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12 Best Deals From Ulta’s National Lipstick Week Sale 2026

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12 Best Deals From Ulta’s National Lipstick Week Sale 2026

Not quite a lipstick, not quite a gloss, Clinique’s Almost Lipstick is the Goldilocks lip product for anyone who wants an effortless wash of color without the weight of a traditional lipstick. The Readers’ Choice Award winner is available in three shades—including the iconic Black Honey that, trust us, really does flatter just about everyone. “It glides on so smoothly and is super buildable, leaving me with the prettiest deep-rosy shade,” says commerce editor Sarah Han.

Sacheu Peel Off Lip Liner Stay-N

Sack

Peel Off Lip Liner Stay-N

Allure former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis applying the Sacheu Peel Off Lip Liner Stay-N

Angela Trakoshis

When peel-off lip liner stains hit the beauty scene, we knew the industry had officially thought of everything. Don’t let the blue-ish tint fool you—it’s just part of the process: After about eight minutes, simply peel it away to reveal a natural-looking, your-lips-but-better stain that won’t budge. “When I say this lip stain lasts, I mean it,” says former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis. “My lip line remained intact hours later.”

Nyx Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain

Han applying the Nyx Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain

Sarah Hahn

Nyx Professional Makeup

Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain

If you’ve ever struggled to draw a crisp lip line, Nyx Professional Makeup’s Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain makes it almost foolproof thanks to its ultra-skinny ballpoint tip that hugs every curve of your lips. Better yet, it’s surprisingly beginner-friendly. “I’m not a lip liner expert by any means, but I find it quite easy to use,” says Han. Despite being waterproof and smudge-proof, the formula gives you a little time to blend before it sets into an all-day stain that won’t feather, bleed, or budge.

8 Best BHA Toners of 2026 for Clearer, Smoother Skin

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8 Best BHA Toners of 2026 for Clearer, Smoother Skin

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to use a BHA toner every day?

BHA usage depends on your skin type. “Yes, it is okay to use a BHA daily for people with normal to oily skin,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. “People with dry skin may need to decrease the frequency of use.” Because BHAs like salicylic acid help unclog pores and reduce excess oil, they’re often well tolerated by acne-prone skin types. That said, if you’re new to chemical exfoliants or have sensitive skin, it’s smart to start slow and build up to daily use. And don’t forget sunscreen, as BHAs can make your skin more sun-sensitive.

Which ingredients shouldn’t be combined with BHA?

While BHA can be paired with many ingredients, certain combinations may be too harsh. “People with dehydrated or sensitive skin may experience excessive dryness if they combine a salicylic acid toner with other drying or exfoliating ingredients, such as other acids, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. That said, “for people with normal to oily skin, these combinations of ingredients are very common.” Another combo to be cautious with is vitamin C and acids like BHA, since “vitamin C stability is pH-dependent,” she adds. To minimize irritation, consider alternating active ingredients or using them at different times of day.

Is there an ideal percentage of BHA?

There’s no one-size-fits-all ideal percentage of BHA—it depends on your skin type and what you’re using it for. “The concentration that is typically used for acne is 2%,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. “For general use, concentrations range from 0.5 to 2%.” If you have sensitive skin, she notes that “lower concentrations may be better,” since tolerability can vary based on strength. “It really depends on the formula, but theoretically, the higher the percentage, the greater the exfoliating effects,” she adds.

Meet the experts

  • Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
  • Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist based in New Orleans
  • Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
  • Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology based in Toronto, Canada

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best toners for sensitive skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

How To Find Safe Hair Transplant Clinic In Turkey (And Avoid Hair Mills)?

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How To Find Safe Hair Transplant Clinic In Turkey (And Avoid Hair Mills)?

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Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support 🙂

Thinking about getting a hair transplant in Turkey? You’re not alone. Over the past decade, Istanbul has become one of the world’s leading destinations for hair restoration. Every year, hundreds of thousands of international patients travel to Turkey for FUE and DHI procedures, drawn by experienced surgeons, modern clinics, and treatment costs that are significantly lower than those in the US, UK, and much of Western Europe.

The challenge isn’t finding a clinic; it’s choosing the right one. Search for “hair transplant Turkey,” and you’ll come across hundreds of clinics, WhatsApp representatives, polished social media transformations, and websites all claiming to offer the best results. With so many options, it can be difficult to tell the difference between reputable medical clinics and high-volume “hair mills.”

A hair transplant is a permanent surgical procedure, so choosing the right clinic matters. A well-performed transplant can deliver natural-looking, long-lasting results, while a poorly executed procedure may require expensive corrective surgery later. In this guide, we’ll walk through the key signs of a safe hair transplant clinic in Turkey, the warning signs to watch for, and how independent resources like TurkHairIndex can help you make a more informed decision.

What Is A Hair Mill And Why Should You Avoid One?

