As a child, Akari Takenobu says she was confronted with the supernatural on a daily basis. This unsettling experience shaped the way she relates to her work as an artist. She’s had to develop a complex process in order to give shape to this mystery. After winning this year’s Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents, she puts into words for us what she explores through her work: what it was like to live among the spirits, and how does one relate to the unknown.

What was it like to grow up in a haunted house?

Until the age of 13, I grew up in a very ordinary, standard Japanese house, which people around me would call a haunted house. Strange things kept happening. I was an only child, so I spent a lot of time alone, and ended up kind of coexisting with this strange and unknown existence. I don't feel like that anymore, but because of that childhood experience, I remain interested in the unknown, the strange, what some would call the paranormal, I guess.

As a child, did you talk about it with your parents?

My parents actually had an acute sensitivity to this psychic experience. My father was even able to see its shape. Of course, I was scared a lot. As I mentioned earlier, I was home alone quite often, and so it eventually became kind of normal to me; scary but normal. Somewhere in between the daily reality and the unknown. It's very difficult to express my feelings about it. It was something that was always with me, always there, and so even though it was scary, I felt like I was allowed to be there in a sense.

You said that your father saw the ghost. What did it look like?

Sometimes it would be a small person telling him things about the house, or sometimes it would look like a woman. Sometimes it would be like a mist or a haze, a very vague form of a person.

So how does that relate to these images that you are creating?

When I think about the difference between myself and a ghost or spirit, it is mostly is the fact of my body. As a human being, there's the physicality of my body existing as an object, so by removing that substance, the physicality, maybe I can get closer to being a ghost. That's my starting point. When I take a picture of myself, the physicality of my body does not exist anymore, there's no substance in the picture. Then I cut the picture and disassemble the picture into pieces, virtually killing myself in a way, and then I reassemble the small pieces of these photographs and create a new body, which originates from my body. But by going through this process, I feel like I get closer to being a ghost. I'm not trying to create a paranormal self, I'm just trying to figure out a way that brings me closer to that unknown, to find where that border is.

What techniques do you use to do that?

Basically, I take hundreds of pictures of my body, disassemble them and cut them into pieces, and then reassemble them to create a digital collage. Then I print it, copy it, and again take a couple of photos. It's really a back and forth between digital and analog.

When do you know you’ve found the ghostly image?

To be completely honest, I don't even know whether I've ever done it. I call this process the pseudo experiment or the virtual experiment. I do it simply to learn more about the unknown. I don’t need to find the answer. The important thing for me is to continue seeking. I don't really have a destination in mind.

When did you start this photographic exploration?

About five years ago. In art school, I studied oil painting, but I wasn't really able to trust my judgment when I was painting. So I decided to create a process: I photograph my body, disassemble and reassemble it. Once I set that rule, I became like a part of a conveyor belt—my judgment was no longer necessary because I just needed to follow the rule I had set. The camera and my body function as a device—there's no meaning in me, I'm just a part of the process. Becoming that invisible device is very important to me because I don't want to have a sense of myself in it. I think that by eliminating that sense of myself, I can get closer to the structure of the world. When I use a camera, I can create a distance from my own self. I use the camera to take images as materials.

What did you learn by photographing your body so much, and therefore looking at it so closely?

I was really using the pieces of my body as material only, so it didn't really feel like it was me or my body. I was just a part of that conveyor belt that I mentioned earlier, where I was just doing my job and just following the rules that I laid for myself. It wasn't really about me at all.

The theme of the award is face-to-face, but there are no faces in your work…

It’s true, there is no face. It's more of an interview or a meeting, an acquaintance between myself and the unknown. The face-to-face is between me and the unknown.

What are your plans for the future?

I really want to continue working on this theme, because there are so many other scenarios I have in mind. Right now, I've only gone through the easy process, but there are more complicated processes that I would like to explore. I would also like to try to apply this in a more spatial piece, like a sculpture as image. There's a lot that I want to further evolve through this collage process.

For the past six weeks, Love Island USA has been a litmus test of the American public’s views on lustfulness and compatibility. This is a defining factor of dating shows, but the Peacock series’ record-breaking growth since season 6 has made its discourse inescapable. With season 8, however, a new bombshell is changing the course of the country’s biggest reality show: The manosphere has taken over Love Island USA, and it’s ruining the experience for longtime watchers who tune in to see, well, love.

LIUSA is the latest escapist reality hit that the mainstreaming of radical conservatism has altered in recent years. In both seasons 7 and 8, the younger cast members—who spent their late teens living through the COVID-19 pandemic—have reflected the talking points of the manosphere, the network of internet communities centered on toxic masculinity, gender essentialism, and opposition to feminism. Men who spent their formative years online at a time when social media algorithms amplified this content have adopted its views: that women should be “soft” and subservient to men, that men are entitled to their romantic interests’ bodies, and that women who challenge men should be humbled. Hegemonic masculinity and misogyny have since become systemic bugs in American dating culture—and now defining features among some of the men in season 8’s core cast, to the point where viewers wondered whether they even like their partners.

Most of season 8’s men have spent their time in the villa exhibiting manipulative dating behaviors, putting minimal effort into cultivating relationships, bonding over belittling and disrespecting the female Islanders, and resenting the women for harming their egos. Since the first episodes, KC Chandler and Corbin Mims have been dubbed red-pill poster boys for disparaging women who wouldn’t get intimate with them. Zach Georgiou, who has been coupled up with Kayda Bosse since episode 2, has become notorious for his criticisms of the female cast, his dismissive attitude towards Kayda, and his constant backtracking after showing emotional attachment (i.e., telling her he was “joking” when he said “I love you” in bed). Also, while Sincere Rhea has been shown compassion and understanding by his costars for exploring connections behind Melanie Moreno’s back, Kenzie Annis hasn’t received nearly as much goodwill.

It doesn’t help that the men have arguably been positioned with challenges and recouplings in their favor. Corbin received the unilateral choice to couple up with someone ahead of the girls’ choice recoupling in episode 5; he also chose whether to save Melanie or Beatriz Hatz in episode 9. (In the same dumping in season 7, all of the safe Islanders voted for whom to save.)

What was subtle red-pill influence became overt in season 8’s cruelest moment, when the Heart Rate challenge was revealed to be the start of Casa Amor. With this year's Casa twist being that the women were subjected to watching a livestream of the men meeting the new Bombshells—with the Casa men’s arrival delayed to the following day—some viewers argued the shameless behavior they witnessed was the push the girls needed to explore. Really, though, it served as a microcosm of the season: The men got to have their cake and eat it too, while the women were emotionally tortured for the sake of their growth.

The manosphere isn’t just influencing Love Island USA from within the villa; it’s also infecting the fandom through a new subset of viewers: the KC Defenders. KC was an early fan favorite this year for his meme-worthy reactions and admiration of dark-skinned women, and he spent the first three weeks of the show—a long-term relationship in the villa—coupled up with Aniya Harvey. But once bombshell Sol Dean entered the villa, discerning fans (and Aniya herself) began to see hints that he was sticking with her as a safe choice rather than pursuing Sol and facing possible rejection. KC eventually left Aniya for Tierra “Titi” Davis, a Casa girl who unabashedly pursued him and wasn’t a “grandma” in bed, as he’d called Aniya. The game plan of playing it safe with someone you’re lukewarm towards until someone comes along who you’re really interested in isn’t new. But KC’s blatant disrespect toward Aniya for not fitting into Titi’s “down for her man” mold inspired both extreme hate from some fans and extreme love from others.

While some of KC Defenders point to his natural chemistry with Titi, their “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde” arc, and a celebration of Black Love, the vocal majority of KC love stems from a hatred of Aniya. The tall former volleyball player and daughter of a former NBA star, Aniya has faced unnecessary hate throughout season 8, from criticizing her naturally textured wigs, calling her too insecure based on her (eventually validated) concerns about KC, to accusing Carl Schmidt of faking his interest in her because she’s a fan-favorite among female viewers. Even though KC himself owned up to disrespecting and resenting Aniya during their apology in episode 26, his defenders will swear up and down that his comments weren’t disrespectful in context, while also calling Aniya hypocritical for speaking badly about him in response to his actions.

What's more? Fan interaction has expanded beyond the show's voting process, Reddit, X, and Threads to perhaps the fastest-rising red-pilled spaces online: prediction markets. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket primarily appeal to fans of male-dominated subcultures, such as sports betting and crypto, and directly tie in to the get-rich-quick schemes popular in the manosphere. They’re also easily manipulated, with reports of users getting rich off insider information and rigging real-life situations to match their bets. As legalized gambling and prediction markets have surged in the past two years, competitive reality television has become a popular target. This year, Kalshi and Polymarket launched new Love Island markets, even promoting them through social media ads and collaborations, in hopes of attracting more women to their male-dominated user bases. While the viewership numbers of the rumored influx of straight men who watch LIUSA haven't been disclosed, fans have noticed an increase of online sports fans (who call themselves “KC FC,” as in football club) putting money on KC and Titi making it to the finale, sharing voting campaign threads, and lamenting Kalshi screenshots predicting that KC and Titi won’t make the final four couples. It’s no coincidence that the men who are crossing over from these spaces into Love Island USA are rallying behind a man whose arc has centered on misogyny. Nor is it a surprise that this is turning off female viewers.

The easiest way to dominate the attention economy is through outrage, and reality TV has this down to a science. Producers know how to contrive divisive storylines so their shows will ride the waves of online discourse to pop culture ubiquity. Though shows like Love Island USA and Love Is Blind have seemingly used this strategy to become too big to fail, we also know that outrage isn’t sustainable. Core fans are alienated, potential cast members get cautious, and viewers eventually succumb to either fatigue or boredom. This installment of Love Island has spurred a new kind of bleakness, beyond the typical angst and heartbreak of dating, to a fatalistic musing on whether this season’s men even really like the women. When the love disappears from Love Island and only misogyny remains, who will keep watching once the twists aren’t hitting and money can’t be made?

Welcome to Marie Claire’s Global Glow Guide, your one-stop-shop to the best beauty destinations around the world. Whether you need to find a bouncy blowout while traveling abroad or the best facial to rehab post-flight skin, we’ve got you covered.

Turkey holds a very special place in my heart—I got engaged there on my first trip in 2023 and I recently had the chance to visit again with my best friend. It was just as fantastic as I remembered—if not better. There are many reasons to put Turkey at the top of your must-go list: the incredible Mediterranean-meets-Middle Eastern cuisine, the something-for-everyone landscapes of sweeping coastal seaside towns, busy metropolises that straddle two continents, and underground cities carved into volcanic rock, and of course, the living, breathing thousand-year-old history of Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman empires. But perhaps one of the best reasons to book a trip is the legendary spa treatments.

You may have heard of Turkey for the wave of medical tourism (hair loss transplant anyone?) or perhaps some World Cup buzz. But the culture of beauty and wellness has been intertwined into the very fabric of Turkey from the beginning. It's the home of the centuries-old bathing ritual called the Turkish bath, natural mineral-rich thermal waters, world-famous botanicals like roses (a town called Isparta, for example, produces 60% of the world's rose oil), and cutting-edge aesthetic treatments.

There is so much to discover—along the Turkish Riviera in Bodrum there's a spa resort so fantastic that you don't even need to leave the property; in the bustling city of Istanbul, Turkish baths, facial hotspots, and salons galore that are reason enough to return again and again. Read ahead for my personal guide to Turkey's best beauty destinations.

Best Spa and Wellness Resort

Maxx Wellbeing at Maxx Royal Bodrum

If you're lusting after a Slim Aarrons getaway—complete with crystalline blue water, catch-of-the-day lunches, and postcard-worthy views of the Aegean—there's no better place than Maxx Royal Bodrum. Right on the Turkish Riviera, glamorous doesn't even begin to cover it: guests flutter by in shimmering Missoni kaftans, a bottle of Veuve and a generous platter of juicy, fresh fruit is delivered to your room around 5p.m. as a post-beach-pre-dinner treat, and you're assigned an "assistant" from the second you arrive who makes sure you don't lift a finger to book a dinner reservation at one of the property's many delicious restaurants (there's ultra fine dining like Spanish steakhouse Lẽna, Caviar Kaspia, and Wolfgang Puck's Spago, as well as beachside bungalow Casa Sol, Seavore, with the freshest seafood you've ever had, and more) or schedule a spa treatment. Truly, they even escort you anywhere on property in golf carts so you don't have to walk. It's my favorite kind of spa and wellness retreat—the kind where your time feels relaxing, abundant, and restorative instead of restrictive.

The spa echos that sentiment which was important to the spa director—the team wanted the treatments reflect the overall vibe of the resort. It's a spa for people who still want to enjoy a beachside rosé with lunch or stay up a little too late dancing and eating and singing, but still want high-performance body treatments or holistic facials or longevity consults. The 5,750 square meter compound is pure heaven and has everything you could dream of. There's an impressively large swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, and hydrotherapy circuit (more on that below). And the treatment list is extensive: there's massages and facials, yes, but also reflexology, pressotherapy (for lymphatic drainage), classic hammam rituals, shirodhara, a Zerobody cryo float pod, a Nuvola warm floatation and saltwater flotation. I particularly loved the facial and pairing the cryo cold float with the Nuvola warm float for a total recharge. Regardless of how you spend your spa time, I guarantee you'll feel more rested, relaxed, and rejuvenated when you leave.

Best Turkish Bath

Zeyrek Çinili Hamam

If you looked up the definition of luxury spa in the dictionary, you'd find a picture of Zeyrek Çinili Hamam. The 500-year old historic hammam (it reopened in 2023 after an extensive restoration project that took 13 years to complete) is tucked right in Istanbul's old town among ancient cisterns and mosques. You have not truly lived until you've experienced a traditional Turkish bath and there is no better place to do it than Zeyrek. My friend and I both opted for "The Refresh" treatment. It's a multi-step body treatment that starts with a chilled cup of sherbet (like a rose tea) before you strip down and move into the marble hot room to begin. You pour hot water all over your body a few times (truly a rinse and repeat) before your hammam guide begins scrubbing every inch of you down rigorously with a textured kese glove. It's followed with a hydrating mineral-rich clay mask that nourishes your skin. Then you move to the marble slab where they pour a frothy cloud of soap all over your body before a relaxing massage, leaving you loose-limbed and quiet-minded. There's something softly ceremonial and restorative about the experience—there's a level of a care and intimacy you receive from a total stranger that's truly transformative.

When you're finally returning back to this astral plane, you can't skip the fantastic museum showcasing the history of the hammam, including artifacts recovered during the restoration. And don’t miss the Byzantine cistern next door, which hosts rotating contemporary art exhibitions a must-see experience!

The Refresh: 75 minutes

Cost: 160€

Best Hydrotherapy Circuit

Raffles Istanbul

I don't think it's possible to have a bad experience at a Raffles hotel and the Raffles Istanbul is no exception. It's primely located close to Zorlu Center, a luxury shopping mall (Prada! Burberry!) where you can do some serious sartorial damage, so it's ideal for the fashion lovers. From the huge, sumptuous suites with picturesque views of the entire city to personal butler you can text anytime, everything about the property is luxurious. A modern, sleek sensibility and exceptional service (our waiter at breakfast brought us local Turkish delicacies and offered us tips of things to do and see) already make it a fantastic stay—before you even get to the spa. The spa is the dreamiest and has one of the most gorgeous hydrotherapy circuits I've seen and if you're a guest (which, you absolutely should be) you can enjoy it whenever you'd like. Even when full booked, I rarely ran into other guests while doing my sauna-steam-cold plunge-whirlpool circuit which made it feel especially intimate and luxe. You should definitely indulge in more treatments at the spa if timing allows—the facials are to die for, but there's also a jasmine and rose body wrap, massages, and the combined hammam and massage treatment called the Anatolian Grace Hamam Journey that gives you the best of both worlds: a 60 minute exfoliating, soothing, softening hammam experience (with a honey body mask) before 60 more minutes of the most nourishing massage.

Tip: The spa is open from 7:00a.m. to 10:00p.m. which is earlier than many other spas. I highly recommend taking advantage of the spa early (my favorite was doing the sauna, steam, and pool circuit before I started my day of sightseeing (or left for the airport).

Anatolian Grace Hamam Journey: 120 minutes

Cost: 380 €

Maxx Wellbeing

Bodrum is about as dreamy as it gets. And it's even dreamier if you're staying at Maxx Royal. It's no surprise that Maxx Royal's spa, Maxx Wellbeing, has world-class spa amenities. The best part? No reservation required. Elegant and airy, the wet spa is open to all guests during spa hours. Beyond the stunning indoor pool (where I spent mornings swimming laps), the space is complete with a lavish floor-to-ceiling marble hammam, a eucalyptus-infused steam room, hot infrared sauna, Himalayan salt room, cold plunge, LED therapy water showers, calming relaxation rooms, and more to indulge in anytime you like.

Best Massage

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul

A sweet waterfront respite with unmatched views of the Bosphorus, the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus feels intimate and grand at once. It's the ideal stay for perfume lovers—the hotel has a uniquely delightful scent of jasmine, sandalwood and vanilla that wafts by you the second you step foot in the lobby.

One of the best parts of the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus is The Spa. They've created a massive (3,500 square meters) subterranean oasis with a dreamy lush spa garden in the center that instantly pulls you into the zen mood before you even step into the treatment room. And you'll want to spend time in the treatment room—particularly getting a massage. There's everything from massages and scrubs, to body wraps and advanced detox therapies using the infrared MLX I³Dome. Everything has a holistic through line and a massage is the ultimate delight. It's not only the massage you want...it's the massage you need. Somehow the massage therapist gives individual attention to each tendon, muscle, ligament, and fascia, loosening knots and tightness I've had for years.

Oriental Essence Massage: 60 or 90 minutes

Best Facials

Merve Akkaya Beauty Institute

For treating your skin head to toe, Merve Akkaya Beauty Institute was recommended to me by a local for fantastic facial treatments from head to toe. You can get everything from fractional microneedling with RF and LED light therapy, to CACI microcurrent therapy and ultrasonic peels for exfoliation. They also have body treatments, masks, and more (and use Biologique Recherche products in some treatments).

Ayna Ayna Beauty

In the Kadıköy neighborhood, this spot delivers is a go-to for a great classic facial. There's hydrafacials, glass facials, platinum facials, or the ultimate, an everything facial that encompasses deep cleansing, exfoliation, and extractions, to microneedling, LED therapy, oxygen infusion, and targeted masks. Everything is customized for your most gorgeous glow.

The Everything Facial: 120 minutes

Cost: 10.000 TL + VAT (approximately $215 before tax + tip)

Maxx Wellbeing

As someone with sensitive skin, I usually play it safe when trying facials in foreign countries. But once glance at the Black Diamond Non-Surgical Lifting Facial created with one of my favorite beauty brands 111SKIN and I was willing to risk it. And I'm so glad I did: the sculpting, soothing, firming, lifting magic that happened in one hour was almost too good to be true. My fine lines? Erased. Dullness? Vanished. Dryness? Eliminated. It completely massaged away any signs of jetlag or late nights cocktails leaving my skin impossibly glow, lifted, and sculpted to the gods.

Black Diamond Non-Surgical Lifting Facial: 60 minutes

Cost: Quoted upon arrival

Best Private Hammam Experience

Sanitas Spa at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel

Is there anything more glamorous than sleeping in an actual palace? Dating back to the 17th century, the grand Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel was formerly an Ottoman-era imperial palace. It's since been reimagined with more modern comforts, but the opulence is still there. The open-air courtyard is draped with greenery and flowers as you watch boats sail past on the Bosphorus; it’s minutes away from some of Istanbul’s most famous sights; and the Sanitas Spa is fantastic.

Traditionally, hammams are a community-based experiences. It's not unusual for you to be totally in the buff (save for disposable underwear) while being scrubbed down next to a total stranger. So if you're a bit more shy or prefer something more intimate, this is where to do it. Ask for Diaz—she was the most incredible spa attendant. You kick off the treatment with a hot sauna before going into the hammam. Then you get scrubbed down head to toe with a kese glove in an almost surgical level of precision. It follows with being enveloped in a cloud of warm, soapy foam before an uber soothing massage. After a rinse, your entire body is covered with a mask made of honey, milk, and rosewater, that naturally warms your body as its applied. As you let it get to work, the spa technician washes and conditions your hair before a final rinse off. At the end, they help dry you off and apply a super calming rosewater tonic to your skin to seal it all in. Pure bliss.

Best Blowout

LUXUS Istiklal Cadessi

Hair is basically a religion in Turkey and most local women have a standing salon treatment to keep is glossy and bouncy. It's sort of a rite of passage in Istanbul and you can't pass up the opportunity to get a good blowout or silkifying treatment. It's especially ideal in summer, if you, like me, have been swimming in the ocean and out in the sun leaving your hair dry, brassy, and straw-like. Here you can get a bouncy blowout, trim, tone, gloss, hair botox, and more. The result? The shiniest, happiest hair you've ever had.

Wash, blowout, + trim: Depends

Cost: 200 TL, 500 TL, 1000 TL (approximately $37 USD)

Best Manicure + Pedicure

Pap Art Nail Studio

If you're going to Turkey, you should definitely get your nails done. Not only are the manicures amazing, but it's so much more inexpensive to get your nails done. (For example, a gorgeous gel mani with design costs about $35 USD.) Whether you prefer something simple or more elaborate with art or designs, Pap Art Nail Studio came highly recommended. The nail technicians are talented and meticulous with their attention to detail and the salon is clean and orderly—a dream for someone type A, like me.

Gel Polish Renewel + Gel Polish Manicure: 1450₺ (about $31 USD)

Nail Art: 30-150₺ (about $3.50 USD)

Best Shopping

My favorite choice of souvenir anywhere I travel is a fantastic local beauty product. There's no shortages of markets, shops, and boutiques in Turkey and everything I've found has been beyond dreamy.

Pelcare

Sun butter? Superfood glow cream? Saffron sunscreen? Those are just the few things you'll find created by gorgeous Istanbul-based beauty brand Pelcare. Everything is beyond gorgeous and smell absolutely divine.

Abtira

I'm a sucker for a great botanical-based skincare brand and stumbling across this gorgeous one was a stroke of luck. It has an impressive amount of skin serums, oils, balms, and tinctures—it even has a line tailored to menopausal skin. I'm partial to the lavender marigold SPF balm.

Atelier Rebul

If there's one thing I want to smell like, it's golden hour. And this beauty brand does a fantastic Istanbul-inspired scent that bottles that exact scent. The brand dates back to 1895, where French pharmacist Jean Cesar Reboul is said to have founded Turkey's first "pharmacie," Rebul Pharmacy). I spray a little cloud over my skin every morning and I swear I’m instantly in a better mood. It’s uniquely warm and refreshing vanilla scent with pear, neroli, jasmine, and toasted coconut. So subtle, yet it lingers all day, and I’ve never gotten more compliments.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

When you're looking to get lost in a book, sometimes you need your reading material to match your mood. With Marie Claire's series "Buy the Book," we do the heavy lifting for you. We're offering curated, highly specific recommendations for whatever you're looking for—whether you're in your feels or hooked on a subgenre trending on #BookTok.

In this author-curated rendition, Rosebud Baker—comedian, former Saturday Night Live writer, and Fully Baked author—shares her favorite books about women behaving badly.

No topic is ever off the table for comedian Rosebud Baker—she’s been known for telling jokes about everything from her sister’s death to her own struggle with alcoholism. So when the stand-up decided to unpack her trauma by writing a memoir, she embraced the mess even more so.

In June, the former Saturday Night Live writer published her debut book, Fully Baked, which delves into subjects like her dysfunctional childhood and journey with IVF. But it goes beyond the constraints of a tight 10 by examining transformations and how she found career success and became the mother she is because of the hardships she’s lived through.

Baker tells Marie Claire that while she was writing, stories about women wrestling with “obsession, desire, rage, and making spectacularly bad decisions” were both a source of solace and inspiration. “I found myself returning to stories about women who blow up their lives, survive their mistakes, and sometimes learn absolutely nothing,” she says.

“I’ve always been drawn to female characters who refuse to be likable,” the author says, adding that they informed her own ability to be vulnerable. Here, Baker shares her favorite books about women behaving badly, from recent bestsellers to feminist favorites and literary classics. “The women in these books are obsessive, selfish, reckless, grieving, horny, destructive, and completely unreasonable. They’re also some of the most honest characters I’ve ever encountered.”

Fully Baked is available now, and catch Baker on tour this summer.

Call me a hater, but in years past, I’ve found the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to be, kind of, sort of, maybe a bit… lackluster. It’s always the same brands, sometimes even the same products, that get the Big Time discounts. But for 2026, well, we're all in for a treat. I spent my morning scrolling the early deals selection—the official sale kicks off on July 18 and runs through August 9—and found myself genuinely mind-blown-jaw-on-the-floor-shocked at how many of my favorite luxury beauty brands were all-in on this annual sale in a BIG way.

My exosome-powered Angelia Caglia Cell Forte Serum, which I swear changed my skin’s tone, texture, and fine lines, is more than $200 off (!!), and makeup kits from Westman Atelier are available for a mere fraction of the price. And that’s just the start. I spent the past couple of hours combing through the hundreds of skin, hair, makeup, and home fragrance brands participating in the sale to find the deals and discounts that are actually worth your money. Shop my favorite early beauty deals from the 2026 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale below.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Nothing gets us more excited than talking about a not-so-little tweakment or a nip-tuck procedure. In the spirit of transparency, Marie Claire’s aesthetics column, Life in Plastic, delivers a first-hand peak into what goes on behind the doctor’s door.

Alana is a 42-year-old woman living in NYC with two children. She had four sessions of Emsella in Spring 2026. This is her story, as told to Marie Claire, edited for length and clarity.

After having two children, my pelvic floor became very weak. Every time I work out, I pee my pants. Like, immensely, and it was honestly just so frustrating. I’ve been peeing my pants for the past five years; it’s terrible. “Damage to the pelvic floor happens during vaginal birth due to the stretching and tearing of the soft tissues and muscles that support the pelvic organs,” explains double board-certified OBGYN and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon Patricia Wallace, MD. “Women have more risk factors that impact the pelvic floor than men, and therefore have more issues—loss of bladder control, often with activity, coughing, or laughing, called stress incontinence.”

Nothing would fix it, either. I went to the doctor and they told me to keep doing kegels. But nobody shows you how to do a kegel the right way, and it’s just a very frustrating process. I even went to a GP (my general doctor), and they told me to go to physical therapy to strengthen my pelvic floor. I tried it, but it was super intrusive. I had to go twice a week, and frankly, I’m too busy. I work, and I have two kids. It’s not happening.

Then I heard about Emsella, which was just four 30-minute sessions. “Emsella is high-frequency electromagnetic energy that causes contractions in all the pelvic floor muscles. Emsella 'body builds' the pelvic floor,” explains Dr. Wallace. “It is impossible to contract all these muscles voluntarily, and while pelvic floor physical therapy is always great for technique, breath and body mechanics, it doesn’t lead to an increase in muscle mass.” I heard great things, but you really don’t believe it works until you try it. I finished the treatments a few weeks ago, and I’m happy to report there is no more pee in my pants.

Session One of Emsella

I wasn’t anxious going into my appointment. Honestly, I was just nervous. All I was thinking was, Is this going to hurt? But at the same time, we do so many things and treatments that are painful to our bodies just to help us feel better. The second I got to the office—I went to BLT Body Boutique by Dr. Yael Halaas in Manhattan—I felt better. The space was gorgeous, clean, and beautiful. I filled out some typical paperwork and waited in the lobby until they called me back into a private room.

In the room there’s this flat chair, and that’s the Emsella device. The nurse practitioner told me how to sit on it—you basically lean forward and push your pelvic floor down. Then I just had to stay seated like that for 30 minutes. It went by pretty fast, which was great. It feels like this motion of electric shock waves or energy that are hitting the inside of your pelvic floor. Imagine you’re snapping rubber bands on your hands. It feels like that, but on your pelvic floor. It’s this electrical current that travels through your body and contracts your pelvic floor muscles.

There’s no pain or even discomfort after the session. I ran the next morning and felt like I wasn’t wetting myself as much. This is TMI, but I also get kind of damp when I sleep—like I try to hold my pee and wake up a little wet. It wasn’t as bad the next morning.

Emsella Sessions 2 through 4

The process for all the sessions is the same. It’s the same strength and the same amount of time. I did one a week. I probably started to notice the biggest difference after my third session. I didn’t even know if I was going to go back for a fourth session, but better to be safe than sorry. After that last one, I started waking up, and my pants were totally dry. I don’t have to change my underwear every time I come home from the gym. Like, it’s two in the afternoon, and I’m wearing the same clothes I wore to work out this morning.

“Some women feel impact after a few sessions; other women see results closer to the end of six treatments,” says Dr. Wallace. “I usually recommend repeating sessions three times per year or more as needed to stay strong. Just like any other muscle, if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

The Takeaway on Emsella

I have no regrets. It made such a big difference. It hits the spot, and I honestly don’t know why anyone would spend months in PT over doing Emsella. I’ve told all my friends to do it. Nothing is ever wet anymore. It’s great.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

Color block manicures come back every summer, but this season’s version has a more playful diagnosis. Enter pill box nails: a bold, graphic manicure trend that splits the nail into two clean blocks of color, creating a capsule-like effect that feels fun and made for summer.

Annabelle Taurua, a beauty expert at beauty system, Fresha, says the look taps into beauty’s current appetite for throwback, feel-good designs. “The pill box nail trend leans directly into this nostalgic resurgence with its bold, block colors, offering that classic ’90s playfulness," she explains.

The best part is that the design is surprisingly simple. Unlike more intricate nail art trends, pill box nails require only two contrasting shades—or playful finishes if you want to jazz it up—and a separation, making them easy to recreate at home. Taurua notes that the appeal comes from how personal the look can feel, whether you opt for pink and red, cool-toned pastels, chrome finishes, cat-eye polish, or full-on brights. Consider it summer’s easiest nail art prescription.

Split Decision

This is the most classic take on pill box nails: two high-contrast shades, a clean divide, and just enough graphic payoff to make a simple manicure a little more fun.

Magnetic Dose

Cat eye polish makes the trend feel a little moodier. The split-color design is still there, but the magnetic finish adds depth every time the light hits.

Tone-on-Tone Tablets

For a monochromatic version, stay within one color family. A pale pink with a deeper rose, or a butter yellow with a golden shade, still gives the capsule effect. Add another finish like glitter or cat eye to elevate this take.

One-a-Day Accent

You don’t have to commit to the trend on every nail. One or two pillbox accent nails can break up a solid manicure and make the whole set feel more designed.

