March 7, 2025: Beauty News to Know
Allure joins Substack, Louis Vuitton joins the beauty industry, and I joined my fiancé for burgers at the bar last night.
Hello dear readers! Welcome back to Glossed Over. If you haven’t already, please consider subscribing or, even better, upgrading your subscription to a paid one.
First, I’d like to formally admit I was wrong about the Tate McRae Neutrogena partnership. In my February 7th post, I wrote it off as fairly unimportant, and, after seeing her TV commercial for the brand, I clearly stand corrected. It’s a stellar ad, featuring McRae and influencer-dermatologist Dr. Shah—short, funny, effective, just an all-around great spot.
With that out of the way, let’s catchup. The last two weeks have been as busy and mind-numbing as the previous two—I spiraled about envelope address formatting, booked a last-minute trip see my younger sister in Copenhagen in two weeks, and handed in eight stories for edits. The wedding is now less than 100 days away, and I can’t wait to stop boring people with unimportant details about ketubahs and dress handlers.
Last night, I had grand plans to write thank you notes, finish this post, and catch up on emails. Instead, I ended up grabbing a cocktail with my mom, which then dove-tailed into drinks and burgers with my fiancé. We’ve been spending a lot of time (probably too much time) running in circles and working late, surviving on subpar leftovers and Diet Coke, and, while neither of us are particularly spontaneous people, we had an absolute ball ignoring our responsibilities for the night. Let this be a sign to do something nice for yourself in the next week—even if it’s just eating a bun-less burger with an Aperol Spritz at The Happiest Hour on a Thursday. It’s good for the soul.
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Now, onto the news.
Beauty’s Biggest Headlines
Louis Vuitton enters the makeup market (WWD)
TLDR: Yet another luxury fashion house is dipping its well-manicured toes into the beauty industry. La Beauté Louis Vuitton, billed as a “lifestyle beauty experience that extends beyond the product,” is set to launch this fall with a collection of 55 lipsticks, 10 lip balms, and eight eye palettes. Per Vuitton chairman and chief executive officer Pietro Beccari, beauty launches will be accompanied by ancillary products, like carrying cases, makeup bags, and small leather goods. The most tantalizing news, however, isn’t the what or when or even the why but rather the who—namely, Pat McGrath, the forthcoming brand’s cosmetics creative director. Yes, the same Pat McGrath of catwalk glam fame and her line, Pat McGrath Labs.
The Glossed Over Take: As luxury sales continue to decline, there’s been an influx of fashion brands moving into the beauty space—Prada, Hermes, Valentino, and the forthcoming Jacquemus are just a few. They all make beautiful compacts and lipstick tubes, but none have been particularly groundbreaking in terms of formulas or innovation. However, Vuitton has something those other brands don’t: industry icon Pat McGrath. For those worried about the future of her eponymous makeup brand (which makes a fabulous under-eye powder), fear not. We have ample evidence a makeup artist can straddle two brands as well as the occasional glam gig, thanks to Violette Serrat, who serves as creative director of makeup at Guerlain and founder of beauty brand Violette_FR, a delightful little beauty brand that just entered Sephora. But Guerlain was fully formed when Serrat arrived, with decades of beauty legacy behind it. She didn’t have to build the brand’s reputation or prove its worth in the beauty space, like McGrath will have to. And despite her undeniable talent and eye for artistry, McGrath is said to be far less impressive when it comes to the business of beauty. She has, however, had a hand in creating some of the most iconic and best-selling beauty products on the market, including Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation, which is still considered a category best to this day. All this to say, it’d be foolish to discount the grande dame when it comes to making great beauty. Perhaps her magic touch is all La Beauté Louis Vuitton needs.
Allure joins Substack with The Beauty Chat (Instagram)
TLDR: According to an Instagram posted today, Allure has officially joined Substack with a weekly newsletter called The Beauty Chat. Written by content director Kara McGrath, The Beauty Chat is a “spin-off of a real-life Slack channel our team uses to pitch ideas, spill industry gossip, and generally yap about everything in beauty and wellness.” It looks like McGrath has been publishing posts on the Substack since January. They follow the same general format, highlighting three to seven stories on Allure’s website (and pushing users to click through) as well as a product of the week.
The GO Take: As I mentioned last time with Marie Claire, I want to start with a disclaimer that I have written for Allure in the past, though I’m not working with the publication in any capacity at the moment. With that in mind, I feel comfortable admitting that I don’t love this. I know many other brands have hopped on the Substack train, though I’m not sure if other publications have (I tried to check but when I Googled “publications on Substack,” it took me to a bunch of support pages on how to start one). To me, this feels fundamentally different from a brand like TheRealReal joining the platform (which is doing a fantastic job with its newsletter thanks to a very clear POV). Allure already publishes its own content—because it’s a publication. Based on the first eight posts, it looks like the Substack is primarily being used to push readers to its dot-com. There’s no real incentive for subscribers here—what makes this newsletter different from Allure’s website or its pre-existing newsletters? In the February 12 newsletter, while discussing the executive editor’s recent trip to the International Master Course on Aging Science, McGrath offered readers some main takeaways from the conference, sharing the editor’s post in Allure’s Group Chat Slack channel. This could be interesting in theory, but the message felt manufactured and corporate—nothing juicy or opinion-y or particularly tantalizing. McGrath is a great writer and editor so I’m sure she’ll bring some fun personality and perspective to the newsletter, but I’m unsure about the brand’s Substack strategy at large.
L’Oréal sells haircare brand Carol’s Daughter back to founder Lisa Price for an undisclosed amount (Cosmetics Business)
TLDR: After a decade of ownership, L’Oréal has sold Carol’s Daughter back to founder Lisa Price and investor Joe Wong. Price founded the brand in her kitchen in Brooklyn back in 1993, focusing on products that cared for Afro and textured hair. It was a pioneering force in the textured haircare space, and, at the time of its acquisition in 2014, had made $27 million in net sales. The brand now returns to being a Black-owned and independently run operation. In an Instagram video announcement, Price shared the following: “This next chapter? It’s bolder. It’s fearless. It’s about innovation that doesn’t just follow trends but sets them. Most importantly, it’s about deepening our commitment to you, the community that built us, to every person who has ever believed in me, to those of you who have rocked with Carol’s Daughter from day one.”
The GO Take: Carol’s Daughter used to be one of very few players in the textured haircare space. It is now up against brands like Cécred, Pattern, and Mielle Organics, all of which are catering to younger, decidedly hipper customers. It seems like Price plans to reinvigorate the brand and bring it up to speed with the rest of the category. She’s the latest in a series of former founders regaining control of their brands, including Cassandra Grey (Violet Grey), Gregg Renfrew (Beautycounter), Francisco Costa (Costa Brazil), and Zöe Foster Black (Go-To Skincare). We’ve yet to see the long-term effects of this new trend. I’d love to know a bit more about the deal—Did Price and her investor approach L’Oréal? Or was L’Oréal already planning on selling the brand? I have questions.
Lancôme commits to empowering women with disabilities through partnership with Paralyzed Veterans of America (Press release via email)
TLDR: Ahead of International Women’s Day, Lancôme has announced a partnership with Paralyzed Veterans of America, which will include empowerment events, adaptive products, and an in-store activation. The beauty brand previously worked with PVA members on beta testing for the HAPTA device, “a handheld, ultra-precise smart makeup applicator for users with limited hand and arm mobility.” This new partnership will expand the brand’s commitment to using tech for good and making beauty accessible for all. Lancôme will sponsor PVA’s annual Women Veterans Empowerment Retreat, and celebrate the strength of female athletes by sponsoring the 2025 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
The GO Take: Every couple of years, beauty accessibility, particularly for those with physical disabilities, seems to come back into the conversation. For good reason; everyone should be able to indulge in the particular joy and self-care that comes with beauty. In 2020, makeup artist Terri Bryant launched Guide Beauty after Parkinson’s Disease impaired her ability to apply makeup. The accessible brand offers ergonomically designed makeup brushes and products that make it easier to apply and blend out makeup, especially for those with physical disabilities. In 2022, Selma Blair, who was diagnosed with MS in 2018, joined as the brand’s chief creative officer. Last month, 21-year-old Aerin Glazer launched Tilt Beauty in response to the lack of makeup options available for people with disabilities (Glazer herself has psoriatic arthritis). It is the first beauty brand to receive the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Certification, and also recently received the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Approval. The Lancôme-PVA partnership is well timed, as Lancôme gears up for the supposed spring 2025 launch of its smart makeup applicator HAPTA device. Hopefully, the partnership and launch will help further fuel the conversation and keep accessible beauty in the spotlight. There’s ample opportunity to innovate in this space—and, at the same time, there’s a lot beauty brands can do to make pre-existing products more accessible without investing a ton of money, like incorporating easy-twist lids and wider handles. I’d love to see that become a more-standard practice.
