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Why Your Hair Needs UV Protection

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Why Your Hair Needs UV Protection

You wouldn’t leave the house without sunscreen. So why are you leaving your hair to fry when you head to the beach?

UV doesn’t just touch the skin — it reaches every strand, breaking down the keratin proteins that hold the fiber together, fading color, lifting cuticles, and degrading the elasticity that gives healthy hair its bounce. The damage is cumulative, and most of it is invisible until it isn’t, usually come September.

Hair is a living fiber, and like skin, it has a structure: a cortex, the inside that holds color and strength, and a cuticle, the outside layer that protects it. When UV hits an unprotected strand, it starts breaking down the proteins inside the cortex while simultaneously lifting the cuticle. The result is dullness, dryness, frizz, faded color, and weakened ends that snap instead of bend. The Iles Formula Sun Protection Edit addresses the damage 3 ways.

The Iles Formula Sun Protection Edit

Iles Formula Finishing Serum Haute Performance on a yellow striped beach towel

Strand Shield: The Finishing Serum

Before the sun, the serum. Worked through wet hair on the way out the door, it builds an invisible screen against UV rays, salt-heavy air, and the heat that hours of summer throw at your colour. It wakes up in warmth and stays put — a few drops on dry ends at midday and frizz never gets the chance.

Iles Formula Intensive Hair + Body Balm floating in a swimming pool

Bring it everywhere. Smooth it over sun-dried ends, dry shins, sandy elbows, the patch of shoulder your sunscreen always misses — Organic Shea Butter brings natural UV protection while Tucuma Seed Butter fends off the free radicals a long day outside leaves behind. Hair, skin, all of it. The thing you reach for after the beach and again before bed.

Iles Formula Shampoo and Conditioner Haute Performance — the everyday sun protection ritual

Protection doesn’t start at the beach — it starts in the shower. Our Shampoo and Conditioner close and smooth the cuticle while you wash, so hair is sealed against the day ahead from the start. Salt, sun, and heat have far less to grab onto when the fibre is strong from the inside out. Everything else in the ritual builds on this.

The longest days of the year ask the most of your hair. The Iles Formula ritual answers — head to toe, fiber to skin, every day of the season.

The Best Eye Creams for Sensitive Skin

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The Best Eye Creams for Sensitive Skin

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your body. Along with being one of the first places that show telltale signs of age, such as crow’s feet, it’s also more sensitive and susceptible to irritation. While eye cream is a staple product in any skincare routine, it can be tricky to find the right formula if you’re dealing with sensitive skin. The last thing you want is to trigger any redness, itchiness, or inflammation, which in turn can exacerbate other issues such as dryness, puffiness, and dark circles. But just as there are products to tackle conditions such as back acne or facial wrinkles, there are soothing eye creams to address sensitivity while targeting other age-related issues at the same time.

Best Eye Creams for Sensitive Skin: The List

BEST OVERALL

BEST CREAM: Carrot & Stick The Eye Cream

BEST TREATMENT: Carrot & Stick The Eye Serum

We recommend Carrot & Stick Eye Essentials as it contains both products.

Best Bet

Carrot & Stick routines take the guesswork out of building the perfect routine for your skin. Choose a routine with our favorite product: Carrot & Stick The Eye Cream. You save up to $160 with a routine. Plus, use code DERMG to receive a free full size gift.

FULL LIST

Naturopathica Calendula & Butterfly Ginger Eye Cream

Boscia Indigo Eye Cream

Verso Eye Cream Extra Nourish

Ren Clean Skincare Keep Young and Beautiful Firm and Lift Eye Cream

Dr. Hauschka Eye Revive

Avène Thermal Water Soothing Eye Contour Cream

Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Firming Eye Cream

Why is the Skin Under Your Eyes Different?

