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Once upon a time, there were Brigitte Bardot’s thick, piece-y bangs. Next came Farrah Fawcett’s angelic, flipped-out fringe. Then Sabrina Carpenter became the unofficial ambassador for curtain bangs with her signature, voluminous, face-framing style. Now, the classic look is ubiquitous on red carpets and social media. Stars like Nicole Kidman, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Chappell Roan have shown just how universally flattering curtain bangs can be, regardless of hair length or texture.

Curtain bangs have stood the test of time not only for their versatility but also for being surprisingly low-maintenance. Compared with other types of bangs, they don’t have the dreadfully noticeable, awkward, growing-out phase. They simply “curtain out from the middle” even more as they get longer, blending naturally into the rest of your hair, says Rubi Aguilar, a New York City hairstylist, who’s worked with Courtney Cox, Kaia Gerber, and Paloma Elsesser. Plus, they’re becoming softer, less meticulously styled, and more effortless than ever, according to British hairstylist Carl Bembridge.

Ahead, stylists explain exactly what qualifies as curtain bangs, how to achieve them based on your hair type, along with recommendations for which products to reach for to style your new look.

Meet the experts:

• Rubi Aguilar is a hairstylist and owner of Salon in New York City.
• Karen Arechiga is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist.
• Carl Bembridge is a hairstylist in Essex, England, and a spokesperson for Colorwow.
• Brian Christopher is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist.
• Eduardo Méndez is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist.
• Lacy Redway is a New York City-based hairstylist and spokesperson for Unilever hair-care brands.
• Bronwen Robinson is a hairstylist at Suite Caroline in New York City.

In this story:

• What are curtain bangs?
• Which face shapes and hair types work best with curtain bangs?
• Face-framing layers vs. curtain bangs: What’s the difference?
• How to ask for curtain bangs at your salon
• Here’s how to cut curtain bangs at home—but proceed with caution.
• How to style curtain bangs
• How to maintain curtain bangs
• Curtain bang hairstyle inspiration

What are curtain bangs?

Curtain bangs are a “long, face-framing fringe that typically hug around your brows,” explains Aguilar. They’re cut shorter in the middle and longer on the sides, with the longest parts hitting the top of the cheekbones, she adds. Depending on how they are cut, curtain bangs can enhance the natural symmetry of your face and complement other features, says Brian Christopher, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist.

Which face shapes and hair types work best with curtain bangs?

A major reason curtain bangs are so popular is that the look suits everyone, regardless of face shape, says Bronwen Robinson, a hairstylist at Suite Caroline in New York City. The right hairdresser will customize the length and shape to highlight your facial features in the most flattering way, taking into account your hair texture and growth patterns, Aguilar says. “The worst is a stylist who will talk you out of a style instead of educating you and finding a creative way to cut the style you're excited about,” she adds.

If you have textured or curly hair, seeking a stylist skilled in dry cutting is essential for the most flattering curtain bangs. Curls tend to shrink as they dry, Christopher explains, so this technique helps gauge how they'll fall. Cutting while they are dry also lets the stylist give each curl individual attention for the softest, most consistent curtain bangs, adds Los Angeles hairstylist Karen Arechiga.

Face-framing layers vs. curtain bangs: What’s the difference?

The difference lies in length and styling. “Curtain bangs are typically shorter, flare toward the ends, and are styled with a little more volume, especially at [the roots],” explains Lacy Redway, a New York City-based hairstylist and spokesperson for Unilever hair-care brands. “Face-framing layers are cut with an overall longer, gradual slope and can be styled with or without volume.”

The layers can also be cut to contour your face and blend seamlessly into the rest of your haircut. “You can have both for a really gorgeous haircut with lots of movement,” Bembridge says.

How to ask for curtain bangs at your salon

At this point, "curtain bangs" is a universally understood term among professional hairstylists, but you can mention that you want "long, soft bangs that can be parted in the middle or slightly to the side,” Christopher says. Bringing photos to your appointment that show your dream look will also be much appreciated by your stylist. (Lucky for you, we included some images below for your consideration.) You can then point out what you like—and dislike—about each look. “Pictures are always helpful,” says Aguilar, “even if they're photos of something you want to avoid.”

Be sure to tell your stylist how you style and wear your hair daily, Arechiga adds. If you air-dry your hair, say so. More of a blow-dry person? Your stylist will definitely want to know.

Here’s how to cut curtain bangs at home—but proceed with caution.

Our experts strongly recommend against cutting curtain bangs at home. You can go on TikTok to see plenty of curtain bangs tutorials that end in tears. “Bangs quite literally frame your face,” Aguilar says. “If you mess up, it won't matter if the rest of your hair looks great because your bangs aren't flattering.” Plus, she notes, most stylists offer free bangs trims for existing clients.

But if you simply must have DIY curtain bangs, “invest in good-quality hair scissors for a clean cut,” Christopher says. Need a suggestion or two? Try the Equinox Professional Razor Edge Series Barber Hair Cutting Scissors, made from lightweight Japanese stainless steel that stays perfectly sharp, or Fromm’s Explore 5.75-inch Shear, which is lightweight and super-easy to maneuver for precise trimming. If you want to splurge, take cues from Bembridge, who uses the Leaf the Foundation Scissors.

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Equinox

Professional Razor Edge Series Barber Hair Cutting Scissors

$14 $9 (36% off)

Amazon

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Fromm

Explore 5.75'' Shear

$37

Amazon

$37

Ulta Beauty

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Leaf

The Foundation Scissor

$104

Leaf

Once you have your shears on hand, start with dry hair, so you can see the true length you’re working with. Next, create a triangle-shaped section at the front of your face with the top point starting from the crown of your head. Then angle the section down toward your temples on each side before pulling back the rest of your hair, Christopher explains.

