Beauty & Style

Weekend Reads: Midlife & Marriage

Any married person will tell you, marriage takes work. Long after the vows are spoken and the honeymoon fades, the daily rhythm of partnership begins to reveal its true challenges. The small, ordinary moments—sharing a meal, managing bills, raising children, or simply navigating each other’s moods—this is where the real labor of love unfolds. Commitment isn’t just about staying together; it’s about choosing, again and again, to listen, to compromise, and to nurture the bond even when life feels heavy or routine. The following books will help you navigate the complexities of marriage in midlife, offering wisdom, humor, and practical strategies that don’t shy away from the hard stuff—distrust and infidelity, emotional distance, lack of communication, and the quiet resentments that build over time. Yet they also shine a light on what’s possible when couples commit to understanding one another more deeply, showing how even in the midst of midlife, couples can rediscover connection, rebuild trust, and create a relationship that feels more alive than ever before.

Black-Owned Beauty Brands

Black History Month reminds us to honor the many contributions of African-Americans, while also supporting their ever-growing community of entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. From nourishing hair and skin care products to gorgeous makeup brands and must-have accessories, we encourage you to buy from Black-owned businesses this month and all year long. By doing so, we acknowledge the profound impact of African-American culture and ensure the beauty industry reflects the richly diverse tapestry that makes us all truly beautiful.

Weekend Reads: Our Top 5 Self-Help Books

Here we are. Another year and another long list of New Year’s resolutions—most of which we usually don’t live up to. It’s not that these goals are overly ambitious or unattainable; rather, our determination often wavers in the face of unresolved issues that prevent us from making the change we want in our lives. Fortunately, the following five highly acclaimed self-help books can assist you in uncovering the deeper issues that might be obstructing your progress and keeping you from realizing your dreams.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Middle-Aged Bestie

Your middle-aged lady friends might be a bit more testy, short-tempered, and forgetful these days, so as we approach the gift-giving season, why not give your besties something that’ll really piss ’em off! These novel gift ideas are guaranteed to make them laugh, cry, rage—you know, all the things they do anyway. But more than anything, these carefully curated gifts will let them know you get it, and it’s all good. Happy Holidays!

Skincare in Your 40s: The Ultimate “Glow” Guide

With each ne­w decade, our skin starts to show an array of issues. When we hit our 40s, signs of aging emerge due to shifting hormones and environmental factors. Estrogen, a vital skin-plumping hormone, slowly declines as we transition into menopause. As estroge­n levels decrease, so does your skin’s collagen production, leaving it drier and more prone to sensitivity.

Throwback Thursday: Old School Summer Fun

I was born in the Bronx in the late 1960s, and although I only lived there until I was five years old, I still have such fond and enduring memories of my years there, like when my father gathered everyone on the block to watch my older sister “look-both-ways” before crossing the street. Only in New York City would learning how to cross the street be considered a rite of passage—a time-honored tradition that all my friends looked forward to and something I sadly missed out on once my family moved to the burbs.

Best Over-the-Counter Products for Hair Loss & Thinning

One of the more upsetting symptoms of perimenopause is hair loss and thinning. Although it’s a normal part of aging, hair shedding speeds up during perimenopause, causing significant distress for many women. To make matters worse, some women may also notice increased facial hair. According to The North American Menopause Society, a shift in hormones is to blame, resulting in excessive hair growth on the chin, upper lip, and cheeks while also producing the opposite effect—hair loss.  

Too Cute Spring Totes

Like most women I know, you probably carry your life around in a handbag. Well, this spring you can tote around town in style with one of these too cute tote bags. Comfortable to wear and easy to stuff, tote bags are making a come back this spring in an array of sporty styles, colors, and eco-friendly materials. Ideal for work, daily errands, or a weekend getaway, these timelessly trendy totes won’t disappoint. Take a look!

middle aged woman popping a pimple on her forehead

Best Spot Treatments for Perimenopausal Acne

Leave it to perimenopause to strike again with an old familiar foe—acne! If you were lucky enough to struggle with acne as a teen, you’re even more likely to spar with it again in midlife. And not unlike teen zits, the adult variety is usually the result of shifting hormones and is no less annoying. It’s no wonder they call perimenopause the second puberty. But according to the American Academy of Dermatology, adult acne should never be treated with the same harsh ingredients we once resorted to as teens—does rubbing alcohol and toothpaste come to mind?