The Best Hair and Body Mists for Summer 2026

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.

If you grew up during the Victoria's Secret Love Spell era, the return of body mists probably wasn't on your 2026 bingo card.

There was a time when body spray was practically a personality trait. If you weren't carrying a bottle of Love Spell, Warm & Cozy, or Japanese Cherry Blossom in your bag, were you even participating? We sprayed them before school, after gym class, before the movies, and probably a few too many times in between.

Then perfume became the grown up choice. Body mists felt a little too youthful, a little too nostalgic, and for a while they quietly disappeared from the beauty conversation.

Until now.

Somehow, hair and body mists have staged one of the beauty world's most unexpected comebacks. Only this time around, they're far more sophisticated. The formulas are better, the fragrances are more nuanced, and many of them pull inspiration from the same scent profiles we'd happily wear in a luxury eau de parfum. Some even double as skincare or haircare, offering hydration, shine, or styling benefits alongside the fragrance.

After months of testing, these are the bottles that kept finding their way into our bags, bathrooms, and carry ons.

The Mists Worth Making Room For

PHLUR Paradise Nectar Hair & Body Mist

The name promises something tropical and sweet, but it feels far fresher and more composed. Mandarin and black currant create a juicy opening that smells more like biting into ripe fruit on a warm day than sipping a poolside cocktail. As it settles, tuberose and jasmine soften the edges without taking over, adding a subtle floral lift that stays well clear of cloying.

The dry-down is where it won us over. Woods and patchouli add just enough depth to keep it from feeling overly fruity or beachy. It holds onto that vacation feeling while staying polished enough for an ordinary weekday. If you usually gravitate toward warm weather fragrances but find most of them too sweet, this one strikes a very nice balance. SHOP HERE

Maison Louis Marie Fleur de Vanille Hair & Body Mist

If you're after that clean girl kind of scent, this is the one we kept reaching for.

Raspberry opens bright and almost jammy, then vanilla blossom and cane sugar melt in and turn the whole thing warm and comforting. A little smoked birch and oud keep it from going full candy, grounding it with a quiet woodiness that makes it feel more elevated than expected.

We also love that it's alcohol free and loaded with hydrators like hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, and seaweed extract, so skin and hair felt soft rather than dried out every time we spritzed.

The one honest catch is longevity. It wears light and fades fairly fast, but that turned out to be half its charm. We happily reapplied throughout the day, and it layers beautifully under richer fragrances when we wanted a little more staying power. SHOP HERE

Ellis Brooklyn New Crush Perfume Mist

This is the mist we ran through quickest once temperatures started climbing.

Blood orange opens bright and sparkling, like a popsicle pulled from the freezer on a scorching afternoon. There's sweetness in the mix, but it reads as fresh squeezed juice rather than syrup. A soft floral middle keeps it smelling playful rather than overly sweet.

After such a bright opening, we assumed the citrus would dominate from start to finish. Instead, almond flan, vanilla meringue, and tonka bean slowly come forward, softening the edges and adding a gentle warmth.

It's also the one we experimented with most. Layering a spritz of Guava Granita on top made it feel riper and more tropical. SWEET pulled it toward dessert territory, while Dear Sky added a softer floral finish. Depending on what you pair it with, it can feel like several different fragrances in one bottle. SHOP HERE

OUAI Melrose Place Hair & Body Mist

There are rose fragrances, and then there are rose fragrances for people who swear they don't like rose fragrances. This falls firmly into the second category.

Lychee and berry add brightness up front, while pink pepper keeps the rose feeling light, lively, and modern. Think less vintage rose bouquet and more something you'd happily wear every day.

Mostly, it just fits into everyday life. The rose feels relaxed, never fussy, and while the fragrance never becomes overwhelming, it lasts far longer than we'd expect from a hair and body mist. We especially loved it sprayed through the hair, where traces of rose lingered well into the evening. SHOP HERE

Deborah Pagani The Vital Mist

Technically, it's a heat activated hair essence designed to prep and prime hair before styling. Realistically, it's the product we keep spraying because we can't stop smelling our own hair.

The formula helps smooth frizz, soften strands, boost shine, and create that polished, glass like finish without leaving hair stiff or heavy. Even better, it disappears into the hair rather than sitting on top of it, leaving behind movement and softness instead of that crunchy product feeling some styling products can create.

Then there's the fragrance.

Deborah Pagani's No. 1 scent is one of those fragrances that makes strangers ask what you're wearing. Saffron, pistachio, jasmine petals, condensed milk, black leather, vanilla, ambroxan, pink sugar, and cinnamon somehow come together to create something warm, addictive, and unexpectedly sophisticated. It's gourmand, but in a grown up way.

We first discovered The Vital Mist last year and immediately understood why it had developed such a loyal following. In fact, we loved it enough that we later sat down with Deborah Pagani herself to talk beauty rituals, intentional design, and creating products women actually want to use every day. If you haven't read it yet, our interview with Deborah Pagani is well worth bookmarking. (Internal link opportunity.)

For anyone who wants their hair to smell incredible long after they leave the house, this is the one. SHOP HERE

DedCool Xtra Milk Eau de Parfum

It's the only eau de parfum that made it onto this list.

We know, technically it doesn't belong here. But every time we sat down to edit this roundup, Xtra Milk somehow refused to be left out.

