Tag: makeup

Woman walks into Ulta for makeup routine after ChatGPT gives advice: ‘As an Ulta employee, the way you are using the testers is extremely unsanitary‘

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Makeup testers at beauty retailers like Ulta can be helpful. After all, what we envision in our minds may be different from reality. While sampling these in-store makeup items has a set of implied rules of hygiene, it doesn’t stop this woman from breaking them for her ChatGPT-generated beauty regimen every step of the way.

Ulta Skin Prep

While washing her face with a wipe, Utah-based beauty enthusiast Emily (@hotlipssociety) walks inside an Ulta Beauty.

“Come with me inside Ulta to get ready,” she says in a hushed tone. “I literally asked ChatGPT to come up with a [full make-up] routine.”

To pacify those critical, she sprays her hands with disinfectant. “For all you germaphobes,” she remarks. “My hand sanitizer.”

Then, the content creator spots the first test item. “I’m literally gonna use these Peach and Lily Lazy Day All In Moisture Pads,” she says. When she opens the container, she violates the first sanitary practice by reaching for a pad and rubbing it all over her face with her bare hands.

Next, Emily applies the same brand’s Retinoic Eye Cream around her eyes and moves on to a different product. “Super Oasis Concentrated Serum. This goes on before moisturizer,” she explains, spraying it in her hand and rubbing it on her face.

Before completion, she returns to the Peach and Lily brand. “I’m gonna use the Ultra Plush Rich Cream,” she says, scooping out the cream with her index finger and putting it on.

The ChatGPT Makeup Routine In Action

Not only does she violate sanitary procedures for the skin prep, but makeup as well. “The first thing ChaptGPT wants me to use is the Hourglass Veil Primer,” the content creator says, pumping the primer onto her middle finger and primes her face.

“NARS Light Reflecting Foundation in shade Deauville,” Emily continues, blending the foundation into her skin with her makeup brush, which is another no-no. “This is my own brush.” Then, she dabs the Radiant Creamy Concealer wand under her eyes.

“Made By Mitchell just dropped at Ulta. This is the cream,” she says. When she opens the bright green palette, she swaths the color onto her brush and dabs her temples, forehead, and nose.

“I may need to go to a darker color,” she states. But she repeats the process with a bronzer and finds her match. “I’m thinking that bronzer looks really good. I’m gonna go in with a blush now,” she says, dabbing dark pink cream with her brush in circular motions on her cheeks.

Subsequently, the content creator sprays her face with Tarte Shape Tape Stay Spray Setting Spray. “Laura Mercier Translucent,” she says, patting the brush into the eye cream and all over her face, followed by adding the Precisely My Brow Wax Benefit onto her eyebrows. “Back to the Made By Mitchell to set all my powder,” Emily says, spreading several powders along with a Luminous Blush on the sides of her face.

Once she finishes, she moves on to lips. “I’m gonna do the Made By Mitchell Del Rio Lip Liner,” she says, lining her outer lips straight from the tube, accompanied by an unnamed matte lipstick. “I’m gonna do this gloss called ‘I’m The Bloss,’” the content creator shares, blobbing the product onto her index finger and smoothing it across her lips.

What Does She Think?

Afterward, Emily jumps to eye makeup. “It’s the same palette I used for the powder bronze and blush,” she says, using the ‘windshield wiper’ motion over her eyelid creases. From there, she lines her eyes with a Cryon Eyeshadow Crayon by the same brand and sweeps her lashes with Lancome Idole Flutter Extension Mascara.

Lastly, she adds the finishing touches of the AI beauty ritual by misting her face in MAC Fix+ Setting Spray. However, she includes her own flair by applying Ambient Lighting Hourglass bronzer.

“ChatGPT chose my makeup, I approve,” Emily concludes in her car.

Viewers Were Appalled

Emily’s video amassed 5.9 million views, drawing in criticism and disgust.

“& thank you for confirming why I NEVER ‘try’ the testers,” one viewer remarked.

“WHY would you contaminate everything you used,” a second commented.

“It baffles me how people don’t understand cross contamination,” a third stated.

Moreover, alleged Ulta Beauty employees chimed in, warning of the potential dangers.

“As an Ulta employee, the way you are using the testers is extremely unsanitary both for you and other customers. There’s nothing wrong with using the testers to do your makeup. Just please try to be more mindful about it!” one commenter said.

They continued, “There are disposable applicator tools on the stations in prestige for a reason. Use spatulas instead of dipping your fingers into jars, don’t use a brush on your face then dip the unclean brush into other products afterwards, always spray alcohol and wipe the top layer off of cream pan products with a tissue, wipe the top layer off of powder pan products with a dry tissue, wipe any pencils on an alcohol sprayed tissue before and after use, pour loose powders onto a dry tissue, use disposable lip applicators and mascara wands, never dip double dip the disposable applicators. Regardless the makeup look did come out beautiful!”

Another echoed, “[Former] Ulta manager- testers are 100% there so use but please be mindful of using disposable applicators. This is not only a risk to you but others.”

How Unsanitary Was This Ulta Makeup Routine?

Indeed, makeup testers are bacteria-ridden because of the number of people who come in contact with them. As a result, it creates a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, such as Staph Infection, E. coli, yeast, and mold, according to Newsweek.

Emily’s improper beauty routine at Ulta only increases the risk of contracting these infections. Instead, Glam advises exercising alternatives, such as applying the lipstick onto your palm, spraying the powder palette with alcohol spritzers, or requesting new testers. Since none of these are completely fool-proof, try on hundreds of products through the retailer’s virtual makeup tool.

@hotlipssociety I walked into Ulta barefaced and let ChatGPT choose my makeup. Everyday glam was the goal… things escalated ?? Should I let ChatGPT do this again or absolutely not? @??MADEBYMITCHELL?? @Ulta Beauty #U#UltaRunE#EverydayGlam ♬ original sound – Emily | Beauty Picks

The Mary Sue reached out to Emily via email and TikTok comment as well as Ulta via press email.

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Melody Heald

Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, The Daily Dot, and more. You can email her at: [email protected]

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February 19, 2026
Why could no one buy an Ulta World ticket? A cybersecurity expert weighs in: ‘I waited online for over an hour’

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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]

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.

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Charlotte Colombo

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January 25, 2026
‘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

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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]

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.

