This brand made waves throughout the beauty community when they introduced their extremely inclusive shade range of 25 bronzers, distinguished by neutral, red, warm, neutral warm, and olive undertones.
Welcome to Artist Spotlight #59 series on my blog.
Bronzer range I mentioned.
Straight from the source:
“We are a queer run cosmetics company that wants to encompass all walks of life under our brand. What does that even mean you ask? Well, let me tell you a story.
My name is Christian Coll, hence the name CXC, and I was once a working makeup artist doing what all makeup artists love…MAKEUP! However, I kept running into issues. I could never seem to get the makeup that I needed all in one place, especially shade ranges. I would spend THOUSANDS on high end products because I believe great makeup begins with great products. It turns out, however, that just because the products were “high end” didn’t mean they were the best quality. My next problem was finding products that worked for multiple skin tones. Being a Puerto Rican born individual myself, I found that there was VERY LITTLE diversity when it came to skin tone range in the majority of companies. Not only that, but there was such little representation in the market, very little people of color, multiple genders, people of different sizes, etc. Something needed to change.
In 2019, I decided I had enough. I was going to create my own brand, a brand that works for everybody, regardless of race or gender or any difference in an individual that you can imagine. I was going to create LUXURY products at an affordable price. That is where my partner in business and life, Anthony, comes in. Fortunately, he has several degrees, one of which happens to be in chemistry. Together, we sold everything we had, downsized our life and started purchasing lab equipment and ingredients, and began building CXC Beauty.
Building a brand from scratch was one of the hardest challenges I have ever faced, yet it was absolutely so rewarding. We began by creating our own eyeshadows and then slowly started to diversify. After a solid year of trying so hard to just get noticed, we finally gained traction, and in doing so, we were able to lease an office space and a lab. It was just the thing we needed in order to take our brand to the next level.
Today, we create a large array of products, from color cosmetics to skincare. Each of our products are created in house, in our own lab, with the utmost safety and care. Everything we create is cruelty free as we only purchase ingredients that are certified fair-trade and cruelty free. Most of our products are also vegan. The only non vegan ingredient we use is carmine, which is only in a very few select products. Regardless of the product however, they are each created with absolute love!
The future of CXC Beauty is absolutely a bright one. It will contain the widest range of products for ALL skin tones that there is. Our models will include an absolute diverse range of individuals. Not only that, but it will include skincare for all skin types, hair care for all hair types, and everything in between. CXC Beauty is a brand that promotes acceptance and love, regardless of who you are.
We hope you join us on our journey in to the future of the cosmetic industry, where the bar will be set higher than it has ever been!
Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 – a modern lightweight, natural matte foundation with shine-controlling, medium-to-full buildable coverage and 24-hour wear – available in an all-inclusive, colour-true range of 63 shades.
Studio Fix Powder – a one-step pressed powder and foundation that gives skin a 12-hour ultra-matte finish while controlling shine and without causing acne.
Brushes:
#170 – a best-selling foundation brush with a rounded, slanted shape and densely packed fibres that applies, buffs out and blends any foundation or primer.
& #150 – a full and dense brush for dusting loose or pressed powder onto the face or body.
After years of bringing the most glamorous, Instagram reshare-worthy beauty looks down the haute couture and ready-to-wear runways, Valentino is finally launching its own makeup collection.
Valentino Beauty will launch worldwide with over 100 products in August, but the collection was fully revealed on May 31 at Selfridges in London with an exclusive pop-up shop.
The launch includes a full spectrum of color products, from complexion to eyeshadow palettes. All of the formulas are multi-use and multi-finish to encourage experimentation, self-expression, and individuality. A few products, including the lipsticks and palettes, come in refillable packaging. This isn’t only a better option for the environment — you’ll want to keep the chic red and gold tubes and bottles on your vanity forever.
“Beauty is a complexity resolved through love. Beauty is democratic. I look at the identity of each individual, the uniqueness that encloses diversity and inclusivity,” Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli in a statement. “Beauty is about grace. Grace is something that you cannot describe, it is a perception. Beauty is something that gives me emotion. It is a connection.”
The accompanying campaign was shot by Piccioli himself and features 16 “eclectic talents” per the brand’s release. These models each represent a different facet of the Valentino Beauty brand DNA and come together in the campaign to create a “Valentino Chorus.”
A few standout products include a 40 shade foundation range, 50 shades of lipstick in matte and satin finishes, and the Go-Clutch, which comes with a mini lipstick. The accessory-makeup hybrid product first made its runway debut on the Valentino Spring 2017 runway.