Sugar-Coated Capsules

Sparkle takes this manicure from graphic to playful fast. Try glitter on one half of the nail and a creamy polish on the other for a little extra summer zhuzh.

Precious Pills

Gemstone shades or accents make the pill box manicure feel richer and more dressed up. Try emerald with sapphire, ruby with amethyst, or any pairing that looks like it belongs in a jewelry box. Or, place a mini gem on the divide.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

I’ve been a beauty editor for a decade, and with that has come access to some of the most talented, incredible makeup artists in the business. So over the years, I’ve picked up some damn good tips and tricks. For example: ombré mascara is 100 percent foolproof way to fake the look of falsies, underpainting is the key to never looking unblended or blotchy, and layering powder blush over cream is how to prevent fading. But the most insidery tip I’ve learned from spending countless hours with the pros? Your makeup is only as good as your brushes. And I come bearing good news: Real Techniques has teamed up with celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell to launch a comprehensive brush collection, complete with three standalone brushes and three sets, at a drugstore price point.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s always a time and place for finger application or a makeup sponge, but the experts allllllll use brushes for everything. With the right technique, product placement is more intentional, and coverage or pigment can be built up with control. “I’ve always loved using brushes in my artistry. I once relied on sponges, but I found that they tend to absorb too much product, especially if you’re heavy handed with foundation,” Kelli Anne tells me. “To save product and money, I focus on applying makeup in light layers. With these brushes, you won’t see brush marks, and blends become seamless.”

She’s got a point. I’ve spent the past few weeks putting her collection to the test and, without changing any product in my routine, I have gotten more compliments on my makeup than ever. To read my full review, find out which set is my favorite, and shop the entire drop, keep scrolling.

The Collection

This drop is extensive. If you’re in the market for an entire brush refresh, this has every single tool you could need—from eyes to powder, lips to liquids. “These brushes stand out from others on the market because they are designed with purpose. Each brush serves a specific step in your routine, such as applying concealer or blush. You can use one side for creams and liquids and the other for powders, which allows for a flawless makeup application that lasts,” says Kelli Anne. If you’re only looking for a few tools? The Light Layers Premium Set is my favorite. Get the full breakdown on what’s included, below.

The Application

Trust me: the first time you do your makeup with brushes instead of your fingers or a sponge, you’ll understand why makeup artists use them. One of the biggest differences is how the foundation applies. The key is to pump product onto the back of your hand and completely saturate your brush before gently swirling it onto the skin. The result is a light, not-caky finish that looks more even and intentional. You can build up where needed, but I find that one layer is sufficient for a hot summer day. The concealer brush is also a game changer for me—I have fine lines under my eyes so using a brush really helps me control placement.

As far as the eyes go? The Everything Set really does contain everything for any eye look. I’m a creature of habit, so I always use the Detail & Diffuse for my base shadow, the Crease Brush for my darkest shade, and the Line and Smudge Brush to drag shadow along my lower lash line or even blend out my eyeliner.

My Takeaway

If you’ve never used brushes or are in the market for a refresh, take this drop as a sign to stock up. They’re beyond reasonably priced, incredibly high quality, and dummy-proof to use. “I wanted them to not only look gorgeous on your vanity but also to be educational and helpful for those overwhelmed by choosing brushes,” says Sewell. In that vein, all the brushes are labeled by product type with descriptive names and have a crystal to indicate which side is for cream versus powder.

Rather than these brushes feeling intimidating to use, they’re actually incredibly intuitive. They always pick up just the right amount of product, apply without streaks or clumps, and make it so easy to get professional-looking glam on my own. Dare I say this brush set is the best beauty hack of all?

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

Everyone keeps saying women’s sports are having a moment. But it’s more than that. On and off the court, women’s sports are changing culture, conversations, and even our personal style. For Marie Claire’s Women in Sports series, we talk to the athletes, executives, and industry vets who are at the top of their game.

In Exit Interview, Marie Claire has a candid conversation with someone who’s left their job. We learn all about their experience—both the good and the bad—plus why they decided to leave and what life looks like on the other side.

Haley Carter left the Orlando Pride last year after building the club from a perennial underdog into National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) champions. Before that, Carter served as a Marine Corps officer, deployed to Iraq, played professionally in the NWSL, coached the Afghan Women’s National Team, and helped evacuate over a hundred people from Kabul when the city fell in 2021. She’s now president of soccer operations for the Washington Spirit, where she’s working to do something no women’s professional soccer team has done: break even.

For our series Exit Interview, Carter talks about building a championship system, the values she refuses to compromise on, and why she thinks the women’s game has moved well past “having a moment.”

You’ve been a Marine, a lawyer, an MBA, a player, a coach, and now a club president. How does all of that fit together?

I think when some people lay out my resumé, oftentimes they will sort of treat soccer as this surprise at the end. But I think they have it a bit backwards. Soccer has been a constant in my life and the rest is just what I bring to it. With my career, it’s really the same job in different settings and a different uniform. For 20 years, I’ve been building teams that perform under pressure. The Marine Corps taught me how to plan under uncertainty, how to build leaders. My experience in law taught me how to do deals and how to structure contracts and how risk actually works. My business experience and my MBA taught me the economics of sports. And then playing and coaching taught me what it looks and feels like from inside the locker room.

You built the Orlando Pride into champions. What did that take?

Building a system. I think external opinions and viewpoints of what happens behind the scenes can tend to isolate things. They’ll think, “Oh, well, you built a strong roster, or you had a clear identity in how you wanted to play, or you created a performance environment where players could succeed.” The reality is it wasn’t just one thing. It’s about creating a system that has a clear identity, has disciplined recruitment, and has a roster that’s constructed to a plan instead of just this wishlist. The emphasis in Orlando was: Can we get the culture right? Can we get the performance environment right? Could we start to develop this codified game model, plan, and roster construction strategy that allowed us to be successful not just in one season but in multiple seasons?

In 2021, you helped evacuate over a hundred people from Kabul, including members of the Afghan women’s team you’d coached. What did you learn from that experience?

Feeling accountable for empowering these women, and the work that we did to empower them and give them opportunities, is the very work that’s then going to threaten their lives—that is tough to struggle with. But I would say that coordinating the evacuation of those players and staff—and I will never offer it as a career highlight because I think it belongs to them and not to me—but it is the clearest answer for why I believe this work matters. We can’t forget that sport is what gave those women a team and a flag and opportunity, but it’s also what made them targets. Perspective is a hell of a drug, and being able to offer that to the people that I work with, to the athletes that I work with day in and day out, to remind them of what a privilege it is for us to get to wake up and do this every day, is truly incredible.

You’d just built a championship team in Orlando. What pulled you to Washington?

Michele Kang [Washington Spirit owner] is a force. The opportunity to work for Michele and her organization and her commitment to investing in women and women’s professional sports—not as this philanthropic effort or moral high ground to stand on, but treating it as the business it is—is exciting to me. Kynisca, our parent organization, is the first multi-team global organization built specifically around female athletes instead of just borrowing things from the men’s game. One of our big goals is to be the first National Women’s Soccer League team to break even and to run a sustainable business. I love that, because I appreciate that we’re talking about financial discipline and precision and transfer economics and these really advanced concepts in the women’s game. We’ve been asking for years to be treated as professionals, and a lot of things come with that. It’s just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

What’s the hardest part of being a woman in sports leadership right now

I’ve spent a lot of my career being the only woman in the room, whether it was in the Marine Corps, whether it was in corporate America, or here in sports. That experience shapes how I build teams now. I know what it costs when a room isn’t built for you. I know how much talent gets missed when it stays that way. So my job is to not be an exception—to make sure I’m not the last one. The biggest challenge that I see is other individuals not necessarily thinking that way. I get asked frequently, often by men: “We posted this position but no women applied for it. Where are all the women at?” Well, they’re everywhere. You have to go look for them, you have to do the work. I think the biggest challenge for me is convincing the stakeholders that are making hiring decisions to do the work to find qualified women, because they are plentiful—and then to make the investment in them once they give them the opportunity, so that we’re ensuring that we’re developing people as much as giving them opportunities.

Who do you lean on?

I have a village. I have a village of women in the game. I’ve got Lesle Gallimore, she’s the general manager in Seattle for the Reign. Amanda Vandervort, she’s the president of Gainbridge Super League. Lisa Cole, she’s an assistant coach with the U.S. Women’s National Team, longtime coach, has coached internationally in developing member associations as well and brings a lot to the table in terms of international experience and commitment to values and being very serious about that. Missy Price, who works at US Club Soccer. And Yolanda Thomas is an assistant coach in Orlando. It sounds like a large circle, but it really isn’t—it’s quite tight.

What does that village do for you?

Jobs come and go, especially in women’s sports and especially at the highest level. I can get fired any time, and most of my friends have been fired at one point or another. We’ve found that it doesn’t matter what job we’re in—there will be times when we’re opponents, there will be times when we’re in adversarial positions, there will be times when we’re for interests that aren’t necessarily aligned. But our friendships remain, and I think that’s really important, and I think it’s something that’s underrated and we don’t talk enough about when we talk about successful women. There’s very few women in the world that can relate and understand what you’re going through in this industry. Having that maturity and the perspective to be able to call and know who to lean on and when to lean on them and who to embrace when you need to bring them in and help them out, I think is really important.

What are you proudest of?

Being committed to my values and leaning into those two values of service and reliability—and, even when it’s hard, sticking to that. I have a 14-year-old son and I know how much he values women athletes and women in business and women in the law, and it’s come from the work and the opportunities that I’ve had and my dedication to my values. Those values dictate how I lead and how I make decisions, even when things get hard, like when we were navigating the sexual assault and sexual harassment claims with the Afghan Football Federation with FIFA and being adversarial with the world’s governing body. Standing for the things that are right and doing it in uncomfortable ways and vocally, and sometimes being a bit outspoken and being a bit of a pariah and somewhat polarizing figure—I think I’m most proud of that. It’s been hard to get into certain rooms because of that, but the benefit of sticking to my principles and sticking to my values has come through tenfold in other ways.

Any advice you’d give your younger self—or any woman coming up behind you?

Say yes to everything that comes your way because that is what is going to open doors and opportunities, and feel really good about that. But when you get to your 40s, no is a full sentence. And feel really good about that too. Be excellent at your craft, not just present in the conversation, and be unapologetic about being excellent in your craft. Know your numbers, know your contracts, know your operations—be the person who can actually run the damn thing, and then bring people with you. I’ve had doors open for me because of other women, and I take the job of opening them for the next person just as seriously as anything else that I do. The goal should never be to be the woman who made it, but to leave a path that is wider than when you found it. And for me, that’s the part I care about the most.

Everyone keeps saying women’s sports are having a moment. But it’s more than that. On and off the court, women’s sports are changing culture, conversations, and even our personal style. For Marie Claire’s Women in Sports series, we talk to the athletes, executives, and industry vets who are at the top of their game.

Nothing exposes a beauty product’s weaknesses like elite competition. Think your mascara has staying power? Try wearing it through a hurdler’s world-record run. That top-rated flyaway wand? See if it keeps those baby hairs in place during a figure skater’s gravity-defying routine. Under that kind of pressure, product flaws show quickly—and successes are more notable.

Alysa Liu landed seven triple jumps in a single free skate—rotating three times in the air and leaping more than 17 inches off the ice—while her winged liner stayed razor sharp. Sydney McLaughlin‑Levrone ran a world‑record 400‑meter hurdle race at nearly 18 mph, and her medium-coverage foundation looked remarkably fresh under the bright lights of the cameras. Julie Ertz played every minute of all seven games during her first World Cup win, yet kept her ponytail so sleek, she could have been starring in a hair commercial.

For women playing competitive sports, eight-hour-long wear claims are the bare minimum. These athletes aren't just pushing their bodies; they're pushing every beauty formula they wear to its breaking point. As McLaughlin‑Levrone tells me, “Beauty is part of my preparation and game‑day ritual—it’s like putting on my game face.”

So forget marketing claims: I asked some of the biggest names in women's sports what products never leave their locker room bags. There are the obvious staples like heavy duty cleansers that unclog pores and gels for slick-backs. But not every answer is about performance. Some of these athletes’ favorites were simply about the products that make getting ready a little more fun. Because somewhere between Olympic medals, championship trophies, and world records, there’s still time to obsess over a Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment.

Alysa Liu, American Figure Skater

What beauty products always make it into your locker room bag—and why can’t you live without them?

The beauty products that always make it into my makeup bag, regardless of whether I’m training or competing, are a good black eyeliner (I love a smoky eye), e.l.f. Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, and usually a tinted lip balm or lip gloss to bring my look together. I don’t wear foundation, so I love playing with my eye makeup by creating a smoky eye with a touch of highlighter in the corners of my eyes to brighten everything up. One of my favorite body products is the Gillette Venus MoistureGlide Razor. I love it because it has two moisturizing bars, so if I’m in a rush or need a quick touch-up before a competition, I can just use water and not rely on shaving cream.

After a long, sweaty day at work, what's your go-to routine for resetting your skin and hair?

It’s pretty simple. I like using a cleanser to wash my face, then I’ll use an eye cream, followed by a moisturizer, and I’m done. For my hair, I’ll brush it again and either put it back or leave it down, depending on what I’m feeling.

What's your favorite hairstyle for game day?

I don’t have a favorite hairstyle. I really just love any opportunity I get to be me and wear my hair down. I know my hair has made a huge impact on my fans, and I love using it for self-expression.

Is there a beauty product you wish existed to solve a common athlete skin or hair dilemma?

This isn’t specific to being an athlete, but an eyeliner applicator that gets it perfect on each eye on the first try! Especially getting the upper lid even on both eyes.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, American Hurdler and Sprinter

What beauty products always make it into your locker room bag—and why can’t you live without them?

My go-to products are Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover Facial Cleansing Towelettes and Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen. Since I train outdoors for hours at a time, sunscreen is absolutely essential. The wipes are perfect for refreshing my skin and removing dirt and sweat between practices when I don't have time to fully reset at home.

How has being a professional athlete changed the way you approach beauty?

It’s made beauty feel like part of my preparation and game-day ritual. It's almost like putting on my game face. You don't have to choose between being a high-performing athlete and embracing beauty—they can absolutely coexist and complement each other.

After a long, sweaty day at work, what's your go-to routine for resetting your skin and hair?

I love using Olaplex [products] on my hair, especially a nourishing deep conditioner after spending hours on the track. It helps bring my hair back to life and feels like the perfect reset after a long day.

What's your favorite hairstyle for game day?

My go-to is a low slick-back bun with a middle part. I love having my hair pulled back and out of my face so I can stay focused and not have to think about it while I'm on the track.

Is there a beauty product you wish existed to solve a common athlete skin or hair dilemma?

I'd love a completely sweat-proof blowout product. It would be amazing to train in the heat and sun without sweating out straight hair or worrying about my edges afterward.

Rose Lavelle, American Soccer Player

What beauty products always make it into your locker room bag—and why can’t you live without them?

I would say the number one thing is SPF. I either use Shiseido or Versed, which my U.S. Women’s National Team teammate Emily Fox put me on to. Post-training, after I've washed my face and showered, I like to put on Avène Cicalfate. It's supposed to help restore your skin barrier, which I feel like I need after I've been sweating, in the sun, and covered in dirt and grime.

I also always have Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 68 Beija Flor in my bag. That's my little scent that I spritz before and after training. A little random, but I always have Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment with me as well.

How has being a professional athlete changed the way you approach beauty?

A couple of things about being a professional athlete have affected my approach to skincare. First, I'm very habitual about it. I have a morning routine and a night routine that I do not stray from. I do it every single day. That's just the athlete in me.

The other part is being in a sport where I'm playing outside in the sun, rolling around in the grass and dirt, sweating a lot, and getting plenty of grime on my face. It has made me take my skincare very seriously. Making sure I protect my skin from the sun and keep it clean and refreshed after training or games is really important.

After a long, sweaty day at work, what's your go-to routine for resetting your skin and hair?

For my skin, I like to double cleanse just to make extra sure I'm getting all the sweat and grime off my face. I really like the Melting Balm Cleanser from BYOMA, and I use La Roche-Posay's Vitamin C Brightening Facial Cleanser.

When I'm out of the shower, I use Avène Cicalfate again. It's really moisturizing, and I feel like I need it after a long, sweaty day. Then I'll put on Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer. It's super light and made with simple ingredients, and I feel like it works really well on my face.

For my hair, I really like OUAI shampoo and conditioner, specifically their Detox Shampoo. I use it all the time because I feel like it really gets the sweat and grime out of my hair. When I get out of the shower, I use Lush Super Milk, which is a leave-in conditioner. It smells so good. I also recently tried a new product from Crown Affair—their Smoothing Air Dry Cream—and I've been liking it a lot. My hair gets dry and frizzy, so between the two, they help add moisture and define my curls and waves a little more. I also love K18 products. Their Molecular Repair Hair Oil is really helpful for adding moisture back into my hair after it's been out in the sun and sweaty.

What's your favorite hairstyle for game day?

I’m pretty boring with my gameday hairstyle. I literally just put my hair in a ponytail and put pre-wrap on. It's nothing special. The important piece is the pre-wrap because I have a lot of flyaways that need to be tamed.

Is there a beauty product you wish existed to solve a common athlete skin or hair dilemma?

There may already be this product, and I just haven't discovered it yet, but I feel like a lot of us like to slick our hair back when we put it in a ponytail. The gels and waxes we use to tame flyaways and make it look cleaner aren't necessarily great for our hair.

I want a dual-purpose hair mask that can slick back my hair and tame flyaways while also serving as a leave-in treatment. That way, my hair is actually getting a little treatment while I’m running around. Then, when I shower, I wouldn’t have this big, sweaty, tangled mess. Instead, it would be like washing out a nourishing hair mask, and my hair would be left feeling soft and healthy.

Lexie Hull, American Basketball Player

What beauty products always make it into your locker room bag—and why can’t you live without them?

Honestly, my bag is a little window into my world—who I am, what I stand for, and the whole reason I built FORTA Cosmetics, where performance and beauty meet. The constants are lip balm (I'm always testing new ones), hair ties, and a mini brush. Then there's my post-practice bag: face lotion, deodorant, concealer, brow gel, blush, and mascara. But none of it means anything without my FORTA Lock & Go Setting Spray because none of it actually lasts without it. I'm a professional athlete, so I'm constantly sweating, and Lock & Go is what holds everything in place through an entire workout. Like I always say, you don't have to sit still to look pretty. That's exactly why we built it. It's the product I always wished existed.

How has being a professional athlete changed the way you approach beauty?

People don't realize how much beauty actually matters when you're an athlete. Between the travel, the cameras, and the recovery, your skin takes a beating, and you still want to look good because looking good is part of feeling ready to compete.

Every product in my bag has to earn its spot. My routine is faster, more functional, and more skin-focused—built for my real lifestyle. The biggest thing I've learned is that real confidence comes from feeling healthy, capable, and completely put together, no matter what the day throws at me.

After a long, sweaty day at work, what's your go-to routine for resetting your skin and hair?

The biggest thing is getting everything clean and hydrated again. I always remove my makeup, cleanse, and reach for products that calm inflammation and bring moisture back.

In the shower, I use a gentle CeraVe cleanser. Once I'm out, I use a complexion pad to get my skin extra clean, then follow up with Weleda Skin Food. Hairwise, I usually wear a slicked-back look with a headband for games and practice, so afterward I'll either wash it or keep it slicked back and add more leave-in treatment, since I'm often right back at it for another session.

That reset is as much mental as it is physical. Clean skin, fresh start, ready for whatever's next.

What's your favorite hairstyle for game day?

I have really long, thick hair, so keeping it secure and out of my face without damaging it is a constant battle. I always wear a pre-wrap headband, which keeps my hair off my face while still making me feel confident and put together.

For bigger events or career moments, I usually lean toward soft waves because they feel a little more elevated while still feeling like me. It also lets me show a different side of myself than the one people see on the court.

Is there a beauty product you wish existed to solve a common athlete skin or hair dilemma?

That question is what drove the creation of FORTA. A true performance beauty category never really existed before. There just weren't products built for the way active women actually live.

I wanted something that could handle sweat, heat, movement, travel, and long days without sacrificing how it feels on your skin. So I built it, and then I put it to the test—about 30 rounds of testing—through my own training and across the wide range of skin tones and skin types in the WNBA.

That's what it took to make Lock & Go what it is. But it's just the start. We have more products on the way, all built on the same idea: beauty that performs as hard as athletes do, so they can show up fully and express themselves, whether that's on the court or anywhere else life takes them.

Julie Ertz, Former American Soccer Player

What beauty products always make it into your locker room bag—and why can’t you live without them?

Medicube PDRN Pink Niacinamide Whip Cleanser is the face wash I'm using right now. I love trying new products, and this one stuck with me. Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara—there's nothing like a boost of confidence from your mascara. Look good, feel good, play good. For skin tint, my two favorites are Ilia and IT Cosmetics. Something with good SPF and a little tint always picks me up. I also never travel without my Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask because dry lips are a no-go. A beauty influencer got me addicted to these Bessrung Nylon Hair Ties from Amazon that come in a pack of 100. They never break, and I love how they hold my hair. For deodorant, I use Just Ingredients. And when it comes to pimple patches, I have every brand. They make it easy to take care of blemishes fast.

How has being a professional athlete changed the way you approach beauty?

Being an athlete reinforces confidence in who you are. If you like something and enjoy it, who cares what others think?

I love that I could be strong on the field while also expressing my feminine side through makeup and clothes. Because we're constantly on the go, it's also forced me to perfect my 10 to 15-minute routine.

After a long, sweaty day at work, what's your go-to routine for resetting your skin and hair?

A new addition to my bag was recommended by my dermatologist: Hydrinity Hyacyn Active Purifying Mist. It helps kill bacteria and refreshes my skin after a workout. For my hair, I reach for either a boar-bristle brush or my Wet Brush, depending on how hard my workout was, plus Vegamour GRO Dry Shampoo.

What's your favorite hairstyle for game day?

High ponytail, baby—with some volume. I just loved the routine of getting ready for a game.

Is there a beauty product you wish existed to solve a common athlete skin or hair dilemma?

When you're practicing or playing in the rain, your hair becomes one giant knot if it's in a ponytail or bun. I need a spray or serum that stops the 45-minute comb session it takes to undo all those tangles.

Everyone keeps saying women’s sports are having a moment. But it’s more than that. On and off the court, women’s sports are changing culture, conversations, and even our personal style. For Marie Claire’s Women in Sports series, we talk to the athletes, executives, and industry vets who are at the top of their game.

Tuning into Wimbledon this July or the US Open in September, nail-biting rallies and contested match points won't be the only things competing for your attention. Between the diamond earrings flashing during post-match interviews and the namesake bracelets visible in every close-up serve, tennis players' jewelry stacks have become almost as iconic as their backhand swings.

This has always been the game for athletes who take style seriously. (Try thinking of another activity with an entire jewelry category named after it—you can’t.) According to Sunita Kumar Nair, author of Ace: The Times and Style of Tennis, it's almost engineered to be a testing ground for high impact, high-shine pieces. "It is one of the rare sports where there's no contact," she says, "As soon as that happens, there's an immediate appeal for a fashion moment."

In this arena, pros put in hours of work to assemble a jewelry stack that's both personal and hardworking (sweat-resistant, lightweight, and most of all, secure). “I had to test out a few different styles before finding the perfect combination of length and weight—chipping a couple of teeth in the process,” says U.S. pro Hailey Baptiste.

For those of us who aren't competing for a major title, athletes' on-court jewelry is the blueprint for an elite summer stack. Whether they're modeling a traditional tennis bracelet or an advanced necklace trio, players like Emma Navarro say the right pieces "make you feel like you can do everything you want to do." Ahead, get acquainted with the four Grand Slam jewelry essentials worth styling on and off the court.

The All-Timer Tennis Bracelet

1970s tennis stars including Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals were among the first to wear diamond bracelets on the court. But it wasn't until Chris Evert lost hers in the middle of a 1978 U.S. Open match that the term "tennis bracelet" was born.

In the nearly 50 years since, legends of the sport and professional spectators alike have built their wrist stacks around a thin strand of diamonds (or several). Today's tennis pros tend to take one of two styling routes: letting those delicate pavé diamonds shine on their own or stacking them alongside chain-link bracelets in coordinating metals. Baptiste even personalized hers with multicolor stones to commemorate a win against the world No. 1 in Madrid last year. "It felt like the perfect way to celebrate a milestone while staying true to my style," she says. If you're ready to commemorate a win of your own, try an option personalized by your birthstone or a trio of letter charms.

The Statement Earring Stack

If you think a diamond stud is too small to get noticed on the big screens at Arthur Ashe Stadium, think again. "People see your ears more than you think they do, I guess, because I always get compliments on my ear stack," Navarro says. "That's probably what I like accessorizing the most."

Whether players have ten piercings like Navarro or wear a single pair of hoops like Coco Gauff, they tend to start their earring stacks with an unmissable solitaire diamond stud or huggie hoop. From there, players with multiple piercings often opt for smaller, lightweight hoops hoops or cluster studs that combine different shapes. The strategy is equal parts fashion and function with universal appeal. It scales up the gradient of an earring stack without wearing you down, whether you're running around the court or just running errands.

The Center Court Necklace

Some players leave the necklines of their Nike or New Balance tank tops bare. Then there are players like current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who recently arrived at the French Open wearing a custom Material Good collar featuring more than 200 carats of diamonds and garnets. Whether layered in multiples or styled as a single strand, adorned with precious gems or sculpted from hard metals, these tennis necklaces serve the same purpose: bringing players' personalities onto the court.

On or off the court, U.S. player Amanda Anisimova says the appeal of her Tiffany Hardware necklaces is the same: "I like items that are versatile, that I can wear on the court, in the media room, to dinner," she says. For an everyday stack that glistens like hers, try matching a gold or silver pendant to the metallic base of a classic tennis necklace.

The Game-Winning Watch

When the final points are called and tournament trophies are hauled to center court, match winners often slip one extra piece onto their wrists: a five- or even six-figure timepiece. On the one hand, last-minute investment watch styling is an opportunity for sponsors—Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and TAG Heuer among them—to get their picture-perfect shout-out without the threat of a rogue backhand shattering the watch face. On the other, these additions to a wrist stack are reminders of tennis' rarified roots and profile boosts for the players themselves. "Putting the watch on afterward sends this message of high, high luxury," Kumar Nair says.

When you're playing singles, only one person can be the winner—and they look the part with a diamond-encrusted timepiece glistening on their wrist. Of course, no one says you have to compete to earn one of the investment-worthy watches below. Non-sporty special occasions are just as deserving of a splurge with heirloom potential. (Plus, they'll stack so neatly with one of the tennis bracelets already dangling off your wrist.)

Everyone keeps saying women’s sports are having a moment. But it’s more than that. On and off the court, women’s sports are changing culture, conversations, and even our personal style. For Marie Claire’s Women in Sports series, we talk to the athletes, executives, and industry vets who are at the top of their game.

Moments before WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the Dallas Wings' first pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, the room fell silent. Then came the name everyone had been waiting for: Azzi Fudd.

The cheers that followed marked more than the start of a professional career. Fudd enters the league at a moment when women's basketball is influencing conversations far beyond the court. As the sport reaches new levels of visibility, tunnel walks have become fashion showcases, NIL has introduced athletes to luxury brands earlier than ever, and players are increasingly shaping identities that are transcending the game.

Fudd's own relationship with fashion evolved alongside that shift. Growing up, getting dressed was about practicality. Today, it's another way she introduces herself to the world. Here, Fudd shares how her style has taken shape, the designers she's gravitating toward, and what getting dressed looks like during her rookie season.

On Finding Her Point of View

I've always paid attention to fashion, but my taste has definitely evolved. As a kid, it was all about basketball, so comfort came first—it was just about throwing something on and heading out.

I started having fun with my style when I started working with different brands, meeting stylists and creatives on set, and being exposed to more people in the industry. As I've gotten older, I've started to appreciate culture and fashion. Now, it's part of how I present myself.

On How She Chooses to Show Up

Right now there’s a lot being thrown at me as a rookie, so I’ve been leaning on what I know best. But I want people to see that you don’t have to fit into one box. Some days I want to be in cozy streetwear, other days I want a tailored look or full glam. I think style should reflect every side of who you are and how you’re feeling that day.

Fashion has helped athletes show people who we are beyond the court. It’s a way to show our personalities and tunnel walks have become a big part of that. They’re fun, but they also add another dimension to the game and to who we are. Fans watch us compete, but now they also see how we dress and what we’re passionate about.

Shop Fudd's Off-Court Style

My generation grew up with social media, so we’ve always been exposed to fashion, music, art, and culture all at once. Athletes today understand that personal branding and self-expression matter, and fashion is a huge part of that. That was exactly how I approached the WNBA Draft.

That night was one of the biggest moments of my life, so I wanted a look that felt timeless but still personal. Working with Coach was special because the design felt authentic to me [Fudd wore a custom look featuring a silver sequined dress layered over a black lace corset]. It was elegant, modern, and confident without trying too hard. It felt like the perfect way to celebrate that moment.

Copy Fudd's Coach Look

On the Names Inspiring Her

I've always been inspired by Skylar Diggins' style in the league—I love her fits. I also really love how my teammates Paige [Bueckers] and AC [Kaitlyn Chen] dress. They have a unique style that is truly their own, and I always love seeing what they will wear in the tunnel.

I've also been really into the designers I've been wearing lately: Monse, Tanner Fletcher, Acne, and PH5. They all have a really cool mix of fun streetwear and pieces you can dress up and down.

Build Your Wardrobe With Fudd's Favorite Brands

On Her North Star

Always wear what is true to you. If you like it, wear it. Don’t take it too seriously, and don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks.

When I’m dressing for a game, I really just want to be as comfortable as possible. There’s always some pressure when more people are paying attention, but I try not to focus on it. My goal is always to stay true to myself. My stylist, Sydnee Paige, and I curated a lot of looks before the season, so I usually gravitate toward one of them based on how I’m feeling as I head into the game. A great pair of sneakers is non-negotiable. I’m not sure if people have noticed, but I’ve worn a different pair of Jordans in almost all of my tunnel fits.

Step Into Fudd's Tunnel Fit

On the court, I want to be remembered as someone who competed at the highest level and helped advance the game. Off the court, I want people to see someone who inspires confidence, authenticity, and self-belief.

Everyone keeps saying women’s sports are having a moment. But it’s more than that. On and off the court, women’s sports are changing culture, conversations, and even our personal style. For Marie Claire’s Women in Sports series, we talk to the athletes, executives, and industry vets who are at the top of their game.

