ReportWire

Tag: Beauty

  • Jet Set: Winter Skincare Saviors

    Cyklar Vanilla Verve Urea Hand Cream

    This is a new addition to my routine, and a much-needed one. Some context: One of my favorite compliments is when someone tells me I have the softest hands, and unfortunately, this winter has been exceptionally cruel to my skin. Seriously, my knuckles are looking downright scaly as of late, and I’m simply not here for it. I’m somewhat sensitive to scents, and don’t love anything too strong when it comes to lotions, but I recently started slathering on this vanilla hand cream, and I’m obsessed. Yes, it’s hydrating and softening, but perhaps most importantly, it’s also very fast-absorbing, because some of us don’t enjoy feeling like there’s a film on the top layer of our skin for hours after application. And the fragrance? Utterly delicious.


    $22, shop now

    Morgan Halberg

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  • Georgia woman receives ‘extremely hard to find’ $180 Viktor & Rolf perfume from Ulta as gift. Um… is it used?: ‘Might be old’

    A woman from Georgia just got a chance to see a Viktor & Rolf perfume she received for Christmas. But wait—it’s already been used by an Ulta customer?

    In a video with over 38,000 views, Teagan Alexandra (@missteaganalexandra) explained how she ended up with a hard-to-find bottle of Viktor & Rolf’s Bon Bon women’s perfume that a customer might have used. But worse, her mother had already spent $200 on the bottle and gave it to her for Christmas.

    So, how did Teagan receive a bottle that’s already been sprayed from or used, especially considering her mother already spent more for the perfume?

    Did she purchase a used bottle from Ulta?

    Teagan noticed while unwrapping her bottle of Viktor & Rolf’s perfume for Christmas that it came with no plastic covering—an obvious sign, she says, that the bottle had been tampered with or used. 

    Commenters generally agreed, saying that Bon Bon usually comes with a plastic wrapping that customers have to take off. Teagan didn’t mention just how much of the bottle seemed used, but her video indicated that she thought an Ulta employee sold her a used product, and the bottle was visibly not filled up. 

    As one viewer stated, “So logically, physically, scientifically it can’t be [100-percent] full. The bow corners are higher than the opening for the atomizer.” 

    It’s possible that the perfume bottle was a tester that accidentally got repackaged for general sale. Ulta offers many of its perfumes for customers to spray in-store and test, including Viktor & Rolf perfumes. 

    It’s also a possibility that someone returned the bottle, leading to an employee repackaging it and selling it at full price. Ulta also processes returns for barely used items within 30 days. A customer may have returned the perfume bottle, leading to it being resold.

    “Ulta employee here….if it was still wrapped in plastic then it was not used,” said one commenter. “If the box was unwrapped then there’s a huge chance it was returned and resold.”

    Is the bottle just made to look slightly emptier despite being full?

    Some commenters offered an alternative theory as to what happened to the bottle: nothing. They figured that the odd shape of Viktor & Rolf’s Bon Bon perfume was the reason why the bottle looked somewhat empty, not any sort of malicious usage. 

    “Looking online, it looks like they all come like that. Since the bottle is an odd shape, it probably holds more than the amount they put in it. So you are still getting the amount of liquid on the box…” said one viewer. 

    Ultimately, if the bottle did get returned, it doesn’t seem as though a large amount of the product ended up getting used. Still, many viewers questioned Ulta’s business practices and the lack of plastic wrapping around the package. 

    How much does Bon Bon ladies’ perfume cost? 

    Bon Bon, a famous scent by Viktor & Rolf, does not actually appear on Ulta’s website. The perfume has apparently appeared less and less in retail spaces or online, thus making it a relatively rare scent for consumers.

    But, Teagan’s mother said she got the perfume in a three-ounce bottle for $200 at an Ulta location that still carries it. That price is more than that of other stores that currently carry it. Victor & Rolf lists the perfume for $20 less than what her mother purchased it for at Ulta. Amazon lists the perfume as $180 as well, which is cheaper than Ulta’s price. 

    Then, there are platforms like Fragrance.net that reportedly sell three-ounce bottles of the perfume for $149.99, which is $50 less than Ulta’s reported price. 

    Should she return the Ulta product?

    Viewers generally urged Teagan to return the perfume and buy it from different sources in the future. 

    One commenter specifically warned Teagan to return the bottle, considering the potential risks that could occur when using a tampered product.

    “I’d return it regardless. It’s used… tampered with. I’ve worked there and Nordstroms and people refill bottles with other perfumer and tamper when returning,” a viewer shared. “I’ve seen it all. I wouldn’t mess with it. One lady got a bad infection from a used [perfume because] someone put a different chemical in a bottle of [perfume]. [The] customer called corporate on us.” 

    So, it may be worthwhile for Teagan to replace the bottle while she has an opportunity. But, with the Christmas return window closing, it may not be possible to do so.

    @missteaganalexandra @Ulta Beauty please help me!!!! #ultabeauty #ulta #viktorandrolf ♬ original sound – missteaganalexandra

    We’ve reached out to Viktor & Rolf and Ulta via email. We also sent a TikTok direct message to Teagan Alexandra regarding her bottle of perfume.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Rachel Thomas

    Rachel Joy Thomas is a music journalist, freelance writer, and hopeful author who resides in Los Angeles, CA. You can email her at [email protected].

    Rachel Thomas

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  • Woman takes advantage of Bath & Body Works sale. Then the package arrives—and she realizes she may’ve been scammed: ‘Where’s the rest?’

    An Australian woman splurges on several items during Bath & Body Works’ online sale. However, she instantly has a plethora of issues with the order. Her final straw was when some of her items didn’t show up after weeks of waiting.

    TikToker Abbey Coquillon (@abbeysworld) says she placed an order in late December for two full-priced items and two heavily discounted items. While she received a confirmation email instantly, she realizes a week later that she hadn’t seen a shipment email and reaches out to Bath & Body Works.

    “They said they were having high demand and it was taking a while,” she explains in the video with over 18,000 views. Then, another two weeks go by without any word on her order.

    “I had to email them again. They’re like, ‘Rest assured, your order is with us and it will get sent out soon,”” Coquillon recounts.

    Did she eventually receive her order?

    She finally received her order more than three and a half weeks later, which took way longer than she expected. But she can’t believe what she sees when she opens the box.

    “It was only two items. Where’s the rest of my order?” Coquillon says. She reaches out to the brand again and it informs her that some of her order items were out of stock. It offers her a refund on the items that didn’t come.

    “I never got an email or anything to say that something was out of stock,” she continues, noting that the delivery email listed all of the items in her original order.

    Coquillon notes that the missing items were the discounted ones.

    “So, I paid full price for no [expletive] reason,” she laments. “Is that not like scamming lowkey?” Her total refund was around $8.

    In the caption, she writes, “And I tried to explain this and I just got a bot response…. Guys I feel like this is a rip off?? At least TERRIBLE communication on their part.”

    According to Bath & Body Works’ Australian site, the brand assures customers that items may be sent in multiple orders. However, it suggests that it would send multiple tracking numbers in this case.

    Have other customers had issues with Bath & Body Works orders?

    Other Bath & Body Works customers report repeated issues with trying to get all the items in their online orders on social media.

    One shopper on the r/bathandbodyworks subreddit placed two consecutive orders in 2024, both of which were missing some of the items despite being “charged for the full order.”

    “I feel like bath and body works has scammed me. I ordered 8 of the same gift set to give to friends and 3 lip products. And for some reason only 1 of the sets and 2 of the lip products arrived,” they explain. “I placed another order. But for some reason again only one set arrived.”

    Another shares a similar experience. They comment, “Same thing happened to me ,I ordered 17 items during the $5.95 one wick candle sale and only received 6 items ,customer service rep reordered what was missing but when the new package arrived out of the 11 products I was still missing 5 items.”

    “This same thing has happened to me on my last several orders. I was shorted 6/10 candles from the candle day sale. I am so disappointed,” a third commenter adds.

    Her viewers have the same problem, too

    In the comments of Coquillon’s video, other customers share more recent frustrations with the brand. Some suggest reporting Bath & Body Works to “fair trading.”

    “I ordered on the 28th of December. It arrived today and I’m missing an item so I’ve had to email them today,” one comments.

    “Girl same, so I ordered on the 24th 4x body sprays, 1x lip balm, 1x hand cream & one lavender spray got everything BUT the sprays,” another writes, saying that they also never received a refund promised by Bath & Body Works after calling customer service.

    A third says she no longer shops at Bath & Body Works for the same reason. “Everytime I’ve done a order it’s taken forever to ship and had the same issue with things being ‘out of stock’ but they don’t say anything,” she says.

