The Powder Room Journal
Ingredients explained, routines analysed, and the questions our community are asking
The Powder Room Journal
Team Powder Beauty's must-haves for the everything shower
Lasting for hours, this TikTok trend is peak self-care, involving a bodycare routine that will leave you feeling so fresh and clean for the entire week. If there’s one thing, we love about TikTok, it’s romanticizing mundane habits and being the main character of our lives. Something the Everything Shower trend is all about. What is an Everything Shower? The Everything Shower is a weekly head-to-toe bodycare routine featuring exfoliating scrubs, hair masks, body oils and all the luxurious products you usually save for special days. It’s meant to be a relaxing experience for your body and mind as studies show, building weekly rituals like this can help in boosting your overall wellness. And caring for oneself is always a major mood boost! What products do I need for an Everything Shower? The Powder Beauty team have curated the best conscious body, hair and face products to inspire your Everything Shower routine. Step-1: Pre-shower prep The vibes are everything. So, make sure to set the scene in your bathroom before jumping into the shower. We love to light some scented candles with notes of eucalyptus or lavender like the NEOM Organics Real Luxury Scented Candle and put on calming instrumental music or a true crime podcast- whatever helps you unwind. Next, give your hair some TLC with a pre-wash treatment like a scalp scrub or a mask based on how your hair is feeling that week. If your scalp is oily, we recommend exfoliating it with a scalp scrub and if you need more conditioning try a hair mask like the Davines NOUNOU Nourishing Hair Mask. Now, give your mask some time to marinate by focusing on your body. Time to take out all of your body tools, whether that be a dry brush or a body gua sha. A dry brush can help exfoliate any dead skin cells on the surface, improve blood circulation and enhance lymphatic drainage. Step-2: Shower Time After you’re done with all the prep, it’s time to jump in the shower. This is the shower routine we recommend: Start with the hair. Wash off your hair treatment and double shampoo if you need to. We like using a combination of a detox shampoo along with a hydrating one during the Everything Shower to make our locks clean and ready for the week. Pro-tip: We also recommend starting with the hair first as the runoff of hair products could lead to breakouts or clogged pores on your face and body. Moving on to bodycare. It's important to slough away dead skin cells to reveal brighter, smoother skin. We’re obsessed with body scrubs made from natural exfoliants like sea salt, coffee, or repurposed grounds. These not only buff away dryness but also improve circulation and prep the skin for maximum absorption of moisturizers. Skincare. With the everything shower, you have time to use the sheet mask that’s been sitting on your shelf for weeks. Put that on and leave it as you move on to your post-shower ritual. Step 3- Post-shower Care Now that you’re done with the shower, we’ve reached the final step of the Everything Shower routine, which is possibly our favorite. This is the step where you get to appreciate how soft your skin and hair already feel and lock all the goodness away with more products. Post-shower hydration is key to locking in moisture. Don’t dry off your body completely as applying body lotion to damp skin helps in sealing hydration and allows the products to penetrate deeper into the skin. Our team also swears by lightweight, body oils like the Ignae Body Oil, that nourishes deeply without leaving a greasy residue. Not only will your skin feel moisturized, but it will also give you a healthy, natural glow. After wrapping up your bodycare, you can opt to use a leave-in conditioner on your hair or style it with your go-to hair tool by using a heat protection spray before. We also recommend using a texturizing spray to add some volume and make your hair style last longer. Finally, yes finally, you can finish off your skincare routine by using your favorite serums and using a skin tool like a face roller or ice globes. If you’re heading out, make sure to use plenty of SPF to protect your skin as well. Now that you know what it takes to build an Everything Shower routine, we wish you many happy at-home spa sessions for a lifetime.
Are You Following A Pre and Post-Exercise Skincare Routine?