The first thing you should know is that ANDMOM isn’t that kind of parenting podcast. When Skylar Diggins, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, and Cassidy Hubbarth, a celebrated sports journalist, teamed up to launch the show, they knew they wanted something different.

“There's a lot of parenting podcasts out there trying to tell you how to do the right things for your kids,” Hubbarth says. But with their podcast, the pair wanted to create a place that felt specifically for mothers. Think of it “like a nipple cream” Diggins adds. Which is to say: a place where mothers can take a breath, sit back, and feel relief in the company of other women who are sharing similar experiences.

While the podcast’s guests are all athletes—Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson discussing postpartum recovery; WNBA legend Lisa Leslie sharing details of her C-section—Diggins and Hubbarth believe any mother listening will find experiences that they can relate to, especially when it comes to the intersection of ambition and motherhood. Here, they share what else listeners can expect to hear.

What inspired you both to launch ANDMOM?

Cassidy Hubbarth: The idea for ANDMOM really just came from realizing how many women—especially women in demanding and visible careers—are carrying these huge emotional shifts around motherhood, oftentimes quietly. When our executive producer, Christine, brought this idea to me—Sky was brought on first—it immediately hit home. The big thing is that we wanted to try and have conversations that felt less filtered, more human.

What interested me wasn't just motherhood itself; it was basically the collision between motherhood and identity. I think that's what we really want this podcast to be: It's people exploring what their identity is before parenthood, during parenthood, during pregnancy, all of that, and what that means. I think women are oftentimes exhausted by perfection narratives, so I think the point of this podcast is the nuance. The nuance is the point, and that's where the passion for this podcast lies.

Skylar Diggins: To add onto that, I think when you're starting to explore these spaces, we never really have had access to these conversations, as far as the juxtaposition of motherhood and our lives in the sports world. And so, it really was also about what we weren't hearing, either. You know, sometimes you do feel isolated.

Where did the title of the podcast come from?

SD: Well, motherhood just kind of always seems like an asterisk, doesn't it? We'll say all these other things that we are, and then it's like, And I'm a mom. We say it so casually.

And it's like, no, I'm a translator, I'm a navigator, I'm a chauffeur, I'm a chef, I'm the doctor sometimes. So motherhood can feel like an asterisk at times, but it's also so many things that we embody.

CH: Yeah, and I think what Sky said, it's like, you see, I'm a leader, I'm an Olympian, I’m a seven-time All-Star—I'm not saying my credentials, I'm saying Sky's credentials—but I’m a mom. So I also feel like it’s shining a light on the struggle with identifying with that. As mothers, you can deeply love motherhood, but also still grieve the parts of your old identity sometimes, like I'm a mom, and I'm so much more than just one identity.

You mentioned that there were conversations around motherhood you felt we weren’t having, especially around identity and ambition. What conversations do you think are missing?

SD: I think it’s more about we don’t limit, you know? We talk about the IVF process and all the factors that come into that; we talk about having a doula, midwifery, we walk through all of those options. We’ve talked about tearing; some of these topics that I haven't just heard casually talked about in that scope.

It's amazing when you feel comfortable, and you feel vulnerable enough to share some of these experiences, what you learn woman to woman. It's all about perspective. To hear about mom guilt and giving people grace and telling people to give grace to themselves—it's just amazing to see and to hear about all the stories and the journeys, while also navigating once-in-a-lifetime careers for all of our guests.

CH: Parenthood, and particularly motherhood, can be very lonely at times. There's a lot of voices in your head, but sometimes you need to hear outside voices identify something that you may be going through. We interviewed Brittney Griner, and we talked to her about her IVF journey and picking a donor for their baby, what that was like, and how she thought it was only going to be lesbian couples in the waiting room. She was like, ‘Oh, straight couples go through this too.’

I've used these situations to help my own battle—having an only child because of my issues with being able to get pregnant again—and it helps me hear other people's stories, their struggles, and how they've overcome it.

SD: We have these conversations and these topics are really not cherry-picked. We have these things that we want to cover, but we really don't steer too much. We really allow it to be driven by whoever we're talking to. It’s really conversational. Our guests are sharing, and that's what the space is about, that vulnerability and being able to feel safe in those spaces.

How did motherhood impact your own careers, and your sense of identity and ambition?

SD: I had my son in 2019. I was playing for the Dallas Wings at the time. I got pregnant that summer and I played through that summer—I actually led the league in minutes that summer. It's just insane to think about. But that was seven years ago; I was younger then and in the prime of my career. Our CBA [collective bargaining agreement]—all our rules and regulations and standards that are written between the league and the players; that's what we were fighting for this year, to get increased salaries and increased revenue share and we got a new one—back then didn't have any protections if you got pregnant, so I didn't say anything about my pregnancy. I didn't tell anybody on the team, coaches, medical staff, or teammates, that I was pregnant. I played through the year.

I had a horrible first trimester. I’d throw up before practice, while playing in games, but I didn't say anything. I could potentially be at risk as far as missing out on money; you could get half your money.

Eventually, we put in a Skylar Clause in our CBA, and it was to protect the mothers, who when you're pregnant, get guaranteed money if you're promised that. You get all the money that you're owed, and then as far as resources and things like that, providing a room, a space to pump, because I was breastfeeding my son, like, in the locker room.

I feel blessed that I was able to do that. I sat out a maternity year with my daughter, but I felt like I got to see the league from a different lens, you know, as a mother and what that meant, and how I could impact the league as far as what was missing for resources for women and childbearing people.

That definitely changed my perspective, having kids, having them at the peak of my career, navigating, bouncing back, and how I could affect the league from that perspective.

CH: Another constant theme that keeps coming up is that our peak fertility years are the same as our peak performance years. Sky missed out on two years of her peak performance years; it's a little different when I explain my peak performance years. I did feel like my career, right before I had my daughter, was in a fast-moving, forward, evolving point. I was scared out of my mind once I got pregnant. I think I was overwhelmed with emotions to the point where I hid my pregnancy, because I was scared of how becoming a mother would be perceived by my bosses.

I was trying to control everything, because everything up until that point, it was my career, my husband, my career, just keep one foot in front of the other. And then, knowing that I was pregnant, and what it was doing to my mind, body, and soul—everything was out of control.

My pregnancy was fairly easy physically, but mentally, I put myself through the wringer. I only knew my life before motherhood. I didn't yet understand, becoming a mom wouldn't erase all of that. It would deepen who I was, and my understanding of what was most important helped me prioritize, but it definitely took a while to kind of center myself.

Given that the premise of the podcast is unfiltered conversations, how did you both decide how much of your personal experiences you felt comfortable sharing?

CH: Both Sky and I were pretty private in terms of sharing pictures or videos of our children. We both grew up in the social media era and we've seen a lot over the years—the benefits of social media and some of the dangers of it. What we try to do is just protect our children's digital footprint. I'm someone who feels like we're on the verge of a privacy revolution and I don't want to put my daughter's face out there. I'm very selective in what I share in terms of visuals.

It's interesting, me being a reporter, because a lot of it is based on what kind of conversations I can have with people and gain trust. I'm a terrible small talker. But if you want to go in deep conversation, I'll meet you and I'll go all the way there. I’ll get deep with someone to understand them and see how their heart ticks. And so, I think these conversations have been pretty natural for me, because they speak more to how I like to relate to people.

I'm in a stage of parenthood where I've now developed a lot of parenting friends and so a lot of my conversation outside of work is just about motherhood. I think it's just been a natural progression that doesn't feel awkward, or really even that vulnerable, even when I talk about my insecurities with my daughter being an only child and trying to get over that regret or guilt or whatever, I think I feel some sort of relief even saying that out loud, because I feel like it just needs to go somewhere, rather than just stay in my head or in my heart.

It's a long answer to say it's been fairly therapeutic to do this podcast for me, and hopefully for those who have been our guests, and possibly for those who are listening.

SD: Along the lines of privacy, Cassidy and I share commonality. I think we're so exposed to criticism and ridicule and comments and things like that. We have very thick skin because of our line of work, what we've done, how we've done it, and how many people have opinions on those things that aren't always positive. I think we just refuse to expose what we cherish so much to some of that ridicule and negative response. But it doesn't stop us from telling these stories.

It's been therapeutic for me. I feel good when we finish these podcasts. When we get off of these calls, I don't know—it seems so simple, but I just feel good. I feel good in my spirit. I'm like, Yeah, like, I learned something today. I had a meaningful conversation with somebody today.

Have there been any stories from guests that have surprised or deeply affected you?

CH: Our episode with Lisa Leslie speaks a little to what Skylar was talking about. Lisa didn't have any resources and she decided to walk away from the game at the time that she started her family, so she kind of had to make that choice. When we think of Lisa, she represents excellence, visibility, Hall of Fame. I think hearing her discuss motherhood added an entirely different dimension to her story.

Kerri Walsh Jennings, she talked a lot about how her and her husband really struggled. They really had a hard time with their marriage. Allie LaForce, her story was actually very—I don't even know how to describe it, because her husband has a genetic disorder, and they don't know if her kids would have gotten it if she didn't use IVF. It was a whole journey of figuring out what they needed to do. Understanding that every family is different is a lesson that we take away from these conversations.

SD: ​​Dearica Hamby was an amazing conversation, just hearing her kind of tell her story, how she navigated—she is only the second woman in WNBA history to come back from multiple pregnancies and play; she didn't miss any games, didn't take a maternity leave. We had our kid at the same time. I took a year off. She played 40 games and appeared in every game. And just to hear her talk about her journey navigating what she had to go through with her last pregnancy, and being traded while pregnant, and kind of navigating her experiences there.

You're obviously speaking to women in sports. But what do you hope women and mothers who aren't athletes get out of the show?

CH: At the end of the day, I hope women listen to ANDMOM and feel less alone in the complexity in whatever it is that may be weighing heavy on their heart. The goal of this podcast is not perfection, right? It's basically recognition, allowing people to hear stories and say, Oh, you felt that too?

There's a lot of parenting podcasts out there trying to tell you how to do the right things for your kids. This podcast is kind of like, in that baby shower, you get all those gifts for the baby, right? This is that silk pajamas set for the mom. This is for the moms to have a little TLC.

SD: I cried a fistful of tears when I spilled my first bottle of breast milk. Like, a fistful of tears. That isn't sports-specific or athlete-specific. That breaks a lot of barriers and boxes, and even cultural mismatches. Mothers understand that.

For the most part, a lot of our stories are not specific to women in sport, but women in general; it's just human beings having conversations, and so I think that's relevant across the board, whether you think you want to become a mother, whether you are, whether you're a support mom, whether you're a guardian. It’s things for everybody that they can take away from the podcast. I think it's just through the lens of people that you don't necessarily get to hear that side all the time, and so that's what I think is refreshing.

This is the nipple cream, you know what I’m saying?

If you know me, you know I have sensitive skin—partly because I don’t shut up about it, and partly because I have a rash, breakout, or irritation 70 percent of the time. I have rosacea, eczema, and perioral dermatitis, along with a general proclivity for mysterious red splotches and bumps. “Sensitive skin is generally characterized by the experience of unpleasant sensations like stinging, burning, pain, or tingling without any visible clinical signs,” board-certified dermatologist Dustin Portela, MD, previously told Marie Claire. “It’s a condition where the skin gets easily irritated by various elements such as skincare products, environmental factors, or physical factors.”

The best way to manage sensitive skin is to keep things pretty pared back—nothing too irritating or too fragranced. That said, as a beauty editor, I refuse to let my skincare routine be sterile and boring, so I’ve made it my mission to discover the most effective, gentle, still-look-pretty-on-a-vanity products. I’ve found soothing moisturizers and SPFs, along with skincare that excels at neutralizing redness. But my routine would not be complete without the best serums for sensitive skin.

This curated selection of 10 products is responsible not just for keeping my skin calm and happy, but for actually transforming it into a glowing, plump, and bouncy complexion. Some of these products excel at reducing redness. Others replace harsh actives like retinol—but still give the same resurfacing results. And a handful are vitamin C serums that actually agree with my skin (if you know, you know). To shop my favorites, keep scrolling.

Hydrating Serums

The best way to treat a flare is to avoid one in the first place. The best way to do that? Make sure your skin barrier is intact and healthy. I always try to incorporate a soothing, moisturizing treatment serum into my nighttime routine, looking for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, centella asiatica, and squalane.

Vitamin C Serums

If you have sensitive skin, then you’re well aware that vitamin C serums are risky business. They’re among the best brightening agents and free-radical protectants in our toolbox, but they often leave sensitive skin red, irritated, or broken out. Not these.

Retinol Serums

I’m not anti-retinol by any means (I used a prescription-strength formula for over 14 years). But my skin has been much happier and stronger now that I’m using gentler alternatives. I apply one of these every other night, and my skin has looked bouncier and fresher—without irritation or flakiness.

Eye Serums

As a chronic dry eye girlie with generally sensitive eyes, I have to be very careful when choosing an eye cream. I’ve actually found that lighter serums are better suited for my needs—these two brighten my dark circles without irritating the whites of my eyes and making them bloodshot.

Tinted Serums with SPF

If you have sensitive skin, then you know that finding an SPF that doesn’t lead to breakouts is a tricky feat. While I wouldn’t recommend either of these as your primary form of sun protection (check out my go-to mineral sunscreens for that), these tinted versions are perfect for an extra little something-something on summer days when I don’t want to wear foundation.

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When you're looking to get lost in a book, sometimes you need your reading material to match your mood. With Marie Claire's series "Buy the Book," we do the heavy lifting for you. We're offering curated, highly specific recommendations for whatever you're looking for—whether you're in your feels or hooked on a subgenre trending on #BookTok.

In this author-curated rendition, Mara Brock Akil—showrunner behind hits like Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane, and Forever—shares the books that inspired her first novel, The Revelation of Dionne Daphne.

Legendary showrunner Mara Brock Akil has spent the past three decades creating TV shows that make Black women feel seen in all their humanity, ambition, and complexities. But for a story she hoped to tell but felt didn’t make sense on screen, the Girlfriends and Forever writer turned to literary fiction.

Brock Akil recently released The Revelation of Dionne Daphne, her debut novel about a magazine editor in early '90s N.Y.C. who's introduced while reeling from the end of her relationship with the man she thought she would marry. But when he shows up on her doorstep six months later with life-changing news, Dionne must face the trauma she has buried since her childhood.

Brock Akil explains to Marie Claire that writing Dionne for the page offered a medium that could “hold the full weight” of the character’s interiority, without compromise. “Television is a collaborative art form, and I love it deeply, but collaboration means negotiation—and what I was uncovering inside Dionne's life, the decades of shame and secrets that quietly authored her every choice, I wasn't willing to negotiate on that,” she says. “The novel let me hold all of it at once, without interruption.”

Brock Akil has always drawn from real-life experiences in her writing—but her debut novel is said to be her most personal story yet, as it examines the cultural baggage of past generations who often buried their pain under a perfect veneer. Dionne Daphne explores what ruminates beneath a Black woman's pursuit of perfection and shows the reader what can be found on the other side of self-discovery.

“Dionne hides behind a carefully crafted mask, but eventually she has to stand in the rubble and confront the messy parts of herself,” Akil explains. “What I love about her is that she's not a cautionary tale and she's not a redemption arc. She is a woman who understands she can no longer outrun her storms, that it’s better to be engulfed by them to be made whole; that is the revelation.”

To coincide with the release of her highly anticipated novel, which hit shelves on June 30, we asked the author to share which other books inspired it, from classic Black literature to recent bestsellers.

There are plenty of viral skincare ingredients floating around the internet right now. PDRN, a.k.a. salmon sperm? Check. Volufiline, a.k.a. filler in a bottle? Check. But of all these sexy, slightly mysterious newcomers, diaper cream has to be the one I was most surprised to spot on my TikTok FYP.

Zinc oxide is the true hero behind the diaper cream craze, which has been a lauded for its skin-soothing properties for decades. In addition to these benefits, "zinc [oxide] forms a seal over the skin," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Associate Professor of Dermatology and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. "This allows, the skin to heal itself from the inside out, preventing environmental aggressors from damaging the skin barrier."

Considering how buzzy barrier repair products are at the moment—a natural reaction to the (over) exfoliation craze of the last few years—it's not super surprising to see that zinc oxide conversations are bubbling to the forefront of TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit. But is it really a good idea to smear a thick layer of diaper cream on your face in order to achieve an even, glowing complexion? Or is this another beauty trend that looks intriguing through the screen but is more hype than actual results?

How Does Zinc Oxide Help Improve Skin?

Per a TikTok posted by board-certified dermatologist Neera Nathan, MD, "Zinc oxide is a skin protector that creates a barrier on top of your skin that helps trap in water, and it has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help soothe redness, irritation and even breakouts." It is also the ingredient most commonly used in diaper rash creams; however, that's not the only product on the market to contain zinc oxide. "The same active ingredient is actually used in sunscreens, however in different formulations at lower concentrations," says Dr. Zeichner. Indeed, fans of mineral sunscreens (which "block" both UVA and UVB rays and scatter them to prevent sun damage) will recognize zinc one of the two active ingredients in their favorite physical SPFs—the other being titanium dioxide. Best of all, it's one of those rare skincare ingredients that all skin types can handle. "Zinc oxide is extremely gentle, and can be used across skin types, even in those who are sensitive," says Dr. Zeichner.

Still, the elevated mineral sunscreens that have come to define 2026 are a far cry from pure zinc oxide creams and diaper creams, both of which tend to be extremely thick and paste-like. The concentration is lower in SPFs (while still being enough to protect against sun damage) at about 15-25 percent zinc oxide. Diaper rash creams, on the other hand, typically contain between 10 and 40 percent zinc oxide, which gives users that TikTok-friendly all-white mask when it's applied all over the face and neck.

Basically, this is not something you'd want to wear out of the house or under makeup. Blendability? Not a chance, and that's the point. Remember, most skin-repairing products aren't designed to be disguised on your complexion—that's why a night cream is meant to be worn while you sleep, to deeply moisturize and repair, rather than under your foundation where it could potentially slip-slide all over your face throughout the day (even though most night creams will blend into your skin). But is a diaper cream really the best option to repair your moisture barrier and leave your skin feeling soothed, supple, and hydrated?

Should You Use Diaper Creams On Your Face?

"Zinc oxide [products] are typically used for irritated skin on the buttock, [they] also can be used on other parts of the body such as the face, especially if the skin has become inflamed or irritated," says Dr. Zeichner. In fact, while the trend may seem a bit bizarre at first glance, using formulas that are designed for babies is generally a good idea if you have extremely sensitive, irritated skin as they are most often fragrance-free (a common skin irritant) and are formulated with even more soothing ingredients like shea butter or cica. So yes, a diaper cream might actually be a worthwhile addition to your skincare lineup, even if it's best to save it for when your skin barrier is extremely stressed, like after a sunburn, or over-exfoliating, or a chemical peel.

But if baby butt cream doesn't sound like an appealing product to join your nighttime skincare routine (I get it), there are plenty of products on the market that contain zinc oxide at lower concentration levels, which prevent the cream in question from making you look like Casper the friendly ghost. Plus, the barrier repair cream category is flush with new launches and clinically-proven formulas to maintain healthy, happy, irritation-free skin. Keep scrolling for a few dermatologist-approved barrier repair products that are exceptional alternatives to diaper rash creams.

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Bradley Cooper supposedly did it. Word has it that Adam Levine, Justin Theroux, Gavin Rosdale, and Jim Carey joined the club too. The procedure in question? Male blepharoplasty, a.k.a. an eye lift performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. If it seems like everyone, including the most famous male faces in Hollywood, is doing their eyes right now, it’s because they are.

The eyes are often the first part of the face to show signs of aging, which is why board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Flora Levin, MD, says there’s a growing trend among men to surgically address them, whether it’s dark circles, puffiness, or skin laxity. “Across the board, we are seeing more males and females getting surgery and upper blepharoplasties at younger ages because it’s an easy procedure that seems like a no-brainer.”

While male aesthetic culture has predominantly been rooted in hair restoration, light-handed injectables, and basic skincare, the entry-level bleph is a less taboo way for men to look revived and feel confident. Double board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Sarah Avila, MD, adds that there is also far less stigma surrounding cosmetic procedures than there was a decade ago. “Men are realizing that a well-executed blepharoplasty doesn't make them look different but instead more rested, approachable, and refreshed while often providing the added benefit of improved vision.”

Amid its breakout moment, the influx of fresh male celebrity eyelid surgeries tends to boast telltale signs of the procedure, with some stars even looking a bit feminized. Even though male blepharoplasties are holding their own with no signs of slowing down, there’s plenty to know about before committing to the procedure. Ahead, discover everything to keep in mind to achieve a natural-looking blepharoplasty that leaves the eyes looking refreshed and has everyone asking, “Did he do something?”

What Is a Blepharoplasty?

A blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is, by definition, a surgical procedure that improves the appearance and functionality of the upper and/or lower eyelids. Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Jonathan Cabin, MD, says treating the upper eyelids involves removing excess skin that causes hooding or heaviness. Fat bags and hollows are targeted during a lower blepharoplasty, which he explains can be achieved through skin manipulation or removal, fat grafting for volumization, or laser resurfacing to tighten the skin. The incisions, which are used to correct an array of concerns, are well hidden in the upper eyelid crease or lower lash line so that there are generally no signs of surgery while restoring a more balanced look to the face.

For many men, the eyes communicate fatigue and aging more than almost any other facial feature, says oculofacial plastic surgeon Robert Schwarcz, MD. “Addressing the eyelids provides a rejuvenating effect without the expense, downtime, or perceived invasiveness of a facelift. A blepharoplasty can often take years off, while still allowing someone to look like themselves, which is appealing to male patients.”

The Rise of the Boy Bleph

Men are dipping their toes into the world of aesthetics thanks to the plethora of less invasive treatments and procedures. According to the 2024 American Society of Plastic Surgeons statistics report, more than 120,000 male blepharoplasties were performed that year. The reason: Dr. Cabin points to the evolution of technology and trends that have us all more attuned to how we look. “There’s social acceptance concerning men and how they view their appearance. Eyelid surgery is a relatively easy, low-risk, low-cost, and minimal recovery way of improving the eyes.”

Male celebrities are no different, and many undergo eyelid surgery, especially as male plastic surgery continues to be democratized. Often, male patients book consultations with their plastic surgeon because they feel like their eyes portray them as tired or angry. Yet despite the influx of social media posts highlighting what some people may categorize as ‘bad blephs,’ when surgery is done well, it goes unnoticed—the goal of any procedure.

For most male blepharoplasty patients, the surgery isn’t about creating a more feminized appearance. Nor is it about beautification or creating a more lifted, sculpted look. “For many men, a blepharoplasty provides substantial rejuvenation without altering the masculine character of the face,” says Dr. Avila. “Men simply want to look less tired and more alert.”

How Do Male vs. Female Blepharoplasties Differ?

The goal of any blepharoplasty, regardless of a patient’s sex, is to create more youthful-looking eyes. “Preserving identity is one of the most important principles in plastic surgery, and the goal should never be to erase the features that make someone uniquely themselves,” Dr. Avila says. But the devil is in the details, and a handful of crucial distinctions can make the procedure a success or a full-on fail.

Male and female orbital anatomy differ, as do distinct aesthetic characteristics and preferences. Most men naturally have low-set eyebrows, more upper eyelid fullness, and less visible upper eyelid show, whereas women tend to have more of a defined eyelid crease and greater upper eyelid show. “With a male blepharoplasty, we need to be considerate of the baseline anatomy,” Dr. Levin says. “With female patients, it becomes more of that conversation of ‘did she do something to her eyes?’ But with men, the surgery is so unforgiving, and there’s little room for error, which is why surgeons must be incredibly mindful of what a normal youthful male eyelid looks like, which is not the same as a female one.”

When Blepharoplasty Creates a Feminized Look

A standard upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin from the eyelids so that they appear lifted and more open. But here’s where things get tricky. As Dr. Levin explains, younger males typically have a heavy lid, like bedroom eyes, with little space between the upper eyelid crease and the eyelashes. “The short distance creates a youthful-looking male lid,” she says. Positioning the crease too high hints at surgery. So, to maintain masculinity, the lid-to-brow complex shouldn’t have too much space, otherwise Dr. Levin says it makes a man’s eyes look more like a woman’s. “This is why some celeb blephs lend a semi-feminized look.”

A well-executed upper blepharoplasty should prudently restore natural symmetry to the eyes while preserving the innate male ruggedness of the face, even if that means leaving some upper lid hooding. “Conservative skin removal, fat reduction, and brow contouring allow for the masculinity and character of the eyes to remain while rejuvenating them,” Dr. Cabin says. Problems arise when the eyes are aggressively treated, leaving them looking hollowed out or overly sculpted and contoured. While most surgeons, including Dr. Cabin, use the same surgical techniques for male and female patients, the measurements and surgical combinations differ. The reason some men appear feminized following eyelid surgery isn’t necessarily because of a poorly executed procedure, but rather poorly executed measurements, he says.

Equally important is brow elevation. While blepharoplasty alone does not reposition or address a low-lying eyebrow (only a brow lift can fix this), elevating the brows to a higher position, combined with excess skin removal, can over open the upper lids, leaving them hollowed and lacking structure. The eyebrows should also always appear straight without a defined arch.

There’s no denying the popularity of brow lifts, and Dr. Cabin believes more males, especially male celebrities, are getting them, which can contribute to feminization, with or without a blepharoplasty. “In men only, I’ll occasionally recommend a direct brow lift, which uses incisions at the brow hair as opposed to the hair line. Men have higher hairlines, which can make a traditional brow lift more challenging, but their thicker skin and bushier brows camouflage the direct brow incision better,” Dr. Cabin explains.

Other dead giveaways of a feminized boy bleph include a more rounded or unnatural shape to the eye through lower lid skin removal or adjunct procedures that change the canthal angle. In the case of a ‘botched’ blepharoplasty, which Dr. Levin says can occur from aggressive fat removal or pre-existing deflation that’s unmasked further by removing skin, sometimes, “a ¼ syringe of filler or fat grafting to the eyes can take someone from miserable to happy.”

The Bottom Line on Boy Blephs

Men deserve equal face time, and as Dr. Schwarcz points out, the rise in male eyelid surgery reflects a broader shift in how men currently approach self-care and aesthetics. “They want to look healthy and rested rather than dramatically transformed. There’s less of a focus on chasing youth and more of one on optimizing appearance while maintaining authenticity.” The key to good results is a subtle transformation, the kind that won’t have every plastic surgery watchdog calling out the next bold-faced celebrity who opts for a little "work." “Men need very little done to look better,” Dr. Levin says. “I think we are seeing some men do too much with a lack of understanding of what they really need. Instead, it should be a sprinkle of this and a dash of that rather than bulldozing the whole building.”

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My relationship with e.l.f. has always been pretty simple. If it has an interesting launch, I try it. After all, it's one of the few affordable brands where testing something new isn't a massive financial investment. So when the drugstore brand announced its first-ever hair care collection—with six products priced at $10 or less—I was immediately intrigued. That said, switching up my hair products is a bit more high-stakes than swapping out a lipstick.

The thing about launching only six products is that each one has to pull its weight. There isn't a bond-building treatment, a curl cream, or a purple shampoo hiding somewhere in the lineup—at least not yet. Instead, e.l.f. focused on the kinds of products almost everyone can work into their routine, regardless of hair type or texture. That also made it pretty easy to figure out which formulas I'd actually repurchase and where I think the brand still has room to grow.

The collection is now available online, with a nationwide Target rollout beginning July 5th. E.l.f. has already said it plans to expand the category based on customer feedback, so I doubt this is where the lineup ends. But before getting excited about what's next, I wanted to see whether the debut products were enough to win me over. Here are my honest reviews ahead.

Never Thirsty Moisturizing Shampoo

The first thing I noticed with this formula was the lather. For a shampoo that's sulfate-free, it foams up far more than I expected. My scalp felt genuinely clean afterward, especially after a few days of dry shampoo. Instead of traditional sulfates, e.l.f. uses Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, a cleanser that's still known for giving you that deep-clean feeling. So while it checks the sulfate-free box, I wouldn't automatically lump it in with ultra-moisturizing shampoos. My fine hair loved it, but if your hair is especially dry or you're committed to the Curly Girl Method, you may want something a little more moisturizing. The argan oil and provitamin B5 help soften things up, but this is still the bottle I'd reach for after a week of using dry shampoo.

Never Thirsty Moisturizing Conditioner

I usually have stronger opinions about shampoo than conditioner, which is probably why this one pleasantly surprised me. It left my hair soft enough to brush through without making it feel heavy afterward—a balance my fine hair doesn't always get to enjoy. With provitamin B5, argan oil, and a protein blend, it gives hair plenty of slip without venturing into heavy-conditioner territory. Personally, I still wanted a little more moisture, especially through my ends. But if your hair gets weighed down easily, that's probably exactly why you'll like it.

Gloss Mode Treatment Oil

This was the easiest favorite of the bunch. With fine hair, I'm automatically skeptical of hair oils, but this never once crossed into greasy territory. The texture is thin, so while it’s still definitely an oil, it behaves more like a lightweight smoothing serum. That's thanks to a blend of lightweight silicones, jojoba oil, and squalane, which give hair shine and slip without making it feel coated.

One pump through my mid-lengths and ends before blow-drying was enough to make my hair look noticeably shinier. It also pulls double duty as a 450-degree heat protectant, so I found myself reaching for it instead of two separate products. My only complaint? The vanilla-and-peony fragrance is so subtle that I kept forgetting it was even supposed to have a scent. My hair care isn't like my skincare; I love for it to smell good.

Humidity Hero Anti-Frizz Styling Spray

I find it hard to believe that there's an anti-frizz product that will actually win against frizz during July in New York City. My apartment? Fine. The second I step outside, all the little baby hairs around my hairline decide they have plans of their own.

I will say that this spray actually helped. My usual halo of flyaways never really showed up, which is about the highest compliment I can give an anti-frizz product. I worked it through damp hair before blow-drying, and it never left behind that stiff, hairspray-like feeling I've come to expect from products like this. That said, since the formula is heat-activated, anyone who mostly air dries will obviously get less out of it.

3-in-Wonder Magic Styling Cream + Wand

This was probably the product duo I reached for the least—but that's more about my hair than the formula itself. My fine, naturally straight hair didn't really need everything the styling cream was designed to do. Most mornings, I already knew what I wanted: the oil if I was after shine, the anti-frizz spray if the forecast looked like a monsoon or a humidity wave.

