The Memorial Day Sales Our Editors Are Actually Shopping This Weekend

Memorial Day sales have officially entered the group chat, and unlike some of the chaotic “up to 80% off” situations currently flooding our inboxes, these are the ones we’re genuinely excited about. The products we already use. The bedding upgrades we’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on. The skincare staples we repurchase before we run out. The beauty products currently sitting in our carts as we speak.

This year’s sale lineup is especially good if you’ve been wanting to refresh your routine heading into summer. Think glow boosting skincare, better sleep essentials, elevated home fragrance, healthier cookware swaps, airport approved beauty tools, and a few wellness favorites that rarely go on sale.

From internet famous hair serums to the bamboo sheets our editors swear by, here’s everything we’d actually recommend shopping this Memorial Day weekend.

Beauty & Hair Picks Worth the Cart Space

DedCool Xtra Milk + Mochi Milk

If your signature scent vibe is “clean skin but better,” DedCool’s cult favorite Xtra Milk remains one of the easiest fragrance compliments imaginable. It’s soft, musky, cozy, and layers beautifully with almost everything. We’re also very into Mochi Milk right now, which feels slightly sweeter and warmer without becoming overpowering. Bonus points if you grab the Dedtergent in Xtra Milk because yes, your laundry can smell expensive too.

Sale: 20% off sitewide from 5/22 through 5/26.
SHOP HERE →

T3 Afar Dryer

For anyone who travels often, the T3 Afar Dryer is one of those beauty tools that quietly becomes essential. It folds down compactly without sacrificing performance, which means no more relying on questionable hotel dryers that somehow leave hair simultaneously frizzy and flat.

Sale: 25% off from 5/22 through 5/26 at Sephora and Amazon.
SHOP HERE →

Dyson Supersonic Nural™ Hair Dryer

The Dyson Supersonic Nural has been around long enough now to officially earn staple status in the beauty world. It’s fast, intelligent, noticeably gentler on the scalp, and somehow makes doing your own blowout feel slightly less intimidating. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to finally invest, Memorial Day weekend is probably it.

Sale: Currently 22% off on Amazon.
SHOP HERE →

Vegamour GRO Hair Serum

If healthier looking hair is on your summer reset list, Vegamour’s GRO Hair Serum continues to be one of the internet’s favorite scalp treatments. The lightweight serum helps visibly reduce shedding while supporting fuller looking hair over time without leaving behind residue or heaviness.

Sale: Up to 50% off from May 22 through May 26.
SHOP HERE →

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

There’s a reason this exfoliant has maintained cult status for years. It helps smooth texture, unclog pores, minimize congestion, and give skin that noticeably clearer look without feeling overly harsh.

Sale: 30% off through June 11 plus free shipping.
SHOP HERE →

The Skincare & SPF Picks We’re Restocking

Naturium Glow Getter Multi Oil Hydrating Body Wash

Body care has officially become skincare, and this body wash is proof. Naturium’s Glow Getter somehow manages to feel rich and nourishing while still rinsing clean. Skin feels soft before you even reach for lotion.

SHOP HERE →

Naturium Multi Peptide Advanced Serum Jumbo

If your skin has been looking tired, dull, or generally stressed out lately, this serum is one of the easiest ways to fake a more rested complexion. Hydrating, smoothing, and packed with peptides, it layers beautifully into almost any routine.

Sale: Discount automatically applied at checkout.
SHOP HERE →

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

Few beauty products have maintained “everyone keeps coming back to it” status quite like Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint. It gives skin that glowy, healthy, expensive looking finish while still feeling lightweight and breathable enough for everyday wear. Somewhere between skincare, makeup, and SPF, it’s become one of those products our editors keep in rotation year round, especially heading into summer when heavier foundations start feeling less appealing.

SHOP HERE →

Solara Suncare Fortune Teller Tinted Brightening Serum SPF 30

Part serum, part glow booster, part mineral sunscreen, this is the kind of SPF that makes skin look better immediately. The finish is luminous without feeling greasy, and the brightening ingredients make it feel far more elevated than your average tinted SPF.

Sale: 25% off sitewide through May 26.
SHOP HERE →

Ellis Brooklyn Marshmallows Mist

Marshmallow fragrances are having a major moment, and Ellis Brooklyn’s Marshmallows Mist feels playful in the best way. Sweet, airy, soft, and surprisingly wearable, it smells like summer nostalgia with better packaging.

Sale: 15% off perfume mists and body oils from 5/21 through 5/26.
SHOP HERE →

Sleep, Bedding & Home Upgrades

Parachute Percale Bundle

If you’ve been wanting that crisp luxury hotel bed feeling at home, this is your sign. Parachute’s Percale Bundle is lightweight, breathable, and especially good heading into warmer weather. The kind of bedding that makes climbing into bed feel like a reward.

SHOP HERE →

ettitude Signature Bamboo Sheet Set

These sheets have quietly become one of our favorite sleep upgrades. They’re silky soft, cooling, and ideal for hot sleepers who still want bedding that feels elevated rather than overly technical.

Sale: 25% off sitewide through May 31.
SHOP HERE →

Lunya Washable Silk Bias Cami Pant Set

Lunya remains one of the few sleepwear brands that actually makes staying home feel chic. Their washable silk sets somehow strike the balance between comfortable and impossibly polished.

SHOP HERE →

Aera Whole Home Sets

Aera continues to be one of our favorite alternatives to traditional candles and overpowering plug ins. The scents feel elevated, the diffusion technology actually works, and the whole system makes your home smell expensive in a very effortless way.

