Los Angeles Salons Now Require Proof of Vaccination for Entry

Beautiful brunette woman with long hair at the beauty salon getting a hair blowing. Hair salon styling concept.Getty Images

Starting November 4, getting a haircut, manicure, wax, and other beauty services in Los Angeles without a COVID-19 vaccination is going to be kind of tough (or at the very least, quite time-consuming). On Wednesday, October 6, the Los Angeles City Council approved a new law that requires proof of vaccination for entry into indoor businesses such as restaurants, bars, movie theaters, gyms, museums — and, yes, hair and nail salons. 

The law, which goes into effect on November 4, makes exceptions for those who can't get vaccinated due to medical conditions (like an allergy to the vaccine, for example) or religious objections. If a customer will not or cannot get vaccinated, they will have to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their appointment time. Some privately owned businesses already enforce this rule independently. 

It's not a dissimilar law to that of New York City, the first city in the United States to require proof of vaccination for indoor dining, entertainment, and fitness venues. San Francisco and some other California cities enacted a similar law not long after in which proof of vaccination is necessary for entry into restaurants, bars, clubs, and "large indoor events."

Allure reached out to a number of salon owners in and outside of Los Angeles for commentary on the city's new vaccination mandate, but all declined to comment or did not respond before the publication of this story. 

21 Black-Owned Beauty Brands You Can Shop at Sephora Right Now

21 BlackOwned Beauty Brands You Can Find at Sephora

Allure/Clara Hendler

Frequent Sephora shoppers have probably noticed its near-daily refresh of newer, more diverse brands. Last year, Sephora adopted the 15 Percent Pledge policy to serve the dire need for representation in beauty, business, and the intersection of both industries. Under this initiative, the retailer promises to dedicate 15 percent of its shelf space to Black-owned brands — and so far, it's made progress in the right direction.

As part of the initiative, Sephora has relaunched its Accelerate Program to exclusively focus on businesses owned by women of color. Each brand participating in the program — including internet favorites like Hyper Skin, 54 Thrones, and Eadem — is offered a spot in Sephora stores across the globe and online, creating more essential space for brands owned by underrepresented groups while bringing the retailer closer to its goal. 

Since Sephora's official announcement in 2020, it's taken steps to increase its initial seven-brand portfolio of Black-owned businesses to 21. Though that number isn't 15 percent of the overall 322 brands Sephora offers, it's certainly a significant increase. Each and every one of these brands bring something refreshing to your vanity, whether it's a high-strength retinol serum from Shani Darden Skin Care, an indulgent leave-in conditioner by Briogeo, or a dewy skin tint à la Fenty Beauty. 

There's more work to be done, but Sephora's taking a step in the right direction through its diversity efforts. These moves set a higher standard for other retailers to follow while allowing consumers to be able to shop Black-owned brands at one of the biggest beauty shops on the planet.

Now, keep reading to learn more about every Black-owned beauty brand on Sephora's roster so far.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Keywordsshoppingbeauty shoppingSephorablack ownedblack beautybriogeopattern beautyFenty BeautyFenty Skinshopping guide

An Ode to First Aid Beauty’s Pure Skin Face Cleanser

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser  Review

$22 at Sephora

TL;DR:

  • What It Is: A fragrance-free cream cleanser
  • What It Does: Removes makeup and grime while calming and soothing skin
  • Who It's For: Anyone looking for a cleanser that’s as gentle as it is effective

There are few universal truths in skin care (after all, everyone’s needs are different), but right up there with wearing SPF every single day is the fact that you should always, always remove your makeup before bed.

But doing so can feel like a Herculean task — until you find a cleanser you and your skin absolutely love. For me, that’s long been First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser.

The creamy, fragrance-free formula with calming aloe has the power to remove every trace of mineral sunscreen, makeup, and grime on my face at the end of the day, but never leaves my reactive skin red or irritated. And because it’s so gentle, I also don’t worry about it interacting with the actives — like retinol — I’m using during the rest of my routine.

It’s turned the act of washing my face at night from another item on my to-do list to a soothing ritual — in more ways than one.

You’ll find the First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser in the October 2021 Allure Beauty Box.

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

$22 at Sephora

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Are the Pimples on Your Lip Actually a Cold Sore?