    @abbeysworld

    And I tried to explain this and I just got a bot response…. Guys I feel like this is a rip off?? At least TERRIBLE communication on their part

    ♬ original sound – ABBEY COQUILLON

    The Mary Sue reached out to Coquillon via Instagram and TikTok direct message and to Bath & Body Works via email for further comment.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Rebekah Harding

    Rebekah Harding is a reporter and content strategist based in Philadelphia. You can contact her at rebekahjonesharding.com.

    Rebekah Harding

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  • Why could no one buy an Ulta World ticket? A cybersecurity expert weighs in: ‘I waited online for over an hour’ 

    When Ulta dropped its tickets for the Ulta Beauty World Expo, chaos ensued. Over 3 million people were scrambling to get a ticket, of which there were only 3,000.

    Needless to say, some beauty enthusiasts were left disappointed. One of them is cybersecurity expert Alissa (@cyb3ralissa).

    Addressing the camera, she said, “As somebody who works in cybersecurity, this is why nobody in the public could actually buy an Ulta Beauty World ticket today.”

    She began by explaining that she was extremely prepared, having “followed every single tip from those group chats” and even taking advantage of her cyber skills.

    “I thought that I had it in the bag because I implemented a client-side refresh interval, a controlled three-second reload cadence, to maintain session freshness without overwhelming the endpoint,” she explained. “It also automatically disabled on any user interaction. So the refresh shut off the second I could actually do anything. I still barely got the chance—I waited in the queue for an hour.”

    What was wrong?

    The most “interesting” part for Alissa was that there were allegedly source code snippets that showed that invite codes were pre-generated before the tickets were released.

    She continued, “Based on the naming pattern and timing, many people are assuming that these codes were tied to influencers. From a technical standpoint, this rollout had several red flags. If these invite codes were validated before the queue, that means that some users bypassed demand entirely. The queue system itself appeared to be very client-side heavy, meaning that your browser session, not a centralized server, was doing most of the work.”

    “There was also no visible rate limiting, which means that your device or region could have limited where you were in line,” she added. “In short, this wasn’t a first-come, first-served queue at all. It was fragmented access disguised as public sale.”

    Alissa didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.

    However, some commenters appeared to disprove Alissa’s theory. “I’m a regular person, and I happened to get a ticket,” one wrote.

    “I was able to get a ticket, I’m a regular person,” a second added. “People are saying 3k isn’t enough tickets but they have to have a limit on number of ppl that can be managed.”

    In a reply to this comment, a third user said, “That’s not the point girl you are one of the lucky ones. The point is it wasn’t a fair event. If they wanted it invite only cool but don’t deceive the public as if everyone had a chance when it was very limited to begin with!”

    Similarly, a fourth claimed, “I bought a ticket for my wife on my gaming desktop and I know nothing about Ulta Beauty World before she told me about it. Why are we lying about this? Get better WiFi…”

    To which a fifth commenter replied, “Tell that to the 3 MILLION people who tried getting tickets. Your WiFi must be so insanely good if 3 million people struggled and you didn’t. Good for you.”

    @cyb3ralissa did we all just beta-test the biggest queue failure of 2026? It’s okay, I was in it too #ultabeautyworld ♬ Mozart/Requiem “Lacrimosa”(1394506) – Mint

    What is Ulta Beauty World?

    The Ulta Beauty World Expo is described on its website as “an immersive beauty experience like no other.”

    The event, which is returning after a successful 2025 run, boasts more than 200 brand partner booths, makeup, and more. Not to mention a live DJ, food and drink, and beauty swag bags worth $2,000.

    It will also have makeup masterclasses led by stars like Jonathan Van Ness and Donni Davy. The expo takes place on April 15 and 16.

    Ulta didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via email.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Charlotte Colombo

    Charlotte is an internet culture writer with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City St George’s, University of London.

    Charlotte Colombo

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  • Pennsylvania woman picks up car from getting oil change at Walmart. Then the worker at the register starts sniffing her: ‘It was you’

    A Pennsylvania woman has gone viral after an encounter at Walmart took a surprising turn. As she picked up her car from getting an oil filter change, she was left speechless by the man at the register.

    Colby (@thisiscolbyspeaking) shared her story while sitting in her car in a TikTok video that has amassed 280,600 views.

    What did the Walmart worker tell her?

    “I just picked up my car from getting an oil filter change at Walmart, and the guy at the register that was like, getting my key and my receipt and everything, all of a sudden went, ‘It was you,”” she recounted.

    She continued, “I already know. I already know, but I let him tell me anyway.”

    She then went on to describe how the man told her she “smell[ed] so good,” before revealing the perfume she was wearing.

    “What am I wearing today, you may ask?” she said. ” I’m wearing Sol de Janeiro, […] [but] the piece de resistance is Marshmallow Moon by Fairy Nest. It’s a seller on Etsy. Marshmallow Moon is the name of the perfume. Is the best marshmallow perfume. I have three bottles of it. I’m obsessed with it. And yes, I do smell good, but thank you, because that is my favorite compliment.”

    She ended by noting that whilst the worker was “checking [her] out,” he was fully sniffing the air.

    Colby didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.

    @thisiscolbyspeaking Shout out to @Vania MicKelle my favorite fragrance YouTuber – Marshmallow Moon is always a hit! ? ☁️ #sotd #perfumetok ♬ original sound – Colby

    ‘I love it when this happens’

    Commenters agreed that being told that they smell good is the best kind of acknowledgement.

    “Being told you smell good is seriously the best compliment! Also, thank you for spreading the love and sharing with the class,” one wrote. “My best friend likes scents like these and hasn’t been able to find a good marshmallow that’s not super eh or cheapy. Running to share the deets with her now, just as Paul Revere would’ve had it.”

    “The BEST compliment. I swear,” a second echoed. “Also thanks for sharing.”

    While a third added, “I literally had a coworker come up to me yesterday going ‘I really hope this isn’t weird,’ like no, tell me, I love being told I smell good.”

    What is Marshmallow Moon?

    Over on Etsy, the Marshmallow Moon perfume, which is made by seller Fairy Nest Fragrances, is currently sold out. It costs approximately $56.47 (£41.85).

    The product description is as follows: “Indulge in the ultimate sweet escape with Marshmallow Moon. An airy confection of spun sugar glimmers at the top. At its heart, fluffy marshmallows melt into a cloud of creamy warmth. Finally, a base of rich, warm vanilla adds a velvety depth, creating a lingering, cozy embrace. Soft yet indulgent, this scent is perfect for those who want to smell like a bag of marshmallows!”

    In turn, the perfume has gotten rave reviews. “Can’t stop sniffing myself,” one reviewer wrote. “Had to order a 2nd bottle!”

    “This is the perfect marshmallow scent for me!” a second declared. “Nothing fruity or smoky..Just pure, sweet fluff.”

    A third called it an “absolute masterpiece,” and a fourth promised: “You will smell delicious with this scent!”

    Fairy Nest Fragrances didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via Etsy message.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Charlotte Colombo

    Charlotte is an internet culture writer with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City St George’s, University of London.

    Charlotte Colombo

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  • Pennsylvania woman gets infection from nail salon. Then it leads to her finger being amputated: ‘I coulda lost my arm’

    A Pennsylvania woman decides to treat herself to a manicure at a local nail salon. However, she notices something strange on her finger that leads to a scary emergency hospital visit. If she waited to get treatment, she believes the situation could have ended even worse.

    In a video with over 1.5 million views, TikToker Ashley Christmas (@ashthegoddess09) sits on the floor as she records, showing her bandaged hand.

    She says that soon after her manicure, she started to feel “tingly” in her right middle finger.

    “I didn’t think anything of it,” she says. “I just kinda brushed it off.”

    Days later, she noticed that her finger was “extremely swollen and painful.” However, because she dislikes hospitals, she decides to wait it out for a few more days. Her finger’s condition didn’t improve.

    Finally, she heads to the emergency room, where the staff gives her pain medication. They transfer her to a hand specialist at another hospital to check out her swollen finger.

    She stays the night at the second hospital and takes antibiotics. The next day, the doctor examines her hand and decides to make an incision to drain the infected pus.

    Did the antibiotics work on the infected nail?

    Unfortunately, the antibiotics and first procedure don’t completely fix her pain and swelling. So, they decided to surgically remove her nail and make multiple incisions on her finger.

    “They flushed it, cleaned it out, whatever,” she explains.

    The hospital discharges her, and she returns to the hand specialist a few days later. After seeing her finger, he decides to readmit her to amputate the tip of her finger after another unsuccessful flush of the infection.

    “They were afraid that there still might have been some infection,” she says. “This time it was very aggressive.”

    Christmas shares that she was taken aback at first, as she loves to dress up and get her nails done.

    “My confidence was instantly shot,” she shares. However, she’s ultimately thankful the infection didn’t spread to her hand or arm.