A hair mill is a high-volume clinic that focuses on treating as many patients as possible each day, often at the expense of personalized care and medical standards. While not every affordable clinic in Turkey falls into this category, hair mills typically prioritize speed and volume over patient outcomes.

Here are some of the most common warning signs:

Technician-Led Procedures

In some clinics, the surgeon featured on the website or in advertisements has limited involvement in the actual procedure. They may conduct the initial consultation or design the hairline, while much of the extraction and implantation is performed by technicians. Since regulations and clinical practices vary, it’s important to ask exactly which parts of the procedure will be performed by the surgeon and which will be handled by the medical team.

Poor Sterilization and Rushed Workflows

Clinics that schedule a large number of procedures each day may have less time for individualized care. If proper sterilization protocols and quality control are not followed, the risk of complications, including post-operative infections, can increase.

Overharvesting the Donor Area

The donor area contains a limited number of healthy hair follicles. Removing too many grafts in a single session or extracting them without proper planning can leave the donor area looking thin or patchy. An experienced surgeon aims to preserve this area while achieving natural-looking coverage, especially if future procedures may be needed.

The Real Problem With Standard “All-Inclusive” Packages

Most patients looking to book their surgery fall into the exact same marketing trap. They look at a package deal that includes five-star hotel stays, private VIP transfers, professional translators, and a shockingly low price tag, and they hit “pay deposit” without asking the right medical questions.

While luxury accommodation and smooth logistics are great additions to a medical trip, they have absolutely zero impact on the survival rate of your hair grafts. You are traveling to Turkey for a medical procedure, not just a vacation. A professional, transparent clinic will always prioritize medical transparency over lifestyle perks, ensuring you receive a detailed, itemized breakdown of where your money is actually going.

Enter Turkhairindex.com: The Ultimate Pre-Vetting Tool

If you want to skip the aggressive commercial noise, protect your donor area, and ensure your surgeon is fully qualified, Turkhairindex.com is your best ally. Instead of acting as a sales agent for a single brand, this independent comparison and directory platform pre-vets and organizes Turkey’s top hair restoration clinics based on strict medical standards.

Here is how utilizing a dedicated index protects your investment and your scalp:

  • Verified Medical Credentials: The platform highlights clinics led by surgeons who hold active, legally recognized medical memberships and specialization degrees in plastic surgery or dermatology.
  • Transparent Material Disclosure: You get clear, verifiable insights into which clinics use premium FDA-approved surgical tools, such as Sapphire FUE blades and Choi Implanter Pens for DHI, rather than cheap, generic alternatives.
  • Direct, Unfiltered Information: It strips away the marketing fluff so you can compare real clinical standards, genuine patient reviews, and transparent pricing structures side-by-side.

How To Filter The Best Clinics: 4 Golden Rules Before You Pay A Deposit

Before you sign a contract or send a single dollar to lock in a date, make sure you put your prospective clinic through this checklist:

Demand the Surgeon’s Name and Verify Their Active Memberships

You have the absolute right to know who will be operating on your head. Ask your clinic coordinator: “What is the full name of the surgeon who will be performing my incisions?” Once you have the name, check if they are registered with respected national and international bodies, such as the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS).

Ask About The Surgeon’s Daily Patient Limit

An elite, dedicated hair restoration surgeon will typically perform only one or two surgeries per day. This allows them to stay fully focused and participate actively in the critical steps of your procedure. If a clinic admits that their doctor “supervises” six or more surgeries a day, you are looking at a classic high-volume hair mill.

Beware Of Extreme Graft Promises

A common sales tactic is promising a massive number of grafts such as “6,000 grafts in a single 6-hour session.” Biologically, extracting and implanting that many grafts at once is highly risky. Extended time outside the body decreases graft survival rates, and over-harvesting can ruin your donor area forever. Elite doctors will always prioritize the long-term health of your donor hair over unrealistic, flashy promises.

Insist On A Written Warranty

Reputable medical clinics stand firmly behind their clinical results. Ask for a written, formal guarantee regarding graft survival rates and post-operative medical support. A clinic that is confident in its medical staff will have no problem putting their commitments in writing

Understanding The Hair Transplant Timeline: What To Expect?

A successful hair transplant requires patience, care, and a realistic understanding of the healing process. Here is what your recovery journey will look like:

  • Month 1 (The Healing Phase): During the first ten days, your scalp will heal, and small scabs will form around the grafts. By week three or four, you will experience the “shock loss” phase, where the transplanted hair shafts fall out. Do not panic; this is a completely natural part of the cycle, and the healthy roots remain safely anchored beneath your skin.
  • Months 3 to 4 (The First Growth): Fine, baby-like hairs will slowly begin to break through the surface of the skin. They will gradually become thicker and stronger over the coming weeks.
  • Months 6 to 9 (The Density Boost): You will start to see significant visual changes as the hair gains volume, length, and texture, covering the previously balding areas.
  • Months 12 to 18 (The Final Result): Your hair transplant is now fully mature. You can cut, style, and wash your dense, natural-looking hair exactly as you please, with no visible signs of the surgical procedure.

