Tag: product picks

5 Beauty Tips We Learned From the Moms in Our Lives

Published on by Lee2 Comments

We all know we couldn’t do much without the moms in our lives — especially when it comes to the beauty tips and tricks we’ve acquired throughout the years. From the first product she ever bought you to the makeup lessons she passed down to you, every memory is special.

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In honor of Mother’s Day, our editors rounded up the best-kept beauty secrets, hacks, and rules they learned from their moms. You probably won’t be surprised to find out that many of us still swear by them every day.

Blend Your Foundation Down Your Neck! 

My mom was like the jawline police — always rubbing my face whenever my foundation stopped at my chin and didn’t blend with my neck. Now, I think about it constantly. Even if I know my foundation was perfect when I left the house, I find myself neurotically blending throughout the day. Thanks, Mom!

Find Your Signature Scent (or Two!) 

I have such lovely memories of wandering around department stores’ fragrance counters with my mom and sampling new arrivals. Our shopping trips made me fall in love with the concept of having one or two signature scents and gave me an appreciation for the fragrance category as a whole. Right now, I’m loving Dossier fragrances— classic scents.

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Prioritize Skincare 

My mother has always kept her makeup minimal and natural (a trait I’ve inherited from her), but she has loved skincare and skincare products for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up, her bathroom was a magical land perfumed with the scents of her extensive collection of creams and lotions. It’s no surprise that her biggest beauty advice is to start prioritizing skincare at a young age. Since I entered my 20s, she has sung the praises of using retinol to address early signs of aging. But the silky, deliciously-fragranced face and body creams are what I remember most from my childhood — plus, she always had the softest skin! The TATCHA AGELESS ENRICHING RENEWAL CREAM is a face cream you and your mother will both love! 

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 Less Is More 

My mom has always been a minimalist when it comes to her beauty routine. While I was dousing my hair in bleach and dyeing it candy colors by the time I was 13, she didn’t get highlights until she reached her 50s. We may be opposites in terms of our willingness to experiment with beauty, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to love her “less is more” approach. I recently converted to using brown mascara instead of black — something my mom begged me to do when I first started wearing makeup. It turns out she was right — the softer shade makes my brown eyes pop without overpowering my features. Mom knows best, despite my reluctance to admit it!

A Look Isn’t Complete Without Lipstick 

I can remember sitting on my parents’ vanity as my mom applied lipstick before an event. It was always the final step of her routine and I always took it as lipstick completing every look. Now, I find myself packing several lip options in my purse before I go out. I don’t feel like I finished my makeup without adding something to my lips. 

Ditch Your Sticky Gloss for Lip Oil—Here Are 6 To Try

Published on by Lee2 Comments

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As both a child of the early aughts and a longtime beauty editor, rest assured that I’ve cycled through just about every available lip gloss on the market. I can still smell the vanilla frosting Lip Smackers I wore every day in 7th grade, and high school, my book bag doubled as a Lancôme Juicy Tube graveyard. But I can also still remember the distinct feeling of un-sticking my hair from my lips—enough to put me off lip gloss for quite some time, aside from when my journalistic duty called for it. (It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.)

That all changed a couple of years ago when the matte lip obsession of the 2010s gloriously gave way to a far more timeless, dewy, fresh-faced aesthetic. Suddenly, the gooey lip glosses of decades past had been rebranded as “lip oils:” hydrating and packed with conditioning ingredients, with a flattering, slick, decidedly un-sticky finish. In the past year alone, searches for “lip oil” have spiked over 150%—a trend that has been met with a variety of new lip oils on the market, all promising a cushioned, more moisturized pout. (“Like your lips, but better,” is the going mantra.)

So, how to choose? Naturally, we did it for you—we’re rounding up six of the very best lip oils available, from plumping to tinted to high-shine formulas. Shop them below.

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Best Overall Lip Oil

Merit

Shade Slick $24

We have to agree with thousands of reviewers and TikTok users on this one—this bestselling tinted lip oil from Merit simply ticks all of the boxes. Thanks to the flattering, buildable pigment and a lightweight, hydrating sheen, it’s that one little part of my routine that instantly brings my whole look together—whether I’m headed to the grocery store or a night out.