    She shares that she initially filmed the TikTok about a year ago but finally wanted to share her story as she looks into legal advice. However, in her latest update, she says that personal injury firms she reached out to don’t want to take on her case because the nail salon’s lawyer wanted to settle.

    “They tried to throw out an [expletive] $5000, but what the [expletive],” she says, holding up her amputated finger.

    In a TikTok direct message to The Mary Sue, Christmas says she recently switched attorneys and plans to “proceed with the lawsuit.”

    How common are infections from nail salons?

    While nail salons are held to high standards of cleanliness, including sanitizing between customers, infections are still shockingly common.

    According to Memorial Hermann Health System, polishes and nail tools may harbor MRSA, Staph, or other pathogens that can be easily jump to the nail or finger during a service. These bugs can be extremely dangerous, potentially causing major injury or death if they cause an infection.

    In less severe cases, customers may also catch fungal infections, which can damage the nail permanently.

    In the comments of Christmas’s viral TikTok, others say her story makes them think twice about getting a salon manicure.

    “I’m realizing imma have to go to cosmetology school JUST to learn how to do my own hair and nails,” one writes.

    Another insists, “I will never go to another nail salon again.”

    “No one can ever convince me to get my nails done! I just cannot…as pretty as some of them look,” a third says.

    @ashthegoddess09 If you visit nail Salons, WATCH THIS ‼️‼️this video was recording almost a year ago, I’ll post an update soon #nailsalon #nailinfection #amputee #explorepage✨ #fyp ♬ original sound – Ashley Christmas

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Rebekah Harding

    Rebekah Harding is a reporter and content strategist based in Philadelphia. You can contact her at rebekahjonesharding.com.

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  • ‘A packet of soy sauce has more product’: New Jersey woman buys pack of minis from Sephora. Then she sees the insulting Gisou hair oil bottle

    New Jersey woman Katie (@llewynthecat) has gone viral after feeling short-changed over a Sephora freebie. But is her upset justified?

    In the clip, which has amassed 118,100 views, she held up a bottle of Gisou hair oil to the camera—the bottle was less than half full.

    “What the hell is this, Sephora?” she asked. “I just got this as part of the minis that you get if you spend $90 on Sephora right now. And this is how much I got in my thing that was already only 0.1 ounces.”

    “And like, I know it was free, but come on, it’s not even halfway full,” she added. “What am I supposed to do with this? Like, the packaging isn’t even oily. And neither is anything in this bag. So, like, it’s not like it spilled. It just wasn’t ever full. Come on.”

    Tagging Sephora in the description, Katie added, “I know this was free but this was so disappointing.”

    “Not to mention they shipped it separately from my order, which isn’t coming until tomorrow. Yes, I know this is a champagne problem, please let me complain.”

    The TikToker didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.

    @llewynthecat @sephora I know this was free but this was so disappointing 🙁 No to mention they shipped it separately from my order which isn’t coming until tomorrow. Yes I know this is a champagne problem, please let me complain #sephora #sample #mini #beauty #makeup ♬ i was only temporary – my head is empty

    People are on her side

    In the comments, users couldn’t believe how empty the bottle was. “That’s like 2 drops,” one wrote. That’s a pill size,” another added. “No way we’re letting companies give us half full bottles,” a third said, shocked.

    And a fourth quipped, “A packet of soy sauce has more product than what’s in there.”

    Meanwhile, a fifth speculated, “They give influencers more, which is disappointing since we’re actually paying for it,” while a sixth suggested, “We should boycott Sephora.”

    Sephora and Gisou didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via email.

    Shopper feels short-changed by Glossier Sephoria freebie

    Katie isn’t the only one to draw the short straw when it comes to certain Sephora freebies.

    As part of Sephora’s Beauty Insider program, customers enrolled can collect a free birthday reward, which usually consists of a box of travel-sized products like makeup, skincare, and perfume.

    However, when TikToker Hajra (@itshellohajra) opened her box of Glossier goodies, she was shocked to discover that the Glossier Cloud Paint blush only has 0.13 fl oz of product. In the background was the viral audio: “I hope you’re hungry…for nothing.”

    Evidently, there seems to be a growing frustration over Sephora’s freebies—the question is, will they listen?

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Charlotte Colombo

    Charlotte is an internet culture writer with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City St George’s, University of London.

    Charlotte Colombo

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  • An Australian woman gets her lip filler dissolved. Then she’s rushed to the hospital in an ambulance: ‘Did they dissolve it with a baseball bat?’

    As lip filler ages, it may migrate to other areas of the face, creating an undesired look. While it’s usually fixable with a simple dissolver procedure, one Australian woman shares her scary experience as a heads-up to others.

    In a video with over 18.5 million views, TikToker Gabby Goessling (@gabby.goessling) posts a clip of her taking a mirror selfie before her lip filler dissolver appointment.

    On-screen text reads, “‘I’m getting my lip filler dissolved so my lips will be a bit swollen, but I’ll still come to the pub, I’ll just wear a mask.”

    However, the situation takes an unexpected turn. She shares a picture of her lips, which appear swollen and purple after the procedure. In subsequent pictures, her entire lower face and eyes puff up, suggesting a severe allergic reaction.

    The caption reads, “Why tf can’t anything normal happen to me?”

    In a follow-up video, she confirms that she experienced an allergic reaction and an ambulance took her to the hospital. In the days after her reaction, her swelling slowly goes down and returns to normal. Her lip filler is gone, too.

    How common is an allergy to lip filler dissolver?

    Most lip fillers contain hyaluronic acid, which gives the lips a plump and moisturized look. So, aesthetic practitioners have to use hyaluronidase to break down the filler once clients decide to dissolve.

    Hyaluronidase allergy is extremely rare, with only around one in 2,000 patients having a true allergy, according to Dr. Tom Pierce, a U.K.-based cosmetic doctor. A severe allergy, like the one the TikToker had, is even less common.

    Those with a bee allergy may be more prone to a severe hyaluronidase reaction, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In these cases, a lip injector may use an alternative to reduce the risk of a reaction.

    How did viewers react?

    In the comments, viewers joke with Goessling about her puffy post-dissolver face.

    “Did they dissolve it with a baseball bat?” one asks. The TikToker replies, “Hahahahahah.”

    Another comments, “Did they use hornets to remove the filler or what? Girlll.”

    “I thought you were using a filter for funnies but it just got realer and realer,” a commenter adds.

    Others say Goessling’s experience makes them think twice about getting lip filler.

    “I have been de-influenced,” a viewer remarks.

    “And now I’m leaving my chopped lips alone yup this confirms it,” a second writes.

    A third jokes, “Seeing this is like condoms in the 90’s. Prevention. Just don’t put that shit in your body. I hope u are ok.”

    “Everytime I get the itch to do my lips Im coming here.. ive seen some bad ones but this one tops it. Oh my gosh, girl! are you okay. also thank you for scaring me on NEVER doing it,” another says.

    @gabby.goessling

    why tf can’t anything normal happen to me ??

    ♬ original sound – Emotionallove2x

    The Mary Sue reached out to Goessling via email and Instagram direct message for further comment. We will update the story when she replies.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Rebekah Harding

    Rebekah Harding is a reporter and content strategist based in Philadelphia. You can contact her at rebekahjonesharding.com.

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  • ‘Sent hubby to get mine today’: Women are going crazy for the ‘Harbor Freight spray tan hack.’ Does it work?

    Spray tans aren’t cheap. Depending on where you live and which type you choose, it can run anywhere from $25 to $80 per session, something you’re expected to repeat every week or so if you want to keep the color consistent. Over time, that adds up fast.

    And considering American women already spend more than $600 a year on hair, makeup, and skincare, any trick that promises to cut costs tends to get attention. That’s why the latest TikTok beauty workaround is spreading so quickly: a Harbor Freight paint sprayer, a bottle of spray tan solution, and, ideally, a helpful husband.

    What’s The Hack?

    TikTok creator Palmkai (@palmkai) showed how the hack works in a recent video that pulled in more than 366,000 views. In it, she films the entrance of a Harbor Freight store while text on the screen reads, “POV: your husband saw the Harbor Freight spray tan hack.”

    The clip follows her husband inside the store as he heads straight for the tools aisle and grabs a paint sprayer. She shows the box on camera, revealing that they went with the Central Pneumatic 4 oz. Adjustable Detail Spray Gun, which currently lists for $14.99 on Harbor Freight’s website.

    “A man that takes action,” she wrote on the video’s caption.

    In a follow-up video, she shows how her husband fills the sprayer with tanning solution, how he applies it evenly, and promises to show the final results once the color develops.

