After 8 years filled with drama, heartache, and suspense, viewers finally had to bid farewell to the Game of Thrones characters they have grown to both love and despise. In the final episode, Daenerys Targaryen died at the hands of Jon Snow, Bran Stark became the Lord of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, and Arya sailed off in search of new adventure. Apart from leaving die-hard fans divided over the epilogue, Game of Thrones has also triggered a range of beauty trends. From platinum-blonde hair and braids to interesting headpieces and guyliner, the GoT spirit will live on in the many looks inspired by the series.

Platinum blonde hair is here to stay

There aren’t many people who do not know Daenerys Targaryen and it is thanks to her signature platinum blonde hair as much as her dragons. A number of celebs, including Kim Kardashian, have been seen sporting white-blonde hair reminiscent of the mother of dragon. The latest celeb to sport Khaleesi-worthy hair is none other than Katy Perry who revealed her new look during the American Idol finale which aired at about the same time as when poor Daenerys breathed her last breath on the HBO show.

As popular as platinum blonde hair may be, it won’t suit everyone and it is also not the easiest of colors to achieve, especially if you have previously-colored hair. If you do indeed want to channel your inner dragon mom, opt for a visit to a professional salon as a home job may leave you looking like a bowl of yellow custard instead.

Braids and plaits for old and young

Even if you only watched a couple of GoT episodes you would have noticed that just about every single female character sported a braid or plait of sort at one time or another. Daenerys once explained that a braid symbolizes victory which may very well be one reason why the strong, fearless women were always seen sporting one (or many). Braids and plaits have, in fact, been popular in the real world for quite some with everyone from cute toddlers and teens to the sun-kissed celebs such as Shay Mitchell sporting various braided styles. Your braid can be as feminine or as sporty as you wish and while you may not be invited to attend a ball in the Seven Kingdoms, a plaited do is perfectly acceptable for even a red-carpet affair.

Real men aren’t afraid of eyeliner apparently

Although the world is still mourning the demise of Jason Momoa’s famous beard, there was a time where he was better known for his ample use of guyliner than for his facial hair. For his role as Khal Drogo, Momoa sported an excessive amount of eyeliner that gave him a sexy yet sinister look in the 10 episodes he starred in between 2011 and 2012. While eyeliner has never been frowned upon by rockers such as Billie Joe Armstrong and Jared Leto, it has only been in recent years (thanks to GoT perhaps?) that men from all walks of life have started to embrace male beauty products. Today, thanks to YouTubers such as James Charles and Patrick Starr, actors including Cody Fern and Ezra Miller, and even professional sportsmen such as skater Sean Pablo are often seen sporting their own take on guyliner, with great success and large-scale approval.

Game of Thrones may have come to an end but the beauty trends inspired by the series are bound to be around for quite some time. Even if you aren’t a celeb ready to rock the red carpet with your platinum blonder hair or killer braids you can still plait your hair, put on a smile and channel your inner Khaleesi.

The vegan cosmetics industry is set to reach $20.8 billion by 2025 as more and more people are not only turning to a vegan diet, but also a vegan lifestyle. The majority of vegans are motivated by doing as little harm as possible to animals, but the truth is that non-vegan cosmetics contain animal ingredients that can be doing more harm to your skin than good. It’s time for everyone to make the switch to vegan beauty products for the sake of your skin, if nothing else.

What’s wrong with beeswax?

Beeswax is an incredibly common ingredient in beauty products, especially when it comes to the world of natural products. Beeswax isn’t considered a vegan ingredient because it’s a byproduct of honeycomb, which is made by the bees. It’s commonly used as a natural emulsifier or thickener because it does a good job of binding water and oil elements of a product together for a smooth application. It’s also often used in balms because it’s a natural way of creating a barrier on the surface of the skin. This is because the skin cannot absorb beeswax, so it will sit on the skin and can lead to blocked pores and irritated, sensitive skin. It can also leave behind an oily residue and makes products feel quite heavy.