If you've ever gotten a compliment and immediately thought, wait, I'm not even wearing perfume, this is that kind of fragrance. White musk, amber, and bergamot come together to create something clean, soft, and familiar. Not laundry detergent clean. More like your favorite sweater, fresh sheets, and really good skin.

The scent stays close rather than filling a room, which is exactly why we like it. It never feels like you're wearing fragrance. You just smell good.

What we love most is how easy it is. There's no occasion required and no season where it feels out of place. We reach for it on work days, travel days, gym days, and days when we can't decide what to wear.

It's soft, comforting, and one of those rare fragrances that almost everyone seems to love. Even though it breaks the rules of this list, it earned its spot. SHOP HERE

Salt & Stone Neroli & Basil Body & Hair Fragrance Mist

When everything feels like a lot, this is our reset button.

Neroli and basil keep it crisp and green, with a cool herbal freshness that feels instantly grounding. It has earned a permanent spot near the door for days when we need a clean slate before heading out.

Unlike many fragrance mists, it does a little more than smell good. Glycerin and red algae help boost hydration, so skin feels refreshed rather than dry after each spritz.

It won't last all day the way a perfume would, but that's part of the appeal. This is the one we find ourselves tossing into a bag for a midday refresh. SHOP HERE

By Rosie Jane Birthday Suit Body + Hair Mist

Green apple and lemon create a bright, crisp opening that feels instantly uplifting. As it settles, cedar and musk emerge to create something clean, warm, and incredibly easy to wear.

This one became our favorite after a shower, especially on hot summer mornings when a traditional perfume felt like too much. It wears lightly on skin but lingers much longer on clothing and hair, often still noticeable the next day.

For something a little softer, we loved layering it with Rosie. The apple and lemon bring brightness up front, while Rosie's skin musk adds warmth and smooths out the edges. Together they smell effortless in the best possible way. SHOP HERE

The post The Best Hair and Body Mists for Summer 2026 appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

from The Chalkboard Mag https://ift.tt/tYjciha
via IFTTT

5 Things We Learned From Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

A decade ago, getting less sleep was practically a badge of honor. Early flights, late nights, 5 a.m. workouts, and inboxes cleared before sunrise were all signs that you were doing something right. Today, the conversation looks very different. Sleep has become one of the most valuable currencies in wellness, and few books have shaped that shift more than Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker.

Part science book, part wake up call, Walker makes a compelling case that sleep isn't downtime. It's one of the most important biological processes in the body, influencing everything from memory and mood to metabolism, recovery, and long term health. Years after its release, the book remains one of the most influential reads in the wellness space.

Here are five lessons that stuck with us long after turning the final page.

+ You Can't Catch Up On Sleep As Easily As You Think

Many of us operate under the assumption that a few late nights can be balanced out by sleeping until noon on the weekend. According to Walker, it doesn't work quite that way.

While extra sleep can help alleviate some immediate fatigue, chronic sleep debt has a cumulative effect on the body. Missing an hour or two of sleep night after night can impair cognitive performance, mood, metabolism, and immune function in ways we often fail to notice because the decline happens gradually.

One of the more surprising insights from the book is that people who are sleep deprived often become poor judges of just how impaired they actually are. In other words, you may think you're functioning fine, even when your brain is operating well below its potential.

The takeaway isn't perfection. It's consistency. A regular sleep schedule matters more than most of us realize.

+ Sleep Is Your Brain's Most Important Performance Tool

We tend to focus on exercise when we think about improving performance, but Walker argues that sleep is every bit as important.

During sleep, the brain is far from inactive. It organizes information, consolidates memories, strengthens learning pathways, and essentially files away everything you've experienced throughout the day.

Think of sleep as the brain's nightly maintenance shift. Without it, information doesn't get properly stored, making it harder to retain new skills, recall facts, and think creatively.

This helps explain why pulling an all nighter before a presentation, exam, or major work project often backfires. The extra hours spent working may actually undermine the very cognitive abilities you're trying to optimize.

For anyone chasing peak performance, whether in business, athletics, or everyday life, sleep may be the highest return investment available.

+ Poor Sleep Impacts Nearly Every System In The Body

One of the most eye opening themes throughout Why We Sleep is just how interconnected sleep is with overall health.

Walker outlines research linking insufficient sleep to challenges in areas including immune function, blood sugar regulation, hormone balance, cardiovascular health, weight management, and mental wellbeing.

The relationship works both ways. Poor health can disrupt sleep, but poor sleep can also contribute to health issues over time.

Perhaps most importantly, sleep isn't simply about feeling rested the next day. It's a long term investment in how the body repairs, restores, and regulates itself.

In a wellness culture that often focuses on supplements, biohacks, and complicated routines, Walker's research serves as a reminder that one of the most powerful health interventions is also one of the most accessible.

+ Dreaming May Be Doing More For You Than You Realize

Most of us think of dreams as random stories our brains create while we're asleep. Walker suggests they may serve a much bigger purpose.

A significant portion of dreaming occurs during REM sleep, a stage associated with emotional processing, creativity, and problem solving. According to the research highlighted in the book, REM sleep appears to help the brain process emotional experiences in a way that reduces their intensity while preserving the memory itself.

In simple terms, sleep may help us gain perspective.

Walker also explores how REM sleep contributes to creative insight. Some of history's most famous inventions, artistic breakthroughs, and scientific discoveries have reportedly emerged after periods of sleep.

