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Meet the MPOWDER Team
Want to know who you might be hearing from in MPOWDER’s Masterclasses, or who you might be talking to either in your 1-on-1 naturopathic consultation or your Health Concierge call? Meet the core MPOWDER team from London: Rebekah Brown,...
MPOWDER Meno-Boost Recipes
We know how it goes: you get a fun new powder, and then you think, “Oh…but what should I put it in?” So we're thrilled that MPOWDER’s team put together these recipes, each one with a different focus (brain fog,...
Brand Spotlight: MPOWDER
Products and complementary programs to nourish the body and mind in perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. It all happened so quickly: first, no one was really talking about perimenopause and menopause outside the dusty corners of health food stores. Then, all...
TWELVE Beauty: Pedro's favorites
Pedro, founder of TWELVE Beauty, reveals his personal favorites from the TWELVE lineup.
TWELVE B12 Calm Serum: behind the formula
Find out what’s special about Vitamin B12, and how to bring TWELVE B12 Calm Serum into your skincare routine for the best results.
Minimalist summer makeup routine
Our makeup pro, Melissa, prescribes the perfect minimalist summer makeup routine.
Biohacking the de Mamiel way
Easy, skin-boosting rituals for summertime that address the importance of the limbic system.
Facial massage protocol from Kristina Holey
The magnificently talented Kristina Holey created a massage protocol just for Dara's Oil! Check it out here.
Concealer tips from our makeup pro, Melissa
Our makeup pro and Guide, Melissa, shares some of her top concealer tips with you: the products she recommends most frequently and why, and her two favorite ways to apply them.
de Mamiel Overnight Exfoliating Oil: Behind the Formula
Annee de Mamiel gives us the story behind her latest creation, Overnight Exfoliating Oil.
Omni-Biotic Power: our favorite supplement for athletes & nursing mothers
Find out what makes Omni-Biotic Power one of the go-to supplements in Europe for athletes and those with physically active lifestyles.
Our 2025 Beauty Shortlist Awards
We are thrilled to have won multiple awards from The Beauty Shortlist!
Skincare dupes and budget swaps: a formulator's perspective
Dr. Pedro Catalá tell us what goes into low-cost skincare products from a formulation perspective — and why some of the real costs might be hidden.
Brand Spotlight: Vedi
Get the story behind VEDI's beautiful new lipsticks from the brand's founder, Nikita.
Luzern Labs: a review of their top skincare products for wintertime
An interview with Luzern founders Jennifer Herbert-Coste & Ralph Herbert We're proud to have partnered with Luzern since the day we first opened our virtual doors (February 14, 2011!). Our founder, Dara, has used at least one Luzern product in...
Seasonal color analysis: a makeup shade guide
A quick intro to each color season, with a guide to makeup shades for each one.
Gentlerist Modern Alchemist & Liquid Courage are back, better than ever
An interview with Eddie Zhao, founder of Gentlerist Eddie, the founder of Gentlerist, has always been a bit of a mystery: this multi-talented, multi-hyphenate founder is constantly saying things like, “Oh, I was just in Japan for my production company,”...
Healthy eating tips for perimenopause and beyond from a functional nutritionist
Jessica Marcus, MS, RDN, IFNCP shares her tips for staying strong and lean after 35+.
Hyaluronic acid: is it good or bad for your skin?
Hyaluronic acid: friend or foe? See what Pedro has to say: with his pharmacy degree and PhD in natural product formulation, he knows what he's talking about.
What Dara's using on her face
In answer to our customers' most frequently asked question when Dara's not in our studio, she's sharing what she uses on her skin every day.
Marie Veronique Probiotic + Exfoliation Mask: reviews from the experts
What makes Marie Veronique's exfoliating mask so good? We asked two expert estheticians for their reviews.
Makeup Trends for Winter 2024-2025
Susanne Manasi, founder of Manasi7, put together a Winter 2024-25 Shade Guide just for us.
2024 Mudita Gift Guide
Nora put together this year's holiday gift guide in the spirit of Mudita — find out what that means, and what evokes it, in this post.
Better Roots Growth Support: the lineup for thicker, healthier hair
EVOLVh founder Boris Oak tells Dara the story behind the development of his newest products in the Better Roots lineup.
Olio E Osso Tinted Balms: Fall 2024 Tips from Paola
Find out which shades and application tricks the founder of Olio E Osso has been using lately with her popular tinted balms.
Olio E Osso Bel Corpo Body Oil: the story behind the product
Conveniently, beautifully, Olio E Osso Bel Corpo Body Oil combines two key roles: it’s a nourishing, softening, moisturizing body oil that sinks right in with a scent that’s so captivating, you’ll want to use this as your fragrance, too.Here, Dara...
TWELVE Beauty Dara's Water: How Pedro uses it
Dara’s Water from TWELVE Beauty is my favorite cleanser of all time, and it’s a non-negotiable in my evening skincare routine. (By the way, in case you hadn’t heard this already: if you’re sleeping in your sunscreen or makeup, I have thoughts.)...
Marie Veronique routines for streamlined skincare
Marie’s Lead Esthetician, Eleanor, put together this list of must-have products for to care for just about any skin situation in a satisfyingly streamlined fashion.
Manasi7's Fall 2024 Makeup Look
Susanne Manasi, founder of Manasi7, put together a fall makeup look just for us.
Marie Veronique Face to Chest Hydration Mask: Pro Tips
Pro tips from Marie Veronique's team to get the most out of your Face to Chest Hydration Mask.
Brighter beauty: lessons from my mom
A little sketch of my mom and what she has given to me — which has so much to do with what Ayla is today.
Tips for sleep problems and brain fog, caused by perimenopause or other conditions
Sleep problems and brain fog are two common symptoms of perimenopause; the brilliant Sara Szal Gottfried, MD is here to help.
MyHavtorn: 2024 sea buckthorn harvest update
Find out what cofounders Robin and Ingrid, two of our favorite people, had to say about this year’s sea buckthorn harvest — and why it started so early.
Perimenopause 102: treatments to consider, including bioidentical hormones
Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried discusses perimenopause treatments with Dara, including lifestyle changes and bioidentical hormones.
Introducing our Perimenopause Toolkit
Perimenopause and menopause can have a dramatic effect on skin and hair — much of it, unfortunately, unwelcome. We can help!
Perimenopause 101: symptoms, hormone testing, and finding the right doctor
What is perimenopause, how do you know if you’re perimenopausal, and how do you find the best doctor for perimenopause treatment? We couldn’t think of a better person to ask than Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried.
Marie Veronique Body Barrier Emulsion: behind the formula
Kristina Holey, Marie Veronique's Director of Skin Health, reveals the magic behind the brand's Body Barrier Emulsion.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage: Benefits and How To
A quick 101 on the lymphatic system, why lymphatic drainage massage can help, and why The Lymphatic Brush works so well.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage Tutorial for the Face
A quick, 2-minute tutorial using Cecily Braden's small Lymphatic Brush.
