The e.l.f. Flawless Filter Dupe Is Almost A Third Of The OG Price

the elf halo glow liquid filter is a dupe for the charlotte tilbury flawless filter

Leave it to the internet to voraciously hunt down beauty dupes of basically…anything. Fenty lip gloss dupe? Check. Kosas concealer dupe? Check. Supergoopsunscreendupe? You guessed it – check. Among the best viral (read: affordable) swaps, one brand stands victorious over the others: e.l.f.

The latest in the stream of “dupe this, dupe that” comes from the iconic beauty brand, with their Halo Glow Liquid Filter standing in as an affordable alternative to the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter. Scroll for deets on the dutiful dupe that’ll cost you a literal fraction of the original version.

Image via Target

e.l.f. has been my go-to for as long as I’ve been wearing makeup, always standing out because of the fact that their products are simply cheaper. I also love that their quality stands up to the higher-end products in my makeup bag, no matter when I use them. Among the many beauty lovers on the internet that searched for Flawless Filter dupes, Sarah Wolak expressed her preference for e.l.f’s version.

“The [e.l.f Halo Glow Liquid Filter] is a dupe, but in my opinion, I think it’s better,” Wolak says in a TikTok video. “Don’t get me wrong, I think the Charlotte Tilbury one is beautiful, but I find that sometimes it can make my pores stand out or kind of give me texture that wasn’t there before, whereas the e.l.f. one does not do that.”

She tested the two products simultaneously, applying the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter on one side of her face, then the e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter on the other. To her, the e.l.f. dupe was the winner – and TikTok users agreed.

“Elf looks more clean idk how else to explain it,” one commenter wrote. “I get texture from the Charlotte Tilbury one too!” another said. “Expensive isn’t always better!”

Comparing the e.l.f. Flawless Filter Dupe

The Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter promises a finish “that blurs, smooths, and illuminates for a real-life filter effect,” but users hoping for more coverage might look towards the e.l.f. dupe. The shade ranges from both brands are considerably inclusive, though the e.l.f. line features a higher number of deeper shades. Their version is also only $14 while Charlotte Tilbury’s is $49, helping shoppers that look for affordability get a seamless makeup look – without breaking the bank.

Have you tried the e.l.f. Flawless Filter dupe? Let us know @BritandCo.

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via Target.

You don't have to look far to find celebrity beauty brands these days. From social media to brick-and-mortar stores like Sephora and Ulta, we're in an age where celebrities are no longer confined to simply entertaining us on screens and in songs. Instead, they're venturing onto our vanities and into our medicine cabinets, shaping our skincare and makeup routines, seemingly growing by the day.

According to a study by NIQ, celebrity beauty brands have amassed $1 billion in sales — which is pretty monumental, TBH. Because there are so many to sift through, I put together a cute little guide to understanding the best celebrity makeup and skincare brands — including the top products to try — for you! Who knows, you may find your next staple product from a celeb you've loved all your life!


The Best Celebrity Makeup Brands We've Tried

Image via Haus Labs

Haus Labs by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga launched Haus Laboratories in 2019 in partnership with Amazon — the only major beauty brand to do so at the time — and it's grown to become a trusted cosmetics line after relaunching in 2022. Committed to being a clean brand, Haus Labs' products are formulated without "2,700 questionable ingredients including but not limited to: PEGs, Phthalates, Parabens, and more potential carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and environmental toxins."

I'm pretty wary of using new makeup thanks to one too many allergic reactions, but I decided to bite the bullet and try Haus Labs' Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation when my tried and true brand didn't restock my shade. Let's just say Lady Gaga's foundation has changed the base of my makeup routine. It blends beautifully, doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, and it works well with Fenty Beauty's Match Stix Contour Skinstick, which I use a contour.

Image via Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Launched in 2017, Rihanna set the tone for more inclusive foundation shades when the brand launched in 2017. For the first time, 40 shades and undertones were available for everyone and that immediately made it one of the most innovative makeup brands the beauty industry had seen. Now the brand has increased it's shade offerings to 50 — can you believe that?

From its Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation to its Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer, Fenty Beauty is that girl.

Image via Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

"Being rare is about being comfortable with yourself. I've stopped trying to be perfect. I just want to be me," is the note from Selena Gomez that's found on Rare Beauty's 'About Us' page. The brand offers face, lip, and eye products that have universal colors that work for every complexion — trust me.

