Author: trengp

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Dakota Johnson says it's time to go one step further than matching your nails to your toes, your lipstick, or a gown. Instead, the Verity star has something more intimate in mind—matching your manicure to your exposed undies!

Stay with us here. Johnson is a noted fan of the sheer or naked dress; she often wears peekaboo styles on the red carpet and once told Vogue Germany that she pays no mind to criticism of her love of sheer gowns. “I really don’t care. I've been able to wear some of the most beautiful dresses, and I feel beautiful in them, so I wear them," she said last year. For the London premiere of the Colleen Hoover thriller, Johnson chose a cream lace down by Colleen Allen, under which her black bra and underwear could clearly, intentionally be seen. And because the beauty is in the details, Johnson also opted for an inky black manicure in the exact same shade as her undergarments.

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There are a few elements at play here. Not only do Johnson's medium-length noir nails match her underwear, but like the undies themselves, they serve as a grounding force for the entire look, adding a dose of edge and punk rock, unbothered cool to the delicate, sheer lace dress. Oh, and they also look great against her darker brunette hair color, which is currently more espresso than chocolate. (And as for those shorter, choppier bangs, Johnson's stylist Mark Townsend tells Allure: "With Dakota’s shorter bangs, I’ve been super inspired by pics of Christy Turlington from the early '90s when she had short fringe with full hair.")

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In addition, the gothic manicure is a nod to the season and the thrilling, twisty, moody plotline of her new movie, in which she plays Lowen, a writer hired to finish the work of the famous Verity, who suffered an accident and can no longer write her bestselling books. And make no mistake—this is a true black manicure, not a blackened red, purple, or burgundy. It's so dark and shiny it almost looks like latex on Johnson's fingertips, proving that a black manicure is just as versatile as a neutral or a crimson red. Why not match your mani to your undies, after all?

More nail news:

• Hailey Bieber's Cashmere Taupe Nails Are the Mani Equivalent of Your Favorite Sweater
• "Sunglass Nails" Are the Fashion Week-Approved Way to Go Sheer
• Selena Gomez's Sunset Frost Nails Capture Golden Hour in a Manicure

Source Imagery: Courtesy of Prime Video and Frédéric BélangerSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Fans of Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis expect a few things from the book’s film adaptation: fake dating, SPF (handfuls of it), and a deeply upsetting conflict. Some might even be waiting for a nod to the Star Wars fanfiction that inspired the novel. What we didn’t see coming (until last July) was a brunette Lili Reinhart playing the story’s protagonist Olive Smith. The reception to her casting was positive, and much of it was focused on her hair. After all, Reinhart had been on our screens as golden-blonde Betty Cooper on Riverdale for six years.

Frédéric Bélanger, hair department head for the film, understood the expectations that come with bringing a best-selling romance novel to life. “Everybody has a picture in their head,” he says of the characters’ physical appearances—and turning Reinhart into Olive goes beyond putting her in a lab coat and closed-toe shoes.

Ahead, Bélanger details Reinhart’s transformation, how hair furthers the stories of both her character and costar Tom Bateman’s, and gives us a glimpse of the happenings behind the scenes.

The Many Brunette Hair Colors of Lili Reinhart

“Everybody wanted to turn Lili into a brunette,” says Bélanger, but Reinhart didn’t dye her hair for the film. What you’re seeing onscreen are two wigs created by Bélanger and wigmaker Stacey Butterworth.

Courtesy of Frédéric Bélanger

Landing on the right hair color for the actor and her character took multiple tries: “We had to choose a level of brunette that wasn’t so dark that it looked shocking,” Bélanger says. The process started with a mood board that kept readers’ expectations for the character in mind. “On the cover of the book, it’s like a red- [or] warm brown,” he says. The team tried that exact hue as well as honey and chestnut browns and ultimately landed “somewhere that sits between dark blonde and light brown.” (At Allure, we’re partial to calling it by the portmanteau, bronde.) After deciding on the shade, they began constructing the wigs. Butterworth created a mold of Reinhart’s head before installing the hair, strand by strand, into the base.

Once you know someone’s wearing a wig, your eyes start looking for it, right? Bélanger says that this posed some real challenges. “We had to think about the hairline, the density—all the details that will make a difference,” he says. “Sometimes it can look wig-y. I think everybody was so concerned from the get-go with that.” ​

To ensure the wigs looked as realistic as possible on camera, Bélanger and Butterworth added different-colored strands for dimension after seeing it on Reinhart. They also added lighter-weight, fluffy strands throughout the wigs that caught the air easily, so they behaved the way natural hair would outside in heat and humidity—and on a girl watching her (ripped) fake boyfriend play ultimate Frisbee.

Installing Wigs on Reinhart (And Avoiding the Fake Facelift Look)

Hiding Reinhart’s naturally thick hair under the wigs required multiple steps and lots of pulling. “I had to really work it precisely so that it disappeared,” says Bélanger, a process that required him to pull Reinhart’s hair “very, very, very tight,” but “not in a way that would hurt her.”

Courtesy of Frédéric Bélanger

It would, however, sometimes tug on the perimeter of her face. “She would be like, ‘Fred, you're giving me a facelift. People will think I have a facelift,’” he says, laughing. Ultimately, he loosened it. “She was really mindful of me not doing that.” Once the wig was secured in place with U-shaped pins, Bélanger made sure to blend the part with Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage Creme, which was color-matched to Reinhart’s scalp.

Hair in a Story About Tired Students and Scientists

Styling the hair for this film could easily have been an afterthought. Olive is a STEM student who spends a ton of time at the library, but Bélanger was meticulous in capturing the character’s lifestyle. “Olive is not the perfect girl,” he says. “She’s a student. Students are overwhelmed. We wanted the hair to look like it could be lived in.”

Courtesy of Frédéric BélangerCourtesy of Frédéric BélangerCourtesy of Frédéric BélangerCourtesy of Frédéric Bélanger

You’ll notice that when Olive is watching Love Island on the couch with her best friend Anne, her hair looks freshly washed and unstyled. “You're in pajamas with your best friend eating popcorn and chocolate,” says Bélanger, who adds that in that moment between confidantes, “nobody cares.” “We worked the hair in a way that it would intentionally look like she did it herself.”

You’ll also notice that when she is dressed up to go to a party, her hair is styled, but not over-the-top or overly glamorous. “She wears a beautiful red dress,” he says, painting a picture of how Olive might have gotten the look in the story. “Maybe she didn't go to the hairdresser because she's a student. Maybe Anne did it for her.” Everything is done with precision, as if it were done by a scientist in a laboratory.

Signs That Adam Carlsen Is Falling in Love

Bateman, who plays Dr. Adam Carlsen, also goes through his own grooming journey. As “Dr. Evil” (a nickname given to him by his students) softens, so does his grooming. “At the beginning, his hair was a bit stiffer,” Bélanger says. “You really see the progression of him loosening up and being more willing to be warmer. The hair translated that.”

How Fanfiction Influenced the Prime Video Adaptation

The lore is as follows: The Love Hypothesis was based on a fanfiction about Star Wars characters Kylo Ren and Rey, who are played by actors Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley. Did that impact the film? Naturally. “They created these characters thinking of these two other characters, so it had a repercussion in our decisions,” says Bélanger. One such decision had to do with Bateman. “The actual ‘Dr. Evil’ doesn't have a beard on the cover” (which has Driver’s likeness).

The thought process surrounding the decision was simple: “Is it going to be the best look for him?” says Bélanger. “You need to always question how he is going to feel being completely clean-shaven. Because you always want people to relate and to fall in love with him as well.”

Prime Video

Ridley is actually married to Bateman, which posed an opportunity: “I know that they tried to have Daisy play a little part in there just for fans,” says Bélanger. “For whatever reason it didn't work out.”

Re-creating the Book Cover for Fans

Penguin Random HousePrime Video

The scene illustrated on the cover of Hazelwood’s novel—Olive and Adam’s first kiss—is the catalyst for everything that happens in the story and was shot multiple times from different angles. Bélanger created a chignon with a silhouette similar to the cover art but woven like a bow, understanding it would be important to capture it as close to the source material as possible. After all, “the cover of the book is how you enter a story,” he says.

Source Images: Courtesy of @paintedbycourtney, @nailzzbyannie, @jadedgelSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Let’s face it: We contain multitudes. You have a sun and a moon sign for a reason. You can be both soft and powerful. Accomplished and in development. Independent and, at times, needy. Fall nail art trends are an ode to contradictions—to taking something expected and making it, well, unexpected.