Working out is a great way to improve your health, but it's important to take care of your skin before and after exercising to avoid irritation and breakouts. Exercise can cause dehydration, so it's important to drink plenty of water both before and after you sweat. Starting your workout with a clean face is important, but what you do after you sweat it out is just as crucial. This pre and post workout skincare routine will help you get rid of acne and keep your skin looking its best. Before your workout The act of cleansing is important for many different reasons. Cleansing can help to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin, helping to avoid breakouts that may be caused by makeup mixing with your sweat and clogging your pores. So, it's important to clean your face and remove your makeup before working out when you can (and depending on how sweaty you expect your workout to be). To quickly remove your makeup, start by soaking a cotton pad with micellar water and gently rubbing it over your face in a circular motion. Continue until all of your makeup is removed. Then, rinse your face with cold water and apply a simple moisturizer and sunscreen. If you’re going for a run along the beach or taking part in any outdoor class or activity, applying SPF is essential for keeping your skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays. If you don't want to use a moisturizer, you should use a sunscreen with a moisturizing formula. During and after your workout During your workout, try not to touch your face to avoid transferring sweat and bacteria onto your skin. For the same reason, it’s usually best to keep your hair tied back. If you didn’t have time to remove your makeup prior to your workout, now is the time to double-cleanse. Start with an oil-based, makeup-dissolving cleanser before a quick wash with a gentle, water-based cleanser to take care of any excess sweat and bacteria left on the skin. After cleansing, follow with a simple replenishing moisturizer - there’s no need to repeat your entire skincare routine unless you’re working out at first thing in the morning, or last thing in the evening. Save any products with active ingredients for your evening routine when your skin is likely to be less sensitive. Most importantly, hydrate! Replenish your skin, body and mind with water and try to continue hydrating throughout the rest of the day or evening.
Mastering The Art of Beauty Self Care – Celebrity Edition
Self-care is the ultimate expression of truly loving yourself. It can present itself in a number of ways through personal boundaries, physical activity, self-development and spiritual growth. It’s a multi-dimensional, broad-spectrum approach to living a life that is vital to your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Renowned psychologist Sanam Hafeez explains how beauty self-care can be both soothing and calming, “On a deeper level, it makes you feel like you’re honouring yourself aesthetically, by taking time out for yourself. Those few minutes, if spent going through the steps in a rhythmic, calm, and purposeful manner, can almost be meditative.” We look at some celebrities who reach the leader board in ultimate beauty self-care. A Worthy Skin Care Routine: Frank Ocean Renowned singer and award-winning artist, Frank Ocean swears by his daily ritualistic skin care routine to keep him feeling confident. Although in his early 30’s and looking no older than 19, Ocean is probably one of the most committed male skincare addicts out here, as quoted in GQ “I need the night cream because when I wake up, I feel very beautiful, moisturised, and ready to have people making eye contact with me. That’s the life hack right there.” Shop all of Powder’s obsession worthy skincare right here. Purposeful Dry Body Brushing: Gwyneth Paltrow Probably the most efficient, and purse-friendly, way to stimulate your lymphatic system and reduce cellulite, dry body brushing is definitely up there with mastering self-care. Dry brushing should be done pre-shower and according to Paltrow “It's an amazing way to exfoliate your body. You take the dry brush and, starting at your feet and working up, sweep it all over your body in light, firm strokes, always brushing toward your heart. It's fantastic for circulation and it helps smooth cellulite. I do it every night before I get in the bath.” We are sold Gwenny, you had us at 'amazing'! Shop the most-wanted body brush here at Powder. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gwyneth Paltrow (@gwynethpaltrow) Body Self Maintenance: Serena Williams A body care routine that ticks all the boxes, Williams is an advocate of regular exercise, no big feat for the tennis champion, coupled with nourishing oils to keep her skin supple and her mind centred. “I think self-care is very important to prioritize in life. When you make time for yourself, you feel like the best version of you and that extends into other facets of life. My self-care routine varies — whether I’m trying a new product or staying loyal to my feel-good classics like coconut oil, I always carve out moments to tend to myself and nurture my body.” No debate here, we love those precious stolen moments lathering indulgent oils all over. You can find our range of luxury body oils to pamper your skin, and mind, here. Nourishing your body: Jennifer Aniston All hail the queen of self-care, Jennifer Aniston. From journalling and meditation, to yoga and breath-work, queen Aniston has stolen the number one spot. Aniston swears by a nourishing her body internally just as much as externally. Growing up with a super-strict health fanatic mother, she said “It was no fun to come to my house because it was all cardboard-tasting foods. When I moved out, my big rebellion was to stock my fridge with food that had taste–I bought every cereal I’d ever wanted and other crap. Eventually, I started to feel like crap. I went to a nutritionist and realised that my mom had been doing me a favour. I committed to being mindful of what I put into my body.” A big advocate of natural supplements and clean protein powders, she focuses on maintaining a good balance to keep her feeling and looking amazing at 53! Shop our range of Aniston-worthy clean supplements and protein powder here.
Hot-Girl Summer 2022 Beauty Trends To Get Ready For!