Image via Ulta

About Face Beauty by Halsey

Launched in 2021, About Face is a brand that speaks to Halsey's makeup artistry and creativity as a performer — hence why it offers high-performance makeup. The brand is also vegan and cruelty-free (love it), and is made for people to express themselves. I do love a nice soft, matte makeup look, but I also miss when people used to have fun with makeup without caring about what others thinks.

That's the feeling About Face evokes, making it a tried and true staple in the editorial team's makeup bags.

Image via r.e.m. beauty

r.e.m. beauty by Ariana Grande

Per Allure, Ariana Grande collaborated with Forma Brands to bring r.e.m. beauty to life. Known for her dream-like vocals, it's fitting that the name of her makeup brand is a nod to the deep sleep phase many of us enter each night. The best part about r.e.m. beauty is that Ariana wasn't afraid to start her own cosmetics line. She told Allure, "I love and I’m [a] huge fan of my peers that do both, and I think that it’s just another way to tell stories. Because you can never have enough makeup, just like you can never have enough music."

Celebrity Makeup Brands: Honorable Mentions

Image via Kylie Cosmetics

Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner

Kylie Cosmetics was founded in 2016 by Kylie Jenner and has developed a following for its products beginning with the popular lip kits. Prior to that that, not many brands had this innovative offering so this helped set it apart from competitors.

Image via Flower Beauty

Flower Beauty by Drew Barrymore

One thing about Drew Barrymore is that she's going to create products that are cute and functional. Besides her amazing cookware line found at Walmart, she's also into all things related to beauty. It's an incredibly affordable line with most of the cruelty-free products having high reviews.

Image via WYN BEAUTY

WYN Beauty by Serena Williams

Serena Williams has always put her signature twist on everything she does on and off the court so it comes as no surprise that she's ventured into beauty. She's differentiating her brand from others with a signature chartreuse color that's similar to a tennis ball because it represents "energy and determination" per the 'About' page.

Perhaps best of all is how dedicated WYN BEAUTY is to ensuring women receiving proper maternal care during and after pregnancy.

Image via Pleasing

Pleasing by Harry Styles

Harry Styles got the look from his tousled locks to his unforgettable concert outfits and now he's backing them up with his own beauty brand. Setting our screams aside, we can't but feel like Pleasing's products are very Harry-coded. From it's big lip moisture balm to it's silky-smooth pearlescent illuminating serum, you'll be able to easily incorporate the brand's beauty finds into your everyday routine!

The Best Celebrity Skincare Brands

Image via The Outset

The Outset by Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson has been on our radar for years and so has her skincare brand The Outset — we just didn't make the connection until now. That mistake's on us, but we know for sure that this is one of the best celebrity skincare brands we've come across. It's an award-winning brand that has a clear focus on providing hydrating products that are meant to gently cleanse your skin while still tackling your problem areas.

If you ask us, it sounds like Scarlett Johansson and her partner Kate Foster are the skincare advocates this industry needs.

Image via Keys Soulcare

Keys Soulcare Clean by Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys has perfected the art of embracing skin and made a statement when she didn't wear makeup to the VMAS in 2016. Though she now prefers a "no makeup" look, she achieves it with the help of products from her skincare and wellness brand Keys Soulcare Clean.

"I love this idea of soulcare — nourishing our skin and nurturing our soul at the same time — because I realize now that it's everything together that makes it work. That helps unlock the beauty that is already inside us," the singer says on the brand's About Us page.

Image via YSE Beauty

YSE Beauty by Molly Sims

Molly Sims is one of the OG models whose signature walk and photoshoots take up space in our thoughts, but I was surprised to learn that even she dealt with skin issues that many of us do. "It’s true: from cystic acne to melasma to dark spots, sun spots and hyperpigmentation, my skin gave me hell for decades," she says on YSE Beauty's 'About Us' page.

I always say creating a skincare brand based on trying to find products that don't irritate your sensitive skin is always one way to go about things!

Image via Rhode

Rhode by Hailey Bieber

Models know that their face is essentially their canvas for the nature of their careers, so it's refreshing to see that Hailey Beiber also has a skincare brand — I want my face to be a well-taken care of canvas like hers! Her own journey to have skin that's healthier led to the formulation of Rhode's products like the Glazing Milk that's meant to prep skin before finishing your routine.

Image via OAM

OAM by Ciara

Ciara's skin is as celebrated as her pop hits and incredible dance moves so we trust that she knows what she's doing with OAM — an acronym for 'On A Mission.' Her basis for creating a skincare brand is simple. "I founded OAM as a clinical collaboration with a team of skincare experts, research scientists, dermatologists, and an MIT engineer. We're on a mission to create a simple routine for all skin tones," she says on the brand's 'About Us' page.

