Reader question: How should I use toner?

A reader emailed me this question: I have been finding conflicting information even among reputable sources on whether toners serve any purpose or what they’re supposed to be used for. I like using a gentle toner for my oily skin, but what I’m wondering is whether it’s alright to apply with a spray bottle instead of a cotton pad. Would …

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Pure speculation! The science behind nail polish

There are a few common sciencey questions I get asked a lot, and for some of them, I have a strong suspicion on how they work, but I can’t confirm it properly (without misappropriating university resources, anyway). So here’s a post where I speculate about how things work, which may or may not turn into a series of posts… How …

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What’s in mascara and how does it work?

Today’s post is based on a question that Rosemarie of Every Little Polish asked me at a recent Aussie Nails meet-up: what’s in mascara? There are two main types of ingredients in traditional mascaras that give you dark, thick lashes: – Pigment – This is what gives mascara its colour. Black and brown are the most common colours, created using …

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Answers to some questions from readers about pimples

 A few readers have asked me questions about acne – I thought I’d share my answers here 🙂 What’s the fastest way to get rid of a huge pimple? A cortisone injection from a dermatologist. This will even get rid of those massive hard lumps under the skin that usually take forever to go away on their own! Most pimples …

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Is it ok to add nail polish remover to your nail polish?

I’m sure many of us polishaholics have often come across a gluggy old bottle of polish and wanted to pour a whole bottle of remover in. But does it ruin your polish? Unfortunately, there’s no easy yes or no – the incredibly unsatisfying answer is: it depends. It depends on 2 things: the type of nail polish remover and the …

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Does skin need to breathe?

In short, for humans who are not premature babies, the answer is “no“. Not in the traditional sense of taking in oxygen for the rest of your body, anyway. Your skin’s essential function is to prevent things from the environment from entering your body, and things you need (e.g. water) from leaving the body. It’s very good at its job! …

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