The word “aura” implies a super-luminous light, but now they come in darker shades. Dark aura nails are glowy yet moody—perfect for witching season. A French manicure has had a second life this year, adorning the nails of every “clean girl” on the internet. But add a bright, cheeky, jelly base and it somehow becomes both buttoned-up and carefree. Gunmetal chrome is cool and edgy, but add whimsical polka dots, and you are both a femme fatale and coquettish. Likewise, wrapping your fresh manicure around an ice-cold martini is a classic look, but nails to match the garnish adds a saucy wink.

You don’t have to be one thing. You can be everything all at once. We asked the experts to break down this fall’s nail art trends where you’ll find opposites attract to create a gorgeous effect.

Meet the experts:

• Sarah Chue is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.
• Elle Gerstein is a New York City-based nail artist.
• Bana Jarjour is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.
• San Sung Kim is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.
• Katie Masters is a Santa Monica-based nail artist and founder of Nail Thoughts.
• Hang Nguyen is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.
• Rosemary is a Washington, DC-based nail artist.
• Maryna Slynko is a Kansas City-based nail artist.

Dark aura nails

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You might not want to hear that you have a “dark aura,” unless, of course, we’re talking about your nails. For a manicure, a moody gradient in deep autumnal hues is mysterious and witchy, the kind of dark-hued fingertips that make a perfect accent topper for potion brewing.

“It’s a solid-colored background with an ombré in the center of the nail,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist Sarah Chue. And in true home-brewed fashion, Washington DC-based nail artist Rosemary says this look is surprisingly easy to DIY. You’ll need two shades—one lighter than the other. Darker palettes like merlot to candy-apple red, forest green to sage, or navy to misty denim blue are what you’re going for here. They can be different hues of the same color family, or you can mix and match with contrasting or complementary colors.

Use the darker shade as your base color and cover the entire nail. Next, dip a dense makeup sponge in water and squeeze out the excess moisture. Paint the lighter color onto the sponge and dab it onto the center of your nail. A clear topcoat will naturally smooth out the spongy texture left behind and leave you with a smooth, glowy aura.

Jelly French

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A jelly French is the slightly more dressed-up version of this summer’s sheer, playful jelly nail colors. Like throwing on a pair of heels to magically elevate your outfit, adding a colorful tip to the jelly base (or vice versa) is elegant in a but-I-still-love-rollercoasters kind of way.

“It still feels classic, just a little less traditional,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist San Sung Kim. “The contrast between sheer and opaque gives the manicure more depth and makes even really bright colors feel wearable.”

“Paint the nails with one coat of a jelly base and apply an opaque polish of the same color as the French tip,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist Bana Jarjour, who likes the combo of Essie Half Full, a translucent ruby purple, with OPI Malaga Wine, a deep raspberry. “Paint one more coat of the jelly polish over the entire nail to blend it all together.”

Polka-dotted chrome

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New York City-based nail artist Elle Gerstein sees chrome getting moodier this fall. More molten metal than jelly donut. But just because it's cool doesn’t mean it can’t have some whimsy too. And Kim says, “I love the contrast of a sleek, reflective base with something as playful as a polka dot. It adds personality without losing the polish of the chrome.”

After the mirror-like chrome base has been applied and cured, it becomes a choose-your-own-adventure. Use a dotting tool dipped in a cheeky opaque color like red or yellow and lay down big, globby dots for a funky Yayoi Kusama look. Or, to keep things subtle, Santa Monica-based nail artist Katie Masters likes her polka dots micro and evenly spaced across the nail.

Celestial nails

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Shorter days mean more time to commune with the night sky. If you were to swirl your fingertips in the autumn cosmos, you’d be left with an otherworldly manicure—complete with an iridescent Milky Way, a constellation of sparkly stars, and a space-like palette of blues and purples.

“I love celestial themes for fall nails because it fits perfectly with the moody and ethereal vibe of autumn,” says Kim, who creates a simple design by blotting on blues and blacks, and finishes it with delicate star and moon details.

But the sky is literally the limit. “Texture and dimension have become such a big part of nail art,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist Hang Nguyen. “Cat-eye, chrome, stars, moons, and clear 3D gel work beautifully together because they catch and reflect light in completely different ways.” She likes her night sky to be a velvet cat-eye with clear 3D gel accents like swirls to add dimension.

Martini nails

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’Tis the season to shift from having a rooftop Aperol spritz to a gin martini at a sexy, candlelit bar. So we’re trading in brighter colors and fruit motifs for chic martini nails—an homage to briny green olives and aperitifs.

“Olive green returns to the top of everyone’s wardrobe and manicures every fall, mirroring the changing seasonal landscape,” says Rosemary. “Olive nail art is also very beginner-friendly, and there are different ways to make it your own—abstract olive nails, chrome, or even tiny 3D olives.”

For an easy at-home version, start with a Castelvetrano or Cerignola green base, and then drop a single dot of pimento red. With a bit more time and effort, you can create your martini with a twist: Paint little sardine pintxos on a single nail, alternate nail colors with greens and maroons, or try a green and red aura for a more abstract homage to your seasonal beverage of choice.

Fashion prints and textures

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Swap out your clothes, swap out your nail looks. As sweaters and warmer threads get pulled up from under the bed, it’s only natural to want your nails to meet the occasion. “Fall fashion gives us so much to work with,” says Gerstein. “Leather, suede, animal prints, amazing coats. I always look at fashion and think: How can I turn that into a nail without literally copying it?”

Gerstein adds, “I love blooming gel for animal prints because it does some of the work for you and nothing comes out exactly the same,” so a cow print or a speckled deer pattern becomes more realistic and almost tactile. For more traditional fall garb, tartan and plaid look as cozy as your favorite flannel and can come in any range of colors, including wine reds, cheekier yellows, and crimson tartan.

“I would start with a smooth, milky nude or sheer base,” says Kansas City-based nail artist Maryna Slynko. “Then, using a fine liner brush, create intersecting vertical and horizontal lines. Two or three shades with different levels of depth—such as chocolate, cream, and merlot—can help create the feeling of an actual textile.” For a more minimalist approach, opt for one or two accent nails with a fabric print, then paint the others in a simple, rich, opaque color.

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The best woody fragrances can transport you in an instant. With one spritz, you’re exploring the desert, wandering through a forest, or cozying up by a crackling fire. The “woody” fragrance category is a broad one, ranging from more traditional “tree”-centric notes like cedar and sandalwood to deeper, richer notes like patchouli and oud. “Sandalwood is creamy and soft, cedar is much drier and sharper, while oud can feel darker, smoky, or animalic,” explains Richard Saint-Ford, perfumer and Iggywoo founder. What connects them is a sense of warmth, texture, and earthiness; they tend to give a fragrance structure and make it feel grounded.” Into the woods we go! Ahead, discover some of our favorite woody perfumes.

Our Top Woody Perfumes

• Best Cedarwood: Lore Somewhere But Nowhere Eau de Parfum, $92
• Best Patchouli Woody: Chanel Coromandel Eau de Parfum, $355
• Best Oud: Dior La Collection Privée Purple Oud Eau de Parfum, $350
• Best Spicy Woody: Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette, $89
• Best Sandalwood: Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Eau de Parfum, $100

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What are the different types of woody notes?
• Do woody scents last longer?
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Cedarwood: Lore Somewhere But Nowhere Eau de Parfum

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Lore

Somewhere But Nowhere Eau de Parfum

$92

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$92

Sephora

Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the Lore Somewhere But Nowhere Eau de Parfum

Sarah Hoffmann

Why we love it: Lore, a new-ish fragrance house that has already landed on the shelves at Sephora, calls Somewhere But Nowhere an “ode to Americana.” Its use of cedarwood as the hero ingredient does place you in an environment that feels deeply familiar yet fresh, thanks to the combo of cedar, sweetly spicy cardamom, bitter black tea, and a spoonful of creamy vanilla to soften the blunt edges. Maybe you’re in a prairie ghost town, maybe you’re in the desert, maybe you’re on a city street. Either way, you smell amazing with this 2026 Best of Beauty Award winner for best woody fragrance.

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

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“For a smaller, newer fragrance line, I'm so impressed with Lore. I've liked everything they've released, but I reach most often for Somewhere But Nowhere. I tend to gravitate towards the woody scents in my collection, but I didn't have an appropriately spicy and subtly sweet woody scent until now. It's very bold up front, but the dry down is super lovely. I can't wait to douse my favorite sweaters in it.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino

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"My first thought when I sprayed Lore’s Somewhere But Nowhere on my skin was that it was masculine—and it is!—and that it should be worn beside a crackling outdoor fireplace, but don’t let that deter you from spritzing it on as soon as possible. I prefer to wear woody, spicy scents when I go out for dinner, drinks, or both, and this one fits right into my nighttime fragrance wardrobe." —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer

More to know

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• Key notes: 0.33 oz, 1.7 oz
• Sizes: cardamom, cedarwood, black tea, vanilla

Best Patchouli Woody: Chanel Coromandel Eau de Parfum

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Chanel

Coromandel Eau de Parfum

$355

Chanel

Allure contributor Kara Nesvig applying the Chanel Coromandel Eau de Parfum

Kara Nesvig

Why we love it: Patchouli can be polarizing; some people love it, and others are completely turned off by the bold, earthy, often-damp and dank fragrance of the plant. Sure, it has a reputation as a hippie-dippie fragrance oil, but patchouli is a beloved part of a perfumer’s palette, and it appears in countless fragrances to add depth and sensuality. Chanel’s Coromandel is an exquisite interpretation of patchouli, playing into its innate intrigue with a wallop of amber and waxy, mysterious benzoin.

