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Refinery29
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Blurring Is The New Matte — & It's This Season's Softest Makeup Trend
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. It doesn't seem like that long ago our feeds were flooded with images of hyper-glowy skin that looked fresh (but never sweaty), with a healthy sheen. (Dewy makeup got so big, it even permeated pop culture; 'my skin is gleamin',' whisper-sang Ariana Grande in 2019's '7 rings.') Glow was the antithesis of the 'Instaglam' look that predated it in the mid-2010s; think heavy highlight and contour, a full-coverage base, and bold, matte lipstick. But if there's one thing we can count on, it's that trends come, go…and find a way of coming back again. And sure enough, one word has been popping up everywhere in beauty launches lately: Blur. It's not quite matte, but not quite glowy either. The blurred makeup trend occupies an interesting place between dualities that seems to be striking a chord these days. It delivers all the luminosity of dewy makeup with the diffused velvetiness of ultra-matte glam. 'The trend seems to be gaining momentum in response to the sharp makeup looks that have dominated social media for years,' makeup artist and Sephora Beauty Director David Razzano tells Refinery29. 'Bold black cat eyeliner, graphic eyeshadow, intense contouring, and ultra-defined lip lines are beginning to feel a bit dated and overdone.' In comparison, 'blurred' makeup has a 'fresh, effortless vibe,' per Razzano, that lends the skin a 'filtered,' poreless effect. (I never thought I'd say this, but was Maybelline Dream Matte of its time?) The more I thought about it, the less surprising the trend was. After all, digitally airbrushed skin via social media filters had given way to products like e.l.f.'s Poreless Putty Primer and Milk Makeup's (sadly discontinued) Blur Stick. But the 2025 version of blurred-finish products isn't just about poreless, diffused skin. Instead of bottling blur in primers and touchup products, the soft-focus effect has made its way into lipstick, blush, eyeshadows, and more. Ahead, get the scoop on how to wear blurred makeup from lids to lips — and the pro-approved products to get the look this season and beyond. Eyes When it comes to eyes, there are several ways to achieve a soft, diffused wash of colour. I personally find cream-to-powder eyeshadows like Glossier Skywash or Merit's new Solo Shadow the quickest, most foolproof way to get a blurred finish. 'The Sephora Collection PRO Eyeshadow Brush #18 is my go-to 'blurring brush' for both eyes and lips,' says Razzano. 'It has a small domed tip, which can be used to blur eyeliner or lipstick out – just gently sweep on the edge of any area.' (Australian Sephora doesn't currently have the #18 brush, but you can sub this with any fluffy blending brush, like the Fenty Precision Blending Brush 230.) Skin When I hear 'blurred makeup,' I first think of a soft, creamy complexion resembling something from a Vermeer portrait. Foundations like R29's Beauty Innovator Award-winning Huda Beauty's Easy Blur and Revlon Serum Tint are great options for one-and-done coverage with a petal-soft finish. You can also achieve a beautiful, blurred effect with your finishing products. Razzano loves Kosas' Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder for lending a soft veil that reduces shine, not glow. 'I'm obsessed with this powder! It sets your makeup in place while delivering an ultra-soft blurring effect, all while maintaining a natural, radiant finish,' he says. 'This powder works particularly well when it comes to setting concealer — it blurs out fine lines and wrinkles, without creating dryness under the eyes.' Cheeks The blush craze shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and the latest launches all seem to have blur as a priority. There's the Dua Lipa-fronted YSL Beauty's new Make Me Blush, which comes in eight candy-coloured shades and contains squalane to lend an optical blurring effect on skin. One favourite our editors love was the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush, famous for its longwear properties and beautiful pigmentation. Another fave comes in the form of Danessa Myricks' Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder, which also happens to be among my most-used products as well. 'This formula is nothing short of pure brilliant beauty innovation,' Razzano declares. 'Danessa created a hydrating balm-to-powder that instantly blurs the skin, while maintaining a hyper-natural look and feel. Plus, she has carried this formula into blushes and highlighters – so you can blur and add glow simultaneously.' On the bronzer side of things, Makeup By Mario's SoftSculpt Blurring Bronzer offers the same sun-kissed glow you'd get from a bronzing powder with ingredients like spherical powders that provide an optical blurring effect. Lips Make it a season of blurred kisses with products that have a soft, romantic finish that's never dry or flat. ' Refy's Blur Liner boasts a domed tip, creating a natural, soft, and blurred look — an easy step in your routine,' Razzano explains. He also loves Prada Beauty's Monochrome Soft Matte Blur Lipstick, which has the creamy texture of your favourite lippie but with a velvet finish. 'No need to perfectly line your lips, since it softly blurs itself,' he says. 'A few taps of your finger will blend it to perfection.' We also love Rhode's Peptide Lip Shape crayons, which come in a variety of beautiful neutral tones with a soft matte finish.
