Categories
Beauty

Glossier Is Launching A Brown Mascara

Maybe it’s the nostalgic chill in the air or a harkening back to the beauty dates of yore, but it feels like Glossier has gotten its stride back. After undergoing a major restructuring this past year, the direct-to-consumer brand has made a series of good decisions, with a new brick-and-mortar Brooklyn location, an underrated candle launch that’s on everyone’s Holiday wishlist, and the news that Glossier products will be available in Sephora sometime in early 2023.

And the good news doesn’t stop there. Dewy girls everywhere, come together for a most joyous occasion: Lash Slick, Glossier’s cult-favorite mascara, will be available in brown starting on December 7th. A mascara created for people who hate mascara (my interpretation), Lash Slick elongates, strengthens, and separates lashes without that clumpy, makeup-y look. Brown mascara ups the au naturel ante, adding a hint of definition to blonde lashes, and making brunettes look like they’re not wearing makeup–they just have lovely genetics.

Glossier Lash Slick

Lash Slick

Glossier Lash Slick

TikTok’s ability to reignite a fervor for past beauty launches (Black Honey, anyone?) seems to be benefiting the millennial-pink clad brand. These days, Glossier’s world-famous Boy Brow gel is getting far less attention than Cloud Paint blushes, Futuredew glowing primer, or Glossier You fragrance–beauty editors are actually carrying Generation G in their purses again. It seems like the new generation of beauty influencers are buying what Glossier is selling again: natural-looking makeup, a skin-first approach, great formulas, and the brand’s signature messaging: You Look Good.

Shop our favorite Glossier products here:

Categories
Beauty

ELLE’s 2022 Future of Beauty Awards

What makes a beauty product “great” in 2022? For the beauty team at ELLE, the secret sauce to a Future of Beauty-worthy launch goes something like this: a breakthrough formula, never-before-seen level of inclusivity, and advancements in results. We gazed into our crystal (makeup) ball—reviewing hundreds of submissions—and selected the most exciting launches in the market right now to bring you this year’s Future of Beauty winners. Check them out—and shop them!—below.

skincare

Getty + Design Leah Romero

PRO LED Light Mask

Shani Darden by Déesse PRO LED Light Mask

Facialist Shani Darden incorporates LED when she’s treating clients like Jessica Alba and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Now, the benefits can be replicated on your couch with Shani Darden by Déesse’s PRO LED Light Mask, which has triple the number of lights as its direct competitors and is the strongest on the consumer market.

TheraFace Pro with Gel

Therabody TheraFace Pro with Gel

Customers using the Theragun massage tool on their faces and necks (to ease tense foreheads and jaws) is the origin story behind the TheraFace Pro, which has three face-safe percussive attachments plus cleansing, LED light, and microcurrent rings to lift, cleanse, and much, much more.

TRINITY+ Starter Kit

NuFace TRINITY+ Starter Kit

It took over a decade and 42 revisions before NuFace released an update to Trinity, its popular microcurrent device. Now named the Trinity+, the new tool comes with 25 percent more power and an app for a more precise lift and tone.

LYMA Laser

LYMA LYMA Laser

The Lyma Laser device combines red LED lights with a 500 milliwatt laser into a handheld anti-aging device that’s safe for all skin tones.

Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Eye Crème

OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Eye Crème

Giving one of Sephora’s top sellers a makeover? Brave. Ole Henriksen’s best-selling eye cream has a new name and an even better formula: the glow-inducing vitamin C that shoppers know and love is more potent than ever.

Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment

Glow Recipe also did the R&D to make its beloved facial-in-a-tub product more universally tolerated—but still as smoothing and brightening.

Liposome Advanced Repair Serum

Decorté Liposome Advanced Repair Serum

Japanese brand Decorté started researching liposomes (tiny vesicles that help kick-start the delivery of active ingredients to the skin) in 1984, later bringing to market the Moisture Liposome Serum in 1992. This year, the brand revised that technology for the first time in 30 years, releasing the Liposome Advanced Repair Serum, a gel formula made with ceramides that hydrates via time-release over 24 hours.

Lip Filler + Lip Conditioner Set

Ourself Lip Filler + Lip Conditioner Set

Ourself’s Lip Filler, complete with “subtopical” plumping technology, goes places typically only reachable by a dermatologist—by wrapping hyaluronic acid in a delivery system that infuses it deep into the skin.

Reparative Moisturizer

Eighth Day Reparative Moisturizer

Board-certified dermatologist and reconstructive skin cancer surgeon Antony Nakhla’s work with more than 10,000 skin cancer patients inspired Eighth Day’s Reparative Moisturizer. The PRP blend inside the thick cream also has proven skin-beneficial ingredients like resveratrol, CoQ10, and vitamins C and E to plump skin immediately but also deliver long-term hydration.

Bio-Performance Skin Filler Serums

Shiseido Bio-Performance Skin Filler Serums

Shiseido’s Bio-Performance Skin Filler Serums work in tandem to deliver hyaluronic acid—the Night serum has a compacted version of the HA, and the Day serum triggers the molecule to expand, subtly adding volume.

One & Done Everyday Cream with SPF 40

Relevant One & Done Everyday Cream with SPF 40

The inaugural product by beauty industry veteran and e-retailer Thirteen Lune founder Nyakio Grieco took on one of the products women of color find the most challenging: mineral sunscreen. On top of being a truly universal mineral sunscreen formula (the secret for getting such a high SPF rating in boosters), it’s also your morning moisturizer, serum, and primer.

24/7 Treatment

Soho Skin 24/7 Treatment

Soho House used its discerning clientele (which is of a certain age) as test dummies when it came to creating its skincare line. The results include the 24/7 Treatment, which works whether you get a full eight hours of restful sleep or a not-so-great four post-dance club. The overnight mask uses lactic acid and fermented ingredients to smooth with ATP—yes, the energy inside of cells—to help the skin function better.


treatments

Getty + Design Leah Romero

Volux XC

Juvederm Volux XC
Credit: jacoblund

In the post-Zoom world, patients are looking for new ways to enhance their unmasked faces. See: Juvéderm Volux XC, which is FDA-approved as the only hyaluronic acid filler to give you a more defined jawline.

Aviclear

Cutera Aviclear
Credit: jacoblund

AviClear by Cutera is the first FDA-cleared laser to treat acne by zapping sebum glands to produce less oil, which means fewer breakouts.

Redensity

RHA Redensity
Credit: jacoblund

Having a stiff upper lip isn’t what you want when it comes to fillers. RHA Redensity smooths severe lines around the mouth with a breakthrough level of flexibility.

Vivace Ultra

Vivace Vivace Ultra
Credit: jacoblund

The Vivace Ultra offers the first-ever bespoke version of radiofrequency microneedling; each session starts with ultrasound photo mapping to create a custom program that includes optimal needle depth for each area.


makeup

Owen Bruce + Design Leah Romero

Magic Flik

Half Magic Beauty Magic Flik

Euphoria’s lead makeup artist Donni Davy reinvented liquid liner with the Half Magic Magic Flik Liquid Calligraphy Eyeliner Pen. Its paddle-shaped brush (rather than the usual cone) makes shaping a flick or wave super easy. (Trust us.)

The Bold High Pigment Lipstick in Revenged Red

Yves Saint Laurent The Bold High Pigment Lipstick in Revenged Red

Now 15% Off

Your body heat triggers YSL Beauty’s The Bold High Pigment Lipstick to create an ultra-vibrant effect. It subtly separates into two layers, invisible to the naked eye: Pigment remains on the bottom, while the oil rises to the top—and your lips become bold and glossy, just like that.

Second Nature Plant Fibre Lashes

Velour Lashes Second Nature Plant Fibre Lashes

Vegan and cruelty-free brand Velour Beauty added “sustainable” to its résumé with the Plant Fibre Lash Collection. The lashes are made of 90 percent biodegradable hemp fibers and can be worn more than 20 times.

Hue Twins

Hue Hue Twins

You may not have an identical twin to walk the Gucci runway with, but there’s probably somebody out there with similar coloring and skin type. Hue Twins, a collaboration between Hue and Credo Beauty, maintains a database of over 1,300 real people, so you can see what your beauty doppelgänger is buying from brands like Exa Beauty and more.

Lash Anatomy

Lancôme Lash Anatomy

Lancôme Lash Anatomy, available at the brand’s counters across the nation, takes ultra-high-def photos of your eyelashes and grades them on stats like length, thickness, and density to help you find your best mascara.

Easy on the Eyes Brush Collection

Guide Beauty Easy on the Eyes Brush Collection

Diversity in beauty doesn’t just mean releasing a line of 50-plus foundations; it’s also about welcoming consumers where they are in their journey. In 2018, actor Selma Blair announced that she’d been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and this year joined Guide Beauty, helping to launch the Easy on the Eyes Brush Collection. The thoughtfully designed vegan makeup brushes are geared toward those with different levels of hand control. Each has a shorter, ergonomic handle that can be held in several ways.

Gel Couleur Fall Set

Aprés Nail Gel Couleur Fall Set

Hesitant at-home manicurists and nail art pros alike will love the densely-packed brush that comes with the newly-launched Aprés Nail Gel Couleur kits; each one is handmade and densely packed to evenly distribute color in a single swipe.

Monaco

OTM Collection Monaco

While we would never—like, ever—suggest you take your makeup bag out into the desert, OTM gives you that option. All three of the bags are lined in a heat-resistant shield that’ll keep your lipsticks, vitamin C serum, and all other precious top-shelf routine items safe from high temperatures, no matter where you’re going.


hair

Getty + Design Leah Romero

Colour Alchemy

The Unseen Colour Alchemy

For hair, colors like the glow of the Northern Lights or gleam of a scarab’s shell are now attainable with Colour Alchemy. The five holographic tints are triggered by heat and light, and work on many different hair shades—even dark ones.

Custom Wig

Parfait Custom Wig

Parfait combines artificial intelligence and the know-how of seasoned hairstylists to solve pain points in the wig-creation process. AI helps capture sizing, so a custom wig can arrive in less than a week, compared to the standard five weeks or more.

Transition Mask

Pattern Transition Mask

At Tracee Ellis Ross’ Pattern Beauty, the team noticed the need for products to support processed hair that’s phasing back to its natural texture, because breakage can happen as a strand goes from straight to coiled. The Transition Mask strengthens hair during this delicate time with white tea and manuka honey.

Airwrap Multi-Styler

Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler

In 2018, Dyson debuted the Airwrap Styler, a combo hot tool and the first to harness the Coanda effect in a hair-curling device—using the law of physics to manipulate hair. It sold out almost immediately, and at one point had a 113,000-person waiting list. The version released this year, the Airwrap Multi-Styler, has enhanced that same technology, so the Airwrap can switch directions midstyle, as well as work on more hair types.

PEPTIDE PREP pH Maintenance Shampoo

K18 PEPTIDE PREP pH Maintenance Shampoo

Forget the notion that shampoo needs to be stripping. This shampoo puts its patented molecule (named the K18Peptide, which reconnects the bonds that are broken in a strand of hair every time you dye, style, or every aggressively brush) back into hair so that each cleanse is a step toward shinier, healthier hair.

Embody Volumizing Foam

JVN Embody Volumizing Foam

If your crunchy curls of the ’90s swore you of foam mousse forever—it’s time to give it another try. Queer Eye and Getting Curious‘s Jonathan Van Ness formulated their version of volumizing foam with hydrating hemi-squalane, so you’re getting lift and shine without hair feeling stiff.

F-Layer Deep Conditioning Serum

R+Co Bleu F-Layer Deep Conditioning Serum

This lightweight treatment caters to the little-addressed F layer, a three-nanometer area between the cells of the cuticle that must be hydrated for hair to look shiny. This leave-in, which should be used post-wash, has fruit extracts, the BLEU molecule (which will give you bond-building benefits), coconut fruit water, and sunflower seed oil.

Pequi Medium-Hold Styling Hair Gel

Ceremonia Pequi Medium-Hold Styling Hair Gel

Founder Babba Rivera was inspired by the important role that gel plays in Latinx community’s hair routine when it came to formulating her own version. But this one has an oil (we know, an oil and a gel seem like they wouldn’t mix) from the pequi, a Brazillian fruit, for a flake-free medium hold that adds shine to all hair types.


fragrance

Anna Dabrowska + Design Leah Romero

J’adore Parfum d’Eau

Dior J’adore Parfum d’Eau

It took multiple revisions to perfect the water-based Dior J’adore Parfum d’eau, which uses a high-pressure nano-emulsion technique to give the purest aroma of uplifting orange blossoms sans alcohol.

