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TL;DR:

• What it is: A lightweight liquid bronzer and contour serum
• What it does: Adds warmth and soft definition with a skin-like finish
• Who it’s for: Anyone intimidated by traditional contour products

My mornings usually look the same: coffee, Wordle, makeup, sprint to the subway, and a full day of meetings. So when someone says it looks like I’ve gotten some sun, I take that as the highest compliment.

The truth? Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum deserves most of the credit. The celebrity makeup artist calls it his “softest sculpt yet” (hence, the name), and I get what he means: It’s nearly impossible to overdo.

Here’s how I use it: After applying foundation and concealer, I swipe the doe-foot applicator along my forehead, beneath my cheekbones, and around my jawline, then blend everything out with a dense, angled contour brush.

I never feel like I have to be especially precise—and that’s exactly what I want from an everyday bronzer. It just makes me look like I spent a little more time in the sunshine than I actually did. (My weekly screentime report would beg to differ.) And if glow is what I’m going for, a couple of drops—used like an allover primer—give the prettiest, dewiest finish.

Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum is in the July Allure Beauty Box.

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Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum

$36 at Makeup by Mario$36 at Makeup by Mario

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For growing faces. Since launching in November, Rini, the K-beauty-inspired (the name is a colloquialism of the Korean word for children) kids’ skin-care brand conceived of by actor Shay Mitchell and public relations and marketing exec Esther Song has targeted a specific demo: the 4+ audience. And those growing faces, whether we like it or not, are also a rapidly growing beauty consumer demographic. While Gen X may have the biggest spending power (something a few brands are, miracle of miracles, paying attention to), it’s Gen Alpha (anyone born between 2010-2024) that’s fielding increasing interest from beauty brands. Rini included. “We’re on the younger end of Gen Alpha,” says Song. Market research firm Mintel projects that by 2029 Gen Alpha’s spending power—fueled in part, one supposes, by allowances and babysitting earnings, since the oldest among them will be only 19—will reach a whopping $5.5 trillion. And beauty is predicted to loom large in those purchasing decisions, a carryover of the frenzy started by a stream of Sephora tweens eager to mirror adult skin-care routines. Some are even starting their own brands: When YouTuber Salish Matter, then 15, debuted her skin-care line Sincerely Yours last year with an appearance at the Mall of America, nearly 90,000 fans showed up. The brand’s products quickly sold out at Sephora. On July 9, 12-year-old Stella Dorazio launched a line of four skin-care products made for “Gen Alpha girls on the move,” per Beauty Independent.

However, Mitchell and Song claim they’re not interested in courting the next gen of Sephora tween. “Our goal has never been for Rini to become a mini version of the adult beauty industry,” says Mitchell. The girls scrambling for “it” products by Glow Recipe and Drunk Elephant and seeking out active ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid that target wrinkles (which they don’t have) and boost collagen (which they already have in spades), are not, they insist, who Rini is for. But the brand’s decision to launch a kid’s skin-care line with sheet masks—a product that is decidedly not essential, but rather a visual marker of one’s commitment to a certain level of beauty industry consumerism—was met with a tsunami of online outrage. Obscene. Disappointing. Damaging. Unnecessary. Dystopian. This is beyond grim. The marketing image of Mitchell’s kindergarten-age daughter wearing one of the clear hydrogel sheet masks didn’t help, reading like a misguided attempt to attract attention in crowded social feeds.

Courtesy Rini

Song thinks their timing was an issue: Rini launched in the midst of a broader conversation about how beauty consumers and influencers were getting significantly younger. There was much concern about the effect it was having on girls writ large. Reflecting via a phone call in early July, Mitchell tells me she gets the negative reactions. “Honestly as a parent I understand it and if I could go back, I would have started by telling more of the story before just showing the product,” says Mitchell. “I think people saw kids wearing face masks and immediately filled in the blanks based on everything happening in beauty culture and that makes sense.” If adults are being sold sheet masks to address and correct the various things wrong with our skin, it’s hard not to draw the same throughline with ones directed at kids. Now Mitchell views the whole experience as a teachable moment, one that will guide how the brand approaches their decisions, particularly around marketing, going forward. “More than anything it reminded me that context is everything,” says Mitchell. “I’m happy that it happened because now we can go and fill in all of the information that was maybe missing at the beginning.”

