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Lina Clémence

Smell Amazing All Day: My Foolproof Scent Layering Routine
Plus Size Fashion

Smell Amazing All Day: My Foolproof Scent Layering Routine

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


 

Bestie…listen,

If there’s one thing I love, it’s getting stopped and asked, “What perfume are you wearing?” And let me tell you—there’s a secret to making your scent last all day (and getting all the compliments). It’s called ~scent layering~, and it’s a total game-changer.

The key? Prepping your skin the right way, layering your fragrance for maximum longevity, and applying it to all the right spots. Follow my simple steps below to keep your perfume lingering from morning to night. Trust me, once you start layering, you’ll never go back!

 

STEP ONE: Prep Your Skin


I always start with a body oil—scented or unscented, totally your call. The key is applying it right after you shower, while your skin is still damp. This locks in moisture and creates the perfect base for your fragrance to cling to, making it last longer and keeping your skin soft. Win-win!

 

 

STEP TWO: Hydrate!


Moisturizing is a must, especially in the spots where you’ll be applying perfume. Hydrated skin holds onto fragrance better, so after your oil has absorbed, layer on a good lotion or body cream. This not only boosts your scent’s staying power but also gives your skin a little extra TLC. *Bonus points if the lotion shares the same notes as your perfume!*

 

 

STEP THREE: Perfume Application


Now for the fun part! Focus on your pulse points—chest, back of the neck, behind the ears, wrists, and even behind the knees (tell your partner I said you’re welcome😉🌶️). These spots naturally warm up, helping your perfume diffuse beautifully throughout the day. One rule: DON’T RUB IT IN! Let the fragrance dry naturally so the scent stays true. And if I’m feeling extra? A little spritz of scented hair mist for that all-over moment.

Now go forth and smell dreamy all day long!

 

Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered.

Shop my must-have fragrances below, and get ready for endless compliments!

1

Prep with Body Oil

Apply body oil on damp skin after showering to lock in moisture and create the perfect base for your fragrance.

2

Hydrate with Lotion

Layer on a good lotion or body cream to keep skin moisturized, helping your scent last even longer!

3

Apply Perfume

Spritz perfume on pulse points (chest, neck, wrists, behind ears, behind knees) and let it dry naturally—no rubbing! Feeling extra? Add a scented hair mist for that all-over effect.


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Women's Fashion

DIY: Custom Wall Gallery – Signed, Blake

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


After I painted my stairs, I decided that my stair landing needed a little sprucing up, too. And creating a gallery wall seemed like the perfect solution!

I originally planned to purchase original artwork for the gallery, but ultimately decided to use some of my own images. Over the years I’ve had hundreds of pictures of myself, my friends and Bash taken for brand partnerships so I figured why not use them to make my home feel more personal and welcoming. Why should Instagram get to have all the fun?

Before

I chose 5 pictures of people and places that are special to me, edited them into black and white and then had them custom framed by art.com. I simply uploaded my images to their online portal, chose my frame and matting specifications and they were shipped out to me about a week later.

You can swipe through the slideshow below to get a close up view and description of each of the images I included in the wall gallery.

After

Hanging the frames was a bit of a process given how high up the top images needed to be placed. But a little bravery and an adjustable ladder from the Home Depot got the job done.

There have been quite a few decor updates to my home since my last post (I know, I know). So expect to see those all rolling out over the next few weeks. In the meantime, you can shop my upstairs hallway and create your own custom wall gallery below.

Shop the Post:

 




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Skin Care

Pregnancy Skincare – The Skiny

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Posted on June 3rd, by The Skiny in Uncategorized. Comments Off on Pregnancy Skincare

Pregnancy Skincare


Your Guide to Skincare for Pregnancy and Postpartum

From Today’s Parent by Vanessa Grant

Legend has it that women glow from within when they’re pregnant, but many of us just sweat a lot, have acne breakouts and get melasma moustaches. And postpartum skin doesn’t often get better. Sleepless nights and hormonal roller coasters can lead to dull, dry skin—and more pimples. We spoke with Dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett of DLK on Avenue, in Toronto about what expecting and new moms need to know to keep their complexions healthy, plus the best ways to get the glow you were promised.

Pregnancy Skin: Not Always Glowing

Don’t expect to glow. Because of hormonal changes, many women experience acne, says Dr. Kellett. Melasma, or “pregnancy mask”, a skin condition that causes blotchy freckle-like patches on the skin—especially when exposed to UV rays—is also common. It shows up most often on the cheeks, forehead, chin and sometimes above the mouth, like a moustache.

To read the entire story please click here.



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Asian Beauty

What happens when you stop wearing heels?

