An Adult’s Guide to Getting Braces
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I spent many hours of my childhood at the orthodontist’s office. Thanks to my cleft palate, I wore braces on and off for about 10 years. Although I never had braces as an adult (I finished my treatment during my junior year of high school), I know that getting them is a big decision that affects nearly every part of daily life. In addition to changing your personal care routine, eating habits, and sometimes even your social calendar (trust me, there are days when your mouth is too sore to go out with friends), most teeth-straightening options are extensive, expensive, and might not be covered by dental insurance.
As a preteen, when my parents and I were deciding which type of braces to get, there weren't many options to choose from, so I went with the classic metal ones. Today, the options for teeth-straightening plans are vast, including traditional braces, clear aligners, and lingual braces.
While in-office teeth-straightening plans continue to gain popularity, we’ve seen the rise and fall of at-home teeth-straightening plans over the last five years or so. Once-popular at-home aligner companies like SmileDirectClub, Byte, and Candid have either closed their doors (some having gone bankrupt) or now only offer in-office treatments.
These shifts in the dental industry drive home an important point: Moving teeth isn’t a casual, one-size-fits-all process and requires expert oversight, in person. As at-home aligners become less available, it’s crucial to understand the specifics of in-office treatments, including the financial commitment and time investment.
Below, we've not only outlined a comprehensive guide to getting braces as an adult but also covered the current state of affairs regarding at-home aligner treatments.
Meet the experts:
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- Jordan Cogan, DMD, is an orthodontist based in Philadelphia.
- Erin Fraundorf, DMD, is an orthodontist and founder of BOCA Orthodontic and Whitening Studio in Clayton, MO.
- Marina Gonchar, DMD, is an orthodontist and owner of Skin to Smile in Morristown, New Jersey.
- Karin Grinbaum, DDS, is an orthodontist and owner of Smiles and Grins in New York City.
- Sharon Huang, DDS, is a dentist and the founder of Les Belles NYC in New York City.
- Madeline Pitz, DDS, is a board-certified orthodontist in Brooklyn.
In-office teeth straightening treatments
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are probably the most recognizable symbol of orthodontics. "They have a long history of successful treatment and are great at correcting many oral issues," says Jordan Cogan, DMD, a Philadelphia-based orthodontist. "That's why metal braces continue to be the top orthodontic treatment for patients of all ages."
The treatment involves tightening and shifting metal brackets that are affixed to the teeth with a wire. "The wire runs from one bracket to another, and the orthodontist has advanced training and knowledge to change the shape and curvature of the wire to move your teeth in the right direction," says Dr. Cogan. "Bends in the wire provide different types of pressure on different teeth.”
Who It’s Best For
The ideal candidate for traditional braces is someone who has crooked or overlapping teeth, or someone with gaps of all sizes. If you have a misaligned bite, you also might be a good candidate for traditional braces.
“Traditional braces are best for young children undergoing phase I orthodontics [editor’s note: That’s early-intervention orthodontic care for those who are between seven and 10 years old], teenagers, and adults who believe they will not be compliant with aligners,” explains Madeline Pitz, DDS, a board-certified orthodontist in Brooklyn. She adds that those who’ve had prior orthodontic treatment and experienced slight relapse might find traditional braces to be a quicker solution than others. “They can be placed the same day a patient comes in for a consultation.”
Who Should Avoid This Treatment
According to Dr. Pitz, traditional metal braces are not ideal for those children or young adults with heightened sensory disorders, as they are more sensitive to the feeling of the brackets. She also says that those who’ve had more extensive work done in their mouths—like the addition of multiple crowns, veneers, fillings, or implants—might not be the ideal candidates for traditional braces, as the braces are more likely to break.
Pros
Traditional braces offer several advantages, especially for patients with complex orthodontic needs. “They're highly effective for complex tooth movements and bite corrections,” explains Erin Fraundorf, DMD, an orthodontist and founder of BOCA Orthodontic and Whitening Studio in Clayton, Missouri.
She adds that because they’re bonded directly to teeth, they’re always working. Also, there’s no need to remember to remove or reinsert them (like you would with clear aligners).
Cons
According to Dr. Pitz, the biggest cons of traditional braces are more stringent oral hygiene (you have to brush your teeth after every meal, plus flossing gets quite complicated) and food restrictions (no sticky, crunchy, or hard foods during treatment). You’ll also have more frequent appointments compared to other orthodontic options. Depending on the stage of your treatment, you’ll be seeing your orthodontist every four, six, or eight weeks.
Pricing
Although the price of traditional wire braces will vary depending on the complexity of your orthodontic needs, how long you have to wear them for, as well as where you live, they typically cost anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000 for the entire treatment without insurance. That’s not exactly cheap, but metal braces tend to cost less than other options because they don't require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do, according to Dr. Cogan. "[Some] insurance plans offer orthodontic benefits, and most orthodontic offices will work with you to maximize your benefits," he says.
Clear Aligners
The history of clear aligners goes back to 1945, when tooth positioners were introduced to refine the final stages of orthodontic treatment after traditional braces were removed, according to a 2014 article in the New York State Dental Journal. In 1997, two Stanford students founded Align Technology (a clear aligner system), which, in 1999, became Invisalign, one of the most recognized clear aligner companies.
"Clear aligners are customized appliances created by the aid of sophisticated 3D imaging and animation tools that enable virtual simulation of tooth movements," says Dr. Cogan. "Tooth movements resemble a filmstrip, and each frame or stage corresponds to a set of clear plastic aligner trays. As each tray is worn by the patient, it slowly pushes the teeth to their proper positions."
Unlike traditional metal braces that are very visible, clear aligners are made with smooth, transparent plastic and don't have sharp edges that can irritate your mouth. (Score!) However, you will need to switch out the plastic retainers every week. (Okay, it’s a little annoying, but you can’t win them all.)
Who It’s Best For
Clear aligner technology has been improving, making it more accessible and versatile, explains Dr. Pitz. "Clear aligners are best for responsible teenagers, those who may play any contact sport, and adults looking to improve their smiles in the most aesthetic way possible,” she adds.
Who Should Avoid This Treatment
According to Dr. Fraundorf, patients with complex skeletal or bite issues, anyone who may lose or forget to wear aligners, and those with severe space closure issues requiring root movement are probably not the best candidates for this treatment.
Pros
Having the ability to remove the appliance enables the patient to maintain peak oral hygiene and not have any food restrictions throughout treatment. “Despite small tooth-colored attachments being placed on the teeth to anchor the aligner and aid in tooth movement, aligners can be almost undetectable,” explains Dr. Pitz.
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A few other pros, according to Dr. Fraundorf, include the fact that clear aligners are more comfortable to wear and offer more flexibility around in-office visits (you won’t have to come in as often and your appointment might even be quicker).
Cons
“I always say that the pro and the con of clear aligners is that they can be removed,” says Dr. Pitz. Sure, you won’t have to worry about food restrictions, but you do have to keep track of your aligners every time you take them out—and you’ll have to take them out every single time you decide to eat or drink anything other than water. (Eating with aligners can damage them, and drinking with them could cause teeth-staining or cavities.) If you’re prone to misplacing things, clear aligners may not be for you.
Also, your results depend on you and your compliance with the treatment. “The aligners do not work when they are in someone’s pocket or purse,” adds Dr. Pitz.
Pricing
Similar to traditional braces, treatment fees for clear aligners can range from $3,000 to $10,000. “Certain offices may have higher fees for aligners due to a larger laboratory bill associated with the product,” explains Dr. Pitz. “Treatment time can vary, but it’s usually in six-month increments. Mild treatment is six to 12 months, comprehensive treatment is 18 to 24 months.” Obviously, the longer you have them, the higher your bill. The upside: Some insurance companies offer benefits that can help make Invisalign more affordable.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are thin pieces of braided metal wire that are adhered to the back (the lingual side) of the teeth. They work in the same way that traditional metal braces do, gently applying pressure to your teeth to slowly shift them into position.
Who It’s Best For
Lingual braces are best for those patients who are still concerned about aesthetics but do not want to be responsible for remaining compliant. (Understandable: It’s easy to forget to put your clear aligners back in every time you eat or drink something.) “Lingual braces are for mild to moderate cases, usually a patient with crowding,” explains Dr. Pitz.
Who Should Avoid This Treatment
Lingual braces are not the best fit for those with significant overbites. “Due to the depth of the bite, the lingual brackets may break off more frequently, leading to more emergency visits,” explains Dr. Pitz.
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“Lingual braces are not a good fit for patients who are concerned about changes to their speech—especially with ‘S’ and ‘T’ sounds—or patients who are sensitive to tongue irritation or have a strong gag reflex,” Dr. Fraundorf says. “It’s also not a good option for patients who don’t want to experience tongue soreness or abrasion.” Because of all this, Dr. Fraundorf is not a fan of lingual braces and does not offer them in her practice.
Pros
The pros of lingual braces are that they are constantly working because they are fixed to the teeth, but they are hidden, making them less noticeable.
Cons
Although lingual braces may be less noticeable, they can be slightly more uncomfortable than other treatment options during the first few weeks of treatment. It will take time for your tongue to adjust to the brackets behind your teeth, and you might find new canker sores forming as it rubs against them. Your tongue should adjust over time, but you can use wax if discomfort persists.
Pricing
"Similar to Invisalign and other treatment options that require more complex technology and expensive equipment, [lingual braces] will typically cost more than traditional braces." You can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 for your treatment, which can take anywhere from six to 24 months.
Permanent Retainers
Once you've completed your teeth-straightening treatment plan, your orthodontist might want to insert a permanent lingual retainer on the inside of your teeth to prevent them from moving around. “They are bonded to the inside surfaces of the front teeth," explains Dr. Cogan. Permanent retainers are also sometimes coupled with removable retainers.
