• As a former Sephora employee, I've tried many of the store's budget-friendly products for under $25.
• The Rare Beauty liquid blushes and Tower 28 jelly glosses add the perfect flush of color.
• The Sephora Collection liquid foundation is one of the best base products I've tried.

When I worked at Sephora, I loved finding high-quality beauty finds that didn't break the bank.

Here are 9 of my favorite products that cost $25 or less.

• Ulku Dogan had surgery to make her eyes blue after wearing colored contact lenses for years.
• Keratopigmentation involves making a channel in the cornea and placing colored dye inside.
• The procedure has gained traction online but isn't FDA-approved.

For 20 years, Ulku Dogan, a wealth advisor in San Francisco, wore colored contact lenses because she longed to have blue eyes.

Seven weeks ago, her dream came true when she flew to New York and paid $12,000 for surgery to permanently change her eye color from brown to blue.

"I feel confident, very happy. It is the best investment I've ever done for myself," Dogan, 49, told Business Insider. "I wish I had done this 10 years ago."

To change her eye color, Dr. Kevin Niksarli, one of a handful of ophthalmic surgeons in the US to offer cosmetic keratopigmentation, used a laser to poke two holes in her corneas, the clear, outermost part of the eye. This creates a channel that sits atop the colored part of the eye, which is then filled with dye.

Niksarli has been performing corneal laser eye surgeries for 30 years and started offering the procedure to patients in 2023. At his clinic, Manhattan LASIK Center, patients can choose from 11 shades, including emerald green, lagoon, and honey.

First, he colored Dogan's left eye. He let her assess it and asked if she wanted to make any changes to the shade before moving on to the right eye.

"I'm like, 'Doctor, can you go a little brighter?' And then he went a little brighter, and I loved it," Dogan said.

Though keratopigmentation is not FDA-approved, interest in the procedure is growing. In a medical context, it's used to treat patients with iris loss, damage, or trauma. But TikTok videos showing before-and-after images of patients who've undergone the procedure for aesthetic reasons have racked up millions of views.

Dr. Alexander Movshovich, who in 2019 became the first doctor to offer the procedure cosmetically in the US, saw 15 patients in his first year, he told The Wall Street Journal. He's now performed the procedure over 750 times, he told Ophthalmology Times.

"This procedure is safe and that was proven in the peer review literature," Movshovich told BI in an email, noting that people with chronic eye diseases would need to have an individual consultation to assess whether they would be a good candidate.

The American Academy of Opthalmology warns against cosmetic eye treatments

The permanent procedure is painless and fast, said Dogan, who experienced no side effects other than discomfort on the first night and some light sensitivity for a few days.

Some doctors, however, argue that there isn't enough evidence that the benefits of cosmetic eye surgery outweigh the known and potential long-term risks.

In January, the American Academy of Ophthalmology warned that keratopigmentation could cause infections, light sensitivity, and damage to the cornea that could lead to cloudiness, warpage, fluid leakage, or vision loss.

"Patients contemplating these procedures for cosmetic reasons alone must weigh these serious risks against the potential gain," the AAO said.

In a 2021 study published in the Journal of Cornea and External Disease, 12 out of 40 keratopigmentation patients experienced light sensitivity in the first month. Five said the pigment faded or changed in color after 29 months, and one who had previously had Lasik, a type of vision-correction surgery, developed corneal ectasia, a condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge outward. All of the participants said they were satisfied with the cosmetic results.

"Personally, if it were me, I would rather use colored contacts for a cosmetic benefit instead of putting myself at risk of long-term side effects that we don't even know because research hasn't even been able to go that far," Dr. Julian Prosia, a board-certified optometrist in Canada, said in a TikTok video.

In a letter sent to the AAO in July, Movshovich and three other ophthalmologists who provide or research the procedure said that many of the possible risks listed on the AAO warning "have never occurred with keratopigmentation" and are "not founded on fact."