From there, hold your professional-grade hair scissors diagonally from the ends of your hair, and cut an inverted V-shape with small snips. This method creates texture and helps you avoid blunt edges, he says. The shortest parts in the middle should start near the center of your brows, and the longest should be at the highest points of your cheekbones or even layered down to your jawline, Robinson adds.

How to style curtain bangs

If your curtain bangs are cut well, you should be able to air-dry them without disastrous results, especially if you want to wear your fringe in its naturally curly or wavy texture. “Curtain bangs are cut to look breezy and effortless,” says Robinson. “If too much heat or effort is applied while styling, it will break that illusion of ‘I woke up like this.’”

To achieve that soft, tousled vibe, grab a lightweight texturizing spray, especially if you have naturally straight hair. Aguilar recommends the ROZ Wave Texturizing Mist, while Redway suggests the Tresemmé A-List Collection Dry Texturizing Spray because it gives curtain bangs hold with a lived-in feel and “removes unwanted oils so they stay airy.” Allure’s content director Sophia Panych, on the other hand, swears by Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray because “it lifts roots like a dry shampoo, adds light hold like a flexible hairspray, and adds texture like a beach spray.”

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RŌZ

Wave Texturizing Mist

$35

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$35

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$35

Credo Beauty

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Tresemmé

A-List Collection Dry Texturizing Spray

$13

Amazon

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Oribe

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

$52

Amazon

$49

Nordstrom

Those with textured or curly hair can apply a pea-sized amount of their go-to curl product before air-drying to enhance the bounce and definition of their curtain bangs. Aguilar’s pick is the Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control, which delivers a light, hydrating hold. We also love the Isima Curls Don't Lie Curl Perfecting Cream for the way it enhances your natural texture and smooths frizz. If you’re looking for sleeker, more va-va-voom curtain bangs like Sabrina Carpenter’s (or dealing with a cowlick at your hairline), you’re going to need some heat. Grab your blow-dryer and a round brush, or consider a blow-dryer brush. “A great hot brush can help create volume in your curtain bangs,” Redway says.

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Innersense Organic Beauty

Quiet Calm Curl Control Cream

$28

Ulta Beauty

$28

Credo Beauty

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Isima

Curls Don't Lie Curl Perfecting Cream

$32

Ulta Beauty

The smallest round brush Arechiga recommends is 1.5 inches, ideal for curtain bangs that fall just below the brows or for creating a more dramatic curl. The largest is 2 inches, suitable for longer curtain bangs starting below the cheekbones or for achieving a relaxed, beachy vibe, she adds. Bembridge is a fan of the 2-inch Dom Dom Small Round Bristle Brush, which combines boar and nylon bristles to smooth hair and boost shine. On the smaller side, the British M 33mm Hot Curling Ceramic Brush, which Allure’s commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann uses to style her own curtain bangs, is a great choice.

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Dom Dom

Small Round Bristle Brush

$38

Amazon

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British M

33mm Hot Curling Ceramic Brush

$29

Amazon

With your preferred tools within reach, part your bangs down the middle, then place the brush under one side. Roll the entire section, including the ends, downward toward the center of your face, Arechiga explains. Repeat on the other side, then set them in place with hairspray or, if you have fine hair, a volumizing spray such as the Best of Beauty Award–winning K18 Biomimetic Hairscience AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray. Los Angeles hairstylist Eduardo Méndez likes to spritz on Virtue Volumizing Primer because, he says, “It gives me the right amount of grip at the root, allowing me to place the bangs exactly where I need them to fall.”

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K18

Biomimetic Hairscience AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray

$46

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$46

Sephora

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Virtue

Volumizing Primer

$42 $36 (14% off)

Amazon

$42

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$42

Ulta Beauty

Then, Christopher advises raking a hair oil, such as the Unove Silk Shine Hair Oil or Fable & Mane Glossy Styling Hair Oil, through your bangs to keep them smooth and frizz-free.

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Fable & Mane

Glossy Styling Hair Oil

$36

Sephora

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Unove

Silk Shine Hair Oil

$25

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$25

Sephora

How to maintain curtain bangs

Our experts agree that the best way to keep your curtain bangs fresh and in shape is to get regular trims every six to eight weeks. “You don’t need to wait for your full haircut,” says Bembridge.

Between washes, you can maintain lift and volume in a few easy ways. Redway recommends using a Velcro roller, like one of the Drybar High Tops Self-Grip Rollers, to revitalize the swoop of your bangs while “reducing excessive heat on your hair.” You can also spray a bit of dry shampoo, like Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, at the roots and give them a good zhuzh. “It’s the perfect reset,” Méndez says.

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Amika

Perk Up Dry Shampoo

$29

Amazon

$29

Ulta Beauty

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Narka

Fresh Sebum Hair Mascara

$15

Ulta Beauty

For a more targeted refresh, swipe the Narka Fresh Sebum Hair Mascara through your bangs, starting at the roots, to cut through grease, reduce frizz, and revive the shape.

If you’ve been itching for bangs, consider curtain bangs. They’re universally flattering, whether you have a bob, curls, or extensions. They’ll fit seamlessly into your existing hair-care routine, so you won't have to completely overhaul it for your new hairstyle. Plus, curtain bangs look amazing even as they grow out, so you’re unlikely to regret them. We can’t make any guarantees, but the odds are in your favor with the right stylist and tools.

Curtain bangs hairstyle inspiration

Classic curtain bangsGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesLong curtain bangsGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesCurly curtain bangsGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesUpdos with curtain bangsGetty ImagesGetty Images

Additional reporting by Donna Freydkin and Nicola Dall'Asen.

Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Don’t get us wrong: We love a full-coverage foundation moment, but some days, we’d rather our skin still look like, well, skin. The best skin tints hit that sweet spot, using a subtle dose of pigment to soften redness, discoloration, and uneven tone without masking everything underneath. Coverage typically ranges from sheer to medium and, unlike foundations that can feel like a commitment, these fluid, serum-like, and even solid formulas are designed to blend in quickly (you can use your fingers!) and feel like next to nothing.

