Beautylish Articles

Prime Time! How To Find The Best Eye Shadow Primer For You

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

These days, you can’t work a decent eye shadow without pairing it with a primer. What was once reserved for red carpet events or lengthy editorial and video shoots has now crept into our everyday morning makeup routine.

That’s no surprise. As many of us juggle school, work, family, and a social life, our seemingly never-ending days continuously call for us to put our best face forward, all the time. For on-the-go gals and guys, a good shadow primer is the right place to start: these products are designed to make your eye makeup stay put from day to night (and beyond).

We put a selection of popular primers from this category to the test to see how they measure up to our makeup and schedule, as well as to one another. Which ones are best for pumping up the brightness of your shadow versus letting your eye makeup’s true hues shine through? How did your favorite fare? Find out below!

Benefit

Stay Don’t Stray $26
The pro about this primer is that it’s formulated to hold onto everything from powdery shadows to creamy under eye concealers. It did all of this well, resulting in little to no wear throughout a busy day. Unfortunately, the super pigmented, foundation-like formula only comes in two medium-toned, yellow-based shades, so it only works on certain skin tones. The primer’s undertone gave some shadows a strange tint, but on the plus side, when used under concealer, it didn’t budge an inch.

NARS

Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base $24
Smudge-proof is right. This generously portioned primer lasted all day, and my shadow barely flinched when rubbed. The primer has a milder scent than the others we tried and goes on crystal clear, making it the most skin-tone friendly option in the bunch. The cream-like consistency feels lightweight, and it made pigmented shadow pop. And because the formula is colorless, it allows a shadow’s true tone to shine, unlike a flesh-colored primer.

Make Up For Ever

Eye Prime $22
This thin and relatively lightweight formula swabs on with an applicator wand, and left my skin feeling moisturized. Though the primer appears tinted in the tube, it goes on clear. Pigmented shadow looked a hint brighter over top, and though I noticed a bit of wear during the day, my eye makeup did stay on much better than if I hadn’t primed.

Urban Decay

Eyeshadow Primer Potion $20
Extremely lotion-like and moisturizing, this popular primer has a subtle pearlescence that made my lids glow, even before I put on shadow. I love its whimsical purple tube and the fact that it’s fragrance free. Though the formula was a little runny, my shadow gripped it well. It made eye shadow look more vibrant, and shimmering shades looked more shiny. The only downside was the slight tan tint gave it gave to lighter shadows. Though the primer didn’t stand up to heavy rubbing, it made eye makeup stay through the day without much wear.

Too Faced

Shadow Insurance Anti Crease Eyeshadow Primer $20
This thick, putty-like primer is a best-seller and we can see why—shadow seems practically magnetized to it. Though the formula felt a tad greasy at first, it dried matte and held my shadow, no matter what. Pigments looked darker and bolder when applied over it, which meant less shadow was needed to achieve a megawatt effect. Liquid liner was a little cumbersome, unable to glide smoothly over the ruddy formula. However, my finished makeup lasted so long I swear it could have made it through a night’s sleep—but I know better than that!

Lime Crime

Eyeshadow Helper $16.99
This vegan-friendly reformulation of Lime Crime’s lid primer comes in a squeeze tube decorated with the brand’s unicorn logo—a guaranteed way to brighten up your makeup bag. The thick formula goes on creamy, like a lotion, with a pale flesh tone that just about disappears when blended. Shadow doubled in brightness when swept over the top, and it held like glue—even when I rubbed my eyes!

NP Set

Eye Primer $15
The smoothest primer we tested thanks to a trio of natural oils included in the formula. Smudging it on produced a nearly transparent and velvety smooth canvas for shadow. Plus, it has a delicate floral scent. It lasted all day and made shadow colors pop.

L’Oreal

Magic De-Crease Eyelid Primer $9
A drugstore bargain primer that performs just as well as many of those twice its price! It swabs on creamy but dries quickly, leaving a nearly undetectable finish that grabs onto shadow much better than bare lids can. The only bummer was an orange-tan tint that altered the shade of some paler shadows, so use sparingly for a lighter finish.

Kryolan

Eye Shadow Primer $18
This generous-sized tube is packed with a no-frills formula that comes out looking milky, but goes on crystal clear. The product itself felt a tad greasy and made blending a bit of a struggle, but it also held my shadow in place for hours! It didn’t intensify or alter shadow hues, so products stay true to their original shades. This primer is seemingly unsmudgeable—wear it when you need to keep your eye makeup put!

Layla Pro

Perfect Fix Eye Primer $18.99
In an extremely light beige-tone, this primer may not be right for everyone. However, its off-white hue brightened shadow colors better than any primer in the bunch! The swab tube is basic, and the formula made it through the day with no major wear or tear to either shadow or liner.

What’s your favorite eye shadow primer? Discuss below in the comments! Note, prices may vary across different web shops and boutiques.

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RiRi Hearts MAC: MAC's New Collection Has Us Talking That Makeup Talk

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Barbados-inspired beauty for summer created by who else—Rihanna. MAC collabs have become a must for R&B singers as of late, and this music sensation and sizzling Caribbean icon is past due for a line of custom lipsticks, and cheek shimmers.

The first of several RiRi-endorsed mini collections promised for this year hits the public today, June 18, and features three lovely matte lip shades, a blush duo, and a bottled, liquid bronze highlighter.

The colors of the collection are all designed to bring out the best in those with a rosy, golden skin tone like the muse herself, but the distinctive shades look pretty on any skin tone. Included is RiRi Woo—MAC’s most popular shade, a cool, matte red.

We’re especially loving the bronzed blush duo, which pairs a sliver of coral pink with a sexy tawny beige cheek color in one compact. Worn with the Lustre Drops in Barbados Girl layered on top, this just may be the hottest bronze look of the season.

If tickets for the Diamonds World Tour are out of your price range, nabbing a piece from this collection may be the next best thing.

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White Haute! How to Rock Makeup and Nails in Summer’s Hottest Shade

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Ever since seeing Rag & Bone’s spring 2013 show, in particular, this look, we’ve had white on our minds. In theory, a monochromatic white on white (on white) ensemble might sound boring and dull, but in practice, it’s striking, modern, and—counterintuitively—bright. Inspired by this lack-of-color scheme, we rounded up some of our favorite white products of the moment for eyes, nails, and even lips.

