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Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

Which Hair-Removal Method (If Any) Is Best For You?

Is it weird that millions of women around the world spend tons of time and money—and regularly test their pain thresholds—in the name of removing face and body hair? Who’s to say? Culture is weird. Humans are weird. We are weird. But we do know that at this point, most women’s decision to go hairless, neatly trimmed, or long and loose—and how to achieve the look—is based predominantly on aesthetics and cultural standards of beauty.
Once upon a time, in addition to beauty standards, there were more health-oriented reasons to remove hair, e.g., nixing breeding grounds for parasites and maintaining cleanliness. But those of us living a modern lifestyle get to make the choice based on what looks and feels good. Experts Tsippora Shainhouse, a board-certified Beverly Hills dermatologist, and Enrique Ramirez, esthetician and founder of Face to Face NYC, share their insights on best and worst hair-removal methods based on their clients’ specific needs.
How you groom—or whether you go wild—is a personal choice. But if you do choose to keep your stubble on lockdown, we have the lowdown on the pros, cons, and best practices associated with managing when things get hairy.

The Methods and Their Madness

Hair grows in different amounts all over the human body and is “normal, natural, and genetic,” says Shainhouse. “Some ethnicities [tend to grow] more hair than others, while some women have darker hair that is more noticeable [versus] lighter, finer hair.”
In women, elevated testosterone levels can be responsible for darker, thicker hair in some places, while a thyroid imbalance can sometimes be to blame for loss of hair. Shainhouse says there are no dietary or otherwise easy fixes for tricking your body into growing less hair, so you’ve got to learn to either love the fuzz or exert the effort to eliminate it.
Here, we break down the eight major players in the hair-removal game by their pros and cons, exploring the associated pain, cost, convenience, and duration of results. We also touch on best practices for achieving smooth, flawless skin.

Shaving

Ah, this old standby. Shaving continues to be the default hair-removal method for most women and was often the first one they tried back in the day. Shaving maintains its popularity because it’s accessible, easy, fast, and cheap. The good news? Shainhouse says shaving will not make your hair grow back thicker. That said, the results of shaving can “last hours to days, depending on the body site and how quickly your hair grows,” according to Shainhouse, meaning it’s one of the shortest-lasting hair-removal methods.
If you’re committed to shaving, you’ve got to be prepared to rinse and repeat—potentially every day, depending on how quickly your hair grows and how important it is to you to be stubble free. Another potential downfall of shaving is the likelihood of nasty razor burn, which Shainhouse says can be prevented by using an electric shaver, which is less likely to irritate the skin but doesn’t guarantee a razor-close shave.

Tricks of the Trade

Shainhouse says it’s best to scrub up with warm water before reaching for your razor and shaving cream. This will soften the hair and open the pores, making for a smoother shave. It’s also a good idea to keep skin exfoliated, which will lessen the likelihood of folliculitis. This common shaving risk occurs when “follicles get irritated or infected,” according to Shainhouse, who also recommends using a razor with multiple blades for a closer shave with less chance of irritations like ingrown hairs. Once you’ve done the work, there’s not much you can do to slow the growth of shaved hair, but you will certainly want to keep the area soothed and moisturized.

Waxing and Sugaring

Like ripping off a band-aid (only worse—maybe more like 100 band-aids), waxing is not for the faint of heart but is extremely satisfying once it’s over. Waxing is super effective and is one of the longest-lasting hair-removal methods (more than a month of smoothness), according to Ramirez, whose expertise is waxing and sugaring. The cons here are the high pain factor, the cost (one treatment area can cost anywhere from $7 at a strip mall salon to more than $100 at a high-end spa), and the time and effort it takes to get in for an appointment with the professionals.
Like waxing’s hipper, crunchier cousin, sugaring works basically the same way (pulling whole areas of hair out at once with product-infused strips of cloth), but with a solution of sugar, lemon juice, and hot water in place of wax. In Ramirez’s expert opinion, “Sugaring is perfect for those who prefer the organic approach to life,” but will feel a bit more “uncomfortable to the client as we apply the paste in both directions to ensure every hair is caught in the sugar paste.”
Results will last about the same duration as waxing (four to six weeks on average) and come at a similar cost, depending on which salon you visit.
So how do you make the choice between waxing and sugaring? Ramirez says, “If the hair is soft and thin, then I suggest sugaring. For thicker hair, waxing is best.”

Tricks of the Trade

You can prep for waxing or sugaring by resisting the urge to shave beforehand, as your hair should be at least a quarter of an inch long at your appointment. You should exfoliate, however, to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs. And if you’re really concerned about the pain, you can pop an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen a half hour before you go.

Depilatory Creams

The unappealing aspects of over-the-counter depilatory creams like Nair and Veet are their weird odors and the fact that you have to stand around in the bathroom naked and awkward until it’s time to rinse them off. That said, they’re cheap, fast, easy (even for hair-removal novices), and can be used in the privacy of your home whenever you have a spare moment.
Plus, depilatory creams have results that are similar to shaving—with none of the razor burn, because they chemically soften and dissolve unwanted hair so it can be rinsed away.
Shainhouse makes the point that “results should last a few days, depending on how quickly your hair grows, but in contrast to a razor blade that slices each hair shaft so that new hair growth appears thick and blunt, the tips of the cream-treated hairs will grow in softer,” which may let you go longer between treatments.

Tricks of the Trade

Shainhouse says depilatory creams are quite safe to use as long as you do a patch test first to make sure you don’t have an allergic or other reaction to the product. After you rinse and wipe the hair away, moisturize the area as you normally would.

Epilators

Once hailed as the at-home hair-removal “revolution” of the ‘80s, the new epilator machines are sleeker and smaller but still operate in the same (slightly scary-sounding) way that their predecessors did. An epilator machine is a small, hand-held electric device that looks a bit like a shaver but is really a system of many tiny tweezers that electronically pull out several hairs at once as you move the machine over the skin. You’re probably asking yourself Doesn’t that hurt? The answer is a resounding yes. So why do some people, including epilator fanatic Kelsey Miller, still stick with this method?
It lasts about as long as waxing, has the benefit of reducing hair thickness over time, and you can do it in your home without a salon appointment. Plus, you only need to buy the epilator once (usually for under $100), which means no more shelling out for expensive waxing treatments every four to six weeks.

Threading

This seemingly magic hair-removal method needs to be performed by a trained professional since it requires the special skill of using two strands of twirled thread to “catch” the hairs and physically pull them out. Seriously, how do they do that? As with plucking, you can only grasp a few hairs at once, so threading is better for small areas like your eyebrows and lip line.
There are no products applied to the skin in this method, so there’s “no risk of contact dermatitis,” according to Shainhouse, “but you can irritate the follicles from the tugging and potentially develop a folliculitis.” You have to be prepared for the pain, which is akin to regular plucking, and the cost (usually about the same as waxing), time, and effort associated with getting yourself to a professional threader. You can get nice shaping work done this way, however, and can expect results to last several weeks.

Should you go big and go permanent?

This decision is akin to getting a tattoo: You should only consider a permanent (or permanent-ish) hair-removal method if you’re sure you won’t regret it. Kim Kardashian famously wrote on her website that she regretted zapping the little hairs around her neck and hairline since now she thinks they look “youthful.” But if you’re positive you won’t want to try the pro–body-hair trend that might catch on even more in the future, you do have some options that will allow you to just be done with it. They’re expensive in the moment, but compared to years of buying waxing and shaving products, you may come out on top even if you opt for a pricier treatment.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is the only truly permanent method of hair removal, according to Shainhouse, who puts it this way: “This old-school method uses electricity to zap individual hair roots within the follicle. The goal is to destroy the root and the follicle so that no new hairs grow.”
It’s also one of the most expensive hair-removal methods, costing “a few dollars per minute of treatment,” and usually requiring multiple treatments to get genuinely permanent results. Even then, it is possible for hormonal imbalances to cause new hairs to grow, requiring more treatments. That said, in most cases, once your electrolysis treatment course is complete, you can revel in your smooth, hairless skin into perpetuity.

Tricks of the Trade

Yep, as you may have guessed, electrolysis a pretty painful way to go hairless, but the discomfort of treatments can be managed with a topical cream applied before the procedure. Other risks include tiny, temporary scabs around the treated hair follicles and, worse, scarring that Shainhouse says is “either due to post-inflammatory pigmentary changes or physical scarring of the follicle and skin.” Finally, since this is a clinical treatment that should take place at a medical spa, you’ll want to follow aftercare instructions to a tee, otherwise you can risk bacterial infections like impetigo.

