The Multistick That Replaced My Lipstick, Blush, & Eyeshadow This Spring
At a masterclass a few months ago, I asked a makeup artist how to streamline my routine as much as possible. “Well, what kind of vibe are you going for?” she asked. I turned my phone around and showed her a photo of Emma Stone at the Oscars: soft, monochromatic makeup that looked harmonious and seamlessly blended. She looked me in the eye and laughed. That’s when I learned that the most natural makeup looks often take the most work — dozens of products and, sometimes, hours to perfect.
I eventually gave up on the idea of truly low-maintenance beauty, mostly because the product I actually wanted — something creamy and blendable with punchy pigment and impressive staying power, that I could swipe across lips, cheeks, and eyelids — didn’t exist yet. Until now, with the Kosas Impressionist Multistick.
Don’t get me wrong: the beauty world isn’t exactly lacking in multipurpose makeup sticks — and over the years, I’ve tried almost all of them. But if you ask me, Kosas Impressionist Multistick is built differently. (In the few short weeks since adding it to my routine, I’ve had compliments from brand founders, makeup artists, and fellow beauty directors alike.) That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Kosas Impressionist Multistick Cream Blush + Lip Color, $34
What is Impressionist Multistick, and what are the benefits?
If it hasn’t already made its way to your FYP, Kosas Multistick Impressionist is a blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow in one. Unlike other sticks, its domed shape makes it easy to swipe onto the skin and blend out in seconds.
The “Impressionist” name nods to a more painterly approach to beauty — soft washes of color, diffused edges, and tones that melt seamlessly together. There are seven shades in total, from Nuance (a rosy taupe) to Ripe (like crushed raspberries). My go-to is Muse, which is what I’m wearing here, but my second favorite is Surreal, which Kosas describes as a “chocolate berry”. To me, it’s very similar to Rhode Pocket Blush Toasted Teddy, arguably one of the most worn — and sought-after — shades out there.
What makes Impressionist Multistick special?
The effect is fresh and dimensional — color that moves naturally with the face rather than sitting heavily on top of it, and I think that’s down to the blend of plant-based waxes suspended in the formula. They give the formula a silky, balm-like texture, but the pigment still packs a punch. With that in mind, you’re probably wondering whether it’s suitable for oily skin. I’ve been using Kosas Impressionist Multistick ever since it landed on my desk a few weeks ago, and it doesn’t slip or slide around on the face. There’s enough play time to blend it into the skin, but once it sets, it doesn’t budge.
I have all seven shades, but I love that just one is enough to create an entire — and most importantly cohesive — makeup look in next to no time. I dab the product onto the high points of my cheeks, my temples, and down the center of my nose (where I’d usually catch the sun), then onto my eyelids before using a brush to blend everything out.
With a product like this, I tend to skip lip liner and lipstick altogether and instead use a lip brush to paint and buff it into my lips, making sure to extend slightly outside the lip line for a more blurred, diffused effect. Nina Park, eat your heart out.
Lastly, the ingredients are pretty special. Most multisticks prioritize color first and skin benefits second, but Kosas Multistick Impressionist gives both equal weight. Alongside a handful of moisturizing ingredients like octyldodecanol — an emollient that softens and smooths the skin — there’s also coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that helps protect against environmental aggressors like pollution and supports the skin barrier, the outermost layer that helps lock in moisture and keep bacteria out. On the lips, it feels so hydrating that I use it as a tinted lip balm.
What to know about Impressionist Multistick
• A multipurpose stick available in seven shades to suit a range of skin tones, designed for use on the cheeks, lips, and eyelids.
• Contains a handful of skincare ingredients for hydration and moisture, including Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that helps defend against pollution and supports a healthy skin barrier.
• Buildable pigment lets you control the intensity, from a sheer wash of color to a more saturated finish.
How do you use Impressionist Multistick?
I usually swipe multisticks straight onto my cheeks and blend them out with my fingers or a brush, but makeup artist Ngozi Edeme — aka Painted by Esther — recently shared a far more professional technique on Instagram. For cheeks, Edeme recommends “underpainting” the blush by swiping the stick onto the back of your hand first before what makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes famously calls “priming the brush” — swirling the brush into the melted product, making sure all the bristles are coated. Using a large powder brush with dense but soft bristles, Edeme pats the color onto the high points of the cheeks before blending it across the apples and upwards, stopping just short of the tail of the brow.