The category has become increasingly difficult to separate from skin care—and we’re not complaining. You’ll find familiar ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to boost hydration, squalane and ceramides to keep skin soft and comfortable, and niacinamide to support the skin barrier and improve the look of uneven tone. Some even throw SPF into the equation. And there’s no one-finish-fits-all rule: Our favorites run the gamut from juicy and radiant to softly blurred and shine-controlled. Ahead, makeup artists and Allure editors share the skin tints worth swapping into your routine whenever you’re feeling a no-makeup makeup vibe.

Our Top Skin Tints

• Best Overall: Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint, $36
• Best Lightweight: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, $72
• Best for Mature Skin: IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm, $34
• Best Stick: MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick, $38
• Best for Oily Skin: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, $41
• Best for Uneven Skin: Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops, $42
• Best Drugstore: CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint, $14

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What's the difference between foundation and skin tint?
• What ingredients should I look for in a skin tint?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

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Make Up For Ever

Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

$36

Nordstrom

$36

Sephora

Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

Elizabeth Gulino

If hydration is a big part of your skin goals, Make Up For Ever’s Super Boost Skin Tint “feels comparable to face serums in texture, but still has buildable coverage,” says New York City-based makeup artist Anluis Minier. The lightweight formula backs up that comparison with glycerin, which draws water into the skin, and squalane, an emollient that prevents moisture from escaping. Sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, binds water at the skin’s surface for a temporarily plumper, smoother look. But the more unexpected addition in this skin tint is polyglutamic acid, a humectant that’s more commonly found in hydrating serums that attracts moisture at the skin’s surface. Silicones like dimethicone, meanwhile, add silky slip and glide over dry patches and uneven texture. Despite its stacked roster of hydrators, the formula stays weightless enough for all skin types.

Gulino before applying the Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

Elizabeth Gulino

Gulino after applying the Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint

Elizabeth Gulino

Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino

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“I love a base product that leaves me looking glowy, and this one by Make Up For Ever sure did. It's definitely a sheer, lightweight skin tint, which is something I usually gravitate towards, but it still has buildable coverage. My only gripe is the shade range—I tend to go for neutral shades and there weren't many options for me!” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, squalane, sodium hyaluronate, polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, silicones
• Shade count: 18

Best Lightweight: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

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Chanel

Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

$72

Chanel

$72

Nordstrom

$72

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

Shanna Shipin

Allure senior news editor James Manso applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

James Manso

Why we love it: When it comes to Chanel’s Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, “light coverage” doesn’t mean barely any pigment. Rather than dispersing pigment throughout the formula like a traditional foundation, this skin tint suspends tiny pigment-filled microdroplets in a mostly transparent, watery base. As you blend, the droplets break open and release small amounts of color, evening out tone. The brand recommends dispensing it onto the back of your hand first to break up the droplets before applying (though we found that it works just as well if you apply it directly), and it even comes with a complexion brush to blend everything in seamlessly. (Per our staffer, the tradeoff for that fantastic, featherlight texture is that a little doesn’t go quite as long a way as you might expect, and the limited shade range leaves room for improvement.)

Water makes up 75% of the formula, while glycerin and tamarind seed extract keep dehydration at bay. According to Westchester, New York-based makeup artist Camila Mancipe, all that hydration doesn’t make it too hydrating for oily skin, though, as the oil-free formula settles in without leaving behind a heavy residue. If your skin is very dry, though, Mancipe recommends layering a richer moisturizer underneath or choosing a more moisturizing base.

Shipin before applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

Shanna Shipin

Manso before applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

James Manso

Manso after applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

James Manso

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“The way this evens out my skin tone is amazing—it genuinely feels like I’m wearing nothing, and I often forget I’ve applied any product at all. As the name suggests, this is a lightweight tint, so for my more hyperpigmented acne spots or the melasma around my mouth, I usually pair it with the Chanel Les Beiges serum concealer. The formula has amazing stretch, and someone with a little less to cover could probably get away with just one pump, but I use two. It lays on the skin like nothing at all (which is saying a lot because I have plenty of texture and dry patches) and leaves behind a lovely, healthy glow that is sadly usually never there—mom of two with no sleep, y’all. It has also never once irritated the dermatitis on my often-inflamed eyelids, which is absolutely necessary for a daily product.” —Shanna Shippin, senior commerce director

Tester feedback from senior news editor James Manso

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“The format of this product is so intriguing: It comes in an airless pump with suspended pigments in a serum-y, gel-like base, and gives the coverage of a light foundation. I know it's a 'skin tint,' but it has the attributes of a skin care serum, a BB cream, a foundation, and an Instagram filter all at the same time. In any case, it's a delight to use, blends in easily, offers just a touch of you-but-more-even coverage, and feels lighter than most moisturizers. If you're looking for something with more coverage, this probably isn't for you, but it's great if you want to look like you're not wearing makeup.” —James Manso, senior news editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, tamarind seed extract
• Shade count: 8

Best for Mature Skin: IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

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IT Cosmetics

Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

$34

Ulta Beauty

Allure executive beauty director Jenny Bailly applying the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

Jenny Bailly

Why we love it: IT Cosmetics’ fan-favorite CC+ Cream has racked up multiple Allure Readers’ Choice Awards over the years for being the ultimate multitasker—coverage, color correction, and SPF, all in one tube—so a complexion product called Do It All has some pretty big shoes to fill.

But Do It All Hydrating Sheer Tint Face Balm isn’t CC+ Cream 2.0; it takes an entirely different, much sheerer approach that's so good, it already earned a 2026 Best of Beauty Award. Think of it instead as a “solid serum” with tint: The balm melts into a featherlight texture to even out tone while letting your skin show through. And, true to the brand, there’s plenty of skin care packed inside: Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate pull in water for bouncy skin, while vitamin E moisturizes and provides antioxidant protection. And, if fine lines and wrinkles are on your radar, the peptides are a nice bonus, helping skin look smoother and firmer over time.