The phrase "sleep on it" turns out to be surprisingly scientific advice.

+ Sleep Is One Of The Strongest Predictors Of Healthy Aging

Longevity conversations often focus on nutrition, exercise, and emerging wellness technologies. Walker argues that sleep deserves an equally prominent place in that discussion.

Throughout the book, he presents evidence suggesting that sleep influences many of the biological processes associated with aging. Consistently poor sleep has been linked to increased inflammation, reduced cognitive function, and a greater risk of age related decline.

What makes this particularly compelling is that sleep is something most of us can improve without adding another expensive wellness habit to our routine.

The goal isn't necessarily to achieve perfect sleep every night. Rather, it's to recognize that the hours spent sleeping are not time lost. They're an active investment in future health, resilience, and quality of life.

The post 5 Things We Learned From Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

from The Chalkboard Mag https://ift.tt/wnTtfjV
via IFTTT

Why Most Shampoo Is Over 70% Water And Why Beauty Brands Are Rethinking It

Take a look at the ingredient list on most shampoos and you'll find one ingredient sitting at the very top: water. In fact, many traditional haircare formulas are made up largely of water, something most consumers never think twice about. But as conversations around formulation, ingredient quality, sustainability, and scalp health continue to evolve, more people are starting to ask an interesting question: does haircare really need that much water in the first place?

The answer is more nuanced than you might think. While water has long played an important role in traditional formulas, a growing number of brands are exploring concentrated alternatives that challenge conventional thinking about what effective haircare should look like.

To better understand the science behind water based formulas, concentrated haircare, and the growing connection between scalp and hair health, we spoke with Everist founders Jayme Jenkins and Jessica Stevenson, two beauty industry veterans helping push the conversation forward.

In Conversation with Jayme and Jessica

Many traditional liquid shampoos are made up largely of water, often somewhere between 70% and 90% depending on the formula. From a formulation standpoint, why has water historically been used so heavily in traditional shampoo products? Well, it’s inexpensive. But beyond that it does act as a solvent to help dissolve actives, making the products easier to manufacture, and it also helps create the liquid texture that people expect. It’s not inherently bad, of course, but we believe that you can have a bigger impact on hair and scalp health + avoid shipping water around the world with concentrates. 

One of the most interesting things about Everist is that removing water wasn’t just about sustainability. It also changed the entire formulation philosophy. Can you talk about how concentrating the formulas allowed you to rethink performance, ingredients, and scalp health? Yes - we went through a long innovation journey with Everist. We wanted to do concentrated products with less impact on people and planet, but we also knew they needed to be easy to use, gentle and high performance. After much exploration, what we ended up doing was taking the concentrated actives - cleansers, bond-builders, etc - and instead of leaving them in a solid form (like a shampoo bar) or dissolving them in a big bottle of water, we mixed them into humectants (natural moisturizers like glycerin and aloe vera) to make the formula a cream. This allowed us to create this unique delivery system that ‘buffered’ the cleansers, making them ultra gentle while also bringing extra hydration to hair and scalp.  SHOP EVERIST HERE

Waterless beauty has become a much larger conversation in recent years, but Everist entered the category very early. When you were first introducing concentrated haircare to consumers, what did you realize people fundamentally misunderstood about traditional shampoo formulas, sustainability, or even what “performance” in haircare actually means? I don’t think there was a lot of awareness when we started of how much water is in traditional beauty products. I still don’t think there is. And often what customers think is ‘performance’ in traditional haircare is more of a cosmetic approach - silicones coating the hair and giving the appearance of shine, etc, but these can build up over time. At Everist, we take more of a skincare or wellness approach to hair and scalp care - hybrid formulas that are focused on hair and scalp hydration and improving the look, feel and health over time. 

Did removing water from the formulas actually unlock opportunities to create products that performed differently or better compared to more traditional shampoos? Were there certain ingredients, technologies, or formulation approaches that became more effective specifically because the formulas were waterless and concentrated? Yes, absolutely - our formulas are 50% moisturizers. Glycerin, which is the most powerful humectant and the workhorse in most skincare formulas - is what makes them ‘wet’ instead of water. This allows our cream concentrates to manage moisture differently in the hair and scalp vs traditional water-based haircare where the feeling of ‘hydration’ is often just a coating on the hair. One of our most interesting clinical studies showed that Everist concentrates helped hold most moisture in the scalp vs traditional water-based shampoo and conditioner, resulting in less transepidermal water loss and less disruption to the scalp microbiome. 

Everist products are often described as “haircare meets skincare.” What are some of the hero ingredients or actives inside the formulas that really define that philosophy?It’s our ‘skincare base’ - more than 50% of our cream concentrate formula is glycerin and organic aloe vera (natural humectants that help hold moisture). Compare that with a traditional water-based shampoo ‘with glycerin’ that has maybe 1% glycerin in the formulation vs our 35%. 