Best Luxury Lip Oil

Dior

Lip Glow Oil $40

Take your pick from eight semi-sheer hues—or collect a few. (We’re certainly not judging.) Fans have loved this luxurious, non-sticky lip oil since it launched in 2020. Bonus points for just looking fancy when you pull it out of your purse for a midday touch-up.

Best Plumping Lip Oil

Kosas

Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss $22

This maximum-impact oil is formulated with hyaluronic acid and peptides, two skincare superhero ingredients that visibly plump and hydrate lips. We also love it for its ultra-thick, high-shine finish and eleven-shade range.

Best Lip Oil for Chapped Lips

Fenty

Cherry Treat Conditioning + Strengthening Lip Oil $24

Pout needs a little extra TLC? This cherry-flavored treat from Fenty Skin was designed to repair and restore your lips’ moisture barrier—which will ultimately keep cracked, dry skin at bay. It also features a barely-there, universally flattering cherry tint.

Best Treatment Lip Oil

Clarins

Lip Comfort Hydrating Oil $28

Consider this your friendly reminder that your lips are a key part of your skincare routine—and this formula from Clarins is already an editor favorite for a plush, hydrated pout. The secret is the potent cocktail of Jojoba, Hazelnut, and Sweetbriar Rose which help lock in moisture, reduce fine lines and improve skin elasticity—basically, unlocking your lips’ full potential.

Best High-Shine Lip Tinted Oil


Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil $20

Lip oil is the perfect solution if you don’t like the sticky feel that comes with gloss but still want a lot of shine.

This lip oil is rather unique in the sense that when you first apply it, it is more of a soft jelly texture, but it does eventually melt into a texture that feels more like a traditional lip oil.

You get so much color from this oil that even when the shine factor wears off, there is still a pretty flush of color left behind—similar to a lip stain. If you have ever tried Rare Beauty’s famous Soft Pinch Liquid Blush you know that they take pigment seriously.

Highlighted Ingredients:
– Jojoba Seed Oil: Moisturizes and creates a protective barrier over lips to lock in hydration.
– Sunflower Seed Oil: Antioxidant-rich; soothes and protects from environmental stressors.

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Ditch Your Sticky Gloss for Lip Oil—Here Are 6 To Try

Just Because, I’m Telling You the $74 Designer Perfume Ulta Shoppers Love

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

At one time or another, a fragrance lover will come across a perfume that defines a moment in their life. One spritz of said fragrance can be enough to restore their happiest and most confident selves (or at least transport them to a place where they can be at their best). According to hundreds of glowing reviews across major beauty retailers, including Ulta, that fragrance for many people is Wonderlust by Michael Kors. 

Created by perfumers Aurelien Guichard and Honorine Blanc and launched in 2016, Wonderlust has remained the brand’s best-selling fragrance and, judging by several retailers, can hardly stay on the shelf thanks to its continued popularity. If you, like me, are a fan of Michael Kors’s most popular fragrance, keep reading to discover 12 other perfumes by the brand you’ll be just as obsessed with.

MICHAEL KORS Wonderlust Eau de Parfum $74

Keynotes: Almond milk, dianthus, sandalwood

Without a doubt, Michael Kors’s Wonderlust is the brand’s best-seller when it comes to fragrances. Capturing the desire for discovery, this enigmatic perfume mixes almond milk, dianthus, and smooth sandalwood for an amber gourmand scent we’re obsessed with.

@

♬ –
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More Michael Kors Fragrances

MICHAEL KORS Sexy Amber Eau de Parfum $116

Keynotes: Amber, sandalwood, jasmine

Sensual and chic, this Michael Kors perfume offers warm notes of amber delightfully blended with creamy sandalwood and white flowers for an irresistible and seductive fragrance worth obsessing over.

MICHAEL KORS Gorgeous Eau de Parfum $122

Keynotes: Floral bouquet, tobacco accord, comforting woods

Another one of the brand’s best-selling fragrances, Gorgeous boasts a lively floral bouquet as a celebration of women. It features classic white florals enhanced by layers of smoky tobacco accord and sheer woods that ooze confidence and ease.

