Please note: This post contains affiliate links. You can learn more about my product selection process here.

One of the best pieces of beauty advice I’ve ever gotten was also one of the most simple. A friend once told me that if I was ever feeling tired or “bleh,” I should swipe on a bold lipstick, and it would draw the attention away from my puffy or bloodshot eyes while simultaneously boosting my mood. It’s a tidbit that has always stuck with me—in fact, most days, you can find me in a traffic-stopping lipstick shade, tired or no tired. When it comes to wearing red, however, it requires a bit more than a swipe of the old tube. That’s because the absolute best red lipstick varies from person to person based on their skin tone, finish preference and even time of year.

That means that the bright crimson lippie Taylor Swift rocked to every Chiefs game may not be your perfect match. (And honestly? that’s OK, because her faves have been selling out at record speed, anyway.) See, while Taylor is a bit of a color chameleon—she reportedly has warm undertones in her skin, but cool undertones in her hair and eyes, giving her more of a neutral base (truth be told, there aren’t too many red lipsticks that don’t look fantastic on her), you may not be. Which brings us to the question below.

What Red Lipstick Is Best for Me?

As anyone who’s ever tried red lipstick on knows, there are an infinite number of crimson shades. There’s true red. Brick red (see: the first swatch in the photo above). Orange red (see: the second). Cool red (the third). And lest you want to waste your money and your time scrubbing away at your pucker because you chose an unflattering hue, it’s best to figure out which one will look best on you ahead of time.

According to the professionals at Clinique, the science to really nailing a red lip comes down to knowing your colors. Generally, people with cool undertones (a.k.a. fair-skinned gals with pinkish skin or blue-ish veins) will look best in lipstick shades with cool pink or blue-ish undertones to match, while people with warm undertones (peach to yellow or golden skin tones with veins that appear more green) may look better in orange or golden lipsticks.

I like to experiment with both in different seasons: While I might choose a bright orange-red in the summer, I typically go for a cool, berry red in the winter.

How to Wear Red Lipstick in 2026

When it comes to wearing red lipstick in 2026, there are generally two camps (at least on TikTok): the American way and the French way.

The American way involves first lining the lips with a liner and then filling them in with a stick, requiring a bit more product and precision. The amount of liner and the shade varies according to the look you’re going for. For instance, if you’re looking for a Kylie Jenner pout, you’ll want to overline your lips in a similar shade. For something more subtle or with more dimension, you may choose to be more judicious with your liner or opt for a lighter or darker shade than your actual lipstick. (See: Looks 1 and 3 in this video.)

The French way, by contrast, known as Bouche Mordue (“just bitten lips”), involves adding lipstick only to the center of the lip and fanning it out to the sides with a finger or brush for a hint of color that looks far more natural.

Of course, there is a third camp that seeks to combine the two, lining the lip before applying lipstick just to the center of the mouth and fanning it out inside the lip liner. (See the technique at the end of this video).

After trolling countless sites and reviews for the best red lipsticks around (and testing out 11 for myself), I’ve narrowed it down to 18 luscious formulas that just might be your perfect match.

Best Cool Red Lipstick

1. Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment

• Shade: Dragon Girl

All it took to pique my interest in this powerhouse hue was a nod to the fashion girlies of the 2010s by Refinery 29. I suspect most will be far more interested to know that (guess who?) Taylor Swift is also a fan, however. A “vivid siren red,” it’s on the cooler side and packs a *serious* punch as far as pigment goes, making it the red I find myself reaching for time and time again. While it’s typically worn in pencil form (NARS pencils are chubby enough to fill in the whole lip), it also comes in this lip stain in case you’re more of a traditionalist.

2. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

• Shade: Rouge Charnel

For years, my signature shade was Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick in shade 37—L’Exuberanté. (Think the hottest of pinks.) It had a nice bright color, the tube was designed with a very satisfying push-up button at the bottom that clicked the lipstick into place for use and it was neither drying or overly slick. (I still have several tubes.) Since it appears to have been discontinued, I’ve branched out into new, red territory with Chanel’s virtual try-on tool and found my new obsession: no. 56— Rouge Charnel. Gently toeing the line between cool and warm, this lipstick has a subtle strawberry undertone that makes me feel like a Hollywood starlet the instant I put it on. Its feather-light texture strikes just the right balance between being moisturizing yet still highly pigmented, and it stays on long enough to last me through nearly a full day of Zoom calls. In short? It’s my holy grail of reds, price tag be damned.

3. Yolaine Paris Mousse de Rouge

• Shade: Garance

I reviewed the Yolaine Paris line in full and found this shade to be the perfect “French” red. It’s not shiny, über-bright or garish, like the red you might conjure up in your mind when you picture Gwen Stefani’s smacker, but more of a deep, moody red that looks like actual velvet. Better yet, it feels like velvet (hence the “mousse”). Housed in a paint-like tube, it’s best smoothed across your lips with the brand’s chic little retractable lip brush. (How much more old school glam can it get?).

4. Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte Lipstick

• Shade: Amour Fou

I’ve been following Violette Serrat’s Instagram long enough to know that she often sets out to recreate colors she sees in real life through her (highly underrated) product line, Violette_FR. For her Petal Bouche Matte, her inspiration was a red rose, and honestly? She came pretty damn close. This cool red hue has a blue undertone that’s reminiscent of the underside of an actual rose petal and the pigment to match. On my lips, it reads like a dark pink (I’m wearing it in the top left photo above), which is a nice change of pace from the classic in-your-face cherry red and looks way better on my ultra-cool skin. It can be a little messy (I definitely recommend using a lip liner with this one), and you’ll leave a few lip prints behind, but it’s worth it for the color payoff.