If you go a little overboard, a touch of concealer under the eyes and around the nose quickly sharpens everything up. To lock it in place, Edeme applies a light veil of loose setting powder over the blush before going back in with a brighter shade of multistick to add dimension and bring some dewiness back to the skin. Personally, I just use the same shade — Muse — throughout.
Even on days when I swipe it straight from the bullet and blend everything out with my hands, the staying power is second to none. I’m convinced that’s down to the blend of plant-based waxes in the formula, which helps the pigment disperse evenly across lips, cheeks, and lids — and keep it in place for hours on end. Honestly, I’ve never received so many compliments on my makeup, and it’s not lost on me that it takes five minutes instead of thirty.
With the weather heating up, the last thing I want is to be standing in my tiny bathroom sweating over a full routine, which is exactly why this has become my ultimate spring and summer product.
Where can you get Impressionist Multistick?
Kosas’ Impressionist Multistick is $34 and available at Sephora.com and Kosas.com.
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The Body Wash & Lotion Combo That Keeps Getting Me Compliments — No Perfume Needed
I’ve been a perfume person my whole life. A spritz before leaving the house felt non-negotiable. Of course, there was always a constant struggle to make the scent last throughout the day, but all of that changed once I finally tried Salt & Stone’s internet-famous products. After falling in love with the deodorants, I decided to put the body wash and lotions to the test, specifically the Black Rose & Oud combo.
The first time I used the combo, I didn’t think much beyond the ritual itself. The body wash lathers gently, nothing aggressive or stripping, just a mild, skin-soft cleanse that feels refreshing. The scent blooms quietly in the shower steam: warm, dark, and deeply feminine in a way that has nothing to do with pink packaging or overly powdery sweetness.
I layered on the lotion after my shower. It’s fast-absorbing and doesn’t leave behind any sticky residue. Then, I got on with my morning. My husband walked past me in the kitchen and stopped. “You smell really good,” he said after giving me a morning kiss. Those four little words always do it for me, equally as much as the famous three little words.
The real test came at brunch. Mid-hug, one of my girls pulled back and said, “Okay, what are you wearing?” “Just soap and lotion,” is a response I never thought I’d be giving. And from her shocked facial expression, she wasn’t expecting to hear those words either.
That’s the thing about these tiny little luxuries. They’re not loud and don’t announce themselves like a perfume, but they are subtly noticeable. They settle into your skin and become something that smells like you, but better. The oud gives it depth, the rose keeps it feminine without being too precious, and somehow the scent lingers in the air well past shower time.
At $77 for the set, it’s an investment, but when your body wash replaces your perfume and earns you compliments before 11am, the girl math makes sense.
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In Obsession, Man Is The Real Monster – And It’s Terrifyingly Relatable
Spoilers ahead. Horror film Obsession seemed like it would be your typical play on The Monkey Paw story. A man is given the ability to make a wish, but it comes with disastrous (and often fatal) consequences. However, director Curry Barker has expanded on this story to add commentary on who women often fear most in the world — men. While the actual movie is terrifying, creepy, and filled with some of the most effective jump scares in recent history, the unnerving lessons around consent and control are haunting.
Obsession follows your typical Nice Guy Barron ‘Bear’ Bailey (Michael Johnston), who has a crush on Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette). In an attempt to win her over, he purchases her a novelty gift called a “One Wish Willow”, which claims to grant one wish after breaking it. After being too cowardly to share his feelings with Nikki, he uses the toy himself, asking for his crush to love him more than anybody else in the world. Nikki soon starts to fawn over Bear, with Mexican-Australian Navarrette stealing the show with a wild performance.
