From byrdie

We get it—finding the perfect gift can feel like a lot of pressure. But the beauty of giving a subscription box is that it inherently does all of the work for you: It offers a crowd-pleasing array of items sure to impress even the pickiest of recipients, and it keeps on giving, month after month. (Plus, you won’t have to worry about figuring out what to get your loved one at the last minute.)

But with tons of options on the market (ranging from makeup to grooming to wine of the month), it can be tricky to sift through it all to find the perfect option—so allow a service to do so on your behalf. We reviewed some of the very best subscription gift boxes for just about every mood, personality, and occasion. And don’t say we didn’t warn you—chances are you’ll want to sign up for a few of these yourself.

Best Overall: Birchbox Three-Month Gift Card

The beauty subscription box that launched a hundred copycats, Birchbox remains a perennial editor favorite for its caliber of products, honest reviews, and an a la carte online store.

But what really gives it the gift-worthy edge is the ability to customize for your recipient. With every subscription gift card, your lucky giftee receives the starter box of your choice: A selection of the site’s bestsellers (a can’t-miss) or grooming essentials for one of your favorite guys. If you spring for an annual subscription, you can even pass along two free blowouts—or twist outs—and a makeup application from Glamsquad. Not too shabby.

Once your recipient redeems their subscription, they’ll get the full Birchbox experience and can set their monthly delivery to their personal preferences. And as always, they’ll have access to Birchbox’s amazing online store.

For a taste of the goods, try the Beauty Protector’s Protect & Detangle Spray for about $24, which smells incredible and boasts solid reviews. Or, you might opt for Eyeko’s Skinny Liquid Eyeliner for around $22, which consistently draws a flawless cat-eye.

Best for the Healthy Chef: Brightland Duo Subscription

This isn’t your average olive oil—in fact, that’s kind of the whole idea behind Brightland.

While many oils are made with rancid olives or contain other contaminants, Brightland, however, sets a new standard with sustainably crafted oils that are clean and delicious enough for drizzling and dipping. Plus, they’re pretty enough to display on your kitchen counter.

In other words, it’s the perfect gift for the amateur chef who prefers working only with high-quality, consciously-sourced ingredients. For around $65 a month, The Duo subscription offers a monthly delivery of Brightland’s Awake (which has an herbaceous flavor) and Alive (smooth and nutty) oils.

Want to spice things up? While they’re not available as a subscription option, it’s worth gifting a single bottle of Ardor, a chili infusion, or Lucid, a lemon blend, for a zestier option.

Best for Noncommittal Beauty Lovers: Play! By Sephora

For those who live to mix up their beauty routine, it’s hard to beat this monthly surprise assortment from Sephora. Each delivery includes six makeup, skincare, and haircare samples, a tutorial book, and a recyclable makeup bag, which will become your go-to travel pouch.

Curious about what you’d find in a typical Sephora Play! Box? An example of one includes one of Laura Mercier’s bestselling Caviar Stick Eyeshadows (around $29), a GLAMGLOW moisturizer (about $49), and Nars’ Powermatte Lip Pigment (approximately $26), among other gems by Amika and Drunk Elephant.

It’s the closest thing to having a Sephora store at your fingertips at all times, and the best way to test-drive products without fully committing. So, it’s the ultimate gift that keeps on giving.

Best for Skincare: Dermstore BeautyFIX

Mark our words: Dermstore’s monthly array of skincare products will impress just about anyone (even the friend who can rattle off the difference between AHAs and BHAs at the drop of a hat). Your friend that never misses any part of her 12-step routine will even be in awe.

Featuring editor-beloved brands like Bioderma, Sunday Riley, Skyn Iceland, and Tula, each BeautyFIX box clocks in at around a $100 value.

Some standout favorites from past boxes? Sunday Riley’s ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream (for about $65) is definitely up there, as is Sol de Janeiro’s Bod Buff (for around $25), and REN’s Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser (for approximately $32).

The bottom line is that you or your recipient will get access to some of the most covetable products on the market, at a fraction of the price. Snag some makeup and haircare, like Juice Beauty’s Phyto-Pigments Ultra Natural Mascara (for around $24), Rahua’s (excellent) Hydration Shampoo (for about $34), and Jane Iredale’s Just Kissed Cheek and Lip Stain (for approximately $28), too.

The bottom line is that you’re essentially getting monthly access to some of the very best products on the market. And, should you get hooked on a certain item (which is a near-inevitability, by the way), you can go ahead and subscribe for the full-size version.

Best for Relaxation: Heima Hygge Box

Now more than ever, it feels important to embrace the little habits that help us relax, even just a little bit. And, Heima Hygge Box can certainly lend a helping hand.

Inspired by the Danish tradition of hygge, which translates to creating the coziest, most aesthetically-pleasing environment possible, this subscription box is focused on stress relief. So, what does that look like in a membership form?

When it comes to Heima Hygge Box, think of sea salt scrubs, velvety lotions, and a variety of other spa-worthy, grooming and beauty products sourced from brands around the world.

Is the person you’re gifting to all set when it comes to luxe toiletries? Then you might opt for the Heima Box for about $59 a month, which contains a selection of the boutique’s best products for the kitchen and home, like beautiful ceramic mugs, scented candles, and terrazzo coasters.

You can even select a style profile, ranging from Scandinavian Boho to Nordic Farmhouse to Eclectic Nostalgia. We’d also be remiss not to mention the Born Box for approximately $59, which makes for the perfect baby shower gift.

Best for Green Beauty: Petit Vour Beauty Box

Diving into a fully sustainable beauty routine can be incredibly overwhelming to do all at once—which is where a high-quality, sample box really pays off.

Petit Vour only features the best that non-toxic, plant-based, cruelty-free beauty has to offer. They seriously take the time to vet brands and products to ensure they meet their rigorous four-step standard of performance, ingredient integrity, ethical manufacturing, and aesthetic. In other words, these products tick all the boxes inside and out.

Some highlights from recent Petit Vour boxes include Osea’s Atmosphere Protection Cream (for about $48), French Girl’s Rose Lip Polish (for around $18), Formulary 55’s Rosehip & Clay Facial Mask (for approximately $5), and Odacite’s Black Mint Cleanser (for about $39)—all Byrdie editor favorites.

A cool bonus? You or your recipient can earn points by reviewing the products received in each box—which ultimately add up to virtual “cash” that can be used towards more products on the site. That’s what we call a clean beauty win-win!

Best for Wellness Junkies: Thrive Market One-Year Membership

It’s not technically a subscription box, per se, but gifting Thrive Market’s one-year membership does mean your giftee gets access to one of the widest selection of healthy snacks, eco-friendly household items, and planet-conscious personal care products on the market.

Plus, chances are they’ll take full advantage of Thrive’s auto-ship feature, which all but guarantees that you’ll never run out of your favorite household essentials.

Need some recommendations on must-have products? The clean wine bundle (for about $60) is a can’t-miss, and the market’s line of non-toxic household cleaners is top-notch. The beauty selection is also top-notch and includes editor-loved brands like Acure, Burt’s Bees, Alba Botanica, RMS Beauty, and W3LL People.

And of course, every product Thrive sells meets the brand’s rigorous set of standards: organic, non-GMO, sustainable, non-toxic. Plus, there’s a wide selection that suits different diets, allergy needs, and more.

Best for the Candle-Obsessed: Vellabox Ignis Box

A surprise artisan candle delivered to your doorstep every month? That’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing gift.

Each Ignis box includes an 8oz candle (about 50 hours of burn time), along with a surprise gift. Want to step it up? You might upgrade to the Vivere Box for around $30 a month, which includes two candles—8oz and 4oz. Not a bad deal.

It’s also worth noting that every order supports small businesses: Vellabox works with niche, boutique brands that use sustainable, non-toxic materials. You’ll recognize some names like—P.F. Candle Co—but more importantly, you’ll introduce yourself (or your giftee) to under-the-radar favorites, including Charleston-based 42 Pressed or sweet beauty brand Harper + Ari.

Vellabox also produces the occasional can’t-miss collab, like this vino-inspired collection with Empathy Wines.

Next up, 15 Websites Every Beauty Lover Should Have Bookmarked

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

Here at Byrdie, we do enough online beauty shopping to qualify for a makeup addicts anonymous group. Not the best thing for our wallets, we know, but here’s the upside: We know the best websites for snagging cult brands, free shipping, and freebies with the click of a mouse.

Whether you’re a K-beauty lover, a clean-beauty fanatic, or just tired of hitting up your local Sephora, we’ve got you covered. These sites make it easier than ever to indulge your inner beauty guru. If you’re in need of a little retail therapy, keep reading for the scoop on the best sites for online beauty shopping. You can thank us later!

Beauty.com

For binging on new beauty products, Beauty.com is the place to go. With brands like Tarte, Stila, Nars, BareMinerals, Smashbox, Elizabeth Arden, St. Tropez, and Urban Decay—and virtually every drugstore brand, ever—you’d be hard-pressed not to meet the $35 minimum for free shipping.

Peach and Lilly

Two words for this website: Asian skincare. Since venturing into the niche market can be intimidating and limiting, this Korean and Japanese beauty e-commerce business brings hard-to-come-by Asian products to U.S. consumers. Many of the lines sold on the site are exclusive in the U.S. (read: the only place you can get your hands on them without a plane ticket to Asia), and perusing the merchandise isn’t overwhelming thanks to a carefully curated collection from the site’s knowledgeable co-founders, Alicia Yoon and Cindy Kim.
The selection may be smaller than some of the other Asian beauty sites out there, but Peach and Lily takes the guesswork out of the process (which is exactly why we tapped the co-founders to be our go-to gurus for all things Asian beauty–related).

Space NK

This international beauty site is like a global bazaar of some of the world’s best brands. A favorite of the It crowd in London, the online version of the brick-and-mortar retailer carries both luxury body and beauty goods along with apothecary concoctions like aromatherapy and bath oils. You can even stock up on detoxes, cleanses, and supplements for your wellness needs.

Nordstrom

Free shipping with no minimum? These days, that’s a hard-to-find luxury. It’s what makes Nordstrom a no-brainer for restocking favorites from MAC, Laura Mercier, Essie, Estée Lauder, Lancôme, Dior, and more. Its free return policy also makes it easy to try new items sans regret.

Cult Beauty

Cult Beauty is a UK-based online shop that stocks brands beloved by makeup artists and beauty bloggers, such as Jouer, Kevyn Aucoin, Anastasia, and RMS Beauty. Filter products based on “must-haves,” “expert picks,” “best sellers,” and “new-in.”

Violet Grey

What began as an exclusive dressing studio for A-listers like Victoria Beckham, Violet Grey expanded to an online beauty editorial space with informative and shoppable articles called The Violet Files. Founder Cassandra Grey wanted the e-commerce experience to provide an authentic portal to Hollywood beauty—showcasing the real products loved and used by leading makeup artists from the red carpet to the big screen. She carefully vets each product sold on the site to ensure it meets The Violet Code and is worthy of being deemed a “Hollywood hero” product. When you want a true taste of L.A. glamour, this is your destination.

Sephora

Reasons to love Sephora: three free samples per order that you get to choose (we’ve discovered amazing new mascaras and primers this way); hair, nails, skin, makeup, and fragrance in one place; and extensive user reviews that lend a welcome hand when deciding between two products or wondering if an item really does what it promises. Plus, the Beauty Insider program lets you rack up points for more freebies and special gifts.

Ulta

Ulta is similar to Sephora with its selection and freebies but is distinguished by its coupons, sales, and variety of drugstore products. At almost any given time, you can expect to take advantage of 20% off one item, or similar discounts. We also like the shop’s eponymous line, which boasts budget-friendly makeup, body, and hair products.

Net-a-Porter

Did you know Net-a-Porter has a beauty section? Since it’s already a favorite destination for online shopping, it’s a happy bonus to be able to add quality beauty brands like Chantecaille, SK-II, and Aesop to your cart.

