From byrdie

For spring, we’re running a series showcasing the skincare products of our most-loved beauty influencers and what they’re buying at Sephora. Each week, we’re sending one of our favorite gurus to their local store to document their entire shopping spree on Byrdie’s Snapchat. Make sure to tune in each Saturday to follow along, and check back here monthly to see (and shop!) the items that made it into their Sephora carts. Enjoy.

Confession: As beauty editors, we’re pretty meticulous about our skincare routines, but there have been a handful of times when we’ve forgotten to finish with a layer of SPF. Not because we don’t care, but because historically speaking, SPFs are sticky, thick, and chalky. But good news: Thanks to the ever-evolving formulas, there’s now a skin-protecting sunscreen out there that makes sense for every person and every lifestyle (and is actually enjoyable to use)!

From makeup-friendly mists and powders to barely-there lotions and tinted creams, we turned to beauty gurus Asia Jackson, Christina Caradona, Alex Garza, and Jessica Clements to narrow down safe sunscreen formulas that’d work for a variety of lifestyles. Whether you’re traveling, passing time at rooftop bars, staying active outdoors, or streamlining your warm-weather beauty routine, there’s an SPF for every summer agenda.

Need the details? From barely-there textures to tinted creams, these are the latest and greatest suncare finds at Sephora.

Asia Jackson is a true multi-hyphenate… She’s an actor, content creator, and vlogger with a passion for skincare, and given that she lives in sunny Los Angeles and loves being outdoors, she’s a pro at using products that’ll help protect her skin from harmful UV rays. Since she was heading to Long Beach for the weekend, she agreed to show us the current SPF-packed products she can’t get enough of.

Before anything else, Jackson tones her skin with a cotton pad and follows up with a tinted moisturizer. Next, she brushes the Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 ($30) over her T-zone. “It doesn’t give me a white cast because it’s a translucent powder, and it helps mattify skin, which is especially great for those with oily skin, like me,” explains Jackson. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide block out the sun’s harmful rays and help prevent sunburn, skin damage, freckling, and uneven discoloration while giving the illusion of smooth, radiant skin.
What’s more, it’s portable and thus perfect for the girl on the go—just use the brush applicator to reapply as needed.

Another portable product Jackson never leaves home without? Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 in Rosé ($24). Lips are forgotten when it comes to SPF, but take note: “They need just as much protection as the rest of your skin,” says Jackson. This one not only protects against damaging UV rays, but it also smooths lips with a blend of nurturing oils and moisture-preserving sugar that delivers long-lasting hydration, while antioxidant-rich grapeseed oil and vitamins C and E help fight wrinkles. Plus, it’s the perfect sheer pink tint.

Similarly, Christina Caradona of Trop Rouge likes taking advantage of the sunny New York weather by hanging out with friends at rooftop bars. But in order to spend so much time outdoors, she needs to ensure she’s got solid SPF-filled products in her beauty arsenal that will work well with her skin type. “Not a lot of people know this about me, but I have very dry skin, and whatever I put on my face and body has to be extremely moisturizing,” she explains.

Supergoop! Super Power Sunscreen Mousse ($34) is just that. “It’s lightweight and foamy, and you can use it on your face and body,” explains Caradona. Not only does it deliver SPF 50 protection, but the antioxidant-rich formula is super hydrating. Infused with shea butter and coconut oil, it absorbs quickly and leaves you smelling fresh and clean. Plus, it’s water resistant. “I never feel sticky or as if I’m wearing sunscreen whenever I use it,” the blogger shares.

After a day out, Caradona likes to get home, take her makeup off, and hydrate her skin because it usually gets drier after being in the sun. “Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream ($52) really helps put the moisture back into your face, especially after being outdoors,” she notes. The great thing about the product is that it’ll make your skin feel supple, smooth, and hydrated for up to 72 hours, thanks to hyaluronic acid. It also works great in the a.m. before sunscreen and makeup application because while it’s deeply hydrating it’s also super lightweight.

Alex Garza is no novice when it comes to keeping skin in tip-top shape. The Michigan-based vlogger regularly offers up her must-try skin tips and products with her fans, and with Memorial Day on her mind, she was happy to share the beauty essentials you’ll need to pack, whether you’re heading on a weekend getaway or staying local for a staycation.

First up: COOLA Mineral Face SPF 30 Matte Tint ($36). “I love this because it has that SPF 30 to protect your face,” Garza explains. It comes in a lightly tinted universally flattering shade that works for all skin types, from sensitive to oily. “The formula seeps into skin and blends perfectly,” she adds. Because it’s a BB cream, it smooths lines and fights signs of aging with its antioxidant-infused SPF 30 formula.

The next item Garza always has in her beach bag is Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($28). “To use it, shake it up and spray it all over your face (yes, with or without makeup). It’s great for setting your makeup in place and controlling oil and shine with UV defense,” she explains. The antioxidant-rich formula helps soothe redness—thanks to rosemary leaf oil and peppermint stem oil—and improve your overall complexion, while the new spray technology delivers even coverage with a matte finish. What’s not to love?

New York City model Jessica Clements admits that while sunscreen is the most important step in any solid beauty routine, it can be easy to forget to reapply it throughout the day. With that in mind, she went to the Times Square Sephora to look for a few waterproof and travel-friendly products to help step up her SPF game.

Sephora Skincare Advisor Brandy recommended Fresh Sugar Sport Treatment Sunscreen SPF 30 ($25) because the on-the-go stick applicator makes it great for taking around the city, helping to prevent damage from UV rays and free radicals because of antioxidants in the stick. The moisturizing lip, face, and eye treatment offers water-resistant protection and keeps skin soft and hydrated with the help of moisture-preserving sugar and a blend of avocado and black currant seed oils.

Clements also confessed to Brandy that she sometimes forgets to apply sunscreen while she’s doing her makeup; she was thus hoping to find something she could use afterward. Brandy’s suggestion? COOLA Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30 ($36); all you have to do is shake it up before spritzing it on your face. The mist sets makeup and gives skin a smooth matte finish. Cucumber, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid help soothe, refresh, and hydrate skin while improving the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Last but not least, Clements wanted a good everyday sunscreen that wouldn’t leave her skin feeling sticky or chalky. Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($19) fits the bill, as the super-moisturizing, antioxidant-rich formula offers a ton of great anti-aging benefits. The product protects from UVA, UVB, and IRA rays, but also helps combat the dehydrating effects of sun exposure on the skin and replenishes moisture with oat beta-glucan. Of course, it’s oil-free, absorbs quickly, and most importantly doesn’t leave that dreaded white veil. And best of all, natural lemon, orange, and basil extracts give the product a subtle and refreshing scent.

Next up, Zoë Foster Blake on Mascara, Podcasts, and Taking Go-To Skincare Global

From byrdie

Smart, hilarious, and absolutely brimming with ace beauty recommendations, Zoë Foster Blake is the real deal. She’s kind, genuine, and knows her shit when it comes to the beauty business (and the writing, app-designing, and television show-producing business, but there’s only so much I could fit into our interview slot). Not only is she at the helm of her skincare brand, Go-To, but she’s about to take her adorable family to the States as the brand launches into Sephora U.S. Major.

A few weeks ago, Foster Blake was in Sydney and I was lucky enough to snag 20 minutes with her. We drank lattes, ate fairy bread, but most importantly, we talked about creative pursuits, skincare ingredients to avoid, and why tubular mascara is the best invention since the wheel. Be prepared to girl crush, because the truth is, it’s Zoë’s world, and we’re just living in it. Keep scrolling for the complete interview.

Having been in the beauty industry for such a long time, what are your thoughts on where we’re at right now?

The beauty industry has definitely been broken down in recent years. I think a lot of brands have gone, “You know what? That’s not how consumers think anymore.” I think what [Jane Magazine] did, and what I love doing, is subverting beauty. Just going, “Look, it’s not fucking rocket science.” Most of beauty is problem-related. Like, when we’re happy and our skin is good, we’re like, “Let’s play with colour and stuff.” But if we’re not, we’re like, “What the fuck can I use right now that will fix this?!”

So, talk to me about Go-To. It’s about to launch in Sephora in the U.S.?

We are! Sephora has asked us to join as a part of its online and in-store offering—we’ve been working on it actually for quite a while now. I think the email came through when my baby was five days old. So I was like, ahhh! But my manager was like, “I know you said not to email, but I think this is one that you’re going to want to read.” But getting ready for the States has been a big thing. We have had to change all our packaging and so on for regulation reasons, but it’s so exciting to be online first.
And then we’re in-store in August. I’m relocating to the States with my family for three months while we launch. It’s going to be crazy.

How are you processing it all?

It’s surreal, because to me Sephora is such a big deal. Every time when I would travel to America when I was younger, the first thing I would do is hit up Sephora. I love the store in Soho, New York. I think they’re really good at the beauty experience; they’re the masters. And no matter where you are in the world, there’s a Sephora. It’s great.

How incredible for you. Congratulations!

It is! It’s a lovely validation of the brand, and the store is doing a real push towards clean beauty, so we fit in to that, which is nice. I like to think that Go-To’s marketing is fun as well. We’re a bit different to a lot of the brands.

How do you think being an ex beauty-editor has helped Go-To succeed?

Well, firstly, I wanted a brand that worked, but it also had to cut through the noise. I wanted to very quickly sum up that we’re a foolproof, simple, reliable skincare brand that’s not going to make you feel bad because you don’t know how to use it. I also didn’t want people spending money on shit they don’t need.

Are there any exciting Go‑To launches in the pipeline? I know there’s been talk of a sunscreen?

Yeah! For quite some time. It’s very, very tricky. I remember being told for years that it was the hardest product to manufacture, and not even just within beauty and cosmetics, but across the board. Because of the regulations and because it’s a carcinogen! Like, you’re also stopping people from getting cancer. So there’s a lot to it, more than just how it feels and looks under makeup. And also, anything we do at Go-To is super clean, and so we can’t use all those things that other sunscreens can to make it feel nice when it’s chockers with zinc. So it’s been a very interesting challenge for me, but I believe that we’re very close. And I believe that it will be all worth it, because I’m such a champion of sunscreen, and have been for so long. It felt weird to have my own skincare line and not have a sunscreen.

What are some ingredients that you just absolutely will not put into your products?

Well, there’s actually a lot. We have what we call our Keep Clean and Worry Free mantra, so we needed a term that encapsulated what we do. I use a broad range of products as well as Go-To. I’m not a purist. But for me, it was really important to make sure that whatever I was asking women and men to put on their faces, had to be pure. Super pure and bulletproof, because, in the direct-to-consumer model, you’re posting things out to person that hasn’t had a chance to try it first. And we just didn’t want that headache of everyone getting irritations. So, it was born of that very utilitarian need to go, “This is a product that is clean and won’t inflame your skin.” What we didn’t realise, was that by taking all the synthetics out, we made a really amazing product that actually goes the other way and has been shown to heal so many skin issues.

What are some of the ingredients you removed?

Silicone. When you take silicones out of products, everything changes. They’re literally everywhere, and they’re bad. Even now, in the production of the SPF, I went down the path of going, “Are they that bad?” because I was like, I bloody need this sunscreen! Help me out! I did some research, and I’m so glad I did, because they’re quite simply, shit. If you’ve got acne, you cannot be using silicones. If you’ve got redness, rosacea, or inflammation, you cannot be using silicones. So having a black ban on most synthetics helps us a lot. Others include things like SLS, PEGs, parabens, petroleum’s—those nasties. And we just try and keep the ingredients readable and understandable—some things that sound scary to our ears are basically just vitamin E. But that have these long code names for the scientific community. What amazes me is that people complain about their skin, and say, “But I’m using sensitive skincare products?” I’m like, that’s just a marketing term! It’s not really helping!

So true. I think women—and men—are becoming a lot more educated when it comes to skincare. There’s so many blogs and Instagrams that break down every ingredient in a product. Do you think this is a good thing?

Yeah, mostly. Like, there are people who go so far that way, that they scrutinise every little thing. It really impresses me! And we actually satisfy that criteria, but that’s not our angle. We’re not trying to be super earnest, but I think it’s a beautiful bonus to just go, “Oh yeah, by the way, it’s a really fun product that works but also, if you have any sort of complication or sensitivity you’re absolutely fine to use it.” Like, I use this on my newborn babies! All of it! No problems.

