Can you believe it? I’d never heard of a tattoo falling off before either! But of course, it had to happen to me…

Me and my best friend had been planning to get matching tattoos together for months. Both of us had never had a tattoo before, so as we are both turning 50 this year, we planned to do the obligatory thing, and pop our tattoo 'cherries’ to celebrate our 50th’s together…

We wanted hearts ♡♡

Tiny - actually micro - freckle hearts. On our wrists. To ease us into the tattoo thing you know…

So after lots of research, we booked our appointments at a reputable ‘fine line’ tattoo place in Soho in London. All the celebs go there…so it’s gonna be good right?

Or so we thought!

The day we had them done, I’d been to have a Sofwave facial treatment a couple of hours beforehand, which is painful. Like childbirth painful! So I was dreading having a tattoo done on the same day. They’re meant to be painful too right?

But I felt nothing! And no wonder…

7 days later, (note: I am now back at home in Florida, 4000 miles away from London), as I was getting ready for bed, I looked down at my arm, and my new tattoo was gone!

Not there.

I mean, it was small in the first place. Maybe I couldn’t see it as I didn’t have my glasses on? Plus I was still a bit jet-lagged…So I asked my husband to double check if he could see it lol.

Nope, much to his amusement (he and my boys had already taken the piss about the size of it) he couldn’t see it either.

I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!

All that planning. For nothing. All that money. £100 to be exact. For nothing!

I actually caught the moment I realised it had fallen off on this Instagram reel that has now hit 99,000 views.

And So The Tattoo Stories Came Flooding In…

“I had a small cat face done on my inner ankle. The tiny heart-shaped nose got a little infected and a few days later, I noticed a little black heart was lying on the bottom of my shower... all that’s left is the outline.”

“Mine floated off in the bath!”

“I had my anniversary date tattooed onto my finger. It fell off in places after 2 weeks. It looks like I’ve drawn it myself with a Biro pen and then washed my hands.”

“Me and my friend did the same...we had I 🍎 NYC and my Apple fell off! Actually turned into a big hole as my skin rejected the red dye.”

“I got a little ladybug on my big toe 30 years ago and the same thing happened... I just have like a black dot on my toe now.”

So Why Did This Happen? 😩

Apparently, our bodies are smarter than we give them credit for. One of my followers said: “The body sees tattoo ink as a foreign substance and wants to get rid of it. If it’s really tiny, your immune system can send out enough macrophages to eat up that ink and expel it through the lymphatic system. Your body was just doing its job.”

Could It Also Be Because Our Tattoos Were Brown?

Me and my friend liked the tattooists’ brown heart because we thought it looked more ‘natural’ than black. So that’s what we chose. What we didn’t know was that apparently brown ink is more likely to fade, and erm, drop off. As another follower wrote:

“My husband and I got matching rings... his was brown and it peeled off too.”

The Fine-Line Reality Check

Then there is the “depth” issue. Many followers said “they didn’t go deep enough.” Others pointed out the “wrist factor,” noting that “that part of the body is weird... the inner wrist just doesn’t hold ink well.”

Someone pointed out that I should’ve gone to a tattooist that specialises in fine lines. Well, I thought they were. The phrase ‘fine line’ is actually in the name of the place - so you’d think they’d be experts.

What About The After Care?

“Sometimes you can catch a scab and pull a bit out - if that’s the whole tattoo and you didn’t care for it well, the whole thing probably got caught and fell out because it’s micro.”

Another warned: “You wash too much. Nothing for a month, 2 months to be sure.”

Well, yes I do wash thank you very much, but I was 100% extra careful around it. Besides, the tattooist sprayed on ‘spray-on plaster’ and advised that that would be enough to keep it soft and ‘safe.’

The £100 Question 💸

Of course, we have to talk about the price. I paid £100, which many thought was a complete rip off! But I also had many professional tattooists step in to explain the cost:

“Many tattooists have a shop minimum to offset the cost of disposable equipment and sterilization.”

“It might be a tiny tattoo that only took a minute, but there is the same amount of stuff used in the prep and clean up as there is for a large tattoo.”

Surely, We Should Have Been Warned?

The biggest takeaway from “tattoo-gate” was maybe that the ‘fine line’ industry has a transparency problem. As one follower put it: “If you went to a reputable artist, they would have told you that the chances of a little tiny micro tattoo staying - especially where the skin is extra thin - is a low percentage. It does not shock me that it dissipated.”

And what about my friend?

Did hers fall off too?

Yes! A few days later…

We both got our money refunded and now we’re planning to have them done again, at a different place in Florida.

A little more prepared!

And hopefully a little more happy…

Any tattoo stories/tips to share before we have another go? I’d love to know about them in the comments 👇🏼

Leave a comment

So when last month’s partnership between Ulta Beauty and TikTok Shop was announced, I thought it would be a good time to look at the impact Tik Tok shop will have on our shopping habits in the future.

This is a huge moment in beauty retail as it is the first time a major U.S. specialty retailer has fully integrated with Tik Tok.

But being a bit a Tik Tok avoidant myself…

Can I really trust it?

When I order, will my packages arrive?

And why would I shop there instead of somewhere familiar like Amazon?

…I asked my New York-based Marketing Manager, Hayley Beard to help me understand how it works, and if it really is the future in beauty retail.

The Ulta Beauty x TikTok Shop Partnership: What You Need to Know

Hayley brings an incredible depth of knowledge in this area as she has led the marketing teams at some of the industry’s biggest brands, including Shiseido, Tarte Cosmetics and Trish McEvoy so she understands what this means for both the brands, and us, the consumer!

Can you trust Tik Tok More Than Amazon?

First, Hayley explains that this “Social QVC” model - ie. think of a shopping channel, but just on your social feed - brings a level of sourcing trust that marketplaces like Amazon often lack!

Hold up. Really? Hayley explains:

“One of the biggest advantages TikTok Shop has over traditional marketplaces like Amazon is trust in sourcing. On Amazon, if you’re not buying from a verified seller, there’s always a risk that the product could be fake, used, or, in the case of beauty products, even unsafe. You might receive something that looks authentic but is coming from an unverified third-party vendor.”

“But when brands sell directly through TikTok Shop, they cut down on third-party interference. While they likely pay a fee to be on the platform, they gain more control over pricing, inventory, and distribution. At the same time, smaller creators, especially micro-influencers, can participate more easily without navigating more complex affiliate platforms like LTK or ShopMy, which can feel overwhelming if you’re just getting started.”

Right, so I get it now: TikTok Shop aims to eliminate that middleman. Like the annoying salesperson at the store: I’m looking at you, sales lady from Pretty Woman…ha ha

Why Are Beauty Brands Like Ulta Choosing Tik Tok?

Hayley explains that it’s more than just another retail partnership, it actually helps the brands push out more exclusive drops, which in turn, make us the customer, feel more special!

“In many ways, TikTok Shop is the digital evolution of sample sales and pop-ups. It taps into that same emotional trigger: exclusivity, urgency, and the thrill of getting something first. Even if, behind the scenes, there’s plenty of inventory, the experience is designed to make you feel like you’ve secured something rare.”

But do those feelings really matter? I believe that consumers, especially in my demographic, likely know, at least subconsciously, that the scarcity these brands are pushing in their marketing isn’t always real. “Some brands will launch five units, mark them as “sold out,” and suddenly it feels like the biggest drop of the year,” Hayley explains. “But that doesn’t take away from the excitement of securing the item.”

So what is the Future of Beauty Retail?

A quick poll in The Beauty Ed® community found that only 22% of us have ever shopped on Tik Tok. so while we think TikTok Shop will eventually become a big part of the sales strategy for brands, the platform still has a lot to do to gain our trust.

Have you shopped on Tik Tok shop yet? We’d love to know in the comments 👇🏼

Leave a comment

As an unapologetic Dior Beauty devotee, I wait for the house’s beauty drops with great anticipation, and the Dioriviera Summer 2026 collection may be one of its most visually compelling yet.

Putting these products to the test for The Beauty Ed®, I wanted to see if the latest creative vision from Peter Philips, Dior Makeup’s Creative and Image Director, lives up to the hype - especially for our growing community in the UK and the US who value a ‘skincare first’ ‘filtered’ finish.

Designed to channel the azure skies of Provence, this limited-edition collection features the standout 162 Summer Azur Palette - think luminous azure shadows, flushed bronze skin, and packaging adorned with raised daisies and the ladybug motif, a subtle nod to the maison’s longstanding relationship with luck and superstition (and also, coincidentally, a key feature of The Beauty Ed®’s branding)! 🐞

Naturally, I recreated an entire look using the collection, alongside some of Dior’s latest skincare and complexion staples, like Dior Solar SPF, to see how it performs beyond the campaign imagery. And yes, it is every bit as beautiful on the face as it is on the vanity.

(behind-the-scenes: Hermes, my cat opening my Dior parcel)

Skin Prep: The “Expensive Skin” Foundation

A good makeup look begins long before pigment touches the eye. For dry skin, especially, the difference lies in hydration, skin preparation, and a sunscreen that won’t flake under makeup, which is surprisingly rare.

I began with Dior Capture Totale Intensive Essence Lotion, which instantly gives the skin that expensive, lit-from-within sheen. The texture feels spa-like and cocooning, and I tend to reserve it for makeup days when I want the base to look especially luminous.

I followed with the monoi-infused Dior Solar SPF, which remains one of the most elegant sunscreens I own: weightless, glowy, and never chalky, even under concealer. Living in London has only made me more committed to daily SPF; grey skies are no excuse!

For lips, I prepped with Le Baume, Dior’s multi-use balm, which keeps everything soft before gloss or lipstick and doubles as my bedside staple.

Complexion: The Foundation-Free Riviera Bronze

For my base, I skipped foundation entirely and used concealer - Dior Forever Skin Correct (005 Neutral) - blending it over my face.