    The reason the husband, or at least a second person, keeps showing up in these videos is practical. Spraying yourself evenly, especially across your back and legs, raises the risk of streaks and patchiness. Having someone else handle the sprayer cuts down on awkward angles and missed spots.

    Other TikTokers Swear By It

    Palmkai isn’t alone. A quick search on TikTok turns up dozens of videos from women trying the same hack, often with the same tools and methods. Many say the finish looks closer to a professional spray tan than they expected, especially given the low cost of the equipment.

    That said, the trend also comes with caveats. Paint sprayers aren’t designed for cosmetic use, and spray tanning products are approved for external application only. Professional estheticians receive training to avoid sensitive areas like the face, nose, and mouth. At home, especially with an inexperienced helper, user error becomes more likely.

    There’s also the issue of overspray and ventilation. A paint sprayer can disperse product more aggressively than a standard tanning mist, which means more airborne particles and more wasted solution. Some creators recommend wearing masks or setting up outside or in a garage to avoid breathing anything in.

    Still, for many people watching, the potential savings outweigh the risks—especially when the alternative is paying for salon visits every ten days.

    In the comments, viewers didn’t just watch—they compared notes, swapped tips, and debated whether the hack was worth trying.

    “Someone bring me back for update. My man has a compressor,” one person wrote.

    “My husband did too! And his first spray tan for me was SO GOOD,” another shared.

    Not everyone had a flawless outcome, though. “We got the same one— I looked like a cheetah,” one commenter admitted.

    Others suggested skipping the sprayer entirely. “Pro tip: You can just buy the felt hand mitts for 10 on Amazon and wipe it on every four days after a shower,” one person wrote. “This saves a ton of product and keeps it even as it fades. Makes the bottle last six months or so.”

    @palmkai a man that takes action ? spray tan life hack harbor freight #spraytan #lifehack #spraytanhack #husband ♬ original sound – naddy?

    The Mary Sue has reached out to Palmkai via TikTok messages and to Harbor Freight via email for comment.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Ljeonida Mulabazi

    Ljeonida Mulabazi

    Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and her work can also be found at the Daily Dot.

    Ljeonida Mulabazi

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  • The Sauna Wars Are Heating Up

    When it first opened, Bathhouse was jokingly called the Bitcoin bathhouse, as they use the heat generated from mining to warm the tubs. “The comments were like, ‘Oh they’re laundering money through Bitcoin,’” says Talmadge. “But it’s just a fancy pool heater.” Those jabs did not prepare them for what happened earlier this year, when someone posted on Reddit: “I noticed the hot tub and body temp tub were looking kinda dirty and gross. I thought it would be fine, but then I ended up with a UTI.” The poster added that a friend got a UTI at another location.

    “A UTI doesn’t walk across the river. If it was a problem it would be a pool at a single location at one given day,” says Talmadge. “There is 24-hour computer monitoring, and they are manually logged five times per day, and we keep the logs. We are adjusting the PH and chlorine at all times. Every drop of water at every pool turns over every 30 minutes. All the vessels have their own independent systems so they don’t mix. The water goes through a sand filter that takes out any particles up to two microns, like a receipt in their pocket or a tag that falls off, or a piece of lint. Then it goes through a UV filter, a big tank with three-foot-long light bulbs of pure UV light that will kill all bacteria and viruses. They’re basically sterile.”

    Talmadge and Goodman’s biggest mistake was they didn’t think much of it. “Knowing it wasn’t true, our first reaction was, This isn’t going to go anywhere. Boy, were we wrong,” says Talmadge. What followed was a pile-on, with a former employee alleging on TikTok that Bathhouse had mold issues. (Goodman says it was a photo of a 100-year-old discolored brick wall.) The website Curbed picked up the story in late March, claiming that a former employee shared videos with the publication that seemed to show insects on the floors. The article included a dismissal from Bathhouse.

    “The next morning, NY mag put on their Instagram that they got a video of us cleaning our sewer lines,” Talmage says, noting the post was viewed upwards of 3.5 million times. (“We power jet them out and sometimes nasty stuff comes out—we clean out grease traps; we clean the sand filter.”) Various Substacks and YouTubers picked up the story. “It did affect business,” says Talmadge. “The timing was suspect because we were closing a capital raise the day the article hit.”

    Goodman says the former employee was someone “who had a big beef with an HR person who had left by then…. It could have been handled better. She had a lot of anger. She ended up sending us a written apology.” (A spokesperson for Bathhouse says the situation was resolved amicably.)

    By now things seem normal enough. Talmadge is back to occasionally and anonymously leading aufguss, a German sauna ritual Bathhouse offers hourly that involves a series of snowballs doused in essential oils (one crowded night in November was rosemary and clementine; another chamomile; and the last linseed, vetiver, and spearmint) that melt over hot stones that waft into the air via a towel he twirls around the room spinning it like, well, a helicopter. They’re also expanding across the country, with new locations “in various stages of construction” (and largely funded as built to suit by landlords), including downtown Brooklyn; Philadelphia; suburban New Jersey; Chicago; Nashville; Stamford, CT; Minneapolis; and Hollywood.

    “We get the wellness crowd, but also people who work in finance and other high-stress jobs like doctors and lawyers who are burnt out and overwhelmed,” says Bent, who is one of five cofounders of Othership, including her husband Robbie Bent, who was working for the blockchain Ethereum Foundation when they started to think of the concept.

    Bent says, “Robbie was navigating some addiction issues with drugs and alcohol his whole life, and he went on an ayahuasca retreat and we met after. We would go to whatever local bath place when we traveled because they were open late, especially being sober. It gives you the sensation of an altered state and dopamine with the hot and the cold and brings you out of your shell.” (Which must be working; they have started to host singles nights and can take credit for at least one engagement from people who met while sauna-ing.)

    Marisa Meltzer

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  • ‘I thought stuff like this went to Marshalls’: Mississippi Ulta worker shows what they do with unsold product. Then he demonstrates with Wyn Skin Tint

    The way beauty companies handle unsold inventory has become one of those things customers are only learning about because workers keep filming it.

    Over the past year, Ulta employees have posted videos showing returned makeup being destroyed, often because of contamination concerns.

    Once a product has been opened, tested, or tampered with, stores usually can’t resell it.

    But according to one Mississippi Ulta worker, contamination isn’t the only reason perfectly packaged makeup ends up getting trashed.

    In a recent TikTok that’s now pulled in more than 116,900 views, creator Camdeion (@realcamdeion) showed what happens when a product simply doesn’t sell. The product in question: Wyn Beauty Skin Tint, the complexion line backed by Serena Williams.

    ‘We Told Y’all to Come and Get It’

    In the video, Camdeion sits on the floor next to a co-worker named Bella. In front of them are two boxes. One holds unopened Wyn Beauty Skin Tint still in its original packaging.

    The other is filled with empty containers that have already been poured out.

    “So this is what we do when y’all don’t buy the products,” Camdeion says. “We have to damage it out.”

    He gestures between the two boxes as he explains the process.

    “Y’all do not come here and buy this Wyn Beauty,” he says. “Because, like, it’s still here. Why is it still here?”

    Camdeion explains that the product had already been marked down and put on sale, but even that didn’t help.

    “So me and Bella, we’re gonna basically skin this out,” he says. “Because, like, girl, y’all not coming to buy Serena Williams stuff.”

    As Bella pours the skin tint into the discard box, Camdeion keeps talking through it.

    “And it’s on sale to the first of the year, honey,” he says. “And this is a skin tint. That’s what it’s giving.”

    He adds that while some people said the formula was good, he had heard complaints about oxidation.

    “I’ve heard that it oxidizes really bad,” he says. “So, um, no thank you.”

    For a lot of viewers, the most shocking part wasn’t the review. It was the fact that unopened makeup was being destroyed instead of being sent somewhere else.

    What Do Shoppers Actually Think of Wyn Beauty Skin Tint?

    The product never reached full viral status, but it did find an audience. On Reddit, shoppers who tried Wyn Beauty Skin Tint had mixed but detailed opinions, especially around oxidation.

    One person wrote that they loved the formula but noticed a clear shade shift. “It’s really pretty. I bought the concealer and tint yesterday,” they shared. “Tint oxidizes quite a bit, like two shades deeper.”

    They added that choosing a lighter shade helped offset the issue, and they didn’t mind the oxidation because they liked how the product wore.

    Another shopper echoed that experience. “Love the finish. Love the buildable coverage. It totally oxidized on me though.”

    Others said oxidation wasn’t an issue for them at all. “I have extremely dry skin and it works beautifully on me,” one person wrote. “No oxidation on me.”

    So while the product wasn’t universally disliked, it also didn’t catch on in a way that kept it from ending up in Ulta’s damage bin.