Valentino Beauty ranges from $30 for lipstick refills to $235 for the Go-Clutch.
“We all need a bit of magic in our lives – especially now – don’t we?” says Val Garland, global makeup artist for L’Oréal Paris, of the brand’s latest collaboration with Elie Saab. And magical it is. The designer known for his frothy, feminine, haute couture creations – seen on everyone from brides to A-listers – has brought his talent for making women feel and look good to the ultra affordable L’Oréal Paris x Elie Saab collection, which is available to buy now.
Welcome to Artist Spotlight #52 series on my blog.
Empowering women is, after all, Saab’s MO. “My passion has always been to make women feel beautiful, and makeup has the ability to highlight every woman’s natural beauty. As the finishing touch to a look, or an accessible way into the world of couture, this makeup line allows every woman to experience a touch of Elie Saab magic,” he says.
Garland, who has worked with the designer on the makeup looks for his fashion shows in days gone by, collaborated with Saab on the line. The pair wanted to create a range which reflected his “dazzling hand-sewn embroideries and embellishments and his signature fantasy creations”, explains Garland. “I wanted to translate his vision with makeup, by incorporating subtle shimmer finishes in the gloss and dazzling glitters in the eyeshadows, to truly reflect his designs.”
The result is a four-piece line that incorporates a rather glorious eyeshadow palette, full of velveteen, shimmery shades in tones to suit everyone; Le Volume Haute Couture Mascara; a feather-soft Le Brilliant Haute Couture lip gloss (in three nudes); and Color Riche lipstick (in four exclusive shades). The edit is affordable but the luxurious formulas feel reassuringly expensive, and the packaging is also pleasing. The feather details, sheer nude chiffon and silver embellishment from the brand’s last show are all echoed in the formulas.
Because the collection is based on nude hues, it’s perfect for those who like a natural touch, and it’s bound to appeal to future brides. Whether it’s a slick of the gloss on lips or a diffused, taupe eye, it’s soft, flattering makeup that’s easy to incorporate into your routine. And at less than £20, it’s truly a steal.
“One night over a glass of pinot, we sat down and asked ourselves why it was so hard to find the perfect nude lipstick. That conversation sparked an idea, and that idea became the brand we are building today. We created Mented Cosmetics because we believe every woman should be able to find herself in the world of beauty, no matter her skin tone. We know you’ll love being put first – because when it comes to beauty, no one deserves to be an afterthought.”
Welcome to Artist Spotlight #41 series on my blog.
“From our original nude lipsticks to eyeshadow palettes to blushes, each of our makeup products is perfectly pigMented to match your skin tones. We want all women, from light to tan to dark skin tones, to feel like they have makeup that actually works for their complexions, so we’ve created the shades to help accomplish that. Start with our shade finder to find your perfect match and then begin building your collection today! We guarantee you’ll find your new go-to or a fun addition to your makeup routine.”
“Our High Brow Precision Pencil gives you the definition you want while staying put all day. It’s waterproof, precision-tipped, and lasts for 10+ hours.”
When celebs like Dua Lipa, Alexa Chung, and Kate Winslet want makeup looks that will standout on the red carpet, they all turn to renowned makeup artist Lisa Eldridge.
Welcome to Artist Spotlight #40 series on my blog.
But Eldridge’s influence doesn’t stop at her impressive client list. For over 20 years, she’s been the mastermind behind the makeup in the fashion campaigns of brands like Gucci and Prada, wrote a best-selling book, and was one of the fist professional makeup artists to embrace YouTube, with a number of her tutorials going viral.
In-between applying makeup, Eldridge has worked with a number of top beauty brands on product development, including Chanel and Shiseido, to name a few. Currently, she’s the global creative director of Lancôme. (You can thank her for the game-changing bendable Grandiôse Liquid Eyeliner.)
After years of crafting hero products for other brands, Eldridge launched her namesake makeup line in 2018 with a single product: lipstick.
The velvet-inspired matte formulas quickly became cult-favorites, and Eldridge has recently launched nourishing, but high-pigment lip glosses, which sold out also immediately.
Here, Eldridge shares the inspiration behind her own lip products, her tips for preventing your lipstick from smudging under a face mask, and more.
At what point in your career did you know you wanted to start your own brand?
I spent a long time working with labs and cosmetic scientists while consulting and developing for them. I really enjoyed doing it and all of the companies I was working with were very complimentary about how good I was with the scientists and putting everything all together. I had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to do it. However, I’m not a big planner and things usually happen organically for me, which is what happened with my lipsticks as well.
