If there's an unsung hero of my makeup routine, it's highlighter. However, if I'm being totally honest, it's taken me a long time to welcome highlighter into my routine. Growing up, the only highlighter options were the pressed powder variety, which were always way too full of glitter and shimmer for me to get on board with. Which is why I've welcomed in glowy highlighter sticks with open arms, ever since makeup artists introduced me to these magical formulas that deliver goddess-level glow.

Rather than being glitzy, these creamy formulas impart a dewy glow to your skin. It's more natural-looking, easier to swipe on and pat with your fingertips for precise placement and makes your complexion look like you stepped out from an expensive facial. After all, there's only so much glow that can be achieved in your skincare routine, from a glowy moisturiser or serum, and these highlighter sticks are the easiest way to dial up your radiance in one swipe in the exact places you require it.

After all, glowy highlighter sticks are not only for your cheeks. They can also be swiped onto the browbone for an ethereal accent, on the lids for a glossy lid or even on the décolletage or shins when your outfit calls for a little body radiance without the stickiness of a shimmery body oil. You can even mix them with your blusher, or tap onto your lips. TLDR; a glowy highlighter stick can be one of the hardest-working products in your makeup bag.

Having seen just about every celebrity step out on the red carpet with dewy, glossy cheekbones, I thought it was high time that I shared my favourite glowy highlighter sticks that recreate that glassy glow. Scroll on for the ones that permanently live in my makeup bag.

Best Glowy Highlighter Sticks

• Best Overall: Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick
• Best Shimmer Highlighter: Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick
• Best Luxury Highlighter Stick: Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick
• Best Glowy SPF Stick: Givenchy Skin Perfecto Stick UV SPF 50 PA++++ Protector

1. Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick Lit Up

I've not met a Westman Atelier product I don't love, but this highlighter stick is never out of my permanent rotation. This dewy stick imparts a glossy glow upon your cheekbones that's never sticky; instead, it makes your complexion look like you just stepped out from a facial. It comes in a completely transparent option if you don't want any shimmer or colour; however, don't overlook the tinted shades, which have the slightest hint of glimmer (read: not glittery). I love the pink-gold tones of Nectar, which I'm using a lot during summer.

2. Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick

Victoria Beckham Beauty's Reflect Highlighter Stick is another favourite, and just look at that vintage-inspired gilded packaging. Aesthetics aside, this highlighter stick provides a glossy glow to your cheeks, but with a pearly, satin-like finish that strikes the balance of looking dewy but not glitzy. I have the shade Pearl, which delivers a sheer luminous glow, whereas Amber has a golden undertone that complements deeper skin tones and leaves light complexions looking bronzed. If you want a dewy highlighter stick and don't mind a slight hint of pearly colour, this is the one to go for.

3. Chanel Baume Essential Multi-Use Glow Stick

Chanel was one of the first to innovate with a sheer, glossy highlighter stick when everyone else was creating glitzy powder highlighters, so for that reason I'll always consider this product iconic. It's beloved by makeup artists and editors alike (including myself), and is often out of stock as it's just that good. It comes in a totally transparent shade for those who want a glassy cheek, but you'll also find it in sheer tinted colourways if you want a hint of colour. My favourite is Sculpting, which has the slightest hint of pear shimmer that illuminates the skin with an expensive-looking sheen.

4. Dior Backstage Glassy Glow Stick

5. Merit Beauty Day Glow

Oh Merit Beauty, there is nothing you can do wrong. Whilst a lot of dewy highlighter sticks have a glossy, wet-look slip to their textures, this one has a grippier, balmy texture that means your hair won't get stuck in it, but it also makes for a longer-lasting glow without compromising on glow. The shades are brilliant, also, spanning bronze and gold through to champagne and rose gold. They have more pearl to them than other transparent highlighters, but the result isn't glitzy. Instead, it bestows a halo-esque glow wherever you choose to swipe it.

6. Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Highlighter Glazed Goddess

7.  Givenchy Skin Perfecto Stick UV SPF 50 PA++++ Protector

How We Tested

As a beauty editor, I've spent years testing the best highlighter sticks. From new launches to makeup artist recommendations, I've been able to test some of the best highlighters that come in stick form. I've been able to decipher the highlighter sticks that are truly transparent and deliver a dewy look, alongside the tinted and shimmer varieties that add a touch of colour to your cheeks. Most of the highlighter sticks I've tested are everyday favourites in my makeup bag that I've used for years.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

If there's one person I am dying to interview as a beauty editor, it's Nina Park. The makeup artist has painted some of the most famous faces in the industry, including Zoë Kravitz, Kaia Gerber, Sadie Sink and Emma Stone. Whilst each makeup look is perfection, there's one particular part that has people talking more than anything else. Lipstick.

The "Nina Park Lip" has become an icon in its own right, and if you follow the makeup artist on Instagram, you'll know why. Park has somehow created the most sought-after, neutral, diffused lip look, and we're all desperate to know exactly how she does it. (And more importantly, what lip liner she uses).

As it turns out, her latest glowy makeup look (on none other than Sadie Sink) involved my favourite nude lip liner of all time. Yes, it seems as if I've been doing the "Nina Park Lip" all along, and I have to say, I'm feeling pretty smug about it.

Sink was spotted getting ready for the Spider-Man: Brand New Day premiere, wearing a full face of Guerlain makeup. Park created the most gorgeous, terracotta-toned look, and on the lips, she used Guerlain's Contour G Lip Pencil in the shade 02 Le Beige Praline.

Park could be seen applying the liner slightly below the natural lip line to create a fuller effect, before finishing things off with the Guerlain Rouge G lipstick in the shade 234 L’Orange Sienne. The result? A plump, diffused, neutral-toned lip that would look just as good at the office as it would on the red carpet.

Considering how many people are desperate to recreate the "Nina Park Lip", I have a feeling that this lip liner is about to become the next big thing. I plan on stocking up before it sells out...

Shop the Guerlain Contour G Lip Pencil

Shop More of Nina Park's Favourite Lip Liners

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

As of July 22, Leo season has officially begun, injecting a sense of adventure, bold spontaneity, and confidence into the air. Those with Leo placements are often described as being the most physically representative of their fiery sign thanks to fabulously voluminous hair (symbolic of their lion symbol), striking eyes, and a heightened sense of style. This combination casts an undeniably magnetic aura around these summer babies. Think Dua Lipa, Alex Consani, and Halle Berry. It's as if there is a gravitational pull turning all heads and conversations in their direction. But even if you're not a Leo, you, too, can bask in the shimmering light of this confident sign, especially with these products that turn up the heat on your summer glam.

Whether you're draping your skin in shimmery body oil or zhuzhing your hair with texturizing spray, these Leo-like products will shift all the attention to you. Below, see the 15 products I'd recommend trying before August to channel your inner lion.

15 Beauty Products for Leo Season

French women are synonymous with effortless, low-key beauty, but when the temperatures soar above 30°C, their routines become even more streamlined. Swipes of red lipstick make way for taps of tinted lip balm. Some individuals even forgo makeup altogether, and only essential skincare heroes (serum-like sunscreen, facial mist) make it into their carry-ons. Though you may find some surprising staples, such as a cooling jelly sheet mask, peeking out of their straw totes.

Basically, if you're ever looking for "work smarter, not harder" summer beauty recommendations, you should ask a French woman for a glimpse inside her beach bag. If that sounds rather unrealistic and perhaps a little extra, the next best thing you can do is scroll ahead. I tasked three of the chicest French women I know with sharing their ride-or-die holiday items for every getaway imaginable. Your summer awaits!

Franny Fyne, Content Creator

I shouldn't be surprised that Paris-based content creator Franny Fyne, with her wispy French-girl fringe and collection of minimalist-chic outfits, has her vacation beauty regimen down to a science. "On holiday, my routine takes all of five minutes," she tells me, noting l'Ampolla—a small village in Catalonia—as her favourite getaway spot. "Several beaches, a little house a few kilometres away surrounded by olive trees, a timeless atmosphere… It's my anchor, my annual reset for the past few years." While she hasn't booked concrete plans this year, "l'Ampolla doesn't ask for much, and that's exactly what makes it [her] little corner of paradise."

If and when she does book the trip, she'll pack just the essentials: sunscreen, a gel face mask she chills in the freezer the night before ("I take it out when the heat becomes truly intense—guaranteed surprise from everyone around me and immediate soothing relief," she quips), and a few "no-makeup" makeup heroes for a lightweight, dewy visage. "Letting the skin breathe while giving it that little radiance that makes all the difference," she adds.

All these staples—along with a book, a pareo skirt and sun oil—pile up in her wicker basket, which she deems the ultimate Euro summer accessory. "It embodies that quiet nonchalance that nothing else can quite imitate," she says. "It sets the tone before you've even set foot on the sand. Ultimately, [it's] the most French thing there is."

Shop Fyne's Beach Bag

Sophie Carbonari, Celebrity Aesthetician

"I don't make summer plans. I've decided that spontaneity is the ultimate luxury I can afford myself at this point. I simply close my studio when I want to leave and go," Paris-based celebrity aesthetician Sophie Carbonari says. That sentence officially cements her as the chicest Parisian I know—as if I didn't already consider her iconic. Typically, however, her summer starts in Arles for a weeklong getaway, commencing with the Rencontres d'Arles photography festival.

"Breakfast at Mazette, lunch at Nord-Pinus (where I work from my laptop), afternoons browsing at L'Arlatan, shopping at Moustique, flamenco nights, and dinner at Inari. From there, I visit friends in Marseille, then head to the Amalfi Coast—Naples and the surrounding area. I get everything I love: art, sea, food, and sun," she muses. "But honestly, who knows where I'll go this year?" It seems like a solid plan to me!

Given she's one of Paris's most sought-after facialists, you better believe she has her on-the-go skincare routine down pat. "I try to be minimal but intentional," she says, encouraging refreshing mist, smoothing serum and post-sun recovery formulas, all of which you'll discover below. "People think skincare is optional on vacation, but it's actually when it matters most," she adds. "Sun damage, salt water, chlorine, dehydration—your skin is under siege. You either support it or spend the next month recovering."

Shop Carbonari's Beach Bag

Violette Serrat, Makeup Artist

Violette Serrat certainly knows a thing or two about low-maintenance makeup. "The only way to look effortless is to be effortless. That's really the secret. It's five minutes in the bathroom, not 50," the iconic makeup artist and Violette_FR founder once told me about her best French beauty tips. Of course, her holiday beauty regimen subscribes to a similar philosophy, whether she's headed to the South of France ("truly one of my favourite places in the world," she tells me) or, like this summer, recharging at her home in picturesque Connecticut. Case in point? When headed to the beach, this makeup artist actually eschews makeup.

"I never wear makeup to the beach, just a little Balm Amour for healthy shine, a bandana—which French women always seem to have—and a book that I seem to never have time to read," she shares. "For me, French beauty is about enjoying the moment, not worrying about how you look." With that, find her pre- and post-sun essentials ahead.

Shop Serrat's Beach Bag

Opening image: @frannfyne

As beauty journalists, we're used to seeing hundreds of new beauty products pass our beauty desk every single month. So, we're always testing new makeup, skincare, fragrance and hair care (we're truly spoilt, I know). But despite having access to a cupboard full of beauty products, there are always our firm favourites that have a permanent residency in our makeup bags. These are the products that we're never swayed away from, no matter what shiny new launch comes along. And for me, the Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint (£39) is a skin tint I just know I'll be using forever.

Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint

The Formula

Lisa Eldridge MBE is one of the world's top makeup artists who has worked with just about every famous face you could name, so I never doubted that this formula wouldn't be anything short of exceptional. Eldridge is renowned for her natural-looking approach to the complexion, preferring to place foundation and complexion products only in the places they're really needed rather than masking the skin. And she has totally bottled this ethos in this skin tint.

Inside the pebble-shaped bottle is a tint with a water-like consistency, which immediately sinks into the skin, offering a sheer, lightweight finish that's akin to a second skin and does so without highlighting enlarged pores or fine lines.

The formula contains hydrating ingredients such as squalane, glycerin and prickly pear and sunflower seed oils. As someone with oily-leaning skin, I was initially worried it would be too heavy on my skin, but it sits beautifully. I love a naturally radiant finish, and this skin tint delivers just that. It's neither too dewy nor too matte, but just looks like skin that has a healthy glow. This would be perfect for those with dry or combination skin, but is still matte enough for those with oilier skin who favour a more glowy finish.

The Finish

What I love about this skin tint is that it offers the perfect amount of coverage without feeling like you're wearing anything at all. It blurs redness and pigmentation, yet it still lets my freckles peek through. Of course, the sheer finish won't offer enough coverage to hide inflamed acne or redness, but it's perfect for day-to-day makeup when you want to even your skin, and it makes a great base to then apply a little concealer in just the places that require it. It's the ultimate "no makeup" makeup skin tint.

It wears so well throughout the day, whether worn alone on top of SPF, or finished with concealer and powder. The finish isn't so dewy that it disappears, yet not too matte that it clings to any dryness. I'm prone to oiliness around my nose and chin, yet this holds up throughout the day and never turns oily or cakey—a little powder on top sets it perfectly.

The shade range is expansive, covering a range of undertones across different shades so that you can find a good match for your skin tone. I'm writing this review in the height of summer, where I have a bit more of a tan at the moment, and shade T7 has been a great match for my complexion, which has neutral undertones. In short, I'll never be without a bottle of this skin tint in my makeup bag.

Shop Now:

How We Tested

I've been using the Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint since it launched, and it's become an everyday staple in my makeup bag. I have oily-combination skin, so I've put this skin tint through its paces to see how it holds up on my skin type, as well as how it wears over SPF and with other makeup. I've also tested a couple of the shades in the range during the warmer and cooler months.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Hilary Duff is currently on the Lucky Me Tour, her first major headlining tour in almost 20 years. (The unenlightened might call it a comeback, but millennials know that she never really left the collective consciousness...not since her Lizzie McGuire days.) Her set list is a mix of 2000s hits (So Yesterday, Why Not, and Come Clean) and new songs from her latest LP, Luck...Or Something. The vibe is 2026 meets the early-2000s, and her on-tour beauty aesthetic reflects it. Think undone waves, glowing skin, and a hint of playful shimmer. "The sparkly, frosted eye is a playful nod to the Y2K era, while fresh, radiant skin keeps the overall look current and true to Hilary's style now," her makeup artist, Taylor Healey, tells me.

Every good makeup look starts with proper skin prep, but it's paramount before a demanding stage performance, when sweat, outfit changes, bright lights and high-def cameras are in play. "It really starts with the skin prep," Healey says. "Making sure the skin is exfoliated and hydrated makes all the difference in how the makeup wears and performs...Then finishing with a good setting powder and setting spray to help protect the makeup from the elements and transfer during quick-changes!"

Healey starts every session with Dermalogica skincare products, before moving on to a few stage-proof makeup essentials. Fortunately for us, she's sharing all the behind-the-scenes details. Ahead, see a selection of the products she relies on.

The Skin Prep

The Makeup

As much as I love to indulge in a trending beauty hack or new product every now and then, there’s something about classic and polished makeup that draws me in every time. And this, of course, extends to my blushers, opting for pared-back hues like brown and burgundy over bold shades each and every time. However, luckily for me, there’s a new blush trend on the radar of chic people that perfectly strikes the balance between feeling fresh for 2026 and timeless enough to fit seamlessly into my classic makeup routine. And you might just recognise it from '90s makeup looks. Enter the nude blush.

Between capri pants, thin eyebrows and low-rise jeans, it's clear that 2026 is the year of the ‘90s revival. But none of these things feels quite as compelling to me as the return of the nude blush. It enhances your natural complexion without looking overdone or taking you out of your comfort zone, creating a healthy, natural-looking flush on the cheeks. It also works well with every type of makeup look, from a bold red lip to your everyday "no-makeup" makeup look. Not to mention that this flattering blush trend will never ever look dated, even in the many years to come.

As someone with a deeper skin tone, I think of a nude blush as a dark brown or rich mocha hue; however, there are plenty of options on the market to suit every skin tone and undertone.

I'm personally planning to wear this chic blush trend from now and well into the autumn and winter seasons. And if you are too, keep scrolling to see and shop the best nude blushes for every skin tone.

Best Nude Blushes, According to a Beauty Writer

• Best Overall: MAC Cosmetics Skinfinish Colourstruck Blush (£28)
• Best Liquid Blush: Nars Insatiable Liquid Blush (£36)
• Best Cream Blush: Merit Beauty Flush Balm (£26)
• Best Powder Blush: BareMinerals Gen Nude Powder Blush (£27)

1. MAC Cosmetics Skinfinish Colourstruck Blush

When it comes to championing the ‘90s nude blush trend, it should come as no surprise that MAC Cosmetics is at the top of this list. And with 29 shades (11 of which are nude) to choose from, it’s no wonder why this blush is constantly being praised on social media at the moment. So, of course, after seeing the rave reviews on my TikTok For You Page, I decided to give it a try. I’m obsessed with the blurring effect this blush has, even with the shades that have a more radiant finish. It’s the perfect second-skin blush to add to the soft-matte makeup looks I’ll be turning to when early autumn comes around. My only recommendation would be to prep your skin properly if you have dry skin like me.