Lanolin and sensitive skin

Lanolin is in everything from shaving cream and manicure sets to eyeliner and lipstick. It comes from a sheep’s sebaceous gland and is used as a lubricant in products to give the skin a soft, smooth appearance. Other than not being vegan, the problem with lanolin is that is can cause sensitivity and allergic contact dermatitis, even in people who don’t usually get reactions.

It’s unclear why, but it could be due to the strong fungicides used on animals to get rid of parasites leaving residue in the lanolin or that a sheep’s skin is so similar to humans that the lanolin can deeply penetrate, increasing the risk of sensitivity. Lanolin also goes through quite a complex process before it’s used in beauty products, so anything along the way could be to blame. Overall, there are much better ingredients that can be used that don’t involve animals or the risk of a reaction.

Vegan products have less ingredients

In general, vegan beauty products contain less ingredients, less chemicals, and more water. Some chemicals will claim to have various benefits for the skin, such as anti-wrinkle properties, but they’re actually counteracting different chemicals that have caused the wrinkles in the first place. No one should be using chemicals on their skin and most vegan products will automatically avoid them, opting for a more natural approach. What skin does need to stay healthy is hydration and vitamins, which vegan products are usually packed with. The skin can absorb plant-based ingredients easier too, so you’ll find that vegan products work more effectively than non-vegan ones.

Along with these great reasons to switch to plant-based vegan products is the main reason that started it all in the first place. No animals were used to make the products and most vegan companies are against animal testing too. Not only should vegans be using vegan beauty products, but anyone who wants great skin should be too.

You may be surprised to learn that harmful bacteria is lurking in your makeup, which can lead to infections and diseases, particularly if you share your makeup. For this reason, it’s important to store your makeup correctly and replace it after it’s been open for a certain amount of time or if it starts to look or smell off. It’s also crucial to avoid sharing any makeup, whether it’s with your friends or samples at the store. The ultimate goal is to have the perfect makeup look while putting your health first.

Safe storage of makeup

Bacteria will thrive in a dark, moist environment, which is exactly what some of your favorite makeup containers offers, such as the inside of a lipstick lid. Most products will contain preservatives to help prevent bacteria from growing, but this depends on them being stored correctly. Firstly, make sure you close containers correctly to stop air, moisture and germs getting into them. Secondly, always store makeup at room temperature and keep it out of direct sunlight as this can not only ruin your products, but speed up bacteria growth. According to the FDA, it’s dangerous to store makeup above 85℉, or 29℃.

Common bacteria found in sample makeup

Researchers took makeup tester products and found the staph, strep and E.coli bacteria bacteria in them. Another commonly associated condition related to sharing makeup is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis is an extremely contagious infection of the lining of the eyelid that causes redness, itchiness and watery eyes for up to two weeks and may need to be treated with prescription medicated eye drops. Additionally, the herpes simplex virus has been found in lip products.

The virus causes cold sores and, while the sores can be cured, the disease cannot be. You should be particularly aware of how easy it is to contract herpes through shop samples and avoid them unless there is a disposable sample applicator that prevents people from directly touching the product. You should also bear this in mind if you ever get makeup applied at a store as they tend to use the same products on all customers.

How often should you replace your liquid eye makeup?

It’s not a requirement for makeup manufacturers to put an expiration date on products, largely because it can vary so much. However, there are some general guidelines that should be followed to reduce the chance of bacteria growing in your own makeup supplies that could lead to infections. Mascara and liquid eyeliners should be disposed of after three months of opening as they are in dark containers with a moist product inside that is being applied to the eyes, one of the most likely body parts to contract an infection. However, if your mascara or eyeliner starts to look different, smells off or has been exposed to extreme temperature changes then it’s a good idea to replace it. Also, if you’ve had an eye infection of any sort, replace all of your eye makeup regardless of how long you’ve had it.

Expiry date of other makeup

Any other liquid products, such as foundation, lip gloss, and highlighter, should be replaced after around six months, along with any other products that contain water, including creamy eyeshadows and blushers. This is because they’re a moist environment that bacteria will thrive in if left too long. For this same reason, never add water to products as it can not only cause a breeding ground, but also stop preservatives from working.