Massage tutorial for Neck and Jaw Pain
How to use facial mushroom tools to ease neck and jaw tension, setting you up for better lymphatic flow.
Introducing Marie Veronique Body Barrier Emulsion
Kristina & Eleanor from Marie Veronique share their pro tips for the Body Barrier Emulsion
Exfoliation and its benefits: a top facialist’s point of view
We couldn’t be more thrilled that Julia March (featured in the Allure Beauty Directory as one of the top facialists in the country) is a recurring resident in our San Francisco treatment room…because it is otherwise nearly impossible to get...
Brand Spotlight: Kroma Wellness
Sometime in late 2021, I started hearing about Kroma from my most in-the-know wellness-focused friends, who’d tried the brand’s detox kit and liked it…then found themselves continuing to buy Kroma drinks and snacks simply because they tasted so good. This...
Emi's summer favorites
As we’ve mentioned before, our wonderful Guide, Emi, has a knack for identifying under-the-radar gems. In honor of the official start of summer 2024, she’s sharing her seasonal favorites with us all. (Want to book a consultation with Emi? You...
The Standard Hair Oil from EVOLVh: behind the formula
Years ago, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris, sent Dara a sample of a new oil he’d just found — bataua fruit oil — during a trip to the Amazon. He asked, “What do you think?” She responded, “This is perfect for hair!...
Manasi7's Summer 2024 Makeup Shade Guide
Susanne Manasi Persson, the Stockholm-based makeup artist behind Manasi7, shares her 2024 summer shade guide.
Emi's sunscreen and tattoo care tips
Find out which sunscreens Emi's been reaching for lately and get her helpful tattoo-care tips.
TWELVE Tint & Glow: the secrets behind Pedro's color pots
TWELVE’s Tint & Glow is a product we'd been waiting for from this beloved skincare brand for years — and it was well worth the wait.
Better sleep during the summertime: tips from Annee de Mamiel
Can’t sleep? We hear you. Recently, Annee de Mamiel explained to Dara why summertime can be a sleepless time — and what you can do to get a better night’s rest.
Celebrity makeup artist Paola LaMorticella on preparing the skin for color
Paola LaMorticella, the founder of Olio E Osso, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for over 25 years. We first fell in love with Paola’s Tinted Balms, which she originally developed while working on photo shoots...
The Dara Kennedy Sea Retinal: reviews from our team (and testers)
Retinoids take some time to work…because they’re really working! So we thought we’d share what we’ve heard from our community members who have been using secret sample bottles of the Sea Retinal — the sniper-like undoer of damage past —...
Introducing the Dara Kennedy Sea Retinal
Generally speaking, I don’t regret many things. I think there’s always something to be learned from mistakes, and there’s always some kind of positive change to make moving forward. There is, however, an exception: I regret the many years...
TWELVE Shampoo & Conditioner: behind the brand's foray into hair care
Dara: This is an exciting new world for TWELVE! With The Scalp Cure, you extended our TWELVE skincare routine to our scalps, but with the Prebiotic Natural Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, TWELVE is fully moving into haircare. What prompted you...
Perioral & Periorbital Dermatitis: Treatment Tips from Kristina Holey
Kristina Holey — Marie Veronique's Director of Skin Health, and a perioral dermatitis whisperer — agreed to share some of her go-to treatments with us. You’ll want these tips.
Retinoids, retinol, retinal: making sense of it all
Retinoids: retinol, retinoic acid, and the retinaldehyde that falls in between. We guide you through the world of Vitamin A in skincare.
Bach Flower consultations with Gérard
The founder of Les Fleurs de Bach is offering Bach flower consultations to all of you! Grab one of these spots while you can.
Brand Spotlight: Gentlerist
YÜLI was always a brand that was somewhat shrouded in mystery. Its founders were, relative to others, almost reclusive. (Press interviews? Never. Selfies on Instagram? Nope. TikTok videos? Please.) Their products also had a whiff of mystique to them. (Did...
Preteen & young-teen skincare
There’s been quite a bit of talk lately about the intense skincare interest among preteens these days. Some of it is a little exaggerated, but — as the parent of a 12-year-old myself, shown here with me at the Barbie...
Nora's Guide to Valentine's Day 2024
February 14, Valentine’s Day — and also may I mention Ayla’s 13th birthday (!) — has always had a special place in my heart. I have the best memories of hanging hearts from the ceiling of our dining room on...
Brand Spotlight: La Ferme Saint-Sylvain
La Ferme Saint-Sylvain is a small family farm in the Vienne department of France, part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Europe’s leading agricultural region, and its second-largest in terms of organic farming). The Maupin family has lived and cultivated the land in...
Dr. Macrene Alexiades shares her Macrene Actives routine
Dr Macrene Alexades discusses the exact way she uses the Macrene Actives lineup on her own skin. No one knows these products better than she does, so it’s a method you may want to follow.
Omni-Biotic Balance: the immune-support probiotic
Learn all about Balance, Omni-Biotics immune-support probiotic (which also happens to be amazing for constipation and yeast infections).
Top natural curly hair care tips from Bouclème
It can take a good amount of experimentation to get curly hair care just right. We asked Michele Scott-Lynch, the founder of Bouclème, for a curly hair care primer — including guidelines for different types of curls.
TWELVE Scalp Cure: behind the formula
Dara: We’ve been pestering you about a scalp care product ever since you first gave us a tour of the SF Botanical garden and pointed out specific plants that help promote hair growth! What prompted you to create The Scalp...
Omni-Biotic Hetox: the story behind this powerful probiotic
A few members of our team — and many of you — have become full-fledged, fervent devotees of Omni-Biotic’s wondrous Stress Release probiotic supplement: it truly delivers improvements in cognition, mood, and focus, and it has multiple clinical studies to...
Introducing MyHavtorn’s Botanical Oil Serum
MyHavtorn is a brand that’s been very close to our hearts since we became their first US retail partners ten years ago. While “farm to face” had a brief, trendy moment, what we love about MyHavtorn is that they...
Gua Sha: tips from Erica Randlett
MyHavtorn's go-to skincare therapist and product expert, Erica Randlett, is deeply trained in Gua Sha — she’s the person who first told us about it years ago — along with massage, lymphatic drainage, and meditation. Having spent five years as...
Skincare product pilling: why it happens and what to do
We couldn't think of a better person than Dr. Pedro Catalá to expound on the topic of skincare and makeup product pilling, which is quite common, quite annoying, and quite the mystery to most people except for skincare product formulators.
Hyperpigmentation: how marine ingredients can help
Hyperpigmentation is one of those skin conditions that increasing numbers of us struggle with, and it can be downright diabolical in many ways.
Marie Veronique on Soothing B3, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid
Niacinamide: long ignored, soon to become the cool kid? Marie Veronique chats with Dara about why that might be — and bashes a TikTok myth about hyaluronic acid at the same time.