Permanent lingual retainers are not the same as lingual braces. “A permanent retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of the teeth (usually the lower front six teeth), and they don’t apply force or move teeth. They are purely for retention/maintenance,” says Dr. Fraundorf. “Lingual braces are full brackets and wires bonded behind all teeth, used for active tooth movement.”
Although these orthodontic devices are colloquially known as permanent retainers, neither Dr. Pitz nor Dr. Fraundorf loves the term because it isn’t really permanent. “At the end of the day, the retainer is not truly permanent as it is adhered to the teeth with dental composite that, over time, will wear away and potentially break,” says Dr. Pitz. “I like to call these retainers fixed or bonded retainers to allow the patient to know they are glued to the teeth and not removable, but that they will have to be replaced approximately every five to 10 years.”
Who It’s Best For
According to Dr. Pitz, fixed retainers are best for those who started with significant spacing or crowding. “There is a large muscle called the frenum that lives between the two front teeth that loves to pop that space right back open,” she explains. “The fixed retainer acts like a belt and suspenders to aid in keeping that space closed.” Fixed retainers are also recommended for those patients who started with severe lower anterior crowding, to truly hold those teeth in place that are the most prone to relapse.
Who Should Avoid This Treatment
“Fixed retainers on the upper arch are not ideal for those who finish treatment with a deeper bite as they get in the way of the occlusion and are more prone to breakage,” explains Dr. Pitz. “Fixed retainers are also not ideal for patients with poor oral hygiene. Keeping fixed retainers clean is very important; otherwise, plaque can accumulate behind the retainer and cause inflammation.”
Pros
The pros of permanent retainers are that they offer peace of mind that you won’t experience any unwanted movement or relapse. “Fixed retainers are usually used in addition to removal retainers,” says Dr. Pitz.
Cons
While they’re hidden and ensure that all the time and money you've invested in your smile doesn’t go to waste, Dr. Cogan says they do have some drawbacks: They can make flossing and routine oral hygiene more challenging. Also, you'll need to get your retainer replaced or repaired periodically.
Pricing
Permanent retainers are usually added on at the end of treatment, on top of the comprehensive orthodontic fee. “They can range from $350 to $1,000, depending on if they’re made by a company that will 3D print and fabricate the retainer to be better adapted to the dentition,” says Dr. Pitz.
A Note About Direct-to-Consumer Teeth-Straightening Plans
With less expensive plans and easier accessibility, it’s no wonder that at-home teeth-straightening companies like SmileDirectClub, Byte, and Candid surged in popularity in the last decade. Unfortunately, as many dentists and orthodontists had warned, at-home treatment plans with little to no in-person dental supervision often failed to straighten smiles (and sometimes made them worse).
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Going the DIY route with your orthodontic plan may lead to more dental and financial woes in the future. “While at-home aligners might appear to be less expensive upfront, they could cost more than traditional braces since it is likely you'll still need to seek out professional treatment at an orthodontist,” says Karin Grinbaum, DDS, an orthodontist and owner of Smiles and Grins NYC. Dr. Huang echoes this, adding that chronic inflammation, gum recession, bone loss, long-term joint discomfort or pain, and even tooth loss can also result from at-home straightening treatments.
In a statement released in December 2023, four days after SmileDirectClub had permanently shut down, the American Dental Association said that it “reaffirms its policy, which strongly opposes offers of direct-to-consumer dentistry because of the potential for irreversible harm to individuals, who are treated as ‘customers’ rather than as patients.”
Clear aligners are classified by the FDA as Class II medical devices, which require a licensed dental professional to prescribe the treatment. (What a surprise! Not really.) “This regulation did not stop the rise and popularity of at-home and unsupervised orthodontics championed by SmileDirectClub,” says Marina Gonchar, DMD, an orthodontist and owner of Skin to Smile. “The enforcement of this federal regulation has become more prominent with the many class action lawsuits filed against SmileDirectClub in numerous states.”
SmileDirectClub filed for bankruptcy in September 2023, and since then, the at-home aligner boom appears to have been in rapid decline: As of February 2022, Candid is only available via a dentist and, since October 2024, Byte has voluntarily paused shipments “while we perform a more comprehensive review” of the product’s safety and efficacy. “SmileDirectClub, Byte, and Candid all lacked professional oversight, despite the claims they would make on their websites and brick-and-mortar locations,” says Dr. Gonchar. “[DTC teeth-straightening plans are] not without risks and have led to several class action lawsuits and business bureau complaints. Professional oversight, legal scrutiny, low retention rates, high refund rates, and increasing customer expectations led to the downfall of this business model.”
She continues, “As an orthodontist, I hope we don’t see a resurgence of this trend but focus on making orthodontic treatment more accessible and affordable for patients.”
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Nicole Kidman’s On Vacation But Her Natural Curls Are Going to Work—See the Photos
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Nicole Kidman may be on vacation, but her curls? They're clocked in and going to work, baby!
Though Kidman typically wears her hair straight these days, her hair is actually super curly. Just reference her early fame days back in the '80s, when she wore a head full of tight ringlets. But Kidman occasionally lets her natural texture out to play, like she did on a recent summer vacation with her closest friends and family.
Kidman's roundup of vacation pics and videos kicks off strong, with the Oscar-winning actor diving into the crystal blue ocean, her waves and curls clearly visible even though her hair is wet. We see them air-dried multiple times throughout the carousel in all their summery glory, with lots of soft, undone volume and texture. These are literal ocean waves—the kind you get from taking a dip in the ocean, not with a curling iron!
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We weren't the only ones swooning over Kidman's curls. “Look at all that gorgeous hair!” commented Kidman's Big Little Lies costar and pal Reese Witherspoon. “Look at those waves… so beautiful,” wrote Joey King, who starred with Kidman in 2024's A Family Affair. “THE WAVY HAIR OMG YESSSS,” wrote a follower.
Kidman has shared that she regrets straightening her hair so often; she told Allure that her best advice for those with curls is to embrace it. "Why did I straighten my hair? I loved my hair there. That is my natural hair. Isn’t that crazy?" she said in a video while reminiscing on her '90s curls. "Do not follow in my steps and straighten your hair. I can do that to my hair still, but it needs to be kind of humid, and I need to use the right product." Or maybe take a summer vacation and let the salty ocean water work its magic!
Keke Palmer’s New Pixie Cut Needs Your Attention Immediately—See the Photos
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Are you ready for Virgo season? Keke Palmer definitely is! The actor/singer/host, herself a noted Virgo, kicked off the party a little early with a short, sweet, and dainty pixie in her signature copper red.
Though Virgo season doesn't technically begin until August 23, Palmer shared that her birthday—August 26—is just around the corner, so why not start celebrating now? And when we say her hair is short, we mean short! Palmer’s pixie was about as pixieish as you can get, with just a few inches of length and a classic vibe that felt a little ‘60s, a little ’90s, and totally Palmer; she's dabbled in pixieland several times before. Like us, her Instagram followers were instantly in love, flooding her comments with heart-eye emojis and compliments. “Okay pixieeeee,” wrote one. “Hello I’m obsessed! I love your hair short,” wrote another. “My Virgo queen,” added another.
Palmer paired the pixie with minimal makeup, including dewy skin, a few swipes of mascara, and some lip gloss, and added a pair of big glasses and a Beyoncé tee to the final look. And of course, Palmer stuck with her now-signature hair color, a vivid, warm and bright copper red. She is “THEE Ginger Doll,” after all.
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Palmer’s 31st year was a major one indeed; she dropped an album, Just Keke, hosted her podcast, and appeared in a plethora of projects, including her critically acclaimed, box office hit buddy comedy with SZA, One of Them Days.
The beauty inspo has been plentiful too, especially her hair color of choice. The star has been all about the redhead life in 2025, first debuting a bronze-red bob for the One of Them Days premiere and sticking with the red palette for the rest of the year. She's rocked mermaid waves in a coppery color; long auburn-red layers; and cute auburn curls, among many other red looks. She even told People that she's planning to stay a redhead forever. "Having red hair is way more fun. It's funny because I was red before, but I don't think that the color was giving what it's giving now," she shared in July. “This ginger copper… I'm living my best life and I'm never going back.”
What does she have in store for year 32, besides living her best redhead life? You know we're paying attention!
8 Best Blushes That No Makeup Routine Is Complete Without
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Whether swept on top of a makeup look or brushed across bare skin, the best blushes play up a healthy glow—or stand in for one when the skin is looking rather dull. “When I’m choosing a blush, I go for shades that show up naturally when your skin is flushed,” says makeup artist Tonya Riner. “Just give your cheeks a little pinch and see what comes through,” she adds. Some editors prefer sheerer finishes, while others go all out (some may call it “blush blindness,” but who cares?) and sweep on their favorite blushes with abandon. In a quest to find the best blushes in all types of formulas—creams, liquids, and powders, oh my!—and color palettes, we’ve swatched, tapped, and swirled to bring you this edit of the absolute must-have blushes.
Our Favorite Blushes of All Time
- Best Cream Blush: Ilia Multi-Stick, $36
- Best Liquid Blush: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint, $40
- Best Powder Blush: Kosas Blush Is Life, $29
- Best Lip & Cheek Tint: Chanel No 1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm, $50
- Best Long-Lasting: Nyx Professional Makeup ButterMelt Pressed Powder Blush, $10
- Best for Dry Skin: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, $26
- Best for Mature Skin: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick, $48
- Best for Travel: Make Up For Ever HD Skin All-In-One Face Palette, $89
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
Best Cream Blush: Ilia Multi-Stick
Ilia
Multi-Stick
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ilia Beauty
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the Ilia Multi-Stick in A Fine Romance
Sarah Hoffmann
Why we love it: Designed to complement the breeziest of beauty regimens, Ilia’s Multi-Stick is a cinch to use. The Readers’ Choice Award-winner blends like a dream with the tip of a finger, builds easily, and comes in 12 shades that all evoke some degree of natural flush, whether it’s the pinkness of a first-date blush or the ruddy remains of a summer spent wandering barefoot through the berry patch. What’s more, the formula—buttery, melty, and packed with moisturizing oils— pampers the skin.
