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7 Clinical-Strength Deodorants for Fighting Body Odor This Spring & Summer

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Body odor is impossible to avoid. We all experience it to varying degrees, but come summer, some of us need a little extra help warding off sweat … and an all-natural solution won’t do it.

“Aluminum-based compounds are the most commonly used antiperspirant ingredient because they plug sweat glands, thereby significantly reducing the amount of sweat that is secreted onto the skin, says New York City-based dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology, Dr. Sejal Shah. “The most widely used aluminum compound is aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly. Aluminum chloride is usually found in prescription antiperspirants, but is also found in Certain Dri, which is OTC. Typically, the strength of the active ingredients is higher in the clinical-strength formulations.”

Fun fact: Deodorant and antiperspirant are actually two different things. While the former simply masks odor, the latter is what keeps sweat from excreting. That’s why the biggest body odor brands sell deodorants that contain antiperspirants; the combination of the two provides the most effective results.

At the same time, the side effects of aluminum have been disputed for years. Some say that although it aids in blocking pores and, subsequently, odor, it’s absorbed by the skin and may be linked to cancer. Countless studies have been done in recent years, but the general conclusion is that it’s more fiction than fact.

According to researchers at the National Cancer Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health, there isn’t “any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates food, cosmetics, medicines, and medical devices, also does not have any evidence or research data that ingredients in underarm antiperspirants or deodorants cause cancer.”

Shah also corroborates these findings. “Some research suggests that aluminum can interfere with estrogen receptors, and estrogen can promote the growth of breast cancer, which is where this idea stems from. However, these studies were performed in-vitro, and there is no evidence that it happens in a person,” she says.

“Further, a significant amount of aluminum is unlikely to be absorbed through the skin. One study found that the amount of aluminum absorbed through skin after applying aluminum-containing antiperspirants was much less than what would be absorbed from the foods one eats during the same time. To date, there really isn’t any strong scientific data that supports the claim.”

So, if your standard deodorant isn’t cutting it and you need something a little stronger to protect against perspiration and odor, worry not. Give one of these heavy-duty, clinical-strength deodorants a try for those days when you need a little extra help keeping fresh.

Clinical-Strength Deodorants: Mitchum Women’s Advanced Control Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

Mitchum Women’s Advanced Invisible Solid Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant, $2.99 at Target

Clinical-Strength Deodorants: Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid Deodorant

Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid, $7.99 at Target

Clinical-Strength Deodorants: Gillette Advanced Solid Ultimate Fresh Antiperspirant

Gillette Advanced Solid Ultimate Odor Protection, $9.99 at Walgreens

Clinical-Strength Deodorants: Dove Clinical Protection Cool Essentials Antiperspirant

Dove Clinical Protection, $7.88 at Walmart

Clinical-Strength Deodorants: Degree Summer Strength Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant

Degree Clinical Protection Summer Strength, $6.99 at Target

Clinical-Strength Deodorants: Certain Dri Prescription Strength Clinical Roll-On

Certain Dri Prescription Strength Clinical Roll-On, $5.67 at Walmart

Clinical-Strength Deodorants: Arm & Hammer Essentials Fresh Deodorant

Arm & Hammer Essentials Deodorant, $3.89 at Target


Originally posted on StyleCaster.


5 Black Beauty Editor-Approved Sunscreens That Won’t Make Your Skin Look Ashy

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Long after I’ve retired from this beauty editor gig, I’ll still be hammering the importance of sun protection into people’s heads. In my twentysomething years of living, it remains one of the most overlooked skin care habits, even as we continue to learn more about the connection between sun exposure and a handful of life-threatening diseases; ever heard of a little thing called skin cancer?

The list of excuses for not wearing sunscreen every day is long and tired. If you have time to drink a gallon of water every day or apply an entire makeup beat in minutes, surely you can make a little room for SPF. And when you consider the number of beauty products actually infused with protection properties, I mean… come on. It has to end here, even if you’ve got brown skin like me and are convinced SPF almost always leaves a white, chalky cast. The assumption that darker skin is immune to serious sun damage is one of the most dangerous myths out there. And for some reason, we keep believing it.

“Although darker skin does have more natural protection from the sun, daily broad-spectrum sunscreen use with an SPF of at least 30 is still highly recommended,” says Dr. Valerie D. Callender, medical director of Callender Dermatology & Cosmetic Center. “All skin incurs free-radical damage from UV radiation and the potential for skin cancer, regardless of color.”

Now, I’ll admit that the struggle can be real. More often than not, sunscreens made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — which happen to be the most widely used SPF ingredients — aren’t the most flattering on brown skin. But there are other options that don’t make us look like Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Alternatively, you can invest in SPF products that use a lower concentration of those ingredients since they do actually provide the protection we need. Ahead are five that I’ve actually tried and can recommend as viable options for darker skin.

Black-Beauty-Editor-Approved Sunscreens: PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45

This formula feels extra juicy when you first apply, but it’s quick-absorbing, transparent and doesn’t need an overabundance of rubbing in. It also has that Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation, so you know the experts would actually recommend it.

Callender adds that although it “contains zinc oxide at 9 percent, the micronized form used in conjunction with 7.5 percent octinoxate provides excellent protection without causing the gray hue often associated with zinc oxide use. This formula also contains silymarin and caffeine, two ingredients that add extra protection against the free-radical damage caused by UV exposure.”

Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45, $44 at PCA Skin

Black-Beauty-Editor-Approved Sunscreens: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen

I’m lucky enough to have skin that isn’t super-problematic, but it does get oilier than usual between seasons. Right now, I’ve got oil-blotting sheets in my purse along with this oil-free formula that dries into a matte finish. It makes for an awesome primer under makeup, but if you are wearing foundation, make sure that has some form of UV protection in it too.

Unseen Sunscreen, $32 at Supergoop!

Black-Beauty-Editor-Approved Sunscreens: Palmer’s Eventone Suncare Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

Cocoa butter is a staple moisturizer in our community, so a small part of me knew I would love this SPF-infused option that can be applied to the skin in the same way a deodorant is applied to the armpit. My only caveat is that all-too-familiar cocoa butter scent, which can be overwhelming if you love wearing fragrance every day.

Eventone Suncare Sunscreen Stick SPF 50, $6.99 at Palmer’s

Black-Beauty-Editor-Approved Sunscreens: Biossance Squalane + Mineral SPF 45

I’ve waxed poetic about the wonders of squalane oil before, and this sunscreen harnesses its moisturizing benefits along with a high level of SPF. My only tip would be to really blend this one in. When you first apply it to the skin, it does give off a gray cast because the formula is on the thicker side. But once it’s completely rubbed in, it gives the skin a matte feel that sits comfortably under makeup.

Squalane + Mineral SPF 45, $39 at Biossance

Black-Beauty-Editor-Approved Sunscreens: Australian Gold Mineral Lotion Non-Greasy

I’m definitely trying to incorporate more clean beauty products into my routine, which is why I tried this chemical-free botanical option. This one also requires a lot of blending, but my favorite thing about it is that it doesn’t transfer to the top of my shirts when I’m getting dressed and undressed. And the slight tint it leaves on your skin washes away easily with water. If you want that bronze glow without having to spend a ton on a bronzing oil, this is definitely an affordable alternative (with SPF to boot).

Mineral Lotion Non-Greasy, $12.99 at Australian Gold

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

How to Refresh Textured Curls Without Drenching Them in Water

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My hair journey is laden with plenty of benchmark moments, including a big chop and platinum-blond dye job. But none have been more challenging than waiting for my hair to grow out and in the process avoid over-manipulating my curls to the point of damage. The common misconception with super-short hair — textured or otherwise — is that cutting length somehow makes a day-to-day routine easier.

But if the past year has taught me anything, it’s that developing healthy hair habits takes discipline, time and plenty of trial and error. One of the biggest challenges that I and many other naturalistas face is figuring out how the heck to keep those fresh day one curls and coils intact without having to dunk our heads under the sink or shower every day.

Steam is your friend

The wet look is appealing, and for me, addictive, but since water (especially the hot kind) opens up the hair shaft, leaving it more susceptible to damage, that type of day-to-day moisture isn’t ideal. However, that doesn’t mean your hair needs to be completely shielded from water in between washes. According to celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims, whose clients include Gabrielle Union and Zendaya, the steam produced from it is actually a big help.

“I always recommend a taking a hot, steamy shower to add moisture to your curls without getting them wet. It’s always good to use a curl-defining product to enhance the natural pattern,” he says. Product options abound — including this list of our favorites — but Sims’ go-to is the Smooth ’N Shine Curl Defining Mousse. Whether you’re using this or something else, he recommends applying a quarter-size amount — give or take depending on your length — and working from root to tip, scrunching the hair with your hand and not a brush.

Diffuse with caution

From there, “you can air-dry naturally or use a diffuser to achieve more voluminous curls.” A diffuser is an attachment for a blow-dryer that helps disperse air more evenly over a large area, thus minimizing the intensity of heat that can disturb and destroy the curl pattern.

Regardless of the shape you use (the most common ones are flat), they should be used while the dryer is on a low heat setting and in constant movement. Again, keeping it concentrated in one area for a long time can lead to more frizz and a weak curl pattern. And if you’re doing this at night, stretch out the life of your curls even more by keeping them tucked under a satin bonnet or atop a silk/satin pillowcase to prevent them from fraying. Also, be wary of product buildup over time. In between styling, keep your scalp and strands refreshed with a clarifier like apple cider vinegar or simply stick to a clarifying shampoo on washday.