Laser

Although not a truly permanent hair-removal method, laser treatments are a very effective method for “permanently reducing hair growth by at least 50 to 70 percent after a set number of treatments,” says Shainhouse. It’s the most expensive option discussed here, and, as Ramirez stresses, must always be completed or overseen by an MD at a medical spa. You’ll also need to plan to stay out of the sun for a few days after each treatment to avoid skin hyperpigmentation. That said, after five to 10 treatments, you’ll see impressive results that people tend to be happy with. In fact, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery reports that laser hair removal just keeps getting more and more popular.

Tricks of the Trade

This isn’t so much a trick as it is a shortcoming. Although people who get laser treatments tend to be happy with the results, it’s not suited to every skin or hair color.
“The laser uses focused light that is attracted to brown or black pigment,” explains Shainhouse. “It works best on people with light skin and dark hair. Lasers cannot treat blonde, white, gray, or red hair because there isn’t enough pigment to target.” On top of that, using lasers on darker or tanned skin carries a risk of burning or removing pigmentation from the skin. Major bummer. So while there are specific lasers that are safer for darker skin types, you’ll want to discuss whether laser is a safe option for your particular skin tone.

Or, you could just not.

Not into the hassle, money, pain, or aesthetic of baby smooth, hairless skin? More and more women are rocking their body hair au naturale. Maybe you’ll be the next one to let it all out.

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Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

Going Gray The Right Way: Everything You Need To Know About Gray Hair

One day you will find yourself going about your morning routine, when all of a sudden you’ll do a double take in the mirror after applying your mascara.
That second look isn’t because you look amazing (although you do!). No, you spotted a glint of silver in your blowout.
Your first gray hair.
First, don’t panic. Although silver-haired men seem to get all the glory (Anderson Cooper is still bae, y’all), there are plenty of women who make going gray look ultra chic. I mean, have you seen Helen Mirren lately? She’s a total silver foxy lady!

Going gray? You can thank your parents.

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You may have inherited your mom’s gorgeous smile or your dad’s eye color, and you can also thank your parents for your salt and pepper locks. Gray hair can strike at any age, and when it appears is largely thanks to genetics.  
Going gray is a genetically programmed process that appears to have multiple genes that are interacting to start the process,” says Amy McMichael, MD, chair of dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  
According to McMichael, the interferon regulatory factor 4 gene (IRF4) plays a key role in when you’ll develop gray hair. IRF4 genes code proteins that affect the immune system and help protect the body against viruses. In addition, IRF4 genes regulate melanin production, which determines skin and hair color and is the pigment made by cells called melanocytes.
“There are two types of melanin,” says Fayne Frey, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FryFace, an educational dermatology site. These two types of melanin are “eumelanin, which imposes a brown to black color, and pheomelanin, which is a reddish yellow color. Both types are made in melanocytes. Which type and how much of each is genetically determined with a wide variation.”
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Before we’re born, our hair is actually white, because it’s completely free of melanin. Over time though, the melanin begins to color our hair, resulting in each person’s unique hair color. Just as melanin colors our hair when we’re young, we lose melanin pigment as we age, which can result in silver strands.
The BCL gene family, which keeps certain cells from dying by coding a protective outer membrane around the cell, also plays an important role in why we get gray hair. BCL genes may protect melanocytes. When the body doesn’t have a sufficient number of melanocytes, hair may turn gray faster. In one study, BCL-deficient mice experienced graying faster than mice who were not BCL deficient.
A more recent study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center claims to have pinpointed a protein called KROX20 that some scientists believe is responsible for graying hair. KROX20, also known as early growth response protein 2 (EGR2) is a protein that aids in neural crest cell development (these are the cells that end up forming hair and skin, smooth cartilage, and bone, among other things).
KROX20 produces another protein, called stem cell factor (SCF), which is the protein needed for hair color to form. When KROX20 no longer produces SCF proteins, pigment is no longer produced, which results in gray hair.
So does this mean we can reverse gray hair?
Not quite.
The study was performed on mice and has yet to be examined in human subjects. Other scientists and doctors believe it may be a bit too early to determine if SCF proteins may be the secret to keeping colorful locks longer.
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But I’m too young for gray hair!

Most men start seeing their first gray hairs sprout at around age 30, whereas women tend to see them a few years later, at 35.
Any gray hair that occurs before this age is considered prematurely gray hair.
[pullquote align=”center”]“Stress has been implicated in every possible way with hair loss and the process of graying,”
—Amy McMichael[/pullquote]
Aside from genetics, several other factors can also play a role in how early you’ll go gray. Some—like hormonal imbalance, age, and certain environmental factors—are beyond your control. Others, like stress and smoking, may be reduced by lifestyle changes.
Frey says, “There are multiple studies that consistently show smoking linked to premature graying. The exact mechanism of how smoking affects hair pigment is unknown, but an increase in free radical (unstable atoms that can wreak havoc in the body) formation within the hair follicle is one theory.”
As we age, free radical production increases, which also causes an increase in oxidative stress, which is stress that actually changes cellular makeup. As free radicals in the body increase, so does the damage to melanocytes, thereby causing prematurely gray hair.
“Stress has [also] been implicated in every possible way with hair loss and the process of graying,” says McMichael.
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According to McMichael, similar to the oxidative stress caused by smoking, long-term physiologic stress may affect the graying process. These long-term stressors include chronic illness and severe caloric restriction. Scientists theorize that long-term stressors cause oxidative stress, thereby causing melanocytes to die prematurely. However, scientists are still working to prove this theory. So one stressful day at the office is probably not the cause for your gray hair, but a whole year in a seriously stressful work environment might be.
Unfortunately, McMichael says there are no proven methods of reducing or reversing gray hair. “While there are labs that are working on this process, it is not clear that any group really has this figured out.”
If a product promises to slow or reduce gray hair growth, it’s probably too good to be true. Instead, focusing on lifestyle changes is the best way to slow the growth of gray hair.
Limiting stress and stopping smoking has many added benefits besides delaying the graying process. Manage stress by exercising daily or practicing mindful meditation. (And if you’re trying to quit smoking, you don’t have to do it alone. Visit smokefree.gov for information, resources, and support to quit smoking.)

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Help! My gray hair isn’t on my head.

So you noticed a few gray hairs…everywhere on your body except your head.
According to Frey, graying patterns vary from person to person. “Based on my personal experience, I’d say hair on the temporal scalp (above the ears) seems to gray first on many individuals.”
McMichael says that anecdotally, “Some feel that the facial hair grays before the hair on the scalp, but this is not a hard and fast rule.”
What dermatologists do know is that your hair down there will go gray eventually.
Even though you might be totally freaked out, it’s usually totally normal for your body hair to start graying around the same time as the hair on your head.
Sometimes though, gray or white strands in your nether regions do signal a health problem.
If you notice silvery white strands while you’re landscaping downstairs, it could be the result of a severe vitamin B12 deficiency. A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia, which interferes with red blood cell production, depleting the source of oxygen that most cells need to thrive. Fortunately, with treatment, hair will usually return to its normal color if a B12 deficiency is the culprit.
White piedra, a fungal infection, is another reason your hair may appear gray or white prematurely. White piedra is caused by a yeast-like fungus. While it can occur anywhere on the body, it is more likely to be found in the groin than anywhere else. The fungus attaches to individual hair follicles, giving the hair a white or gray appearance. The good news is that this asymptomatic fungal infection is easy to treat by trimming the affected hair (a great time to do some grooming!) and over-the-counter fungal creams.
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If you want to go gray gracefully…