Hoffmann before applying the Ilia Multi-Stick in A Fine Romance
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying the Ilia Multi-Stick in A Fine Romance
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffman
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"What I love about the Ilia Multi-Stick is that by using a brush, it gives me a ton of control with placement and allows me to adjust how strong the color is, which I love—it's like having multiple shades in one. ‘A Fine Romance' is the perfect berry to me because I can use it as a soft, delicate pink or go full just-ate-a-popsicle by applying it directly to my cheeks or lips." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
Tester feedback from former Allure associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez
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"This tiny but mighty twist-up Ilia Multi-Stick is called that for a reason. Acting as a three-in-one, I start my application with one swipe of product on my cheekbones before dabbing a tint of color onto my eyelids and lips for an illuminating, glow-from-within flush of color that can easily be thrown in my purse for on-the-go touch-ups when necessary," says associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez. "Lately, I've been using Dreamer, a warm nude that gives a post-vacation illusion while I'm here, sitting in the office." —Talia Gutierrez, former associate special projects manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, avocado oil, orange peel wax
- Finish: radiant
- Shades: 12
Best Liquid Blush: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Flaming Red
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why we love it: It please, please, pleases Sabrina Carpenter to wear Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Cheek Tint, and she’s not the only one who calls this her favorite blush. After much swiping and blending, the Allure team singled this out as the best overall liquid blush. Not only does the silky product blend out like a dream, but it also feels light as air on the skin. But don’t let its lightweight texture fool you: The blush stays put for up to 12 hours and leaves a dewy finish in one of 12 shades. The secret to the makeup product’s staying power is found in a unique water-in-oil emulsion that fuses a thin film of color onto the skin.
Calaor before applying Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Flaming Red
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after applying Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Flaming Red
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“This blush changed my mind about fiery tones. Yes, it’s pigmented (so applying it gradually is key), but it blends beautifully into a natural-looking ‘I just had a really great date’ kind of flush. It sets in place for hours, too—lasting through that date and whatever might follow.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
Tester feedback from Hoffmann
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"I'm probably blush blind, but I don't care, and you can't stop me. Armani's Liquid Silk Blush is one of my favorites—it's not super sheer (which I love because when I'm wearing blush, I want people to know!) but blends easily, so I think it's a great formula for beginners because it's forgiving. I'm wearing Delicate Mauve, which is, to date, the most perfect dusty pink shade I've found for my particular skin tone. If I could wave a wand and naturally produce that shade on my cheeks, I would, but until then, I'll stick to wearing this blush pretty much every day.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: dimethicone, isodecane, mica
- Finish: luminous
- Shades: 10
Best Powder Blush: Kosas Blush is Life
Kosas
Blush is Life
Nordstrom
Revolve
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Kosas Blush Is Life in Hype
Sarah Han
Why we love it: The undisputed champion of all powder blushes—at least, if you ask Allure editors—is Kosas’s Blush Is Life. Each shade reflects a combination of two subtly shimmery hues, and the result is a your-natural-flush-but-better glow. Plus, while the blush is baked, it doesn’t have the dryness of some other baked formulas. Whipped up with squalane and hyaluronic acid, the blush has a moisturizing feel—it certainly doesn't reflect the dusty and dry formulas of years past. Bonus: Blush Is Life is dermatologist-tested and deemed safe for sensitive skin.
Han before applying Kosas Blush (only wearing foundation)
Sarah Han
Han after applying Kosas Blush Is Life in Hype
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Did Kosas read my mind when brainstorming names? My inclination is yes because blush has been my life for the past year or so, and it doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. My preference has always been swayed towards cream blushes, but Kosas has me giving powders a second chance. Blush is Life is light, airy, and definitely doesn't cake or settle into texture like other powder blushes tend to do. Hype (a warm poppy pink) brightens my face instantly.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Tester feedback from shopping director Shanna Shipin
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“Blush truly IS life when you have this in your makeup kit. These colors are simultaneously new and classic; Heartbeat is a juicy nectarine-style red, and Chills is an ultraviolet-style berry, for instance. These are pigments we're familiar with, but with the kind of zest I like to think only the LA-based Kosas can bring. They're truly weightless (as an eczema sufferer and a fine-line lady, I can feel and see when a product isn't so seamless) and so smooth, which lends itself to an easy blend. Because the pigment payoff is high, though, it's not as goofproof as some cream-based blushes, so make sure you have a good brush to diffuse the color for a more natural look.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, hyaluronic acid
- Finish: luminous
- Shades: 11
Best Lip and Cheek Tint: Chanel No. 1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm
Chanel
No 1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm
Chanel
Former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis applying Chanel No. 1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm in Berry Boost
Angela Trakoshis
Why we love it: The texture of Chanel’s No. 1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm is something of a legend amongst Allure editors. One of the best multitasking balms on the market, the French beauty salve is infused with red camellia oil that makes any area of skin it touches feel (and look) like satin. Whether used on bare skin or as part of a softly blurred makeup look, the balm peps up the cheeks with a natural-looking rush of color; it also doubles as a cute, plumping lip balm.
Tester feedback from former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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"I love a multipurpose product that can make my life easier, and lip and cheek tints are definitely at the top of that list. No. 1 de Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm has a buttery, red camellia oil-infused formula that easily transfers onto the pad of my (clean!) ring finger so I can dab away on my cheeks and lips. Even though it's a tint, shades like Berry Boost don't disappoint in the pigmentation category—I'm left with a pretty flush that I can apply and blend out with just my fingers, as shown in the clip." —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: red camellia extract, candelilla wax, vitamin E
- Finish: dewy
- Shades: 9
Best Long-Wearing: Nyx Professional Makeup ButterMelt Pressed Powder Blush
NYX Professional Makeup
Buttermelt Pressed Powder Blush
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying Nyx Professional Makeup ButterMelt Pressed Powder Blush in Butta Togetha
Jailynn Taylor
Why we love it: Nyx Professional Makeup is the rare drugstore brand whose products tend to outperform those of more luxurious labels. In the case of its Makeup ButterMelt Blush, skin-care-grade ingredients like mango seed butter and sweet almond oil give the formula a moisturizing touch. Available in 12 shades that have matte finishes and glowy finishes, the irresistible shades don’t only deliver a lit-from-within flush that looks like the byproduct of a very expensive vacation; they also smell like candy. And to think, you get all that for just $10? A genius purchase, no doubt.
Taylor before applying Nyx Professional Makeup ButterMelt Pressed Powder Blush in Butta Togetha
Jailynn Taylor
Taylor after applying Nyx Professional Makeup ButterMelt Pressed Powder Blush in Butta Togetha
Jailynn Taylor
Tester feedback from Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor
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"Being the queen of blush blindness, I stan Nyx’s Buttermelt Blush because it doesn't cling to my dry spots and actually stays on all day. I also love that Butta Togetha, a lighter pink shade, actually shows up on my medium complexion without pulling ashy. The buttery texture blends in smoothly and layers beautifully over foundation without lifting or streaking. I wore it all day in DC's newfound subtropical weather, and it held up shockingly well with minimal fading or transferring. Also, something I don't usually consider with my blushes, it smells great!" —Jailynn Taylor, Allure contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: mango seed butter, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter
- Finish: matte or radiant (shade dependent)
- Shades: 12
Best for Dry Skin: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm
Summer Fridays
Blush Butter Balm
Revolve
Sephora
Why we love it: Think about the butteriest blush you've ever swiped onto your cheekbones. If you don't have Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm in mind, sorry, you're wrong. This creamy formula is packed to the brim (err, compact?) with skin-care-forward ingredients, such as plumping peptides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and moisture-sealing shea butter. What that translates to is a dewy finish that makes you look like you got the perfect amount of sun—at least, whatever perfect means to you, because this formula is ultra buildable, and sheer-able for that matter. As with many cream blushes, this darling looks stunning on the lips if you're into a monochromatic moment.
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm in Terracotta
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm in Terracotta
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin
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"It is so rare for me to hit the pan for a blush but I SCRAPE the beautiful bits of this blush when I get down to the end. I use this for everything and everywhere—of course as a subtle flush or wow-worthy pop of color on the cheeks, over the nose for a cute sunkissed look, and on the eyes for some pigment. One thing that may be underrated for this blush is that it is so, so great on the lips as well. I use a liner and the blush, and I'm set; it's multipurpose in the best way. I have eczema-laden skin, and it hasn't flared up over many months of use, it also doesn't accentuate any dry spots, and instead leaves the skin with a healthy, bouncy-looking finish.
This formula melts into the fingers and onto the skin, so you don't need to tug to get it to blend. It's simultaneously buildable and forgivable if you add too much. The shade range is great (Terracotta is my all-time favorite for my medium skin), and while you can use your fingers, I highly recommend the corresponding dual-ended brush—it is so versatile and even blends skin tint foundations like a dream!" —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, peptides, shea butter, mango seed seed butter, illipe butter, hyaluronic acid
- Finish: dewy, hydrating
- Shades: 6
Best for Mature Skin: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Westman Atelier
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Nordstrom
Credo Beauty
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Bichette
Deanna Pai
Why we love it: There’s a reason Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick has a nursery-evoking name. Though some blushes accentuate texture, fine lines, and wrinkles on mature skin, this satiny formula seems to rewind the effects of time (if only until the nightly makeup-removal routine.) Infused with jojoba seed oil and grape and raspberry-seed extracts, the cream blush hydrates the skin and lends it a youthful, lit-from-within glow. Pro tip: Add a touch of blush to your lips for the same, delightfully flushed color there.