You’re flying overseas next week, tell me about your in-flight skincare routine. Is it crazy?

I find it so funny! It’s a whole hashtag masking thing now, and I look at some people, and they’re in a first class cabin using three masks and four oils. It looks wonderful, but I have a two small children, so unfortunately it’s nothing like that. Basically, I always get a spray tan before I leave to take the edge off, and I won’t feel so withered when I get there. It also complements my holiday theme dressing approach to life quite nicely. Basically, before and after I land, I’ll use the Go-To Swipey’s ($46), and the Go-To Sheet Mask ($9). It’s heaven! If I was bold, I’d wear it on the plane, but for now, I’ll leave it to the Instagrammers. During the flight, I’ll just use Face Hero ($45), and Very Useful Face Cream ($41). And sunscreen if it’s a day flight and I’m near the window.

You’re a mum, entrepreneur, and writer doing a bunch of things. Do you have a routine to streamline your life?

Well, that’s why I made Go-To, because I wanted a very simple routine, ha! So, the first people that wake up in our house are very young, and noisy, around 5:30 to 7 a.m. Once Rudy wakes up, she wakes up Sonny and they start partying. Then we just do brekky and all of that with the kids, and for me, I’m very basic. I cleanse, I Face Hero, moisturiser, and apply sunscreen. And then I do makeup if I need more coverage, because I’ve got pigmentation. Um, and heaps of concealer.

What’s your favourite tinted moisturiser and concealer duo?

It’s still Nars ($66) at the moment, but I’m always on the hunt for a new one. I’ve never tried It Cosmetics, funnily enough! The Napoleon CC Cream ($59) is really lovely too. The Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer ($37), oh my god, so dewy and creamy. It never creases.

What about mascara, blush, that sort of thing? Do you have any favourites?

Well, I just took my lash extensions off after two years because I felt like with the fringe and the curls it was a bit much—I looked like a doll. I miss them a little bit, but I’m staying strong. I am a tubular mascara girl. Like, one hundred percent. There’s a funny little Aussie brand called Poni Cosmetics. Its White Knight Mascara ($30) is the bomb.

Did you use mascara with your lash extensions?

No! I don’t use mascara with lash extensions, or normal mascara ever really. I did once when Clinique launched Lash Power years ago, and I was about to go on a sleazy, hot holiday to Greece with my girlfriends. It was designed for humid climates. Think dancing, sweating, and swimming (hello, Greece). I’m a puddle, so I thought it might be the one that changed my mind. But I have come to the conclusion that with my face, mascara just drops down and smudges everywhere. So I am a tubular gal only now. I love the semi-permanency, and also, that when I get out of the shower, I don’t get residue! I’m clean as a whistle.

What about your brows?

I still see Lien Davies of Brow Confidence. She’s the greatest. With products, I mix it up all the time. Pomade, tinted gel, it’s all good to me!

Let’s talk business. You’ve got so many amazing projects always going all the time. Have you always been so entrepreneurial?

I think this is when I’m meant to go, “Oh, I had a lemonade stall.” Ha ha, not really. Do you know what I used to do, though? I’d take my birthday money and go down the street and buy $20 worth of Snickers—all the sugary shit I wasn’t allowed to have. I’d come back into my bedroom and I’d make a shop, and then I’d write a letter to my family and all my friends going, “I’ve opened a shop! Come in and buy.” And then I’d price everything up. Can you tell I grew up in a small town where there wasn’t a lot to do? Ha!

You were a hustler from day dot!

And no one would buy it, because my brothers would be like, “I’m not buying a Mars Bar for two bucks!” And I’m like, but I brought it to you! I was Uber Eats-ing before it was a thing. That was a shitty idea, obviously. But I just think my main productivity stems from the fact that I get bored very quickly. And I love new ideas. And that moment of fruition when I can feel a good idea coming, or an idea for a book, or an idea for a marketing campaign for Go-To or a product, I get chills and shivers. It’s like it overtakes me and I need to do it and get it out. But then like, so much work comes afterward the idea, it’s always a shock! Implementing and execution and manufacturing! It’s like the fun is taken out of it! I’m kidding, but I’m always chasing the high of a new idea.

Do you ever have to force yourself to be creative, even when you’re not feeling that spark?

I do feel like, for example, if you’re working online for a website or whatever, there can be an expectation to generate a certain amount of content. That’s hard. I used to write a weekly column, but it started feeling like homework, so I quit. The level of fun and creativity that I would hope would be at my best is not always conducive to a timeline. So that’s why I blog so rarely, because I have the idea, and I marinate it and marinate it, and then one day I get the time to finally write it up! But it’s been in here for ages. So, I don’t work very well under external short-term deadlines. But I also don’t do any work until the last minute. And I read this theory on it… It’s not laziness or even procrastination—it’s really healthy. There’s a name for it, but I can’t think of it. It’s where you have the idea, and you know you have a month to do it, so you start processing it, and thinking about it, and mulling it over in your head, and then I’ll always do the work the day before. Not because I’ve only just thought of the job, but because it was settling in, and I was wrapping my mind around it. That’s what Hamish and I tell ourselves, anyway, because we both work in a similar way!

There must be a lot of creative juices flowing in your household! What are some of the books and podcasts you’ve loved this year?

Well, Seth Godin is my king. He’s brilliant. He’s pretty much all I need or care about at the moment. And it’s not because I’m at a pivot or anything, where I want to start a new business, I just love the way he cuts through, and he’s concise. And what he does is remind you to just be good at what you’re doing. I also love Kevin Kelly’s idea of 1000 True Fans. So I don’t try and think about having X amount of followers, or fans, or whatever for Go-To. But instead just knowing that that core base have been with us from the start. They’re the ones you should talk to and work for. Make sure that they’re happy and you’re doing good work for them, and they’ll respect you. That’s what you should think about.

Tim Ferriss is another, not necessarily for Tim himself, even though his Four Hour Work Week was what caused me to leave full-time work, and take the leap years ago. But because of the mindset he introduces me to. I love it. And Tribe of Mentors ($26) I can’t recommend enough.

Amazing. Do you have a favourite single book ever?

Such a tough question! You know what, Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy ($16) is probably one of my favourite templates for comedy and humour. And also as a kid I read a book called Italian Folk Tales ($26), which is by Italo Calvino, he’s an Italian adult writer but he did this book where he basically redid all the old classic fairy tales. Things like Rumpelstiltskin, but he did it in such a savage and satirical way that I think it taught me how to take a format and subvert it at a really early stage. And I read that until it fell apart. I also used to read a lot of Goosebumps!

So did I!

Next up, The Beauty Insider’s Guide to Shopping in SoHo

From byrdie

Ithink it’s pretty much common knowledge that NYC is made up of dozens of distinct neighborhoods with very different flavor. It’s perhaps even more widely understood that many of those neighborhoods’ gems are hard to find or simply unknown. That’s where we come in.

This time around, we’ll be showing off a few of the best beauty shops, salons, and spas in SoHo—a locale filled with some of the city’s most alluring spots. Below, find our favorites (both under-the-radar and, well, Sephora), where to find them, and a few insider tips to know when you walk in.

1. Glossier

The address: 123 Lafayette Street, New York, New York 10013

The lowdown: Glossier has leveraged cool-girl marketing, gentle skincare products, and barely-there makeup into a full-on phenomenon. Now, it has a permanent showroom in SoHo (and, every so often, product launch pop-ups) decorated with Birch flower arrangements and staffers in pink jumpsuits. Because, as the Glossier site reads, “‘beauty’ should be fun, easy, imperfect, and personal.”

The insider tip: This showroom can often be a who’s who of those you follow on Instagram—from Emily Weiss herself to your favorite Into the Gloss and Glossier employees to fashion and beauty insiders alike.

2. Nars

The address: 124 Prince Street, New York, New York 10012

The lowdown: Here, you’ll find everything you’ve ever come to expect from Nars: audacious lip colors, that iconic black packaging, chic décor, and help from knowledgeable makeup artists.

The insider tip: For $100, you can take an hourlong makeup class with a Nars makeup artist. Learn to choose the right foundation shade, re-create runway trends, or finally figure out the “no-makeup” makeup look.

3. Aesop

The address: 438 West Broadway, New York, New York 10012

The lowdown: Aesop was established in Melbourne in 1987 and has been doing the minimalist thing for far longer than it’s been popular on Instagram. It creates skin, hair, and body care formulas sourced from safe, effective, and sustainable plant-based, laboratory-made ingredients. FYI: Every single product smells incredible.

The insider tip: Each shop features at least one sink so you can try every product offered the way it’s intended before purchasing—masks, face wash, moisturizers, hand soap, the works.

4. Sephora

The address: 555 Broadway, New York, New York 10012

The lowdown: We don’t have to tell you how near and dear we hold Sephora to our hearts. The beauty megastore offers just about every product we know and love, in brightly lit isles with samples galore. “The rumors are true—you can get up to three samples of any product in-store, made for you each time you visit,” Sephora pro artist David Razzano confirms.

The insider tip: If for some reason you’re not completely satisfied, Sephora will return any purchase (yes, even used items) for a full refund within 60 days of the purchase date. If you decide you’re not thrilled with your purchase within 61 to 90 days, Sephora will return your product for store credit. Note: The store can put a temporary ban on you if you make too many returns sans receipt.

5. Osswald Parfumerie + Luxury Skincare Boutique

The address: 311 West Broadway, New York, New York 10013

The lowdown: Boris Dreiding established the Parfumerie Osswald 1921 in Zurich, Switzerland, as a high-end perfumery that offered fragrances and luxe skincare products. Since then, the store has gone international and nestled up on Broadway in SoHo, still selling iconic, fancy beauty offerings and chic unknown fragrances.

The insider tip: If you want to try something before you splurge, Osswald’s sample program allows you to try a variety of fragrances or skincare items before you purchase them and have them shipped directly to you for $3 to $9 each.

6. Daphne

The address: 375 Broome Street, New York, New York 10013

The lowdown: Daphne is a quaint, chic spa that exclusively carries Biologique Recherche’s extensive range of skincare products—including Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen favorite Lotion P50. The menu features clinical, customized, results-driven facial and body treatments.

The insider tip: Go for The Glow—a treatment that combines two of the spa’s most popular treatments for a discounted price. It includes an illuminating facial with non-surgical facelift results and a detoxing body wrap (that’s said to burn up to 3000 calories). First, a combination of personalized Biologique Recherche masks and peels are applied, followed by a personalized eye treatment and oxygen infusion for an immediate and visible lift in your skin. Next, an infrared blanket is used with Sudatonic creams to flush toxins from your body. You’ll notice an improvement in skin texture, cellulite, bloating, and stretch marks.

7. Bite Beauty Lab

The address: 174 Prince Street, New York, New York 10012

The lowdown: When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a Lip Lab artist and start your bespoke lipstick service. The Lip Lab artists will hand-mix any pigment combinations to create two completely original shades for your lips only. Pair each lip color with your choice of finish (sheer, matte, classic, or luminous) and scent (our favorite is coconut) to complete your new shade.

Insider tip: Every bespoke lipstick remains on permanent record, so you can remake any favorites whenever you want.

8. Credo

The address: 9 Prince Street, New York, New York 10012

The lowdown: Credo offers a lineup of brands that use safe, sustainable, and ethically sourced ingredients. Its mission, according to its website, is to “change the way people think about ingredients and products they put on their bodies.” We’re here for it.

The insider tip: The shop offers three free samples for every single purchase (!!!), offers a rewards program that will earn you points every time you shop (you can redeem them for travel-size products or in-store services), and hosts events too.

In other words, we have our weekend plans sorted. How about you?

Next up,12 Feel-Good Beauty Buys That Give Back to COVID-19 Relief

From byrdie

We could all use a pick-me-up right about now. To help brighten your day, we’ve rounded up feel-good beauty buys that will make you smile, and not just because of their supremely pampering formulas, refreshingly uplifting scents, and bright mood-boosting hues. On top of that, all of the products in this list are doing their part to provide aid during the global COVID-19 pandemic challenging the world today. From the production and distribution of equipment and essential products to delivering much-needed donations wherever possible, these brands—both large and small—are doing their part in keeping our world healthy, hopeful, and inspired during an otherwise unsettling time. From established industry leaders to indie newbies, these 13 beauty buys will make you smile for so many reasons.