Shen Beauty

The founders of Shen Beauty, Jessica Richards and Jules Stringer, are all about bringing under-the-radar and hard-to-find product lines to customers seeking quality and results. Rather than serve up “predictable beauty,” they strive to source lesser-known brands with a more natural and small-batch focus, like Kate Logan and Mrs. Whites, who handpick their ingredients and hand-make every product. We love that perusing the product catalog means discovering tens of new-to-us brands versus the same old usual suspects.

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters has been seriously stepping up its beauty game recently. With brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills, Milk Makeup, and Mario Badescu, the site’s beauty tab is a must-check the next time you’re browsing for outfit inspo.

Soko Glam

Soko Glam is a dream destination for all things K-beauty. In addition to every Korean beauty product that you could ever want, the site also has The Klog, a content site that provides the inside scoop on all your K-beauty needs.

Dermstore

This site was founded by a board-certified dermatologist, so you can be confident that you’re getting the best skincare products on the market. Since its founding, Dermstore has expanded into makeup, haircare, and bath and body products, so you can just about anything you’re looking for.

Cap Beauty

This one’s for all you clean-beauty lovers out there. All of the products on the site are 100% natural, so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin. Plus, Cap Beauty’s founders are always adding new, exciting natural brands, so you’ll never feel limited by choosing to shop natural.

Follain

Follain has three requirements for all of the products it carries. They have to be safe, effective, and luxurious to experience. To ensure this, every product on the site undergoes a five-step approval process, which involves research and testing. If that doesn’t give you enough confidence, Follain’s founder, Tara, personally tests every product to ensure it’s up to her standards.

Now, happy shopping (and apologize to your wallets in advance)!

Next up, What It’s Like to Do Your Own Makeup for Your Wedding

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

There are many reasons someone might do their own makeup for their wedding. For some, it could be a preference for looking and feeling truly like yourself on your big day, by applying your makeup the same way you always have. For others, it might be a cost-saving issue or based on location and logistics. Whatever the reason, brides who make the choice to do their own makeup are often happy they did.

When we were interviewing people for our story on picking a makeup artist for your wedding, we encountered a few women who told us they had done their own. Naturally, we wanted to hear more about what that process was like for them, so we picked their brain and are bringing you their stories. Keep scrolling to see what they said.

Tammy Preston, 32, blogger behind A Loyal Love

Why did you decide to do your own makeup for your wedding?

Preston: Originally, I planned on hiring someone to come do my makeup, but after my consultation with the artist, I wasn’t in love with what she did. I didn’t look like myself, and I didn’t like that I wouldn’t have any touch-up makeup to use during the wedding. I looked into other makeup artists but most charge a fee just for the consultation. The challenging part for me was that my wedding was in Florida (I live in Washington, D.C.), so scheduling more consultations wasn’t simple. My sister-in-law told me about a friend of hers that worked with someone at a MAC counter to create a look, did her makeup herself, and was really happy with the results.

I was due to buy more makeup anyways and figured it wouldn’t hurt to stop by MAC to see what they could do.

What was the process like? Were you nervous to be responsible for what you’d see that day, and in pictures?

Preston: I told the make-up artist at MAC about my previous consultation experience, and we both agreed that I wanted to look like myself but just a more glamorous version. I felt like we “clicked” instantly. She understood that I needed the makeup to last and look good not only in person but in pictures. She talked me through everything, and wrote down EVERYTHING—a diagram with step-by-step instructions, complete with product names, and which brush to use when. She showed me where to add highlighter to make my pictures most flattering. I also asked a lot of questions. When she finished, we took pictures with my phone so I knew what I would look like on camera. I loved it and ended up buying every product that we used that day.

What was it like on the day-of? Was it special to apply it yourself or were you stressed?

Preston: There were moments of stress—especially applying the fake eye lashes myself, but I had my bridesmaids there to reassure and assist me. When I look back at my pictures now, I’m really happy that I decided to do my makeup myself. There are a lot pieces of my wedding that my husband and I “DIY’d”—invitations, programs, table details, we wrote our own vows, I designed my own dress and had it made in Vietnam—all things that made the day more unique to us, and special. A close friend officiated our wedding, my cousin shot our wedding video, and my mom did my hair. Doing my own makeup, too, just made sense.

Is there anything you would do differently? What would you tell other people considering doing the same?

Taking pictures of my made-up face with my phone really helped. If it looks good on your camera phone, you should look even better in your professional images.

Hitha Palepu, 30, founder of Hitha on the Go

Why did you decide to do your own makeup for your wedding?

Palepu: The moment I knew the wedding would be in India, I made the decision to do my own makeup. I had this fear of looking at my pictures and not recognizing myself at all. Planning a wedding three continents away was tough enough, and taking the time for makeup trials during my short trips to Hyderabad were out of the question.

What was the process like? Were you nervous to be responsible for what you’d see that day, and in pictures?

Palepu: A beauty expert, I am not. But I know what works for me and exactly how I wanted to look during my wedding celebrations. The first thing I did was go to Sephora to find the basics (face, eyeliner, mascara). With the help of a makeup artist, I found products with the ideal coverage, wear, and ease of application (again, beauty novice). Then came finding the outfits. The wedding would take place over three days, with five events, and seven looks total. Once the looks were finalized, I went back to Sephora and picked specific products to accompany each look. We found everything we needed in a single eyeshadow palette and two lip colors. Sephora, you saved me. Thank you.

What was it like on the day-of? Was it special to apply it yourself or were you stressed?

Palepu: The great thing about an Indian wedding is that it does take three days, with smaller ceremonies leading up to the main event. I also had two family weddings to attend before my own, so I got in a lot of practice re-creating my wedding looks. By the time the actual wedding day arrived, putting on my makeup felt totally normal. It was the least stressful part of the day!

Is there anything you would do differently? What would you tell other people considering doing the same?

Palepu: I would have learned to put on false lashes, learned how to contour, and embraced a bolder lip color. But that’s what big anniversary parties are for, right?

Next up, Jen Atkin Shows Us 4 of Winter’s Biggest Hair Trends

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

There’s no denying Jen Atkin is the most famous hairstylist in the world right now. Cramming the hair wizard’s bio into one tiny paragraph is no easy feat, but we’ll give it a go anyway: Aside from a registry of clients that basically doubles as a Met Gala invite list (Bella Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, and Kaia Gerber), Atkin also runs the industry-dedicated platform Mane Addicts, and founded cult consumer haircare line, Ouai. If you haven’t already, you can shop it exclusively at Sephora.

What’s more, Atkin spends more time on a plane than at her home in LA and is the definition of #marriagegoals with her photographer husband, Mike Rosenthal. One might think such success would give her a big head, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In her own words, the entrepreneur believes in “collaboration, not competition”, and has a work ethic most of us can only dream of. To summarize, Atkin is the ultimate She-E-O and we continue to obsess over her and all of the creative work she does.

On a trip to Australia, Byrdie was lucky enough to steal a few hours with Atkin, and we asked her to recreate winter’s biggest hair trends. Our model of choice? Sara Crampton of The UNDONE, Harper and Harley, and our very own influencer collective—INF / Network. From the return of the ’90s headband to possibly the most angelic top-knot we’ve ever seen, this beauty shoot is all the hair inspiration you need for the coming season. But would you expect anything less from the world’s best? See the looks and learn from Atkin’s wise words below.

’90s Headband

Skin: Fresh Rose Floral Toner; ($40) Arcona Wine Oil ($58); Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve ($46); Fresh Lip Sugar ($26); Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream ($38); Ouai Rose Hair and Body Oil (on body) ($32). Makeup: Becca Backlight Priming Filter ($39); Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk in 6.5 ($64); Sephora Collection High Coverage Concealer ($14); Becca Multitasking Perfecting Powder in Tan ($24); Zoeva Matte Eye Fix ($12); Kat Von D Tattoo Liner ($20); Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara ($26); Benefit Gimme Brow in 3 ($24); Nudestix Lip and Cheek in Soul ($26); Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter ($63).

Hair: OUAI Dry Texture Foam

Styling: Totême Headband from My Chameleon ($120) [Similar: Scunci 5-Pack Headwraps from Target ($6)], Bec & Bridge dress, and Reliquia Hoop Me Up Earrings($220).

A haircut from Jen Atkin can pretty much be likened to having your wardrobe styled by Anna Wintour herself, and for Sara Crampton, it happened. It was 10 a.m. on shoot day, and Jen was taking off two inches off Sara’s hair with an electric razor. For most, a tool generally reserved for buzz cuts would be nerve-wracking, but Sara wasn’t phased. Jen made it look like actual art.

One 10 minute haircut later, and Jen was ready to work her magic for our first look: A wide, black headband—fitting, as Jen is basically responsible for the resurgence of ’90s hair trends. “I’ve been so inspired by ’90s Instagram accounts lately. They’re a big source inspo for me when sourcing looks for clients. @90s_models_ is a go-to for me, and Christie Turlington and Cindy Crawford are just a few of my go-to places to get inspired.” She added, “I love this look on the days when you don’t feel like washing your hair. Just throw on a wide, black elastic headband and go.”

Half-Up, Half-Down

Skin: As above.

Hair: OUAI Air Dry Foam.

Skin: As above.

Hair: OUAI Air Dry Foam.

About the half-up,half-down look, Jen says, “This is perfect for air-dried or just-washed hair. Just scrunch in OUAI Air Dry Foam and let it air dry. Once dry, pile the top half of your hair into a topknot, and you’re good to go.”.

We asked Jen how she puts all that inspiration to work when determining a look with a high-profile client. “I always create mood boards that are helpful when discussing looks with clients, so it’s always a collaborative discussion.” While we’re partial to a Kendall Kardashian-inspired beach wave, we had to know Jen’s take on hair in 2018, and the one style she’s calling out. “I think bobs with and without a fringe are trending for 2018.” And if you’re thinking of cutting-in a fringe, then heed Jen’s advice: “I just recently cut bangs, and can I just say, they’re a full-time job! For styling, I like using a round boar bristle brush like YS Park to smooth and extend them so they frame my face.”

It’s definitely true that as we watch the Hadids and Jenners of the world lose their length, hairstyles this year are certainly more adventurous than last. “I’m starting to notice so many more women taking risks with their hair, and this vibe is definitely one that they’re gravitating towards. I really love it.”

Modern Scrunchie

Skin: As above.

Hair: OUAI Dry Shampoo Foam ($18) on the roots.

Styling: Chloe and Isabel Fuzzy Scrunchie ($30), Bec & Bridge top (coming soon).

“[The modern scrunchie] is perfect for hair that’s a few days old, and you don’t have any time to style it,” Jen says. “I added this furry Chloe + Isabel scrunchie, and pulled out some pieces of hair around the face to make it fun.”

Naturally, Jen used Ouai products on set. When asked to name her desert island Ouai product, Jen finally settled on the Air Dry Foam: “It’s changed my life. It’s the perfect product for girls that want to just wash and go. Apply and scrunch on damp hair, and you’re out the door.” So, you can rest easy, because there’s finally a solution to all of your lazy girl hair problems.

Looped Bun

Skin: As above.

Hair: OUAI Hair Oil ($43).

Styling: Kacey Devlin Decon Suited Metallic Wrap Blouse ($455) via The UNDONE.

Jen cites “Hair oil [as] a godsend whenever you’re styling a sleek look. Apply it at the roots and use a brush (I like using a barbers brush) to smooth into a tight pony before looping into a bun.”. She adds, “I love a sleek bun for the days when the humidity is on a hundred, or for those rainy days. It pulls any look together and is super easy to do.” And as for keeping it sleek, à la Kimmy K? “I love using hair oil at the roots for that extra shine. It gives the hair a nice sheen that looks purposeful, rather than dirty.”