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Ljeonida Mulabazi

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December 21, 2025
The ‘Stranger Things’ Makeup and Effects Wizards’ Secrets to Creating Vecna Will Put You Off Your Lunch

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While veggie chips, barbecue chicken, and economy-sized jugs of K-Y Jelly may sound like a shopping list for a very specific adult picnic, these items are also essential ingredients for creating Vecna, the big baddie at the center of Stranger Things, the hit Netflix show lurching eerily through its fifth and final season.

Barrie Gower, the makeup special effects department head for the show’s fourth and fifth seasons, was largely responsible for developing and executing Vecna’s look, both last season’s initial styling, which required Jamie Campbell Bower to don 25 overlapping pieces of full-body prosthetics in a seven-ish hour process, and what Gower and the team call “Vecna 2.0,” the character’s decidedly crispier and less solid current form, having been set on fire and, oh, blasted out of our dimension in the season 4 finale.

If Vecna’s tentacle-like vines, which occasionally spew viscous black goo in service of their master, aren’t enough to put you off your lunch, Gower’s comparisons just might.

“Vecna’s color tone is made up of vegetable chips,” he tells Vanity Fair. “I can see, oh, there’s parsnip, there’s the beetroot, there’s the so and so…we looked at so many beautiful, different things from the animal kingdom. We just reference real life.”

That grounding in organic materials and the real world is especially helpful because Vecna, like many of the ghoulish characters and effects on the show, is a hybrid creation of Bower’s performance, practical costuming and prosthetics, and CGI. Gower’s team collaborated closely with the visual effects department, led by Betsy Paterson, to synthesize real and fantasy elements to create the horrific world of Stranger Things.

“There’s a lot of back and forth with Barrie,” Paterson says. “We send them concept art. He sends back sculpts, and it just goes back and forth, and we try to figure out the best way that he can build things that will allow Jamie’s performance to come through, but also give us a really good base to add all the kind of moving detail on top of.”

Duncan Jarman adds the final touch—a coat of lube—to Jamie Campbell Bower’s Vecna. As Gower recalls, “He would tend to leave a little trail. It would be great seeing execs come on set and go up to Jamie and go to hug him and see him smile, thinking, they’re going to regret that.”Niko Tavernise/Netflix.

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Kase Wickman

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December 19, 2025
This high-tech makeup mirror will change your life – and it’s on sale for Black Friday

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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.”

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Jake Smith, Malia Griggs, Georgia Lockstone, Mayola Fernandes

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November 29, 2025
How to apply foundation to mature skin, according to pro makeup artists
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When it comes to creating a flawless makeup base, we’re often inclined to stick to the routine that works. But learning how to apply foundation to mature skin might make a world of difference—especially if your usual products and techniques aren’t delivering the same results they used to.

“Since our skin changes as we age, our makeup should too! Meet your skin where it is now,” says Laura Geller, whose namesake makeup brand Laura Geller Beauty caters to mature skin. If you’re dealing with new or different concerns, especially with foundation on changing skin, you’re certainly not alone.

“One of the biggest client frustrations with mature skin is that foundation often highlights what you’re trying to diffuse,” says celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno. That can mean product settling into expression lines on the face, making them appear deeper, or draining the skin of moisture, which highlights dryness and texture. But for every new concern, there’s a simple solution.

Featured in this article

Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Foundation

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Best Drugstore Option: L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation

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Whether it’s a technique adjustment, a new formula, or a little extra skin prep, small tweaks can help you get the most out of your favourite foundation on mature skin.

Ahead, you’ll find expert-backed insight on…

11 best moisturisers for mature skin of 2025, reviewed

By Lisa DeSantis, Camilla Kay and Denise Primbet

How to choose a foundation for mature skin

There are a few key factors to keep in mind when selecting a foundation for mature skin in particular. Chief among them is retaining moisture: “As we get older, our skin craves hydration, not heavy, drying formulas,” Laura says.

When choosing a liquid formula, Christian recommends prioritising the following attributes:
- Light to medium buildable coverage. Heavy coverage options can be drying and might exaggerate texture on the skin.
- A satin or radiant-natural finish. Flat, matte options tend to settle into fine lines, while dewy options can highlight dryness or texture.
- High water content. Water-rich foundations sink into thinner surface skin seamlessly, and prevent cracking.
- Skincare support. Hydrating skincare ingredients such as ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants can help smooth the skin’s surface and improve wear time.
- Gentle mineral or hybrid formulas. If you have sensitive, thinning, or reactive mature skin, these tend to be less irritating and often feel weightless.
Courtesy of brand

Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation

Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation

Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation

If you prefer a solid foundation to a liquid, Laura advises opting for a baked formula. “Baked products start as creamy pigments, then are baked for 24 hours to lock in moisture, leaving you with a silky, lightweight finish that glides right over fine lines,” she says.

Laura’s Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation is a good example: “It evens tone, brightens dullness, and never looks heavy on mature skin,” she says.

How to apply foundation to mature skin, step-by-step

Step 1: Moisturise.

Any makeup routine—at any age—should begin with clean, hydrated skin. “Mature skin loses water faster than it loses oil,” Christian says. He recommends prepping the skin with a moisture-locking serum (we love Medik8’s Hydr8 B5 Intense), “to plump the surface so that the foundation has something to grip onto.” Follow that with a non-greasy moisturiser, which helps to smooth texture in addition to hydrating.

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

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Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

If you’re still seeing signs of dryness, Christian recommends adding a light layer of emollient, perhaps a thin ceramide cream, only to “high-movement zones,” including your smile lines and the corners of your eyes. “This keeps the foundation from cracking later. Let everything absorb fully, as rushing this step guarantees slip and separation,” he says.

Courtesy of brand

Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream

Step 2: Apply a primer.

“If there’s one step you never want to skip as your skin matures, it’s primer, primer, primer!” Laura says. “Primer creates a gorgeous, smoothing barrier between your skin and your makeup so foundation doesn’t seep into wrinkles, look caky, or break apart midday.” She also notes that the right primer can be your ticket to richer colour payoff and longer wear.

Fenty Beauty Grip Trip Hydrating Primer

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Lancôme La Base Pro Perfecting Make-Up Primer

Christian emphasises the importance priming with precision. “Use a hydrating primer on dull or dehydrated areas (cheeks, under-eye perimeter), and a smoothing or blurring primer very lightly on pores and smile lines,” he says.