Bailly before applying the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

Jenny Bailly

Bailly after applying the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm

Jenny Bailly

Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly

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“I [always come] right back to the IT Cosmetics’ Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm—to the point that I have already emptied one jar and am well into my second (and would honestly feel more comfortable if I had a third waiting in reserve). As it says right there on the packaging, this is a balm. And it is indeed sheer. But somehow it also hides all of my redness and blurs my dark spots without looking (or feeling) like a mask. And the jar doesn't mention my favorite part: It feels cool on your skin when you apply it. You can definitely apply this with your fingers (and I do when I'm traveling), but I've found that using a big fluffy brush gives me the sheerest version of this sheer formula. The IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 is, go figure, an ideal choice—it also has a smaller, denser brush on one end, and I use that to blend this tint under my eyes where I need more coverage.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, vitamin E, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
• Shade count: 12

Best Stick: MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick

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MAC

Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick

$38

Nordstrom

$38

Ulta Beauty

$38

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick in Light Medium 1

Christa Joanna Lee

Why we love it: Unlike every other skin tint on this list, the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick doesn’t contain a drop of water—and that’s part of what makes it so good on the go. The solid, anhydrous formula won’t spill in your makeup bag, and the stick lets you swipe coverage exactly where you want it—say, over redness around your nose or uneven tone on your cheeks—rather than committing to a fluid tint all over. The formula relies on breathable emollients for a creamy, easy-to-blend glide, while sunflower seed oil and fatty acids (including linoleic, linolenic, and oleic) soften and condition skin. The skin-care benefits don’t stop there: Açaí and radish seed extracts provide antioxidants, vitamin E conditions, and kaolin soaks up any excess oil. If MAC’s water-based Strobe Dewy Skin Tint skewed a little too dewy for you, consider this its more targeted, shine-controlled alternative—it keeps the radiance, just without quite so much gleam.

Lee before applying the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick in Light Medium 1

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick in Light Medium 1

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“I’m genuinely surprised this formula manages to hold its shape as a solid, because the literal second the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick hits my skin, it melts in like a liquid foundation. It’s so creamy and easy to blend that, had I not been at home with my kabuki brush handy, I could’ve easily gotten away with just using my fingers. The coverage is a tad sheerer than I normally reach for when I’m trying to camouflage my melasma, but there’s just enough pigment to even everything out while somehow making it look like I’m wearing no makeup at all—this is simply my skin, thank you very much. I’m very excited to keep this one in daily rotation, especially on days when I want my complexion to look naturally glowier and even toned without feeling like I’m wearing foundation.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, linoleic, linolenic, and oleic acids, açaí and radish seed extracts, vitamin E, kaolin
• Shade count: 20

Best for Oily Skin: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

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Fenty Beauty

Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

$41

Shop

$41

Ulta Beauty

$41

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

Sarah Han

Why we love it: You may think skin tints are synonymous with dewy coverage, but the big selling point of Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint is that it’s more about blur than glow. The formula does sneak in skin-care ingredients—including glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and urea to retain moisture—but its silicone-heavy base drives the easy spreadability and instant soft-focus effect. Dimethicone smooths over the look of pores and uneven texture, while talc and silica absorb excess sebum to minimize unwanted shine in oily skin. “It feels more modern than a traditional matte base, striking that tricky balance where there’s enough hydration to avoid skin from looking flat or chalky, but it still keeps excess shine in check,” says Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta.

Han before applying the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tin

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tin

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“I love a dewy skin tint but cameras don't often agree with me, usually making my T-zone and cheeks look blinding and more apparent than they do in person—not fun! So, on days I know I'll be taking photos, Fenty's Eaze Drops are a go-to. They help tamp down the shine and blur the look of my pores—especially on and around my nose—but still leave my skin looking fresh and bouncy, thanks to the skin-care ingredients. It strikes the ideal balance for my combination/oily skin, and the formula truly feels like nothing. I find that my fingers can do 90% of the blending and I only pick up a sponge to blend the product around my nose and around the perimeter of my face just to make sure there are no random lines or splotches.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, urea, dimethicone, talc, silica
• Shade count: 25

Best for Uneven Texture: Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

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Drunk Elephant

Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

$42

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

Deanna Pai

Why we love it: Though Drunk Elephant has dabbled in color with D-Bronzi, O-Bloos, and B-Goldi, those were always positioned as serum drops meant to be mixed into your skin care. Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops is the brand’s first bona fide complexion product—but, naturally, it doesn’t abandon its skin-care roots. The formula uses 18% amino-acid-coated pigments, meaning the color particles are treated with amino acids to disperse more evenly, glide evenly over skin, and adhere better for less patchy, cakey coverage. Alongside them, a 4% peptide complex improves the look of firmness, uneven texture, and fine lines over time. More immediately, a cocktail of 11 amino acids and moisture-binding ingredients like glycerin, sodium PCA, and sodium lactate keeps skin hydrated, helping dullness and roughness look less noticeable, while squalane, marula oil, and green tea seed oil condition skin for a softer, smoother surface. That’s a lot of skin care for something we still firmly maintain is, yes, makeup.

Pai before applying the Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

Deanna Pai

Pai after applying the Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“Drunk Elephant isn’t kidding with its capital-m Makeup: This stuff is so pigmented that I initially put on way too much. A drop or two is enough to cover the whole face, and I liked that I could blend it in seamlessly just with my fingers. It left my skin looking fresh—with enough coverage to deal with dark spots and tiny clogged pores—and stayed put the whole day, humidity be damned. It’s perfect for quick, low-key coverage when I need something that’s a step up from tinted sunscreen.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 18% amino-acid-coated pigments, 4% peptide complex, glycerin, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, squalane, marula oil, green tea seed oil
• Shade count: 25

Best Drugstore: CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

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CoverGirl

Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

$14 $9 (36% off)

Amazon

$14

Ulta Beauty

Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applying the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

Katie Gunderman

Why we love it: CoverGirl’s Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint may sound familiar (its predecessor was Clean Fresh Skin Milk). The latest iteration keeps the same light-to-medium coverage but adds 2% niacinamide, which can strengthen the skin barrier, regulate excess oil, and improve the look of uneven tone. More surprising for a makeup formula is acetyl glucosamine, a hydrating amino sugar often paired with niacinamide in skin care to improve the look of uneven tone. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate handle much of the hydration, while aloe and allantoin soothe and plant oils like coconut and soybean keep skin soft. But it’s not all about piling on moisture: Aluminum starch absorbs excess oil, making this affordable tint for all skin types—even oily.

