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Every year, the beauty world becomes obsessed with a new ingredient. There was once an obsession with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and now peptides. But, it’s not for nothing as using peptides has been highly recommended by brands and skin care specialists from all backgrounds.
The ingredient is praised for its ability to hydrate and prevent anti-aging. Ron Robinson, cosmetic chemist, founder, and CEO of Beauty Stat, for one, certainly stands by the peptides.
“There are so many types of peptides available on the market, and they can even be uniquely designed (designer peptides) to deliver unique benefits to the skin,” says Robinson. As a chemist, Robinson is specifically focused on neuropeptides for his skincare products at Beauty Stat. “Neuropeptides are peptides that signal facial muscles to relax to smooth the look of expression lines and wrinkles,” as can be found in his BeautyStat Relaxing Moisturizer.
Below, we go into detail about the hot ingredient of the moment.
What are peptides?
With so much hype around peptides, it can take time to understand the definition behind the popular ingredient. Before trying any ingredient, it’s important to know what we put on our skin. Learning more about these ingredients can determine if it’s aligned with our skin goals and if it’s worth implementing the product into our routine in the first place. “Peptides are short chains of amino acids,” says Robinson. When applied to the skin, Robinson describes peptides’ reactions to “act as messengers by triggering cells to promote more collagen.”
The Benefits
The benefits of peptides are simple. “Peptides benefit the skin by helping to soothe and calm the skin as well as help repair skin’s barrier,” says Robinson. Repairing the skin’s barrier can be an excellent addition for those struggling to rebuild it after a skincare mishap. An example of this is leaving on your exfoliating mask for too long or combining too many actives. Peptides can heal the skin and bring it back to a comfortable state. Those who struggle with dehydrated skin, like eczema, can also indulge in soothing their skin with peptides.
The greatest benefit of all is that peptides are a multi-beneficial ingredient, from anti-aging to collagen-promoting and everything in between. Most skincare ingredients have a singular purpose, which leaves us no choice but to layer our routines with multiple products. Adding peptides to our skincare routine can decrease the number of products we use on our skin daily, making our routines simple and more manageable rather than long-winded. Incorporating peptides can be the key to indulging in the luxury of multi-purpose ingredients.
Which are worth trying?
Outside of Beauty Stat’s Relaxing Moisturizer, plenty of beauty brands are incorporating peptides into their skincare lines. For clean beauty lovers, Youth To The People’s Skin Drip is an excellent serum with both peptides and niacinamide, providing barrier protection and glow. In Addition, Skin Fix’s Triple Lipid Peptide Cream is a high-potency face cream that aims to improve barrier function and overall hydration. All three of these options are perfect for the upcoming winter months. It is a time when our skin becomes drier than normal and calls us to protect the skin barrier. Staring off with a serum or going straight for a moisturizer is a step towards ensuring your skin is protected all season long.
Beauty hacks can be beneficial and overwhelming. If they work, they can boost our confidence to another level. However, if they don’t, it’s a journey to recovery. That said, beauty myths can have a way of holding us back.
With an overwhelming amount of online information, it’s tough to know what works. Thankfully, you don’t have to sacrifice your hair, skin, or makeup routine to find out because we just researched for you.
Below, experts explain the most prominent beauty myths in three significant areas: skin, makeup, and hair.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has had mixed reviews for years. There was a time when it was highly recommended, and beauty gurus encouraged us to use it for our hair, skin, and nails. As time went on, the viral hack became frowned upon. Many have claimed the oil to be the root cause of acne and other skin issues. The once-beloved product became an item that many feared to use. Although we’ve moved on to different natural ingredients, the question remains: Can we use coconut oil on our skin? Or will it destroy everything we’ve worked so hard for?