Summer 2022 is round the corner and we’ve collated the hottest beauty trends to get you in the loop! Luscious Lips Soft, smooth and juicy... The ultimate accessory this summer is the perfect glossy pout and it requires a little more care than a standard lip gloss. Sun exposure, travel, dehydration and some cosmetic ingredients can often dry out your lips. By introducing a lip exfoliator 2-3 times a week to remove uneven texture and following up with a lip mask can keep lips smooth and hydrated. If your daytime lipsticks/gloss don’t already contain SPF, it’s a good idea to keep an SPF balm on hand to apply first and reapply as necessary throughout the day. Natural Dewy Skin The secret is to start from the base and build upwards for the ultimate long-lasting dewy look all day. Beginning with a balancing cleanser topped up with some Vitamin C powder for a gentle buffer and glow. Following with a hydrating antioxidant serum to penetrate the deep layers before applying a non-greasy brightening moisturiser. For additional antioxidant boost add a nutrient-dense face oil, making sure to top off with a broad spectrum SPF for the day time. Glazed Donut Makeup Think Hailey Bieber and all things sweetly glazed... Glowing, plump with a sheen natural finish, it’s the ultimate no-makeup makeup look. The key to the glaze is to layer your no-makeup makeup in the right order. After fully prepping with skincare, we recommend starting with a silicone-free radiance priming serum followed by a natural-look skin tint for light coverage. For glazed cheek-bones look no further than a functional liquid highlighter and a soft-touch highlighting powder for a t-zone finish. Pink, Pink, Pink! We’re talking Pink lips and cheeks but not just any pink! Think glossy strawberry hues and varied shades of rose. Pink is THE summer season colour! When going for a glossy sheen lip look with buildable colour go for a liquid lip balm or for a more natural gloss try out a tinted lip oil. For that semi-matt finish you want to make sure you have some hydration in there so opting for a tinted hydrating balm that has buildable colour is a great option. For the ultimate pink cheek you can go full matt with a pigmented cream-based colour or keep it glossy and sheen with a nourishing stick blush. The Ultimate Eyeliner We are talking all things winged and black. From experimental asymmetric shapes to the classic cat eye, black liner is back. While the smokey eye will always be hailed as an all-time favourite, Summer 2022 bringing back the flick. First step is the ultimate base, an eye primer to keep oils at bay followed by a nude eyeshadow to set the lid. When creating these beautiful summer eyeliner shapes sticking with a liquid eye liner is a must. Follow through with black as night mascara, keeping the eyelashes simple so the eyeliner can be the main attraction. Body boosters Summer bodies on the go! Whether it’s in the privacy of your own back garden or lounging on the beaches of Greece, smooth healthy skin is on the horizon. The perfect pairing of Jasmine scented body polish to exfoliate and anti-inflammatory hydrating antioxidant body wash to keep your skin well-fed. Topping it off up with the delectable scent of sandalwood body glow oil for glossy sealed in moisture to give you the ultimate glowing summer skin.
Meet The Founder - Tiffany Scott CEO & Co-Founder RÓEN Beauty
The first in our line-up of Meet-The-Founder lifestyle edits we asked RÓEN Beauty CEO and Co-Founder Tiffany Scott to answer..... Who are you:Tiffany Thurston Scott, Founder and CEO of Ròen Beauty! Daily Fashion Staple: I don't have a daily fashion staple, but I do wear my Stella McCartney Elyse Platform Sneakers often. They’re incredibly comfortable and stylish, and I always get compliments on them. Daily Beauty Staple: I can't live without the Shu Uemura eyelash curler. I have long lashes but they fall so easily and the only eyelash curler that works for me is the Shu Uemura. AM ritual: The first thing I do when I wake up is make myself a glass of warm lemon water. I’m not a morning person and lemon water helps wake me wake up and gets me going. It's also incredibly good for your system first thing in the morning, it’s detoxifying and is great for keeping your body alkaline which is good for so many things, your heart, liver, and hormonal balance.If I don’t have early a.m. calls, I like to get my workout in straight away. When I’m in LA it’s a hike or a yoga class and when I'm in Utah it’s out my back door for a hike or snow skiing. PM wind down: Warm bath andMeditation for 10 minutes.Something that helps you stay in a positive mindset:Deep Breathing...when I’m feeling overwhelmed, which occurs semi regularly running a company with so many moving parts. I do 4 deep breaths in and out. Breathing techniques have been proven to reset the mind and body and it is really helpful when I’m feeling stress and anxiety. A life changing realisation that you’ve had: I am a perfectionist and I have a tendency to want to get everything accomplished perfectly. Through Róen I have learned the value of patience and that creating innovative, high-performing products takes a lot of time. When I'm developing a product, it could take me 5 times going back and forth with the chemists and labs or it could take me more than 20 times and over a year which was the case with our Cake mascara. But it was worth the time, effort and patience because it won the coveted Glamour Award for Best Mascara and it was a good lesson for me to learn. What inspired you to start RÓEN Beauty: The inspiration of Róen came from my obsession of luxe, glamorous beauty products, I'm a huge fan of many gorgeous, iconic brands. I also have a passion for health and wellness, that I developed