There’s nothing worse than being hot with no AC in sight to save you: hair stuck to your neck, dress clinging to your thighs, makeup that looked flawless five minutes ago now a puddle on the floor. But we are firm believers that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice looking good on scorching summer days. Although summer is winding down, the hot temperatures are sticking around, so we asked a handful of makeup artists for their trusted tips and tricks to keep your look (and your cool) intact. These sweatproof makeup tips will prevent your makeup from melting. 01 of 06 Switch Up Your Application Technique Using too much product during the summer months can result in your face melting like an ice cream cone. To avoid this, celebrity makeup artist Jenny Patinkin recommends using a makeup brush that has been primed with foundation to achieve flawless coverage. “Working a small amount of product into the brush bristles before application is a great way to get sheer coverage on your skin without building up thick layers that can melt, slip, or slide.” 02 of 06 Strategically Layer Setting Spray Setting spray is a great finishing touch to seal in your sweatproof makeup look and make it last longer. If you’ve noticed your makeup gets shiny quickly in the heat, opt for a setting spray with a matte finish. Felicia Walker, editor in chief of ThisThatBeauty, says that setting spray is a non-negotiable in her sweatproof makeup routine, but it’s not just a haphazard spritz-and-go situation. Instead, she sprays three rounds of setting spray: one after sunscreen application, one after concealer application, and a final spritz when the look is complete. This ensures every layer of product is sealed and won’t slip around. “Even if my face sweats throughout the day, my makeup does not budge,” Walker says. 03 of 06 Don’t Skip Skin Prep There’s a widespread myth that you should avoid moisturizing if you have oily skin, but in reality, moisturizer plays a crucial role in regulating oil production. In fact, skipping moisturizer can lead to shinier skin, because your skin may overproduce oil to compensate for the lack of hydration it's receiving. The summer months are no exception! Celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo says that surface-level dehydration is the number one reason why makeup can look patchy and wear poorly in the heat. Natalie Dresher, a Miami-based makeup artist, suggests combining your moisturizer with an oil-control primer—with a focus on your T-zone—to keep your skin both hydrated and free from excessive sweating. 04 of 06 Prime Your Lids If you tend to have oily eyelids and they’re worse in the summer, try spritzing a bit of matte setting spray on a dry sponge and blotting your eyelids gently with it before you apply your eye makeup, says celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin. This helps neutralize the oil on the eyelid and lock down eyeshadow. Racoon eyes, be gone! 05 of 06 Blend, Baby, Blend To improve wear time and achieve a flawless finish, Patinkin and Martin suggest blotting over your foundation and concealer with a cold, damp sponge. This helps smooth patchiness and lift away excess product that has not gripped into the skin. Bonus: a damp beauty blender will instantly cool down a flushed face. 06 of 06 Bring Powder on the Go If all else fails and you find your makeup starting to look oily, be prepared with a powder compact. Throwing one of these powders into your purse allows for quick touch-ups on the go (especially if the compact has a mirror). Ditto blotting papers, which celebrity makeup artist Avia Solomon recommends for soaking up oil anytime, anywhere.