Step 3: Apply your foundation.

If you’re using a liquid formula, Christian recommends pumping a small amount onto the back of your hand first. Use a dense, flat brush to pick up a minimal amount of product, and apply it to your skin. Laura recommends using “light sweeping or buffing motions,” while Christian suggests “light circular motions to sheer the foundation out and stretch it toward the hairline.”

Courtesy of brand

Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush

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Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge 100

Both experts advise against applying a heavy layer of foundation all over your face. Instead, dot it strategically onto the areas where you want more coverage, evening of skin tone, or brightening. Christian says to “avoid loading crow’s-feet, deep lines, and the outer jaw” with more foundation; these are areas where the product might settle in and draw more attention.

Step 4: Remove excess product.

To avoid a caky finish and product settling into fine lines, it’s a good idea to remove the excess foundation from the surface of your skin. Christian’s pro tip: “Take a damp makeup sponge and press—don’t drag—over the skin. This pushes pigment into texture and lifts off extra product.”

Step 5: Set and finish.

If you prefer to set your foundation with powder, Christian recommends only setting the areas where your face moves the most (smile lines, sides of the nose, and under the eyes if needed). Use a small, fluffy detail brush or a puff to very lightly, gently tap powder into these areas.
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Grace McCarty

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November 26, 2025
Sophia Sinot is the MUA behind Zara Larsson’s Y2K pop fantasy looks

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Were the looks for the tour all planned in advance or was there some room for experimentation?

Sophia: I knew that we wanted to combine some old looks and newer looks, but we did it in an elevated pop star way. I made a quick moodboard to send to Zara, but we both knew we would end up freestyling it. Sometimes I like to plan ahead, but sometimes I like to go with the flow because I love to get inspired as I go.

For example, the look we did at the Malmö show in Sweden was inspired by a reference of Beyoncé at the 2006 BET Awards. I told the group chat I really wanted to do a look like it in the future, but I didn’t know when. The day before the show, we were in Copenhagen and the hairstylist, Rodrigo Sardina, brought some hair accessories including stars that you could stick in the hair. I immediately saw the vision and wanted to stick them all over Zara’s legs, up her side, her arms, her hand and the side of her face. The biggest challenge was making sure they stayed on. I prepped her skin with some alcohol and stuck them on with layers of lash glue. I didn’t use any oily or greasy body glow products, but kept her signature glow by adding loose glitter all over.

Courtesy of Sophia Sinot

Courtesy of Sophia Sinot

Which makeup products have been your go-tos in creating the looks for the tour?

Sophia: Since every show had a completely new conceptual glam, I used different products for each show. The base is super important and I really love to use Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation in the shade 3WO – it has beautiful olive undertones. I also love the classic Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, it’s one of the first products I ever bought when I discovered my love for makeup and I’m still obsessed with it. It’s super hydrating, not heavy and long-wearing. I also love the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara. I especially love to use waterproof mascara on the bottom lashes to make sure nothing smudges when Zara is dancing and whipping her hair around.

Last but not least, the rhinestones. I always order my rhinestones from Amazon, the quality is so great and they really shine on stage. I apply them with Eyelure 18 Hour Lash Glue to make sure they don’t fall off. I swear I’ve finished seven tubes of lash glue during the tour!

The gems are definitely a standout part of the looks, why did you want to use them as a signature and what are your tips for incorporating them into makeup looks?

Sophia: The gems really are the star of the show. What I love so much about them is that they catch the stage lights and reflect so beautifully – not only for the naked eye, but also on your phone camera and the big screens in the arenas. That reflection always reminded me of the light of the sun reflecting on the water of the ocean, which for me was so Midnight Sun. It has a super glamorous, show girl vibe, but also has a beautifully calm radiating energy.

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Dominic Cadogan

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November 21, 2025
The best early Black Friday beauty deals I’d recommend as a Beauty Writer

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Fragrance lovers, you’re covered too. There are amazing savings on bestsellers from YSL and Armani, which make the perfect gift for her and if you’re in full winter wind-down mode, Laura Mercier’s Honey Bath is also included in the sale – dreamy.

In short, take this as your sign to top up your routine, or tick a few Christmas wish list items off without totally rinsing your bank account.

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Black Cherry Cleansing Balm

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss

Laura Mercier Honey Bath – Almond Coconut

benefit Hoola Wave Light Cream Bronzer

Fenty Beauty You Mist Setting Spray

Shark Black Friday Beauty Deals:

While some may head to Shark for its famous hoovers, I’m pretty obsessed with their beauty tech – in fact, I haven’t stopped recommending their latest Shark FacialPro Glow device since it landed on my desk last month.

We know beauty tech doesn’t come cheap, but Black Friday savings definitely help – and Shark has just dropped theirs. First up, there’s £30 off the Shark CryoGlow Blemish Repair Mask, which was tested and reviewed in our best LED face masks guide. Our editor loved its cold-therapy tech for calming irritation and helping tackle breakouts.

The discount I really wasn’t expecting to see this early is on the brand’s new Shark FacialPro Glow. It’s basically the first ever at-home device to mimic a hydrafacial. You can read all about it in my review here, but all I’m saying is my skin has genuinely never been glowier. The saving isn’t huge (£20 off), but I’m still very glad (and quite shocked) to see it included in the sale.

And of course, if you’re after hair tools, the Shark FlexStyle and SpeedStyle are also part of the Black Friday lineup – ideal if you’re hunting for a beauty gift or simply want to make your morning routine quicker.

Shark CryoGlow Blemish Repair Mask with Charging Stand

What it is: A compact at-home facial tool that deeply cleanses, exfoliates, hydrates and depuffs with hot-and-cold therapy.
Device type: Handheld skincare tool.
Target treatment area: Face.
Treatment time: 10 minutes.
Wireless: Yes.

Why we love it: The Shark FacialPro Glow is as close to a professional HydraFacial as you’ll get without leaving the house. It combines gentle exfoliation, deep cleansing, and serious hydration in one clever device – complete with a “gunk tank” that shows exactly what’s been pulled from your pores (oddly satisfying). You can switch to the Depuffi attachment after, which uses hot and cold therapy to calm redness, boost circulation and sculpt. It’s easy to use, self-cleaning, and genuinely delivers that just-had-a-facial glow.

Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer

Cult Beauty Black Friday Beauty Deals:

While their Black Friday sale hasn’t officially gone live just yet, my other favourite online beauty retailer, Cult Beauty, is already treating us to 15% off your first beauty haul over £25 with the code FIRST15.

Cult Beauty is basically home to every major name in beauty – from Sol de Janeiro, Charlotte Tilbury and Medik8, to Augustinus Bader, LANEIGE and Olaplex – so this is the perfect chance to stock up on your favourites or start ticking off those Christmas gifts early.

Last year’s Black Friday event saw up to 25% off some of the biggest brands in the business (we’re talking Summer Fridays, Kosas, Hourglass and more), so it’s definitely one to watch. In the meantime, if you’re planning to make the most of that 15% off, here’s what Glamour’s Beauty Writer, Shani Cohen, recommends adding to your basket.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder

Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 76 Perfume Mist

Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen

BYOMA Hydrating Soothing Milky Toner

Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum

Paula’s Choice BHA Toner

Charlotte Tilbury Black Friday Beauty Deals:

Charlotte Tilbury has officially entered the Black Friday chat – and honestly, it might be the brand’s best sale yet. This year, Charlotte has dropped up to 50% off her bestselling beauty kits, including plenty of iconic duos that basically work out as “one for you, one for free.” If you’ve been eyeing anything from the brand’s holiday collection or her glow-giving staples, now’s the moment.

As someone who has gone through more bottles of Hollywood Flawless Filter than I care to admit, this sale feels dangerously tempting. The Hollywood Flawless Filter Highlighter Duo is back, and so is the Magic Cream Duo – which is a dream if you want one to gift one to your bestie and one to keep strictly on your shelf. There are also eyeshadow palette duos, toner duos, and pretty much every kind of glow-boosting bundle you could want in the run-up to party season.

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Shani Cohen

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November 14, 2025
Cranberry nails are the ideal holiday transition mani

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On-theme for autumn and beyond.

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Grace McCarty

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November 14, 2025
You're Probably Removing Your Eye Makeup Wrong—Here's How To Tell

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If you carefully tend to the eye area, you don’t want to start off on the wrong foot with a harsh makeup removal.

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November 4, 2025
Nicole Kidman Glows With Clé de Peau Beauté

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“When you get asked to be a part of the best of the best, you say yes,” the seemingly ageless Kidman says of her role of celebrity fav Clé de Peau Beauté

When my bestie, a longtime makeup artist, began to gush recently about the “dewy glow,” the “pure radiance,” of her new favorite foundation, I was a little perplexed. She is not a woman ordinarily given to exclaiming superlatives, nor is she someone who pushes trendy, expensive products, so I paid attention.

The foundation, she revealed, was from the uber luxury skincare line Clé de Peau Beauté, which has long been acclaimed for its scientific approach to radiance. The brand’s name translates from the French as “the key to skin’s beauty.” And this Japanese line from Shiseido has invested in the research and the ingredients to back up their claim since 1982, which is why it has become a sought-after item by Hollywood industry insiders.

So much so that Clé de Peau Beauté has announced a new global ambassador to represent the brand – and the foundation that everyone is talking about, the one with a tony nearly $300 price tag that we have learned is worth every penny – Nicole Kidman.

“I have dry skin that’s slightly reddish and can be sensitized easily,” Kidman explained at a recent event where she announced her partnership with Clé de Peau Beauté. Noriko Watanabe, Kidman’s Japanese makeup artist, turned the versatile actor onto the luxury line beloved in Japan, and with that, the seemingly ageless actor was a new devotee every bit as excited about the foundation as my friend back on the East Coast.

“It was kind of like kismet,” Kidman said of he beauty line. “I love that the quality is so high. You’re dealing with things that have been tested and scientifically proven – and they’re just exquisite. It’s the best of the best. When you get asked to be part of the best of the best, you say yes.”

Nicole Kidman is a devotee to La Crème by Clé de Peau Beauté, and has now become the Japanese luxury skincare and makeup line’s global ambassador
Credit: Denise Kreft

The line has also been involved in philanthropy geared toward empowering women and girls through initiatives like the Clé de Peau Beauté Power of Radiance Awards and through its ongoing global partnership with UNICEF. In May, Clé de Peau Beauté concealer was chosen for a Los Angeles Best of Beauty Award.

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Michele McPhee

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November 1, 2025
How to get M&S’s £330 Beauty Advent Calendar for £60
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Advent season is officially here – and as someone who’s already opened more than I’d like to admit, I can confirm: The M&S beauty advent calendar is always one to watch. Each year, it sells out fast (and for good reason), landing a solid spot in our best beauty advent calendars round-up.

While other popular retailers like LookFantastic, Sephora and Cult Beauty launched their calendars way back in September, Marks & Spencer took its time – but honestly, it’s worth the wait. Their beauty edit is known for being practical, with products you’ll actually use rather than mini shower gels you forget exist by Boxing Day.

This year’s M&S advent calendar is £330 (up by £30 from 2024), and while it’s certainly not the most affordable out there – we’ve spotted a deal that makes it £235 cheaper. If you spend £35 on full-price fashion, homeware or beauty at M&S, you can grab the calendar for £60. That’s surely less than your weekly shop? Practically unheard of.

Why you can trust me:

“I’ve been a beauty writer for over six years, and in that time, I’ve opened, tested and unboxed more advent calendars than I can count. At this point, I know exactly what sets a good one apart from the rest. I look for the calendars filled with products I’ll actually use – not just mini samples or random fillers. Before writing about any of them, I always take a proper deep dive into last year’s version too – checking whether it’s gone up in price, if the value still stacks up, and whether the packaging feels special enough for the cost. I don’t just open them and call it a day; if it’s featured in our best beauty advent calendars list, it’s because it genuinely deserves the spot.” – Shani Cohen, Glamour’s Beauty Commerce Writer.

M&S Beauty Advent Calendar

M&S Advent Calendar 2025, at a glance:

The 2025 design comes in a festive black and gold box created with Bella Freud – it’s chic and definitely on theme, but if I’m honest, last year’s velvet vanity case still wins it for me. That one felt like a proper treat (and basically doubled as a gift in itself) – I still use mine for my toiletries. But packaging aside, it’s what’s inside that counts, and this year’s line-up doesn’t dissapoint.