That's not to say these aren't good products—they just weren't built around my routine. Along with creatine to help support stronger strands, the cream is designed to prep blowouts, provide flexible hold, and enhance curls with soft definition, which I couldn't fairly judge on my own hair. The matching flyaway wand uses the same formula in a mascara-style applicator, making it a convenient option for smoothing baby hairs or styling edges.

My Takeaway

If you're only buying one product from this launch, in my opinion, I’d make it the Gloss Mode Treatment Oil. It was the clear standout for me, and the product I most kept reaching for after I finished testing everything else. Between the shine, lightweight feel, and built-in 450-degree heat protection, it's my easiest recommendation in the lineup.

Overall, I think e.l.f. got the essentials right. I know it's coming, but when it does, I'd love to see the brand expand beyond the basics with a richer treatment mask, a leave-in conditioner, and more products designed specifically for curly and coily hair. If this is just chapter one for e.l.f. Hair, I'd say it's a pretty convincing debut.

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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Filler in a bottle. Those four words continue to pop up in beauty-focused social feeds everywhere, on posts enthusiastically touting the skin-plumping abilities of Volufiline. Which, if you are to believe the acolytes of your algorithm, can camouflage smile lines, revive deflating cheeks and pouts, and restore under-eye hollows. On TikTok, devoted users are MacGyvering their bottles of The Ordinary’s Volufiline with rollerball tops to make application easier; they’re sharing before-and-afters of newly volumized features; and they’re trying to prove the plumping powers of Medicube’s new Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm Stick (which features Volufiline) by testing it on their, wait for it… fingertips. Reddit threads are also awash with curious shoppers seeking the truth about the latest skincare craze. But what exactly is Volufiline, and can the niche ingredient live up to the online hype?

What Is Volufiline?

Volufiline is a trade name for a cosmetic ingredient made from sarsasapogenin, a plant-based isolated compound extracted from Anemarrhena Asphodeloides, or Zhi Mu, as it’s more commonly known in China where the plant has medicinal value and is widely used. “In TCM [Traditional Chinese Medicine] the herb is used to address dryness, fluid depletion, and the excess heat that can arise because of it,” says Sandra Lanshin Chiu, DACM, a doctor of acupuncture and TCM, and the founder of Lanshin clinic in New York. Topically, Volufiline claims to be able to go more than skin deep, reaching our fat cells, which has major implications to potentially plump the skin.

Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist and founder of the skincare brand, BeautyStat, explains that Volufiline claims to work by stimulating fat cells to multiply, thereby creating a fuller, more sculpted appearance. These are, to be clear, claims from the ingredient’s manufacturer, not a third-party review. Thus far, there has only been one small study (by pharma manufacturer Sederma) conducted on a group of 28 women who applied a cream with five percent Volufiline to one breast; after two months of use an average increase in volume of 2.2 percent was recorded. But breast size can be wildly variable from month to month, not to mention that while it is skin, it’s not the same as testing the product on faces where skin is generally thinner and more sensitive.

What Can (And What Can't) Volufiline Do?

The appeal of Volufiline is that it purports to work differently on the skin than other more popular skincare ingredients that plump and restore volume via hydration. “Unlike hyaluronic acid or glycerin that attract water to the skin to help visibly plump it, this ingredient has a unique mechanism of action whereby it stimulates fat storage to visibly plump the skin,” says Robinson. It’s something that no topical ingredient has been proven to be able to do.

Monica David, a New York-based facialist who has been using the ingredient on herself and clients, says Volufiline’s mechanism of boosting volume by stimulating lipid storage in your existing fat cells is what makes it unique. But Abigail Waldman, MD, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, is, like a number of doctors, skeptical about Volufiline. “There are ingredients that can improve texture, color, and evenness of the skin, and some, like retinoids, can increase collagen and improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, but currently there’s no topical ingredient that adds volume to the face,” she says.

Julian Sass, PhD, a cosmetic scientist beloved for his practical stats-driven distillation of beauty trends, said in a TikTok about Volufiline that while it’s very difficult to get a product down to the fat layer of the skin, there’s a chance that the ingredient could trigger a response in the upper layers that signals the fat cells below. But still, no proof of that yet. Chiu posits that Zhi Mu (or sarsasapogenin), from which Volufiline is extracted, may be influencing the tissues around your skin’s fat cells. He cites recent research showing that these cells don’t function independently and are, rather, influenced by their environment. Perhaps, but again there is no proof yet.

What is definitively not possible is for Volufiline to be “filler in a bottle.” There is no cosmetic ingredient, says Robinson, that can duplicate the effects of a professional injectable filler. “Cosmetic products are designed to target the superficial appearance of the skin, not to impart the same instant and lasting changes as injectables,” says Rita Silva, global senior manager of scientific communications and brand engagement at DECIEM (which owns The Ordinary). Any change Volufiline makes will be subtle, says David. “Those looking for a more extreme result should temper expectations with this ingredient,” she adds.

What Are the Risks of Using Volufiline?

Per Robinson, when using a product with Volufiline there is the potential risk for skin irritation and acne breakouts. Chiu has also read feedback from people who claim that their eye bags seemed worse when using the ingredient, though she hasn’t seen this firsthand with her own patients. David too hasn’t seen any negative results on her own clients but admits to going down Reddit rabbitholes where people claim their face was permanently altered from the plumping effect which, she adds, is very dubious. But Waldman thinks that if Volufiline really lived up to manufacturer claims, there could be other risks to consider.

“If it really worked how it claimed and caused fat cells to locally store more fat and cause skin ‘filling’ then the potential side effect would be lipomas (fatty growths beneath the skin surface),” adds Silva. While there is the small Sederma trial and The Ordinary conducted its own short-term hydration study on its own Volufiline formulation to confirm its suitability for all skin types, what’s clear is that the ingredient warrants further clinical research. “If the ingredient is making strong claims for delivering volume, then it should have third party testing data to validate those claims,” says Robinson.

So, Is Volufiline Worth Trying?

Consumers, says Silva, are looking for more affordable at-home options to in-office procedures that provide similar benefits, meaning topical solutions for fine lines and volume loss that aren’t Botox or filler. Beauty consumers are craving something impactful, even subtly so, that isn’t invasive or expensive, adds David. “There is a large middle ground between basic skincare and medical procedures that often gets overlooked, and people underestimate how meaningful those middle ground changes can be,” says Chiu, which is why some brands are betting on Volufiline’s potential. The Ordinary’s version marries Volufiline (at 92 percent) with Pal-isoleucine (at one percent), another plant-derived ingredient that claims to address volume loss, and is targeted for use under the eyes and around the cheeks and smile lines, while Medicube’s Pink Collagen Volume Balm combines Volufiline with PDRN, NAD, caffeine, retinol and EGF (all buzzy ingredients in the skincare space). Both have become bestsellers.

At Olive Young, the popular K-beauty retailer that just opened its first US flagship in California, shoppers can get their Volufiline fix with D’Alba’s Volufiline Spray Ampoule and Grinding Cream where it’s paired with white truffle. And at Lanshin (Chiu’s clinic and store in Brooklyn) and Monica David’s spa, TOV’s CaviPLLA O2 Advanced Volumizing Serum, which stacks Volufiline with Poly-L lactic acid, peptides and niacinamide, is a top-seller.

Chiu has noticed a discernible difference (an improvement in hydration quality and what she calls “cushioning”) in the skin of her regulars who are regularly using TOV’s CaviPLLA Serum and so have they. “Volufiline generates more excitement among them than any other ingredient,” says Chiu, who often has clients slather on the CaviPLLA serum after a hydrating mist, then top it off with a facial oil or moisturizer, then SPF. “They all report changes in plumpness, volume and skin glow,” she says.

Robinson believes the marketing of Volufiline as a filler dupe is behind the growing interest, and anecdotal evidence goes a long way online. But for many who do incorporate Volufiline into their routine, the proof may be in the plumpness. “Even when doctors started debunking the filler claims on social media, the comment sections were still full of people loving their results,” says Chiu. For brands like Medicube, the Volufiline proof may also be in the receipts: since launching in mid-March the K-beauty brand has sold more than 1 million Multi-Balms.

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Hello and welcome to today’s edition of my oversharing on the Internet. If there’s one thing that will prompt me to talk about my arm liposuction, life-long bloating, and chronic constipation for thousands of people, it’s my undying love for my vibration plate. I know, I know—you think it’s hype, it’s fake, it’s a TikTok shop scam. But no! It’s not! I promise! In fact, it’s actually the best money I’ve maybe ever spent.

Now, I’m someone who is and has always been an inflammatory individual. I swell in the heat, wake up puffy and distended more often than not, and maybe have five days a month when I don’t feel bloated. My bowel movements—well, not to be TMI—but they’ve never been so frequent. Last November, I was feeling all of the above to the max. I was fresh off my arm liposuction procedure, which meant I still had anesthesia bloating, wasn’t cleared to work out, and had so much stagnated fluid pooling in my armpits. I was quite literally out of my mind. My doctor said getting my lymphatic system going was the quickest path to feeling like myself again.

At the same time, the Merach Vibration Plate took over my entire feed. Gaggles of influencers were preaching to me day in and day out how they’d lost weight (I still call BS on that front), felt less bloated, noticed less cellulite, had reduced inflammation, less muscle pain, and better digestion. Paige Desorbo even championed her vibration plate for hot girls with tummy problems on Giggly Squad, saying, “The first time I tried it…I didn’t stop shitting for two hours.” If that's not a winning endorsement...

The idea of a vibration is pretty straightforward and frankly not new at all. In one form or another, they’ve been around for close to 200 years, and their benefits have been studied extensively as they relate to bone and muscle health. They’re fixtures in rehabilitation centers and gyms (although to be totally honest, jiggling on a vibration plate is not something I’d opt to do in public); wellness and massage centers often have them in their studios, too.

You stand on a shaking device for 10 to 20 minutes a day, either upright or while doing a series of low-impact stretches, letting the motion activate your lymphatic system. “They can help loosen up overworked muscle tissue and help rid the body of metabolic waste, resulting in a far quicker recovery process,” Val Oliveira, a lymphatic drainage specialist and founder of Brazilian Lymph Spa, tells me. “They’re not a magic fix, but they can be a convenient, low-effort tool that complements an active lifestyle and other healthy habits.”

Frankly, it didn’t sound like I had anything to lose, aside from $79, so I ordered the plate getting the most praise online, and it arrived at my doorstep two days later. I started off slow—partially because I was still recovering from surgery and partially because I didn’t want to be left with the Paige Desorbo effect. My plate came with 10 levels, but I settled on level two from the jump. It’s a pretty weird sensation—every little bit of fat and loose skin starts shaking rapidly, with intensity building in certain areas depending on your positioning. I started my session by lightly tapping my lymphatic sites above the collarbone, in my armpits, and around my groin.

My legs started to feel a little itchy (normal!), and within five minutes I needed to pee (also normal!). I did some light stretches, but nothing too crazy. Once my 10 minutes were up, I felt a little more energized, but that was the main takeaway. Still, I didn’t mind it; it was a very easy way to burn over a hundred calories before starting my day, so I kept standing on it every morning. PSA: I recommend using it before drinking or eating anything—especially if you deal with acid reflux.

I became religious about using it and worked my way up to level four, which is my sweet spot. More powerful levels aren’t always better. I have very thin skin, and when I use level five or six, the pressure ends up causing bruising. I also started drinking hot water with lemon directly after I finished my session, and followed that up with a scoop of Coconut Cult, a probiotic yogurt. This three-step morning routine made a world of difference in how I felt every morning. I started waking up feeling lighter. My digestion was the best it had ever been. And my general puffiness started to fade. The pocket of fluid in my armpit also started to drain.

It wasn’t until about a month into consistently using my vibration plate, though, that I realized just how big a difference it made. I left for a weekend trip, and after skipping my plate for just three days, I noticed I was more bloated, more constipated, and just generally heavier and more sluggish. That’s the exact moment my obsession (because it is an obsession) clicked.

Now I won’t sit here and play into the untrue and clickbait-y dialogue that a vibration plate is going to make you lose weight. Alone, it’s not. But because it helps activate the lymphatic system, it can make a big difference in fluid retention. “The vibrations create repeated muscle contractions that help stimulate lymphatic and circulatory activity throughout the body. For many people, that can support lymphatic movement and digestive processes, which can temporarily reduce feelings of puffiness and bloating,” says Oliviera.

Six months in, and I can confirm the hill I’m willing to die on is that a vibrating plate is the best $79 you’ll ever spend. Would I tell you to buy every wellness gadget TikTok tries to sell you? Absolutely not. But this is the rare one that graduated from impulse purchase to permanent fixture in my morning routine. I'm still using it—which, honestly, might be the most convincing review I can give you.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

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A new skincare debate is coming to your TikTok feed: healthy sun exposure. Considering how vigilant dermatologists and estheticians are about sun protection, this is quite the 180 for the larger skincare conversation, but a book released this June is destined (in fact, intended) to ruffle some feathers in the beauty community and beyond. In Defense of Sunlight by Rowan Jacobsen investigates the health benefits of going out into the sun. Across 250+ pages, Jacobsen includes research linking lack of sun to heart disease, dementia, autoimmune disease, and more. Beyond the familiar vitamin D discussion, he notes that these benefits may be connected to other biological reactions to sunlight. Most notably, he cites a 2020 paper by 15 scientists published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, which estimates (key word: estimates) 820,000 deaths a year in Europe and the US from sun deficiency. An eye-catching stat, to put it mildly.

Then there’s Jacobsen’s poke at America’s “campaign to prevent overexposure,” which he describes as “a kind of fundamentalism.” The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that all people should apply SPF 30 or higher to skin not covered by clothing every day you go outside and reapply after two hours if you stay outside, no matter your skin tone or the weather. Some dermatologists even recommend sunscreen while indoors if you work near a window since UVA rays can penetrate glass. Jacobsen frames the approach as “sunscreen absolutism” in his viral Atlantic article in 2024 which questioned the US’s anti-sun stance and earned him a stern response letter from the AAD. Now, two years later, he’s doubled down with this deep dive.

Jacobsen writes about sunlight’s benefits to our microbiome, circadian rhythm, and immune systems, and also reports that while sunscreen prevents common skin cancers, it’s not clearly proven to prevent melanoma specifically, calling a central premise of the industry into question. “Moderate sun exposure provides tremendous benefits,” he writes.

Still, a book like this makes me, a longtime beauty writer, nervous. Not because I see it as a contradiction of my pro-sunscreen work, nor do I think it’s 100 percent misinformation, but because it presents nuances and technicalities for which today’s media formats are not ideal. Reading this book, I ask myself: Is this MAHA? Is it a watershed moment? What will the dermatologists I work with think if I even touch this subject? More importantly, what will a busy reader take away at first glance if all they have is a first glance?

What Is the Argument for "Healthy Sun" In 2026?

I’ve written about sunscreen for nearly 20 years, reporting on skin cancer as well as cosmetic benefits like wrinkle and spot prevention. I am a sun protection know-it-all who has visited sun filter labs around the world, guided many friends to the SPF they enjoy wearing every day year-round, and pressured just as many into annual skin cancer checks. In fact, it was this pressure that helped my mom catch her melanoma in its early stages. Grave statistics are practically tattooed on my brain: More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the US than all other cancers combined. It’s estimated that the number of new melanoma cases diagnosed in 2026 will increase by 10.6 percent. Nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma every day. I also have a very fair skin tone and am, well, vain by profession, so I’m all in with minimizing UV exposure.

And yet.

Jacobsen’s book presents attention-grabbing caveats page after page. “... Rates of skin cancer continued to rise despite massive sun-protection efforts...” “One of the weirdest things about melanoma is that the survival rate is worse among those who receive little sun exposure.” “People exposed to the most light were 34 percent less likely to expire than people who got less daylight than average.” “Immunologists were finding that sun deprivation during childhood led to higher rates of autoimmune disease.” I think about the high rates of multiple sclerosis in my cloudy hometown of Seattle. I also think about how these snippets will come across out of context on Instagram in the coming weeks.

Jacobsen, whose press tour this month has included appearances on popular bro podcasts that make me bristle, like Joe Rogan, as well as at liberal bookstores, like my local Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, expresses similar concerns. “Here I am, a Vermont progressive, and you write a book about sunlight and you’re automatically MAHA,” says Jacobsen during an interview in May. “Hopefully a high level discussion can be had, and books are so good for that. But people’s attention spans are really shrinking.”

It is important to note that he is not anti-sunscreen. “If sunscreen gets you outside more that’s a total win,” he says. The bigger issue is that we are not going outside enough. We already miss out thanks to our indoor lifestyles, but it’s further undermined if people are terrified of UV. “One of my concerns was that in an attempt to do a good thing, the [anti-UV] messaging got so strong that it was keeping people indoors unnecessarily and that’s not good,” he says. In other words, with a modern screen-focused lifestyle that keeps us more sedentary and inside as it is, we don’t need added incentive to avoid the outdoors.

The healthy sun debate is much older than sunscreen itself: A century ago, doctors literally prescribed sunbathing (heliotherapy) for conditions ranging from tuberculosis to general vitality. My mom tells me my grandfather was sent from Michigan to Florida to recover from polio around 1930. Not long after, antibiotics revolutionized medicine, melanoma became more commonly diagnosed, and medicine pivoted, researching and publicizing its connection to the sun for the next many decades. Today a small but vocal group of researchers and clinicians at top universities (as well as some MAHA politicians and wellness influencers) ask if we overcorrected, but this tends to be fraught territory. About ten years ago, I interviewed a famous board-certified dermatologist with a cult skincare line who told me, strictly off the record, that they did recommend about 20 minutes of direct sun exposure every morning for health benefits including, but not limited to, vitamin D. They didn’t want to be quoted, however, because they worried it could threaten industry relationships and even their certification. I agree that it would have.

What Is the Medical Community's Current Stance on Sun Exposure?

I never heard another dermatologist recommend more sun exposure again, on or off the record, but another headline-making doctor recently picked up a similar thread publicly only to land in hot water. “You need daylight, girl,” orthopedic doctor and skincare brand founder Barbara Sturm recently told WSJ. Magazine. “Go in the morning sun when there’s low UV and get early morning light.” Comments under an interview clip of Dr. Sturm advocating for sun exposure on Emma Grede’s podcast range from “So stupid!” and “You can tell she is not a dermatologist.” to “I’m so happy to hear someone say this! The sun is LIFE!!” Though Dr. Sturm never advises against sunscreen in her interviews—in fact she sells an SPF in her brand—the beauty world was aghast as though she had. “Did you see the Barbara Sturm sun thing?” colleagues asked me with raised eyebrows over business lunches the following week.

Reductive messaging is a double-edged sword. While it dumbs down nuance into snackable tidbits of misinformation that practically power the internet, it also simplifies important public health advice to memorable action. Pregnant women need folic acid. Wear your seatbelt always. Get 7-9 hours of sleep. Wash your hands. In the case of standard sun protection guidelines, if skin cancer deaths aren’t falling (they aren’t), of course derms would balk at adding caveats to the standard wear-SPF-30-every-day-you’re-outside guidance. “AAD member dermatologists see the effects of skin cancer every day, and UV exposure is the most preventable skin cancer risk factor,” then AAD president Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, wrote in a 2024 response letter.

This tension is heightened by the political climate of health leadership, as well as urgent headlines about the dangerous return of tanning. It feels dramatic because it appears that a misstep in either direction can cost you your life. So if you feel the need to decide whether there is a big conspiracy to unearth, pause. In reality, using sunscreen and being in the sun are not directly at odds: sunscreen was created to enable time outside.

“Some amount of sun every day is good for psychology and sleep patterns, but there is an appropriate way of experiencing the outdoors,” says board-certified dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, a New York City- and Florida-based dermatologist who helped formulate Rhode, among many other brands. “I would never tell my patients not to go out in the sun—just wear protection.” Dr. Bhanusali advises universal daily SPF 30 or higher for all patients, in line with AAD recommendations.

Meanwhile, Dr. Richard Weller, professor of dermatology at the University of Edinburgh who wrote the foreword for In Defense of Sunlight, diverts from this norm.

“My advice, speaking medically, is don’t get sunburned,” says Dr. Weller. “If I go somewhere sunny for holiday I wear sunscreen to avoid getting burned, but [otherwise I don’t because] I’m not worried about wrinkles.” He agrees that sunscreen prevents photoaging—he’s the chief medical officer for a new UV tracking wearable called Gem, “so you can age smarter in the sun”—but he doesn’t call for daily sunscreen in low UV environments, like Scotland, unless it’s for those cosmetic benefits. Scotland, he tells me, also has a high rate of MS.

The Evolving Conversation Around "Healthy Sun"

Dr. Weller believes he won’t be alone forever in his more moderate sunscreen approach. “Science is self-correcting,” Dr. Weller says. “It works from the best information at the time. You’re continually accumulating, reconsidering, and moving on. And I’m frustrated with dermatologists who won’t reconsider [the guidelines], but they’re beginning to.”

Like hormone replacement therapy, the recommended age for mammograms, BMI as a health measure, and how to introduce babies to peanuts, guidance does sometimes evolve. In fact Australia, which is considered a sun protection thought leader, has revisited its sun protection guidance to offer more personalization. In 2023, The Australian Skin and Skin Cancer Research Centre issued a position statement with sun protection recommendations broken down into three different risk groups that factor in skin tone, which has become adopted clinically. The official public health message did not change, but this update is a standout globally and spurred Jacobsen’s Atlantic article.

As this hot topic kicks off, I come back to the concept of absolutism. We are in the era of -maxxing and it’s arguably an American tradition to take something to an extreme, from total sun abstinence to unprotected sun seeking. Because the podcast clips will inevitably be flying, my hope is that derms and other skincare experts do not simply reject this book on its premise alone. To do so will likely alienate the very people most at-risk of unhealthy sun habits. Instead, I would ask doctors, what research about healthy sun exposure is valid in your professional view and how could it apply to the sun curious patient in front of you?

“People like to take polarizing stances, but a true physician will always weigh the cost and benefit of any situation,” says Dr. Bhanusali. “Extreme anything is not good.”

If you are looking for a head-to-head on this subject, you’re in luck. Dr. Weller tells me that at next year’s World Congress of Dermatology in Guadalajara, Mexico—a summit that convenes every four years like the Olympics and World Cup—he will be arguing one side of an Oxford-style debate on healthy sun exposure.

For my part, I won’t make any changes in my diligent SPF routine, but I am considering sunnier vacations in the winter and whether I’ve gotten some time outside each day, the same way I think about whether I've gotten enough steps. As for Jacobsen’s bottom-line advice, he writes: “Go outside. There’s no need to overthink it. Wear a hat, wear sunscreen, do what you gotta do, just get out there. That’s right, don’t throw away your sunscreen… Most sunscreens also allow a smidge of UV to sneak through, and often a smidge is all you need.”

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If you're looking for a sunny beach vacation, chances are you've already considered booking a flight to the Caribbean, especially if you live on the east coast of North America—the convenience is undeniable. But if you're looking for something other than one of the major players among the 30+ countries and territories of the Caribbean, like the Bahamas, Barbados, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, or St. Barths, then I suggest taking a trip to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as soon as humanly possible.

Located only four and a half hours from New York City—less time than it takes to fly to Los Angeles—the stunning volcanic island is one of the most southernmost Caribbean getaways (which means that it was still toasty warm when I visited in March, while NYC was buried under a blanket of snow), with stunning blue-green waters, soft sandy beaches, and a delightfully laid-back attitude. Time moves a little slower upon arrival, and truly nothing feels better than leaving behind the frenetic hustle and bustle of the city in favor of a few relaxing days under the sun—so long as you apply plenty of SPF, of course.

Now that summer vacations are finally upon us, use this as your insider guide to the best beauty and wellness treatments on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and enjoy everything the island has to offer.

Best Facials

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Canouan

If you want a comprehensive facial combined with a relaxing head massage (and honestly, who doesn't when you're on vacation?) look no further than this luxury spa. Coupled with guided breathing and visualisation, the facial massage portion is sure to help you melt into the table for an hour and a half of pure bliss.

Mindful Facial: 90 minutes

Cost: $380

The Magnolia Spa

The hundreds of five-star reviews sold me on the no-frills facial at The Magnolia Spa. Sometimes, you just want to rest easy knowing that you're going to walk out the door with clear pores, a sculpted set of cheekbones, and ridiculously glowy skin. It doesn't hurt when the price is right, either.

Relax, Revitalize Facial: 75 minutes

Cost: $120

Best Spas

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Canouan

The Mandarin Hotel is the pinnacle of luxury, and there's no better way to melt away the stress hiding in your body than with one of the spa's signature treatments. From massages to facials to full-body scrubs, good luck choosing just one to indulge in during your Caribbean trip. The warm Oriental Harmony scrub is one of the best, with two providers working in tandem to buff away rough skin and banish post-flight tension.

Oriental Harmony: Two hours

Cost: $540

Sandals Saint Vincent Red Lane Spa

Nothing says "I'm on vacation" quite like a body wrap treatment. The newly redesigned Red Lane spa at Sandals Saint Vincent is the epitome of relaxation, and the Deaging Body Wrap Treatment is everything your tired, dehydrated skin deserves on vacation. Tighten skin laxity and enhance skin's natural radiance during an hour of pure bliss—then spend the rest of your afternoon on one of the lounge chairs by the pool with a glass of champagne. You deserve it!

Deaging Body Wrap Treatment: One Hour

Cost: $183

Best Massages

Sandals Saint Vincent Red Lane Spa

There are few things I love more than a hot stone massage, and the treatment I received at The Red Lane Spa nearly put me to sleep I was so relaxed. The additional minerals help to soften and purify the skin, while a skilled masseuse releases those stubborn knots from your back and hips. The stunning redesign of the space is also made for lounging around in a robe, sipping champagne, as I did after my hour-long treatment.

Himalayan Salt Stone Massage: 60 or 90 minutes

Cost: $206 - $282

Bequia Beach Hotel Spa

For a fully customized treatment that features hot volcanic stones (from the island!), deep tissue massage, and aromatherapy, the stylish spa at Bequia Beach Hotel has hands-down one of the most relaxing massages you'll ever receive on vacation. My advice? Pretend you're floating on one of the high, fluffy clouds around the island while your aches and pains disappear..

BBH Signature Massage: 60 minutes

Cost: $145

Best Manicure + Pedicure

The Onyx Spa, Paradise Beach Hotel

Hey, sometimes you just don't have time to get your manicure or pedicure done before hopping on a plane to paradise. Book an appointment at the Paradise Beach Hotel's spa to receive a classic, gel, or Gel-X manicure or pedicure and feel prepped and ready to be blissfully shoeless on the beach for the next few days.

Gel Pedicure: 75 minutes

Cost: $90

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

I’ve spent the greater part of the past six months dealing with the driest lips of my life. Unbeknownst to me, you can get eczema on your lips, and let me just say—not fun. My upper lip has been cracked, chapped, and unbelievably tight-feeling for the majority of 2026. My routine? Aquaphor and prescription treatments and absolutely no lipsticks or stains. But! I’m finally out of my flare, which means it’s time to start enjoying color again. That’s where Anastasia Beverly Hills’s new Kiss Theory Lip Balm comes into play.

It’s a gel-balm by design, with hydration as the top priority, but it also delivers high-impact color and a glossy finish. Think of it like a lip mask, lipstick, and lip gloss all wrapped up into one. I apply it 10 times a day, and it’s made my lips feel so moisturized (thank you, hyaluronic acid). I genuinely think this is the softest they’ve ever been in my entire life. There are 23 shades to choose from, although I’m incredibly partial to shade Sugarcoat, a pale peachy-pink nude. To see it in action and get all the juicy details on the new launch, keep reading.

The Formula

I’m a big fan of multi-tasking products, so when this claimed to be a single replacement for my lip balm, lipstick, and lip gloss, my ears perked up. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, both of which are hydrating and soothing, is vegan and cruelty-free, and, most impressively, packs in an impressive amount of pigment. I honestly can’t think of an existing product on the market to compare this to. It’s similar-ish to Hourglass’s Glossy Balm, but with a more gel-like finish rather than a glossy one.

On the packaging front, this is noticeably shorter in length than most glosses. It’s not to skimp on product—the design was intentionally made to slip into your pocket or mini handbag.

The Application

These balms are actually pretty pigmented, so I probably wouldn’t reach for it on a no-makeup day—it’s more of a lipstick substitute. I start by slightly over-lining my lips (Summer Fridays SoftLine Lip Liner is my current favorite) and then reach for my color of choice. While I normally would prep my lips with a clear balm, this is frankly hydrating enough to compensate for it.

The slanted design of the bullet perfectly hugs the curves of my lips, and I’ve noticed that the formula is light and thin enough that I can apply a decent amount of pressure and still steer clear of a clumpy finish. It has a moisturizer-like effect, sinking into my lips instantly rather than sitting on top of them. I’m happy to report this isn’t tacky in the slightest. It has a silicone-like slip to it that makes me want to rub my lips together all day long just for the sake of it.

The pigment isn’t as long-lasting as a lipstick per se, so I find myself reapplying every couple of hours. But even though the color fades, I find the moisture is much longer lasting.

The Takeaway

I’ve had Kiss Theory in my bag for a few weeks now (I got an extra-early sample at dinner with Anastasia herself last month) and find myself reaching for it constantly. From an aesthetic standpoint, one layer makes my lips look so glossy and hydrated—the formula both floats over chapped spots and sinks into my natural lips. (I know that sounds contradictory, but it’s the truth.)

It has a glassy finish that I’m normally only able to achieve with a gloss. And from a hydration perspective? Traditional lipsticks were leaving my lips feeling tight and dry—this product provides both instant and sustained hydration. My lips have genuinely never felt softer, and coming off a months-long chapped-lip struggle, that is incredibly appreciated.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

This story contains minor spoilers about The Invite. The Invite, this summer's buzzy comedy that takes a casual dinner party and spins it into a swinging, relationship nightmare, is stacked with A-listers (Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton). But one of its best and most memorable characters isn't human at all: it's the San Francisco apartment that serves as the backdrop to the chaos.

The anti-rom-com—inspired by the Spanish film The People Upstairs—centers on married couple Angela (Wilde, who also serves as director) and Joe (Rogen) as they unveil their renovated prewar abode to their neighbors, Hawk (Norton) and Piña (Cruz). Production designer Jade Healy (The Green Knight, The Killing of a Sacred Deer) was tasked with building the set, which helps entrap the cast in a labyrinth of hallways, corridors, and nooks. She came onto the project after reading the screenplay by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack; the entire building process took just five weeks.

