Author: HairWeavings Editorial Team

Some of the Best Black- & Latinx-Owned Beauty Brands Are On Major Sale RN

When you want to support POC founders in the beauty world, it can be a little tough to figure out who actually owns a brand. HSN is making it easy with its Shades of Beautiful Event. From now until September 22, you can shop 30 percent off Black- and latinx-owned brands for 30 percent off. The sale also includes some bigger companies that might not have POC founders but hawk products with shade ranges great for all skin tones.

Some of our absolute favorites are included in the sale. Celebrity hairstylist Vernon François’ haircare line includes shampoo, conditioner and styling mists for curly, chemically treated and afro hair. His line rarely goes on sale. There’s also Mented makeup — blush, lipstick, highlighter and more! — that will take you right into fall and winter. Don’t miss out on Carol’s Daughter, Taya and Better Not Younger.

There’s so much to choose from but we got you started with some of our favorites, below.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. HSN is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

mented 2 piece highlighter Some of the Best Black  & Latinx Owned Beauty Brands Are On Major Sale RN

HSN.

Mented 2-piece Highlighter with Angled Brush Set – $21 Off

Those with darker skin tones know the struggle of finding a highlighter that gives your face the right amount of warmth without ashy undertones. This 4-shade highlighter palette looks good on everyone and comes with a perfect angled brush for ease of application.

mented lisptick

HSN.

Mented 3-piece Semi-Matte Lip Set – $23.50 Off

Lipstick is back! This 3-piece set is less than $8 per lipstick — a deal that can’t be beat. The long-wearing, lightweight formula is ultra-pigmented and so comfortable. You get Pretty in Pink, Peach Please and Nude Lala.

vernon francois shampoo conditioner

HSN.

Vernon Francois ReVamp Shampoo and Conditioner Mist – $8.50 Off

Moisturizing plant oils help make this hair duo ultra-moisturizing and detangling. If you have dry, damaged or chemically treated hair, you’ll love the results.

carols daughter sale

HSN.

Carol’s Daughter Monoi Ora Layering 2-piece Body Set – $50 Off

This body cream oil and eau de toilette both have the fresh scent of Monoi Oil. Notes of tropical florals, exotic vanilla, bergamot and orange flower make you feel like you’re on vacation even if you’re stuck in an office.

masterpeace body body

HSN.

MasterPeace Body Butter 4-piece Discovery Set – $8.45 Off

A luxe blend of exotic oils and butters in this body lotion turns the dryest dermis into smooth, hydrated skin. This set gets you Energize Body Butter, Sweet Attraction Body Butter, Clearing and Releasing Body Butter and Peace and Calm Body Butter.

taya amazon white clay

HSN.

Taya Amazon White Clay Thickening 3-Piece Set – $11.60 Off

Turn your fine, thin, lifeless hair to one of fullness and body with this 3-piece set. Taya’s legendary Amazon white clay and cacay oil thicken hair while leaving it soft and touchable. Get Amazon White Clay Advanced Blend Thickening Shampoo, Amazon White Clay Advanced Blend Thickening Conditioner and Amazon White Clay Advanced Blend Thickening Booster.

STYLECASTER | Ashley Benson Interview

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Forest Bathing – A Unique Way to Boost Your Health in Your 60s and Beyond

Forest Bathing – A Unique Way to Boost Your Health in Your 60s and Beyond

Hiking in the woods isn’t just a great way to stay fit.
It can also help your emotional and mental health. While just spending some
time out in nature can be great for you, you can go a step further and practice
the Shinrin-Yoku – the Japanese forest
bathing therapy.

Don’t write it off as some woo-woo science. It was
developed in the 1980s by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and
Fisheries and since then there have been multiple studies citing the health and
wellness benefits of the practice.

The best part is that you don’t need a ton of time or
money to get into forest bathing.

What Is Forest Bathing?

As the name suggests, this therapy is focused on
getting out in nature. There’s no ‘goal’ for Shinrin-Yoku. Unlike hiking where
you try to reach the summit, the point of forest bathing is to slow down and
practice mindfulness while under the forest canopy.

It’s not just about enjoying nature, though. It’s also
about using all five senses to experience the world around you.

When choosing a location for this nature therapy,
avoid anything that might seem too strenuous. After all, the whole point is to
practice mindfulness, which is hard to do when you’re struggling to climb a
mountain.

Find a location that has well maintained paths with
gentle inclines and declines that is close to your current location. Forest
bathing is not a one-time activity. You should repeat it at least once a week.

What to Bring?