However, Song points out, plenty of customers did show up for Rini, sending, she says, an overwhelming amount of positive emails and reviews on heyrini.com. Although there is no publicly available information on how much revenue the brand has generated since launch, WWD reported that Rini saw $4.2 million in media impact value (an algorithmic metric created to estimate how much the social and traditional media posts around a brand are worth) in its first six months of existence.

Rini’s latest launch could create even more of a positive sentiment around the brand. It’s a daily care collection of Foaming Face & Body Wash, Daily Barrier Cream and Face & Body Lotion, all of which already have stamps of approval from the National Eczema Association and are EWG (Environmental Working Group) verified. Song and Mitchell see these new products as an opportunity to right the course… and cement their company as an emerging kid’s skin-care brand that’s both trusted by parents and coveted by their offspring. “We have a dual audience strategy where we speak to the parents through education and transparency and to the kids through the sensorial nature of our products,” says Song, who believes Rini can become the go-to Korean daily care line for kids, something that, as of now, doesn’t exist in the U.S.

Courtesy Rini

I received the products ahead of my interviews with Song and Mitchell and can confirm they are, indeed, excellent. My eight-year-old daughter who delights in bath or shower time (hair washing is another story) gravitated immediately to the body wash deeming it softer and nicer than the unscented bar soap she is usually handed. The lotion soothed her little eczema flares. The barrier cream may be formulated with children in mind, but I think any fellow perimenopausal moms with temperamental, often husk-dry skin may appreciate it even more.

Parents who are seeking out more information on the ingredients in their kids' products will likely appreciate the formula facts tab on the Rini website. It highlights some of the key selling points for the line, along with high-level results from studies done with the brand’s products. A representative for the brand confirmed that all clinical testing is conducted by independent, third-party labs and follows industry-standard protocols and best practices. “For example, our Pediatrician Safety-in-Use Test was conducted on more than 30 subjects, ages 0–5, over a minimum of 28 days under pediatrician supervision,” the rep said.

Song is proud of Rini’s stringent testing policies: They require raw material documentation from their manufacturer in Korea and test both the individual ingredients and the final formula for heavy metals, including lead, to ensure they are appropriate for sensitive and allergy-prone skin. Their testing includes EpiOcular evaluations to ensure everything is gentle around the eyes (which, any parent will tell you, is always a big pain point), HRIPT patch testing for skin compatibility, and pediatrician-led, in-use testing on babies and young children ages 0-5. Mitchell and Song’s goal is for parents to be able to purchase the products for their kids, worry-free. “We’re going to earn trust by solving real parenting needs, not by creating new ones,” says Mitchell. “If parents can, in the future, think of Rini as the brand that makes daily kids skin care, which can be so confusing, feel safer, simpler and also more fun, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”

Song thinks one silver lining from the sheet mask controversy is that it inspired some parents to look more closely at all the products their kids might be buying with that allowance at Sephora. My own hope as a parent of an almost tween is that it also might inspire broader conversations about how beauty culture, much like diet culture, can have a toxic and lasting effect on how we see ourselves. About the dangers of positioning beauty as a value and equating consumerism with self-care. About how, for every generation, our appearances have become something to alter and regulate and filter and optimize and, most importantly, monetize. Could a social media-stoked controversy about kid’s sheet masks be a tipping point for all that please?

When my daughter sees me doing various beauty and grooming rituals, from penciling in my eyebrows to shaving my legs to putting on a face mask, she’s first curious and then almost inevitably she asks: will I need to do that too? The question always stops me in my tracks and makes me pause to consider when it comes to beauty, what we need, versus what we want and what we feel obligated to do. I know that I’d like my eight-year-old to see any beauty products whether it be a sheet mask or nail polish or lip gloss, not as a necessity, not as self-care, but as a form of expression and fun and play. I gave her and her two cousins (a boy aged 10 and a girl, almost 4) the Rini animal sheet masks to put on one night last week. They all gingerly smoothed the masks over their growing faces, commenting about how they loved them and how weird and cool and slimy they felt. Then they looked in the mirror, then at each other, and they laughed and started embodying the animals pictured in the masks they had on their own faces. These kids’ immediate instinct wasn’t to make this a beauty treatment, but simply to play. And that felt, to this parent at least, very age appropriate.