How did your experiences as a makeup artist shape your own brand?
I think I’m well-placed as someone who does tutorials, but also does makeup every day on different faces and skin tones. My experience of handling makeup and seeing makeup in motion gives me a double side.
Why did you decide to launch with lipsticks?
The funny thing about cosmetic science is that products can often take years to develop. While I have other things coming, some of which I’ve been working on for such a long time, the lipsticks just happened to be ready first. I had the idea to make this velvety lipstick, and we tried once before and it didn’t work. We finally found a way to get the lipsticks out of the mold and still look like velvet. It was a challenge, and I had to put a lot of quality control in place, with people checking every single bullet. I was 100% satisfied, so I was happy with launching it. Since it’s only me, I’m not under pressure to launch on a certain date or month, whether the product is ready or not, which is quite a luxury.
You recently came out with lip glosses. What was the inspiration behind this launch?
While my matte lipstick formula isn’t drying, I wanted to do something that was more moisturizing. I had the idea of creating a product that feels like a lip treatment, but still offers a lot of color. We tried different formulas and we were happy with this one, along with the colors. Sometimes things come quite quickly, and other times things will take years. And by quickly, I mean within 18 months.
This year has been weird for wearing lipstick, among many other things. Where do you see lipstick trends going in the time of COVID-19?
I planned to do lips again so I was a bit concerned about the face masks. But, lipstick has been just as popular as ever. There’s always that lipstick effect, which is a historically proven thing, where people like to cheer themselves up with a bold lip color. I thought people would stick to more natural colors, but my red shades have been super popular this year. Velvet Dragon, which is a new red shade, has just flown. A lot of people send me photos and videos showing me the lipstick they’re wearing under their masks. A lot of doctors and nurses wear my lipsticks. They show me they’re wearing a really bright red lipstick under all of their PPE. I think it’s like a secret thing that’s quite cheerful and brings a lot of joy.
What are your tips for preventing lipstick from getting on your face mask?
Stick to thin layers. When you put thin layers on, the lipstick will bond in synergy with the skin. Sometimes if you put a lot on from the bullet, there’s a certain amount that’s sitting on top of the skin. I always say to start with a thin layer — maybe with a lip brush — so that it almost settles in the creases on the lip. Then, put another thin layer on top and tap it in with your finger or blot it with a tissue. You’ll still feel the creaminess on the surface, but you won’t have any excess product available to come off.
What is a common mistake people make when applying lipstick?
The shape you make — especially with strong colors — is important unless you have completely balanced lips. For example, I have downturned lips, like a lot of people do, and if you follow your lips all the way down to the corners of the mouth, it tends to make you look miserable and sad. My tip is to roughly following your natural lips when you fill them in and just stand back and look into the mirror. Take a lip pencil and add a little bit of bulk or use a Q-tip to take a bit off one side, as needed. You’ll look like a different person. It’s a really subtle tweak, but you need to look at your lip shape and see what suits you.
Shop Lisa Eldridge’s Lip Products:
True Velvet Lip Colour in Velvet Ribbon
Inspired by a classic bow, this true neutral/blue red is highly pigmented with a matte finish that has a slight sheen to it. To sum it up: it’s a bold shine-free lipstick that won’t dry out your lips.
A rich berry is a gorgeous alternative to a red lip. This kit includes the True Velvet Lipstick, along with the coordinating Enhance and Define Beauty Liner, a creamy gel lip pencil, and Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss, a non-sticky formula that offers impressive color payoff while simultaneously nourishing the lips. The trio comes in a velvet floral pouch created by multimedia artist Jon Jacobson. It’s a great gift for the lipstick lover in your life, or you know, yourself.
This multitasking formula offers leaves lips smooth and soft, thanks to a blend of nourishing ingredients, while offering high-pigment color. Blush, along with the other five shades are currently sold out, but you can subscribe to Eldridge’s mailing list for restock alerts
What’s better than treating yourself to a single lipstick? Three new colors. This set comes with three blue-based shades of Eldridge’s True Velvet Lip Colour. There are also options available with warm undertones as well as bold and neutral.
Just as Harris Reed’s clothing offers an important voice in the conversation around the way we define masculinity and gender identity in fashion, a limited-edition collaboration with MAC Cosmetics created by the 24-year-old British-American designer is set to redefine the way we approach makeup.