The AAO told BI that it stands behind the evidence provided. "Everything in life has some degree of risk, including getting out of bed in the morning. The question is how common, severe or reversible are the adverse outcomes compared to potential benefits or alternatives. The calculus for medical/therapeutic applications is completely different from that for cosmetic procedures," Stephen D. McLeod, CEO of the AAO, told BI in an email.

Dogan was willing to take the risk

Dogan had looked into iris implant surgery, in which an artificial iris made of silicone is inserted into a slit cut into the cornea and adjusted to cover the natural iris. But the procedure wasn't offered in the US at the time, and she deemed it too risky. In January, the AAO warned against iris implant surgery, which it said could cause permanent damage, vision loss, and glaucoma.

She hadn't heard about keratopigmentation until a trusted friend who's a plastic surgeon had the procedure.

"He got his eye colored, and I'm like, 'What else do I need?'" Dogan said. "It's confirmed results." She quickly booked an appointment with his surgeon.

Although Dogan was aware of the potential risks of the surgery, she chose to go ahead and is pleased with her results.

"When people ask me now, 'Do you have contact lenses?' I can say, 'No, these are my eyes,'" she said.

• Le Labo is known for its luxury fragrances, including its famous Santal 33 scent.
• However, perfume fans say there's a dupe on the market: Jungle Santal from the Target brand Fine'ry.
• I tried both products and found they were similar in almost everything except the price.

Sitting at my desk with a cat on my lap, I slowly typed each credit card number into Le Labo's website.

Buying a sample of the brand's Santal 33 fragrance made me feel like I was entering a club I've long been an outsider to. The perfume, which can cost up to $1,095 for a bottle, is favored by celebrities, businesspeople, and other fragrance fans.

I was reminded of the scent — and the fact that I'd never smelled it — while interviewing successful men about their favorite colognes. Many of them mentioned Le Labo.

To feed my growing curiosity, I tried the brand's most popular scent. While I was at it, I figured I'd also experiment with a potential dupe: Jungle Santal by Target's fragrance brand Fine'ry.

Quickly, I realized that Le Labo fans might want to switch to the cheaper alternative.

Santal 33: a fragrant and expensive status symbol

I ordered my Santal 33 sample — which cost $12.79 with shipping and tax — on a Thursday morning, and it was delivered to my doorstep the following day.

Despite its minuscule size, the sample embodied Le Labo's understated aesthetic. The glass tube was wrapped in cardboard, and a yellow sticker displayed its ingredients and origin.

I've heard many fans say that Santal 33 is "refreshing" and "smells expensive." One social-media user said the scent reminded them of a pricey hotel in New York City.

Though I originally expected something light, almost like a spa scent, I altered my expectations after reading the perfume's description on Le Labo's website.

With notes of iris, violet, sandalwood, and leather, maybe it would smell sharp but floral, with a lingering musk.

I didn't expect the perfume to smell like pickle juice — a comparison that social media has shown is common among Santal 33 critics and fans alike.

Cat Chen, the founder of the fragrance brand Skylar, previously told BI that the reason perfumes can smell bad to you and great to others is likely related to your body chemistry — or, more specifically, your skin type and pH balance.

In my experience, the fragrance first smelled deeply earthy with a floral touch. As it settled, the musk kicked in, creating a mixture that reminded me of a spice cabinet and, again, an open jar of pickles.

I found it unpleasant and overpowering. Ultimately, it was not for me.

Once the perfume was on, its odor could not be ignored. So, I put my distaste aside and tested the scent's lasting power.

It was most fragrant in my hair, where I could smell it strongly for the first two hours I wore it. Four hours after application, the scent had nearly vanished from my skin.

I even asked friends and family if they noticed my perfume. They said they only smelled it faintly when we hugged.

The quick fade in scent surprised me. If I had spent $107 on the smallest bottle of Santal 33 or $1,095 on the largest, I'd savor every spray.