Eye makeup tutorial with Eye of Horus: liquid & pencil eyeliners
Our makeup artist, Melissa, shows us how to apply Eye of Horus pencil and liquid liners in one eye makeup tutorial.
Hormonal skincare: how flare-ups during pregnancy, menopause, and ovulation are related
Annee de Mamiel explains how a variety of hormonally-related skin challenges are related — and how her Phyto-P Elixir works across all of them.
Brand Spotlight: Omni-Biotic probiotics
Omni-Biotic, Europe’s leading probiotic brand and one of the most trusted, reliable probiotic brands worldwide, is developed by an Austrian company that takes science very seriously. Each probiotic strain they work with is deeply researched; they then combine the most promising ones in...
Introducing our Holistic offerings
We’ve been strong believers in the link between great skin and everything that lies beneath it since we first opened in 2011: our skin is, after all, often the first thing to reveal what’s going on inside of us. So...
Ava Isa Every Morning: behind the formula
Sara Dudley, CEO of The Sunscreen Company, is one of our favorite sunscreen experts: she really knows what she's talking about, and she tells it like it is. Here, Sara and Dara dig into her newest product, Ava Isa Every Morning...
Manasi7's Summer 2023 Makeup Tutorial
We asked Susanne to create a 2023 summer makeup tutorial for us, and she graciously sent us this detailed list of easy-to-follow instructions.
Building hydration and moisture through your skincare routine
Our guide to locking in maximum moisture and hydration throughout your skincare routine.
All about moisture, hydration, and everything in between
Do you need hydration, moisture, or both? Both. It's a little complicated...but not too much.
Tips for the smoothest shave from Dr. Natalie
Dr. Natalie Lindner shares her top tips for a smooth shave that leaves you with skin that’s soft and soothed, too.
Brightening facial massage tutorial with Annee de Mamiel
Annee de Mamiel shares a brightening face massage that's just the thing when your skin feels a little tired or you want to bring a little extra radiance to your skin.
de Mamiel Salvation Body Oil: behind the formula
Find out what makes de Mamiel's Salvation Body Oil so special in Dara’s conversation with Annee.
Dry brushing technique for the lymphatic system
Annee de Mamiel shares a dry brushing technique to give the lymphatic system a boost.
Summer hair: the secret to a great air-dry
So we asked Boris Oak, who shared these game-changing golden rules of hair styling, to tell us the secret to a great air-dry.
Reverie EROS hair mask: behind the formula
Find out how and why Reverie created their Eros hair mask in our interview with Hillary Markenson.
European pharmacists: what makes them different, and how that translates to skincare
Dr. Pedro Catalá of TWELVE Beauty describes his European pharmacy training, one of the credentials that makes him unique.
Brand Spotlight: Clark's Botanicals
We fell in love with the story behind Clark's Botanicals even before we tried the products — so when they arrived for us to test, we had especially high expectations. Thankfully, they exceeded them all (especially Invisible Hero SPF 30,...
The Dara Kennedy Sea Serum: our team's reviews
Find out what our team members noticed after 1-2 months of Sea Serum use. You’ll notice that everyone’s experience is a little different, which, to us, is one of the most exciting things about this unlike-any-other product.
Dr. Macrene Alexiades on her Skyros body care products
We've long loved Macrene Actives formulas on our faces, but we wished our bodies could get the same attention. Now, thanks to the Skyros collection, we can.
Introducing the Dara Kennedy Sea Serum
Everything comes full circle: find out how the Sea Serum came to be and how to use it.
The Dara Kennedy Sea Serum & Climate Changemakers
1% is nice...but 5% is even better. That’s how much of every Dara Kennedy Sea Serum sale we give to Climate Changemakers, a nonpartisan climate action network that equips volunteers to advance equitable, science-based policies. Learn more from Eliza Nemser, PhD, their co-founder...
27 Rosiers: French skincare with a holistic perspective
Why have beauty supplements been so popular in France for so long? For a Parisian perspective, we spoke with Kevin, the co-founder of 27 Rosiers.
Marie Veronique on healthy skin while traveling
Marie Veronique discusses how we can think about our skin’s needs as we travel, especially as the weather gets warmer through spring and summer — and in general.
My first podcast interview
Dara got to be a guest on the fantastic Yogaland podcast — listen to it here.
Augustinus Bader: The Interview
Get an in-depth look at Augustinus Bader in our interview with the team at Augustinus Bader HQ and Professor Bader.
Are you sleeping in your sunscreen? If so, I have thoughts.
Find out which cleanser is always our first recommendation for removing sunscreen at the end of every day.
TWELVE Dara’s Water, decoded
"I would like to decipher for you, in plain Spanglish, why Dara's Water is the black horse in the cleansing category." Pedro, we can't wait.
Natalie's Smooth and Better Aging Body Lotions
Natalie's Cosmetics Smooth and Better Aging Body Lotions are the brand's best sellers, and we're thrilled to have them at Ayla. Learn more about these special formulas in Dara's interview with Natalie.
Golden rules of hair styling from EVOLVh’s Founder
Boris Oak, founder of EVOLVh, told us his four golden rules for hair styling — and they're gems. Check them out here.
Marie Veronique's Multi-Retinol Night Emulsion: Q&A with Kristina Holey
We had so much fun at our Instagram Live Q&A with Kristina Holey, the Director of Skin Health at Marie Veronique. Missed it? Watch the video here.
Dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, eye bags: Dr. Macrene covers it all
In our masterclass, Dr. Macrene Alexiades told us all about eye area care: how the skin around the eyes is different, ingredients to look for and avoid, and dermatological treatments she often recommends. Watch the video here.
Dara's Oil: What Marie Veronique loves about it
We love Dara's Oil, obviously. But have you wondered why Marie Veronique loves it? We have…so we finally asked her.
Brand Spotlight: M Picaut
M Picaut is one of the Sweden's best-selling skincare brands. Find out what we love about it in our Brand Spotlight.
Kahina Giving Beauty: one of our first partners
Kahina’s founder, Katharine L’Heureux, tells us about her journey as a pioneer in organic skincare — and what inspires her ever-forward-thinking mind these days.
de Mamiel Multi-Active Hydramist: behind the formula
Find out why Annee de Mamiel upgraded her mist formula— and why she thinks her products are never fully put to bed.
Meditation for calming the mind
Our friends at Therapy Lab put together this 7-minute guided meditation to usher in a calmer, more peaceful, more grounded moment whenever you need it.
From hair loss to hair longevity: EVOLVh Better Roots
Scalp care has been (deservedly) trending for some time, but we think scalps could still use a little more love — especially when it comes in the form of a product that’s this good.
How To Layer Skincare Products
We love answering customer questions, and we’ve answered a lot of them over the past several years. One of the most popular: How do I layer skincare products?
Marie Veronique Multi-Retinol Night Emulsion: why it's so good
We're thrilled to have Marie Veronique's Multi-Retinol Night Emulsion on our shelves. To find out why Marie herself loves it so much, check out her musings on our blog.
Holiday stress: a therapist’s suggestions for finding peace
Why does this time of year tend to feel so stressful for so many of us? We asked our favorite therapist, Dr. Chandler Chang — founder of TherapyLab — to not only help explain this, but also help us find a sense...
Top makeup tips for natural-looking brows
We admire makeup pro Melissa McMillan’s brilliance with all things color-related, and she has a particular gift with brows. We asked her to share some of her top tips for filling them in.
Why we need eye cream: an expert opinion from Dr. Macrene Alexiades
Do we really need to use eye cream? Star dermatologist Dr. Macrene Alexiades fills us in — and tells us what makes her new High Performance Eye Cream so special.
What Dara's listening to: classical music for the season
Find out why this playlist could help you take a moment to slow down, focus, and (hopefully) start 2023 off with a sense of peace, joy, and discovery.
de Mamiel Soothe Bath Soak: the story behind it
de Mamiel Soothe Bath Soak was designed to showcase the stress- and anxiety-relieving Soothe formula in the form of a calming salt bath. Learn the story behind it directly from its creator in Dara’s interview with Annee.
An easy breath exercise from Annee de Mamiel
Annee de Mamiel shares a diaphragmatic breathing exercise — a reminder that, yes, in fact, we could probably breathe a bit more deeply in our everyday lives.
TWELVE Plant Perfection: behind the formula
An interview with Dr. Pedro Catalá Our friend, Dr. Pedro Catalá, recently told us, “No one is spared from the loss of skin flexibility and firmness…and unfortunately, the use of mobile devices and less-than-optimal posture further aggravate the situation.” We...
A guide to masks from Luzern
Why are masks so good for us, and what’s the best way to fit them into our schedules? We asked Lisamarie DeLucia, Luzern’s resident skin expert, to weigh in.
Marie Veronique on hormonal acne
What is hormonal acne, exactly, and what can be done about it? We figured the perfect person to dig into this would be Marie-Veronique Nadeau.
Marie Veronique protocols for hormonal acne
Wondering what products to use for hormonal acne? Check out these protocols from Marie Veronique.
de Mamiel Fatigue Fix: a deep dive into the formula
An interview with creator Annee de Mamiel Every year, it feels as though the pre-holiday weeks just get busier and busier. And that busy-ness can have an annoying habit of announcing itself to the world through our skin: “Guess who’s...
de Mamiel's Fixes for stress — and how to know what your skin really needs
An interview with Annee de Mamiel Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and we can tell. Her line of "Fixes" represents 13 years of work with chronic stress and its impact on...
Fall 2022 makeup tips from Manasi7's founder
Susanne Manasi Persson is a Stockholm-based makeup artist who’s our oracle for seasonal makeup trends: everything she suggests — and creates through Manasi7 — is utterly modern, sophisticated, and wearable. The surprise this season? Go for it and pair a...
Vitamin C in skincare: do we really need it?
Vitamin C is a great ingredient to look for in skincare; it’s one of our favorites. But is it a must? Without it, will we end up aging decades before our time? Should we all be using vitamin C forevermore?
Should we change our skincare with the seasons?
As seasons shift, many of us find that our skincare routines could use a little adjustment. Dara asked Pedro to weigh in on the topic.
Lifting eye massage with Annee de Mamiel
Revered skincare therapist Annee de Mamiel shares a lifting and de-puffing eye massage using her Essential Eye Fix.
The story behind de Mamiel Eye Fix
de Mamiel Essential Eye Fix is one of those introductions that make you think, “Yes! This is exactly what this product lineup needed!”
Hand care from Natalie's Cosmetics
Natalie's Cosmetics has hand care! Find out what prompted Natalie to create her two new products and learn what makes their formulas special in her interview with Dara.
Kosas Revealer Foundation Shade Finder
If you're already a fan of the Kosas Revealer Concealer, this shade guide can help you figure out which Kosas Revealer Foundation shade is right for you.
Marie Veronique on why skin barrier repair matters
Marie Veronique + Kristina Holey's Barrier Repair Serum and Balancing Hypotonic are longtime best sellers. Here, Marie digs into the reasons why — and why skin barrier health is so important.
Different ways stress affects the skin — and how de Mamiel's Fixes can help
Stress takes a variety of pathways that result in different symptoms on the skin. Learn more about what form stress can take on the skin, and what you can do about it, in Dara’s interview with Annee de Mamiel.
de Mamiel Gravity Fix: behind the formula
Annee de Mamiel has such impeccable timing that we sometimes wonder if she might be able to see the future. She is, after all, preternaturally gifted in many ways, with an ability to not only treat the skin on a...
de Mamiel Lip Rx: behind the formula of the new Rosey Lip Balm
We were thrilled when we heard that de Mamiel's Rosey Lip Balm was back, in a formula that was even better: Lip Rx. Find out how Annee went about tweaking her lip treatment formula in this interview with Dara.
Brand Spotlight: Natalie's Cosmetics
Dr. Natalie Lindner saw a need for science-focused body care products that are as rich in active ingredients as high-end facial serums. We're so proud to be the first US retailer for this unique brand.
New scalp care and hair care solutions
A quick review of our latest additions from Augustinus Bader & TEK
TWELVE Beauty Glow Island: behind the formula
Glow Island from TWELVE Beauty isn’t like any other product we’ve seen. In the words of its formulator, Pedro Catalá, it’s like “an Instagram filter without coverage: it gives you a nice, subtle tone without makeup for a quick, fresh-faced...
de Mamiel seasonal face oil: Summer
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn about the Summer Oil.
Natural rosacea treatment with herbs
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold discusses how natural herbal treatments can work with topical solutions to address redness, flushing, and rosacea — and why ROSY works so well.
Brand Spotlight: Elave
Elave is made by a family-run pharmaceutical company in Ireland that has been dedicated to sensitive skin care since 1934. Read on for the full story behind this longtime Ayla favorite.
A quick guide to our go-to supplements
Looking for internal support for your skin — or your immune system, gut, or mood? Here’s a quick guide to our go-to supplements by category.
Our quick guide to Luzern's Serums
Luzern's serums are some of the best targeted treatments we've ever experienced. Not sure where to start? Here’s what we love about each one.
Marie Veronique on sunscreen
Sunscreen is very close to Marie-Veronique Nadeau’s heart. Here, she weighs in on must-know topics in sun protection with her signature thoroughness and wit.
An ode to Marie
Why I'm endlessly grateful to Marie-Véronique Nadeau and her team at Marie Veronique.
TWELVE formulator Pedro Catalá on his Ideal Brightening Corrective Serum
Pedro Català — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it, "What Pedro doesn't know...
Lagom: a Swedish philosophy we love
Lagom (lah-gum) is a Swedish term that means “not too little, not too much”: it’s all about balance, and it’s infused throughout Swedish culture. We see it in our own Guide, Emi, whose Swedish family’s influence can be seen in...