Welcome to Artist Spotlight #37 series on my blog.
“Beauty is fluid, beauty is for everyone and I can’t wait to see how people are going to use this collection to show their version of self-expression and fluidity,” Harris toldVogue, practically shrieking down the phone with excitement. “That’s what I’m super excited about.”
“My first experiences with makeup were with my friends at a MAC store getting ready for prom and it was the brand that I first saw putting make-up on ‘boys’’, they explain, citing MAC as the perfect partner. “For it to even trust me, and take on my strong-ass message of fighting for fluidity, I have to say, has just felt like the most beautiful partnership.”
One of Harris’s personal highlights to come from the collaboration is that it will enable their hundreds of thousands of followers the opportunity to own their own part of the Harris Reed brand and feel included in its wider message. “It’s such an emotional thing for me. I’ve been so incredibly lucky that millions of people have seen the things I’ve worked on and have been a part of, but have maybe until now they’ve not been able to buy into it. This is now something that anyone can get their hands on and be a part of. It doesn’t feel real, it feels crazy.”
The millennial-pink packaged collection is made up of four products, each of which offers a plethora of possibilities to play around with. A smudge of one shade into your hairline could work mixed with another swept over your eyelids for a trip to the shop – just as Harris did when creating the palettes. Though MAC has a history of being used by professionals, this collection has a level of tactility to it that the least acquainted with makeup can become quickly familiar with. The fact that there are no application brushes is deliberate – Harris prefers the human touch.
“It is very much about a playfulness and the joy of makeup,” Harris continues. “As someone who makes clothes that take a couple of weeks to produce, if I want to make a statement with makeup, it literally takes me seconds with a good lipstick or eyeshadow. As I have pushed this idea of a more fluid space in a more fluid world, I’ve really loved that makeup can always be that gorgeous icing on top. It doesn’t only complete the look but, it also completes the message, acting as that extra ounce of light to help radiate what I stand for.”
Much like their clothing, the inspiration behind the colours and products is a major meeting of eras and aesthetics, resulting in an overall “glam-luxe romanticism gone non-binary,” they say. “It is a mix between Studio 54 and rococo, but also think a full renaissance party. You can start with this very beautiful, very whimsical approach and then by the end you can end up with this Studio-54-inspired gold eyeshadow all over your face, even pushing up to the hairline.” Their hero product? A trio of lipsticks called ‘From Harris, With Love’ that reminds them of their first forays into makeup and looking at lipsticks with their mum as a child. “I know those are the ones that I will keep on me at a party, applying, applying and applying.”
Harris’s own approach to beauty and using makeup for themselves has shifted as their sense of self has grown — most notably after they started at Central Saint Martins, emerged in London’s creative scene. Yet they weren’t always so comfortable and forthcoming with using products for themselves. “Being around fabulously flamboyant people really pushed me in the way that I wanted to express myself in terms of my gender identity and being creative across so many areas,” they said.
“[Wearing makeup] has made me have a much more honest approach to my identity. Like anything, it can be scary if you’re not familiar with it. The minute I thought of makeup as a tool to use to send a message and spark a story, was when I started having a way more playful approach. It gave me a space to feel that everything was okay. It definitely was a journey and now I realise that you write your own rulebook.”
The four-piece collection is a small but mighty push for us all to rethink how we use and approach makeup. Harris doesn’t see using cosmetics any differently to employing a fabulous fashion accessory when putting an outfit together. “I think if I, and this collection, can be of any influence to make people look at makeup as a tool to be who you want to be, then that’s job done,” they said.
“Try and not think of makeup as something that makes you look ‘pretty’ and try and not look at it as something that you use to make yourself better, but to explore and enhance something within you. Use makeup as a tool to be your most authentic self.”
Finding the perfect pink lipstick can be a balancing act. I’m not talking about your bright fuchsias or orchids or Barbie pinks — I mean those soft, subtle pinks that are almost nude but not quite. The kind of pink you wear when you want people to notice how put-together you look without thinking you spent a whole lot of effort or time. That pink.
With soft pinks especially, it’s important to take your specific skin tone into account, otherwise, you might end with a lip that’s way lighter or darker than you wanted. According to bi-coastal makeup artist Lavonne, the selection process thankfully doesn’t have to be too difficult. “When I look at depth and undertones for a soft-toned petal pink lipstick, I start by looking at the natural color of the lips,” she explains to Allure.