Purchasing the sample also did not include a coupon to save a few dollars on a larger bottle — a fairly standard practice in the perfume industry. Representatives for Le Labo did not respond to a request for comment.

Target's version isn't exactly the same — but it's close enough

Fine'ry doesn't claim to make dupes, as it told Fast Company in April. The brand aims to bring luxury scent trends to consumers shopping at a lower price point.

Still, on "PerfumeTok" — the fragrance-obsessed side of TikTok — numerous fragrance fans have said the brand's Jungle Santal perfume, sold at Target as a $29.99 perfume and $14.99 body mist, matched Le Labo's Santal 33.

I ordered the more expensive bottle that Thursday, which arrived by Sunday morning.

I was quickly impressed. The perfume, packaged in a plastic-wrapped box with a modern design, looked more high-end than expected from a big-box chain.

One spray proved that the Jungle Santal perfume isn't an exact dupe for Santal 33 — but they're similar. Both scents feature notes of cardamom and wood and are equally strong and musky.

While Le Labo's perfume quickly reminded me of pickles, Fine'ry's initially smelled more masculine with a stronger spice. Still, when the two fragrances settled on my skin, they were almost indistinguishable.

One thing I preferred about Fine'ry's scent is that the perfume features a note of black oolong tea, which I felt calmed the fragrance.

Most noticeably, they lasted the same amount of time, about four hours, on my skin.

The Fine'ry perfume did seem to fade more dramatically. Whereas Le Labo's perfume slowly drifted away, the more inexpensive fragrance seemed to lose a large chunk of its scent every half hour.

Representatives for Fine'ry did not respond to a request for comment.

Money versus fragrance

What's considered a good perfume will always be a matter of personal preference. While I like sweet gourmand scents, others despise anything in the category.

So, I can't say I enjoyed wearing either fragrance simply because I'm not a fan of musky, spicy scents.

However, based on lasting power, price, and aesthetics, it's hard to see why fans wouldn't swap Le Labo's pricey perfume for the Fine'ry option.

It lasted as long as the more expensive fragrance, was packaged in a pretty and minimalistic bottle, and cost significantly less than the designer option.

• I get my nails done every month and have tried everything from Gel-X to Russian manicures.
• I've never done my own gel manicure at home, though, so I was excited to try it.
• Le Mini Macaron's gel-manicure kit was only $38, but I felt using it required a lot of work.

Although I'm well-versed in getting my nails professionally manicured — I go every month and have tried everything from Russian manicures to artful press-on sets — I've never done my own gel polish.

If you're on my side of TikTok, you may have also been scared away from doing it yourself for fear of developing a gel allergy or contact dermatitis from improper technique.

Many gel polishes contain reactive ingredients that can cause irritation if absorbed into the skin.

To shake off my hesitations, I spoke with Christina Kao, the cofounder of Le Mini Macaron, about best practices before using the company's at-home kit.

Here's how my first gel manicure at home went.

• I get my nails done every month and have tried everything from Gel-X to Russian manicures.
• I've never done my own gel manicure at home, though, so I was excited to try it.
• Le Mini Macaron's gel-manicure kit was only $38, but I felt using it required a lot of work.

Although I'm well-versed in getting my nails professionally manicured — I go every month and have tried everything from Russian manicures to artful press-on sets — I've never done my own gel polish.

If you're on my side of TikTok, you may have also been scared away from doing it yourself for fear of developing a gel allergy or contact dermatitis from improper technique.

Many gel polishes contain reactive ingredients that can cause irritation if absorbed into the skin.

To shake off my hesitations, I spoke with Christina Kao, the cofounder of Le Mini Macaron, about best practices before using the company's at-home kit.

Here's how my first gel manicure at home went.

• As a makeup artist, I already know which beauty products I'll be repurchasing in 2025.
• The Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin blurring balm powder is one of the most innovative items I've used.
• When it comes to drugstore beauty, I love the Maybelline Super Stay up to 24-hour skin tint.