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


A couple of months ago, I visited the Supersports Factory Outlet at MBK Shopping Centre in Bangkok. It’s a great place to shop for off-season sports shoes and the like, and I snagged a pair of sports shoes at a very reasonable price. But this post isn’t about shopping at Supersports.

It’s about how I suddenly realised that my feet weren’t the same as they used to be once I stopped wearing heels.

In college and university, I all but lived in sneakers. I bought my first pair of working shoes (with heels) before I started work. Like all young working adult women then, I was conditioned into thinking that we had to wear heels to work, to fit some sort of mould; almost like a rite of passage into adulthood.

I started my working life in a traditional profession during vastly different era, where the work culture was very traditional, and misogyny was (is, even) rife. Wearing skirts was practically compulsory, and heels were expected. Young ‘uns will never get it LOL! 😀

While I was never hugely into shoes, I did find myself conforming to the norm. I wore heels ranging from the thick clunky ones that I could walk in, to almost stilettos, that I could not LOL! 😀 I wore round-toed shoes to sleek, pointy toed heels. They were uncomfortable, I battled blisters, and I never enjoyed wearing heels. But I conformed, because that’s what we do.

As the years wore on, I noticed that my feet had developed bunions due to the awkward, unnatural shape they had been forced into over the years. While I did not wear tight leather heeled shoes that often, I wore them often enough that it had affected the shape of my feet. The bunions on one of my feet would twinge now and again, but they weren’t that serious to warrant treatment – not yet.

And then, the pandemic hit over 5 years ago (gosh, already!) and I retreated to a casual lifestyle.

I stopped wearing heels, because there was nowhere to wear them to. I was semi-retired from office work, and there were no beauty events to attend. Social activities had ground to a halt for over 2 years.

In that time, I walked around barefoot, in slippers, or in sneakers. My feet were no longer restrained and constrained in tight, fitting leather shoes. I was no longer compelled to wear heels, putting strain on my knees, back and putting my posture in an unnatural position. I could wear whatever I wanted, and all I wanted was something comfortable on my feet that would protect them, and allow me the stability to walk comfortably, and to walk my dog.

When I needed to replace my sneakers recently, I took a long hard look at my feet and realised:

  • They were no longer the same size – my feet are now up to a whole size bigger than they were before, and for some reason, my sneaker sizes were almost 2 whole sizes bigger! This realisation was crucial, as I had been buying all the wrong sizes based on my old feet size, and I was wondering why my feet felt uncomfortable in my new shoes.
  • They were less narrow – I’d always had narrow feet, and they still are fairly narrow, but no longer narrow enough to fit into my old leather shoes LOL RIP my narrow Ferragamo shoes I had to specially buy online because they don’t carry the width here 🙁 My feet seem to have ‘spread’ so are wider than they used to be
  • My bunions were less severe and my feet look less deformed – I hadn’t realised that my bunion hadn’t twinged in a while, and while my toes aren’t straight, they appeared to be less deformed. I had not done anything to them in this time, merely allowed my feet to be in a natural state.
  • How liberating and free my feet felt in non-leather shoes – I wear exclusively sneakers or slippers these days, and my feet feel so free! They can actually MOVE and breathe now.

I’m sad about my cupboard of heels and shoes that no longer fit, of course. But at the same time, I’m happy that my feet have been allowed to revert to a more natural state, and that I no longer am forced to conform to societal norms and trot around in heels when I don’t enjoy it.

Is this post about not wearing heels, or just about feeling more liberated by throwing off yet another shackle of societal norms? It’s hard to say – probably a little of both 🙂

Do you still wear heels?

PB


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British Beauty

SHOPPING FOR A NEWBORN *UPDATED EDIT* – Lily Pebbles

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence



Despite being told left, right and centre that newborn babies really don’t need much stuff, it’s impossible not to get sucked into the world of baby shopping and it can be really quite overwhelming! On one hand I know that a newborn doesn’t need all the stuff, but on the other I feel like you only have your first baby once and there’s no harm enjoying that. So I feel like I’ve been somewhere in the middle when it comes to shopping. I’m letting myself enjoy the process and buy a few unnecessary bits just because they’re cute, but I’m also trying to be practical and not go too over the top. In fact one of my tactics has been, instead of asking friends and family what I should be buying, I’ve been asking what was the one thing they bought that they ended up not needing or using. Of course you have to factor in that every baby is totally different and what works for one might not work for another, and that’s something no-one knows until the time comes.

I think it’s quite common for people in the UK to start thinking about shopping after their 20 week scan, so that’s what we did and we didn’t jump in head first, we eased our way in. I started by researching online and chatting to friends and family. Compiling a Google list that Rich and I could both log into and edit helped me get my head around it and stopped me impulse buying every time I saw something cute. In fact we didn’t even go into a shop until I was maybe 23 weeks. I’m aware that a baby doesn’t go into it’s own bedroom right at the beginning, but we didn’t want to be decorating and sorting out a room with a newborn so that’s something we wanted to sort beforehand. I gave Rich some specific jobs so that he could be involved and know exactly how he could help, so he was in charge of researching things like baby monitors, cot mattress and baby slings.

