These are a few of my favorite things: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

This will be a new weekly series where I discuss my favorite thing that week. It could be a television show, a beauty product, a book, etc. It will be a way for me to share what I've been loving lately.

I know what you're thinking: This has to be the most gimmicky title of all time. Aztec Secret? Really? I doubt the Aztecs were concerned with their acne. I understand that sentiment because I was thinking the same thing. However, I saw the reviews on Amazon and couldn't believe that it had a 4.5 star rating with 3,015 customer reviews. Also, several Amazon customers posted their before-and-after pictures, which completely stunned me. Some of these reviewers were even struggling with painful, cystic acne. Being the curious person that I am, I bought it Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.

The first time I tried the clay, I didn't listen to the reviewers who said to use apple cider vinegar instead of water. As a result? The clay was a MESS. It was very clumpy and would not combine with the water no matter so much I mixed it with my hands. Nevertheless, I slathered it on my face as best I could. I felt my face pulsating and thought "Hmmm, this must mean it's working!" I washed off the clay after about 20 minutes and then immediately moisturized my face because it felt super dry. A couple days later, I tried the clay again but used a ziplock bag to mix the clay and water. The mixture was a bit better than my first time, but still not great. 

Finally, I tried it with apple cider vinegar and was blown away by how the clay just mixed with the apple cider vinegar on its own with barely any kneading from me. It felt like an actual clay mask that you buy at the drugstore. In addition, there is a plethora of people on the internet raving about the positive effect of apple cider vinegar on your face. The pulsating effect was amplified by the apple cider vinegar and my skin felt so tight that I could barely speak. 

But I'm sure you're wondering if it work! It's too earlier to tell at this point but I have noticed my pores are smaller and I am breaking out less. I've also seen the small blackheads on my nose disappear. My skin is a bit sensitive after each use, so I would definitely recommend using a thick moisturizer afterward. The pulsating effect is so cool and relaxing--you feel like you've spent 20 minutes at the spa. I would definitely recommend this product to someone looking to clear up their skin and tighten their pores. Even if you don't believe me, 3,000+ people might persuade you. 

How often you should shower...according to science

Do you know what really divides people? Showering. There are people who LOVE to shower, and there are people who HATE to shower, and there aren’t that many people who feel lukewarm (puns!) about the whole showering thing. We are not here today to judge anyone’s showering preferences, we are here to share some mega-scientific showering news.

Two dermatologists told BuzzFeed Life that Americans shower way more than they need to. This news isn’t terribly surprising, considering the fact that most of us know at least one person who showers two to three times a day. Well, the reality is we could really be showering once every two to three days.

The history behind our modern bathing rituals (and cultural over-showering) is pretty interesting, so let’s have a look-see, shall we?

Dr. Joshua Zeichner, assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, said that our showering frequency and perception of body odor is “really more of a cultural phenomenon.” Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist in Boston, agreed telling BuzzFeed. “We overbathe in this country, and that’s really important to realize,” she said. “A lot of the reason we do it is because of societal norms.”

But where did those norms originate from, you may be wondering? Well, for starters — advertising. Really really, ridiculously good (looking) advertising.

Katherine Ashenburg, author of The Dirt on Clean: An Unsanitized History, told BuzzFeed Life, “After the Civil War, both advertising and toilet soap (AKA body soap) became more prevalent in the United States. Americans turned out to be much more gullible and susceptible to these things than Europeans.” Advertisements started working, and people started bathing more often, leaving them with less body odor.

Which, to me, doesn’t sound terrible.

And now on to the science of showering: Zeichner and Hirsche reported to BuzzFeed that frequent showering (specifically in hot water) can dry out skin and cause irritation, wash away good bacteria that exists on the skin, and introduce small cracks that put people at a higher risk of infection. That part definitely sounds terrible.

According to BuzFeed Life, the doctors also said that parents shouldn’t bathe babies and toddlers every day. “Early exposure to dirt and bacteria may make the skin less sensitive as you age and prevent allergies and conditions like eczema”.

So, what we’ve learned is that next time you want to sleep in or are too cold to get undressed to get in the shower, just don’t! And don’t you dare feel bad about it.

Source

Why Costco might be the best beauty store

Before celebrity makeup artist Kristofer Buckle was painting the faces of Mariah Carey and Blake Lively, he was a bouncer, of sorts. "I worked at the doors of several nightclubs and VIP velvet ropes in New York," he explains of his stints at iconic New York City hotspots of yore Limelight and The Makeup Room. "It was my job to keep people out and only let certain people in, and I just never felt comfortable with that," he says. "I just wanted everyone to come to my party."

Hatch Beauty

That experience has taught him to turn down many a beauty contract over his decades in the industry — something that obviously surprised brands (and, perhaps more so, his agents). "I wanted to wait until I had my own line, and even then, I wanted to still use other products to hold on to my credibility."