As a makeup artist, I'm always on the hunt for products that look amazing and make my job easier.

Throughout 2024, I discovered some absolute game changers that transformed my kit and beauty routine. My kit is my lifeline, and these products have repeatedly proven themselves over and over again.

Here are eight beauty products I'm definitely repurchasing in 2025.

• Business Insider spoke to two perfume experts about the most popular scents this winter.
• Gourmand — anything that smells like food — will still be in for the winter.
• Frankincense creates a cozy atmosphere and can have a nostalgic vibe.

Although fall and winter have some overlapping qualities, the seasonal shift can impact what scents people are reaching for as falling leaves turn to snow.

Business Insider spoke with two professional perfumers about the best fragrances to wear this winter.

Here's what they said.

Before turning 30, John, a trader in Washington, DC, spent nearly $22,000 to fix his receding hairline, an issue that had long been on his mind.

If not for a high-paying job in finance — in private banking and now trading derivatives for an asset management firm — he said he wouldn't have taken the plunge on two hair transplants.

"I would look in the mirror, I would see my hair receding, and it would just take up some of my emotional and mental bandwidth," John told Business Insider.

After spending $18,600 on his first procedure at 25, he decided on another transplant four years later. He traveled to Turkey to cut the cost, spending $3,250 in cash, which included airport transfers, a three-night stay with breakfast in a five-star hotel, the hair transplant, and postoperative care.

His nerves kicked in when he arrived and realized the 10- to 12-hour surgery would take place at a practice that wasn't as clean, welcoming, or professional as the one back in DC.

Still, the toll of worrying about other people's perceptions of him made it a gamble worth taking.

In his previous role in private banking, John worked in sales with high-net-worth individuals and knew that the way he presented himself in meetings and pitches was "incredibly important."

After his transplants, he said he felt more confident and spent less time questioning how clients and coworkers perceived him. Instead, he used that time to focus more on his work.

"Not thinking about, 'Oh, do they notice my hair thinning?' or 'Do they notice my receding hairline?' really allowed me to free up my mental space," he added.

John isn't alone in making this type of investment in his career. Business Insider spoke to four men in the corporate world who are willing to spend a lot to look good for their jobs, investing in services from plastic surgery to hair-loss treatments and time-consuming self-care routines to gain a competitive edge.

People identified by only a first name were given pseudonyms because they feared career-related repercussions. Their identities are known to BI.

The 'Brotox' boost

Over the past five years, it's become less taboo for men to discuss their desire to undergo some type of rejuvenation, Dr. Daniel Maman, a plastic surgeon with a practice on Park Avenue in New York, said.

"Ten years ago, it was just a topic that wasn't discussed amongst men," Maman said. "We did have some men in the practice, but it was usually quite secretive, discreet. They were very nervous about coming in, nervous about seeing others."

Now, he said, some men view getting work done as basic maintenance — just like "getting a haircut."

A 2023 survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that the number of men getting cosmetic procedures in the US increased by 8% from 2022 to 2023.

Maman, who's 46 and started getting Botox two years ago, said men in fields like finance, business, and law start coming in their mid-40s when they see signs of aging.

That's when Dan, a 45-year-old corporate lawyer from New York, first got Botox. He's gotten the procedure twice — once at 40, then at 44 — with each round costing about $1,000.

"I want to keep a groomed and youthful appearance, but I also don't mind showing my age because, again, that comes with experience and maturity and authority," Dan said. "There's a little bit of tension between the two, and the sweet spot is balancing both."

Maman said it's also very common for men in high-status fields to want to look fresher and avoid looking tired.

"Your appearance is oftentimes, for better or worse, an indication of the way you feel mentally as well," Maman said.

If you take care of your skin and dress well, people may be more likely to perceive you as someone who has their life together, he said, which benefits you professionally — selling a product or getting people to follow you as a manager can be easier if you look fresh and polished.

