Category Archives: The Beautician

Good Night, Sweet Dreams

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Good Night, Sweet Dreams | Darling Magazine

Beep! Beep! Beep! Can that alarm clock sound be any more annoying? How can it be morning already? Often struggling to get a good night’s sleep, these are often the questions that accompany the start of my morning routine. While I am usually tired from a long day, I often struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep during the night. Replayed events from yesterday and worries about tomorrow plague my mind as I count sheep in vain. Having never worn the title of a “good sleeper,” I set out to find ways to make going to sleep and staying asleep just a little bit easier. Here’s what I’ve discovered…

Turn It Off
Turn off anything with an “on and off” switch at least an hour before bed. Screen time is visually stimulating and makes it difficult to go straight to sleep after our minds have been activated by a television or computer. In addition, computers and cell phones are often linked to work, which creates stress right before we want our bodies to rest. Going from work mode to sleep mode is too much of a transition for our minds and bodies to make in such a short period of time.

Lose the Caffeine
I love a good caffeinated “pick me up” in the afternoon…preferably a latte made with almond milk. However, I have learned that I will pay for this afternoon treat later. As tired as I may feel in the afternoon hours, I will certainly be wired at night if I indulge in caffeine beyond the morning.

Dim the Lights
Dimming the lights about an hour before bed eases our bodies into sleep mode. Our bodies need time to transition from the work and stress of the day to the rest and calm of sleep. Allowing our minds and bodies time to make the switch makes us more likely to fall asleep quickly when it’s “lights out” time.

Journal
If you are anything like me, your mind can race at night. Whether you are replaying conversations from the day or forming a “to-do” list for tomorrow. Whatever thoughts might be filling your mind, it is often helpful to keep a blank journal or blank pad of paper to empty your brain of the thoughts as they come. This way, you can insure a peaceful night’s sleep.

Pack the Night Before
Instead of going to bed with a long list of things to do in the morning, try packing your bag for the next day before you go to sleep in order to avoid waking in a panic over all the tasks that need to be done in a short period of time. Also, knowing you are ready for the next day will mean less to worry about as you try to fall asleep.

Read for Pleasure
We often feel the pressure to read something that is “beneficial” in some way if we have time to read at all. Instead of reading a work related article or book or even a self-help book, try reading a book for pleasure. Reading a novel will mean we are less likely to start thinking about work or other serious matters right before we attempt sleep for the night.

Clean Your Room
Our external environment informs our internal environment and vice versa. When our bedroom is cluttered, it is difficult for our mind to be at peace. In order to give ourselves the best chance at a relaxing night’s sleep, we must make every attempt to keep our bedrooms tidy for as relaxing an environment as possible.

Keep Consistent
Our bodies respond well to routine and rhythm and our sleep schedule is no different. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day and night is a simple way to ensure a good night’s sleep. Over time, our bodies will count on a particular time as “sleep time” and “wake time” and will respond accordingly without extra effort on our part.

As I complete this article, it is past my bedtime, the television is on, the lights are bright, my room is a mess, and nothing is done for tomorrow. Having broken all of my own rules, perhaps we can agree to start these new resolutions together tomorrow? Best of luck, and sweet dreams!

Image via Modern Hepburn

Twinkle Toes: DIY Pedicure At Home

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Twinkle Toes: DIY Pedicure At Home | Darling Magazine

Pampering your feet is one way to get those toes looking and feeling summer-ready. Since professional pedicures take time (and sometimes big bucks that we don’t always have), why not accomplish the same results with an at-home pedicure? Here’s how…

Soak
Begin by removing old polish. In a wash basin of warm water, soak feet for about 10 minutes to clean and soften the skin and toenails–and to relax your tired toes! Use an orange stick to remove dirt from under nails.

Hint: add Epsom salts to your foot bath, a splash of scented oil, or try our homemade foot soak (recipe below).