Over To You: Make An Informed Decision For Your Hair Health

A hair transplant is a permanent modification to your body. When done right, it is a life-changing confidence booster. When done poorly by unqualified technicians, repairing a botched surgery can cost triple the price of a proper first session.

Don’t roll the dice on your appearance. Use the resources available to compare, verify, and select an elite, certified medical team with absolute confidence.

~written by Smith Morgan.

Is It a Dupe? Swatches on Fair Olive Skin

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Is It a Dupe? Swatches on Fair Olive Skin

Hello beautiful people! Today I’m sharing About Face F2 Olive vs Lisa Eldridge 2.5: Is It a Dupe? No. On my very fair olive skin, About Face The Performer Foundation in F2 Olive swatches warmer and deeper than Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation in Shade 2.5. The About Face Illusionist Concealer in F2 Olive runs even deeper and greener than both. I swatched them side by side on my neck, chest, and arm so you can see for yourself.

I purchased all of the products in this post with my own money. Some links are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you shop through them, at no extra cost to you. The entire reason I originally started my blog was because I wanted to find a foundation that matched me. 18 years later, here we are, I’ve found it in Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation Shade 2.5 Olive.

Where to Buy About Face
About Face, Douglas, Ulta

Where to Buy Lisa Eldridge
Lisa Eldridge

Where to Buy LYS and Haus Labs
Sephora

Products Featured

Pale Olive Complexion Product Swatch Comparison

About Face F2 Olive vs Lisa Eldridge 2.5: Is It a Dupe? (Swatches on Fair Olive Skin)

The Quick Verdict

Watch the video on YouTube!

About Face F2 Olive vs Lisa Eldridge 2.5: Side-by-Side Comparison

Comparison table: About Face F2 Olive €27 for 32ml vs Lisa Eldridge 2.5 €53 for 30ml; F2 Olive swatches warmer and deeper; About Face 45 shades, Lisa Eldridge 40 shades with true olives at every depth; both buildable coverage, no SPF, vegan and cruelty-free

About Face F2 Olive vs Lisa Eldridge 2.5 Olive Swatches

Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation Shade 2.5 Olive swatched on porcelain olive skin compared to About Face the Performer Foundation F2 Olive About Face the Illusionist Concealer F2 Olive vs About Face the Performer Foundation F2 Olive vs Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation 2.5 Olive on very fair olive skin About Face F2 Olive Illusionist Concealer and Performer Foundation vs. Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation 2.5 Olive swatches on pale olive skin

  1. About Face The Performer Skin-Focused Foundation in F2 Olive
  2. Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation in Shade 2.5 Olive
  3. About Face The Illusionist Concealer in F2 Olive
  4. Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Concealer in 01 Fair Neutral
  5. LYS Triple Fix Blurring Skin Tint Foundation Stick in LN1 Porcelain Neutral

On my arm, from top to bottom: About Face The Performer Foundation in F2 Olive, Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation in 2.5, About Face The Illusionist Concealer in F2 Olive, Haus Labs 01 Fair Neutral Triclone Concealer, and LYS LN1 Blurring Foundation Stick. The depth and warmth difference between the two foundations is clear, and the concealer is the warmest, greenest stripe of the five.

About Face F2 Olive vs Lisa Eldridge 2.5 Olive neck swatches on very fair olive skin tone Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation 2.5 Olive vs About Face F2 Olive swatches and dupe comparison on fair olive skin Lisa Eldridege 2.5 vs LYS LN1 vs About Face F2 vs. Haus Labs F01 chest and neck comparison swatches on porcelain olive skin

  1. About Face The Illusionist Concealer in F2 Olive
  2. About Face The Performer Skin-Focused Foundation in F2 Olive
  3. Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation in Shade 2.5 Olive
  4. LYS Triple Fix Blurring Skin Tint Foundation Stick in LN1 Porcelain Neutral
  5. Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Concealer in 01 Fair Neutral

On my chest and neck, from left to right: About Face F2 Olive Illusionist Concealer, About Face F2 Olive Performer Foundation, Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation in 2.5, LYS LN1 Triple Fix Blurring Skin Tint Foundation Stick, and Haus Labs 01 Fair Neutral Triclone Concealer. I always match complexion products to my neck and chest rather than my face, because rosacea gives my face a red overtone that I want foundation to neutralize, not match.

You can see both About Face swatches sit as distinct warm bands against my skin, while Lisa Eldridge 2.5, LYS LN1, and Haus Labs 01 melt in.