    @realcamdeion I told y’all to come and buy some of this @WYN BEAUTY it’s literally 75% off ? #workvlog #ultaemployee #wynbeauty ♬ original sound – Camdeion | Beauty Enthusiast

    Why Unsold Makeup Doesn’t End Up at Discount Stores

    A lot of viewers had the same reaction: Shouldn’t unopened makeup like this end up at places like Marshalls or TJ Maxx?

    In reality, many brands—especially those positioned as luxury or prestige—avoid that route on purpose. According to industry explanations from retailers like Darveys, dumping unsold inventory into off-price stores can hurt a brand’s image. Luxury and prestige brands rely on scarcity and exclusivity. If products start popping up everywhere at steep discounts, that perception falls apart fast.

    There’s also the issue of gray markets. Once products leave official channels, they can end up resold through unauthorized sellers. That creates problems for brands trying to control pricing, distribution, and authenticity.

    Counterfeiting plays a role too. The global fake goods market is massive, and makeup is no exception. If unsold items circulate too freely, it becomes easier for counterfeiters to study packaging and formulas, making it harder for customers to tell real from fake.

    All of that makes destroying unsold product, as wasteful as it looks, a calculated decision for many companies.

    In the comments, viewers didn’t hold back.

    “I wish Ulta and Sephora had a donation program,” one person wrote. “They could give stuff like this to local women’s shelters.”

    Others shared their own experience with the product. “I bought it on the clearance and still returned it,” one commenter said.

    Another added, “Ulta marked that way down. I got it and it wasn’t bad but a little drying. You need good skin prep.”

    Some focused less on the formula and more on marketing. “I’m sad,” one person wrote. “She had decent products but she never advertised it.”

    And a few comments turned more personal. “Even if the product was good, Serena and her makeup choices have always been questionable to me,” one viewer said. “Therefore I’ve never been interested.”

    The Mary Sue has reached out to Ulta to ask about the handling of unsold inventory shown in the video. We’ve also contacted Camdeion via email for additional comment.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Ljeonida Mulabazi

    Ljeonida Mulabazi

    Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and her work can also be found at the Daily Dot.

    Ljeonida Mulabazi

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  • Gift Guide 2025: Haircare gifts everyone will love

    Know someone who is hair obsessed? Then they’ll likely have one (or more) of these haircare items on their holiday wish list.

    L’Oreal Glycolic Gloss Shine Trio Set is a shampoo, conditioner, and treatment trio powered by an up to 17% Glycolic Acid Gloss Complex that penetrates deeply into the hair fiber to improve hair quality and seal cuticles with a lasting glossy effect. Perfect for dull, porous hair, this three-step routine transforms your hair, leaving it two times shinier and 88% smoother for up to 10 washes.

    The Dreame AirStyle Pro 7-in-1 Hair Styler & High Speed Dryer has seven snap-on attachments to transform your look effortlessly. From sleek straight styles to voluminous curls, this all-in-one tool adapts to every hair type, giving you salon-quality results at home.

    The Shark Glam Hot Tool Air Styling & Drying System is where your holiday glow-up starts. It’s designed with innovative heat-controlled ceramic and powerful airflow that will let you unlock smooth silky finishes, glossy blowouts, and ultra-high-shine styles without heat damage on wet and dry hair. Whether you’re prepping for festive gatherings or gifting glam to someone special, this is the gift that will transform anyone’s hair routine and have everyone asking what tool they used.

    The Phillips OneBlade does it all. Trim, edge, and shave any length of hair on the face, body, and below-the-belt. It’s the multitasker you didn’t know you needed until you had it.

    The new Dyson Airwrap multi-styler and dryer is the most powerful Dyson Airwrap multi-styler for supercharged styling. That means better curling, faster drying, and straighter styles without damage from heat.

    Designme Dream Mane is a deep hydration and shine limited-edition holiday kit. It features the complete GLOSS.ME hydration and shine collection in mini sizes, and is designed to moisturize, smooth frizz, boost shine, and make hair more manageable.

    Olaplex’s Full-On Shine Set defies expectations by delivering smoother, stronger, shinier hair in just one use. This collection, featuring No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment, No.3 Hair Perfector, No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, and full sizes of No.6 Bond Smoother and OLAPLEX No.7 Bonding Oil, works together to repair, cleanse, and style for sleek softness, frizz control, and luminous shine.   

    The Curlsmith Curl Discovery Kit is a collection of four mini bestsellers, for all curl types, that cleanses, conditions, and provides definition and hold. It includes Essential Moisture Shampoo, Essential Moisture Conditioner, Weightless Air-Dry Leave-in Conditioning Cream, and Curl Defining Styling Hair Souffle Gel. 

    By: Jennifer Cox The Suburban

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  • R29 Lookbook: Winter 2025/26 Fashion & Beauty Lookbook

    CREDITS:

    Chief Content Officer: Brooke DeVard;
    Featured Stylist: Christine Nicholson;
    Featured Celebrity & Editorial Makeup Artist: Katie Jane Hughes;
    Featured Nail Artist: Naomi Yasuda;
    Featured Hairstylist: David Lopez;
    Photographer: Emma Anderson;

    Model: Gracen Wilkins, Yared Chavez, Ravyanashi Mehta, Delphine Clowe,Adama Jobe;

    1st Photo Assistant: Daniel Johnson;
    2nd Photo Assistant: Rob Critchlow;
    Digital Imaging Technician: Evan Browning;
    Director of Photography: Winnie Cheung;
    Social Shooter/Editor: Michelle Dufflocq;
    B-Cam Operator: Isabel Padilla;
    Audio Operator: Vera Quispe;
    Production Assistant: Jordan Chavez- Darquea;

    Make-up Assistant: Zane J. Chen;
    Manicurist Assistant: Tracy Lok;
    Wardrobe Assistant: Angie Hines;
    Hairstylist Assistant: Natasha Kristine;
    Make-up Artist – Brooke: Melissa Drouillard;

    VP, Creative: Praise Paige;
    Photography & Social Director: Lauren Stair;
    Senior Creative Director: Elyza Parker;
    Senior Creative Director: Hayley Champoux;
    Producer, Production: Sharon Viera;
    Supervising Social Producer: Jordan Bogigian;
    Production Coordinator: Dawnie Jefferson;
    Talent Manager: Anne Marie Andrews;
    Social – Strategy: Taylor Loren;
    Social: Lia Tabackman;
    Fashion: Victoria Montalti;

    R29 Team

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  • R29 Winter Lookbook: 5 Festive Looks To Recreate This Season

    The classic après-ski aesthetic will never go out of style, but it can always be refreshed for everyday wear. Stylist Christine Nicholson says the Snowed Under look is “who I would want to be on any given day,” and adds that it was inspired by “skiing in the Alps, vintage Chanel ads, and vintage Courrèges.” But it’s reimagined so that you can channel a ski resort vacationer even if you live far from the slopes. That means reaching for hooded scarves, slip skirts, and Moon Boots rather than actual ski apparel. 

    Instead of icy, frosty tones, makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes interpreted the theme through healthy, glowing skin, softly sculpted lids and cheekbones, and, most notably, a delicate smattering of rhinestone freckles applied individually. Meanwhile, nail artist Naomi Yasuda remixed the classic French manicure with 3D textured tips reminiscent of frozen geodomes. An elongated, squared shape adds old-school glam.

    Get the look: “I think to pull any ski look together, you need a really great hat or snood, and a fantastic pair of goggles or eyewear,” says Nicholson. She also highlights “ribbed leggings — knit, preferably cashmere or merino wool,” as a winter wardrobe staple, and suggests adding a statement scarf to look stylish without sacrificing warmth. “I think you can guarantee warmth and functionality wearing a scarf, and you can still always turn out a look.”

    Victoria Montalti

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  • R29’s Winter Lookbook: “Glow In The Darkest Months”

    Winter is the season to create your own joy.

    The light dims, the temperatures drop, and suddenly the world asks you to become your own source of warmth. But joy in winter isn’t found — it’s self-initiated. It’s the glitter you swipe on for an office party, the text inviting friends over when the instinct is to hibernate, the little acts of glamour that lift your mood when the sun clocks out early.

    Although I live in sunny Los Angeles now — and this will be my third winter here — the New Yorker in me will never forget what the season truly feels like. I know the sharp bite of wind on your face, the sprint to the subway in a full-length puffer, the way a great coat can change your entire outlook on a day that feels impossibly gray. Winter requires resourcefulness. It asks you to participate in your own delight.

    For this year’s Winter Lookbook, we embraced that ethos and dreamed up five archetypes, each embodying a different response to the season: the woman who refuses to be cold yet refuses to look bad, the early-morning studio devotee, the holiday enthusiast, the effortless hostess, and the one who transforms entirely after dark. They each dress for the mood they want, not the weather outside; they layer textures, play with proportion, embrace metallics, and create their own glow in the darkest months.

    Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli

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  • Gift Guide 2025: The best skincare gifts

    Give the gift of great skin this holiday season with these skincare gifts, perfect for just about anyone!

    The Philips Epilator Series 8000 Wet & Dry boasts powerful yet gentle epilation with its improved tweezers and over 70,000 hair-catching actions per minute. This means you can cover more skin and achieve flawless smoothness for up to 4 weeks.

    This holiday season, Bubble makes gifting simple, fun, and affordable with its limited-edition “Silky Season” 3-Step Hydrating Routine. The set includes three of Bubble’s best-selling essentials for clean, hydrated, and glowing skin.

    Clé de Peau Beauté invites you aboard the Dreams Express, a limited-edition collection that transforms beauty into an exquisite journey of imagination and light. Inspired by a fantastical dream world, the Dreams Express Collection celebrates confidence, transformation, and the radiance that comes from within.

    Biossance’s Bright Bestsellers Set is for the radiance-obsessed, with a set that brings together Biossance’s most-loved icons: the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil for instant luminosity, the Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum for bouncy, hydrated skin, and the Squalane + Omega Repair Cream for rich, replenishing moisture. It’s a routine that brightens, firms, and deeply nourishes.

    Josie Maran bite-sized butters are air-whipped, full-body moisturizers that soak in to deliver visible firmness and intense hydration. Tuck them into someone’s stocking, or wrap them up as a set.

    Peter Thomas Roth’s full-size Vitamin C and hyaluronic eye patches come in a two-piece kit that’s ideal for gift giving. The Potent-C Hydra-Gel Eye Patches help brighten and reduce signs of aging, and Water Drench Hydra-Gel Eye Patches help reduce the look of dryness, under-eye bags, and dark circles.

    The Ultimate Hydration Jet Set from Skinfix is the travel skin repair trio. The gel cleanser doubles as a makeup remover, clearing oil and SPF without stripping, a fast-absorbing water cream delivers lightweight moisture and reduces shine, and a rich cream is packed with peptides to restore ultra-dry skin.

    Summer Fridays’ The Holiday Trio Set comes with Lip Butter Balm in Hot Cocoa and Toasted Marshmallow. Nourish dull, depleted skin with a swipe of buttery hydration.

    The NYX Professional Makeup Holiday Fat Oil Trio Lip Oil Gift Set is formulated with squalane, cloudberry, and raspberry oils. They work together to deeply nourish and hydrate the lips, promoting a supple, healthy appearance.

    By: Jennifer Cox The Suburban

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  • 55 Gifts W Editors Are Giving (Or Wanting) for the 2025 Holidays

    Ever wish you could ask some cool, tapped-in people what they’re eyeing for a gift? You’re in luck. Below, seventeen W editors answer that age-old question: what do you want—and what are you giving—for the holidays?

    Maybe it’s because I’m Colombian, but whenever the temperature dips below 40 degrees, I go into shock. This winter, I’m counting on this fabulous Zegna shearling coat to keep me warm without making me look like the Michelin Man. —Armand Limnander, Executive Editor

    I love the idea of receiving a beauty treatment as a gift. I’m also obsessed with Sofie Pavitt’s skincare line, especially the mandelic serum; it changed my face in a major way this year. What better gift than a facial from the acne-clearing queen herself? With my wedding happening next year, my skin needs to be radiant and texture-free—and I would love to get a few extra tips from her. —Ashley Peña, Senior Designer

    I know what I’ll be wearing to pretty much every holiday party I attend this year: these ultra-comfy velvet ballet flats from Longchamp. They come in a range of colors and the dainty double buckle adds shine to an all-black look. —Maxine Wally, Senior Digital Editor

    I often jump to ready-to-wear or collectables when curating my holiday gift list—but this year, skin is in. I’ve been using Clarins’ glow serum for a few weeks; it has a light floral scent (don’t worry, I usually detest strong-smelling skincare, but this is actually nice) and it’s a great pick-me-up for dull skin during winter. —Matthew Velasco, Staff Writer, News

    Here’s a simple LED table lamp for people who have a lot of work to do, but not a ton of space. I’ll be putting this in my office in the New Year. —Tobias Holzmann, Design Director

    I’ve had my eye on the Toteme T-Lock bag for quite a while now. There’s something about the shape—which toes a delicate line between structured, yet still slouchy—and the way it looks when held under the arm. Now all I need is to decide whether I’d get more use out of the clutch or the top handle style… —Carolyn Twersky Winkler, Staff Writer

    This leather trench from Nour Hammour is the gift I’m fully manifesting this holiday season—like, I’m lighting a candle, writing it in my journal, and hoping the universe hears me. It’s the kind of coat that makes you look like you have your life together, even if you certainly do not. If this shows up at my door wrapped in a bow, just know I will be wearing it indoors, outdoors, and possibly to bed. —Che Baez, Visuals Editor

    I’m from Florida, which means two things. One: I’m heading back there for the holidays. Two: Despite nearly a decade in New York, I’m still kind of clueless about outerwear. So, consider this a perfect pick for anyone in your life who’s constantly moving between frigid and temperate climates. It’s a chic silhouette that keeps you warm, but compresses down for easy packing and storing. —Kyle Munzenrieder, Senior News & Strategy Editor

    My mother, who is constantly adventuring and already has planned a multicountry trip across Europe in 2026, will receive this book for Christmas. She can pore over the photographs of lavender fields months before she actually sees them in real life. —M.W.

    This is much more than just your average embroidered evening bag. You buy the purse, and then choose different veils with which to decorate it—from intricate embroidery to playful fringe. The veil slips on and attaches to the bag with invisible magnets. In this case, I like the beaded macramé style, which features black mesh and is finished with glass-beaded tassels. —Allia Alliata di Montereale, Style Director

    This scent by Yves Saint Laurent is the perfect blend of sweet and savory—it’s rich in its lavender and orange tones, and it’s led by a warm vanilla that isn’t overpowering in the slightest. And, from firsthand experience, the metallic exterior looks quite chic on a nightstand. —M.V.

    For your aspiring barista bestie, this is an elevated take on your average Nespresso machine, replete with a steaming wand for milk. We have one in the W office and it is our biggest mascot (and motivator). —M.W.

    For the spiritually inclined friend, sister, or daughter, Gazza Ladra’s talisman charm bracelet is a beautiful gift. Handcrafted with a gold chain and adorned with moon and eye pendants, plus turquoise and coral accents, the piece feels both personal and protective. —Nora Milch, Executive Fashion Director

    Here’s an indulgence in self-care—which I rarely permit myself—that I would really love to get my hands (and body) on. HigherDOSE’s mat supports skin, mood, muscle recovery, and circadian balance, all from the comfort of home, my favorite place to tune out and chill. —Maryam Liberman, Contributing Beauty Editor

    I love a classic gift, and this Burberry scarf is just that. I also adore the fact that you can personalize it. —Jenna Wojciechowski, Fashion Market and Menswear Director

    This one is for the jewelry minimalists. When it comes to style and function, I love how petite the Kimsey watch by March Hare is. It feels light on the wrist and looks timeless with every outfit. —A.P.

    Winter makes my skin flare up—blame the cold, dry air; my heightened anxiety surrounding the holidays, or whatever else. But I need hydration that goes beyond a standard moisturizer, and Rose Los Angeles x Marie Veronique crafted the perfect potion: a lightweight, milky emulsion for all skin types. Plus, they added CBD and THC, which pair anti-inflammatory benefits with Rose’s flower rosin. Although this is a topical and not an edible, I will be gifting this to anyone that needs (their skin) to calm the hell down this season. —C.B.

    My sister recently moved out of the city, so I’ll be spending chilly weekends in Rockland County wearing my chocolate-brown fleece from The North Face and Cecilie Bahnsen’s latest collaboration. It’s got all the nostalgia of the classic North Face fleeces I wore as a teenager, but with cheeky upgrades like floral-cut zipper pulls and a nylon interior. —M.W.

    While I was not into the sheer flat trend, I am very drawn to these heels. There’s a simple whimsy to the design, and the low heel makes them accessible for everyday use. I’ve already mentally styled them with multiple outfits, so here’s hoping someone plucks them from my wishlist. —C.T.W.