I only have one gray hair (that I can see). It’s right at the front of my hairline, and it insists on sticking straight up, Alfalfa-style. When I frantically called my stylist, Emilee Phillips, who is the owner of the organic Green Goddess Hair Salon, she told me very sternly not to pluck it no matter how much I wanted to do so.
“The old wives’ tale that plucking a gray hair will cause two more to sprout in its place isn’t true, but you still shouldn’t pluck a gray hair,” says Phillips. “Just like tweezing your eyebrows, over time, repeated plucking will damage the hair follicle so much that it won’t grow back at all.”
So how do stylists recommend caring for gray hair?
Jamie Church Ball, a veteran stylist at Shear Shakti Salon in Boone, North Carolina, says “Styling products depend on what the client is looking for just the same as natural hair, but there are shampoos formulated for gray hair.”
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Ball recommends Oribe products, which has two products that work for gray hair. Oribe Silverati shampoo and conditioner are specially formulated for gray and white hair. This illuminating shampoo brightens hair and removes yellow tones that makes silver strands shine.
Ball also recommends Oribe’s Bright Blonde shampoo, which works for both blonde and silver hair. Many people with lighter skin tones are afraid that gray hair will wash out their complexion, but they needn’t worry. This revitalizing violet shampoo corrects brassiness and yellow tones while brightening natural highlights for hair that is healthier, shinier, and lit from within.
Another way to boost lighter complexions while sporting gray tresses is to wear bold colored clothing. Think rich jewel tones, like Pantone’s 2018 color of the year, Ultra Violet
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While you don’t have to wear makeup to be beautiful, Hope Alfaro, a makeup artist in Durham, North Carolina, shared some of her favorite makeup tips to balance your complexion with gray hair.
“Embrace cool tones,” says Alfaro. “As you embrace your natural gray hair, try new shades like mauves or taupes that compliment the coolness of gray tones. Lipstick and blush with cooler undertones will start suiting you better as well.”
In addition, Alfaro says if you do only have time for one thing in the morning, make sure you don’t neglect your eyebrows.
“If you are in the later stages of graying, your eyebrows and eyelashes may have also turned gray. Even two minutes with a pencil defining your eyebrow shape can make a world of difference to your face.” A few products we love are Glossier’s Boy Brow, Anastasia’s Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Eyebrow Pencil, and Maybelline’s Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil.
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If you’re not feeling the gray…

Gray hair is totally having a style moment right now. Celebs from Kim Kardashian to Zosia Mamet have paid big bucks to have their hair dyed gray on purpose. If you just can’t jump on the gray-hair trend, you can color your hair to hide the gray. Before you reach for that box of Clairol, there are some things you need to know about dyeing gray hair.
“I can tell you that gray hair is very coarse, which makes it resistant to color,” says Ball. “So your stylist has to formulate the color for gray hair and let it process about 10 minutes longer than normal.”
In addition, Ball says, because gray hair is resistant to color, stylists end up using a double pigmented color, which can end up being pricier than your standard dye job. After the color is applied, your stylist will probably use a developer, which helps open up the hair cuticle so the color can totally penetrate your hair.
Justin Barnett, owner of Justin Salon and Spa in Vero Beach, Florida, says, “regular hair grows up to a half an inch a month so every 4 to 6 weeks, you should plan to touch up your color.”
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One perk of dyeing your gray hair is that color-treated hair is often softer, which makes it easier to style. The downside? Coloring your hair can add up to a big monthly expense.
Whether you choose to color your gray hair or not is totally up to you, but the same styling tips apply to both.
Exposing hair to prolonged high heat from styling tools can seriously damage hair, so always use a heat protectant, like amika’s The Wizard Multi-Benefit Primer, before styling your hair.
[pullquote align=”center”]“A lady’s grays are life’s trophies. Celebrate your age, wisdom, and accomplishments through your natural beauty.”
—Justin Barnett[/pullquote]
Additionally, because gray hair is already coarse, try to avoid washing your hair daily, which can strip your hair of natural oils, leaving hair brittle and dry. Instead, aim for washing your hair every two to three days, and use a dry shampoo in between washings.
“In one way I feel that I shouldn’t encourage women to embrace their gray hair,” Barnett jokes. “Women embrac[ing] their gray hair doesn’t pay my salon bills! However, I do believe that a lady’s grays are life’s trophies. Celebrate your age, wisdom, and accomplishments through your natural beauty.”
So will you embrace your gray strands as they are or will you cover them up? Whatever you decide is totally fine either way.
Because you know what’s really sexy? A woman who’s in love with her own look, even if that includes a gray strand or two.

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Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Eyebrow Shapes—And How To Get Yours Just Right

When the movie Mirror, Mirror premiered in 2012, Lily Collins’ bold eyebrows were far from mainstream. Fast forward five years to now, and her brows are—knowingly or unknowingly—being emulated by almost everyone.
Thanks to the influence of Collins and others, including model Cara Delevingne, thick eyebrows have become a beauty ideal. Much like contouring, creating bold eyebrow shapes is now seen as an essential part of sophisticated beauty routines. Thick brows—and the products needed to create and maintain them—can be found nearly everywhere.
The obsession with eyebrow shapes has even saturated pop culture. “Eyebrows on fleek” has been ubiquitous since 2014, when teenager Peaches Monroee used the term in a Vine. In the UK, overly thick, dark, artificial-looking brows are often called “scouse brows”—a reference to an episode of the British TV show Desperate Scousewives.
Eyebrow trends, including fun, brightly-colored eyebrows and parodical “squiggle brows,” had their heyday in 2017. The brow trend has even involved its fair share of controversy, with many people pointing out that women of color were shamed for having thick brows until white influencers made them trendy.
While eyebrows have gotten bigger over the past few years, they’ve always been an important part of the face: we just didn’t realize it until recently. A 2002 study, for example, shows that eyebrows play a huge role in facial recognition. Eyebrows also contribute greatly to our recognition of emotion in facial expressions.
Different eyebrow trends have punctuated Western beauty ideals over the decades. In the ‘20s and ‘30s, pencil-thin, curved brows were popular. These were ditched for fuller, thicker brows in the ‘50s and ‘60s, which were replaced by more natural-looking brows in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The ‘90s saw women opting for thinner eyebrow shapes, while the early augts saw brows thicken again.
So why have bold, perfectly-groomed brows suddenly become so popular?
In part, it’s because of the influence of social media. “Brows have been become the focal point of beauty trends in recent years due to the new wave of social media marketing and the ongoing evolution of brow products,” says Shobha Tummala, founder of Shobha hair removal salons. “With the growth of visually-driven social networks such as Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, etc., people are now able to be in touch with beauty trends all over the world at the palm of their hands,” she says.
Selfie culture means it’s easier than ever to see numerous close-ups of celebrities and influencers every day, and there’s no doubt that we’re strongly influenced by the picture-perfect, impeccably groomed eyebrows of our influencers. This includes celebrities like Collins and Delevingne, as well as the Kardashian sisters, who naturally have dark, thick hair due to their Armenian roots. The far-off paparazzi shots of yesteryear could never show off groomed eyebrows as well as a well-lit selfie, and we get to see those all day long.
Bold brows might also be trendy because they contrast strongly with the thin brow trends of the ‘90s—a look that’s now considered outdated. Influenced by celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Gwen Stefani, many women plucked—and over-plucked—their brows until they were pencil-thin.
“The ‘90s did a number on the ladies of my generation. We looked to Drew Barrymore and the cast of Friends as our beauty icons,” says Di Medlock, exhale spa’s national director of waxing.“Many of us tried to force our brows into a thin and highly stylized shape, which is not universally flattering.”
Another reason for the apparent popularity of thick brows? As far as beauty standards go, it’s relatively attainable, says Medlock. “We can’t all be a size two or have legs for days, but brows…that works for everyone,” she says.
And if your brows aren’t currently working for you, they’re relatively easy to fix.
eyebrow shapes diagram

How do I decide between different eyebrow shapes?

When it comes to styling your brows, you want to go bold and trendy while still looking natural. The key to great eyebrows is choosing a good shape.
Unfortunately, there are no universal rules when it comes to shaping your brows. “Brow rules are like horoscopes—they can’t all work for everyone all of the time,” Medlock says. “The human face is too unique for that kind of simplification.” Instead, it’s important to keep certain soft rules and tricks in mind when it comes to choosing an eyebrow shape.
Medlock notes that your different facial features will be accentuated by different brow shapes. “A thinner brow will highlight a dominant feature, whereas a thicker brow will draw attention away,” she says. A thick brow can reduce the look of a large nose, for example, while thinner brows could draw more attention to your eyes. Angled brows can make your features look sharper, while round eyes will emphasize rounder cheeks or lips.
Base your eyebrow shape on the shape of your face, but remember it isn’t the only thing you need to consider. Sabah Feroz, blinkbrowbar brow specialist, says that your ideal brow shape also depends on your brow bone structure and other facial features. Not every round-faced person, for example, would look great with the exact same shape of eyebrows.
Stick to these soft rules, but take your own brow bone into account, too.