growing up in Utah, where I was surrounded by beauty and nature and learned the importance of preserving the environment that surrounded me. When I moved to Los Angeles for my formal education, I fell in love with the glamour and beauty so prevalent in that culture and it inspired me to create a beauty line that was clean, luxe and glamorous, my favourite things!I had an "aha moment" that encouraged me to launch RÓEN after I kept getting irritations and styes in my eye and my dermatologist deducted it was the eye makeup I was using. This prompted me to research the actual ingredients in the makeup I was wearing and I was appalled to learn how harmful the ingredients were. I was putting these toxic ingredients near my eye and on my skin which really freaked me out. This moment was pivotal in my creation of the RÓEN. Advice to younger self: Nobody is perfect, embrace your imperfections, those can be the most interesting and beautiful part about yourself. Top three Instagram accounts: @gwynethpaltrow, I love her philosophy on life and clean beauty, @hungvanngo, he is an innovative incredible makeup artist, and @francismallmann, he is an inventive unique chef who is unlike any chef I have ever seen. Go-to stress remedy: Meditation and deep breathing. Skincare you can't live without: Ròen Elixir Restorative Face Oil; I’m constantly on the go and don’t have time for a long skincare routine. The Elixir Face Oil has all of the nutrients your skin needs built in to one product and has the benefit of giving your skin an outward glow. I put it on generously before I go to bed and in the morning after I shower, I mix it in to my favourite foundation and apply, it gives my skin the nutrients it craves and an instant radiant boost. Top three meals out: I’m a foodie, so I love my nights out. My favourite restaurants in LA are Wolfgang Pucks new restaurant Mirois, it’s really incredible Chinese Fusion and has fabulous rooftop views of LA and Giorgi Baldi which is an old school family Italian restaurant with amazing branzino and pastas. When I'm in Miami I love Stubborn Seed, it's run by Chef Jeremy Ford who studied under Jean-Georges, his food is a modern take on French cuisine and it is spectacular!
Skin Story - Celebrating Inspirational Women In The Region For International Women's Day
The third in our feature of women empowering women and change within the region, we sat down with two sisters, Rashi and Nidhi, the brains and beauties behind UAE-born clean beauty brand Skin Story. Rashi and Nidhi. created Skin Story for women of colour, starting from scratch and ensuring their products are vegan, sustainable, eco-friendly and fragrance-free. Here they are revolutionising the regional beauty market... Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your background... Like many stories, ours was born out of need. We’re two sisters with two different skin types, who had no real access to beauty products that suited us. I, Rashi have sensitive skin and found it challenging to find chemical-free cosmetics that don’t cause me allergies. Nidhi, my sister has great skin but found it almost impossible to find the right shade and product for her skin colour. Our story is one that women can understand, and can relate to. My Background has predominantly been in the fashion world, as a buyer and my sister comes from a jewellery background, being a gemologist. We both come from very different backgrounds but our interest in beauty has always been at the forefront of it all. What brought you two together?Both of us are very passionate about beauty and helping others, We both understand the pain-points in the beauty industry as we are living examples. This is what made us want to make a change in the industry. What made you get into clean beauty?It comes from our own personal need. We both have our own skin and make up related issues. We understand there is a gap in the market regarding clean beauty and feel like it is not so widely available in this region. We wanted to create awareness and a great product proving that make up can be clean and still “do what it says it does”. What restrictions did you face in the regional clean beauty market?I think the biggest issue was that we found that we needed to educate the customers about clean beauty first before buying into clean beauty. The fact that clean beauty is relatively new here in this region means that we need to create awareness first so the customer understands the benefits of clean beauty. What was the big push that created Skin Story?I think it was when we travelled to London and came across a clean beauty store. We knew that was the goal and eventually wanting to create something similar in this region. How did you find the creative and start-up process in the region?To be honest it was quite hard to meet likeminded people in this region. Recently there have been many more companies and people who have gotten into the start up life so subsequently have met the right people and people who are in similar industries but a few years ago when we started off, it was extremely difficult. What do you think about the current mindset towards clean beauty and how do you see things changing... I think as mentioned before, clean beauty is still a relatively new concept so I think it will take time for customers to actually understand it. Recently, more people have been buying into the clean beauty lifestyle. Any big plans for Skin Story you want to share with us... We want to expand our product base and have simple clean make up solutions for all women. We also are wanting to make Skin Story a global brand and we intend on being an international clean beauty brand. You can follow Skin Story on IG @skinstoryme & shop their range at Powder Beauty here.
