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We’re huge beauty lovers here at The Everygirl, if you can’t tell based on the plethora of our beauty content! From why you need vitamin-C  in your routine to the “no makeup” makeup look to our new favorite self-tanning products, we’re really into new products. However, when you’re also trying to pay rent, save for your future, and afford that weekly take-out bill, beauty doesn’t always come first. So, we’re sharing all the best new drugstore beauty products for when you want to add a little somethin’-somethin’ to your routine without breaking the bank. They’re all editor-approved — the products and their prices.

What new products are you loving!? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Best Drugstore Beauty Launches of 2019 (So Far) appeared first on The Everygirl.

Six. By this time I’d been to six different stores. And yet I still found myself standing there, staring at a rack full of “skin-toned” undergarments thinking, “This is not my nude.”

As a person of color, I grew up knowing that America was made for white people. As I left that clothing store – my sixth store – still in search of a “nude” tank top to wear under a sheer blouse, still empty handed, that feeling was palpable.

The first couple of stores I entered nonchalantly, wandering the aisles at a leisurely pace, stopping to look at a pretty printed top, to run my hand over a soft knit sweater. I was enjoying an excuse to wander through the downtown Chicago stores on a quiet weekday evening.

But after a couple of stops I started to get antsy as I realized I wasn’t getting any closer to finding what I actually was looking for. My pace quickened, but I would still stop to briefly look at other things. Had to keep it cool, you know?

By the last two stores I was over it. I was clearly a woman on a mission, poking my head up and down each aisle, scanning a table of undergarments like I was a ravenous wolf on the prowl.

At first if a store clerk asked if I needed help I would hesitantly respond, “Um, yes. Well, uh. I’m looking for a tank top. A brown tank top.” By the end of my shopping excursion my tone shifted, “Yeah. I’m looking for a tank top the color of my skin. You know, my shade of nude. But it doesn’t look like you all carry anything but beige, so I’ll just keep looking.”

Any consideration of how uncomfortable I made the white sales woman was so low I was trying not to trip over it on my way out the door. It wasn’t that I was necessarily angry at her about the fact that she couldn’t direct me to a whole rack of “nubian” shades. It wasn’t that I blamed her for the fact that I had to traipse all over one of the most diverse cities in the country and still could not find what I was looking for. It was that by this point, I’d come to realize something about the fashion industry – about America – that made it difficult to contain my frustration…

I was not part of the consideration set.

 

 

Women of color make up approximately 37 percent of the population, and are projected to move from the minority to majority by the next generation. Yet women with brown and black skin are often not part of the consideration set when it comes to the customer personas on those little whiteboards in the fashion designer’s pitch.

There are systems and structures in place that have created an environment in which dark skinned shades of nude are not prioritized at the same level as their lighter counterparts.

Why else is it that in Chicago’s Macy’s Department Store – a store that is nine stories tall, the length of an entire city block, and with a lingerie section that takes up one floor – the “nubian shades” are relegated to a small corner, comprising only two racks of merchandise in the intimates section? Why?

 

Women of color make up approximately 37 percent of the population, and are projected to move from the minority to majority by the next generation. Yet women with brown and black skin are often not part of the consideration set when it comes to the customer personas on those little whiteboards in the fashion designer’s pitch.

 

Why is it that Target may carry a line made for black women, but they’re one of the few affordable stores that do, making these basic garments unattainable for many shoppers? Why is it that even though Target has something for my skin tone, it still has only two options, whereas white women have racks upon racks of items to choose from? Why?

Sure, I can go online and find plenty of brands that carry shades for black women, many of them created by women of color, which is beautiful! But why aren’t these lines as readily available in stores? Why are they relegated to a corner of the internet the same way they’re relegated to a corner of the store?

When you Google “nude colored bras” or “nude colored shoes” or “nude colored literally anything,” what comes up? (Warning: make sure to get that wording right or I don’t know what your search results will yield.) Well, for me it’s a lot of ladies of various chocolate skin tones. But that’s only because after spending hours scouring the interwebs for a specific tank top, for any tank top, in my shade, Google’s algorithms finally caught on. “Ohh, she’s not white. Got it. OK, here are the three brown options. Hope that’s what you’re looking for.” But I’m guessing that for most people the default results will yield a bevy of beautiful, fit, smiling white women staring back at you.

 

Why is it that even though Target has something for my skin tone, it still has only two options, whereas white women have racks upon racks of items to choose from? Why?