So, when the bewilderingly elusive Ben Bennett, the CEO of "brand incubator" Hatch Beauty, called Buckle about creating his very own line for a mass-market brand, he was finally interested. The hook? It was to sell at Costco, home of value packs, deluxe-sized cereal, and discount everything.

Bennett, who was unavailable for comment for this piece, had only recently launched a project with the retailer called Beauty's Most Wanted. The concept was artist-based, artist-created products — no celebrity faces or faux endorsements. Just talented professionals making quality beauty buys — for the Costco consumer.

Beauty's Most Wanted launched with three industry heavyweights: Orlando Pita, who is easily one of the most in-demand (and notoriously perfectionist) hairstylists in the fashion world; Pati Dubroff, a celebrated makeup artist who's on speed-dial for celebrities from Charlize Theron to Taylor Swift; and Jenna Hipp, who can only be described as the celebrity manicurist (Miley, Lea Michele) who changed the game via Instagram. Buckle and Jessica Wu, MD, a renowned dermatologist in Los Angeles, joined the roster shortly afterward.

Each professional was tasked with creating products that would resonate with a large audience and that could sell in Costco's typical "deluxe" packaging. Pita's go-to styling tool, Revive Instant Boost Dry Shampoo, sells in packs of two, instead of one. His conditioners, only available in large sizes, come with bottles of argan hair oil. Dubroff''s eye palettes come with 12 shadows and a liner, Buckle's lip tints come in sets of four, and Hipp's polishes were initially available in sets of 16, and are now sold in sets of eight. The emphasis is on the money you save by buying in bulk, not on the initial pricetag. (For example, $35 could seem like a lot for lip crayons, but not when you're getting a pack of five.)

"Costco has a huge base of members [who] trust what's on their shelves," Pita explains. "They don't have 50 shampoos and conditioners, or styling products...they have five to 10 that they deem the best. This editing process is an asset for me to present my brand there." While a carefully selected mix benefits the artist by making sure they don't get lost on overcrowded shelves, it's also a benefit to consumers. Many beauty retailers tout the variety of brands they offer, which in theory sounds great, but often, an overwhelming array and lack of guidance can leave the average shopper lost.

From a wholesale perspective, buying in bulk, like Costco does, allows for a lower price point at retail, but also more spending on the product development side. "By producing a large volume of product that can be distributed nationwide through their stores, I'm able to lower the price that it costs for me to produce," Dr. Wu points out. This especially comes in handy with her serum, a 15% vitamin C formula that's packaged in four airtight containers, each with a 10-day supply of product to ensure maximum ingredient efficacy. "Those airtight pumps are not cheap, so being able to buy them in bulk makes a big difference, especially if you want to source high-quality ingredients and have efficient packaging," she says.

It also allowed Hipp, a woman known for preaching about the potentially dangerous ingredients in most nail polishes, to create a formula that actually met her standards. (It also afforded her the pleasure of naming every single nail color. "I would send pictures to Miley and ask her for ideas," she quips.) For Dubroff and Buckle, it was all about taking their most essential, go-to colors for the eyes and lips, and packaging them smartly in palettes or kits.

Unlike the very few big corporations you see at the drugstores, Beauty's Most Wanted is represented by individuals — that's a huge point of difference, especially for a customer base that's looking for personal connections and engagement (the success of YouTube gurus is good evidence for this). "There are all these brands at mass, but who the hell are they?" Hipp asks. "Can you go on Instagram and talk to them? No. But, you can talk to me! You can ask me a question on social media. I am 100% integrated into my brand, because I am my brand."

The funny thing is, most of the players here (except for Buckle) come from the world of luxury. Dubroff has been looking into a (very) high-end cosmetics line, Hipp had a collection with the $18-per-polish brand RGB, Pita collaborated with high-end hair tools manufacturer T3, and Dr. Wu had a line at Nordstrom. The decision to go mass-market, then, wasn't exactly a minor one. "Sure, I have a prestige line in my head and in my heart," Dubroff says. "But, my thought has been that the ability to reach a lot of people will help me make that dream a reality."

Dr. Wu says for her, it's an opportunity to engage a different type of consumer. "I was thinking about how I could reach people or patients who wouldn't be able to sit in my chair," she says. "I saw a study that showed only a small fraction of women nationwide go to a derm or a professional for their skin needs. I saw this and thought this project would be a way to reach a much larger group of women."

For Hipp, however, (amicably) parting ways with RGB and launching her eponymous brand at mass meant something entirely different. She is the owner and founder of Nailing Hollywood, an agency that promotes and books manicurists who are just starting out. "The most amazing part of what I'm doing with the Hipp brand is reinvesting it back into Nailing Hollywood," she explains. "I just feel like I'm responsible for the careers of eight young women. So, I have something to prove. How can they trust me if I haven't lived the career they want?"

