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Vanessa Hudgens Turned Neutral Nails Into a Magical Manicure With One Technique

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If there's one thing about Vanessa Hudgens that we know to be the actual, factual truth, it's that the woman loves gorgeous manicures as much as she loves Halloween—and that's a hell of a lot. Which is why, when I saw her newest nails, I honestly couldn't believe she hadn't switched into “Summerween” mode. But while her latest manicure may not be a spooky one, it's definitely still conjuring up magical vibes.

Hudgens loves a bold set of nails, like her negative-space neon look back in April, and we can always count on her to model them for her prolific nail artist, Zola Ganzorigt, with what I like to call the Hudgens Sleeve Hold, where she folds her fingers over to her palm and poses her manicure against the backdrop of her pulled-down sleeve. And for her new nails, her sleeve—flouncy with a sheer leopard print—is actually bolder than her nails.

The long, oval set is painted in a super pretty beige shade that's not all that far off from her skin tone. But it still feels anything but plain thanks to a gorgeous cat-eye finish that creates a magical, intensified shine that shifts in the light. Nail artist Alora Reyes recently told Allure that this magnetic polish effect is still going strong as a trend as we enter fall.

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Hudgens's nails aren't the only magical aspect of her beauty look right now. Yesterday, before updating her nails, she shared a video revealing how gorgeously long and curly her hair is during her second pregnancy—with a little help from extensions experts Violet Teriti and Vivian Terityan.

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Hudgens says “mermaid mommy mode” is activated, but I have a feeling we're not even a few weeks away from witchy woman mode.

July 16, 2025

I Used PRP to Treat My Hair Loss

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A number of happy milestones happened when I turned 30 last year. I got married. I started a new job and traveled the world. But then there was this: “You have androgenic alopecia,” my dermatologist said as he finished a clinical assessment of my scalp. I sat back in the rigid chair, dumbfounded. I’m balding. This wasn’t the diagnosis I expected to hear when I walked into the appointment. I thought maybe I had dandruff or light thinning due to stress, but alopecia? Never in a million years did I think that’s what was happening to my hair.

I first noticed my hair thinning in May 2024. I remember looking through photos from my honeymoon earlier that month obsessing over the way my hair looked: In addition to appearing thinner overall, I noticed a bald patch near the front of my part. Often, my scalp showed through when I wore ponytails. I would wait almost six more months before mentioning anything to my husband, almost ashamed that my hair might be thinning. How could it be? I just turned 30 and I work in beauty. I use all the best shampoos and most expensive hair masks. I get to visit celebrity hairstylists and test out new tools all the time. Surely, someone would have said something if they thought I was balding, right?

What is Androgenic Alopecia?

“Androgenic alopecia is genetic, hormone-influenced gradual thinning of the hair,” says Kunal Malik, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. He adds that it tends to appear in a particular pattern: Men will typically notice a receding hairline and crown thinning while women tend to see thinning across the top of the scalp, though the front hairline is usually unaffected.

In women, androgenic alopecia (AGA) is also known as female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Predisposed individuals have genetic imbalances of androgens, the sex hormones responsible for male characteristics (the most well-known androgen being testosterone). Dr. Malik explains that these male hormones bind to the hair follicle receptors, causing them to shrink before they eventually stop producing visible hair altogether. Hormonal imbalances and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can increase the likelihood of this diagnosis. By the age of 50, 40% of females will be diagnosed with FPHL, according to a study out of the University of California, Los Angeles.

But AGA isn’t something that happens overnight. I may have been slowly losing my hair for a few years and not noticed since I see myself every day. To non-derms, my part may appear normal, if not a bit wide by typical beauty standards. I didn’t have any redness, itchiness, or discomfort in any way. In fact, if it hadn't been for a season of stubborn dandruff, I might never have made an appointment to get my hair checked. Within seconds of walking into my appointment and examining my hairline, my derm diagnosed me with AGA. He pointed to the thinning along my part, extending to the back of my head, as being a main indicator.

Androgenic alopecia is one of four forms of alopecia. The others can be autoimmune (alopecia areata), stress or illness related (telegenic effluvium), or related to physical pulling or tugging (traction alopecia). AGA can begin as early as your late teens or early twenties in men, but women typically don’t see thinning until after age 40 or post-menopause, explains Dr. Malik.

How to Treat Androgenic Alopecia

The same day I received my diagnosis, I went home with three prescriptions: for spironolactone, which is an anti-androgen to block hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that can cause FPHL, ketoconazole shampoo, which helps reduce inflammation and may help block DHT, and oral minoxidil, which can increase new hair growth. Topical minoxidil is more effective at targeting the hair on your head, but it’s poisonous to cats, so I had to opt for the oral version, which can stimulate hair growth everywhere, not just on your head.

The last thing I wanted to do was start taking medicines for my hair loss, but I did so knowing it increased the likelihood that I could preserve and regrow as much of my hair as possible. I started taking 2.5mg of oral minoxidil and 100mg of spironolactone daily. I used the ketoconazole shampoo once a week as directed.

After about six weeks of taking the oral medications, I noticed a ton of facial swelling, which would later be identified as facial edema. Dr. Malik notes that this reaction is uncommon but can sometimes occur in the first few weeks of treatment or with higher doses of spironolactone. “Most patients who experience this find it resolves as their body adjusts to the medication,” he says. He adds that facial swelling is very rare with topical minoxidil but can happen with oral minoxidil due to the medications vasodilatory (as in, widening of the blood vessels) effect.

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I also noticed more gastrointestinal upset, which Dr. Malik says is not very common with spironolactone or minoxidil. He notes that if you do notice this symptom to take your medication with food to help reduce feelings of nausea. As someone with IBS, I’m not surprised that this was a side effect I noticed. I also saw hair growth on my upper lip, jaw, cheeks, and arms while taking oral minoxidil, which wasn’t a total surprise since, like I said, it creates overall hair growth as opposed to targeted hair growth that topical minoxidil can offer.