2. Merit Beauty Flush Balm

If you’re a regular reader of Who What Wear, then you’ll know just how much we adore Merit’s Flush Balm for its dewy and healthy-looking finish. With seven different nude shades to choose from, this blush will suit a wide range of skin tones. Plus, it's formulated with vitamin E, which helps to boost hydration. This allows it to blend in seamlessly as opposed to sitting on top of the cheeks, which only adds to the natural-looking nude glow it gives you. Due to how creamy the texture is, it doesn’t last as long on the face as other blushes on the market; however, it’s compact enough to take on the go for reapplication, so I’m not at all discouraged from using it.

3. Nars Insatiable Liquid Blush

If you’re a lover of liquid blush, look no further than Nars’ Insatiable Liquid Blush. Launching only two months ago, I haven’t had this in my makeup bag for very long; however, it's already become a firm favourite in my nude blush collection. It's a highly pigmented but easily blendable formula that settles into a second-skin-like satin finish. All Access and Brash are the perfect nude shades for my deeper skin tone, but there are also four other lighter hues to choose from. Just be aware that a little goes a very long way and the product dries down rather quickly, so blend it out immediately to avoid patchiness.

4. BareMinerals Gen Nude Powder Blush

As someone with dry skin, I’m very critical of powder blushes and their ability not to look cakey or patchy on my cheeks. However, BareMinerals’ Gen Nude Powder Blush was an instant hit with me. Created to mimic the natural flush on your face, this creamy pressed powder was created to give the skin a flattering, soft-focus finish. With ten nude shades to choose from, there’s something to suit every skin tone, so if you’re looking for a truly natural-finish blush that’s subtle and won’t be overpowering, I cannot recommend this enough.

5. Haus Labs Color Fuse Glassy Cheek Stick

I have extremely dry and eczema-prone skin, so any makeup product that incorporates skin care into its formula very quickly grabs my attention. The Haus Labs Glassy Cheek Stick in Clove is not only the perfect nude shade for my deeper skin tone, but it's also packed with skin-loving ingredients that improve hydration by up to 62%. And, trust me when I say it lives up to its claim. It’s dewy, luminous and glowy, but have no fear about it looking too waxy or artificially shiny like other blushes on the market often do. Not to mention that if Glassy Clove is too dark for you, this skin-loving formula also comes in a range of increasingly lighter nude shades. Just note that if you have oily or acne-prone skin, this is one that you’ll want to set with a powder on top.

6. Rhode Pocket Blush in Tan Line

Perfect for on-the-go use, Rhode’s Pocket Blush quickly became a cult favourite amongst editors and makeup lovers alike. And the shade Tan Line is the perfect shade for those with tan or medium skin tones. A wearable pinky-brown that was created to mimic a sun-kissed glow, this creamy blush can be sheered out for a natural flush or built up for a more dramatic look. This shade is too light for me personally, but I’m a big fan of the deeper shade, Toasted Teddy, which is a gorgeous bronze-terracotta that blends in seamlessly for a glowy, neutral-looking finish.

7. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Rosy Nude

If you have a paler complexion, opting for a light pink or beige tone is your best bet for a natural-looking nude blush that doesn't look muddy or orange. When looking for the perfect recommendation. Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Cheek Tint was by far the most popular amongst my fellow editors and friends. Described as a soft, neutral beige-pink, this your-cheeks-but-better shade will give you a natural but glowy flush of colour that can be built up into a more dramatic look. But don’t just take it from me; one reviewer says, “Rosy Nude is one of those shades that’s incredibly easy to build up or keep sheer, depending on the look I’m going for. Even with a small amount, it gives that perfect natural blush that looks like it’s coming from your skin.”

How Do I Pick My Nude Blush Shade?

For Fair/Light Skin Tones

Opt for: Soft beige, light pink, pale peach, and muted rose.

For Tan/Medium Skin Tones

Opt for: Medium peach, tan-nude, very light browns, medium pink, and soft terracotta.

For Dark Skin Tones

Opt for: Warm caramel, dark peach, cinnamon, and rosy brown.

For Deep Skintones

Opt for: Rich mocha, brown, dark rose, burgundy, berry-brown, and rich terracotta.

Why Trust Us?

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Reality television fans know her as one of the latest additions to Bravo's Summer House, a series that follows a group of New York City friends and their many dramas in a seasonal share nestled in the exclusive, coastal Hamptons. Rihanna knows her as a close friend and trusted confidant. Las Culturistas hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers just awarded her the title of Best Vibe, Hands Down at the 2026 Las Culturistas Culture Awards. If that wasn't enough to decorate her résumé, she's also a bona fide makeup lover, so it was only natural for Mia Calabrese to divulge her summer beauty secrets to us.

On a balmy summer day in late June, Calabrese curls up on a couch in a sprawling downtown Brooklyn hotel room, her face gently sculpted in a flurry of Fenty Beauty. "I feel like she and I have a very similar energy," Calabrese tells Who What Wear of friend and Fenty Beauty founder Rihanna in an Instagram Reel. The reality star and real estate salesperson credits their compatibility to the stars (Calabrese is a Cancer, and Rihanna is a Pisces), though she confesses to being a Fenty makeup stan for years before the duo met.

We asked the burgeoning star for her summer makeup tips ("How does she keep those looks locked in place in the Hamptons heat?" we often wonder), discovered what's on her beauty restock list, and dished on her sisterly relationship with costar Ciara Miller. Keep reading.

First, we asked, What's one beauty product that at least someone needs to have on hand in a share house? Calabrese's response—the Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder—nearly came out before we finished the question. "It's so hot in the Hamptons in the summer, so I put the Invisimatte all over my skin," she mimes, dabbing the product on her face. The translucent pressed powder extends the life of your look, controls oil, and keeps sweat at bay for hours. "So you're glowy, never oily!" she tells WWW.

She also shares that sunscreen, specifically the Fenty Beauty Hydra Vizor, is a nonnegotiable. "It makes your skin so glowy and beautiful," she adds. "Some SPFs break me out, but this one doesn't. It sits on my skin perfectly. It gives my skin this natural glow, and I know my skin is being protected. I'm very serious about my SPF." Calabrese also calls out bug spray as a must in the house. "I can never pick just one!" she exclaims. Continue on for more.

You and Ciara famously live in the same apartment building—do you ever share products or clothes?

We joke that our closets are extensions of each other's. We're like sisters that don't fight. If I need to borrow anything, I'm like, "I need to go upstairs," or she'll come down [to mine] and be like, "I need to borrow these paper towels." I actually cannot think about not living in the same building with her; it makes me anxious.

Your friendship with Rihanna is iconic. What's your relationship like nowadays?

She actually texted me two days ago. I love her. That woman knows so much about my business. She's so sweet, such a good friend, and so thoughtful. She's just always checking in, which I appreciate as a water-sign girlie.

We know Rih's a reality TV lover. Did she watch your season and keep up with you as episodes came out?

She did! She was late to the reunion, though, and I had to text her. She's a big Summer House fan. When we were out, she was introducing me to people like, "Everyone, this is Mia from Summer House!" I'm like, "Everyone, this is Rihanna, period."

Do you remember your first Fenty Beauty purchase? What was it, and do you still restock?

Of course, I do!

Calabrese shouts out the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb and Match Stix Contour Skinstick as her first purchases from the brand, though they are far from her last. "I still restock, obviously!" she adds.

What's your beauty vibe this summer?

"Bad bitch" is my look this summer. I'm going for glowy skin and overlined lips.

(Duly noted.)

Shop Fenty Beauty Picks Inspired by Mia Calabrese

With every bridal season comes a set of standout trends that shape conversations around weddings. This season, we saw soft glam, slicked-back buns, and minimalist manicures. But of all these beauty moments, it was the no-makeup makeup looks that had my attention. As I went further down the rabbit hole of my algorithm, I realized that these women may have been influenced by an even less talked-about movement that put it all into motion—brides who decided to walk down the aisle with no makeup at all.

Suddenly, I found myself coming across dozens of newlyweds who had ditched makeup in favor of skincare that enhanced their natural beauty. Admittedly, I couldn't help but notice the mixed reactions. While some people deemed going makeup-free socially unacceptable, others found themselves inspired to follow suit. Early in my research, it was obvious that there isn't a single "type" of woman who makes this kind of choice. Ahead, see how two brides with vastly different relationships to makeup came to the decision.

A true veteran in the beauty space, Stephanie Santana, known widely on social media as Glamzilla, has dedicated the last 15 years to creating beauty content. Spoiler: It paid off big time. The Toronto native engages with over five million followers across platforms daily, sharing her thoughts on the latest beauty launches and beyond.

Most might assume that going full glam on their wedding day would be a nonnegotiable for a beauty creator, yet for Glamzilla, it was a true game-time decision that came after months of makeup trials. "My dream was to have the best celebrity makeup artist do my makeup," she says. "I did trials with everyone from Patrick Ta and Danessa Myricks to Beyoncé's and Cardi B's makeup artists, and it was the most beautiful experience ever because I got to see myself through different artists' lenses."

At the time, Glamzilla had been sharing content around her bridal journey and had even pitched her wedding story to several media outlets. "A month before my wedding, I was so stressed out about it, and I looked over at my husband in the middle of the night, and I realized I was missing the whole point," she says. "[This] was a moment to celebrate the love that I have with my partner that I've been with for the last 19 years." The next day, she made the decision to cancel all the major media plans.

Then, on October 1, 2025, just hours before her wedding, she had another change of heart that left an impact not solely on her but also on the people around her at the wedding and online. She wanted to go makeup-free. Although her husband didn't know about her decision in advance, he encouraged her to do whatever made her feel like herself earlier in the wedding-planning process. "I decided to do my own makeup, but when it was time to get ready, I looked in the mirror, and I was like, 'I'm going to marry him the way I wake up to him every morning. This is the version of me my children will see in the morning.'"

Leading up to the event, Glamzilla booked Hydrafacial, brow-lamination, and lash-lift appointments. But for her wedding day, she used skincare that she knew would deliver the glow she was after. Her key products included Caudalie's face mist, Glow Recipe's Prickly Pear Serum, and Tatcha's Dewy Skin Cream. For her final touches, she applied a bit of OleHenriksen's lip treatment, L'Oréal's Infallible Brow Lamination Gel, Huda Beauty's Easy Blur Primer, and Milk Makeup's Hydro Grip Dewy Setting Spray.

Ultimately, Glamzilla found that going makeup-free didn't simply eliminate an extra step in her bridal routine. It completely transformed the way she experienced her wedding. She didn't worry about her makeup smudging or transferring throughout the ceremony, and there was liberation in being able to feel every emotion on her special day without limits or a second thought. "I was so empowered, and I felt so beautiful just being loved," she says. "It wasn't about me—it was about the moment we were going to share together. It goes beyond full-coverage makeup, eyelashes, and lipstick. It was just a celebration of the journey and the love that we are celebrating."

As a former bridal makeup artist herself, Glamzilla knows a thing or two about what drives the preferences of nearlyweds, but her own journey unlocked a new perspective. "At the end of the day, you're going to cry and laugh it off," she says. "What you want to be able to capture in those photos is the joy, the love, and the happiness." She adds that brides would come to her wanting to get the perfect makeup look, hoping it would translate flawlessly on camera for others to see. "The reality is the moment is already perfect," she says. "People saw me because I was loved and joyful, and I think that's what every bride should focus on—the feeling, not the look. I would do it over and over again, and it was really the best decision of my beauty journey."

Samantha Wills, from Ongarue, New Zealand, felt similarly about her experience. However, her relationship with makeup prior to her February 1 wedding last year was much different. The question wasn't if she should go without makeup. It was the opposite. "I'm not a makeup person, and I never have been," she says. "The thinking behind it was more of a 'Should I maybe wear some makeup because it's my wedding?'"

As a farmer, Wills was already used to skipping makeup, and in some ways, it influenced her outlook on getting glammed up to begin with. "Living this lifestyle is so raw and natural, and that's how I wanted to be walking down the aisle," she says. "I wanted my husband to see me for me."

Similar to Glamzilla, Wills booked a pre-wedding hydrodermabrasion treatment to prep her skin. For her wedding day, she stuck to skin-loving products such as Monat's Be Gentle Creamy Cleanser, Skin Revitalizing Essence, and Be Balanced Lightweight Moisturizer, to name a few. "I didn't want to be any different when I met him at the altar, and that was why I didn't wear any major makeup," she says. "I put on some fake lashes, lip gloss, and brushed my brows."

While her decision felt natural, Wills also received support from her family and bridesmaids. "I actually went to put a little bit of foundation on, and they all looked at me and said, 'No, you don't need that. You look beautiful as you are right now," she says. In hindsight, Wills believes that, had she decided otherwise, it would have added stress and made her more prone to overthinking.

Her choice didn't just create the comfort she needed. It also made it possible for her to be fully present. "It was the most amazing day," Wills says. "I didn't have any expectations, and I suppose that has a lot to do with the people I have around me. But they really allowed me to do that so that I was stress-free on the day that I'm supposed to be."

It's not uncommon for some people to look back on their wedding day and think about what they would've done differently, but for Wills, being a makeup-free bride remains one of the best choices she made. "I'm only filled with joy every time I look at the photos," she says. "There's no doubt in my mind that I made the right decision."

It's clear that the conversation around bridal beauty is evolving not only within the online community of brides-to-be reconsidering their approach but also among makeup artists. Bridal hair and makeup artists Olivia Lo and Melanie Herriot, who specialize in natural makeup, have noticed an uptick in women ditching heavy layers for light, effortless looks. "I've definitely noticed a significant shift over the past year or two," Herriot says. "Previously, foundation was part of almost every bridal application, but throughout 2025 and into 2026, I've found myself reaching for foundation less than ever before."

Lo has had a similar experience, noting that it seems less about wearing less makeup and more about wanting makeup that feels authentic to the individual. "Ultimately, I find that my brides want people to notice them before they notice the makeup," she says. "I know I've done my job well when my brides hear 'You look beautiful' rather than 'Your makeup looks beautiful.'"

Both experts have heard a wide variety of reasons for less makeup, ranging from clients not wearing it in everyday life to having a spring or summer wedding. "For years, brides were told they needed heavier makeup to ensure it showed up in photographs, but modern makeup artistry has completely dispelled that myth," Herriot says. "We now have products and techniques that allow skin to look fresh, luminous, and incredibly natural while still photographing beautifully." She also calls out that celebrity influencers such as Hailey Bieber and Sofia Richie have heavily influenced the pivot to skin-focused bridal beauty.

Whether it's worth investing in a makeup artist for a full no-makeup look is truly up to each person. "I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that hiring a makeup artist is only about applying makeup," Lo says. "In reality, it's about having a professional assess your features, skin type, lighting conditions, and overall wedding aesthetic to help you feel like the best version of yourself." In addition to finding the right skincare products, Lo points out the usefulness of treatments such as facials, lasers, microneedling, and Botox early in the process so that your skin feels healthy and ready the day of.

Across the board, there's an undeniable emphasis on the importance of feeling. How do you want to feel when you're getting ready to walk down the aisle? When you're standing across from the person you'll spend the rest of your life with? When you're surrounded by your friends and family or even when you're looking back on your photos years later? There's no right answer, but whatever you land on will always be your most reliable guide.

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The Odyssey is 2026's answer to a thematic press-tour aesthetic. Think Grecian-inspired gowns, sunlit jewelry, and glowing skin. (We're still not over Zendaya's Athena-esque inner-corner highlight.) Lupita Nyong'o is no exception. Her character, Helen of Troy, is the crux of the ancient epic, so it's no surprise she's been showing up and showing out on the red carpet.

The Oscar-winning actress and our July cover star attended the London, Paris, and New York premieres with unforgettable hair and makeup looks, courtesy of her long-time hairstylist Vernon François and makeup artist Nick Barose. Ahead, we're breaking down all three of the timeless premiere looks with Barose's help. Allow us to take you inside the press tour with expert info and an exclusive behind-the-scenes photo diary.

Skin Prep

"This kind of press tour for a gigantic blockbuster film like this can be quite a beast, [with] traveling international, time differences, etc.," Barose says, which is why skin prep is paramount. He relies on a few essentials to prep Nyong'o's complexion before applying makeup.

"I always start by misting her face with the [Skwálwen Botanicals] Kalkáy (Wild Rose) Refreshing Toner ($65), an Indigenous brand that Lily Gladstone turned me on to during her Oscars season," he says. "It's now my and my clients' favorite. Its gentle, refreshing wild rose scent is so relaxing, and [it's] the best way to wake up all the senses before I start makeup."

