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What No One Tells You About Injectables

Injectables can be a tricky topic, due in part to the fact that everyone has an opinion about them — and is willing to share it. (For proof, take a quick scroll through the comments section of just about any celeb Instagram selfie. Sigh.) But while the world is so quick to play the guessing game of “did she” or “didn’t she” when it comes to others’ cosmetic pursuits, we often shy away from discussing our own. Maybe it’s because we want to keep our beauty secrets just that — secret. Or maybe it’s because less than 40% of us are comfortable talking about our options with healthcare specialists in the first place. But we believe that you can do whatever you want with your face — after all, it’s your face — and have the necessary conversations to make an informed decision about it. 

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like While cosmetic tweaks are a very personal choice, it’s important to get into the nitty-gritty with your doctor before taking the plunge. The world of wrinkle-fighting and plumping injectables can get overwhelming fast, especially if it’s your first time considering going under the needle. So, we talked to experts to find out the most important questions to ask when you show up for the consultation. Whether you’re interested in a between-the-brow, frown-line-relaxing neurotoxin, like Dysport*, or curious about plumping your lips, don’t forget to ask the six questions ahead.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body *Dysport is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age. Please read full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Warning, here.

Paid for by Dysport.

Depending on your state’s law, you can go to a plastic surgeon, nurse practitioner, or dermatologist for injections. But not all of them are created equal. Some specialize in, say, skin cancer, while others focus on cosmetic procedures. Obviously, going to the latter (often called cosmetic or aesthetic dermatologists) is the right move for injections. “There are so many treatment options these days,” explains Dr. Frank. “Patients should go to someone who has experience in all the injectables out there.” And since practice makes perfect — clichéd but, in this case, totally true — finding a doc who uses injectables 24/7 ensures you get the most natural-looking result.

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone?

*Please see full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning, on first slide.

We can get down with a budget — but now is not the time to score a great deal. Crazy discounts or buy-two-injections-get-one-free offers sound tempting, but there’s usually a reason they’re so cheap. Sometimes, the doctor in question may be less experienced or not even board-certified. Does that really matter? Yes, since you risk not getting the result you want, which is a big deal when your face is on the line. “There’s definitely an artistry behind the needles,” says Marina Peredo, MD, a dermatologist in Smithtown, NY. “Don’t chase the lower price.” Being board-certified is a standard qualification among dermatologists and an easy way to confirm that you’re in good hands.

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While some branded injections don’t require an introduction, there are a ton of perfectly good ones you might have never heard of before. Bottom line: It’s not like one type is better than the other, so ask your doctor about which injection is right for you. “There are so many options, but there’s no ‘best,’” says NYC-based cosmetic dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, MD. Different injections just offer different things, whether that’s the areas they treat or how long they last. There are also quite a few treatments that fall under the injectables category. Here’s what should be on your radar: 

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Scars Botulinum toxin injections: Also known as a neurotoxin, these basically relax the muscles and facial expressions to soften the look of deep lines. Dysport, for instance, is botulinum toxin, and it softens the frown lines between your eyebrows. The result is smoother skin that looks natural, not frozen. Hyaluronic acid filler: Its namesake is the star of this show, since hyaluronic acid can carry up to 1,000 times its weight in water to plump and smooth skin. These fillers can be used in the cheeks, around the mouth, and in the lips (where they even have a hydrating effect). Polylactic acid filler: A type of filler known as a stimulator, polylactic acid kick-starts your body’s production of collagen to fill out laugh lines. Since it works by harnessing your body’s own collagen-creating process, the effects take longer to show than with other fillers.

Like any other medical procedure, there are risks involved with injectables, like bruising, bleeding, and, more rarely, scarring. The odds are pretty slim, but they’re there. “Be cautious of doctors who promise too much,” warns Dr. Frank. That includes those who are quick to tell you that there’s no downtime. With injectables, you can be sure of three things, according to Dr. Frank: There are risks, there’s recovery involved, and there’s no treatment out there that instantly makes things disappear. Since the post-procedure care varies depending on the type of injection you received (botulinum toxin injections require minimal recovery, for example), be sure to get the full 411 from your doctor, first.

Related: Banish Blackheads With These Tricks

We know, we know: We’re raining on your injectables parade. But insurance companies usually won’t cover them, so if you have a budget, it’s essential to get an estimate of the cost before making the appointment. In many cases, the standard pricing of injectables is by the unit, though some doctors price them according to the area of the face. The average cost of injectables ranges anywhere from $200 (for a small area) to $1,500 (complex fillers), depending on where you live and what you need. Is it an investment? Definitely. But is it worth it? That’s one question you’ll need to ask yourself.

Here’s the thing: Unless you happen to be an injection wizard, you’re not going to have an expert understanding of which tweaks will have the most payoff. So even if the little crease near your right eye is driving you nuts, it may not necessarily be the top priority for your doctor. “I always ask my patients what they want — but I’m also going to tell them what I think they need,” says Dr. Frank. Obviously, you can (and should!) point out what’s bugging you, but it’s better to hold off until after the doc has offered his or her perspective.

By: Deanna Pai

[refinery29yahoo]

12 Beauty Buys With Serious Results — But One Really Big Catch

PHOTOGRAPHED BY AMELIA ALPAUGH.

Getting everything you want all the time would be nice, but unless your name is Veruca Salt (and even she paid the price eventually), life is a series of trade-offs. You resist the urge to start a post-debate Facebook fight with your second cousin in order to maintain your sanity — and the peace at Thanksgiving. You buy a flight that departs at 5 a.m. because it’s $200 cheaper than the rest. You hold your breath and slap on a mask that smells like hydrogen sulfide because nothing else gives you glowy, baby-angel skin quite like it. 

Related: Under-$20 Makeup Tools The Pros Actually Swear By

Yes, we wish everything in our makeup bags and medicine cabinets smelled like roses and citrus and coconuts — or like nothing at all — but, sometimes, great results come by way of not-so-great-smelling ingredients (or packaging). Ahead, our editors share the beauty products with benefits that far outweigh their odors.

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne

“This candy-scented mask reeks of Skittles, but I LOVE the effects. It makes my skin even and plump — like I just came from a facial.” — Cat Quinn, beauty director

GlamGlow GravityMud Firming Treatment, $69, available at Sephora.

Related: The Biggest Beauty Trends To Know For Fall

“This smells like the frozen daiquiri you order from a swim-up bar at Club Med. But if you can get past the smell and the memories of spring break it brings back, it’s one of the best hair texturizers out there.” — Megan McIntyre, beauty features director

Tigi Bed Head Manipulator, $15.18, available at Walmart.

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone?

“Beauty products are best when they work instantly — and Ren’s mask refreshes your face and gives you a glow in 60 seconds. But, as I learned the first time I used this during a particularly bad hangover, it smells like rotten eggs (or sulfur), thanks to the vitamin C. So while it helped my skin, it really did a number on my stomach.” — Maria Del Russo, beauty editor

Ren Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial, $48, available at Sephora.

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like

“I can’t quite pinpoint WTF it smells like — dirt? potted plants? — but I’ve fallen so in love with this hydrating, oil-free elixir that I’ve almost convinced myself I like its, uh, earthy scent.” — Kelsey Castañon, beauty news editor 

Caudalíe Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Defense Serum, $62, available at Sephora.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body 

“I’m just going to come right out and say it: Kylie’s Lip Kits are the best liquid lipsticks on the market. They stick to your lips without clumping and come in colors I actually want to wear. The only downfall? They smell like expired baked goods.” — Maria Del Russo

Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kit in Mary Jo K, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

“This spray smells like pure vinegar — not exactly pleasing to most — but it brightens hair without a ton of chemicals or a salon visit. It’s strongest right after you spray it, but it is VERY subtle once it dries down. And after one wash, the scent is gone!” — Lexy Lebsack, West Coast beauty editor  

Christophe Robin Brightening Hair Finish Lotion with Fruit Vinegar, $48, available at Sephora.

“I really, really adore this moisturizer, but the scent is too waxy for my taste. The results I see on my skin are fabulous, but getting there isn’t as pleasant.” — Samantha Sasso, beauty assistant

Glossier Priming Moisturizer, $25, available at Glossier.

“This product smells like beef jerky, but I don’t care — the brightening, smoothing effect it has on my skin after using it every night is wellworth it.” — Kelsey Castañon

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $163, available at SkinCeuticals.

“I already knew this didn’t smell great, but I didn’t know the extent until an ex-boyfriend complained and scooted away from me in bed one night. It’s sort of like sulfur mixed with flowers, but nothing has made my acne clear up faster. Plus, it’s the easiest, gentlest way to use retinol.” — Maria Del Russo

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil, $105, available at Sephora.

“These bold lipsticks make me feel like a queen, specifically the metallic shades, but the smell is overwhelming — like burnt latex. It’s probably because the formulas are free of synthetic fragrances, which is a good thing, Iknow.” — Samantha Sasso

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Belladonna, $16, available at OCC Makeup.

“This toner is perfect in its simplicity. It’s a great step to add post-cleansing and really helps ensure you got all the day’s gunk off your face. The scent leaves something to be desired, though. It’s more apple-cider vinegar than anything else — a sour, tangy scent that sticks to your face long after you’ve used it.” — Maria Del Russo

S.W. Basics Toner, $22, available at Target.

“Tan Towel is the best at-home self-tanner, but the brand doesn’t even try to mask the DHA smell like other companies do. I stink when I put it on, and even sweat out a toasty DHA odor for the next two days. But to me, that’s better than having streaky lines, a weird hue, or orange palms. I’ve been using them for five years.” — Cat Quinn

Tan Towel Self-Tan Towelette, $27, available at Ulta Beauty.

By: Alix Tunell

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The Only Makeup-Brush Cheat Sheet You'll Ever Need

We say it time and time again: often, it’s not what makeup you have on your face, but how you apply it. That’s why your brushes and tools can have a huge impact on the end result. We’re talking the difference between a streaky finish and flawless lines and edges. Of course, no one ever said it was easy to lock down your squad. Finding your foolproof brushes is a challenge, since there’s no right brush for everyone.

