The most popular beauty products and fragrances around the world

When it comes to makeup and beauty, everyone has their ride or die product. Whether it’s a statement bold lipstick, full coverage foundation or a signature scent, here at LOOKFANTASTIC we wanted to know which beauty products the world can’t be without.

We looked at the number of Google searches of over 30 beauty product types in each country across the globe during 2020, revealing the most popular brands and products worldwide.

But we didn’t stop there.

We also gathered a list of 142 popular women’s fragrances and 71 popular men’s fragrances and looked at the search volumes for each, to give you the top scent for both men and women in each country and a list of the most loved fragrances.

The top beauty product in the world is MAC lipstick, in the shade Velvet Teddy

Lipstick has been an essential part of makeup routines for years, but MAC lipstick, specifically in the matte shade of Velvet Teddy, is currently the most popular to invest your time and money in. Velvet Teddy came out on top in 46 countries across the world, including the UK, Australia and China.

Benefit They’re Real Mascara narrowly came in second place, topping the beauty products list of 21 countries across the world. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade, a social sensation that changed the brow game forever, came in third, being the most popular beauty product in 20 countries across the world.

LET'S TALK NUDES- The top 15 lipstick shades around the world:

MAC lipstick is the world’s must-have beauty product, but which shades are the most popular?

Any avid MAC user will instantly be able to guess that Velvet Teddy tops the list as the most searched for shade worldwide, with 266k annual global searches. The shade was launched into the limelight after being named as the preferred shade of beauty icon Kylie Jenner.

The world’s second favourite shade is Mehr (178k), and third is the playful yet muted pink, Twig (145k). In fact, nude shades make up most of the top 15 favourite lipstick shades.

The only bold colour featured is the daring Russian Red, a favourite of burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese, which manages to buck the nude lipstick trend by coming in at 13th.

Good Girl by Carolina Herrera is the most popular fragrance around the world, coming in top across 42 Countries

In the top spot was Good Girl by Carolina Herrera. It was the favourite in 42 countries, including Brazil, Italy and Spain.

Good Girl is a powerful and sensual fragrance with top notes of Almond, heart notes of Jasmine and Tuberose, and base notes of Cacao and Tonka Bean.

The second most popular women’s fragrance around the world was Tom Ford’s Black Orchid. Black Orchid was the favourite for 21 countries according to our research, topping the fragrance lists in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

With notes of Bergamot, Black Orchid and Black Plum combined with Black Truffle and Patchouli, this fragrance seduces the senses and lingers on the skin, leaving an unforgettable aroma.

In third place we have Marc Jacobs Daisy. This classic fragrance was the favourite for 17 countries across the world, including the UK, USA and Australia.

This signature fragrance from Marc Jacobs is a charming and luxurious fragrance with fresh, juicy notes of wild berries and crisp, clean white violet. It will invigorate your senses with a smooth, sumptuous heart note of opulent Jasmine Infusion. It’s finished with rich base notes of Sandalwood, leaving a memorable and decadent scent that lingers in the air long after exiting the room.

Good Girl by Carolina Herrera was found to be the top women’s fragrance in most of Europe, South America and some parts of Asia. It was the number one most searched for women’s fragrance in countries such as Paraguay, Poland, Switzerland and Vietnam to name a few.

Black Orchid by Tom Ford proved to be most popular in countries such as Japan, South Africa and the UAE, among others.

Unlike most of Europe, the UK’s top women’s fragrance was actually Daisy by Marc Jacobs.

This signature Marc Jacobs scent was also the number one in North America, Australasia and a large percentage of Asia, dominating the fragrance ranks in places like Australia, the United States and China.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million is the most popular Men’s Fragrance across the world, coming in top across 26 countries

The global fragrance market is expected to reach over $91bn in the next 5 years, so it’s no surprise that annual searches for men’s fragrances are high. LOOKFANTASTIC analysed over 70 popular men’s fragrances to determine which scent was most popular in the most countries across the world.

Unlike the women’s top fragrances, the top three male fragrances were a closer call, with there only being a difference of six countries between first and third place.

Taking the top spot is Paco Rabane 1 Million, which was the favourite men’s fragrance for 26 countries, including the UK, New Zealand and Canada. A choice perfect for the bold, confident man, this fragrance represents and exudes wealth, power and a luxurious lifestyle. Opening with fresh top notes of sparkling grapefruit, mint and blood mandarin, moving into heart notes of cinnamon, rose and spice, creating an irresistible, leather fragrance. Finishing with a seductive base of amber and patchouli to form this decadent woody fragrance.

In second place, the favourite of 22 countries was Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille. From the spicy fragrance family, Tobacco Vanille is an opulent, warm and iconic scent, blended with rich spices, vanilla and tobacco flower, exuding confidence and leaving a powerful impression.

Narrowly in third place is Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male, which was the favourite of 20 countries around the world. The opening of fresh mint and bergamot invigorates the senses and is then seamlessly blended with the aromatic heart of spicy cinnamon and cumin, with calming lavender. Finally, vanilla and sandalwood merge to create the bittersweet base, lingering on the skin with a rich and woody fragrance which oozes masculinity.

Mapped: Men’s fragrances by Paco Rabanne, Tom Ford and Jean Paul Gaultier are the top three in the world

In North America it was a pretty even split between Paco Rabane 1 Million and Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille for favourite, whereas Jean Paul Gautier’s Le Male was found to be the favourite in most European countries.

The UK’s top women’s fragrance was Marc Jacobs Daisy with 486k annual searches. The top male fragrance in the UK was Paco Rabanne 1 Million with 266k annual searches.

The United States’ favourite fragrance brands are Marc Jacob and Tom Ford

The United States’ top women’s fragrance was also Marc Jacobs Daisy with 726k annual searches.  The top male fragrance in the US was Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille with 217k annual searches.

Beauty Products: LOOKFANTASTIC analysed the Google search volume of a list of beauty products for each country in the world to determine which product came out on top. The same search data was used to determine the number of countries that favoured each product.

Lipstick Shades: LOOKFANTASTIC analysed the global search volume for 109 MAC Lipstick shades to determine the most popular in the world.

Fragrances: LOOKFANTASTIC gathered a list of 142 popular women’s fragrances and 71 popular men’s fragrances and analysed the search volumes for each in every country in the world, determining the top fragrance for both men and women in each country and overall.