MICHAEL KORS Glam Jasmine Eau de Parfum $59

Key notes: Jasmine, sandalwood, cassis

This floral fragrance boasts glamour and classic femininity with a fresh and fruity aroma that smells as gorgeous as it looks. At its heart is an irresistible combination of jasmine and white flower against warm sandalwood and cassis.

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MICHAEL KORS Coral Eau de Parfum $54

Key notes: Pink grapefruit, orange blossom, pepper

Launched by Michael Kors in 2015, Coral is composed of lively and bright notes including pink grapefruit, lemon, and mandarin. In other words, it smells exactly like summer feels.

MICHAEL KORS Sexy Ruby Eau de Parfum $64

Keynotes: Mandarin orange, jasmine, white musk

Spritz Sexy Ruby when you require added glitz and glamour. Perfect for day-to-night activities, this perfume brilliantly combines notes of tangy apricot, smooth jasmine sambac, and cashmere for an effortlessly cool finish.

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MICHAEL KORS by Michael Kors Eau de Parfum $175

Keynotes: Tuberose, freesia, cashmere wood

Tuberose and freesia are the keynotes that capture my heart in this sensual fragrance. In addition to its creamy florals, this perfume also includes brilliant notes of exotic spices and Moroccan incense.

MICHAEL KORS Gold Luxe Eau de Parfum $74

Keynotes: Mirabelle plum, Casablanca lily, musk

Michael Kors’s Gold Luxe is inspired by refined luxury and the eye-catching brilliance of gold. Mixing notes of hyacinth, gardenia, and sandalwood, this luxurious and fresh fragrance is one of my top choices for life’s biggest occasions.

MICHAEL KORS White Eau de Parfum $71

Keynotes: Tuberose, sweet freesia, musk

Timeless elegance in a bottle, this perfume has all the right notes for its wearer to have an olfactory experience like no other. With a bright burst of tuberose, sweet freesia, and cozy musk, this perfume is easily one of the brand’s most wearable.

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MICHAEL KORS Sparkling Blush Eau de Parfum $68

Key notes: Bergamot, pink frangipani, vanilla notes

Described on the brand’s website as “a scent with as many facts as a women’s spirit,” Michael Kors Sparkling Blush Eau de Parfum is a sultry woody floral amber fragrance crafted from bursts of bright pink pepper, rose petals, and rich vanilla.

MICHAEL KORS Sexy Blossom Eau de Parfum $55

Key notes: Rose petals, pink orchid, sandalwood

Launched in 2016, Sexy Blossom is composed of a mix of vibrant florals and dewy leaves, as well as the warm, earthy notes of ambrox, sandalwood, and musk housed in a super-chic glass bottle.

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MICHAEL KORS Glam Ruby Eau de Parfum $67

Keynotes: Calabrian bergamot, geranium, amber

This woody perfume is the result of a bold and sexy combination of Italian lemon, Calabrian bergamot, amber, and sweet florals. It also happens to be at the top of my list of fragrances that work perfectly for a night out on the town.

MICHAEL KORS Very Hollywood Eau de Parfum $130

Keynotes: Raspberry, ylang-ylang, oakmoss

Have you ever wondered what the stars of Hollywood’s golden era smelled like? This perfume may have come out long after Hollywood’s heyday, but if the biggest names in the business could time travel, we’re sure this fruity floral fragrance would be their top pick.

I tried the Rare Beauty mascara, and my lashes are *very* grateful

Published on by Lee2 Comments

REASONS TO BUY

  • +First of all, the packaging is gorg
  • +It elongates and fans out the lashes without being clumpy
  • +Lasts all day, no flaking to be found

REASONS TO AVOID

  • -Wish it came in a brown shade
  • -On the pricier side for a mascara…
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I tried the Rare Beauty mascara as a lover of natural-looking, perfectly fanned-out lashes—and I think it deserves a bit more love and attention…

@heybriajones

Can only keep an eye out for Selener if the lashes are on fleek @rarebeauty #mascara #blackgirl #makeup #rarebeauty

♬ PRETTY BOY FLOW – Sturdyyoungin

It’s safe to say that finding your go-to, daily mascara is just as important as selecting your best non-comedogenic foundation or ride-or-die sunscreen for your face. It’s a very personal journey and one none of us beauty enthusiasts take lightly—especially when there’s so much choice.