You get 25 products, hand-picked by M&S’s beauty buyers, including eight full-size favourites (up from six last year). Expect everything from skincare and haircare to a few luxe wellness and fragrance treats. Look away now if you don’t like spoilers…

What’s inside the M&S Beauty Advent Calendar 2025?
- Bloom & Blossom Off to Bed Indulgence Bath Oil – 100ml (full-size)
- Clinique High Impact Mascara – 7ml (full-size)
- Benefit Cosmetics Benetint – 6ml (full-size)
- This Works Deep Sleep Body Cocoon – 100ml (full-size)
- Stila Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eyeliner – Espresso 0.35g (full-size)
- Prai Beauty Ageless Throat & Decolletage Creme Intensive Gold – 30ml
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum – 7ml
- Nails Inc Billie 1-Step Gel It’s Topless Nail Polish – 10ml
- Weleda Skin Food – 30ml
- Color Wow Dream Cocktail Leave-In Thickening Treatment – 50ml
- Cowshed Relax Bath & Shower Gel – 100ml
- Cowshed Body Lotion – 100ml
- L’Occitane Almond Hand & Nail Cream – 30ml
- Emma Hardie Moringa Renewal Treatment Mask – 15ml
- Percy & Reed I Need a Hero! Overnight Recovery Mask – 100ml
- Living Proof Full Shampoo – 60ml
- Living Proof Full Conditioner – 60ml
- NUXE Huile Prodigieuse® Multi-Purpose Dry Oil – 10ml
- Dr. Paw Paw Lip & Eye Balm – 8ml
- Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom – 10ml
- Discover Soft Gardenia – 30ml
- Formula Restore & Nourish Day Cream – 15ml
- Bloom Stainless Steel Gua Sha
- Bloom Large Hair Clip
- Bloom x Handle Recycled Wide Tooth Comb
M&S Beauty Advent Calendar

Yes, it’s an impressive line-up, but there are quite a few familiar faces from last year – Cowshed, L’Occitane, Color Wow, Prai and Dr. Paw Paw all make a return. Not a bad thing (they’re crowd-pleasers for a reason), but it would’ve been nice to see a few newer or more TikTok-trending brands in the mix.
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Shani Cohen

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October 22, 2025
Perrie Edwards on acne, agoraphobia and her pregnancy beauty routine

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When I meet Perrie Edwards, it’s backstage in an empty bar a few hours before an intimate solo performance. She’s dressed in a sheer, electric blue gown that accentuates her baby bump. “Hiya, are we filming?” she asks as she walks through the door, her glam squad in tow. When I shake my head she grins, kicks off her four-inch platform shoes and settles on the sofa, curling her bare feet underneath her as if this is just a cosy chat between girlfriends.

That’s the thing about Perrie. Despite a stratospheric career in the band Little Mix, which became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, and a successful debut solo album, she still has an infectious girl-next-door charm.

Perrie is funny, relatable and completely unfiltered – whether she’s talking about motherhood (Perrie is mum to four-year-old Axel and is expecting a second child) or her battle with acne, which is why she is CeraVe’s ambassador for their Stop The Pop, Rock The Patch campaign.

Here Perrie Edwards speaks to Glamour about skin, self-care and empowerment…

When I was in Little Mix, I would sleep in my makeup and then just go over it in the morning – no wonder my skin was atrocious…

Growing up I never had bad skin. It was more that I just hated my skin. I was very freckly, so I was very insecure. Nobody around me had freckles, so I was the odd one out and I felt really ugly as a kid. And then, as I started to get older, I was like, “No, they are so nice and I need to embrace them and now I love my freckles.”

But then I started to get spotty. It was more when I was in the band and maybe down to the amount of makeup I was wearing. It was a vicious cycle because the more spotty I got, the more I wanted to put concealer on and then there were the different time zones, lack of sleep, all of that.

It was crazy. We used to have scheduled glam for four hours, so if we had an 8:00am start, it was a 4:00am start for us. Me and the girls would sleep with our makeup on because our schedule was so intense. I could wake up the next day, have touchups and go to work, but have a few more hours sleep.

Now I never sleep with makeup on. Your skin can’t heal when it’s got a full blanket on, can it? The Lancôme makeup remover is a godsend and it’s so gentle when I’ve got a full face of makeup on. I soak a cleansing sponge in it as it kind of sucks all the makeup away. Then I’ll use my CeraVe oil cleanser.

CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser

Lancôme Bi-Facil Makeup Remover

I used to feel like I needed to whack the makeup on to feel pretty…

It was a phase, as well, because trends change, makeup changes and what was cool isn’t cool anymore. I love that girls today are stepping out with lovely tinted moisturised faces and their spot stickers on.

This whole ‘clean girl aesthetic’ is probably my favourite because I just love not having to try as hard. In the mornings I’m useless. I just cleanse and then use my CeraVe spot stickers. They’re so good and once they’re on, you can’t even see them, which is fantastic.

Mike Marsland/Getty Images

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Fiona Embleton

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October 20, 2025
The ‘Blood Moon manicure’ is the perfect antidote to nude nails this winter

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Burgundy and chocolate shades sing a particular siren song at this time of year when thoughts go to a wintery nail reset. Enter the ‘Blood Moon manicure’, a nail trend that marries both popular polish hues together and has the same DNA as a chocolate cherry manicure.

Better yet, Selena Gomez has just co-signed it as the sophisticated alternative to nude nails this winter. In an Instagram post on 16 October, the star’s go-to manicurist Tom Bachik posted a picture of Selena with the accompanying caption: “Blood Moon Mani for @selenagomez x @fortunepmw ‘Most Powerful Women’ Conference ♥️💅🏼 #nailsbytombachik”.

25 brown nails to try this autumn, from espresso to dark chocolate

By Fiona Embleton, Elle Turner and Dominic Cadogan

On closer inspection, Selena can be seen sporting a nail look that’s a million miles away from the blush-toned, ‘angel nails’ she wore for her wedding. Mimicking the dramatic red glow of an actual Blood Moon – when the Moon looks red after orbiting through the Earth’s shadow – Selena’s nails look a distinct oxblood colour with a touch of mahogany shot through it. Think of it as being like a neutral burgundy, if you will, which also makes it appealing to minimalist manicure lovers.

