Ariel Baker

Image Source: Getty / Justin Shin / Contributor Given the exhaustive micro-trend climate we currently exist in, not many beauty trends have the ability to catch and keep our attention for very long. But there's one nail look that has taken up permanent residence in our brains and will very shortly do the same in yours: seashell nails. Though there are versions of the manicure that mimic the look of a seashell to the letter, this version is abstract and slightly maximalist - perfect for lovers of more subdued but impactful nail art. Created by celebrity manicurist Kim Truong, seashell nails look exactly like how they sound. "Seashell nails look really similar to the inside of an oyster shell," Truong tells PS. "I saw a photo of one and a pearl and really wanted to create a similar silhouette on the nails." If you take a close look at the manicure, you'll notice that it incorporates raised 3D designs that Truong says add a bit of character to the look. "It's an edgier take on the glazed-nail trend," she says. "So I can definitely see it trending for the summer." Truong, of course, has done this look on her celebrity clients like actress Atiana De La Hoya, but it can also be achieved at home. "People can do this manicure by first creating the 3D shapes on the nails with clear gel," she says. Products like the IBD Builder Gel ($21) are perfect to help achieve the look of texture without the addition of nail decals. "Then, apply a silver-chrome powder on top of a non-wipe topcoat." The real secret to the seashell nail, however, is the next step. "Adding a matte topcoat is what finishes the look," Troung says. This packs in additional dimension, thanks to the way the naturally shiny chrome color and matte topcoat interact - which, in turn, gives the nail a wet, cloudy appearance, similar to the look of a seashell. While Troung believes the look can stand alone thanks to the built-in nail-art design, you can incorporate seashell nails into existing manicure trends like the french manicure, "ballerina slipper" nails, or even layered-texture nails - the beauty of this nail look lies in its versatility. If you've also become mesmerized by seashell nails, we can't blame you. Take a closer look at Troung's version of the nail below. Image Source: Courtesy of Kim Truong Ariel Baker is the assistant editor for POPSUGAR Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

Javon Ford has become well-known as the internet's favorite beauty myth-buster, but that wasn't always his plan for his career. "Pretty much the entire maternal side of my family has some sort of science, technology, engineering, math, or teaching background," Ford tells PS. "So I've always been passionate about science." Still, Ford, who is a cosmetic chemist by trade, said he wasn't introduced to the field until college. "I wanted to major in chemistry with a minor in music," Ford says. "At that time, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my degree." He simply knew he wanted to fuse his creativity with his line of work, so after a series of internships and one job offer post-grad, Ford started his own cosmetics company focused on diverse shade ranges. "It was called Éclat Naturals, and it was inspired by my time in the theatre doing plays," Ford says. "There was still a lack of diversity in shade ranges even from professional brands - they simply weren't catering to darker skin tones." This motivated him to formulate theatrical makeup for Black and Brown skin specifically. He ran the company for three years before closing and eventually taking on a role contract manufacturing. Those three years allowed Ford to get the experience he needed to climb the ranks as a cosmetic chemist, but during the COVID-19 lockdown, he was laid off. This ultimately led him to pursue his passion for screenwriting, which indirectly fueled his social media stardom. After being encouraged to make a TikTok about his Kickstarter campaign to fund his goal of creating a TV show, one of Ford's videos on cosmetic chemistry went viral. He's been a social media mainstay ever since. As he's continued his career in content creation, Ford has noticed glaring gaps in the beauty industry, particularly when it comes to skin of color. "Though I didn't want to start my own company again, I noticed a wave of color-changing products becoming extremely popular, especially on TikTok," Ford says. This technology is in no way new; in fact, color-changing "pH" formulas have been around since the '30s. Still, Ford found that they still weren't inclusive. "I'd be playing with bromo-acid dyes, which is the technology used in a lot of these products, and realizes that the majority of them turned pink on the skin," he says. Currently, many popular formulas on the market turn a cool-toned pink shade once they interact with heat, and the color isn't always flattering for deep skin tones. Enter: Ford's latest product offering, the Sun-Kissed Cheek Stain ($24). "Nobody has been using this age-old technology to benefit darker skin, so I thought that it would be cool to create a truly universally flattering orange-changing blush formula," Ford says. Not only does this blush provide a peachy-orange flush for a more natural finish on any skin tone, but its also inclusive