While you might be a self-confessed total beauty fanatic who loves and uses your M.A.C, NARS, OPI, wen products and trusty ghd everyday, have you ever stopped to wonder what these acronyms actually mean?
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Ahead, find seven companies with more to their names than meets the eye. Go ahead and take your best guesses, and don’t forget to let us know which ones surprised you the most.
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OPI
Bubble Bath, Cajun Shrimp, Lincoln Park After Dark – yes you can recite the names of the nail polish shades on sight, yet when asked what “OPI” stands for…
OPI
It’s just a guess, but we’ll bet you $5 you weren’t thinking ‘Odontorium Products Inc’. When the shades are so catchy, it’s hard to believe they stem from a brand with such a clinical name. Guess that’s what happens when you start out as a dental equipment company…
M.A.C
If you’re a lipstick addict, there’s a high chance you’ve got more than your fair share of M.A.C lippies rolling around in your handbag. But what does M-A-C stand for?
M.A.C
Well, the meaning is simple: ‘Make-up Art Cosmetics’. So the next time you hear your girlfriends say “M.A.C Cosmetics”, be sure to correct them, won’t you?
NARS
Laguna is arguably one of the most popular bronzers on the planet, so why don’t we know more about where the brand’s name came from?
NARS
If you were a true diehard NARS fan, you’d know it’s the namesake of the genius founder François Nars, who also happens to own his own island. So, that’s what a beauty empire can buy you…
WEN
Owner and hairstylist Chaz Dean wanted to introduce his clients to a new (hint, hint) way of cleansing. Oh Chaz, you cheeky thing.
WEN
So he took the word “new” and flipped it backwards to become WEN, and voilà! A brand is born.
SK-II
This Japanese cult beauty buy is loved and adored by women all over the world, and for good reason. Affectionately known as “miracle water”, the formula hasn’t changed in over 20 years (if it ain’t broke), but what does it all mean?!
SK-II
Sorry, but it’s top secret – literally. It stands for ‘Secret Key’ which is what the skin care line was originally going to be called, as the scientists were on a quest to find the ‘secret key’ to crystal clear skin. What they found, however, was quite unexpected. The name references the brand’s hero product, Pitera, which was discovered at a sake brewery. Anyone for a drink?
GHD
This one might not come as much of a surprise, seeing as it certainly delivers on its promise…
GHD
Yes, the leading haircare brand ghd actually stands for ‘Good Hair Day.’ Seriously.
NYX
Bright colours and products at affordable prices, it might shock you to learn that one of our all-time fave budget beauty brands actually has quite the mythological meaning…
NYX
Truth be told, NYX doesn’t stand for anything. In fact, the brand is named after the Greek goddess of night, Nyx (pronounced “Nicks”). Another reason to scrub up on our ancient mythology knowledge perhaps?
CIATÊ
At first we thought it was a fancy French word…
CIATÊ
but it turns out that it’s actually an acronym for Colour, Innovation, Aspiration, Trend and Extradorinary. Sacré bleu!
NUXE
Got no idea? Hint: the name of this brand is “rooted” in the logo (sorry, couldn’t help it)…
NUXE
They combined the words “natural” and “luxury” and a star brand was born!
STILA
Stila’s hero product, the Stila Stay-All-Day Eye Liner really embodies what the brands’ name means…
STILA
If you guessed that it’s a derivative of the Italian word “stilare,” which means “to pen,” then A+ to you!
Very interesting. I did not know some of these.