It’s as if the space Healy constructed is a nod to rom-coms of yesteryear with their picturesque dream homes—but her set has bite, as its charm is more of a commentary on how we’re perceived inside and outside of our relationships. As she explains to Marie Claire, it was central to her vision that nearly every detail in the apartment attempts to mask the drama and disastrous nonmonogamous revelry within its walls.

“It wants to be so beautiful on the surface because that's how [Angela, Wilde’s character] can repair her life: Just make everything beautiful, make it perfect, make the charcuterie board perfect,” Healy says. “But underneath, she's floundering.”

Here, Healy breaks down what was on her mood board for the film (in theaters now), where she sourced Angela’s antiques, and all of the space's symbolism.

Marie Claire: When you know the space you’re designing is going to almost function like a character, where do you begin?

Jade Healy: Even though there are descriptors of what the apartment looks like [in the script], I try to not let too much of that interfere with my initial emotional reaction to what I'm starting to see. I read [the script] on a Thursday, and over the weekend I spent every waking hour on Zillow and Trulia. I start digging into old movies, trying to find great references. We all immediately were looking at Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Woody Allen movies. (I have one little nod to Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?: The entry light is the same—not the exact same—but they have that Moroccan star.) I was also looking at Rosemary's Baby, old French films, Rear Window because I wanted to find the voyeuristic quality of how we're all looking into other people's lives.

There was such a fear of, We're going to be in one location. That was the greatest pressure: I have to build a set that we have to exist in for pretty much the entire movie, and it has to remain exciting and help push the narrative forward.

MC: What were some of those initial elements that felt essential to include?

JH: Olivia really wanted an old, prewar apartment—that was always part of the design and the script. I wanted a labyrinthian feel to it. The script initially had an open kitchen-living room-dining room floor plan. I wanted prewar frames within frames, hallways, and to create space between the characters—being able to move from the kitchen and find a moment of separation so that they can get away.

I also wanted the characters [to] feel entrapment. I was like, “Olivia, I want to have these doorways so you can almost feel the walls always closing in.”

MC: Mirrors become really integral to the cinematography. Was that in the script, or was that driven by your design?

JH: That wasn't in the script. In my lookbook, I had a page called “Reflections and Mirrors” and a page, “Doors within Doorways,” so that was part of the visual language we were channeling.

It's also so telling of their character development and where they are at this moment of seeing themselves and trying to figure out who they are and getting trapped in these mirrors. I wanted this sense of reflection. At the end of the movie, there's this heavy weight that's lifted, but also this moment of, Who are we anymore? I don't even know who I am. The mirrors were so integral to the story that we were trying to tell, about how we move ourselves in our relationships, and then you want to blame somebody else, but so much of it is just trying to figure out who we are anymore as we grow.

MC: Beyond the mirrors, there are many other pieces—particularly the rug and lamps—that become touchstones throughout the movie. Where did you source the individual pieces?

JH: Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, vintage stores, and the prop house, because they do have some great finds. The rug was a search, and we ended up finding it at one of the old prop houses that had it buried. We went through several iterations of what the rug could be, and in the end, we were like, “It needs to feel like one she got at a flea market.”

The lamps, I wanted to find some that looked handmade. We had an arts and crafts session with Olivia and the set dec team where we were painting lanterns and paper mâchéing and making art.

I was channeling Angela as much as I could to get into the DIY. I remember sitting in the dining room with art supplies and making paintings to put on the wall, of her daughter or herself, because she was supposed to be a painter. We were really wanting to feel like her handprints were everywhere in that apartment, from the art to the selected pillows to the curtains.

MC: How did you land on the signature blues and greens that are a throughline throughout the apartment?

JH: I wanted to feel like Angela was almost drowning under the stagnant weight of her life—and every piece of decor she brings in is adding to the weight. I wanted to find this color that wasn't too heavy, not too bright, but had this beautiful feeling, and then give you the sense that she's stuck.

MC: Aside from looking at Zillow, did you take inspiration from visiting any San Francisco apartments? The movie briefly shows the exterior of what’s supposed to be Joe and Angela’s building.

JH: I was worried [the apartment was] too big. But, oh my God, San Francisco apartments are massive. I had found the building exterior on Zillow, sent it over to [the locations team], and we actually got to go into some of the apartments. I was like, “Are you kidding me?” It was much bigger than our apartment, which was a relief.

It was too late [for inside] because we had already been building, but for scenic references, we were still painting the exterior. I would take pictures of any details whenever I saw something interesting. I definitely put a window into the corridor after visiting. I get inspiration more from the real layers—the weird signs in the hallway, a weird wire, or a weird light.

MC: Did you conceive what Hawk and Piña’s apartment might look like?

JH: I didn’t have time to mood board it, but we would definitely talk about who they were. There is so much interaction with Hawk and Angela in regards to the decor and their love for it. And we were imagining the layout above to understand: Angela and Joe took two apartments and made it bigger. Where's their bedroom in accordance to their room?

MC: Did you or the cast steal anything from set?

JH: The couch—which is a designer couch, it doesn’t look like it, but it is—ended up going into the costume designer, Arianne Phillips’s house. The coffee table went to the line producer. I ended up with a bar cart. We didn’t really see Angela’s workshop—the door was sort of ajar, so you see into it—but that whole room had these beautiful nudes and sketches that came from her, and I took one of those home. A jar of buttons, little figurines on the mantlepiece that I loved—I took those.

MC: It feels like The Invite is part of a microtrend of unconventional romantic comedies—along with The Drama and its chic Boston condo—that have these amazing homes but tell a more pragmatic story about love. As a production designer, what do you make of this?

JH: This is definitely an anti-rom-com movie. You think of the Nancy Meyers and the beautiful homes [in her films]—and we didn't want to do a Nancy Meyers [set]. We really wanted to find something that had the layers of imperfection, of finding the little moments that weren't perfect in there. We are so obsessed with how things look: our faces; can we de-age ourselves?; GLP-1s. I think this trend is exploring what is actually underneath. With Instagram now, everything is about, "Look at this beautiful apartment, look at these perfect lives." And you're like, Wow, they have all these things I don't have. But everybody has problems. This movie's so relatable because we've all lived it to some degree, whether it's our family, our parents, our own marriages, our own relationships, our best friend's marriage.

When you see what's underneath and you get to take a step in, you're like, "Oh, it's human." It's just layers of humanity. That's what works so well in this film. That's what works well in The Drama. It seems this is going to be a funny movie. It's set up like a rom-com, but it's not. It's not meant to be. And that's what pulls you in, and then suddenly you're crying, you're laughing.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

I’m a luxury skincare aficionado. While products don't have to be expensive in order to be effective (shoutout: Naturium, La Roche-Posay, CeraVe), there are a few brands, albeit on the pricier side, that have invested so heavily in their product development, clinical studies, and result-driven formulations that I’m able to justify the price tag. Case in point: U Beauty.

Since its launch in 2019, the brand has released 20 products across skin, body, and fragrance. The differentiating factor is the science that powers them. After a decade of research, the brand patented a little something called Siren Capsule Technology. The gist: it allows skincare formulas to deploy certain ingredients precisely where your skin needs them. Think of it as an invisible skin scanner that knows which areas of your face would benefit from added hydration, exfoliation, or antioxidant protection. As a result, skin is more balanced, more protected, and more youthful. “Our mission is to simplify skincare without compromising results, even for sensitive, irritation-prone skin, using the smartest technology available,” says founder Tina Chen Craig. “Science doesn’t need to feel clinical, and luxury doesn’t need to feel traditional. Their intersection should be deliberate, intelligent, and deeply personal. U Beauty skincare that adapts to you, not the other way around.”

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of trying each and every one of U Beauty’s launches, which makes me uniquely qualified to tell you which items deliver results so good that you’ll not only want to buy them but also restock them. My honest thoughts on the seven best items in the line, ahead. (P.S. Make sure to subscribe to Marie Claire's beauty and fashion newsletters, Face Forward and Self Checkout. In July, U Beauty will be offering a special discount to our most loyal readers.)

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

I knew bare nails had officially become a trend when people started asking for a manicure that didn't really look like, well, a manicure at all. Suddenly, the best inspo on Instagram wasn't chrome or intricate nail art—it was healthy-looking nails that seemed completely untouched. Except, as it turns out, they usually aren't.

"The reality is, a clean manicure is still a manicure," says nail artist Jessica White. Those glossy, perfectly groomed nails taking over your feed, explains White, are often the result of regular salon appointments, nail prep, and professional products—not simply good genetics. And if there's one thing this trend proves, it's that "natural-looking" and "no effort" aren't necessarily the same thing.

To me, bare nails are less about going completely product-free and more about enhancement. Think of it like skincare: I want my skin to look like my skin, just a little more even and glowy. On some no-makeup-makeup days, that means nothing but moisturizer; on other days, it means a skin tint or a touch of concealer. Bare nails follow the same philosophy. A strengthening treatment, a sheer pink polish, or a glossy top coat doesn't hide your natural nails—it just lets the best version of them shine through.

With that in mind, consider these understated bare manicures your invitation to embrace the quieter side of 2026 nail trends.

The New Bare Minimum

Forget "your nails but better"—this is your manicure at its healthiest. Shorter, softly shaped nails finished with a high-shine top coat let natural texture shine through while still looking clean and well-kept. A little cuticle oil goes a long way here, since healthy skin around the nail is just as important as the nail itself.

High Gloss, Low Effort

The easiest way to make bare nails look intentional? Lean into shine. A glossy top coat, nourished cuticles, and well-moisturized hands can make even polish-free nails look fresh from the salon. Think of it as skincare for your manicure—the healthier everything looks, the less color you need.

The Bare French

Long before modern French manicures took over salons, beauty lovers used white pencils underneath the free edge of the nail to create the illusion of naturally brighter tips. The trick is making a comeback, especially among those embracing natural nails, and it's one of the easiest ways to fake a fresh manicure without reaching for polish. I particularly love the brand Bare Hands because it brings this old-school trick to the forefront, along with other products that promote healthier, bare nails.

Built to Last

If your natural nails peel, split, or chip the second they grow past your fingertips (hi, same), a BIAB manicure might be worth considering. Short for "Builder in a Bottle," BIAB is a strengthening gel that reinforces the natural nail without the length or thickness of traditional extensions (though it can be used on them). Used on bare nails without any polish over top, it creates this ultra-glossy effect with a durable, long-lasting base.

Soft Focus Nails

We've already embraced blurred lipstick and diffused eyeshadow, so it was only a matter of time before the effect reached our nails. Instead of a glossy finish, this trend relies on a velvety, almost airbrushed matte effect that softens the nail while still looking incredibly clean.

Squoval Comeback

After years dominated by almond and long nails, squoval nails are reclaiming their place. The softened square shape feels timeless, is less prone to snagging than sharper silhouettes, and perfectly complements the understated feel of the bare nail movement.

K-Nail Care

Korean beauty has spent years proving to us that healthy skin is the foundation of every routine, and now the same philosophy is extending to nails. Instead of opaque color, many Korean nail products right now—especially nail care brand Ohora—focus on strengthening formulas paired with sheer, filter-like tints that leave nails looking naturally brighter and healthier rather than fully covered.

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There’s a whole lot of chatter happening about the “rich bare nails” trend at the moment. Like many beauty trends of the 2020s, it began on TikTok with a handful of creators sharing their naked nails and how they feel so much chicer sans colored polish or pricey in-salon designs. The argument, from a cultural perspective, is that given the prevalence of standing nail appointments, the scarcity mindset that anoints what’s luxurious and what’s not has finally tipped manicured nails into the passé category, while bare or barely there nails are crowned the ultimate luxury. Valid? Ehhhh, it feels like a stretch to me. I love a cat eye manicure with sparkles and squiggles as much as the next girl in my Brooklyn salon. But I’m also in a budget-friendly mindset at the moment, and nixing the $120 I spend every three weeks sounded like a nice idea for the summer. It’s why I’ve finally perfected my at-home manicure routine for short natural nails.

Again, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to your personal style when it comes to your nails, but for me, after a few years of endless gel manicures, my nails, and my wallet, deserved a break. So now my Sunday nights are spent sitting on the floor in front of my coffee table, carefully buffing, filing, clipping, moisturizing, and generally babying my nails so they look like I came straight from the manicurist chair. Is it time-consuming? Perhaps, but an hour of nail maintenance has become something of a restorative ritual for me, and honestly, I’m thoroughly enjoying both the look of my clean nails and the tactile practice of setting down my phone, queuing up one of my favorite TV shows, and treating myself to an at-home manicure—for free. Here’s everything I use for the perfect at-home bare nail care routine.

Casually Clip

I wore my nails XXL for years, but I’ve finally discovered that I actually like a short nail tip with a rounded square edge. It’s easier to type and breakage is at a minimum. I just clip away the excess at the start of my mani routine.

File This Away

Filing my nails is an art, since I’m very picky about the shape. I use a glass file since it’s gentler and more hygienic than your traditional emery board.

Careful Cuticle Care

The cuticles are key to an at-home manicure, and I use a two-part system to make sure that mine look flawless.

Buff, Buff, Moisturize

With minimal polish to disguise imperfections, I make sure to go the extra mile for my nail beds and buff them into a smooth finish, then add an extra layer of moisture to prevent hangnails and minimize breakage.

Barely-There Polish

If you’re really after the naked nails look, you obviously don’t need any polish at all, but I love to reach for either a glossy jelly option or a nude matte to give my manicure a little extra oomph.

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Call me naive but I always assumed that one of the best parts of getting older—at least from a beauty perspective—was the inevitable demise of breakouts. After the unpredictable zits that popped up throughout the teen years and the hormonal shifts that plagued the early 20s, arriving to the 35+ age demographic was supposed to mean that acne was firmly in the rear view mirror. In place of whiteheads, there would be fine lines, and concerns about clogged pores would give way to laxity anxiety (essentially a never ending struggle on the skincare front). My, how wrong I was.

As a 36-year-old woman, I have seen more pesky closed comedones and angry pimples in the past few years than my late 20s and early 30s combined. Among the frantic texts I've fired off to my dermatologist: Is this normal? How do I get rid of these? Why is my skin so temperamental?? And according to my fellow mid-to-late 30-somethings, I'm not the only one seeing a rise in adult acne.

"While acne is often thought of as a teenage condition, it is increasingly common to see women seeking treatment for persistent or new-onset breakouts in their 30s, 40s and beyond," says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City (and the recipient of many of my acne-related texts). "Acne is one of the most common conditions I treat, and in a typical day, acne concerns account for 30 percent of my visits. A significant proportion, often close to half, are adults over the age of 30."

So what is behind the rise of adult acne in 2026, and what exactly do the experts recommend doing to combat breakouts and return to calm, clear, healthy skin? Tired of my own pimple problems, I went searching for answers.

The Rise of Adult Acne

While it's inevitable to experience a rogue pimple or two after your teen years, many experts have seen a higher number of patients and clients over 30 with acne-related issues. "We see over 600 clients a month at the studio, and the vast majority come in for some form of acne concern," says Sofie Pavitt, a New York-based esthetician and founder of Sofie Pavitt Face. "I would say most are between 25-40, so [we] really a focus on adult acne for sure."

Dr. Garshick also notes that many of her patients land in her office to address unwanted breakouts, and many of them are in their 30s, 40s, and beyond. "The number seems to have increased and become more apparent over time," she says. "While adult acne has always existed, there is greater awareness now about 'adult acne' and more people are seeking treatment rather than simply accepting it as something they have to live with." She adds that the prevalence of social media has resulted in a growing interest in hormonal influences on the skin, and encourages more adults to seek treatment, whether by consulting a board-certified dermatologist or a licensed esthetician.

What Hormonal Shifts Occur In the 30s and 40s for Women?

If you're a woman over 35, you've likely been bombarded with messaging about how you've entered the era drastic hormonal shifts, whether that's speaking to geriatric pregnancy or perimenopause. Sadly, these changes can have a major impact on your likelihood to develop adult acne as well. But what exactly is causing such frustrating changes to your skin condition?

As clinical pharmacist Stephanie Redmond, PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, and founder of Dr. Stephanie’s Vitamins and Supplements explains of this period of life, "Estrogen becomes erratic (perimenopause) and then declines," noting that the decrease can be mild or rapid. "Progesterone and testosterone both also consistently decline. The hormone changes trigger a cascade of events that impact your gut microbiome, stress response (i.e. cortisol levels), and insulin resistance, which all can impact skin complexion and acne production."

She notes that when estrogen drops, your androgens and testosterone levels become unbalanced and more dominant. "Without estrogen to 'quiet down' androgens, the androgens can wreak havoc on skin, increase sebum production, and clog pores." Fun fact: this is the same process that contributes to age-related hair loss. "Estrogen is pro-hair growth, [while] DHT (androgen) miniaturizes hair follicles," says Dr. Redmund. "So the same hormone fluctuations causing acne is causing hormonal hair loss in women entering their 40s. "

Dr. Garshick explains that the reason why more mature woman are experiencing breakouts isn't just attributed to hormones, but rather results from a combination of factors including hormones, stress, and other environmental triggers. "For some people, the breakouts may only occur in relationship to their menstrual cycle which sometimes can indicate that it is hormonal [acne]. In many cases, adult acne is multifactorial, so it may not be one single cause but rather several factors working together." She adds that some people may even see breakouts for the first time, even if they didn't experience acne as a teenager (fun!).

What Lifestyle Factors Cause Adult Acne?

Like so many skin conditions that result from inflammation in the body (eczema, perioral dermatitis, and more), acne is prone to flaring when you make certain lifestyle choices. Yes, that means more than just what night cream you apply on a given day.

"It is always best to focus on stress management, maintain good sleep habits, and follow a balanced diet," says Dr. Garshick "Some individuals may notice that foods with a high glycemic index or excessive dairy intake can worsen breakouts." Pavitt agrees, noting that she's had a lot of clients find success when they increase their fiber intact. "There’s limited data, but I see a huge link between diet and breakouts," she says. "Sleep hygiene and stress management can also be so impactful." She also emphasizes that not every skincare product on the market is a must-have in your daily routine. "I think that everyone is doing way too much," says Pavitt. "Just because an ingredient is trendy and gets a lot of press it doesn’t mean it’s right for you."

What Ingredients Should You Use to Treat Adult Acne?

While many of the acne-fighting ingredients the experts recommend for mature skin types is similar to those for teens and 20-somethings, there are a few caveats. "The approach often needs to be adjusted because mature skin is more prone to dryness and irritation," says Dr. Garchick. "For example, retinoids like adapalene or prescription tretinoin, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide may still be used but for those with more sensitive skin other ingredients like azelaic acid and sulfur may also be considered."

She stresses that regardless of what ingredient is the most effective for your skin, it's best to only introduce one new product at a time. That way you can assess what's working, what's irritating, and whether or not it's worth more space in your beauty budget. "It is also important to support acne treatments with gentle skincare products such as cleansers and moisturizers that help support the skin barrier and reduce irritation using ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid," says Dr. Garshick.

Paying attention to the products in your routine is also important when eradicating acne. As Pavitt suggests, "double check your products (including hair care) for pore-cloggers." Comedogenic ingredients (those that can clog your pores) don't necessarily mean that they will lead to acne, but she suggests eliminating them from your skincare lineup to achieve your initial goal of calming breakouts, and then adding them back in one and at a time to see what works for you. These include things like shea butter, avocado oil, sweet almond oil—check the INCI list for a comprehensive guide to potentially pore-clogging ingredients.

The Final Word On Adult Acne

As with the acne you may have experienced as a teen, there is no magical quick fix to cure your adult acne. Finding the right combination of skincare products, lifestyle shifts, and expert help will take time and patience. But try not to get discouraged. "Lifestyle changes can feel overwhelming," says Dr. Redmond. "But try your best to give it a good two weeks. It doesn’t happen overnight, but this has to be foundational before chasing topical solutions and supplements. The best skin product in the world isn’t going to overcome poor sleep, diet, and out of control stress." If there was ever a reason to use some PTO, take a vacation, and get to bed earlier, finally getting rid of that stubborn adult acne feels like it's worthwhile. Do it for the sake of your skin.

The Best Products to Treat Adult Acne

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June was a great month, and I—and a lot of people—definitely needed it. The vibes are high, especially in New York City. Everyone jokes that 2026 is the new 2016, but I'm starting to believe and live it. I even went to see Kaskade play on a rooftop last Tuesday night, and my inner house music club rat is starting to feel alive again. And when I was searching for this week's best nail looks, I could tell the manicures are all about maintaining that fun, positive energy.

Among my favorite manicures is an ode to one of the all-time great designers, Vivienne Westwood; it’s the perfect mix of studs, plaid, and edgy detail that make me wish I had a closet full of her corsets. There are some playful fruit nail designs (I will die on the hill that summer 2026 is all about the fruit mani) and we can’t close off June without celebrating Pride with a cat eye rainbow set.

There's bound to be something for everyone in this week's 10 best manicures. Keep scrolling for plenty of summer nail inspiration.

Vivienne Westwood Cool

Taking inspo from one of the greatest designers (in my opinion, but also just a fact), nail salon MANIFEST Studio in Warsaw, Poland created this colorful Vivienne Westwood punk rock set. It’s a mix of colorful plaid and signature Westwood studs and space decals that’s really fun.

Pastel Polka Dots

Who doesn’t love a polka dot for summer? Celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt paints on jelly pink nails and dresses them up with subtle pastel yellow dots on one hand and switches the combo on the other. It’s easy and breezy, just like summer should be.

Orange & Blue Abstract

Nail artist Giovana Galván was inspired by another artist, Noir De Lune, and wanted to capture the same playful color and texture De Lune uses in their nail art. This is a bold mix of raised abstract 3D details in bright orange and baby blue shades that’s just stunning.

“I reinterpreted the concept through my own visual language,” Galván tells Marie Claire. “Incorporating sculptural details, chrome accents, and dimensional elements to create a more maximalist and whimsical feel."

Charmed Life

The charms on this mani by nail artist Daniela Bürmann Demaria are so cool it hurts. It’s the ultimate inspo for using nail jewels. “The look was inspired by maximalist vintage jewelry and the idea that nails can be worn as accessories,” Demaria tells Marie Claire. “I wanted the set to feel like a collection of tiny treasures.”

Silver Magnet

Nail artist Sarasa Furukawa tells Marie Claire that a client wanted a nail look that was simple, but with a strong presence. The end result is a shimmery two-toned silver metallic mani I’m very obsessed with. “We decided to combine a sparkling magnetic gel with chrome French tips to create shine and dimension while keeping the look elegant,” says Furukawa. “I added a few rhinestones for an extra touch of sparkle. It’s simple, but still has enough presence to stand out."

Fever Dream

Created by nail artist @nailedbyq_chicago, this combo of neon orange, pink, purple, and yellow is just so mesmerizing. It’s bright and super energetic, perfect for when I’m feeling adventurous this summer.

Summer Watermelon

I love a good fruit nail, and these watermelon ones are my favorite for this summer. Nail artist @subak_nail uses a light pink jelly for the base and a white and green for the French tip before dressing them up with star stickers.

Pride Rainbow

Celebrate Pride month with a killer set of nails. Nail artist Veronica Rodriguez uses a mix of really pretty rainbow shades in a cool cat eye effect and with a '70s flower decal. This month—and beyond—is all about the, “beauty of showing up exactly as you are,” Rodriguez tells Marie Claire.

Floral Pottery

Nail artist Audrey Swatches has been working through the rainbow with these jelly framed florals. While it’s hard to pick a favorite (she tells Maire Claire that her favorite is this neon pink one), I happen to be drawn to the purple number. It reminds me of the really pretty Ginori 1735 plates that I hope to one day own when I’m a real adult.

Pink Guava

Nail artist San Sung Kim makes some of the most intricate and stunning beaded nail looks in the game. In theme with my love for fruit nails for this summer, this pink guava number is bold in a quiet way; the minimal beading still catches your eye without being overwhelming. That’s all I want in a bold nail.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

As far as wellness fads go, sitting in a warm pool being massaged by jets is quite pleasant when you compare it to popular longevity treatments like NAD+ drips and breath restriction exercise. Despite being a buzzy concept in the modern longevity movement’s quest to live longer and age slower, hydrotherapy—or using water to help treat common concerns like muscle aches, stress, and fatigue—has been around pretty much since the start of human history. The ancient Romans famously had their public bathhouses, while ancient Greeks are considered the inventors of contrast therapy.

While you might be familiar with, or even partaken in a sauna and cold plunge, it turns out there are a few things experts say we’ve been getting wrong when we submerge ourselves. I know, it’s just water, how complicated could it be? While you will still see some benefits if you just dunk yourself in cold water and call it a day, you won’t get the full scope of what hydrotherapy has to offer, says Marcus Coplin, ND, medical director at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort and The Springs Resort, and chief medical director at Bastyr University. Everything from how long you spend in the water to the type of water and even the order you do your treatments will influence how effective that treatment is, he says.

With that in mind, I asked the pros to reveal which hydrotherapy option will help you achieve your wellness goals and how best to practice it in order to reap the maximum benefits. Keep reading to learn four expert-approved ways to get wet.

Contrast Therapy

What Is Contrast Therapy?

While sauna and cold plunge might be the most well-known iteration of contrast therapy, any combination of exposing yourself to alternating temperatures—even a hot-and-cold foot soak, can help with recovery.

“You're exposing the body to two extremes of the stress spectrum,” Dr. Coplin explains. “The heat is increasing the red blood cells' ability to release oxygen to be used by the cells as fuel, increasing the entire metabolic capacity of the body.” The heat also expands your blood vessels, he says, allowing more blood to circulate throughout your system. When you then get into the cold, it contracts the capillaries, pumping all that metabolically rich blood back into your organs, which Dr. Coplin equates to “putting gas in the tank for these tissues.” The cold also helps get your lymphatic system moving, and the shrinking of the blood vessels helps alleviate inflammation by moving the blood away from those sore, swollen areas. Dr. Coplin does note that opting for wet or dry experiences will also impact the therapeutic benefits you see from contrast therapy.

“When you are immersed in water, there's a physical element to that,” he explains. “There's the pressure that the water exerts on the skin, which moves the lymphatic fluid from the skin into the capillaries. It creates a gentle pump for the body that way. Water is more directly therapeutic with that deep metabolic reset, whereas the drier experiences are more longer term.”

How Do I Do Contrast Therapy Correctly?

The ideal routine to reap these benefits, says Dr. Coplin, is to follow a heat, cold, rest, repeat program. Resting your body at room temperature after contrast is fundamental, he explains, because after heating up and cooling down, your body needs to rediscover its equilibrium. “It does that by activating the parasympathetic element of its nervous system, which is the de-stress element,” he explains. “If you're walking around with a low degree of chronic stress, putting your body into an intentional and targeted heat stress, and then cold stress, letting the body rest erases that chalkboard that's been slowly keeping tally of all those subconscious chronic stresses that your mind maybe didn't register, but your body certainly did.”

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t reap more benefits the longer you subject yourself to temperature extremes, meaning endurance is absolutely not the name of the game. “Go with what your body is telling you,” he says, meaning if you start to get dizzy or out of breath, then that’s your body’s way of saying it’s time to get out. He says his initial recommendation for contrast therapy is to do five minutes in a heat element, followed by 30 seconds to a minute in the cold, and then two to three minutes at room temperature resting, repeating that cycle three times.

While many biohackers have turned cold plunge into an endurance sport, Dr. Coplin says that can actually be detrimental to your goal. “You should always stay in cold water just long enough to where you can feel yourself relax into the discomfort. It doesn't need to be forcing yourself to stay in there.” And, there’s truly no reason to do more than three cycles, he says. In fact, it can be detrimental to your end goals. “It might overwhelm your body to the point where you're going to be tired and grumpy because your body is eliminating at a faster rate than it can handle.”

Hydrotherapy Circuit

What Is a Hydrotherapy Circuit?

For those that like a little variety, hydrotherapy circuits have been gaining in popularity as destinations for health-conscious guests across the globe. Depending on the locale, you can find everything from the usual saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, and whirlpools, plus more unique experiences like the frost-producing shower at the St. Regis Resort in Long Boat Key or the icy walls of the Snow Room at the luxe Meraki Wellness in Grand Cayman. In Denver, Coba has a 43,000 square foot bathhouse in the works that will feature indoor and outdoor water elements like a float pool, heat stone, and cold sauna that guests can access with a $50 day pass.

According to Meraki co-founder Peter Clarke, hydrotherapy circuits allow for more tailored treatments that better fit your needs. “You might be an elite sportsman and you may want to do something one way or you might be a total novice and never ever done it in your life,” he says. “They would want different things.” Maybe you know that your body responds better to a wet heat, like a steam room, but prefers a dry cold, like a cold sauna. Or perhaps you like the double whammy of wet that comes from a heated whirlpool and a cold plunge. Hydrotherapy circuits allow you to experiment with different elements of contrast therapy and find the modalities that work best for you.

How Do I Do a Hydrotherapy Circuit Correctly?

Some circuits are unguided, while others have attendants to move you through the flow and advise you on timing and order of treatments to best achieve your goals. According to Giota Strikoudi, wellness concierge and founder’s ambassador at Meraki, they advise everyone to start with the sauna, because it provides the most impactful heat treatment. “Sauna influences heart rate variability, a marker of autonomic nervous system regulation in the heart,” she says. “It's related to stress regulation, so on that aspect, sauna has the same benefits as low to moderate exercise.” From there, Strikoudi says you should head to a cold element, like an experiential shower, followed by the steam room to help re-moisturize the skin after the dryness in the sauna.

But the beauty of a hydrotherapy circuit is you can find what works for your needs. If a cold plunge is not something you can handle, hydrotherapy circuits provide alternatives that allow you to experience the benefits of cold therapy in a more manageable format. “The snow shower is lovely — it's much easier than the cold plunge because you're not submerging your whole body in the cold,” says Janet Monroe, a licensed massage therapist at the St. Regis Longboat Key.

The important thing is not what type of cold you do, but just that you do it. “You're missing a very powerful therapeutic if you don't do the cold,” says Dr. Coplin. “If you can get connected to your breath and get in the cold water for as little as 30 seconds, what you find is that each time you do it, you're more adapted to the cold. You're actually retraining your body's window of what comfort feels like, and that is that neurological reset, hormonal reset, circulatory reset.” Just don’t forget to follow that heat, cold, rest, repeat cycle no matter which elements you choose.

Hot Springs

What Are Hot Springs?

