9 At-Home Hair Color Kits to Keep Your Strands Looking Gorgeous When You Can’t Visit the Salon

Since we’re stuck at home in quarantine for the foreseeable future, it’s understandable if you’re missing your hair stylist extra hard these days — especially as the weeks pass and your grays start peeking through.

Fear not, though, because hiding your roots and getting gorgeous color in the comfort of your own home has never been easier. Thanks to the many great at-home hair dye products out there — most of which are easy to use and wallet-friendly — you can keep your strands looking fresh as you not-so-patiently wait for the green light to book face time with your stylist.

Whether you want to cover up gray hair (although we fully endorse embracing your grays!) or you want to go for a subtle shade switch-up, not all at-home dyes are created equal. We enlisted the help of Melissa Trujillo, a stylist at the Los Angeles-based Nine Zero One salon, for tips and tricks to get your dream color without leaving the house.

How to choose the best at-home hair color for you:

Whether you’re an at-home hair pro or a first-timer, you’ll want to stick to subtle changes — now is not the time to take your jet black hair to platinum blonde. “If you make a mistake at home, it will cost a lot more money and time in the salon to fix it than a normal appointment would,” explained Trujillo. And with most salons closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, you might be stuck wearing a hat for longer than you’d like.

Trujillo recommends consulting with your go-to pro before picking out a shade, but generally, you’ll want to stay within two shades (lighter or darker) of your current color. “If you are choosing a root color, I would recommend choosing one that is the closest to your natural color. If you are in between colors, you can buy two colors and mix them half and half,” Trujillo told Woman’s World.

Generally, you’ll want to keep it simple — skip toners, glosses, and highlights, and avoid henna dye, which contains metallic salts that sit on the shaft of the hair and are much harder to remove should you decide you don’t love your new look.

Definitely stock up on more dye than you think you need, no matter the length or thickness of your hair. Running out of dye mid-processing is not ideal, so splurge on multiple boxes that you can return or save for later if you don’t use them.

How to apply at-home hair color:

Once you’ve chosen your color, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything you need at your disposal to prevent any messes. Be sure to wear an old shirt — preferably a button-down for easy changing — while also tossing an old towel around your neck before you begin.

Lay other old towels, garbage bags, or newspaper layers around your work area, and have an extra pair of gloves on hand to protect your hands. “To avoid staining your skin, apply Vaseline, or some form of cream or lotion to your skin around your hairline to act as a protective barrier,” added Trujillo. Even clear lip balm works in a pinch!

Place two mirrors at the front and back of your head for a complete view, and don’t skip the strand test. Test your dye on a few hidden hairs first, letting it fully process before you commit to an all-over color change.

Then, it’s go time: “To apply at-home color, make sure your hair is properly combed through and apply root color with a bowl and tint brush,” said Trujillo. This will offer a more precise application. She recommends beginning at the hairline and roots, since they require the most color and processing time.

“If applying an all-over color, apply on damp hair, working in sections to make sure all the hair is fully saturated. Comb through” to ensure full coverage. And follow the listed instructions or those given by your stylist to avoid over-processing, which isn’t safe for the health of your hair. Leaving it on too long can damage your strands or alter the color you’re after, so patience is a virtue here.

Lastly, wear a shower cap to keep dye from dripping while it processes, and voilà! Ready to switch things up? Keep scrolling to see Woman’s World’s picks for the best at-home hair color.

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The 16 Best Female-Founded Brands to Shop for International Women’s Day

We’re going to let you in on a not-so-secret secret — women are amazing. And today, on International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating them and all that they do by tipping our hat to some of the incredible females behind some of our favorite fashion and beauty companies. After all, who better than our fellow ladies to know exactly which what clothes and accessories will flatter our figures and make us feel our best and which products will suit our ever-changing skin?

History of International Women’s Day

Though we’ll gladly salute a strong, powerful woman any day, this annual celebration of all things womanhood has become a time-honored tradition. As it turns out, the global movement began well over a century ago, with the first IWD gathering occurring way back in 1911 with a turnout of more than one million people. 

Since then, people all over the world have used the day as a way to honor the achievements of women in all areas as we inch towards a future world where true equality is possible.

The Best Female-Founded Fashion and Beauty Brands

There’s no shortage of ways to support women who work hard every single day to make the world a better place, be it at one of IWD’s official events or simply by meeting up to toast your best girlfriends. Our favorite option, however, is to make a purchase that will support a female-founded business,

Not only does it allow for the perfect opportunity to check out some of the best fashion and beauty brands around, you can finally splurge on that gorgeous new lipstick you’re been eyeing or that magical pair of jeans that will look great and feel even better.

We’ve done the legwork of tracking down some of the best comapnies being spearheaded by women, including two fierce luxury brands beloved by Meghan Markle and several size-inclusive lines that will flatter women of all shapes and sizes. Keep reading for Woman’s World’s picks for the best beauty and fashion brands founded by women.

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11 of the Best Eyeshadows for Mature Lids

By now, you’re probably all too familiar with the fact that getting older can translate to a whole slew of changes for your skin. It also means that the beauty products you’ve loved for years may not suit you the same way they once did — especially when it comes to eyeshadow. Finding the best eye makeup for older women can be a difficult task, but we’ve managed to track down the best of the best that will allow you to feel gorgeous and glam with every swipe.

How to Choose Eye Makeup for Mature Skin

The delicate skin around our eyes is already thin, and each year, as we blow the candles out on our cake after making another trip around the sun, that skin becomes even more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. That can make it tough to find shadows that will not only look great and stay put, they won’t cake, drawing unnecessary attention to the spots that can make our eyes appear tired instead of refreshed and youthful.

Luckily, you’ll find there are tons of gorgeous options out there that will work for older women once you figure out what to look for. When it comes to texture, you’ll want to stick with matte and cream-based formulas, avoiding anything that’s too glittery.

Don’t overlook shimmery shadows, however, which can provide just enough of a sheen to brighten up your face. “For the eyes, I always hear my older clients say they want to stay clear of anything with a shimmer or sparkle in it. While I agree with the sparkle part, a little bit of shimmer can be nice on the lid. Just avoid the brow bone area,” which can emphasize crepiness and wrinkles, as makeup artist Kindra Mann told Town & Country in 2019.

Choosing shades that will give you younger-looking eyes is equally important. Anything that’s too harsh will enhance dark circles, making you look like you haven’t had your beauty sleep. Browns, for instance, might be popular for a subtle smokey eye, but the yellow and red pigments found within can actually make you look tired. Bone-colored shadows, on the other hand, can be too light, giving away any would-be wrinkles or veins beneath.

Instead, try a shade that matches your skin tone for a soft, natural look. For a bolder beauty statement on date night or for those special occasions, opt for jewel tones, which are universally flattering on most.

How to Apply Eyeshadow

When it comes to eye makeup for older women, how you apply your eyeshadow is every bit as important as the type you’ll wear. You’ll want to start with an eyeshadow primer, which will not only help your shadow of choice go on smoothly, it will remove any discoloration and help keep it put all day long — even if your lids are naturally a bit oily. Pro tip: Your cream or liquid concealer can also serve as a primer on lids, too.

Once you’re ready to move on, reach for a cream eyeshadow ($29.99, Amazon), which naturally has more staying power than other formulas. You can also seal it with a matching powder formula.

Blending is super important to eliminate any harsh lines, so you’ll want to use an eyeshadow brush ($22, Sephora) in a “windshield-wiping” motion to help softly add pigment. Be sure to avoid any pulling or tugging — this can exacerbate existing wrinkles or create new ones.

The Best Eye Makeup for Older Women

Ready to find the eyeshadow you’ll reach for again and again in your golden years? Keep reading for Woman’s World’s picks for the best eye makeup for older women.

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18 Nourishing Body Lotions for Dry, Itchy Skin

Aside from eternal health and happiness (and maybe winning the lottery), there’s one thing we all want: soft, smooth skin. Unfortunately, attaining it is often easier said than done, especially for those of us in a certain age bracket. Thanks to bodily changes we experience over time that see our skin being depleted of moisture and elasticity, we’re more likely than ever to experience dry, itchy skin that’s akin to a lizard’s. That’s precisely why it’s more or less essential to have the best body lotion for dry skin on hand.

Why does skin get dry as we age?

If you’ve noticed your skin — aka your body’s largest organ — is drier these days, it’s not a figment of your imagination: There could several factors at play. According a study published in Advanced Wound Care in 2013, “skin thins progressively over adult life at an accelerating rate” of about 6.4 percent per decade. What’s more, “a reduction of the natural water and fat emulsion on the skin is observed, as is water content in the stratum corneum” — that’s the outer layer of the skin.

Add in fewer natural oils, sun damage that accumulates over time, and decreased cell renewal, and you have a recipe for rough, flaky skin from head to toe.

The bad news: Mature skin can actually feel drier all year long, even in the warmest months (though winter’s plummeting humidity levels, along with dry indoor heat and too-hot showers don’t exactly help). Even worse, medical conditions, such as diabetes, atopic dermatitis (eczema), psoriasis, and kidney disease can exacerbate the problem.

The good news: We’ve ferreted out not one, not two, but 18 different hydrating lotions that will put the spring back into your skin.

How to Choose the Best Body Lotion

Along with practicing good skincare habits, such as avoiding scalding hot showers, drinking plenty of water, and checking in with your doctor if you feel your dry skin might be connected to a larger health concern, you’ll want to lotion up every day after the shower, when your skin is still damp and thus better able to absorb all of its moisturizing properties.

Ultimately, the best body lotion is the one you’ll actually use each day, but there are a few elements you’ll want to look for in your perfect find.

Typically, gel formulas are the most lightweight and oil-free, so they can be good for those who also suffer from dry skin in the summer months. Lotions, meanwhile, are usually richer than gel formulas, absorbing quickly and easily into skin, so they’re ideal for drier skin types or climates. Creams are the richest of all, and will probably feel the thickest when you apply them. That’s because they’re chock full of oil and water, which join forces to give you tons of hydration.

When you’re shopping, be sure to search for a texture and scent you actually enjoy — body lotion should feel like a luxury to apply, not just another chore on your to-do list!

If you have particularly sensitive skin, you might also want to do a “patch test” before you commit to a whole bottle. Apply a little bit to your chest for a few days, and if you don’t have a reaction, you’ll be good to go. These days, plenty of online retailers have a very generous return policy, so trying out your pick before you purchase is never a bad idea.

Now that you know what you’re on the hunt for, keep reading for Woman’s World’s picks for the best body lotions to keep your skin in tip-top shape all year long.

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8 of the Best Breast-Firming Creams for a Perkier-Looking Bosom

There are many joyous parts of aging, but let’s be real — sagging skin isn’t one of them. As we get older, we experience natural changes in our skin’s elasticity and moisture levels that extends beyond the skin on our face to our all-too delicate décolletage area: Yep, we’re talking about saggy boobs. The answer? A good old fashioned breast-firming cream.

Why do boobs sag?

As you mature, you may notice that your breasts just don’t look the same as they did in your younger years — especially once menopause hits. According to Healthline, that’s largely due to hormonal changes. As our estrogen levels begin to dip, the skin and connective tissues of our breasts begin to lose hydration, and thus, elasticity. As such, you might notice your breasts are decreasing in firmness and fullness over time, making your best bra work overtime to give you back some of that all-too-important lift.

In fact, researchers at UCLA discovered back in 2013 that a woman’s breast tissue ages even faster than the rest of her body, with human genetics professor Steve Horvath noting that “healthy breast tissue is about two to three years older than the rest of a woman’s body.”

That means you might lose fullness in your chest even before you notice it on your face. Yikes!

How Breast Firming Creams Can Bring Back Your Lift

While there are plenty of surgical options that will bring back your once-perky chest, going under the knife is a big decision that’s not without risks of its own.


Luckily, there is an alternative. If you’re looking for a bit of an added boost without the hassle (and cost!) of medical procedures, breast-firming creams can bring a subtle, gorgeous lift to your décolletage. Though they’re not magic potions, you’ll definitely notice a difference in your chest’s firmness, giving your confidence ample room to soar.

Whether you’re battling stretch marks or just a bit of overall sagging, these creams are a wallet-friendly, non-invasive way to gently lift your bust area. Keep reading for Woman’s World’s picks for the best breast-firming creams on the market so you can continue to look — and feel! — your best.

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