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Cardi B must have known I have a nail appointment on my calendar this week and needed some inspiration, because her latest set just gave me mani ideas for days.

The rapper, who is busy traveling from state to state on her “Little Miss Drama” tour and promoting her new Grow-Good hair care line, stopped by The Tonight Show with a glamorous manicure that incorporated several trends and classic mani elements: a subtle French tip ombré in the coolest metallic chrome finish. And luckily for us, she gave us a close-up on her Instagram Stories so we can examine her nails in detail.

Cardi's long, oval-shaped manicure, crafted by nail artist Coca Michelle, began with a deep sapphire blue color applied to the top portion of her nail, but instead of a straight-across or precisely curved French tip, the shade softened and diffused downward like an ombré, eventually transitioning from midnight blue to a rich ruby red. The base shade was a gorgeous, lit-from-within red, with the prismatic color taking up most of Cardi's nail real estate. Shiny chrome made her nails look like literal gemstones.

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While cats-eye nails have been one of the biggest trends in the nail world as of late—Cardi is a fan!—chrome is still a go-to for celebs and regular folks like me alike. It can be delicate and frosty when applied atop pastels or neutral shades and add a cool metallic edge to darker tones like Cardi's red-and-blue combo.

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Cardi wore her metallic ombré manicure for a visit to The Tonight Show, pairing it with a shimmering golden gown and her natural hair styled in soft, voluminous curls. She was there to chat about Grow-Good, recounting the story of when she put garlic in her hair—a tale she also told Allure for her brand-new cover story. While she's a fan of onion-based hair care recipes, garlic is a no-go. “I tried garlic…” she told writer Jazmine Hughes. “Do not put garlic in your hair.” (She told Jimmy Fallon it made her smell like a bowl of pasta.) Noted, Cardi! I won't be putting garlic in my hair anytime soon, but I will be copying those nails!

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If you spend time on a certain Get Ready With Me video-filled corner of the Internet, you already know Alix Earle is up to something: She's been posting cryptic content on an account called @wtfisalixdoing and sending mysterious mailers to fellow content creators. Earlier this week, online sleuths discovered Earle had trademarked “Reale Actives,” and now, the cat is officially out of the bag: Reale Actives is, in fact, an acne-first skin-care line being launched by the mega-influencer.

Not to brag, but we're really good at keeping secrets: Earle sat down with Allure at the end of last year to discuss the launch, which she told us she's been working on for about two years. "When I graduated college I knew I wanted to start a company… I played around with a few other ideas, but at the end of the day, all I kept coming back to was acne," says Earle.

Longtime followers know why: For the five or so years she's been in the spotlight, Earle has always been open about what she calls her “struggles” with cystic acne. “I felt like I was always using the same type of ingredients or super, super harsh products because all I wanted to do was exfoliate,” says Earle. “I thought that would help my [acne].”

Those products weren't easy on the eyes, either: They were, says Earle, more suited for the back corner of a bathroom cabinet than a shelfie. “They were all white bottles with black fonts,” says Earle. “I always felt a little bored… I'm really excited to make acne sexy and hot."

The four products in the Reale Actives debut lineup—available to shop on March 31—are packaged in sleek silver and mint. And what's inside them is the brainchild of Earle and her dermatologist of several years, Dr. Kiran Mian. A mandelic acid serum priced at $39 is the breakout-reducing workhorse of the line; a ceramide- and hyaluronic acid-packed moisturizer ($36), makeup-removing cleansing balm ($29), and exfoliating gel cleanser ($28) round out the collection.

The debut Reale Actives lineup (available March 31) includes, from left, a cleansing balm, gel cleanser, mandelic acid serum, and moisturizer.

The products will join Earle's regular beauty rotation, which she tells us also currently includes Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Powder, Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Drops, and FRECK XL The Original Freckle Pen. Keep a close eye on Allure's Instagram for the rest of her favorites in a video dropping tomorrow where you'll also get a first look at Raele Actives in action, as demonstrated by Earle.

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Pamela Anderson goes for a less-is-more approach when it comes to makeup these days. But in the late '90s and early aughts—when the star was in her glam era complete with Baywatch blonde hair and pencil-thin brows—she was known for wearing the most perfectly-lined, frosted pink lipstick. The distinctive pairing had many of us rushing to the drugstore to find shimmery dupes, and solidified Anderson as the ultimate Y2K beauty icon.

Without social media and before the rise of the celebrity makeup artist, the products behind Anderson's frosted lip combo remained a mystery … until now. Thanks to makeup artist and vintage cosmetics collector, Erin Parsons, we know the exact shades she used in the late '90s—and their 2026 equivalents.

Parsons’ shared on Instagram that her search began after tracking down a 2002 newspaper article detailing celebrities' favorite lipsticks (Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, and Julia Roberts were also on the list). Using a website called thelipstickpage.com as her source, the reporter wrote that Anderson’s favorite lip products included Lancôme Amandelle Lip Liner (a deep brown), Lancôme Lipstick in Naif (a frosted ballet pink), and Clinique Honey Gloss Lipstick (a pearlescent pinky-peach). Now, these shades and formulas have long been discontinued, but being the beauty sleuth that she is, Parsons tracked down all three products on eBay to the tune of $300.

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In her initial video, Parsons recreates Anderson’s exact combo using the original formulas. First, she overlined her lips with the Lancôme Lip Liner in Amandelle. Then, she applied Lancôme Naif Lipstick all over and tops it off with the Clinique Honey Gloss Lipstick. The result is pearly, frosted, nostalgic perfection.

Having the originals in hand, Parsons then went on to find modern equivalents that you can easily buy at the drugstore or your favorite beauty store. “40 frost lipsticks and a month later, I have found the dupes,” Parson says in a second video that includes a breakdown of the near-perfect matches she found and a tutorial on how to layer them.

To find a dupe for the Lancôme Lip Liner in Amandelle, “I must have tried 100 brown lip liners,” Parsons explains. The product she landed on is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner in Chai, a cinnamon-brown lip pencil that’s “a little warmer” but that “definitely gets the closest,” she explains.

Out of the 40 frosted lipsticks she tried, L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Mauved was the closest shade and finish to the original Lancôme Lipstick in Naif. “Personally, I like this formula a lot better than the Lancôme because it’s much more glossy,” she adds. “This one has a little more silver inside of it as far as the frost." Finally, CoverGirl Continuous Color Lipstick in Sugar Almond was the best dupe for Clinique Honey Gloss Lipstick, which Parsons added as the final layer for this modern version of Anderson’s pearlescent pink hue.

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Anastasia Beverly Hills

Velvety-Matte Precision Shaping Lip Liner in Chai

$22

Ulta Beauty

$22

Sephora

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CoverGirl

Continuous Color Lipstick in Sugar Almond

$8 $6 (25% off)

Amazon

$6

Walmart

Unlike in the early aughts, today’s lipstick textures and formulas have more slip (meaning they glide over lips better), feature a glossier finish, and don’t contain as much white pigment in the base, allowing frosted shades to look less chalky and more dimensional than when Anderson was rooting around in her purse for her tube of Clinique Honey Gloss.

Beauty lovers can’t seem to get enough of frosted lips at the moment. Just look at the recent shimmering lip launches like MAC Dazzlelip Crayons and KJH.Brand Prism Lite Lip Crayon, and the virality of pearlescent hues from Revlon, L’Oréal, and CoverGirl. “It’s safe to say that frost lips are definitely back," Parson declares in her post. Thankfully, she’s given us the tools to bring the most iconic of frosted lip moments, back to life.

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The best Korean skin care for mature skin focuses on the exact things aging skin starts to lose—hydration, barrier strength, and overall balance. As skin gets thinner, drier, and more reactive over time, a gentler approach becomes less of a preference and more of a necessity. “Mature skin needs TLC,” says Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. She points to K-beauty’s emphasis on barrier support and sustained hydration as key advantages.

A big part of K-beauty’s effectiveness comes down to its ingredients—something you see in classics like “ginseng that provides powerful antioxidant support” against environmental stressors and snail mucin, which “improves hydration” and helps offset dryness from stronger actives, says Dr. Yoo. She also recommends ferments like galactomyces and bifida to help “support the skin barrier” and improve how products layer, and Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica) that acts as an “anti-inflammatory and calming agent” for skin that’s become more reactive. Even rice extracts contribute, delivering soothing hydration with a subtle brightening effect. Ahead, find these ingredients in formulas that prove glass skin isn’t age-bound.