While hotspots like Colorado and California boast an impressive array of natural mineral hot springs to soak in, many Americans have less exposure to balneotherapy—the technical term for mineral water bathing—than their European counterparts. Balneotherapy combines the physical benefits of contrast hydrotherapy, says Dr. Coplin, along with trace amounts of mineral absorption, which can have a range of impacts on the skin, from arthritis relief to remedying inflammation, depending on the mineral. “Every mineral spring is unique—each is based on the unique path that water found its way up to the surface from these supercharged water reservoirs deep in the earth,” he says. “As it finds its way up, it's collecting different mineral profiles based on the sediment beds that it's moving through.” In the U.S., our most common minerals are sulfur, sodium, potassium, silica, lithium, and calcium, he notes.

“Mineral waters provide both transdermal mineral absorption, where minerals like magnesium are going into the skin and being incorporated directly into the intracellular space,” says Dr. Coplin,who is also board president of the Balenology Association of North America. “There’s also what we call the mechanical aspect of some minerals, like sulfur, which actually creates an enhanced opening of the capillary beds in the skin, improving the circulation into chronically inflamed skin and helping the body better deliver nutrients and oxygen to that tissue. For hundreds of years, sulfur hot springs have been used to successfully treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.”

What Is the Correct Way to Maximize Hot Springs Benefits?

Just like the heating elements in contrast therapy, there’s no need to spend hours soaking in a steaming pool. Fifteen minutes will do the trick, and if the hot spring you are at has some sort of cool shower or stream nearby, do yourself a favor and do a 30-second dunk in the cold. While you might be thinking you need to find a hot spring with the specific mineral content that addresses your needs, Dr. Coplin says that there’s no reason to jet around the world in search of the “right” hot spring for you. “Everybody wants to know which is the best hot spring for them,” he says. “The real answer is that all of them are going to have a benefit. If someone who has arthritis goes to a sulfur spring they're still going to get a benefit. It's just maybe not as targeted and specific.”

Mineral Baths

What Are Mineral Baths?

If you’re not fortunate enough to live close to one of the Uninted State’s 1,600+ natural hot springs, your next best option is to create a mineral soak in your bathtub. Brands like Flewd and Esker offer formulas that are high in minerals like magnesium and loaded with beneficial aromatics and vitamins to soothe the skin and the senses. While baths lack the high heat benefit of most hot springs, says Andrea Colón, NMD, which are typically anywhere from 94 to 104 degrees, an at-home soak is a more accessible and convenient option for most.

“Soaking in mineral baths can alleviate muscle tension and stiffness,” says Dr. Colón. “Minerals like magnesium are known for their calming properties due to its ability to activate GABA receptors. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that can help to regulate the nervous system and promote overall relaxation.” Magnesium tends to be the most common mineral for at-home bathing, says Flewd founder and CEO Michael Lupo, because it’s one of the easiest to work with (outside of lithium orotate) and least likely to irritate the skin. “With a lot of minerals you read about the benefits and it sounds great, but there are issues where it smells bad, or it doesn’t dissolve, or it leaves a film,” says Lupo.

Magnesium also has the most research around transdermal absorption (although all of our sources agree that more studies are needed). “Transdermal absorption relies on having the right convergence of warmth, water, and weight,” says Lupo. ”You need to have some kind of temperature increase to help open the pores. You also need the aspect of high water solubility. Magnesium chloride has one of the highest water solubilities out of all of the variants of magnesium. It also has one of the smallest molecular weights, which means it's much easier for it to get through your skin into your bloodstream through transdermal absorption.”

What Is the Correct Way to Maximize Mineral Bath Benefits?

While magnesium chloride is often thought of as the gold standard for mineral baths, the more common (and affordable) type of magnesium you usually see is magnesium sulfate, or epsom salts. “Both forms of magnesium have been associated with muscle relaxation, pain relief, and stress reduction,” says Dr. Colón. “But there are a few differences in how well they are absorbed”

You have a few options these days for the type of bath, with the most common being salts, like those found in Flewd’s muscle-melting Ache-Erasing Anti-Stress Bath Treatment, and liquids like Esker’s Liquid Magnesium Bath Enhancer, which features two types of magnesium and a gorgeous blend of palo santo, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils. “If you have sensitive or dry skin, you may prefer the magnesium liquid which is better for moisturizing,” says Dr. Colon. “For someone with more oily or acne-prone skin, magnesium salts might be the better choice.”

Dr. Coplin says the best way to mimic a natural hot spring at home is to do a little bath alchemy. “I usually recommend people buy bulk epsom salt from the drugstore, and then get the beauty brand that they like that has some kind of trace mineral,” he says. “Put in three or four cups of your bulk salt, and then add your bath treatment, and that's where you can really create a beautiful experience that has a therapeutic benefit. Magnesium salt at that ratio helps drive those trace minerals more effectively, so you can enhance the therapeutic effect of the other minerals by increasing with the epsom salt.”

While you may think soaking longer would be better, Lupo says that transdermal absorption for magnesium happens at around 10 minutes, so anything after that doesn’t necessarily mean you are getting a higher absorption of minerals. Be sure not to wash off after your bath, as there may still be trace minerals on your skin that could absorb, says Dr. Coplin. Rinsing is fine, but skip the soap.

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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

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If you told me I could only use one body care brand for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t be too pressed—as long as said brand was Cyklar. I, along with the entire Marie Claire Beauty Team, am obsessed with the deliciously luxurious lineup. There are honestly no misses; the body washes have a perfect foam and fabulous sillage; the body oil-in-balm gives a non-greasy shine and impeccable hydration; the lotion—no notes; and don’t even get me started on the gloriousness that is the brand’s shimmering body oil.

Part of what makes the lineup so special is its fine fragrance infusions. Every product is scented with the most intoxicatingly yummy scents. Some fan favorites include my personal go-to, Vanilla Verve, along with Sacred Santal, Bergamot Bond, and Naked Neroli. But while Cyklar products are top-tier, they’re also not cheap. That’s what makes their inclusion in Amazon Prime Day so incredibly exciting. The catch? Prime Day ends on Friday June 26 at 11:59 pm PST, so there are just a few hours left to stock up while the products are discounted. To make it as easy as can be, I’ve rounded up my all-time favorites below.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meeting my soon-to-be husband at the altar is supposed to be the highlight of my wedding day—and rest assured, it will be one of them. But I'm looking forward to having the best hair day of my life just a little bit more. It's going to take work, though. I've spent countless hours and expended some bridezilla-esque energy to make sure that my wedding hairstyle is utterly flawless.

My first step was consulting the pros. According to Dimitris Giannetos, a celebrity hairstylist, the decision-making journey should start with a scan through your photos. "For your wedding day, scroll through your camera roll and choose to do the best version of the hair you have done in the past and feel your best self with," he suggests. "Don't try to do something new that's trending now on TikTok; you will regret it in a few years. Choose to do something simple and timeless [instead]."

Alas, simple and timeless doesn't have to be boring on your wedding day. To prove it, I'm sharing my ultimate bridal hairstyle mood board with 23 drop-dead-gorgeous style options. Want to know which one I'm copying? Stay tuned.

Deconstructed Chignon

I'll start simply (and elegantly) with a nice deconstructed chignon. While you could go for a perfectly tight, well-constructed classic updo, there's something modern and carefree about this one, which features a few loose strands in the back.

"I personally love low buns and soft chignons because they create such an elevated and timeless look while beautifully highlighting the neck, shoulders, and jawline," Michelle Hong, founder and creative director of NYC The Team, explains. "It always feels sophisticated and photographs incredibly well."

Teased Crown

Straight from Giannetos's look book, we have this gorgeous teased style, which he named "the Brigitte half-up hair." This is one you'll need to test a couple of times beforehand to make sure you love the height. But who could say no to those tumbling waves?

Slick-Back Beauty

I think we've reached a point where an expertly slicked-back bun can be considered timeless for wedding hairstyles. And even if we haven't, you'll always be happy knowing your cheekbones looked snatched on your wedding day. A full view of your beautiful face when your betrothed pulls back your veil is also a huge bonus.

Lived-In Waves

"For 2026, I’m seeing a strong shift toward effortless luxury—hairstyles that feel polished, modern, and touchable rather than overly styled," says Hong. Exhibit A: this blowout with tons of movement, as seen above.

Pearly Girl

A great way to up the ante on your simple slick back? Add some sparkle or pearl details. Lelet NY has some gorgeous pearl pins that you can tuck into a sleek updo or scatter through your waves. Just don't decide to toss the accessories in willy-nilly. "Think about accessories ahead of time, whether that’s pins, statement pieces, or how the veil will sit with the hairstyle," Hong notes.

Loose and Romantic

There's nothing more romantic than a loose hairstyle, whether that's a low ponytail, a messy bun, or half-up, half-down approach. This look by celebrity hairstylist Bradley Leake captures that effortless glamour perfectly.

Bubble Braid

According to Hong, modern brides are moving away from hair that feels overly done. "There’s something beautiful about hair that feels natural, soft, polished, and still allows movement," she says. "The overall trend right now is hair that looks luxurious without looking stiff or overly perfected." If you still want your strands pulled back, might I suggest a charming bubble ponytail?

Half-Up, Half-Down

If you're on a Y2K kick, this simple pulled-back style is also a great option. It's an easy look to perfect, but that doesn't mean you should go easy on the prep. "The foundation is everything, I always tell clients that the blow-dry and prep work are just as important as the final styling. If the hair isn’t properly set beforehand, the style won’t hold as beautifully throughout the day," says Hong.

Bouncy Ponytail

According to Hong, bridal ponytails with soft movement are trending for 2026. Especially those that are "sleek yet romantic with beautiful bounce and texture." Here, we have the perfect bouncy wedding ponytail courtesy of Leake. You might need to add a hairpiece to get all that volume, but it will be well worth it.

Low Ponytail

This low pony option has a few sweet strands pulled out right around the ears. The neckline of the dress is quite lovely here, too, if any of you want to pick a wedding hairstyle and gown in one fell swoop.

Hair That Moves

Hong's first essential for wedding hairstyle preparation is starting with a proper blowout or set to build the right foundation. You'll also want to use a texturizing spray or dry texture spray to create grip and hold without making the hair feel heavy, and be careful not to overuse hairspray too early on—keeping movement in the hair is key.

Side Part

You'll notice that slicked-back buns are a theme here. If you want to do things a little differently (even at the last minute?), you can add a deep side-part situation. "People definitely decide on their wedding hair last minute, but I would only suggest that if a stylist who's been with you for a long time is the one doing your hair," notes Tatiana Ramos, an editorial hairstylist based in New York. They'll know how your hair acts under pressure/various parting situations, and you can "have faith that they will do exactly what you want."

Vintage Beauty

I love the vintage vibes of this pretty style, which looks like it would stay put amid weird wedding day weather patterns (rain is good luck!). Think about tucking a veil in where that satin bow is, too? Swoon.

Easygoing Waves

These pretty waves encapsulate another of Hong's favorite wedding hairstyle trends: "lived-in textures that look effortless, soft, and naturally beautiful while still feeling refined."

To get the look, you can follow Ramos's advice and grab her three favorite products for any wedding hairstyle: a texture spray, a texture cream, and "of course" a heat protectant for when you need to add a few extra curls in.

Bridal Bob

Have you seen the trend of brides cutting their hair for their second look at the wedding? It's cute enough, but it seems like a ton of work. Instead, why not start with a short hairstyle from the get-go? This look is so chic, and it'll help you cut down on styling time on the day of.

Braided Bun

Another bun idea, coming right up! This elegant braided style has a princess-y vibe. "I think a general rule of thumb is to start planning or talking to your stylist about your desired hairstyle at least six months before the wedding—even book the trial then so that there’s enough time to play around with different styles and or talk about what you liked or didn’t like from said trial," says Ramos. "It’s even a good time to talk about or order hair extensions if they will be needed."

Natural Curls

One of the most important factors when choosing a wedding style is to pick a look that still feels like you. "The modern bridal look is moving away from overly stiff, overly sprayed hairstyles. Your hair should feel soft, natural, movable, and effortless while still holding beautifully throughout the entire day," says Hong. "The best bridal hair enhances your features and complements the dress rather than competing with the outfit."

The Loosest Updo

And if you don't have all that natural texture? You can try to fake it with a good curling iron and some expertly placed pins. "I always recommend doing a bridal trial with a stylist you trust and experimenting with multiple looks before making a final decision. Take photos from every angle—front, profile, back, and in natural lighting—because what looks beautiful in person can photograph very differently," notes Hong.

Veil Ready

Giannetos created this lovely hairstyle for real-life bride Olivia Culpo's Rhode Island wedding in 2024, calling it an "ultra-glazed blowout" in honor of its major shine. To get the look, the artist used Garnier hair filler products, tape-in and clip-in extensions from Philocaly Hair, and a GHD 1.25-inch curling iron.

Tumbling Curls

"Tousled" is a good word for a wedding-day hairstyle, no? The face-framing tendrils present in this updo offer an extremely romantic vibe. It's so gorgeous.

Royal Half-Back

I'm all in on this hairstyle, which very much gives Margot Robbie's Wuthering Heights press tour. Or maybe The Princess Bride? Either way, it's extremely romantic and would look stunning for a fairytale-inspired wedding.

Boho Bixie

Bixie brides, have you considered dressing up your short style with a fun headpiece? So chic, and so easy.

Ample Shine

Whether you go wavy or straight like the style above, you're going to want your hair to gleam on your wedding day. Think glass hair, to rival that sparkling ring on your finger. Once you're set on the style, you can find some of the best shine sprays right here.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts

If you ever wanted to know who is on your favorite singer's playlist, or what albums inspired the latest “it girl” the most, tune in for Marie Claire’s resident music franchise Listen Up. In this interview series, we ask musicians about their listening habits and the specific records that informed their taste—and inherently their journey as an artist.

Hearts2Hearts may be K-pop rookies, but they’re eager to dominate your “song of the summer” debates. That may sound like a lofty goal for a girl group that just debuted 16 months ago, but they’ve already climbed up the charts, landing on the Billboard Global 200 with their infectious, bratty bop “RUDE!” two weeks after their first anniversary. Now, they’re back with their second mini-album, Lemon Tang, which is filled top to bottom with feel-good summer-soundtrack contenders.

“Summer Queen” is an ambitious title to vie for, especially in K-pop. Members Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian, and Ye-on (whose ages range from 16 to 20) grew up on the bubbly, crisp earworms that became inescapable in the warmer months, sung by girl groups like their own SM Entertainment labelmates Red Velvet and Girls’ Generation. In recent years, idol music has trended toward a more industrial, bass-heavy sound, leaving behind the electro- and bubblegum-pop of the 2010s. But Heart2Hearts stands out among the young groups leading the charge to bring carefree euphoria back into K-pop.

“In this hot summer, it’s going to be the best way to refresh yourself through music,” Ye-on says of Lemon Tang's title track, as the group speaks with Marie Claire over Zoom. Stella adds, “The lyrics have a really cute meaning of how it's sweeter when everyone's together…When I first heard the song before we recorded it, I just thought, ‘Oh, this is the perfect summer song.’”

While the group has leaned toward a sleek R&B-influenced sound on previous tracks like “The Chase” and “FOCUS,” “Lemon Tang” cements that the best Hearts2Hearts releases are full of youthful pep. Each song transports listeners back to their own teenage days, with sugary songs full of metaphors about the innocent drama of a first love. Flirting is like a tennis game; romantic advice becomes a secret recipe. Loneliness can make thoughts as sour as a lemon, but when someone new captures your attention, that mysterious tang is irresistible and you may not feel so alone after all.

“Even if we speak different languages and are different, we hope that through our music and through the performances, we can build a connection from our heart to their heart,” Juun says as her groupmates nod in agreement.

With Lemon Tang out now, the members share which 2010s pop anthems informed their music taste and what they’re listening to now.

Stella: When I was younger and growing up, I really loved listening to Ariana Grande. Her Yours Truly album was my favorite. I would listen to it every single day after school.

I-an: The first album I bought with the pocket money my parents gave me was aespa sunbaenim's Girls.

Carmen: The first album I bought with my own money was Justin Bieber’s—the “Boyfriend” one, [Believe].

Carmen: Bruno Mars’s newest album, The Romantic. My favorite song is “Risk It All.”

Jiwoo: The 2000s when there was a lot of pop and dance-pop. If you look at the melodies of songs of that time, they’re really catchy, bouncy, and high-energy. It fits the overall brightness and feel that we look for with Hearts2Hearts.

Stella: I've definitely been really into “Midnight Sun” by Zara Larsson, but I really loved her music before that as well.

Jiwoo: Red Velvet sunbaenim’s “Red Flavor.” It's a really cute song, and very high-energy.

I-an: Girls’ Generation sunbaenim’s “Holiday.” We covered this song as trainees, and it’s very happy and bright.

Yuha: I had an opportunity to go to a Taeyeon concert. Needless to say, she was a really good singer, but the way that she interacted with fans between songs was very impressive. That was a performance that I really remember.

I-an: The first fan meeting that we had. It was the first event in which we had the full audience of just fans only. So, of course, before going on stage, I really wanted to do well. I was totally nervous. I think that it was something like when we were first debuting, and so, therefore, that made me totally focused. After it was over, I was so happy. I got a feeling of accomplishment, and that's something that I really remember.

Carmen: When we did a fan meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. [Ed. note: Carmen is the first Indonesian K-pop idol under SM.] My mom, my dad, my grandmother, and my big family were all watching me perform, so it made me feel so nervous and happy at the same time.

Stella: “RUDE!” It received a lot of love, so I feel like it would be a good starting point for people who are interested in us or want to get to know us.

Stella: One of the groups that we've really looked up to was Girls’ Generation. If we were ever to do a collaboration or share a stage with them, that would be a big honor.

Stella: I like to listen to really loud electronic music to get me distracted. I search "electro music one hour" on YouTube.

Jiwoo: Girls’ Generation’s “PARTY.”

MC: What song describes the stage in life you’re at right now?

Yuha: aespa’s “Live My Life.”

Carmen: “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

In a year marked by shifting conversations around sustainability, leadership, and innovation, the Cartier Women’s Initiative recently delivered a powerful reminder of what progress can look like when women are given the resources to lead.

Founded in 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative began with the belief that “empowered women transform society.” Two decades later, the proof is in the progress: the program has supported over 330 women impact entrepreneurs from 67 countries and awarded more than $14 million in funding to businesses that are tackling some of the world’s most urgent issues, including environmental and social causes.

To honor this year’s cohort of 30 fellows from around the world, Cartier held a week-long celebration in Bangkok, Thailand that included a series of dialogues, an immersive art exhibition, and opportunities for the fellows to connect with mentors, alumni fellows, and industry leaders. The theme of “Women Lighting the Path” illuminated the idea that women are often the spark for remarkable change.

The week’s events concluded with the Impact Awards ceremony held at Chulalongkorn University, where Amal Clooney delivered a keynote address to a room of over 700 people.

“We’re here to celebrate this year’s 30 Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellows, a formidable group of women entrepreneurs driving change across diverse sectors,” Clooney said. “I’ve seen how the Cartier Women’s Initiative fellowship not only accelerates these brilliant women’s careers but also creates a sisterhood committed to helping each other through its powerful community.”

At the Awards, each fellow was awarded a grant to continue their work. Among them are women like Vanessa Castañeda Gill, who founded Social Cipher to help neurodivergent children embrace their identities through games; Alba Forns, who is enabling everyday people to invest in renewable energy projects through her company Climatize; and Keely Cat-Wells, whose platform Making Space is helping companies train, hire, and retain disabled professionals.

“The Cartier Women's Initiative has been a profound validation of the work we're doing at Making Space, and meeting fellow founders from across the globe in Bangkok reminded me that the barriers people face in the workforce are universal, even when the solutions must be local," Cat-Wells said. "The recognition opens doors with funders, employers, and policymakers who can help us close the disability employment gap at the scale the problem demands. What I hope to accomplish is simple to say and hard to do, which is to build a world where disability and ambition belong together, where careers and dreams grow with the right access, belief, and opportunity behind them.”

While grant money is an important part of the Cartier Women’s Initiative, the program’s impact extends well beyond financial support. All fellows participate in a year-long fellowship program that includes executive education, leadership training, mentor opportunities, and access to a global network of entrepreneurs and experts.

It’s a formula that’s working: 66 percent of businesses that Cartier has supported are still operating, while 9 percent have been acquired or merged. Meanwhile, 76 percent of recent fellows have increased their revenue.

Next year, the program will take place in Amsterdam, where a new group of fellows will be introduced and honored. Proving that for Cartier, supporting women entrepreneurs is more than a moment—it’s a movement.

During her senior year of high school, King Princess, alongside her best friend, staged a “sexually explicit” production of Cabaret. She began as the director but was quickly demoted to musical director after being “way too harsh.”

“I was running that shit like the Navy,” the singer/actor tells me backstage at The Public Theatre in downtown New York. Looking back, she says it was the right call, giving her time to focus on the lead role of Sally Bowles.

Nine years later, the performer, born Mikaela Straus, is returning to her theater kid roots with an Off-Broadway debut as one of the leads in Girl, Interrupted, a new musical based on Susanna Kaysen’s beloved memoir. In it, Straus plays Lisa, the wily ringleader of the women’s ward at a psychiatric hospital, deemed a sociopath by 1960s standards—a role first made iconic by Angelina Jolie in the 1999 film adaptation.

At just 27, King Princess has already captivated audiences with her unapologetically queer pop-rock for nearly a decade, but she’s only recently delved into acting with roles in Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers, the 2025 drama Song Sung Blue, and the upcoming rom-com One Night Only. But it wasn’t always part of her plan—in fact, when her favorite psychic predicted her pivot to acting, she was reluctant. Music was always her first love, having spent much of her childhood at her father’s Brooklyn recording studio; theater was a favorite pastime but not a career path.

“My secret love for theater has always bled into what I do,” the performer, sporting a black vest and sunglasses indoors, recalls animatedly from across a conference table. “I love a stage piece. I love set design. I like my show to feel theatrical, and I think that comes from a deep love of stagecraft. Getting to do something like this does fulfill this part of me that I've kept semi-underwraps for a long time.”

While still in high school, Straus was signed to Mark Ronson’s Columbia Records imprint, Zelig Records, and was dubbed, nearly overnight, the face of queer pop thanks to her 2018 viral debut single, “1950.” (She’s since left the major label to go independent, releasing her third studio album Girl Violence under the Brooklyn-based indie section 1.) Acting became her way to feel the joy in performance again.

“With music, everything feels like a rejection and personal. I'm deeply triggered by my own art form,” Straus says. “Acting feels fun. I can put my pussy into something and audition and not get it, and that's okay because I learned something.”

This past February, Straus’ agent suggested she audition for Girl, Interrupted. She was initially hesitant, harboring reservations about playing a character synonymous with Jolie’s Oscar-winning turn, but she was inspired by the script excerpts and went through with it. Ultimately, the audition didn’t go as planned, but her moxie landed her the role.

“I fucked up the song five times—but it was funny. I was like, ‘This fucking song!’ which they liked,” she recalls. “It's rare that I'm like, I'm going to get that. But I was like, I'm going to get that.”

It was a full circle moment for Straus, who first watched the movie in high school. “It’s resonated with young women and non-male people who exist outside of what you are supposed to be, which is quiet, put together, and not too much,” she says. “If you were somebody who was referred to as ‘too much,’ that was the movie for you. I was definitely somebody who was referred to as ‘too much.’”

The Off-Broadway rendition of Girl, Interrupted (music by Aimee Mann; book by Martyna Majok) is equal parts poignant and inquisitive. It also feels more timeless than ever, emphasizing what it means to navigate the world as a young, often misunderstood and underestimated woman.

Straus’ feisty and unpredictable Lisa acts as a foil to her co-star Juliana Canfield’s Susanna, a measured, ambitious yet depressive writer who is unsure why she’s been institutionalized. Straus brings a dynamism to the role, making it clear that a deep pain percolates beneath her erratic exterior.

“The biggest thing for me was separating this person from King Princess,” says the singer-turned-actor. Beyond her “blueprint” of the source memoir, Majok’s book, and Jolie’s “incredibly embodied” performance, Straus learned what she could about Lisa’s psychology by reading portions of Patric Gagne’s Sociopath: A Memoir, at the recommendation of her friend and former costar Murray Bartlett. Nailing Lisa’s grandiose gait was just as essential. “I definitely would get stoned and watch YouTube videos of big cats,” Straus says, pointing to how the character often acts like a predator stalking her prey, or a caged animal growing increasingly agitated. She also watched clips of Captain Jack Sparrow, Alan Cumming on The Traitors, and Austin Powers—Straus’ “holy trinity” of references—to build Lisa’s particular panache.

“Her physicality is certainly existing in the in-between of gender,” she explains, “That character is so flamboyant, but the flamboyancy isn't traditionally female. That’s really fun to play with and really interesting to play with—and something that exists within me too.”

Girl, Interrupted came to King Princess, she says, after she spent her mid-20s unlearning the notion that her best creative output would come from being emotionally wounded. Though there’s immense tragedy in the musical, its resonance lies in its belief in women’s resilience and their multiplicity. It felt like the exact project Straus was looking for: “I've never really been someone who fits in one genre…It makes sense that I like stuff that doesn't fit in a genre, and that I like doing cross-media shit. I always want to reinvent and find new ways to write music and act and sing and dance—and this is that for me. This is a crash course in becoming a better performer overall.”

Before Straus has to dash off to dinner, glam, and curtain call, she shares, with a warmth in her voice, how she’s been struck by the way the coming-of-age show has made her reflect on her own adolescence. “My teenage years existed around here, from the trek from Williamsburg to Manhattan, so I am reliving a part of my youth, but as an adult with perspective,” she says. “It’s been really emotional to have this schedule where I get on the train, I go enjoy my city, and I'm a part of this school of fish that goes from Brooklyn to Manhattan.”

She previously made that commute when she was last immersed in theater—painstakingly attempting to recreate the allure and eroticism of the 1998 Broadway revival of Cabaret in her own teenage rendition. While she was doing the most at the time, Girl, Interrupted has been a reminder to let go. “This is allowing me to take myself less seriously.”

When the curtain closes on July 12, that’ll be the sentiment that remains. “I get to do something that very few people get to do for work, and I'm very lucky to be doing that. And at the end of the day, it's not that fucking serious,” she says—as if speaking to the 18-year-old director in her.

While I love a good skincare routine, I’m a big proponent of using them as a supplement to in-office procedures. That being said, not everyone can afford to see a dermatologist for elective procedures that are not covered by insurance, which is why, to me, the growth of medical-grade, over-the-counter skincare products makes so much sense. It’s also why EGF—or epidermal growth factor—serums are having a moment right now.

​EGFs have actually been around since the '60s, so they're definitely tried and tested, and backed by skincare professionals. As board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, explains, “Epidermal growth factors are naturally occurring signaling proteins that help regulate skin repair. Think of it this way: EGFs work from the top layer of the skin down, while something like an FGF (or fibroblast growth factor) works on the inverse, at the dermis level on fibroblasts.”

But before you start buying all of the growth-factor-powered serums you can get your hands on, Dr. Kobets explains everything you need to know about the buzzy skincare ingredient. From the benefits that you can expect to see while using them to who actually would be the best recipient for these ingredients, keep reading for the need-to-know on the world of skin-repairing EGFs.

What Are the Benefits of Using Epidermal Growth Factors?

We’ve touched a bit on what EGFs are, but what exactly do they do? It turns out, they’re kind of like little personal trainers for your skin. “EGFs primarily work on epidermal cells in the outer layers of the skin,” Dr. Kobets says. “They help support skin renewal, barrier repair, and overall skin texture.” In short, the ingredient focuses on improving the skin’s surface and barrier, making it stronger and more resilient.

​That said, most modern anti-aging skincare products that promote any variation of EGFs don't rely on the growth factors alone. “Most EGF serum formulas often contain a mixture of growth factors; cytokines, peptides, conditioned media, or exosome-derived signaling molecules, designed to mimic the complex communication network involved in wound healing and skin rejuvenation,” Dr. Kobets says. She adds that many EGF formulas on the market right now also also include barrier-supporting and hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, squalane, and ceramides, "which can make skin look and feel better almost immediately.”

The Best Epidermal Growth Factor Serums

Who Can Use Epidermal Growth Factors?

Technically speaking, anyone can use EGFs; however, some people may see results more readily than others. “They are a great addition to a skincare routine for patients who are noticing early to moderate signs of aging, including fine lines, loss of firmness, and dullness,” says Dr. Kobets. “They can also be a nice option for patients who want anti-aging benefits but cannot tolerate stronger ingredients like retinoids or exfoliating acids because of sensitive skin.”

​If you don’t quite fall into that category but still want to try EGFs, there are a few things to keep in mind. “Rather than replacing proven ingredients like sunscreen, retinols, antioxidants, and barrier-enhancing moisturizers, EGFs work best as an additional layer of support and stimulation,” says Dr. Kobets. They also make a fantastic addition to your procedure aftercare routine, if approved by your dermatologist. Because in-office treatments such as microneedling temporarily disrupt the skin barrier, EGFs take advantage of the microchann

“It’s wonderful for use with microneedling, in particular, which creates microchannels in the skin that may enhance the penetration of topical, regenerative ingredients,” Dr. Kobets notes.

How Do I Use Epidermal Growth Factors?

“I typically recommend applying a growth factor serum once or twice daily after cleansing and before moisturizer,” Dr. Kobets says. “Think of it as one of the first leave-on products that goes onto the skin.”

Again, EGFs pair particularly well with hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, squalane, niacinamide, and antioxidants. They can even be combined with retinoids. “The two work through different pathways and can complement one another,” she says. “Growth factor products may also help support the skin barrier, which can be helpful for patients who experience irritation from retinoids or exfoliating acids.”

That being said, if you notice your skin becoming sensitive when using EGFs with retinoids or stronger formulas like glycolic or salicylic acid products, use the acids during one of your skincare routines, either in the morning or at night, and EGFs in the other, as a precaution. The most important thing to note when using epidermal growth factors is to always pair it with daily sunscreen. “If you are investing in collagen-building skincare, protecting that collagen from UV damage is essential,” Dr. Kobets says.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

For a long time, fashion treated comfort like a personality flaw.

The best shoes were the ones that looked great in photos but felt terrible by the end of the night. Blisters were a fact of life. Band-Aids lived in every handbag. Most women had flats under their desk, sneakers shoved into a tote bag, or some emergency pair waiting in the shadows. At checkout, you didn't ask yourself whether something was comfortable. You asked how long you could get away with wearing it.

At some point, a lot of women seem to have decided this is a ridiculous amount of strategy for a shoe. More than a decade after Margaux launched, that realization still feels surprisingly relevant.