There's been a general shift toward minimally invasive procedures across generations. The trend reflects "a societal move toward treatments that provide effective yet less-intensive solutions, appealing to patients seeking quick recovery times and lower risks," the ASPS report said.

The ASPS survey found that Botox procedures increased 5.55% among male patients from 2022 to 2023, while minimally invasive treatments — which include Botox and procedures such as fillers, chemical peels, and laser hair removal — increased 7% for both men and women.

Botox is popular among men who have concerns about looking tired or sad, in part due to frown lines, Dr. Josef Hadeed, a plastic surgeon with practices in Miami and Beverly Hills, said. He said men make up around 10% to 15% of his clientele and about half of those men are corporate professionals who "want to look good in the workplace."

Hadeed said some of his clients told him they feel they could be passed over for opportunities if they don't look as good as younger colleagues — and believe they might gain a competitive edge by having work done.

Though John is only 29, he is already thinking about Botox and isn't ruling it out in the future.

"I feel like I look older than I am," he said. When he was in his early 20s, he'd take it as a compliment when he was told he looked like he was in his 30s. As he gets closer to his 30s, however, he's thinking about what he'll do to maintain a more youthful appearance down the road.

For now, John is taking a less invasive approach. He said he spends around $1,050 each quarter on fitness memberships, hair-loss-prevention medication, and supplements.

Finding a competitive edge

Once Darrell Spencer entered the spotlight as a senior leader launching two companies — the skincare brand Crowned Skin and the hair-care brand Kings Crowning — he also started investing more in his appearance.

The 28-year-old spends around $3,623 a quarter on skincare, hair care, self-care, and a Soho House membership, which he uses for its gym and networking opportunities. He also invests in "cosmetic skin-rejuvenation procedures" — he didn't want to get into specifics — every three to six months, which typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000 a visit.

Spencer most recently splurged on a stylist who's provided advice before conferences and speaking events. Styling for his latest event, a technology conference hosted by Alibaba, cost $9,213.

"Styling is very important because it's how I present myself and how I show myself as a young CEO," Spencer said. "Also, while I'm building these companies, I'm also building a personal brand."

"The return on investment comes from the amount of outreach I am getting," Spencer added.

Having a strong personal brand opens the door to more traveling and speaking opportunities, he said. He's then able to introduce his companies to men who may never have come across his products.

"No matter how high up in the ranks you get, the way you present yourself should always be important for any man, but especially a CEO who wants to put the best foot forward and be the face of their company," he added.

Roy Cohen, a career coach and the author of "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide," said his clients are becoming increasingly careful about what they wear and put in their bodies.

"In some industries, age is viewed as a liability," Cohen said. "I don't mean age in terms of young or old, but it's what it implies. Older can be viewed as tired, as slower, as not aware or comfortable with technology. The more you can look energetic and fit and healthy, that will offset any impression people may have."

A recent study from AARP found that about 64% of workers over 50 have either seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace. Subtle forms of discrimination observed by survey participants included being viewed as less tech-savvy, losing out on training opportunities to younger employees, and having colleagues assume they'd resist change.

"When I see gray hair — and I'm starting to see it — or wrinkles, I'm not necessarily upset by it when I am at work because I think that is generally perceived as being mature and being experienced and respected and trustworthy," said Dan, the attorney. "At the same time, a more youthful appearance is associated with having energy and being a team player and someone who performs well in a fast-paced environment."

He said he feels the pressure to maintain a well-groomed and polished appearance that strikes the delicate balance of looking experienced yet energetic. He spends $219 a month for a boutique gym to stay fit and uses red-light therapy and sauna services at a wellness center — $199 a month — to help him relax, repair muscle tissue, and reduce inflammation.

He gets most of his wellness tips from the neuroscientist Andrew Huberman's podcast, which covers science-based approaches to wellness and everyday life.

Men are also turning to apps for advice: About 35% of men have used apps for suggested beauty products to buy and how to use them, Euromonitor International's Voice of the Consumer 2023 Beauty Survey found.