*UPDATE*

Hello, Lily post-baby talking now… I was almost spot-on with all of my purchases, but since actually having a baby myself I’ve learnt so much and I thought I’d update this blog post and share a much more experience based checklist. Of course these are not essentials and everyone’s budget will be totally different, so feel free to adapt the list to what you need. This is just what I send my girlfriends when they ask me, and so I thought I’d make it public! As you’ll see on the checklist there’s an A and a B list, because not everything is needed for the first few weeks when a baby is a newborn. I found it really helpful to do all my research when pregnant and have all my links ready to go for when I needed to make the purchases, but to not buy the items until I needed them and it spread out the costs a bit too.

Click the link below to download my newborn “essentials” checklist. 

NEWBORN SHOPPING LIST

Watch the video where I talk in more detail about the specific products I used and liked below. 

NEWBORN ESSENTIALS VIDEO

SHOP SOME OF MY FAVOURITES HERE

 

Photos by Emma Croman


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Canadian Beauty

Dior · Rouge Blush Colour & Glow

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


 

 

Dior recently launched Rouge Blush Colour & Glow available in contour and highlighter duos, as well as blush and highlighter duos — with both having been designed to function as multi-use face palettes. In other words, makeup that’s gorgeous AND versatile. I’m in.

 

 

Follow @ommorphia  YouTube ♦ Instagram ♦ Facebook ♦ Twitter ♦ Pinterest ♦ Bloglovin’

 

Rouge Blush Contour & Glow (CAN $67.00/each) | Housed in a slim navy compact case with a full sized mirror on the inner lid, there is a contour shade on one side and a coordinating highlighter beside it. The surface of the powder displays the brand’s iconic cannage (caning) pattern, as well as the CD initials in raised lettering. The formula is infused with a gel that helps in providing a long-lasting and hydrating feel, while the texture feels super silky and blends effortlessly along the skin. The finish of the contour shade is said to be matte, but I find it imparts a faint sheen — a plus, as that keeps the colour from looking flat and one-dimensional. Pigmentation on the contour powder leans on the lighter side, which is fine by me, as this enables you to have more control over application. The highlighter shades are absolutely stunning, buttery smooth and bearing a complex shimmer. Diorissimo is the more neutral of the two and the one best suited to fair – light medium complexions, while Diorama is warmer leaning and while more suitable for medium and deeper skin tones, those with lighter complexions can probably make it work provided a light hand is used. I’ve been testing these out in a variety of ways, and apart from how lovely they look on the skin, they also look amazing as eyeshadow.

100 Diorissimo – pale camel contour paired with a champagne highlighter

200 Diorama – milk chocolate contour paired with a soft gold highlighter

 

Rouge Blush Blush & Glow (CAN $67.00) | There are 4 blush/highlighter shades to choose from and while that sounds like a small number, the available colour harmonies have a lot of thought behind them, which means that there’s actually a shade to suit basically every skin tone. As with the Contour & Glow duos, the formula is similarly gel infused and has an ultra-fine silky texture. The pigmentation on the blush is buildable and leaves behind a beautiful sheen, while the highlighter has the most stunning complex shimmer. While these have all been designed for the face, I can also see these working as eyeshadow and even mixed for unique new colours. In testing, I actually have worn this blush along the lid — sometimes paired with one of the contour shades, other times solo — and I absolutely love how it marries so beautifully with the blush placement.

 

 

I’m a huge fan of makeup that can serve a variety of needs, and both the Contour & Glow as well as the Blush & Glow definitely deliver. You can use them in the traditional sense; blush for cheeks, highlighter on high points, and contour for definition, but by thinking out of the box you can also wear them as eyeshadows or even bronzer — let your imagination rule. This versatility means that they are also great for travelling with; less makeup to pack!

Available at Dior counters and online

 

 

Kindly provided by Dior for my unbiased consideration




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Indonesian Beauty

[Review] Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Kiehl’s ini merupakan salah satu brand skincare yang menurutku sudah memiliki title “legendary” — aduh siapa sih yang gak tau brand ini, ya gak? Dari jaman aku kuliah 11 tahun lalu juga brand ini sudah popular banget dengan produk-produknya yang jadi holygrail orang-orang sampai jadi cult-favorite.

Selain memang klaim dan produknya yang memang bagus, brand ini memiliki daya tarik sendiri . Sungguh prestige rasanya kalau sudah pernah cobain produk-produk dari Kiehl’s. Dan salah satu produk “legendary” dari Kiehl’s yang patut jadi sorotan lebih yaitu si serum Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution yang akan aku bahas mendalam pada review kali ini.

