If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

By now, you’re probably well aware that your skin loses collagen with age, resulting in a loss of elasticity (A.KA. sagging, fine lines, etc.). While some seek to alter these changes with medical procedures, others may opt for a less invasive route, such as ‘botox-like skincare.’ Yes, those kinds of formulas are growing in popularity for their filler-mirroring results—just look at the Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Eye Tightener, which swiftly made waves after a viral TikTok video.

If you’re seeking a product that works similarly to the above but for your expression lines, consider the search over: Folks are raving about the Love, Indus Dual Purpose Line Limiter, a formula that instantly blurs laugh lines, forehead lines and lip lines while visibly minimizing their appearance overtime. The brand has been raved about on TikTok by fans (particularly the Brightening Detox Mask), and its 2-in-1 treatment and primer shouldn’t be overlooked.

Love, Indus

Love, Indus Dual Purpose Line Limiter

The product specifically caters to aging skin, so if you’re not experiencing a decrease in collagen production, you may want to bookmark this for later. The Freedom of Expression Serum brings a softer, smoother look to the creased areas on the lips and face, and with regular use, can “bolster thinning skin, enhance lip contours and heal the skin’s fragile areas.” Ingredients like superfoods (kokum), hibiscus extract, senna (similar to hyaluronic acid) and vegan collagen firm and tighten the skin for a more youthful appearance.

@loveindus

Freedom of Expression Line Limiter is SO worth it!…3 week update courtesy of @maricela_lara via @joinflip #skincarereview #finelinesandwrinkles #loveindus #potentpotions #skincaretiktok #genderneutralskincare #innovativeskincare #skincare

♬ original sound – Love, Indus

Reviewers are seemingly blown away by its results. As one wrote, “I think I just found a magic eraser for my smile lines. I have been using Freedom of Expression Line Limiter for a while now and I am genuinely surprised to see how much it has helped my smile lines. I seriously love this stuff.”

“I have been using it for about 2 weeks, I use it day and night and so far I like it,” shared another shopper. “The metal applicator feels really good on the skin, it feels really cooling. I personally get botox on the forehead, near my eyes,, and i feel this is perfect for like in-between appointments, it visibly blurs fine lines.”

Grab the Love, Indus Dual Purpose Line Limiter for 20 percent off right now with the code SPRING20.

Tie-dyeing has been around for decades and is a creative way to add a pop of color to your clothes, accessories or home décor. Whether you want to revamp an old t-shirt or create a colorful piece of art, tie-dye is a versatile and easy-to-learn technique.

But where do you begin? In this article, we’ll walk you through the basics of tie-dyeing, from choosing the right materials to mastering different folding techniques. So, grab some gloves and let’s get started!

What You Need

The first thing you need is a tie-dye kit. You can buy one at your local craft store or online. They’re also available at most big-box stores. Look for one with everything you need except water (and maybe some extra rubber bands).

Tie-dye kits typically include the following:

• Dye powder in a squeeze bottle
• Rubber bands in various sizes and colors
• Disposable gloves
• Detailed instructions

You’ll also need something to dye. Cotton t-shirts are the most popular option, but you can also tie dye headbands, hats, tote bags, tapestries, duvet covers and more.

Tips for Getting Started

Tie-dye is easy and doesn’t require any special skills, but there are a couple of tips to help ensure your success.

Choose the Right Material to Work with

Start with a white or pastel-colored item. Natural fabrics work best for tie-dyeing. Synthetic materials and blends don’t work as well because they don’t readily absorb dye. The results will be less vibrant if you dye something made of polyester or a cotton/polyester blend. Prewash the item to prevent shrinkage.

Protect Your Area

Tie-dye is messy, so be sure to protect your work area. Plastic trash bags, paper towels and plastic tablecloths all work well.

Don’t Skimp on Dye!

The more dye you add, the more vibrant the tie-dye will be. Make sure you use enough to saturate the fabric and flip the object over to dye the back side if necessary.

Thoroughly Rinse All Materials

Rinse and wash tie-dyed items carefully. Use cold water and mild detergent, and don’t wash with any other laundry. The dye will likely bleed for at least the first few washes.