Fresh on the Shelves
K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray ($46)
Release Date: Available now at Sephora and on K18’s e-commerce site.
What It Is: This peptide-powered spray delivers volume while actively reversing hair damage at the molecular level. It also acts as a weightless protective barrier against humidity.
The GO Take: K18 is at the forefront of haircare innovation and continues to put out stellar, groundbreaking (albeit expensive) products. I’ve yet to try this, though I did receive it a while ago—bad beauty writer—but the ladies on the Gloss Angeles podcast shared rave reviews in a February 25th episode. If you’re looking for volume and willing to invest in your hair, I’d definitely recommend checking this out. K18’s track record is very good.
Juliette Has a Gun Miami Shake ($150)
Release Date: Available at Sephora and Juliette Has a Gun’s e-commerce site on March 13, 2025.
What It Is: A playful warm gourmand scent inspired by the indulgence of a Miami summer. Described as a “wild strawberry, whipped cream fantasy” by founder Romano Ricci, the fragrance features notes of wild strawberries, “musky” whipped cream, and vanilla.
The GO Take: Based on the fragrance notes, I’m not exactly sure where the musk is coming from—I’m not familiar with any sort of muskiness in whipped cream scents, but I’m also not a fragrance expert. This particular launch sounds like a hybrid of Phlur’s Heavy Cream Body Mist and Strawberry Letter Eau de Parfum. Beauty writer, friend, and fragrance connoisseur Mary Honkus recently mentioned the influx of strawberry scents, noting that formulators seem to have only recently nailed down the note, so expect to see more of that soon. If you love a sweet, decadent fragrance, this one’s certainly worth sniffing.
Haus Labs Bio-Radiant Glassy Balm Highlighter ($30)
Release Date: Available now at Sephora and Haus Labs’ e-commerce site.
What It Is: This hydrating, multi-use, serum-based highlighter is available in six shades. The multi-use stick is packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane and imparts a hydrating, glassy radiance wherever placed.
The GO Take: Thanks to what I call the Lexapro sweats (in which I trade debilitating anxiety for uncontrollable sweating), I often forgo highlighter—especially any in creamy, balmy formulas like this. That being said, there’s a time and place for them in my beauty routine, and I’m excited to get my hands on these. I’m willing to bet the base formula is the same (or at least very similar) to the brand’s Color Fuse Glassy Blush Balm Sticks, which I quite like. I’m also willing to bet that while it imparts a beautiful sheen, it probably leaves a sticky, wet film on the skin. If that bothers you, don’t waste your time or money on this one.
Inn Beauty Extreme Cream Eye ($48)
Release Date: Available now at Sephora and on Inn’s e-commerce site.
What It Is: The first expansion of the wildly successful Extreme Cream franchise, this eye cream has all the firming and contouring results of its predecessor baked into a potent eye-cream formula. Beyond the standard focus on fine lines and wrinkles, the eye cream also addresses loss of collagen and elastin, drooping and sagging, and poor lymphatic drainage.
The GO Take: I am an Inn Beauty Extreme Cream loyalist, so I have high hopes for this launch. Given both products’ impressive clinical results, the eye cream already seems like a winner in my book. Inn Beauty is absolutely a brand to watch—the founders are incredibly smart ladies and its lineup is innovative and thoughtful, even with the slightly gimmicky branding.
Most Valuable Product
Briogeo Style + Treat Dry Shampoo Powder Puff ($28)
Why It Stood Out: Despite the environmental concerns, I usually opt for an aerosol dry shampoo—I have a notoriously greasy scalp and it needs all the help it can get, air pollution be damned. Other non-aerosol dry shampoo options never seemed to give me the same effect as those glorious spray cans. That is, until this powder puff. Each night before bed, I brush my hair and then dab this dry shampoo around my crown and throughout the scalp. I let it sit and gently brush to disperse, before putting my hair into two braids for the night. I’ve never had such great hair—I wake up with the perfect waves, a healthy dose of volume, and absolutely no grease in sight.