Exfoliate
Remove one foot at a time from the basin to exfoliate each foot, gently scrubbing away dry skin with a homemade salt scrub (try our suggested recipe below). Buff any calluses with pumice or callus stone. Afterwards, rinse both feet with clean (non-soapy) water.

Moisturize
Pat feet dry and massage cuticle oil (gently pushing back cuticles with an orange stick if needed). In an upward motion, slather a rich foot cream onto feet and legs or massage skin using your favorite natural oil. Our favorites are coconut oil, grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil.

Clip
Clip your nails and lightly file each. Remember to clip and file straight across—rounded shapes can lead to ingrown toenails.

Finish
Apply polish. A base coat will prevent nails from yellowing, and a top coat will offer strength and protect your polish. Let polish dry for at least two minutes between coats. And when all is done, be patient—put your feet up for 20 minutes to properly dry.

Now, for the recipes…

Sea Salt Foot Bath
1/2 cup fine sea salt or Epsom salt
Basin of hot water

Boil water and add salt to dissolve. Once the water temperature is cooled down (warm to the finger) pour into foot basin and soak feet.

Note: Adding essential scented oils, such as lavender oil or eucalyptus essential oil will make this foot bath all the more soothing and pampering!

Sea Salt Foot Scrub
1 cup fine sea salt
1 cup sweet almond oil (or try coconut oil or olive oil as alternatives)
(optional) a few drops peppermint essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and use on skin as an exfoliating rub. (Store extra scrub mix in a sealed glass jar).

Note: Sea salt serves both to clean and heal our feet; it contains antibacterial and healing properties. A salt bath and scrub can additionally reduce inflammation and increase circulation.

Now it’s time for you to treat your feet. And girls, don’t forget the most important part: put your best foot forward!

Pregnancy: A New Lens for Body Image

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Pregnancy: A New Lens for Body Image | Darling Magazine

I’ve recently started putting on weight, at a fairly steady pace. My healthy eating habits haven’t changed and I’m still working out regularly, yet my pants are getting tighter and I’m finding handles and curves in places they never used to be.

Normally, this would be discouraging. But the circumstances are different this time.

I’m pregnant.

Though I’m naturally thin, I’ve still had my struggles with body image, with seasons in my life where my relationship with food is one of love and hate as I wrestle with my weight. Enslaved by the numbers on the scale, I’ve experienced the dark pit of self-loathing and appearance obsession that plagues many women.

If you’ve ever struggled with your body, the slightest change away from what culture deems “ideal” can send aftershocks through your psyche, which is exactly what I found myself facing last winter. As I stared at those two little pink lines on a white stick, the fear of what this would do to my body outweighed the joy of this unexpected surprise.

Body image is an endless struggle that women in every culture, every time endure. Perhaps it’s one of the few remaining issues that can unite us all. Our culture often sets forth an unattainable body weight and appearance that as women, we privately torture ourselves to live up to, even as we publicly decry the vulgarity of it all.

Is there any of us who can honestly say we have never inflicted upon ourselves the torture of self-critique and judgement?

How many of us have stood in front of the mirror and wished we didn’t have those hips, longed for some curves, wondered why we can’t look like her or struggled with loving the body we’ve been given?

It hasn’t happened overnight, but seven months into my pregnancy I can now embrace these changes rather than subjecting myself to the usual guilt and self-loathing. This time, the weight I put on is nourishment for a new life being formed in me. The tight pants and extra curves are symbols of the new season I am entering. They are good things.

While the scale is showing me I’m bigger than I’ve ever been, I have never felt so beautiful, so sexy, as I do now.

As pregnant women, we do our best to eat healthy, to work out, and to stay in the best shape we can, but it’s no longer because our identity is tied to the numbers on the scale. It’s for the health and wellness of our little babe, for us to be able to give them the best care we possibly can, both now and after they are born.

Does it mean we’ve beaten the negative self-image demon for good? Hardly. It still lurks in the corners, waiting for a chance to rear its ugly head and whisper its lies.

