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Safic-Alcan appoints ex-Seqens Victor Zubb as Vice President Americas

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Safic-Alcan appoints ex-Seqens Victor Zubb as Vice President Americas

The Paris-headquartered beauty and personal care ingredients distributor has appointed Victor Zubb as Vice President Americasa senior executive role reporting directly to the group’s Chief Executive Officer, Yann Lissillour. This newly established position is the first Regional Vice Presidency in the Group’s recent history, underscoring Safic-Alcan’s ambition to strengthen regional leadership as the Americas become an increasingly strategic pillar of the Group’s global trajectory.

The appointment comes at a time of significant expansion for Safic-Alcan across the region. In 2022, the company reinforced its presence in Brazil through the acquisitions of Sarfam and Proquimil, building a strong foundation in one of Latin America’s most dynamic specialty chemicals markets. More recently, the acquisition of Anders Quimica extended the Group’s reach into other Latin American countries Argentina, Bolivia, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, enhancing both geographic coverage and portfolio depth.

In his new position, Victor Zubb will oversee all regional operations, ensuring strategic alignment, integration of recent acquisitions, and strengthened collaboration with suppliers and customers across the continents.

Mr Zubb holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA from Rutgers University. His career spans senior leadership roles in distribution and specialty ingredients at Hallstar, Soliance, and Givaudan – where he served as Global Head of Sales, Active Beauty – and most recently as Vice President and General Manager Personal Care at Seqens.

“The creation of a Regional Vice Presidency marks an important milestone for Safic-Alcan. The Americas have become an important pillar of our global strategy, and Victor’s appointment reflects both our confidence in the region’s growth potential and our ambition to operate with greater regional focus and agility. His leadership, expertise, and deep industry understanding will be decisive as we enter this new phase,” commented Yann Lissillour, CEO of Safic-Alcan Group.

Safic-Alcan develops and provides wide ranges of polymers, materials and additives for the rubber, coatings, adhesives, thermoplastics, polyurethane, lubricants, detergency, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals industries. With a network of 44 offices strategically located in Europe, Turkey, Middle East, North America, Mexico, South America, China and South Africa, and 1000+ employees, the company generated a turnover of EUR 907 million in 2024.

Best Makeup For Acne Prone Skin: Tips & FAQs

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Best Makeup For Acne Prone Skin: Tips & FAQs

Do you ever face the challenge of makeup related breakouts?  If you do, you’re not alone.  One of the most common questions we get asked is: Does makeup cause acne?  We’d like to give you as straight forward of a response as possible.  The answer is:  Yes.  A lot of traditional makeup definitely causes acne.  This may sound like a rather grim outlook but please know that we never bring a problem to the table without also bringing a solution.  Let’s start with the problem and where it typically starts.

In high school, my friends and I were tormented by the conundrum of trying to make our complexions look better.  The challenge was achieving the results we wanted using makeup but without exacerbating the acne we were trying to cover.  This may very well be the most common makeup related problem in the world.  Here is the typical scenario:

  1. As teenagers, when we enter puberty, our hormones change and we start to produce more sebum (oil). This results in a slowing down of our natural exfoliation process and hyper-keratinization (thickening of the skin) starts to occur.  This clogs pores and follicles preventing oxygen from getting down into the skin and oil from getting out.  As a result, we get acne blemishes and acne related inflammation.
  2. Our first impulse is to cover the acne with makeup. To the young person, makeup seems like such a perfect solution for instantly covering the blemishes, making skin look brighter and even smoother.  But we quickly realized the double-edged sword of wearing traditional makeup on a regular basis.  Yes, it covers…  but it also creates more acne.  This is because traditional makeup is usually made with ingredients like talc and mineral oil which are not only pore clogging but are also occlusive.  This means they suffocates the skin, further preventing oxygen from getting down into the pores which creates the perfect atmosphere for even more acne bacteria to thrive.
  3. As the cycle progresses, we find the need to wear more makeup to cover the acne that the makeup is causing. This is like treating depression with whisky.
  4. We start using harsh cleansers and topical medications with drying agents that dehydrate the skin which prompts it to produce even more oil to compensate for the dry surface layer that we are creating.
  5. In complete desperation we consult physicians that put us on strong medications that may solve the problem but often have side effects that outweigh the solution.

This scenario, as common as it may be, is not hopeless.  For over the last 27 years a movement has been occurring started by a brilliant woman who began her career in the showbusiness industry.  Yes, in 1994, our very own Jane Iredale started creating makeup that broke the rules of traditional makeup by being formulated without sensitizing ingredients like talc and mineral oil or synthetic preservatives and by using ingredients that soothed and calmed inflammation and could be worn all day without exacerbating acne.

While our brand has gained international recognition as THE SKINCARE MAKEUP, we’ve also become the brand that many people turn to when they are at their wits’ end.  They bring their questions and issues and we’re always happy to answer them and recommend products.  Here are some of the most commonly asked questions:

What is the best makeup for acne?

When looking for a makeup brand, never just look at the advertising.  Always investigate further by looking at the ingredients, seeing how it fares with professionals and checking the reviews.  Typically, a good line will not only be recommended by professionals such as dermatologists and estheticians but it will also have good consumer reviews.  Of course, we will recommend jane iredale Cosmetics because we’ve dedicated the last 27 years to creating products that will be just as beneficial to the health of the skin as they are beautiful on the skin.

What is the best foundation for acne prone skin?

We recommend PurePressed Base.  We love it because its dermatologist tested, sensitivity tested, non-comedogenic, allergy tested, and it has the best ingredients for soothing acne inflammation as well as having incredible coverage that minimizes the appearance of acne texture while you’re wearing it.  Made from Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, it blends seamlessly onto the skin without being occlusive or pore clogging.  It also provides broad spectrum UVA / UVB sun protection.

foundation for acne prone skin ingredients

How do I reduce redness from acne?

