Sabrina Carpenter has had quite the year, revealing a new Marilyn Monroe-gone-pop look, performing at the industry’s most-watched events, and debuting chart-topping hits like "Please Please Please," "Taste," and "Espresso."
It’s the latter song that really catapulted her into fame over the last 365 days, though, and the one-year anniversary of the song launch lines up perfectly with her newest fragrance, “Me Espresso Eau de Parfum.” We chatted with the perfume formulator to learn all about what went into this delicious, coffee-infused scent.
A Coffee Gourmand With a Floral Twist
Like Sabrina Carpenter herself, Me Espresso is bold, sweet, and vibrant. It’s got an energizing vibe via espresso bean and is infused with cocoa powder, buttery biscotti, caramel, and sugared amber—the perfect latte order if you ask us. Add a little bit of night-blooming jasmine and vanilla orchid and you’ve got yourself the perfect balance of creamy sweetness, floral sophistication, and a toasty coffee kick.
“Each [note] was chosen to create a scent that unfolds beautifully throughout the day—much like the experience of enjoying a rich espresso,” says Gil Clavien, the nose behind the scent and principal perfumer at DSM-Firmenich. “The notes were carefully layered to offer both immediate impact and lasting depth, combining sweetness, warmth, and a touch of floral elegance to make it feel indulgent yet wearable.”
She adds that “Me Espresso” was inspired by that first sip of coffee—the way it wakes you up, makes you feel cozy and warm, and gives you a little zing before you take on the day. It’s all about capturing that ritual and turning it into something you can wear. The fragrance was also, clearly, inspired by Sabrina Carpenter’s hit single, and the scent helps bring that vibe to life.
“The song is about a woman who is so amazing she keeps a man awake and we wanted a scent to embody that,” Clavien says. “Me Espresso is for anyone who wants their fragrance to feel like a little boost of confidence. It’s perfect for those who love warm, cozy scents with a sweet twist, and who see fragrance as part of their personal style.”
If you’re someone who’s drawn to gourmand fragrances then it’s a great pick to add to your rotation, and if you’re someone who’s curious about this unique fusion of coffee, sweets, and florals coming together then you have to give it a whiff, as well.
When it comes to keeping it real, no one does it quite like Drew Barrymore. In a recent interview, the eternally sunny actress and talk show host gave us yet another reason to love her: She revealed that her biggest beauty regret is one so many of us can relate to—over-plucking her eyebrows. “I try not to have any regrets; part of the fun of beauty is the chance to experiment,” Drew explains. “That being said, I may have been overly enthusiastic with tweezing my eyebrows in the ‘90s. But it was a thing! Live and learn!” Honestly, SAME.
Drew's Take on Beauty Trends
The beauty trend Drew Barrymore is totally here for
Of course, we had to ask Drew what beauty trend she’s loving right now. Her answer was peak Drew—and honestly, it gave us all the feels. “The trend of authentic, real, honest-to-goodness self-acceptance and self-love,” she says. “What’s more beautiful than that?” [Insert heart-eyes emoji here.] We couldn’t agree more.
The one beauty trend she's so over
When it comes to trends she wishes would just go away, Drew didn’t hesitate: “I just can’t get behind anti-aging anything. Aging is a gift—it means we’re still here! I want to embrace time, not fight against it.” Mic. Drop.
The throwback trend she wants to revive
Drew’s current mission? Bringing back all things earthy and joyful. “Tree-hugging! And stargazing! And picnicking by the river!” she says. She’s not just talking the talk, either. As a Garnier ambassador, Drew is partnering with the National Parks Foundation this Earth Day to support over 200,000 service hours dedicated to conservation efforts across the U.S. “These crews will be restoring trails, revitalizing habitats, planting trees, and so much more,” she says. “Now’s the perfect time to get involved and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer.”
Drew's Simple (and Surprising) Sustainability Tip
When we asked Drew for an easy, everyday change we can make to help the planet, she had a surprisingly simple tip: conserve water. “I never skip brushing my teeth or washing my face, but I have been known to skip a shower,” she admits. “And even when I do shower, I keep it short. Growing up in California, I know how important it is to conserve where we can.”
Another trick she swears by: skipping daily hair washes. “I wash maybe twice a week but can definitely go five or six days between washes,” she says. (Honestly, our scalps just breathed a sigh of relief.)