Considering the product offerings from Beauty's Most Wanted just keep coming down the pipeline, it seems like Hipp's dream might just become a reality. "There are huge things happening," she says. "Seriously, I mean it. Hold on to your hats!" We can't wait.

Source

You can now 3D print any color makeup from your home computer

A recent Harvard Business School grad has come up with a brilliant way to disrupt the $55 million makeup industry. Rather than run to Sephora to pay premium prices on a unique—but let’s face it, really impractical—eyeshadow color, women can now quite literally print it from their home computer.

Welcome to the wonderful world of 3D printing, in which people can create anything fromfood to human skulls to your favorite, discontinued lipstick color.

“The makeup industry makes a whole lot of money on a whole lot of bulls—,” Grace Choi told an eager crowd at TechCrunch Disrupt. “They do this by charging a huge premium on one thing that technology provides for free, and that one thing is color.”

And so Choi created Mink, a mini 3D printer for your home that will allow users to print out any color of makeup using FDA-approved ink. (That should soothe moms who are a little worried about their kids standing too close to the microwave, let alone putting something that came out of a printer on their eyelids). Choi explained, “The inkjet handles the pigment, and the same raw material substrates can create any type of makeup, from powders to cream to lipstick.”

While Walmart and drug stores have limited their color selections to those that will lead to mass sales, Mink has turned computers and smartphones into endless beauty aisles with an unlimited color palate selection. Users can pull the hex code of any color found on a website — including Pinterest boards and YouTube makeup tutorials — or smartphone photos. “We’re going to live in a world where you can take a picture of your friend’s lipstick and print it out,” Choi said.

Once users have the color code, they only have to plug it into Photoshop or Paint and press the print button. Choi showed how simple the process was in a live demo. It took less than 40 seconds to print a pink eyeshadow.

Mink’s target demographic is 13 to 21 year old girls, who might find the price tag a little hard to manage. But even if printer ink might be comparable in price to Mac, the product is still pretty incredible.

How the blind see beauty

Have our beauty standards affected fruits and vegetables?

How to cheat your way to perfect hair

If you have fine hair...

Since fine hair tends to be oily, turn to dry shampoo to get the job done. "Instead of waiting to use dry shampoo on the second or third day, use it on the first day as a styler and to start the process of soaking up oils," Gibson recommends. After you blowdry, spray a bit at the roots, and use your fingers to work it in, while making sure to keep the focus on your roots. This will add volume to your style and help soak up any moisture. Baby powder works just as well, but Gibson has Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo and Pssst Instant Dry Shampoo Spray in his kit.

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $19.50, available at Drugstore.com.

Curly Hair

"Because it's highly porous, curly hair needs added moisture to help create a curl and add definition," explains Gibson. "It's the lack of moisture in the cuticle that makes curls dry and frizzy." To ensure your curls are healthy and have tons of bounce, wash your hair just once or twice a week, and use a leave-in conditioner each time. Or, you can use your regular conditioner on just your mid-shaft to your ends, and skip washing it out. "This will make sure your curls have life to them, but not weigh your hair down," says Gibson.

DevaCurl B'Leave-In, $19, available at Sephora.

Thick Hair

Smoothness and shine are the two elements you need to achieve great-looking, thick hair. Use an oil like L'Oreal Professional Mythic Oil before you blowdry. Then, making sure to stay away from your roots, apply a tiny dollop onto damp hair from mid-shaft to the ends. "Oils are hot right now, because they smooth the cuticle and add shine, which is what everyone wants," Gibson says. Finish by using a straightening iron to lock in the shine.

L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil, $25.90, available at Amazon.

Natural Waves

While we all want to look like we just rolled out of bed with perfect waves, it takes a bit of finesse to get them to look just right. "A curling iron is the most important tool for women that have a naturally wavy texture," says Gibson. To help define your waves take 1 1/2-inch sections and go over them using a medium-to-large sized iron.

T3 BodyWaver 1.75" Professional Curling Iron, $149, available at Sephora.

Processed Hair

Whether colored or chemically treated, processed hair needs extra TLC, starting in the shower. "You want to look for both a shampoo and conditioner that have moisturizing effects on the hair to fill in the open cuticle at the start," Gibson says. Starting with the right foundation will ease your styling process and leave you with healthy looking, shiny hair in the end.

Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Moisture Velvet Nourishing Conditioner, $58, available at Birchbox.

Relaxed Hair

"Since relaxers pull all of the moisture and protein out of your strands, it needs constant replenishment," explains Gibson. Opt for a shampoo and conditioner like Mizani Moisturfusion Milk Bath Gentle Rather Rinse and Moisturfusion Silk Cream Conditioner Dry & Brittle Hair Treatment.