This serum is house in a transparent glass bottle yang berisi 30 ml, dengan aplikator pipet. Yes, tentunya it also come in a white box yang sudah cukup informative. Semua penjelasan lengkap mulai dari cara pakai dan ingredients bisa kalian baca di dus nya.

Untuk tekstur, serum ini berwarna bening dengan gel-like konsistensi yang agak runny. Formulanya mudah diratakan, dan ngasih feels lembab juga pada kulit. Ini adalah salah satu Vitamin C serum yang menggunakan 3-O-Ethyl-Ascorbic-Acid. Jadi meskipun di Indonesia produk lokalnya baru booming dengan bahan ini, Kiehl’s sudah memakai turunan Ascorbic Acid yang bersifat gentle & stabil ini dari bertahun-tahun lalu. Jelas kan kenapa aku sebut dia adalah “legend” hehe.

Dengan memakai kandungan 3-O-Ethyl-Ascorbic-Acid (3-O-EAA) ini, sehingga serum ini jatuhnya masih aman untuk pemula. Karena si 3-O-EAA ini memang less irritation jatuhnya dikulit, jadi kemungkinan drying dan sensitized lebih kecil. Kandungan ini juga merupakan sumber antioxidant untuk menangkal radikal bebas, mencerahkan kulit kusam, mampu menyamarkan bekas jerawat / sunspots maupun hyperpigmentation. Bagi yang dulu malas pakai sunscreen dan mulai ada flek, nah kalian bisa pakai ini untuk reduce atau kalau memang genetic –paling tidak, dengan pakai ini tidak menambah adanya flek. Karena asli ya, flek itu kalau sudah terlalu dalam akan susah banget ditreat-nya. At least ya harus laser, keluar berapa duit lagi ya kan.

Untuk yang kulitnya oily-acne prone, serum ini mengandung Salicylic Acid sebagai exfoliator yang sifatnya oil-soluble jadi bisa membersihkan sel-sel kulit mati dan sebum sampai ke lapisan kulit yang lebih dalam. Bagi yang suka mengeluh pori-pori terlihat lebar, nah ini bisa jadi solusi juga untuk tighten pores. Karena pori-pori terlihat lebar itu ya karena penumpukan kotoran dan minyak. Aku sendiri cocok dengan Saliclyc Acid karena kandungan ini membantu sekali untuk melunakkan komedo ku, jadi lebih mudah dibersihkan.

Sumber antioxidant nya pun sebenernya enggak hanya dari 3-O-EAA saja ya, tapi juga dari Vitamin E yang terkandung didalam serum ini yaitu Tocopheryl Acetate & Tocopherol. Serum ini juga mengandung Ethyl Alcohol ya, tapi no worries, kandungan ini sebenernya masih oke dengan persentase yang sesuai karena alcohol juga berperan sebagai antibacterial dan mengikat bahan actives dalam serum agar gak mudah rusak.

Serum ini bisa kalian pakai am-pm ya, gak masalah sama sekali, pokoknya rutin aja lah kalau mau lihat hasil significant. Kalau aku sendiri, suka pakainya di pagi hari karena pemakaian dalam satu routine dengan sunscreen itu efeknya luar biasa untuk sun protection karena duo combo Vitamin C dan sunscreen itu mampu mencipatkan protective barrier terhadap sun damage.

Untuk formulanya memang setelah diratakan dan menyerap, akan ada rasa tacky nya , tapi ini bisa diakalin ya kalau memang kalian merasa kurang nyaman, yaitu semprot dengan face mist setelah pemakaian serum atau saat serum setengah menyerap langsung kalian timpa moisturizer. Dengan begitu, tackiness nya akan hilang.

Untuk efficacy yang paling terlihat pada kulitku adalah warna kulit yang terlihat lebih merata, antara wajah dan leher. Terutama kalau habis panas-panasan renang, serum ini cepet banget mengembalikan skin tone aku agar lebih rata. Efek cerahnya juga nampol banget. Bagi yang punya sunspots atau hyperpigmentation yang masih “halus” , bisa tersamar asal kalian pakainya juga rutin. This product is indeed worth every penny.

Jadi kalau kalian lagi cari serum yang mampu tackle kulit kusam, uneven skin tone, untuk brightening dan menyamarkan sunspots/hyperpigmenation, butuh antioxidant go for this one! Check out juga website Kiehl’s untuk info produk lainnya

Hope it helps!


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Beauty

Is Salt Water Good For Curly Hair?

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


There are so many different hair care products designed to give a beachy waves, or beachy curled effect, as if you’ve been swimming in the sea, for an effortless wavy, textured look.