of different skin types and conditions. "It's an oil-meets-gel consistency because I wanted it to glide onto every type of skin texture without sticking to and emphasizing lines or texture," Ford says. "I've had people with mature and even acne-scarred skin test it, and it looks incredibly seamless on everyone." As if a direct response to how much people have been clamoring for a product like this, Ford's blush is currently sold out. He believes this speaks to a larger issue within the cosmetics industry. "Lack of inclusivity in cosmetics starts with the vendors and the raw material suppliers," Ford says. Additionally, cosmetic testing pools aren't exactly diverse. A large portion of consumer testing is done on Asian and white skin and as a result, these communities are posited as a blank canvas on which all consumer testing can occur. This is why you end up with products that are ashy on dark skin or not truly "universally flattering" as they claim to be. While Ford is well on his way to changing this landscape with his products, he does acknowledge that the cosmetic chemistry and beauty industry at large has work to do. "Lack of inclusivity is still affecting this industry, but I do think it's getting better," he says. "People are becoming more aware of it now than ever before, so I'm optimistic about the future." Ariel Baker is the assistant editor for POPSUGAR Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

Chriselle Lim first became a YouTube influencer in 2010, where she shared everything from fashion tips to wedding planning and eventually cemented herself as a leader in the lifestyle space. Then, in 2021, Lim made a move to claim a greater stake in beauty, taking over as owner and creative director of the fragrance brand Phlur. "I was introduced to Phlur a few years back when it was owned by a different person," she tells PS. "When I came in as the new owner, the first fragrance we launched was Missing Person." The TikTok-viral fragrance has sold out numerous times and has become somewhat of a hero product for the company. "It was created during a time when I was broken, lost, and lonely – I was going through my divorce," Lim says. "I asked our perfumer Constance Georges Picot if we could somehow bottle something that would instantly feel like a warm hug. I wanted it to feel warm and cozy, as well as intimate and personal. I wanted it to evoke the essence of your lover's skin." Since then, Lim and her team have created numerous other fragrances to mass acclaim - see: the Vanilla Skin Body Spray ($35), which is also typically sold out, as well as one of the new scents: Strawberry Letter ($99). The rest, as they say, was history. Keep reading to learn more about Lim's journey to perfume fame. POPSUGAR: How did your interest in fragrance start? Chriselle Lim: I was born in Texas, but grew up in a small town called Danville in Northern California. However, for the better half of my childhood, I was living in Seoul, Korea. My grandmother who currently lives there is beauty-obsessed and is the one that introduced me to fragrance. I remember her always sitting at her vanity, doing her skin care, and spritzing her Chanel fragrance at the very end of her routine. PS: Walk us through building Phlur as we know it today. What made you want focus on a niche fragrance brand? CL: Phlur is a play on the French word, Fleur, which means flower. The name is intended to evoke a sense of nature and freshness, with a touch of elegance or sophistication, which aligns with who we are as a brand. I wanted to bring a fresh take on fragrance through storytelling – we all know how a certain scent can instantly connect you to a specific memory. Phlur is inspired by those moments and feelings – I want the world to experience our fine fragrances through that lens. PS: How has your approach to fragrances evolved as you've continued your career in perfumery? CL: The idea of having a signature scent has always been something that I believed in because that's how I was introduced to fragrance. Over the years, I've learned that fragrance is just like fashion; it can be dependent on your mood, where you're going, what you're doing, what you want to evoke, etc. It's no longer about having just one scent but rather, like fashion, having a wardrobe of fragrances. I see it as a great way of self-expression. PS: Do you have a favorite Phlur scent? CL: I don't have a favorite because they are all equally different, but the one that I naturally gravitate toward the most during this season is Father Figure ($29), [which] to me is the perfect day-to-night fragrance and is super versatile. Plus, it's light enough to wear in meetings or layer with another fragrance. I am constantly getting compliments whenever I wear this scent. PS: What are you looking forward to regarding the future of Phlur as well as the fragrance industry at large? CL: For Phlur, we have so many exciting things coming down the pipeline that I cannot wait to share with the public. When it comes to the beauty industry at large, I'm looking forward to seeing how it continues to evolve. With trends changing as fast as they ever have, it's forcing brands to become as dynamic and as innovative as possible and I cannot wait to see how this transforms the industry.

