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Three tools to make your everyday style easier

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Three tools to make your everyday style easier

I love ANYTHING that can make my life easier right? (helllllo AirFryer!) so every time I see a wee little tool that can help make style easier everyday, I’m all over it!

I’ve recently found three such tools, and had to have them all in my own personal styling kit, as well as making them available for you guys on my online shop.

Let me talk you through the three tools and how I use them….

These nifty little devices have been created by a friend of mine in Australia, when she messaged me about them, I immediately thought of a bunch of people who would love these, and asked her if i could stock them in NZ – luckily she said yes!

Shop the UnderWunder perspiration protectors

These little stick-on pads will not only stop sweat stains on those delicate fabrics, they will also help you get more “wear and air” time out of your clothes. No deodorant stains on your clothes means less washing or drycleaning – good for your wallet and the environment.

WATCH MY INSTAGRAM VIDEO ON HOW THEY WORK HERE

They come in packs of 24 for both men and women and you can order them HERE.

Where has this been all my life?? I’m OBSESSED! The Basic Band is a simple tool to crop, layer and reshape your garments for a more flattering fit and versatile style. It is an undergarment that secures around your body (just like your bra) and is designed to be worn all day.

Use to crop tops, layer jumpers over dresses, shorten skirts, style kaftans, tuck without bulk and so much more.

Shop the Basic Band here

WATCH MY INSTAGRAM VIDEO ON HOW IT WORKS HERE

Made from soft and seamless elastic Stays in place all day, there is 4cm of extendable adjustments – therefore it is versatile to style with thin and thicker items

It comes in sizes from AU6 – AU 24 and the colour can’t be seen under clothing and disappears under white – shop them here

I LOVE the look of a puled up sleeve but I HATE having to constantly push my sleeves up… enter the 80’s phenomenon…. sleeve garters

When I’m working with my personal styling clients, its the little things, like how a sleeve sits that makes all the difference. Little tools like this can be the difference between an outfit looking meh, and looking WOW!!

Over the years working as a personal stylist, I find having the little things that make style easier, really do make a difference! I’m so excited to be able to bring these little styling tools to you, to help you take the stress out of your everyday style just a little more.

The sleeve garters come in both silver and gold colourways and will generally fit a size 6-14 arm – you can shop them here.

If you need any of these cool styling tools in your wardrobe, you can shop all three via my online shop – just hit the button below.

Happy styling!

Cait xoxo

P.S. Are you ready to step into your style with confidence?….here are 3 ways I can help you to get started :

1. book a FREE 30 minute style consultation to chat about how I can help you elevate your everyday style – BOOK HERE

2. Join The Style Circle – my monthly styling membership and get an all access pass to me – JOIN HERE

3. Ready to work with me? This is your official invitation to work with me this year. To step into your style with confidence CLICK HERE

Sweet Holiday Kisses: DIY Vegan Candy Cane Lip Scrub – Vegan Beauty Review | Vegan and Cruelty-Free Beauty, Fashion, Food, and Lifestyle : Vegan Beauty Review

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Sweet Holiday Kisses: DIY Vegan Candy Cane Lip Scrub – Vegan Beauty Review | Vegan and Cruelty-Free Beauty, Fashion, Food, and Lifestyle : Vegan Beauty Review

The holiday season calls for soft, kissable lips! Harsh winter weather can leave your lips feeling dry and chapped, but this easy-to-make Candy Cane Lip Scrub will exfoliate, hydrate, and leave your lips tasting (and smelling) like the festive treat we all love. Made with simple, plant-based ingredients, this lip scrub is the perfect addition to your holiday self-care routine—or a thoughtful homemade gift!

What You’ll Need:

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients:
    In a small bowl, mix the sugar, coconut oil, and almond oil until well blended.
  2. Add Peppermint Oil:
    Stir in the drop of peppermint essential oil. Adjust the amount for a stronger or milder minty scent, but avoid using more than two drops to keep it lip-safe.
  3. Optional Tint:
    For a festive red hue, add a small pinch of beetroot powder or a drop of natural red food coloring and mix well.
  4. Transfer to a Container:
    Spoon the scrub into a small, airtight reusable container or jar.

How to Use:

  • Scoop out a small amount of the scrub using clean fingers or a spatula.
  • Gently massage it onto your lips in circular motions for 30-60 seconds.
  • Rinse off with warm water and pat your lips dry.
  • Follow up with a vegan lip balm for maximum hydration.

Why This Scrub Works:

  • Sugar acts as a natural, gentle exfoliant to remove dry, flaky skin.
  • Coconut oil provides deep hydration and leaves lips feeling smooth and soft.
  • Peppermint oil adds a refreshing, cooling effect, perfect for the holiday season.
  • Beetroot powder is a natural, vegan way to add color while being packed with antioxidants.