The new serum, EverBoost™ combines a patented tri-peptide complex with postbiotics and caffeine. What role does each of those ingredients play within the formula, and why did you feel that combination was important specifically for scalp health and hair density? Peptides are very trendy right now, but our Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, has significant data behind it to support healthy hair growth in addition to caffeine which is a well-known DHT-blocker. The most interesting thing about EverBoost is that it’s also a concentrate, made in a fragrance-free aloe vera base to soothe, hydrate and reduce inflammation of the scalp in addition to delivering these concentrated active ingredients. The health of the scalp has a major role to play in hair quality. SHOP EVERBOOST HERE

Sustainability conversations in beauty often focus heavily on packaging because it’s easy to see and understand. What do you think consumers still aren’t fully seeing or understanding when it comes to the relationship between formulation, manufacturing, shipping, and environmental impact? Sustainability is so complex and has so many different layers. In addition to packaging, reducing the carbon impact of shipping heavy, water-filled formulas was part of the genesis of Everist. Our concentrates have a 77% smaller carbon impact and 64% smaller waste-impact than traditional water-based haircare in a plastic bottle. But beyond that, there’s ingredients (both sourcing and biodegradability), there’s manufacturing (the human impact and the waste impact) there’s lifecycle... We try to really think about these things 360 and it’s much easier to do in a company that was built with these values vs. trying to layer them on later. 

You both worked inside traditional beauty before building Everist. Were there industry norms or product conventions that started feeling increasingly outdated to you both personally? I think what really led to the creation of Everist was just the speed of change in these large organizations. It’s hard to really be experimental and think outside the box in those types of environments. We saw the world changing and the needs of the customer changing and we wanted to action it. We were ahead of the curve - and still are - but the world is catching up. 

Looking ahead, what conversations around formulation, sustainability, or scalp health do you hope become much more mainstream in beauty over the next few years? I think the connection between beauty and wellness (both for people and planet) will only grow stronger. What’s better for the planet is very often better for us as well. And what’s better for us leads to longevity, vitality and most importantly, results that get even better over time. 

Explore the whole routine here. 

The post Why Most Shampoo Is Over 70% Water And Why Beauty Brands Are Rethinking It appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

from The Chalkboard Mag https://ift.tt/U9OYMbP
via IFTTT

The 80/20 Guide to Living Less Toxic Without Becoming Obsessed

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.

Somewhere along the way, clean living went from a handful of healthy habits to what can feel like an endless checklist.

One expert tells you to filter your water. Another says to replace your cookware. Then there's the conversation around air quality, plastics, fragrances, cleaning products, and ingredients you've never heard of before. While much of the information is valuable, trying to optimize every corner of your life can quickly become overwhelming.

The good news is that most experts agree you don't need a perfectly toxin free lifestyle to support your health. In fact, focusing on a few high impact areas often delivers far greater benefits than obsessing over every product you bring into your home.

That's where the 80/20 approach comes in. Rather than attempting a complete lifestyle overhaul, it's about identifying the changes that can make the biggest difference in your daily environment and letting go of the pressure to do everything perfectly. Because wellness should help reduce stress, not create more of it.

Focus on What You Use Every Single Day

One of the simplest ways to approach clean living is to stop worrying about occasional exposures and start paying attention to the things you interact with every day.

The water you drink. The air you breathe. The products you clean your home with. The cookware you use to prepare meals. These daily touchpoints tend to have a much bigger impact over time than the occasional takeout container or vacation indulgence.

Instead of replacing everything overnight, consider making upgrades as products naturally need replacing. It's easier on your budget, more sustainable, and far more realistic to maintain.

Start With Water

If there's one place many wellness professionals suggest beginning, it's water.

After all, it's something most of us consume throughout the day, every day. While no filtration system is perfect, improving the quality of your drinking water can be one of the simplest foundational changes you make.

One system we've been using and genuinely enjoying is the Boroux water filter. The stainless steel gravity fed system has developed a strong following among wellness minded households thanks to its large capacity, minimal plastic contact, and extensive third party testing. Boroux's Foundation filters are certified to NSF/ANSI standards and independently tested for contaminants including chlorine, lead, microplastics, PFAS, and other common impurities while retaining beneficial minerals.

What we appreciate most is that it doesn't require installation, plumbing modifications, or a complete kitchen renovation. It simply sits on the counter and quietly becomes part of your daily routine.

If you're someone who prefers bottled water, that's okay too. The goal isn't perfection. It's making more intentional choices where you can. Looner Water has become one of our favorite options thanks to its mountain sourced water and infinitely recyclable aluminum bottles, offering an alternative to traditional plastic bottled water. It's the kind of product that fits naturally into everyday life, whether you're stocking the fridge, heading out for the day, or hosting friends at home. PS. They have sparkling water too.

In many ways, that's the sweet spot of the 80/20 philosophy: finding solutions that make healthy choices easier without adding unnecessary complexity.

Look at Your Kitchen Through a Different Lens

When people think about creating a healthier home, they often focus on what they're eating. Just as important, however, is how they're preparing it.

The good news is that you don't need to throw away every pan you own. A more practical approach is replacing cookware as pieces naturally wear out or need upgrading.

That's one reason brands like Caraway have become so popular in recent years. Their ceramic coated cookware is made without PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, offering an alternative to traditional nonstick options. Recently, the brand expanded its core collection with a new 12" Fry Pan and 3 qt Sauté Pan designed to fill the gap between smaller everyday pans and larger cookware pieces, making them particularly useful for the kind of meals most people cook throughout the week.

That said, the biggest win isn't necessarily the cookware itself. It's cooking at home more often. The healthiest kitchens tend to be the ones that are actually being used, whether you're making a simple weeknight dinner or reheating leftovers for lunch the next day.