As a self-proclaimed, beauty-obsessed shopping writer, this is the time of year that I have my eyes (and notifications) set on every epic beauty deal under the sun. The only thing better than nabbing an effective product is getting it at an exclusive discount. If you think that you have to wait for Amazon's Black Friday sale to score savings, I'm here to tell you that there is no need to. I spent over eight hours digging through the Deals hub and came across 30 deals worth a second glance. Check them out below. 10 Best Amazon Early Black Friday Makeup Deals Holiday parties, here we come—and with a makeup bag stocked with glorious options that are sure to become your new staples. I was thrilled to see Lancôme's popular Hypnôse Drama Extreme Volumizing Mascara for less. Even affordable tools like Real Techniques' Extra Big Powder Brush are on sale. I suggest grabbing multiples. Give Clinique's Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss a try to top off your favorite fall and winter shades this year. Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighter, $9 (was $12) Real Techniques Extra Big Powder Brush, $9 (was $12) Laura Geller New York The Best of the Best Baked Palette, $54 (was $69) L’Oréal Paris Cosmetics Infallible Grip Precision Felt Eyeliner, $6 (was $13) Clinique Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss, $20 (was $25) Covergirl Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle Blurring Pressed Powder, $9 (was $18) Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Extreme Volumizing Mascara, $24 (was $33) Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick, $22 (was $25) Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx No-Filter Primer, $36 (was $42) Lancôme Dual Finish Multi-tasking Longwear Powder Foundation, $40 (was $52)

Step aside, Barbiecore: It’s officially the season of "Brat Green." Following the release of Charli XCX’s new album Brat, fans and pop music enthusiasts have turned Brat—and the album’s green aesthetic—into a lifestyle of sorts. You might have heard about one of the various iterations of this trend (brat green, brat girl summer, and the list goes on), but this affronting color is hard to miss. Brat green embraces all that is messy yet girlish, immodest yet classy, abrasive yet gentle; in fact, you might want to pull out every green item in your possession, because brat green isn’t going anywhere any time soon. If you’re not familiar with Charli XCX’s new album and its greenish-yellow color scheme, or you simply want to advance to the next level of "brat girl summer," read on for more details on the brat green trend and how to incorporate the color into your life. What Is Brat Green? Brat green is more than just the color of many on-trend designer purses, handbags, and jewelry—it’s also a way of living. “For me, it just felt like the most wrong out of all the options we had,” Charli XCX explains in a recent interview. “The most off, the most uncomfortable, the most disorientating. And that’s why I chose it.” The album is a culmination of songs that, much like brat green, represent the harsh and imperfect feelings which come with being human. Fans immediately took note, creating TikTok videos declaring brat green the official color of the summer and perfecting their creamy green eyeshadow looks. Adobe Design describes the green shade as evoking growth, youth, and enthusiasm—the perfect description for how Charli XCX approaches her music. How to Use Brat Green in Your Day-to-Day Life Even if green isn’t your go-to color, brat green might deserve a chance. Here are a few ideas for incorporating the color into your life, from beauty and fashion to home design. Brat Makeup It’s time to pull out your green eyeshadow, lipstick, and even mascara. Makeup is a fun and exciting way to experiment with brat green. For example, you might consider a fluorescent eyeshadow look complete with green mascara. Or maybe you make glossy green lipsticks work like nobody else. Brat makeup is perfect for a night out, and you’ll be surprised how many times someone tells you “you’re so brat.” Brat Room Decor Are you in need of a room revamp? Consider using accent pieces to help your space stand out (in the best way). If you prioritize sleep, you might consider introducing brat-green blackout curtains to bring both design and function to your room. Brat Dresses Fashion is a timeless way to express yourself. For any upcoming events, consider bringing brat to the function. Green is one of those colors that looks good on everyone, so if you can get your hands on this specific shade, don’t be afraid to flaunt it. Brat Accent Walls Speaking of accent pieces, there’s nothing that adds character like an accent wall. Depending on the current color of your walls (and your ability to change it), you might consider painting one section this greenish yellow. We’re serious—greenish-yellow walls are having a moment right now. Regardless of how you choose to bring brat into your life this year, try not to take yourself too seriously—after all, that is the point of brat green.