There are two ways that we can reduce redness:  One is by wearing soothing ingredients that tone down inflammation.  The other is to wear yellow based pigments on the skin.  Yellow neutralizes redness very effectively.

How do I cover my acne with makeup?

The most important starting point is to, of course, use clean, noncomedogenic formulas like ours.  Next, work in layers rather than trying to cover everything at once.  Here are the steps we recommend for a typical acne coverage application.

makeup products for acne

  1. Start with clean, hydrated skin.
  2. Apply Dream Tint Tinted Moisturizer in your color to give a sheer, even coverage all over the face. This layer is important because blends well with our Disappear Concealer.
  3. Apply Disappear Concealer to the areas that breakouts are most visible and blend out the edges so there are no lines of demarcation. We recommend the Camouflage Brush or Sculpting Brush for smaller areas or the Blending & Contouring Brush for large areas.
  4. Apply PurePressed Base in your color using the flocked sponge in a pressing and rolling motion for an opaquer application.
  5. Spritz with our Balance Hydration Spray to meld all the layers together.
  6. Repeat the application of PurePressed Base and Hydration Spray as many times as necessary until the area is completely covered.

Remember that acne can also be exacerbated by using products and brushes that harbor bacteria so make sure to clean your brushes on a regular basis and, as often as possible, use inert products like PurePressed Base to prevent cross contamination (when the bacteria from your face starts growing in your makeup).

Regular visits to an esthetician will also help you to create a game plan for addressing your acne and switching to healthier makeup and skincare products for acne.  Please feel free to submit any questions you may have about this article or makeup related acne in general.  We look forward to seeing your transformation!

18 Special Birthday Hairstyles That Are Popular In 2024

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18 Special Birthday Hairstyles That Are Popular In 2024

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Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support 🙂

Birthdays are special occasions that call for a celebration. It’s the one day of the year when you get to feel like a queen and be the center of attention. And what better way to look and feel your best than with a fabulous birthday hairstyle? Whether you’re planning a night out with friends or a romantic dinner with your partner, the right hairstyle can make all the difference.

In this blog post, we’ll be sharing trendy and chic hairstyles that are perfect for a birthday celebration. So, get ready to slay your birthday with these stunning hairstyles!

On your special day your hairstyle can literally make or break your entire appearance, aka your hairstyle.

Opt for styles that are comfortable but be spontaneous to experiment and find your ideal hairstyle for birthday. No matter what your hair length or hair type is we have something for everyone on this list of best birthday hairstyles. From short hairstyles to braids to updos to hair color ideas and how to add that extra glam quotient to your hairstyle.

Sleek Ponytail

Nothing beats the elegance of a high sleek ponytail that screams volume an elegance all at once. You can never go wrong with this one!

birthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @theo.dora_96

Half Updo Hairstyle For Birthday

Half updos can never go out of style. And when you combine the beauty of half updo with some subtle bangs or messy strands it takes the birthday hairstyle to the next level.

hairstyles for birthdayhairstyles for birthday

Photo Credit: @beautyhauscollective

Effortlessly Minimal

This is yet another half updo that looks really effortless and chic at the same time. It is perfect for party party or dinner date or even a perfect for your hiking trips.

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @absolutely.ineke.hairstyling

Voluminous Blowout

Voluminous hairstyle for birthdayVoluminous hairstyle for birthday

Photo Credit: @seanmichaelhair

If we are discussing birthday hairstyles, how can we leave behind the glam of a good blowout and this voluminous hairstyle.

Layers & Wispy Bangs

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @shokosoco

Wispy bangs are here to stay and when combined with layers and layers of your beautiful hair it just creates the most perfect hairstyle that you can try on your special day.

Layer it up

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @styled_by_selena

Layers are never getting left behind as it helps uplift the entire look and defines your hair so elegantly that you can never go wrong with layers especially when you are getting ready for your birthday. It also looks beautiful when you combine curtain bangs with straight hair. Definitely worth a try!

Messy Is Sassy

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @_ansku

Have you noticed how many celebrities opt for messy looks on their glam appearances? It is because messy is the new sassy!

Braids

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @sabrinadijkman

You can never go wrong with braids. Opt for Dutch braids or French braids or Waterfall braids and you are sorted for your special day.

Birthday Braids

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @irina.abramova_hair

If you want to take your braid game to the next level, try experimenting with some stunning braids but make sure you book an appointment with your birthday hairstylist in advance so they have full time to devote to style your ideal braids.

Braid It Up

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @segredo_das_tranca

If you are looking for some long lasting braids then go for fulani braids, butterfly braids, goddess boho braids, peekaboo braids, lemonade braids or even a braided bun. The sky is the limit. And if you want to show your love for your hairstyle adding a touch of love with heart braids and a charm can never go wrong.

Short Is Sexy

short birthday hairstyleshort birthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @hirohair

If short hair is your thing, don’t worry, we have got you covered. This short bob hairstyle takes minimal effort and makes you look always beautiful and gorgeous. You can also combine the short hairstyles with different hair color ideas like sunflower hair, half red half black hair or even ash purple hair.

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @akita_roy_

If you want to go even shorter, you can try this short bob with layers hairstyle. And if you pair it with a undercut you can create an androgynous non-binary haircut which is perfect to compliment you.

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @martiinaa_attard

Glitter

When talking about birthday hairstyles how can we forget the glam of glitter. Adding glitter to your hairstyle can instantly up your hair game by 1000% and make you look like the perfect queen bee.