Hand with white manicure touching lipsGetty Images

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you've ever had a pimple pop up in close vicinity to your mouth, chances are you've wondered — even if just for a millisecond — if said blemish could actually be a cold sore, also known as oral herpes. It's not an outlandish thought to have, either. Pimples and cold sores share certain similarities (especially in terms of appearance), which could easily elicit some confusion in someone who's suffering a breakout.

In actuality, pimples and cold sores on the lips share very little in common, making them pretty easy to distinguish from one another once you know what to look for. With that in mind, Allure tapped several dermatologists to find out the differences between pimples and cold sores, what exactly makes them so different from one another, and of course, how you can treat them should they arise. Scroll down for the lowdown.

  • Cold Sore Causes
  • Cold Sore Symptoms
  • Single Bump vs. Cluster
  • Cold Sore vs. Pimple Treatments
  • How Long Do Cold Sores and Pimples Last?
  • Emotional Impact of Lip Breakouts

What causes a cold sore?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus-1, also called oral herpes or HSV-1, and they are contagious. The majority of people are exposed to the virus during childhood, but only 30 percent of people actually get clinical cold sores, says Friedman. You can catch the virus through direct skin contact, for example kissing or even using the same cup as someone with an active sore. From there, the virus pops out when your immune system is compromised or worn down, typically during times of emotional or physical stress, or if you're sick, explains Zeichner.

As most of us know, acne can also occur during times of stress, but that's where the similarities come to a halt. "Pimples can develop when hair follicles get infected with bacteria or fungus or blocked with a plug composed of oil, dead skin cells, and potentially other debris resulting in inflammation and bacterial overgrowth," says Shah. Friedman adds that all acne is inflammatory, and when inflammation brews around the sebaceous gland, it causes the area to swell and more sebum to be produced, ultimately resulting in what usually appears as a pus-filled pimple. Those with hormonal acne also experience pimples, most often around the jawline area, during their menstrual cycle or when their hormones are fluctuating. Such is not the case in cold sores, as it's a viral infection not impacted by hormones.

What are the early cold sore symptoms?

The simplest way to determine whether you have a pimple or a cold sore is to pay close attention to the warning signs. For instance, if you feel a tingling or burning sensation before the blemish even emerges, that's your body's way of telling you a cold sore is coming. "Often you may notice tingling, itching, or burning in the area before the blisters appear," explains Sejal Shah, a New York City-based dermatologist. This is known as the prodromal phase in the herpes simplex virus, which is when people experience changes in themselves (such as said burning) but haven't yet acquired any clear-cut symptoms.

Adam Friedman, the residency program director and director of translational research in the dermatology department at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, explains that this tingling or burning happens when the HSV-1 virus, which causes cold sores, leaves its home in a nerve root, called the dorsal root ganglion, and travels down the sensory nerves to the skin cells. 

Can cold sores be a single bump like a pimple?

It's highly unlikely that a single, stand-alone bump is a cold sore. The tingling period of cold-sore development is followed by red, fluid-filled blisters, which Shah says usually come in clusters on or around the lips. The cluster can look like a small group of pimples, as the skin around the area will be quite inflamed and quickly form a scabby appearance, according to Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. 

photo of a person with a cold sore from herpes simplex virus 1

An active cold sore caused by HSV-1.

Getty

Pimples do not appear in clusters, nor are they directly on the lips. "Location is helpful with distinguishing acne, as while there can sometimes be free-standing oil glands on the lips, called fordyce spots, typically, there are no oil glands and therefore acne can't occur on the actual lip itself," says Friedman. 

Pimple or zit on the lips on the lip area of a person.

A pimple at the edge of a person’s lip.

Getty

What's more: While pimples may be tender or cause discomfort, they're not associated with the same prodromal phase as cold sores, says Shah. Pimples can also occur anywhere on the body, whereas cold sores caused by HSV-1 are resigned strictly to the mouth area.

How do cold sore and pimple treatments differ?

Pimples can be treated with skin-care products containing acne-fighting ingredients, like bacteria-killing benzoyl peroxide and exfoliating salicylic acid, as well as topical retinoids like tretinoin, adapalene, or tazarotene. In more severe cases, some people turn to drugs like isotretinoin (which you may know as Accutane). Some of our favorite over-the-counter spot treatments include the Best of Beauty Award-winners Vichy Normaderm S.O.S. Acne Rescue Spot Corrector and the Florence by Mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches, one of the best pimple patches (not to mention one of the cutest).

