You’ve tried feeding your sourdough starter over and over again, and the damn thing won’t rise. You’ve put together so many jigsaw puzzles you’re starting to assemble them in your dreams. Perhaps you’re “experimenting with cocktails” and keep waking up with a hangover. Maybe it’s time to try something new.
Fresh from Finland, this creative ski edit is one of the best things we’ve seen come out of quarantine. The funky Fins aren’t new to skiing on grass and slush, but usually there’s a crew cheering each other on. Not so for Juho Kilkki, the water jug gimble-god of the great white north. If you’ve ever wanted to see a combination of a Rube-Goldberg Machine and a 270 disaster, look no further.
This article original appeared on Powder.com and was republished with permission.
I’m always on the hunt for new story ideas, so I’m never mad when one falls into my lap—er, onto my Instagram feed. It seems like every time I open IG these days, I spot one particular item that a lot of stylish women own, and it makes me want to buy it too. So how could I not cover it? The product in question is Réalisation’s Baby Hercules Tee ($69). You’re probably familiar with the brand’s now-iconic leopard-print skirt, so it should come as no surprise that Réalisation knows how to make viral pieces.
This T-shirt is actually part of Elton John’s capsule collection with the brand, so 5% of the profits from the tee will be donated to the Elton John Charitable Trust. The trust includes charities dedicated to music, sports, and more. As for how to style the tee, the options are limitless. How about a pink pantsuit or zebra-print pants? Scroll down to see how six It girls have styled it and shop the T-shirt for yourself.
Bloomberg reporter Sarah Frier’s new book is a vibrant play-by-play of how Instagram reached its high level of influence through the business of manufacturing coolness.
A new study estimating the size of the Samoan population using contemporary genomic data found that the founding population remained low for the first 1,500 years of human settlement, contributing to understanding the evolutionary context of the recent rise in obesity and related diseases.
A new report on the emergence of agriculture in highland Papua New Guinea shows advancements often associated with a later Neolithic period occurred about 1,000 years’ earlier than previously thought.
Over the past weeks, we’ve been reaching out to TED speakers to ask how their lives have changed since COVID-19. On this episode, we hear from writer Pico Iyer, at his home in Nara, Japan.
Overview: Have you ever signed up to do something and later wondered what you were thinking? Glacier hiking in Iceland was one of those experiences for me. I thought it…
Most of us turn to the experts when it comes to waxing, whether it’s your brows, peach fuzz, bikini line, or whole-body situation. But there are actually a lot of brave souls out there who go the DIY route and do all their waxing at home. (Can you tell I’ve never gotten the courage to do this myself?)
There are definitely some pros to taking matters into your own hands. First, it can be cheaper. Second, you don’t have to worry about booking an appointment with your in-demand esthetician. And now that I’m spending more time at home and haven’t been able to head to my monthly brow-and-Brazilian appointment, I’ve become at-home-waxing-curious.
Maybe you’re intrigued, too, so I asked an expert, Elena Petrovicova, research and development director for Nair, for some at-home waxing dos and don’ts, and I also found some kits that won’t make the task too difficult (I hope). Take a look below.
Goodbye, dead skin cells. “At least 24 hours before waxing, gently rub skin in a circular motion with a loofa or washcloth to avoid ingrown hairs,” Petrovicova says.
Normally when you get a wax at a salon, your esthetician will gently clean the area, so that rule applies for at-home waxing, too. Soap and water will do, and Petrovicova says you should dry the area thoroughly. “Waxes work best when skin is free of oils, creams, and perspiration,” she explains.
Keeping the area dry is key. “Lightly dust your skin with powder before waxing,” she recommends. “If skin is moist, the wax will not adhere properly.”
Get a glass of water. “A hydrated body means hydrated, healthy skin and a lesser chance of getting ingrown hairs, so drink up!” Petrovicova says.
This will help your skin if it feels irritated or a little raw. Petrovicova recommends using baby oil, and she adds that Nair’s Wax Ready-Strips come with post-treatment wipes.
