Be Special

Remember your torturous teenage years, spent gazing enviously at glossy, fair, and lovely girls in magazines? The subsequently painful, prickly hours trying to bleach away any evidence of your OG and of-origin tan? Or the parlor lady and aggressive aunty who always nagged you about your too-curly hair or splotchy skin? Well, guess what? There’s a beauty zeitgeist taking over the world that says they don’t matter anymore – but you do, dear Millennial. Over the past few years, beauty brands have started bending over backward to cater to digitally native generations who create, consume, and conquer in a way that’s starkly different from their predecessors. Forget the airbrushed ideals of yesteryear, the new kids on the block want beauty that reflects their differences, flaws, and authenticity – and it’s about time we all got on the bandwagon! Here are our favorite skincare & makeup brands, repping ‘real girl beauty’, breaking stereotypes and standards, and paving the path to all-i...

Between the boardroom, air-conditioned hotel rooms, long flights, and pollution-filled days on the move, no wonder your skin gets; dry and flaky. Though male skin tends to have a higher concentration of elastin and collagen than women’s, daily shaving can irritate the skin, drying it out. Moisturizing isn’t just for girls. In fact, figuring out—and using—the right moisture replenishing face wash and skin creams on a regular basis can keep you looking young for longer. There’s enough research to suggest that moisturizing formulas promote hydration, skin cell regeneration, healing, and prevent sun damage that causes premature wrinkles, fine lines, and even skin cancer. But first, figure out your skin type… If you happen to be one of those guys who furtively slathers on his girlfriend or wife’s body lotion or face cream, stop right there! Besides being created for women in terms of formulation, scent, and packaging, most of them can’t penetrate men’s skin. The first step to getting your o...

You’ve probably heard of the ‘Farm-to-Fork’ movement, fresh produce, free of preservatives and full of nature’s goodness, filling you with energy and good health. Now, how about taking that further to ‘Farm-to-Face’ beauty, touted to be one of the biggest trends in skincare this year. Choc-full of home-grown organic ingredients, Farm-to-Face products are infused with super-fresh, natural extracts for the healthiest, glowing skin of your life. Think of it as soul food for your skin.   Wondering what is organic beauty and what are vegan beauty products? Clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and organic beauty are all huge trends today with consumers paying more attention to the origin and sustainability of their beauty products. This has spun off a slew of brands that operate on very simple principles; very fresh, GMO-free ingredients grown in small batches near labs (so they don’t spoil during transportation) without the use of pesticides, ingredients that are cold-pressed or extracted to pre...

If you’re wracking your brain for gift ideas and coming up short, this is just the guide for you. Click through for thoughtful makeup & beauty gift sets for that special girl in your life; from the Selfie Obsessed to the Green Queen, we have got you covered. Nykaa Cinna-Bon Lipstick Combo There’s nothing that’ll have her happier than a makeup gift set of these pout pleasers. What they all have in common are a gorgeous, colored up formula, Vitamin E infused soft glide finish, and fun, on-trend shades. Now smile wide, please! Vega Make-up Brushes EVS-09 (Set of 9) The friend who can slay lesser mortals with her one-liners. One smudged-smoky glare is all it needs to silence an over enthusiastic guy at the club. She needs this prized set of makeup brushes that are just as edgy to make sure her makeup stays fierce and feisty and is the best makeup gift for her Maybelline New York Eyes On Fleek Kit - 1 She’s the most reliable in your gang. Never misses a brunch date. Never forgets a birt...