All in all, the combination of a dependable curl definer, steam and diffusion generally gets the job done. But ultimately, you’ll need a routine that’s as unique as your curl pattern, and that may include observing what others with hair like yours are doing. Ahead are the curl-defining routines of three popular bloggers with varying textures. Take notes and pay attention; you may spot a technique or product worth trying.

Here, blogger KandidKinks refreshes her type 4 curls using a combo of cream and oil products.

Although blogger LuhhSetty starts this tutorial with wet hair, it still provides a detailed step-by-step for those new to using diffusers. This same technique can be used on dry hair that’s been exposed to steam and a defining product.

And if you like using gel, blogger happycurlhappygirl demonstrates a water-free routine using Eco Style and flaxseed oil.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Everything You Should Know About the Beauty Benefits of Castor Oil

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I’ve been using castor oil for as long as I can remember… or whenever my mom started sending me to the beauty supply store for lip gloss and ponytail holders. My strands have been slathered in it, and my precious edges have been coated in it, but that’s where my expertise begins and ends. With its thick consistency and unusual smell, I’ve never considered using it anywhere beyond my head, but surprise, surprise: People actually use this stuff on their skin too.

Before you buy a jar of Jamaican castor oil and start wearing it like a body lotion, here’s a primer on what exactly castor oil is, the number of variations it comes in and the benefits it carries.

What is it?

Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the castor bean that can also grow into the plant known as Ricinus communis. The plant itself can appear in many different forms, from long, glossy green leaves to reddish-purple ones with circular, spiky lobes attached.

When oil is extracted from the bean, it looks either very pale yellow or dark brown in color with an easy-to-detect smell.

The types

According to Tropic Isle Living CEO and cofounder Lois Hines, what really splits castor oil into different categories is the extraction process. The two most widely used variations are cold-pressed and Jamaican black. Cold-pressed castor oil is extracted by simply pressing the beans without heat, therefore giving the oil a clear color.

“Jamaican black castor oil is a completely different process; [It is] made by first hand-picking wild organic castor beans and then allowing them to dry so that the seeds will pop out of the pods,” she says. “After the seeds are gathered, they are roasted, then pounded into mulch using a mortar. The mulch is later emptied into a large pot to which water is added. The pot and its contents are then laid on a slow-burning wood fire. The contents are continuously stirred, and as the oil rises to the surface, it is skimmed off.”

After the initial skim, it will go through additional phases of this to ensure it’s completely devoid of water. A couple more stirs will leave you with ultra-pure light- to dark-brown JBCO. If a castor oil product is labeled “virgin” or “organic,” that simply refers to how the beans were grown (Hines’ Tropic Isle Living uses a mixture of wild-grown and organic beans).

The hair benefits

Castor oil, regardless of how it’s extracted, contains omega-9 fatty acids (mainly ricinoleic acid), which is where most of its health and beauty benefits stem from. JBCO is particularly renowned for its emollient properties, meaning it absorbs easily into the skin, scalp included. Once there, it can improve blood circulation, reduce flaking and itch and lock in moisture.

“We know that Jamaican black castor oil has many benefits in the hair, including the cleansing of toxins from hair and scalp, repairing dry hair, serving as a great moisture sealant for texturized hair, stimulating hair growth and thickness (like in our Tropic Isle Living Strong Roots line) and adding sheen to the hair,” says Hines.

Castor oil, Jamaican black or otherwise, can be a little heavy on fine or fragile hair, but your hair’s porosity — or its ability to retain moisture — is what will determine whether it can handle castor oil or not. In that case, you can opt for a specially made lighter blend or not at all.

The skin benefits

Hines also cites castor oil as a traditionally known all-purpose healing oil. “It is also a carrier oil, which means that it will mix well with other oils as well as help carry nutrients of these oils when mixed properly,” she says. That’s an especially important trait for sensitive skin types to remember, since using castor oil in its purest form may overwhelm and cause irritation.

In addition to serving as an intense moisturizer for people with drier skin, it can also be utilized as a de-puffer under the eyes or within an oil-cleansing regimen to treat acne. And although Jamaicans have used the oil as a laxative, Hines recommends sticking to topical formulas. Lastly, since castor oil is derived from a bean, some of which share properties with certain tree nuts, people with nut allergies (or bean/legume allergies) should be careful and consult with a doctor before making the oil a regular part of their beauty routine.

Ahead are seven of the most popular castor oil-infused beauty products out today, including a pick from Tropic Isle Living.

Beauty Benefits of Castor Oil: Bumble and bumble Brilliantine

Bumble and bumble Brilliantine

An oil-based styling cream made to add polish, hold and sheen to thick straight or curly hair.

Brilliantine, $24 at Bumble and bumble

Beauty Benefits of Castor Oil: Caudalie Makeup-Removing Cleansing Oil

Caudalie Make-up Removing Cleansing Oil

Even waterproof makeup is no match for this silky, smooth formula that dissolves makeup without leaving a greasy film behind.

Make-up Removing Cleansing Oil, $28 at Caudalie

Beauty Benefits of Castor Oil: Madam CJ Walker Jamaican Black Castor Pure Clarifying Shampoo w/ ACV

Madam CJ Walker Jamaican Black Castor Pure Clarifying Shampoo w/ ACV

Combined with the antiseptic properties of apple cider vinegar, this shampoo strips the strands and scalp of buildup without taking away natural oils.

Madam CJ Walker Jamaican Black Castor Pure Clarifying Shampoo w/ ACV, $18 at Sephora

Beauty Benefits of Castor Oil: Oyin Handmade Nourishing Lip Balm in Honeysticks

Oyin Handmade Nourishing Lip Balm in Honey Stick

Apply a thin layer of this honey- and oil-infused formula to your kissers for moisture that’ll last from sunup to sundown.

Nourishing Lip Balm in Honey Stick, $4 at Oyin Handmade

SheaMoisture Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque

A Jamaican black castor oil-infused hair treatment for strands that need an intense boost of hydration outside of the normal shampoo sesh.

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque, $13.49 at Ulta

Beauty Benefits of Castor Oil: Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil

JBCO, extracted from organic and wild-grown castor beans in Jamaica — the best of the best!

Jamaican Black Castor Oil, $12.99 at Tropic Isle Living

Beauty Benefits of Castor Oil: Vernon Francois Re~Vamp Mid Length Repair Cream

Vernon François Re~Vamp Mid Length Repair Cream

An intense repair agent created by the man who regularly styles Lupita Nyong’o’s hair.

Re~Vamp Mid Length Repair Cream, $33 at Vernon François

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

The SPF-Infused Setting Sprays & Powders That Pinch-Hit When You Forget Sunscreen

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We’re grateful that sun protection has evolved past the smelly creams and sprays our parents would make us apply as children. Unfortunately, we still need someone — anyone, really — to remind us that wearing SPF doesn’t have a cutoff age. Sunscreen isn’t the sexiest product in our beauty arsenal, but with sun exposure rising to dangerous levels (hello, global warming!) and the always-looming threat of skin-related disease, there are simply no excuses.

Even if you’re running out the door every morning and forget to apply sun protection somewhere between your moisturizer and foundation, setting sprays and powders are the clutch last-minute skin saviors that may not cover your entire body, but at least shield your face from the elements. Whether you prefer a dewy setting spray or matte powder, ahead are the best-selling finishers with SPF for when you forget to slather on the sunscreen.

SPF-Infused Setting Sprays and Powder: bareMinerals Mineral Veil Setting Powder Broad Spectrum SPF 25

bareMinerals Mineral Veil Setting Powder Broad Spectrum SPF 25

This loose powder is available in translucent or tinted form to protect the skin from UVA/UVB rays while blurring the appearances of lines and creases under makeup. Talc-free and dermatologically tested, it also absorbs oil without stripping the skin of moisture.

Mineral Veil setting powder broad-spectrum SPF 25, $23 at bareMinerals

SPF-Infused Setting Sprays and Powder: Ilia Flow-Thru Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20

Ilia Flow-Thru Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20

Expect just a hint of luminosity when you apply this lightweight vegan formula over makeup that needs help staying put. The open-and-close function of the brush applicator also makes it the perfect on-the-go travel companion for your purse.

Flow-Thru Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20, $34 at Ilia

SPF-Infused Setting Sprays and Powder: Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral Powder SPF 30

Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral SPF 30

If you're prone to greasy skin during the spring/summer seasons, this talc-free matte powder absorbs excess oil while also protecting the skin as it’s exposed to the sun and other environmental stressors.

Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral SPF 30, $30 at Sephora

SPF-Infused Setting Sprays and Powder: AmorePacific Resort Collection Sun Protection Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

AmorePacific Resort Collection Sun Protection Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 30 

This luxurious formula is chock-full of skin-saving ingredients, including plum extract for healing heat damage, matsutake mushroom and bamboo sap for moisture and, of course, ample sun protection.

Resort Collection Sun Protection Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $75 at AmorePacific
SPF-Infused Setting Sprays and Powder: Coola Organic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Sunscreen Spray

Coola Organic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray

Made with 70 percent certified-organic ingredients, hyaluronic acid (for moisture) and aloe vera (for calming irritation), this setting spray is for anyone who doesn’t want to sacrifice their makeup for the beach or other setting with excess sun exposure.