Sylvia Brownlee is a licensed esthetician and CEO of the skincare line Skin By Brownlee & Co. Her clinic specializes in acne and hyperpigmentation, and she highly advises clients to be mindful of coconut oil-infused products. “While some individuals may find coconut oil beneficial, many experience breakouts due to its comedogenic properties, which can clog pores,” says Brownlee. For acne-prone skin, coconut oil is not advised, even if used on your hair. To Brownlee, this can become consequential on acne-prone skin because coconut oil can transfer. However, those who do not struggle with acne-prone skin may find it helpful because of its hydrating abilities.
Mascara
We’ve all had a night that was more fun than expected. After dancing the night away with friends, we come home only to remember that we have a face full of makeup to wash off. Our body calls us to our beds while our pores beg to be cleansed. We are left with the heavy decision to sleep or muster up the courage to do our skincare routine for the next 20 minutes. Although we would all love to admit that we choose our skincare routine every time, we’re just girls! And sometimes, the bed wins. We sleep in our makeup and forget about the consequences.
Mascara can be one of the most challenging cleanser products. Even once we think we’ve gotten rid of it, we still wake up to dark circles around our eyes. No matter how difficult, though, we should still make an active effort to cleanse it off. The TikTok debate about lash mites has been circling online. If we don’t wash our mascara, it can go under our eyelids and leave us with unfortunate lash mites—or so they say.
Michela Wariebi is an incredible makeup artist who takes pride in educating her clients first. When it comes to the lash mite myth, this has gotten a bit out of hand. “The myth is true and isn’t true. Everyone has lash mites. However, leaving your mascara for months can heavily affect your eyes,” says Wariebi. The makeup artist recommends that those sleeping with mascara for months visit an eye doctor, as the bacteria can become more severe.
In addition to this, Wariebi also recommends using a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover to cleanse the area every night. She also mentions that we should wash our makeup off daily to avoid further skin issues. “I know we all get tired, but cleansing off our makeup should be the top priority. It’s just not good to sleep in it.”
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary, similar to coconut oil, has become popular in recent years. Hundreds of hair enthusiasts swear by it for its ability to grow hair abundantly. Rosemary instantly became a staple in most natural hair households—some even boiled rosemary water in addition to using the oil in their routine. Things came to a clash when stories of hair loss due to the popular ingredient began circling online.
No one does better than Mirna Jose when debunking hair myths. Clients have praised the beloved celebrity hairstylist for her knowledge and love of hair care. Regarding rosemary, Jose believes there’s a need for further education on the famous ingredient. “Rosemary is good for the hair; however, how people use it is incorrect, which is why it breaks the hair,” says Jose. She suggests that the oil not be used for more than an hour and rinse it afterward. Further treatment, such as protein treatments, should also be avoided after immediate use.
One of the most powerful beauty statements a woman can make is a fresh blowout. It’s our silent way of saying, “I’m here to show up and show off.” Our blowout asks for no permission to take over the room. This fresh style can give us the confidence to make the biggest boss moves—just ask Vice President Kamala Harris who courageously ran for president. Her blowout misses no meals—eating us all up every single time.
Behind every good blow out is an incredible hairstylist. Vice President Kamala Harris has a talented glam team to help her achieve the admirable look. However, we can easily do these professional tips at home.
Today, hair stylist Lurissa Ingrid, a passionate hair expert specializing in luxury hair styling, shares how to achieve the viral Kamala Harris blowout.
Step One: Setting the Foundation
Ingrid says creating a solid foundation is the first step in achieving this look. We can create a strong foundation by adequately washing and conditioning our hair. “Use a good clarifying shampoo, following up with a moisturizing shampoo and then conditioner,” says Ingrid. Her favorite products are the Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner by Amika. Both are friendly choices for curly, textured, and coily hair.
Step Two: Condition Condition Condition
To achieve healthy blowout results, we must commit to certain conditions. One of those conditions is conditioner. Hydrating our hair in and out of the shower is important. A leave-in conditioner is the perfect way to do this. Most of us skip this step, fearing it will make our blowout greasy, but the right leave-in conditioner will have your tresses thanking you. “I love to use the Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother, which locks in moisture, followed by a heat protectant like The Wizard by Amika.”