But for now, the demon cannot paralyze us. Pregnancy can teach us to be women whose beauty comes from inner confidence and joy, rather than a small pant size. Let us revel in the wonder of and uniqueness of the female body, daily in awe of the miracle we’ve been privileged to experience.

Image via

A Girl’s Guide To Shaving

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A Girl's Guide To Shaving | Darling Magazine

With warmer weather on the horizon, we’ll soon be bringing out our shorts and sundresses. With that in mind, we put together a simple shaving guide to help you enjoy the sunshine with smooth, razor-burn free legs. As a bonus, we’re sharing how you can win a free six-blade razor system, so be sure to read to the end to get all of the details…

Pre-Shave Prep
Most of us likely don’t put much thought into preparing our skin for shaving—but it’s one of the most important parts of the shaving process. What should it look like? Here’s an ideal way to get your skin ready:

  1. Plan to shave in the shower or a warm bath—or immediately after. This helps soften the hair on your legs, making them easier to shave.
  2. Apply a pre-shave oil to provide a barrier between the skin and the razor. This is important in preventing razor burn, especially for those with sensitive skin.
  3. Use a loofa—or if you’re feeling old school, a badger brush—to apply your shaving cream. This not only helps raise the hair up, giving you a closer shave, but it also helps stretch shaving cream for longer because it better distributes the cream on the surface of the skin.

Navigating The Shaving Cream Aisle
There are several options on the market to choose from—shaving soaps, shaving gels, shaving creams, and the list goes on and on. So what makes one better than another? Quite honestly, it’s a matter of preference. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to avoid any creams with alcohol in them, as those are drying. Additionally, we always recommend choosing paraben-free products with natural ingredients.

Choosing The Right Razor
There are essentially two kinds of razors to choose from: disposables, and shaving systems. Disposable razors are thrown away whenever they wear out, and shaving systems are those with a handle that you keep and cartridges you replace on a regular basis.

Most of these cartridges for women emphasize the lubricants and moisturizers that are included, such as vitamin E, aloe and certain oils. Many disposables do not have extra moisturizers, so a good rule of thumb for those of you with sensitive skin is to use cartridges that include some kind of moisturizer. Alternatively, you can buy an alcohol-free, moisturizing shaving cream.

Today, there are razors on the market with anywhere from two to six (yes, six!) blades. Despite the marketing dollars that go into convincing us that more is always better, the number of blades doesn’t have any impact on the closeness of the shave, and it’s all a matter of preference.

If you need help finding your perfect razor, Razorpedia is an excellent resource. Combining the results of consumer reviews on more than 30 of the major razors on the market, they provide a performance snapshot that makes it easy for you to compare each razor’s shaving performance across a variety of categories (comfort, closeness, etc).

A Girl's Guide To Shaving | Darling Magazine

Post-Shave Skin Care
Immediately after shaving, rinse with cool water to close the pores. Then, pat legs dry and apply a post-shave balm or ultra-moisturizing lotion. Then slip on your favorite shorts or sundress and delight in your smooth, stubble-free legs.

And Now…Your Free Razor
Our good friends at the aforementioned Razorpedia have partnered with Dorco to offer 400 free razors to the next 400 people to submit a review of their current Gillette, Schick, Dorco, Dollar Shave Club, or Harry’s razor. Visit Razorpedia for more details and to submit your review >>

Disclosure: Razorpedia is a beloved advertiser with Darling, and this is a sponsored post.

Image via Food For My Family

Take Your Vitamins

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Take Your Vitamins | Darling Magazine

Many of us strive for a clear complexion, luscious hair and a fit, healthy body. Some search for the best organic ingredients in the products they buy, while others simply try to eat as healthy as they can and exercise daily. We read fitness magazines, go to the gym and even look towards nutritionists in order to live a healthy lifestyle. However, the most simple health advice that is not normally pushed upon American women is taking your vitamins.

