Latest news with #BaileyStanworth
Cosmopolitan
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Quickies Review: I Tried the Best Press-On Nails in 2025
I have visions of DIY manicures from my youth that were chipped, smudged, and uneven. Doing my nails myself is just not a skill that I possess as an impatient person with ADHD. It's fine, whatever! But it has led me to a lifelong love-hate relationship with the nail salon. I've done everything: Acrylics, gel manicures, shellac, gel extensions. They're all really expensive, take forever, and never last as long as I expect them to. And, of course, they always leave my nails so broken and brittle that I've got to start the cycle over again if I want them to look good. I hate it. So, I started wearing press-on nails almost exclusively. Last summer, as I was coming into my sexuality as a lesbian and seriously dating women for the first time, I felt like my nails didn't really match who I was anymore. I spent the majority of my teen and adult life always wearing long nails. Men thought long nails were sexy, I once read in a magazine (was it an old issue of Cosmopolitan? Perhaps!). They make your fingers look ~slim~ and ~petite~. But it just didn't feel right anymore, and I suddenly found myself looking for press-on nails that were short in length but had all the sick art I was saving on Pinterest. That's when I switched to (and fell in love with) Quickies, a press-on nail brand that offers a mix of shapes and lengths all in monthly design drops that mimic what you get in salons. Like most of us, Quickies founder Bailey Stanworth started experimenting with press-ons during COVID but was ultimately so unimpressed with the options that, unlike most of us, she created her own. She launched the brand in 2022 in Vancouver with the mission of finally making press-ons that rivaled what she got at nail salons. And with a name like Quickies, just know the branding is clear throughout: it's like if Sabrina Carpenter and Reneé Rapp had a lil press-on baby. It's horny and clever and queer. They wanna nail you! They want you to have a good press! Their tools are called "nail toys"! But it's not just about the nails. Stanworth has been adamant about making Quickies inclusive and charitable from day one. 'There's nothing wrong with being an exclusive cool-girl brand, but I didn't want that for Quickies,' Stanworth tells Cosmo. She's included everyone from her 97-year-old grandma to nonbinary models in imagery and donates $1 from every order to abortion funds and LGBTQIA+ organizations. Stanworth came out as queer just before launching the brand and says that for her and the Quickies community, there's a strong link between sexuality, nail art, and self-identity. 'I know it's just nails, but I get messages from girls who say Quickies really helps their confidence so much.' Worn by Ariana Maddix on the Love Island premiere episode, nbd 😜 Also available in medium almond! FYI: This is a part of the Katie Maloney x Quickies collab! In each lil bag of Quickies, you get 24 press-on nails, a mini nail file, and liquid nail glue. BTW, the actual bag that your nails come in is also reusable and is meant to make it easy to do your nails on the go or easily chuck in your bag for touch-ups. Stanworth says people use the zip pouch to hold medication, cords, jewelry, and cash. (I can attest to this—it's legit perfect for stuffing my vitamins into for weekend trips.) Before applying mine, I always give my nails a quick buff with the included nail file (or, recently, I've been using the large one since it launched). This really helps the press-on adhere to my nails for a lot longer, and I can tell a difference when I skip this step. Then, I'll find my fit (more on this below in my review). I always opt for a slightly larger nail than a smaller one to help avoid any premature lifting. Once my nails are picked out and ready, I take the glue and dab a little bit on the bottom of the inside of the press-on and drag it out to the edges. I really only focus on the lower third of the nail here, and I use much less than you think you need of the glue to avoid spillage once I stick the nail on. For a super secure nail, I'll also dab some glue on the upper third of my natural nail. Same story here: A teensy dot is enough. I'll immediately stick on the press-on nail, hold it for 30 seconds, and that's it. I've been testing Quickies for over six months, and since I tried them, I haven't stepped foot in a nail salon. I have everything I need in this lil pouch; why would I ever get them done again? Lemme explain. One set of Quickies lasts me a full seven days on average. That might not seem like a lot to you, but I've never in my life had a press-on nail not pop off for more than three days, let alone seven. I type at my computer for a living; I'm extremely hard on my nails and don't have the time or energy to baby my press-ons so that they last. But the Quickies glue, combined with the substantial-but-not-too-thick material of the nail, really holds on for dear life. I usually end up choosing to take them off and reapply a new set because I get bored, not actually because the nails have popped off. The longest I've had a set last is 12 days, which is unheard of for me with even a gel manicure, let alone a press-on nail. If you're used to press-ons, you might be wondering: What makes Quickies