Bright White Product Picks

Lids

We prefer highly pigmented white shadows layered in broad, rich strokes. Sugarpill's loose version allows for varied application, while i-mark works wet or dry—try it wet for a extra drama. Try: Sugarpill Cosmetics Loose Eyeshadow in Lumi, Mark. i-mark Eye Shadow in Ice Age

Liner/Inner Corner

A dab of luminescent product on the inner corner of the eyes is the oldest eye-brightening trick in the book, and it works! These two sticks are perfect for an instant pick-me-up, and pair beautifully with white shadows. Try: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Seashell, Rimmel ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Crayon in Witness White

Cheeks

Bright white blush won't flatter all skin tones, but this ivory-toned cream highlighter will. It catches the light for a beautiful glow and lets your natural complexion shine through. Try: RMS Beauty Living Luminizer

Lips

The more daring among us will appreciate this shade, which is hard to find in a silky, long-lasting formula. Ka'Oir's version does the trick. Try: Ka'Oir Lipstick in Virgin

Nails

The search for the perfect white polish is one of those eternal beauty enigmas. These three are as close as we've ever found, especially when you follow our mani tips below! Try: Zoya Nail Lacquer in Purity, Cult Nails Nail Lacquer in Tempest, Essie Nail Polish in Blanc

How To Get The Perfect Snow-White Mani

For an easy-to-wear way to try the trend, go for an opaque white mani. The secret to perfect, full-coverage white polish, according to celebrity manicurist Sunshine Outing, is to be patient. “Don’t go back in and overwork it!” she says. Follow these steps for flawless, streak-free nails! For ours (left), we used Zoya Nail Lacquer in Purity, Zoya Anchor Basecoat, and Essence Gel-Look Top Coat.

1: Use a ridge-filling base coat. Outing prefers a perfectly smooth surface to start, and always uses a good base coat such as Zoya Anchor. Let it dry completely before starting the color application.

2: Do a thin first coat. Don’t worry about streaks, “just get it on!” says Outing.

3: Follow with a thicker second coat. On the next round, layer it on a little thicker. Be sure you’ve covered the entire nail.

4: Touch up only if necessary. Once the second coat is on, if you see any streaks or imperfections, you can add a very, very thin final layer of polish.

5: Let dry briefly before topcoat. Allow the color to dry for a few minutes, and then follow immediately with a protective topcoat. This will add a glossy finish, but also help to bond the layers of polish together for a pro-looking finish.

6: Maintain it. After the initial application, Outing recommends a lightly applied daily dose of topcoat for continued chip-free, glossy perfection.

PHOTO CREDITS

Makeup: Brande Bytheway
Hair: Ruth Quevedo
Styling: Briana Gonzalez
Photography: Dicko Chan
Makeup: On eyes, Make Up Forever Aqua Cream White 110 with MAC gesso eye shadow over the top, Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black; on brows, Anastasia Perfect Brow pencil in Medium Brown; on cheeks, RMS Living Luminizer with Inglot eye shadow #29 (used as blush); on face, MAC strobe cream, Make Up For Ever HD foundation #153; on lips, Ka’Oir lipstick in Virgin, Make Up For Ever Aqua lip liner in 5C, Armour Gloss in Edie.
Dress by Jason Loren Scott

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Natural Beauties: Four Skin Care Must-Haves You Can Buy At Your Farmer’s Market

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Fruit stands may stick around only for the summer, but beauty is always in season! The next time you head to the farmer’s market, keep in mind that some of your finds not only have nutritional value, but also reap amazing benefits for your hair, skin, and nails. We recommend picking up these four superfoods first—Mom would be so proud you’re getting your 3–5 daily servings of veggies and fruit, and then some!

Avocados

As everyone from the Beach Boys to Katy Perry have pointed out, California girls are hot. Perhaps it’s because they have easy access to nature’s beauty fruit, avocados. Rich in vitamins A, B6, E, C and K, these green machines are ripe for softening skin and hair and protecting against sunburn. Use for...

Dry or burned skin: The fruit’s amino acids helps protect cells from environmental damage, plus the fruit’s easily absorbed oils are able to penetrate layers of skin and encourage cell growth. Oils from avocados can act as natural sunscreen and soothe sunburn. To make a facial mask, mash 1–2 ripe avocados and add a tablespoon of honey. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse.

Lackluster hair: Avocados are full of good fats, which make for a great deep conditioner. Plus, vitamin E restores shine. For a hair treatment, mash 1–2 ripe avocados with a tablespoon of honey, and then add 1 egg or 2 tablespoons olive oil. Leave on for 20–30 minutes and rinse.

Bananas

We discovered more than 20 known beauty benefits for this fruit (Bananas, right!?). And it’s true: vitamins A, B6, and C plus zinc and iron can help quench skin, decrease eye puffiness, and even aid in clearing up acne. Use for...

Dry hands: Vitamin A helps replenish moisture and even out rough, dry skin. Simply mash 2 bananas and apply to clean, dry hands for 20 minutes and rinse, and you’ll notice the difference.

Puffy eyes: When you put mashed banana under your eyes, the high levels of potassium act as a sponge, removing excess fluid trapped under skin and reducing swelling. (For this same reason, eating the fruit will help fight bloating). As a bonus, your face will smell amazing after!

Acne: Banana peels carry a number of antioxidants. Cut a piece and rub over the interior of a peel on any areas of the face affected by acne or blemishes three times a day. You should see results in about a week.

Face: To make your own facial scrub, combine 1 mashed banana with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Rub the mix over skin in a circular motion to remove dead skin cells and moisturize, then rinse.

See even more homemade banana beauty recipes here!

Carrots

While many swear by carrot juice to reduce weight, drinking a natural cold-pressed or extracted concoction (read: no added sugar) may also help improve your vision and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Here are some more carrot beauty tricks. Use for...

Uneven skin tone: With ample Vitamin E and carotene, you can actually even out your skin tone by using a carrot-based mask once a week. Puree and strain 1 carrot to get the juice, add 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, and mix together. Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse.

Brittle hair and split ends: vitamins A and E can help protect hair cuticles from damage, making them more durable so that you find fewer stray strands in your brush. Use carrot oil daily before styling to lock in these beneficial nutrients. To make your own carrot oil, clean 3-4 large carrots and peel off the outer layer of skin. Place carrots into a pot and pour oil (coconut or olive) over them until covered. Simmer on the lowest setting until the oil in the pot turns orange. Strain and store liquid in refrigerator until needed.

Try a carrot face mask, too!

Grapes

Ever notice in the movies how servants are always feeding grapes to their highnesses? It’s no coincidence—these pint-sized poppers are nothing short of miraculous. Not only do grapes magically produce wine and transform into raisins, but they also hold unparalleled beauty benefits thanks to their bounty of vitamins B1, B6, and C, as well as calcium. Use for:

Discolored teeth: Malic acids in grapes naturally and safely help break down stains and discolorations on teeth. And, all you have to do to reap the benefits is eat them. Remember that the next time you want to fill your mouth with peroxide.

