“Black Honey” or the charm of Universality in an age of Individuality

Products that “look good on anyone”, like Clinique´s best-selling almost lipstick or Nars´ “Or*asm” blush are all the rage- but why is this happening in the age of individuality?

Can one single product look amazing on everyone, and yet be a means to self-expression?

In a world obsessed with celebrating individuality and uniqueness, a paradox has taken the beauty and fashion industries by storm — the popularity of products sworn to “look great on anyone.” From Clinique’s iconic Black Honey lip balm to Nars’ universally flattering Org*sm blush, not forgetting the wonders of personalised perfumes like Escentric Molecules’ Molecule 01 (which relies on the wearer’s unique body chemistry to create a bespoke scent) and the inclusive designs of Skims dresses, these products have become desired staples and absolute must-haves.

This phenomenon begs the question: Why are these one-size-fits-all gems thriving in an era that champions personalization and self-expression?

The very term “self-expression”, along with uniqueness and individuality, has been a strong word in fashion and beauty in recent years. The body-positive movement took over…