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ICYMI, Beyoncé is back to posting on Instagram, which means we're back to poring over every photo in her signature carousels for all the best beauty details. (Oh, and she got a bob!) One such nail-related detail in her latest photo drop, however, was so delicate that I almost missed it while flipping through her pics—but I'm so glad I didn't!

Though Bey didn't join her husband and daughters on the field at the Super Bowl, she did watch the game (and the Halftime Show) and gave us a peek at her Game Day look, complete with an enchantingly dainty take on the French manicure.

Her manicure was the work of Miho Okawara, who is responsible for many of her most recognizable (and copy-able) manicures. Okawara sculpted Beyoncé's nails into a long almond shape with a neutral base color, then detailed each nail with its own minuscule design. Instead of a bright or creamy white nail, though, Okawara outlined the tip with a fine line and rhinestone design on the pointer finger and a series of teeny-tiny golden dots on the middle finger. Beyoncé's ring finger tiptoed into accent nail territory with a gold and silver metallic texture applied to the tip. A few of her fingers were entirely French-less; her pinky fingers were almost completely bare, save for a cluster of sparkle at the base of the nail, and her thumbs sported a delicate design in the center of the nail. (Scroll through a few pics to see a close-up.)

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The French manicure is a mainstay in Beyoncé's manicure routine, and we've seen so many iterations of the look on her famous fingertips in the past. She's gone classic, of course, but we've also seen her turquoise-studded “Texas French” for her Cowboy Carter album, a chrome metallic silver set befitting the Renaissance era, and even a hidden Santa Claus French during the holidays! Could her latest manicure be a clue about a new project? Fans are buzzing about an Act III album release date, every potential hint will be fully examined—and that includes her nails!

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

When we talk about the best Korean cleansing oils, we’re talking about the products that basically redefined what a good first cleanse should feel like. These formulas are lightweight, silky, and ridiculously good at melting off makeup, sunscreen, and grime—without leaving skin tight or greasy.

What makes these cleansing oils distinctly Korean? K-beauty cleansing oils usually rely on plant-derived oils and streamlined ingredient lists, so they feel gentle even if you’re wearing waterproof mascara or have sensitive or acne-prone skin. “They tend to have a lighter consistency and fewer ingredients,” which makes them easier on the skin than some heavier Western formulas, says Justine H. Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Westlake Village, CA. And when you follow them with a water-based cleanser (the classic double-cleanse), your pores get a deeper, more satisfying clean.

Our Top Korean Cleansing Oils

• Best Overall: Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil, $18
• Best for Oily Skin: Knours 2-in-1 Oil-to-Foam Non-Stripping Facial Cleanser, $17
• Best for Makeup Removal: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil, $16
• Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil, $20
• Best for Dry Skin: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil, $40
• Best for Barrier Repair: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil, $26
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Purito From Green Cleansing Oil, $17
• Best for Large Pores: Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil BHA, $27
• Best for Mature Skin: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil, $20

Whether you like fragrance-free options, formulas that target blackheads, or oils that leave your skin feeling extra nourished, Korean cleansing oils are one of those rare categories where almost everyone finds a favorite—and beauty editors, derms, and even TikTok, all agree.

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• How do I use cleansing oils?
• What makes Korean cleansing oils different?
• Why is double cleansing important in Korean skincare?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

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Ma:nyo

Pure Cleansing Oil

$18

Amazon

$23

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Lily Wohlner

Why it’s worth it: Don’t just take our word for it—we’re pretty sure you know one of the 20 million (and more) people worldwide who’ve grabbed a bottle of Ma:nyo's Pure Cleansing Oil. This best seller uses 14 plant-derived oils to cleanse without clogging pores, transforming into a milky wash that dissolves makeup and restores your skin’s natural moisture and pH balance. It’s suitable for all skin types (yes, even acne-prone). “Its tea tree and melaleuca oils help combat oily skin and bacterial overgrowth, making it great for people with blackheads and whiteheads,” says Dr. Justine Park. With nourishing argan, moisture-replenishing jojoba, and vitamin E–rich olive oil, it’s no wonder this cleanser has a global fan base.

Wohlner before applying the Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner after applying the Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Lily Wohlner

Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner

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“By the time I’m ready to take off my makeup, I’ve usually had it on all day—so the moment I walk through the door, it needs to come off fast and easily. This cleansing oil melts off my makeup in just a few swipes without irritating my acne-prone skin, and although it’s fragrance-free, the natural scent from the oils gives off a subtle, spa-like vibe that makes for the perfect way to unwind after a long day out and about.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: argan kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, olive oil, tea tree oil
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Oily Skin: Knours 2-in-1 Oil-to-Foam Non-Stripping Facial Cleanser

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Knours

2-in-1 Oil-to-Foam Non-Stripping Facial Cleanser

$22

Amazon

$22

Ulta Beauty

$22

Soko Glam

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Knours 2-in-1 Oil-to-Foam Non-Stripping Facial Cleanser

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it's worth it: If you have oily skin, you know the drill: Cleanse too gently and you’re shiny again by noon; go in too aggressively and your skin panics—producing even more oil to compensate. Knours’s 2-in-1 Oil-to-Foam Cleanser is especially ideal for oilier types because it helps whisk away excess sebum without triggering that rebound effect. It starts as a lightweight oil that melts away makeup and excess sebum, then transforms into a soft foam once you add water—so you get the benefits of a double cleanse in a single step. Gentle surfactants cleanse without stripping, while olive, jojoba, apricot, and broccoli seed oils help replenish moisture where skin needs it most. “This cleansing oil effortlessly dissolves makeup and excess sebum while feeling luxuriously smooth,” says Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam based in New York City. Glycerin and honey extract add a final boost of hydration, leaving skin balanced and comfortable.

Lee before applying the Knours 2-in-1 Oil-to-Foam Non-Stripping Facial Cleanser

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying the Knours 2-in-1 Oil-to-Foam Non-Stripping Facial Cleanser

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“I don’t usually classify my skin as combination or oily, but on days when I’ve been wearing a ton of makeup or leave the gym feeling shiny and slick, I need something that really clears the excess oil off my T-zone in particular. This cleanser feels incredibly gentle as it removes even my waterproof makeup, and the foam feels like it whisks everything away without irritating my sensitive skin.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: olive, jojoba, apricot, and broccoli seed oils, glycerin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Makeup Removal: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil

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Haruharu Wonder

Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil

$16

Amazon

$25

Nordstrom

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: In Korean culture, rice is deeply tied to comfort, health, prosperity, and home, so when a brand puts it front and center in your skin care, you know it’s intentional. The fermented black rice in Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil delivers a surge of antioxidants, minerals, and proteins that help keep skin elastic and resilient from step one. Alongside rice bran extract, the formula blends olive oil (to whisk away makeup and excess sebum), sunflower seed oil (to soothe and moisturize), macadamia seed oil (to strengthen your barrier), jojoba seed oil (to balance and refine), and tocopherol for an extra antioxidant boost. There’s not much else in the formula, and that’s exactly why TikTok is obsessed with its short, sweet, no-fluff ingredient list.

Han before applying the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“The key characteristic of a good cleansing oil? A super silky formula that breaks down your toughest makeup with tugging—especially around the eyes—and washes away without an ounce of residue. Oh, and it doesn't hurt when they're fragrance-free for my sensitive girlies. The Haruharu Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil is one of my top recs for cleansing oils for these reasons, and because it just… delivers. There's nothing complicated about it, which is exactly what I need as I'm beginning my loaded nighttime skin-care routine. It melts away shimmer eye shadow, long-lasting gel liners, and every type of mascara in 10 seconds. It's a must even on my no-makeup, sunscreen-only days, too. A mainstay, as they say.” —Sarah Han, commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: rice bran extract, olive oil, sunflower seed oil, macadamia seed oil, jojoba seed oil
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

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Skin1004

Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

$19

Amazon

$25

Ulta Beauty

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

Deanna Pai

Why it's worth it: If the makeup-melting, calming ability of Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil feels almost heaven-sent, it tracks—“1004” is pronounced cheon-sa, meaning “angel,” in Korean. The entire brand centers its formulas around Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica) sourced specifically from Madagascar, where the plant grows with exceptional purity and potency thanks to the island’s untouched environment. This cleansing oil’s featherlight texture works beautifully for all skin types, including our tester with oily, acne-prone skin and Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, who calls it “a new favorite for my sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. The cica is extremely soothing, and the formula has a super-lightweight texture.” Staying true to Skin1004’s pared-back formulas, it keeps things streamlined with just four key oils: bergamot, sunflower seed, olive fruit, and jojoba seed.

Pai before applying the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

Deanna Pai

Pai after applying the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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"I don't want to be dramatic, but this has capital-T transformed by cleansing routine. I got it in a set paired with the brand's Cleansing Ampoule Foam, but this is a non-negotiable first step for melting all of my makeup off before I go in with the lather. It has a generous slip, little to no scent, and a lightweight texture that's easy to emulsify and rinse. My only complaint is that I will need a jumbo size made." —Deanna Pai, Allure contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, bergamot, sunflower seed, olive fruit, and jojoba seed oils
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil

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Sulwhasoo

Gentle Cleansing Oil

$40 $34 (15% off)

Amazon

$40

Nordstrom

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it's worth it: You may know Sulwhasoo for its 500-hour ginseng creams and tech-packed serums, but don’t sleep on this quieter overachiever. The Gentle Cleansing Oil, a 2024 Best of Beauty winner, happens to be waterproof makeup’s worst enemy, melting through long-wear formulas without drying out skin. Its secret isn’t ginseng this time, but a cushiony blend powered by the brand’s Hydra Capture Complex, which uses four proprietary herbal extracts to help skin stay hydrated as you cleanse. It also features “coconut oils to give a luxurious texture and help remove makeup,” says Christina Han, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Vancouver. Mulberry leaf and mountain yam extracts soften and nourish, while the silky oil-to-milk texture leaves skin feeling clean but not tight. While it’s on the pricier side for a cleanser, one pump does more heavy lifting than most double-cleanse duos combined.

Lee before applying the Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying the Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from Lee

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“I’m pretty heavy-handed with waterproof eye products (my go-to liner is basically budgeproof), so finding a makeup remover that melts down every last bit of mascara and liquid liner in seconds is wildly satisfying. Even better, it rinses off feeling completely hydrating—and while it doesn’t claim any brightening benefits, my skin somehow always looks a little glowier afterward.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Hydra Capture Complex, mulberry leaf extract, mountain yam extract, coconut oil
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Barrier Repair: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil

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Round Lab

1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil

$26 $21 (19% off)

Amazon

$23

Ulta Beauty

Han applying the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: The 1025 Dokdo line gets its name from the waters around the Ulleungdo and Dokdo islets in the East Sea—an area known for mineral-rich deep-sea water, which Round Lab uses to create some of its calmest, most balancing formulas. Their Dokdo Cleansing Oil pairs that soothing water with plant-derived oils like meadowfoam, grape seed, avocado, evening primrose, and macadamia to melt makeup without leaving skin tight or greasy. It’s especially great for sensitive or dry skin thanks to barrier-loving ingredients like allantoin, and panthenol. “The addition of hyaluronic acid and ceramides helps soothe dry, sensitive skin while adding hydration as it cleanses,” says Dr. Justine Park.

Han before applying the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil

Han after applying the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil

Tester feedback from Han

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“Round Lab's standout products, for me, come from the 1025 Dokdo line, which uses Ulleungdo deep-sea water as its star ingredient. That's what gives the cleansing oil a slightly refreshing feeling I don't find with other oils I've used. (Apparently this sea water is extracted 5,000 feet below sea level and stays at a cool two degrees Celcius all year round, so this checks out!) It gets rid of my eye makeup—I love my waterproof, lifeproof gel liners—in a blink of an eye, so it passes my main criteria with flying colors. It leaves my skin feeling baby-soft post-rinse, too. This is pretty niche but I love how much the pump dispenses at once because of how high it sits. I go heavy on cleansing oil in general, especially when I'm wearing makeup, so this little design detail is appreciated!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin
• Fragrance-free: yes

More Korean cleansing oils we love

Best for Sensitive Skin: Purito From Green Cleansing Oil

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Purito

From Green Cleansing Oil

$20 $17 (15% off)

Amazon

$21

Nordstrom

$21

Olive Young

Why it’s worth it: Just because Korean skin care popularized the famous 10-step glass-skin routine doesn’t mean they don't know the power of simplicity. Purito’s From Green Cleansing Oil is an ultra-minimalist formula that clocks in at just 10 ingredients, making it a standout for sensitive or easily reactive skin. Instead of essential oils—which are aromatic extracts often added for scent and can be irritating—“the formula relies on gentle fatty oils like olive, sunflower seed, jojoba, sweet almond, and grape seed” to dissolve makeup and sunscreen while helping replenish the skin barrier, says Dr. Han. With no fragrance or unnecessary extras, reactive skin is left soothed and calm.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: olive, sunflower seed, jojoba, sweet almond, and grape seed oils
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Large Pores: Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil BHA

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Hanskin

Pore Cleansing Oil BHA

$27 $24 (11% off)

Amazon

$27

Ulta Beauty

$27

Soko Glam

Why it’s worth it: It’s relatively rare to see beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) take center stage in Korean beauty—most formulas lean on gentler polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), ferments, and enzymes to support cell turnover—but Hanskin is one of the exceptions, and it does so with sensitive skin in mind. The Pore Cleansing Oil BHA features betaine salicylate, a milder, slower-acting cousin of salicylic acid that helps loosen pore buildup with significantly less irritation, making it suitable for daily use. Lightweight, non-comedogenic emollients like jojoba oil dissolve makeup and excess sebum without clogging pores, while glycerin helps prevent that tight, stripped feeling after rinsing. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, recommends this option for a deeper clean that targets congestion while keeping skin balanced and comfortable.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: betaine salicylate, jojoba oil, glycerin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Mature Skin: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil

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Beauty of Joseon

Ginseng Cleansing Oil

$20 $17 (15% off)

Amazon

$20

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: Beauty of Joseon’s Ginseng Cleansing Oil takes the brand’s hanbang roots (traditional Korean herbal medicine) and turns them into a cleansing step that feels practically therapeutic for mature skin. The stars are “glycine soja (soybean) oil, which melts makeup while giving mature skin nourishing omegas, as well as ginseng seed oil for natural antioxidant power,” says Dr. Justine Park. With olive, camellia, coconut, and black cumin oils in the blend, this silky formula transforms from an oil into a soft foam cleanser, keeping skin supple and hydrated rather than tight. It’s the kind of gentle face wash that leaves mature, often-dry skin feeling soft, calm, and cared for.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: soybean oil, ginseng seed oil, olive oil, coconut oil
• Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use cleansing oils?

First, skip the water. “Apply cleansing oil to dry skin and massage into the skin to dissolve dirt, grime, oil, sunscreen, makeup, etc.,” says Dr. Justine Park. Working it in dry allows the oils to properly break everything down. Once it’s had a moment to do its job, “rinse with warm water or use a warm wet washcloth to wipe away and then rinse with warm water,” she says. Only after that step should your skin be wet.

What makes Korean cleansing oils different?

What makes these cleansing oils distinctly Korean comes down to texture, simplicity, and the types of oils used. In general, Korean beauty products, especially cleansing products, skew lighter and more streamlined, favoring plant-based oils over the denser, synthetic formulas to nourish your skin barrier.

Why is double cleansing important in Korean skincare?

“Double cleansing ensures thorough and effective cleansing as a two-step process to allow the removal of impurities followed by the actual cleansing of the skin,” says Dr. Justine Park. The first step—an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm—breaks down sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum, while the second step—a water-based cleanser—removes leftover residue, sweat, and impurities. Together, these K-beauty skin-care products leave your complexion clearer, smoother, and better prepped for the rest of your routine.

Meet the experts

• Christina Han, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director at Xyon based in Vancouver
• Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Refinery based in Washington
• Justine H. Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of the Skin & Beauty Center based in Westlake Village, CA

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 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 Korean cleansing oils, 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.

Collage: Jemeria Davison / Images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

The best eyelash curlers are key to creating and securing brow-grazing lifted lashes. When paired with your favorite mascara (and/or eyeliner, if you want more drama), these essential beauty tools can help elongate and enhance your lashes, adding an instant, enlongating oomph to even the shortest, straightest, and wispiest eyelashes among us.

Even better? Despite the fear that may accompany placing a contraption so close to your eyeballs, high-quality eyelash curlers do the trick without pinching or pulling. So, for your fluttery-lashed pleasure, we scoured the web and talked to editors, board-certified dermatologists, and professional makeup artists to get the skinny on what makes an eyelash curler stand out. Read on to find your perfect match.

Our Top Eyelash Curlers

• Best Overall: Shiseido Eyelash Curler, $25
• Best Long-Lasting: Tweezerman Promaster Lash Curler, $24
• Best for Short Lashes: Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler, $26
• Best Grip: Shu Uemura Iconic Lash Curler, $20
• Best Tug-Free: Hourglass Lash Curler, $34
• Best for Round Eyes: Surratt Relevee Lash Curler, $36
• Best for Beginners: Jenny Patinkin Lazy Perfection Eyelash Curler, $20

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What are the benefits of using an eyelash curler?
• How do you find the right eyelash curler for your eye shape?
• Should you curl your lashes before or after mascara?
• How often should you replace an eyelash curler?
• How should I use an eyelash curler?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Shiseido Eyelash Curler

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Shiseido

Eyelash Curler

$28

Amazon

$28

Nordstrom

$28

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han using Shiseido’s Eyelash Curler

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: The broad curve and flexible silicone pads make the Shiseido Eyelash Curler catch and curl even the shortest lashes, like the ones nestled along the inner and outer corners of the lash line. "It has an especially good grip and a curved shape that makes it good for most eye shapes, with no worries of pinching the skin on the sides," says New York City-based makeup artist Meredith Baraf. Its large clamp opening, wide slit, and cushiony dent-prone silicone pad make it the ultimate lash curler for just about any eye shape or lash type.

Han before using Shiseido’s Eyelash Curler

Sarah Han

Han after using Shiseido’s Eyelash Curler

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han

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“Asian brands know Asian lashes—who would've guessed? But not just my lashes. Shiseido's Eyelash Curler can coax any lashes—my itty-bitty, stubborn lashes included—out of hiding. With some practice, it's really easy (and painless, despite what you might gather from the video!) to get super close to the lash line before working my way out. My real estate is limited here, so I can sometimes squeeze in two more curls, but usually, it's just one more near the tips of my lashes. I simply don't apply mascara without prepping my lashes with this baby, and it lasts for approximately one million years.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Material: stainless steel, silicone
• Who it’s for: everyone

Best Lightweight: Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler

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Tweezerman

Promaster Lash Curler

$26

Amazon

$26

Nordstrom

$19

Ulta Beauty

Former Allure shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis using the Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler

Angela Trakoshis

Why it's worth it: The Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler is a repeat Best of Beauty Award winner for a reason. Scratch that—many reasons. For starters, the wide top bar is specifically designed to fit deeper-set eyes, and the silicone pad is plusher than most, making for a more comfortable clamp. The long pad also makes it easy to catch every hair along your lash line, including the teeny-tiny ones along the inner corners, resulting in an elegant, lifted curl that lasts. It comes with three replacement silicone pads to keep everything nice and hygienic.

Trakoshis before using the Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler

Angela Trakoshis

Trakoshis after using the Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler

Angela Trakoshis

Tester feedback from Former Allure shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis

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"I've had this Tweezerman eyelash curler for years, and it never lets me down. One quick squeeze, and you've got the kind of lift that makes people wonder if you secretly got extensions." —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor

More to know

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• Material: stainless steel, silicone
• Who it’s for: people with deep-set eyes

Best for Short Lashes: Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler

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Kevyn Aucoin

Eyelash Curler

$26

Kevyn Aucoin Beauty

$26

Bluemercury

Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin using the Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler

Sarah Felbin

Why it's worth it: It's easy to spot this backstage favorite in a lineup, thanks to the cherry red pad, which helps the curler align with the roots of stubby lashes for a precise, pinch-free clamp. A few gentle squeezes will get you beautifully curled, crimp-free lashes. Kevyn Aucoin's Eyelash Curler is also made of durable, rust-resistant stainless steel to ensure that all you'll need to update are the occasional new replacement pads.

Felbin before using the Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler

Sarah Felbin

Felbin after using the Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler

Sarah Felbin

Contributor Jennifer Hussein before using the Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler

Jennifer Hussein

Hussein after using the Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler

Jennifer Hussein

Tester feedback from Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin

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“An eyelash curler that actually fits my eyes, doesn't pinch, and is easy to clean? Sounds like a unicorn—or Kevin Aucoin. I use this every single day, and I'm obsessed. It feels so high-quality—a little heavier than drugstore versions, which goes a long way. And the way it lifts my lashes is simply unmatched. You'll never catch me applying mascara without using this first.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor

Tester feedback from Allure commerce contributor Jennifer Hussein

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“I have extremely straight lashes, and a few squeezes of this lash curler always gives them the lift they need to show off their true length. It fits perfectly across my lid to grab each and every lash without tugging them or causing fallout, another chronic issue I have with my natural set.” —Jennifer Hussein, commerce contributor

More to know

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• Material: stainless steel, silicone
• Who’s it for: short lashes, straight lashes

Best Grip: Shu Uemura Iconic Lash Curler

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Shu Uemura

Iconic Eyelash Curler

$28 $21 (25% off)

Amazon

$28

Nordstrom

Allure social director Kassidy Silva using the Shu Uemura Iconic Lash Curler

Kassidy Silva

Why it's worth it: This might look like your run-of-the-mill metal eyelash curler, but the results are anything but average. The silicone pad on Lancôme's Le Curler Eyelash Curler has a no-slip grip that gently cushions lashes as you squeeze to prevent tugging and breakage. After each use, you'll dig the difference: a dramatic, lifted, crease-free curl that'll carry you from conference calls to cocktails.

Silva before using the Shu Uemura Iconic Lash Curler

Kassidy Silva

Silva after using the Shu Uemura Iconic Lash Curler

Kassidy Silva

Tester feedback from Allure social director Kassidy Silva

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"If you suffer from long-lash envy, this eyelash curler is for you. In less than 20 seconds, you'll have all the lash volume you've been looking for."—Kassidy Silva, social director

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• Material: alloy steel, silicone
• Who it’s for: everyone

More eyelash curlers we love:

Best Tug-Free: Hourglass Lash Curler

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Hourglass

Lash Curler

$34

Nordstrom

$34

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: Hourglass’s Lash Curler boosts the look of length and curl without tugging or pulling lashes in the process. Designed with a universal-fit shape, it comfortably reaches even hard-to-curl lashes at the inner and outer corners of the eye without pulling. Both Allure editors and Los Angeles–based makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy frequently use this curler for its controlled, gentle clamp that helps prevent breakage while creating a smooth, long-lasting curl that holds throughout the day.

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• Material: stainless steel, latex
• Who’s it for: those with fragile eyelashes

Best for Round Eyes: Surratt Relevee Lash Curler

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Why it’s worth it: The Surratt Relevee Lash Curler is one of those “if you know, you know” kind of products. Its a sleeper hit that’s ultra-wide for all lash types, including those with rounder eye shapes. Ariuna Iakovleva, a New York City-based makeup artist, calls the Surratt Revelee Lash Curler one of the most well-made lash curling tools that’s become a poopular standout. “It provides a smooth, controlled curl and feel comfortable to use,” she says.

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• Material: nickle-free steel, silicone
• Who’s it for: round eyes, wide eyes

Best for Beginners: Jenny Patinkin Lazy Perfection Eyelash Curler

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Jenny Patinkin

Lazy Perfection Eyelash Curler

$20

Amazon

$24

Nordstrom

$24

Dermstore

Why it’s worth it: The elegant rose gold-and-white design gives the Jenny Patinkin Lazy Perfection Eyelash Curler extra style points, but this tool is more than just a pretty face. "The carefully calibrated trap opening gives balance and control and accommodates lashes of any length," Tarryn Feldman, a Nashville-based makeup artist, explains. "Additionally, the white bumper pad allows for better user visibility and curler positioning, limiting the likelihood of pinching or crimping." We'd venture to say this is a very worthy addition to your makeup bag.

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• Material: zinc alloy, silicone
• Who’s it for: everyone

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of using an eyelash curler?

If you've been overlooking lash curlers in your beauty routine, it's time to rethink.—t These small tools can make a significant impact with very little effort. "Besides the fact that a lash curler boosts your lashes for mascara application, it's also really great for making you look more awake when you're going for a no-makeup look," explains Ashleigh Ciucci, a New York City-based makeup artist. Whether going full glam or keeping it minimal, a quick curl can instantly open up your eyes and elevate your entire look.

Despite the benefits, you should still take precautions when using these tools. Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., previously noted, "Eyelid skin is super sensitive, and lashes are fragile. I would make sure that the device comes nowhere near the skin and that it isn't overused so as to damage eyelash hair."

How do you find the right eyelash curler for your eye shape?

The good news for all eye shapes: According to Iakovleva, most lash curlers are created with a a large, universal fit. That means no matter which curler you grab, there most likely won’t be a dramatic difference between fit. That being said, if fit has been an issue for you in the past, she suggests keeping the the radius of the curve and the width of the curler in mind.

Should you curl your lashes before or after mascara?

You may feel an urge to curl your lashes after applying macara, but Hussainy recommends using your lash curler before you apply any makeup. “Curling before mascara is better to ensure your mascara doesn’t clump or, more importantly, not damage or pull your lashes,” she says, adding that this technique provides an overall more polished look.

How often should you replace an eyelash curler?

Depending on how often you use and clean your lash curler—which should be cleaned after every use to prevent product buildup—Hussainy recommends replacing the tool every six months to a year. “I find that after that period of time, it doesn’t perform quite as well,” she says.

It’s also important to replace the silicone pad regularly. “For maintenance, the rubber pad should be changed every three to six months, or as soon as it starts to harden,” says Iakovleva, noting that regular cleaning is essential for both hygiene and performance.

How should I use an eyelash curler?

For starters, take your time. "Keep the lash curler clamped for a good 20 seconds on each eye," Baraf tells Allure. “If you're not going to hold the curler on each lash for at least 20 seconds, don't even bother.”

Meanwhile, makeup artist Tommy Napoli employs a three-part approach to lash curling. He previously advised Allure readers to start at the base of the lashes using firm pressure before squeezing outward the middle of the lashes—this time, less pressure than is used at the base. Use a touch of pressure at the tips of the lashes to round things out.

Meet the experts

• Ashleigh Ciucci, a New York City-based makeup artist
• Tarryn Feldman, a Nashville-based makeup artist
• Mezhgan Hussainy, a Los Angeles-baed makeup artist
• Ariuna Iakovleva, a New York City-based makeup artist
• Meredith Baraf, a New York City-based makeup artist
• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
• Tommy Napoli, a New York City-based makeup artist

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup tools, we ask questions about a number of factors: What purpose does it serve? Does it accommodate a wide range of customers? 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 its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best eyelash curlers, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different lashes, desired outcomes, and price points. 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 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.

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If anyone expects an apology from Tyra Banks in Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, they will surely be disappointed. The new Netflix docuseries chronicles the evolution of America’s Next Top Model—and the toxic messaging about beauty it pushed upon audiences—featuring interviews from some of its judges and contestants, executive producer Ken Mok, and host-slash-creator Tyra Banks. To a millennial viewer such as myself, watching it felt like a sort of seance—a call into the void, making contact with the meltdown voyeurism, diet culture, and reality TV ghosts of the early aughts.

The reality competition series ran for 24 seasons (or “cycles,” as they’re called) between 2003 and 2018. Contestants vied for the title, a cash prize, and a loosely defined modeling contract. Each week, they endured challenges—mostly themed photo shoots—that have since been lampooned across social media for their cultural insensitivity, all-around weirdness, and lack of relevance to modeling. (Cycle four contestant Keenyah Hill shared in the docuseries that she couldn’t use her photos from the show in her modeling portfolio because they were so thematically nuts.)

Every cycle, beauty makeovers were the highlight—and the biggest point of cognitive dissonance. Banks says in the docuseries, as she has many times in the past, that she made a point of casting models whom the fashion industry writ large excluded at the time—Black models, brown models, queer models, curvier models… only to bind them in the same impossible beauty standards she claimed to denounce. Weaves, extensions, and drastic haircuts or color changes were ostensibly forced upon contestants for the sake of making them more fashion-forward. Cycle six’s Joanie Dodds and Danielle Evans were vaguely threatened with elimination unless they agreed to permanent, painful dental work. (Dodds was asked to straighten her smile, which required surgically removing several teeth and replacing them with implants; Evans was asked to have the gap between her two front teeth surgically closed because it wasn’t “marketable,” which she vocally opposed on camera.)

Photo: Courtesy of Netflix

Criticisms about contestants’ looks from Banks and her judges ran the gamut in their cruelty. And when receiving feedback on their performance in challenges from week to week, panel critiques frequently strayed from modeling prowess to aesthetics. Contestants were measured and weighed on camera at times and were often interrogated about their eating habits in front of the entire cast and crew. In cycle one, Banks openly criticized 18-year-old contestant Giselle Samson for having a “wide ass.” In the docuseries, cycle 18 contestant Ebonee Davis described the joy she felt being a Black woman on a television show created by a Black woman—and how that joy deflated when Banks told her the judges thought she looked “ashy.”

Naturally, these instances didn’t age well and have long drawn post-mortem criticisms. Reality Check makes a point to mention ad nauseam that much of the public backlash toward America’s Next Top Model took hold following the pandemic, when a majority of people were blowing through their to-watch queue, desperately seeking fresh viewing fodder. A “2020 lens” is how members of the cast described this perceived shift in public reaction in the docuseries. The general sentiment is that things were “different” when the show originally aired—back when reality TV was built on a foundation of shock, awe, and scrutinizing women’s bodies. (Anyone else remember The Swan and Extreme Makeover? Yikes!) There is a kernel of truth there, but it does not absolve Banks, Mok, or anyone else involved in the show’s production of their behavior.

I watched America’s Next Top Model in that fabled “different” time, when I was a tween-going-on-teen. I remember judges calling contestants around a size six “plus-size” and criticizing them for being too big. I remember contestants who were a size four being told to lose weight—the how didn’t matter. In Reality Check, Whitney Thompson (cycle 10) and Bre Scullark (cycle five) recalled the proliferation of eating disorders on set, where some contestants skipped meals ahead of photoshoots and challenges. The docuseries also featured a brief archival clip of Banks and judge Jay Manuel discussing an unnamed contestant he said “isn’t plus-size and isn’t model-size;” Banks responded that the model should gain weight to become “plus size.”

“[Makeovers] stripped contestants of their bodily autonomy—if they could not protest a bob, they did not have a leg to stand on when the series took unpredictably dark turns.”

Meanwhile, Thompson, the show’s first “plus-size” winner (she was a size six at the time), said that when she signed to Elite Model Management after the series, a contingency of her victory, the agency didn’t even have a plus division. The way models’ weight was treated on ANTM communicated to my younger self: Be skinny or be fat; pick a side—but if you fall into “fat” territory, beware the consequences.

I have struggled with disordered eating my entire life. Being 13 years old and obsessed with America’s Next Top Model in tandem with the ever-pervasive diet and tabloid culture of the 2000s absolutely contributed to my shaky body image. With a frontal lobe about as firm as overnight oats, I, like many others my age, fell victim to the ideals presented in the docuseries: It’s just how things are. My friends and I entered middle school and traded juice boxes and multiplication tables for diet soda and calorie counting. We didn’t understand at the time how the media we consumed, not our diets, was causing our anguish.

But in Reality Check, Banks—who has been interviewed about the negative impact of her show multiple times—smizes unflinchingly into the camera lens as she utters every adage and platitude instead of, "Hey, I'm sorry for fucking up a generation of young people—particularly young women." (For what it’s worth, Banks has said in past interviews that she “agreed” with criticisms for “off choices,” but it was still predicated by the “it was a different time” spiel.)

But the sins against contestants—and society writ large, for that matter—extend beyond distorted conversations about beauty. The highlight reel of what-the-absolute-hell moments on America’s Next Top Model also included the now-infamous race-swap photo shoot, a photo shoot where the models pose as unhoused people, and a spine-chilling photo shoot where the models (one of whom was the daughter of a gun violence survivor) pose as murder victims. The models Banks vied to empower so audaciously became her dolls for makeovers and playing pretend. It stripped contestants of their bodily autonomy—if they could not protest a bob, they did not have a leg to stand on when the series took unpredictably dark turns.

As many fans vividly remember, the production filmed and aired cycle two contestant Shandi Sullivan’s intoxicated encounter with a man in Milan, which she describes in the docuseries as sexual assault. “It’s a little hard for me to talk about production because that’s not my territory,” Banks said when asked why production did not intervene to protect a clearly intoxicated Sullivan, blaming Mok and other members of the team. (Writer's note: Banks also held an executive producer title on the show; the docuseries does not interrogate exactly how production wouldn’t have been her “territory” in this instance.)

In one instance, she does apologize—on camera, not face-to-face—to cycle four contestant Keenyah Hill, who faced unwanted sexual advances from a male model on the set of a photo shoot. These instances happened on camera and in front of the entire production crew, but when Hill stopped the shoot to share her distress, she was dismissed and later told she needed to take more control. Banks’s response in hindsight: “None of us knew… but she needed more [protection],” Banks said of Hill’s experience. “Boo-boo, I am so sorry.”

Photo: Courtesy of Netflix

And that’s ultimately how Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model unfolded. Banks acted as though she parted the Red Sea to make her vanity project come to fruition—all to change the modeling industry by way of reality television—and mostly refused to acknowledge the gravity of her choices. But Banks believes what she believes: that her work was groundbreaking. ”24 cycles of changing the world,” she said last year while accepting an award from Essence.

Watching Reality Check, I could only surmise that Banks wasn’t just drinking her own Kool-Aid; she had manufactured an ayahuasca-like substance from contestants’ distress that transported her from this reality we’re all living in. She used words like “accountability” as a shield, and her loose apologies felt hollow and flippant to me as a result.

But who is to blame for America's Next Top Model going off the rails? The networks, Banks, or executive producers? For viewers, it's hard to navigate the finger-pointing. The buck is passed around as liberally as hair wefts in the show’s makeover episodes. From judges to Banks. From Banks to Ken Mok. From Mok to network executives. For God’s sake, Banks blames the viewers at one point, saying, “You guys were demanding it. And so we kept pushing… more, and more, and more.”

In the many dropped bombs in this docuseries, one explosion still rings in my ears: Banks’s out-of-nowhere revelation that cycle 25 is coming. For all the discussion around accountability and how America’s Next Top Model was a sign of the times, I’m not confident Banks and her peers can be trusted with a reboot, especially now with diet culture and body shaming resurgent and cosmetic procedures of every sort multiplying; beauty standards remain as rigid as ever.

At one point in the docuseries, Banks says, “Hindsight is 20/20 for all of us. It just so happens that a lot of the things that are 20/20 for me happened in front of the world.” If you ask me, it’s time she gets glasses.

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Each day since the Justice Department published 3.5 million new documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case on January 30, we’ve learned of yet another powerful man who was in contact with the convicted sex offender and people in his network. Late last week, the name Peter Thomas Roth surfaced. According to what appear to be emails in the DOJ release, the skin-care brand founder had communicated with Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell from 2004 until 2018. Now, influencers and content creators are publicly disavowing Roth’s brand and—along with some everyday consumers—calling for boycotts in light of this information.

Nothing in the files suggests that Roth was involved in any criminal conduct, but he exchanged many friendly emails with Epstein and Maxwell long after the former pleaded guilty in 2008 to felony solicitation of prostitution and procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution. In September 2017, Roth allegedly visited Epstein’s home to “explain to all the girls about skin creams, cleansers and such,” according to an email. The same month, Roth sent Epstein 13 gift bags filled with products. In another email, dated August 2018, Roth sent Epstein the link to a New York Post story headlined Steve Bannon Trying to Get on Disgraced Jeffrey Epstein’s Good Side,” saying “Great picture of you!!!” Epstein responded “fun,” to which Roth replied with three thumbs-up emojis. Epstein was subsequently charged with federal sex trafficking in July 2019.

Roth launched his skin-care line in 1993 after struggling to find products to treat his acne. The brand is now carried in Sephora, Ulta, and QVC. In a statement sent to Allure, representatives for Peter Thomas Roth stated that Roth “gave up the day-to-day operations of his eponymous brand in 2016.” According to the brand’s website, Roth “leads all research and development efforts.” He is still the CEO.

On February 8, skin-care influencer Hyram Yarbro posted a 26-minute YouTube video in which he said he would no longer promote the brand. He says he has featured its products in “hundreds” of his videos. “I just figured out today that one of my favorite skin-care brands that I have featured in hundreds of videos since the very beginning of my channel, Peter Thomas Roth, is all up in the Epstein files,” Yarbro stated in the video. “I personally will not be supporting him or the brand anymore.” At press time, the video has more than 230,000 views and over 2,000 comments, some saying they are going to boycott Ulta and Sephora as long as they continue to carry the brand.

J.C. Dombrowski, a content creator, also posted a video to say he’s severing any connection with the brand, deleting any previous videos he’s made featuring its products, and requesting to be taken off its public relations team’s mailing list. “I feel especially let down, violated, and appalled that my content helped bankroll someone and some brand like that,” he wrote in his caption, where he also described himself as a survivor of abuse.

People across the internet with far smaller followings, including on Reddit, are also denouncing Roth and his brand, calling on others to stop purchasing his products. “I’m genuinely disgusted and angry about this. PTR made one of my favorite moisturizers, but after this, I will be buying no more,” one user wrote in the /BeautyGuruChatter subReddit.

When Allure asked brand representatives at Peter Thomas Roth for comment, they pointed us to a statement that Roth posted to both his personal Instagram profile and the brand’s on February 5. In it, he said that Epstein was his physics teacher at the Dalton School in New York City in the early ’70s. “We stayed in touch casually in the nearly five decades that followed,” he wrote. “I’m horrified by the crimes he committed and the lasting impact they have had on his victims, and I deeply regret maintaining any association with him after leaving the Dalton School.”

Roth also said in his statement that he never attended Epstein’s parties, flew on his plane, or visited his island. He did recall once visiting Epstein’s Manhattan residence to “show him some skin-care products” and leaving after what he described as a “brief meeting” in his dining room. Roth previously mentioned a visit with Epstein to The New York Times in 2019. He described it as “an afternoon gathering” where “everyone present was in their 40s and 50s.” He told the publication at the time that he witnessed no “untoward behavior.”

This isn’t the first time that a beauty brand founder has been named in files related to Epstein. In January 2024, Frédéric Fekkai, hairstylist and founder of his namesake brand, was named in unsealed court documents related to a 2015 lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell. Giuffre, a prominent survivor of Epstein’s abuse who died by suicide last year, named Fekkai in the suit as one of the individuals who “has knowledge of [Maxwell’s] conduct.” In one deposition related to the case, an Epstein employee testified, “I heard him call someone, and say, Fekkai is in Hawaii. Can we find some girls for him?”

Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that regular appointments for “undisclosed or redacted individuals” in Epstein’s circle were made at Fekkai’s salon on New York City’s Upper East Side. In 2019, former Fekkai employees told The Daily Beast that Epstein regularly brought groups of young women into the salon, where the outlet reported, “He paid for their services and had them sit on his lap and stroke his hair.” In a statement sent to the outlet, a spokesperson said, “Neither [Fekkai] nor the current management team had any knowledge of the incidents described and, in Mr. Fekkai’s limited acquaintance with Mr. Epstein, he never witnessed any of the deplorable conduct that led to Mr. Epstein’s conviction.” Nothing in the files suggests that Fekkai was involved in any criminal conduct, and he has not been charged with any crime. Allure reached out to representatives for Frédéric Fekkai yesterday for comment and did not receive a response before the time of publication.

Leslie Wexner, founder of L Brands (previously Limited Brands), has been in headlines for years regarding a longtime association with Epstein. L Brands once owned Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Abercrombie & Fitch. (In 2021, the name was changed to Bath & Body Works. Victoria’s Secret was spun off into its own company, and Abercrombie & Fitch was sold nearly 30 years ago.) Wexner stepped down as CEO in 2020. In the January 30 release of documents, an FBI file from 2019, unredacted earlier this week, referred to Wexner as a “co-conspirator” of Epstein. Wexner has not been charged with any crime in connection with Epstein’s sex-trafficking and denies knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct.

A legal representative for Wexner sent a statement to multiple outlets on Tuesday, saying, “The assistant U.S. attorney told Mr. Wexner’s legal counsel in 2019 that Mr. Wexner was neither a co-conspirator nor a target in any respect. Mr. Wexner cooperated fully by providing background information on Epstein and was never contacted again.”

While there are many industry players who appear in the files, the release of emails between Roth, Maxwell, and Epstein seems to have sparked sizable outrage from consumers. This may be due to the country’s disgust with the investigation in general—and a perceived lack of consequences—that is growing more intense with the passing of time.

It remains to be seen if this outrage is maintained, if other emails or accusations arise among beauty industry leaders, and what domino effects we might see. Last week, skin-care brand Augustinus Bader reportedly canceled an Upper East Side cocktail event hosted by its cofounder Charles Rosier and self-help author Deepak Chopra just two hours before it was set to begin. We learned of Chopra’s link to Epstein back in November, when another Epstein file release showed that the author had been in frequent email contact with Epstein in the years leading up to his 2019 sex trafficking charges. More of their email correspondence was included in the files released on January 30—among them a 2017 email exchange in which Chopra wrote to Epstein, in part, “God is a construct. Cute girls are real.” In June 2025, Rosier and Chopra launched an AI-based wellness platform called AB Chopra Epigenetics. Chopra has not been charged with any crimes, nor do his emails suggest involvement in any criminal conduct.

In a statement posted to X on February 4, Chopra wrote, “I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity.” He continued: “Some past email exchanges have surfaced that reflect poor judgment in tone. I regret that and understand how they read today, given what was publicly known at the time.” Allure reached out to representatives for Chopra for comment and did not receive a response before the time of publication.

A representative for the Bader brand told Puck News this week, “Deepak Chopra is no longer a stakeholder or involved in the development of Augustinus Bader’s longevity platform.” Allure reached out to representatives for Augustinus Bader yesterday for additional comment and did not receive a response before the time of publication.

While the possible damage to brands and reputations seems to grow with each new cache of Epstein releases, in the end, it is nothing compared to the actual damage to the lives of countless abuse victims at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein.

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“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is how the adage goes, and for many longtime fans of the original Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation, the full-coverage formula wasn’t broken. That includes our editor in chief, Jessica Cruel. “It's my top pick when I have to be onstage, whether that be at a speaking engagement or on live television. The original formula was fail-safe for flawless, full coverage that could stand up to HD and 4K cameras.”

One of my best friends, Emy, has worn Double Wear for nearly eight years. “It’s long-lasting, it doesn’t transfer onto my clothes, and it’s full coverage without looking cake-y,” she says. But the reality is that Double Wear launched in 1997. Cosmetic chemistry has improved exponentially since then, and very few formulas have remained unchanged for this long. For Estée Lauder, it was time for an update.

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Estée Lauder

Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation

$52

Estée Lauder

The brand had a long checklist when developing Double Wear 2.0: a more fluid, spreadable, and layerable texture; a more dimensional, skin-like finish; and more stable and true-to-skin shades. Ultimately, the goal was to create a new formula that would attract people who weren’t Double Wear fans in the past. My friend Emy loves the full-coverage formula and instant matte finish, but there’s a cohort of people who found it to be too much (myself included). “Double Wear is not my everyday pick; it's best when you need a formula that will last,” adds Cruel. “This reformulation is an attempt to bring more makeup wearers into the Double Wear family, including those who left the product when they felt it settled into fine lines and wrinkles.”

At the Los Angeles-based launch party for the new foundation, the brand shared that the update has been in the works for a while. And while, according to a spokesperson, the reformulation wasn’t due to changes in EU ingredient regulations, it’s interesting to note that the new foundation no longer contains cyclopentasiloxane, an ingredient now banned in Europe, and the reason other major brands have had to reformulate recently.

I asked cosmetic chemist Amanda Lam to review the ingredient list of both the original and reformulated Double Wear versions. “You are right, they did get rid of the cyclopentasiloxane formula and replaced it with a blend of other silicones (dimethicone, methyl trimethicone),” she says. “I also noticed they removed their water thickeners (xanthan gum and cellulose gum), and this may be due to the addition of sodium hyaluronate, which not only hydrates the skin, but also thickens in water and may be able to replace the previous thickeners.”

The brand also made other changes to the formula: First, there’s the “polymer mesh matrix technology,” which Estée Lauder describes as a “breathable polymer system that acts like an invisible net,” allowing the foundation to move with the skin. The second is a complex they call “AlgaNiacin,” which Lam describes as “a proprietary blend that combines brown algae and niacinamide to decrease sebum production for a more matte and oily-skin-friendly story.”

Sophia Panych wearing no foundation.

Courtesy of subject

Panych after applying Double Wear in natural light.

Courtesy of subject

Panych wearing Double Wear in strong, direct sunlight.

Courtesy of subject

Unlike my friend Emy, I haven't worn Double Wear regularly. I think the last time I wore it was more than 10 years ago, so I can only tell you what I think about the new formula. (I'm 2N1 Desert Beige.) For my everyday makeup, I prefer dewy skin tints, and this new version is still very much the opposite of that. One layer gives me all-over, medium-to-full coverage, with a few additional dots added to my cheeks and chin to cover the annoying splotchiness that's shown up on my skin recently. At first, I disliked how matte it made my face because I felt it made me look older, but I've come to appreciate that it doesn't budge (my beloved skin tints tend to disappear quickly) and, shockingly, that it doesn't settle into fine lines and pores. I initially thought I'd give my bottle to a friend, but after a few days of testing, I've decided it's a great formula to have in my makeup kit for big events and long days.

Emy got serious when it came to her testing, conducting a side-by-side analysis— applying the original to one side of her face and the new formula to the other. (She wears shade 2W0 Warm Vanilla.) “The new one is runnier,” she texted me. “The color seemed a tad lighter than the old formula, and I felt like I had to apply a bit more to get the coverage I desired as compared to the original. But the new one definitely feels lighter and more breathable on your skin. The difference is really noticeable when you’ve got both on.” Emy also brought up a valid concern: Because you have to use more product to get the same amount of coverage as the original, you’ll ultimately go through the bottle more quickly.

Keep reading for more reviews of the new Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation from editor in chief Cruel and other Allure editors, a group that includes both newbies and long-time fans.

Jessica Cruel wearing the new Double Wear formula.

Courtesy of subject

…and another angle of Cruel in Double Wear.

Jessica Cruel, editor in chief

"You can feel the difference in the new formula instantly. It's more liquid-y and loose than the original. Where one drop does the job with the OG formula, it takes two or three to get the same level of coverage. This allows the wearer to customize. The original had one speed—full coverage or bust. This version can be light, medium, or full. One note: You have to let each layer dry down a bit before adding more to get the best results. For those Double Wear lovers, you can still get the finish you love; it just takes a little longer. It still has staying power and a matte finish—the proof was evident after I spent hours sweating and taking selfies at the launch party in LA. It was in the same condition from the first photo to the last.

"The pigments in this new formula have also been updated, which makes for a bit of confusion when looking for your shade. I have always been 6W1 Sandalwood. In this new version, I went from 6W2 to 6C1, and I'm still not quite sure which one is the best fit. There's a 50% chance you'll have to change shades, so I definitely recommend going to get matched before committing to the new Double Wear."

Kassidy Silva without makeup. …

Courtesy of subject

Silva wearing just Double Wear foundation.

Courtesy of subject

Silva in Double Wear with a full face of makeup.

Courtesy of subjectKassidy Silva, social director

"After a year postpartum, and one look at myself in the closing doors of the New Jersey PATH train, I was eager to find a foundation that would cover not only my exhaustion, but also my fine lines…without settling into them like cement. I have always liked Double Wear, as I prefer a more full-coverage look, but I’m constantly testing new things, so it’s fallen by the wayside. The news of an updated formula gave me the perfect excuse to try something ‘new’ and potentially bring it back into my routine.

"The new formula is more lightweight and buildable than the original (I’m shade 2C0 Cool Vanilla), although you still get the medium-to-full coverage depending on how you want to layer. The first time I used it, however, I way overdid it since I’m used to using about two pumps of my other foundation. After some trial and error, I finally figured out the perfect amount I need, which is a dot applied to my forehead, cheeks, and chin that I then blend in with the Rose and Ben Beauty D2 Complexion Brush. I apply a first coat, wait around two minutes before buffing a little more along my hairline, any areas with more redness (like my outer cheeks), and along my jawline to really blend it in. Once it’s dry, I lightly dust powder along my T-zone and chin.

“I can go a full eight hours without needing a touch-up, but I’m makeup-free after 8 p.m., so I’ve never tested it longer than 12 hours. My only other knock is the twist-off cap, which can result in dumping out too much product. But you have that with the original, too.”

Elizabeth Gulino without makeup.

Courtesy of subject

Gulino wearing the new Double Wear foundation.

Courtesy of subjectElizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer

"Honesty hour: I’ve never used the original Estée Lauder Double Wear, so the new formula is my first introduction. Luckily, I was shade-matched by a makeup artist who came to the Allure office (1N1 Ivory Nude, which is described as light with neutral peach undertones). The makeup artist recommended I cover the opening of the bottle with a finger, shake, and then dot the product straight onto my face before blending. I’m light-handed when it comes to my foundation. I like to first apply it with a brush, then go over it with a damp sponge. I loved the way my skin looked when the makeup artist applied it, but when I tried it myself, I did not have the same results.

“The first time I pressed it into my skin, my face looked good—great, even!—with just some separation around my forehead. It lasted all day and prevented my face from becoming oily as the day wore on. But the second day I applied the foundation, it separated all over my face, so much so that I had to take it off before applying the rest of my makeup. Looking back, I may have put too much on for the second test run, but the formula may not be for me. Still, thinking about how great the makeup artist made my skin look has inspired me to keep trying.”

Bianca Richards without makeup.

Courtesy of subject

Richards wearing only the new Double Wear foundation.

Courtesy of subject

Richards wearing Double Wear and a full face of makeup.

Courtesy of subjectBianca Richards, social media manager

"My mom lives by the Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation, and I honestly never gave it a chance until my colleague signed me up to test the reformulation. I must admit, I get the hype.
My relationship with foundation has always leaned toward skin tints and lightweight formulas that create that natural, luminous, everyday finish. Even for special occasions, I typically reach for the Tom Ford Matte Foundation when I want a true matte look, or stick with my go-to skin tint for something dewy and effortless. This new Estée Lauder foundation, however, strikes the perfect balance. It delivers the full coverage of a matte formula with the subtle, natural finish of a skin tint. I wear shade 3W2 Cashew, and after a full day of filming backstage at Fashion Week, my makeup didn’t budge."

Jesa Marie Calaor without makeup.

Courtesy of subject

Calaor in the new Double Wear foundation.

Courtesy of subjectJesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor

“The new Estée Lauder Double Wear is reliable in every way you’d want a foundation formula to be: It glides on smoothly, doesn’t catch on the dry patches around my lips and along my jawline, and lasts through an entire workday (which, during Fashion Week, stretches well beyond midnight). I wore 4N2 Spiced Sand, a neutral medium shade, and it’s a spot-on match for my winter skin tone. (I'm floored, because many of my winter foundations skew a little too warm, and I definitely don't have cool undertones.) It covers redness and discoloration beautifully, but I do wish it were more lightweight, so it wouldn’t conceal the beauty marks I love so much.”

The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lightweight Matte Foundation retails for $52 and is now available at esteelauder.com. It will be available at Amazon, Nordstrom, and Ulta Beauty starting February 23, 2026.

Collage: Jem Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Whether you’re restocking your everyday staples or finally trying that viral hit (hi, Too Faced and Tarte), now is the perfect opportunity to level up your lash game for less. In honor of National Lash Day (a.k.a. February 19—who knew?), Ulta Beauty is stretching the celebration into a full week, with 30% off mascaras, lashes, lash kits, and accessories. That means, from February 15 through February 21, you can lock in some serious savings on everything you need for longer, fuller, lashes—from editor-loved mascaras to falsies. And, Allure editors have tried tons of these best-selling formulas, so you can trust that these deals are ones we'd add to our carts.

Our Top Ulta National Lash Day Deals

Va-Va-Voom VolumeBenefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing MascaraJump to review$29 $15 (48% off)

Ulta Beauty

Lush and LiftedMaybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High MascaraJump to review$14 $10 (29% off)

Ulta Beauty

Drama Queen Tarte Maneater MascaraJump to review$28 $20 (29% off)

Ulta Beauty

Va-Va-Voom Volume: Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara

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Benefit Cosmetics

BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara

$29 $15 (48% off)

Ulta Beauty

Former Allure content director Kara McGrath applying the Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara

Kara McGrath

If your lashes feel more “weighed down” than “wow,” try Benefit’s BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara. It’s formulated with aero-particles, a material used to create lightweight volume, so you get all the drama without any heavy clumping. Plus, it’s packed with vitamin B5 to keep lashes looking thicker and stronger the more you wear it. And, the wand is just as genius as the formula, with a super-slim, flexible design that hugs every single lash from corner to corner. While we’ll always love classic black and brown, we’re currently obsessed with bolder shades like Wild Plum (a deep wine) and Power Blue (an electric cobalt) that are practically begging to be worn to a music festival or a night out on the town. No matter which shade you opt for, it won’t smudge or flake for up to 36 hours (although we highly recommend washing it off before then!). Add it to your cart for 30% off while you can.

McGrath before applying the Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara

Kara McGrath

McGrath after applying the Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara

Kara McGrath

Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath

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"BadGal Bang is one of my favorite mascara formulas of all time, so it wasn't exactly shocking that I love the burgundy version, too. I know wearing purple makeup to contrast green eyes is the oldest trick in the book, but this plum-y brown really does make mine ‘pop’ without it being super obvious that I'm wearing a colorful mascara." —Kara McGrath, former content director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: vitamin B5
• Benefits: volumizing, long-wearing, buildable
• Shades: 4 (Wild Plum, Power Blue, Rebel Brown, Intense Pitch Black)
• Waterproof: no

Lush and Lifted: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

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Maybelline New York

Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

$14 $10 (29% off)

Ulta Beauty

Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Jailynn Taylor

Maybelline New York’s Sky High Mascara is all about options, with nine shades to choose from. The lineup includes three blacks with different intensity levels, a true brown, and eye-catching hues like hunter green and deep plum—one of our favorites because it tends to make all eye colors pop. The flexible brush bends to catch every lash from root to tip, and the formula’s lightweight fibers add lift and length, for wispy, defined, and feathery-light lashes. It also features bamboo extract, which is high in silica and promotes longer, healthier lashes.

Taylor before applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Jailynn Taylor

Taylor after applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor

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“I’m usually loyal to my lash clusters, but on lazy days, I reach for Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Classic Black. Lately, however, I’ve been craving something different, so I swapped my standby black for Burgundy Haze, and it’s quickly become a new favorite in my rotation. The subtle tint warms up my brown eyes and complements the pink tones in my blush, adding just enough color without feeling over the top. It also delivers on performance lifting, lengthening, and separating without flaking or weighing my lashes down.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: bamboo extract
• Benefits: volumizing, lengthening
• Shades: 9 (including Burgundy Haze, Plum Twilight, Space Diamond, Blue Mist, and Green Altitude)
• Waterproof: no

Drama Queen: Tarte Maneater Mascara

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Tarte

Maneater Mascara

$28 $20 (29% off)

Ulta Beauty

Tarte’s Maneater Mascara is made with plant-derived carnauba wax and jojoba oil, which help the formula glide on smoothly without clumping. They’re also conditioning ingredients that make lashes look longer and fuller with continued use. And, as any mascara devotee knows, the brush matters just as much as the formula. This one really delivers: The flexible wand is packed with over 500 tiny bristles that grab and coat every lash—even those barely there ones in the inner corners. The result is long, fluttery lashes that hold their curl all day, until you’re ready to wash it off (which is easy as pie, as the formula isn’t waterproof).

Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh

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“This mascara offers a fanned-out, lengthened look with just enough curl. A single coat makes it look like I naturally have really great lashes (if I do say so myself!), while adding a second turns up the drama without getting clumpy. The formula isn’t waterproof (so removal is a breeze), but it can go toe to toe with the best of them when it comes to longevity. And thank goodness for that—because when your lashes look this good, you want to show ’em off all day long.” —Dianna Singh, features director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: carnauba wax, jojoba oil
• Benefits: volumizing, lengthening, curling
• Shades: 2 (including Black and Brown)
• Waterproof: no

Limitless Lashes: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Sculpt Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara

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Anastasia Beverly Hills

Lash Sculpt Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara

$26 $18 (31% off)

Ulta Beauty

There’s a lot to love about Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Lash Sculpt Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara. Let’s start with the conditioning and lash growth-enhancing blend of biotin, collagen, and peptides. Then, there’s the buildable formula, the flake- and smudge-proof finish, the voluminous effect, and the wand, which offers a fanned-out look. It layers beautifully, so you get all the drama without the fallout halfway through the day.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: biotin, collagen, peptides
• Benefits: volumizing, lengthening
• Shades: 1 (Black)
• Waterproof: no

A Perfect Pair: Dibs Beauty Double Standard Primer & Mascara Duo

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DIBS Beauty

Double Standard Primer & Mascara Duo

$31 $22 (29% off)

Ulta Beauty

A mascara with a lash primer built in? Now that’s the ticket. DIBS’ Double Standard Primer & Mascara Duo comes in a double-ended tube that features a brown-tinted, lash-lengthening primer on one side, with a slim, plastic brush that grabs every lash. It’s formulated with moisturizing shea butter, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and vitamin B5 to condition lashes as it preps them for the next step. Flip the tube over, and you’ve got a rich, black mascara with a wavy-bristled wand that thickens and amps up the volume. Be prepared for compliments (you’ve been warned). At 30% off, you’re getting two products for even less than the regular price of one—that’s some major girl math.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: shea butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5
• Benefits: volumizing, lengthening, conditioning
• Shades: 2 (Brown (primer) and Black (mascara))
• Waterproof: no

Eye Opener: Live Tinted Legacy Lash Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara

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Live Tinted

Legacy Lash Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara

$28 $20 (29% off)

Ulta Beauty

For short, stubborn lashes, Live Tinted’s Legacy Lash Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara delivers instant volume. But, the real magic is that it doubles as a treatment—think serum and mascara in one. The formula is powered by carnauba wax for definition, plus olive and green coffee extracts to help support growth. Meanwhile, a botanical blend of hibiscus flower, safflower, and sunflower oils helps make lashes look longer and denser over time. And applying it couldn’t be easier: The brush has a spiky tip that reaches all the way into those tricky inner corners, separating every lash, for a fanned-out finish.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: caranuba wax, olive extract, green coffee extract, hibiscus flower, safflower, sunflower oil
• Benefits: volumizing, lengthening, conditioning
• Shades: 1 (black)
• Waterproof: no

Icon Status: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

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Too Faced

Better Than Sex Mascara

$29 $20 (31% off)

Ulta Beauty

Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Mascara might just live up to its name, if you ask us. One coat delivers instant volume, thanks to its iconic, hourglass-shaped brush, which hugs the lash line, lifts, and separates for a curled, clump-free finish. It comes in three shades: rich burgundy, chocolate brown, and deep black—trust us, you’ll want more than one in your rotation (yes, a lash wardrobe is a thing!). The formula is also infused with peptides to help condition lashes, so they stay soft and healthy-looking, with no crunchy flakiness in sight. Want an even longer lasting version? It also comes in Waterproof.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: peptides
• Benefits: volumizing, lengthening, conditioning
• Shades: 3 (Black, brown, burgundy)
• Waterproof: no (however, it does come in a waterproof version)

Super Serum: Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash-MD Lash Enhancing Serum

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Grande Cosmetics

GrandeLash-MD Lash Enhancing Serum

$68 $48 (29% off)

Ulta Beauty

Grande Cosmetics’ Lash Enhancing Serum is packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and amino acids to help condition and strengthen lashes, so they look longer and healthier over time. It’s also made with isopropyl cloprostenate, a synthetic prostaglandin that boosts your lashes’ active growth phase to make them look longer, thicker, and even darker. All it takes is one swipe of the brush along your upper lash line each night for three months to kickstart the process. Once you’ve reached your ideal length, switch to every other night to maintain those fluttery results.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, amino acids, isopropyl cloprostenate
• Who it’s for: all skin types with short and pale lashes

No Glue Needed: Kiss ImPress Multipack Pre-Glued Lash Clusters Kit

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Kiss

ImPress Multipack Pre-Glued Lash Clusters Kit

$17 $12 (29% off)

Ulta Beauty

With Kiss’s imPRESS Pre-Glued Lash Clusters, you get a mix of lengths—from 8 millimeters to 16 millimeters—so you can fully customize your look. (Pro tip: We love using the shorter pieces on the inner corners and longer ones on the outer edges for that lifted effect.) Whether you apply two clusters or five, they’re so lightweight, you’ll barely feel them. Even better, they come pre-glued, so there’s no messy adhesive required—just press them on underneath your natural lashes using your fingers or tweezers for a more seamless, natural finish. Once they’re on, they should stay put for up to 24 hours.