Our Top Korean Skin Care for Mature Skin

• Best Cleanser: Hanyul Artemisia Soothing Cleansing Oil, $28
• Best Toner for Uneven Texture: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner, $17
• Best Serum for Dark Spots: Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum, $32
• Best Eye Serum: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal, $17

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Which ingredients should I look for in Korean skin care for aging skin?
• Does mature skin need a full 10-step K-beauty routine?
• Are Korean beauty products too gentle to actually make a difference for mature skin?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Cleanser: Hanyul Artemisia Soothing Cleansing Oil

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Hanyul

Artemisia Soothing Cleansing Oil

$28

Sephora

$33

Olive Young

Why it's worth it: You can trace each Hanyul formula back to a key ingredient and where it’s grown—like yuja (Korean yuzu) from Goheung or red rice from Yeoju—so everything feels rooted in a specific place. And that matters, especially for mature skin: Regional conditions can influence how potent or soothing an ingredient is, which becomes more important as skin gets drier, thinner, and more reactive with age. Take artemisia—a broader plant family that includes mugwort, the specific variety used in their Artemisia Soothing Cleansing Oil. Here, it’s sourced from Ganghwa—an island known for its mineral-rich soil and coastal climate—paired with Centella asiatica, a go-to in Korean skin care for calming irritation and supporting a stressed-out barrier.

The lightweight triglyceride oil base melts through makeup and sunscreen without stripping, while glycerin and Lactobacillus ferment help maintain moisture. It’s so thorough yet nourishing, your second cleanse won’t have to do much heavy lifting.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“I can already tell I’ll be using Hanyul’s Artemisia Soothing Cleansing Oil down to the very last drop. It melts away waterproof eye makeup with barely any rubbing, and leaves my skin feeling clean, calm, and comfortable. There’s nothing worse than that squeaky, over-stripped feeling after cleansing, and thankfully, this formula steers clear of that entirely.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: mugwort, Centella asiatica, glycerin, Lactobacillus ferment
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Toner for Redness: Aestura A-Cica365 Cooling Relief Toner Pads pH4.5

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Aestura

A-Cica365 Cooling Relief Toner Pads pH4.5

$28

Sephora

$37

Olive Young

Why it's worth it: Do you know your skin’s pH? It plays a big role in how your skin behaves. Healthy skin sits slightly acidic (around 4.5–5.5), which helps keep the barrier strong and irritation in check, but as skin matures, that balance can drift a little higher, making it easier for dryness and sensitivity to creep in. These toner pads keep mature skin feeling balanced, with a pH of 4.5 and Aestura’s proprietary pH4.5 Cica complex (Centella asiatica, zinc, and PHA) to calm and gently resurface without overdoing it. Hyaluronic acid pulls in hydration, while niacinamide helps even tone over time. People with mature skin will also appreciate the subtle, cooling finish that instantly refreshes your complexion.

Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh

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“My super-fair skin has always leaned a little bit pink, but lately, I've been dealing with genuine redness. (I blame pregnancy, cold temperatures, and Best of Beauty testing.) These toning pads have an instant soothing effect and help reduce some of the rosiness on my cheeks in just about 10 minutes of wear.” —Dianna Singh, features director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: pH4.5 Cica complex (Centella asiatica, zinc, PHA), hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Toner for Uneven Texture: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner

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Skin1004

Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner

$17 $15 (12% off)

Amazon

$19

Nordstrom

$25

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: You might associate pore issues with oily or acne-prone skin types, but as skin matures, collagen and elasticity dip, which can leave pores looking more noticeable—especially around the nose and cheeks. Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner has a gentle, texture-refining approach. This refreshing exfoliating toner clears out buildup that can exaggerate uneven texture, thanks to a 4-HA complex (AHA, BHA, PHA, LHA) that sweeps away dead skin cells without tipping into irritation.

Himalayan pink salt, rich in 80 minerals, works to draw out impurities, while Centella asiatica helps keep everything calm and soothed. Multiple forms of hyaluronic acid layer in hydration, so your skin stays comfortable. And yes—we see you, chic packaging.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“Pores are the bane of my existence and, until I consistently set aside time every week to do a deep pore-cleansing mask and can afford monthly facials for regular extractions, I’ll stick with daily-use toners like this Skin1004 gem. I’ve never had a reaction to Skin1004 products, which isn’t surprising given the star ingredient is cica, but I wasn’t totally sure about that going into this toner. After all, four types of acids can be a lot! But leave it to Skin1004 to make it feel as gentle as any hydrating toner. It also helps that the AHA/BHA/PHA/LHA are at the bottom of the ingredient list, so I have no qualms using this on a daily basis. Since I’m a regular retinol user, I’ve incorporated the Poremizing Clear Toner into my a.m. routine (after rinsing my face with water) so my skin is decongested and ready for the rest of my skin care (and sometimes makeup).” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycolic, salicylic, gluconolactone, and capryloyl salicylic acid, Himalayan pink salt, Centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Serum for Deep Wrinkles: O Hui Reverse Activator Retinol Wrinkle Serum

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O Hui

Reverse Activator Retinol Wrinkle Serum

$95

Revolve

Why it's worth it: If your goal is to go beyond fine lines and soften the look of deeper wrinkles, O Hui—part of LG Beauty—doesn’t tiptoe around it. The formula centers on the brand’s 7.2% TruReverse Retinol+ Complex, “which includes stabilized 0.3% pure retinol to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and improve firmness in a gentle manner,” says Dr. Yoo. The 200-nanometer capsules (for context, that’s roughly 500 times smaller than the width of a human hair) are designed to “easily penetrate the skin to activate their wrinkle-reducing benefits,” she says. Peptides step in to support collagen, and soybean oil helps “hydrate, soothe, and decrease any redness that may come from the retinoid,” she adds.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 0.3% pure retinol, soybean oil, peptides
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Serum for Puffiness: IOPE Expert PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum

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Iope

Expert PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum

$43

Amazon

$43

Sephora

$43

Soko Glam

Why it's worth it: You might associate mature skin with being thinner, drier, and less firm—but as circulation slows and lymphatic drainage becomes less efficient, puffiness can also start to sneak in (and stick around a little longer than it used to). IOPE’s PDRN Caffeine Shot takes cues from the PDRN injectables popular in Korean clinics—just translated into a topical formula that delivers similar nourishing benefits (without the needles). It contains plant-derived PDRN to support skin repair, boost hydration, and help improve overall bounce. Paired with a high dose of caffeine, it ​​visibly depuffs and re-energizes tired skin, while niacinamide, beta-glucan, and probiotics further strengthen the barrier and smooth tone.

As Hee Jin Kim, MD, a board-certified medical doctor based in Fort Lee, New Jersey, puts it, it’s a go-to for “skin repair and puffiness,” especially post-treatment or when skin feels depleted. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly with a refreshing feel, leaving skin looking a little more lifted and a little less puffy—like you’ve been gua sha-ing all day.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: plant-derived PDRN, caffeine, niacinamide, beta-glucan, probiotics, Lactobacillus ferment
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Serum for Dark Spots: Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum

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Innisfree

Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum

$32

Amazon

$32

Sephora

Why it's worth it: Years of sun exposure, slower cell turnover, and a little extra inflammation all start to add up, so mature skin doesn’t recover from discoloration and dullness quite as easily. Innisfree’s Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum “combines green tea enzymes with vitamin C and vitamin E for a powerful antioxidant, skin-soothing, and skin-brightening combination,” helping address uneven tone and early pigmentation, says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Ferulic acid boosts that brightening trio, while niacinamide and tangerine peel extract help even things out over time.

The gentle enzyme exfoliation smooths texture without overdoing it, and hydrating ingredients like squalane, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid keep skin comfortable, so you’re brightening, not suffocating your skin. That bright, citrusy tint comes from a blend of vitamin C derivatives, carrot root extract, and beta-carotene—more of a little visual reminder of all the antioxidant goodness packed inside.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: vitamin C, green tea enzymes, vitamin E, squalane, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, carrot root extract, beta-carotene
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Mask for Dry Skin: Dr. Althea Aqua Blue Hydration Mask

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Dr. Althea

Aqua Blue Hydration Mask

$12 $10 (17% off)

Amazon

$13

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Mature skin has a way of always feeling a little thirsty thanks to declining oil production and a weaker barrier that lets moisture escape more easily over time. Dr. Althea’s Aqua Blue Hydration Mask “is a simple mask that does exactly what it says it does—deliver hydration,” but with a few thoughtful extras, says David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Azulene (which also gives it its soft blue hue) calms and soothes, while a blend of humectants, like glycerin, pulls water into the skin.

What makes this sheet mask feel distinctly K-beauty, though, is the mix of bamboo water, algae extracts, and fermented ingredients, which support the barrier while keeping things lightweight.

Tester feedback from Han

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“I adore how drenched Dr. Althea masks are, and I say this because it seems like a straightforward thing to say about sheet masks but these are literally dripping and noticeably more potent. I mean, who doesn’t want as much serum as possible to absorb into their skin? After 20 minutes (the brand says 10 to 15, but I always go a little over), my complexion looked glowy and hydrated as expected—it is very cooling, though I don’t know how helpful it is with puffiness. But what was most impressive was that I had a few big dry patches along the outer rims of my face after a laser treatment and this mask totally calmed them down.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: azulene, glycerin, bamboo water, algae extracts, jojoba oil, Candida Bombicola ferment
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Mask for Elasticity: Dr. Jart+ Hydro Firming Mask

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Dr. Jart+

Hydro Firming Mask

$10

Amazon

$10

Sephora

Why it's worth it: If sheet masks have always felt like a nice-to-have and not a must-have, this one makes a convincing case. Dr. Jart+’s Hydro Firming Mask starts opaque, then gradually turns clear as your skin absorbs what it needs. It uses low-molecular-weight hydrolyzed collagen—basically a more absorbable form that can reach all the layers of your skin and improve the appearance of firmness and fine lines—paired with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to pull in water and seal it in. That combination leaves skin plump and bouncy by the time you peel it off.