If you have naturally curly hair, is salt water good for curly hair? What happens if you swim in the ocean (or a saltwater pool), with curly hair?

Could it cause your curls to get damaged? I’m going to explain the effects of salt water for curly hair, so keep on reading…

Is Salt Water Good For Curly Hair?

Why Does Salt Water Make Hair Curly?

Whenever you go into the ocean, or you swim in a saltwater pool, you’ll notice how your hair becomes wavy or curly, as it begins to dry.

How curly your hair becomes, depends on your natural hair type, and if you naturally have a curl/wave pattern. 

Saltwater can enhance your natural curl within your hair, as the salt within the water draws moisture out of the hair shaft.

This then makes the hair strands slightly rougher and more prone to clumping together, to give you that “beachy” hair look. 

Minerals within the saltwater creates a light coating on the hair, which gives the beachy texture and definition, to create a beachy and tousled effect. 

Pros and Cons Of Salt Water For Your Hair

You do have some benefits from saltwater, like giving you a beachy, textured effect and volume, making waves and curls look more defined. 

You’ll notice that the minerals within seawater can give you a mild cleansing effect, and potentially stimulate your scalp.

However, there are a number of downsides of saltwater for your hair. The salt is very drying for all hair types, and can strip the hair of its natural oils, which can lead to frizz, brittleness and potential damage – especially if you have dry hair or color treated hair in the first place. 

The mineral buildup can make your hair feel stiff, or dull overtime, so I’d recommend using a clarifying shampoo after going in saltwater, to cleanse your hair of impurities, and any salt build-up, to keep your hair as clean as possible. 

How To Protect Your Curls When Swimming In Salt Water

Is Salt Water Good For Curly Hair?

Salt water can enhance your curls, as the salt draws out moisture, which gives your hair both definition and texture, while the minerals can add a little hold.

When it comes to the downsides, saltwater has a drying effect on your curls, and curlier hair tends to be naturally drier than straight hair, and this can lead to an increase in frizz, tangles, and a loss of moisture, which can then lead to your curls becoming brittle, and more prone to breakage. 

If you are going in saltwater, ensure you use a clarifying shampoo to cleanse your hair of the salt, but also make sure you use intensively hydrating haircare products to recoup any lost moisture, to keep your hair hydrated and healthy.

How To Protect Your Curls When Swimming In Salt Water

If you’re going to be swimming in salt water, you can start by pre-wetting your hair with fresh water first, as this will help reduce moisture loss and keep your curls hydrated, and healthy. 

Apply a leave-in conditioner or a lightweight hair oil (like Moroccan Oil), as it’ll act as a protective barrier, against potential saltwater damage. 

After swimming, rinse your hair immediately, to remove any salt residue, as this will help to restore moisture levels, preventing extra dehydration (and damage).

You could also follow up with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and hydrating curly hair friendly conditioner to replace any lost moisture. 


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Hair Styling

The Best Sunscreens for Mature Skin Do More Than Protect Skin

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Our skin care non-negotiable will always be sunscreen, regardless of your age, skin type, or season (yes, even if you’re indoors). The best sunscreens for mature skin, however, offer more than just sun protection—they’re also the key to unlocking brighter, smoother skin. Beyond providing a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, these formulas are chock-full of nourishing ingredients (Niacinamide! Ceramides! Hyaluronic acid!) that can help soften signs of skin aging, like fine lines, sun spots, and laxity.

Mind you, we celebrate aging in all of its forms, but we also believe in investing in your skin care and choosing heavy-hitting ingredients that do more than simply hydrate. So we tapped editors and board-certified dermatologists to break down formulas that particularly work well with mature skin and won’t accentuate anything you’d prefer not to shine a spotlight on. Let’s dive in!

Our Top Sunscreens for Dry Skin

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46

Why it’s worth it: Allure editors never stop raving about the Best of Beauty-winning EltaMD’s UV Clear SPF 46, and James Y. Wang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, loves it, too. He calls this mineral-based facial sunscreen “one of the lightest and silkiest skin-care products on the market.” Its star ingredient, niacinamide, is an essential part of this formula for its complexion-brightening, moisture-replenishing properties. To tackle dryness-related wrinkles, this formula also features hydrating hyaluronic acid to plump skin and “fill in” fine lines. Though it’s ultra-hydrating, this sunscreen’s matte finish, oil-free formulation, and inclusion of lactic acid—a skin-tightening and pore-unclogging alpha-hydroxy acid that’s gentler than other exfoliating options—make it a great option for people with acne-prone and oily skin types, too. (Menopause acne is real.) Since we’re on the topic of skin types, those with sensitive skin will love that it’s fragrance-free, too.

If you’re on a retinoid kick, this SPF is a must. The niacinamide in this formula helps calm redness and keeps skin looking smooth, even, and irritation-free.