The eye area is one of the primary sensory organs, and it’s more photo and environmentally sensitive than the skin on other parts of the body due to its thin, delicate nature. Perhaps you didn’t know that it’s thinner so it can provide room to cover the small fat pads that cushion and protect your eyes from trauma. While thicker skin is more resistant to fragrance, extreme temperatures, harsh chemicals, and UV rays, that’s not the case for the fragile skin around the eyes.

Signs Your Under-Eye Area Is Sensitive

There’s a difference between occasionally experiencing inflammation around the eye area (seasonal allergies, perhaps?) and being sensitive to the touch. When you apply products, they likely burn or sting, and you may also have dry, flaky skin around the eyes. Perhaps you frequently get asked if you were crying or are tired due to visible redness, dark circles, and puffiness.

How to Calm Sensitive Skin Around the Eyes

While sensitive skin can be more challenging to deal with, it’s not impossible once you get into a routine.

Use Sensitive Skin Products

Look for words such as hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and ophthalmologist-tested on the label, as they are typically more gentle. Even so, it’s always a good idea to conduct a patch test when trying a new product regardless of claims.

Use Eye-Specific Formulas

Even if your skin isn’t reactive, it’s still vital that you choose products specifically formulated for the eye area. No, your traditional face moisturizer won’t do because it contains higher levels of active ingredients — such as retinoids — that are too strong of a concentration for the delicate skin under the eyes.

Protect With Sunscreen

Many eye creams for sensitive skin also contain sun protection — they’re typically formulated so that they don’t migrate into the eye area. When it comes to all-over sun protection, zinc oxide sunscreens usually won’t irritate the eyes. Sunglasses (ones with wrap-around sides are the most effective) and a wide-brimmed hat are also extra (easy) protection measures.

Always Remove Your Makeup

Removing your makeup is essential for skin health. Also, nighttime, when you’re sleeping, is when the skin repairs itself. With that said, makeup and impurities need to be removed entirely — including the eyes. If not, trace particles can cause further irritation and dryness to the sensitive skin around the eyes. Just be sure to use a light hand when removing residual product. Avoid any excess tugging and pulling.

Gently Apply Your Eye Cream

As with removing your makeup, use a light touch when putting on your eye cream. Use your ring finger to apply the equivalent of a grain of rice to each eye — day and night. Gently spread the product evenly around the entire eye area, from the brow bone to the top of the cheekbone. Avoid getting too close to the rims of the eyes to prevent product seeping inside while you’re sleeping, which in turn will cause redness, tearing, irritation, and puffiness.

Monitor Room Temperature

Aim to set the room temperature at 70-71 degrees Fahrenheit and maintain 60-70% humidity levels to keep your skin and eyes at optimal hydration levels.

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Best Eye Creams for Sensitive Skin

BEST OVERALL

BEST: Carrot & Stick The Eye Cream
The best eye cream for sensitive skin doesn’t rely on harmful chemicals — just like this one from Carrot & Stick. All of the brand’s products eliminate known irritants and pollutants that can compromise skin health and contaminate the environment. This revolutionary treatment uses highly effective botanical extracts to reduce signs of stress and fatigue, including eye bags and dark circles. The Persian silk tree has an anti-glycation effect that helps delicate skin around the lids feel tighter. St. Paul’s wort boosts the appearance of collagen and elastin, restoring vitality.

BEST SERUM Carrot & Stick The Eye Serum
A blend of advanced peptides reduces the look of discoloration and rich moisturizers combat dryness. Crow’s feet are smoothed, puffiness is reduced and skin is visibly lifted and brightened with every application

FULL LIST

Naturopathica Calendula & Butterfly Ginger Eye Cream SPF 40
Non-whitening (and non-irritating) micronized zinc protects the delicate eye area from dangerous UVA/UVB rays to protect from premature aging while calming calendula calms any sensitivity. If you’ve never heard of butterfly ginger, add it to your list of go-to skincare ingredients because it helps protect against environmental damage and awaken the look of tired eyes.

Boscia Indigo Eye Cream
The plant-empowered Boscia brand was designed with sensitive skin in mind. The best-selling eye cream color corrects, calms inflammation, brightens, and reduces the look of puffiness, thanks to the power of Wild Indigo. Hyaluronic acid delivers long-lasting hydration while improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Verso Eye Cream Extra Nourish, $60
Sensitive skin is often accompanied by dryness and irritation, requiring an eye cream that cocoons the under-eye area like this one. This rich formula contains ceramides, fermented oat, yeast extract, vitamin E, and unique nordic oils that mimic the skin’s natural moisture barrier, providing hours of hydration and comfort.

Ren Clean Skincare Keep Young and Beautiful Firm and Lift Eye Cream
This gentle eye cream is formulated with 100% plant and mineral-derived ingredients, so it’s an excellent option for those with sensitive skin. Despite being mild, it’s highly effective in diminishing fine lines and crow’s feet while making the skin around the eye area appear more lifted and toned.

Dr. Hauschka Eye Revive
While it’s not technically an eye cream per se, this ophthalmologist-tested eye tonic soothes irritation, puffiness, fatigue, and redness. The refreshing formula comprises extracts of eyebright, Anthyllis, chamomile, camellia, and fennel.

Avène Thermal Water Soothing Eye Contour Cream
Formulated with Avène Thermal Spring Water, this lightweight eye cream was explicitly made for sensitive skin types — it’s non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free. Along with protecting against free radicals, deeply hydrating (thanks to hyaluronic acid), it also decongests the eye area, imparting a feeling of lightness.

Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Firming Eye Cream
You can trust that Perricone MD products are safe for sensitive skin because board-certified dermatologist Dr.Nicholas Perricone formulates them. This popular hypoallergenic firming eye cream is made with cutting-edge ingredients such as neuropeptides and tocotrienols to soothe and calm while addressing the signs of age. But what makes this eye cream stand out is the addition of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, two incredible (and somewhat rare) anti-aging ingredients suitable for sensitive skin.

niacinamide (vitamin B10), and shea butter. It’s formulated to help restore vital moisture and repair signs of irritation around the eye area — including the lids.

Best Bet

Carrot & Stick routines take the guesswork out of building the perfect routine for your skin. Choose a routine with our favorite product: Carrot & Stick The Eye Cream. You save up to $160 with a routine. Plus, use code DERMG to receive a free full size gift.

The Best Eye Cream for Sensitive Skin: The Bottom Line

While thicker skin is more resistant to fragrance, extreme temperatures, harsh chemicals, and UV rays, this is not the same for the fragile skin around the eyes, which is also more prone to age faster from sun damage than anywhere else on your body.

While eye cream is a staple product in any skincare routine, it can be tricky to find the right formula if you’re dealing with sensitive skin. The last thing you want is to trigger any redness, itchiness, or inflammation, which in turn can exacerbate other issues such as dryness, puffiness, and dark circles. But just as there are products to tackle conditions such as back acne or facial wrinkles, there are soothing eye creams to address sensitivity while targeting other age-related issues at the same time.

What’s the best eye cream for sensitive skin around eyes? Overall, the best eye cream for puffiness is Carrot & Stick’s The Eye Cream.

For optimal results, use Carrot & Stick’s The Eye Serum first.

Carrot & Stick’s Eye Essentials contains both products and offers great value.

Summer Skincare Routines Aestheticians Swear By

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Summer Skincare Routines Aestheticians Swear By

When seasons change, our wardrobe isn’t the only thing we switch up. We love adjusting our skincare regimens depending on the weather outside, the amount of time we spend outdoors, and levels of humidity.

Check out our top summertime skincare routines, as recommended by our Aesthetics Lead, Stephanie Scalet.

For Shine-Free Summer Skin

Excess oil, visible pores, and mid-day shine are common concerns, but with the right routine, balanced, shine-free skin is totally achievable. Curated by Glo Skin Beauty’s expert aestheticians, this lineup is designed to clarify, calm, and control oil, while still delivering hydration and radiance.

AM Routine: Start Fresh + Stay Matte

Start your day with the Purifying Gel Cleanser, this deep-cleansing, refreshing formula that removes excess oil and impurities without stripping your skin.

Next, moisturize with BHA Clarifying Gel Moisturizer, a breakout-targeting, oil-free hydrator that delivers weightless moisture while refining pores and supporting barrier health.

Primer is an essential step to lock in your look. Our Mattifying Primer or Oil-Free Tinted Primer would be an ideal candidate here. Choose the best primer for your skin goals, both blur and smooth texture while providing a shine-controlling base for makeup.

Perfecting Powder or Pressed Base: Set your look with one of these mineral makeup essentials—designed to lock in makeup and keep oil at bay for a longwearing, flawless finish.

Purifying Gel Cleanser: Cleanse away the day with a detoxifying wash that tackles excess oil, makeup, and environmental buildup.

Beta-Clarity Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant: A gentle but effective resurfacing treatment powered by salicylic and lactic acids to decongest pores and refine texture.

Beta-Clarity BHA Drops (PM Only): Target breakouts, blackheads, and inflammation with this clarifying serum that helps calm and clear acne-prone skin.

Microbiome Restoring PM Moisturizer: A barrier-repairing night cream that strengthens and nourishes while restoring balance to the skin’s microbiome.

Or a One-and-Done Option…Shine-Free Skin and Beauty Kit. Are you wanting a simple set to get started? This curated, travel-friendly kit features our top shine-controlling essentials in one bundle—perfect for sampling or on-the-go.

For Brighter Summer Skin

Hydra-Bright AHA Cleanser (AM/PM): Pump a small amount of cleanser into clean hands, then gently massage across moistened face, avoiding the eye area, using light circular motions for around 60 seconds. Rinse thoroughly using warm water. Pat dry with a clean towel.

Hydra-Bright Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant (AM): Apply with a woven gauze or exfoliating face round for amped up exfoliation.

C-Shield Anti-Pollution Drops (AM): Press and massage C-Shield Anti-Pollution Drops into skin for deeper penetration.

Hydra-Bright Alpha Arbutin Drops (AM/PM): Uses natural brighteners alpha arbutin and azelaic acid to target any pigmentation issues for more even, glowier skin. Apply a few drops to your face for a brightening boost.

Hydra-Bright AHA Hydrator (AM/PM): Apply to full face, Then apply your SPF. After SPF, you can re-apply your hydrator on high points of face for natural opalescent highlighter.

Oil-Free SPF 40+ (AM): Don’t forget protection—every single day, inside and out.

For Clearer Summer Skin

Purifying Gel Cleanser (AM/PM): Use as a one-step double cleanse

Beta-Clarity Clear Complexion Pads (AM or PM): Also can be used pre/post summer workouts to keep breakouts away. We love to keep ours in the fridge for a cooling mini facial.

Beta-Clarity BHA Drops (PM only): Allow to penetrate for 30 full minutes before you apply any other products on top to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Oil-Free Moisturizer (AM/PM) At night, use 30 minutes after Beta-Clarity BHA Drops.

Oil-Free SPF 40+ (AM)

Charcoal Detox Mask (up to 3 times weekly): Let this mask fully dry on skin for 10 mins, and then wet fingertips to exfoliate the jojoba beads into skin for an immediate renewed complexion.

For Firmer Summer Skin

Phyto-Active Enzyme Cleanser (AM/PM): A rich, foaming cleanser for a fresh start to your day.

Bio-Renew EGF Drops (AM/PM): Mix 2-3 drops with your favorite moisturizer for a reparative boost.

GlyPro Retinol Drops (PM): Retinol is essential in an anti-aging routine but can be a little drying if you’ve never used it—or if you use too much, too fast. A great beginner’s retinol is our Beta-Clarity BHA Drops. Start low and slow and work your way into using retinol multiple times per week. Remember, retinol can make skin more photo-sensitive so always use in the evening and make sure to use SPF in the day. Always check your product’s recommended use—and don’t forget to listen to your skin.

Bio-Renew EGF Eye Cream (AM/PM): Target signs of aging around the delicate eye area with this firming, lifting, and smoothing treatment. Powered by vegan epidermal growth factor (EGF), it helps boost collagen and elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. You’ll love the applicator too for a cooling eye massage.

Bio-Renew EGF Cream (AM/PM): This rich, reparative daily moisturizer works to restore firmness, improve elasticity, and smooth skin texture. Clinically proven to support skin regeneration, it strengthens your moisture barrier and future-proofs your skin against signs of aging.

Bio-Renew EGF Neck Cream (AM/PM): Apply product to neck area with light, upward movements until absorbed. After cleansing, toning, and serum, follow with face moisturizer, then apply.

Oil-Free SPF 40+ (AM): Make sure to wear your SPF every single day—especially when using retinol at night as that can make skin more photo-sensitive.

No matter your skin type or concern, we have all the products to tailor your skincare game for any season.

Get your summer glow on and let your summertime skin shine.

On my radar: citrus with a twist

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On my radar: citrus with a twist

8 Best Hair Colors for Gray Hair, According to Colorists

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8 Best Hair Colors for Gray Hair, According to Colorists

Frequently Asked Questions

What hair color works best on gray hair?

“Gray hair tends to be more coarse and porous, so look for formulas labeled as ‘gray coverage’ or ‘rich coverage,’” says Esposito. “Demi-permanent hair dyes are great for first-timers or those who want less commitment, while permanent formulas are ideal for high-percentage gray.”​ In terms of color, Maccaro suggests looking for hues described as “neutral,” “natural,” or “natural gold.” These colors, she says, have flattering results on most skin tones and “help counteract the starkness of the gray.”

Is it better to go darker or lighter with gray hair?

“It depends on skin tone, but in general, going a bit lighter or warmer can soften features and create a more natural blend with grays as they grow in,” Esposito says. “Super dark shades may draw attention to regrowth. A soft medium brown, warm blonde, or even golden caramel tone often blends grays more seamlessly and ages more gracefully.”

Maccaro adds a tip for home-color rookies. “If you’re new to color, choose a shade that’s one level lighter than your natural color or your desired tone,” she instructs. “This gives you more wiggle room to adjust and avoids the ‘box dye went too dark’ look.”

Meet the experts

  • Jen Atkin, a stylist and founder of Ouai based in Seattle
  • Vito Esposito, founder and head stylist of Vito Esposito based in Beverly Hills, California
  • Abby Haliti, a colorist and founder of Abby Haliti Color Studio based in New York City
  • Jennifer Korab, a New Jersey-based hairstylist and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa based in Hillsborough, New Jersey
  • Kristina Maccaro, educator, colorist, and owner of Love Lane Salon based in Jersey City, New Jersey
  • Jamee Mahmood, a hairstylist and owner of Square Roots Salon based in Bellevue, Washington
  • Jackson Simmonds, a master colorist and stylist based in New York City

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle 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 hair colors for gray hair, 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 board-certified dermatologists who test and recommend moisturizers almost every day. 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.

Read more about hair-color options and treatments to keep your color vibrant for as long as possible

Meet Atlanta’s Top Celebrity Photographer, Cat Harper

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Meet Atlanta’s Top Celebrity Photographer, Cat Harper

Written by London Summers

Atlanta-based celebrity photographer Cat Harper has built one of the most respected photography brands in the city. An actress, model, former reality television personality, and entrepreneur, Harper has successfully transformed her passion for visual storytelling into a thriving career behind the camera.

Photo Credits: Cat Harper Photography

After working alongside renowned celebrity photographer Derek Blanks, known for his iconic Alter Ego photography series featuring stars such as Eva Marcille and Mo’Nique, Harper launched her own brand, Cat Harper Photography.