Aroma Eau de Parfum

Costa Brazil Aroma Eau de Parfum

Costa Brazil’s first fragrance, Aroma, is blended with a mixture of natural Amazonian notes that evoke the calming chemicals given off by trees—so wearing it feels like you’re wandering through a lush forest.

Water Therapy

The Nue Co. Water Therapy

The industry continues to merge wellness and self-care with innovative new ingredients. The Nue Co. expanded its collection of functional fragrances with Water Therapy; a single spritz swaddles the wearer in a blend that evokes a day at the beach (and the serenity that comes along with it).

Worthy SuperCharged SkinScent Travel Pen

Credo Worthy SuperCharged SkinScent Travel Pen

This fragrant blend of apricot kernel, grape seed, and meadowfoam seed oil locks into the skin and lasts all day.

Categories
Beauty

Rare Beauty Has a New Product That Will Be the Highlight of the Season

Girls that love to glow, get your coins together, because Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez’s vegan, cruelty-free beauty brand, has a new product for you. Beginning today, you can purchase the Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter and its accompanying makeup brush, the Positive Light Precision Highlighter Brush. If you’re ready for a powder highlighter that gives you a natural-looking, glass-like glow sans the stress a liquid highlighter can cause, we suggest you get your hands on this release, stat.

rare beauty positive light silky touch highlighter compact and brush

Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter compact and brush.

Rare Beauty

The Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter is perfect for beginners and makeup experts alike. The talc-free formula goes on in powder form, but instantly melts into your skin for a glowy, dewy, and smooth look. Using prismatic microshimmers, the highlighter creates a semi-sheer shine, enhancing your skin’s natural warmth and light.

selena gomez wearing rare beauty postive light precision highlighter

Rare Beauty

“It’s truly lightweight and goes on like silk, and I love the natural sheen it gives you—I’ve never seen a highlighter like this,” Gomez shares exclusively with ELLE.com.

The product also comes in a compact that can slide easily into your makeup bag for a weekend away, or your bag for a day at the office. Not to mention, the Positive Light Precision Highlighter Makeup Brush picks up a lot of product, and a little goes a long way. Gently sweep the brush across your powder compact and apply in light strokes, or press it into your skin and blend in. Once you apply, you won’t need to do a touch-up for hours, if at all. “It’s small enough that it gives me full control of where I highlight, but fluffy enough to make blending easy,” the Only Murders in the Building star adds. The Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter gives your skin a more subtle, sheer shine in comparison to the Positive Light Liquid Luminizer. If using the highlighter brush on the Liquid Luminizer, you only need one or two drops (take our word for it).

rare beauty positive light silky touch highlighter on model

Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter on a model.

Rare Beauty

I’m happy to report that I gave the new Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter a whirl during Art Basel weekend, and it withstood not only the Florida humidity, but occasional cheek-to-cheek kisses, and didn’t transfer onto my mask, either. The highlighter boasts being waterproof, transfer-proof, and smudge-proof for all-day wear. Like most of Rare Beauty’s products, this highlighter has a barely there feel, which I love, and doesn’t weigh down your face. It mixed nicely with my other (admittedly non-Rare Beauty) products and creates a beautiful, glazed gleam to boot.

rare beauty positive light silky touch highlighter

Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter.

Rare Beauty

It glides on silky smooth, and the Flaunt color brought out the natural golden hues of my undertones. While the Positive Light Liquid Luminizer comes in eight shades, the Positive Light Precision Highlighter only comes in four: Enlighten, a cool champagne; Exhilarate, a champagne gold; Flaunt, a true gold; and Mesmerize, a rose bronze. I hope they expand the palette offerings, as I’d love a deep bronze or copper too. I should note that the names of the color profiles don’t match their liquid counterpart, which may make it confusing for some shoppers.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-apply natural highlighter that won’t overpower your face, then this is the product for you. While it officially launches tomorrow, December 6th, on sephora.com and rarebeauty.com or in Sephora and Kohl’s retail locations, if you are feeling a little impatient, today only, you can shop the new Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter and Positive Light Precision Highlighter Brush on the Sephora app.

Categories
Beauty

Get This Hailey Bieber-Approved Moisturizer On Sale for Black Friday 2022

Hailey Bieber deemed 2022 the year of glazed donut everything, and slowly but surely, she’s been revealing how she gets that signature look. In addition to her own cult-favorite skincare line, Rhode, the supermodel and beauty entrepreneur reaches for Dieux’s Instant Angel Skin Restoring Moisturizer to keep her skin hydrated and supple. “Couldn’t love this moisturizer more,” she previously wrote in an Instagram Story sharing the product.

Made with ingredients like free fatty acids, ceramides, and squalane, Instant Angel helps support the skin barrier as it provides that glazed donut halo effect. It’s also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, though the brand notes it may be a bit rich for acne-prone skin.

Dieux Instant Angel Skin Restoring Moisturizer

Instant Angel Skin Restoring Moisturizer

Dieux Instant Angel Skin Restoring Moisturizer

Now 15% Off

Credit: Dieux
Dieux Dieux-ing Great Bundle

Dieux-ing Great Bundle

Dieux Dieux-ing Great Bundle

Now 20% Off

Credit: Dieux
Dieux Glow Gospel Bundle

Glow Gospel Bundle

Dieux Glow Gospel Bundle

Now 11% Off

Credit: Dieux

Thanks to Dieux’s (and founder Charlotte Palermino’s) popularity on social media, Instant Angel has already sold out at least once, but it’s currently on sale for Black Friday 2022.

The celeb-favorite is available to shop for 15 percent off as a standalone essential, and in two of the brand’s discounted skincare bundles for 20 percent off, which also happen to make great gifts. Whether you shop the Dieux-ing Great Bundle, which contains Instant Angel, Dieux’s culty under-eye patches, and hydrating Deliverance Serum, or the Glow Gospel duo that features the serum plus Bieber’s go-to, we’re betting you’ll walk away looking more glazed and dewy than ever.

In addition to her love for Instant Angel, the supermodel also previously shared her five-minute skin care and makeup routine on TikTok, ahead of her brand’s official release, which included a few of her other holy-grail beauty favorites. “Honestly, the most important thing for me, when doing my own makeup or getting my makeup done, is the skincare, the base for the makeup,” she said in the video. “I feel like that’s always how I achieve the glowiest, best looking makeup.”

Shop more of the trendsetter’s product favorites below:

Categories
Beauty

You’ve Been Applying Your Skincare All Wrong

The golden rule of skincare has always been to wear SPF, as it’s a godsend product for addressing anti-aging, preventing and reducing dark spots, and offering protection from the sun. Truth is, SPF alone can’t address every skincare woe you may be dealing with, and often, it’s the big guns—targeted serums, gentle cleansers, hydrating moisturizers, etc.—that do the heavy lifting to bring you closer to your skin goals.

Like attempting to bake a cake from scratch, shopping for your skincare products is quite a humbling experience, especially when you’re unsure what ingredients to buy, the internet is inundated with conflicting tips, and prices aren’t the most flattering. Perhaps the most annoying part of it all is that regardless of brand, price, or ingredient, the order in which you apply your products can affect the efficacy of your routine. You wouldn’t add milk to a cafe after it’s already baked, right?

So before you splurge on that luxury moisturizer or introduce a new bakuchiol serum into your routine, let’s take it back to the basics. Ahead, is a comprehensive guide on how to correctly apply your AM and PM skincare routines—yes, there’s a difference.

Morning

When looking at your skincare formulas, it’s always better to apply products from the thinnest formula to the thickest. Now, the most important thing to remember when applying your AM skincare routine is the sun. “When you’re thinking about your skincare routine, it’s really simple. During the day, you want to protect your skin. At night, you want to repair,” Dr. Lian Mack, NY-based board-certified dermatologist at GlamDerm, explains.

Cleanser

    Cleansing your skin from all the dirt, oil, and debris is how you create the perfect canvas for all your subsequent products to seep through your skin and work their magic. Here’s the step that sets the tone for your entire routine. Pay close attention to your skin—are you more on the dry side or find yourself swiping away oil throughout the day? Understanding your skin type is how you decide what cleanser is right for you. If you have sensitive skin, Dr. Bertha Baum, a Florida-based board-certified dermatologist, suggests using a gentle cleanser. Those with oily skin can benefit from a foaming cleanser, Dr. Baum adds. But never forget about the sun! Since you’ll likely encounter the UV rays throughout the day, Dr. Mack recommends using cleansers without actives in them “because you don’t want to increase your risk for photosensitivity,” she says.

    Hydrating Facial Cleanser

    CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

    Gentle Cream Cleanser

    Exuviance Gentle Cream Cleanser

    Soothing Cleanser

    Skinceuticals Soothing Cleanser

    Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

    La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

    Toner

    Toners are an optional step in a skincare routine. Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, Dr. Mack says it’s okay to skip a toner. Ultimately, toners serve different purposes but are great for hydrating the skin for the next step in the routine.

    Serums

    A fun way to shop for serums for your morning routine is to remember what ingredients are typically associated with brightness, are antioxidant-rich, and are gentle enough for daytime wear. If vitamin C was the first thing that came to mind, you’re already on the right track. “During the day, you want to couple antioxidants—like vitamin C and E. In addition to antioxidants, you can sandwich other things into that regimen because serums have smaller molecules, and they’re able to penetrate the skin better,” she explains. After applying your serum, Dr. Mack advises incorporating “a hyaluronic acid molecule to help pull water to the skin.”

    C E Ferulic

    SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

    Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum

    Hyper Skin Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum

    1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

    L’Oreal Paris 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

    Now 39% Off

    Niacinamide Face Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

    Naturium Niacinamide Face Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

    Eye Cream

    The skin around our eyes is super sensitive and thin. Eye creams help delay any signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. Mack says to look for ones with “peptides that help to firm and strengthen or lift the skin.” Since eye creams are not as thick as moisturizers, it’s perfectly fine to apply an eye cream before your moisturizer—but if you apply one after, you’re not wrong either.

    Extra Repair Eye Cream Intense at Nordstrom

    Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Eye Cream Intense at Nordstrom

    Now 15% Off

    Radiance Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream

    REN Clean Skincare Radiance Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream

    Moisturize

    After cleansing and treating your skin, the next step is to seal it all in with a good moisturizer. Moisturizers not only keep the skin hydrated, but they also work in tandem with the serums previously applied. Thicker formulas work great to soothe dry skin. “Some people don’t need a thicker moisturizer because they tend to be oily,” Dr. Mack says, so those with oily skin should look for lighter formulas with hyaluronic acid.

    Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream

    Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream

    The Daily Moisturizer

    Namesake The Daily Moisturizer

    Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid

    Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid

    Moisturizing Cream

    CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

    Sunscreen

    “The two mainstays of a morning routine are vitamin C and SPF 30 or higher,” Dr. Mack adds. No routine is complete without sunscreen, which protects the skin from harmful UV rays. However, the type of sunscreen you use should match your lifestyle.

    In Dr. Mack’s office, she often recommends mineral sunscreens to her patients. “I prefer mineral-based sunscreens because there are great options for skin of color. For many, part of the struggle of searching for sunscreen is finding one that blends nicely with darker skin types,” she explains. Even if you’re using a tinted moisturizer or a BB cream, Dr. Mack still recommends using sunscreen prior to applying. “You would have to apply a lot of that foundation or BB cream to get the protection that you would from a true sunscreen. When you’re applying sunscreen, use the two-finger rule to get the amount of protection that you need.”

    UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen

    EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen

    Unseen Sunscreen

    Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen

    Now 13% Off

    Urban Environment Oil-Free Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 42

    Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 42

    Brightening Moisturizer Face Sunscreen SPF 30

    BOLDEN Brightening Moisturizer Face Sunscreen SPF 30

    Evening

    Cleanser

        After a long day at work, running errands, or at school, a good cleansing oil is necessary to enter repair mode. “Double cleansing is ideal at night because you have so many pollutants on your face. Most people are wearing makeup, moisturizers, and concealers, so there’s more to wash off. Double cleansing at night really gets the skin to a place where it feels really clean, and you’re not threatened by environmental exposures that you typically have during the day,” Dr. Mack adds. However, if you have sensitive skin, Dr. Mack says to skip double-cleansing.

        DHC DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

        DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

        DHC DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

        People with oily skin can cleanse with a foaming or milk-based cleanser, as it won’t leave you extremely dry. “If you’re sensitive, I would just wash once,” she says.