Damaged cuticles: Start using grapes on your hands, and you’ll be able to hold off on those manis for longer. The rich antioxidants inside help remove hangnails and nourish cuticles. To enjoy a quick treatment for fingers or toes, combine 10 grapes with 2 tablespoons of sugar in a food processor. Rub the mix onto each nail bed, then rinse off.

Dull skin: Grapes act as a great toner that can brighten your complexion, too. To make a cleansing solution, cut a handful a grapes in half and squeeze the juice into a container. Use cotton balls to apply over the face and rinse.

What are your favorite food-based beauty remedies? Let us know below! (Sources include: StyleCraze, Care2, Health.com)

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Madame Scodioli: Bearded Lady Turned Cosmetics Entrepreneur

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

When Madame Scodioli was young, she literally ran away to join the circus—to work as a bearded lady. Little wonder, then, that Scodioli has a flair for the dramatic! Now, she’s parlayed her unusual grooming know-how into a gorgeously packaged, yummy-smelling, whimsical collection of shaving, perfume, and skin care products. She has a popular Etsy shop and recently embarked on a partnership with Urban Outfitters. Since Father’s Day is right around the corner, we figured who better to give us some shaving tips and tricks than a genuine bearded lady?

What inspired you to start your brand?

Around the time I first started making soap, I had a watercolor portrait done of myself. I had my hair in fingerwaves, my eyebrows arched, and I was stroking my little goatee. I saw the completed painting and I couldn't believe how regal I looked. So much confidence and grace. Elegant, despite the beard! And I knew immediately that this should be the centerpiece of my brand. I love contrast. I love it when beauty and the bizarre hold hands.

What's the inspiration for the packaging and theme?

The entire concept is modeled around the American traveling carnival from the late 19th century through the Dust Bowl era. It's the magic of the carnival mingled with the freedom and mysticism of the gypsy lifestyle that sets the mood for all of our products. I want our customers to feel as though they're stepping back in time and traveling the dirt roads right along with us.

Speaking of carnival, you ran away to the circus when you were younger! How did that come about?

Shortly after my whiskers sprouted! When I left home, I didn't exhibit myself at first, I worked behind the scenes most of the time. Slinking around a carnival seemed like the logical next step. That's when I received the nickname Scodioli (sko-dee-o-lee). It's the result of a drunken misinterpretation of song lyrics. I have tons of stories, none of which are appropriate for sharing! Anyway, I spent most of that time drinking cheap swill and learning to remove various sticky substances from my goatee. Cotton candy, caramel—I have a relentless sweet tooth. It was only after forming the Scodioli Carnival in 2009 that I began exhibiting. By then, my goatee was more substantial, too.

What's your background in cosmetics?

Entirely self-taught. I really only intended to be a soapmaker, but you know how it is. Customers ask, "Why don't you make perfumes?" so you do. And then "Why don't you make lip balm?" so you do. And so on. They tell me what they want, and I do my best to make it happen.

Your persona is so mysterious! Care to talk about the beard?

Ha! I guess I am a little mysterious. Really, I'm just very private. I'm a workaholic and I don't get out much. My beard is a workaholic too. Soapmaking and perfuming—that’s my life.

What are your favorite products from your line right now?

I started wearing Widdershins (frankincense and myrrh) last fall, and now it's May, and I still can't put it down. I might be able to set it aside for my new one, Oracle (spicy fig and light musk) if I feel like wearing something fruity over the summer. And I don't go anywhere without my lip balm.

Congratulations on your Urban Outfitters expansion! What's next for the line?

Thank you very much! It's so unreal to be able to tell people that we're on UrbanOutfitters.com. We do have another big project currently in the works with a very intriguing company. It's in the early stages so I can't say much about it, but it's going to keep us very busy over the next few months! Aside from that, I hope to get back to work on my giant to-do list. I've been wanting to offer my perfumes and colognes in a different format. And the boys have been requesting a pre-shave oil. Ooh, and maybe we'll finally finish our website!

How is the business structured currently?

I say "we" often, but truthfully, I am the only maker of the products. My assistant Riley handles all the design work. Everyone else—the rest of the troupe—are always helping out in the form of inspiration or scent suggestions, but they aren't exactly employees. They've all got their own projects. We're a creative bunch. Right now we're not traveling. We're planted in a tiny town in central Kansas. Nice and quiet. I can concoct my potions in peace and the neighbors have no idea who I am or what I do.

Nearly all of the sales are through Etsy (we recently passed the 5,000 orders mark), and we sell quite a bit on scoutmob.com. We're in a couple of boutiques, one in Atlanta and one in Seattle. I always stay open to opportunities like the Urban Outfitters gig, and we've done a few sales on the European Fab.com.

So, any tips for the perfect shave?

The perfect shave (for me) is a traditional wet shave, with a safety razor and badger hair brush. I'll be the first to admit my guilt at buying razors based purely on aesthetics. It's always best to soften your whiskers first, either in a hot shower or with a hot towel. Make sure to pre-soak your brush before lathering up. The whole ritual feels like such an indulgent treat, and I highly recommend it for the ladies as well. You'll feel so luxurious, shaving your legs in the bath with a straight razor, or better yet, find a strapping young gent to do it for you!

What’s catching the Madame’s eye lately?

A variety of fun stuff from Soap Box Gypsy, Red Leaf After Shaving Lotion, Beard Oil from The Bearded Bastard, Cirmes Preshave Oil, DE razor with handmade wooden handle (they have badger brushes and modern-style razors, too), and this all-natural pomade. And I've been checking out a lot of ceramic shaving scuttles on Etsy lately, like this one. And geez, how darling is this Beard Brush?

Any parting tips?

If your man is into traditional wet shaving, ask him to teach you! It really is a treat, and there's no reason the boys should have all the fun. And since we're approaching Father's Day, ask dad or granddad. They would probably be super flattered to show you the ropes.

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Try This Five-Minute Beach-to-Party Summer Updo Now!

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Celebrity stylist Creighton Bowman showed us a great way to take post-beach hair and turn it into a fun, summer updo. It may look like a lot of steps, but when you get it down, you'll be ready to go from beach to party in less than five minutes.

