rihanna’s makeup products. Trends have emerged from Fenty Beauty products, influencing people worldwide to purchase them.

With nearly ten years in business, customers still express their love for Fenty Beauty despite ongoing conversations about finally being “honest” about the brand. “I will not tolerate Fenty Beauty slander. The skin tint, hydrating concealer, loose powder, powder foundation, invisimatte powder, diamond bomb and glass bomb sticks will keep a place in my collection. I do agree that the lip liner packaging sucks,” an X user stated. Her post, in response to a TikTok user expressing disappointment with Fenty Beauty’s foundation, addresses differences in older products, lack of directions and poor packaging. Nonetheless, Fenty Beauty has far more positive reviews online than negative ones.

4. Encina Wellness by August Alsina

An underrated celebrity beauty brand created by R&B singer August Alsina is Encina Wellness. The brand sells genderless products, including shower gel, parfum, exfoliator, facial cleanser, elixir and wellness cream. The clean beauty brand is made for melanin-rich skin and supports glowing skin. Those who have purchased from Encina Wellness say, “Products are amazing,” “Great for young ones,” “Leaves your face feeling amazing and soft.” Per customer reviews, Encina Wellness is worth buying.

5. Cécred by Beyonce

Many of you can probably say you expected Cécred by Beyoncé and Tina Knowles-Lawson to be on this list, and you’re absolutely right. Cécred is one of the biggest celebrity beauty brands currently out there; it’s only right that we evaluate whether it’s overhyped or worth buying. Customers with honest reviews are mainly rating the hair care line very positively, despite some chatter about product prices. Users of the products love the detangling spray.

One X post stated, “Used that Cécred detangling spray… Beyoncé, don’t ever touch that formula girl!” Replies stated, “I’m obsessed with it. Especially that smell.”  “I love that spray more than anything and it actually works on my natural hair,” “It’s really magic in a bottle.” In addition to the product itself, people are excited about the growth that it has brought them. “Beyoncé has the best scientists in that Cécred lab because my hair growth has been INSANE.” Sounds like Cécred is worth the buy.

6. JLO Beauty by Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez, actress, singer, and businesswoman, is the face and owner of JLO Beauty, which sells a variety of skincare and body care products. But do average buyers think it’s worth the hype? On social media, online X critics say they were unaware of Lopez’s JLO Beauty. “My mom just be buying sh**. Girl, why do you have JLO’s beauty’s entire skincare line? I didn’t know she had customers.”

Other critics on platforms like Reddit are criticizing the brand, even saying, “I DO have an issue when celebrities (cough JLO) try to sell their brand as if it’s the secret to their looks, when in reality they should be transparent about the procedures they’ve done to look that way.” Some X users even joked that no one is interested in JLO Beauty. “I get in the car, my maps pull up JLO beauty, baby, who going there tf.” JLO Beauty may be overhyped.

7. Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross

Film, television, embracing family legacy and hair are a few of the many things Tracee Ellis Ross does right, and social media can agree. Founded by CEO Ross, Pattern Beauty is a hair care brand that was launched in 2019, selling shampoo, conditioner, curl gel, blow dryer, hair steamer, moisture milk, mousse, body oil and much more. Having purchased their products myself, I can say you must try them out, but this isn’t about me. Social media is raving about their products. Regular customers who’ve purchased are explaining that it’s worth every penny. “Unfortunately, Pattern Beauty is in fact doing wonders for my hair and is worth every penny.” Another X user explained how CEO Ross left an excellent impression with her products. “Tracee Ellis Ross did her mf thang with Pattern Beauty. My hair always feels like butter after using it.” Pattern Beauty may be worth buying.

8. Billie by Billie Eilish

One of Gen Z’s favorite musicians, Billie Eilish, is also an entrepreneur and businesswoman who sells perfume. Often recognized for her coolly, distinctly designed perfume bottles, women love her scents and their longevity. Additionally, Eilish’s bottles are refillable. “Billie’s refillable perfume bottle thing is so perfect,” an X user claimed. “I ordered that Billie Eilish perfume and it’s a 10/10, I must say,” said another. Similar to every other beauty brand on the list, negative remarks and reviews are always present. Some customers do not enjoy the smell but rather the bottle.

Featured image credit: Grow-Good Beauty website