Armed with an arsenal of fresh tips and a thick black headband in our cart, our parting question for Jen was what can we expect to see from her in the coming months. Judging from her work schedule, we half-expected her to respond with a six month-long vacation in the Bahamas with no mobile phone reception. But, true to her girl boss nature, Jen is instead growing her platform Mane Addicts, and launching new hair products: “I can’t give it all away, but I am working on some exciting things for Mane Addicts! We’re also gearing up to launch additional products in the Ouai line as well to help those who are too busy to bother with an extensive hairstyling routine. Stay tuned!” We can confirm we 100 percent will.

Production Team: Photographer: Sevak Babakhani, BTS Photography: Stephanie Squadrito and Luke Latty, Hair: Jen Atkin, Model: Sara Crampton, Makeup: Alphie Sadsad, Sephora National Artistry Lead, Styling and Creative Direction: Amanda Bardas

Next up, Miranda Kerr’s Exclusive Beauty Tell-AllMiranda Kerr’s Exclusive Beauty Tell-All

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

In our monthly series Self-Directed, we invite beauty and fashion influencers to direct their own editorial story and create the looks they love with the glam teams they trust. You’ll learn about their best-kept beauty secrets, favorite products, and more.

Shooting at Miranda Kerr’s Malibu home has its perks, like getting to spend the afternoon with her Labradoodle, Teddy, and noshing on homemade gluten-free oat muffins (prepared by Kerr herself!). But perhaps the biggest is the collection of Kora Organics (the model’s own beauty range) at your disposal. We spent more time than we’d care to admit in the guest bathroom dousing ourselves with the Noni Glow Body Oil and spritzing our face with the Citrus Mist, but the truth of the matter is the line is good—really good.

If healthy skin is truly the foundation of a great beauty look, then Kerr is a living, breathing testament. Save for her signature red lip, she arrives in the morning, having just dropped her son off at school, with that effortless no-makeup makeup glow, her hair slicked back into a ponytail. This is how you will find Kerr nine times out of 10 when she’s not working, and considering she spends half her life in a hair-and-makeup chair, we’re not surprised. For today’s story, Kerr applied that same cool less-is-more approach. The result? Three stunning looks you can wear to the beach, barbecue, and beyond.

“I loved the natural pastels. This is a great look for the day or even a spring/summer night date!” — Kerr

Get the Look

“It’s always a pleasure collaborating with Miranda, as she can bring to life any look we create—that’s her magic. With the freshness of spring and wildflowers in mind, I thought of subtle blush and pastel tones, like lilac mixed with soft peach [Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Orchid and Rosegold ($29)], to bring out Miranda’s blue eyes. Pink for the lips [Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Baby Lips ($26) and Dior Lip Glow ($34)] created an allover but undefined glow.” — Storey

“Miranda’s hair for [the shoot] was pretty simple. I used a combo of John Frieda’s Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Touch Up Crème ($15) and also a few drops of Miranda’s Noni Glow Body Oil ($54) to get the sleek look. It gives me a great textured look while having a gorgeous shine.” — Keough

Fashion Credits: Vetements Drop Hoop Earrings; Matthew Adams Dolan top.

“A red lip is one of my favorites. You can have little to no makeup on, add a red lip, and it can really transform your look. I feel it also uplifts my mood.” — Kerr

Get the Look

“This is always a classic and precise go-to look that can transition from day to night. I used a true rich red [Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lip Colour in Mon Cheri ($28)], lined for perfection, and then enhanced the cheeks with a light responsive bronzing stick [Tom Ford Cream Cheek Color in Pieno Sole ($98)]. I left the skin dewy and added extra gloss to the lids and nothing else but black mascara and a subtle shift in definition to the brow [Dior Powder Eyebrow Pencil ($29)], giving them a well-groomed look.” — Storey

Fashion Credits: Vintage choker (similar style); Vetements Black Oversized Logo Sleeve Pullover ($775).

“I feel the cat eye is a very chic, classic, and sexy look. It really defines the eyes and feels a little mysterious.” — Kerr

Get the Look

“Shifting focus, I completely lined Miranda’s eye, top and bottom, with a deep rich liquid pencil [Charlotte Tilbury Rock ’n’ Kohl Liquid Eye Pencil ($27)], bringing it from the tear duct to beyond the outer edge of the eye. On the lips, I used a rosy flesh-tone cream lip color [Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Stoned Rose ($26)] to enhance and complement the dewy skin that was also gently blushed with rose undertones.” — Storey

Fashion Credits: H. Stern earrings and rings; Saint Laurent Slub Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt ($345); Fleur du Mal playsuit.

Kerr on her beauty rituals, the perfect on-the-go workout, and how she stays so zen:

BYRDIE: What led you to create your own skincare line?

MIRANDA KERR: I wasn’t able to find a certified organic skincare range that would actually give me the results that I wanted, so I thought, Why don’t I make my own? It’s been such a passion project. One of the key ingredients is noni, which contains over 170 vitamins and minerals. When I was a little girl and I was feeling sick or had a breakout or a sunburn, I would put noni on my skin and also drink it. It’s been my little cure-all treatment. So I wanted to create a skincare range that contained noni and was also certified organic. So many people don’t realize that what you put on your skin soaks in and is absorbed into your bloodstream so quickly.

BYRDIE: The 3 Step System is a big part of Kora Organics. Why do you think every woman should adopt this system?

MK: I feel like having that basic routine is the key to healthy, glowing skin. If you have that cleanse, mist, and moisturize routine morning and night, it really is the foundation for healthy skin. It just works. When you have a little routine and stick to it, your skin will thank you for it. Healthy skin is beautiful skin, and that’s the goal of Kora Organics—to promote healthy skin so that you are feeding your skin with all these nutrients and it’s revitalized and energized. You are basically giving it all the right things so it can be its best.

BYRDIE: We want to know about your personal skincare regimen. Is there a secret part of your routine most people don’t know?

MK: One thing that is so simple is I keep the mist and also the eye gel in the refrigerator at home because that way it really soothes when you apply it.

BYRDIE: Can you walk us through your a.m. and p.m. beauty routines?

MK: I like to mix it up. Generally, I’ll use the Cream Cleanser ($30) and the Energizing Citrus Mist ($34) in the morning. Then I’ll apply the soothing Day and Night Cream ($48) and I’ll exfoliate every second day. Sometimes I get a little excited and exfoliate every day, which doesn’t really hurt, but every second day is enough. And then [in the evening] I’ll use a face mask, which I love putting on when I’m either doing yoga or taking a bath. I like to feel like I’m doing something when I have the face mask on. I’ll put the Exfoliating Mask ($48) on my T-zone and the Glow Sleeping Mask ($48) around the outside of my face. I swear by dry body brushing morning and night. Some people just do it in the morning, but I do it at night as well. It stimulates the lymphatic system, and it helps your body detoxify itself.

BYRDIE: What items do you always have in your fridge?

MK: Well, I generally have lots in my fridge because I’m the type of person who loves to cook and have people over all the time. And obviously having a son, I like to have lots of yummy, healthy treats. There are lots of fresh berries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. I’m very much into berries, as you can tell. I always have lots of greens, like kale and cucumber and baby spinach and celery. You’ll find aloe vera in my fridge. You’ll find noni juice in my fridge. I try to avoid dairy and stick to goat’s milk now, because goats only have one stomach like us, so we can absorb the calcium from them better than we can from cows.

BYRDIE: What’s your workout of choice to stay in shape?

MK: I believe in doing squats whenever you can. If you can just do 10 squats when you think about it, that’s a good way to remember and get exercise incorporated into your day. Otherwise, I love Pilates and yoga. My favorite type of yoga is Kundalini. It’s really great for the mind-and-body connection. It’s something that feels very nurturing to me. Speaking of nurturing, we have at Kora an essence that the leading aromatherapist made for me when I was going through a really hard time. After Orlando and I separated, I went through quite a bit of depression, and she made this remedy for me, and it’s now part of my range, called the Heart Chakra Essence ($19). When you put it on, it feels like somebody is giving you a big hug; that’s how soothing it is.

BYRDIE: What was your last beauty splurge?

MK: I know this sounds crazy, but I had my masseuse come to my house and do a body scrub on me in the steam room. I am obsessed with steam. I guess that was my last beauty splurge. It was really good.

BYRDIE: Can you tell us about your last Sephora haul?

MK: I personally love going into Sephora because it’s great to be able to try things on. But I also love buying things on Net-a-Porter.com. From Net-a-Porter.com, I bought a body brush, and at Sephora, I got an eyelash curler and tweezers. I’m obsessed with tweezers. I really like the Anastasia of Beverly Hills brand.

BYRDIE: We love the bob! What inspired the short cut?

MK: I’ve been talking about going short for years, and so I would gradually go shorter and shorter, and then one day I was like I just want to cut it. It felt really good. It makes me feel more free and wild.

BYRDIE: Do you have advice for someone looking for a similar chop?

MK: Maybe just take it in stages, like how I kind of cut a couple of inches off and then another couple of inches, to see how you are feeling with it. Enjoy the different lengths, as well. Sometimes, though, they can cut it a little short in the back, so I’d be aware of that. I prefer it to be all the one length.

BYRDIE: You spend quite a bit of time in the hair-and-makeup chair for work. Do you ever do your own hair or makeup for events?

MK: Definitely makeup, but with hair, I’m hopeless. That’s why you’ll always see me with my hair tied back if I’m traveling. I don’t know—I’m really bad with my hair; it’s not a strength of mine.

BYRDIE: What’s the best tip you’ve learned from a hairstylist or makeup artist?

MK: If you don’t have an eyelash curler, you can curl your eyelashes with a spoon. That’s what my friend Rosemary Swift taught me.

BYRDIE: Are there any cult Australian beauty products or secrets you swear by?

MK: The one thing about Australia that is so beautiful is the ocean. You instantly feel refreshed. I also am obsessed with scrubbing my body with the sand when I’m at home. It feels like it really exfoliates the skin well.

Photographer: Nick Hudson; Hair: David Keough; Makeup: Lisa Storey: Styling: Yasi Moshtael.

Next up, Shop the Exclusive Beauty Products Our Editors Take on Date Night

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

Full disclosure: I’m in a long-term relationship. Most nights with my fiancé are spent in sweat pants, hair tied, chilling, with no makeup on—and despite what Drake says, that’s definitely not when I’m the prettiest.

Instead, date night is my jam. Heading out for some quality one-on-one time at a buzzy restaurant or bar is the perfect opportunity to doll up, while proving to myself (and him) that I’ve still got it.

For those casually dating or in newer relationships, date nights are certainly more frequent, but the same beauty rules apply: your look must be long-lasting, smudge-proof and effortless (in that I always look this good way). While there’s no need to tote your entire makeup kit to dinner, there are a few supplies you’ll enjoy having on hand—cue Sephora for all the essentials.

Scroll to discover the must-have beauty products our editors take on date nights.

Group Publisher Alison is all about brows and dewy skin. In her date night bag, you’ll find Nudestix Moisture Pencil ($38), Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer ($45) and Becca Beach Tint ($45). The Becca tint is waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about smudging your lips/cheeks into your partner’s crisp white shirt when snuggling.

All great beauty editors tote touch-up essentials wherever they go, and Lisa is no exception. Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($18) is designed to be worn under makeup, but works just as well as an overall spritz to refresh a tired face (pro tip: this is a must-have for desk-to-date situations). Nudestix Clean-Up Pencil ($26) will clean up spillage in a swipe, and Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Crème ($32) provides just the punch of creamy color every kissable lip needs. You heard it here first.

Despite my oily skin, I love an illuminated complexion. For this reason, you’ll find both mattifying and highlighting products in my handbag every day. For date night, I rely on Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder ($35), Sephora Collection Oil Blotting Papers ($8) and Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Slimline Highlight ($46). The slim shape of the highlighter pen allows for easy application (even in the back of an Uber).

Social media editor Anna takes a less-is-more approach to date night, taking only the essentials: Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation ($38), Sephora Collection Always Fresh Deodorant Wipes ($9) and cult favorite Make Up For Ever Mist and Fix Setting Spray ($28).