Pai before applying Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Bichette
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Bichette
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“While I'm a powder blush stan, there's nothing like this cream formula to give my skin the most natural-looking pop of color ever. The velvety texture melts into my skin and feels like nothing, and I love that I can dab a little on my nose and chin to make my skin look almost sunkissed—like I just got back from a long walk. Plus, a tiny bit goes a long way, so this stick will last me forever.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, grape extract, raspberry seed extract
- Finish: satin
- Shades: 9
Best for Travel: Make Up For Ever HD Skin All-In-One Face Palette
Make Up For Ever
HD Skin All-In-One Face Palette
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why we love it: This Best of Beauty Award-winning palette has all the fixings for a top-of-the-line face base. Stocked with six shades that can be used as foundation, bronzer, or contour on a range of skin tones, the star of the palette may very well be the four cream blushes in buildable shades. Mix up a custom color by blending a few, and follow the brand’s suggested application method for a lifted effect: after dotting the blush onto the apples of the cheeks, use your fingers to blend it upwards. The blushes sweep on with a skin-like finish and offer long-lasting coverage.
Allure content director Kara McGrath applying Make Up For Ever HD Skin All-In-One Face Palette
McGrath after applying Make Up For Ever HD Skin All-In-One Face Palette
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from Allure content director Kara McGrath
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“These cream palettes aren't just blush, but they have plenty of blush shade options. I love how easily buildable they are: The first swipe of blush is super sheer, but you can layer it up for a more natural flush. Since there are 12 shades in each palette, they're great for travel, too.” —Kara McGrath, content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sunflower seed wax, carnauba wax
- Finish: natural
- Shades: 4 blushes, 2 highlighters, 6 skin-tone shades for foundation or contour; the palette comes in 2 shades
More blushes to consider:
- Those with oily skin will find a pore-refining flush of color in Danessa Myricks Beauty’s Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed. Powered by Upsalite technology—which smooths the look of pores and balances sebum production—the balmy powder has a soft-focus finish.
- Interested in a hybrid formula you can dab on with your fingers? Glossier Cloud Paint has been a staple of ours for years because the gel-cream formula is mess-free and beginner-friendly. The shade range is stacked, too, ranging from soft-girl hues such as Puff (light cool pink) to bold shades like Haze (fuchsia) and Eve (deep mulberry).
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to find a blush shade that works for me?
“People can find their best blush shades by leaning into colors that have the same undertone as their skin,” says makeup artist Melissa Murdick. “As an example, I have a cool pink undertone, so I tend to look best in pink shades that lean a bit mauve, which is itself a cool shade.” Murdick also recommends checking out blushes in-store and swatching several shades on your arm. “Sometimes, comparison is the easiest way for you to say I actually really like the way that looks instead of just guessing from the packaging,” Murdick explains.
What type of blush looks the most natural?
“Using a cream or liquid blush in a soft rosy or peachy tone can give you the most natural-looking flush,” says makeup artist Ish Bermudez Jr. “Apply it with a light hand and blend well for a flawless finish.” He adds that opting for a satin or luminous formula is a great way to enhance a healthy glow without making skin appear greasy or shiny.
What’s the best way to apply blush?
Whatever makes you feel the best! “There are plenty of different placements for blush that you can experiment with to see what suits you best—up high on the cheekbones, on the apples of the cheek, etc.—but the key to all placements is to make sure the edges are nicely blended,” says Murdick. “There should be a strongest point of color that gradually fades off into your skin so you don’t end up with an unnatural patch of blush.” If necessary, she recommends using a foundation sponge or a blush brush to tap along the edges of the blush and help it melt into the skin.
What blush stays on all day?
“For all-day wear, liquid blushes and stains are your go-to,” says makeup artist Karen Dupiche. “These formulas are long-lasting, lightweight, and smudge-proof, making them perfect for long days or humid environments.” Plus, these formulas layer well, offering buildable coverage that stays vibrant for hours, she says. For application techniques that can boost a blush’s longevity, Dupiche recommends taking the following steps:
- Start with a primer to help the blush adhere to the skin.
- Apply a cream or liquid blush first, then top it with a matching powder blush. “This sets the color and adds depth,” Dupiche says.
- Lock in the look with a long-wear setting spray.
- For extra staying power, apply a cream blush underneath your foundation, then layer more blush on top. “This gives a natural glow-from-within effect that lasts,” Dupiche says.
Meet the experts
- Melissa Murdick, a makeup artist with clients such as Selena Gomez
- Ish Bermudez Jr., a makeup artist and technician based in Las Vegas who is currently the makeup designer and technician for Awakening at the Wynn Las Vegas
- Karen Dupiche, a makeup artist with clients such as Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd
- Tonya Riner, a makeup artist whose clients include Kate Upton
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best blushes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out 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.
Your Hair Deserves Its Own Perfume
Collage: Gabrielle Langdon; Source images: Courtesy of brands
Save this storySave this story
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
If you’re looking for a less expensive alternative to your pricey fragrances (because, same!), consider the best hair perfumes. They might not be as concentrated as your eau de parfums (which we find as a plus, honestly—some scents are simply too intense!), but each spritz lightly drenches your strands in subtly scented concoctions that make every hair flip smell salon-fresh. Plus, they’re not as drying as most traditional fragrances, which tend to be packed with alcohol. Translation: more scent and more shine.
Many of these trendy scents happen to be airier, more affordable plays on best-selling scents (hi, Byredo, Diptyque, and Balmain), so if you’re looking to save money on your next fragrance purchase, consider one of these options (most of which are under $90!). If you're on a fragrance kick and looking to expand your collection, give one of these hair perfumes a go—maybe you'll ditch your standard eau de parfum for good.
Our Top Hair Perfumes
- Best Overall: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume, $44
- Best Citrus: Chanel Chance Hair Perfume, $82
- Best Amber: Phlur Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist, $38
- Best Luxe: Balmain Hair Perfume, $177
- Best Floral: Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava, $38
- Best Woodsy: Byredo Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume, $90
- Best Fruity: Dae Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist, $24
- Best Rose: Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist, $76
- Best Vanilla: Maison Louis Marie Fleur de Vanille Hair + Body Mist, $28
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
Best Overall: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Gisou
Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Amazon
Revolve
Why it's worth it: It’s no shock that Gisou has a honey-infused hair fragrance in its lineup, but when all your products are this nourishing, luxurious, and so. Damn. Good, a little predictability is welcome. Made with jojoba oil and honey from the Mirsaleh bee garden in Holland (the same nutrient-rich honey found in all of Gisou’s hair care), the Honey Infused Hair Perfume hydrates, tames frizz, adds shine, and layers a hint of sweetness over any fragrance—or stands beautifully on its own for a soft, sugary finish.
Allure associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry holding the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Melanie Curry
Curry applying the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Melanie Curry
Tester feedback from Allure associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
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“I'm a sucker for sweet scents, and Gisou’s Hair Perfume fits the bill. The scent is so strong that one to two spritzes are enough—any more and it'll overpower your other perfumes. If you’re wearing this scent solo, you can spray as much as you want. And for my textured hair girls, this hair perfume works on our curls and braids, too!” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
More to know
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Key notes: Mirsalehi honey
Available sizes: 50 ml
Best Citrus: Chanel Chance Hair Perfume
Chanel
Chance Hair Perfume
Chanel
Why it's worth it: For all things unwaveringly chic, classy, and display-worthy, you can't go wrong with the Chanel Chance Hair Perfume. Pretty bottle aside, the scent that lives inside is noteworthy, too. One whiff and you'll instantly notice a burst of grapefruit and jasmine, with the smoothness of white musk. While it’s light and bright, our testers found it to be super long-lasting, so you’ll get tiny hits of the clean scent throughout the day.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han holding the Chanel Chance Hair Perfume
Sarah Han
Han applying the the Chanel Chance Hair Perfume
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Some hair perfumes are rather bulky (no shade!) but the extra-petite bottle of Chanel 's Chance Eau Tendre Hair Mist is perfect for me to throw into literally any of my purses without weighing them down. Chanel has a little bit of everything I like in fragrances: fruits, florals, and a touch of musk for an incredibly wearable scent that jives with me—and never overpowers.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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Key notes: grapefruit, jasmine, white musk
Available sizes: 35 ml
Best Amber: Phlur Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Phlur
Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why it's worth it: True to its name, the first thing you’ll notice about Phlur’s Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist is its warm, enveloping depth, courtesy of amber. Earthy saffron and creamy vanilla turn up the heat, while a heart of jasmine lends a soft, powdery touch that keeps the scent balanced. It opens with a bold presence, but as it settles, it melts into a skin-like warmth that lingers and catches attention just like a fine perfume.
Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai holding the Phlur Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Deanna Pai
Pai applying the Phlur Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“I’m not a big fragrance girl, but when I do want to add a little scent, I usually reach for a floral. This one is warm and grounded on first spritz, but as it settled into my hair, I picked up more of the jasmine. And it’s super-subtle—only I can really smell it.” —Deanna Pai, contributing editor
More to know
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Key notes: synthetic amber, saffron, jasmine, vanilla, musk
Available sizes: 90 ml, 240 ml
Best Luxe: Balmain Hair Perfume
Balmain Hair
Hair Perfume
Saks Fifth Avenue
Neiman Marcus
Why it's worth it: Sure, this vanilla-kissed hair perfume might make a small dent in your wallet, but a few spritzes go a long way, so a single bottle lasts for years. While the profile is stacked with star anise, tarragon, peach blossom, apricot, sandalwood, white musk, and more, the scent itself is anything but overwhelming. Rather, it’s comforting, cozy, and wraps around you like a warm hug. Infused with argan oil and silk protein, it nourishes dry strands, smooths away flyaways, and leaves your hair smelling (and feeling) as luxurious as it looks.