5. Olivia Palermo Beauty Matte Lipstick

• Shade: Runway Red

This is definitely in my top five for an everyday red. The only reason it’s not top three? It’s not *quite* as luxurious as the Chanel and Yolaine, nor as pigmented as the Violette_FR, and I’m a sucker for a good pop of color. That said, it’s rich while gliding on, and the cool red berry hue seems to be flattering no matter what I’m wearing. I’m also a big fan of the weighty gold tube that makes it feel like it’s worth its $30 price tag.

6. Glossier G-Suit

• Shade: Jet

This can only be described as “creamy.” It’s not shiny, but not uncomfortably matte, either—more feathery, I would say. making for one of my favorite lip textures of all time. The lipgloss-like applicator glides on nice and smooth, filling in lip lines with its rose wax silica, which I can confirm delivers on the company’s claims to deliver a blurring effect. Though it’s purported to be a “true-blue red,” it borders on a dark bright pink, making it another good alternate to a classic scarlet. My one qualm is that the tube is on the smaller side and seems to go quickly, making its $24 a pop price tag less reasonable than it seems.

7. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

• Shade: Uncut Ruby

It took TikTok all of two seconds to hop on the bandwagon praise Revlon’s Super Lustrous line in the shade Uncut Ruby. The hype is warranted: For less than $10, you get a super pretty cherry hue that feels surprisingly great on. While most budget brands are drying or rough, this one actually feels quite nourishing. Its secret? Avocado oil and vitamin E, both of which contribute to its ultra-moisturizing formula.

8. MAC Retro Matte Lipstick

• Shade: Ruby Woo

As any good Swiftie knows, this has long been Taylor Swift’s red of choice, and I’m ashamed to say I actually haven’t tried it. *Cringe.* Despite the fact that they smell delicious (like cupcakes!), MAC lipsticks have never particularly impressed me. The texture, shades and staying power have always struck me as “OK” at best. Still, I can’t ignore the fact that this color is reportedly beloved by everyone from Taylor and Angelina Jolie to Tracee Ellis Ross. It’s a matte, which means it’s more likely to stay put (always a good thing when dealing with a potentially messy color, like red), and experts say this one is more of a neutral that can flatter all skin tones despite its blue undertones.

9. Pat McGrath Liquilust Lipstick

• Shade: Elson 4

If you’ve seen Swift’s “Bejeweled” video, you’re already familiar with Pat McGrath’s LiquiLUST Elson 4. It’s the exact shade of romance she was spotted in throughout the clip (which explains why it’s permanently waitlisted). While I can’t speak to its wear, Mother McGrath claims it’ll stay put for up to 12 hours with nary a smudge—and if Taylor trusts her works of art to it, I’d be willing to guess that’s not an inaccurate assessment. Naturally, it’s also rumored to be velvety smooth.

10. Ilia Color Block Lipstick

• Shade: True Red

Ilia is perhaps most famous for its Super Skin Tint serum (which, might I add, is very good, if a little heavy on the sunscreen), or, more recently, its blush, as seen on Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in May December in Tenderly (also good). While I haven’t tried its lipstick, it seems to be another hit for the company with more than 50 5-star reviews from shoppers who say it’s “gorgeous, luscious and hydrating.” It’s also chock-full of castor and apricot seed oil (for softness and elasticity), plus mango seed butter that’s supposed to help plump your pucker up. It’s also vegan-friendly.

Best Warm Red Lipstick

12. Gucci Lipstick

• Shade: Goldie Red

This vegan pick is every bit as luxe as you’d expect a Gucci lipstick to be. A highly flattering shade of orange-y red (even for the cool-toned, as I can attest, having tried it via a magazine sample), It’s hydrating without being too shiny and has a nice, mid-weight texture. While I didn’t notice it, there’s reportedly an extra touch of luxury courtesy of its subtle scent. (Peonies and freesia, dahlings.)

13. Meloway Hi-Rise Matte Lipstick

• Shade: New York Sunset

If I was judging based on the color alone, this would be at the very top of my warm red lipstick list: Its orangey-red hue is traffic-stopping gorgeous. (I’m wearing it here.) I’m also a huge fan of the innovating packaging. Unlike a typical lipstick case, which requires you to take the top off to apply it, this one’s built-in lid opens with a twist of the fingers. (Seriously — you can open it and put it on with one hand, which comes in clutch while driving.) It’s also vegan and cruelty-free. The one and only drawback — and it’s a big one — is that it’s one of the most drying lipsticks I’ve tried — my boyfriend actually commented on how parched my lips felt after kissing me in it. Paired with a dab of high-quality clear gloss, like Marin’s lip treatment ($20), however, it’s an absolute dream.

14. Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lip Kit

• Shade: Boss

I’m unsure exactly how to describe this shade. Though it leans toward orange, there’s also a hint of pink. The result is a bright, commanding shade that’s easily one of my favorite warm reds. The color payoff—and staying power—is unrivaled. That said, it’s not exactly the most comfortable wear. This thing is matte to the point of being drying, but for its kiss-proof vibrant color, it’s a minor inconvenience I’m willing to endure.  It’s currently sold out, but it’s worth the wait.

15. Trinny London Lip2Cheek

• Shade: Rossy

This potted pick is a great example of a shade that looks better on some than others. While it’s absolutely gorgeous on Trinny London founder Trinny Woodall—and I suspect most with warm skin tones—it’s just OK on me. A brickish tint, it’s a bit on the dry side, but it comes in a pot that can conveniently be connected to other potted Trinny London products, making it great for for travel. It’s definitely one you’ll want to apply with a brush, however, as it’s quite messy on your finger.

16. Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick

• Shade: Always Red

Makeup guru Violette Serrat was serving up French girl beauty inspo long before she had her own makeup line—which means she once used other products. And as she told Glamour in 2016, one of her favorite shades for a classic red lip was this affordable beauty store find, with Serrat calling it her “new crush.” “The red is so intense, the texture is absolutely matte and it stays on all day (and all night!). I am obsessed!” she said. According to Serrat, it’s also perfect for olive-skinned girls like her. “Bright reds wake up my face. They help a lot when I’m tired!”

17. Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte Lipstick

• Shade: Diva Fire

Truthfully, there’s not much I know about this lipstick other than the fact that it’s packaged in the most striking tube I’ve ever seen, which is good enough for me. While the $105 price tag has long kept me from pulling the trigger on it (I can’t imagine it being life-changing enough to warrant it), this orange-based color does appear to pack a punch. While it’s “ultra-velvety” texture is reported to last for six hours, its real draw is the hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 found within that Louboutin claims will keep your pucker hydrated for an extra six hours after the color has faded away.

18. RMS Wild With Desire Lipstick

• Shade: RMS Red

Forget the name—RMS Red borders on orange. It’s also a staple of Miranda Kerr’s. (You know, the Victoria’s Secret angel who replaced Gisele Bündchen.) “I like RMS Red because it’s from a natural brand that uses just organic ingredients. It’s] so bright and almost an orange-red, which I like,” she told InStyle in 2022.

While it’s not a great match for my Casper-worthy complexion—I feel like it washes me out, if anything, and it’s dryer than I’d like, particularly for a natural beauty product.—it looks beautiful on the supermodel, who has been called a “neutral.”

19. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick

• Shade: Tell Laura

For warm-skinned gals looking for a lipstick with real “wow” factor, there’s Charlotte Tilbury’s Tell Laura.Though it borders more on orange than red, there’s still a hint of warm cardinal red underneath. Made in Italy, it has “light-diffusing pigments” that are designed to make the color look more dimensional. The brand claims it also has antioxidant ingredients that can help prevent UV damage. Not bad for $35 bones!

What’s your favorite red lipstick shade? Let me know in the comments below.

Xo, Nicole

The post 18 of the Best Red Lipsticks for Copping a Taylor Swift-Approved Pout appeared first on nicolebjean.

Every once in a while, you find a brand that makes your heart go pitter-patter. Every product you try from the company leaves you more delighted than the one before it, and you start to wonder, “How did I ever live without this stuff?” Skincare junkies, you already know I’m talking about Colleen Rothschild—and through Oct. 20, the whole site is 25 percent off for the brand’s Friends & Family Colleen Rothschild sale.

The brand was kind enough to send me several of its best sellers to try ahead of the main event, and while I’m afraid I’ve officially been #blessed with yet another pricey skincare obsession (gulp), they at least turned me on to this stuff during a massive savings period.

Here’s what I’m restocking, from the tinted eye cream that’s all but banished my dark circles to the acid peel pads that now put a little extra pep in my morning step.

My Top Colleen Rothschild Sale Picks

1. Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream

If you buy just one product from this sale, make it this tinted eye cream, a.k.a. your dark circles’ worst nightmare. The peachy-pink hue is meant to counteract those purpley blues that appear beneath your peepers on days you’re bone tired (so, every day for me), and I’m here to attest that it works. While I still pair it with a concealer, on a well-rested day, I could get away with wearing just this. It’s completely replaced the (far pricier) Murad dark circle corrector that I swore by far years, because frankly, it does a better job (though the bottle’s also way cuter.)

2. Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm

Cleansing balms and I have not gotten along historically. While they’re great for removing eye makeup, they also tend to leave my skin so oily, I just can’t stand it and wind up washing them off with my trusty M-61 Power Cleanse. I want my face to feel clean—not like I just smeared chapstick all over it.

I was fully expecting Colleen Rothschild’s cleansing balm to give me the same greasy, goopy experience as all the rest, and it did—but only for a moment. The second water hit the product, the formula transformed like magic, sudsing up and all but eliminating the grease.

If I use too much, I still have to wash a bit off (just a dab will do!), but it’s the only cleansing balm I’ve ever been able to use on my combination skin with and comfortably go to bed after. It also happens to smell heavenly, making for a genuinely pleasant bedtime wash. Needless to say, I’m hooked.

3. Colleen Rothschild Quench & Shine Restorative Mask

I am not a big hair care girlie. Give me shampoo, give me conditioner and the occasional scalp serum and I’m good to go. But this, friends. This is a shower experience. It’s the kind of haircare I imagine someone like Kate Middleton or Celine Dion—a.k.a. someone very expensive—might use. At first sniff, I thought it had a powdery scent. Once opened in the shower, however, the fragrance was more akin to warm cinnamon mixed with flowers. What’s more, it feels exactly like it smells. And somehow, it’s less than $30 on sale. Can you say “steal?”

4. Colleen Rothschild Hydrashine Lipstick Balm Trio

Colleen’s lipstick balms were another delightful surprise. They come in a black tube with a click-up application, and while they look like normal lipstick, they come out completely wet on your lips.

I chose Via dell’Amore (a light coral pink), Serengeti Blaze (a bold orange red) and Sipping Sangria (a bright red) to try. While I found Via dell’Amore to be a bit too light for my tastes, the other two pack a serious pigment punch.

Not convinced you need the whole set? (You do, but whatever.) You can also buy them as single balms for $21 right now (normally $28).

5. Colleen Rothschild Glycolic Acid Peel Pads

I am decidedly pro chemical exfoliants for brightening and dry skin, and these little alpha hydroxy acid pads are gentle enough to get the job done daily on account of the blue agave (it’s supposed to soothe irritation). While I admittedly haven’t been using these long enough to know if they’re really getting in my fine lines or addressing any hyperpigmentation, I think they definitely help to wake my skin up in the morning, keep flakes at bay and add some structure to my morning routine. You’re also getting plenty of bang for your buck here: One pad covers your entire face, and they come 60 to a jar, so really, you’ll pay less than $1 per pad during this sale.

6. Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Eye Serum

I have extremely sensitive eyes when it comes to eye serums and creams. Use the wrong one, and they’ll be watery and crusty the next morning (which, might I add, is not a particularly fun way to wake up). I can’t comment yet on this serum’s long-term results, but I can say that it’s incredibly gentle, doesn’t irritate in the slightest and absorbs like a dream despite being packed with retinol that’s formulated to boost the skin’s natural repair process. It also has something the brand is calling Cityguard that’s meant to firm and lift the area around your peepers—and who couldn’t use a little boost there?

7. Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Night Oil

Packed with nine plant-based oils plus vitamin C, plus age-fighting retinol (a form of vitamin A that’s been touted for everything from wrinkle reduction to increased cell turnover), this night oil is meant to fight age spots and dullness. I don’t know about all that (I’ve only been using it for a few weeks now), but I do know that with this one product, I feel like I’m really committing to self-care—it’s that luxurious. The texture is a little oiler than I typically go for, but since I only wear it to bed, it’s less of an issue.

What’s the holy grail Colleen Rothschild product you’re shopping from the sale? Tell me in the comments below.

Xo, Nicole

The post This Colleen Rothschild Friends & Family Sale Is Your Chance to Get Your Hands on the Best-Kept Secret in Beauty appeared first on nicolebjean.

There was a time in my life when I showered and primped my tresses each day to hit up a Starbucks with the same verve as I did to head for a night out on the town. But age and dwindling free time has brought about a lot more loungewear, a lot less makeup and a lot less hair washing. There’s also been a lot more reliance on a little miracle product known as dry shampoo. But not just any dry shampoo is up to the task of taming my mop. As someone with hyperactive sebum production of the scalp, I’ve been #blessed with next-level slickness that only the best dry shampoo for oily hair can tame.

By now, I’ve tested a good number of bottles, so to help you learn from my previous wastes of time and monetary resources, I’ve ranked nine formulas below, highlighting the ones that are more effective, don’t stink and won’t leave you with a bright white streak in your hair (hallelujah!). And so, without further ado, I give you the best dry shampoo for oily hair that will be well-worth your hard-earned dollars — and tell you which ones to skip.

The Best Dry Shampoo for Oily Hair

8. Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo

I really wanted to love this high-end formula. After all, the packaging is nice, it has a pleasant scent, and it’s extremely lightweight. Unfortunately, it was a bit too lightweight to actually accomplish much of anything — least of all sopping up my excess grease. If anything, I would venture to say it made my hair more greasy (if that’s even humanly possible). After a few uses, I found myself tossing in the towel, resorting instead to the old standbys I use in a REAL pinch: baby powder and flour. They don’t exactly offer the most spa-like experience, but at least they refresh my hair, which is more than I could say for the Oribe. At $48 a bottle, I expected a LOT more.

• The Verdict: Skip

7. Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo

I don’t give a sh*t what Allure or any other Best Dry Shampoo list tries to tell you — this stuff REEKS. Sure, it will work just fine to cut down on oil, but you’ll be left smelling like a grandma for the rest of the day (and so will your bathroom). So stinky was this stuff, in fact, that both my boyfriend and my cat, who meowed at me angrily for the duration of its reign, begged me to lay off of it. It also leaves a thick, white powder that takes a bit more effort than I’d like to work into your roots. Ultimately, for me, the payoff wasn’t worth the stench. NEXT!

• The Verdict: Skip

 6. R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo

Just like Lancôme is the luxury version of L’Oreal (the former, is, in fact, owned by the latter), Oribe and R+Co are closely related, namely in the sense that both were once owned by Luxury Brand Partners. It’s only logical, then, that R+Co’s less pricey dry shampoo, Death Valley, would also leave me less than impressed by its performance. I felt like I had to use half the bottle to get any real gain, and even then, I was found wanting. While I suppose it’s better than nothing, I didn’t exactly feel confident leaving the house on an über-oily day— even after spraying this all over my head. Add in that black licorice smell that accompanies this spray (gag), and it’s gonna be a solid no from me, dawg.

• The Verdict: Skip

5. Goldie Locks Dry Shampoo Powder

Goldie Locks makes some of the best-smelling hair products I’ve ever used. (Truly, it puts Herbal Essences to shame.) The brand’s dry shampoo powder was also my first introduction to this type of dry shampoo. Unlike your run-of-the-mill can, which comes out as a hairspray-like mist, this comes out in powder form, which, as I’ve mentioned above, can be highly effective, as seen in baby powder or flour. It wasn’t wholly perfect—the dispenser took quite a bit of effort to get the desired amount of powder out, which made it difficult to fully coat—and degrease—my locks—but I definitely preferred it to the options above.

• Verdict: Buy

4. Violette_FR Frange Puff

I love the idea behind this one’s design. The bottom unscrews so that you can add in—and refill—the dry shampoo powder, which comes out through the brush bristles when you tap it into your hair. While the powder itself was effective and didn’t leave too much of a white residue behind, this one required a bit more product than would be feasible for someone with hair like mine to use on a daily basis. The scent was also a bit strong for my liking. That said, this is absolutely perfect for a quick root touch-up or travel.

• Verdict: Buy

3. Curie Hair Freshener

Generally, I like this formula a lot. Unlike the Goldie Locks bottle, Curie’s dispenser is a dream, doling out a just-right amount of powder for sopping up grease, every time. The powder blends into the hair more easily than the dry shampoo mists, and my hair feels fully refreshed after using it. In fact, I find myself reaching for it the most of any dry shampoo in my bathroom. There are just two problems with this one: I haven’t found my go-to scent (I’ve tried both Coconut Nectar and Grapefruit Cassis and found both to be highly disappointing, though Grapefruit is the more bearable of the two), and it’s currently sold out in all five scents, so I can’t continue my experiment just yet. Should I find one I like, however, it just might become my top pick for the best dry shampoo for oily hair. Next up? White Tea.

• The Verdict: Buy

2. Batiste Divine Dark Dry Shampoo

This stuff is pretty OK. As the first tinted dry shampoo I tried, it had me nervous I’d be walking around with an out-of-place black or off-color brown streak in my ‘do. In action, though, it blended in so well, I couldn’t even see it, making me mentally kick myself for all those years spent desperately trying to tone down other bright white formulas. As an added bonus, Batiste Divine Dark can cover up any grays that may be poking through (at least temporarily). Performance wise, Batiste lives up to all the hype — my hair felt fresh and clean more than 24 hours after spraying. It’s quite heavy on the scent, though, which I don’t exactly appreciate. (Look, if I wanted my hair product to replace my perfume, I wouldn’t be throwing money away on DKNY Be Delicious Orchard Street, OK?) That said, it was far more bearable smell than, say, Drybar, and faded quite a bit quicker, too. It should be noted that Batiste also makes a “Bare” (barely scented) option that does the trick without the stench, although what you gain in lack of scent you lose in appearance—it goes heavy on the white powder residue.

• The Verdict: Buy

1. TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo was recommended to me by a stylist, and while I had my initial doubts (What can I say? I’m a brand snob), it far exceeded my expectations for the price. Though not quite as powerful as Batiste, it sufficiently sopped up my excess oil with a non-sticky, non-stinky formula that I found to be plenty adequate in a jam. The bottle lasted a good long while, too. You’ll want to stock up quickly, however, as it appears I’m not the only one that’s in on the secret: This stuff was sold out nearly everywhere I looked!

• The Verdict: Buy

Keep checking back for updates as I’ll add them to the list as I go!

What’s your dry shampoo go-to? Tell me in the comments below.

Xo, Nicole

The post 9 of the Best Dry Shampoos for Oily Hair From $14 to $48, Ranked appeared first on nicolebjean.

I test a lot of beauty products. And not just because I’m a Commerce Director (although that very much plays into it). Just like you, I want to see if the stuff I’m seeing all over Instagram and in the fashion magazines will *actually* make me look even a *little* bit more like Ana de Armas (aka a total fucking babe). That Maybelline Sky High mascara that was sold out for months? I hunted it down as soon as I could to see if it would compare to my $26 staples. (Alas, it did not—read more on that below.) I’m constantly giving celebrity lines a go, from Ariana Grande’s r.e.m. collection (bleh) and Halsey’s About-Face (meh) to Lady Gaga’s Haus of Gaga (legit), and I’ve tried just about every overpriced cream, serum and mask on the market. Needless to say, I’ve come across a lot of overrated beauty products in the process. For every dud, however, there’s usually a product that I can’t believe hasn’t gone viral and sold out from underneath me…yet. 

Contrary to what you may read, though, makeup and beauty are always somewhat subjective—one man’s trash is another woman’s treasure and such, depending on your skin type (mine is dry-to-combination), age (I’m late 30s) and preferences (I’m somewhere between a matte and a dewy lover and I like to experiment). All of that said, here are seven products I wish I’d saved my money on and seven I’ll rave about to anyone who will listen (aka, all of you). 

1. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush vs. Ilia Multi-Stick

I have a confession to make: I don’t really like cream blush. Try as I might, it doesn’t quite give me that just-pinched flush I’m looking for, be it Stila or Chanel or Iconic London, and it fades in a quarter of the time of even a drugstore powder. But of the many versions I’ve smeared across my cheeks, there’s one clear winner and one clear loser.

First up, the loser. Remember when I said that makeup was subjective? Yeah, well, this is one of those times. I immediately bought Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch liquid blush after I read many a rave review about it. I’m not sure if the authors ate an edible before giving it 5 stars or if they’re all just Selenators willing to live and die for the cause, but this is the worst beauty product I’ve come across in years. The application is an absolute nightmare. It doesn’t matter whether you dot it directly onto the cheek or put some on your fingers before transferring it, you’ll wind up looking like a crazed clown. To be fair, my makeup skill level falls somewhere between above average and those crazy contour tutorials, so maybe there’s someone out there with the right touch for it, but I’d have to blend for 20 years and then some to get this to look even halfway decent. I bought Joy, which turned out to be a garish shade of orange, and after two tries, I threw it straight in the garbage. Yes, you read that right. I would rather throw $20 straight in the trash than mess around with this hot mess of a blush any longer.

You’d do far better to shell out a bit more for Ilia’s multi-stick. This thing is absolutely foolproof. It glides on like a dream, and it blends in even easier. Even as a powder blush devotee, I can completely see the appeal of having this little beauty in my makeup arsenal—especially for travel. It works. The At Last shade gives a great flush, it’s convenient as they come and it can even double as a lipstick in a pinch (although this particular color isn’t particularly flattering on the lips). There’s absolutely no question in my mind that it’s a better pick than the Rare Beauty buy.

