Beauty & Cosmetics: Fashion Industry Directory
Explore skin care, makeup, hair care and fragrance, and see how the beauty industry works hand in hand with fashion.
Beauty is a characteristic of a person, place, object or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, meaning or satisfaction. In this section, beauty refers to the appearance of people and their desire to look beautiful and stylish. The fashion market and the beauty products industry go hand in hand: cosmetics and hair styles are important parts of a consumer's sense of style, and they are essential to the apparel industry for photo shoots, fashion weeks and marketing.
Use this page to explore beauty guides, learn practical tips for skin, hair, makeup and fragrance, and find the stylists, brands and retailers that shape how the fashion world looks.
Explore the Beauty Guides
Beauty & Fashion: A Close Relationship
Beauty and fashion are two halves of one visual story. A designer's collection is presented on the runway with hair and makeup chosen to match its mood, and an editorial photo shoot depends on stylists to complete the look. For shoppers, a lipstick shade or a signature scent can express the same personality as a favorite outfit.
Runway & editorial
Hair and makeup teams work with designers before fashion week to create looks that support the clothing. Trends in color and texture often flow from the runway to stores.
Fashion houses in beauty
Many fashion brands extend into fragrance and cosmetics. Chanel No. 5, launched in 1921, is a classic example, and many designer fragrances are made under license by specialist beauty companies.
Careers that connect both
Hair stylists, makeup artists, models and fashion stylists collaborate on shoots, shows and campaigns. See the careers resources below.
Marketing & retail
Campaigns, celebrity ambassadors and collaborations link clothing and beauty to reach the same customer in stores and online.
If you wish to see beauty in action, visit the beautiful people at Fashion Week Photos, which features beautiful fashion and beautiful people.
Build Your Starter Skin Care Routine
A quick, general guide. Everyone's skin is different, so adjust to your needs.
Select your skin type to see a simple starter routine.
Beauty Tips by Category
Skin care
- Cleanse, moisturize and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day.
- Reapply sunscreen about every two hours when outdoors.
- Introduce new actives, such as retinoids or acids, slowly.
- Do not over-exfoliate; irritation is a sign to pull back.
- See a dermatologist for persistent concerns.
Hair care
- Wash based on your hair type and scalp, not a fixed schedule.
- Condition the lengths and ends, and use a heat protectant before hot tools.
- Use lukewarm water and pat hair dry instead of rubbing.
- Schedule regular trims to limit split ends.
- See our hair color tips before coloring at home.
Makeup
- Start with moisturized skin and a primer if you want longer wear.
- Test foundation along the jawline in natural light.
- Blend edges, and build color gradually.
- Replace mascara about every three months, and keep brushes clean.
- Avoid sharing eye and lip products.
Fragrance
- Test on skin and wait a few hours; scent changes as it dries.
- Apply to pulse points such as wrists and neck, without rubbing.
- Store bottles away from heat, light and humidity.
- Choose lighter scents for warm weather and heavier ones for evenings.
Fragrance 101
Concentrations
| Type | Typical fragrance oil | Typical longevity |
|---|---|---|
| Parfum / extrait | about 20-30% | Longest; often 6+ hours |
| Eau de parfum (EDP) | about 15-20% | Several hours |
| Eau de toilette (EDT) | about 5-15% | Shorter; lighter wear |
| Eau de cologne (EDC) | about 2-4% | Brief; refreshing |
Percentages are general ranges and vary by brand.
The scent pyramid
Common fragrance families
- Citrus: bright and fresh
- Floral: romantic and soft
- Woody: warm and earthy
- Amber / Oriental: rich and spicy
- Fresh / Aquatic: clean and airy
How Long Do Beauty Products Last?
| Product | General guideline |
|---|---|
| Mascara and liquid eyeliner | Replace about every 3 months |
| Foundation and concealer | Often 6-12 months; check the label |
| Lipstick | Often 1-2 years if stored well |
| Skincare with actives | Follow the expiry date or period-after-opening symbol |
| Sunscreen | Check the expiry date; replace if expired |
| Fragrance | Often several years when stored away from heat and light |
Look for the period-after-opening (PAO) symbol, an open jar icon with a number of months. Discard any product that changes in color, smell or texture.