Image Source: Getty/David Eulitt / Contributor Brittany Mahomes has ditched her signature blond hair for something a little more "spicy." On April 11, the entrepreneur posted a series of professional photos on her Instagram debuting the brand-new look, featuring a fresh cut and one of this year's trendiest hair colors: "bropper." The dye job comes courtesy of hairstylist Laurabeth Cabott, who styled Mahomes's new red hair into long, voluminous curls for the shoot. For the unfamiliar, bropper is an earthy red shade that is a cross between brown and copper, and has been trending all over Hollywood. Rather than lean in to the Kansas City Chiefs color full-on, this hue provides a more natural transition to red. While it's a popular choice among brunettes, it can also work well for people with lighter hair, like Mahomes, provided you approach it the right way. "Bropper is achieved by blending painted pieces of copper, amber, and brown shades of varying depth and lightness throughout the hair," Lauren Mildice, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, previously told POPSUGAR. The result is a near-cinnamon shade that is particularly flattering with highlights - perfect for if you want to leave a few pieces of your blond base color peeking through. Mahomes new look is the cherry on top of the red trend taking over the beauty space right now. So whether you're on the hunt for a new hair color yourself or just like keeping up with one of Taylor Swift's new friends, take a few cues from Mahomes's transformation for your own spring reset. Ariel Baker is the assistant editor for POPSUGAR Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

Image Source: Getty/Mondadori Portfolio / Contributor If there's one thing that Zendaya is going to do, it's provide the masses with beauty and fashion inspiration. On April 10, the actor attended the UK premiere of her new movie, "Challengers," wearing a halter-neck Thom Browne dress, a bold red lip, and a gorgeous high ponytail. While she's usually the one setting trends, Zendaya's latest look proves that she's just as obsessed with the hair bow as everyone else. The accessory, courtesy of the brand Lelet New York and Zendaya's hairstylist Ursula Stephens, is appropriately called the Zendaya Silk Bow ($164) and was made to perfectly accent her ponytail hairstyle. "There is nothing like double-faced silk," a representative for the brand wrote in a post on its Instagram stories showing off the bow. "The weight keeps [it] structured while keeping things flowy and the finish is smooth like butter." Bows have been having a resurgence lately, thanks in part to the coquette trend that's been all over TikTok. Interpretations of the hyperfeminine aesthetic can vary, but whether it's a coquette hairstyle or a manicure, there's one unifying feature for every iteration of the look: the presence of bows. Though the hair accessory has often been seen as juvenile, its reclamation has resulted in some stellar looks on runways and red carpets alike. Celebrities like Zoe Kravitz, Priyanka Chopra, and Nicole Kidman have all been spotted with the accessory in their hair, and it was all over the Alice + Olivia show at New York Fashion Week during the fall of 2023. Needless to say, this extremely adorable trend isn't going anywhere any time soon. If you're ready for bows to become a mainstay in your hairstyling routine, take a closer look at Zendaya's braided ponytail below. Image Source: Getty/Mike Marsland / Contributor Image Source: Instagram user @leletny Ariel Baker is the assistant editor for POPSUGAR Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

