Author: Iskra Banović

These weird beauty inventions deserve credit for their inventiveness but are a bit too weird to get a spot in our makeup bag. Is there a weird beauty version of Shark Tank that I don’t know about? Don’t get me wrong, I love trying new beauty products. Sometimes I think the stranger they are, the better because I get much more excited if they actually work. Sadly for every good invention, there are at least 20 bad ones. I have burnt layers of skin off my face on more than one occasion and I have used so-called hair removers that would do a better job…

Writing about fashion, body image, self esteem clothes, and the intersection of the three as I do for a living, I come across of a lot of language in the world of fashion/beauty that I’m uncomfortable with. My biggest objection these days (besides the concept of plus-sized versus “straight-sized”) is the idea that certain people can’t “pull off” certain looks. Looking back, I’ve realized that I’ve constantly been told either explicitly or implicitly in commercials, ads, and branding that there are a whole plethora of looks that I simply cannot “pull off,” due to my imperfect and human features. When…

It’s the dead of winter, my skin is so pale you can almost see through it, and I work in New York City where black is, and will always remain, the default clothing choice for 90% of my fellow humans. And yet… I simply refuse to abandon all my brightly colored clothing until spring. I won’t do it. At the same time putting together winter-appropriate outfits with say, a pair of pink pants is a struggle. Aside from the fact, my most vibrant clothing doesn’t tend to be my warmest clothing, I’ll try on a bright red sweater, see my super pale…

How to Compliment Someone’s Tattoos (Without Being Rude) If you’re wondering how to compliment someone’s tattoos without being weird about it, here’s the short and sweet answer: be respectful, don’t touch, and treat it like any other compliment. A simple “Excuse me, I love your tattoo, it’s beautiful” goes a long way. Now, as someone with multiple visible tattoos, I can tell you firsthand: I love when someone notices my ink. But wow, do people get it so wrong. I’ve had strangers grab my arm, lecture me, or turn my body art into a full-blown therapy session, and none of…

What is the difference between face oils and moisturizers? And What one should you be putting on your face? Everyone is familiar with moisturizers but have you tried a face oil? They’ve been steadily gaining in popularity and there are lots of people who swear by them. However, there are some people who are hesitant to try them because they think putting an oil on your face is going to make it really greasy or make you break out. Not so. If you’ve tried a hair oil, why wouldn’t you try a face oil? If you want more information on them before you decide to…

I’ve tried several different hair oils and they all make my hair look super greasy. Is it possible that my hair type just doesn’t work with oil? I’m ashamed to admit it, but I just don’t understand how hair oils became so popular. Every model swears by them, every beauty editor has a stash in her desk, and every beautiful woman I know is a fan. Now, don’t get me wrong–this isn’t going to be a post where I tell you all of the reasons why putting oil in your hair sucks and that you’re all damn fools for doing…

Don’t think that “cleansing balm” is just a fancy name for your face soap. Find out what it is and why you should use it. Hint: It’s not just a fancy name for your face soap. Though, it’s easy to think that some company slapped “balm” at the end of their cleanser, to try and differentiate it from the 108 other face soaps for sale. However, cleansing balms aren’t the result of a clever marketing scheme, nor are they identical to your regular face wash. Cleansing balms have a thicker, almost solid consistency, similar to caramel. They’re too thick to…

These are the facts you need to know about BB creams and why you should have them in your makeup bag instead of foundation. Bonus points if you already know what the “BB” in BB cream stands for–if not, don’t worry, we’ll get to that in a second. BB creams are a fairly recent phenomenon on our shores (they’ve been big in Asia for awhile). Remember a few years back when there was a sudden influx of them popping up on every makeup counter? They’re still so new that “BB cream” isn’t in the dictionary yet. (I find this slightly…

These hacks show you how to use makeup brushes. They tell you which brush to use with which product and where to apply it. How often have you read that makeup brushes are essential for applying makeup? It seems that every magazine, makeup artist, and any friend who calls themselves a beauty blogger, sings the praises of these magical brushes. For someone who has only ever used the little sponge that came with the eyeshadow (why is it there, if I can’t use it?), figuring out what brush is meant to be used with which product is as confusing as…

What if I told you that in ten minutes or less, I could save you from muddy makeup, pink eye, ripped-out eyelashes, and breakouts? I would sound like a terrible MTV infomercial and also be totally correct. Washing your makeup brushes is the quickest, easiest way to clear up a bunch of skin issues you didn’t even know you had. Do it once every week or two and I promise that the satisfied humming of my gentle OCD heart on your face will thank you. Round up all your brushes, give them a quick bath with one inexpensive product, and…

Apple cider vinegar is the perfect ingredient to use in your DIY homemade toner–it’s cheap and great for your skin. To be honest, I didn’t even know what toner was until about six months ago–I’m a pretty low-maintenance girl when it comes to my skincare. But as part of my resolutions to take better care of myself, I’ve started paying more attention to my skin, which is a body part that has only ever treated me well. There are tons and tons of toners available to buy, but I switched over from an overpriced brand to a homemade version using apple cider…

Here are the facts you need to know about toner and why it’s good for your skin, and should be part of your beauty routine. If the only toner you know is the one for your printer, then do your skin a favor and listen up. Besides being something that has to do with our printer working (not the official definition), the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines toner as “a liquid cosmetic for cleansing the skin and contracting the pores.” Basically, toners pick up the slack, if your cleanser wasn’t doing its job properly. There is some discrepancy between whether “toner” and “astringent” are…