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @biancamonique

Spacebuns

Spacebuns are  one of the cutest hairstyles that you can try on your birthday. Don’t you think?

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @plantwitchlauri

Accessorize it

Don’t be afraid to tie your braids to ponytail or tie your hair in an elegant bun and accessorize it with different pearls, charms and other wonderful accessories you might have handy.

birthday hairstylebirthday hairstyle

Photo Credit: @lalasupdos

Over to You

To make you birthday hairstyle last longer, prep with a good volumizing mousse or curl activator and finish off with a good alcohol-free hairspray and you are ready to shine! Hope you find these hairstyle inspirations as fabulous as we did! What is your favorite hairstyle that you want to try on your birthday? Before you leave, don’t forget to check out:

Have a lovely day!

My Word of 2026 — Inside Out Style

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My Word of 2026 — Inside Out Style

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What if the next stage of your evolution was not about adding more, but releasing what no longer serves you? That question has been tapping gently on my shoulder for months, nudging me to pay attention. Every time I found myself juggling too many projects, too many tabs, too many expectations, I noticed the same quiet truth rising to the surface. It is time to simplify.

Choosing a word of the year is never about a slogan. It is a compass. A filter. A way of aligning decisions with intention rather than urgency. For 2026, Simplify feels like both an invitation and a challenge. It asks me to create more space in my life and business, not by shrinking my vision, but by focusing more deeply on what genuinely matters.

Why Simplify

When you run multiple programs, develop training programs, serve clients across the world, and continue to evolve your own creative work, complexity creeps in almost unnoticed. It arrives in the form of just one more workshop, one more idea, one more task squeezed into an already full calendar. None of it is wrong. Yet if I am honest, not all of it is aligned.

Simplify asks me to look at where my energy goes with clear eyes. It encourages me to let go of the unnecessary layers that make life feel cluttered, whether that is a process, a belief, a piece of clothing, or a way of working that no longer reflects who I am becoming. It invites a quieter confidence. A slower breath. A more spacious rhythm.

This is not about minimalism for its own sake. It is about harmony. Alignment. A life and business that feel coherent rather than congested.

How Simplify Will Shape My Work

Style is a form of communication. The more aligned the elements, the clearer the message. The same applies to business and creativity. Simplify will guide me to refine what I offer so that every program, every training, every piece of content has a clear purpose and a clear energy behind it.

For my clients and students, it means distilling the essential teachings even further so they can create results with less overwhelm and more clarity. The women I work with are already carrying a lot. They do not need more noise. They need thoughtful, grounded pathways that support transformation without pressure.

Simplify is my commitment to stripping away anything that makes style feel complicated or inaccessible. This might show up in cleaner systems, streamlined courses, or clearer messaging that helps women understand the value of style as both science and self-expression.

"Simplify is my reminder that growth does not need more layers. It needs clarity, presence, and space for what truly matters to shine."How Simplify Connects to Personal Style

In style, simplifying is never about being plain. It is about being intentional. When clients declutter their wardrobes, lean into their colour palettes rather than trying to wear every colour, or learn to read their bodies with compassion and precision, they often describe a sense of relief. The noise settles. Decisions become easier. Their confidence rises because they finally know what works for them.

That principle applies to every area of life. When the distractions fall away, your true essence has room to breathe.

Simplify reminds me to live what I teach. To choose the clothes, colours, projects, and relationships that feel aligned with my energy and values. To let go of what is outdated, ill-fitting, or simply taking up psychic space.

The Impact I Want Simplify to Have

As I step into 2026, I want more space for thought, creativity, connection, and joy. I want my work to feel spacious rather than frantic. I want my calendar to support my well-being rather than erode it. I want to deepen the impact of what I already do brilliantly rather than chase breadth for the sake of it.

Simplify is not about doing less. It is about doing what matters with more presence and more heart. It is about trusting that clarity creates momentum. It is about choosing alignment over excess.

And perhaps most of all, it is about allowing myself to evolve in a way that feels honest and grounded. Simplify is my reminder that growth can be gentle. It can be spacious. It can be guided by wisdom rather than urgency.

As you look ahead to your own year, you might ask yourself a similar question. What could simplify look like in your style, your wardrobe, your business, or your life? What layers are ready to be released so that your essence can shine a little more clearly?

I would love to hear your word for the year if you have chosen one. Sometimes clarity begins with a single intention whispered into the new season.

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How to Switch Your Home to Eco-Friendly Products: A Complete Guide

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How to Switch Your Home to Eco-Friendly Products: A Complete Guide

Every product you use—on your body, in your home, and in your yard—can impact your health and the environment. Many everyday household and personal care products contain chemicals that can disrupt hormones, irritate skin, harm aquatic life, and persist in soil and waterways.

The good news? You can make changes that benefit both your health and the planet. Whether you’re motivated by personal wellness, a desire to protect local ecosystems, or both, this guide will help you understand what to avoid, what to look for, and how to make the transition without overwhelm.

The product suggestions below are not sponsored; they are mostly products I’ve used (or formulated) myself, so I  can attest to their efficacy. This is by no means an exhaustive list—there are more and more great options in the personal care space, but many of them are not as clean as they claim to be, so I’m sharing specific favorites that meet my standards.

Step 1: Identify the Toxins in Your Home Products

Common Harmful Ingredients to Avoid

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives used to prevent mold and bacteria in personal care products. The problem? They can act like estrogen in the body, disrupting hormone balance. In waterways, they can affect the reproductive systems of fish and other aquatic species. Choosing paraben-free products reduces this risk for both people and the environment.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics flexible and to help scents last longer in personal care products. They’re often hidden under the word “fragrance” or “parfum” on labels. In humans, they’ve been linked to hormone disruption, thyroid dysfunction, and potential fertility issues. In the environment, they can leach from plastics and wash off in wastewater, where they accumulate in sediments and harm aquatic organisms over time.