Sale: 25% off Whole Home Sets through May 26.
SHOP HERE →

Anyday Glass Dish Set

One of the easiest wellness adjacent swaps you can make in your kitchen? Moving away from old plastic food storage containers. Anyway’s glass dish sets are clean, durable, microwave safe, and genuinely nice enough to leave out on the counter.

Sale: 15% off sitewide plus an extra 10% off sets with code SETS10.
SHOP HERE →

Wellness Picks We’d Buy Again

Agent Nateur holi mane

Agent Nateur’s holi mane has been one of our favorite collagen supplements for years, and Memorial Day weekend is easily the smartest time to stock up. The formula blends marine collagen with pearl powder and other beauty supporting ingredients designed to support hair, skin, and nails from within. It’s one of those wellness staples our editors consistently come back to because it genuinely becomes part of your routine long term.

Sale: Use code GOLDEN for 25% off sitewide.
SHOP HERE →

ARMRA Peach Persimmon Colostrum

ARMRA’s flavored colostrum jars continue to dominate wellness TikTok, but the Peach Persimmon flavor might genuinely be the best one yet. The formula supports everything from immunity and gut health to recovery and skin health while tasting significantly better than most wellness powders on the market.

Sale: 20% off sitewide from 5/23 through 5/26.
SHOP HERE →

Fishwife Starter Pack

Tinned fish continues to have a cultural moment, and Fishwife remains one of the chicest ways to get into it. Their starter pack is genuinely fun, packed with flavor, and ideal for anyone wanting easy protein options that feel slightly more elevated than another sad desk lunch.

Sale: Nearly 20% off sitewide through May 25 with code Summer20.
SHOP HERE →

Felix Gray Volta Amber Lenses

If your screen time has been borderline alarming lately, amber lenses are one of the easiest nighttime habits to experiment with. Felix Gray’s Volta frames help reduce blue light exposure in the evenings while supporting a more wind down friendly environment before bed.

Sale: 20% off all amber lenses.
SHOP HERE →

Mate the Label Organic Stretch Sports Bra

Comfortable enough to wear all day, supportive enough for low impact movement, and made from organic cotton that actually feels breathable. This is the kind of staple you end up reaching for constantly.

SHOP HERE →

The Big Ticket Sleep Upgrade

Avocado Mattresses

Yes, mattresses are expensive. But if you’ve been thinking about upgrading yours, Memorial Day weekend is usually the smartest time to do it. Avocado’s organic mattresses continue to be favorites for their balance of comfort, support, and cleaner materials.

Sale Highlights:
Up to 20% off Luxury Organic Mattresses
15% off Organic Green Mattress and specialty mattresses
10% off Eco Organic Mattress, kids mattresses, bedding, furniture, and more

Because honestly, if there’s ever a weekend to finally become the person who invests in better sleep, this is probably it.

SHOP HERE →

 

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How Hotels Became Unexpected Wellness Destinations

There was a time when “wellness travel” mostly meant a green juice by the pool, an overpriced massage, and maybe a yoga class scheduled at sunrise.

Now, entire hotels are being designed around how guests feel from the moment they walk through the door.

Air quality, circadian lighting, nervous system regulation, sleep optimization, sound design, cold therapy, longevity treatments, grounding rituals, nutrition programs, and recovery focused spa concepts have quietly become some of the biggest conversations happening in luxury hospitality right now. Increasingly, travelers are choosing hotels not just for location or aesthetics, but for how the experience supports their physical and mental wellbeing.

Somewhere along the way, hotels stopped being just places to stay and started becoming lifestyle spaces people want to emulate long after checkout.

Wellness Travel Got Smarter

The modern wellness traveler looks very different from the spa travelers of a decade ago.

Today’s guests are more informed, more burned out, and significantly more interested in how environments affect the body overall. People are paying attention to sleep quality, stress levels, nervous system regulation, indoor air, food sourcing, and recovery in a way that would have sounded niche not that long ago.

Luxury hospitality noticed.

What started with larger spas and healthier room service menus has evolved into full wellness ecosystems integrated into the DNA of a property. In many cases, the wellness programming is now becoming just as important as the design or destination itself.

And perhaps most interestingly, the aesthetic of wellness hospitality has shifted too. The overly clinical, hyper restrictive “detox retreat” energy is fading. In its place is something softer, more immersive, and significantly more luxurious.

Hotels Are Designing Around Sleep Now

One of the clearest signs that wellness has become central to hospitality is how seriously hotels are beginning to take sleep.

Properties are investing in circadian lighting, blackout technology, soundproofing, in room wellness amenities, custom bedding programs, and recovery focused spa treatments specifically designed to help guests regulate after long haul travel and overstimulation.

At Six Senses Ibiza, wellness programming extends far beyond the spa. The property’s RoseBar longevity programs focus on stress management, anti inflammatory nutrition, movement, meditation, and personalized wellness plans rooted in longevity science and functional medicine.

Meanwhile, Aman New York has become known for its deeply private wellness atmosphere in the middle of Manhattan, with three floors dedicated to wellness and longevity, including hydrotherapy facilities, cold plunge experiences, hammams, banya saunas, recovery technologies, and expansive spa houses designed around restoration and calm.

Even urban luxury hotels are beginning to prioritize quiet, recovery, and nervous system regulation in ways that would have once felt secondary to glamour or nightlife.

Longevity Has Entered Hospitality

The rise of longevity culture has also dramatically influenced the hotel world.

