GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Vanilla, chocolate and strawberry aren't just ice cream flavours — you'll probably find them in some of your beauty products.

- Balvinder Sandhu

In case you haven't noticed, food-themed beauty is extremely popular. Trends such as glazed doughnut skin and nails, then latte makeup, strawberry girl makeup and cinnamon cookie butter hair have graced our social media feeds.

Although food-themed beauty isn’t a new concept, it is one that has exploded in recent years. Product-wise, Sol de Janeiro's Sundays in Rio Perfume Mist features notes of pink pepper and warm vanilla, Lancome’s Juicy Tubes lip glosses include coffee-inspired creations, and Laniege’s lip sleeping mask is available in triple-flavoured strawberry shortcake.

Huda Beauty recently launched loose setting powder duos in shades that sound utterly delicious: cherry blossom cake, peach pie, pink velvet cookie, and pumpkin pie. Meanwhile, Lush Cosmetics launched a range of Asia-exclusive shower gels called Kakigori, inspired by the Japanese shaved ice treat, in lemon, melon and strawberry flavours.

Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos says food-themed beauty is a topic close to her heart. Her first job in the industry was as a formulation chemist for Bonne Bell, the brand that practically invented flavour-forward beauty with its iconic Lip Smackers. Back then, she and her team were blending strawberry, cotton candy, coconut and just about every flavour imaginable into lip balms.

Such products might look cute and smell amazing, but their appeal stretches beyond the surface — they actually tap into our cravings on a psychological level.

"Scents and flavours are powerful emotional triggers, and beauty brands are getting smarter about tapping into culturally specific experiences," says Kelly. "That emotional resonance can help products feel personal and comforting. It's really about creating a full experience that delights all these senses."