Image Source: Getty/FreshSplash As with any industry, beauty professionals can sometimes speak a language of their own. Whether it's baking that has nothing to do with being in a kitchen or describing a hairstyle that is named after an animal, there can be a certain "if you know you know" energy within the inner circles of experts. This can also be said about where they like to shop. Yes, there are the Sephoras and Ulta Beautys that everyone knows about, but there are also a few lesser-known stores that cater to professional beauticians that are largely kept under wraps from the general public. Whether it's to shop for their professional kits or where they go when they need elevated versions of an everyday tool, every beauty pro has a secret place or two that they keep close to their chest when it comes to buying products for work. Thankfully, a few of them were willing to spill their secrets. From where they shop for items that are essential for organizing your stash to the "Target of Korean beauty," ahead, professionals in the beauty industry reveal the places they go to make their jobs (and lives) infinitely easier. Teso Life One place where many beauty pros agreed they love is called Teso Life, a Japanese department store with multiple locations in New York, plus another coming soon to Texas. "Teso Life is like a Target that's filled with Asian beauty brands," aesthetician Ashley White tells PS. Celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec agrees, adding, "I first discovered Teso Life when I was in Korea. I was so excited when one popped up here in New York." Both professionals go to the store for different things, but that only speaks to the sheer number of options available. "I go there for a ton of items like cotton pads for my kit that have interesting shapes like little hearts or flowers," Kandalec says. "I also get foot and hand masks, nail-art charms not found anywhere else, and room fragrances that I use in my atelier." White, on the other hand, is a fan of the Korean skin-care options offered. "I love the sunscreens that come in spray bottles or in the form of sticks," she says. "I also tend to grab the cleansing oils and iron mascaras, which are like normal formulas but with wands made of iron instead of traditional bristles." Manhattan Wardrobe Supply When it comes to kit organization, there's one place that makeup artist Jonet Williamson swears by: Manhattan Wardrobe Supply. Located in New York City, the store offers wardrobe supplies for film and theater, as well as makeup products and tools for the beauty pros that help to bring those shows to life. "This is where we get a lot of stuff for our kit organization, including set bags for easy access to our items on the go," she says. "This store also allows us to shop pro brands like Mehron and Kryolan, as well as airbrush and alcohol-based makeup for waterproof looks and underwater scenes." The Makeup Show A ticketed event that takes place in numerous cities across the United States, The Makeup Show is also another one of Williamson's favorite places. "It's a tradeshow that offers great deals on makeup, tools, and more, and is hosted all over the United States." While the event costs money to attend, if you're looking to break into the beauty industry, it can also be a great way to network with leaders in the space. Japan Scissors If there's one thing that beauty professionals don't skimp on, it's their tools. "The Joewell Supreme Rose Gold Hair Scissors ($949, originally $1200) are a non-negotiable for me and I get them at Japanscissors.com," celebrity hairstylist Rene Fris says. The store is only online as of right now, but despite the steep price tag of some of the tools, he says the items are worth it. "They slice perfectly in my fingers and the blades are phenomenal." Muji Another one of Fris's must-go places is Muji, which you may be more familiar with as a furniture and organization store, because it stocks an essential in his kit. "I cannot work without the Muji Hair Clips ($4)," he says. "They're the only ones that do not leave any marks in the hair when it's wet or when you're tidying up each section during haircuts." Now that you know the insider tricks to the trade, feel free to level up your own beauty routine. If you've ever wanted to moonlight as a beauty professional at home, your time is now. Ariel Baker is the assistant editor for POPSUGAR Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

