
Microblading aftercare tips: The worst things you can do during the healing phase
Summer's an especially tough time to get in-clinic treatments as there are a lot of potential hazards to avoid; with sweaty weather, sun exposure and potential pool dips all at play. Microblading is a treatment that aftercare is intrinsically linked to outcome so we spoke to expert Karen Betts, to reveal her top tips for maintaining perfect brows post-appointment, the worst thing you can do to freshly-microbladed brows and how to avoid aftercare regrets.
"Proper aftercare is crucial to ensure optimal healing and long-lasting results from microblading," says Betts. The 7–10 days after treatment are the delicate 'healing phase', so here's her tips for getting through that initial phase...
'The most detrimental action is picking or scratching at the brows during the healing phase,' says Betts. 'This can remove pigment, cause patchiness, delay healing, and even risk scarring. Additionally, neglecting aftercare instructions, such as exposing the brows to excessive moisture or sun, can compromise the results.'
Karen Betts one of the UK's leading authority on permanent makeup. She is the founder of Karen Betts clinics in London's Mayfair, Cheshire and Yorkshire
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
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Cosmopolitan
3 days ago
- Cosmopolitan
New Covid variant 'Stratus' is spreading and has a unique symptom: here are the signs to look out for
It's been five years since the coronavirus outbreak, and while vaccines have made things safer for those more vulnerable, Covid is still something we ought to look out for and be made aware of. The World Health Organisation has issued a statement saying the XFG variant, also dubbed 'Stratus', will likely become the dominant variant soon, with symptoms ever so slightly different to the classic heavy cough and tiredness we've come to associate with Covid. Stratus is thought to have become the dominant strain in India and is spreading across the world. GISAID, a global initiative which tracks variants, found a sharp increase in samples containing the Stratus variant when examining data from 38 countries. The company reported 22.7% of all samples tested were Stratus positive, up 7.4% from the week before. 'Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations,' Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, tells Cosmopolitan UK. 'Despite this, it is important to mention that Stratus seems to be no worse than earlier Omicron variants in terms of illness, hospitalisations, or deaths.' And before anyone starts panicking, the WHO have also stated it believes 'currently approved vaccines are still effective against any symptomatic or severe disease'. Here's what we know about Stratus Covid variant so far. As Dr Khan explains: 'Coronaviruses are a group of viruses, named after their crown-like appearance, where there are many strains including those that cause the common cold illness. Stratus Covid variant, also referred to as XFG, is a new subvariant of Omicron that has been circulating around the globe and now accounts for 25% of COVID cases (as of May 2025).' By now, we're likely all familiar with the more general Covid symptoms of a temperature, loss of taste or smell, and a cough. However, there is one prominent new thing to look out for when it comes to Stratus. 'One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice," explains Dr Khan. 'Though the symptoms manifest differently and vary from person to person, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be mild to moderate. 'Regardless of whether the symptoms mimic a cold or flu, testing continues to be the critical step in eliminating the possibility of a coronavirus infection.' Things have certainly changed a lot since the days of lockdown – but if you're feeling unwell and experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's important to take a Covid test. They are no longer free, but you can pick them up from retailers such as Amazon and Boots. 'If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others,' Dr Khan says. 'During recovery, focus on getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids regularly.' He adds that if symptoms worsen after a few days or you are in a high-risk group, then it is important to book in for a consultation with your GP to get personalised medical advice. If your symptoms become severe, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, it is important to seek urgent medical attention. 'As a doctor seeing and treating patients first-hand, I want to advocate, as I always do, a prevention better than cure approach,' Dr Khan adds. 'Covid can spread easily from person to person, especially if they touch infected surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. 'People can also catch Covid if they breathe in droplets from a person with Covid, who coughs out or exhales droplets. Therefore, regularly washing hands and maintaining a one metre distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing is still the best preventative advice. As well as this, staying up to date with your Covid vaccinations is advised to protect yourself from severe illness.' This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper's Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle. She previously worked as a Features Writer for Cosmopolitan UK, and has bylines at The Telegraph, The Independent and British Vogue among countless others.