Kate Somerville DeliKate, $30-80

For starters, the new extra-gentle DeliKate collection is a coddling treat for the most sensitive skin types. The trio lineup including serum, cream, and cleanser, is chock full of soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger root, Tasmania fruit extract, and grapeseed oil that help to temper and pamper the most fragile of skin (especially post-treatment). And in case you need another excuse to treat yourself to the peptide and ceramide-filled lineup, the brand is donating 15% of sales from the collection (on the brands website or sephora.com during the month of May) to World Central Kitchen’s #ChefsForAmerica COVID-19 Food Relief Effort helping to provide fresh meals to families or first responders in need.

MAC Viva Glam Lipsticks, $19

Leave it to MAC to match their statement Viva Glam Lipsticks with a donation even bolder. The brand recently announced a $10 million dollar donation to 250 front line organizations around the world helping those at higher risk during COVID-19 pandemic. And in case you needed another reason to treat yourself to a perfect deep red, everyday pinky mauve, or classic brown plum lipstick, the brand is donating 100% of the proceeds from Viva Glam lipstick purchases to provide additional COVID-19 support to vulnerable communities.

Eos Shea Butter Hand Cream, $3

Eos redefines a helping (and moisturized) hand with their donation of 100,000 of its Shea Butter Hand Creams to support healthcare workers on the front lines across the United States. From the calming scents like lavender, coconut, and eucalyptus, to the ultra-conditioning formula spiked with a double dose of shea benefits (thanks to shea butter and shea oil), this tube delivers on feel-good benefits for the hands and the soul.

Augustinus Bader The Hand Treatment, $50

Let it be known that this is not just any hand treatment. Like the cult-favorite moisturizer from Augustinus Bader, It’s a reparative, pampering formula rooted in 30 years of stem cell research focused on how to facilitate the skin’s natural healing process. The treatment is formulated with a proprietary TFC8 that help to penetrate the skin’s barrier to treat damage, as well as vitamin E, glycerin, shea butter, and honey which add the healing, antiseptic, and conditioning benefits our hands could really use about now. As for lending their helping hand, the brand donated the full 60,000 unit run of their new hand sanitizer to those in need. They are also part of BeautyUnited, an organization raising money and facilitating product donations to the Frontline Responders Fund (you can read more about Byrdie’s partnership with BeautyUnited here).

Tatcha The Serum Stick, $48

This unique solid serum stick is formulated with Japanese Lemon Balm, a century-old cure for dehydrated skin so effective that it was nicknamed “caring for others”. This notion also rings true of Tatcha founder, Vicky Tsai. Sticking true to her roots both as a philanthropist and former New Yorker, Tsai acted fast in response to the critical shortage of personal protective equipment by putting Tatcha manufacturing and shipping resources to work, funding the production and distribution of 1 million surgical masks donated to New York City front line workers.

RMS Beauty Wild With Desire lipstick in Monterey, $28

In recognizing the complicated times and the challenges faced when launching a new product in the midst of them, RMS-founder Rose-Marie Swift refused to falter from her plan. Instead, she debuted the highly-anticipated “Monterey” lipstick with community in mind, pledging 50% of all proceeds to be donated to Coastal Pet Rescue helping animals being surrendered during the pandemic (a cause dear to her and her mother’s heart). The gorgeous, burnt-coral shade—inspired by her love for her hometown of Savanah, Georgia—is silky smooth on lips with a satin finish perfect for everyday and night.

ONA New York Eye Gels, $7

This New York-based beauty start-up first caught our eye with its impressively chic packaging that pays tribute to New York. Our personal favorite: the slip-free eye gels which have a subtle iridescence that makes you feel extra pretty while hydrating and de-puffing. An added feel-good bonus: the startup brand donated over $10,000 in products to frontline workers in New York City hospitals.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Oil, $30

As if you need another reason to jump on the bandwagon of the fastest growing hair brand at Sephora, this beautiful bottle is also responsible for providing 50,000 meals to Food Bank for New York City. The nutrient-rich formula is chock full of ceramides, macadamia nut, and rose flower oil that work to dramatically smooth, soften, and glossify tired, overworked strands in minutes.

Jenny Patinkin Pure Luxury Organic Bamboo Reusable Rounds, $38

This meticulously crafted set of reusable pads is as feel-good as it gets—and not just because of the ultra-soft terry texture. The sustainably sourced bamboo pads are naturally hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, and feel absolutely delicious when wiped over your face. The set of 14 pads comes with a laundry bag for easy cleaning, and all zipped up in a chic vegan leather carrying case which turns the whole cleansing, toning, makeup-removing process into a total luxury. Added feel-good bonus: a portion of all proceeds from the brand website are being donated to Food Pantries across the country, along with hundreds of makeup brushes donated to front line healthcare workers via Beauty United.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen for Face and Body SPF 100, $25

On a mission to keep you protected from the sun with a range of conditioning, lightweight sunscreen formulas that also double as a treat for your skin, the beloved La Roche Posay launched their top-rated melt-in milk SPF 60 formula with an added layer of defense: SPF 100. And they’re not just about protecting you from the sun. Hats off to the brand for getting their hands dirty—scratch that—clean, with the production and donation of over one million sanitizing hand gels (200ml) to hospitals and clinics around the world. It does as good a job as any in zapping germs, but in true La Roche Posay fashion, it’s insanely gentle and hydrating, too.

Ole Henriksen Phat Glow Facial Mask, $50

From the brand that has been helping us recreate the signature “Ole glow” for decades, Ole Henriksen is helping to spread the joy during this challenging time with their PHAT Glow mask, a gentle PHA exfoliating mask perfect for that at home facial. Customers who buy the mask, can choose to gift one for $1—a jaw-dropping steal considering the typical $50 price tag. How’s that for a gift that keeps on glowing—I mean giving? The brand also partnered with non-profit Self-Esteem Rising and donated over 3,500 products to nurses in NYC.

Sephora Face Masks, $10, coming June 1

You’ll have to wait until June 1st to get your hands on these exclusive Sephora face masks in which 50% of all proceeds are going to Stronger Together Fund through Tides. But in the meantime, Sephora launched “Project Care” distributing products to over 65,000 frontline healthcare workers and victims of domestic violence across the country. Sephora employees nominated 500 individuals who received 100 kits of Sephora Collection skincare essentials which were distributed and shared among colleagues reaching 50,000 healthcare professionals. In addition, Sephora donated 15,000 Play! beauty boxes to 150 women’s shelters across the country, helping victims of domestic violence whose lives have been disrupted by stay-at-home orders.

Next up,  Here’s Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Too Faced Peach Perfect Foundation

From byrdie

As beauty editors, we get bombarded with a ton of new products every day (we know—tough life). Reviewed is a series where we report on some of the best products we’ve tried. Whether it’s a drugstore lipstick that lasted all day or a hand cream that saved us this winter, you’ll find all of our favorites in this column. Enjoy!

“Magic in a tube.”

“Flawless.”

“Holy-grail foundation.”

Those comments found in the review section of Sephora’s website pretty much sum up the public’s sentiments about Too Faced’s latest product, Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation. For the first time ever, the beauty brand created an exclusive collection of foundation for the retailer. It claims to do the following:

• Smooth skin
• Last up to 14 hours
• Smell like peaches and sweet fig cream
• Be suitable for every skin type
• Be transfer-resistant

Foundation can be a divisive product. I’m the type of person who only uses foundation when I go out at night or for special occasions that involve heavy Instagram use. Most foundations tend to make me break out or be too matte for my liking. But as someone who is always intrigued by hype, I wanted to give this foundation a shot. (Over 900 loves on Sephora cannot be wrong, right?)

First, it really does last long. My oily, combination skin tends to cut the staying power of most makeup by at least half the time it’s supposed to stay on. But this foundation lasted me through work, dinner with friends, and late-night drinks afterward. The whole transfer-resistant claim is also pretty spot on; I do have to confess that I fell asleep with my makeup on (bad beauty editor, I know), and I did not stain my white pillows or sheets.

Second, I did not look too made up. My biggest gripe with matte foundation is that it makes me look cakey. As a result, I’ve stayed far away from them. This one in particular is made with a special matte technology that blends into the skin naturally while controlling any excess oil. You get great coverage that smooths out any uneven skin texture.

The only critique I really have is the smell. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sweet smell of peach and sweet fig cream (these ingredients are also known to be super hydrating and have antioxidant benefits). But I have a hard time wrapping my mind around makeup that has a distinct food smell. That could just be me.

Next up, Exclusive: Zendaya Reveals Her Top 3 Makeup Tips

From byrdie

Zendaya Coleman knows makeup. She knows it so well, in fact, that she does her own for every event—red carpets included. “Being in the industry, I watched so many people doing my makeup, I was like, hey, I can do this,” she told us while loading up her shopping basket at the brand-new Sephora at The Grove in L.A. “And then on top of that, then I was like wait, I can do it even better.”

Her frankness was endearing, and there’s a confidence about her well beyond her 19 years—an age when most girls might still be wary to try a new lip color. Zendaya, on the other hand, has risen to icon status among her legions of fans, thanks in part to her bold beauty choices (see her head-turning dreadlocks at this year’s Oscars). As if to prove the star’s budding beauty-icon status, a young fan briefly interrupted our interview and asked for a photo. Zendaya gave her a hug and pointed out how they were wearing similar hairstyles, and the young girl smiled so wide it was clear the comparison had made her day.And isn’t that what beauty icons do?

From brows to beauty philosophies, keep scrolling for Zendaya’s beauty secrets!

It’s amazing that you do your own makeup. How did that come to be?

Zendaya: Honestly, I just kind of learned, and it was a process. There were a lot of times people would do my makeup and it would be awful, and I would be orange. Nothing matched. So then you learn how to do your own makeup. I watched a lot of YouTube videos when I was little and taught myself.

You’re a beauty chameleon. Can you talk about how you find inspiration for your many different looks?

Zendaya: In general, it comes to whatever I’m wearing that day, whatever seems to pop into my head. A lot of times, it’s past inspirations. Bianca Jagger was one inspiration; Cher was a huge inspiration for my VMAs look a few years ago. Everything just repeats itself.

Do you have a beauty philosophy?

Zendaya: I would say my beauty philosophy is that there are no rules. If you’re asking for the answers, they don’t exist. Beauty has no definition, and if you do create a definition for yourself as you grow older, it’s ever-changing. It’ll be very different from when you’re my age and you’re 18 years old to when you’re 22 and when you’re 30. Take your time.

You’re clearly quite skilled at doing your own makeup. Any favorite tips? Your eyeliner is on point.

Zendaya: Honestly, I feel like I’ve just lost that sensitivity. Some people put on their eyeliner and their eyes twitch. When I do my eyeliner, I leave my eyes open; I feel like my nerves have just been shut down or whatever. I use a pen liner—I love those. For my type of eye shape, I have to do thin lines; thick lines close my eyes off a little bit. I just feel like it looks better on my eyes. For some people, a dramatic line and smoky is better. You just have to play with it and decide what cat-eye is for you.

You always have a good nude lip. What’s your secret?

Zendaya: Thank you! I like to mix colors. If there’s one good nude that I like, I put a dab of pink or coral or something else, too. Then it’s like it’s nude but also something else. Brick color is always cool, too.

What’s your beauty tip for masking tiredness?

Zendaya: Shimmer. I love shimmery stuff. That’s my secret. Once I do all this makeup and I put shimmery powder on, it’s like, Oh my gosh—your skin is so fresh and glowy! Nope. It actually just shimmers powder.

Ed. Note: Zendaya filled her shopping basket with Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminating Shimmer Powder for Face & Body, $34, FYI.

Last question—your brows. They are fabulous. What’s your secret?

Zendaya: For a long time, I did not let anyone touch my eyebrows, because I had a bad experience. But then I found someone who understands me. Kelly Baker is the only one I let touch my eyebrows. I let her pluck and wax, but she’s the only one.

If you’re in the L.A. area, you can do as Zendaya did and shop the newly opened Sephora store at The Grove now. Run, don’t walk!

Next up, How to Apply Makeup for Your Face Shape: A Guide

From byrdie

Makeup is a very experimental and fluid concept. You should have fun with it, feel comfortable in it, and not feel like you need to follow any rules. But with that are expert tricks that actually help you look even better. Think the best bronzer for your skin tone or how to apply eyeliner like a professional and what we’re about to teach you today: applying makeup for your face shape.