Next, he uses the Ziip Halo Microcurrent Device ($400). "I love using this, especially before big red carpet events, like The Odyssey premiere in London, Paris, and NYC. You really do see the difference right away. It's the perfect prep for the complexion so your glow really looks like it's coming from within. The four-minute facial feature gave such amazing effects and only took four minutes, so the hairdresser, manicurist, and stylist don't get mad at me for eating into their glam time," he says.

As an exfoliating step, he uses Lisa Eldridge's Luxuriously Gentle Cleansing and Exfoliating Cloth ($16). "I often soak this in warm water, then squeeze until it's damp and scrub the face, neck, and lips in circular motions to polish and get rid of any possible dry patches before makeup," he explains.

Lastly, he uses Chanel's Sublimage Le Sérum($560), La Crème ($505), La Crème Yeux ($320), and Lip Oil ($365) to prep Nyong'o's skin. Then, it's on to makeup.

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London

"The silver Christian Cowan dress is very vampy and fierce," Barose says. "I drew inspiration from Hollywood's very first vamp screen persona, Theda Bara in 1917, as well as the later photographs of Marilyn Monroe dressed up as Theda Bara by photographer Richard Avedon from 1958." Barose created "sultry, dark, vampy" eyes and lips with razor-sharp cheekbones. He kept the color palette quite muted and created defined eyes and lips with fresh, glowing skin as a backdrop.

The look's standout products came courtesy of Lisa Eldridge Beauty, starting with the Elevated Glow Balm in High Key Light ($38). "I applied the golden-tone highlighter on the top of cheeks and brow bones as well as the shoulders. It illuminated the skin, adding that candlelit glow," he says.

Next were two black cherry products. First, he used the Velatura Balm in Hellebore Heaven ($36). "The black cherry balm adds a hint of colour and shine on cheeks and lips," he explains. He added the Rouge Experience Refillable Lipstick in 190 Bohemian Cherry ($59) "for a seductive, vampy pout." He finished off the look with the brand's Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow in Liza ($30), a chic metallic pewter.

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Paris

"Fun fact: Eartha Kitt also played Helen of Troy onstage in Paris for the legendary director Orson Welles in 1950. [Nyong'o's] flaming-red Chanel see-through dress is giving a bit of Eartha Kitt, so I wanted the makeup to be a nod to Eartha Kitt with her famous Catwoman feline eyes," he says. He paired the eye makeup with deep-red lipstick and gold sparkles on the skin for "extra drama and theatrics."

He started with Chanel's Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint ($72) in Deep Plus and Sublimage L'Essence de Teint Longwear Foundation ($180) in BR152 "for the perfect amount of glow and radiance." Next, he used Chanel's Joues Contrast Cream to Powder Blush in Grenat Profond ($56). "This fresh berry tone adds a hint of flush on the apples of the cheeks," he adds.

Then, he lined Nyong'o's eyes with Chanel's Le Crayon Yeux in 01 Noir Black ($36), added full and fluttery lashes with the Inimitable Mascara Intense ($40), and applied a rich lipstick, the 31 Le Rouge in 11 Rouge Coromandel ($198). "This looks plummy in the tube, but on deep skin, it adds the perfect amount of rich red that complements her fire-engine red Chanel dress without being matchy-matchy or competing with it," he says.

Last but not least, he used Chanel's Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid ($56), Hume's Dry Body Oil Mist ($25) (which Nyong'o actually turned him on to), and a little sparkle—Ben Nye Sparklers Glitter in LD-3 Gold, to be exact. He says, "The perfect sparkles! I sprinkled them on top of her cheekbones and body while Vernon dusted it in her hair too."

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New York City

"The regal gold lace Nicholas Oakwood Couture paired with the Sabyasachi necklace harked back to those glamorous femme fatales from iconic sword-and-sandal films of the '50s, '60s. Think Anne Baxter from The Ten Commandments, Donyale Luna in Fellini's Satyricon, and, of course, Liz Taylor in Cleopatra," he says. Barose created a '60s-inspired look with winged liner, a defined crease, and gold details that were paired with long, feathery lashes and angular, arched brows for an "Old Hollywood screen goddess" effect.

Barose used T-beauty eyeliners from his home country of Thailand, as well as Danessa Myricks Colorfix Pigment ($22) in Goldmine. "I painted this on the inner corners of eyes, center of lids, and a bit on the brow bones," he says. "The gold details added highlight to the eyes and tied in with her gold gown."

Then, he used the I-Envy Classic Timeless Wispy False Lashes. "I love the long, feathery lashes that have spaces in between. They add drama but not density, so the gold on the lids still shows through without being overwhelmed by the length of the lashes. I then glued two of the 12-millimeter clusters from the Cluster Palette ($15) on the outer corners for extra lifts and a feline effect using I-Envy Super Strong Waterproof Glue ($5), which is a must, especially for this sweaty NYC heat wave," he says.

A major part of the look was defined, sculpted cheekbones. For that, Barose turned to a product from a fellow celebrity makeup artist, the Tansculpt Bronzing Contour Balm ($34) by Hung Vanngo. "I was on the Odyssey press tour from London to Paris and NYC with Hung, who's glamming Anne Hathaway," he says. "He turned me on to this [product]. It's so dark and delicious—perfect for sculpting, contouring cheekbones for deep skin tones."

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Heat-Wave Makeup-Setting Essentials

It's no secret that The Odyssey's premieres have been happening in the midst of a summer heat wave. Barose says doing full glam in these conditions is every "makeup artist's worst nightmare," as high heat can affect the aesthetic and wear of makeup. Luckily, he has some makeup-setting and shine-controlling staples.

First, he recommends Mehron's TouchUp Anti-Shine ($12). He uses the shade Dark on Nyong'o. "This theater/cinema backstage brand is my go-to for shine control," he says. "A little bit goes a long way."

He also uses a setting spray, but not just any setting spray. It's Mistine's Matte Setting Spray ($13), another Thai beauty brand he swears by. "A little bit of this helps lock it all in," he says. "I focused more on the T-zone, so it's matte and polished while the rest of the face remains glowy in all the right places."

Last but not least, he uses Payot's Absorbing Blotting Sheets ($13) before any necessary touch-ups. "This heat required more touch-ups, which can turn makeup cakey real fast," he says. "I always blot with blotting paper first before each touch-up to keep skin fresh looking in this heat wave."

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Few makeup artists harbor star power similar to their famous clientele. Pat McGrath climbed the ranks as an editorial makeup artist for top fashion houses, gaining a following of fans that included A-list names like Taylor Swift and Naomi Campbell. McGrath quickly became a golden fixture in both the beauty and fashion industries herself. Mario Dedivanovic, affectionately known as Makeup by Mario, earned a name so closely intertwined with Kim Kardashian's that his own instills the same shock and awe as the celebrity herself. It takes years of muscle, grit, and painterly finesse for a makeup artist to ascend to the same astral plane as their famous subjects, and one person we spy making the same journey is Saudi Arabia–born, Los Angeles–based 29-year-old makeup artist Yasmin Istanbouli.

Passive beauty fans may be hearing Istanbouli's name for the first time, but everyone with a smidge of interest in pop culture has seen her handiwork. The burgeoning artist has been by Charli XCX's side since before the birth of Brat, launching a new era and look for the ever-evolving pop star and inspiring the masses to shift from clean girl beauty to pared-back party girl makeup in 2024. Two years later, Istanbouli has played a prominent role in forging the modern definition of grunge—an unfussy, editorial iteration shaped by her sharp photographer's eye.

To sit in the makeup artist's chair is to be reinforced as an It girl, and notable faces like Olivia Rodrigo, Nara Smith, Madison Beer, and Amelia Gray (we could go on) have been transformed beneath her brushes into sleeker, edgier versions of themselves. To see their faces on her Instagram is to look at the stars, their teams, publicists, and agents with an arched brow of approval. "You know about her too?"

From the smoky, smudged shadows of Charli XCX and Troye Sivan's Sweat tour to Hilary Duff's sculpted features and Camila Cabello's onstage glam, Instanbouli is slowly but surely etching her name among the greats. Keep reading to see what makes her her—from her creative inspirations to memories of meddling in her mother's makeup and the items on her "someday" shopping list.

Are you based in L.A.?

Yes, based in L.A. I'm from Saudi Arabia, and I moved to L.A. at the end of 2021. I came here for college but officially got my work visa by the end of 2021, so I've been here ever since.

What made you want to go into beauty? Was this always the plan after college, or was it what brought you out west?

Where I'm from in Saudi is coastal; it's very similar to L.A., in a way. When I first visited L.A. when I was in middle school (we just came for a summer vacation), I just loved it, so I always knew that I wanted to live here at some point. When I was in college, I actually wanted to get into photography, so I did a lot of video editing, photography, film photography, and animation. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to be in the photography world.

Then, in junior year of college, I got really into RuPaul's Drag Race—like, obsessed with watching them do their makeup—and I started getting stoned and sitting in my bathroom for hours doing drag makeup on myself with my friends for fun. Then I started playing around with makeup and buying more, like Urban Decay, all of their palettes. But when I graduated college, stepping into the photography world sounded scary to me because I felt like I wasn't that technical of a person, so I talked to my mom about doing makeup.

Priscilla Ono, who's Rihanna's makeup artist, had a three-day course in L.A. coming up right after I graduated from college, so my mom gifted me a ticket as a graduation present. We didn't expect anything to come out of it. I just wanted to do it, but that was the light-bulb [moment]. Of course, she taught us about the business and the more technical side of [the industry], but she was giving me such great feedback that I thought, "Oh, maybe I could do this professionally."

At just 29, you did not start doing this that long ago!

It's kind of funny because this is my job, and I'm obviously so lucky to do this. For where I'm at and for my age, it may seem like I got a very quick, strong start, but it's all Instagram, to be honest. I've just been doing the Instagram thing for a while.

How did Instagram become a conduit for you?

Ever since I was a high school student in Saudi, I was very interested in photography. I also loved L.A., so I was following a lot of L.A. people, and I was obsessed with Tumblr. I was very much curating a classic aesthetic on my Instagram, and I got really into it during college too. I've also had a public account since high school, which is kind of controversial for a girl in Saudi. I remember my dad was like, "Your Instagram is public?!" So I was very into putting myself out there.

When I started doing makeup, I was just hitting up the L.A. models—the girls that I was following for a while—and was like, "Can I do your makeup for free? We'll just take some pictures, whatever." That was what got the ball rolling because then those girls would post and tag me even though I didn't have a name at that point. That's where Instagram helped.

You and Charli must really jive because you understand the artistic side of things, especially with this upcoming album, Music, Fashion, Film. You two are such a synergetic pairing in that way.

I don't know if I'm not giving myself enough credit (I haven't been doing this for that long, so I still have a lot to learn), but I feel like people are hiring me because of vibes. Charli and I really get along, and it just makes the makeup process easier. She trusts me. I remember the first time I met her. She told me two things, and I still stick by it to this day: "I don't like covering my under-eyes, and I love gray." So ever since then, I've just stuck to that, and she's such an easy person to work with. Beautiful face. It's like a match made in heaven.

When did you first work together? I feel like we were introduced to this grungier look in the Brat era, but do you two predate that album?

We started working together pre-Brat. I was introduced to her through an incredible hairstylist, Fitch Lunar, who's probably known Charli for 15 years. We were at a shoot, and he was like, "Do you know Charli XCX?" I was like, "Yeah, of course." This is what I mean when I say it's all vibes. He said, "I feel like you guys would get along." He told her about me, and then not too long after that, she hit me up to do her makeup when she came out as a surprise guest at a Caroline Polachek concert in L.A. in 2023. After that, she started booking me for little things here and there, and then it really took off when she booked me for tour.

You are literally responsible for the Brat makeup trend. That's wild!

It's also her, though! When I look up pictures of Charli in her past eras, she was really into glam and color and glitter. But for Brat, from very early on, she said, "I just want it to be very stripped back and more me," which is how I love to do makeup. So it's very, very collaborative. Some days, she'd say, "I want nothing," and then other days, she'd be like, "Let's do a messy, black eye." We were just doing it on the fly during tour, really.

Between the tour girls, it's you and Sophia Sinot. It's your work with Charli, and it's Sophia with Zara Larsson. Those are the girls to watch.

Stop it! To be put up next to Sophia Sinot… I'm honored.

It's true! We need a collab someday. But let's take things back to the beginning. What or who comes to mind when you think of your first memories of makeup?

Definitely my mom. I still remember her Chanel lipstick. She loves Chanel nail polish and lipstick to this day. I was obsessed with her lipstick, even the smell of it. She had a gorgeous vanity, and my mom doesn't wear much makeup, but she always had so much of it. I remember grabbing her Chanel lipstick and then, obviously, covering my whole mouth, and then I suddenly dropped and smashed it.

What a chic mom.

When [Charli and I] were on tour or traveling together and I'd wear an outfit, people would be like, "That's so cute. Where'd you get it?" And I'm like, "It's my mom's." My whole closet is my mom's vintage.

You have such an impressive client list, from Charli to Olivia Rodrigo, Nara Smith, Madison Beer, and beyond. Who is still a dream client of yours?

I have a few! I recently worked with Olivia Rodrigo, who was definitely on my list. Love her. And as someone who's half Palestinian, Bella Hadid. Bella's makeup artist, Nadia Tayeh, is also Palestinian, and she's amazing. She's my idol, and they're a match made in heaven. We actually just ran into each other in passing. We were working with two different clients at the same hotel in New York, and I was a full-on fangirl.

Love Hailey [Bieber], and I would also love [to work with] Jenna Ortega. I think she's really fucking cool; she's so stunning and so low-key. Hannah Einbinder too—I love her. Obviously, this is my job, and some days, it's not a personal thing, but I really want to work with people that are aligned in terms of morals and what we care about. That's a big deal to me.

Yes, 100%. Your roster is filled with quite the crew of fashion people too, and you fit right in. How would you describe your personal style?

I love being comfortable. When I was in college, I was wearing Dickies, Converse, and my dad's T-shirts. I didn't tap into my feminine side at that point in my life, so when I moved to L.A. and lived with my best friend… She has the classic tube tops, miniskirts, big hoops, lashes, and a tan. She looks so hot and confident. She started letting me borrow her clothes. At that point, I really tapped into my feminine side.

I love basics—a good pair of jeans, a good jacket—but it depends on what I'm doing. I don't consider myself a fashion girl, but I feel really good when I'm wearing a good leather jacket and a good tank top. I have a lot of Skims, Brandy Melville, and Tank Air and always a good pair of jeans. My mom always says that you know someone has good taste when they wear good shoes, so I'm trying to elevate my shoe game right now.

What are three things on your shopping wish list right now?

I love a good YSL or ACNE Studios leather jacket. I have so many leather jackets. They last forever. Oh, and I want to get ballet flats with a pump from Repetto or somewhere similar. And I mean, anything from The Row—someday, I'll get there.

My mom is the blueprint for me, and she loves to shop. Every time I go back to Saudi, she's just giving me things, like her OG 2001 Balenciaga City Bag, so I don't need to shop. I feel like that's why I don't know if I have good taste or not, because I'm just taking from her.

It's called inherited taste! Who are your fashion and beauty references?

Of course, Charli. She can just go out in a T-shirt and baggy jeans and look amazing. I also love Alex Consani. When she wears no makeup and has her hair down, she's just so chic to me. Alex can look very casual chic or high fashion but always effortlessly. I just think she's extremely, extremely cool. I've worked with her once, but she's definitely high up there on my list of people whose makeup I want to do. It was a long time ago, and I need a rerun.

In that same vein, where do you usually like to shop? In your mom's closet, I'm sure.

My mom's closet, for sure! I'm not much of a shopper, but when I do shop… Charli and I went to Nordic Poetry in London and found some really cute stuff. Lara Koleji and Procell in New York. There's this one store in L.A. that I haven't been to but really want to: Staklena Kuća. Kate Berlant, who is very chic (she's a comedian and has amazing style), told me about that store. I'm more of a vintage shopper, so if I'm buying new things, I'm usually just getting basics.

If my wallet allows it, definitely ACNE. Love The RealReal, also Gimaguas and Paloma Wool. I went to a Paloma Wool pop-up in London and bought a lot. I'm really into accessorizing right now. I love a cute scarf with a leather jacket, a tank top, and jeans.

On the other hand, what beauty brands and products do you love to collect?

I love Dior makeup. I use a lot of Dior on myself, and my mom always had a lot of it. Once I got into makeup, she would give me some of her products to use on myself, and a lot of it was Dior. I love the packaging, their palettes, and I have a lot of them. You know how makeup artists depot products. We take all the eye shadow palettes out of the actual packaging and put them in a bigger palette. I feel like I can't do that with the Dior ones. I'm like, "They're so precious and gorgeous!"

Another brand that's a staple for every makeup artist is MAC. They just have everything! I love their mascaras, lip liners, lipsticks, skin products, all of it. I've been really into Haus Labs and Merit. I have a drawer dedicated to Merit. I gave a Complexion Stick to each of my sisters. We all have very similar complexions, and whenever I'm with them and I have it out, they try it and are like, "Oh my god, this is amazing." So I just keep giving them Merit Complexion Sticks!