Vichy Normaderm S.O.S Acne Rescue Spot Corrector on a white background

Vichy Normaderm S.O.S. Acne Rescue Spot Corrector

$18Shop Nowpackage of Florence by Mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches on a white background

Florence by Mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches

$14Shop Now

Don't expect acne treatments to clear up a cold sore. Because cold sores are sparked by a virus, they need to be treated with antiviral medications, which can sometimes curb them from occurring altogether. "Cold sores can be treated with over-the-counter antiviral medications like Abreva," says Zeichner. "There are actually medications by mouth that you can take at the first symptom of burning and stinging, which prevent the cold store from developing to begin with. (One common treatment is called Sitavig). And needless to say, you should definitely never try to pop a cold sore the way you might try to pop a pimple. (Though you really shouldn't pop a pimple either.)

Abreva Docosanol 10% Cream

Abreva Docosanol 10% Cream

$19Shop Now

How long do pimples and cold sores last?

Pimples and cold sores can both be considered chronic conditions. Though HSV-1 is never fully eradicated from the body because it's a virus, pimples generally become chronic based on a person's genetics and hormonal makeup. "Acne can be chronic, more often in women than men, as hormones can play a big role in perpetuating what was once thought of as a teenager ailment," explains Friedman.

The first time someone gets a cold sore, it can remain anywhere from two to four weeks; after that first time, it will typically resolve itself in a week or two, says Shah. She also says cold sores commonly reoccur in the same area. Pimples, on the other hand, usually have a shorter life cycle, often lasting a few days to a week. 

What are the psychological impacts of cold sores and pimples?

Like any skin affliction, pimples and cold sores can both wreak havoc on people's emotional well-being. "Acne and cold sores are notorious for causing anxiety and stress," says Amy Wechsler, a New York City-based psychodermatologist. "They make people very self-conscious, and sufferers feel like the acne or cold sore is the only thing people see when they look at them."

That being said, if you battle either ailment, it's crucial to know you're far from alone. According to recent reports, 50 million people in the U.S. alone have acne, and 50 to 80 percent of U.S. adults have oral herpes (HSV-1). Though, as Friedman mentioned, only 30 percent of people amass actual clinical cold sores.

All this is to say: Cold sores and pimples are both incredibly common conditions that, while annoying, can be pinpointed and treated accordingly. Talk to your doctor to figure out a treatment solution together.

This “Gentle Piercer” Is Changing the Industry

close up of septum piercing on black person wearing red glassesCourtesy of Janeese Brooks 

New York-based piercer Janeese Brooks was, like many people, inspired by her mother — specifically, the dread her mother felt around anything involving needles. That fear drove Brooks to develop a piercing technique to reduce the completely normal uneasiness many clients experience ahead of and during an appointment, whether it's their first, second, or 10th time getting pierced. "Do everything you can to make people feel strong for how far they got [by making an appointment]," Brooks told herself. "Even coming in the door a lot of times, is an ordeal, especially for people and piercings." 

At Live by the Sword Tattoo in Brooklyn, New York, Brooks offers a "gentle" piercing method, as she calls it. It's not a separate add-on service; compassionate treatment is central to everything she does. It's built into all of her appointments, which keeps her clientele coming back for more.

close up of pierced ear with silver bar going through the ear verticallyCourtesy of Janeese Brooks

Affirmations are shared throughout the piercing process to help console her clients as they experience pain and apprehension. You can even often hear Brooks telling them, "I love you" or "You are strong," as she punctures their skin. If they're used to the quick in-and-out environments of a tattoo shop or booth at the mall, some may find this unexpected and awkward. But Brooks's priority is ensuring her clients' comfort and emphasizing that she doesn't intend to cause them pain. "I tell people [these affirmations] when they wince, cringe, or [show] other small [signs] of pain," she says. "I like to reinforce the fact that I don't like hurting anyone. I'm not here to hurt you, in fact, if I could do it all without any pain whatsoever I would."