Holiday Gifting Tip:

This lip scrub makes a delightful holiday gift! Package it in a small glass jar, tie a festive ribbon around the lid, and attach a handwritten label. Pair it with a vegan lip balm for a thoughtful DIY beauty set.

About Sunny (Sunny’s Profile)

Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com.
You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, TwitterYouTube, and Google +.

Filed in: DIY vegan beauty products
Tags: DIY beauty • diy beauty products • DIY lip scrub • diy vegan lips scrub • holiday lip scrub

Modern Day Duke Beard Wash & Tonic

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Modern Day Duke Beard Wash & Tonic

Where has he been for months I hear you say? Growing a beard. With that in mind expect one or two posts on beards over the coming weeks and months, but today I’ll start off with two cracking products from Modern Day Duke – Luxurious Beard Wash and Superior Beard Tonic.


 So, who are Modern Day Duke? You can read all about the company and it’s ethos over at their website here:

LUXURIOUS BEARD WASH

A 200ml bottle of the luxurious beard wash will set you back £16.95, which compares favourably with other beard washes on the market. There are a number of things that I genuinely like about this beard wash – it smells lovely, it lathers up a dream, it cleans away grime and doesn’t dry out my skin.

Those four things above make this a must-have product for any beardy weirdy like me.

But saying that it smells lovely is a bit vague and really doesn’t do this justice. It blends together cedarwood (a favourite base note in many an aftershave in my collection)lime and aloe vera. The cedarwood gives it an earthy masculine nose but the sharpness of the lime gives it a fresher tangy citrus waft that personally I’ve found a touch addictive.

Just two pumps of the beard wash, slap it onto a wet beard and you’re away – it’s like an explosion of lather that intensifies the fragrance two-fold. Result!

Last but not least, my beard feels clean, smells clean and fresh while also have a softer, smoother feel.

SUPERIOR BEARD TONIC

Having now come down with a massive dose of OBD (Obsessive Beard Disorder) keeping it in shape and trying to avoid looking like a hobo means carefully oiling and brushing down the stray hairs. Get a crappy oil and you’ll be wiping oil it off your face, hands and sometimes clothing all day. I’m happy to report that this is not one of those lemons!

While the oil itself is quite thick any fears that this would just be smeared up and down my face were quickly allayed – a couple of drops from the applicator, a quick warm up between the palms and it’s ready to go. Being, well, an oil, it is smoothed onto the hair really quickly and is absorbed by the hair and skin in under a minute. Excellent.

Throw into the mix once again that lovely fragrance, this time with hints of bergamot, patchouli and grape. It’s fresh, it’s fruity and for some reason whenever I use this I have an urge to grab an axe and chop some wood.

Styling my beard is a doddle using this – the one day I didn’t use it my lovely aunt commented “you look homeless”, which says it all.

Modern Day Duke Beard Wash & Tonic

Saving the best for last – my beard does grow quicker using the tonic – in just four months I’ve managed to grow a beard that would have taken at least a year. Indeed, the people I work with have commented on how fast it has grown.

50ml of this will set you back £18 and at that price, if you have whiskers, you shouldn’t be without this.

I’ve been using both products on my ever-growing (and greying) beard now for a good four months. Those four months have seen my beard grow at a speed I’ve never known before, not a hint of beard itch or scratching and the oil leaves the longer style of beard in a position where brushing and styling is a breeze.

They (Modern Day Duke) say that with a great beard comes great responsibility. Not too sure about that, but when they attach phrases like superior and luxurious to these products I’m more than inclined to agree with the assessment. Both products are reasonably priced, I’ve been introduced to a brand I will be using again (when this batch runs out) and I know I’ll be supporting a company that manufactures here in England.


Summarising in one word how my beard feels after using? Majestic.


 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Modern Day Duke Beard Wash & Tonic

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Amika Hair Products Officially Launch at Ulta Beauty

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Amika Hair Products Officially Launch at Ulta Beauty

The products behind some of today’s most viral celebrity hairstyles are officially Ulta-shop-able. Amika (the Brooklyn-born, B Corp-certified brand beloved by pros and A-listers alike) is making its long-awaited debut at Ulta Beauty, marking its first new U.S. brick-and-mortar retail partnership in more than a decade. With two of Hollywood’s most-booked hairstylists, Clayton Hawkins and Glen Coco Oropeza, as core members of the amika Stylist Collective, the it-girl kits they rely on for red carpets, music videos and major moments are now more accessible than ever.

As of this week, Ulta Beauty guests can shop amika’s full lineup in all stores and on Ulta.com. That means the brand’s most iconic innovations—from the prestige market’s number-one dry shampoo, perk up ($29), to the cult-classic soulfood nourishing mask ($36)—are now more accessible than ever. Also joining the mix: amika’s newest frizz-fighting formulas, including frizz-me-not hydrating anti-frizz treatment ($30) and forget frizz shampoo ($28) and conditioner ($28), which bring the brand’s signature salon-grade results to every hair routine.

