If you could only use one brand of makeup for the rest of your life, what would it be? Just one!
I’m going to say Guerlain, because I think that it’s a brand that will work and suit me for years to come, not just today or tomorrow.
Thanks to Chandra for today’s question! Got a question idea? Submit yours here.
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
Probably urban decay
Mufe for sure! All I need is any one of their foundations (they’re all brilliant), smokey lash, and lipstick!!
yup..mufe’s for sure..great waterproof products from face n body foundation, aqua eyes, diamond powders, rouge lipsticks
It’s got to be NARS, or Illamasqua, then Shu Uemura, or MAC.
Paul & Joe
I’d have to go with MAC. It has a variety of products (eyeshadow, liner, blush, lipstick, etc.) and if worse come to worse, I could mix foundations to find a suitable color match.
I’m going to say… MAC. Just because they offer such a large selection of products and colors. Also I’m a sucker for their blushes.
Oh my gosh only one brand forever?!
*deep breath*
Okay, I would say Bobbi Brown. I pretty much reach for something from her line daily so I think I could be quite happy with only using her line.
I would choose Chanel!
MAC. Period. Lol
Urban Decay. I don’t even have to think about it.
NARS! Though I haven’t tried much of their eye make up yet. Love their complexion and lip products though!
probably mac. or maybe make up for ever. Or if it includes skin care too I would pick Clinique. I dont know!!!! Lol
NARS
I’m going with NARS as well!
Clinique. Love the skincare, the SuperFit Foundation and the mascara!
Bare Escentuals, as 90% of my makeup is from said brand anyway. Wouldn’t be much of an adjustment for me.
I totally agree 🙂
I am going to go with MAC. Mainly because most of the colors I use are pretty neutral and from the perm line.
Cant decide btwn Mary Kay Nyx or Revlon 🙁
chanel!
i love the mat lumiere foundation on me
it’s the most natural one i’ve used and it doesnt break me out like mac’s
i love their blushes too! pretty and natural shades that seem to compliment any skin tone
some for their lipsticks
their eyeshadows aren’t the greatest and they dont have the great range but i dont mind because i only ever wear neutral eyeshadows/ no eyeshadow
packaging is a plus too:D
Probably Urban Decay I havent tried many other higher end make up so Urban Decay for now.
Oh man, that’s a tough one!
I think I’ll have to say MAC. It’s not my favorite brand, but the color variety is the best and I love their lipsticks and lipglasses. It’s one of the most versatile brands, in my opinion.
Difficult !
Nars or Clinique…
NARS. without that brand I would never have gotten into makeup in the first place.
i’m gonna say chanel!
NARS.
I love their foundation, blushes, and eyeshadows. They have a variety of interesting colours but they also have neutrals. I don’t know too much their other products but I’m sure they’ll be great too.
prob nyx. or mac or benefit…hard decision.lol
UD!
I don’t own anything by this brand, but considering their huge range of products of generally good quality and luxe-ness, I’d go with Chanel. MAC and MUFE come in as close seconds for their humongous color ranges.
maybe Chanel or Guerlain…or Givenchy??? hahaha
just one??
Guerlain!
MAC
I would have to say MAC since I use the foundation powder, blush and eyeshadow nearly every day and really love it.
Chanel
Chanel because that means that I would also be able to wear their polishes and RAL’s!! My second one would be NARS!!
Easy, Chanel (pretty much all I buy anyway).
Though with the shift to the European baked versions for blushes and quads, I may not be buying as much anymore. I guess that’s okay because I already have a handful of JC blushes I love and tend to buy more of the soft touch single eyeshadows vs quads (I am very picky with colors and textures).
Dior, if it were more affordable I would own more products opposed to MAC and Dior Show is a must have mascara.
MAC!!!!
Second Urban Decay
Nars or MAC
MAC without a doubt. They come out with so many collections and colors I would never get bored! And they have enough products to satisfy my addiction.
I say MAC. Because it has the products I need for daily use and the ones I may need for a special look.
Though some products I would prefere them from another brand, I think…
i agree.. like especially bronzer by mac is not for me as well as mascara.. but everything else.. MAC ! 🙂
NARS with no doubt!!
I am going to choose Dior because I love their foundation and lip products. I have yet to try their blush or eyeshadow but I am sure I can find something I like. I love to look natural. So anything neutral will work!