The Morning Habit She Never Skips
So what else is Drew doing to feel her best? It’s all about mind-body-soul care. “I take a minute in the mirror every morning to say something kind to myself,” she says. “Mind-body-soul hygiene.” (We’re stealing that phrase immediately.) She also gives her skin a gentle wake-up call. “I wash my face in the morning—gently, though. I think of it like saying ‘good morning’ to my skin.” And if she has extra time? She treats her hair to a deep conditioning moment. “I super saturate two braids with leave-in conditioner and let it sit for as long as I possibly can,” Drew says.
You hit a certain age in life where makeup rules suddenly change and what you once knew becomes less applicable. Sometimes, old tricks can even start working against you. Eye makeup is the perfect example since this delicate area of the face becomes hooded, thinner, more “crepey,” and drier as we get older.
“Not only is this where our thinnest skin is located, but unlike most other areas of the face and body, the eyelids are equipped with extra skin by design to allow the eye to blink and close,” explains Bryan Cantor, celebrity makeup artist. “So, where you might only be seeing slight sagging or wrinkles on other parts of your face, this effect will be exaggerated on the eyelids.”
Sometimes the tiniest tweaks make all the difference, so we reached out to makeup artists for their best eye makeup tips for mature skin. Their pro tips are less about “following beauty standard rules” and more about figuring out what works best to show off your features.
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Apply Concealer or Foundation to Your Lids
As skin ages it naturally gets thinner, which can reveal discoloration and veins. Before applying eye shadow, “even out your eyelids by applying a lightweight foundation, concealer, or a skin-tone neutral eye shadow,” says Sara Kuhl, makeup artist and product education and training director for SeneGence. “This creates an even canvas, allowing eyes hadows to appear true to color without requiring multiple layers that can get cake-y.”
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Use Satin or Soft-Matte Formulas
You’ve probably heard the rule about avoiding glitter or shimmer on mature eyes. This isn’t a hard rule by any means, but it can emphasize and draw attention to the texture here.
“My favorite formulas for the eye area on mature eyes are satin or soft-matte formulas because they reflect just enough light to give skin a healthy glow without enhancing the texture of the eye area,” Cantor says. “Matte cream eye shadow formulas can work well, too. They will give a matte effect and camouflage the texture without making the skin appear too dry.”
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Reach for Hydrating Eyeshadow Sticks
While you can always use powder eye shadow, consider adding some eye shadow sticks to your beauty routine.
“Shadow sticks make it easy—no primer needed,” says Tonya Riner, editorial makeup artist. “I like to apply a small amount at the base of the lashes, then tap it in with my fingers. The blending happens naturally without tugging on delicate skin. To prevent creasing, light layers are key. This keeps excess product from settling into the lid’s natural folds.”
Shadow sticks are also usually hydrating compared to powder, which is great for this area that naturally becomes more dry with age.
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Apply Shimmer in the Eye Corners or Center
While glitter and shimmer can emphasize wrinkles, dryness, or crepey texture, that doesn’t mean you have to forgo the glitz altogether. The key is to use shimmer and glitter in strategic ways.
“If you do choose a shimmer, apply it strategically in minimal amounts, such as only on the inner corner or center of the lid, rather than the entire eyelid,” Kuhl advises. “Or, apply shimmer over a matte highlight on the brow bone for subtle enhancement.”
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Create Crease Definition
Applying a medium-tone eyeshadow slightly higher than your natural crease can help visually lift and open up the eyes, minimizing the effect of any droopiness or hooding. “As skin ages and eyelids become hooded, a medium-tone shadow visually pushes back the crease, creating a more sculpted and youthful eye shape,” Kuhl explains.
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Tightline the Upper Lash Line
Applying eyeliner to eyelids is already tricky enough, but when applying eyeliner on mature eyes it becomes doubly tricky. This is because the skin is looser and moves around more, which can create wobbly or uneven lines.
“Another great tip for applying makeup to mature eyes is to tightline the upper lash line for definition rather than applying eyeliner to the lid,” Cantor says. He adds that heavy or hooded lids will partially or fully cover the liner on your lid when your eye is open, anyway!
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Define Your Brows & Lashes
Along with eyeshadow and eyeliner, a quick swipe of mascara and eyebrow product can make a huge difference. “Curling the eyelashes helps open the eyes and create a more lifted appearance. Curl lashes before priming them with a strengthening and conditioning lash primer if desired,” Kuhl says. “Define your brows gently, following the direction of natural hair growth, and slightly lift the eyebrow arch for a youthful effect.”
Dewy dumplings, glazed donuts, dolphins, and glass—all coveted, highly luminous “skin finish” effects that have risen to the top of the beauty zeitgeist over the years. All these are great in their own way, but “blurred makeup” is the new girl in town and she’s all about creating a diffused, soft-focus filter effect. And the kicker? This makeup trend is super flattering for almost all skin types. So what is blurred makeup and how do you get the look? We reached out to pro makeup artists for the complete how-to.
What Is the Blurred Makeup Trend?
The blurred makeup trend is a very soft and natural diffused finish that blurs pores, imperfections, and harsh lines all with makeup—no social media filters required, explains Kim Paige, professional makeup artist. She says that everything from your foundation to blush to finishing powder must be perfectly chosen and then blended seamlessly to nail the blurred effect.
“The appeal of the blurred makeup trend—as opposed to other trends like dewy and glass skin—is that it is much more forgiving to those who aren’t blessed with perfect skin (most of us can relate),” says Bryan Cantor, celebrity makeup artist. “Blurred skin is more matte, which by its nature is more forgiving of imperfections, and also includes the use of blurring products that further minimize imperfections.”
He explains that these wet and dewy approaches can often exaggerate areas that are raised (like bumps or scars) or indented (like wrinkles and pores) because these textures catch the light differently. Blurred makeup fills indents and diffuses the light so skin has a more unified texture.
How to Do Blurred Makeup: Step by Step Guide
If you’re as excited as we are about the blurred makeup trend, you’re probably wondering how to nail the look yourself. Lucky for you, we’ver got a step by step guide on blurred makeup from Cantor and Paige.
1. Use Lightweight, Water-Based Skincare Products
The best blurred makeup begins with a flawless skincare base. You can (and should) use a serum and moisturizer in your skin prep, but avoid anything that’s heavy or oil-based. Think hyaluronic acid serums and lightweight gel moisturizers. These help plump fine lines and smooth your skin, but won’t leave behind a shiny or slick finish.
2. Prep With a Blurring Primer
With your skincare complete, you can move onto your primer. In dewy skincare this is sometimes skipped, but it’s a crucial step for blurred makeup. “To prep your skin for blurred makeup, use blurring primers or blurring balms to minimize pores and create a flawless canvas for your makeup,” Cantor says. These are usually labeled as such.
3. Apply a Natural Matte Foundation
To get the blurred makeup look, Cantor says to look for medium-coverage foundations that have a soft focus effect and a matte or natural matte finish. These “will help to minimize imperfections with both coverage and finish.” Blend well with a brush or sponge.
4. Use Powdered Blush, Contour, and Eyeshadow
Stick with the theme by using soft focus finish blush, contour, and eye shadow—ideally in powder form and without any shimmer or glitter. (Some liquids dry down to a powder finish, and those are OK, too). Cantor says, “These soft focus finishes can now be found not only in setting powders, but also in bronzers, blushes, and other colored cosmetic products.”
5. Finish with a Makeup Powder
Finish your blurred makeup with a natural matte powder to help set everything in place and further add to the blurred effect. You don’t need a ton; consider applying a very light amount across your face and then add a little extra in high-shine spots, like your T-Zone and chin.
A concealer wand is basically a magic makeup tool, able to erase a poor night of sleep, delete a gnarly blemish, or hide stubborn discoloration. You can also strategically apply concealer for a lifted, youthful look that instantly perks up your eyes and gives your face a more uplifted appearance. (Conversely, some application methods have the opposite effect!) We asked professional makeup artists to share their best tips on applying concealer that brightens and subtly sculpts your face.
How to Apply Under Eye Concealer for a Lifted Look
There are all sorts of approaches to applying concealer under eyes for a youthful look, but the common denominator among all techniques is that less is more. Use a light hand, a lightweight formula, and focus only on dark or shadow-y spots versus large areas.
“Apply concealer in a lifting, upward motion, focusing on the inner and outer corners of the eye,” advises T. Cooper, a professional makeup artist based in New York City. “Instead of covering the entire under-eye area, place small amounts where discoloration is most visible, then blend outward. This technique brightens up the eyes without the cakey buildup, and reduces the chances of creasing.”
Cooper notes that you can always add more if needed, so build coverage slowly versus applying big globs.
Where to Apply Concealer
Beyond eyes, you can use concealer to create a lifted, youthful look across the entire face. Think of it as an extension of contouring where you create subtle highlights that draw attention to the high points.
Corners of the Mouth
A shadowy part of the face that often gets forgotten is on either side of your mouth where your lips meet. “Slight darkness can drag the face down, but a touch of concealer lifts and brightens the area,” notes Lex Smith, professional makeup artist for Tarte Cosmetics.
Below the Cheekbones
You can also use a touch of concealer just below your blush for a lifted look. “Placing concealer just under the cheekbone subtly lifts the face and sculpts your cheeks,” Cooper says. “This technique creates a chiseled effect without needing heavy contour products.”
On the Eyelids
This sounds like a strange place to apply concealer, but eyelid skin gets thinner with age and can make veins and discoloration more appearance. Drita Paljevic, head makeup artist at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, recommends applying here as a primer or base that brightens and evens out color. You can use this with or without eyeshadow.
Along Your Nose
Paljevic says you can apply concealer “right down the center of the nose as a form of ‘reverse contour’ to brighten this high point.” You can also use just a touch on either side of your nostrils if you have a lot of shadowing here.
Under Your Brows
Smith is a fan of using a tiny amount of concealer under the outer edge of your eyebrows. “This instantly lifts and defines the eyes for a more awake look,” she says. Remember, a little goes a long way, and make sure to blend it out!
On Your Ears
Hear us out on this one. “If redness or discoloration is present, applying a small amount of concealer to the ears can seamlessly tie the entire makeup look together,” Cooper says. “This is especially true when wearing short hairstyles or updos.”
How to Apply Concealer So It Looks Natural
When applying concealer, use the makeup artist technique of “priming the brush.” Instead of directly applying to your skin, you first apply the product to the back of your hand. This adds warmth to the formula and creates a more natural effect, Paljevic explains. Also, instead of a flat brush or sponge, she says to use a small fluffy brush—similar to an eyeshadow brush.
“Dip it into the concealer, and ensure the product is evenly coated across all bristles. Swirl and buff around in small circles in the area of concern,” Paljevic says. “This creates the most natural, skin-like effect and the tiny bristles help the product settle into fine lines or the texture of a blemish perfectly, without any caking.”
Set with a powder or setting spray after application.
Makeup should be fun and expressive, so by all means, do whatever works for you. But if you're not loving how your makeup looks these days, it's probably because our skin texture changes as we age. But not to worry; there are plenty of easy tips and moisture-packed products that will have you falling in love with your face. Makeup educator Rose Siard is known for teaching her 1.5 million Instagram followers how to do their makeup. We asked the guru for her 10 best makeup dos for people over 60 so you can look—and feel—confident at every age.
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Brush on Brown Mascara
"Using brown mascara instead of black can help create a more subtle lift in your lashes without having a dynamic contract between lid and lash," explains Siard.
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Tightline With a Bronze Liner
"As we age, our lids tend to get heavier, which can lead to a loss of lid space. We can add subtle definition with an earthed-tone tightline, meaning you apply liner to the waterline or the fleshy part of the eyelids."
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Reach for More Hydrating Formulas
"Look for skincare products and foundations that have actives such as hyaluronic acid to plump the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and smooth your makeup application."
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Swipe on a Peptide Lip Treatment
Instead of reaching immediately for the lipstick, apply a lip treatment first. "A peptide lip treatment becomes your best friend. Not only do they hydrate your lips but allow your lipstick to adhere and wear better, regardless of any texture."
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Underpaint With Red Blush
"As we age, we can begin to lose color in the face, and adding a red blush under foundation (yes, you read that correctly!) can give a lit-from-within, youthful glow. Applying it underneath your foundation also reduces the risk of over applying."
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Add Depth to Your Brows
"Brows play a significant role in framing your face. Using brow powder is a great way to add definition without harshness. They tend to be softer than pomades, pens, and pencils and are generally easier to apply."
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Spray a Hydrating Mist in Between Makeup Steps
"Using hydrating spray between layers can enhance both application and wear time. As we age, our skin tends to absorb makeup, and the hydrating mist helps balance hydration during application. It's also worth noting that hydrating mists and setting sprays are different."
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Find Your Exact Concealer Match
"It’s important to find a concealer that matches your skin tone. Avoid using a concealer that is too light, as it can highlight fine lines and dark circles rather than reducing their appearance by turning grey and dull."
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Swap Translucent Powder for One That Matches Your Skin Tone
"It is so important to select a powder that matches your complexion and undertones. It works the same as a concealer that is too light. I would even steer clear of translucent powders as they can sometimes leave a cast."
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Exfoliate Regularly
"The ultimate prep step, exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells and reveals smoother skin. Use gentle exfoliants suitable for mature skin."
Michelle Yeoh just proved that bleached brows know no age limit—and she did it flawlessly.
The Oscar-winning actress recently stepped out with the barely-there eyebrows at the inaugural Le Grand Dîner du Louvre to celebrate the museum’s Louvre Couture exhibition, proving just how striking and ethereal the trend can be. There’s a reason bleached brows are such a mainstay in editorial shoots and runway moments, after all.
Though this isn’t Yeoh’s first soiree into bold statements—how could we forget her fluffy, curly blonde wig at the Los Angeles Wicked premiere?—it may just take the cake. Her entire beauty look was nothing short of mesmerizing, pairing the daring brows with a sleek, glossy bob landing just under the chin. Yeoh kept the rest of her look simple, showcasing a luminous glow, a light touch of blush, smokey eyeshadow and a peachy lip. And let’s not forget about the dress—the daring one-shoulder black gown was the perfect, edgy match to her bold beauty beat.
Yeoh isn’t the only one saying buh-bye to her brows, either. She joins a growing group of A-listers who've rocked the bleached brow trend, like Kendall Jenner who debuted the look at the Met Gala, pairing her icy brows with a sheer Prada gown; or Julia Fox, who embraced the trend repeatedly, often blending it with her signature edgy makeup looks. And of course Miley Cyrus, who most recently experimented with the trend, showing off bleached arches during the Oscars red carpet. Each star has made the look their own, blending edgy style with high fashion—and Yeoh’s refined take is no exception.
Feeling inspired to lighten up your own brows? Whether you're channeling Yeoh's radiant energy or adding an edge to your glam, bleached brows are proving they're here to stay—and they’re easier to achieve than you may think.
How to Get the Look
Bleached brows are the ultimate low-effort, high-impact look. No drastic haircut, no bold dye job – just a quick bleach session that you can easily reverse if you change your mind. That's why the trend keeps popping up in fashion's coolest editorial shoots and runway shows.
The first step is to hit up a pro—your trusty hair stylist will know how to lift your brows to just the right shade without turning them brassy. If you're feeling brave (or just love a DIY moment), grab a facial bleach designed for sensitive skin. And whatever you do, be sure to keep an eye on the clock. Bleached brows go from chic to "oops" real fast.
Styling is the fun part. A whole new world of makeup looks open up when you have a statement eyebrow look. For example, celebrity MUA Lottie Stannard recommends keeping things simple with dewy skin and glossy lips. But you can also crank up the drama with winged liner and a bold pout. Bleached brows are essentially a blank canvas, so you can really go wild with makeup experimentation—the sky's the limit here.
I'm a beauty-obsessed shopping writer, but even I have plenty of moments when all I want is just a little coverage and call it a day. I've become a little lazy with my makeup routine lately and prefer a more minimalist look that appears "natural," with a hint of color on my cheeks or a colorful eyeliner so I can get out the door quickly.
My typical base routine includes a few steps: I use a color corrector for my dark undereye area, another one for the redness around my nose and any blemishes, a light concealer, and a skin tint or liquid foundation. Sure, the process is simple enough that I just go through the motions of applying everything without much thought, but it still took a while to layer everything—and then I had to add on blush, liner, mascara, and a finishing powder for my T-zone. So, when I discovered the No Makeup Makeup Foundation, it was a game-changer for simplifying my multistep, multiproduct routine.
The four-in-one compact foundation was created by professional makeup artist Victoria Jackson who coined the term “no-makeup makeup,” which describes a minimalist beauty look. This foundation blends mineral powers, mineral clay, and waxes to create a creamy, balm-like texture that glides over the skin. It’s made with a unique formulation cocktail of light-reflective pigments, hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, and blurring agents that "conceals, corrects, camouflages and diffuses in a single-step," according to the brand.