You Will Need

Hairspray

Mousse or a volume-boosting product

Shine spray or leave-in conditioner

Dry Shampoo

bobby pins, clips, and a comb

Steps

1: You’ll want to begin with some texture to get the best results. Bowman recommends combining a couple of products that will help give your locks a piece-y quality and sun protection at the same time. Here, he combined René Furterer VOLUMEA Volumizing Foam with René Furterer FIORAVANTI Detangling Spray to add shine. If your hair is really fine, don't use too much product. If it's thick or naturally curly, use a little more. Once you have all the product on, air dry or scrunch as you use a dryer—go with the lowest setting, or use a diffuser.

2: Start by creating a deep side part. It can be messy or neat.

3: Create a section in the back that runs from the crown to behind the ear. Then, clip the rest of the hair out of the way to the side.

4: Pull the back section into a high ponytail. Bring hair all the way through and pull to tighten.

5: Unclip the side section and create a loose, messy french braid. Work from the part toward the ear and continue all the way down to the end.

6: Using your fingers, push the braid on the top of the head up and pin into place. This will loosen it up and give it some volume.

7: Pin the middle of the braid to the head. Then use dry shampoo on the ponytail to give it texture, and backcomb entire the ponytail.

8: Wrap ponytail around the base, tuck ends under the bun and pin into place.

9: Wrap braid around base of bun and pin.

10: Finish with a light hairspray and shape the bun with your fingers until it looks good!

What do you do with salty, windswept beach hair? Show us our best messy buns and braid ideas below!

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DIY Tinted Lip Balm In A Locket!

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

You know how, when you’ve almost used up your favorite lipstick, there’s that little bit of product left at the bottom of the tube? You know how you hate that? Of course you do. It’s annoying. And I know you could just use a lip brush and get every last molecule of it without even thinking much about it. We also all know by now that you can carefully put that lipstick nubbin into a specially made empty makeup palette or an old watercolor tray so you can savor a favorite color to the very end of the tube. But with this tutorial, we’re going to show you how to turn a tiny piece of lipstick into a colorful, matte, lipstick-balm, and then … put it in a locket! Yes! It's the perfect gift for any makeup lover (or yourself).

You will need

A locket
Preferably a cheap one that you don’t care about; I’m not sure this is a project you want to use Nana’s heirloom gold locket for.

Lipstick
Either the little bit left in the end of the tube, about the length of where your pinky nail cuticle starts to the tip of your finger, or a lipstick you like that perhaps doesn't come in the most beautiful tube. For instance, I used Wet n' Wild Fergie Collection (yep!) lipstick in Saraghina, which I bought for $3.49 at a Walgreens at 2 a.m. after several gin-based drinks.

1 loosely packed teaspoon of grated beeswax
Important! Beeswax is crucial to this recipe—it acts as the setting agent, so the mixture doesn’t go melting and sliding out of the locket, and it also acts as the preservative so the coconut oil doesn’t go rancid. So you can’t skip it! I got a chunk of pure beeswax at Michaels. You can also get at Whole Foods and art supply stores. Or, you could even grate up a pure, uncolored beeswax candle.

1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil

Cheese grater

Saucepan

Steps

Before you start: Keep your locket handy, open, and on a plate—we have to move fast when the mixture is ready, because it sets quickly.

1: Combine your coconut oil, grated beeswax, and lipstick chunk in a saucepan over low heat. Stir everything around until it’s a liquid, but don't let it boil! This will take about 30 seconds or so.

2: Quick! Grab your locket-on-a-plate. While pretending you’re a surgeon with incredibly steady hands, carefully, gently, pour the tiniest stream of liquid from the saucepan into one side of the locket. If the locket lies open flat easily, pour into the other side immediately. Don’t worry if you get the lipstick mixture all over everything; the important thing is to make sure you got it inside the locket. You can clean things up after a minute or so. Wait for it to set, which should take about 60 seconds.

If your locket doesn’t open flat, pour one side in, wait for it to set, and then go back and heat up your mixture again on the stove until it’s liquid again. Pour it into the other side.

3: Use a Q-tip and/or a toothpick to clean up where you spilled along the inside of the locket. Then rub the outside of the locket with a paper towel to get all traces of lipstick balm off.

4: Pop that beauty in the fridge for at least half an hour.

5: Go show off!

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How Cult Nails Developed a Cult Following!

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

A small, satellite island off the coast of Cocoa Beach, Florida is perhaps the last place you’d expect to produce one of the most exciting burgeoning beauty empires of the moment. But that’s where Maria Morrison, founder of Cult Nails, makes both her homebase and her home. And aside from an outside lab that develop all of the polish, the operation remains remarkably small: just two people, plus an assistant who Morrison calls in “when we need her.” Still, Cult Nails is thriving, with sales doubling every month since launching two years ago. “I keep wondering—when is it gonna end?” says Morrison, with a laugh, of her incredible success.

For lack of a better term, Cult has a cult following, counting everyone from professional manicurists to popular nail art bloggers among its loyal fan base. And beyond the ever-evolving selection of inspiring and distinctive colors you can’t quite find anywhere else, its Morrison’s way of working that gets people really hooked. Through her blog, she actually gets her readers and customers involved in the color- and product-development process, which we learned all about during our recent chat with Morrison. Read on to hear about Cult’s humble beginnings, and shop the line—available now at Beautylish Boutiques!

How did Cult Nails come to be?

About 5 years ago, I started writing a business plan to open a salon when my husband was sent to Greenland for a year. He’s in the Air Force, and I had always figured that’s what I was going to do that whenever we settled down, whenever he retired. But at the time, I was working as a human resources executive and hating every minute of it. So I just started planning, and while doing research online, I started to come across so many nail blogs. It was a whole new world for me, and I just thought What is this?! So I started a blog to see if I might be able to develop a following. And the blog took off pretty fast.

I’d mix my own colors and post them, and people just really liked and responded to what I was doing. I kept having literal dreams that I’d started a polish line. And eventually my husband said—dude, you should go for it!

And so you just started a line? It can’t be that simple!

It wasn’t easy. This industry is very tight-knit. It took awhile to find labs that could develop product, and then it took even longer to get them to work with us, because we didn’t have a line established or brand established. The labs told us nail polish lines were usually started by people who’d been in the beauty industry for years—and that at least 50 to 100 new brands launched every year. I remember someone saying “Of those, 10 per year might survive. And two years from there, one of those 10 might be doing well.” We didn’t let that discourage us. The update is that our lab has since told us that we’re doing a lot better than many companies that are approaching the 10-year mark (Cult has been in business since 2011).

How was your approach to developing product with the labs different from the usual?