Why F2 Olive Isn’t a Dupe for Lisa Eldridge 2.5

Both shades are genuine fair olives, which is why the comparison matters: they’re currently the only two Western foundations deliberately built for this undertone at the fair end. But they’re calibrated for different people. Lisa Eldridge 2.5 Olive is a muted grey-green cool olive that works at the porcelain end of fair. About Face F2 Olive carries more warmth and more depth, which pushes it out of porcelain territory entirely.

If you’re a light olive who finds Lisa Eldridge 2.5 slightly too pale or too cool, About Face F2 Olive could be lovely on you, and at €27 it’s worth a swatch. It extends the fair olive category rather than duplicating it. It just isn’t built for the palest of us.

Note that this is a shade comparison based on swatches. I haven’t fully wear-tested F2 Olive yet, so I can’t speak to its longevity or oxidation in that shade. However, I have wear-tested The Performer formula in F0 Cool (a fair cool shade that unfortunately turns a bit lilac on me), and I love the formula itself. It claims 12 hours of wear, and it lives up to that claim on my skin.

About the Concealer Mismatch

The finding that surprised me most: About Face The Illusionist Concealer in F2 Olive doesn’t match The Performer Foundation in F2 Olive. The concealer runs deeper, warmer, and greener than the foundation wearing the same shade name. If you’re shopping this line, don’t assume your foundation shade translates to the concealer. Swatch both.

So What IS a Dupe for Lisa Eldridge 2.5?

Missha BB Cream Swatches on pale skin

As far as I can tell after swatching my collection: nothing, yet. The closest colour relatives I’ve owned are Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream in 17 and 21, which share the grey-green muted logic, but they’re BB creams, not comparable formulas. My full Lisa Eldridge Shade 2.5 review is coming soon and will have more details!

Which Shade Should I Get Instead?

If F2 Olive is too warm and deep for you (hello, fellow porcelain olives, aka ghost olives 👻🫒), your answer is Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation in Shade 2.5. It’s the only foundation I’ve found that’s genuinely calibrated for very fair olive skin, with a muted grey-green cool olive tone instead of warmth. Yes, it costs twice as much. It’s also the best match I’ve had in 30+ years, so for me the math works.

If F2 Olive sounds like it could fit youmeaning you’re a light olive a step or two deeper and warmer than porcelain, or Lisa Eldridge 2.5 has ever run too pale or too cool on you, then F2 Olive at €27 is absolutely worth a swatch. This isn’t a bad shade. It’s a good shade for a different fair olive than me.

If F2 Olive runs too pale on yougood news: About Face built olive shades throughout The Performer’s 45-shade range, and Lisa Eldridge carries true olive shades at every depth of her range too. Olive is finally a real category at both price points, not a single token shade.

And if you’re not sure which fair olive you aredo what I did: swatch your current best-match foundations along your jawline, photograph them in natural light, and email Lisa Eldridge’s free shade match service. A real makeup artist looks at your photos and recommends a shade, and they offer a replacement if it’s wrong. That service is how I ended up correctly matched after three decades of guessing.

About Face F2 Olive vs Lisa Eldridge 2.5 FAQ

Is About Face F2 Olive a dupe for Lisa Eldridge 2.5?

No. On very fair olive skin, About Face F2 Olive swatches warmer and deeper than Lisa Eldridge 2.5 Olive. They’re both fair olive shades, but for different depths of fair.

Who is About Face F2 Olive good for?

Light olive skin tones a step or two deeper and warmer than porcelain. If Lisa Eldridge 2.5 runs too pale or too cool on you, F2 Olive is worth swatching.

Does the About Face F2 Olive concealer match the F2 Olive foundation?

No. The Illusionist Concealer in F2 Olive runs deeper, greener, and warmer than The Performer Foundation in the same shade name.

Is About Face cruelty-free?

Yes, About Face is cruelty-free and vegan.

Is Lisa Eldridge cruelty-free?

Yes, Lisa Eldridge is cruelty-free and vegan.

Is About Face The Performer Foundation fragrance-free?

No, this foundation contains fragrance.

Is Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation fragrance-free?

Yes, it’s fragrance-free and essential-oil-free.

What About Face shade matches Lisa Eldridge 2.5?

None. There is no exact dupe in About Face for Lisa Eldridge.

Final Thoughts

Is It a Dupe? Swatches on Fair Olive Skin

While I love the formula of About Face The Performer Foundation, F2 Olive is sadly not a shade dupe for Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation 2.5 Olive. About Face The Illusionist Concealer in F2 Olive isn’t even a shade dupe for The Performer Foundation in F2 Olive, which was a rude awakening. So my verdict for the About Face F2 Olive vs Lisa Eldridge 2.5 dupe? Not a dupe. Not even close, other than they’re all in the olive family.

What do you think? Have you tried About Face or Lisa Eldridge? Let me know in the comments below!

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Why You Keep Buying Clothes and Still Have Nothing to Wear — Inside Out Style

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Why You Keep Buying Clothes and Still Have Nothing to Wear — Inside Out Style

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If You’re a Shopaholic With “Nothing to Wear.” Here’s What’s Actually Going On.

“I’m a shopaholic, yet I feel like I have nothing to wear, and it gives me anxiety because I have too much stuff.” This was emailed to me by one of my lovely readers.

If that sentence made you wince a little in recognition, you’re not alone. It sounds like a contradiction. Too many clothes and nothing to wear, at the same time. But it’s not a contradiction at all once you understand what’s actually causing it.

The real problem isn’t shopping. It’s not knowing what you’re looking for.

We’re not taught how to dress ourselves beyond the physical aspect of putting on a T-shirt the right way round. Nobody sat us down at school and explained what suits our colouring, our proportions, or our personality. So we learn by watching everyone else instead, hoping something will finally click.

You see someone stylish and think, that’s the answer. An Instagrammer says everyone needs a particular jacket, and you buy it. It looked incredible on the sales assistant, so you assume it’ll look incredible on you too. And then you get it home, and it just doesn’t work, and you’re not entirely sure why.

I did exactly this before I learned what I know now. I’d see someone stylish, buy the thing they were wearing, and put it on expecting to feel like them. It didn’t work, for lots of reasons I couldn’t have named at the time. Now I can. Every purchase I make today, I already know it suits my colouring, works with my body and fits who I am. That’s the difference knowledge makes.

Without that knowledge, you end up with a wardrobe full of things that don’t go together, and worse, things that aren’t even *you*. They’re borrowed decisions. And borrowed decisions don’t solve the problem, no matter how many of them you make.

Why the anxiety keeps building

Here’s the bit that makes this genuinely stressful rather than just mildly annoying. Once you’ve bought something, you’re reluctant to let it go, because you’re not sure if it was actually the mistake or if you just haven’t styled it right yet. So it stays. And stays. And the wardrobe fills up with maybes.

This is what creates the standing-in-front-of-the-wardrobe anxiety so many of us know well. You’ve got dozens of “possibilities” in there, and no criteria for sorting the ones that work from the ones that don’t. That’s overwhelming, and it’s exhausting in a way that compounds daily.

A research from sustainable clothing brand Thoughts found the average wardrobe holds 152 items, yet only 44% are worn regularly, and women spend around 17 minutes a day deciding what to wear.

Not getting dressed.

Just standing there, deciding.

Over a working life, that adds up to months spent in front of a wardrobe that’s supposedly full of options

And it’s not cheap either. UK research from sustainable clothing brand Thought found shoppers spend an average of £36,168 (roughly $100,000) over a lifetime on clothing they didn’t need, much of it barely worn. That’s not a wardrobe problem. That’s a decade of holidays, or a house deposit, quietly hanging unworn in a cupboard.

What actually fixes it (and it isn’t a bigger wardrobe)

The fix isn’t buying less through sheer willpower, though that helps. It’s knowing what you’re looking for before you walk into a shop, so you stop buying things that were never going to work in the first place.

That means knowing four things about yourself:

  1. Your colours. Not a season label, but the actual undertone, intensity, value and contrast that make you look vibrant rather than washed out.  It’s not just the colours you need to know, but also how to wear them for you – the unique individual.
  2. Your silhouette, scale and proportions. What genuinely suits the shape and scale you’re working with.
  3. Your personality. Comfortable or polished, quirky or classic, bold or understated. There’s no wrong answer, but there is a wrong answer for *you* if you buy against it.
  4. Your personal style criteria, built from the three above, so every purchase gets measured against something real instead of vibes.

Once you have that, culling your wardrobe stops being agonising. You’re not guessing whether something might still work someday. You know, because you’re checking it against criteria that are actually yours.

Give your dopamine hit somewhere else to go

Shopping feels good because finishing anything feels good, and a purchase reads to your brain as a completed task. That’s not a character flaw; it’s just how dopamine works. The trick is giving yourself other ways to get that same hit.

Try a shopping pause. Not a full year; that’s the fashion equivalent of a crash diet and about as sustainable for 99% of people (plus clothes do wear out and need replacing over time). Start with one month. Instead of buying, go and build three outfits from what you already own. Or go through your wardrobe and let go of anything that doesn’t work on your body anymore (holding onto clothes that you never wear because one day they might work is not the solution). Both give you the same sense of completion shopping does, minus the £36,000.

Experiment with creating different outfits with the same garments, just a few changes here and there can make you see just how many outfit options you already have in your wardrobe (and that you probably don’t need more clothes if your wardrobe is already full).

Here’s an example from my own wardrobe.

Take a green blazer, pair it with jeans (but different colours and styles). Then change up accessories and shoes.

green jacket cobalt top peacock necklace

First look – darker navy jeans with cobalt top and peacock necklace.