Mizani Moisturfusion Milk Bath, $11.89, available at Sleek Hair.

Grown-Out Bangs

All you need is a blowdryer and a round brush to put your frustrations at ease and avoid looking like an Old English Sheepdog. Side part your overgrown bangs and use a round brush to create volume at the root when blowdrying and give them a lift. "The longer they get, the more of a lift they'll need until they're at a length that can be pulled off as a layer," Gibson says.

DryBar Full Pint Medium Round Brush, $40, available at Sephora.

Short Hair

When you have short hair, no matter what the style, you want to show off your cut. To highlight the ends, make sure they're defined. Try using a flat iron on the bottom only to make sure the edges look clean or if you have a pixie style, a texturizing paste will help give you the definition you want.

Sedu Revolution Compact Styler, $70, available at Folica.

Layers

To help showcase your layers, take a wax or pomade and soften it by rubbing the formula between your hands. Then, run it through the ends of your hair to help create texture, which will help define your layers. Gibson recommends Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade because it offers control and shine.

Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade, $21, available at Nordstrom.

Source

NailSnaps makes custom nail art out of your instagram pictures

This is one fail-safe way to make sure no one has the same nail art as you.

NailSnaps is an app that will let you import your own Instagram photos to create unique, one-of-a-kind nail stickers. The app lets you arrange the photo to either create a continuous image across the nails, or zoom-in on one part of your photo and have it repeat on each fingernail.

NailSnaps is the brainchild of LA-based designers Angel Anderson and Sarah Heering, who put the project up on KickStarter to raise $47,381. With 18 days left in their campaign, they have over $36,000 dollars left to bring in. As with all Kickstarter projects, if they don't raise their goal by the deadline, they get none of the money that others have pledged.

We (selfishly) hope their Kickstarter succeeds. Usually, we fans of nail art have to either shell out tons of money for expertly-crafted custom designs or walk around with sad, self-painted approximations of things we saw on Pinterest.

But thanks to NailSnaps, all we need to be good at is taking a decent Instagram pic, which isn't that hard thanks to filters and ever-improving smartphone camera lenses.

Anderson and Heering have included prototypes like palm trees, keyboards and bridal lace on their Kickstarter page.

Source

Ingredient you don't want in your facewash

The benefits of oil pulling

For those who have battled a slight cold for this entire winter, they know there's no such thing as a miracle cure for the immune system, but one new method is purporting to be just that. Oil pulling, an ancient Ayurvedic method of detoxing and rejuvenating the body, is having its moment in the spotlight, thanks to its easy-to-try technique and already-in-the-pantry ingredients.

So what is oil pulling? It's literally consists of swishing oil around in your mouth, much like you would do with mouthwash, and allowing the benefits of it to take hold. According to Food Matters, studies have shown that oil pulling can reduce the amount of S. mutans (germs) in the teeth and mouth. The theory holds that thanks to the slick surface the oil creates (which you're already familiar with from your frying pan), it keeps bacteria from getting a good hold in your body.

Other studies have found actual "saponification" or cleansing effects that literally get rid of bacteria and fungus that can cause anything from bad breath to sore throats, according to Elephant Journal. Popular oils to use for the process include sesame oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, or most recently, the very popular coconut oil. And here's what you do:

• First thing in the morning (before brushing or eating or drinking anything), pour yourself a tablespoon of the oil of your choice
• Put it in your mouth, and swish it around for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes
• Spit it out into a plastic baggy (because it can solidify and clog your pipes)
• Rinse your mouth out with water, and then drink a glass of water

Many reports have people blowing their noses and clearing their throats right after oil pulling, as one of the many benefits include clearing out mucus in the body. As far as negative effects go, like most natural techniques, there hasn't been a huge amount of research done in the area, though it has not been found to be harmful by any studies conducted.

Source

Beauty products you can make at home

Their powers combined, these ingredients can be used to create homemade beauty products to improve the health and look of your skin, hair and nails.

Recipes For Skin

1. Whip up egg whites and lemon juice for a safe face cleanser.

BuzzFeed
For a cleanser that sinks deep into pores to clear out dirt and makeup, whisk two egg whites until frothy, then add a few drops of lemon juice. Apply to face and leave until you feel the mask harden. After a few minutes, rinse with lukewarm water.

2. Use Greek yogurt and egg whites to create a moisture-packed face mask.

BuzzFeed
Quickly whisk two egg whites until frothy. Next, mix in a few spoonfulls of Greek yogurt. Apply an even layer to face and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

3. If you have dry skin, mix up a mask using egg whites and avocados.

BuzzFeed
Mash up one half of a ripe avocado and add to two frothy egg whites. Apply to skin evenly and let set for a few minutes. Rinse with warm water.

