5 Beauty Tips We Learned From the Moms in Our Lives

We all know we couldn’t do much without the moms in our lives — especially when it comes to the beauty tips and tricks we’ve acquired throughout the years. From the first product she ever bought you to the makeup lessons she passed down to you, every memory is special.

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In honor of Mother’s Day, our editors rounded up the best-kept beauty secrets, hacks, and rules they learned from their moms. You probably won’t be surprised to find out that many of us still swear by them every day.

Blend Your Foundation Down Your Neck! 

My mom was like the jawline police — always rubbing my face whenever my foundation stopped at my chin and didn’t blend with my neck. Now, I think about it constantly. Even if I know my foundation was perfect when I left the house, I find myself neurotically blending throughout the day. Thanks, Mom!

Find Your Signature Scent (or Two!) 

I have such lovely memories of wandering around department stores’ fragrance counters with my mom and sampling new arrivals. Our shopping trips made me fall in love with the concept of having one or two signature scents and gave me an appreciation for the fragrance category as a whole. Right now, I’m loving Dossier fragrances— classic scents.

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Prioritize Skincare 

My mother has always kept her makeup minimal and natural (a trait I’ve inherited from her), but she has loved skincare and skincare products for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up, her bathroom was a magical land perfumed with the scents of her extensive collection of creams and lotions. It’s no surprise that her biggest beauty advice is to start prioritizing skincare at a young age. Since I entered my 20s, she has sung the praises of using retinol to address early signs of aging. But the silky, deliciously-fragranced face and body creams are what I remember most from my childhood — plus, she always had the softest skin! The TATCHA AGELESS ENRICHING RENEWAL CREAM is a face cream you and your mother will both love! 

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 Less Is More 

My mom has always been a minimalist when it comes to her beauty routine. While I was dousing my hair in bleach and dyeing it candy colors by the time I was 13, she didn’t get highlights until she reached her 50s. We may be opposites in terms of our willingness to experiment with beauty, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to love her “less is more” approach. I recently converted to using brown mascara instead of black — something my mom begged me to do when I first started wearing makeup. It turns out she was right — the softer shade makes my brown eyes pop without overpowering my features. Mom knows best, despite my reluctance to admit it!

A Look Isn’t Complete Without Lipstick 

I can remember sitting on my parents’ vanity as my mom applied lipstick before an event. It was always the final step of her routine and I always took it as lipstick completing every look. Now, I find myself packing several lip options in my purse before I go out. I don’t feel like I finished my makeup without adding something to my lips. 

The 7 Best Butt Masks of 2023 That Smooth and Calm Skin

We often pay special attention to our face and body, but neglect our bums. If you think about it: We spend countless hours on our bottoms, so it only makes sense that they deserve some self-care.

Butt masks may seem like a hoax, but since they endure a lot of the same skin problems that we experience on our face, including acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, sagging, and rough texture, a butt mask is a secret solution. Using a mask, along with your trusty body washes and scrubs, will help keep your skin problems in check.

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mio Peachy Cheeks Butt Cream

What We Love: It contains nourishing ingredients like caffeine and niacinamide to firm and soften skin.

 What We Don’t Love: It has a slight floral scent that may bothersome.

Mio Peachy Cheeks Butt Cream is the créme de la creme of butt masks. Recommended by board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick, the mask contains caffeine, niacinamide, Indian fig extract, and monk’s pepper berry. The caffeine helps with the texture and firmness of your bum, leaving you with a silky soft bottom, and the Indian fig extract and monk’s pepper berry moisturize your skin. (No one wants a dry derriere).

Concocted with a magical complex of proteins and vitamins, this mask will transform a textured bottom into a smooth and hydrated surface. One thing to keep in mind is that the rich blend is formulated with a slight floral fragrance.

Yes To Booty-Ful Paper Mask

What We Love: You can tone your bum while lying down.

What We Don’t Love: The mask slides if you move.

We love nutrient-rich sheet masks, and now they make them for your bottom. This option works to improve the overall appearance and feel of your bum. The Yes To Tighter + lifted Bootfyful Paper Mask comes in two heart-shaped sheets that you leave on each cheek for 10 minutes.

Caffeine and coffee stimulate blood flow and help smooth the skin, while the antioxidant-rich guarana fruit provides a dose of hydration. After you slide the mask off, you can rub in any excess liquid to make the most of your masking.

The only downfall is that these sheet masks are single-use, but the benefits make it worth it. And, as a bonus, it is made of one hundred percent cotton and is free of parabens, silicones, and SLS.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

What We Love: Formulated with hydrating ingredients like coconut and açai oils, this cream leaves your skin feeling like butter.