With that perfect shade in hand, application should be a breeze. “I will choose a concealer to neutralize any blue, yellow, green, or purple [undertones] in the lips. This way I have an even canvas to work with,” Lavone explains. “I choose a lip liner to complement the skin tone and then blend it into the lip before applying lipstick.”
To simplify your search for that petal-soft shade, ALLURE editors have broken down the best nude pink lipsticks based on your skin tone below.
Deep: Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick in Retro Rose
Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick is every bit as comfortable as it sounds, thanks to its frictionless formula that’s packed with reparative castor seed oil. Retro Rose, shown above, is a glossy and sheer muted rose tone that looks stunning on deep skin.
Deep: L’Orèal Paris Rouge Signature Lightweight Matte Lip Stain in I Rule
If you’re the type who likes super-matte lip that could last a zombie apocalypse, L’Orèal Paris Rouge Signature Lightweight Matte Lip Stain is exactly that. When applied on deep skin tones, its deep mauve shade I Rule transforms into the perfect soft pink that’s not too light or ashy.
Deep: Juvia’s Place The Nude Velvety Matte Lipstick in A Mauve Moment
If your skin tone looks best when paired with cooler tones, try Juvia’s Place The Nude Velvety Matte Lipstick in A Mauve Moment. With just a hint of a purple undertone, this velvety matte lipstick brings full-color payoff with just one swipe.
Deep: Uoma Beauty Badass Icon Matte Lipstick in Miriam
Uoma Beauty’s Badass Icon Matte Lipstick in Miriam might look brown at first glance, but when swiped across the lips, its true neutral pink hue comes to life. And if you’ve tried any of the brand’s other lipsticks, you’ll know this one comes with the same suede-like finish and comfort level.
Deep: Beauty Bakerie Cake Pop Lippie in Funnel Cake
With a comfortable formula that lasts way longer than you’d expect for a cream, Beauty Bakerie Cake Pop Lippie in Funnel Cake is a deep pink with strong peach undertones. And thanks to its smaller-than-average packaging, you can pop it in your pocket and take it everywhere with you.
Medium: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Rebellious Rose
There’s a reason this shade of Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick won a 2020 Best of Beauty Award. With sheer pigments in a classic muted pink shade, Rebellious Rose looks great on virtually everyone — but especially on medium skin tones with neutral or cool undertones.
You can never go wrong with one of MAC’s Matte Lipsticks, especially if it’s in the shade Kinda Sexy. This long-wear matte is equal parts pink, peach, and nude, making it ideal for warm, medium skin tones.
This medium-toned rose shade called Precious from Milani isn’t extremely light or dark, a perfect middle-ground for any medium skin tone. What’s more: Amore Matte Lip Creme glides on as a thin liquid and dries down to a matte finish, which means it’s practically weightless.
Medium: Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Divinyl Lip Shine in Nude Venus
The slightly glossy and lightly pigmented Nude Venus shade of Pat McGrath’s Lip Fetish Divinyl Lip Shines couldn’t make a more perfect neutral pink for medium skin — take it from Cardi B, who wore it in her infamous “WAP” music video.
OK, so KKW Nude Crème Lipstick in 3.5 leans a little more into nude lipstick category than it does pink — still, with strong pink undertones and a super comfortable cream formula, we’d be downright silly not to give it an honorable mention.
Medium: Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Mousse in Seduction
A Best of Beauty-winning formula, Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Mousse matches even the most high-end lipsticks in terms of pigment, comfort, and overall quality. The shade Seduction might look like a warn nude at first glance, but its soft pink hue will be revealed the moment you swipe it onto your lips.
Light: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk
If you ask around long-term beauty aficionados, you’ll find that few lipstick shades get as much talk as Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Matte Revolution Lipstick (a Reader’s Choice Award winner). And it’s no wonder, considering how pretty this muted light-pink with peach undertones looks on fair skin.
Light: Chanel Rouge Coco Flash Lip Colour in Ferveur
Chanel Rouge Coco Flash Lip Colour in Ferveur won a Best of Beauty award in 2019, thanks to its orange-pink tint and the glossy, slippery formula that feels just like a hydrating lip balm.
Bobbi Brown’s Crushed Lip Color in Babe has subtle blue undertones, which pair perfectly with skin tones that have cool or neutral undertones. Even better, this balm-like formula contains reparative vitamin E for added nourishment.
Light: Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Honeymoon
When Huda Beauty named this lipstick formula Power Bullet Matte, it really was not kidding because this formula is as matte as they come — thankfully without sacrificing any comfort. The shade Honeymoon, above, gets its slightly dusky quality from cool lavender undertones.