Prepare the Item You Want to Tie-Dye

Wash the item with gentle detergent. Do not use fabric softener. Leave it damp if you plan to dye it right away, or hang it to dry if you’ll be completing the project on another day.

When you’re ready to begin, make sure the item is damp but not dripping. Spray with water if necessary.

To get even coverage, lay the fabric flat on a protected surface. This ensures all sections of the object will have equal amounts of dye. When laying out your fabric, try not to overlap any edges, as this will cause unevenness when applying dyes.

Secure the Fabric with Rubber Bands

Rubber bands are the key to creating any tie-dye pattern. They help keep your fabric in place, allowing you to get creative with designs and colors without worrying about them moving around or coming apart.

Your design can be as simple or detailed as you like. Check out these tie-dye patterns for inspiration and folding instructions. If you’re going for a random look, feel free to add rubber bands as you please.

Be sure to use enough rubber bands. For example, if you’re doing a spiral pattern on a shirt and only one or two bands are holding down each part of the spiral (instead of four), those pieces will move around too much, resulting in a lower-quality result.

Apply the Dye

Now that everything is ready, it’s time to add some color!

Put on some plastic gloves, and read the instructions included in your tie-dye kit to determine how much water to add to each bottle. Once filled, shake well to mix.

Apply each color by squirting it onto the areas you want to dye. Be mindful of what colors you place next to each other. While primary colors like blue and red mix to form purple, colors like green and orange make brown when combined.

Depending on the item’s size, you may need to flip it over to apply dye to the other side. Saturate the fabric completely to ensure vibrant results. Insert the bottles’ tips between the fold of fabric if necessary to prevent white spots.

Once you are finished, wrap the item in plastic wrap or place it in a plastic grocery bag to keep it damp.

Let Sit

Once you’re done dyeing, let the fabric sit overnight (or for a minimum of six to eight hours) in a warm area in the plastic bag or wrap. The longer you wait, the deeper and more permanent your tie-dye will be. Letting the dye set means more of it will stay in the fabric rather than rinsing down the drain in the next step (and subsequent launderings).

Rinse, Wash and Enjoy!

After you’ve finished dyeing, it’s time to rinse your fabric in cold water. You can either do this outside with a hose or in the sink. Remove the rubber bands and rinse until the water runs clear. Do not wring out the fabric, as this could make the colors bleed.

Put the item in the washing machine by itself or with other things dyed using the same colors. Wash in cold water using mild detergent. Dry in a dryer using a high heat setting. The high temperature helps further set the dye and prevent fading.

When your tie-dyed fabrics are completely dry, wear, use or display them proudly! For subsequent washing, launder in cold water and hang to dry to prevent fading. Wash your tie-dyed items with like colors for the first several washes to avoid color bleeding.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Is this your first time tie-dyeing? What pattern is your favorite? What items have you tie-dyed? Please let us know in the comments below.

Sometimes we find ourselves completely overwhelmed by busy schedules and monotonous routines. We tend to overwork ourselves, spend less time thinking about what we feel and who we are, and have less time for relaxation. 

We need to slow down and practice living in the present moment; we need to look in the mirror and learn to reconnect and re-discover ourselves to find contentment. Fortunately, crystals can help us in our personal journey toward emotional stability and authenticity, and their supportive and gentle energies can bring us back to knowing ourselves.

Whether you incorporate them into your meditation sessions, use them for journaling, or keep them close to your body and infuse your aura, you can explore the following crystals to connect to your higher authentic self.

Amethyst

This pretty purple healing crystal carries serene vibrations perfect for relieving tension and stress and creating the mood for self-introspection. Amethyst is said to strengthen the bridge between the mind and the spirit and can also serve as a getaway to our subconscious mind, helping us access our higher self.

Amethyst will help you tap into your intuitive side and follow it instead of overanalyzing and rationalizing all your thoughts and emotions. It’s a stone that will help you better understand your life experiences and feelings, supporting your mental well-being in the long run.