What We Don’t Love: It has a strong musky vanilla scent. 

You have probably heard of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream, and we are here to tell you it’s worth all the hype. With ingredients like guarana, cupuacu butter, and coconut and açai oils, this thick cream instantly revitalizes dry and flakey skin.

The creamy texture melts into your bum, while also tightening the appearance of the skin, thanks to the Brazil nut oil. Rich in selenium, Brazil nut oil keeps skin looking healthy and firm. Plus, the guarana stimulates blood circulation, which will enhance the overall look of your bottom. After using this mask for a few months, I have noticed a huge difference in my derriere’s firmness and smoothness. Although I love the warm rich vanilla and caramel scent, others may be more sensitive to it.

Maelys Cosmetics B-Tight Lift And Firm Booty Mask

What We Love: This mask helps tighten the areas around your bottom and thighs. 

What We Don’t Love: It has a warming sensation that some may dislike. 

While you can’t wake up with an instantly firmer bottom, this mask comes pretty close. Maelys Cosmetics B-Tight Lift and Firm Booty Mask deliver just what it promises: A beautifully plump and taut bum.

Recommended by Dr. Garshick for its firming and hydrating ingredients, this mask contains pink pepperslim, hyaluronic acid, and guarana seed extract, and is clinically proven to visibly firm skin around the booty and thighs.

Start by applying a large amount on your bottom and thighs. Then massage the leave-on mask into the skin until it absorbs. The mask may initially give a slight warming sensation, which only lasts a minute or two. After the cream settles, you’ll find that the skin on your butt and thighs looks plump and supple.

Anese Down With The Thickness Booty Mask

What We Love: The clay mask removes excess oil and contains collagen to plump and strengthen skin. 

What We Don’t Love: You have to leave it on for at least 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off for best results.

Got some time to spare and want to improve the texture of your bum? Anese Down With The Thickness Booty mask covers all your smoothing needs. Formulated with clarifying and detoxing kaolin clay, this mask offers a deep and thorough cleanse, washing away pore-clogging buildup to keep skin clear. It also absorbs excess oil and reduces the appearance of stretch marks.

The formula is concentrated with soothing ingredients, like vitamins B3 and B5, to keep skin soft and moisturized. The mask’s creamy consistency feels nice on the skin, and it spreads easily without needing much rubbing.

More Anese… yes please!

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Bawdy Clay Butt Mask

What We Love: The kaolin clay draws out impurities and excess oil to keep skin clear and acne free. 

What We Don’t Love: Reviews say that it can take a couple of tries to get product out of the stick applicator.

“This mask uses kaolin clay to draw out debris and oil, helping to improve overall texture and reduce breakouts, without leading to dryness or irritation of the skin,” says Dr. Garshick.

We love that this purifying clay mask is in stick form for an easy, mess-free application. The formula harnesses clean, non-toxic ingredients, including a blend of kaolin and montmorillonite clays to exfoliate, willow bark to tone, and glycerin to hydrate.

Simply apply the mask in a circular motion all around the butt and upper thighs, let it dry, and then rinse after 15 minutes. It’s great to use post-workout or to get a breakout under control.

Truly Buns Of Glowry Tighten & Glow Smoothing Butt Polish

What We Love: Watermelon extract helps to fade any discoloration and hydrates thirsty skin. 

What We Don’t Love: There’s not a ton of product in the packaging.

Although this is technically a body polish, it can be transformed into a mask by mixing a handful of the scrub with water and rubbing it into your cheeks. The mask is powered by watermelon extract, which is rich in vitamin C, amino acids, and antioxidants, to lightly exfoliate and promote cell turnover. It’s also formulated with wheat protein, which contains ceramides that attract and hold onto moisture to plump skin and fill in fine lines to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Together, these two powerhouse ingredients work to reveal a more radiant complexion. Our only complaint is that we love it so much, we wish it came with more products.

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What to Keep In Mind

Ingredients

When selecting a butt mask it’s important to consider the skin concerns you want to address. In general, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens recommends avoiding butt masks with potentially irritating ingredients, such as drying alcohols, fragrances, and essential oils.

If your bottom is feeling slightly dryer than usual, she says that masks rich in humectant ingredients, like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, honey, and panthenol, can help to improve moisture retention in the skin. These ingredients also provide a soothing effect, which can be helpful for anyone who experiences ingrown hairs, acne, eczema, or folliculitis (especially after shaving).