Green jacket cobalt top sashiko jeansSecond look, same blazer and top with sashiko jeans, sequin boots and bird brooch.

Green jacket cobalt tee flower necklace

Third look, same emerald blazer but with a cobalt tee, cobalt ballet flats and a statement flower necklace.

Green jacket blue and green scarf

Fourth look – again with jeans but this time lighter blue and straight-leg, and with a blue and green floral scarf and silver boots.

Green jacket navy and white top

Final look – with dark wide-leg jeans, navy top with a white pattern and bone Oxford shoes.

Each time you do this in your own wardrobe, you’ll get that dopamine hit that your brain craves.

Where to start

You don’t need to overhaul everything this weekend. Start by working out your colours and your silhouette, because everything else builds from there. And if doing it alone feels like a lot, that’s genuinely what I’m here for. You don’t have to work it out by trial and error the way I did.

If you want the whole thing mapped out for you rather than piecing it together from a blog post at a time, that’s exactly what focus 7 Steps to Style walks you through. Colour, body shape, contrast, your style values and how to actually build and shop a wardrobe that works, all in one place, at your own pace, so you’re not left guessing halfway through. It’s the shortcut to everything above, minus the 40 pairs of white jeans I tried on to learn it the hard way.

Discover The Average Lifespan of Clothes and What You Keep Longest Even Though You Don’t Wear It

Why You Keep Buying Clothes and Still Have Nothing to Wear

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Best Summer Perfumes 2026 – The Beauty Look Book

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Best Summer Perfumes 2026 – The Beauty Look Book

I’ve discovered some new perfumes this year! After years of sticking with my tried and true I feel like this is the first year I’ve branched out and I have quite a few favorites to share with you for summer.

By this point I’ve accumulated quite a few perfumes. I still love all things citrusy for that fresh clean feel. Today I’m rounding up my top 10 favorites.

Creed Wild Vetiver

Creed Wild Vetiver Perfume and Atomizer

above: sunglasses, bucket hat, bikini top + pareo, nail polish Geranium

If I had to pick my signature scent for the year, it would be the new Creed Wild Vetiver. This is hands down the most complimented perfume I’ve work – it has stopped everyone I’ve walked by and even Andrew loves this one on me. It can pull unisex but to me it has more of a feminine vibe.

Very potent, perhaps my strongest and longest lasting scent. It’s a bold vetiver with floral notes including rose, geranium, pink pepper, blackcurrant, cedarwood, bergamot.

I love the Creed Refillable Atomizers. They’re so elegant and I love the new green they launched with Wild Vetiver. I’ve purchased nearly every single color as gifts and they have always been well received.

Creed Virgin Island Water

Creed Virgin Island Water

Another classic I’ve loved for years. I think Virgin Island Water was my first Creed perfume that I ever purchased and I’ve been very attached to it from the first spritz. It’s a tropical scent that I’d love to wear year round. Since I’ve lived in San Diego, Tampa and Miami I feel like I could wear it all year, but it’s definitely summer in a bottle. (Quick note Creed has been updating the packaging and design of some of their scents so yours might look slightly different.)

This has the most unique and distinct mix of coconut, bergamot, tropical fruits, lime, musk and jasmine.

Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel

Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Biarritz

My most worn and most repurchased fragrance is the Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Biarritz (with Paris-Riviera close behind). I’ve worn this every year non-stop since it launched 8 years ago. To me it’s the perfect soft citrus I can wear year round. It is on the softer side so if you need something bold and strong this might not be the scent for you.

This one is elegant and uplifting without being too loud. It’s described as having Sicilian Mandarin with Lily of the Valley Accord. I love it.

Celine

Celine Perfume Un Ete Francais

above: travel perfume case, brush no 2, sunglasses, pouch (old season)

I love Celine Fragrances. I think they are so under-rated. They can be a little hard to find as you can only buy from Celine online or a boutique. They do have discovery sets which are so beautiful.

My go-to for years was Parade and I still love it, although if you want something unique and don’t want to smell like anyone else the Un Ete Francais is a beautiful one. It’s a summery floral with bergamot, neroli and petitgrain.

Memo Paris

Memo Paris Cap Camarat

above: brush no 2 (small), makeup bag Celine (old season), lip set, hair clip, ring, nail polish shade Retro

I discovered Memo Paris thanks to a few friends I’ve made in Miami. Literally influenced by Erin Nicole on Memo Paris Cap Camarat. She has exquisite taste and I was literally blown away by how incredible she smelled. I asked her what she was wearing and ordered it immediately.

Cap Camarat really surprised me because it has vanilla notes and while I love vanilla, I usually cannot wear it in the hot humid months (so pretty much year round in Florida). This is not your usual vanilla. It’s not sweet at all, more of a sultry salty kind. It has pink peppercorn, fruity apple, ylang-ylang, jasmin, sandalwood, benzoin, Amyris, patchouli and labdanum. None of the notes are notes I am typically drawn towards yet the mix is so unique and I am completely obsessed.