Tester feedback from contributor Kara Nesvig

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“I know this is a big declaration, but if I could only wear scents from one fragrance house for the rest of my life, I’d probably pick Chanel—and this rich, powerful, ultra-glamorous spin on patchouli (a fragrance note I happen to love) would be part of my rotation for sure. It absolutely radiates on the skin in the colder months; there’s nothing like catching a whiff on a sweater or jacket collar after a few days and sinking into the velvety patchouli and amber blend.” —Kara Nesvig, contributor

More to know

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• Key notes: cardamom, rose, carrot, cedar, sandalwood, papyrus, vetiver, silk musk
• Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz

Best Oud: Dior La Collection Privée Purple Oud Eau de Parfum

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Dior

La Collection Privée Purple Oud Eau de Parfum

$350

Dior

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Dior La Collection Privée Purple Oud Eau de Parfum

Sarah Han

Why we love it: Maybe it’s the purple hue of the juice inside this luxe Dior scent—OK, it definitely is—but I immediately thought of Prince when I saw it. The iconic musician would probably love the fragrance and its purple-centric color and name, given it was his signature color, after all. You know who else loved purple? Monsieur Christian Dior, and Purple Oud was created in homage to his couture designs. Oud is the star here, uplifted by zesty pink pepper and orange and made even more luxurious with a sprinkling of precious saffron.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“Woody is not my typical fragrance preference, but this Dior is what I reach for when I want to switch up my typical lighter scents. It's a great going-out scent for me: strong, makes a statement, but not overwhelming. It's this unique blend of oud, pink pepper, and sweet orange—the latter is what really brings it home for me. It's that hint of freshness that makes it approachable. ” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key notes: 3.4 oz
• Sizes: pink pepper, saffron, orange, oud

Best Spicy Woody: Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette

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Maison Margiela

Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette

$89

Nordstrom

$89

Sephora

Why we love it: Maison Margiela Replica’s scents connect fragrance and memory by honing in on specific feelings and moments, like snuggling up by a crackling fireplace on a cold night. By the Fireplace incorporates the entire experience: embers smoldering, chestnuts roasting, wearing your favorite cozy sweater, and smelling last night’s leftover vanilla perfume on the collar. And since we’re right on the precipice of fall and winter, ‘tis the season to warm up your fragrance routine.

Tester feedback from director of programming and development Logan Tsugita

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“If I had a signature scent, this would be it. If you’re looking to test the waters on woody fragrances, I think this is the perfect fragrance to start. It has vanilla tones that make it cozy and deep without being overbearing. In the colder months, it’s reminiscent of the comforting smell of a crackling fireplace; and in the warmer months, it’s like gathering around the fire pit by the beach.” —Logan Tsugita, director of programming and development

More to know

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• Key notes: clove, vanilla, chestnut
• Sizes: 0.34 oz, 1 oz, 3.4 oz

Best Sandalwood: Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Eau de Parfum

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Maison Louis Marie

No.04 Bois de Balincourt Eau de Parfum

$100

Amazon

$100

Revolve

$100

Dermstore

Why we love it: Sandalwood scents got a big boost thanks in part to the runaway success of Le Labo’s Santal 33 in the 2010s. Suddenly, it seemed like every brand had a sandalwood scent, but a few have stuck around long past the trend. Case in point: Maison Louis Marie’s No.04 Bois de Balincourt, a sandalwood-heavy scent that evokes a forest near the perfumer’s family home. Woody notes are definitely the star here, with added cedar, vetiver, amberwood, and a hint of cozy cinnamon to create the aromatic equivalent of a walk in the woods.

Tester feedback from temporary features director Kara McGrath

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“Bois de Balincourt is my ideal fragrance; I get loads of compliments every time I wear this blend of sandalwood, nutmeg, and amber. It's woody, but not too earthy. It's warm, but not too sweet. It's unique, but not odd or overpowering. It's creamy, but doesn't smell like straight-up milk. I love taking it with me when I travel, since it feels appropriate in every single situation.” —Kara McGrath, temporary features director

More to know

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• Key notes: sandalwood, cedarwood, amber wood, vetiver, cinnamon
• Sizes: 0.34 oz, 1.7 oz

Best Woody Floral: Thin Wild Mercury Chateau 1970 Eau de Parfum

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Thin Wild Mercury

Chateau 1970 Eau de Parfum

$165

Thin Wild Mercury

Why we love it: Thin Wild Mercury creates fragrances inspired by a specific time and place, and in this case, it’s a wild night in at the legendary Chateau Marmont hotel—the site of many rock ‘n roll revels and trysts. The scent opens with spicy citrus notes and a wallop of heady rose, but the most intriguing note in the bunch is one meant to replicate the distinct scent of a wooden armoire in a hotel room: a little musty and dry (in a good way!) with a shiny stain finish.

Tester feedback from Nesvig

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“I love, love, love rose fragrances; I wrote a whole story about them a few years back, and my obsession hasn’t waned since. One of my go-tos is this intoxicating, vintage-inspired fragrance from Cali-girl brand Thin Wild Mercury, which feels like something Linda Ronstadt would’ve worn. It’s loud, bold, and lasts forever, so if you’re sensitive to strong scents, skip it, but if you’re into feeling like a late-’60s or ‘70s movie star checking into the famous hotel, give it a spritz.” —Kara Nesvig, contributor

More to know

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• Key notes: citrus, nutmeg, rose, wood armoire, musks
• Sizes: 0.28 oz, 1.7 oz

Best Cozy Woody: Byredo Desert Dawn Eau de Parfum

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Byredo

Desert Dawn Eau de Parfum

$235

Nordstrom

$235

Bluemercury

$235

Sephora

Why we love it: As fall approaches, it’s natural to want to wrap yourself up in a fragrance that feels like a hug or your coziest, comfiest cashmere sweater. That’s Byredo’s Desert Dawn, a dry, woody skin scent that swaps the smoky warmth or green crispness for something more intimate. Spiced cardamom enlivens soft rose petal notes at the top, fading into a creamy heart of carrot and sandalwood before the drydown, a familiar, oh-so-comforting mix of papyrus, vetiver, and silky musk that feels like curling up with the person you love most.

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• Key notes: cardamom, rose, carrot, cedar, sandalwood, papyrus, vetiver, silk musk
• Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz

Best Fresh Woody: Eauso Vert Dos Mil Años Eau de Parfum

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Eauso Vert

Dos Mil Años Eau de Parfum

$185

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$185

Eauso Vert

Why we love it: Yes, woody fragrances can be fresh too! Case in point: Eauso Vert’s Dos Mil Años, a woody aromatic scent that opens with a blast of grapefruit. The juicy, tart fruit blends with cypress and cardamom to temper its citrus sparkle, and as the scent develops, it relaxes into a delicious warmth driven by clove, nutmeg, and hazelnut. Woody notes of herbal eucalyptus, grassy vetiver, and Montezuma cypress ground the scent in its natural habitat and source of inspiration, El Árbol del Tule, an ancient cypress tree in Oaxaca.

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• Key notes: grapefruit, cypress, cardamom, nutmeg, clove, hazelnut, eucalyptus, vetiver
• Sizes: 1.7 oz

Best Creamy Woody: Boy Smells Woodphoria Eau de Parfum

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Boy Smells

Woodphoria Eau de Parfum

$78

Amazon

$78

Sephora

$78

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Why we love it: To me, Boy Smells’ Woodphoria smells like camping—not the kind you do in a forest in the middle of nowhere, but glamping, where you’re sleeping in a tent but the bed is made with 500-thread-count sheets, and you can do your skin-care routine. It’s a lush blend of sandalwood softened by creamy fig and coconut, plus a tinge of jasmine for that luscious, luxurious glam factor.