When it comes to contouring, it’s the cheekbones and jawline that are often the most talked about. But, while addressing these areas can help sculpt your face for that oh-so-coveted “snatched” appearance, contouring your nose can have a variety of different effects. “Depending on the technique, contouring can slim the nose, make it appear shorter, or generally visually alter the shape,” explains makeup artist Sarah Biggers-Stewart, founder of Clover by Clove + Hollow. It’s a great option for anyone who wants to subtly tweak the look of their nose—without having to spend a lot of money or undergo any type of procedure, she adds. And while it may seem like it’s a technique best left up to the pro, nose contouring is actually surprisingly simple. Here, a step-by-step guide on how to contour your nose. How to Contour Nose: Step-by-Step Guide 1. Apply lighter tones first. Contour colors (which are darker, more shadow-y hues) are typically paired with lighter shades via a highlighter or concealer; the contrast adds dimension and makes for an overall more natural result. When it comes to the nose, celebrity makeup artist Tomy Rivero recommends applying that lighter color first. “It will give you a better idea as to where exactly to bring in the shading,” he explains, adding that it should be applied directly down the bridge of your nose. You can use either a highlighter or a concealer for this; he likes the Nars Creamy Concealer (Buy Now, $32) for this purpose. Choose a shade that’s a few shades lighter than your skin tone. 2. Choose your contour color carefully. “Look for a product that's specifically made for contouring rather than a bronzer, which can be too warm. Contour products tend to have a more neutral, gray tone, so they replicate the appearance of shadow more accurately,” Biggers-Stewart notes. Also important: There should be no shimmer or sparkle, adds makeup artist Lori Leib, founder of Bodyography. Finally, look for products that have a smaller tip. Ones that are too big can make it challenging for the type of precise application that’s required for the nose, and can end up looking overdone or cause you to inadvertently create the wrong shape, she cautions. Biggers-Stewart agrees, adding that she likes the Victoria Beckham Beauty Contour Stylus (Buy Now, $38) for the nose for this very reason. 3. Go forth and contour. To slim the nose, you’ll want to apply your contour product of choice down both sides of your nose. “Start at the base of the brows and work your way down towards the tip,” advises Leib. You can draw it on in a straight line, although she suggests mapping out the shape with small dots or dashes, then connecting them to form a line for more precision. And FYI, “The closer together the two lines, the slimmer the nose will appear,” she says. Want to make your nose look shorter? Leib suggests adding a little bit of contouring product along the tip, which will create the appearance of a more button-type nose, she says. 4. Blend, blend, blend—then blend some more. “Nose contour looks instantly obvious if there are harsh lines where it was applied,” Biggers-Stewart points out. Her trick: Use a small, fluffy brush—we like the e.l.f. Cosmetics Precise Eyeshadow Blending Brush (Buy Now, $4)—to buff out any lines you draw on, moving in small circles until everything is fully blended in. You can make the end result look even more seamless by adding a touch of a sheer foundation onto a damp makeup sponge, and lightly blending that over the entire nose, suggests Romero. It’s an easy way to meld all of the product and colors together, ensuring everything looks extremely natural, he explains.

In a perfect world, we’d all have time to put on a face full of makeup every morning, if we so desire. But between work, kids, and everything life throws at us, that just isn’t always possible. However, just because you're in a rush doesn't mean you have to skip out on your makeup routine altogether. You just need a new strategy. Here are five tips to help you get ready faster in the morning, according to makeup artists. Declutter Your Makeup Stash It’s faster to get ready if you know where everything is. So start by decluttering your makeup collection. Get rid of any makeup that's expired or that you don’t wear. Then rearrange your makeup into different drawers or organizers, separating your work look from your night-out look. This way you don’t need to sort through your smoky eye palettes when you’re trying to put on light neutrals and beat rush-hour traffic. Organize Your Products the Night Before Another option is to lay things out the night before, explains Brittany Lo, professional makeup artist and founder of Beia. “The more you can do in advance to prepare for getting ready quickly in the future, the better. It takes prep work, but if my space is organized and my products are easy to grab, I find I can get ready so much faster. Sometimes, if I know I will be rushing to get ready, I lay out all my products in advance so I can quickly move from one to the next, and I worry about putting them away later.” Start with the Eyes Makeup artist Ashley Gomila tells me you’ll save time by applying your eye makeup before your foundation or anything else. “Starting with eye makeup keeps a clean slate to eventually apply primer and foundation. If you do the eyes last, it can slow down the process because of eyeshadow fallout or smudging.” Avoid Time-Consuming Products If you’re in a rush, Gomila advises against doing anything too complex or technical like a winged liner. Lo suggests avoiding dark colors because they can take a while to blend. “If I’m in a rush, I tend to go for the simplest applications that can be swiped on without having to worry about perfection,” Lo says. Choose the Easier Option There’s a fast way to do things and a slow way. For example, Lo recommends skipping the liquid liner and using a soft pencil instead. Contouring is another thing that can take a while, but that doesn’t mean an alternative can’t give you a similar look. “Instead of contouring, use self-tan drops and a setting spray to give yourself a natural glow. If you have time, you can even use self-tan to contour your face the night before and rinse in the morning.” Learn a Five-Minute Makeup Routine Remember, makeup isn’t all or nothing. Sometimes a few key products can help you look put together. If you typically wear a full face of makeup, practice a quick version that you can achieve in just five minutes. For a five-minute makeup routine, focus on easy applications that have a big impact. “Curling eyelashes and a quick coat of mascara is especially effective when looking for big impact in a little bit of time,” Gomila says. Gomila's quick routine: she curls her lashes and applies mascara, followed by fluffing and filling in brows, then finishing off with a brow gel. Then she puts on a little concealer and applies tinted moisturizer on a damp Beauty Blender. Finally, she finishes with a bold lip, which you can always apply on the go. Lo has a similar approach, but says it's OK to skip the eyebrows if you're in a hurry. “I feel like as long as you can swipe on concealer, blush, mascara, and lipstick, it looks like you’ve put yourself together well. This will even out your skin tone, add color, brighten your eyes quickly, and make a noticeable transformation.”