Image via CAY Skin

CAY Skin by Winnie Harlow

Winnie Harlow's skin always looks like it's glowing and now we know why. She's the founder of CAY Beauty, a brand that knows suncare is skincare. Not only is it dermatalogist-tested, but the products are vegan, free of silicones, and oxybenzone, and octinoxate. And for those who love minimal packaging that'll look good on their bathroom counters, CAY Beauty's aesthetically designed with you in mind.

Image via Kora Organics

Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr

This certified organic and climate neutral certified brand has all the goods that your skin needs. "After three years of partnering with some of the best chemists in the natural space, I launched a range of skincare that followed both the strictest global standards of safety and the highest levels of clinical performance for healthy, glowing skin," founder Miranda Kerr says on the brand's 'Our Story' Page.

Image via Honest Beauty

HONEST Beauty by Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba was one of the first celebrities to offer makeup, skincare, and baby care products in one brand which is why Honest Beauty continues to be so innovative in 2024. This award-winning brand offers clean and sustainable products that are gentle enough for everyday use.

Image via JLO Beauty

JLO Beauty by Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez is an ageless queen who's adamant about taking care of her skin and wants others to enjoy doing the same. "Our tagline is, ‘Beauty has no expiration date’ because to me, ageless isn’t just a mindset — you can feel youthful at any age and feel great, not just great for 50," she says on JLO Beauty.

What's your fave celeb beauty brand? Let us know in the comments and follow the convo on Facebook!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead images via r.e.m. beauty, Rare Beauty, The Outset, Fenty Beauty

George and Amal Clooney are one of the celebrity couples I’d personally be upset over if they ever break up. Like...my heart just wouldn’t be able to handle it because their love story is one for the books — not to mention all the power couple fashion moments we'd miss out on!

I was introduced to George Clooney’s work via Quentin Tarantino’s movieFrom Dusk ‘Til Dawn (thanks, dad) and have always found him to be a force of nature, but I didn’t take him for the ‘settling down’ type. Imagine my surprise when the man who once claimed he’d never get married eventually found himself smitten with Amal Alamuddin, an intelligent Human Rights Lawyer.

Since their fateful first meeting at George’s home years ago, the two have gone on to get married, have children, and even established the Clooney Foundation for Justice together. If you can’t get enough of their relationship either, here’s a full timeline of their love story!

George and Amal Clooney's Full Relationship Timeline

Image via Andrew Goodman/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night

July 2013: George And Amal Clooney’s First Introduction

In 2018, George sat down with David Letterman on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction to recount various moments from his life, including when he first met Amal. He remembers being at home at Lake Como when one of his friends asked if they could bring a plus one with them.

To make things even wilder, his own agent let him know his bachelor days would soon be over. “I got a call from my agent who called and said, ‘I met this woman who’s coming to your house who you’re gonna marry,’” he said.

Once he met Amal and began talking to her, it was apparent they had chemistry that resulted in them exchanging emails. George told The Hollywood Reporter, “I thought she was beautiful, and I thought she was funny and obviously smart…Then she sent some pictures from when she was here, and we were writing each other, emailing, talking, mostly about what was going on in each other’s lives, and over a period of time it became clear we were more than just friends.”

I’m being dramatic, but I think this dispels the idea that it’s impossible to find love if you don’t leave home.

Image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images

October 2013: George and Amal Have Their First Date

George also told The Hollywood Reporter about how their first official date came to be. He was in London overseeing the music for Monuments Men and decided to invite Amal for a visit. “Then we went for dinner…and when we came out, there were 50 paparazzi there. But she handled it like a champ. And pretty quickly, things escalated once I was in London,” he said

While they dated and got to know each other, they told CBS that they wrote each other letters. While they described that courtship, Amal added that some of the letters George wrote to her came from...his dog? Talk about bringing someone into your inner world! TBH, I'm more than here for it — let your sweet, goofy flag fly, George!

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner

April 2014: George and Amal Get Engaged

I always say there’s no denying when you’ve fallen in love with someone, and that couldn’t be more true for George and Amal Clooney who got engaged after six months of dating. Seriously, the way George proposed is something out of a romantic fairytale because he planned it. Not only that, but he cooked for her and sent her on a short scavenger hunt — except she didn’t know she was supposed to be looking for a ring.