Gunderman before applying the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

Katie Gunderman

Gunderman after applying the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint

Katie Gunderman

​​Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman

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“The Covergirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint gives me the prettiest light coverage that looks natural and lightweight on the skin. It applies smoothly with a brush or a sponge if you want to thin it out more and even can give you a nice medium coverage if you add more concealer. It wears beautifully and will give you a natural glow if you don't set it down with powder. I think for the price this is an amazing skin tint and the squeeze bottle makes application so easy.” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 2% niacinamide, acetyl glucosamine, glycerin, panthenol, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, urea, sodium hyaluronate, aloe, allantoin
• Shade count: 14

Best Glowy Finish: Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

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Summer Fridays

Sheer Skin Tint

$42

Amazon

$42

Shop

$42

Sephora

Shipin applying the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

Shanna Shipin

Why we love it: There’s a fine line between dewy and greasy, and the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint never crosses it. One of our testers said her skin still looked hydrated yet non-oily after trekking through New York City on a hot summer day, but its moisture-heavy formula makes just as much sense once sweater weather hits. Since Summer Fridays debuted as a skin-care brand, it's no surprise that its skin tint features familiar ingredients: There’s glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane to attract and lock in moisture. Those with sensitive skin will appreciate the addition of tiger grass to soothe skin and reduce the look of redness.

Shipin before applying the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after applying the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from Shipin

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“Not a day goes by that I don't use this skin tint—it truly is the ‘your skin but better’ formula in a bottle. Despite being super dry, consistently battling hormonal acne, and having a mix of deep and fine lines, this skin tint is undetectable! No settling into creases, no weird ashiness in the pigment, no accentuating my eczema patches—just a perfect weightless wear. The shade ranges are uniquely fitting; I'm Shade 5, which is ‘medium with warm neutral undertones’—do you know how rare it is to find a combination like this?! You do if you have a tricky medium skin tone that's all at once golden, warm, and olive. It's a borderline magical product. The only drawback is that it's a liquid, so sometimes you may spill if you're in a rush (hi, mom of two and perpetually late to things). It has stained a top of mine, but, hey, that's some good staying-power for you!” —Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: tiger grass, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane
• Shade count: 12

Best Shade Range: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

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Ilia

Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

$48

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$48

Nordstrom

$48

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Allure senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Lexi Herrick

Why we love it: The impressive shade range is one of the many reasons Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is beloved by the pros. Because sheer pigments allow more of your natural skin tone to show through, skin tints tend to be a bit more forgiving than full-coverage foundations—one reason the category has historically gotten away with fewer shades. However, “Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 offers the kind of nuanced undertone range you’d expect from a foundation, making it much easier to find a shade that disappears seamlessly into your skin,” says Renée Loiz, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles.

Beyond the pigment, squalane and shea butter-derived emollients soften skin, while niacinamide supports the skin barrier and improves the look of uneven tone. Two forms of hyaluronic acid boost hydration, and aloe, bisabolol, and allantoin soothe easily irritated skin. Then there’s 12% zinc oxide, the mineral UV filter behind its SPF 40. One quirk of the mineral formula: The zinc oxide can make your shade look lighter when it first hits skin, so give it 30 to 60 seconds to settle before deciding whether you’ve found your match. Though the formula contains no added fragrance, our tester noticed a slightly offbeat scent upon application—but it faded quickly enough that it was hardly a dealbreaker.

Herrick before applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Lexi Herrick

Herrick after applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Lexi Herrick

Tester feedback from senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick

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“This product is actually a dream. I have never been a skin tint girl (thanks, acne), but I have been experimenting with more lightweight formulas, and Ilia's Skin Tint skyrocketed to the top as one of my favorites. Everything from the gentle, soothing scent to the creamy and blendable consistency is incredible. It soaks into my skin beautifully and gives me the perfect amount of coverage without too much heaviness. I feel it's done wonders for my acne as well! Team skin tint!” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of commerce audience & analytics

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide
• Shade count: 30

Best for Dry Skin: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

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Hourglass

Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

$49

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$49

Nordstrom

$49

Ulta Beauty

Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

Alessandra Foresto

Why we love it: Arguably, most skin tints are already pretty friendly to dry skin, but the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint ups the ante by giving skin “the juiciest, healthy finish I’ve seen in a skin tint,” says Loiz. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate replenish moisture, while squalane and meadowfoam seed oil slow down moisture loss. Shea butter adds another layer of emollience, which explains why the formula feels so plush and forgiving on rough, flaky patches. All that moisture in the Best of Beauty Award winner translates to a naturally radiant finish and a texture that’s so silky and fluid that you can skip the brush altogether (though the Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush is our favorite) and blend it in with your fingertips like a lotion.