PEGs and ethoxylated compounds

Used to make products feel silky or mix oil and water, these ingredients can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen. They don’t break down easily in the environment, meaning they can persist in water and soil.

1,4-dioxane is a hidden byproduct in many detergents, shampoos, and cleaning products containing ethoxylates. Once it’s in water, it can linger for a long time. Even low levels can affect the growth and reproduction of fish, amphibians, and other aquatic creatures. Because most water treatment systems can’t remove it, choosing products without 1,4-dioxane is one of the easiest ways to protect both your health and local waterways.

Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

Ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15 release small amounts of formaldehyde over time to prevent bacteria and mold growth in products. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and skin sensitizer, meaning it can cause allergic reactions and irritation. When washed down the drain, these preservatives can persist in the environment, posing risks to aquatic life and contributing to overall chemical load in waterways.

Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS/SLES)

SLS and SLES are foaming agents found in many shampoos, body washes, toothpastes, and household cleaners. In dermatology research, SLS is actually used in lab settings to cause skin irritation—it disrupts the skin’s protective barrier, allowing scientists to study inflammation and test healing agents. This same barrier damage can happen with everyday use, leading to dryness, redness, and increased sensitivity, especially for those with compromised skin. Environmentally, these surfactants can harm aquatic life by damaging fish gills and irritating delicate tissues in amphibians and invertebrates. They also contribute to the chemical load in waterways when washed down the drain.

Synthetic fragrance/parfum

The term “fragrance” or “parfum” on a label can hide dozens—even hundreds—of unlisted chemicals. One of the most common additives in fragrance mixtures is phthalates, which help scents last longer but have been linked to hormone disruption and potential reproductive harm. Synthetic fragrance blends can also contain allergens and sensitizers that trigger skin reactions. Once washed down the drain, these chemicals can persist in waterways, affecting the behavior, reproduction, and survival of aquatic species.

Step 2: Start Swapping High-Impact Products First

Focus on what you use daily and what rinses directly into drains or outdoor spaces.

Natural Skincare and Body Care Swaps

Choose fragrance-free or naturally scented eco-friendly skincare products (using essential oils only) made without endocrine-disrupting preservatives or sulfates.

  • Body washes & bar soaps: Vermont Soap Company, all Osmia bar soaps, The Organic Bath Company
  • Hair care: Josh Rosebrook, Innersense, Desert Essence (unscented and lemon scents only), Evolvh
  • Moisturizers: Replace conventional lotions with natural body oils on damp skin
  • Skincare: All Osmia skincare products, Indie Lee, Pai Skincare, Kahina Giving Beauty, Alpyn Beauty

Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents (non-toxic laundry products)

Laundry runoff is a major source of chemical pollution. Choose formulas without synthetic fragrance, ethoxylates (very common in the laundry detergent sheets), or harsh surfactants. Powdered formulas tend to be cleaner than liquids, and definitely cleaner than pods.

  • Branch Basics Laundry Powder
  • Molly’s Suds (Unscented or peppermint) Laundry Powder

Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies (green cleaning products)

Many cleaners leave chemical residues that can linger on surfaces and in the air. Opt for biodegradable, fragrance-free or naturally scented options.

  • Branch Basics (unscented, add your own essential oils if desired)
  • Molly’s Suds dish soap & dishwasher pods
  • Blueland dishwasher tablets
  • The Organic Bath Company foaming hand soaps

Step 3: Make Seasonal and Outdoor Products Safer

Mineral Sunscreens (reef-safe sunscreen)

Common chemical sunscreen filters—like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate—are easily absorbed by the skin and have been detected in the bloodstream after use. Some are linked to hormone disruption in humans, and several are harmful to aquatic life, contributing to coral bleaching and disrupting the reproductive systems of fish and other marine species. Mineral-based sunscreens, made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxidework differently: they sit on the surface of the skin and physically block or scatter UV rays. They’re less likely to irritate sensitive skin, and when formulated without nano-sized particles, they’re considered safer for marine ecosystems.

  • Babo Botanicals
  • Mychelle Dermaceuticals
  • Alba Botanica (mineral line only)

Eco-Friendly Insect Repellent (non-toxic bug spray)

Protecting yourself from ticks and mosquitoes is essential, especially in areas where insect-borne illnesses are common. But many conventional repellents contain DEET, which can be harsh on skin and harmful to aquatic life. A safer option is picaridin (20%), which offers similar protection to DEET but is better tolerated by sensitive skin and carries a lower environmental risk. Another effective choice is oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), a plant-based repellent approved by the CDC; it is NOT the same as lemon eucalyptus essential oil, and can be irritating to sensitive skin, so it’s not my favorite choice. For added defense, treat clothing and gear with permethrin—just be sure to apply it outdoors and let items dry completely before use.

  • Picaridin (20%) – recommended by the CDC and WHO, gentle on skin, less ecologically harmful than DEET. I recommend the Ranger Ready Scent Zero with 20% Picaridin.

  • SAWYER® Permethrin Fabric Treatment for clothing (apply outdoors, let dry fully)

Step 4: Learn to Read Labels and Avoid Greenwashing

A pretty label doesn’t always mean a product is safe or eco-friendly. Always check for:

  • Fragrance/parfum without ingredient disclosure
  • SLS/SLES
  • Parabens, phthalates, PEGs
  • Bleach, quats, ammonia in cleaning products

Look for ingredient or product certifications like USDA Organic, EWG Verified, EcoCertor Green Seal to back up claims.

