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Cindy Crawford looks great. Full stop. None of this “for your age” bullshit. “I'm not 20, and no one expects me to look the same way as I did when I was 20,” she tells podcast hosts Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan on the latest episode of Gloss Angeles, where the legendary supermodel gets candid about everything from facials to facelifts. (Spoiler alert: She's not especially into either.)

Speaking of being 20, Crawford is appalled that the public discussion about the “right” age to get a facelift has skewed so young on social media. “Is there a right age? I mean, certainly not 20. I'll tell you that much,” she says. And certainly not 24, which is her model daughter Kaia Gerber's age. And when it comes to cosmetic treatments and procedures that have gained popularity among younger people, she tries to steer her away.

“What I say is, like, look, you are naturally beautiful, and I would just encourage her to lean into that,” Crawford says of her advice to Gerber. “Because otherwise, everyone starts looking kind of the same, and so I'm like, you made it because you had your look.”

So does the Meaningful Beauty founder, now 60, think that she's at the right age for a facelift? She's not immune to intrusive thoughts about getting work done, but she's holding off, at least for now. She credits some of that restraint to a pact with her friend, makeup artist Sonia Kashuk.

“We're like, 'We're not doing it, right? We're not doing it,'” Crawford says. “I feel lucky that my husband is very, very against it cause he's like, ‘You look beautiful. Why?’" But then, Crawford says, she'll see someone who got a facelift and admire how great it turned out, so the temptation returns.

“I have decent genetics, and, I mean, tempted? Yes. I, like everybody—you look at someone, you're like, ‘They look really good. What did they do?’ But then you see other people, and you're like, is it worth the risk?" she says, grimacing at the thought of undesirable results. “My self-talk is all about, obviously, trying to take care of myself and accept that, you know, we all age if we're lucky.”

Photo: Gloss Angeles

As for other beauty treatments, Crawford tells Gloss Angeles that she's tried lasers and PRP, but she's getting conventional facials a lot less often than she used to. “I used to go to Cristina Radu all the time for facials, and that's when I was working a lot, and my skin was younger, and I really needed the cleaning and the microdermabrasion more,” she says. “Now, I don't like that kind of a facial so much.”

Instead, to get a more refreshed look, she's been enjoying the occasional facial massage, and she recently partnered with Upneeq, the prescription eye drops that help lift eyelids. “Upneeq is a great product, especially for people who don't want to do surgery,” she says, referring to blepharoplasty.

“I would recommend to anybody because you can just stop using it if you don't like it. You can use it every day if you want. You could use it for special events if you want,” she says. “It's not a big buy-in, right? There's so many interventions you can do now.”

And whether or not you decide to pursue those interventions is an entirely personal call. “If it bothers you, it bothers you,” Crawford said, echoing the advice her esthetician aunt used to give about not considering other people's opinions regarding your appearance. “And if you want to and if you have the means to address it, then that should be up to you.”

Check out the full conversation about aging, modeling, running a beauty brand, and so much more in the latest episode of Gloss Angeles.

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There’s a lucid rebellion bubbling within the walls of Broadway’s Studio 54 theater, the kind that transcends space, time, and earthly norms. It’s a revolt against societal bounds, a nostalgic renaissance honoring then and now, and a revelation of beauty for the “others” of this planet and the ones beyond our realm.

Dammit, Janet, it’s Rocky Horror!

Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Sam Pinkleton, the 2026 revival of The Rocky Horror Show is a true masterclass in delicious deviancy, a glitter-bombed portrait of humanity at its most free and fearless. The story follows newly engaged couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss who, confronted with car issues on a treacherous and stormy night out, stumble across a mansion of misfits led by Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a gender-bending scientist with a thirst for depravity. The cosmic creatures they encounter inside lead them on a journey of self-discovery, seduction, and sexual liberation, leaving audiences to wonder what planet these otherworldly characters may have come from.

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show first premiered onstage in 1973, inspired by the decades of science-fiction and gothic horror films that preceded it, before being turned into a film two years later that has developed a massive cult following. This is largely due to the movie’s midnight showings, where fans come dressed in the film’s iconic costumes, shouting lines and call-backs from their seats as they revel in Rocky’s unapologetic nature. The show’s roots are centrally grounded in queer and drag culture—the characters come from the planet “Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania,” after all—with its themes of liberation, freedom, and passion serving as safe “come as you are” or “come as you wish to be” messaging for those who have entered the fan base over the years.

Concerns from legacy fans that the revival may not reach expectations are squashed roughly 20 minutes into the 2026 production when Luke Evans—standing at 6’8” in stiletto heels, equipped with Frank-N-Furter’s iconic cherry red lip, green-glitter eye shadow swept across his lids, and a shoulder-grazing rock-star shag—makes his glorious entrance with a rendition of “Sweet Transvestite," that permeates your soul. In that moment, Evans’s stature and presence are so enrapturing, he could make the Mona Lisa quake in antici…pation.

Luke Evans as Frank-N-Furter.

Evans’ full Frank-N-Furter hair and makeup.

But the colorful parade of excellence that takes the stage at Studio 54 eight times a week is a true testament to collaboration. Each detail of the production has been handled with care, not a single eyelash left unnoticed by the show’s hair and makeup team led by hair and wig designer Alberto “Albee” Alvarado and makeup designer Sterling Tull.

In bringing Rocky to life, both designers drew inspiration from the Club Kids, those exuberant, fashion-obsessed personalities who ruled and fueled New York City’s nightlife in the 1980s and ’90s. They also wanted to pay tribute to the show’s influence from and in drag culture, not solely acknowledging how the role of Frank-N-Furter defies gender norms, but also how Rocky has introduced liberation to countless young people over the past 50 years.

“Drag is so dependent on your self-expression that I wanted that to be communicated through [each performer’s] makeup looks, so I wanted to give the actors the freedom to find those characters,” Tull explains of the time they took with each performer to carefully uncover how these modern interpretations of famed characters would come to life. “[Throughout the process], some looks were psychotic, some were pretty, some were total Club Kid clowncore, until we settled and found something that they really vibed with and wanted to apply on their face eight shows a week.”

Evans in the makeup chair.

That is abundantly clear in Evans’s Frank-N-Furter, whose electrifying aesthetic is both reminiscent of the character’s famous roots while also a complete departure from the famed source material. Gone are Tim Curry’s colorless face palette and short curls, and in their place: bold, painted-on brows, seafoam green-glitter eyelids, and a wig so fabulous, Evans can’t help but twirl its ends numerous times throughout the show (when he’s feeling flirty, you know?).

“The first day I put Luke in Frank-N-Furter makeup, Sam told us to ‘go really small,’ and I said, ‘Great!’ And then I did not go very small; I went very Siouxsie Sioux, Club Kid drag…and Luke loved it,” says Tull. According to Evans, it’s his exaggerated brows and the “sharp, smoky intensity around the eyes” that are key to his transformation, allowing him as Frank to “control the room, seduce everyone, and destroy people a little bit at the same time,” he says. “There’s something almost cinematic about this version of [Frank-N-Furter]—beautiful, dangerous, and sexy.”

In selecting his wig, Alvarado explains, “[With Frank], there’s some sort of Christ-like Jesus complex where people are so drawn to him and revere him, and so the long hair, for me, was a nod to that.” With a lived-in texture, “this version feels more rock star than cabaret…like Frank has been awake for three days hosting some beautiful, chaotic party in another dimension,” Evans says, adding that the longer, looser shape “gives him a more sensual masculinity, which I think makes him feel both more dangerous and more vulnerable. I wanted audiences to feel like they couldn’t quite place him in a specific era or category. He’s glamorous, but untamed.” Ultimately, for Evans, the wig is a "huge part of unlocking my Frank…The second it goes on, my posture changes, my energy changes, and Frank arrives.”

Evans in final hair and makeup checks backstage.

The choice to give Frank-N-Furter a wig with visible green roots was not only intentional, Alvarado says, but a throughline that echoes the show’s core theme of acceptance. “I always hoped that [the roots] would be green to show that [Frank] was trying to cover up what he really was, and now he's starting to embrace it, and he's starting to see his true self with his real green hair coming in.” That “true self” pointing to Frank-N-Furter’s comfort within his own skin, liberated of any societal norms that could keep him from tasting his earthly desires.