2. Stila Stay All Day Eyeliner vs. Benefit Roller Eyeliner

Lean in close. Closer. I’m going to debunk the biggest lie in the beauty industry for you. Stila Stay All Day waterproof liquid eyeliner is not the end-all, be-all of liquid eyeliner. In fact, I’d call it—gasp!—mediocre at best. (I said what I said.) Despite the fact that it’s been topping every single “best-of” list known to man for the past god knows how many years, it’s really not all that and a bag of chips. I should know: I wear a cat-eye daily. (It’s kind of my thing.) As such, I’m very, very picky about the tools I use to create it. My eyeliner has to be luxe. Precise. Long-lasting. Pigmented. But most importantly, smooth. If I detect so much as a single snag when I’m dragging it across my lid, I purse my lips faster than Miranda Priestly viewing James Holt’s latest line in The Devil Wears Prada. And I hate to tell you all, but Stila’s eyeliner feels… harsh against my delicate eye skin. It’s also not pigmented enough for my liking, requiring me to push harder and scratch at certain areas where I want more color. 

All in all. It doesn’t hold a candle to the best eyeliner in the world—Haus of Gaga’s Eye-Lie-Ner (now  discontinued, FML). Nor does it hold a candle to my runner-up: Benefit’s roller liner waterproof eyeliner. This stuff is buttery. There’s absolutely zero catching. It’s also highly pigmented—one swipe, and I’m done for the rest of the day. It stays on in winter, when my eyes are involuntarily watering. It remains during my marathon movie cry sessions. It comes in an adorable mini size for travel. And the big version’s $8 cheaper than its competition. Eat your heart out, Stila.

3. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow vs. Uncommon Beauty Pineapple Peptide Nectar

I get why people want to love Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow serum. It’s a “holy grail” skincare product that’s actually affordable, unlike Skinceutical’s $169 CE Ferulic serum or Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream ($175). I, too, was eager to give it a go. Unfortunately, using it proved to be a far from pleasant experience. To put it frankly? This stuff stinks. It’s full of turmeric, which, while reportedly great for bringing out your natural glow, flat out reeks. It was all I could do to apply it without gagging. (Lest you think I’m exaggerating, my boyfriend actually came into the bathroom to ask what horrible perfume I had sprayed and request that I never use it again.) I also didn’t feel particularly glowy after applying it. Granted, I didn’t use it for a prolonged period or consistently enough to know if it really worked (though I’m skeptical it would have, considering the fact that turmeric has low bioavailability (meaning your metabolism burns it quickly and your body doesn’t absorb all that much). 

Enter: Uncommon Beauty Pineapple Peptide Nectar. Chock-full of its own brightening enzyme called bromelain and Australian Kakadu plum, which the company claims has 100 times more vitamin C than oranges, this stuff just might be the real deal. Do I look luminescent after I put it on? Maybe? I can’t definitively say. I also can’t definitively say if it’s fading my fine lines like it’s supposed to or protecting my face against environmental stressors, because, well, I’m not a scientist. What I can say is that it’s my absolutely favorite daytime serum on the market. It feels nice and absorbs into my skin without feeling greasy or sticky. It has enough hydrating power to keep my SolaWave from shocking me for the full recommended five minutes of use (something I can’t say for my other serums). And it smells heavenly—like fresh pineapples—which gives me a nice little wake up call.

 4. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation vs. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation

There are generally two schools of thought when it comes to foundation: less is more and more is more. I’m someone who falls into the latter camp. While I certainly don’t want my makeup to look cakey or overemphasize the fine lines around my eyes, I do want it to fully even out my skin tone, hide my problem areas and my dark circles on the nights I stay up way too late writing (so, all of them). 

With nothing but glowing reviews for Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk and an inclination to believe you get what you pay for, I was expecting to want to write sonnets about the way this $69 buy transformed my previously dull, dry skin into a work of art. Unfortunately, not only did the shade do nothing for my skin tone, even after being professionally color-matched (I have a lot of pink undertones that can be tricky to mimic), it didn’t do much of…anything. The coverage was so light, I felt like I had to use half the bottle to cover a blemish. I wound up using it twice and then relegating it to the bottom of my makeup organizer for “emergency use” only.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin foundation, on the other hand, did everything I wanted it to and then some. It gave my plenty of coverage, even in problem areas, but didn’t leave me feeling like I’d need to scrub a pound and a half of makeup off my face before bed, since it was still pretty lightweight. It offered a nice match for my pinkish skin (I’m a 4 Natural), and I’d venture to say it even makes me glow a bit. It’s also $23 cheaper). Sold!

5. Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lip Kit vs. Yves Saint Laurent Tatouage Velvet Cream Matte Lipstick

You’ve got to give it to Kylie: As the OG matte lipstick queen, she had everyone, myself included, clamoring to buy one of her infamous lip kits. And they do have some merit: They’ve got great color payoff, come in a few TDF shades (Kristen is a personal fave) and last for quite a long time. The problem? They dry the shit out of your lips. By hour two, it can feel like you’ve got a cement pucker, and if your lips were peeling at all before application, forget about it. In short? They’re OK, but they’re not the second coming of color. 

Yves Saint Laurent’s Tatouage Velvet Cream matte lipstick entered the game a little later (they launched in March 2020), but they’re everything Kylie’s lip kits aren’t. You’ll get all the same color payoff, all the same great shades and a matte look, only they don’t feel matte: In fact, they’re downright creamy! Rub your lips together mid-day, and they’ll still feel moist, like you just swiped an application on. Trust me: It’s more than worth the extra $6 you’ll shell out. 

6. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky-High Mascara vs. Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara

This may come as a shock, but TikTok isn’t always right—especially when it comes to finding great products. I take most of its recommendations with a grain of salt. Case in point? The Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky-High mascara that took over the internet. This stuff was so overhyped, I couldn’t get my hands on it for months, since it was sold out just about everywhere, from Target to Walgreens to Amazon. And when I finally did, I thought it was just…average? Yes, it added volume to my lashes—just like any other volumizing mascara in the world. And sure, it comes at a decent price point. But by no means did it come anywhere near a life-changing experience. That honor would go to my all-time favorite mascara: Benefit BADgal BANG!. 

