The 23 Bestselling Beauty Products of 2023

Say what you want, 2023 was the Year of the Girl. The year of That Girl. Of Sofias, Haileys, Taylors, Beyoncés, Matildas, Pamelas, Emeralds, Gretas and, of course, Barbies. With women dominating the zeitgeist, the beauty industry propelled into a new stratosphere.

We poured out of cinemas and stadiums, and with the same vivacity, supercharged our beauty bags to smell sweeter, look glowier and take our beauty rituals to the next level. There’s no shame in investing in oneself (and using the tools at hand to look and feel your best!) and as such, the fun and flair of it all – considered ‘girly’, in the pejorative sense, for far too long – is catching on for the rest of the world.

With all of that in mind, here are the 23 bestselling beauty products that defined the year that was.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist 
I tried long and hard to pinpoint the moment this mist went from niche nice-to-have to the beauty product of the year. Then I realised 2023 was the year the first wave of Generation Alpha ('Gen A') turned 13, and were therefore granted access to a TikTok account. All hail the burgeoning force of pistachio, salted caramel and the For You Page.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter  
Swiping this primer-highlighter-glow serum hybrid across your cheeks and forehead with its jumbo doe foot has become a tribal ritual for latter-day beauty lovers and makeup artists alike.

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
What Sofia Richie Grainge says, goes. With upgraded packaging and a new slew of shades to choose from, even the most indifferent were influenced to pop one of these in their bag. And on their bedside. And in their pockets. And their cars, et al.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops™
This tacky (in texture, not style) niacinamide serum is the beauty product for that person who wants literally one product that does it all, and does it well. It’s skincare with a makeup mentality and it’s good.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray 
Through all 169 minutes of The Eras Tour film, as I witnessed the sweat and humidity having its way with Taylor’s hair but not in the slightest with her makeup, I couldn’t help but wonder if she keeps this un-budge-able mist on tap.

Kosas Revealer Concealer  
Beliebers are back in vogue – but this time, for Hailey. Anything that touches her face becomes an instant classic and the hype around this creamy, blend-y, good-for-skin, ticks-all-the-boxes concealer epitomises her impact. [Editor’s note: I used it first.]

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Neutral palettes, matte paint pots, powdery highlighters and such were, for the most part, swallowed into the vortex of the 2010s YouTube Beauty Guru era, with one product left to hold its rightful position as a timeless must-have. That product is this setting powder, which shocks in its balance between performance and delicate weightlessness.

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
There was a point in 2023 where we could barely get these from the shipping box to the shelf before selling out. TikTok ‘It girl' of the year, Alix Earle, sparked the trend, and from there on out, everyone and their cousin was blending these drops into their moisturiser for a direct-from-Denpasar look on the daily.

MECCA COSMETICA To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen
When my luggage found its way to Frankfurt (I was in Rome), I – much like the city – was in ruins. A 40-degree Italian summer, without my MECCA COSMETICA SPF? Horrifying. This is a true emotional support sunscreen, keeping its wearers safe from the sun with SPF50+ protection, non-sticky consistency and a boost of hydration. Just remember to reapply every two hours, pop on a chic hat and sunnies, and seek shade (with a spritz in hand) when you can.

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
NARS’ newest foundation has won the hearts of every complexion obsessive. This semi-dewy, medium coverage, skincare-infused formula has become a staple for every occasion, and for good reason.

Dr. Dennis Gross DermInfusions 3D Visible Fill + Repair Serum
Dubbed as ‘Notox in a bottle’ by MECCA HQ, this golden vessel of youth helps to fill the look of lines, make skin appear plumper and firm up visible sagging. It’s been a hit since the moment it dropped. If you’re contemplating a first date with the needle, try this first.

VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Balm  
The shade 'Amour Fou' is the Alexa Chung of red lips: cool, effortless, not too put together but enviably chic, all at the same time. This balm/lipstick hybrid swipes on with a sheer, semi-blurred effect that makes it perfect for bold lip first-timers and those that live in fear of matte textures.

Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Rich in absolutely every way, this 'un-dupe-able' celebrity-loved moisturiser is genuinely life- (well, at the very least, skin-) changing. It’s one of those products that's so good you almost shouldn’t try it – for once you know, you can't un-know.

Diptyque Baies Candle
This candle is so iconic, we wrote an entire MEMO as an ode to it (and every person that’s ever burned it – see also: Beyoncé, the Beckhams and Bradshaw, Carrie).

Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
No skin tint recommendation video was complete in 2023 without these drops on the list. For everyone wanting to channel the ‘clean aesthetic’, it's the definition of 'your skin, but better'.

La Mer The Treatment Lotion
This luxe toner-essence hybrid is the perfect introduction into the world of La Mer. Infused with the brand’s skin-strengthening Miracle Broth™, The Treatment Lotion hydrates and preps skin for serums and creams that follow, boosting their effect. Layer this underneath your favourite hyaluronic acid and you’ll reap the benefits.

Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Speaking of – hyaluronic acid continued to rule the skincare world in 2023. This concentrated serum from Kiehl’s is formulated with just a handful of ingredients to give your skin its best shot at absorbing what it really needs (in this case, a whole lot of hydration!).

Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation
A formula that’s buildable, glowy, blurring and never cakey; what more could you want? Once a hidden gem on the MECCA shop floor, it’s clearly not so hidden anymore!

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP 
Has someone ever walked past you and you’ve wondered, 'What fragrance are they wearing?' You’ve probably been Baccarat Rouge'd – aka, been caught in the intoxicating sillage left by Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s iconic fragrance. A compliment magnet, this blend of jasmine, saffron, amber and cedar is loved by too many to count, including Olivia Rodrigo and Kasey Musgraves.

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
The cream that does exactly what it says on the label. This cult favourite – and MECCA Hall of Fame honouree – is like a cheat sheet to bouncy, glassy skin, fast-tracking your way there when there’s no time for extra steps.

Frank Body Glycolic Body Scrub
This two-in-one physical and chemical exfoliant contains a blend of AHAs, niacinamide and pumice to help reduce body bumps and breakouts, for smoother, glowier, more even skin. Our tip? Use this as part of your pre-tan routine to ensure an even application.

Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
If you spent any time on #BeautyTok this year, we’re sure you saw people raving about this hair oil. Powered by honey – a powerful moisture-locker – this oil helps to deeply nourish (and boost shine) for all hair types. Use it before or after styling to reduce frizz and add lustre, or as an overnight treatment.

Emma Lewisham Supernatural Blemish Serum
This breakout serum is so far from the as-seen-on-TV gels and creams that once dominated the market, you’d have to travel in light years to find parallels between the two. Instead, the formula works with your skin’s microbiome – the ecosystem that rules how it looks and feels – to inhibit the specific bacteria that cause blemishes. It’s mighty powerful (but not in a ravage-through-your-skin way) and the results speak for themselves.