Related: Under-$20 Makeup Tools The Pros Actually Swear By How do you navigate the world of beauty tools when it seems as if there’s a new option every time you hit the store? Fret not, because we’ve put together this handy-dandy cheat sheet to bookmark — and consult before adding anything to your cart!

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Scars

Ahead, a quick guide to the basics of makeup brushes: What are the most popular options typically used for? What shapes are most effective for different formulas? Plus, other important tips. Of course, feel free to get creative and forge your own path — this is just a reference point to get you started.

Related: The Internet Is Freaking Out About This Beautyblender Hair Hack

For Liquid Foundations & Creams

1. The Flat Foundation Brush

This common brush is a go-to tool for many. It applies base evenly, allowing you to build coverage as you see fit. The best part? The application is just like painting with a paintbrush.

2. The Pointed Foundation Brush

A smaller brush, often with a tapered point, is great for a more detailed application of foundation and concealer, especially around your nose and mouth.

3. The Duo-Fiber Stippling Brush

For an airbrushed effect, a duo-fiber brush, often with white synthetic strands peeking out, is great for gently buffing product onto skin. Squeeze some foundation or cream into your hand, tap the white brushes into it, and lightly tap and blend the cream onto your skin.

4. The Concealer Brush

Think of this as a denser, smaller, pointed foundation brush. A stiff concealer brush is the most precise tool of these four, meant to apply cream or liquid concealer in small amounts, making any red spots or bumps disappear.

Keep scrolling to shop our picks…

Related: The Biggest Beauty Trends To Know For Fall

Perfectly flat and wide, for a smooth, even finish. Make Up For Ever Large Foundation Brush, $36. Shop it here.

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This option from Sonia Kashuk is great for getting into the areas around your nose. Sonia Kashuk Core Tools Synthetic Pointed Foundation Brush, $12.99. Shop it here.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body 

A duo-fiber brush for less than five bucks? Sounds impossible, but this version gives you a smooth, airbrushed look. E.L.F. Stipple Brush, $4. Shop it here.

A classic concealer brush will magically cover any blemish. Shiseido Concealer Brush, $20. Shop it here.

For Powders

1. Angled Contour Brush

You know how to get a precise, flattering contour? By using this brush, with an angled edge to emphasize those cheekbones with highlighter, blush, or bronzer.

2. Fan Brush

Fan brushes are excellent at creating soft-focus swipes of highlighter, blush, and even bronzer. These gently diffuse powder, resulting in sheer coverage.

3. Domed Blusher Brush

A fluffy, domed brush is great for applying color to the apples of your cheeks — and blending, too.

4. Tapered Blush Brush

A tapered blush brush is both fluffy and precise, with a flatter edge than a domed brush. This means more specific application of color, which you can build up, too.

Keep scrolling to shop our picks…

A soft, vegan blush brush that feels luxe and applies blush and bronzer like a dream. Antonym Contour Brush #3, $22. Shop it here.

Use this option to gently sweep on a wash of highlighter. Sonia Kashuk Core Tools Duo Fibre Fan Brush No. 129, $7.99 Shop it here.

For a perfectly flushed look, apply color to the apples of your cheeks and blend up and out. Sonia Kashuk Domed Blusher Brush No. 29, $17.99. Shop it here.

These strands pick up just the right amount of color for a soft flush, which is great for a pop of natural-looking color of the apples of your cheeks. Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection Tapered Blush Brush, $19. Shop it here.

For Both Powders, Liquids & Creams: The Kabuki Brush Kabuki brushes, which originated in Japan, are incredibly versatile. Made for overall coverage, these brushes are large, fluffy, and quite cute. Thanks to their size, kabuki brushes are great for applying liquid, cream, and powders — and blending them in over large surfaces. For liquid, simply tap the makeup onto your face with your fingers where you need coverage before using the brush to swirl and buff until it disappears into skin. For powder, tap the brush in the powder, give it a quick shake, and apply as you see fit. Use a light touch for a natural, airbrushed effect. Keep scrolling to shop our picks…

A flat, soft edge gives this brush a light touch. Sisley-Paris Phyto-Touches Brush, $40. Shop it here.

For blending, opt for this short and sweet version. Tarte Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush, $28. Shop it here.

For Eyeshadow

1. Shading Brush

A wide, flat brush is great for applying powder eyeshadow all over your eyelids, evenly distributing the color.

2. Blending Brush

For major blending power, look for a soft, fluffy blush that can seamlessly blend pigment.

3. Precision Brush

For statement lines of color, reach for a small precision brush, with tightly packed hairs. These small, versatile tools are great for a variety of looks: Smudging your pencil liner, swiping on lines of eyeshadow, and tapping on an accent color.

4. Crease Brush

These brushes can go either way — super fluffy for blending, or denser for precision. The tapered point makes it easier to get into the crease, which makes it incredibly versatile.

Keep scrolling to shop our picks…

With a short, rounded top, this eye shading brush is perfect for a base layer of eyeshadow. Think: an everyday wash of color. Sigma Eye Shading Brush, $16. Shop it here.

You could opt for a classic domed, fluffy brush to check this box, or try the blogger-fave Artis brush. Blend out the crease with this cult classic for a killer smoky eye. Artis Oval 3 Brush, $40. Shop it here.

For more, visit Refinery29. 

By: Jessica Chou

[refinery29yahoo]

10 Skin Products Every City Girl Needs

At this point, we all know daily SPF is crucial for protecting our skin against the damaging and aging effects of the sun — even when it’s raining or we’re indoor cube-dwellers. But there’s another element you should be guarding against with equal vigor: pollution. Smog, car exhaust, and cigarette smoke are just a few of the damage-inducing culprits. “Whenever pollution comes in contact with your skin, it goes beyond just the surface,” says Whitney Bowe, MD, NYC-based dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. “Tiny particles get into the deeper layers of the epidermis, causing inflammation, dehydration, uneven skin tone, dark spots, and wrinkling. Plus, pollution breaks down collagen and the skin’s lipid layer, which compromises the barrier function.”

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Country mouses can breathe a mini sigh of relief, because city slickers are more at risk. Studies show that urbanites, as opposed to those who live in rural areas, are more likely to develop brown spots and uneven pigmentation. Which is not to say that if you don’t notice the aforementioned marks, you’re in the clear. “Pollution can damage your skin at any age, even when you’re young, because it can cause irritation, pimples, dehydration, and impact radiance,” says Muriel Pujos, director of scientific communication for Philosophy. So what’s a girl to do? “A good strategy is eating highly colored fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and creator of Sea Radiance Skincare, who cites red beans, blueberries, kidney beans, pinto beans, cranberries, artichoke hearts, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries as great options. A daily antioxidant supplement is another choice.

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone? Another easy and effective strategy is simply washing the skin every night before bed to remove nanoparticles. Wearing moisturizer or foundation is also helpful, because they trap pollutants during the day, preventing them from reaching the skin. Or, you can try any one of the following 10 products formulated specifically to guard against pollution.

Related: The Internet Is Freaking Out About This Beautyblender Hair Hack

Daily exposure to dust, smog, and all of the other bad stuff in the air can leave your complexion looking dull. That’s where this overnight mask chock-full of antioxidants — courtesy of orange extract — comes in. The triple-action formula combats pollution and prevents microparticles from absorbing, while vitamin E and cilantro-seed oil strengthen skin. Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque, $32, available at Kiehl’s.

Related: Under-$20 Makeup Tools The Pros Actually Swear By

Cleansing thoroughly is paramount to removing dirt and pollution from the skin’s surface. “Sonic cleansing systems mechanically vibrate off debris,” says Dr. Jaliman. “Otherwise, wash your face with a clean washcloth or a cotton pad. It’s especially important to cleanse before bed, so pollution doesn’t stay on your skin overnight.” Clarisonic Mia Fit, $189, available at Sephora.

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like

Planning on spending the day at a city beach or in the park? Spritz on this fine mist first for instant protection against free radicals and pollution. Biosaccharide gum, an extract from fermented plants, works to boost your skin’s natural defenses against oxidative stress, making it easier for your complexion to get back to square one. Ren Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist, $38, available at Sephora.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body 

— PAID — Having a daily skin-care routine in place that fights against free radicals and pollutants is key, but sometimes you’ve got to go the extra mile for a true detox. This gel-to-foam mask contains ingredients like vitamin C to renew skin cells and grape seed extract to minimize the damage pollutants place on your skin. Use it once a week (or up to three, depending on how often your skin is exposed to urban environments). Think of it as an invisible shield between you and your smoggy city. Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Foaming Mask, available at $56 Bliss.

“Antioxidant serums neutralize free radicals and protect skin from daily environmental stressors like UV rays, cigarette smoke, pollution, or even fluorescent bulbs,“ says Dr. Bowe. Look for one with vitamin C, which shields skin from free-radical damage and has a brightening effect. Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C Serum, $69, available at Dr. Brandt.

Fix damage done during the day by slathering on a nighttime recovery cream. (It’s like guzzling a quart of water after a night of heavy drinking.) This version tackles environmental aggressors including pollution, smoke, free radicals, and UV rays with its Smart Repair Technology. Avon Anew Skinvincible Deep Recovery Cream, $36, available at Avon.

“Since we can’t change our way of life, it is up to cosmetics to cope with our busy urban lifestyle,” says Pujos. Philosophy’s Take a Deep Breath collection infuses the skin with oxygen, allowing it to breathe more easily with a blend of antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. Philosophy Take a Deep Breath Oxygenating Eye Gel Cream, $42, available at Philosophy.

Pollution can majorly dehydrate your skin, so keeping your complexion moisturized is crucial. This hydrator taps moringa oleifera, an active anti-pollution plant ingredient that guards against harsh environmental elements by forming an invisible film on the skin. Hyaluronic acid plumps fine lines. Decléor Paris Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution Hydrating Active Lotion, $48, available at Decléor.