Round

eyebrow shapes round face
Round faces are nearly as wide as they are long. If your face is round, it’s widest at the cheeks with a soft jawline.
If you have a round face, avoid rounded brows and go for angled brows with high arches, instead. If a high arch is too bold for you, soften it a little. According to Feroz, this will open up your eyes and balance your facial features, making your face look slimmer.

Oval or Oblong

eyebrow shapes oval face
Oval and oblong faces are relatively round, but a bit longer than truly round faces. They’re widest at the cheekbones and involve a soft jawline.
Generally, any eyebrow shape will suit you if you if you have an oval or oblong face. If your bone structure seems a bit sharp, a low arch can soften your look. Opt for a nearly-flat brow—that is, one with a very low angle—if your face is particularly long.

Square or Rectangle

eyebrow shapes square face
Square- and rectangular-shaped faces are equally wide at the forehead, cheekbones and jawline. They often include a prominent jawline.
If you have a square or rectangular face, the angles of your jaw might look a bit harsh if paired with a dramatically-arched brow. Soften your look by choosing a round or soft arched brow instead. The curves will accentuate your rounder features like your eyes and lips.

Heart Shaped

eyebrow shapes heart face
Your face is heart shaped if it’s widest at the forehead and narrowest at the jawline. You might have a sharp chin, too, and will want to soften your eyebrows to counteract that sharpness.
At the same time, you don’t want your face to look too round, especially if it’s short. Opt for a soft, low arch with a rounded curve to keep your face looking balanced.

Diamond Shaped

eyebrow shapes diamond face
Diamond-shaped faces are widest at the temples. They often look a bit angular and bony, and can include a sharp chin.
A high arch will bring attention to your eyes whereas a soft arch will soften your features, meaning either shape is a good option depending on the look you’re going for.

How should I sculpt my eyebrows?

The shape of your eyebrows is important—but how you shape them is also important. If you don’t sculpt your eyebrows correctly, you might over-pluck, irritate your skin, and cause yourself a lot of unnecessary pain.
When it comes to removing unwanted growth and keeping what’s left behind “neat,” you have several options. Waxing and threading are both popular ways to shape your brows quickly. Although both methods can be painful, they’re a lot quicker than tweezing individual hairs.
“If you’re looking to maintain your brows at home … only remove the stray hairs,” Feroz advises. “Don’t attempt to shape unless you know what you are doing.” She suggests you leave shaping to the professionals and commit to maintaining brow tidiness between scheduled sculpting appointments.

Tweezing

It’s a good idea to shower or wash your face with warm water just before you work on your brows. The warm water will open your pores, making it easier and less painful to remove the hairs. Medlock suggests you brush your eyebrows downward before plucking above your brow to help you see the stray hairs. Use a pair of tweezers with a slanted tip in order to get the best hold.
Be careful not to over-pluck your eyebrows, as this will damage your follicles. You can avoid over-plucking by leaving a fair amount of time between each tweezing sesh. If you have over-plucked, give your eyebrows time to regrow. In that time, don’t pencil over or dye your brows too much, as that can further irritate your skin.

Threading vs. Waxing

Tummala recommends eyebrow threading instead of waxing or tweezing. Threading is a centuries-old technique that was initially popular in the Middle East, India, and China. Many people find it more effective, quicker, and less painful than other forms of hair removal. Those who swear by threading also say that the hairs grow back slower than they would if they were waxed or tweezed.
“The skin around your eyes is super delicate and waxing your brows essentially takes that first layer of skin off. Ouch!” Tummala says. “We always recommend threading your brows since threading is more precise and allows you get the shortest hairs from the root.”
Of course, if you have particularly sensitive skin, hair removal of any kind might irritate it. If you’re maintaining your brows at home, keep some soothing cream on hand. If you’ve accidentally ripped some skin off, a cold compress and some fresh air should help you soothe it.

Beyond Taming: How to Enhance Brows Without Going Overboard

Of course, since the trend is all about thick, bold brows, you don’t just want to remove stray hairs: you want to enhance the shape of your eyebrows, and many people rely on eyebrow pencils, powders, and creams to make their brows look fuller and thicker.

Pencil

If you’re reaching for a pencil to achieve thicker-looking brows, you might want to use an eyebrow stencil to help you create and fill in the shape. If you don’t have a stencil, Medlock gives this advice: “Make a solid line on the underside of your brow and then use upperward feather strokes to fill sparse areas.”
She goes on to say, “I never take the pencil all the way to the top edge of the brow—it looks too artificial.” She suggests brushing over harsh pencil lines with a clean mascara wand to give your brows a softer, more natural look.

Tinting

If your brow hairs are particularly light, you can have them tinted. Salons offer tinting services, and it’s also relatively easy to do at home with a home tinting kit. Just don’t make your eyebrows too dark—start by going a shade or two darker than your natural brow color.

Microblading

For those who have particularly sparse eyebrows, microblading might be the answer. Microblading is a meticulous process that involves tattooing hair-like strokes over your brow area. Unlike traditional eyebrow tattooing, though, microblading involves using tiny needles to deposit small amounts of ink under the skin. The result? Smaller, feather-like strokes that create natural-looking brows.
Microblading is semi-permanent, but some specialists recommend a follow-up appointment after a month to retouch the initial work. After that, the effect should last between one and three years. Microblading is usually priced between $600 and $900—and while this may seem pricey, it could be worth it if you find yourself filling your brows in every day and wanting to invest your time elsewhere.
We can’t all be Cara Delevingne, but we can take inspiration from her look and embrace thick, bold brows—that is, until the next eyebrow trend catches on.
enhancing your eyebrow shapes

Categories
Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

How To Get In On The Clean Beauty Movement (And Why It's Worth The Effort)

Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.

If you’ve glanced at a beauty blog or your favorite YouTube beauty guru in the last couple of months, we’re sure you’ve noticed the prevalence of so-called natural or green beauty brands. The trend of clean beauty is easy to get behind, but a lot more goes into it than you may think.

What is clean beauty?

The clean beauty movement’s defining feature is a commitment to being more discerning about the many products you put on your skin every day. It usually assumes that natural (in this case meaning not lab-made or synthetic) ingredients are better for you and that you should put in the research to find out what you’re buying and using, steering clear of the synthetic stuff. Ideally, clean beauty products exclude any known and potential toxins—providing you with options that pose the least possible safety risk.
Still, there’s no one concrete definition of clean beauty. You can find brands across the board that use vague terms that are more clean-beauty marketing than offering the healthiest product. Frustrating, we know! Clean beauty can also mean different things to different people, making it hard to pin down and adhere to a single interpretation.

Clean Beauty and Marketing

The use of certain words in describing products sold in the United States is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But the FDA doesn’t have a definition for every word out there, and it can’t enforce standards in certain cases. For example, for the word “organic” to be used in a product description, the product must comply with both U.S. Department of Agriculture organic regulations and FDA labeling requirements. Use of the word “natural,” however, does not have to adhere to any regulations.
Using words and phrases that aren’t regulated and generally making any old product seem like the best, greenest pick is called greenwashing. The best way to avoid greenwashing is by getting your hands dirty and researching both the company and the individual product before you make a purchase. In short—learning to read labels is key to a successful clean beauty routine.

Ingredients You’ll Want to Avoid

Getting into the green beauty scene means you’re going to need to get comfortable reading labels and searching out scientific names. It’s a bit complicated if you aren’t used to it, but after a while you’ll get the hang of things. These are four heavy-hitter ingredients you may want may want to banish from your beauty routine.

Parabens

Parabens are used to preserve cosmetics and other products we come in contact with every day. These chemical substances are used in cosmetics to decrease the chance that your favorite liquid lipstick, for example, will become moldy in the tube. There is quite a lot of debate around whether parabens or other preservatives are safe for human contact and consumption. The FDA allows paraben use in cosmetics because there have not been any large-scale studies that prove they are harmful to human health. Regardless, many people still choose to avoid parabens because some studies have found them in breast tumors.
Fortunately, parabens are pretty easy to suss out of ingredient lists. Paraben ingredients’ names can start with many prefixes, but will always end in “paraben.” For example, methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben are all parabens you can opt to avoid.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly (or petrolatum) can be purchased as a stand-alone product and is also an ingredient in many cosmetics. It’s used to seal moisture into the skin because of its occlusive properties—which means it prevents water or moisture loss. Unfortunately, use of petroleum jelly is considered a threat to the environment and the human endocrine system. Petroleum is a byproduct of the petroleum—or oil— industry, meaning it’s a nonrenewable resource.
Instead of opting for petroleum-based hydration, reach for a renewable plant oil instead. Think of oils like coconut, jojoba, olive, and even shea butter. All of these come from plants that can continue to grow and produce more of the fruit or nut that contains the oil. They will all work to hydrate your skin, and the best part is you can pick and choose different oils for different levels of hydration. If you’re looking for a direct replacement for petroleum jelly, try plain old shea butter. It remains solid at room temperature and will melt into your skin as you use it, similar to petroleum jelly.