The thing about BADgal is that the applicator is super unique with a design that lends itself to greatness. Essentially, it tapers from a thick end to a skinny one. This is key, because after you’ve applied the first coat, you can use the skinny end to really get in those inner corners and bottom lashes that so often get the mascara shaft. Beyond that, it works for both length, making your lashes look super long, and volume, spreading them out for the illusion of fullness: something that’s difficult for most mascaras to tackle at once. About two coats in, and you’ll be doing a double take at the noticeable difference in your peepers. You’re welcome, TikTok die-hards..

7. BareMinerals Complexion Rescue vs. Smashbox x Becca Under-Eye Brightening Corrector

OK, OK, so technically, neither one of these is underrated—they’re both actually pretty damn good. But at the end of the day, the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue gets the edge. 

For starters, there’s the application. Where the Smashbox x Becca collab comes in a pot, forcing you to dig your finger in it (as a fan of stiletto nails, this is never something I’m big on), the BareMinerals comes in a far more convenient tube (though I recommend going light on the squeezing). 

Coverage wise, they’re about neck and neck: Swipe a dab under your peepers, and you’’ll find your dark circles look a lot lighter, though the bareMinerals tends to be a shade lighter than your skin. The major difference is the way they settle into your fine lines and creases. Since the Smashbox x Becca product is heavier, I notice that it settles into the area a lot more, and since I’m creeping up on 40, that’s a deal-breaker for me. The bareMinerals, on the other hand? *Chef’s kiss.*

And there you have it folks! Seven overrated beauty products you should swap out, immediately.

What beauty products do you think are overrated? Let me know in the comments below?

Xo, Nicole

The post 7 Majorly Overrated Beauty Products (and What to Buy Instead) appeared first on nicolebjean.

There’s seemingly a bath bomb for everything these days, and I do mean everything: Like Harry Potter? YOU get a bath bomb. Starbucks addict? YOU get a bath bomb!

I felt it only appropriate to explore this tubby time phenomenon (cool points if you picked up on that Creep reference) with 10 of the most mind-boggling (read: strange) bombs you can find on the market right now. Enjoy!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. You can learn more about my product selection process here.

1. Lush Sex Bomb ($9): Not only does this bath bomb bear a vague resemblance to one’s anatomy, it’s also chock full of ingredients said to get you in the mood, including jasmine, clary sage, and ylang ylang. So powerful, in fact, is this soaking substance, Lush claims it will have you “ready for anything” post-use. Alrighty, then!

 2. Face Killer Bath Bomb ($6): If this isn’t the stuff nightmares are made of, honestly, I just don’t know what it is. (Side note—who the hell is paying $6 to have the shit scared out of them in the bathtub?!)

3. Poo Emoji Bath Bomb ($7): Speaking of having the shit scared out of you, this is literally the VERY LAST THING anyone wants to see floating beside them while bathing. Ever. Under any circumstance.

4. Soapie Shoppe Mega XL Luxury Bath Bomb ($4): Call me crazy, but I have a strong aversion to loose glitter floating around anywhere near that vicinity, if you get my drift.

5. Finders Creepers Cult Bath Bomb ($10): Who WOULDN’T want to jump in the bathtub with the likes of a murderous clown? Totally normal fetish.

5. Tragic Beautiful Coffin Bath Bomb ($7): For the low, low price of $7, you can wash the day’s dirt off yourself in by luxuriating in a film of black coffin sludge. Fascinating!

 6. Drakkar Noir Bath Bomb Gift Set ($25): You ever heard the expression, “He must have bathed in that cologne?” Welp…

What bath bomb magic am I missing out on? Lay it on me in the comments below. 

Xo, Nicole

The post 6 Bizarre Bath Bombs You Can Buy Right Now appeared first on nicolebjean.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links.

In the middle of a “shelter in place” order, it’s easy to let things slip. Just like you, all I really want to be doing right now is lying on the couch like a slug watching true crime docs and shoving Cheetos down my gullet — activities that require little to no primping. But, the way I see it, we’ve been presented with one of two options here: We can use this time to make the most of our situation with a little extra beauty TLC, or, we can all emerge from this whole charade with some of the most acneic, wrinkled, dry, sallow complexions the world has ever seen. Lest I allow myself to fall into that latter category, I’ve developed what I like to call a “quarantine skincare routine.”

Essentially, this is an extended version of the skincare routine I regularly follow for my oily-to-combination skin — aka the most pain in the ass type of skin to shop for. What works for my super dry cheeks, chin, and nose tends to be the exact opposite of what I need for my oily forehead and under-eye area. Add too much moisture, and I break out like crazy. Add too little, and I look like a lizard queen.

Luckily, my profession as a commerce editor has allowed me the freedom to try tons of different beauty products to find what truly works for me. After testing countless serums, lotions, masks, cleansers, creams, and more, these are the essentials I’ve whittled down for a superstar roster that keeps my skin smooth, soft, and radiant.

1. M-61 Power Cleanse Pore-Purifying Glycolic Face Cleanser, $28.90

Discovering this cleanser has been both a blessing and a curse in my life. On the one hand, it keeps my skin clean and relatively clear thanks to its blend of exfoliating glycolic acid, hydrating vitamin B5, and, most importantly, tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has become a vital ingredient in keeping the natural oils my skin produces under control (I also use it in my shampoo to curb my extra-oily scalp).

On the other hand, my skin has become so reliant on this cleanser that if I go even a few days without using it, I breakout. In fact,  in addition to stocking up on food and all-mighty toilet paper ahead of our quarantine, I made sure to order an extra bottle of this, just in case. Priorities, people!