It’s true: Strategically placing blush, bronzer, and highlight on certain areas of your face will showcase your best features. Do you have an oblong face? Blush and highlighter can make it look rounder. Looking to add more definition to a round face? Bronzer will take care of that. To learn how to optimally place these three products on oval, square, oblong, round, and heart-shaped faces, we spoke to several Sephora Pro makeup artists for their expertise. Keep scrolling to learn more!

“An oval-shaped face is the most balanced,” says Hector Espinal. So in this case, makeup application is quite standard.

What to do:

-Using a tapered brush—like the Sephora Collection PRO brush #59—apply your favorite matte- or satin-finish bronzer beginning at the temples, working your way down to the center of the face.
-Using the same brush, apply a light touch of blush to the temples down to the apples of the cheeks for an airbrushed finish.
-To highlight, use a fan brush and apply to the high points of the face: temples, brow bone, bridge of the nose, Cupid’s bow, and chin.

“Long-shaped faces have about twice as much height as they do width. To create more balance for long shaped faces, products should be placed to de-emphasize the height and enhance the width of the bone structure,” says Chris Sams.

What to do:

-Blush should be applied on the apple of the cheeks, blending back and out to add width.
-Bronzer should be applied around the hairline at the top of the forehead, along the bottom of the cheekbones blended up toward the temple, under the chin blended up and back along the jawline, and across the bridge of the nose.
-Highlight the tops of the cheekbones, blending back toward the temples, on the brow bone, the tip of the nose, and Cupid’s bow. Avoid highlighting the forehead and chin, which will add height.

“A heart-shaped face is easy to balance by applying bronzer on the forehead, which makes you look sun-kissed,” says Sephora Pro Hellen Phillips. “Most people with this face shape have prominent cheekbones, which is a lovely feature.”

What to do:

-Highlight on the bridge of the nose, high points of the cheeks, underneath the brow bone, onto the jawline, Cupid’s bow, and on the chin.
-Apply bronzer or contour to the top of the forehead blending down toward the temples and underneath the cheekbones.
-Apply blush one to two fingers away from the nose, sweep across the top of the apples of the cheeks toward the ear, and blend down to prevent it from appearing striped. This type of application will play up the high cheekbones.

“A round-shaped face keeps you looking youthful—but you can also add a bit of edge,” Phillips says.

What to do:

-Highlight on the bridge of the nose, center of the forehead, high points of the cheeks, underneath the brow bone, Cupid’s bow, and on the chin.
-Bronze or contour the entire outer parameter of the face and under the cheekbones.
-Apply blush one to two fingers away from the nose, sweep it across the top of the apples of the cheeks toward the ear, and blend down to prevent it from appearing striped. This type of application will help to break up the roundness.

“With a square-shaped face, you’ll want to apply contour to soften the look,” says Julie Taing.

What to do:

-First, apply contour on the temples and jaw area. When applying contour to the jawline, use a fluffy brush and brush upward for a natural look.
-Then, apply blush to the cheeks and bronzer in the hollows of the cheeks.
-Finish by applying highlighter in a “C” shape around the high points of the cheeks and temples.

Next up, Alexa Chung Shares Her Beauty Essentials (and Last Sephora Haul)

From byrdie

We’re excited to continue our new series, The Close-Up, where we take a closer look at celebrities, influencers, and pop culture phenomena. You’ve read about them on the internet and clipped their photos out of magazines—but now you’ll have the chance to get to know them personally through fun Polaroids, handwritten beauty advice, product recommendations, and so much more.

If there’s ever an appropriate setting to meet up with Alexa Chung, it’s a garden tea party. The British fashion model and television personality invited us to join her for finger sandwiches, scones, and rosé in the garden at The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood to celebrate the launch of her app, Villoid. There, Chung brought garden party chic to a whole new level, dressed in a bright pink slip dress and high-top Converse. Her beauty look is low-key—hair down and tousled, makeup minimal except for a thin flick of black eyeliner—a perfect look for our Polaroid camera to capture.

Chung has mastered, or perhaps was born with, the enviable ability to make I woke up like this beauty look polished and deliberate, all the while maintaining the effortless aspect that so often gets lost. We sat down with Chung to discover her beauty secrets—scroll through to find out how to do off-duty beauty like Alexa Chung and see her Polaroids.

First, let’s talk about the app. “The app was an opportunity to democratize fashion, in a way, because it’s somewhere girls can hang out and talk about clothes and start their own community,” Chung says, “but also showcase their style without the pressure of having to buy anything or actually wear anything. So it’s a platform for self-expression, communication, and fun, essentially, but should you want to buy anything, you can!”

Of course we can’t help but inquire about the beauty component to the Pinterest-meets-Instagram social shopping app. “We have some beauty brands on there,” Chung says. “We just started, actually. But I think that’ll be our next progression. A lot of the boards themselves have a lot of imagery in them that are [beauty focused]—you can have a picture of Julie Christie, and they’ll have to emulate that look. So, it actually lends itself very well to creating a beauty palette.” Chung’s beauty palette is understated, per usual.

In fact, she did her own makeup for the day’s event. “I was just upstairs getting ready and I was like, ‘I’m so sh*t at doing my makeup—do I look terrible?’” She, of course, did not.

Chungs admits she doesn’t like makeup, but she did go to Sephora the day before the event to pick up an illuminator (Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Rose Gold, $41), per the recommendation of makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. “I got that Becca shimmering rose thing, my Eyeko Skinny Liner ($22), and a Perricone MD cleanser.”

Makeup may not be the British beauty’s forte (“my eyeliner is like the only thing I care about,” she notes), but skincare is another story. “Now I take skincare a bit more seriously as I’m getting older,” Chung says. “I just went to that Ling Spa in New York, and she had something that was like a serum that was really good. I love oils, but then the facialist was like oils are not great to use—I thought it was hydrating. It’s not. It’s a barrier after you’ve done the hydrating. I didn’t realize that, so now I’ve been using a serum, then moisturizer, and then the oil.” Chung also loves Sisley, Decléor, and Glossier (Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser, $18, and Soothing Face Mist, $18, are two of her favorites).

Makeup may not be the British beauty’s forte (“my eyeliner is like the only thing I care about,” she notes), but skincare is another story. “Now I take skincare a bit more seriously as I’m getting older,” Chung says. “I just went to that Ling Spa in New York, and she had something that was like a serum that was really good. I love oils, but then the facialist was like oils are not great to use—I thought it was hydrating. It’s not. It’s a barrier after you’ve done the hydrating. I didn’t realize that, so now I’ve been using a serum, then moisturizer, and then the oil.” Chung also loves Sisley, Decléor, and Glossier (Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser, $18, and Soothing Face Mist, $18, are two of her favorites).

Chung’s beauty style is very much wash-and-go, with a particularly simple face washing routine. “I sometimes wash my face, but that’s kind of rare. I wash it in the shower in the morning.” She admitted she probably won’t wash her face tonight (which made us cringe a tiny bit), but at least her reasoning was good. “I want to go to bed looking like a babe. I don’t want to go to bed with no makeup on.”

Next up,This $8 Men’s Lip Balm Has Been a Best Seller at Sephora for Years

From byrdie

The prospect of gendered beauty products is peculiar. If women want to wear cologne instead of a pink-packaged eau du parfum, we’ll spritz away; if we want to borrow our guy friend’s pomade to piece out our hair, we’ll take a scoopful, thanks. Celebrities don’t discern between the two, either: Kylie Jenner, for one, credits a men’s post-shave balm as the perfect base for makeup (a hack first made public by NikkieTutorials). All this to say it’s perfectly fine to blur the lines between men’s and women’s products, especially if items from the “opposite” category yield favorable results.

Sephora shoppers certainly know this to be true: Jack Black, a brand touted as number one in men’s skincare, has a cult-loved lip treatment with over 2000 positive reviews on the retailer’s website: Intense Therapy Lip Balm ($8). The product page is flooded with images of women flaunting smooth, supple lips post-application, and rave female reviews such as “Amazing. The best lip balm I have ever used … I keep tubes of this stuff in every room of the house and I keep multiples in my purse. Love it.” Unsurprisingly, men are big proponents of the hydrating treatment, too.

Lip balm is easily one of those universal products, so it’s no wonder this little blue tube’s audience knows no bounds. But what makes it stand out among the pack is that it’s paraben-free, field-tested in extreme conditions, and packed with SPF 25 (personally, we tend to neglect our lips when it comes to sun protection).

Five enticing scents encourage return shoppers too: Grapefruit & Ginger, Black Tea & Blackberry, Natural Mint & Shea Butter, Lemon & Shea Butter, and Shea Butter & Vitamin E. Users say it’s smooth (not sticky), low-shine, and long-lasting and that it far outrivals other popular balm brands. Plus, its plastic-tip application makes Intense Therapy far more hygienic than a pot. Now, excuse us while we replace the bottom-of-our-handbag-dwelling tubes with this hero product.

Next up, This Eye Cream Sells Every 3 Minutes at Sephora, So I Tried It

From byrdie

We purchased Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Eye Crème so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

As someone who’s had serious dark under-eye circles since I was a kid, I’ve been on the hunt for a brightening eye cream that actually works for a while now. Needless to say, when I got the chance to test Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Eye Crème, I was on board immediately. It’s the top-selling eye cream at Sephora and a Byrdie go-to for reducing the appearance of dark circles—plus, Kim Kardashian West is reportedly a fan. But did it actually live up to the hype? Read on for my review.

About My Skin: Major dark under-eye circles

As I said above, my main issue with the skin around my eyes is dark circles. Mine are hereditary—there are definitely childhood videos of me with dark, dark eyes. (And my sister has them, too!) I don’t currently have any fine lines around my eyes, but I’m definitely on board with an eye cream that will prevent them from forming in the first place.

Ingredients: Vitamin C and collagen

OK, so, contrary to the name of this eye cream, banana is not one of its ingredients; Its name is simply inspired by banana powder, a yellow-tinted powder that makeup artists use to brighten and color-correct dull skin.

Instead, the star ingredients at work here are vitamin C and collagen. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, benefits the skin in several ways: It shields against environmental stressors, promotes collagen production, and helps lighten brown spots or discoloration. (Currently, I use vitamin C all over my face to target dark marks and improve my skin tone, so I was happy to have a gentler version to use around my eyes.) Collagen, on the other hand, improves skin’s elasticity and firmness and delivers a dose of hydration when applied topically.

It also helps to prevent fine lines from forming.

Although this product is clean by Byrdie’s standards, it does contain ingredients that can be irritating to the skin, with some users even reporting that they’ve had allergic reactions to it. Why? “The product contains some anti-inflammatory ingredients that are generally calming to skin, such as jojoba oil and shea butter,” says Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist and member of Byrdie’s Beauty & Wellness Review Board. “But it also contains some vitamins—including vitamin C and related ingredients—that can be somewhat irritating for sensitive skin types, like ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, citrus fruit extract, orange fruit extract, 3-0 ethyl ascorbic acid, and citric acid.

[These] may occasionally be too irritating for many people, especially around the eyes.”

However, there’s another ingredient that could be the culprit: Fragrance. “Fragrance and perfumes are common triggers for allergies in many people—not just people with sensitive skin,” says Nazarian. “Because the area around the eye is thinner than other areas of the body and a little bit more sensitive, it’s always important to proceed with caution when choosing a new product for this area.”

Before I tried this eye cream, I did just that, spot-testing it on my skin until I was sure it was safe for my under-eye area.

The Feel: Moisturizing and creamy

Just a tiny bit of product (I mean tiny—like less than a grain of rice) is needed for each eye. It feels hydrating, creamy, and slick without becoming oily. Don’t use too much though, or else it goes from soothing to greasy. Personally, I like to give it a few minutes to sink in if I’m applying makeup over it, or else the formula interferes with how my concealer looks.

The Scent: Citrus, not bananas

While the name might have you expecting the scent of bananas, the actual fragrance leans citrusy due to the addition of orange and lemon extracts (again, the name comes from the color, not the ingredients). To me, it smells like the chalky vitamin C tablets I used to take as a kid. The scent is pretty strong while it’s in its tub, but I don’t notice it after I applied the product.