More to know

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• Key notes: coconut water, fig, jasmine, sandalwood
• Sizes: 0.34 oz, 1.7 oz

Best Smoky Woody: LAFCO Fireside Light Eau de Parfum

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LAFCO

Fireside Light Eau de Parfum

$98

Lafco

Why we love it: When luxury home fragrance house LAFCO expanded into personal fragrance, this smoky, woodsy scent became one of the standouts. As you may glean from its name, it smells like a glowing, welcoming fire. The fragrance was inspired by the brand’s Feu de Bois scent, which is luxe and leathery and oh-so-sophisticated. Fireside Glow features notes of cognac, vetiver, patchouli, birch, leather, and vanilla to replicate the warmth you find near the fire.

More to know

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• Key notes: cognac, vetiver, birch, leather, vanilla
• Sizes: 0.34 oz, 1.7 oz

Best Soft Woody: Bulgari Omnia Amethyste Eau De Parfum

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Bulgari

Omnia Amethyste Eau De Parfum

$150

Bulgari

$180

Macy’s

Why we love it: Not all woody scents are intense and bold; Bulgari’s Omnia Amethyste is a much quieter, silky-smooth take on the genre, blending delicate, powdery iris and rose atop a whispering woody base of vanilla, ambrette, and the rich, compelling resin labdanum. This is a lovely woody “starter scent”—it’s complex and unique, but easy to wear everywhere, even at the office.

More to know

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• Key notes: iris, rose, ambrette, labdanum, vanilla bourbon
• Sizes: 3.4 oz

Frequently asked questions

What are the different types of woody notes?

Woods can be creamy, dry, smoky, warm, polished, or almost damp and earthy, so there’s an incredible amount you can do with them,” Saint-Ford shares. “They also have this quiet confidence; they don’t necessarily need sweetness or huge projection to have presence.” If you’re curious about the genre, Saint-Ford recommends starting with sandalwood scents. “It has this beautiful creamy, almost velvety quality, so it doesn’t immediately read as a traditional heavy woody fragrance,” the perfumer explains. “It works beautifully with vanilla, florals, musks, and even fruits, which makes it a really easy doorway into the woody family.”

Do woody scents last longer?

Woody fragrances do have a more robust longevity than some other fragrances, namely lighter scents like citrus. This is due to their “heavier, less volatile molecules,” explains Saint-Ford; these molecules evaporate more slowly than citrus. This is also why woods are often used at the base of a fragrance, he says. “They anchor everything and can remain on the skin long after the top notes disappear.”

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 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 that we can fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

More addictive scents, right this way:

• 13 Best Long-Lasting Perfumes That Stay With You All Day
• Skin Scents Are for When You Want to Smell Like You, Only Better
• 8 Best Floral Perfumes That Are Actually Groundbreaking

$21.50 at Derma ESave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

TL;DR:

• What it is: A high-potency vitamin C serum that does the most—but in the least irritating way
• What it does: Gives dull skin a concentrated boost of brightness, evens out your complexion, and leaves skin glowy? Yes, yes, and yes
• Who it’s for: Vitamin C devotees, newbies, and anyone who appreciates a serum that knows how to multitask

I love what vitamin C serums do for my skin, but what I don’t always love is the vitamin C serums themselves. What I’m asking for: a lightweight texture that layers nicely under my makeup and lasts long enough that I’m not constantly wondering if I have enough on hand. Oh, and that it gets my skin glowing. Finally, Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum understood the assignment.

The formula pairs vitamin C with hyaluronic acid, simultaneously brightening and evening out my complexion while also giving it an immediate hit of hydration. A few drops are all I need, and once it hits my skin, it sinks in quickly, without that sticky, tacky residue I associate with most vitamin C serums. That means I can apply moisturizer, sunscreen, and my makeup without it looking like a pilling, texture-y disaster.

Turns out, I didn’t need to lower my standards, just a serum that could meet them.

Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum is in the September Allure Beauty Box.

GET THE BOX

Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum

$21.50 at Derma E$21.50 at Derma E

$17 at PatchologySave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

TL;DR:

• What it is: Like a 10-minute coffee break, but for your eyes
• What it does: Helps perk up tired-looking eyes with caffeine
• Who it’s for: Night owls who are forced to be morning people, morning people who don’t mind an extra step in their routine, and literally anyone who has 10 minutes to spare

If you’re anything like me, you’ve negotiated this scenario with yourself: hit snooze for just another nine minutes. But then those nine minutes turn into another, and that one micro-descision sets off a chain reaction for the rest of your day.

Recently, I had a genius thought: What if I used those initial nine minutes (plus one more) a little more productively? Enter Patchology Moodpatch Perk Up Eye Gels.

I pop the cooling gel patches under my eyes while I’m doing everything else—making coffee, getting dressed, deciding whether my hair can survive another day of dry shampoo—and let the caffeine-infused formula get to work in just 10 minutes to reduce puffiness (and all the other evidence that I was scrolling on TikTok way too late).

By the time I peel them off, my undereyes feel cooler and smoother and look brighter and considerably more awake. They also feel refreshed and hydrated, which makes my concealer go on easily instead of immediately settling into every tiny line.

Do I still go to bed later than I told myself I would? Unfortunately. Do I still hit snooze? Sometimes. Am I perpetually running late? Always. But do my eyes show it? Nope.

Patchology Moodpatch Perk Up Eye Gels is in the September Allure Beauty Box.

GET THE BOX

Patchology Moodpatch Perk Up Eye Gels

$17 at Patchology$17 at Patchology

Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editorsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

With so many K-beauty fans on the Allure staff (with me arguably being the biggest, hi!), it’s hardly a surprise that more than a handful of Korean skin-care, makeup, and hair-care products have earned our most prestigious stamp of approval: a 2026 Best of Beauty Award. The pros are plentiful: affordable prices (everything on this list is under $40), effective and time-tested ingredients (ceramides, Centella asiatica or cica, rice water, green tea, you name it), skin care-conscious makeup, and scalp-focused hair care (because your scalp is also skin!).

However, the K-beauty industry has been expanding lightning fast, so much so that it’s been hard—even for me, who considers it part of my job—to keep up with all the new launches and product innovations. That’s where the full Allure team comes in: This list of 11 Best of Beauty Award winners—our most stacked K-beauty cohort to date—is the perfect jumping-off point for anyone who wants to dip their toes into the Korean beauty scene and chase (and actually get) glowy, dewy skin.

Our Top K-Beauty Best of Beauty Winners

• The Essence of it: Aestura Atobarrier365 Essence, $33
• I’ll Take Two: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion, $25
• And That’s the Tea: Centellian24 Madeca Matcha Toning Peeling Gel, $28
• Now That’s Growth: Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner, $66
• Lips Are Sealed: Dear Dahlia Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow, $34
• Erase the Day: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil, $20

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

In the coming years, I have no doubt the list of K-beauty Best of Beauty Award winners will only keep growing. For now, keep reading to discover which formulas made the cut for 2026.

Best Toner/Essence for Sensitive Skin: Aestura Atobarrier365 Essence

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Aestura

Atobarrier365 Hydro Essence

$33

Amazon

$33

Sephora

$33

YesStyle

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Aestura Atobarrier365 Essence

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: Aestura has quickly become one of our favorite K-beauty skin-care brands—this is its third Best of Beauty win, after all—especially for those with dry and sensitive skin. More of a milky toner than a traditional, liquid-y essence, this formula uses ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterols (all lipids naturally found in the skin barrier) to make quick work of dryness. Also at play are the brand’s proprietary Barrier Moisturizing Factors, which—as you might be able to guess—support a stronger barrier and help prevent moisture from escaping (a.k.a. transepidermal water loss or TEWL, for short). Trust us when we say your skin will slurp this up with just a few gentle pats. Bonus points: Top it off with its Best of Beauty-winning Atobarrier365 Cream to lock in all that moisturizing goodness, and then keep a bottle of the Atobarrier365 Cream Mist handy for midday refreshes.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“K-beauty is known for its gentle formulas, but if I could only recommend one brand for sensitive skin, it'd be Aestura, hands down. I've heard many coworkers and derms rave about the brand, and I'm no different! It's filled with all of the good barrier-supporting stuff: ceramides, fatty acids, squalane, glycerin, you name it. Even though I don't have particularly sensitive skin, I can attest that it makes any dryness—especially after my nighttime double-cleanse—instantly go poof! It's lightweight enough to use in the daytime, too, and the milky texture is so satisfying. Even though it's not a typical watery essence, it sinks in immediately and makes my complexion look plumper and more alive. I never want to be without it!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Barrier Moisturizing Factors (includes amino acids, PCA, glycerin, etc.), triple lipid complex (ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol), squalane, glycerin, vitamin E
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Who it’s for: anyone with dry, normal, and combo skin, or anyone who experiences seasonal dryness

Best Body Lotion for Sensitive Skin: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion

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Illiyoon

Ceramide Ato Lotion

$25 $20 (20% off)

Amazon

$27

YesStyle

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion

Shanna Shipin

Why it’s worth it: Like Aestura, Illiyoon is another sensitive skin–friendly brand under the umbrella of Amorepacific—one of the biggest K-beauty companies, period. And when we say sensitive skin–friendly, we mean it’s safe for the whole family to use. Case in point: Our tester, who, along with her two daughters, is prone to eczema and relies on this fragrance-free formula to deliver long-lasting moisture, calm bouts of irritation, and prevent future spells of said bouts for both herself and her kids. Besides the brand’s proprietary Ceramide Skin Complex, which features encapsulated ceramides (that immediately burst and melt into your skin upon contact), glycerin and shea butter also help attract and lock in moisture. Speaking of family, this lotion absorbs very quickly, so your little ones won’t have any uncomfortable sticky residue to complain about.