Although we’re supposed to feel scared of Nikki, it’s Bear who is the true villain. While at first he tries to fool himself into believing that Nikki truly loves him, once he figures out it was due to the spell, he does nothing to change it. Instead, there’s a cut straight to him having sex with her while she makes enthusiastic noises, but has a glazed-over look on her face. This is a woman who is now seen as an object, and while Bear knows he doesn’t have her consent, he’s actively taking advantage of her. Bear is supposed to love this woman, yet he is using her as a sex toy.
While everybody is deserving of love, you cannot demand it, and nobody owes you anything.
Rachel Choy
While everybody is deserving of love, you cannot demand it, and nobody owes you anything. Bear represents selfishness, predators and cowards, who will not change a situation as long as it is benefiting them, no matter who it hurts. When Nikki’s destructive behavior begins to wear thin on Bear’s patience, he tries to fix the situation to benefit himself, once again. While calling customer service, his first instinct is to amend his wish, rather than cancelling it.
Possibly the most harrowing moment of Obsession was when the “real Nikki” pushes through and begs Bear to kill her to stop her misery. Instead of viewing her with compassion, his first response is anger. “What’s so wrong with being with me?” he spits, before leaving the house. This cements what Barker was trying to say: it wasn’t a film about a woman’s obsession with a man due to a spell, but a man’s obsession with power, ego, and entitlement.
It wasn’t a film about a woman’s obsession with a man due to a spell, but a man’s obsession with power, ego, and entitlement.
Rachel Choy
In the end, Bear’s obsession causes multiple deaths, trauma and he was too selfish to even sacrifice himself to save Nikki. It’s a warning to groups of men who frequent red-pill and manosphere spaces: you need to take accountability for how you act, or there will be damage to yourself, your life, and the world.
As women, we are so familiar with this type of man. Those who view us only as objects, or a vessel for pleasure or childbirth. We know what it feels like to be reduced to our bodies and to constantly look over our shoulders when walking home. Yes, Obsession is a delightful technical horror, and the use of music and soundscapes proves effective. But the reason why Obsession may be the best horror film of the year is simple: it’s not completely fictional.
Obsession is in theaters now.
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This Pedicure Is Controversial, But I Wear It Every Spring & Summer
I’ve always loved a French pedicure. No matter what’s going on in my life, it always makes me feel polished, like I have my life together — even when I’m not wearing a lick of makeup, or I haven’t washed my hair in days.
With that in mind, I’m thrilled that the design is making a comeback. But it’s not in the Y2K way you might remember from your teenage years (alongside velour tracksuits and frosted lip gloss). If Instagram is anything to go by, the French pedicure is chic and modern.
What is a French pedicure?
If you’re looking for a do-it-all pedicure that goes with everything and works for any occasion, the classic French is versatile. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the office, or your third wedding of the summer, it just works. Whether you love it or hate it, a French pedicure is a classic for a reason: “It’s clean, elegant, and endlessly wearable,” says Juanita Huber-Millet, founder and creative director of Townhouse. “Traditionally, this look features a soft nude or pink base with a crisp white tip.” Adding, “It’s that timeless contrast that makes it so instantly loved and recognizable.”
It’s little wonder, then, that the design is often spotted on some of the world’s biggest celebrities at red carpet events. Think Rihanna, Kylie Jenner, and Lily Allen, who are just a few stars frequently photographed with a fresh French pedicure.
What are the benefits of a French pedicure?
French pedicures aren’t limited to just pink and white; there are endless possibilities to explore with colors and creative designs: “French pedicures are back but in a unique and modern way,” says Fatima Naveed, senior brand manager at Duck & Dry. “We’re enjoying using fresh new shades and details to breathe new life into the traditional design,” like chrome and pastel tips, and jelly base colors.
Huber-Millet loves that the French pedicure complements every skin tone — and grows out beautifully. “It’s understated luxury that never goes out of style,” she says.
Why is the French pedicure considered controversial?
But not everyone is sold on the French pedicure. If social media is anything to go by, it’s even a little controversial at times. Why? Naveed explains that the trend essentially emphasizes the overgrown tips of toenails, making critics question the look’s practicality. “Personally, though, I think that the key lies in the length as well as the choice of tip and base color,” she says. “A milky white or a sheer pink tip will give a more subtle, chic finish than bold white tips.” As for the base shade? “It’s more than just a background color; it sets the entire tone of the design.”
