If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

It’s not just the heat of the summer that makes me want to skip foundation. I live in Los Angeles so it’s pretty warm here year-round. It’s the look of the summer, the casual vibe that makes heavy foundation feel like too much. Tula’s new Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Skin Tint is just that and more. It features skincare-like ingredients with the perfect amount of coverage to nourish my skin and let my freckles still show through.

This isn’t just any tinted moisturizer. This newbie contains a blend of rainbow seaweed and niacinamide to help brighten and even skin tone, as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid and ceramides, prebiotics and probiotic extracts, and line-smoothing collagen. Yes, this is all in one skin tint. Plus, there’s broad spectrum SPF 30 to help protect your skin from UVA/UVB rays. (As always with SPF in makeup, we still recommend wearing sunscreen underneath.)

Tula.

There are a whopping 30 shades to choose from, which take into account undertones. That’s more than when usually see for a shade-forgiving skin tint that has long-wearing, buildable light-medium coverage. (Foundation is different, of course. We expect 40+ shades in that case!) This ensures the perfect match you’ll wear all the time — summer and beyond.

While I prefer to focus on what’s inside a makeup product instead of what isn’t, Tula has the list of “nos” you might be looking for. I especially like that this formula is fragrance-free and formulated without dairy, gluten, parabens, sulfates (SLS and SLES), phthalates, mineral oil and petrolatum. It’s also cruelty-free so bunnies are safe here.

Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Skin Tint is hydrating on my dry skin but doesn’t clog the pores around my chin and jaw where I tend to get hormonal breakouts. Tula promises this formula is great for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin. I have a feeling this is going to become a TikTok-viral product. Grab it now on Tula’s website while you can.

“If I’m so fabulous, then why am I single?”

This question came to me and I realized I have to write about it. I often ask it of myself. I see my friends with their various backstories, neuroses and impossibilities, in relationships. High maintenance types, neurotics, just plain crazies, you name it, they have a partner.

And here I am accomplished, attractive, a lovely home, financially solvent, a dynamic home chef and baker. I travel, I have hobbies. I write a popular blog. I go to yoga and Pilates. I have two cats and a dog. I am capable, well read, sensitive, fun loving, intellectual. And single.

Then starts the useless self-examination. Am I too demanding? Am I a loner? Is there something wrong with me? This is society’s way of making us feel there’s something wrong with us. There is nothing “wrong.”

Single Ladies, Relax!

Even at 70, after an abusive marriage, apparently I am supposed to want to find a companion. Why is there this constant pressure to couple? There are questions to be asked, issues to be considered.

First of all, society is obsessed with coupledom. Obsessed! Remember Noah’s Ark? We singletons don’t stand a chance, with Noah’s command of “animals two by two” coming down to us through the millennia as the only way to get on the boat.

Is Success and Fulfillment for Couples Only?

Do you ever ask yourself why society tends to view you as successful and fulfilled only if you are in a couple? Look at the marriage industry created around coupling, the must-have diamond, and if it’s not big and super white you’re led to feel a little less. The big wedding. The glorious honeymoon. The quiet divorce. Or, not so quiet. 50% of marriages end there.

Society continues to not help single people feel like “enough.” Singles are punished in solo travel by paying a 200% extra for a single room on a cruise. The phrase “2 for 1” is in the vernacular cosmos. Yet, Google “solo travel” and see what a huge industry it is. There’s a reason why the Bridget Jones movies were such blockbusters. We are obsessed with treating single life as a condition to be overcome.

Okay, one of the reasons I’m single is: Dating, finding someone to date, cultivating a social life is work! A lot of work. And I don’t feel like working so hard at it.

When I was young, my Mother used to say, “You won’t meet anyone sitting in your apartment.” Well, a 65-year-old friend met a grand passion by answering the door of her apartment to the tenant upstairs, thank you very much.

I’m a believer that if it’s meant to be, it will happen. That, if you follow the course of your life, invest in your interests and passions, you will come across like-minded souls and maybe a soul mate.

