Allure May 2020

NICOLA DALL’ASEN ALLURE DIGITAL STAFF WRITER Life mantra: “More is more.” Beauty must-have: “Exfoliator. Smooth skin = better makeup.” Secret power: “Flawless eyeliner wings.” A $140 VALUE* FOR ONLY $15 ALLURE.COM/BOX *Includes retail value of new member gift. All while supplies last. **Your box contains VDL Lumilayer Primer or Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel.…

Suddenly we were faced with so many questions. First and foremost: How do we keep the staff, ourselves, and our loved ones safe? After that not-so-easily-solved problem, there were more: How do we share a global beauty issue in the midst of a global health crisis? How do we celebrate K-pop and Korean beauty on our cover while being sensitive to the widespread concerns about the effects of this pandemic? I’ll be honest—we didn’t know exactly how to respond. These are truly uncharted waters, and reactions around the world have run the gamut, from hysteria to apathy. Some people gave in to their worst impulses. Panic and paranoia—and a disturbing wave of anti-Asian racism—reared their ugly heads. Ultimately, this crisis reminded us just how interconnected we truly are. A virus…

We may never know if they were invented or discovered, but we do know this: Beachy waves were born and raised in Australia. Maybe they spent junior year abroad in Southern California, but they have always returned to their roots Down Under. Take Aussie brand Zimmermann’s spring 2020 show: Hairstylist Renya Xydis, a Sydney native, coaxed relaxed, tousled texture out of all hair types. First, if she needed to add oomph, she misted salt spray through damp hair. Try Australia’s own Kevin Murphy Resort Spray or Wella Eimi Ocean Spritz (Xydis is a Wella spokesperson). Then she enhanced the texture using Velcro rollers for loose bends or a diffuser for tighter curls. It’s not complicated. After all, this look approximates a day at the beach.…

In the botanical world, I would be described as a hothouse flower—in anything other than the most specific conditions, my skin wilts. Still, when city living caught up with me enough to dull my skin, a professional treatment was in order—but could I perk up my complexion without sending it into SOS mode? Enter Kate Somerville’s DeliKate collection of fragrance-free peptide- and ceramide-loaded products designed to be used after a chemical or laser treatment. With trepidation, I scheduled a brightening Sensi Peel with my dermatologist, then started using the Soothing Cleanser, Recovery Serum, and Recovery Cream, all made with Tasmannia lanceolata fruit extract (to calm irritation) and a soybean complex (to strengthen barrier function). I was dazzled with the results of the peel, and—thanks to my post-treatment care—had zero flaking.…

Dream weaving: “I love braids. It’s my favorite [hair] style. But braids can be hard on your hair if you wear them too long. So I usually do [colorful] braids twice a year. I’ve done aqua, magenta, and red, white, and blue for the Olympics. It’s fun to express yourself.” Money matters: “I like to save on my face wash. It goes on and off of your face quickly. Right now I’m trying a tea tree one I got in Saint Lucia. But usually I keep it pretty basic. I like to invest in my moisturizers. Those are super important. Beauty is my splurge. I love it. I live for it. I’m literally like, ‘Okay, this is my budget for the year, and this is what I’m spending on beauty.’…

Brazilian beauty is synonymous with the word sexy, but how exactly can one feel like a girl from Ipanema? Start here: 1. Rahua Leave-In Treatment Light. This rendition of the brand’s leave-in treatment is made with Amazon-sourced Ungurahua oil to strengthen fine hair and help it grow. 2. Costa Brazil Body Massage Tool. An uplifting innovation inspired by the country’s famed beach bodies, these supersized stonelike tools (available in June) are designed for a body-sculpting lymphatic massage. “That helps decrease fluid retention [to temporarily tone], though it won’t resculpt your body,” says Romy Block, an endocrinologist in Skokie, Illinois. 3. Natura Ucuuba Restorative Body Butter. The word ucuuba in the Tupi language translates to “butter tree.” And it’s an accurate description: This hydrating cream made from the sustainably harvested Amazonian…