What does the French pedicure look like in 2025?
If you want to avoid the overgrown look, consider one of the biggest French pedicure trends. Enter: micro tips. “The micro French pedicure is gaining huge popularity,” says Naveed. “It consists of a very thin tip along the edge of toenails, which provides a clean and understated look.” The secret to pulling it off is keeping toenails short and well-groomed. This helps enhance the minimalist effect. Naveed’s clients also opt for a ‘Frombré’ effect (French ombré), which blends the nude base and milky white tip shades to lend a subtle, modern take on the look.
Huber-Millet adds that 2025 is seeing a real evolution of the French pedicure: “It’s all about tonal or unexpected color pairings, and playful accents like chrome, shimmer, or deep red shades for a moodier take. It’s fresh, flattering, and very now.”
Keeping that in mind, scroll on for nine French pedicure trends to try now.
Pastel Perfection
When you can’t pick one color, go with all of them. Harriet Westmoreland proves that pastel French tips over a barely-there base are a summer pedicure essential.
Barely Blue
This unexpected color pairing of a dusty blue base shade and milky white tips by @m.comptoir.beaute is perfect for lounging around the pool.
Mix & Match
A classic French meets street style cool with clashing colors, prints, and glitter to boot? Nail and beauty salon @belle_voir proves that French pedicures never have to be dull.
Golden Hour
Chrome is certain to earn compliments — and it can be subtle. Nail quiet luxury with something like this soft nude base and gilt tips by nail artist @mylenails.s.
Ombré All Day
London-based nail artist Milly Mason uses various shades by @the_gelbottle_inc to create this milky blush Fombrè pedicure.
Make It Micro
The square shape, clean lines, and micro tips by Sydney nail and beauty salon @beautyspothq is the freshest take on a ’90s French.
Minimal-Meets-Maximal
With a fusion of colors, patterns, and embellishments, this look by nail artist @mylenails.s is a strong case for more is more, especially if you want a truly unique take on the French pedicure.
Mellow Yellow
Butter yellow is one of the hottest pedicure colors of the summer, and judging by these chic sunshine tips by Natalia Bulat at Bombshell Nails London, it’s not going anywhere.
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Ex Nihilo Is The Perfume Brand Celebs Gatekeep. Here Are 7 Scents, Ranked
There’s an influencer I always run into at beauty events, and I smell her presence in the room before I even see her face. Not in an overpowering way — more like the softest, most addictive scent trail pulling me in her direction. The only way I can describe it is like a tall, iced piña colada sipped in the sun — within reach of cooling sea spray — topped with a wedge of syrupy pineapple: sweet and indulgent, but fresh and invigorating at the same time. There was just one problem: every time I asked what perfume she was wearing, she’d conveniently “forget.” Then one day, Ex Nihilo’s Blue Talisman landed on my desk — and with one spritz, the mystery was solved.
She isn’t the only one with impeccable taste in fragrance. At The Devil Wears Prada premiere in New York, Refinery29 senior fashion writer Victoria Montalti asked celebrities which perfume they were wearing, and the love for Ex Nihilo abounded on the red carpet. Take Olympian Johnny Weir — a devoted collector of niche fragrances — who revealed he’d drenched himself in Emerald Royals, a rich blend of nutmeg, vanilla-like tonka bean, and frankincense. We posted our findings to Instagram, and the comments section quickly filled with praise for Ex Nihilo. The consensus? Johnny knows ball.
As a fragrance fanatic, I’ve tried my fair share of niche perfume brands, but few are as impressive as Ex Nihilo. Still, a couple of newer launches had somehow escaped my radar — until now. Naturally, I made it my mission to smell as many as possible and determine which ones are actually worth the hype. With that in mind, here are some of the most compliment-worthy Ex Nihilo fragrances, ranked in order of how much I love them as a perfume-obsessed beauty director.
Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman Eau de Parfum
Blue Talisman is my favorite fragrance in Ex Nihilo’s perfume dynasty because it encapsulates all the best parts of being on vacation. The vodka tonic and lime on the plane; the warm air that envelops you on landing; salty shoulders slathered in coconut sunscreen; soapy skin as you wash off the day; orange blossom cooling off from the heat on the walk down to dinner. That’s all down to the ripe pear, fizzy bergamot, skin-like musk, and the peppery warmth of ginger, not to mention the aforementioned orange blossom petals.
All of this makes it cozy and comforting, but the cedarwood gives it a slightly salty edge that means it transcends summer. It’s best on skin, where it gets toastier with each minute of wear as it mingles with your natural skin smell. I can’t get enough, and it seems I’m not alone, with countless five-star reviews echoing the same obsession. Especially with the Extrait de Parfum version, which boasts even better staying power than the original.
Ex Nihilo Lust In Paradise Extrait de Parfum
If you like Delina by Parfums de Marly, you’ll absolutely love this new extrait — a stronger, longer-lasting version of the original. Perfumer Louise Turner has bottled the magic of a sunset on the coastline. The jasmine is intense and creamy, as though the petals have been baking in the sun all day, but it’s the Petalia — a synthetic rose molecule — that makes this so delicious and distinctly Middle Eastern. It’s like tucking into a bowl of Turkish delight and lychees, while the blackcurrant and cedarwood notes give it a tangy, green edge. I can’t stop smelling myself when I wear this — and it’s one of my most complimented fragrances.
Ex Nihilo The Hedonist Eau de Parfum
All fragrance is genderless, but I can imagine anyone wearing The Hedonist — and loving it. In fact, my partner and I regularly share this scent, and we agree that it’s a safe “blind” buy. The top notes are peppery ginger and zingy bergamot, but on the dry-down, the milky cedarwood and crunchy vetiver give it a slightly minty edge, like taking in a breath of cool air. Unlike plenty of other perfumes, that freshness doesn’t fade throughout the day. It’s one of those fragrances that can be worn anywhere: the gym, the office, even on a flight if you can’t be without a single spritz on the wrist — just for you. If you want your partner to smell incredible, gift them this — and make sure you get to borrow it, too.
Fleur Narcotique Eau de Parfum
Think you hate florals? Think again. Most floral scents are either too overpowering (it’s almost always the rose) or fall completely flat (some florals, like lily of the valley, are so delicate they’re hard to capture in perfume), but this lands perfectly in the middle. Creamy jasmine is balanced by airy orange blossom with a fresh linen feel, while peony keeps things soft and light. Wood and moss add a green, earthy edge. Imagine a verdant florist with freshly washed laundry hanging in the back, and you’ve got it down to a T. Hailey Bieber is also said to be a big fan.
Ex Nihilo Santal Calling Eau de Parfum
I’m not usually a fan of santal, but I’ll always make an exception for Santal Calling; it feels incredibly elevated. The only way I can describe it is this: you’re drinking an expensive latte in the softest cashmere turtleneck, reading a brand new book, and catching that faintly nutty, papery smell from the fresh pages. Milky accord, vanilla, and, of course, sandalwood give it a creamy, skin-like warmth with just enough woody depth. I always recommend it as a wedding scent. Soft, comforting, and memorable all at once.
Ex Nihilo Spiky Muse Eau de Parfum
Gourmands — scents with dessert-like notes — are reigning supreme, but if you’re on the hunt for a more grown-up version, look no further than Spiky Muse. It’s strawberry picking in the warm afternoon sun, bottled. Think fragrant leaves, freshly cut grass, and a subtle sweetness from overripe strawberries, lifted with a sprinkling of spicy pink pepper, rich pistachio accord, and cocooning amber. It’s always the most-spritzed Ex Nihilo fragrance in any department store I walk into.
Ex Nihilo Speed Legends Eau de Parfum
Think of the sexiest man you know, and you’re halfway to understanding how special Speed Legends is. It’s somewhere between Davidoff Cool Water and Dior Fahrenheit thanks to smoky clary sage, grassy vetiver, spicy pink pepper, and soft mandarin, but the amber woods and vanilla-esque tonka bean give it a warm depth that’s like pulling on a loved one’s favorite jacket. I’ve found that the eau de parfum is one of the longest-lasting fragrances in Ex Nihilo’s collection.
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