Long before balletcore and the luxury-brand ballet-flat arms race, Margaux had already become something of a whisper-network favorite. The brand's Demi flat circulated among fashion editors, stylists, founders, and a cohort of women whose recommendations tend to travel farther than traditional advertising ever could.

At fashion week, in DMs, and increasingly in Substack newsletters, Margaux keeps coming up. Mention that you're looking for something for a wedding, a work trip, Europe, or a long day on your feet, and someone will eventually bring up the brand. More often than not, they're speaking from experience.

That's the kind of loyalty that helped turn Margaux from a direct-to-consumer startup into something more enduring. Founded in 2015 by Alexa Buckley and Sarah Pierson, the company launched during the height of the DTC boom, when nearly every consumer category seemed to be getting a digitally native disruptor. Many of those brands burned bright and faded just as quickly. Margaux, which has raised more than $10 million in funding, quietly stuck around.

The timing has worked in Margaux's favor. Since the company launched, ballet flats have completed a full fashion cycle: pushed aside by sneakers, turned into a symbol of millennial style, and then embraced again as fashion shifted toward practicality. Through all of it, the company remained closely associated with the category that started the business.

Today, Margaux occupies an unusual place in fashion. It has collaborated with brands like Alex Mill and Ciao Lucia, which followed a similar trajectory from insider favorite to mainstream success, but Margaux still travels the way the best fashion recommendations do: personally. The brand now has a store in Los Angeles, and customers come from as far as London to shop in person. What started as an under-the-radar favorite has become something much bigger.

"Over the last few years, they've really hit their stride in bridging the gap between dressy and actually wearable on the streets of New York," says fashion editor Aemilia Madden.

Long before Margaux became a fashion editor's favorite, Buckley and Pierson noticed women of every profession in need of new footwear. After moving to New York, they kept seeing women changing shoes in public—outside subway stations, in office lobbies, leaning against a wall for balance. They had a name for it: the commuter shuffle.

"Stylish, put-together women would pause, often right outside their destination, and change their shoes," Buckley says. "Off came the comfortable pair they had commuted in, and on went the dress shoes.

At the time, the market felt split between practical shoes and fashion shoes, with almost nothing in between. What they discovered was that most women weren't asking for more cushioning or better arch support. They were saying something simpler: nothing fits me. "The more we listened, the more we realized that a significant percentage of women are wearing the wrong size altogether," Buckley says.

Margaux responded by offering sizes 33 through 45 in half sizes, along with narrow, medium, and wide widths—a level of customization that remains surprisingly uncommon in a category where fit is often treated as secondary to design.

But Buckley says comfort-first footwear was never the primary goal. "We set out to design beautiful, elegant, stylish shoes—the shoes our customer really wants to be wearing," she says. "We believe a shoe has to earn its place on the shelf through its design alone, hard stop, long before she ever slips it onto her foot."

Julia Gall, a creative consultant, stylist, and writer, has been wearing Margaux ballet flats since 2018. "I kind of retired from heels and any shoe that gives me trouble right after Covid lockdown," she says. "I basically treat them as a sneaker when I don't want to wear one, which is more often than not." She adds that Margaux flats "were a dream to wear during pregnancy," which is perhaps the highest endorsement a pair can receive.

The old logic of getting dressed meant accepting a certain degree of compartmentalization. There were work wardrobes, special occasion clothes, vacation capsules, and weekend wear. Increasingly, women seem to be buying for the version of life where those categories overlap.

And the brand's appeal now extends well beyond the fashion insiders who were wearing it long before everyone else. In an industry obsessed with chasing the next new thing, the brand has built a business around the opposite impulse: finding something that works, then buying it again. Its devotees do exactly that.

Margaux’s staying power says less about women giving up on fashion than giving up on the old bargain that beauty and discomfort had to arrive together. Fashion hasn’t fallen out of love with beautiful shoes. Women are just done pretending the painful ones are worth it.

Your mouth is having a moment. From the rise of high-tech, stylish flossing routines and statement grillz to the backlash against veneers, oral care is no longer limited to the dentist’s chair. It’s part wellness practice and part personal style. In Marie Claire’s first-ever Teeth Week, we’re exploring why dentistry feels cooler—and more culturally loaded—than ever.

Flossing used to be a hard sell. Or at the very least, harder to sell. But seemingly overnight, the once invisible child of dental care has gone from a time-consuming (and slightly annoying) daily task to a high-tech, chic part of your total oral care routine.

What changed? Well, interest in dental care has steadily increased, in part because of its connection to the ever-buzzy wellness space. According to Spate beauty analyst Jenny Zeng, oral care has seen a 19 percent year-over-year search increase, with oral products dominating as a key trend. The rise in interest has led to better flossing products. “A lot of these [new] devices are easier, faster, and more comfortable to use than traditional floss—especially for patients with dental work, orthodontics, or sensitive gums, “ says Los Angeles-based cosmetic dentist Jon Marashi, DDS.

According to experts like Dr. Marashi, the increased demand for flossing products is a very good thing. Ahead, they explain why flossing is so critical, best practices for a healthy mouth, and the products you need to add to your oral care routine (don't worry—I tested several).

The Benefits of Flossing

As you probably know, flossing is critical if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Dr. Marashi notes that your toothbrush cannot reach in between your teeth or below the gum line, where plaque, bacteria, and food debris tend to accumulate. When plaque sits there, it will harden to tartar, which subsequently causes inflammation, bleeding gums, bad breath, gum recession, and cavities between the teeth.

Diane Melrose, MS, professor of clinical dentistry at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, adds that flossing is vital in preventing gum disease (also known as gingivitis), which will eventually turn into periodontitis and increase the risk of losing bone around the tooth—or the entire tooth. “[Flossing] really helps in preserving your teeth and smile so you can have a healthy mouth," says Melrose.

Gum disease also puts you at risk for other health issues, she notes, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and even Alzheimer's.

Flossing Devices vs. Traditional Floss

The biggest benefit to these newer flossing devices, says Dr. Marashi, is convenience, making it more likely that you'll actually take the time to floss. “If something is easier to use, patients are simply more likely to do it regularly." Water flossers, for example, use pressure and irrigation to give gums a deeper cleanse and be gentler for sensitive mouths. They can also be the better option for those with patients, implants, veneers, or more extensive dental work.

“The best flossing method is often the one a patient will actually stick with long term,” says Brad Bailey, DDS, New York City-based dentist at Tend Dental.

But if you love your traditional floss, no need to toss it out for something newer and more high-tech. Melrose says that the tried-and-true method still has its advantages, such as getting that “C” curve needed to thoroughly cleanse deep beneath the gum line. Tools like the electric flosser, where the string is straight across, might make you more prone to cutting your gums as you won’t be able to curve the string as easily.

When in doubt, experts actually recommend using both methods for a thorough floss. “If you can do both, that's better,” Melrose says. “Do your string floss and then if you want to shoot some water in there with the water flosses, go for it.”

As for best flossing practices, Dr. Marashi says that you should be flossing once a day, preferably before you brush to loosen debris and plaque and allow the fluoride from your toothpaste to reach more effectively between the teeth. But you’ll also want to make sure that you have the right technique. Dr. Bailey says that you’ll want to guide the floss below the gumline and wrap it around each tooth in a “C” shape as opposed to just aggressively snapping it into the gums. “The key is gentle, controlled technique,” he says.

While experts agree that flossing a few times a week is better than never doing it, they stress the importance of doing it every day for the best long-term benefit. “Gum inflammation can begin surprisingly quickly when plaque is left undisturbed between teeth,” explains Dr. Bailey.

If you’re looking to level up your dental game and reach a flawless smile, below are 10 of the best flossing devices on the market.

The Best Flossing Devices

Before You Floss, Don't Forget to Brush

A stellar oral care routine obviously requires the best toothbrush and toothpaste. Keep these products on hand to complete your morning and night regimen.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts

It’s no surprise that wellness is booming—according to McKinsey, it’s a $2 trillion industry with four to five percent growth per year. Contrary to popular belief, wellness isn’t just supplements and workouts. In fact, pretty much every industry is getting a beauty-centric makeover. Hole care (yes, I’m talking about your tush) is low-key cool now. Detergents have never looked better, with fine fragrance infusions infiltrating mass market offerings. Even the dentist has been dubbed a wellness experience (seriously, read all about it in MC’s Teeth Week). But perhaps the most out-of-pocket category to infiltrate my bathroom cabinet is an unexpectedly chic allergy care routine.

I know I am far from alone in suffering something serious this season. My eyes weigh 9,000 pounds (and are incredibly bloodshot to boot). I can barely breathe through my nose courtesy of an excess of pollen. And every inch of my skin is so disturbingly itchy that I’ve had to contemplate sleeping in gloves. "Allergies in the northeast portion of the country seem to be worse this year, based on a number of factors—increased pollination of all trees has been noted overall, and the weather pattern has caused some of the pollination to be delayed and dispersed over many weeks, so allergies are lasting a longer time than usual," says board-certified ENT Eric Holender, D.O. But rather than being forced to stock my shelves with sterile-looking medications and products that don’t match my aesthetic, I’ve found a shockingly elevated allergy routine. These products do the job, do it well, and frankly, would look right at home in Sephora. Shop my favorites, ahead.

Pay Attention to Itchy Eyes

I ran to my eye doctor (hi, Dr. Knesia Goman) last week because I was convinced I had a stye forming. Turns out, the soreness and tenderness were just a result of some pretty nasty allergies. I started out with the classic Pataday, but after a little research, I’m turning my attention to the two products below.

Itchy Skin Is No Joke

I’m an itchy girl to begin with. My eczema has been in a flare for the past few months—on my ears, eyelids, and forehead. Now, I’m contending with itchy skin pretty much everywhere the second I decide to venture into Central Park. Alas, I’m a glutton for some greenery, so I just make sure to pack these babies in my bag.

The Need to Breath

If you feel like you’ve had a chronic cold for the past two months, you’re not alone. But rather than grabbing my usual Flonase and NeilMed Neti Pot, I’ve found brands that make a very unsexy regimen feel so much more luxe. Well, as luxe as clearing my nostrils can be—there’s a limit.

Purify the Air

My home is my happy place, so having dander, pollen, and all the other triggers floating in the air isn’t an option. These two air purifiers help prevent mold, increase circulation, and were designed to be compact and sleek. Bonus: they’re small enough for my New York City apartment.

Clean Bedding 24/7

I have a very strict no-outside-clothes-on-the-bed rule, which I highly recommend enforcing in your own home. Allergens can travel with you, so I always hop in the shower before crawling into bed, and I make sure to wash my sheets at least once a week. I find that I sleep more soundly and breathe more easily when I’m religious about it.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

I got engaged last fall. I have to say it was the best night ever—all I could hope for, really—except for one very important detail that I unfortunately do dwell on regularly. My nails were short and brown.

I'm not easy to surprise, and if one of my friends had suggested a manicure earlier in the week, the alarm bells would have sounded off in my brain. I'm now happily (almost) married and have come to accept the fact that my engagement manicure was mocha. If I could do it over, though, I'd take some sage advice from celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt: "A great engagement manicure feels timeless, something you’ll still love when you look back at your photos years from now."

The artist typically gravitates toward "chic, elegant styles that complement the ring rather than compete with it." Ideally, you might end up with something "polished, romantic, and effortlessly bridal." Or at least something that makes you feel like yourself.

Ahead, discover 22 ideas for your engagement manicure straight from celebrity nail artists. I can't wait to see those ring pics.

Modern Luxury

On top of the long, long list of people who had better engagement manicures than me: Jordyn Woods. And her nail artist, Elle Gerstein, told Marie Claire all about it. "For Jordyn Woods’ engagement nails the vision felt very luxury bridal but modern," the artist shares. "The shape was soft and elongated without looking overly dramatic, and the finish had that expensive glassy effect that photographs beautifully with a diamond ring. It felt intentional but understated."

Ring First, Nails Second

As Ganzorigt says, you want your mani to complement that gorgeous new ring—not compete with it. A simple, clean and neutral shade like OPI's classic Funny Bunny is always an excellent bet.

Milky Pink

A milky pink polish is always a good idea, whether you're planning on getting engaged or just feel like staring at your beautiful fingers. "When I think of engagement nails, I think of timeless and elegant styles. For 2026, we’re seeing lots of milky French tips (instead of a bright white French), all-over milky pinks, and soft white ombré looks," shares Kenzo, owner of Kenzo Nail Studio. "I’d avoid overly trendy or complicated designs, since engagement photos are something you’ll look back on for years, and classic nails tend to age much better." The artist's favorite polish recommendations? DND's gorgeous (and aptly named!) milky white Tie The Knot.

Milky French Tips

Speaking of those classic milky French tips: "Brides seem to be loving clean, natural nails that photograph beautifully with the ring," shares Kenzo. It might feel a little presumptuous to have them say "I do," but who really cares? Your future fiancé loves you already.

Soft White Ombré

A soft white ombré is another Kenzo recommendation that deserves the spotlight. While it might be your best bet to let a professional handle this look, you can also find some great press-ons to do the job for you if you're in a hurry.

Healthy Luminosity

When Gerstein thinks engagement nails, her mind immediately goes to refined sculpting, clean structure, and nails that make the hands look elegant in every photo. "Right now, engagement nails are less about bold color and more about finish texture and shape. Healthy-looking, luminous nails are the entire vibe," the artist explains. Isn't this pearly design so soft and romantic?

The Russian Mani

If you want the most stunning engagement nails, you should pay close attention to the cuticles. "I think a lot of people are leaning toward Russian manicures for engagement nails because the cuticle work creates such a flawless, polished look, especially in close-up ring shots," Gerstein notes. "If someone thinks an engagement is coming, I always say focus on nail health and consistency before the actual appointment. Keep the cuticles hydrated, don’t pick at old product, and avoid overfilling the natural nail. The best engagement manicures always start with beautiful prep."

Understated Chrome

Surprise, surprise: chrome finishes have also taken over the engagement nail world. Chrome is honestly one of the biggest engagement nail trends right now, but in a softer way. Not the mirror chrome from years ago. Think pearl chrome glazed finishes, soft champagne chrome, or translucent pink chrome layered over a natural base. "It catches light in engagement photos in the prettiest way and gives that 'expensive hand' effect everyone wants," Gerstein says.

Refined Almonds

Another Gerstein recommendation: soft dual form extensions, which she says are becoming "huge" for engagement sets. "They give structure and length while still looking natural and lightweight. They’re perfect for someone who wants elegant shaping without bulky enhancement," explains the artist. "A refined almond or soft oval always works best because it elongates the fingers and keeps the look timeless," says Gerstein.

Jelly Pink

"For me, engagement nails are about elegance, well-maintained hands, and a shade that complements both the ring and the wearer’s skin tone," explains Maryna Slynko, a professional nail artist, educator, and founder of Slynko Beauty Bloom Studio in Kansas. "I always believe that on such an important day, the nails should not compete for attention. Instead, they should naturally enhance the overall look, adding a sense of polish, confidence, and the feeling that every detail is exactly where it belongs."

You know what makes me feel confident? A really nice, sheer pink polish.

Subtle Crystals

If the theme is sparkle, you might as well lean in. Some randomly scattered crystals can be a chic—and super fun—addition to any neutral base color.

Swirly Pearly

There's nothing like a classic French tip, and you'll see a few of them on this list. But if you want to whip up something a little more individualized, might I suggest a swirly pearly finish? Whichever bride is getting this engagement mani, I would love to see your ring. I'm sure it's custom and gorgeous.

Happy Cuticles, That's It

If you don't have much time to spare when perfecting your mani don't worry: your future betrothed loves you anyway. But also: focus on the cuticles! "The biggest thing is not letting your manicure get too grown out or neglecting your cuticles," Ganzorigt explains. "A fresh manicure paired with OPI Nature Strong Glow Up Nail & Cuticle Oil can make all the difference, helping your hands look healthy, polished, and camera-ready from every angle."

Soft Beige

The shade here? ILNP's Short Stack, a "soft maple beige" that might remind you of the second best part of getting engaged: breakfast the morning after while staring at your ring.

Your Favorite Nude

If you already have a favorite nude polish, you don't need to think much more about your engagement manicure. From creamy white shades to beiges and pink-tinted polishes, there's something for everyone. The short, softly rounded shape really makes this look, too.

Micro French Manicure

And now, we move onto the official French manicure section of this selection. First up is a micro French—a look characterized by a super thin tip. Quite lovely, huh?

Classic French Manicure

Or have some old-school fun and go for a deeper, more traditional-looking French set. The slight coffin shape is slightly sexy, and thus perfect for this occasion.

A Touch of Glitter

Another way to add a little sparkle without overwhelming the overall look: a minimalistic dash of glitter. This would also look pretty with a clean white stripe!

Glazed Donut

A Hailey Bieber-approved "glazed donut" manicure is always popular, but especially charming for engagement season. "It draws attention to your hand without being too flashy and distracting. To create the glazed donut nail, apply a milky white or pale pink gel polish like OPI GELement in Let Me Bayou a Mani and top it off with OPI Chrome Effects in Tin Man Can Glaze," Ganzorigt (who literally invented the look) explains. "You can achieve salon-quality finish with the OPI GELement system paired with OPI Chrome Effects, which I made in collaboration with OPI. It’s an easy way to create that glossy, glazed look at home so you’re always photo-ready if a surprise proposal happens to be around the corner."

Minimalist Fun

If you're a nail art girlie, go forth with the polka dots, but maybe stick with a monochromatic color palette to tone things back a little. Your ring is going to want the spotlight! "I would avoid excessive embellishments, large stones, heavy glitter, or overly complicated designs," Slynko says. "On the day of an engagement, the manicure should enhance the moment, not compete with it."

Clean Cut

With a short, clean look like this, you'll be ready whenever the question is dropped."The best engagement nails are the ones that become a beautiful extension of the ring, the personal style, and the emotions of such a special moment," says Synko. "If someone thinks an engagement might be happening in the near future, I would recommend not waiting until the last minute. It’s always a good idea to have your nails in great condition ahead of time and choose a manicure that makes you feel confident, regardless of exactly when the proposal happens."

Short Browns

This one goes out...to me, and anyone else who's been surprised by the love of your life when your fingers are painted brown and extremely misshapen. It happens! I stand by it being a cute look, and even if it's not what you expected, I promise everyone is just looking at that ring, anyway.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet The Experts

It’s not often that you get to meet one of the most storied actresses of our time. It’s even less common that they’re as grounded and open as Zoe Saldaña. Well, I defied both of those odds when I sat down with Saldaña recently to discuss her approach to beauty and her new role as a Lancôme Longevity Ambassador.

​“They've really been consistent,” the actress says when I asked about her decision to partner with the luxury cosmetics brand. “They have worked with amazing ambassadors, and they've been loyal to them for years.” It’s that trustworthiness that originally drew her to the brand, but the product's efficacy ultimately helped her decide. “These formulas have been integrated into my routine so easily,” she says. “They really do work.” The formulas in question? Lancôme's Absolue Longevity MD line.

Designed to target biological—not chronological—aging (i.e., the age and condition of your skin, not just your age in years), the collection is crafted around the ingredient Mitopure. It supports cellular health and mitochondrial function, which help fortify skin firmness, hydration, and collagen production from the inside out. In short, the goal is to help skin look and act more youthful by targeting the cellular changes associated with aging.

​Skincare is only one part of Saldaña's wellness routine, which she says she depends on to keep herself from becoming “dysregulated and overwhelmed.” Ahead, she shares the rest of the products and practices that keep her fueled, present, and Doing Well.

"Lymphatic massages. You really have to stick with them, but you will see the results if you do. I also love extremely hot baths. I'll take sometimes up to three or four baths a day, and sometimes I add epsom salts. But you have to be careful because they can dehydrate you. Just chug two liters of water afterward."

"Frequency music. I’ve stopped listening to most podcasts because ingesting so many opinions can be overwhelming. When I’ve finished listening to the ones that I do like, I’ll turn on a frequency playlist, and it just taps into that frequency that you kind of operate from. I really think it works because sometimes, when I listen to song lyrics, if my mind is already working on something, it can become really distracting and dysregulating. It’s kind of like brain floss."

"Don’t pick up your phone. I’m trying really hard to stick to it, and I’ve really been successful so far. It’s so easy, when I get overwhelmed, to want to punch out and doom scroll. It kind of feels like that cigarette that you need to have a little quick fix that doesn't quite fix anything, you know?"

"The Absolue Longevity MD Intercept Face Cream. It has now become the only night cream that I use, and it’s phenomenal on the skin and leaves my face feeling so supple. I’m also a really big fan of perfumes. Frederic Malle is one of my favorite brands. Right now, I’m loving Rose and Cuir, but I used to be obsessed with Carnal Flower too. "

"A fabric scrunchie. I have them in every bag that I own. Every time I go to any pharmacy, I'll just pick up a bundle of them. I also love hand cream. I’m big on moisturizing."

"Resting is really important to me. Having the discipline to know when to say no and when to stop. You have to respect the hours that your body needs to reset. That, to me, is my idea of nurturing my mental health. As a mother, I know that everything that I put into my body will affect my temperament with my children. I am all about just honoring what will make me feel better tomorrow so that I can be better for them."

"Listen to yourself. Make peace and find beauty with what you see in the mirror. Work with it because what you are is enough. You will always be enough, and just tell the noise to shut up."

Shop Zoe Saldaña's Wellness Routine

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Your mouth is having a moment. From the rise of high-tech, stylish flossing routines and statement grillz to the backlash against veneers, oral care is no longer limited to the dentist’s chair. It’s part wellness practice and part personal style. In Marie Claire’s first-ever Teeth Week, we’re exploring why dentistry feels cooler—and more culturally loaded—than ever.

After years of back and forth, I finally bit the bullet and got grillz. Being raised in a religion where jewelry was prohibited—Seventh Day Adventists, please rise—meant that my introduction to ornamentation was limited. Still, I was always fascinated by the way the people around me wore their pieces. From necklaces to rings and even anklets, seeing stacks of gold decorating someone’s body always felt like a bold declaration of sensuality, confidence, and agency. It was a self-assuredness that my pre-teen self couldn’t wait to have one day.

That day arrived a few weeks ago, when I sat in the middle of Manhattan's Flatiron District on an overcast morning designing my first pair of grillz. Leading up to the decision, I’d been on a years-long journey of self-discovery, kick-started by a mental health episode a few years ago. Through therapy, I learned that I wasn’t doing the best job of recognizing my wins, and I set out to do something just for me. What better way than with custom jewelry?

I’m far from the only one who’s had that thought. From artists like Shaboozey, who wore a turquoise and diamond-encrusted pair to the Met Gala, to juggernauts like Beyoncé, who has flashed them in music videos and in her famous Instagram photo dumps, some of the most creative minds of this generation have made grillz a part of their artistic identities, only adding to the cool factor that the pieces already possess.

But for all their visibility, they still carry a surprising amount of baggage. It didn’t take long for me to find it on social media: a young woman whose father called her grillz “ghetto;” a retail worker who had to explain to her white customers that the grillz she makes aren’t “weird” or “quirky,” but cultural; algorithm-served suggestions for “non-ghetto” grillz. The criticism felt familiar in a way I couldn’t immediately name. The deeper I looked, the more I understood why.

I was born in Jamaica, and for Caribbean immigrants like me, grillz connect to something much older than a trend. They’re an inheritance that stretches across the Black diaspora, and connects us directly to the traditions our families carried with them when they came to this country. So what started as a personal celebration became something bigger: a journey into where grillz come from, who they belong to, and why they still aren’t given the respect they deserve.

The tradition of Black women adorning themselves with intention has a long history, and journalist and media personality Blake Newby carries that history with her every day, she tells me. “I was raised in Houston, so when I was growing up, grillz were everywhere." Newby, who got her first set two years ago, says grillz are an extension of her love of jewelry. She traces it back to her family roots in Detroit—a city steeped in its own hair and beauty culture—as well as her upbringing in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), a Black Pentecostal denomination known for its striking presentation culture.

“When you look up COGIC Easter, you’ll see Black women wearing massive hats, brightly-colored skirt suits, and proper pantyhose,” Newby says. “My grandmother was one of those women.” For her grandmother, that attention to how you present and express yourself had always extended to jewelry. She “believed that a lady always had earrings in...those are the beliefs about ornamentation that I've had instilled into me.” Jewelry and accessories, she tells me, “are one of the many ways we as a people have made something out of nothing. Especially in a country where so much of the way we look has not only been policed, but also outright taken from us.”

She’s right. Long before today’s C.R.O.W.N. Act—a legislative framework intended to prevent race-based hair discrimination that is still struggling to get passed on a federal level—there were the Tignon Laws of 1786. Looking for ways to differentiate freed Black women from the rest of society, deter interracial marriage, and curb the accumulation of wealth and power in the Black community, New Orleans’s governor, Esteban Rodríguez Miró, signed the law into rule. It forced Black women to wear tignons, the head wraps that enslaved women wore while being forced to labor in the fields.

The women of the time, of course, met this absurdity with style: decorating their headwraps with jewels, feathers, and other accessories, turning an oppressive mandate into yet another way to beautifully adorn themselves. It was their way of asserting agency in a society that was doing everything in its power to strip it away. “No matter how we were forced to look or act, something that Black people across the diaspora have always maintained is our ability to make something with nothing,” Newby says. “Grillz, and our love for accessories at large, are such a great example of this spirit.”

Back in Flatiron, my jeweler Nathaniel McPherson—who is Guyanese—was tracing that history back even further. “I’ve had family members who have had gold teeth all my life, but it wasn’t for fashion or aesthetic purposes,” he said as we worked on my design. “They got it for medical purposes.”

In the 1950s and ’60s, gold was much cheaper in the Caribbean than it is now, so much so that it wasn’t unusual to use it for dental work like root canals or full-tooth replacements. When the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was signed into law, an influx of Caribbean immigrants made their way to New York City, spurred by the economic downturn in the region following the collapse of the colonial plantation economy. One of those immigrants was McPherson’s uncle, Claudis Carmichael, who came to the United States in 1986.

“Jewelry is a way of life in Guyana,” Carmichael told me, showing me a ring he’d gotten from his mother. “Pieces are passed down from generation to generation.” Gold is naturally plentiful in the country, along with diamonds and, as recently discovered, oil. Carmichael recalls friends growing up who made the dangerous but potentially lucrative journey into what he called the “gold bushes,” mineral-rich stretches of land throughout Guyana’s rainforest terrains. The risks were steep: landslides, malaria, robberies. Many people, he said, never made it back. But the gold that made it home was woven into everything, including people's teeth.

When we dove into old family photos, the golden teeth were everywhere: his sister’s flashing through a grin on her wedding day; Carmichael himself in the early aughts, lovingly staring at his nephew as gold glimmered from his mouth; his mother-in-law, lovingly referred to as Granny, with necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, all made from Guyanese gold.

As Caribbean immigrants settled in the States, gold teeth evolved from a medical practicality into a fashion statement. Then a man named Eddie Plein—a New York City jeweler who would come to be known as the godfather of grillz—took them mainstream, transforming the practice of having one or two gold teeth into mouths full of metals, diamonds, and gems of varying styles, all adorning the teeth of some of the most influential figures in the city, including Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA. The style skyrocketed even further once Plein took his creations to the South.

Then came the backlash, because in America, when Black people make something popular, judgment is rarely far behind. For years, grillz were labeled “ghetto” or “unrefined,” dismissed as a byproduct of hip-hop culture. That narrative held until white celebrities like Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber started wearing them in the 2010s. Fashion houses followed, using grillz to add “edge” to their runways and collaborating with jewelry designers to bring their visions to life, all without crediting the community that created the style.

Grillz were suddenly cool, but even as they crossed over, the stigma never fully lifted. There are still those who believe the presence of metals in the mouth looks “unpolished,” and nowhere is that more apparent than the dental industry, according to Natera Wilson, a recent graduate of Howard University’s College of Dentistry. “I’ve gotten lots of negative comments about the metals that I wear on my teeth, not only on social media, but also in many dental institutions,” Dr. Wilson says. She has multiple pairs of grillz—a collection that grew during her years in dental school, along with her fascination with the use of metals for orthodontic care. “Not only was it frowned upon amongst my peers, but there have even been instances of opportunities being threatened for anyone trying to embrace that part of the Black aesthetic."

Growing up in Indiana without many people to look to for community, Dr. Wilson found it elsewhere: on screen. It was the movie B.A.P.S. that introduced her to the world of the Black American Princess, and with it, the allure of gold. “Seeing Nisi, played by Halle Berry, and Mickey, played by Natalie Desselle, made me want to be just like them,” Wilson says. “It wasn’t imagery that I saw frequently, and when I spotted their golds, I was hooked.”

Dr. Wilson had always wanted to be a dentist, but it wasn’t until she entered the industry that she realized how stigmatized gold still was, and how little that stigma had to do with science. Gold, she discovered, is actually a far superior material for dental work than many popular alternatives, including porcelain and zirconia.

“When used for tooth repair, gold has a lifespan of 20 to 40 years, but I’ve known people who have had theirs for 50, 60 years,” Dr. Wilson says. “It’s one of the longest-lasting and most biocompatible materials that can be used in this space, as not many people in the United States are allergic to gold.” By comparison, porcelain and Emax crowns—the industry’s go-to alternatives—only last 10 to 15 years. “There is no medical or scientific research that points to gold being less appropriate to use for dental work than any other material. So its lack of availability is widely due to attitudes and beliefs held in the industry.”

But Dr. Wilson intends to do something about that. As she prepares to return to her home state, she plans to open a practice that combines her love of grillz with her medical expertise, one that will offer her community more agency in a space already fraught with medical distrust. “I would like to see patients be offered all alternatives and be given a choice in the materials that they want used in their care,” she says. “Not only have numerous people told me that they didn’t even know that gold was an option that could be used to fix their teeth, but others have even told me that they’ve been flat out denied when they’ve asked their care providers. I want to change that.”

I’ve had to do a lot of work to deconstruct my own mind from the racist ideals I internalized by way of being born in a former slave colony. My grillz started as a simple act of self-celebration, but as I’ve worn them around New York City this spring, I’ve come to see them as something bigger.

It is a love letter to my culture, my country, and the Black American community I had the privilege of growing up in. It's a way of honoring the sacrifices my ancestors made so that someone like me could have agency over something as personal as the way she adorns her body.

And if that isn't striking gold, I don't know what is.

Jennifer Dolnick always travels with a nail wardrobe. The founder of Queen Custom Claws brings a small rotation of press-ons planned for the occasion and stored in a custom travel case she designed to organize multiple sets. For Dolnick, they function like any other styling piece, something she swaps mid-trip without the need for a salon visit. This is the new era of press-on nails, one in which many beauty lovers are ditching an in-salon, pricey manicure in favor of the low-cost alternative. But these are not your mother’s press-on nails.