Travelers are increasingly interested in maintaining wellness routines while away from home instead of abandoning them entirely. As a result, hotels are evolving from indulgent escape destinations into places that actively support recovery, performance, preventative health, and long term wellbeing.

At SHA Wellness Clinic, the focus is explicitly centered around longevity, advanced diagnostics, functional medicine, precision nutrition, metabolic optimization, and regenerative therapies designed to support healthy aging and resilience.

The broader longevity hospitality category is also expanding rapidly. SHA is currently expanding internationally with new projects focused entirely on healthy living and longevity, reflecting just how mainstream preventative wellness travel has become among luxury travelers.

Meanwhile, Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort continues to lead the more personalized side of luxury wellness travel through evidence based wellness consultations, movement analysis, recovery therapies, and individualized wellbeing programs.

The shift reflects something larger happening culturally. Wellness is no longer viewed as separate from luxury. Increasingly, it is the luxury.

The Spa Is No Longer the Main Event

Ironically, some of the most impactful wellness details at modern hotels are not happening in the spa at all.

They’re happening quietly in the background:

• filtered air systems
• natural materials
• reduced synthetic fragrance
• circadian aware lighting
• grounding design elements
• healthier minibar options
• recovery focused fitness spaces
• calming soundscapes

At The Ranch Hudson Valley, wellness is woven into nearly every part of the guest experience, from structured movement and recovery programming to plant based meals, nature immersion, and digital disconnection. It has become one of the most talked about wellness destinations in recent years precisely because it reflects where luxury wellness is heading now: less performative indulgence, more intentional restoration.

That subtlety is increasingly becoming the marker of modern luxury wellness hospitality. Guests don’t necessarily want to feel like they’re checking into a medical facility. They want to feel restored without needing to think so hard about it.

Emotional Wellness Is Becoming the New Status Symbol

Perhaps the biggest shift happening in luxury hospitality is that travelers are no longer just chasing experiences. They’re chasing feelings.

People want to leave a hotel sleeping better. Feeling calmer. Less overstimulated. More connected to themselves. More regulated. More rested. That emotional component is becoming just as valuable as thread counts, ocean views, or Michelin stars.

Properties like Rosewood Mayakoba, The Ranch Malibu, and Golden Door have each built loyal followings not simply because they’re beautiful, but because guests associate them with restoration, nervous system relief, and feeling noticeably different when they leave. Modern life has become incredibly stimulating, loud, fast, and digitally overwhelming. Increasingly, luxury travelers are looking for places that help them feel human again.

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5 May Lindstrom Products That Made My Skin Look Instantly More Alive

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There’s a reason people become so emotionally attached to May Lindstrom Skin. The products don’t just make your skin look good. They make the entire experience of doing your skincare feel better.

Somehow, washing your face turns into an actual ritual instead of something you rush through before bed.

We’ve talked about a few May Lindstrom products over the years at The Chalkboard Mag, and after previously sitting down with May for a Living Well interview, it became even clearer why the brand has such a loyal following. The formulas are deeply sensorial, incredibly comforting on stressed skin, and the kind of products you genuinely look forward to using at the end of the day.

Below, the five products from the line that completely changed our skin ritual and the ones we keep reaching for whenever our skin looks tired, irritated, puffy, dull, or just generally in need of a reset.

The Blue Cocoon

If you’ve read The Chalkboard Mag for a while, you already know we’ve talked about The Blue Cocoon many times before and for good reason. It remains one of the most soothing balm-to-oil skincare products we’ve ever tried.

The first thing you notice is the color. The balm has this deep cerulean blue hue that almost looks like a tiny galaxy swirling around inside the jar, something beauty lovers online constantly reference when describing it. The color comes from blue tansy, the ingredient largely responsible for the product’s calming properties and signature herbal aroma.

Once warmed between your fingertips, the balm melts into the silkiest oil and instantly feels comforting on stressed skin. This is the product we reach for after flights, long work days, too much screen time, lack of sleep, over exfoliation, or honestly anytime our skin just looks irritated and exhausted.

In our interview, May shared that The Blue Cocoon was originally created to support clients experiencing damaged skin during chemotherapy and health challenges, which makes its deeply soothing nature feel even more intentional. She also called it the one product she never skips morning or night.

And honestly, we get it.

More than anything, this product changes the mood of your skincare routine. Applying it at night feels instantly calming in a way that most skincare products simply don’t. SHOP THE BLUE COCOON HERE

The Honey Mud

The Honey Mud is one of those products that immediately makes your bathroom feel like a spa.

Part cleanser, part mask, the texture has this rich honey pudding consistency that somehow feels both decadent and incredibly comforting at the same time. It smells warm, botanical, slightly chocolatey, and luxurious without being overpowering.

This is the product we love reaching for when skin feels dull, dry, tired, or just generally lifeless. It leaves the skin feeling absurdly soft and clean without that squeaky stripped feeling aggressive cleansers tend to create.

What also makes it so easy to keep using is the versatility. Some nights we use it as a quick cleanse. Other nights we leave it on for a few extra minutes while winding down before bed and let it work more like a treatment mask.

Either way, skin always looks noticeably fresher afterward.

May described it perfectly in our interview when she called it “a decadent, acid infused dream” that transforms into a silky milk once massaged into wet skin. Honestly, that description could not be more accurate. SHOP THE HONEY MUD

The Problem Solver

If The Blue Cocoon is the calming exhale of the routine, The Problem Solver is the dramatic reset button.

This warming treatment mask has become one of the brand’s most talked about products for good reason. The dry powder transforms into a rich mousse once mixed with water, and the warming sensation kicks in almost immediately.

The first time we used it, we completely understood why beauty people online talk about it like it’s some kind of facial in a jar.

This is the product we reach for when skin feels congested, puffy, inflamed, stressed, or like it desperately needs a refresh before an event. There’s something incredibly satisfying about washing it off and immediately seeing your face look brighter, smoother, and significantly more awake.

In our Living Well interview, May described it as a mask she reaches for whenever skin feels “off, finicky, sensitive, red, breaking out, or experiencing any kind of inflammation or discomfort.” That honestly sums it up perfectly.

Despite the intense warming sensation, our skin never feels stripped afterward. It just looks clearer, glowier, and more energized. SHOP THE PROBLEM SOLVER

The Pendulum Potion

A great cleansing oil can completely change your skin ritual, and The Pendulum Potion is one we’ve kept coming back to over and over again.

The silky oil melts down makeup, SPF, and the entire day in a way that feels incredibly luxurious without ever feeling heavy or greasy. But the real game changer is how you use it.

We’ve found this product works best when paired with a warm damp cleansing cloth. After massaging the oil into the skin for a minute or two, gently removing it with a cloth leaves the face feeling unbelievably smooth, soft, and fresh afterward. It gives that deeply cleansed feeling without making skin feel dry or overworked.

There’s also something incredibly grounding about the ritual itself. Slow facial massage, steam from the towel, the botanical scent. It feels less like “removing makeup” and more like signaling to your nervous system that the day is officially over.

May also shared that The Pendulum Potion is an esthetician favorite for opening a facial, especially when paired with the brand’s exfoliating towels. After using it ourselves, that makes complete sense. SHOP THE PENDULUM POTION HERE

The Jasmine Garden

Out of every facial mist we’ve tried over the years, The Jasmine Garden remains one of our absolute favorites.

Some facial mists feel refreshing for approximately three seconds before disappearing into the void. This one actually feels like it’s doing something.

The ultra fine mist instantly makes skin feel calmer, fresher, and more hydrated, especially on sensitive skin days when everything feels irritated or overheated. It’s the kind of product you end up keeping nearby at all times because you start reaching for it constantly throughout the day.

And after speaking with May, we understood why the formula feels so special.

In our interview, she shared that one of the hero ingredients is the brand’s “ridiculously good rose cellular water,” which makes up part of The Jasmine Garden formula and happens to be one of the most expensive raw materials they source. She described misting with it generously on ultra sensitive skin mornings and using it throughout the day to bring moisture and calm.

Honestly, that tracks.

The mist feels cooling, calming, and incredibly luxurious in a way that elevates the entire skincare routine. We especially love pairing it with The Blue Cocoon at night or keeping it nearby during long work days when our skin needs a refresh. SHOP THE JASMINE GARDEN

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Why the Shift Away From Minimalism Is Becoming Personal, According to an Interior Designer

Minimalism had a long run. For years, it defined what “good taste” looked like, all white everything, barely-there palettes, spaces that felt more styled than lived in. But lately, something has shifted. Homes are starting to feel warmer, more layered, and more personal.

Interior designer Kim Lapin is seeing that change firsthand. Known for her instinct-driven approach, she builds spaces through tone, texture, and contrast rather than rigid rules, creating interiors that feel collected, not copied. As she puts it, minimalism hasn’t disappeared, it’s simply evolved into something richer, more intentional, and more reflective of the people who live in it.

Ahead, Lapin shares why design is starting to feel more personal again, and how to move beyond playing it safe at home.

Are we officially over minimalism, or are we just doing it differently now? I hate to label anything because I can get on board with different styles and aesthetics as long as they are done well. Thoughtful design is what I’m after, and the architecture of the home and space really dictates what I think needs to be done design-wise. I will say the “minimalism” I’m seeing now is much more tonal and warm, so it feels less minimalistic. It feels richer and more intentional. I feel like a lot of people are moving away from the traditional minimalism that felt boring and bright. Now it feels cleaner and more elevated.

We’ve moved away from the early 2000s version of minimalism with all the white and beige everything, and toward something more refined and layered. It’s a more evolved take on the same idea, just with more sophistication. I still tend to prefer a bit more curation and character in the mix, though.

There’s a sense that homes are becoming more personal again. What do you think is driving that shift right now? I think COVID really shifted the way we think about our homes. It created a desire for spaces to truly function for how we live. Homes became our retreat, our escape, and somewhere we want to feel connected to.

At the same time, social media has expanded what’s possible in design. We’re exposed to more ideas, materials, and ways of living, which has made people more confident in personalizing their spaces. There’s a freedom now to mix materials, incorporate vintage, and invest in pieces that feel meaningful. Because of that, our homes have become one of the most personal reflections of who we are, offering a glimpse into our taste, our lifestyle, and how we want to live.

Your design of the Via La Selva bathroom feels like a departure from traditional minimalism. What was your starting point for the space? I wanted it to feel soothing and spa-like, but also have tension between masculine and feminine details. I needed it to be a retreat for me visually, so I wanted the tones to be muted and relaxed. I hate when design feels simple and boring, so the key here was making sure to have texture and movement. The travertine provides beautiful striation, and the Murano glass chandelier has the most gorgeous hand-blown glass details that add depth and softness.

In that space, how did you use tone and material to create warmth without relying on traditional “statement” design? I use living finishes to add warmth and patina to add depth. I also will use muted tones if I am going for a calming environment, but there needs to be texture and movement so that it doesn’t feel flat. I love to add small, discerning pops of color for interest, which you see in the pink chandelier. All of these little details make a huge difference in the end.