By sharing positive statements, Brooks also hopes to help those who have had negative and traumatic piercing experiences in the past heal — which is she says accounts for "so many" of her clients. By way of example, she mentions clients of color who were told their noses are too thick or big for a piercing or folks who dealt with inappropriate touching from a piercer while getting their nipples or belly button done. There are also clients whose apprehension simply stems from a technical piercing error, like the gun getting stuck. Hearing these stories in the past made her think, "How do we build a space where people are safe, all the way around?" Now, Brooks does her best to validate their experiences and build trust with them. 

close up of several ear piercings with gold jewelryCourtesy of Janeese Brooks

Creating a comfortable and calm environment is central to Brooks' appointments. Even if a client prefers a more silent session, which she says doesn't happen often, she will create a relaxing atmosphere in other ways. For instance, she will offer one of her apprentices to hold the client's hand, play calming music, or even sing to them to ensure they feel some form of reassurance.

In addition to the usual consultation process to determine piercing placements and jewelry, Brooks says she observes her clients during the appointment to ensure the piercing will fit their lifestyle. For instance, if Brooks notices you touch your ear or fiddle with your hair a lot during your initial conversation, she'll suggest leaning away from a cartilage piercing because they take longer to heal. 

woman with short hair posing outside in mesh seethrough shirt and skirt with a face printed on itCourtesy of subject

Brooks didn't start going by the Gentle Piercer until about two years ago. Her clients called her that enough times throughout her career that she finally accepted the title, she says. Before becoming the Gentle Piercer — and a piercer, in general, six years ago — Brooks observed others in the industry. During her junior year of college in 2015, she would often find herself wandering into local shops to watch the piercers out of fascination. The summer of that year, she landed an apprenticeship at a shop in Oneonta, New York, officially starting her piercing career. "I like to tell people it's the only thing that I followed through with by accident," she jokes.

Simplifying the aftercare process is crucial, too, because sometimes all the recommendations can be overwhelming and, at times, unnecessary. Brooks' instructions are straightforward: Pretend the piercing didn't happen and just leave it alone. Let your body heal on its own. "The less you touch it, the better," she adds. 

Though Brooks makes her sessions as supportive and serene as possible, she acknowledges that, ultimately, it's still a person sticking a needle through a part of another person's body. "You're still going to be anxious, no matter how many times you've [gotten a piercing], but I don't need to make it worse," she shares. "It should not just be a safe environment but also comfortable. You should feel like you're allowed to be whatever version of yourself you are while you're getting pierced and have somebody that appreciates both versions — the nervous version that came in and the version that's leaving."

Megan Thee Stallion Wins Halloween Nail Art

megan thee stallion smiling at the 2021 grammysGetty Images

We are pretty much obsessed with all of Megan Thee Stallion's nail art over here at Allure. Not a day goes by when we aren't scouring her Instagram page to see her latest manicure. Meg even has a signature pose she often uses to show off her manicures with her hands displayed across her world-famous booty. The rapper loves to experiment with different nail designs and styles; she can give us a hot-pink Y2K-inspired French mani one day and an anime-inspired set the next. So, of course, as spooky season begins, Meg already has a cute-yet-creepy manicure — actually, she's already had three. 

The Hot Girl Captain shared her latest Halloween-themed nails, which she calls an " X-ray $et" in the caption, with her 25 million fans on October 6. Like most of her manicures, these long nails were sculpted into a chic lipstick shape. On each lengthy nail is a different part of a skeleton, painted in a blue hue onto a jet-black base. A skull sits on her right index finger and the left middle finger, while parts of the spine can be seen on the left ring finger. The design practically looks like it's glowing in the dark (or under a blacklight, perhaps), which is perfect for the Halloween season. We're really amazed by the nail artistry here.

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This isn't her only recent Halloween-themed set, which shouldn't be surprising considering Thee Stallion switches out her manicures so often. Just a few days prior, on October 1, she shared a white manicure with blood-red polish dripping onto the tips. The pinky and index fingers have a stiletto shape and the middle and ring fingers have a coffin shape, representing vampire fangs. 

Instagram content

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Instagram content

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Not even a full day later, Thee Stallion was already onto her next set, which she displayed in an Instagram carousel. This colorful manicure looks simple at first except for the multicolored, bloodshot eyes painted on each lipstick-shaped tip. It's obvious that she is killing it in the Halloween nail art department this year, and we can't wait to see what creative manicure comes next. 