No Makeup Makeup Foundation
You can shop the foundation in 11 shades at Amazon, from Porcelain to Deep. I have a typically light to medium complexion with olive undertones, so it's tough for me to find a good shade match in most foundation formulas since most brands tend to reserve olive undertones for medium-dark shades. I use No Makeup Makeup's in shade Light, and it blends into my skin really well with a medium coverage finish, but I recently purchased the Light Medium shade since I tan very easily during the warmer months.
On my first attempt with this cream-balm formula, I made the mistake of using a heavy primer, which left my skin way too hydrated. Although the brand suggests pairing it with your daily moisturizer, I skip that step in my skincare routine because I find the foundation hydrating enough to wear on its own on my dry skin.
The moment I swipe it on, it livens up my dull skin and imparts a non-greasy glow. I use the brand's brush to buff the product into my skin, but any buffing brush will also do the trick—and a little of this stuff goes a long way. I dip the brush in the foundation, dot it on the areas I need the most coverage, and then blend it all out with the same brush for seamless results. However, I tend to get oily in my T-zone, so I set my face with a translucent powder after applying my foundation base.
I love how this one product replaced my lengthy complexion routine with just one simple step, and it provides enough longevity while still feeling very lightweight on my face. I'm also excited to share that we have an exclusive discount to share with our Real Simple readers. Head to Amazon to shop the No Makeup Makeup Foundation in your perfect shade. During checkout, look under the payment method area and add the code REALSIMPLE20 to save 20 percent on your order, bringing this all-in-one complexion perfector down to $45.
If you’re looking to consolidate more steps in your makeup routine, check out some more of my favorite multi-tasking beauty products below.
Real Techniques Bubble Blending Makeup Brush
Laura Gellar New York Balance-N-Glow Illuminating Foundation
E.l.f Monochromatic Multi Stick
Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Tinted Oil
L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Le Glow Highlighter Stick
Staying tuned into the beauty zeitgeist not only keeps you on top of the latest and greatest, but is the perfect way to breathe new life into your current—perhaps a little boring—routine. For some fresh inspiration, we’re looking to the biggest spring makeup trends seen on the runways, red carpets, social media, and in street style. From Y2K era glossy lips and frosted lids to an emphasis on great skin, this season is all about balancing nostalgia with modern minimalism.
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Bright Pink Blush
Pink blush for spring? Not exactly groundbreaking, but after all those cloudy skies and slushy gray snow it’s the perfect pick-me-up. Celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray says she’s seeing this color take off in both powder and cream formulas. Along with placing it on your cheeks, she says a clever way to use pink blush is just under the eyes, which “is a great alternative to just having a lighter concealer color under the eye.”
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Low Key Brows
Don’t worry. We’re not swinging all the way back into ‘90s skinny brow territory, but we are dialing back the knob a bit. “I am definitely seeing a shift from the seemingly never ending trend of bold, strong brows to a softer, more natural looking brow,” says Aimee Carr, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Voodoo Makeup. “Opt for less definition with a more feathery, wispy look achieved with a powdered product versus a cream pencil.”
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Y2K Glossy Lips
Glossy lips are a nostalgic beauty trend drawing inspiration from the 90s and early 2000s and they’re delightfully fresh and dewy. “This trend has recently resurfaced as people are moving toward more subtle, luminous makeup looks that focus on light-reflecting textures, which feel modern and youthful while maintaining a soft, glamorous finish,” says Katy Holland, award-winning makeup artist. “Since this trend is just starting to gain popularity, I bet it will grow significantly in spring.”
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Glass Skin
Glass skin isn’t going anywhere. This year is all about capturing that refined, sculpted glow—think less dewy, more dimensional. “This look enhances the skin’s natural radiance while keeping it polished and perfected,” says celebrity makeup artist Emilio Uribe. “It’s not just about hydration anymore; subtle highlights, skin-blurring products, and ultra-light layers of coverage create a lit-from-within, hyper-real finish.”
He adds that avoiding heavy foundations and layering your products is key! Also, skip the glitter and go for glossy balm textures, pearlescent highlighters, and dewy setting sprays for breathable glow.
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Shimmery Pastels
Frosted lids a la shimmery pastels is another nod to the Y2K era, and one that lends itself particularly well to spring palettes. “This season I’m noticing shimmer pastels—or for us millennials—also known as frosty pastels,” Gray says. “They give both a good wash of color on the eye and a play of light with the reflecting shimmers. It also can be a really quick impactful eye look with just one eyeshadow.”