Formaldehyde

Shockingly, a 2015 study found that formaldehyde may be found in your beauty products even when it isn’t listed as an ingredient. This is an issue because formaldehyde is widely recognized as a sensitizer, meaning products containing formaldehyde can cause uncomfortable cases of contact dermatitis. You’re most likely to see formaldehyde (or formalin) in nail polish. Fortunately, nail products labeled “three free” do not contain any of the big three potential toxins or allergens commonly used in polishes, which makes purchasing safe alternatives easier.

Microbeads

Microbeads (also known as polyethylene or PEGs) are a problem for pollution, which in turn affects the environment and eventually human health. Although microbeads aren’t used as often in skincare and cosmetics as they once were, products that contain them are still on the market in some areas. The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 will prevent companies from introducing products containing microbeads starting in July 2019, but until then, check the label to see if a product you’re using or considering contains microbeads.
According to the 5 Gyres Institute—a nonprofit that has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and is spearheading microbead research and corrective initiatives with Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal, and Unilever—if you do own products that contain microbeads, do not flush them or rinse them down a drain.
Companies and consumers need to make concerted efforts to keep microbeads out of water sources. If you still want to get some use out of a product that contains microbeads, strain it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth before use, then throw the filter and microbeads away in the trash. Or if you’re done with the product altogether, squeeze it into the trash and recycle the container.

Clean Beauty and the Personal Care Act

In 2015, Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced the Personal Care Act, but the original bill was not enacted by Congress. In May of 2017, Feinstein introduced the Personal Care Products Safety Act. The goal of this act is to give the FDA more power to regulate ingredients used in cosmetics. It also requires the FDA to review five cosmetic ingredients every year to consider their potential toxicity and determine whether a concentration restriction should be implemented. This legislation could fill a gap in protection that U.S. consumers have faced for decades.
If this act is made into law, we’re likely to see a shift in the ingredients used in beauty products. Right now, though, the oversight of cosmetics is still fairly low in the United States compared to Canada and the EU, where regulation of ingredients in personal care items is much more stringent.

Clean Beauty Benefits

When you make the shift to using more (or only!) clean beauty products, you’ll not only gain insight into the ingredients that make up your products—you’ll also commit to taking control of what you’re putting on your skin. Knowledge is power, y’all, and even though we in the United States don’t have as much government oversight on cosmetics as we might like, we can choose to use products that feel safe for our health and our beauty games.

Where to Find Clean Beauty

Finding a brand that you trust is one of the first steps into the clean beauty scene. Depending on what products you’re looking for, you’ll need to check out different ingredients. To make your life a million times easier, the Environmental Working Group has a cosmetic ingredient database that can help you learn whether a given ingredient is safe or not. They do all the heavy lifting for you!
We have a few cult favorite clean beauty products that can get you started. For a natural looking base, try Juice Beauty’s Stem Cellular CC Cream. It comes in multiple shades to match your skin tone and has SPF 30. It will help even out skin tone and texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, all while protecting your face from the sun’s harmful rays.
RMS Living Luminizer is another favorite. It’s a super sheer, wet-looking highlighter that’s perfect for accenting your cheekbones on a good skin day. Kjaer Weis is known for their ultra luxurious products, and dreamy (refillable!) packaging. We suggest starting with their Magnetic Eyeshadow since it’s a shade that will suit all eye colors.
Taking charge of the products you use can be empowering! Clean beauty should put your mind at ease, and since the trend is really taking off, it will be easier than ever to find products and brands you trust in 2018. Welcome to the clean beauty crew!

Categories
Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

This Simple Skincare Routine Will Keep You Looking Fresh All Winter Long

Great skin isn’t just a sign of good health, it’s also a seriously attractive feature in a woman of any age. So what do you do when winter bares her teeth and ushers in dry, uninspired, or even downright itchy skin? You kick your cold air skincare regimen into high gear and make it to the spring equinox looking radiant.
Recently, skincare addicts have been touting the miraculous benefits of a 10-step Korean skincare regimen. But if you’re a mere mortal like me, you may only have the time, money, and patience for…slightly fewer steps. I did the research about simple changes beauty experts and dermatologists make to their routines to combat the effects of winter, and present perfect morning and evening winter skin routines that pack a punch but won’t overtax your wallet, or your patience.

The “Good Morning” Routine

Resist that bracingly hot shower you love.

At least, don’t take them too often during the winter, as anything over lukewarm for longer than 10 to 15 minutes can actually cause lasting harm to your skin in addition to over-drying it. The same goes for washing your face in the sink.

Switch to a cream cleanser.

Foaming or gel cleansers, or ones with other drying ingredients, like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, should be stashed on the shelf in winter when you’ll want to reach for a creamier option. We like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for a cheaper choice, or Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream for a few more bucks. Both are gentle enough for oily, dry, and combination skin.

Treat your skin to an extra layer of healing.

Between cleansing and moisturizer, it’s a good idea to apply at least one additional layer of nourishing protection during winter. If you tend to have oily, breakout-prone skin, you can opt for a very light serum like the Chlorella Serum from Skin Inc. that promises to “brighten and tackle” acne spots while it hydrates and de-flakes skin. If you struggle with a drier face, though, you might want to splurge on a serum with hyaluronic acid like Caudalie’s Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum.

Moisturize and protect.

Keeping your face hydrated and protected from the harsh winter elements is a must for maintaining healthy and pretty skin. Even if your skin usually produces more oil than you’d like, you’ll probably need a creamier product in winter than you do in summer. But don’t ditch that summer SPF when making the switch.
Even if it’s not sunny out, the harsh rays of the sun can travel right through cloud cover and damage skin no matter how low the temps go. Yep, dermatologists say you should wear sunscreen every single day of the year. But you can save a step and still stay protected by choosing a creamy moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or more. We love Juice Beauty Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 30 for oily or blemish-prone skin or Olay Professional Pro-X Age Repair Lotion (also SPF 30) for dry or aging skin.

The Goodnight Routine

Bye-Bye Makeup Residue

Before you cleanse at night, you’ll want to remove any makeup you applied in the morning or throughout the day. Though any gentle, non-drying makeup remover will work, I personally love using an inexpensive and gentle micellar water on a cotton pad—no rinsing necessary!
Then your morning cleanser and serum can step up to do double duty on the night shift.
No need for a different cleanser in the evening. Make life easy on yourself and cleanse your face thoroughly with the same product you used to start your day, then apply a light coating of your favorite serum to your face and neck.

Moisturize, p.m. style.

You don’t need SPF when the moon is out, so try a nighttime-specific option like CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is thick and creamy (but won’t clog pores), or you can splurge on a truly decadent anti-aging night cream like Vichy LiftActiv Night Supreme, which promises anti-wrinkle and firming effects in addition to hydration.
You’re headed for bed, so it’s a great time to lay it on thick and let the nourishing ingredients soak in.

Pamper your pucker.

Don’t forget to care for the sensitive skin on your lips, which can get flaky and dry quite easily in the winter. In addition to making sure your body is hydrated by drinking lots of water, it’s a good idea to keep a stick of gentle lip balm in your bedside table to swipe on right before you turn off the lights so the moisture can soak in as you sleep.

Extra Credit

Not everyone needs an eye cream separate from their normal facial moisturizer, but if fighting signs of aging is one of your goals, dabbing on a gentle eye cream like Clinique’s All About Eyes every morning after moisturizer and before makeup will fight wrinkles and fine lines.
Finally, you may think frequent exfoliating would be just the thing to rid your face of scaly, flaky winter skin. But experts say exfoliating just once a week is enough. On Sunday nights, after cleansing, I like to use a gentle exfoliating mask like this one from Karuna. Then, you can follow up with serum and an intensive moisturizing night mask (like this lovely pick from Clinique) that you wear until you rise and shine…with glowing, beautiful skin, of course.