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is the crystal you need to connect to yourself in a kind, compassionate and non-judgmental way. It’s important to learn to deconstruct your ideas of who you “must” be and to embrace yourself unconditionally. 

This nurturer crystal will support your self-discovery journey by teaching you how to be compassionate and understand your circumstances, flaws, and vulnerabilities. It also opens your heart to love of all kinds: self-love, love for your hobbies and small things in daily life, and receiving love from others.

Rose quartz can bring healing energy into your life and improve how you look at yourself and your life. And it is known that a positive and peaceful perspective on oneself and one’s experiences can lead to emotional and spiritual well-being. 

Lapis Lazuli

This gorgeous deep blue crystal stimulates your desire for self-knowledge and exploring your inner truth. Lapis lazuli, besides being supportive in reconnecting to your authentic self, also serves those who wish to explore their spirituality and find their path.

And just like amethyst, lapis lazuli sharpens one’s intuition and helps one dive deeper into meditation and self-reflection. It is said to improve self-awareness and self-expression, both necessary for living authentically, being true to yourself, and adapting to change.

You can harness this crystal’s power to understand yourself better and gain the wisdom you need to define your identity.

Black Tourmaline

A great protective crystal, black tourmaline absorbs harmful energies from your environment and creates a protective shield for your aura. It’s a crystal with powerful grounding properties that stabilize your emotions and mind. 

Black tourmaline is a crystal with a deep connection to mother earth, and it can promote a sense of security and connectedness to nature. And while we are seeking to connect to ourselves, we must learn to connect to nature as we are a part of it. 

So take a black tourmaline stone in your pocket and go for a walk in a quiet place. Immerse yourself in nature, enjoy forest bathing, or simply have a nice peaceful picnic to relax and connect your energy to the Earth and yourself.

Tiger’s Eye

Tiger’s eye has the right energy to give you courage and confidence in your pursuit of finding yourself. It is a crystal that will gently push you to start the necessary transformations in your life and discover what you desire and how you wish to live. 

So if your job is killing your creativity and motivation, making life seem vapid, a Tiger’s eye crystal will dissipate the fears and insecurities that keep you from changing your occupation and pursuing your passion.

Get to know your needs and enhance your willpower with the help of Tiger’s eye crystal to discover your true self and choose the environment that allows you to flourish.

Sodalite

Another crystal that promotes self-acceptance while enhancing intuition is sodalite. It is important to mention that this crystal also strengthens self-trust, essential for reconnecting to yourself. Sodalite can teach you to trust your emotions and senses and not to minimalize their existence; they tell you something important about yourself.

Give credit to your intuition and trust it in decision-making processes. Sodalite’s energy will support you in balancing the way you listen to your intuition and rational thinking, as you need to listen to both while searching for your true self.

Smoky Quartz 

Smoky quartz has the power to reconnect you to nature and the spiritual realm. So if spirituality is an important part of your self-discovery journey and overall well-being, smoky quartz will guide you and help you find harmony.

This crystal can also help you feel grounded, heal your emotional wounds, and dispel fear and anxiety. Enjoy its serene energy and learn how to let go of trauma and behaviors that no longer serve your true self in the present moment. 

Smoky quartz can be a helpful tool for transformation and rediscovery as it can transmute negative energy into positive vibrations and provide the protection you need in times of change.

Labradorite

If you are looking for more crystal options to improve your intuition and connection to your higher self, then a labradorite crystal must be on your list. It can assist you in finding purpose and sharpening your inner awareness.

A great crystal for contemplation and introspection, labradorite gives you a clear, calm mind and an understanding of inner struggles. You can carry a labradorite crystal when you feel your mind wandering too much and need clear thinking. 

You can also meditate with a labradorite palm stone if you seek divine guidance or simply want to observe your thoughts, bodily sensations, and the connection between them with a non-biased consciousness.

Gratitude for the Gifts of Nature

Reconnecting with ourselves is essential for the quality of our lives, as we can’t enjoy living when we don’t know who we are. And Mother Nature provides us with many gifts that remind us of ourselves and our connection to nature. We must learn to notice the nature around us and its gifts.

