Erika Reals

Title: Senior Shopping Editor

Location: New York, New York

Expertise: Fashion, Beauty, Accessories, Celebrity Trends

Erika Reals is a senior shopping editor at PEOPLE.com, where she writes and edits all things fashion and beauty-related with a focus on testing products and honing in on celebrity trends. She has a keen interest in accessories, from the best functional work bags to the most comfortable sneakers, and is the team’s resident denim expert; you can usually find her wearing jeans six days a week. Prior to PEOPLE, Erika was the associate fashion shopping editor for Byrdie and Brides, where she wrote, assigned, edited, and fact-checked shopping content within the style category. Her deep interest in celebrity fashion trends can be traced back to her days working at Daily Mail’s Fashion Finder vertical, where she reported on what exact pieces celebrities were wearing, from Meghan Markle’s classic button-downs to Bella Hadid’s hard-to-find streetwear labels.

Highlights:

Erika has more than five years of experience in digital media, specifically in the shopping category
She's tested hundreds of products from skincare to makeup to the latest denim launches
Erika earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Kansas

Erika Reals is a shopping-obsessed editor and writer who also has bylines in popular publications like Byrdie and Brides. It was during her previous tenure at Daily Mail where her deep interest in celebrity fashion was cultivated and where her experience in shopping content began.

Since joining PEOPLE.com as a shopping editor in September 2022, she has focused on beauty and fashion content and has conducted extensive research on topics such as the best ballet flats and dry shampoo. Gaining first-hand experience with hundreds of products over the past year, she has accumulated more than 500 hours of testing both in the PEOPLE Tested Lab and at home, with some favorite categories including makeup with SPF, comfortable sneakers, and work bags. On any given day, you can find her sampling the newest skincare launch or trying out a buzzy clothing or accessory brand in order to stay abreast of the ever-changing market.

In the five-plus years she’s been professionally writing and editing, she has interviewed dozens of stylists, designers, textile experts, dermatologists, makeup artists, and podiatrists to ensure her content is well-informed and supported by the latest research and trends.

Other Work:

The 11 Best Black Leggings, Tested by Our Editors, Byrdie
The Best Places to Buy Suits Online for Your Next Formal Event, Brides
The Best Silk Pajamas of 2023, Byrdie
These Are the Best Lug Sole Boots for Fall Styling, Byrdie

Erika has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Kansas.

PEOPLE, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, delivers the most trustworthy celebrity news and captivating human interest stories, connecting you to the pulse of American culture. Since our first issue hit stands in 1974, we have been striving to tell compelling stories about the people behind the issues, as opposed to just the issues themselves. We are your everyday escape, taking you inside the lives of intriguing stars, newsmakers, up-and-comers and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. We serve and delight you by providing ideas about beauty, food and style through the lens of the people influencing the trends. And we are a force for good by telling stories of hope, optimism and kindness that drive conversation and inspire action. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.

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