What’s a color combination that feels very “now” without being trendy? I love a French blue or a soft, dusty grey-blue paired with chocolate. It just feels rich, grounded, and effortlessly timeless. It’s one of those combinations that’s hard to tie to a specific moment because it never really goes in or out of style. It doesn’t feel “trendy” to me, just consistently beautiful and well-balanced.

Wallpaper, especially bolder, more expressive designs, seems to be making a comeback. How are you seeing it show up in interiors right now? I am seeing people embrace wallpaper in main spaces again because for a while it felt too bold to invest in such a statement in a main space. I'm loving the commitment to a layered space. I am doing quite a few wallpapered spaces in my new home, and I am so excited for the warmth and charm they will immediately add to the house.

What’s one lighting choice people underestimate in design? How key lighting is to making or breaking the vibe of a home. If you don't maximize the lighting locations and ways to incorporate moody little moments, you're missing out. I want my house to be a warm hug from the world, and I'm not going to get that with overhead lighting.

What’s one design look that instantly dates a space right now? Reeded or fluted wood vanities feel very 2019 modern and feel a little basic to me. That and Taj Mahal, eeeek!

What does “good design” feel like right now, versus even five years ago? Good design is thoughtful design, and you can tell when things were considered. The small little details that add up to one very curated and effortless space are key. I also want to see you in your home. It doesn’t need to feel fancy or expensive, but show me who you are. Do you collect things? Show me. Do you love architecture? Prove it.

I should learn about what you love from being in your space, and if I can find out more about you and feel like there is a cohesive story, well, that feels like good design to me. The bottom line is it’s not rinse-and-repeat, basic, Pinterest-land design. It’s doing things differently because you have a point of view. Good design is having a point of view and owning your own style. Don’t just copy other people’s spaces.

To learn more about Kim Lapin and her work, visit her website https://www.kimlapininteriors.com/

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The Wellness World Has a Pollinator Problem

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Most people don’t associate bees with modern wellness. But quietly, almost every corner of the industry depends on them.

The herbs blended into adaptogenic lattes. The botanicals infused into skincare. The berries in collagen smoothies. The flowering plants that support biodiversity and regenerative agriculture. Even some of the ingredients now synonymous with luxury wellness culture would not exist in the same way without healthy pollinator ecosystems.

That’s part of why World Bee Day has started resonating far beyond environmental circles. As bee populations continue facing pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, climate stress, disease, and industrial farming practices, the conversation is becoming harder for wellness brands to ignore.

And increasingly, some companies are moving beyond sustainability as a marketing phrase and treating pollinator health as a core part of how they operate.

The Shift From Sustainability to Stewardship

One of the clearest examples is Mānuka Health, the New Zealand based wellness company whose business is deeply tied to the health of bees, mānuka forests, and the ecosystems surrounding them.

The company manages more than 15,000 bee colonies using low intervention beekeeping practices designed to support hive resilience rather than maximize short term production. Antibiotics and growth hormones are not used within its hives, and hive placement is carefully managed to avoid over stressing surrounding forage areas.

Their Original MGO 400+ / UMF 13+ Mānuka Honey has become a staple in many wellness routines as interest in authentic New Zealand mānuka honey continues growing. Whether added into tea, smoothies, or taken straight off the spoon, the honey has become especially popular for everyday wellness rituals.

Beyond honey production itself, Mānuka Health also invests in planting native mānuka trees across degraded farmland throughout New Zealand to help restore biodiversity and create healthier environments for pollinators and wildlife.

Its partnerships with Māori communities and rural landowners further reflect a growing shift happening across wellness right now: the idea that environmental health and human wellness are deeply interconnected.

Bee Derived Wellness Has Officially Gone Mainstream

That same connection is beginning to show up across the wider wellness space, too.

At Beekeeper’s Naturals, bee derived ingredients like propolis, royal jelly, and bee pollen have become staples of the functional wellness movement, particularly among consumers focused on immune support and everyday resilience. Hive ingredients that once felt niche or overly crunchy are now finding their way into modern supplement cabinets, wellness cafés, and beauty routines alike.

Their Propolis Immune Support Throat Spray, in particular, has been one of our own staples ever since the brand first launched onto the market. The propolis powered spray has developed a loyal following for good reason, especially among wellness enthusiasts looking for everyday immune support that feels easy to incorporate into a routine.

The brand’s Bee Pollen has also become a daily ritual in our kitchen. Often referred to as “nature’s multivitamin,” just a teaspoon delivers nutrients like protein, iron, B vitamins, and copper. We’ve been adding it into smoothies for years as an easy way to bring a little extra nourishment and energy into the day without overthinking it.

As interest in functional wellness continues growing, brands centered around hive ingredients are helping reshape how consumers think about bees not simply as honey producers, but as an essential part of broader ecosystem health.

Luxury Wellness Is Getting More Regenerative

Meanwhile, brands like Flamingo Estate are approaching pollinator health through the lens of regenerative luxury and biodiversity.

Their recently launched Pollinator Bath Soap Brick was created as a tribute to pollinators during Milan Design Week 2026, inspired by the flowering Linden trees that perfume Milan each spring. The soap blends Linden blossom, Bergamot, Chamomile, Heliotrope, and pollen inspired notes, while visually nodding to the golden flower meadows surrounding the installation.

The brand has also leaned into bee connected ingredients more directly through products like its Manuka Honey Soap Brick, formulated with wild mānuka honey, Shea Butter, biodynamic Hemp Oil infused with ozone, and Calendula grown at the base of Ruby Peak.