Small shifts can also make a difference. Swapping plastic food storage containers for glass, using reusable food storage bags when possible, and planning meals in advance can help reduce waste while making healthy eating feel more attainable during a busy week.

Don't Overlook What You're Cleaning With

Most of us spend far more time thinking about what goes into our bodies than what we're spraying around our homes.

Cleaning products are one of the most frequently used categories in any household, yet they're often overlooked in conversations around wellness. Fortunately, this is also one of the easiest areas to simplify.

We've long been fans of Koala Eco, a brand that creates plant based cleaning products made with naturally derived ingredients and essential oils. Their products manage to feel elevated enough to leave out on the countertop while still doing what cleaning products are supposed to do: clean effectively.

More importantly, they represent a broader shift toward being intentional about the products we use every day rather than reserving wellness for supplements and skincare alone. The best sustainable swaps are often the ones that seamlessly fit into routines you already have.

The Wellness Essential Nobody Talks About Enough

For all the conversations around nutrition and supplements, indoor air quality remains one of the most overlooked aspects of a healthy home.

Most of us spend the majority of our lives indoors. We sleep indoors. We work indoors. We exercise indoors. Yet many people rarely think about the quality of the air they're breathing throughout the day.

Sometimes the answer is surprisingly simple. Opening windows, improving ventilation, and bringing fresh air into your space can make a noticeable difference.

For those looking to go a step further, we've tested the Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier and the Blueair Blue Air Purifier and have been impressed by how seamlessly they fit into everyday life. Unlike many air purifiers that feel bulky or disruptive, they are remarkably quiet, thoughtfully designed, and easy to live with. The multi stage filtration system helps capture airborne particles, allergens, and pollutants, making it a worthwhile addition for anyone looking to create a healthier indoor environment.

As with most things in wellness, consistency matters more than perfection. The best products are often the ones you'll actually use every day.

The Most Important Rule: Don't Let Wellness Become Another Source of Stress

Perhaps the most important part of clean living has nothing to do with products at all.

It's recognizing that health is built on patterns, not perfection.

A dinner out isn't going to derail your well being. Neither is a coffee in a plastic cup, a vacation, or the occasional convenience purchase. The people who tend to maintain healthy habits long term aren't usually the ones chasing every trend. They're the ones who focus on the fundamentals and make thoughtful choices most of the time.

That's what the 80/20 approach is really about. Not fear. Not perfection. Not obsessing over every ingredient label or household item.

Just focusing on the handful of habits that move the needle most and giving yourself permission to let the rest go.

Because the goal of clean living isn't to create a perfect environment. It's to create a healthier one that still feels enjoyable to live in.

The post The 80/20 Guide to Living Less Toxic Without Becoming Obsessed appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

from The Chalkboard Mag https://ift.tt/LW1DJgw
via IFTTT

In Conversation: Why XERF Is the Hottest Skin Tightening Treatment Right Now

If you've spent any time on beauty TikTok, Instagram, or in the waiting room of a med spa lately, chances are you've heard someone mention XERF. The Korean born radiofrequency treatment has quickly become one of the most talked about procedures in aesthetics, generating buzz for its ability to lift, tighten, and stimulate collagen with little to no downtime.

To learn more about what makes the treatment different, who it's best suited for, and whether it lives up to the hype, we spoke with the founders of Skin Select in Los Angeles. Co founders Jinli Wu, PA-C and Tiffany Wang, PA-C bring extensive experience in dermatology, facial plastic surgery, injectables, lasers, and advanced aesthetic treatments. Known for their natural looking results and thoughtful approach to patient care, they're often among the first to evaluate emerging technologies and determine which ones truly deliver for patients.

In Conversation with Jinli Wu, PA-C and Tiffany Wang, PA-C 

Before we dive into XERF, tell us a little about your backgrounds and how the two of you ultimately came together to launch Skin Select? We’re dermatology and plastic surgery trained physician assistants with a focus on facial balancing, lasers, and overall skin health. Our approach has always been centered around natural results that help patients feel confident and still look like themselves.

We actually became best friends while working together in dermatology and quickly realized we shared the same passion for aesthetics and patient care. That ultimately led us to create a space where patients could receive both high-quality treatments and a true concierge experience. We wanted to build an environment where we could spend more time with our patients, educate them thoroughly, and provide thoughtful, personalized care instead of a rushed experience.

You’ve both been trained across dermatology, facial plastic surgery, and medical aesthetics. How has that combination shaped the way you approach beauty and patient care today? Our medical training gave us a strong understanding of both the skin and facial anatomy, which is extremely important when it comes to patient safety. It also taught us to look at the face as a whole instead of focusing on just one feature or concern, allowing us to create more balanced and natural-looking results

A lot of patients today are looking for results that feel natural, refined, and still very much like themselves. How would you describe the overall aesthetic philosophy behind Skin Select? The philosophy behind Skin Select MedSpa is that aesthetic treatments should enhance, not erase, what makes each person unique. Our approach is rooted in natural results, individualized care, cutting-edge technology, scientific expertise, and long-term skin health. We focus on helping patients feel confident, refreshed, and empowered through honest guidance, safe treatments, and a personalized approach to beauty and wellness.

XERF originated in Korea, where aesthetic innovation tends to move incredibly fast. What stood out to you about the technology when you first encountered it? From your perspective, what’s driving the sudden surge in interest? What immediately stood out to us about XERF was how well it combined innovation, comfort, and results. We personally test every device before bringing it into our clinic, and XERF impressed us because patients can often see a noticeable lifting and tightening effect with little to no pain and virtually no downtime.