Organic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray, $36 at Coola

SPF-Infused Setting Sprays and Powder: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Sheer Mineral Sun Spray SPF 50

Dr Dennis Gross Sheer Mineral Sun Spray SPF 50

This water-resistant formula, free of chemical fillers, is built to last through two hours of physical activity. Even if your skin is already wet, the formula dries sheer without leaving a tinted residue behind.

Sheer Mineral Sun Spray SPF 50, $42 at Dr Dennis Gross

SPF-Infused Setting Sprays and Powder: Hampton Sun SPF 55 Continuous Mist

Hampton Sun SPF 55 Continuous Mist

The oil-free formula, enhanced with the brand’s signature Privet Bloom scent, sprays lightly and evenly onto the skin, providing your makeup or bare skin with a silky feel and sun protection too.

SPF 55 Continuous Mist, $32 at Hampton Sun

SPF-Infused Setting Sprays and Powder: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

This SPF shield can be used on bare skin or over makeup to provide sun protection in and out of water. It’s also nonsticky, so if you’re playing in the sand, you needn’t worry about making a mess.

Ultimate Sun Protection Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, $36 at Shiseido

SPF-Infused Setting Sprays and Powder: Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50

Supergoop! Invincible Setting Powder SPF 45

Mattify your makeup and brush on sun protection with this sweat-resistant formula housed in a travel-friendly brush applicator.

Invincible Setting Powder SPF 45, $30 at Supergoop!

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

How to Wear Bronzer if Your Skin Is Already Brown

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In a matter of weeks, assuming Mother Nature cooperates, we’ll all be living our best lives in the shining sun. But honestly, a lit-from-within (and out) glow is a year-round goal for most. Although it’s obvious self-tanners were pretty much made for this purpose, it’s kind of unclear what the deal with bronzer is.

For someone with fair skin, it makes total sense. You just brush or swipe it on to give your skin a hint a color. But if your skin is the same tone as what you’re seeing in most bronzer compacts, it all seems pretty pointless, right? Ahead, makeup artist Lavonne Anthony breaks down exactly how to bronze if you’re already melanin-rich or if you simply want to add a brown booster to your product lineup.

Know the benefits

At the most basic level, Anthony explains that the purpose of bronzer is to give you the appearance of a tan or a glow. Bronzer is usually applied to give a highlight effect to the cheekbones, forehead, bridge of the nose and chin. Since these points are already naturally pigmented on deeper skin, bronzer should simply be used to highlight them.

“Bronzer is definitely beneficial for people who have darker skin because what you can do is accentuate a glow that you already have,” says Anthony. The key is to enhance only certain areas of the face. “Instead of looking oily or appearing as though you just finished a SoulCycle class where there’s too much perspiration, bronzer application should appear intentional yet effortless,” she says.

Steer away from mattes

Before you go out an grab any ol’ compact from the store, here’s what you should know. If your skin is dark, you’re not using bronzer for color, so matte finishes aren’t impactful. If you’re more of a light to medium brown, Anthony says that a matte bronzer needs to be significantly darker (at least two shades) than your natural tone for it to give you a tanned skin effect.

She warns, however, that using a bronzer on already dark skin can end up just looking like you’ve contoured. “You should never use bronzer as a contour because the light reflection in it cancels the purpose. Bronzer should be used for bronzer, and contour should be two shades darker than your skin and matte,” says Anthony.

Stick with shimmer

Instead of a matte finish, go for shimmery bronzer with copper and gold undertones that will accentuate and show up on your melanin-rich skin. “The best way to choose a bronzer shade is to determine how much of a glow you would like,” says Anthony. If you want something that is very strobelike, then look for one that has larger shimmering particles.

If a subtle glow is more your speed, Anthony suggests using a softer powder or a loose pigment powder with smaller shimmer flecks. And if you want just a hint of shine, grab a cream bronzer. “My favorite types of bronzers for darker skin would be cream and soft powder formulas. There is a balance between highlighting the skin with the strobe effect and giving the skin a bronzy effect,” Anthony adds.

Apply strategically

Anthony says that the best spots to apply bronzer are on the high planes of your cheekbone — meaning the outer corners of your eye area by the temples — at the top of your forehead, a small amount on the bridge of the nose, the chin and right above the eyebrow arch. Also, keep your skin type in mind. If you’re prone to oiliness, you may want to avoid adding anything shiny, like a glistening bronzer, on your T-zone.

Shop smart

Where you fall on the deeper end of the spectrum will determine how a bronzer reads on your skin. In general, stick with warm undertones, like gold and copper, instead of silvery ones that can read as ashy, even on medium-brown skin. Here are Anthony’s top picks and a few others that have proven track records among bronzer aficionados.

Bronzer for Brown Skin: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Cheeky Bronze

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Cheeky Bronze

The soft coral base with swirls of golden shimmer marbled throughout have the exact undertones that deeper skin tones need to warm skin up and highlight without looking ashy.

Mineralize Skinfinish in Cheeky Bronze, $34 at MAC

Bronzer for Brown Skin: RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer

RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer

This sheer true-bronze cream is suitable on any skin tone, from deep to fair. It also has vitamin A and beta-carotene, so it’s treating skin while giving you all the glisten.

Buriti Bronzer, $28 at RMS Beauty

Bronzer for Brown Skin: Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer in Bronze Radiance

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer in Bronze Radiance

It’s tinted just enough to help hide any skin discoloration or blemishes and gives skin a hint of a glow that looks dewy and not oily. Plus, it has SPF, so it’s an all-in-one for fresh and healthy skin.

Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer in Bronze Radiance, $45 at Laura Mercier

Bronzer for Brown Skin: Becca Gradient Sunlit Bronzer in Sunset Waves

Becca Gradient Sunlit Bronzer in Sunset Waves

A combo of copper, bronze and rose gold give brown skin a multidimensional glow, without a ton of glittery chunks.

Gradient Sunlit Bronzer in Sunset Waves, $38 at Becca Cosmetics

Bronzer for Brown Skin: Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer Powder

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer Powder

A fan fave among beauty pros who use bronzer to contour, this one actually comes in shades dark enough to add some chisel to deeper complexions.

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer Powder, $53 at Nordstrom

Bronzer for Brown Skin: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Rum

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Rum

If you’re looking for something that’s statement-making and sparkly, this is it. But it still won’t dole out any huge chunks of glitter that make it unwearable during the day. The bronze undertones are ideal for brown skin.

Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Rum, $25 at Fenty Beauty


Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Fact or Fiction? Debunking the Most Common Myths About Hair & Water

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Water rarely gets a bad rap. It helps keep vital organs functioning, and when our hair just isn’t working, that added moisture makes it easier to style. And if you’re growing out a very short haircut like me, wetting your hair every day almost feels necessary. But that daily process also takes time, and according to Britta Cox, founder of the innovative hair-drying system Aquis, it could be doing more harm than good.

While too much heat on the hair can cause irreversible damage, dousing it in water isn’t any better. Ahead, we debunk the biggest myths about how our hair interacts with water and finally separate fact from fiction... just in time for a new season.

Wet hair creates better curl definition

The verdict: Fact (sort of)

Although getting your hair wet can help your curls re-form and take shape, the by-product will almost always be frizz. “Think of when you go out when it’s raining, and you just spent all this time on your hair in the morning. You’d protect your hair from the rain because it causes frizz, right? Spraying water onto your hair can help the curls re-coil, but also will cause that same frizz rain will,” says Cox.

To harness the benefits of wet curls, try a resetting spray instead. This will give them spiral and bounce but also protect them from the side effects of water.

Going outside with wet hair is OK

The verdict: Fiction

Most of us will walk out the door with wet hair to avoid the blow-drying and flat-ironing that leads to heat damage. But according to Cox, leaving hair soaking wet isn’t good for it either.

“Think about your nails after you come out of a bath. They look and feel soft and weak — not strong and healthy as they do when they are dry. This same thing happens to your hair after long exposure to water (your hair and your nails are both made of keratin),” she says.

The fancy word for this chemical change is called hygral fatigue, which is better known as water fatigue. Putting your hair through this on a daily basis weakens the hair strands, leading to breakage, frizz and all of the other signs of damage we’ve grown accustomed to. So don’t do it!

Water type doesn’t matter

The verdict: Fiction

Hard water, or water that has a high mineral content, can absolutely negatively impact your hair. So what separates “hard” water from the regular kind? Think of it like this: a water molecule is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

But when water molecules percolate through limestone (i.e., pipes), they can pick up extra minerals, such as calcium and magnesium deposits, that can not only show up on your shower head but get into your hair too.

“Think about that white stuff that can appear on your shower door — those are the deposits being left in your hair,” says Cox. “Depending on the hard water type, it could even be making your hair more weighed down, meaning you’re spending more time volumizing your hair with products and heat.”

Air-drying is better than heat-drying

The verdict: Fact (sort of)

There’s no clear-cut answer to this. While leaving hair wet can result in a lot of damage, so can blow-drying it.

“You know, a lot of people don’t know this, but leaving hair soaked with water without zapping it out can result in a lot of damage similar to heat — frizz, dullness, tangles, breakage,” says Cox. “However, heat can actually break the bonds in curly hair (ask any curly-haired person who has suffered from severe heat damage) — meaning your hair can actually stop curling. You can’t rebuild those bonds once they’re broken too.”

Although a diffuser attachment won’t completely reverse the damage, it’ll certainly ease the distribution of heat onto your strands.