Drying & Irritation: None for me, but irritating to others

Despite my initial hesitation, I didn’t experience any irritation while using this eye cream. Overall, though, I’d recommend spot-testing it for a few days before using it all over, as I did. It’s also important to note that many people who did experience irritation said that it started after many months of use, so if you notice any drying or red spots developing, stop using this product.

The Results: Moisturized skin, but I still have dark circles

I used Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Eye Crème almost every morning for four weeks. I was waiting for something miraculous to happen—that I’d wake up one day and notice my dark circles were gone. But unfortunately, I never noticed a truly significant difference in my dark circles after a month of testing. This may be due to the reason for my dark circles, though—if yours are the result of discoloration rather than just the way you were born, you may have more success than I did. (For example, this product worked magic for Byrdie senior editor Hallie Gould, who says it’s the only eye cream she’s ever tried that’s made a difference.)

However, the daily ritual of applying this product did have other visible benefits. I found that the rough spots and dryness under my eyes faded significantly, which made concealer and makeup go on easier. I also loved that several hours after applying it, my under-eye area still felt moisturized and my makeup looked fresh.

The Value: $39 for half an ounce

This eye cream is expensive, but not totally unexpected given the brand name. But, when compared to other high-end brands, the price really isn’t that bad (many of Sephora’s other best-selling eye creams will set you back $50 or more).

While there are cheaper products at the drugstore, the price feels worth it for the product quality. Plus, I don’t foresee having to repurchase it again anytime soon—so little product is needed at a time that even after a month, it looks like I’ve barely touched the jar.

Similar Products: Lots to choose from

GLAMGLOW BRIGHTEYES Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream: Glamglow’s formula includes caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and peptides to plump and hydrate under eyes. It also includes “illuminating spheres” to disguise dark under-eyes. It’s priced at $39 for a half-ounce—exactly the same as Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Eye Crème—so it’s worth trying them both to see which you prefer.

Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream: A much pricier option is Drunk Elephant’s C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, which is $64 for a half-ounce. Its main star is vitamin C—it’s packed with five different kinds. While the vitamin C tones and firms, peptides improve the look of fine lines and cucumber extract works as an antioxidant.

Our Verdict: Worthy of a spot on your shelf

Even though my dark circles haven’t totally vanished, I still enjoy applying Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Eye Crème every morning. It’s pricey, but quality ingredients aren’t cheap, and the small jar lasts quite a long time. I definitely think it’s worth it for the way my concealer glides on.

Next up,7 Things I Learned After Attending Sephoria—Sephora’s Biggest Event of the Year

From byrdie

Last weekend, Sephora held its biggest event of the year in downtown Los Angeles. It’s called Sephoria, and it’s a massive beauty wonderland, during which hundreds of brands set up interactive and experiential booths for their customers to test, swatch, learn, and explore (and maybe snap a picture for the ‘gram, too). There were also masterclasses taught by some of the best in the beauty biz (I attended those hosted by skincare expert Dr. Barbara Sturm and celeb makeup artist Patrick Ta). Attendees were even able to preview exclusive products and maybe catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two (I, for one, was delighted to see Jeff Goldblum casually milling about near the Fenty Beauty booth).

After spending two days amongst the throngs of beauty buffs, talking, testing, and picture-taking, I picked up a thing or two. Well, 7 things to be exact. Keep scrolling to see the everything I learned at Sephoria, including the type of light that penetrates deeper into the skin than UVA and UVB rays combined, the right way to match your foundation to your skin, and which iconic lipstick really lives up to buzz.

#1 HEV Light Penetrates Deeper Into The Skin Than UVA and UVB Rays Combined

I learned this scary fact during Dr. Barbara Sturm’s masterclass. Sturm is the scientist and skin expert behind some of the most famous faces and treatments in the world (seriously, though. She’s the inventor of the so-called ‘Vampire Facial’). Sturm explained that HEV light, which is also referred to as blue light, can penetrate deeper into the skin than UVA and UVB rays combined. HEV, which stands for high energy visible light, is emitted from electronics such as phones, TVs, and the computer I’m typing on right now (sigh).

The worry is that HEV light, since it penetrates into the deep layers of the skin, will cause damage over time, leading to loss of firmness, wrinkles, and other similar signs of photo-aging caused by UVA and UVB rays. Read more on the science behind it by clicking here.

According to Sturm, your best bet for protecting your skin from the potentially damaging effects of HEV light is to wear sunscreen, limit your time in front of electronics, and use her Anti-Pollution Drops, which protect against environmental pollutants and all wavelengths of damaging light (including HEV light). She also suggested setting your iPhone to night shift when you can, because it corrects the display and emits a warmer, less-blue light.

Let me tell you, I’ll be doing all of these things to protect against potential photo-aging. I’ll also commit to wearing my blue light glasses when I’m working in front of my computer all day. Because, who knows, maybe that will help limit my skin’s absorption of HEV light…

#2 Purslane Is the One Herb You Didn’t Know Your Skin Needed

Here’s another informative gem I learned from Dr. Barbara Sturm. During her masterclass, she expounded upon the virtues of purslane, which is an anti-inflammatory plant that’s naturally rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants. The former strengthens the skin’s protective barrier. The latter fights free radicals, which can lead to premature aging, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation.

Dr. Sturm recommends buying purslane from your local grocery store or farmer’s market and putting it in a smoothie. If you can’t find purslane in your area, you can reap its myriad skin benefits from taking Sturm’s Skin Food Supplement ($95), which is rich in the ingredient.

#3 Contour Your Face Before Applying Concealer

Here’s one I learned during the Patrick Ta masterclass. Ta, who is the makeup artist to A-listers like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Shay Mitchell, Camila Cabello, Priyanka Chopra, and more, contours before he applies concealer. This is something I’ve never heard of before, but it makes total sense when you think about it.

Contouring the skin before concealer saves you from applying unnecessary makeup where it’s not needed. Since contour is usually only applied in the low, shadowed points of the face, it doesn’t make sense to waste any expensive brightening concealers in those places. Plus, since you’d be blending your contour into virgin skin—not the concealer that sits atop your skin—it ends up looking diffused and natural. By the way, his two favorite contour products are Tom Ford’s Shade and Illuminate ($88) and Benefit’s Hoola Matte Bronzer ($30).

#4 Use Both a Brush and a Beauty Sponge to Blend Your Makeup

Speaking of diffused and natural, Ta is known for creating makeup that looks smooth, uniform, and generally kind of perfect. There are never any harsh lines or unblended bits, and there’s a reason for that. He blends every complexion product twice—first he blends with a standard makeup brush, then he goes over the top with a damp beauty sponge. During the masterclass, he repeated this brush-first-sponge-second process after applying contour, concealer, and blush.

#5 Match Your Foundation to Your Skin By Swatching It Under Your Jaw Bone

I finally learned where to effectively and accurately test foundation shades at the Make Up For Ever booth. One of the lovely makeup artists there matched me to a foundation shade by testing a couple shades of the brand’s Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($43) on my neck, right under my jaw bone. When I asked why he was swatching it there, he said it prevents the dreaded ‘floating face’ look, which is when someone’s face doesn’t match their neck, and thus their head looks like a floating orb that’s detached from the rest of their body (not ideal).

He also mentioned that this a place where the sun doesn’t reach the skin, so it’s the truest test of everyone’s natural skin tone—no matter if you’re shade-matching in the winter, spring, summer, or fall. It’s kind of brilliant, right?

#6 Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Lipstick Really Is That Good

I have to preface this with a confession. Until I entered Charlotte Tilbury’s glamorous Pillow Talk-themed booth at Sephoria, I had never actually tried her iconic and universally-flattering lipstick shade. Cue the collective gasp. Does that make me a bad beauty editor? Maybe, but luckily, that stage of my life is behind me now.

After one swipe, I could see what all the buzz was about. It’s a fully-pigmented matte formula, but it still looks natural and soft on the lips, not cakey. The most impressive part, at least in my humble opinion, is that it didn’t dry out my lips like other matte formulas I’ve tried. It actually felt comfortable—imagine that—, and I ended up wearing it for hours on end without a single second thought. What’s more is that it brought me a few compliments, which is never a bad thing.

#7 Nars Eyeshadow Deserves More Credit Than It Already Gets

It’s no secret that NARS is a quality makeup brand. I mean, there’s a reason so many beauty editors and makeup artists count on it for their makeup needs. While I’ve been a big fan of the brand’s silky, super-pigmented shadows for what feels like forever now, I was unaware how truly stunning the brand’s eye palettes are—specifically, the brand’s new Studio 54-inspired Inferno Palette, which drops on Sephora’s website on September 24.

The color pay-off was insane and the glitter shades made me want to drop everything and paint my face with them immediately. The moral of the story is that you need to try NARS eyeshadow if you haven’t already, because it’s so good.

Next up,The 10 Best Products to Snatch Up at Sephora’s Beauty Insider Event

From byrdie

We treat Sephora shopping sprees like we treat summer vacation. We look forward to it all year ’round, but we’d never embark on it without a plan in place—especially when it’s for a special event. In this case, that special event has to do with Sephora’s Beauty Insider program. Starting today, and running through May 6, the three tiers of the program (including Rouge, VIB, and Beauty Insider) have access to some of the retailer’s most beloved products at a discounted price. You just have to know which products are up for grabs, and which discounts apply—in other words, you need all of the gritty details; That’s where we come in.

Let’s start with Rouge members, shall we? If that’s you, head in-store or online, because from today through May 1, you’ll have early access to the event (and the discounts). If you’re shopping online, use code HEYROUGE to get 20% off of select beauty products. If you miss early access, don’t fret. You’ll still be able to receive 20% off of select beauty products through May 6.

As for all you VIB members out there, expect to receive 15% off of select beauty products from May 2 to May 6. This applies to both in-store and online shopping. If you’re choosing the latter, be sure to use the code HEYVIB at checkout to receive the discount.

Finally, we have all Beauty Insider members. For you, Sephora is offering 10% off of select beauty products. If you’re shopping in-store, you’re all set. If you’re shopping online, you’ll need to use the code HEYINSIDER at checkout to receive the discount.

Now that the details are crystal clear, let’s talk about the actual products that are up for grabs (because what’s the purpose of a Sephora Beauty Insider event if not for scooping up old favorites or new discoveries?). Scroll on to see the 8 best products to buy.

Drunk Elephant’s vitamin C-infused day serum addresses a couple of different skin issues. First, it does a number on dullness and dark spots, which only makes sense, considering vitamin C is an all-star brightening ingredient. Second, it targets fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin, thanks to its proprietary firming complex. Its potent blend of exfoliants and antioxidants also encourage cell turnover and free radical defense.

It’s no secret that team Byrdie is fond of Tatcha, and that includes the Japanese brand’s Silk Canvas product. The primer comes in the form of a velvety balm. Once applied, it preps the skin for makeup application, ensuring long-lasting wear without creasing, flaking, or smudging. It’s formulated with real silk extracts and powder to smooth the skin, blur the look of imperfections, and rid the skin of excess shine.

We have Rihanna to thank for this soft matte concealer. It’s full-coverage, subtly brightening, and very creamy. We love the fact that it comes in 50 shades, running the gamut from the fairest to the deepest (just like the brand’s matching foundation).

If you’re in need of a lighter moisturizer for spring and summer, this event is the perfect time to snag one, seeing as Fresh’s Rose Deep Hydration Moisturizer is up for grabs. It’s a gel-cream hybrid, meaning it will hydrate the skin without the thickness or weight of other, richer moisturizers. Instead, it uses hyaluronic acid, rosewater, and rose oil to hydrate the skin.

This product does exactly what you’d expect it to do. It provides the skin with vegan collagen from micro-algae. It promises to boost the skin’s radiance, brightness, bounciness—and overall youthfulness—with continued use. (It’s also worth noting that it’s $115, which means a 20 or 15 or 10% discount will go a long way to save you money).

Giorgio Armani is known for foundation. This one provides what the brand calls a “luminous” finish; we call it it light-to-medium. The smooth look of hydration and radiance it imparts is unrivaled by other foundations on the market, which is exactly why this is such a cult-favorite product. Now’s the perfect time to re-stock (or try for the first time!).

This ‘Treatment’ is so vaguely named because it does a little bit of everything. Use the argan oil-infused formula to detangle, smooth, strengthen, and condition the hair; it even speeds up blow drying time if it’s applied to damp hair from the mid-lengths to the ends. It’s a multi-use product at its finest.