For mature skin, where elasticity naturally dips, it’s less about that quick, surface-level glow and more about deeper, lasting hydration that makes skin feel really nourished.

Tester feedback from Lee

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“This winter has been relentless on my skin, so I couldn’t wait to slap on Dr. Jart+’s Hydro Firming Mask. The fit is spot-on, so it actually stays put. After peeling it off, my dry, sensitive skin skin looked noticeably plumper, smoother, and way more hydrated.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin

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“My combination skin calls for a face mask that's soothing on dry patches, but won't clog pores in my T-zone, and Dr. Jart totally delivers. I like that this mask turns clear in one hour (vs. three hours for other, similar masks), so I can wear it while watching an episode of my favorite reality show (Housewives, anyone?). The mask itself is thin and comfortable to wear, doesn't dry out as it sits, and leaves my face feeling soft, smooth, and super-hydrated after. I'll be wearing this one on repeat whenever my skin needs a reset.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Eye Serum: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal

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Beauty of Joseon

Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal

$17 $12 (29% off)

Amazon

$17

Sephora

$17

Olive Young

Why it's worth it: K-beauty has a way of making retinoids feel a little less intimidating, especially when it comes to the delicate eye area. It’s all about gentle delivery systems and plenty of barrier support so you get the benefits without the usual downsides. Beauty of Joseon’s Revive Eye Cream Ginseng + Retinal probably needs no introduction, but just in case, the serum pairs anti-inflammatory ginseng, which helps minimize the look of puffiness, with liposome-encapsulated retinal that’s stabilized to brighten and smooth the delicate eye area.

Why is retinal such a buzzy ingredient? It "only requires a one-step conversion to the active form of retinoic acid, unlike retinol, which requires a two-step conversion,” says Hee Jin Koh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Clifton, New Jersey. This type of retinoid is not only more efficient but also tends to be much easier for sensitive skin to tolerate.

Tester feedback from Han

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"To use eye cream or not? Overall, I think eye creams are a ‘nice-to-have’ skin-care step—and if I reach for an eye cream at all, it'll be a retinol to reap those fine-line-minimizing and tightening benefits. Again, I'm 32 and haven't experienced fine lines around the eyes or generally sagging undereyes, but skin care is, with a lot of emphasis, all about consistent use and prevention. Beauty of Joseon's Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal has a lightweight, custardy-gel texture that absorbs almost immediately, making my undereyes look a tad brighter and less puffy the next morning. Formula-wise, stabilized retinal is super gentle and minimizes irritation, while ginseng brightens and boosts circulation, and glycerin supports the skin barrier." —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: ginseng, retinal, niacinamide
• Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ingredients should I look for in Korean skin care for aging skin?

When it comes to Korean skin-care products for aging skin, sometimes it’s about finding the right hero ingredient—but more often, it’s about how a few key ones work together. Classic K-beauty ingredients like ginseng “provide powerful antioxidant support and are helpful against environmental stressors,” while snail mucin “improves hydration and can be useful when combined with strong actives to counter any dryness or irritation,” says Dr. Yoo.

Ferments like galactomyces and bifida help “support the skin barrier” and can improve how products layer. For skin that’s become more reactive, Centella asiatica acts as an “anti-inflammatory and calming agent,” and rice extracts offer soothing hydration with a subtle brightening effect, she says.

Does mature skin need a full 10-step K-beauty routine?

Not necessarily. “What mature skin actually benefits from is a targeted, consistent routine,” rather than piling on steps for the sake of it, says Dr. Yoo. The focus should be on a few well-chosen products that support hydration, barrier function, and any specific signs of aging you’re noticing. “You can add any extra steps if they are solving a problem such as hyperpigmentation or redness,” but otherwise, more isn’t always better, she says.

Are Korean beauty products too gentle to actually make a difference for mature skin?

“No, Korean beauty is not too gentle to make a difference for a mature skin-care routine,” says Dr. Yoo. In fact, that gentler approach is kind of the point. Mature skin needs extra care, she explains, and Korean skin care delivers that by focusing on supporting the skin barrier and improving hydration—both of which become more important as skin naturally gets thinner over time. It’s less about pushing skin to its limits and more about keeping it comfortable, balanced, and functioning at its best.

Meet the experts

• Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
• David Kim, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at SOHO Derm and founder of Lightsaver based in New York City
• Hee Jin Kim, MD, a board-certified medical doctor and Medical Director of PureenMD based in Fort Lee, New Jersey
• Hee Jin Koh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Clifton, New Jersey
• Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best Korean skin care for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, dermatologists, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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Cardi B has been busy. The Am I the Drama? rapper is traveling around the United States on her “Little Miss Drama” tour, selling out stadium after stadium, and getting ready to launch her much-anticipated hair care brand Grow-Good. And amidst all of that, she still finds time to give us the beauty inspo we've come to depend on, including the latest installment in the Cardi B Hair Color Hall of Fame: an ombré blend that we can only describe as a magenta masterpiece.

There are a plethora of purple and pink-based tones in this wig—almost an entire Crayola 96-count crayon box's worth, TBH! Cardi's multi-tone hair color began with a bright, platinum blonde base, which gradually transitioned to a soft, cool-toned pink and then more vivid fuchsia tone right around her cheekbones, blended with a violet purple. Then, the darker shades took over with dark purple mid-lengths spliced with platinum highlights, deepening into a cranberry-magenta fusion at the ends. We've got baby pink, hot pink, violet, midnight purple, and magenta all present and accounted for; the mix of hues feels springy even sans pastels and also coordinates with her dark burgundy nail color. As always, Cardi's hair was the work of her longtime hairstylist Tokyo Stylez.

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Like we said above, Cardi has so much fun experimenting with different hair colors, always with a playful, effervescent energy that shines both on and offstage. In January, she looked like a breath of (minty) fresh air in a long aqua-green wig, and she's worn all sorts of fun hairstyles while on tour. We did predict that 2026's hair cut and color trends would bring the drama, so who better than Little Miss Drama to convince us to add a few pink and purple streaks to our color this spring?

More celebrity hair news:

• Selena Gomez's Casual Claw-Clip Hairstyle Took Me Back to 1996
• Keke Palmer on Her Pixie Cut Era and Going Back to Relaxers
• Gabrielle Union's Chunky Highlights and Mega Volume Are Taking Me Back

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In an LA rehearsal studio in late January, Cardi B is watching a phalanx of dancers move around the room, rehearsing for Little Miss Drama, her ongoing two-month, 35-show tour. The rapper, dressed in an oversized silk bonnet and Uggs, is marking the moves, but her dancers are performing full-out, their cropped halter tops and durags dappled with sweat. Cardi stands on the edge of the room as the women straddle chairs backward, tightening their core muscles and wrapping their ankles around the back in order to control their slow descent to the ground. She wants to try, so two dancers spot her as she leans back, but she’s unable to balance her weight with just her arms. Cardi crumples to the ground. (This same thing happened during her Vegas show, but she played it off with a joke that it was caused by the government.) She looks, resignedly, at her fellow dancers. “You’re in your 20s, ain’t you?”

Schiaparelli dress and jacket. Grainne Morton earrings.

Though Cardi may not have total core control, at 33, she may have everything else: a history-making rap career, a largely sold-out tour, and a new business (Grow-Good, her hair-care line, out in April). She's also now a mother of four (she gave birth in November, though you'd never know just by looking at her). Still, signs creep in: She’s rapping along to “Thru Your Phone,” from her 2018 album Invasion of Privacy, but loses her place and groans loudly into the microphone. Her dancers practice an interlude without her, presumably built into the show to give her a water break, and Cardi watches, taking notice of the erotic noises that make up the soundtrack. She grimaces. “That’s too much moaning,” she complains, seemingly grossed out.

The energy is off. She needs a refresh, a gust of new energy, a reminder that she is both a working mother and a bad bitch. She needs, she suddenly realizes, to change her shoes. “That’s why I’m not feeling cunt, because of these fucking Uggs,” she says, walking back to her dressing room. A minute later, she returns wearing glittering fuchsia heeled boots, giving The Wizard of the Bronx. “Okay, Doroth-eisha!” Patientce Foster, her long-time creative director, shouts in approval.

“I just want to do everything now. I told myself I needed two years of being uncomfortable so I could be comfortable.”

It’s what Cardi needed. She’s back on the floor and back in the mood, twirling around with her choreographer Sean Bankhead; she’s strutting in front of the wall of mirrors, her silk bonnet flopping, blowing kisses to an imaginary crowd. It’s been seven years since her last tour, and she wants people to feel like they’re getting their money’s worth. “I want to give my fans a good moment and have been pulling strings to make this shit happen, and it’s turning out beautiful.”