How to create a DIY ‘Blood Moon manicure’:

US nail brand Apres Nails famously has a gel nail polish shade named Blood Moon, which Tom used to create Selena’s manicure, slicking the polish onto coffin tips before applying his own brand of clear gel polish over the top.

This new riff on an autumnal burgundy nail has exploded on social media and while the brand Apres Nails isn’t available in the UK, good Blood Moon-inspired polishes include Manucurist’s Green Nail Polish In Hollyhock and Dior’s Vernis Nail Polish in 047 Nuit 1947 with a slick of OPI Top Coat over the top for a super shiny, expensive-looking finish.

Manucurist Green Nail Polish in Hollyhock

Dior Vernis Nail Polish in 047 Nuit 1947

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in 155 Rouge Noir

Essie Nail Lacquer in Shearling Darling Dark Burgundy

Nailberry L’Oxygéné Oxygenated Nail Lacquer in Noirberry

Another iteration of the ‘Blood Moon manicure’ that is being popularised on TikTok is an aura nails effect – a mani that features a burst of diffused colour starting from the centre of your nail – which lends the whole look witchy vibes.

TikToker @lightslacquer provided a simple DIY hack for how to create this look, which involves dipping a sponge in water and then adding an oval-shaped dot of oxblood red nail polish to the centre of the sponge. She then circles around it with black polish before dabbing the sponge onto her nails and finishing with a slick of topcoat.

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Fiona Embleton

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October 19, 2025
19 Next-Gen beautycreatives to follow this Black History Month

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Happy Black History Month!

Five years after 2020’s global reckoning, Black creatives all over the world are finding that progress towards a more representative future has slowed – and in some instances started to backslide.

While the month is a time for celebration, it’s also an important time to reflect on how we can use our voices to improve the quality of life for Black people around us – in both our personal and professional relationships – to make space for and uplift them. Not to mention, opening your purse to support Black-owned brands.

For Black people, it’s a great time to shout about our successes, highlight those who helped us get there and wedge the door open behind us to allow for another generation of young Black creatives to find their own success in the future.

With that said, we’ve rounded up 19 of our favourite Next-Gen Black creatives that you need to know about this Black History Month to find out their current beauty obsessions, how they’re navigating the industry right now and their favourite Black beauty rituals. Scroll on to find out more.

Nail technician and creative artist

What is the landscape like for Black beauty creatives right now, and how are you navigating it?

Black creatives are thriving in the beauty industry right now. We’re becoming more aware of the influence and impact we have not just culturally, but economically too. Black consumers invest heavily in beauty, from hair and makeup to nails, which naturally creates more opportunities for growth and representation within the industry.

For me, navigating this space has felt quite organic because I lead with authenticity. I’m intentional about sharing both my highs and my lows, which then helps people connect with the real journey behind the work. Collaboration is also a huge part of what I do. I love educating others about my craft and building genuine relationships with my audience and peers, because that’s where true growth and community happen.

What are your current beauty obsessions?

Sol De Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Butter is a current fave of mine, the smell is divine!

Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil is another favourite of mine. It leaves my face feeling soft and looking healthy thanks to the collagen.

What is your favourite Black beauty ritual?

Doing my nails is a huge Black beauty ritual for me. It’s my favourite thing to do because getting my nails done regularly is a form of self-expression and empowerment. I love using bold colours, intricate designs and embellishments that celebrate creativity and individuality.

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Dominic Cadogan

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October 16, 2025
‘Scent snacking’ is on the rise – is diet culture coming for your perfume now?

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All of which feels like a recalibration of the viral video showing Kourtney Kardashian inhaling greedy lungfuls of a doughnut, while saying, “I can’t eat this, but how exciting to smell it”. Or the woman sniffing a chocolate bar as if it’s a line of cocaine before spooning broccoli into her mouth.

What about the effect of Ozempic?

There’s something else to consider, too: the rise in dessert-inspired fragrances is also happening alongside the increased use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

“GLP-1 medications act on multiple parts of the brain, including areas involved in reward, appetite and emotional regulation,” says Olivia Jezler, founder of Future of Smell and an expert in scent technology, who is currently studying this phenomenon. “These areas also play a role in how we process scent. Many people say they became addicted to fragrances, especially sweet ones. For some, gourmand perfumes seem to offer a kind of symbolic comfort and a way to feel indulgent without eating.”

A lot of this comes down to the feel-good chemical dopamine. Eating sweet foods essentially activates our brain’s reward system, leading to the temporary release of dopamine. Smelling something sweet has a similar effect on the brain, according to a study by the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet.

Dopamine also kicks in when we smell something comforting – a connection that might be broken when someone is on weight-loss jabs and avoiding sugary comfort food, Olivia notes. For some people, gourmand scents are stepping in and filling that dopamine void.

Alice, who was prescribed the Mounjaro jab a year ago, admits: “I’ve noticed that my perfume preferences have really changed. Approximately two months in, I noticed a tangible need for very strong, very decadent and very luxurious gourmand fragrances. Specifically, almond and vanilla ones that smell like billionaire pudding trolleys.”

But can you really sniff yourself thin?

You’re probably wondering, can a perfume really replace food? We know that something significant happens in the brain when we catch a whiff of food. “Smelling food before eating it impacts our sensory experience,” says Thibaud Crivelli, founder and creative director of Maison Crivelli perfumes, which is why we start salivating when, for example, we smell a chocolate cake in the oven.

All smells are also processed in the part of our brain that controls emotions and memories. So the smell of that chocolate cake may trigger feelings of joy as you remember baking with your grandma as a child.

Anything more should be taken with a pinch of salt, says Amanda Carr, a trend forecaster and co-founder of the fragrance platform We Wear Perfume. “If the body can be ‘satisfied’ by getting its hit of nostalgic comfort from a sweet smell, then great. But it’s a whole lot more complex than replacing food with fragrance.”

Dr Lara Zibarras, a psychologist and food freedom coach, also worries about the dangerous precedent this idea of replacing food with fragrance sets. “It reinforces the message that hunger is something we should suppress, and that pleasure from food is something to avoid or feel guilty about,” she notes.

The real appeal of sweet, buttery gourmand fragrances

As a beauty editor who has smelt hundreds of fragrances during her career, I can vouch for the fact that there’s so much to love about gourmand perfumes when the focus is on indulging your senses rather than denying them.