 

 

Let’s be honest, this is just a small reflection of a broader issue. We live in a world where we say different is beautiful, but we don’t make the basic necessities easily available to those that don’t fit a specific set of standards.

So what can we do about it? Tackling systemic problems feels overwhelming, if not impossible. But we can all start by having more conversations about the need for equity, whether it personally affects you or someone you know. We can also start using our purchasing power to support the brands that do provide options for women of all shades. That’s how change happens.

Because I want to live in a world where I can walk into a store and easily, mindlessly even, purchase something that was designed with my body in mind the same way my white friends can. I want to take my niece shopping for dance tights or a leotard and not have to worry that they won’t have any in her shade. I want my hair to not be considered “ethnic,” but instead be considered luxurious the same way that flowing blonde locks are in those annoying shampoo commercials.

 

 

I want to live in a world where I can walk into a store and easily, mindlessly even, purchase something that was designed with my body in mind the same way my white friends can.

 

I want more for the next generation. Because don’t we all deserve to live in a world where the definition and expectation of “nude” isn’t limited to one boring shade of beige?

The post Stop Ignoring My Skin Color: “Nude” Isn’t One Size Fits All appeared first on The Everygirl.

Confession: I’m a makeup addict. I’m all over every new eyeshadow palette release, I watch at least 30 different makeup YouTubers on a weekly basis, and my makeup collection will always have way more than the average person needs. It’s been a hobby of mine for years, but the number one thing I’ve learned is to invest in my tools above all else. Yeah, that’s right.

You can make the most inexpensive of makeup look amazing if you have the right tools to achieve the look. It’s about technique as much as it is about your holy grail products — some of my foundations require a big, dense brush, while others look the best with a sponge. You have to experiment and figure out which ones work best for you. Over the years I’ve definitely found a few favorites, so I rounded up my top 10 tools that every vanity needs.

What are your favorite beauty tools? Are you a makeup lover, too? Tell us in the comments!

The post The Makeup Tools You Need on Your Vanity appeared first on The Everygirl.

Do you know those products your mom always had in the medicine cabinet? Preparation H (once I thought this was an acne cream and put it all over my face – big mistake!), hydrogen peroxide, makeup remover, and witch hazel were my mom’s staples. As a pre-teen who was finally old enough to start wearing (er, stealing my mom’s) makeup and playing with skincare, I was fascinated by the medicine cabinet. I wanted to use every product I could get my hands on. Inevitably, I started purchasing my own skincare and forgot about some of those holy grails my mom swore by. (She has the best skin I’ve ever seen and looks approximately 12-15 years younger than she is!)

On a Target trip not that long ago, I spotted Witch Hazel and remembered all the good my mom said it did for her skin. I picked it up on a whim and was floored at how gentle, calming, and effective it was for my combination, acne-prone skin.

On a journey to see what else this magical bottle could do for me, I discovered the plethora of ways in which witch hazel can be used for skincare. Here are some of our favorites:

 

As a makeup remover

In a pinch, witch hazel makes an incredible face makeup remover. Simply put it on a cotton round or a washcloth and wipe away! While it can remove some eye makeup, I wouldn’t rely on this to remove tough waterproof mascara or eyeliners without having to tug or pull at the eyes.

 

As a toner

Witch hazel has astringent properties that help give the skin a deeper cleanse. People often use witch hazel to clean cuts or scrapes in children, but they also forget that it is gentle enough and does the same for your face.

With continued use of witch hazel, I’ve noticed that it balances the oils and dryness in my skin. With certain foundations, I notice some oil buildup on my nose and forehead, and using witch hazel has helped me get rid of that while hydrating the parts of my skin that get dry and flaky.

 

As an eye mask

We love eye masks here at The Everygirl to de-puff and awaken our eyes. If you’re looking for an inexpensive and easy way to DIY your own eye masks, look no further than witch hazel. Because witch hazel is high in tannins, it can help tighten and firm the skin. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties also help to calm down any irritation or puffiness under the eyes.

To make a DIY eye mask, take two cotton rounds and soak them in witch hazel. Place these on your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes and just relax.

 

To soothe freshly shaved or waxed skin

Some waxers use witch hazel to soothe the skin after getting your eyebrows done. You can do this at home, too! Because of its astringent properties, witch hazel helps to clean out the pores, which can stop razor bumps or acne from forming after you shave or wax. You can use this on your face, underarms, legs, or bikini area. It also is anti-inflammatory and helps to combat irritation and redness in the skin.