Alongside it sits Flamingo Estate’s California Native Mountain Wildflower Honey, harvested deep within protected Southern California forest areas where bees forage on Sage, California Buckwheat, Golden Currant, and native wildflowers away from pesticide heavy agricultural zones.

Together, the products reflect a growing consumer appetite for wellness products that feel rooted in biodiversity, ingredient sourcing, and environmental stewardship rather than surface level sustainability messaging.

Beauty’s Longstanding Relationship With Honey

Even beauty brands are continuing to deepen their relationship with bee derived ingredients.

Farmacy Beauty has helped bring honey and propolis into the mainstream skincare conversation in a way that feels approachable instead of overly earthy or “clean beauty” coded.

Their Honey Halo Ultra Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer has become one of those products people pull out every time their skin feels dry, over exfoliated, irritated, or generally exhausted. The texture is rich and comforting without feeling heavy, and the combination of buckwheat honey and ceramides makes it especially good during colder months or whenever your skin barrier feels a little off.

Meanwhile, Honey Milk Hydrating Essence is the kind of product that quietly becomes part of your routine without much effort. Lightweight, soothing, and easy to layer, it gives skin that soft, hydrated look that makes everything else applied afterward sit better.

It’s all part of a bigger shift happening within beauty right now. Consumers still want science backed skincare, but they also want formulas that feel connected to nature, ingredient sourcing, and a little bit of ritual too.

Why World Bee Day Matters More Than Ever

Together, these brands reflect a broader shift happening within wellness. Consumers are beginning to ask bigger questions not just about whether a product is “clean,” but about where ingredients come from, how ecosystems are treated, and whether companies are contributing something meaningful beyond the final product itself.

That’s ultimately what makes World Bee Day feel more relevant than ever. It’s not simply about celebrating bees. It’s about recognizing how deeply interconnected modern wellness is with the health of the natural systems supporting it.

Because without pollinators, much of the wellness world as we know it simply would not exist.

The post The Wellness World Has a Pollinator Problem appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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How to Reduce Microplastic Exposure in Everyday Life

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For something most people can’t actually see, microplastics have become surprisingly hard to ignore.

They’ve been found in bottled water, household dust, synthetic clothing, seafood, tea bags, food packaging, and increasingly, inside the human body itself. At the same time, modern wellness culture still relies heavily on plastic, from supplement containers and shaker bottles to grab-and-go “healthy” meals packaged for convenience.

The reality is that you probably can’t eliminate microplastics from your life entirely. But you can lower your exposure in ways that are practical, realistic, and genuinely worth paying attention to.

Researchers are still studying exactly how microplastics affect long term human health, but early findings have raised growing concerns around inflammation, oxidative stress, hormone disruption, and the body’s overall toxic load. Scientists have now identified microplastics in human blood, lungs, placentas, reproductive organs, and brain tissue, though researchers are careful to note that the long term health implications are still being investigated.

Thankfully, some of the most effective shifts are also some of the simplest.

What Are Microplastics, Exactly?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles generally smaller than five millimeters that form as larger plastics break down over time.

Some are intentionally manufactured at microscopic sizes, while others come from everyday wear and tear: synthetic fabrics shedding in the wash, plastic containers degrading with heat, or food packaging slowly breaking down.

Researchers now believe exposure happens through a combination of ingestion, inhalation, and environmental contact. They’ve been detected in household dust, rainwater, seafood, produce, table salt, and indoor air.

The challenge is that modern life is deeply built around plastic. The goal is not perfection. It’s reducing unnecessary exposure where you reasonably can.

Stop Heating Food in Plastic

If there’s one habit many experts agree is worth paying attention to, it’s reducing the amount of heated plastic that comes into contact with your food.

Heat can accelerate the release of plastic particles and chemicals, particularly in older or damaged containers. Microwaving leftovers in plastic, pouring boiling liquids into plastic lined cups, or leaving bottled water in a hot car may seem harmless, but over time those repeated exposures can add up.

One of the easiest shifts we’ve personally made is moving away from reheating food in plastic containers altogether. Instead, we’ve been using Anyday’s glass cookware for everything from leftovers to quick weeknight meals because it makes the swap feel surprisingly easy and realistic to stick with.

We’ve also been liking Anydeli, which basically rethinks the classic plastic deli container using platinum silicone instead. They’re durable, reusable, and designed to prep, freeze, store, and reheat food all in one container, which makes it easier to rely less on disposable plastic during the week.

The bigger takeaway here isn’t that you need to overhaul your entire kitchen overnight. It’s just becoming more aware of how often heat and plastic overlap in daily life, especially around food.

Even your coffee habit matters more than people realize. Many takeaway cups are lined with plastic despite appearing paper based from the outside. Ceramic mugs or stainless steel travel cups can help reduce repeated exposure without requiring some dramatic lifestyle reset.

Rethink the Products Living in Your Home

One of the more interesting shifts happening in wellness right now is that people are paying closer attention not just to what they consume, but what surrounds them all day long.

That includes cleaning products, hand soaps, candles, air quality, and the materials used in everyday household items.

For us, one of the easier swaps has been cleaning products. We’ve been using Koala Eco products at home lately and genuinely love how clean the formulas feel compared to a lot of the heavily fragranced conventional cleaners out there. The scents are subtle, the ingredient lists are more thoughtful, and the whole experience feels less chemically overwhelming overall.

