Dressing up was at once both Mami’s idea, and not. Her vanity is so deeply rooted in the Dominican culture of decency and propriety that it’s practically encoded in her DNA. . .
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Beauty
ALL ABOUT CERAMIDES: HOW THIS MULTI-TASKER WORKS FOR SKIN OF COLOR
Think of any great moisturizer you’ve ever used, and chances are it contains ceramides, powerhouse restorative ingredients that help to nourish skin by protecting its outer layers. Here, more on what these multi-taskers are and what they can do for melanated skin. First up, what are ceramides? Ceramides are basically a class of waxy lipids…
Read MoreSQUALANE SPOTLIGHT: THE IDEAL LIGHTWEIGHT MOISTURIZER FOR SKIN OF COLOR
Due to a surge in popularity over the last couple years, squalane has become one of the buzziest skincare ingredients out there (it kind of feels like it’s in everything these days!). Here, we’ve broken down the benefits of the botanical super ingredient and how it’s beneficial for melanated skin. First up, what is squalane?…
Read MoreON SNOW MUSHROOMS: HOW THESE EDIBLE FUNGI BOOST MELANATED SKIN
In Eastern Asian cultures, mushrooms are not just a delicious source of sustenance, but also powerful ingredients for nourishing and hydrating skin. Since they’re composed of around 90% water and rich in antioxidants, mushrooms are a great source of moisture and vitamins for the body, and have been adapted into teas, tinctures, and topical skin-care…
Read MoreUNDERSTANDING TETRAPEPTIDE-30: WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT HELP MELANATED SKIN?
If you’ve ever looked into anti-aging skincare before, chances are you’ve come across peptides. These restorative proteins are considered powerful skin-nourishers and -smoothers because they’re known to stimulate collagen production and promote general skin health. What you might not know is that they can also brighten and reduce the appearance of pigmentation! Here, a brief…
Read MoreTHE TROPICAL TUCUMA EXTRACT: A POTENT BRIGHTENER FOR SKIN OF COLOR
Tucumã extract is a botanical ingredient from South America that’s taken off in the hair-care world for its softening and smoothing properties—though it offers plenty of benefits for skin, as well. Read more about why it’s such a popular ingredient, below, and how it works for skin of color in particular. First up, what is…
Read MoreBLACK SEED OIL: A PERFECTLY OVERACHIEVING MOISTURIZER FOR SKIN OF COLOR
Black seed oil may not be a mainstay in your medicine cabinet already, but the herbal ingredient has a rich history in traditional food and medicine spanning multiple continents and centuries, (with plenty of helpful advantages for skin, too). Read up on the botanical ingredient and its benefits for skin of color, below. First up,…
Read MoreUnlearning my experiences as a South Asian woman
Growing up, summers meant time with family in India. During the day I would visit different relatives’ houses, eating delicious, fresh food and various temples around Chennai. It’s a city in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, where my parents, uncles, aunts, and grandparents were born and raised — and where I’ve always felt safe,…
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My Mexican Family Embraced Lime in Their Beauty Rituals
Years later I return to lime and sugar when depression runs deep, and hygiene and maintenance seem miles away…
Read MoreNiacinamide 101: How this brightening ingredient affects skin of color
It’s good for everything from hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and improving skin texture.
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