 

As an acne treatment

There are people who swear that witch hazel alone has cured their acne. While I haven’t had quite this intense of a reaction (if only!), I can say it has helped reduce the redness and inflammation in my spots. You can apply it as a toner after you cleanse for the benefits or use it as a targeted spot treatment in any areas that you have spots.

For those of us who just have to pop the pimple, you can use witch hazel immediately after to soothe the irritation, clean out the spot, and help it start to dry out. It’s a miracle worker in this way!

 

As a natural deodorant

If you haven’t hopped on the natural deodorant train yet, you must. It’s so much better for you and the benefits far outweigh the negatives. However, these deodorants can sometimes be expensive. You can make your own by combining:

• ½ cup of witch hazel
• ¼ cup of aloe vera gel or juice
• ¼ tsp of baking soda
• 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil (lavender, sage, and orange work well!)

Mix this up and put it in a spray bottle to use as a natural spray deodorant. It actually works! I’ve started bringing it with me as a travel deodorant in my purse.

 

To reduce skin irritation

For the same reasons that witch hazel is great for acne and reducing razor bumps, you can also use it whenever you notice some irritation on the skin. This is great for people who are prone to rashes or allergy flare-ups on the face. As soon as you notice redness, puffiness, or the like, apply witch hazel to the area to help soothe and reduce the irritation.

 

Would you add witch hazel to your skincare routine? What other skincare hacks do we often forget about? Tell us in the comments!

The post Is Witch Hazel the Skincare Miracle We’re Forgetting About? appeared first on The Everygirl.

As someone who has had plenty of pimples in her day, I know exactly how slow time passes when you’re waiting for acne to clear up. And boy do I try to be on my best behavior while I wait. I keep my face clean, apply a nice mud mask at night, and try not to pick at my skin — alright, sometimes I pick. But I try my best, so why can’t my acne leave me alone once it’s gone? Why do I have to be left with hyperpigmentation after?

My skin is particularly prone to hyperpigmentation after a breakout. Apparently the darker your skin, the more pigment is released in response to injury. Which explains why I — with an olive skin tone — suffer from more discoloration than my fair-skinned twin sister.

I’ve been fighting hyperpigmentation since I was 12 years old, so I’ve done countless hours of research on how to get rid of these spots. And you can trust me when I say that I’ve tried basically everything. From drugstore treatments to pricey dermatologist visits, I’ve done it all. I’m breaking down how to erase hyperpigmentation on any budget so you can focus on the treatments that work best for your skin and your wallet.

 

Sunscreen

I’m starting with sunscreen because it is the most important step you can take to protect your skin from discoloration. Sun exposure is the top cause of hyperpigmentation because sunlight triggers the production of melanin. Your skin gets darker when you tan, which means hyperpigmentation gets darker too. By wearing sunscreen every day, you can help protect your skin from sunspots and improve your chances of any existing discoloration lightening on its own.

 

Vitamin C

For years, vitamin C has been one of the best-known treatments for hyperpigmentation. This antioxidant-rich treatment helps fade dark spots without being too harsh on the skin. People are so enamored with the effects of vitamin C that companies are releasing great new products featuring this super star ingredient left and right. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to vitamin C. You can try a serum, mask, cream, or oil featuring the ingredient to find what works best for your skin.

 

Retinol

Retinols basically do it all. What was once thought of as an anti-aging ingredient is now used to fight everything from wrinkles to clogged pores to acne and yes, discoloration too. Retinol exfoliates skin and helps remove dead skin cells that clog pores. A product that fights the acne that causes hyperpigmentation and helps fade it? What a winning combo. retinol is the over the counter version of Retinoid, so if you’re looking for a stronger formula, ask your dermatologist about prescribing you a retinoid.

 

Laser Treatments

There are a variety of laser treatments on the market designed to solve all your skin woes, including discoloration. The lasers are effective and generally won’t irritate your skin or require any recovery time like a chemical peel or certain facials will.

 

Budget

 

 

Investment

 

Can’t afford to make it to the dermatologist’s office? Less expensive laser facial options are available at clinics that offer shorter treatment times and use less expensive equipment.