I’ve increasingly moved away from heavy base products, and this formula works beautifully for that: it provides enough coverage for blemishes and under-eyes, yet remains breathable enough to let the skin feel like itself.

The real star of the complexion, however, is the new Dior Forever Nude Bronze Glow (032 Pink Bronze).

The embossed daisy compact alone feels collectable, but the powder itself gives a believable Riviera warmth rather than a flat bronze.

*On fair skin, it works best applied subtly. I pressed it onto the cheeks first with fingertips, then diffused it with a damp sponge for a soft, sun-touched flush.

The Eyes: Recreating the “Riviera Blue”

The collection’s 162 Summer Azur palette captures that exact late-afternoon Mediterranean blue, somewhere between sky and sea.

I layered the pale blue shimmer across the lid first, before building the sky-blue pigment through the centre using my ring finger for maximum payoff. To create dimension, I deepened the crease with navy tones from older Dior favourites in my collection, creating a soft gradient.

The two additional palettes used:

1. DIOR PALETTE: 233 EDEN ROC

2. DIOR SHOW: PLAN DE PARIS L’ETOILE (Discontinued)

   

   To sharpen the shape, I turned the deepest blue shade into liner using an angled brush, which gave a softer alternative to black while still framing the eye.

   For inner-corner light and highlight, I reached for the Dior Backstage Glow Maximizer Palette 006, mixing the icy tones for that almost wet-look gleam Dior does so well.

   ---

   The Removal Test: The Product That Truly Surprised Me

   

   A good review doesn’t end with the final photo.

   After shooting the look well into the evening, I put L’Huile OFF/ON cleansing oil to the real test, and this may actually be the most impressive product in the entire routine.

   A few pumps melted through layers of concealer, SPF, blue shadow, liner, mascara, and lash glue with remarkable ease. What stood out most was not just the speed, but the after-feel. This is where Dior’s newer, more accessible skincare direction really proves its value. (If you want to understand the strategy behind this shift, read my full deep-dive on the Dior Cleansing Line here).

   Usually, after removing a full-glam look, my skin feels stripped and tight. This left it soft, comfortable, and genuinely nourished.

   🪭 For anyone who wears long-wear makeup regularly, this is where Dior’s newer, more accessible skincare direction really proves its value.

   ---

Read my full article on this range here:

Final Thoughts: Is the Dioriviera 2026 Collection Worth It?

For summer 2026, Dior has delivered exactly what luxury beauty should: colour, exceptional textures, and products that feel as considered in real life as they do in campaign stills.

The standout products for me were:

· L’Huile OFF/ON cleansing oil

· Dioriviera Summer Azur palette

· Forever Nude Bronze Glow

The eyeshadow palette, in particular, captures that rare balance of glam and wearability, a true Riviera blue that still makes sense in London.

And that, perhaps, is Dior beauty at its best.

In my 27 years as a beauty editor, stretching back to my days as Beauty Editor at teen magazine CosmoGirl! to the front lines of the ‘real beauty’ evolution during my stint at Boots UK, where I introduced a strict no-retouching policy - I’ve seen the industry move from hiding “imperfections'“ to slowly celebrating them. Fast forward to today, April 6 2026 and the Rhode x The Biebers drop feels especially full circle.

Introducing a new type of beauty accessory, “Spotwear,” Hailey and Justin Bieber have unveiled five limited-edition hydrocolloid patches (think mushrooms and daisies) designed to be seen, not hidden…

Hailey has reportedly been “precious” about this specific formulation since 2024, ensuring the hydrocolloid material is thin enough to move with the skin but effective enough to heal. It’s a sophisticated marketing pivot; she has moved strategically and smoothly on from last winter’s ‘Ski-Core’ aesthetic, to a $16 sticker that turns a skin struggle into a fashion choice.

Arriving just in time for Justin’s Coachella headline set, this isn’t just a product launch; it’s a masterclass in “wearable skincare.” And as a veteran editor, I’m looking past the viral $16 stickers to ask: has the “Bieber effect” finally made the common breakout a status symbol?

The 2005 Archive: When Spots Were “Bad Habits”

I’ve just dug out a copy of CosmoGIRL! from 2005 from my archives. Lindsay Lohan is on the cover, and inside is a feature I wrote titled “Bust Your Beauty Bad Habits.” My advice for a breakout back then? “Think about the damage you’re doing if you squeeze... then dab it with Superdrug tea tree oil.”

Looking at that advice now seems so outdated! We were effectively teaching a generation that a blemish was a “bad habit” to be “fixed” and hidden.

As high school Junior Donyae from THE LAB says: “I wear pimple patches not only because [they] help me feel more secure going out, but [they] also helps me stop picking at my skin which often leaves scars.”

2015: “No-Retouching” at Boots

By 2015, during my time with the British drugstore Boots editing the beauty and cover pages of their Health & Beauty Magazine, (an in-store glossy that was, back then, the most read women’s magazine in the UK), my approach around topics like breakouts and ‘flaws’ began to shift. I was radically committed to reality; and as the Beauty Director, I made sure that if a model arrived at a beauty or cover shoot with a spot, it would not be digitally erased or retouched out. Instead, we would do with it what we had to use in reality: cover it with concealer.

But oh how I wish Rhode “spotwear” was available back then! I’d have SO been down to quickly replace the concealer brush with a $16 mushroom shaped sticker! I am so here for this evolution of skin positivity!

Unlearning the Shame: Insights from THE LAB

The generational friction is where the “spotwear'“ story gets really interesting. While our generation was trained to hide, THE LAB collective is writing its own rules. Gia from THE LAB calls the Rhode x The Biebers launch “sharp marketing,” noting that for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, these patches have become a staple that genuinely boosts confidence. However, she still feels the generational gap at home: “It’s funny though, as older relatives, especially my dad, always tell me they’re not appropriate when I wear them out in public like at the airport.”

This sentiment is echoed by The Beauty Ed®’s Marketing Manager, Hayley Beard, who admits she was “trained from age 12” to never show a pimple. “I’m learning to embrace imperfections, but it’s a process. It goes back to how I was never allowed to leave the house in pajamas or without looking ‘presentable.’”

Yet, for the students in THE LAB, the goal isn’t male validation or “perfection” - it’s self-expression. As Avery Lurie put it: “I am not wearing makeup for male validation.”

The “Boy Behavior” Barrier & The Bieber Effect

Then, there is Justin’s influence to consider. He personally designed the five shapes, but can his “Coachella factor” truly shift typical “Boy Behavior” as Paloma from THE LAB calls it? She is skeptical: “I doubt my guy friends would wear pimple patches in public. They’re much bigger fans of the clear ones and they normally just wear them overnight or at home.”

High school Junior Donyae from THE LAB has her doubts with boys wearing them too: "I’m not sure many boys would actually wear spot patches. From what I’ve heard, some think they’re too feminine.

We will see the boys wearing a neon mushroom to a festival…and taking a picture for evidence!? 🍄📸

The “Spotwear” Wardrobe: What’s in the Drop?

Justin personally designed these five limited-edition shapes to move the blemish patch from a clinical “fix” to a festival-ready accessory. Here is the breakdown of the Rhode x The Biebers shapes:

• Mushroom

• Daisy

• Jelly Bean

• Bubble

• Curve

The Full Set costs $56 and includes the complete wardrobe of 30 patches plus the new Caramelized Banana Peptide Lip Treatment - a flavor Paloma from THE LAB is “side-eyeing,” but one I suspect will become an instant cult classic. And if this drop is anything like the Sarah Pidgeon campaign we wrote about earlier this Spring, we can expect the formula to be as high-performance as the marketing is shrewd.

The Individual Spotwear Pouch costs $16 - an accessible price point for a “designer” drop, but the students in THE LAB are already weighing it up against their current favorites. As high school Junior Diana perfectly summarized:

“I think spot patches are a great way for us to feel more comfortable with breakouts and to normalize it. I think $16 is reasonable, but I’m curious as to how it holds up against the brands I trust.”

It’s a reminder that even with the “Bieber effect,” performance is still the ultimate currency for Gen A.

The collection will be available to buy online at Rhode.com from April 13th at 9am PT.

The Beauty Ed® & THE LAB’s Final Verdict:

What we love most about the Rhode x The Biebers drop is that it proves that beauty is no longer about hiding; it’s about celebrating YOU! And after 27 years of trying to shout this message LOUD in an industry that was always obsessed with perfection, I am here for it! And so are THE LAB!

This is the result of tipping out one of my cupboards and putting some of the supplements that I’m told I should be taking onto my kitchen island. Most of these tubs are half-empty where I’ve started to take them and then forgotten to keep up with the routine.

After 27 years in the industry, I’ve been pushed to buy every “miracle” pill that there is, but nothing quite compares to the complete deluge of supplements we’re seeing right now. It’s clearly become a massive, multi-billion dollar money-making business, and I’ll be the first to admit that even I’ve been bought into it. As a beauty editor running my own business, I’m constantly challenged by making a financial return. The supplement industry is a tempting one; there is a big pot of money sitting there just waiting for anyone with a name for themselves to put their name against a bottle.

Reach Over Results: The Celebrity "Gloss" Trap

I’ve navigated this before - I had one sponsorship about three years ago that paid about $2,000 in return for talking about them on an Instagram reel. At the time I’d tested the supplements over 4 months and did really like them, so I was happy to put my name against the brand. But now, as the industry takes over and becomes so ‘shouty’, I’m not sure how comfortable I feel promoting brands that have results that are hard to measure. Many brands seem to pay anyone to speak about them, as long as they have a "name" and can give them the reach.

I feel like they aren’t really talking to real women about the results they’re getting. When you see a celebrity who looks great, is it really these supplements giving them their "gloss"? I highly doubt it. How do we really know that they work? I’ve even known some brands to send out supplements and pay people to promote them when they don’t even expect them to give them a fair trial.

So, how do we know that supplements work?