  • ​​Sunscreen type: mineral
  • Key ingredients: zinc oxide (9%), octinoxate (7.5%), niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, lactic acid
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Hyperpigmentation: SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen

SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30 in branded component on a light gray background

SkinCeuticals

Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30

Why it’s worth it: Sunscreen is often called a “shield” by dermatologists—and they’re not wrong. SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen not only defends against premature aging (fine lines, wrinkles, all the usual suspects), but also takes on dark spots, dullness, and hyperpigmentation with brightening niacinamide and 1% tranexamic acid. The silky, chemical-based formula glides on more like a luxe lotion than a typical SPF, sinking in quickly and making reapplication less of a chore. If uneven skin tone tops your list of skin concerns, this multitasker covers all the bases.

Tester feedback from Allure creative director Amber Venerable

“I loved the consistency and how lightweight yet moisturized my skin felt after using it. You do have to be sure to blend it completely on darker skin tones but it does seep in once you fully rub it in.” —Amber Venerable, creative director

  • Sunscreen type: chemical
  • Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (5%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (7.2%), tranexamic acid, niacinamide, glycerin
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Best Tinted: Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen

Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen in branded component on a light gray background

Isdin

Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen

Why it’s worth it: If you’re looking for a sunscreen that offers just a touch of coverage—enough to blur and even things out without crossing into makeup territory—Isdin’s Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen is a solid pick. It’s packed with photolyase enzymes that, according to board-certified dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD, “improve DNA damage after exposure to UV light.” The formula also features firming peptides and antioxidants to help protect against future sun damage while visibly improving hyperpigmentation and fine lines. The sheer tint doesn’t quite qualify as a skin tint, but it gives your complexion a subtle boost of radiance (and honestly, most days that’s all we need).

Tester feedback from Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai

“My mineral sunscreens have to be tinted—I have too much pigment in my skin to deal with the chalkiness otherwise. I love that this pulls double-duty to not only protect my skin from sun damage but also actively works to even out my skin tone. That’s a big deal since I, like most people with deeper skin, am very prone to dark spots. Plus, it smells and feels like nothing.” —Deanna Pai, Allure contributing editor

  • Sunscreen type: mineral
  • Key ingredients: zinc oxide (10.7%), peptides, plankton extract, photolyase enzymes
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Best Chemical-Based Sunscreen: Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen

Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen in white bottle on light grey background

Shiseido

Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen

Why it’s worth it: The bouncy formula behind Shiseido’s Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen delivers an equal dose of vitamin C and your must-have sun protection. The brightening power of this hero antioxidant helps with smoothness and softening the look of pores, while hyaluronic acid helps lock in moisture. The water-in-gel formula means the combined benefits of a water-based sunscreen and an oil phase to create a non-greasy, easily absorbed final product.

“As the label reads, it contains vitamin C and licorice, which is perfect for upping my radiance and tackling any dark spots, as well as moisture-attracting hyaluronic acid. I noticed that the gel melted down into an extremely slippery liquid. I let it sit for a few minutes and my skin felt velvety soft with an ever-so-slight slickness. My complexion looked diffused—as if I had a soft, blurring filter on my skin—and glowy when the sun hit it.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor

  • Sunscreen type: chemical
  • Key ingredients: avobenzone (2.3%), homosalate (10.0%), octisalate (5.0%), octocrylene (5.0%)
  • Fragrance-free: no

Best Mineral-Based Sunscreen: Dr. Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF 40

Dr. Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense Mineral Sunscreen Fluid SPF 40 yellow tube on light gray background

Dr. Loretta

Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF 40

​​Why it’s worth it: If dryness, flaking, and dehydration-induced creasing are holding you back, slather on Dr. Loretta’s Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF 40, an ultra-moisturizing formulation with a subtle peach tint that negates white cast. The brand’s proprietary antioxidants, Lipochroman, and ectoin protect your skin from free radical damage and external stressors (that can lead to progressed signs of aging). Also at work is a blend of four powerful botanicals—frankincense, gotu kola, white birch bark, and knotweed—to calm stressed, sensitive skin.

“It has an amazing light-reflecting luminosity that blurs the skin while providing straightforward zinc oxide protection. It melts in instantly, leaving nothing but a beautiful veil of glow behind.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director

  • Sunscreen type: mineral
  • Key ingredients: zinc oxide (17%), lipochroman, ectoin, coconut oil, jojoba oil
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Barrier Repair: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer in branded wide tube with clear cap on light gray background

La Roche-Posay

Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30

​​Why it’s worth it: Prepare to quench your thirsty skin with La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30. This moisturizing sunscreen is one of Dr. Wang’s favorite drugstore formulations for its trifecta of skin enhancers, including hydrating glycerin, irritation-calming niacinamide, and moisture-sealing ceramides. Its lightweight, lotion-like texture blends seamlessly into any skin tone, and, most importantly, it provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. Most importantly, it saves you an extra skin-care step in the morning. “This is easy to apply and combines SPF with moisturizing ingredients and ceramides to help restore the skin’s natural protective barrier,” Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan, New York, and Englewood, New Jersey, previously attested.