Give the Gift Of Conscious Beauty This Valentine's
The month of love is upon us! While we believe in love every day of the year, there is no better reason than to celebrate extra love than the month of February! Whether you are looking for someone special, a bestie or a little treat for yourself, we've rounded up a selection of the perfect Valentine's gifts. Holistic Silk Anti-Ageing Silk Eye Mask Filled with real lavender to invoke calm and a deep relaxing slumber which in turn boosts energy levels the next day. With a weightless feel and soft velvet ties for an adaptable, non-restrictive fit we promise you it will become a staple in your bedtime routine.Codex Beauty Bia Pamper Kit Codex Pamper Kit is a go-to simple but luxurious gift, suitable for treating anyone on your list (or even just for yourself)! Featuring a patented, bio-active blend of Irish plant extracts inspired by traditional Herbal medicine, the Bia line is designed to not only moisturise skin but create a protective, water retaining film.Malin+Goetz Dark Rum CandleChannel warm, exotic and seductive vibes with this best-selling candle which captures the essence of long days spent in the tropical sun and late summer nights with friends. With 60 hour burn time of natural wax, you can keep relighting this handmade full-bodied scented candle. French Girl Lumière Shimmer Moonlight Pearl Body OilThis buildable body oil highlights your skin with a just a hint of shimmer while deeply nourishing and restoring the skin. This beautifully packaged treat is also our go-to choice for a gift that’s guaranteed to be appreciated and loved.KNC Beauty Lip Mask (Box of 5)This 20-minute transformative lip mask hydrates, smooths and softens lips for a perfectly plump pout - no needles required. Ideal as a primer before applying lipstick too, especially a matte formula. Valentine's lips commence!Holistic Silk Limited Edition Lavender Make Up Bag Blue Waves Silk BrocadeAdd a touch of glamour to your daily essentials with this beautifully crafted, Lavender-scented makeup bag. A gorgeous gift of love for yourself or a loved one.French Girl Jasmine Sea Polish Smoothing TreatmentSensual and feminine, this lush body polish is the perfect skin smoother year-round. Instantly carrying your senses to a Provençale spa day, the FRENCH GIRL Jasmin Sea Polish is a Valentine's must-have.Holistic Silk Velvet Jade Hot Water Bottle Perfect for keep you or that special someone warm on those chilly lonely nights away or to snuggle up to together on the couch watching your favourite film. Additional benefits of soothing common ailments such as stomach, back and neck ache. A luxurious self-care investment. Slip Silk Eye Mask BlackThe perfect partner to your Slip Silk Pillowcase, the Slip Silk Sleep Mask guarantees luxurious bedtime pampering night after night or can be used for a bit of extra fun. Give the gift that keeps giving to yourself (and your loved ones)!ILIA Beauty Meet The MinisSometime's the perfect gift comes in the smallest packages. A thoughtful and wonderful start to going clean beauty with the cult global brand ILIA. Achieve a fresh, natural look with ILIA’s best-sellers. Shop the full range of Powder Beauty Lifestyle and Gift edit here....Also be sure to check out our curated Men's selection here for that special guy!