2 .Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum, $166

Once my face is nice and clean, I reach for what has become every beauty blogger’s go-to miracle serum: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic— aka the treatment that convinced me to hold off on Botox for another year or so. In addition to protecting my skin from “free radicals” — unstable atoms floating around out there that can damage cells and cause illness and aging — this serum is said to reverse some of the damage these atoms have already caused. The results can be seen in this insane video, which shows a drop or two of this potent mixture of pure vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid completely eradicating aging seen on an apple. If this stuff has that kind of power for my skin? I’ll use it every d*mn day, quarantine or otherwise!

3. Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes, $24

My eyes are my biggest area of concern, since this is where I’ve begun to notice fine lines aggregating at the ripe old age of 34. So far, I haven’t found anything that makes them disappear — at least not overnight. What I did find, however, is this under-eye gel cream from European brand Vichy, which pairs hydrating hyaluronic acid with pure caffeine to give this delicate area a quick pick-me-up on mornings I’m feeling less than bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. It gives off a stimulating little tingle and makes me look far less tired than I otherwise would — a result also reported by 81 percent of women aged 31 to 65 who used it in a clinical study twice-daily for a month. It figures — coffee, aka my lifeblood, would be the thing to offer up real results in a hurry.

4. Finishing Touch Vibrating Rose Quartz Roller, $17.99

This handy little tool is just what the doctor ordered for a healthy dose of self-quarantine care. Not only can you use it for facial massage (which, according to beauty experts the globe over, relaxes your muscles, boosts your circulation, and tones your skin), it works to push your serums, creams, and what have you even deeper into your skin. And, as if that all of that wasn’t exciting enough, esthetician Stacy Cox explained to me earlier this year that its cooling, rose quartz stone has metaphysical properties, too. “Rose quartz connects with your fourth chakra point, Anahata,” she said. “It connects with the concept of self-care and self-love.”

I think we could all use a little self-love right about now, no?

5. Mario Badescu Buttermilk Lotion, $18

For me, finding a lotion that takes care of dryness without causing acne has had me walking a verrrrry fine line in the skincare department: Anything that’s ultra hydrating tends to wreak havoc on my T-zone. On the other hand, if I skimp on the lotion completely, I wind up with a very tight, dry complexion. After much trial and error, I finally found one that’s light enough to do its job without adding to my oil woes: Mario Badescu Buttermilk Lotion. Er, rather, Heidi Klum found it — she’s been using it for the last 20 years! “When I use very rich creams, I break out in pimples. I’ve been using it for years. It doesn’t clog my pores,” she told the TODAY show last year. (Same, girl. Same).

As it turns out, Klum was spot on. Despite its name, this stuff isn’t super milky or heavy, but rather the perfect lightweight consistency for someone like me, who needs just a thin layer of moisture. I’ve been able to use it daily without experiencing breakouts, though on days I’m *extra* oily, I don’t take any chances, switching to Dr. Jart+’s Teatreement ($32)  moisturizer to help dry things out (are you sensing a trend with the tea tree oil?).

6. Dr. Organic Snail Gel Healthy Aging Night Cream, $19.99

I have been hearing swirls about the benefits of snail gel for your face for some time now, but it wasn’t until I was presented with the opportunity to test it out for Woman’s World that I truly put any stock in it. The rumblings are TRUE, friends — the mucin, or slimy secretion, that these little guys give off will make your face as smooth as a baby’s behind! As such, I’m now a religious user of this night cream from Dr. Organic, which, despite its rich texture, soaks into my skin in seconds. That’s good news, since, as Chicago-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, told The Strategist in 2018, “Clinical studies have shown that skin-care products containing snail mucin gave statistical improvements in facial lines and wrinkles.”

While I can’t say for sure if it’s making me look any younger, I can confirm that my skin feels much healthier for it come the morning light. It also somehow manages to keep me breakout-free. Best of all, no snails are harmed in the making of this cruelty-free line, so I feel less Dark Crystal-ish about potentially stealing their life force.

7. Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, $60

This mask, which smells just like a homemade pumpkin pie, just might be my favorite thing on this list. A three-in-one powerhouse, it offers up an at-home chemical peel that you can really feel (a mild to strong stinging sensation is normal and makes me feel like it’s doing it’s really doing its job). In addition, it gives you a nice physical exfoliation in the form of its bead-like aluminum oxide crystals, which you scrub against your skin upon rinsing. The star of the show, however, are its collagen-boosting pumpkin enzymes, which are packed with skin-brightening antioxidants.

After using this goopy mixture, I sh*t you not when I tell you that my skin glows. It removes anything hiding in my pores (which, unfortunately, happen to be on the larger side), makes my cheeks feel smooth as butter, and boosts my radiance tenfold. While I typically only use it when I have extra time or need a self-care day, I’ll be upping the usage of this bad boy to the recommended three times a week for the duration of our little home vacay. Read my in-depth review here.

8. M-61 Hydroboost Body Butter, from $10

Unlike my face, the skin on my body tends to get insanely dry (thanks, eczema!). Since run-of-the-mill scented lotions tend to be inadequate (not to mention drive my cat wild) to tackle the problem, I’ve latched onto this unscented body butter from M-61. Sure, it stings a bit going on, but its blend of shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe is thick enough to keep my Sahara-like legs fully hydrated and flake-free without being greasy. It also has natural tamarind, which is supposed to help with elasticity of the skin (read: stretch marks and cellulite). Hey, if I can get a tighter tush while lotioning up, why the heck not?

What must-have products for combination skin am I missing? Lay ’em on me in the comments below!

Xo, Nicole

The post My Quarantine Skincare Routine appeared first on nicolebjean.