He revealed even more details about the moment during his interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I did all the stuff, got down on my knee and did all the things you’re supposed to do. I had a playlist with my Rosemary [Clooney] songs on it, and I was waiting for this song, ‘Why Shouldn’t I,’” he said.

Needless to say, Amal happily accepted his proposal! Ironically,I’m starting to realize there’s not always a set timeline for people to get engaged or married after dating. Some people only date for a few months while others date for years before deciding to get married. It’s all very personal.

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI

September 2014: George And Amal Clooney Get Married

It wouldn’t be right if the couple didn’t get married in Italy, the country where they first met. Of course they were free to get married wherever they wanted, but leave it to the Clooneys to keep the romance going.

People reported the lovely couple wed at the Aman Canal Grande resort and guests like Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and John Krasinski were in attendance.

Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images

January 2015: George and Amal Grace the Red Carpet Together

For the first time ever, George and Amal Clooney made an appearance on the red carpet at the beginning of 2015. They attended the Golden Globes together where George received the famed lifetime achievement award.

Towards the end of his speech, George praised Amal in only a way that a man truly in love with his wife could. He said, "You make every single day — every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday — feel as special as tonight..."

Image via Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images

Late 2016: George and Amal Found the Clooney Foundation for Justice

By 2016, George and Amal Clooney decided to found the Clooney Foundation for Justice — an organization that aims to shed light around social injustices found across the globe. They've prioritized spending their own money to help those in need without a second thought and have even donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Image via Clemens Bilan/Getty Images

February 2017: PEOPLE confirms George and Amal are expecting twins

Almost three years after getting married, a source close to George and Amal Clooney revealed the two were expecting a baby together. They told People, "They’re all very happy," referring to the couple's family.

George later revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he was shocked when he discovered the couple would actually become parents to twins. He recalled their experience in the ultrasound room. "He goes, 'Well, there's one.' And I said, 'Great.' And then he goes, 'And there's the second one.' And I was like, 'What?' We just sat there, staring at that piece of paper they give you, and I kept thinking there was a mistake," he said of the exchange between the doctor and the couple.

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

June 2017: George and Amal Clooney Welcome Their Twins

People also reported the birth of George and Amal Clooney's twins — Alexander and Ella — during the summer of 2017. "This morning Amal and George welcomed Ella and Alexander Clooney into their lives. Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy and doing fine. George is sedated and should recover in a few days," they revealed in lighthearted joint statement.

September 2017: George and Amal Clooney Make Their First Appearance After Becoming Parents

Later that year, George and Amal Clooney graced the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in support of George's film Suburbicon. George — an ever dapper gentleman — wore a classic black tuxedo while Amal wore a lilac Versace gown.

Image via Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images

May 2018: George and Amal attend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding

Things were quiet for the couple until the spring of 2018. They attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's highly publicized wedding. They were just a few of the celebrities that were seen in the crowd.

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

February 2022: George and Amal accept the Catalyst Award together

A couple of years later, George and Amal Clooney were the proud recipients of the joint Catalyst Award from the Elevate Prize Foundation. The amazing work they'd been doing in connection with the Clooney Foundation for Justice hadn't gone unnoticed and they were praised for their amazing philanthropic work.

While accepting the award, George gave a moving speech about their foundation's purpose. "One of the Elevate Prize Foundation's core values is human safety and freedom...Our goal at the foundation is to free the innocent and punish the guilty. I think we're both inspired by the young people out there challenging injustice in their communities, a new generation that won't accept the status quo," he said.

Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images

September 2022: George and Amal attend London premiere of Ticket to Paradise

The couple then attended the London premiere of Ticket to Paradise where they looked refreshed and glowy. This is my attempt to be appropriate, but they truly looked smoking h-o-t!This time George wore a three-piece suit while Amal stunned in beautiful slip dress.

Image via Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

October 17, 2022: George and Amal attend Ticket to Paradise Los Angeles premiere

They then attended the L.A. premiere of Ticket to Paradise where George looked debonair in a grey suit. Amal wore a gorgeous Alexander McQueen number that was an appropriate nod to the film's paradise theme.

Image via Mike Coppola/Getty Images

December 3, 2022: George and Amal Attend The Kennedy Center Honors

George and Amal Clooney attended the Kennedy Center Honors where he, along with honorees, received a nod for lifetime achievements. They were a picture of perfection on the red carpet, especially Amal. She dazzled in a lovely Valentino gown that looked amazing on her frame.

Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images


August 31, 2023: The Couple Attend The DVF Awards in Venice

While attending the DVF Awards in Venice, Amal received the DVF Leadership Award. During her acceptance speech, Amal thanked George for being by her side. People reports she said, "Venice is the place where almost nine years ago we were married. I just wanted to say, you, my love, like this city, take my breath away, and you make our lives magical. It is sometimes hard to believe you exist, so thank you for being the brightest light in my life.”

September 28, 2023: George and Amal host The Albies

Before the end of 2023, People reported George and Amal Clooney hosted their foundation's second annual Albies at the New York Public Library to continue highlighting the importance of securing human rights for all.

Love celebrity relationships? Follow us on Facebook for all the news on your faves!

Header image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Goodbye tomato girlmakeup — we're here to talk about sunset blush! The sky's the limit with this fast-growing beauty trend, and we mean that quite literally! It's a soft, gradient blush look that you can achieve with a few, simple products. We're taking inspo from a tropical vacation walk on the beach, but we're not stopping there! We reached out to beauty guru and content creator,Malvika Sheth, and legendary makeup artist, Stephanie G-M, for the best advice on what to buy and how to get the look. Here's what the pros think about this glowy summer beauty moment!

What is "sunset blush"?

Image via Malvika Sheth/TikTok

Sunset blush is a trend going viral on the internet for its multi-blush, gradient technique. It's when you take multiple shades of blush, and highlighter in a light-to-dark order with a touch of highlighter. Thus, making you look like a summer sunset on a Hawaii tropical night. This look is perfect for the daytime or nighttime, and we will definitely be trying it all summer long!

How do you achieve this look?

Image via Malvika Sheth/TikTok

Malvika Sheth gave us her expert advice on how to achieve this trend. She says, "In my opinion, the best way to achieve the trend is to use 2-3 different shades of cream based blush products in addition to a dewy highlighter. For blush, I'd opt for an orange, pink, and (optionally) a plum shade as well." She adds, "The goal is to get a gradient, so be careful not to blend all the colors into one big mass of a single shade, and rather focus on blending one section, then the other, then the other, and finally adding any finishing touches to connect and blend each section into the next. I wouldn't use powder blushes to create this trend since those tend to be a bit tougher to blend into one another, and generally aren't as easily buildable. Creating this trend is almost like a painting technique, so using products that mimic paint is your best bet!" We love these helpful tips!

Stephanie G-M says, "Apply 2 colors, a peach color and a more red color on the outside creating an ombre effect with the color. The highlight/shimmer goes on the top of the cheek bone. It's a great way to spice up a neutral summer look." Palettes also make it super easy to touch up your look throughout the day!

What products should you use?

Photo by Ana Daza/PEXELS

There are so many different products you can use to achieve this look! One thing to remember is that it's all about color, so in order to sticking with sunset colors, you want to use pinks, oranges, and highlght. Malvika Shethsays, "To create this trend on myself, I used Gen See's Clean Sheen Cheek + Lip Color in Apricot 02, Apple 01, and Plum 03 in addition to a metallic product that is meant for the eyes as highlighter, and blended from light to dark — near the bottom of the cheek to the top of the cheekbone, letting the highlighter blend slightly into each section."

Stephanie G-M adds, "A palette like this [RMS Flirtation of Color] is a great way to achieve the sunset blush look." What I love about palettes, is that they make it super easy to touch up your look throughout the day! So don't worry about the look fading by night — you can simply touch up!

What I love about both of these recommendations is that there's a lot of room to play beyond one specific product. So here are some of my fave finds for trying out the sunset blush trend yourself!

Shop Sunset Blush Products Here!

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Blush Stick

This blush stick is perfect to achieve a dewy, sunset blush glow! Layer this with another blush in your regime to give some additional color and gradient aspect!

Benefit Blush Palette

Like we said before, a palette is ideal when going for the sunset, sun kissed look because it will have all that you need! With this one, you have a blush and highlighter in one to help you with the radiance and shine!

Charlotte Tilbury Palette

Charlotte Tilbury is the QUEEN of blush, so anytime I need a blush product I run straight to her products, and tutorials for help. Her looks are ideal for sunset blush so I would really recommend any of her products!

Smashbox Blush Palette

This is the perfect compact to throw in your purse and take with you on the go. It even is organized to the order you can use it in! I will be adding this to my cart immediately...

Kaja Bento Palette

I am obsessed with these bento palettes because, not only are they compact, they are also so fun to use! You simply pull out the side that you need, and voila! You have a whole base for your face in one product!