4. Combine three powerhouse ingredients and kiss dry skin goodbye.

BuzzFeed
Mix one ripe avocado, one egg white and a teaspoon of lemon juice until smooth. Apply to skin and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse away to reveal soft beautiful skin. 

NOTE: Lemon juice is acidic, so you may feel a bit of a sting. Keep mixture away from any open cuts.

Recipes For Hair

5. Help heal damaged strands with an avocado and egg yolk hair mask.

BuzzFeed

Combine half of a ripe avocado with one egg yolk. Using a blender is best because you want the avocado as smooth as possible. Work the mixture through your hair from your scalp to the ends of your hair. Put on a shower cap and let the mask sit for at least 15 minutes. Then rinse and clean/condition normally.

6. Olive oil added to Greek yogurt makes an amazing deep conditioner.

BuzzFeed

Stir 2–3 tablespoons of olive oil in to one cup of Greek yogurt. Apply to hair from roots to tips, cover with a shower cap, and let sit for at least five minutes. If you can, sit under a dryer or heat cap. The heat helps this mask to sink even deeper into your hair follicles. Rinse and style hair as desired.

7. Soothe your scalp with olive oil and lemon juice.

BuzzFeed

Mix equal parts lemon juice, olive oil, and water. About 2 tablespoons should do the trick. Rinse your hair so that your scalp is wet, then massage the mixture into your scalp and let sit for 10–20 minutes before you shampoo.

8. Get natural highlights with lemon juice.

BuzzFeed

Pour one cup of lemon juice and about 1/4 of a cup of warm water into a spray bottle. Shake and then spray on your hair where you’d like to see highlights. Head out into the sun for about half an hour. Once you’re back inside, wash and liberally condition your hair to keep it happy and healthy.

Recipes For Nails

9. Lemon juice strengthens nails and gives them a brighter, healthier look.

BuzzFeed

Simply add a few drops of lemon juice to small bowl of warm water. Soak nails until the water cools, then rinse and towel dry.

10. Your cuticles will love olive oil.

BuzzFeed

Seal moisture into your cuticles by applying olive oil during your manicure. Or whenever! Olive oil is safe to use daily on nails.

11. Want healthier nails? Eat more avocado!

BuzzFeed

Don’t worry about slathering avocado on your nail beds. Just incorporate avocado into more meals for healthier nails. (Not to mention healthier skin and hair, too.)

You don’t have to spend a crazy amount on new products to get pretty. Raid your own kitchen for all the tools you need.

Note: As with any new product, be sure to test on a small patch of skin or section of hair for allergens or adverse reactions.
Source

Drug store beauty buys recommended by celebrities

While we can wax poetic about our favorite $300 face creams, we still know an amazing beauty bargain when we see one. And it turns out, celebs do too! We got stars like Naya Rivera, Candice Swanepoel and Jamie Chung to tell us their drugstore beauty game-changers—and the best part is that every one of their picks is $14 or less.


KARLIE KLOSS 

This Victoria's Secret model likes her lips to look and feel angelic. "I stock up on these tiny Vaseline lip balms. It's [also] a good little gift!"

Vaseline Cocoa Butter Lip Therapy, $3.43 on Amazon.com

EMMY ROSSUM

This "Shameless" star has no shame rocking the drugstore hairspray. "L'Oréal Elnett Hairspray is my absolute favorite. It works the best."

L'Oréal Elnett Strong Hold Hairspray, $12 on Amazon.com

NAYA RIVERA

Naya's days on the Glee set and singing career make her a busy gal, so these lip crayons are easy to apply when on the go. "My favorite inexpensive beauty buys are the tinted lipstick balms by Pixi. I love them because they're only $14 each, come in amazing colors and are a great alternative to traditional lipsticks or balm."

Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balms, $14 each at Target.com

ZOEY DEUTCH

Zoey plays a half human, half vampire on the big screen in Vampire Academy, and you can probably find her at the drugstore during dark hours looking for more beauty products.

"I hate drugstores because I love drugstore products so much that I spend hours perusing and searching them for things I probably don't need, but still buy. Out of all the millions of products I've tried, my favorites are both Cetaphil's cleanser and moisturizer. Seems simple, but that stuff works super well."

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, $10.16 at Target.com

JAMIE CHUNG

This reality star known for appearing on MTV's Real World in 2004 and rising to fame starring in movies such as Sucker Punch favors a quick change to her nail art routine. "My favorite drugstore finds are the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips. I actually used them for a quick mani change for the Cushnie et Ochs fall fashion show."

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips, starting at $4.90 at Amazon.com

HARLEY VIERA NEWTON

This DJ and model likes her lip products to stay put while she's spinning the tunes at clubs in NYC.

"I love Revlon's Just Bitten Lip Stains. They're just so easy to throw in your bag and apply. One side is a balm so it's super helpful to keep lips moisturized."