Adele’s Signature Cat-Eye Is Back In Her First Music Video Since 2016

FEBRUARY 12 Recording artist Adele performs onstage during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12 2017...Getty Images

Ladies and gentlemen, Adele is finally dropping some new music. The singer-songwriter took to Instagram on Tuesday, October 5, to break the news with a clip from the music video for her upcoming song, "Easy On Me." Like many of the singer's famous hits, this one sounds like it's gonna be a tear-jerker, but is it enough to smear Adele's signature winged eyeliner?

In the video, her thick, dark eyeliner makes an appearance as she takes a glance into the rearview mirror of a car. Thanks to the close-up angle, it looks as if the liner was also paired with some long, elegant lashes, though it's unclear if they're false eyelashes or the work of some volumizing mascara. Adele's eyeliner cameo may be short-lived, but it's probably going to make another appearance or two in the full music video. 

Adele didn't confirm whose artistic hand was behind her fabulous eye makeup in her post, but makeup artist Michael Ashton seems to be her go-to for all things glam. A look through his Instagram grid reveals that he's done her makeup for a variety of occasions, such as the Golden Globe Awards and the Grammys. 

Instagram content

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As of this post, there are only eight more days until the arrival of the video for "Easy On Me," and we'll definitely be looking out for each and every chic eyeliner moment once it drops (with our pack of tissues at the ready, of course). If you're looking to up the ante on your eyeliner game like Adele, check out these makeup artist-approved tips on how to create the perfect cat eye, along with some eyeliner recommendations to help create it. 

25 Products for Beauty Lovers Who Can Only Use One Hand

25 Accessible Beauty Products for Disabilities  Products to Use With One Hand

Courtesy brands. Design by Bella Geraci.

This story is part of The Beauty of Accessibility, our series on inclusivity and representation for people with disabilities in the beauty industry and beyond. 

After I was involved in an accident that paralyzed my left arm a couple of years back, my beauty routine started to feel tedious and frustrating. My everyday struggles regularly included a battle to uncap my mascara or a scuffle to sharpen my eyeliner with one of those tiny makeup sharpeners. (FYI: Those electric pencil sharpeners from elementary school don't do the trick either.) Before my accident, most of the products I was using weren't accessible for people with hand or arm impairments. So I said "nope" to that and set out on a mission to find products that would allow me to single-handedly power through a beauty session like a professional — or at least reduce the number of fights I was having with my makeup.

Due to design, some products are just easier to wrangle than others. But I didn't want to settle at just accessible; after all, you shouldn’t need to skimp on quality to accommodate a disability. Accessibility should be a given, not a bonus. All of the products I've curated here are not only five-finger user-friendly, but all-around winners in terms of quality and efficacy too. Everyone's adaptability journey is different, so you'll need to play around to find which products work best for you. But hopefully, in sharing what's worked for me, I can help you speed up the search process.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

KeywordsInclusivityinclusive beautyproductsaccessibilityshoppingthe beauty of accessibility

Kylie Jenner’s Take on Freddy Krueger Is Way More Glamorous Than the Original

Kylie Jenner and Freddy KruegerCourtesy of brand/Getty Images

When you think of glamorous 1980s movie characters that have earned beauty-icon status, you may think of Lisa from Weird Science, Elvira Hancock from Scarface, or any of the Witches of Eastwick. Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street? Not so much. But leave it to Kylie Jenner to see the horror villain through fresh, fully lined eyes.

On Tuesday, October 5, Jenner posted a stunning photo to Instagram in which she's wearing a catsuit made to resemble Freddy Krueger's burn-scarred skin. Her pulled-back hair culminates in sleek bangs separated into four sculpted pieces. And of course, her manicure is made up of super long, metallic silver, pointy nails that recall Freddy's signature knife-finger glove.

It would be understandable if Jenner was just getting off to an early start on Halloween costumes — the Kardashian-Jenner clan is known for going full-throttle on the holiday — but the photo is actually a promo shot for a new Kylie Cosmetics collaboration with A Nightmare on Elm Street. In her Instagram Stories, Jenner revealed all of the products in the collection accompanied by a sufficiently creepy soundtrack.