Fashion editor Amanda has the tousled bob of my dreams, so it’s no surprise the travel version of Jen Atkin’s Ouai Wave Spray ($12) is found in her clutch. Additionally, she carries Burberry Fresh Glow Highlighting Luminous Pen ($55) and Benefit The POREfessional License to Blot ($35). Together, these two are a powerful mattifying/highlighting duo—one I’m likely to steal.

Lifestyle editor Lauren favors Benefit Dandelion Powder ($30), Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon ($25) and Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss ($16) when she’s out on a date. The powder is particularly handy as not only does it come in a clutch-friendly size, it acts as both a brightening finishing powder and a sheer tint. Simply dial up your application to create rosy, radiant cheeks.

Next up, Hailey Baldwin on Her Intense Diet and Go-To Highlighters

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

I had a feeling I would like Hailey Baldwin. My suspicions started last February when she did Self Service’s questionnaire. The magazine asked Baldwin to name her least favorite word and least favorite sound, to which she replied “panties” and “airplane toilets flushing.” These are my least favorite word and sound. What are the odds? Six months later, when I learned I’d be speaking with the model in honor of Sephora’s 400th North American store opening on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, it felt like kismet.I knew we’d have tons to talk about.

It’s been a busy year for Baldwin. Her 2016 calendar has overflowed with campaigns and runway shows for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Moschino, and H&M. She’s appeared in Vogue Korea and graced the cover of Marie Claire. Meanwhile, her personal beauty look is “glowing up” at the same pace. Baldwin is quickly joining the ranks of Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid as one of the decade’s foremost beauty It girls.

Sadly, I couldn’t get to Chicago in time to meet Baldwin in person at the new Sephora store, so we settled to chat by phone. Minor setback—even from 2000 miles away, Baldwin’s relaxed, personable demeanor was crystal-clear. She bears all the symptoms of a supermodel on the rise: the down-to-earth attitude and slight sense of bewilderment at what her life is becoming.

I only had 10 minutes with Baldwin, so we really packed it in. To learn all about her model diet, her celebrity crush, and her ride-or-die beauty products, keep scrolling.

As evidenced by these majestic Polaroids, Baldwin’s highlight is always 100% on point. We’d barely exchanged names before I asked her what she uses. Unsurprisingly, her list of go-to highlighters is long. “I like to use liquid and cream highlighters,” she said. “Becca, Laura Mercier, Smashbox, and Sigma are my favorites.” Baldwin told me she rarely wears powder products unless she’s hitting a red carpet. “So I don’t look shiny,” she said. Otherwise, she likes to keep her finish as dewy as possible.

Baldwin told me the red carpet and photo shoots are the only circumstances under which she has her makeup professionally done. If she could attempt any beauty-related profession other than her own, she said it’d undoubtedly be a makeup artist. “I love to do my own makeup in everyday life,” she told me. (One of her favorite products to use on herself is Dior’s Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm, which she said is her favorite product sold at Sephora.)

I didn’t see it in person, but I caught wind of Baldwin’s look the day of our conversation before the photos came in—her big curly bun, dark arched brows, and deep maroon lip resurrected Cindy Crawford circa 1992.

But Baldwin’s personal beauty icon comes from a more modern era. “Are there any celebrities you have a beauty crush on?” I asked her. “Margot Robbie,” she answered without a second of hesitation, praising the actress’s breezy, timeless aesthetic. “I love classic, effortless beauty,” Baldwin said. “That’s beautiful to me—when it seems like you didn’t try.”

Of course, Baldwin begins crafting her image well before makeup enters the picture—skincare, diet, and fitness play a big role. As for her skincare routine, Baldwin swears by dermatologist-approved brand EltaMD. She says she likes to keep it “really simple.” Just face wash, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Her nutrition and fitness habits are significantly more extreme, which I was actually relieved to hear. It can be discouraging to read interview after interview of stick-thin models claiming to eat pizza and fast food for every meal. But when I asked Baldwin about her diet and workout regimen, she was perfectly candid—pizza and fast food do not make it into her daily plan.

“Right now I’m on this 10-day metabolic cleanse where I have to drink a protein shake a few times a day and then have a super-strict diet,” she said, letting me know that it was difficult and nothing like the model field trips to In-N-Out we’re so used to hearing about. “I obviously don’t do that every day,” she qualified. “But otherwise, I do eat really healthy. A lot of vegetables and fish, not much meat, minimal dairy. I just feel better when I eat that way.”

Baldwin’s workout routine is equally devout, involving a rotation of Pilates, yoga, and barre. “I used to be a ballet dancer, so I enjoy those types of workouts,” she said.

Finally—validation that supermodels do have to work to stay in shape. That said, I had to ask her: “What does a really good cheat day look like?”

“A really good cheat day?” she said. “A cheeseburger and fries.”

Though she works hard behind the scenes, Baldwin’s social media presence makes her life look devastatingly glamorous. Take it from her 7.5 million Instagram followers, who get a daily taste of her model life in the form of behind-the-scenes fashion week snaps, sneak peeks at photoshoots, and glowy-faced selfies with famous friends from Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner to Justine Skye.

Again, Baldwin’s too-cool Instagrams don’t come without effort. “I use the VSCO app for the lighting,” she says. Beyond that, though, she tries not to obsess over her posts. “If I like the photo I’ll post it, and that’s it,” she told me. “I don’t really think too much about it. I like selfies; I don’t post too much when I’m working. I’m pretty chill about it.”

By now, I had the impression that Baldwin was a truth-teller, so when I asked her to paint a picture of the average day in her life—the worst and the best of it—I knew she’d give me a real answer.

But after all her hectic obligations are overflights, shoots, interviews, and appearances—come the quiet moments that Baldwin says she lives for. ‘I always look forward to spending time alone. To watching TV, to chilling by myself.’

Baldwin’s schedule requires her to wake up early most of the time, which she considers her least favorite part of life as a supermodel. But after all her hectic obligations are overflights, shoots, interviews, and appearances—come the quiet moments that Baldwin says she lives for. “I always look forward to spending time alone,” she told me. “To watching TV, to chilling by myself.”

In the final seconds of our interview, I heard some shuffling in the background before Baldwin told me she had to run. “Sorry, I have to catch a flight!” she said. I didn’t get the chance to ask Baldwin where she was going, but I thanked her for her time and let her off the phone. I dreaded the sound of the airplane toilet flush on her behalf but felt comforted to know that a quiet night in some posh hotel room was surely on the way.

Next up, 12 Vegan Sunscreens You’ll Want to Add to Your Beach Bag (Immediately)

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

For many people, living a vegan lifestyle means more than eating a diet devoid of animal products. It also can mean extending that same philosophy to clothing choices and beauty products. If that’s you, then kudos, because sifting through the millions of brands and products to find 100% vegan-friendly formulations can take a lot of time, patience, and determination. Luckily, though, it’s getting a little bit easier every day as brands commit to producing more vegan-friendly products and being transparent about the ingredients and practices they use. (As far as makeup goes, brands like Kat Von D and Milk Makeup are making a name for themselves based on their 100% vegan-friendly product offerings.) After all, ethical beauty is having something of a renaissance.

That vegan beauty renaissance extends to skincare and, more particularly, sunscreen. While it seems that we see new and innovative sun protection products hit the market almost every day, there are a select few that customers love best. Here they are—the 13 vegan sunscreens backed by glowing customer reviews, brand ratings, and best-selling status.

Winter can leave your skin looking a bit dull, which is why we adore this release from Supergoop!, which gives your skin a glassy-but-not-glittery glow. A slight tint makes you look sunkissed without leaving you orange. Plus, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 both hydrate your skin while cocoa peptides prevent blue light damage. Plus, it’s reef-safe.

Coola is an amazing brand to look to for vegan sunscreen formulations. These “sun drops” offer full-spectrum protection from UVA, UVB, IR, and HEV light, meaning they protect your skin from both the sun and the harsh electronic light of your phone and computer screen. You can wear the drops alone by simply applying a few to your face and neck, or you can wear them under other skincare and makeup products.

Here’s another vegan spray (which we know some people prefer over cream formulas since it offers a quicker, more convenient application). It’s lightweight, sheer, and provides SPF 50 protection. Customers can’t get enough of it. One reviewer writes, “This is one of the best sunscreens I’ve ever used. After shaking it very well, I spray it twice into my hand, disperse it between my hands and rub that into my face and neck. This product has no scent that I notice. It goes on rather slippy but it dries down to an almost powder finish in a few minutes. I used this for a week in San Diego—and I’m VERY prone to burning—and I didn’t even get pink! Will continue to buy! And I love that the brand is cruelty-free!”

Most Sun Bum products smell like summer, meaning they have a tropical banana or coconut fragrance (which we typically love). For people with sensitive skin types, though, fragrance-free formulations are typically better for avoiding skin irritation. Or maybe you just prefer fragrance-free sunscreens for daily wear. In that case, reach for this vegan SPF 50 sunscreen. It also happens to be phthalate-, paraben-, and gluten-free.

HydroPeptide’s vegan sunscreen is one of Dermstore’s best-selling formulas. It’s specially formulated to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also unique in that it dries down to a sheer matte finish, making it a good choice for people who struggle with oily skin (like me)—because there’s nothing worse than applying sunscreen to oily skin and making it look even greasier.

This buzzy sunscreen from gen Z–beloved brand, Glossier, is totally vegan, which many people aren’t aware of. It’s marketed as “sunscreen for people who hate wearing sunscreen” since it’s completely sheer (you won’t see any hint of a white cast here). The lightweight formula is noncomedogenic, breathable, and great for layering.

Although Tarte isn’t 100% vegan yet, an overwhelming amount of the brand’s products are vegan-friendly. Like this sunscreen, for instance, which offers SPF 30 protection. It has 20,000 “loves” on Sephora’s website along with glowing reviews like this: “I don’t like to use regular sunblock for my face since it can be greasy, heavy and affect how my skin looks and feels as well as my makeup. This went on perfectly under everything. No greasy or heavy feeling and no weird scent. I purchased the smaller bottle to give it a try first and to throw it into my makeup bag easily for travel.”

Josie Maran’s new moisturizer-and-sunscreen hybrid is an updated version of her Argan Daily Moisturizer ($36). It’s lightly tinted to enliven the look of the skin, and it provides nourishing and anti-aging benefits thanks to the brand’s namesake argan oil in combination with antioxidant-rich green tea. Although it’s often sold-out on Sephora’s website, check back regularly for its restock. It’s inevitable, especially with reviews like this: “First of all, I absolutely love this product. Feels luxurious, smells like oatmeal, is soothing and melts into my skin, protects my skin well, and doesn’t break me out. Second, the size is a blessing, and it’s such an amazing deal, considering the 2 oz is $32. Third, I will always appreciate the sturdiness of the brown glass bottle, so light can’t penetrate and spoil the Argan awesomeness, along with its pump. I pump it twice and get the perfect amount of product. Josie Maran is truly phenomenal, and her brand as a whole is as well. I’m so happy!!”

Bare Republic’s SPF 30 sunscreen has kukui seed oil to moisturize, baobab extract to protect skin from free-radical damage, and algae extract to repair the skin. It’s paraben-free, non-GMO, and vegan. And it’s widely available at drugstores and even Ulta for less than $20 a bottle. It’s almost too good to be true.

Volition’s vegan sunscreen is all about providing radiance, which is nice considering that so many other sunscreens do the opposite by sitting atop the skin with a white cast. This one won’t do that at all. It has a pearlescent finish that reflects light to make the skin look dewy and glowy. It’s already sold out twice at Sephora and has developed a huge customer following. Take it from reviews like this one: “Can’t even deal with how great this. I have dark, ebony skin (and proud of it). Tried so many products. I found it absorbs right in and leaves just a hint of shimmer. I did notice it works even better after I moisturize. I have bought one for the car and one for home. A little bummed it is not water proof but I wear it everyday so it is worth that one con.”