For amika, the Ulta Beauty partnership represents a defining next chapter. Founded in 2007 with roots in the professional salon world, the brand has long been trusted by stylists, so much so that 42 percent of amika users say they first discovered it in the chair. As the brand continues to bridge its salon heritage with an omnichannel future, expanding into Ulta Beauty feels like a natural evolution: meeting consumers wherever they shop while maintaining the performance-first formulas that built its reputation.

With this move, amika deepens its connection to both the pro community and everyday beauty lovers—bringing high-performing, joy-filled haircare to shelves (and showers) across the country.

The New Outdoor Voices: Is It As Good As It Was in 2016?

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The New Outdoor Voices: Is It As Good As It Was in 2016?

The year was 2015. Obama was president, green juice was nigh, and Outdoor Voices and Man Repeller—with Tyler Haney and Leandra Medine Cohen still at the helm of both brands, respectively—collaborated on a “kit”: a head-to-toe athleisure look that was meant to be worn both inside the gym and out.

It was the first of many viral moments I can recall in the early Outdoor Voices days. Over the next few years, the brand became a movement. Haney was a young, 20-something founder who deeply understood her millennial clientele. She introduced a wave of yuppies to the notion of athleisure—that fitness apparel could be attractive, and stylish, and funand not just utilitarian and “sporty”—and, therefore, the notion that anyone who is merely #DoingThings can be an athlete. For me, this ethos democratized movement. I remember feeling encouraged to walk, to move, to do even a 10- or 15-minute workout because suddenly workouts were pitched to me like rainbows: colorful, ethereal, and even transportive. Just by being mildly active in a pair of colorblocked leggings I could be part of a club where I had never felt I belonged. And honestly, that was huge.

But things came to a head for Haney and her brand once the pandemic arrived. She was pushed out in 2020, and soon after the once-beloved “OV” seemingly fell off the face of the planet. Brands like Alo and Lululemon and Vuori caught on to what millennials (and later, Gen Z) wanted from athleisure; others, like Gap, started making similar looks for significantly less. Friends of mine would complain that OV lost its touch: The quality and fit had declined, and even the customer service and branding felt off. By 2024, all of OV’s brick and mortar locations were shuttered, with the brand reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy. Months later, Consortium Brand Partners acquired the brand, and by that summer convinced Haney to come back on to lead the relaunch. She agreed, and brought her original OV design lead, Hannah Wilkinson, along with her.

Our office was abuzz in July when the news of all this started to trickle out (with an Instagram stunt, no less—OV unfollowed everyone but Haney and wiped its grid clean). We kept our eyes on the first number of drops over the latter half of this year, knowing that ultimately, we would need to try OV 2.0 for ourselves. Was it as good as the OG? Better? Would we be sorely disappointed? So this fall we called in a handful of pieces from the Hike Collection, which launched in October. Here, read three SELF editors’ honest reviews on how the styles stack up.

Hannah wears the Waffle Baby Tee in medium and the RecTrek Zip Pant in small.

When I first saw this on the new OV site, I knew it felt familiar and nostalgic…and then I realized what it recalled: a somewhat obscure 1998 Britney Spears photoshoot for a German teen mag in which she is wearing a similar periwinkle-cornflower baby tee. I was sold. The waffle material is nice and thick, which, for me, compensated for the overall baby-ness of the tee (I am not a crop top-wearer): The top still provided ample coverage—my midriff wasn’t hanging out, nor were the outline of my nipples. I wore a size medium, with the hunch that the top would run on the small side, and I was right. Best styled with a pair of capri-length cargo pants, it’s a baby tee with a little bit of everything, in what I believe is the perfect shade of blue. —Hannah Pasternak, Lifestyle Director

Image may contain Clothing Pants Adult Person Coat Senior Citizen Face and Head

Katie wears the RecTrek Zip Pant in large.

3 Benefits of CBD in Beauty Products

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3 Benefits of CBD in Beauty Products

First, let’s tackle the top questions about CBD when it comes to beauty: What is CBD, and will it get me high if I use CBD beauty products?

CBD is a natural compound derived from the cannabis plant. Heralded for its restorative power for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin, CBD is proven to help reduce inflammation and support the skin’s natural healing process. That’s why we’ve added award-winning CBD-infused skincare and hair care brands to our Camera Ready family!

Now, as far as if CBD Beauty products will get you high. The answer is no. CBD is one of 100+ cannabinoids (chemical compound found in hemp plants) that stabilizes the body and helps maintain health. You’ll find traces of CBD in marijuana, but CBD alone is non-psychoactive and legal to purchase in an isolated form.

The cannabinoid compound infamously known to get you high is called THC. This particular plant derivative is responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana.