The hair porosity test is accurate

The verdict: Fiction

Experts routinely say that the hair’s ability (or lack thereof) to retain moisture largely determines the way we should treat it, thus maximizing the benefits of our go-to products. The most popular way to determine where our hair falls on the porosity scale involves cutting a small strand from our head and dropping it into a glass of water. If the strand floats after three to four minutes, you categorize as low porosity. If it sinks, consider your hair high porosity.

Cox says that the accuracy of this test is generally true, “but if your hair is covered with oil or sebum, it will likely float, even if it is porous,” so this test isn’t the end-all, be-all.

It’s OK to rinse your hair with hot water

The verdict: Fact (sort of)

Washing the hair with hot water actually accelerates the water fatigue process we talked about before. “However, once the hair is fatigued, rinsing it with cold water doesn’t make the cuticles close any faster. Cold water is great for your lymphatic system and skin, but doesn’t do anything for your hair,” says Cox.

Her best advice would be not to wash — or rinse — your hair with scalding-hot water. Instead, be gentle on it, like you would your skin.

Drinking a lot of water will help my hair grow faster

The verdict: Fiction

Although water is essential to the body, drinking more of it won’t have a direct effect on hair growth. What matters more is how water is topically applied to the strands.

“Water is great for your skin, though, and as your scalp is skin, water is probably good for your scalp health,” says Cox.

Steam is good for hair

The verdict: Fiction

While steam may be an effective detoxifying method for hair, it actually has the opposite effect on hair strands, damaging them from the inside out.

“When it comes in contact with water (including in the steam form), the inside core of your hair strand swells and bloats, pushing open the protective layers (called cuticles). Cuticles just aren’t meant to open and close that often. They’re not hinges. Broken cuticles are hair breakage. Open cuticles are frizz. Cuticles catching onto each other are tangles. Healthy hair is basically healthy, flat-lying cuticles,” says Cox.

Satin is the best fabric for hair

The verdict: Fiction

Although satin is cheaper and more accessible, silk is actually the best fabric for hair since it’s gentler. While the latter can give you a similar slippery feeling, it’s usually blended with rougher polyester. At the same time, neither silk nor satin is exactly ideal for drying sopping wet hair.

The next best thing would be a microfiber towel, which tends to dry hair faster than a cotton towel. But since they are also designed with an electromagnetic charge to catch dirt and moisture, that same charge also catches onto vulnerable wet strands, causing breakage, frizz and tangles.

If you need a happy medium, Cox recommends her Aquis towel. It dries with the speed of a traditional microfiber one but is made with a unique patented technology similar to workout gear that gently wicks away moisture.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

What to Know About the Connection Between Gut Health & Skin

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Pretty much anything that malfunctions on the outside of our bodies indicates something has gone wrong on the inside, skin included. Sure, there are a ton of factors to consider like general sensitivity, acne and allergies — but even some of those things can link directly to our gut.

Think of your gut as the brain for your skin. When the former is out of whack, it’s going to let us know in some pretty obvious ways. So, if you’ve been on a clear-skin plan in anticipation of swimsuit season but have hit some hurdles that you can’t seem to figure out, take a deeper look inside with the help of two gut-savvy experts who can help get things back on track.

Grasp the connection

Healthy, radiant skin usually reflects a healthy gut; however, skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema and acne typically indicate that something’s not quite right. “The balance of your microbiome is most likely off. This usually can be from bad bacteria or fungal overgrowth from poor diet or exposure to bad bugs (parasites),” says Dr. Frank Lipman, author of How to Be Well and founder of Be Well Skin.

Check for leaky gut syndrome

Digestive issues, skin flare-ups, chronic fatigue and aches/pains are all common symptoms of leaky gut, a condition that could also be the culprit behind problematic skin. When our intestinal lining is working properly, it forms a tight barrier, which controls what is absorbed into our bloodstream. “However, a compromised gut lining allows toxins, undigested food particles and bad bacteria to ‘leak’ out of your intestines and to then travel throughout your body via your bloodstream,” says Dr. Whitney Bowe, author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin.

The immune system marks foreign substances as threats and therefore attacks them. What you’ll see as a result could be inflammation, which is your body’s way of telling you that it’s working to fight off these things that do not belong. Lipman explains that things like drugs, alcohol, gluten and processed foods can damage the lining of the gut wall, leading to an imbalance of bacteria and yeast called dysbiosis.

“Rashes, rosacea and hives are common skin flare-ups that can come from gut dysbiosis,” says Lipman, though most can be cured through proper diet and supplements.

Unfortunately, a leaky gut can be difficult to detect. “The only symptom might be inflammation in the skin in the form of acne, rosacea, eczema, stinging, burning or chronically dull complexion. And while all of these will likely raise a brow for you, you may not link it to what you’re ingesting. Some people develop symptoms like bloating or gastrointestinal discomfort, but I’ve treated many patients who didn’t even realize their gut was not in a healthy state until we changed their diet and it cleared up their skin,” says Bowe.

The solutions

Monitor what you eat

That age-old adage, “You are what you eat,” definitely applies here. “Your diet has a direct impact on the health and radiance of your skin,” says Bowe. She says that you will want to skip the processed foods that we rely on so regularly just for convenience. “These foods slow digestion, and the resulting stagnation causes an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria in our gut,” Bowe explains. This can lead to bacteria entering our bloodstream, which creates system-wide inflammation and can manifest as skin conditions ranging from acne and rosacea to eczema and even premature aging.

Start a smart-gut plan

If you want something more regimented, Bowe’s The Beauty of Dirty Skin includes a 21-day plan for rebooting from the inside out. It’s a three-week program that starts with addressing dietary changes, and in Week 2, it addresses the brain component by dialing down chronic stress and introducing healthy exercise and mindfulness strategies. The final week focuses on skin care products and DIY options to restore unhealthy skin.

Switch up your snacking

Overhauling everything that you eat in the name of good skin can be daunting. It’ll definitely take some discipline and the breaking of old habits, but clear skin that starts in your gut is definitely achievable. Bowe explains that with the addition and subtraction of specific foods, in a matter of a few days (three is all it takes!), you can see a significant difference.

“Introducing fermented foods and drinks like kombucha, kimchi and miso soup helps to maintain the integrity of your gut lining,” says Bowe. They also serve as natural antibiotics, help to balance your body’s pH and control inflammation, which is the root cause of many of these skin conditions. Of course, everybody is different, so results will depend on your symptoms and your particular condition — and the healing process is impacted by a number of different factors.

Add probiotics for gut strength

Another way to boost both good bacteria internally and a healthy glow on the outside is by adding an oral probiotic to your regimen. “Oral and topical probiotics support the health of the ‘good bugs’ that make up our microbiome to keep our gut and skin healthy,” says Bowe. They fight bad bacteria, help regulate the immune system by working to control inflammation and keep your gut lining strong so that it doesn’t leak.

And don’t forget prebiotics

Eating a diet rich in prebiotic and probiotic foods, as well as consuming collagen and bone broth, can help heal the gut lining. Lipman says that probiotics (such as yogurt and tempeh) in particular are essential for repopulating the good bacteria in the gut.

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are a form of fiber that we cannot digest, but they get consumed by the “good” bugs in our gut to benefit us. “As our guts metabolize these otherwise nondigestible foods, they produce short-chain fatty acids that help us meet our own energy needs,” says Bowe. Although not all forms of fiber act as a prebiotic, Bowe says that dandelion greens are one of the best sources. Mix it up in a smoothie if you want an easy way of ingesting it.

Prepare for breakouts

Fair warning as you work to reboot your system — breakouts are to be expected. As your system purges the impurities that were flooding your system, Lipman warns that your skin may get worse before it gets better, but again, this again varies per person. “Drink lots of water, do a gentle cleanse, enjoy some infrared sauna sessions and practice stress-relieving techniques daily,” he says.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.


7 Drugstore Tinted Moisturizers That Will Ease Your Summer Makeup Routine

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On the go and need some skin hydration? Looking for the no-makeup makeup look? It’s time to grab a tinted moisturizer. Tinted moisturizer isn’t as heavy or full-coverage as foundation, and it doesn’t contain primer like BB cream. However, it packs tons of moisture, a nice sheer tint and an easy lightweight coverage.

You could ball out and opt for a product that’s $40 plus, but sometimes, your local drugstore has stuff that’s just as good for a lot less. We’ve rounded up the seven best drugstore tinted moisturizers out there so you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting. Keep scrolling to see which one fits your needs best.

Tinted Drugstore Moisturizers: e.l.f Tinted Moisturizer

e.l.f Tinted Moisturizer

An aloe- and cucumber-infused formula won’t leave your skin feeling dry and flaky, while its lightweight coverage provides a seamless finish.

Tinted Moisturizer, $3 at e.l.f

Tinted Drugstore Moisturizers: Jolie Mineral Sheer Tint

Jolie Mineral Sheer Tint

An oil-free formula gives you coverage without a greasy feel. The water-resistant moisturizer is perfect for hot days when things can get sweaty fast.

Jolie Mineral Sheer Tint, $22.95 at Amazon

Tinted Drugstore Moisturizers: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers

With vitamins A, C and E, this formula glides onto the skin with a lightweight touch and a little added shimmer.