This root-ful message even trickles down to the show’s Phantoms—four members of the ensemble that serve as Rocky’s Greek chorus, who Tull describes as each possessing unique, flavorful notes of “Club Kid clowncore.” Though traditionally made to blend in, Tull and Alvarado wanted to breathe life into each Phantom, styling them based on specific icons of queer culture like Amanda Lepore. Their wigs range in color, including soft pinks and blondes, with highlights of tinsel throughout—a nod to the full tinsel wigs that didn’t make the cut (in this instance, there is such a thing as too much sparkle). “[The Phantoms] are such a heartbeat of this show,” Alvarado says.

Amber Gray as Riff Raff.

As Columbia, Golden Globe winner Michaela Jaé Rodriguez is the ultimate showgirl. To craft Rodriguez’s take on the character, while paying homage to Nell Campbell’s famed portrayal of the flirtatious tap dancer who is the most theatrical in Frank-N-Furter’s troupe of misfits, Tull pulled inspiration from vaudevillian icons and starlets like Sharon Tate, “who has a very tragic end to her story, much like Columbia,” she explains. This took the form of colorful, exaggerated eyebrows, pastel blush that can be seen from space, and glitter galore. The purple hues used throughout the makeup reference royalty, while the gold shimmer on Rodriguez’s eyes draws from the original production, culminating in the perfect concoction of regality, old celebrity, and vaudevillian iconography.

Columbia’s wig was created with a similar sentiment, holding true to the character’s famed bright red hair, updated for this production with finger waves and short pigtails. “We wanted to keep [Rodriguez’s] playfulness,” Alvarado adds, “which is why you see all of those hair decorations that are put in haphazardly,” adding a nice, spirited contrast to Columbia’s regality.

For characters like the Riff Raff (Amber Gray), the castle’s spooky caretaker who sits right at Frank-N-Furter’s side, “the most important thing to me was silhouette,” Alvarado says. In their designs, both he and Tull wanted to acknowledge that Gray is a woman of color playing this traditionally male character, not shying away from the drag king reality taking stage in this portrayal.

Riff Raff’s complete hair and makeup.

Gray transforming into Riff Raff backstage.

Following a similar silhouette to Richard O’Brien’s original Riff Raff, Alvarado collaborated with Gray on a wig consisting of firmly laid blonde braids that hang down her neck. “It’s an honoring of my hair [as someone who is] biracial…It’s the perfect combination in keeping a wig that would be made for my hair type as well as the original silhouette,” Gray says.

Tull paired this with makeup that can best be described as “alien punk,” emphasizing Gray’s natural features with heavy contour, black lipstick, and darkened teeth to create a skeletal aesthetic that uplifts Riff Raff’s frightening demeanor. “The truth is,” Gray tells Allure, while getting prepped backstage before a Thursday matinee, “that I’m a very outside-in actor. So when I stare in the mirror in my costume, in the wig, and in the makeup, I understand how to play the role.”

Harvey Guillén as Eddie.

The drag king inspiration continued with Harvey Guillén’s portrayal of Eddie, the show’s rock-and-roll ghost who survives just one scene before being chainsawed to pieces. Tull drew inspiration from old Broadway makeup that is “specifically over the top,” best showcased in Guillén’s massive black eyebrows that are dusted with enough glitter to shine for those seated at the top of the balcony.

“A big throughline with a lot of the people in the castle, including Eddie and the Phantoms, is that they all kind of have a Frank-N-Furter shape to their eyes because they're, in my head, being infected by him,” Tull explains. “These Transylvanians, who might be aliens or might once have been human, have become so deranged over time and become little cultish Frank-N-Furter creatures, and that's how I really felt about Eddie.”

Alvarado’s wig choice for Eddie resembles classic biker mullets and updos from the 1960s. Given Eddie is a fully comedic role, Alvarado was intentional in not wanting to cheapen the character’s aesthetic in a laughable manner, but rather, to make Guillén as “hot” as possible. “There’s something so much more powerful about making them look really beautiful and letting them be funny by choice,” he says.

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It's a stark contrast to the second role Guillén plays in the production: Dr. Scott, a much more demure-looking gentleman compared to Eddie’s rock 'n roll flair. Guillén begins the show in Dr. Scott’s ensemble, then, after just one number, bolts to the theater’s basement to be transformed into Eddie, where, in the nick of time, he is able to make it back onstage for his star number. Only to return to the basement shortly after, peel out of Eddie-drag, and back into his full Dr. Scott look to finish the show. The whole journey is a true testament to the creative team’s excellence.

Josh Rivera as Rocky.

Then there’s Rocky (played by Josh Rivera), the show’s meticulously crafted specimen who Frank has created for NSFW purposes. “I really wanted to create a femme Rocky,” Tull says, laughing, “and Josh said he’s never felt as masculine as when he was in full baby doll glam.”

In the storyline, “Rocky is seven hours old; they were just born today,” Tull says, “so the makeup needed to explain that. This person put on this makeup without any knowledge of makeup, but they’re doing it because it makes them feel good; it makes them feel sexy.” Tull executed this by giving Rocky bright pink blushed cheeks, baby blue eye shadow, and bold bottom lashes, achieving a youthful glow that sparkles onstage.

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Rivera enjoys the freedom his makeup chart allows, exploring the beautiful possibilities that come with a bright blush palette and bountiful amounts of glitter. “During previews, I started [extending the blush] to my nose too, so I get a little Rudolf-chic kind of thing. I just think it’s cheeky.” He jokes, “We are singlehandedly propping up the glitter industry right now.”

While Rocky is typically portrayed as a classic, naturally blonde hunk, Alvarado chose to create a wig that “looked like what his hair would look like if we actually bleached it, which is why there is still root in there,” he says. And don’t worry, the hunk aesthetic remains untouched.

The Rocky Horror Show pridefully struts forward on the tails of its famous legacy while beaming with modern flair and electricity. There is simply too much to appreciate in one viewing. I am on my fourth visit to Rocky, with many more to come as the show continues to run through the fall on Broadway, and each subsequent evening I spend in Transylvania makes one point abundantly clear: There’s a light over at the Frankenstein place, and if my research is correct, that light may just be a spotlight reflecting off the pounds of glitter scattered across the Studio 54 stage. And what a marvelous sight it is.

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I do everything a reasonable person is supposed to do.

I meditate. I do breathwork. I show up at my weekly therapy appointments, even when I would rather sleep in. I take the SSRIs that my therapist, my former primary care physician, and I all agree I should take. I work out several days a week. I go for a walk every evening before dinner. And, despite applying for hundreds of jobs, I’ve been out of work for a year. The stress of being without a stable income and benefits has affected my well-being on a cellular level, and the protocols that are supposed to work do not—even though, by every measure of wellness culture, I am taking my own care seriously. Before I left DC to move in with friends in North Carolina, I spent every day on edge, wondering when someone would unlock the door and force me and my possessions out onto the curb.

I do everything a reasonable person is supposed to do. And now, for the first time in a decade, I want a cigarette. To get even more specific, I would kill for a Marlboro 27.

For the first time in a decade, I want a cigarette.

Cigarettes are the leading cause of preventable deaths in the US. While the long-term health effects of the occasional cig are tricky to track, we do know smoking even just one causes immediate damage to the body, and, of course, you run the risk of developing a really nasty habit. Despite this, they are having a cultural resurgence, and many writers have spent the last few months parsing out why. In The Cut, Xochitl Gonzalez made a melancholy case for smoking as a rebellion against the productivity-poisoned way we live now, a way of stepping outside our optimized matrix and engaging with another person for the length of a cigarette. In Allure, Gabriella Onessimo followed the smoking aesthetic into the makeup aisle, rightly clocking that the beauty industry is glamorizing a deadly addiction.