The spirolactone also messed with my period which Dr. Malik says can happen in 15 to 20% of women. “This occurs because spironolactone blocks androgrens, which can disrupt hormonal balance. The effect is dose-dependent,” he explains. While on vacation, I opted to stop taking both oral medications as they were significantly affecting both my physical appearance and my mental health. I continued to use the ketoconazole shampoo without any issues.

While I did see an increase in hair growth while I was taking these medications, the cons outweighed the pros for me. Instead, I spoke with my doctor about alternatives that might help stimulate hair growth without intense side effects. He recommended trying Nutrafol supplements, rosemary oil, and a low-level red light cap. I’ve yet to spring for the supplements or red light hat, but I made my own rosemary water (boil water, add a few sprigs of rosemary and turn off heat, stir well and let cool before pouring into a clean spray bottle) to use in the shower, purchased a scalp massager to help stimulate blood flow to my hair follicles, and invested in the $200 Mason Pearson hairbrush that my hairdresser said is worth every penny.

Dr. Malik adds that some natural alternatives that are supported scientifically to help hair growth include pumpkin seed oil and daily scalp massages. “While these approaches generally have fewer side effects than medications, they typically produce more modest results and work best for mild to moderate hair loss caught early,” he notes. “Combination therapy often produces better results in my experience compared to single treatments. Not all natural supplements have evidence for their use for hair growth, so consult with your dermatologist about the supplements and medications you're taking.”

How Do Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatments Help With Hair Loss?

With that in mind—and with the side effects of the medications I’d tried being too much to bear—I then set up an appointment for my first platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, which uses your own processed blood to help hair regrowth. It would cost me $850 a session with a minimum of three sessions to start. Compared to supplements and medications, PRP may have a quicker and longer-lasting effect and can be used with or without medication or supplements to see results. My derm recommended that I take the medications in conjunction with PRP for better results, but given my sensitivity to the prescriptions, I opted out. Of course, everyone is different, so what may have worked (or not worked) for me, might work (or not work) for you.

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“PRP involves injecting concentrated platelets from your own blood into the scalp,” Dr. Malik further explains. “[It] releases growth factors that stimulate follicle health and prolongs the growth phase [of hair].” A course of treatment typically requires three or four initial sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, then maintenance every four to six months, he adds. While there’s evidence of PRP being effective for both men and women, one study evaluated hundreds of cases with female participants with FPHL and found that PRP showed “positive efficacy in treating FPHL in hair density compared to control groups.”

With results typically visible after three to six months of your last injection, I decided it was vital for me to start right away.

What Is Getting PRP For Hair Loss Actually Like?

I had my first PRP appointment on February 24, 2025, and nothing could have prepared me for what was in store for my scalp. I showed up to the doctor’s office 30 minutes early so the derm could draw a vial of blood. The “liquid gold” PRP serum is created using your own platelets, which is extracted from the blood as its spun in a centrifuge.

The next thing I knew, my derm—who I’m keeping anonymous for my own privacy—handed me a stress ball and began to shoot freezing cold air onto my scalp (to help numb) while injecting the serum repeatedly down my part. “You need to breathe,” he said, pausing halfway through the treatment. It’d been less than a minute, but my body was completely clenched. I wasn’t expecting the intense pain that now radiated across my head.

“You’re handling this like a champ,” the doctor said when he was finished two minutes later. He shared that he’d gotten PRP done himself and was screaming, even though he had opted for anesthetic. I was not offered anesthetic, but I highly recommend you ask for it if it’s available.

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My scalp immediately following that first PRP treatment.

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I typically have a pretty high pain tolerance. As someone who has experienced periods that have sent me to the emergency room (multiple times, might I add) and had kidney stones in the past, I’d rank this pain a 9/10. It’s absolutely no joke. You need to be mentally prepared before entering the injection room.

With tears in my eyes, I tried to catch my breath as I went into the bathroom and saw splotches of red dotting my scalp. I considered cleaning it with paper towels, before thinking twice; in addition to not washing your hair for at least 24 hours, it’s recommended to not touch or disturb the area at all for the best results… which is how I ended up walking around New York City with dried patches of blood blotted in my hair. Surprisingly, no one noticed or commented on this, except my husband who eventually used a sanitized Q-tip to gently clean the remainder of the blood off my scalp. Ah, true love.

The healing process took almost a week. Sleeping for the first few nights was incredibly painful. I had to sleep without a pillow and make sure nothing was touching the top of my head. I was also told to avoid exercise for one to two days.

My second PRP appointment was even more nerve-wracking than the first. On March 26, 2025, I followed the same process. I showed up 30 minutes early, got my blood drawn, and waited for the serum to be prepared. I’m not sure if it’s because I knew how painful these injections were going to be this time around or if my scalp was more sensitive from all the treatments, but I swear this PRP session was 100 times worse than the first. I forgot to see if anesthetic was available for this appointment, which truly is my biggest regret. The healing process, however, seemed to be a bit quicker. My head didn’t hurt as badly that night and the pain was nearly gone two days later.

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After two PRP treatments: progress!

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My last required PRP appointment was May 13, 2025, almost one year since I first noticed my hair thinning. “There’s less scalp already,” my derm said as he entered the room, noting the increased thickness in my hair. The injections took less than a minute, but they still hurt the same as they did the first time, once again sans anesthetic because at this point, why was I going to pay more for something I’ve already suffered through and lived? Aside from nearly tearing the stress ball in half, I had tears in my eyes and had to take several breaks to get through all of the shots.

My Final Thoughts on PRP

Aside from the pain of the injections, I didn’t notice any other side effects of PRP other than one or two ingrown hairs on my scalp. While I still have to wait three to six months to see the full effect of the treatment, I already have tons of baby hairs on my head and have had to invest in a very good hair wax to keep them tame.

While I’m still waiting to see what my final results will look like in a few months, I'm pretty encouraged by the growth I’ve seen so far. Not only am I getting great feedback from my friends and family. Best of all, I feel more confident when I take photos and, even more importantly, when I hang out with people in real life.