The lab we settled on agreed to work with us on developing colors in small batches, which is something they hadn’t done before. Usually, in terms of creating colors, the labs put out the forecast. They say, “Here are the trends for the season. Here’s what we made. What do you want to buy?” And I thought, I don’t want to buy what everyone else is buying. I want to create original stuff—the stuff I want to make. And because we talk with bloggers as part of our product development, we can actually offer intel from our customers to our lab. We go back to them and say “Here’s what bloggers want, here are the colors nail artists want.”So we help [the labs] out. It’s a give and take.

You said you wanted to start a salon. But were you always a nails person?

I’ve always been a nails person. When I graduated high school, I wanted to learn to do nails. My mom said, “No, you’re going to college.” In her mind, becoming a nail tech was something that people who aren’t able to go to college do. I went to school, and eventually started my career in HR, but life sort of took over first. I met husband when I was 18. When we were 20, he joined military. That was 18 years ago. Another reason I had to put everything on hold for his military career was because I got pregnant on the wedding night! I still went to school, even though it took me awhile to finish. But the agreement he and I had was that I’d follow him for the first 20 years, and then once he retired, it’d be all me. And despite my mom and everything else, I just kept thinking, I am going to do nails.

What was missing from nail polishes you were using? What didn’t you like about them? Were you seeing a lack of inspiring colors?

When I was doing the blog, I was getting a ton of nail polish sent to me to review. And it was the same old, same old over and over. Say I got blue glitter from companies B, C, and D—none of them was any different from the next. It was starting to get sort of boring. And because I was bored, I started mixing colors and making my own shades. And when I started showing those on my blog people really responded. Everything grew from there.

What considerations aside from color did you have in developing a line of polish?

I wasn’t too concerned about formulation initially, except for one key thing—I wanted it to last. I like to do my nails on Sunday night, and Sunday night only. So I wanted my polish to last and look really good for the full week, with no chips. Almost the type of finish and duration you get from an acrylic or gel mani—that’s what I was after.

As we started researching and working with the lab, we learned a lot. That’s where the idea to do a 3-Free line came from. And because my daughter and I are both vegetarians, it made sense to do vegan-friendly polish. Before that, I’d assumed all nail polish was vegan! There was so much to learn, and so much trial and error. I have really bad seasonal allergies, and we discovered that camphor—a common ingredient that helps polish look better in the bottle for a longer period of time—is made from tree bark, and can really irritate those with allergies. So I said, let’s remove that along with the formaldehyde, and the toulene, and the dibutyl phthalate (also called DBP). And we also still made it a priority to come up with a thicker formula that gives good coverage in one to two coats. (Read more on 3-Free polish here.)

Cult has so many amazing colors that you can’t find anywhere else! How do you develop colors and decide what goes in each collection?

I still play around with and mix my own colors. But I also get suggestions from other bloggers and their followers. They tell me what they want (that doesn’t exist yet). And I’ll post initial swatches and photos online and ask my readers for a “yay or nay.” I get requests from fans, friends, and family. My kids help. Their friends help. We have such an open mind about it, and it leads to great stuff.

People will mix colors at home and mail them to me, or they’ll send me paragraph-long descriptions of colors they envision. Or they’ll send photos and say something like, “How about this flower, but not quite that dark?” Whatever it takes to get their ideas across—It’s quite amazing. Our followers and customers are, hands-down, the best. And I’ll actually send samples back to whomever gave me the initial idea and get feedback. I’ll say, “What do you think?” And once I incorporate the feedback, then I’ll send it to the lab for production. I love getting them involved like this!

What’s the best piece of advice you got along the way?

I was still doing human resources for the first six months after the line launched. And I got a big break when Cinnamon Browser, founder of the mobile nail tech service Nail Taxi, decided to use Cult in a show at New York Fashion Week a couple of years ago. I was so excited, and I went out there for the show on a Sunday, but had to fly back in time to go to work the following morning. I said to Cinnamon, “I’ve gotta get back to work.” And she said, “Work??? What work?!” And then she told me to quit. She said, “You’ll find a way to make it successful if this is what’s going to pay your bills. As long as you have the career to fall back on, you’ll keep falling back on it.” She was right, and my husband agreed. I went into work the next morning, and told my boss I quit. That was it. There’s been no looking back since then.

What’s next for Cult Nails?

Right now, we’re 5–6 collections per year, or about every six weeks. If we can squeeze in another one, we do! We do have plans to expand the line within the next six months and want to tackle all things hands first—so we’re working on developing a formula for remover, and after that, we’ll think about hand cream. Eventually, we’ll go international. We’re looking into distribution in England, France, Singapore, and Australia. And we’re happy to be selling at a company like Beautylish, so that we can focus more on innovating new products and new colors!

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Can You Outdo These 'Dos from Cannes?

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

You have one more week—through June 18, 2013—to enter Vidal Sassoon Pro Series' Show Your Genius contest. To spark your genius, we rounded up some of our favorite looks for the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival, held last month in Cannes, France. Once you soak up some glamorous inspiration from Dita, Marion, Nicole, and the others, snap a pic of your most creative look (any style you like!), enter the contest—see details below—for your chance to win!

Dita Von Teese at amfAR's 20th Annual Cinema Against AIDS, looking polished and glam as ever.

Perfect sideswept waves, on Petra Nemcova at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, are always a do. (If you crave waves, check out our tutorial!)

Audrey Tautou at the Venus In Fur premiere shows us short and playful at its best.

We love how Marion Cotillard, at the premiere of The Immigrant, kept it simple and shiny to show off her graphic dress and clean makeup.

Nicole Kidman, with Ang Lee at the Nebraska premiere, reminds us why she's an icon with a classic-yet-modern updo.

About Vidal Sassoon Pro Series' Show Your Genius Contest
Create a DIY genius hair look for the chance to win $1,000 to create a head-to-toe look, a year’s supply of Vidal Sassoon Pro Series products, and a vintage 1960s accessory from famed Los Angeles store, Decades.

How to enter
1: Create your own hairstyle—everything from everyday styles to evening looks are fair game!
2: Snap a photo of your look and enter one of two ways:
• Upload your photo on Facebook
• Upload your photo on mobile

Prizes
One Grand Prize Winner: $1,000 to create the perfect head-to-toe look, a year supply of Vidal Sassoon Pro Series, and a designer accessory from legendary vintage store, Decades
Four Finalists: $250 each to create the perfect head-to-toe look and a year supply of Vidal Sassoon Pro Series
Three Sweepstakes Winners: one winner per week will get a year supply of Vidal Sassoon Pro Series
One Voting Winner: one randomly selected voter will get a year supply of Vidal Sassoon Pro Series during the voting phase

This story was sponsored by Vidal Sassoon Pro Series

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Trade Up! How to Host Your Own Beauty Swap Party

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

From time to time, we all make mistakes when we buy makeup. Like that blood orange lipstick that you bought. You hoped it would turn you into a Robert Palmer girl, but it made you look like you have a Sunny D mustache. Before you try to return it (good luck with that) or throw it out, remember that one girl’s trash is another girl’s perfect shade.