    There’s something really sexy about someone telling you you smell good (I’ll die on that hill!). My signature scent for the past decade has a woody base with sweet and spicy notes (à la Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille), but these days, I’m seeking a more niche perfume. That’s why Maison d’Etto’s new I—Dream is for me. Not only is the bottle itself a work of art, the scent hits many of the notes I love, like leather and frankincense. And out of all the perfumes I’ve worn recently, it truly lingers on my skin all day. —Tori López, Fashion Market Editor

    Lately, I’ve been on the hunt for getaways at pristine, restful locations north of New York City. The Bedford Post Inn is a perfect example of a place that’s far outside of the hustle and bustle, but doesn’t feel like an epic novel in terms of travel. The hotel property is meticulously groomed and intentionally chic, the service is warm and welcoming (while still feeling private and not in your face), and the hotel suites are generously sized and include the most thoughtful details, like fresh bath salts and natural sponge exfoliators laid on your bath caddy each morning. While you’re relaxing in the natural landscape, pay a visit to The Bedford Post Tavern, the Inn’s famed restaurant (managed by Sunday Hospitality, also known for the viral Brooklyn restaurants Rule of Thirds and Sunday in Brooklyn) for a scrumptious meal to top off the perfect stay. The caramelized red onion tart was like nothing I’ve ever tasted before—try it. —Oona Wally, Associate Visuals Director

    Here’s a polo-collar sweater that should fit perfectly into almost any guy’s wardrobe. You can’t go wrong. —K.M.

    I love gifting these playing cards as a housewarming gift, or around the holidays. This year, there are newlyweds in my life who will love the look of robin’s-egg blue on their coffee table—and the nudge to turn off Netflix, put down their phones, and play a hand of cards. —Claire Valentine McCartney, Culture Editor

    It may not be the most romantic gift, but I’ll be asking my boyfriend to get me one of Dyson’s best products this year: an air purifier that can also heat or cool your space, depending on your needs. I can’t think of a better addition to a New York City apartment (or any home, for that matter) than clean, temperate air. —C.V.

    This isn’t technically a wintertime scent—it’s a year-round scent, in my opinion. Slightly gourmand and totally scrumptious to sniff, this perfume from Loewe falls in the funk category, but not in an alienating way. The fragrance reminds me of taking a walk in the forest: you smell the sharpness of pine needles, the warmth of the forest floor. It’s also wonderfully genderless. —M.W.

    This French skincare secret is, well, no longer a secret. But consider gifting it to your skincare-obsessed loved one—or better yet, yourself. It’s the ideal winter moisturizer, but I’d suggest for those with oily skin to only use it at night, since the formula is rather rich. —M.V.

    If these earrings could flirt, they would leave a trail of suitors in their wake. Irene Neuwirth’s Gemmy Gem collection is colorful and chic—these one-of-a-kind, 18-karat yellow gold earrings, to me, are pure elegance. There’s a gorgeous array of full-cut emeralds, mixed indicolites, and chrysoprase spheres, finished on diamond pavé hooks. —M.L.

    If you’re thinking about gifting someone a skincare tool this season, the NIRA Pro Laser is the best thing I’ve tried in recent memory. It’s also the closest you can get to having a dermatologist living in your medicine cabinet (minus the small talk). —C.B.

    We test out a lot of scented candles this time of year—and Trudon’s products stand at the top of the list every time. My latest favorite is Luna, from the brand’s zodiac line. The smell is rich and warm, and the vessel is artfully decorated with a starry night sky and holiday ephemera. —M.W.

    Instead of bringing a bottle of wine to a friend’s house for dinner, come with this olive oil in hand. It will not disappoint, and it’s worth the shipment! —A.a.d.M.

    I always think I want an oversize wool coat—but on my 6’1” frame, the look is less “slouchy and cool” and more “giantess and possible Stop Making Sense extra.” So now, I have my sights set on The Row’s Arista Coat—its length is perfect for me, and its slim proportions are much more flattering. —Sally Law Errico, Managing Editor

    This is a great moisturizer for those who want skin that feels extra quenched and bouncy. I just finished a jar, and my mom loves antiaging skincare gifts, so I know she’ll be obsessed. —A.P.

    You don’t need to be a pilot to wear this jacket. The bomber style is right on-trend for winter, according to my colleagues. —T.H.

    If you or someone you know is dreaming of sun-soaked escapes this winter, Dutch cinematographer Robby Müller—who helped shape visual classics like Paris, Texas and Repo Man—captures Los Angeles in quiet, radiant polaroids in this new book. From the cozy corners of Santa Monica to beaches bathed in yellow light, his images reveal the city from a bygone era. Alongside the polaroids are texts from his collaborators, like directors Alex Cox and Wim Wenders, and actor Willem Dafoe. —C.B.

    This gift makes for a great stocking-stuffer, but it’s also exciting enough to stow under the tree with the big presents. The best lip glosses we’ve used to date, Rhode’s Peptide Lip Trio is a special treat each time you use it, with a buttery-soft consistency and nice flavors without overpowering scents. —M.W.

    The best gifts are the ones people don’t want to indulge in for themselves—and a massage at the Shibui Spa perfectly fits that bill. The luxurious oasis is tucked away in Tribeca, and boasts breathtaking facilities, led by experts. There is little else better than treating your loved ones to an hour (or longer, depending on how generous you’re feeling) of bliss. —Molly Cody, Assistant to the Editor in Chief

    After running a marathon a month ago (yes, that’s my excuse for being extra), I’ve developed an obsession with contrast therapy. Enter this ice bath: it’s not just about plunging into cold water—it’s a full-on recharge for the body and mind, promoting faster muscle recovery, reduced inflammation, and an instant energy jolt. Plus, with a built-in timer and breathwork light, I can practice mindfulness like a pro. —C.B.

    Arma’s suede blazer is a modern classic: impeccably tailored, ultra-soft, and endlessly wearable. The leather-focused brand nails essential outerwear every time. —N.M.

    Often packaged in a quaint cobalt-blue tin can, the highly sought-after Rocky’s Matcha remains the superior tea in my life—and yes, I’ve got all my matcha-loving friends hooked, too. This holiday season, the brand is releasing a limited-edition box set of their favorite matcha blends, so you can taste test (or, like me, replenish your empty stock). —T.L.

    This is the kind of cornbread I like. And it has zero calories. —T.H.

    Vacations don’t necessarily happen every year—which is why gifting someone a staycation can be a truly stress-free treat. After eight years out of commission, the Waldorf Astoria recently reopened in Midtown Manhattan and features bigger rooms, new restaurants, and a Guerlain Wellness Spa—everything you need for an exceptionally luxurious experience. The best part? No schlepping required. —C.T.W.

    My baby cousin loves sweet scents, so she’ll be getting Miutine this holiday season. (At 17, she’s not a baby anymore, which she’ll likely remind me when we get together on Christmas Eve.) She knows this perfume from the ads with Emma Corrin. —M.W.

    I put this gift on my list every single year, hoping someone will buy it for me. (Ahem, to my dear fiancé: take note.) The mini version of Gaetano Pesce’s Vessel is the perfect luxury bedside table jewelry catch-all. —O.W.

    You won’t truly appreciate how special this faux-fur hooded cardigan is until you try it on. The plush collar wraps around your face, giving you an instant feeling of luxury. The garment even comes with matching mittens for an extra touch of warmth. —A.a.d.M.

    I’ve been a Freja fan since I gifted myself the Lafayette bag a couple of years ago; it has been my go-to work bag since. The new Ida style is calling my name now. I love that it can hold my laptop and also can be worn as a slouchy clutch for evening. —A.P.

    Sumptuous is the word here, from the luxe gilded bottle to the ceramides, squalane, and hyaluronic acid in the formulation. I can’t get enough of this Prada skin cream, so I’m giving it to my very closest kin this year. —M.W.

    I’m heading into the new year absolutely determined to get my glow back—because honestly, this year has taken it out of me. So, I’m gifting myself the HigherDOSE Red Light Face Mask, the only skincare gadget that actually understands my constantly-in-motion lifestyle. It has an extra head strap and real eye holes, so I can use it while I’m reading, working out, or cleaning my apartment. You can also use their Light Activated Glow Serum while masked up for an extra-powerful skincare session. No cords, no lying still, just a gentle way to boost my mood and revive my skin radiance while I live my chaotic little life. —C.B.

    I’ve lived in New York for 20 years, but my heart still belongs to my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and I try to shop local whenever I return to visit my family. On my next trip, I hope to pick up the Plentiful Bellfield Tote from Fount, a Cleveland-based leather-goods business run by a husband-and-wife team. The bag’s hand-sewn straps and “unique interior weight-bearing pieces” make me think it’s strong enough to schlep my laptop—and an issue or two of W. —S.L.E.

    I’m a maniac for mohair, so this cozy sweater will be wrapped all around me for the rest of the year. The piece comes in another, darker colorway that’s equally charming. —M.W.

    Designed by Eleni Petaloti and Leonidas Trampoukis in collaboration with Tacchini, the resin vases from Objects of Common Interest are crafted with the duo’s signature blend of sculptural form and functionality. I love how each piece reflects their unique eye and their attention to craftsmanship. —N.M.