If there’s one brand that’s proved it’s worth the hype, it’s Glossier. Basically every new launch immediately lands on top of the best Glossier products charts. It’s not hard to see why: Glossier is a master class in brand identity (see: its millennial pink packaging, “G” merch, and dreamy but realistic ads), it’s perfected the art of the no-makeup makeup look, and it’s got a fanbase so loyal that shoppers will patiently wait (often out the door of its showrooms) to get their hands on whatever just hit the shelves.
But just like with anything that seems too good to be true, those who aren’t fully aboard the Glossier train often wonder whether its products are actually worth it. Does Boy Brow really transform your eyebrows in few single swipes? Is Cloud Paint seriously as good as its painfully cute tube would lead you to believe? Do the Body Hero products actually feel as divine as they look in the ads? If the Glossier reviews ahead have anything to say, the answer is a resounding yes.
Scroll on for GLAMOUR’s honest Glossier reviews to see what’s absolutely worth spending your money on.
Glossier Boy Brow
There’s a reason this product is Glossier’s top seller (and inspiration for so many copycats): It’s awesome. I love everything about it—its tiny tube, its teeny brush that separates and grooms so well, its super-sticky, nonflaky, semiwaxy formula that holds hairs in place for days. Even better, Glossier finally expanded its shade range to include an auburn shade for redheads like me. —Lindsay Schallon, senior beauty editor
Everyone says the last thing they want in a concealer is cakey-ness. Having makeup visibly settle into the fine lines we all have isn’t cute and defeats the purpose, for me, of wearing makeup to begin with. What I love about Glossier’s Stretch Concealer is its texture. It’s so lightweight and dewy that it’s almost impossible for it to cake up. I started using it not just under my eyes to cover circles but also on my eyelids to give my face a more pulled-together look, as well as to cover redness under my nose and at the corners of my mouth. It looks super natural—some might say too natural if ultra-full coverage is the goal—but it works wonders for me when I don’t feel like a full face of foundation and want a light glow while still hiding my skin issues. —Perrie Samotin, digital director
I don’t always wear makeup—but I will wear lip balm, which is why the Balm Dot Com formula is so appealing to me. It’s light and moisturizing without being sticky, but is tinted in these gorgeous shades that make it seem like I tried. Cherry is my go-to color, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them. —Shanna Shipin, commerce editor
I love how the Lash Slick formula goes on evenly and the brush “combs” so each lash is accentuated. I also appreciate that the tiny fibers add oomph without turning my lashes into spider legs. Whereas other mascaras go on wet and immediately leave dotted marks below my brows, Lash Slick magically stays put—from the moment I put it on until I wash it off at night. I was nervous, since it’s water-resistant, not waterproof, but I’m happy to report that it doesn’t flake or smudge. —Kimberly Fusaro, branded content director
I’ve been a fan of Glossier since day one, and most of its products have made their way into my daily routine (hi, Boy Brow!). But my love runs deepest for its Milky Jelly Conditioning Face Wash. The texture is unique—the only way I can describe it is cushiony—and it never leaves my skin feeling tight or stripped. I use it in the morning on dry skin and at night after an oil cleanser or micellar water to remove makeup. The smell is incredible: It’s like roses and lipstick, but it’s subtle enough not to irritate my sensitive skin. I will always have a bottle in my bathroom because it works, and it honestly just makes me happy when I use it, which is what beauty is all about. —Bella Cacciatore, beauty assistant
Normally I’d roll my eyes at anything being called “aesthetic skin care”—meaning, a product that imparts skin-care benefits but also looks incredible on—but that’s exactly what this oil-serum hybrid is, and the glow it gives your face is impossible to scoff at. Futuredew gets its skin-glistening magic from light-reflecting minerals, but it’s also got all the things you’d look for in a great hydrating serum: jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and rosehip oils, along with squalane to help lock in moisture. The number of compliments I’ve gotten on my skin has increased tenfold since I’ve started using it. No lie. —L.S.
I won’t lie: When I first tested this by drawing swatches on my hand, I was unimpressed by the pigment payoff. But when I tried it on my eyes, I realized that’s where it’s magic comes to life. The buildable formula makes the whole experience less high-stakes. If your line goes awry, it’s fine, because it isn’t intense dark black until you draw a few layers. This means less of a heart attack for those who haven’t mastered a cat eye and more versatility from day to night. The brush tip is superthin and glides along your lash line for a subtle vibe that feels very Glossier, and the control is top-notch! When I washed my hands, the swatches didn’t budge. —Erin Parker, commerce writer
With all the handwashing I’ve been doing since COVID hit, this rich—but not sticky—hand cream has been a godsend. It smells like the brand’s fragrance, You, which is clean and fresh with a slight hint of florals. I wish I were going more places these days, because this is the kind of cute packaging you never get sick of pulling out of your bag. —L.S.