More Skincare Products You’ll Love:

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Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

According To Dermatologists, These Are The Best Face Washes For Every Skin Type

We live in a wonderful time for skincare. In the ‘50s, American women relied on mere bar soap and cold cream to keep their faces clean. Today, there’s a never-ending list of facial cleansers to choose from. From gels, creams, and cleansers to powders, clays, and bars, the products available to us include dramatically different ingredients, and all their manufacturers make pretty big claims. So of these many options, which is the best face wash?
To navigate this maze of facial products, we turned to the experts to get the DL on the best face wash for every skin type. 
So, if you’ve been dying to know which ingredients help dry skin, we’ve got the answer. If you’re worried about an oily complexion or acne breakouts, we’ve got doctor-approved products to help you out. Even if you just want the simplest method to clean your face, we’ve got all-natural products to suit your skin.
Find out the dermatologists’ top suggestions for every skin type, and soon you’ll be out of the skincare maze enjoying the best face wash ever.

Best Face Wash for Dry Skin

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Multiple dermatologists recommend CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for dry skin. Margarita Lolis, MD, says, “The ingredients are simple and all serve to attract water and keep it within the skin.”
She adds that people with dry skin should look carefully at the ingredients in their cleanser. You want to add moisture, so look for things like glycerin, cholesterol, and petrolatum. Glycerin is a fat-based ingredient that softens skin, while cholesterol and petrolatum help the skin absorb moisture. If your face is irritated, find a cream with potassium phosphate, a soothing agent.
CeraVe has all these ingredients plus a healthy dose of purified water for extra moisture, so it does an excellent job of cleaning the skin without drying it out. Though the brand may not be fancy, it’s fairly easy to find, often costs less than $10, and keeps your skin beautifully hydrated.

Best All-Natural Face Wash For Dry Skin

Beauty Aura 100% Pure Grapeseed Oil

Not everyone wants to use synthetic ingredients like potassium phosphate on their skin. While those chemical-sounding compounds aren’t harmful, we totally understand if you’d rather take a simpler, more natural approach.
It turns out that there’s an incredibly good face wash for dry skin that you might have in your kitchen. Lolis recommends 100 percent grapeseed oil. If washing your face with oil sounds counterproductive, it’s actually a great way to keep your skin moisturized. “Grapeseed oil is fantastic,” says Lolis. “It’s a lighter oil that is absorbed into the skin and won’t clog pores.”
You won’t need to worry about sudden breakouts after using the oil. It’s light enough to carry the dirt away and wash away clean. When using oil to clean your face, start with a small amount. A little goes a long way!
When choosing a grapeseed oil, make sure you get one that’s completely pure. Oils of all types often get mixed with cheaper oils to bring the price down. For example, Forbes reported that 80 percent of olive oil isn’t really the high-quality, extra virgin oil it claims to be! To avoid slathering mystery oil on your skin, invest in a product like Beauty Aura’s 100% Grapeseed Oil. It’s completely pure, cold pressed, and made in the U.S.

Best Face Wash For Oily Skin

SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel

For oily skin, Jennifer T. Haley, MD, FAAD, recommends finding a wash that contains salicylic acid. The acid helps clear up oily skin and reduce inflammation around breakouts. Her top choice is SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel. It doesn’t have any irritating fragrances and contains salicylic and glycolic acid to clean your pores and gently clear away excess oil.
Reviewers rave that the gel prevents breakouts and keeps their skin incredibly clear. The only downside is the cleanser is a bit of a financial investment. But if you have very oily skin that’s prone to breakouts and room to splurge, the SkinCeuticals gel is well worth it.

Best Affordable Face Wash For Oily Skin

Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Cleansing Bar Soap

If you don’t have $50 around for face wash, we totally get it. Instead, you could try this affordable, natural alternative. Rhonda Klein, MD, MPH, suggests Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Cleansing Bar Soap for oily skin.
The bar is made from all-natural ingredients like activated bamboo charcoal, tea tree oil, and bergamot essential oil. The bamboo charcoal lifts away dirt and sucks up excess oils on the skin. Tea tree oil is naturally antimicrobial, so it fights infections that can cause acne and other blemishes. After everything is clean, the bergamot oil comes in to balance the amount of oils on the skin, leaving your face perfectly moisturized.
The best part is that one bar costs less than $15. And this isn’t like regular soap—the bamboo charcoal bar will last you quite a long time and definitely give you your money’s worth.

Best Face Wash For Aging Skin

PCA Skin Facial Wash and Glytone Mild Cream Cleanser

All the dermatologists we consulted agreed that the best face wash for aging skin has to include either lactic or glycolic acid.
“This will help remove ‘dead layers’ of adherent skin cells to allow for improved penetration of moisturizer,” says Haley. She prefers the PCA Skin Facial Wash because the lactic acid gently removes dirt and dead skin but allows your skin to maintain its pH balance.
Alan J. Parks, MD, prefers the Glytone Mild Cream Cleanser. “This cleanser utilizes glycolic acid for exfoliation and helps even out the skin tone and reduce the signs of aging. This particular face wash is creamy, so it’s great for dry skin.”
Though glycolic acid is good for oily and dry skin, it’s a little more harsh than lactic acid. It’s still perfectly safe to use, but if you’re concerned about aging and have sensitive skin, you may want to go with a lactic acid variety.

Easiest Face Wash

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water

Some people love to have a whole routine when it comes to cleansing their face at night. Others just want to wash off the dirt and get to bed as quickly as possible. If you want the fastest, easiest face wash, you have to go with micellar water.
Maral K. Skelsey, MD, loves micellar water for its cleansing and hydrating qualities. Plus, it works so fast! You just pour some onto a cotton ball, rub it all over your face, and that’s it. You don’t even have to rinse. It’s tough enough to take off dirt, grease, and eye makeup.
So, what are these “micelles” that make the water so magical? Skelsey says, “Micelles are clusters of molecules whose center is attracted to oil while the outside attracts water. When you put micellar water on a cotton pad, the water-loving side of the micelles are drawn to the cotton. The oil and dirt on the skin is lifted off by the other end of the micelle.”
Basically, it’s water that can selectively remove dirt. Regular water can’t make that happen.
Now, soap does remove dirt in a way similar to micelles, but it also leaves a drying residue that can be terrible for your skin. Micellar water leaves no residue. In fact, you can let it sit and absorb into your skin for an extra moisturizing effect.

Best Face Wash For Acne

Replenix Acne Solutions Wash  

For recurring acne, Klein suggests using a wash with benzoyl peroxide. She prefers Replenix Acne Solutions Wash since it contains a hefty 10 percent dose of benzoyl peroxide. The Replenix reviews on Amazon are incredible with over 1,200 satisfied face-washers singing its praises.
It works because benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that causes acne. Now, you may need to use this wash for a few weeks to see results, but once the acne is gone, it stays away! Some solutions with peroxide are drying, but the Replenix wash is specially formulated to keep your skin hydrated.

Best Natural Face Wash For Acne

Mother Dirt Cleanser

Now, benzoyl peroxide does sound pretty harsh, so we get it if you’d rather take a more natural approach to your acne issues. You might want to try this new approach to face wash—Mother Dirt. This cleanser is completely natural and full of plant-based ingredients all put together to keep your skin clean. But what makes it different is its approach to bacteria.
Though some bacteria can cause acne, your face is also home to good bacteria that keep your skin healthy and protected. Most washes kill off all the bacteria, leaving you without the good stuff. Mother Dirt is designed to get off all the dirt and oil, but leave your skin’s good bacteria unharmed.
The wash is hypoallergenic, gentle, and works well on sensitive skin. If you have acne and are tired of using potentially drying acids, Mother Dirt might be the face wash of your dreams.

Best Face Wash For Sensitive Skin

La-Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser

When you have really sensitive skin, a good face wash is nearly impossible to find. Everything is either too harsh and irritating or doesn’t leave your skin feeling clean! Thankfully, Klein recommends La-Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser. It’s a mouthful, but it works wonders!
Though the solution is incredibly gentle, it’s tough enough to remove dirt, oil, and even waterproof makeup. The glycerin in the wash gives it extra hydrating power and the thermal spring water feels soothing on the skin.
Anything I’ve ever tried by La-Roche Posay has been amazing, so between that brand and a dermatologist recommendation, this wash is a definite winner.

