If you've rounded the thirty year mark, you might remember the toner craze of the 1990s (Sea Breeze, anyone?). Back then it was a harsh, alcohol-laden slumber party-style spa skin treatment that stung like crazy, and which subsequently faded into obscurity. Thanks to cosmetic and dermatologic advancements, facial toner has made a comeback and achieved a certain sophistication with formulaic adjustments and variances to satisfy all skin types. In light of these changes, here's why facial toner is actually good for your skin, and why you should consider adding it to your regimen.

Makeup hoarding is something I'm sure many of us, including myself, are guilty of. We buy that new bright purple lip with EVERY intention of rocking it on the daily, but in reality it ends up sitting at the bottom of our bag for years searching for it's day of reckoning when it can bless your lips with violet fierceness. So how long do you hold onto those makeup products that keep piling up in the bottom of your bag? Some of them can last for years, others could cause infections after just a couple months (gross)! 

With summer coming to an end and the shift in seasons occurring, it's important to remember to care for ourselves in this transitional time. Self care may have different definitions for different people, but basically it can be defined as anything that makes you feel healthier-physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It's about defining your own values and what matters to you. Over indulging in food to "treat yourself" or blowing your next paycheck in the name of "retail therapy" may sound like they will satiate your temporary cravings and solve problems, and they might make you feel "happy", but these practices could cause long-term issues in the future. Instead, examine your true values. Swap these short term fixes for more intrinsically rewarding practices. For example: Rather than buying a bunch of ice cream or racking up a huge bar tab, cook yourself a healthy delicious meal and enjoy the culinary indulgence, health benefit and accomplishment!

Maybe it's just us, but even so much as the suggestion of makeup brush cleaning used to send a tingle of fear and loathing down our spines. In an age which boundless responsibility is met with a staggering time deficit, menial tasks are often begrudged and, consequently, avoided. But with all we're learning about the perils of waltzing with woebegone wands, we decided it was time to translate the loathsome aspects of makeup brush cleaning—especially frequency—to a more digestible dialogue.