To shampoo or not to shampoo...that is the question.

When it comes to beauty, there is arguably nothing that consumes our time more than our hair. No matter the color, length, curl type, or density of your hair, whether you buzz off all your hair or cover it with a wig or a headscarf, hair is on our minds on a daily basis. 

As someone who has run the gambit with a variety of hairstyles and lengths, ranging from (naturally) brunette to pink, silver, red, and blond and a variety of hair lengths, from buzzcut to below-the-shoulders, I have had to change up my hair washing routine a number of times. Here’s the tea on how often you should really wash your hair and some methods you can use to ensure your haircare routine is at it’s most optimal. 

A primer on face primer.

As NikkieTutorials loves to say, “Not to prime is a crime.” But what exactly is priming and what are the “crimes” this beauty guru is referencing? Let’s dig in a little.

Expert advice on how to keep blemishes at bay.

Before we even dig into scientific studies or the advice of our experts, I will scream the answer to this question from the top of my lungs, YES!

Having dealt with cystic acne roughly from the time span of 12-22 years old, my heart goes out to anyone dealing with hormone-induced acne flareups. I have tried a countless number of acne creams and purchased way too many foundations in my attempts to cover up my facial insecurities. 

As I’m creeping toward my thirties, my hormones have somewhat settled down, save for the stress or PMS-induced breakout.

Here’s a brief breakdown of how hormones are to blame for many a breakout and several tips on how to deal with hormone-induced acne.

Eyeliner inspo for when you're bored with basic.

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, is it any wonder that so many of us like to decorate those windows with a nice set of lacy or velvet curtains. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m referring to good ol’ eyeshadow and especially eyeliner.

If you’re interested in dressing up your “windows”, take a look at some of these funky eyeliner trends below.  Ready to ditch the basic black line? Read on.

Expecting parents are sharing one unexpected physical change.

TikTok has led to so many amazing, and some downright weird, beauty trends; including the “I’m Cold” makeup look, heart-shaped beauty marks, the mass spread of “slugging”, and more. The makeup-crazed app has also lead us down the research-filled rabbit hole when it comes to makeup history, formulation breakdowns, and explaining various beauty phenomena. 

The latest buzzword to hit the TikTok scene, “pregnancy nose” or more specifically “pregnancy nose swelling” has amassed  241.8 million views.

Now, we all know that with pregnancy comes a variety of emotional and physical shifts; glowing skin, mood swings, hair growth, and so on.  But ‘pregnancy nose’ is catching many expecting parents by surprise.

This small but might fruit has the incredible power to beautify.

When it comes to figuring out what’s the next hot new ingredient, the beauty industry is always switching things up. Skincare lovers have seen product formulations that included almost every item under the sun. From standard items like cucumbers and aloe vera to more out-of-the-box selections like snail mucin and placenta (yep, you read that correctly). 

Two countries that are often at the top of their game when it comes to discovering what the hot new formulations are South Korea and India. There are several reasons why these countries, both home to incredibly talented musicians and amazing culinary options, are known for introducing the most innovative skincare ingredients to the world of beauty.

Pucker up without the pinch.

Oscar Wilde once wrote, “The curves of your lips rewrite history.”

Little did Wilde know how our fascination with lips would change the course of history. No matter the time era, there has always been a major focus on lips, whether it was the defined cupid’s bow of the 1920s or the heavily glossed lips of the early 2000s. Many of us can agree that a majority of these trends look amazing on a fuller set of lips. 

While there are plenty of makeup tricks available on platforms like TikTok to (temporarily) change the shape of your lips, there are not many well-known and, more importantly, safe tips for making your lips appear fuller. 

If you’re anything like me and you’re a bit reluctant to have needles touch your face; fear not, there are several filler alternatives you can check out if you want to pump up your pout. 

This dreamy TikTok trend is all about the dewy, matte mix.

TikTok is at it again! Falling down the TikTok rabbit hole lead to the rise of quite a few beauty trends from the “I’m Cold” makeup look to Douyin-inspired style beauty.  One of the latest TikTok trends to hit the beauty stratosphere is the rise of the cloud skin look. Read on to find out what this makeup trend is all about and how you can get the look for yourself. Let’s go!

Genius tricks for all your makeup whoops.

As legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath said “Makeup is malleable and mercurial: The biggest joy I have every day is the opportunity to create, to play, and to invent with something I’ve loved forever.”

There’s so much joy to be had with makeup; whether you’re playing with fun makeup looks like the “I’m Cold” or Douyin aesthetic, or simply playing with some funky eyeliner. For me, makeup can be as simple as putting on a bold red lip for a pop of color or as necessary as applying color corrector and concealer when my skin is just not having it. But as much as makeup is, it can be a bit intimidating to get the handle on when you first start out. 

For as glam as my Ukrainian grandmothers were, their beauty routines were primarily focused on lipstick and a great manicure. My mama, a natural beauty, was no fuss, no muss when it came to makeup while I was growing up, and to this day applies a bit of eyeliner and a nude lip at most for special occasions. So that meant that I had to figure out makeup on my own and looking back on photos, I wish someone had given me these tips that I’m about to share with you.

Here are some common makeup mistakes and how you can fix them.

Wake up to the possibility that your pillow can be the wrinkle culprit.

