Month: March 2023

The next time you feel the urge to get away, the solution is sometimes as simple as looking north. In the at-times quiet, at-times lively mountain town of Windham, you’ll find everything you need to escape the hustle and bustle of city life at the Wylder Windham.

As Maxim found out during an exclusive visit on a frigid February weekend, there’s nothing quite like a restful, rejuvenating trek upstate, and it helps if the accommodations are the perfect blend of rustic and refined luxury.

A fairly quick jaunt via train or car from New York City along the Hudson River, the lodge manages to encapsulate more than 140 years of history in a compound featuring seven different distinctive lodging options (including a farmhouse, a historic inn and a manor).

The property itself served the surrounding area since 1880 before Wylder acquired, revamped and rebooted the lodge, which celebrated its grand (re)opening last fall.

The rolling hills and the nearby Windham Mountain provide a suitably epic, at-times breathtaking setting for the well-appointed Wylder Windham, which boasts 110 handsome, cozy rooms.

The lovely area–including nearby nature walk Windham Path–was covered in a frosty coating of snow during our February visit, yet would appear absolutely breathtaking at the height of leaf-peeping season.

The nearby town of Windham boasts a mix of quaint shops, farm-to-table restaurants and a down-home feel not often found in New York City or another bustling metropolis, and the Wylder Windham retains that same charm throughout the property.

Perhaps the real appeal of the Wylder Windham is your ability to customize your trip in a rather eye-popping number of ways.

Start planning your visit now, because it would appear that late winter and early spring lodging is filling up quickly. Rates start at $350/night, with a number of sizes available.

Accommodations are designated with apt monikers like “Cozy” and “Charming,” boasting touches like wide plank oak floors, private balconies in some cases and wonderful streamside and Windham Mountain views.

The resort offers free transportation to the nearby Windham Mountain in a vintage Land Rover Defender 110 Shuttle, while the 1.5-mile Windham Path gives nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts the option to undertake a moderate walk through rolling fields.

Yet, those who prefer a touch more relaxation are sure to love the vintage game room, which boasts everything from ping-pong to foosball to ring toss and throwback arcade games (it proved the perfect respite from a chilly winter day).

In warmer climes, the outdoor lawn boasts pickleball courts, tree swings, hammocks, a heated outdoor pool and fire pits–to name but a few amenities offering tried-and-true fun for the entire family.

Private event space is also readily at hand, and it’s hard to imagine a more appealing upstate getaway to tie the knot or celebrate a special occasion.

A barrel sauna even offers a touch of rustic outdoor relaxation, another added bonus of escaping into the wilderness north of New York City.

The property’s A-to-Z approach is perhaps best evidenced by the fact that you can start your day with a fresh cup of coffee at in the quaint cafe at Babblers, the on-site bakery and restaurant, before returning later that night for a decadent dinner.

Crisp local beers and sumptuous, timeless cocktails like an Old Fashioned are in plentiful supply at Babblers, while decadent takes on the classics (like expertly executed steak frites) dot the menu.

A hearty meal provided the ideal antidote to a windswept weekend, but one gets the impression that Babblers delivers fresh, local fare any time of year. Take note: The Bourbon Pecan Pie makes for the perfect pairing with a classic bourbon from the restaurant’s carefully curated selection.

Not far down the street from the Wylder Windham is another excellent example of the charm of the town itself, the hotel, bar and restaurant Union + Post. It’s a modern blend of rugged charm serving up rich comfort food.

At times though, it’s best to remember the Wylder Windham is a self-contained slice of historic luxury, with just about everything one might need to enjoy a weekend upstate, away from the daily grind.

Competition for your hard-earned time and money might be stiff among the latest crop of modern Catskills getaways, but the history and heritage of Wylder Windham–buoyed by stunning modern amenities–sure is hard to beat.

It could just be your new favorite upstate getaway, and that’s certainly saying plenty.

By now, you’ve probably surmised that we test-drive a lot of beauty products here at Who What Wear HQ. From nail polish and makeup to hair and skincare, we’re eyebrow-deep in all things new, exciting, and wish list–worthy. That said, due to the number of products we come in contact with, we’ve also transformed into the nitpickiest of beauty consumers. Within seconds, we can tell if a new hair oil is too heavy, and we’re quick to ignore a serum that yields disappointing results.

