Blackheads can make you feel like a teenager all over again, but fortunately these blemishes are treatable and temporary. Also known as “open comedones,” blackheads result from excess oil that becomes trapped in pores beneath the skin’s surface. Managing blackheads can be as simple as practicing good skin care through exfoliation, topical treatments and avoiding further irritation. 1. Do: Exfoliate Regularly Apply a gentle exfoliant several times weekly to help remove stubborn dirt, makeup and dead skin cells that cleansing and rinsing might miss. When you do exfoliate, cleanse and wash your face, use a light touch and avoid harsh scrubbing. Pick an exfoliator that’s best suited for your skin type. Physical exfoliators—like…

What: Lakmé 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Foundation Why: If you’re still struggling to find a natural foundation that gives you the longevity and coverage you desire, look no further. This Lakmé foundation is so light that it lets your skin breathe without making it look cakey. It is available in four luminous shades that will hide your imperfections to give you flawless skin. It suits all skin types and feels great all day, everyday. Trade your heavy-duty makeup for the Lakmé 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Foundation that easily blends into your skin instantly giving you a flawless glow. How: Ideal to make your makeup look as natural as possible, wear this foundation…

  Library of Flowers Field & Flowers Parfum Creme Perfume in cream form. How scent-sorily imaginative. In all my years of perfume collecting/fragrance hoarding (seriously, I have a bottle of YSL Paris I’ve had since roughly 1991), I can’t remember ever encountering anything quite like this before. It’s called Perfumed Creme by Library of Flowers, and instead of spraying a liquid or rubbing a solid on your skin, you work the mildly moisturizing creams into your skin like…mild moisturizers. The fragrance is released slowly throughout the day, with the intensity based on the amount you use. Work a small dollop into your skin for a light aroma, or turn up…

  So, um…this happened! So much for keeping it long. El Hub is super cranky, LOL! You know boys and long hair… Whatevs, he’ll get over it. 🙂 My friend Alis at Fox + Stone salon in Corte Madera did a loose a-line razor cut. See how it’s shorter in the back and slightly longer in the front? She kept the same base color, a warm chocolate, and added copper highlights. I’m really happy with how it turned out! Even though I love having long hair, my head feels so much lighter now. I no longer feel like I’m wearing a 10-pound hat. And if I get bored, I’ll just…

There’s no denying that social media is almost integral part of the daily routine for most people. We are constantly inundated with pictures of gorgeous women posting selfies – be it celebrities (we’re looking at you, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) or your #flawless bestie. Love, loathe or fear them, self-portraits are quintessential to the Instagram era, and are a cultural phenomenon that refuses to die. (Case in point: A search for #selfie on Instagram yields over 335 million photos at time of writing.) Celebrity or not, social media gives you full control on how you present yourself, and are perceived on the internet – to your potential dates and bosses, friends and…

Getting clear skin can be a messy business—we try out all sorts of different products and experiment with various techniques in the pursuit of perfect skin. For those with persistent problems, for whom the solution does not come in an over-the-counter form, a visit to the skin doctor may be the answer. New York-based dermatologist Dr. Sumayah Jamal, MD, PhD helps clarify what exactly dermatologists do and what a new patient can expect on their first appointment.   Dermatologists are doctors. This seems like a simple one, but it should be noted that dermatologists are doctors. After obtaining their bachelor’s degrees, those seeking a career in dermatology attend medical school, becoming…

This week, the government have announced plans to ban products containing microbeads by the end of this year. These tiny plastic particles have been causing a stir for some time now, being accused of damaging marine life through the pollution of our oceans. Microbeads can be found in numerous exfoliators, shower gels and toothpastes, meaning the new law comes as bad news for some cosmetic companies. Fortunately, there are plenty of facial polishes on the market that don’t contain microbeads. They’re gentle on your skin and on the environment! We’ve picked three of our favourites… Clean Beauty Co: Prime Time Facial Polish  This gentle and smoothing polish aims to strip…

Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic treatment that involves physically exfoliating your skin for improved tone and texture. If you’re like us, you may have a few questions about how it works, what it’s used for and how best to care for your skin after a treatment. We spoke with Brooke Files, a licensed esthetician who specializes in skin resurfacing, to help us with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about microdermabrasion. 1. What is microdermabrasion, and why would you recommend it to someone? “Microdermabrasion is a procedure that removes the upper layers of skin known as the stratum corneum,” explains Files. This treatment is a form of physical exfoliation that promotes new collagen…