Neem Oil - Ingredient Breakdown of a Stank that Keeps on Giving

Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Body Buttercream Review

In my efforts to find the best body care things (and draft up an ultra sexy body care guide), I’ve been trying a LOT of body stuff lately. And it’s with this in mind that I bought and tried Soap & Glory’s Smoothie Star Body Buttercream. I’ve been hearing so many amazing things about this brand so I thought I had to give it a try.

Spoiler Alert: I did not need to give it a try.

Science Saturday : Depression & Risks in PoC Communities

You know when you lose your passion for something and rather than try to putter through… you just kinda... give up on it for awhile? That’s how I’ve been feeling about writing about skincare the past few months. I just can’t force myself to be quippy and clever (and then I got hit like a mack truck with some pretty serious depression so that was fun). Writing is suppose to be fun and it just wasn’t for awhile.

Anyway, I’m feeling a bit better (and I feel like I can manage blogging?). So I figured I would do a “best of” wrap up about all the skin/skincare science coming out in January & February. Seriously, there’s some boss ass ‘ish comin’ out of labs this month.

Real time photo of me in Bio lab. Not featured: a dope-ass microscope

Skincare Beyond the Face: Cuticle Care Guide

This post contains big scary affiliate links! Which means that if you click on one of the product links, Hoojoo receives a small percentage of your sale. More affiliate money means more skincare to try which means more reviews for you (and possible giveaways in the future). Read more here.

Skincare beyond facial care is a topic I get asked about all the time. Seriously- the majority of the emails sent to me or PM's hurled my way are about body skincare in one fashion or another. Unfortunately... I really haven't been answering these questions on the blog. Bad blogger -llama face slap-. So I finally figure it's time I start sharing my favorite products as well as tutorials on caring for our oft-neglected odds and ends.

Science Saturday: Skin cancer & Wound Healing

This week's Science Saturday is filled to the brim with news on skin cancer, wound healing, and weird discoveries I still don't understand.

I feel like I'm in an episode of the Scary Door.

Let's jump into the wacky.

Science Saturday: Black Salve & Sunscreen

Hey guys! It's been a hot minute since I've been on this blog. Long story short- life got away from me and I found myself utterly swamped with school work. But! I'm back, baby.

Once school finally wrapped up (psych degree, what whaaat), I started posting little weekly science tidbits in a beauty community I frequent. It was a bit of a test to see if people were interested in reading this stuff.

Turns out they are!

People love hearing what's new in a scientific field, imagine that!

So I’m going to start posting the tidbits here, too. Every Saturday there will be a new post about all the crazy ish that went down in skin/skincare science and research that week. Some posts will be big, some will be small- it's all up to what's published.

If you're still interested and ready to learn- read on! :D

The Asian Skincare Phenomenon

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard quite a commotion bubbling over the multi-step Asian skincare routine. In some articles it’s marketed as 10 steps and in some it’s even more. It’s upsetting the status quo of Western routines all over (I mean, have you seen Estee Lauder’s Micro Essence? Yeah- SKII did it first). "Asian Beauty" (as it were) has been used by women (and men) all over Asia for centuries. You won't look like this:

Mayu Watanabe, Yoon Eun-hye,and Aya Ueto

...since Asian beauty isn't magic or anything (seriously, it's just regular beauty). But some of the different ingredients and cosmetic compositions of these products will help your skin immensely. Either way, everyone in the West is losing their nanners. So, naturally, we need to chat about the "mysterious" multi-step Asian skincare routine.

Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength BHA Review

This post contains big scary affiliate links! Which means that if you click on one of the product links, Hoojoo receives a small percentage of your sale. More affiliate money means more skincare to try which means more reviews for you (and possible giveaways in the future). Read more here.

So guys… I kind of have a problem (and so does my cat).

"It started with catnip... where did it all go so wrong?" - Hector, the Paula's Choice Cat-ddict

I can’t stop using this product. It is my holy water. I would bathe in it if I could. Now let me tell you why this product is angel tears in a bottle (and pass on my obsession like the flu).

The Hoojoo Hiatus

So you might be wondering where I’ve been. Oh boy, dear reader… have I got a tale for you.

The Depressed Skincare Guide

This post contains big scary affiliate links! Which means that if you click on one of the product links, Hoojoo receives a small percentage (~6%) of your sale. More affiliate money means more skincare to try which means more reviews for you (and possible giveaways in the future). Read more here.

You’re in a funk. But not just any funk- that special kind of funk that takes you out of the game of life for a long time. You’re depressed. You barely have the energy to get up in the morning, let alone wash your face (or hell, even get dressed). So what do you do? More often than not… nothing.

I know that feeling- my skincare routine comes to a screeching halt whenever my brain cycles into a depression circuit. I have been known to not even shower while this is going on. The energy is just not. there. But have no fear. I’ve been mulling this subject over in my mind to finally come up with a solution.

Movember Beard Facts

It’s November! You know what that means- it’s almost my birthday! :D Well, that and everyone is growing moustaches/beards for Movember (also known as ‘No Shave November’). You might not know why everyone in your life is starting to grow out their mo’- especially since the cultural phenomenon has taken on a life of its own independent of its origins. These days it’s just cool to see how much beard you can grow during November. However, it all started with simply growing a moustache (not a beard) in Australia in 2003 originating with the Movember Foundation. Did you know you’re meant to donate through the Movember Foundation? Or that it all started as a way to bring a public discourse to men’s health issues?

I certainly didn’t know there was a Movember Foundation. So in solidarity with my male readers (and the men in my life), I’m throwing down some righteous beard and mo’ knowledge. Now you can dazzle and amaze with all the cool beard junk you know. And if you feel so inclined, donate to a men’s charity of your choice.

Cleanser Suggestions (Mega Post)

Hey babes. I’m trying to be way more frequent in my posting. Maybe I’m being successful?

Anyway, midterms are mad cray- so I decided to make y’all another cheat sheet! :D Fabulous, right? This time, let’s talk about some cleansers recommendations.

The PocketDerm Cave

So I caved...

And signed up for PocketDerm. You see, I didn't think I would ever need to sign up for PocketDerm; neem oil had taken my cystic skin and turned it into the smoothest, most perfect skin I’d ever had in my decade long battle with the damn menace.