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TL;DR:

• What it is: A makeup sponge
• What it does: Blends and diffuses base products, like foundation and concealer, for a smooth, seamless finish
• Who it’s for: Allure Beauty Box subscribers—exclusively!

As someone who’s constantly testing new foundations, concealers, and cream blushes and bronzers, I can never have too many makeup sponges.

This black, teardrop-shaped tool from Gloat is sleek, functional, and thoughtfully designed—and the fact that the brand made it just for our July Beauty Box makes it feel that much more special.

Here’s how I use it: No matter what I’m blending, I dampen the sponge, then gently bounce the bottom side across my face (from my forehead to under my jawline) until the look is uniform. Then I’ll use the pointed tip to blend in hard-to-reach nooks and crannies (around my nose and under my eyes). The finish is always super smooth, dewy, and never streaky.

The Gloat Makeup Sponge is exclusively available in the July Allure Beauty Box.

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The Makeup Sponge You Can Only Get in This Month’s Allure Beauty Box

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

The best drugstore sunscreens have come a long way in proving that effective sun protection doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. Simply put: “If a sunscreen is properly tested, broad-spectrum and used correctly, it doesn’t need to be expensive to be effective,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. In fact, these Allure-approved SPF formulas also offer elegant textures, invisible finishes, and ingredient lists packed with skin-care heavy hitters on top of strong broad-spectrum protection from UV rays.

That’s good news for your wallet, especially considering how much sunscreen you’re supposed to use. “A shot-glass amount is enough to cover the whole body, and about a nickel- or quarter-size dollop is needed for the face and neck,” says Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Translation: If you’re applying SPF correctly, you’ll go through your bottle faster than you’d think, which makes finding a drugstore option all the more appealing.

Our Top Drugstore Sunscreens

• Best Overall for Face: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50, $40
• Best Overall for Body: Sun Bum Daily 50 Body Lotion, $24
• Best for Oily Skin: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen SPF 40, $11
• Best for Dry Skin: Eucerin Ultra Light-Fluid Advanced Hydration Sunscreen SPF 50, $16
• Best Moisturizer with SPF: Olay Super Cream With Sunscreen SPF 30, $35

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What should you look for in a drugstore sunscreen?
• Are mineral or chemical sunscreens better?
• What’s the benefit of a drugstore sunscreen?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Considering there are plenty of SPF options out there—especially when you factor in face sunscreens, body sunscreens, chemical and mineral sunscreens, sticks, sprays, and more—you can start here if you don’t know where to begin. These are the best drugstore sunscreens that are Allure editor- and dermatologist-approved and won’t break the bank.

Best Overall for Face: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50

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La Roche-Posay

Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50

$40

La Roche-Posay

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 in Light

Sarah Han

Why we love it: La Roche-Posay is, undoubtedly, one of our favorite French pharmacy brands, especially when it comes to (but not limited to) SPFs—and the Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 is a prime example. Countless dermatologists and editors have touted this extra gentle, soothing-thermal-water-infused formula over the years, cementing its “tried-and-true” status. Made with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this mineral tinted sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays as well as visible light (which can cause hyperpigmentation and contribute to skin aging), it has a milky texture that melts into skin, doesn’t leave any greasy residue behind, and offers ample antioxidant protection. “It provides broad-spectrum protection in a lightweight fluid texture that layers well under makeup,” Dr. Kobets affirms. “The tint helps blend more naturally into the skin while providing additional protection against visible light.” Speaking of the tint, it’s also available in four shades to be more flexible across several skin tones.

Han before applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 in Light

Sarah Han

Han after applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 in Light

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“My biggest hesitations about mineral sunscreens are white cast (and mind you, I'm pretty light-toned, so it's not even a huge barrier compared to others) and pilling. I only have a handful of mineral SPFs that pass the test and this La Roche-Posay sunscreen is one of them. It took me a while to finally try it out, but after hearing so many peers and derms rave about it, I finally did—and I've been super impressed. It leaves my skin feeling soft and looking natural, but not too matte or flat. The coverage is super even and the light shade makes my skin look slightly tanned, which is a nice bonus. Most importantly, no pilling, regardless of whether or not I wear it alone or under makeup. Two thumbs up!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from Allure contributor Catharine Malzahn