In addition to applying conditioners, Ingrid mentions volumizers. These products can be beneficial by moisturizing and adding volume to the hair. However, it is not mandatory for them to master a bouncy blowout. “Volumizing products are optional and can be applied at this time depending on your hair type and the look you want.” Those who have fine hair textures may want to consider adding this step into their routine, while people with thick, curly hair may be able to create a bouncy look naturally.
Step Three: Tools and Technique
“For your blowout, you will need a blow dryer with a nozzle attachment, which helps direct the flow of air exactly where you want it and speeds up the drying process,” Ingrid suggests using a Boar Bristle Brush, which comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate your hair length and texture. The Boar Bristle Brush is a style of brush rather than a household name. You can find this product at your local drugstore and almost all beauty stores.
Parting the hair in small sections will be the most effective use of the combined brush and blow dryer. Drying in smaller sections will allow the heat to target the area more effectively. In addition, how we point the nozzle will also play a huge role in the process. “Position your nozzle downward while creating tension on the hair with your brush to create smoothness. I highly recommend the Dyson Supersonic.”
Once you’ve blown out the section of hair, it’s time for every girl’s favorite: rollers! This is the moment we finally get to fulfill our pin-up doll dreams. Oh, isn’t being a girl just so much fun? “Use Velcro rollers or pin curl each section after it’s dry and allow the hair to cool. Depending on your hair type, you may need to go in with a flat iron or curling iron to smooth out any undesired frizz before applying your Velcro Rollers.” When using velcro rollers, remember to use them with care. We don’t need any mishaps!
Step Four: Blowout Bombshell
Step four is the most satisfying. It’s the moment we unroll our rollers! Enjoy the serotonin running through your body once you see those bouncy results! “ Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil can be used sparingly as you remove the rollers.” Ingrid also recommends combing the hair in place with a wide-tooth comb to give the hair a nice polished look, which gives us that effortless flow we are looking for.
Babba Rivera is a loving wife, mother, and brand owner of the hair care line Ceremonia. Her love for hair began as a bonding moment with her father, a salon owner. Every morning, he’d take on his first client—his daughter. A young Rivera would sit in her father’s chair as he would style her hair for school. These were not only true bonding moments between father and daughter—but also the breeding ground for a passion that would turn into a career.
Rivera’s upbringing inspired her to create a hair care line to celebrate Latinx hair’s versatility. This passion stemmed from her hair struggles as she grew up in Sweden, where many didn’t look like her and products didn’t cater to her needs. “When I was old enough to do my hair, I would get up extremely early just to straighten it. As I got old, I realized this wasn’t me ‘caring for my hair,’ it was a chore,” Rivera tells Beautycon after her Latinx Heritage Month panel at her Flagship store last week. She would then move on to explore different hair products and study their served purpose.
“Hair products were created for styling and not to maintain healthy hair at that time.” This hard realization only fueled Rivera’s mission to create sustainable products with natural ingredients from Latin America. In 2020, they launched their first product, Aciete de Moska, a native Dominican scalp treatment oil. The award-winning scalp oil is silicon-free and made with various oils sourced from Latin America. The product intends to nourish the scalp while promoting healthy hair growth. It’s received rave reviews for its ability to promote healthy hair for various textures.
Creating impactful, healthy hair products is only one of the missions on Ceremonia’s agenda. There has also been a gap and much-needed conversation about what being Latinx looks like. Rivera struggles to express the variety of Latinx people and hair textures to investors. “They would ask me, ‘What is the Latinx hair type?’ and I would say there isn’t one.” It was a clear indicator for Rivera that the view of Hispanic culture was skewed. She turned her frustrations of over-explaining into expression, ensuring representation was at the forefront of the brand.