Best Travel Face Wash

Honest Beauty Refreshingly Clean Powder Cleanser

How many times have you gone on vacation and realized you didn’t bring a face wash? If you’re me, it’s every single time. Even if you do remember, it’s always a pain to pour your solution into those three-ounce travel bottles. Instead of going through that hassle, you can use Honest Beauty’s individually wrapped powder cleanser.  
Klein identifies this powder cleanser as an “essential.” Made from aspen bark, this cleanser is great for cleaning away excess oil without drying the skin. Just open your packet of cleanser, pour it in your hand, and add a little water. Rub your hands together until you get a foamy lather, then wash your face like normal.
This face wash is not only great for a deep clean while you’re traveling, but it also feels a little like a magic trick. Just add water and ta da! The tiny packet turns into an amazing face wash.

Best Face Wash For Irritated Skin

A-Derma Oat Milk Soothing Foam Gel  

Whether your skin is generally on the sensitive side or gets irritated during certain seasons, Sonam Yadav, MBBS, who runs New Dehli’s Juverne dermatology clinicrecommends A-Derma Oat Milk Soothing Foam Gel. “It has soothing oat extracts and also works fabulously for patients on isotretinoin and other drying acne medication[s].”
It contains Rhealba Oat Milk, which is used for its soothing and protective qualities. If you’re suffering from irritation, this wash will help you heal without causing extra aggravation. Plus, it’s paraben free and leaves your skin feeling soothed and soft.

Best Facial Cleansing Brush

Philips PureRadiance Cleansing System  

Though Haley has her preferred face washes, she says “I always recommend using an ultrasonic, gentle cleansing brush with a cleanser for two full minutes to enhance exfoliation and improve penetration of active ingredients.”  Haley insists that the brush is the real key to the best skin tone possible.
The Philips PureRadiance Cleansing System uses a brush that rotates and vibrates to get to your skin at every angle. The company claims that it’s ten times more effective than cleaning by hand, yet gentle enough that it doesn’t damage the skin. It even comes with a one minute timer (be sure to run it twice if you’re committed to following Haley’s advice) so you don’t shortchange your face wash.
If you have extremely sensitive skin, this may not be the best option, but for all other skin types, a cleansing brush is the best way to get some deep exfoliation without harming your skin. Pair it with one of the face washes above and your face will be cleaner and smoother than ever.
Of course, if you have your own favorite face wash, there’s no need to switch it up. But if you’re in the market for something new that actually works, follow the advice of the experts. These dermatologists’ entire lives are devoted to skincare, so if they recommend a product, you know it’s legit.

Categories
Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

Essential Products For The DIY Spa Day Of Your Dreams

Between work, the news, and social media stressors, you’re probably living in a constant state of low level anxiety. You’re not alone. So many of us spend all our time thinking about others or taking care of business that we never stop to take time for ourselves.
Instead of getting stressed about work or reading about the latest horrible thing that happened in the news, take a break. You can give yourself the spa day of your dreams without ever leaving your house or apartment. It’s a great way to relax and unwind on a budget.
You’re about to discover everything you need to turn your favorite room into a soothing haven. After your DIY spa day, you’ll have softer skin, rejuvenated hair, and that glow that comes from enjoying at least an hour with zero stress.

Set Up Your Space

Before you do any treatments, take a little time to set up your space and get into the relaxation frame of mind. Put your phone in the other room, play some soothing music, and take some slow deep breaths. All of these things send signals to your brain and body that the next hour or so will be all about you and all about relaxing.
Then, make your space as appealing as possible.

Candles

Candles = instant relaxation. They give your room a perfect glow and tell your brain it’s time to chill. Get a huge pack of tea lights that will last you through many spa days to come. To really set the mood, use this sea salt candle holder. Then, light an aromatic candle (like this one) to give your room that perfect spa scent.

Cucumber Water

When do you ever drink cucumber water? Only at the spa, right? Cut up some cucumbers and let them float in your cutest pitcher while you prepare the room for spa time. Add some lime or mint for an extra treat.

Get Your Spa On

Now that your mind and room are ready, it’s time to get your spa on. You can do any variety of treatments you like, but here are some ideas to get you started.

Face Mask

Try the Korean beauty Bubble Clay Mask for a totally unique at-home experience. It gets your pores super clean and has a fun, fizzy feeling. This mask is incredibly popular and how often do you get an excuse to play with bubbly clay?

Hair Mask

You don’t need anything fancy for a hair mask. In fact, you can use stuff that’s already in your kitchen.

For Normal to Dry Hair

Try an avocado mask. Just blend an avocado with coconut oil until you get a thick (maybe still a little lumpy) consistency. Apply it all over your hair and let it sit at least 20 minutes. Then rinse! Your hair will be hydrated and shiny and you can eat any of the ingredients that are left over.

For Oily Hair

Mash up a banana with a teaspoon of honey and apply from root to tip. Let sit for at least 20 minutes before rinsing. Your hair will enjoy the added nutrients and stay clean and oil free.

Perfect Nails

To take your nail treatment to the next level, start with a dab of cuticle oil. This milk and honey oil nourishes skin and repairs cracked cuticles. Give yourself a gentle massage as you apply the oil and let it sit on your fingertips for at least a minute. You’ll get super soft hands and healthier cuticles.
When it comes to painting your nails, if your manicure skills aren’t quite on point, use this liquid latex to keep your polish where it should be. Paint the latex wherever you don’t want the polish to go. Then polish your nail normally. Once everything is dry, peel off the latex and marvel at a job well done.

Super Smooth Feet

If you want smooth feet the second you step out of your home/spa, try this organic tea tree oil foot scrub. The light scrub exfoliates while the tea tree oil kills germs and bacteria naturally.
If you don’t mind waiting a couple days for results, spring for Baby Foot. Sure, your feet will look super gross for a day or two, but ALL the dead skin comes off! Seriously, if you have a strong stomach, check out the Baby Foot before, during, and after photos. You’ll have to deal with a lot of peeling, but it’s all in the name of having the softest feet ever.

Body Scrub

To save money and get crafty, make your own DIY scrub. Just combine sugar, an oil of your choice (like almond, coconut, or olive oil), and an essential oil for a pleasant scent. Lavender is great for a relaxing scrub or—if you want a more energizing scent—try an oil with ylang ylang.
If you don’t have time to make your own, try this Dead Sea salt scrub. It contains over 20 essential minerals to keep your skin in optimal condition. Plus, it’s much cheaper to get this scrub than it is to take a trip all the way to the Dead Sea.

Bath Bomb

Soak all the masks and scrubs away with a vegan bath bomb. Whether you want a little fizz in your tub or just a gorgeous scent, this set has you covered.
After all that pampering, you’ll be ready to face the stress of your day with a sense of calm. And when you need some dedicated me time again in a week or two, you’ll have all your DIY spa materials ready to go for another round of soothing treatments.

More Home Spa Products You’ll Love:

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Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

Clean Up Your Skin…With Bacteria?

Just a few years back, health-conscious women would think twice about leaving the house unless they were armed with a little bottle of hand sanitizer in their handbags, ready to take on the big bad germs out in the world with just a squirt. Now, more and more of people are intentionally spraying bacteria directly onto their skin.

Bacteria does not necessarily equal “bad.”

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, covering a surface area of about 22 square feet. And while that measurement is impressive, it might be even more helpful to think of your skin as its own ecosystem, for all across the creases, folds, and pores of your elastic epidermis live millions and millions of microorganisms. Yes, your skin is home to massive colonies of bacteria, fungi, viruses, mites—the very sorts of tiny biota we usually think we want to wipe out.
Not all bacteria are made equal, though. As many of us reaching for another serving of kefir and kale know, the presence of certain bacteria in our guts promotes digestion, metabolism, and nutrient uptake. These bacteria can also defend against disease. Similarly, scientists have been finding that many of the microorganisms on our skin—or skin flora, as they’re called—aren’t just harmless. They’re actually keeping us healthy.
Some cutting-edge research suggests, for example, that the cutaneous bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis helps boost our immune response to dangerous pathogens. Overuse of antibacterial soaps and sanitizers can kill off too many S. epidermidis, making it easier for harmful microorganisms to colonize our skin and harder for our body to fight off infection.

Mother Dirt is rethinking what it means to have clean skin.