Crystals, gemstones, and geodes are gifts from the Earth that can help us in our personal growth journey and aid us in finding purpose. They might not act as a panacea for our sufferance, but they can enrich our lives. 

So practicing gratitude for nature’s gifts and using crystals with respect and care benefits our minds and souls. Remember to cleanse your gems and thank them for their beautiful energies; they will absorb your intentions and infuse your aura with their healing properties.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you on a journey of self-discovery? What have you found about yourself thus far? What practice has helped you the most on this journey? Have you tried using crystals to help navigate you?

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

When Christina Aguilera went on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast last month, I listened to the audio but didn’t see the taped interview. When I finally got around to watching some of it, I couldn’t help but notice Aguilera’s nails…and the vaginas — or, more correctly, vulvas — painted on each. Host Alex Cooper asked the singer about the manicure. “‘I’m staring at your nails, what’s happening?” she said. “Is that a vagina?”

“Oh yes,” Aguilera said. “They’re so fun…It’s open to interpretation. It could be a vagina; it could be lips, but two in the same, both pleasure points, you know.” Cooper responded: “This couldn’t be more appropriate for a ‘Call Her Daddy’ episode,” Cooper said. “Casual Christina Aguilera is like ‘It could be lips, it could be my pussy lips,’ God bless you all, up for interpretation.” Aguilera goes on to have a really fun, open conversation about sex and sexuality while promoting the new lube line she co-founded, Playground.

YouTube/Call Her Daddy.

This whole conversation, and cute pink vulva nails from Xtina, could be why I’ve been seeing these manicures popping up on social media. The folks over at Popsugar noticed it, too. Instagram is full of vagina mani inspo if you’d like to try the trend out for yourself. It could be in a flirty, colorful way like Aguilera’s, a more “real-life” direction with unique drawings on each nail — it’s totally up to you. May is Masturbation Month, after all. I’ve seen some cool ideas on TikTok too but that app loves to block the word “vagina,” which is pretty nuts considering it’s a body part half the population has and not only sexual.

To wit, for International Women’s Day, one creator celebrated how every body is different.

Source: Instagram

I love the addition of pubic hair here.

Source: Instagram

This creator is using her nails to fight for reproductive justice and I love it.

Source: Instagram

Or you can take a more artistic approach.

Source: Instagram

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

When Christina Aguilera went on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast last month, I listened to the audio but didn’t see the taped interview. When I finally got around to watching some of it, I couldn’t help but notice Aguilera’s nails…and the vaginas — or, more correctly, vulvas — painted on each. Host Alex Cooper asked the singer about the manicure. “‘I’m staring at your nails, what’s happening?” she said. “Is that a vagina?”

“Oh yes,” Aguilera said. “They’re so fun…It’s open to interpretation. It could be a vagina; it could be lips, but two in the same, both pleasure points, you know.” Cooper responded: “This couldn’t be more appropriate for a ‘Call Her Daddy’ episode,” Cooper said. “Casual Christina Aguilera is like ‘It could be lips, it could be my pussy lips,’ God bless you all, up for interpretation.” Aguilera goes on to have a really fun, open conversation about sex and sexuality while promoting the new lube line she co-founded, Playground.

YouTube/Call Her Daddy.

This whole conversation, and cute pink vulva nails from Xtina, could be why I’ve been seeing these manicures popping up on social media. The folks over at Popsugar noticed it, too. Instagram is full of vagina mani inspo if you’d like to try the trend out for yourself. It could be in a flirty, colorful way like Aguilera’s, a more “real-life” direction with unique drawings on each nail — it’s totally up to you. May is Masturbation Month, after all. I’ve seen some cool ideas on TikTok too but that app loves to block the word “vagina,” which is pretty nuts considering it’s a body part half the population has and not only sexual.

To wit, for International Women’s Day, one creator celebrated how every body is different.

Source: Instagram

I love the addition of pubic hair here.

Source: Instagram

This creator is using her nails to fight for reproductive justice and I love it.

Source: Instagram

Or you can take a more artistic approach.

Source: Instagram