Pure-Fect Make-Up Brushes for a Clear Conscience
Let’s face it, makeup brushes are far more effective than fingers. Further, we have come a long way since those days we used makeup brushes that came with the makeup. While there might still be some serial offenders, the majority of folk roaming the streets with streaky looking makeup are a thing of the past. The right brush can disperse product more evenly and smoothly across the skin. So having the right brush matters. And we are not talking about one brush for all and not just any kind of brush. We know, it’s a bit of a drag to spend money on makeup tools instead of actual makeup (we feel your pain) but it’s worth it. And trust us, your skin will thank you. With so many types of brushes, how do you find the best brush for your needs?First step: Determine what makeup you intend to use it. If you are into powder or creamy eyeshadows, then eyeshadow makeup brushes are just what you need. If you would like your foundation to be buttery-smooth, then a suitable foundation brush is the product of choice for that seamless, polished coverage. Secondly, think about the purpose. Do you want to use a makeup brush for blending? If so, you should pick a fluffier type of brush as it will diffuse whatever pigment powder you are using and automatically makes you look like you know what you are doing. On the other hand, if you are looking to add more coverage with streak-free precision, then a flat type of brush surface is best. Faux bristles or Natural, how do you choose?Synthetic all the way! Why wouldn’t one go for a truly cruelty-free alternative given there are so many unbelievably soft ones out there? Not only is synthetic more affordable, it is also better for your skin. The fibers are easier to clean and sanitize than animal hair makeup brushes which are likely to collect bacteria. With huge advancements in technology, faux bristles will not only stand the test of time but are antimicrobial. Also, it’s 2022 and just as we have banished fur and non-cruelty-free beauty and skincare products, the same must be done when it comes to investing in quality tools. For the animal lovers, it is also extremely difficult to know if natural makeup brushes are made in a cruelty-free way. Due to a lack of regulation or animal welfare laws in countries where many of these products are manufactured, only a small number of brands can trace the origins of the materials back to a source. So, think about the goats, boars, and squirrels! Think of their sad faces.Also, from a purely practical point of view, if you have sensitivity or allergies to some animals or animal hair this type of makeup brush is a no-no. Did we mention that these types of brushes also shed over time, from application and cleaning? Not pleasant... Makeup brush hackWhen applying foundation, start by putting a bit of the product on the back of your hand and then dip the brush to get the most of your precious products. This will give you control to use as little or as much of the product as you like. Makeup brushes have a way of eating up your product so this will help you to avoid wastage. A win-win solution for all. Shop our premier pro vegan brushes by RÓEN Beauty here exclusive to Powder Beauty!
A few good reasons to switch to eco-friendly beauty: five clean brands that put the earth first
When it comes to caring for the planet, one of the most impactful things you can do is clean up your beauty routine! Research shows that cosmetic ingredients like synthetic fragrances and chemicals can sometimes end up in our water or soil, harming plants and animals and causing disruption to the natural ecosystems. Additionally, many companies still use a lot of packaging for their products, meaning excess plastic and paper waste. That’s the bad news. The good news is that as more shoppers demand cleaner, safer and more sustainable products, many independent companies are stepping up to the plate and introducing more eco-friendly options. If you’ve been thinking about becoming a more conscious consumer, your personal care products are a perfect place to start. By opting for cruelty-free, vegan cosmetics made with better ingredients and more sustainable packaging, you’ll help preserve the planet and your skin. To help you get started, here are clean and conscious brands we love, that are leading the way, and changing the game with cleaner beauty products: Róen Beauty Róen Beauty is a brand that truly thinks on the next level. They may be known for their beautiful pigment-rich cosmetics but they’re also a company that cares about clean formulas. In recent years, they’ve eliminated the use of glitter - which is known to be harmful to the environment - and innovated their products utilizing low-toxicity ingredients like zinc stearate and responsibly sourced mica, which preserves the color payoff customers love, with no glitter needed. Rahua Rahua’s brand tagline is “Rainforest Grown Beauty'' and they are committed to giving back through numerous practices that support preservation of the Amazon rainforest. Water conservation, recyclable sustainable packaging, philanthropy, and community service are all part of their company mission. This popular line focuses on natural formulas for the hair and skin. All Rahua products are vegan, organic, sulfate-free, paraben-free and support indigenous economies. Ilia Beauty Ilia has built a reputation for creating clean skin-centric products that go viral; but they’re equally passionate about eco-friendly beauty. Ilia advocates for sustainability across the board, using only recycled aluminum and post-consumer recycled paper printed with vegetable-based dyes to package their iconic line. SunKiss Sun protection products are a very important part of any skincare routine. However, certain SPF ingredients have been found to be very harmful to marine life and flora. Enter: SunKiss, a luxury brand that is changing the sunscreen game by offering reef-friendly sun care products. They’re also striving to reduce their environmental impact by reducing packaging waste. Their reusable and refillable aluminum bottles are 100% recyclable and produced using only 5% of the energy expended for plastic packaging. Moon Juice This loved indie wellness beauty brand’s glass packaging is infinitely recyclable and reusable and the outer cartons are printed with eco-friendly veggie ink on FSC-certified paper. Going a step further, Moon Juice’s “Supers” glass bottles will transition to Beyond Green lids later this year. Instead of virgin plastic, these lids are made from a corn-based resin (PLA) and will fully break down in an industrial compost after 6 months, or your backyard compost after 1 year.
You may not realise you're making these common beauty mistakes
Getting skincare right can feel a lot like being back in high school chemistry class. There are always a number of separate but related factors that contribute to how your skin looks and feels. If you’re making an effort to keep your skin in tip top shape but not seeing results, you might be making these common beauty mistakes. You may be: Using too many actives at once When it comes to skincare, more is definitely not more. If you’re using many different skincare products at once with the hope of getting fast results, taking a step back may actually help you reach your goals much quicker. Using too many products which are made with active ingredients (such as Vitamin A/Retinol, Vitamin C, AHAs or BHAs) regularly is likely to do more harm than good. Using these exfoliating actives at the same time will compromise your skin’s natural moisture barrier and leave you with a dehydrated, angry and inflamed face – not quite the look you’re going for! Skin which has a healthy moisture barrier will be able to function and repair itself much faster and in turn will be calmer and more even-toned. As a general rule of thumb, you should build up the use of actives into your routine slowly starting from once or twice a week, depending on how sensitive your skin is. Avoid using any two actives in one daily routine and try to pare back to no more than one active a day. Prioritise your results and go from there – for example, if your objective is clear skin then starting out with a BHA only will help reduce your active clogs and breakouts. After you have your breakouts under control, you can consider replacing the BHA with an AHA or Vitamin C once or twice a week to work on fading those breakout scars. Not keeping things clean You wash your face morning and night and you try not to touch or pick at your skin. So why are you still getting breakouts? Unfortunately, there are still a number of ways that harmful bacteria may be finding their way to your skin. The most common culprits are your make-up brushes and sponges, such as Beauty Blenders, which tend to remain damp and particularly inviting to bacteria. This bacteria transfers to your skin every time you apply your make-up, so make sure you keep your beauty tools clean and allow them to dry in between uses. This same principle applies to your pillowcase. If you are particularly blemish-prone, you may even consider changing your pillowcase every 3 days to reduce the amount of bacteria that transfers onto your skin while you sleep. Finally, just remember that your phone touches absolutely everything, and every time you answer the phone, your skin is exposed to all that bacteria. Terrifying. While you can’t eliminate the spread of this bacteria entirely, regularly cleaning your phone with disinfectant wipes will help reduce the risk. Not wearing enough sunscreen It’s great that you’re wearing sunscreen every day, but the work is not yet done (sorry). Now the question is, are you wearing enough? Nothing sabotages your skin more than over-exposure to UV rays, and that sabotage doesn’t just mean that your skin will show signs of ageing later in life. At any age, sun exposure will have an immediate negative impact on your skin, including dehydration and pigmentation. If you have any blemishes from acne breakouts, sun exposure will only darken these and make them harder to fade. So, if you wear sunscreen that’s formulated into your moisturiser or foundation, you’re at risk as it may not be enough. The easiest way to make sure you’re safe is to find a high-factor, lightweight sunscreen you love and can commit to wearing daily, and use this in conjunction with the SPF in your foundation or complexion products.
The post-pandemic beauty trends to look out for
To say that much of our world has changed over the last few weeks is an understatement. From the transformation of traditional office life to our approach to health and wellness, it’s fair to say that 2020 has marked a turning point. As we spend more time indoors and online, our approach to beauty is likely to change as well. These are the post-pandemic beauty trends we’re expecting to see over the next year: Skincare as wellness Skincare has been having a moment and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. Awareness and innovation in the skincare world has soared in recent years and the pandemic has accelerated a general shift towards thinking of skincare as wellness. As we spend more time at home, we’re spending less time wearing make-up and more time indulging in our skincare routines as a source of comfort and much-needed self care. Makeup refresh As we focus more on our skincare routines, our makeup styles are shifting towards Zoom-ready simplicity. Gone are the days of contouring, cut creases and heavy highlighter. Instead, they are making way for a new wave of light coverage foundations and moisturisers that highlight our pampered complexions, hydrating lipsticks in your-lips-but-better nudes, and the occasional simple pop of fresh, bold colour. We are also predicting a comeback (and a major overhaul) for bronzers, which will reappear finely-milled, less orange and more illuminating than the glittering nineties and early noughties versions we had in our high-school makeup bags. Clean beauty becomes a must There’s nothing like a global pandemic to remind us just how important our physical and mental wellbeing are. As a result, we are becoming increasingly conscious of what our beauty products are made of. More and more, we are going to be looking for products formulated with clean ingredients, and can expect greater scrutiny around what clean really means. We will be reaching for products made with ingredients we can actually pronounce, and which are vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable. Beauty goes high-tech The vacuum of salon treatments and facials has placed the spotlight on at-home facial devices which have never been more popular. From cleansing brushes to facial massage and light therapy, there is growing tech innovation in the beauty industry which makes these devices investment-worthy. This momentum is unlikely to stop, and with the hygiene of in-store testing being called into question, color cosmetics retailers are likely to quickly follow suit with AI-powered color and scent matching technologies. Bolder hair choices After months of social distancing and an assortment of DIY hair disasters, we are preparing for a cousin of the post-breakup cut, the post-pandemic cut, to make an appearance. Our overgrown roots and split ends will be making way for easy, low maintenance cuts and colour choices. We’re ready to venture out with a fresh, daring new look and less hair to hold us down.
Five beauty resolutions to make during quarantine
Lockdown living has become the new norm for many of us around the globe, with social distancing likely to continue for the foreseeable future. It can feel increasingly difficult to focus on staying positive but in the spirit of silver linings, quarantine life is a great opportunity to step up your beauty game. We’re talking about making those time-consuming beauty investments that you’ve always wanted to try in theory but never had the time (or the privacy, because things don’t always go to plan) for. Well, the time has now come so line up those #throwbacks and commit to making-over your beauty routine: Start using actives Trying new skincare products can be a little risky if you have sensitive skin or have suffered from adverse reactions in the past. This is an ideal time to try all the products you’ve been coveting from afar (not all at once!) particularly those formulated with actives such as retinol, acids or vitamin C. These types of products often lead to temporary side-effects such as peeling, dryness or breakouts, which fade as your skin adjusts. Retinoids are particularly notorious for their adjustment period and if you’ve always wanted to step up your anti-ageing routine but didn’t have 6 – 8 weeks, now’s the time. Adjust to natural deodorant You may already be thinking about making some long-term changes to live a cleaner lifestyle, and avoiding the preservatives and aluminium in deodorant could be one of them. We are going to be honest - it can be a little painful. Natural deodorants do just that – remove odor. ‘Regular’ deodorants are often also antiperspirants, which work to inhibit sweat by plugging your pores, usually with aluminium salts. Sweat is actually odorless, and body odor occurs as a result of bacteria breaking down on your skin. Deodorants allow your body to sweat but target this bacteria, usually alongside masking it with a particular scent. When you stop using an antiperspirant and switch to a natural deodorant, you’ll not only feel sweatier but will likely also experience an increase in odor as your sweat glands will be purging years of trapped toxins and bacteria. Don’t give up! It’s a temporary phase and your body will eventually re-balance as the bacteria subsides and moisture levels decrease. This whole process may take up to 30 days so lockdown is an ideal time to start (maybe not for your family or housemates). Adjust to clean haircare Just like our armpits, our scalps may need a break from the potentially harmful chemicals they’re bombarded with daily. And just like with our armpits, the journey can be rough. Most conventional shampoos are formulated with foaming agents, such as sulfates, which work to create the rich lather we associate with feeling clean. Unfortunately, this lather can also strip your hair and sensitive scalp area of their natural oils, leading to dryness, itching and a rough hair texture. In addition to the wellness benefits, switching to ‘clean’ haircare can actually make your hair look and feel much stronger and healthier in the long term, but may require a detox period. Your hair may over-produce oil for a period of time – around two weeks – until it rebalances. Deep condition your hair Not only is the lockdown an ideal break from heat styling, it’s also a great time to treat yourself to some serious deep conditioning (should we be calling it a lockdown? Too much? Are we losing it?) Grab your favourite mask or treatment, apply to freshly washed damp hair and leave on for a few hours if not all day. When you’re done, lightly shampoo before sealing with a conditioner for best results. If you don’t have any hair masks to hand, substitute with coconut or olive oil before washing and voila! Soft, silky hair you can’t stop admiring. It is possible to over-do it, however, so we don’t recommend this type of deep-conditioning more than once a week to avoid build-up. Reacquaint yourself with your natural beauty We love makeup. It enhances your best features, lets you have fun, and makes you feel confident and ready to face the world. It’s incredibly addictive. We also haven’t worn any for weeks now and are starting to like it! In the beginning, it felt strange, but over time our natural features become more comfortable, familiar and beautiful. This doesn’t mean that when this experience is behind us, we won’t be wearing and enjoying our makeup again. We may just appreciate what's underneath a little more.