Such findings have been compelling some to rethink their entire approach to skincare, which supports the sustainability of product lines that are compatible with our skin flora. Enter Mother Dirt.
Mother Dirt is a line of “biome-friendly” products for the skin developed by the biotechnologists and probiotic evangelists at AOBiome. According to the company, modern hygiene—from synthetic deodorants and moisturizers to over-showering and shampooing—have annihilated the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) our bodies need. AOB abound in soil and water and once naturally populated human skin. They break down ammonia, a major component in our sweat, and yield nitrogen-rich byproducts that may improve skin health.
As a response to the hypothesized deficit, AOBiome developed AO+ Mist, a patented and clinically tested spray containing those perspiration-hungry little AOBs.
Now, some hardcore AO+ Mist users have tried foregoing bathing altogether. AOBiome’s founder, David Whitlock, famously—or infamously—hasn’t showered since he was inspired to create his company after seeing some horses roll in the dirt well over a decade ago.
But don’t fear any BO bogeyman or greasy-hair gremlins: AOBiome recommends users spritz the product as a daily part of their hygiene routine, targeting the scalps, pits, feet, hands, and groin—you know, our sweatier crevices. And many misters have reported some seriously positive results: clearer, less oily and better-moisturized skin alongside reduced use of skincare products, which can be toxic to the environment in addition to having a harsh impact on our bodies.
The AO+ Mist runs around $50.00 and lasts about four weeks. It’s best kept in the fridge. Other Mother Dirt offerings include a face and body cleanser and shampoo.

For healthy skin, look to your lifestyle, too.

The science behind skin-based probiotics is young but promising. And more and more probiotic-enriched products are making it to market. Gallinée’s creams seek to return the skin to its natural pH levels, Tula’s serums and moisturizers incorporate superfoods like blueberries and turmeric, and the all-natural Crude hopes you’ll say sayonara to soap—and your acne, eczema, and rosacea—altogether.
Yet as with any new health trend, proceed with caution. In the last few decades, just think of the revolving cast of villains in our dietary drama: fat, carbs, gluten, sugar. Just as Mother Dirt wants to balance out your biome, aim for a balanced, holistic approach to your skincare. To help your skin flora thrive, you don’t need to rip out your shower and roll around in the dirt with Whitlock’s horses.
Revisit your diet and reach for skin-nourishing foods like strawberries, tomatoes, almonds, and fish. Rearrange your schedule to spend more time outdoors rather than being cooped up inside with sterilized surfaces and recycled air. Review your skincare products, including your makeups, for artificial ingredients and replace with natural alternatives where possible.
And reestablish your skincare reflexes. Yes, clean your hands thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom, while cooking, between dirty jobs, or when visiting a hospital, but consider washing up with a little soap and warm water—not immediately opening your palm for that bacteria-busting squirt.  

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Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

3 Winter Skin Woes To Watch Out For (And How To Protect Yourself)

The temperatures are dropping, and in many areas of the country the snow has started falling. We know that it’s important for physical and mental health to keep active outdoors during the winter, but doing so can make you even more susceptible to winter skin trouble. And whether you hit the ski slopes regularly or you try to spend as much time as possible out of the cold, winter is hard on your skin no matter what.
Fortunately, most winter skin ailments can be prevented. Here are three of the most common winter skin woes and how to keep them from ruining your winter fun.

Sunburn

When you think sunburn you probably think about lying on a warm beach, but sunburn is just as much of a risk during the winter as it is during the summer. Because of that, you’ll want to have a diligent routine that keeps your skin safe from burning even during the winter months.
Many people assume that because the sun’s heat feels weaker during the winter that it can’t do as much damage as it does during the summer, but this simply isn’t the case. Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which contribute to skin cancer and premature aging when they permeate the skin, are equally intense all year long, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. In addition they can damage your skin even if it’s a cloudy day.
Sunburn is common for people who ski or snowboard. The Skin Cancer Foundation says that snow can reflect up to 80 percent of light, nearly doubling your exposure to harmful UV rays. In addition, there are more UV rays at higher altitudes, so if you’re heading to the mountains you increase your risk.
The best way to avoid sunburn during the winter is the same as during the summer—using sunscreen. Choose a daily moisturizer that contains at least SPF 30, and if you’re headed to the slopes, cover as much of your face as possible (including using protective eye goggles).
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Windburn

Rosy cheeks are adorable during the winter…until they start stinging or burning. That’s because if your cheeks are rosy, chances are that you have windburn, a condition that happens when the harsh winter wind robs your skin of the oil that normally protects your skin (alarmingly, losing that oil also puts you at increased risk of sunburn).  
The best way to prevent and treat windburn is to keep your skin well moisturized. Chose an oil-based moisturizer and apply it frequently, up to four times a day. The best prevention for windburn is petroleum jelly or other barrier ointments or creams. Although you might not want to put that on your face, it can be a good option for kids who will be outside for long periods. Also, don’t forget the lip balm, since your lips can get windburned too!

Dry Skin

When it comes to winter ailments, dry skin is certainly among the most common. This might be because dry skin is exacerbated by conditions indoors and outdoors. Outside, the cold, dry air takes away your skin’s moisture, whereas inside, the dry air from your heating system does the same.
To keep dry skin under control, apply an oil-based moisturizer regularly. Inside the house you can also run a humidifier to make the air more moist. If your skin becomes chapped or cracked, it’s probably time to visit the doctor.
Don’t let skin ailments derail your winter fun!

 

Categories
Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

Want Healthier Nails? Here’s What You Need To Know

How far into fall do you get before your hands start to look like something Disney would do to the evil stepmother? The colder (and drier) the air gets, the more my hands scream for me to pay attention to them.
From the cuticles I’ve neglected while running myself ragged during the summer to the nails I’ve been using to dig in the sand and garden dirt, this is the time of year when my hands start screaming for a detox.
Care to join me? Here are some of the best ways to bring your nails, cuticles, and the rest of your hands back from the front lines.

Start with the basics.

Got [linkbuilder id=”6448″ text=”yellow nails”]? Yup, you, me and everyone else who opted out of using that base coat of nail polish. Who has all that drying time to waste on a coat that no one will even see? But a base coat won’t just protect you from polish staining your nails. It can actually make your manicure last longer.

Where to start?

Julep’s Oxygen base coat is a little pricey, but you want something free of toxins this close to your nails, and Julep’s products are free from chemicals that are often found in other polishes, such as formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and camphor.
OPI Start to Finish doubles as a base coat and a top coat, offering a pretty good bang for your buck.

Take a tip from your haircare.

Moroccan oil and coconut oil don’t just take care of your flyaways. Oils have surged in popularity for use on our hair, and it turns out they provide moisture for our hands too.
If you have dry cuticles (and who doesn’t this time of year?), add a drop of oil on each and rub it in. Don’t forget the nail itself. Even though we tend to think of them as dead, the nail is connected to living tissue—hence why they continue to grow—and the American Academy of Dermatologists says that nails need moisture too.

Remove your acetone remover.

Acetone makes fast work of old polish, but while it’s stripping your nails of that power red, it’s also stripping your body’s natural oils. Substitute a non-acetone remover (many brands offer both varieties) in its place for a healthier alternative. It will take more elbow grease to get the polish off, but your cuticles will thank you.
Zoya Remove + won’t just strip the polish, it moisturizes your nails too. And it’s reasonably priced.
Or grab an old standby! Cutex has a budget-friendly, acetone-free option.

Drink more.

Water, that is. Women are supposed be getting about 91 ounces (that’s 2.7 liters) of water a day, whether it’s in the form of plain water or via the foods and other beverages we consume. But the average adult drinks less than half of that every day.
That’s not good for your body, and it’s not good for your nails either. Moisture in means moisture fed to your fingers and toes, and well…you know how this works. Get a water bottle. Start drinking.

Polish your polish collection.

Ever peeked at the ingredient list on a bottle of nail polish and wondered how to pronounce half of those things? Scientists are still sorting out whether all of those chemicals are bad for our bodies. But while they’re doing the digging, you can put your nails on a toxin-free diet. The watchdog non-profit Environmental Working Group regularly reviews beauty products and rates their safety based on the ingredients. Check out their list to find toxin-free polishes.
Some of our favorite nontoxic nail polishes are Smith & CultButter LondonPacifica 7 FreeDeborah Lippmann, and Zoya.