Tim Peters, a 43-year-old chief marketing officer, has noticed that social media is opening the door for more conversations about self-care regimens among his close circle of male friends compared to 10 years ago. He spends about $1,464 a quarter on fitness, supplements, skincare, and personal upkeep.

"I definitely feel more comfortable asking friends, 'Hey, are you taking certain supplements, or what are you doing?'" Peters said.

Wall Street's best-kept secret?

Many men still remain uncomfortable discussing more extensive procedures — especially with people they work with. After all, Maman said remote work and camera-off meetings could make it easier for people to get procedures and recover from them, with colleagues none the wiser.

Remote work was partly why John took the leap on his first hair procedure because he could "afford to look like Frankenstein for a few weeks" if he kept his camera off in meetings, he said.

"There was a time period where I wasn't the prettiest," he said, adding that he was back in the office on day 10 following the second procedure when he still had some scabs and facial swelling.

Most men just don't talk about the work they get done, said Dr. Catherine Chang, a plastic surgeon and the founder of Privé Beverly Hills.

"It's really hard for me to get men to let me share their photos, which is why I don't have a ton, but they're coming in the door, which I think is the first step," she said, referring to before-and-after pictures of procedures that she provides as examples for potential clients. She told BI that men make up around 30% of her clientele.

Men may confide in professionals like Chang or Roy Cohen, the career coach, about their insecurities and anxieties around their appearance and possible procedures but may not share them openly with colleagues — especially in competitive fields where having an edge is important.

"It's a secret everyone knows about," Cohen said. "Wall Street is very competitive, so why would I share that information with somebody who could be competing with me?"

"There's swagger that often defines how people want to appear at work," he added. "You can't have swagger when people think you've been artificially enhanced."

• Business Insider spoke to salon owners and nail techs about which trends are in and out this winter.
• Have fun with glitter and gold chrome for this year's holiday parties.
• Stick to a shorter length to maintain your set for longer periods of time.

The days are colder, and the nights are longer, but that doesn't mean your nails have to take a creative reprieve.

The holiday season is the prime time to design a manicure that fits the duality of party-prepping in the afternoon and Champagne-popping when the clock strikes midnight.

Business Insider spoke with salon owners and nail technicians about which trends are in and out this winter.

Here's what they said.

• Kohl's said comparable sales plummeted 9.3% in the third quarter.
• Apparel and footwear sales struggled despite strong performances for Sephora and other categories.
• Growth in revenue from beauty sales at Sephora was one of the few rays of hope.

Kohl's continues to fight an uphill battle after sales tumbled following missed opportunities, a decline in footfall, and an overreliance on its partnership with Sephora.

Comparable sales at the department store chain fell 9.3% in the three months to November 2, which CEO Tom Kingsbury called "frankly disappointing" despite attempts to improve its products, strategy, and in-store experiences.

Sales remained soft in apparel and footwear despite strong performances for the Sephora, home decor, gifting, and impulse categories.

"We are not satisfied with our performance and are taking aggressive action to reverse the sales declines," he said.

Net income fell to $22 million for the third quarter, down from $59 million for the same period last year.

Kohl's now expects full-year comparable sales to be 6% to 7% lower compared with 2023.

Shares closed down 17% on Tuesday, bringing the decline this year to 45% and valuing the company at less than $1.6 billion.

Earlier this week Kohl's said Kingsbury would step down on January 15 after two years in the role. He will be replaced by retail veteran Ashley Buchanan.

Investing in key growth categories had a ricochet effect, leading to a 20% drop in inventory for private brands, Kingsbury said. "Not having the appropriate level of private brands hurt our ability to serve our customers."

The decision to pull back on fine jewelry to focus on Sephora, which now has about 1,050 concessions in Kohl's locations under a partnership that began in 2021, has also had an impact.