Step 5: Dispose of Old Products Responsibly

Don’t pour leftover chemical-heavy cleaners or personal care products down the drain or toss them in the trash. Many communities have hazardous waste collection programs—use them to keep toxins out of waterways and soil.

Step 6: Transition Gradually for Long-Term Success

Start with these things:

  1. Your most frequently used products
  2. Items that rinse directly into the environment (shampoo, soaps, sunscreen)
  3. Products with the highest exposure risk (laundry detergent, body care, dish soap, all-purpose cleaners used on surfaces throughout your home)

You don’t need to replace everything at once—small, consistent swaps add up to big change over time..

Final Thoughts on Creating a Non-Toxic Home

Switching your home to eco-friendly products is an ongoing process, not an overnight transformation. Every swap reduces your exposure to harmful chemicals and lessens the environmental impact you and your famiily have on your surroundings. By choosing products that are safer for both people and the planet, you’re taking a stand for healthier living—and a healthier world.


The information contained in this post is for educational interest only. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness, disease, or skin conditions.

Street Talk 2026: Hair Care – Episode One: Hair Type – Curly

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Street Talk 2026: Hair Care – Episode One: Hair Type – Curly

Featuring: Rihanna

Summary

Rihanna shares her curly hair routine, the ingredients she avoids, and what she wants brands to create next: a truly hydrating leave-in conditioner with packaging that’s easy to grip—even with product-covered hands.

Meet Rihanna: Curly Hair, Naturally

Rihanna’s hair is naturally curly—and she keeps it that way.

“I don’t color my hair,” she says, adding that she gets it cut every six months. Her goal is to maintain healthy curls that feel soft, bouncy, and full of movement.

Rihanna’s Current Hair Care Routine

Rihanna keeps her routine straightforward, focusing on hydration and definition:

  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Sometimes a leave-in conditioner
  • Gel to style
  • Diffusing to finish

This routine supports her curl pattern while helping her control volume and shape depending on her styling preference that day.

How She Likes Her Curls to Look and Feel

Rihanna describes her curls as typically:

She also mentions changing the outcome depending on whether she’s creating a “cast” (a firmer gel-set finish). When she doesn’t use a cast, her curls feel softer and more touchable. When she does, the hair can feel more rigid at first—but loosens up over time.

Pull quote: “Typically bouncy, fluffy.”

How She Shops for Products: Ingredient-Led Decisions

Rihanna shops across different retailers, but her choices come down to what’s inside the bottle.

She specifically looks to avoid ingredients that feel too drying for her curls, including:

  • Sulfates
  • Parabens and similar ingredients

She tends to lean towards more natural products, prioritising formulas that help her hair retain moisture and softness.

Pull quote: “I look at the ingredients. No sulfates… I can’t have anything that’s too drying.”

What She Wants Brands to Make Next

When asked what she’d create, Rihanna is clear: a really good hydrating leave-in conditioner.

She also has strong packaging preferences—practical details that matter in real routines:

  • Easy to handle
  • Not too slippery when hands are covered in product
  • Not too bulky, especially for already crowded bathroom shelves

This highlights a recurring Street Talk insight: performance matters, but so does usability—particularly for textured-hair consumers using multiple products per routine.

Pull quote: “Something that’s easy to handle… not too slippery… not too bulky.”

Key Takeaways for Brands

  • Hydration and softness define “healthy curls” for this consumer.
  • Ingredient avoidance—especially sulfates and overly drying formulas—remains a key purchase driver.
  • Packaging design is part of product performance: grip, usability and shelf footprint all matter.

12 best root touch up sprays of 2021

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12 best root touch up sprays of 2021

Sometimes your hair growing too fast can be the root of all your problems. We’ve all been there. After spending an exorbitant amount of money on a fresh coat of colour at the salon, a couple of weeks later you start to see your roots growing out at an alarming speed. Or you may just be at the point in your life when those pesky little gray hairs are starting to sprout.

If either of these scenarios sound familiar to you, root touch-up sprays are exactly the quick fix that you need. Root touch-up sprays are a must-have for the girl who’s dead set on putting off a visit to the salon for as long as possible. And as many of us continue to spend more time at home than ever, root-touch up sprays are an easy and inexpensive method of transforming your hair from drab to fab in the comfort of your own home.

Root touch up sprays

Say goodbye to mixing up color and developer in your at-home box dye kit or shelling out heaps of money at the hair salon and say hello to simply sectioning off your hair, queuing up your favorite shows on Netflix and reaching for your favorite root-touch up spray.

What are root touch-up sprays?

Root touch-up sprays are tinted temporary hair sprays that are applied to your roots and can last up until the next time you wash your hair. They dry in mere seconds or minutes after spraying and seamlessly melt into your roots without damaging your hair. Root touch-up sprays are a perfect way to protect your hair from excessive dying, which can cause your hair to become dry and susceptible to breakage.

How do you make a root touch-up spray last on your hair?

The best way to make a root touch-up spray last for as long as possible is to wash your hair less frequently. As we mentioned earlier, most root touch-up sprays last until your next shampoo, so we recommend dragging out your shampoo days for as long as you can. Before applying the root touch-up spray, make sure your hair is completely dry and styled to your liking. If your hair is still wet, the product will not adhere to your roots and will easily transfer.

Root touch up sprays

How should you apply the root spray to your hair?

Using a root touch-up spray for the first time can potentially be a little bit messy. Before you begin, be sure to grab a towel to wrap around your shoulders to prevent product from getting on your skin. You may also want to apply a moisturizing product like Aloe Vera or coconut oil to create a barrier to your skin to prevent any staining.