It seems like an obvious way to stay healthy, but according to the Huffington Post, only less than half of the U.S. population take their multivitamins, and a big chunk of that number are women who are 60 and older. In a national survey, results stated people who take vitamins have good incomes, are educated, eat well and already get the nutrients they need from their diets.

“It’s almost like the people who are taking them aren’t the people who need them,” said Regan Bailey, a nutritional epidemiologist with the National Institutes of Health.

While it is advisable to eat a variety of healthful foods, it can be difficult to ensure complete nutrition from food. Unless you have a balanced diet 100 percent of the time, which is highly unlikely, you are probably lacking in the vitamins you need.

What vitamins do we need?

Vitamin A
Often found in carrots, sweet potatoes and green peppers, this antioxidant is important for a strong immune system, healthy vision, and clear skin.

Folic Acid
This B vitamin helps the body create new, healthy cells. While it is found in dark green vegetables, legumes, bread, pasta and citrus fruit juice, taking a supplement as well never hurts.

Vitamin C
This is a highly effective antioxidant and helps support a strong immune system. You can easily find this vitamin in different types of foods: citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, green peppers etc.

Iron
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, taking this supplement is very important, as it is highest in meats, and is critical for the proper functioning of red blood cells. Iron is found in nuts and leafy vegetables, but only contains a small amount (also important for vegans is vitamin B12!)

Calcium
Our bodies, especially in women, need calcium to prevent osteoporosis and maintain healthy bones. If you are lacking in dairy products, pair calcium pills with vitamin D to improve calcium absorption.

Vitamin D
As stated above, this helps the body absorb calcium and is necessary for bone health. While some foods are fortified with it, it is mostly accessible through sun exposure. Vitamin D deficiencies are not uncommon, especially for those who do not have much sun exposure.

Vitamin E
This antioxidant may help prevent damage to the body’s cells, and against serious diseases including heart disease and cancer (has yet to be proved by scientists). This vitamin is found in many foods, fats and oils (peanuts, eggs, fruits, green vegetables etc.) so it is not essential to take a supplement.

What supplements are the best to take?

Browsing the vitamin aisle can be a very confusing and difficult task, especially if you are unfamiliar in the supplement world. It is important to do plenty of research beforehand and talk to a pharmacist or your doctor before making a purchase.

According to Who What Wear magazine, Consumer Lab (the ultimate watchdog group of health and nutritional products) recently released an independent analysis on the leading brands of multivitamins. Surprisingly among the supplements that passed testing were inexpensive options.

While supplements definitely have their perks, do not assume that you can get away with no exercise and stuffing your face with junk food because you took your morning vitamin. It is just as important, if not more, to stay active and eat wholesome foods to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You wouldn’t slack off at work because you showed up early to the office, so why would you be lazy to your body?

PLEASE NOTE: This Darling writer is not a medical professional. Always check with your doctor before ingesting anything (especially if you are pregnant, on medications, etc).

Image via Etsy

A Guide To BB Creams

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Women are known to be the masters of multitasking, and putting on our makeup is no exception. We rush to put it on when we’re late to work, sometimes even when we’re driving to work (not recommended), and we tend to skip vital parts of our routine, such as moisturizing and slathering on our SPF. While we want to keep our skin looking as luminous and flawless as possible, we crave a little less time spent in front of the mirror in the mornings if that means we can get a few extra minutes of shuteye. If we could find a way to shorten our makeup process—but could continue to have glowing skin—we would take that advice in a heartbeat.

The good news of the day? You can start setting your alarm clocks for a little later ladies, because BB creams will be your new morning lifesaver (besides coffee, of course). BB creams, short for beauty or blemish creams, are basically tinted moisturizers on steroids. The formulas are packed with powerful antioxidants to fight off acne and aging, and improves your skin with each use. The best part? Most have SPF built in already, so you won’t need to worry about adding that extra layer of sunscreen to your makeup routine.