Ceremonia portrays diversity through a lens of love for the Hispanic culture. Every campaign is an homage to different hair types, textures, and lengths. After years of being told our “pelo esta malo,” a brand finally created a safe space for Latinx people of all colors to feel seen and hear their hair needs. That said, the brand works to actively heal a generation of hair trauma that has yearned for healing for so long.
For the culture, it is a big step forward; however, it’s only the beginning Rivera. “My mission is to put Latin American culture on the map,” she says. “There’s so much beauty in all cultures and in Latin America. I want to continue to push those bounds and show the world what our culture has to offer.”
As fashion month slowly ends, it’s only natural to reflect on what once was. From iconic designer pieces to beauty moments, fashion month truly warmed our hearts in the best way. This season also included an abundance of natural hair looks that deserve praise. The girlies got creative this year with epic styles that will have us not only screaming, “Yes, girl!” all year, but also recreating the looks well into the seasons to come.
If you’re looking for inspiration beyond the runway, we’ve got you! We’ve collected our favorite natural hair moments from fashion month. Most of these hair looks can be achieved at home; however, beware. Achieving one of these natural hair looks will have everyone admiring you near and far. We advise you to rock these styles with pride, and the best runway walk you’ve got, of course.
Read more for more inspiration.
Lori Harvey
Often someone who has a fresh blow out, Lori Harvey opted for a curly, sleek hairstyle for Paris Fashion Week.
Jordyn Woods
Jordyn Woods had fun with her baby hair. The socialite gives us a 50s approach to laying those hairs down.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor wore long curly hair while sitting front and center at a fashion show.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Our girl was ready to serve a look in a New York Minuet! She posed with a fabulous outfit and box braids.
The prices of makeup products aren’t always pretty. Your favorite concealer can cost close to $60 a pop and we naturally want our beloved products to last until we finish the last drop. However, that may not always be in our best interest. Makeup, like anything else, can expire and seriously affect our skin if we are not careful.
“Contrary to popular belief, makeup products expire,” Kierra Lanice Wray, a talented makeup artist, confirms. Wrays’ rule of thumb is simple: Recommending we disregard foundations after a year, concealers and cream-based products after six months, mascaras after three months, and lip products after two years. “Unless you become sick, especially from lip products, toss immediately,” says Wray. “If you get sick and mindlessly reapply the same lip balm once you’re well, you can reinfect yourself because bacteria sits on products,” says Wray.
Our makeup products will also warn us when it’s time to toss— although most of us avoid them. It’s best to note if any of the following occurs. “You’ll notice an unpleasant chemical-like odor or texture changes to the formula. In addition, sweat beads can also appear on the surface of your cream-based products,” says Wray. Separation in your foundations, color changers, dryness, and clumping are additional signs that it’s time to say goodbye.
As much as we would love to ignore all signs and signals, doing so can have serious consequences. Naturally, the first thing that is affected is our skin. Wray warns us to look out if our skin becomes irritated or shows signs of bacterial infections or acne. These can all be indicators that the product is no longer enhancing our desired look but hindering it.
Moving forward, our greatest solution will be to preserve products. Doing so can possibly extend the life of our products naturally. Preserving products may also requires us to store them in places we wouldn’t expect. “Store your products in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight . Yes, that means makeup shouldn’t be stored in the bathroom,” says Wray. Beauty fridges have become a popular compromise for keeping our products comfortable over time. It’s a way of keeping our items cool and having them aesthetically stored by our vanity.
Preserving products is a natural solution to ease the burden on our bank accounts, too. Still, this solution shouldn’t be taken for granted. The bottom line is that we will have to say goodbye for the greater good of our skin and health. Wray reminds us, “Check the PAO (period after opening) label immediately when you buy,” she says. “This practice also helps to decide if a product is worth purchasing. For example, you may want to weigh your options if you’re influenced to buy a product but realize the shelf life is only one month.”