Celebrity hairstylist Christophe Robin, who has colored hair for the likes of singer Kylie Minogue and actress Kristin Scott Thomas recommends using at-home products like a toothbrush or small teasing brush to help you zero in on those hard-to-reach sections of your hair. Be sure to spray the product onto your hair ever-so conservatively to prevent your hair from becoming oversaturated. You should also exercise caution to keep the spray from getting into your eyes. We also recommend that you avoid spraying it directly onto your scalp as it may cause your scalp to become dry and flaky and produce a burning sensation. Once you’ve sprayed your hair to your liking, avoid touching the area for the amount of time specified on the root spray. To dry your roots faster, blow dry your hair on a cool setting.

Root touch up sprays

What are the best root touch up sprays?

There are plenty of root touch-up sprays to choose from for a wide range of hair colours from the lightest blonde to the darkest brown. Here are our picks for must-have root touch-up sprays.

1. L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Gray Concealer Spray

L’Oreal Paris’ Magic Root Cover Up Gray Concealer Spray is the perfect quick solution for hiding your gray hairs. This root touch-up spray consists of a rich shade selection including black, dark brown, medium brown, light brown, light golden brown, dark blonde, light to medium blonde and red. It is composed of a fast-drying serum that dries a few seconds after an application. It is also free of harmful chemicals like ammonia and peroxide.

2. TRESemmé Root Touch-Up Spray

TRESemmé’s Root Touch-Up Spray is yet another root touch-up spray that is free of harmful chemicals like ammonia and peroxide and also artificial dyes. The spray takes one minute to dry then settles into a beautiful smudge-proof coat of color in your roots. You can purchase this shade in black, dark brown, light brown and dark blonde.

3. Style Edit Root Concealer Touch Up Spray

Style Edit’s Root Concealer Touch Up Spray dries within a whopping three seconds after application. Another added bonus is that this root spray is also 100 percent cruelty free. It is also formulated to conceal thinning hair to make it look thicker and fuller. Pair this thickening root touch-up spray with a set of hair extensions for even more volume. This root spray comes in the shades black, dark brown, medium brown, light brown, dark blonde, medium blonde, light blonde and auburn/red.

4. Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Spray

Rita Hazan’s Root Concealer Touch Up Spray is composed of a water and transfer-proof formula that will leave you with long-lasting coverage. Celebrity hairstylist and CEO Hazan has styled hair for A-list celebrities like Beyonce, Katy Perry and Jessica Simpson. This root spray was designed to be suitable for all hair types from straight to tightly coiled curls. It is also formulated to not damage chemically relaxed hair types. The collection is comprised of universal shades such as dark brown, light brown, dark blonde, natural blonde and red.

5. Revlon Root Erase Permanent Hair Color, At-Home Root Touchup Hair Dye

Revlon’s Root Erase Permanent Hair Color Touchup Hair Dye is the perfect at-home root-touch up spray. It was the winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty Award for Root Coverage in 2019. The spray comes with an applicator brush that will allow you to carefully saturate every inch of your roots. This root touch-up is designed to be sprayed and mixed into the cap then applied with the applicator brush. After applying it to your roots, it takes just five minutes to cure. This root spray also has one of the richest shade selections of them all including: black, dark brown, burgundy, dark auburn/reddish brown, medium brown, medium ash brown, medium golden brown, medium auburn, light brown, light golden brown, dark blonde, medium blonde and light blonde.

Root touch up sprays

6. dpHUE Color Touch-Up Spray

dpHUE’s Color Touch-Up Spray has a dual-action nozzle which allows for two different spray settings so you have complete control over exactly where the spray lands on your roots. This vegan cruelty-free root touch-up spray is also free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, gluten, and silicone. This lightweight formula is perfect for those who have damaged hair. Shades range from black, dark brown, medium brown, light brown, medium blonde, copper and auburn.

7. Salon in a Bottle Root Touch up Hair Spray

Salon in a Bottle’s Root Touch up Hair Spray has a unique pinpoint applicator in the left side of the bottle to allow for a precise and effortless application. It is formulated with natural minerals and Vitamin E, Chamomile and Green Tea Extracts that are built to keep your hair soft and smooth. It also has a compact design that you can easily fit into your purse. The shade selection includes: brown-black, medium/dark brown, light brown, dark blonde, natural blonde and red/auburn.

Root touch up sprays

8. Joico Tint Shot Root Concealer

Joico’s Tint Shot Root Concealer is formulated to soothe and cool your scalp while replenishing your colour. One of its major ingredients is Willow Bark Extract which provides the cooling, relaxing sensation. It is humidity resistant and also creates the illusion of thicker, fuller hair. You can purchase this root spray in the shades black, dark brown, light brown and blonde.

9. TEMPTU Airbrush Root Touch Up & Temporary Hair Color

TEMPTU’s Airbrush Root Touch Up & Temporary Hair Color leaves your roots looking polished and perfected. We are also obsessed with the futuristic, state of the art packaging of this root spray. It’s formulated with Pro-Vitamin B-5 and Vitamin E which adds an extra dose of vibrancy to your hair. It’s also free of harmful ingredients such as talc and sulfates. It has a diverse warm, neutral and cool shade range including: ash blonde, ash brown, chestnut brown, golden blonde, light brown, medium brown, platinum blonde and sandy brown.

10. Clairol Root Touch-Up Spray

Clairol’s Root Touch-Up Spray is yet another quick fix solution for the girl on the go. Its water-resistant formula makes it safe for swimming and rainy weather days. This is also yet another root-spray that is travel-sized and fits snugly in your purse. While the shade range is a little more limited, the shades are nuanced enough that they blend in with most natural hair tones. These shades include: black, dark to medium brown, light brown, dark to medium blonde and red.