Refinery29
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Brooke DeVard To Lead Refinery29's New Era: 'Everything Has Led To This Moment'
If you've followed my work—whether through Naked Beauty, my content or conversations we've had online—you know how much I care about beauty, identity, and storytelling. I've always believed that the way we express ourselves through hair, makeup, style, and scent is powerful. It's culture. It's communication. It's personal. So I'm thrilled to share that I've joined Refinery29 as Chief Content Officer. This is a full-circle moment. Refinery29 was one of the first platforms I saw doing beauty and fashion, and lifestyle content that actually spoke to me—intelligent, culturally aware, and creatively fearless. For 20 years, it has led with storytelling that centers identity, emotion, and self-expression. I'm deeply honored to help lead its next chapter. Now, a bit about how I got here. I've loved fashion and beauty for as long as I can remember. What began as a dress-up drawer in my childhood bedroom evolved into a fashion blog I started in high school called The Glamorous Eccentric. But it wasn't just about getting dressed—it was about building a world. As a kid, I directed elaborate Spice Girls music videos in my bedroom, playing every role: director, stylist, hair and makeup artist, location scout, and star. That was my first taste of media-making—long before I knew what 'content creation' even meant. From an early age, I understood that beauty and style were a language. My grandmother, an educator with a PhD, carried herself with elegance and intention. My mother, a trailblazing executive, could command a room in a perfectly tailored blazer. The message was clear: how you show up matters—and style is both armor and art. Growing up in New York City, I was immersed in creativity. As a teen model with Ford, I was fascinated by what happened behind the camera: Who's telling this story? Why? I began documenting my outfits and writing about fashion shows I'd sneak into after school. No one was calling it 'creator culture' yet, but that's exactly what it was. And I loved it. I went on to study English at Stanford and interned at Ogilvy and Vogue. Each step shaped me. At Vogue, I learned what excellence looked like. Ogilvy taught me that advertising, at its best, is art. At Ralph Lauren, I saw what it meant to create a brand people could feel. Nokia gave me a global lens for marketing and the importance of region-specific storytelling. At Viacom, I deepened my understanding of how talent, content, and strategy come together to drive cultural impact. And at Instagram, I saw firsthand how creators were going to transform everything we knew about media. In 2016, I launched Naked Beauty because I couldn't find the beauty podcast I wanted to hear. I bought two mics off Amazon and recorded them in my dining room. Nine years and more than 350 episodes later, Naked Beauty, is one of the top beauty podcasts globally. In 2025, we won the iHeart Podcast Award for Best Beauty & Fashion Podcast. What I'm proudest of, though, is the community we've built—curious, thoughtful, deeply engaged listeners who care about self-expression, ritual, and reflection. Most recently, I've worked as a content creator and entrepreneur—partnering with global beauty brands, launching the award-winning Naked Beauty fragrance in 2024, and continuing to grow Naked Beauty across formats. It's been a masterclass in blending storytelling with commerce and pushing creative boundaries. And I'm thrilled to bring the Naked Beauty brand into the Refinery29 family. ' As Chief Content Officer, I'm excited to build on Refinery29's legacy with storytelling that's expansive, emotionally intelligent, and deeply rooted in culture. brooke devard ozaydinli ' My lens has always been global. I've lived in Paris and London, created the #NakedBeautyGlobal series to explore rituals around the world, and seen firsthand how trends travel—how hair braiding in Ethiopia inspires runways in New York, or how ancient Chinese beauty practices go viral on TikTok. Refinery29 is a global platform. And now, as Chief Content Officer, I'm excited to build on its legacy with storytelling that's expansive, emotionally intelligent, and deeply rooted in culture. I want to collaborate with emerging creators, reimagine what audio can be, and develop new formats that reflect the world we live in today. As a mother of two, I also bring a lived understanding of identity, time, and intention to everything I create and lead. I want people to come to Refinery29 and leave more inspired, more informed, and more connected to themselves. We're in a pivotal moment for media—audiences are craving more meaning, more depth, more connection. This new chapter at Refinery29 marks a turning point in how we rise to that challenge. We're stepping into this bold new era with vision, creativity, and heart. I hope you'll join us.