*Disclaimer – As with any big change in your skincare or hair care regimen that focuses on ingredients, if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you’re reading this article to decide if you’d like to use this product on a child, we highly recommend checking with your doctor first.

The 3 Hair Routines That Can Help You Feel Like Yourself Again

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The 3 Hair Routines That Can Help You Feel Like Yourself Again

Before the world starts asking things of you, there’s usually a moment where you can have a little time for yourself. It might be early morning before the house wakes up, or later at night once the day has finally softened.

You reach for your brush, maybe a clip, or maybe nothing at all. And for a second, you’re not performing for anyone. You’re just…there, with yourself.

That moment may be small, but we all know how sacred it is.

“Getting ready” has always looked like a task on paper. But for many women, especially during seasons of change (postpartum shifts, perimenopause, stress, shedding, thinning, or just life showing up in unexpected ways), it becomes something else entirely.

A grounding practice, a way of returning to the version of yourself you actually recognize,  or a quiet ritual where you can choose ease, confidence, and how you want to feel before you step back into the world.

Below, we have three rituals inspired by real life: the mornings that feel rushed or unpredictable, the evenings where you want to restore instead of perform, and the moments you want to feel your most elevated.

Each one is simple, gentle, and intentionally designed to help you feel like yourself again.

The Everyday Ease Hair Ritual

There are mornings when your hair doesn’t match your mood, or when you wake up already feeling behind. Maybe hormones are shifting. Maybe shedding has made your once-predictable hair feel unfamiliar. Maybe you just haven’t slept well and everything feels like too much!

These are the times when predictability matters, not in a strict, perfectly planned way, but in a supportive way that brings you back to your center.

Why It Matters

When your hair is thinning or behaving in ways it never used to, it’s easy to feel discouraged. Even something as simple as parting your hair can suddenly become a reminder of everything that’s changing.

This ritual is designed to offer a sense of calm and control. A small, repeatable process that helps you reconnect with yourself before the day starts.

How to Build This Routine

Product: The Halo

1. Create a calm physical space

The best thing about this routine is that you don’t need a full vanity setup. Simply adding soft lighting, a candle, or a favorite playlist can instantly shift the energy. The goal is a little pocket of calm.

2. Slip on The Halo for instant fullness

The Halo works especially well on mornings that feel unpredictable because it adds volume without tension. No pulling, no pins digging in, no extra effort. Just an instant, “Oh, there you are.”

3. Brush through gently and breathe

Let your shoulders drop and unclench your jaw. This is where the best part happens as you start to feel more like yourself.

4. Finish with a simple texture spray or hair part that feels natural to you

Maybe it’s a soft bend or your classic straight-and-simple look. Trust what feels like you today.

Tip: Focus on blending the mid-lengths with the hair extensions. Small tweaks will make everything look seamless and naturally you.

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Read Next: The Secrets to Keeping Halo Extensions Looking (and Feeling) Like New

The Hair Reset Ritual

Some evenings are meant for tuning out the noise. If your hair feels dry or fragile from styling, or it looks dull and dead from a long week of doing crazy hairstyles, this routine is your invitation to slow down.

Why It Matters

Women dealing with breakage, dryness, fatigue, or literal hair burnout benefit from routines that are gentle and forgiving. Overdid the heat styling? This routine gives your hair a break while you sleep, while still guaranteeing you’ll wake up to gorgeous hair without all that effort.

How to Build This Routine

Product: Satin Heatless Curlers

1. Slow down your space

Dim the lights, put on something soft and comfortable, and let your room signal that this is a transition moment.

2. Apply Heatless Curlers on damp hair

Blow-dry your hair on the cool setting until it’s 70-80% dry. Apply the Heatless Curlers at this stage so there’s enough moisture to set the waves and bends in. Since it’s almost dry, you won’t have to worry about it staying wet for hours before hitting the sheets!

3. Wrap slowly and intentionally

There’s something deeply calming about this step. It’s tactile, repetitive, and surprisingly meditative. Let your hands move at a pace that feels unhurried.

4. Let your hair set while you rest

Time to relax! Read a little, stretch, watch your comfort show, or meditate. It’s the perfect time to let the Heatless Curlers do the bulk of the work while you relax.

Tip: Wrap your pillow in a silk or satin pillowcase to protect your hair. This, combined with the Heatless Curlers, will gently set and minimize frizz and friction overnight.

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Read Next: Why the Halo Is a NYFW Stylist’s Secret Weapon

The Event-Ready Hair Ritual

Then there are the fun moments: birthdays, weddings, dinners, celebrations, or even a spontaneous night out. These are the nights you want to step into the most confident version of yourself. Not because you need to fix anything, but because you want to amplify what’s already there!

This routine is all about choosing the energy you want to bring into the room.

Why It Matters

If you’re experiencing renewed confidence after undergoing major hair changes, “getting ready” for an event is its own form of empowerment. It’s where you shift from everyday mode to elevated mode. It’s where you say: “I want to feel my best, and I deserve to feel that way.”

