the truth serum

This essay was written as part of an empowerment campaign, “Wear Yourself In,” led by eco-luxe skin care company Kari Gran. In response to the beauty industry pushing an impossible idea of flawless youth for years, the campaign encourages women to be kind to themselves, and their skin, as they reflect on beauty, aging, wisdom, and self-acceptance. Mellicia is the founder of Poplin Style Direction, which provides hassle-free styling for women based on budget, body type & personal style to give clients a renewed sense of self that reflects who they are in a way that makes them shine. ******************************* My...

“I accept each moment and each step as it is.” We’ve probably all heard how beneficial meditation can be. But if you have a hard time carving out time or if you get too antsy for a sitting meditation, this book offers ideas on another approach. “Mindfulness is a way of being present and focused on what’s happening in your life, with less struggle. A key part of mindfulness is letting go of resistance and trying to control. Stress happens when we try to control or change things we can’t, including how a mindful walk will be.” “Five-Minute Mindfulness Walking”...

One of the most important beauty rules: always wearing sunscreen. The UV rays can do some serious damage, so make sure to have protection on before walking out the door – even on cloudy days. Here are 3 easy tips for choosing the right sunscreen to keep you protected all year long.  1.) Go Broad-Spectrum There are two types of damaging rays to consider when choosing a sunscreen: UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin to break down collagen and elastin and cause premature aging on the skin, a process called photoaging. UVB rays are burning...

Long before the ancient Greek surgeon Galen carried out meticulous dissections of the heart, the Egyptians wrote about health and disease in relation to how the heart "speaks in vessels" with the rest of the body. Today, physicians may not associate the heart with the soul (or soul mates), but many credit early Egyptian medical knowledge of the heart as a precursor to modern cardiology. The Heart: Powerful, but Vulnerable A key element of a healthy body is a healthy heart. The heart is the center of our cardiovascular system and beats an average of 100,000 times per day supplying...

Can you believe it? According to a recent survey we conducted, 84% of women aren’t doing one of the easiest things to prevent photoaging, wearing sunscreen, despite the fact, ever-present UVA rays have been linked to skin aging*. Here’s the thing – both UVA and UVB rays are damaging, though in different ways. The easy way to remember it is – UVA (aging) and UVB (burning). UVB rays can cause reddening and burning and are the most intense in bright sunshine, which is why people tend to wear sunscreen during the sunny summer months. UVA rays, however, are present daily, even when it’s cool...

If you’re looking for something that will improve your life that isn’t the usual “eat better/exercise more/declutter, how about this: try to practice gratitude every day. It’s free, needs no special equipment and anyone can do it. If it’s improved well-being you’re after (and who isn’t?) consider this: “A 2015 article in the Scientific American reported that the single best predictor of good relationships and emotional well-being is gratitude.” Plus, it’s been shown that people who regularly practice gratitude may experience lower stress levels, less depression, and even better sleep. Best of all, they develop better connections and relationships.  “The...

Did you know that 95% of New Year’s resolutions are forgotten or denied by the last day of January? Studies find that by February, many people are further behind than when they made the resolution! Here are some of the reasons why, and what you can do to avoid the pitfalls. Challenge: New Year’s is a false start-time influenced by a group mindset. People have a greater chance of succeeding when they have laid the groundwork for success and considered the best time to begin working on their goals. January 1st is an arbitrary date, and we get caught up in feeling as if...

If someone asked you, “What makes you happy?” what would you say?  That’s basically the idea behind this very watchable documentary. The film crew went to different places around the globe to find out how different cultures measure happiness. And what’s a documentary without some professional researchers, educators, and scientists weighing in? The good news is the research is enlightening and fascinating – not at all a snoozefest.  One of the findings: about 50% of “happiness” is genetically predisposed. Only 10% is attributed to circumstances – the things people often say they need in order to be happy: income, social...

This essay was written as part of an empowerment campaign, “Wear Yourself In,” led by eco-luxe skin care company Kari Gran. In response to the beauty industry pushing an impossible idea of flawless youth for years, the campaign encourages women to be kind to themselves, and their skin, as they reflect on beauty, aging, wisdom, and self-acceptance. Jenny Patinkin is a highly sought-after makeup artist, beauty expert, entrepreneur, and author known for her Lazy Perfection approach to beauty. As Chicago’s premier makeup artist, Jenny’s devoted clientele includes celebrities, high profile and everyday women who count on her for honest opinions, product expertise, and her...

Whether you are shopping for your friend who has everything, the green beauty lover in your life or even yourself, here are my favorite go-to-gifts.  Soft Surrounding Silk Pillowcases are great for your skin and your hair. I suggest getting two -- one for home and one for travel or to swap out to wash. They come in a zillion colors and they are machine washable. Having an extra for travel makes your hotel room feel a little bit special. Home for the holidays? Loohoo dryer balls are the gift that keeps on giving because I don’t have to buy...