        Treatments/Topical Medication

        Now, it’s time to get your skin in order. This is the part of the routine where you either reach for your retinol (prescribed or over-the-counter). “After getting home and washing off your day, you want to apply a vitamin A derivative, something that has retinol or a retinoid in it. There is also plant-derived retinol like bakuchiol, which I tend to recommend for patients who are either lactating or pregnant,” she says. It’s important to pay attention to how your skin reacts to topical treatments. “You want to titrate up to a point where you can tolerate it. Once you can get to the point where you can tolerate it every night, you should definitely be coupling it with either hyaluronic acid or a moisturizer.”

        SkinCeuticals SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream (1 fl. oz.)

        SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream (1 fl. oz.)

        SkinCeuticals SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream (1 fl. oz.)

        Moisturize

        With an actives-heavy nighttime routine, you want to ensure your skin is being properly protected and moisturized as you catch some Zzz. While you can certainly use your morning moisturizer at night, most night creams are thicker in consistency and formulated to retain moisture longer than daytime creams. Creams that tout anti-aging, firming, radiance-boosting, and hydration are great formulas to reach for during the night.

        Rest

        The best thing you can do for your skin is to get a good night’s rest. When you sleep, your skin has time to calm down and repair itself, with help from all the products in your routine.

        Categories
        Beauty

        Is The HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket Worth It?

        When it comes to wellness, I’m almost always game to try a new product or experience. Sitting in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber? Sure. Cryotherapy? I’ve dabbled. But the luxury wellness experience that I have been obsessed with since the very first time I tried it in 2017 is infrared sauna. There’s just one small snag: I live in a studio apartment, so I can neither afford to have a full wooden spa buildout, nor to spend hundreds of dollars a month going to the spa. Back in 2020, I found myself missing my favorite wellness splurge as the seasons began to change when going to a spa was not possible, but I did know that HigherDose had a nifty at-home solution: the Infrared Sauna Blanket.

        I have owned the product for many years now, and I can honestly say that this sleeping bag with far infrared rays has been my most used wellness item. The daily routine of getting into a pair of sweats and slipping in for 45 minutes almost every day of the week during the peak dreary months of early 2021 saved me from going a little bit batty. And the heat? At the highest setting it warms up to a toasty 158 degrees, raising my internal body temperature, boosting circulation, and kicking my sweat output into high gear.

        Infrared Sauna Blanket

        Infrared Sauna Blanket

        Infrared Sauna Blanket

        Now 20% Off

        It’s the perfect—and most relaxing—complement to a brisk walk and an at-home workout. On Sundays, it makes for a great way to unwind and hit re-set for the week ahead. When I do it on a regular basis, I find that it seriously helps with aches and pains, and it’s said to help with muscle recovery; and because it gets your heart rate up, you burn some extra calories. Also, I can highly suggest hopping in to the sauna blanket in the morning. You emerge revitalized, wide awake, and oh-so relaxed. No caffeine necessary!

        These days, I’m still using my sweat burrito, as I lovingly call it, on regular basis, and even though they’ve released an updated version (linked here) since I got mine, with a zipper closure that surely is easier to use, I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about this wellness essential. It makes me feel amazing to stop and take a meditative moment to myself. Better still, HigherDose has released a line of body care to use in tandem with the sauna blanket, and I have seriously taken to the Get Salty Spray, which is a blend of Zechstein magnesium and water. Not only does it help replenish the electrolytes that I sweat out, but it also gives me a vital boost of magnesium, which is necessary for calming the nervous system, helping with muscle tension, and even inducing restorative sleep.

        higherdose HigherDOSE Get Salty Spray

        HigherDOSE Get Salty Spray

        higherdose HigherDOSE Get Salty Spray

        Dare I say it, with this little ritual … I feel like Gwyneth Paltrow. It’s a luxe experience within the comfort of my home. And did I mention? It gives me the most unreal glow. When I’m done, I simply let it cool down, clean it, and then fold it to be stored underneath my bed, easy as that.

        All in all, it’s a routine that I won’t be letting go of anytime soon.

        Categories
        Beauty

        4 Hairstyles to Keep in Your Holiday Party Rotation

        Getting ready for a holiday party can feel like preparing for your very own red carpet moment. It’s an occasion to wear a knockout ’fit, go bold with hair and makeup, take lots of pictures, and celebrate all night long. The only thing missing is your personal glam squad (ok, and maybe the actual red carpet). Thankfully, we’re hooking you up with the next best thing: A holiday hair tutorial livestream with celebrity stylist Marcus Francis.

        The pro, who works with all our fave stars, has teamed up with Batiste to walk you through creating four festive looks. He’ll demonstrate a bouncy voluminous ponytail, a sophisticated braided updo, a cute and polished top knot, and a simple yet totally chic half-up, half-down style—all of which are practically begging to be paired with a sequined dress and bright red lip. Tune in right here on November 29 at 3PM EST to watch and ask Marcus your styling questions in real time.

        In addition to dishing the same styling tricks he uses on his A-list clients, he’ll share how to use Batiste’s line-up of iconic dry shampoos to help you get your hair party-ready, even when a daily wash just isn’t in the cards. The brand is known for its effective, affordable, and delicious-smelling products, all of which are staples in Marcus’ kit. You’re likely familiar with the classic, original formula, but Batiste also offers dry shampoos formulated for different hair colors and types, and they come in a range of scents (did we mention they make great stocking stuffers?). Find your match below, and don’t forget to tune in on November 29 to get your holiday hair on.

        Dry Shampoo, Original Fragrance

        Batiste Dry Shampoo, Original Fragrance

        Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair

        Batiste Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair

        Dry Shampoo, Blonde

        Batiste Dry Shampoo, Blonde

        Dry Shampoo, Volumizing

        Batiste Dry Shampoo, Volumizing
        Categories
        Beauty

        Your Guide to Crushing the Holiday Party Hair Game

        batiste, hair gems, holiday

        Holiday party season is here, and if you ask us, there’s no better time to go all out. Sequined dresses? Yes, please. Statement-making accessories? Bring ’em on. A bold lip? Absolutely. And let’s not forget about hair. From space buns to hair gems, there are so many fun ways to do it up for festive occasions. We asked hairstylist Erol Karadağ to suggest different ways to create of-the-moment, party-ready looks—and show us how to put them all together for seriously entrance-making style.

        batiste

        The holidays are all about letting your hair down, and we mean that literally and figuratively. Give the hot tools a rest and allow your natural texture to shine. A free-flowing style, winged liner, and a glossy lip are perfect for a cozy night with friends watching festive flicks.

        batiste, hair gems

        Ok, so you want a look that wows but doesn’t involve intricate styling? Rhinestones are reporting for duty. They’re easy to apply, inherently festive, and, best of all, when it comes to how to wear them, there are no rules.

        Karadağ recommends dabbing a strong hold hair gel on the back of each gem and adhering it anywhere you want some glitz. You can start along the hairline and work your way onto your part and then down your lengths until your strands are perfectly bedazzled.

        batiste

        One of our favorite ’90s trends currently making a comeback (along with space buns, but more on that later), braided tendrils are simple yet add a playful vibe that’s right for a white elephant gift exchange or an ugly sweater soiree. Since this is no time to be subtle, go beyond the face-framing pieces and add small three-strand braids in random areas around your crown, too.

        holiday hair batiste

        For your biggest fête of the season, combine all of the above and add some space buns. The look has personality, works on different hair lengths and textures, and will most definitely make you stand out in a crowd. Here’s how to do it: Section hair in the middle and create half-up, half-down pigtails on either side, leaving out small face-framing pieces and sideburns. Twist each pigtail into a loose bun, gently knot the ends through the center, and secure with bobby pins.

        To add texture and an even-more-fun touch, create a couple of small, three-strand braids in the lengths, wrap them around the buns, and pin the ends. Finish by applying hair gems with abandon.

        batiste, hair, holiday, fun

        Keep the Party Going

        Batiste Original Dry Shampoo

        Original Dry Shampoo

        Batiste Original Dry Shampoo

        As much as you may be looking forward to every event on your packed social calendar, it can be a handful to manage. That’s why we recommend keeping a great LBD on rotation and getting the most mileage possible out of your hair. For the latter, dry shampoo is a must. Batiste’s formulas are the ultimate for quickly refreshing between washes—they remove oil, leave hair smelling and looking clean, and even come in minis for on-the-go touch-ups.

        To apply, shake well, hold the bottle 12 inches away, and spray in sections at the roots. Massage the formula into the scalp, and you’re ready for another night of dancing, gift-opening, cookie-eating…whatever.


        Photographer: Jenn Collins; Hair Stylist: Erol Karadag; Makeup Artist: Allie Smith; Wardrobe Stylist: Sachiko Clyde; Art Director & Producer: Hannah Miller; Beauty Director: Sarah Ferguson

        Categories
        Beauty

        Jennifer Garner Just Debuted An Incredible New Haircut And Her Best Styling Products To Go Along With It On IG

        You can now officially add Miss Ray of Sunshine herself, Jennifer Garner, to the list of celebs rocking a cropped haircut these days.

        Jen took to Instagram this week to debuted her new lob (long bob), and she was absolutely glowing in the video she posted. Jen captioned her post, “Short hair, don’t care! 💁🏻‍♀️.” And of course, everyone was all about it. “Gorgeous!!!!!” commented actress Kat Dennings. While others added, “Ok this haircut looks so good on you!!!!” and “I love it!” The verdict is in: Everyone is obsessed with your new haircut, Jen!

        As you probably know if you keep tabs on Jennifer, she’s all about sharing her best tips and tricks with her fans, from her fave sneakers to her go-to skincare products. She even shares her intense workout routines from time to time. So, being the kind and generous person that she is, Jen also just gave anyone hoping to replicate her look at home a quick primer on how she brings her short locks to life.

        VIRTUE VIRTUE 6-IN-1 Styler Cream

        VIRTUE 6-IN-1 Styler Cream

        VIRTUE VIRTUE 6-IN-1 Styler Cream

        First, Jen says she uses a 6 in 1 styler from Virtue, which, she explains, brings out the natural texture of the hair. The cream is should be used before you apply heat to your hair for styling, and it smells great, according to Jen, so that’s a major plus! Jen shows fans how she adds a small amount of the styler to her palm before scrunching her hair. She then uses a hair dryer with a diffuser attachment to create even more texture.

        Virtue Texturizing Spray

        Texturizing Spray

        Virtue Texturizing Spray
        Credit: Sephora

        After achieving a good bouncy shape, Jen follows the styler up with Virtue’s Texturizing Spray. Basically, this is both a dry shampoo and hairspray in one…which is pretty genius, so thanks, Jen. No notes. The product adds that it will bring “lift and volume” to any hair type, and it’s also free of parabens and sulfites.

        VIRTUE VIRTUE Healing Oil

        VIRTUE Healing Oil

        VIRTUE VIRTUE Healing Oil

        Jen finishes the look with some Virtue Healing Oil. But don’t worry, this “oil” won’t get rid of your curls or texture, according to Jen. Instead, it just helps to lift the hair. BTW, this product smells like coconut.

        She notes that all of these products contain Alpha keratin 60 ku, which is a protein that can help restore and nourish damaged hair. The result? “Your hair at the end of styling will be healthier than when you started,” according to Jen. “What’s better than that?”

        I truly don’t know if there is anything in the realm of hair care that can top that. Thanks for the tips, Jen!

        Categories
        Beauty

        Kate Hudson Shares Her Top Winter Beauty Tips and Favorite Products for Glowy Skin

        The holidays approach, and there’s plenty on our minds: Which parties to attend, coordinating travel to see friends and family, entertaining at home—and for me, it’s often packing, unpacking, and re-packing my bags (admittedly, my favorite beauty and skincare products don’t always make it in there)—for all kinds of festive adventures.

        But truly—can a winter skincare routine stick? Is there really a good way to keep things up during the holiday hustle and bustle, or are our good habits (my moisturizer for sensitive skin, hydration routine, you name it) destined to be tossed out the window when other things take priority?

        When it comes to winter skincare (and self care), I immediately thought of Kate Hudson, whose multiple wellness-focused brands—like INBLOOM and Fabletics—decades-long career in T.V. and film, and time spent traveling to New York and L.A. (with dazzling skin nonetheless!) make her a pro. Sitting across from me on the couch in her bright red Fabletics TrinityMotion365 leggings and a fuzzy coat, Kate Hudson radiated joy and calm—anything but the fatigue we all face as the holidays roll in—and revealed her very best beauty and skincare tips and tricks.