We’ve already made the point that cleansing is important, but you don’t want to overdo it either. “The key is finding a super-efficient cleanser that isn’t so harsh that it irritates the skin and creates further problems, like compromising the skin barrier,” says Pujos. This version is a twofer: It cleanses andmoisturizes with olive, jojoba, coconut, and sunflower oils for an extra silky complexion. Le Métier de Beauté Replenishing Oil Cleanser, $85, available at Neiman Marcus.

“Sunscreen creates a barrier, helping to shield our skin from the sun’s harmful rays,” says Dr. Bowe. “Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 daily and reapply every two hours, especially when you are outdoors.” This anti-pollution formula also blocks fine dust. Plus, the liquid-gel texture leaves skin feeling fresh instead of oily or sticky. Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day UV Sun Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $34, available at Sephora.

Live actives like fermented botanicals and probiotics can deeply cleanse the skin, and this mask is full of them. Made with 23 ingredients — including broccoli extract, brown algae, prickly-pear-seed oil, sandalwood-seed oil, white clay, turmeric, fennel, ginger, and clove and silver-fir essential oils, among them — it helps your skin naturally ward off environmental impurities. Tata Harper Purifying Mask, $65, available at Tata Harper.

By: Celia Shatzman

[refinery29yahoo]

What Your Favorite Celebrities Look Like With & Without Makeup

Photo: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty.

At Refinery29, we have one rule about makeup: There are none. You do you, however and whatever that may be. Foundation diehard? Allow us to direct you to our favorite ones. More the fiercely fresh-faced type? Here’s the skin-care routine that will make your visage glow. We don’t ascribe to the mainstream narrative that either one is better, or braver (our least favorite word) than the other.

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like That said, we’ve noticed a recent uptick in celebrities who have been jumping on the no-makeup train — currently led by the patron saint of cosmetics-free complexions, Alicia Keys. But that’s not to say all of Hollywood is throwing its eyeshadows to the curb. Plenty of celebs still sport bold beauty looks on occasion, and also have their moments of free-facing it. Not only does it keep us guessing, it also shows us all the ways we can use beauty to enhance or highlight our appearances.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body Ahead, check out 18 celebs with and without makeup. It’s not brave, it’s not a reason to gossip, it’s not revolutionary — it’s just makeup.

Photo: Lars Niki/Corbis/Getty.

Alicia Keys

Keys has worn some glam makeup looks throughout her career — like this one. But this summer, she

publicly

declared that she was done with makeup. “I don’t want to cover up anymore,” she said. “Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Scars

Photo: C Flanigan/Filmmagic.

The singer has stayed true to her word, rocking only a messy topknot and bare (and glowing, we might add) skin since then.

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone?

Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty.

Gwyneth Paltrow

A Hollywood veteran — with an acting career that spans more than two decades — Paltrow is no stranger to the makeup chair. In her daily life, she usually opts for a natural, bronze-y look.

Related: Celeb Transformations That Will Make Your Jaw DROP

Photo via Instagram.

In celebration of her 44th birthday, the actress recently uploaded this #nomakeupselfie to Instagram. She told us she’s been inspired by the no-makeup movement, saying that she likes the message behind it: This is me. This is what I look like. This is where I am in time, and I embrace it.

Photo: Michael Stewart/Wireimage

Kim Kardashian

Ah, the queen of contour. Between the K-clan’s line of hair and makeup products and her countless headline-garnering

looks

, Kardashian has certainly made a name for herself in the beauty biz. Further proof she’s a makeup wiz: She recently livestreamed her entire a.m. routine — which included a

casual 25 products

.

Related: Banish Blackheads With These Tricks

Photo: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty.

That’s why, when Kardashian stepped out for the Balenciaga fashion show in Paris without a stitch of makeup on, the entire internet sort of lost it.

Photo: J. Countess/Getty.

Gabrielle Union

Let’s be real: Gabrielle Union first stole our hearts as the fearless head cheerleader in Bring It On. Since then, she’s inspired us time after time with her bold, beautiful red carpet looks.

Photo via Snapchat.

Though Union is known for snapchatting makeup-free selfies often, her latest video gave a nod to fellow fresh-faced star Alicia Keys. In it, she said, “No makeup, head wrap, hey, Alicia Keys, I see you!”

Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty.

Chrissy Teigen

She’s our long-standing

favorite person to follow on Twitter

(although, as of this week, her account is

private

), and we love the model’s unfiltered approach to everything in life — her beauty routine included.

Photo via Instagram.

In quite possibly the cutest picture to ever grace the World Wide Web, Teigen shared this moment with baby Luna — with matching baby-soft, makeup-free skin to boot.

Photo via Steve Granitz/Wireimage.

Laverne Cox

When it comes to beauty, Cox is our hero. (And not just because she slays a red carpet like no other.)

Photo via Instagram.

In an Instagram post, she wrote: “As an actress and a woman, I love being able to transform, to switch up my look when I want to with wigs, weaves, and bundles aplenty. I love this, too. It’s about choices and options.” Amen.

For more of our faves, visit Refinery29.

By: Kelsey Castanon

[refinery29yahoo]

11 True Stories That Will Make You Think Twice About Your Lipstick

Photography courtesy of Sarah Dixon.

Roughly 100 people die every day of breast cancer in the U.S. — and virtually all of these deaths are from metastatic breast cancer. That’s individual people — moms, daughters, sisters, friends — multifaceted women for whom cancer is just one thing, not everything. In October, we are telling the stories of these women who have found strength in their sense of self, power in their beauty, and who refuse to let an incurable, deadly disease tell their story for them. 

“I actually just started wearing makeup two weeks ago,” 19-year-old Brittney Beadle says excitedly as I compliment her crisp cat-eye. “I got foundation and I got cover-up — I was really excited.” Like any budding makeup enthusiast, Beadle is slowly discovering the endless options that the beauty landscape has to offer. But Beadle isn’t quite like other teens learning the ins and outs of makeup.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body  The Pennsylvania native has been battling a fatal form of breast cancer, but when we start chatting, the first thing she wants to discuss is anything but. Looking at the vivacious woman in front of me, I don’t see someone with a terminal illness — which is exactly what Beadle and others with her condition want. Beadle is part of an organization called #Cancerland, a charity started by fellow cancer patient Champagne Joy. Although #Cancerland aims to support all women with breast cancer, the group’s main focus is on stage 4, or metastatic breast cancer — a fatal form that, despite the billions of dollars raised for education and research of the disease, remains incurable. It’s estimated that over 40,000 women die every year due to breast cancer (about 108 per day). 

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne The common perception of cancer has long been one of hospital gowns and shaved heads — a portrayal only reinforced by the representations seen on TV and in movies. But while cancer can rob a woman of some of the physical traits that she sees as part of her identity, these women want you to know that their identities are not dominated by the disease. Yes, the 11 women profiled below have metastatic breast cancer, but they also have a love of beauty, a desire to educate, and a lust for life. Sure, cancer will never be completely removed from their narrative, but it’s only part of it.

Related: What No One Tells You About Going Platinum Blonde

Champagne Joy 

If breast cancer’s death toll surprised you, you are not alone. Thanks to what #Cancerland’s founder Champagne Joy calls the “pink-washing” of breast cancer, many Americans believe that it is a completely curable disease. “There’s a lack of public awareness — people think that breast cancer is done,“ says Joy. "They think: We gave, there were pink ribbons, and we’re done. That’s a curable disease. It’s over.”

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like

Joy has been battling cancer for six years. She was first diagnosed with a lower stage of breast cancer in 2010 and went through the typical treatment of the disease. She was in remission for two years before her cancer came back. At that point, she had metastatic breast cancer. “Metastatic breast cancer means that the breast cancer has spread beyond the breast,” explains Joy. “It could be in your organs, it could be in your bones, and it means that it is now a terminal illness. There is no cure due to lack of research in that arena.” That’s why Joy has made it her mission to make the public aware of the grave truth about terminal breast cancer: Just 2% of research dollars spent on breast cancer goes to finding a cure for metastatic patients. 

Related: The Biggest Beauty Trends To Know For Fall If you have the pleasure of meeting Joy, her joie de vivre is immediately apparent. She doesn’t allow the bleak nature of her cause to bring her down — her blue hair, vibrant-colored lids, and retro-matte lips have caused some to dismiss her, but for Joy her multicolored aesthetic is her power suit. “The whole president-of-Mars look is something I’ve done all my life,” she says. “The chemo nurses tell me: ‘We know [you’re] having a bad day if [you] show up with no makeup.’” For Joy, slicking on yellow liner (Sephora Collection’s Shadow & Liner is her favorite) and a liquid lipstick helps her summon strength. “If I put my face on, I feel like me. I’ve always tied my look to my sense of self,” she declares proudly. “When I was 16, I was thrown out of school because of my white mohawk…they threw me out of a doctor’s office because I looked ridiculous… That’s me.”

Related: Under-$20 Makeup Tools The Pros Actually Swear By

Beth Fairchild “My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer about 16 years ago,” says Beth Fairchild. “I thought I knew everything there was to know about it: It’s curable, women don’t die from breast cancer. I was really wrong.” In 2014, Fairchild went to the doctor complaining of intestinal issues and fatigue. After a series of tests, her doctor concluded that Fairchild would have to have a hysterectomy to have her ovaries removed. When she woke from her surgery, her doctors told her she had stage-4 breast cancer. Prior to being diagnosed, Fairchild had never heard the word “metastatic” or even fathomed the concept of end-stage breast cancer. “I thought you get a new set of breasts, then you move on with your life,” she says. “Well, it’s just not that simple.” Now, she has dedicated her life to education and supporting women in similar positions. Fairchild and her husband are both tattoo artists by trade. Together they run five tattoo studiosand produce tattoo conventions on the East Coast. But Fairchild isn’t known primarily for sweet ink art — she’s known for areola tattooing. “A lot of times when women undergo a mastectomy and reconstruction, they’re left without areolas or nipples,” Fairchild explains. “When [areolas are reconstructed] by a physician or by nursing staff, it’s just not the quality of work you get in a tattoo shop by an artist.” That’s why Fairchild has taken it upon herself to give women who want it a chance to have their areolas tattooed. Although Fairchild chose not to reconstruct after having her breasts removed, she’s moved by the emotional responses of the women she tattoos. “Most of them cry when I’m done, and that just fills me,” she says. “I tattooed a lady who went 25 years without having areolas,” Fairchild recalls. “She referred to her breasts as 'Barbie breasts’ — they didn’t look like breasts to her. When I was able to give that back to her, it was so rewarding.”