Skin tightening treatments are in especially high demand right now because patients want results that feel effective but still fit into their lifestyle. We believe the growing interest in XERF reflects a larger shift toward treatments that support long-term skin health, collagen stimulation, and natural-looking rejuvenation rather than dramatic or overdone results

For someone hearing about XERF for the first time, how would you explain what it is and what makes it stand apart from other popular skin tightening treatments like Sofwave, Thermage, Ultherapy, and Morpheus8? XERF is a non-invasive radiofrequency skin tightening treatment designed to firm, lift, and improve skin quality by stimulating your body’s natural collagen and elastin production without surgery or needles. What makes it unique is that it targets both superficial and deeper tissue layers, which helps support and anchor the face beneath the skin. Compared to other skin tightening lasers and devices, XERF is comfortable, has essentially no downtime, is safe for all skin types, and tightens the skin without melting facial fat. 

What is happening beneath the skin during a XERF treatment that leads to lifting, tightening, and collagen stimulation over time? What makes XERF so effective is that it heats the deeper layers of tissue while keeping the surface of the skin protected and comfortable. Beneath the skin, the heat causes existing collagen fibers to contract, which can create an early tightening effect, while also stimulating fibroblasts — the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. Over the next few months, the body continues building new collagen and supportive tissue, which helps improve firmness and lift. That’s why results continue to gradually improve for about 2–6 months after treatment.

Who is the ideal candidate for XERF right now? Are you seeing younger patients become interested in treatments like this as more of a preventative approach? The ideal XERF candidate is someone starting to notice mild to moderate skin laxity who wants tightening and lifting without surgery or significant downtime. Common concerns include jawline definition, jowls, lower face heaviness, under-chin laxity, crepey skin, and early loss of firmness or elasticity.

In Korea, treatments like XERF are often done more preventatively rather than reactively. Many patients start collagen-stimulating treatments earlier, sometimes in their late 20s or 30s, to help maintain skin firmness and slow visible aging before significant laxity develops.

What areas of the face or body tend to respond best to XERF? The areas that tend to respond best to XERF are the jawline, jowls, under the chin, lower cheeks, and neck, where patients often notice firmer skin, better definition, and a more lifted appearance over time. It can also improve crepey skin texture, overall skin quality, and mild brow lifting.

On the body, common treatment areas include the abdomen, upper arms, inner thighs, above the knees, and bra-line area. Results are typically best in patients with mild to moderate skin laxity and good underlying skin quality.

One of the biggest concerns people always have with med spa treatments is downtime. XERF is known for having little to no downtime, but what can someone realistically expect right after treatment and how long does it usually take to start seeing results? One of the biggest reasons patients love XERF is because it gives tightening and collagen-stimulating results without the downtime that comes with more aggressive treatments. After treatment, some patients may have some mild redness or warmth that usually goes away within a few hours. Some people notice a subtle tightening effect early on, but the more noticeable lifting and firming happens gradually over the next 2–3 months as collagen continues to build. Results can keep improving for up to 6 months after treatment.

Is XERF more of a one time treatment or something people maintain over time? XERF is best thought of as a collagen maintenance and remodeling treatment rather than a permanent one-time fix. XERF helps stimulate your body’s own collagen production, but we continue losing collagen as we age. Maintenance treatments help support and preserve those results over time

Does it matter who performs a treatment like XERF, or is the technology itself doing most of the work? What should people look for when choosing a provider for RF based treatments? The technology matters, but the person performing the treatment matters just as much. Devices like XERF are powerful tools, but good results really come down to the provider’s experience, understanding of facial anatomy, and ability to customize the treatment safely for each patient. Patients should look for a provider with experience using energy-based devices, a focus on natural-looking results, and a personalized approach. It’s also important to choose a clinic that prioritizes patient safety, education, and honest consultations about what treatments are truly appropriate for you.

If someone is curious about XERF but overwhelmed by all the information online, what’s the one thing you’d want them to understand before booking a treatment? The best thing you can do is schedule a consultation with an experienced XERF provider to discuss your anatomy, concerns, and goals. A good provider will help determine whether XERF is actually the right fit for you and create a treatment plan that’s personalized specifically to your needs.

To learn more about XERF or connect with the team at Skin Select, visit https://ift.tt/MboV2fd or schedule a consultation.

The post In Conversation: Why XERF Is the Hottest Skin Tightening Treatment Right Now appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

from The Chalkboard Mag https://ift.tt/eA37VtJ
via IFTTT

How to Cook Better at Home, According to James Beard Winning Chef J. Kenji López-Alt

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.

Few people have taught more home cooks how to make dinner with confidence than J. Kenji López Alt.The James Beard Award winning chef, bestselling author, and food science enthusiast has spent years helping people cook smarter, stress less, and have a little more fun in the kitchen.

We caught up with Kenji to talk about the habits that make someone a better home cook, the kitchen tools he can't live without, and why making mistakes might actually be the secret ingredient to getting better in the kitchen.