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Stick

I love using stick products because you're able to blend them into the skin with the warmth of your hand. This technique helps to create a much more natural look. Plus, this bright pink shade is so good for the look we're trying to achieve.

Anastasia Blush Trio

For a darker sunset blush look, then I would recommend this one because it would look amazing on darker skin tones. I love the magenta mixed with the coral colors.

Iconic London Full Palette

This is one of my favorite brands because of how long-lasting they are! They are also pretty affordable for how much product you end up getting! Definitley recommend this one!

Ciate Highlight Blush Palette

Sunset blush but with only highlight? Sounds fabulous to me! I love this idea, just make sure use a lighter hand. It's also under $30, which is an amazing price for so many shades.

Chubby Stick™ Cheek Colour Balm

This chubby stick is a great option for a glowy, dewy base and we love that it's an affordable option to gain this look. We'd recommend shades Roly Poly Rosy and Robust Rhubarb for this sunset, sun-kissed look with bright pinks.

Sign up for our newsletter for more on the latest beauty trends!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header photo by Malvika Sheth.

Nails breaking constantly? Wishing you didn't have to rely on tips at the salon? Desperate for that long nail look? You’re not alone. Despite it being used as an annoying and vapid phrase women would say in TV shows, breaking a nail is very painful and can ruin a (usually expensive) manicure. But don’t fret — we’ve rounded up five simple ways to get your nails to grow longer and stronger.

What causes weak fingernails?

Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS

But first, what causes unhealthy, brittle, breakable nails? A lot of factors that may not instantly come to mind. According to WebMD, these factors can contribute to weak nails:

  • Aging: As we get older, our nails get thinner and can crack or peel.
  • Harsh nail products: Both nail polish and nail polish remover can have strong chemicals that can damage and dry out your nails, leading them to break.
  • Wet nails: Consistently have your hands in water, maybe doing the dishes or bathtime for the kids? This could be drying out your nails.
  • Underlying health issues: Vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and many other health issues could be the cause of nails breaking.

How can I strengthen my nails?

Photo by Karolina Grabowska/PEXELS

Dealing with some of these factors? While we can’t help you with the underlying health issues (please see a doctor if you think you may be dealing with something!), there are many easy things you can do to improve your nails and encourage growth.

  • Cuticle oil
  • Biotin
  • Diet
  • Nail protection
  • Avoid picking and peeling
Here's why each factor is important, plus how you can go about successfully achieving them.

Find a Cuticle Oil

You may only use cuticle oil when your manicurist applies it, but that doesn't have to be the case. Cuticle oils are an inexpensive and easy way to promote nail health and growth by keeping your nails hydrated. Cosmetically, cuticle oils encourage longer-lasting manis and leave your nails looking shiny and polished. But they do much more below the surface: cuticle oils create a healthier environment that allows strong growth for your nails.

Interested in adding cuticle oil to your beauty routine? Check our a few of my faves:

Photo via Cora Pursley/Dupe

Explore Biotin

Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that helps our bodies turn food into energy. It’s also one of the top recommended supplements for hair and nail growth, and for good reason. Many scientists say a daily biotin supplement can improve nail strength in as little as a few weeks.

“Since it is water soluble, biotin (or vitamin B7) can’t be stored in the body and must be acquired from diet or through supplementation,” shared Rachel Kilroy, Director of Product Innovation at Solaray, the original pioneers in supplement health and wellness. Solaray has developed a new supplement that provides biotin in a unique way.

Solaray’s Timed Release Biotin strategically supports nail health with a powerful 5,000 mcg of this important nutrient, delivering half of the biotin rapidly and the other half gradually over a period of up to 8 hours for sustained support,” Kilroy continued. “With consistent use, this vegan formula—lab verified for purity and potency—can provide comprehensive support for longer, stronger nails.”

Supplements not your thing? Biotin can be found naturally in many foods, like cooked eggs, whole grains, soy and other beans, nuts and nut butters, salmon, mushrooms, and cauliflower.

Photo via Daniella Cappellari/Dupe

Eat A Nail Friendly Diet

Nails require a balanced, healthy diet for proper growth and strength. According to Medical News Today, making small tweaks to your diet can make a big impact on your nails. Adding in nutrients like more iron or calcium in your diet will have your nails growing long and strong.

Dieticians recommend a colorful diet for nail growth consisting of colorful fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, lean meat, avocado, sweet potato, and whole grains.

Photo via Sash Gabriel/Dupe

Protect Your Nails While Wet

Constantly doing dishes, managing bath time, gardening, or swimming? The water may be the cause of your breakage.

