Beauty Roundup: Dior's Glassy Glow Stick, Tillo's New Brushes, the Patrick Ta Controversy, and More

It has been one of those weeks where the beauty news cycle felt genuinely alive. There was a controversy that had the whole community in its feelings, a few launches that made me stop mid-scroll, and at least one product that I think is going to quietly become a staple for a lot of us. I also want to make space this week for a story that matters beyond the products — because sometimes what gets launched is less important than the conversation happening around it. As always, grab a coffee, get comfortable, and let's get into it.

The Patrick Ta and Painted by Esther Controversy, Explained

This is the story the beauty community has been talking about all week, and it deserves a proper breakdown.

London-based makeup artist Ngozi Edeme, known as Painted by Esther, has long been recognized for her signature technique: a dramatic, airbrushed blush placement that extends into the under-eye area for a flushed, dimensional finish. She popularized this on clients like Kelly Rowland and Doechii, and it became her calling card. The community knew where this look came from.

This week, celebrity makeup artist and beauty brand founder Patrick Ta released his Transition Blush System — a multi-step product and technique designed to blend blush into concealer for an ombre-like effect. He also filed a trademark on the phrase "Transition Blush." The problem? That is the exact technique and terminology Painted by Esther has been known for. And in his promotional content, Ta used a powder puff to achieve the blush effect — the same specific tool Edeme had highlighted as her holy grail in her own tutorials, most notably during a Kosas collaboration.

Edeme broke her silence in a raw TikTok video, saying she was "tired of constantly being spoken for and being scared to speak," and pointed to what she called very convenient timing. Ta responded publicly, stating "I do not own this look" and tagging Edeme — acknowledging her work but stopping short of addressing the trademark.

The deeper issue at the center of all of this is one that the beauty industry keeps circling back to: Black women and creators of color who originate techniques and trends often watch those same techniques get repackaged, renamed, and monetized by others with more access and visibility. Edeme's story is not new, but it is an important reminder to give credit loudly and often — and to support the creators who build the looks everyone else gets to profit from.

Dior Backstage Gets a New Glow Hero

Dior Backstage, the pro-inspired range designed by Creative and Image Director Peter Philips, is adding to its lineup and we are very excited about one product in particular. The new Dior Backstage Glassy Glow Stick is a balmy highlighter stick that delivers a buildable, iridescent dewy glow in a single swipe. It is described as ultra-intuitive and high-performance, which is the Backstage promise, and its balmy texture means it melts right into the skin for a finish that looks like you were just lit from within.

Also new: the Airflash Mist, a hybrid setting and hydrating mist that keeps makeup in place while hydrating the skin for 24 hours. If you are someone who sets their makeup and then watches it slide off by noon, this is one to try.

And for the lip and cheek lovers, Dior Backstage is releasing limited-edition "Juicy Pinks" shades for the Rosy Glow, Rosy Glow Stick, and Lip Glow Butter — pearly pinks designed for a monochromatic, fresh-from-the-fruit flush from cheeks to lips. The campaign brings back the star-studded cast of Jenna Ortega, Jisoo, and top models Akon and Nikita. Check with Dior Beauty counters and authorized retailers for local availability.

Tillo Drops Six New Brushes

Tillo has expanded its brush lineup with six new additions, and the details from the product cards are giving us a lot of reasons to pay attention. Here is the full breakdown:

T14 Angled Powder Brush (P399) — A teardrop-shaped angled brush for effortless, diffused powder application. Great for contour, bronzer, and blush.

T15 Flat Angled Cream Brush (P399) — Wide and flat-angled, designed to glide cream products across the skin smoothly with added precision for blending.

T16 Paddle Cream Brush (P399) — A paddle-shaped brush built for cream and liquid application. The sides spread product broadly while the tapered tip handles precise sculpting.

T17 Cream Contour Brush (P399) — A wide flat-top brush for sharper, more intentional cream contour placement. Designed to carve cheekbones, jawline, temples, and the nose.

T18 Dense Powder Brush (P299) — Dense bristles for vivid, pigmented powder application without losing softness. Great for layering blush, contour, or face powder.

T19 Mini Angled Cream Brush (P299) — A smaller angled cream brush made for precise concealer application, carving, and adding shadow in detailed areas.

All six brushes feature anti-microbial bristles in new shapes, seal-coated handles, and a travel-friendly size. A clean, well-priced drop from a brand that clearly puts thought into its tools.

Byfina Launches the Chew It Gummy Line

Byfina just stepped into the wellness space with the Chew It Gummy line, a trio of chewable supplements designed to support your skin, your body, and your sleep — all in one delicious daily gummy. Each variant is P399 for 60 pieces.

Chew It Glow is the glutathione gummy: 1000mg of glutathione with skin-supporting nutrients to promote radiance and antioxidant protection. It comes in a refreshing lime flavor. Chew It Bloom is the collagen gummy: marine collagen peptides with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Biotin, and Selenium to support skin elasticity, joint mobility, and healthier hair and nails. Strawberry-flavored and easy to love. Chew It Sleep is the nighttime gummy: Melatonin, Magnesium Glycinate, and Ashwagandha to help you wind down, manage stress, and actually get restful sleep. Blueberry-flavored, and you take it 30 minutes to an hour before bed.

Three different goals, three different formulas, all made to make your wellness routine something you actually look forward to. Shop at byfina.com.

Y.O.U Sunbrella Aloe-B5 Acne Shield Sunscreen SPF50+

Y.O.U Beauty just launched a sunscreen specifically designed for sensitive and acne-prone skin, and the formula is seriously impressive for the price point. The Y.O.U Sunbrella Aloe-B5 Acne Shield Light Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ is built on a base of 50% aloe water and Panthenol (B5) for instant calming hydration, plus a powerful supporting cast of Cica, Ectoin, and Bisabolol to reduce irritation and reinforce the skin barrier. Five ceramides lock in moisture, and a Zinc PCA and Mint Complex combo targets excess oil while giving that subtle cooling sensation that is genuinely welcome in this heat.

The texture is described as a lightweight sorbet, with a matte, no-whitecast, non-sticky finish that works as a primer under makeup. It is SPF50+ PA++++ so the protection is real. And the price? P299. Available at Watsons, SM Department Stores, Robinsons Department Stores, and online at Shopee and TikTok Shop.

And that's it for this week's Beauty News Roundup!