Sticking to your normal waxing schedule can make the whole task easier. “Ensure the hair is no longer than half an inch,” Petrovicova says. “If necessary, trim shorter. Waxing hair that’s too long can make for a more difficult and painful experience.”
Um, ouch? “Hold off waxing until any cuts or sunburn has healed,” she recommends. “Many women also find they’re more sensitive to pain right before their period, so wait a couple of days.”
“No matter what part of the body you’re waxing, be sure to pull the wax strips off in the opposite direction of hair growth. It’s not only more effective but also less painful,” Petrovicova says.
Waxing your face can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if you’re doing your brows. One misstep can lead to no eyebrows. So basically, don’t rush it.
To minimize pain and irritation if you’re using wax strips, Petrovicova recommends pulling it as parallel to the skin as possible, rather than away from the face. And she gives this genius tip when you’re cutting the strips: “For the lower edge of your brows, cut a new wax strip to match the shape of your arch. After pulling the cut wax strip apart, be sure to save the other side. It already perfectly matches your other brow!”
Nair’s strips are low-effort and practically mess-free. You don’t even have to warm or rub them before use, and the results are supposed to last you up to eight weeks. They also work on the bikini area, too.
At-home waxing newbies can rest a little easier with Parissa’s brow shaper. The mini strips already have wax on them, and the small size will help you achieve precision.
The small kit is key for travel or on-the-go needs. Inside are 20 hypoallergenic waxing strips, tweezers, and post-wax cream.
Flamingo has a great line of shaving products, and the brand’s waxing offerings are equally good. The Face Wax Kit comes with soft gel wax strips, post-wax cloths, and a calming serum—everything you need to get those eyebrows in shape or any peach fuzz off.
I think part of the reason I don’t do at-home waxing is my esthetician gives me a lot of moral support when I’m getting a Brazilian. The pain becomes a bit more bearable when she’s talking me through it. But hey, I can be a big girl and give myself the equivalent of a Cheer “mat” talk if I’m going to do it solo.
Whether you’re doing your legs, arms, or bikini area, remember to pull from the opposite direction of hair growth like we talked about above. “Holding the skin taut with one hand while the other hand removes the strip will lessen pain and irritation,” Petrovicova says. “For the bikini area, start from your inner thigh and work your way upward and toward the back.”
Associate beauty editor Courtney Higgs is a big fan of Sally Hansen’s bikini wax kit. You don’t need strips for this one, and you just microwave the wax in the container. The kit also comes with spatulas, bikini scissors, and finishing oil.
Bliss’s waxing kit is probably as close as you’ll get to an in-spa treatment. The no-strip wax hardens quickly, so it’s easy to use, and the formula can remove stubborn hairs. The kit contains a waxing cup, two large spatulas, two small spatulas, and pre- and post-wax oil. You can also use this one on your face.
Nad’s ready-to-use body wax strips are another option that doesn’t require heating. It’s formulated with natural beeswax to leave your skin feeling smooth (no stray hairs!).
This might be the best-smelling option out there. The hard wax beans are infused with rose tea. To use, you microwave the beans, apply the wax to the area, and peel off against the direction of hair growth. The formula also contains antioxidants and vitmains A, C, E.
Editor in Chief Kat Collings swears by this GiGi wax. You don’t need strips with this microwavable wax. It contains beeswax and soybean oil to calm and soothe skin while helping your skin feel less sensitive. Collings also recommends GiGi’s wax remover to cleanse and moisturize the skin afterward.
Cirepil’s no-strip wax comes highly recommended with over 4000 reviews on Amazon and 4.5 stars. The gentle wax works on all hair types and is suitable to use on your face, too.
Veet’s wax has a sensitive formula that contains açaí and shea butter. Each strip is pre-coated and doesn’t require warming. There are also finishing wipes included for your after-wax care. Next up, I got my eyebrows laminated, and they literally doubled in size.