The magic is in the drydown for me. I love this for date nights.

Memo Paris Menorca Perfume

above nail polish shade Geranium

Menorca is one of Memo Paris’ latest launches. So far it’s only available at Memo Paris and sold out pretty fast. This was pure love as it’s a citrusy bergamot with lemon but with salty musk vibes. It has all of my favorite notes. It’s lemony but not too lemony. It pulls similar to Dior’s new Dior Paradise which I like (I bought the travel sizes), but I prefer the Menorca as it’s not quite as lemony (if that makes sense).

Chloe Flower Workshop

Chloe Atelier des Fleurs Plage du Figuier

I tried some of the Chloe Atelier des Fleurs line for the first time this year and it’s beautiful. Very green, earthy and different from most Chloe perfumes to me! I really love the Plage du Figuier which is a green kind of fig. This one is airy, light, very green. I like that it’s sweet, but not too sweet. It’s warm but fresh.

Dior The Private Collection

Dior Eden Roc Perfume

above: lip gloss shade 004 coral, powder bronzer review here, bronzer stick review + swatches here, new invisible finish SPF (really love this!)

Dior has some of the most beautiful fragrances I’ve tried and I’m always looking forward to anything new in the La Collection Privee. I especially love all the customization options they have like their Couture Caps (two sizes), engraving and cases. From this line I have two favorites for summer. Eden Roc is such a beautiful one, especially if you love salty marine kinds of scent. This smells like a very fancy seaside spa vacation. There are some floral notes but they are subtle. It has a mix of sea salt, jasmine, coconut, pine and labdanum.

Dior Dioriviera Perfume

Dioriviera is in my top 3. It’s the best luscious fig with rose which I think helps round it out from being too tart or sweet. This smells like an expensive vacation. It’s warm, green, fruity, sweet, floral all at the same time. Lasting power is very good and it’s strong on my skin. I like that it doesn’t turn.

Kilian Paris

Kilian Paris Sunkissed Goddess

Kilian Sunkissed Goddess is another classic summer-in-a-bottle kind of scent. I think it’s such a beautiful white floral. If you like Tiare Flowers and Ylang-Ylang it doesn’t get more iconic than this one.

I have so many more that I love right now but really tried to keep this limited to 10 favorites, specifically for summer!

If you have any summer favorites please let me know. I LIVE for your recommendations and I love to hear what everyone is wearing.

7 Best Heat Protectant Sprays 2026, Reviewed With Video

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7 Best Heat Protectant Sprays 2026, Reviewed With Video

How do you use heat protection spray?

In order for your heat protection spray to form a proper barrier between your hair and hot styling tools, you’ll need to do more than just a quick spritz over the top of your head. “A good technique is to hold the spray bottle in one hand, and grab your hair with the other, and basically lift and drop each section while continuously spraying,” Lewis explains.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re styling freshly-washed hair from scratch, or just doing a quick touch-up on day two or three, the spray has to be applied whenever you use even the smallest amount of heat. And remember to spritz it before you go in with any products like styling cream or mousse. “Everybody needs to be using some kind of heat protection spray — regardless of their hair type,” Lewis adds.

But remember — although coating every single hair is definitely the aim, you’ll need to wait for the formula to fully dry before getting out the straightener or curling tong if you want to avoid damage. In a hurry? A gentle blow-dry will speed up the process.

What ingredients should you look for in an effective heat protection spray?

“First and foremost, you want to specifically look for protecting polymers,” explains ghd Global Ambassador, Patrick Wilson. “These are the heroes that form that smooth, protective barrier, stopping those cuticles from lifting and giving you that sleek finish we all adore.”

Next up: conditioning agents. Designed to attract and retain moisture, natural humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera are often present in heat defence sprays thanks to their hydrating properties. “Conditioning agents are essentially the nurturing side of the equation,” Patrick adds. “Keeping your hair hydrated and supple, they work together with those all-important polymers to give you a smooth, healthy, and heat-protected mane.”

Strengthening ingredients like amino acids and keratin are also worth looking out for if you’re dealing with damaged hair, as they can really help prevent breakage, and are also rich in nourishing antioxidants. Had your hair coloured or bleached? “Don’t forget to look for protection from UV rays in your heat protectant formula, as this will help protect your tresses from fading and discolouration,” Patrick adds.

Is it better to use heat protectant spray on wet or dry hair?

Many heat protectant sprays are suitable for use on both dry and wet hair — but if you’re buying one specifically for styling and touch-ups with a hair straightener, curling tong, or mermaid waver, you might want to pick a thermal protection spray that’s been designed with dry styling in mind.

As well as providing heat protection for high temperatures (up to around 230˚C), the best heat protectants for hot styling tools are lightweight, fast-drying, and leave behind no build-up — generally formulated more like a fine mist or aerosol than an overly ‘wet’ spray. They’ll also often include conditioning agents like panthenol and Argan oil to add shine and smoothness, and reduce friction.

Exclusive: Marisa Coughlan on ‘Super Troopers 3’ and the Skin Care That Survives Four Kids

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Exclusive: Marisa Coughlan on ‘Super Troopers 3’ and the Skin Care That Survives Four Kids

Marisa Coughlan has spent her career proving she’s never been just one thing—on screen or off. As Officer Ursula in Super Troopersshe became part of a cult-comedy phenomenon so enduring that strangers still shout at her from moving cars. Now, she’s stepping back into the role for the third installment, more than two decades after the franchise first found its audience. The film hits theaters August 7, with Brian Cox among the returning cast members.

But Ursula is just one piece of Coughlan’s wide-ranging career. A magna cum laude USC grad, Coughlan has moved fluidly between acting, writing and producing, most recently with Blue Eyed Girla film she wrote, produced and starred in. Along the way, she’s shared the screen with Kate Hudson, Matt Bomer and Liv Tyler, and appeared in series ranging from Boston Legal to Grey’s Anatomy. Off screen, she’s raising four kids and, by her own admission, still figuring out what self-care even looks like in the middle of it all.

We caught up with the star ahead of the film’s release—and a busy Comic-Con weekend—to talk about returning to Ursula, plus the skin care and wellness staples that carry her through long days on set and even longer ones at home.

Super Troopers has this incredible cult following that most films never achieve. When did you realize it had become something bigger than a movie?

“When I would walk down the street and people would roll down their windows and scream, ‘Hey, Charlie’s Angel!’ Ha! It was a slow burn, but when it finally hit, it hit.”

You’ve now played this character across three films and more than two decades. How has she changed, and how have you changed alongside her?

“Ursula has always been a strong, smart woman surrounded by a bunch of dudes who are slightly idiotic…and none of that has changed! Truthfully, Ursula has found more of her voice, and I would say the same could be said of my own journey. I feel more empowered today than I did 20 years ago—and aware that the worst-case scenario of being outspoken is usually not that bad. The upside is usually worth it.”

You graduated magna cum laude from USC. You write, produce and act. You clearly don’t fit a single mold. Has the industry caught up to that, or are you still fighting to be seen as more than one thing?

“It’s hard to wear multiple hats because the industry really loves to put you in a category and keep you there. I went from acting to writing, and people forgot I was an actor…then back to acting and they forget I’m also a writer. I had to produce something that combined it all in order to prove that I could do it all simultaneously.”

You have four kids and a very full creative life. What have you had to figure out about making time for yourself?

“Can I define self-care? I’m not familiar with it! But, in all honesty, it is a struggle, as I am a do-er and am on the move from the second I wake up. I sometimes lose track and realize that I didn’t sit down all day—or eat a real meal. I know this is relatable to most moms!”

What are some of your go-to beauty products—skin care, hair care, wellness—after a long day on set?

“After four pregnancies, I’m pretty cautious about products and what’s in them. I love a skin-care line called Evanhealy. It’s completely organic, smells amazing and is effective, in my opinion. I take a lot of gummy vitamins because it’s a great excuse to eat candy. Gruns gummies and some Create creatine gummies are my go-to. I love Athletic Greens, and also have used Armra colostrum a lot—I love the watermelon flavor. In terms of makeup, I love Molly Sims’ YISE line—it’s very natural and glowy. Also, I think she’s a badass.”

Bergamot Girl Summer – continued

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Bergamot Girl Summer – continued

Amorepacific Reshapes Domestic Asset Portfolio to Support Global Growth Strategy

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Amorepacific Reshapes Domestic Asset Portfolio to Support Global Growth Strategy

THE WHAT? Amorepacific is pursuing the sale of regional offices, logistics centres and its Anseong manufacturing plant as it streamlines its domestic asset base and redirects resources towards international expansion under its Vision 2035 strategy.

THE DETAILS The company is seeking buyers for regional offices in Busan, Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju, alongside logistics centres in Incheon and Gimhae, while maintaining local sales operations after any disposals. It is also planning to transfer production from the Anseong health supplement plant to its larger Osan facility, consolidating manufacturing and improving operational efficiency. The property sales, excluding the Anseong plant, could reportedly generate around KRW150 billion. Amorepacific is simultaneously increasing investment in the US, Japan and Europe, supported by Amazon growth, brand expansion and the international development of COSRX and Aestura.

THE WHY? The restructuring reflects Amorepacific’s effort to improve capital and asset efficiency while funding its ambition to generate 70% of revenue overseas, reach KRW15 trillion in sales and become a top-three global premium skin care company by 2035.

Source: Insight Korea

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