Foresto before applying the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

Alessandra Foresto

Foresto after applying the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

Alessandra Foresto

Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto

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“This hydrating skin tint has the most perfect glowy finish and actually stays put all day, but doesn't make my skin feel tight and dry (like I need to spritz face mist every five minutes). As an eczema-prone girlie, I'm a big fan of its lightweight but buildable formula too, because it lets me hide some pesky eczema hyperpigmentation without the need to use a higher coverage base or extra concealer.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor

Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel

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"I'm not big on foundation for everyday. Every one I try feels like a mask on my skin that I can't wait to wash off, so there is no way I could commit to wearing it five days a week. I typically reserve base makeup for days when I have to be on TV or at an event. This skin tint feels more like a face lotion—in fact, I often apply it with just my hands. The coverage is very light. However, it's enough to make people think I did something to get a natural glow." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief

More to know

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• Key ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, hyaluronic acid, rambutan, squalane
• Shade count: 18

Best Plumping: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint

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Danessa Myricks Beauty

Yummy Skin Tint

$39

Sephora

Allure former beauty closet associate Edward Horgan applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint

Edward Horgan

Why we love it: You’ll find the usual skin-tint suspects in Danessa Myricks’ Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint—glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and squalane—but things get a little more interesting from there. Ceramides and phytosterols (plant-derived compounds similar to the lipids naturally in your skin) support the skin barrier, while cactus extract hydrates and soothes. There’s also a plant-derived sugar complex, including xylitol derivatives, that helps skin hold onto water. Most unique is SR-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, what the brand calls a vegan collagen peptide: It’s a biotechnology-derived protein designed to mimic certain properties of collagen. All of that skin care comes wrapped up in sheer coverage with a plump, skin-like finish that makes the “Yummy Skin” name feel pretty spot-on. “It won’t erase every variation in the complexion, but it creates a beautiful, overall harmony in the skin tone,” says Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a makeup artist based in New Jersey.

Horgan before applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint

Edward Horgan

Horgan after applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint

Edward Horgan

Tester feedback from former beauty closet associate Edward Horgan

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“This skin tint has the perfect balance of coverage and glow that covers up my redness while still leaving my skin looking like my skin! It has a lightweight feel to it and works so well with any other product I layer on top of it; it’s my go-to for a reason.” —Edward Horgan, former beauty closet associate

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, squalane, ceramides, peptides (SR-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1), cactus extract
• Shade count: 20

Best Blurring: Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

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Kylie Cosmetics

Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

$35

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$35

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$35

Ulta Beauty

Allure creative producer Sydney Malone applying the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

Sydney Malone

Why we love it: There’s a time and a place for a full King Kylie beat—sculpted contour, XL lashes, and an expertly overdrawn matte lip—and then there are days when less is more. Kylie Cosmetics’ Skin Tint Blurring Elixir caters to the latter with a natural, second-skin finish that still does plenty of behind-the-scenes work. The 2025 Best of Beauty winner uses weightless silicones to give the fluid formula its slip to effortlessly smooth over the look of pores and uneven texture, while silica absorbs excess oil for additional mattifying without making skin look flat. Film-forming ingredients give all that barely there coverage some serious staying power, helping it hold up against sweat and humidity. And because blurring should never be code for drying, humectants propanediol and sodium hyaluronate keep moisture in the equation.

Malone before applying the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

Sydney Malone

Malone after applying the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir

Sydney Malone

Tester feedback from creative producer Sydney Malone

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“I absolutely love this skin tint, especially for the summer, since the lightweight coverage doesn't feel overbearing in the heat. It gives me a light glow while not appearing shiny.” —Sydney Malone, creative producer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, mica, silica
• Shade count: 24

Best for Sensitive Skin: Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

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Saie

Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

$38

Amazon

$38

Shop

$38

Sephora

Gulino applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Elizabeth Gulino

Why we love it: Does your sensitive skin make you wary of trying new products? Saie’s Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer keeps potential freak-outs to a minimum. The Best of Beauty Award winner skips added fragrance, a common potential irritant, and brings in bisabolol, aloe, and licorice root extract to soothe and calm skin. Glycerin and two forms of hyaluronic acid keep your complexion hydrated, while grape-seed and argan oils, jojoba esters, and beeswax soften skin and seal that hydration in. We can’t overlook the added bonus of SPF 35 protection, either: It comes courtesy of 15% zinc oxide, a mineral UV filter that tends to be well tolerated by sensitive skin—making this sheer, dewy tint an especially appealing option if chemical sunscreen filters haven’t always agreed with you.

Gulino before applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Elizabeth Gulino

Gulino after applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Elizabeth Gulino

Tester feedback from Gulino

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"It only took a week of using this product for me to add it to my beauty drawer permanently. The application is easy, it provides just enough buildable coverage, and it has left my skin looking glowy without being too oily. A feat! I've been applying it with Saie's The Big Brush—a perfect combination, in my opinion. I've been using shade two, which was formulated for very light skin tones with peach undertones. The packaging looks and feels luxe, but the scent is not my favorite. That's not necessarily a dealbreaker for me, though." —Gulino, senior staff writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 15% zinc oxide, pansy extract, hyaluronic acid
• Shade count: 14

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between foundation and skin tint?

Foundations and skin tints mainly differ in both pigment levels and their skin-care perks. Foundations deliver more coverage, but that extra pigment can often feel heavy—and powders in the formula may settle into fine lines. (That’s why it’s all the more important to find a foundation made for mature skin.)

Skin tints, on the other hand, often come loaded with nourishing ingredients you won’t always find in standard foundation or concealer (more on that below). Their lighter, more hydrating formulas make them a particularly good fit for those with dry or mature skin who want to avoid anything thick or heavy.

That's not to say the two base products can't work in tandem. "I can easily see myself using a tint as a priming step to even the skin, and adding coverage with foundation and concealer where needed," New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli told Allure. If you go the route of fuller coverage, locking in everything with a translucent setting powder is crucial.

What ingredients should I look for in a skin tint?

When something is advertised as a skin tint, you may see more skin-loving actives like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and squalane at work. "[Hyaluronic acid] is great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, previously told Allure. Squalane, conversely, "aids in skin-care problems wherein the skin barrier is disrupted and transepidermal water loss is an issue," according to Palm Beach, Florida-based board-certified dermatologist Samantha Fisher, MD. Everyone, including sensitive skin (squalane is odorless, by the way), can benefit from this emollient.