The whole point of forest bathing is to reconnect with
nature, so you should avoid bringing too much stuff. With that said, there are
a few things you should bring:

  • If you usually need a cane to get around, you might want to consider getting a pair of walking poles for better stability on dirt and gravel paths; 
  • A water bottle;
  • Good shoes – you might not be trekking for miles, but you’ll still want to wear comfortable shoes that provide the necessary support; 
  • Sunscreen;
  • Bug spray.

How to Forest Bathe

You don’t need to spend hours a day in the forest or
park. In fact, you can reap the benefits of forest bathing in as little as 15
minutes. With that said, for best results, you’ll want to set aside an hour or
two. 

For first time forest bathers, you should check the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy resources to see if there are any programs in your area you can join.

The people guiding these walks are certified and are
great for beginners as they can provide guidance on the trails and can direct
your attention to points of observation.

If there isn’t a program near you, you can always get
started on your own by following this simple guide:

No Phone

Avoid bringing your phone
with you. If you must bring it, avoid using it unless there’s an emergency. It
might be tempting to take it out for a picture, but avoid your instinct to do
so and instead just enjoy the beauty of nature.

Use Your Senses

Stop often to take in the
entirety of the forest. This means looking around at your surroundings and
observing the sights, sounds, and smells. Make note of certain smells you
prefer.

Don’t Meddle with Nature

You also want to ensure
you leave the forest in the same state as when you arrived.

Explore while Staying on the Trail

Let your body be your
guide and allow it to lead you on your path, to an extent. Make sure you’re
still on a trail, especially if you’re in a national park!

Take Your Time

Move slowly and quietly.
Try to mirror the rhythm of the forest.

Watch Your Breathing

Focus on your breathing
while you’re walking, and match it up with your steps.

Adopt a Concluding Ritual

Conclude your session with
a ceremonial activity, whether that’s drinking tea, writing your thoughts,
feelings, etc. in a journal or, if you’re forest bathing with others, conduct a
light conversation about the experience. The point is to slowly reintegrate
back into the rhythm of your daily life rather than jump back in. 

Benefits of Forest Bathing

Forest bathing isn’t just about enjoying
nature. It also has numerous health benefits that everyone can enjoy regardless
of age such as:

  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Lowered cortisol levels
  • Improved concentration and memory
  • Improved immune system
  • Increased energy level
  • Improved sleep
  • Improved mood

Of course, let’s not disregard the intangible benefits
such as a deeper appreciation for nature, an overall increased sense of
happiness and, if you forest bathe with other people, deeper friendships.

In today’s connected world, it’s all too easy to fall
into a frenetic pace where you’re always on the move. That’s why it’s important
to take some time out of your day to slow down and enjoy the world around you.

What do you know about forest bathing? Have you
practiced it before? Is it something that you will add to your weekly routine?
Let’s discuss more about the topic in the comments below!

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Sutton Stracke’s Black Crystal Embellished Dress

Sutton Stracke’s Black Crystal Embellished Dress at Dorit’s Party

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 11 Episode 17 Fashion

Sutton Stracke looked super elegant and chic in her black crystal embellished dress at Dorit’s party on last night’s RHOBH. And although it’s sold out, we’ve included a selection of Style Stealers below that may even have your arch nemesis saying to you “This is beautiful.”

 

Fashionably,

Faryn

 

Sutton Stracke’s Black Crystal Embellished Dress

Sutton Stracke’s Black Crystal Embellished Dress

Click Here to See Her Givenchy Dress

Info: @SuttonStracke

Originally posted at: Sutton Stracke’s Black Crystal Embellished Dress

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Lisa Rinna’s Black Chunky Chain Mules

Lisa Rinna’s Black Chunky Chain Mules at Kathy Hilton’s House

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 11 Episode 17 Fashion

Ok I am obsessed with Lisa Rinna’s black chunky chain mules she wore to Kathy’s house. I remember back when I was in middle school and this type of clog was all the rage. I can’t believe they are coming back in style and that I’m now old enough to have fashion cycle back. But hey I loved them then and I love them now. And I can’t wait to have a Style Stealer of them come through the doorway.

 

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

 

Lisa Rinna's Black Chunky Chain Mules

Click Here to Shop Her JW Anderson Mules

Click Here to Shop Additional Stock

Click Here to Shop More Stock

Click Here to Shop Even More Stock

Click Here to Shop EVEN MORE Stock

 

Originally posted at: Lisa Rinna’s Black Chunky Chain Mules

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5 Mistakes Boomer Women Often Make on the Road to Happiness – and 3 Things You Can Do Instead

Boomer-Women-Happiness-Mistakes

Before I made an intentional decision at the beginning of this year to wake up every day with joy, I thought about mistakes that women make on the road to happiness.

I
began to draw a considerable list of no-nos
– thinking patterns that produce adverse effects on the unconscious mind and
reflect negatively in the conscious mind.