The good news? We’re far more often impressed than unimpressed after trying out a new product, and usually, we simply can’t wait to spread the word to all of our fellow beauty lovers (also known as you!). Therefore, we’ve decided gushing over our latest fave products should become a monthly ritual, and every 30 days or so, you can expect a full report detailing the highlighters, hair wands, and overnight skincare saviors we’ve quickly fallen head over heels for.

For the most part, we’ll be covering buzzworthy launches, as those typically take up most of the action atop our product-filled desks, but we won’t dismiss new-to-us products, either. Sometimes, our best discoveries are found on a friend’s vanity or on someone’s face at the bar (true story). Ahead are the best beauty products we tried in February! Grab your game face and wallet—you’ll be needing both.

Next: 6 Editors Share Their #1 Product in Every Category, From Perfume to Mascara

Singer Olivia Rodrigo didn’t single-handedly ignite our obsession with ’90s style, but we have to admit: her consistent and cool throwback looks made us wish that we’d hung on to a few iconic staples from the era. Fortunately, not all fads come and go. In fact, the few that demonstrate decade-lasting devotion tend to foster a cult following among fashion lovers of every persuasion. 

Rodrigo was recently spotted wearing Vans Filmore High-Top sneakers with straight-leg jeans and an eye-catching green trench. While this look is super simple and easy to replicate, that’s exactly what gives Rodrigo’s style a cross-generational appeal. Plus, her exact sneakers are only $75, which makes this tried-and-true footwear staple easy enough to add to any wardrobe.

While there may be more expensive designer versions out there, we keep coming back to the OG canvas design. And the Hollywood set agrees: Affordable black and white Vans have also been spotted on everyone from Rihanna to Hailey Bieber. 

Since the Vans brand first debuted in 1966 as a shoe for skateboarders, it has continued to evolve and push its design while maintaining its classic, cult-favorite styles, too. Ahead, shop 12 pairs of black and white Vans that are about to become your go-to sneakers. 

Next: Leggings Are No Longer Basic, and These 9 Outfits Make Them Look Anything But

When I see someone with great style on TikTok, I automatically hit follow. A great dose of inspiration is always much needed, and I’d like to remain on the fashion side of the algorithm where I belong. On one of my recent scrolls, I saw not one but two well-dressed women grace my page. The mother-daughter duo, Sasha and Therese, have gone viral over and over again by wearing the same outfit. Sasha showcases her style, and her mother follows, showing that even the most risqué trends—sometimes as daring as low-rise—aren’t as unapproachable as many of us may think.

I had to get in touch with this fabulous duo off-camera so that I could get a better idea of what trends they actually both approve of. The results came in, and as a fashion editor, I can confirm that they are spot-on. If Sasha and her mom are wearing something, I’m right there with them. Below, find the four trends that they’ll both be wearing this summer and well into fall.

Up Next: I Like Refreshing My Wardrobe Without Buying Anything New—9 Looks to Try

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated. 

Who What Wear editors check Zara on the regular—like, multiple times a day—so upon waking up to the first snow of the season in NYC, we were delighted to see its latest drop of pretty new swimsuits ready to shop. 

This season’s offering includes hues mostly found in nature—moody blues and greens and desert-inspired browns and oranges. There are also a few splashes of pink and purple, which go perfectly with the new style of printed tulle designs. From asymmetrical shoulders to subtle embellishments and fun fabrics, it’s clear that Zara is prepared to make a big splash for spring break beachgoers and summer poolside sunbathers.

Ahead, check out 10 of the newest swimsuits from Zara that we predict will sell out quickly. And don’t forget to browse the brand’s fun, affordable accessories, including sunglasses, hats, and beach-friendly jewelry.

Next, 3 Swimsuit Trends Celebs Are Already Wearing in 2023

Here at Who What Wear, we focus a lot of our energy on the biggest trends of the season, and while we’ll never stop covering the heavy hitters, there are several micro-trends worthy of honorary mentions. These aren’t making major style moves yet, but we firmly believe that it’s only a matter of time until they graduate from micro to macro or, in other words, from niche to mainstream.