Fill in the blank: I feel most confident when ________.

I feel most confident when I'm having a good hair day. My hair is my armor. I like having long hair, and whenever I cut it, I'm instantly insecure, but when I'm having a good hair day—because it's just also hard to manage (I have frizzy hair)—I feel unstoppable.

Last question: What's your star sign, and do you think it reflects who you are?

I'm a Cancer sun, Virgo rising, and Leo moon. I've always felt very connected to my sign. I'm a Cancer, so I'm obviously very sensitive, and I do consider myself a nurturer. I am very much a sensitive girl, and I think Leos are, out of all the fire signs, the more sensitive ones. Charli's a Leo! I love Leos, and they're really fun.

As a beauty editor, I've been riding the Korean skincare wave for some time now and, happily, there are plenty of products that have earned a permanent place in my skincare routine. When it comes to Korean makeup, though, I've been a bit slower on the uptake, something I now bitterly regret. Having finally given these products a go and been majorly impressed, I think they deserve just as much of a spotlight as the skincare.

So, what's the deal with Korean makeup, you ask? "Like Korean skincare, Korean makeup is all about achieving the glass-skin look," reveals Dr Christine Hall, GP, aesthetic physician, emergency medicine doctor and K-beauty expert.

Forget covering the skin with a heavy foundation; the focus is on enhancing what you already have and creating a fresh, healthy-looking complexion with an impressive array of glow-boosting products. "Korean makeup is also known for being very innovative, especially when it comes to making products more practical," adds Dr Hall.

Innovative, lightweight and affordable? What's not to love? Below, I've put some of the most-hyped Korean makeup products to the test to find out which ones are actually worth the hype.

The Best Korean Makeup Products

• Best Korean Eyeshadow Palette: About Tone Ohmy Glitter Pop 03 Oh Dreamer, £12.50
• Best Korean Colour Pot: Dasique Dasique Souffle Color Pot, £16
• Best Korean Cushion Compact: Tir Tir Mask Fit AI Filter Cushion, £20.99
• Best Korean Lip Stain: Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint Bare Grape, £16
• Best Korean Mascara: BBIA Never Die Mascara, £8.90
• Best Korean Lip & Blush Stick: Tir Tir Mood Glider Lip & Blush Stick

1. About Tone Oh my Glitter Pop 03 Oh Dreamer

About Tone is a relatively new K-beauty makeup brand on the scene, with an ethos built around easy-to-use products that enhance rather than mask. Its products are also vegan and cruelty-free.

This palette is a 10/10. The shimmer catches the light beautifully, the shades work together seamlessly, and you can easily build the intensity for stronger definition. The formula also outshone some other well-known palettes that cost three times the price.

2. BBIA Never Die Mascara

BBIA is a Korean makeup brand that has been around since 2004 and is known for creating high-performing, affordable colour cosmetics. I really like this mascara. At first glance, I thought the brush would be too small, but it did a stellar job of creating long, defined lashes that stay perfectly curled all day without smudging.

3. TirTir Mood Glider Lip & Blush Stick

If you've spent any time on BeautyTok over the past year, chances are you've come across TIRTIR. The brand has become one of K-beauty's biggest breakout stars, thanks to its viral complexion products that deliver the fresh, glowing skin the category is famous for. While it first made its name in skincare, TIRTIR is now best known for its bestselling cushion foundations, which is why I decided to try a few more of their other products.

This multi-tasker really packed a punch in terms of impressive staying power. True to the brand's skin-first philosophy, it enhances your natural radiance with a breathable texture that looks and feels like skin. It's highly pigmented and has a slight glowy sheen, which I loved as I didn't need to bother with highlighter.

4. ROM&ND Juicy Lasting Tint

If there's one Korean lip product that's achieved cult status, it's the Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint. Beloved for its glossy finish and impressive staying power, I found the formula delivers the look of a juicy lip gloss with the longevity of a stain, leaving behind a soft wash of colour even after the shine fades.

5. Tir Tir Mask Fit Foundation

If you can't quite get on board with a cushion compact, don't panic; this pump foundation delivers the same signature TIRTIR glow in a more familiar format. Inspired by the brand's cult-favourite Red Cushion, it offers buildable, full coverage with a lightweight, second-skin feel, leaving skin looking radiant rather than masked. Better still, I found the satin finish stayed put for up to 15 hours with minimal fading or transfer, making it an ideal choice for long days.

6. Eborian CC Cream

I've long adored this CC cream for how undetectable it looks on the skin while still effortlessly disguising breakouts, redness and dullness. For the days when you really don't want a full beat, reach only for this.

7.  Dasique Souffle Color Pot

If there's one product that sums up the soft, blurred aesthetic of Korean makeup, it's the Dasique Soufflé Color Pot. Made for both the cheeks and lips, the airy, mousse-like formula blends beautifully into the skin, creating a diffused wash of colour that never looks heavy or overdone. I'm a big fan of the Burnt Sienna, a terracotta brown that adds natural-looking warmth to the complexion and doubles as a flattering lip tint. I also found this product almost impossible to overapply, while the soft-matte finish gives that coveted 'just-pinched' flush.

8. Beauty of Joseon Tinted Sunscreen

With its fluid, almost serum-like texture, this Beauty Joseon SPF melts into the skin without feeling heavy or cakey, making it perfect for those days when a full foundation feels like too much. The tint is subtle but strong enough to blur imperfections and enhance your natural skin tone, giving that effortless "your skin but better" finish that Korean makeup is known for.

9. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush

I wasn't completely sold on this product at first as it took a few tries before I really understood the hype. But after giving it a proper chance, I found myself coming back to it again and again. The formula has that signature glow-boosting effect the brand is known for, helping to refine the appearance of texture while also leaving skin with a boost of colour so that it looks fresh, plump and luminous.

10. TIRTIR Mask Fit Ai Filter Cushion

Dr Hall is a big fan of cushion compacts, and it's easy to see why. 'Instead of a traditional liquid foundation in a pump bottle, the formula is stored inside a compact cushion and applied using a puff. This makes it super easy to apply a thin layer and build coverage where needed,' she explains.

While the formula is creamy, it doesn't feel as though it sits on the skin, meaning you don't get that mask-like feeling. It has a matte finish too, so it's perfect for oily-prone skin. Prefer a glowier finish? Try the TIRTIR Red Compact instead.

11. Fwee Lip&cheek Blurry Pudding Pot

Another lip and cheek stain worthy of a spot in your makeup bag. It differs from Dasique Soufflé Color Pot in that its pudding-like texture feels bouncier and more cushiony. The biggest difference is the finish and payoff. Dasique delivers a delicate, romantic flush, while Fwee offers a more buildable pop of colour with a velvety blur that can be layered on both lips and cheeks.

What Makes Korean Makeup Products Different?

Korean makeup is different from Western makeup in a lot of the same ways that Korean skincare is different. "Korean makeup products are actually hybrid, and this comes from the K-beauty focus on looking after your skin, supporting the skin barrier and using gentle ingredients that help care for your skin while you’re wearing makeup," explains Dr Hall.

Korean makeup is also known for being very innovative, especially when it comes to making products more practical, such as the cushion compact. "Korean brands also combine makeup with skincare ingredients to create products that target different skin concerns. Erborian is loved for its BB and CC creams, which are a great alternative to heavier foundation if you want a lighter base with ingredients such as centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid and SPF," continues Dr Hall.

At a glance, Korean makeup is also different. "Solid lipstick colour is rare, with softer gradient lips being favoured. Eye makeup is often peach toned and not heavily pigmented, and even the styles differ," reveals Dr Hall. "You will see many influencers doing split-face makeup US/UK vs Korean, and you will see it is a lot more subtle. Brows are straighter and thicker, winged liner tends to angle slightly downwards and colours slightly lighter than natural are favoured. For example, lighter browns for brow products," she adds.

What Are the Best Korean Makeup Application Techniques?

One Korean makeup technique that has recently become popular in the West is applying blusher under the eyes, explains Dr Hall. "The under-eye blush trend went viral on TikTok and is heavily inspired by K-beauty. One of my favourite products for this look is the Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot."

"Aegyo-sal is another interesting observation which refers to the small roll of fat under the eyes. It is something patients in the West complain to me about in clinic, whereas in Korea these are drawn onto the area and considered to be very cute," she adds.

Korean makeup also often tends to favour softer and straighter brows compared to the more arched brow trends popular in Western makeup. "A straighter brow is often seen as giving a softer and more youthful appearance," continues Dr Hall.

Finally, another technique is a soft shimmer or brightening shade in the inner corners of the eyes to make them look bigger, brighter and more awake. "It’s usually very subtle rather than a dramatic highlight," adds the Korean beauty expert.

What Makes Korean Makeup Products Better?

"Rather than being better for everyone, Korean makeup products are great because many brands combine makeup with skincare, comfort and innovation," says Dr Hall.

Korean beauty is also known for creating products that are easy to use and practical. From cushion foundations to lip tints and multi-use cream products, many formulas are designed to be quick, convenient and very easy to apply.

Another reason people love Korean makeup is the textures and finishes. "Korean brands are known for creating formulas that feel different from traditional makeup, ranging from lightweight cushions and watery lip tints to soft-blurring cream products. Many textures feel creamy, airy or almost whipped, making them easy to blend into the skin. Rather than sitting heavily on top of the skin, they melt in to create a more natural, comfortable finish," she adds.

Who Might Suit Korean Makeup Formulas Best?

"Korean makeup is a great choice for anyone who prefers a lightweight and natural-looking makeup look rather than a full coverage or heavy base. If you like fresh and glowing skin and makeup that still looks like your skin, you’ll probably really enjoy Korean makeup formulas," reveals Dr Hall.

She adds that people with dry, normal or combination skin often love Korean makeup because of the comfortable textures and a dewy finish. "There are also lots of options for oily skin too, as many Korean formulas are designed with warmer and more humid climates in mind."

Equally, Dr Hall adds that Korean makeup might not be for everyone, especially if you prefer a full coverage or matte makeup look. "As many Korean makeup products focus on enhancing the skin rather than completely covering it, some formulas may feel too sheer if you like a very perfected and high coverage base."

How We Test

To find the best Korean makeup products, I tested a range of base products, blusher pots, cheek and lip tints, mascaras and eye shadow palettes, evaluating each for ease of use, longevity, shade selection, and overall finish. Before selecting, I also tapped the expertise of Korean beauty expert Dr Christine Hall, who regularly uses Korean makeup products and whose opinion I highly rate.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

If you ask any editor, they'll tell you that Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale is one of their most anticipated shopping events of the entire year. That's because Nordstrom offers brand-new sizes, sets, and exclusives rather than just discounting old inventory. Since shoppers get a preview of the entire sale section before it opens to the public on July 18, you can see every on-sale item worth snagging. (BTW, if you're a Nordstrom cardmember or Ambassador, you can access the sale now. Influencers can shop on July 17.)

Of course, not every deal deserves a spot in your shopping cart. The best sale items are the ones that deliver exceptional value. Think limited-edition sets, beauty staples that cost less per ounce than usual, and rarely discounted designer faves. Ahead, see every high-ticket item worth buying before the sale ends on August 9.

Dedicated sale shoppers know that finding good deals takes a careful eye, heaps of patience, and the discernment of when to strike. If you wait for the percentage to drop just a smidge lower as the sale wanes, you risk losing out on the treasure altogether if it sells out. You might walk into an event as vast as the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and become so overwhelmed that you, yet again, walk away with nothing.

As a beauty editor, I spend about 80% of my workday surfing the internet for the next best product on the market, which means that I'm in the business of finding the top deals at any sale. Lucky for you, I spent hours evaluating which early access beauty deals in Nordstrom's never-ending inventory are actually worth snagging before the sale opens to the public on July 18. If you're a card member, you can access this sale as early as today, July 14 (at Icon status); Ambassadors can shop July 15, and Influencers can shop July 17—with the sale drawing to a close on August 9.

While it may sound like you have quite some time to shop this sale, heed my warning from before—with deals this good, none of these products will stay in stock for long. Below, the 15 deals I'd beeline for in the early access beauty section of Nordstrom's 125th Anniversary Sale, from iconic Le Labo perfumes (you know the one!) to covetable Dyson hair dryers and more.

The 15 Top Beauty Deals to Shop Early at Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale

Paige Lorenze has great taste. As the founder and creative director of Dairy Boy and a content creator with over two million combined followers on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, she's built an impressive personal brand grounded in individuality, authenticity, and stylish fashion and beauty picks. Although her picturesque New England lifestyle doesn't hurt either.

If you've watched her YouTube vlogs for as long as I have, you'll know she's no stranger to a GRWM video. She often does her own makeup while chatting to the camera, whether it's ahead of an important brand meeting or before supporting her fiancé, professional tennis player Tommy Paul, courtside at a Grand Slam match. Because she has great taste, I'm always taking notes, ID'ing the specific products she uses and how she applies them.

If there's one makeup product Lorenze seems to use most often, it's Clinique's cult-classic Almost Lipstick ($25) in Black Honey. The shape-shifting raisin has been around since 1971 (yep, that's an impressive 55-year history), which is why it continues to transcend generational lines. A quick scroll through TikTok is all it takes to prove that it's just as beloved by baby boomers as it is by Gen Z. Lorenze has been a fan of it for years. In fact, she was introduced to it by her mom years ago.

Cut to 2026, and she's the face of Clinique's new Black Honey campaign, The Difference Is You. It celebrates the enduring popularity of Black Honey, as well as Lorenze's personal taste and organic love for the product. Ahead, I chat with Lorenze about all things beauty, including her formula for a quick five-minute face, how she stays confident in the public eye, and what we can expect from her highly anticipated wedding.

Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

You're a longtime, organic fan of Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. It's such an iconic product and collection. What do you love about it, and why do you keep coming back to it despite having tested so many beauty products over the years?

I love that you organically follow me because I'm sure you've seen me use it. It's definitely been a staple of mine forever, so this campaign is beyond my wildest dreams. Originally, I stole it from my mom. My mom is very much a "no-makeup makeup" girl, and I actually wear more makeup than her. When I stole it from her, I thought, "This is such a good product, whether you're not wearing makeup or you are wearing makeup." It was a fun entry into makeup because it's hydrating and balmy, but it has color and is buildable. Now, it's everywhere. I have one in my car, one in my purse, and one in my makeup bag.

Even if I'm not wearing makeup but want to look fresh and healthy, I'll put it on. But if I want that perfect dark-purply shade of lip—which is honestly my lip color but better—I can layer it on with a lip liner. It's very effortless but also very multifaceted. You can use it for so many different things.

I always say Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is one of the most versatile makeup products. Also, moms have the best beauty recommendations. They always have the simple, good things.

Yes, exactly, 100%.

Let's say you're short on time. You woke up late and have to be out of the house in five minutes or less. How are you using Almost Lipstick in Black Honey to create a quick makeup look?

I think doing your eyebrows, having a nice facial mist, and putting Almost Lipstick in Black Honey on your cheeks and lips is enough. If my eyebrows are brushed up, my skin is looking fresh, and I have Black Honey on, I feel like I'm good to go.

Do you have a favorite brow gel or face mist at the moment?

My favorite face mist… I feel like I use so many different ones. Honestly, I've been using Clinique's Moisture Surge ($33) for years. It's really, really good, and it's nice because they have it in so many airports around the world. They usually have a Clinique in TSA, so I've bought Moisture Surge a million times while traveling.

I've actually been using a brow oil that's meant for growth and fullness. I bought it at my local lash and brow place, and I've been using it to brush up my brows. I feel like it's been making them look really healthy. People also use things like Vaseline and castor oil.

Those are all good. Using a brow serum to brush up your brows is a good hack. It makes them look good while also giving them the growth benefits. Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has a 55-year history, which is really impressive. What about it feels timeless to you?

I think the packaging feels really timeless. I think [Clinique's] graphic identity and the way [the brand] has stayed true to itself are very authentic. I also love that it's science based and backed. Everyone feels comfortable using Clinique products because they're universally known, loved, and have been around for so long.

Finally, I think it feels timeless to me because my mom used it and because you can find it in so many places—at the airport, at the mall, or wherever you shop for beauty products. It's accessible, which makes it feel classic and very American to me.

Speaking of timelessness, I feel like Dairy Boy captures a sense of timelessness in its design portfolio, and your home design and lifestyle content on YouTube does as well. How have your personal style and, especially, Dairy Boy's brand identity evolved throughout the years? Do you intentionally try to capture that sense of timelessness?

Definitely. I think growing up in New England has given me so much source material to pull from and so many inspirational people to look to—whether that's public figures, family members, women I grew up around, or just the people who shaped my taste over the years.

I feel like I was surrounded by so many beautiful properties. I rode horses a lot, spent a lot of time in Vermont, went to boarding school there, grew up going to Nantucket, and was born in Boston. I grew up all along the East Coast, and I've always seen the beauty in loving where you're from and taking inspiration from those places.