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner holding the Balmain Hair Perfume
Wohlner applying the Balmain Hair Perfume
Tester feedback from Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“When I tell you I spritz this perfume on my strands every time I leave the house, I’m not lying (it sits on a shelf by my front door so I never forget!). It pairs beautifully with any other perfume I’m wearing because of its musky base, which adds a sultry boost to anything I’m already wearing. Plus, I always notice a nice glisten to my hair whenever I spritz it on. It’s a welcome confidence booster.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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Key notes: star anise, tarragon, pinewood, peach blossom, raspberry, gardenia, vanilla
Available sizes: 100 ml
Best Floral: Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava
Ceremonia
Perfume Mist de Guava
Revolve
Credo Beauty
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards holding the Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava
Bianca Richards
Why it’s worth it: You’ll spot Ceremonia Mist de Guava on plenty of Allure editors’ desks and vanities—and for good reason. One spritz and we’re instantly transported from our laptops to a tropical island. Bursting with top notes of guava, lemon zest, and peach, followed by heart notes of jasmine petals and violet, it dries down to a bright, floral-citrus blend that feels like summer year-round. What’s more to love? The formula is infused with light-reflecting pearls, so when you spritz it on bare skin, you get a luminous shimmer that’s perfect for beach days or nights out.
Tester feedback from Allure social media manager Bianca Richards
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“I remember seeing this conversation on social about sillage—the term used to describe the lingering scent someone leaves behind as they walk by. Honestly, when I’m choosing my perfume for the day, the sillage it creates is a huge part of finding the perfect body or hair fragrance. The Ceremonia Guava Hair and Body Perfume Mist has stayed in my summer rotation—not just because it’s giving guava girl summer and I’ve been wearing my curls out for extra spritz—but because I imagine that fruity, floral whiff might trigger a fun memory for someone else who might need that nice pick-me-up.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key notes: guava, lemon zest, peach, jasmine petals, violet
- Available sizes: 10 ml, 50 ml
Best Fruity: Dae Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist
dae
Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: If you’re partial to an orange creamsicle, prepare to fall hard for Dae’s Dream Veil Signature Citrus scent. Bright citrus and orange blossom mix with warm vanilla for a fragrance that we like to call pure nostalgia (think a summer night at the ice cream truck, bottled). Like the rest of Dae’s desert-inspired lineup, it’s infused with cactus water to drench hair in hydration whenever you need a pick-me-up.
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin holding Dae Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist
Shanna Shipin
Shipin applying Dae Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin
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"Dae ‘Dream Veil’?! There truly couldn't be a more perfect name for this product. It enrobes your hair in a heavenly, well, veil of fragrance that lingers long after you apply it. It's a fruity, citrusy scent that's both warm and energizing—and it's the perfect finishing touch, especially on a sunny summer day. I swear it also leaves a nice sheen on your hair, without weighing any of your strands down." —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
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- Key notes: citrus, orange blossom, warm vanilla
- Available sizes: 80 ml
Best Rose: Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist
Diptyque
Eau Rose Hair Mist
Nordstrom
Bluemercury
Why it’s worth it: In the world of hair mists, Diptyque’s Eau Rose is an OG, and, dare we say, the Miranda Priestly of fragrances. (The eau de parfum version is already what we’d call an industry power player.) As the name suggests, rose is the star here, but not the sultry, after-dark kind. This is a fresh, luminous rose—it taps two different types: damascena rose and centifolia rose—that leaves a bright, airy trail every time your hair catches the breeze. Infused with camellia oil, it nourishes strands while adding a subtle, tea-like note that keeps the scent light and elegant.
Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto holding the Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist
Alessandra Foresto
Foresto applying the Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist
Alessandra Foresto
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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“I’m a huge fan of fragrance and have a dedicated spot on my vanity for my many precious bottles. While I spritz based on my mood each day (one day I might feel like smelling super fruity and the next I might feel like a deep oud), I’ve been reaching for this delicate rose hair fragrance more and more. It might be because every time I wear it, someone asks me what fragrance it is.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
More to know
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- Key notes: rose
- Available sizes: 30 ml
Best Vanilla: Maison Louis Marie Fleur de Vanille Hair + Body Mist
Maison Louise Marie
Hair and Body Mist Fleur de Vanille
Amazon
Dermstore
Revolve
Why it’s worth it: Vanilla takes center stage in Maison Louis Marie’s Fleur de Vanille, but it’s expertly balanced with raspberry for brightness, white citron for a crisp edge, and cashmere musk to keep the vanilla fresh and sophisticated (unlike the Victoria’s Secret body spray you wore in high school). Beyond the fragrance, the formula is packed with hair- and skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, and seaweed extract, which hydrate and nourish.
Allure content director Kara McGrath holding the Maison Louis Marie Fleur de Vanille Hair + Body Mist
Kara McGrath
McGrath applying the Maison Louis Marie Fleur de Vanille Hair + Body Mist
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
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“I love that, because this is for hair and body, I can spray it all over with abandon. The Fleur de Vanille scent delivers on the name's promise: It's a vanilla fragrance with floral top notes that keep it feeling fresh.” —Kara McGrath, content director
More to know
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- Key notes: vanilla, raspberry, cashmere musk, clove, cane sugar
- Available sizes: 100 ml
Best Woodsy: Byredo Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume
Byredo
Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume
Nordstrom
Neiman Marcus
Bloomingdale's
Allure former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein holding the Byredo Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume
Jennifer Hussein
Why it's worth it: The beauty of Byredo’s Mojave Ghost is how subtle it is for a woodsy fragrance, and its hair-perfume variation is all the more subtle and refined This Mojave Desert-inspired scent features a base of cedarwood and musk (albeit chantilly musk, a slightly sweeter take on the skin-like note) lingering in the background, but the powdery violet and magnolia flowers soften the usually pungent edges of the more intense notes. Top notes of warm ambrette and fruity nesberry make this fragrance all the more unique and captivating—like a crisp, early morning.
Feedback from Allure tester Jennifer Hussein
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“I have just about every form of Byredo’s Mojave Ghost scent, but the hair perfume is the one I reach for daily. Even if I washed my hair for the day, I can’t resist spritzing this soft-wood scent on my strands.”
More to know
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Key notes: ambrette, nesberry magnolia, sandalwood, violet, cedarwood, amber, chantilly musk
Available sizes: 75 ml
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a hair perfume different from other fragrances?
"Hair perfumes or mists usually contain hydrating properties like hyaluronic acid and other natural ingredients that cover odor, have UV ray protection, and give your hair just the right texture and shine," writes New York City- and Columbus, Ohio-based hairstylist Mia Santiago. Hair perfumes are also more likely to be alcohol-free than their standard counterparts, which earns them a big A-plus from Santiago. She notes that because of the alcohol content, regular perfume “would be very drying to your hair and can cause breakage.”
Not only will you enjoy the light scent of hair perfume, but your wallet will, too, considering that they’re less pricey than their more-concentrated counterparts—this is largely because hair perfumes contain significantly less perfume oil. “Typically, a hair mist is dosed between 3 to 5% fragrance oil, whereas an eau de parfum is anywhere from 20 to 25%,” says Arielle Lebeau, a perfumer for Robertet Group. “Hair and body mists are also slightly more diluted as they contain a percentage of alcohol as well as a percentage of water, versus traditional fragrances that just contain alcohol.”
Meet the experts
- Arielle Lebeau, a perfumer for Robertet Group in Budd Lake, New Jersey
- Mia Santiago, a hairstylist based in New York City and Columbus, Ohio
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 review of the best hair perfumes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out 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.
Hailey Bieber’s New Faded French Manicure Is Destined to Be a Huge Trend
Photo: Getty ImagesSave this storySave this story
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Whenever Hailey Bieber posts a video of herself where she's doing her makeup or her hair, we're always looking out for two things: if she's sneaking in any as-yet-unreleased Rhode products and what manicure she's wearing at the moment. And if we're being honest, with the very rare exception of an unexpected color, her manicures are usually a take on her signature glazed-donut nails—something in the beige or light pink family, usually a bit shimmery, often sheer, and always pretty.
And when she posted her latest TikTok, in which she's applying a couple of Rhode products to her lips and filming on a phone protected by her famous Lip Case (of course), we assumed the off-white manicure we saw flitting around was one of her go-to looks. But upon the closest possible inspection, we actually think it's a deviation from the norm and quite possibly the next big trend in neutral nail looks.
When we zoom in—yes, we take screenshots and basically do forensic investigations of celebrity beauty TikToks here at Allure—we realized we were looking at what we can best describe as a faded manicure. At first glance, it seemed like it may just be a sheer off-white that's transparent enough to let her natural tips show through, but those natural tips look pretty darn perfect, leading us to believe it's actually two shades of cream: a sheer one as the base and a more opaque one on the tips, with a not-so-sharp line of demarcation that gives the overall look a faded effect.
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But wait! There's more! When we zoomed in extra close, we could see what's either some spots on her mirror, or a few little dots on her nails. Alas, Bieber has yet to give followers a closer, higher-res view.
Naturally, we've reached out in hopes of more details and a clearer look. But in the meantime, we're not going to wait to see a faded French manicure on other hands before we call it: This is going to be one of the biggest trends for the rest of 2025.
“Grunge” Makeup Is Trending, But Everyone’s Missing the Point
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Grunge is back. Or at least in the beauty world, it supposedly is; according to Pinterest’s just-released fall trend report, searches for terms like “’90s grunge makeup,” “soft grunge makeup look,” and “messy grunge makeup” have all doubled or tripled in recent months… but interest in one particular term is spiking far more than the rest: “Clean grunge” makeup, searches for which are up more than 600 percent on the platform. If you were around in the mid-90s, that might inspire the same reaction I had, which was, “Huh?” Grunge is inherently the opposite of clean—that’s why it’s called what it is—so what would that even look like?
