Allure February 2022

Since being elevated to the position of editor in chief at Allure, I have been on a roller coaster of emotions. First euphoria, then fear—impostor syndrome set in within 48 hours—then a sustained feeling of being overwhelmed. Reader, I had to fall back on the age-old advice: “Fake it till you make it.” Most mornings I swipe on my favorite high-shine lip gloss (Ami Colé Lip Treatment Oil) and a bright pink Nars blush to mask my underlying sense of worry. And if I have an important meeting or presentation, I turn to red lipstick (Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored) and become the Boss. For centuries, Native American warriors painted their faces before battle. Applying reds and blacks served as a preparation ritual for the fight ahead. The patterns…

“THESE PJS ARE FIT FOR THE BEDROOM AND THE (ZOOM) BOARDROOM.”For Restless Sleepers, spring 2022“BLACK WOMEN IN ART WATCHING OVER ME AS I DRIFT OFF IS A COMFORT.”“The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born” Might Not Hold True For Much Longer by Njideka Akunyili Crosby INTERIOR: STEPHEN JOHNSON. INTERIOR’S PAINTING: ERNST YOHI JAEGER. PAINTING: NJIDEKA AKUNYILI CROSBY “THE BEAUTYFUL ONES ARE NOT YET BORN” MIGHT NOT HOLD TRUE FOR MUCH LONGER, 2013. © NJIDEKA AKUNYILI CROSBY. COURTESY OF THE ARTIST, VICTORIA MIRO, AND DAVID ZWIRNER. BOOK AND PODCAST: COURTESY OF BRAND. REMAINING IMAGES: JOSEPHINE SCHIELE.…

THE HAIR Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, and Rihanna have all embraced business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back looks in recent months. For the chicest possible version, spritz a texturizing spray over damp or dry hair, says hairstylist Laurie Heaps. It also gives non-mullet-y cuts a cool, airy texture. (We like Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray.) THE MAKEUP Do your best Ziggy Stardust with heaps of glitter shadow, or try inky, dramatic eyes: Extend cat-eye liner nearly to the ends of your brows, as seen at Missoni’s spring 2022 show, or draw out-there shapes, such as stars or even lashes, like at Givenchy (right). “Sketch it out with taupe kohl pencil first; no one gets it right the first time,” says makeup artist Fiona Stiles. Color in the look with a brush-tipped black liquid…

1 HEAVY METAL Silver chains, affixed with nail glue, make a ballerina-pink manicure feel edgy and fresh. Nail artist Betina Goldstein used raw materials from her Doublemoss jewelry collection, but you can find chains at craft stores or on Amazon. 2 BLING OUT At Alice + Olivia’s spring 2022 show, nail artist Alicia Torello used rhinestone strips (you can find these at craft stores too) and good ol’ nail glue to give a basic black paint job cascading sparkle. 3 THE DARK SIDE Drape polish around the nail bed for a grungy vibe. “Using a thin nail art brush, draw a curvy line from the top right side, spilling onto the tips,” says nail artist Jin Soon Choi, who created this “free-flowing” look for Peter Do’s spring 2022 show. NAIL POLISH AND MAKEUP: CATHY CRAWFORD AND…

THE BLU POD We’re not sure what the Blu Pod (at right) reminds us of most: a tanning bed, an isolation tank, or an iron lung. When the world feels overwhelming, this octagonal chamber is designed to shut it all out (to the tune of a cool $19,000). Complete with a mirrored interior to reflect UVB and blue LED lights—studies have shown lighting in this hue can accelerate stress reduction—a 20-minute pod session is said to contribute to an unparalleled state of relaxation. Still, Hadley King, M.D., a dermatologist in New York, worries about the Blu Pod’s UVB light, a known contributor to skin damage and skin cancer. THE DARWIN HOME Forget the smart home. Thanks to the innovators at Delos, a real estate and tech firm focused on “mindful living,” you can…

I’m verklempt! If you’re old enough to get that reference, you will appreciate the name of Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask. But it feels nothing like butter because it melts into skin without any greasiness. Twice a week, before bed, I apply a thin layer of this hydrating mask—containing squalane, ceramides, and shea butter—and leave it on for a solid 20 minutes or, sometimes, overnight for even more moisture. I wake up the next day to skin that’s so smooth it’s…like butter (sorry, buttah). The February Allure Beauty Box includes Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask along with six other products ($23 per month). Go to allure.com/beautyreporter to subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box by February 28 and get this mask (while supplies last) and more delivered to your door. PORTRAIT: MADS PERCH.…