Buzz Feed
27-06-2025
- Buzz Feed
32 Magical Beauty Products
A Cosrx snail mucin serum to help get rid of dark spots, improve skin vitality, and soothe damaged skin. Yep, snail mucin is a Korean skincare product made from snail slime. Sounds ick but your skin will totally fall in love the second you use it. Hmm, wonder if this is why SpongeBob had Gary the pet snail — skincare benefits. A hydrating eye stick to help reduce dark circles, lines, and puffiness while delivering moisture without oils. Sensitive skin friends, this one's for us. People may start to think your goldfish are Cosmo and Wanda because these results are jaw dropping. And an under-eye brightener because you aren't sure if you'll ever actually not be exhausted, but you can def stop looking like it. It's ~enriched~ with shea butter and hyaluronic acid to give your dark circles a more radiant look. The pinkish tint helps balance out the blueish tint under your eyes as if you said a spell to make your dark circles *poof* away. A fabulous plumping gloss set for some seriously luscious lips. This stuff helps to morph your lippies into a perfectly plump pout, and reviewers totally love this affordable swap to all those costly name-brand plumpers. Ooh-la-luscious. An Anua heartleaf pore-clearing cleansing oil that's perfect for all skin types and will effectively get rid of makeup residue, blackheads, and sebum while also helping to prevent your pores from clogging up. In fact, it's so effective, some reviewers say you can actually see the gunk and oil leave your face. You'll be kinda grossed out by the ick seeping out of your pores while also being shook by the way it literally did a magic trick on your face. Blackheads, be gone! Coco & Eve's Sunless Face Tanning Micromist so you can get your summer tan without having to go through all the hassle of a full-body self tanner. And this thing gets bonus points cuz it's made with a ~hydration-boosting antioxidant complex~ that can help increase your collagen production. Spritz it on your face like a setting spray, wait six hours, and get glowin' ! ✨ A pack of 36 acne patches because a pimple is NOT ruining our day, babe! These patches absorb all the gunk in open pimples and help speed up the healing process without picking or popping. Abracadabra, psh, what pimple? Plus, a pack of nose pore patches that'll cast a spell to banish all the gunk and excess oil from your nose as you sleep. Your nose will be smoother than you could have ever dreamed of. A wart-removing gel infused with ~salicylic acid~ that'll basically do a magic spell on your little blemishes to dry 'em out and get 'em outta here. This no-drip gel formula also comes with waterproof patches to keep them hidden and prevent them from spreading. People will def think you did some sort of witchcraft but whatever, at least those annoying warts will go away! A piercing bump solution so you can help stop that little bump on your nose piercing that's tripled in size in two weeks from growing annnnyyyy more. Before you totally ditch your new piercing, let this stuff help heal and reduce the size of your keloid! I know, I know, I get 'em too and yes, they can be terrifying to look at. An Ogx leave-in conditioning cream to apply to your towel-dried hair for a magic trick. *Voila*, defined, bouncy curls that'll put a little extra pep in your step because of the way your curls bounce when you walk. An Elizabeth Mott face primer — a K-beauty pore-minimizing miracle to help control your oily skin and keep you shine-free. Lock in your look with this bad boy and avoid having your makeup move and shift around. And later, at the end of your day, when you see how good your makeup *still* looks, you'll seriously be thanking this stuff. Essence's Volume Booster Lash Primer infused with nourishing, moisturizing mango butter and acai oil that'll help take your lashes to a whole new level of volume. Pair it with your fave mascara for the lashes of your dreams. A mattifying, waterproof On Til' Dawn One/Size setting spray that Beyoncé used at her Renaissance concert in the pouring rain at her DC show. And Queen B's face was still beat 👏 to 👏 the 👏 GODS 👏 through the downpour. Yeah, this stuff has witchcraft in it for sure, sign me up. And a One/Size blurring setting powder which I'm, like, 98% sure Fiona and Cordelia Goode from AHS: Coven conjured up. Silky smooth, poreless-looking, matte skin for up to 14 hours?! Where's the cauldron that this was made in? Mielle's (TikTok-famous) Rosemary Mint strengthening oil made with biotin and moisturizing oils like jojoba, rosemary, and mint that can help stimulate and nourish your scalp while also strengthening and promoting hair growth at the root. I know they said a magic flower grew Rapunzel's hair but let's be serious, it was probz this stuff. A volcanic stone face roller to soak up excess oil even if you're wearing makeup. This baby is reusable AND washable!! Bring it on the go and when you see your face beginning to look a little past the glazed donut stage, let this baby save you! I personally would like to take part in this sorcery. A *holy grail* Urban Decay Face Bond foundation that'll have you looking up to the heavens whispering "thank you" cuz this was truly sent by the makeup gods. It has a flawless matte finish, it's waterproof and sweatproof, and it contains ~self-setting~ setting powder and niacinamide serum to deliver you with the best beat of your life. Oily skin friends, you're gonna fall head over heels with this stuff. 