Healthy Skin Glow Sheers, $11.04 (was $12.99) at Neutrogena

Tinted Drugstore Moisturizers: No7 City Light Tinted Moisturizer

No7 City Light Tinted Moisturizer

No7 has a patented antioxidant complex that helps to protect skin from environmental stressors like pollution. Plus with its SPF protection, your skin will remain hydrated and safe from sun exposure.

No7 City Light Tinted Moisturizer, $14.99 at Walgreens

Tinted Drugstore Moisturizers: Olay Complete Tinted Moisturizer

Olay Complete Tinted Moisturizer

This sheer coverage not only blends easily, but evens skin tones, hydrates, smooths and protects.

Olay Complete Tinted Moisturizer, $8.30 at Walmart

Tinted Drugstore Moisturizers: Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Tinted Moisturizer

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer

Made with organic fruit water, this product delivers serious hydration to the skin. It’ll give you moisture plus sheer, natural coverage too.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer, $11.99 at Rite Aid

Tinted Drugstore Moisturizers: W3LL PEOPLE Bio Tint Moisturising Foundation

W3ll People Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer

This plant-based formula may have only four different shades, but its bonus of SPF 30 and incredible matte coverage make up for that shortcoming.

W3ll People Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer, $28.99 at Target

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Experts Debunk the Biggest Myths About Stretch Marks

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Stretch marks are a natural part of life… or are they? It seems we’re never done debating whether they can be avoided, treated or gotten rid of altogether. And although it seems women as a whole are becoming more accepting of them and other parts of our natural appearance — like body hair — stretch marks are definitely still a sore spot for some. Even I’ll admit that it took me a long time to embrace those squiggly lines across my chest and thighs instead of trying every “miracle” product to get rid of them.

Now, while we agree that what a woman does with her body is definitely her choice, it’s high time we got to the bottom of what is and isn’t in our control. Ahead, two doctors — Dr. Harold Lancer and Dr. Howard Sobel — debunk the biggest myths about stretch marks, from treatments to prevention (if that exists), and explain how they actually form.

Partially true: Stretch marks are a natural part of body development

According to Lancer, this is true in some cases. Sometimes, it has to do with a rapid shift in weight, and other times, it can depend on your gene pool, puberty or hormone (such as estrogen) production. In laypeople’s terms, women can't necessarily control whether they have them or not.

“Stretch marks may occur after puberty, although there are also familial traits, ancestry or hormonal traits (estrogen) to consider too. But there’s usually a body mass shifting with either weight gain or weight loss or fluid retention that causes a stretching component to the skin,” he says. This includes pregnancy too.

Sobel agrees, saying, “Stretching of the skin is the most common cause, but stretch marks can be caused by hormonal changes, medications and stress that weakens the elastic fibers in the skin.”

False: Stretch marks occur only in women

This is complete fiction, but Lancer notes they’re usually much less common in men (maybe about 1 percent of cases). When men do develop stretch marks, it usually has to do with medical therapies or weight and body mass shifting.

True: Stretch marks change color

There may be truth to this. Most stretch marks start ruby-red or violet and eventually lighten to pink or pale pink. Ultimately, color fluctuation will depend on the person’s ancestry and ethnicity. And none of these colors indicate a problem, as stretch marks aren’t a threat in any way to your health.

False: You can make stretch marks disappear with products

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in general, topical treatments alone aren’t going to prevent or resolve stretch marks. However, there are some things you can do to at least minimize their appearance if that’s what you want. First, hydration makes a huge difference.

“Keeping the skin moisturized does help increase the skin’s elasticity and treat symptoms of existing stretch marks including itching and irritation,” says Sobel. He highly recommends a daily moisturizer like DDF Moisturizing Dew, but remember this will only lighten the marks, not cure them.

And according to Lancer, you can also use retinoids to fade their color a bit. “There are really high-potency over-the-counter retinols, but you have to be careful in using them, so it should be under the supervision of a board-certified dermatologist,” he says.

Ultimately, if you are serious about eliminating your stretch marks, the best thing you can do is consult a board-certified dermatologist for cost-effective, more therapeutic treatments.

“At the [Lancer] practice, there’s a complete history taken to make sure there isn’t some internal physiological flaw, like adrenal gland function disorder or ovarian dysfunction,” says Lancer. “If necessary, maybe some physical lab studies are conducted, just to fully ensure there isn’t some outstanding medical disorder. Then, topical retinoid therapy for two to four weeks before engaging in any procedural therapy.”

False: Tanning can cover up stretch marks

Tanning actually makes stretch marks look more prominent. If this is hard to understand, Lancer suggests thinking of them as scars.

“Scars don’t have functional melanocytes to the same extent as non-scarred skin. Stretch mark-damaged skin has an unreliable skin-repair mechanism, so chances are they will not tan to the same color as the rest of the skin, so it’s not a good idea.”

False: Diet has no effect on stretch marks

We know it seems like a “stretch,” but according to Lancer, “If you have a highly inflammatory diet, then your metabolism is going to lead toward being overweight. Chances are it’s going to increase the propensity for a hidden trait for making stretch marks more visible.”

Sobel agrees, adding that “along with daily moisturizer, it’s important to drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated. Vitamins A, C and E also help keep your skin healthy as well as repair damaged skin and can be found in foods such as avocados, berries, carrots, oranges, nuts and bell peppers.”

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Why Experts Swear by Olaplex for Protecting Color-Treated Hair

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About four years ago, I decided that if Nicole Richie could rock lavender hair, so could I. After weighing the pros and cons for about five seconds, I promptly located a stylist (without much research) and took the plunge. Two appointments and a blowout later, I had the purple hair of my dreams, although it took a few weeks to reach a true lavender hue.

Unfortunately, my hair would never be the same after that. My curls didn’t curl the way they used to, and it seemed no matter how many deep-conditioning treatments I did, dryness would be the bane of my hair’s existence. You’d think I’d learned my lesson, but some years later, after doing a big chop, I suddenly forgot how hair dye destroyed my mane and decided to go full-on platinum blond.

Except this time was different. At the end of my hair appointment, my curls were still there (I gave up heat tools after my big chop), and they felt soft — like baby’s bottom, I-just-slathered-myself-in-cocoa-butter soft. Convinced my stylist had cast some spell over my head, I asked him what made my hair not only survive but thrive after being doused in bleach. His answer? Olaplex.

Although there are plenty of cleansers, conditioners and treatments that sort of revive our hair after the initial damage has been done, few options are available for keeping the hair protected while it’s being altered. That’s the beauty of this product that doesn’t get nearly as much love as it deserves. And since we’re in a transitional period when you may be thinking of a hairdo to match the new season, there’s no better time than the present for a quick crash course on its benefits.

Ahead, Streeters hairstylist Tina Outen explains what Olaplex is, what it does and why it’s such strand-saver when you decide to dye your hair.

What is it?

Outen describes Olaplex as a liquid that re-forms the disulphide bonds each hair strand is made up of. Whenever hair is bleached, these bonds are often damaged, fragmented and/or shattered. This happens more than ever in 2018 since hair color trends are more vibrant than ever. For instance, when going blond, most people opt for a stark white rather than the yellow tint that was popular back in the ’90s.

“Using Olaplex essentially means you can bleach your hair far too light and leave that bleach on far longer without it breaking off and leaving it in the sink instead of on your head,” says Outen.

How it’s used

It’s applied in three steps. First, Olaplex Bond Multiplier No. 1 is added into the bleach or hair color so it will be taken directly into the core of the hair strands to the disulphide bonds. Next, Olaplex Bond Perfector No. 2 will be applied to the hair strands when the bleach or hair color is washed off and left on for 20 minutes.

“If your hair feels hardened by this step, have a super-moisturizing conditioner to soften the hair strands that sometimes feel crunchy from all the protein that’s been added to your hair,” says Outen.

Finally, Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 is the take-home part, which you apply to damp hair and comb through. Back in 2015, Kim Kardashian West even copped to using it as an overnight hair mask for the sake of having more lustrous strands.

Is it necessary?

Although Olaplex isn’t mandatory for all salons, using it is most beneficial when you are bleaching hair, as the process will directly affect those vulnerable hair bonds, pushing them to maximum fragility. It can be especially helpful for those who require several layers of color and bleach in one session.

“Super-light blonds with high-lift tints may affect hair condition and the disulphide bond when overlapping of the color product is allowed, so they can also benefit from the protection of Olaplex,” says Outen. “Coloring with hair color affects the natural color pigment first. It will take time of overprocessing or overlapping of the hair color before the disulphide bond is affected, but hair will still benefit.”

Although the first two steps of the three-part Olaplex system are only available in select salons, you can purchase the third step at Sephora for an affordable $28.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

A Trichologist Breaks Down the Basics of Hair Thinning & How to Avoid It

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Last month, Modern Family star Sarah Hyland opened up about a disheartening side effect of taking medication for her battle with kidney dysplasia: hair loss. Although this is a very singular, specific case, thinning hair isn’t something that’s exclusive to people grappling with chronic illnesses. We all deal with it to varying degrees, be it through genetics or the way we treat our hair on a day-to-day basis.

And because we wouldn’t want anyone to misdiagnose themselves, we reached out to Michelle Blaisure, certified trichologist for Bosley Professional Strength Hair Care, who gave us a crash course on everything from the main causes to simple, yet effective forms of prevention.