I’d probably have to say MAC. Their selection is SO wide. You have TONS of different foundations, concealers, powders. Cream blushes, powder blushes, cream color bases. Paints and paint pots. A million different eyeshadows, lipsticks, and lipglosses. Nail polish. Skin care. Perfume. I mean you could have everything from just one brand, so it seems like the smartest route. And even though some people hate how many collections they put out, sometimes it can be exciting and you’re not waiting forever, thinking “Ugh, WHEN are they gonna come out with something new?!” I’d rather have too much to pick and choose from instead of not enough. 🙂
Dior 🙂
or Guerlain. But Dior is preferable.
Chanel! I use a lot of other trendier brands, but I mix and match products. Chanel is the only one brand that I like everything of — glosses, lipstick, eyeshadow, foundation, blush, nail polish, etc.
Probably either Mac or Nars.
MAC hands down.
nars
NARS! I do love my “orgasm”.
MAC – not only do they have a great permanent line, but also with a new LE collection out everytime i blink (;-) i don’t think i would get bored – so yah, MAC for sure.
Chanel! I’m not a huge fan of the eyeshadows (some of the quads are quite nice), but I swear by the foundation, mascara, and those twist-up eyeliners are almost as good as the UD 24/7 pencils! And I’m addicted to the glossimers and Rouge Cocos as well.
Guerlain and MAC are very close seconds, though
First comes Chanel, then Guerlain.
Either Shiseido or chanel I think.
NARS!!!
I love the foundation, eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers… (although i’d have huge dark circles because i hate their concealers…and a huge hole in my pocket!)
Laura Mercier. I cannot live without my Oil-free Tinted Moisturizer!
(I don’t care, I’ll start using her other products as long as I can have my tinted moisturizer)
I’d have to say MAC. I just couldn’t do without my Studio Fix and their lipsticks 🙂
MAC!
Well…if MAC’s foundation didnt turn my face orange or break me out as much I would say MAC….but then I hate Revlon’s face powders….decisions decisions….
I would have to go with MAC….i cant live without my Studio Fix Powder LOL!!
Ohh my goshh that is so hard lol.. wow well…..
My absolute faves are MAC NARS Dior and Chanel
But honestly Chanel I feel like that would probably suit me through my years as well very well put by the way !! 🙂
Something about it makes me feel like its age appropriate for everyone.
Mac! I fell in love with the brand when my super sensitive skin didn’t react badly to it plus the colour range and product range is the best around IMO. 99% of the collection is mac!
Tricky question! I would have to go with MAC though.
Chanel!
Guerlain!Parure gold is my HG foundation of all times.
MAC! They have a wide range of products for every occasion, every season. Their foundations, concealers and powders indicate the undertone (warm, cool) which is vital for a flawless look. Best of all, the products work! (They should hire me as a spokeswoman).
Chanel, I would say. Their foundations are great. I love and own a lot of their lipsticks and lipglosses. They have good mascaras. Nice and wearable eyeshadow colours. And their nail polishes are amazing!
It’s just that they are too expensive. *sigh*
That’s a tough one! I guess I would chose MAC, because of its variety.
Mac,definately!
shu uemura!
MAC – the range, the colors, the forumlas – you can find everything there.
MAC – Can’t live without their lipsticks and lipglosses!
Oh goodness, I think I’d go with Bobbi Brown. 🙂
I’ll go with Chanel on this one, but I would really miss NARS and DIOR…
Don’t do this to me, lol! I can’t choose just one brand. I’ll settle for two, Mac for all the MSFs and LE collections and Guerlain for everything really. 🙂
MAC – because the variety of products and colours
make up for ever, definitely.
Makeup Forever, because I can’t live without their foundation.
That’s an easy one… MAC! So many of their products are excellent quality, easily available and quite affordable even if you compare to drugstore and especially Sephora. Plus, their selection is incredible. You’d never get bored!
P.S. I thought there were more MACaholic readers here… I’m actually pleasantly surprised by the variety of answers so far!
probably chanel
That’s easy. MUFE.
me lovin MUFE too!
That is so tough….I’d have to agree with alot who’ve posted already and say MAC, just because of their color variety and frequent releases of LE collections.
MUFE. They have everything!!!
DIOR
have you ever tried CRUSH GLOW palette?