As a beauty director, trying new products is a big part of my job (insert the praise hands emoji here). I’m constantly bouncing from one buzzy new skin, hair, and makeup formula to the next. But once in a while, a superstar standout makes its way into my daily routine. Enter Aquaphor, a dermatologist-approved, skin care staple that I use a bunch of different ways. From dry lips and flaky eyelids, to ragged cuticles, unruly brows, and even on my daughter’s diaper rash, Aquaphor helps to solve all kinds of beauty—and beyond—woes. It’s my desert island pick for sure (I've even used it as highlighter on my cheeks and I slick it on my hands when I'm on TV for a healthy sheen). So when I heard there was a new coconut variant in town, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. The sample of the Lip Repair Stick in Coconut came at the perfect time. Fall is in full effect here in New York and along with the crisper air and shorter days usually comes chapped lips (woof). In full transparency, I’m a lip picker (gross, I know) so keeping my lips smooth and hydrated is key, because once those flakes arise, it’s an uphill battle all season long. Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick in Coconut The 99% naturally derived formula comes in a handy stick and is free of preservatives, dyes, and fragrances—a great option if you’re looking for a cleaner product. And although I love the giant tubs and squeeze tubes, the portable stick is the most convenient to stash in my bag. While the OG formula contains petroleum jelly, mineral oil, glycerin, and lanolin, which help soften skin and create an occlusive barrier to lock in moisture, this new formula contains coconut oil and shea butter, along with castor seed oil, beeswax, and sunflower oil, making it amazing for sensitive lips (it me). I asked one of my favorite dermatologists, Joshua Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist and director of dermatology cosmetic and clinical research at the Mount Sinai Hospital, to compare the ingredient lists. "This formula does not use purified petrolatum as its base, which gives it a lighter consistency and easy spreadability for areas like the lips," he says. "While purified petroleum has been shown to be safe and effective for use on the skin, this alternative version provides another option for those looking for all-natural ingredients." While I still love using the OG formula as a thick overnight lip mask, the new coconut stick is ideal for everyday use. It’s thin yet super healing and it legit turns my crackly lips into supple, kissable ones. Before I do my makeup, I swipe on a thin coat, then I do my foundation, blush, and eyes, so when it’s time to do my lips, it has had some time to sink in and my lips are primed for a smooth lipstick application—mwah. If you’re nervous that the balm will have a super sweet, coconutty scent reminiscent of Bonnebell Pina Colada (my high school fave), rest assured it’s fragrance-free. So while I’ll still test all of the new lip balms that roll in, because, well, you know, duty calls, I already know the winner I’ll be swiping on all season long.