After hours of studying the runways and, of course, online shopping (all in the name of research!), we’re sharing the micro-trends on my radar at the moment. We’ve spotted these pieces on the feeds of the most influential women we know and stocked at several key retailers, which tells me that each is on the brink of becoming huge. Keep reading for fashion’s most exciting micro-trends of spring 2023, from the silver jeans we raced to order after seeing the recent runways at NYFW to the cheap but impactful red tights that have all our editors in a tizzy.

Up next, see the items French women are removing from their closets in 2023.

Welcome to Deep Reviews—your one-stop destination to discover the absolute best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. The Who What Wear staffers you already know and trust will research, test, and review the market’s most sought-after and buzzed-about products to see which formulas (of the hundreds up for consideration) are truly worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, completely uncensored feedback and no-BS recommendations our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservations.

Sometimes, wearing a full-coverage foundation feels like putting on a latex mask. And on the flip side, going totally bare-faced can feel daunting. For days when both sides of the spectrum feel impossible, it’s best to reach for a base product with flexible coverage that feels breathable and maybe even skincare-adjacent. That’s where BB creams come in.

BB creams are the perfect solution for skin-blurring, even-toned coverage that looks—and feels!—like your skin. Unfortunately, finding the right BB cream can quickly devolve into a Goldilocks and the Three Bears situation. You want a formula that has enough coverage (but not too much), feels hydrating (but not oily), and stays on all day (but doesn’t mattify). Basically, we want BB creams to do the most. We tried 13 BB creams and picked the top eight. Keep reading for our favorite BB creams and why we loved them, plus info on our rigorous testing process and insight from a celebrity makeup artist on everything you ever wanted to know about BB cream.

“To me, the formula is about as perfect as a tinted moisturizer can get. There’s no funky scent or heavy oily consistency, and it just blends into my skin so seamlessly without drying it out or making it break out. I can wear it every single day (and honestly do) and my skin is actually better for it. I’ve actually already been using this product for two or three years now, and it’s my holy grail. I love how seamlessly it glides on, and it blends flawlessly. The formula is just right for my skin so it never feels dry or flaky or, on the flip side, oily or heavy, like so many other BB creams I’ve tried have done. It also works as a wonderful base to makeup, and my cream blush, concealer, and bronzer all blend in well on top.” — Anna LaPlaca, Editor

“I have used many, many BB creams in my day, and I can honestly say that none have ever held up better than this tinted moisturizer from Chantecaille. I don’t know how they do it, but it genuinely looks like an eighth layer of skin—you can’t even tell you’re wearing any base makeup at all with this product, which is genuinely impressive. It does come with a steep price tag, but if there’s anything you’re considering splurging on, this is truly, truly worth every penny. The finish is dewy but not shiny, and it never pills over my skincare and sunscreen. Truly the holy grail.” — Katie Berohn, Beauty Editor

“Since I was test-driving this BB cream throughout New York Fashion Week, I knew I needed lightweight, long-lasting coverage for running around the city and being photographed. Lightweight and long-lasting usually don’t go hand-in-hand, so I was skeptical at best. But shockingly, Covergirl blew me out of the water. It settled on my skin flawlessly and gave me a radiant, skin-like finish. I’ll admit I was having much better skin days at the start of fashion week than at the end, so my first reactions were that it was incredible. Toward the end of the week, I was itching to get it off since my skin was starting to break out (too many slices of stress pizza will do that to you!), but sans textured skin or acne, it looked incredible. Given how low-cost the CG BB cream is, I’d recommend everyone try it out at least once—at worst, you’re out the price of a latte in New York. At best, you’ve found an affordable formula that you can wear without worrying about cost per wear.” — Ana Escalante, Assistant Shopping Editor

“This is the product I use daily, and I absolutely love it. Prior to trying it, I never used a tinted moisturizer or BB cream and just kind of went with whatever my skin looked like. From a product like this, I’ve only ever really wanted a dewy, barely there layer of coverage that looks like skin, and that’s exactly what this product provides. I’ve already bought it at least five times and will continue to for years to come unless they reformulate. It’s something I put on every single day and genuinely adore. I think if anyone’s looking for super lightweight, barely there coverage that still provides you with a glowy, fresh look, this is a great product for them to try. It’s much dewier and more natural looking than most BB creams I’ve tried. It also acts as a better base for makeup than I’m used to.” —Eliza Huber, Editor