July 3, 2025

The Robots Are Here to Fix Your Relationships

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Welcome to Doing It, a column where sex educator Varuna Srinivasan explores the deep connections between sex and emotions. This month, they explore how couples are using AI-powered apps in their relationships. Have a question or story idea for Dr. Srinivasan? Submit it here.

When I was in college and scared to break up with someone I was only dating for a couple of months, my girlfriend came over to help me draft the perfect breakup text. We sat on my bed, giggling and cringing at the various drafts before I hit send on a message we both agreed perfectly encapsulated the “it’s not you, it’s me” feeling I wanted to get across.

Today, an AI chatbot called “AI4Chat Break Up Text Generator,” marketed as a personal assistant that helps people navigate difficult conversations, can do that for you. In addition to helping you break up with someone, AI can help you sext and create an AI girlfriend companion that you might one day want to propose to (turns out the movie Her could have been a documentary if they waited a few years).

In the 21st century, the use of AI to manage any aspect of one’s love life is becoming a popular option. Some reports find that growing numbers of Gen Zers (especially 18-26 year olds) are relying heavily on AI enabled apps to find love, plan dates, and get relationship advice.

For some, these tools aren’t only useful for the beginning or ending of relationships. Ishani and her partner of 10 years are part of this new generation of couples using AI to improve their existing relationship.

“We have never gone for couples therapy but we tried Paired before exclusively moving over to Agapé,” Ishani says. Paired and Agapé are both apps meant to be used by couples seeking to improve their relationships: Agape focuses on having couples reflect on one question together everyday; Paired is more of a coaching tool which includes quizzes, and relationship advice from experts.

The 25-year-old from Canada was in search of a way to stay connected with her long distance partner when she came across these apps on Instagram. “I love words of affirmation but my partner is avoidant and giving compliments doesn’t come easily to him,” Ishani says. “These apps help us bridge that gap and communicate better.” Plus, since they’re long distance, it gives them something to talk about on the phone.

In a typical user journey, both couples need to download the Agapé mobile app to sync with each other’s profiles after which they’re automatically assigned one question a day. “Life gets busy, but we try to answer the question by the end of the day,” Ishani says. “We usually end up talking about [our answers] when we call the other person to say goodnight.” If they don’t have time to chat it out over the phone, the couple can answer the questions in the app and leave notes in each other’s comment sections. The ultimate goal of the app, Agapé says on their website, is for couples to ”both feel and show love.”

With regular user input, the company says the questions become more specific to each couple, thanks to a “complex machine learning algorithm.” Those personalized questions are a big reason Ishani continues to use Agapé. When they don’t want to answer the daily assigned question, they can pick from a different “deck” related to communication, family, and finances.

Then there are other apps, like Arya, that have created an AI powered intimacy concierge to help couples improve their sexual intimacy. The founder of this app, Offer Yehudai, is a serial entrepreneur with a background in advertising and technology who says he saw a massive gap in the market when it came to relationships and intimacy.

“Americans are spending billions investing in their personal wellness. But when I looked for something to help couples invest in their relationships? Nothing.” Offer says. “That's when I knew we had to create Arya—to bring that same tech-enabled approach to intimacy.”

Walking me through the app, Offer explains that when a user downloads Arya onto their phone, the AI powered “intimacy concierge" has you answer a couple of questions before categorizing people into one of four “Erotic Personas.”

This set of personas was developed by an in-house research team, which is led by Nicholas Velotta, a PhD student at the University of Washington and Pepper Schwartz, PhD, a professor of sociology at University of Washington, after interviewing more than 50,000 couples.

The app’s AI intimacy concierge is trained to curate experiences based on these personas, providing options for virtual experiences through the form of guided techniques, audio erotica experiences and aftercare meditations, as well in person experiences through discreetly delivered packages containing various toys, bondage related materials, and intimacy exercises.

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To be clear, none of the apps in this story should be taken as a replacement for couples’ therapy—and none of them claim to be. Rather, they’re marketed as a complementary AI chat bot tools developed with the help of human relationship therapists.

For example, when conversations with the Arya AI intimacy concierge start to become more emotionally charged (for example, if the user says “why am I feeling so disconnected lately” or “how do I talk to my partner about this”) the user is immediately transferred to their concierge team.

The team is made up of five on-call certified sex therapists, sex educators, relationship psychologists, and relationship scientists, with oversight from Shan Boodram and Prof. Pepper Schwartz. Offer explains that once members sign up, they’re assigned their own concierge who reaches out within a day. He goes on to clarify that communication only happens over text or web-app, not video, noting that they’ve “found that's the preferred and easiest way members like to interact.”

Israa Nasir, a licensed therapist and author of Toxic Productivity, showcases some of the easy ways we can use AI to be more productive when it comes to our relationships. “AI apps like this can help people learn emotional language and increase emotional literacy as well as [help users identify] topics to bring to your IRL therapist to discuss.”

But while she sees the upside, she shares some concerns about the objectivity of AI. “AI will only provide information based on what you feed it, and there is a risk that the model you’re talking to may not be as attuned to differences in the human experience, because of inherent biases in the way the AI model is built,” she adds.

When asked if AI can replace therapy, Shadeen Francis, a licensed marriage and family therapist, says it’s unlikely—plus, she worries about the harm certain AI apps can do by encouraging people to isolate and disconnect even more. “Therapists also get to know their clients, track patterns of behavior, and support them in reaching their goals,” Francis says. “However, part of their role is also to compassionately challenge their clients and help them grow.” Francis goes on to add that many AI models learn from every user interaction, which is then used to make up new data with the goal of pleasing the user, which is a big ethical concern.

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Even though many apps aren’t directly marketed as a therapy replacement (though there are exceptions, like Abby, which is actually meant to be an AI therapist), people are using them to replace visits with a human therapist. I’ve seen several videos promoting Entries AI, an AI journal to help people process their feelings, and suggesting followers can use the tool “if they can’t afford therapy." A subreddit called r/therapyGPT has 11,000 members, and there are plenty of videos training people how to use the LLM for therapy too.