One of the most consistent pieces of advice I’ve gotten in my existence as both a woman and as a lover of all things related to beauty is how important getting a good night of sleep is. But could sleep, or more specifically your pillow, be causing you to prematurely form wrinkles?!

Let’s dive into a few case studies and skincare experts on their thoughts on the matter, along with some tips and tricks you can do to reap the full benefits of a night of rest. 

The doll-like look has taken over TikTok

Unlike “I’m Cold” makeup look or the e-girl aesthetic, douyin-style makeup is one trend we can’t credit TikTok for, at least not directly. Although we can give the TikTok credit for helping to enlighten the American beauty community about it. 

Douyin makeup refers to the name of a different video-friendly social media platform, known as Douyin (pronounced doe-yeen), created by the same company that created TikTok, Bytedance. 

If you’re not familiar with this viral makeup look, read on to find out what it is and how you can apply this adorable look on yourself. 

Boost your hair and skin with this golden oil.

The beauty industry is always seeking out the next best thing when it comes to finding ingredients for product formulations. From lychee to snail mucin (yes, you read that correctly), there are a great number of products sourced from around the world to enhance your beauty routine. While I’m all for seeking out the latest and greatest that the beauty industry has to offer, sometimes it’s best to stick with the tried-and-true products that our grandmothers or aunties introduced to us. 

In this case, I am referring to the wondrous ingredient/product that is argan oil. 

It's ALL silver linings.

Ready to fully embrace your gray hair? You are in great company! Gray hair is a magnificent manifestation of the beauty that accompanies the passage of time. It showcases sophistication, individuality, and self-assurance, serving as a reminder that true beauty lies in embracing your authentic self, at any age. Choosing to embrace your gray hair is an act of self-love and confidence. It breaks free from societal norms and beauty standards that often associate youth with desirability. By accepting and appreciating the gray strands that grace your head, you send a powerful message to others and yourself – that beauty transcends age.

Expert face washing tips, right this way.

When it comes to setting up a thorough skincare routine; you can go a number of routes; from the minimalist friendly approach of face wash and lotion to the more maximalist approach like the 10-step K-beauty routine.

The number of steps and the type of products you use in your routine depend on a number of factors including but not limited to; skin type, age, location (dry versus humid, cold versus hot climates), and so on.  However, there are two ingredients that are essentially regardless of climate, age, or other individuals factors; sunscreen and face wash. 

While washing your face is the primary step in your skincare routine, it is shocking how few of us know the proper way to wash your face. Much like a baking recipe, if you start off with the wrong first step, you’re not going to get optimal results. 

Here are the tips to make sure you are starting off your skincare routine on the right foot. 

Easy ways to get festive in a flash.

June is known for quite a few things; prom and graduation season, the premiere month for summer weddings, and of course, Pride Month. 

Originally starting out in New York City 1969, June marks the celebration of the LGBTQIA+ individuals around the world. The month is filled with marches, festivities, and a whole host of events to mark the strides made around the world by this incredible community, and as a reminder of how much more work there is still left to be done. As with any festive event, but especially those that take place during Pride Month, makeup plays an important role in how you celebrate. 

Here are a few festive makeup ideas to take pride in stride during this eventful month. 

When it comes to changing the way you look, there are a million and one ways to go about it. From something as quick as trying out a new shade of lipstick to something as dramatic as changing the color of your hair.

While what’s in your head is more important than what’s on it, changing your hair color can often be an emotionally charged and powerful experience.  As someone who’s rocked a number of shades; from more naturally occurring colors like blonde and red to colors more common in a comic book like pink and blue, the color of your hair can often change how you and the world perceive yourself.  As beauty legend Rihanna herself once said, “I love changing my hair color. It makes me feel like a new person.”

Here are a few edgy tones to try out for your hot girl summer.

Snap up these Insta-worthy tips, stat.

Out of all the cultural moments to come out of the early 2000s, one of the lasting effects would be our fixation with taking the perfect selfie. While selfies have existed for centuries, the first known selfie was believed to have been taken in 1839, the version of the selfie as we know it has been around for less than two decades. 

Thankfully, most of us have moved past cringe-worthy selfie styles like over-exaggerated duck face or the overuse of the doggy or flower-crown filters. If you want to start taking selfies or want to up your selfie game, we tapped some top-notch experts for their best tips and tricks.

Step aside #Barbiecore. Something steamy is stirring....

It’s bronzy, it’s glowy, it’s the look that’s all over your ‘For You’ feed. I’m talking about none other than the latte makeup look.

If you’re not familiar with the look that’s all over TikTok and Instagram or are not sure how to get the look on your own, sit down and hold onto your makeup brushes as we dive into the ins and outs of this look. 

Tattoos. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, tattoos make quite a statement. But what happens when you no longer want to announce a particular statement on your body and want to get it removed? Aside from the option of purchasing a ton of expensive, heavy-duty coverage makeup, another route, a more permanent one, would be to go invest for tattoo removal sessions. 

Who doesn’t love biting into a delicious piece of milk chocolate or including a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day? But is it possible that that delicious bite or sip of cocoa-filled treat can lead to an unwelcome visit on your face? That’s the old-wives tale that many of us heard from our mothers and grandmothers growing up. While there are some great skincare tips that can be taken from previous generations, dipping your face in ice water to reduce puffiness, other tips are not as reliable.