Turning to social media for answers only left me more confused as to what constitutes grunge makeup by 2025 standards. When I search for “grunge makeup” and similar terms on TikTok, two distinct looks repeat themselves: the first, a swampy wash of brown eye shadow paired with dark matte lipstick; the other, a sharply contoured face punctuated by a gently smudged black cat eye. Instagram offers much of the same with a little sparkle here and there for kicks. Over on Pinterest, just about anything goes when you search for “clean grunge” and the like: amid similar smudged eyeliner looks, I saw glitter haphazardly smeared around the eyes, punchy graphic eyeliner designs, shimmering cut-creases, colorful halo eyes, and seemingly bare faces topped with grayish nude lipstick, to describe just a few. I couldn’t identify a true thread of commonality among any of the “grunge” looks I found on social media, except maybe an inclination toward cool-toned colors and a focus on the eyes.
Amid this quest to pinpoint the true definition of modern grunge, I realized two things. One: In this sociopolitical climate, it was only inevitable that there’d be a growing desire to look “grunge.” Two: In this hyper-algorithmic digital climate, it was also inevitable that grunge would be wholly misunderstood.
You don’t need to have been around for its conception in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s to know that the grunge aesthetic didn’t appear out of thin air. A crop of alternative rock bands out of the gloomy Pacific Northwest (mostly Seattle) became known for a groggy, distorted sound and angsty lyrics revolving around depression, addiction, and mistrust of authority. Their unkempt looks were just as much a form of protest as their lyrics, all in the name of defying societal norms. Men in the scene grew their hair out long and painted their nails (Nirvana's Kurt Cobain even wore dresses on stage a couple of times). Women left their hair unstyled if they hadn't cut it all off, they rarely wore makeup, and either rejected feminine fashions or used them as a political statement.
Courtney Love performing with Hole circa 1994.
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(It wasn't a perfect movement by any means, by the way; women and people of color in the scene faced a hefty amount of exclusion and discrimination, and their contributions went largely ignored or were even erased, like in the case of Tina Bell, the Black frontwoman of Bam Bam who later became known as “the godmother of grunge.” I could not even find an immediately licensable photo of her to use in this piece, which is a shame 'cause she had extremely cool haircuts. Anyway, go Google her.)
Local journalists started calling it “grunge” music, and the long story short from there is that the term stuck when record labels (to the dismay of the scene’s leaders) began using it to cast and promote their acts. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden blew up in part because of those marketing efforts but even more so because their lyrics deeply resonated with America’s youth, who at the time felt abandoned by the system and fearful of their future (or predicted lack thereof). The genre evolved into a subculture that provided a break from the glossy, apolitical, hyperconsumerist mainstream popular culture of the time, spearheaded by choreographed boybands and pop divas. Though in the end grunge wound up turning into the very thing it sought to protest, a somewhat soulless money-making ploy, its music and aesthetic still defined much of Generation X.
“If we’re doing a smoky cat eye or putting on dark lipstick or smearing glitter on our faces and calling it grunge on social media, we may look ‘alt’ but it’s not grunge at all.”
It’s a tale as old as time for modern rock music subcultures. Before grunge got co-opted by capitalism, the same thing happened to goth in the early ‘80s. After grunge, the same thing happened to emo in the 2000s. Then it happened to indie club rock in the 2010s. They all had formative music with aesthetics to match, and they all lasted long enough to impact certain generations for a lifetime, for better or worse.
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But in a post-TikTok world where a trend can be birthed during your lunch break and die before you’re back at your desk, alternative subcultures simply can’t exist as they used to. The music industry is no longer driven by already-existing cultural movements—culture is by and large manufactured by industries now, and they have a vested interest in keeping our attention spans short and their products inoffensive to the widest swathe of consumers.
Louise Post of Veruca Salt in 1992.
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I think that’s why the blanket term “alt” has become so popular in recent years, even more so “alt girl” as a companion term to “clean girl” and the like. People who love these rock music subgenres have been starved for something fresh they can resonate with, and it seems that as a result we’ve all kind of lumped ourselves into one shared category out of solidarity. But the respective (and wildly different) identities of each subculture got watered down in the process, and what’s left is a rather confused aesthetic that borrows threads of movements past and mashes them up into something lacking meaning.
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It makes sense, then, that the social media search results for “grunge makeup” would be so… not grunge. Some of those looks I described earlier clearly borrowed elements from goth, while others took notes from emo or metal. A lot of them weren’t defined by a specific subculture, more so the general vibe of being “alternative” or, in other words, doing something slightly different from today’s most ubiquitous beauty trend, the “clean” look.
Like the Gen X youths who started the original grunge movement, Zoomers and younger millennials (myself included) also have deep-seated fears about their futures, these days thanks to the economy, climate change, sociopolitical tension, and war. So it does make sense that people are now taking to the term “grunge” in particular; it represents disdain for the system in which we’re expected to participate, and that system feels more dystopian every day if you ask me. But if we’re doing a smoky cat eye or putting on dark lipstick or smearing glitter on our faces and calling it grunge on social media, we may look “alt” but it’s not grunge at all.
The band L7 circa 1992.
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True grunge rejects beauty standards and the effort it takes to meet them. It rejects the adoption of trends and the purchase of products for the sake of fitting in. It rejects feeding into capitalist systems that make rich people richer and poor people poorer. In today’s world, looking authentically grunge would mean largely rejecting the beauty industry and internet beauty culture rather than concocting new makeup looks (with shiny new products) that we can attach a recycled buzzword to. It would look like zits and dark circles and undyed roots and unplucked eyebrows and visible body hair. There are plenty of people out there embracing all these things and more—but I’m willing to bet none of them are posting about how grunge they are on TikTok.
Julia Fox Has One Regret—Interview
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Julia Fox just took a shower. When she answers the creaky, wooden front door of her Harlem brownstone, I’m looking down at tan sock-clad feet before panning up to swishy black lounge pants and a tight white muscle tank splashed with black, all-caps text: BEING SEXY CONFIDENT BITCHY AND WELL DRESSED DOES NOT MEAN I LACK EMOTIONAL DEPTH. Her dark, wet hair is pushed back and out of her face, bare except for glossy lips.
About a dozen pairs of shoes line the small entryway behind the door, a sea of funky shapes and chunky soles. A pair of silver high-heeled Crocs dripping in baubles rests just a few feet from a small pile of little boys’ sneakers. I ask if I should take mine off, but Fox waves a hand and tells me not to worry about it before ascending the stairs and offering me coconut water. We stop at the second floor’s spacious living and dining room, where she sits on the far end of a small blue-gray sectional couch without so much as gesturing for me to join. It’s the same thing that happens when I go to my best friend’s place to do nothing together for a while. Except this time I’m trying not to gawk too hard at the intimidatingly cool vintage furniture and massive abstract paintings.
“This was the only day I didn't have to work, so I was like, ‘Okay, I'll schedule the interview today,’” she tells me when I ask if this is an average day for her. But talking to me, I say, is still working. “Yeah, but it's not like I have to go out and put makeup on, do my hair. It's way more chill.” Earlier this morning, she loaded her four-year-old son, Valentino, into her used “2018 or something” Dodge Challenger and drove him to school on the Upper East Side, as she always does when he’s not with his dad (ex-husband Peter Artemiev, with whom she co-parents) or tagging along on one of her many work trips. “He's gotten in this weird phase where he doesn't want to go to school, so every morning is a battle of coaxing him into the classroom, and then we have to hug, and then I have to bribe him,” she says. “You know how it goes. It's crazy.”
Christian Siriano dress. To re-create this makeup look: Natasha Denona Xenon Eyeshadow Palette, Addiction Tokyo The Eyeshadow Cream in Black Beach, Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in Endless Cacao, and MAC Cosmetics M•A•Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in HoneyLove.
I’ve been ushered into the home of one of pop culture’s most misunderstood people. The 35-year-old’s bio reads like that of someone 30 years her senior: Fox has held several multimedia art exhibitions, self-published two books of photography, designed a clothing line, modeled in fashion campaigns, acted in films both praised and panned, directed a short film, written a memoir (provocatively titled Down the Drain), and recorded a divisive debut pop single, among plenty of other things. And yet she is often boiled down to the once-paramour of a rapper whose name isn’t worth repeating. Every move she makes seems to inspire excitement and loathing in equal measure, and Reddit debates abound about whether her looks are artful or trashy.
I’m not immune to this misunderstanding, seeing as I show up expecting the version of Julia Fox who wears clothes incorporating condoms and dry-cleaning bags and hair extensions. At the very least, I expect the signature blacked-out eye makeup that launched a thousand tutorials and just as many hate comments. But defying expectations is kind of Fox’s whole thing, whether she means to or not.
“The way people identify you is very much based on their perception of themselves, and people are going to look at you and take whatever they will.” Her subtle but distinctive vocal fry washes over every word. She’s laid her baby pink phone face down at her side on the couch right next to a matching baby pink vape pen that she picks up at times but never hits; her long gel nails, also baby pink, softly clack against it when she talks with her hands.
“To a New Yorker, [my style] is normal… But I could see how someone who's not used to that would be like, ‘What's wrong with her? What drugs is she on? What an attention-seeking whore. Oh my God, the makeup is ugly.’ To me, that says more about them than it does about me, because, like, damn, you've never gone to the theater? You've never gone to a show, a museum, a fashion show? You've never opened an art book?”
Her styling choices can be deeply referential of history, culture, and classical or modern art, but also confrontational, raunchy, and intentionally confusing at the same time. In May, she made a public appearance in a look best described as “period glam”: a T-shirt printed with the image of an antique bed and the words “Ladies Night,” paired with corset-inspired thigh-high stockings and a pair of lacy white panties splattered in fake blood at the crotch. Fox calls it an ode to “the part of femininity that we keep to ourselves, which is bed rotting on your period.” Media coverage of the outfit inspired such comments as, “She needs to be BANNED from all social media,” and “That is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen.”