Ayanna Kalasunas Ayanna Kalasunas and her now-husband had just gotten engaged a month before she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She began a new life with her husband — one that included being a woman with advanced breast cancer. But Kalasunas doesn’t let that stop her from enjoying her life. “One of my really close friends once said that you have to meet yourself where you are sometimes,” says Kalasunas. “Not every day is perfect, not every day is beautiful… Cancer has already done a ton of things to my life that suck, but I’m not going to allow it to make me unhappy.” Instead, Kalasunas likes to focus on things that bring her joy, like spending time with family, cooking, and sharing her story. She also finds solace in creating skin-care and makeup products from scratch. “I like figuring out how to make natural makeup or new body butters,” she explains. Unlike some of the other women featured here, Kalasunas has a pretty spartan beauty routine. For her, beauty has nothing to do with physical traits. “It’s something people can feel the minute you walk into a room,” she says. “I think of beauty as something that radiates from your heart out into the world, not so much about makeup, or eyelashes, or fun blue lipstick.”

Brittney Beadle When Brittney Beadle was 18 years old, she found a lump in her breast. When she went to the hospital to get it checked out, her doctors immediately sent her home. “Well, you’re 18,” they said. “You’re too young to get breast cancer.” Three months later the lump had grown and her nipple inverted, and Beadle knew something was wrong. The next day, she went back to the hospital and her doctors conducted a biopsy. The day after that, she was called back in and told: “You have breast cancer.” “I think because I’m so young, people always feel sorry for me,” she says. “But you don’t [have to]. Yeah, I have bad days and one day I will pass away from this, but right now I’m doing well. I’m happy still.” Two weeks ago, Beadle did her makeup for the first time after watching a makeup artist on YouTube. The curious young woman is determined to learn as much as she can and count every day as a blessing. Rather than dwelling on her diagnosis, Beadle tries to look to the future. “Some people say not to do that because they think I don’t have a future, but I’m 19 and I want to have a future,” she says. “I’m going to college right now to become a better writer, and I want to write a book about what it’s like being diagnosed with metastatic cancer when you’re 18.”

Linda Lancaster-Carey “I did everything you’re supposed to do,” says Linda Lancaster-Carey. She had yearly checkups and tests to screen for breast cancer. Ten years ago, her tests came back positive for stage-3 breast cancer. Three-and-a-half years ago, she was diagnosed as metastatic. “When I had chemotherapy for the first time, my eyebrows didn’t really grow back,” says Lancaster-Carey. “When I look in the mirror, I don’t look at the rest of my face, I just see my eyebrows. It’s nice to have eyebrows.” Unfortunately, hair loss is a common symptom of cancer treatment. While some women choose to embrace it, others turn to makeup to help them feel like themselves again. “I felt like I needed to wear more makeup,” she says. “I wasn’t self-conscious about it at all, because that’s just sort of part of the package, but I liked to draw my eyebrows on.” Now, Lancaster-Carey wears vivid lipstick when she wants to feel strong. “It makes me feel powerful in a really weird way,” she says. “I don’t know why a color of lipstick would make me feel that way, but it does and I’ll take it.”

Serena Rinaldi Lambiase In 1977, Serena Rinaldi Lambiase thought it would be funny to audition to be a Playboy bunny. Little did she know she’d land the job and work as a waitress in the now-defunct Manhattan Playboy Club on East 59th for two years. The same bravado that made Rinaldi Lambiase enter the thousand-person call in the first place has carried her throughout her ongoing 10-year struggle with breast cancer. In the beginning, Rinaldi Lambiase tried to battle cancer on her own, but it wasn’t until she joined #Cancerland that she realized the importance of camaraderie. “You can say things to each other that you can’t really say to other people and they’ll understand,” she says. For Rinaldi Lambiase, one of the hardest things that comes with cancer has been losing many of the things that were a part of her feminine identity. “It’s hard to feel like a woman sometimes,” she says. “I used to have beautiful, [long] hair and now it’s short.” Although Rinaldi Lambiase used to wear very minimal makeup, she’s found that dusting on a bit of color in the mornings brings a sense of normalcy to her life. “I’ve gotten better at finding ways to [feel] more attractive,” she says. “You get through it.”

Jessie Karabian “My family is really open about what cancer is. Sometimes when my daughter is watching TV, she’ll hear about cancer and she’ll say, 'Look! They have cancer, too!’ I am so proud of her in those moments,” says Jessie Karabian. “It’s important for me to be able to talk candidly about cancer and not have to sugarcoat things.” That’s why Karabian has made it her mission to speak openly about the reality of her disease and how it has changed her. “I look completely different. The chemotherapy and steroids have made me gain weight; I have scars all over my body. It’s been a difficult transformation to look at myself. But I still try to [feel] beautiful,” she says. As Karabian talks about her diagnosis, she echoes her fellow #Cancerland members: “A lot of people say, 'You look good; I would never know [you have cancer],’” she says. “I can see why some people would take offense to that — because not all illnesses are seen — but for me, it kind of gives me a relief. That for right now, you can’t see my cancer; you’re just seeing me for me.”

Justine Oxman-Engels Justine Oxman-Engels might just be the most positive woman I have ever met. As we chatted on set, I realized she was open to pretty much anything beauty-wise. We decided to go with neon color on her eyes — the cosmetics embodiment of Oxman-Engels’ personality, if you ask us. (She agrees.) Oxman-Engels is incredibly chipper for a woman who has had to circumvent the national healthcare system just to get the treatments she needs to continue her fight against metastatic breast cancer. “I was going to have to lose everything in order to live,” she explains. “I don’t want to go around the system, but my friend was a doctor and my other friend was a lawyer, and they got together and said I needed to get a divorce.” Although Oxman-Engels and her husband are still very much in love, they had to separate in order for Oxman-Engels to obtain Medicaid and public health insurance. “[I would have] gone broke without it,” she says. “So we traded everything over to my husband." 

Erin Grant "I’m happy it was me [who got breast cancer] and not my mom, my sisters, or my best friend,” says Erin Grant. “[A lot of people ask,] 'Why me?’ — I always thought: Why not me? I feel like if you look at it that way, you just fight to live, so why not?” Grant’s attitude toward breast cancer has been more accepting than that of some of her fellow #Cancerland members, but losing her sense of femininity is still something she deals with on a daily basis. Not only does cancer take away things you can see, like breasts or hair, but Grant had to have a hysterectomy because her cancer was estrogen-receptive-positive, which means that the disease was feeding off her estrogen. “I lost the ability to have children and to have a biological family,” she says. “It took things that I identified myself with — my femininity, [my health]. But I like the new me.” Grant walked away from our studio that day after having scooped up some tips from our hair and makeup artist. “When you don’t feel great, it’s difficult to make yourself look great…especially when you don’t know how to do it,” she says. “I took some tips today, so hopefully I’ll be able to spend a little bit more time feeling pretty and kinda getting back to me. If you can say that you feel good, I think you’re beautiful.”

Rebecca Scheinkman This isn’t the first time Rebecca Scheinkman has battled cancer. “As a childhood leukemia survivor, I know what to expect from chemo,” she explains. “I have cancer located in my breast and unfortunately in my brain.” But Scheinkman’s diagnosis isn’t stopping her from fully living her life. She works a full-time job in brand licensing, goes out with friends often, and fights hard not to be defined as a “cancer girl.” “At 33, when I started chemo again and I lost my hair for the second time it was probably the most traumatic time because I had already done it once before,” says Scheinkman. For a while, Scheinkman wore wigs daily, but recently, when her hair started to grow back, she was excited to finally be able to get it cut and styled again. “It’s great to have an intentional look — something that people walking down the street wouldn’t necessary think of as a cancerous look; [instead they think]: Hey, that’s a girl with a cute, trendy pixie!” Although Scheinkman tries her best not to let cancer define her, she admits that she struggles with finding a balance between meeting her needs as a cancer patient and leading the life of a “normal person.” “People rush past me on the subway to get a seat that I really need, but I’m not going to [tell them to] get up because I need the seat,” she says. “I have to find the balance of being a normal person and expressing my needs as someone with metastatic breast cancer.”

MaryAnne DiCanto “I lived with breast cancer most of my life,” says MaryAnne DiCanto. DiCanto’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1963, and lived with it for 32 years (14 of which she was metastatic). “I was uber-vigilant and aware,” says DiCanto. “I had 16 years of mammograms that never showed anything.” It wasn’t until she was able to get a breast MRI (an assessment that was difficult for women to get at the time, according to DiCanto), that she discovered she had lobular breast cancer — a type of breast cancer that doesn’t show up on mammograms or scans. DiCanto has immersed herself in the breast cancer community, citing its support and compassion as one of the main reasons she gets up in the morning. “The thought of losing my hair again still breaks my heart,” she says. “I look at myself in the mirror and I say, 'I don’t look like me.’” Luckily, DiCanto lives in a community where there’s a breast cancer coalition. “We have a salon and once a month, I go there and get my hair done and facials. I think having that available to us is really part of my healing,” she says. “Having a partner or a support system…really helps you feel like yourself again. I think when I feel myself, I feel prettier.”

By: Mi-Anne Chan

[refinery29yahoo]

This Spray Brightens Blond & Highlighted Hair — Even After You Wash

Ask any colorist why blond and highlighted hair gets dull over time, and they'll likely answer with this common culprit: buildup — of hard minerals in your shower water, chlorine, salt water, and styling products. The residue left behind muddies your hue over time. And while that's just one reason why light hair becomes discolored, it's one that's almost impossible to avoid. Related: What No One Tells You About Going Platinum Blonde If you're like me, you start to notice dulling of your color about five weeks after your salon visit — and that's usually a good month or so before the next scheduled appointment. What's a girl to do in this scenario? An in-salon demineralizing treatment is ideal, but if that's not an option, fret not.