If you’re going to try online dating, it’s work. You’ve got to choose a dating website, write up a profile, upload a photograph, think about your answers to questions like: “What are five things you don’t like about you?” and “If you were an article of clothing, what would it be?” You might have to pay some money too. Then you get to spend hours combing through profiles and pictures looking for Mr. or Ms. Right.

If you’re going to skip the virtual dating world and go out, well that’s work too. You don’t need me to tell you that. Deciding what event to go to, buying tickets, getting dressed, driving, paying parking and then striking up conversations.

If you’re single, it doesn’t mean you’re alone. You can be single but have lots of friends. Redefine the word “intimacy” and you’ll realize you have lots of it in your life. Work friends, old friends, new friends, gym friends, class friends, walking friends, church friends.

I Refuse to Feel “Less Than”

I am a solitaire. A diamond white, shining bright, huge. I am a queen. As Beyoncé says, “I’m not bossy, I’m the boss.” I dine out alone and feel like the most interesting woman in the room. I never let being single stop me from going to an event, theatre or museum.

And here’s the thing: I can score a ticket to almost any show at the last minute (except for, maybe, Hamilton) because there is always a single ticket available, somewhere.

The same thing with restaurants. I was in Paris and wanted to eat at Le Comptoir, a bistro that Anthony Bourdain featured on his show, No Reservations. There is a waiting list of three months to get in. I walked in and got a table for that same evening, because there is always one space where they can’t fit two, but room plenty for one person.

In fact, my table for one was in prime café street watching position in the front row. I ordered a bottle of rose and took home half the bottle. I had a splendid time being the most catered to person by the wait staff.

I know we all seek connection. When you’re sick, it’s nice to have someone make you a cup of tea, or dash to the drugstore for some Pepto. Yes, there are times that being single sucks. But I refuse to feel less than because time or circumstances have not worked out in the favor of having a partner.

In the end, we are all alone. One partner will die before the other, and you will be single. In fact, you will spend more time single than you ever were married. So get used to it. And be nice to your single friends.

How do you feel about being single? Can you cherish it, or do you feel the pressure to couple? Or, do you genuinely want to couple? All answers are good! As they said in Bridget Jones, “You are perfect, just the way you are.” Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

There is a piece of folklore about a 90-year-old man named John. He went to his doctor complaining of an aching left knee. The doctor looked at him and wryly said, “You know, John, you are 90 years old.” Without missing a beat John replied, “I know I’m 90, doc, and both of my knees are 90, too, but only one of them hurts.”

Your doctor may say you have arthritis in your joints. Most of us do. But that’s where lifestyle and diet can make a huge difference. It’s easy to brush aside physical symptoms as a part of aging. But as with John, we can see that age might not be the cause of our woes. Age may not help, but it is not always the cause.

So, What Causes Joint Pain?

There are many things that can cause joint pain. It can be a result of overuse or underuse, injury or weak muscles. Pain can also be a result of arthritis, nightshades, gluten, dairy or sugar.

As you can see, the problem doesn’t start with the joint. Troubles come to the joints by way of physical events and the effects of certain foods.

Have you made the connection between foods you eat and how your joints feel? We’ll get to that in just a bit. But first, I’d like to address the physical causes of aching joints.

Overuse

The easiest one to identify is the pain caused by overuse. Think of the runner who constantly pounds her feet on hard pavement, or the tennis player who twists, sprints and pivots for many years to return the ball.

Another example is the server at a coffee shop who presses down on the creamer a thousand times every day. Or the seamstress, computer operator, physical therapist, skier or soccer player who repeats their movements using the same joints over a lifetime.

Underuse

We can also have the experience of joint pain from underuse. That’s the person who doesn’t walk enough or get up from their desk enough. Joints are made to move. If we didn’t move joints on mechanical items like fans and axles they would rust and seize up. The same is true for our joints.

