The Strategist Beauty Brief - The Strategist | The Strategist

The Strategist Beauty Brief

A weekly newsletter where our beauty writers share what they really think — including first impressions, quick takes on what’s trending, and deep dives into the products they use every day. Read the full archive here, then sign-up below to get it in your inbox first.

  1. skin-care tools
    Win a Red-Light Mask From HigherDOSEIt’s one of our skin-care favorites.
  2. shampoo and conditioner
    The Shampoos Our Writers Actually Buy“If you have fine hair, buy this shampoo.”
  3. moisturizers
    Four Aggressive Moisturizers on Their Winter RoutinesAdvice from people who are doing the absolute most to keep their skin supple in the dry-air months.
  4. eyes
    The Mascaras Our Writers Actually Buy“When I discovered this mascara, I knew it was over for the rest.”
  5. eyes
    A Monolid-Friendly Felt-Tip Liner“It’s the only felt-tip liner I’ll ever buy.”
  6. beauty
    How Can You Tell What The Good Beauty Advent Calendars Are?The intel on the best ones to buy (right now, before they sell out).
  7. moisturizers
    The Body Lotions Our Writers Actually Buy“Over the past few months, it has been a sleeper hit in my routine.”
  8. face
    A Beauty Brief Blush RoundtableWe discussed the state of blush — and shared a few products we’re eager to try.
  9. hair treatments
    Just Buy the Minoxidil“After starting it in February, I noticed regrowth around the temples by June and thicker, stronger hair overall by August.”
  10. lip balms and treatments
    A Non-Drying Lip Stain That Actually Lasts“It felt like I wasn’t wearing anything — no tackiness and no spidery lines around my mouth.”
  11. bath and body
    The Body Washes Our Beauty Writers Actually Buy“It lathers beautifully and lasts forever.”
  12. suncare
    Finally, a Mineral SPF for Brown Skin“For the first time ever, my holy grail, Black Girl Sunscreen, has some real competition.”
  13. eyes
    Urban Decay’s Still Got It“It’s simple, properly smoky, and has a luxury feel at a decently affordable price.”
  14. moisturizers
    I Found a Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Dupe“It’s exactly what I was looking for: a microdose of my favorite sweet scent that keeps me moisturized all day long.”
  15. cleansers
    The Face Washes Our Writers Actually Buy“My skin never feels tight after washing, which isn’t the case with most other cleansers.”
  16. face
    This Setting Spray Kept My Makeup Intact in 98 Percent Humidity“It stands up remarkably well to sweat and exertion and keeps even non-waterproof formulas from budging in high humidity.”
  17. beauty tools
    Consider the Eyelash Separator“Since discovering this separator about a month ago, I now use it as faithfully as I do my eyelash curler.”
  18. eyes
    My Lash Extensions Last Almost a Month With This Serum“I won’t do lash extensions anymore without it.”
  19. face
    The Foundations Our Writers Actually Buy“It gives that even, healthy glow that I want from a foundation.”
  20. beauty
    The 6 Products Under $30 We’re Loving This WeekThe glosses, mascara, and nail polish we’ve been testing (and loving) this week.
  21. bath and body
    Ask Me About My Once-Weekly DeodorantThe best, most reliable deodorants, according to the Strategist’s Beauty Brief writers.
  22. acne treatments
    I Faded My Acne Scars in 6 Weeks“I’d recommend putting in the effort. Because after six weeks, there’s no denying it works.”
  23. beauty
    The 7 Products Under $30 We’re Loving This WeekIncluding a $6 conditioner and a $9 liquid eyeliner.
  24. self-tanner
    Paris Hilton’s Self-tanner Is Good, Not Great“If I’m going to drop $50 on self-tanner, I want it to be as close to perfect as it gets.”
  25. skin-care
    The 3-Step Routine That Turns My Dry Skin Glowy“I’m unceasingly glowy but not at all greasy.”
  26. moisturizers
    The Moisturizers Our Writers Actually BuyOur favorite picks for every skin type.
  27. face
    This Glittery Setting Spray Might Not Be a Gimmick“I’m 100 percent going to pack it in my makeup bag for Glastonbury.”