Root touch up sprays

11. Everpro Gray Away Temporary Root Concealer

Everpro’s Gray Away Temporary Root Concealer is designed specifically to get rid of patchy gray hairs. It is formulated with a colour technology that is meant to adjust to any hair color. Its formula is also ammonia-free, peroxide-free and paraben-free.

12. AGEbeautiful Root Touch-Up

AGEbeautiful’s Root Touch-Up water, sweat and rain-resistant formula will have your hair looking freshly coloured for several days at a time. There are a total of 11 shades to choose from, making it the second-most multifaceted root spray of all of our picks. You can purchase it in: black, darkest brown, medium brown, medium ash brown, light brown, light golden brown, dark blonde, medium blonde, light blonde, dark red brown and light intense red.

Written By: Ashley Inkumsah

Best Face Mask Set: What to Use for Your Skin Goals

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Best Face Mask Set: What to Use for Your Skin Goals

A face mask set sounds like a cute add-on until you realize it’s one of the easiest ways to get consistent results without overthinking your routine. One mask can help, sure. But most skin issues are not one-issue problems. You can be dry and congested at the same time. You can be dull and sensitive. You can be breaking out and still dehydrated.

That’s why a face mask set can work better than buying one random mask and hoping for the best. The right set gives you options and lets you treat your skin based on what it needs that week, not what it “usually” is.

1. What makes a face mask set worth it?

Not every face mask set is created equal. The ones that actually deliver tend to have:

  • Different masks for different goals (not three versions of the same thing)
  • A clear use schedule so you are not guessing how often to apply each mask
  • Balanced formulas that help skin improve without constant irritation
  • Results you can feel like smoother texture, clearer pores, or better hydration

If a face mask set is just “hydrating, hydrating, hydrating,” it’s not really a set. It’s repetition.

2. The best face mask set combos for real results

Here are the combinations that tend to work best because they cover the most common skin situations.

A) The Glow + Smooth Set

This is the face mask set you want if your skin looks tired, makeup is sitting weird, or you want smoother texture fast.

  • Exfoliating mask (to refine texture and brightness)
  • Hydrating mask (to plump and soften the look of lines)

Best for: dullness, rough texture, pre-event glow, dry patches.

B) The Clear Pores + Calm Set

This is the face mask set that works when you are congested but your skin is also easily irritated. You get clarity without over-drying.

  • Purifying/clay mask (to pull out buildup and oil)
  • Soothing mask (to reduce redness and calm inflammation)

Best for: blackheads, breakouts, bumps, stressed or reactive acne-prone skin.

C) The Firm + Hydrate Set

This is the face mask set you want when your skin feels less “tight” than it used to and you want that plumper, firmer look.

  • Firming/anti-aging mask (to support a lifted look)
  • Hydrating mask (to improve bounce and soften fine lines)

Best for: early lines, dehydration, dullness, tired-looking skin.

D) The “Everything” Set for combination skin

If your skin changes week to week, this is the most practical face mask set. You rotate based on what is showing up.

  • Exfoliating mask once a week
  • Purifying mask once a week (or just on the T-zone)
  • Hydrating mask one to two times a week

Best for: combination skin, seasonal changes, unpredictable breakouts and dryness.

3. How to use a face mask set without overdoing it

The biggest mistake with a face mask set is using all the masks back-to-back because you think “more care” means “better results.” That’s how you end up irritated.

Use this schedule as a safe starting point:

  • 2 masks per week if you are sensitive or new to masks
  • 3 masks per week if your skin is resilient and you want faster results

A simple weekly example:

  • Monday: hydrating mask
  • Thursday: purifying or exfoliating mask
  • Saturday: hydrating or firming mask

Pro tip: If you use an exfoliating mask, follow it with a hydrating mask later in the week. That combo is what makes skin look smooth without getting stripped.

4. Should you “multi-mask” with a face mask set?

Yes, if you have combination skin. Multi-masking means using different masks on different areas at the same time.

Example:

  • T-zone: purifying mask for oil and blackheads
  • cheeks: hydrating mask to prevent tightness

This is one of the best ways to get real results from a face mask set because you stop treating your entire face like it has one problem.

5. How to make face mask results last longer

A face mask set works best when you support it with simple habits:

  • Mask on clean skin so ingredients can actually absorb.
  • Do not scrub when rinsingespecially after exfoliating masks.
  • Moisturize after to lock in hydration and protect the barrier.
  • Wear sunscreen the next morning if you exfoliate, because fresh skin is more UV-sensitive.
How to make face mask results last longer

Final thoughts

The right face mask set is one of the easiest ways to get consistent, visible results at home. Choose a set that covers more than one goal, rotate masks based on what your skin needs that week, and keep your schedule realistic. That is how you go from “masking sometimes” to skin that looks smoother, clearer, and more even all month.

How to Make Dating Fun Again, According to Relationship Experts

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How to Make Dating Fun Again, According to Relationship Experts

Between dating app horror stories, talking stages that go nowhere, and meetups that feel more like job interviews, it’s easy to burn out and lose faith in the whole process. Somewhere along the way, under pressure to find the One, many of us forget that dating is supposed to be exciting (or at the very least not draining). So how do you bring back that playfulness?

Anwar White, a seasoned relationship coach and founder of Get Your Guy Coaching, hears this a lot. “Some of the complaints are that no one’s really serious out there,” White tells SELF. But what people often forget is that just as much as the journey revolves around the future of your love life, it’s also supposed to be enjoyable in the present. Yet “so many of us become hyperfocused on the results that make the experience lose its luster, in a way,” White says.

Below, White and other relationship experts share a few strategies for reclaiming the joy of dating—whether you’re looking for a casual fling, a long-term partner, or even just a fun night out that leaves you feeling good afterward.