Anything that contains little moisture and is a powder-based formula has a much better shelf life, lasting up to two years. This includes pencil eyeliner, lip liner, powder eye shadow, foundation and blush. Again, if it smells or looks different before two years, take it as a warning sign and replace it.

Clean your makeup brushes

85% of women spend at least $10 on a single makeup brush. And that’s understandable as a good brush can make applying makeup easier and result in a better look. Yet 39% of people clean their brushes less than once a month and 22% don’t clean them at all. Even without sharing brushes, your own skin is covered in oil and bacteria which will get transferred to your brushes where it will harbor and can increase your risk of infections and acne breakouts.

You can still have a makeover with your friends if everyone brings their own products and brushes to avoid spreading bacteria. You’ll also be confident that your products have been stored correctly, which will help you to have healthy, glowing skin that makeup will sit on perfectly.

Unless you are a rocker like Jared Leto or Billy Joe Armstrong, or a famous sports star like David Beckham, chances are even the smallest amount of eyeliner or nail polish would have earned you a few condemning looks up until recently. As the beauty industry embraces an era of inclusivity, men all across the globe are, however, redefining the historical standards of male beauty. The days of men’s grooming products is limited to beard and hair products are long gone with an increasing number of cosmetic houses tailoring their ranges to accommodate the modern male as well. While aftershave balm and facial moisturizers have found their way into the medicine cabinets of most male-oriented bathrooms, foundation, brow fillers, and other types of makeup are also fast becoming popular among forward-thinking, appearance-conscious men.

Always start with a good foundation

Actors, TV hosts, and news reporters have been relying on foundation to make them appear more youthful and healthy for years. Today, even the average man on the street has become accustomed to using foundation to cover up scars and uneven skin tone. Foundations come in liquid, cream, and powder form and, together with a good primer and concealer can help to cover dark rings underneath the eyes, fine lines and wrinkles, and large pores. Applying a primer as a base layer is especially recommended for guys with a lot of facial hair as it prevents the foundation from sitting on the hair follicles.

Brow fillers are a game changer

It is a fact that not all men were blessed with beautiful brows like those sported by Drake and Joe Jonas. While some guys prefer to leave their brows in their natural state, others recognize the vast difference adding some shape and definition can do for their appearance.

An instant concealing powder, such as Color Wow’s Root Cover Up does wonders to make your brows look fuller while a quality brow pencil from brands such as Boy de Chanel and Glossier will enable you to both sculpt and fill your brow in the comfort of your own home.

Natural bronzers trump sun damage

Many men, just like women, prefer a sun-kissed, tanned look over a pasty complexion. While it is possible to achieve the desired look by spending time in the sun or making use of a spray-tan, a quality bronzing powder or gel can do the same thing. Not only is a bronzer a lot more gentle on the skin than the sun, but it can also be washed off at the end of the day, unlike a fake tan. There are a number of quality bronzers on the market that can be used by men and women alike although some guys may feel more comfortable using a product specifically designed for men such as the offering from Tom Ford’s grooming line.

Never neglect your lips

Your lips need as much, if not more, care as the rest of your face which is why a good-quality lip balm has become an essential component of any grooming regime. Dry, chapped lips are not only unsightly, but uncomfortable as well and can become downright painful if left untreated. The best lip balms for guys are those that provide a matte finish so that it does not even look or feel like there is anything on your lips.

Chanel’s men’s makeup line includes a bam that both hydrate and smoothes the lips while offerings from brands such as Black Jack, Nivea, and Anthony Logistics for Men all pride themselves on their high-quality products specifically designed for men.

In many ways, the world is becoming systematically less conservative as far as things like clothing and makeup are concerned. Make-up wearing men are becoming all the more commonplace and will undoubtedly soon become as ordinary a site as a beautiful woman sporting the latest blush and lip color available on the market.

