December 2023

Before there was Glossier’s birthday cake flavoured lip balm, there was a distinct sweet treat-inspired beauty brand on the scene.   Allow us to take you back to April 2004, when singer, actress, reality star, designer, culinary connoisseur, and cultural icon Jessica Simpson launched Dessert Beauty by Jessica Simpson, a line of edible cosmetics, skincare, and perfumes.  Stocked at Sephora, the range consisted of body mists, lip glosses, bubble bath, shampoos, whipped body creams (with sprinkles included, natch), perfumes, body wash, and blush – all edible and all with ridiculous names like Deliciously Kissable Belly Button Love Potion Fragrance. Banking on Simpson’s sex appeal, despite the target market clearly being the only real demographic of young girls, Dessert Beauty was marketed in a hyper-sexualised...