Related: The Internet Is Freaking Out About This Beautyblender Hair Hack French hair colorist Christophe Robin's eponymous line is often touted as one of the best for color-treated hair — and it is — but this spray is the thing that really won my heart. It's called a lotion, but don't let the name fool you: It's basically a clarifying mist that helps to remove buildup with vinegar and brighten hair with chamomile — without the drying and stripping side effects of an actual clarifying shampoo. (Tip: You should not be using clarifying shampoo if you have toner in your hair, which most blondes do, or you risk getting brassy fast.) Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body  Here's how it works: Mist your hair with a few spritzes all over. And, well, that's it. Don't you love when solutions are that simple? The formula works on wet or dry hair, but take my advice: Don't go over three sprays on dry hair — a little dries down nicely; a lot leaves hair flat and limp. (I learned this the hard way.) That being said, feel free to go wild on damp hair. I've been using it three or four times a week, and it's restored brightness and shine like whoa. It's no color treatment, but the results are pretty awesome for how little effort you have to put in. Plus, on this schedule, I'm fairly confident the bottle will last forever. 

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like To cover my bases, I checked in with a master of blond, hairstylist Kari Hill, to make sure vinegar-loaded products are safe on color-treated hair. She gave the go-ahead — "It's an old trick!" — as long as the formula isn't tinted deep yellow, as this can stain platinum- or baby-blond colors. (This formula's hue is a very faint yellow, but those with platinum locks should check with their colorist.)

Too good to be true? Almost. The downside is that the product smells like vinegar until it dries down, which can be off-putting for some. However, if that's the price of a bright, beautiful blond, I'm willing to pay. Christophe Robin Brightening Hair Finish Lotion with Fruit Vinegar, $48, available at Sephora.

By: Lexy Lebsack

[refinery29yahoo]

The ONE Dress That Will Change Your Fall Wardrobe

By Alyssa Coscarelli

As Labor Day approaches and most people are still trying to soak up those last days of sun, I start itching to get my bases covered for fall. I anxiously await the moment I can break out my favorite sweaters (oftentimes starting to wear them long before it's actually cool enough to) and feel like a kid unwrapping a birthday present when I dig my jackets and wool pants out of storage, ready and waiting for another season of wear. Related: Throwback Runway Looks That Will Hopefully Return For Spring ‘17

But one of my very favorite fall pieces isn't my personalized leather jacket or vintage-inspired trousers — it's what I like to call the "layering dress." It's a fall-appropriate, sleeveless, often shift-style number that's practically made for wearing over a turtleneck, light sweater, or long-sleeved top (or T-shirt, too, if the weather's warmer than anticipated). It can be a pinafore with true overall straps, have a plunging neckline, or feature a high boatneck for a super-mod look. Really, anything goes, because when you stick the right top underneath, you've got an easy (and cool) outfit that basically screams "autumn." Related: The Biggest Beauty Trends To Know For Fall Once you've got your collection of turtlenecks covered, click on to grab the other half of this no-fail look. Ahead, you'll find 12 picks to help get your layering on.

If you have any hesitation embracing the plunge, let layering a turtleneck underneath help ease you into it. H&M V-neck Dress, $34.99, available at H&M.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body 

Reminder: Denim is never a bad choice. Pixie Market Frayed Denim Wrap Dress, $126, available at Pixie Market.

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More of that Tumblr pink, please. COS Sleeveless Sweatshirt Dress, $69, available at COS.

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone?

Though not in bodysuit form, the lace-up trend is still going strong. Reformation Rigley Dress, $218, available at Reformation.

Related: I Cannot Support Amy Schumer & Lena Dunham Anymore

Try a drop waist with some sneakers and a graphic long-sleeve tee underneath. ASOS White Denim Midi Dress with Drop Hem, $97, available at ASOS.

Get that oversized aesthetic on lock. The Tint Martin Dress in Ivory, $178, available at W Concept.

You never have to worry about someone having the same dress when you've got one-of-a-kind vintage. Petra Von Kant Sphera Dress, $68, available at Petra Von Kant.

Zip it on up. Topshop Moto Cord Zip Through Pini Dress, $74, available at Topshop.

Yep, body-con works, too. Community Parfit Dress, $60, available at Artizia.

All your sleeveless LBDs are fair game. Mango Back V-neck Dress, $59.99, available at Mango.

This one's like two pieces in one. & Other Stories Dress, $65, available at & Other Stories.

Yellow works well for fall, too, with a neutral tee or turtleneck underneath. Marni Pinafore Dress, $2,190 $876, available at Farfetch.

[refinery29yahoo]

These Halloween Lush Products Are Scary-Good

Take a break from planning your spooky Halloween ensemble, because Lush just dropped a frighteningly cool collection of bath products. And for those of you who think it’s too early to feel festive? These are sure to get you in the seasonal spirit. 

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like If you’re unfamiliar with this soak-centric beauty brand, just know this: It only takes one bath to realize what you’ve been missing. (I, for one, just discovered my love for Lush during a recent out-of-this-world massage at the company’s spa in New York City. Let’s just say its Comforter fragrance is my new favorite scent.) Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body And for all you Lush devotees out there? Get ready to fall even deeper in love, because ahead you’ll find serious limited-edition spookiness. Think: pumpkin bath bombs, colorful soaps, and so much more. Check out our sinister faves in the slides ahead. 

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Scars

You’re going to want to carve out some time to experience this soak. It instantly fills your bathroom with the scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin — no candle needed. Lush Pumpkin Bath Bomb, $6.95, available at Lush.

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone?

Skip this one, and it’ll haunt you: This ghost is loaded with hydrating butters and oils that make dry, flaky skin vanish without a trace. Lush Boo Bath Melt, $5.95, available at Lush.

Dropping temps can zap moisture from your skin, sending you down an unpleasant path of redness and flakes. Drop this oat- and cocoa butter-spiked melt into your bath for instant relief. Yep, like witchcraft. Lush Ceridwen’s Cauldron Bath Melt, $10.95, available at Lush.

Related: Banish Blackheads With These Tricks

Like a fairy godmother, this formula has detoxifying charcoal and exfoliating fruit to purify, brighten, and clean skin. Poof! Lush Magic Wand Soap, $6.95, available at Lush.

Related: Celeb Transformations That Will Make Your Jaw DROP

Not only does it smell like your favorite fall latte, this enchanting glitter bomb also lends your skin a shot of sparkle that pairs nicely with any costume. Lush Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar, $7.95, available at Lush.

Pop this wicked trio into the tub and watch a colorful wizardry of pink, purple, and white unfurl. Lush Little Monster, $16.95, available at Lush.

Save this spicy spirit for those bone-chilling nights, because a warm bath with comforting clove and vanilla beats sitting by the fireplace every time. Lush Fireside Soap, $10.95, available at Lush.

By: Kelsey Castanon

[refinery29yahoo]

Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For You?

If there’s one thing King Kylie has conquered, it’s the art of the Snapchat selfie. Oh, and she seems to know a thing or two about lipstick, too. We’ve been following the youngest Jenner’s impressive ascent in the beauty sphere since the launch of her cosmetics company, which now sells a huge range of lippies, ranging from a warm red to a matte espresso and a baby-pink gloss.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body Our only qualm about the Kits is their relative inaccessibility — they’re near impossible to snag (although we’ve mapped out some alternatives, here) and, at the moment, onlyavailable online. That makes it pretty hard to test out the colors Sephora-style before committing.

Related: We Compared $200 Jeans To $20 Pairs, & You Won’t Believe The Results But don’t fret — we’ve got your back. We enlisted the help of celebrity makeup artists Elisa Flowers and Molly Stern to break down the best shades for a variety of skin tones. Click through to discover which hue best suits you. Then, when your color is back in stock, you’ll be ready to pounce like a momager on a press opportunity.

Pale To Fair Skin Tones

This ballet pink is the lightest of the collection’s three glosses. “Pale-pink lip gloss gives a modern edge to fair skin tones,” Flowers tells us. “It enhances light skin without draining its color.” This version has a grayish base, making it edgy and cool — not sugary-sweet.

Kylie Cosmetics

Lip Gloss in So Cute, $15, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like

Named after Kylie’s maternal grandma, this shade is “a timeless, matte, blue-based red that flatters all cool skin tones,” says Flowers. Pale and fair-skinned gals often have cool undertones, making this a slam dunk.

Related: The Biggest Beauty Trends To Know For Fall To tell whether you’re cool- or warm-toned, look at the veins on your wrist. If they’re green, you’re warm-toned. If they’re blue, you’re cool-toned. Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick in Mary Jo K, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

"This matte, mauve nude lipstick is a perfect pastel for fair skin,” says Flowers. Mauve has a touch of blue, too, which really sings against cool complexions. Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick in Koko K, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

Related: Under-$20 Makeup Tools The Pros Actually Swear By

This peachy, rose-gold metallic is the lightest of Kylie’s new Metal Matte line. Flowers says it’s perfect for paler ladies because it enhances fairer tones subtly, while adding a "luminous, blushing shimmer.” Because straight-up gold can look yellowy on pale skin, the warmth in this is balancing. Kylie Cosmetics Metallic Lipstick in Heir, $18, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

Related: Teenager Magically Recreates Her Favorite Albums As Eye Makeup

Fair To Medium Skin Tones

This shade’s rosy finish leans purple, which lends a subtle pop of color against both fair and medium skin, Flowers tells us. It highlights your cheeks’ natural flush, without washing you out. On paler complexions, it will look bolder; for medium complexions, it has a more neutral finish.