That also requires a tremendous amount of work. The only breaks she’ll get on Little Miss Drama are when she’s commuting from one city to another. As she’s revving up for it to begin, her days are filled with long rehearsals, “100 gazillion meetings,” and doctors’ appointments. Recently, she tells me, a physician told her that her hormone levels were too high and she needed to slow down. I asked if she thought she had time to rest. “No, I can’t,” she says. “Not this year.” It is January.

“I just want to do everything now,” she says, as we talk in her dressing room. “I told myself I needed two years of being uncomfortable so I could be comfortable. Things just change every single fucking day. And it’s like, This is your moment. This is the time to do it.”

Throughout our interview, Cardi seems self-conscious about vocalizing her anxieties, not about the anxieties themselves, but there are so many of them spewing out of her. In the lead-up to the tour, she’d been doing her research, attending Madonna’s and Beyoncé’s concerts. As an artist, she knows her strengths and weaknesses. “That was way crazy,” she says of Beyoncé’s show. “That’s way removed from what I could do,” and from what her fans are expecting from her, specifically, a really good vibe. Which is why these rehearsals have gotten Cardi particularly stressed: She has to face one of her weaknesses: dancing. “I hate choreography; it’s like math to me,” she admits. She’s bare of makeup and nails, her lips pouty. “I don’t have much of a rhythm like that. I could rap all day. But dancing is like, ugh.”

Patou jacket and dress. Jennifer Behr earrings.

Still, she’s the Cardi we’ve come to love and expect: wickedly funny, quick to laugh, able to make fun of herself. “I got a lot of shit on my mind, so I’m just fucking talking. Like, my life has been a fucking movie right now.” I ask her what’s going on. “Everything!”

The last time I’d seen Cardi, she was in her 20s. We both were. I was writing my first cover story for another magazine, a few months before the release of Invasion of Privacy, her landmark first album that, among other accolades, became the highest-certified female rap album of the century, and won her a Grammy for Rap Album of the Year. We had lunch at Tao, a see-and-be-seen restaurant in Manhattan, where I wrote in my notebook that she seemed particularly hungry and grumpy, and didn’t touch any alcohol. How strange, I thought. A few days later, she announced she was pregnant with her first daughter.

In the time since, I note to her when we sit down again, she’s gone from being a star to a total phenomenon, a mainstay in the culture, the hottest rapper to have on a feature, but, most notably, she’s had mad kids. Right now, they’re at home in New Jersey, but they were on Cardi’s mind. (During a break, Cardi could be heard responding confoundedly to her eldest child, Kulture, who was talking to her over FaceTime: “Did you call me bro?!”)

“That’s why I’m not feeling c*nt, because of these f*cking Uggs.”

In addition to figuring out how she can gyrate in a chair without losing her balance, she’s also trying to decide what to do with her children while she’s on tour. Though Kulture accompanied her for several weeks on her first tour, so much has changed since then. “Kulture’s in school, and her school don’t play that shit,” Cardi says. We’re both leaning up against the makeup counter in her dressing room, a mess of fruit and candy and products from her Grow-Good line. She’s less concerned about Wave, a very swag four-year-old and her second child with her ex, Offset, missing class, but Wave takes his extracurricular sports very seriously, and Cardi doesn’t want him to miss out on something that he loves so that he can sit on a bus with her. Not to mention that the buses always smell like gas, which is not fun for anybody, least of all for kids. “So I just be like, How the fuck am I gonna make this shit fucking work?”

Still, they’re the reason why she works so hard in the first place; she wants to ensure her legacy, to provide for her family, to make them proud of her. “I want to be the grandma that everybody come to the crib, and it’s like, ‘Yeah, my grandma was that bitch.’”

Cardi is proof-positive that the best jobs are monetizing what you’re already good at. In Cardi’s case, that’s getting people to like her. Thirteen years ago, before becoming a world-famous rap star, she was an Instagram-famous personality. She began posting videos of herself regaling the camera with tales from the strip club, and goofy, hood takes on human behavior. Eventually, masses of people started tuning in. In one particularly viral clip, she showed her recipe for a hair mask: avocado, eggs, and mayonnaise. She released the video during the tail end of the natural-hair, YouTube-channel era, when trying out tons of expensive products in the name of research was du jour. Cardi’s all-natural, already-in-the-kitchen alternative caught people’s attention—as did her long, healthy hair, which she had spent years taking care of after some experiences that went awry (bleaching her own streaks, and a haircut so bad that her mother went back to the salon to curse the stylist out).

Issey Miyake dress. Graff jewelry.

Even now, she’s passionate about the benefits that produce can have on our bodies, sermonizing in front of a bag of pink and red Starburst wrappers. Onions, she says, are one of the best things you can use for your hair. They could help rebuild breakage, may help your hair grow, and they’re cheap. “Onions!” She’s at an imaginary pulpit. She punches the rest of that sentence: “Do not! Make! Your! Hair! Stink!” And as with any sermon, there is a lesson to impart. “I tried garlic…” she says, a beat later. She pauses for a long time, then turns serious. “Do not put garlic in your hair.”

Grow-Good doesn't have garlic, but it does include many of the same household staples—avocado, coconut, and rosemary oils—that Cardi has always used in her hair. The line also has different formulations for different types of hair, something Cardi knows well: Her hair is different from her mother's, and now, her daughter's hair is different from her own. Which is why she took the formulation of the new hair-care line so seriously. No matter what, she knows, now that she’s an entrepreneur, her reputation is on the line. “People are gonna buy my shit just off my name, but are you gonna come back?” she asks. “It’s about coming back.”

“A bad song is not gonna f*ck up your life…[But] imagine you put some sh*t into your hair, and you damage it, and I’m responsible?!”

The stakes are different than they are with music. She’s had songs not perform well, but there’s no choice other than to keep going and move on to the next. But messing up somebody’s hair? That’s next level. “A bad song is not gonna fuck up your life,” she says. “Imagine you put some shit into your hair, and you damage it, and I’m responsible?!” Never.

She agrees with me that, through it all, the most radical shift in her life has been becoming a mother. The rapper is still, famously, a regular-degular girl from the Bronx. Now that she’s a multiplatinum superstar, it doesn’t mean that she no longer gets nervous about performing on live TV. “When I have a camera on me, I get really nervous. On tour, I feel like I have a safety blanket because it’s my fans.” Or that she feels totally comfortable around other celebrities: “I’m shy with all of them, it don’t matter if you big or small.”

On motherhood: “Something changes in you, and that’s all moms.”

Her group of closest friends has more or less remained the same, and that’s what keeps her the same, despite the glitz and glamour of her life. The welcome transformation has been motherhood. “Something changes in you, and that’s all moms,” she says. “Even a fucking dog will change as soon as they become a mom. They don’t got to learn it. Just…” she looks at her phone screen, her kids in the background. “A new you is born.”

Michael Kors coat. Saule earrings.

Family, though, is a tricky thing. A week after we talked, including about her then-boyfriend, and father of her fourth child, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the breakup rumors began. There was talk of relationship issues, too, when Cardi and I first met. And it persisted for years: She and Offset got engaged in 2017, and she filed for divorce (for the second time) in 2024. But up close now, I could feel the difference: She’s grown, a woman certain of her self-worth and with a smaller tolerance for bullshit. Am I the Drama?, her most recent album, is chockablock with the sort of swag, confident, I’m-a-bad-bitch-with-a-fat-ass hits we expect from Cardi (as well as many songs we’ve already heard, including singles like “WAP,” released over five years ago). But the chorus from one song, “Principal,” a track featuring Janet Jackson (need any more proof that Cardi is a star?), kept rattling around in my head when I saw how swiftly the relationship with Diggs seemed to have ended: “If you ain’t on the same shit, watch me lane switch; I’m too sexy to be lonely and too grown to be played with.”

Twelve hours after her rehearsal, she’s preparing to film a commercial in another LA studio. Friends are sprawled out on the couch, or coming in and out of the room to show off their outfits, or sneaking mimosas into coffee cups. It feels the same as any group of girls getting ready to go out. Tokyo Stylez, Cardi’s hairstylist, brushes out a sleek brown hairpiece, and Erika la’ pearl, her makeup artist, dabs at Cardi’s face while the rapper scrolls through her phone, controlling the music. The three had recently appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race together, and the contestants were just as excited to see the hair and makeup team as they were the star herself. They’ve all worked together for years, and they’re a certain type of family, like comrades, her sisters, the three of them weathering all types of trials and tribulations in front of each other over the years. Cardi says they have all transitioned in and out of various stages of life together, and they’re deeply bonded because of that.

“When I have a camera on me, I get really nervous. On tour, I feel like I have a safety blanket because it’s my fans.”

“It’s a cunty language that we speak,” Cardi tells me, and not everyone automatically understands that. By way of explanation, she cites the meme of a panicked Kathy Griffin saying, “I need to talk to a gay person.” Her variation would be, “I need to talk to a cunt,” and for her, that’s Erika and Tokyo, both trans women. The three of them have bonded over beauty in all of its connotations: laser treatments, looking snatched, falling in love, doing too much, MC Debra’s Instagram. “Sometimes, I have a little jokey joke, and only the cunts get it.”

