Glow LedgerHonest beauty guidance, researched before it is recommended.

Start Here

New to Glow Ledger, or new to beauty routines? Pick the path that matches what you are here to do, and it will point you to the right guides in the right order. Each path takes about twenty minutes of reading, and each one ends with a routine you can actually use.

Path 1: I Want to Buy Makeup

You want to buy makeup that suits you, without wasting money on the wrong shades or the wrong products. Start here:

  1. Drugstore vs Prestige Makeup — where the difference is real and where to save, so you know what to spend on before you shop.
  2. Foundation Shade Matching — undertones, oxidation, and how to test shades, so the first bottle you buy is the right one.
  3. The Concealer Guide — dark circles, blemishes, and choosing the right shade and texture for each job.
  4. Eye Makeup for Beginners — eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, with the mistakes that make beginners give up.
  5. Makeup Expiry Dates — how long what you buy will last, so you know when to replace it.
  6. Brand Reviews — independent reviews of Maybelline, e.l.f., L'Oréal Paris, and Rare Beauty, if you want to compare brands before you buy.

Path 2: I Am New to Skincare

You want a skincare routine, but you do not know your skin type, what to buy, or what to skip. Start here:

  1. How to Build a Skincare Routine That Fits Your Skin Type — find your skin type and build a simple routine around it.
  2. Sunscreen, Finally Explained — SPF, reapplication, and texture, because sunscreen is the single most effective product you will ever use.
  3. How to Read a Beauty Ingredient List — how to judge any product by its formula rather than its marketing.
  4. Sensitive Skin Starter Kit — if your skin reacts to most products, this is the minimal routine to start with.
  5. Men's Skincare Guide — if you want the shortest possible version of all of the above, in three steps and three minutes a day.
  6. Brand Reviews — independent reviews of CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, The Ordinary, Clinique, and Dove, if you want to compare skincare brands.

Path 3: I Want to Buy a Gift

You want to buy beauty as a gift, and you want it to be used rather than left in a drawer. Start here:

  1. Holiday Beauty Gift Sets: Value vs Filler — how to calculate the real value of a set and spot filler products before you buy.
  2. Lip Care Guide — lip care sets are among the safest gifts, and this guide explains what makes a good one.
  3. Perfume Buying Guide — fragrance discovery sets are a genuinely good gift format, and this guide explains how to choose one.
  4. Travel Beauty Packing Guide — if the recipient travels, a well-chosen set of miniatures is genuinely useful.
  5. Brand Reviews — Sol de Janeiro is a popular gift choice, and its review explains what you are paying for.

Still not sure? Browse the full list on the All Guides page, or check the FAQ page for quick answers. If you have a question, a correction, or a topic you would like covered, please get in touch.