Injury

Injury is a cause of pain. Most joint injuries involve soft tissue or ligaments around the joint, not the joint itself. Injuries like this limit the motion of the joint. A twisted knee or ankle will surely hurt, but this is something that can heal with care and time.

Weak Muscles

Sore joints can also be caused by weak muscles. A study at Tufts University, led by Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., worked with highly arthritic elders and found that when they strengthened the muscles and tendons around the joints, their pain diminished appreciably. The restored muscle tone gave the joints a chance to do less work and thus lessened inflammation.

Nightshades

Now let’s move on to food. I mention nightshades first because you can run an easy experiment to see if they might be aggravating your joints. Avoid all nightshades for one week – they are tomatoes, white potatoes, peppers, eggplant and goji berries. If the ache lessens, you may want to avoid these foods as much as possible.

Gluten

Gluten, an ingredient in wheat and other grains, as well as an additive to many packaged products like salad dressings and condiments, may also irritate the joints. Go gluten free in another week. Grains that do not contain gluten are quinoa and brown rice. I include many gluten free recipes in my book Food Becomes You.

Dairy

Dairy can also be inflammatory. That includes milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose a week where you have no dairy. Dairy sensitivity can show up in lung, sinus or skin congestion, stomach and intestine upset and sometimes in joint pain.

Sugar

Now on to sugar, perhaps the worst culprit of all. Did you know that sugar is an inflammatory food? Excess amounts raise the risk for many inflammatory diseases. Inflamed joints are among them. Limiting sugar should not be done for just a week; it needs to be a lifelong goal.

But there’s a saving grace here – dark chocolate is fine – high quality dark chocolate is best. You can find ways to kick your sugar cravings on my Wellness and You blog.

If you are struggling with joint pain, be a lifestyle and food detective. Find out what might be aggravating your symptoms, so you can get relief without relying on pain medications that may have their own side effects. It may take time to address each of these potential causes.

The point is, we are all unique, and the cause of one person’s pain may be quite different from another’s. Food and lifestyle are the best places to start.

Do you suffer from joint pain? What solutions have you found to be most effective? What will you experiment with first? Food or lifestyle? What has worked for you already? Please join the conversation.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

When I think about Cameron Diaz, she’s always wearing a bright lip. It can be daunting to wear a bold shade, but she never fails to pull it off with ease. Because I’m not one to stray far from my natural lip color, I aspire to be more adventurous like Cameron. But I do think it all depends on the product. Does the lipstick leave your lips dry and crusty or smooth and plump? Can the pigments endure two cups of coffee and a bowl of pasta? Will the inside of my face mask look like an abstract work of art within an hour? These are all important things to consider, and it seems like Diaz found one that hydrates, lasts and doesn’t transfer.

Merit Beauty’s Signature Lip is so lightweight that you’ll forget it’s even on your lips. Leaving a sheer satin finish, the lipstick can be layered to make your pout even more vibrant and eye-catching.

Cameron is a huge fan of the lipstick and its many stunning shade options, which, by the way, just restocked. You can get your hands on any (or all) of the eight gorgeous colors right this second. Here are some recs from the actress herself: “This lipstick and the Westman Atelier highlighter really are the only two makeup products I use,” Cameron recently told The Strategist. “I love a plummy color, so I use berry brown or soft berry day-to-day. Occasionally, I’ll wear the orange-red shade.”

We can’t forget to mention that you get a complimentary limited-edition bag with your order of $75 or more. It’s the perfect tote to take to all your picnics, errands and more. This promo runs while supplies last, so be sure to check out ASAP.

For a celeb-loved lipstick that doesn’t leave your lips feeling like the Sahara desert, reach for any of the beautiful Signature Lips. However, if you’re trying to twin with Cameron, opt for L’Avenue, Fashion or Cabo.

RELATED: The Volumizing Mascara That Shoppers Say Is As Good As Lash Extensions Sold Out 5 Times & Is Finally Back In Stock 

Photo: Merit Beauty.