Do you opt for waterproof, brown, lengthening, or super volumizing? And how can you tell which of the best mascaras will deliver lusciously long lashes, without that pesky mascara flaking all over your cheeks before you drop your hard-earned cash on them? All very important questions.

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This is why I’ve done the leg work for you when it comes to the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes mascara, wearing it on the daily, seven days a week. And much like with the Rare Beauty products, I have some thoughts…

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MY MAKEUP PREFERENCES

I keep my makeup pretty natural. For my base, I wear a glow filter (usually Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight), followed by Armani’s Luminous Silk foundation, eyebrow gel, blush, and highlighter.

Eye-wise, I keep it pretty minimal, just opting for mascara on a normal day—sometimes I pair it with an all-over eyeshadow, but I’m not an eyeliner gal, despite there being some great eyeliners for beginners out there. So, I rely on my mascara to make me look awake and somewhat put together, while still keeping it natural—so preferably, no clumps in sight

@realstephaniegreene

Taking the @rarebeauty perfect strokes mascara out for a spin tonight ✨ use code LASH23! today and get a free travel size mascara with a purchase of $40+ at rarebeauty.com to celebrate national lash day 😌 #rarebeauty #rarebeautygiftedme #beautytok #beautyreview #rarebeautymascara #rarebeautyreview #blackgirltiktok #blackbeauty #blackbeautyblogger #nomakeupmakeup

♬ just like magic – Ariana Grande

IS THE RARE BEAUTY MASCARA WATERPROOF?

Now, onto the key info, is the Rare Mascara waterproof? 

It’s described as having a ‘water-resistant formula,’ so theoretically it should be able to withstand getting caught in a surprise rain shower or a gentle cry sesh. Technically though, it’s not fully waterproof—but I prefer that as it’s easier to remove with a makeup remover or micellar water, without needing to be too vigorous.

HOW TO APPLY THE RARE BEAUTY MASCARA

To apply this mascara, I’d recommend curling your lashes first with your preferred eyelash curler, before then gently wiggling the mascara wand from side to side as you stroke up along your lashes, from root to tip. This side-to-side motion will feather out your lashes and will help to get an even coating on your lashes and avoid clumps.

WHAT’S IN THE RARE BEAUTY MASCARA?

This mascara is formulated with castor oil, which helps to condition and nourish your lashes—plus it’s vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, ophthalmologist-tested, dermatologist-tested, and suitable for anyone with sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers.

BEAUTYLEEBAR VERDICT ON THE RARE BEAUTY MASCARA

So, is this Rare Beauty mascara good? My answer is yes. It does everything it promises to do—it’s buildable, comfortable, volumizing, and lasts all day without smudging.

I’ve worn it every day, seven days a week, for over a month, and haven’t experienced any transferring or flaking. I’m also a big fan of its chunky tube, with its soft, matte pink finish. It feels expensive and looks soo cute in my makeup bag.

It’s also easy to apply, even with a slightly large wand, which I wouldn’t necessarily have gone for, but didn’t find it in any way messy or hard to handle. In fact, with every use, it leaves my lashes looking lengthened, voluminous, and curled up—and it lasts all day long, so everything you can ask of a mascara. The formula itself feels great on the lashes as well, not super stiff or brittle.

@nikkissecretxx

In honour of seeing @Selena Gomez last night @Rare Beauty event I HAD to try out this little hack😍 #selenagomez #selenagomezmakeup #rarebeauty

♬ original sound – vsqethereal
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This Rare Beauty mascara fends off moisture well (from tears and even sweat from a gym sesh) but comes off like a dream with a bit of micellar water.

My main gripe with this product though is that it’s only available in black—if this came in a soft brown shade, it would be a real game-changer. There’s also the question of the price…

This mascara will set you back $20 which is pretty pricey for a mascara. That being said—like with all of Rare’s line-up—the amount of product you get for the money is generous since the tube is pretty chunky.

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So, my final verdict: it’s great and if you’ve been hunting far and wide for a mascara that is both gentle on your eyes but still delivers length and volume, this could be one to try. I will say this though, other mascaras out there are comparable and more inexpensive on the market, but if you’re a Selena stan looking to make another (or your first) Rare Beauty purchase, I’d recommend it for the cute tube alone!