Refinery29
5 days ago
- Health
- Refinery29
My Beauty Editor Friends Agree: This $19 Hydrating Cleanser Is Impressive
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Besides sunscreen, I firmly believe that no matter how many expensive serums, masks, or moisturizers you use, a cleanser is the single most important step in any effective skincare routine. Don't just take my word for it. Whenever I've seen a dermatologist, facialist, or esthetician, their first question is always about which cleanser I use. About a week ago, I got a bit of a scolding from one of those experts. The rich cleansing balm I'd been enjoying was actually breaking me out, and the fruity fragrance — thanks to a handful of essential oils — was completely stripping my skin. I was under strict instructions to pare things back. My mission? Find a gentle, fragrance-free cream cleanser that I could use for double cleansing in the evening (a must for removing all traces of makeup and sunscreen), and refreshing my skin in the morning. So when The Inkey List's Hydrating Cream To Milk Cleanser, $19, landed on my desk, it felt like I'd hit the jackpot. At first pump, this face wash feels like a lotion, but it transforms into a lightweight milk on contact with water. Just don't underestimate its cleansing power — or its skincare benefits. One of the standout ingredients is 5% rice milk, a staple in many Korean skincare products that usually cost two or three times the price. Ideal for dry, flaky skin, rice milk helps soothe and soften while supporting the skin barrier, the outer layer that keeps moisture in and bacteria out. Beyond rice milk, there's hydrating hyaluronic acid to counteract that tight, uncomfortable feeling post-cleanse, plus ultra-moisturizing glycerin and shea butter — two ingredients I actively seek out in skincare, particularly moisturizers. I usually have two or three cleansers in rotation in my shower, but I've shelved them all for this. Just a couple of pumps are enough to melt away the multiple layers of mascara, sunscreen, and foundation I wear every day. My skin feels surprisingly clean after the first cleanse (I always count one minute), but doing a second ensures everything is properly removed and that my skin is prepped for the rest of my routine. Beyond its cleansing power, it's so moisturizing that I actually forgot to apply moisturizer one evening after using it — and didn't even notice until the next morning. Normally, my skin feels like it might crack if I skip moisturizer. That's how hydrating it is I'm always keen to hear what my fellow beauty editors think, but when I put a call out on Instagram for other fans, I didn't expect nearly as many replies. Beauty writer and Refinery29 contributor Vanese Maddix was first to extol its virtues: 'Despite vowing to myself that 2025 would be the year I stopped having multiple skincare products open at once, every so often, a new launch comes along that completely throws me off guard and right now, that product is The Inkey List's Hydrating Cream-to-Milk Cleanser,' she said. Maddix swears by the brand's Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30, $16, and Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex, $20, (a favorite of mine, too), so it's safe to say that she trusts the brand with her face. 'Its founders, Mark and Colette, certainly know how to make a good skincare product,' she added, 'so when I heard the brand was launching a cream-to-milk cleanser, I couldn't have been more excited. As someone with a normal-to-dry skin type, my face laps up anything with a milky texture, and this one did not disappoint.' Like me, Maddix found that the intensely hydrating formula removed SPF and makeup effortlessly: 'I often wear blue mascara, which can be a pain to take off, but this cleanser is up there with some of my favorite cleansing balms and oils as it removes every trace so quickly, without stinging or drying me out,' said Maddix. 'I've tried my fair share of cleansers that say they don't leave your skin feeling tight or dry afterwards, but this one genuinely doesn't. After almost a month of using it, my skin continuously feels soft, moisturized, and hydrated after each use. That'll be the 5% rice milk and hyaluronic acid doing their thing.' For Maddix, using it to the very last drop — and adding it to her repurchase list — is a 'no-brainer'. You're probably thinking, It's just a cleanser. But not cleansing your skin properly — especially at night — means anything you apply afterwards (think potent retinol serums or exfoliating acids) won't absorb as effectively. If you ask me, that's a waste of both time and money. Better still, you get a surprisingly generous amount of product for just $19, and it seems we're all stocking up for the summer.