In Conversation with Kenji

You’ve spent years teaching people how to cook better at home. What are the simple techniques you think instantly make someone a better home cook? More than any specific technique, I think the best way to become a better cook is to realize that cooking is a lifelong skill that you’ll continue to refine and get better at, while making plenty of mistakes along the way. I make mistakes at home, especially when I’m trying out a new idea, but the great thing about mistakes you make in the kitchen is that you get another chance to learn from that mistake, refine your process, and make it better the next time around. I think if you can find joy in that process, you’ve started down a successful path towards more joyful cooking.

If someone wants to become a better home cook this year, what are the first three things you’d recommend focusing on? First, try and go deep on a single subject that fascinates you. It could be a specific dish and all its variations, or a cuisine, or a culture. Just read, learn about the cuisine or the dish, then start cooking and get really good at that thing.

From there, you can start to draw connections between techniques or flavors you used in that dish and how they may be analogous to something in a new dish you’re trying to learn. Finding these connections and figuring out where skills or concepts can overlap goes a really long way to making me feel more comfortable and fluid in the kitchen.

Speaking of fluid in the kitchen, the last thing I’d recommend is to focus on your kitchen itself. Do you move through it in a way that feels natural? Do you find yourself getting frustrated by the placement of various tools? Do you find joy and pleasure using the tools that you own? Is your kitchen a calming or a frantic space?

I think really taking some time to make sure your kitchen feels comfortable and suited for your specific needs can make cooking so much more joyful and calming. If you make the kitchen into a place you want to be, you’ll naturally spend more time there.

What are the kitchen tools you genuinely think are worth owning and using regularly? Well aside from the obvious great knife and cutting board, I have a few things I can’t do without.

A bench scraper. Such a simple and useful tool. I use it for moving things around my cutting board, or for picking up a big pile of diced onions, or to clear a space to work, or to scrape my griddle clean, or to divide dough. I use OXO’s bench scraper, which also has a built-in ruler along the blade which has come in handy at times I least expected.

What spices or seasonings do you think every home cook should own? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for this. The only ones that I’d say are essential are salt (I use kosher salt for cooking and various chunky sea salts for finishing), and maaaaaybe MSG. Sugar, if you count it. But for everything else, it really depends on what you’re into and what kind of cuisines you want to explore.

In my pantry, the most commonly used spices are cumin, various chilies, star anise, black and white pepper, sichuan peppercorns, fennel, sumac, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Can you guess what kinds of foods I like to cook at home based on that list?

The most important thing is that unless you’re going to go through a batch within 6 months or so, it is virtually always better to buy whole spices and grind them just before use. It’s a night and day difference in flavor.

What are your best tips for making vegetables taste genuinely exciting at home? Get good vegetables! I know that it’s not always practical to shop locally at a farmstand or farmer’s market, but as much as you are able to, eat vegetables that are seasonal and local to you. Part of it is that they’ll simply taste better. But I also find that by cooking that way, we really mark the seasons and have the next thing to look forward to. I love that I’d rather eat incredible asparagus for two months of the year than mediocre asparagus year-round.

You recently collaborated with Our Place on a collection and designed their rice cooker. You’ve described this as the “grain cooker” you always wanted but couldn’t find. What specifically felt missing from most rice cookers on the market? It’s not so much that there was anything missing from other cookers, but what I really wanted was just the right balance of all the features I look for in a grain cooker, with an aesthetic that fits my kitchen. Having a fuzzy logic chip that dynamically adjusts cooking temperature results in perfectly cooked rice every time. I wanted a cooker that has tactile buttons and a simple interface. I wanted a cooker that was exactly the right size for my family (and we did the market research to find that it’s the right size for most families). I wanted a cooker that could keep my rice (and other foods) safely warm for a full day so it’s hot and ready when we’re ready to eat. I wanted a rice cooker that is easy to clean with no forever chemicals. I also wanted something aesthetically pleasing. I spend a lot of time in my kitchen, and I like it to look nice while I work.

SHOP THE OUR PLACE RICE COOKER HERE

For a lot of Asian families, rice cookers have always just been part of everyday life, while many American households are only now starting to embrace them more. Why do you think people are finally catching on? Once you get in the habit of using a rice cooker and start noticing its convenience, it’s just a natural tool for anyone who regularly cooks rice or grains. I’m sure a lot of rice’s current popularity has to do with better understanding of Celiac and gluten intolerances. It only makes sense that as more folks eat rice at home, more folks will want a rice cooker.

You prioritized a ceramic nonstick inner pot made without PFAS and other forever chemicals. Why do you think it’s important for people to pay closer attention to the materials their food comes into contact with every day? People think a lot about ingredients, but cookware is part of the cooking environment too. I’m not interested in fearmongering, but if we can make products that perform well while avoiding materials people have concerns about, that feels like the right direction to head. Good cooking tools should inspire confidence and be pleasant to use every day.

You included fuzzy logic technology in the cooker, which sounds very technical, but what does that actually change for someone using it at home? Fuzzy logic basically lets the cooker behave more like a good cook than a simple on/off machine. Instead of blasting heat until the water is gone, it continuously adjusts temperature throughout the cooking process. That means more evenly cooked rice, better texture, and more consistency with no extra effort from the user.

What are some of your favorite things to make in the Our Place rice cooker besides rice? I recently made a caramel apple bread pudding that was excellent. I cooked diced apples with butter, brown sugar, and a few spices directly in the cooker until they were lightly caramelized, then topped them with stale croissant chunks soaked in a rich custard. I cooked the whole thing for 30 minutes, then let it stay warm until dinnertime. It was the most tender bread pudding I’d ever made. SHOP THE OUR PLACE RICE COOKER HERE

What’s one cooking shortcut you fully support and use yourself all the time? Ordering in an emergency pizza.

