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When it comes to developing beauty products , not all companies are made equally. Some businesses focus on merely developing high-quality products, while others go far beyond the call of duty by working to foster community and change the world. One company that exemplifies this goal is Alaffia , a hair-care and skin-care brand founded by Olowo-n’djo Tchala and rooted in Tchala’s upbringing and West African heritage. The ingredients in each body, face, and hair product are made with fair trade shea butter from Africa with a percentage of sales supporting African communities in need. One of the brand’s missions is to reduce poverty and catalyze gender equality in Togolese communities, in addition to working towards eliminating poverty worldwide. Tchala’s most noteworthy aspiration has been to combine culture, activism, and beauty to change the way people not only think about beauty products but also ethical treatment and rights. “The communal needs and culture of Togo truly drive the ...

I often heard the phrase “there are plenty of fish in the sea” after a rejection or the end of a relationship, but as a young queer woman living in a small town in Canada, I did not have an endless sea to explore. Rather, my search for love continued in the world’s smallest pond. Of course, dating experiences greatly differ between locations. A queer person from bustling New York City may offer a different perspective than another in a rural Texas, who may deliver an entirely different perspective than yet another abroad. Dating apps and the internet have made the search for companionship somewhat easier and more convenient for members of the LGBTQ+ community, but not necessarily safer or richer. Many folks in the queer community find dating apps challenging as they tend to support hookup culture and impromptu relationships. There is nothing wrong with casual, consensual romance, but undoubtedly when all the avenues on the search for a long-term commitment lead to dead ends, frustrat...

If there’s anyone who’s leading the charge in relationship advice, it’s Esther Perel . The world-renowned Belgian psychotherapist’s awe-inspiring research on intimacy and connection sparked viral TED Talks, best-selling books, and two leading podcasts. No topic is off limits—from why infidelity doesn’t have to be the ultimate betrayal  to the truth about why sex only gets better with age , Perel has advice for it all. Perel designed a card game, Where Should We Begin? ($40), to help people cope with social anxiety and uncertainty in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Storytelling serves as one of the greatest (and oldest) mediums for human connection. Perel’s game riffs off of this notion, tapping into your inner storyteller to inspire engagement and connection with others, both romantic and platonic. It’s a deeper, more meaningful ice breaker to spark conversation at your next dinner party or on a date. Where Should We Begin? A Game of Stories — $40.00 Shop Now ...

Back in middle school, the exfoliator everyone wanted smelled like apricots and practically ripped off the surface of your face every time you applied it. Now that I know just how terrible it is to over-exfoliate your skin, I can’t imagine subjecting it to such torture, which is why I’ve moved on to far gentler chemically exfoliating options to melt away dead skin cells. And while there are plenty of products on the market that go above and beyond the apricot scrubs of yesteryear, none do it quite as well for all skin types as Alpha H Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid ($48). Alpha H Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid — $48.00 Shop now Ask any dermatologist and they’ll tell you that regular exfoliation is critical for keeping your skin healthy. “The benefit of exfoliating your body is to break down and remove dead skin cells from the top layers of the skin and unblock pores to reveal healthy skin cells beneath for a smoother appearance,” Shel Pink ,  founder of...

Your emails are piling up, Slacks notifications are popping off, and deadlines are looming. Work can be stressful on our brains, but also our bodies. If you’re feeling stressed, take a moment to perform a full-body scan . The results might surprise you—are you subconciously clenching your teeth? Are your shoulders tense, pushed up near your ears? How about your forehead, is it scrunched, with your eyes straining to better see your screen? If you answered “Yes,” to any (or all) of the above, try a quick somatic release exercise created by Stephanie Rae , a somatic healing practitioner and sex and intimacy coach based in Chicago. Shared on her instagram page, Breathe Burn Rise , Rae’s infographic offers step-by-step instructions for tuning into your body, encouraging stress and tension to drift away in just 60 seconds. “Save this one and use it once a day during your work week!” Rae writes in the caption. “1 minute of self awareness can change your whole day/mood.”   ...

Diffusers are summer’s answer to a subtle indoor scent: They can be every bit as effective as candles when it comes to distributing an aroma room-wide, but they don’t come with the added heat of a burning wick. And when they’re as minimalist-chic as the widely beloved ultrasonic ones from Vitruvi , they double as décor for a side table or vanity. Another reason to get diffusing: Vitruvi is having its biggest sale ever. Now through July 11, the company is offering 20 percent off everything —and with all purchases over $150, you’ll also get a washed-denim “Home Body” bag made in collaboration with Citizens of Humanity. Also, right in time for the sale, Vitruvi is launching a new limited-edition summer kit of essential-oil blends including four scents that practically bottle up warm weather and sunshine: citrusy Sweet Water, herbal Eucalyptus, floral-minty Geranium, and earthy Lemongrass. When you buy the set (which is only available until July 8, while supplies last), you’ll receive ...