“It did exactly what I wanted it to do. It glided onto my skin with ease, gave me a nice glow, and evened out most of my discoloration. I usually still go in with concealer for my under-eye area while using any BB cream, but I’d be okay with just applying this if I just wanted just a little something. Other BB creams either feel like they do absolutely nothing or they’re too close to a foundation. I think this product found that sweet spot right in the middle. And as someone with dry skin, I’ve had the issue of other creams cling to my dry patches and make my skin look even more dry, no matter how I moisturize. This makes it look like I have dewy and healthy skin, which I love.” — Yusra Siddiqui, Associate Editor

“As someone who typically shies away from skin tints or BB creams in fear of looking too oily or not having enough coverage, I was surprisingly excited to try this one from Fenty. I see a ton of content creators using this product, and it has pretty rave reviews from people of all skin tones and skin types. I was hoping for the glowy finish that I see all over my For You page. My biggest hope was for my skin to look like skin. It definitely met my expectations in terms of glow and finish, but I found that the product had such a red undertone that I looked a bit orange immediately after application. After a while, it oxidized and the match felt right, but if I were going to take a selfie immediately after finishing my makeup (like I normally would), I might look a little orange. I will definitely use this product for those light-makeup days. It gives just enough coverage where I feel like my skin can breathe while my blemishes are concealed. It’s super lightweight and perfect for those days when I’m running errands, hopping on a virtual meeting, or heading to lunch. I love that it’s available in so many different shades.” — Aniyah Morinia, Associate Editor, Branded Content

“The shade match process got me the correct shade on the first try. Since BB creams usually have limited shade options, I was so impressed that this one offered up to 25 options. It blended super easily and had the best coverage, while still being lightweight, of the other products that I tried. My mom has been looking for a new tinted moisturizer, and I’ve already pointed her in Fenty’s direction. It reminds me of a step back from my favorite natural finish foundation. That’s a huge compliment, by the way.” — Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor

“Even though it met me at a rough time, it delivered. I was quite tired during fashion week after a late night and tried it in the midst of all the craziness. It is important to note that the shade range was impressive, and I loved seeing that it brought color to my skin and revitalized me after a rough night. While many BB creams disappear into my skin, this one sticks around with great coverage for a tinted product.” — Mayhew

“My skin truly looked impeccable after application, but during the process of blending it out, the cream was literally white. It changes color as the product is blended out, so it’s safe to say I had quite the jumpscare when the shade didn’t match. After giving it about five minutes, it magically matched my skin and had the most flawless finish. The product is silky smooth and blended in super naturally. It accentuates my natural features without covering too much or too little. I love that this has SPF 30 in it. I’m a huge fan of this product and would happily repurchase it. I will 1000% be keeping this product in my routine. It’s lightweight, easy to apply, protective, and surprisingly doesn’t transfer. I don’t feel like I need additional products to have a flawless base when I’m wearing this. It’s truly everything I’ve been looking for in a skin tint or BB cream. It’s light, slightly dewy, breathable, and creates a nice satin finish.” — Morinia

“There are three things I always look for in a BB Cream: sheer coverage, glowy finish, and blends well with the rest of my makeup routine. So far, we’ve hit the trifecta with the Cle CCC Cream. It brings such a healthy glow to my dull winter skin and feels weightless. After wearing all day long, the coverage has stayed intact with no powdering involved. Other glowy tinted moisturizers I’ve tried tend to transfer easily and wear off throughout the day. If you like decent coverage but hate the feeling of foundation, you need to try this product.” — Natalie Gray Herder, Associate Editor, Branded Content

“Unfortunately, I think my shade was a bit too light, making the product look a bit off on me. Apart from that, though, I actually think very highly of this product. It’s super natural and clean, making it good for sensitive skin like mine, and I love that it’s SPF 50, which is rare in a BB cream. I like how skin-like this product is and that it gives a subtle, realistic glow. My only other qualm is that I think it doesn’t give as glowy a result as I prefer. I probably won’t use it every day, but I think if I got a darker shade, it’d be great for the summer, when I need a daily higher SPF. It’s a great item to keep in your pool or beach bag when you want a bit of tint. I think it’s great for someone with sensitive skin who wants something natural and skin-like. It’s different from other similar products in that when it comes out of the bottle, it’s not colored, and it doesn’t change color until it makes contact with your skin. It has a little bit of a white cast, which is something I wouldn’t want daily, but I wouldn’t mind it at all if I was going to lay in the sun.” — Huber