On social media, the reels and posts that are selling supplements have almost become white noise. And so I think it’s finally time for us to strip back and really understand the ones that we should be trying. That’s why I brought nutritionist Amanda Ryder back onto my podcast, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles, to give us her ‘supplement audit’ and share the ones she really believes in - from clinical studies and her own clinic - and the ones that she thinks all women should take.

The Clean List: Brands to Trust

When you are spending your hard-earned money, Amanda insists on pharmaceutical-grade quality over pretty packaging. Her trusted list includes:

• Bare Biology (Amanda’s personal choice for Collagen, Fish Oil, and Creatine)

• Pure Encapsulations

• Thorne

• Metagenics

• Designs for Health

• Ancient + Brave

The Gut Sabotage: Why Your Body Might Be Rejecting Your Supplements

I asked Amanda if it was possible to take too many supplements, and her answer was a revelation. It turns out that some of those ‘shouty’ brands we see all over social media aren’t just a waste of money - they might actually be sabotaging your gut and straining your liver. If you’ve ever wondered why your body seems to be ‘rejecting’ those half-empty tubs on your counter, this is why:

These are the 6 essential supplements for your 40s and 50s.

Amanda’s philosophy is that food comes first, but for women in our age bracket, these six supports can bridge the gap:

1. Magnesium Glycinate: The ultimate “helper molecule” for sleep, anxiety, and muscle relaxation.

2. Creatine Monohydrate: Her top recommendation for maintaining muscle mass and clearing brain fog.

3. Omega-3 Fish Oils: Essential “oil for the engine” to fight midlife inflammation and dry skin.

4. Vitamin D: A non-negotiable for immunity and bone health, especially during the winter months.

5. Collagen (Bovine & Marine): To support skin elasticity and joint health as our natural levels decline.

6. Vitamin C & B12: Targeted support for energy and helping your body actually synthesize the proteins you’re taking.In an industry that often buys reach over results, the best thing you can do is to stop buying the hype and start studying the ingredients list.

Share

Which ones do you take and rate? Do you think Amanda’s missed any?

Leave a comment

Personally, I get so overwhelmed that I end up taking none, but I’m definitely going to give some these a try. In fact, I scooped some creatine into my water before the gym this morning already :-)

If you want to listen to the full episode with Amanda, then please support my podcast Smiling Gives You Wrinkles ♡

The Beauty Ed®’s Note: Stay ahead of the trends with The Beauty Ed®'s exclusive report on ILIA Beauty’s strategic expansion into Liberty London. Led by beauty authority Donna Francis, who has over 27 years’ experience, contributor Gia breaks down the market shift toward skin-first hybrid makeup in the UK and how this ‘unfiltered’ finish that allows texture and pores to shine through is the new standard for luxury makeup.

For those unfamiliar, Liberty London sits in the lively heart of the West End, housed within its unmistakable Tudor Revival façade: dark beams, leaded windows, and carved wood interiors.

It is one of the city’s most beloved luxury department stores, known not only for beauty but also for fashion, interiors, and textiles. So, the arrival of ILIA Beauty here feels particularly well-timed.

The ILIA Philosphy: Why Skin-First Makeup is the New Industry Benchmark

This is not the first time I’ve written about ILIA Beauty for The Beauty Ed®. My most recent piece focused on the launch of the brand’s Skin Blur Serum Concealer, a complexion product that immediately stood out to me for its weightless, self-setting finish and skin-softening effect.

ILIA Beauty was founded by Sasha Plavsic in 2011, with the initial launch comprising of just a range of tinted lip conditioners. Since then, ILIA has built a devoted following through its long-standing commitment to skin-first makeup.

What distinguishes the brand from many others, is that its use of skincare ingredients never feels like a late response to trend cycles. While many beauty houses are only now moving towards hybrid complexion products, ILIA has always centred the relationship between coverage and skin health.

As someone who is deeply selective about complexion formulas, I’m far more interested in products that preserve the look and feel of healthy skin than in anything harsh.

Living in London and spending long stretches commuting on the underground, surrounded by pollution, dry tube air and the constant shift between overheated interiors and outdoor city exposure, I am increasingly drawn to products that do something for the skin while I wear them.

Its formulas are known for combining makeup with active, barrier-supportive ingredients that help maintain hydration and comfort throughout the day. For dry or sensitive skin, that balance between glow and nourishment feels especially compelling.

Subscribe now

The Cultural Shift: Why the ‘Unfiltered’ Aesthetic is Winning at Liberty

Part of what draws me to ILIA Beauty is its ability to deliver that luminous “no-makeup makeup” finish. Although I usually lean more toward full glam than subtle makeup, as summer approaches, I always find myself gravitating toward looks that create a soft wash of radiance, flushed cheeks and a finish that feels effortlessly put together. ILIA’s textures seem designed for exactly that mood.

I find myself influenced by Gen Z figures like Addison Rae (a fellow ILIA lover), whose beauty moves so fluidly between playful glitter, early-2000s glamour, and glowy minimalism. What I admire in her beauty routines, particularly in her Vogue Beauty Secrets appearances, is the way she makes even minimal makeup never looks boring!

@addisonreMy perfect everyday makeup routine🥛🍓 @ILIA Beauty #iliapartner

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

Vetted Ingredients: Beyond the ‘Clean Beauty’ Hype

The use of active botanicals and carefully sourced skin-supportive ingredients makes the formulas feel thoughtfully put together. Nothing feels included simply to satisfy the “clean beauty” trend. Instead, the products seem responsive to how skin behaves over the course of a real day. That openness around formulation is what gives me confidence in the brand.

Among clean beauty options, ILIA stands out because its promise is not simply aesthetic, but also rooted in prioritising skin health. The idea that makeup can improve how the skin feels, while remaining breathable, gentle, and comfortable, is far more persuasive to me than trend-led claims alone.

The ILIA products I’m most excited to try

1) Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40: The Hybrid Hero for London City Skin

This is the product I am most drawn to. I wear skin tints far more often than traditional foundation, so anything that combines sheer complexion coverage with daily SPF immediately earns my attention.

The water-light consistency feels ideal for the kind of finish I love, and the inclusion of mineral SPF protection makes it particularly relevant for London days spent moving between the tube and the city itself.

A product that offers glow, light coverage, and environmental support in one step feels exactly in line with how beauty routines are evolving.

2) The Multi-Stick: Effortless, Creamy Radiance for the Woman on the Move

The second formula I am especially keen to test is the Multi-Stick.

I have always loved multi-use products, particularly for travel or rushed mornings.

The fact that it can move seamlessly across cheeks, lips, and eyelids makes it all the more appealing. The shea butter base suggests a creamy, blendable finish, while the buildable pigment allows for either a barely-there flush or something more potent.

A Natural Pairing: Why ILIA Belongs in the West End’s Most Iconic Beauty Hall

ILIA is now available both online and in-store at Liberty London, and the pairing feels entirely natural: a thoughtful, skin-intelligent beauty brand arriving in one of London’s most iconic department stores.

For anyone who loves luminous skin and makeup that genuinely supports the skin beneath it, this is a launch worth having on your radar.

And as always, let us know which ILIA product you’d most like us to test next for The Beauty Ed®?

Leave a comment

The Sephora Struggle: Hype Vs. Health

We are surrounded by trending products that we feel we should buy, but in reality, the popular products are sometimes not what works. Trends can lead to over consumption and are not built for everyone’s skin types.

The culture of modern beauty can lead to insecurities and feeling that you have to buy something just because your friends are talking about it. Walking into Sephora, I am overwhelmed by products advertised by influencers on social media, such as Drunk Elephant, Sol de Janeiro, and Summer Fridays.

The FOMO EFFECT: When Trends Break Your Skin Barrier

The popularity of trending products can drive us to make impulsive decisions. We buy products because of the hype around the trend, not because of the effectiveness of the beauty product.

For example, my friends were talking about The Ordinary, a brand that makes serums, oils, and other skincare products, so when we went to the mall, I felt like I should buy the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides), because my friends said it would benefit my skin. But after about a week of using it, I started to break out and I had to use alternative products to fix the damage - like the Laneige Cream Skin Mist Duo.

So I’ve learned that many highly advertised products can disrupt my skin barrier, cause irritation and lasting damage. Finding products that match your skin type involves a trial and error process. But it’s worth doing to find what works for you!

The Lip Balm Battle: Summer Fridays Vs. e.l.f

Popular products like Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm are circled by the glow of social media, but some people don’t want to spend $24 on a lip balm.

So step forward e.l.f. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm. This budget-friendly makeup and skincare brand is cruelty free, vegan and affordable!

The Glow Reviver Lip Balm is a buttery tint with a glossy finish and isn’t shy in admitting it’s a dupe for Summer Fridays either. Under the details tab of the product, it states:

“$24 for a lip balm? do butter. Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm is only $9!”

🫶🏼

Smart Swaps: Why We Love Dupes

There is no shame in buying products advertised on the internet. I have bought multiple lip balms from Summer Fridays, but it’s important to be aware that finding products to represent your true self is more important than letting the noise of your friends or social media affect your own ideas.

Rhode vs. MCoBeauty

MCoBeauty is another brand known for creating dupes. The MCoBeauty Hydrate & Prepare Milky Toner is considered a replica of Rhode’s Glazing Milk. McoBeauty’s toner is $13.99 for 4.73 ounces and Rhode’s glazing milk is $32 for 4.2 ounces. Falling for trendy products makes me feel like I’ve been duped by brands that promise to help my skin.

The glow around Rhode could be because the founder is Hailey Bieber, who is known to have perfect skin. And this can make us feel like we should have perfect skin too - but there is no such thing as perfect skin! It’s an impossible standard used to try to make us feel better about ourselves.

Great Skin Is About Owning Who You Are

Following trends can leave you feeling like you’re not good enough or you don’t fit in. This is why it’s important to keep in mind that fashion, makeup, and skincare is not a one size fit’s all.

Your image does not need to mirror the influencers promoting the product or models that seem to be perfect. Everyone deserves to look in the mirror and feel confident and proud of who they are.