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First up is a Lip Lacquer Trio in tubes that look blood-splattered. She swatches the nude-pink Only a Dream, peachy-red Elm Street, and mauve-brick Never Sleep Again shades on her arm to show off their rich, glossy color. Next is the Pressed Powder Palette, which contains 12 pans of matte and shimmery neutral and red-toned eye-shadow shades, not to mention a dark teal shade called Gonna Get You. 

Kylie Cosmetics Nightmare on Elm Street Lip Lacquer TrioInstagramKylie Jenner Nightmare on Elm Street Pressed Powder PaletteInstagram

Kylie also shows off the false lashes in the collection. "I love pre-cut lashes, so I wanted to do these pre-cut lashes for you guys," Jenner says in the clip. "They're so soft. They look so pretty on the eye, and I just love being able to customize my own lash."

Kylie Jenner Nightmare on Elm Street lashesInstagram

And finally, there's the Lip and Cheek Jelly Stain, which Jenner says is a brand-new formula. "It has a really cool texture," she says, adding that it gives a light, pretty wash of color.  

Kylie Cosmetics Nightmare on Elm Street Lip and Cheek Jelly StainInstagram

The Kylie x A Nightmare on Elm Street collection launches on October 12. Jenner's new launches tend to sell out quickly, but with millions of Freddy fans in the queue, there's no doubt that this will fly off kyliecosmetics.com shelves especially fast, so definitely don't sleep on it.

TikTok Invented Yet Another Easy Eyeliner Hack for Hooded and Monolid Eyes

side by side images before and after using tiktok eyeliner hack for monolidsCourtesy of TikTok/@jonisann

Folks with hooded and monolid eyes are rejoicing over a new winged eyeliner hack that is all over TikTok, and with good reason. Drawing that coveted cat eye oftentimes poses a challenge for those who have limited eyelid space because the wings have a tendency to hide inside the upper creases. With TikTok user Joni Sann's video, however, people with monolids or hooded eyes now have a simple solution to creating that perfect winged eye — one that might be even easier than the famous "bat wing" trick. 

Sann's video, which she posted on September 21, currently has over 4 million views. She tells Allure that she came up with the method back in high school after struggling to find YouTube tutorials specifically for "hooded, almond-shaped eyes, or other tapered eye shapes with deep-set creases."

As Sann explains in the video, she used to begin by drawing the wing directly from the outer corner of her eye. Instead, she now "extends the corner of her eye [first] before drawing in [her] wing," meaning that she creates a downward-sloping line at the outer end of her eyelid that extends slightly beyond the end of her eye crease. Then comes the wing. She goes on to explain that she draws the wing "out and up, instead of… you know, vertical."

Her eyeliner tricks don't end there. If you're into lining your inner corners, Sann has a hack for that as well. Rather than drawing a horizontal line, she creates a diagonal line, which she says aligns with "the natural angle of [her] inner corner." 

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TikTok user Momo has also taken a liking to Sann's eyeliner hack. She documented her experience  with a video accompanied by the caption, "THIS IS WHY MY EYELINER NEVER SUITED MY EYES," indicating that she's now found a technique that suits her self-described "mildly hooded, downturned, almond-shaped eyes." 

Momo says she's always watching eyeliner videos, which is why she thinks TikTok brought Sann's video to her attention. "I struggled a lot with eyeliner making my eyes look strange and misshapen, and I think this method really helps accentuate the features that are already there because it follows the natural line of the upper lid," she explains. She adds that she now only uses Sann's technique when lining her eyes. 

TikTok content

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New York City-based makeup artist Tommy tells Allure that extending the line further out isn't necessarily what's making this look work for hooded and monolid eye shapes. It's the fact that "the eyeliner is more horizontal than it is at an angle" and is placed at a "lower angle" than what a rounded eyeliner technique seems to call for. He's all for lining the eye beyond the natural lash line, but he says to "be wary of starting the wing at the corner or bottom lash line up." Placing the wing in these positions "lower[s] the eyeliner."  "A harmonious winged eyeliner will meet the top eyelid and no lower, thus lifting one's eyes and face."

Makeup has no rules, but if you have hooded or monolid eyes and are looking to change how you line them, then consider taking some pointers from this TikTok hack and aim the wings in a different direction.