        It’s no secret that your beauty routine should start from within—so let’s begin there.

        The Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery star swears by extra-virgin olive oil—which you can get at any grocery store—and not just in the ways you might think. “For me, ya just drink it. Tablespoon, any kind of extra virgin olive oil. Even when I’m cooking, I know this sounds crazy, but I’ll put olive oil on my hands and I’ll use it and I’ll just wipe that on my face, and people are like? But you’re supposed to eat it, and I’m like no, it goes everywhere. It feels amazing. Just try it. Just put it on your skin and you’ll be like omg! You have all of these face oils and things…olive oil on your skin is amazing.”

        She’s all about gut health too. Eating fermented foods can help bolster the gut microbiome, and fermented foods can play a role in supporting digestive health and restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut. “[I focus on] Gut health, gut health, gut health. Fermented foods! I eat fermented food every day…sauerkraut…kimchi,” she reveals.

        During the holidays especially, checking in with yourself is crucial for your mental health—which leads to the next step in Hudson’s routine: “For me [any time], the check-in and the meditation are important—when you get still, and quiet with yourself for just a few minutes…are you tired, does your body feel stagnant? Where are you holding? And that’s to me where INBLOOM comes in. When I am going to be more active, I feel like I need more energy or better recovery, I take the Green Protein Chocolate ($59) or Green Protein Vanilla ($59). I also love taking the Beauty Aura powder ($55) every day. It’s my main beauty product. My skin, everything, is better when I’m taking that, when it comes to the inside out of it all.”

        Hudson also noted her number one tip for “beauty from the inside”—less a secret, more a rule of thumb: drink more water! “For me it’s water. It’s free. Honestly. If you are more hydrated, you won’t feel so dry. It’s all inside out for me.” If you need an hourly reminder, Prevention recommends these motivational water bottles to keep you hydrated all day long.

        Now for beauty from the outside. What are Kate Hudson’s top beauty products?

        Inquiring minds want to know.

        Hudson is open about the fact that she prefers to seek out products that favor natural ingredients, but that it’s not always possible: “I just don’t like synthetic things on my face or in my body. That said, some of these things on my list are not considered “clean,” but when I need it—like when I’m in Aspen—I need it. I’ll put the La Mer Moisturizing Cream ($200) everywhere.

        “The other brand I’m loving is [Leaping Bunny-Certified] Symbiome. That product line is dreamy to me.” (Some of the brand’s top products include The One ($125) restorative gel cream, The Answer ($200) reparative serum, and The Renewal ($60) daily cleanser). The brand shares of its products, “We create minimalist skincare with maximalist results. We leverage our proprietary microbiome research—powered by sustainable and highly potent ingredients—to develop products that naturally promote the clarity, vibrance, and resilience of our skin.”

        She continues, “I also like the Laneige Lip Mask ($24)—you know the one. And…I’m not supposed to like sheet masks, they are terrible for the environment, but I live for a sheet mask. I like the SK-II sheet masks ($15)!”

        So there you have it, Kate Hudson’s winter skincare routine. You know what we’ll be adding to our carts ASAP. Wishing you all a happy, healthy, restful season (and more to come on the sweet ways she likes to enjoy the holidays!)

        Categories
        Beauty

        Here’s What to Expect in the World of Wellness in 2023

        As we enter the final quarter of 2022, the effects of the pandemic still linger nearly three years later. And for many, COVID-19 drastically changed how we view our wellness regimens, not to mention, the collective feeling that in times of uncertainty — whether of health, career, or home — it’s up to us to take the lead in establishing self-care routines that boost our head-to-toe well-being.

        Despite the pandemic impacting every facet of our lives, we think it’s fair to say folks have been looking at wellness with a fresh new lens. According to a 2020 survey, 80% of American adults said they intend to be more mindful about incorporating and regularly practicing health rituals post-pandemic. But, we have to ask, with the long-term effects of COVID-19 still in the ethos, layered with social injustices, economic tribulation, and powerful climate occurrences, what does this mean for our “total” well-being? How have mindsets (and manners) surrounding one’s health changed, and how can we approach it more sustainably?

        With the help of five top-tier experts in their field, from food to fitness, we’ve identified six trends that we predict will be at the forefront of wellness in 2023. Keep scrolling to discover which ones will outlast the effects of the pandemic to redefine the health landscape for years — and decades to come.

        More Accessible Healthcare Avenues

        Whilst the pandemic has placed massive burdens on healthcare systems across the globe, it’s forged an entirely new (and effective) way we see our healthcare providers: virtually. Utilizing video visits and remote monitoring has taken center stage in our providers’ access to treat non-emergency conditions, freeing up E.R. rE.R.ms for more life-threatening matters, which in turn — provides less strain on our essential workers and first responders.

        For perspective, in February 2020, less than 1% of Zocdoc’s total bookings were for telehealth, and by May 2020, that share skyrocketed to roughly 30 – 40%. Furthermore, a 2021 survey by the American Medical Association showed more than 80% of patients have better access to care since using telehealth, while 62% of patients have higher satisfaction since offering telehealth, and three-quarters of Americans said they would like to continue to manage their healthcare virtually.

        healthy food shopping

        Anastasia Gubinskaya//Getty Images

        Renewed Focus on Upcycling Food

        A growing number of consumers have adopted a “zero waste” lifestyle, but during the pandemic — food waste still poses a huge problem. Enter upcycling — which is once again growing in popular stature. “Although the concept isn’t new to chefs, the pandemic undoubtedly prompted a shift in how I operate my business,” explains Chef Boris Ginet, restaurateur and owner of Bib Gourmand-nominated restaurant Risbo. Now, he’s focused on creating a “conscious practice I’m passionate about upholding in my restaurant as much as possible.”

        From repurposing rotisserie protein to make a “shepherd’s pie special” to saving the cilantro stems most would toss to boast flavor to the house made salsa verde sauce and ever-changing daily soups, it’s safe to say Chef Ginet is heading down the path of long-lasting, sustainable change. It’s a mindset that will cause a significant ripple effect as it could be done at home as well by “repurposing the pulp from juicing to make veggie broth or allowing pulp to dehydrate to make veggie burgers,” adds Ginet.

        This easy-to-implement practice can help aid in energy conservation, minimize food insecurity and create healthy, sustainable habits. And, with time, it will undeniably solve sustainability challenges in society and help save our beloved earth.

        Writer’s Note: If you would like to upcycle produce/edible ingredients to help feed your community, please consider donating to One Love Community Fridge, a 501(c)3 non-profit helping to feed the community one fridge at a time.

        fitness

        jacoblund//Getty Images

        24/7 Fitness Anywhere

        With the temporary closure of gyms and studios, personal trainers, fitness instructors, and owners of brick-and-mortar wellness spaces took a huge hit — and if able to, had to make a shift to virtual classes that could reproduce the sense of connection many longed to feel. April Silverman, certified pilates instructor and owner of April Nicole Studios in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, shares that “virtual sessions opened up a whole new world of access and convenience” for her business.

        The pandemic afforded many people a more flexible schedule and more time to focus and prioritize self-care. “Grind culture rapidly shifted towards a more wellness-oriented approach,” Silverman adds. Those who continue to work their desk jobs from home can utilize virtual fitness at their discretion as it affords them access to shorter, quicker, private “doses” of movement, if you will. Silverman says, “wellness is not being a bandaid, but a necessary way of being that looks different for everyone.” Fitness will no longer be considered a leisurely activity, but an accepted, necessary norm.

        Jyll Hubbard- Salk, a yoga instructor and owner of Urban Asanas, a Black-owned, woman-led yoga studio in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, has broadened her business since the pandemic to provide a holistic space as a way to provide a full spectrum of affordable services for the BIPOC community it resides in. From donation-based yoga to acupuncture and infrared saunas, Jyll says, “my mission is and will always be — to offer the benefits of yoga and holistic care—health, light, spirituality—while maintaining the strength and diversity of the community we serve.”

        Writer’s Note: Jyll is currently leading a” Heart Forward” fundraiser to help weather the strain the pandemic has put on her business. Please consider donating here to help save a neighborhood haven in Brooklyn.

        wellness mental wellbeing friends

        Mikolette//Getty Images

        An Emphasis on Mental Well-Being

        Increased self-care and working from home were the largest byproducts that emerged from the pandemic. But unfortunately, the prevalence of depression and anxiety significantly increased, with 43% of people experiencing more anxiety and 45% more depression. The silver lining? The stigma has lessened around seeking help and Americans are confidently confronting escalating mental health issues.

        “The initiative to incorporate digital support was necessary and teletherapy has allowed the world more accessibility,” explains Lia Avellino, LCSW and co-founder of Spoke Circles, an emotional and mental wellness space designed for quality connection. “The idea of getting therapy is much more normalized, and the pandemic has made people more open about their struggles,” she adds.

        According to the CDC, the percentage of American adults aged 18- 44 who had received any mental health treatment increased from 18.5% to 23.2% in the last 12 months alone and although it’s unlikely that telemedicine will displace in-person care completely, “illustrating and evolving to a balanced hybrid approach of both virtual and in-person care can be gravely beneficial to one’s mental health journey” says Avellino.

        In a May 2022 survey conducted by Zocdoc, 77% of patient respondents indicated they plan to utilize a combination of telehealth and in-person care in the future, while 83% of providers said the future of healthcare will include a combination of both telehealth and in-person visits.

        wellness beauty skincare

        iconogenic//Getty Images

        Streamlined Skincare Routines

        Simplification will be the name of the game for post-pandemic beauty. Cosmetic products boomed during the first few months of quarantine as we all were home, with more time in the mirror, wearing fewer to no makeup at all.

        In a 2022 study, in comparison to 2019, makeup purchases decreased by 19%, only making up 16% of the global market, whereas skincare sales skyrocketed — now making up 42% of the global market that’s expected to generate $177B by 2025 in the U.SU.S.alone. Consumers are growing more interested in sustainability and two major shifts that can be seen across many companies are in refillable beauty packaging and upcycle empties.

        According to market research firm Mintel, the reusable packaging market for beauty and cosmetic products increased by 65% from June 2020 to May 2021 solely in the U.S. — and is expected to rise each year.

        Writer’s Note: As a beauty expert and esthetician myself, I truly believe the sustainable less is more approach is here to stay.

        travel wellness yoga

        Ingo Roesler//Getty Images

        Leisure Travel for Wellness

        After pressing pause on travel commitments, many have vowed to take wellness-driven expeditions to renew their mental, spiritual, and physical well-being moving forward. Not only did the pandemic cause a massive paradigm transformation in wellness-based tourism, but people have emerged with a new outlook that is more focused on *actually* feeling better.

        Naturally, there’s a new community doubling down on the old catchphrase, health is wealth. Tanyka Renee, an elite travel entrepreneur turned travel consultant, has visited 111 countries to date and truly feels travel as a wellness practice is on the rise and here to stay. Renee shares, “Some destinations my clients have opted for recently are off-the-beaten-path: Mexico for traditional Mayan ceremonies, Peru to visit Shamans and for solo travelers, Bali and Costa Rica to partake in meditation or spiritual life practices like yoga.” And it doesn’t stop at international travel. People are working from the road more often and taking advantage of their flexible work schedules by “opting for road-trip nature itineraries to Arizona, Utah, and Nevada,” adds Renee.

        A 2021 study showed that travel can have a “positive psychological outcome” amid devastating circumstances and even staycations can serve as a means to attain better well-being. Thus, in the post-pandemic era, the need to enrich one’s physical, spiritual, and mental well-being will push people to seek holistic approaches to their health, increasing the global wellness tourism demand — one country at a time.

        Categories
        Beauty

        Lip Fillers, The Right Way

        When I first decided to get lip fillers, I wasn’t necessarily sure of what I did want, but I certainly knew what I didn’t want. If you’ve scrolled your FYP on TikTok recently, you’ve probably witnessed rundowns on some of your favorite celebs and their less-than-ideal filler results — that’s exactly what I aimed to avoid.

        Luckily, I’ve been able to do just that. But only thanks to my incredible dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, MD. I tapped her and Los Angeles favorite, Dr. Kimberly Lee, Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, to dish on the biggest mistakes made while getting lip fillers — and, most importantly, how to avoid them.

        Ask Yourself, Are You an Ideal Candidate?

        “The biggest mistake people make is bringing a photo of a celebrity and hoping their lips will look the same,” Dr. Lee says. “Everyone’s lip anatomy is different, and the lips need to be balanced with the rest of their faces.” It’s why Dr. Henry always leads with a conservative approach. “The nose, the lips, the chin, they all work in concert,” she insists.

