Lauren Balsamo
Beauty Director
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Experts Explain Why Licking Your Lips Actually Makes Dryness Worse
It may seem like a harmless habit, but it’s the fastest way to chapped, flaky lips this winter.
These Milky Toner Pads Are The Easiest Way to Add Hydration to Your Skincare Routine This Winter
No mess, no drips—just super dewy skin.
The 12 Best CeraVe Products of All Time, According to Derms and a Skincare-Obsessed Beauty Editor
Coming in at number one? The iconic Moisturizing Cream.
I Travel for a Living—These are the Top 15 Tips I've Learned to Avoid Skin Freak-Outs and Overweight Luggage
Don't pack your makeup bag before you read.
Consider This Your Ultimate Guide to Microcurrent Devices—From Which One to Buy to How to Use It
We tested all of the popular devices before choosing our top picks.
I Tried Eyelash Tinting—Here's My Honest Review and Before & After Pics
This quick and easy lash treatment makes mascara optional.
I Tried Fraxel Laser at 34—Here’s What No One Tells You About the Pain, Downtime, and Results
Here's what the powerful laser treatment is actually like—plus dermatologist insights.
Red Light Therapy Devices Are Everywhere—Here’s What They Actually Do and How Long It Takes to See Results
Get ready to live in that mask if you wanna smooth your fine lines.
Best of the Beauty Closet: 20 Products We Tried (and Loved) in January 2026
Tested, tried, and genuinely loved by the Cosmo beauty team.
Welcome to Skincare School: Exactly How to DIY an At-Home Facial, According to Celebrity Aestheticians
Including the steps you should definitely leave to the pros.
6 Best High-Frequency Wands Used By Editors and Aestheticians, Tested and Reviewed for 2026
If you’re dealing with breakouts, you need to try one of these.
The Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices of 2026 (We Tested Them All)
See the best picks of 2026, how they work, the results, and the deals you shouldn't miss.
New Year, New Organized You: Exactly How to Declutter and Clean Your Makeup Collection for 2026
If you can’t remember when you bought it, it’s probably time to toss it.
Everything to Know About The Matrix Treatment by Candela (From Someone Who Tried It)
Our beauty director shares her experience—plus info from a dermatologist about the treatment.
Tinted Lip Oils Will Be the Most Popular Makeup Product of 2026—These 11 Are the Best To Try Right Now
All the most hydrating picks, according to Cosmo beauty editors.
Best of the Beauty Closet: 21 Products We Tried (and Loved) in December 2025
Only the best launches of the month made it onto our list.
The Best Smokey Eye Palettes for Every Eye Color, According to a Pro Makeup Artist
The right smokey eye shades can transform your holiday makeup look.
Smooth, Glowy Skin Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune—Our 10 Picks for the Best Drugstore Foundations Prove It
They're all under $25 (and the cheapest is less than $9).
10 Best Neutral Nail Polishes for Every Skin Tone, Selected by Editors and Manicure Experts
Because everyone’s “nude” is completely different.
Winter Skincare Starts Now: These Are The Best Products to Add to Your Routine, According to a Beauty Editor
Keep your glow going all year long.
Red Nails Are So Last Year—Burgundy Is the ‘It’ Festive Shade of 2025
I found 17 nail ideas that'll totally convince you.
Forget Sephora Kids—It's all About the Sephora Dogs This Holiday Season
The new beauty obsession isn’t Gen Z, or even Gen Alpha. It’s your dog.
Solawave's Holiday Sale Includes BOGO Deals on Their Best-Selling LED Masks and Devices
Celebs love the viral tool for their skin, now you can too.
CurrentBody's LED Devices Are Loved by Editors and Majorly Discounted for the Holidays
Shop the best deals now.
25 Best Korean Skincare Products for Glass Skin, Tested and Reviewed by Cosmo Editors
Behold: Snail mucin, milky toners, jelly masks, and so much more.
Nutrafol and a Bunch of My Favorite Hair Thickeners Are on Rare Sale for Black Friday—Shop ‘Em All Here
The best sale of the year for anyone with thinning or fine hair.
Jo Malone’s Brand New Holiday Fragrance Is Luxury Aspen Winter Vibes, Bottled
Shop the limited edition scent now before it sells out
If Compliments Are Your Love Language, Wear These 10 Universally-Loved Perfumes
These scents will make everyone ask: “What are you wearing?”
I've Written About Skincare For More Than a Decade, and This 7-Piece Kit From Dermstore Is The Best Deal I've Seen...Ever?
$730 worth of editor-loved skincare for $195—all shoppable with HSA/FSA funds.
Best of the Beauty Closet: 21 Products Cosmo Editors Loved in November
Including a topical microneedling serum, juicy cheek tint, date-night perfume, and so much more.
Info on Cosmopolitan Awards
All the need-to-know info on how our awards programs work, including details on timing and what to expect if your product or brand is crowned a winner.
6 Lightweight Foundations That Actually Feel Good on Skin, According to Cosmo Editors
The antidote to the cakey makeup of your nightmares.