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The Art of Effortless Hair – Iles Formula

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The Art of Effortless Hair – Iles Formula

Spring Wedding Hair: The Art of Effortless Hair

There is something undeniably romantic about a spring wedding.

The light lingers longer. The air carries warmth and movement. And everything — from the fabric of a dress to the way the hair falls — must work in harmony with the season.

But summer, as beautiful as it is, asks more of the hair.

Humidity, heat, long days that turn into longer nights… these elements can unravel even the most carefully styled look. The secret, then, is not to fight the season — but to prepare the hair so every strand is perfectly nurtured.

The Iles Formula Signature Collection.... Is truly the most remarkable performance across all hair types , transforming brittle dull lifeless hair to sumptuous lustrous silk.

If your hair is curly or naturally wavy, then swap out the Finishing Serum the number 3 in the Signature Collection for the Curl Revive, a weightier serum especially formulated for all kinds of textured hair.

One could also consider swapping out the Signature Collection for The Nurture Pack which has the extra nurture of the ILES hair mask alongside the Signature Shampoo and Conditioner.

Iles Formula signature collection framed by delicate white botanicals, capturing purity, softness, and refined haircare ritual

It Begins Before the Day

The most beautiful wedding hair is never created in a moment. It is prepared in the lead up to the wedding.

Hair must be conditioned to behave. To hold shape without force. To move, but remain polished.

This is where ritual matters.

Long blonde hair with ILES FORMULA soft waves and natural texture, showcasing lightweight, healthy hair with shine and movement.

Iles Formula Pinterest

Healthy hair is key in lead up to the wedding. When the hair is properly nourished, styling becomes almost secondary — the hair naturally falls into place with a softness that feels effortless, but is anything but accidental.

The Summer Philosophy: Less Structure, More Intelligence

Heavy styling has no place in summer wedding hair.

The modern bride — or guest — wants hair that moves, that breathes, that lives with her throughout the day. Structure should be invisible.

Think:

  • Soft, brushed-out waves that catch the light
  • Low, imperfect chignons that feel undone yet intentional
  • Silhouettes that allow the neckline and natural beauty to shine

The key is creating memory in the hair without stiffness. When done correctly, the style will return to itself, even after hours of celebration.

Long brunette waves with gold floral hair accessories, showcasing ILES FORMULA soft, healthy hair with shine and texture.
Short styled bob with ILES FORMULA soft waves and shine, representing healthy, hydrated hair with polished finish.
Long wavy ILES FORMULA hair styled with botanical flowers, representing natural beauty and healthy, hydrated hair with shine.

Humidity Is Not the Enemy

Humidity only exposes what the hair is lacking.

If the hair is porous, it will expand. If it is dehydrated, it will frizz. If it is coated in heavy product, it will collapse.

The solution is not more product — it is the right product.  The Iles Formula Signature Collection contains the Finishing Serum your protection against all humidity hazards: heat, extreme cold and rain. Hence, no fluff, no frizz, no dropped-out coiffure.

A weightless, high-performance finishing serum becomes your greatest ally. It creates a breathable shield, sealing the hair while allowing it to retain movement and luminosity. The result is hair that resists the environment without ever appearing controlled. It’s the number 3 in the Signature Collection The 3 Step Ritual.

Glossy blonde waves with smooth finish and shine, representing hydrated, frizz-free summer hair protected from humidity and dryness. Iles Formula Signature 3 step Hair Ritual

The Touch Factor

Summer weddings are tactile. Hair is touched, moved, swept away from the face.

This is where true luxury reveals itself.

Hair should feel as beautiful as it looks — silk-like, fluid, alive. Not lacquered. Not fixed. When someone runs their fingers through it, there should be nothing to disrupt the experience.

From Ceremony to Celebration

A well-prepared style evolves.

What begins as a polished wave in the afternoon should soften into something even more beautiful by evening. This evolution is intentional — a quiet unraveling that adds to the story of the day.

The goal is not preservation. It is transformation without loss of elegance.

A Final Thought

Summer wedding hair is not about perfection.

It is about harmony — with the air, with the moment, with the person wearing it.