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Fiona Embleton

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October 12, 2025
10 SS26 beauty trends from fashion week that you can easily replicate

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And just like that… fashion month is over. Dubbed the ‘Great Reset’ – thanks to exciting debuts at Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Dior, Loewe, and Chanel – the SS26 beauty trends were equally exciting.

While the runway is usually home to some of the more outlandish beauty looks, we’ve distilled down everything from the shows at the New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks to share our favourites from the season and the looks we think you’ll be seeing everywhere next spring.

From Bubblegum Lips and Vanilla Gloss nails to Cherub Skin and Boho Hair, scroll on to read about the SS26 beauty trends across makeup, hair, nails and more that you can actually achieve yourself.

Toffee Apple Lips

At Haider Ackermann’s second show for Tom Ford, the designer turned the sex dial up to eleven. Perfectly timed for the fast-approaching spooky season, makeup artist Lucy Bridge – who was just announced as the brand’s global makeup artist – gave models a lacquered red lip, sleek and shiny like a toffee apple. Ultra kissable, the lip was achieved using a layered approach for a long-lasting effect. To get it yourself, start with Tom Ford Lip Colour Matte in Velvet Cherry, followed by Tom Ford Slim Lip Colour Shine in Scarlett Rouge and finish with Tom Ford Gloss Luxe in 01 Disclosure for a high shine finish.

Tom Ford Lip Colour Matte – Velvet Cherry

Tom Ford Slim Lip Colour Shine – Scarlett Rouge

Tom Ford Gloss Luxe lip gloss – 01 Disclosure

~Save when you shop with these LookFantastic discount codes at Selfridges discount codes at checkout.~

Vanilla Gloss Nails

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Dominic Cadogan

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October 9, 2025
I’ve covered Prime Day deals for six years – here are my top beauty picks

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If beauty isn’t your go-to (no judgment, promise), there’s plenty more to explore – from homeware to fashion and everything in between. Check out Glamour’s full guide to the best Amazon Prime Day deals here.

When is Amazon Prime Day 2025?

It’s happening right now. Amazon Prime Day 2025 officially kicked off at 00:00am on Tuesday 7 October and runs right through until 11:59pm on Wednesday 8 October. That’s two full days of deals across beauty, fashion, tech and home.

Just a heads-up: Prime Day deals are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. Membership costs £8.99 a month, but if you’re new to Prime, there’s a free trial to get you started. Ahead, the best Amazon Prime Day deals, I’ve personally selected on day one. You’re welcome.

Save even more when you shop the Amazon Prime Day beauty deals with these Amazon discount codes at checkout.

How we test beauty at GLAMOUR:

Our editors – and a team of carefully -selected specialist freelance journalists – test all of the products we feature in real-life settings – rather than in a studio, on set or in a lab. We take beauty products home, test them as part of our everyday lives, and aim to give our readers honest and realistic reviews of them as a result.

When GLAMOUR tests a new beauty product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients and scrutinise brand claims. You can find out more about how we test makeup, haircare, tools, perfume, skincare and devices over on our dedicated. About Us page.

Georgia Trodd, GLAMOUR’s Senior Commerce Writer, reviews the bestselling La Roche-Posay sunscreen.

Shani Cohen, GLAMOUR’s Beauty Writer has ditched her foundation for this e.l.f. skin tint.

BRAND SPOTLIGHT: Best Amazon Prime Day Medik8 Deals

Medik8’s bestselling Crystal Retinal Eye Cream is one of the brand’s bestsellers.

Medik8 products are always worth the investment, especially when they’re on offer. Right now, the C-Tetra Vitamin C serum is reduced for Prime Day – a lightweight, glow-boosting essential that suits all skin types. Also included in the sale is the brand’s bestselling Hydr8 B5 hyaluronic acid serum, packed with vitamin B5, soy extract and antioxidant-rich Saskatoon berry to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.

According to Glamour’s Beauty Commerce Writer Shani Cohen, “Whenever people ask me what my favourite skincare brand is, I always say Medik8 — and I’ve tested my fair share. I swear by the Crystal Retinal. It’s my all-time favourite and the one product I recommend to everyone.” You can read our full Crystal Retinal review here.

Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C Face Moisturiser

Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP

Best Amazon Prime Day 2025 K-Beauty deals

If you’re into skincare that delivers serious results without overcomplicating things, K-beauty is always a good place to look – and some of our go-to Korean skincare brands included in our guides to Korean sunscreens, Korean eye creams, Korean moisturisers and Korean face masks are on sale.

Looking for a viral K-beauty tool? There’s an impressive discount on the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro – now £142 down from £220.

Condé Nast

Medicube Age-R Booster Pro

Lot’s of the best COSRX products are also reduced – including the COSRX’s Snail 96 Mucin Essence which injects so much glow.

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

BEAUTY OF JOSEON Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum Rice + Alpha-Arbutin

ANUA Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil,

Elsewhere, Beauty of Joseon and Haruharu are great for hydration and barrier support. TIRTIR is also in the mix, and if you’ve seen their Red Cushion Foundation or Milk Skin Rice Toner all over TikTok, now’s your chance to try them for less. We’ve also spotted a discount on our favourite Medicube Wrapping Mask, which GLAMOUR’s Shani Cohen has tried and tested – read her full Medicube Wrapping Mask review here.

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner

Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask

TIRTIR Natural Ceramide Cream

Best Amazon Prime Day 2025 SPF deals:

Shani Cohen has been loving Ultra Violette’s Super Supreme Screen this summer.

Face sunscreens might not be the most exciting step in your routine, but it’s easily the most important – especially if long-term skin health is on your radar. Whether you go for a tinted formula or something shine-controlling, there are a few tried-and-tested favourites we always come back to.

Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Brightening Fluid

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted SPF50

Two worth knowing about? La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid Tinted SPF50+, which gives just enough coverage to even out your skin tone while feeling weightless, and Eucerin’s Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream SPF50+, ideal if you’re prone to oiliness or breakouts. Both layer seamlessly under makeup, offer high UVA/UVB protection, and are currently discounted – so if you take your skincare seriously, now’s a great time to stock up.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Anti-UV Fluid SPF 50+

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion

Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream Dry Touch SPF 50+

More Amazon Prime Day 2025 skincare deals

Denise testing Murad’s Resurgence Retinol Renewal Serum.