Kylie Cosmetics

Lipstick in Posie K, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

This warm red is a “matte, vibrant orange that flatters most skin tones,” says Flowers. It’s especially great for those with fair or slightly medium skin who have warm undertones. (If you’re rocking a summer glow, even better.) Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick in 22, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

This is the second darkest shade in Kylie’s gloss range, and it lends tons of depth. “It’s a wonderful neutral for fair to medium skin tones,” Flowers says. “The glossy formula is a balance of cool pink and warm beige that doesn’t overwhelm.” It has a touch of brown, too, but not enough to remind you of Rachel Green in the ‘90s. Kylie Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Literally, $15, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

Kylie labels this color “the perfect nude,” and she wears it often. The well-balanced shade, which has caramel undertones, looks amazing against medium skin tones. Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick in Exposed, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

This rich burgundy best suits warm-toned skin, and is a wearable day-to-night lippie, Flowers says. Now that its officially fall, we’ve added this into our rotation as a stay-all-day red. Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick in Leo, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

“This gold, metallic lipstick is a wonderful, summery neutral that complements fair to medium skin tones,” says Flowers. Kylie Cosmetics Metallic Lipstick in King K, $18, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

Medium To Dark

Kylie named this luxe plum after her half-sister Kourtney. Flowers notes that people with darker skin can pull off the rich, matte finish beautifully.

Kylie Cosmetics

Lipstick in Kourt K, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

Acclaimed as Kylie’s favorite shade, this product is a “soft, brownish-pink liquid lipstick, and a flattering nude for medium to dark, golden skin tones,” Flowers tells us. It’s ideal for medium and dark skin tones because of its near-perfect balance of pink and brown. Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick in Candy K, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

The '90s are back in the very best way with this rich espresso shade. “Medium to dark skin tones look amazing in gold-based browns,” Flowers says. (It’s that hint of yellow that keeps the brown from feeling muddy.) Warm undertones sync up beautifully with the warm hues. Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick in True Brown K, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

This shade is great for deep skin because of its one-two punch of mauve and brown. The mauve pops, while the intense brown pairs perfectly with dark tones. Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick in Dolce K, $29, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

The darkest of the glosses, this gorgeous cocoa is “a wonderful natural color for deeper skin tones,” Flowers says. “It flatters without looking chalky.” Kylie Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Like, $15, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

This coppery, metallic lippie — the darkest of the Metal Matte collection — has notes of rose and wine, both of which are “stunning, yet subtle on dark skin tones,” says Flowers. What hot pink does on pale complexions this terra-cotta shimmer can do against deeper ones. Kylie Cosmetics Metallic Lipstick in Reign, $18, available at Kylie Cosmetics.

By: Michaela Rollings

[refinery29yahoo]

The Skin-Care Products You Need Before You're 30

Aging gracefully is the goal of hopeful, optimistic milennials everywhere, isn’t it? We know that wrinkle-free isn’t an option — unless you’re a Real Housewife — but we’d like to look healthy, and damn good, as the decades go by. Well, as professionals (and capitalism!) tell us, the key to a beautiful complexion is daily care and smart prevention.

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone? We get it: You already knew that! But, don’t you get confused about how exactly you should be “preventing” things? (Is Botox preventative?) How can we weave anti-aging products into our routines without prompting an onslaught of clogged pores and acne? And, more importantly, at what point do we need to get Olivia-Pope levels of serious about fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation?

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like To answer these very important questions (and help phase you into real adulthood), we consulted one prominent dermatologist and two aestheticians. Here, they take us through the early, middle, and late chapters of our 20s, and then give us a sneak peek at our 30s. But, before you start clicking, we want you to note: At no point is it too late to start taking good care of your skin. And, if you have any questions about what you see here, feel free to leave a message in the comments, and we’ll be sure to get back to you.

Photo via Ren.

The Early 20s

Adulthood is just beginning for you, children of the future! Unfortunately, while life speeds up, your body does the opposite. “Skin-repair replacement mechanisms begin to slow by age 20,” says celebrity dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD. “In women, there are hormonal shifts — estrogen declines, and testosterone increases.” This might come as a surprise for someone who’s just beginning to enjoy the best skin of their lives: “Your skin, right now, looks like it’s in its prime,” says

Caroline Hirons

, a London-based aesthetician. “But, what you do right now will determine how it looks later on.”

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Scars So, your early 20s are kind of like facial bootcamp: It’s the time to build up the proper discipline and habits that will help you age gracefully — without going totally overboard and causing your face to become a red, irritated mess. Swap the Acne Wash “Americans treat their skin like it’s the enemy,“ says Hirons. "It’s not! Get rid of any foaming acne cleansers, because they’re too stripping.” Unless you’re under specific instructions from your derm to use a medicated daily wash, choose a gentler alternative. “A cleansing milk will balance the complexion and remove the day’s grime,” she says.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body And, of course, washing twice daily is absolutely necessary, as is adapting an oil cleanser for nighttime to remove makeup before you start your routine. “I always tell my clients that cleansing before bed is non-negotiable. Now is the time to be responsible,” says celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas. (And, don’t try to be sneaky after you’ve had a few too many cocktails at happy hour. “Cleansing wipes absolutely don’t count as washing your face!” Hirons says.) You should, however, keep all your clay masks and spot treatments handy, and use them as needed — especially at night.

Ren Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk, $28, available at Nordstrom.

Photo via Eminence.

Swap Your Toner That’s right: It doesn’t always have to sting! “I always recommend my younger clients stay away from astringent toning products [in favor of] something more balancing,” Vargas says. “Rose is incredibly hydrating and good for circulation — it works on any skin type.”

Related: Banish Blackheads With These Tricks

Eminence Organics Rosehip Tonique, $38, available at Buy Natural Skincare.

Photo via Embryolisse.

Start Using an Eye Cream “The skin around the eyes is very thin and gentle, which means signs of aging are likely to start there,” says Vargas. You should apply a basic, hydrating eye cream both day and night to keep fine lines at bay. Just pat it in with your ring finger, and make sure you leave time for it to sink into the skin.

Related: Celeb Transformations That Will Make Your Jaw DROP

Embryolisse Secret de Maquilleurs Artist Secret Radiant Eye, $45, available at Beautyhabit.

Photo via Consonant.

Get Diligent About SPF The biggest no-brainer, though, is starting to use SPF, ASAP. “Daily sun protection will go a very long way in terms of preventing the signs of aging,” Hirons says. Dr. Lancer notes: “You should be using [SPF] 15 to 30, because much more than that is [just] marketing. Just make sure to apply it liberally — that’s the one mistake a lot of my patients make with sunscreens.” We love this all-natural wonder from Canada.

Consonant The Perfect Sunscreen, $45, available at Consonant.

Get to Know Glycolic Acid Renowned for both its resurfacing and purifying properties, glycolic acid helps regenerate the skin and treat pesky acne and blackheads. “It will also help with pore size and improve overall skin texture,” Vargas says. The best part? It comes from all sorts of delightful, naturally-sourced ingredients, so you can feel good about using it. (Yup, raspberries can help you battle wrinkles!) Start by using this product only on the nights you exfoliate, and then build your way up to once a night. You’ll wake up with a glowing, polished visage. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, $90, available at Sephora.

Photo via Tammy Fender.

Get to Know Antioxidants “There’s a huge lifestyle component to skin care,” says Dr. Lancer. “At this age, you’re wolfing down your lunch, going to parties, imbibing too much alcohol, and being surrounded by tobacco products. That’s why antioxidants are key.” You can only counteract the damage done by living la vida Lohan with the proper cocktail of ingredients, which helps ward off environmental stressors. This daily cream does the trick without being too heavy. When you’re applying it, says Hirons, be sure to save some for the neck and décolletage. “Americans are the only people who think the face stops at the chin,” she says. Save yourself from a future of turtlenecks by spreading the love.

Tammy Fender Antioxidant Creme, $95, available at Beauty Bar.

Photo via Sunday Riley.

Try a Facial Oil Oils are the true gold standard of skin care, mostly because they contain potent ingredients and optimum moisturizing properties. “The right oil can also help mend acne scars and breakouts,” Hirons says. She recommends this blend by Sunday Riley, which contains a purifying lemon-myrtle oil. “Just be careful: A couple of drops across the forehead and cheeks should do it. Avoid the chin!”

Sunday Riley Artemis Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, $125, available at Barneys New York.

Photo via Lancer.

The Mid-20s

Okay, so you’ve built the foundation for good skin. Congratulations! Now, it’s time to start getting a little more serious. Twenty-five is, in the beauty world, a tipping point: “By age 25, the skin has decelerated its repair mechanisms, and that affects your entire body,” says Dr. Lancer. This is also when you can accurately evaluate what damage has been caused — and, with the help of a dermatologist, plan how to treat it. “Everybody should be seeing a board-certified dermatologist at least once a year by this point in their life,” says Vargas. Together, you and your derm can discuss concerns like hyperpigmentation or hormonal acne. At the quarter-century mark, you should allow for splurges now and then, which means one thing: “Monthly facials are essential for detoxing the pores and doing a mini-peel,” Vargas says. “You should also look for a service that provides oxygen for the skin, which promotes healing.” And, this is just the beginning.

Keep Your Cleanser, But Upgrade Your Scrub

“The ‘no pain, no gain’ rule also applies to skin,” insists Dr. Lancer, whose Polish exfoliant is beloved by Victoria Beckham. “By your mid-20s, your skin is more like a couch potato: It has potential, but it’s lazy. This will help get it up and running.” Try using this three times a week before bed in order to super-charge the rest of your routine. (There’s a formula for blemish-prone skin, too.)

As for the rest of your regimen? Make sure to maintain the nightly double-cleansing, the daily SPF, the eye cream, your oil, and your antioxidant moisturizer.

Lancer Skincare The Method Polish Exfoliator, $75, available at Nordstrom.

Photo via Ole Hendriksen.

Upgrade Your Serum “Moisturizer is for skin type, but serum is for skin condition,” explains Hirons. That means it’s time to start treating whatever’s bothering your complexion with some seriously revved-up ingredients — a.m. and p.m. “Alpha-hydroxy acids will help to dry up hormonal breakouts and lightly exfoliate,” she says. “Antioxidants, like vitamin C, will help to protect and brighten spots and acne scars.” For the former, try the pictured product. For the latter, we love Eminence Organics Citrus Kale Potent C+E Serum. Not sweating anything in particular? Keep clicking.

Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment, $45, available at Sephora.