At my peak, I smoked half a pack on a mild day, though most were bad ones where I would have nearly the whole 20. When I quit, the effects were immediately noticeable. Within weeks, my skin was better, my resting heart rate was going down, and I could take deeper breaths. Quitting was one of the few unambiguously good decisions I have ever made about my own health, and I do not regret it. Still, the desire to smoke pops up. Most likely because addiction, even one I had a long time ago, has rewired the neural pathways in my brain a bit, but there’s also the intense stress I find myself under.

A class story lurks beneath this current wave of cigarette nostalgia, too. Why do Americans deal with stress by grabbing a $10 pack of cancer sticks from their local corner store? Even though fewer people are lighting up, smoking rates historically tick upward during and after catastrophes—as they did in 2020, after 9/11, and following Hurricane Katrina, when a percentage of former smokers relapsed, and current smokers started burning through more cigarettes. Even when calamities are more intimate, such as being unemployed for a long period of time, there is a higher risk of smoking, likely due to anxiety.

Stability remains among the best treatments for stress, but our current job market makes such a simple ask seem improbable. Fewer people are optimistic about finding work than they were during the pandemic—I’m one of them—and, last May, more than half of US workers said that job insecurity significantly affects their stress levels. It doesn’t help that the safety net is being actively dismantled. Health care is inaccessible to many. Significant cuts and restrictions to SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid will plunge more people further into poverty, a consequence of policy choices that are not focused on human well-being.

Stability remains among the best treatments for stress, but our current job market makes such a simple ask seem improbable.

So, the answer to why people smoke to cope with stress is straightforward: Cigarettes cost about $10.

Seconds after taking a pull, you’ll feel the calming effects of nicotine, and your stress will decrease for a moment. You will get that reprieve you are desperately craving. Your relief will mimic that photo of Ben Affleck, standing out front of a nondescript building, mouth agape, cigarette in hand, eyes closed, finally catching a break. There is no other intervention available to a stressed person that is that reliable, and the cigarette does not require you to work or volunteer to qualify for public assistance.

Or, at least, that’s the conclusion I came to once I caved and had one. I popped into a 7/11 on my block and bought some 27s. I stood on my balcony with the pack in my hands for a few minutes because I’ve written extensively about what I was about to do and decided to roll the dice anyway.

It was euphoric.

My eyes rolled back in my head, and I took a deep breath to get the smoke farther into my lungs. I held the fumes and the irony of taking a deep breath of cigarette smoke, something I’m only able to do because I quit in 2016, for a few seconds before blowing it out and going back in for another pull. My shoulders dropped, and I felt serene. In 10 seconds, the cigarette did what 12 months of intense wellness-ing hadn’t. Then, about halfway through it, I realized I was risking putting myself into a horrible cycle of addiction and put it out. After I woke up—the hit relaxed me so much I knocked out—I spent a few hours feeling guilty about it. But I’ve done everything a reasonable person is supposed to do.

In this economy, it simply wasn’t enough.

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Every other week or so, I treat myself to a slab of Levain’s chocolate chip banana bread. The ladies who work at my local one are always friendly, always game for a brief chat. I came in one week wearing a variety of jewel-toned, cat-eye polishes on my nails, and they ooh’d and ahh’d over them, asking me to turn my hands so they could see the blue-to-purple, iridescent shift.

“I want those so bad, but we’re not allowed to wear nail polish here—it could chip into the batter,” one of them said sullenly, holding her hand out in front of her, sporting short, bare nails. Little did she know, she was very much on trend.

Bare nails seem to boomerang around in the culture every other year as a sort of palette cleanser. It’s a routine reminder that it’s fine to take a break with manicure culture in the face of increasingly intricate and expensive nail art taking over the beauty trends. The discourse has taken many amusing and elaborate directions. But the newest spin on trimmed and polish-free nails is that they’re a symbol of wealth and status, according to a handful of social media influencers. How exactly? The reasoning is that high-status, wealthy people are too busy to bother with the regular, hours-long nail appointments and fussy maintenance that expensive manicures require (girlboss propaganda if I’ve ever heard it). There’s also conjecture that mass adoption of manicures (specifically, the kinds that embody like the 💅 manicure emoji: medium-to-long length, feminine) has become overstyled and gauche. A non-manicured, well-groomed hand is a countersignal indicating the status to opt out of such mainstream rituals.

This is a lot of overthinking about not wearing nail polish, if you ask me. It implies that wearing nail polish is the default norm, which, if you consider the entire population, is patently false. But the quiet part of this new repackaging of bare nails as status flex is how it implies the opposite: colorful, expressive nails are low-status. This is not necessarily a new sentiment for those familiar with the intersectional politics of beauty amongst non-white cultures. Classism and particularly anti-Black racism have consistently stigmatized long, colorful, acrylic nails as unprofessional and “ghetto” when worn by Black and Latino women (while similar nail styles are celebrated as cool and trend-setting on white women). Nail art and salon culture have deep roots in Black, Latino, and Asian-American history; they’re a meaningful form of creative self-expression amid community, despite their imperialist origins and the respectability politics that determine whose nails are tasteful and whose are tacky. There’s quiet luxury, and then there’s quiet discrimination.

The quiet part of this new repackaging of bare nails as status flex is how it implies the opposite: colorful, expressive nails are low-status.

“It’s harmful to conflate naked nails with taste or class, which are often just euphemisms for white supremacist beauty standards,” beauty writer and Allure contributor Kristina Rodulfo says in an Instagram Reel expressing her beef with this new resurgence of bare nails propaganda.

As far as bare nails fall into beauty hierarchies, they are, ostensibly, the baseline for indicating health, hygiene, and good grooming. Having clean, trim nails is often a uniform requirement for service and care workers, like nurses, cleaning staff, and food handlers (who are often people of color). Most people I know who keep their nails bare do so for work-related reasons. And conversely, most people I know who commit to regular manicure appointments and nail maintenance also cite work reasons: They want to appear polished and put together. If both are valid, are either of them valid? And why do people have such strong feelings about nails and their relationship to a person's net worth?

Early in my career as a beauty writer in the 2010s, I contributed to a website that involved original photography, often of myself demonstrating beauty tutorials. It was made very clear from the commenters that chipped or worn nails were “distracting” and ruined a look (even if it was a makeup or hair tutorial that had nothing to do with my nails). If I didn’t have polish on, that also elicited accusations of laziness or dismay at my “incomplete” appearance. At the time, I remember thinking, “Who cares??” But as I watched beauty YouTubers and Instagrammers come to define the new digital beauty culture, I noticed they always had their nails done. The implicit expectation was that if you’re on screen, your nails must be camera-ready.

To be clear, the bare nails we’re seeing on influencers, red carpets, and runways still require making an effort. Even when so-called naked manicures are on the mood board for editorial and commercial shoots, there’s almost always a manicurist on set to file, shape, buff, and make the models’ hands look as flawless as possible. (As writer Bella Gerard pointed out in her “No one in Vogue gets their nails done anymore” Substack post, even an at-home non-manicure requires multiple products to get that “clean girl” look everyone’s raving about.) I asked my friend Stephanie Stone, an editorial nail artist, for her thoughts on this. “For as long as I’ve been doing this, 80 percent of the nail direction on set has always been clean, sheer, or buff,” she told me. “I feel like that’s more so the photos aren’t dated to an era, versus having a nail look that’s very identifiable within a trend timeline.” Practicality prevails once again.

A clear perk of bare nails being on trend now is that skipping manicures will save time and money. Manicures are expensive, especially if you’re doing gel, which most people I know are. In New York City, any kind of specialization or nail art is at least a three-dollar-sign price point before tip. So when bare nails were declared in again, my recession indicator alarm bells went off.

And that’s partly why this conflation of wealth and status makes this “trend” so confounding to me. These kinds of contradictions are unique to this era of effortless, “clean girl” beauty — an aesthetic whose popularity, rather than celebrating one’s unadorned and authentic appearance, launched a cavalcade of beauty products towards the pursuit of a specific iteration of effortless and clean: one that veers overwhelmingly white. When an aspirational lack of effort requires a whole production to achieve it, you must call it what it is: propaganda. It’s Beauty™ in service of order, not expression — the kind of beauty that is a byproduct of “preferences that reproduce the existing social order,” as sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom writes in her essay collection, Thick.

One of the author’s recent at-home manicures.

