Beauty

SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum and the Growth Factor Story

The SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is the two-chamber growth factor and peptide serum from the brand that built that category. Here are eight SkinMedica picks and eight peptide serums for firmness to compare.

Odele, the Minneapolis Hair Care Brand Named for Sharing

Odele is a Minneapolis clean hair care brand launched in 2020, and this edit lays out eight of its shampoos, conditioners and stylers. Four shampoo and conditioner pairs from other brands sit beside them for comparison.

I'm From Mugwort Essence, a One-Plant Essence From Ganghwa

I'm From Mugwort Essence is a single-plant Korean step made around mugwort grown on Ganghwa Island. Here are eight I'm From mugwort, rice and honey picks, and eight hydrating Korean-style essences and toners I compared them with.

Coach Wild Rose, a Meadow Rose From a Leather House

Coach wild rose is the 2022 floral that pairs redcurrant and bergamot with rose and jasmine sambac. Here are eight Coach and close-cousin women's scents, and eight rose eau de parfums from other houses to compare.

PanOxyl Spray and the 1970s Brand Behind It

The PanOxyl spray is a 2% salicylic acid body mist with a nozzle that reaches your back, from a brand that traces to the 1970s. Here is the PanOxyl lineup, other body sprays and washes, and exfoliating body lotions and serums.

Guerlain Lipstick: Refills, Color Stories, and a Case to Keep

Guerlain lipstick moves from Rouge G satin refills in soft neutrals to KissKiss colors and velvet reds. I sort the shades by the moments I would wear them and the case details I would check.

Body Tape, From a Gaping Sweater to the Grammys Gown

Body tape quietly holds up a lot of dresses, and the right roll depends on the neckline and your skin. These are eight breast and body tapes plus eight nipple covers, fashion tapes and adhesive bras to compare.

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion, the Night Version

The CeraVe facial moisturizing lotion most people mean today is the PM formula with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and three ceramides. Here are eight CeraVe lotions, creams and gels, plus eight gel creams and night creams from other brands.

Purito Oat-in Calming Gel Cream, and the Soil to Seoul Idea Behind It

Purito oat in calming gel cream is a light, oat-based moisturizer from PURITO SEOUL, a brand with a plain-spoken point of view about purity. Here is the rest of the Purito line, oat creams and serums from other brands, and a few light gel creams for calmer-feeling skin.

Orly, the Brand That Gave Us the French Manicure

Orly started as a Los Angeles beauty supply shop in 1975 and is tied to the French manicure. Here are eight ORLY polishes, base coats and top coats, plus eight nail strengtheners and cuticle care picks to go with them.

Wella Hair Color at Home, Plus the Glosses and Color-Safe Shampoos to Keep It Fresh

Wella hair color began with a man who made wig tulle in 1880. Here are the Wella Color Charm shades, toner and gloss, the glosses that refresh color between appointments and the shampoos that protect it.

Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Two Weights of HA

The Good Molecules hyaluronic acid serum is the plain, lightweight hydration step that started in a retailer's own lab. Here are eight Good Molecules skincare steps and eight other hyaluronic acid serums to compare.

L'Oréal Revitalift, the Facelift in a Jar That Started in 1995

L'Oréal Revitalift arrived in September 1995 and has kept growing into serums, creams and eye care. Here is the line, how I would use it, and other retinol and hyaluronic serums from different brands.

Lele Sadoughi, the Headband That Started by Accident

Lele Sadoughi started her own label in 2012 and ended up making the headband everyone recognizes. Here are eight Lele Sadoughi headbands and claw clips, and eight clips, scrunchies and a bow pin I compared them with.

Ciele Skin Tint: The Mineral SPF 50+ Serum Made for Breakouts

This Ciele skin tint edit covers the tint & Protect shades, the rest of the Ciele complexion line, and mineral, dewy and acne-prone alternatives. I started with the story of how a blush with SPF turned into a founder's whole brand.

Redken Leave In Conditioner, From a Salon Lab to Your Shower

A Redken leave in conditioner can be a light spray, a bonding treatment or a curl cream, depending on the bottle. This edit has eight Redken leave-ins and eight other leave-in treatments and conditioners to compare.

Laifen, the High-Speed Dryer Brand Built Around Its Own Motor

Laifen is the high-speed hair dryer brand that built its own 110,000 rpm motor, and this edit lines up five of its dryers with three rivals. The second half is the heat protectants, hot brushes and one salon dryer I would pair with them.

Versed Skin Tint, the Serum Tint Behind the Brand

The Versed skin tint is a mineral SPF 40 serum tint from Katherine Power's skincare-first brand. Here are eight Versed picks, from concealer to retinol, and eight other skin tints and tinted moisturizers to compare.

Gucci Bamboo, the Scent Named for a 1947 Bag

Gucci bamboo is a woody floral named for the house's bamboo-handle bag, and it does not smell like bamboo. These are eight Gucci women's fragrances, Bamboo included, and eight lily, ylang and sandalwood scents to compare.

Non Toxic Nail Polish, and What the Labels Really Mean

Non toxic nail polish is a marketing phrase, so I read the claims closely. Here are eight polishes from eight brands that use free-from labels, plus eight base coats, top coats, removers and cuticle picks to go with them.

Prada Carbon, the Lavender With a Metallic Edge

Prada carbon is Luna Rossa Carbon, the 2017 men's fragrance with a cool, mineral lavender. Here are eight Prada fragrances, from Carbon to Paradigme, and eight lavender and woody scents I compared them with.

The Clean Floral Trend: Citrus, Rose and Soft Musks

This edit brings together bright citrus and patchouli scents, fresh fruity florals, airy aldehydic blends and easy-to-carry mists and rollers. I organize the picks by scent family, with notes and wear tests to help you find a fragrance that settles well on your skin.

Reuzel, the Rotterdam Barbershop Pomade Line

Reuzel came out of a Rotterdam barbershop and still names its pomades by tin color, from the green grease to the blue water-based one. Here are eight Reuzel stylers, from pomades to a sea salt spray, and eight salon pomades, creams and gels I compared them with.

Estée Lauder Perfume, From Private Collection to Modern Muse, and the Florals Beside It

An Estée Lauder perfume usually has a story behind it, from Private Collection in 1973 to Beautiful in 1985. Here are eight of them, then the florals and the amber and patchouli perfumes I would wear next to them.