The generously sized bottle is enough to last months on end, but if you need to take it on the road, Illiyoon also sells the Ceramide Ato Lotion in a carry-on-friendly 2.29-ounce tube for all of your travel needs.

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“This is my mainstay lotion—I have 3 in the house at any given time (one for my room, one for my girls’ room, one for the bathroom). It’s all very necessary, and you’ll understand once you start to use this lotion. Illyoon managed to make a lotion that’s airy and lightweight, but it has substance. It immediately seeps into the skin right after a shower, or quells angry, itchy flare-ups at the end of your day, leaving no hint of greasy residue. You know that feeling of sticky, oily lotion transferring onto your bedsheets or pants? The worst! But there’s none of that here. It’s why both of my kids (who have eczema, like me) prefer this lotion over anything else. It’s also the little things about this lotion: It’s fragrance-free, the pump-top is a big round circle (like a target you can’t miss), and one extra-special feature is that you can get every last drop. The formula is encased in an internal silicone bag—no pump-top dip ‘n scooping here!” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Ceramide Skin Complex, glycerin, shea butter, panax ginseng root water
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Who it’s for: anyone with dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin

Best Weekly Peel: Centellian24 Madeca Matcha Toning Peeling Gel

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Centellian 24

Madeca Matcha Toning Peeling Gel

$28

Amazon

$28

Ulta Beauty

$23

YesStyle

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Centellian24 Madeca Matcha Toning Peeling Gel

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it’s worth it: If “satisfying skin care” were a dictionary entry, you’d find Centellian24’s Madeca Matcha Toning Peeling Gel listed there. After you’ve thoroughly cleansed your skin and patted it dry, you take a squeeze-full of this chemical peel and rub it all over your face. Instantly, you’ll feel and see little balls form all over your face—but what’s really at work? Cellulose is the physical exfoliant that sweeps away surface dead skin cells and results in those balls, while a complex of alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy, and polyhydroxy acids helps further refine texture. Once you rinse it off, you’re left to revel in your baby-soft skin.

Don’t be intimidated by all these mentions of acids, because this gel is as gentle as they come. On par with the matcha theme, this formula includes soothing green tea and barrier-supporting ceramide NP to keep dry and sensitive skin happy. But, in the same vein, don’t expect the same intensity of results as, say, our Best of Beauty winner for best monthly peel, the Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel. Because it’s a lot gentler, Centellian24 can be used weekly (or even twice a week) to tackle surface-level gunk.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“I'm kind of addicted to Centellian 24's Madeca Matcha Peeling Gel—and not just because it leaves my skin ridiculously soft. There's something so satisfying about watching all those little rolls of dead skin and buildup appear, kind of like the same guilty pleasure as inspecting a pore strip after you peel it off. Even when my skin doesn't feel particularly dry or flaky, this stuff always seems to find something to exfoliate. As someone with sensitive skin, I've never experienced any irritation, redness, or tightness after using it, which is more than I can say for a lot of exfoliators. Bonus tip: It's fantastic on rough patches like heels and elbows. The only downside is that it can get a little messy when you're using it on your body, so I recommend applying it to dry skin before you turn on the shower.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycolic, lactic, and capryloyl salicylic acids, charcoal powder, matcha extract, Centella asiatica
• Fragrance-free: no
• Who it’s for: people with sensitive skin who want a gentle exfoliator

Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Fine Hair: Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner

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Dr. Groot

Scalp Revitalizing Solution Hair Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner

$66 $62 (6% off)

Amazon (Shampoo + Conditioner)

$33

Sephora (Shampoo)

$33

Sephora (Conditioner)

Why it’s worth it: Dr. Groot has taken over our social media feeds over the past year, and the hype is real. Korean hair care places utmost emphasis on scalp care, and the Scalp Revitalizing Solution Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner are prime examples. They rely on soothing botanical extracts such as ginseng, rosemary, and cica to calm dryness and irritation, paving the way for a healthier scalp environment—and, so the thinking goes, hair that eventually looks and feels thicker. Also contributing to a balanced scalp is caffeine, which stimulates the scalp skin and, with continuous use, potentially encourages growth. Best of all: This duo is gentle enough to use regularly on even the finest of hair, because it won’t weigh down your strands with film-formers found in other thickening shampoos and conditioners.

Han before applying Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner

Sarah Han

Han after applying Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner

Sarah Han

Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann before using the Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after using the Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from Han

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“Dr. Groot's shampoo is the invigorating, refreshing, and most importantly, thickening boost my fine but dense (a recipe for limpness) hair needs. I've been using it on and off for a year (the life of a beauty tester!), and whenever I go back to it, I swear I'm able to go an extra day before my scalp starts crying for help. And after each rinse and blow-dry with this duo, my scalp feels incredibly light—almost as if I went to a professional stylist. (I wish!) I also have a lot of sparse areas around my hairline from years of tight ponytails, so I try to keep up with using Dr. Groot's scalp-specific leave-in products—because a shampoo can only do so much by itself!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

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“I'm blessed with a pretty unproblematic scalp, but I've always had an issue with frizz, dryness, shine—pretty much every other hair complaint in the book. I used to just accept that silkiness wasn't in the cards for me, but this Dr. Groot duo made me eat my words. Even without blow-drying, my air-dried curls just behave differently when I use this shampoo and conditioner. Paired with a quick pass of my Dyson (and no post-shower products, mind you), I'm living out my flippy, shiny blowout dreams.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

More to know:

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• Key ingredients: Bifida and Lactobacillus ferments, caffeine, biotin, niacinamide, salicylic acid, ginseng, rosemary, heartleaf, green tea, Centella asiatica
• Fragrance-free: no
• Who it’s for: anyone with fine or dry hair, and/or an irritated scalp

Best Cream Lipstick: Dear Dahlia Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow

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Dear Dahlia

Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow

$34 $27 (21% off)

Amazon

$36

Nordstrom

Why it’s worth it: It only makes sense that even Korean makeup keeps skin care top of mind. Infused with sunflower seed oil, castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil, squalane, and shea butter, Dear Dahlia’s Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow feels like, well, butter gliding onto your lips. And while it goes on sheer, it’s still buildable and ramps up to gorgeously pigmented reds, pinks, berries, and corals for the bolder lip lovers among us. (Hello, me!) High-sheen lips without the stickiness that usually accompanies lip glosses? Sounds like a winner to us.

Lee before applying Dear Dahlia Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying Dear Dahlia Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from Lee

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“I’m admittedly not much of a lip girl—I usually save lipstick for special occasions, mostly because I hate the feeling of color pilling or catching on dry patches. (Note to self: Invest in a better lip exfoliator.) But I was pleasantly surprised by Dear Dahlia’s Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow. It looks like a classic lipstick in the bullet, but it feels much more like a balm, gliding on smoothly with a sheer wash of color. You barely need a mirror—or a steady hand, if, like me, you’ve never quite mastered tracing the peaks of your Cupid’s bow. Best of all, it feels incredibly lightweight and moisturizing on my lips, without that heavy, coated feeling that usually makes me want to skip lip color all together.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know:

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• Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil, squalane, and shea butter
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Who it’s for: anyone who likes sheer but buildable lip color

Best Cream Blush: Fwee Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot

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Fwee

Blurry Pudding Pot

$20

Amazon

$20

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: 35 shades. That’s how many options Fwee Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot has, across nudes, corals, pinks, reds, mauves, and roses. Impressed yet? Don’t be fooled by the small pot, either: These formulas are pigmented, so a teensy bit of product goes a long way. We also love the addictive, pudding-like texture that makes application all the more fun—a touch of novelty goes a long way!

It goes on like a cream blush but settles into a long-lasting, natural-finish powder, so you get the best of both worlds. (If you prefer a dewy finish, we’re also really into the Lip&Cheek Glowy Lip Pots—however, they don’t last as long as the Blurry pots.) While you can absolutely use your fingers to apply, Fwee offers a silicone lip brush that’s supposed to mimic your fingertips if you prefer that route. Tap and blur away!

