The best new beauty launches and beauty news in December: new releases from Fenty, the Purito scandal, how Chanel failed, beauty stories from around the globe and the world after Covid.
Beauty News
The Purito scandal-slash-controversy made waves throughout the skincare community (latest update: when a Korean lab tested it, the result was around SPF28). (Incidecoder + YouTube vid by Michelle Wang)
Fenty Beauty released a new (mask-friendly!) powder foundation with the same shade range as their liquid foundations.
Chanel got a rap on their knuckles for false skin-lightening claims in China. (The Fashion Law)
Beauty Stories
A study from Australia’s Queensland University found that sunscreen sprays don’t give you the protection you need unless you spray for around one minute to reach the recommended amount. Not really surprising, right?! (ONLY use sprays as a top up!) (Guardian)
Allure recently put out some helpful pointers for applying makeup if you’re grappling with low vision, shaky hands or have only movement in one hand.
L’Oreal and the Makeup Museum in NYC teamed up and put out a stunning coffee table book called Beauty Stories from around the World, featuring the history of beauty with a focus on the BIPOC community. The pictures are breath-taking. (Byrdie)
All you need to know about a healthy skin barrier (don’t over-exfoliate!!!). (TeenVogue)
Sustainability
Reasons to be hopeful in 2021: regenerative farming, species saved from extinction and more. (Guardian)
YouTuber Shelbi tried to create a zero waste skincare routine and asked skincare guru Hyram to chime in. I enjoyed it!
Life, Love, and Everything Else
Anne Helen Petersen (wonderful writer, I’ll read anything by her), writes about the world after Covid: “Will we be wearing masks in public spaces for the foreseeable future? When’s the first time I’ll get on a plane? Eat dinner at a restaurant? When will I be able to forgive the people in my community who’ve behaved so recklessly, so selfishly, for so long? How will we reckon with our collective grief?” (MSNBC)
For people longing to travel, the NYT has released a series called “How to pretend you’re in …”, featuring cities like Singapore and Paris and islands like Hawaii.
One of my wishes for next year is to actually go to a cinema, buy some popcorn and enjoy two hours of entertainment on a huge screen. Hopefully, cinemas will survive, because, as Slate says, streaming sucks.
On the Blog
Sure, the Holidays are over, why not treat yourself with a little beauty gift from our Gift Guide?! Palettes galore: Astrid reviewed the Fenty Cadet and Natasha Denona’s Mini Sunset Palette. I was a bit iffy on Hourglass’ Veil Primer, we wrote about the new Pantone Color(s) of the Year, and gave an overview about the Purito sunscreen scandal. Finally, I did a pivot and started wearing all my summer fragrances during winter.
At the end of 2020, a heartfelt thank you to you for being here and following us. Also, stay safe and healthy!