This Suntegrity sunscreen doubles as a primer, which makes it perfect for wearing daily underneath makeup. It’s all thanks to ingredients like jojoba oil, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, essential oils, and green tea, which hydrate the skin and keep it looking fresh all day long.

This is perhaps a lesser-known brand, but one that’s worth mentioning nonetheless since it’s so effective and environmentally safe (and vegan). First off, it’s gentle enough for infants to use and proves soothing for sensitive skin types. Plus, it dries down sheer and provides antioxidant protection. Customers can’t get enough. One reviewer writes, “Only physical sunscreen I’ve found that I actually look forward to wearing. Unlike most physical sunscreens on the market, it leaves ZERO white cast. Get it!!”

Now that you’re in the know about a few of the internet’s favorite vegan sunscreens, make sure you check out the 12 best affordable sunscreens of 2020. Trust us when we say that they’re in a league of their own.

Opening Image: Mango

Next up, This Waterproof Makeup Is Approved by the Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

It’s no secret we crave smooth, supple, radiant skin. In fact, we write about the products that will get us there on most days. In order to get our routine in tip-top, skin-smoothing shape, I called on a few skincare experts, the lovely Byrdie editors, and customers on some of our most trusted e-commerce sites (Sephora, Nordstrom, and Amazon) to offer their absolute favorites for the purpose of exfoliation, hydration, retexturizing, and skin-evening. Below, find their must-haves.

“Aside from the fact this fast-acting (i.e. 60-second) mask contains pore-refining ingredients like bentonite and kaolin clays, witch hazel, licorice root, and aloe vera, it also bubbles,” gushes assistant editor Erin Jahns. “You smooth it on like a gel and then as you massage it in, it begins to sizzle into this wonderful, slightly tingly foam. I’ll always be devoted to the Supermud (so I had low expectations) but couldn’t believe how smooth, bright, and even my skin was after my first use. And now I’m addicted.”

“The Triple Berry Smoothing Peel is a great one for sensitive skin because it’s only recommended to use once a week, and for sensitive skin types, you’ll only need to leave it on for five minutes,” celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau explains. “In fact, it’s so gentle (yet amazingly effective) that I have all of my celebrity clients use it the night before a big event because it completely smoothes the skin and creates a beautiful radiance—with no risk of irritation. Ever seen Demi Lovato at the Grammys or the VMAs?
Her skin is always glowing, and she uses Triple Berry Smoothing Peel faithfully before every special event.”

“If I’m on a mission to transform the texture of my skin, which turns dull and uneven when I’m tired and stressed, I slather these pads all over my face,” says Byrdie’s assistant editor, Maya Allen. “I tend to get blackheads the most on my nose. So annoying. And these pads contain 30% glycolic acid, which lifts dirt and smoothes over those rough surfaces. Since I have sensitive skin, I use one pad every two days as a preventative measure.”

Dermalogica’s Skin Smoothing Cream effectively maintains your skin moisture balance while improving its texture. It contains mallow and cucumber to restore suppleness, deeply hydrate, and leave you with better-feeling, softer, healthier skin.

“I have used this face cream for at least 30 years,” a commenter said on Amazon. “It is great in the morning and at night. There is no greasy feeling, and it works well under foundation. By far, it’s the best face cream I have found (and not as expensive as most). Hint: when you cannot squeeze any more out of the tube, stand it on the top for an hour or so then cut off the bottom of the tube. There is a lot left inside! I put the tube in a plastic bag until it really is completely finished.”

“It’s made with volcanic sand—not Earth-harming microbeads—and a blend of glycolic and lactic acids. So basically, it’s a physical exfoliator that also chemically exfoliates—a true win-win. The craziest part, however, is the fact that it actually warms up when you use it,” says Byrdie’s editorial director, Faith Xue. “Then, as you slough it in, it transforms into a cooling, minty tingle. The actual experience of using the scrub aside, the one thing that truly blew me away with this product was the fact that it left my skin feeling the softest it’s ever been since I turned 13 before I started my acne phase.”

SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator ($178) instantly smoothes the skin, visibly blurs fine lines, and is so, so silky. It offers a blend of five forms of hyaluronic acid (the naturally occurring compound that best moisturizes your skin), but it’s different than other serums. The formula doesn’t just provide temporary surface moisture; it allows for eight hours of continuous hydration. I noticed a difference in the look and feel of my skin right away. After applying the lightweight, velvety elixir, my face felt softer than ever before, and my foundation went on so smoothly. Essentially my face felt like a cloud, and my skin looked like J.Lo’s after a day at the spa, no joke.

This spa-worthy peel is just as fun to apply as it is effective. Using a salon-type brush, apply the product to your skin to exfoliate and uncover refreshed skin in just three minutes. Rather than cause irritation, it stimulates the skin’s natural repair process, leaving your face silky and velvety smooth.

“I have used this product for years,” says one Nordstrom reviewer. “I love that it makes my skin tingle and you can really FEEL it working. My skin is so much softer and smoother after using this product. I use it once a week and it lasts over a year!”

“Think of alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) as the blue jeans of the skincare industry: no matter your age, concern, skin type, or tone, they’ll work for you,” says writer Lexy Lebsack. This mask, in particular, is packed with 27.5% AHAs and BHAs, as well as other active natural skin resurfacers for glowing, super-smooth skin. The pomegranate grains exfoliate, glycolic acid and enzymes peel away dead skin cells, and white clay removes excess sebum and refines pores.

“Truly a do-it-all product,” notes managing editor Lindsey Metrus, “this peel brightens the complexion, reduces fine lines, heals breakouts, and minimizes pores. With just two steps, you can send your blackheads packing and smooth out your skin.”

For an immediate skin-smoothing effect, this one’s for you. According to the brand, with regular tri-weekly use, this formula will visibly minimize discolorations and small marks on your face, hands, and décolletage. Over time, though, facial lines are reduced and your skin’s texture will be significantly smoother and clearer.

“I have combination skin and I use this product once a week as part of a larger skincare routine,” notes one Nordstrom reviewer. “I LOVE it—just be kinder to your softer skin areas. I have large nose pores and this product really helps to break up the clogs, so that my other products can get in and clean. My skin feels so smooth after! Worth the cost as a little bit goes a long way.”

This vegan, gluten-free, fragrance-free facial oil contains moisture, vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants to support your skin’s natural lipid barrier (which helps to lock moisture in and protect against dryness and heat). Plus, it absorbs easily and softens, smoothes, and soothes upon contact.

“This is a very beautiful and luxurious product!” a Sephora commenter muses. “I have sensitive skin, fairly dry, but also prone to breakouts from time to time. I’ve been searching for a perfect moisturizer forever. It smells lovely, goes on silky rather than greasy, and absorbs fully. No breakouts. I live in a dry climate and I can get away with using this as a stand-alone moisturizer. As far as effectiveness goes—a couple of weeks of use and my skin is very soft and feels hydrated.”

“Biossance’s rose face oil is made with the brand’s plant-derived squalane, Chios crystal oil, vitamin C, and Damascus rose extract to seal in moisture, smooth fine lines, and improve skin texture and radiance,” says Xue. “Natural beauty lovers, the ingredient list is delightfully short and sweet.”

“I received a small sample of the bottle I’d admired in Sephora on numerous shopping trips (but never took the leap to purchase) as a free birthday gift. I pressed it gently into my skin with my fingertips as I’d so often read to do and hoped for the best. Within just a few days of applying the oil, I already noticed that my skin looked clearer and my fine lines were less visible,” says Metrus. “Truly, by placing oil on top of my already oily and blemish-prone skin, they went away faster (and my skin was SO smooth).”

Rouleau explains, “When the skin is properly balanced and hydrated, there is less surface dry skin–cell buildup to lessen bacteria from forming in the pore leading to breakouts.”

“I wanted this formula to instantly create the glowing, dewy skin our products are known for while providing nutrition and additional high-performance ingredients to keep skin hydrated and luminous,” Tata Harper said of her aspirations for creating this product. “This formulation contains 22 high-performance ingredients from 14 countries that I hand-selected to deliver these effects.”

“Skin cell turnover reduces by 7% every 10 years, so exfoliation is a key part of any skincare routine—not only for the glow it yields but also for maintaining healthy, smooth skin. This formula contains seven sources of AHAs and two sources of BHAs, including salicylic, lactic, glycolic, citric, malic, and tartaric acids, which come from plant sources like meadowsweet, sugar maple, and bilberry.”

Use this super-fine textured crystal blend to buff away any dullness (while smoothing fine lines, roughness, and acne scars). The formula includes Dead Sea salt as well as lime and lemon peel, grape seed, and vitamin E to retexture skin while leaving it soft, smooth, and thoroughly nourished.

A Byrdie-editor favorite, this serum (which feels like a watered-down moisturizer) helps deliver an unreal glow. With lactic acid to speed up cell turnover and exfoliate away dullness and licorice root (an all-natural anti-inflammatory) to fight hyperpigmentation, smooth and radiant skin is just a few applications away.

Next up, 13 Incredible Black Women Who Started Their Own Beauty Companies

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

The importance of recognizing and championing black female entrepreneurs cannot be understated. As in many industries, black leaders are sadly under-represented in the beauty space. This is especially disappointing considering black women make up an enormous percentage of beauty patrons. Last year, EWG.com reported that though African-Americans make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, black consumers’ spending “accounts for as much as 22 percent of the $42 billion-a-year personal care products market.” So even the numbers prove it: Black women need more support and representation in beauty.

So let’s take the opportunity to support the following 13 women: inspiring entrepreneurs of color who have founded some of the best beauty brands on the market. From New Orleans-based indie brands to Sephora best sellers, their hair and makeup lines deserve both your applause and your dollars. Keep reading to meet 13 inspiring black women doing incredible things in the beauty industry. (As you scroll, don’t forget to check out their brands and add a few products to your cart!)

Nancy Twine

The brand: Briogeo

Nancy Twine had already led a successful career in finance for almost seven years before she made the leap to beauty in 2014. Her haircare line, Briogeo, made her the youngest African-American woman to launch a beauty range at Sephora. Plus, the products themselves are incredible—her ridiculously nourishing Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask ($36) has earned standing ovations from women of all hair types.

Miko and Titi Branch

The brand: Miss Jessie’s

Natural haircare brand Miss Jessie’s is one of the most beloved in the industry, and it all started with sisters Miko and Titi Branch, who built their business from the ground up. The brand is named after the duo’s grandmother, who taught them the value of independence (and how to concoct the best natural-hair elixirs from scratch).

Cashmere Nicole

The brand: Beauty Bakerie

You’d never know from the sugary-sweet aesthetic that Cashmere Nicole’s cruelty-free cosmetics line was born from struggle. After the now-32-year-old makeup artist became a mother in her teens, she was diagnosed with breast cancer but powered through it all to launch Beauty Bakerie. The brand was discovered by Beyoncé herself, and naturally, it skyrocketed from there. All of that without mentioning that the products themselves are lovely—check out the Matte Lip Whip ($20), which comes in a shade for every personality and skin tone.

Pat McGrath

The brand: Pat McGrath Labs

What would a list of beauty powerhouses be without Pat McGrath? The revered celebrity makeup artist launched her hotly anticipated line in late 2015, and now whenever she releases a new product, it is swept off Sephora shelves in seconds. (Her Lust 004 lipstick, $25, is back in stock for a limited time right now, so snag it quick!)

Kim Etheredge and Wendi Levy

The brand: Mixed Chicks

Kim Etheredge and Wendi Levy created their curly-hair line out of a need for products that cater to people with multicultural backgrounds. Now their stuff is used by celebrities from Halle Berry to Jennifer Hudson. (Check out their incredible Leave-In Conditioner, $20).

Myleik Teele

The brand: CurlBox

Myleik Teele started her career in PR but soon went on to create this genius monthly subscription box for women with curly hair. The smartly curated subscription offers amazing curly-hair brands both well known and under the radar, from SheaMoisture and DevaCurl to Alikay Naturals and Uncle Funky’s Daughter. A true media mogul, Teele also has a web series, “CurlBox TV,” and a lifestyle podcast.