Courtesy Sable Yong

I’ve enjoyed doing my own nails since I was a kid. Initially, it was out of financial necessity, but I also happen to be blessed with steady hands and exceptional fine motor skills. Mostly, I keep doing it because I love it. It’s my favorite creative activity to do for myself. Sometimes I’ll do intricate nail art, and sometimes I’ll keep it demure with something sheer or nude. I’ve never been treated any differently when I’ve been bare-nailed, but I suppose in our current hyper beauty culture, it may be refreshing for some people to see evidence that not everyone subscribes to polished perfection.

I’m sure many wealthy people do favor bare, short nails. It’s possible that they prefer spending their money on things other than manicures, despite being able to afford them. The next time I meet a millionaire with bare nails, I’ll be sure to ask them. In the meantime, I remain skeptical when viral testimony is driving culture. Too often, new or rehashed beauty trends reinforce outdated and limiting beauty ideals when left uninterrogated. (Remember when TikTok’s red nail theory had everyone reaching for crimson at the salon?) We often cheer on the beauty trends that serve us, but it’s worthwhile to consider how their impact further alienates others.

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A great perfume can instantly elevate your mood and become an extension of your a.m. beauty routine, but building a fragrance rotation can get expensive fast. While we can't refute the appeal of luxury eau de parfums (Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540, anyone?), there are plenty of bottles under $100 from brands including Phlur, Noyz, and By/Rosie Jane that deliver impressive complexity and longevity. This $100 threshold reflects today's fragrance market, where many contemporary and designer scents can easily surpass that mark. We've tested hundreds and can confidently say our picks here are just as aromatically satisfying and sophisticated as luxury finds that can reach upwards of $500.

Our Top Perfumes Under $100

• Best Rose: By/Rosie Jane Rosie Eau de Parfum, $86
• Best Fruity: Noyz Rinse Cycle Eau de Parfum, $85
• Best Floral: Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava, $38
• Best Gourmand: Forvr Mood She Was Here Eau de Parfum, $79
• Best Cozy: Fine'ry Sweet on the Outside Eau de Parfum, $30
• Best Vanilla: Cyklar Vanilla Verve Roll-On Perfume Oil, $24

Whether you're drawn to bright florals, juicy fruits, creamy gourmands, or skin-like musks, today's relatively more affordable fragrance scene offers something for every preference. Ahead, discover a scent-sational listing of the best perfumes under $100 that Allure editors love, from viral favorites to under-the-radar gems.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why are certain fragrances more expensive than others?
• Are there certain fragrance notes that are less expensive?
• How can I save money when buying perfume?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Rose Perfume: By/Rosie Jane Rosie Eau de Parfum

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By Rosie Jane

Rosie Eau de Parfum

$86

Amazon

$86

Nordstrom

$86

Sephora

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the By/Rosie Jane Rosie Eau de Parfum.

Sarah Kinonen

Why we love it: Rose fragrances of years past have often leaned powdery or old-fashioned, but By/Rosie Jane's Rosie Eau de Parfum takes a completely different approach. Built around a clean, skin-like musk accord paired with soft rose petals, this fragrance smells less like a bouquet and more like natural skin with a subtle hint of the striking floral. The result is intimate and effortlessly wearable as it blends into your skin’s natural scent, making each spritz delightfully unique. Its minimalist composition also makes it ideal for anyone who prefers understated scents—but despite its simplicity, Rosie manages to feel sophisticated and comforting at the same time.

Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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“‘Oh my gosh, you smell so good’ is music to my ears—and a phrase I hear approximately 28,468 times a day when I wear By/Rosie Jane’s Rosie. Am I exaggerating? Perhaps, but I really do get a bounty of compliments every time I wear Rosie. The skin-like scent has soft notes of rose oil, but doesn’t smell like a floral. Instead, thanks to white musk and warm amber, it smells like…me. And you. Which is probably why people love it so much. It’s airy, fresh, and amps up whatever fragrance you’re wearing with it, if you’re a layerer like I am. Here’s my morning cocktail: One, maybe two, tiny spritzes of the Harmonist Sacred Water (it’s pricey, so I like to savor it), and then three to four mists of Rosie because it wears so well on my neck, in my hair, on my jacket, literally everywhere.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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• Scent family: floral, musk
• Key notes: rose, musk
• Sizes: 1.7 fl oz., 0.33 fl oz.

Best Fruity Perfume: Noyz Rinse Cycle Eau de Parfum

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Noyz

Rinse Cycle Eau de Parfum

$85

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying Noyz Rinse Cycle Eau de Parfum.

Jesa Marie Calaor

Why we love it: Fruity fragrances have evolved far beyond the sugary body sprays of the early 2000s, and Noyz Rinse Cycle proves exactly that. This vibrant fragrance pairs juicy fruit notes with clean accords (think musk and amber) that evoke a sense of stepping out of the shower and wrapping yourself in freshly laundered linens. The combination feels uplifting, energetic, yet surprisingly sophisticated. While many fruit-forward fragrances can become cloying after a few hours, Rinse Cycle maintains a bright, airy quality throughout the day. It's an excellent choice for anyone who wants a playful scent profile balanced by freshness and modernity. (P.S.—Noyz’s solid perfume is a Best of Beauty Award winner and only costs $42 a pop.)

Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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“Have you ever just smushed your face into freshly laundered linens and thought, Aahhhh? That’s the vibe this fragrance evokes. It’s a clean-smelling musk with a hint of brightness, thanks to top notes of guava and lemon.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor

More to know

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• Scent family: fruity, fresh
• Key notes: pear, apple blossom, musk, amber
• Sizes: 1.7 fl oz., 0.5 fl oz.

Best Floral Perfume: Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava

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Ceremonia

Perfume Mist de Guava

$38

Amazon

$38

Sephora

$38

Revolve

Allure designer Briana Rengifo with Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava.

Briana Rengifo

Why we love it: If you're looking for a floral fragrance that smells fresh, modern, almost like a vacation in a bottle, Ceremonia's Perfume Mist de Guava deserves a spot in your collection. Inspired by the brand's best-selling Guava Leave-In Conditioner, this airy mist combines juicy guava with delicate floral notes for a tropical scent that doesn’t veer into overly sweet territory. The formula is designed for both your hair and body, so you can freely top up and refresh throughout the day.

Lightweight and easy to layer, it wears beautifully during warmer months when heavier florals can feel overwhelming. The approachable price point and generous bottle size only add to its appeal, making it one of the best fragrance values in the category.

Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo

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“I love guava scents, and this one makes you smell incredibly edible and yummy for the summer, while also giving you some shimmer on your body for an extra glow! And the bottle is beautiful to have on your vanity as well.” —Briana Rengifo, designer

More to know

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• Scent family: floral, fruity
• Key notes: guava, lemon zest, peach, jasmine, sandalwood
• Sizes: 3.4 fl oz.

Best Gourmand Perfume: Forvr Mood She Was Here Eau de Parfum

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FORVR Mood

She Was Here Eau de Parfum

$79

Sephora

Why we love it: Gourmand fragrances can sometimes feel overwhelmingly sweet, but Forvr Mood founder Jackie Aina knows how to strike a balance between indulgent and elegant. Rich notes of vanilla, caramelized sweetness, and delicate florals intertwine in She Was Here, to create a fragrance that feels warm, comforting, and undeniably grounding. The scent reveals new facets throughout the day, transitioning from sweet and inviting to soft and creamy. The result is a multidimensional gourmand that's grown-up rather than dessert-like. At under $80, it delivers the type of complexity typically associated with far more expensive eau de parfums.

Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards

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“I’ve expanded my love for gourmand perfumes to include more decadent scents with floral notes woven in. Forvr Mood’s She Was Here strikes the perfect balance that's sweet and floral with a soft finish. It evolves beautifully throughout the day, revealing new layers over time, which makes wearing it a sensory journey. It’s quickly become one of my favorites.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager

More to know

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• Scent family: gourmand, floral
• Key notes: pear, freesia, vanilla bean, caramel, sandalwood
• Sizes: 1.7 fl oz., 0.34 fl oz.