Glossier’s reformulated Generation G lipstick is a new favorite of mine. I love how comfortable and moisturizing it is. I use the color Zip, which is sheer and buildable, so I can apply it on the go, but still packs such a punch that I don’t need to wear anything else with it. It’s the perfect red lip for those who are a little bit color-shy like me. —Khaliha Hawkins, producer
Until Body Hero, I believed the one metric that mattered in lotion was how well it moisturized. I was a noob! Innocent and impressionable! But as soon as I found this (attractive!) stuff, I learned the truth. A good lotion will make your legs look longer, your skin feel dewier, and your bod smell like a fresh-picked flower. I’ve reordered it three times. —Mattie Kahn, culture director
I’m all in on highlighting pretty much 365 days of the year—but most especially when I’m feeling a little run-down. The combo of crystal extracts and actual moisturizing oils in Haloscope ensures that I look fresh-faced and dewy while it hydrates my skin at the same time. A dash on my cheeks, brow bones, and the bridge of my nose, and I’m good to go. —Abby Gardner, news writer
I used to swear by Nars Orgasm Blush—and it’s still a fave!—but ever since I tried Glossier’s Cloud Paint, I have trouble using anything else. Cloud Paint is incredibly easy to apply (I use my finger), and it blends seamlessly on my cheeks. The tiny tube is also deceptive; it actually lasts me months even though I use it every day. As for the color, I’ll alternate using Beam and Puff between seasons. Beam is orangey, so it gives a pretty glow in the summer, whereas Puff is a light pink that looks great when I’m more pale. —B.C.
After I cleanse my skin at night, I swipe this glycolic acid toner all over my face and neck in order to remove excess makeup residue and keep my skin smooth. Thanks to powerful hydroxy acids (AHA, BHA and PHA), it works to gently exfoliate, unclog pores, and fight breakouts. I’ve totally seen a difference since I added it to my routine. —Jillian Ruffo, contributor
I have my eyebrow routine down pat: I apply a primer/growth serum and use my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz and that it’s. Two products and I’m done. However, after trying Glossier’s Brow Flick in Black, I realized that my eyebrows were missing some serious definition. Brow Flick definitely made my brows stand out more than they originally did, and as I grow them out to be the big bushy brows I want, it’s become the perfect subtle addition to my routine. The tip is thin and precise, and you can wipe/brush out any mistakes you make. —K.H.
I’ve been a fan of the Body Hero lotion since it launched, but lately I’ve been more into oils, so this couldn’t have come at a better time. Like its older sister, the packaging is cool and expensive looking, and it makes me smile every time I see it in my bathroom. The oil itself is super lightweight—it’s a dry oil so you can put jeans on right away or roll around in clean sheets without leaving a mess—but it feels really nourishing and lush. My favorite part, though, is the scent; the perfect soapy neroli that makes me smell like a rich European baby. I have no complaints. —B.C.
Glossier’s shimmery Lidstar eye shadows have been a mainstay in my makeup bag for years, so when the brand revealed it was launching matte eye shadow, I had high hopes. While I wish the packaging were a bit more interesting (really, how can you beat Lidstar’s mini test tubes?), the formula more than makes up for it. The colors are matte, yes, but they still go on with the sheer, buildable consistency Glossier’s eye shadows are famous for. The dry-down, meanwhile, looks like powder without any of the telltale dryness or cakey-ness. My favorite is the blue shade, Pool, that reminds me of the powder blues that were big in the late ’90s—but look perfectly in place for 2020. —L.S.
Let me preface this by saying I am not a bar-soap girl, and yet I am obsessed with this exfoliating bar. First of all, I hate how much body scrubs leave a trail of grounds at the bottom of my tub, and a lot leave my already oily skin feeling like there’s a thin film over it. This is hydrating yet tough on rough patches of skin, and I love the little well on the bottom of the bar that lets you drop a bit of body wash on top so you can cleanse and exfoliate in one fell swoop. —L.S.