So instead of chucking your unwanted beauty buys, get your friends together for a Beauty Swap party. It’s like a clothing swap, but with beauty products. Guests bring gently used or new-and-ignored items they want to dispose of and everyone goes home with a free swag bag of new-to-you products. Not only may you find a new lipstick to obsess over, but you’ll be doing your part for the planet, as well.

Here are our six best tips for a successful beauty swap!

1: Pick a date and guests wisely

If cocktails and trial-and-error makeup application is involved, weekends are ideal.You don’t want to be showing up to a morning meeting the next day if that temporary dye hasn’t washed out. There’s no hard, fast rules on the number of party attendees, but make sure to stipulate that everyone checks with the host first before extending the invitation to other friends. When swapping beauty products, you want the vibe to be a little less flea market and little more exclusive (not to mention hygienic).

2: Set the ground rules

Each attendee must bring items to swap—makeup, brushes, hair products, fragrance, and nail polish are all welcome. You might want to stipulate that everyone bring both drugstore and higher-end brands so that you don’t end up with piles of dollar-store Halloween makeup. Ask that everyone show up on time (so that all have fair dibs on the goods) and that they bring a bag to carry home their haul. A couple of things you should probably avoid swapping altogether: mascara and lip glosses with wand applicators.

3: Create separate stations for products and sanitation

If you’re hosting, make two stations: one for product display, and one for sanitation. We recommend using cheap, opaque white vinyl shower curtains as tablecloths—guests can feel free to try out swatches on the table’s covered surface and you can quickly fold and toss when the party ends.

• Product station: On your white shower curtain/tablecloth, use permanent marker to write designated areas for eyeshadows, lipsticks, nail polish and so on, so that guests can easily group their items accordingly. Scatter jars full of Q-tips across the table for hygienic sampling, and set out some tissues as well.

• Sanitation station: At your sanitation station, you want to provide all necessary tools and products and have them labeled clearly, plus how-to-sanitize instructions for different types of products (again, you can write your directions on the shower curtain/tablecloth with a permanent marker). Fill spray bottles with rubbing alcohol, and leave out cotton pads to clean both makeup and brushes. Lay out two sharpeners, one for lip pencils, one for eye pencils. After shaving off the outermost layer of a pencil, guests should sanitize the sharpener in with alcohol or spray cleaner. Include a jar of 70% alcohol and a couple of small spatulas, for sanitizing lipstick, along with directions on how to do it (shave off a layer with a spatula, and/or dip into a jar of 70% alcohol for a few seconds). Other good cleaning products to have on hand? Brush cleaner—either DIY or Parian Spirit—in clearly marked jars, plus spray cleaner such as Parian’s or Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist.

4: Keep food and drinks separate

Sure you want to be a good host. But be sure to set up your refreshments away from the makeup! And especially, the sanitation station. If you can sequester eats and drinks in a separate room, all the better. Perhaps you can even create your own beauty-themed signature drink.

5: Start swapping!

• Round one: Everyone picks at will. If more than one guest wants the same item and no one is budging, each has to try it on and the party pool votes on who wears it best.
• Round two: Likely, there will still be a ton of stuff that needs to be taken on the table. Now’s the time to get social and recommend products for one another.
• Round three: Gather up the orphans into three piles: (1) items that absolutely no one will want, to be tossed; (2) items to keep for your next beauty swap (invite a few new people); and (3) items to donate to a women’s shelter, especially unused bath and personal care products. (Check womensshelters.org to find locations near you.)

6: Make it regular

Before everyone leaves, pick a date for the rerun!

Read more on sanitizing products:
• How to clean makeup brushes
• DIY brush cleaner recipes
• How to sanitize lipstick

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Get Centered With These Three Heart-Openers

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

There's a theory that when you focus your energy on opening your heart, your energy becomes more available to the people around you. Personally, I believe in this theory: I do heart openers every day to prepare me to teach my clients. I always want to be open and present when teaching, and these moves help me get centered and remind me of the service I'm providing. And it's not only that—they just feel good and calm the spirit.

When performing these moves, feel free to close your eyes. Focus all of your energy in the center of your chest. Breathe into that area. After finishing, silently recognize gratitude for something in your life. Perform each move 1 to 3x. Try to let your breath lead the movement.

Lying on your side, tuck your knees into your body and place your arms straight and forward in front of you, stacked one on top of the other. On an INHALE, open your top arm up and over to the other side, opening your heart to the sky. Feel the stretch across the front of your chest. Circle the arm up and over, and then close the movement, returning back to the starting position. Repeat 5 to 10x, then switch sides.

Lie on your stomach and extend your legs straight behind you. Start with your hands by your rib cage, just slightly below your shoulders. On an EXHALE, push into your hands and lift your upper body off the floor to the best of your ability. Roll your shoulders back, pulling your chest forward. Stay there for a total of 2 breaths and then return back to starting position. With each breath, try to open your chest more and more. Repeat this 5x.

Sitting on the floor with crossed legs, place your hands onto your knees and sit tall. On an INHALE, arch your back and pull your heart center foward. Lift your heart to the sky. On an EXHALE, curl and round the spine, closing the heart and pulling the navel in toward the spine. Repeat 10x.

Read the rest of Kit Rich's outFit with Kit series here!

Kit Rich is Los Angeles-based fitness trainer with endless exercise and nutritional know-how. Hollywood's hottest stars are addicted to Kit's unique, multi-disciplined approach that combines cardio, yoga, Pilates, and weight training. Kit's clients are immediately taken by her funny and honest approach to health and fitness. She treats her clients as she treats herself, "with a hard challenge, sensibility, sensitively, and a good laugh." Follow Kit on Twitter @kitrichfitness.

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Light Up Your Life: Highlighter 101

Sat, 08 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Ever wonder how celebrities get such glowing, ethereal skin? It’s not all fancy facials and expensive aesthetician visits. With the right highlighter and proper know-how, you can fake it!

Sometimes called “luminizer,” highlighter comes in many forms, from cream to liquid to powder. While you use darker colors for contouring, highlighting brings your features forward and makes skin look younger and more dewy. Because you can find it in so many different shades and finishes, deciding which highlighter is right for you can be daunting. We consulted celebrity makeup artist Julianne Kaye, the official Maybelline Beauty Expert on the NBC series Fashion Star, to learn all about highlighting techniques and how to find the perfect product for you.

