Leslie Vaughn

Why CosmeticsIntel Exists

I got tired of beauty content that's either sponsored posts disguised as reviews or written by someone who has never had to make a product perform under real pressure. CosmeticsIntel is the site I wished existed when my own clients asked me what to buy. Every recommendation here comes from professional use across hundreds of faces — not a brand deal.

My Background

I spent years working at Sephora, where I got hands-on experience with virtually every major brand and formula on the market. I've matched foundations on every skin tone, talked women through skincare routines, and seen firsthand which products actually perform and which ones are pure marketing.

I've also done makeup for hundreds of weddings. Bridal makeup is the ultimate stress test for any product — it has to look flawless in person and on camera, last through tears and dancing, and work on skin types ranging from dry and mature to oily and acne-prone. A bride cannot have a bad makeup day. That experience is behind every recommendation on this site.

As someone navigating my own skin changes in my 40s, I understand firsthand what it's like when the products that worked for years suddenly don't. Hormonal shifts, changing texture, new sensitivities — I write about these because I'm living them too.

How I Review Products

I write for the woman who wants to look and feel great without a chemistry degree or a beauty influencer's budget. If an ingredient doesn't actually matter for your skin type, I'm not going to waste your time with it. Every review has a clear verdict, honest tradeoffs, and a recommendation you can actually act on. I'll tell you when the drugstore option beats the $60 bottle — and when it's worth the splurge.