Iman

The brand: Iman Cosmetics

Another of the most successful beauty brands around was founded by Somali supermodel Iman. Her iconic line offers luxurious skincare and makeup for black, Asian, Latina, and multicultural women with an impressive range of shades and formulas. Her award-winning Radiance Liquid foundation ($16) is a must-try.

Eunice W. Johnson

The brand: Fashion Fair

One of the first black female trailblazers in beauty, Eunice W. Johnson founded Fashion Fair in 1973 after discovering that there weren’t nearly enough makeup shades for women of color on the market. Johnson died after a long, illustrious career in 2010, but her brand remains the largest black-owned cosmetics company in the world.

Dawn Fitch

The brand: Pooka

You may not be familiar with this holistic beauty line yet, but it’s absolutely worth a perusal. Dawn Fitch founded the line after she fell mysteriously ill and embarked on an epic mission to transition to an all-natural skin- and haircare routine. The ingredients she uses in her line are free of preservatives, dyes, phthalates, parabens, and sulfates, and all the products are aromatherapeutic and utterly divine—we recommend her Forever Lavender Body Oil ($18).

Niala and Tia Howard

The brand: Magnolia Makeup

Some of the brightest, most colorful makeup available comes from this New Orleans-based brand. Sisters Niala and Tia Howard had a lifelong infatuation with makeup before launching their playful, highly pigmented line, which was created to suit all skin types and tones. (They even created a version of last year’s viral Rainbow Highlighter, $40!)

Next up, I’ve Tried Over 1000 Lipsticks, and These 14 Are the Best

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

Eyeliner is cool, as is mascara, but no makeup product holds my heart like lipstick. When I only have two minutes to get ready in the morning, a bright lip is the first thing I grab. When I’m in a crummy mood, a vibrant pink or red color turns that right around. And on those weird days when my face looks tired or just off somehow, lipstick is my saving grace. Over the years, I’ve tried hundreds of lipsticks, maybe even over 1000, and I currently own at least 100 (thank goodness lipstick tubes are small!).

But truth be told, there are only a few select gems in my daily rotation. That’s because I have a pretty particular taste in lipstick: I love ranges that offer both really vibrant brights and subtle everyday shades. I like a creamy, plumping texture—nothing so matte that it’s going to dry out my lips. And I like silky application and long staying power.

Out of all the lipsticks I’ve tried, I’ve narrowed it down to the top 14, ranging in price from $5 to $55, that meet these requirements. Curious to know this lipstick fiend’s favorites? Just keep scrolling.

These bright, crazy-pigmented shades are what I’ve found myself reaching for all summer. (Tough Tomato and Arancia Adore are my personal favorites.) I layer the demi-matte formula over a thin layer of balm for a vibrant look that’ll last for hours without feeling dry. Also, a moment of silence for the beautiful clear packaging.

Sephora Collection low-key always has the most luxury-quality products for the best prices. This glossy lipstick in the shade Stay Together (currently on sale for $7!) is a staple in my collection. The formula is super layerable so you can go sheer or high impact depending on your vibe, it feels like a hydrating lip balm, and it tastes subtly like candy.

Nars’s lip crayons are iconic for a reason—the texture is creamy but not drying, offers budge-free color payoff for days, and the thick crayon shape makes applying the color easy.

I’ve said it 800 million times, and I’ll never stop: Though this lipstick costs as much as my internet bill, it’s completely worth it. It’s my ride-or-die red lipstick for so many reasons, from the elegant black tube to the angular, jewel-shaped tip to the blindingly bright payoff and featherlight feel—ugh, I could gush for hours. But for the sake of internet brevity, I’ll stop here.

The Best Red Lipsticks Ever Created, According to Byrdie Editors

Don’t have 55 bucks to spend on lipstick? I feel you. And actually, as often as I reach for the high-end picks on this list, I go for this oldie-but-a-goodie Revlon product just as much. It’s got a moisturizing feel, high-impact pigment, decent staying power, and a beautiful range of over 40 shades (Kiss Me Coral has been my fave since high school).

Lip gloss has enjoyed a major renaissance in my life over the past year, and this fairly new launch from Tarte is perfectly compatible with that. One side is a creamy lipstick, and the other is a coordinating nonsticky gloss. The shade range offers really pretty pinks and nudes—whenever I wear Sass, a mauvy color, the compliments roll in.

If you can’t already tell, I will choose a high-shine lipstick over a matte one any day, but few lipsticks are as pigmented and as comfortable as this one by Dior. The product offers full-coverage color in one swipe with a patent finish shinier than a freshly waxed beamer. The shades range from bold purples to playful pinks to subtler browns—I own like six of them and am universally obsessed.

The day I stop yammering on about this lip product is the day I die, I suppose. Sisley’s hydrating, pigmented lipstick/balm hybrid is the thing I wear on my lips more than any other. Pricey, yes, but for how effortless the product is and for the number of compliments you’ll receive while wearing it, you’ll agree it’s money well spent.

The luxury of a Tom Ford lipstick cannot be overstated. The formula glides on like butter and is truly buildable so you can adjust the product to behave more like five different lipsticks with five different levels of color payoff depending on how much you apply. There are well over 40 shades to choose from, but my favorites are probably Wild Ginger and Fox Fire.

There’s a reason this is one of Sephora’s best-selling lipsticks—the intensely moisturizing formula makes your lips feel soft and look impossibly plump. Plus, it comes in so many interesting shades, like Cava, a purply beige; Electric Jam, a neon violet; and Kale, which looks exactly how it sounds.

MAC’s lipsticks are a classic, but its Liptensity line kicks things up a notch. The formula was created by a tetrachromat, a woman who can perceive millions of colors the average human eye can’t. The result? One of the most insanely pigmented lipsticks on the market. I like to layer a bit of clear lip gloss over the orange-red shade, Barbecue, to really blind people.

Team Byrdie is collectively obsessed with this matte-but-moisturizing product, which somehow lasts all day without getting flaky, caky, or drying. It has a silky application, a velvety finish, and a pretty shade selection, hitting all the marks that separate the good lipsticks from the great.

I discovered this $12 formula during a drugstore makeup experiment two years ago, and it’s been a consistent favorite ever since. Peptides and hyaluronic acid make it ridiculously moisturizing and plumping.

Another Sephora customer fave, the 31 shades in Pat McGrath’s lip line (ranging from vampy burgundies to juicy pinks) are all stunning—matte, but still comfortable to wear. And the packaging, of course, is to die for.

Next up, I’m a Brand Snob and Only Wore Drugstore Makeup for a Week

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

I’ve just given up high-end makeup cold turkey, and suddenly it’s all I can see. My bathroom countertop is piled to the ceiling with Becca highlighters, Too Faced lipsticks, and Nudestix brow pencils that I’m now forbidden to use. At the office, every Byrdie desk is overflowing with loot from Sephora, mocking me with its gleaming labels. A package arrives for me from Nars. I don’t even open it. Because for the next five days, I’m not allowed to use it—any of it.

Starting today, I’m embarking on a little beauty experiment: I’m going to use exclusively drugstore makeup every day for a week to see if I can tell the difference.

This really shouldn’t be difficult. Throughout my high school and college years, I only ever used the cheapest makeup available. I’d enter Sephora under one scenario: to do my makeup, swipe as many free perfume samples as I could get away with, and leave.

However, my ever-intensifying beauty fixation and unique day job have slowly coaxed me into believing that you have to pay a little more (or in some cases, a lot more) for the formulas and results you want. Earlier this summer, for example, I decided that $55 was the price one had to pay for the ideal red lipstick.

But I wasn’t raised to be like this. So I decided it was time for a change. Here’s how the experiment worked: For a week, I replaced every last one of my luxury makeup products with a drugstore option, and I didn’t tell anyone. I chose classic products I’d loved years before and new releases whose formulas intrigued me. The goal was to see how I liked the products and how other people reacted to them.

To be honest, my prediction was that I’d feel “meh” about most of the makeup and promptly return to my high-end routine once the detox was over. I certainly didn’t expect to dig dozens of products and rethink my philosophy on the price of makeup.

Monday

To kick off my week, I went with the look I’m most comfortable with: winged liner and a tangerine lip. With skepticism, I broke into my new drugstore arsenal, praying the concealer would blend, the eyeliner would stay put, and the lipstick would offer pigment. I had a dinner engagement that night, and I didn’t want to embarrass myself.

With its creamy, crease-less formula, L’Oréal’s Visible Lift Blur Concealer ($9) was the first to impress me. (Unexpectedly, I’ve continued using it every day since the experiment.) The CoverGirl blush ($13) and bronzer ($8) I used bore a surprising resemblance to my favorite Hourglass Ambient Lighting products. The fine-tipped NYX liquid liner ($7) swished across my lid with the flexibility and pigment of products thrice its price. So far, so good.

But what struck me the most about this look was this Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick ($8), which I’d pulled from the obscurity of my lipstick drawer after having abandoned the stuff for half a decade. Five years ago, when I was living in New York City, this was my absolute favorite lipstick—I wore it almost every day.

Rediscovering its moisturizing consistency, lightweight feel, and vibrant color left my lips on-point all day, but it also sent me back, as if by time machine, to my former life in New York. Every time I looked in the mirror, I caught a glimpse of my 19-year-old self—that naïve hot mess with her orange lips—and it reminded me of how far I’ve come since.

Fueled by nostalgia, my confidence in the experiment swelled a percentage point or two.

Star product: Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick ($8) in Kiss Me Coral.

Tuesday

My Tuesday look was a bit more trend-driven: a fuchsia lip and glossy lids.

Remembering the versatility of the drugstore that I once knew so well, I decided to get crafty: Instead of hunting for a highlighter explicitly intended for glossy lids, I whipped out a Carmex lip balm ($2). I dabbed a few layers of the stuff onto my lids, paired it with a bright pink lip ($12), and was feeling my look the whole day.

This look also introduced me to Pixi’s Natural Brow Duo ($16), which has replaced the $33 brow product I was using before. Featuring a teardrop-shaped pencil on one end and a tinted setting gel on the other, the product is alarmingly luxe.

Another thing I love about this look is that 100% of the products used are cruelty-free, which I was delighted to find at the drugstore.

Star products: Carmex Original Tube ($2) and Pixi Natural Brow Duo ($16).

Wednesday

My Wednesday look was responsible for the most compliments I’ve received on my makeup in weeks. (And because I survive on sweet talk over oxygen, I proceeded to keep a log of the exact tally: five total.)

My co-workers particularly took to the blush color, which they were all startled to discover was a $3 pick from Wet n Wild. I’m fairly confident that if someone repackaged this blush, slapped a different label on it, and displayed it at Sephora, there would be few customer complaints.

Complete with a nude liquid lip and a silvery eye, both thanks to Maybelline, the look achieved a day-to-night balance that seemed to resonate with the Byrdie crew.

Star product: Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Rosé Champagne ($3).

Thursday

On Thursday, I said screw it and doused my face in Physicians Formula bronzer ($16). I also stepped out of my normal routine to create a smudgy cat eye with L’Oréal’s Smokissime eyeliner ($9). This unique product features a chubby pointed applicator that delivers powder to your lids, creating a messy, smoked-out look without the need for eye shadow. (Though I applied some E.l.f shadow underneath anyway. What can I say? Thursday was wild.)

Forcing myself to get playful with products had the same effect on the looks I was willing to try. Though I probably won’t go quite this bronzy in the future, it was worth the risk. (Honestly, whose makeup looks 100% perfect every day of the week anyway?)

Star product: L’Oréal Infallible Smokissime in Taupe Smoke ($9).

Friday

By Friday, I’d already learned that drugstore makeup could help you re-create current trends and support a cruelty-free lifestyle. But could it take you on a night out?