Fox might embody a pop art painting at one appearance and wear little but a corset and tights to the next. “If I'm going to put on an outfit… It can never just be a pretty outfit. It has to have some kind of meaning that I can tap into then play that character. Some sort of thread that aligns with who I am.” Her unashamedness, it seems, is partly what makes Fox a fashion hero in the eyes of some and a harlot in others’. To Fox, it’s all one big art piece, and “art is supposed to be polarizing.”
“Am I going to chase the way I used to look, or am I going to evolve and see what's on the other side?”
Largely cutting men out of her life is what she credits (alongside motherhood) to this relatively newfound freedom in fashion and beauty. “I don't have to entertain men anymore.” In 2024, Fox revealed that she’d stopped having sexual and romantic relationships with men more than two years prior. I wonder out loud if she ever misses being with them, and the “No, not at all,” I get in response is paired with a hint of a satisfied smirk and a gentle shake of her head.
“The way my life is, I can't see why a man would be beneficial. I'm laser-focused on being a good mom, on being a good provider, on making my dreams come true. There's just so much more you can do with your time than waiting around to see if a guy's going to text you back or not.” There may come a day in the far-off future when she meets a guy she wants to date, but for right now, they’re wholly unappealing.
“The way my life is, I can't see why a man would be beneficial.”
Maybe that’s what allowed Fox to finally come to an understanding of her sexuality. “I'm pansexual; I could be attracted to anyone and anything,” she says. “If it were just down to the physical, I'm more attracted to the female body. Men don't do it for me at all [physically], but I can be attracted to a man's mind. I'm a vibes person.”
Christian Cowan top and skirt.
To hear her say this so confidently is a surprise. Last year, the internet mistook an offhand remark Fox made on TikTok as a coming-out declaration of lesbianism. She later clarified in an interview that she thought she might be a lesbian and that she’d be “up for a relationship with a woman.” Since then, Fox has “definitely had crushes and did some stuff [with women], but it's never gotten to full relationship status.”
“If it were just down to the physical, I'm more attracted to the female body.”
Still, deciding she’s pansexual wasn’t a simple conclusion to arrive at. “I think women have a harder time [realizing they’re queer] because we are so programmed to perform for men.” But the signs were always there: Throughout her life, Fox has consistently found herself in friendships with female “psycho codependent besties” fueled by possessiveness. “Looking back, I'm like, ‘Oh my God, we were in a relationship.’ But there was no way I was going to admit that to myself, and I couldn't because so much of my survival was hinged upon men taking care of me.”
“I'm pansexual; I could be attracted to anyone and anything.”
It’s possible that making those aforementioned dreams come true feels far more attainable without romantic interests eating away at her time anyway. “I unfortunately can't commit a hundred percent of myself. I'm traveling all the time.” The work that keeps her so busy these days is mostly acting, and Fox intends to keep it that way. “I also really want to write more. On this day off, for instance, if I wasn't going to do this [interview], I would be downstairs in my office just writing. I'll write a script in two days. I wrote one recently about a grandma who decides she wants to fulfill her dream of being a pageant queen.”
September will mark one of Fox’s biggest acting gigs to date with the theatrical release of HIM, a horror movie produced by Jordan Peele about the inner workings of fame and power in professional football. Fox plays Elsie White, the wife of a veteran quarterback (Marlon Wayans), who takes a special interest in the young player (Tyriq Withers) he mentors. You’ll instantly recognize her influence when she delivers such artful lines as, “Pop this jade egg in your pussy” with perfectly performative sincerity. Aside from the butt-length extensions in her hair, Elsie looks just like Fox normally does in real life, down to the graphic eye makeup and chiseled cheekbones and bleached eyebrows. It’s an interesting creative choice, considering there isn’t a single football WAG who looks or dresses remotely like Fox, but one could argue she’s making fun of what so many take her to be: a gimmick.
“I'm just so not like that [character],” she says when I ask what she made of Elsie’s influencer tendencies. “People are like, ‘Why don't you start a makeup line?’ Is that what the world really needs, though?” She’d feel like “such a loser” if she plastered her face on products for the hell of it. (Though she’s not opposed to working with existing beauty companies. Earlier this year, she was one of the faces of the “I Only Wear MAC” campaign, posing naked in a New York City subway car to promote the brand’s new nudes collection.) Other celebrities can launch as many lines as they want, though. “Also, I'm not a celebrity. I hate that word.” Her nose scrunches up like something smells bad in here.
“I'm not a celebrity. I hate that word.”
Why? “I just don't think I'm a celebrity. I still remember the first time I was ever described as that and the feeling of ick that came over me.” Fox has said in the past that she always knew she’d be famous one day, whether she wanted to or not. Graduating from relative obscurity to NYC It girl to mainstream recognition “just felt natural,” but that isn’t necessarily a good thing.
“Do you resent your fame?” I ask. “Yeah, of course. I feel like all famous people do, but they don't want to say it because it's like, ‘Oh, woe is me.’ Fame is this thing that happens to you. You aren't famous because you chose it. You can feed it, but ultimately, the power is all in other people's hands. People want to take, take, take, take, take, and they would take even if there was nothing left to give.”
Stella McCartney dress.
That fame comes with a certain kind of microscope these days, the type internet detectives use to speculate on the plastic surgeries celebrities are purportedly getting done. Fox doesn’t seem to mind it; she’s in favor of putting all her various cosmetic procedures out there. “It's super important when you become famous or a public figure to be transparent,” she says. She tells me she started getting filler and Botox around the age of 21 and has also discussed undergoing liposuction, a rhinoplasty, and veneers in past interviews. “Now, when I see someone and I can tell they've never done anything…I wish I could go back and be that person. I was so hung up on this idea that I needed to be attractive to men so that I could survive. ”
According to her, she hasn’t gotten anything done recently—apparently, not even the thing you’re thinking of. “I probably will [get more work done one day], but I'm just not as concerned with it right now.”
There’s “something to be said,” she says, about the beauty of an older woman with unaltered features—but that doesn’t mean she isn’t scared of looking or being older one day. “That's what I think I'm the most scared of, feeling old, and there are times where I feel old…Tired, over it, disillusioned.” What soothes the rub is having developed a stronger sense of self, which got lost in Fox’s quest for protection and attention via conventional beauty. “When you're young and hot, it’s like that's your identity. Then you're like, shit, I need to stay young and hot.”
“Now when I see someone and I can tell they've never done anything… I wish I could go back and be that person."
But at 35, she’s approaching what she calls a crossroads. “Am I going to chase the way I used to look, or am I going to evolve and see what's on the other side? It could be something totally different, and I'm choosing to go that way. I just want to see who's there waiting for me,” she says. “It'll definitely be uncomfortable, but I think I'm ready for it.”
The person on the other side might end up looking a little different from the one people love or hate or tolerate today, but it’s a safe bet she’ll still be the same Julia Fox at the core. Let it be understood, straight from the horse’s mouth, who that actually is: “I'm thorough as fuck, and I will go to bat for the people I love. I'm a mother, and that makes me inherently tough as hell but also compassionate and empathetic. I can be really vulnerable, and I think there's strength in that. I'm a badass bitch through and through.”
Julia Fox was photographed at House of Yes in Bushwick, Brooklyn, a location renowned for producing nightlife experiences, dance parties, cabaret shows, and theatrical spectacles.
Vanessa Hudgens Turned Neutral Nails Into a Magical Manicure With One Technique
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If there's one thing about Vanessa Hudgens that we know to be the actual, factual truth, it's that the woman loves gorgeous manicures as much as she loves Halloween—and that's a hell of a lot. Which is why, when I saw her newest nails, I honestly couldn't believe she hadn't switched into “Summerween” mode. But while her latest manicure may not be a spooky one, it's definitely still conjuring up magical vibes.
Hudgens loves a bold set of nails, like her negative-space neon look back in April, and we can always count on her to model them for her prolific nail artist, Zola Ganzorigt, with what I like to call the Hudgens Sleeve Hold, where she folds her fingers over to her palm and poses her manicure against the backdrop of her pulled-down sleeve. And for her new nails, her sleeve—flouncy with a sheer leopard print—is actually bolder than her nails.
The long, oval set is painted in a super pretty beige shade that's not all that far off from her skin tone. But it still feels anything but plain thanks to a gorgeous cat-eye finish that creates a magical, intensified shine that shifts in the light. Nail artist Alora Reyes recently told Allure that this magnetic polish effect is still going strong as a trend as we enter fall.
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Hudgens's nails aren't the only magical aspect of her beauty look right now. Yesterday, before updating her nails, she shared a video revealing how gorgeously long and curly her hair is during her second pregnancy—with a little help from extensions experts Violet Teriti and Vivian Terityan.
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Hudgens says “mermaid mommy mode” is activated, but I have a feeling we're not even a few weeks away from witchy woman mode.
8 Best Scalp Exfoliators to Sweep Away Dead Skin Cells and Buildup
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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
The best scalp exfoliators are more than just another step in your hair-care routine—they play an important role in helping you manage flakes, excess oil, and product buildup right at the root. While your daily shampoo takes care of surface grime, scalp scrubs and treatments go even deeper, whether through chemical exfoliants (like salicylic or glycolic acid) that dissolve dead skin cells or physical scrubs with gentle grains that manually lift residue.
Our Top Scalp Exfoliators
- Best Overall: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo, $42
- Best Pre-Shampoo Treatment: The Rootist AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Clarifying Scalp Rinse, $32
- Best Shampoo: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub, $54
- Best Scent: Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub, $40
- Best for Flaky Scalps: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner, $13
- Best for Oily Scalps: Nutrafol Build-Up Blocker, $49
- Best for Dry Scalps: Nioxin Scalp Purifying Exfoliator, $26
- Best for Buildup: Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment, $25
Not only do these scalp treatments alleviate dandruff and itchiness, but they can also foster a healthy environment for hair growth. As a result of using one of our favorite derm-approved exfoliants, you’ll enjoy a scalp that feels fresh, light, and balanced, plus hair that shines brighter, feels bouncier, and looks healthier and more vibrant overall.