5 nice color for brown eyes.i use it every day.
kiss
Bobbi Brown. Most of my daily products are BB & I’ve been using that line for years. Other lines – I use on a whim but BB’s quality keeps me loyal.
Make Up Factory.
I haven’t tried enough brands or have enough of one brand to be hooked lol.
I’m going to go with Makeup Forever (MUFE)…I would go w/ MAC because they come out w/ more collections, so it would be more fun/variety for the rest of my life (lol)…but, based on the fact that MAC foundations do NOT work for me…I’m going with MUFE…love them!
MAC. Hands down.
I love a collection with great performance, whose colors range from slightly edgy to outright crazy, and more importantly, has foundations that match my skin tone and control my oil breakouts like nobody’s business.
Makeup4Ever would be my choice
Tough Question! My first thought was BE..but then I realized I’d never again use my UDPP on my lids. Or my NARS ‘Belle de Jour” on lips! Or my Mac ‘Instant Gold’ gloss! My answer is then, I’d rather go without anything than to have to choose amoungst my babies…
MAC for sure. They focus on purely make up unlike other high end brands which consumers are actually paying for its brand, esp dior,chanel and i feel that most of the high end cosmetics line are just too rich for the skin. esp dior,lancome,chanel. with too many toxic ingredients
Shu Uemura!!!
This is hard. Maybe a toss up between Shu Uemura and Guerlain. Kanebo is a close 3rd.
Dior. Their stunning holiday palettes alone have me sold.
Rouge Bunny Rouge!
make up forever, because overall their range has few problems. i LOVE nars, but hate their eyeliners, and i LOVE UD but i think i would want some more basic options as time went on. MUFE is amazing quality and there’s no look i couldn’t do with it!
I’d say Make Up For Ever! Never been disappointed with a MUFE haul.
Chanel. There are lovely options across the board. And, if I bought no other makeup, I probably could afford it!
Make Up For Ever. Everything they make is amazing.
In terms of having to use ONE makeup brand for everything, I’d have to go with Make Up Forever… I mean their foundations, lipsticks, eye shadows, primers, and powder really hit it out of the park for me!
MAC!!!!
I would have to say Chanel. I have tried other high end and mid price brands but I always go back to Chanel. 🙂
Lancome, because I have to have their foundation or products.
MAC but just for their wide range of colors on their products.
Eve Pearl foundation/concealers are the best I like how you can’t feel the product on your face it feels really clean like you just have a moisturizer on but have a great coverage, I haven’t tried anything else from them yet but I’m sure I’ll like them.
I haven’t tried alot of brands, but just choosing what pops up in my head, I would choose either MAC or NYX. Have to try out alot more before I can choose.
Probably bare escentuals. I love their stuff and it lasts so long.
Chanel or Bobbi Brown
Chanel or Urban Decay.
MAC. Even though i LOVE my Urban Decay e/s and have a big stash of them, Mac has more options as far as lips, blushes, and other products go. And I’m loving Pro Longwear so much that I couldn’t bear to part with it.
MAC
MAC, MAC and MAC.
gosh, i don’t know. a cruelty free one, so probabily Urban Decay…
MAC all the way. Even though they are raising their prices, they are still reasonable for the quality of product. Their color options, permanent and LE, are unmatched. I hate that they release collections so often though; barely allowing for recovery on my pocketbook! Still LOVE them though. I must, I am sure I have blown half my retirement on them!
Hard Questions! I’d say MAC, they never ran out of new colors, collections etc.
Shiseido since I’m asian and it’s flattering to asian skin tones. I love their skincare line and makeup line
Definitely NARS !
Definetely MAC, I love mac! 😀
me too….I LOVE GUERLAIN!!
I’d say Chanel because even though it’s expensive, I could find a few key things and everything lasts so long–it wouldn’t be impossibly unaffordable in the long run!
This is a tough one…
I would have to say Mac and UD
Mac of course its love.
Probably Laura Mercier, if only because the foundation/tinted moisturizer line suits me best. I use pretty much all the products from this brand even if they are not all my favorites. If I could pick a second choice, I would say Chanel.
MAC.
Revlon 🙂 I am addicted to matte everything and they are such a well rounded brand.