Refinery29
5 days ago
- Health
- Refinery29
My Beauty Editor Friends Agree: This £13 Hydrating Cleanser Is Unbeatable
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Besides sunscreen, I firmly believe that no matter how many expensive serums, masks or moisturisers you use, a cleanser is the single most important step in any effective skincare routine. Don't just take my word for it. Whenever I've seen a dermatologist, facialist or aesthetician, their first question is always about which face wash I use. A week ago, I got something of a telling-off from one of those experts. The rich cleansing balm I'd been enjoying was actually breaking me out and the fruity fragrance — thanks to a handful of essential oils — was completely stripping my skin. I was under strict instructions to pare things back. My mission? Find a gentle, fragrance-free cream cleanser that I could use for double cleansing in the evening (a must for removing all traces of makeup and sunscreen), and refreshing my skin in the morning. So when The Inkey List's Hydrating Cream To Milk Cleanser, £13, landed on my desk, it felt like I'd hit the jackpot. At first pump, this face wash feels like a lotion, but it transforms into a lightweight milk on contact with water. Just don't underestimate its cleansing power — or its skincare benefits. One of the standout ingredients is 5% rice milk, a staple in many Korean skincare products that usually cost two or three times the price. Ideal for dry, flaky skin, rice milk helps soothe and soften while supporting the skin barrier, the outer layer that keeps moisture in and bacteria out. Beyond rice milk, there's hydrating hyaluronic acid to counteract that tight, uncomfortable feeling post-cleanse, plus ultra-moisturising glycerin and shea butter — two ingredients I actively seek out in skincare, particularly moisturisers. I usually have two or three cleansers in rotation in my shower, but I've shelved them all for this. Just a couple of pumps are enough to melt away the multiple layers of mascara, sunscreen and foundation I wear every day. My skin feels surprisingly clean after the first cleanse (I always count one minute), but doing a second ensures everything is properly removed and that my skin is prepped for the rest of my routine. Beyond its cleansing power, it's so moisturising that I actually forgot to apply moisturiser one evening after using it — and didn't even notice until the next morning. Normally, my skin feels like it might crack if I skip moisturiser. That's how hydrating it is I'm always keen to hear what my fellow beauty editors think, but when I put a call out on Instagram for other fans, I didn't expect nearly as many replies. Beauty writer and Refinery29 contributor Vanese Maddix was first to extol its virtues: 'Despite vowing to myself that 2025 would be the year I stopped having multiple skincare products open at once, every so often, a new launch comes along that completely throws me off guard and right now, that product is The Inkey List's Hydrating Cream-to-Milk Cleanser,' she said. Maddix swears by the brand's Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30, £15, and Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex, £20, (a favourite of mine, too), so it's safe to say that she trusts the brand with her face. 'Its founders, Mark and Colette, certainly know how to make a good skincare product,' she added, 'so when I heard the brand was launching a cream-to-milk cleanser, I couldn't have been more excited. As someone with a normal-to-dry skin type, my face laps up anything with a milky texture, and this one did not disappoint.' Like me, Maddix found that the intensely hydrating formula removed SPF and makeup effortlessly: 'I often wear blue mascara, which can be a pain to take off, but this cleanser is up there with some of my favourite cleansing balms and oils as it removes every trace so quickly, without stinging or drying me out,' said Maddix. 'I've tried my fair share of cleansers that say they don't leave your skin feeling tight or dry afterwards, but this one genuinely doesn't. After almost a month of using it, my skin continuously feels soft, moisturised and hydrated after each use. That'll be the 5% rice milk and hyaluronic acid doing their thing.' For Maddix, using it to the very last drop — and adding it to her repurchase list — is a 'no-brainer'. You're probably thinking, It's just a cleanser. But not cleansing your skin properly — especially at night — means anything you apply afterwards (think potent retinol serums or exfoliating acids) won't absorb as effectively. If you ask me, that's a waste of both time and money. Better still, you get a surprisingly generous amount of product for just £13. It's a skincare bargain if ever there was one — and it seems we're all stocking up for the summer.
