Many beauty products these days are made up of petroleum derivatives and plastics. This is certainly the quickest way to smooth the skin and erase imperfections. These additives are also effective in giving beauty creams a luminous colour, a fluid texture whilst also cloaking their bad odour. Nevertheless, they are all...
The Origin of Wrinkles When our skin ages, it is primarily due to the phenomenon of ‘glycation’. You can think of glycation as caramelisation: the sugar molecules in your system stick onto your fats and proteins (tissues) and make them ‘caramelise’. After a while, this process forms advanced glycation (appropriately known...
One out of two women colour their hair, and so with this in mind, we sought out to investigate the health hazards of using commercial hair dyes. Often aggressive and allergenic, the formulas of hair colouring products are far from trivial, and lo and behold, our suspicions were correct—according to...
A nutritious diet promotes healthy nails and hair, and as both hair and nails are made up of keratin through a similar process in the body, it is believed that nutrients that help one can also help the other. So it is vital that you start by filling up on...
We are consuming more and more nail polish and spend a lot of time on our manicures! Well why shouldn't we? Nail polish is an accessory that is both glamorous and surprisingly cheap. Over the years, ranges have diversified and all looks are possible: from the classic red varnish to the...
Sick and tired of damaging your hair using the straightening iron? Then you must absolutely try the kardoune. Never heard of it? Well, the kardoune is a ribbon that is wrapped to hair and is the ideal solution to smooth hair naturally. The kardoune originates from Algeria, but it is also...
All around the world, the Polynesian vahine became iconic in terms of beauty thanks to their beautiful hair and golden glow tanned skin. Today, we reveal the beauty secrets behind their looks and their use of traditional beauty oils, which has been a tradition passed down from mothers to daughters...
If you can’t imagine life without chocolate, you’re lucky you weren’t born before the 16th century. Until then, chocolate only existed as a bitter, foamy drink in Mesoamerica. So how did we get from a bitter beverage to the chocolate bars of today? Deanna Pucciarelli traces the fascinating and often...
Hair loss is fast becoming a common cosmetic issue affecting both men and women. Apart from ageing, there are a number of other risk factors that contribute to this condition. These include all the side effects of modern life, such as stress, unhealthy diet, excessive exposure to toxins and pollution...
Queen Nefertiti and other ancient Egyptian royals were renowned for their stupendous gazes and legendary beauty, and most notably their dark-outlined eyes. The ancient Egyptians regarded beauty as a sign of holiness, and profusely used lead-based substances as cosmetics, including an ingredient in their black eye make-up. But asides using...