Self-compassion: tips for parents of teenagers
Many parents who shop in our SF studio have at some point mused, “My teenager is just starting to get a few breakouts, and I’d love to get something that might help them. Where should I start? And when should they start...
Brand Spotlight: Sudtana
Sudtana is everything we had hoped to find in Thailand, a place that is very close to our founder’s heart. These products have a way of transporting you directly to a spa in the “land of smiles” — find out why they're so...
Diet and Skin: a top dermatologist’s perspective
The brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades chats with Dara about not only what foods to avoid in cases of acne, rosacea, or skin aging, but also what to reach for.
Clinically-tested body care from The Organic Pharmacy
The Organic Pharmacy, founded by pharmacist and homeopath Margo Marrone, is one of the few brands that have been on our shelves since we opened our virtual doors in 2011. In case you don’t already know their story, The Organic...
de Mamiel Spring Oil: behind the formula
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn how she thought about the creation of the Spring Oil.
Brand Spotlight: Ava Isa, from The Sunscreen Company
Hear the story behind The Sunscreen Company, learn what makes Ava Isa sunscreens different (they really are!) and what we should be looking for in a daily sunscreen.
How long does it take skincare products to work?
When asked, “How long does it take to see if a skincare product really works for me?” we always answer, “It depends!” To find out what it depends on and why, check out Dara’s latest interview with Pedro.
Addio Cleansing Oil and Ganache Balm: tips from Olio E Osso’s founder
Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. Here, Paola chats with Dara about her two newest introductions.
Video introduction: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was born just as the pandemic started to spike for the first time in Italy, when everyone started to spend a lot more time at home — and scent took on a whole new level of mood-improving power...
Brand Spotlight: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was developed by Marta Mondelli, an actress and writer who worked with one of the best noses in Italy to create scents that are both comforting and modern. Learn about the brand here.
Our discoveries
Because we’ve valued our own cheerleaders so much, we love filling that same role for the brands that find a space on our shelves. Here are some of the brands that we’ve been the first beauty retailer to celebrate.
Dry & dehydrated skin: how to treat it
Tussling with dry and/or dehydrated skin? Marie covers the difference between transient and chronic dry skin, types of ingredients to look for, and how to most effectively layer products for better skin nourishment.
Dry winter hair: expert tips
Boris Oak, founder of Evolvh, recently popped into our SF studio to chat with Dara about a topic that vexes many of us: dry winter hair.
Winter skin tips from MyHavtorn of Sweden
For some winter-skin inspiration, we asked MyHavtorn co-founders Robin and Ingrid to tell us which products they're using most these days during the long Swedish winter.
Do you really need eye cream?
Do you absolutely, positively need an eye cream? Here are perspectives from both Dara and our friend, Dr. Pedro Catalá.
A brightening, plumping mask that's perfect for winter
The mask I’ve been using the most these days is actually a blend of two products I already had in my bathroom cabinet: the de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm and Brightening Cleanse & Exfoliate.
Treatments for dry, itchy, flaky scalps that inspire healthier hair growth
Winter: it’s not so great for the hair. Locks can get dry and brittle, and they often resist all efforts to seek the elusive volume at the crown that so many of us long for. And, vexingly, as the season...
How to get healthy, glowing skin with a simple routine
Dr. Pedro Catala shares his quick tips to get healthy, glowing skin using a simple routine. He also includes a trick to keep skin hydrated under your sunscreen, all day long.
de Mamiel Winter Oil: how it works with the seasons
An interview with creator Annee de Mamiel A frosty winter sunrise at Annee's farm in England Below, founder Annee de Mamiel describes the development process of her Winter Facial Oil, the first seasonal oil she ever created: she blends each batch herself,...
27 Rosiers on the perfect pair for dry skin: Ma Creme & Glow For Good
One of the things we love most about 27 Rosiers is that their products’ textures are uncommonly beautiful — and as a result, they turn skincare into a simple daily ritual that you’ll genuinely look forward to. Co-founders Stephanie and...
Dr. Macrene Alexiades on cosmetic procedures & skincare products: what to expect
Where cosmetic procedures (lasers, injectables, plastic surgery) are concerned, our team members tend to sit on the no- or low-intervention side of the spectrum. We all have different reasons for this; we also don’t view those who fall on the...
YÜLI's perspective: Gua Sha for face and body, and which oils to use with it
YÜLI co-founder Eddie Zhao shares his perspective on Gua Sha for both body and face, and which oils he finds work best with these techniques.
TWELVE Beauty body care: an inside look
Find out why Dr. Pedro Catalá decided to expand his TWELVE lineup to include daily body care.
de Mamiel Pure Calm Cleansing Dew: insider tips from Annee de Mamiel
Annee de Mamiel shares all of her Cleansing Dew secrets: how she developed it, how she suggests using it, and how it can be used as a redness-relieving mask, too.
de Mamiel's Altitude Bath: what makes it so addictive?
Interview with creator Annee de Mamiel de Mamiel Altitude Bath Soak was designed to showcase the marvelous Altitude Oil in an ideal context: folded into a deeply grounding and calming — yet, somehow, perfectly rejuvenating — salt bath. Here, creator...
Bare Hands: the story behind The Natural Pedicure
Read about Bare Hands founder Suzanne Shade’s journey as she experienced instant success with her first product and developed her follow-up hit, The Natural Pedicure.
Winter wellness secrets from Mette Picaut
M Picaut's founder, Mette, shares her secrets to keeping skin, body, and spirit healthy through the cold winter months in Sweden.
How we found Fueguia 1833
A few years ago, I happened upon a shop in New York that I’d never seen before. It was in a building set apart from others, painted a beautiful, deep shade of blue, and on the door was printed “Fueguia...
Introducing Fueguia 1833
Watch this beautiful video for a greater understanding of just how special this fragrance brand is.
Brand Spotlight: Fueguia 1833
Fueguia 1833 is an artisanal laboratory that creates limited-edition perfumes using a palette of over 1200 botanical ingredients — some of which have never been used in perfumery before. The brand is named for the meeting of three figures in...
Different acids, enzymes, and retinol in skin care
What are the different acids to look for in a formula, and why? How are they different from enzymes? And what about retinol? Marie Veronique makes sense of it all.
Gua Sha tutorial for brow tension and fine lines
In this quick and easy-to-follow video tutorial, our esthetician, Sarah, uses a rhodonite Gua Sha tool to address fine lines and relieve brow tension.
Gua Sha tutorial for tired, puffy eyes
In this quick and easy-to-follow video tutorial, our esthetician, Sarah, uses a rose quartz sculpting spoon to help remove puffiness from the eye area.
