beauty

Everyone's face is different. But did you know that moisturizers and facial serums aren't just for dry skin types? Technically, everyone should be using moisturizers and facial serums. Why? Because they help give your skin extra hydration, elasticity, and glow. The only qualm I have with most of the moisturizers and facial serums out there is the list of ingredients and the price tags on them. Either they're too pricey, too iffy, or both!

I first came across turmeric in our family kitchen as a child. My mother had printed out a recipe for curry cauliflower, and while the curry powder gave the roasted cauliflower its delicious taste, turmeric was responsible for the subtler taste and stronger hue. Since then, I’ve seen turmeric in everything from egg and tofu scrambles to salad dressings to cookies–I kid you not. Most recently, I stumbled upon a recipe in Meghan Telpner’s The UnDiet CookBook for Jamu Juice. 

The secret to bouncy curls without any frizz lies in your hair routine. Here are some tips and tricks to keep that curly mane as gorgeous as ever…

A bit of moisture in the air and my hair goes poof, for I have been cursed with curly locks since the day I was born. And the staunchest enemy of curly hair is frizz that refuses to be tamed and is finally hidden behind a plethora of hair accessories. Bunching up your hair into a ponytail or under a scarf may take you through the day, but frizz needs to be tackled at the root itself.

My hair tends to be pretty oily if I don't wash it (even after one day!). But here's the thing: When I do wash it every day, it dries out! That's why I've found the perfect solution: Dry shampoo. Every other day I'll use dry shampoo instead of washing my hair. This keeps my hair in balance and allows it to not look too dry or too oily. Dry shampoo is great for people like me who have very sensitive, fine hair, but you can still use it on thick hair, too.

Sleek, shiny, full hair has been revered for ages, and many of us yearn for just that look. However, with today’s harsh shampoos, conditioners, hair products and treated hair, that natural shiny look can be very hard to achieve. 

Everyone deserves a little pampering every once in a while. In fact, I make a promise to myself to try and take a relaxing bath at least once a month. Sometimes life gets in the way of that, but when I do get a chance to take a bath, it's beautiful. I personally love adding in some bath salts to my bath. They add a beautiful aroma and are great for relaxing or reviving your energy (depending on the scent). Bath soaks are kind of similar, but they're made in a different way. Recently, I became curious about how to DIY my own bath salts and soaks, and it's actually not too hard.

This Christmas, I made my mom and my best friend a gift from my heart: A DIY body scrub and matching body lotion! They absolutely loved the gift and could not stop talking about how soft and smooth their skin was after using the scrub and lotion. So guess what? Today, I'm going to share the recipe for both with you. Trust me when I say, if you create these, you might be tempted not to share them. I have a whole stash of the body lotion in my room just for me! I couldn't bear to part with it.

Rosehip oil might sound like something you’d find in your grandmother’s cabinet, but it might actually be the secret to youth–or, at least, youthful beauty. Better known as rosehip seed oil, this special oil is a well-known facial ointment for treating everything from acne to eczema, age spots and osteoarthritis. Considered a dry oil, rosehip seed oil is absorbed directly into the skin, rather than leaving a greasy coat on your cheek or forehead, which makes it suitable for both daytime and nighttime use. Need more convincing?

We all know aspirin as a blood thinner, a heart protector and an inflammation reducer… But did you know that aspirin can add oodles of goodness to your DIY beauty or home care routine?

The main ‘salt’ or drug behind aspirin and its many other names is acetylsalicylic acid, which is found in nature as a plant derivative of the willow tree. This dissolvable medicine is not just an essential drug -- it can be used for so many different beauty, garden and home care hacks. Read on…

Did you know 'vegan' can also apply to beauty products (not just your diet)? You might have seen a skincare product labeled 'vegan' or 'cruelty-free' while out shopping. Sadly, a lot of people get confused about this. Want to know what each label really means?  No worries: It's actually pretty simple to understand. Here, I explain what each term means and why they're certainly not the same thing.