How to Build This Routine

Product: The Halo

1. Set the mood

Warm lighting? A “main character” playlist? Do something that makes you feel a little electric inside.

2. Use a Halo for all-over fullness or shape

Halo extensions are perfect for giving you extra fullness and length.  Plus, they’re easy, and buildable. Consider stacking your Halos the next time you have a big event!

3. Style with intention.

Want soft waves? A polished pony? Or an elevated half-up? Choose a style that makes you stand taller, the kind that changes how you walk in the door.

4. Take a moment in the mirror.

It sounds small, but this can help ground you. Look at yourself and acknowledge the version of you you’re choosing to show up as today.

Tip: Before heading out the door, make sure to subject your new extensions to some “extreme” tests, like jumping up and down, to make sure they’re secured on your head.

Read Next: How To Go From Blonde To Bronde Without Wrecking Your Hair

Choose Which Ritual Works for You

No matter what stage of life you’re in (postpartum, perimenopause, rediscovering yourself after big changes, or simply wanting to elevate your everyday), your ritual is yours. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or perfect. It doesn’t even have to be the same every day.

Some days you’ll crave ease, others restoration, and some days elevation. What matters is that it becomes the place where you meet yourself first.

When you take those few minutes to reconnect with yourself and, through simple steps that feel good, you’re not just doing your hair. You’re shaping your energy. You’re grounding your confidence. You’re reminding yourself that you’re allowed to feel like you again.

And that’s more than a routine. That’s something you carry into the rest of your life. Discover more confidence-boosting routines that suit your needs.

Find more hair routines that’ll suit you here:

Struggling to Find Your Colours in Summer (or Winter)? — Inside Out Style

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Struggling to Find Your Colours in Summer (or Winter)? — Inside Out Style

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Ever found yourself wandering the shops, feeling completely uninspired by what’s on offer? You know your colours, you’ve done the work – but suddenly everything on the racks is beige, black, or bright orange. None of it suits you, and all of it feels like a compromise.

This was exactly Helen’s dilemma: “My challenge is finding the right colours for my summer wardrobe when they aren’t current fashions.”

If you have light colouring, you may find winter shopping harder as there are fewer light colours, and conversely, those with dark colouring often find summertime harder to shop for as the stores fill with light pastel colours that do them no favours.

If you’ve ever felt boxed in by what’s “in season”, it’s not because there’s something wrong with your style – it’s because the system is set up to push trends, not support individuality.

The good news? You’re not limited to what the big stores are offering right now.

You have options – more than you might think.

1. Thrift and Secondhand Stores

Thrift shops are a treasure hunt – and yes, it can be hit and miss. But unlike mainstream retail, secondhand racks aren’t restricted by season or trends. Every colour under the sun shows up here. If you’re willing to scan the rails with a discerning eye, you’ll often find hidden gems in your colours, cuts and fabrics – sometimes from quality brands, and always at a fraction of the price.  Here are my tips on how to thrift like a stylist.

2. Online Consignment and Resale

Platforms like eBay, Depop, and speciality online consignment stores give you access to a global wardrobe. You can filter by colour, fabric, size, and style. These aren’t governed by seasonal collections, so you’re far more likely to find that teal linen blouse or soft rose wrap dress – even if it’s nowhere to be seen in the shops right now.

3. Outlet Stores and Discount Retailers

Outlet centres and stores like TK Maxx (or TJ Maxx in the US), Marshalls, and similar discount retailers often carry past-season stock. That means greater variety in both colour and style. You’re not forced into this season’s palette – you can access colours that align with your personal colour analysis, rather than the colour of the year.

4. Sew Your Own (or Have It Made)

If you sew, you already know the freedom this gives you. You can choose fabrics in your colours and patterns that flatter your shape, and create garments that actually fit your body – not some marketing department’s fit model.

But if you don’t sew? Find a local dressmaker. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A custom piece in your colours and your fit can be life-changing – especially if you’ve spent years settling for “good enough” in the fitting room.

make it yourself if you can't find it in the stores

This is a skirt I made after not being able to find a comfy grey skirt in stores.

5. Dye It

Summer’s fashions are full of lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen, which also happen to be perfect for dyeing. If you can’t find a top in your colours, look for a white one in a natural fibre and dye it to suit. This is especially useful for filling wardrobe gaps in a pinch, or making use of clothes you already own but no longer wear.  I’ve also had clients remove the dye, particularly from dark and black garments, then overdye on top to a colour that works.  Check out my posts on overdying for more tips.

6. Look Beyond Your Local Mall

Don’t underestimate the power of a wider search. Many online stores, especially those outside your own country, offer broader colour ranges. When you’re not locked into what’s available in a five-kilometre radius, your options open up massively.  Do internet searches using the kind of fabric you’re after, and even the colour, and see what pops up.  You may be surprised that there is something you love available.