The girls who get it, get it. The girls who don’t, best of luck. But that’s what family is, the people who speak the same language as you, who know you, who only need a look or a single word to know how you’re feeling. Those relationships are what’s kept Cardi in the driver’s seat.

I ask her if there’s anything she would change over the past few years. “There’s a lot of business moves that I wish I was a little bit wiser, but I feel like I’m doing everything at the right time,” she says, cheesing big. “Well, maybe I should have put out my album a little bit before. But you know what? Everything is great.”

Cardi B Reacts to TikTok Trends

Cardi B goes down the TikTok rabbit hole to check out some popular trends! Watch as Cardi tries out tattoo baby hairs, taste tests the Japanese cheesecake hack, tries the credit card grabber tool and much more.

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I have a friend deeply averse to the notion of anything remotely toxic so much as brushing up against her skin. She wears no makeup, uses no cosmetic products of any kind except moisturizer when needed, and though I’ve never asked her which cleaning products she uses at home, I’m pretty sure she swabs everything down, possibly including her teeth, with baking soda only.

And every six weeks, my friend visits a professional who snaps on a pair of plastic gloves, mixes up a strong chemical concoction personalized especially for her, and spreads it all over her scalp. Because there is one thing that this friend, who refuses to wear even mascara, will never give up: covering her gray.

She is a youthful 70-something, fit, comfortably unadorned. Her hair, when she leaves the colorist, is a nimbus of spun gold, eye-catching, and natural-looking as a baby’s. When gray sneaks into her part, as it does monthly, she’s reminded that without her steady appointments, instead of her golden nimbus, she would be wearing a Brillo cap of dull steel.

I asked her recently, as unpointedly as I could, why she dyes her hair when she’s so meticulous about freeing herself from other perceived toxins? Her response was swift and sure. “Because letting my hair go gray—more than any other indication of aging—would add years to my face,” she said. “I’m not ready for that.”

Even from here I can see hordes of you rising in anger out of your chair, eager to march in defiant support of the gray you grew in and cultivated during the pandemic and now wear as proudly (and elegantly) as a hard-earned academic hood. Congratulations to you! You did the right thing!

“Letting my hair go gray—more than any other indication of aging—would add years to my face. I'm not ready for that.”

But more than a few of the pandemic's gray-pride cohort have returned to a life of foils, ammonia, and root touchups. And while it's been very refreshing to see a bevy of actresses on recent red carpets who have chosen to eschew most serious aesthetic interventions—have you noticed that almost every one persists in erasing all evidence of the grays on her head? These talented women are allowing their faces to age, more or less, visibly (and naturally) but refuse to forswear their highlights. Only Helen Mirren and Kathy Bates among them have let their silver shine through. So many others—recent Oscar winner Amy Madigan, Jean Smart, Parker Posey, Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pamela Anderson, Rhea Seehorn, Robin Wright, Keri Russell to name more than a few—obviously have not given up their monthly colorist appointments. (And if we do see an actress over 45 with visible silver, well, it makes headlines.)

If you are one of those evolutionary biology types who believe that long, lush, shiny, pigmented hair is a signal that a person is youthful, healthy, and reproductively robust, it’s obvious why someone who makes her living pretending to be another person might want to keep the door open to the possibility of pretending to be a youthful one.

I recently wrote about feeling hopeful that the age of facial conformity might be losing steam, appreciating the way 60-year-old Jodie Foster and 67-year-old Annette Bening, for example, have steered clear of facial fiddling. But they both remain committed blondes. There’s evidently a limit to how far an actor will go in compromising their ability to portray a more youthful person. And maybe that’s wise.

These talented women are allowing their faces to age, more or less, visibly (and naturally) but refuse to forswear their highlights.

According to an analysis by the Geena Davis Institute (a nonprofit that champions equitable representation in the media) in partnership with Next50 (a nonprofit that supports independence in aging), male characters significantly outnumber females within the 50+ age bracket: 80% in films, 75% in broadcast TV, and 66% in streaming platforms. In other words, if she wants to be able to compete for the maximum number of roles available to her, an actress over 50 might be very cautious about the ways in which she chooses to authentically represent her age.

But what about the rest of us? Studies tell us that hair is among the top three features (along with height and weight) used when describing others, and one of the features most often recalled after a social interaction. And if you think of looking in the mirror as a kind of social interaction (albeit with yourself), it’s not difficult to understand why we might be inclined to try to preserve the hair style, texture, and color that we’ve come to believe leaves us with the most flattering impression. And the one we’ve long identified with.

Studies also tell us that our health is correlated to the quality of our hair. So the condition of it can be a powerful social signal. One of the factors that makes it most attractive, according to one study, is its shine—the way it reflects light. And that can be sorely lacking in hair that’s lost pigment and become coarser with a rougher cuticle.

“There’s a reason why 40, 50, and 60 don’t look the way they used to, and it’s not because of feminism or better living through exercise. It’s because of hair dye.” —Nora Ephron

Of course there are many ways gray, white, and silver hair can be very beautiful, well-cut-and-conditioned, alluring as moonshine. Still, a woman who chooses to go gray risks the disapproval and the (inappropriate and unfair) stigmas our culture often showers on people perceived to beold: that we are frail, weak, incompetent, “letting ourselves go,” etc. And studies show that both men and women perceive faces with gray hair as both older and less attractive than the same faces without it. (Hey, don’t throw those tomatoes at me! I’m only reporting.)

As if that’s not enough reason to dye—or for you contrarians, enough reason not to dye—coloring your hair is the easiest way to try to lower the perception of your chronological age a notch or three. As Nora Ephron wrote in her 2006 essay On Maintenance: “There’s a reason why 40, 50, and 60 don’t look the way they used to, and it’s not because of feminism or better living through exercise. It’s because of hair dye.” Not to mention that it’s far less of a strain on your budget than Botox or fillers or a $50,000 facelift.

As for 75-year-old me, I’m on the fence about coloring, and my hair shows it. Every four months or so I have a balayage treatment that, by tinting some of the gray with blondish highlights, produces what Victorian poet Gerard Manley Hopkins might call pied beauty, a range of shades making it impossible to say what color my hair actually is. Blonde? White? Filamented with taupe?

My balayage appointments, like late summer lightning, illuminate my late middle-aged, largely unretouched face just enough to make me feel like I’m not yet fully in the autumn of my days. Like my friend, I’m unlikely to forgo the dyeing process, but not just because I think without it my face would look older. At 75, my face already looks older. I continue to see my colorist because I like the way that face is complemented by its varicolored frame, which adds a brightness that pleases me every time I see it.

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Finding and buying the best water flossers is one of those wellness purchases that sounds simple—until you're scrolling through countless pages of search results. Allow us to provide some background: A water flosser, also called an oral irrigator, uses a pressurized stream of water to clear out food particles, bacteria, and plaque from between teeth and along the gumline. Regular use has been linked to more effective plaque removal, which then leads to overall healthier gums, reduced inflammation, and fresher breath, making water flossers worthwhile additions to any oral-care routine.

I came to water flossing late, the way most people do, after a dentist visit that made it clear brushing alone wasn't cutting it. I tried a basic model first, appreciated what it did for my gum health, and then fell down a rabbit hole of cordless versus countertop, single-versus multi-stream, and whether a 30-day battery life was actually achievable. The more I tested, the more I realized how much the right flosser depends on your lifestyle, budget, and dental needs. Along with our own testing, we consulted board-certified dentists for their clinical expertise on what separates the best water flossers from average water flossers, and the ones they actually recommend.

Our Top Water Flossers

• Best Overall: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser, $100
• Best Uninterrupted Clean: Soocas Neos II Ultra Electronic 2-in-1 Toothbrush and Water Flosser, $200
• Best Collapsible Design: Panasonic Portable Cordless Water Flosser, $50
• Best Multi-Stream: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser & Toothbrush System 5000, $100
• Best Self-Sanitizing: MySmile Cordless Professional Water Flosser, $63

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Which water flosser do dentists recommend overall, and why?
• Where in your dental hygiene routine should you use your water flosser, and how should you do it?
• What are the downsides to using a water flosser?
• Meet the experts
• Our staff and testers

Ahead, we break down eight water flossers for every mouth, routine, and reason your dentist has been on your case.

Best Overall: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser

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Waterpik

Aquarius Water Flosser

$100 $80 (20% off)

Amazon

Why we love it: If you want a water flosser that does a little bit of everything and is American Dental Association-approved (or ADA for short), the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser has been earning its reputation since before water flossing was even a talking point in your dentist's office. Powered by Waterpik’s PrecisionPulse technology, Aquarius delivers a targeted combination of water pressure and pulsations that clears out plaque and food debris, stat. The 360-degree rotating tip reaches every corner of your mouth, back teeth included, and the 90-plus-second reservoir means you can get through a full session without stopping to refill. With 10 pressure settings and a built-in 60-second timer with a 30-second pacer, it's easy to customize your clean and stay on track.