Choosing a shade: gold- or silver-based?

When it comes to highlighter, one size doesn’t fit all. To select the right shade for yourself, keep your undertones in mind. “When I’m working with a darker skin tone, like my client Tia Mowry, or someone of Latin descent, I tend to go with more of a gold-based shimmer that’s on the warmer side,” says Julianne. One of our favorites is NARS Illuminator in Laguna. For lighter skin, Julianne recommends a silvery or champagne colored tone, like RMS Beauty Living Luminizer. MAC Strobe Cream works for a wide range of skin tones, because it’s a mica pearl pigment that’s multi-colored.

“Sometimes in a pinch I’ll use a shimmering shadow if I can’t find something in my kit,” says Julianne. Eyeshadows from a line with a wide range of colors, such as Inglot Freedom System, work great for those seeking a custom shade to use as a highlighter.

For an everyday, natural application

According to Julianne, some tend to overdo highlighting, and it can end up looking silly. “The whole point of highlighter is to look like you’re naturally glowing and have a perfect complexion,” she says. So how does she wear it herself? Lately, simply by mixing it into her tinted moisturizer: “For a consumer in everyday life—like for me, I’m pushing 40 and my skin’s not looking so radiant—all I do is wear a tinted moisturizer and a little bit of the luminizer in it to get the glow and it looks beautiful in person.” The technique is great for everyday, especially if you want people to think you have beautiful skin and look gorgeous and dewy.

Red-carpet-ready technique

When Julianne is doing a client for the red carpet, she avoids highlighting all over, because that tends to look really shiny in photographs. If you're going to be photographed, Julianne suggests placing luminizer anywhere that protrudes: the high planes of the cheeks, down the bridge of the nose, and the cupid’s bow to give the illusion of a fuller lip. Another great trick is to apply a stick highlighter (like Nars The Multiple) over foundation, and then go over it with a powder highlighter. “You’ll have that lit-from-within beautiful glow!” she says.

If Julianne could choose only one highlighting product...

… she’d pick Ambient Lighting Powders from Hourglass. “There are seven options for mood lighting, candlelight, dim light, and they’re so, so, so gorgeous—different ranges of golds, silvers, and bronzes. Hourglass is just an amazing brand, and the powder is super finely milled, and not full of chunky mica as some highlighting powders can be,” she says.

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Travel Light, Travel Luxe!

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

A long flight is often the opposite of glamorous, which is all the more reason to tuck little luxurious into your carry-on. These pint-sized splurges will leave you relaxed and looking fresh by the time you land.

Evian Facial Spray (from the Travel Trio)

These 1.7 oz. Evian Facial Sprays relieve dry skin instantly, which makes them perfect for rehydrating up in the air. If you’re feeling parched or overheated, spritz on, wait a few moments, and then gently wipe away with a tissue. Instant Refreshment!

Shu Uemura Essence Absolue (from the Hair Essentials On the Go Kit)

This summer, Shu released its popular nourishing camelia oil in a convenient 1 oz. bottle. The stuff has a rabid following for a reason—it’s light as a feather, eradicates fuzziness on the spot, and leaves locks soft and shiny.

Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Waterlight Anti-Aging Sunscreen

Counterintuitively, this sunscreen is one of the best facial moisturizers we’ve tried lately. The formula is designed for double duty, pairing maximum sun protection (with broad spectrum 50+ SPF) with anti-aging, wrinkle-reducing properties. A few dabs will leave the face looking and feeling silky smooth and totally hydrated.

Josie Maran Argan Color Stick

For us, all the moisturizer in the world can’t replace a pop of color. The 100% organic stick is also 100% spill-proof, and works equally well straight from the tube or patted on with your fingertips. Applied to the lips and cheeks, it gives the face a natural, post-workout glow, even if you’ve been sitting in coach for four hours!

Sonia Kashuk Double Zip Foldover in Dot Print

We prefer a reusable alternative to the requisite zip-close plastic baggie. This one opens to two TSA-friendly clear compartments, which keep toiletries organized and easy to see. Just open it up before sending through the security conveyor.

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Beauty Icon: Joan Jett

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Of all the fierce female guitar goddesses and unforgettable women in rock music, Joan Jett has always been the strong one. The rebel. The “Runaway.” The true rocker.

Already an icon at age 16, the gravelly-voiced girl with the leather jacket, sinewy guitar licks, and the most famous eyeliner in the industry looked like she didn’t give a damn.

I grew up hanging out in the bathrooms with the rocker girls while they did their best to imitate Joan’s signature eye shape and style, heating up their kohl pencils with lighters. Now, many years later, I am the makeup artist of the woman herself, and I now know the truth. The perfect Joan Jett eye takes subtlety, persistence, and an innate understanding of what’s sexy. She tells me her legendary look starts with confidence and builds from there. As Joan gets ready to release a new album this year, I shed some light onto how to recreate and adapt that famous Joan Jett look for yourself.

The Skin

Foundation is key to building a perfect look, so keep the skin glowing and gorgeous. A great moisturizer and a small amount of foundation give us a great canvas, and a little bit of color corrector or concealer under the eyes will give light, luminous natural coverage—and balance out the liner. I finish with a touch of powder to keep the complexion looking perfect all night.

The Brow

Joan’s eyes are her most famous feature, and she knows exactly what she wants to do to draw attention to them while keeping her look fresh and modern. Brows are a big part of the look; for that, I love Anastasia Eyeliner Pen for drawing in the perfect shape. The eyebrow should stretch from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye and have a defined arch. To determine where your arch should be, place a ruler against the left side of your nose and angle it so it passes over the outer edge of your pupil. Make a mark, and shape the brow so that the arch lands right there. Sketch in small hairs in short strokes. This technique helps the brow frame the entire eye and readies it for the smokey look.

The Eyes

To create the perfect base, I start with a lighter eye shadow from brow to lash. Then, I’ll sweep a soft matte shade or touch of luminizer across the brow bone for beautiful highlight, and then brush a matte taupe shadow into the crease for cut and depth. Use the same shadow to line along the top and bottom lashes first; this adds dimension and drama and keeps the hard-edged liner that goes on top looking smoky and sexy. Kohl pencils will give you the perfect black—apply inside the eye and along the top and bottom lash lines. Then, add a bit of a warm brown shadow to give richness to the eye to keep it from looking hard and ordinary. Smudge the pencil and set it with black shadow for even more sensual smokiness. Trust me, it works for every occasion. For more drama at night, hit a touch of shimmer shadow right in the center of the eye for additional lift. Give lashes get extra attention with a liberal coating of black mascara. Set the lash curler aside and let the lashes stay straight and spiky for an added touch of rocker realness.