When the hair is truly prepared, when the formulation is intelligent, and when restraint is respected… the result is something far more powerful than a style.

It becomes a feeling.

Why Is Essie Posting Feet Pics On Main?

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Why Is Essie Posting Feet Pics On Main?

It’s not every day I get served an image of glossed lips kissing someone’s toes on Instagram, but apparently, today was that day. At first I thought I was hacked or somehow logged into a stranger’s burner account, but upon a further inspection I found that it wasn’t a fetish page putting feet on my feed. The source was none other than… Essie. Yes, that Essie—the 35-year-old nail polish brand best known for its demure, light pink shade, “Ballet Slippers.” Served to the brand’s 2.1 million followers, the post was made to promote “Berry Naughty,” a deep red shade. Besides making it to the brand’s main feed, the image also appears to be the account’s new profile photo. They’re really committing to the bit, huh?

Essie’s audience is demonstrably confused by seeing a mouth so close to a foot on a Tuesday morning. “Hey so this is crazy,” the account of Adore Beauty, an Australian online beauty store, commented. Another wrote, “You can still delete this.” Others posed perfectly valid questions, including wondering whether or not it was April Fool’s Day and “Is Quentin Tarantino running your socials now?” I feel particularly connected to the account that simply wrote, “HELLO???” But, after scrolling a bit, I decided I’m on Essie’s side here. “Everyone out there selling and buying feet pics but here y’all pretending to be grossed out,” one comment reads. And you know what? They’re right. The foot itself isn’t even offensive—in fact, it’s perfectly pedicured. Maybe add it to your summer 2026 vision board instead of condemning it.

Now, why is Essie posting feet pics on main? Other than the fact that it’s a nail polish brand and we do, in fact, wear nail polish on our toes, it appears that the company is going through a metamorphosis—not a mid-life crisis. This rebrand isn’t exactly news, though. On March 31, Instagram account @peaplebrandsandthings posted about the global revamp, which apparently will thrust Essie into a new era they’re calling “cheeky luxury.” The post included a sneak peek of the toe-kissing image, and the commenters were far more forgiving. “This is going to be GOOD,” one wrote, while Ouai founder Jen Atkin said, “I love a rebrand.”

Although this is a departure from its previous unassuming image, we shouldn’t be surprised—risk seems to run deep in the brand’s DNA. For its launch in 1981, founder Essie Weingarten flew to Las Vegas to adorn the nails of card dealers, cocktail waitresses, sex workers, and tourists gambling their wages in Sin City with shades like “Bordeaux” and “Baby’s Breath.” And people loved it, too. “In addition to being long-lasting, Essie’s lacquer shades are perfect,” a 2003 Allure article states. “Their reds are sexier, their bright pinks are juicier, their sheer nudes are more sophisticated.”

This appears to be phase one of Essie’s reinvention—more titillating ads will be posted to honor their classic shades, including “Ballet Slippers,” and “Marshmallow.” If you thought the foot photo was risqué, maybe prepare for what could be in store for “Bikini So Teeny.”

What are peptides? Inside the ‘biohacker grey market’ of injectable beauty drugs

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What are peptides? Inside the ‘biohacker grey market’ of injectable beauty drugs

‘What are peptides?!’ This thought might pop into your head if you take even the quickest scroll through the top beauty trends on TikTok on your nightly doomscroll. While topical peptides like copper and argireline — which can promote collagen, enhance skin firmness and encourage repair — have been in our skincare serums and lotions for years now, a dangerous new trend is rising where people are injecting themselves with peptides that aim to influence everything from shinier, thicker hair to glowing skin — but at a huge risk to their health.

Similar to how GLP-1s like Ozempic and Mounjaro work, these peptides are being injected by those in the pursuit of beauty — but often, the injectables are illegally sourced and even labelled as ‘not safe for human consumption’. They also have ties to biohacking and the far-right-influenced ‘looksmaxxing’ trend. How did we get here? Below, we explain everything you need to know about the injectable peptides.

What are injectable peptides?

There’s often some confusion over the term ‘peptides’, as we see the word all the time on our skincare products at home and in shops. Topical peptides (that is, peptides incorporated into our serums) are largely safe and beneficial for skin — but some injectable peptides, that are unapproved for human use in the UK, are being increasingly used to support beauty goals like better skin and hair, as well as general wellness and longevity. While some peptides have been used to treat medical conditions for more than a century, including insulin, one of the first peptide hormones to be discovered that helps people with Type 1 diabetes and some with Type 2 manage their blood sugar levels, there are many that are unstudied and unregulated for humans to use.

The most commonly used peptide injectables for beauty goals — which often have long-winded, alphanumeric names like BPC-157, GHK-Cu, or TB-500 — are made up of short chains of amino acids that naturally occur in the body, and are administered subcutaneously, usually by injecting fat around the stomach area, to stimulate collagen production, improve elasticity, and promote tissue repair at a deep, cellular level. Often, these injectable peptides are mixed and matched, in what’s known as a ‘stack’, with people clambering to find out what certain influencers’ unique ‘stack’ is, in aims to achieve a similar look. They essentially act as ‘messengers’, instructing the brain to release certain hormones to support certain biological processes, such as increasing collagen production. But this beauty method, which intrudes on your body’s natural processes, is untested in humans — meaning users are essentially guinea pigs for a new and unregulated type of drug.

In the age of biohacking and ‘looksmaxxing’ through wellness trends like supplements, morning sheds and baby Botox, injectable peptides are the latest in a long line of quick hacks that aim to give results almost immediately. But at what cost?

The dangers of using injectable peptides

“Whilst it’s great to see people taking a proactive approach to their health and considering the importance of longevity and positive ageing, the increased use of injectable peptides is very concerning,” shares Dr Ben Taylor-Davies, co-founder of award-winning The Stockbridge Clinic, who is passionate about beauty industry regulation. “Peptides such as GHK-Cu and BPC-157 have no data to support their safety for human use, unlike prescription medicines, which have undergone rigorous clinical trials to establish safety and understand their effects on the human body.

“Research-only peptides carry significant risks, many of which we may not even be aware of in terms of long-term health impact. Until we have clinical research studying the safety and efficacy of these substances for human use, which will likely result in them becoming prescription-only medicines, it is simply not safe to inject these products in the pursuit of health, longevity or beauty,” he says.

In early 2026, regulators in the United States fined a doctor and a pharmacist $10,000 for offering peptide injections at an anti-ageing conference, which left two women who received the injections having to be hospitalised and intubated to help them breathe. There are yet to be any serious cases in the UK, but with the trend sweeping the US — according to a report by The Guardian, workers of the big tech companies in San Francisco are known to enjoy ‘peptide raves’ with partygoers ‘entertained by a lab-coated man demonstrating how to inject liquid peptides’ — it doesn’t seem like it’ll be long until we start seeing the repercussions in the UK, too.

6 Tips for Glowing Skin After 35

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6 Tips for Glowing Skin After 35

After 35, your skin starts telling a different story in the mirror — here’s how to change it.

Cell turnover slows. Collagen production dips. The dewy, effortless skin you barely thought about in your twenties starts asking for a little more attention.

The good news?

Glowing skin after 35 isn’t about overhauling your life or filling your bathroom cabinet with harsh actives. It’s about working with your skin, not against it — with a simple, consistent ritual built around natural botanical ingredients.

Here are six things that actually make a difference.

1. Cleanse Gently — Twice Daily

The foundation of glowing skin is a clean canvas. But over-cleansing or using harsh, stripping formulas is one of the most common mistakes women make after 35 — and it accelerates exactly what you’re trying to prevent.

A gentle botanical cleanser, used morning and night, removes the day’s buildup without compromising your skin barrier. Intact barrier = better moisture retention = healthier, more radiant skin. Our Uplifting Cleanser does exactly this — no sulphates, no harsh detergents, just a clean that feels like skin care, not punishment.

2. Tone to Rebalance

Toner is the underrated step. After cleansing, your skin’s pH needs to be brought back into balance before it can absorb anything else effectively. Skip this step and you’re essentially applying your serums and moisturisers to unprepped skin.

A hydrating, alcohol-free toner also starts layering moisture in from the very first step. Our Calming Toner uses plant-based actives to calm, rebalance, and prep skin so everything that follows works harder.

3. Treat with a Botanical Elixir

This is the step that changes everything for skin after 35. A botanical face elixir delivers concentrated nourishment — the kind that targets dehydration, dullness, and the early signs of ageing in a single press.

Our Hydrating Anti-Ageing Elixir — winner of Best Anti-Ageing Treatment at the Universal Beauty Awards 2026 — is formulated to restore radiance and plumpness without any harsh actives. It’s safe for sensitive skin and pregnancy, and it absorbs beautifully under moisturiser. This is the product our customers credit with genuinely changing how they look in the morning.

4. Moisturise with Natural Botanicals

After 35, your skin produces less natural oil — which means hydration doesn’t just happen on its own anymore. A rich, natural botanical moisturiser seals in everything you’ve applied and protects your skin barrier through the day and overnight.

Our Luxurious Face Cream uses plant-based ingredients without synthetic fillers or artificial fragrance. Exactly what mature skin needs: real nourishment, without the irritation risk.

5. Use a Konjac Sponge to Exfoliate

Physical exfoliation gets a bad reputation — and rightfully so when it involves harsh scrubs with irregular particles that cause micro-tears. But gentle, consistent exfoliation is non-negotiable for glowing skin after 35. Dead skin cells accumulate faster than they shed, and that’s what creates a dull, flat complexion.

A Konjac Sponge is the answer. Made from the konjac root plant, it’s naturally alkaline (which helps rebalance skin pH), incredibly gentle, and suitable for daily use. Two to three times per week is enough to reveal the fresher, brighter skin underneath — without inflammation or sensitivity.

6. Add Facial Cupping for an Instant, Visible Glow

If you want results you can see the same day, facial cupping is it.

The gentle suction of facial cups stimulates circulation, encourages lymphatic drainage, and temporarily plumps the skin — giving you that just-left-the-spa glow without leaving the house. It’s the same technique used by professional facialists, and with the right tools, it takes less than five minutes.

Our Rejuvenating Face Gym Set includes facial cups, body cups, and a gua sha stone — everything you need to bring the treatment room home. Many customers use it the morning of an event when they want to look notably different in photos.

The Ritual That Changes Things

The biggest myth about skin after 35 is that you need more products, more actives, more intervention. You don’t. You need the right products, used consistently, that work with your skin’s biology rather than overriding it.

These six steps — cleanse, tone, treat, moisturise, exfoliate, and lift — are the foundation of skin that looks genuinely healthy. No makeup required.

Want to know which products are right for your skin? Take our 60-second skincare quiz → Find My Routine

New Westman Atelier Launches – The Beauty Look Book

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New Westman Atelier Launches – The Beauty Look Book

Westman Atelier launched several new things recently and I have a roundup today of what I’ve been testing!

Baby Cheeks New Shade – Fizz

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks in Fizz

Westman Atelier occasionally creates products exclusive to her website and the latest launch is the Baby Cheeks Cream Blush Stick in Fizz ($48). I shared a quick demo last week and by now it has already sold out but I hope she brings it back eventually. Fizz is a bright warm pink. Fizz is similar in brightness to Poppet but the new Fizz shade is warmer and a little brighter making it easier to wear for my golden/olive complexion.

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks in Fizz

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks in Fizz

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks in Fizz

It blends out to a more natural flush. Color-wise I find it similar to Saie’s Dew Blush in Flirty and Rhode Pocket Blush in Juice Box (review here). Also swatched next to the Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush in Whim (review here), Prada Touch Blush in Tulip (demo herereview soon), Dior Rosy Glow Blush Stick in Ultra Pink (review here), Saie Dew Blush in Flirty, and Merit Blush Balm in Le Bonbon (in action here).

Bright Pink Blush swatches

Performance is the same as all of Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks. Super long wear time won’t be there if you live in humid climates or have oily skin, but it does stay put better if you layer some kind of powder on top. I think this is a great formula for dry skin girls.

HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipstick

Westman Atelier HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipstick

I love any lip balm launch so I was incredibly excited to try her HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipsticks ($50 each). I found these a little too sheer for my personal taste but I also think I picked some of the wrong shades for my skin/lip tone. I ordered them sight unseen and while I do think the formula is a beautiful one, a few shades that were too cool-toned and too light for me.

Westman Atelier HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipstick

Westman Atelier HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipstick swatches

I shared swatches on Instagram and a mini review here. I was really surprised that SO MANY of you love this kind of barely-there tint in your lip color! I gave these a pass in my review and I cannot believe how many DMs I received from you telling me you love these.

I do like Pop and Juice. The pinks I picked out are true neutrals but these kinds of neutrals tend to pull very greyish or blue on my complexion. So if you’re fair or light skinned and find it challenging to find colors that work for you, I think you’re in luck with Westman Atelier’s HydroBalm line!

Nectar is a sheer shimmery pale peach gold

Westman Atelier HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipstick Nectar

Juice is a sheer peach

Westman Atelier HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipstick Juice

Ballerine is a cool mauve pink

Westman Atelier HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipstick Ballerine

Pop is a sheer red

English Rose is a mauve

Westman Atelier HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipstick English Rose

Lip Shape Defining Lip Liner

I also have some swatches of the Lip Shape Defining Lip Liners ($34). I really like this formula because it’s a traditional pencil but not super stiff but at the same time not creamy or gel-like. Sometimes I feel like I just want a classic pencil to line the lips. These glide on smooth to the lips and the lasting power is very good.

Westman Atelier Lip Shape Defining Lip Liner

Westman Atelier Lip Shape Defining Lip Liner

Petal is my favorite of the shades I tried followed by Je Reve. In my experience though the shades pull more neutral or cool on me compared to the online stock photos. I didn’t do lip swatches of these but you can see Petal here.

Overall some beautiful launches from Westman Atelier. The formulas are incredibly good and performance is 10/10. For the lip balms, I just wish they had more pigment and also wish they had some warmer toned pinks.

P.S. I just picked up the Sun Tone Bronzing Crème in Soleil Parfait 2 from the Sephora sale. I’ll be swatching soon!

The Summer Pedicure Colours of 2026 Are an Ode to Indulgence

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The Summer Pedicure Colours of 2026 Are an Ode to Indulgence

Our summer plans this year? Indulge. It’s been a long winter (and spring).

By that measure, our summer pedicure will follow suit, taking sugary cues from our favourite sweet treats. The summer pedicure colours of 2026 are inspired by our favourite desserts, whether you crave a luscious scoop of creamy French vanilla, the perfect bite of pale green pistachio mochi, or a classic slice of deep red cherry pie.

If you’ve never had much of a sweet tooth, there are still ways to indulge. Take yourself on vacation and try a pedi that matches the clear blue sky at the beach or a pink coral reef while snorkelling. Buy yourself the bouquet of poppies and get an orange pedicure to match. You deserve it!

Below, the experts break down this summer’s sweetest pedicure colours to indulge in.

Creamy white

A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a quintessential summer treat, and while the dessert may get a bit sticky on our nails, the creamy white colour makes for a warm, clean pedicure. “The key is choosing a softer, more wearable white rather than anything too stark,” says Juanita Huber-Millet, founder and creative director of Townhouse. Much like with ice cream, there’s a spectrum to this colour. For a brighter white vanilla bean, try Townhouse Flawless Polish in Meringue. Gucci Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in Cecilia Ivory is a true custardy French vanilla, while Chanel Le Vernis in Glaciale falls beautifully between the two.

Gucci Nail Lacquer Nail Polish – 218 Cecilia Ivory

Chanel Le Vernis – 173 Glaciale

Townhouse Flawless Polish – Meringue

Mother’s Day Gift Edit — Beautiful Hair

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Mother’s Day Gift Edit — Beautiful Hair

There’s a certain class of gift that doesn’t just sit on the shelf. It actually changes the recipient’s routine, how they feel about themselves. Every morning, every wash, every time they catch their reflection.

It’s that spirit and sentiment exactly that Wendy had in mind when she chose these 3 gifts for the mother in your life – the woman who has always put everyone else first. Chosen for the way they feel, the way they perform, and the way they make her feel about her hair.

PS. We’re offering real-touch flower gift wrapping with select gift sets!

The Iles Formula Signature Collection

An unforgettable gift. The Iles Formula Signature Collection – our Shampoo, Conditioner, and Finishing Serum – is the three-step ritual that transforms hair from the very first wash. It’s about the emotion and energy it delivers. The feel of soft and sumptuous hair. The lustre. The exotic lingering perfume of luxurious white flowers.

The Iles routine creates a structural change that compounds with every use. It’s a gift she will reach for every single day.

The Scalp + Body Exfoliant

Iles Formula Scalp and Body Exfoliant open jar with golden amber scrub texture nestled in white iris flowers, bergamot and earl grey scented scalp exfoliant, luxury haircare product shot

A moment of regeneration. The Iles Formula Scalp + Body Exfoliant uses dual exfoliation with rice husk grains and Alpha Hydroxy Acids from kiwi fruit to clear the scalp of dead cells and buildup, so every product that follows absorbs better and performs more effectively. Scented with a lingering perfume of Bergamot and Earl Grey Tea, it takes you straight to a Mediterranean seaside.

For the mom who deserves a ritual, not just a routine.

The Scalp + Hair Rejuvenating Booster

Iles Formula Scalp and Hair Rejuvenating Booster white pump bottle centred in large white iris blooms, botanical hair growth treatment, anti-age scalp care, Haute Performance

Formulated to reboot hair growth – and so much more. The Iles Formula Scalp + Hair Rejuvenating Booster is also the perfect botanical anti-age scalp care, working at the follicle level to support density, reduce shedding, and restore the scalp environment that healthy hair depends on.

Drug-free and botanically derived. She’ll see results in three months of consistent use – the gift that keeps giving long after Mother’s Day.

This Mother's Day, give her something that lasts longer than flowers. Because she deserves the best hair of her life.

Carrying Your Strength into the New Season – 100% PURE

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Carrying Your Strength into the New Season – 100% PURE

Spring is not just a change in weather.

It is a shift in energy.

A movement outward. A soft expansion. A quiet invitation to begin again.

And your skin—after everything you’ve built over the past month—is ready for it.

Look closely. There is a difference now.

Not just in how your skin appears, but in how it behaves.

It feels steadier. Less reactive. More predictable.

That is not accidental.

That is resilience.

Over March, you didn’t chase glow. You built structure. You strengthened your barrier. You lowered inflammation. You learned how to listen.

You built what we call the Spine—the internal architecture that allows your skin to function, adapt, and protect itself.

And now, as the season shifts, something important happens:

You no longer have to protect fragile skin.
You now support resilient skin.

At 100% PURE, this is where transformation becomes evolution.

You’ve built the house.

Now, you can decorate it.

Adapting Your Ritual for Spring Vitality

Spring introduces a new set of variables.

  • Increased humidity
  • Fluctuating temperatures
  • Environmental allergens like pollen
  • More sun exposure

For unprepared skin, this can trigger instability—breakouts, redness, congestion.

But your skin is no longer unprepared.

Because a strong barrier doesn’t resist change—it adapts to it.

How a Resilient Barrier Handles Seasonal Shifts

When your moisture barrier is intact:

  • Water retention improves, even in fluctuating humidity
  • Sebum production stabilises
  • External irritants are less likely to penetrate
  • Microbiome balance remains intact

This means your skin doesn’t overreact to spring.

It adjusts.

This is the difference between reactive care and prepared care.

Keep Your Base Layer Intact

As you move into April—a season often associated with renewal—it may be tempting to introduce more active ingredients.

Brightening treatments. Exfoliating acids. New serums promising faster results.

And while exploration is part of growth, your foundation must remain unchanged.

Your Sensitive-Skin Strength Ritual is not something to replace.

It is something to build upon.

Think of it as your base layer:

  • It stabilises
  • It protects
  • It ensures that anything new you introduce performs better—and causes less disruption

Without this base, even the best actives can become noise.

Maintaining the Science of Silence

As the world becomes more vibrant, your skincare philosophy must remain grounded.

Because your skin does not thrive on intensity.

It thrives on clarity.

The Science of Silence is not seasonal.

It is foundational.

The Rules of Wise Skin Do Not Change

Even in spring, your skin continues to need:

  • Stability over stimulation
  • Consistency over experimentation
  • Nourishment over correction

This means:

  • Avoiding unnecessary triggers
  • Prioritising formulations that are stabilised and bioavailable
  • Choosing ingredients that work with your skin—not against it

At 100% PURE, this is what we define as Science-Backed Purity.

Not just clean for the sake of it.

But engineered to be:

  • Effective
  • Stable
  • Compatible with your biology

Because true care is not reactive.

It is intentional.

The Foundation of Every Spring Glow

Glow is often misunderstood.

It is not created by layering products.

It is revealed when the skin is functioning optimally.

And that begins with the same ritual that carried you through March.

Calendula Flower Cleansing Milk

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Spring means more time outdoors—and more exposure to environmental particles.

This cleanser becomes your daily reset.

Its lipid-rich, non-stripping formulation:

  • Removes impurities without disrupting the barrier
  • Maintains hydration levels
  • Supports microbiome balance

It doesn’t shock your skin into cleanliness.

It restores clarity quietly.

Matcha Oat Face Scrub

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As humidity rises, so does the potential for congestion.

This is where gentle refinement matters.

The combination of finely milled oats and antioxidant-rich matcha:

  • Lifts away dull, dead cells
  • Calms inflammation during exfoliation
  • Prevents buildup without creating micro-damage

There is no chaos here.

Only controlled renewal.

Matcha Oat Milk Nourishing Mask

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Spring can still bring unpredictability.

Temperature swings. Sudden irritation. Unexpected dryness.

This mask remains your weekly recalibration.

Rich in beta-glucans and soothing compounds, it:

  • Reinforces barrier integrity
  • Reduces inflammatory signals
  • Replenishes hydration deeply

It is not an indulgence.

It is maintenance for resilience.

Intensive Nourishing Facial Oil

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Even as the air becomes lighter, your skin still requires lipids.

This oil provides:

  • Essential fatty acids
  • Structural support
  • Protection against environmental stressors

It acts as a flexible shield—allowing your skin to breathe while remaining protected.

Seaberry Moisturizer

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If there is one product that defines spring adaptability, it is this.

Lightweight yet deeply nourishing, it:

  • Locks in hydration
  • Delivers antioxidant protection
  • Supports elasticity and repair

It is not too heavy for warmer days.

Not too light for transitional weather.

It is balanced—just like your skin is becoming.

Conclusion

Spring is often seen as a time to start over.

But you are not starting over.

You are moving forward—with strength already built.

You have spent a month learning:

  • How to listen
  • How to simplify
  • How to support rather than control

And now, your skin reflects that wisdom.

At 100% PURE, this is what we believe:

Resilience is not temporary.

It is a state you carry with you.

Into new seasons.

Into new routines.

Into new levels of care.

Thank you for spending March with us.

The future of your skin is not just calm.

It is vibrant, adaptive, and fully alive.

FAQ

Should I change my moisturizer for spring?

Not necessarily. The Seaberry Moisturizer is designed to be adaptable across seasons. You can adjust the quantity or layer it with facial oil depending on your skin’s needs.

How do I protect my skin from spring pollen and environmental stress?

Maintain your lipid barrier. Products like the Intensive Nourishing Facial Oil and Seaberry Moisturizer create a protective layer that reduces the penetration of external irritants.

What’s next for my “Wise Skin”?

April introduces a new phase: Renewal and Vitality.

Now that your barrier is strong, your skin is ready to explore targeted treatments—without compromising stability.

Because when the foundation is solid, everything you build on top performs better.

How to Wash Box Braids So They Don’t Get Frizzy or Moldy

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How to Wash Box Braids So They Don’t Get Frizzy or Moldy

You just got your braids done. The parts are crisp, your edges are polished, and you’re looking and feeling like your best self. Not only are you excited to be flexing a new style, but you’re also happy you won’t have to endure a washday for a few weeks—or so you thought. According to dermatologists and hairstylists, wearing your hair in braids doesn’t mean you don’t have to wash it; quite the opposite, actually. If you skip washing your hair while it’s in a protective style, it could do more harm than good.

“When done correctly, braids are an effective protective style that supports moisture retention and overall hair health,” says Zoë Indigo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. Braids are especially helpful in the winter months when the heat indoors is blasting, pulling moisture from the air, drying out your skin and hair.

So, braids are the perfect length- and moisture-retention cocoon right? In theory, yes. However, where many people go wrong is ignoring the buildup that can accumulate on your scalp when wearing this style. “The natural hair at the scalp needs to be washed while the braids are installed,” says Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “This ensures a healthier, clean scalp, reduces the chances of infection, and even washes away some of the chemicals in the synthetic hair.”

Naana Boakye, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey, says you should be “cleansing the scalp at least once a week to remove product buildup and allow the scalp to breathe.” Spot cleansing can count here and there, but only to a point. You’ll need to give your hair a full wash after four weeks, max, though experts say two weeks is the ideal time to do the first wash.

Now that we’ve established that washing your hair while it’s in braids is wise, read on for advice from the pros we asked about how to properly cleanse your hair and scalp—plus, a few product suggestions to help leave your hair hydrated, scalp moisturized, and braids intact.

Step 1: Cleanse

If it’s been a few weeks since you washed your hair and you’ve been piling on the product, focus on clarifying formulas. These will give you the most effective cleanse, especially if you have product buildup from gels and oils.

Whitney Tolpinrud, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, suggests using a shampoo with ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione, which are great for deep-cleaning the scalp. The Mizani Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is a great option that contains zinc pyrithione, plus skin-soothing peppermint oil and cucumber oil. The Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Shampoo has a nozzle tip that makes it easy to apply directly to your scalp, getting in the nooks and crannies at the base of your braids.

Balance

Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Carol’s Daughter

Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Sulfate-Free Shampoo With Aloe

Clear Mascara Is the Makeup Essential You Didn’t Know You Needed

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Clear Mascara Is the Makeup Essential You Didn’t Know You Needed

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use clear mascara?

Depending on the formula, most clear mascaras are designed to be worn alone as a treatment that softens and conditions lashes. Others are meant to be applied after you use a lash curler, to help prolong, well, a curl. Some options can pull double-duty as brow gel, hydrating hairs and offering stronger hold. And some can even be applied on top of regular mascara as a waterproof seal, which can come in handy if you’ve found a formula you love that just doesn’t stand on its own over long days.

Is clear mascara better for your lashes than black or colored mascara?

In a way, yes. The pigments, dyes, dispersing agents, and preservatives in black or colored mascara can land in your meibomian glands—the tiny glands along your lash line—eventually clogging them, causing dry eye and irritation, Dr. Chung says. With clear mascara, “the formulas are simpler: just the film-forming polymers, waxes, and conditioners that give you length and definition,” she adds. “Fewer ingredients means less irritation, less allergen exposure, and healthier eyes long term.”

Specific ingredients Dr. Chung recommends avoiding in any mascara, clear or colored, include:

  • Carbon black, sometimes listed on the label as Cl 77266
  • Synthetic azo dyes, like FD&C Blue 1 and Red 33
  • Banzalonium chloride
  • Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, like DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15
  • Fragrance or parfum: “These terms can hide dozens of undisclosed sensitizers,” Dr. Chung says.

However, Dr. Chung notes that it’s still important to remove your mascara carefully at the end of the day, no matter what color it is. She suggests finding a good makeup remover that melts your mascara away without you having to rub or tug at your eyelids to protect your eyes.

How often should I replace my clear mascara?

Every three months. “I know it feels wasteful, especially with a formula you love,” Dr. Chung says, “but the moment you open that tube, you’re introducing bacteria with every application.” If you keep using your mascara past the three-month mark, you risk contracting an eye infection like a stye or conjunctivitis (a.k.a. pink eye), she explains.

Meet the experts

  • Julie Chung, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist based in Santa Monica, California

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best clear mascaras, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and Korean beauty experts to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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