    I love these candlesticks, which are handmade in France. No matter where you put them, they’ll transport you to an even warmer, brighter place. —A.a.d.M.

    We talk all the time about whether or not advent calendars are worth their price tags. This year, I am telling you to definitely grab this cheerful Rubik’s Cube from Benefit. It contains cutesy miniatures of their signature products, like They’re Real! Mascara and Benetint. This is one that’s worth its price, and its weight in holiday cheer. —M.W.

    For me, gourmand fragrances can be hit or miss, but this cherry-inspired scent from Abel is too good. The fruit here isn’t obnoxiously sweet, and it mixes well with the sophisticated floral layers. My soon-to-be sister in law and I have similar fragrance tastes, so I’ll be gifting this to her this year. —A.P.

    My favorite team in my favorite museum’s font—the two things I love most. Go Mets! —T.H.

    Long admired for impeccably designed rugs, Nordic Knots has expanded into bedding—and naturally, the selection is just as chic. The new percale Egyptian cotton collection comes in a Shirt Blue hue with contrasting red piping. Consider this my not-so-subtle hint to my husband that this is the gift I would like. —N.M.

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  • Final Chance! Your Guide To The Best Cyber Monday Deals

    Every year, it seems like Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales simply aren’t what they were. In 2025, that’s not necessarily the case anymore though. Through our hours of extensive research, we’ve found the best Cyber Monday deals and can confirm the discounts are discounting!. But you still have to shuffle through quite a bit of noise. This is the Super Bowl of online shopping after all, and we’re here to set you up for the ultimate success.

    Expect major savings this year, going up to 80% off everything from mattresses to beauty devices, sex toys, designer items, and more. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of sales happening, our organized list below is here to help. Think of it as a personalized roadmap to the best promos available now, helping you score a handful of shopping touchdowns this Cyber Monday.

    Ahead, we rounded up the must-see markdowns from reader-favorite brands like Wayfair, Everlane, Nordstrom, Mejuri, Lelo, and more — most of which end tonight. So, grab your laptop, a snack, and a credit card. Get in reader, we’re going (online) shopping!

    Victoria Montalti

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  • This high-tech makeup mirror will change your life – and it’s on sale for Black Friday

    Your makeup mirror FAQs, answered:


    Are mirrors with lights good for doing makeup?

    Yes — because you can’t always guarantee that you’ll be working with the perfect natural lighting conditions when applying your makeup. “Good lighting allows you to see your face clearly, and also ensures true colour representation of your products,” explains Saffron Hughes, make-up artist at FalseEyelashes.co.uk. “This is essential for flawless makeup — and particularly helps make sure that your base looks natural and even.”


    What magnification mirror is best for doing makeup?

    Your mirror doesn’t have to come with any kind of magnification — but most of the more impressive models do. “The ideal magnification for a lighted makeup mirror depends on your needs — however, 5x to 8x is the sweet spot for most makeup tasks,” Hughes explains.

    “Providing a clear, close-up view of your whole face, using a 5x mirror makes it easier to apply foundation and contour your face,” she adds. “However, an 8x mirror might be better-suited to anyone who wears glasses — and also works well for more intricate tasks, like tweezing your eyebrows.”

    Your best bet? Saffron recommends looking out for a mirror with a dual or tri-sided design, for maximum flexibility.


    What to look for when shopping for the best makeup mirror:

    There’s no shortage of options if you’re looking to find the best makeup mirror. There are mirrors with built-in phone chargers and even ones that’ll tell you the weather (yes, really). To make the right choice for your skincare routine, consider these features:

    Light quality

    It’s well-worth remembering that not all LED lights are made equally. “LED lights with a higher CRI rating will ensure that the lighting is as close to natural daylight as possible — allowing you to see the colours clearly and accurately,” Dr. Tara Lalvani explains. “This makes it easier to judge how your makeup will look in real life, rather than under poor artificial light.”

    Different light settings

    Clearly, the most in-demand mirrors are usually the ones that let you customise your lighting. As well as being dimmable, many can cast multiple temperatures — including daylight, warm light, and cool light.

    Plus — thanks to a new generation of LED makeup mirrors with built-in phone holders and chargers — it’s also never been easier to film yourself in action or to follow along with a makeup TikTok tutorial.

    Size and portability

    Where will you primarily be using your mirror? For a permanent makeup spot, go for a larger Hollywood-style mirror — or pick a wall-mounted option if you’re keen to save precious dressing table space. Alternatively, if you’d like something that you can move around the house a little more easily, pick a chic pedestal mirror — or a slimline option with a foldable stand.

    Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something smaller to slip in your handbag for on-the-go touch-ups, there are plenty of more compact options to consider — most of which you can use cordless as long as they’ve been charged in advance.


    Is a lighted makeup mirror worth it?

    In short — yes. “With an illuminated makeup mirror, you’re less likely to over or under apply makeup, and you’ll find it easier to blend seamlessly whilst avoiding harsh lines,” Hughes adds. “Essentially, you’re more likely to achieve a polished, professional finish with good lighting.”


    Jake Smith, Malia Griggs, Georgia Lockstone, Mayola Fernandes

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  • A rare Victoria Beckham Black Friday sale has landed with 20% off

    Let’s cut straight to the chase: Victoria Beckham Black Friday is proving to be the dark horse of the Black Friday 2025 sales. “A candidate who is little known”,” (granted – that part isn’t true – the Victoria Beckham Beauty brand has been so popular that has overtaken the fashion line from a profit standpoint), “but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.” True, within the context of the best Black Friday deals. Victoria Beckham rarely offers any sale, so to discount the entire site by 20% is both surprising and very, well, thrilling.

    Glamour’s best Victoria Beckham Black Friday buys:

    Victoria Beckham Beauty has had a strong year. The former spice girl-turned-fashion mogul expanded her premium beauty brand into makeup brushes for the first time to a great reception. Inspired by calligraphy and painting, each Victoria Beckham makeup brush (there are nine in total) was carefully designed for expert precision. The Conceal & Detail Brush was our favourite during testing, crafted to reach those hard-to-access areas (like under the eyes and around the nose). We also loved the Detailed Lip Brush to perfectly define edges for a stamped-on lip look, as well as the large Powder Brush that makes blending a breeze.

    Victoria Beckham also joined forces with luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader – the brains behind the The Rich Cream which is beloved by celebrities and backed by 30 years’ of research – to launch a Concealer Pen and Cell Rejuvenating Illuminator. (Yes, both are discounted in the Black Friday sale). A game-changer for any complexion routine, the latter is infused with AB’s proprietary TFC8 complex that was created to boost cell regeneration.

    Outside of new launches, it’s worth noting the brand’s bestsellers, too. Think: the cult Satin Kajal Liner or the beautifully-pigmented Colour Wash blush (which the Glamour team reviewed earlier in the summer). If Victoria Beckham Beauty does anything well, it’s staying at the forefront of innovation and creating premium, wonderfully-packaged, long-lasting product.

    SKIP TO:

    What is the Victoria Beckham Black Friday sale?

    It’s simple: the entire Victoria Beckham Beauty site is 20% off, live now until December 1 (read: midnight on Cyber Monday). You don’t need a code: simply add your favourite VB buys to your cart, and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. To help you navigate the sale, Glamour editors have been busy testing Victoria Beckham products all year to curate a Black Friday edit of the crème de la crème only.


    Ahead, the best products to buy in Victoria Beckham Black Friday.


    The Foundation Drops with TFC8®

    Portofino ’97 Eau de Parfum

    Lip Definer: Waterproof Lip Liner

    The Concealer Pen with TFC8®


    What is Black Friday?

    Black Friday is the biggest shopping event of the year: a day which sees retailers across beauty, fashion, homeware and tech discount most lines by up to 70%. The event takes place globally, having been founded in the States – and it always falls on the last Friday of November. That is, the day following Thanksgiving.


    When is Black Friday?

    Black Friday 2025 was yesterday: Friday 28 November. But don’t panic – if you didn’t manage to place any orders, sales are still live until midnight on Cyber Monday.


    What is Cyber Monday & is Victoria Beckham Beauty taking part?

    On that note, Cyber Monday 2025 falls on Monday 1 December. Victoria Beckham is taking part – the sitewide 20% off sale ends at midnight. It’s a great time to get ahead of your Christmas shopping for beauty sleuths – with cult buys and bestselling gift sets discounted.


    More of the best Black Friday deals:

    After something else? Glamour’s Black Friday coverage is extensive – with guides to the best of the CurrentBody Black Friday sale and Trinny London Black Friday proving the most popular. Elsewhere, shop Net-A-Porter Black Friday, Skims Black Friday and Korean Beauty Black Friday deals.


    Sophie Cockett

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