David Lin Ze Ying, co-founder and chief operating officer of Ready, Ready Instant Nails, a press-on-focused retail and salon concept in New York City, sees this evolution as a reflection of a broader change in how people think about nails. He describes modern press-ons as “ready-to-wear pieces,” more akin to a signature lipstick or jewelry—something that is chosen for the moment rather than maintained for three to four weeks. At his salon, nails operate as both service and accessory, mirroring how consumers increasingly approach them at home, less as an experience and more as a significant part of getting dressed, the finishing touch on an outfit. Thankfully, the product quality has improved alongside this evolution.

The Reinvention of Press-On Nails

Introduced to the mass market in the 1970s, press-ons were long dismissed as shortcuts—temporary, flimsy, and faintly embarrassing, particularly when they would pop off at the worst possible moment. They weren’t…good. Early versions were thicker, offered limited styles, and rarely came with enough sizes for a seamless fit on the nail bed. For decades, manicured nails quietly functioned as a status signal. Salon sets implied upkeep, discipline, and time. Press-ons suggested the opposite. That binary has now flipped. Today, press-ons allow wearers to achieve the look of a professional manicure without the time, cost, or labor historically required to maintain one.

According to Circana data for 2025, artificial nails are growing faster than any other nail category, and for the first time, sales have surpassed traditional polish. But growth only illustrates part of the story. Nails have never been neutral, and manicures have long carried social meaning, often tied to wealth. Press-ons complicate that equation, offering the appearance of maintenance without the same time and financial investment. They are worn across income levels, reshaping what “put together” signals.

Natasha Ellis-Green, PhD, a sociologist, whose research examines the racialized nature of beauty, explains that “nail aesthetics are subtle social signals that communicate meaning about identity, class, cultural belonging, self-expression and gender performance.” These codes are rarely explicit. They are learned through observation and reinforced through repetition.

As Dr. Sharrona Pearl, a historian and Andrews Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies at Texas Christian University, explains, “Beauty standards have functioned as gatekeeping mechanisms, both in terms of access to styles, technologies, and techniques, and in terms of having the leisure and privilege to maintain those standards.” She sees press-ons as part of a broader move toward modular beauty, one shaped by the internet’s visual culture. “Every appearance is highly curated and filtered,” she says. “Press-on nails are kind of an analogue filter to be added or removed at will.”

That logic extends beyond everyday wear into how beauty is constructed for the camera. In the age of Instagram and TikTok, where beauty is constantly captured, shared, and scrutinized, nails are designed for “the shot” as much as for the wearer.

Celebrity nail artist Alicia Torello sees this shift on set. “Clients and stylists are thinking about things like shape, length, finish, and how the nails interact with the rest of the look, whether that’s jewelry, fabrics, or even the lighting in a shoot,” she says. In this context, nails are designed as part of the image itself. Press-ons, once treated as backup, have become a tool that allows for consistency, control, and quick adjustments without compromising how the final look translates on camera.

In practice, that flexibility plays out most clearly in how people now wear their nails. For many of Dolnick’s clients, press-ons have become part of a regular routine, ordered monthly much like a standing salon appointment. “I have a lot of customers who just do the regular monthly set,” she says. Because each set is custom-made to fit the wearer’s nails, clients often use adhesive tabs rather than glue, allowing them to remove, store, and rewear them later. This has prompted the language around the category to shift as well. Once defined by their disposability, press-ons are increasingly referred to as reusable nails, a much more valuable accessory than in years past. (Lin Ze Ying notes that many Ready, Ready clients now purchase multiple sets at once, building a rotation of designs they can swap depending on the moment.)

That momentum isn’t limited to custom makers and reusable luxury sets. It’s also reshaping the industry itself. According to a Grandview Research report, the global press-on market was valued at $738 million in 2024 and is projected to surpass $1 billion by the end of the decade, driven largely by demand for faster, at-home alternatives to salon manicures. At the retail level, that shift in behavior is translating into rapid expansion. Ready, Ready has seen consistent year-over-year revenue growth of 120 percent and maintains a client retention rate above 55 percent.

For legacy brands like KISS, one of the category’s dominant players, that growth has required a fundamental overhaul. Kristin Giarrusso, global marketing director at KISS Products, says earlier press-ons were often seen as overly artificial. “Consumers increasingly expect press-ons to perform like gel or acrylic nails,” she says. In response, the company has redesigned its molds and silhouettes, refining the apex and overall structure so sets better mirror the shape and movement of a natural nail. The category is also beginning to blur at the edges. Hybrid systems like Aprés Gel-X Tips and Dashing Diva’s GelXtend use pre-built extensions that apply quickly but wear like salon sets, further softening the line between professional manicures and removable nails. At this scale, the reinvestment makes clear that press-ons are no longer a workaround but a core part of how people now approach beauty. They can last for weeks or be changed in minutes, aligning with the pace of constant reinvention.

That growth is also tied to a broader recalibration of value. As costs rise, press-ons offer a version of luxury that feels both accessible and efficient. A $120 salon manicure can now be achieved for a fraction of the price, with nails that don’t grow out in a matter of weeks. They are reusable, an obvious economic benefit, but press-ons also maximize another invaluable asset: time. The traditional salon experience no longer carries the same weight. What once signaled luxury—hours spent in a chair, intricate, time-intensive sets—can now be achieved in minutes at home. Increasingly, luxury looks less like time spent and more like time reclaimed.

This evolution is clearest in how people actually approach their manicures now. Brands like Olive & June have helped normalize DIY manicures for a new generation of consumers, reframing the practice as intentional rather than an afterthought or even “affordable.” Fit has been central to that change. According to an Olive & June consumer insights survey, nearly half of respondents struggled to find press-ons that fit properly, a gap the brand addressed by offering nearly double the sizes of most competitors. “In order to get the realest-looking fake nails, your nails have to fit perfectly,” says Sarah Leech Aucutt, chief operating officer of Olive & June. The company tested more than 1,000 people and went through over 50 iterations to refine curvature, thickness, and structure so sets better mimic natural nails. In November 2024, the brand was acquired by Helen of Troy for $240 million.

Like custom nails, mass-market press-ons are now offering the luxury of fit, moving with the wearer and adapting to mood, schedule, and occasion. In that sense, modern luxury is control over how time is used—choosing when to invest it, and when not to. Press-ons don’t just save time. They give it back.

Shop the Best Press-On Nails

Meet the Experts

The documentary filmmaker Ivy Meeropol had never heard the name "E. Jean Carroll" when she read the writer's now-famous essay accusing Donald Trump of assault. Meeropol remembers where she was when she saw the piece had been published in New York Magazine. That feature was an excerpt from Carroll's book What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal, and it described an incident in the mid-1990s in which she said Trump attacked her in the dressing room of Bergdorf Goodman.

I remember the essay's publication, too. Except I knew just who E. Jean was. I grew up reading her and had worked with her at ELLE magazine. She was its advice columnist. I was fresh out of college and dumbfounded to be in her orbit. She was, and remains, one of the most iconic advice columnists of all time. Plus, a towering wit and a hilarious interlocutor. I was walking out of an appointment when I saw a barrage of texts. Had I seen the article? I devoured it in one sour gulp, awed that E. Jean had found the words to describe something so violating without compromising even one iota of her usual flair and humor.

After the article—and her book—came out in 2019, Trump would claim the assault she described could not have happened because E. Jean was not his type. She took him to court over that comment and several others, claiming that his disparagement of her amounted to defamation. Juries agreed. In 2025, a federal appeals court later upheld the $83.3 million judgment against him. It was and remains one of the few times the legal system has managed to impose a real and personal penalty on Donald Trump.

Back in 2019, Meeropol was astounded and impressed. She reached out to E. Jean long before the trial started, hoping to convince her to participate in a film. She succeeded, and the result is the documentary Ask E. Jean, so named after her brilliant and longstanding ELLE column. It's now playing in select theaters nationwide, premiering in May 2026—the same month that news broke that the Justice Department would open a criminal investigation into its subject, exploring whether E. Jean had lied under oath about how she was financing her case against the president. The film has continued to expand to new theaters in the weeks since.

The timing is "suspicious," Meeropol tells Marie Claire. And also frightening and shocking and, in a sense, validating. This film—and its message—matters.

At the beginning of their collaboration, Meeropol remembers E. Jean telling her that one of the things that most hurt her was that Trump had reduced her entire life to three minutes in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room. So Meeropol made sure the film is more expansive. It's a recounting of her singular life and career. Her trailblazing work. And of course, her ultimate triumph.

Below, Meeropol tells Marie Claire how she convinced E. Jean to agree to a documentary, the challenge of getting the project off the ground, and how she nailed its tone.

Marie Claire: Let’s start with the obvious: How did this story end up on your radar and why did you decide to make a documentary about it?

Ivy Meeropol: I read the excerpt in New York Magazine from [E. Jean’s book,] What Do We Need Men For? And somehow, I didn't really know who E. Jean was, but I was really struck by how she told that story. It wasn't just about the assault in Bergdorf Goodman. It was about her voice and her writing. I just found it so galvanizing. She has the most distinct voice, and she's hilarious and a vivid storyteller. I was horrified and kind of entertained at the same time. I felt like, God, I really needed that, and who is this person? So that was the hook.

It took a little while to persuade her to even speak with me. A mutual friend actually said to her, “Ivy Meeropol is trying to get to you. You should consider her. You should look at her work.” So E. Jean watched the film I made about Roy Cohn, because that had really just come out the same year. And then she watched my first film, Heir to an Execution, which is so personal [about the execution of my grandparents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg]. So it's almost like she got to know me a little bit through that, and then she decided she would speak with me. After that, in true E. Jean fashion, she jumped into it.

MC: You mention the style of her writing, which is so funny and so enraging. Early in the film, there is that moment where E. Jean remembers telling her friend what happened. She says she thought her friend would laugh. You see it almost dawning on her how other people are going to see this story.

IM: Yes, and that's such an important point, because you almost can't say you're laughing without having people say, "Oh, well then you must've been having a good time." It’s a dangerous thing to admit that you were laughing and only to admit it, but to say, "This is totally normal. This is how a lot of women cope."

MC: Totally, but also I think there’s now a pressure on women to tell the worst stories in the worst possible way to make it clear how bad things have gotten. It's almost like we lose a certain kind of right of authorship because the only thing that breaks through is total despair and heartbreak. You obviously decided that you wanted to keep humor in this story, and E. Jean made that same decision. How much did you grapple with the tone of the film?

IM: You're putting your finger on what made the edit and the actual construction of this film so challenging. It was like, Okay, how are we laughing now and then we're crying here or horrified here or enraged? But we had to do that because that's the truth. She's just a brilliant writer. When I started to spend time with her, we were just laughing all the time. She makes me laugh. I sometimes make her laugh. I felt like we needed to see the whole picture.

And why not? I mean, it's not like we've stopped laughing because we've had horror in our lives. That's E. Jean's bigger message in a lot of ways too. She's like, "I'm never supposed to have had fun again?" There isn't one right way to be a victim.

MC: At the same time, the film really makes clear that E. Jean had to put a lot of thought into how she presented herself. She has a hairdresser. She needs to wear the right clothes. Why did you want to include those scenes of her preparing for the trial?

IM: We're not supposed to care about our looks, but everyone cares. And not only that, it was essential for her. The team had to make sure that the jury saw who she was because they were getting all this input from Trump saying, "She's not my type, and she's older." And how do we imagine that she was attractive to him? So she kept showing pictures of her looking incredibly gorgeous. Her clothes became armor.

I could never have predicted, of course, what exactly she would say about it or that it would be so powerful to hear her say, "I had to look fuckable." It's just so E. Jean. When the film screens, you can hear the gasps in the audience. There's uneasy laughter; sometimes cheering. It's real, and it's powerful.

MC: You could have made the film only focused on the trial, but you really told this full story of E. Jean's life and career. I grew up reading her writing, but I had no idea she had a talk show. I didn't know she was on Oprah. How did you decide how to frame her in the documentary and how much to include of her life before the trial?

IM: I really wanted to show that she was ahead of her time and that she really was a self-made woman. She had all these very traditional female roles: cheerleader, sorority sister, beauty queen. She married young, moved to Montana. But the minute she had an opportunity, she was working. She had this dream. She leaves her marriage. She goes to New York. She becomes one of the first female editors at these male-dominated magazines and a gonzo journalist.

I wanted to show that she was someone who was pushing the boundaries for women in that time period and still was subject to this incredible degree of sexism. To me, she was representative. Through her whole experience, we're able to understand this trajectory of feminism. How far we've come, but also where it stops and where it's almost worse than ever, from the exploitation of women and children's bodies to rape culture becoming normalized.

MC: In a way, this story is ongoing. You couldn't have anticipated that the Department of Justice would be opening an investigation into E. Jean. How did you respond to that news?

IM: When I first heard it, I was shocked. I mean, I shouldn't be, but I was. I was worried. I was worried about her. But I do feel like it's even more important that we're releasing this, because he's calling her a liar again—again. This film is the antidote to those accusations. I would like to find one person who comes out of watching this film and doesn't believe her. We use the actual depositions; he's under oath, and she is honest. So yes, I am glad the film is here to meet this moment.

MC: It's expensive to make and release a documentary. We know that so many companies are afraid of running afoul of this administration. Did you find that people were afraid of the story that you were telling?

IM: Well, those dynamics definitely affected how long it took to come together. Look, I had really hoped that I would be able to go to a streamer and get a budget and really just focus on the creative and the hard work of making a film like this. That didn't happen. I don't know if it was fear at that point, because I don't know if he'd fully established himself as this vengeful, erratic, dangerous person. But I do think there was a feeling that people were kind of burnt out on Trump and burnt out on MeToo. I heard a lot, "Its moment is over. It had its moment." But to me this wasn't even a MeToo story. This was a singular story about E. Jean. There was hesitation. I was confronted with it over and over while we were making the film, as we tried to find people who would support us. And when we were locking the picture, there were people who wanted their names off for various reasons—personal, political, a partner or a husband or a wife telling them, "I don't like this. I'm nervous about it."

It had an effect on those of us who stayed put. But it also made us feel even more like, "This is even more important." It just becomes more and more important.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Your mouth is having a moment. From the rise of high-tech, stylish flossing routines and statement grillz to the backlash against veneers, oral care is no longer limited to the dentist’s chair. It’s part wellness practice and part personal style. In Marie Claire’s first-ever Teeth Week, we’re exploring why dentistry feels cooler—and more culturally loaded—than ever.

I’ve been hyper-aware of tooth staining for as long as I can remember. Between a near-daily Diet Coke habit, coffee, and the occasional glass of red wine, keeping my teeth looking white has slowly become less of a night-before-a-big-event concern and more of an ongoing maintenance task. Add in the fact that I developed mild dental fluorosis as a kid—a condition caused by excess fluoride exposure that can give teeth a speckled appearance—and I’ve probably spent more time thinking about tooth color than the average person.

Over the years, I tried basically everything. Whitening pens that somehow made the white spots on my teeth stand out more. Strips that worked but left my teeth so sensitive I avoided ice water for days. Toothpastes that promised a dramatically brighter smile and mostly delivered, well, minty breath. Eventually, after a lot of trial and error (and more than a few late-night CVS runs), I realized successful whitening only comes with consistency. That’s something cosmetic dentist Oscar Sanchez of Apa Aesthetics says patients often misunderstand. According to Dr. Sanchez, getting noticeably whiter teeth at home comes down to using peroxide-based formulas over the long term—not quick fixes.

That mindset shift honestly changed how I approached whitening altogether. A blindingly white smile shouldn't be the goal—a healthy, brighter smile, without enamel damage or increased sensitivity, should be. Ahead, everything worth knowing about at-home whitening according to cosmetic dentists, plus the products Team MC actually reaches for when stains start creeping back in.

Start With the Basics

To this day, my routine always begins with a whitening toothpaste. While toothpaste alone won’t dramatically change the shade of your teeth, it can help remove surface stains and maintain brightness between whitening treatments. I've tried dozens, but Sensodyne always ends up being my front-runner. It's one of the few sensitivity-friendly products that still leaves my teeth feeling clean and looking white without painful zingers.

Beauty Editor Siena Gagliano uses Sensodyne Clinical White Stain Protector Toothpaste.

Don’t Skip the Floss

I used to hate flossing as a kid. Now, I’ve finally come around to its benefits. Flossing plays a major role in preventing buildup and staining between the teeth—areas a toothbrush simply can’t fully reach. And honestly, whitening your teeth while neglecting to floss is a little like applying a full skincare routine without taking your makeup off first.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, flossing helps remove plaque from between the teeth before it hardens into calculus (also known as tartar)—the yellowish buildup that can only be removed professionally. Over time, that buildup can contribute to discoloration, cavities, and gum irritation, all of which can make teeth look duller or less bright overall (not to mention more susceptible to stains). So if you want your whitening products to really shine, it's best to just floss.

Beauty Editor Siena Gagliano uses COCOLAB Cocofloss Mint Floss.

The Tried-and-True Strips

Whitening strips are probably the category I’ve experimented with most over the years because they’re easy to use, accessible, and very effective when done correctly, thanks to the peroxide-based formulation. That said, they’re also the easiest to overdo. As Dr. Sanchez says, overusing whitening strips or leaving them on longer than directed can actually backfire, increasing irritation and sensitivity.

Beauty Director Hannah Baxter uses Crest 3D Whitestrips in Sensitive White.

Try the LED Route

Of all the at-home options, LED kits tend to feel the most similar to the in-office whitening experience. Most systems pair peroxide-based whitening gel or strips with blue light technology, designed to enhance the whitening process and accelerate the breakdown of stains on the teeth. Research on LED-assisted whitening remains somewhat mixed, but some studies suggest that combining blue light with hydrogen peroxide may improve visible whitening results over time. That said, peroxide is still doing most of the heavy lifting when it comes to breaking down discoloration.

Don’t Underestimate Mouthwash

Mouthwash is definitely more of a maintenance step than a dramatic whitening treatment, but I always notice a difference when I keep one in rotation. As Dr. Sanchez explains, consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to whitening, and honestly, whitening mouthwash feels like the perfect example of that mindset. It’s less about instant results and more about helping prevent new staining from building up over time.

Beauty Editor Siena Gagliano uses Colgate Optic White Advanced Teeth Whitening Mouthwash.

How Does At-Home Whitening Work?

Most whitening products don't technically scrub stains off your teeth the way people think they do. Instead, they rely on peroxide-based ingredients—usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—that penetrate the enamel and break apart stain molecules caused by coffee, wine, smoking, aging, and, unfortunately for me, years of Diet Coke.

“The whitening process is essentially a chemical reaction that lightens both surface and deeper intrinsic stains, rather than just scrubbing the tooth surface,” explains cosmetic dentist James Heaton of Smiles of Chandler. Most at-home systems are designed to work gradually over several days to a few weeks, which helps minimize sensitivity while still delivering visible results.

What Ingredients Should I Look for in a Teeth Whitening Product?

If you’re shopping for whitening products, the ingredients that matter most are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. According to both dentists, these are the gold-standard whitening agents that actually break down staining within the tooth, not just temporarily polish the surface so your teeth look brighter for an hour.

“In over-the-counter products, hydrogen peroxide is typically present in lower concentrations—around three to 10 percent—while carbamide peroxide products generally range from about 10 to 22 percent, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide over time,” says Dr. Heaton. When it comes to in-office treatments, dentists use 15 to 40 percent peroxide levels. Because of the higher concentration, isolation methods are used to protect your gums from burns to the soft tissue.

That's why peroxide levels matter so much when you're shopping for whitening products. If a formula doesn't contain some form of peroxide, it's likely doing more surface-level stain removal or temporarily brightening your teeth's appearance rather than delivering the kind of longer-term whitening most people are actually after. As for other actives, it’s also worth looking for formulas that include ingredients like potassium nitrate, a nerve-calmer that blocks pain signals, and fluoride, which creates a protective barrier, both of which can help reduce sensitivity during the whitening process.

What Type of Teeth Whitening Product Should I Look For?

As a rule of thumb, Dr. Heaton suggests lower-strength strips and gels for mild staining and maintenance, and dentist-dispensed trays for stronger, more controlled concentrations. Any of the options above are great starting points—particularly the whitening strips that contain peroxide—and by supplementing them with proper oral care, including mouthwash, floss, and toothpaste, you'll be on your road to whiter, brighter teeth.

Dr. Sanchez also warns against trendy “natural” whitening products that avoid peroxide entirely. If a formula claims to dramatically whiten teeth without hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, he says it’s a red flag. “Some of these trends can be ineffective at best and damaging to enamel at worst.”

And unfortunately, the damage usually comes from the exact thing that makes these products feel like they’re “working” in the first place. Many peroxide-free whitening powders and charcoal formulas rely on abrasive ingredients that physically scrub at surface stains rather than actually breaking them down chemically. Sure, teeth might look a little brighter immediately after use, but over time, all that aggressive scrubbing can start wearing down enamel. And once that outer layer gets compromised, teeth can start to look duller and more yellow.

Can I Over-Whiten My Teeth?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to overdo your at-home teeth whitening, especially in a short time frame. “The biggest misconception is that more is more,” says Dr. Sanchez. And honestly, a slower approach is a good thing. If you’ve ever gone too hard with whitening strips before a wedding, vacation, or big event and spent the next two days wincing every time you drank cold water, you already know what I’m talking about. Dr. Sanchez notes that aggressively overusing whitening products doesn’t necessarily make teeth whiter faster—it just increases the risk of irritation, gum discomfort, and sensitivity.

That said, occasional whitening treatments used as directed typically won’t damage enamel. According to Dr. Heaton, the bigger issue tends to be overuse. “Overuse can temporarily dehydrate the enamel, making teeth appear chalky or translucent and, in some cases, exacerbate microscopic surface changes that increase sensitivity,” he explains. The good news: That dehydrated funky look is usually temporary and often improves once you stop whitening and allow the teeth to rehydrate naturally. As for the signs you’re overdoing it, Dr. Heaton says to look out for persistent sensitivity, gum irritation, teeth that suddenly look translucent, and uneven or blotchy whitening.

“The key is moderation—whitening should enhance a natural shade, not push teeth beyond what the enamel can comfortably tolerate,” says Dr. Heaton. When in doubt, he recommends consulting your dentist, who can help determine what’s appropriate for your goals.

FAQs

How long does at-home teeth whitening take to work?

Dr. Heaton says most at-home whitening systems are “designed to work gradually over several days to a few weeks,” which helps minimize sensitivity while still delivering noticeable brightening.

Does whitening damage enamel?

According to Dr. Heaton, peroxide-based whitening products are generally considered safe when used as directed. A published study from the NLM found there is “no evidence” that peroxide-based whitening causes significant long-term damage to enamel, though temporary sensitivity and dehydration can occur with overuse. Dentists are actually more cautious about highly abrasive whitening products—like some charcoal powders or gritty polishers—which physically scrub away surface stains rather than chemically breaking them down. Over time, aggressive abrasion can gradually wear down enamel which will cause teeth to look duller or feel more sensitive.

Why do teeth feel sensitive after whitening?

Teeth can feel sensitive immediately afterward because whitening can dehydrate the teeth for a bit, Dr. Heaton explains. During the whitening process, peroxide passes through the enamel, exposing the inner part of the tooth temporarily which makes the nerve inside more reactive. (Even though it sounds scary, this process has been studied and confirmed to be safe!) This is why cold water, sweets, or even air can zing after a treatment. Gum irritation can happen too, especially if stronger formulas are overused or whitening gel sits on them too long. Thankfully, the sensitivity is usually temporary and calms down once the teeth rehydrate naturally.

What stains teeth the fastest?

Coffee, red wine, tea, soda, smoking, and deeply pigmented foods are some of the biggest culprits behind tooth discoloration over time. Both dentists explain that these stains tend to build gradually, especially when those foods and drinks become part of your everyday routine. So while the occasional iced latte probably isn’t ruining your smile, years of daily coffee runs can definitely start to catch up with your enamel.

Why Trust Marie Claire

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Meet the Experts

I will do a lot in my quest for flawless skin, including traveling almost 7,000 miles to Seoul, South Korea, a.k.a the mecca of skincare innovation, to discover the latest and greatest in beauty development. I'm talking buzzy ingredients that you can't yet find in the States, aesthetic treatments that leave your skin looking naturally airbrushed, and of course the beauty technology that is primed to inspire a new wave of device innovation around the world. Such was the case when the Medicube team invited me to their Korean headquarters to learn all about the new Booster Pro X2, the next generation of the brand's iconic Booster Pro line.

In case you're not already familiar with the skincare tool or brand—but really, if you love beauty tech, I sincerely hope you are—Medicube is at the forefront of K-Beauty science, and has been since 2016, bringing now-household items like exfoliating toner pads and PDRN serums to market. You also may have spotted Hailey Bieber using the Age-R Booster Pro on TikTok in 2023. Now, two and a half years after the launch of the original Booster Pro device in February 2024, the brand is revisiting its hero device and updating it with both new software and new hardware to enhance the lifting, firming, and anti-aging benefits.

As Medicube CEO and founder Byung-hoon Kim explained to media at the brand's headquarters, "Medicube is really about the speed of innovation and how fast we can get things out to market. It feels like that's kind of the differentiator when it comes to K-Beauty itself and K-culture, that we're really that fast-paced culture, and it feels like that's one of the deep-rooted secrets of K-Beauty in general." Serving the consumer, who obviously wants noticeable results as fast as possible (as long as you use any device consistently!) is just one of the reasons why both Korean Beauty and skincare devices are having such a moment in 2026.

With over six million devices sold around the world at the start of 2026, per Joe Cho, Medicube's media relations lead, the buzz around the K-Beauty brand shows no signs of slowing down. The only thing left to do—after sleeping for 15 hours upon my return to Brooklyn—was to test out the Booster Pro X2 for myself.

What Is the Medicube Booster Pro X2?

The Booster Pro X2 is a Korean skincare device that features seven modes of action to improve your skin, and offers benefits that are comparable to in-office treatments, all in the comfort of your own bathroom (or wherever you decide to use it—you do you, babe). Compared to the first generation model, the Booster Pro X2 now has seven core modes, up from four, with an additional level of intensity, six compared to five, and a 1.3x larger head to reach more surface area for more efficient treatments. "With the Booster Pro X2, we built upon that same idea by making the experience even more effective, enhancing performance to help consumers better maintain healthy-looking skin and stay ahead of potential concerns over time," explains Cho.

The four original modes are all still included, with three more options to enhance your at-home skincare regimen for a more lifted, glowing effect. But now, "the Booster Pro X2 has two times the output power, two times the electrode count, and two times the LED coverage," says Cho. Each mode also includes LED benefits to boost collagen production and minimize inflammation (you can adjust the settings in the AGE-R App). The seven modes are as follows:

• Air Shot mode: Targets needle-free technology to create tiny micro-channels in the skin and exfoliate for a brighter, more even complexion.
• Booster mode: Helps ensure maximum absorption of your topical skincare products via electroporation technology.
• MC mode: Uses microcurrent to smooth fine lines and plump the skin.
• Derma Shot mode: Features mid-frequency electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to tighten, lift, and improve skin elasticity.
• AI mode: Uses AI-guided recommendations to tailor your device usage though the AGE-R app.
• Mask mode: Designed to be used with a Korean sheet mask to support ingredient absorption
• Dual mode: Allows the user to utilize two modes at one time.

So if you want to wear your sheet mask and receive a boost of EMS to tighten your skin, the Booster Pro X2 makes it possible. I know I certainly want to achieve maximum benefits in as little time as possible, so I started to incorporate the device (most often the Dual mode setting with Mask and MC mode) into my morning skincare routine four times a week. Can you use it everyday? Absolutely, but I'm only human with a tight schedule!

How Do I Use the Medicube Booster Pro X2?

One of my favorite parts of this device is that you don't need a conduction gel to make it function. You can simply apply your favorite skincare serums and slowly swipe the device around your face. For the Airshot mode, you're meant to use the device on clean, dry skin (angling it slightly so it doesn't pull at your skin), but otherwise, you can reach for your go-to skincare and use the Booster Pro X2 until your product has fully absorbed.

I prefer to use a sheet mask from my stash (like the Biodance Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask or the OMAD Bio Cellulose Restore & Repair Serum Mask) while on the Mask mode. For the Booster mode, a serum with active ingredients like EGF or PDRN is a must for me (try the Angela Caglia Cell Forté Serum With Biomscor the Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+). The MC mode definitely needs a plumping and hydrating product (I gravitate towards the StriVectin Peptide Plump Line Filling Bounce Serumor Dr. Barbara Sturm The Peptide Serum). The only real rule here, per Cho and the Medicube team, is to avoid using the Booster Pro X2 with any retinoid product or a spicules product so as to avoid potential irritation. Otherwise, consider the device as a seamless accessory to your established skincare lineup.

My Experience with the Medicube Booster Pro X2

There are so many ways to use this device, but I decided to focus on lifting and contouring my face since my allergies are leaving me a little puffy, and helping my usual skincare absorb more effectively. More bang for my buck, right?

After cleansing my face with a gentle gel cleanser in the morning, I added a hydrating toner (the Isla Tone Balance Elixir is a favorite right now) and a plumping serum (the StriVectin Peptide Plump Line Filling Bounce Serum) in the MC mode twice a week, or an antioxidant serum (the Biologique Recherche Spectral Serum) in Booster mode twice a week.

I really appreciated that I could feel the microcurrent (and see it—my eyes and brows went wild with the stimulation), and that I didn't need the conduction gel to make it happen. For the Booster mode, it was harder to tell if the Booster Pro X2 was really helping my serum absorb better, but considering how finicky my skin has been lately, I'll take all the help that I can get. The device is super intuitive, and I've been enjoying toggling through all the different modes and intensity levels. For example, on a Sunday morning, when I've had a busy weekend, I like to turn it up to a level five or six out of seven to really tone my face, but on a Tuesday morning, I keep it to around a three. For days when I need to film content, or I have an important meeting and I want to look my best, I know that I'll be reaching for this device to ensure my complexion looks snatched and ridiculously glowy.

I'm considering it both an investment in the longterm health of my skin and an immediate boost to my appearance, especially when my lifestyle choices have affected my skin (read: two glasses of wine with a friend and some extremely greasy pizza). So while I may not make it back to Seoul anytime soon, I can rest easy knowing that the Korean Beauty philosophy of highly effective skincare is feasible from home—no appointment or plane travel require.

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