Here’s our list of the best BB creams for all skin types (all paraben-free!), including descriptions of what makes each “miracle” product so darn great for your skin…

A Guide To BB Creams | Darling Magazine

Boscia BB Cream ($38)
This oil-free, skin perfecting blemish balm nourishes and moisturizes the skin while creating a flawless finish. This is the ultimate multi-function treatment, as it is formulated with SPF 27 and packed with antioxidants to reduce the look of fine lines and concealing imperfections. This bb cream comes in one universal shade and self-adjusts to complement all skin tones.

A Guide To BB Creams | Darling Magazine

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream ($37)
The tiniest amount of this product evens out skin, and also helps prevent future breakouts. Bonus: It looks nice on any skin tone!

A Guide To BB Creams | Darling Magazine

Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox Beauty Balm ($36)
This balm has one of the highest SPF ratings which will guarantee to protect you from the damaging sun-rays. This popular Asian bb cream features antioxidant bio-peptides and is free of sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates and triclosan.

A Guide To BB Creams | Darling Magazine

Marcelle BB Cream ($27)
This bb cream minimizes the appearance of imperfections and pores, evens out skin tone, mattifies skin and controls shine, is hydrating and soothes and calms skin. If you need any more reason to buy this Canadian-based product, it comes in three shades to match your skin tone perfectly.

A Guide To BB Creams | Darling Magazine

Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream ($39)
Dr. Brandt’s bb cream is easy to blend and has a soft, souffle-like texture, feeling lighter than most other bb creams. This product is self-adjusting and instantly evens out to your skin tone. It also helps minimize the appearance of discoloration and fine lines.

Love Your Skin, Naturally

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Love Your Skin, Naturally | Darling Magazine

We all want it: pretty, youthful, glowing skin! While nobody’s skin is perfect, the good news is that we don’t always have to pay a fortune on fancy creams to nourish your skin to radiant health.

Base oils serve to nourish our skin with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids—all of which effectively hydrate and restore dermal elasticity. Applying higher quality oils, such as cold-pressed and organic oils, is the best choice for your skin. Luckily, many of the oils found in our kitchen pantries offer therapeutic properties to keep our skin happy—naturally. Olive oil and avocado oil are commonly known for their rich moisturizing properties when used topically for skin care. This secret dates back to the days of the Ancient Egyptians. And along with these, there are many other beneficial oils that provide us with natural beauty boosters.

So, if cooking oils are not simply for cooking, then let’s look at the benefits of several other culinary oils, to explore their many remedies for our skin.

COCONUT OIL is easily absorbed by the skin, acting as a wonderful non-greasy moisturizer for dry or flaky skin. It even has natural SPF protection! Coconut oil is used to help with skin problems like psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. It can be used as a face wash, instead of soap: rub gently over face and rinse with warm water and a cloth.

HAZELNUT OIL works well to stimulate the circulatory system. It also has astringent properties, and thus acts as a good moisturizer for those with oily skin. The value of this oil includes brightening skin tone and minimizing pores. Hazelnut oil works as a facial astringent, proving to be of particular value to those with acne prone skin.

GRAPESEED OIL offers our skin high antioxidants, protecting the youthfulness of our skin. This oil richly moisturizes the skin and is ideal for damaged skin, stretch marks, varicose and spider veins. Another benefit of this oil is that it soaks easily into the skin and won’t easily clog pores.

JOJOBA OIL is widely used in anti-aging skincare because of its excellent moisturizing effect. This oil is antibacterial, and thus recommended for the treatment of acne, psoriasis, eczema and other inflammatory skin problems. This oil makes an excellent nightly facial moisturizer.

SAFFLOWER OIL is suitable for all types of skin and contains moisturizing benefits which smooth the skin to improve it’s texture. Because this oil doesn’t clog the pores, you can try cold pressed, organic safflower oil to treat acne. This oil also proves to be a great remedy for those with dry skin.

SOYBEAN OIL is also excellent for acne. Soybean oil is right in vitamin E, making it an excellent antioxidant. This oil can be applied directly to your skin—just add a few dabs of oil and massage onto your face. It’s quickly taken in by the skin and will leave your face feeling silky.