Equipped with a Kim K-esque nude lip from Kate Moss’s Rimmel collection ($12), Maybelline’s High-Impact Strobing Stick ($10), and a pair of user-friendly lashes from Ardell ($8) (which are self-adhesive and require zero coordination or glue), the answer was a yes, indeed.

Normally at the end of a detox, no matter how refreshed you feel, the first thing you want to do is eat an entire pizza. But by the end of my makeup cleanse, I wasn’t feeling as ravenous as I thought I would. Sure, I was eager to get back to my $55 lipstick (fancy habits die hard). But I didn’t see it as necessary anymore.

Rediscovering the drugstore showed me more than just the error of my makeup snobbery. It reminded me of the scrappy, creative beauty consumer I used to be. As it turns out, with a little savvy, you can have your bright lips, your cat eye, and a full bank account too.

Star product: Ardell Self-Adhesive Press On Lash ($8).

Next up, 8 Genius Career Tips From Some of the Biggest Names in Beauty

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

Dreaming of becoming a beauty mogul but don’t know where to begin? Create and Cultivate’s founder Jaclyn Johnson says, “Start by starting.” She produced her biggest conference last week in L.A. with keynote speakers including Jen Atkin, Chrissy Teigen, and Kim Kardashian West to round out a full day of inspirational women networking with one another as well as panel discussions like “DTF: Down to Finance.”

Jaclyn’s advice for women just starting out is not to be afraid to call themselves entrepreneurs and own it. Confidence is a quality all the successful women she has met have in common. “They all share this air of confidence that has gotten them to where they are,” she says. Feeling empowered yet? Keep scrolling for advice from beauty brand founders like Kim Kardashian West and Marianna Hewitt that are applicable to all entrepreneurs.

No Excuses

When things don’t go as planned, Kim Kardashian West says, “You have to stay calm [and] stay focused. Shit happens, but you just gotta fight through and get it done. No excuses.”

Look Broadly at the World of Entrepreneurship

“Get as close as you can to other entrepreneur founder stories,” shares Holly E. Thaggard, founder and CEO of Supergoop, which launched a setting powder last week. “When you’re creating something that’s never been created before, you’re going to run into problems.” Her suggestion is to not limit yourself to looking at one industry, especially since all the rules are out the window and nobody is doing anything the same way they were doing yesterday, she explains to Byrdie.

Know Your Worth and Value

“Know your power,” KKW says. “Influencers is really where it’s at. Everyone is looking to you for the influence, advice. … Please don’t be lazy. You have so much power. … Please use it.”

Believe in What You’re Doing

“If you believe in something, you can make anything happen,” says Teresa Lo, head of marketing for Biossance. “You can move mountains,” she emphasizes, recalling a time her scrappy team completely rebranded and repackaged Biossance in four months so that the products could reach Sephora shelves.

Surround Yourself with the Right Team

“Be self-aware of what you bring to the table,” says Holly. For her, it’s the product, inspiring people, and driving a program, like getting SPF into schools, which is something the brand is working on. The goal is to reach a thousand classrooms this year. “I love and dream and sleep and think about SPF all day long, so I know that product is something I cannot hire out.” She emphasizes that this is something that only she can do, leaving us with this: “The most important thing as you grow is to put a team in place that fills in all of the other areas you might need.”

Solve a Problem That Hasn’t Been Solved Before

“The reason that Sephora loved us and still loves us is because we were different and offered a difference in the marketplace,” says Anne-Marie Kline, senior VP of global marketing for Living Proof. She shares that the haircare line changed how hair behaves in a way that hadn’t been done in 30 years. The brand was also different because instead of using beauty visuals for its launch, it opted for “down and dirty” before and after photos. “The way you stay at Sephora is to keep that innovation, but keep delivering and solving a problem in the marketplace that hasn’t been solved before,” she says.

Find a Space That’s Unique and True to You

“It’s about finding your niche,” says Deepica Mutyala, founder of Tinted, who believes that the future is women of color.

Be Prepared to Work

“It’s way more work than you think, but it’s so worth it,” says Marianna Hewitt, beauty influencer and co-founder of Summer Fridays, on her advice for women breaking into the beauty industry. “If you’re launching a product, it’s about finding a great lab, knowing what you want to create, [and] knowing what’s going to make your product different.”

For more advice about getting your foot in the door in the beauty biz, take a look at these inspiring words of advice from other beauty bosses.

Next up, A True Greek Goddess Shares the Serums That Keep Her 40-Year-Old Skin Glowing

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

It’s here: 31 days. 31 cities. 31 perspectives. Each day in the month of March, we’re profiling an inspiring woman from across the world and asking her to share her beauty routine, products, and wellness secrets. Consider this your firsthand look into the beauty traditions and cultures of your beauty-obsessed counterparts from Thailand, Nigeria, and more (and don’t forget to check our Instagram for a beauty-themed global takeover each day). Up next, Greek beauty junkie Korina Vrousia shares her half-French, half-Meditteranean beauty routine (which includes loads of brightening serums, SPF, and the secret ingredient on every Greek’s vanity—olive oil).

Name: Korina Vrousia

Age: 40

City and country of residence: Athens, Greece

Your beauty icons:

Audrey Hepburn; Violette, Estee Lauder’s global beauty director; and Giorgia Tordini, the creative director and co-founder of Attico.

The skincare products you can’t live without:

Galenic Aqua Infini Face Lotion; Lierac Hydragenist Cream-Gel ($50); Korres Wild Rose Brightening Oil ($54); Chanel UV Essentiel Sunscreen ($55); Bobbi Brown Remedies Skin Brightener No 42 ($45); Klorane Make-Up Remover Water ($24); and Glossier Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector ($24).

The hair products you can’t live without:

Phyto Paris leave-in Phytomillesime Beauty Concentrate (it keeps the color of my hair alive; not available in the U.S., but the brand’s leave-in Day Cream, $29, is); Sachajuan Ocean Mist ($31); Ouai Wave Spray ($26) and Matte Pomade ($24); Sephora Collection Coconut Water Dry Shampoo ($8)—it smells like summer holidays.

The makeup products you can’t live without:

Chanel Dimensions de Chanel Mascara ($32); Glossier Boy Brow and Haloscope Highlighter ($38); Galenic Teint Lumiere DD SPF 25, Galenic Poudre de Soleil and Blush Crème Rose; Benefit Boi-ing Brightening Concealer ($20); and Lanolips 101 Ointment ($17).

What countries and cultures do you find most inspirational when it comes to beauty?

I’m somewhere in between the Mediterranean and French beauty. Mediterranean beauty because it’s full of surprises and it’s so feminine. It’s natural and bold at the same time—sexy and carefree, sun-kissed, and transparent but still has great character. On the other hand, I love, love, love the sophistication and je ne sais quoi that all French have. I’m a big fan of effortless beauty.

The most popular products and brands in your country right now:

In Greece, we love lightweight textures that give a matte effect when it comes to our skincare. But we also love hydrating products for both skincare and hair. We are crazy about highlighters, bronzers, and nude makeup. We always care about our manicure, and we never leave the house without SPF protection.

As for brands, we love our own brands like Korres and Apivita. We love to shop all these really cool brands from Sephora like Benefit, Too Faced, Korean brands, Frank Body, etc. We also go for brands like Chanel, Dior, and Estée Lauder. Last but not least, we love all French brands from the pharmacy like Galénic, Lierac, Nuxe, and Caudalie.

The most popular beauty trends in your country right now:

At this point, we have a thing for these soft curtain bangs, the brushed-up brows, face masks, and glossy skin.

Favorite traditional beauty secret from your country:

All our best-kept secrets in my country have one thing in common: the olive tree—our sacred tree. The benefits for the skin and hair cannot be described. So check the Olive Collection by Korres—you will be amazed.

Where you buy beauty products:

I’m a huge fan of Sephora. I really like all these not-so-commercial brands, and I have a huge crush on the Beauty-to-Go.

What does “healthy living” mean to you?

Healthy living to me is working my best so I can have balance in my life. I try to take good care of my body and also my mind. I try to eat healthy most of the time, but I always allow myself to have these “cheating” moments that put a big smile on my face. I also enjoy walking for hours with my dogs or just by myself—it kind of puts all the missing pieces together.

How do you define/practice “self-care”?

For me, self-care is feeling good in my very own skin and keeping my stress level low. I always smile back at life no matter what. I work really hard on having a positive attitude about everything. Self-care for me is also having a deep respect for the planet where I live and treating animals with love and respect.

What’s your favorite way to stay active and why?

I would say I am a big fan of Pilates during the wintertime, but the feeling of swimming in the sea, walking in the sand, and enjoying the endless Greek sun—always with an SPF—is unbeatable. This is my very own heaven on earth. My absolute remedy!

What’s your favorite healthy meal?

The traditional Greek salad with all the Mediterranean goodies in it—tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, feta cheese, and pure olive oil.

What are the most popular wellness trends in your country right now?

Runnin—everyone is out on the streets running. During summer, swimming of course.

Check back every day for more beauty and wellness routines from cool women across the world.

From byrdie

It’s not big news anymore, but we live in an app-driven world. After all, we carry our entire lives on our phones. Need to edit photos for the Insta? There’s VSCO cam. Need to order a car when there aren’t any cabs around? There’s Uber. Need to pay your tech-savvy landlord? There’s Venmo. We don’t even need to go into the social media bit.

Because we’re all about convenience, we couldn’t be happier (or more addicted) to our beauty apps. Whether we need to see how a lipstick looks on us through a selfie or we need to book a last-minute hair appointment, there is something for every beauty need. Here are the beauty apps you should download ASAP.

On-Demand

Priv

No more battling rush-hour traffic to get a manicure? Yes, please. If you’re in New York and Los Angeles, you can book anything from a blowout to a Pilates class, and an expert will show up at your doorstep, all without you leaving the comfort of your own couch!

Soothe

Need some quality R&R? Soothe is an on-demand massage app that delivers a skilled masseuse to your doorstep in as little as 60 minutes, from 10 a.m. to midnight (perfect for anyone who’s hitting a deadline at work, no?). Choose from three different timed sessions (60, 90, or 120 minutes) and the type of massage you want (Swedish, deep tissue, sports, or couples). Skeptical? Its perfect five-star review on Yelp should reassure you.

The Glam App

We love this on-demand app for the fact that it helps stylists as well. Stylists can manage their own schedules and appointments while building a clientele.

Glamsquad

If you couldn’t tell already, we’re all about doing stuff in the comfort of your own home, and if you live in Los Angeles, New York, or Miami, this a great option. With this app, you can order your own glam squad who will come to you and do your hair, makeup, and nails.

Virtual Swatching

L’Oréal Makeup Genius

Disclaimer: This app is highly addictive. It lets you try on various L’Oréal makeup products before you buy, and the results are surprisingly realistic. But the fun part is watching it give you a full makeup application in a real-time video, not a static photograph.

YouCam Makeup

This app has already been editor-approved. It provides virtual swatching of products from brands like Laura Geller, E.l.f. Cosmetics, and Elizabeth Arden. Most recently it launched a virtual skin diary to help you keep track of your skincare routine’s progress.

Shopping

Ulta Beauty

Unfortunately not everyone has this mega beauty store close to where they live. That isn’t a problem anymore with a handy app that makes shopping so easy. You’ll also be up to date with any sales and promotions that are going on, so you can continue to grow your beauty stash.

Stash

Think of this app as a personal organizer for your makeup bag. It keeps track of all the beauty products you own with a handy barcode scanner, and reminds you when you’re running low (no more last-minute runs to Sephora to pick up your moisturizer). Plus, you can scroll through tons of beauty inspiration and purchase products right from the app—it even alerts you when one of your favorite products goes on sale. Fair warning: You may end up spending the better part of your Sunday scanning all the products you own.

Sephora

We’re loving that beauty retailers are jumping on this app train. Similar to the Ulta Beauty app, in the Sephora app, you can shop the latest products found at the retailer with ease. But this app is also big on content, serving as an inspiration for all beauty lovers out there with a feed of pictures from other users and video how-tos.