Han before applying Fwee Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot

Sarah Han

Han after applying Fwee Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from Han

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“Fwee is one of those brands that makes makeup fun. The Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot has this bouncy pudding-like texture that is pretty addictive. I use my fingers to apply the color straight from the pot to my face. These babies are quite pigmented, so a little goes a long way. I start with a very small amount and add layers, tapping in the color with my fingers, until I get my desired result. The soft-focus finish falls neatly between that of a cream and powder blush—it's quite unique amongst my huge blush collection. And the shade range is so expansive I'm convinced everyone can find a shade they'll love.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: cocoa seed butter, agave tequilana leaf extract
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Who it’s for: anyone who loves a pigmented blush

Best Face Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: Iunik Beta Glucan 3X Barrier Cream

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IUNIK

Beta-Glucan 3X Barrier Cream

$22

Amazon

$23

Nordstrom

Allure commerce editor Madison San Miguel applying Iunik Beta Glucan 3X Barrier Cream

Madison San Miguel

Why it’s worth it: Beta-glucan is one of those unsung heroes in skin care: This humectant might not be the flashiest ingredient, but it does the work of attracting and holding moisture, repairing your barrier, and soothing irritation quietly and effectively. Also hard at work are ectoin and panthenol, which are rockstars for reducing inflammation, smoothing texture, and, similarly to beta-glucan, forming a protective seal over your skin to keep moisture in and external stressors out. This formula feels refreshing and silky, but may be a bit too heavy for oily skin—however, come winter, it could be the perfect richer moisturizer.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Madison San Miguel

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“As someone with dry skin, I sometimes find that "fast-absorbing" products just sink into my skin without delivering any real benefits. This one, however, didn't skip on moisture and relief even long after it settled. It's rich without being too thick, and left my skin satisfied until the a.m.. ” —Madison San Miguel, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: beta-glucan, ectoin, panthenol
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Who it’s for: anyone with dry, sensitive, or normal skin

Best Clean Toner/Essence: Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk

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Innisfree

Green Tea Ceramide Milk

$24 $22 (8% off)

Amazon

$24

Sephora

Han applying Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: Milky toners aren’t going anywhere, and Innisfree’s makes a rock-solid case for adding one to your routine. Green tea, the key ingredient in the Green Tea Ceramide Milk, has been a staple in Asian skin care for centuries and is still widely used. Why? It’s packed with antioxidants to fend off environmental stressors such as pollutants that otherwise cause signs of aging, reduce puffiness (thank you, natural caffeine), and curb excess sebum. What’s more: Innisfree (or Amorepacific, its parent company) grows its own green tea on Jeju Island, which has especially nutrient-rich soil that produces high levels of antioxidants and amino acids, as per the brand. Skin, drink up!

Tester feedback from Han

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“Milky toners are just so scrumptious and this Innisfree one checks all of my boxes. In particular, it's because Innisfree is one of the best brands to do green tea—the brand grows its own on Jeju Island (somewhere I'm dying to go to, by the way)! Innisfree's green tea products have always been super reliable and soothing, and this one falls right under that umbrella as well. It helps minimize any redness I get occasionally around my nose, and in general, dry skin is no match for this—it instantly quenches my skin and provides lasting moisture throughout the day. Plus, nine types of HA? Incredible, give me all of them. I love spending a few extra seconds to gently pat this into my skin for maximum absorption.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know:

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• Key ingredients: green tea ceramides, green tea liposomes, 9 types of hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free: no
• Who it’s for: anyone with dry skin or who likes using toners/essences

Best Foam Cleanser: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser

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The Face Shop

Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser

$12

Amazon

$12

StyleVana

Han applying and washing off The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: We may wax poetic about vitamin C serums, but brightening your skin can start as early as your cleanser step, which is where The Face Shop’s Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser comes in. Rice water has been popular in both Korean and Japanese beauty rituals for centuries because of its laundry list of benefits. Rice, which is usually processed or chemically modified in modern skin-care formulas to allow for better absorption, “brightens skin, hydrates, strengthens the barrier, and provides antioxidant protection,” Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, tells us. “It [also] soothes irritation and helps reduce oxidative stress.”

Infused with a subtle floral scent (take note if you’re sensitive to fragrance!), this The Face Shop cleanser starts as a thick cream that emulsifies into a satisfying whipped foam—from start to finish, it’s a delightful experience, which is more than we can say for most cleansers. And, instead of drying cleansing agents, it uses soapwort extract as a gentle surfactant to sweep away all of the day’s grime, leaving your skin feeling unbelievably soft and comfortable.

Tester feedback from Han

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“This is one of those classic K-beauty cleansers I've known from the very start of my long K-beauty journey—I recently ‘rediscovered’ it and I'm wondering why I hadn't sooner. It's the perfect deep cleanse for my combination skin and leaves my skin looking more radiant and less congested, but most importantly, not super tight. The ingredients are super appealing to me too—natural rice water, rice bran oil, and soapwort extract (a surfactant). On days I don't wear makeup, I find that just this cleanser is enough. (And I normally always double-cleanse.) And it's $13 for a huge tube that'll probably last me six months? Yup, no notes.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know:

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• Key ingredients: rice water, rice bran oil, soapwort extract
• Who it’s best for: anyone with combination or oily skin, congested pores
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Liquid Facial Toner: Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer

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Laneige

Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner & Moisturizer

$36

Amazon

$36

Sephora

Lee applying Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it’s worth it: We love our Best of Beauty winners, but we love our two-time Best of Beauty winners. Take Laneige’s Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer, which is so good it won in 2023 and again this year. It’s the definition of a product we always come back to, largely due to the instant boost of hydration the ceramide and peptide complex provides. Over time, this complex also supports a stronger, healthier barrier and firmer skin. It’s also packed with butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin—which are all reliable humectants that make it “a great option for those looking to optimize hydration,” says Carlos Vierira, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia (No wonder it also made our list of the best toners for mature skin.)

Bonus: Cream Skin comes in two formats: a bottle that you shake to dispense the product or a face mist for anytime-anywhere refreshes. Better yet, get both and keep one in your medicine cabinet while the other goes into your bag. All-day hydration, check.

Tester feedback from Lee

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“My dry, sensitive skin is currently dealing with a little more drama than usual: On top of the melasma that already makes my skin tone look uneven, I'm also dealing with some newfound patches of eczema from head to toe, so I’m being extra picky about what earns a spot in my routine. Luckily, Laneige Cream Skin Milky Toner is the epitome of gentle. Ceramides to help support my moisture barrier? Check. Peptides? Check. Glycerin, squalane, and hyaluronic acid for even more hydration? Check, check, check. It's also fragrance-free and has the National Eczema Association seal, which gives me a little extra peace of mind.

The directions say to gently pat the toner into skin, and I’ve learned to do this over the sink because despite its creamy, milky appearance, the formula is very thin and splashy. It will absolutely make a run for it between your fingers if you’re not fast. Once I get it onto my face, though, it absorbs almost instantly without leaving behind any stickiness or tackiness. My perpetually parched cheeks seem to drink it up on contact, and my skin immediately feels softer and calmer. I wouldn't say it replaces my go-to moisturizers, but on nights that I want to curtail my routine, I like using this multipurpose product that combines both toner and moisturizer in one. ” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know:

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• Key ingredients: butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramide, peptides, white leaf tea
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Who it’s for: anyone with dry, sensitive, or mature skin

Best Oil Cleanser: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil

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Beauty of Joseon

Ginseng Cleansing Oil

$20

Amazon

$20

Sephora

$20

Shop

Why it’s worth it: If you’ve only been familiar with Beauty of Joseon for its sunscreens (the viral Korean original, or any of the US-specific reformulations), you’re missing out on so much goodness—and by that, we mean the Ginseng Cleansing Oil. No stranger to the brand’s lineup (hey, Ginseng Essence Water and Revive Serum), ginseng is a key ingredient in this formula, helping to brighten dull skin, boost circulation, and provide all the calming vibes. Yes, there is a distinct herbal scent, so take note if you’re sensitive to fragrance. Obligatory editor’s note: As with all wash-off skin care, temper your expectations when it comes to benefits!

As for the cleansing properties, there’s a hefty 50% concentration of soybean oil that provides a satisfying slip and dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum on the spot. Take an extra beat (and a bit of water) to emulsify the formula before rinsing it off for a thorough cleanse. Follow up with a water-based cleanser to get rid of any remaining grime before following up with your toners, essences, serums, and moisturizers—whatever works for your skin, of course.