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“I’ve gone through so many bottles of this tinted mineral SPF that I’ve lost count—it’s been one of my go-to sunscreens for years, both for daily use and on vacation. It has an incredibly lightweight feel, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave any greasy residue. It also layers well under makeup—I’ve never experienced any pilling or patchiness, and the tinted formula means I never have to worry about it leaving a white cast. When I first started using it years ago, there was only one shade available that would look a little orange on my pale skin; I’m excited that there are several shades available now that work across skin tones.” —Catharine Malzahn, contributor

More to know

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• Type: mineral
• Key ingredients: titanium dioxide (17%), zinc oxide (8%; not included in the lightest tinted shade), Cell-Ox B3 Shield Technology, iron oxides, vitamin E
• Water-resistant: no

Best Overall for Body: Sun Bum Daily Body Lotion SPF 50

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Sun Bum

Daily Body Lotion SPF 50

$24

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: When your body sunscreen is chock-full of good-for-you ingredients, it becomes an extension of your skin-care routine rather than a separate step you need to remember. Sun Bum’s Daily Body Lotion SPF 50 was formulated with that exact sentiment in mind. Packed with vitamin C to boost radiance, vitamin E to moisturize, and antioxidants to combat environmental stress, the Best of Beauty winner offers major hydration so you can do more than just protect your skin from damaging UV rays. The broad-spectrum formula is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a great choice if you’ll be swimming or sweating (just don’t forget to reapply!). "I love how it's in a regular lotion pump bottle and rubs in nicely," our tester said. "Plus, it smells like banana candy. So good!"

More to know

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• Type: chemical
• Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (8%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (9%), vitamin E, antioxidants
• Water-resistant: yes (80 minutes)

Best for Dry Skin: Eucerin Ultra Light-Fluid Advanced Hydration Sunscreen SPF 50

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Eucerin

Ultra Light-Fluid Advanced Hydration Sunscreen SPF 50

$16

Amazon

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Eucerin Ultra Light-Fluid Advanced Hydration Sunscreen SPF 50

Sarah Kinonen

Why we love it: Dry skin benefits from a sunscreen that does more than just protect; it should actively boost hydration throughout the day. That’s where Eucerin’s Ultra Light-Fluid Advanced Hydration Sunscreen SPF 50 steps in. Thirsty skin will appreciate that this lightweight formula contains hyaluronic acid and humectants to hydrate from within, as well as draw in additional moisture. What’s more, it also helps to protect skin against long-term sun damage with the inclusion of the brand’s 5 AOX Shield Technology, which is made up of five different antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, and glycyrrhetinic acid, to name a few). Despite coming with all these skin-care benefits, it manages to remain feeling weightless on the skin, absorbing quickly and blending in seamlessly, so it can be worn on its own or under makeup.

Kinonen before applying the Eucerin Ultra Light-Fluid Advanced Hydration Sunscreen SPF 50

Sarah Kinonen

Kinonen after applying the Eucerin Ultra Light-Fluid Advanced Hydration Sunscreen SPF 50

Sarah Kinonen

Tester feedback from Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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More to know

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• Type: chemical
• Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (9%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (9%), hyaluronic acid
• Water-resistant: no

Best for Sensitive Skin: Babo Botanicals Hydrating Milk Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30

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Babo Botanicals

Hydrating Milk Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30

$25

Amazon

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Babo Botanicals Hydrating Milk Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30

Shanna Shipin

Why we love it: Sensitive skin can be picky when it comes to sunscreen—breakouts, irritation, and redness are all possibilities—so if your skin is reactive, opt for a gentle, fragrance-free mineral formula like Babo Botanicals Hydrating Milk Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30. (Dermatologists recommend mineral-based sunscreens for sensitive skin in general, as mineral UV filters can be gentler since they sit on top of the skin rather than penetrating it.) Powered by zinc oxide, it provides water-resistant, broad-spectrum protection and has a lightweight, milky texture that applies smoothly and easily. In fact, it feels more like a nourishing moisturizer than a traditional mineral sunscreen (read: no chalkiness here), leaving behind a natural, dewy finish. In addition to the zinc oxide, it’s infused with plant-based emollients, skin soothers like chamomile and calendula, and zero fragrance, so it won’t set off your skin.