It’s hard to be disappointed in Rihanna. The Grammy award-winning artist has consistently dropped greatness—from her last ANTI album to her latest Fenty Hair line, the icon keeps us on our toes. Her most recent accomplishment is the arrival of her lip liners, a fan request since the brand’s birth in 2017. While Fenty’s products are known for being nothing short of amazing, this category symbolized something more—representation. Fenty Beauty Trace'd Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner While it's no secret that the beauty industry is oversaturated these days, there wasn’t always a seat at the table for Black brands. “Fenty Beauty was one of the first brands to disrupt the market by coming out with a broader range of colors, evenly ranging across the color spectrum, and the industry is still catching up,” says Samreen Arshad, CEO and founder of SamreensVanity, a makeup brand geared towards women of color. “Historically, the beauty industry has focused on their demand perception, which is those with lighter skin tones.” Before the launch of Fenty, on average, makeup brands only contained 12 to 15 shade range options—many of which were non-inclusive. Today, there are over 50 shade range options in Fenty’s line, and thanks to the “Fenty effect,” other brands are making efforts to be more inclusive. However, there is still more work that needs to be done. As most Black consumers know, lip liners usually still miss the mark regarding deeper/darker skin tones. Reds can appear as browns, and browns can appear as nothing on pigmented lips. The new Fenty lip liners were specifically designed with people of color in mind, boasting darker colors of a richly pigmented, cream formula. Of course, I had to test the product myself to ensure the brand lived up to its continued hype. When I applied the first swipe, I was in actual shock. I tried Coal Blooded, the deepest and darkest shade in the line. I will admit, I was skeptical—most dark lip liners tend to pull just black on my skin, and lack the brown pigment to really complement my skin/lips. However, that was not the case—this shade blended with my lips seamlessly. The formula itself was extra creamy and glided on with ease. I bite my lips often and sometimes have broken skin, but there was not a single tug or pull, and no patchiness either. The pencil shape and pointed tip made it more than easy to trace my cupid bow, all while also hydrating my lips. Afterward, I filled it with Fenty's new Gloss Bomb Stix for a perfect pout. Not only were the liners formulated with all skin types in mind, they held something valuable: representation through pigmentation. The perfect shade match represented not only the happiness and beautiful empowerment I felt from the deep rich brown color, but also the fact that someone in the cosmetic industry finally heard the requests from customers who looked like me. I can say in true Rihanna fashion, you can’t kiss it any better than with these lip liners.

Bobbi Brown has been in my orbit for as long as I can remember. I watched her give women life-changing makeovers on the Oprah Winfrey Show and one year into my beauty editor career in New York City, her Makeup Manual was basically my bible. So when I had the opportunity to chat with Bobbi after her keynote at the inaugural Travel + Leisure World’s Best Summit in July, I put on some Jones Road makeup and recorded every word the makeup artist, brand founder, boutique hotel owner, hip hop dancer, and new grandmother had to say. What is your favorite thing right now? BB: "I love being a grandma; it's my favorite thing." What is the number one makeup mistake people are making? BB: "I think that really the biggest mistake people are making is they're just not wearing either enough or the right makeup. A lot of people come in and they don't like the overly made up look, but they don't know what to do. So one of my challenges is teaching my makeup artists on how to make it look like they have no makeup on. You know, you need to lighten up under the eyes, you need enough blush, and if their skin is oily, you need a powder, but when you choose the right products—the Jones Road one, it doesn't look like cakey powder. I like choosing the right textures for your skin. Knowing what your skin—and your changing skin—needs is really important. And I think a lot of tradition makeup on the market just makes you look too made up, so you've got to find something that works with your skin so that you don't look overly made up." What are some tweaks women over 40 should consider making to their beauty routine? BB: "Believe it or not, don't be afraid of moisturizers. A lot of people aren't using moisturizers. Honestly, and so everything looks dry and cakey. Sometimes when I'm having a bad beauty day, I just take an Oil Stick and I put it allover and I just look so much better. It's giving you the glow and the moisture your skin needs. Usually when you don't look good, you're tired and dehydrated so drinking water and putting oil on your face is a good thing. If you have combination or oily skin, just put the