Next up, These 9 Blackhead-Clearing Face Masks Are Like Vacuums for Your Pores

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

Blackheads are notoriously hard to get rid of. It’s beyond tempting to pick and push them out ourselves, but we know that will only please us in the short term and have us kicking ourselves in the long term. One of the best (and arguably the most fun) treatments out there to get rid of and prevent future blackheads is a high-quality face mask.

Some of our favorite products for dealing with this specific type of acne can be found in one of our beauty meccas: Sephora. In most beauty emergencies, it’s the first place we run to. You can never really go wrong when you shop there, so we rounded up the best on the market according to loyal shoppers.

Here are the top-rated face masks to help get rid of blackheads.

The Umbrian Clay works to clean out pores and clear up your complexion, but this mask is also made with sandalwood oil, which helps calm any irritation, and lavender to soothe any redness.

The Amazonian white clay draws out impurities to unclog pores, while the oatmeal and aloe vera soothe and hydrate the skin. It also has a nice cooling effect that’s really refreshing.

Instead of the conventional mud mask, this gel-based formula draws out any toxins in pores while also keeping the skin well hydrated.

This mask from Esteé Lauder is one of the top-rated picks for blackheads. It’s super lightweight and not only reduces the appearance of pores, but it also leaves you with a brighter complexion.

Its gel clay mask formula, which is made of mineral mud and mint water, quickly absorbs any excess oil and cleans out any impurities to keep pores clear.

People swear by Clinique’s acne products, and this charcoal mask is one of the reasons for that. It absorbs oil, dirt, and debris and tightens pores. You’ll see why this got 10k hearts on Sephora.

The powerhouse ingredient in this mask is sulfur, which penetrates pores to clear up any existing acne. And we’re talking about all kinds of acne: inflammatory acne, hormonal acne, acne caused by rosacea, etc.

Made of white clay, salicylic acid, and natural exfoliants, this mask will draw out and scrub away blackheads so that you get smooth and glowing skin.

While the white clay in this mask will remove any buildup, the brown algae helps firm the skin and the prickly pear seed oil improves your skin’s elasticity to also help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Now that we’ve showed you the best masks for blackheads at Sephora, go get shopping. You and your skin can thank us later.

Next up, These Liquid Bronzers Are Like a Trip to Capri in a Bottle

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

Summer is in full swing, and chances are you want to maintain (or fake) a sun-kissed glow. The fear with traditional bronzers, however, is the idea of ending up with a cakey, Oompa Loompa–like finish. Plus they don’t really go with the dewy no-makeup makeup vibes of the season. Thankfully the makeup industry is continuously evolving to help us reach our beach-babe dreams.

Brands like Benefit and Nars have developed dewy, blendable liquid versions of some of our favorite powder bronzers. Enter: a crop of liquid bronzers that can easily be mixed and melted into, over, and underneath your makeup for a natural glow. From shimmery and highlighting variations to matte and warm shades, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling for some of our favorite liquid bronzers.

This universally flattering liquid bronzer lets you achieve a sun-kissed glow without stepping into the sun. In fact, it protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays thanks to its mineral-based SPF 30 shield. Mix some in with your foundation to create a natural, personalized shade.

The light-reflecting pigments in this liquid bronzer from Chanel will have you glowing. Its formula is weightless and sheer, so you’ll forget you’re even wearing it. Plus, it contains botanical extracts to smooth, soften, and moisturize the skin.

If you’re not into shimmery bronzers, this one’s for you. Benefit’s Dew the Hoola formula is completely matte, so it offers a natural-looking tan. One Sephora buyer raves, “Leaves a dewy, makeup-free glow on your skin. So quick and easy to apply using a brush or even your fingers!”

Sephora calls this “a breakthrough fluid formula of the iconic Laguna bronzer,” and we have to agree. The weightless formula blends into the skin easily for an effortless, healthy-looking glow. It can also be mixed into your foundation for an allover brightening effect.

As you can probably infer from the name Liquid Illuminator, this bronzing formula is ultra-shimmery. Apply it to your cheekbones over your foundation for light-catching glow. You can also apply it to your lids for an shimmery bronze eye.

This liquid bronzer is clearly a fan favorite, as it’s sold out on a number of sites. It has SPF 15 protection, and can be applied alone or over foundation for healthy, radiant color.

This oil-free gel will revive your complexion and give you a natural warmth. For best results, Clinique suggests mixing it in with your foundation or moisturizer, and applying it all over the face. And Sephora buyers swear it won’t make you look orange.

Camila Cabello just launched her collection with L’Oréal, and people are already obsessed with this liquid bronzer. “I bought the darker shade, and it worked perfectly for both my olive skin and my best friend with a darker skin tone. She went out and bought her own after we tried it! I love the glow it provides,” one Ulta buyer gushes. The formula is lightweight, hydrating, and ultra-blendable.

This Dr. Hauschka formula contains witch hazel and anthyllis to purify your pores and sooth inflammation while it bronzes. The brand recommends mixing it with your moisturizer to minimize the appearance of blemishes and perfect your complexion.

Apply this bronzing CC cream all over your face for a warm complexion and SPF 50 protection. The unique formula also contains anti-aging ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration and hydrolyzed collagen. It’s the perfect multitasking product.

Long-lasting and subtle, this liquid bronzer is a cross between a gel and a creamy fluid. It can be worn alone or mixed into foundation for added warmth. Raspberry stem cells and bearberry complex provide anti-aging benefits to this radiance-boosting formula.

This sheer bronzing primer adds a touch of a natural glow to the skin, while serving as a base for your makeup. Apply it under your favorite foundation or tinted moisturizer to make it last all day and a radiant, dewy complexion.

Next up, These Are the 19 Best Liquid Eyeliners

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

From byrdie

Oh, the Grammys. Whether or not you watched the star-studded spectacle last night, chances are you’ve seen some of the head-turning looks that graced the red carpet by now (thank you, Instagram). One of our favorites of the night was Bella Hadid’s sultry, sleek, and romantic hair-and-makeup combo. “Our inspiration for Bella’s makeup look was a modern, bronzed Italian sex bomb in La Dolce Vita!” says her makeup artist, Vincent Oquendo, who used Kat Von D and Sephora Collectionmakeup products to create the look. Sex bomb indeed—we couldn’t stop staring at her smoldering yet subdued smoky eye and taupe lip. Luckily for us, Oquendo gave Byrdie the exclusive behind-the-scenes diary of how exactly he got Hadid red carpet–ready. Plush lips, perfectly groomed eyebrows, and a well-deserved post-glam nap (amid a pile of beauty products, naturally) were involved.

Keep scrolling for Oquendo’s Grammys photo diary!

“Starting my day off right with my Baby Bells!”

“READY. SET. BEAT.”

“You can never have too much money. Or too much mascara!”

Ed. note: Oquendo used Sephora Collection’s The Mascara ($12) then layered the brand’s Luxe False Lashes ($17) on top for a fluttery fringe. On Hadid’s eyes, he used the Liberatus shade from Kat Von D’s Shade + Light Contour Palette ($46) then added Metal Crush Eyeshadow ($21) in Thunderstruck on the inner corners of her eyes.

“Final touches on my girl before she slays the red carpet.”

Ed. note: The lip product is Sephora Collection’sOil Infusion Color & Care ($14) in Iced Coffee. Meanwhile, hairstylist Mark Townsend smoothed down Hadid’s baby hairs with a mascara wand coated in Dove’s Strength & Shine Extra Hold Hairspray($5).

“Serving sex.”

“A well-deserved nap!”

Next up, 9 Shopping Secrets for Anyone Obsessed With Cult Skincare Brand Farmacy

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated

From byrdie

As soon as the cleverly named farm-to-skin beauty brand Farmacy launched at Sephora in 2015, it became a runaway hit. The brand was founded by Mark Veeder, a gardener who grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Upstate New York and was inspired by the discovery of a plant called Echinacea GreenEnvy to launch a line of gentle, effective, and naturally sourced skincare products. Veeder patented this “superhero” Echinacea GreenEnvy, which he says has 300% more natural antioxidants in its roots than regular echinacea.

Now, he uses it in all of Farmacy’s products. The brand’s potent but clean and earth-friendly formulas, as well as its chic packaging, have earned them a cult following in less than three years.

When consumers love a brand as much as our readers (and our editors) love Farmacy, we like to do a little digging to find out everything we can about it. So we got in touch with Farmacy’s CEO and R&D and marketing teams to find out a few exclusive tips, from the best ways to score Farmacy discounts to product hacks.

Try Mixing the Honey Savior Balm with Powder Highlighter for a Dewier Finish

Farmacy’s multi-purpose salve is rich with amino acids; antioxidants; and vitamins A, B, C, and E, but it’s not just good for dry skin, cuticles, and split ends. You can play mad scientist and use the product to turn powder makeup products into dewy cream formulas. “Honey Savior is a makeup-artist favorite to mix with a highlighter or eye shadow for a gorgeous glossy glow,” say our brand insiders, “or to give brows some natural definition without having to fill in.”

Follow the Brand on Instagram, and It Might Surprise You with Free Products

Before every new launch, Farmacy hosts surprise giveaways of deluxe and full-size samples for its Instagram followers (@farmacybeauty) and farmacybeauty.com subscribers. Also if you purchase products on the brand’s website, you get free samples every time.

Its New Honey Glow Serum Isn’t Just for Your Face

It behooves brands to market their formulas as having one specific use, which encourages consumers to buy multiple items. But Farmacy’s insiders want you to know its products don’t need to be used as directed. For example, the just-launched Honeymoon Glow is listed as an exfoliating face serum, packed with a 14% concentration of AHAs and BHAs to resurface skin and reduce the look of pores and fine lines. That potency is strong enough to use on your body, too. The serum “actually works amazingly well for dry or ashy areas like elbows and feet,” Farmacy employees tell us. And a little goes a long way.

It’s Clay Mask Makes a Killer Spot Treatment

Another fun multipurpose trick: If you’re breaking out in one tiny area, just hack your Bright On mask into a spot treatment. “The kaolin and bentonite clays help control oil, so when you feel a pimple coming on, apply it at night as a preventative measure,” our insiders suggest.

New Products Will Hit on Their Website First

“We will typically release new products on farmacybeauty.com first before it hits Sephora,” say our insiders. “So the best way to get your hands on our newest launches early is via our website.”

Shop on These Days for the Best Discount

Black Friday, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July: These are the days Farmacy hosts its biggest sales and discounts. Mark your calendars.

This Cleanser is the Brand’s Best-Selling Product

Farmacy’s TSA-friendly cleansing balm is its number one seller and currently the number one cleansing balm at Sephora. It’s also a 2017 Allure Best of Beauty winner. The hydrating yet gently exfoliating formula removes dirt and makeup (even the waterproof stuff) instantly and effectively, and unlike some other buzzy cleansing balms, it contains no mineral oil.

But It’s Not the Brand CEO’s Favorite Cleanser

Still, Farmacy’s CEO, David Chung, is obsessed with a different, lesser-known cleanser: its ultra-gentle, water-based Clean Bee face wash, made with honey and hyaluronic acid. “I have been using this product every day since we first started developing the product. It leaves my skin so clean and very, very soft,” he tells us. “I have given this product to many people of varying skin types and age ranges to try, and the feedback has been phenomenal.”

Try Upcycling Your Honey Potion Jar in One of These Cool Ways

Farmacy’s warming, hydrating Honey Potion mask is another of its bestsellers, but what makes it especially great is the earth-friendly packaging. “We always get comments about how beautiful our Honey Drop and Honey Potion glass jars are,” the brand says. “We have seen so many creative ways they’ve been upcycled and used well after the product is finished.” At Farmacy HQ, employees like to use it to store loose tea or to display on their kitchen shelves and as succulent planters.

Next up, I Have a Hate-Hate Relationship With Floral Perfumes, So I Wear These

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated