There are few beauty blunders worse than transferring face makeup onto someone’s shirt. And the chances of this happening only increase when the weather warms up. Over the next few months, you’re also bound to get caught in the rain without an umbrella or travel under a cloudless sky at least once or twice. For these reasons—among others—we should be arming ourselves with waterproof or lighter water-resistant beauty products.

Waterproof Versus Water-Resistant

The common misconception is that waterproof and water-resistant mean the same thing. But there’s actually a small but significant difference. Whereas waterproof products are completely impervious to water, water-resistant ones aren’t as thick and are only able to slightly ward off the penetration of water.

According to Glamsquad’s artistic director Kelli J. Bartlett, “Water-resistant products stand up against heat and humidity, but won’t keep your makeup intact if you jump in a pool, while waterproof products will withstand a pool dunking session.”

So whether you wear one or the other really depends on personal preference; there isn’t a “better” choice. In both cases, Bartlett says that formaldehyde and parabens are commonly used ingredients you should steer clear of. Although they do a good job of blocking water, they can also clog the pores, leading to excess oil production and eventually, breakouts. Instead, opt for products that contain a small amount of silicone and a larger amount of polymers. The latter is a fancy word for a long chain of molecules that form a thick film around your beauty products, giving them long-wear ability.

MORE: The Newest Beauty Products for Your Summer Routine

Makeup Remover and SPF

And since waterproof/water-resistant products are understandably stubborn to remove, Bartlett recommends removing makeup with an oil-based cleanser. They’re heavy-duty enough to dissolve makeup in just a few swipes, without being super harsh on the skin.

“Lancôme Bi-Facil is the best, as it is gentle and effective because of its dual action formula,” she says.

And of course, sun protection should be priority, applied before and after your makeup. Right now, Bartlett is priming her skin with Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen and touching up with the brand’s Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen mist throughout the day.

Ahead are the latest and greatest options for head-to-toe transfer-proof protection, in case you haven’t stocked up already.

Of the countless red carpet appearances made by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, few have missed the beauty mark. So it makes perfect sense that the actress and model would eventually venture into the makeup industry with a line of her very own. Well, if her latest social media updates are any indication, that time has come.

MORE: The K-Beauty Concealer Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s MUA Loves

Yesterday, Huntington-Whiteley casually dropped a set of nine stunning images onto her Instagram feed, which formed into one, big ad campaign for Rose Inc. In them, she’s fashioned into a pink sweater and matching pink lipstick and touch of pink blush across her cheek. And in an additional video teaser where she’s rocking a statement glossy lid, the caption links to an official page for the just-announced venture.

Source: Instagram

Although not much information has been shared beyond the photos and video, we can assume the brand has something to do with makeup, skin and/or hair since the tagline reads, “Beauty From the Insider Out.” And while fans may think this is Huntington-Whiteley’s first foray into cosmetics, InStyle notes that she actually has a line of products called Rosie for Autograph, currently being sold at Marks & Spencer in the UK.

MORE: 9 Celebrity Beauty Lines We Can’t Wait to Splurge On

With that being said, we hope Rose Inc. will be available stateside. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as more details are revealed.

We’re constantly waxing poetic about the importance of sunscreen, and although the Environmental Working Group believes SPF should be your last resort for sun protection, the non-profit organization still does an incredibly thorough job of finding the healthiest options among the most popular.

MORE: 5 Black-Beauty-Editor-Approved Sunscreens That Won’t Make Your Skin Look Ashy

Each year, the EWG rates these products (1,000 to be exact) on 1-10 scale, according to a laundry list of factors, including its ability to provide both UVA and UVB protection, as well as whether it contains dangerous ingredients such as oxybenzone. 1 is the best rating, while 10 is not-so-good. And because the majority of stateside sunscreens don’t meet the stricter standards used in other parts of the world, only a small batch of brands usually make a 1 or 2 rating.

As noted by Allure, some brands tested this year have 1s across the board, while others have products that land on various ratings.

“Neutrogena’s tested products, for example, received top, mid-range, and low scores, with its Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray SPF 85+ receiving a 10 because of its spray format, ingredients, and SPF number.”

Below is a quick rundown of the most notable category 1 products in several categories:

MORE: The 7 Best SPF-Filled Tinted Moisturizers We’re Obsessed With This Summer

Best Moisturizers With SPF: 

SanRe Shaded Rose Solar Healing Facial Cream, SPF 30

Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense, SPF 30

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield Liquid, Non-Tinted, SPF 50

Best Sports Sunscreens: 

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 50

Bare Republic Mineral Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

Juice Beauty SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen

Best Lip Balms With SPF: 

Raw Elements USA Lip Rescue Sunscreen, SPF 30

Beyond Coastal Sunscreen Lip Balm, Mint, SPF 15

Suntegrity Skincare LIP C.P.R., Sunset Coral, SPF 30

Dig into the full guide at EWG’s website.

Even though we haven’t quite finished basking in the glow of the royal wedding, there’s already something else for us to admire about Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex: her amazing new royal bio. Sure, she says great things like, “I’m proud to be a woman and a feminist,” but the Duchess of Sussex’s activism doesn’t stop there—she is also a vocal proponent of menstrual equity. So, yes, periods made it onto the royal family’s website, and the world is a better place because of it.

Meghan’s page describes how she successfully campaigned for a dishwashing soap company to change the sexist language used in their television commercials when she was 11 years old as well as her work in soup kitchens and as a global ambassador for World Vision.

MORE: Meghan Markle’s Wedding-Day Makeup Didn’t Hide Her Freckles

It was because of her position with World Vision that Meghan visited India to raise awareness of girls’ lack of access to education.

“In the slum communities of Mumbai, The Duchess witnessed the work of the Myna Mahila Foundation who empower women through access to menstrual hygiene products and employment opportunities,” her page reads.

She was so struck by the efforts of the organization that it is one of the charities chosen by her and Prince Harry to benefit from charitable donations made for the royal wedding in lieu of people sending them gifts. So, to recap: Because of Meghan, some of the presents for the royal wedding were period products for other people. That is pretty amazing.

Not only that, but following her trip to India, Meghan wrote an article for Time highlighting the period stigma and its long-term impact on the education of people who menstruate.

MORE: What Amy Schumer Got Right (and Wrong) About Periods on SNL

Yes, periods have been coming out of the shadows in recent years, and that has been movement in the right direction, but having an actual member of the royal family advocating for menstrual equity brings a whole other level of awareness. For this and everything else you’re doing to shake things up, thank you, Duchess Meghan!

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Aruj Shah, the proprietor of a small store in Manhattan’s Union Square crammed with crystals, aromatherapy oils, and singing bowls for sound meditation, wrapped my small selection of crystals carefully in white tissue while she detailed the virtues of every stone. “You want to hold this one in your hand so that you feel nurtured. Like a hug,” says Shah, picking up a smooth, pinkish rock. With the certainty of a doctor prescribing antibiotics for a chest infection, she picked up a different shiny mass—agate—and recommended I carry it with me every day to “open up my communication.”

While everything Shah told me sounds just lovely, I’ve always believed myself to be way too practical to buy into this kind of stuff. To me, agate is a translucent variety of microcrystalline quartz. It’s a semi-precious stone formed in the cavities of igneous rocks, period. I’ve never really thought about stones—even those of the semi-precious variety—having life-enhancing properties. But you know who does? Kylie Jenner, Miranda Kerr, Jaden Smith, and a league of other celebrities and non-famous people across the world who are carrying shiny rocks in their bags, meditating with them each morning, and basically swearing by the virtues of crystal therapy.

MORE: Meditation Can Amp Up Your Sex Life, Says Very Helpful Study

Proponents like Jenner and company believe crystal healing is a legitimate type of therapy centered around vibrations. Azalea Lee, an LA-based crystal healing facilitator, told me that the practice is an “ancient metaphysical art” that can help bring balance and prosperity to your life through vibrations. She did some explaining that I’m not even going to attempt to paraphrase: “The vibratory harmonics of individual crystals and stones are used to help calibrate the vibrations in an individuals psychic aura, much like a tuning fork can help one find the correct pitch.” Basically, the vibrations of crystals are supposed to help with your own out-of-whack vibes stuck in your “auric field.” 

Lee also said her clients turn to her—and her rocks—for a range of reasons like anxiety, bad breakups, or to try and find a deeper purpose in their lives. “The healing is different for everyone and depends on what they most need to shift in their energies,” says Lee. 

Intrigued, but with my skepticism fully intact, I spoke with both Lee and Shah to find out exactly how carrying different crystals will make your life better. For the full effect, you’re supposed to carry one with you, or meditate while holding it or sitting the stone on the floor in front of you. Or, if you, like me, just enjoy the way a shiny quartz looks on your bookshelf and aren’t too worried about the good vibes, you could keep it there, too.

MORE: 9 Healthy Summer Wellness Retreats You Can Actually Afford

Agate

This stone I like a lot—it’s the one Shah was talking about when she said I should carry a crystal that will “help me open up.” It’s the communication stone and is also supposed to help connect you with nature. Personally, I just think it’s quite cool to look at.

Rose Quartz

When a fellow editor casually pulled a phallic-shaped rose quartz crystal out of her bag on a recent press trip, I nearly spit out my wine laughing. “It’s for love,” she told me while waving her pink talisman about, which did not help.

Apparently rose quartz is, indeed, for love, which Lee told me is the highest vibration of the universe. When in its geode form (the cavity-style of crystal shown above in the agate photo), the stone combines the properties of rose quartz (unconditional love) with those of the geode, which are all about “looking within.” The end result is a crystal that, in the words of Justin Bieber, will help you love yourself: “Rose quartz geodes want you to look within yourself and understand the ways you have not loved yourself and the many, many ways you can be kind to yourself,” says Lee. 

Prehnite

This almost-clear green stone is called prehnite, and it “bridges the energies between the navel and solar plexus chakras.” For those of you who have not yet completed a 101 in chakra healing, that sentence means that you will gain better understanding of how the emotions play a role manifesting your dreams.

“Prehnite is also a wonderful stone for those dealing with low self-esteem and self-worth,” says Lee, explaining that it can be helpful for people recovering from addictions to gain encouragement in believing in themselves.

Manganoan Calcite

There seems to be some kind of very convenient theme between the color pink and properties of love in crystal therapy, so I wasn’t surprised to learn manganoan calcite radiates vibrations of nurturing and love, allegedly.

According to Lee, manganoan calcite is helpful if you’re finding it difficult allowing others to love you. “Perhaps one is good at giving love but not so good at allowing someone to love you back, leading to unbalance in circulating love between one another,” says Lee. This makes the crystal (allegedly) good for mothers, those who are imbalanced relationships, and singles who want to avoid imbalanced relationships. 

MORE: The Deal With CBD Oil and Its Potential Health Benefits

Lepidolite

This is the stone of calm, trust, and acceptance and is supposed to bring a relaxing, balancing and calming energy to your life. “Lepidolite, with its lithium content, helps balance the mind and is a ‘chill pill’ in energetic mineral form,” Lee told me. “This is the stone I use often in crystal healing for people who have a hard time making decisions because of the unhelpful anxiety questions like ‘what if’ create.”

Hematite

Can’t decide on a stone? Go for hematite, the biggest crowd-pleaser in the crystal family. Also known as root chakra stone, Lee says that hematite is the No. 1 stone she recommends, and that it’s useful for everyone.

“Hematite helps ground one’s energies and keep them connected to the supportive energies of Mother Earth; especially useful living in our modern world where we spend so much time in our heads and very little time actually touching the ground,” says Lee.

Green Flourite

If you’re trying to make up your mind about a tough question, this could help—I mean, as much as a colored stone can help with that kind of thing. Apparently, green flourite creates with mental order and clarity and is said to help with decision-making. And really, it can’t hurt to try.

Amethyst

I’d be lying if I told you I wanted to include amethyst for any reason other than the fact it’s so damn pretty. In saying that, it does serve a purpose in crystal therapy to promote physical and emotional healing, and spiritual growth.

MORE: The Healthy Ingredients That Are Emerging in K-Beauty

Green Calcite

Green calcite is for money and prosperity, but can help with all kinds of success in areas like your career, business, and fertility.

Fenster Quartz

PSA: You should not put too many of these in your hand at the same time! They have a high frequency, and if you’re super sensitive, it may make you feel unbalanced. I carried several at once and felt a normal amount of balance, but this is what the crystal experts say, so consider yourself warned.

This quartz is characterized by the complex interior that has many windows, chambers, and pockets of air. Light reflects through all of these little windows, making the crystal literally sparkle in your hand. They’re said to support the evolution of your spirit, helping you vibrate at a higher level, and restore balance and energy flow.

Black Tourmaline

Another crowd-pleaser, Lee recommends black tourmaline to many of her clients to help keep them ward off bad vibes and negative energy. The thinking here is that the crystal gains a charge through squeezing or temperature change, developing electromagnetic poles in the process. This ability to polarize is significant to crystal healing as this process allows the energy to shift. Essentially that means bad energy is transformed into neutral energy and can be shifted to positive energy.

“Black tourmaline is exceptional in dealing with recycling negative vibes directed toward you from other people, or even yourself and making the negative energy into something positive into your life,” says Lee, prompting me to consider carrying one every time I use the subway.

To buy some crystals for your own stash, check out Namaste Bookshop, who supplied all the stones for this story.

Your Complete Guide to Crystal Healing | @stylecaster

A version of this article was originally published in May 2016.

Flat irons, blow-dryers, and other hot tools should always be used in moderation. Heat damage, be it a few split ends or a straight-up fried mess, is inevitable. But come summertime, we’ve got to worry about that, in addition to the poofiness that occurs when attempting to maintain a hairstyle that requires daily touch-ups amidst the sweltering heat.

The obvious solution would be to simply not use them, but we also shouldn’t have to sacrifice those styles that are traditionally achieved with hot tools, either. So where does the compromise lie? According to celebrity hairstylist Cash Lawless, whose clientele includes Evan Rachel Wood, Karrueche Tran, and Camila Coelho, keeping your hair on point without heat will require a shift in how you cleanse and work in your styling products.

MORE: 15 Celebrity-Approved Ways to Slay in Cornrows

Target Your Cleansing

Once you decide to break your dependence on hot tools, the type of shampoos and conditioners you use will become way more important. Although we can categorize our hair into larger patterns and textures, the truth is each one of our manes is unique in porosity, density of wave pattern, and growth pattern. And how they react to the environment and certain challenges will vary, too.

“The common struggle is knowing which issue is creating that look or feel you don’t like, and then finding the right product, and using that right product in the right way to solve that challenge or issue,” says Lawless. For instance, “shampoos can be too stripping or conditioners too heavy.” Your best bet—regardless of texture or curl pattern—is to identify your hair’s biggest challenge and find a cleanser/conditioner combo that directly combats that.

For instance, if you have super-fine hair, look for a clarifying cleanser that removes oil that may be weighing the hair down. “SEVEN’s Borato Volume shampoo and conditioner, for instance, leaves what the hair needs to be healthy, while removing unnecessary oils,” says Lawless. “This is honestly why I love SEVEN haircare’s collections. Each shampoo and conditioner is formulated to solve specific hair challenges, whether it be flatness, breakage, or color fading.”

MORE: A Trichologist Breaks Down the Basics of Hair Thinning and How to Avoid It

Dry With Cold Air

It may not feel comfortable and take a little longer, but using your blow-dryer on a low, cool setting is actually way healthier for your strands. According to Lawless, this decreases frizz, in addition to sealing the cuticle, so you don’t have to worry about static of your ends fraying.

“I typically tell girls with thicker, frizzy hair to use warm air on the bottom half of the head, and cold air on top. But for serious frizz control, you will need more than cold air. Use cold air on the ends with some SEVEN Gazar Diamond serum for a really smooth, sealed cuticle,” he says.

You can also accelerate the drying process by wrapping your hair in a moisture-wicking towel, such as the DevaTowel or Aquis, after your shampoo sesh.

MORE: How to Protect Your Hair at the Beach This Summer

Texture Without the Tools

If you want to create curls or waves, how you use stylers and leave-ins will vary, according to your natural texture. For hair that’s fine or straight, a dry shampoo or sea salt spray is the best way to add body without weighing the hair down. Lawless says, “use dry shampoo at the roots. Brush it out, put some mousse on the midshaft to ends, and put it up in a top knot for an hour or two. Take it down, and you’ll have wavy, tousled, voluminous hair.”

For thick, coarser textures, he recommends using a cream-based product, cocktailed with an oil for extra definition and shine.  A leave-in can also create a very soft hold, while giving definition. Any of these products can be dispersed throughout by finger-raking or brushing through gently with a Denman brush. Another technique that Lawless loves to use on longer hair is “the chop.”

“After using a Denman brush to pull through your cream-based styling product (I like SEVEN Satara Style cream), lean to one side and gently karate chop the midshaft of the hair. The hair will begin to separate into a really nice piecey texture. Then use your fingers to define the hair around the hairline.”

But overall, the key to maintaining a style that’s usually achieved with day-to-day heat styling is to have as little disruption as possible. Don’t tug or break up your waves or curls before they are completely dry and be sure to keep it protected at night with either a silk/satin headwrap or by using bobby pins or rollers to maintain a textured shape.

Pregnancy is a wonderful, beautiful, magical thing—that makes about a billion tiny facets of life really challenging for nine months. Like, of course, the fact that your clothes don’t fit, or that your chin is covered in zits, or that you haven’t slept well in almost a year are all worth it because you’re creating a freaking human being. But it’d also be super nice to not have to deal with something as outwardly annoying as acne, right?

MORE: 11 Tea Tree Oil Products for Treating Your Acne

Unfortunately, though, treating breakouts while pregnant isn’t as simple as it was a few months ago because almost all of the main anti-acne products on the market contain ingredients that have been deemed unsafe—or, at least, highly risky—for pregnancy, like retinoids, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, AHAs, and BHAs. This basically leaves you with an empty medicine cabinet.

But don’t freak! There are ways to treat acne while pregnant, as long as you know where to look—and have a dermatologist friend willing to very explicitly point it out for you.

Photo: ImaxTree

Try Light Therapy

“Yes, there are definitely ways to safely deal with acne during pregnancy, though you need to be diligent and consistent in order for them to work,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, queen of Yale School of Medicine. Unlike most acne treatments that are as easy as popping a pill or slapping on some zit cream, pregnancy-approved treatments require a bit more patience. Gohara’s weapon of choice? Light therapy.

“Light devices, which can come in the form of masks or handheld devices, emit a blue and red light that target the bacteria in your skin that causes inflammation,” says Gohara. “They act as topical antibiotics and are incredibly anti-inflammatory, which can be really beneficial for the inflamed hormonal acne that comes from pregnancy.”

This is one of those times were price really does matter, so if you want faster results akin to those you’d get in the derm’s office, we suggest investing in Tria’s Positively Clear Acne Clearing Blue Light ($169 at Tria), though you can also get cheaper results with Neutrogena’s Light Therapy Acne Mask ($34.99 at Neutrogena), although it only lasts for a month. Either way, though, you’ll need to use your device every single day—with each session taking up to 15 minutes—to notice results. So consistency is key here.

MORE: 11 Celebrities Who Opened Up About Learning to Embrace Their Acne

Photo: ImaxTree

Get a Little Help from Your Derm

Of course, if your acne is truly bothering you, and the therapies aren’t working fast enough for you, Gohara notes that other prescription-level treatments may be available, though you’ll need to head to your derm to get them. “I’ll often prescribe topical azelaic acid to my pregnant patients, which is a type of antibotics, in conjunction with light therapy,” says Gohara, “but you’ll need to speak with your dermatologist to make sure it’s right for you.”

A Magical Pill? Nah

Yeah, yeah, yeah—none of this is as easy as giving you a magical pill and tonic that washes away your acne overnight, but the alternatives are definitely not worth the risk, especially when that risk involves your baby. So try out a light-therapy device at home, or head to your doctor to see which treatments are safest for you. Just remember: Acne (thankfully) isn’t forever.

How to Safely Get Rid of Pregnancy Acne | @stylecaster

A version of this article was originally published in March 2017.

Face-masking and self-care rituals go hand-in-hand, whether the latter is hours-long or just a few minutes. But realistically, those longer moments are hard to come by, which is why GLAMGLOW’s new Instamud 60-Second Pore-Refining Treatment is your new, on-the-go saving grace.

If you didn’t investigate the hype surrounding its Glitter Mask back in December, now’s your turn to test out another buzzy formula. This time around, it’s a oxygenating bubble mask that claims to refine pores and brighten skin, all in one minute. The most talked-about ingredients are witch hazel and aloe vera, both natural astringents, as well as bentonite and kaolin clays. The former two work to tone and brighten skin, while the others detoxify and deliver a boost of moisture, making it an ideal skin treatment just before applying your makeup.

This is how it works: simply smooth a thin layer over your skin, without rubbing it in. Allow it to sit for a minute, as the liquid formula transforms into tiny bubbles. After a minute has passed, you can rinse with warm water and go about your day. 

MORE: Candice Swanepoel’s Organic DIY Mask for a Brighter Complexion

Courtesy of GlamGlow

And if we haven’t said it enough already, you’ll be in and out with refreshed skin in just one minute. That means you can throw it in your carry-on, bring it to work, or quickly apply it before an event in a pinch. 

MORE: 9 Low-Key Face Masks You Can Wear Comfortably While Traveling

The best news of all, though, is there’s no waiting; you can head over to GLAMGLOW to purchase the Instamud 60-Second Pore-Refining Treatment for $42 right now. TBH, it might take you more time to purchase it than the whole masking process takes. We’re not complaining one bit. 

OK, OK, we know—oil? On acne? What? Usually, those words aren’t found in the same sentence together because we’ve all been conditioned since puberty to believe that oil is the kiss of death for your face. Instead, we believed slathering acidic, drying, and irritating toners, scrubs, and cleansers across your face eradicated every spot and bump in existence.

But what if we told you the key to reducing your acne-prone skin was to cover it in a thick layer of oil? Because that’s exactly what the internet is doing, and faces are being transformed practically overnight.

MORE: Here’s Why Adults Have More Acne than Teens

The Method

It’s called the oil cleansing method (or OCM), and it has spurred thousands and thousands of blog posts and Reddit discussions for being a complete skin-changer for virtually all complexions, especially the acne-prone. The actual “how” of OCM is pretty straight-forward: Just massage a palmful of oil—we’ll get to the specific oils in a second—over your dirty, makeup-covered face for a few minutes, gently wipe off the oil with a warm microfiber cloth, massage another palmful of oil into your skin for another few minutes, then wipe off the oil again, re-wetting the cloth and re-wiping until most of the excess oil (but not all!) is gone. That’s it. Then the magic happens.

Photo: ImaxTree

How It Works

According to Reddit’s most-famous oil cleansing guide, the basic idea behind oil cleansing is the “dissolution theory—or, more simply ‘like dissolves like,'” which basically means that “oil is able to dissolve and remove substances with a similar chemical structure, which includes dirt, oil, and makeup.” You see, most anti-acne cleansers on the market (even those geared toward sensitive or dry skin) are filled with irritating ingredients that strip your skin of its natural oils. And when your skin is stripped or irritated, it over-produces oil, leading to more clogged pores, blackheads, and pimples. Fun, right? OCM, though, cuts out the bad stuff while nourishing your skin, so your body can focus on healing the acne you have without causing more.

It sounds fishy, but trust us: The proof is in the pictures, like in this woman’s five-day, OCM before-and-after photo, which shows a significant decrease in acne in under a week, all because she started using olive oil and almond oil. Or this woman’s truly wild two-year OCM journey, which took her from relatively severe acne to crystal-clear, perfect-looking skin, all thanks to hemp oil. “I’ve been oil cleansing for a couple of months now,” wrote one Reddit user, “[and] I’ve completely stopped getting cystic acne. I used to get cystic acne breakouts once or twice a month, and haven’t had any since I started the oil cleansing. I don’t think I’ll ever use soap on my face again.”

Photo: Imgur

MORE: 11 Tea Tree Oil Products for Treating Your Acne

What Kind of Oil Should You Use?

Now that you’re convinced, it’s time to learn which oil you should use. Though Reddit has an in-depth guide to oil-choosing, the basic gist is that you want to choose an oil that’s super-low on the comedogenic (i.e. pore-clogging) scale, like mineral oil (the easiest, most well-tolerated oil for OCM), argan oil, hemp seed oil, or jojoba oil, and then find the one that’s tailored to your skin type or concern.

Surprisingly, not all oils are the same—some are super-rich and hydrating (like almond, avocado, and jojoba), which are great for dry or dehydrated skin, while others act as antibacterial astringents (like castor oil, neem oil, and evening primose oil), which can help mattify and treat oily, acne-prone skin. Whatever oil you choose, though, make sure you buy only 100 percent, high-quality formulas, like anything sold at the cult-favorite Garden of Wisdom store.

Of course, we feel the need to remind you that your mileage may vary, and what works for everyone else on the internet may not work for you. But as far as risky skin treatments go, OCM is pretty low-stakes. So if you want to try it out for yourself, pick up a bottle of oil, some microfiber cloths, and go to town. Then come back here next week with a selfie of your shockingly excellent skin, so we can all cheer together.

Treat Acne with the Oil Cleansing Method |@stylecaster

A version of this article was originally published in May 2017.

When Rihanna talks, people listen. But in this case, it wasn’t the star herself. Instead, two of her trusted makeup artists, Priscilla Ono and Hector Espinal, recently shared the singer’s go-to makeup trick…and it’s good. It’s common knowledge that the singer’s makeup is always on point, but there’s something about her highlight, blush, and eyeshadow combo that constantly leaves us mesmerized.

Instead of applying blush to the apples of the cheeks, highlight on the cheekbone and eyeshadow on the eyelids, respectively, the MUAs revealed during a Los Angeles-set master class that their famous client prefers blending all three together. In fact, she’s the one who taught them the one-of-a-kind technique. 

MORE: 17 Holographic Beauty Products You Need to Try Right Now

Getty Images

MORE: BECCA Cosmetics Created a Highlighter Inspired by the Royal Wedding

While recreating the star’s 2017 Met Gala look using the new Fenty Killawatt Foils, Ono said, “We’re going to apply Sangria Sunset right on the cheeks, take it up to the temples, take it over onto the eyes, back on the cheeks. [Rihanna] loves having it on the cheekbones and applying it on the temples. You really just blur the lines, so you really never know where your eye shadow ends or where your blush starts. It kind of almost gives it this really beautiful halo effect.”

It all lies in creating a blurred out “C” shape, where eyeshadow, blush, and highlight all run together. You don’t have to just use one color, either. If an all pink look is too daring, you can blend a subtle gold highlight into the whole combination to tone down the pigmentation.

At the end of the day, it’s about finding what works for you and your face. So, if you’re like Rihanna and don’t want to stick to the beauty rules, “reinvent,” as Ono and Espinal say. 

If there is one makeup trend I know I’ll personally never get on board with, it’s strobing. There’s no need for anyone to see my cheekbones from a mile away, and the process to get a high-shine highlight requires way more time than I actually have in the morning. Even if I am running on schedule (a rarity), what I manage to get on my face is sunscreen, foundation, this highly addictive complexion booster, lip balm, and a few swipes of mascara.

I think that’s enough to make it feel like I actually tried without having to expend a ton of effort right after rolling out of bed. But in spite of my penchant for a seriously minimal routine, I want glowy, sun-kissed skin just as much as the next beauty junkie; especially after I’ve gotten a spray tan. And although my job grants me the opportunity to test a revolving door of highlighters, skin boosters, and other “glowy” potions, this month is the first time I’ve discovered something I’ve actually used beyond a few test runs.

Here are the quick deets on the highlighter I feel comfortable wearing outside of special occasions.

MORE: The Summer Beauty Launches With the Most Buzz

Read more:

Name: BLK/OPL True Color Illuminating Stick

Price: $8.99 at Black Opal Beauty

The Perks: This year, I made a commitment to just doing more; not only because I want a deeper understanding of the products and techniques I write about, but because experimenting is just fun when there’s no pressure to get it right involved. Reminder: Makeup isn’t supposed to feel like work! For some reason, my last couple of test runs have resulted in my actually adding new things to my beauty routine, such as Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter and Biossance’s SPF 45. And now I’m using highlighter somewhere between my foundation and setting spray.

Although Black Opal is an originator in the arena of makeup brands for black women, this is my first time really spending time with a product. I’ve tried the liquid foundation and worn the matte lipstick, but because I rarely deviate from a routine, neither has left a big enough impression for me to consider changing what I already do.

MORE: Our Favorite Under-$10 Drugstore Highlighters for an Oil-Free Glow

What initially attracted me to the Illuminating Stick is the fact that it’s in a mess-free, easy-to-use stick form. Since I usually end up applying my makeup after getting dressed, liquid highlighters have never worked because I’m scared of spillage. And powders just look too ashy. So I love that this one has a silky, satin finish I can swipe onto the tops of my cheeks and down the bridge of my nose without dirtying my fingers or a brush. The shades are also brown-girl friendly (I use “Sunrise Glow“), but that’s to be expected with a brand that caters to WOC. And lastly, the formula is buildable, depending on how much shimmer I want. When I want to keep it low-key, I’ll do just two swipes, but when I’m feeling fancy, I’ll do two more and maybe mix it with my complexion booster.

 The Water-Resistant Products You Need for a Sweat-Proof Summer

All in all, wearing the Illuminating Stick doesn’t feel like a full-time job. It’s almost impossible to mess up applying, the highlight lasts day-long without touch-ups, and it delivers without looking over the top. If you’re a makeup minimalist like me, this might be your new secret beauty weapon.

The bob is officially back— wait, did it go anywhere? Even though the hairstyle never completely died—because it could never—it has, however, made a major resurgence atop the heads of celebrities this spring.

The latest to make the chop is “Game of Thrones” actress Emilia Clarke, who posted two photos on Wednesday as she prepped for a stint on “Good Morning America.” While the first skirted the subject of her newly chopped hair and instead focused on her job as Mother of Dragons, she couldn’t hold back her excitement about her new chin-length bob in the second picture. 

Source: Instagram

MORE: 7 Chic and Easy Ideas for Styling a Bob Haircut

And since there’s no pulling Clarke away from Khaleesi, she credited the shorter style to her character: “In other news this FABULOUS new bob is the chicest way to style out some burnt out mother of dragons split ends… #everypunintended #whenyourendslooklikeawildlingsitstimetochop”

The haircut, which was the work of celebrity hairstylist Jenny Cho (who has also worked with stars such as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Amanda Seyfried), was a significant chop from Clarke’s previous shoulder-grazing hair. To give you a visual, Clarke rocked shoulder-length hair to an interview with Jimmy Fallon a couple of days ago, meaning that Cho took off several inches to give the actress her flirty new bob.

Source: Instagram

MORE: The Celebrity Bobs and Lobs That’ll Inspire Your Next Cut 

The bob, indeed, is a chic way to revitalize dead ends—whether they come from your fire-breathing dragons or everyday upkeep. Not only does Clarke’s hair look fresh and healthy, but the style completely suits her. Bobs for everyone! 

For us, the smell of summer is a steady waft of sunscreen; which is probably a good thing because it means our skin is shielded against UV exposure. But on the other hand, it also means we’re one step further from a tan. We’re not saying that bronzed skin is a summer-must, but there is something especially fabulous about that fresh glow. So, rather than hitting the tanning beds (and risking skin disease), we’re getting familiar with self-tanners, a product that’s also in heavy rotation on the red carpet.

And the latest celeb to prove you don’t need scorched skin to look flawless is Hailey Baldwin. Lucky for us, her makeup artist, Vincent Oquendo, shared the exact products he applied to the 21-year-old model’s skin for the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, where she glowed like literal ray of sunshine.

Source: Instagram

MORE: The Water-Resistant Products You Need for a Sweat-Proof Summer

Oquendo told Byrdie, “Because of her plunging neckline and high slit, we used Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish in Latte ($45) to ensure a flawless, camera-ready finish.” But he didn’t just stop with warming up the body. He also took Vita Liberata Beauty Blur Skin Tone Optimizer in Latte ($40), a tint and primer in one, to her face, ensuring an all-over glow.

In addition to being celebrity-approved, all of Vita Liberata’s products are also non-toxic and organic, so we’d say this is a brand definitely worth trying. 

Katy Perry isn’t wasting any time. A day after the season finale of “American Idol,” for which she is a judge, the 33-year-old singer flew to Germany for the European leg of her “Witness: The Tour.” But that isn’t even the exciting part. While fans were ogling over new costumes and a back-to-business Perry, we were in awe of something else: her new lavender hair.

Nine months after ditching her signature mermaid-length black hair for a platinum-blonde pixie cut, Perry is switching thing up again—this time, by dyeing her hair a beautiful shade of blue-ish lavender. And though Perry kept her pixie cut (once you go pixie, you never go back—take a look at Kris Jenner), she did go all out with her jewel-toned hair color.

Perry’s hairstylist Rick Henry, of Nine Zero One Salon in Los Angeles, was the first to show off the singer’s just-dyed hair color. On his Instagram, Henry—who has also worked on the heads of stars including Brittany Snow and Jessica Szhor—introduced fans to Perry’s fairy-like hair color, which he dubbed “Blueberry Crush.” Though the color has overall purple tones, we can see where the blueberry tint comes in. (Plus, there’s a controversy that blueberries actually turn purple when crushed.)

MORE: 22 Celebrity Hairstyles That Look Even Better from the Back

Source: Instagram

MORE: The Most Dramatic Celebrity Hair Makeovers of All Time

Whatever Perry’s hair color is—purple, blue, somewhere in between—there’s no denying that she is rocking her new look. Keep on keeping on, Katy.

We’ll get to it: Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last four months, you know that the lob and bob are haircuts for every season. Sure, both styles have been around for years, but something has definitely been going around in the air this year that has convinced nearly all of our favorite hair-experimenting celebrities to opt for the chop. Long, flowing locks are out, and short cuts are in.

MORE: Stunning Celebrity Highlights to Inspire Your Spring Dye Job

If you’ve still been too hesitant to try the look yourself, we combed through our favorite celebrity bobs and lobs for the ultimate inspo. Including Jourdan Dunn, Bella Hadid, and Vanessa Hudgens, we rounded up the choppiest, prettiest, and coolest celebrity looks of the moment. And since a glam red-carpet portrait doesn’t always seem that attainable, we also grabbed shots from Instagram, for real, no-bull selfies. Click through for our favorites, and good luck trying to decide which picture you’ll print out and bring to your hairstylist.

A version of this article was originally published in August 2017.

Hair color maintenance doesn’t begin or end with those crazy-looking foils. Your strands should be strong and healthy enough to withstand dye in the first place and once you’ve made it through, a shift in cleansing and styling is key to making your new hue last. Blake Lively, a lifelong blondie, knows this all too well.

Although her signature hair looks mostly au naturel, there’s a laundry list of things she’s probably doing to maintain the “I woke up like this” vibe that inspire women to bring pictures of her mane to the hair salon. In a recent interview with People, her colorist Rona O’Connor spilled all the tea regarding their nearly 10-year working relationship, which began when she made Lively a “rosegold” blonde in 2009 for “Gossip Girl.”

MORE: Blake Lively Admits She’s Guilty of Asking to Be Photoshopped in Pictures

For starters, the key to nailing that multi-layered dimension throughout Lively’s hair starts with finding the most appropriate base color.

“I lift her natural base color one to two shades lighter, to create either a natural beige or a golden beige base tone, depending on what her lifestyle or work requires,” O’Connor said. “This allows an easier outgrowth and less demarcation when her natural color grows in. One shade of lift gives the longest lasting results, and a low maintenance lived-in blonde look. I add slivers of golden highlights and low lights matching her base color to add dimension and sometimes slivers of golden apricot for a more blushed blonde result.”