Best Vanilla Perfume: Cyklar Vanilla Verve Roll-On Perfume Oil

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Cyklar

Vanilla Verve

$24

Amazon

$24

Sephora

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying Cyklar’s Vanilla Verve.

Shanna Shipin

Why we love it: Vanilla fragrances are everywhere, but Cyklar's Vanilla Verve stands out, thanks to its fresh, contemporary interpretation of the beloved note (no wonder it won a 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award!). Rather than focusing solely on sugary sweetness, the fragrance blends creamy vanilla with warm woods and subtle musks for a scent that feels clean and elevated. It's cozy without becoming overwhelming, and sweet without feeling juvenile.

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“This is a grown-up vanilla—she’s layered, sexy, and loyal. Real talk: Before it came my way during Best of Beauty testing, singer Gracie Abrams influenced me to get this perfume. I was interviewing her, and she smelled like creamy cardamom meets spicy vanilla, and I was hooked. I love how small these bottles are, too. You can toss them into your bag and invest in a few of them to layer without breaking the bank.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Scent family: gourmand
• Key notes: vanilla, bergamot, green cardamom, heliotrope, amber, musk
• Sizes: 15 ml

Best Solar Perfume: Lore Sublimity Eau de Parfum

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Lore

Sublimity Eau de Parfum

$92

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Lore Sublimity Eau de Parfum.

Sarah Han

Why we love it: Few fragrances truly capture the feeling of summer quite like this solar scent. In Lore's Sublimity Eau de Parfum, warm musk, sunlit florals, creamy coconut, and golden amber combine to evoke long, tranquil afternoons spent outdoors. Unlike traditional beachy fragrances, Sublimity feels refined and polished rather than overtly tropical. The scent radiates warmth without becoming heavy, making it especially appealing during the spring and summer. Its balanced composition and impressive staying power help justify the price, which is still accessible compared to many niche solar fragrances.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“I can’t stress enough that I’m not a coconut girl—I don’t like to eat it or smell like it. But Lore’s interpretation of coconut nectar is the opposite of sickly sweet and almost takes a back seat to the fresher notes of sea salt and ylang ylang. It’s a solar scent that’s not overly beachy, like I’ve been baking outside for hours, which you wouldn’t catch me doing anyway, not only for the detrimental UV damage, but also the suffocating feeling I get lying in the sun for more than 15 minutes! This scent is airy and uplifting, just like I prefer my fragrances to be.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Scent family: solar, floral
• Key notes: coconut water, tiare flower, jasmine sambac, amber, driftwood
• Sizes: 1.7 fl oz., 0.33 fl oz.

Best Cozy Perfume: Fine'ry Sweet on the Outside Eau de Parfum

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Fine'ry

Sweet on the Outside Eau de Parfum

$30

Amazon

$30

Walmart

Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying Fine’ry Sweet on the Outside Eau de Parfum.

Annie Blay-Tettey

Why we love it: Fin'ery has developed a reputation for creating affordable fragrances with luxurious vibes, and Sweet on the Outside particularly stands out for its cozy, anxiety-melting gourmand blend. The fragrance wraps you in warm vanilla, toasted sugar, and soft woods, creating a comforting scent profile that feels like your favorite oversized sweater in perfume form. Despite its gourmand leanings, it remains remarkably wearable for all seasons not just the cold ones and never feels overly rich.

Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey

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“This mildly sweet gourmand is perfect for everyday wear since it’s light, but on fancier occasions it still smells lovely enough to get a compliment or two.” —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor

More to know

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• Scent family: gourmand
• Key notes: vanilla, toasted marshmallow, cashmere woods
• Sizes: 2 fl oz.

Best Musky Perfume: Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum

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Phlur

Missing Person Eau de Parfum

$99

Amazon

$99

Nordstrom

$99

Sephora

Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum.

Elizabeth Gulino

Why it's worth it: Phlur’s Missing Person has become one of the most talked-about skin scents in recent memory. Built around soft musks, delicate florals, and clean skin accords, it basically melds with your skin rather than smelling like you’ve doused yourself in perfume. It’s ideal for those who prefer subtle scents that invite people closer rather than announcing their presence from across the room. Its emotional, nostalgic quality has earned a devoted following, and the travel-friendly size offers an affordable entry point into one of the industry's most beloved modern musks.

Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino

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“I refer to Missing Person as my ‘no-brainer’ perfume—when I’m running out the door in a rush or can’t decide what fragrance I want to wear for the day, I end up gravitating toward this one. It’s easy, smells familiar, and I can always count on a compliment or two when I’m wearing it.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer

More to know

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• Scent family: musk
• Key notes: musk, bergamot nectar, jasmine, neroli blossom, sandalwood
• Sizes: 3.4 fl oz., 1.7 fl oz., 0.32 fl oz.

Best Perfume Oil: Malin + Goetz Strawberry Perfume Oil

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Malin + Goetz

Strawberry Perfume Oil

$40

Amazon

$40

Nordstrom

Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann after applying Malin + Goetz Strawberry Perfume Oil.

Sarah Hoffmann

Why we love it: Strawberry fragrances are having a major moment (it is summer, also known as strawberry season, after all), but Malin + Goetz's Strawberry Perfume Oil offers a distinctly sophisticated take on the trending fruity note. Rather than smelling like candy, the fragrance highlights the fruit's bright, slightly green facets alongside soft musks and warm woods. The oil format wears close to the skin and develops beautifully over time, creating a personalized scent experience that feels uniquely yours. It's also incredibly portable, making touch-ups throughout the day seamless. For anyone curious about perfume oils or looking for a fresh interpretation of fruity fragrance, this one delivers impressive nuance and longevity.

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

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“I've written about the spray version of this fragrance before, but I think the perfume oil is on its own level of special. It's much greener than you'd expect—there's a hint of berry sweetness, but it's mostly a vegetal, fresh fragrance to me. Whenever I wear it, I think I smell as if I spent all morning handling a bunch of farmers' market strawberries, gently arranging them into a gorgeous, rustic tart, and the scent of the juices and stems melted into my skin, lingering all day long.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

More to know

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• Scent family: fruity
• Key notes: strawberry, bergamot, pink pepper, jasmine, cedarwood, oakmoss, musk, orris root
• Sizes: 0.3 fl oz.

An Honorable Mention

Best Fruity Gourmand Perfume: Brown Girl Jane Carousel Eau de Parfum

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Brown Girl Jane

Carousel Eau de Parfum

$102

Sephora

Why we love it: Ringing in at just a smidge over $100 is Brown Girl Jane's Carousel Eau de Parfum. This delightful scent sits at the intersection of juicy and creamy, opening with vibrant fruity notes before settling into a rich gourmand base that feels playful, but not juvenile. There's a nostalgic quality to the carnival-inspired scent, like a favorite childhood treat elevated through a more sophisticated lens—and it never feels heavy or sticky. Carousel's warm dry-down gives it versatility across seasons, making it an easy pick for sweethearts who want a gourmand fragrance that they can wear year-round.

Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva

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“I'll use two to three spritzes on my inner wrist, which I dab on my shirt collar and neck, to be coated in the sweetness of Brown Girl Jane's Carousel perfume. I typically layer my perfumes but skip it with this scent since it has the tinge of musk to it already.” —Kassidy Silva, social director

More to know

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• Scent family: fruity, gourmand
• Key notes: apple, blackcurrant, cotton candy, amber, sandalwood
• Sizes: 1.7 fl oz., 0.33 fl oz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are certain fragrances more expensive than others?

Fragrances have one of the widest price ranges in the beauty industry, from under-$10 options to prices that rival luxury hairstyling tools. Seriously, some are more expensive than a Dyson Airwrap.

According to multiple perfumers, major factors in market price are the ingredients and materials used to create the fragrance. “Ingredients such as orris, jasmine, rose, and vanilla are often among the costliest due to factors including limited availability, complex extraction processes, and the specific regions of the world where they are sourced,” says Caroline Sabas, senior perfumer at Givaudan.

Tiffany Champion, apprentice perfumer at Atwood Parfum, adds that the price of ingredients centers on the labor intensity required to obtain them, the rarity of the material, and whether they can be replicated with synthetics, “which in turn influences how much the perfume will cost.” That’s why natural materials like orris, jasmines, ouds, and ambergris tend to run pricier, according to Champion.