The Cheekbones

Joan’s classic cheekbones are a type of beautiful you need to be born with, but you can fake it with a little contouring. Hit a matte taupe blush or eyeshadow right below the cheekbone from temple to apple. Then keep the blush natural; avoid strong color, and go for just a touch of peach blush on the apple and bronzer at the highest point of the cheekbone. This gives life and light to the makeup and sets off the strong eye.

The Lips

Let lips stay nude with a peach gloss and liner, only if necessary. Add in your own smirk and sexy growl and let the world know that with eyes like these, you don't give a damn about your reputation, but you sure do love rock n’ roll!

James' Picks for a Joan Jett Look:

Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentrè

Make Up For Ever HD Elixir

Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Inglot Freedom System Concealer

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Powder

Inglot Freedom System Smoke and Mirrors Palette, which James created exclusively for Beautylish

Sugarpill Pressed Eyeshadow in Bulletproof

Too Faced Smokey Eye Collection

As Director of Artistry for The Makeup Show, The Powder Group and On Makeup Magazine, makeup artist James Vincent has touched every facet of the industry with his talent. With specialties in film and theatre, television and celebrity work, editorial and runway work, James is foremast a passionate educator, training for brands such as MAC, Stila, CNN and Lancome. He continues to inspire the next wave of artists with his beauty expertise. Follow James on Twitter @JVincentmakeup.

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Summer Beauty Special! A Head To Toe Guide to Suncare Products

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:00:00 GMT

While summer color and beach-worthy hairstyles are top of the mind, it can be easy to forget about the most basic of warm-weather beauty musts: sun protection. To get you ready to play outside, we collected some of our favorite sun care products—for the face, body, lips, and more—of the moment. For good measure, we also threw in some dermatologist-recommended reminders and tips for effective application. Now get out there and cover up!

Body

According to New York City–based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, the best time to apply is right after showering or before leaving home, “so the product is able to fully absorb into your skin and provide protection from ultraviolet radiation.” Dr. Frank suggests going with a broad spectrum formula (which protects against both UVA and UVB rays) and re-upping every 1–2 hours, especially when you’re outside all day. Slather on one of our picks—all broad spectrum and super absorbent—post-shower, and don’t forget to reapply! After a day spent al fresco, or if you do end up catching one too many rays, follow up with a soother formulated to cool and quench the skin.

Coppertone Sunscreen Sensitive Skin Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Naturally sourced zinc oxide makes this a good pick for sensitive types.

Glytone Suncare Spray Mist Broad Spectrum Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF 50
Swim- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

MDSolarSciences Quick Dry Body Spray Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40
Dries super fast, with no residue.

Supergoop! Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Mist With Vitamin C Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Light and quick to absorb, with a pleasant hint of citrus courtesy of essential oils.

Korres Yoghurt After-Sun Cooling Gel
This light gel contains real yogurt and works on the face, too—for an extra cooling effect, store it in the fridge.

Yes to Cucumbers Natural After-Sun Serum with Shimmer
Aloe and green tea cool and soothe, while mica and adds subtle shimmer; great on legs and the décolletage.

Face

We're all in favor of double-duty moisturizers, foundations, and powders that contain UVA and UVB protection. But Dr. Frank advises adding extra sunblock over top, especially if the base layer has an SPF of 15 or less. “Make sure to apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 once the first product has been absorbed by the skin,” he says.

mark. For Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Blueberries and dark chocolate inside lend a yummy scent, and a press-down dispenser makes application quick and easy.

Olay Total Effects 7 in One Moisturizer + Serum Duo with Sunscreen
Serum, moisturizer, and broad spectrum SPF 15 in one fell swoop.

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
As luxe as primers come, with an incredible silky, satin finish and SPF 15.

Coola Unscented Mineral Sunscreen
Packed with organic ingredients this has the ever-so-slightest tint of color to perfect the face, plus SPF 30.

Shiseido Urban Environment Tinted UV Protector SPF 43
A lightweight formula that blends in instantly, and elevates everyday protection with a higher-than-usual SPF boost.

Dr. Brandt BB Matte with Signature Shinerase SPF 30 Medium to Dark
Designed for oily skin, it controls shine and provides broad spectrum SPF 30.

Eau Thermale Avene Creme
This ultimate SPF 50–charged base has hint of color to even out tone, plus antioxidant vitamin E.

BareMinerals Mineral Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 25
Available in two shades, it gives the complexion a flawless, clean finish.

Susan Posnick Colorflo Mineral Foundation
The built-in brush construction is ideal for tossing in your weekender or beach tote; a bit of zinc oxide adds coverage under or over your regular protection.

Lips

Like all exposed skin, lips need protection from the sun’s harmful rays, and they tend to be extra prone to sun damage and blisters. Re-apply an SPF-infused product often, over or under your favorite lip color, or choose a color product with built-in defense.

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color in Plum Wine
An ultra-pigmented lippie with SPF 15 built right in.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Petal
Perfect for everyday, it moisturizes and protects with SPF 15, and the pretty pink tint is sheer-but-buildable.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm
We couldn’t resist this cult favorite, translated into a SPF 20-infused balm.

Hair

While cancer isn’t necessarily a concern here, the scorching sun can damage locks with prolonged exposure, leaving hair parched, dry, and lifeless. Dr. Frank and other experts recommend a large hat—which also helps protect the face. If you’re going naked up top, spritz on a quenching leave-in product to help minimizing the frying effect. Both of these are super moisturizing and infused with UV filters.

Rene Furterer Paris Protective Summer Fluid
Pool sharks will appreciate this water-resistant formulation, which is also easy to reapply after a dip.

Kérastase Huile Celeste
A hint of shimmer helps bring dull locks back to life.

Extras

Now that everything else is good and covered, you can home in on the details with a sunscreen stick, UV-enhanced top coat, and indulgent eye cream designed for daywear.

Coppertone Tattoo Guard Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
Protect your body art—or just use it as a convenient, spill-proof way to re-cover noses and ears throughout the day.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Eye Cream Sunscreen SPF 15
An SPF-infused lifting eye cream adds another layer of protection under your shades.

Zoya ARMOR Top Coat/UV block
Designed to keep your mani intact and fade-resistant, even under harsh rays.

See below under Featured Products for more information about everything in the guide. For more suncare reading, check out The Right Way to Apply Sunscreen.

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