I
was surprised at how quickly women our age, and probably men too, create a
self-sabotaging atmosphere that produce depression, lethargy, and negativity
that alters our brainwaves, our thinking, and take us away from the road to
happiness.

Happiness
can turn on a dime and lead you into the weeds, strangling your
neurotransmitters and rendering them ineffective. Scientists know that your
energy is derived from your neurotransmitters – usually referred to as hormones.

A
type of chemical substance is released at the end of a nerve fiber by the
arrival of a nerve impulse. that nerve fiber transmits signals across a
chemical synapse, such as a neuromuscular junction, from one neuron to another
neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.

Know Your Body

The seven most
commonly referenced neurotransmitters are epinephrine (also known as adrenaline),
dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, GABA, and glutamate.

There are many
more neurotransmitters, but the point is this: when all the neurotransmitters
are firing off and sending out endorphins, your body is functioning at peak
performance.

My
daughter-in-law analyzed neurotransmitters in women for several years. She indicated
that it was common for women to have a low serotonin count. That’s your brain
food. It can also be a reason why women experience depression.

Know Your Mind

One of the most
common mistakes that women make after they hit 60 is not taking time to
understand their changing body and mind functions. You often take your life for
granted – activities, routines, relationships, moods. They will always be there so why bother to think about them?

Stay Present

What you may not
realize is that some of the things you think and do may be promoting negativity
and unhappiness, which result in poor health, slow reactions, or lack of
ambition.

Being in the now,
staying one hundred percent present in the moment, is the most effective way to
bring understanding to your being, Meditation is one of the most effective practices
for keeping your awareness strong and functioning.

Seeking happiness, women our age often make these 5 mistakes:

Giving into Living
with Loneliness

It is healthy to acknowledge that you will experience periods of loneliness. Yet over-focusing on loneliness interferes with the healthy idea that life should be lived to the fullest. If you feel the pull of isolation, you might consider reversing your mood with:

  • Planning your day completely, including downtime.
  • Meditating once a day for 10 minutes.
  • Exercising: go to the gym or take a yoga class, sign up for a regular aquatics class, take a walk with a friend or listen to music along the way, ride a bike, and have coffee with your best friend or someone you want to get to know.
  • Find a dance studio and dance. You will meet new people, smile more, and engage others with your joyful mood. It’s infectious.

Not Getting Up with a Positive Sense of Self

Negativity
perpetuates negativity – a self-perpetuating cycle of sinking in quicksand. If
you feel sluggish, turn upside down for several minutes. This posture
stimulates your neurotransmitters. You will discover less resistance in your attitudes
and feeling.

Or
get on your yoga mat and stretch, thereby opening your body up to positive
energy.

Not Stretching Your Mind

Spend
more time learning about different people, places, and things. Relying on social
conversation with the same people who tell the same stories is limiting and
does not foster the creation of learning new information or the exchange of
exciting topics.

It’s
become habit to talk about the past and rehash family relationships. Besides,
it makes for boring conversations.

Not Thinking for Yourself

Recently,
I have noticed how, in social settings, women tend to self-segregate from the
men’s conversation and disengage. But they only fall into the trap of repeating
previous conversations or the opinions of others – spouses, in particular, or
adult children.

If
you truly agree with the opinion of others, make sure to cogently explain your
reasoning or process. You will become a more interesting and sought-after
companion and conversationalist.

Not Remembering to Give Gratitude at Least Once a Day

If truth be told, give gratitude every time you think about how fortunate you are to be living a good life. It is a mistake to think that you can live a happy life without gratitude. Gratitude is the basis of living well, for kindness, and for the generosity of spirit.

Not Staying Curious and Learning Something New Every Day

I’ve
literary worn my eyes out on my computer being curious, writing blogs, novels,
screenplays, increasing my vocabulary and my ability to process thought.
Inactivity kills the urge to be a life-long learner.

You
have so many distractions during the day that take away your ability to
experience new thought: online shopping, Netflix binges, messaging, Facebook,
Twitter.

Learn
something new, go to life-long learning classes at a nearby college, take up a
hobby that intrigues you, seek out people or groups that engage your curiosity,
and learn something new every day.

Happiness Is in You

Happiness
is not derived by what you encounter on the outside, but how you feel about
yourself on the inside. That’s called self-love.

I do; therefore, I am; I am; therefore, I do.

It
is a sweet feeling when you encounter yourself daily, giving gratitude,
providing meaningful activity for your mind, body, and spirit knowing that you
are living your life to the fullest on the road to daily happiness.

What
is the over-riding roadblock that takes you away from personal happiness? Are
you honest in your assessment of how well you are handling your life? What can
you do differently and what mistake can you most easily avoid to find happiness
in your life? Please share in the comments below.

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