“As humans, we need to be able to organize our thoughts ourselves and be able to articulate our needs ourselves—we cannot outsource thinking to AI when it comes to navigating relationships or conflict.”

There is also growing concern that AI can decrease a person’s emotional intelligence. Nasir refers to this as “Skill Erosion,” and it certainly applies to being able to maintain a healthy romantic relationship.

“As humans, we need to be able to organize our thoughts ourselves and be able to articulate our needs ourselves—we cannot outsource thinking to AI when it comes to navigating relationships or conflict,” she says. “Always having AI to think for us prevents us from accessing self soothing and building the skill to problem solve, process difficult emotions, or make sense of our experiences.”

When asked how Arya’s AI models mitigate the potential of skill erosion and other biases, the founder, Offer, notes that modelling AI is a work in progress, even when it comes to their app. “Emotional intelligence isn’t something we want to automate so we’re continually testing and refining our models with feedback from diverse members to make sure we’re not just building for efficiency, but for empathy,” he says.

All of that said, using an app to generate a conversation starter once in a while probably doesn’t spell the end of humanity. In addition to seeing a human therapist once a week to process some of her own feelings about the relationship, Ishani and her partner have found that some of the prompts on the app allow them to face difficult conversations (especially when living apart from one another.) “When we meet in person, we analyze our respective answers to some of the topics that one of us may not be comfortable bringing up over the phone,” she says.

If you're in the AI-curious set, here are a few tips on how to use these types of relationship apps responsibly.

Ask yourself why you want to use AI: This technology is not meant to understand or decipher human emotions. It lacks the emotional intelligence or empathy that a real human therapist is supposed to have. So when using these apps, be cautious about why you’re using it––Israa encourages couples to use it as a tool for generating curiosity and connection, not as a way to validate your negative feelings about your partner.

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Do your research: Opt for apps that share information on how their AI models are trained. The US Department of Health and Human Services has guidelines on what constitutes a well-trained health-related AI: The ideal model is one that is trained with peer reviewed research along with constant oversight from a team of humans. An unsupervised generative model that exclusively relies on content from you, the user, can create an echo chamber for its output. Most companies share their research and how they develop their proprietary AI models—if they don’t, that’s definitely a red flag

Go for hybrid apps: Especially when it comes to relationships and sex, think about using an app that shares the advice of a real human therapist with an actual degree and license. And remember: Anyone can claim to be anything online. Even if a website says someone is a licensed family therapist, you should confirm their qualifications by looking up their name or license number in the state they claim to be licensed.

Beware of sharing too much: As Shahdeen notes, “each platform has independent practices for data storage and privacy, so security of data becomes more complicated.” And while many apps claim they’re doing the best they can to protect your data, leaks can happen and any app that asks you to share personal details about your life is a red flag so be wary of oversharing. If you’re on an AI therapy or couple’s therapy app, look to see if the website or AI model is HIPAA compliant.

Apps can be a great way to plan a date if you’re feeling decision burnout, but it’s in your best interest to have difficult conversations with your partner yourself without the help of a teleprompter. Because ultimately, intimacy grows in the presence of shared discomfort and from being vulnerable in the presence of our loved ones. When it comes to your relationships, decide what you want to do yourself and what you want to outsource to AI.

The next time you’re facing a tough relationship moment, instead of turning to an AI bot, consider calling a friend you trust to give you some advice. As cheesy as this sounds, nothing beats the human touch.

June 6, 2025

The Red Wine Makeup Trend Gets a Fall Update

Collage of Hailey Baldwin Rihanna Zendaya wearing red wine makeup Source images: Getty; Collage: Briana RengifoSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

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If you’ve ever looked at a glass of merlot (or pinot noir or cabernet) and thought, Damn, this would make a great lip color, you’re not alone. Red wine makeup is trending on TikTok just in time for fall—and no, it has nothing to do with rubbing alcohol on your face. “The red wine makeup trend is a rich, monochromatic look where the eyes, lips, and cheeks are brought together using the same deep red and berry tones,” says New York City-based makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre.

According to Spate, #redwinemakeup is currently averaging 869.6K weekly views on TikTok. The hashtag peaked in mid-July, but our spidey senses—and the experts in our fall makeup trend report—tell us that it’ll be even more popular during spooky season. David Razzano, a New York City-based makeup artist and Sephora beauty director, previously told us that the return of dark red lips is influenced by the resurgence of gothic style, specifically “the whimsy of goth in the late ’90s.”

Woman wearing burgundy lipstick Courtesy of @larisaudila

Says Caroline DelRio, a general manager of beauty at CO Bigelow in New York City, the wine-colored, grungy, smoky eye is poised to be a huge trend, thanks to all of the smudge-able colored liners coming out soon.

Makeup artist and Well People cofounder Shirley Pinkson Mañas points out the versatility of this trend. Whether you're going for something bold (like a full-bodied cabernet sauvignon) or more subtle (like an effervescent lambrusco), the red wine color palette is diverse enough for everyone’s taste and skin tone. You can opt for a dark berry blush or a vampy maroon lip moment, but Ventre echoes, “The eyes really set the mood.”

A burgundy smoky eye can feel intimidating, but Ventre says a few blending techniques can help you avoid looking like you have a black eye. Before reaching for your burgundy and cranberry shadows, “start with a neutral transition shade—such as a soft taupe, warm tan, or a muted peach—in the crease to make blending easier and prevent harsh edges,” she explains; then press “a deeper plum or chocolate brown at the outer corner of your eye, blending into the burgundy” for added depth. You’re going to want to apply your shadow from lightest toward the inner corner of your eye to darkest toward the tail of your eyebrow.

The products you use depend on how dramatic you want your shadow to be. For a look that smolders, Ventre recommends Viseart's Petit Pro II, which has deep, rich plum and maroon shadows, plus lighter neutral colors that make for great transition shades. “It has matte and shimmer shadows so you can create a matte smoky eye or a sparkly red wine eye,” says Ventre.

If you want something more subtle, Mañas recommends a “clean girl” approach with her brand's Power Eyeshadow Palette in Sepia. (We recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette, which has a buttery texture and similar hues.) “I keep the complexion fresh with a cloud-like, satin finish,” she says. Then she creates a soft, romantic eye look using neutral tones mixed with deep purple and maroon.

Eye makeup not your forte? We hear you. Ventre recommends a monochromatic red wine lip-and-cheek pairing using the Ilia Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint in A Fine Romance. “It’s the perfect berry color,” says Ventre. “Using the same product on the [cheeks and lips] is a simple but effective way to keep the look cohesive.” We also love the Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick in the shade Plum: This Allure Best of Beauty winner goes on buttery smooth and dries down with a slightly matte finish, leaving a strong wash of color behind.

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So, as you shop for your fall makeup, keep a bottle of your favorite red wine on hand for reference—and maybe take a few sips as you go.

Red Wine Makeup Inspiration

Monochromatic red wine makeupCourtesy of @dariodoka_mua Woman wearing monochromatic red wine makeup Courtesy of @aleksandratarasmakeupRed wine lids Jasmine Tookes wearing burgundy eyeshadow Getty Images Red Wine Eyeliner Courtesy of @bytati.makeuplabRed wine lips Hailey Bieber Wearing Red Wine Lipstick Getty Images Zendaya wearing red wine lipstick Getty Images Rihanna wearing red wine lipstick Getty Images

Red Wine Makeup Product Essentials

Viseart's Petit Pro II in branded component on a light gray background

Viseart

Petit Pro 2 Eyeshadow Palette

$30

Amazon

Well People Power Eyeshadow Palette in Sepia in branded component on a light gray background

Well People

Power Palette Eyeshadow in Sepia

$22

Amazon

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette in branded component on a light gray background

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette

$45

Amazon

$45

Nordstrom

$45

Dermstore

Ilia Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint in branded component on a light gray background

Ilia

Multistick Lip & Cheek Tint

$36

Amazon

$36

Nordstrom

$36

Revolve

Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Multistick lavender twist up stick of berry pink cream blush on light gray background

Ami Colé

Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick

$22

Amazon

$22

Sephora

April 18, 2025

11 “Botox in a Bottle” Skin-Care Products, According to Derms

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Collage: Gabrielle Langdon; Source images: Courtesy of editors and brands

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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

If you wince at the sight of sharp objects or don't have the cash to spend on in-office treatments, "Botox in a bottle" products have you covered—well, mostly, since no topical formula can create the same results as a professional treatment. These pain-free, comparatively inexpensive products, when used consistently and as directed, can deliver results similar to that of a loving jab in the face from your derm. Sure, nothing quite captures the effects of the nerve-freezing, muscle-paralyzing, skin-tightening power of botulinum toxin A (which sounds freakier than it is, we promise), but these formulas come pretty close. You can even use them in tandem with professional Botox treatments (from a board-certified dermatologist, of course) to enhance and prolong its line-dissipating benefits.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals P-Tiox, $150
Best for Crepey Skin: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum, $295
Best for Dry Skin: Lancôme Advanced Génifique Face Serum, $89
Best Drugstore: RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum, $30
Best for Deep-Set Wrinkles: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, $130
Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum, $80
Best for Neck Firming: Ourself HA+ Replenishing Serum, $120
Best Retinol: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel, $40
Best for Sun Damage: Medik8 Super C Ferulic Serum, $75
Best for Crow's Feet: Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment, $242
Best Retinol Alternative: Isdin Melatonik Recovery Night Serum, $175

Read on for Allure editor- and dermatologist-approved finds to add to your skin-care routine that help target fine lines, sagging, and beyond.

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3 Best Dark Spot Correctors for Acne Scars, Melasma, and More

A Black woman with hyperpigmentation on her cheeks

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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

If you find yourself piling on the makeup to conceal discoloration, the best dark spot correctors can help even out your complexion while saving you time in the long run. Hyperpigmentation, an umbrella term for different forms of discoloration including post-acne marks, sun damage, age spots, and hormone-induced melasma, can be one of the trickiest skin concerns to treat; some forms eventually fade on their own, but they can take months. And melasma in particular can be stubborn, slow to fade, and easily triggered by sun exposure, heat, and even stress.

Our Top Dark Spot Correctors

Best Overall: Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%, $185
Best for Acne Scars: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense, $115
Best for Melasma: Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Serum, $110

That’s why Allure editors put these formulas to the test over weeks of real-life use. The result is a lineup of serums and treatments packed with brightening actives—vitamin C and niacinamide are just the beginning—that make a visible difference. Ahead, you'll find everything dermatologists want you to know about fading dark spots, plus four editor-vetted formulas that help put your brightest face forward.

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Fall’s Makeup Trends Are All About Raging Against the Machine

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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

For many of us, this fall will probably be unlike any other we’ve experienced. The world seems to be dishing out unprecedented events, and though we’re here to talk about makeup—don’t worry, we’ll get to that—we can’t deny that the uncertainty we’re experiencing is impacting our beauty-related decisions. “I find myself between extremes at the moment,” says makeup artist Alex Levy. “Clients either want to feel comfortable with themselves—polished but without straying from their established beauty norms—or want to completely push the boundaries and transform.”

What does this look like in practice? First, it means the minimalist, no-makeup makeup aesthetic isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “Most of my clients just want to feel like themselves, but enhanced,” says makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell. “They don’t want to be overly sculpted or contoured.” The industry’s obsession with skin care has also shifted makeup preferences in a major way, explains makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran, with skin prep taking precedence and skin tints and concealers continuing to replace full-coverage foundation for many beauty lovers.

However, makeup artist after makeup artist has told us that while the so-called clean girl aesthetic is here to stay a while longer, the look is also evolving. “There’s more intentional color, interesting shapes, and overall, more fun being had,” says Jaikaran. “They want to express themselves but still feel like themselves, whatever that may mean for them.” This can be as simple as adding a sparkling blue in the water lines, or as bold as a full-on burgundy lip—all on a base of fresh, radiant skin, with subtle contours and naturally groomed brows.

On the other end of the spectrum, pros are seeing a resurgence of goth and grunge makeup. With the rise in tightlining, smudged and smoky eyes, oxblood lips, and spiky lashes, it appears many of us are trying to express an underlying feeling of angst, assertion, and defiance. “I think politically and socially, makeup is being used more to provoke and unify—either as a middle finger to social norms or a way to connect with other like-minded folks who see beauty in a similar way,” says Levy. “It’s really become a way of connecting people with similar inspirations, rather than something solitary.”

So, grab your eyeliner pencils and check out all the ways we can (cosmetically) come together and rage against the machine this fall.

Meet the experts:

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Carolina DelRio is a general manager of beauty at CO Bigelow in New York City.
Nikki DeRoest is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist and Bobbi Brown artist in residence.
Raisa Flowers is a New York City-based makeup artist.
Todd Harris is a New York City-based makeup artist and founder of the Trans Beauty Clinic.
Jaleesa Jaikaran is a makeup artist working in New York City and LA, and a member of the Ulta Beauty Pro Team.
Alex Levy is a New York City-based makeup artist.
Vincent Oquendo is a New York City-based makeup artist and host of the YouTube series, Backseat Beauties.
Vanita Parti is the founder of Blink Brow Bar salons in London.
David Razzano is a New York City-based makeup artist and Sephora beauty director.
Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury is a London-based makeup artist and global artistry director at Charlotte Tilbury.
Kelli Anne Sewell is a New York City-based makeup artist.

Tightlined eyes

fall makeup trends 2025 tightlined eyes Getty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty Images

It’s tricky to call tightlining a trend because, for makeup artists, it’s Eye Makeup 101. But a new generation of beauty lovers has discovered the technique, at least the angsty, early-aughts version of it, and they’re embracing it with abandon. They’re also adapting it to today’s more refined makeup aesthetic: less indie-sleaze, more mainstream chaos.

Tightlining has always been a way to signify rebelliousness through makeup, whether you’re pulling inspiration from Debbie Harry’s punky, feline line or Avril Lavigne’s inky, emo, smoky eyes. But remove the heavy eye makeup around the lids, and it’s simply a way to define the eyes by intensifying the lash lines. “If you look at beautifully applied eye makeup, you’ll always see this shaping of the inside of the eye,” says makeup artist Todd Harris. “It’s a way of getting definition on camera. If your eyes are tightlined, when someone takes a photo, even if it’s from farther back, they still stand out.”

For fall, people are taking inspiration from the grunge era of messy, undone eyeliner and filtering it through a 2025 lens, when less is more and makeup formulas are more refined. They’re ditching super-smudgy liner and cloggy mascara and keeping the pigment along the water lines crisp and sharp. Makeup artist Vincent Oquendo has even been leaving the bottom lash lines completely bare on clients like Jurnee Smollett. “It gives this sexy, sleepy-eyed effect,” he explains, “a bit like Marilyn Monroe.”

The secret to a crisp tightline is using a waterproof eyeliner formula that’s been okayed for use in the water line. We have a list of our favorites, but Oquendo keeps Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner and L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in his kit. After you’ve applied it along your top and bottom water lines, the trick is not to blink. “Normally, when you do a rock-and-roll eye, you apply your liner in the water lines and squeeze your eyes shut,” says Oquendo. To keep it tidy, you have to resist the urge to blink right away. If that’s tricky, he suggests working in small sections, allowing yourself to blink in between each one. When you’ve finished tracing the water lines, then go back and wiggle the point of your liner gently between each lash to fill in the gaps, says Harris: “If you do this on one eye and look in the mirror, you won’t believe the difference.”

Gray eye shadow

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Cool tones continue to captivate makeup lovers. Just look at MAC’s disruptive “nudes” campaign featuring Martha Stewart and Julia Fox, or Dakota Johnson’s character in The Materialists, where makeup artist Emma Strachman stuck to ’90s-inspired, cool-toned hues throughout the film. While there are plenty of ways to wear the trend, makeup artists are particularly loving gray and gunmetal eye shadows for this fall.

Makeup artist and Sephora beauty director David Razzano thinks the fascination with cool, gray tones comes as a response “to the oversaturated, warm eye shadow palettes that dominated the beauty landscape for almost a decade.” The return of gray shadow feels “elevated and chic,” he adds, “creating more of a natural 'shadowed' look.”

Looking to the fall/winter runways for inspiration, there are no limits on how you can play with gray shadow, from the shade you choose to how you apply it. Deeper gunmetal hues were smudged across lids at Altuzarra (Bobbi Brown Cream Eye Shadow Stick in Stone) and Roberto Cavalli (Kiko Milano Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick in Dark Taupe and Anthracite) to create a rock-and-roll vibe. At Luar, makeup artist Terry Barber used two shades of gray—MAC eye shadows in Print and Scene—and white to craft a graphic, maximalist eye look he described as “late-’80s supermodel meets Stonewall-era drag.”

At Tory Burch, makeup artist Diane Kendal blended a vintage-y, dove gray color (Nars Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick in Don’t Touch) from the lash lines all the way to the brows for a look that felt fresh and sporty. It’s a color that seems like it wouldn’t work for deeper skin tones, but makeup artist Raisa Flowers explains, it’s all in how you apply it. “If you want a pale, cool color to not look ashy or washed out, start with an eye shadow primer so the color sits boldly on the skin,” she says, “or intensify the color with a darker hue.” (Kendal bumped up the shadow at Tory Burch with the Nars Koh Rong Quad Eyeshadow.)

Spiky lashes

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It’s been a huge year for lashes: Brown and colored mascaras made a comeback, and people have been having fun with false lashes again. This fall, though, the focus isn’t on tone or fullness but shape, in the form of graphic, spiky lashes. “Spiky lashes are a personal favorite of mine,” says Razzano. “For me, the look feels like a nod to iconic ’70s divas like Cher, Diana Ross, Marisa Berenson, and Liza Minnelli. It’s sexy and a bit camp, which is so fun.”

But spiky lashes don’t have to go full-disco decadence. Add extreme length and lots of eyeliner, like at Harris Reed’s fall 2025 show, and you get a subversive, goth effect. Pair a set of spiky strips with gold shadow and a dark lip, like Tems wore for the 2025 Met Gala, and the look takes on a glamorous edge.

It probably goes without saying, but you’ll need false lash strips to achieve dramatic looks like these. Razanno recommends Lilly Lashes Everyday Faux Mink Lashes in Miami, and Flowers loves the dramatic look of Katiely Beauty Dream Lash FX19 strips.

The spiky-lash trend might seem over-the-top off the runway, but if you substitute lash strips for individual clusters and mascara, you can get a similar effect in a subtler way—which is how makeup artist Allan Avendaño interpreted the trend on actor Isabela Merced. You can even achieve this effect with just mascara, using the tip of the wand to clump lashes together into thick spikes (the trick is not to deposit too much pigment—you want spikes, not spidery clumps). The results are striking however you do it. “It allows the lashes to be a major statement in your look,” says Razzano, “but it doesn’t swallow your entire lid space, so the eye doesn’t look weighed down.”

Natural, structured brows

fall makeup trends groomed brows on emma stone Getty ImagesGetty Images Structured brows on Florence Pugh Getty Images fall makeup trends structured full brows on joey king Getty Images

“The laminated brow look is on the decline, for sure,” says Harris, adding that “people are getting back into a more natural-looking, structured brow instead of that look where the hairs are groomed to sit straight up.” Vanita Parti, founder of the Blink Brow Bar salons chain in London, is also seeing fewer requests for lamination: “People have returned to fuller and softer brows,” she says.

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To achieve a natural, soft-brow effect, Oquendo is currently obsessed with the 3-in-1 brow products entering the market. His favorite is the Valentino Brow Trio Eyebrow Liner, a product that many professional makeup artists hoard in their kits, and one that Oquendo has been using on all his red carpet clients. This product is one of the only multitaskers on the market to include a mechanical pencil, a spoolie brush, and a felt-tip marker, which has just the right amount of pigment to allow you to build up your brows in a very natural-looking way.

Oquendo also turned us onto the stackable Subtl Beauty 3-in-1 Brow Pencil, which features a stubby pencil and a clear brow gel that is revealed when you twist off the spoolie brush on the other end. Having multiple components is great, but the pencil is especially good because its thicker point and powdery finish enable you to draw hair on and fill in empty patches.

Garnet lips

fall makeup trends red lips on julia garner Getty ImagesGetty Images fall makeup trends red lips at versace FW 2025 Launchmetrics Fall 2025 makeup trends Jenna Ortega at Wednesday premier Getty Images

Whether matte or glossy, this fall’s dark red lip revival feeds into the greater shift toward counterculture nostalgia. “The deep, glossy garnet lip is a huge part of the return of goth style, specifically the whimsy goth of the late ’90s,” says Razanno. “The fresh take on this trend comes from the glossy texture, which adds a touch of sexiness to a bold lip.” For Harris, the matte texture can give a grungy vibe, especially if you stay within the natural lines of your lips, the way Julia Garner and Sophie Aylis-Ellis have both worn the shade on the red carpet.

We know what you’re thinking: deep, burgundy lips for fall? Big surprise there. “Deep reds, berry tones, and glossy garnets are back with intention,” says Jaikaran. Yes, red lips are an autumn staple, but according to all of the makeup artists we spoke to, you can freshen up the look by contrasting it with a pared-back complexion. “With the movement toward super fresh skin, it’s fun to balance that by focusing on bold makeup,” says Sewell, adding that she likes the juxtaposition of a bold red lip paired with bare lashes.

Finish is key when talking about claret-colored lips for fall, and it’s all about extremes. “It’s either gloss or matte,” says Harris. “I’m not seeing a lot of satin finishes.” Sewell likes a vampy red lip topped with thick coats of clear gloss. She reaches for MAC Lipglass over lip liners (we like Pat McGrath’s new Legendary Longwear Lip Liner in Rebel Rose). For a one-step alternative, Jaikaran recommends Neutrogena High Shine Glossy Lip in Black Dahlia. We like Maybelline New York Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipcolor in Royal because it stays put. And Razzano prefers the Merit Shade Slick Hydrating Tinted Lip Oil to “quickly get a beautiful, deep, glossy lip that feels wonderful to wear.”

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Garnet lips in soft, matte finishes feel “plush and sophisticated,” says makeup artist Nikki DeRoest. She looks for formulas that can give her the option of full-coverage wear or be blotted down for a stained effect, like Bobbi Brown Luxe Cashmere Matte Lipstick in Ruby. You can also reach for Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Walk of No Shame, which has a creamy texture that dries matte. Says makeup artist Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury, “For a just-kissed look, use a small smudging brush and tap it into the bullet, then sweep across the lips for a sheer finish.”

Skin silking

fall makeup trends 2025 natural cloud skin LaunchmetricsLaunchmetricsLaunchmetrics

Whether your skin looks like glass or a cloud, like butter or a dewy dumpling, one thing is clear about makeup in 2025: a skin-first makeup approach is in. “Fresh skin that’s not too dewy and not too matte is leading the way right now,” says Sewell. For Jaikaran, “skin is always the star” of the looks her clients request. “I call it ‘snatchural’—glowy in the right places and softly sculpted.”

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What’s new for fall 2025 is the growing number of skin-prep products that help you put your best face forward with minimal steps. This is likely a response to the “skin flooding” trend on TikTok, where people layer up to 12 toners to “flood” the skin with moisture.

Harris calls this new method “skin silking,” and all you need is a hydrating, milky toner to do it. “With these thick, milky toners, you’re providing all that hydration with one product,” he says. “And because you’re not putting on 5,000 products, you don’t have to worry about your foundation creasing or your concealer moving.” Harris recommends Bubble’s new ceramide-spiked Bubble Cosmic Silk Hydrating Milky Toner (for which he teamed up with the brand to launch), but you also have Byoma’s viral Hydrating Milky Toner, Ilia’s The Base Face Milk, and the product that played a big part in making Americans aware of these types of formulas: the Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid.

When doing a client’s makeup, Harris applies one layer of a milky toner and lets it sink in while he works on eye makeup. Once the toner is absorbed, he pats on a second layer; if you have dry or mature skin, he adds moisturizer on top. “I often find these milky toners provide enough moisture for certain people, and they’re not tacky or sticky,” he notes. “They have a texture that allows foundation or tinted moisturizer to work in synergy.”

Smudgy, smoked-out liner

fall makeup trends 2025 grunge makeup smuged eyeliner on bella hadid Getty Images fall 2025 makeup trends smudged liner Getty Images

A return to grunge wouldn’t be complete without some form of a smoky eye, and this fall, you only need one product to achieve it. Harris says smoky eyes made with liners are on trend for the season. “Brands have launched new, long-wear eyeliner formulas that offer plenty of playtime, allowing you to smudge them and create these ’90s, grungy eye looks,” he explains, “but with a bit more elegance.”

With the addition of new colors, the trend feels fresh. “That heavy, grungy, smoky eye from the ’90s really just came from black eyeliner in the water line and around the eye,” says Harris, noting that today’s formulas are available in a wider range of hues.

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“We will see accents of espresso, burgundy, forest green, and navy on the eyes,” says Carolina DelRio, a general manager of beauty at CO Bigelow in New York City, who always gets an early look at upcoming launches. But there are also plenty of excellent existing lines on the market that are perfect for this look, including Kulfi’s Underlined Kajal Clean Waterproof Long-Wear Eyeliner (a Best of Beauty winner) and Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner (a makeup artist favorite).

The easiest way to transform an eyeliner pencil into a soft, smoky eye is with a blending brush. Scribble the tip along the top lashes and halfway up the lids, and buff the color up to the brow bones with your brush. Repeat these steps along the lower lashes if you want.

Cream shadow sticks are another way to achieve a similar effect. “They’re ideal for quick application with lasting impact—no fallout, no fuss,” says DeRoest. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick is a classic, as is the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Cream Eyeshadow, both of which come in a wide variety of shades.

March 11, 2025

8 Best Peptide Creams to Smooth the Look of Fine Lines

peptide moisturizers on a background with cream swatches Collage: Gabrielle Langdon; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

Most people invest in the best peptide creams for one simple reason: their ability to soften the appearance of fine lines. They offer a non-invasive, topical way to—dare we say—mimic some of the smoothing effects of injectables. Peptides, otherwise known as versatile chains of amino acids naturally found in the body, work overtime in these creams: strengthening your skin’s protective barrier, boosting collagen and elastin, speeding up healing, and more.

And for people with sensitive skin, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, says peptides are a gentler alternative to retinoids, which can be less tolerated on certain skin types. (However, one option on this list has peptides blended with retinols to lighten their harsher effects—talk about a two-in-one!) Keep reading for eight of the very best peptide moisturizers, as suggested by dermatologists and our staffers.

Our Top Peptide Creams

Best Overall: Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer, $20
Best for Neck: SkinCeuticals Tri-Peptide Neck Cream, $136
Best for Oily Skin: SkinFix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream, $54
Best for Dry Skin: Erly Night Moisturizer, $42
Best for Combination Skin: Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream, $60
Best Lightweight: Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer, $49
Best Budget: Prequel AM/PM Modern Moisturizer, $18
Best for Expression Lines: BeautyStat Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer, $68

Frequently Asked Questions

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Our Top Growth Factor Serums

Best Overall: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum

TNS Advanced+ Serum

Best for Mature Skin: PCA Skin Pro-Max Age Renewal

Pro-Max Age Renewal

Best for Dry Skin: Allies of Skin Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum

Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum

Best Splurge: Angela Caglia Cell Forté Serum

Cell Forté Serum

Best Budget: The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum

15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum

Best Sensitive Skin: Replenix Growth Factor Restorative Serum

Growth Factor Restorative Serum

Best for Uneven Texture: Neocutis Bio Serum Firm

Bio Serum Firm

Best Brightening: Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Instafacial Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum

Instafacial Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum

Frequently Asked Questions

Do growth-factor serums really work?

Is growth factor better than retinol?

Meet the experts

How we test and review products

Our staff and testers

Instagram content

Instagram content

What is Androgenic Alopecia?

How to Treat Androgenic Alopecia

How Do Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatments Help With Hair Loss?

What Is Getting PRP For Hair Loss Actually Like?

My Final Thoughts on PRP

Red Wine Makeup Inspiration

Red Wine Makeup Product Essentials

Petit Pro 2 Eyeshadow Palette

Power Palette Eyeshadow in Sepia

Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette

Multistick Lip & Cheek Tint

Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals P-Tiox

P-Tiox Serum

Best for Crepey Skin: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum

TNS Advanced+ Serum

Best for Dry Skin: Lancôme Advanced Génifique Face Serum

Advanced Génifique Face Serum

Best Drugstore: RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum

Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum

Best for Deep-Set Wrinkles: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex

Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum

Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum

Best for Neck Firming: Ourself HA+ Replenishing Serum

HA+ Replenishing Serum

Best Retinol: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel

Effaclar Adapalene Gel

Best for Sun Damage: Medik8 Super C Ferulic Serum

Super C Ferulic Serum

Best for Crow's Feet: Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment

Restorative Skin Complex

Best Retinol Alternative: Isdin Melatonik Recovery Night Serum

Melatonik Recovery Night Serum

Frequently Asked Questions

Are topical creams as effective as Botox injections?

What are the key ingredients in "Botox in a bottle" products?

Meet the experts

How we test and review products

Our staff and testers

Our Top Dark Spot Correctors

Best Overall: Revision C+ Correcting Complex 30%

C+ Correcting Complex 30%

Best for Acne Scars: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

Discoloration Defense Multi-Phase Serum

Best for Melasma: Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Serum

Anti-Aging Repair Serum

More dark spot correctors to consider

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hyperpigmentation?

How do you treat hyperpigmentation?

What ingredients are best to combat dark spots?

What else can I do to prevent dark spots?