The ingredients that distinguish Merit Beauty’s lipstick from the rest are plant-derived squalane and sunflower seed oil, which bring lasting moisture and a weightless finish for comfortable, all-day wear. In addition, papain enzymes soothe dry cracks, while stabilized vitamin C minimizes the appearance of fine lines.

Not to mention, the lipstick bullet is made with 30 percent recycled plastic and arrives at your doorstep in eco-friendly shipping packaging. Sustainability is a huge part of Merit Beauty’s brand values and mission, so this makes total sense. So does the fact that its formulas are all clean, vegan, cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny-certified, EU and Clean at Sephora compliant and lacking any hormone or endocrine-disrupting ingredients.

“This lippie is perfect for everyday wear!” raved one reviewer on the brand’s website. “Super comfortable formula that feels soft and not thick. Doesn’t transfer or rub off quickly. Very wearable!”

There are eight striking shades of Signature Lip that you simply cannot go wrong with. Reach for Cabo, a soft red-orange, Tiger, a brick red, or 1990, a deep brown. The brand shows each color on a diverse range of skin tones, making it easy to find your perfect match.

“This lip also stays on for a long time which I love! The texture of this shade is lightweight and creamy, which allows for a seamless application. The shine is minimal and is more of a matte lip with a slight shine to it,” wrote another shopper. 

It’s time to refresh your lipstick collection with Merit Beauty’s Signature Lip. Who knows, like Cameron, you might discover that it’s the only makeup product you need. After all, Merit is all about taking a minimalist approach to beauty, creating only the most essential formulas for your routine.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

At first, it seemed like newlyweds Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were just in Capri on a chic honeymoon. But really, Lopez was working, too. She performed at the LVRxUNICEF Gala in Italy in custom Roberto Cavalli. The ‘fit was fire, of course, but it’s JLo’s makeup that has everyone talking. That’s because it literally sparkled in the pre-show pictures and when she hit the stage. And we know exactly how her makeup artist did it.

Lopez had her usual dream team with her in Capri. That includes Chris Appleton on hair, Tom Bachik on nails, Mariel Haenn on fashion and Mary Phillips on makeup. Phillips shared what she used to give Lopez that sparkle and it’s all from Pat McGrath Labs. This isn’t surprising. No one does multi-dimensional shine like iconic makeup artist Pat McGrath. Phillips even used a brand-new eyeshadow palette from the brand.

Source: Instagram

If you’re wanting to copy this look at home (because SAME), here’s exactly what Phillips used. For Lopez’s skin, the MUA applied Sublime Perfection Blurring Under-Eye Setting Powder ($32 at Sephora) to give a radiant finish to the face. She brightened up her skin with Skin Fetish: Divine Powder Blush in shades Desert Orchid and Nude Venus ($39 at Sephora). To top it all off with some glow, Phillips reached for the Skintense Glow shade from the new Mothership X: Moonlit Seduction Palette ($128 at Pat McGrath Labs).

Source: Instagram

Of course, Phillips used the same palette, specifically shades Xtreme Nocturne, Astral Lilac Aura, Skintense Glow, for Lopez’s glittery eyes. To anchor the color, she also applied hues Xtreme Black, Astral Ghost Orchid from the Mothership III: Subversive eyeshadow palette ($128 at Pat McGrath Labs). She liked Lopez’s eyes with PermaGel Eyeliner Pencil in Xtreme Black ($29 at Sephora) before curling her lashes with the Tweezerman ProCurl Eyelash Curler ($24 at Sephora). She finished the eyes with FetishEyes Lengthening Mascara ($32 at Sephora).

Source: Instagram

For her lips, Phillips lined first with PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil in Supernatural ($29 at Sephora) and topped with Clear Vinyl Gloss and Lust Gloss in Blitz Gold ($29 at Sephora).

The results? Maybe the best Lopez’s makeup has ever looked for the big stage.