French manicures have proven to stand the test of time. The nail trend first spiked in popularity in the early '00s, but over the last few years, has seen a major revival - and multiple iterations of the look, from shadow french tips to the double french manicure, to name a few. Just when you thought that people couldn't get more creative, another version of the trend emerged: crushed french nails. "Crushed french manicures are where the tips are textured by using 3D Gel," celebrity nail artist Sarah Chue tells PS. "They're gorgeous to look at, so it makes sense why they're trending." If you feel like you've exhausted all of your french-manicure options, Chue breaks down everything you need to know about the popular textured nail look taking over social media. From how to get the look at home to the products that you'll need to have on hand, keep reading for the lowdown. What is a Crushed French Manicure? You've likely come across numerous versions of this manicure, as it can also be referred to as crushed pearl nails or a crushed iridescent manicure; they're essentially all the same. "That crinkly texture right at the tips of the fingers paired with an iridescent chrome takes the staple manicure to new heights," Chue says. Though the finish is primarily what differentiates this look from a regular french design, the technique to get a crushed french manicure is almost the same as the original, and they don't always have to include an iridescent finish. "Opt for your go-to sheer shade as a base, then top it with a smile line of any color right where the free edge (the white part) of your nail grows to separate the look of the tip," Chue says. How to Do a Crushed French Manicure Crushed french manicures can be achieved on either extensions or your natural nails, but you should have a bit of length at the tips to really show off the texture of the trend. "You'll first want to cure your base coat before going in with your preferred sheer beige or pink, depending on the look you're going for," Chue says. Then, you can either draw your smile line first and then apply a 3D gel only on the tips or vice versa. Whichever order you choose, Chue recommends using the Gel Bottle's Clear 3D Studio Gel ($17) for this portion. As for creating the texture itself, you can either etch the irregular lines into the 3D gel by hand or crumple a piece of cling wrap, press it onto the tip of the nail, and then cure it under a UV or LED light. When you remove the plastic, you'll be left with the gorgeous crumpled effect. If you want a more jagged finish, you can leave the 3D portion as is after you remove the cling wrap or file and buff the nail before adding a topcoat, which will result in a more encapsulated look. We don't blame you if you're now feverishly on the hunt for crushed french manicure inspiration. Keep scrolling for some of the best versions of the trend we've found.

From the late '80s through the early 2000s, it seemed as though using hairspray meant one thing: the hairstyle needed to last for days. With the use of the long-lasting product came the many unfortunate, albeit hilarious, hairspray-filled memories of our youth: crispy hair, overly exaggerated curls, and that slightly horrifying crunching sound if a curl was moved too far out of place. Thankfully, we've come a long way from being relegated to extreme-hold hairsprays, which is great because hairspray is an essential styling product that can be used for various purposes. While the product can be used across multiple hair types, it's good to find the one that works for your specific texture. As the market continues to grow, choosing the best hairspray for you from a mountain of products can feel a bit tedious. If you have curly hair, you might want a hairspray that emphasizes your texture. If you want to add volume to your layers, you'll need to find something that doesn't add stiffness. We get it - choosing the right hairspray can be an overwhelming task, so we've rounded up some of the best ones on the market. From coily to thin hair and everything in between, these sprays will make everything from styling to holding a style much easier. Read ahead for some of the best hairsprays for all hair types.