The appeal of “hype” products can compromise your skin, waste money, and have a negative mental impact. Please don’t be stressed about what you put on your face when you wake up in the morning. Just find products that are right for you and ones that you can trust.

Lexie Stone is a freshman, competitive gymnast, and THE LAB mentee, focusing on feeling confident through your skin. You’ll find Laneige, Refy, Rare Beauty, and Makeup By Mario in her beauty supply.

Thanks for reading THE LAB by The Beauty Ed®. If you’d like to show your support, please consider subscribing 💌 And please share our work: it keeps thoughtful and truthful beauty journalism alive ♡

Subscribe now

The Beauty Ed®’s Note: In my 27 years as a Beauty Editor, I have seen the beauty industry slowly move away from trends that are obsessed with perfectionism towards ones that prize relatability and honesty. And the M.A.C x Xime Ponch partnership was a perfect example of this ‘unfiltered’ shift. The Beauty Ed® contributor Gia Yianni recently spoke to the Miami influencer about her work as a 2022 M.A.C Maker, her love for dupes, and the raw, bilingual reality of being a Spanish speaking creator.

Perhaps it is the heat, or the colour, or the way everything feels just slightly heightened, but spend enough time watching the city of Miami through someone else’s lens, and the gloss begins to give way to something more revealing. Not less curated, necessarily, but more aware of its own performance.

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Xime Ponch, a Miami-based college student and Latina creator whose unfiltered, deeply relatable voice has earned her a multi-million-strong Gen Z audience across the US and Latin America.

From her work with M.A.C Cosmetics to everyday life in Miami, and the behind-the-scenes aspects, our conversation shifted between content creation, visibility, and what beauty looks like when it is lived rather than simply presented.

The Miami Aesthetic: How Xime Ponch Redefines Visibility in 2026

Xime’s content moves between languages, cultures, and audiences with an ease that feels instinctive. Whilst much of her content is in Spanish (with automated English translation available for her US audience), she has recently begun incorporating English more deliberately into her videos. That duality, between languages, between polished and personal, is what gives her work its traction.

It also speaks to something larger. For years, beauty has operated within relatively narrow visual codes: who is seen, how they are seen, and what is considered desirable have followed a recognisable pattern.

What creators like Xime do, simply by existing within the space as they are, is widen that frame. Not overtly, but meaningfully, enough for people watching to recognise themselves within it. Representation, particularly for younger audiences navigating identity through digital spaces, remains vital.

Inside the M.A.C Maker Programme: The Xime Ponch x M.A.C Cosmetics Collaboration

Given my own longstanding connection to M.A.C Cosmetics, and having grown up with a M.A.C makeup artist as a mother, this was the part of the conversation I was most curious about: Xime’s experience as a M.A.C Maker for M.A.C Mexico.

For those unfamiliar, the M.A.C Maker programme invites influencers to collaborate on limited-edition lipsticks, offering them full creative involvement, from shade development to packaging and campaign imagery.

Xime spoke candidly about the process, describing how surreal it felt to move from consumer to collaborator: designing the lipstick, selecting colours, shaping the packaging, and ultimately seeing the product come to life. The result: a limited-edition exclusive released in 2022, remains one of her proudest achievements.

One moment, in particular, felt universal. Reflecting on her relationship with the brand, she said:

She went on to describe going through her mother’s makeup bag as a child and recognising M.A.C Cosmetics products, a memory that makes her collaboration feel all the more full-circle. From engraving her name into the lipstick to touring across Mexico and meeting people who had purchased it, the experience extended far beyond product development.

What is striking is not simply the partnership itself, but the access it represents. The ability to move behind the scenes, to see how beauty products are conceptualised, developed, and brought to market, has for so long been closed off. Now, that process is becoming more visible, and with it, the industry feels less distant.

Share

Gen Z Beauty Economics: Addressing Accessibility & Product Dupes

For all the conversation around luxury beauty, there is an equally important one unfolding alongside it: access.

Beauty, at its best, should feel participatory. Yet price points, availability, and exclusivity often complicate that experience, particularly for younger consumers.

This is where Xime’s approach resonates. Alongside high-end recommendations, she consistently makes space for accessible alternatives, from drugstore staples to thoughtful “dupes” that achieve a similar effect without the same financial commitment. Not as a compromise, but as an acknowledgement of reality.

Most people are not building routines in isolation from their budgets. And creators who recognise that, who speak to both without judgement, are the ones audiences return to.

Why Unfiltered Content Remains The Future Of The Beauty Ed®🐞

At The Beauty Ed®, the idea of being “unfiltered” has never meant rejection; of beauty, of products, or of aspiration. It is about understanding what works, what doesn’t, and why, without over-complication.

What Xime’s content reflects, and what makes it resonate so widely, is that same clarity. There is polish, as there is with all content, but more importantly, there is space for honesty, for the in-between moments that make a recommendation feel genuine rather than performed.

As she put it:

Subscribe now

In a digital beauty space that can so easily tip into excess, that transparency is what builds trust.

Beauty is changing, though not always in ways that are immediately visible.

Sometimes, it shifts in tone, in who is speaking, and how they are being heard.

And sometimes, it is as simple as recognising yourself, your language, your experience, your reality, reflected back at you. That, perhaps, is where the real influence lies.

Buy me a ☕️

Not subscribing today? You can still buy the team a coffee. We run on kindness, realness, and a frankly dangerous level of caffeine. Your support (big or small) keeps our beauty stories blooming🌟🐞

Share

Expert Hair.TOXX Review: Does Hair Cryotherapy Work? | The Beauty Ed® mentee Paloma tests the Hair.TOXX cryotherapy treatment at Haug London Haus. Featuring a deep dive into sub-zero hair science, avocado butter and hyaluronic acid ingredients, and real results for shine and frizz reduction. A real life verdict on the world’s first cold-plate hair treatment.

While my past few adventures with The Beauty Ed® have led me to gyms, I am extremely happy to report that my most recent press appointment was at Haug London Haus, where I was invited to try out a new hair treatment - an environment I happen to be MUCH more comfortable in.

I was trying out the world’s first cryotherapy for hair. Now, I know what you’re thinking: after my whole cold plunging debacle, I must have a penchant for the cold, but I really don’t. And spoiler alert: you do not feel the cold at all…and my hair looked fabulous at the end.

Some quick Hair.TOXX benefits:

• Reduces frizz

• Increases shine

• Does not use heat

• Strengthens hair at cuticle

What more could you possibly ask for?

The experience

I ventured into Fitzrovia on one of those sunny, early-Spring days that make you feel really grateful to live in London. Haug London Haus is tucked away behind New Oxford Street so you already know the location is fab to do some window (or real) shopping afterwards.

When I arrived for my Hair.TOXX appointment, I was told Katie was doing my hair - she was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable on all things cryotherapy and we chatted all things hair throughout the session which made it fly by.

‼️ I’ll keep this next part brief so as not to bombard you with the science:

We started with a double shampoo, which is more of a luxurious experience than you’d expect. We chose a clarifying one to really prep my hair for the treatment.

Then, Katie applied the Hair.TOXX mask to my wet hair, section by section, to ensure literally every single strand was coated. The mask is packed full of super-ingredients like avocado butter, hyaluronic acid and açai berry, which all contribute to healthy, moisturised and shiny locks (the most intriguing part of the invite was the promise of getting my hair up to 264% shinier - a bold claim, but I’m listening). The ingredients also help combat the wear and tear of daily life, like pollution, heat damage and London’s hard water.

Once Katie applied the mask all over, the cryotherapy began. Cryotherapy has been loved by wellness fanatics for quite some time, and in this case, it quickly freezes the mask’s benefits into your hair.

The tool looks like a hair straightener - one plate is coated with a thin layer of frost and the other with LED lights to activate the ingredients. They pass through each section of hair, again not missing a single strand.

Once your hair is successfully frozen, they rinse out the mask and finish the appointment with a blow-dry.

The whole appointment lasts around 45 minutes - most hair masks have to sit in your hair for at least an hour to be able to see a difference so this is definitely time effective. They even sent me home with a bag of Hair.TOXX goodies to maintain the treatment!

Post treatment (AKA, “someone please compliment my new hair”)

The day after my appointment, I had uni, and the first thing one of my friends said to me was “You’ve done something to your hair!”

For journalistic purposes, I made her tell me what exactly she noticed. She said it looked really shiny and even thought I had dyed it - proof that the treatment adds life back into your hair, and really, can you ask for more? Naturally, I launched into a whole explanation of my hair appointment.

Is Hair.TOXX worth it?

A treatment like this one costs £140, with the effects lasting up to five weeks, and I’ve definitely noticed a difference in how my hair feels. I will say, my hair is naturally straight and not prone to frizziness, but since the treatment, I’ve washed my hair three times, and the effects haven’t worn off. It’s definitely smoother, softer and more hydrated.

That said, it’s definitely more of a treat-yourself moment than a regular essential. If you’ve already got fabulous hair, you might not see a change drastic enough to justify the price.

My Final Verdict

I did wonder if this was yet another marketing ploy, and was worried I’d be underwhelmed. But (unfortunately for your bank account), I’d definitely recommend this treatment if you're looking for something to add life back to dull, frizzy hair.

I’m thinking it’s the perfect treatment before an event, after too much heat or dye-job damage, or when your hair / life feels like it needs a reset.

xx P

Disclaimer: This was a gifted treatment from Haug London Haus, but all opinions are my own!

Hair.TOXX is slowly rolling out to salons in the UK and US. Visit their website to find your nearest Hair.TOXX salon.

Thinking of trying? Let us know if you have any questions in the comments ♡

Leave a comment

But I also brought back something much more useful for a woman approaching 50: a face full of fresh collagen.