If you’re looking to treat discoloration, acne, or keratosis pilaris, Dr. Stephens suggests looking for masks that contain chemical exfoliants, like lactic or salicylic acids, as these ingredients boost cell turnover — just be sure to use sunscreen, as these acids will make skin more sensitive.

Application

Instructions for how to use the mask will depend on what type it is. If your mask is a wash-off, be sure to thoroughly rinse until you no longer feel the residue on your skin. Alternatively, a leave-on mask is one that you rub into the skin until it absorbs and dries. It can be left on the skin until your next shower.

In general, Dr. Garshick says that butt masks can be used a few times a week, but it’s important to follow the directions provided by the brand, especially if you’re using an exfoliating mask.

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Your Questions, Answered

What do butt masks do?

“A butt mask is what it sounds like A mask to treat the skin on the buttocks that can often be left on for some time to help address certain concerns of the buttocks area,” says Dr. Garshick.

These masks can exfoliate and firm, or address an acne breakout or bumpy, uneven texture.

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Rosenthal is a commerce writer for BeautyLeeBar. She covers fashion, skincare, and beauty. With additional knowledge from professional stylists, Rosenthal collaborated with a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, Dr. Marisa Garshick as well as a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Parkland Dermatology, Dr. Alexis Stephens to write this story.

6 Black-Owned Sunscreen Brands to Try ASAP

Regardless of your skin tone, wearing sunscreen every day is one of the best (and easiest) ways to protect your skin’s health and appearance, not to mention prevent the signs of aging. Sunscreen can help prevent rough and damaged skin, as well as skin cancer â€” rain or shine — since the sun emits harmful UV rays year-round. Not sure which sunscreen is best for you? According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), “dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays.

If you want to be extra safe, a higher SPF number blocks more of the sun’s UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block them 100%. For maximum protection, be sure to reapply thoroughly every couple of hours, and don’t forget about your lips (wearing a lip balm with SPF not only nourishes your lips but also protects them from skin cancer). Those with darker skin tones might be worried about sunscreen leaving a white cast, but that’s where these Black-owned sunscreen brands that you’ll want to try ASAP come in. They’re for every skin tone, so keep on reading to find your new product go-to. And remember, you don’t need to wait until summer to try these out.

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Our top picks:

These are the top picks of Black-owned sunscreen brands to wear in every type of climate.

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Keys Soulcare SPF 30 Sunscreen

This broad spectrum SPF 30 will protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, while the squalane and niacinamide ingredients keep your skin soft and balanced. Also, vitamin B3 helps to brighten and balance the skin’s appearance. All ingredients are clean and cruelty-free and it’s formulated without parabens. Not to mention, it goes on completely clear, leaving you feeling (and looking) radiant and confident. Bonus: The brand was founded by the queen herself, Alicia Keys (hence the name!).

Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Made for melanated skin, this sunscreen brand protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays using a signature, sheer formula. “As a Black woman, it can be a struggle to find a lightweight sunscreen that doesn’t leave behind a white cast,” says BLB editor Valeris. “This fragrance-free formula with SPF 30 has been amazing for my skin. It absorbs quickly and it works well under makeup.” It doubles as a moisturizer, thanks to its hydrating ingredients, like jojoba, cacao and avocado, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

On the hunt for an invisible SPF 30? Look no further! Founded by Rihanna, Fenty Skin’s Broad Spectrum sunscreen locks in hydration, fades the look of dark spots and smoothes the appearance of pores. After one week, 100% of users agree it softened their skin and it didn’t pill under makeup (this was based on the brand’s own eight-week consumer study on 52 people). It is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, like niacinamide and kalahari melon.

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Eleven Ace the Day Face Lotion SPF 30

Founded by Venus Williams, Eleven’s lightweight facial sun serum provides protection while simultaneously helping to hydrate, calm and smooth the skin. Shake well before use and then apply daily for maximum protection and skin hydration. It’s dermatologist-approved and quickly absorbs on all skin tones, creating a semi-matte finish. The multifunctional formula can be worn as a lightweight primer to extend the wear time of all of your makeup looks. Formulated to be water- and sweat-resistant, you can wear it for 40 minutes before reapplying.