Its hard to choose between MAC and MUFE. I have never NOT liked the quality of any MUFE products i’ve tried. But they focus more on bright colors, and i wear more neutrals than brights. So MAC has a better selection of colors for me :/ Ack…its a tie.
Estee lauder. They have great skincare, great lipsticks, lovely perfumes and my hg foundation. 🙂
Mac because it’s the brand that I fist bought and I’ve tried to wean myself off it …but I always fail.
OH GOSH ONE BRAND,THATS A HARD ONE.HMMM…….I AM GONNA SAY CHANEL
Georgio Armani, bobbi brown a second choice…
Make Up Store!!
MAC all the way! Not too expensive, high consistency in product quality, wide range of products and colors/finishes, canadian brand, recycles. What more can a girl want??
OMG! NARS – but I’ll miss Chanel, Urban Decay, Bed Head, Dior, MAC…
Probably Fyrinnae, though I’d have to beg them to make my foundation again.
I would choose MAC because they have a huge selection of products! Besides all there collections keep me interested :]
I’d say estee lauder as they have both good skincare and there make up selection has been getting alot better from tom whats his name took over that part.
Also they are what i would consider a mid range price brand so I know that i should be able to afford to perchase it thoughout most of my life. (was tempted to say guerlain but there skincare is so expensive in my eyes).
MAC
Dior. There’s no way in Hades I am giving up my quints!
MAC for sure. They have wearable neutrals for when I get older and an amazing selection of high quality products from now until the day I die!
Urban Decay!
I’ll definitely Nars, love everything from that brand
Dior!!!
Definately MAC. It’s really all I use. They have such a variety of colors and choices, especially eyeshadow. I haven’t really tried many other brands, but MAC is what got me into makeup :]
It would be between MUFE or Chanel. I love my MAC but I can’t live life using only their foundation and concealer.
Yikes! Now this is a hard question!
I’d have to say NARS because even though most of what I use day to day is MAC, I hate their foundations and foundation is the one thing I can’t live without. I’d rather adjust to NARS blush/lipstick/powder etc., since I love NARS Sheer Glow, than use any MAC foundation.
Chanel
Bobbi Brown
MAC FOR ALL MAKEUP AND LIPPMAN FOR NAILS.
Lancôme. It’s been my favorite since I first started wearing makeup, it doesn’t break me out, and it has a little bit of everything, including some great skincare.
nars!
Stila for me, with Tarte coming in a close second. They’re the only brands I think I could find everything I want in (face, eyes and lips) I haven’t tried any Tarte shadows, though, so I can only guess I would like them. I know I like some from Stila for sure.
Probably Bobbi Brown. I like their color range and I always like BB’s makeup philosophy.
i would say guerlain, never had any complain with their make up from powders, foundation to lipglosses
Make Up Forever would be an easy choice. Their line is luxe and has a great range of colors!
I’d say Revlon, just because it’s affordable and I’ve liked most things that I’ve used.
NARS or MAC
Nars or Benefit…….
My first choice is Mac for their large selection of great products. My second choice is Urban Decay, they have fun products and great quality.
Dior
Thats a hard one. Since BB is the only one that has a fitting foundation for me I’d almost have to chose that. In terms of Eyeshadows, Blushes etc I’d say MAC, but no Foundation there…hmmmm
not sure if MAC or Chanel…
Absolutely~~~~NARS!!!
Revlon! Given that I have no money, it’s the best cost-effective brand I know.
interesting question. i’d say lancome–i’d be covered both for makeup and skincare. 😀
I could never choose. Its impossble. But I guess MAC…or UD…or covergirl…or revlon….hmm this could take a while
Omg no! XD I think I would have to saaaay L’oreal…or Maybelline. It’s sooo hard to pick. With L’oreal, they have REALLY great eyeliners, foundation, lip gloss, that infallible stuff, mascara…but I’ve never heard anything good about their lipsticks. And I lurve me some lipsticks. Maybelline has great mascara (and a lot of em), crappy foundations (but they have some I haven’t tried that people like, and they have really good concealer which is normally all that I use anyway), and I haven’t really tried much else but just the fact that they have great lipstick could sell me. But I think overall I’d go with L’oreal. 😀
skincares too or no? if not then NARS or Bobbi Brown. If yes then Chanel or Dior. better be free if you are gonna limit me like this!!
MAC!!!!!!
MAC
absolutely it would be lancome