Your nails are like sponges, constantly expanding and contracting when water goes in or out of the nail cells. This can strain your nails, causing them to weaken, peel, and then break.

When possible, grab a pair of rubber gloves to wear while cleaning to protect your nails from the water and make sure to fully dry your nails after they’re in water. Hand creams are also a win for your nails after water exposure.

Avoid Picking, Peeling or Biting

Bad habits that are addicting. While peeling off your gel manicure can be so satisfying, it’s one of the worst things you can do for your nails. Same with constantly picking or biting your nails. As someone who used to constantly bite her nails down, I can assure you my nails are much healthier and stronger after kicking that habit.

Want to quit that habit? Try a nail bite deterrent, like this one from ella+mia or this one from LONDONTOWN and watch your nails grow before your eyes.

Looking for more beauty tips and inspo? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter for more!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image via Laura Walt/Dupe

I've got a thing for Reese Witherspoon's book club which is why I couldn't wait to get my hands on Yulin Kuang's debut novel How to End a Love Story. Chosen as Reese's Book Club's May Pick, it features a romance that almost shouldn't make sense. I mean, when's the last time you realized you trauma bonded with someone? Except Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard's character arcs as well as the entire plot of How to End a Love Story doesn't even feel like that.

Instead, Yulin uncannily peels back the layers of what it means to be a layered human being who happens to be carrying trauma, talent, success, imposter syndrome, and burning desire in their hearts. Even that doesn't scratch the surface of who Helen and Grant are. Trying to capture their essence feels like I'm stumbling over my words which points to how great this novel is and that means Yulin's goal has been accomplished.

Though she loves perfectly executed rom-coms and is fortunate to be working on them in the filmmaking space, she doesn't consider How to End a Love Story as one. "...I was searching for something more aligned with the Brontë sensibility of romance in the writing of this book. Less warmth and charm, more id-level storytelling and unchecked carnal desire," she explains.

Yulin Kuang's Journey To "How To End A Love Story"

Image via Zach Wallnau

Some people seem to be born knowing they're destined to right, but some of us stumble into it and realize, "Hey, I'm pretty good at this." For Yulin, her journey to her debut novel How to End a Love Story takes the latter route. Her first dream, you make ask? To be an Olympic figure skater.

"...that didn't pan out so I turned to storytelling," Yulin admits. That pivot led her to set her sights on becoming an author as she began honing her creative writing skills via your classic marble composition notebooks. If you're still wondering if she kept some of them, the answer is yes!

The screenwriter and author then found herself drawn to other aspects of writing and film. She says, "I eventually fell in love with screenwriting and directing while in undergrad at Carnegie Mellon, and I spent my first decade post-grad concentrating on my filmmaking career."

Yulin Kuang's Approach To Filmmaking

It's a reason why her hard work and the stars aligned for her to adapt Emily Henry's Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation.

When I ask what helps her approach the book-to-film trajectory, she credits writing fan fiction. This feels similar to Christina Lauren's own experience, further proving that fan fiction deserves the utmost praise for helping some of the best literary and film minds who ultimately birth what I could only describe as masterpieces.

Yulin says, "Fan fiction is where I first learned you could play with characters originated by someone else to discover what you’d make them do in your own version." Although it would be easy for anyone to snap their fingers and have their first pitches accepted by everyone, she learned to lean on what writing fan fiction taught her.

"Early in my career, I would pitch on book-to-film adaptations and I’d be like, 'Change nothing, just shoot the book!' And I wouldn’t get those jobs, because I didn’t have a clear “take” and because you can’t actually just shoot a book – adaptation is an art form unto itself. So onceI started approaching adaptation with more of a fan fiction mindset – 'What is my take on these characters and this world?' – that helped me approach the book-to-screen trajectory more successfully," she proudly says.

However, this doesn't mean she never questioned if she could still find ways to create new ideas. "...in 2021, at a time when everything else I was working on was an adaptation, I found myself wondering if I had anything original left within me," she remembers.

It's natural for creatives to experience moments of doubt, but Yulin has been able to turn the tide and discover untapped ideas in her mind. Just don't expect her to set her own expectations about any adaptations she's working on.

She says, "Know that I am an avid reader of romance and a frequent consumer of this genre across mediums, and I will be bringing everything I know going into these adaptations. But more specifically to Beach Read, which I have more creative ownership over as the writer/director."