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Blurred Nude Lips
The ‘clean girl’ is still here, but she’s evolved a bit. For spring 2025 makeup trends, Uribe says it’s all about soft, blurred nude lips that feel effortless yet polished.
“This trend is about finding the perfect nude shade for your skin tone and wearing it in a way that looks like your lips, but better,” he says. “Skip the harsh lip liner. Use a soft, neutral lipstick or a tinted balm in a shade that enhances your natural lip color. Dab the color onto the center of the lips. Blend outward with your finger for a soft-focus finish.”
A light touch of clear or satin gloss or oil on top adds a bit of dimension without looking overly done.
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No Makeup Makeup
As we all continue to throw piles of our money toward skincare, it only makes sense to show off those complexions with a less-is-more approach. Carr says, “We are seeing a big swing to fresh, clean face looks that show off all of the hard work we’ve been putting into our skin. Boosting extra hydration is key to enhancing that skindeep, ultra glow from within.”
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Sustainability and Clean Beauty
Sustainability and clean beauty focus on using eco-friendly, non-toxic ingredients that are safe for both the skin and the planet. “With increasing consumer demand for transparency and ethical practices, brands are prioritizing recyclable packaging, cruelty-free testing, and plant-based formulations,” Holland says. To do even more for the planet, she recommends using multi-use products with natural, clean ingredients and opt for brands that prioritize eco-friendly packaging.
Bottles of perfume are an investment these days, with many easily going for several hundred dollars. Obviously, you want to make sure you’re getting the biggest bang for your spritz. One of the biggest mistakes people make is spraying perfume in places where it evaporates quickly, or where the scent molecules break down more easily. So where should you spray fragrance for it to last the longest amount of time? We asked pros for answers.
Where to Spray Perfume So It Lasts Longer
To get the most out of your fragrance, you’ll want to apply it in strategic spots. “For longevity, spray your hair, apply in the navel, nape of the neck, cleavage, behind the knees, and wrists—basically anywhere where you are prone to sweating,” says Bettina O'Neil, fragrance expert and executive vice president at Scentbird. “As you sweat, the scent becomes reactivated and alive.”
The navel sounds like a weird place to spritz, but this area is warm and slightly concave, which helps trap and slowly release fragrance throughout the day. O’Neil adds that hair and textiles also holds onto fragrance longer than skin. Ever noticed how your hair picks up smells from the environment you’re in? This is due to its porosity and absorption, and also because there's less evaporation occurring. A similar thing happens if you spray a scarf or any article of clothing, O’Neil says.
Best Places to Apply Perfume
To recap, here’s where to spray fragrance if you want it to last for an extra long time.
Nape of your neck
Navel
Hair (mid to ends—not scalp)
Cleavage
Wrists (but don’t press them together)
Elbows
Clothing
5 Common Fragrance Mistakes
Along with spritzing your perfume in the wrong places, avoid these common fragrance application and storage mistakes.
1. Rubbing Your Wrists Together
While applying fragrance to the wrists helps the scent linger longer, rubbing your wrists together is a big no-no. “The friction can crush the fragrance’s delicate top notes and disrupt the natural development of the scent on your skin,” says Kelly Kussman, fragrance expert and founder of Cayla Gray.
2. Applying to Dry Skin
As mentioned above, layering is your best friend when making fragrances last longer. “Start by using a lightly scented or unscented lotion on your skin to create a hydrated base, then apply your fragrance of choice,” Kussman says. “Dry skin won’t hold scent as well as moisturized skin.”
3. Spritzing on Your Neck
This technically isn’t the worst spot to spray perfume. However, because this skin is exposed to air and movement, the fragrance might not last as long as it would elsewhere. The skin on your neck is also thinner and more sensitive, which can lead to irritation from the alcohol content.
4. Storing in Hot/Humid Environments
Always store perfume in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight in order to increase its shelf life. Heat and humidity break down the delicate chemical composition of fragrances, causing them to degrade faster and lose their intended scent profile. This alters the scent so it smells rancid, slightly off, or diluted.
5. Applying Only to One Spot
Fragrance works best when applied to multiple areas. This helps diffuse the scent evenly and, should one area fade more quickly, you’ll still have some working for you elsewhere. Just don’t over do it; a light spritz on two or three areas ensures the scent lingers without teetering into “that’s too much” territory.