There’s even perfume up for grabs during the Sephora Beauty Insider event. It’s a Jo Malone perfume no less. The Peony & Blush Suede smells lightly floral, sweet, and warm—thanks to notes of peony, apple, and rose. It’s a fragrance that smells just like springtime itself, so what better time to buy it?

Next up, The Best Eye Shadow Primers According to Sephora Shoppers

From byrdie

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. So if you’ve enhanced your lids with a killer cat eye or a head-turning smokey eye situation, you want to make sure it lasts from the moment it’s applied to the moment you decide to wipe it off. Every good makeup application begins with the base, so while shadow stylings are an important aspect of achieving that wow factor, eye shadow primers are just as essential to the beauty look’s success.

How to Choose the Right Eye Shadow Primer

When it comes to choosing the right eye shadow primer, we don’t approach our assessment with the same sensibilities we might with things like lipstick—where we play with several options and switch from brand to brand depending on colors. With eye shadow primers, what we seek is long-lasting effectiveness that ensures our eyelid creations stay put no matter what the day brings. And once we find it, there’s no going back.

The Best Eye Shadow Primers on the Market

To determine the best eye shadow primers the industry has to offer, we scoured Sephora for its top-rated eye primers. Below, you’ll find seven picks worth putting to the test in your own eye makeup routine.

This oil-free primer goes on sheer to extend high-pigment wear without the excess feel of layers. No wonder it has rallied in over 10,000 loves on everyone’s favorite online beauty shopping destination.

This ultra-lightweight formula creates a smooth and even canvas for makeup application. What’s more, it combats creases and fading for up to 24 hours, which has helped to earn it over 80,000 loves from Sephora shoppers.

Polymer technology is implemented to fill imperfections on the skin’s surface using this beige 24-hour primer, which has earned a whopping 250,000 loves on Sephora.

This clear primer (which has earned over 70,000 loves on Sephora) is formulated with special deep-sea and antioxidant rice extracts to keep lids hydrated and looking as if your eye shadow has just been freshly applied all day long.

Created by the same brand behind every beauty fanatic’s beloved Photo Finish Primer, this eye shadow base (which ranks in at 20,000 loves) helps adhere even the glitziest shadows to lids, promising up to 24 hours of wear.

20,000 Sephora shoppers agree, you’re going to fall head over heels for this tinted eye shadow primer. Unlike other eye primers, this formula works in a 360 degree manor, helping not only eye shadow stay put, but under-eye concealer, too.

If Rihanna has taught us anything with her makeup collection (apart from the importance of shade-inclusive ranges), it’s that bold color that lasts is supreme. So it’s no wonder that the singer-turned-beauty mogul would create an eyeshadow primer that has the Internet collectively losing their ish. The fan-favorite formula—raking in 20,000 loves and counting—helps smooth lids for better blending and a more even eye makeup application.

Next up, Is Your Skin Hydrated? This Is How to Find Out

From byrdie

For spring, we’re running a series showcasing the skincare products of our most-loved beauty influencers and what they’re buying at Sephora. Each week, we’re sending one of our favorite gurus to their local store to document their entire shopping spree on Byrdie’s Snapchat. Make sure to tune in each Saturday to follow along, and check back here monthly to see (and shop!) the items that made it into their Sephora carts. Enjoy.

Beauty lovers around the world know that Sephora is the place to go for every skin-, hair-, and makeup-related need. Our Sephora shopping strategy? While it’s fun to go in and aimlessly peruse the aisles of alluring products, we’ve found that if we head in with a specific beauty need in mind, we always leave satisfied. And we’ve got proof… Four beauty gurus went to their local Sephoras with one objective—testing out the retailer’s new Moisture Meter, a new type of skincare technology that measures how hydrated your skin is.

The best part? You don’t need to remove your makeup in order to use it. All you have to do is ask a Sephora cast member for help, and after they finish the reading, they’ll suggest a moisturizer based off your skin’s particular needs.

Curious? Find out how it went for each of the women and see what products were recommended for them to use.

Grasie Mercedes of Style Me Grasie was on a mission to find a few products that she and her husband could both use. But before she got started, Keshia, a Senior Skincare Advisor at the Sephora at The Grove in L.A., helped her get an accurate reading on her skin using the Moisture Meter, which measures your skin’s level of hydration by taking into account how much water you’re getting (or not getting). On the Moisture Meter’s scale of zero to 99, she was a 38, which means her skin is dehydrated. “Turns out I’m drier than I thought,” says Mercedes.
Together, Mercedes and Keshia found a product that was just what the newlywed had in mind.

Keisha described belif’s The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb ($38) as “an explosion of moisture,” which makes sense: You only need a pea-size amount for your entire face. But it’s important to apply it correctly. “I’ve been doing it all wrong,” exclaims Mercedes.

For best results, warm the product up while it’s in your hand and then press it into your skin rather than rubbing to avoid unnecessary tugging. You want to be gentle with your skin to prevent wrinkles. And while Mercedes was at Sephora, she decided to pick up Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 in Rosé ($24) to get her lips on the same moisture level as the rest of her skin.

When full-time blogger Courtney Shields of Bring Your Own Beauty headed into the Barton Creek Square Sephora in Austin, Texas, she was looking for something that would help her dry skin and an eye cream to help combat the fine lines she’s starting to see around her eyes.

“I love when I can find an effective, universal product,” explains the 29-year-old. She noted this to Ashley, Sephora’s skincare expert at Barton Creek Square, who was happy to make a few product recommendations. First off, Ashley suggested that Shields try out the Moisture Meter.

After confirming that Shields’s skin was on the dry side, Ashley set out to find the right product. The winner? First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration ($30). Formulated with colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and ceramide 3, this cult-favorite whipped moisturizer soothes and hydrates skin without leaving it feeling greasy. One tip from Ashley: This can be used on your face and body, which is really nice during travel season.

Next, Shields set out to find an eye cream. “I love trying new eye creams. It’s important to keep your under-eyes hydrated to fight signs of aging,” she tells us. She came across belif Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream ($58) and was sold. Formulated with herbal peat water (which is rich in mineral and organic acids), the product visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, it revitalizes dull, tired under-eyes by promoting skin-cell turnover with a blend of natural apothecary herbs.

Beauty, fashion, and lifestyle blogger Tamira Jarrel believes that well-cared-for skin is the key to good makeup. Given that she juggles her time as a mom, a blogger, and working part-time in the medical field, she’s had her fair share of skin flare-ups over the years. “All jobs are stressful, so the occasional skin freak-out occurs if schedules are extra hectic,” says Jarrel.

Jarrel wants to improve her skin’s texture for better makeup application. To that end, she turned to the pros to help her find something appropriate. But before giving her any recommendations, David, a Sephora PRO-Artist and skincare guru at the NYC Times Square location, sat her down for an in-store moisture reading to get a better idea of her skin’s needs and which products would work best.

What did they land on? Since her skin was reading in between the normal to dehydrated range, David suggested the Clinique Pep-Start HydroRush Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 ($29.50) for its multitasking properties (she does have a hectic schedule, after all). This multitasking product hydrates while providing protection from the sun.

“It’s so important to protect your skin from UV rays, as they prematurely age your skin,” explains David. And because Jarrel normally has combination skin, the oil-free, lightweight formula is the perfect pick. Bonus: It even helps prep skin for makeup.

To further help prep skin for makeup, David suggested First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($30) since they’re gentle and easy to use on the daily. “It’s important to exfoliate so your products actually absorb into your skin rather than sitting on top of it,” he noted. Using these pads will help create a smooth canvas for a flawless makeup application.

YouTuber Caitlin Bea says she has definitely experienced a shift in her skin since moving to L.A. a year ago. The SoCal transplant also travels a lot for work, which is never easy on skin. “I’m on airplanes all the time, and my skin gets incredibly dry,” Bea explains. “I also want to help prevent aging while I’m young.” So naturally she was on the hunt to find a moisturizer for traveling and an eye cream to go with it.

Caitlin also visited The Grove in L.A. to get some tips and product picks from Keshia. After using the Moisture Meter, Bea found out her skin was normal but on the cusp of dehydrated. The perfect product to help turn things around? Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream ($45) is an anti-aging moisturizer formulated with Fresh’s super 7 complex, a blend of seven supercharged ingredients to help fight wrinkles, lock in hydration, and soften the skin.

Bea also grabbed Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream ($26.50), which visibly brightens and hydrates the under-eyes for a refreshed, wide-awake look. Not only that, but it also de-puffs skin and leaves a smooth canvas for makeup.

Next up,Shop: Fix Your Biggest Skincare Issues With These Sephora Top-Sellers

From byrdie

Can buying a beauty product solve all your problems? Maybe not—but we know full well how powerful a brand-new lipstick (or perfume, or serum) can make us feel. With that in mind, we present to you our new Shop series—a carefully curated collection of all the buzziest beauty products to feast your eyes on, maybe lighten your wallet with, and definitely feel great about. Our market editors will be scouring the interwebs and our favorite retailers to bring you the noteworthiest new beauty gems before you see them everywhere else. So, go ahead and shop—you deserve it.

Created to address common skincare concerns, this potent mud treatment helps to combat blemishes, scars, redness, razor bumps, and in-grown hairs.

We love this multitasking cream for providing full-coverage SPF, a luminous finish that hides imperfections, and serious hydration all in one.

Achieve virtually poreless skin with Tatcha’s anti-aging water cream filled with Japanese nutrients and powerful botanicals.

Hide acne while also treating it with this full-coverage concealer available in seven matte finishes.

Kiss dry skin goodbye thanks to this deep hydrating face cream, infused with soothing rose water and rose flower oils.

Featuring 20% THD ascorbate—a potent, ultra-stable form of vitamin C—this power serum is perfect for combatting signs of aging as well as hyperpigmentation.

Say goodbye to dry, dull skin thanks to the ingredients in this mask that help to combat overworked skin.

This self-heating extractor provides a 93% reduction in blackheads in as little as six weeks.

Made with eight peptides, firming cucumber extract, and five forms of vitamin C, this rich and restorative cream is perfect for firmer, stronger-looking skin around your eyes.

Spot-correcting at its finest, these one-of-a-kind Acne Healing Dots contain salicylic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin A to both combat and heal pesky zits overnight.

Sick of red, blotchy skin? Opt for this tiger grass–infused oil that not only neutralizes redness but also gives your skin an energized glow.

Essentially unchanged for over 35 years, this essence works to reduce dark spots and wrinkles while also boosting the skin’s moisture and radiance.

It may seem counterintuitive to treat acne with oil, but this 100% natural oil visibly improves blemishes and imperfections while also seriously hydrating the skin.

This powerful anti-aging serum uses collagen and vitamin C to brighten the skin while also making it appear more youthful and glowing.

We swear by this treatment to combat acne. Not only is it formulated with the highest level of sulfur allowed, making it highly effective in fighting blemishes, but it also helps to prevent future breakouts.

Next up, Sephora’s New Nail Polish Brand, Formula X

From byrdie

When it comes to nail art, or even nail polish, there’s no shortage of options. One brand’s known for its glitters, another its decals, yet another for its exotic textures, but Formula X, the new nail collection from Sephora, aims to be a one-stop shop for all things nails. “It was really born out of the desire to offer everything that a client is looking for in one place,” says Kristin Walcott, Sephora’s Vice President. “It’s the most expansive and extensive nail brand on the market; a unique fusion of science and art.”

The System ($32)—a cleanser, base, and topcoat—is at the foundation of Formula X. Then there are about 200 shades of polish (with seasonal additions), half of which offer special effects, ranging from your basic glitter, The Brilliants, to confetti topcoats, The Xplosives. Don’t want to build your own nail art? You can press on the ASAP 3D Real Nail Lacquer Appliques ($15), made from actual nail polish and lasting up to 14 days. “I don’t think nail art is going away at all,” says Walcott. “It’s an incredibly vibrant form of art and self expression that I don’t see fading.”

Want proof? Chloe Moretz debuted Formula X on the red carpet this week, at the Los Angeles premiere of Carrie. Manicurist Christina Aviles painted the actress’ nails with two coats of The New Neutrals ($11) in Perfection, a smoky violet shade. “We finished with Formula X for Sephora Top Coat ($11),” she says. “And while it was still a little tacky, we applied a round black stud at the base of the nail, pressing lightly to make sure it adhered.”