1. Throw out the checklist.

Most people already have a mental inventory of must-haves: ambition, emotional availability, strong communication skills—along with a few superficial ones like a certain height, job title, or hair color. While standards matter, rigid checklists are one of the few things that can quickly turn dating from exploratory to transactional.

“The fun of dating is this ability to step into someone else’s world—to find it interesting and to want to know what that’s like,” Fanny Tristan, LCSW, a psychotherapist and founder of Restority Space in New York City, tells SELF. Maybe you meet a person whose career is completely different from your ex’s or whose personality challenges you in a complementary way. Usually what happens is the qualities that once felt so nonnegotiable end up fading when you’re having a good time, Tristan says.

2. Go in expecting to make a friend.

If you’re on the apps, you’re probably looking for romance—not a platonic connection. But White recommends treating each date as a chance to see whether you genuinely enjoy their company: “This reframe helps so many of my clients just exhale a bit and not take this so seriously,” making it easier to show up authentically and let meaningful conversations unfold naturally.

3. Let date nights double as something you already want to do.

If sitting through another obligatory drink or dinner makes you roll your eyes, switch up the plan. “Be intentional about where you go,” Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, PhD, certified sexologist and professor of human communication at California State University, Fullerton, tells SELF. In other words, choose an activity or location you’d want to check out even if you were alone—whether that’s walking through a farmers’ market, catching a new movie, or making a res at a trendy speakeasy you have yet to try. That way, even if the chemistry isn’t there, your time isn’t wasted.

4. Turn flirting into a challenge.

Finding your person doesn’t have to feel so serious or high-stakes. “Make a game out of getting to know people,” White suggests. The next time you and your friends are at the bar together, set a goal of getting at least two phone numbers, or see who can strike up a conversation first with the cute stranger sitting solo. According to White, this is a low-pressure way for introverts to build confidence and practice putting themselves out there.

5. Set a 10–30 minute timer on dating apps.

Burnout is almost inevitable when you’re spending hours on Hinge, endlessly swiping through profiles. That’s why Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn recommends capping your time altogether. The exact limit will look different for everyone—maybe it’s 10 minutes, maybe it’s 30. What matters is having a clear stopping point, which she says is one of the simplest ways to protect your energy and keep the process from feeling exhausting.

6. Use dating apps to practice banter.

Life is serious enough; dating doesn’t have to be. One of the easiest ways to bring lightness back into the process is through banter—playful, low-stakes teasing that creates momentum, tension, and chemistry. Yet according to White, a lot of people struggle with this, which is why the apps can be a low-risk place to practice.

Sunday Business: Travel Update – Global Cosmetics News

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Sunday Business: Travel Update – Global Cosmetics News

If recent months have reinforced one reality about beauty’s travel retail channel, it is that recovery is no longer theoretical—it is being actively rebuilt, selectively expanded and, in some cases, strategically pared back. As passenger flows normalise unevenly across regions, travel retail is emerging as a more disciplined, brand-led and partnership-driven ecosystem, shaped as much by profitability pressures as by renewed confidence in global mobility.

At the luxury end, boutiques remain the clearest signal of intent. Dior Beauty and Chanel both opened new fragrance and beauty boutiques at Zurich Airport in partnership with Avolta, underlining the continued importance of high-traffic European hubs as theatres for brand storytelling. These openings reflect a broader recalibration: fewer doors, but better ones—spaces designed to deliver immersion, premium service and strong conversion rather than sheer footprint. L’Oreal echoed this approach by opening its first travel retail beauty boutique in Africa at Abuja Airport, marking a strategic entry point into a fast-growing but still underdeveloped travel retail market, where first-mover advantage and local relevance matter as much as scale.

The Middle East continues to outperform, both as a retail environment and as a barometer of global travel health. Charlotte Tilbury’s debut at Dubai Duty Free signalled the enduring pull of hero-led, social-first brands in high-spend transit locations, while Dubai Duty Free itself posted a record November, driven by strong gains in fragrance sales. The performance reinforces fragrance’s role as the engine of travel retail growth—portable, giftable and less price-sensitive—at a time when discretionary spend remains under scrutiny elsewhere.

Asia, meanwhile, is moving into a more nuanced phase of recovery. Lotte Duty Free’s decision to reopen trade with Chinese resellers points to a pragmatic reassessment of daigou dynamics as K-beauty sales rebound. Rather than a full return to pre-pandemic volumes, the focus appears to be on controlled engagement and margin protection. At the same time, the Korea Tourism Organization’s partnership with Amorepacific to merge K-beauty and travel in a global campaign highlights how national tourism bodies and beauty groups are increasingly aligned, using cultural capital and soft power to stimulate demand across borders.

Yet growth is not uniform—and neither is confidence. Shilla Hotel’s decision to exit Incheon Duty Free underscores the structural pressures still facing the channel. Rising operating costs, shifting concession economics and more cautious consumer behaviour are forcing operators to reassess long-term viability, even in historically strong locations. The move serves as a reminder that travel retail’s recovery is selective, not universal, and that scale alone is no longer a guarantee of resilience.

Leadership changes further reflect this moment of transition. Puig’s appointment of Vincent Baland to lead European travel retail signals a renewed focus on execution, regional nuance and brand-building at a time when fragrance-led portfolios are outperforming. As competition intensifies for prime airport real estate, experience in navigating complex retail partnerships and evolving shopper expectations is becoming as critical as brand equity itself.

Taken together, the latest developments point to a travel retail sector that is maturing after disruption. Expansion is targeted, partnerships are strategic and exits are increasingly decisive. Beauty brands are treating travel retail less as a volume play and more as a premium showcase—one that demands investment, clarity of purpose and operational discipline. As global travel continues to rebalance, the channel’s future will be defined not by how fast it grows, but by how intelligently it evolves.

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