Tester feedback from Han

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“Korean cleansing oils are top-tier, and you’ll rarely catch me using any others! One of the formulas I regularly cycle through is this Beauty of Joseon one, which breaks down my long-wearing makeup so thoroughly—and without leaving my skin feeling dry and stripped. Even though there’s only so much a wash-off formula can do in the long term, ginseng is a fantastic ingredient that helps brighten overall skin tone, so I love pairing this cleansing oil with some of BoJ’s other ginseng-infused products, such as the Essence Water.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know:

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• Key ingredients: ginseng seed oil, soybean oil, olive fruit oil, tsubaki oil
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Who it’s for: anyone who wears makeup and/or sunscreen

Frequently Asked Questions

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 annual Best of Beauty Awards, we do all of the above throughout a very rigorous, year-round process starting in mid-October–a mere month after the current year's winners have been announced. We had over 5,500 products submitted for award consideration, which were then categorized and called in for official testing (we have at least three testers designated per category). Testers have three or so months to test every product from sun-up to sun-down, and beyond, and record their thoughts and ratings into a personalized spreadsheet. From there, we discuss, debate, and pore over every product before finalizing our winners list. For more details on our Best of Beauty process, read here.

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 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 that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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Zara Larsson loves color, glitter, and fun. Her aesthetic is pure pop girl energy with a splash of Lisa Frank: tons of aqua blues, purples, and, of course, bright Barbie pink! But for her Allure cover shoot, she swapped the pink makeup and neon wardrobe for metallic silver and minimalist black and white and wore pink in her hair instead.

According to hairstylist Iggy Rosales, who worked with Larsson and makeup artist Sophia Sinot on the cover, the mood board was based on “a modern ’50s pinup with a bit of a 2000s influence: sexy, playful, and a little fantasy.” Rosales praised photographer Hugo Comte's “specific eye for color and how everything comes together in an image" and said that he, Sinot, and stylist Ronald Burton III played with a few different color combos throughout the shoot. But when it came to her hair, they stuck to platinum and pink—a fun departure from Larsson's current bright, golden blonde.

“Zara just makes sense as a pink-haired girl,” Rosales tells Allure. “It was part of the mood board from the beginning.” But there were very specific shades of pink in mind for the cover, so Rosales came prepared with a plethora of wig options. “We liked the slightly more muted, dusty pinks, but I still brought about 10 or 12 wigs in different shades so we could try them. Once we saw them on Zara, we gravitated toward the sleeker, more graphic shapes. The soft pink and platinum worked really well against those sharper shapes."

Amber Venerable

Larsson wears a few pink styles for the shoot: a center-parted lob in a salmon-y hue; a choppy, chin-length lob with long bangs; and a similar jawline-skimming blonde crop that fades to the subtlest blush of baby pink.

Rosales's favorite of the bunch is the pink bob with bangs, which the star wears on the in-motion cover, because it's “a different look for her, but it feels so Zara.” He also saluted Larsson's anything-goes approach to her glam. “Zara was super down to experiment, which is what makes shoots like this so fun,” Rosales said. “Having the freedom to step outside someone’s usual look keeps things inspiring. You never know what you’ll end up loving!”

Larsson told Allure that she's always thrilled to see fans wearing colorful, glittery makeup to her shows. It's yet another way she and her creative team have turned the Midnight Sun album into an aesthetic, and then a universe. “It makes me so fucking happy to look out into the crowd or even in my tagged photos on Instagram, and I see that people do the makeup—they wear the glitter, they have a little dolphin," she says. “People are tapped into the artistry of it."

Photographed by Hugo Comte
Stylist: Ronald Burton III
Hair: Iggy Rosales
Makeup: Sophia Sinot
Manicure: Juan Alvear
Set Design: Alice Jacobs
DP (Motion only): Grant Bell
Production: Rowan Productions

Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

[LAST UPDATED AT 12:22 P.M. ET ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026] Sorry for the jump scare, but we’ve officially entered holidays-are-coming territory. The silver lining? The best early Amazon Prime Day K-beauty deals are already rolling in ahead of the retailer’s final major shopping event of the year, giving you a head start on treating yourself (or someone you love) to glass-skin goals for less. CosRx, Medicube, Anua, and more are already on sale, making this a very good time to restock the products you’ve scraped to the bottom—or finally try the ones that have been lingering in your cart.

And there’s plenty more than Korean skin care to click through. We spotted high-tech beauty tools, juicy lip tints, and hair-care treatments as we scrolled, proving that K-beauty innovation has you covered from head to toe. We’ll keep adding deals as more prices drop, but if past Prime Days have taught us anything, it’s that the really good stuff has a habit of disappearing fast. Ahead, shop the early K-beauty deals actually worth hitting “Add to Cart” on.

Best Early Amazon Prime Day K-Beauty Deals

Give Glow a BoostMedicube Booster Pro x2Jump to review$249

Amazon

Easy, Breezy SPFMa:nyo Air Light Moisturizing Sunscreen Cream SPF 50Jump to review$18 $14 (22% off)

Amazon

All a BlurFwee Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding PotJump to review$20

Amazon

Head FirstMedicube Rosemary PDRN Hair Care SetJump to review$65 $52 (20% off)

Amazon

Root AwakeningDr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution SetJump to review$125 $106 (15% off)

Amazon

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• Best Korean Skin-Care Deals
• Best Korean Makeup Deals
• Best Korean Hair-Care Deals

Best Early Amazon Prime Day Korean Skin-Care Deals

Medicube Booster Pro X2Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Medicube

Booster Pro x2

$249

Amazon

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin using the Medicube Booster Pro X2

Shanna Shipin

We already considered Medicube’s Age-R Booster Pro one of the most versatile skin-care devices, but the new Booster Pro X2 ups the ante. It has stronger output, dual-electrode technology, and seven treatment modes, including a new Dual Mode that lets you pair treatments in one session—say, Booster Mode for better product absorption and radiance with microcurrent-powered MC Mode for smoothing. There’s also a Sheet Mask Boost Mode (that works with any fabric sheet mask you already own!) and is designed to help its hydrating essence penetrate more effectively. Not surprisingly, senior commerce director Shanna Shipin says she’s “been reaching for this streamlined, but seriously powerful tool more than any facial device” she owns.

Ma:nyo Air Light Moisturizing Sunscreen Cream SPF 50

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Ma:nyo Air Light Moisturizing Sunscreen Cream SPF 50

Sarah HanSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Ma:nyo

Air Light Moisturizing Sunscreen Cream SPF 50

$18 $14 (22% off)

Amazon

“Korean sunscreens are so good that it's honestly hard for one to stand out from the rest,” says commerce editor Sarah Han. Ma:nyo’s Air Light Moisturizing Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 manages to do just that, with a formula that “has a serum-y texture that I love in my sunscreens—melting into my skin super quickly,” she says. That barely there feel comes in part from ensulizole, an FDA-approved, water-soluble UV filter that works especially well in lightweight formulas and makes them feel less greasy. Meanwhile, nano-hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid draw in and hold onto moisture, leaving skin feeling plump and supple without weighing it down.

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo TonerSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Round Lab

1025 Dokdo Toner

$34 $27 (21% off)

Amazon

Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner

Alessandra Foresto

Round Lab’s 1025 Dokdo Toner may have the weightless look and feel of water, but this viral favorite packs plenty of skin-care perks into every swipe. The “Dokdo” in its name nods to the mineral-rich deep-sea water sourced near Ulleungdo Island, drawn from thousands of feet below the surface and naturally filtered before making its way into the formula. Rich in minerals like magnesium and calcium, the water helps hydrate and balance skin, while panthenol, allantoin, and betaine soothe and support the moisture barrier. “It impressively didn't sting or make my flaky eczema patches red, instead soothing them,” says managing editor Alessandra Foresto.

Anua Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Anua Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream

Christa Joanna LeeSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Anua

Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream

$35 $28 (20% off)

Amazon

Part face cream, part sculpting tool, Anua’s Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream turns using a Korean retinol into a mini at-home facial. Retinol tackles fine lines and uneven texture, while a cushiony blend of squalane, cholesterol, panthenol, macadamia seed oil, and hydrolyzed collagen helps keep skin moisturized; meanwhile, niacinamide lends a brightening boost. Then, there’s the application: “I love that it multitasks with the built-in gua sha,” says contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee. “There’s a slight learning curve when it comes to squeezing out the right amount—too little and the applicator drags, too much and you’ll be massaging forever—but once I got the hang of it, it felt genuinely relaxing and helped take down puffiness as I massaged.”

Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing BalmSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Banila Co

Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm

$21 $16 (24% off)

Amazon

Lee applying the Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm

Christa Joanna Lee

Dermatologists, K-beauty experts, and Allure editors have long kept Banila Co’s Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm in steady rotation. The sherbet-like balm melts into a silky oil that dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and the day’s buildup, while olive and jojoba oils and antioxidant-rich acerola, cranberry, and pomegranate extracts leave skin feeling soft and refreshed. “I use this for my evening cleanse when I want to remove all the dirt, makeup, and oil that accumulated throughout the day,” Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City, previously told Allure. She also praised its soft, milky texture and how smooth and hydrated her skin feels afterward. Better yet, one tub lasts: “Just a little scoop goes a long way!” says Soko Glam cofounder Charlotte Cho.