For more nail art inspiration—and specific shade identification—check out Formula X’s interactive website, live today!

Next up,I Tried Sephora’s Buzziest April Launches—Here Are the Best

From byrdie

The first of every month brings about a slew of new beauty products, each launch fancier and more exciting than the last. The thing is, though, they’re not all the miracle potions and fountain-of-youth elixirs they promise to be. Wading through a pool of new products can be intimidating and sometimes disappointing. So I decided to try some of Sephora’s buzziest new April launches and report back on what’s worth it and what, sadly, is not.

My original thought was to rank my favorites from best to worst, but as I wrote, I realized all my chosen formulas were uniquely wonderful in their own right. So sue me—they rule. I swatched and applied them all and took selfies to prove it.

Below, find the products that are worth spending your hard-earned cash on because, well, you love beauty and so do I.

The Shimmering Body Oil

Fenty’s limited-edition shimmering body oil is back—with a new cult-favorite shade to boot. I audibly gasped when I saw it, and I promise I’m not being hyperbolic. That’s the reaction these products elicit every single time. The formula is meant to veil your skin in a high-shine finish (think one step up from dewy, but not quite sparkly), and it does just that. It incorporates light-diffusing micro-pearls with a sheer tint (in the case of Trophy Wife, a hyper-metallic gold) to coat your body in a glow. Usually, I shy away from yellow golds, my skin tone is more neutral than it is warm, but this one just works. It’s extra in all the dreamiest ways and makes me feel closer to Rihanna with each pump. The best part? It’s super easy to apply and doesn’t get messy in the slightest. I like to use Fenty’s Body Kabuki Brush ($34), to buff it on to my chest, collarbone, and shoulders until they’re glistening, and add a bit to my arms and legs when my outfit allows. You can apply a subtle amount, a little goes a long way, or build it up to a really gorgeous, personalized shine.

The “Glass Skin” Highlighter

To be quite honest, any product deemed worthy by Katie Jane Hughes is a winner in my book. So, when I saw the celebrity makeup artist using Kevyn Aucoin’s Glass Glow Face Liquid Highlighter ($32) on her Instagram, I knew I had to get my hands on a tube. Needless to say, it’s everything I hoped it’d be. I used the Crystal Clear shade, a sheer, slightly holographic face gloss that created this unbelievable glow. I applied a bit to my cheekbones as a primer ahead of my foundation and tapped on a few more drops post-application (to my cheekbones, brow bone, and Cupid’s bow).

My skin has never looked so well-hydrated, glassy, and radiant—but in an entirely natural-looking way. The gel formula incorporates passion fruit and marula oils, both rich in omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9, to promote hydration, reduce redness, and add an otherworldly dew factor. It’s one of those “skincare as makeup”-type products for that reason, it nourishes as it highlights. I’m still swooning as I think about it. As an aside, the brand also launched a Glass Glow Lip Gloss ($26) in the same shade, and you better believe I’m wearing both.

The Brightening Serum

My love and devotion to a vitamin C-heavy skincare routine is real, and Glow Recipe’s newest launch is a formula I’ve happily added to my weekly rotation. In the tiny, pineapple-shaped bottle lives a potent, lightweight vitamin C and AHA serum concentrated with pineapple juice, hyaluronic acid, and chamomile to brighten and retexturize your skin as it moisturizes and soothes. It smells like a tropical dream (which is highly important to me), feels super light and refreshing on your skin, and absorbs really quickly—leaving behind glossy, even skin. I like to alternate the Pineapple-C Brightening Serum ($49) with Skinceuticals’ CE Ferulic ($166) to offer a highly effective dose of antioxidants to my skin, a one-two punch of vitamin C if you will. It keeps everything healthy, bright, and, dare I say, pretty flawless.

The March Launches:

The Matte Lipstick

I love a good matte, and Huda Beauty’s Power Bullet Matte Lipstick ($25) has quickly become one of my favorites. The formula is so pigmented—and I’m not just saying that. It’s brimming with an intense color payoff, so much so you only really need one swipe. I apply it straight from the bullet to keep things precise (but it also looks great pressed on with your finger for a stain-y effect) and couldn’t believe the silky-smooth formula. It’s really comfortable and not at all drying, the classic downfall of a matte lipstick, and it smooths your lips upon application. I like to wear it with no much else, just a bit of mascara and brow gel, for a striking but totally foolproof makeup look.

The Curl Resetting Mist

I go pretty long without washing my hair (it’s curly and damage-prone so I try to keep it moisturized and shampoo once or twice a week), but sometimes I need a little extra oomph to get through the week. Because, while my hair is quite curly, it’s also really thin—needless to say, things get dicey a few days in. Enter: Playa’s New Day Mist 3-in-1 Styler Refresh ($24). It works to reset my curls without water or hot tools, which is basically my hair’s saving grace. The formula is made with neroli and aloe waters to hydrate and restore your hair’s pH balance, as well as sugar cane (a humectant that retains and preserves moisture). So, pretty much, it’s one part hydrator, another hairspray, and a bit of fragrance to boot. It’s the ultimate reboot for your unwashed hair—all you do is spray it all over, scrunch, and, for me, it’s that easy. I use it on second, third, and even fourth-day hair. it’s been such an asset in my morning routine—I’m sold.

The Multi-Purpose Highlighter

There’s no denying the blissful frenzy that comes along with every new Fenty Beauty launch. You can feel it in the air each time a package comes across our desks. So when Rihanna sent over this new shade of her beloved Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter ($34)—it’s a baby pink shimmer called Wattabrat—I couldn’t wait to break open the packaging and swirl my fingers in the formula. And, yes, I am pretending Rihanna personally mailed it to me. Just go with it.

The cream-powder hybrid is the same, as it instantly melts into your skin and blends with almost zero effort. The shimmer looks practically 3D. First, I brushed it on the tops of my cheekbones, creating an otherworldly glow that was both radiant and subtle at the same time. For more, I applied it onto my eyelids, patting on the formula with a flat brush to make it even more opaque and sparkly. It was everything I craved and more—pink, creamy, easy to apply, and absolutely lit. You can apply it anywhere the light hits, making it a truly multi-purpose delight.

The Reformulated Lipstick

Genuinely, this might be my new favorite lipstick. I’ve been more of a nudes and clear glosses girl for the last few years—favoring hydrating balms and shine over mattes and reds. But this formula is pretty near perfect. Touted as a “comfortable matte,” Milk’s new lip colors are packed with pigment and super hydrating ingredients to make certain it’s both long-lasting and non-drying. I know that doesn’t sound revolutionary, but actually executing both those traits in a lipstick that looks and feels good is a tall order. Each lipstick includes shea butter as well as coconut and grapeseed oils to nourish and moisturize, plus bamboo-derived blurring powder to deliver a smooth, soft-focus effect. And the colors? Guys, they’re gorgeous. My favorite, Name Drop, is a bright, orangey-red that applied like a dream and brightened up my entire face (and disposition) for an entire day. I applied it straight from the bullet for a perfectly precise application and then wore it again the next day.

The Roll-On Highlighting Balm

At first glance, I thought this whole thing was a gimmick. The roller-on applicator looks exactly like a paint roller, in a whimsical but questionably effective tool. Turns out, it works really well. The highlighter itself, an ultra-reflective balm with pink pearlescent pigments and ruby powder, is a beautiful formula. It feels light and easy to blend, never sticky or cumbersome like a lot of others with the same texture. It glows on contact and doesn’t dry down, giving off this really beautiful golden shine. The best part? It’s blurring like a primer, smoothing every last lingering fine line around my eyes as I apply it to the tops of my cheekbones and brow bone. I kept layering it on and found myself blinded by the final product. It’s a perfect accessory to a juicy, pink lip and nothing else.

The Plumping Moisturizer

I’ve been a devotee of Tatcha’s Luminous Dewy Skin Mist ($48) for years—using it as a makeup setting spray, refreshing spritz during a 3 p.m. slump, and even using it dampen my Beautyblender before applying foundation. It’s one of those products that you’ll use forever no matter the occasion. Cut to when celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic revealed the brand’s newest glow-giving formula at his master class with Kim Kardashian West. It’s a product that serves up the same shimmer-free, naturally dewy skin, only this time it’s a rich, emollient cream rather than a mist. I had to try it for myself.

According to the brand, there’s Japanese purple rice, hyaluronic acid, and natural botanical abstracts (the same ones as the mist) to nourish, replenish ceramides, stimulate collagen production, and very literally plump up your skin. Once I tried it, I knew it was a keeper. All you need is a small scoop for all the dew-inducing, plumping properties to take over. It’s perfect for a pre-makeup facial massage (decadent right?) or can be used daily as your regular moisturizer. Now, with both my mist and cream in tow, I will never stop glowing. Seriously.

The January Launches:

The Lipstick

First of all, Naked Cherry is a moniker I can get behind. It sounds sultry, cool, and maybe a little nostalgic. Turns out, the lipsticks are just as good as the name led me to believe. There are three shades—Juicy (light peach with copper shimmer), Devilish (a metallic berry pink), and Cherry (a deep berry wine). First, I went with Juicy because I loved how it glistened in the sunlight, allowing the shimmer to keep it all looking fresh and glossy but not too sparkly. Then, I dabbed on a bit of Devilish to add a little pink and fell in love. Together, the two shades created an incredible, full-bodied color and left my lips plumped and hydrated. It’s all in the formula, Urban Decay’s signature Vice offering, which houses avocado oil, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, and lactic acid. The ingredients are as good for your lips as the shades are for your look.

The Limited-Edition Set

I’ve written about the components of this set before—the Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer, the watermelon sleep mask with a 5000-person waiting list, and jelly sheet mask—because every Glow Recipe skincare product I’ve tried is lightweight, fresh, hydrating, and effective. According to Glow Recipe, “watermelon rind and flesh [are] traditionally used in Korea to soothe irritated and inflamed skin. It’s full of skin-restoring vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids.” Plus, now, the brand has launched the entire set packed inside the most adorable blush-colored bag, which is proof of my aforementioned point that it just gets it.

The moisturizer offers up a formula that’s 90% derived from watermelon for all those wonderful antioxidant-rich benefits, as well as optimal potency and efficacy. It drenches your skin in moisture and leaves it feeling bouncy and plump throughout the day—similar to the sleep mask, which does exactly that, only while you sleep. I applied it right before bed and woke up to baby-soft, impossibly bright skin. Other star ingredients come in the form of seaweed, pumpkin, cabbage, pomegranate, banana, licorice, peony, and sweet potato extracts. Then, I like to finish off my spa experience with the sheet mask, though it’s not really a sheet at all. The “sheet” itself is a cotton-free blend of watermelon extract and natto gum, a decision the founders made when they realized it helped the ingredients better penetrate your skin. It leaves you de-puffed, refreshed, and noticeably dewy. I like to rub the excess serum from the package into my skin, along with my neck, chest, and hands. Below, find how good my skin looked post-products.

The Palette

I’m not usually a fan of palettes. I think they look beautiful and want to love them, but I so rarely wear eye shadow that they barely get any use. That, and I don’t exactly know how to expertly apply it. So when I saw this gorgeous collection of 18 highly pigmented shades, including soft berry, dusty copper, rosy pink, and golden taupe, I had our managing editor, Lindsey, brush a combination of three shades across my lids. The texture is unmatched—velvety, easily blendable, and formulated aloe vera and coconut oil for a butter-like application. Then there are the shades. My favorites are drenched in shimmer, but there are so many warm and cool-tone options for about a million combinations.

On me, we used Lace as a base (a soft lilac) and added Daydream on top for some dreamy dimension and shine. Then, along my outer crease, Lindsey added a touch of Tease (a slightly darker purple) for definition. I’m in love, and I resign to re-create this look in different shades until I use them all up.

The Lip Liner

While this product isn’t new (I’ve been toting it around in my bag with me for years), it is new to Sephora as of January 2019, and that certainly causes a celebration.

The liner’s waterproof, velvety texture and oil-wax formula ensures that your lip color lasts all day without feathering. My favorite shade, Pillow Talk, mimics and enhances the natural hue of my lips, making it so I don’t need to apply anything on top. I have less-than-defined lips, which is an issue when it comes to precision, and the pencil took care of all that. It glides on smoothly (but not so smoothly that it’s difficult to control). After applying, my lips looked instantly bigger, softer, and decidedly pillowy. Thank you, Charlotte.