I think the East Coast has a very classic, timeless sense of style that values things collected over time and things with history. Those are the things that inspire me a lot in my brand, my home, and everything that I do.

I love that. It's like that quote I always see: "You're a collection of your favorite things."

Yes, totally.

What's next for Dairy Boy? Can we expect it to expand into any new categories, whether that's home, lifestyle, or beauty?

We've been developing a perfume for about a year and a half, and I'm really excited about it and looking forward to launching it. I'm going to be wearing the scent on my wedding day, so that's a category we're really excited about.

That's so exciting. Speaking of your wedding, I wanted to say congratulations. How have you approached the beauty element of the wedding? It can be a lot of pressure for people when they're putting together their wedding look. Can you share any insight into the look you wanted to create or any inspiration you've drawn from?

That's such a good question. … Because I'm both a creator and a consumer of content, I tried at the beginning of the wedding-planning process—whether it was beauty or décor—to stay away from Pinterest. I think it's good to collect a Pinterest mood board over the years, even before you're engaged, of the things you love and then put it away when it's time to actually plan. I feel like I've seen enough. I've seen so many beautiful weddings and beautiful things, and I really wanted to put that mood board aside and create something that was completely ours.

It's so easy now, with how many beautiful weddings you can find on Pinterest, not to create something that feels individual. I think the most special weddings—regardless of the beauty, the money, the dresses, or the looks—should just feel like the bride and groom. If you spend too much time looking at other people's weddings, it won't actually end up being a true reflection of the couple. That was challenging because there were so many decisions where I thought, "I would love to see how this looks, and I'm sure there's a photo of it somewhere."

I really tried to push myself with my dress, makeup look, and hair to do things that felt flattering to me and aligned with the things I know and love. I wanted to keep things simple but also romantic and a little more whimsical. For the beauty side of things, from the skincare part of my wedding journey to my wedding makeup trial, I've just tried to keep things simple. I wanted to use the things I know and love and not try anything new.

That's why working with Clinique around my wedding is such a dream. It's also a sense of comfort on your wedding day to know that you're using products you've already been using, that you love, and that you trust.

Absolutely. Wedding planning can be so overwhelming, and I think there are so many different avenues you can go down with beauty. I love the idea of keeping it simple and relying on your tried-and-true products to feel like yourself. I love your Pinterest hot take about having your board but not relying too heavily on it. Do you have any other wedding-planning tips or tricks?

Yes. I would say if you're going to spend money on anything, spend money on your planner. You cannot buy peace of mind. There's no price on that. I would say cut back on other expensive things and invest in a good planner because if you can pass off your vision to someone who will execute it and you don't have to micromanage, it allows you to enjoy this season of your life so much more.

Being a bride isn't only about your wedding day. The entire year that you're engaged—or, for some people, multiple years—is such a beautiful season of life that you'll hopefully never experience again. It's so important to enjoy that process and not dread planning your wedding or feel like you have to micromanage every detail.

It's universally known that brides get incredibly stressed during the year of their wedding. For me, my wedding planners were Easton Events, and they were the best of all time. They are expensive, but it was so worth it. They're not just expensive because of the weddings they've done. They're expensive because they have incredible organizational processes, detailed systems, programs, and technology they've invested in to make the wedding-planning process easier for me and my entire family. That's made a huge difference. Especially as a business owner, I'm like, "Oh my gosh, I'm sad that I won't have meetings with them anymore because they're so sharp."

I can understand that. Peace of mind is the biggest thing. I want to know more about how you relate to Clinique's The Difference Is You campaign. It celebrates individuality at its core. What does individuality mean to you, and how do you keep it central to everything you do—whether that's content creation, Dairy Boy design, or your foundation? How do you celebrate your individuality?

I do that through my work. I love pouring myself into my work because, with owning a brand, especially a lifestyle brand, the more authentic and true to myself I've been and the more I've gone back to my roots and stripped away any layers that weren't me, the more I've been rewarded and the more I've found my community.

It's really nice that, in my work, being authentic pays off. That's been such a fun thing over the years. I love what I do for a living, and I feel like I'm able to be really self-expressive through that.

Totally. You're in the public eye a lot as a businesswoman, brand founder, and content creator. What makes you feel confident, and what do you do to build your confidence on days when you might not be feeling your best?

I think confidence does come from within, but feeling and looking good and refreshed never hurts. If I'm not feeling my best, I'll do an everything shower, get a facial, do my makeup and hair, and give myself a blowout. That usually helps a little bit.

I also spend time with my family, but … if I'm ever feeling off, it's usually a sign that I'm not doing the things I love or spending enough time outdoors. It's easy for me to recenter myself now that I live in Connecticut because I'm surrounded by so many of the things I love.

Speaking of Connecticut, since you moved back, has it influenced your beauty routine?

Yes, I would say everything is much simpler—my skincare routine, my beauty routine, everything in my life. I think that has contributed to my happiness.

Shop the Rest of the Clinique Black Honey Collection

If there’s one beauty product I’ve become obsessed with over the past few years, it’s lip liner. As someone with naturally thin lips, it's always been the product that makes the biggest difference to my makeup. A well-placed liner can subtly enhance the shape of my lips without looking obvious—I never wear lipstick without one (in fact, I often just wear lip liner), and if you peeked inside my makeup bag, you'd find far more lip liners than anyone reasonably needs.

One of my favourite things about makeup is experimentation, and when it comes to lip products in particular, there is so much room for creativity and customisation. Pair a cool-toned nude liner with a peachy lipstick, and you'll create something entirely different than if you teamed that same lipstick with a warm brown or rosy pink. The possibilities are almost endless, which is why I love experimenting with different combinations depending on my mood, the season, or the rest of my makeup look.

Summer, in particular, calls for a wardrobe of lip pairings. Think fresh pinks, sun-warmed peaches, glossy nudes and vibrant corals that feel effortless rather than overdone. So, after years of testing (and more than a little lip liner collecting), I've rounded up my favourite lipstick and lip liner combinations for the season. I've also enlisted some of my fellow Who What Wear UK beauty team members to share the pairings they reach for on repeat, from everyday neutrals to brighter holiday-ready shades. Whether you're looking for the perfect "your lips but better" duo or something with a little more impact, there's a combination here worth trying.

The Best Summer Lip Liner and Lipstick Combinations

1. Fara Homidi Lip Compact in Nude 1 + Fara Homidi Lip Pencil in Doux

"This duo has completely changed the way I think about nude lips. Rather than creating a flat beige finish, the combination adds subtle dimension while still looking incredibly natural. I use the Lip Pencil in Doux to lightly define and slightly overline my cupid's bow before blending the edges with my fingertip. Then I press Nude 1 from the Lip Compact over the centre of my lips with a lip brush for a soft, diffused effect. The compact's creamy texture almost melts into the lips, while the liner provides just enough structure to make everything look more defined. The result is an expensive-looking, softly sculpted nude lip that feels incredibly modern—and one I know I'll be wearing well beyond summer." — Grace Day, freelance beauty editor

2. Guerlain Contour G Lip Pencil in Le Beige Praline + Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil in Mocha

"I know people tend to steer towards brighter shades in the summer months, but I happen to think that a deeper nude lip combo looks super chic, especially with a tan. This season, I've been gravitating towards Guerlain's Contour G Lip Pencil in the shade Le Beige Praline. I love this pencil as it feels nice and creamy to apply, yet it doesn't budge. Plus, it's very pigmented, so you can build it up depending on what finish you like. I'll be honest, I don't really like wearing lipstick, so instead, I apply the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil in the shade Mocha over the top. Not only does the brown hue perfectly complement the liner, but the hydrating formula and sparkling finish are a match made in heaven." — Grace Lindsay, deputy beauty editor, Who What Wear UK

3. Summer Fridays Softline Lip Liner in Toffee + Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick in Pique

"It's taken me a long time to find a good lip combo, and after finding that so many liners and lipsticks pull too pink or orangey on my skin, I've learnt that neutral or cool-toned-leaning shades work best for my complexion. Summer Fridays Softline Lip Liner in the shade Toffee is my favourite neutral liner with a cool-toned, pinky-brown hue that glides on and softly sculpts without looking harsh. Then, I like to gently pat on Westman Atelier's Lip Suede Lipstick in shade Pique to the centre of my lips, which results in a soft-focus, blurred lip with a taupey undertone. It's a matte lipstick, but it's so creamy and hydrating that it feels like a lip balm on my lips." — Eleanor Vousden, beauty editor Who What Wear UK

4. Victoria Beckham Beauty Lip Definer in 03 + Hourglass Phantom Blur Balm in Whisper

"If you asked me to choose one lip combination to wear every day, this would probably be it. Victoria Beckham Beauty's Lip Definer in 03 is the perfect cool brown-pink—it adds just enough definition to subtly enhance my naturally thin lips without looking like I'm obviously wearing liner. The formula is creamy enough to glide on effortlessly but sets down so it stays put for hours. I then swipe on Hourglass's Phantom Blur Balm in Whisper, which has the most beautiful soft rosy-nude tone. It smooths over the liner, blurs everything together, and gives my lips that plush, softly diffused finish that looks incredibly polished. It's understated, effortless, and somehow works with every makeup look I wear, whether it's barely-there skin or a full evening face." — Grace Day, freelance beauty editor

5. Rhode Peptide Lip Shape in Spin + Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil in Warm Beige

To me, nothing beats a brown lip combo, and I haven’t seen shades that go quite as deep as Rhode’s lip shape in a very long time. Available in 14 flattering nude shades, it's a creamy contouring liner that makes my lips look huge without having to overline them too much. The shade Spin is a rich plum brown that doesn’t pull too red, and it blends in beautifully with any lip gloss, balm or oil. My favourite product to pair it with at the moment? Summer Friday’s Dream lip oil in warm beige, of course. A makeup-skincare hybrid that’s packed with a blend of skin-loving ingredients, this product nourishes the lips for long-lasting softness, whilst also providing the overly-glossy, glass-like shine I love. — Brittany Davy, junior writer.

6. Merit Signature Lip Liner in Coupé + Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil in Pointelle

"When I'm in the mood for something glossier, this is the lip combination I reach for every time. Merit’s Signature Lip Liner in Coupé is a beautiful neutral pink-brown that gives my lips just enough definition without ever looking harsh, and I like to softly blend the edges inwards so it almost melts into my natural lip line. I then layer Merit’s Shade Slick Lip Oil in Pointelle over the top, which adds the prettiest sheer wash of cool-toned pink and an incredibly juicy shine without feeling sticky. Together, they create that effortless, healthy-looking lip that feels fresh and clean rather than overdone." — Grace Day, freelance beauty editor

7. Westman Atelier Lip Shape Lip Liner in Je Reve + Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick in Je Reve

"I'm a huge fan of monochromatic lip combinations, and these two products were clearly designed to be worn together. The Je Rêve liner has a beautiful rosy-brown undertone that softly sculpts the lips without looking too sharp, while the matching Lip Suede Matte Lipstick creates the most sophisticated blurred finish. Although it's matte, it never feels dry or flat—instead, it has that velvety texture that makes lips look naturally fuller. I love that the colour sits somewhere between a nude and a muted rose, making it wearable every day while still feeling polished. It's the kind of lip combination I reach for when I want to look put together without having to think too hard about the rest of my makeup." — Grace Day, freelance beauty editor

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

If you’ve ever put on foundation in the morning and felt like you can feel it all day, you’re not alone. That heavy, slightly mask-like sensation is often what puts people off base makeup altogether, especially if you prefer something that looks like skin rather than sitting on top of it. But the answer doesn’t necessarily lie in avoiding foundation entirely—it’s more about how you apply it, and the kind you choose.

Full-coverage formulas have their place, but they’re not always the most versatile option for everyday wear. In fact, one of the most effective ways to achieve a natural, skin-like finish is to start with a lightweight, buildable foundation and apply it in thin, controlled layers. Rather than trying to achieve your desired coverage in one go, this approach allows you to gradually even out the complexion where you need it most—whether that’s around the nose, on areas of redness, or just to subtly blur the skin—whilst still letting your natural texture show through.

The result is a base that looks more like real skin, but better. It moves with your face, feels lighter throughout the day, and is far less likely to settle into fine lines or look cakey by the afternoon. It also gives you far more flexibility: you can keep things sheer for everyday wear, then build up coverage in specific areas for evenings or days when you want a little extra polish.

The key is choosing formulas designed to be layered rather than masked. These foundations tend to have more fluid textures, blend easily with fingers, brushes or sponges, and can be customised depending on your skin's needs that day.

So, instead of reaching for the fullest coverage option in your makeup bag, think of foundation as something you can build, not block out. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best buildable foundations that let your skin look like skin—just a little more even, smooth, and luminous.

What Should You Look for in a Buildable Foundation?

The key to finding a truly buildable foundation comes down to the formula. A good buildable base should allow you to gradually increase coverage where you need it, without becoming heavy, cakey or obvious on the skin. Celebrity makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis explains that it's “the right formula, texture and amount that allows the makeup to be layered and build up coverage while still looking like skin”. She adds that it should contain “long-lasting ingredients that don’t separate but can stay in its true form” even after multiple layers are applied.

For this reason, lightweight textures tend to work best. Nguyen-Grealis recommends “thin, serum or satin and lightweight formulations” because “they melt instead of sitting on the skin.” These types of foundations are much easier to customise depending on your needs that day, whether you want a sheer wash of coverage or something more perfected for a special occasion.

Buildable foundations are particularly useful if your skin isn’t completely uniform, but you don’t want a full-coverage finish across your entire face. As Nguyen-Grealis explains, they’re ideal for skin that “needs variation of extra coverage especially for acne or pigmentation,” as they allow you to add more product only where it’s needed. The result is a much more natural-looking complexion because, as she says, “several layers are better than one.”

What Is the Best Way to Build Foundation?

When it comes to building foundation, the application technique is just as important as the formula itself. The goal isn’t to apply one thick layer and hope it covers everything—it’s to create a lightweight first layer, then gradually add more coverage where needed. Nguyen-Grealis recommends starting with properly prepped skin, explaining: “I like to ensure skin is prepped fully with a well-cleaned, moisturised base, primed for a smooth base before application.” This creates a smoother canvas and helps the foundation sit evenly throughout the day.

She suggests thinking of your first layer “as a tinted moisturiser first,” using a foundation or stippling brush to apply a light, even finish across the skin. From there, you can assess where you need more coverage and go back in with a firmer foundation brush to build up specific areas. “Stipple or dab using blenders also helps with building more control,” she adds, as pressing the product into the skin rather than sweeping it around helps maintain that natural, skin-like finish.

The foundation itself also makes a difference. Nguyen-Grealis recommends “light and cream foundations” for the most seamless buildable finish, as they “don’t dry or oxidise as much.” She advises avoiding formulas that are more difficult to layer, noting that “mattes, mousse, and powder foundations” don’t tend to offer the same flexibility. The trick is to build slowly—you can always add more coverage, but removing excess product once it has been applied is much harder.

The Best Buildable Foundations

1. Best Overall: Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm
2. Best for Dry Skin: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
3. Best for Oily Skin: Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Foundation
4. Best for Combination Skin: Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation
5. Best for Sensitive Skin: Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Foundation Stick

1. Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm

You don't actually need to layer much of this foundation to get a decent coverage. The balm texture melts into the skin and creates a soft-focus veil rather than any obvious layer of makeup, so it’s ideal if you want to even out tone while still seeing your skin underneath, and it builds beautifully without ever looking heavy or cakey. I especially like it for days when I want a “your skin but smoother” finish rather than full foundation.

2. Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

This skin tint is all about comfort and glow. It has a silky, fluid texture that sinks in quickly and leaves skin looking hydrated and luminous rather than shiny. It layers well without clinging to dry patches, making it especially good in colder months or for skin that tends to feel tight throughout the day. Coverage is light to light-medium but very easy to build.

3. Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation

This is a modern, skin-like foundation that manages to stay fresh without sliding off the face. It has a lightweight, serum-like texture that evens out tone while still allowing skin to look like skin. What stands out most is how well it balances glow and control—it doesn’t lean overly matte or overly dewy, making it especially good for combination-to-oily skin types.

4. Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation

This is a beautifully balanced foundation that adapts well to different textures on different areas of the face. The formula blends effortlessly and can be built from a sheer veil to a more perfected medium finish without ever looking heavy or mask-like. What I really like is how well it wears throughout the day—it stays smooth, doesn’t cling to dry patches and keeps shine in check without looking flat.

5. Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Luminous Skin Tint

This is a gentle, fuss-free option that feels more like skincare than traditional foundation. The stick format makes it easy to apply exactly where needed, and the formula is designed to be soothing and non-irritating, so it's ideal for skin prone to breakouts and sensitivity. It gives a natural, dewy finish in one layer but builds smoothly for fuller coverage.

6. Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops

This is a true skin enhancer rather than a heavy base. The drops can be mixed with skincare or applied directly for a custom level of coverage (my personal preference), making it incredibly versatile. No matter how many layers are applied, the finish is luminous, refined, and very much “expensive skin” looking—polished but never obvious.

7. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation

A reliable, long-standing drugstore favourite that delivers dependable coverage at a budget-friendly price. It has a more classic foundation texture than the newer skin tints on this list, but still applies smoothly and evens out the complexion well. It’s especially good if you want something that lasts throughout the day without frequent touch-ups.

8. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

A cult classic for a reason (although recently reformulated for improved finish and longevity), this powder foundation delivers impressive coverage while keeping shine firmly under control. It’s buildable in layers and can be used lightly for a soft matte effect or built up for fuller coverage. I find it best used with a light hand to avoid looking too flat, so it can take more time (and layers) to reach your desired finish.

9. Sweed Glass Skin Foundation

This one is all about radiance. The formula gives an immediate glass-skin effect that looks luminous without being glittery or greasy, and it evens out tone while letting skin shine through, making it perfect for anyone who prefers a fresh, dewy base. One of my personal favourites.

10. Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

This stick from Merit is one of the simplest foundations to use—swipe, blend, and go. The stick format makes application incredibly intuitive, and it melts into skin with minimal effort. It’s perfect for everyday makeup when you want light coverage without tools or fuss. I often just use it as a concealer to target areas of redness or breakouts, but it's equally as good when layered up for all-over coverage.

11. Dcypher Custom Foundation Drops

This is one of the most inclusive foundation formulas available, designed to be matched to your exact undertone and depth. The drop format allows for full customisation, which is especially useful if you struggle to find a perfect match in traditional ranges. The formula itself is truly serum-like, so blends beautifully and layers without pilling or looking cakey.

How We Tested

I tested each formula over several days of wear, focusing on how they perform when applied in thin layers and built up gradually. I looked closely at finish, longevity, blendability, and how each one interacts with different skin types and textures throughout the day. I also assessed how well they layer over skincare and under makeup, prioritising formulas that enhance the skin rather than mask it.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

To consider the most era-defining beauty aesthetic of the 2020s would leave many in a spin. Over the past six years, beauty microtrends have had us in a collective chokehold. We've seen the rise (and demise) of glass skin, latte makeup, boyfriend blush, skincycling, siren eyes... and so the list of fleeting beauty moments goes on, each with its own name carefully crafted for hashtag greatness. And this seemingly never-ending churn of TikTok-optimised aesthetics has made it hard for any decade-defining trend to stand out.

But when you step back from the #glazeddonutskin, #milkymanicures and #slickedbuns of it all, it's easy to see that most of these mini movements have one very important thing in common: they all feed into the clean-girl aesthetic. Yes, it is somewhat unarguable that the "clean girl", complete with her polished skin, preened hair and minimal approach to makeup, has proved the poster child of the 2020s beauty agenda. But adhering to the sky-high standards of clean-girl minimalism has weighed heavily on us, particularly come summer. Our patience for having to maintain seemingly flawless skin, flyaway-free hair and precisely positioned pigment is wearing thin. This summer, the clean girl's reign as we know it is over.

For summer 2026, much of the pared-back blueprint remains—glowing skin, brushed brows and flushed cheeks are still here—but the looks themselves champion the "imperfect". Skin gleams with gloss, lashes have impact, cheeks are dusted with red-hued blush to mimic sun-kissing and hair is left to humidity's devices to lean into the overarching sense of summer nonchalance. This summer, beauty looks lived-in.

For inspiration, makeup artist Marie Bruce shows us how it's done with Givenchy Beauty.

Buttery cream blushers are traded in for punchy powders in deep, sun-kissed hues to create a truly convincing swathe of flush. Skin is prepped with a moisturising base to leave complexions sheeny and dewy (a broad-spectrum SPF lotion works wonderfully). If coverage is your MO, opt for a serum-based foundation that puts glow first.

The key to this look is all in the blush placement. Going against the current status quo of blusher dotted onto the high points of the cheekbones and blended up into the hairline, the key to the ultimate sun stripe is keeping pigment contained to the centre third of the face. A fluffy brush drapes rich-toned blusher from the tops of the cheekbones, over the apples of the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose.

Finish up by brushing brows through for a soft, fluffy finish, curling lashes and patting a soft-focus balm into the lips for a low-maintenance summer look that gets better as the day goes on.

The beauty of the lived-in summer makeup trend is that it doesn't sit exclusively in the realms of no-makeup makeup. Maximalist looks champion gilded finishes, blacker-than-black lashes, silky, candlelit skin and statement lips.

For eyes, look towards shimmering bronze, long-wear pigments that apply like butter and set like steel. In the evening, apply matte-finish browns into the crease for a subtle, smokey finish. Create volume in lashes with deep-black mascara wiggled into lash roots and dragged up through the tips. Opting for a formula with 24-hour wear is sure to lower the risk of heat-induced smudging.

A candle-lit finish that doesn't scupper glow is achieved with high-performance powders applied lightly over skincare-infused foundation. Keep powder placement to the outer edges of the face and along the T-zone so that the skin's natural glow still shines through where it matters most.

No summer beauty look is complete without gloss, and new-gen formulas create a wet-look finish that floods lips with non-tacky moisture. Go for tinted hues that deliver a just-bitten finish. Pair with dewy skin and very little else for a day-to-day look that allows for reapplication after reapplication.

The pièce de résistance to any lived-in summer makeup look? A subtly clumped lash (achieved by layering mascara and allowing it to dry between coats) with a soft wash of shimmer over the lids that twinkles under warm sunlight.

Whilst blush might sit at the heart of any clean-girl beauty look, it's bronzer that makes lived-in beauty looks sing. Look to buildable formulas that contain glow-boosting pigments and apply liberally into the hairline, underneath the tops of the cheekbones, below the chin, down the neck and over the décolleté, before finishing off with a light dusting across the bridge of the nose.

For a low-fuss, maximalist take on bronze, lids can be kept bare to instead draw focus to the lips. Opt for deep hues in long-lasting matte finishes for a statement look that won't budge.

Shop the Looks

Photographer: Arved
Editor-in-Chief: Jane McFarland
Beauty Director: Shannon Lawlor
Makeup Artist: Marie Bruce using Givenchy Beauty
Hairtylist: Laura Swaine using Bumble and bumble and Babyliss Pro
Manicurist: Ami Streets using Kure Bazaar
Model: Anna Littlefield at Select Model Management
Stylist: Remy Farrell
Makeup Assistant: Hirono Sakamoto
Hair Assistant: Makoto Hyashi
Photography Assistant: Andreas Parper

Holiday packing has always been an exercise in clever editing, but nowhere is this more evident than in a beauty editor's hand luggage. When your job is to test the industry's newest beauty product launches and discover and recommend the formulas that are genuinely worth the hype, every product that makes it into your carry-on has more than earned its place, and this is really evident when you see those essentials laid out in an airport security tray, stripped back to the few products that are considered truly indispensable. From the hydrating skincare that combats cabin air at 34,000ft to the summer fragrance that will recall memories of the trip once we're home (a perfume postcard, if you will).

So, what will you find in a beauty editor's carry-on? I asked our beauty team to unzip their bags and reveal the products that they will never travel without. You'll find clever travel-sized miniatures, multipurpose products that save on space and formulas designed to work hard in the sun. Consider this your curated packing list of beauty products that multitask, travel effortlessly and deliver a sense of familiarity and joy, wherever in the world you happen to be. Scroll on to peek inside the airport security trays of our discerning beauty team, and feel free to take inspiration for your own ultimate carry-on edit.

Shannon Lawlor, Beauty Director

"If I’m being honest, as a beauty director who spends a lot of time discovering the best beauty products the world has to offer, my feet are rarely on the ground. It means that, over the years, I’ve become a total pro at packing my hand-luggage-only essentials, so summer-holiday packing isn’t too much of a stress for me. These are the products set to make it into my bag for every single trip I’ve got planned this summer." — Shannon

Shop Shannon's Summer Beauty Products:

Eleanor Vousden, Beauty Editor

"I’ve got a summer full of city breaks this year, and I like my carry-on to feature a tight edit of minimalist yet hardworking everyday essentials that won’t take up too much space in my case or my handbag when I'm sightseeing. I love picking up local beauty finds whenever I travel, so I always make sure I have extra space for new discoveries. too. But for the most part, you'll find me packing multi-use products and minis of my favourites that are functional but sleek—I'm a total magpie for a beautiful beauty product!" — Eleanor

Shop Eleanor's Summer Beauty Products:

Grace Lindsay, Deputy Beauty Editor

"When it comes to summer beauty, I don’t mess around. The minute the sun comes out, you’ll find me spritzing my favourite holiday perfumes, applying SPF like there’s no tomorrow and slathering on the best cream bronzers to get that sought-after glow. So, it’s no surprise that my airport beauty essentials reflect this. I have a couple of trips coming up, and this is exactly what I’m packing in my carry-on." — Grace

Shop Grace's Summer Beauty Products:

Brittany Davy, Junior Writer

"As someone who runs naturally warm and therefore very much feels the heat, in summer, I’m always on the hunt for the most scaled-back makeup routine that doesn't feel overly complicated or leave me a sweaty mess at the end of the day, and this is even more true when I’m on holiday. Whether I’m on the plane, sitting by the pool or exploring a new city, my go-to travel products very much fall into the low-effort, high-reward category; they make getting ready quick and simple whilst still giving me that holiday-like glow I yearn for." — Brittany

Shop Brittany's Summer Beauty Products:

Photographer: Lucy Robinson for Who What Wear UK
Prop Stylist: Chris Hobbs
Beauty Editor: Eleanor Vousden
Fashion Editor: Remy Farrell

If you don't already follow Kelli Anne Sewell on Instagram and TikTok, I highly recommend doing so—like, right now. The NYC-based makeup artist and content creator regularly shares expert application tips and tried-and-true product recommendations with her combined 625K followers. She also shares in-depth tutorials and master classes on her app, Makeup by Kelli Anne. She juggles all of that while her celebrity clients count on her for red carpet makeup. I'm talking about names like Alex Cooper, Madison Beer, Alix Earle, and Kelsea Ballerini, among others.

Today marks a milestone in her career. Sewell just launched a brand-new makeup-brush collection in collaboration with Real Techniques, and she's on a mission to educate everyone on how best to use them to elevate their makeup routines. Yes, that even goes for makeup-sponge loyalists.

As with the rest of Real Techniques' portfolio, these makeup brushes are affordable and accessible, which is why this collaboration makes so much sense. Sewell is a makeup artist for the people, translating top-level techniques and insider expertise into digestible, easy-to-follow advice. Meanwhile, Real Techniques takes high-quality materials and luxe-feeling bristles and offers them at a budget-friendly price point. The intersection seems obvious.

I caught up with Sewell ahead of today's launch to talk about the brush collection, the TikTok beauty trends she loves and hates, and the one makeup tip she wishes everyone knew. Below, read our exclusive interview.

Talk to me about your partnership with Real Techniques, why it was such a good fit, and why you wanted to release a brush collection.

When I was approached for this opportunity, it was a no-brainer. I'm a self-taught makeup artist, so as I was building out my kit of tools and brushes and things that I could use to teach myself, I was walking into Walgreens, Target, or wherever it was, and I was picking up a Real Techniques brush.

I've had brushes from the brand in my personal collection for over a decade. It's so nostalgic. You think of the hot-pink packaging or the orange packaging, all of the bright colors. I found videos of me using them from 2017 and 2018. I was like, "Now, I'm going in with my Real Techniques brush." I've always loved them because they've always felt like really high-quality brushes, and the price point is incredible.

I'm being exposed to so many amazing resources and connections, and I'm learning so much. I've always wanted to channel my artistry into the hands of the everyday girl, and that's what I do on my app. I want to educate. I want to take everything I'm learning as a celebrity makeup artist and funnel that to anyone who loves beauty. So I feel like partnering with a brand that is so accessible to so many was, once again, a no-brainer. It's allowed me to put my artistry into the hands of everyone, and I love the idea that you don't need to spend $70 on a brush to be able to look and feel your best. I'm so excited for this because they're such a good price point, and the quality is insane.

I don't know if this is hygienic or not, but I have Real Techniques brushes from when I was maybe 16, and I'm in my 30s now.

As long as you're washing them, who cares?

As a celebrity makeup artist, was it easy to envision an essential brush kit, or was it deceptively difficult? How did you choose which brushes you wanted to be a part of this?

It was honestly daunting. For our first meeting, they were like, "I want you to show up with 30 brush ideas." I felt like the stakes were high because this is my first time really putting something out into the world that isn't a video.

I want these brushes to land with the makeup artist, but makeup artists want entirely different things out of brushes than the everyday girl wants. So I was really like, "How can I—knowing the struggles of the everyday girl when it comes to learning makeup and then the gaps in the market when it comes to being an artist—blend those two to create what I have?"

You'll notice throughout the collection [that] certain things appeal to the everyday girl, and then certain things are a nod to the makeup artist. Through communicating via DMs, at my master classes, and really talking to my community, I think girls feel really overwhelmed with what to use their brushes for. Two things that I was super adamant about with the brushes were, one, there is a brush for every step in your routine, and it clearly labels what it is. You have your skin-prep brush. You have your foundation brush. Another educational point was whether it's for creams or for powders.

My whole theory behind the brushes is that you have one for every step in your routine and that each dual-ended brush allows you to do your cream side and your powder side. The cream side has a little diamond indicator. You're able to pick up and, in two seconds, know what you're using it for.

I think my audience on social has definitely caught on to this, but I'm a big "light layers" person, which is the thought process behind what we're calling the Light Layers Premium Set ($65). If you want really natural, long-wearing makeup, you work in light layers. When you break that down even further, it's a lot of switching between creams and then a light layer of powder and then continuing to build from there.

Then we have two individual SKUs, which are called the Everything Brushes. These are to appeal to the minimalist girl. You could pick up these two brushes and do a full face. You can travel with them because I don't like traveling with a ton of brushes. They're sold individually, and I think that if I were someone who was new to makeup, this would be a little less overwhelming.

Definitely. What are a few standout brushes from the collection that you're really proud of?

There are two brushes that I think fill such a gap. The one that I'm the most proud of is the first-ever Skin Prep Brush. It's the only silver one in the collection. I'm really big on the idea that your makeup is only as good as your skin prep. I also love doing lymphatic drainage on myself, so I was really adamant that I wanted a brush that would allow me to sculpt my face while I'm putting on my moisturizer. It pushes fluid out while you're using it. There are videos of me in the Real Techniques office, where we're on the third iteration of this brush, and I was taking scissors to it in the office, being like, "No, it needs to angle like this."

A lymphatic-drainage Skin Prep Brush is brilliant.

And you flip it around and do eye cream. You basically just apply your moisturizer, and it sculpts your jawbone, the cheek… You can feel it moving and helping with de-puffing. You obviously have to drain the fluid down your neck and practice all the lymphatic principles, like opening your lymph nodes, etc., but I love that this brush will allow you to do that.

My second favorite brush is the Lip Contour Brush. I cannot go a single glam without this. One side looks like a normal flat brush, but it is the thinnest, most precise brush, and I like to use it in two ways. I prep my client's lip with a lip mask, but at the end, I'll actually work concealer into this, and it cleans up the lip really nicely. The best part, though, is the little blur brush on the other end. It's meant to blur out the edges after lining your lips. It's the perfect shape.

I'm still not over the lymphatic-drainage Skin Prep Brush. Some people are intimidated by the thought of using makeup brushes if they're used to only using, let's say, a makeup sponge or even just their fingers. What are the benefits of using a brush, and how can it elevate one's routine?

That's such a great question. It really is personal preference. I get it. Some people are so used to using a sponge, but what I always say about sponges is that I think it's just a different type of makeup application. People that like sponges are the people who are using way too much product. What a sponge does is absorb the product off your face. That's why it softens the look of things on people who are using too much product. Using a sponge is actually a makeup-artist technique to remove and take things off.

The whole point of my artistry and what I want people to understand is that it's easier to slowly build makeup on your face. You don't need to go in with 10 pumps of foundation. You don't need to draw on everything with your concealer. Once again, if that is your technique, I understand the sponge, but how I like to do makeup and what I encourage everyone to do is work in light layers. I think it's really achievable with these brushes to slowly build up the coverage and to really treat yourself like you're Picasso.

I love that.

Because of the softness of the bristles, you're not going to get brush streaks. I actually have been doing this technique with the Adjustable Powder Puff ($10). You get two of them. I actually used one on a client today.

With the old powder puffs I was using, I felt like I always had to pinch them to get that really nice roll. If you're a makeup artist, you're always putting them on your pinky so when you're working on a client's face, you don't get fingerprints, and you can steady your hand. These puffs would fall off because they're so big, so we basically made a little "bra strap" on the Powder Puff so you can adjust it. It won't go off your hand, and it gives this little roll.

At the end of doing my makeup, let's say I look in the mirror, and I'm like, "There's a little too much coverage" or "I'm too matte" or whatever. I'll actually take the Rhode Glazing Mist ($30) or any sort of hydrating spray, and I spritz the puff. Pressing it right into the skin at the end gives it the most hydrated blur.