48 pairs of under-eye masks to keep sleepy-looking eyes at bay. You can kiss puffiness and dark circles goodbye cuz you're gonna look like you slept as much as Sleeping Beauty after you use these. Refreshed, awake, brightened under-eyes are in your future with these lil' miracles. It'll look like your bags drank coffee, too. Nars radiant creamy concealer because a buildable, lightweight, long-lasting (up to 16 hours) concealer sounds like the ultimate makeup dream. Your under-eyes will be nice and bright even on those days where you only get, like, four hours of sleep. Plus it has magnolia bark and grape seed extracts to help cover acne and calm redness, so likeee, what more could you need outta this little baby? A jar of Brazilian Bum Bum body cream made with a caffeine-rich guarana extract formula to help smooth and tighten skin. People are in loooove with this stuff and some reviewers even just use it as, like, a perfume. Yeah, it smells that good. A K-18 leave-in hair mask to help bring your dry, bleach- and color-damaged hair back to life. And yes! You leave it in, no rinsing it out! Shampoo, skip conditioning, towel dry, throw this in, wait four minutes, and then just do the rest of your normal styling routine. I know, you're suuuper close to just cutting your mane off, but give this a try and the results will be more dramatic than Dance Moms. "Get your finger out of my face." *Kelly voice*. Phytosurgence Toasted Blushes, aka the most gorgeous, earthy, unique shades your makeup routine will ever meet. They look good on literally everyone so you *may* wanna drop the link in the group chat so the whole squad can enjoy these gems. A pack of 50 cult-favorite Clean Skin Club Clean Towels that are actually reaaaaaally multitalented. You can use 'em to take your makeup off with cleansers and makeup remover, use them to dry your face, to wet and remove face masks, and even to clean your skincare and makeup tools. Your wash cloth could have some bacteria on it, especially if you're using it a few days in a row. Use these babies instead and toss the funky rag to the side. A tea tree and peppermint Remedy soap you'd think was a superhero cuz Captain America has nothing on this stuff (except for being incredibly hot, I'll give him that). This reduces odors and helps calm and soothe skin irritations like dry skin, skin infections, acne, athlete's foot, ringworm, and if I continued to list it all, we could be here all day. Some gorgeous clip-in extensions from Luxy Hair so you can magically grow long Rapunzel hair without having to deal with Mother Gothel. So flawlessly beautiful with such incredible quality, you'll have to clear some space on your phone for all the selfies you'll take. I have these and holy crap, they're incredible. I've been wearing clip-ins for over 10 years now and can confidently say that these are the best quality I've ever used. They're thick as heck, the band is strong, and they feel so silky and luxurious it's almost unbelievable. As you can see (gif above) my hair is a dark burgundy red and they don't sell that shade so I got the chestnut brown shade and dyed them... several times. I didn't wanna pay a professional to dye them and I had a very hard time getting the extensions the exact same shade as my hair. I dyed them three times before they matched my hair (no bleach involved) and even after being dyed again and again they still feel just as gorgeous as they did when I first opened the package (witchcraft). They're top notch and they're easy to comb/brush through with very little to no shedding, unlike other brands that leave literal PILES of hair on my floor every time they're brushed. They also come with instructions for how to take proper care of them. They look beautiful once installed and they didn't get all tangled up when I wore them to a sweaty St. Patrick's Day bar crawl. They're perfection and if you're gonna spend money on clip-ins, I recommend you spend your coins on these ones. I don't think any other company's clip-ins will ever be good enough for me again. I love themmmm, I'm wearing this brand them from Luxy Hair for $295+ (available in three lengths, 36 colors, and two thicknesses). A color-correcting multistick for your eyes, lips, and cheeks — it'll neutralize dark spots and circles even if you've felt like NOTHING will cover your tired under-eyes lately. Put this over any areas with hyperpigmentation, then put your foundation or concealer on top and boom: tired under-eyes will be gone in a flash. A bottle of Paula's Choice Salicylic Acid Exfoliant to help unclog and diminish large pores. This leave-on, fragrance-free exfoliant is gentle enough for all skin types and exfoliates dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking fresh and hydrated. I Dew Care's dry shampoo powder so you can say so long to oily, greasy strands while also adding volume and making your hair look fuller. Now you can go another day without needing to wash and your hair will still feel oh-so clean. Blume's Daydreamer face wash — a creamy, calming, hydrating little concoction infused with ~soothing~ plant extracts like lavender and chamomile. It'll say "chill ouuuuut" to any redness, acne, or unwanted bacteria that's clogging up your pores, leaving your face plump and bright. And a bottle of Meltdown oil for anyone with acne-prone skin. This reviewer fave helps reduce acne, fade scars, and reduce redness and inflammation, all while preventing future breakouts as if by magic. It also helps to keep you hydrated with rosehip oil and is cruelty-free! Mix this into your moisturizer, wear it under makeup, or use it as a spot treatment — this stuff is super versatile! Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer with a sponge on the end that'll cover dark circles so well, everyone will wonder what spell you used to achieve such magic. You'll look well rested and refreshed even on days that aren't. Nobody will even be able to tell!

Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cosmo Announces Sale of "Digital Trust" in Strategic Portfolio Streamlining Move
Dublin, Ireland--(Newsfile Corp. - June 25, 2025) - Cosmo today announced the signing of an agreement to sell 'Digital Trust' to its existing customer Tinexta InfoCert, Europe's largest Certification Authority and a subsidiary of Tinexta S.p.A., a publicly listed company in Italy. The transaction is expected to close by the end of June 2025 and will generate €8.3 million in revenue for Cosmo. 'Digital Trust' provides services within the digital security sector, offering IT solutions for digital identity protection and process dematerialization for healthcare organizations. The decision to sell 'Digital Trust' is part of a broader effort to streamline the Company's portfolio and reinforce its position as a focused, performance-driven organization. Cosmo is executing a clear strategic direction – prioritizing growth in AI-powered medical devices, gastrointestinal therapeutics, dermatology, and high-value CDMO services – while actively reallocating capital to the areas with the highest impact. 'Digital Trust is not a strategic asset for Cosmo, and this transaction reflects our disciplined focus on what drives the greatest impact for patients and shareholders,' said Giovanni Di Napoli, CEO of Cosmo. 'This is another concrete step forward in positioning Cosmo for sustainable growth by strengthening our focus on innovation and operational excellence in our core markets.' Cosmo continues to execute its strategy to build a focused, innovation-driven healthcare company with global reach, leveraging its strong capabilities in R&D, AI integration, and commercial partnerships. About Cosmo Cosmo Pharmaceuticals N.V. is committed to revolutionizing healthcare and transforming people's lives by researching and developing innovative products that tackle unfulfilled healthcare demands. As a pharmaceutical company, Cosmo is active in the areas of Healthtech/AI, dermatology, gastroenterology and contract manufacturing & development. For the commercialization and distribution of its products, Cosmo collaborates with leading partners worldwide, including Medtronic and Sun Pharma. Founded in 1997, Cosmo is headquartered in Dublin (Ireland) and has offices also in San Diego (USA), and Lainate/Rome/Catania (Italy). The Company has approximately 330 employees at the end of 2024, all dedicated to making a significant impact in the field of healthcare. For more information, please visit Financial calendar Investor Day, Zurich July 1, 2025 2025 Half-Year Results and Report July 23, 2025 For further information, please contact: Cosmo Pharmaceuticals Investor Relations, About Tinexta InfoCert Tinexta Infocert, part of the Tinexta Group, is the largest Certification Authority in Europe, operating in over 20 countries. The Company provides services in digitalization, eDelivery, Digital Signature, and digital document preservation. It is an AgID-accredited operator of digital identity within the framework of SPID (Public System for the Management of Digital Identity). It aims to continue expanding internationally also through acquisitions: it holds 100% of CertEurope, the largest Certification Authority in France; 51% of Camerfirma, one of the main certification authorities in Spain; and 16.7% of Authada, an innovative German Identity Provider. DisclaimerSome of the statements in this press release may be forward-looking statements or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. Cosmo does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or updated status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will Cosmo and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or for any related damages. Attachments PDF - English To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio