Crystal Martin Author Archive
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Crystal Martin

Senior Editor, the Strategist

Crystal Martin is a Strategist senior editor who covers beauty and health. She previously worked at Women’s Wear Daily, Essence, and Shape and has written for the New York Times, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar.

  1. skin-care tools
    The HigherDOSE Mask That Helped Fix My Acne“Expensive but very much worth it.”
  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. face
    A Beauty Brief Blush RoundtableWe discussed the state of blush — and shared a few products we’re eager to try.
  6. bath and body
    The Body Washes Our Beauty Writers Actually Buy“It lathers beautifully and lasts forever.”
  7. cleansers
    The Face Washes Our Writers Actually Buy“My skin never feels tight after washing, which isn’t the case with most other cleansers.”
  8. eyes
    My Lash Extensions Last Almost a Month With This Serum“I won’t do lash extensions anymore without it.”
  9. beauty
    The 6 Products Under $30 We’re Loving This WeekThe glosses, mascara, and nail polish we’ve been testing (and loving) this week.
  10. bath and body
    Ask Me About My Once-Weekly DeodorantThe best, most reliable deodorants, according to the Strategist’s Beauty Brief writers.
  11. beauty
    The 7 Products Under $30 We’re Loving This WeekIncluding a $6 conditioner and a $9 liquid eyeliner.
  12. bedding
    The Strategist Guide to Making a BedColorful sheets are in; tucked-in sheets are out.
  13. 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.”
  14. acne treatments
    The Strategist Beauty Team on How to Treat a PimplePop it the right way.
  15. 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.”
  16. 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.
  17. strategist hive mind
    71 Summer Shopping TipsAn accumulation of proclamations and well-sourced recommendations from the Strategist staff.
  18. style
    The Global Pursuit of a Bigger ButtThe frenzy for curves that replicate — and distort — Black beauty ideals.
  19. dupes week
    This $8 Brow Pen Is the Most Microblading-esque Product I’ve Ever TriedThe felt tip of the pen paints hairlike strokes onto the brows and lasts for several hours, even with my oily skin.
  20. dental care
    The 6 Things I Use to Make (Years of) Wearing Teeth Aligners More TolerableIncluding products that massage sore teeth, deodorize trays, and actually make the aligners a little better aligned.
  21. money
    The One Time My Mom Won the Lottery“Hon, don’t let me forget to check the lotto. Maybe we don’t have to go to work tomorrow.”
  22. it’s all relative
    My Mother and … WeddingsTwo women considered their moms, and themselves, in the context of weddings.
  23. hair tools
    This Exfoliating Razor Gets Rid of My Peach Fuzz in MinutesIt also makes skin glow and makeup look airbrushed.
  24. summer weddings 2018
    The Pro and Cons of Doing Pre-Wedding Training As a Pair“You cancel on me less when you have a partner to drag you by the arm,” says personal trainer Jeff Marshall.
  25. summer weddings 2018
    Forget Bridal Boot Camp With These 7 Non-WorkoutsIf you’re among those who believe there are shortcuts to fitness, the city is teeming with treatments aimed at firming you up.
  26. summer weddings 2018
    It’s OK to Talk About Meeting on Tinder in a Wedding SpeechAnd more expert advice from speechwriter Victoria Wellman.
  27. makeup
    The 9 Best Under-Eye Concealers I’ve Found for Black SkinWith advice from Lupita Nyong’o’s makeup artist.
  28. acne treatments
    The Only Thing That Cured My Cystic Acne Was (Yes) Spearmint TeaAccording to my derm, “it works on all the processes that drive adult acne.”
  29. made in korea
    This Korean Essence Gives Me Post-Facial Glow Every DayMy aesthetician first used it on me.
  30. this thing’s incredible
    This Colombian Nail Polish Doesn’t Chip (Even After Swimming and Cleaning)My nails have never felt stronger.
  31. trust me i should know
    The 3 Best Dry-Scalp Treatments for My Curly, Bleached HairFirst you exfoliate, then condition, and then treat.
  32. summer weddings 2017
    5 Wedding Experts Share Their Industry IntelAdvice from a gown dealer, a bridesmaid for hire, a chuppah designer, and more.
  33. testing testing
    I Did Bootcamp, Yoga, and Cardio in These Resistance LeggingsI highly recommend them for all workout activities.
  34. this thing’s incredible
    I Wear Less Makeup Now Thanks to This Illuminating MirrorIt’s like looking at yourself in unforgiving sunlight.
  35. winter weddings 2017
    Let Your Wedding-Prep Team Come to YouA range of new and unexpected in-apartment services, including dance lessons in your living room, makeup in your bathroom, and a bridesmaid-for-hire.
  36. material comforts
    I Touched Everything at 5 Department Stores and Found the Softest GiftsTouching all the scarves and blankets and hats to find the coziest.
  37. the best. really.
    The Best Products for Eliminating Pet StinkHere are five of the best-selling canine-related cleaners on Amazon.
  38. the strategist
    What is the Best Sports Bra for Big Boobs?“A friend recommended the Enell Sport bra about ten years ago, after it was one of Oprah’s Favorite Things.”
  39. the strategist
    The 9 Best Sport Bras, According to Sport (and Size)New York fitness instructors share their picks.
  40. the strategist
    9 Women on Their Favorite ThongsThe choices include the seamless, the lacy, the stretchy, and those that miraculously do not feel like a perma-wedgie.
  41. the strategist
    What Are the Best Pet Cleaners?Here are the three best-selling canine-related cleaners on Amazon.
  42. style guide
    5 Ways to Wear Flowers in Your Hair Without Looking Like a FestivalgoerNo Coachella-esque garland crowns here.
  43. summer weddings 2016
    5 Wedding Experts Share Their Insider TipsAdvice from a baker, a dress designer, a planner, a trainer, and an officiant.