 

Splurge

 

The most effective laser treatments will come from your dermatologist’s office, so if this is something you are interested in, you should consult your doctor on which treatment is right for your skin.

 

Microneedling

Micro-needling is basically what it sounds like, tiny needles. Needles are rolled over your face to create very small injuries to the skin which then prompts the skin to begin healing. Ideally, your dark spots will heal at the same time. At-home devices use less intense needles and therefore are safer to use on your own. At a dermatologist’s office, you’ll likely need numbing cream to help with the pain.

 

Budget

 

 

Investment

 

 

Splurge

 

In most states, you’ll have to visit a board-certified dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or cosmetic surgeon to receive this treatment.

 

Time

This step is completely free! Any skin discoloration can take three to 24 months to fade (in some cases longer). Your skin needs time to heal, so it’s important to support its healing process by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and sleeping.

The post How to Erase Hyperpigmentation on Any Budget appeared first on The Everygirl.

No-chip manicures are one of the greatest joys of life. Who doesn’t want perfect nails for weeks at a time? They keep your nails looking fabulous until it’s time to take them off — and then all hell breaks loose.

Seeing the aftermath of a no-chip manicure is always alarming — dry, brittle, scratched-up nails that quite frankly look like a war zone aren’t something anyone wants to deal with. And making the trip back to the nail salon just to get a no-chip removed? Way too much effort.

We all know that regular nail polish remover doesn’t get the job done — so if you don’t have the time to go in to get your no-chip removed, how do you do it at home without leaving your fingers as nail-less stubs?

That’s the question I set out to answer, and after (much) experimenting with different methods (read: destroying my nails to the point of no return), and with the help of a lot of patience, I’ve figured out the easiest method for removing your no-chip at home both effectively and safely. 

 

 

Preparation

 

To remove your no-chip, you’re going to need an acetone nail polish remover, aluminum foil, cotton balls, and a nail stick.

Cut the aluminum foil into 10 strips big enough to wrap around each of your fingers. Don’t be like me and think you can rip it as you go — it isn’t easy when nine of your fingers already have tin foil wrapped around them.

Rip five cotton balls in half — a half for each nail — and pour acetone in a small bowl.

Then, buff the top layer of your nail polish with a nail file — I know, this is not easy on the senses, but buffing the top layer of nail polish allows for the acetone that’s about to come to penetrate through the rest of the layers.

 

Execution

 

Soak a half of a cotton ball in the acetone, then place it on your nail. You want to make sure your entire nail is covered, then wrap the aluminum foil around your finger to hold it in place. Repeat this on every nail.

After about 15 minutes, check a nail to see if the polish has loosened up. (I usually leave mine on for about 20 minutes to make the next step easier.) When you remove the cotton balls, the polish should start to slide off.

 

Removal

 

Once 15 minutes have passed, remove the aluminum foil and cotton balls, and use a cuticle pusher to scrape the remaining polish off. It should come off fairly easily — if it doesn’t, soak them for five more minutes and try again.

 

Revival

 

Your nails (and probably fingers) will be in quite a state after the acetone soaking, so finish by washing your hands, then putting a nail strengthening polish on your nails and a hand cream on your hands. Voila, you’re on the road back to nail health.

 

GET THE ESSENTIALS

 

The post How to Remove a No-Chip Manicure at Home appeared first on The Everygirl.

I’ve expressed my love for the YouTube beauty community many times before, but I’m not quite sure everyone understands the extent to which I follow BeauTubers (beauty YouTubers, obviously). I started watching beauty videos the summer before sixth grade. I was petrified to start middle school and wanted to ~change my image~. I came across a slew of “scene girl tutorials,” which basically consisted of lots of hair teasing and black eyeshadow smudged across your entire eyelid. My mom wouldn’t exactly let me do that.

Since sixth grade, my tastes and the entire YouTube beauty community has changed. (For the better? You decide that one.) One of my favorite videos to watch as of the last few years are empties videos. Basically, the YouTuber gathers all of his or her empty products (generally in a small trash can) and shares all the products he or she has used up. I’ve watched so many of these videos (it’s almost as addicting as makeup declutters and vanity tours) that I just might have started keeping track of my own empties.

So, in the business of sharing all the products I’ve used up and have already repurchased, here’s a look into my trash! (Ex-boyfriends not included.)

What makeup products do you buy over and over again? Tell us in the comments!

The post The Beauty Products I Keep Repurchasing appeared first on The Everygirl.