The Two-in-One Product

I’d never been really big into “holiday” makeup looks. The cliché of it all kind of turned me off. That being said, I have entirely changed my thought process with the advent of otherworldly, shimmery, alienesque collections like that of Fenty Beauty. The products are cool, not cheesy, and they offer up something different than red lipstick and gold glitter.

I started out with the Metallic Eye + Lip Crayon in Parka Princess (discontinued), expecting only to use it on my eyelids. It imparted the most beautiful, glowy, slightly sheer rose-gold finish that looked metallic and cool against my pale skin tone. Then, I loved it so much I got a bit carried away and put in on my lips. I thought it’d be a fresh take on the monochromatic look to do it up in festive sheens. Halfway through lining my lips, I was really excited. Maybe I am into holiday makeup, after all, I thought to myself. To add more glitz, I lined the inner corners of my eyes with the Metallic Eye + Lip Crayon in Slush Fund (discontinued), a metallic blue-gray that made my eyes look brighter and more intense. Then, because I was having so much fun, I also lined my Cupid’s bow with the same pencil.

The Shimmer Veil

CoverFx’s Shimmer Veil offerings are so pretty. Previously, they came in a bunch of light, cool-toned, ethereal shades. However, for fall, the brand really stepped it up a notch with deep reds, copper, and bronze options. My favorite, though, is Mercury, a gun-metal hue that practically melts into your skin, providing glossy, shimmery, light-catching illumination wherever you see fit. I applied it to my lids, cheeks, and Cupid’s bow; tapped to blend; and was out the door in minutes. It’s all courtesy of the weightless cream texture. See it swatched in the sunlight below.

The Chemical Exfoliator

“I’ve been battling some lingering acne scars and discoloration after several weeks of travel, and they’ve virtually disappeared thanks to the Exfoliating Acid Potion, a ‘magic’ blend of AHA and BHA acids. I also love that it’s gentle enough that I don’t feel any stinging or tingling sensation when I slather it all over my face at night. Have I mentioned my blackheads are now nonexistent, too? This shit works,” our wellness editor, Victoria, gushed to me when she first tried this product, so I had to try it. Turns out, it’s as good as she said it was. The five-acid complex features glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid (all my favorites) to help encourage natural cellular turnover and unclog pores. Then, vitamin B3 and adaptogenic reishi and tocotrienols boost your skin’s hydration. After one use, my blackheads were gone (yes, gone), and my face felt soothed and toned.

The Scent

This magnificent scent was recommended to me by Faith, our trusty editorial director, and I’m never going back. I’ve been vacillating between scents for a few months now, never sure if I could commit to just one. Well, folks, this is it. Its notes are airy jasmine petals (I know it sounds crazy, but it literally smells airy), orchid, musk, and white cedarwood. It’s warm and sensual but also fresh and floral in all the best ways. It makes me feel sexy and confident when I spray it on (I did so in the image below, right before speaking on my first-ever panel). So basically, it makes me feel like Wonder Woman wrapped in a cashmere blanket surrounded by flowers in a wood cabin. It’s that good, people.

Next up,From Sephora to Ulta: The Best Fourth of July Sales to Shop This Weekend

From byrdie

Holidays hold a special place in any shopaholic’s heart. While letting loose with friends and time away from your trusty cubicle is certainly great, the sales at our favorite stores are even better.

So if you need some respite from barbecues and family time this Fourth of July weekend, might we suggest whipping out your laptop and replenishing your beauty supply? Below, you’ll find a list of the best sales to shop this holiday week—because the best way to feel patriotic is buying that shimmery highlighter or face cream that has been lingering in your shopping cart, right?

From Sephora to Ulta, shop the best sales below.

Dermstore

Score 20% off the site’s wide selection of prestige skincare until July 9 (brand exclusions apply) with the code FOURTH. If this isn’t an excuse to treat yourself, then we don’t know what is.

Made from jojoba, white tea extract, and shea butter, this soothing lip nourisher promises a smooth and hydrated pout.

This multipurpose day cream is lightweight and soothes irritated red skin. Better yet, the texture is smooth as velvet.

Benefit

Get three bronzer, highlighter, and brow fun-size minis with your $70 purchase using the code SOLSTICE through July 6. Your brows and would-be summer glow will be screaming with joy.

This lightweight waterproof concealer is perfect to smooth unevenness, fine lines, and under-eye circles. An Instagram filter in a jar, #nofilter necessary.

Apply this face primer under or over your makeup to minimize pores and fine lines.

Space NK

Though the sale isn’t holiday specific, Space NK is offering up to 50% off some of our absolute favorite skincare, makeup, and haircare products while supplies last. (That means you should probably get shopping now, btw.)

Even if you don’t make it to the beach this weekend, no one has to be the wiser.

Sephora

Running low on some of your essentials? Now’s the time to restock: Sephora’s Big Beauty Sale offers up to 50% off of tools, makeup, skincare, and fragrance—not to mention that there are plenty of free samples thrown into the mix, too.

This weightless setting spray will make sure your makeup isn’t going anywhere—even if the humidity is topping out at 237%.

bareMinerals

BareMinerals is looking out for your summer glow by offering free shipping on bronzers and highlighters through July 4. On top of that, you get $20 off $100 and $15 off $75.

For a glow that looks more sun-kissed than Cheeto, this buildable powder has you covered.

Made with ultra-fine reflective pearls, this marbled highlighting face powder might be the best thing that ever happened to your cheekbones.

Birchbox

You’re going to have to make room on your vanity because Birchbox is offering 30% off its extensive array of products. (No code needed—just add the items to your cart, and the discount will apply.)

Made from vitamin E, tea tree oil, and Argan oil, this hair mask will lend your locks a glossy, healthy shine.

This lipstick pencil adds the perfect amount of effortless color, no matter what’s on your agenda.

Ulta

On top of its large summer sale section, Ulta is offering a buy one, get one 50% off deal on any Ulta brand skincare product. Great news for your wallet and complexion.

These wipes are easy to use and effectively take off even the most stubborn makeup– we’re talking to you, waterproof mascara.

Moisturize, balance, and improve your skin’s texture all in one go.

Missha

K-Beauty fans, take note: Missha is having its semi-annual sale, which means 40% off the entire site and free gifts with each purchase. And yes, the brand does have a “sheet mask café.”

Not only does this cult-fave product contain hydrating and rejuvenating properties, but it’s lightweight and leaves behind no sticky residue–essentially a facial in toner form.

Wrinkle prevention? Check. Brightening? Check. Sun protection? Check. Need we go on?

MAC Cosmetics

In case you haven’t acted on the fact that MAC Cosmetics is giving away free lipstick, the offer has been extended until July 8. Buy any two lip products, and get a free full-size lipstick.

We all hate that moment your lipstick morphs into a poorly applied lip liner. This lip primer helps keep the color from fading so your pout looks flawless all day long.

Next up, It’s Official: This Is Sephora’s Top-Selling Powder Foundation

From byrdie

Our beauty breadth is wide. We shop at independent beauty stores, international skincare and makeup sites, clean beauty pop-ups, and—without a doubt—giant retailers like Ulta and Sephora. Each shop has its unique benefits and downfalls, although we must say, in regards to the latter, there are benefits abound. We can shop hundreds of brands and categories simultaneously, often with hundreds of reviews and customer ratings to back each one up. So when a single product rises above all the others to earn the top-selling spot in its category, we instinctively perk up.

Can you blame us? That means the product in question has performed better than its competitors, and you’re often getting honest, unbiased reviews from fellow make-up enthusiasts who want to help a fellow shopper out. It’s a true beauty democracy: thousands of real-life customers casting their votes, deeming a specific product most worthy of purchasing.

The latest product to clinch the top-selling spot in its category is a powder foundation. Reviewers have described it as weightless, soft-blurring, and silky— just to name a few. Keep scrolling to see which fan-favorite powder foundation is currently flying off the Sephora shelves.

The product in question (drum-roll please) is Kat Von D’s Lock-It Powder Foundation ($37). The sultry red and black compact holds a lightweight, yet full-coverage powder that is available in 26 different shades (here we feel the need to pause and praise the brand for its inclusive range, as many other pressed powder products are seriously lacking in this area).

This is a truly beloved product from the vegan and cruelty-free brand, supported by 1,000 reviews and 10,000 “loves” by its fans on Sephora. We should probably credit the formula, praised for being “long-lasting”, and made with rice powder and kaolin clay, successfully used to blur and diffuse imperfections (it’s basically like an Instagram filter IRL).

The only fairly consistent complaint customers seem to have is with the compact’s included sponge applicator. Some reviewers note that they’re not fans of the way it deposits the product, which is why they opt for using a brush instead. We recommend Kat Von D’s Pressed Powder Brush ($39), which pairs perfectly with the foundation, both by function and aesthetic. Like all of Kat Von D’s makeup brushes, it’s composed of fine, vegan bristles that are incredibly soft to the touch.

With it’s wide range of shades, cruelty-free formula, and glowing reviews about glowing skin, this foundation will be the first thing we add to our always-active online shopping cart. This powder is a prime example of how reviews can be key when finding the best beauty products, and a reminder that it’s wise to scroll through and read them when looking for something new, and helpful to write your own when you find something you especially love. Who knows? It might just help a fellow shopper find their next favorite product.

Next up, Just In: Sephora’s Launching a Beauty Class for the Transgender Community

From byrdie

As a beauty editor, I’ll try just about any product or trend once. Note that I said “just about,” because I’ll admit there are some questionable, just-plain-weird treatments celebrities have name-dropped over the years that even I won’t touch. Aside from those rare exceptions, though, you can pretty much count me in—especially when it means getting my hands on buzzy products from a certain in-demand beauty company. In truth, I’d be surprised if you haven’t already seen Kaja Beauty’s adorable new line all over your Instagram feed. It’s a K-beauty brand from Sephora, and I honestly love everything about it, from the bite-size packaging to the feel-good formulas to the affordable price point (everything rings in at under $24). Here’s a breakdown of everything I’ve tried so far…

This concealer was aptly named—it doesn’t settle into fine lines. Or blemishes. Or any skin concern, really. I swiped a little under my eyes and over a few blemishes, and blended it out with my fingers. Its lightweight texture melted into skin giving it a natural-looking finish. It’s not quite dewy or matte, it falls somewhere in the middle of the two, and I just love it. I’m really an easy customer to please.

Blush is another product not in my regular repertoire (I have naturally rosy cheeks), so this cushion blush was a bit outside my comfort zone. To my delight, though, the color was incredibly natural looking. I dipped the stamp into the compact, blotted it onto my cheek once, and used my fingers to blend the color out. If I did want to go more bold, I’d stamp and blend again (and again, if desired.) Also, can we please talk about the cute heart-shaped applicator? Part of me was tempted to keep the print on my cheek all day, but then I remembered the errands I had to do and I snapped back to reality.

This blush just makes me happy—plain and simple. It has this warm peachy-pink tone with a hint of golden shimmer; it’s basically a warm hug wrapped up in a cute pink box. It’s light, easy, and has a creamy powdery finish that looks incredibly natural when on my skin. (It’s not nearly as pigmented as it looks in the compact, which is good in my book.)

These conveniently packaged shadows speak to my busy, busy heart. Having them stacked together is genius, and makes it so much easier to throw in your bag and use for touch-ups on the go. Not just that, but the cream-to-powder texture actually works better when you apply with your fingers (a serious time-saver). Here I kept things simple: I used the middle champagne color and dabbed it along my lids. The color is soft, and the shimmer factor is wow. (Bonus points for the fact that the glitter isn’t actually chunky.) These would look great layered over a solid shadow too—I’m thinking just a small dab in the center of the lid for some added drama.

You’ll know instantly why this highlight is dubbed “mochi glow”. Especially if you eagerly poke your finger into the compact like I did and leave an imprint. The impossibly soft, creamy texture dries to a powdery finish with just the right amount (read: natural, not extra) shine. I swiped a bit on my brow bones and cheekbones, and even my fiancé commented on it. (The fact that he was even able to tell that I put highlighter on speaks volumes.)

Next up, This Hollywood Dermatologist Doesn’t Believe in Sephora