        The lip itself also serves as a guide. “If someone has a really, really, really thin lip, there’s only so much you can do,” Dr. Henry reiterates. “If the lips are really bound down, it may not accommodate as much filler — at least not quickly. We’d have to go really slowly.” Additionally, a fuller lip can often accommodate more filler and actually needs more fuller to result in a visual difference. “A really small lip I can get away with half a syringe to see a change,” she continues. “But in a fuller lip, if they wanna see a difference, sometimes I need a full syringe and will have them come back in two weeks to layer it. The body accommodates it better and more naturally when we do it slowly.”

        Opt for The “Right” Look

        According to Dr. Lee, the lower lip should always be larger than the upper lip, so it’s important to maintain that proportion to avoid scrutiny from curious eyes — a point that Dr. Henry drives home. “If I look at someone and the first thing I think about are lips, then it’s disrupting the harmony of the face,” Dr. Henry says. “You should say, ‘Look at this beautiful face.’ You should say, ‘Oh, beautiful lips, beautiful eyes, beautiful lips.’ If you say, ‘My goodness, these are some, these are really, really large, or like hyper-sculpted lips,’ then that doesn’t look natural.”

        But size isn’t the only way to tell that lips may be overfilled. Dr. Henry says the lips shouldn’t be so full that you can’t see some of the lines in the skin. “Sometimes lips can get so full that they’re just shining and you can’t see that natural variation in the skin because it’s like a full balloon — you can’t see any of the natural folds,” she says.

        We don’t want really wrinkly lips, right? But when a lip is really overfilled, it can have an eerily smooth appearance which we don’t see in natural, unfilled, lips.

        blake newby before and after

        Courtesy of Blake Newby

        Think Outside The Aesthetics

        A harsh duck lip isn’t the only risk you run when you overfill — it can also come with adverse health effects.

        “The largest danger of overfilling the lip is that we can compromise vasculature (accidentally injecting into blood vessels and causing necrosis), a vascular occlusion,” Dr. Henry says. “We can actually block it because we put in so much filler that it compresses those vessels and could lead to compromised blood flow. That’s the worst outcome.”

        A buzzy term currently taking over social media is filler migration. “Filler migration can sometimes happen because the fillers are moldable for about 14 days, sometimes longer, after the injection,” adds Dr. Lee. And while she insists that this is sometimes a good thing if something needs a little tweaking, it also means that the filler can migrate unintentionally.

        “For example, if you go get a facial right after the injection, the filler will migrate to other unintended locations and settle there after 2-3 weeks,” she says. “But sometimes the migration isn’t always obvious because there is swelling after the injections are done. Remember, fillers are hydrophilic — meaning they attract water, which means you see swelling.”

        Know How (and When) To Dissolve

        The good news is: dissolving lip filler if you’re displeased is a pretty straightforward process…but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will solve all of your problems.

        “If a hyaluronic acid-based filler is used, the dissolvent is injected [in]to the area, and the filler dissolves within 24-48 hours,” Dr. Lee shares. “However, the challenges are that because we don’t know exactly where the filler is, it is usually injected in differing depths to come into contact with the filler to dissolve it.”

        She explains that another challenge is that doctors can’t control how much filler is going to be dissolved, so Dr. Lee always prepares patients to expect that all of the filler might go away. “Most patients don’t realize that the dissolvent is more expensive than the filler though,” she further explains. “But if a non-hyaluronic acid filler is used, you’re out of luck as the dissolvent is specific for this and other options will need to be discussed.”

        Embrace Your New Look

        In the days following your fillers, you can expect a small bit of swelling and bruising — but make no mistake, it’s nothing a little gloss (like my favorite one by Ami Colé) and ice (try this chic cryo freeze tool) can’t fix. Note, this is the reason experts suggest giving yourself a two-week grace period post-filler before any big event.

        Additionally, I was sure to up my water intake to improve blood flow, something I’ve found incredibly helpful in speeding up the healing process. In short, don’t be alarmed if initially your pout is a little juicier than expected. Once everything settles, hopefully, you’ll be as obsessed with your results as I am.

        Categories
        Beauty

        Jennifer Grey Gets Vulnerable About Hair Loss: “I Didn’t Know What Was Going On”

        Actress Jennifer Grey isn’t one to shy away from tough subjects. She’s been vocal about getting a nose job and how it made her feel invisible, and she even penned a memoir about her time in the spotlight, Out of the Corner, which debuted earlier this year. The 62-year-old is getting candid with Prevention about her hair loss journey and how she’s restoring her tresses.

        The Dirty Dancing star first noticed a change in her hair during the pandemic. “I didn’t know what to attribute it to—if it was because I wasn’t cutting my hair, because I wasn’t going to salons, or because I wasn’t coloring my hair,” she says. “Or if I was just home too much. I didn’t know what was going on.” Grey noticed that her ponytail was getting skinnier and her hair was looking a little bit “lackluster,” she says.

        Having sported voluminous curls for years, hair was a key part of Grey’s identity. “I’ve always had a lot of hair and I’ve always been known as the girl with a lot of hair,” she says. “It was something that just came into the room with me and kind of made an impression, but [now,] I wasn’t going in any rooms and I wasn’t making any impressions, I was just in my house.”

        When Grey was finally able to go to a salon, she consulted her hairstylist. Grey recalls telling her stylist: “I don’t know what’s happened to my hair. It just doesn’t feel as good.” Still, she realized that the change was subtle. “It wasn’t balding, there was nothing I could point to. I only mentioned it to my hairstylist because I trusted her, and she told me that I had to go see Harklinikken.”

        There are so many hair loss treatments that say they make the best products for thinning hair. But after consulting with her personal stylist, Grey decided to take a chance and to make a consultation with Harklinikken. Grey said that at first, she was hesitant…even skeptical. But when she met the founder of the brand, she changed her mind. “He looked at my hair, and he explained to me what was happening…I immediately knew I was speaking to someone who cared and who had devoted his life to scalp health and treating hair loss.”

        Harklinikken founder Lars Skjøth explained to Grey that “hair health is completely contingent on scalp health.” She tells Prevention that the connection between scalp health and hair growth “never even occurred” to her. “Scalp is a continuation of our skin, that we care so much about taking care of,” she says, “but I was using all these products and covering up the fact that my hair quality was declining.”

        Harklinikken also explained that the changes that Grey noticed in her hair were age-related, too. And there’s research to back this up. One study found that more than half of postmenopausal women will experience female hair loss. “I never considered myself someone who would be a candidate for hair loss because I always had so much,” Grey says. She points out that she didn’t know how much her hair thinning had become a problem until it started to get better. “I didn’t know what I was missing because [the hair loss] was so subtle and gradual.”

        After her consultation with the brand, Grey says that founder Lars Skjøth taught her how to use three simple products to get her hair back on track. “It’s only a few products and it’s very simple,” Grey says. One interesting step, which Grey was concerned about at first, was washing your hair every day. But, she says once her scalp was clean, she started noticing progress.

        “I could not believe the dramatic difference in the before and after pictures, all of the hair line had filled in, my part became tighter, and my hair just kept growing.”

        Although she discovered her hair thinning while in isolation, Grey says that by the time quarantine restrictions were lifted, her hair felt better than ever. “I was alone during the pandemic and not really out and about, but by the time I came out of the pandemic, my hair was ready.”

        Now that Grey has seen the results herself, she has become one of the many celebrity ambassadors for Harklinikken, and swears by their products.

        Balancing Shampoo

        Harklinikken Balancing Shampoo
        Credit: Harklinikken

        Daily Conditioner

        Harklinikken Daily Conditioner
        Credit: Harklinikken

        Extract

        Harklinikken Extract
        Credit: Harklinikken

        Grey admits that she’s been lucky in her own journey, and says she doesn’t take anything for granted. “I’m happier because I’m older, I’m happier because I’m happier, and then I get to have the added bonus that my hair is better, it’s kind of like a cherry on top.” She says that “if you’re unhappy, your hair isn’t going to make you happy. But if you’re happy, your hair can make you happier.”

        When we asked Grey if she had any last words of wisdom for women who may be struggling with hair loss, she said “love yourself and continue to love yourself as you get older. You lose some things, but what you’re gaining so far outweighs what you’re losing if you do it right and you know how to adapt.”

        Now that’s a message worth repeating.

        Categories
        Beauty

        EmRata On Revenge Bangs: ‘I’m Not Just Being Crazy, I Swear’

        Emily Ratajkowski–or EmRata as she’s known to her 29.6 million Instagram followers and two million TikTok followers–is done holding back. She launched a podcast called High/Low that premiered on November 1st (“In my Bitch Era,” EmRata captioned the news on her Instagram), which has so far featured interviews with Ziwe, Julia Fox, and fellow podcaster Alex Cooper.“It’s definitely interesting,” Ratajkowski told ELLE.com on a bright October day in Paris.“I feel like I have a lot of empathy for my guests.”

        Empathy is why Ratajkowski is in Paris in the first place. She’s been the long-standing face of the haircare line Kérastase, which recently launched a new initiative, Power To Dare, which aims at closing the confidence gap between men and women through mentorship, education, and inspiring discussions, alongside their nonprofit partner Step Up. According to a study by Kérastase, women consistently consider themselves less confident than men, making it harder to self-advocate for higher pay, promotions, or equal opportunities. After a full day of inspirational talks, EmRata spoke to ELLE.com about feeling confident, motherhood, and why her revenge bangs are sticking around.

        What lessons do you want to teach your son about being confident?

        “I think about him all the time. Everyone’s going to beat on his spirit because he’s just so sweet right now, and all he knows is genuine excitement and curiosity. I think about the reality of life, and I think to counterbalance that, as a mom, I’m going to continue to give him all of the love that I can. And show him that I appreciate him in ways that are unique to him. Hopefully, that’ll help build confidence. Little boys are taught about being entitled to things that I think women aren’t. There’s a real gap there. I think finding that balance with my son will be interesting.”

        How do you project confidence when you don’t feel confident?

        “I’ll trim the bangs, honestly, which is the ultimate confident move. I’ll trim the bangs, and then I think a red lip. If I just throw that on, I’m like, ‘Well, nobody can fuck with me,’ basically. You also have to work on confidence internally. So don’t fake it. I basically wait until I actually feel confident.”

        Were the bangs an impulsive decision?

        “Relatively, yeah. I love them. I never want to go back. All of my friends were like, ‘You cannot be this person. You cannot go through a breakup and get bangs.’ And I was like, ‘I’m going to be this person.’ And then all of them are like, ‘I’m so sorry, you were right; they look good.’ So I feel really great about it. I’m like, ‘I’m not just being crazy, I swear. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to not having bangs.”

        This is an image

        Kérastase

        Do you have any mentors?

        “A lot of my friends are my mentors. We help each other in a lot of ways. We share so much information with each other, which I think is maybe even better than advice, because it’s just a way to have resources and build a community–how much someone’s getting paid, or help someone, encourage them to advocate for themselves. Sometimes, you need a friend to tell you that. I feel totally fine with there being multiple powerful women in one room with no competition and no worries about scarcity.”

        Do you have professional advice for young women?

        “I do think following your instincts is really important. As women, we’re taught very early to question our instincts, and that we have so much to learn. And that is the difference, I think, between young boys and girls, and how we’re raised and impacted. For me, what I found is returning to my instincts and being able to do a gut check and understand what I want, because ultimately, it’s about what makes you happy and doing what you want to do rather than what somebody’s telling you what you should want, or what you should do.”

        Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum

        Elixir Ultime Oil Serum

        Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum

        How was being blonde?

        “I never colored my hair before and then I went blonde, and I was like, ‘What the fuck did I just do?’ But I actually loved it. It was in the middle of the pandemic, so it was the right moment. And then I got pregnant, and my body started changing, and I was like, ‘I cannot be blonde and also pregnant. I’m going to have an emotional breakdown.’ But it was fun. I think that beauty and hair can be such a great way to play with identity and self-expression.”

        “As a model, you’re basically this hired mannequin, and people do what they want to your hair, your makeup, your body. They dress you how they want, and you don’t really get [a] say. That’s the job description. So it’s really nice to know exactly the things that I want and how I want to look, and be able to do that.”