As an award-winning beauty editor with 27 years in this industry, I’ve made a very public choice to stay Botox-free as I approach my 50th birthday. It’s a personal manifesto that landed me in the headlines of The Sun, after I was - quite literally - trolled for having wrinkles. Apparently, at 49, I’m “too wrinkly” for my job 🙄

But here’s the thing: natural doesn’t have to mean neglected. While I’m not interested in chasing a younger version of myself that’s always out of reach, I have recently become obsessed with banking collagen. So, before I headed to Soho for my tattoo, I went to see the brilliant Emma Wedgwood at her Mayfair clinic for the one treatment I swear by instead of Botox: Sofwave.

What is Sofwave?

Imagine the ultrasound they run over your tummy when you’re having a baby. It’s the same technology, but it delivers heat deep into the mid-dermis.

This is the “sweet spot” where your fibroblasts live - the little factories that produce collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. As Emma explained to me, we hit a “collagen cliff” in our mid-40s where we lose about 1% every year.

“You can drink as much goddamn collagen in the world as you like, but it ain’t giving you collagen in your face,” Emma told me. “This is where you get your hit.”

By triggering a massive surge of these three essentials, Sofwave helps to lift the brows, tighten the jawline (my main concern this time around!), and give that “glass skin” glow without ever changing your face shape. It’s ‘tissue remodeling’ at it’s finest!

The Results: The 12-Week Slow Burn

While I personally saw an immediate glow both times I’ve had it done, it takes 12 weeks for that new collagen and elastin to fully remodel your skin. The results then last for 12 to 18 months.

My first Sofwave treatment was over 2 years ago and I can vouch for the results. They really are something amazing. And other poeple notice them too. You just get those lovely remarks like, “Oh my god, you look really, really well!” It’s your face - but better.

The “You, But Better” Effect

I’m not trying to look 10 years younger; I just want to look like the best, most dewy version of me at 49 (almost 50)! I want a face that expresses every emotion - one that you can read like a book. But also one that glows with life!

This past week since I’ve had it done, (and with a skin-draining long haul flight added on), I’ve already noticed a difference in my skin.

The “Spicy” Reality: Pain & Price

I’m not going to sugarcoat this for you: Sofwave is painful. I’ve given birth twice naturally - one of my boys was 10lbs 1oz - and while the pain isn’t the same, the tolerance level required is right up there. It radiates in peaks and troughs, a bit like contractions. Emma was like a midwife, supporting me through it with a high-strength compound numbing cream, a cold-air blower, and a stress ball. I also took 3 Tylenol (that’s 1500mg worth of paracetamol) beforehand.

I filmed this clip halfway through the treatment…

WHAT HELPED ME TOLERATE THE SOFWAVE PAIN

I squeezed the life out of the stress ball and I waved the cool air blower around to help cool my skin down, but I found this helped most: as I could feel the heat coming, I would take a long, slow deep breath in. And then a full breath out as the heat cooled.

Is Sofwave worth the money?

100% YES! But it’s an investment. The machine itself costs over £100,000, and practitioners are charged over £1.30 for every single “shot” they fire into your skin. And for a full face, you’re looking at 300 to 450 shots.

• The Cost: My treatment would have cost over £3,000.

• The Downtime: Zero. I walked from Mayfair to Soho right after. My skin felt energized and “cold” from the numbing, and while I had a few tiny bumps for 24 hours, I looked like I’d just been for a very healthy run.

Can I have Sofwave with Botox or Filler?

Absolutely. While I use it as an alternative, many women use Sofwave to compliment their injectable routine. Just remember the golden rule: wait two weeks after having Botox or filler before getting Sofwave in the same area.

Where to Book Sofwave:

I saw Emma Wedgwood in London’s Jo Hansford salon. She is holistic, honest, and doesn’t want to change how you look - just how you feel when you look in the mirror.

• Website: www.emmawedgwoodaesthetics.co.uk

• Instagram: @emmawedgwoodaesthetics

Pricing at Emma Wedgwood Aesthetics:

• Brow lift: £1,800

• Lower face & submental: £2,500

• Full face & neck: £3,300

Find A Sofwave Practitioner Near You:

• Global Directory: Official Sofwave Provider Finder

See the Sofwave Transformations:

You can check out the official Sofwave before & after photos here to see the lifting effect that happens after 12 weeks.

For my full Sofwave review, listen to this episode of Smiling Gives You Wrinkles:

I shall report back in 12 weeks when the full effects would have kicked in ♡

DISCLAIMER: THIS TREATMENT WAS GIFTED BY EMMA AND HER PR AND I WAS NOT PAID FOR THIS POST

Last month, Half Magic Beauty, the cult brand founded by Euphoria’s Emmy-winning makeup artist Donni Davy, launched in Sephora UK, bringing its signature glitter-heavy, high-pigment aesthetic to a new audience.

With Euphoria set to return this April after a four-year hiatus, beauty is once again turning its attention to the show that redefined Gen Z makeup: expressive, maximal, and unapologetically experimental.

As both a long-time viewer and someone drawn to bold, high-glam beauty, I tested some of Half Magic’s most talked-about products to see whether they translate from screen to real life.

What Is Half Magic Beauty? The Story Behind Donni Davy’s Brand

Half Magic is a vegan, cruelty-free beauty brand rooted in creative expression. Founded by Donni Davy in 2022, the head of department and visionary behind Euphoria’s most iconic looks, the brand adores bold pigments, experimental textures, and, above all, glitter.

Recreating the Iconic Jules Makeup Look That Defined Euphoria Season 1

Davy’s work is defined by its ability to evoke emotion through makeup alone. From rhine-stoned lids to iridescent washes of colour, each look feels deeply character-driven.

One of the show’s most enduring beauty moments appears in Season 1, Episode 6: Jules, played by the beautiful Hunter Schafer, in a gold-foiled, angelic look.

Glitter brows, golden eyes, and a soft glow combine to create something ethereal yet grounded, a perfect example of how Euphoria blurred the line between fantasy and everyday beauty.

As Davy described it on her Instagram:

“I wanted to evoke something ethereal, romantic, and gothic.” (@donni.davy)

Product Review: Testing the Most Viral Half Magic Makeup

Products used:

• Glitterpuck (eyes + face)

• The Wing Hack Set

• Magic Drip Glitter Lip Gloss

1. Half Magic Glitterpuck Review: Does the Viral Glitter Live Up To The Hype?

The Glitterpuck is easily the hero product.

Unlike traditional glitters, this water-infused pressed formula has a soft, almost cushion-like texture that makes application easy. I used my fingers to tap it onto the lids and build intensity.

What sets it apart is the finish: reflective and dimensional without falldown. It sits somewhere between a gel and a powder, meaning it glides on smoothly but stays in place.

I used the shade Glimmer Pop across the lids, pairing it with a deeper purple eyeshadow underneath the eyes to create definition.

The result feels wearable, but still distinctly Euphoria-coded!

2. Mastering the Graphic Wing: Magic Flik Eyeliner and Flik Eraser

Given Donni Davy’s reputation for graphic liner, expectations here were high.

The Magic Flik eyeliner delivers immediate payoff, an ultra-black pigment that pops in a single stroke. It’s particularly effective layered over shimmer or glitter, where weaker formulas tend to disappear.

As someone who gravitates towards a thicker, more dramatic liner (often inspired by Lana Del Rey), I look for precision and intensity, and this delivers both.

The Flik Makeup-Correcting Pen is where the practicality comes in. Instead of reaching for micellar water and reworking the entire eye, this allows for small, controlled corrections. The paddle-shaped tip makes it especially easy to sharpen edges or clean up flicks without disrupting the rest of the makeup.

3. Magic Drip Glitter Lip Gloss: The Y2K Aesthetic Reimagined

To finish the look, I used the Magic Drip Glitter Lip Gloss in Y2K Cherub.

Glittery gloss is firmly back, and this leans fully into that early-2000s energy, with high shine and multidimensional sparkle, without the heaviness or stickiness that often comes with glitter formulas.

Worn alone, it gives a soft wash of colour. I prefer putting it over a nude lipstick for more of a statement look!

My Verdict: Is Half Magic Beauty Worth the Sephora UK Hype?

If there’s one product worth trying, it’s the Glitterpuck. It’s rare to find a glitter that is easy to apply and highly pigmented without the usual mess. It translates the Euphoria aesthetic into something that works beyond the screen.

With Euphoria returning this April, it feels likely that this kind of maximal, emotionally-driven beauty will resurface again. If so, Half Magic is already ahead of it.

(I was kindly gifted these products by the PR for this review)

There’s a noticeable shift happening in luxury beauty right now, and even the most heritage-led houses are responding to the demand for accessible skincare.

Dior Beauty, long associated with prestige pricing and the high-performance Dior Prestige line, has just introduced a new cleansing routine that feels markedly different.

With pastel bottles and a more approachable pricing point, this launch - which consists of L’Eau Micellaire, L’Huile, and Le Biphase - signals something intentional: a soft pivot towards a younger, more digitally fluent consumer, that values both aesthetics and affordability.

As someone who has consistently gravitated towards Dior’s beauty offering, this launch immediately stood out. Not just for the formulas, but for its shrewd positioning. Especially when set against the house’s more pricier-led lines, like Dior Prestige, this feels like a shift.

The New Dior Cleansing Routine: Price Points and Key Ingredients

At the centre of the launch is a simple cleansing system designed for everyday use.

1. L’Eau Micellaire (£44)

A gentle micellar water formulated for the face, eyes and lips, designed to lift makeup and impurities without disrupting the skin barrier. Lightweight and easy to use, it leans into the kind of low-effort routine that has become central to Gen Z skincare habits, one that is quick, effective, and non-stripping.

2. L’Huile (£44)

An oil-based cleanser filled with jojoba oil that breaks down long-wear and transfer-resistant makeup while maintaining hydration.

The texture feels nourishing rather than heavy, making it particularly suited to those who want efficacy without the tightness often associated with traditional removers.

3. Le Biphase (£39)

A dual-phase remover designed for waterproof formulas such as mascara, liner, and long-wear lip products.