The common cause & signs

According to Blaisure, the main and most common cause of hair thinning, also known as male or female pattern baldness, is genetic predisposition. In simpler terms, that means you can inherit genes from your mother and father that make it nearly impossible to avoid. “About 60 to 70 percent of men will thin by age 60 and 20 percent of women inherit [it] as well, but with women, we seem to be prone to hair loss due to many things that can affect our hormonal and biochemical balance,” she says.

Excess hair shedding is often one of the first signs that something is out of balance. And if you’re constantly over-manipulating your strands with tight ponytails or other protective styles (braids, weaves, buns), you’re making yourself more susceptible to hair thinning as well.

The types

Hair loss is a side effect of many disorders, especially for women. The most common ones, according to Blaisure, are: 

Genetic thinning: This means you have inherited a sensitivity to the hormone dihydrotestosterone. DHT causes the hair to get smaller and thinner. Men usually thin or go completely bald in the crown and hairline areas, while women tend to just get really thin. In both cases, you’re likely to experience micro-inflammation (swelling, redness, irritation) in the hair follicles.

Thyroid malfunction: Hair loss can also be a sign that your thyroid, a large gland that lives in the neck and secretes the hormones that maintain our body’s metabolism, is producing a low level of those hormones. This in turn causes dry, brittle hair and excessive shedding. On the other hand, a hyperthyroid, or one that secretes an excess of metabolic hormones, can cause hair loss and an oily scalp.

Inadequate protein intake: Blaisure says this is common in vegans due to lack of vitamin B12, which comes from animal sources. “Plant proteins do not provide B12 and must be combined in order for the body to properly utilize all the amino acids it needs for optimal function, and eating too much protein and not enough carbs can cause hair to shed as well,” she says.

Autoimmune disorders: Inflammation is the common thread between a slew of disorders that can cause the hair to fall out. Blaisure says the most common ones are diabetes Type 2 (in which the body can no longer manage blood sugar levels), lupus (in which the body attacks its own tissue and organs) and polycystic syndrome (in which elevated male hormones are causing an imbalance).

You’ve also probably heard of alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the hair follicle as the body attacks the hair cells. Blaisure says this usually shows itself in the form of bald patches, and in some cases can become more acute, leading to alopecia totalis (loss of head and facial hair) and universalis, with total body hair loss.

Other hair- and scalp-specific causes of inflammation in the scalp and on the skin are seborrhea, psoriasis and folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicle).

Adjusting your diet

While some disorders require more aggressive treatment, such as therapies or prescription medication, there are ways to lessen your chances of hair thinning through simple lifestyle changes, the most important being your diet.

“We are learning more and more about the importance of a healthy gut, as the gut is the seat of about 70 percent of our immunity, so eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods, such as probiotics, vegetables and healthy fats to help populate the gut with good microbes is really the key to optimal health, which includes your hair health,” says Blaisure.

Specifically, you should be reducing the sugar and processed foods in your diet. Blaisure always recommends the foolproof 20/80 rule, which means you should consume the healthy stuff 80 percent of the time so your body can handle the devitalized foods (processed and fast foods), the other 20 percent.

If you want a more specific starting point, try eating wild-caught salmon and/or grass-fed beef at least once or twice a week to get good omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. If you’re vegetarian, get the same level of nutrients through flaxseed or fish oil supplements.

Adjusting your lifestyle

Here’s yet another reminder that a good night’s sleep does wonders for the body overall, including healthy hair growth. Most of us need 7 to 8 hours to feel well rested.

Also, “Go for a walk, listen to music, read an engaging book or watch your favorite TV show uninterrupted for 30 minutes,” says Blaisure. “Stress is a known cause of hair loss with women.”

Adjusting your beauty routine

Your hair is less likely to break, shed and thin out if you’re simply gentler with it. Give it a rest from extensions, tight ponytails, braids and weaves periodically. If you’re doing this around the clock, the chances of permanent loss become greater.

And regardless of your hair texture, Blaisure says you should shampoo at least once or more a week, “as the scalp’s microbiome can get out of balance and that is when we start seeing more scalp disorders.” After consulting with an expert stylist or learning more about the traits of your specific hair type, look for products that contain strengthening ingredients for keeping your strands in check.

Also use a good multivitamin, like Bosley's Vitality Supplement with horsetail extract, to make sure you are getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals, such as your B12 and D (which many people are low in) along with zinc and magnesium.

Surgeries & therapies

Lastly, if your hair loss goes beyond the normal level of shedding and you can easily detect a thinner ponytail or exposed skin along the hairline and/or middle of the scalp, see a professional immediately. A trichologist, like Blaisure, studies the science and function of human hair, so he or she can examine it more closely and determine whether you should be officially diagnosed with a disorder or not. From there, they can also recommend whether hair transplant surgery is necessary.

“Hair transplant surgery is always an option for men, but most women do not have enough hair, or it is too weak and fine to transplant,” says Blaisure. “Bosley Inc. is now offering a package called Tri-Gen+ that consists of some of our products, PRP (platelet rich plasma) along with laser, which together helps to stimulate growth.”

Overall, a healthy lifestyle is the best way to avoid hair thinning and hair loss. But if you’re dealing with something that’s tied to an illness or your gene pool, it may be worth seeing an expert for help.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

5 Black Women Share the Washday Routines That Keep Their Hair Healthy

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Although we have a popular number-letter system for identifying our hair’s texture, the truth is Black women more often than not have various textures throughout their hair. For instance, the hairs nearest the nape of my neck are tight and spirally, while the ones in the middle of my head are wavy. Managing various curl patterns at the same time requires a very specific cleansing and styling routine.

And this usually means that what works for one person — even if they share one of your textures — won’t necessarily work for you. So we spend a lot of time trading information and products, hoping that a mix of advice and experimenting will help us land on a washday routine that actually works. In an effort to help you with that advice part, five Black women with varying curl patterns, including myself, are sharing the washday routines that keep their hair healthy and in check.

Name: Nikki

Style: Wavy/curly pixie

Routine: So, I’m braving the awkward grow-out phase and doing everything I can to ensure my curls remain intact as they get longer. Right now, since my hair is super-dry in between seasons, the LOC (leave-in, oil, cream) method is truly saving my mane. I’m almost always switching out my shampoos and conditioners (nature of my job as a beauty editor), but for the past few months, I’ve been loving Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo and Not Your Mother’s Natural Matcha Green Tea & Wild Apple Blossom Nutrient Rich Butter Masque. The combo of these two has provided the most hydration without weighing down my hair, which is definitely on the finer side.

After that, I’ll spritz my hair with Briogeo’s Don't Dispair, Repair! Strength & Moisture Leave-In Mask and get out the shower. From there, I run a dime-size amount of Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil through my hair. It smells amazing and includes peppermint oil too, which really helps with my itchy scalp. Sometimes, I’ll add a little tea tree oil to the mix if it feels extra flaky. Lastly, before wrapping my hair in an Aquis towel, I’ll finger-comb my hair with Creme of Nature’s Pure Honey Moisture Whip Twisting Cream. It’s made with honey, coconut oil and shea butter, all ingredients that keep me moisturized without being too heavy.

Name: Chelsea

Style: Kinky, coily Afro

Routine: As most naturals, I usually reserve washday for Sunday. I’ll use shampoo on my hair about once every two weeks, so when I do, I use the Shu Uemura Ultimate Remedy Extreme Restoration Shampoo followed by the Extreme Restoration Conditioner. My current leave-in conditioner go-to is Shea Moisture’s Curl Stretch Pudding, so I’ll section off my hair and apply it evenly, then just go about my day. The next morning, I’ll wet my hair again and style it with Cantu Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream, which is my wash-and-go holy grail curly product.

Name: Jasmine

Style: Low-cut Caesar

Routine: I keep my hair pretty short in a low-cut Caesar, so I maintain my hair by using a mixture of almond, olive and argan oils with some water and glycerin. It helps keep my scalp protected, especially in those NYC winter months. I love using Pantene products to wash and condition my hair.

Wearing a do-rag at night is extremely essential for me to keep my cut lasting fresh and preventing any harsh pulling I get from the pillow at night. In the summertime, I like to bleach my hair platinum blond. It’s just more fun! I use Shimmer Lights shampoo to keep the color vibrant. I use the same oiling routine, and for added hydration, I use Pantene’s curling custard to combat the harsh sunrays.

Name: Danielle

Style: Locs

Routine: I’ve had my locs for a little over four years now. On washday, which is about every two to three weeks, I like to lightly brush them to make sure I’m not washing any dust or lint into my hair. I also spray them with a little water beforehand to prevent breakage. I make sure all the buildup is brushed up so my washing can be more effective. I wash starting in sections. My choice of shampoo is currently Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap, in peppermint or tea tree. This soap has all-natural ingredients and is sulfur-free so that I can wash without leaving behind any residue.

After washing, I dry with a T-shirt wrapped around my head. Once my hair is damp and not soaking wet, I add a mixture of coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba and Jamaican black castor oil to remoisturize my hair and scalp. To style, I use Cantu Shea Butter Twist & Lock Gel along with my spray bottle of water because you never want to twist dry locs! I sleep with a scarf around my edges and a stocking to keep away anything that could get caught in my hair and maintain moisture by spritzing with water and massaging in my mixture of oils. I like to use all-natural and unprocessed products in my hair. It helps me keep things simple and make sure my hair has a natural and healthy environment to grow!