Dr.Althea 345 Relief Trio

Allure former senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream

Sarah FelbinSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Dr. Althea

345 Relief Trio

$69 $55 (20% off)

Amazon

Cold-weather season is quickly descending on us, and dry, easily irritated skin could use a little extra backup—luckily, Dr.Althea’s 365 Relief Trio covers all the bases. The lightweight serum supports skin’s natural balance, followed by the cream, which pairs niacinamide with ceramides to soothe redness, reinforce the moisture barrier, and lock in hydration. The cream mist makes it easy to sneak in another layer of hydration without having to rub anything in—just spritz and go whenever skin starts feeling tight or parched.

CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power EssenceSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Cosrx

Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

$25 $18 (28% off)

Amazon

Han applying the CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Sarah Han

Snail mucin might sound sticky, but CosRx’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is anything but. “The texture is so fun (and surprisingly not tacky seconds after applying),” says Han. The viral K-beauty staple contains 96% snail secretion filtrate, a humectant-rich ingredient that helps calm irritation, fade post-acne marks, and support skin repair. Hyaluronic acid and allantoin add hydration and help reinforce the skin barrier. The result? “It gives my skin lots of glow and bounce,” Han says.

Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream

Lee applying the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream

Christa Joanna LeeSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Medicube

PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream

$22 $20 (9% off)

Amazon

When it comes to Medicube’s PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream, “the texture is the main event,” says Lee. Suspended in a bouncy gel, the tiny pink capsules resemble popping boba—firm at first, then melting seamlessly into skin as you rub them in. Inside is PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, which “refers to DNA fragments that are most commonly derived from salmon sperm DNA,” Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City, previously told Allure. The ingredient first gained buzz through injectable skin treatments popular in Korea, though research on the benefits of topical PDRN is still limited. Here, it’s paired with more tried-and-true ingredients, including collagen for firmer-looking skin, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and niacinamide to help brighten uneven tone.

Mediheal Collagen Ampoule PadsSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Mediheal

Collagen Ampoule Pads

$24 $20 (17% off)

Amazon

Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the Mediheal Daily Collagen Ampoule Toner Pads

Jessica Cruel

Ampoule, toner, mask—Mediheal’s Daily Collagen Ampoule Toner Pads do a little of everything, making them a shortcut for nights when you want your routine to end after cleansing. Each essence-soaked pad combines hydrating glycerin and betaine with collagen extract, peptides, allantoin, and ceramides to leave skin plumper, smoother, and soothed. Swipe one on like a toner or leave a few draped over your cheeks as mini masks for an extra hit of hydration. “The size also allows you to mix and match different actives at one time,” says editor in chief Jessica Cruel. “You could get moisture on the cheeks with the blemish-fighting Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pads on your forehead.”

Best Amazon Prime Day Korean Makeup Deals

Fwee Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding PotSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Fwee

Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot

$20

Amazon

Han applying the Fwee Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot

Sarah Han

Leave it to K-beauty to one-up the sensorial texture game—and the proof is in the Fwee’s Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot, which has a squishy, pudding-like formula that melts into lips and cheeks with a soft-focus, velvety finish. Dab it on for a sheer flush or layer it up for more impact; either way, this tiny pot earns its sweet spot in your makeup bag.

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Rom&nd

Lasting Color Gloss

$14 $10 (29% off)

Amazon

K-beauty doesn’t reserve glassiness for skin. Rom&nd’s Lasting Color Gloss brings that same high-shine effect to lips, with a plush, non-sticky formula and conditioning jojoba oil to help keep them soft and smooth. Buildable pigment takes the finish from a sheer wash to a juicy, candy-coated pop of color.

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Touch in Sol

No Poreblem Primer Duo

$31 $19 (39% off)

Amazon

Large pores? No poreblem. Touch in Sol gives you two ways to prep: The No Poreblem Primer has a lightweight, velvety texture that blurs the look of pores and uneven texture while helping makeup grip, with green tea extract and soluble collagen in the mix. For redness-prone skin, the green-tinted No Poreblem Base color-corrects flushed tones while smoothing pores, with Centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and pumpkin seed oil to help soothe and moisturize.

Best Korean Hair-Care Deals

Medicube Rosemary PDRN Hair Care Set

Lee after using the Medicube Rosemary PDRN Shampoo

Christa Joanna LeeSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Medicube

Rosemary PDRN Hair Care Set

$65 $52 (20% off)

Amazon

If your hair is already on the dry side, winter weather is about to zap whatever moisture it has left. Medicube’s Rosemary PDRN Shampoo and Conditioner pair plant-derived PDRN with glycerin, panthenol, and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid to help keep hair hydrated, while salicylic acid clears away scalp buildup. “The shampoo leaves my hair clean yet not stripped, and the conditioner makes detangling my long hair effortless with zero greasiness,” says Lee. The set also includes the corresponding scalp serum, designed to balance the scalp, to use when you’re out of the shower.

Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution SetSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Dr. Groot

Scalp Revitalizing Solution Set

$125 $106 (15% off)

Amazon

Allure features director Dianna Singh after using the Dr. Groot Hair Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner

Dianna Singh

Listen up, anyone with fine, fragile hair prone to shedding or breakage: Dr. Groot’s four-piece Thickening Set takes a scalp-first approach with a shampoo, conditioner, thickening serum, and scalp treatment designed to create a healthier environment that supports fuller-looking hair. Biotin helps strengthen strands, caffeine supports the scalp, and probiotic-derived ferments help maintain its barrier, while K-beauty staples like Centella asiatica, ginseng, ginger, and mugwort help soothe and rebalance.

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Aromatica

Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo

$50

Amazon

Aromatica is big on plant-powered formulas that feel as good as they smell, and its Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo turns wash day into a mini scalp reset, complete with an invigorating rosemary scent and rich, luxe lather. Salicylic acid helps clear away dead skin, excess oil, and buildup, while ginger and coriander extracts leave your scalp feeling extra fresh. And since it comes in a two-pack, consider Prime Day your excuse to stock up—because running out of shampoo mid-shower is a problem no one needs.

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Cosrx

Peptide 132 Ulta Perfect Hair Bonding Treatment

$23 $13 (43% off)

Amazon

You’re probably already familiar with CosRx’s glow-boosting skin care (including the aforementioned essence), but don’t sleep on its hair products, either. The Peptide 132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Treatment is made for dry, damaged strands, using the brand’s proprietary Peptide-132 alongside proteins and conditioning ingredients to help reinforce weakened hair and leave it feeling smoother, softer, and less prone to breakage. Think of it as a little damage-control session for hair that’s seen one too many hot tools, bleach appointments, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

How we find the best K-beauty Amazon Prime Day deals

Our shopping team searches daily for the best beauty products in the industry. We enlist the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and experts to determine which products are really worth your penny. Our sales stories are no different: We base our discounted selections on products with over 4.0 ratings, past Allure Best of Beauty award winners, and those that our editors and experts have tried and given a stamp of approval.

Why trust Allure?

No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, we want 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.

$5.25 at Dr. Paw PawSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

TL;DR:

• What it is: A tinted balm that works on lips, cheeks, and eyes in a very of-the-moment shade of brown
• What it does: Adds a buildable wash of color wherever you swipe it, while ingredients like pawpaw, aloe, and olive oil keep your skin moisturized
• Who it’s for: Minimalists, multitaskers, and anyone who would happily do their makeup with one product instead of searching for a dozen

I have a confession to make: I wear makeup to the gym. And I will not be shamed for it. I don’t want a full beat—just a little something on my face. Basically, enough to make me feel put together without making it “a thing.”

Dr. Pawpaw Multipurpose Tinted Rich Mocha Balm has become my shortcut. The coffee-colored shade works on lips, cheeks, and even eyes, so a few swipes are all it takes to bring some life to my face. And because it’s made with moisturizing pawpaw, aloe, and olive oil, the finish stays fresh and balmy.

I started reaching for it before I left for the gym, and now I am just as likely to use it for a latte run, morning errands, or anytime I need to get ready fast. And sure, is makeup necessary for a workout? Of course not. But neither is a matching set, and somehow both make me more excited to go.

Dr. Pawpaw Multipurpose Tinted Rich Mocha Balm is in the September Allure Beauty Box.

GET THE BOX

Dr. Pawpaw Multipurpose Tinted Rich Mocha Balm

$5.25 at Dr. Paw Paw$5.25 at Dr. Paw Paw