“I had already mentally prepared myself to spend 10 minutes working it into my skin, which is what usually happens with creams like this. To my surprise, however, the cream quickly sank into my skin with minimal effort. There was no grayish-looking film topping my skin. Instead, it dried down to a translucent, powdery finish that had a similar feel and look as a mattifying makeup primer. The formula sat clear and comfortably on my face.” —Kathleen Suico, former beauty editor

  • Sunscreen type: chemical
  • Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (5%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (7%), ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, thermal spring water
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Best Korean Sunscreen: Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+ in branded component on a light gray background

Round Lab

Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+

Why we love it: K-beauty sunscreens have a way of turning a daily chore into a skin-care ritual, and Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+ has earned its viral status, thanks to its silky formula. “It’s a moisturizing sunscreen that is formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and antioxidants to hydrate and soothe the skin,” says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm based in New York City. “It blends in easily and layers beautifully with other skincare products and makeup.” The texture is more like a dewy moisturizer than your average SPF, thanks to birch sap and skin-quenching humectants. And there’s no chalkiness or stickiness in sight, which makes you actually want to reapply it throughout the day.

The birch sap in Round Lab’s Birch collection isn’t just any old tree juice—it’s harvested from the spring sap of silver birch trees in Inje, Korea’s silver birch trees. This seasonal sap is rich in minerals and amino acids, which help hydrate and soothe the skin.

  • Type: chemical
  • Key ingredients: glyceryl glucoside, homosalate, niacinamide, birch
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Best Drugstore: Eucerin Sun Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

Eucerin Sun Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion in branded component on a light gray background

Eucerin

Sun Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

Why it’s worth it: Sunscreen has a way of settling into every dry crack and crevice—until you try Eucerin Sun Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion. “It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and humectants, which help lock in moisture, and it absorbs well without leaving a white cast,” Ashley McGuinness, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Chesterfield, MO, previously told Allure. And Eucerin’s AOX Shield—a mix of five hardworking antioxidants—has your back when it comes to fighting off free radicals, so your skin stays smooth, fresh, and glowy. The best part? It’s the most budget-friendly pick on our list, which means you can reapply as much as you want without thinking twice.

If your skin’s feeling extra thirsty, layer a hydrating serum or essence underneath—this sunscreen will help seal it all in.

  • Type: chemical
  • Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (9%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (9%), hyaluronic acid
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 SPF 43 PA +++

Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 SPF 43 PA +++ in branded component on a light gray background

Naturium

Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 SPF 43 PA +++

Why it’s worth it: Another K-beauty favorite that checks every glow box: Naturium’s Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 PA++++. Powered by niacinamide and vitamin C to visibly brighten and even tone, plus squalane and argan oil to flood skin with hydration, it leaves your face looking plump, fresh, and dewy in seconds. The buttery texture glides on effortlessly and melts down to that juicy, lit-from-within finish. And thanks to its clever packaging, the cap features a built-in indent that holds exactly ¼ teaspoon of sunscreen—the recommended amount for full face and neck coverage—so you can skip the guesswork.

New to the Korean sunscreen UVA protection scale? PA ratings range from PA+ to PA++++, and “the greater the number of plus signs, the better the level of protection against UVA rays (which visibly age us),” Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, previously told Allure.

  • Type: chemical
  • Key ingredients: homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), avobenzone (3%), niacinamide, ethyl ascorbic acid
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

How does sunscreen benefit mature skin?

On top of preventing issues like skin cancer and sunburn, Dr. Lolis says applying (and reapplying) a broad-spectrum sunscreen will minimize the appearance of concerns like fine lines, sun spots, and decreased skin laxity. “Unprotected sun exposure drastically accelerates the appearance of aging skin,” Dr. Lolis explains. “While mature skin is already experiencing these effects absent sun exposure, not protecting your skin with sunscreen daily only sends the aging process into hyperdrive,” she adds. Message heard loud and clear.

What ingredients should I look for in sunscreen for mature skin?

The usual golden ingredient of maturing skin-care routines is, usually, retinol, but sunscreens usually don’t contain that ingredient (mainly due to the misconception that retinol can increase skin photosensitivity, but that’s actually a myth). So, you’ll want to look for a sunscreen formulated with antioxidants, the top-tier one being a stabilized form of vitamin C. This is because antioxidants neutralize environmental aggressors, including pollution, infrared rays, and visible light, therefore they boost the efficacy of your sunscreen’s protective measures. On top of that, studies have shown that when vitamin C is used topically, it can help accelerate the skin’s production of collagen and elastin, the protein fibers that help keep skin plump and firm. So, in helping to promote collagen production, topical vitamin C can help prevent signs of aging of the skin, including fine lines and lack of elasticity.