And once she’s done touching up the color, O’Connor always finishes Lively and other blonde clients off with a clear or toned gloss to seal the hair cuticle, as well as smooth and add shine to each strand. From there, there are a few important cleansing tips she recommends for your routine, one of which is reversing the order of your shampoo and conditioner.

MORE: 7 Basic Products You Need to Maintain Blonde Hair

“Protect porous blonde hair from chlorine by conditioning before shampooing to fill the hair, so it won’t absorb as many minerals that can cause brassiness — especially if your home has brass pipes,” she says. We’d also suggest conditioning afterwards, too, since shampoos–especially clarifying ones–tend to leave the hair sticky.

And you can up the ante even more by purchasing a water filter for your shower head to prevent excess pipe minerals and calcium deposits from sitting on your scalp. Leave-ins are also recommended, since blonde hair in particular is prone to excess dryness after a bleaching.

Get more of O’Connor’s tips over at People.

Trying a new skin-care routine can be nerve-wracking, especially if you have acne-prone, ultra-sensitive skin—or are just straight-up indecisive. Sure, that new, cult-favorite moisturizer or anti-aging serum sounds cool in theory, but what if it breaks you out or irritates the hell out of your skin? Skin care is essentially just a big game of risk, leaving you to cling to your old favorites while missing out on new, awesome formulations. That is, until skin boosters entered the scene.

MORE: 10 Lightweight Moisturizers for Every Skin Concern

What Are Skin Boosters?

Skin boosters are a new wave of customized skin-care ingredients that let you target specific skin concerns on a day-to-day basis, so you don’t need to spend a ton of money on new, possibly ineffective products. Just like the tequila to your margarita or the double shot to your espresso latte, these concentrated drops of skin-loving nutrients make anything you add them to way more effective.

So if you’re already in love with your daily moisturizer (or night cream, serum, oil, or even foundation), but wish it had, say, some acne-fighting ingredients around your period, or better pollution-blockers during the summer, or a bit of fine line-plumping action after a stressful week, you can merely mix in a few booster drops with a dollop of product and immediately have a customized formula.

MORE: The Top BB Creams for Every Skin Type and Concern

Find Your Match

To get you started on your new concoctions, we’ve rounded up the very best, most-effective skin boosters to try right this minute. Click through to see them all, and never fear the new-product game ever again.

Photo: ImaxTree

A version of this article was originally published in May 2017.

The ingredients listed on the packaging of K-beauty products are among the wildest and most interesting you’ll ever read. They’re typically a hodgepodge of sciencey terms, animal parts, and all-natural extracts and oils, all of which somehow combine to deliver the kind of results we’d be willing to spread the word about.

For years, it seemed there was a pretty exclusive list of things making leeway stateside, but as our knowledge and enthusiasm for all things K-beauty grows, so does the number of truly one-of-a-kind ingredients. We’ve already gotten a beginner’s lesson on the ones gaining ground in 2018, but here are the ones both past and present that continue to show up in some of today’s most popular K-beauty products.

MORE: 12 K-Beauty Skin-Care Brands Everyone Loves and You Should, Too

Missha

Snail Mucin

Snails are said to excrete a thick fluid that’s packed with the same nutrients our skin craves to stay hydrated and plump, such as peptides and hyaluronic acid.

Try This: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cleansing Foam, $10 at Missha

Hanskin

Aloe Vera

An all-natural ingredient known for its cooling properties, which heals irritated skin.

Try This: Hanskin Cleansing Oil & Blackhead PHA, $25 at Soko Glam

SkinRX

Centella Asiatica Extract

This ingredient comes from the centella asiatica plant, whose main properties are said to increase collagen production.

Try This: SkinRX Lab MadeCera Body Moisturizer, $22 at ban.do

Atoclassic

Coptis Root Extract

The coptis root plant contains properties that are known to reduce inflammation.

Try This: Atoclassic Real Tonic Soothing Moist Mist, $19 at Peach & Lily

Acwell

Ginseng Extract

Because it’s an antioxidant, or a compound that delays damage, it can effectively protect pores from free radicals and promote a brighter glow.

Try This: Acwell Honey Anti-Wrinkle Daanje Mask, $2.50 at Soko Glam

MORE:10 K-Beauty Products Under $10 That Will Transform Your Skin

Eco Your Skin

Marine Solide Micro-Needles

Micro-needles made of freshwater sponges help stimulate collagen.

Try This: Eco Your Skin Meso Ampoule, $130 at Peach & Lily

Neogen

Honey

The natural antibacterial properties clear skin for a deep detox and lock in hydration for brightening a dull complexion.

Try This: Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel, $28 at Glow Recipe

Mizon

Lotus Extract

Lotus extract is derived from the lotus flower, whose leaves are chock-full of natural antibiotics and known for their self-cleaning properties.

Try This: The Lotus Lotus Leaf Extract Sleeping Pack, $49 at The Lotus

Aromatica

Ceramides

These lipid molecules help keep skin cells bound together, thus preventing moisture loss and promoting plumpness.

Try This: Aromatica Calendula Juicy Cream, $37 at Peach & Lily

EasyDew EX

EGF

Epidermal growth factors, naturally occurring chemical compounds found in your skin, regulate cell growth. Beauty brands often create topical versions of EGFs to infuse in their products, thus making them more effective during use.

Try This: EasyDew EX Repair Control EGF, $88 at Soko Glam

MORE: The Healthy Ingredients That Are Emerging in K-Beauty

CosRX

Propolis

This compound is produced by bees, who often leave it on trees. The sticky substance contains polyphenols, which are known for their protective and antioxidant properties.

Try This: CosRX One Step Moisture Up Pad, $14.90 at Amazon

Enature

Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, this nutrient is a skin restorer that helps lift and firm aging skin.

Try This: Enature Plantlicious UV Sunscreen SPF 48/PA+++, $28 at Soko Glam

Manefit

Adenosine

A yeast-derived ingredient that soothes and smooths to improve the skin’s texture.

