A great thing about working for a beauty magazine (specifically: Allure, the Beauty Expert) is the inside scoop you get from all the experts you come into contact with. Think: top-tier makeup artists, dermatologists, hair stylists, and the like. Imagine all the tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes advice that get passed around and shared during shoots, interviews, events, and more, from all these experts. The (beauty) world is truly a beauty journalist’s oyster.
And as you know, we do not gatekeep. Here, we share the top five timeless beauty tips from Allure US editors. Read on!
“When you’re using a serum, especially one with vitamin C, don’t try to stretch out the life of the bottle. Use it lavishly. The active ingredients in most serums start to degrade the minute they’re exposed to oxygen. One tip that has no expiration date is kindness. It might sound corny but it’s true. Joy, smiling, generosity—they’re all more effective.”
“If you wear foundation or concealer and you want to apply powder-based bronzer or blush on top, make sure to dust on a thin layer of setting powder first. This keeps the creamy base products from eating away at your blush or bronzer, ensuring it will last longer. Makeup artist Tom Pecheux gave me this tip backstage at fashion week, and I’ve used it in my own routine every day since.”
“A must, in my opinion, before injections or facelift consultations: Don’t go with overgrown brows. Get your eyebrows waxed or tweezed professionally so the doctor can see where your eyebrows really are. Otherwise, the injector or surgeon may raise your brows too high.”
“If you have to cut your own bangs, use fingernail clippers held vertically. They’re small enough that you can’t really mess up and it gives your hair a sexy, lived-in vibe.”
“The best way to enhance loose waves for a beachy-cool texture: Choose flexible-hold mousse, apply it in marble-size dabs around your head—at the crown, in the middle of the hair shaft, and near the ends. Finger-comb it all through, scrunch… and then don’t touch it until it’s dry. It’s so hard not to futz with your hair as it’s drying, but when you do, it stirs up frizz. Once dry, blast dry shampoo an inch down from the roots and through the underside of hair, massage, and go.”
Truly, Allure isn’t the Beauty Expert for nothing. When it comes to beauty, there’s nothing quite like getting the inside scoop from the real insiders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serums oxidize quickly when exposed to oxygen, degrading active ingredients like vitamin C. Prevent this by using the product lavishly and consistently rather than trying to stretch out the bottle.
Make powder blush last longer by dusting a thin layer of setting powder over your liquid foundation or concealer base before applying your powder-based bronzer or blush products.
Yes, get eyebrows professionally waxed or tweezed before injection or facelift consultations. This allows your doctor to see your natural brow placement, preventing them from placing injections too high.
The best way to trim your own bangs at home is by holding fingernail clippers vertically. The small blades prevent major mistakes and create a textured, lived-in look.
Style beachy waves by finger-combing flexible-hold mousse through damp hair, scrunching, and leaving it untouched until dry. Finish with dry shampoo near the roots to add effortless volume.
Lia Cruz is a broadcaster, presenter, and writer whose expertise spans lifestyle, travel, climate, and women’s issues. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in television and live media, she brings thoughtful storytelling and a people-first perspective to every feature. At Allure Philippines, she writes profile features that uncover the stories behind the people shaping beauty, culture, and society.