This may be a hot take, but I don’t use many—if any—Glossier products in my daily routine. (I know, I know.) There is one exception, though, and that’s Wowder. The loose powder manages to give my skin a matte yet dewy appearance without feeling too cakey. It’s like putting an IRL filter over your skin. —Anna Moeslein, senior editor
It’s kind of incredible how easily these eye shadows wake up your face. I seriously put it on in the back of a cab without a mirror—that’s how easy they are. With one swipe and smudge on your lid, it leaves the prettiest soft wash of color behind. Most days I wear Lily, the lilac color, with mascara (my current fave is by Maybelline), and it gives the illusion I put much more thought into getting ready. And if I had a late night out? I’ll put Moon in the inner corners of my eyes to brighten them. —L.S.
In August, Lauren Conrad launched her beauty line, Lauren Conrad Beauty, with just five products. A month later, she’s introducing 26 more products in the makeup, skin-care, and body-care categories. Allure chatted with the entrepreneur to learn more. Welcome to Artist Spotlight #21 series on my blog.
You’d be forgiven if you think of Lauren Conrad, the businesswoman, mother, and former reality star, as a Fashion Person. She runs a clothing line, a shoe line, and a kids’ line, to name a few, and longtime fans may remember her televised internship in the Teen Vogue fashion closet. But along the way, Conrad has cultivated her own signature beauty look, which consists of easy breezy makeup and a consistent cat-eye. This summer, she surprised us by channeling that energy into the launch of Lauren Conrad Beauty. She began with five products, released direct-to-consumer from her own website — including a lip gloss formula that’s already won over Allure editors. As of October 9, she’ll expand into Kohl’s with a much longer list of products, including skin care, body care, and color cosmetics.
Conrad has wanted to start her own beauty line for some time, encountering plenty of false starts along the way. “I started the process a couple of times, but I wanted to wait until I could check all my boxes of formulas, packaging, and affordable price point,” she tells Allure. “I’ve worked on this line for two-and-a-half years, but I’ve tried for many years to make it happen.”
One of her priorities, and my personal favorite feature of the line, was the sustainability factor. The packaging is completely recycled and made from post-consumer goods, and the packaging can be recycled whole after use. That sounds like it should be the norm, but so much beauty packaging is made up of mixed materials (say, metal and plastic) that it can be impossible to recycle. But once you finish a tube of LC’s The Lipstick, it can go straight into the recycle bin.
If you stock up on the full line, that recycle bin will eventually be stacked up all the way to the top. The drop includes a whopping 26 products that can take you through an entire beauty and makeup routine. The long product list includes multiple types of facial cleanser, a vitamin C oil, two types of body moisturizers, and much, much more. But when I asked Conrad to narrow it down to her favorite, must-have product, the answer comes quickly: The Liquid Eyeliner (yes, that’s the actual product name — no needlessly florid naming conventions here.)
“Going into this process, I thought the one thing I especially had to get right was the liquid eyeliner,” she says. “It’s one of those products that I’m always seeking out, and I’ve had so much trouble finding the right one over the years, so I really wanted to nail it.”
Out of all the products, the eyeliner took the longest to create, and she only landed on it after much back-and-forth with the lab. “Fortunately, it was a product that we started really early on, so we had a lot of time to play with it.”
If liquid eyeliner isn’t your thing, the range also has The Eyeliner Pencil (in rich black onyx, for $18). Then, you can finish up your eye look with one of two The Eye Shadow Palettes (six bronze-hued shades each, for $29), The Eyebrow Pencil (a double-sided pigmented pencil and spoolie, in four shades, for $22), and The Mascara (in black only, $20). You can then wipe it all away with The Makeup Remover Balm, which is designed to double-cleanse skin in conjunction with The Facial Cleanser (both $20).
The makeup drop also includes powder brush and bronzer, liquid highlighter, a delicate lip and cheek tint that’s perfect for a quick pre-Zoom meeting pop, and the aforementioned Allure favorite lip gloss. There are eight shades of classic lipstick tubes; my favorite is the orange-red Poppy.
The best part of such a wide selection is that it leave the choice up to you. Prefer body cream to body lotion? Conrad’s got you covered. Need a powder blush instead of a creamy cheek tint? Don’t worry, she has both.
“My approach has always been ‘wear the makeup you really love that makes you feel like you’ and ‘use products that you feel good about,'” she says. With a line this comprehensive, we have a feeling there’s something for everyone that meets those criteria with flying colors.
A selection of Lauren Conrad Beauty products is available now on her own site and at Kohl’s.
Kassy Rose Makeup Artistry 