Beauties of the Week: Bold Icons, Must-Try Makeup & The Year’s Best Beauty Picks

A dazzling weekly roundup spotlighting icons, affordable beauty finds, cult favorites, and expert-approved tips for bold, beautiful looks.

By Medha deb
Created on

Beauties of the Week: Inspiring Icons and Beauty Trends

Every week brings fresh faces, bold looks, and empowering trends across the beauty world. This feature highlights a vibrant mix of celebrities, trendsetters, and emerging beauty products—all inspiring us to experiment and shine in our routines. From pop stars reinventing their glam to Olympic champions revealing their affordable essentials, explore what’s capturing hearts and headlines in beauty right now.

Contents

Spotlight: Beauty Icons of the Week

Reneé Rapp: Pop Star Confidence and Vulnerability

Reneé Rapp is rewriting the rules for pop music and pop beauty. With her latest album Bite Me, she delivers raw but infectious tracks reflecting newfound personal happiness. Finding a balance between vulnerability and flair, Reneé’s beauty evolution mirrors her artistry—radiant, confident, and deeply real.

  • Radiant pop persona: Reneé mixes bold stage makeup with glowing, minimal everyday looks, inspiring fans to embrace both drama and authenticity.
  • Embracing joy: After years of hustle, she’s carving space for self-care and playful experimentation.
  • Relatable yet aspirational: Her evolving style is approachable—empowering fans to celebrate good days and glam as they come.

Manny Jacinto: Versatile Talent, Unmistakable Charm

From beloved sitcom roles to blockbuster appearances, Manny Jacinto draws attention not only for his diverse acting but also for his effortlessly cool style. His signature features—striking cheekbones, playful yet sharp tailoring, and a commitment to authenticity—make his red carpet and editorial looks consistently captivating.

  • Crossover trendsetting: Adapts classic menswear with urban twists.
  • Celebrating individuality: His looks inspire confidence in breaking style conventions.

Margaret Qualley: The Spirit of Cosmopolitan

Award-winning actress Margaret Qualley is the embodiment of modern elegance: complex, curious, and fervently original. Her multifaceted career and magnetic presence on magazine covers inspire others to explore personal and creative boundaries in their beauty routines.

  • Modern muse: Blends classic glamour with risk-taking beauty choices.
  • Authenticity first: Often favors looks that elevate, not mask, natural features.

Inside Suni Lee’s Affordable Beauty Bag

Olympic champion Suni Lee proves that world-class beauty doesn’t require splurging. Her beauty bag is loaded with accessible favorites that deliver pro-level results—perfect for students, athletes, and beauty lovers alike.

Key Makeup Looks Suni Loves

  • Bold, Lengthened Lashes: “I’ve been in love with long, thick eyelashes since I was 16.”
  • Radiant, Flushed Cheeks: A glowy complexion that looks natural under any light.
  • Winged Eyeliner: “Putting my makeup on is what makes me the most confident.”
  • Cherry Red Lips: “Red lips are my good luck charm.”
  • Feathered Brows: Favors light, softly defined brows for an effortless vibe.

Suni’s Affordable Makeup Picks

ProductWhy She Loves ItPrice (Approx.)
L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Lift Washable MascaraLengthens lashes without extensions$15
Ardell Wispies False Eyelash MultipackDramatic volume for a fraction of salon cost$13
e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid FilterLightweight, super-glowy highlight$14
Budget Lip Gloss (Brand varies)Juicy, glossy color for any occasion~$10

Whether for competition, stage, or everyday confidence, Suni’s picks prove that beauty is about results—not retail price.

Cosmo’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards

Chosen by thousands of beauty lovers, the Cosmopolitan Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards celebrate products lauded for performance, inclusivity, and innovation. This year, from complexion enhancers to game-changing eyes, readers crowned new and returning cult favorites as the best of the best.

Breakout Winners by Category

  • Best Bronzing Stick: Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick — Celebrated for being ultra-creamy, easy to blend, and universally flattering. Even makeup beginners report seamless application.
  • Best Liquid Blush: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush — Dominating for the third year in a row, this blush wins for its rich pigment that’s beautiful on every skin tone.
  • Best Highlighter: r.e.m. beauty Interstellar Highlight Topper — Readers rave about its multidimensional glow, which is both “heavenly” and “blends out onto skin effortlessly.”

Why These Products Are Loved

  • Inclusivity: Shades and formulas created for diverse skin tones and needs.
  • Performance: Long-lasting, blendable textures that work for both everyday and glam looks.
  • Easy Application: User-friendly products perfect for anyone, regardless of skill level.
ProductCategoryKey FeatureWhat Readers Say
Rare Beauty Bronzer StickFaceCreamy texture, no harsh lines“So blendable I can’t live without it”
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch BlushCheeksDeeply pigmented, inclusive“Works with every look, every skin tone”
r.e.m. Interstellar Highlight TopperHighlightCan be used on face, collarbone, as eyeshadow“Heavenly glow, blends like a dream”

Editor’s Personal Favorites

  • Classic lipsticks in bold reds and deep berries for timeless glamour.
  • Hydrating primers that double as skincare for that all-day glow.
  • Multipurpose shadows and stains making quick looks a cinch.

Essential Makeup Tips & Trend Forecasts

The Season’s Top Beauty Trends

  • Bolder Color Stories: From chrome lips to electric eyeliner, don’t fear unexpected hues in your beauty bag.
  • Skin That Glistens: High-shine highlighters and luminous foundations for an effortless, dewy look.
  • Modern Feathered Brows: More are brushing brows up for soft structure and volume without harsh lines.
  • Gloss Everything: Lip gloss takes center stage as the essential finish for plump, hydrated lips—all year long.

Expert Application Tips

  • Blend, Blend, Blend: For cream bronzers and blushes, use clean fingers or a damp sponge to melt formulas into your skin.
  • Layer for Impact—but Sparingly: Build up highlighter or blush gradually. It’s easier to add than take away.
  • Red Lips for Everyone: Don’t reserve vivid lip shades for nights out—try pressing on for a subtle, stained effect during the day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who are some inspiring beauty icons featured this week?

A: Stars like Reneé Rapp, Manny Jacinto, and Margaret Qualley top this week’s list, each bringing their own perspective on beauty—from radiant glam to subtle, natural confidence.

Q: Can you get a pro-level makeup look affordably?

A: Absolutely. Suni Lee’s routine features drugstore picks like L’Oréal mascara, Ardell lashes, and e.l.f. highlighter—accessible, effective, and widely available.

Q: What products won Cosmo’s Beauty Awards this year?

A: Fan favorites include Rare Beauty’s bronzing stick and liquid blush, and r.e.m. beauty’s highlighter—each recognized for performance, inclusivity, and ease of use.

Q: What are the big beauty trends to try right now?

A: Bolder colors, glossy lips, radiant skin, and feathery brows are the trends dominating both runway and real-world routines.

Q: Who decides the Readers’ Choice Awards?

A: Cosmopolitan readers themselves vote on nominees selected by the editors, ensuring each winner is loved by actual users for real results.

Ready to update your look or discover this week’s beauty muse? All the inspiration and tools you need are right at your fingertips—no glam squad or big budget required.

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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