What’s your personal definition of “good” home cooking now? Good home cooking is cooking that fits into your real life and brings people joy. Sometimes that’s an elaborate weekend project, and sometimes it’s rice, eggs, and leftovers eaten at the kitchen counter. If it nourishes people and makes your life and their lives better, it counts.

The post How to Cook Better at Home, According to James Beard Winning Chef J. Kenji López-Alt appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

from The Chalkboard Mag https://ift.tt/d2EoYTr
via IFTTT

Living Well With Pamela Anderson, International Icon, Activist, and Founder of Sonsie

“I’m a combination of everything.”

That’s how Pamela Anderson describes herself now, and it feels like the most natural way to understand where she is today.

After decades of evolving through different versions of beauty and self-expression, she’s arrived at something more open. Less about defining herself, more about allowing things to shift. There’s a confidence in that. The freedom to choose how she shows up each day, without overthinking it. “Less is more,” she says, and it feels like something she’s truly grown into.

What shapes her life now is simple, but intentional. Reading real books. Writing by hand. Music on a record player. Time spent outside, in her garden or by the ocean, barefoot when she can be. These are the things she returns to. Not for show, but because they ground her.

That same sensibility carries into Sonsie, her skincare line. Created for sensitive skin and kept deliberately minimal, it’s a small, cohesive range designed to work together, without excess or complication. It reflects how she approaches beauty now. Personal, considered, and rooted in what works.

In this Living Well conversation, she reflects on what’s stayed with her, what she’s let go of, and what she’s still working toward.

Living Well with Pamela Anderson

Your relationship with beauty has evolved so much over the years. What feels most true to you about beauty now that maybe didn’t before? Less is more, as we get older. I’ve played a lot with makeup and hairstyles over the years, so I don’t feel like I have to keep up appearances. I am a combination of everything. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I’m free to choose how I present myself to the world. Every day is a new beginning.

You’ve experienced so many different worlds, from Hollywood to activism to motherhood. What has each chapter taught you about taking care of yourself? Motherhood is profound and inspirational. It is the most important job in the world. It’s a form of activism, and a lot of my creative work stems from love and parenting. It’s poetic. There is no perfect way to do it. Like anything artistic, it is subjective.

Are there any small, non-negotiable rituals that keep you feeling grounded, no matter where you are in the world? I read real books. I love first editions and the classics. I listen to music on my record player. I write by hand in my journals. I light candles, pray, and set intentions for the day.

I love my garden and the ocean. If I’m home on my veggie and flower farm, my bare feet are in one or both.

How has your skincare philosophy changed over time? I actually use skincare now, and my skin has never looked better. I have sensitive skin, so I created a self-soothing line of skincare called Sonsie. I feel it has caught on, young and old. There seems to be a huge demographic.

Your brand, Sonsie, is rooted in simplicity and transparency. What were you personally missing in the beauty space that made you want to create it? Authenticity is key. I know people know I walk my talk, I do my best. I’m no saint and don’t pretend to be. I apply what I learn to my life, and self-care has been a moving target.

But the messaging, and most importantly the ingredients, are pure, natural, and sustainable. It’s been an awakening to be on this journey. I realize that we have been played. We are in control of our beings. Our insecurities can’t run the show or be exploited.

We encourage healthy choices but don’t judge. We are human, and that’s part of the fun of life. Making mistakes, learning from them, and nourishing our souls as well as our skin. Not all have the luxury to be progressive. It’s aspirational. It’s where I’m at.

Sonsie is “plastic negative,” which is still rare in beauty. Why was that important for you to prioritize from the start? Sustainability is almost impossible when anything is made, sold, or purchased. But we have a good product that works, and we are devoted to doing our best. My red lines are cruelty-free and not contributing to madness or misery.

If someone is discovering Sonsie for the first time, where should they start? The cleanser is so good. It leaves you feeling soft and moisturized, even without another product. Lip balm is easy, it stays, and it’s full of peptides. It’s not sticky, which I hate. I am not a sticky, glossy girl.

I had tricks to highlight my lips back in the day, a little dry frost on the center. I couldn’t stand a sticky gloss.

Which product feels the most “you”? The Super Serum and Multi Moisture Cream combo is my red carpet look. My skin loves it.

Can you walk us through your current morning and nighttime skincare routine, step by step, including the products you’re using right now? All Sonsie. Nothing else.

Are there any hero ingredients in the line that you personally love? It’s a small, cohesive line of products. It all works best together. The Adapt Cream is a surprise hero. My friends love it.

Do you think we’re finally redefining what beauty looks like, or are we still stuck in old patterns? I love when people embrace their true selves at any age, not for attention but for yourself. You can feel falseness out there. There is enough of it. It’s literally written on our faces.

Right now, what does living well look like for you? Balance.

I’m trying to find more balance with a heavy but god-sent workload, and love. You have to make time for it.

Explore Pamela Anderson’s skincare line, Sonsie, and discover the products behind her approach to beauty here. 

The post Living Well With Pamela Anderson, International Icon, Activist, and Founder of Sonsie appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

from The Chalkboard Mag https://ift.tt/7m2ABIQ
via IFTTT