different? First of all, I find them significantly easier to apply. They fit my nails really well, and now that I've worn a bunch of sets, I pretty much know which nails work for me at this point. I still end up always dumping out the entire zip pouch, but I don't mind because it's way easier than the usual trays found in most press-on nail kits. There's also not nearly as much waste—usually, I toss out three of those damn plastic trays per one set of nails. With Quickies, I only have the one pouch that I almost always keep to hold my extra nails and glue. But I also just feel like Stanworth gets it on the design front. I don't want my press-ons to look like I'm wearing press-on nails, you know? A lot of the time, I just find that the options on the market are, admittedly, cringey and don't meet my standards, which is exactly the same reason she started the brand in the first place. These always match all the nail trends I'm reporting on and would have asked for at a salon anyway. Compared to every other press-on nail brand I've tried recently, Quickies is easily my go-to. The brand is conscious (reminder: $1 of all sales is donated to abortion and LGBTQIA+ funds), focused on sustainability, and owned and run entirely by Stanworth, a queer woman living in Los Angeles. But, like, most of all, the products are so freakin' good. I genuinely don't want to get my nails done anymore—a strong feat for someone who had a standing appointment at the salon once upon a time. I get hella compliments every time I have a set of Quickies on my hands, and people are so shocked when I say I'm wearing press-on nails. I've had so many people open up their Safari app and ask me to type in the brand name so they could purchase later. Friends of mine have texted me "thank you for showing me Quickies!" because they've become fans of the brand too. IDK, I'm kind of an influencer... Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories that range from the floral French manicure trend to ranking the best drugstore mascaras. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Our Favorite Beauty Brands Just Happen To Be Queer-Owned—Here's What To Shop From Them During Pride Month
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." It's officially Pride month, which means there's no better time to support and shop from LGBTQIA+ owned and founded brands (even though you should definitely be doing that for the LGBTQIA+ community isn't limited to 30 days, people!) To celebrate these incredible brands and founders, many of whom also give back to LGBTQIA+ charities, we're highlighting all things beauty. Think: a queer-owned press-on nail brand with the chicest designs (and brand founder) and unique summer fragrances that'll turn heads and rack up compliments wherever you go. Ahead, we've rounded up the best LGBTQ-founded beauty brands guaranteed to elevate your vanity and all your summer glam moments. "I think I tell someone to try Quickies press-on nails once a day, if not more," says beauty editor Beth Gillette. Prior to Quickies, founder Bailey Stanworth was constantly getting gel manicures, but had to stop when COVID shut down nail salons. Her answer was developing her own press-ons that were similar to the trendy designs she'd get done at the salon, which she eventually turned into a whole brand in 2021. "I really love how many different shapes and lengths are offered," Gillette continues. "The mini length is fantastic for me, since I like to keep my nails quite short—lesbian core, TBH." Plus, $1 of every single order is donated to LGBTQ+ foundations all year round. Quickies even launched a whole Pride collection, featuring new press-ons (like the Love is Love set that I'm currently obsessed with) and cute tees and tanks. "My faves overall, though, are the mini length sets, which I've pretty much exclusively worn for the past few months," says Out is beloved for their overnight pimple patches, but I just want to note that the founders are the cutest couple I've ever met in my life. Enrico Frezza hails from Milan (thick Italian accent and all), and he and his husband, Junior Scott Pence, created the brand a decade ago to help acne-prone skin. Peace Out offers a bunch of different treatment patches, including Dark Spot Brightening Dots to Early Stage Pimple Patches that target baby blemishes (the Early Stage patches are a 2024 Cosmo Acne Award for their ability to shrink and calm breakouts). There's no better time to stock up on queer-owned Boy Smells than now. And no, it's not just because it's Pride Month. The cult-favorite brand can be credited for birthing a candle renaissance a few years back with their iconic LES scent and collabs with celebs like Kacey Musgraves. Recently, they launched a major rebrand featuring revamped scents and fresh takes on their beloved candles. Oh, and did we mention they're more affordable now? We love a thoughtful, consumer-forward glow-up. And for that, this is a brand to support well beyond June. If I'm gonna trust anyone with my face, it's gonna be Patrick Starrr. The celeb makeup artist and licensed aesthetician knows glam like nobody else—and his brand, One/Size, proves it. Home to Beyoncé's go-to setting spray, longwear complexion heroes, and makeup that always delivers, this line is made for everybody (hence the name). Whether you're going full drag glam or keeping it minimal, the