  28. shampoo and conditioner
    This $12 Conditioner Lets Me Stretch My Time Between Haircuts“I can get a full three days post–wash-and-style before my hair starts to go feral.”
  29. skin-care treatments
    I Found a Dupe for the Drunk Elephant Sunshine Drops“It’s virtually the same as the Sunshine Drops and half the price.”
  30. suncare
    The Face SPF Our Beauty Writers Actually BuyOur tried-and-true picks with no white cast.
  31. eyes
    I’ve Tried 5 Brow Gels, and This Oil One Is the Best“My brows look so good it’s like I just left a lamination appointment.”
  32. skin-care treatments
    Can I Exfoliate My Tattoos? And Other Questions About Tattoo Care“What’s good for your skin — specifically, hydrating and protecting yourself from sun damage — is good for your tattoos.”
  33. lip balms and treatments
    The Lip Balms Our Beauty Writers Actually Buy“Each time I get seduced by a new fancy lip balm, I always end up coming back to Vaseline. It’s cheap, it’s classic, and it works.”
  34. hair
    A Shower-Filter Face-off“I could have gotten the same results with a good hair mask — and those are far less expensive than either of these filters.”
  35. skin-care treatments
    I’m Face Basting With Butt Paste, Thanks to TikTok“I was honestly dazzled by the results. My skin woke up feeling hydrated and even looking a little glowy.”
  36. hair tools
    This Curling Iron Is Better at Curls Than the Airwrap“The ceramic plates distribute heat evenly so the curls are smooth from root to tip, and my hair never smokes or smells like it’s burning.”
  37. lips
    I Found the Only Two Multi-Sticks You’ll Ever Need“They’re not getting the love they should. But trust me, if you buy them, they will not end up at the bottom of your makeup bag.”
  38. fragrance
    You Don’t Need More Fragrance; You Need a Stronger Fragrance“Eau de parfums, or just parfums, have the greatest concentrations of perfume oils and are therefore stronger and last longer.”
  39. skin-care treatments
    I’ve Been Doubling Up on Retinoids — and My Skin Has Never Looked Better“Though conventional wisdom dictates this would lead my skin down a path of ruin, it’s glowier than usual, and I’ve had fewer breakouts.”
  40. makeup
    Don’t Sleep on Victoria Beckham Beauty“I was stunned by the close color match and felt a little emotional about how seen I felt.”
  41. makeup
    Don’t Sleep on Victoria Beckham Beauty“I was stunned by the close color match and felt a little emotional about how seen I felt.”
  42. beauty
    The Beauty Stuff We’re Bringing Into 2024With a new year upon us, we asked our team to share their beauty breakthroughs from 2023.
  43. fragrance
    A Perfume Primer From Our Fragrance FanaticHow to pick, wear, and store fragrances, according to the Strategist’s in-house nose.
  44. skin-care treatments
    Can I Get Robert Pattinson’s ‘Twilight’ Sparkle With SK-II Face Masks?I tested them for five days in a row to find out.
  45. hair tools
    This Dyson Dryer Dupe Turned Me Into a Blow-Dryer Person“Even though I didn’t use a drop of product, my hair had a smooth, sleek look to it — one that I’ve never achieved with simple air-drying.”
  46. skin-care treatments
    I Tried Gwyneth Paltrow’s good.clean.goop to See If It’s Good“It brought me back to my tween years when all I wore was a fruity and floral lotion from Bath & Body Works.”
  47. fragrance
    My Signature Scent Is Courteney Cox–Approved“Coming up with this combination has been a yearslong process. I get compliments anytime I leave the house with it layered on my skin.”
  48. skin-care treatments
    Where Have All the Skin Barriers Gone?Tembe Denton-Hurst explores the skin-care damage-repair cycle.
  49. fragrance
    How to Make Your Own Perfume (Even If You’re Not a Professional Nose)Not a professional nose, just obsessed with fragrance.
  50. face
    Yes, You Can Sleep in Youthforia’s Date Night FoundationSleeping in your makeup might not be so bad.
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