One Step at a Time

Having your palette is the first step in building a wardrobe of clothes that work together easily, mix and match seamlessly and make you truly shine.  Finding them in stores is the next step; there are definitely ways of doing this. And it’s important to remember that the best wardrobes are built over time (not overnight).  Each season, one or two of your colours will be around; just look at those rather than shopping with a fixed mindset about what you’re after.

It’s worth taking the time, as you’ll truly end up with a wardrobe full of clothes you love to wear.

Make Sure You’re Using Your Palette Correctly

Frequently, I see women attempting to match colours exactly and dismissing anything that is not an exact match.  This is not how to use your palette; instead, it’s about finding the same close family to the colours in your palette – check out my tips here.

Otherwise, you could be easily overlooking many items that would work for you, making shopping that much harder and more frustrating.

Make sure you're using your colour palette correctly fo find clothes that matchThe Real Problem Isn’t You – It’s the System

Most mainstream retailers are catering to trend cycles, not to personal expression. That’s why it can feel like everything’s wrong when the colour season shifts. But your wardrobe doesn’t need to follow the retail calendar.

In fact, the more aligned you are with your authentic colours and style, the less relevant trends become. You stop chasing what’s new and start curating what’s right – for you, your body, your energy, and your life.

If, like Helen, you’re frustrated by what’s on the racks, remember this: your style doesn’t need permission from the fashion industry. You can create a wardrobe that works for you, not against you – no matter what season it is.

Before you give up or buy something you’ll regret, explore these alternative paths. Chances are, what you’re looking for is already out there – just not where the mainstream wants you to look.

How to Determine the Best Colours that Match Your Colour Palette

Struggling with Mixed-Colour Patterns? Here’s How to Choose Right Ones for Your Colour Palette

Mastering Undertones: Choosing Colours and Patterns That Work With Your Palette

Vintage and Second-Hand Fashion: Finding Hidden Gems

Struggling to Find Your Colours in Summer (or Winter)

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DIY Gift Box Soap | Hello Glow

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DIY Gift Box Soap | Hello Glow

There’s something so satisfying about giving handmade gifts during the holidays, and these DIY gift box soaps are my new favorites to make. They look like tiny wrapped presents, complete with a “bow” made from soap curls on top. Not to mention, they’re adorable, they smell amazing, and they’re super easy to whip up, even if you’re not the “crafty” type.

The best part? These soaps are basically just melt and pour base and mica, which makes them totally beginner-friendly and inexpensive (say it with me: we’re keeping the holidays simple this year).

You don’t need any fancy equipment or special skills, just a few supplies and a bit of patience. The soap curls on top are what really make them stand out, and once you get the hang of it (this post will help!), you can customize them with different colors and scents to match your holiday theme.

  • Clear melt and pour soap base — I like using clear base because it gives you a translucent, glassy look that lets you see the colors and glitter inside.
  • Mica — A non-toxic colorant, mica is safe for skin and blends really well into melt and pour soap base. It also creates a swirly, marble-like effect as the soap cools. I used purple-red and a dark turquoise for mine.
  • Glitter — While not totally necessary, glitter adds extra shimmer to your soap curls so they look like fancy ribbons. I used mica-based glitter rather than traditional plastic glitter because I thought it would less scratchy and it wouldn’t pollute our waterways once it goes down the drain.
  • Essential oils — Cinnamon, clove, pine, cedarwood, sweet orange, peppermint or vanilla essential oils make for perfect holiday scents, but you can use any fragrance that makes you happy.
  • Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol — Spritz this on freshly poured soap to get rid of air bubbles and between layers to help everything stick together.
  • Vegetable peeler — It’s the easiest tool for getting those thin, ribbon-like curls. If you don’t have a vegetable peeler, check out this post [insert link for to How to Make Curls post] for different methods you can use to make your curls.
  • Square silicone mold — You’ll need square single-cavity soap molds to create the gift box shape.
  • Heat-proof measuring cup — A glass measuring cup with a pour spout makes melting and pouring your soap a lot easier.
  • Large microwave-safe bowl — This is handy if you’re melting a bigger batch of soap or if you need extra room to mix in your mica and fragrance.
  • Kitchen thermometer — It’s important to know how hot your soap is when working in layers. I recommend keeping the soap aroun 140 F to prevent it from melting the ribbons or curls.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Ribbons

Start by melting clear soap base and adding gold mica to create one thin square of soap for cutting into ribbon strips, plus one thicker block that you’ll use later when peeling the curls.

cutting clear melt and pour soap into cubes to meltcutting clear melt and pour soap into cubes to melt

Step 1: Cut Soap

Cut 3 ounces of clear soap base into 1-inch cubes and place them in a microwave-safe measuring cup.

Step 2: Melt & Add Glitter

Melt the soap in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stir after each. When melted, add the glitter and stir again.