Not concerned about breakouts or pigment issues? That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook: Skipping serum is like skipping your daily vitamins! Instead, try the universally-friendly Joanna Vargas Daily Serum for a radiance-boosting cocktail of antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. It’ll perk up a tired complexion in a pinch. Joanna Vargas Skincare Daily Serum, $85, available at Beauty.com.

Photo via Biologique Recherche.

Update Your Toner You let go of the alcohol-based acne toners for a few years, but now you need to get serious. “Acid toning is essential, because it gives you a gentle, mild exfoliation,” Hirons says. This product, known among beauty junkies simply as “P50,” is what Hirons calls “the Rolls-Royce of toners.” She says to use it nightly, but we suggest easing into it: For the first few times, it tingles and stings, and might leave you a little pink. (It gets better — promise!) The reason? It has a high AHA content, which regulates oil production and maintains the skin’s pH level for a balanced, even complexion.

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 1970, $57, available at Rescue Spa.

For more of our skincare secrets, visit Refinery29.

By: Phillip Picardi

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You Can Never Un-See Rob Kardashian With Kim's Hair

Photo via @robkardashian.

As disciples of pop culture and complete beauty nerds, we live for a good makeover. Among the most headline-making to date: When The Weeknd chopped his locs, Taylor Swift’s evolution from girl-next-door to city-slicker, and all the times a Kardashian or Jenner has gone blonde. So when Rob Kardashian Instagrammed a collage of each of his sisters — and himself — as platinum blondes yesterday, you can bet we studied it.

Related: What No One Tells You About Going Platinum Blonde “Pretty sure I murdered this look,” he wrote, jokingly. “Who you think wore it best ?” Now, the stylist responsible for Rob’s drastic hair change is clearly Face Swap. But still, the sole Kardashian brother is giving us Fabio vibes with his faux color. And we’re kind of digging it? 

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like While the photos are of Kim, Kylie, Khloé, and Kendall are real, Kourtney (who recently said she’d never go blonde again after trying the color as a teen) joins Rob in the doctored camp. There’s only one thing missing, and that’s a shot of Kris with blonde, beachy waves. With all that time logged in sunny California, there must be photographic evidence of a fair-haired matriarch in the archives. Kris, if you can hear us, give up the goods!

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For You?

Related: Here’s What You Need To Know About The 12 — Er, 13 — Signs

By: Erika Stalder

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The Best 2000s Beauty Buys We Wish Were Still Around

At this point, it’s fair to say that our ‘90s obsession is slowly evolving into nostalgia for the 2000s. Kylie’s matte brown pout is now veering nude and glossy; off-the-shoulder tops are inching back towards spaghetti straps. And — out of nowhere — the iridescent frosted lip is back.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body Unfortunately, many of the beauty buys we played with back then are now long gone. Limited Too and its sparkle-tastic beauty section pretty much disappeared in 2008. Jessica Simpson’s edible Dessert Beauty line only stuck around long enough to give us a toothache. And don’t even get us started on trying to find the perfect shimmer puff for our legs, arms, and collarbones. Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like But good news: Many beauty brands today seem to be taking inspiration from our former Caboodles’ stash. The new iterations might not be as out-there or playful as our former selves want them to be, but hey, we’re adults now (kind of). Ahead, a few of the early 2000s beauty buys we wish would make a comeback — and their grown-up, modern-day replacements. 

Photo courtesy of Lip Smackers.

If You Miss Smackers’ Flip Gloss You never felt cooler than when you flipped this out of your pocket and single-handedly smoothed on a shiny layer of sheer color, simultaneously eyeing the hotties waiting for the bus after school.

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Scars

Photo courtesy of Lancome.

Try Lancôme’s Juicy Shakers True, this requires two hands, but the cute little bottle makes this sheer lip oil equally fun to apply. Natural color, major shine, and cheeky packaging? Sounds like high school to us. Lancôme Juicy Shaker, $21. Shop it here.

Related: Celeb Transformations That Will Make Your Jaw DROP

Photo courtesy of Prismatique.

If You Miss Prismatique Collection 2000 Lip Gloss It was the only thing you needed for those unforgettable frosty lips, after all. You can still find some questionable tubes online…but we prefer a modern upgrade.

Photo courtesy of Surratt.

Try Surratt Prismatique Lips The buildable formula provides a subtler highlight — not to mention comes in 14 more flattering tones of blue, white, soft gold, rose, etc. (Bonus: this blue shade, Cultive, makes your teeth appear whiter!) Surratt Prismatique Lips, $36. Shop it here.

Related: Banish Blackheads With These Tricks

Photo courtesy of Victoria’s Secret.

If You Miss Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels Halo Way back then, this curved bottle was the epitome of elegance — as was the floral, spicy scent.

Photo courtesy of Korres.

Try Korres Bellflower Tangerine Pink Pepper Eau De Toilette It might not be as sweet, but this under-$40 perfume has the same woody-floral notes, with an extra punch of citrus and subtle spice. 

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone? Korres Bellflower Tangerine Pink Pepper Eau de Toilette, $38.50. Shop it here. 

Photo courtesy of Stardust Glitter.

If You Miss Stardust Glitter Unfortunately, if you messed the glitter application up, it stayed on forever (and got everywhere, too).

Photo courtesy of Mac.

Try MAC 3D Glitter This intense sparkle must also be strategically placed, because it’s got the same (if not stronger) staying power. MAC 3D Glitter, $22. Shop it here.

Photo courtesy of Thermasilk.

If You Miss Thermasilk As kids, we never knew what “heat activated” really meant. All we knew was that our hair was crazy soft after using this conditioner.

Try Suave Professionals Keratin Heat Defense Leave-In Conditioner The best part of Thermasilk might have been the idea that your hair could survive being curled with an InStyler everyday. Suave’s leave-in conditioner leaves your hair just as moisturized, silky, and protected — but maybe lay off the hot tools every few days this time around, k? Suave Professionals Keratin Heat Defense Leave In Conditioner, $2.89. Shop it here.

For more of our favorite TBTs, visit Refinery29.

By: Jessica Chou

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How To Pull Off This Tricky Lipstick Trend

Think gray hues are just for your favorite smoky-eye palette? No way. In fact, the most unexpected trend in lip color right now is just that: greige. You may have already noticed these mixes of gray and beige hitting store shelves now, and while the hue can seem intimidating, after a few swatches we’re sold on the idea. This color is unabashedly bold, yet neutral — and totally dreamy.

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like “It’s on-trend with the heavy resurgence of ‘90s style,” says Lijha Stewart, director of artistry and education for Make Up For Ever. “We’re seeing the same taupes, grays, and browns of yesteryear on lips today — and they’re cooler than ever.”

Related: Under-$20 Makeup Tools The Pros Actually Swear By

The only problem here? It can be a pain in the ass to pull off. Swipe it on with a smoky eye and you’ll look garish. Or, apply the wrong shade and you’ll look ghostly. Basically, do anything other than wear it like a boss (ahead, more on how) and you could — gasp — end up looking a little of both. Fret not, just scroll down to find your pewter perfection…

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body

Pale To Fair Skin

You want:

A mauve-gray hue with cool undertones, says Stewart. If it sounds like a juxtaposition, that’s because it is. “Two different tones create a harmonious color palette that balance and brighten your complexion.” Try: This lipstick is a deep, muted, taupe-brown with a creamy finish.

Maybelline

Color Sensational Lip Color Loaded Bolds in Grey Over It, $7.49, available at Ulta.

Related: We Compared $200 Jeans To $20 Pairs, & You Won’t Believe The Results

Medium And Olive

You want:

A hint of purple in your greige — with warm undertones. “Slate grey with that plum color will complement your skin tone, as opposed to washing you out,” Stewart says. Try: This cool, creamy shade with tinges of lilac.

Smashbox

Be Legendary Lipstick in Grunge, $21, available at Sephora.

Related: Here’s What You Need To Know About The 12 — Er, 13 — Signs

Dark To Deep Skin

You want:

A chocolate shade with less white pigment and more charcoal. “Pastels or light grays can make deeper complexions look dull or lackluster,” Stewart says, so opt for steely undertones. Try: A darker, matte lipstick with cool undertones, like this option from ColourPop.

Colourpop

Ultra Matte Lip in Kapow, $6, available at colourpop.com.

Related: The Biggest Beauty Trends To Know For Fall

By: Kelsey Castañon

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10 Products That Will Completely Reboot Your Complexion

Our skin can be super-temperamental. Miss a few hours of sleep? Bam! Dark circles appear. Forget to drink enough water? Hello, dull complexion. Run out of exfoliator and wait too long to replace it? Get ready for the dry patches, people. But there’s good news: All of these issues are easy to fix, so long as you’re using the right products.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body Reboot your skin by packing on the hydration, taking advantage of its nighttime repair process, and treating it like a queen-for-a-day, every week or so. Ahead, the 10 products that will give you your softest, smoothest, glowiest skin — without it feeling like a chore. 

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like

If your skin looks tired every morning… Reach for an overnight treatment to work while you sleep. This two-step system comes with a serum and a super-thick moisturizer that locks hydration in. You’ll wake up looking like you’ve been getting eight-hours-a-night for eight years. Glamglow Dreamduo Overnight Transforming Treatment, $59, available at Glamglow.

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Scars

If your skin is dull… Pat a few droplets of this oil on your face in the morning for a light glow and dewy finish that stays even after you apply foundation. Boots Botanics Organic Facial Oil, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.

Related: Banish Blackheads With These Tricks

If summer brought out some unwanted dark spots… Some find the word ‘peel’ a bit intimidating, but this one is nothing to shy away from. In fact, it’s gentle enough to use every night. Quinoa husk extract is the real star — it exfoliates and accelerates cell turnover for a brighter complexion by the end of the bottle. Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate, $54, available at Kiehl’s.

Related: Celeb Transformations That Will Make Your Jaw DROP

If your skin is breaking out… Don’t scrub your skin with a harsh exfoliator. Instead, swap in a charcoal mask. This one pulls out all the grime — without drying you out. Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask, $15.99, available at Ulta Beauty.