Refinery29
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Refinery29
Abortion Has Now Been Decriminalised — But Our Fight Is Not Over Yet
'I'm just going to leave you for a moment to process your thoughts and feelings,' my partner said to me after he'd gleefully waved at the news on his phone. 'Let's pop some fizz!' The breaking news: On Tuesday evening, MPs had voted — 379 votes to 137 — to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales. MP Tonia Antoniazzi proposed amendment NC1 to the Criminal Justice Bill. In short: women can no longer be prosecuted at any stage for having an abortion. I needed a moment, just like many other women and people with uteruses across the country. A moment to feel the exhaustion of fighting for our reproductive rights lift slightly. A moment to feel in charge of our own bodies, finally. Until this week, abortion was still technically a criminal offence under a Victorian law called the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Although, in practice, termination is allowed under the Abortion Act 1967. Access to abortion involves the requirement of two doctors' signatures and carried out within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. This will remain the same and doctors who act outside of the law will still face the threat of prosecution but now, thanks to this law change, women will not. It marks the biggest step forward in reproductive rights in nearly 60 years. But it's not over yet. Labour MP Stella Creasy had proposed a different change which if passed instead would've meant abortion in England and Wales, just like in Northern Ireland, would be a human right. It would've meant protection to all of those involved. It would've protected access for all and in every form. It would've meant full decriminalisation under amendment NC20. Back in 2019, Refinery29 journalists — Vicky Spratt, Natalie Gil and Gillian Orr, to name but a few — started an I'm A Criminal campaign, pushing for decriminalisation. Since then, we've seen prosecutions increase tenfold. Up until 2022, only three women had ever been convicted of having an illegal abortion. In the last four years, six women had been called up to court accused of ending their pregnancy. According to data obtained by The Guardian from the Crown Prosecution Service, 13 people were called to court charged with abortion-related offences in 2022, compared with four people in 2019 and three in both 2020 and 2021. Some known cases haven't been included in this data. But the most recent high profile case that had women up in arms was cleared by a jury only a few weeks ago: Nicola Parker was found not guilty after nearly five years of facing the threat of prison. Like Nicola Parker, these women faced scrutiny that should never have happened. Some faced intrusive personal questions on the stand like a criminal. Some faced the paparazzi snapping them outside of court like a criminal. Their lives were completely upended by a choice they made about their own bodies. We can only imagine how unbelievably difficult and traumatic it must've been for them then and now. So here's to all the women across England and Wales who, this week, no longer feel like criminals. Since 2019, we've seen reproductive rights being rolled back across Europe — in Poland abortion has been banned since 2020 and in Hungary women who seek an abortion must listen to the foetal heartbeat first. And we've watched from afar the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the States, and subsequently state by state remove access to abortions or make it increasingly difficult to get one. These removals have only happened in the space of a couple of years, what will the next couple bring? Complacency is not an option for us. Action can mean success. Remember when women and men across Ireland pushed to Repeal the 8th in 2018? The referendum successfully resulted in the majority of Irish citizens voting to repeal the Eighth Amendment, so abortion is now legal. So Scotland, here's looking at you now. My beloved home country needs to pass a similar amendment through Holyrood in Edinburgh. Currently, we still follow the same requirements under the Abortion Act 1967. Women can still be called a criminal for having an abortion. Let's change that. The time is now. I've now processed my thoughts and feelings on it, and the fight for our reproductive rights isn't over yet. In truth, it never will be because we know that a person's right to bodily autonomy can never be taken for granted. We also know that you can never be complacent about the right not to be pregnant.