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain, starting at $6 each on Amazon.com

OLIVIA MUNN

When Olivia isn't shooting episodes for The Newsroom, she's dazzling red carpets and events around the world. This busy schedule takes a toll on the hair and skin. Fortunately, Olivia found her holy grail product.

"My favorite is Pantene Damage Detox Weekly Rehab Crème. It's a weekly intense moisture treatment!"

Source

Punk girl gets a "make-under"

Strange, but great, alternative uses for honey

Honey sure is great stuff. Bees may make it to provide nutrition to members of the hive, but we've been liberally "borrowing" it for centuries, and using it in all kinds of delicious dishes as well as intriguing medical treatments. Depending on where the bees go on their daily rounds, the flavor and color of honey can vary radically, from light golden blonde to rich, dark manuka honey -- a prized New Zealand export.

You might have a jar (or bear) of honey in your pantry, but how much do you know about the ancient origins of honey...and its uses outside the kitchen?

Thousands of years ago, cultures like Ancient Egypt used honey as a religious offering to their gods, as well as a skincare product (milk and honey baths and honey wound care products were both made in Egypt). In a more macabre line of uses, it was an important part of the embalming process. More apocryphally, in the Middle East, cadavers steeped in honey were allegedly an incredibly valuable medical concoction, known as mellified man. The jury's firmly out on whether that's just a legend, by the way.

Honey happens to have some antibacterial qualities, especially if it's dark, which is why it's been used in wound care for centuries. While it might sound a little weird to smear honey on a wound or wrap an injury in honey-soaked bandages, that's exactly what people did historically!

We rounded up some modern-day unusual, intriguing, and fun uses for honey for your...delectation.

1. Wound Care
Yup. What worked for the Egyptians still works today. Honey's natural antibacterial qualities can make it an option if you need a quick solution to a cut, scrape or burn. Wash the area well with cool water and soap, pat dry, and apply a little bit of honey.

2. Fight Intestinal Parasites

Flickr

Mix a 1:1:1 ratio of water, vinegar, and honey, and down the hatch. It might not taste too great, but it can help manage a mild case of parasitic infection. If symptoms persist, however, head to a doctor's office: you need some stronger stuff.

3. Quickie Hangover Remedy
Honey's high fructose content helps you metabolize alcohol more quickly, so have a spoonful if your head is pounding after a night out on the town. It wouldn't hurt to take that with tea, as hydration will also help your body recover.

4. Facewash
Honey is a mild natural exfoliant, which makes it perfect for your face. Try washing with honey and warm water to enjoy smoother skin and less acne -- it's also a great homemade acne remedy. If you develop a particularly zesty zit, dab some honey on it, leave it for half an hour, and gently rinse off. You may need to repeat a few times for full effect.

5. Energy Boost
Flagging during a roofing job in the hot sun? Getting ready for a sports event? Have a dash of honey to give you some energy to get the job done. Research indicates that honey can help athletes who need a bit more energy.

6. Sleep TightSalted honey can help reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body that make it hard to sleep. If you're feeling insomniac, try dabbing a little on your tongue to see if it helps you relax and get ready for bed. You don't need much!

7. Deep ConditionerAdd honey to the ends of your hair to fight frizz and split ends, or use a honey rinse on your hair to make it glossier. Your hair will be thanking you and your New York plumber never has to know why there's a honey bear in the shower.

Source

Beauty buys under $10

These beauty helpers are as smart as they are inexpensive. From a genius makeup pencil-organizing gadget to luxurious lip butters that feel like a million bucks, these items are top performers without the high-end price tags. You'll find 15 great beauty buys under $10 below.

Color Wheel

Rummaging through a makeup bag for that one particular pencil can make anyone's head spin. The Every Beauty Cosmetic Tool Organizer allows you to click in eight standard-size lip and eye pencils (not to mention thin makeup brushes) and corral the cosmetic clutter with style.
$8.53 each

For Your Eyes Only

Removing eye makeup can be more of a hassle than applying it, leaving you with red, smudged, oil-slicked lids. To the rescue: InténsivEye pads. The durable wipes—one clears both eyes—take off makeup in a single pass, soothe with cucumber extract, and soften skin sans greasy residue.
$7.95

Triple Threat
Ideal for travelers (or the indecisive), the Flower Petite Fleurs Pocket Triplet offers three cream eye shadows in a convenient stack. To switch colors, pull off the crayon-like tip and slide it into the bottom of the tube, which pushes up the next shade. In three color combinations.
$7, walmart.com.

Cake Boss
Back in the Golden Age of Hollywood, the secret to dramatic, full lashes à la Bette Davis was cake mascara. But, oh, the mess! New Avon Mega Effects Mascara offers the same eye-popping results in a neater package. To use, pull the pint-size wand out of the base and dab the viscous formula on lashes from roots to tips. You can take it off with regular eye-makeup remover.
$4.39

Hip to Be Square
With 30 spectrum-spanning shades in a variety of finishes, Revlon ColorStay Shadow Links can be clicked together into any configuration you please. Or toss a single shadow into your bag for touch-ups in the blink of an eye.
$3 each, ulta.com

Big Deal
Although it’s a small detail, size matters when it comes to gloss application. The head of the wand on the NYC New York Color Big Bold Plumping Lip Gloss is longer and wider than most, making for a faster distribution of color. Bonus: It’s enriched with antioxidant vitamin E. Available in 12 shades.
$3.57

Re-Do

Although it functions a lot like a dry shampoo in that it absorbs oil, Salon Grafix Healthy Hair Nutrition Protein Mist Restyler goes on wet, so you can blow-dry your hair after misting or completely restyle it. The keys: lightweight moisturizers, strengthening proteins, and a clean citrus scent that combine to make second-day hair look (and smell) like new.
To buy: $5.94

Cool as a...
Not that you would ever need it, but Yes to Cucumbers Natural After-Sun Serum cools and nourishes sun-damaged skin with cucumber and green-tea extracts. A hint of shimmer makes you look less fried.
$7.59

Tender Lash Care
Scrubbing away at mascara can irritate your eyes—but so does sleeping in your makeup. Almay Lash Care Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads swiftly break down shadow, liner, and mascara—no need for vigorous rubbing and tugging. They also contain conditioning panthenol to help build stronger, healthier lashes.
$4.99 for 80 pads

Sheet Relief
If your regular moisturizer isn’t going the distance and you have chapped hands or ashen ankles midday, reach for Pacifica Hand & Body Lotion Wipes. Slim and spill-proof, the portable natural wipes contain exfoliating papaya extract to remove dead cells and soothing coconut milk, aloe vera, and calendula for extra hydration anytime, anywhere.
$7, pacificaperfume.com.

Rip It Good
Even the wimpiest waxers will chill out (a bit) with Completely Bare Not Feeling It Numbing & Cooling Spray. Applied pre- and post-waxing, it cools the area by up to 20 percent with botanical ingredients, so the only four-letter word your brain registers is cold.
$10, completelybare.com.

Hold It!

No need to choose between removing your toenail polish and preserving your manicure. The jauntyCutex Cotton Ball Holder lets you get a grip on the situation. Just pinch it around a cotton ball and saturate with remover as usual, then use it to erase polish on toes (or a little one’s nails) without forsaking your fingertips.
$2.50 for three, cutexshop.com.

Wing It
Finally, a way to create full, fluttery lashes even at the hard-to-get-at corners. Simply position the narrow end of the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara brush at the inner eye. Then apply, letting the longer, taller bristles catch and elongate the outermost lashes.
Pricing starts at $6.89

Butterly Love
How many times have you bought a lip product that claims it will moisturize only to find your lips chapping like crazy just hours later? Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter offers a subtle tint of color and contains a lovely blend of mango, shea and coconut butters that boost lip moisture by 156%. This gel formula is available in 20 shades.
Pricing starts at $5.79

Best Week Ever
When you can’t commit to a gel mani but want something more lasting than the traditional kind, try CND Vinylux, a color-polish–and-topcoat combo that can go seven days chip-free, no LED light needed. The topcoat’s polymers harden over time when exposed to natural light, but the polish comes off easily with regular remover.
$9.52 for color, $7.75 for topcoat; in 62 shades.

Source

Shampoo mistakes you are making

Thinkstock

1. You use the same shampoo seven days a week, 365 days a year... 
Not only are you shampooing too frequently—every other day is usually enough, says hairstylist Mario Russo—but you should also switch shampoos occasionally to prevent buildup of certain ingredients (like silicones). Every couple of months, replace your current shampoo with another formulated for your hair type, says cosmetic chemist Mort Westman. You can also use a clarifying shampoo once a month, says celebrity hairstylist Kimberly Kimble.

2. You're not completely wetting your hair pre-shampoo...
Without enough water, shampoo doesn't lather—and you may be inclined to compensate by using more product (stripping your hair and your wallet). Stand under the shower spray for an extra minute before sudsing up.

3. You always begin by applying your shampoo to the same spot on your scalp (usually at the crown)...
You might notice that the top of your scalp is dry or flaky. Try alternating your routine by starting your shampoo at the nape of your neck and distributing the lather onto your hair before moving toward the top of your head, says Russo.

4. You're creating too much friction...
To avoid damaging hair, massage your scalp with your fingertips rather than your fingernails or palms.

5. You're rinsing with hot water...
Piping hot water dries your scalp and hair. Use lukewarm instead (which helps to preserve color).

Source

Dove's new ad campaign

How Spanx really affect your body

"I hate Spanx because even though they look so good under your clothes, sometimes mid-wedding I'll be like, 'I feel so nauseous,'" actress Jennifer Coolidge once said. "They're so tight, who knows what you're cutting off?"

Turns out, that star was on to something. While we can all relate to the aforementioned pain and suffering, most of us have no idea about the health ramifications of shapewear. Are we hurting our bodies in the name of smooth garment lines? We spoke to gastroenterologist Dr. John Kuemmerle, dermatologist Dr. Maryann Mikhail and chiropractor Dr. Karen Erickson to find out.

When you wear shapewear, you're compressing your organs.
Shapewear couldn't do its job if it wasn't tight. Unfortunately, this leaves your stomach, intestine and colon compressed, which Dr. Kuemmerle says can worsen acid reflux and heartburn. Restrictive clothing can also provoke erosive esophagitis.

Your digestive tract is also affected, explains Dr. Erickson. The intestines are supposed to contract and move food along, but when they're compressed over a long period of time, the flow of digestion is stifled. "It's like when people eat a huge meal and then unbuckle their jeans," Dr. Kuemmerle says. This damage, though not permanent, can lead to unpleasant symptoms like abdominal discomfort, bloating and gas.

Another hallmark of shapewear? Shallow breath. When you inhale, your diaphragm expands and your abdomen flares out, Dr. Erickson says, but shapewear restricts this movement and decreases the excursion in respiration.

That includes compressing your bowels.
Those with functional bowel disorders and irritable bowel syndrome should wear shapewear with caution. "In someone who has weakness down below and a tendency towards incontinence," Dr. Kuemmerle explains, "increasing intra-abdominal pressure can certainly provoke episodes of incontinence."

Dr. Erickson also notes that there can be a tendency for those wearing shapewear to not to want to go to the bathroom. "You've got all of this pressure on your bladder from the shapewear pressing down," she says. "If you postpone urinating, it can cause stress incontinence, where you leak, or it can exaggerate stress incontinence with people who already have it."

You can develop tingling, numbness and pain in your legs.
Sitting in shapewear can lead to a reversible condition called meralgia paresthetica, which is when the peripheral nerve in your thigh is compressed. This leads to tingling, numbness and pain in your legs, all of which can come and go or become constant. "It's like putting these giant rubber bands around your upper thighs and tightening them when you sit," Dr. Erickson says. (She's also seen this condition in those who wear too-tight pantyhose and pants.)

This rubber band effect can also decrease your circulation and lead to blood clots. When you sit in shapewear, Dr. Erickson explains that those genetically prone to varicosities can develop varicose veins and lymph congestion, which manifests as swollen ankles.

Your muscles will suffer if you rely on shapewear for good posture.
"Shapewear is not a substitute for having strong muscles," Dr. Erickson says. It's important to develop muscle tone, because it's those muscles that hold your posture in perfect alignment. Many people use shapewear as a crutch to avoid using those muscles, Dr. Erickson says.

And don't be fooled into thinking that shapewear works like a medical back brace. "Shapewear's a little different in that it's not therapeutically designed -- it's cosmetically designed," she explains.

Plus, shapewear can create an environment prone to infections.
Shapewear is occlusive, meaning it traps moisture and anything else under it, which predisposes shapewear wearers to both yeast and bacterial infections. Dr. Mikhail says that the most common infection she sees is folliculitis, since bacteria often gets trapped among hair follicles and causes red puss-filled bumps. "Usually folliculitis can be easily treated with topical antibiotics," she says. "But recurrent infections may develop antibiotic resistance, meaning they get harder and harder to treat."

Dr. Mikhail notes that the risks are higher in overweight individuals, diabetics and those who sweat excessively.

Like everything in life, it's important to exercise moderation: Don't wear them too often.
"Everyone I know owns shapewear -- it's kind of a miracle," Dr. Erickson admits. "But I think we want to be mindful to not wear it on a day-in and day-out basis." It's not a problem if you wear it for an evening or a special occasion, she says, but it's not a good idea to wear it daily and sit in it for hours on end.

If you're exhibiting any of the aforementioned symptoms, all three doctors recommend avoiding shapewear until the issues are completely resolved.

Lastly, choosing the right fit is key.
There are so many different types of shapewear out there. You should pick the right style, but you also need to pick the right size, Dr. Erickson says. "You really want to pick shapewear that actually fits you," she explains. "You want it to do its job, but you don't want to get something so small that it's damaging you." For example, shapewear that goes up to your bra line isn't a good idea for those with acid reflux or heartburn, as that area is particularly sensitive for people predisposed to those conditions.

A good way to tell if your shapewear fits correctly? "It's not cutting in anywhere," says Dr. Erickson, who recommends trying out different brands and materials. "All it really does is smooth out the rough edges and you can easily get in and out of it without a struggle."

Source