Kelly Kussman, founder of fragrance brand Cayla Gray, adds that the concentration of fragrance oil makes a major impact on price, which is why lower-concentration formulas like body sprays or eau de toilettes tend to be less expensive than eau de parfums and extraits. “An eau de parfum contains more fragrance oil and tends to last longer on skin,” she notes.

Additionally, both Kussman and Champion say price can sometimes come down to marketing, not always quality. “In some cases, regardless of the integrity of the perfume, you’re paying for access to a name or for a perception of prestige attached to a certain product,” says Champion. “The prices are what they are because brands know people will pay the cost.”

Are there certain fragrance notes that are less expensive?

According to all three experts, the most affordable fragrance notes tend to be synthetic rather than directly derived from natural materials—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. “[Synthetic fragrances] are often produced in large quantities through efficient manufacturing processes,” Champion says. “This makes them more consistent, readily available, and often more cost-effective than their natural counterparts.”

She also says—hear her out—that synthetic fragrance notes can be beneficial for the environment: “Synthetics help relieve environmental strain that can be exacerbated with overharvesting, climate change, or political unrest, rendering certain materials endangered or obsolete.”

Both Sabas and Champion note that some of the most common synthetic fragrances include hedione (an airy alternative to soft, floral jasmine) and vanillin (a synthetic with a similar scent profile to natural vanilla, but at a lower cost). “Iso E Super is a popular woody note that is widely available and frequently used in modern perfumery due to its versatility and accessibility,” adds Sabas.

How can I save money when buying perfume?

First off, always keep in mind that price does not equal quality. “The best fragrance is not always the most expensive one. It is the one that feels most like you,” says Kussman. Try eau de toilettes and body sprays, which have lower concentrations than traditional perfumes and therefore lower prices.

If you want to enjoy a higher-priced scent without shelling out too much of your hard-earned money, Champion’s best recommendation is to sample before committing. “To curb overconsumption, I encourage everyone to try a sample at 2 ml., then upgrade to 5 ml. or 10 ml., and then if you feel you can’t live without that perfume, eventually buy a full bottle.” This allows you to spend more time with the scent without investing in a blend you might not love at first spritz.

There’s also a huge second-hand fragrance community to explore (with extreme discernment), according to Champion. “You can attend swaps in your area if they’re happening. If not, start one among your friends,” she says. If you want to take the virtual route, just be sure to exercise caution when shopping secondhand online, as counterfeit fragrances and scams are not uncommon. Whenever possible, purchase from reputable sellers with extensive reviews, ask for proof of purchase or additional photos, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Meet the experts

• Caroline Sabas is a senior perfumer at Givaudan.
• Tiffany Champion is an apprentice perfumer at Atwood Parfum.
• Kelly Kussman is the founder of fragrance brand Cayla Gray.

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best affordable perfumes, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors, along with special consideration from two dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, please read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

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

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

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Square nails are often associated with longer lengths because a lot of folks are under the impression that the more blunt shape can make short nails look wider and stubbier, favoring rounded, oval, or squoval shapes for a less-long manicure. But Rihanna isn't a lot of folks—she's currently ignoring conventional wisdom and making short, square nails look like they may be shaping up to be the next big manicure trend.

The singer and entrepreneur was spotted out in New York City on Tuesday night wearing a camel-colored leather jacket over a fuzzy, ribbed dress in the same hue, her voluminous curls cascading around her shoulders. But blink and you'll miss a detail that we immediately clocked: short nails with a straight edge.

The crisp outline gives the manicure a deliberate, graphic quality, even in the super subtle shade they're painted: a pale, milky off-white. It’s also very much in line with Rihanna's apparent polish preferences as of late: more light, creamy nail colors over bold, chrome finishes or deep vampy shades. She likes it so much, in fact, that she's even wearing a matching pedicure.

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

While simple, the look stands out because it reframes short nails as intentional rather than just low-maintenance. The square shape adds structure and attitude, while the milky polish keeps things understated and on-trend. It’s a reminder that nails don’t always need more length, embellishment, or intense color to look cool; sometimes it's just a matter of changing the silhouette to something a little unexpected, taking a shape people think shouldn’t work and wearing it anyway.

Collage: Ingrid Fowler; Source images: Getty; Dianna Mazzone; Jenny Walton; Diogo Parrinha; Getty; Getty.Save StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter and Zendaya and Billie Eilish and Hailey Bieber all have at least two things in common: 1) They are famous. And 2) They can pull off a headscarf better than most. I’ll let the photos floating around the World Wide Web speak for themselves.

Pause there, then rewind to 1953: Roman Holiday premieres starring 24-year-old Audrey Hepburn. As she begins her rise to stardom, she frequently wraps her chocolate brown hair in a headscarf. 1970: Printed scarves—in colorful florals and punchy designs–crown Queen Elizabeth II from one royal engagement to the next. Fast-forward and the year is 1998: Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill repopularize scarves, swirling them around their hair on stage and off.

Then and now, the most elegant—and sometimes, the most mundane—squares of fabric have been spun (and tied) into a statement. Sometimes, the most extravagant materials can even take the shape of a headscarf. We witnessed this in 2014, when Adam Selman designed Rihanna a custom headpiece, dazzling with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

Rihanna dazzles in head-to-toe Swarovski crystals at the 2014 CFDA Awards.

Getty Images

But let’s pause again. Because there was a distinct time—specifically the 18th century—when headscarves represented an extremely different status than “cool” or “stylish”: Headscarves were a symbol of servitude. Not a choice. Not a fashion statement. Headwraps were a requirement for slaves by their owners.

Decades later, Black culture began to embrace the style, day and night, and it evolved into a form of protection: “Would you ride your bike without a helmet? No. Would you go to sleep without wrapping your hair? Never. When it comes to maintaining hairstyles, retaining length, and preventing frizz, the noblest work is done at night,” former Allure editor Jihan Forbes wrote in 2018.

Instagram content

Now, amid your morning scroll in 2026, chances are someone on your phone screen will be showing off their headscarf this summer. Posing…and voguing, because the accessory begs to be photographed. Maybe it’s Zendaya, who stops your scroll, hilariously posing for the camera at an independent bookstore with copies of Dune and The Odyssey, her bangs poking out of a casual blue bandana. Or it could very well be that you still have images of Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter saved from 2024—when the headscarf trend really started taking off—on your Pinterest board. (Not going to lie, we still think of Carpenter's look in her “Espresso” music video, complete with baby pink scarf, her curtain bangs peeking out just so). Or, perhaps, it’s your favorite content creator—Claudya Moreira, Jenny Walton, Tezza Barton, Jessica Skye, Amy Julliette Lefévr, and the list goes on (and on)—whose photo you have saved as inspiration because maybe…just maybe…you are finally convinced to wear the scarf that’s been sitting in a drawer, waiting patiently to be all tied up.

Sabrina Carpenter walks the runway at Vogue World in 2024

Getty Images

Candidly, we still have Hailey Bieber’s Coachella look (you know, the one where she boldly layered a leopard-print scarf over a Fila baseball cap) stuck in our heads. The same is true about Ayo Edebiri (a.k.a. Chef Sydney “Syd” Adamu) in The Bear. Edebiri pairs her white coat with a new scarf episode after episode—and each look is fabulous. Uncommon it is not to see this hairstyle in the kitchen. But, uncommon it is for someone to have such an expansive collection of ridiculously gorgeous scarves. All were sourced by costume designer Courtney Wheeler—from Aimé Leon Dore, Fine and Dandy, a vintage shop in New York City, and eBay, among other places—who says the scarves were a practical accessory but also gave Syd "self-expression without her even speaking.”

Hairstylist and hair department head for The Bear Ally Vickers had runway images pinned on her mood board for Edebiri’s character: “I pulled a lot of inspiration from fashion shows in the ‘90s and 2000s,” she tells Allure. “Anna Sui, Calvin Klein, and Prada are my favorites for archival runways. The hair is chef’s kiss.” Yes, Chef! Yes, indeed.