More to know

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• Material: synthetic
• Reusable: no

Subtle Showstopper: Ardell Naked False Lashes #420 Multipack

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Ardell

Naked False Lashes #420 Multipack

$14 $10 (29% off)

Ulta Beauty

When you’re going for “your lashes, but better,” reach for Ardell’s Naked Lashes 420, which are discounted at 30% off this week. The staggered lengths blend effortlessly with your natural lashes, and you only need a thin swipe of adhesive to keep them looking wispy all day long. The fibers are ultra-lightweight, so they won’t drag down your lash line or lids, and the barely-there band disappears once applied. Prepare for longer, fuller-looking lashes that’ll get people talking—without realizing they’re faux. A true win-win, in our book.

More to know

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• Material: mink
• Reusable: no

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What can we say? It’s been a long year. What’s that? It’s only spring? Well, in that case, we could all use a little self-care—a spring break, if you will—and this season’s hair trends are reflecting our cultural desire for ease and softness amid a whole lot of stress in 2026.

Our haircuts are floaty and gentle: a shag with airy layers, a softly sculpted bob, or a long cascade of waves to transport you to a tropical island (if only when you flip your hair). Or maybe you’re wearing a shoulder-grazing midi cut, which happens to be an easy, natural evolution from the blunt bobs of last season. These cuts enable us to spend more time daydreaming and less time in the salon.

Spring colors are cozy, familiar classics that feel rich and special but couldn’t be easier to achieve. Dimensional blondes and brunettes offer shine and polish with a low-maintenance grow-out. Sandy-desert caramel and strawberry beige are soft and sweet like fresh linen, with a little sparkle that says “I’m not done causing trouble.”

These trends are like the hair equivalent of taking a deep, cleansing spring breath. Below, the experts detail the soft, gentle styles we can expect to see in a season of beauty rest and reset.

Spring haircut trends

Modern shag

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The modern shag—easily the most forecasted cut by our stylists this season—does away with electric edges and texture in favor of a softer, more lyrical look. Think less Joan Jett, more Stevie Nicks, with a Sabrina Carpenter chaser. This cut has the coolness of a long, rock-and-roll shag, but floatier layers and romantic, face-framing pieces, or curtain bangs, to bring it into 2026.

In true rocker fashion, this look is come-as-you-are. “People are moving away from overly polished styles and leaning into their natural texture,” says Brooklyn-based hairstylist Alexis Correa. “There is a big cultural shift toward low-maintenance beauty, where the hair looks good without too much styling.” And this cut works just as well with a texture spray and a laissez-faire tousle as it does big and blown-out.

Adds Denver-based hairstylist Katie Brenner, “Ask for soft layering, movement around the face, and a fringe that blends rather than feels heavy.”

Shoulder length

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A certain young blonde interloper once tested her multiple options by trying them all. Let us cut out the hard work for you. In this case, one option may be too short, the next could be too long, but the third? Juuuust right. This polished, shoulder-grazing look is exactly right. “This is a collarbone to chest-length haircut that sits between a bob and long hair,” says Brenner. “[It’s] incredibly versatile.”

A mid-length cut works on any texture, but you’ll want to give it a little movement and ooh-la-la to make it look intentional, not like you’re just waiting for last year’s bob to grow out. “Imagine hair that swings when you walk,” says Brenner. To achieve that, she recommends, ask for some internal shaping (cutting layers underneath the top layer to add volume) and a “blunt but soft” perimeter.

Waterfall hair

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If you crash-landed on a lush, tropical island, and decided you’d rather stay and become queen than try to go home, you’d need the right hair for the job. The clear answer here is long, waist-length hair that cascades down your back in silky ripples—just like the waterfall you now live behind. Obviously.

Of course, it’s not very practical (or ethical) to rule your own island, but the fantasy is really all about the hair anyway. “The cut is blunt with a clean center part and long lengths reaching mid-back,” says Chicago-based hairstylist Amy Abramite, who likes to think of these satin-finish waves as a cooler alternative to bouncy Hollywood hair. “Ask for a long, one-length cut with no layers, styled with a crimping waver.”

Soft sculpted bob

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If a bob could be hung in the Musée d’Orsay—somewhere between the Degas ballerinas and Rodin’s Thinker—it would look a lot like this: soft, impressionistic, but meticulously sculpted.

Best for straight, fine, or wavy textures, this cut is a masterpiece of proportions.

“[Ask for] a bob that feels clean and modern, but still soft and movable,” says Milwaukee-based hairstylist Loren Kramer. “Not too blunt at the ends.”

Those with denser, curlier hair can get the look by asking for “a rounded curl bob with layers that release weight and build shape,” says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Dusty Schlabach. “The curls build a soft, dome-like silhouette. Shorter where they need lift, longer where they need weight.”

Spring hair colors

Hamptons blonde

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There are the beach blondes in it for salty, sandy waves; there are the polished Hollywood blondes, perhaps the truest, blondest blondes; and then there are the Hamptons blondes, who evoke visions of convertibles and seasonal homes.

A Hamptons blonde shade is as beautiful and dimensional as a Martha Stewart tablescape. The look reads creamy, buttery blonde, but gets a deep richness from honey undertones. “It feels sunlit and soft, but never icy or overly bright,” says New York City-based hairstylist Rogerio Cavalcante. Ask for a warm blonde with golden undertones.

And if you’re still sporting a rooty winter blonde, ask your stylist for “a quick lift that will give your natural color a golden boost,” says New York City-based colorist Tiffanie Richards.

Dimensional cocoa

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You can keep your well-manicured hedges and your Dutch colonial. Dimensional cocoa is a sleek, stylish brunette for those who prefer to conjure spring in Milan or Copenhagen. “At first glance, it reads as one color, but when the hair moves, you see slight shifts of light reflection,” says New York City-based colorist Lena Ott. “It feels soft and expensive, not flat or opaque.”

Adds Cavalcante, you’re aiming for a deep, glossy brunette with cocoa or espresso undertones. “This color feels elevated and timeless, without the upkeep of heavy highlighting,” he says. Just be sure to ask for a gloss to give it that extra-polished finish—a key element of looking posh and mysterious while shoe-shopping along Corso Vittorio.

Strawberry beige

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Like a glass of Veuve Clicquot garnished with berries, this strawberry-beige color straddles the line between upscale polish and whimsy. Yes, this look has been seen at Chateau Marmont recently, but the wearer is certainly not too formal for a midnight skinny-dip.

“This is a muted, earthy copper. Soft gold mixed with peach and a hint of rose,” says Kramer. The color should feel natural and worn-in even if it’s not, in fact, your natural color. Ask for a warm base with copper and gold toning, she adds: “The balance is everything…. Too red and it’s loud, too gold and it loses depth.”

Desert caramel

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Whoever told you that you can’t have everything was not a desert-caramel bronde. You can indeed have the brightness of blonde with the ease of a natural rooty beige! (That’s what they were talking about when they said “everything,” right?)

“Clients want a low-maintenance color that still feels polished,” says New York City-based colorist Elisabeth Leary. This low-key sandy shade checks the boxes: effortless, cool, and minimal salon time.

“It’s about enhancement, not transformation,” says Leary, who recommends keeping it close to your natural shade, lifting only one or two levels if you’re starting darker. Finish with a few subtle caramel tones and a gloss.

Meet the experts

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• Amy Abramite is a hairstylist and creative director of Maxine Salon in Chicago.
• Katie Brenner is a Denver-based hairstylist and artistic director of Oli G.
• Rogerio Cavalcante is a New York City-based hairstylist and founder of Brazil Edition.
• Alexis Correa is a hairstylist at Whiteroom in Brooklyn.
• Loren Kramer is a hairstylist, owner of White Brick Salon in Milwaukee, and Goldie Locks ambassador.
• Elisabeth Leary is a colorist and founder of Whiteroom in Brooklyn.
• Dusty Schlabach is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist.