Beauty Products That Unite Fine Art With Function

When it comes to luxury beauty, there's nothing quite like a product that's just as appealing to look at as it is to use. The flash of a sleek lipstick bullet, the gleam of a blown-glass perfume bottle, or the feel of a weighty compact in the palm of our hand can transform the simple act of applying makeup into a whole sensory experience. 

And let's be clear: these aren’t just flights of fancy. While they might be display-worthy, these sumptuous objets d'art balance polish with pragmatism, encapsulating formulations (or providing functions, see: Balmain's ultra luxe hair clip) that are swoon-worthy in their own right. 

In this spirit, InStyle has curated an array of beauty offerings that are a true feast for the senses. From Dior’s iconic tear-shaped bottle to Byredo’s oyster eye compact, explore our favorites below.

Balmain Hair Barrette Pour Cheveux

Balmain’s smooth 14 K gold-plated barrette is cast in a perfect creamy winter white and will quickly become your most fanciful hair accessory.

Dior J’adore Dior Eau de Parfum

Dior arguably started it all with J’adore Dior, which is one of the most distinctive perfume bottles of all time. Designed to match the hyper-feminine floral aroma inside, the teardrop-shaped glass bottle features a gold-embellished neck as if it’s wearing a piece of jewelry. You’ll want to keep this beauty on your vanity long after it's all gone.

Florasis Floral Beauty Goddess Makeup Palette

A collection of nine shimmery shadows, blushes, and bronzing powders are locked in this fan-shaped palette from Chinese brand Florasis. It’s almost too mesmerizing to use with its intricate artwork drawing inspiration from a romantic poem authored by famous poet and prince Cao Zhi.

Kindred Black Sleeping Beauty Oil

No edit of the world’s most striking beauty products would be complete without a stunning skincare vessel — and Kindred Black’s hydrating, botanical-infused face oil epitomizes just that. The most special part? No two of its blown-glass, apothecary-like bottles are the same.

House of Bō El Sireno Eau de Parfum

Paying homage to the world’s natural beauty, House of Bō’s bottles are striking to say the least. Their earthy scent, El Sireno, features a hand-carved blue onyx stone cap sourced from the Patagonia Mountains and carved by local Mexican artisans.

Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar

Who says a facial tool can’t be entirely luxurious? This 24K gold-plated massage tool is slim, smooth, and boasts satisfying heft; you’ll no doubt enjoy gliding this gilded bar across your contours to lift and sculpt.

Balmain Hair Barrette Pour Cheveux

Balmain’s smooth 14 K gold-plated barrette is cast in a perfect creamy winter white and will quickly become your most fanciful hair accessory.

Vyrao Free 00 Eau de Parfum

Allow Vyrao to give you a full sensory experience, beginning with Free 00’s zesty aroma of lemon and mandarin swirled with sweet vanilla and earthy sandalwood. Then there’s the bottle, which is saturated in energizing turquoise and orange hues.

Chanel Les 4 Ombres Byzance

It doesn’t get more luxurious than Chanel’s Byzance collection, which is inspired by the Byzantine influences in Gabrielle Chanel's personal jewelry collection. This dazzling quad places rich primary colors against the burnished gold the period is famous for.

Fara Homidi Essential Lip Compact

With its pitch-perfect powder blue shade, the vivid hues nestled inside, and the sheer beauty of its elegant shape, makeup artist Fara Homidi’s immaculately crafted lip compact is an artist’s (and editor’s!) dream come true!

Byredo Lipstick

Byredo’s instantly iconic metallic curved bullet is a work of art in and of itself. But it doesn’t hurt that the formula is extraordinary with its soft satin texture, non-drying finish, and gorgeous shades that refuse to fade.

Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shade

An eyeshadow that truly breaks the mold, this lovely bronze shimmer is carved in a stunning leafy pattern with waves of texture that leave us hypnotized.

Westman Atelier Petite Brush Collection

Legendary pro Gucci Westman proves that oft-neglected makeup brushes can be as striking as they are essential to our daily routines. Sourced from the forests of Japan, these sustainable wood brushes are dipped in an electrifying red, transforming your ordinary makeup routine into an entirely elevated experience. 

Kindred Black Delta Dawn Perfume Oil

Irresistible is the word to describe Kindred’s perfume oil vessels, which, like all of their offerings, evoke an old-world apothecary charm.

Gucci Beauty Rouge de Beauté Brilliant Lipstick

Inspired by the rich and decadent Gilded Age, this fabulous bullet is wrapped in a dramatic print that recalls the vintage brooches worn by the socialites of the time. 

Guerlain Limited Edition Météorites Fierce Glow Light Revealing Pearls of Powder

Designed by Guerlain makeup creative director Violette, the brand’s iconic and best-selling Météorites powder pearls are housed in a festive limited-edition tortoiseshell case boasting rich green and midnight blue hues.

Sisley Paris Ginkgo Gua Sha

For its interpretation of the ancient Gua Sha tool, Sisley Paris was inspired by the natural beauty — and more specifically, the shape of — the Ginkgo Biloba leaf. Trust that the curves and naturally cooling Zamac material feel magical against the skin for smoothing and depuffing. 

La Mer Genaissance de La Mer Eye and Expression Cream

We’d expect nothing less than pure indulgence from a brand as storied and synonymous with luxurious as La Mer, but this petite bottle, which comes with a built-in massage tool, exceeds our every hope for both a masterfully designed jar and lavish eye cream. 

Byredo Eyeshadow 5 Colours

Part disco, part museum-worthy sculpture, Byredo’s signature oyster compact is its pièce de résistance, complete with a handful of brilliant and shimmering shades.

Crown Affair The Comb No. 001

The Comb 001 is the only one you’ll ever need again. Designed to last a lifetime, each one is hand-carved in Switzerland using sustainable, plant-based acetate. Mimicking naturally mined marble, this striking, yet serene Carrera pattern transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. 

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