Beauty Should Make You Feel More Like Yourself
One of the greatest things about beauty is its ability to enhance your confidence and bring out your natural self. A good routine is not about following every trend but about finding what truly works for you.
Signature Looks That Define You
“A makeup artist once advised me to pick three essential beauty steps and make them a staple in my daily routine. For me, it’s mascara, lip gloss, and shaping my brows. Those are the things that make me feel put together every day.” —Poppy, Musician
“When I wear a red lip, I skip cheek color. I love a matte complexion—it reminds me of a mix between Gwen Stefani’s signature glam and Snow White’s flawless finish. But if I opt out of red lipstick, I’ll go with a simple balm and add a bit of flush to my cheeks instead.” —Athena Calderone, Interior Designer, Author, and Chef
“My mom used to tell me that red lipstick wasn’t flattering on dark skin, but that only made me want to wear it more. Over time, I’ve learned that bold and vibrant lipstick shades actually look amazing on darker complexions. Since I don’t do much with the rest of my makeup, lipstick is my way of making a statement.” —Zeba Blay, Writer
Beauty That Doesn’t Break the Bank
“People love a good deal, but just because two products are good doesn’t mean they’re interchangeable! It just proves that effective formulations can exist at all price points.” —Charlotte Palermino, Founder, Dieux Skin
“The Body Shop is my secret weapon for affordable beauty finds. Everything there is high-quality without the hefty price tag.” —Molly Goddard, Co-Founder, Desmond & Dempsey
“I switch between a makeup wipe and Pond’s Cold Cream to remove my foundation. Pond’s costs just a few dollars and works wonders. And for cleansing, nothing beats the original Dove Beauty Bar—it cleans while keeping my skin hydrated.” —Toni Ko, Founder, NYX Cosmetics & Bespoke Beauty Brands
“My grandmother and mother swore by Pond’s, and now I do too. Vaseline is my go-to eye cream—I’m determined to keep crow’s feet at bay! Also, after a warm bath, I slather myself in Johnson & Johnson baby oil for deep hydration.” —Lala Kent, Reality TV Star
But Sometimes, Investing in Beauty Pays Off
“I never prioritized skincare until last year—I didn’t even know where to start. Let’s be honest, good skincare can be pricey. The truth behind flawless celebrity skin? It’s money. Quality products and treatments require an investment.” —Peyton Dix, Social Media Strategist
Always Something New to Learn
“A makeup artist once told me to wet my Beautyblender with warm water instead of cold. It makes a huge difference in how the product blends!” —Tabria Majors, Model
“During a trip to a Manuka honey farm in New Zealand, I got a terrible sunburn. The farm owner’s mom recommended applying the honey directly to my skin. Every night, I’d sit in front of the TV with honey dripping off my face—it worked wonders!” —Michelle Li, Stylist & Creative
“Certain gemstones like pearls, coral, and turquoise are highly porous, so oils and creams can damage them. While gold and diamonds are fine to keep on, I always remove my rings before applying hand cream to prevent dullness.” —Joanna Gong, Private Sales Director, Sotheby’s
Solutions to Common Beauty Challenges
“Many Black women experience seborrheic dermatitis without realizing it. Most treatments come in shampoo form, which isn’t ideal for textured hair. I discovered that ketoconazole is also available as a foam—it’s a game-changer because I can apply it directly to my scalp, even when wearing braids.” —Rinny Perkins, Comedian, Writer, Visual Artist
“To achieve the perfect blonde shade, we highlighted the whole head and then applied ammonia-free dark color at the roots. The result? A natural, lived-in look that can go months without a touch-up.” —Tracey Cunningham, Celebrity Colorist
“My legs tend to get flaky no matter what I do, but dry brushing every two weeks completely eliminates the issue.” —Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye, Founder & CEO, Ami Colé
“Taming baby hairs was always a struggle until I found V76 by Vaughn Molding Paste. A little on the surface of my hair, followed by a comb-through, holds everything in place better than hairspray.” —Mistress Iris, Dominatrix
Beauty Rules? Meant to Be Broken
“I use Milky Jelly Cleanser before I shower, leave it on for five minutes, and rinse it off with water. If I have blemishes, I apply it as an overnight treatment, and they’re gone by morning!” —Julie Fagerholt, Designer
“To create perfect curls with a straightener, take a section of hair, flip the iron, and glide it away from your face. The result is an effortless corkscrew curl.” —Emily DiDonato, Model & Founder, Covey
“People always ask if I use The Ordinary. I do, but not how they expect—I use their Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution on the back of my arms, and the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution on my feet to soften calluses.” —Charlotte Palermino