Special Sale Dispatch
Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty sale begins today. Each day, a selection of products will be 50% off. Below, I’ve broken down the deals I think are worth it. If I skipped a day, that means the offerings didn’t wow me.
March 7
NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush ($16, usually $32)
What It Is: A blendable, buildable, and lightweight liquid-gel blush with a natural luminous finish and transfer-resistant formula.
Who Should Get It: Anyone who appreciates no-fuss, easy makeup—that doesn’t necessarily look like makeup on the skin.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm ($21, usually $42)
What It Is: A true makeup-skincare-hybrid BB cream in stick form. It offers light coverage with a radiant finish that looks and feels like skin.
Who Should Get It: Same as above!
March 8
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray ($18, usually $36)
What It Is: A dependable setting spray that’ll keep your makeup in tact for up to 16 hours.
Who Should Get It: Anyone who’s looking to boost makeup longevity.
St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse ($23, usually $46)
What It Is: Express, natural-looking self-tanner with customizable depth (one hour for a light tan, two for a golden bronze, three for a deep tan). It’s easy to use thanks to the color-tinted guide, quick drying, and lasts up to a week.
Who Should Get It: Anyone who simply can’t wait the six-to-eight hours for a traditional self-tan to develop.
March 9
CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ($12.50, usually $25)
What It Is: Hydrating essence that improves skin radiance and brightness while plumping the skin.
Who Should Get It: Anyone struggling with dull, dehydrated skin.
March 11
About Face Matte Fluid Eye Paint ($8, usually $16)
What It Is: Easy-to-use liquid eye color with impressive color payoff and a buildable formula.
Who Should Get It: Anyone looking to make a bold statement with their eye makeup.
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps ($24.50, usually $49)
What It Is: Big old tub of luxurious body cream.
Who Should Get It: Anyone dealing with dry, crepe-y body skin.
March 14
Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara $15, usually $30)
What It Is: Volumizing and lifting mascara that delivers elongated, fanned-out lashes without the clumps.
Who Should Get It: Anyone looking for a great mascara.
Slip Silk Mini Scrunchies ($22.50, usually $45)
What It Is: My favorite hair tie-alternatives to minimize breakage and damage.
Who Should Get It: Anyone with enough hair to throw it up.
March 15
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream ($23.50, usually $47)
What It Is: Full-coverage CC+ cream that color corrects and camouflages imperfections. The skincare-laced formula is lightweight on the skin and delivers a natural finish. Plus, it has an extra boost of SPF.
Who Should Get It: Anyone looking for a higher-coverage complexion product that doesn’t sit heavy on the skin.
March 19
Half Magic Magic Flik Eyeliner ($11.50, usually $23)
What It Is: Ultra-bold black eyeliner with a unique paddle-shaped tip for effortless flicked-out wings and precise lining.
Who Should Get It: Anyone who loves a black liquid liner.
Half Magic Flik Eraser Makeup Correcting Pen ($11, usually $22)
What It Is: A makeup-correcting pen with that same paddle tip to perfect lip liner, graphic eyeliner, and other mistakes.
Who Should Get It: Anyone looking to hone their makeup skills.
March 22
Charlotte Tilbury Travel Size Airbrush Flawless Filter Setting Spray ($11.50, usually $23)
What It Is: A lightweight setting spray that locks in makeup with a flawless, pore-blurring finish.
Who Should Get It: Anyone who loves a full face of makeup but finds themselves constantly on the go.
IGK Expensive Clear Gloss Topcoat ($16, usually $32)
What It Is: High-shine hair gloss treatment that hydrates, adds dimension, and provides softer, sleeker hair.
Who Should Get It: Anyone looking to extend their dye job longevity.
March 27
MAC Hyper Real Serumizer ($32.50, usually $65)
What It Is: A hydrating serum that creates a smooth canvas and a lit-from-within radiance.
Who Should Get It: Anyone looking to perfect their makeup base game.
Final Thoughts
That’s all I’ve got for you this time. There’s a couple launches coming in the next few weeks I’m dying to talk about, but I’ve been sworn to embargoed secrecy until then. Next edition will come to you live from Copenhagen—speaking of which, please share any and all recommendations (especially your favorite European beauty products to stock up on). Now I’ve got to get to those emails I ignored last night.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments or in my DMs.
Happy Friday! Xx
I'm really curious what the LV line is going to look like with Pat involved!