In September of last year, beauty enthusiasts from all over the country gathered at Sephoria in New York City to celebrate the latest and greatest the retailer had to offer. In a quest for a more immersive experience, brands had everything from games to product demonstrations to master classes. Still, one in particular stood out, thanks to its overt use of a slightly controversial piece of technology: AI. "Hi, I'm Maxine - but you can call me Max," Nars Cosmetics's artificial intelligence (AI)-generated ambassador said during the event. The character, dressed in the Sephora's signature black clothing, answered questions on everything from what her role is to what color it thought would look good on you from the Nars Powermatte Lipstick line. Maxine was eerily lifelike, and her words felt like talking to your favorite vlogger or influencer in real time. This is one of the many ways AI can shift the needle in the beauty industry. While artificial intelligence itself dates back to the 1950s, its basis has remained the same through the years: it encompasses the use of machines or different pieces of technology to mimic human intelligence. For beauty brands, this has been most evident in the exploration of the "metaverse," as well as with the popularization of "try before you buy" technology, which allows everything from shade matching to virtual makeovers. Still, you can expect to see more advancements in the coming months and years, for better or for worse. We're exploring both sides below. The Positives of AI in Beauty Many companies are harnessing artificial intelligence for a better user experience. "AI is exciting and opens doors both for shoppers and brands," Snapchat's global head of fashion and beauty, Rajni Jacques, tells PS. "On Snapchat . . . we're seeing so much interest in our chatbot My AI, with our community talking to it about things they're interested in, including beauty. Within just a few months, nearly 12 million conversations have focused on cosmetics recommendations alone, and this conversational format has the potential to give brands a better understanding of their audience's interests." Benefit Cosmetics is another beauty giant that is utilizing AI's capabilities to help customers gain a deeper knowledge of how its products work. "It allows beauty companies to personalize their recommendations to the nth degree more than they can do currently," Toto Haba, Benefit's senior vice president of omnichannel marketing, says. The brand launched an AI-powered pore analysis tool that detects and analyzes a person's pores in real time, which in theory should help you to better understand how its products work and see the results sans a trip to the dermatologist. These are only a few examples of how AI can be integrated into the beauty industry today, but, again, this is only the beginning. "Brands have already leveraged tech such as virtual try-on to help customers find the right shade of lipstick or unlock trendy makeup tips," Jacques says. "Think of AI as the next frontier to help engage a community of consumers, making shopping even more personal." Even if it's not something as in-your-face as an automated chat feature on social media or a virtual ambassador that can hold conversations, it's likely AI is also being utilized behind the scenes to create your products for you. "When we are in the labs, we have a whole series of clinical before-and-afters where experts went in and identified pore problems and we shot the results a set number of days after applying the products to see the improvement," Haba says of developing the pore tool. "That collection of images post-use was a fantastic baseline to use as we trained the model, and we saw that the AI tool's analysis results fell into an accuracy range that we were really happy with." The Downsides of AI in Beauty As with all things in life, the use of AI in beauty also has its negatives. The first and most glaring is within beauty imagery; it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between what's real and what's not. This has surfaced in small ways, like viral AI-generated celebrity haircuts, but it's also become more common for everyday users across social media. In fact, according to research by the Europol Innovation Lab, you can expect 90 percent of the images you see online will be AI generated by the year 2025. Experts predict a potentially harmful impact as a result. For starters, this can skew people's perception of reality, leading to unrealistic beauty expectations and damaged self-esteem (among other things). Dove recently conducted a study of 33,000 people across 20 countries and found that one-third of respondents noted they feel pressure to change how they look because of what they see online, regardless of if the imagery is fake or AI. As a result of its findings, Dove recently became the first beauty brand to pledge to never use AI to represent people in its advertisements. And while proponents of the technology applaud its ability to allow people to experience beauty products just by owning a smartphone, there are other pitfalls when it comes to the widespread use of AI in the space. "Equity is something that the AI industry definitely struggles with both within its language models as well as what is being used to train this technology," Haba says. Still, he says the future in this regard is looking bright. "AI language capabilities are so broad, and that is one of the things that impressed me most about using generative AI recently. Whether a consumer is English-speaking or not, the same technology will be available to you in your native language . . . which can definitely help bridge the gap in accessibility." The Bottom Line At the end of the day, the onus is on the beauty companies that use these types of technology to keep their work with this technology authentic and equitable, which is something Haba recognizes. "We have to constantly question ourselves and ask if we're getting the right results, if said results are fair, and if there are biases reflected in the data - it's an ongoing process." Experimentation is the name of the game when it comes to beauty, and the integration of AI into the sector will be no different. While the success (or failures) of these efforts will likely only be realized in retrospect, the fusion of artificial intelligence in the beauty industry is already underway - and you can certainly count on more of it in the future.