Emilia Wickstead spring 2026

Getty Images

Zimmerman spring 2026

Getty Images

If you follow fashion week, you'll know Headscarves have been the accessory du jour of the past few seasons. At the spring/summer 2026 runway shows—at Calvin Klein, Emilia Wickstead, Zimmerman, and Giambattista Valli, to name a few—models could be spotted rocking the accessory. Bold prints, solid, splashy colors, and unexpected fabrics all made an appearance. While what’s on the runway doesn’t necessarily make it to street style, scarves have flooded the sidewalks.

For Claudya Moreira—a model, digital creator, and the self-proclaimed “Queen of Scarf”—a scarf is a “versatile accent” that she incorporates into her daily ensemble, no matter the occasion…or season. “My love for scarves runs deep and is rooted in my heritage,” she tells Allure. “Growing up in an environment where all the women wore scarves, I naturally embraced them as a part of my daily life and personal style. I inherited a cherished scarf from my grandmother, and everything our grandparents leave us is a blessing. Scarves are more than just accessories to me; they represent a connection to my past, a celebration of heritage, and a medium for artistic expression.”

Claudya Moreira, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Scarf,” photographed wearing her signature accessory.

Diogo Parrinha

You’ll see Moreira styled to perfection from head to toe (in a structured blazer or summery blouse or full-length gown on her Instagram) and just about every look is complete with a scarf in some form. “Each of these styles allows me to express my fashion sense while adding a touch of elegance to my outfits,” says Moreira, who has even designed a collection of scarves called Zafia Lisbon.

Creator Jenny Walton sees scarves as more than just a polished accessory: “I mainly end up wearing them when I’m having a bad hair day, which is often in the summer,” she tells Allure. “Or if my roots need to be redone and I don’t have time, a headscarf can prolong my hair appointment for a few weeks.” To be clear, you would never know that her vibrant matching Marimekko dress and scarf were hiding anything such as a “bad hair day.” Walton typically reaches for Hermès scarves and says their lightweight silky texture makes them easy to tie—and they actually stay on.

Jenny Walton pairs a Marimekko headscarf with striking sunnies.

Jenny Walton

Hairstylist Lacy Redway previously told Allure, “To secure the scarf, cross two pins behind your ears where they are not very visible.” Allure associate features director Dianna Mazzone Singh says this method has proven to be successful for her, especially with a little reinforcement from the arms of her sunglasses (as she has styled the look above).

Allure associate features director Dianna Mazzone Singh poses poolside in a caftan and headscarf.

Dianna Mazzone Singh

In her “30 Days, 30 Scarf Styles” series, Moreira shared a genius solution to avoid slippage, laying the scarf over her head (so one of the corners completely covers her face), sliding on thick black headband, and folding the scarf back over the headband to conceal it completely. Hairstylist Sunnie Brook also has a hidden support hack using bobby pins and some sneaky folding, which you can watch below.

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And on a windy day—or just to be certain your scarf isn't going anywhere—Vicker’s has another pro tip: “Leave a little hair out at the nape of your neck. Tie your scarf between the hair that you’ve left out and the bulk of your hair; then when you’re putting your hair into a ponytail you can secure all the hair into the same elastic,” she says. “You will still be able to see the bow of your scarf, but your hair will keep her locked in.”

It’s certainly one way to elevate your ponytail—or hairstyle of the day—and look effortlessly polished… no matter what lies beneath.

Shop our favorite headscarves:

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SilkySilky

Elegantly Designed Silk Printed Square Scarf

$30

Nordstrom

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The Peacock Crew

Premium Soft Cotton Bandanas

$13

Amazon

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For Love & Lemons

Rose Crochet Head Scarf

$69

Revolve

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Gunia Project

Lybid Silk Headscarf

$170

Gunia Project

NexxusSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Ciara Miller is the definition of “booked and busy.” When we connect on a sunny Friday afternoon, she’s in New York City prepping to spend nearly five weeks in Fiji hosting the Love Island aftershow, Aftersun, alongside Tefi Passoa. After that, she might be returning to the Hamptons for the 11th season of Summer House. And then she’s appearing on Dancing with the Stars, all while helping renovate her grandparents’ home in North Carolina.

Miller, who joined the Summer House cast during season five in 2021 while working as a traveling nurse during the pandemic, is also the face of Nexxus’s new campaign, titled “Claim Your Space.” It's all about confidence, presence—and the power of texture spray. The timing couldn’t be better for the nurse-turned-model-turned-reality-TV-star-turned-host, who has a profusion of eyes on her at this very moment. “I feel like [the campaign] is such a representation of this next chapter and who I am right now,” Miller shares. “For Black women, our hair is like our crown… Being unapologetically you and being able to walk in a room and take up that space as a woman is so important.”

If you’re even remotely familiar with the Bravo universe, you probably know that Miller is at the center of a scandal involving two fellow castmates. If not, a quick primer: Miller’s ex, West Wilson, recently began a relationship with her (now former) very close friend, Amanda Batula, who is currently in the process of divorcing another castmate, Kyle Cooke. The fallout took place during the three-part Summer House reunion, which aired its final segment on June 9, and Miller says that even though the process was “cathartic,” she’s “excited to close the door” on everything and move onwards and upwards.

For the reunion taping, Miller paired her two-piece Di Petsa dress with a deep burgundy red hair color—something she said felt “symbolic” given the increased attention to her personal life. “I don't experiment with my hair color a lot,” she explains. “The red was like, ‘She's on fire.’ It was symbolic, but I also wanted to try something new. My dress was a bit more muted so I wanted my glam to really be able to speak for itself.”

Miller has previously said that her “word of the year” for 2026 was “community”—a choice that has been particularly resonant given the support she has received since news of Wilson and Batula’s romance became public. “When I was making [community] my word of the year, I didn’t know just how much I would really need to lean on that,” she explains. “But going into this next era… I’m in my ‘F*ck it, f*ck you’ era of ‘I am me. I’m being myself. I’m taking up space with my hair, but also in my presence.’ When I'm walking into the room, it’s understanding that I deserve to be here. I'm grateful and I don't take any of this for granted, but I'm also where I'm supposed to be.”

Though Summer House season 11 is still up in the air—a Bravo VP told The Hollywood Reporter that casting isn’t typically final until late June—Miller has officially landed on her Aftersun outfits and is planning to pair them with “hair accessories, jewels, and braids.” She’s also prepping for DWTS, which kicks off in the fall. “I'm going to be in Fiji going to the gym and asking questions about love,” she says. "Those will be my two focuses.”

“I’m in my ‘F*ck it, f*ck you’ era of ‘I am me. I’m being myself.’”

One thing Miller will definitely be packing for Fiji, Los Angeles (where DWTS films), and the Hamptons (should she return to the house) is hairspray, which is her absolute must-have while filming. “I go through bottles and bottles and bottles of hairspray.” These days, she’s into Nexxus Maximum Firm Hold Hairspray paired with the brand’s Air Shape Workable Hold Texture Spray. For those long hours of filming, “you need products that are going to help your hairstyle stay throughout the day. We're always doing some type of crazy activity.” She keeps travel sizes in her bag or production vehicles for on-set touchups, and hairspray and texture spray are always in her night-out bag, too. And as for what was in that Sephora bag from her very well-played Instagram post after news about Batula and West broke? “Perfume, setting sprays, and of course, makeup.”

Though Miller's hair-care routine varies depending on what she’s doing, a heat protectant is an absolute must to keep her hair healthy through lots of styling. “I live and die by a heat protectant,” she says. “It’s essential to the process if I want to keep my natural hair and prolong the life of my extensions as well.” She cares for her natural hair with steam treatments. “It’s a team effort between me and my hairstylist taking care of my hair, trying to protect it, and morphing into different styles.”

Throughout her five seasons on Summer House, she’s worn lots of different hairstyles, but says she feels most comfortable in braids. “I wore braids when I was younger. Being able to come back to that style is nostalgic but a representation of who I actually am,” she says. “It tells a story of my comfort: not trying to fit in a box, avoid questions, or being in white spaces and having my hair be a topic of conversation. I feel like I've been able to shed the anxiety or the anticipation of that.”