How Yulin Kuang Relates To Her Main Characters In "How To End A Love Story"

And since How to End a Love Story is truly Yulin's own creative body of work, it makes sense that main characters Helen and Grant have pieces of her personality as well as her characteristics.

"I gave Helen all my hopes and insecurities from high school and gave her the alternate universe path where I had pursued publishing instead of Hollywood. I examined what might have happened if I’d grown into certain qualities I’ve actively tried to grow away from," she says of Helen Zhang.

Right away, readers get the sense that Helen is a whip-smart and hardworking, but her penchant for being cautious about her success also peeks through. Though she's written highly successful YA (read: young adult) novels, Helen waits with bated breath for the moment people will call her bluff. She's relatable because many of us wonder if we're simply cosplaying as versions of ourselves who've reached any level of success.

On the other hand, there's Grant Shepard. He's seemingly this cool, calm, and collected screenwriter who has a complicated past with Helen. Yulin says, "I gave Grant a lot of the qualities I’m proud of and/or have coveted as a working screenwriter, and I certainly relate to many of his thoughts on screenwriting and the current state of our industry."

The more the reader learns about Helen and Grant, the more it becomes obvious that there's more to them than meets the eye. Sure, they are complicated...but who isn't?

"At their core, Helen and Grant are just two kids from Jersey trying to make it in Hollywood, and of course I relate deeply to that," she says.

Yulin Kuang's View Of Rom-Coms

Based on Yulin's genuine interest in romance novels and the fact she's well-versed in adapting them, she knows what it takes to make rom-coms flourish. Her first take? "Romantic tension is key to any romance – I always need to know why our couple can’t be together now. The second that tension is gone, so is audience interest," she points out.

This explains why we can't get enough of reading books about it, listening to albums dedicated to it, or watching films that depict all levels of romance. Still, there are some people who approach the genre with a side eye.

"There seems to be a natural human suspicion of things that make us feel too good – like, 'That can’t possibly be good for us, that’s just candy!' I wonder if it’s something evolutionary at work," she says before doubling down. "You can’t argue with the fact that people absolutely fucking love rom-coms, and I will die on the hill that a well-earned happily ever after is both harder to achieve and more narratively satisfying when it’s pulled off successfully."

She's the type of writer who really appreciates a big kiss that's handled correctly onscreen, but she's also not afraid to "groan every time it's fumbled." But, she knows everyone still won't see romance the way she and so many others view it, but she doesn't really care.

"Ultimately, I don’t concern myself too much with changing minds that don’t want to be changed.There are enough smart people who recognize the power and value of rom-coms, and I’d rather spend my precious time creating art to surprise and delight the people with good taste."

Need I say that this is yet another reason why How to End a Love Story works so well?

How Yulin Kuang Wishes The World Would Celebrate AAPI Month

As much as she's vocal about screenwriting and rom-coms, Yulin also has thoughts about the way society-at-large talks about BIPOC creative artists. "There’s a real, 'This is important, eat your vegetables,' vibe to things. And while that might be true, it’s not the most appealing way to market or discover art," she says.

She admits this could be due to how many diversity-in-film panels she's attended. As a Black woman, the conversations I see every year during Black History Month seem to have a certain "Let's check this box so everyone can be happy" vibe, so I can imagine attending panels about diversity and inclusion can start to sound repetitive after awhile.

Yulin doesn't hold back when she says, "I’m a little jaded when people ask me diversity questions at this point. I don’t want to attract the kind of readers who are only showing up to be supportive of my Asian-ness. It’s a bit like showing up to a date where someone says, 'I’m so excited that you’re Asian!!!'" This is an analogy I can so get behind because it makes a lot of sense!

It's one thing to have representation, but I like to think it's always obvious when people are approaching the conversation in a way that 'others' BIPOC people. We're literally not asking for a trophy, but more so an acknowledgement that we shouldn't be excluded from conversations, spaces, and careers or treated differently.

This sentiment is shared by Yulin who says, "That’s the thing about me that I didn’t do on purpose, and while I’m glad you’re excited, I hope there are things that I did do on purpose that you find exciting, too" and feels there is a way to be a genuine ally.

"...support AAPI creatives by all means, and perhaps begin by celebrating us as individual artists even after the designated month ends. And where applicable, talk about our work like it’s candy, not vegetables. I’d rather be irresistible than important," she states.

Take a page from Yulin Kuang's book and pick up a copy of How to End a Love Story today! You won't regret it!

Looking for more reading recs? Be sure to check out our storefront for more of our fave books!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via Amazon