Beauty Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SPF | Sun protection factor, a measure of protection against UVB rays. Choose broad-spectrum for UVA and UVB. |
| Non-comedogenic | Formulated not to clog pores. |
| Humectant | An ingredient, like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, that draws moisture into the skin. |
| Retinoid | A vitamin A derivative used to support skin renewal; start slowly and use sunscreen. |
| Primer | A base product that helps makeup go on smoothly and last longer. |
| Contour | Using darker and lighter shades to shape the face. |
| PAO | Period after opening, the time a product stays good after you open it. |
What Are Cosmetics?
Cosmetics (pronunciation: cosmetic) are substances used to enhance or protect the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toenail polishes, eye and facial makeup, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and gels, deodorants, baby products, bath oils, bubble baths, bath salts, butters and many other types of products. Their use is widespread, especially among women in Western countries. A subset of cosmetics is called "make-up," which refers primarily to colored products intended to alter the user's appearance. Many manufacturers distinguish between decorative cosmetics and care cosmetics.
Beauty Resources
Careers & Professionals
Hair and makeup artists are an essential part of fashion shoots, shows and campaigns.
Featured Beauty Brands & Retailers
Third-party sites listed for research. Apparel Search does not endorse any product; check ingredients and return policies before you buy.
- FragranceNet.com
Trusted online since 1997. FragranceNet.com says it has shipped over 30 million packages and sold over $1 billion in beauty products, carrying 17,000 genuine, brand name fragrances, skincare, makeup, haircare, aromatherapy and candles at discount prices.
LookFantasticFounded in 1996, lookfantastic.com is the original online British beauty boutique. Today, the Lookfantastic Group is Europe's number one retailer for beauty and number two globally, with hair, beauty, skincare and all things gorgeous.
- Into The Gloss
A beauty website that explores the routines of inspiring women. Founded by Emily Weiss in 2010, it is known for profiles such as The Top Shelf and Top Shelf After Dark, where editors talk about products, careers and what beauty means to women today.
- MAC Cosmetics
Part of Estée Lauder. The Estée Lauder Companies acquired a majority interest in M·A·C in 1994 and full ownership in 1998. Sold in more than 70 countries and territories, M·A·C grew through word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and journalists, and is known as the color authority for professionals and consumers alike.
Perfume.com
Discount perfumes and colognes from America's leading online perfume store, with over 10,000 name brand fragrances from over 800 designers, including hard-to-find and rare scents. If you do not see it on their website, let them know and they will help find it.
- Ulta Beauty
Prestige and mass cosmetics, makeup, fragrance, skincare, bath and body, haircare tools and salon services, including bareMinerals, Smashbox, Murad and more.
Modeling & Beauty Education
A Final Thought
Here at Apparel Search, we strongly believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Beauty is a physical appearance, but it also radiates from one's inner core.
Learn about cosmetics, perfumes, clothing and more here on Apparel Search. Also visit the Apparel Search blog and our fashion news.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are beauty and fashion connected?
Hair, makeup and fragrance complete a fashion look on runways, in editorials and in campaigns, and many fashion brands also sell beauty products.
What is a good basic skin care routine?
Most routines include a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer and daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Add other products gradually.
How do I make fragrance last longer?
Apply to moisturized skin at pulse points, avoid rubbing the wrists together, and store the bottle away from heat and light.
How often should I replace makeup?
Mascara roughly every three months, and other products according to their period-after-opening symbol or expiry date.
How can I find a hair or makeup stylist?
Use the stylist agencies, hair stylist and makeup stylist pages linked on this page, and the Stylists Group on the Fashion Industry Network.