        Categories
        Beauty

        So, Your Boyfriend’s Going Bald…

        Welcome. You’re here; you made it. Rest assured, this is a safe space. It’s a journey, from that first day you feel a tad less volume when running a hand through his hair to now, this point, when you finally type that fated question into Google.

        what do i do if my boyfriend's going bald

        Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been waiting for you, ready and armed with a dream team of experts to bring you a complete guide on balding: what it is, what can be done, and how to discuss it with your beau (or girlfriend, or non-binary partner; but, let’s face it, it’s mostly men who bald—after all, there’s a reason the hereditary condition androgenetic alopecia is known as male pattern baldness).

        Meet Craig Ziering, a dermatologist, hair transplant surgeon, and owner of Ziering Medical; Firat Siksik, a trichologist at Sanamentum; Maya Maria Brown, a relationship expert at Coupleness; Stephen Marinaro of TheSalonGuy on TikTok and YouTube; and lastly, Gregorio Ruggeri, hair stylist, trichologist, and owner of New York’s Salon Ruggeri.

        Before we dive in, take comfort. About half of all men deal with progressive baldness by age 40, so he’s certainly not alone.

        “There are more options today than even a decade ago to help younger patients slow down their hair loss, strengthen their existing hair, and even regrow some of what has been lost,” says Ziering. Hold on to hope.

        Here, find answers to all your burning questions about how to deal with your BF’s balding.


        He had a full head of hair when we met. What happened?

        portrait of fashionable young man in front of bright blue wall

        MoMo Productions

        Early balding is typically due to the aforementioned androgenetic alopecia. It can begin to present itself as early as adolescence, and the cause, Siksik says, is a genetic sensitivity to a byproduct of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), that causes hair follicles to shrink. This is the most common culprit, accounting for up to 90 percent of early balding cases, per Ziering.

        The term “pattern baldness” is drawn from the fact most people with the condition will find their hairline recedes in a common pattern. You might notice that many men have the “‘M’-shaped loss starting with the widow’s peaks, as well as thinning at the crown,” Ziering explains of the universal pattern. As such, the Norwood scale, ranging from mild to severe, is often used to identify the specific stage of loss.

        norwood scale of male hair loss

        Design Leah Romero

        Despite these commonalities, “no two balding patients, timeline, or processes are exactly the same,” he clarifies. “There can even be variance in twins.” Why’s that? While pattern baldness might be an umbrella term for the condition, it manifests differently person-to-person, because several genes are involved. This “genetic cocktail,” as Ziering calls it, determines the rate, frequency, and pattern of loss in each person. As they say, each snowflake is unique.

        However, there are other conditions, like lupus, that can cause hair loss. So, if your man’s balding is a real head-scratcher, he might want to mention it to a doctor, just in case it’s signaling something else that requires treatment.

        Can it be reversed? What are the best treatment options?

        Reversed—no, not really. If it’s in his genetics, it’s inevitable. But treatment can still make a difference, that is, if that’s what you want.

        “There is a significant window of time between onset and becoming bald, and that’s when having the hair conversation is key, and early intervention with preventative therapies should begin,” Ziering says.

        The most effective path is to target the root of the problem: by blocking that aforementioned DHT, according to Siksik.

        “I would advise to start with medications,” he says. Pharmaceuticals finasteride and minoxidil can stimulate regrowth in some cases and are available in many OTC and prescription formats.

        “Topical minoxidil is available without a prescription and is the most common treatment used,” says Siksik. “Apply it to your scalp twice a day. Some men respond better than others, but it can take up to six months to see results.” Another tip Siksik suggests is looking for products that contain 1 to 2 percent ketoconazole, a drug that stops testosterone from converting to DHT.

        Alternatively, Ziering recommends meeting with a hair loss expert as your first step, as doctors and specialists can assess the stage of thinning and advise on the best customized action plans for the short- and long-term.

        In regards to products, Ziering recommends opting for medical-grade or prescription treatments rather than over-the-counter aids. His other suggested options include low-level laser therapy, as well as the medications he’s formulated himself, like ZMin, which contains minoxidil, retinoic acid, and “a sophisticated blend of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-androgen ingredients,” he explains.

        Other patients may benefit from hormone replacement or from KeraLase, a laser treatment which is clinically proven to be effective and is said to be pain-free.

        For those who are open to the idea of surgery, hair transplants are the most long-lasting and effective form of treatment, albeit the most expensive and invasive as well.

        “Surgical hair restoration is the only permanent solution for hair loss; it is the only treatment in which the hair that is programmed to last for life is moved to balding and thinning areas on the scalp,” Ziering says. “FUE [Folicular Unit Extraction] and MDEE [strip harvest procedures] are innovative, surgical hair harvesting methods used to obtain donor hair either by strip or one graft at a time,” he explains, with the stipulation that these procedures require highly skilled experts.

        Transplants do provide the most natural-looking results and can take between five and six hours under local anesthesia, according to Siksik.

        My boyfriend isn’t balding—yet. Can we do anything to prevent it from starting?

        a man stands in the shower, scrubbing his head and creating a lather with the shampoo he looks at the camera as he washes behind his ear

        Catherine Falls Commercial

        There are no guarantees, of course, but there are actionable steps to help keep his hair as healthy as possible for as long as possible. First up: diet. Siksik recommends fostering a diet high in healthy proteins like omega-3 fatty acids. He can also incorporate a few specific vitamins, including vitamin D, zinc, and iron.

        Lastly, it might be time to overhaul his medicine cabinet. “Examine your hair products. Avoid excessive use of hair gels and try natural styling products which contain less harsh chemicals,” says Siksik, who also recommends products with 1 to 2 percent ketoconazole.

        Most of the advertisements I see look like scams. How do I know what’s legit?

        “The main thing to remember is that there is no miracle cure,” says Siksik. “Don’t buy into any product and treatment that will give instant results or promise that it prevents balding, as it is ultimately down to genetics and your body.”

        Avoid puffed-up slogans and claims, hair loss brushes, or vibrating headgear.

        “FDA-approved, dermatology recommended, or restoration surgeon or specialist sanctioned products, procedures, or programs are the only way to go,” Ziering says. “Don’t waste your money on lotions, potions, and pills that over-promise and under deliver.”

        His hair is a sensitive subject. How can I bring it up without offending him?

        Bear in mind that hair loss can have serious implications on a person’s self-image, so you should treat the conversation with care until you can gauge how he really feels about it.

        “Hair loss, particularly at a young age, can be debilitating and takes an emotional toll on patients and partners alike,” Ziering says. The physical change can have mental and emotional ripples, even triggering anti-social disorders, stress, depression, and anxiety among some men.

        If you’re seeing the signs, he probably is, too. Chances are you aren’t breaking the news to him. Compassion is key, and so is honesty. He may be concerned that you won’t be attracted to him as his hair thins, so assure him otherwise from the start.

        “Men and women who have hair loss start their day with a lot of angst about how to hide their hair loss from others, unless they have decided to accept it,” Ziering says. “Much energy goes into the daily managing of combing their hair this way and that, trying to disguise or camouflage the thinning areas.”

        That said, he might feel completely fine about it. His feelings might not be that deep, and that’s cool, too. Maybe he’s down to be bald, try something new, or even shave his head. “If you present the topic as a grave, serious, emotional subject, he might feel that his baldness is a big deal and something to be ashamed of,” Brown says.

        “When you start the conversation, rather than steering it into the depths of complex emotions, leave the floor open for him to let you know his mindset,” she continues. “Even if he’s feeling fine about it, if you seem to expect him to feel a certain way, that could lead to him feeling self-conscious. Instead, try saying something like, “I wanted to check in to see how you’re feeling about your hair these days. I think you’re super hot and want to make sure you still feel that way.”

        Be mindful of when and where you choose to bring it up. The Thanksgiving dinner table at your aunt’s house? Bad idea. During the big game or when he’s trying to catch up on House of the Dragon? Not great. Take into consideration his mood at the time, how his day went, or what’s on his schedule. You might want to preface it by asking if it’s a good time to chat about something that might make him feel vulnerable. You’ll know if the time is right—just don’t force the conversation or crudely inject it into pillow talk.

        I’m not sure how I feel his new look…am I an awful person if I tell him I don’t like it?

        Before you think about starting a conversation with him, Brown recommends checking in with yourself. Do you know how he feels about it? Are you wondering if he plans to do anything about it?

        “Spend some time processing how you feel about his balding,” Brown says. “It’s perfectly understandable to have your own reaction, as you would with any change in appearance.” There’s no right or wrong gut reaction, and you aren’t shallow for feeling bummed. There is, however, a wrong way to react, so keep yourself in check.

        “You can journal, or go for a walk to consider things like if it’s affecting your attraction to him, if it just takes time to get used to, or if you have any other feelings coming up,” Brown suggests. “Then you can decide what, if anything, you want to share with him about how you feel.” Especially if you think you’ll come around to his new look over time, consider holding off on saying anything that can’t be unsaid, lest you do real emotional damage.

        If you are struggling with your attraction to him, don’t panic and hit the ripcord just yet. He’ll probably be able to tell if you lie about it, so don’t do that either. “If he asks directly, you can acknowledge that it’s a change, and you’re getting used to it the same way he is,” Brown suggests.

            I don’t mind his bald spot at all! How can I help him to not feel self-conscious about it?

            Remind him that nobody cares as much as he feels like they do. As long as he can be happy and confident, that’s what matters. (Honestly, who among us couldn’t stand to hear this more often?)

            “Ensure he knows that you don’t care about how he looks, only about how balding is making him feel,” Siksik recommends. In what might come as a surprise, Siksik adds that it usually doesn’t help to reference your favorite bald celebrities, no matter how hot you think Bruce Willis is, or how convinced you are that Harry Styles is wearing a wig.

            If he is struggling with the issue, ask how you can support him best. Let him know that you’re here to listen. Offer to help research options (congrats, you’re clearly ahead of the curve), call for consultations, and go to appointments with him. If he starts using a specialized haircare regimen, familiarize yourself with his new routine and ask if he wants you to take progress pictures to track results.

            “Help him manage some of the rituals or circumstances with a smile,” Ziering says. Don’t jeer at his LED cap, encourage his friends to not make jokes, and put the kibosh on any toupee-related gag gifts.

            Shop Expert-Recommended Picks

            Categories
            Beauty

            This Fragrance Is My Must-Have Holiday Party Accessory

            Perfume is a critical part of my wardrobe all year round. I just don’t feel complete without spritzing on a scent before I leave the house. As a beauty writer, I’ve acquired quite the fragrance collection. I love examining it to choose the perfect one for different occasions—a day at the office; a weeknight dinner with friends; a black-tie celebration. This holiday season I’m ahead of the game, because I’ve already selected my signature scent, and it works for any and all social events on my calendar: GUESS Bella Vita Eau de Parfum.

            GUESS Bella Vita Eau de Parfum

            Bella Vita Eau de Parfum

            GUESS Bella Vita Eau de Parfum

            Why do I love it? Let me count the ways. It’s warm but not heavy, sweet without being cloying, and sultry in a subtle kind of way. In short, it’s as suitable for the season as a sequin dress and a pair of statement earrings.

            The scent opens with a juicy and effervescent blend of Italian lemon, cassis, and black cherry, which sets a vivacious, celebratory mood. Once those top notes fade away, Bella Vita melts into its heart: a gorgeous cocktail of heady white florals like jasmine and tuberose. The sensual floral aroma feels as glamorous as the vintage fur coat I practically live in this time of year.

            I think it’s the drydown of Bella Vita that makes the fragrance so versatile. Base notes of tonka bean, praline, and a unique, “fluffy” musk bring to mind mouth-watering holiday treats, while the addition of amberwood tempers the sweetness, for a sophisticated and cozy end result.

            Another key detail is the glam bottle that houses this liquid gold. The gilded details are inherently festive and the flaçon is perfectly sized for travel, so I don’t have to leave Bella Vita behind during my holiday adventures. And, of course, it’d make a great gift (as would the brand’s more earthy, spring-inspired scent, GUESS Bella Vita Rosa). After all, consider the name; by giving this to someone, you’ll be wishing them a beautiful life in Italian.

            For me, the holidays are about making an entrance and creating lasting memories, and, with the help of this fragrance, I plan to do both this year. Whether I’m going for full glam in an LBD on New Year’s Eve, or getting comfy in a chunky sweater to sit fireside with family, Bella Vita Eau de Parfum is my must-spritz.

            Categories
            Beauty

            Celebrate Hailey Bieber’s Birthday With A New Rhode Product

            Scorpio season is nearly over, which means it’s time to pack away our glowering stares and bad attitudes and get ready for something more optimistic and playful–also known as Sagittarius season. And who better to celebrate with than Hailey Bieber, whose birthday falls on November 22nd–the first day of Sag season. How is she celebrating? By releasing a brand new flavor of her bestselling Peptide Lip Treatment and a celebratory limited-edition gift set duo.