Shipin before applying the Babo Botanicals Hydrating Milk Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after applying the Babo Botanicals Hydrating Milk Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“I love a brand that I can use for myself and my kids, and Babo Botanicals makes great sensitive-skin-friendly products that are affordable enough to use on the whole family. This sunscreen leaves no white cast and wears so comfortably on the skin—I was surprised at how elegant it felt when I first applied it, despite being something I could buy at the grocery store. When I spoke with Babo Botanicals' team, they told me they created the formula with all seasons in mind. Sure, I live in Los Angeles and it can feel like there's essentially one season here, but the point is that the all-seasonality makes it comfortable to wear when it’s hot, cold, dry, or humid—you get the picture. My skin usually starts to feel suffocated when I layer too many formulas over it, and I'm happy to say that this sits nicely on top of my moisturizer and under my makeup. (And when I wear it without makeup, it leaves a pretty glow.) The only issue I found is that I stuffed one tube in my diaper bag, and it got absolutely smushed, causing one end to burst open and splatter—thankfully, it's not a super oily mineral product, so it washed out just fine.“ —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Type: mineral
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide (17%), chamomile, calendula, passion fruit piceatannol ferment
• Water-resistant: yes (40 minutes)

Best for Moisturizer with SPF: Olay Super Cream With Sunscreen SPF 30

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Olay

Super Cream With Sunscreen SPF 30

$35 $31 (11% off)

Amazon

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Olay Super Cream with Sunscreen SPF 30

Sarah Kinonen

Why we love it: Moisturizers with SPF combine two essential skin-care steps into one, protecting against UV damage while delivering lasting hydration, moisture, and firming- and radiance-boosting benefits. Good news: Drugstore classic, the Olay Super Cream Sunscreen SPF 30, delivers on all fronts. The multitasking Best of Beauty Award winner combines chemical UV filters with ingredients commonly found in potent serums (like this cream’s beloved cousin, Super Serum), including vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and collagen peptides. Together, they help hydrate, plump, firm, and visibly smooth. Best of all, it absorbs without a white cast or greasy residue, and leaves skin looking bright, radiant, and supple throughout the day.

Kinonen before applying the Olay Super Cream with Sunscreen SPF 30

Sarah Kinonen

Kinonen after applying the Olay Super Cream with Sunscreen SPF 30

Sarah Kinonen

Tester feedback from Kinonen

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“I'm not usually a multiuse skin care kinda girl. I like my products to do one and one thing only. But lately, because it's so hot outside and I'm usually running late (oops), two-in-ones don't sound so bad. Hence why I've been using the Olay Super Cream SPF 30 on days when I simply just Can Not. It's rich but easily blendable, doesn't leave behind a cast, and has a decent SPF level my dermatologist would approve of. What's not to like?” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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• Type: chemical
• Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (9%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (6%), hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, collagen peptides, vitamin C, vitamin E
• Water-resistant: no

Best for Oily Skin: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen SPF 40

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Neutrogena

Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen SPF 40

$19 $11 (42% off)

Amazon

$23

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: Gel sunscreens and oily skin are a match made in heaven. Rather than cream formulations that rely on heavier emollients, gel-based sunscreens are water-based, more lightweight, and absorb quickly with no residue. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen SPF 40 caters to that exactly: The water-resistant gel SPF defends against the sun and won’t leave behind a greasy film or compete with your makeup—the matte finish actually works well under foundation, even acting as a makeup primer to smooth skin. But just because it mattifies doesn’t mean it’s drying—the velvety-touch sunscreen still moisturizes and protects skin with antioxidant vitamin E and hydrogenated castor oil.

More to know

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• Type: chemical
• Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (15%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (10%), Helioplex Technology, vitamin E
• Water-resistant: yes (80 minutes)

Best Spray Sunscreen: Banana Boat 360 Coverage Sport Sunscreen Mist SPF 50+

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Banana Boat

360 Coverage Sport Sunscreen Mist SPF 50+

$15 $9 (40% off)

Amazon

Why we love it: Spray sunscreens are hard to beat when it comes to convenience: They make application and re-application infinitely faster and easier than their lotion counterparts. Allure Best of Beauty winner Banana Boat 360 Coverage Sport Sunscreen Mist SPF 50+ takes that convenience a step further with a smart nozzle that lets you switch between a continuous spray for larger areas and shorter bursts for smaller, harder-to-reach spots (it’s also aerosol-free). Plus, the broad-spectrum chemical formula goes on lightweight and virtually invisible on all skin tones, with none of the sticky, greasy feeling that can make wearing body sunscreen feel like a chore. Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, it’s perfect for beach days and any outdoor activities that involve swimming or sweating.