Why breathing is important
Why is our breath so effective at calming us when we're stressed? Dr. Alex Tanner wrote this excellent explanation for us — and shared a simple breathing exercise we love.
de Mamiel Autumn Oil: how to use it
Annee de Mamiel describes treating skin seasonally in clinic and her suggestions for a home routine with the wonderful de Mamiel Autumn Facial Oil.
de Mamiel seasonal face oil: Autumn
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn how the Autumn Facial Oil came to be.
Rose and oat extracts for skin
Formulator Dr. Pedro Catalá describes the benefits of rose and oat extracts in skincare — and why he chose to use both in the product he made just for us, Dara's Water.
MyHavtorn: 2021 sea buckthorn harvest update
Every year, we look forward to the sea buckthorn harvest update from Robin and Ingrid at the MyHavtorn farm in Bollebygd, Sweden.
End-of-summer skincare: a top dermatologist's perspective
Lately, we’ve received a lot of questions about the best ways to get end-of-summer skin back into shape. We asked Dr. Macrene Alexiades to provide us with her expert perspective.
Brand Spotlight: J.M. Generals
Jeffrey Monteiro tells us how J.M. Generals began — and the lengths to which he goes in order to stay true to his original vision of a business that deeply integrates design, technique, and sustainable values.
BioRecept's founder on switching skincare products, rosacea, and other FAQs
Biorecept founder Anne Dupouy-Camet discusses skincare with Dara: why switching products can be helpful, what she suggests for rosacea and periomenopausal skin, and whether or not to exfoliate.
Essential oils, flower waters, and plant extracts: what's the difference?
Expert formulator Pedro Catalá, PhD guides us through world of plant extracts, explaining how essential oils and floral waters differ and why different types of plant based ingredients are used in skincare.
Brand Spotlight: Paloroma
Paloroma's designed-in-Brooklyn, made-in-Vermont products boast soothing, gentle, fragrance free formulas that appeal to delicate skin of all ages.
Manasi7 makeup tutorial: summery makeup, all year long
Susanne Manasi Persson is a Stockholm-based makeup artist whose approach is deeply thoughtful and refreshingly boundary-crushing. She created this fun summer makeup tutorial for us featuring Manasi7 colors.
Orcé Cosmetics: Foundation, Setting Powder, and Perfecting Makeup Sponge for a flawless finish
Yu-Chen Shih created Orcé to celebrate a broader range of Asian skin tones with specific makeup shades that weren't offered by other beauty brands. Its Come Closer Foundation also works across a number of non-Asian skin tones and, in the...
The story behind Dara's Water
Our founder, Dara, had been looking for a cleansing water that could easily clean every (truly, every) skin type for over ten years. To our delight, TWELVE founder Dr. Pedro Catalá created Dara’s Water: everything we’d been looking for, and more.
Skin cleansing: why and how should we wash our faces?
Dara asks Dr. Pedro Catalá, founder and master formulator for TWELVE Beauty, all about cleansing: why is it necessary, what makes a good cleanser, and what type of cleanser is best?
Rosacea: typical causes and suggested treatments
We caught up with famed skin care therapist Kristina Holey, an Ayla favorite, to chat about rosacea. Here's her point of view about typical causes of this condition and treatments she frequently suggests.
de Mamiel Dewy Facial Mist: behind the formula
Dara interviews Annee de Mamiel, creator of de Mamiel's Dewy Skin Mist, to learn the secrets behind this super-hydrating formula.
How to use de Mamiel First Fix
An interview with creator Annee de Mamiel Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and we can tell. Her newest product, First Fix, represents 13 years of work with chronic stress and...
de Mamiel First Fix: The story behind this special product
Created by a skincare therapist who brings serious training in physiology, aromatherapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine to the clinic table, the products in de Mamiel’s lineup have not been designed in the usual way — and their results are so...
Stress and skin: tips from Annee de Mamiel
Dara interviews Annee de Mamiel to learn more about this revered skin healer's approach to chronic stress in clinic and her suggestions for home routines.
Better sleep: tips & products that can help
Still not sleeping well? You've got company. Many of us have spent the last year just trying to make it through, and when faced with a relaxing of pandemic vigilance, it can be hard to…relax. I’ve found this to be...
TWELVE's Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser: the story behind the product
It’s always exciting when TWELVE Beauty introduces a new product, so it came as no surprise when multiple TWELVE fans called us to ask, “Is the new Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser here yet?” while it was in transit from Valencia...
Preservatives in skincare: a natural approach
Dr. Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that he...
Refresh your hair between washes
When you don’t want to spend too much time styling your hair, one of the easiest ways to avoid it — while still ensuring your hair looks good — is to extend your time between styling sessions. This often requires a...
Face oils for summer
We’re still running around in layers in SF, but for many of you as well as these residents of nearby Santa Cruz, summer weather has already arrived. And with those deliciously long, warm days almost always comes the desire to...
Eczema treatments that work: three favorites
You may have noticed that we don't have product reviews on our site. We made this decision mainly because we've found everyone's skin, hair, skin tones, makeup, and fragrance tastes to be so different that quick product reviews often don't...
LIHA Ose Gidi Soap: the story behind a best seller
LIHA Ose Gidi Soap is one of the products that first drew us to this British brand. Handmade in small batches, it’s LIHA’s extra-nourishing take on traditional Nigerian black soap, which is typically made only with plantain ash, shea butter,...
Our 2024 sunscreen guide
Sunscreen: we know. It’s so easy to say, “Wear sunscreen! It’s the best thing you can do to keep your skin healthy.” True, but does that matter if sunscreen is so annoying, generally, that you just don’t wear it that much?...
Dr. Pedro Catalá: Ingredients to look for when going outdoors
One of our favorite formulation and ingredient experts is Dr. Pedro Catalá, founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty. He knows his stuff: Pedro has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that...
Brand Spotlight: Kinfield
Kinfield Golden Hour is the only bug spray we carry — and when you come across an “it’s the only one of its kind that we carry” situation with us, it’s a sure sign of two things: This is an...
Skin care during perimenopause & menopause: a top dermatologist's advice
We’ve heard from you — frequently — that there isn’t a whole lot of information out there on perimenopause, menopause, and the skin changes that accompany both stages. Which, of course, made us want to double down on this fascinating...
Self-esteem and confidence: a psychologist’s reflections
We've noticed lately that many of us seem to feel less confident than usual. It’s come up so frequently in conversations and consultations that we wondered at a recent team meeting, "Is this becoming a worrying trend? And if so,...
Luzern: innovation update from one of the originals in clean beauty
We always love the originals — the ones who see the truths around the corner before they become trends. They remain endlessly fascinating and inspiring to us because they keep thinking ahead of the masses, exploring those truths more deeply...
Gua Sha tutorial: jawline & cheekbone sculpting
Gua Sha is a traditional healing technique from China that involves a small, smooth stone board that is pressed against the skin to gently massage facial fascia, muscles, and skin while stimulating specific energy points. This encourages healthy circulation, releases...
Congested skin & clogged pores: advice from Kristina Holey
We asked famed facialist Kristina Holey how she thinks about congested skin and clogged pores: why are so many of us struggling with them, and what can we do? Read on for her expert perspective.