For many beauty enthusiasts, makeup is an everyday essential used to enhance our appearance. As such, both women and men love to invest in high-quality brands, ranging from $30 – $400+. However, with the price of makeup steadily increasing, counterfeit products are on the rise. Reports show that the counterfeit market was valued over $460 billion in 2013, according to the OECD. This included 63.2% of replica makeup, such as MAC imitations from China.

But despite the major savings that replica products can offer, getting the best price is rarely the best deal – for either your wallet or your health. In fact, using knock-off makeup is extremely harmful to your skin.

Knowing the Dangers

The cost of health risks that come with counterfeit makeup are never worth the amount you saved. Buyers across the globe have reported symptoms from using fake makeup, including allergic reactions, skin rashes, eye infections, swollen lips, and chemical burns. Counterfeit makeup also has an alarming number of infection-causing bacteria that can lead to burning, scarring, and even disfigurement. In worst cases, the toxic ingredients found in counterfeit makeup have caused long-term health issues such as infertility and high blood pressure.

The National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Center tested counterfeit beauty products and found traces of mercury, copper, lead, bacteria, and even pest waste – all of which can wreak havoc on our health. To reduce the risks of health dangers, all cosmetic manufacturers are required to follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

Read Between the Labels

Research is key. Low-quality replicas offer a cheaper formula, making it the most obvious sign of a counterfeit product. Fake lipsticks, eye shadows, and powders typically have a thinner or chalkier consistency than the authentic counterparts. Not to mention, the packaging will be somewhat off in font, color, and size.

While the basis of retail shopping is to buy from the brand’s licensed retailer, a great sale can be hard to resist. However, if the item costs more than 50% of the original retail price, it might be too good to be true. Most brands will regulate pricing on their products, meaning that $5 Benefit mascara is likely a counterfeit. In addition, fake brands are often sold in bulk deals.

Compare the Packaging

Counterfeit products will usually have misspelled words, inconsistent patterns, and uneven fonts. Their products will have incorrect shade names printed, so make sure to do your research and cross-check the item with the official website. One way to check its authenticity is if the product features a “peel-to-reveal’ sticker, which can be peeled back to reveal the ingredient list. Unless they’re unscented, authentic products will also have a signature fragrance, such as the vanilla scent of MAC or the floral aroma of Estee Lauder. If the item has a strong chemical odor, it’s most likely fake.

Finding Better, Safer Alternatives

If your budget is limited, there is nothing wrong with being practical in terms of choosing mid-range makeup products. There are plenty of drugstore brands that offer great swatches at a lower price range. In fact, makeup artists and beauty bloggers agree that drugstore brands often provide the same quality that you would expect from higher-end brands.

Keep in mind, some third-party sites are given the authorization to sell exclusive brands, but if the listing seems unusual (such as the package is different or the price is low), go with your gut and purchase your makeup product elsewhere. Look to department or specialty stores for brand name items or purchase directly from the brand’s official website.

South Korean skincare and beauty products, known as K-Beauty, are completely on trend at the moment, and the good news is that the U.S will be seeing many of the products launch at the same time as they do in South Korea. So, no reading about how great the products are online only to have to wait months for a U.S launch or having to spend a fortune on shipping to get your hands on them. Here are some of the most anticipated products that are launching in March 2019.

DearPacker Black Ginseng Gold Mask

Who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle? This face mask comes as an easy-to-use sheet for a one-off facial boost, or a sparkly, black, gooey mixture, which is a lot nicer than it sounds. It’s made with real gold, which slows down collagen depletion, increases skin’s elasticity, improves complexion and prevents premature aging, as well as containing black ginseng. Black ginseng is also great for anti-aging and is known for brightening the skin. Overall, this mask will nourish, moisturize and brighten the skin and can be bought for around $30.

Innisfree Vivid Cotton Ink lipstick

Innisfree are launching 13 different colors of matte liquid lipstick, each promising to deliver a rich, highly pigmented color that is lightweight to wear and only needs one layer of application. Innisfree are so confident in these new lipsticks that they named it Cotton Ink because they believe it dries to a “plush cotton” feel for the wearer. Another thing that makes these so great is that they’re retailing for just $12.