If your skin needs a good buff & shine… When you’re not in a rush, settle in and give your skin a deep resurfacing treatment like this one. The results are as close as you’ll get to a spa peel at home — we swear! First, apply the vitamin C crystals like a mask. Massage them in for a minute, then pat on the activating gel over them. When it turns to a foam, keep it on for two minutes before gently washing it all away.

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone? Philosophy Resurface The Microdelivery Dual-Phase Peel, $72, available at Sephora.

If your regular cleanser isn’t doing the job… Switch to this one, which can double as a mask if you’re not running late in the morning. Note: Dry skin won’t get along too well with this acne-fighting formula, but oily types will love it. Neutrogena Cleanser/Mask, $7.99, available atUlta Beauty.

If your skin is dry and flaky… Put on a light layer of this rich mask before you hit the pillow — your skin will feel like butter in the morning. Word to the wise, though: Don’t use a silk pillowcase because it takes forever for this formula to sink in. Lancôme Énergie De Vie The Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask, $65 available at Sephora.

If your skin is sensitive… This ultra-gentle exfoliator will get off only the dead skin cells and never leave you red or stripped. Chanel Gommage Microperlé Eclat, $45, available at Chanel.

If your skin feels rough… This mask will go a long way toward making it feel baby-soft and baby-plump. Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask, $70, available at Charlotte Tilbury.

If you’re ready for the big guns… This water-activated mask heats up within seconds of massaging and gives the most invigorating sensation you’ll probably get from a skin-care product. In fact, you might get a little red as a result, so use it sparingly. Origins Warm Down Warming Lava Scrub to Detox and Smooth, $35, available at Sephora.

By: Samantha Sasso

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This Father-Daughter Hair Video Is The Cutest Thing You'll See Today

Just about anytime a video surfaces of a father styling his daughter’s hair, our hearts collectively melt. Studies have shown that this type of dedicated, productive bonding time with dad is hugely important in shaping a girl’s development. And, of course, it’s just ridiculously cute.

Related: The Internet Is Freaking Out About This Beautyblender Hair Hack In the latest video, which is currently going viral, a 3-year-old cheers on her dad as he navigates styling her hair for the first time before school. “How am I doing? Do I need some more grease?“ he asks. 

Related: The Biggest Beauty Trends To Know For Fall “Yes,” she directs. “You need more grease on there, then you need to brush it, then you need a band on it.” Then comes the encouragement. “You’re getting it through! You’re almost done — you’re doing a good job,” she cheers him on from the chair. He responds in kind: “Thank you so much, sweetheart. Daddy’s trying to do the best I can.” And the love keeps coming. “You’re doing great,” she says. He volleys back with more confidence-boosting positivity: “You’re so encouraging to Dad. I really appreciate you so much. You’re so awesome,” he says. The conversation is so loving and such an important example of what happens when we encourage everyone around us — male or female, young or grown — to do their best. “I have been a barber pretty much all my life and still find it difficult to style my daughter’s hair,” hero-dad Derrick Culpepper writes in the YouTube post. “My family encourages me to be the best Dad that I can be.” You keep on doing that, Culpepper. We hope to be like you.

Related: We Compared $200 Jeans To $20 Pairs, & You Won’t Believe The Results

Related: Here’s What You Need To Know About The 12 — Er, 13 — Signs

By: Erika Stalder

[refinery29yahoo]

The Best Nighttime Skin-Care Routine

We’ve all seen the studies about why sleep is so important — a full eight hours keeps our bodies and brains more fit, happy, and focused. As it turns out, the effects of sleep on our skin are oddly similar to its effects on our bodies; we can actually wake up with a healthier glow after a night’s rest.

Related: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne Scars Here’s how it works: While we lay sleeping, our cells go into overdrive to help repair the damage incurred during the day (from contact with environmental pollutants and UV radiation, for example). Our blood vessels dilate, allowing an increased flow of nutrients and oxygen to the skin, which helps stimulate the removal of toxic cellular products. Research shows that our cells even regenerate faster while we’re sleeping.

Related: This Is What Female-Directed Porn Looks Like Cells do this work whether or not we take care of our skin. But, think of the time before you go to bed as an opportunity to feed your skin cells the stuff they need to optimize healing. You can pump ‘em with antioxidants to fight UV and free-radical damage, hydrate for improved barrier function and less flakes, regulate oil production to quell congestion and zits, minimize pigmentation…the list goes on. Or, at the very least (on those nights when you’re not in bed until the wee hours) you can wash off the day’s grime to create a clean slate for your cellular system.

Related: What Going Paleo Did To My Body To figure out how to optimize cellular repair for different skin conditions, we talked to Drs. Melanie Palm (a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Diego) and Jessica Wu (a Los Angeles-based dermatologist and author of Feed Your Face). They assured us that the only truly essential steps to late-night skin care — no matter your skin condition — are cleansing and putting on an eye cream.

Related: Celeb Transformations That Will Make Your Jaw DROP Read on for the scoop on how to optimize your skin-care routine at night, and wake up to a happier complexion.

Dull

If your skin is looking lifeless, it’s likely not just because you’re tired. It could be that your top layer of skin (the stratum corneum) is not exfoliating correctly — a circumstance that can wipe out the skin’s luster. To help regain that bright, glowy quality, boost your skin’s natural tendency to regenerate at night by exfoliating, hydrating, and delivering a few key ingredients before catching some zzz’s.

Related: Banish Blackheads With These Tricks Korres Wild Rose Daily Brightening & Refining Buff Cleanser, $28, available at Sephora.

To help rid the skin of excess dead cells, Dr. Palm suggests using a brush and a salicylic acid cleanser to help break down the cell-to-cell barrier and lift the top layer of skin. She warns not to overdo it, though; aggressive exfoliation can cause skin to become oily, irritated, and acne prone. So, don’t cleanse with a brush more than once a day. Clarisonic Mia 2 Skin Care Cleansing System, $149, available at Ulta.

The skin’s surface isn’t its the only possible dullness factor; often, dull skin isn’t getting hydrated properly, either. After cleansing, apply products that will hydrate and brighten, such as peptides (which can help with the overall smoothness of the skin) and enzymes (which can help break down dull skin, rejuvenate, and give your complexion a glow).

Related: Which Kylie Lip Kit Is Right For YOUR Skin Tone? Om Aroma & Co. Pumpkin Seed Renew Serum, $58, available at Om Aroma & Co.

Finally, Palm suggests practicing patience. Stick with your face-brightening nighttime routine for a few weeks. It will often take that long to see true results if you’re using over-the-counter products — and even longer (two to three months) if you’re using prescription-strength topicals. Verso Skincare Night Cream, $100, available at Sephora.

Dry Skin

The PM plan for dry skin is pretty straightforward: Clean your complexion of the day’s grime, pollutants, and leftover sunscreen. Then, pump it with super hydrators and lock that moisture in.

Those with dry skin may find it helpful to perform a gentle two-step cleanse, first using an oil to remove their makeup…

Murad

Renewing Cleansing Oil for Face, Eyes & Lips, $32, available at Nordstrom.

And for step two? While any gentle cleanser that won’t strip the skin can be a good option, Dr. Palm particularly likes cleansers stocked with ceramides — the building blocks that help restore the skin barrier. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Purifying Cream Cleanser, $29.50, available at SkinStore.

After cleansing, both Wu and Palm recommend delivering water right back to the skin by spraying it with a microfine mist of plain H2O. Avène Thermal Spring Water, $18, available at Drugstore.com.

Next, lock that soothing blast of water into the skin by applying a moisturizing cream made with hyaluronic acid — a molecule that can attract hundreds of times its volume in water — to seal moisture into the skin. Tammy Fender Spontaneous Recovery Creme, $165, available at Dermstore.

Not into creams? Face oils like this one from Drunk Elephant are great for dry skin. It’s super-hydrating, but absorbs quickly. Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil, $72, available at Sephora.

If you have a few extra minutes to dedicate to Operation Hydration at night, apply a moisturizing serum before your cream or try adding a hydrating mask into the mix a couple of times a week. Dr. Wu notes that these masks can help seal in moisture: “It’s like deep-conditioner for your skin,” she says. Wilma Schumann Oxygen Moisturizing Serum, $56, available at WilmaSchumann.com.

Oily Skin

Looking to avoid the grease-bomb look during the day? Optimize your nighttime skin-care routine to regulate oil production by focusing on cleansing and feeding your skin nutrients that don’t trigger even more sebum. As Wu points out, those with oily skin tend to have larger pores, so a big part of regulating oil production is getting — and keeping — your skin clean.

Dr. Palm recommends cleansers with either salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) or sulfur and clays, because they typically sequester oil and rid skin of makeup and dirt. “Salicylic acid is what we call a folliculocentric — a concentrate within the hair follicle and the oil gland; it helps regulate and calm down overly oily skin and helps control breakouts as well,” Palm says, adding that anti-inflammatory sulfur- and clay-based cleansers can achieve similar results.

Shankara

Deep Cleanse Treatment, $50, available at Shankara.

Added oil production also means a heightened risk of clogged pores. So, Dr. Palm likes cleansing tools like a konjac sponge or brushes for cleaning oily skin. However, she warns that these tools’ effects can be counterproductive if used more than once a day, “You can get a paradoxical increase in oil production from stimulating the skin too much,” she says. Dr. Wu also suggests exfoliating a few times a week to help keep pores clear. Another key weapon in regulating oily skin? Retinoids and retinols, which help control oil production and the stickiness of skin cells within the hair follicle, Dr. Palm says. Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal, $15, available at Sephora.

A moisturizer may not always be necessary for those with oily skin. However, when dry patches surface, a non-comedogenic, light moisturizer can hydrate the skin without clogging pores. Those with oily skin can generally use retinols and acids like AHAs and BHAs without compromising the skin barrier function, but Dr. Palm advises they steer clear of vitamin E or squalene-centric products, since those have a tendency to increase oil production. And, while ascorbic acid (vitamin C) itself isn’t likely to throw oil production into overdrive, Palm notes that many vitamin-C serums deliver the antioxidant in an oil carrier, which can potentially make oily skin worse. Decleor Paris Ylang Ylang Purifying Night Balm, $73, available at Beauty.com.

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By: Erika Stalder