LIHA's unique & beautiful approach to fragrance
LIHA's beautiful British products blend West African botanicals with traditional English aromatherapy in formulas that feature carefully sourced ingredients, multipurpose usage possibilities, and a keen focus on sustainability from start to finish. In this quick video chat between our founder, Dara, and...
Ellis Brooklyn's founder on SALT, BEE, and Iso Gamma Super
Ellis Brooklyn was created by Bee Shapiro, a chic mom who happens to be a style columnist for The New York Times. These sophisticated, multilayered scents, developed in collaboration with the perfumer behind Byredo and other star perfumers, take non-toxic fragrance to...
Brand Spotlight: Augustinus Bader
More often than not, we’re early adopters where products are concerned. We love discovering new or under-the-radar brands and being among the first to bring them to you: this was the case with such favorites as MyHavtorn, TWELVE, Vintner’s Daughter, Kosas, Ellis Brooklyn, Macrene (formerly 37)...
LIHA: the story behind the brand
Liha and Abi, the two friends behind the LIHA brand, are not only deeply thoughtful but also candid and fun, which makes learning more about their entrepreneurial story all the more delightful.
Do you need a toner?
The best ones turn my answer from "Well..." to “Yes. Yes, you do.” It’s been a strange start to spring. Some years, this season effortlessly breathes fresh energy and unbridled optimism into the air. This year, though — with every...
Kristina Holey on skincare routines at home
In the view of famed facialist Kristina Holey, strategic at-home skincare has always been — and always will be — much more important than in-person treatments. Here, she shares specific practices that we can all adopt in our home care routines.
Brand Spotlight: Unsun
Unsun was created by Katonya Breaux, a longtime business owner (she ran a custom-home construction company for two decades) and mother (of Frank Ocean, as it happens). As she shares with us below, Unsun grew out of a personal need...
Insomnia and Traditional Chinese Medicine: a deep dive into Dr. Anna Gold's BUILD SLEEP
We couldn’t think of a better expert than the gifted Dr. Anna Gold to solve the complicated problem of troubled sleep. Read on to learn more about the innovative BUILD SLEEP formula.
Collagen supplements for skin: do they work?
Collagen supplements: do they actually benefit our skin or not? To broaden our lens, we asked Sara Gottfried, MD for her opinion. Our take: collagen supplements aren't the magical answer to all your problems, but studies increasingly indicate that they can benefit skin and joints in particular.
EVOLVh InstaVolume Mousse: insider info & styling tips
EVOLVh InstaVolume Volumizing Mousse is an innovative, alcohol-free styling foam that gives hair weightless volume with a soft, clean feel. We talked to EVOLVh founder Boris Oak about what makes this mousse so different; he also shares some great tips for using...
EVOLVh WonderBalm: the story behind the ingredients of this stellar frizz fighter
EVOLVh WonderBalm is a silicone-free, fragrance-free serum that nearly defies belief in its ability to fight frizz. To learn more about how WonderBalm’s ingredients and how they outperform silicone, we caught up with EVOLVh's founder, Boris Oak
White genepi, TWELVE Beauty's hidden antioxidant hero
White genepi is a powerful antioxidant that's found in the majority of TWELVE Beauty's products. We asked TWELVE creator and master formulator, Dr. Pedro Catalá, to tell us why white genepi deserves a headline of its own.
Bach flower baths: a simple way to enjoy these essences
A bath with Bach flowers can feel like a spiritual hug — and it's so easy. Here, our founder, Dara, and the founder of Les Fleurs de Bach, Gérard Wolf, discuss the practice of bathing with Bach flowers.
Kahina's Beldi Soap brings us inside the Moroccan hammam
Katharine Phillips L’Heureux started Kahina after a trip to Morocco, where she first learned about argan oil; since then, she has developed a full line of products inspired by her many subsequent trips to this beautiful country. In our minds,...
Astaxanthin, a low-key star of YULI's Ambrosia Beauty Nectar
One of our favorite under-the-radar antioxidants, astaxanthin, happens to be one of the key ingredients in one of our favorite products, YÜLI’s Ambrosia Beauty Nectar. Here, YÜLI co-founder Eddie Zhao tells us what he loves about this ingredient.
Facial massage with de Mamiel's Cleansing Balm
de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm is a favorite for our entire team. We asked our esthetician, Sarah, to put together a video to show us how to use it for a deeply relaxing and restorative facial massage.
Brand Spotlight: de Mamiel
Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and somehow, that's palpable. Read on to learn more about her fascinating approach to skincare.
MyHavtorn's Liquid Hand & Body Wash: an inside look
MyHavtorn’s Sea Buckthorn Soap has been a sensation at Ayla: it seems nearly impossible to keep it in stock. What we are equally excited about is its liquid version, the new MyHavtorn Liquid Hand & Body Wash — offered exclusively...
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: long, wavy hair air-dry
In this video, hairstylist Mandy Wray shows us how to pre-wash, wash, condition, and air-dry long, wavy hair using Reverie: CAKE, EVER, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, MILK, RAKE, and MARE.
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: short hair refresh
Want to see Reverie products in action? In this video, hairstylist Lo Shabino shows us how to give short hair a refresh using CAKE, MARE, & RAKE.
Blue light and skin: Dr. Pedro Catalá on antioxidant protection
Pedro Catalá— founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly trained founder-formulators we know; he holds a pharmacy degree, a Master's degree in Botany, and a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it,...
Brand Spotlight: Garrett Markenson's Reverie
If we had to pick one single reason for our love of hairstylist Garrett Markenson’s Reverie product line, it would be this: it actually inspires you to love your hair. These flexible, foolproof products invite experimentation and what we think...
Olio e Osso: the new January 2021 collection at Ayla
Olio E Osso is a small, Portland-based company that makes beautifully simple and versatile skincare and makeup products. Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. In...
Some favorite songs of peace, hope, and inspiration for your bath
2021 has not yet proven to be less crazy than its predecessor, has it? Perhaps because of this, I’ve taken a bath almost every evening this year: whether due to the news, the weather, or something else, I seem to crave...
My favorite rosacea tips
One of my oldest friends asked me recently what she could do about a rosacea flare-up. She’s a lawyer who’s been working like mad to prepare for a trial and, like many a working mom these days, packed up her...
A peek into the hidden world of Bach flowers
If you’ve been following us for some time, you may already know how much I love Bach flower remedies. They didn’t sweep me off my feet right away; rather, I was swept off my feet by a beautiful body scrub...
The value of a farm visit
About five years ago, I went through a phase where the amount I was spending on groceries each week seemed outrageous. I’m not sure what I was comparing it to, exactly, but it just seemed like a lot. And it...
One step that can wake skin up again
Have you been feeling a little dragged-down? The inevitable settling-down that comes after a period of intensity — combined with the arrival of cold weather and earlier darkness — can pose a challenge even to the most motivated. Especially, I imagine, if...