Combining an oil phase with a water-based component infused with Dior’s purifying water lily cryo-extract. This removes makeup thoroughly without leaving a residue, while also conditioning lashes over time.

Why the New Dior Skincare Launch Signals a Pivot to Gen Z

What’s interesting here isn’t just the products but the price point.

Positioned between mass and prestige, this range sits within reach of a younger consumer while still maintaining Dior’s visual and sensorial identity. In a market increasingly driven by “dupes” and accessibility discourse, this feels like a strategic response rather than a coincidence.

First Look: Dior Backstage Setting Spray and the Multi-Use Trend

Alongside the skincare launch, Dior Backstage is preparing to release a new setting spray, and this is where things get interesting.

Described as a multi-use mist designed to prep, set, hydrate and refresh, it taps directly into the current demand for hybrid products that do more than one job.

Promising a natural finish with extended wear, it’s positioned as both a backstage essential and an everyday staple, something to carry from morning routine to evening reset.

Expected to sit around the £30-£40 mark, it aligns with the broader shift: still luxury, but no longer out of reach.

I’ll be putting this one to the test properly, because if there’s one category where performance genuinely matters, it’s setting spray!

This week on my podcast Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®, I’m joined by the legendary makeup artist Donna May. And amongst lots of laughs and life chat, Donna shares her favorite recent beauty discoveries that fit perfectly into her midlife beauty routine.

The Beauty Ed® Fast Edit: Donna May’s Top 5 Midlife Essentials

• Best Sheer Foundation: No7 Pro Artist Weightless Skin Sheer Foundation

• Best On-the-Go Skin Stick: Fenty Eaze Drop Stick

• Best Cream Bronzer: No7 Pro Artist Soft Glow Cream Bronzer

• Best Mascara for Lift: Sweed Cloud Mascara

• Best Hair Repair: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

1. What is Donna May’s favorite foundation for mature skin?

Donna has a great eye for texture, especially with foundations. She knows how to choose the ones that look really natural on your skin yet cover all the shadows and blemishes. She is currently ditching heavy bases for more lightweight formulas and loves the No7 Pro Artist Weightless Skin Sheer Foundation. She says it’s “gorgeous,” and loves how it gives skin a really natural finish that doesn’t settle into fine lines.

2. The “Glow-on-the-Go” Secret: Fenty Eaze Drop

Donna is impressed by the natural finish of the Fenty Eaze Drop Stick and loves how it’s so easy to use and perfect for on-the-go touch ups.

3. Why the Sweed Cloud Mascara Is Perfect For Daytime Lashes

When it comes to choosing mascara, it’s all about the wand for Donna. She’s obsessed with the Sweed Cloud Mascara because of its plastic tight-bristled brush. Her tip? “Shimmy it along the lash line” to give each eyelash the perfect lift and separation - it’s perfect for everyday lashes.

4. The “Better Than Chanel” Cream Bronzer

This is the kind of insider tip you only get from a makeup artist who has spent years making up faces for live TV: Donna has swapped her expensive Chanel Bronzer for the No7 Pro Artist Soft Glow Cream Bronzer - she says it’s just as good, if not better because it blends in seconds and gives skin a really natural, sun-kissed finish.

5. The “One-and-Done” Splurge for Midlife Hair

Just like me, Donna loves the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask. She says it’s been great for keeping her hair in check during her gray-blending journey. This mask literally transforms the hair’s texture from the inside out. I can vouch for that! And so can many of my followers!

Which of Donna May’s pro picks are you most tempted to buy?

Or do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments…

Leave a comment

🎧 LISTEN TO THE REST OF THE PODCAST WITH DONNA

And this is exactly why I’ve been such a fan of Jones Road Beauty since legendary makeup artist and fellow pro-aging advocate, Bobbi Brown launched the brand back in 2020. Her creamy, skin-first philosophy is a total game-changer for those of us who want to look hydrated and fresh, not “made up.”

So, whenever they launch something new, I’m always genuinely excited. I don’t always get their newness to review, so I couldn’t have been happier when the new Lip Recharge landed on my desk.

I couldn’t wait to try them…after my cat, Lily, finished pawing it off the table, of course!).

The Treatment-Gloss Hybrid

What I love most about this launch is that it isn’t just a gloss; it’s a treatment product. It has a brilliant high-shine finish that looks gorgeous, but it’s completely wearable and untacky. No hair sticking to lips thankfully!

What I love:

• The Cooling Metal Applicator: This feels incredible. It’s instantly cooling, soothing and depuffing for the lips - using it feels like a mini-spa moment.

• The Peptide Punch: It’s packed with moisture-boosting peptides - very on trend in skincare right now - that you can actually feel working to plump and hydrate over time.

• The Texture: It manages to be rich and cushiony without feeling heavy or sticky.

The Shade Breakdown

I took these out into the Florida sunshine to see how they looked in true daylight (see the swatches below).

In order they are:

• Dahlia: This is a sheer slightly burgundy tint with a lovely shimmer.

• Petal: This is the ultimate “your lips but better” sheer pink. It’s soft, pretty, and goes with absolutely everything.

• Lilac: Don’t let the unusual shade fool you! It’s a surprisingly wearable, sheer lavender with a delicate shimmer. It adds a lovely coolness that brightens up your face.

My thoughts:

If you’re looking for something that treats your lips while giving you that polished, effortless glow, this is perfect. It doesn’t settle into fine lines, it keeps the moisture locked in for hours, and the finish is just...😚 And my fav is surprisingly the Lilac…

It’s a 10/10 from me as always Jones Road.

Last week, I wrote about the 2026 findings on collagen, and I had this comment from a reader:

I've been struggling to decide whether to persevere [with collagen] as I'm not seeing any visible difference (was hoping for stronger healthier nails) after taking collagen for over a year. But I'm all for continuing if it's proven to help soft tissue and flexibility. However.... my big question is what about the different types of collagen. I'm veggie so take Beauty Pie marine collagen. Is that as effective as bovine collagen???”

I feel your pain Shiela. Collagen is confusing! And there is so much noise around all the different collagen types, so if you’re investing your hard-earned money (and it is an investment), you deserve to know if your choice is actually going to make a difference.

This is why, I sat down with nutritionist Amanda Ryder on Smiling Gives You Wrinkles® to get the facts.

Fast Facts: Marine vs. Bovine

• Marine Collagen (Great For Skin): Contains mostly Type 1 Collagen which is the most abundant collagen found in your body. Best for glow, fine lines, and hydration.

• Bovine Collagen (Great For Joints): Contains Types 1 & 3. Best for joints, tendons, and gut health.

• Dietary Note: Marine is pescatarian-friendly; Bovine is not.

• The 10g Rule: Regardless of the type, you need 10g daily to see results.

Why Marine Collagen is Great For Skin

Marine collagen is almost entirely Type 1. This is the most abundant collagen in our skin. If your goal is better skin and hydration (I need it that for my Florida glow!), then Marine is fantastic. However, if you want help with joint pain, soft tissue and flexibility - that is where Marine collagen can fall short.

Why Bovine Collagen is Great for Joints

Bovine contains Type 3, which Amanda describes as the hero for joints, ligaments, and even the gut lining. So if you are struggling with ‘creaky knees’ or plantar fasciitis like I was, Type 3 is your best bet.

The Beauty Ed® Tip: If you aren’t strictly vegetarian, follow Amanda’s lead: Alternate! Marine one day (for skin), Bovine the next (for your body).

The “Triage” Effect: Why your nails aren’t growing

If you’ve been taking it for a year with no “visible” change, don’t panic. Your body acts like a triage center. When you ingest those amino acids, your body sends them to the “high-priority” areas first - like your internal organs or damaged gut lining - long before they reach your nails or eyelashes. If you have internal inflammation, your body is using that collagen to fix the inside, before the outside.

Liquid vs. Powder?

Amanda is firmly Team Powder. Me? For speed and convenience, I am Team Liquid. However, maybe I’ll change my mind now Amanda shared her concerns:

• Microplastics: Liquid sachets may leach microplastics into the product.

• Packaging: Think of the landfill that daily sachet contributes to.

• The 10g Rule: To see results, you need 10g of hydrolyzed peptides daily. Many liquid shots are under-dosed or filled with sweeteners. Two teaspoons of a clean powder in your morning coffee is the most effective way to hit your quota.

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

FAQ: Boosting Your Collagen Knowledge

Is Marine collagen better than Bovine?

It depends on your goal. Marine is superior for skin hydration (Type 1), while Bovine is better for joint health and recovery (Type 1 & 3).

How long does it take to see results?

Clinical data shows you need a “90-Day Commitment.” Consistency is more important than the brand name.

Can I put collagen in hot tea?

Amanda recommends coffee or smoothies over tea, as the tannins in tea might interfere with absorption. Always look for “Hydrolyzed” or “Peptides” on the label.

🎬 LISTEN TO AMANDA EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOVINE AND MARINE COLLAGEN

The Shopping List: Which Collagen Should You Actually Buy?

Amanda shares her favs:

1. Bare Biology: Skinful Marine Collagen

This is a top clinical recommendation for those seeking a “Skin Specialist.” It is known for its purity and sustainability.

• Best For: Skin hydration, fine lines, and “dermal density.”

• Link: Shop Bare Biology Skinful Marine Collagen

2. Ancient + Brave: Wild Collagen (Marine) & True Collagen (Bovine)

Amanda and Donna both use this brand for its “Body Architect” approach. Their bovine option is excellent for supporting joints and “scaffolding.”

• Best For: Supporting joints, tendons, and gut health (Bovine) or skin radiance (Marine).

• Link: Shop Ancient + Brave Collagen

3. Kiki Health: Marine Collagen Beauty Blend

This is a favored professional choice because it includes supporting nutrients like Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, which act as “co-factors” to help your body absorb the collagen.

• Best For: A comprehensive “all-in-one” beauty supplement.

