Once we hit 40, the descriptors used for skin typically have a negative connotation—words we don't necessarily want to associate with our once bouncy, smooth complexions. According to Dendy Engleman, MD, skin becomes "dull-looking," uneven, and wrinkles are more predominant. This is mostly due to something called perimenopause (or the years leading up to menopause), during which your estrogen levels begin to decrease and skin becomes thin and loses its elasticity. Of course, the aging process is natural, beautiful, and a privilege, but many signs of skin degradation can actually be avoided by ..read more

I remember the first time I went on birth control. It was freshman year of college, and my hormonal acne was off the charts. I wanted to blame my new surroundings and diet of Easy Mac and beer (I mean, apple juice), but my dermatologist pinpointed my out-of-whack hormones and prescribed the pill to handle my situation. I was scared to take a pill every day for the next… however long was necessary but essentially decided to venture down the monthly pill-pack journey for the sake of a smooth complexion.In addition to drastically clearing up my skin, it also helped relieve me of my once debilitat ..read more

I know the intentions are pure. I know it's meant to be a compliment. But "you look skinny" feels more like invasive commentary than anything meant to elicit elation and gratitude. Let me explain.Over a decade ago, when I suffered from disordered thoughts and began restricting my food intake, those three simple words were indulgent. They practically sparkled, glowing in my mind like lightning bugs trapped in a mason jar. "Skinny" was always the goal, and the more others adulated my frame, the more victorious I felt. I'd beam at the utterance of the word, finally feeling like my physically dama ..read more

Considering the amount of time celebrities spend in the makeup chair with wands, brushes, and sponges whirling around their faces, it's only natural that they'd absorb a great deal of beauty intel from the artists they hire. In fact, for many celebrity–makeup artist relationships, their bond is much more than a professional contract. They're good friends off set too. It's simply the nature of the industry. Artists aren't tight-lipped about their process but rather generously share what they find works best. By trade, celebrities pass on the beauty knowledge that they've soaked in, too.There ha ..read more

"I'm traveling today and I'm going to talk you through everything that i've got in my wash bag," Beckham begins. The first 2 products she pulls from her bag are a shampoo and conditioner, respectively from celebrity hairstylist and colorist Josh Wood. The shampoo and conditioner ($12) comes in two different forms—one is specifically formulated for blonde hair and the other is specifically formulated for brunette hair. The brunette version, which is the one VB uses, is formulated with UV filters to keep color looking fresh, as well as turmeric for a strong and glossy effect. (Beckham's sleek lo ..read more

I was a textbook insomniac when I was younger. I’ll never forget tossing and turning for hours on end, staring at my haphazardly painted lavender wall, thoughts racing, praying for the blissful comfort of a deep sleep. My parents tried everything—warm milk (only somewhat effective), singing me to sleep (which stopped being an option once I became a teenager and it was a bit weird for my mom to sing traditional Chinese songs to me in bed each night), and finally, out of frustration, yelling at me to go back in my room and just “close my eyes” (heads up: not effective). Thankfully, as I grew old ..read more

Gas and bloating are facts of life. No one is exempt from them, so if you stumbled upon this post from googling your digestive symptoms, you're not alone. In fact, our search insights tell us that a lot of people want to know why sometimes their stomach feels like a big gas bubble. We've talked about the food culprits, and unfortunately for our digestive systems, there are plenty of them. But did you know some of our favorite drinks can cause an influx of gas and water bloat too? Since many of them can be found in other drinks or seem like unlikely aggressors entirely, we thought we'd bring th ..read more

Most skincare pros will argue that patience and consistency are key if you want to see results. I call bullshit. While I won't understate the importance (or joy!) of establishing a ritualistic skincare routine, I am also a huge proponent of instant gratification. If I have an acne scar on my chin and a fancy dinner to attend tomorrow night, you better believe I'm going to pull out all the stops to excavate that thing from my face.This has gotten me in trouble in the past. For example, I used to be a sucker for anything that I could feel working, but usually, those kind of products were merely ..read more

With a degree in neuroscience and art history from UCLA, Rose Theodora is an expert when it comes to color therapy and astrology. Each month, she'll be sharing astrological insights for your sign, as well as the beauty products you should be using. Consider these your personal beauty horoscopes.This month, she's sharing the nail color you should wear in April, based on your sign. Each color is thoughtfully selected for your sign and with the current astrological landscape in mind. You can also read for your sun, moon, and rising signs.April is all about taking more risks. Allow things to speed ..read more

We keep a close eye on hair trends, whether that be a buzzy hairstyle (like Jane Birkin bangs), hair color (like Brazil's favorite"illuminated brunette"), or hair accessory (on that note make sure you check out our list of the best wedding hair accessories). Lately we've noticed a new trend, and it's one that has been silently growing and expanding, both on social media and in real life. It has to do with a certain hair accessory that hit peak popularity all the way back in the '90s and is now making quite the resurgence. We're talking about barrettes. The old-school hair staple is all over In ..read more