"As we introduced Sephora Shops into our stores, the fine jewelry business was largely displaced which resulted in a persistent headwind to our sales performance for many periods," Kinsbury said.

While the partnership is one of the few bright spots in the quarter, with total beauty sales up 15% in the quarter, it could mean Kohl's missed opportunities to capitalize on a hot category.

Claudia D'Arpizio, senior partner and global head of fashion and luxury at the consultancy Bain, told Business Insider that jewelry has been the "most resilient category" for the luxury goods industry over the past year.

Jewelry, along with beauty and fragrance, are affordable luxury categories particularly in demand with younger customers who have been underserved by luxury players in recent years, D'Arpizio said.

There are plenty of great gadgets on sale today for Cyber Monday that will track your steps or wake you up. But, personally, I'm more interested in the discounts on tools that will boost my beauty routine this winter. So, I'm very excited that the Dyson Airwrap is down to $490 from $600 on Amazon — a 18 percent discount. That brings it to only $10 more than what we saw last year.

Ok, so spending half a grand on hair tools is still quite an investment, but it should be a big boost to your hair. We named it one of the best self-care gifts for 2024 thanks to its air flow system. It uses the Coanda effect to style your hair — theoretically causing less damage to your locks than typical hot tools. The device also comes with six attachments, including a wide-tooth comb, diffuser and Coanda smoothing dryer. 

The Airwrap is only one of the Dyson hair products on sale for Cyber Monday. Right now, you can buy the Dyson Airstrait Hair Straightener (another of our self-care gift picks) for $399, down from $500 — a 20 percent discount. The same deal is available on the Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener, while the Supersonic Hair Dryer has dropped to $329 from $430. 

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/cyber-monday-deals-include-a-110-discount-on-the-dyson-airwrap-153056335.html?src=rss

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© Engadget / Dyson

• After working at Sephora for 11 years, I have lots of go-to makeup and skincare products.
• The First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads and pure-skin face cleanser are great products.
• I love the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech foundation and Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond long-wear lipstick.

I saw a lot of changes in beauty trends during my 11 years at Sephora. But one question clients asked me always remained the same: Which products would you recommend?

Despite the murky outlook of the economy, shoppers are still spending their cash on beauty products and looking to get the best value on the items they buy.

Here are my favorite makeup and skincare products as a freelance makeup artist and former Sephora employee.

Caring for yourself can be as simple as sitting down to do a breathing exercise or curling up under a weighted blanket. Or it can be getting a massage, going for a workout or dressing up for a fancy dinner. There are plenty of things you could get for someone that not only shows how much you care about them, but also remind them that it’s worthwhile to take time for themselves. And while there’s nothing wrong with an aromatherapy candle, it’s more fun to go beyond the obvious choices and look at what tech products could help your loved ones feel their best. Our picks include things like styling gadgets and grooming devices, but also less techy options like a hair turban and face masks.

It’s worth calling out that these beauty tech and personal care suggestions are highly personal, so it’s important that you take time to learn about your giftee’s preferences. What type of hair do they have? What are their skincare concerns? What aches and pains have they been feeling lately? Getting just a few more details from them can better inform your holiday shopping and improve your relationships, too.

The best self-care gifts for 2024

Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-self-care-gifts-160025041.html?src=rss

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© Engadget

• My beauty routine has changed significantly since moving from Boston to Paris about six years ago.
• French women tend to wear less makeup, so I no longer use foundation or eye shadow every day.
• I've learned to embrace my natural brows and less elaborate hairstyles.

As an American who's lived in France for about six years, I've made some dramatic changes to my beauty regimen.

Though I regularly wore several makeup products back in Boston, I've since narrowed my routine down to four things: a tinted serum, a blush stick, clear brow gel, and mascara.

Here are nine ways I changed my beauty routine throughout my years in Paris.

I no longer wear full-coverage foundation

I've never been the type to wear a full face of makeup, but a mid-coverage option like a BB cream was always a staple in my makeup routine in the US.