Cue expert baking: "It offers excellent pressure control, multiple tip options, and a large reservoir," says Michael J. Wei, DDS, a cosmetic and restorative dentist based in New York City, adding that it's "especially effective for patients with braces, implants, crowns, or periodontal concerns." The seven included tips cover everything from everyday maintenance to more targeted deep cleaning. As Erika Faust, DDS, an orthodontist based in New York City, puts it, users consistently come back to it for its "ease of use, different pressure settings, and durability."

More to know

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• Weight: 1.46 lbs
• Reservoir holds: 22 oz
• Settings: 10 pressure settings
• Wireless: no
• Also included: 4 precision tips, 1 plaque seeker tip, 1 orthodontic tip, 1 pik pocket tip

Best Uninterrupted Clean: Soocas Neos II Ultra Electronic 2-in-1 Toothbrush and Water Flosser

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Soocas

Neos II Ultra Electronic 2-in-1 Toothbrush and Water Flosser

$200 $160 (20% off)

Amazon

Why we love it: The biggest barrier to flossing is the extra step. The Soocas Neos II Ultra Electric Toothbrush with Water Flosser Combo eliminates that entirely by transitioning seamlessly from a two-minute brush straight into an 80-second floss cycle, no switching devices. That unbroken routine is exactly what makes you more likely to actually follow through on flossing every single day. It's a genuine 3-in-1 device that combines water flossing, sonic vibration, and oscillation in one step.

The rechargeable water flosser attaches magnetically to the back of the toothbrush, so everything charges and stores together without the clutter of a separate device. It runs an 80-second cycle, blasting debris from between teeth and along the gumline through a precision jet that reaches gaps bristles can't. Meanwhile, 66,000 sonic movements per minute work to break up surface stains, and the 20-degree sweeping oscillation hugs the gumline to lift trapped plaque for a cleaner finish. Three intensity levels, gentle, standard, and strong, mean you can dial in the pressure, whether you have sensitive gums or want a more powerful clean.

Tester feedback from Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor

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"Since switching to the Soocas NEOS II Ultra, water flossing has just become part of brushing. I knock out both in one seamless step, and I'm done. I don’t have to worry about setting up my waterflosser which takes up additional time. I used to either pack two devices or skip the flossing altogether when traveling, and now I don't have to choose. The device itself is pretty lightweight, and I like that you can adjust the brush pressure since I have more sensitive teeth. Using it for the first time does come with a small learning curve, mainly around the water flossing pressure, which isn't adjustable. But it doesn't take long to find your rhythm, and once you do, the payoff is real. Overall, it's genuinely simplified my routine in the best way." —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Weight: 0.49 lbs
• Reservoir holds: 1.69 oz
• Settings: 2 modes, 3 intensity levels
• Wireless: yes
• Also included: 1 ultra clean head, 1 ultra soft head, travel case, magnetic charger, reservoir cleaning brush

Best Brush-and-Floss Combo: Waterpik Sonic Fusion 2.0 Flossing Toothbrush

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Waterpik

Sonic Fusion 2.0 Flossing Toothbrush

$200 $179 (11% off)

Amazon

Why we love it: Brushing and flossing are two separate steps most of us are already cutting corners on, but the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 Flossing Toothbrush raises a compelling case for a two-in-one device. Dr. Wei recommends it “for patients who want to simplify their routine while still getting a deep clean." This multitasking Waterpik combines a sonic electric toothbrush with a built-in water flosser, operating across three modes: brush, floss, or both simultaneously. Like the Aquarius Water Flosser, it features PrecisionPulse technology to effectively clear plaque and bacteria. Ten water pressure settings let you dial in the intensity, and 60 seconds of continuous floss time means you can get through your whole mouth in one session. The rechargeable handle comes with a two-minute brushing timer and a 30-second pacer to keep your technique on track.

More to know

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• Weight: 1.62 lbs
• Reservoir holds: 16 oz
• Settings: 3 cleaning modes, 10 pressure settings
• Wireless: no
• Also included: 1 compact flossing brush head with cover, 1 full-size flossing brush head with cover, magnetic brush head holder, travel case

Best Collapsible Design: Panasonic Portable Cordless Water Flosser

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Panasonic

Portable Cordless Water Flosser

$50 $35 (30% off)

Amazon

$40

Walmart

Why we love it: The Panasonic Water Flosser earned its 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award for its collapsible design that makes it just as easy to toss in a carry-on as it is to stash in your desk drawer for a midday refresh. Weighing just under half a pound, it's light enough that there's really no excuse to leave it behind. Two pressure settings offer enough intensity to clear buildup between teeth and along the gumline, thanks to a water jet that delivers up to 1,400 pulses per minute. At 35 seconds of tank capacity, it's enough for a full-mouth clean, and the dishwasher-safe, detachable tank makes cleanup just as easy as packing it.

Tester feedback from beauty closet associate Edward Horgan

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“My dentist literally thanks me for using my water flosser and constantly reminds me how important it is to use it every day. The ability to finally have one I can travel with, so I’m not skipping out on using it when I’m not at home, is a game-changer! My permanent retainer and I cannot live without this flosser when I travel.” —Edward Horgan, beauty closet associate

More to know

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• Weight: 0.46 lbs
• Reservoir holds: 5 oz
• Settings: 2 pressure settings
• Wireless: yes
• Also included: n/a

Best Multi-Stream: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000

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Philips Sonicare

Power Flosser 5000

$100

Amazon

Why we love it: There's a reason the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser & Toothbrush System 5000 covers nine times more surface area compared to the flosser you're probably using now. The star of the show is Quad Stream technology, which sends out an X-shaped stream rather than a single-stream flosser, reaching more deeply between teeth and along the gumline. Dr. Wei appreciates the quad-stream technology specifically for its "excellent plaque disruption along the gumline," and calls it "a great option for patients transitioning from traditional floss to water flossing." Two flossing modes (Clean and Deep Clean) and 10 intensity levels allow you to dial in your settings depending on what your mouth needs that day. The Pulse Wave technology has a staccato’d water jet stream that guides you tooth-to-tooth so you don't miss spots, and the quiet motor means your early-morning routines won't wake the house.

More to know

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• Weight: 2.22 lbs
• Reservoir holds: 18.6 oz
• Settings: 2 flossing modes, 10 intensities
• Wireless: no
• Also included: 1 F1 standard nozzle, 1 F3 quad stream nozzle, magnetic charging dock

Best for Travel: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000

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Philips Sonicare

Power Flosser 3000

$80

Amazon

$80

Walmart

Why we love it: The Philips Sonicare Cordless Power Flosser 3000 is proof that a deep clean doesn't have to be tethered to your bathroom counter. Lightweight, cordless, and built to last up to 14 days on a single charge, it's designed for people who need their oral health routine to keep up with them. The brand’s proprietary Quad Stream technology sends four X-shaped water streams deep between teeth and along the gumline, covering nine times the surface area of a single-stream aqua flosser. Dr. Faust notes that the technology "is focused on reaching below the gumline, which can be important in cases of gum disease." The eight-ounce reservoir holds enough water for a full 60-second session, and the 360-degree rotating nozzle ensures no corner of your mouth gets skipped.

Two flossing modes keep things flexible: Clean mode uses steady pressure with brief pauses to help you move the device, while Deep Clean with Pulse Wave technology guides you tooth-to-tooth so you don't miss a spot. Dr. Wei agrees that it’s “effective for reaching tight spaces" and a great pick for anyone who travels often or prefers a less fussy setup.

More to know

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• Weight: 0.93 lbs
• Reservoir holds: 8 oz
• Settings: 2 flossing modes, 3 pressure levels
• Wireless: yes
• Also included: 1 standard nozzle, 1 quad stream nozzle, USB-A charging cable, wall adapter

Best Budget: Coslus E40 Portable Water Flosser

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Coslus

E40 Portable Water Flosser

$28

Amazon

Why we love it: A great water flosser doesn't have to cost a fortune, and the Coslus E40 Portable Water Flosser proves this point, ringing in at under $30. The brand’s patented dual-flow technology powers 10 precise pressure settings, controlled by a stepless dial that adjusts as smoothly as a volume knob, so you can fine-tune your clean in real time. The 300-milliliter water tank holds nearly double what most competitors offer at this price point, resulting in fewer refills. Five interchangeable tips, including two standard jet heads, an orthodontic tip ideal for braces, a periodontal jet tip that's gentle on gums, and a tongue cleaner. Battery life is another standout: A single charge lasts up to 30 days with one to two daily uses, making it just as practical for at-home use as it is while traveling/tossed into a carry-on. Dr. Faust counts it among his budget-friendly recommendations for patients looking to make water flossing a consistent part of their routine—without the investment required of a premium device.