“It’s definitely heavier than a lot of other tinted sunscreens on the market, and if you’re looking for more payoff and coverage without resorting to a thicker foundation-type product, it’s great. For people who prefer more lightweight formulas for their BB creams or with oily skin, I’d recommend something else. It’ll become my new non-foundation foundation.” — Escalante

“I have been using this product for a couple of years now, and it’s one of my go-to base products, particularly in the summer when I don’t feel like wearing foundation and want an extra boost of SPF over my face sunscreen. (Always remember base products with sunscreen never have all the SPF you need to stay protected.) This tinted moisturizer applies so easily and looks incredibly smooth on skin while giving you a juicy, skin-like finish. My only qualm with this formula is sometimes I find the finish a little too dewy—it can border on glossy.” — Berohn

“Believe it or not, this is the first BB cream I ever used. I never used to wear base makeup at all through high school and college (save for some concealer under my eyes and to cover any blemishes). In the summer of 2016, I wanted to try something with a bit of extra coverage. I was interning in New York City, and I was also broke. I went to Duane Reade and picked up the cheapest BB cream I could find, and it ended up being this one. I personally love the formula and always have—it is a really solid drugstore find that blurs and evens skin and leaves you with a radiant finish. My only qualm is that I found the shade to be a bit too dark and warm-toned for my skin, but it blends out enough to not be noticeable. I recommend applying this one with a brush for the most flawless finish. I wore this to dinner with my friends a few weeks ago for the first time since 2016 and got so many compliments on my skin—might be time for me to break this baby out of retirement.” — Berohn

“It got the job done, and it’s decent for its affordable price, but I wouldn’t reach for it on the daily. While it felt fairly lightweight on my skin, it did have a noticeable sunscreen scent that put me off, and it tended to pill when I blended it in. I just used my fingers like I do with other makeup products, but maybe it would have blended better with a brush or makeup sponge. I wouldn’t want to use it as a key part of my everyday routine because the sunscreen scent bothered me, and it felt too oily on my skin for my liking. I’d be nervous everyday use would make me break out. It holds up for being a drugstore find.” — LaPlaca

To get the lowdown on all things BB cream, I reached out to celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz who’s clients are Quinta Brunson, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Cynthia Erivo, Jaylon Barron, and Vanessa Rubio. Essentially, BB cream really is a do-it-all product—it’s moisturizer, primer, and foundation all in one. “[It’s] sort of like an all in one product that helps to hydrate, smooth fine lines, and brighten the skin,” Loiz says.

There are plenty of ways to apply BB creams. “You can apply like a moisturizer with your fingers, use a makeup brush, or a beauty sponge,” says Loiz. “I personally prefer to use a beauty sponge, as I feel I use the least product this way and get a seamless finish.”

Think of CC creams as a step above a BB cream—they share all the same benefits, but CC creams have the extra benefit of color-correcting added in. “Also, a CC cream is a much thicker formula and has more coverage than BB cream,” says Loiz. 

A tinted moisturizer is the simplest of the three but still shares many similarities to BB cream. “A tinted moisturizer is a moisturizer and foundation mixed together,” says Loiz. “[It] has a very sheer coverage and usually no added skincare benefits.” When it comes to product names, the terms can be pretty interchangeable, which is why you’ll see some products labeled “CC cream” and “tinted moisturizer” on this list.

First, Loiz recommends looking for a BB cream with a wide-coverage range. After that, she recommends looking for BB creams that boast hydrating and skin-blurring benefits. With Loiz’s expertise in mind, I combed through 51 BB creams that had made other publications’ “best-of” lists, and landed on 13 formulas for our editors to test. From those, we chose and ranked the top eight based on coverage, blendability, finish, shade range, wear time, and more. 

Next, Out of 67 “Best-Ever” Perfumes, Our Editors Tested and Chose the Top 15