oil on your cheek. I have super dry skin so I put it everywhere." What makes Jones Road products different? BB: "One thing that people don't know about the Face Pencils, is that it has a clear base. What that means is that it doesn't look pasty on your face. You can be a guy and cover a blemish on your face and it's not going to look like you have makeup on. The base is usually opaque and you put tint on top of the opaque and it's almost like putting Pepto Bismol on your face—that whiteish cast." What is the concealer method you swear by? BB: "Well, I like to choose a concealer one shade lighter than whatever you put on your face because that just lightens up. But most people, one is fine, but if you get another shade that's more of a neutralizer and put it on that deepest recessed area, that kind of brings everything up to the surface and you look brighter under the eyes. I'm a minimalist but two of those pencils work wonders." What are some beauty trends that drive you crazy? BB: "I don't understand why people put concealer on the outer corners of your eyes. I only put it where you're dark. Those drive me crazy. A lot of content creators are doing that to lift but they're not putting it where it's dark. Go all the way to the lashes. And I've never been a fan of contouring because A., it tells women what's wrong with them and it looks like dirt on your face. I'd rather use a bronzer and a highlighter and let your face naturally sculpt." How do you feel when brands copy your products? BB: "I feel great because that means I've done something fantastic. Honestly, there are a lot of brands coming out with their version [of the Miracle Balm] and I'm like 'you're not even close.' What are some brands you think are doing a good job? BB: "In beauty...Vacation; I'm obsessed and I think they're doing a phenomenal job. I met the founder online and I thought it was a 60-year-old woman and he's like a 30-year-old guy who worked in advertising." Who's your biggest beauty inspiration? BB: "I'm a big fan of Naomi Watts. I think she's one of the celebrities who hasn't shot up her face. And, I think that to me, it's the most beautiful." What are your thoughts on injections? BB: "I'm not a fan." What are some treatments you are a fan of? BB: "I do lasers, my favorite one is Sofwave and I really like it; I did my face and my neck. And I also did something called, and I'm going to do it again, Heroic. It gets spots off your arms." What is your go-to fragrance? BB: "Well, I have one I made called Shower, which smells like you just got out of the shower and there's one on my dresser called Je Reviens By Worth; it's what my Aunt Alice used to wear and I just love it." What got you into beauty in the first place? BB: "Just my mom was always a glamorous woman and very much loved everything beauty and I'm pretty much the opposite of her; and even though I love beauty, she was overly glam." Spill the tea on some upcoming Jones Road newness. BB: "I'm working on a sunscreen, otherwise, I haven't found one that I love. Here's my makeup bag. [insert me screaming, crying, and freaking out as she pulls out her Stasher bag full of her personal makeup] Do you want to see what's launching next week? We have a palette of Miracle Balms. There's three different palettes: a tint, a blush color, and a highlight for each." Note: The palettes are available as of 7/23 for $32 each exclusively at Jones Road stores and JonesRoadBeauty.com. What is your best business advice? BB: "Not being an asshole. Being nice. Being normal. Caring about things. I still care about everything. I do the makeup and I style every Jones Road shoot. I kind of art direct it and buy jewelry off Amazon."

Rhode’s blushes are finally here—and after months of not-so-subtle teasers from founder Hailey Bieber herself, the Pocket Blushes have received quite the warm welcome. True to its name, the brand’s second venture into color cosmetics is a perfectly pocket-sized, swipe-on cream blush with a long-wearing, hydrating formula that leaves behind a glowy—not greasy—finish. And like the rest of the brand’s lineup, they’re chock full of skin-loving peptides. Pocket Blush comes in six shades that can be applied for a sheer wash or built up for a full-on flush. There’s Piggy, a baby pink; Freckle, a neutral peach; Spicy Marg, a bright coral; Sleepy Girl, a soft mauve; Juice Box, a hot pink; and Toasted Teddy, a bronzed terracotta. Each shade features a satin-like finish that’s slightly glowy without being too wet or sparkly. Ahead, we had two beauty writers break down their honest thoughts on the Pocket Blush,. Wendy Rose Gould I don’t always fawn over celebrity beauty brands—and there have been quite a few that missed the mark over the years and quietly faded into the background—but Hailey Bieber’s Rhode line is one that’s continued to serve. As a beauty writer who’s seen a lot over the years, I’d argue that one of the key reasons why it’s been so successful is because the collection is intentionally curated and small. In other words, she’s not throwing everything into the kitchen sink and seeing