More to know

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• Type: chemical
• Key ingredients: avobenzone (2.7%), homosalate (9%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (7%)
• Water resistant: yes (80 minutes)

Frequently asked questions

What should you look for in a drugstore sunscreen?

I look for broad-spectrum protection, meaning there’s coverage against both UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which contribute to pigmentation, melasma, and premature aging,” says Dr. Kobets. The label on the sunscreen will clearly state if it’s broad-spectrum. In addition to a broad-spectrum sunscreen, dermatologists and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also recommend wearing a formula that’s SPF 30 or higher.

If you’ll be sweating or exposed to water, make sure to choose a water-resistant sunscreen. Like with broad-spectrum, the label on the bottle will clearly state if it’s water-resistant (usually, sunscreens are water-resistant for 40 or 80 minutes). If the label doesn’t mention anything about water resistance, that means it’s not.

Beyond the SPF number and other features on the label, cosmetic elegance matters more than you may realize. “If a sunscreen feels greasy, pills under makeup, or leaves a cast that someone dislikes, they’re less likely to apply enough or reapply consistently,” says Dr. Kobets. So, it’s a good idea to try several formulas until you find the one you really enjoy.

For those dealing with hyperpigmentation, consider tinted sunscreens that contain iron oxides, which help protect against visible light in addition to UV rays. It’s “an important consideration for people suffering from melasma or conditions like lupus or sun-induced rashes,” says Serena Mraz, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology and Associates in Vallejo, CA.

Another factor worth considering is skin type. Fortunately, “many drugstore brands now offer excellent formulations tailored to a variety of skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone, oily, and mature skin,” notes Dr. Kobets, making it easier than ever to find an SPF that fits your individual needs. Overall, sensitive skin types may want to gravitate toward mineral formulas containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which both Dr. Kobets and Dr. Mraz say are typically well-tolerated. Those with melasma or hyperpigmentation should consider tinted sunscreens with iron oxides for added protection against visible light. Meanwhile, oily or acne-prone skin types may prefer lightweight fluids and gels that are noncomedogenic and won’t feel heavy throughout the day. For mature or dry skin, look for hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and niacinamide.

Are mineral or chemical sunscreens better?

One isn’t better than the other, necessarily (the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear). While Dr. Mraz strongly advocates for mineral sunscreens and notes that “patients with sensitive skin tend to do much better with mineral-based sunscreens, which include zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide,” other doctors take a more flexible approach.

“I generally gravitate toward mineral sunscreens, especially for patients with sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema, acne-prone skin, melasma, or those recovering from cosmetic procedures,” says Dr. Kobets. However, mineral sunscreens aren’t for everyone. “Some people dislike the texture or white cast associated with mineral formulas and may do better with a chemical sunscreen,” adds Dr. Kobets. “In those cases, a chemical sunscreen is absolutely appropriate if it encourages consistent use.”

Dr. Hale agrees with the flexible take and wouldn’t say that one is better than the other. “At this point, I would say that both physical and chemical sunscreens are safe and they are effective,” she says. In fact, she notes that hybrid formulas containing both chemical and mineral SPF actives can sometimes offer the best of both worlds, since combining the two can help avoid white cast and offer broad-spectrum protection.

What’s the benefit of a drugstore sunscreen?

As with any sunscreen, the best drugstore sunscreens protect skin against harmful UV rays, of course. Simply put, “wearing daily sunscreen is the best way to slow down development of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin,” says Dr. Hale. But drugstore sunscreens offer so much more than just protection. One of the biggest advantages of drugstore sunscreen is accessibility. “Drugstore sunscreens are widely available, affordable, and easy to replace, which encourages consistent daily use and reapplication,” says Dr. Kobets. Dr. Mraz agrees, noting that “more affordable cost is the predominant overarching advantage over a more expensive department store sunscreen.”

Dr. Hale also points out another benefit that could be overlooked: volume. Because of the importance of applying and re-applying enough sunscreen, buying a more affordable option often makes practical sense. “There may be some merit in getting a less expensive sunscreen, where you’re getting more quantity of it for the same price,” she says. If a lower price point makes you more likely to apply the recommended amount and reapply throughout the day, that’s ultimately what matters most.