I often heard the phrase “there are plenty of fish in the sea” after a rejection or the end of a relationship, but as a young queer woman living in a small town in Canada, I did not have an endless sea to explore. Rather, my search for love continued in the world’s smallest pond. Of course, dating experiences greatly differ between locations. A queer person from bustling New York City may offer a different perspective than another in a rural Texas, who may deliver an entirely different perspective than yet another abroad. Dating apps and the internet have made the search for companionship somewhat easier and more convenient for members of the LGBTQ+ community, but not necessarily safer or richer. Many folks in the queer community find dating apps challenging as they tend to support hookup culture and impromptu relationships. There is nothing wrong with casual, consensual romance, but undoubtedly when all the avenues on the search for a long-term commitment lead to dead ends, frustrat...

Everyone makes a cooking faux pas every now and then—even the pros. (Ask your favorite chefs how many times they’ve burned themselves on a hot pan in the last few weeks, and you’ll be alarmed). That being said, some of the most common cooking mistakes made at home, like not salting your pasta water or neglecting to sharpen your knives, make professional chefs cringe because they’re just too easy to correct, and skipping these steps can significantly downgrade your results. And yes, those who have been cooking for years still make them. We spoke with some of the nation’s best chefs to gather a few of their pet peeves—and how to correct them—to help you hone your skills and avoid their least favorite cooking mistakes at all costs. With just a few simple modifications to your kitchen habits, you’ll start saving time, eliminating culinary guesswork (especially when it comes to baking), and have an even tastier, more pleasant cooking experience every time. 5 common cooking mistakes c...

On Monday night’s episode of The Bachelorette, a handful of male contestants on a group date were put through a “Truth or Dare”-style obstacle course meant to challenge them “physically, mentally, and emotionally.” The entire segment was cringeworthy (they were tasked with waxing each other’s hairiest body parts and whispering sweet nothings into a giant animatronic ear), but one challenge in particular was potentially harmful for people who struggle with disordered eating. The course’s “carb station” tasked the men with consuming exorbitant amounts of fettuccini Alfredo, chocolate cake, mashed potatoes and gravy, and the like while Bachelorette Katie Thurston and co-hosts Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe watched and laughed. “I haven’t eaten a carb in seven years,” griped Mike P., a gym owner who ate a behemoth platter of Twinkies. “If I get fat, she better still love me when I’m older.” Eating challenges on reality TV have been mainstay since Joe Rogan was coaching contestants t...

Everyone makes a cooking faux pas every now and then—even the pros. (Ask your favorite chefs how many times they’ve burned themselves on a hot pan in the last few weeks, and you’ll be alarmed). That being said, some of the most common cooking mistakes made at home, like not salting your pasta water or neglecting to sharpen your knives, make professional chefs cringe because they’re just too easy to correct, and skipping these steps can significantly downgrade your results. And yes, those who have been cooking for years still make them. We spoke with some of the nation’s best chefs to gather a few of their pet peeves—and how to correct them—to help you hone your skills and avoid their least favorite cooking mistakes at all costs. With just a few simple modifications to your kitchen habits, you’ll start saving time, eliminating culinary guesswork (especially when it comes to baking), and have an even tastier, more pleasant cooking experience every time. 5 common cooking mistakes c...

Back in middle school, the exfoliator everyone wanted smelled like apricots and practically ripped off the surface of your face every time you applied it. Now that I know just how terrible it is to over-exfoliate your skin, I can’t imagine subjecting it to such torture, which is why I’ve moved on to far gentler chemically exfoliating options to melt away dead skin cells. And while there are plenty of products on the market that go above and beyond the apricot scrubs of yesteryear, none do it quite as well for all skin types as Alpha H Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid ($48). Alpha H Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid — $48.00 Shop now Ask any dermatologist and they’ll tell you that regular exfoliation is critical for keeping your skin healthy. “The benefit of exfoliating your body is to break down and remove dead skin cells from the top layers of the skin and unblock pores to reveal healthy skin cells beneath for a smoother appearance,” Shel Pink ,  founder of...

If there’s anyone who’s leading the charge in relationship advice, it’s Esther Perel . The world-renowned Belgian psychotherapist’s awe-inspiring research on intimacy and connection sparked viral TED Talks, best-selling books, and two leading podcasts. No topic is off limits—from why infidelity doesn’t have to be the ultimate betrayal  to the truth about why sex only gets better with age , Perel has advice for it all. Perel designed a card game, Where Should We Begin? ($40), to help people cope with social anxiety and uncertainty in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Storytelling serves as one of the greatest (and oldest) mediums for human connection. Perel’s game riffs off of this notion, tapping into your inner storyteller to inspire engagement and connection with others, both romantic and platonic. It’s a deeper, more meaningful ice breaker to spark conversation at your next dinner party or on a date. Where Should We Begin? A Game of Stories — $40.00 Shop Now ...