Going Viral: These 7 Beauty Products Have 'Glowing' Reviews On For A Reason
Within the last year, TikTok has slowly gained most of my attention when it comes to my preferred social media platform. While I’m still getting accustomed to the app and all that it offers, I'm learning that it’s a go-to resource for beauty hacks and product recommendations. Gone are the days of the long format YouTube product review, TikTok is the quickest way to judge whether a viral product or beauty tool is actually “For You” in 60 seconds or less. The new generation of social media influencers gives us access to real reviews at our fingertips from the girl next door excitedly sharing her recent discovery of relatable skin and beauty products you never knew you needed.
After asking my TikTok-obsessed friends and spending countless hours watching product reviews, I decided to include a list of summer beauty products everyone will love regardless of their skin’s texture and tone. Gone are the days of face palettes and full glam, the natural makeup trend is taking over and I’m absolutely here for it. No more cakey layers and complicated applications, these barely-there makeup products are receiving glowing reviews.
Let's face it, everyone's an influencer in their own right so stay camera-ready with these lightweight easy-to-apply products, no filter required.
1. Saie Beauty's Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter
@shadaenotadu Saie’s glowy super gel + the sun = an amazing glow ✨ #MyRecommendation #UnwrapTheDeals #fyp #beautyhacks
A lightweight multi-use illuminator, Saie Beauty’s Glowly Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter is the perfect solution for glowing dewy skin this summer. Wear it alone, under foundation, or as a highlighter using just 1-2 pumps. This beauty find is perfect for an all-over coverage glow on your face (and bare skin like chest and collarbones, shoulders and legs) with nothing more than a little sunshine for enhanced healthy-looking skin.
For even more facial coverage, use it as a base underneath a few drops of serum, tinted moisturizer, or your favorite foundation. Created for all skin tones and types, this product is definitely a game-changer.
2. Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter
@nenaschuurmans Everybody uses this and I get why, this is amazing @Charlotte Tilbury #charlottetilburymakeup #flawlessfilter #makeuptest #skinbynena #glowyskintip
Inspired by social media filters, Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter has proven to blur, smooth, and illuminate the skin for a stunningly youthful complexion. When on a mission for glowing dewy skin, this product seems to be absolutely worth the hype. Apply on its own, under a tinted moisturizer or foundation to achieve a radiant HD finish. Complete this everyday makeup look with Charlotte Tilbury’s Air Brush Flawless Setting Spray.
3. NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
@golloria ADD IT TO YOUR CART #makeup #beauty
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation is an innovative blend of makeup and skincare that instantly blurs imperfections, smooths the look of textured skin, and helps conceal blemishes, dark spots, and redness. With claims to visibly improve skin’s clarity after six weeks of daily use with its advanced skincare ingredients, there’s no reason not to try this two-in-one product. For light to darker tones and for a range of skin types, including sensitive skin, this is intended to be 24-hour all-day coverage with a natural finish.
4. Kosas Revealer Concealer
@kali.ledger using the @Kosas #revealerfoundation and concealer combo for an easy sculpted FLAWLESS base 😤✨ #kosaspartner #makeuptutorial #makeuphack #contouring
For a flawless base, Kosas Revealer Concealer does exactly what needs to be done. Concealer meets eye cream with this super lightweight and creamy formula intended for medium coverage, creating a smooth dewy finish. According to influencers across TikTok, this product not only enhances the look of their skin but the quality as well. This is another product that can be worn alone or mixed with your favorite foundation for a complete makeup look.
5. NYX Pore Filler Targeted Stick
@torilatise Is it worth the hype?! NYX Pore Filler Primer Stick. VC: @rocio.roses #makeuphacks #makeuptransformation #makeuptricks #viralproducts #viralmakeup
NYX Pore Filler Targeted Stick is pure magic, and that's no exaggeration. When I discovered this product, I couldn't believe my eyes as pores, fine lines, oil, and shine were blurred, seemingly disappearing with a few subtle swipes. For the best results, use NYX Pore Filler Primer, followed by the NYX Pore Filler Targeted Stick to target areas that need extra blurring, finishing with makeup application. Run, don’t walk to try this inexpensive instant blur while it's in stock.
6. Pixi Beauty On-the-Glow Cream Blush
@karinawaldron Can we talking about the best drugstore blushes? The pixi blush stick, is if black girl friendly? Lets try @Pixi Beauty #pixiblushstick #pixiblushreview #drugstoredupe #affordablemakeupproducts #makeuptips @karinawaldron
If you’re like me and always on the hunt for an easy and inexpensive beauty product, then this On-the-Glow Cream Blush by Pixi Beauty was made for you. Paraben-free and comprised of ingredients like aloe vera, ginseng, and fruit extracts, this is a tinted balm providing a hint of natural color while hydrating and conditioning the skin. Use one shade on both the cheeks and lips with one sweep to instantly pull your look together. You’ll be sure to find your preferred match as there's a range of colors that compliments everyone.
7. Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil
@natseleen_ The Berry colour 😍 which one would you try? #diorlipglow #diorlipglowoil
The Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil is an ultra-glossy cherry-infused lip oil that deeply protects and enhances the lips, bringing out their natural color. With the cherry-infused ingredients, it's a genuine lip care treatment that nourishes, protects, softens, and revitalizes your lips in an instant. I love the subtle pop of a rosy natural color that is still able to maintain its non-greasy, non-sticky oil texture while also creating a magnifying, mirror-shine effect. A multipurpose lip makeup, Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil can be worn on its own, as a lip primer under your lipstick, or as a top coat for volumizing shine.
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Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Almost two weeks later, Wicked is still on everyone's lips. The high-grossing film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, as their characters, tell a story about race and acceptance. However, what has captured audiences on and off the screen are Cynthia's and Ariana's looks as they play on their characters' styles.
Ariana, like her character Glinda, is often dressed in pink, and Cynthia, much like Elphaba, is covered in green. But what also has many people talking is the British actress' nails. Her nails are often long, blingy, and, of course, green. Many TikTok girlies are even doing their own versions of Elphaba's nails. But there's one person to thank for the green nail mania: Shea Osei.
The London-based nail artist has been working with the Wicked actress since she was 16 and shared all the tea on her epic nail styles with Unbothered UK.
Here what she said.
Shea On Elphaba's Nails Being The First Thing We See Before Seeing The Character
I was ecstatic. I was happy. It was just great to see my craft, my artistry just out there, not just nationally but globally.
Shea On Elphaba's Nails Representing Her Character Development
When we started with the first [nail] look, we chose nice, subtle green ombre nails that show who she is but a calm, chilled-out version of Elphaba. As she grew into herself, became more confident, and found herself, she was more like, yes, this is me, I’m Elphaba, I am who I am, and her nails became more daring. In the salon scene, when she had a transformation, her nails were, one, longer and two, they were more daring. There are many close-ups of Elphaba’s hands in the film, where you see her nails, and you see the difference in what they were [at the start of the film], so I feel like that helps to tell the story.
Shea On Elphaba's Nails Representing Black Womanhood
Yes, it was 100%. And I feel like, yes, the nails represented Black womanhood but also just being yourself. I just feel like the nails represented Cynthia as if to say, ‘I'm Black and I can be a Black witch’. This is who I am. And also, I can have braids and they can be done in any kind of way and can still be styled however is needed. I think we saw, if I'm correct, three or four different braid styles in the movie. Sim Camps, who styled the braids, did an amazing job — there would be mornings when she would be making sure the braids were intact and looked amazing on camera. So, yeah, definitely the braids were an ode to Black culture and the nails were 100% like, yes, we're doing it.
Shea On Seeing The Fan Recreation On TikTok
Yes, I have! If you are going to the salon and you want to recreate Elphaba's nails and let's say, you're going for the nails after the salon scene, where she just gets a fresh set, I would say ask for a plain black base and then ask if they have green foils to stick it on top to give that green effect. Then apply a shiny top coat. And it looks insane! The green ombre is more complicated with colours mixed to give it a green earthy colour.
Shea On The Importance Of Expressing Yourself Through Nail Art, Despite Some Criticism
We love it and don't want anyone to change. Let's look at athletes such as Flo-Jo, remember her nails? Now we have ShaCarri Richardson and her nails are always long and she's always got nice designs [on them]. It’s also Black people, not only Black women — because if you look at athletes that are men that make sure they get their nails painted as well. A$AP Rocky gets his nails painted. It's just so good to see that our culture is so colourful and also so inviting. It’s not only Black people that can have these kinds of nails, anyone can have them. I’m glad we can be the inspiration to everybody and they can draw bits of our culture and add it to theirs.
I like the fact that Cynthia is able to go out of there into the world and still be authentically herself. She hasn't changed for anything or anyone. This is how I am. I like my nails like this, my nail techs love doing my nails like this.
I'm over the moon that Cynthia can go out and still have her nails how she wants to. [Cynthia’s nails] has been a topic this entire Wicked press tour. Everyone will ask Cynthia about her nails in every interview and I love that. I love it because that's who she is. And if you see her you'll see that she's always got her nails done and she’s always got some banging heels on. Even on her down days, she’s always dressed. That's just how she is.
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