Let’s take that energy into the new decade and kick things off right. Consider this list of 2020 beauty trends a place to start. We looked to experts and trend reports to get a lowdown on the beauty trends that are predicted to be a hit this year. Will you regret them in 10 years? Who’s to say? At least you’ll have the memories.
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The best things in life really are free, even when it comes to your beauty routine. But taking care of your skin can be a big investment (hi, lasers and serums), so we’re always down for skin care tips that don’t take a huge bite out of our paychecks.
Which is what led us here: We’ve asked top skin care experts to give us their best advice. And the part we love the most? Not one thing below costs a single penny (assuming you already have most of these things in your kitchen).
Give Yourself a Face Massage
Alexa De Paulis
Got puffy eyes? No problem. Sure, you could stock up on eye cream…or you could use your fingers to give yourself an under-eye massage. “Use your ring fingers to press gently on the orbital bone, moving from the inner to outer corner of your eyes and repeating two to three times,” says celebrity facialist Cecilia Wong. “This will not only stimulate circulation, but it also helps minimize fine lines and reduce inflammation.”
Celebrity facialist and La Mer global skin care advisor [Georgia Louise] is also a huge proponent of massage all over your face to stimulate collagen and activate product. “Your hands are your most powerful weapon,” she says.
Chill Out
Alexa De Paulis
Literally. Louise loves her signature Facial Freeze Tools to depuff and sculpt your face, but if you’re looking for a budget option she loves this Old Hollywood trick: wash your face using ice water.
“I think it’s awesome to have a mega rinse with cool water if your skin is in need of refreshing,” she says. Not only does the chilly temperature make you feel more awake, it can quickly reduces puffiness, tighten pores, and calm inflammation.
Switch Your Pillowcase
Alexa De Paulis
We hate to add to laundry to your to-do list, but keeping your pillows clean is a top beauty secret. Pillowcases can hang on to dirt, oil, and bacteria from our faces, hair, and environment, and can become a breeding ground for acne. Try to swap out you pillow at least once a week to reduce the risk of a breakout.
Louise recommends a silk pillowcase to “really ensure your products are penetrating and won’t escape from your skin.” Sure, it’s money, but if you are looking to invest in a solid option, we’re huge fans of Slip’s Silk Pillowcases ($85), which not only helps ward off wrinkles (no creases in your pillow equals no long-term creases on your skin), but also make your hair shinier too.
Sleep on Your Back
Alexa De Paulis
Don’t worry. We’re not going to tell you to get eight hours of sleep, which is probably the oldest free skin care tip in the book. Because as essential as how much sleep you’re getting is the position in which you sleep. It really does matter. “After UV exposure, the second most common cause of wrinkles is squishing your face into a pillow at night,” says celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau. “It’s like ironing wrinkles into your skin.” Sleeping on your back is ideal, since even pressing your cheek into a pillow can cause lines.
Put Some Salt on It
Alexa De Paulis
You’ve got two options here: You could ice a zit to help bring the inflammation down or even better (and maybe more comfortable): You could salt it. “Sea salt has powerful antibacterial properties and works to pull oil from the pore,” says Karen Young, founder of Oui Shave. She recommends combining one teaspoon of sea salt with enough water to form a paste. Dot this on the offending zit, let it dry for up to an hour (10 minutes for sensitive skin types) and then rinse it off.
Few things are more cathartic than painting your own nails—and infuriating to have them chip or smudge minutes later. It’s a tale as old as time: You spend an hour meticulously painting with the patience of da Vinci only to nick your nails while putting the bottle away. Or worse, they look perfect, and somehow dry all warped and bubbly. (And don’t even get us started on glitter.) But the reality is going to the nail salon isn’t always in the cards (it’s expensive, it’s raining, a Harry Potter marathon is on…), so we rinse and repeat the process again with the hope things go more smoothly the next time. To help, we called on the pros to ask them what the most common at-home manicure mistakes are, along with their advice on how to keep your nail polish from chipping. Read up on their easy tips that’ll make your manicure last longer, then start planning what your next shade will be. We’ve got ideas.
I have a hard time getting hyped about shopping for swimsuits. Maybe it’s because there’s only so many ways to make so little fabric feel exciting year after year. (More cut-outs? More straps? I’d rather keep the same plain one-piece, thanks.) Swimsuit shopping can be fraught for a myriad of reasons, but here are 12 reasons to get excited about it in 2019: These new swimwear brands are doing legitimately innovative stuff and offering pieces that are just plain fun to wear. Some come from familiar names, like Target, Madewell, and Self-Portrait; others you might be learning about just now. But they’ll all inspire you to hit the beach, pond, or pool this summer.
Shop some of our favorite new swimwear brands, ahead.
There are beauty products that are necessities like a good cleanser, a reliable spot treatment, and a concealer that makes me look like I got enough sleep to be a functioning human. Then there are ones that are totally extra and make me feel like I’m living my best life, like pretty much anything Pat McGrath puts her name on. There’s a bit of a grey area, though, and some products straddle the line between the two, my current favorite being body oils. They have a purpose, sure, to moisturize your body, but they do their job in the most luxurious way possible.
Using a body oil takes moisturizing from a chore to a full-blown experience. When I rub myself down with a body oil after a shower (always moisturize your body when it’s damp!), I’m not in my subpar Brooklyn bathroom, I’m in a gorgeous spa somewhere in the Italian countryside preparing for my date with Timothèe Chalamet. Fantasy aside, they really work—they make my skin smell amazing and softer than any lotion can (I especially love to use one on my legs after shaving).
Dr. Ellen Marmur, a dermatologist in New York City, says that this extreme softness is because oils mimic the natural lipids found in our bodies and “like serums, they sink in between the cells and create a better smoother skin surface.” They also have protective qualities that some lotions don’t and are great at really locking in moisture. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, adds that oils have natural emollient ingredients that help soften rough skin. Because of these qualities, they can be especially helpful if you suffer from super-dry skin or eczema, especially heavier oils like avocado.
A quick word of warning: If you tend to break out on your shoulders or back, lotion might be the better option for you, as oils can exacerbate body acne. But if you do reach for an oil, Dr. Zeichner recommends looking for ingredients like tea tree, coconut, or lavender oils, which are light enough to keep you breakout free.
If you want to get in on the fantasy, I’ve rounded up some of my favorites, as well as derms’ suggestions. Read on for the best body oils.
Valentine’s Day is hardly ever as fun or romantic as TV shows and movies depict it to be. Everyone loves a good Galentine’s Day party and drug store candy, sure, but let’s call a spade a spade: February 14 is one of the worst holidays. Unless, that is, you like eating in a too-crowded restaurant and spending money on a card that’s about to wind up in the trash?
Whatever your plans on Valentine’s Day are, I bet you’ll agree that you’d rather be watching TV. Good thing there are so many fun shows—and movies!—debuting this week. Some are romantic, some are not, but all are better than a dinner date at that loud, expensive restaurant. Who cares about getting flowers when there’s a new season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in your queue?
Below, 12 TV shows and movies that will gladly be your Valentine this year.
Margaret: The Rebel Princess: An in-depth look at the life of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II. 10 P.M. ET on PBS
The Grammys: Alicia Keys hosts this year’s ceremony, which will include performances from Lady Gaga, Janelle Monáe, and Miley Cyrus, among others. 8 P.M. ET on CBS
Flavorful Origins: The first season of this new series explores the delicious world of Chaoshan cuisine, originating from the eastern part of China’s Guangdong Province. Streaming on Netflix
Miracle Workers: Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi star is this comedy miniseries about an angel who tries to save Earth after God vows to destroy it. 10:30 P.M. ET on TBS
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Denise Richards joins the cast, and the women wear a bunch of iconic wigs on Halloween. So, in other words, I’m sold. 9 P.M. ET on Bravo
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Weird City: Jordan Peele is the brains behind this sci-fi anthology series, which blasts us to a futuristic city literally named “Weird.” Celebrities slated to appear include Mark Hamill, Sara Gilbert, LeVar Burton, Michael Cera, Steven Yeun, Rosario Dawson, Ed O’Neill, Laverne Cox, Awkwafina, and Yvette Nicole Brown. Streaming on YouTube Premium
Isn’t it Romantic: Rebel Wilson stars in this movie, centering on woman who bumps her head and wakes up to realize she’s trapped in a romantic comedy. Chris Hemsworth and Priyanka Chopra co-star. In theaters
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Dating Around: This new reality series follows singles as they go on several different blind dates. It doesn’t sound like much, but just watch it. You won’t be able to stop. Streaming on Netflix
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Zac & Mia, season 2: This second series of this Awesomeness series about two teenagers undergoing cancer treatment is now available on Hulu for your streaming pleasure. Streaming on Hulu
The Umbrella Academy: This comic book series, about a superhero family who comes together to solve the mystery of their father’s death, is coming to life on Netflix. Streaming on Netflix
The Breaker Upperers: Two women start an agency that helps break up couples in this new comedy starring
Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami. Streaming on Netflix
“New York accountant Emma Colvin is heartbroken when her boyfriend leaves her before their planned romantic getaway to Belgium for Valentine’s Day. Convinced by a friend to go alone on the trip, Emma has the adventure of a lifetime when her Belgian innkeeper introduces her to renowned chocolatier, Luc Simon. Luc and his fellow chocolatiers are in the midst of a competition to create the most romantic chocolate in Belgium for the upcoming Belgian royal wedding. He discovers her kitchen skills and soon she’s immersed in the competition and a budding romance develops.”
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Christopher Rosa is the entertainment writer at Glamour. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisrosa92.