Another antioxidant known for its skin-boosting benefits is niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3. Like its counterpart, vitamin C, niacinamide has a myriad of benefits, including evening tone, brightening your complexion, and minimizing the appearance of pores. Dr. Garshick previously told Allure that this antioxidant can also diminish fine lines and wrinkles, thanks to its collagen-boosting properties. Most of the formulas above are also spiked with other plumping additives, like hydrating hyaluronic acid.

Meet the experts

  • James Y. Wang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles
  • Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan, New York, and Englewood, New Jersey
  • Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, New Jersey
  • Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
  • Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in West Islip, New York
  • Ashley McGuinness, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Chesterfield, MO
  • Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
  • Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana

How we test and review products

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


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Cosmetics

Strategic merger positions Brazilian brands Skala and Lola from Rio for global expansion

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence



Brazil’s beauty and personal care market is projected to generate a revenue of $28.16 billion in 2025, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 4.86% between now and 2023, according to market research firm Statista.

Within this landscape, Skala has emerged as a category leader in hair treatment creams, while sustainable hair care brand Lola From Rio has built a loyal following with its creative marketing and vegan product formulations.

With backing from private equity firm Advent International, the two brands are strategically aligning their operations to boost scale, expand distribution, and accelerate innovation, while maintaining their individual brand identities and respective clean beauty mindsets.

Domestic and international growth strategy

The strategy behind the merger is to align each brand’s complementary capabilities in both the domestic and international personal care product markets.

“Domestically, the integration with Lola From Rio provides highly complementary sales channels, allowing us to optimize market reach and penetration for both brands,” Rafael Patury, Chairman of the Board of the group, told CosmeticsDesign US.

In the international personal care landscape, he continued, the brands’ plan is to focus on leveraging their respective growth trajectories to “implement [their] extensive experience, infrastructure sharing, and benchmarking initiatives, further accelerat[ing] global expansion and market leadership.”

Infrastructure and logistics optimization

With a new production facility in Uberaba and a US-based distribution center set to come online, Advent is focused on unlocking operational efficiencies at scale.

“We are prioritizing the optimization of our integrated logistics network,” said Patury. As a result of the merger, Skala’s four global distribution centers will be combined with two additional facilities currently utilized by Lola, he confirmed.

Through this larger distribution network, he continued, “we aim to be able to enhance our supply chain efficiency to serve our customers more effectively and support the new group’s substantial scale gains.”

With Skala’s products already distributed in 82 countries and Lola in 40, the integration also opens new opportunities for international growth.

“Leveraging Skala’s established presence in 82 countries… presents a significant opportunity for accelerated global market penetration,” Patury said.

“Our key target markets for expansion include the US, Europe, and Latin America,” he confirmed, “where we will adapt our product offerings and marketing strategies to meet specific regional consumer expectations.”

Balancing innovation with brand autonomy

The combined company plans to pursue innovation through collaboration while maintaining brand distinctiveness.

“While commercial and marketing operations for both brands will maintain a degree of strategic autonomy to preserve their distinct market positioning, we anticipate significant cross-functional knowledge transfer and collaborative experience sharing,” Patury explained.

“This approach will foster synergistic innovation opportunities within our product development pipeline,” he added, “allowing each brand to boost its productivity and market responsiveness while leveraging collective insights.”

Preserving each brand’s creative DNA

Known for its irreverent tone and bold formulations, Lola From Rio will continue to operate with creative independence under the new structure.

“Lola’s unique voice and agility will be preserved through operational independence, particularly within our commercial and marketing functions,” said Patury.

“The existing leadership team that has driven Lola’s success will continue to lead the brand within the combined group, and Lola’s founders will remain involved and significant shareholders,” he explained, adding that “this commitment to continuity ensures the brand’s core essence and creative spirit remain intact.”

Sustainability is a central element of the group’s innovation and branding strategy, as both brands are recognized for their ethical ethos.

“Lola’s leadership in conscious beauty will significantly influence the new group’s shared innovation and brand strategies by fostering a unified commitment to sustainable practices and ethical sourcing,” Patury said.

“Both Lola and Skala share a fundamental commitment to vegan and cruelty-free principles,” he concluded, “along with a focus on leveraging Brazilian heritage in product development to deliver high-quality solutions.”

Following the merger, Luis Delfim, current President of Skala, will serve as CEO of the new group, and Pedro Taguchi, COO of Lola From Rio, will continue to lead the Lola brand, Advent International‘s press release confirmed.


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