what sticks, but instead showcasing a few choice products that are all carefully formulated. The brand’s newest launch, The Pocket Blushes, is a collection of six creamy blushes in a mechanical twist-up pop package. They represent the brand’s first true foray into color cosmetics; I already used and loved the skincare products so I was super curious to see if Hailey could make the jump from skincare to makeup. Spoiler: I’m obsessed. Let’s cover the basics before diving into the juicy details. The Pocket Blushes cost $24 each (definitely on the spendy side, but not outrageous) and come in a spectrum of hues that flatter a range of skin tones. I’m very fair skinned with cool undertones, and my two favorites from the collection were Juice Box for a peppy, splashy burst of pink color, and Sleepy Girl for a neutral everyday look. Spicy Marg and Freckle were also really beautiful on my skin. As for the formula… you guys. It’s insanely good. I’ll preface by saying I’m extremely picky about my blush formulas, and tend to only use creams or liquids since I feel like they blend so much easier and have a more natural flushed result. The problem with cream and liquid blushes, though, is that they often aren’t as intense in color, and they can sometimes melt away halfway through the day. The pigment in The Pocket Blushes is wildly rich—you just need the faintest contact with your skin to get a vibrant color payoff. You don’t need to rub it against your skin or apply a ton because truly, a little goes a long way. Second, the formula is slightly wet on contact, and once you start blending (I do this with my fingers) it soaks into your skin for the most beautiful natural flush. TBH it gives dewy, effortless, painted renaissance princess vibes. My primary criticism of Rhode’s Pocket Blush is that the packaging feels bulky and wasteful to me. There's a lot of plastic surrounding the tube of blush itself, and for a name like “pocket blush” it feels like a missed opportunity to make this more of an actual “fits in your pocket” sort of size. Maybe we can all hope for an update to the packaging in the blush’s next iteration. Other than that, it’s a win in every other dimension—cost, color range, color payoff, and ease of application. I will definitely re-stock as needed, and recommend you check it out. Danielle Cohen Intended to fit in your tiniest summer purses for on-the-go use, the blushes are small—but in a way that feels more intentional than other pint-sized options on the market. The smaller applicator allows for precision detailing that makes it easy to simply swipe the product directly onto the cheeks (rather than using your fingers or a brush). And crucially, the cap fits snuggly onto the component—it makes a satisfying little thwack when you pop it off and audibly clicks when secured back on, subtly signaling to users that it’s safe to throw in your bag without fear of coming apart. And I can confirm that it’s sturdy—Freckle sat soundly in my overstuffed purse throughout an 8-hour day running around town. My only gripe from a packaging standpoint is the teeny tiny sticker on the bottom of each blush with the product shade information. As someone with a larger makeup collection—and someone who frequently throws several shades of the same product in one bag—I would’ve preferred the packaging to reflect the shade more clearly, perhaps replacing the nude-hued logo on the side. Formula-wise, you really couldn’t ask for more in a cream blush formula. It feels neither sticky nor wet, but rather the perfect in-between creamy consistency. The finish is slightly dewy, but it really leans toward a more satin dry-down that feels more lived-in and natural. The colors are gloriously pigmented, and the creamy formula allows you to diffuse them out to your liking, making for a truly customizable flush. The shades look particularly flattering on my light neutral skin—seriously, like they were each hand-picked for me—though I can’t speak to their payoff on darker skin tones. I’ve found myself reaching for Freckle, Sleepy Girl, and Toasted Teddy the most; the varying degrees of terracotta make for my perfect everyday blush. What’s most impressive to me is the longevity. Those delicious creamy formulas we all know and love are notorious for slipping off the face, but I haven’t found that to be true here. Once they’re set, Rhode’s blushes stay put. As I type these words, I’m only just noticing my blush start to fade after 6 hours of wear (during which I spent half the time running errands in the 85-degree heat). Even as the color fades, it does so gracefully—none of those dreaded streaks or patchiness. Given Rhode’s stellar line up thus far, it’s not exactly surprising that these blushes are a hit. But it is some seriously good news, and it makes me really excited to see what lies ahead for the brand. Above all, I love how purposeful every detail feels—something that Bieber has emphasized time and time again when talking about the brand. If you ask me, these are bound to sell out fast, so I’d hop on that wait list stat. May the odds be ever in your favor.