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.
6 Glowy Tinted Sunscreens Make Skin Look Airbrushed
These editor-approved multitaskers provide coverage and protection.
I’m a Beauty Editor Who Has Used Bronzer for 20 Years—These Are the 7 Best Picks for a Refined, Grown-Up Glow
No orange tones, no wacky glitter.
What It Takes to Win a Cosmopolitan Beauty Award
Plus what to expect if your product or brand is crowned a winner.
I’ve Tested Skincare for 10+ Years—These 6 iSClinical Products Are Truly Worth the Hype
Including their brand-new eye gel that firms, brightens, and depuffs.
So Many Mineral Sunscreens Fall Short, but SkinCeuticals’ New SPF 50 Genuinely Impressed Me
It’s a total game changer as far as zinc-based SPF goes.
Is Therabody’s $380 LED Mask Worth It? I Tested It for 2 Months
Spoiler: It won a 2026 Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award.
I Tested Tons of Skin-Tightening Treatments—Ultherapy Prime Was the Clear Winner
My honest review plus the most important info about the treatment, according to experts.
Fraxel Was the Most Intense Laser I’ve Tried—and the Most Effective
Here's what the powerful laser treatment is actually like—plus dermatologist insights.
The Year in Skincare: 102 Products, Tools, and Professional Treatments Deemed Award-Worthy by Team Cosmo
These are the standouts our editors kept reaching for long after the testing period ended.
The Year in Beauty: The Best Products, Tools, and Treatments, According to Cosmo Editors
Welcome to Cosmopolitan’s 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Awards.
The Best Clean Beauty Products of 2026, According to Cosmo Editors
These are the 32 standouts that take your health and our planet’s seriously.
9 Best New Face Sunscreens to Use This Summer and Beyond, Tested and Approved by Cosmo Beauty Editors
Not only do these formulas provide ample sun protection, they feel amazing on the skin too.
Kylie Jenner Debuts Bleached Brows at the 2026 Met Gala
Her look is proof that a face full of neutrals doesn’t need to be boring.
18 International Cosmopolitan Editors Share Their Beauty Must-Haves for Summer
Including everything from indie perfumes and locally-loved eyeliners to universal favorites.
Best of the Beauty Closet: 20 New Products Cosmo Editors Tried and Loved This April
Including a travel-friendly Dyson dryer, Coachella-approved sheet mask, a long-lasting bronzer stain, and more.
It’s Time to Vote for the 2026 Cosmopolitan Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards
Yup, we wanna hear from YOU.
Cosmo HQ Review: 3 Acne-Prone Editors on EltaMD’s New SPF for Breakouts
The cult-favorite UV Clear now comes in a new version specifically formulated to address acne.
Retinol and Vitamin C: Why Dermatologists Still Recommend These Two Ingredients Over Everything Else
Plus intel on how to successfully use them together.
Editor Vetted: The 10 Best Hair Straighteners and Flat Irons for Silky, Frizz-Free Hair
Cosmo editors get smooth and shiny results after every use.
Best of the Beauty Closet: 20 New Products We Tried and Loved in March
From beloved brands like YSL, Ilia, Tatcha, and more.
Can One Cleanser Really Do the Job of Two? I Put Neuraé’s New Formula to the Test
The multitasker promises to melt makeup and deep-clean pores in one go.
7 Short Hairstyles That Stunned at the 2026 Oscars
Bobs and pixies continue to be the most popular hair looks of the moment.
Our Favorite Hair, Makeup, and Nail Looks From the 2026 Oscars Were a Master Class in Spring Beauty Trends
Including deep side parts, rosy cheeks, pastel lids, and ballet-inspired nails.
The Most Memorable Hair and Makeup Moments From the 2026 Oscars
I can’t stop thinking about these A-listers and their stunning hair and makeup looks. 😍
I’ve Tested Tons of Vitamin C Serums—These 6 Are Actually Worth It
Plus tips for how to choose a vitamin C serum straight from a dermatologist.
The Easy Spring Skincare Routine That Keeps My Face Happy in Unpredictable Weather
Struggling with the winter-to-spring skincare transition? Here’s the simple routine I swear by to keep my skin balanced and glowing.
How Do You Get Rid of Clogged Pores? Dermatologists Suggest These 3 Tricks
Back away from the 10X zoom mirror.
If Retinol Isn't In Your Acne Skincare Routine Already, We're About to Convince You To Add It Right Now
Pair it with other acne-fighting actives for even more power.
Beauty Editors and Dermatologists Share the Best Wrinkle Serums and Creams to Smooth Fine Lines
They're legit like Botox in a bottle.
Is Morpheus8 Still Safe in 2026? I Tried It Twice and Have Thoughts
Everything you need to know about results, recovery, and the risks if you’re considering Morpheus8.
Best of the Beauty Closet: 22 Products We Tried and Loved in February 2026
Including a luxury mask for thirsty curls, a tinted eye cream for hiding dark circles, a one-and-done eyeshadow stick, and drugstore mascara that’s cry-proof.
Can You Make Your Pores Look Smaller? 9 Tricks Dermatologists Swear By for Smoother Skin
And one pore-obsessed beauty editor.