More to know

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• Weight: n/a
• Reservoir holds: 10 oz
• Settings: 10 pressure levels
• Wireless: yes
• Also included: 2 standard jet tips, 1 orthodontic tip, 1 periodontal jet tip, 1 tongue cleaner tip

Best for Self-Sanitizing: MySmile Cordless Professional Water Flosser

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MySmile

Cordless Professional Water Flosser

$63 $54 (14% off)

Amazon

Why we love it: Your water flosser is only as clean as the water running through it, and the MySmile Cordless Water Flosser is one of the few on the market that actually addresses that. The built-in UVC light runs on a 120-second self-cleaning cycle between uses, and "eliminates bacteria in the machine, ensuring the water tank and jet tips are unpolluted when you use them again," as Dr. Faust notes. Four cleaning modes( Soft, Normal, Strong, and Pulse), combined with three pressure levels (Soft, Normal, and Strong), offer up to 10 customizable flossing combinations, covering everything from sensitive teeth to stubborn buildup. The eight included tips cover the full spectrum of oral hygiene needs, whether you're working around braces, dental work, or sensitive gums.

Also worth noting? The OLED display provides at-a-glance battery life, water temperature, mode, and pressure level, so nothing is left to guesswork. Plus, the sizeable 335-milliliter reservoir has a battery life that lasts up to 40 days on a single charge.

More to know

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• Weight: n/a
• Reservoir holds: 11.33 oz
• Settings: 4 modes, 3 pressure levels
• Wireless: yes
• Also included: 4 standard tips, 1 dental plaque tip, 1 orthodontic tip, 1 periodontal tip, 1 tongue cleaner, PU travel pouch

Frequently Asked Questions

Which water flosser do dentists recommend overall, and why?

Dr. Wei's go-to is the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser, which he recommends for its "clinical-grade clean with customizable pressure settings, a variety of specialized tips, and a large water reservoir for uninterrupted use." He also notes that it's "one of the most extensively studied devices in dental research" and has been shown to outperform traditional string dental floss in reducing plaque, gingivitis, and bleeding gums. Dr. Faust echoes the brand's authority, noting that "Waterpik is the standard and was the first water flosser invented over 50 years ago." While both experts point to Waterpik as the benchmark, Dr. Faust acknowledges that the category has expanded significantly, with newer models now offering timers, compact travel sizes, and even UV light sanitization.

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Waterpik

Aquarius Water Flosser

$100 $80 (20% off)

Amazon

Where in your dental hygiene routine should you use your water flosser, and how should you do it?

Timing comes down to preference. Dr. Wei recommends using your water flosser after brushing "to ensure that plaque, bacteria, and food particles are fully removed from between teeth and along the gumline," while Dr. Faust suggests using it at the start of your session "to remove any major debris and create a cleaner slate for your toothbrush to do its work." Either way, both agree it should be a daily addition to your routine, not a replacement for brushing. As Dr. Faust puts it, "water flossing should not replace any of the steps in your brushing routine; it is simply a bonus that ensures a thorough teeth cleaning."

As for technique, Dr. Wei advises starting on a low-pressure setting if you're new to it, leaning slightly over the sink, and directing "the water stream at a 90-degree angle along the gumline, pausing briefly between teeth for maximum cleaning." He adds that consistent daily use "strengthens gum tissue, reduces inflammation, and can prevent long-term issues like bone loss, gum recession, and chronic bad breath."

What are the downsides to using a water flosser?

"The most common problem I've seen with water flossers is the idea that they are more effective than they actually are," says Dr. Faust, who likens them to "a power washer for the outside" of a car. For true detailing, she's emphatic that "the mechanical motion of using actual floss is the single most important thing you can do for the long-term health of your teeth and surrounding tissues." Dr. Wei agrees, noting that water flossers "may not fully remove sticky plaque or stains on tooth surfaces, so brushing remains essential."

On the practical side, both point to bulk and upkeep as real considerations. Dr. Wei notes they "may be bulky and require counter space" and that improper use, like too-high pressure or poor technique, "can irritate gums or miss tight contacts between teeth." Dr. Faust adds they can be "cumbersome for travel and difficult to keep clean" and makes clear that daily use isn't necessary for everyone. "You don't need to use them daily unless you have orthodontic appliances or other dental work where food is easily trapped on a daily basis." All that said, Dr. Wei maintains that the benefits "far outweigh the inconveniences when used correctly and consistently."

Meet the experts

• Michael J. Wei, DDS, a cosmetic and restorative dentist based in New York City
• Erika Faust, DDS, an orthodontist based in New York City

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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Korean skin care is easier than ever to access, especially because tons of Allure editor favorites—hi, CosRx, Beauty of Joseon, Anua, and Haruharu Wonder—are all available on Amazon. And now is the best time to try them: Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is here from March 25 through March 31, offering up to 45% off across thousands of beauty products.

Whether you’re in the market for a Korean sunscreen that absorbs instantly, a hydrating serum that layers beautifully under makeup, or a face mask to make dull skin a thing of the past, these discounts cover every step of your routine (because when it comes to K-beauty, we simply can’t get enough of that glass skin glow). And it’s not just skin care: You’ll also find K-beauty makeup in the mix, too. Clear your schedule and keep scrolling to shop the very best Amazon K-beauty deals available this week.

Our Top Picks

Rinse and RepeatMa:nyo Pure Cleansing OilJump to review$23 $14 (39% off)

Amazon

Balance in a BottleBeauty of Joseon Glow SerumJump to review$27 $16 (41% off)

Amazon

Lovely LatherMedicube Facial Cleanser Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing FoamJump to review$20 $13 (35% off)

Amazon

Serum-iously HydratingCosrx Advanced Snail 96% Mucin Power EssenceJump to review$25 $13 (48% off)

Amazon

Stick to ItAbib Airy Sunstick Protection Bar SPF50+Jump to review$17 $14 (18% off)

Amazon

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• How We Find the Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Korean Beauty Deals
• Why Trust Allure for the Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals?

Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner

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Anua

Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner

$23 $16 (30% off)

Amazon

Calming heartleaf and hydrating hyaluronic acid are at the center of Anua’s Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner. Both ingredients blanket dry, irritated skin and deeply restore moisture for that signature K-beauty glass-skin glow.

Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

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Ma:nyo

Pure Cleansing Oil

$23 $14 (39% off)

Amazon

Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Lily Wohlner

This 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner is a first step in many of our editors’ double-cleansing routines, clearing away dirt and makeup to leave skin primed and ready for a good foaming cleanser.

Wohlner before applying the Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner after applying the Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Lily Wohlner

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence

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Haruharu Wonder

Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence

$22 $18 (18% off)

Amazon

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence

Sarah Han

Black rice probiotics and barrier-loving ceramides and lipids make up this essence, which prevents irritation, locks in moisture, and boosts skin’s elasticity.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

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Beauty of Joseon

Glow Serum

$27 $16 (41% off)

Amazon

Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

Annie Blay-Tettey

Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey is “always on the quest to find products that will boost her glow,” like this niacinamide-based serum. “It sinks into my skin without leaving a sticky residue and never pills when layered with the other steps in my routine,” she says.

Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

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Illiyoon

Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

$29 $17 (41% off)

Amazon

Wohlner applying the Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

Lily Wohlner

​​“This product has saved my skin, even during the harshest New York winters,” Charlotte Cho, an esthetician and cofounder of Soko Glam based in New York City, tells Allure. She adds that it’s one of the most soothing products she’s tried—plus, it’s gentle enough for her kids to use, too.

Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel

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Beauty of Joseon

Red Bean Water Gel

$18 $14 (22% off)

Amazon

This cream has mastered the art of hydrating without feeling heavy, thanks to red bean water, which delivers moisture while also absorbing excess oil. Because it’s so light, it layers beautifully under makeup—no pilling in sight!

Han applying Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel

Sarah Han

Han after applying Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel

Sarah Han

CosRx Snail Mucin 92% Face Moisturizer

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Cosrx

Snail Mucin 92% Face Moisturizer

$26 $14 (46% off)

Amazon

Infused with 92% snail mucin, this lightweight gel cream plumps, hydrates and soothes without the heavy feel, making it great for combination skin types that need hydration but want to skip out on shine.

CosRx Advanced Snail 96% Mucin Power Essence

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Cosrx

Advanced Snail 96% Mucin Power Essence

$25 $13 (48% off)

Amazon

The serum version of CosRx’s moisturizer, this viral, snail mucin-infused favorite is beloved for calming irritation, fading the look of post-acne marks, and supporting skin repair.

Han applying the Coxrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Coxrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Sarah Han

Medicube Facial Cleanser Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing Foam

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Medicube

Facial Cleanser Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing Foam

$20 $13 (35% off)

Amazon

The word “capsule” in Medicube’s Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing Foam points to the tiny blue exosome capsules that gently exfoliate as they burst onto the skin. The formula also features mandelic and salicylic acids to maintain clear pores, along with cica and green tea to calm irritation.

Allure contributing writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing Foam

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying the Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing Foam

Christa Joanna Lee

Abib Airy Sunstick Protection Bar SPF50+

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Abib

Airy Sunstick Protection Bar SPF50+

$17 $14 (18% off)

Amazon

Sunscreen should be reapplied all day, every day—which is much easier when it comes in a handy stick. Meet Abib’s Airy Sunstick Protection Bar, which controls excess shine and sebum with every application, but also protects skin with SPF 50+.

Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads

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Biodance

Collagen Gel Toner Pads

$26 $21 (19% off)

Amazon

Han applying the Biodance Cera-nol Gel Toner Pads

Sarah Han

Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, tells Allure that if you’re short on time (or too tired for an overnight mask), Biodance’s Collagen Gel Toner Pads are the perfect morning rescue. She touts the innovative gel fabric and low-molecular-weight collagen, which leaves behind plumper, smoother skin with minimal irritation.

Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Overnight Mask

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Sungboon Editor

Deep Collagen Overnight Mask

$19 $13 (32% off)

Amazon

Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann removing the Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Overnight Mask

Sarah Hoffmann

Sungboon Editor’s Deep Collagen Overnight Mask is all about plumping, with its hyper-concentrated dose of 2,160,000 PPB low-molecular collagen. (PPB, or parts per billion, measures how densely packed the collagen fragments are inside the formula.) Smooth it on and slip under the covers—by morning, you can expect dewier, bouncier skin.

I Dew Care Tap Secret Dry Shampoo Powder with Biotin

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I Dew Care

Tap Secret Dry Shampoo Powder with Biotin

$18 $12 (33% off)

Amazon

Perfect for travel, this non-aerosol dry shampoo comes in a powder formula with an easy-to-use puff, so you can tap it exactly where your roots need a refresh, no cloud of spray required. The payoff? Oil-absorbing magic without the heaviness—it’s so light, it practically disappears into your hair.

Fwee Blurry Pudding Pot

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Fwee

Blurry Pudding Pot

$20 $14 (30% off)

Amazon

Fwee’s Blurry Pudding Pot melts into a sheer, diffused wash of color that gives cheeks that soft-focus, just-pinched glow. With 22 shades to play with, you can dial it all the way up—think moody, purple-toned Boss—or keep things light and effortless with Like, a barely-there pink that looks like your natural flush, only better.

Sulwhasoo Glowing Lip Balm

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Sulwhasoo

Glowing Lip Balm

$38 $30 (21% off)

Amazon

Ginseng seed oil and a blend of natural butters (hi, shea and cocoa) are the stars of the show in Sulwhasoo’s Glowing Lip Balm, softening, plumping, and strengthening the skin barrier so chapped lips are a thing of the past.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water

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Beauty of Joseon

Ginseng Essence Water

$18 $14 (22% off)

Amazon

Beauty of Joseon’s Ginseng Essence Water leans hard into boosting glow, with 80% ginseng root water at its core—an antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory powerhouse that helps fend off free radicals (a.k.a. the culprits behind premature aging). Another bonus: niacinamide, which balances oil production and softens the look of enlarged pores over time.

Amorepacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

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AmorePacific

Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

$75 $60 (20% off)

Amazon

Amorepacific’s Color Control Cushion Compact has everything we love in a daytime foundation: SPF 50+ protection, lightweight coverage, and a natural, your-skin-but-better glow—all in a compact that fits right into your purse.

Frequently Asked Questions

How We Find the Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Korean Beauty Deals

Our shopping team searches daily for the best beauty products in the industry. We enlist the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and experts to determine which products are really worth your penny. Our Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026 beauty sales are no different: We base our discounted selections on products with at least 4.0-star average ratings, past Allure Best of Beauty award winners, and those that our editors and experts have tried and given a stamp of approval.

Why Trust Allure for the Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals?

No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns when you’re shopping for the best Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026 beauty deals, we want to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

My boobs have always needed a little support: They’re not super perky, and I don’t naturally have much cleavage. Over the years, I’ve relied on a good underwire bra or supportive bralette to work their boob-boosting magic. But, when it comes to backless dresses, strapless tops, or skinny straps, a bra doesn’t always make me feel my, well, sexiest. (Who wants straps peeking out or lines showing through a tube top?)

For years, I avoided those tricky clothing pieces altogether. Recently, though, I took a risk on a tight, spaghetti-strap top that I thought would hold the girls up on its own. In classic fashion, my size-34D chest ended up looking flat and droopy, rather than lifted. Fortunately, however, it was the perfect opportunity to try Cakes’ new boob tape.

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Cakes Body

Cakes Tape

$48

Cakes Body

If I had to dream up my perfect boob tape, I’d want it to be easy to remove, reusable, and feel totally weightless, almost like a second skin. With that in mind, I tested the Cakes Tape with that very top to see if it could finally make my chest look Bend and Snap-able.

In This StoryAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• My First Impressions
• How I Wear Them
• My Final Thoughts

My First Impressions

When I first opened the Cakes package (a bright pink tube), I noticed the silicone strips—three sizes in total (6, 9, and 12 inches)—were stuck onto plastic-backed sheets. These three sizes of tape are designed to be used on every breast shape and size—though, if you have a larger bust, you may prefer to layer strips for added support. To use a strip, you just peel it off the sheet and apply it. If you don’t like the way the tape is sitting, you can easily remove it and start over. When you’re done, stick the tape back on the sheet, roll everything up again, and slide the pieces back into the tube.

I’m used to classic rolls of boob tape, where you have to eyeball the size, cut pieces yourself, and then hope you’re placing and pulling them the right way. But with these, there’s no frustrating trial and error. Inside the package, there’s a pamphlet that walks you through different ways to apply the strips, depending on the type of support you need. Since I was wearing a spaghetti-strap top, I followed the diagram Cakes calls “The Baddie,” which is meant for strapless or off-the-shoulder looks. It shows how to add support underneath the breasts, so everything stays lifted without any tape peeking out.

There are also guides for lifting and separating your breasts, or for holding them together if you have fuller breasts. As someone who doesn’t use tape often, having those visuals (with no guesswork involved) was invaluable.

Front view before placing the Cakes Tape

Lily Wohlner

Front view after placing the Cakes Tape

Lily Wohlner

Peeling the strips off the sheet takes a little patience—if you rush the process, they can fold onto themselves or stick to your fingers. But once you smooth them out and place them on your skin (make sure your chest is clean and dry—no oils or lotions), they adhere nicely without tugging. I placed the longest strip along the underside of my chest, then used two of the medium strips along the outside of each breast to help lift them up. I held each strip in place for five to 10 seconds to make sure it adhered properly. In total, the application process took about five minutes, but with practice, I’m sure it’ll take less time.

Once they were on, the strips felt surprisingly light and didn’t pull on my skin at all. Another plus: The color I chose, Honey, blended well with my light-to-medium skin tone. If you have a medium or olive skin tone, the shade Caramel will likely be your best match, while deeper skin tones may prefer Cocoa. That said, the strips are pretty sheer, so each shade can work across a range of complexions.

A look at all of the tape sizes that come inside the box

Lily Wohlner

How I Wear Them

The diagrams show four ways to wear these, but once you get comfortable with the strips, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Once I figured out the right configuration for my spaghetti-strap top (I wore the long piece under my breasts and two medium pieces along the sides), I pulled my shirt on over top and was immediately impressed. The strips appeared almost seamless under the fabric from all angles, and my chest looked so much more lifted compared to when I wore the top without them. A new silhouette, with no bra required? I’m in.

As I headed out the door, I was worried that the strips might start to slide down—especially since they’re made from silicone, rather than traditional adhesive. But to my surprise, Cakes held everything in place all day and didn’t slip. I wore them for 12 hours, and by the time I got home, they looked the same as when I applied them.

Taking the strips off was just as easy. I peeled them off in about five seconds, completely pain-free, and each strip came off in one piece. Getting them separated and smoothed back onto the plastic sheet takes a couple of minutes of finagling, but it’s well worth the all-day-wear payoff. Each strip can be reused up to three times, and since I don’t reach for boob tape all that often, one set can easily last months. I have worn them twice since my first trial, once with a backless sweater and once with a tube top, and they impressed me just the same both times. So far, I don't see any signs of them needing to be tossed. With proper care (like sticking them back onto the sheet), I think you can totally stretch that lifespan a bit longer.

Side view before placing the Cakes Tape

Lily Wohlner

Side view after placing the Cakes Tape

Lily Wohlner

My Final Thoughts

I’ll definitely be using this boob tape throughout the summer, when my tube tops and strappy tops are in heavy rotation. I can also see them coming in handy during peak wedding season this fall when seemingly everyone I know is getting married. The fact that the strips are reusable and truly no-budge makes the $48 price tag feel well worth it. One caveat: I found it a little tricky to completely hide the strips under super low-cut tops, but practice makes perfect. If you’ve given up on traditional boob tape and would much rather try an option that goes on and comes off without irritating your skin, stays put all day, and doesn’t require cutting and reconfiguring strips, Cakes Tape ($48 for six strips) is definitely worth checking out.

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Cakes Body

Cakes Tape

$48

Cakes Body

More support for the girls:

• Cakes Stickies Give Your Girls the Seamless Support They Deserve
• These Nipple Covers Are So Good, You’ll Forget You’re Wearing Them
• The Price of Perky Boobs