            Bieber’s brand Rhode Skin launched in June of 2022 with glowing reviews–literally. The brand launched with a focus on hydrating the skin, highlighted by its three products: Barrier Restore Cream, Peptide Glazing Fluid, and, of course, the Peptide Lip Treatment, which is currently available either unscented, watermelon flavored, or caramel flavored. For Bieber’s birthday, Rhode is launching a brand new scent for her viral lip balm: Vanilla Cake.

            None of Rhode’s products stay in stock for long, but the Peptide Lip Treatment is in a league of its own. Since the brand launched less than six months ago, this lip balm has sold out five times, and the waitlist is currently well over 300,000 people.

            hailey bieber

            Drew Vickers

            But that’s not all the newness. On November 22nd, Rhode is also launching a new set. For $42, people can purchase the Birthday Duo Kit, which comes with the new Vanilla Cake flavored balm, and a full-size Peptide Glazing Fluid. In a recent YouTube video, Bieber revealed that she uses the Peptide Glazing Fluid as both a natural highlighter, and as a mixing medium for cream blush, making her makeup products even more hydrating. Bieber is also known for using her lip balm as a gloss, making this set a makeup and skincare kit. “My mom took such good care of her skin and taught me I should always be lathered in moisture,” Bieber told ELLE in June. “Since I was a baby, I was just a tiny little glazed donut.”

            The Vanilla Cake Peptide Lip Treatment ($12) and the Birthday Duo Kit ($42) will be launching on November 22nd exclusively on rhodeskin.com at 11 A.M. Eastern Time. Judging by previous drops, it’s safe to say that these two new launches won’t stay in stock for long, so set your timers, get ready, and go!

            This is an image

            Drew Vickers
            Categories
            Beauty

            Is the Dyson Airwrap Going On Sale? Here’s Everything We Know

            Can you believe that the holidays are just around the corner? Neither can we. Last year, the gift on everyone’s wishlist was without a doubt the Dyson Airwrap. Part hairdryer, part curling iron, part magic, the pricey present was the must-have beauty gift of 2021. For 2022, the company upped the ante. ICYMI, in June, Dyson released the all-new Airwrap 2.0, which includes new add-ons and attachments for even easier styling on a variety of hair types. This year, don’t miss the chance to get your hands on this iconic styler. Around here, we don’t believe in paying full price. If you want to snag a Dyson hair tool while saving a few bucks, here’s everything you need to know about potential savings in the midst of this year’s incredible Black Friday beauty deals.

            Is the Dyson Airwrap going on sale?

            Ah, the big question. Last year, Dyson had a Dyson Owner Rewards Savings Event that ran Black Friday (November 26) through December 12. The Airwrap Styler and Coralle Straightener were both over $100 off, and the Supersonic Hairdryer was over $80 off. For every Airwrap sold, Dyson customers were also able to choose three complimentary gifts at checkout.

            Additionally, retailers like Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta occasionally have sales on Dyson tools as well. These retailers didn’t host Airwrap deals last Black Friday, however, Sephora offered up to 20 percent off the Airwrap styler for its annual sales in April and October this year, while Ulta slashed prices on Dyson hair dryer gift sets during Black Friday back in 2020. Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack similarly didn’t offer Dyson Airwrap deals last Black Friday, but Nordstrom did slash prices on Dyson gift sets, featuring the Airwrap styler, during its Anniversary Sale this past July. Nordstrom Rack has also hosted some amazing discounts on refurbished Dyson products throughout the year, including a renewed Airwrap styler for up to 25 percent off in August. We hope to see savings just as amazing this Black Friday, too.

            And if you’re wondering about everyone’s favorite one-stop shop, Amazon, the e-tailer has previously hosted deals on Airwrap stylers for Black Friday. Keep in mind third-party sellers on Amazon tend to mark up prices on Airwraps, so make sure to do your homework before buying in order to score the best savings.

            At the moment, there is no official announcement from Dyson regarding if the Airwrap is going on sale. However, since the event was such a success last year, fingers crossed they bring it back—with even more deals. In the meantime, make sure to sign up for Dyson’s newsletter to learn about Dyson’s Black Friday deals first.

            Dyson Special Edition Airwrap Multi-Styler

            Special Edition Airwrap Multi-Styler

            Dyson Special Edition Airwrap Multi-Styler

            Is the Dyson Airwrap worth it?

            The Dyson Airwrap is definitely a pricey tool, so, is it really worth it? If you are addicted to curling your hair or enjoying salon-level blowouts, the Airwrap is a great tool to have in your arsenal. Not only is it created with top-tier technology, but it also doesn’t use as much heat as some other tools, which makes it great for anyone looking to avoid damaging their hair. Here, you can read a full review of the Dyson Airwrap. But if you want to test the waters at a lower price point, here are some hair dryer brushes you should check out in the meantime.

            Right now, a special edition of the Dyson Airwrap is available for the same price as the original on dyson.com and ulta.com. The Airwrap usually doesn’t stay in stock for long, so grab yours now before it sells out for the umpteenth time.

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            Beauty

            Does Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Live Up to the Hype?

            Welcome to Glam Room, our beauty destination where we put celeb-founded beauty brands to the test. As A-listers continue to launch new ranges on the regular, we’re using our beauty editor expertise to sniff out which products from the line are worth the hype—no lies, no publicists, no ads. Our latest contestant: Haus Labs, created by the singer, songwriter, icon, and actress, Lady Gaga.


            This is an image

            Some time ago, I let it slip that a celebrity brand created my favorite liquid eyeliner. I’m here to announce that that brand is none other than Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, which launched exclusively on Amazon in 2o19. When the brand launched initially, it felt like I was one of the few people who was a genuine superfan of the line. Over and over again, I warned people not to sleep on Haus Labs. No brag, but I did convince several people to try their eyeliners, which are still my go-to’s. But more on that later.

            This was before their re-launch at Sephora earlier this year, this time with an emphasis on clean ingredients. Now, it seems like everyone is a fan of their products, most notably their foundation, which quickly went viral on TikTok. But I’m an OG user, and my standards are very, very high. As far as I can tell, besides their lip oil, the new line-up of Haus Labs products is almost entirely different from the original brand. Currently, Haus Labs has every makeup category covered, from complexion, to eye, lip, and cheek.

            This is an image
            This is an image

            When selecting the products I wanted to review, the decision was shockingly simple. I wanted to do two things: compare 2.0 versions of products to the originals I loved, and try out new viral launches that my ‘For You’ page won’t shut up about. Ultimately, I decided to try these four products: PhD Hybrid Lip Oil, Triclone Skin Tech Foundation, Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer, and the Optic Intensity Eco Eyeliner.

            PhD Hybrid Lip Oil

            When everyone started joining waitlists and buzzing over the Dior Lip Oil, I sat smugly at home, wondering why no one was out buying Haus Labs’ version. (In my defense, I did tell you about it). I was a fan in 2019, and I’m happy to report that in 2022, Haus Labs still has this formula nailed. It gives just a hint of juicy color, while somehow making your lips look bigger and more hydrated, without ever feeling sticky, thanks to a combination of prickly pear oil and collagen. It comes in four colors and one clear version, but my favorite color is Secondary, a corally orange that looks like my lips but better.

            Triclone Skin Tech Foundation

            I’m not a huge foundation girl, but after hearing everyone in the world rave about this version, I needed to try it. It comes in a whopping 51 shades, packed with plant-derived ingredients like chamomile, green tea, and tiger grass, to name just a few. It’s a true medium-coverage liquid foundation, but you can thin it out for a lighter tint, or pack on product for a full mask. My opinion? It’s nice! It didn’t blow my mind, but since I don’t love foundation normally, I didn’t expect it to. If you are on the hunt for a new foundation, definitely give this one a try. The best part was the shade range–the color I picked ended up matching me perfectly.

            Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer

            Yet another viral product in the line, I needed to know everything about this long-wear lip product. I came of age when super-dry, matte liquid lipsticks were very in, which subsequently meant that there are too many photos of me where it looks like my lips have shriveled up and died of dehydration. Lacquers are the alternative, since they have decent staying power but don’t dry down matte, instead looking slightly shiny. Most of the time, though, lip lacquers either flake off throughout the day, or leave your lips sticky and glued together. Somehow, Lady Gaga managed to solve this issue, giving us a lacquer that actually stays all day, looks glossy, and doesn’t make your lips sticky.

            Optic Intensity Eco Eyeliner

            I chose to try this eyeliner, knowing I could come away incredibly disappointed. Along with Haus Labs 1.0’s original liquid liner, their gel liner is a must-have in my makeup collection. When I heard they were re-launching, I stocked up on the old versions just in case of heartbreak. I was relieved when I read the description of the 2.o version, which mentions intensity and staying power. My old version packs on pigment and never budges, to the point where it sometimes takes days to fully remove the eyeliner from my waterline. Unfortunately, to my great disappointment, this Eco Eyeliner just can’t compare to the original. Does it work? Sure. But the pigment in the black pencil looks gray on me, and it doesn’t stay in my waterline for more than an hour or two. Let’s just say, I’m glad I stocked up on the original version.

            This is an image
            This is an image

            Eyeliner incident aside, I’m relieved and excited by Haus Labs’ re-launch. Their lip oil will continue to be a staple in my routine, their foundation deserves all the hype it’s getting, and I am currently searching for an online petition to sign to get Haus Labs to launch a liquid liner as good as the original. But when it comes to an innovative product with no dupes on the market, the Atomic Shaker Lip Lacquer is the obvious winner.

            I can’t tell you the amount of people I have ambushed, desperate to show them the mind-bending abilities of this product. It looks like freshly-applied lip gloss but doesn’t come off on coffee cups or post-peck cheeks. The pigment is so intense I cannot wrap my mind around how the Haus Labs team created a product that does so much. There are currently six shades, but please join me in peer-pressuring their R&D team to keep adding more colors. I think I need every single one.

            PhD Hybrid Lip Oil

            HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA PhD Hybrid Lip Oil

            Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation

            HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation

            Atomic Shake Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick

            HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Atomic Shake Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick

            Optic Intensity Eco Gel Eyeliner Pencil

            HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Optic Intensity Eco Gel Eyeliner Pencil
            Categories
            Beauty

            Jennifer Fisher’s My Scent Fragrance Sold Out in Two Hours—But It’s Back

            Safe to say pretty much anything Jennifer Fisher touches turns to gold—and not just because she literally makes jewelry. The designer behind celebs’ most-loved hoop earrings (Lizzo Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Selena Gomez are just a few who have been seen wearing Jennifer Fisher), got into the perfume business in April last year with the debut fragrance, My Scent, which sold out in just two hours. Lucky for everyone who missed out, the fragrance is about to be restocked and you can nab it yourself, and I’d advise sooner rather than later, just in case.

            Jennifer Fisher MY SCENT

            MY SCENT

            Jennifer Fisher MY SCENT

            What’s so good about My Scent? Basically, the scent: It’s a blend of essential oils with musky notes, hints of vanilla, Australian sandalwood, tonka bean, pear, and coconut. Pretty much the perfect mix of everything, born out of necessity when Fisher couldn’t find the perfect perfume. Fisher describes My Scent as “my memories and mood in a bottle,” according to her press release. “It is the scented armor you will crave daily.”

            I have to say, it’s perfect to wear from day to night. It comes in a 10mL rollerball glass bottle that is compact enough to travel or bring along for a night out—how convenient is that? Take a look at this beauty, which is available for preorder now on the Jennifer Fisher website for $65 (preorders are expected to ship out as soon as November 16).

            And, while you’re shopping, you may as well get yourself a few other goodies, because it’s a treat yourself kind of day, right?

            Remember how I said everything she touches turns to gold? I think you might be getting why now. Anyway, did I mention she also has a shoe collaboration coming out on December 1? You may want to add a reminder to your calendar.

            Categories
            Beauty

            Your Personal Guide to This Year’s Best Black Friday Beauty Deals

            Fellow discount-savvy shoppers, gather around because the best time of the year is almost upon us: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Every seasoned shopper knows that the Olympic-sized event is more of a marathon than a sprint. Thus, zeroing in on what items to buy during the long weekend isn’t just a recommendation but a necessity. Enter this list, filled with all the glitz and glam beauty deals that will be the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales you’ll see this year.