Miller has been at the center of a whole lot of conversation thus far in 2026, but a year from now, what does she want Summer House fans to take away from her story? “Honestly, I hope they talk about how I have great hair, I've had great glam, and the type of friend that I am… and leave it at that.”

Nexxus

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If you're familiar with the sunscreen world—and you should be, considering we should all be wearing SPF every single day—you know that America is way behind in sunscreen innovation. This is in part because in the US, sunscreen is regulated as a drug rather than a cosmetic, which means it has to undergo robust testing via the Food & Drug Administration before hitting shelves. However, the FDA has finally approved a new active sunscreen ingredient (also called a filter), which is the first major sunscreen-related approval since 1999—yes, 1999!

On June 9, the administration added bemotrizinol to the list of permitted active ingredients for over-the-counter sunscreens. According to the FDA, bemotrizinol (or BEMT) “provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays and has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body.” Now that the approvals have been finalized, BEMT is considered to be Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective (GRASE) by the FDA and recommended for use on adults and children ages six months and older.

“The agency has historically moved too slowly in this area, leaving Americans with fewer options than consumers abroad. We’re continuing to modernize the regulation of sunscreen and other over-the-counter drug products,” FDA commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., said in a December 2025 statement when the organization began the formal process toward approving BEMT. “Americans deserve timely access to the best safe, effective, and consumer-friendly, over-the-counter products available.”

Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos previously wrote in Allure that chemists in the US have a “pretty limited toolbox” for sunscreen formulation: just 16 active sunscreen ingredients, only eight of which are commonly used. For comparison, in Japan, formulators can choose from more than 30 approved filters. According to Dobos, who attended the 2025 Sunscreen Symposium, BEMT is manufactured by DSM-Firmenich, which has been trying to get the ingredient approved in the US for 20 years; it cost them roughly $20 million to bring it to market.

BEMT approval gives cosmetic chemists another ingredient to add to their list, and Dobos praises it for its efficiency. BEMT provides “true broad-spectrum protection with two distinct absorption peaks, one in the UVA range and one in UVB,” she explains, which means better defense against both sunburns and aging rays. “Unlike older filters that often require high concentrations to achieve adequate SPF, BEMT allows chemists to use lower overall levels of actives while still meeting high SPF and UVA protection targets,” Dobos tells Allure. It may also improve the sunscreen experience: “We can make products with lighter texture and less greasiness in formulations. And, like other organic filters, it's transparent on the skin.”

The American Academy of Dermatologists is also very much on board with BEMT. “The academy has been advocating for many years for the availability of more sunscreen options for US consumers,” Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, the immediate past president of the AAD, said in a statement last December, noting that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. “The United States lags behind many other countries that have nearly twice as many approved sunscreen ingredients.”

Now that BEMT is officially approved, you can expect to see sunscreens with the new filter hitting shelves this year. Allure has it on good authority that plenty of brands already have their formulas locked and loaded. Since BEMT is legal to use in other countries, companies were able to get a head start on testing elsewhere. Ultra Violette confirmed to Allure that they plan to launch a sunscreen with BEMT in the U.S. September. Neutrogena also plans to work with the new filter.

Dobos says she's “very excited” about putting BEMT to work in sunscreen formulations. “Many times in the past, I felt like Charlie Brown when Lucy pulls that football away just as he's about to attempt a kick, as progress would start and stall,” she says. “I've been following this my entire career.”

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Broadway is thriving. And after its highest-grossing season ever (nearly $2 billion!), the theatre community was more than ready to celebrate all of the brilliance that made that possible at the Tony Awards. Hosted by Pink this year—not a Broadway alum, but she definitely proved she has the chops—the ceremony was filled with riveting performances, moving speeches, and, of course, stunning looks.

The artists attending the Tonys gave Hollywood a red carpet run for its money with some of the most creative and copy-worthy beauty moments. We're talking matchy-matchy makeup, sculptural hairstyles, and enough sparkle to fit right into The Rocky Horror Show.

Let's take a peek at the 2026 Tony Awards beauty looks that deserve to take an extra bow.

Ariana Debose

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Previous Tonys host Ariana Debose was a vision in deep emerald green—not just in her high-neck dress and drop earrings, but in her makeup too. Her otherwise warm and neutral makeup is given intensity with a wash of forest green across and beyond her lids, where her curly tendrils just happen to hit.

Kara Young

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Kara Young, star of the Broadway revival of Proof, served swirly edges at the front of a sleek, stick-straight ponytail styled by Cassandra Normil. And makeup artist Starr Ceska expertly answered the question, “What lipstick color do you wear with chartreuse?”: the deepest raisin.

Frankie Grande

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Of course Titanique star Frankie Grande was wearing sister Ariana's R.E.M. Beauty on the red carpet. Makeup artist Roshar cited it as one of several brands he used to create this super-shimmery eye, anchored with intense black liner fully enveloping the waterline.

Rose Byrne

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Don't you just wanna wear Rose Byrne's look every single day? Harry Josh gave her softly textured waves with curling iron—he alternated the direction of each section to create a relaxed look—and holding its effortless vibes with Goldwell StyleSign Shaping & Finishing Spray. Meanwhile, makeup artist Hung Vanngo used his eponymous line to create this neutral masterpiece after prepping her skin with two exfoliating steps: First Aid Beauty Brighten + Glow Exfoliating Gel Cleanser with AHA + Jojoba Pearls and Brighten + Glow Facial Radiance Pads with Glycolic + Lactic Acids.

Cole Escola

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A vision in ruffly pink and wispy, winged lashes, Cole Escola says his voluminously retro, red hair makes them feel like the “gay baby … left outside a garbage can” by Dorothy Loudon and Molly Ringwald. And you know what? Yes.

Danielle Brooks

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Hairstylist Tish Celestine gave Danielle Brooks a sleek bob with swooped-out ends, which was given an even more editorial edge with different-length tendrils—some shorter than the bob, and some longer. The drama continued in her makeup, with makeup artist Yeika Olivia fully lining her eyes in black and extending it softly both inward and outward.

André De Shields

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André De Shields wore his Cats: The Jellicle Ball makeup on the red carpet, and can you blame him? The rhinestone liner, shadow, and brows look just as amazing with his vibrant tux as they do with his costume.

Qween Jean

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Speaking of Cats: The Jellicle Ball, its costume designer Qween Jean became the first openly trans person to win a Tony, and she did so in some of the most gorgeous makeup of the night. Makeup artist Ayman Syed continued the pink vision of her gown with a soft, contoured, pink lip, pink cheeks, and a stunning cut crease accented by a shimmering wing. The look was topped off by an elegant updo crafted by D the Barbtologist and accented with a cascading, beaded accessory.

Rachel Zegler

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Rachel Zegler's revival of Evita is expected to receive a warm welcome on Broadway next season, and in the meantime, she's wearing warm-toned makeup. The tawny hue of her lipstick is matched by her blush, while her matte, beautifully blended eye shadow brings in rich russet. Her hair feels effortless yet polished, which can be attributed to the Amika Top Gloss Hair Shine Spray hairstylist Dana Boyer used after giving her a bouncy blowout.

Layton Williams

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Titanique's Layton Williams decided to get bangs—and then some—for the Tony Awards. The nominee's fringed, black headpiece sweeps across his forehead and up into a tornado of controlled, breathtaking chaos. Even his eyeliner feels swept up in the moment.

Lesley Manville

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Getting a Tony for your Broadway debut is worthy of countless compliments, but so is doing your own makeup for the award show. Hairstylist Ben Skervin, who styled Lesley Manville's piecey, deeply side-parted pixie, wrote on Instagram that the actor did her makeup herself. Manville isn't on social media, so we may never know what she used for that soft yet vivid orange hue on her lids.

Melissa Barrera

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No matter how strong the wind machines in Titanique, they wouldn't be able to make Melissa Barrera's updo budge. Hairstylist Amy Farid gave her a super-sleek, middle-parted knot with the ends very intentionally fanned out. Makeup artist Mia Jones Siegel gave her a soft look with glossy, pink lips, highlighted cheeks, and a subtly shimmering brown smoky eye.