The same goes for hand soap. It sounds minor, but it’s one of those products you use constantly throughout the day. Lately, Flamingo Estate’s glass bottle hand soaps have been sitting by our sinks partly because they cut down on some of the disposable plastic packaging that tends to pile up around the house, but mostly because they feel elevated in a way that makes sustainable swaps easier to actually enjoy long term.

None of these products are magic fixes, obviously. But they reflect a bigger shift happening in wellness overall: people becoming more intentional about the everyday products they interact with most often.

Rethink Bottled Water

Several studies have found bottled water contains measurable amounts of microplastics, often linked to the packaging and bottling process itself.

A 2024 study led by researchers at Columbia and Rutgers found that a single liter of bottled water could contain hundreds of thousands of nanoplastic particles, many of which are small enough to potentially cross biological barriers in the body.

That doesn’t mean you need to panic every time you grab a water bottle at the airport. But it does make a strong case for investing in a good home filtration system and relying less heavily on disposable bottled water day to day.

Many wellness experts recommend filtered tap water paired with reusable stainless steel or glass bottles whenever possible. It’s one of those changes that quietly reduces exposure over time without requiring a complete lifestyle overhaul.

Your Activewear Could Be Part of the Problem

Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic are among the biggest contributors to microplastic pollution. Tiny fibers shed during wear and especially during laundry cycles, eventually making their way into waterways, household dust, and indoor air.

Ironically, many “wellness” wardrobes are built almost entirely around synthetic activewear.

Research published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature estimated that synthetic textiles account for roughly 35% of primary microplastics entering the oceans.

This doesn’t mean you need to throw away every pair of leggings you own. But it does make a strong argument for becoming more intentional moving forward. Natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, wool, and silk generally release fewer synthetic particles and tend to feel more aligned with the growing low tox movement overall.

Some people also choose to wash synthetic clothing less frequently, use cold water cycles, or add microfiber catching laundry bags and filters to help reduce shedding.

Again, the point isn’t to become obsessive. Awareness is often enough to start making better choices gradually.

Indoor Air Matters More Than Most People Think

Microplastics don’t just enter the body through food and water. They also circulate through indoor air and household dust.

Considering most people spend close to 90% of their time indoors, improving your home environment may matter more than some of the expensive wellness habits people obsess over online.

Researchers have found microplastics can accumulate in indoor dust, which is part of why air quality has become such a major conversation lately within wellness circles.

At home, one of the things we’ve become more mindful about is air filtration, especially living in a city where windows aren’t always open all day. Rabbit Air purifiers have been one of the few wellness adjacent home products that genuinely feel practical rather than gimmicky. Mostly, it’s just reassuring knowing there’s less dust and particulate matter constantly circulating indoors.

Other habits that can help reduce exposure without turning your life upside down:

• opening windows regularly when possible
• vacuuming with a HEPA filter
• dusting more consistently
• removing shoes indoors
• choosing fewer synthetic materials at home where you can

The larger point is that wellness is becoming less about chasing perfection and more about creating environments that support your body a little more gently over time.

Upgrade Your Kitchen Slowly

The kitchen is one of the easiest places to reduce everyday plastic exposure without turning your life upside down.

Many people are becoming more mindful about everyday kitchen items that come into frequent contact with heat and food, including making swaps like:

+ older nonstick cookware for ceramic or stainless steel options
+ plastic cutting boards for wood alternatives
+ black plastic takeout containers for glass storage containers
+ plastic cooking utensils for wood or stainless steel tools
+ tea bags made with plastic mesh for loose leaf tea
+ heavily processed packaged foods for fresher, less packaged options

Research has suggested that ultra processed foods may expose people to higher levels of microplastics partly because of industrial packaging and processing systems.

One thing we’ve noticed lately is that people are becoming much more curious about cookware materials overall, especially around PFAS and traditional nonstick coatings. Brands like Our Place have become part of that broader shift toward ceramic coated cookware that feels a little more thoughtful for everyday cooking without leaning so heavily on traditional nonstick materials.

Again, none of this means your kitchen needs to become perfectly “clean” overnight. In fact, trying to replace everything at once usually creates more stress than sustainability.

Instead, think of it as a gradual edit. Maybe you replace plastic cooking utensils with wood or stainless steel. Maybe your next food storage purchase is glass instead of plastic. Maybe you switch to loose leaf tea instead of individually wrapped plastic sachets.

Those small shifts are realistic, and realistic habits are the ones people actually stick with.

The Research Is Growing Quickly But So Are the Questions

One reason microplastics have become such a major topic in wellness is because the research has accelerated dramatically over the last few years.

In 2025, researchers publishing in Nature Medicine reported that microplastics and nanoplastics were present in human brain tissue, with concentrations appearing significantly higher than in the liver or kidneys.

Other studies have identified microplastics in placentas and blood samples, reinforcing the idea that exposure is now widespread.

At the same time, scientists consistently emphasize that there is still much we do not know. Finding plastics in the body does not automatically mean they are directly causing disease, and many long term effects are still being studied.

That nuance matters because wellness conversations tend to swing between complete dismissal and full blown fear. The reality is usually somewhere in the middle.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

One of the least healthy things wellness culture can do is convince people they need to live perfectly in order to be healthy.

Microplastics are a legitimate concern and the research surrounding them is evolving quickly. But stressing yourself into paralysis over every water bottle or takeout container probably isn’t helping your nervous system either.

The most effective approach is usually the most balanced one: reduce exposure where it makes sense, prioritize the habits that have the biggest impact, and let go of the idea that wellness requires perfection.