This is so intentionally designed. I know you mentioned using the Powder Puff on a client, but have you had a chance to use and test all of your brushes on clients?

Oh yeah, I've been throwing them in there. I want to see what brushes I'm gravitating toward in a sea of them. I've given them to clients as touch-up brushes. I've been trying to get them in the hands of people that I work with and hope to see them using them.

Okay, let's talk foundation application specifically. I've always struggled to apply full-coverage foundation with a brush because it reads so heavy on me.

Let's say I'm using the M.Ph by Mary Phillips Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation ($49). She's the queen of underpainting, and a huge part of her underpainting technique is the last step: foundation. She likes to take a fluffy brush and almost feather it on the face. So for me, as a makeup artist, with the Foundation Brush, I see it as a way to apply foundation in two different ways.

Let's say you wanted the most coverage. I would use the denser cream side and really just stamp it on and buff it onto the skin. You're going to get really nice coverage. But say I was underpainting and I wanted to just feather on a really lightweight, sheer wash of foundation. I would use the other side of the brush. Basically, the denser the brush, the denser and more compact the coverage. With something fluffy and large, you're getting a fluffier and more sheer finish.

This makes so much sense. It's opening up a whole new world for me. I love a sheer, natural-looking foundation, so I'll have to try this.

If I were you and I had a full-coverage foundation but I wanted to get a more natural look out of it, I would take a tiny pump. You could even add in a pump of moisturizer to sheer it out from a formula standpoint, but then I would take a really fluffy, big brush, and I would work it into it, and then I would literally feather it over the skin. You will get the softest wash of the product.

I'm going to try that immediately. What's another makeup tip you wish everyone knew?

I think understanding the difference between bronzer and contour is a huge unlock. A lot of people think bronzer and contour are the same, and they're not. Even with our brushes, there is a very clear difference between the contour brush in terms of shape and density versus the bronzer brush.

If you think about where you would apply bronzer, it's where the sun hits you, so [it's] where you look sun-kissed, which is why you want something that has more of a warm undertone. … You can have a more generous placement, in comparison, with contour. With contour, you're carving and creating shadows, so the placement is actually super precise and more in the hollows of your face.

I think that powder has gotten a bad rep because people [don't] apply it lightly enough. I think everyone needs powder. It actually extends the longevity of makeup and makes your makeup look more natural. A lot of us get caught up in all these dewy products, putting them all over our faces, and then we look oily. Your natural skin finish is not overly dewy everywhere; it's a little bit matte in some areas and highlighted in other areas. Learning how to layer your powder in strategic ways and with a very light hand—hopefully with my brushes because that's what it encourages—makes you look more natural, and your makeup can last way longer.

One hill I'll die on is that powder blushes are just as good as dewy ones. I feel like everyone just wants a dewy blush right now.

It's like how we're seeing the trend of mousse products. Everyone's getting sick of all the dewy stuff. A mousse basically dries down to the texture of a powder. It blurs over your imperfections and makes you look poreless, and that's what powder does. Powder is forever going to make you look more airbrushed, especially in the summer when people are like, "My makeup's melting off my face!" I'm like, "Are you setting your makeup with powder?" They're like, "No." Why do you think that something liquid would not melt off your face?

There's a video on my app called Sweat Proof Base. I was in Mexico at a wedding, and it was the hottest and most humid climate I had ever been in—worse than Miami. I have to do 12-hour makeup because I was a bridesmaid. So I did this layering technique of powders to last me this long.

Are there any specific TikTok makeup trends you love?

I'm obsessed with Aussie girl glam. ... I feel like I've seen a lot of no mascara. I love a no-mascara look. And mousse makeup! We all did the overly matte, and then we all did the overly dewy, and now, I think mousse is that perfect hybrid. It blends like a cream, works for all skin types, and blurs and finishes like a powder, so I feel like it's approachable for everyone. I'm sickly obsessed with the Prada Touch Cream-to-Powder Soft Blur Longwear Blushes ($42). Westman Atelier just came out with a mousse-like bronzer. I'm seeing it everywhere.

On top of that, I feel like people are really allowing themselves to create again and have fun with makeup. I think people are so tired of wearing the same look every day. Self-expression is always going to stand. We're seeing grungier eyes, even on the fashion runways, per Gucci. Those always lead to these looks and movements, like party girl—smoky eyes, fun lips, etc. It's all about not taking life too seriously. Obviously, all of this works together, fashion and beauty trends. It's like you need to go out and live life. It's okay if you're hungover on a Saturday and your eyeliner is smeared—make a look out of it.

Shop Kelli Anne Sewell x Real Techniques Makeup Brushes

ICYMI, the premiere of The Odyssey took place in London yesterday, and the film's star-studded cast took to the red carpet. Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron were among the main cast in attendance alongside the recently married Tom Holland and Zendaya. The latter worked her signature press-tour finesse with stylist Law Roach, who dressed her in a Schiaparelli dress hot off the F/W 27 haute couture runway in Paris, and makeup artist Ernesto Casillas, who created her jaw-dropping, Athena-esque look.

"I wanted to give Zendaya a bronzed, sun-kissed, and radiant complexion worthy of a glowing Greek goddess," Casillas said in a press release. "I created light, mesmerizing eyes to echo the ethereal elegance of the dress." Luckily, I have the details on the exact makeup products Casillas used. Hint: All of them were from Charlotte Tilbury. Keep scrolling to see the 15 items.

It's no secret that Hourglass is one of my all-time favourite makeup brands of all time. Despite having a full beauty cupboard full of makeup products at my disposal, when you look at the products that have made it into my everyday makeup at home, Hourglass is the MVP of my makeup bag. The Phantom Glossy Balms? A modern icon. The Vanish Airbrush Concealer? No other concealer compares. You get the idea: anything Hourglass launches, I just know it's going to be good.

So, when I heard that Hourglass was launching the Phantom Blur Balms (£36), a blurring, matte version of the original Phantom Glossy Balms, I could barely contain my excitement.

Hourglass Phantom Blur Balms

The Formula

If you've been trying to recreate that blurred lip look popularised by celebrity makeup artist Nina Park, then you can put your lip liners down. This blurring balm delivers a blurred, soft-focus lip in one swipe. What's genius about it is that it has the soft-matte finish that mimics the natural texture of your lips, yet it feels exactly like a hydrating lip balm on the lips. It's hydrating and comfortable to wear, with a flexible slip when you smack your lips—unlike many matte lipsticks that cling and feel drying to wear.

The beauty of them is that they can be applied lightly for a wash of colour, layered up for more intensity or paired with your lip liner if you want a more defined look.

The Shades

I have two shades of the Phantom Blur Balms (there are currently five very wearable, natural-looking shades in the edit), and they've both taken up permanent residencies in my makeup bag and my handbag. Echo, a soft, neutral pink, has been my everyday go-to, whereas Whisper has a pinky mauve tone that I've been leaning towards more so for summer. I'll definitely be picking up some of the deeper shades for next season. Honestly? I can't imagine my makeup bag without these since trying them.

Echo

Whisper

Shop the Shades:

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

I've spent the best part of my beauty career perfecting my "no makeup" makeup look, and if I'm being honest, more often than not, this doesn't involve mascara. I've tried some of the best mascaras out there, from affordable mascaras to tubing formulas and even mascaras for sensitive eyes, but I find that they make my makeup look a little too "done". Well, that was the case until I discovered a small collection of natural-looking mascaras that took my "no makeup" makeup game to the next level.

It seems that brands are becoming more aware that some of us want fluttery, natural-looking lashes for everyday. Don't get me wrong, I love a volumising mascara from time to time, but when I'm getting ready for work in the morning, I want something that enhances my look, like a "your lashes but better" finish, you know?

So, I made it my mission to test some of the best formulas that promised a natural-looking finish, and these are the six mascaras that delivered. It's a small edit, but I can confirm that every single formula truly deserves a place on this list. Keep on scrolling for my top natural-looking mascaras on the market...

The Best Natural-Looking Mascaras, Tried & Tested

• Best Overall Mascara: Merit Clean Lash Mascara, £24
• Best Brown Mascara: Lisa Eldridge Kitten Lash Mascara, £29
• Best Affordable Mascara: L'Oréal Paris Paradise Mascara, £13
• Best Mascara for a Fluttery Effect: Refy Lash Sculpt, £22
• Best Tubing Mascara: Blink Brow Bar Lash Lift Tubing Mascara, £26

1. Merit Clean Lash Mascara

This Merit Beauty formula is one of my most-used mascaras, as it's so great for daily wear. Not only does it look chic, but the tubing mascara lengthens and lifts every lash without budging. Although the brush isn't small, it is great at coating and separating each lash for that natural, fluttery look that I love so much. Plus, it can easily be removed with just a bit of warm water.

2. Lisa Eldridge Kitten Lash Mascara

I love using a brown mascara for a "no makeup" makeup look, as it's just that little bit softer. This one from Lisa Eldridge is my favourite, as the warm brown hue looks simply stunning. The formula itself delivers a featherlight finish for a natural, almost sultry result, but you could also build it up a bit if you wanted to. It's a little more expensive than others on the market, but trust me, it's totally worth it.

3. L'Oréal Paris Paradise Mascara

We all know that L'Oréal mascaras are some of the best on the high street, and this is my personal favourite for an everyday look. Don't be afraid that it has castor oil in it. Trust me, it doesn't smudge and never feels greasy. The formula is actually a great option for sensitive eyes. The brush is ideal for lengthening and defining the lashes, and the fluttery effect always earns me compliments.

4. Refy Lash Sculpt

This Refy mascara broke the internet when it launched thanks to the unique wand. However, it truly is amazing at creating a natural-lash effect. It can take a little while to get used to applying it, but the curved shape means that the wand coats every single lash with not a single clump in sight. It lengthens, separates and lifts the lashes, awakening the whole eye area whilst making it look as if you're barely wearing any mascara. Genius.

5. Blink Brow Bar Lash Lift Tubing Mascara

Tubing mascaras are great as they don't smudge, but are so easy to remove. One of my favourites for a natural lash look is this one from Blink Brow Bar. It comes in two shades and really lifts and lengthens the lashes whilst keeping them looking soft and fluttery. It's the sort of mascara that will have people second-guessing whether you've had a lash lift or if your natural lashes are just that good. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.

6. Makeup By Mario Master Mascara

I keep this mascara in my makeup bag at all times. The reason why? One coat gives a super natural, soft finish, but, if suddenly you're heading out in the evening and want a more statement makeup look, it's easily buildable for a false-lash effect. It's just a great all-rounder that I know I can rely on daily. Plus, it doesn't clump and never smudges. 10/10.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

I've tested hundreds of foundations over the course of my career as a beauty editor (and even more before that). Along the way, I've sorted my favorite formulas into two categories. 1) natural-looking foundations, and 2) foundations that flawlessly cover my rosacea. There are only a couple that make the crossover—they look undetectable from my actual skin and cover blemishes and patchy redness.

Brand and price point have nothing to do with my top picks. It all comes down to performance. I need my foundation to be lightweight, flawless, long-wearing, flexible, breathable...the list goes on. And out of the countless formulas I've tested, there's only one that checks off every single box. I consider it my all-time favorite foundation. I've worn it to family weddings, to take professional headshots, and most recently, to attend a bridal shower on a 90° day. It's grade A, gold star, and top of the class, and I recommend it to basically anyone who will listen.

Here it is—Chanel's N°1 De Chanel Revitalizing Foundation. This formula is so good that I keep two (sometimes three) bottles on hand at one time. I know I'll use it, and honestly, I'm terrified it might get discontinued for some reason in the far-off future. Since I'm not prepared to process that reality, it makes me feel better to keep duplicates in my collection. Ahead, learn why I'm so obsessed with this foundation, and what sets it apart from so many others I've tested.

There are a few things that make this foundation so special: its versatility, texture, and staying power. Let's talk versatility first. Unlike other foundations that fit into light-, medium-, or full-coverage categories, this one is adaptable. It's easy to sheer out (just apply a couple of drops with a soft-bristled brush), build up (just smooth it over the skin with your fingers), or keep somewhere in the middle (I use my trusty Beautyblender for medium coverage). It's part of the reason I recommend it to so many people; I know it can work for a variety of coverage preferences.

Next, I need to talk about its texture and staying power. Enriched with red camellia oil and other moisturizing ingredients, Chanel's N°1 De Chanel Revitalizing Foundation is incredibly lightweight and hydrating. It's so featherlight that I sometimes forget I'm wearing foundation at all. It's so hydrating, my dry skin looks smooth and plump whenever I wear it—never cakey or powdery. The red camellia oil gives the foundation a satiny glow and, as a bonus, protects the skin from environmental aggressors.

In my personal experience, most lightweight, hydrating foundations have the worst staying power. They tend to slip, slide, and smudge off my skin, especially in high heat and humidity. This one, however, strikes a rare balance in that it keeps my skin looking hydrated without budging throughout the day. It's part of the reason I always wear it for big events; I know it'll look just as good at the end of the night as it did in the morning after I applied it. Most recently, I wore it to attend a six-hour-long bridal shower in 90° heat. I knew it wouldn't let me down, and it didn't.

I only have one word of caution. Since it has a luminous finish and a hydrating formula, it might not be the best choice for oily or blemish-prone skin. (In that case, I'd probably choose a velvety matte foundation.) However, if you have normal, dry, sensitive, or mature skin, I can't recommend it enough. It might be an investment at over $80 a bottle, but to me, the "You have great skin" compliments are well worth it.

Shop 3 More of My Best-Ever Foundations

We all have very different opinions about what makes the perfect foundation, whether you prefer a sheer skin tint or something high-coverage, or a dewy or matte finish. And for me, as someone with a deeper skin tone, making sure the formula I opt for has a wide shade range is at the top of my criteria for what makes a truly good foundation.

I mean, as a beauty writer, I’ve tested a lot of different formulas, all claiming to have amazing coverage and longevity. However, finding a base product with an extensive shade range that won’t leave me looking ashy has been a challenge over the years. But never fear, as I come bearing good news—2026’s foundation selection has more choices than ever for those of us with dark skin. And whether you have dry or oily skin, are looking for an affordable buy or planning to splurge that bit of extra cash on a luxury formula, I've endured years of testing, swatching, and comparing the most popular foundations so that you don’t have to.

Keep scrolling below; I’ve rounded up the nine best foundations to shop in 2026, all of which come approved by a beauty writer with dark skin.

The Best Foundations for Dark Skin

• Best Overall: Fenty Soft'lit Naturally Luminous Foundation, £35
• Best Luxury: Gucci Éternité De Beauté Spf15 Foundation, £51
• Best Affordable: L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation, £12
• Best for Dry Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation, £54
• Best for Oily Skin: Dior Forever Skin Wear Foundation, £52

The 9 Best Foundations for Dark Skin, According to a Beauty Writer

1. Fenty Beauty Soft'lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation

2. Gucci Éternité De Beauté Spf15 Foundation

3. L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation

4. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation

4. Dior Forever Skin Wear Foundation

5. Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation

6. Clinique Even Better™ Makeup SPF15 Foundation

7. Refy Skin Base Skin Tint

8. ILIA Beauty Skin Rewind Complexion Stick

9. MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

It's no secret that makeup trends come and go, but whilst everyone has been raving about matte finishes making a comeback, I'm a dewy makeup girl through and through, and I don't think this will ever change. However, it's important to explain what I mean by this. When I say I'm a fan of dewy makeup, I don't mean shiny finishes, bold highlighters or shimmery products. What I mean is that naturally radiant, lit-from-within glow that makes it look like I drink 2 litres of water and a green juice every single day (I'm more of a coffee-and-Diet Coke kinda gal, but bear with me on this).

As a makeup artist and beauty editor, I've tried plenty of products over the years, from illuminating primers, glowy foundations, cream blushes and more, and I believe I've created the ultimate edit of products that require minimal effort but deliver maximum results when it comes to a naturally dewy makeup look.

Below, you'll find my tried-and-tested edit of the best dewy makeup products, from old classics to brand-new launches. Look in my makeup bag, and you'll find every single product mentioned in there, so you know that I really do wear them daily. What are you waiting for? Your juiciest skin yet is just a scroll away...

The Best Dewy Makeup Products, Tried & Tested

1. Vieve Skin Nova

I like to start all my makeup looks with a primer (I have oily skin, so it's a necessity if I want my makeup to last past lunch), and I've used this one from Vieve for as long as I can remember. In my opinion, it's the perfect primer for that lit-from-within look. It's not overly shimmery or glittery, but it adds a subtle radiance whilst hydrating and prepping the skin for your foundation of choice. It contains light-reflecting pigments for a radiant finish, and whilst most primers can disappear under the rest of your makeup, I always find that the glowy finish shines through.

2. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

You didn't think I'd write about glowy makeup looks without including Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter, did you? This product is an icon, and for good reason. I wear it either alone or under foundation for a radiant, healthy-looking complexion that has everyone asking why I look so well. You can even use it on top of your makeup as a highlighter, but I haven't tried it myself yet. As the name suggests, it has this beautifully blurring effect that gives your TikTok filter a run for its money, whilst also adding a luminous finish. I simply can't imagine my makeup bag without it.

3. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

I've tried plenty of dewy foundations in my time, and whilst there are lots I could list as favourites, in my opinion, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is the best of all time. Why, I hear you ask? Because it's naturally dewy, rather than overly glowy like other formulations I've tried. It's the kind of foundation that gives you your best skin yet, whilst making it look as if you're not even trying, you know? The medium coverage, blurring finish and natural radiance blow me away every single time I wear it.

4. Rationale The Brilliance Tinted Serum SPF50+

Ok, I know this product is crazy expensive, but it's honestly one of the best things I've ever put on my face. And I don't say that lightly. I've been wearing it every single day this summer, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. The formula is so lightweight (you literally don't feel as if you're wearing anything on your skin) and glides on like butter. Whilst it doesn't offer much coverage (I always go in with concealer afterwards), it does offer a smooth, even, illuminating finish alongside SPF50+. The finish is so good that I might actually shed a tear when I run out of this stuff.

5. Refy Water Bronzer

To me, looking bronzed is just as important as looking dewy, and if a product can achieve both results, you best believe I'm not letting it out of my sight. When I first tried Refy's new Water Bronzer, I'll admit, the formula confused me. However, now I've got the hang of it, I totally get the hype. As you can probably guess, the bronzer is water-based, so it immediately feels hydrating and weightless on the skin. Plus, it delivers a dewy wash of warmth that would have anyone thinking I've just come back from the South of France.

6. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush

If you want a dewy makeup look, I'd probably advise avoiding a powder blush and opting for a liquid or cream formula instead. My favourite liquid blush for a dewy finish is this number from Glow Recipe. The hydrating, glowy formula adds an amazing plumping effect to the cheeks alongside a sheer wash of colour that you could definitely build upon if desired. It's like naturally flushed cheeks in a bottle.

7. Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Stick

If a cream blush is more your thing, you have to try this one from Dior. It's the easiest (and chicest) makeup product to use. All you do is swipe it on, blend with your fingertips and lo and behold, you have a dewy pop of colour that will have you questioning what you ever did without it. The hydrating, creamy texture is to die for, and whilst there are lots of fun shades available, the great thing is that each one is powered by pH technology to create a custom finish. Oh, and the packaging is really, really cute.

8. Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick

Last but not least, the Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick. I've done a whole feature on this product as it's that good. It delivers glass-like skin in an instant, in an easy-to-use, creamy stick that you can simply swipe on and go. No glitter, no obvious shimmer, just dewy, juicy skin that shines like never before. I'd bathe in this stuff if I could.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Trending makeup products come and go, and I'd be a liar if I said I didn’t indulge in them now and again; however, there’s something about a simple and refined makeup routine that leaves me feeling polished and put-together every time. And whilst there seems to be a new TikTok-viral blush every other day, the honest truth is that not all blushers are created equal. Whilst I typically find powder formulas way too drying on my eczema-prone skin, cream and liquid blushes are often formulated with a white base, making my deeper skin tone appear ashy and washed out. However, recently, I’ve noticed one particular product go viral on social media, and believe me when I tell you it’s already earned a place in my cosmetics bag forever. Enter the cheek stain.

What Is a Cheek Stain?

A cheek stain is a sheer and watery but highly pigmented formula that gives your face a natural flush. Unlike traditional cream and powder formulas, it contains no white base pigment, allowing it to work for a wider range of skin tones without looking ashy.

Because it stains the skin, this product is well-loved for its staying power, with many lasting up to 12 hours after application. Most cheek stains can also be used on the lips, making it easy to create a cohesive makeup look and practical to take on holiday as a multi-use everyday staple.

What Are the Benefits of a Cheek Stain?

• Long-lasting - Because they stain the cheeks instead of simply sitting on top of the skin, cheek stains last longer throughout the day without the need to reapply.

• Smudge and transfer-proof - Because the formula sinks into the skin and dries down quickly, there is less chance of transfer onto clothes.

• Weightless - Unlike heavier cream or powder formulas, cheek stains feel undetectable on the skin, allowing for comfortable everyday wear.

• Buildable - Cheek stains can be sheered out if you prefer a more subtle look, or built up for a more dramatic effect.

• Multi-purpose - Cheek stains often double up as lip tints, allowing you to create a more cohesive look, as well as pack less with you for trips away from home.

The Best Cheek Stains, According to a Beauty Writer

• Best Overall Cheek Stain - By Terry Tea to Tan Stain (£26)
• Best Luxury Cheek Stain - Victoria Beckham Beauty Colour Wash Tint (£44)
• Best Affordable Cheek Stain - e.l.f. Cosmetics Sheer for It Blush Tint (£6)
• Best Cheek Stain for Dry Skin - Ere Perez Beetroot Tint (£28)
• Best Cheek Stain for Oily Skin - Benefit Benetint Stain (£23)
• Best High-Pigment Cheek Stain - Milk Makeup Cooling Water Tint (£23)
• Best Long-Lasting Cheek Stain - Wonderskin Wonder Blading Stain (£20)

The Best Cheek Stains, According to a Beauty Writer

1. By Terry Tea to Tan Lip & Cheek Stain

2. Victoria Beckham Beauty Colour Wash Blush Water Tint

3. e.l.f. Cosmetics Sheer for It Blush Tint

4. Ere Perez Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint

5. Benefit Benetint Lip and Cheek Stain

6. Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint

7. Wonderskin Wonder Blading All-Day Blush Stain

How I Tested

To bring you the best cheek stains, I evaluated each formula based on its ability to blend seamlessly into my skin, how long it lasts throughout the day, and how transfer-proof it is.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

As a beauty editor, I've tried several aesthetic treatments and facials over my decade of working in the industry. From Botox to lymphatic drainage, I'm a moth to a flame for any treatments that promise to lift and sculpt. So, when I came out of my last treatment review and immediately texted my group chat to explain how it had just transformed my whole face in just half an hour, you might assume that I'd just left an aesthetics clinic. However, it was, in fact, after a brow mapping treatment with one of London's most sought-after brow artists, Hollie Parkes. Scroll on for what you need to know about brow mapping and how it single-handedly transformed my eyebrows.

What Is Brow Mapping?

Brow mapping is an expert technique used by brow artists to find the best shape for your eyebrows. Drawing upon the principles of the golden ratio, it helps to determine where your brows should start and finish, as well as the placement of your arch, to best suit your facial features.

It's a kind of brow architecture that is an exact science and requires a good eye; however, Parkes tells me that no two appointments are the same, and she'll tailor the brows differently from client to client. "I'm taking into consideration the person's natural hair growth and their features, but I take the rules with a pinch of salt whilst designing something that's going to really suit that person's face," she says.

My Brow Mapping Experience

Upon walking into Parkes' treatment room, she carefully assessed my eyebrows and asked if I had a favourite brow. She tells me that most people often do, and so brow mapping helps to achieve symmetry on both sides. I've always preferred the shape of my right eyebrow, and I overplucked my left one as a teenager (and it also grows in a different way from my right side), so I've struggled to get a balance between the two of them, even with the best brow pencils and eyebrow gels, and even trying brow lamination in the past, too.

The treatment began with Parkes cleansing the area before carefully mapping out my eyebrows whilst I lay down. Using a ruler, she meticulously measured and made markings from the front through to the tail of the brows. I then sat upright, and she assessed them again to ensure symmetry. From there, it became clear exactly where I needed to fill in my brows (no surprise, it was the gap on my left arch where I'd over-plucked).

From there, she threaded any brow hairs outside of the markings and then carefully trimmed my brow hairs with meticulous precision. Lastly, she filled in any sparse areas with a micro-fine brow pencil and set my brows in place with a brow gel. Being shown exactly how to fill your brows in was enlightening in itself, and I felt better informed about exactly where I needed to place my brow pencil strokes at home. As Parkes tells me during our appointment, it's worthwhile having an expert pair of eyes on your eyebrows if you're struggling with any asymmetry. It's also a great starting place if you're going on a brow-shaping journey, or wanting to explore treatments such as microblading to create your ideal brow shape.

Before and After

And when Parkes handed me the mirror, my jaw dropped. I had never seen my eyebrows look more symmetrical, and I couldn't believe that my brows could look this good. Not only that, but having my brow mapping and styling by Parkes had totally opened up my eyes, and gave me a refreshed and sculpted appearance I've never been able to achieve from tweezing at home. It's said that brows should be sisters, not twins, and looking back on photos, my brows didn't even know one another prior to my treatment. But since my brow mapping experience, they've never looked better, and the compliments on my eyebrows have been rolling in ever since. Parkes also gave me some great brow product recommendations from her brow kit below.

Shop Brow Products:

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Out of all the makeup brands out there, Merit Beauty is at the top of my list. Its minimalistic and effortless approach to beauty (not to mention its extremely chic packaging) makes it a total staple in mine and my fellow beauty editors' makeup bags. I'm already a huge fan of Merit Clean Lash (£24), the brand's very first mascara. So when I heard that Merit was launching a new volumising mascara, Clean Volume (£24), my interest was immediately piqued. I've been testing the new mascara over the past couple of weeks, so scroll on for my thoughts on whether it deserves a spot in your makeup bag.

Merit Clean Volume Mascara

Clean Volume is a tubing mascara designed to volumise lashes without clumping. Whilst many volumising mascaras feature a large wand with long bristles, Clean Volume has a notably more nimble, flexible comb wand. As someone with deep-set, hooded eyes, this is a total game-changer, as so many bulky wands ultimately transfer product onto my lids or under my eyes. However, it doesn't compromise on volume. This small comb wand, however, catches every lash and deposits just the right amount of product as you sweep it through, helping to give you defined yet full lashes and plenty of length, too. No spidery lashes here.

The tubing formula means that not only does it withstand flaking, smudging or crumbling throughout the day, but it removes effortlessly with just warm water—it just slides off your lashes between your fingertips.

Before and After

As you can see, this mascara delivers on its promises of volumising, without looking heavy or spidery. This is just with one coat, but if you're after a more dramatic effect, it's easily layered up for more intensity without turning clumpy. I like to curl my lashes prior to applying my mascara, and if you have short or straight lashes, I'd recommend not skipping this step.

Clean Lash vs Clean Volume

If you're stuck between which formula to go for, or want to know if you need Clean Volume in your makeup bag too, there are a few key differences to know. Clean Lash delivers a fluttery, natural-looking look, and features a classic bristled wand that gives a feathery-looking flutter. IMO, it's the perfect everyday mascara.

Clean Volume, on the other hand, delivers a more defined yet volumised look. Think more sleek and spiky in the best way. The wand is also flexible in comparison and features tiny bristles that are small yet mighty at delivering the pigment to your lashes. Whichever one you go for, you now have the option of black or brown in each.

Personally, I can justify having both in my makeup bag. Clean Lash remains my favourite everyday mascara, but come evenings when I want a bolder eye look, I'll definitely be switching to Clean Volume for more drama.

My Verdict

Having now tested Clean Volume after the past couple of weeks, I have to say I'm impressed. I'm usually not one for volumising mascara formulas (I personally favour lengthening and curling mascaras), however, Merit Beauty's innovative brush has converted me. It makes it easy to get fuller lashes without running the risk of overloading with too much product, and I also love how long and defined it leaves my lashes, too. It feels light and flexible on my lashes, without feeling heavy like some mascaras do. Oh, and it's a total dream to remove at the end of the day; it just melts away in the shower. If you're in the market for a new mascara that delivers on volume, then I'd highly recommend it.

Shop Clean Volume:

Shop Clean Lash:

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

In case you missed it or you haven't had a chance to place an order yet, I'm here to remind you that Amazon Prime Day ends Friday, June 26. As your friendly neighborhood beauty editor, I'd hate for you to miss out on such stellar beauty deals. I already curated my list of the can't-miss Korean skincare products that are on sale, but I thought I'd share last-minute makeup deals too. I'm already spending hours scrolling through the site and putting my Prime account to good use, so why not make your life a little easier while I'm at it? Keep scrolling to see 14 summer makeup products I recommend adding to your cart ASAP, from a golden hour–esque illuminator to a juicy lip gloss and beyond. You can thank me later.

La Beauté Louis Vuitton made quite the splash when it launched in the fall of 2025. It had all the makings for a buzzy beauty launch: It's the house's first-ever makeup collection, features legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath at the helm, and showcases jaw-dropping formulas tagged at equally jaw-dropping prices ($160 for a lipstick was sure to make headlines!). The current lineup includes 55 lipsticks, 10 lip balms, and eight eye shadow palettes—and, starting today, 10 creamy lip pencils.

Introducing the LV Crayon, a buttery, richly pigmented liner inspired by McGrath's own tried-and-true techniques for the Louis Vuitton runways (and secretly worn by Emma Stone and Hoyeon Jung at the Louis Vuitton 2027 cruise show!). At $58, it's probably the most expensive lip liner I've ever worn, but it's also—hands down—the dreamiest. Scroll ahead for everything you need to know about the newest LV launch, including my honest thoughts after testing it for over a month.

About the LV Crayon Lip Pencils

At first glance, I could already tell that the LV Lip Crayon would be the chicest lip product I own. The wooden pencil is shaped exactly like the iconic LV monogram flower, which not only aesthetically looks divine but also lends a better grip for a precise, controlled application. You might be surprised that Louis Vuitton opted for a wooden pencil over a gel formula or one with a retractable, mechanical base, but wooden options tend to be way more soft and blendable, which is top notch for that coveted lip-blur effect (aka, exactly what I crave with my liner looks).

As for the pigment itself, the peptide-infused formula is super creamy and hydrating upon application, and it diffuses effortlessly with the press of a fingertip (or a swipe of the ultra-chic blending brush). This isn't a formula you need to work with at breakneck speed before it dries down and doesn't budge; it remains blendable no matter when you apply. As McGrath shares in a release, "The texture of the LV Crayon is something everyone needs to feel for themselves. It melts into the lips like a second skin—creamy, silky smooth, so unbelievably comfortable." Yet it somehow doesn't move—unless you want it to.

The Lip Crayon launches with 10 layerable shades, which I've outlined below, from soft nudes to electric pinks to a deep, timeless red.

• 190 Beige Atlas: A beige-brown
• 191 Nude Rêverie: A soft rose
• 192 Nude Quest: A warm nude with terracotta undertones
• 193 Sépia Panorama: A deep, warm brown with mahogany undertones
• 290 Rose Whisper: A cool-toned rose
• 390 Pink Aurora: A vibrant magenta-pink
• 490 Plum Comet: A rich plum
• 690 Burnt Sienna: A deep red-leaning orange
• 854 Rouge Louis: A vivid crimson
• 896 Monogram Rouge: A deep bordeaux

My Testing Experience and Honest Thoughts

After attending a masterclass led by McGrath herself and learning the best application techniques (start with a dry base free of any balms, outline with your color du jour, then add a slightly darker shade in the outer corners and a stripe on the belly of the lower lip!), I took home three shades: Nude Rêverie, Nude Quest, and Sépia Panorama. I've been using Nude Rêverie the most for my everyday lip looks (I'm a sucker for a soft rosewood hue), but when I really want to punch up the impact, all three pencils come in clutch for a blurred, soft-focus look.

I start by outlining my entire lip shape with Nude Rêverie, slightly overlining my Cupid's bow to create more of a rounded effect. I'll usually fill in my entire lip with that same rosy shade, as it matches my natural lip color quite well. Next, I outline the border again with Nude Quest to slightly deepen the shadow, then follow up with Sépia Panorama just above the Cupid's bow and on the outer corners of my lips for some extra contour. Even without any blending, the pencils create a nice, fluffy lip edge. Read: You can't tell where the liner ends and my natural lip border begins, which is the key to a pouty, blurred look. Still, I use the Blending Brush to further buff, then top it off with a swipe of my favorite LV Baume, Monogram Touch.

I personally adore these LV Crayons and have used them every single day since adding them to my collection. No exaggeration. That said, I am someone who loves a soft, hazy lip moment over crisp, bold color. You could totally use the liners for more structured, high-definition looks (just make sure to sharpen your pencil to a precise point), but if you're on the hunt for something completely waterproof, a gel or stain formula might be better suited for that purpose. Just something to note, since dropping $58 per pencil is nothing to scoff at!

However, if you're frequently gunning for a blotted, French-girl lip like me, I'd say they're 100% worth the investment. I usually require no less than six lip products to achieve that "effortless" just-kissed finish, but this pencil somehow hits the mark with a single swipe, no extra blending necessary. Someone even recently popped into my Instagram DMs to say that my "lips look so good," which is how you know you've succeeded at lip-contouring sorcery. When you think about it, $58 doesn't seem so steep compared to, say, a syringe of filler.

Shop the New LV Crayons