Touch In Sol Metallist Sparkling Foiled Eyeshadow

Touch in Sol isn’t just another shimmering eyeshadow on the market, there’s something a bit more special about it. They’ve used diamond and pearl powder for a glitter-like effect that is very lightweight. The colors will change shades depending on how the light hits your eyelids, making it a very unique product. Available colors are Cream Peach, Honey Brown, Golden Tangerine, Sun Aurora, Holo Mulberry Persian Rose and Aurora Taupe for $18 each.

Sulwhasoo Bloomstay Vitalizing Serum

This is part of Sulwhasoo’s new Bloomstay Vitalizing line that is recommended to be used alongside the Bloomstay Vitalizing Water and Bloomstay Vitalizing Cream. The serum on its own will replenish moisture back into the skin thanks to the green plum blossom in it. While this is a promising product, it will set you back around $145, and if you buy all three you’re looking at an additional $155 for the cream and $75 for the water, but they do promise to deeply hydrate and strengthen skin, all with lightweight formulas.

Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser

While “Power Calm” is an oxymoron, it describes Peach & Lily’s new cleanser perfectly. It gives a very deep, thorough cleansing, but isn’t abrasive or irritating to the skin. The lightweight gel transforms into a milky foam that contains cica and chamomile. Cica has been used for centuries in Korean medicine but has more recently been analyzed to discover its skincare benefits.

It’s used a lot in Korean skincare products as pollution causes many Koreans to have sensitive skin, which cica is great for, as well as correcting skin tone and can firm, repair and soothe skin. You can get your hands on this for $28.

Korean skincare and beauty products are dominating the market this year. Many contain ingredients that are specific to Korea, such as cica and black ginseng, meaning they have something new and unique to offer that could transform your skin and beauty regime into something really special.

For the spring/summer 2019 makeup trend, beauty enthusiasts focus on clean, ethereal beauty with a hint of an unusual element. This means everything from watercolor shades to wild graphic liners, and bitten-looking lips. Most of all, foundation is out for this season, with a strong preference for glowing, nude skin.

While the overall vibe of this spring was gentle and restrained, there is an exception to the artistic use of color, with minor regards to sophisticated techniques and clean-cut lines. For the SS19 runways, makeup trends were primarily seen in the form of pastels and glitter. Not to mention the pop for boldness to awaken the spring season.

Clean, Glowing Skin

Skip the heavy liquids and keep the skin free of foundation. Superstar artists like Val Garland, Pat McGrath, and Lisa Eldridge kept their runways foundation-free and opted to use just a touch of concealer only on spots deemed necessary. The best take on clean, radiant skin was at Stella McCartney, where just a touch of mascara and a dab of highlight simmer was needed to bring out the models’ natural look. Aim for soft highlighted cheekbones, but not with power highlighters. Instead, makeup artists prefer a touch of cream or liquid luminizer for a natural sheer.

Bold-Colored Lips

As beauty gurus are stemming away from foundation, the limit to how many shades you rock on your pout does not exist this season. Bold lip colors will range from bright to dark, unexpected shades. From hot pinks and coral to navy blue and purple lips, there’s no limit to the bold lip trend.

Bitten Lips

One way to rock the bold lip is to try out the “bitten” look. This technique uses a bold color in the center of the lips and is then “buffed out,” resulting in a diffused look. Simply dab a small amount of bold color in the center and blend outwards towards the corners.

Big Brows

This season is all about Cara Delevingne vibes with huge, fluffy brows. With the small use of eyebrow powder and a dose of mascara, big brows can be achieved with a natural look. Keep well-groomed brows brushed upwards in a feathery soft appearance.

Bright Wings

Winged eyeliner is another trend that’s taken flight as makeup artists play around with the concept to create colorful eye makeup looks. For Pat McGrath’s jewel-toned wings at Versace, metallic green eye shadow was used. McGrath took inspiration from the birds’ motif and drew wing-like eye shadow shapes around the eyes, using jewels or glittery shades.

Watercolor Shades

Another artistic trend to this colorful season is the watercolor effect that was used to create a messy yet gorgeous makeup look for the spring/summer runways. Anne Sui embraced the sunset-inspired shades with warm yellows applied from the crease up to the hairline, covering the forehead. The pink was applied to the front of the brows and again below the eyes to the cheekbones.

Go Clumpy or None At All

Clumpy mascara is one of the grunge SS19 makeup trends as the Twiggy-inspired look was embraced on the runways of Prada and Chanel. Paired with clean skin and lightly applied pink lipsticks, mascara was applied thick, messy, and clumpy to both lashes then rolled over the lid in faded lines.

If clumpy isn’t your style, the no-makeup trend also means no mascara. At Giambattista Valli, Val Garland skipped the mascara altogether and opted for the same tactic at Balmain and Isabel Marant. Instead, models wore pastel eye shadows to stand out.

From pastel lashes to bold purple lips, there’s definitely no shortage of trending colors to choose from this spring.

If you’ve ever wanted to look like a celebrity then you’re in luck. Beyoncé’s personal makeup artist, Sir John has recently announced that he’s launching his own beauty line in collaboration with Woolworths. And, despite the news being unexpected, fans of the former Destiny’s Child star and the popular makeup artist couldn’t be more thrilled.

The big announcement

As all big names do these days, Sir John took to social media to reveal his beauty plans. On February 28, the makeup artist uploaded a video on Instagram with the caption: “So many awesome memories working with W.BEAUTY. From delivering masterclasses across South Africa together, to now launching my own signature product range with a brand that shares my values and passion for celebrating beauty…I’m proud of the work we’ve done.”

The video reveals that the line will be released in April 2019 and will be sold exclusively at Woolworths. In addition, the video showcases model Anais Mali who is seen wearing sparkly eyeshadow and a smoky liner. Following the announcement, fans flocked to Instagram to express their shock and delight with one stating that they were “So excited!” and another proclaiming that it was “the best thing to happen to the makeup industry.”

Sir John’s history with Beyoncé

Sir John first worked with Beyoncé back in 2011 at Tom Ford’s Womenswear show. However, it wasn’t until a whole year later that Beyoncé took the New Yorker on as her personal makeup artist.

Since then, he has worked his magic and has created many iconic looks on the pop star, including the bright eye color in her ‘Mine’ pop video, the golden look she adopted at the Grammy’s while heavily pregnant, and the dark and sultry look she wore at the Met Gala in 2016.

Sir John’s famous clients

In addition to working closely with Beyoncé, who Sir John describes as “like his sister”, the makeup artist has also mentored and beautified many other famous faces. Beyoncé’s fellow Destiny Child star, Kelly Rowland is one of Sir John’s clients, as is Kim Kardashian West, who too could be launching her own beauty range in the not too distant future. Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra, Chrissy Teigen, and Joan Smalls have also been made up by the American Beauty Star judge.

What to expect from Sir John’s beauty line

No further details have yet been revealed about what Sir John’s collaboration with W.BEAUTY will entail. However, it’s safe to say that it will include products which will allow members of their public to look like Queen Bey. Despite some of Beyoncé’s iconic looks being ‘out there’ the pop Queen does tend to favor natural makeup, which was the standout feature on her 2018 Vogue cover feature.

“Beyoncé loves a ‘no-makeup’ makeup look She’s all about being confident in your skin and owning your natural element. This look was all about redefining glamorous as a state of mind. We focused on enhancing her natural brows, skin, and structure – and bringing out that inner glow,” Sir John says. And beauty fans who love to be on trend needn’t worry, either, as the teaser video released by Sir John indicates glitter and sparkle will feature in his collection too.

Sir John’s personal beauty line looks set to shake up the beauty industry as fans are already thrilled by the prospect of being able to look like Beyoncé. However, it remains to be seen just what products will hit the shelves when the line launches next month.