Meet the experts

• Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, is a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, and board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
• Kseniya Kobets, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in New York.
• Serena Mraz, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology and Associates in Vallejo, California.

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but, for example, hair-care products and tools are another story. While some hair products can be used across different textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, and colors (natural and unnatural), they are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are formulated 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?

And for our reviews of the best drugstore sunscreens, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and makeup artists with a range of experience studying and using these products. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture, experience, and formula. 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 are 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.

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Bold, striped hair has become as closely associated with Alysa Liu as the gravity-defying jumps that made her a world and Olympic champion. And for the 2026 ESPYs, her hairstylist, Anh Co Tran, made sure her hair remained inspo-pic-worthy, sweeping it into an intentionally imperfect updo that managed to balance elegance and edginess—just like the figure skater herself.

Because Liu’s hair was entirely off her neck, it perfectly complemented her black Louis Vuitton halter gown, fully revealing her back—a perfect opportunity to not only wear a beaded cross necklace backwards but also show off her cybersigilism-style lower back tattoo.

Tran says the hairstyle was concocted with Liu's outfit in mind, not to mention her overall vibe. "Inspired by a soft, undone French knot, I wanted to create a style that complemented the dress's sculptural draping while bringing the entire look together," he tells Allure. "I added natural texture and movement to her hair to give it a subtle edge, creating a finish that felt both effortlessly refined and embodied her free spirit."

Photo: Getty Images

Liu's high-contrast color also influenced exactly how the updo came together. "We certainly factored Alysa's signature stripes into this look to make sure the patterns of her hair were brought out when it was put up," Tran says. "I made sure the blonde part accentuated the style."

Photo: Getty Images

To create the look, Tran began by applying foam mousse from roots to ends on damp hair, followed by a frizz-eliminating oil. He used the L'Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro to rough-dry Liu's hair on until it was about halfway dry and then attached the smoothing nozzle to go section by section. “The device's precise heat control allowed me to style efficiently, imparting a beautiful natural sheen without flattening or overdrying the strands,” he says.

After shaping soft, lived-in waves, he worked texturizing paste into the roots for grip, divided Liu's hair into four sections, and twisted each one toward the crown to form the loose French knot, intentionally leaving the ends out and a few pieces unpinned.

Photo: Duncan Cheng

He hit Liu's curtain bangs with the AirLight Pro, parting them down the middle and leaving longer front pieces loose to frame her face. A styling cream, hairspray, and a final mist of texturizing spray locked everything in place while maintaining the airy movement that made the style feel polished but not overly “done.”

Photo: Duncan Cheng

Liu’s new ESPY award for Best Breakthrough Athlete might have been one of the most coveted trophies of the night, but thanks to that luminous updo, it certainly wasn't the only thing reflecting the spotlight.

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Oh, you hadn't heard? We're right smack dab in the middle of pickle girl summer. Popsicle by the pool? No, thanks—I'll take an ice-cold half-sour. And I may even reach into the jar with a manicure inspired by Vanessa Hudgens's latest pickle-inspired nail look.

Nail artist Zola Ganzorigt posted a reel to Instagram that her followers can instantly recognize as signature Hudgens: a cat-eye mani displayed on fingers folded over onto long sleeves. But while the actor has been known to dabble in more neutral hues of the shimmering effect, this new shade is a vibrant, vinegary departure. It's what Ganzorigt is simply dubbing “pickle summer” nails.

The long, almond manicure is a yellowy-green cat-eye shade that launched a debate among Allure editors trying to determine exactly which kind of pickle provided the inspo color. Kosher dill? Full sour? Bread and butter? Cornichon? Whatever the muse, it left everyone wanting a pickle.

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Even before this manicure, pickles have been finding their unlikely way into the beauty world lately. Burt's Bees collaborated with Grillo's Pickles on a pickle-flavored lip balm not long after E.L.F. launched a dill version of its Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm.

And while pickles may not be taking over perfume the way banana currently is (and let's be so for real right now—even pickle devotees can agree that's probably for the best), there's no reason to not work their briny tones into eye shadow looks and manicures, especially when you can put a glamorous, shimmering spin on them.

