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“Quiet Luxury” is trending. With 69.4 million views on TikTok, and searches for quiet luxury fashion skyrocketing by 373 percent on Google, it’s officially one of the biggest trends of 2023. But where did it come from? Our cultural obsession with quiet luxury was kicked off by the stealth wealth wardrobes seen on “Succession“, where characters snipe and connive in understated Armani suits and brandless $600 baseball caps.
But what does quiet luxury mean for beauty? It’s more than a rich-person flex. It’s about quality over quantity, personalisation, and products that never announce themselves before you do.
Some have argued that one of the reasons quiet luxury is taking off is because, in tight economic circumstances, we’re focusing on minimalist skincare and beauty routines that do the most. We’re also on the look out for fashion and beauty that makes us look in charge of our lives. It’s all about polished, professional, and no-fuss chic, rather than the trend-driven, exuberant gaudiness of 2022.
While reams have been written about the quiet luxury effect in fashion, we’re rounding up skincare and beauty products that speak to the quiet luxury aesthetic.
Clarins, Double Serum Light
Launched in 1985, the Clarins Double Serum is an icon in its own right and an example of quiet luxury’s focus on heritage, credibility, and functionality.
A first of its kind, the innovative formula fuses fine oils with a super absorbent gel base to provide skin with an instantly plumped and smooth appearance. Now available in a featherweight formula that’s perfect for all skin types, Clarins, Double Serum Light ($170) gives your skin a lit-from-within look. It sinks in quickly, and protects your complexion with extracts like turmeric, avocado oil, cacao, and kiwi extract. If it were a smoothie, Shiv Roy would be downing it for breakfast. Fortunately for us, it’s a lush serum that will give you the succulent complexion of your rich girl dreams.
Augustinus Bader, The Cream
If it’s powerful enough to give Kendall Roy’s haggard complexion a boost, it’s powerful enough for you.
Augustinus Bader, The Cream ($437) is a cashmere-soft hydrating lotion that’s nestled comfortably amongst iconic moisturisers like La Mer and Sisley, Black Rose.
Omorovicza, Refining Facial Polisher
Straight from Budapest to you, Omorovicza, Refining Facial Polisher ($118) is an unassuming tube that contains everything you need to deep clean the day away.
Sure, “Succession” characters probably stop by Hungarian thermal baths as a matter of business. Still, you can benefit from the calcium and magnesium-rich water in the comfort of your own home.
This scrub contains three key components: gently exfoliating lactobionic acid, astringent and sebum regulating copper gluconate, and pumice for a physical exfoliation.
Surrat Beauty, Relevée Lash Curler
Quiet luxury is all about the little things, and Surrat Beauty, Relevée Lash Curler ($50) is about ingenious design that truly makes a difference.
Made in Japan, this lash curler features bouncy silicone pads that will cushion your lashes like a Rolls Royce’s seats and capture every single lash for a fanned-out look that never looks obvious. The best you can get. Forget the rest.
Kevyn Aucoin, The Volume Mascara
Another feat of great product design, Kevyn Aucoin, The Volume Mascara ($48) was declared the best mascara of all time by The Cut.
Somehow, this sleek red tube provides volume, length, and definition, while still looking subtle. Even better? Thanks to the formula, The Volume Mascara never announces itself by smudging, flaking, or irritating your eyes and you’ll capture every lash thanks, to its super fine brush.
Dior, 5 Coleaurs Eyeshadow Quads
In recent years, Dior has driven TikTok into a frenzy with its Dior Backstage beauty products. But beauty lovers know the 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette ($115) has been a stalwart for the brand since 1993.
Colourways are frequently updated to keep pace with trends, but the silky, pigmented formulas and practical design have stayed the same. It’s compact enough to fit into the smallest, least ludicrously capacious evening bag. It’s a quiet luxury beauty classic.
Westman Atelier, Baby Cheeks Blush
Luxury is a multi-sensory experience. The soft click of a magnetic cap can send a shiver down any beauty lover’s spine, and this product does just that.
The Westman Atelier, Baby Cheeks Blush ($80) range comes in six shades, all encased in a muted, elephant-grey tube. All Westman Atelier products are infused with skincare ingredients and organic jojoba oil. Meanwhile, raspberry stem cell extracts ensure this blush blends seamlessly and silkily onto your cheeks.
Gucci, Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish
Admittedly, it’s highly unlikely any “Succession” character is painting their own nails. They’re too busy causing chaos in the boardroom, or planning their nuptials (to their sugar daddies). If they did, though, they’d be reaching for Gucci, Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in Annabel Rose ($57). It’s the OG shade stoney taupe that says you mean business.
Yves Saint Laurent, Touche Éclat Radiance Perfecting Pen
Sleep is the ultimate form of quiet luxury. The Yves Saint Laurent, Touche Éclat Radiance Perfecting Pen ($74) will give you a well-rested look — no matter what’s keeping you up at night.
Launched in 1992, this pen remains a constant in makeup artists’ kits. With light reflective pigments suspended in a fine, tinted pigment, this pen will ensure you’re always seen in your perfect light.
Westman Atelier, Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
Two mentions for Westman Atelier, because the makeup artist-designed brand is one of the chicest on the market. Just a pearl-sized amount of the Westman Atelier, Vital Skincare Complexion Drops ($113) will give you a fresh, plush complexion with staying power. Non-comedogenic and packed with skincare benefits, this product is truly the best you can get.
Tom Ford, Shade and Illuminate Contour Duo
One of the first contour products of its kind, the Tom Ford, Shade and Illuminate Contour Duo ($145) is still a must-have for an elegant contour.
Both the contour and highlight formulas are sheer and blendable. They give the skin a subtle (and never glittery) luminosity that is hard to overdo. Buff the contour shade in with the Tom Ford, Shade and Illuminate Brush ($128). The brush was expertly designed to pair with the product to create natural, sculpted look.
Charlotte Tilbury, Airbrush Brightening Flawless Finish Powder
Soft, silky, and importantly, imperceptive, the Charlotte Tilbury, Airbrush Brightening Flawless Finish Powder ($70) is a “stealth wealth” powder that makes a quiet entrance when you need it to. This product glides over pores and makes quick work of oiliness and fine lines without ever drawing attention to itself.
Amy Jean Brows
An Australian technician who caters to the brows and lashes of Sydney’s A-list, Amy Jean recently launched her own range of brow products. With the launch of the Amy Jean Privee Collection, you can take her expertise home with you.
The Amy Jean, Lamination Brow Gel ($44) provides strong hold with a soft, matte finish — no telltale shine or crunch here! Meanwhile, Amy Jean, Micro Stroke Pencil ($42) allows for a super fine application and comes in the best range of colours we’ve seen. That means there’s even a red for the Shiv Roy’s of this world, and what could be better than that?
Chanel, Rouge Coco Flash Lip Colour
Quite simply, there’s no cosmetics brand more associated with heritage and luxury than Chanel. If you’re looking for quiet luxury, their lipsticks are the beauty brand’s most iconic products.
The Rouge Coco Flash ($65) formulation is perfect for a sheer wash of colour that doesn’t announce itself before you do. Hot tip: 116 “Easy”, a subtle and sexy caramelised peach, is Lily Rose Depp’s signature shade.
Isles Formula Haircare
Created by celebrity hairstylist Wendy Isles, Isles Formula hair care is the secret to soft, silky 10,000,000 thread-count locks. Originally an uber-exclusive private blend for Iles’ celebrity clients, the silk-infused formulation is now available to the general public. We recommend the Signature Collection ($207) and to count ourselves blessed.
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