Below are our top scalp exfoliators with soothing, hydrating ingredients that prevent irritation, refresh your scalp, and leave your hair looking its best.
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Best Overall: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Briogeo
Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Derms love her and Allure staffers adore her (she's a Best of Beauty Award veteran), which is why Briogeo's Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo is topping this list. Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says its dissolvable, charcoal-based granules absorb excess oil while minimizing congestion along the scalp and on top of hair follicles. He also gives it kudos for its blend of moisturizing coconut oil and an anti-inflammatory cooling complex comprising peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oils.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Not only is it extremely effective at removing dead skin cells, but the minty smell from peppermint and spearmint oils, which help reduce itchiness, instantly calms me down every time. I spend a full minute massaging the shampoo into my scalp before rinsing and following up with a moisturizing hair mask. My scalp has never felt cleaner, and I've been noticing a lot less flakiness.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: charcoal powder, coconut oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, tea tree oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Pre-Shampoo: The Rootist AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Clarifying Scalp Rinse
The Rootist
AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Clarifying Scalp Rinse
Amazon
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Before you step in the shower, slather on The Rootist's AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Scalp Clarifying Treatment. As its name suggests, this pre-shampoo rinse is enriched with apple cider vinegar, a pantry staple that happens to have buildup-busting (and shine-boosting!) properties, and an intensive 9% alpha hydroxy acid blend of exfoliating glycolic and lactic acids. Leave on for up to 15 minutes, rinse, and follow with your favorite shampoo for a cleaner, residue-free scalp.
Tester feedback from former senior beauty editor Paige Stables
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"Unlike a scalp tonic that often drips down my face, or a messy, abrasive scrub, The Rootist AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Scalp Clarifying Treatment's gel-like formula and pointed nozzle make for a targeted, easy application. I squeeze the treatment along parted sections of my head, massage it in with my fingers, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and by the time I rinse it out, my scalp feels super clean.” —Paige Stables, former senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: apple cider vinegar, glycolic acid, lactic acid, hibiscus flower extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Shampoo: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub
Christophe Robin
Cleansing Purifying Scrub
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Christophe Robin, the Parisian colorist renowned for his luxurious, scalp-first hair care, created the Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt as a true detox for hair and scalp. “This classic scrub uses sea salt crystals to physically lift away buildup, while sweet almond oil soothes and hydrates,” says Arisa Ortiz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego, California, who recommends it for people with oily scalps or post-color services to remove residue. What starts as a scrub transforms into a froth lather that cleanses like a clarifying shampoo. “It foams up nicely, making it a scrub that’s easy to distribute evenly,” she says. Use it once a week to rebalance and purify your scalp, leaving your hair feeling healthier and full of bounce.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“I've had issues with my scalp–itchiness, flakes, you name it—since my teens. And while I love a good scalp serum or dandruff shampoo, nothing gives me a reset quite like this stuff. It's been around for ages, and understandably: It's really, really good. The salt granules are pretty big, so they give a thorough and satisfying exfoliation. But the rest of the formula builds to a lather that's both easy to massage into my scalp and then rinse out. It's the best. There's no other way to put it.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: sweet almond oil, sea salt crystals, bisabolol
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Scent: Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub
Ouai
Scalp & Body Scrub
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Ouai's Scalp & Body Scrub can be used just about anywhere (except for your face and neck, which are far too delicate for rough body scrubs). The multipurpose foaming scrub "is made with sugar crystals and coconut oil to exfoliate and remove buildup while softening and balancing moisture levels," says Dr. Camp. It's been a longtime Allure tester favorite since 2018 for its skin-polishing abilities and moisturizing effects. If you're a fragrance-phile, you'll love Ouai's brand's signature Melrose Place scent. For those unfamiliar, it's a souped-up rose fragrance that's elevated with hints of bergamot, lychee, white musk, and champagne.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“Anything stylist and founder Jen Atkin creates has such thoughtfulness behind it, and the Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub has been a staple in my in-shower routine. I’m really sensitive to overpowering scents, but this has just the right amount—it makes you smell amazing without at all being headache-inducing. The newer St. Barts scent is the same exfoliating scalp scrub, just a little more tropical and equally delicious. The coconut oil keeps the physical scrub from ever feeling harsh, and it has a nice lather that some days I skip shampoo altogether.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sugar crystals, coconut oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Flakey Scalps: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why it's worth it: The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is known for its ability to smooth, brighten, and refresh skin on your face, and, in a welcome twist, it also has surprising scalp benefits. “This mild acid can also be applied directly to the scalp, thanks to the bottle’s ergonomic design,” says Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona; she recommends leaving it on to allow the glycolic acid to break down excess scale and help absorb excess oils. With soothing aloe and antioxidant-rich ginseng, it’s a do-it-all exfoliant that leaves both your skin and scalp looking clearer, healthier, and rejuvenated.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycolic acid, aloe, ginseng root extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Oily Scalps: Nutrafol Build-Up Blocker
Nutrafol
Build-Up Blocker
Amazon
Sephora
Why it's worth it: You probably know Nutrafol for its science-backed hair growth supplements, but the brand brings that same holistic approach to scalp care with the Build-Up Blocker Exfoliating Mask. This targeted treatment is designed to gently lift away product buildup and excess oils without disrupting the scalp’s natural balance. Jojoba esters and lactic acid work together to whisk away product buildup, while antioxidant-rich fruit extracts like blueberry, sugarcane, and sugar maple help protect against environmental stressors.
It's also gentle enough for more fragile hair types. “It’s safe for thin hair, color-treated hair, and even those with extensions,” says Dr. Thosani. It works quickly, so there’s no need to leave it on for ages. “Just massage it into your scalp for three to five minutes, then rinse and shampoo as usual for a refreshed scalp,” she says.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jojoba esters, lactic acid, fruit extracts
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Dry Scalps: Nioxin Scalp Purifying Exfoliator
Nioxin
Scalp Purifying Exfoliator
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Nioxin’s Scalp Purifying Exfoliator is a treatment designed to give your scalp the same kind of deep, hydrating clean your skin gets from a facial. “This product is a creamy exfoliant that helps lift buildup and excess oil off the scalp without irritation,” says Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Southfield, Michigan. Best applied to dry hair, this rinse-out exfoliator also uses lactic, tartaric, and benzoic acids to unclog follicles, lift away impurities, and rebalance the scalp, making it especially effective for dryness or dandruff-prone skin. To prevent over-drying, the formula is enriched with hydrating shea butter while peppermint oil helps cool and calm skin.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peppermint oil, shea butter, lactic acid, tartaric acid, benzoic acid
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Buildup: Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment
Alpha-H
Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Alpha-H’s Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment is designed to target itchiness, flakes, and excess oil buildup, creating the ideal foundation for healthier hair. The lightweight gel-cream formula spreads easily through the roots and rinses clean without residue, and, maybe the best part, it works in as little as one minute. “This is a combination of chemical exfoliants that maximize scalp renewal from all angles. Salicylic and lactic acids break up and dissolve dead skin cells, while gluconolactone provides gentle exfoliation for sensitive scalps,” says Dr. Fahs. To balance the acids, soothing botanicals like Australian desert lime, rice vinegar complex, and aniseed myrtle extract help calm and protect the scalp, leaving it refreshed, comfortable, and primed for stronger, shinier hair.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: salicylic acid, lactic acid, Australian desert lime, rice vinegar complex, anetholea anisata leaf extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of scalp exfoliators?
The biggest benefit of using a scalp exfoliator is its buildup-reducing properties. "Scalp exfoliators work to remove the dead skin cells, oil, and product debris that can clog hair follicles and slow growth," says Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. "Some may work to increase blood flow to the scalp which also stimulates hair growth." She also notes that these nourishing formulas can help reduce flaking, itchy scalp, and dandruff due to their ability to slough away buildup.
As a reminder, a healthy scalp is clear of flakes, redness, and irritation, according to Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. "We shouldn't see redness, we shouldn't see irritation, and we shouldn't see a lot of scales or buildup," she previously told Allure. “It should not feel tender and should not have an odor.”
What's the difference between physical and chemical exfoliators?
Physical exfoliators, usually sugar or salt-granule-based, are formulations that polish the surface layer of your skin manually, while chemical exfoliants utilize acids that deteriorate product buildup and dead skin cells. "Sugar and salt crystals are often used as physical exfoliators in scalp products to gently buff the skin," says Dr. Camp. "Chemical exfoliants like the alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid and glycolic acid, and beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, break apart the bonds between dead skin cells, facilitating their removal from the scalp surface." In addition to scalp scrubs, Dr. Camp also suggests using a scalp massager. "Scalp massaging tools, often made of silicone, can be used to exfoliate, too," he says.
When should you use a scalp exfoliator?
Dr. Jeffy says that most people can benefit from incorporating a scalp exfoliator once or twice per week (whether that's before or in the shower depending on the product's instructions). With that being said, she notes that most exfoliants shouldn't be used more than twice per week to prevent skin irritation. “If you have a sensitive scalp, eczema, or psoriasis, exfoliation can cause irritation, so you might want to skip it entirely. Also, avoid it if you have any cuts, sores, or infections in the scalp," says Dr. Jeffy. You should consult with your dermatologist if your scalp is extremely dry or irritated, since certain active ingredients can make these conditions worse.
Meet the experts
- Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist, based at MDCS Dermatology in New York City
- Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermy Doc Box, based in Southfield, Michigan
- Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, based in New York City
- Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Scottsdale, Arizona
- Arisa Ortiz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Sciton expert, based in San Diego, California
- Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology, based in Scottsdale, Arizona
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn't want to pick up a purple shampoo that's only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that's never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best scalp exfoliators, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and board-certified dermatologists to find top-tier, flake-reducing formulations. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out 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.