I've had acne-prone skin since I hit puberty. While it started as small, textured bumps, over the years the condition progressed to a combination of black and whiteheads that were always relatively easy to get rid of if I just left them alone or popped them (I know, I know). That is, until I turned 26. I had experienced hormonal acne before, but for some reason, that magical year was when my skin decided to kick it into overdrive. This resulted in cystic breakouts in places I didn't even know you could break out. From the middle of my chin to the sides of my lower jaw and even my neck, this new onset of pimples was not only incredibly unsightly but also deeply painful to the touch. It was the first time I started wondering if I should go to the doctor for my acne, but it became a nonnegotiable when I got engaged and starting planning a wedding. I needed to start my journey to clear skin. Thankfully, I was able to see one of the best dermatologists in the game, Michelle Henry, MD, FAAD, who prescribed me a new skin-care routine - the topical ointment Tretinoin 0.04%, a medicated face wash, and a new product called Winlevi. First introduced to the market for the treatment of acne in 2020, Dr. Henry described the latter as one of the best treatments for my hormonal bumps, and it has been lauded as such by numerous other doctors. As dermatologist Ted Lain, MD, FAAD, previously told PS, the easy-to-use cream targets oil production, reducing the amount of sebum that could effectively trigger breakouts. Was I excited about this product potentially changing the game for my acne? Yes. Then I saw the price - and almost opted out entirely. At more than $200, I was skeptical to invest in a cream I had never heard about. However, it's been about eight months of consistent use, and I can't see myself not using Winlevi in the future. Here's what to know about my experience. Winlevi Before and After Before Winlevi in September 2022 vs. a few months into using the cream, February 2024 My Winlevi Cream Experience I started my journey with the Winlevi cream in August 2023. For my regimen, I was told to use it all over in the mornings and then use tretinoin at night. At first I was a bit overzealous and would squeeze out more of the product than I needed, which would leave behind a white cast, so I started dotting a dime-sized amount to my entire face. This has helped not only with the ghostly appearance, but I have also found that it's allowed the one tube to last me months, which makes me feel much better about the initial price. Today, while my acne is not completely gone, I have noticed a significant reduction in the hormonal flare-ups that I was experiencing before. I'm no longer scared about touching my cheeks or neck in fear of aggravating a pimple that was taking up way too much real estate in the first place because, for the most part, the bumps are no longer there. When the odd one does show up, it doesn't grow to the point of being extremely painful. It's worth noting that I am using the cream in conjunction with other medical-grade products: the face wash, which has 10 percent sodium sulfacetamide (which targets bacteria on the skin), and tretinoin, another topical treatment. There are times when I take a break from the latter if I overdo it and my skin becomes sensitive; that is when I realize just how effective Winlevi is. Without the strong exfoliating properties of tretinoin, the Winlevi cream somehow still manages to keep my skin looking relatively clear from breakouts. It also doesn't cause any sensitivity when used by itself - another win for my sometimes easily-reactive skin. Typically, the most I see is some small, under-the-skin bumps left over from previous bouts of acne. Is Winlevi Worth It? It's been almost a year of using this product and I can honestly say that I have no plans to go back to the way life was before it. Eventually, I do want to get to the point where my skin's texture is as smooth as it is clear of acne, but for now, I finally feel like I've found a solid skin-care routine that I can rely on before I look into other options like lasers to address the rest of my concerns. Winlevi is a relatively new drug so there isn't a generic - and therefore, cheaper - version of it available to buy just yet, but if the price tag is too steep for you, there are some instances where it is covered by insurance (like if your particular treatment of acne is deemed medically necessary), which can help offset the cost. Now that I feel like I have this secret weapon, I will never go back to just randomly trying mattifying face creams and hope that they help with my oily, acne-prone skin. Winlevi feels about as valuable to me as gold right now, and with one of the most important days of my life coming up, it couldn't have come at a better time. Related: What Is Your Skin Type? Take This Easy Quiz to Find Out Ariel Baker is the assistant editor for POPSUGAR Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.