Because ultimately, the future of wellness seems to be moving toward something much bigger than optimization. It’s about creating homes, routines, and environments that support the body more gently in the first place.

The post How to Reduce Microplastic Exposure in Everyday Life appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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OUAI’s New Bond Repair Balm Repairs Hair in 3 Minutes and Honestly, We Get the Hype

Some of the links in this story are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you choose to purchase—helping us continue to share mindful, inspiring content.

Hair usually gives you the reality check before anything else does. A few too many hot tools, one stressful month, delayed trims, travel, color appointments, dry weather, suddenly your hair is looking a little dull, feeling rough at the ends, and refusing to cooperate the way it used to.

And the frustrating part is that once your hair gets to that point, a lot of products start feeling interchangeable. Another mask. Another “repair” treatment. Another promise that sounds great until your hair looks exactly the same two washes later.

So when we were recently invited to FLORE Salon to experience OUAI’s new Bond Repair Balm firsthand with a full wash and blowout, we were curious, but cautiously so.

By the end of the appointment, our hair genuinely looked and felt different.

The salon experience

The experience started at the wash bowl, where Bond Repair Balm is used in place of conditioner. Right away, the texture stands out. It has that rich, cushiony feel of a treatment, but with enough slip that the hair instantly starts feeling smoother and easier to work through.

And then there’s the scent.

Bond Repair Balm features OUAI’s Melrose Place fragrance, which has quietly become our favorite scent the brand has ever done. It’s soft, clean, slightly floral, and somehow manages to smell both polished and effortless at the same time. Think bergamot, lychee, rose, jasmine, white musk, sandalwood, and a little champagne accord woven through it all.

We love it so much we already own both the Melrose Place Hair & Body Mist and the full fragrance, so the second we realized that was the scent worked into the formula, we were immediately excited.

It’s one of those scents that people constantly ask about because it smells fresh and elevated without overpowering everything around you. Very “you smell good” instead of aggressively perfume-y.

Honestly, it made the whole experience feel even more luxurious. Between the scent, the scalp massage, and the blowout after, it felt less like testing a new hair product and more like giving our hair a much needed reset.

The formula sits for three minutes, which honestly feels refreshing in a category where most repair products want a full routine commitment.

Even before styling, there was already a noticeable difference. Hair felt softer, healthier, and less tangled. Not coated or artificially silky, just stronger and smoother in a way that felt believable.

Then came the blowout.

The kind of blowout that makes you keep checking your hair in mirrors

This is where Bond Repair Balm really showed itself.

Hair dried noticeably smoother with less effort, and there was far less frizz than usual. The ends looked polished and healthy without needing to overload the hair with finishing products. The shine looked natural, not heavy or overly glossed.

What we kept coming back to was how light everything felt. Sometimes “repair” products can leave the hair soft but weighed down, almost like there’s a layer sitting on top of it. This didn’t do that. Hair still had movement. It still felt clean. Just shinier, smoother, and healthier overall.

What makes Bond Repair Balm different

Bond Repair Balm has been three years in the making and marks OUAI’s first major step into extreme damage repair.

According to Diana Pratasiewicz, Senior Director of Global Education at OUAI, the formula was intentionally designed to simplify a category that often feels overly technical and intimidating.

“Bond repair isn’t a trend, it’s a permanent part of the conversation,” she tells us. “But it’s also one of the most confusing categories in hair. And that’s exactly where OUAI shows up best. We take something complicated and make it effortless and of course, make it smell incredible.”

That ease is a huge part of why the product stands out. Instead of creating another multi step treatment, OUAI designed Bond Repair Balm to fit into a routine you already understand. You use it like a conditioner, not an extra step.

“It’s bond repair, the OUAI way: easy, elevated, and actually doable,” says Pratasiewicz.

The formula itself takes a more modern approach than many traditional bond repair products. Instead of relying on a single ingredient story, Bond Repair Balm uses a blend of silk protein, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and lipids to reinforce, hydrate, smooth, and help restore the hair barrier all at once.

“It works in 3 minutes because we didn’t overcomplicate the repair,” Pratasiewicz explains. “BRB reinforces, hydrates, and smooths all at once, so you see and feel healthier hair immediately.”

She also notes that the formula was specifically engineered to perform quickly.

“You have small, targeted ingredients that absorb quickly, a conditioning system that instantly smooths and seals, and hydration that hits right away,” she says. “You’re not waiting on a long, drawn out process. You’re getting instant reinforcement, hydration, and protection in one step.”

And honestly, after seeing the results firsthand, that immediate payoff feels very real.

Who will notice the biggest difference?

According to Pratasiewicz, Bond Repair Balm works across all hair types and textures, but it especially makes sense for people dealing with the kind of everyday damage most of us are constantly putting our hair through.

“If your hair is color treated or chemically processed, if you’re not getting regular trims, if you’re using heat daily, blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, BRB is for you,” she says.

She also points to environmental stressors like sun exposure, pollution, and hard water, along with finer hair types that tend to break more easily.

“At the end of the day, this is for anyone whose hair doesn’t feel as healthy as it should,” she says. “It brings it back stronger, softer, and just overall better.”

Honestly, that’s probably why the product resonated with us so quickly. The results didn’t feel dramatic in an unrealistic way. Our hair still felt like our hair, just noticeably smoother, shinier, softer, and healthier after one appointment.

Shop the Bond Repair Balm Here. 

The post OUAI’s New Bond Repair Balm Repairs Hair in 3 Minutes and Honestly, We Get the Hype appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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