While examining the formula of Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint, Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, shouted out some of her favorite skin tint ingredients. "Niacinamide brightens tone and increases the skin's production of ceramides, which in turn can prevent moisture loss," explained Dr. King. She also named mineral SPFs, like non-nano zinc oxide, as a beneficial ingredient—but we always recommend applying a standalone sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or more, instead of relying on SPF-spiked makeup.

Meet the experts

• Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Samantha Fisher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
• Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta
• Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Renée Loiz, a makeup artist and founder of Color May Vary based in Los Angeles
• Anluis Minier, a makeup artist based in New York City
• Camila Mancipe, a makeup artist based in Westchester, New York
• Tommy Napoli, a makeup artist based in New York City
• Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a makeup artist based in New Jersey

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best skin tints, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from makeup artists, dermatologists, and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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As a bona-fide millennial—I'm smack dab in the center of the generation—I've always been a side part gal. I don't feel too passionately about the whole generational debate re: parts, but when I try a middle part, it always feels weird and wrong, like I'm four again wearing my hair in Dorothy-style pigtails, and my hair itself prefers to lean over to one side or the other. Or does it? Selena Gomez has me reconsidering.

Gomez, who is herself also a millennial born in 1992, stepped out in New York City on September 17 wearing her new long hair styled in a ‘60s-style blowout with curled-under ends that swooped perfectly over her shoulder. This wasn’t a big, bouncy, voluminous blowout, but rather a sleeker style that began with a very defined middle part. From there, her hair was smoothed out nearly flat on either side, with the front portions tucked behind each ear and the lengths blown out equally smooth with a curvy bend at the ends for a little motion and movement.

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Sure, this style (by Renato Campora, who frequently works with Gomez) would work just a well on a side part, but doesn't it look so good with that precise parting right in the center of her forehead? It's so precise it feels nearly mathematical! The business-chic look was right on the money for her event; Gomez was in town for the Fast Company Innovation Festival, where she spoke on a panel about her brand Rare Beauty.

Getty Images

Gomez was also feeling the center part the day prior, when she was snapped in Tribeca with a full, wavy bombshell blowout, again descending from a center part. (I love her bobs, but this long hair looks soooo good.) OK, OK, I'm convinced—it's the start of a new season and time to try a new-to-me parting too.

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People can be so obsessed with the idea of twins that sometimes they see them when they’re not even there. Maybe that’s because there’s a thrill to imparting some sinister subtext to the lives of twins: spooky telepathy, midnight rituals, clueless-husband swapping. And of course, everyone wants to know, who’s the evil one? Some fans of the modeling business spend an unusual amount of time pitting non-twins Gabbriette, 29, and Amelia Gray, 25, against each other. I’m aware of a narrative that insinuates this duo is a case of copycat-ism between mortal enemies—one model allegedly stealing the other’s steez a few years ago—yet I witness no sign of it when I meet them both at Gray’s sleek midcentury home in the Hollywood Hills.

On Amelia: J.R. Malpere hat. Cosabella bra. Chanel cuff. On Gabbriette: J.R. Malpere hat. Chanel jacket. Dolce & Gabbana bra.

Gray is a rangy five feet nine with incredible, furry brows. Her outfit is reminiscent of her famous mom, Lisa Rinna, and the uniform Rinna wears in her dance videos online: a tee with FreeCity sweatpants that start at $195. She has a pimple patch on her face, which is clear of any makeup. She considers herself a dedicated homebody. Gabbriette is in heels, making her petite five-foot-four frame a bit taller. Her hair and makeup are done, with her signature pale skin, dark, pencil-thin brows, and frosted lips. She has a more social persona and loves to go out to dinner and drinks with her friends, at least on the weekends.

“That is part of the dichotomy of Amelia and Gabbriette,” says Gray. “Gabbriette is always put together. I could never. This bitch is wearing jeans on the plane!”

“Gabbriette is always put together. I could never. This bitch is wearing jeans on the plane!”

Skin care, though, is where Gray puts in the extra effort. She describes herself as “high-maintenance to be low-maintenance,” sharing her treatment regimen with the detail of a forensic accountant. She’s fond of so-called regenerative injectable treatments like platelet-rich fibrin, or PRF, and says she’s done the hyaluronic acid microdroplet injectable Skinvive in her lips for hydration.

Conversely, Gabbriette says she needs to write down all of Gray’s skin-care details to prepare for her nuptials (which took place after this interview, in July) to The 1975 singer Matty Healy, as she doesn’t have much of her own regimen at the moment. She stopped getting Botox because she fears passing out from the needles—and no, she didn’t get buccal fat removal.

Allure sat down with the two stars of our Best of Beauty 30th-anniversary portfolio to discuss how they first met and when they learned of the comparisons between them. They’re not twins. Not copycats or looks-cannibals. “Kindred spirits” is a phrase that feels more apt.

Ashi Studios dress. Dolce & Gabbana intimates. Chrome Hearts earring and rings. To create a similar makeup look: MAC Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Tilt, Dazzleshadow Eyeshadow Sticks in Demure Diamonds, and Lipglass High Shine Lip Gloss in Ruby Woo. (Gabbriette is an ambassador for MAC.)

Jewelry by Alexis Bittar, Misho, Ben-Amun and Laurel Dewitt. To create a similar makeup look: YSL Beauty Couture Mini Eyeshadow Clutch in Over Orange, Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss in California Sunshine, and Kiss Shaper Long-Lasting Sculpting Lip Liner in Cocoa Flirt. (Amelia Gray is an ambassador for YSL Beauty.)

Allure: You’re both online. You see what people say. There's this whole thing about “who stole whose look”….

Amelia Gray: I stole Gabbriette’s. [Laughs.]

Gabbriette: And I stole every ’90’s person ever.

Allure: Did you know each other when that narrative started?

Gabbriette: No. We showed up to a shoot, and our friend Loftjet, who was doing the makeup, was like, “Are you stupid? This is the whole narrative.” But there was no negative connotation behind [doing] the shoot together.