SUNFLOWER OIL is an ideal choice for sensitive skin. This calming oil reduces skin blotchiness and improves overall skin tone. It also feels lightweight, and works to moisturize and regenerate the skin. Applying sunflower oil directly on acne prone skin helps to prevent bacteria from invading pores.

WALNUT OIL is a soothing moisturizer which is easily absorbed to feed and hydrate skin. It aids in fighting wrinkles and reducing fine lines. This oil also contains anti-fungal properties. People with sensitive skin may develop an allergic reaction to this oil; so apply with caution.

SWEET ALMOND OIL is suitable for all skin types. This oil can be effectively used as a facial cleanser: take a few drops and gently rub onto your face in a circular motion. Leave for 2-3 minutes and then use a warm to rinse face. A few drops of this oil can also be used to treat dark circles under your eyes.

NOTE: Kelly is not a licensed aesthetician—just a girl who knows a thing or two about natural beauty and cares to share!

Image for Madewell, found via Pinterest

Nature’s Cures: Allergies & Hay Fever

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Nature's Cures: Allergies & Hay Fever | Darling Magazine

This is part of our Nature’s Cures mini-series, which features all-natural remedies for common ailments. Catch up on previous posts here.

Most people who suffer from bad allergies and hay fever notice that there are certain times of year that these are worse than others. For any of you Angelenos who are familiar with Santa Ana winds, you know what we’re talking about. Allergies are pesky irritants of the eyes, nose, lungs, and skin that are caused by all sorts of allergens like pollen and certain types of grasses to mold and other spores that go airborne. These are practically impossible to avoid and can cause a great deal of discomfort, but there are natural ways to relax these flare-ups.

Since your allergies can be very specific to your region, it is always smart to think locally when trying to treat them. One method that has gained popularity recently is in using honey that was harvested near your home. The theory behind this is that you ingest a small amount of honey every day that was harvested from bees that were gathering pollen from whatever species in your area you are sensitive to. This helps you build up immunity to the allergen that ails you. Want to try it? Swing by a local farmer’s market or health food shop to find honey that is produced closest to where you spend the most of your time, then eat 2-3 teaspoons each day for a few months prior to when you have your worst allergy attacks.

Another habit for allergy sufferers and really anyone looking to stay healthy is keeping up on your probiotic intake. These live microorganisms aid in boosting and strengthening your immune system. Probiotics are on the market in many different forms now, the most familiar being in yogurts and kefir. Try CocoBiotic, a young coconut kefir from Body Ecology.

If you’ve read the entire series, you now have several natural solutions to relieve common health issues. So the next time you feel one of these common conditions coming on, remember that this earth was created intricately and intelligently, with each plant and animal serving its own purpose. Whatever it is that ails you, there is relief available at your fingertips.

Image via The Hip Hostess

Nature’s Cures: Earaches

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Nature's Cures: Earaches | Darling Magazine

This is part of our Nature’s Cures mini-series, which features all-natural remedies for common ailments. Catch up on previous posts here.

If you’ve still got some of that garlic leftover from treating the common cold, you can use it if you’re suffering from a nasty earache. You’ll also need a bit of olive oil. Simply rub some of the oil behind the ear and around the outer ear area. Lie with your painful ear up, take a relatively large size slice of fresh garlic and gently rest on the outer ear, against the opening of the canal (not so small that the slice falls into the ear). Let this sit and seep in for about ten minutes.

Another closely related culinary cure is made from garlic’s doppelgänger…the onion. The point here is to extract the onion’s natural juices, so you’ll want to either bake or steam an onion with its skin still on. Once it feels soft, you can peel the skin away and mash the onion just enough to get liquid to come out. If you’re not getting enough, you can add a bit of lukewarm water to the mix. Then, using a dropper, tilt your head earache side up and let the onion juice drip into your ear. You should notice almost instant pain relief.