Since moving to Paris, I've worn a tinted base (sometimes mixed with moisturizer) on my face five times a month at the most.

One of the first things I noticed in Paris was how little makeup most French women wear.

In Boston, you'd be hard-pressed to find a woman with a bare face at a bar on a Friday night. But in Paris, it's the norm.

In France, I felt I had permission to go natural for the first time. It might sound silly, but seeing so many women embrace their natural beauty motivated me to join the bare-faced party.

I've learned to embrace natural brows

Filling my thin, blonde eyebrows with a pencil was part of my makeup routine in the US.

Because my hair is so light and fine, I felt it necessary to draw on my eyebrows to fit in with the thick, defined-brow trend that's popular in the US.

Since moving to Paris, I simply use a clear Benefit gel to create a laminated look that stays in place.

I no longer use as much product on my lips

I always thought French girls wore red lipstick, but one of the first things I noticed when I moved to Paris was the lack of bright lips.

Though some women will rock a red lip, it's much less common than I expected.

I always wore lipstick or a stain on a night out in the US, but since moving to Paris, I either go bare-lipped or wear a lip oil.

I don't go for super noticeable highlighters anymore

In the US, it wasn't uncommon to see people wearing a shimmery, glowy highlight on a night out.

But now, I can't remember the last time I used a highlighter.

In France, I typically opt for a shimmery face oil, like the one from NUXE Paris, or a multipurpose balm for a subtle but natural glow.

These oils and lotions double as skincare while providing a nice shine.

Mascara is the only product I use on my eyes

Most women I meet in Paris don't wear eyeshadow or eyeliner. Instead, they typically only wear mascara on their top lashes.

Back in Boston, I would attempt heavier eye looks because I was surrounded by women with gorgeous smoky eyes.

Now, I stick to just mascara. Getting ready is much faster, and I have less makeup to remove at the end of the night.

Plus, I can finally stop pretending I know how to do eyeliner.

I prioritize skincare over makeup

Since being bare-faced is the vibe in Pairs, French women seem to prioritize skincare over makeup, and I've followed suit.

My skincare now includes a multistep morning routine and a separate nighttime regimen.

When I lived in the US, my skincare routine included an under-eye caffeine roller, a serum from whatever random brand I found at T.J. Maxx that week, moisturizer, and the occasional sheet mask.

Now, I invest in lots of products from brands I love (my favorites are Typology and La Roche-Posay), and getting ready is focused more on skincare and less on makeup.

I believe my skincare routine has completely improved my complexion, as my face seems plumper, more radiant, and brighter.

I get more high-maintenance treatments than I did before

I'm not sure if it's a direct result of moving to France or a byproduct of aging, but I started doing preventive treatments throughout the last five years.

I get Botox on my forehead twice a year, lip filler every two years or so, Hydrafacials (microdermabrasion-like treatments) every few months, and my eyebrows laminated regularly.

I've found that the French woman's approach to preventive medicine is subtle and discreet and enhances the features you already have.

The work I've had done is very minimal, to the point where most people in my life don't notice a difference.

I hardly ever wear a set of false lashes

Wearing a set of false lashes in the US seems like the most normal thing in the world, as some people wear a set each time they go out.

I'd throw on a set of lashes if I felt spicy on a Friday night and always had a few pairs stocked at home.

Since moving to Paris, I've worn false lashes a total of five times. Natural looks reign king over here, so false lashes aren't common.

I rarely style my hair

Though I've always loved self-care, I'm a big fan of how much time I save doing my hair in France.

In the US, I spent hours curling, straightening, and styling my hair. Here in France, however, a more natural, messy hair look is the go-to.

Now, doing my hair takes about one-quarter of the time it used to.

I either air-dry my hair or put waves in it with the Shark FlexStyle curling-wand attachment and brush my fingers through it.

I've embraced messy hair, and I love it.

This story was originally published on January 8, 2024, and most recently updated on November 19, 2024.