Pouring gold soap into a square soap moldPouring gold soap into a square soap mold

Step 3: Pour Soap

Pour about 0.5 ounce of soap into one of the mold compartments. This thin square will make the ribbon strips. Pour the rest of the soap into another mold compartment to make a thicker block for the curls you’ll make later.

Spritzing soap molds with alcohol to remove bubblesSpritzing soap molds with alcohol to remove bubbles

Step 4: Remove Bubbles

Spritz everything with rubbing alcohol to get rid of surface bubbles, then let the soap harden completely.

Cutting gold soap into thin ribbonsCutting gold soap into thin ribbons

Step 5: Cut Ribbon Strips

Once everything is set, cut the thin square into four strips.

Placing soap ribbons into blue soap moldPlacing soap ribbons into blue soap mold

Step 6: Add Ribbon to Soap Mold

Take 2 of the strips and place one on top of the other to make a plus sign. Trim off the part where they overlap in the middle so they’ll lay flat in the mold (don’t worry, the seam will get covered up by soap curls).

Step 2: Make the Boxes

The soap “boxes” require two separate pours, which helps keep the ribbons in place and prevents them from floating around.

adding essential oil to melted soapadding essential oil to melted soap

Step 1: Melt + Color Soap

Melt 4 ounces of clear soap base in the microwave. Stir in your mica color and add essential oil.

Pouring red soap into a silicon soap mold for gift box soapsPouring red soap into a silicon soap mold for gift box soaps

Step 2: Cover Ribbons

Let the soap cool to about 140 degrees F. Press the ribbon strips firmly into the bottom of your mold so they stay put, then pour just enough soap to cover them.

Spritz soap with alcohol to remove bubblesSpritz soap with alcohol to remove bubbles

Step 3: Remove Bubbles + Cool

Spritz with alcohol and let cool. Once that first layer has cooled, spray with alcohol again.

Adding more red soap to fill square soap moldAdding more red soap to fill square soap mold

Step 4: Fill Soap Mold

Pour in the remaining soap to fill the rest of the mold. You might need to heat it again to remelt it. Spritz one more time, then let it cool completely.

Step 3: Attach the Soap Curls

Use a vegetable peeler to shave thin curls from the thick gold block you made earlier and stack them on top of your gift box to create a clustered ribbon effect.

Using vegetable peeler to cut soap curlsUsing vegetable peeler to cut soap curls

Step 1: Shave Soap

Take the thick gold square you set aside earlier and use a vegetable peeler to shave off thin ribbons of soap.

Rolling soap pieces into curl shapesRolling soap pieces into curl shapes

Step 2: Curl Soap

If they don’t naturally curl on their own, roll them with your fingers to create the curled ribbon shape.

Step 3: Attach Curls

Melt about 1 ounce of clear soap in a shallow glass or bowl. Dip the corner of one curl into the melted soap and place it on top of the gift box. Keep stacking curls until you’ve built a little cluster that looks like a bow.

You can also pour clear melted soap base over the curl cluster or dip the curl cluster in melted soap to create a protective shell over it and help the curls hold their shape.

Substitutions

  • Clear melt and pour base — You don’t have to use clear soap if you don’t want to. You can swap it for white, goat milk, shea butter, or aloe bases depending on the look you’re going for. Each one will give you a slightly different finish and feel.
  • Soap curls — You don’t need to make fresh curls every time. Any leftover soap scraps can be shaved with a peeler and turned into curls. You can also use premade embeds if you want to save time.
  • Vegetable peeler — Use a paring knife or a cheese planer instead. They’ll give you slightly different curl shapes, but they both work.
  • Kitchen thermometer — Just rely on visual cues (or a finger, if you’re brave). If the soap is warm but not steaming, and it hasn’t formed a skin on top yet, you’re good to go.
  • Rubbing alcohol spray — Gently tap the mold on the counter to release bubbles. It’s not as effective as alcohol, but it works in a pinch.

Top Tip

Prep all your curls and tools before you start making the boxes. Melt and pour soap cools fast and forms a thin film on top pretty quickly, so this project moves at warp speed once you get going.

Storage

Once your DIY gift box soaps are finished, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap to keep humidity out and prevent the colorant from smudging or bleeding. Store them in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct light. Light can fade the colors over time, especially if you used brighter micas.

For long-term storage, place the wrapped soaps in an airtight container (preferably with silica packets to keep sweating to a minimum).

If you’re planning to gift them later and notice the soap has developed condensation, just unwrap it and polish the surface with a soft cloth before wrapping it back up.

FAQ

Can I use cold process soap instead?

Not for this specific project. Cold process soap behaves differently, and the curls won’t work the same way. Melt and pour is really the best option here.

How long do these soaps last?

They’ll last up to a year when wrapped and stored correctly. Just keep them away from heat and humidity.

Do I have to add fragrance?

No, fragrance is totally optional. If you’d rather keep your soaps unscented, that’s perfectly fine.

DIY Melt and Pour Gift Box Soaps

These festive gift box soaps look like tiny wrapped presents, complete with overlapping gold ribbons and soap curl bows on top. And since they’re made with melt and pour soap, they make perfect last-minute holiday gifts.

Prep Time1 hour

Cooling Time4 hours

Total Time5 hours

Course: Bath and Body Soap

Keyword: DIY, holiday gifts, soap

Yield: 2 soaps

Author: Stephanie Pollard

Cost: $10

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Ribbons

  • Cut 3 ounces of clear soap base into 1-inch cubes and place them in a measuring cup.

  • Melt the soap in the microwave, then stir in the glitter until it’s fully mixed.

  • Pour about 0.5 ounces of soap into one of the mold compartments. Pour the rest of the soap into another mold compartment to make a thicker block.

  • Spritz everything with rubbing alcohol to get rid of surface bubbles, then let the soap harden completely.

  • Take the thin square and cut it into 4 strips.

  • Take 2 of the strips and place one on top of the other to make a plus sign. Trim off the part where they overlap in the middle so they’ll lay flat in the mold (don’t worry, the seam will get covered up by soap curls).

Step 2: Make the Boxes

  • Melt 4 ounces of clear soap base in the microwave. Stir in your mica color and add essential oil if you’re using it.

  • Let the soap cool to about 140 degrees F. Press the ribbon strips firmly into the bottom of your mold so they stay put, then pour just enough soap over them to cover.

  • Spritz with alcohol and let cool.

  • Once that first layer has cooled, spray it with alcohol again and fill the rest of the cavity with soap. Spritz one more time, then let it cool completely.

Step 3: Make Soap Curls

  • Take the thick gold square you set aside earlier and use a vegetable peeler to shave off thin ribbons of soap.

  • Use your fingers to roll the soap into curls.

  • Melt about 1 ounce of clear soap in a shallow glass or bowl. Dip the corner of one curl into the melted soap and place it on top of the gift box. Keep stacking curls until you’ve built a little cluster that looks like a bow.

Notes

Pour clear melted soap base over the curl cluster or dip the curl cluster in melted soap to create a protective shell over it and help the curls hold their shape.

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Egg Freezing Worsened My Urinary Incontinence—and I’m Not Alone

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Egg Freezing Worsened My Urinary Incontinence—and I’m Not Alone

For as long as I can remember, I’ve peed my pants a little. There was the time in high school when I tried on a ridiculous Halloween costume with my friend and laughed so hard I emptied my bladder right there in the dressing room. Then, in college, after a night out, the metaphorical seal started breaking before I could get through my apartment door. And again, almost two years ago, when the water I was constantly drinking to stay hydrated during a nasty cold partially leaked out with every cough.

There’s a term for this: urinary incontinence—or a loss of bladder control. And for 17 years, I refused to admit I was among the 61% of American women who have it, because for me, the issue was sporadic. But my incontinence began to worsen as I barreled into my early 30s. I’d more frequently have the sudden urge to go while making my way home or as I walked through my front door, and I wasn’t always able to stop some leakage. It became something I regularly had to think about and plan for, like remembering to use the bathroom before leaving a restaurant.

I finally went to see a urologist two years ago. There was nothing to be concerned about according to the tests he ran, but he prescribed Oxybutynin to help decrease the muscle spasms causing my frequent urges. I was to take it three times a day as needed, but, he added, I should probably see a pelvic floor therapist—a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction and treats conditions like incontinence and pain.

I put it off, partly due to limited coverage with my health insurance plan at the time. The turning point came on a 40-minute trek home from dinner and drinks with friends. I leaked little by little, nearly emptying my bladder by the time I reached my apartment door. This time was different; it wasn’t preceded by an overwhelming urge to go. It felt like I had completely lost control.

Turns out, there might be a reason for my intensified symptoms. I had just undergone a second round of egg freezing. When I told my pelvic floor therapist that during my first appointment a few weeks later, she nodded knowingly. I was one of several clients who had come to her with new or worsened incontinence issues following an egg retrieval (a medical procedure to extract eggs from the ovaries through a thin needle), often their second or third.

Bodily changes that come with egg freezing can cause urinary incontinence symptoms.

Nearly one-third of women experience pelvic floor dysfunction. Multiple factors can play a role, including increased weight, pregnancy, heavy lifting, obesity, aging, childbirth, and hormonal shifts, Asima Ahmad, MD, MPH, FACOG, DABOM, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Carrot Fertility tells SELF. When you freeze your eggs or undergo IVF, you typically take medication to stimulate the ovaries so you produce multiple mature eggs. The process causes several bodily changes that can lead to of urinary incontinence symptoms, says Ahmad.

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