            As the big event is under two weeks away, some of our favorite brands—from Tatcha to r.e.m. Beauty —have revealed some of its Black Friday details. Lucky for you, we’ve pulled together our favorite beauty sales and steals to look forward to during this year’s festivities to give you an idea of what’s up for grabs this year. We’ve also listed some can’t-miss haircare, skincare, and makeup deals you can shop now, in case you can’t wait till November 25. Keep this article handy: We’ll keep updating our post when more official sale details roll in.

            Shop Our Favorite Beauty Deals Happening Now

            Best Black Friday Skincare Sales of 2022

            From Nov. 24 to Nov. 28, take 20 percent off everything (excluding gift cards.) Orders $100+ will receive an additional 30 percent off.

            During Black Friday weekend, take 25 percent off site-wide.

            From Nov. 23 to Nov. 28, all products listed here will be up to 25 percent off.

            From now till Jan. 1, take 25 percent off sitewide with the promo code HOLIDAY25

            From Nov. 25 to Nov. 28, shoppers can take 20 percent off site-wide.

            From Nov. 21 to Nov. 24, shoppers can take 25 percent off site-wide. On Nov. 25, shoppers can take 25 percent off site-wide and receive a free 8-piece gift with purchases of $60+ with promo code TREAT. On Nov. 28, take 25 percent off site-wide and receive free gifts with any purchase with promo code CYBER22.

            From Nov. 21 to Dec. 4, take 30 percent off site-wide with promo code GIVE30. Exclusions apply.

            From Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, take $15 off orders of $100+, take $40 off orders of $200+, and take $75 off orders of $300+. On Nov. 28, take 30 percent off site-wide.

            From Nov. 18 to Nov. 29, take 30 percent off orders of $30+.

            During Black Friday weekend, OUI is offering 25 percent off site-wide as well as free shipping.

            From Nov. 21 to Nov. 28, take 20 percent off site-wide and receive a gift with purchase on orders $75+.

            Beginning on Nov. 28, save up to 25 percent on select products site-wide. Shoppers who spend $100+ will receive a free limited-edition OLAY x Stanley 40 oz. Adventure Quencher Tumbler and create your skincare kit.

            From Nov. 15 to Nov. 21, shoppers can take 30 percent off eye care, moisturizers, and SPF with promo code PROTECT.

            From Nov. 22 to Nov. 28, take 30 percent off sale items.

            Best Black Friday Makeup Sales of 2022

            From Nov. 23 to Nov. 27, take 25 percent off orders of $45 or more with promo code BLACKFRIDAY. Plus, orders over $75 will receive a free gift with purchase. From Nov. 28 to Nov. 30, take 30 percent off orders of $45 or more with promo code CYBERMONDAY. Plus, orders over $100 will receive a free gift with purchase.

            From Nov. 21 to Nov. 26, choose your own $50 Gwen look and receive a free GXVE makeup case. On Nov. 28, purchase three products and receive 20 percent off.

            From Nov. 20 to Nov. 28, take 50 percent off seasonal collections and hero products. From Nov. 23 to Nov. 29, receive a gift with purchase on orders +$60. From Nov. 24 to Nov. 27, take 50 percent off all travel-sized make-up. From Nov. 27 to Nov. 29, take 50 percent off all mini eyeshadow palettes.

            From Nov. 16 to Nov. 27, take 30 percent off site-wide. From Nov. 28 to Nov. 30, take 30 percent off site-wide, 30 percent off holiday bundles, and receive an additional 20 percent off.

            From Nov. 21 to Nov. 30, take 30 percent off site-wide.

            From Nov. 23 to Nov. 28, take 20 percent off site-wide. Exclusions apply.

            From Nov. 23 to Nov. 28, take 30 percent off site-wide.

            From Nov. 14 to Nov. 27, take up to 50 percent off site-wide.

            From Nov. 23 to Dec.2, take up to 50 percent off site-wide. Orders over $100 will receive 15 percent off their purchase, while orders $150+ will receive 20 percent off their purchase.

            Best Black Friday Haircare Sales of 2022

            From Nov. 19 to Dec. 4, take 25 percent off site-wide.

            From Nov. 23 to Nov. 28, take 30 percent off site-wide. Shoppers will receive an 11-piece gift with purchase for orders +$65.

            From Nov. 16 to Dec. 5, take 25 percent off site-wide.

            From Nov. 10 to Nov. 17, take up to 30 percent off on all products.

            From Nov. 14 to Dec. 2, take up to 50 percent off select bestsellers.

            Best Black Friday Nails Sales of 2022

            From Nov. 16 to Nov. 28, shoppers can take 25 percent off site-wide, plus free shipping on all orders $40+ with the promo code PARTY25.

            From Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, take 35 percent off site-wide with promo code BF35. From Nov. 28 to Nov. 30, take 35 percent off site-wide and receive a gift with purchase with promo code BF35.

            Best Black Friday Fragrance Sales of 2022

            From Nov. 23 to Nov. 27, get a free 10ml fragrance of your choice with any $65+ purchase or more. On Nov. 28, get two 8ml travel sprays for $40.

            From Nov. 18 to Nov. 28, take up to 30 percent off full-size products.

            From Nov. 18 to Nov. 26, take 15 percent off site-wide with promo code RPP15.

            Categories
            Beauty

            Jennifer Garner’s Favorite $31 Anti-Aging Retinol Eye Cream Is up for Grabs on Amazon Right Now

            If you didn’t already know, Jennifer Garner is a skincare queen. She’s been a Neutrogena brand ambassador for years and still swears by their products. In fact, the 50-year-old recently revealed which eye cream has kept her looking and feeling so radiant—and frequent retinol users are going to love it.

            According to the actress, the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream has been a staple in her regimen for quite some time now. “What I love is when you’re promoting cell turnover, what it does is it decreases lines and increases brightness and it increases fluidity in the skin and a flexibility in the skin which just means that it’s more plump looking, more alive looking, younger,” she told Prevention.

            Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+

            Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+

            Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+

            She added that the cream has been especially helpful with creating a “younger” and “bright-eyed” look that “you don’t even recognize [is] something you’re missing as you get older,” per Prevention.

            If using ingredients such as retinol and glycerin around your eye area makes you nervous, just know that Jennifer was in the same boat. “It just didn’t make sense because they always say use everywhere but your eye area,” she explained. “[Neutrogena] did all of this work on it, and it is safe. Especially, you know I’m starting to get some lines and things, and so it just helps with those, and it helps keep more moisture and more brightness,” per Prevention.

            Need more proof? The product has hundreds of 5-star-ratings on Amazon, and shoppers are more than happy with the results. Just take it from this rave review: “My complexion looks and feels better than ever. It’s so smooth and soft [and] looks younger. I’ve received a number of compliments, with one person wanting to know what I’m doing to my face, there’s definitely a change. I’m very pleased.”

            Categories
            Beauty

            This Is How Rihanna Did Her Makeup for the Savage x Fenty Show

            Rihanna has been very busy. Two weeks ago, she released her first new song in…a while. She finally gave her eager fans some insight on motherhood and her son, who was born in May, and somehow Rihanna still managed to go all-out for her Savage x Fenty Volume 4 show. The show, which can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video, showed off the newest collection of Rihanna’s lingerie line in the most Rihanna way possible–with dancers, out-of-this-world sets, and a few surprise guest appearances.

            Rihanna herself stunned in a blue and black corset, but her makeup look may have stolen the show. Priscilla Ono, Rihanna’s longtime makeup artist and the global makeup artist for Rihanna’s line Fenty Beauty, was responsible for creating the iconic look. “This year’s show has a magical feeling–there’s a sense of surrealism in the performances, from the set to the dancers’ movements,” Ono said in a statement provided to ELLE. “We wanted that sentiment and aesthetic to transcend into the makeup, so you’ll see a lot of iridescence and ethereal color splashes on lids and lips and, of course, soft, radiant skin.”

            Skin prep was an essential step in creating the glowing base underneath the makeup. Using the Fenty Skin line, Ono prepped Rihanna’s face with the Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment, the Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum, and Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30. Ono used the Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream for an ultra-hydrated sheen for her body.

            Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment

            Fenty Skin Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment

            Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum

            Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum

            Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30

            Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30

            For the makeup, Ono used the iconic Fenty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in the shade Trophy Wife on both the eyes and in the center of the lips, creating a frosty, extra pouty appearance. The moody, dark brown lipstick was courtesy of the line’s refillable lipstick, Icon Semi-Matte Lipstick, in the shade She A CEO. Ono kept it classic for Rihanna’s complexion with some foundation, concealer, and an extra dose of the Fenty Diamond Bomb All-Over Veil.

            Looking for more affordable options? Try swapping out Fenty’s golden Killawat Freestyle Highlighter for the Maybelline Golden Halo eyeshadow. To mimic RiRi’s coffee-toned lipstick, try the NYX Shout Out Loud lipstick in the shade Cali to save a few bucks.

            Now you’re runway ready, just like our favorite Bajan beauty.

            Categories
            Beauty

            Teyana Taylor Is Replacing Her Wigs With Injectables, Kind Of

            There are few celebrity faces that we’ve been able to witness evolve through adolescence into adulthood. But since catapulting into stardom at the age of 16, Teyana Taylor has been a fan favorite to behold.

            The now 31-year-old stunner, however, is unafraid to share that prescription: neuromodulator, Xeomin, is aiding in helping her maintain her fountain of youth glow. And, with the announcement that she’s the injectable’s latest ambassador, the multi-hyphenate is sharing the many ways it’s improved her day-to-day — even up to how she chooses her hairstyles.

            ELLE: What drew you to Xeomin?

            I’m a big researcher and because I’m new to injectables, I wanted to make sure that whatever I was using represented me — I’m a less is more kind of girl. So, anything that I try, especially on my face, I want to make sure that it takes the less is more approach as well. That’s Xeomin. Not only is it a smart toxin, but it doesn’t have all those unnecessary ingredients — and it provides me with consistent results. My frown lines, like I call ’em my Chicago Bulls 11s, have cleared right up.

            teyana taylor performing

            Amy Sussman//Getty Images

            ELLE: It’s said that “Black don’t crack,” but we do know there can be space for improvement sometimes. Why and when did you decide to start improving things on your face?

            I’m a Black woman and we naturally have strong features, which I love. But I just wanted to smooth out my 11s a little bit more while still being able to visibly express myself. I wanted people to know whether I was happy, sad, mad, or surprised. I already have a strong face, and then when I would make certain faces, I’d be like, “Yo, it’s getting crazy up in this area.”

            But also, just being Black queens, we smile a lot — we have a lot to smile about. Sometimes we’re left with those little laughing lines that just won’t go away after you smile. We don’t need much, but we can always improve.

            ELLE: So many celebrities are hesitant to share treatments they may be getting; why did you decide to be so transparent?

            I’m super normal — I’m still a woman. At the end of the day, we still all bleed the same. Status and fame doesn’t make you any different from the next young lady, you know? She’s also in the mirror like, “Oh my God, these lines.”

            And, of course, I was scared because you see a lot of people in the industry who are frozen — and I knew I didn’t want that look. I wanted to show that you can do this subtly and gracefully. I don’t have anything to hide. I had something I wanted to fix, and I did. It’s natural, and there’s no harm in that.

            teyana taylor for xeomin

            Courtesy Xeomin, Merz Aesthetics/Jeremy Cowart

            ELLE: We talk about the body after having a baby, but not so much about the face after having a baby. Has your face changed after having your girls?

            Oh yeah, every single time. It changes the first time, and then you have another baby, and it changes even more. I feel like gaining so much weight and then losing, my skin was looser. The injectables just kind of smoothed everything out — especially in my forehead, which now better matches the look of the rest of my face, I feel.

            I had these thin, slinky lines develop I would have to wear wigs or super snatched braids to pull back the skin. Xeomin gives me that little snatch back without having to change my hairstyle. However, still being an actress, I’m still able to keep the expressiveness in my face.

            No offense to anybody, but seeing people with injectables can kind of scare you — but everything is little by little, and I’m so happy with my results.

            teyana taylor at met gala

            Theo Wargo//Getty Images

            ELLE: Since using Xeomin, how has your skincare routine changed?

            I’ve literally tried everything to have a smooth appearance on my forehead — shaving, skincare, everything. Now, I look smooth and moisturized all the time. I have on no makeup besides a brow and my lip gloss — and you can see the shine on my forehead. I could never achieve that before. I no longer feel the urge to get up and just be glamourized all day.

            I’m such a happy person; I’m a smiler. I have two beautiful daughters and a beautiful husband; there’s no reason not to smile. Now I can do that without worrying about making my smile lines worse.