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I look at red carpet photos for a living, so I'm pretty used to gorgeous gowns and glam. But once in awhile, a premiere look absolutely stops me in my tracks—or, more accurately, my scroll—and literally takes my breath away. Enter Zendaya at the New York City premiere of The Odyssey, whose loose, undone (and extra-long) braid and soft, flushed makeup can only be described as “angelic.”

And I'm talking literally angelic, as the Emmy-winning actor wore a feathered strapless Matières Fécales gown with actual wings attached to her shoulders, leaning into the whole “I'm playing a legendary Greek goddess” theme of her red carpet dressing for the Odyssey press run. (She plays Athena in the movie, and while Athena doesn't typically wear wings, she is sometimes depicted with them.)

Hairstylist Coree Moreno “effortless texture and romantic movement” with a beautifully soft fishtail braid that flowed all the way down Zendaya's back to mid-hip. “The inspiration was modern romance with an effortless sensibility," he tells Allure. “Zendaya's gown had such an ethereal, sculptural presence that I wanted the hair to feel soft, lived-in, and full of movement. Rather than creating something overly polished, I focused on texture that felt naturally evolved throughout the day. The loose face-framing pieces and airy finish complemented the drama of the dress without competing with it.”

Moreno used a mix of Bellami Professional Tape-Ins and Wefts in shades Chocolate Rebel and Dark Brown to add length and fullness. One of the key products was Nexxus's AIR SHAPE Workable Hold Texture Spray, which he misted through the mid-lengths and ends of Zendaya's hair to add airy volume, texture, and hold without sacrificing movement or looking stiff or sticky. “Loose” was the key word here, as the hair was gathered gently back at the nape of her neck and braided into a “deconstructed fishtail braid" with the front portions left out of the style to frame her face in easy waves—waves that fluttered in the most gorgeous way as she walked the carpet. A few pieces of hair escaped the braid, adding a windswept texture to the overall style, and Moreno gently pulled apart sections of the braid for fullness and dimension. To lock in the look, he spritzed Zendaya's hair with Nexxus's Maxximum Firm Hold Hairspray.

Braids have been a key element of many of Zendaya's The Odyssey looks, including the crown braid she wore to the London premiere and the milkmaid braids from Paris.“I’ve always believed that hair should carry emotion, not just shape,” Moreno wrote on Instagram alongside some gorgeous behind-the-scenes shots. “For this look, the goal was to create something that felt lived in, romantic, and weightless—as if it had always belonged to the moment.”

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Makeup artist Ernesto Casillas said the goal was “beautifully luminous and sun-kissed skin,” which he achieved with a base of “fresh, glowing skin” and some strategic cream blush layering. Casillas paired Prada Beauty's Touch Blush shades Caffee and Cherry across Zendaya's cheeks, nose, temples, and chin, where the sun would typically hit, and finished with just “a touch” of Prada Balm in Astral Pink. Does she not look like she just flew down from Mount Olympus to help us on our epic quest?

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Unfortunately for us and our summer beauty inspiration boards, the Odyssey press tour is coming to a close, but we don't have to wait too long for more Zendaya red carpet action; she'll be gearing up for the release of the next Dune movie in just a few months!

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TL;DR:

• What it is: A peptide-powered heat protectant and blowout styler
• What it does: Helps protect hair while leaving it smoother and shinier.
• Who it’s for: Anyone who blow-dries or heat styles their hair regularly

Anyone who’s spent a summer in New York City knows humidity and fine hair don’t mix. By the time you’ve made it to work, any styling you may have done at home has somehow dropped and/or completely disappeared.

This year, though, I’m on a mission to maintain my blowouts longer after I leave the house. Aside from a trusty can of hairspray, I’ll be reaching for the Goddess Maintenance BioTech Blowout Hair Mask, a pre-styling leave-in treatment that preps hair for hot tools, to help hold everything together.

Here’s how I use it: After shampooing and conditioning, I rake in a dime-size dollop of the lightweight cream from mid-lengths to ends while my hair is still slightly damp. Then I grab my blow-dryer and, sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy, my curling iron for some quick bends.

I’ll be honest, even with the mask, my blowout still isn’t invincible (again, this is New York in the summer), but at least now I have a fighting chance.

Goddess Maintenance BioTech Blowout Hair Mask is in the July Allure Beauty Box.

GET THE BOX

Goddess Maintenance BioTech Blowout Hair Mask

$40$40