Absolute Joi Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen

A tinted mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast, it will leave sensitive skin feeling extra hydrated. “The mineral formula was nice and felt moisturizing,” says BLB chemist Sabina. “It was founded by a doctor (a woman) who had an impressive CV and whose daughters had trouble finding the skincare that suited them.” Plus, there are two shades, mocha and cafe au lait. The squalane and hyaluronic acid ingredients provide long-lasting hydration and moisture without clogging pores, while vitamin C combats signs of aging and brightens the skin to create a more even tone. Other important ingredients are green tea and chamomile extract, which reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer

Infused with a large dosage of vitamin C, the Bolden Brightening Moisturizer sunscreen will brighten your skin and diminish signs of sun damage and any dark marks, while also providing hydration and nourishment, thanks to its robust antioxidants. It’s made free of sulfates, parabens or phthalates. Other essential ingredients that make up its composition are squalane, which reduces roughness and fine lines, as well as sunflower oil, which repairs the skin’s barrier and eases dryness. To top off all of its benefits, it dries clear without leaving a white, chalky residue.

Ditch Your Sticky Gloss for Lip Oil—Here Are 6 To Try

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As both a child of the early aughts and a longtime beauty editor, rest assured that I’ve cycled through just about every available lip gloss on the market. I can still smell the vanilla frosting Lip Smackers I wore every day in 7th grade, and high school, my book bag doubled as a LancĂ´me Juicy Tube graveyard. But I can also still remember the distinct feeling of un-sticking my hair from my lips—enough to put me off lip gloss for quite some time, aside from when my journalistic duty called for it. (It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.)

That all changed a couple of years ago when the matte lip obsession of the 2010s gloriously gave way to a far more timeless, dewy, fresh-faced aesthetic. Suddenly, the gooey lip glosses of decades past had been rebranded as “lip oils:” hydrating and packed with conditioning ingredients, with a flattering, slick, decidedly un-sticky finish. In the past year alone, searches for “lip oil” have spiked over 150%—a trend that has been met with a variety of new lip oils on the market, all promising a cushioned, more moisturized pout. (“Like your lips, but better,” is the going mantra.)

So, how to choose? Naturally, we did it for you—we’re rounding up six of the very best lip oils available, from plumping to tinted to high-shine formulas. Shop them below.

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Best Overall Lip Oil

Merit

Shade Slick $24

We have to agree with thousands of reviewers and TikTok users on this one—this bestselling tinted lip oil from Merit simply ticks all of the boxes. Thanks to the flattering, buildable pigment and a lightweight, hydrating sheen, it’s that one little part of my routine that instantly brings my whole look together—whether I’m headed to the grocery store or a night out.

Best Luxury Lip Oil

Dior

Lip Glow Oil $40

Take your pick from eight semi-sheer hues—or collect a few. (We’re certainly not judging.) Fans have loved this luxurious, non-sticky lip oil since it launched in 2020. Bonus points for just looking fancy when you pull it out of your purse for a midday touch-up.

Best Plumping Lip Oil

Kosas

Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss $22

This maximum-impact oil is formulated with hyaluronic acid and peptides, two skincare superhero ingredients that visibly plump and hydrate lips. We also love it for its ultra-thick, high-shine finish and eleven-shade range.

Best Lip Oil for Chapped Lips

Fenty

Cherry Treat Conditioning + Strengthening Lip Oil $24

Pout needs a little extra TLC? This cherry-flavored treat from Fenty Skin was designed to repair and restore your lips’ moisture barrier—which will ultimately keep cracked, dry skin at bay. It also features a barely-there, universally flattering cherry tint.

Best Treatment Lip Oil

Clarins

Lip Comfort Hydrating Oil $28

Consider this your friendly reminder that your lips are a key part of your skincare routine—and this formula from Clarins is already an editor favorite for a plush, hydrated pout. The secret is the potent cocktail of Jojoba, Hazelnut, and Sweetbriar Rose which help lock in moisture, reduce fine lines and improve skin elasticity—basically, unlocking your lips’ full potential.

Best High-Shine Lip Tinted Oil


Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil $20

Lip oil is the perfect solution if you don’t like the sticky feel that comes with gloss but still want a lot of shine.

This lip oil is rather unique in the sense that when you first apply it, it is more of a soft jelly texture, but it does eventually melt into a texture that feels more like a traditional lip oil.

You get so much color from this oil that even when the shine factor wears off, there is still a pretty flush of color left behind—similar to a lip stain. If you have ever tried Rare Beauty’s famous Soft Pinch Liquid Blush you know that they take pigment seriously.

Highlighted Ingredients:
– Jojoba Seed Oil: Moisturizes and creates a protective barrier over lips to lock in hydration.
– Sunflower Seed Oil: Antioxidant-rich; soothes and protects from environmental stressors.

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