• Link: Shop Kiki Health Marine Collagen

Share

Donna Francis is an award-winning beauty editor with 27 years of experience in the industry. As the founder of The Beauty Ed® and host of the podcast Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®, she is dedicated to providing evidence-based, unretouched, and honest advice on beauty and aging.

Amanda Ryder is a leading clinical nutritionist specializing in hormonal health and gut integrity. Through her clinical practice, she helps women navigate the complexities of supplementation and nutrition to support long-term wellness and skin health.

• The “Golden” Glow: Zoe Saldaña’s secret was a 24K gold-plated microneedling Golden Facial 48 hours before the show.

• Tech is King: LYMA Laser PRO was the tool of choice for Gwyneth Paltrow’s triumphant red-carpet return.

• The $27 Viral Hero: K-Beauty brand D’Alba and their White Truffle Double Serum provided the “glass skin” base for Kirsten Dunst.

• 90s Nostalgia: From Emma Stone’s side-parted “flippy” bob to Sarah Pidgeon’s Calvin Klein minimalist shimmer.

• The “New” Nude & Red: Jessie Buckley’s winning look used Chanel to create a “diffused” red lip, while the rest of the carpet leaned into monochromatic lilacs and peaches.

Happy Monday!

Who stayed up late to watch the Oscars? Well it wasn’t too late for me as I am on American EST time so I managed to catch quite a bit of the red carpet. And when I woke up this morning, The Beauty Ed®’s WhatsApp was on fire.

One of the first things to be discussed was the intentionality behind the styling this year. “Sarah Pidgeon was wearing Calvin Klein, which I thought was such a clever nod to Love Story!” Paloma typed.

Paloma also caught a viral moment for Jessie Buckley: “The pink and red combo was gorgeous - someone online said she looked like a beautiful bottle of Glossier You!” Honestly, once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

Gia was all about the fashion drama of the night, specifically Barbie Ferreira in custom GapStudio by Zac Posen. “The structured corset and the dramatic bow crafted from sleeves radiated major Wuthering Heights vibes,” Gia commented. It was inventive, bold, and exactly what we want from a red carpet.

The Tech Behind the Glow: Gwyneth’s LYMA Secret

I couldn’t believe that it has been 11 years since we saw Gwyneth Paltrow at the Academy Awards! She took a safe, albeit glamorous bet with her Armani Privé classic cut dress and diamond necklace combo, but that effortless vibe looked undoubtedly stylish and glowy!

I also know that her makeup artist, Georgie Eisdell, prepped her skin using (Goop skincare of course) and the LYMA Laser PRO - an expensive piece of kit that I’ve actually been testing out (review to come soon). It’s great for giving skin that instant rested, ‘lit from within’ look and it clearly worked on Gwyneth!

The “Golden” Ticket: Zoe Saldaña’s Pre-Oscar Prep

My contacts also shared that the treatment of the night involved gold (obvs) and needles (also obvs ha ha).

Zoe Saldaña visited Mariana Vergara (Sofia Vergara’s cousin) 24 hours before the show, for her signature Golden Facial. It uses 24K gold-plated needles (thinner than a human hair) to deliver a bespoke cocktail of ingredients - exosomes, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins - directly into the skin. Mariana told me that it’s the ultimate pre-event treatment because it shrinks pores and boosts hydration with zero downtime.

The Most Popular Products of the Night

Beyond the high-tech facials and gadgets, these were the most popular products found in almost every artist’s kit this year:

• The Viral Glow: D’Alba White Truffle Double Serum was the breakout star. At just £22/$27, it was the secret behind Kirsten Dunst’s incredible glow.

• The Hair Hero: The ghd Chronos was the most-used hair tool for those “retro blowouts” and 90s waves we saw on everyone from Emma Stone to Kate Hudson.

• The Statement Lip: While nudes are usually popular, Rouge Dior (specifically shade #846) stole the show on Rose Byrne and Jessie Buckley for a full-colour, “lived-in” red.

• The 90s Eye: Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Spices was the go-to for that soft, smoky definition seen on Teyana Taylor.

Did you have any fav looks of the night? Let us know in the comments 💌

Leave a comment

What Is a 3D Dry Cut?

Unlike traditional wet cutting, the 3D technique is performed entirely on dry hair. The rationale is simple: hair behaves differently once dry, the texture lifts, and volume expands. Cutting it wet can mean shaping it without fully seeing how it naturally falls.

Why Dry Cutting is Better Than A Wet Cut

On textured, wavy-curly hair like mine, that distinction matters. Dry cutting allows the stylist to assess weight distribution, density, and movement in real-time. As Gustav explains, many London salons are shifting towards dry cutting because “when you cut hair wet, you’re virtually cutting it blind.” Experiencing the process first-hand, I understood entirely what he meant.

The Appointment

The consultation was thorough and refreshingly specific. We discussed how I wear my hair most days (natural, air-dried), what I dislike (excess heaviness at the crown), and what I do not want (over-thinning or loss of length). My main frustration was that my hair felt shapeless, voluminous, yes, but without structure.

Gustav began by brushing my hair out fully dry (a moment that any curly-haired girl knows can feel mildly feral) before sectioning it with an almost geometric precision. The detail was meticulous; each section was cut in relation to how it sat on my head.

To the untrained eye, mid-process can feel ambiguous. What I noticed first wasn’t shape, but rather it was lightness. The heaviness at the top began to dissolve. But it was during styling that the structure revealed itself.

The Wash and Finish

After the cut, my hair was washed using products from Gustav’s Fabulosity range, selected based on my texture and dryness levels.

Why are Silicone-Free Shampoos Better?

The Reviving Shampoo (£44) is designed to smooth and strengthen without coating the hair. Many traditional formulas rely on silicones to create shine by forming a water-repellent film around the strand. While that can temporarily reduce frizz, it can also lead to build-up, preventing moisture from properly penetrating the cuticle over time. Silicone-free formulas like this reviving shampoo aim to avoid that cumulative weight.

The Moisturising Conditioner (£44) rich and curl-focused, provided the hydration my hair typically lacks. The result post-blow-dry was noticeably glossy, but not heavy.

The final touch was a set of pin curls, a technique I’ve always loved for long, layered hair. Once brushed out, they created that soft, 90s supermodel movement: lift at the root, bend through the lengths, nothing overly “done”.

The Result🌟

The difference wasn’t dramatic in length; more so, it was structural. Face-framing layers coupled with volume redistribution rather than removal. My natural texture finally had proportion.

What surprised me most was how wearable the cut is without styling. When left to air-dry, my curls sit lighter and more defined, no longer collapsing into one dense shape. It feels less like I have “a lot of hair” and more like I have shape.

Pricing reflects the level of expertise involved, a cut with Gustav is £250, while appointments with other stylists start from £85. For textured hair in particular, the 3D dry cut offers something traditional wet cutting often misses: precision.

A good haircut shouldn’t just remove length, it should restore balance, and this one certainly did. After all, there is nothing a good haircut can’t fix!

A new “Beckham” beauty dynasty is in the works, and this time, the driving force isn’t Victoria. Or David for that matter. It’s 14-year-old Harper Seven. But has her dream really come true? Or is it really a dream of her parents?

Because while news of Harper’s HIKU line - a brand reportedly inspired by the glass-skin perfection of Korean beauty - has sparked headlines and excitement, the conversation inside THE LAB, my Gen Z & Gen A mentorship programme, has taken a more reflective turn.

For nearly three decades, I’ve watched beauty companies rise and fall, many of which were often built on little more than a celebrity name. But for me, this story feels close to home. When I worked on the launch of teen magazine CosmoGIRL! back in 2001, my mission was clear: to provide inspiration to girls responsibly. Back then, we fought to celebrate “flaws” and encouraged our readers to stop striving for an impossible perfection.

Twenty-five years later, my mission hasn’t changed; it has simply evolved into THE LAB. Through this mentorship program, I’m seeing the same cravings for beauty, but in a digital landscape that is far more complex. And to understand what this generation really thinks of a 14-year-old’s K-Beauty dream, I’m passing the mic to my students.

The Bazaar Effect: Why We Root for Harper

If you watched Harper Beckham present her mum with the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Harper’s Bazaar ceremony in November 2024, you saw exactly why we consider her a breath of fresh air. She was lovely, articulate, and - most importantly - refreshingly natural.

In an industry that often demands 14-year-olds look 24, Harper’s consistent “no-makeup” look (save for a bit of clear brow gel or a lip tint) feels like a modern continuation of what I championed back in 2001. She’s never in heavy makeup, and she carries herself with an aura that isn’t fake or manufactured. Personally, I’ve always thought she’s a great role model for her age. She proves that you can be “the most famous girl in the world” and still look like a teenager.

But as the news of HIKU breaks, it raises another, more difficult question: Who is she doing this for? Is this Harper actually doing it for herself, or is she doing it for "Brand Beckham"?

Industry Vibe Check: The Preschool PR Machine

The speed at which beauty’s “target demographic” is getting younger is nothing short of ‘cringe’ and ‘crazy’. While we discuss Harper Beckham at 14, the industry is already looking younger. Hayley Beard, The Beauty Ed®’s NYC-based marketing manager, points to a viral moment from this very week as proof:

“I also think this taps into young skincare again. This week Arielle Charnas posted her daughters opening their first Summer Fridays PR box—it was for their first-ever fragrance, Sunlit Vanilla. But they are YOUNG. I feel like it’s just getting to be crazy.” — Hayley Beard

@arielle_charnasOur first #PR #UNBOXING 🫶🏼 @Summer Fridays @Olive & June @The Hair Edit @Katiejnyc

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

Gia, our Gen Z contributor, agrees. Seeing children - some barely 5/6 years old - unboxing luxury perfumes creates a strange new reality. When brands begin sending luxury PR to toddlers, the generation dividing line gets a little blurry.

The Generation Dividing Line: “We don’t do it for anyone else.”

One of the most common threads in THE LAB’s feedback is their clear motivation for embracing makeup and skincare: they do it for themselves.

As 14-year-old Donyae put it: “We don’t do it for anyone else.” They see skincare and beauty routines not as a means to vanity, but as a path to healing and control.

• Donyae notes that “skincare and beauty routines are forms of healing... approaches that allow us to build confidence and establish healthy habits.”

• Jill defines “feeling like yourself” as “following routines and styles that bring you joy independently of others’ opinions.”

So, if Harper is like her contemporaries in THE LAB, then maybe she is doing it for herself - but is she adult enough to know what is right for her?

A 14-Year-Old CEO? “I actually feel a bit sorry for her.”

This is where the conversation gets a bit sticky. When I asked about the prospect of a 14-year-old leading a global business, The Beauty Ed®’s Gen Z contributor Paloma offered her honest perspective:

“She seems so young to have a business. I actually feel a bit sorry for her.” Paloma

It’s a poignant reminder of the pressure that comes with being a Beckham. While it looks glamorous on Netflix and Instagram, the reality of “Brand Beckham” is something that Harper’s brother, Brooklyn, has recently spoken out about in not very forgiving terms.

The “Cringe” Factor and the Brooklyn Warning

It is hard to ignore the “cringe” factor of the HIKU name (which translates to “repulsed” or “turned off” in Japanese slang), but it is even harder to ignore the words of her brother, Brooklyn.

His bombshell statement that “Brand Beckham comes first” and that his parents “value public promotion above all else” reveals a family dynamic where love and commercial interest can feel intricately linked. If a 26-year-old man feels “controlled” by the family brand, what does that mean for a 14-year-old girl whose name was trademarked at age five?

The Marketing Dilemma

It isn’t just the teens in THE LAB who are questioning the strategy. Hayley captures some of the industry’s skepticism perfectly:

“I love the idea of having a hunger at a young age to start building their future, but I do question the authenticity and if she’s more so the face and the longevity in the future.” Hayley Beard

Hayley’s point hits home. If Harper is just “the face,” the brand lacks the expert authority that Gen Z and Gen A demand.

And when I looked at the responses from THE LAB, a clear pattern emerged: they don’t want a “face”; they want a formula. Donyae mentioned she prefers creators who focus on “realistic routines and ingredient education rather than perfection,” while Kira admitted, “I tend to not trust social media for recommendations since I find them distrusting.”

The “Name-Free” Paradox

There must be a deliberate choice in the branding of HIKU: the “Beckham” name is missing. On the surface, it feels like an attempt to let Harper stand on her own feet. But the brand is managed by H7B Limited, a name referencing Harper Seven Beckham - a trademark Victoria registered when Harper was just five. By omitting the surname, are they protecting her identity, or are we witnessing the birth of a “stealth nepo-brand” designed to bypass the skepticism of Gen Z?

The “Mom” Authority

Interestingly, when THE LAB’s Gen A girls want real advice, they don’t always look to TikTok icons - they look to their moms. Just like Harper is heavily influenced by Victoria, the girls in THE LAB cite their mothers as their primary source of beauty truth:

• Charlotte looks up to her mom because “she always encourages me to be myself.”

• Faylynn trusts her “mom’s beauty recommendations” because they are “honest and true.”

• Ana sees her mom and sister’s routines as a way to “carry confidence.”

This is the Beckham paradox. Harper has the ultimate beauty mentor in Victoria, but if HIKU is seen as a “Brand Beckham” trend rather than an ingredient-led authority, it risks falling into the trust of the parents who are actually the ones that will be buying it for their kids.

The Beauty Ed’s Verdict: Responsibility in the Spotlight

Harper Beckham is a natural star - we saw that on the Bazaar stage - and she will no doubt be a great “face” and “voice” for the brand. Plus, we really admire Victoria’s incredible hustle - her work ethic must give Harper lots of inspiration.

So we hope HIKU’s launch and strategy is done wisely and responsibly. That they partner with credible experts that help to educate their customers about skincare and beauty in an aspiring, age appropriate way. There really is a need for that!

We respect the hustle, but we don’t want to see “Brand Beckham” sell out into another nepo-brand in the vein of the Kardashians.

Good Luck Harper ♡

Share

A quick edit: Award-winning Beauty Editor Donna Francis and Consultant Dermatologist 44-year-old Dr. Justine Kluk give their expert review of the "Botox in a bottle" trend, and admit that while topical serums like SkinCeuticals P-TIOX cannot paralyze muscles, their advanced peptide formulas can mimic the "reflective" glow of injectables, making them a powerful non-invasive tool for "juicy" midlife skin.

Keep scrolling to watch an exclusive podcast clip and to find out Justine’s budget ‘botox in a bottle’ alternative…

When I sat down with my favorite, not to mention my most trusted consultant dermatologist, Dr. Justine Kluk, for the latest episode of Smiling Gives You Wrinkles, I was surprised when she confessed that she was obsessed with a peptide serum that claims to be ‘Botox in a bottle.’

The Skeptic’s U-Turn

When SkinCeuticals P-TIOX first launched, just like me, Justine was the first to roll her eyes.

“The whole beauty and dermatologist world were like, nonsense. Rubbish. [And] I was like, here we go again, Botox in a bottle. And so out of principle, I did not touch the product to begin with.”

So, what changed? Curiosity got the better of Justine, and when she tested the product, she said that the results were undeniable - just not in the way the marketing suggested.

It’s Not About “Freezing”

The term ‘Botox in a bottle’ is catchy, but it’s misleading. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing the muscle. A serum works on the surface. But according to Justine, the magic of these new-age peptide complexes (like the hexapeptides that is found in P-TIOX) is how they change the quality of the skin.

“What I did notice about it was that it made the condition of my skin look really good, smooth and glowy... it really helps with the rest of my evening routine. My skin is less dry and irritated from using my retinoid... it’s kind of like a nice little helping hand.”

The “Juicy” Factor

We talked a lot about the “deflated balloon” feeling that hits in your 40s (I’m 49, Justine is 44 - we get it). While it won’t stop your forehead from moving, Justine finds it gives a “reflective” quality to the skin that mimics the glow of injectables like Profhilo.

“When I put a few drops of it on at nighttime, my skin instantly looks more reflective and glowy. It gives me the same sort of feeling as Profhilo injections - my skin just looks really juicy.”

My Verdict

Is it Botox? No. Should you call it that? Probably not. But is there a new generation of high-tech peptide serums that make your skin look more expensive, more resilient, and juicier.

Justine is on her fourth bottle…so I might just give it a try myself!

🎬 Why this Dermatologist thought ‘Botox in a Bottle’ was rubbish (until she tried it).

🎧 Enjoy this clip? Listen to the full podcast episode here:

I have been doing competitive gymnastics for nearly my whole life. I train for four hours every day of the week. Keeping my hair healthy is a common struggle among most gymnasts.

I hear my friends say they have to wash their hair every night, which is a routine that can be hard to keep up with and can also cause damage. As a 14-year-old girl, I want my hair to stay healthy, but I also don’t have time to keep up with a long routine.

The Florida Gymnast’s Struggle: Chalk vs. Humidity

Gymnastic chalk, which is made up of magnesium carbonate, absorbs my hair’s natural oils and leaves it feeling like straw and creates tangles, causes breakage, and frizz.

Often it’s a challenge to remove, so I have to apply deep conditioner almost every day. Chalk also dries out my scalp, so using products to restore moisture is necessary for me.

As a gymnast, I tumble and dismount into foam pits which are almost never clean and collect dust and sweat. They are made with harsh chemicals like flame retardant, which is bad for hair and skin and cause scalp irritation.

Breaking The Grease Loop: Why Washing Your Hair Everyday Is A Trap

Washing your hair every day is the best way gymnasts can fix this problem, but it’s still not the best solution. It strips away natural oils and leads to damage over time. The scalp reacts to oils leaving your hair and causes greasy-ness.

Foam Pit To The Classroom: How To Survive The School Day With Confidence

As a teenage girl, going to school with greasy hair can make you feel self-conscious and the fear that people will judge you. Naturally, being a human, people will judge you, but you should find confidence in the fact that you’re just being yourself.

A way to combat the damage is using hair masks, hair oil, and leave in conditioner, but with hours of practice and hours of homework, I don’t have the time to construct an entire hair routine, plus using multiple products everyday can get expensive.

Instead, I use three products twice a week. I have tried many different things, such as Monday Haircare and Herbal Essence, but both left me with the same flaky scalp and dead strands of hair.

The 3 Product Moisture Reset: Amika, Moroccanoil and Pureology

After trial and error, this is the 3 product routine that works for me and many of my teammates:

1. Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask: it contains vitamins and nutrients that deeply condition and soften hair strands. I leave the mask in for five minutes before washing it out, and soon I feel hydration being restored. I trust Amika products because they are cruelty-free and certified vegan.

2. Moroccanoil Treatment Original Hair Oil: this is infused with argan oil and is designed to smooth frizz, detangle, and condition. This oil helps me manage my hair and doesn’t give me a greasy look. Using this oil, makes me feel more confident one step closer to shiny and healthy hair.

3. Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray: I love that this can also act as a heat protectant against styling tools. The product covers from the root to the end of each hair and the main ingredient is coconut oil, which helps with repair and traps essential proteins.

Own Your Hair With Confidence

Having healthy and strong hair will boost your confidence and limit breakage, dry scalp, and split ends. Some people use products because they are considered popular or because their friends are using them, but you’re better off finding the products that work for you.

Remember: every girl is different. What fixes one girl’s problem could cause problems for someone else. Owning who you are is the best way to take control of your life and your hair.

Lexie Stone is a freshman, competitive gymnast and THE LAB mentee focusing on feeling confident through your hair. As well as Amika, you’ll also find Laneige, Refy, Rare Beauty, and Makeup By Mario in her beauty supply.

Thanks for reading THE LAB by The Beauty Ed®. If you’d like to show your support, please consider subscribing 💌 And please share our work: it keeps thoughtful and truthful beauty journalism alive ♡

Subscribe now