Georgia Trodd using Elizabeth Arden’s Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules.

Retinol is that not-so-secret skincare ingredient that’s known as one of the most effective actives. If you’re after a quality retinol serum, Medik8 Crystal Retinal is a superior choice which is often recommended by board-certified dermatologists across our guides.

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Denise Primbet, Shani Cohen

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October 7, 2025
25 brown nails to try this autumn, from espresso to dark chocolate

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Any beauty obsessive worth their salt knows that brown nails have been a runaway success – not just for this season, but the season before that (and the one before that, too).

A classic in its own right, brown has always offered a softer alternative to black, whether it’s mascara, eyeliner or nail polish. Not to mention that it provides a gentle neutral that feels less harsh and a lot more warm across deep to fair skin tones. Add to that the fact that it’s timeless (and seasonless), and you have yourself a beauty triple-threat. It brings warmth with tan and bronze shades in spring-summer but also cosiness with mochas and deep chocolates in autumn-winter.

At the end of last summer, latte makeup (then latte nails) took off, with monochromatic brown makeup looks and glossy brown manis taking centre stage. Of course, the shade is headlining again for autumn, but through winter and heading out into spring, it’s set to remain a top contender.

So, from milk chocolate to a more mahogany-toned dark chocolate, brown nails are going nowhere. You can use it as a blanket colour over almond-shaped nails or to play up French tips, marble swirls and negative space. Even the emerging trend for patent nails is embracing chocolate hues, albeit an ultra-shiny, lacquered iteration characterised by a hard-shell finish that’s as pretty as it is chip-resistant.

Here’s 25 of our fave brown nails to give you some inspiration for your autumn manicure and the nail polish we’ll be buying to achieve them.

Essie Original Nail Polish 897 No to Do

Mylee Cat Eye Gel Nail Polish – Spell

The GelBottle Duchess Magnetic Nail Polish

OPI Infinite Shine Gel-Like Lacquer Nail Polish – Not Afraid Of The Dark

Mylee Birthday Suit Gel Polish

Manucurist Green™ Natural Nail Polish – Chestnut

Sephora Collection Nail Polish – 902 Bronze Shine

Mylee Gel Nail Polish – Caramel

Brown polka dot nails

We told you in the summer that polka dot nails were going to be everywhere and they’re not going anywhere for autumn. An alternative to the classic black and white colour combo, a brown base with white dots is a cute twist on the trend.

Brown cat-eye nails

Another one of 2025’s biggest nail trends, mesmerising cat-eye nails are perfect for brown nails. Go dark or lighten things up with the golden undertones in this set.

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Fiona Embleton, Elle Turner, Dominic Cadogan

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September 24, 2025
‘Omg Stilla at dollar tree is crazy’: Ohio customer finds Sephora brands at Dollar Tree. Then she exposes the trick for spotting them

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While shopping at discount stores, you may find undiscovered treasures on the shelves, especially in the beauty section. Sometimes, they’re hidden in plain sight. A shopping enthusiast urges more than 87,000 viewers to run to their local Dollar Tree after revealing several name-brand beauty products at her store.

What did the content creator unearth at Dollar Tree?

Ohio-based TikToker Melissa Houser (@mhouser12) dedicates her account to sharing secret Dollar Tree finds.

“Sephora makeup is back in at the Dollar Tree. You’re gonna wanna run,” she whispers discreetly.

First, she unveils the Stilla lip gloss, with ‘Lipstick’ printed, dangling from a wall-mounted shelf. “The Stilla brand is back in. They got the lip glosses and the eyeshadows, and the matte lipsticks,” she says. “They’re gonna be in these packages.”

Next, she moves to JOAH Endless Lip Color on the same rack.

“These are brand new. I’ve never seen them before,” the content creator states.

When Houser spotted a four-pack makeup brush on the bottom rack, she gasped. “This is why you want to check the bottom shelves,” she explains. “They’re starting to get their makeup brushes back in.”

Afterward, she lifts a bottle of Clean Color Pro Prep & Prime spray. “This is new. The Clean Color brand is great,” she says.

Although this isn’t a makeup item, the bargain finder spots a two-piece lipstick holder in clear packaging. “You can put your favorite lip gloss on there. That’s kind of cool,” she remarks.

Then, Houser skims the beauty shelf, hunting for a specific product. Once she sees it, she grabs an Onyx Bathhouse Bath Gift Set from one of the bottom shelves.

“Do not sleep on this little bath set,” she advises. “These makeup clothes alone usually sell for ten or fifteen bucks.”

Hanging off a wall shelf is a 4-in-1 Perfector from Maybelline. “They got Maybelline in. I heard that this Perfecter is really good,” she says.

From there, she reveals Keep Growing makeup blenders, Daisy + Chic Makeup, and Brush Cleaner Bowl. Furthermore, she finds a small bottle of Monday shampoo, which she calls “a good brand,” Freeman Hydrating Body Scrub, a couple of Spathecary makeup wipes, Pop Sugar Bath Enhancers, and an Onyx Bathhouse Champagne Wishes Bubble Bath.

What did viewers think?

Many couldn’t believe Dollar Tree sold mainstream products.

“Omg Stilla at dollar tree is crazy,” one viewer commented.

“Maybeline at the dollar tree is crazy,” another echoed.

Moreover, others mourned that their local discount retailer didn’t stock these types of products.

“My Dollar Tree barely has toilet paper in stock,” one viewer remarked.

“Mine never has the good stuff,” a second stated.

“My dollar store has literally nothing! It is the absolute worst,” a third agreed.

Why does Dollar Tree sell name-brand beauty supplies?

According to Reader’s Digest, Dollar Tree purchases outdated and liquidated merchandise from other retailers. Instead of keeping them in the original packaging, the discount retailer sells the product under its own name. As a result, this tactic enables them to keep their prices low. Additionally, this is why you may discover brand-name items masquerading in plain sight. Because the discount chain frequently updates its inventory, these products may be even more difficult to find.

@mhouser12 #dollartree #dollartreefinds #dollartreehaul #dollartreedupe #dupes ♬ original sound – Melissa Houser

The Mary Sue reached out to Houser via email and TikTok comment as well as Dollar Tree via press email.

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Melody Heald

Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, The Daily Dot, and more. You can email her at: [email protected]

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Melody Heald

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September 18, 2025