Name: Danny

Style: Curly hair

Routine: I wash my hair with Aesop Calming Shampoo and then condition with Aussie Mega Moist Conditioner. I then do a twist-out using Cantu Coconut Curling Cream. Leave it in overnight, and that’s it! When it comes to hair, simpler is better for me.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

5 Products We Discovered After Test-Driving Pinterest’s New Inclusive Beauty Feature

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According to a Pinterest study, a whopping 70 percent of people use the site to discover and save everyday looks and styles, and of all the pins that exist, 8 billion of them are hair- and beauty-related. That’s both a gift and a curse. The gift: It’s a never-ending hub of inspiration in all forms, from ways to decorate your first apartment to vintage makeup looks worth recreating. The curse: That’s a hell of a lot of inspo to sift through, even if you’ve got the time to spare. And when you’re searching for something makeup-specific, it can be extremely difficult to find what works for your skin tone without having to scroll endlessly.

That’s really been the site’s biggest roadblock; as its popularity continues to grow, so does the need to modify search criteria. In fact, it’s a nonnegotiable for anyone with a short attention span and busy schedule. Thankfully, Pinterest pays close attention to what pinners actually want and finally gifted us with a game-changing search tool. Now, whenever you search for products or tutorials, the site automatically asks if you want to narrow down your search by skin tone. The best part is the feature is impossibly easy to use.

Simply do a beauty-related search, and at the top of the results page and under the search bar, you’ll see “Pick a skin tone range to narrow your search” next to four color wheels that represent light, medium, dark and deep. After clicking on one of those, your search results are narrowed down even more.

Pinterest’s New Inclusive Beauty Feature: Skin tone search

Now, we’re not saying this new feature is perfection. As we all know, the number of skin tones far exceeds these four options, and the results are still wide-ranging. Also, if you’re looking for product recommendations, you’ll have the most luck searching the more basic options, such as “lipstick,” “foundation” or “concealer.” We found that as we searched more niche categories, such as “under-eye concealer” and even “sunscreens,” the skin tone bar didn’t show up at all or the options were extremely limited.

Still, we consider this a step in the right direction. Though we sometimes worry that this drive toward inclusivity is just a trend for big companies, we’re glad to see Pinterest joining the movement in an impactful way and hope that over time, this tool will be refined and improved upon. Until then, we’ll be test-driving it. If you’re curious as to whether it delivers or not, here are five products for “dark” skin that we found on the first page of every search.

Pinterest’s New Inclusive Beauty Feature: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Liquid Foundation

Foundation: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD liquid foundation

This is by far one of the brand’s most popular and top-selling products. MUFE was one of the first brands to consider the technology of smartphones and TV cameras when formulating product, and in the process, it made something that considers a wide spectrum of skin tones too.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD liquid foundation, $59.40 at Amazon

Pinterest’s New Inclusive Beauty Feature: Colourpop Ibiza Super Shock Shadow

Blue eye shadow: Colourpop Ibiza Super Shock shadow

This is really a turquoise, but the slightly chrome finish definitely pops against darker skin without giving off an ashy texture or look. (Unfortunately, this was one of very few options when we searched this term.)

Super Shock shadow, $5 at Colourpop

Pinterest’s New Inclusive Beauty Feature: Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter

Highlighter: Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter

This cream-to-powder formula is available in five different shades and made with antiaging peptides and nourishing butters sourced from the Amazon.

Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter, $6.59 at Amazon

Pinterest’s New Inclusive Beauty Feature: Kiko Bronzer Powder

Bronzer: Kiko Bronzer Powder

A creamy compact made in five brown skin-friendly shades with vitamin E and argan oil to moisturize the skin as it evens out complexion.

Bronzer Powder, $16 at Kiko Cosmetics

Pinterest’s New Inclusive Beauty Feature: Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Chocolate Wasted

Lipstick: Dose of Colors liquid matte lipstick in Chocolate Wasted

This vegan lippie goes on as a creamy liquid and dries into a flake-free matte finish that flatters dark brown skin.

Dose of Colors liquid matte lipstick in Chocolate Wasted, $32.35 at Amazon

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

The Most Effective Product Pairs for Every Hair Texture

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With thousands of hair products on the market, it can take quite some time and a load of money to find out what actually works best for you. And since we’ve all got different textures, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all. Our stylists may recommend using the same products used during our salon visit, but sometimes it just doesn’t work the way we'd hoped.

The only assumption we can make is that more often than not, we need more than one product to reach whatever #HairGoals we’ve set for ourselves, whether it’s smoothing out frizzies or adding volume to lifeless strands, so we touched base with a few experts to create the perfect cocktails for your texture. Find your perfect match ahead.

Fine & flat

If your strands are fine or flat, you’re probably looking to add some volume and bring life back into your hair. “For fine hair, the goal is to create body without weighing strands down,” says Katie Manselle, Oribe hair care educator. “Apply a volumizing spray at the root to give hair a lot of body and finish with a lightweight balm styler to add sheen and hold.” This featherlike combo gives strands controllable movement so you don’t have hair that is sticking to your scalp.

Product Pairs for Every Hair Texture: Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Spray

Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Spray

Get thicker strands now and later with this vegan volumizing spray. Infused with ginger and biotin, this spray not only thickens strands with each spritz but promotes new follicle growth over time.

Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Spray, $20 at Briogeo

Product Pairs for Every Hair Texture: Oribe Featherbalm Weightless Styler

Oribe Featherbalm Weightless Styler

Made for fine strands, this weightless styling cream gives soft hold and shine to liven up your tresses. Bonus: A blend of passion fruit seed oil and acai gives hair a boost of hydration.

Featherbalm Weightless Styler, $42 at Oribe

Wavy

If your hair is not quite straight but not quite curly, you’d likely label it wavy. Hair that has any texture is often desperate for added moisture to revive a defined shape into the strands. “For wavy textures, look for lightweight products with anti-frizz ingredients that are pro-moisture,” says Sarah Potempa, celebrity hairstylist and inventor of The Beachwaver Co.

Anti-frizz products can come in a variety of formulas. It’s important to know which formula best suits your hair type, from serums and sprays to soufflés. If your hair is on the finer side, a lightweight serum is a great option. It will give hair hold and shine without looking greasy. For wavy girls with thicker hair, opt for a hydrating lotion or cream and apply the product on your ends so your waves don’t lose their form. Finish with a spritz of lightweight hair spray to lock in your style.

Product Pairs for Every Hair Texture: Living Proof Prime Style Extender

Living Proof Prime Style Extender

There’s nothing exciting about walking out of the house only to find that your waves have fallen flat. This lightweight cream not only gives touchable hold but helps extend the life of your style so you can go through a day’s activities with confidence.

Living Proof Prime Style Extender, $20 at Sephora

Product Pairs for Every Hair Texture: R+Co Tinsel

R+Co Tinsel

You don’t have to worry about the oils in this two-in-one smoother and hydrator feeling greasy on your hair. A blend of jojoba and argan oils softens and hydrates strands without sitting atop the hair shaft.

Tinsel, $25 at R+Co

Product Pairs for Every Hair Texture: Amika Fluxus Touchable Hairspray

Amika Fluxus Touchable Hairspray

Seal in your style with this flexible-hold hair spray. Spritz as little or as much as you like, but it’s sure to stay soft and flake-free.

Fluxus Touchable Hairspray, $25 at Amika

Curly & kinky

From S-shaped spirals to coils, moisture is key, and the experts agree. “For curly hair, cocktailing products enhances the natural curl pattern,” shares Giovanni Vaccaro, Glamsquad artistic director. “Combining a moisture cream with a curl gel works to create separation within the curls while hydrating the hair.” Like wavy girls, the consistency of the curl cream will depend on the weight of your hair. For finer hair, opt for a lotion or milk, while thicker textures should choose a thicker cream.

Product Pairs for Every Hair Texture: Ouai Curl Jelly

Ouai Curl Jelly

This two-in-one gel oil not only gives hair hold and structure but minimizes frizz and hydrates your spirals.

Curl Jelly, $26 at Ouai

Product Pairs for Every Hair Texture: Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream

Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream

A medium-weight curl cream that helps smooth frizz and keep hair shiny and moisturized.

Curl Corps Defining Cream, $25 at Amika

Product Pairs for Every Hair Texture: SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Smoothie

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Smoothie

Great for girls with thick and dense coils, this weighted cream hydrates and helps to elongate coils.

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Smoothie, $12 at Sally Beauty

Originally posted on StyleCaster.


8 Hair Sunscreen Products You'll Want to Use This Summer

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Wait a second — you haven't heard of hair sunscreen? Yep, it's a real product — and an über-important one too. Not only do the sun's rays damage your skin, but they can also do a number on your hair and warp your color.

Hair sunscreens are UV-filtering products that put a protective barrier between your hair and said rays and protect your scalp against damage.

Because a sunburned scalp is about as much fun as a bag of rocks, make sure you arm yourself with hair sunscreen this summer. Here are the eight best products out there right now.

1. Bare Republic UV-protecting hair care collection

Bare Republic UV protecting shampoo

Sunscreen brand Bare Republic has a whole line of hair care products that provide UV protection. From shampoo and conditioner to a serum and back to a dry shampoo, Bare Republic pretty much has you covered this summer.

UV-protecting hair care collection, $14.99 – $17.99 at Bare Republic

2. Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray

Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray is a waterproof, nongreasy dry oil that shields both skin and hair from the sun. It's lightweight and leaves your hair feeling silky.

Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $36 at Sephora

3. Phyto Plage Protective Sun Oil

Phyto Plage protective sun oil

Phyto Plage Protective Sun Oil prevents your hair from being weakened by the sun and preserves that shine you love so much. Simply spray on dry or wet hair before heading outside and reapply after swimming.

Protective Sun Oil, $30 at Phyto Plage

4. TRESemmé climate-control finishing spray

TRESemmé climate control spray

TRESemmé Climate Control Spray isn't just budget-friendly — it's everything-friendly. This formula fights humidity, static, wind and UV rays. Seriously, I'm surprised it doesn't come with a cape.

TRESemmé climate-control spray, $4.89 at Target

5. Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer

Hairdresser's invisible oil heat/UV protective primer

Bumble and bumble is famous for their beach waves spray, so it's only natural they offer some UV protection too. Their invisible oil truly is a "mist of many wonders."

Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer, $28 at Bumble and bumble

6. Drybar Hot Toddy

Drybar hot toddy

This lightweight formula protects hair from heat and UVA/UVB exposure, ensuring it not only prevents damage but also color fading.

Hot Toddy, $30 at Drybar

7. Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil

Aveda sun care protective hair veil

It doesn't get much easier than this lightweight, waterproof mist that protects your hair from UV rays for up to 16 hours. It helps to minimize color fading, damage and dehydrated strands — and it smells amazing!

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, $29 at Aveda

8. Banana Boat Sport Quik Dri scalp spray sunscreen

Banana Boat Sport Quik Dri scalp spray sunscreen

Banana Boat Sport Quik Dri scalp spray sunscreen is for both your body and scalp and has the added bonus of being waterproof. It's a clear, nongreasy formula that dries über-fast.

Banana Boat Sport Quik Dri scalp spray sunscreen, $6.44 at Walmart


A version of this article was originally published in July 2014.

Celebrity Aesthetician Shani Darden’s Tips for Improving Skin Texture

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For the majority of my almost-thirtysomething years(!), occasional breakouts have been the extent of my skincare issues. I’ve never known the pain of debilitating cystic acne, psoriasis or eczema, something I feel very fortunate for. In fact, I’d never even seen a dermatologist until my early 20s. Skin care has always been the part of my beauty routine I experiment with most simply because my skin is Teflon against pretty much anything and everything… or so I thought.

During two recent appointments, including one during which a fancy machine measured all aspects of my skin (brightness, UV exposure, wrinkles, etc.), I was told that “texture” is something I need a little help with. Immediately, I was confused because as far as I’m concerned, my skin is pretty damn smooth. But this is one of those skin factors that isn’t as apparent as, say, acne or redness because it really starts underneath the surface and sort of sneaks its way in. For instance, while my skin isn’t rough or bumpy, it does appear lighter in my T-zone and darker toward my hairline. Not only is that discoloration, according to my facialist, it’s also a telltale sign of uneven texture. So, how do you fix something that isn’t always so easy to detect?

Who better to answer that question than Shani Darden? In addition to having a top-selling namesake collection of her own, she’s the trusted aesthetician for a handful of celebs, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jessica Alba and Kelly Rowland. Ahead is her advice for rehabbing skin with uneven texture.

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The 7 Features You’re Not Using Enough of at Sephora

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We all know the feeling of walking into Sephora and being mesmerized by the thousands of products: hair, skin care, nails, makeup, fragrance — it has everything. Even if you’ve never stepped into an actual store, perusing the site’s both high- and low-end products leads to a never-ending beauty black hole.

But the cosmetics store can do more for you than make your eyes glaze over at the too-many product prospects. It offers features, from online quizzes to in-store beauty classes, that make finding products and learning how to use them a whole lot easier. If you’ve only been using Sephora for the products, it’s time to see what else you can get out of the company. Ahead are the seven features every beauty lover should not only know but fervently use at Sephora.

IQs

Going into Sephora with clear intentions on what you’re going to get is a tougher scenario than it seems; there’s a profusion of products, selections and price ranges. That’s where their IQs come in handy. These online “quizzes” determine what product will work best for you so you won’t be stuck roaming the isles.

The IQs have two categories: either skin care or color. The skin care IQ is separated into whether you want recommendations based on skin concern, product type or brand. If you want a group of products tailored to exactly what you want, go with concern. From there, you answer a series of questions about skin type, problems and type of product wanted, ensuring you’re getting exactly the recommendations you want and need.

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What to Know About Dry Shampoo if You Have Textured Hair

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Fall down a Reddit rabbit hole, and you’re bound to stumble upon some intense debates about dry shampoo. People are understandably confused — especially on the curly and textured hair circuit. For many, the idea just seems so foreign. The thought of adding something dry to hair that’s already prone to dehydration seems like a recipe for disaster. For others, it’s a day-three or -four hair necessity. Kellon Deryck, L’Oréal Paris celebrity expert, helped get to the root of how even the most textured of textures can up their style game with the help of a little spray powder.

More: Clarifying Shampoos Are Your Answer for Super-Shiny Hair

Sop up oil

If you’re prone to oily scalp, no matter what the texture of the strands coming out of it, dry shampoo will help soak up the scalp sebum that weighs hair down, making it look limp and greasy. Remember that there’s a fine line between shiny and greasy, but anyone with an oily scalp knows the difference.

Pump up fine strands

If your hair is on the finer side, the struggle to achieve volume is very real. What dry shampoo does is adds texture, grit and essentially a light layer on top of your strands to help make it look thicker. Also, by absorbing any oils or any lingering product buildup at your roots, you’ll be able to see more volume at the crown and all around. Keep in mind that curly doesn’t always equate to thick. Even with a head full of curls, your hair can still be limp at the root. “Fine hair benefits from dry shampoo the most. The added texture creates an illusion of volume, which is perfect for thinner hair textures,” says Deryck. You won’t need it often, so reserve your use for when you really need it.

More: The Real Way You Should Be Double Shampooing

Skip a washday

What you don’t want to do is create one issue trying to solve another. Particularly for curly and textured hair, shampooing more than once a week is just out of the question. Since curls tend to be drier, you can easily overdo it, which can ultimately lead to overdrying and breakage. Be careful not to rely solely on dry shampoo. Going too long without properly clarifying to remove dry shampoo or other product buildup from your roots can potentially clog the hair follicle and lead to hair loss. Not to scare you straight, but the point is to treat your scalp the same as you do your face, so if you’re using dry shampoo several times a week, you’ll need a proper shampoo at least once every seven days.

Look for the right formula

If this all sounds like a too-good-to-be-true win-win for team dry shampoo, know that there are a few things to keep in mind. Not only can overusing it completely suck the moisture out of your hair, but it can throw off how your curls lie. Deryck adds that formulas that have low amounts of alcohol are best — and that applies to every hair type — not just curls. Alcohol will make the hair more brittle over time. Although it may seem counterintuitive, some newer variations actually have oils added to help balance and replenish any moisture lost while absorbing.

If you’re ready to jump into a whole new world of dry styling, check out these top texture boosters with benefits for curly hair.

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These Are Celebrities’ Favorite MAC Lipsticks

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If there are two things we love unequivocally, it’s celebrities and affordable makeup. So, when the two unite, you can believe we’re freaking excited about it. And thanks to Reddit, we now have a list of the MAC lipsticks celebrities swear by, which means no more digging to track down Madonna‘s famous red hue or Jennifer Aniston‘s signature shade from Friends.

The price point of MAC lipsticks hits at $18.50, which isn’t the cheapest per se, but nor is it ringing in at a cool $54, like Tom Ford’s. Thus, our excitement around the list stands. Recently, redditor @lilpinkpanties started a thread: “curious about which MAC lipsticks celebrities have admitted to wearing frequently and/or made popular,” before listing off a few celebrities and their go-tos. 

Now, even if these starlets don’t wear the shade anymore (i.e., Kim Kardashian West, who has since created her own nude lipstick), they did repeatedly once upon a time. Don’t worry; we did some fact-checking of our own and with only one error, the list was pretty legit.

So keep reading to see a few of our favorites from the iconic MAC shades list and get ready for affordable recreation.

Madonna: Russian Red

Celebs Favorite MAC Lipsticks: Madonna Russian Red

The color was made specifically for Madonna during her 1990 "Blonde Ambition" tour because she needed something that wouldn’t wear off during performances.

Russian Red, $18.50 at MAC

More: The Best Tinted Lip Balms for Your Pout

Kim Kardashian West: Angel

Celebs Favorite MAC Lipsticks Angel

In 2014, Kimmie K. made this nude frosty lip famous, and it’s not hard to see why. It still offers the perfect pink today.

Angel, $18.50 at MAC

Taylor Swift: Ruby Woo


As you can see, since Swift discovered Ruby Woo in 2009, she’s been wearing it at her concerts basically 24-7.

Ruby Woo $18.50 at MAC

More: We Tested Best Drugstore Liquid Lipsticks, & This Was the Winner

Jennifer Aniston: Paramount


The color, seen constantly on Aniston’s Friends character, Rachel Green, is the perfect mix of brown and brick.

Paramount, $18.50 at MAC

January Jones: Vegas Volt


There’s nothing better than a coral color to match Jones’ Mad Men character, Betty Draper, for all her fiery goodness.

Vegas Volt, $18.50 at MAC

Check out the rest of the list on Reddit to see the favorite MAC shades of Kylie Jenner, Nicki Minaj and Katie Holmes too.


Originally posted on StyleCaster.

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