Try This: Manefit Bling Bling Hydrogel Mask—Wrinkle Gold, $6 at Soko Glam

Klairs

Hyaluronic Acid

A powerhouse moisturizing molecule that can hold more than 1,000 times its weight in water.

Try This: Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser, $14.40 at Wishtrend

Mizon

Arbutin

Like hydroquinone, this ingredient is a powerhouse solution for lightening dark spots.

Try This: Shangpree Crystal BB Cream, $67 at Peach & Lily

MORE: CVS Expanded Its Epic K-Beauty Skin Care Section

Thank You Farmer

Vitamin C

An ascorbic acid that not only aids in the growth of body tissue but also promotes collagen growth and brightens a dull complexion.

Try This: Thank You Farmer Back to Relax Soothing Gel Mask, $38 at Soko Glam

SkinFood

Tea Tree

An antiseptic oil that breaks up and removes debris from skin blemishes.

Try This: SkinFood Tea Tree Soft Bubble Foam, $40 at Amazon

D’Alba Piedmont

Truffle

This prized ingredient that can cost from $6,000 to 10,000 per pound is typically infused into products for its glow-boosting vitamin B, which restores the skin’s radiance and luminosity.

Try This: D’Alba Piedmont Peptide No-Sebum Balancing Toner, $35 at Soko Glam

SkinFood

Rice Water

Rice water contains ferulic acid, an antioxidant known for its antibacterial properties; an ideal solution for pesky breakouts and acne.

Try This: SkinFood Rice Brightening Cleansing Foam, $14 at Ulta

MORE: It’s Time You Met the Oil Cleansing Method for Treating Acne

Tony Moly

Egg

Egg whites are actually all-natural astringents that can help tighten the skin and shrink blemishes.

Try This: Tony Moly Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack, $13.50 at Tony Moly

Mizon

Watermelon

Watermelon extract is rich in amino acids, which aid in boosting your skin’s collagen production, thus making it firmer and more elastic.

Try This: Mizon Water Volume Aqua Gel Cream, $10 at Peach & Lily

Holika Holika

Sea Kelp

In addition to reducing redness, kelp contains properties that can easily penetrate the skin and hydrate it from the inside out.

Try This: Holika Holika Gudetama All Kill Cleanser Oil to Foam, $15.99 at Peach & Lily

Mizon

Salmon Egg

Salmon egg extract is known as a quick-acting solution for under-eye puffiness and over time can help diminish the appearance of dark circles.

Try This: Botanic Farm Salmon Egg Hydrogel Eye Patch, $30 at Botanic Farm

When it comes to wearing sunscreen, there are no shortcuts. As easy as it would be to just pop a pill and be protected from the sun’s rays, the Food and Drug Administration says these medications don’t work.

“We’ve found products purporting to provide protection from the sun that aren’t delivering the advertised benefits,” FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said in a statement. “Instead they’re misleading consumers, and putting people at risk.”

MORE: Lightweight Moisturizers for Every Skin Concern

The FDA recently sent warning letters to companies illegally marketing pills that claim to protect consumers from sun exposure without meeting the organization’s safety and effectiveness standards. Specifically, they called out Advanced Skin Brightening Formula, Sunsafe Rx, Solaricare and Sunergetic for “putting people’s health at risk by giving consumers a false sense of security that a dietary supplement could prevent sunburn, reduce early skin aging caused by the sun, or protect from the risks of skin cancer.”

Gottlieb warned consumers to be wary of products with unproven claims.

“When the FDA sees companies taking advantage of people’s desire to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun—we’ll step in,” he said in a statement. “There’s no pill or capsule that can replace your sunscreen.”

MORE: An Expert’s Guide to the Art of Avoiding the Sun All Summer Long

So, why is this so important? Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with 1 in 5 Americans being at risk for developing the condition at some point during their lifetime according to the FDA.

“Dietary supplements that claim to protect from the sun’s harmful rays are putting people at risk for skin cancer,” Dr. Sreek Cherukuri, a physician and consumer advocate tells SheKnows. “These unscrupulous products have no evidence to back up their claims and are taking advantage of unsuspecting customers.”

And what can you do to protect yourself from the sun? Instead of opting for a pill, the Mayo Clinic recommends using a broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen and reapplying it regularly as well as avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and wearing protective clothing.

“As a facial plastic surgeon, I tell my patients that there is no replacement for sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher,” Cherukuri notes.

So get out and have fun this weekend and the rest of the summer—just don’t skip the (effective) sun protection.

Originally posted on SheKnows.

Jenna Dewan might be known for her expensive (and we mean thousands-of-dollars-worth expensive) skin-care routine, but when it comes to her hair, she keeps it relatively affordable. Along with swearing by cheap finds, including Kristen Ess’s $10 Sea Salt Spray and Leave-In Conditioner, 37-year-old dancer also isn’t above the drugstore—as proven by her infatuation with a $6 dry shampoo that she has been using since her dance recital days.

In a video on her YouTube channel, the “World of Dance” host took followers through her scrunch-and-go hair routine. One product that caught our attention was Batiste’s Blush Floral & Flirty Dry Shampoo. But Dewan doesn’t only use it to refresh her hair after a day of grime. The actress also keeps it handy to give her hair some extra grit and texture for a night out.

“When you don’t want to wash your hair every single day, this stuff for some reason is just magic and it smells really good,” Dewan said. “I also use it if I’m going to be putting my hair up. Or going out at night, I put it in to give it some grit and some texture.

Source: Instagram

MORE: The Celebrity Bobs and Lobs That’ll Inspire Your Next Cut

And though we’re always sus when celebrities say that they use drugstore products, we’re inclined to believe Dewan, given her long history with the dry shampoo. The “Step Up” star said that she has been using the dry shampoo to prep her hair for dance recitals since she was a little girl. “This is a shining product. This is from the drugstore. I’m pretty sure it’s under $5. It’s been used on me since I was in dance recitals my entire life,” Dewan said. “It’s just the best find. Take it from a dance recital girl.”

MORE: The 9 Best Dry Shampoos of All Time

If it’s good enough for Jenna Dewan, it’s good enough for us.