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Photo Credits: Cat Harper Photography
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Photo Credits: Cat Harper Photography

Over the years, her lens has captured some of world’s biggest stars and entertainment’s most recognizable faces, including Angela Simmons, Mimi Faust, T.I., Rick Ross, Mike Epps, and Tyrese.

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Photo Credits: Cat Harper Photography
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Photo Credits: Cat Harper Photography
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Photo Credits: Cat Harper Photography

Known for her versatility, creativity, and ability to make clients feel comfortable in front of the camera, Harper has earned a reputation for producing striking imagery that highlights both established celebrities and rising talent. Through her professionalism, artistic vision, and dedication to her craft, she continues to empower Black entertainers, entrepreneurs, and creatives through photography.

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Photo Credits: Cat Harper Photography

For more information, visit  CatHarperPhotography.com

My Rhinoplasty Procedure Story | Nose Before and After Photos

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My Rhinoplasty Procedure Story | Nose Before and After Photos

Update, June 2026: Eight years ago, Carrieanne Reichardt, then 25, got a rhinoplasty with Adam Kolker, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in New York City. She allowed an Allure photographer to document the procedure (warning: graphic images ahead) and shared her experience with contributor Jolene Edgar. Here is her story in her own words, followed by an update on how she feels about her results today, eight years later.

I love so many of my features. For instance, the green eyes I got from my mom, my naturally full lips, and smile, but my nose has been a source of insecurity. Around 15, as puberty hit, my nose just…changed. One day, it suddenly looked large and awkward, with a pronounced bump and protruding tip that I simply didn’t identify with. I’d catch my profile in the mirror and be uncomfortable with the face staring back.

I felt particularly insecure about my nose when starting college, as I was presenting myself to the world, independently, for the first time. Whenever I met anyone new, I’d be very careful to talk to them only head-on, so they couldn’t glimpse my profile. By 19, I was researching rhinoplasty surgery, and my dad even took me for a nose-job consultation, but I didn’t feel the surgeon was a good fit, so we decided to table the idea.

Hannah Choi/Allure

When I moved to New York City after graduation, and began establishing myself and building a career, I suddenly felt the time was right to revisit the procedure. I met with Adam Kolker, MD, a board-certified and well-known plastic surgeon here in New York City, and immediately felt safe and heard. I respected his delicate, conservative approach and appreciated how he spent real time listening to my concerns and making sure I felt comfortable.

Once I firmly made the decision to move ahead with the rhinoplasty surgery, I told my family. With four siblings, there’s never a shortage of opinions, but they were all extremely supportive. I inherited my nose from my mother, and when I told her the news, she revealed for the first time that she had once considered getting a nose job, too, which was majorly shocking, because my mom is very reserved and rarely criticizes, or even talks about, her appearance. She’s just always seemed so comfortable in her skin. I really admire that about her.

CDC warns of infection and safety risks linked to cosmetic surgery tourism

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CDC warns of infection and safety risks linked to cosmetic surgery tourism

THE WHAT? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned of serious health risks associated with travel-related cosmetic procedures after reviewing a decade of reported complications among American patients

THE DETAILS A CDC study published in the agency’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal reviewed more than 2,100 reports involving U.S. residents who travelled domestically and internationally for cosmetic procedures between 2014 and 2024. Researchers identified 21 investigations involving around 145 patients who experienced adverse outcomes, including postsurgical infections. Twenty of the reports involved infections, with 12 suspected or confirmed bacterial outbreaks. The CDC also cited four reports involving patient deaths. Investigations into some clinics and surgical centres identified deficiencies in environmental cleaning, hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and surgical equipment sterilisation. The cases involved procedures such as liposuction and breast augmentation, with patients frequently travelling to destinations including Mexico, Canada, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

THE WHY? The agency is seeking to raise awareness of the potential risks associated with medical tourism and is calling for stronger surveillance, better collaboration between healthcare providers and public health authorities, and improved patient education to help identify complications earlier and improve safety standards.

Source: Reuters

9 Best Brown Mascaras for When Black Feels Like Too Much

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9 Best Brown Mascaras for When Black Feels Like Too Much

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose brown mascara?

Brown mascaras are ideal for accentuating lashes without looking like makeup was applied. According to New York City-based makeup artist Steven Canavan, “Brown mascara is best if you’re looking to achieve a more natural look, and black [is best] if you want more drama.” Sure, you could spare some change for a lash lift or extensions to create a similar finish, but if you don’t want to spend your coins on monthly treatments, brown mascara is a much more accessible option.

On top of affordability, New York City- and Stockholm-based makeup artist Linda Gradin notes that these mascaras can add more dimension and enhance the color of your eyes, depending on the shade you use. “For a darker eye, a nearly black or dark brown mascara adds definition, but a classic brown gives a softer impression,” she says. “For lighter-colored eyes, true-to-light brown mascaras are most flattering, as they can bring out gold, green, or grey highlights in your eyes that black can’t.”

How to apply brown mascara

However you prefer to wear makeup is your business, but there are some general best practices. If you have straight or downward-pointing lashes, prep them with a curler. Then ensure you pick up an even amount of product on the mascara wand—swipe off excess product against the perimeter of the tube opening as needed—so you end up with clump-free, perfectly separated lashes. Starting at the base of your lashes, lightly swipe up, coating each lash. To separate your lashes while you apply, wiggle the wand as you sweep the formula toward the tips. Repeat as needed for your desired results and keep in mind that some mascaras dry faster than others.

If you really want to make your eye color and shape stand out, Gradin recommends pairing your brown mascara with a dark brown, charcoal, or black eyeliner pencil.

Meet the experts

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide, inclusive shade range with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is the packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best brown mascaras, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete review 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, a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine, or 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 are 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.

Done reading? Now, watch Oliva Dean’s 10-minute routine for healthy hair and dewy skin:

Summer 2026’s Short Nail Designs Prove Natural Nails Don’t Have to Be Boring

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Summer 2026’s Short Nail Designs Prove Natural Nails Don’t Have to Be Boring

Micro-fruit nails were especially trendy last summer when fashion and fragrance brands (like Jacquemus and Phlur) leaned into fruits, including cherry and strawberry. The summer 2026 take includes mixing this adorable motif with other minimal designs like stripes, French tips, and beaded details. The result? A detailed manicure that turns heads without looking busy.

For short nails, we’re zooming in on the cute design. Instead of mini berries clustered on the nail, “you can cover the whole nail with a single strawberry,” says Miss Pop. “This gives the design a more three-dimensional element,” she adds, noting that texture and dimension are big underlying trends this season.

Short seashell nails

Courtesy of @concon_wi

Seashell nails

Courtesy of @kalalastrzelbicka

Seashell nails evoke the feeling of hunting for shells and sand dollars on the beach. The seasonal design makes its way onto our feeds every summer, and this year, many of those seashell manicures we’ve been seeing are on short nails. The horizontal lines or ridges in the design elongate, making short, natural nails look instantly elegant. “On short nails, the basic seashell pattern looks even punchier since it’s on a smaller canvas,” says Eunice Park, a nail artist in Los Angeles and brand director at Aprés Nail. “It looks really cute and impactful.”

And this summer’s seashell nails are more realistic than ever. “I’ve seen shell nails on TikTok held next to an oyster shell and the nails look almost exactly like the real thing,” says Park, who adds that previous versions of the trend were more artistic: curved, vertical, 3D gel ridges polished with pearlescent chrome powder.

On short nails, Miss Pop recommends adding a small pearl in the center of the nail near the cuticle to add to the illusion of length. “When the point of interest is all the way down at the bottom or at the cuticle line, it makes the nail look longer,” she says.

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