Amelia: I had bleached eyebrows back then. I did it for a shoot and it ended up being the only thing that would get me booked in the beginning of my career. It got me signed. And Gabbriette's thing is having thin eyebrows.

Gabbriette: Then we saw each other, maybe four months into it being “nasty,” and I didn't know if I was supposed to be responding. I'm not very vocal on the internet. We saw each other at a dinner, and we were like, “Do we hate each other because the internet says we do? We don't even know each other!” So we laughed it off.

Full Saint Laurent RTW + ACC.

“We saw each other at a dinner, and we were like, ‘Do we hate each other because the internet says we do?’ We don't even know each other!”

Amelia: I've never had a feeling of, “Oh, I need to become somebody else,” and I'm so grateful for that. I was raised very secure about my quirks and my weirdness. I'm a rising Aquarius. I'm fucking weird. But to my point, the internet started telling me who I was. I was so confused. Like, “Oh, fuck, have I been copying this girl and completely stealing her steez?” Lisa Rinna is my mom; she taught me to fucking own it. At that dinner I went up to Gabbriette, and I was like, “I am so fucking sorry.”

On Amelia: Dolce & Gabbana bra. On Gabbriette: Cosabella bra.

Allure: When I first heard this narrative, I wondered if there was a way you could use this to your benefit.

Amelia: That's why we both wanted to do this.

Gabbriette: Because we literally don't care. [Addressing Gray:] Yes, we look similar, but you are on a completely different spectrum. You're taller, you're more of a runway thing. You are an insane, Gisele-type editorial model.

Amelia: Gabbriette is a pop culture icon.

Gabbriette: If we are in the same industry, we're not going to do the same jobs, because she brings so many different things to the table.

Amelia: And that’s what’s so beautiful about it, is that there's no threat. I want Gabbriette to get the job and I know she wants me to get the job.

Allure: Have your teams ever advised you not to work together?

Gabbriette: No! If anything, my agent is like, “Yes, bitch!”

Allure: Amelia, has your mom ever warned you about experimenting with your looks?

Amelia: My mom was the guinea pig of our family. Homegirl had fucking silicone in her lip. My mom told me to learn through her experience of what not to do. She was never the type of mom that [said], “No, you can't get anything done,” because she always empathized with not feeling like herself.

I remember really hating my nose, and being like, “Mom, I want to get a nose job.” My mom was like, “Listen, if that's something that you want to do, you need to decide that on your own and you need to understand and make that decision for yourself. I can't tell you that your nose is perfect, because I'm your mom and I think it is. I would be a hypocrite to tell you no, because I’ve dealt with this in my life.”

“When I was 16, I got a nose job. It changed my life.”

When I was 16, I got a nose job. It changed my life. Half of me [thinks], Why would you change what God gave you? But then the other half of me is like, I have one fucking life to live. We live in a vain world. I want to wake up and [say], “I like myself,” because at the end of the day, that's all that matters. It sucks that it has to do with beauty standards sometimes, but that's the society and culture we live in.

Allure: Gabbriette, what do you bring from your Mexican side of the family into how you think of beauty?

Gabbriette: I grew up in Laguna Beach, so I felt my version of beauty was very California standard. I was the only Hispanic girl in my grade… it felt like I was the only one. Then I started going to Los Angeles at 16 to see shows. Burger Records was the thing here, and I went to shows with my friends, and that is when I kind of saw what [a side of] Chicana culture was, with all the goth girlies.

“I started going to Los Angeles at 16 to see shows. Burger Records was the thing here, and that is when I kind of saw what [a side of] Chicana culture was, with all the goth girlies.”

When I first came to LA, I was so grateful for it. I got really into the old-car culture, and into the cholo scene. This felt like a part of me that I hadn't explored. People think I'm not Mexican enough. I'm as Mexican as I feel, and as I am, I'm half. I didn't grow up speaking Spanish, but the culture is through me. I go to Mexico every single summer and see my grandma. Not that I have to prove myself to [anyone].

Allure: When did you decide on your signature brows?

Gabbriette: It was 2017 or 2018. I was watching Never Been Kissed with Drew Barrymore. Then it was Angelina Jolie, Penélope Cruz, all these people. I said, “What is missing from the makeup that I like doing? It's the fucking eyebrows.” I took my mom's tweezers and I plucked them in the window light—and I didn't hold back. [My mom] fucking loved it.

“I was never the type that would go out of my way and try a new look, but when I'm Amelia the Model, I'll do anything to get the photo.”

To create a makeup look similar to Gabbriette’s: MAC Cosmetics M·A·Cximal Silky Matte 12HR Wear Lipstick in You Wouldn’t Get It and Brushstroke 24-Hour Liner in Brushstroke.

To create a makeup look similar to Amelia’s: YSL Beauty Rouge Pur Couture Satin Lipstick in Unshy Cacao and La Laque Couture Nail Polish in Noir Primitif.

Allure: Has your relationship with beauty gotten healthier as your career has kept going or do you think it's gotten worse?

Amelia: I am so down to create when I'm on set. I was never the type that would go out of my way and try a new look, but when I'm Amelia the Model, I'll do anything to get the photo. I think that has taught me a lot about the possibility of how you can change.

Gabbriette: With beauty, I know who I am. I used to get a haircut and then rebuy my entire wardrobe every three months from, like, 12 to probably 21. The only crazy thing I've done in the last five years is getting Botox, [then stopping because of the needles,] and considering getting my lips done. I want to be me, but more refined. But I’m also too carefree—I don't want to go to the doctor.

Watch Amelia Gray & Gabbriette Spill Secrets After Sipping the Truth Serum

In this episode of Allure’s Truth Serum, Amelia Gray & Gabbriette answer candid questions about beauty, love, relationships, friendship, and more. From their biggest beauty opinions to the things they’re not afraid to get honest about, the girls spill the tea and reveal a side of themselves you haven’t seen before.