formulas are that flexible. The viral On 'Til Dawn formula was also crowned best setting spray in Cosmo's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards for its impressive staying power. It's a favorite of Gillette, she calls it her "going out secret weapon." Here at Cosmo we've loved Mara Beauty long before knowing founder Allison McNamara was queer. The Sea Sculpt Body Oil is a two-time Cosmo Clean Beauty Award winner. "It's great for smoothing, firming, and nourishing skin thanks to marine actives like kelp sea oil and plankton,' says beauty director Lauren Balsamo. The underlying theme of the entire brand is algae, which is infused into every product with a proprietary blend hand-collected in Ireland and France that's loaded with minerals and vitamins your skin loves. Cool, right? "Every product I've tested is fire, but my absolute favorite is the new Pearl Peptide Glaze Hydrating & Brightening Facial Essence, which makes my skin sooooo glowy," says Gillette. David Yi is not only the author of Pretty Boys; a writer for Vogue, WWD, GQ, and more publications; and a GLAAD and Webby nominee—he's also the founder of Good Light (and an editor for the brand's media platform, Very Good Light). As a non-binary, queer founder, he's created a brand that works to also exist beyond the binary. All of the brand's skincare products, marketing, and imagery are gender inclusive. Also, 1 percent of all sales are donated to True Colors United, an organization focused on helping LGBTQIA+ youth homelessness. Winner of a Cosmopolitan Acne Award, the Alphabet Oil is fantastic for moisturizing skin without clogging pores. "I never thought I could be a face oil person with my acne-prone skin, but I'm a changed woman after testing this lightweight formula." says Gillette. "After using it for months, I can confidently say it hasn't clogged my pores or led to breakouts—but even better, it's made my skin seriously glowy and soft.' Obvi, we love that Undefined Beauty is helmed by an LGBTQIA+, Black founder... but we also really love that its big focus is on being a clean, conscious brand too. Their products make skincare feel simpler (you won't see complicated product names that don't explain what they'll do for your skin), all using a mix of plant-based botanicals and active ingredients that are proven to work. Super cool, though: They partner with female-founded, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ businesses across their supply chain. "I love the whole line," says Gillette, "but I'm partial to the sunscreens, specifically the SPF 50 Sun Serum." Beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson named their Sun Elixir one of the best SPFs for deep skin. "It's unlike anything I've tried—a broad spectrum chemical SPF 50 that's literally transparent magic on melanin-rich skin," she writes. "It glides on like silk, hydrates like a serum, and protects like a boss." Hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons is known for his work on Khloe Kardashian, Madonna, Demi Moore, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey—you name the diva, he's probably worked on their hair. And on every single client, he's used his eponymous haircare line, complete with shampoos, conditioners, texture spray, curl cream, hairspray, and leave-ins. "I've been using this line since it first launched—when I was a baby beauty editor, no less—and it's become a mainstay in my fine hair routine," says Gillette. "My go-to is the Body Volume Blow Dry Hold Spray, which makes it look like I have genuinely double the amount of hair I actually have, and with the Aprés Sexe Texture Spray, it's a match made in heaven for a big blowout." Not to mention, Fitzsimons' brand is hella dedicated to giving back, especially to the trans community. They partner with the Trans Wellness Center and London LGBTQ+ Community Center by sending product donations, plus the brand also offers all of their retail partners pronoun training workshops for store associates. If you're looking to step into the world of all things at-home LED, Solawave is one of the best places to start (especially if you're looking to support a queer brand). I'm personally obsessed with the brand's Red Light Wand, which won a Cosmo Holy Grail Award (it's ideal for on-the-go LED and targeting small areas) and their innovative product lineup of eye, face, neck, and chest devices. The LED Eye Mask recently won a 2025 Holy Grail Award for its quick three-minute treatment time and ability to address crow's feet, puffiness, and dark under-eyes. Solawave makes once-pricey treatments that were only available during in-office appointments, actually accessible. And for that, we have no choice but to stan. Founded by two West End dancers, AKT London first launched a deodorant (it's a 2025 Clean Beauty Award winner) that was clean and truly effective for all-day activity. The brand has now expanded into all types of bodycare, including scrubs and washes, elevating our shower experiences immensely. Balsamo is obsessed with the brand's new scrub, saying that it "makes my skin so soft and smooth and is a delight to use in the shower." Not to mention, every product smells incredible too, so I'd even argue the products can double as a signature scent. You Might Also Like Here's What NOT to Wear to a Wedding Meet the Laziest, Easiest Acne Routine You'll Ever Try