Do tinctures really work? Yes. Good ones do.
We have not discussed this, you and I. But I imagine that if you’re not already a devotee of Dr. Anna Gold’s ingestible tinctures, you might view them with a modicum of skepticism: “Are they just another thing for me to...
Activist Manuka Oil: what it is & how to use it
Our entire team adores Activist Manuka, so we were thrilled when we learned that they’d created a Manuka Essential Oil to add to their lineup. To learn more about it (and get a fantastic face mask recipe), we caught up...
Activist Manuka Honey: Frequently asked questions
We caught up with Activist co-founder Gabrielle before her family left for their annual trip back to New Zealand to ask a few frequently asked questions about their phenomenal honey.
Facial oils — or creams and lotions? Dr. Pedro weighs in.
“Should I use a facial oil, or a face cream?” Oh, how we love meaty and complicated questions like this. We were lucky to get the perspectives of the founders of both Marie Veronique (Marie-Véronique Nadeau) and YULI (Eddie Zhao)...
Face oils — or creams and lotions?
We’ve written many times of our love of the combination of a hydrating serum with a moisturizing facial oil in our email newsletter. The face serum + face oil combination (like Dara's own favorite combination, shown above) isn’t necessarily better...
Diet, skin, & inflammation
Debra Jaliman, MD shared this list of foods and other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate inflammation. Spoiler alert: Red wine is on the list. Tragic, we know.
Facial massage protocol from Kristina Holey
The magnificently talented Kristina Holey created a massage protocol just for Dara's Oil! Check it out here.
Skincare dupes and budget swaps: a formulator's perspective
Dr. Pedro Catalá tell us what goes into low-cost skincare products from a formulation perspective — and why some of the real costs might be hidden.
Hyaluronic acid: is it good or bad for your skin?
Hyaluronic acid: friend or foe? See what Pedro has to say: with his pharmacy degree and PhD in natural product formulation, he knows what he's talking about.
What Dara's using on her face
In answer to our customers' most frequently asked question when Dara's not in our studio, she's sharing what she uses on her skin every day.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage: Benefits and How To
A quick 101 on the lymphatic system, why lymphatic drainage massage can help, and why The Lymphatic Brush works so well.
Exfoliation and its benefits: a top facialist’s point of view
We couldn’t be more thrilled that Julia March (featured in the Allure Beauty Directory as one of the top facialists in the country) is a recurring resident in our San Francisco treatment room…because it is otherwise nearly impossible to get...
Perioral & Periorbital Dermatitis: Treatment Tips from Kristina Holey
Kristina Holey — Marie Veronique's Director of Skin Health, and a perioral dermatitis whisperer — agreed to share some of her go-to treatments with us. You’ll want these tips.
Retinoids, retinol, retinal: making sense of it all
Retinoids: retinol, retinoic acid, and the retinaldehyde that falls in between. We guide you through the world of Vitamin A in skincare.
Gua Sha: tips from Erica Randlett
MyHavtorn's go-to skincare therapist and product expert, Erica Randlett, is deeply trained in Gua Sha — she’s the person who first told us about it years ago — along with massage, lymphatic drainage, and meditation. Having spent five years as...
Skincare product pilling: why it happens and what to do
We couldn't think of a better person than Dr. Pedro Catalá to expound on the topic of skincare and makeup product pilling, which is quite common, quite annoying, and quite the mystery to most people except for skincare product formulators.
Marie Veronique on Soothing B3, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid
Niacinamide: long ignored, soon to become the cool kid? Marie Veronique chats with Dara about why that might be — and bashes a TikTok myth about hyaluronic acid at the same time.
Building hydration and moisture through your skincare routine
Our guide to locking in maximum moisture and hydration throughout your skincare routine.
All about moisture, hydration, and everything in between
Do you need hydration, moisture, or both? Both. It's a little complicated...but not too much.
Brightening facial massage tutorial with Annee de Mamiel
Annee de Mamiel shares a brightening face massage that's just the thing when your skin feels a little tired or you want to bring a little extra radiance to your skin.
Marie Veronique's Multi-Retinol Night Emulsion: Q&A with Kristina Holey
We had so much fun at our Instagram Live Q&A with Kristina Holey, the Director of Skin Health at Marie Veronique. Missed it? Watch the video here.
Dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, eye bags: Dr. Macrene covers it all
In our masterclass, Dr. Macrene Alexiades told us all about eye area care: how the skin around the eyes is different, ingredients to look for and avoid, and dermatological treatments she often recommends. Watch the video here.
How To Layer Skincare Products
We love answering customer questions, and we’ve answered a lot of them over the past several years. One of the most popular: How do I layer skincare products?
Why we need eye cream: an expert opinion from Dr. Macrene Alexiades
Do we really need to use eye cream? Star dermatologist Dr. Macrene Alexiades fills us in — and tells us what makes her new High Performance Eye Cream so special.
Marie Veronique on hormonal acne
What is hormonal acne, exactly, and what can be done about it? We figured the perfect person to dig into this would be Marie-Veronique Nadeau.
de Mamiel's Fixes for stress — and how to know what your skin really needs
An interview with Annee de Mamiel Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and we can tell. Her line of "Fixes" represents 13 years of work with chronic stress and its impact on...
Vitamin C in skincare: do we really need it?
Vitamin C is a great ingredient to look for in skincare; it’s one of our favorites. But is it a must? Without it, will we end up aging decades before our time? Should we all be using vitamin C forevermore?
Should we change our skincare with the seasons?
As seasons shift, many of us find that our skincare routines could use a little adjustment. Dara asked Pedro to weigh in on the topic.
Marie Veronique on why skin barrier repair matters
Marie Veronique + Kristina Holey's Barrier Repair Serum and Balancing Hypotonic are longtime best sellers. Here, Marie digs into the reasons why — and why skin barrier health is so important.
Different ways stress affects the skin — and how de Mamiel's Fixes can help
Stress takes a variety of pathways that result in different symptoms on the skin. Learn more about what form stress can take on the skin, and what you can do about it, in Dara’s interview with Annee de Mamiel.
Natural rosacea treatment with herbs
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold discusses how natural herbal treatments can work with topical solutions to address redness, flushing, and rosacea — and why ROSY works so well.
Diet and Skin: a top dermatologist’s perspective
The brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades chats with Dara about not only what foods to avoid in cases of acne, rosacea, or skin aging, but also what to reach for.
How long does it take skincare products to work?
When asked, “How long does it take to see if a skincare product really works for me?” we always answer, “It depends!” To find out what it depends on and why, check out Dara’s latest interview with Pedro.
Dry & dehydrated skin: how to treat it
Tussling with dry and/or dehydrated skin? Marie covers the difference between transient and chronic dry skin, types of ingredients to look for, and how to most effectively layer products for better skin nourishment.
Do you really need eye cream?
Do you absolutely, positively need an eye cream? Here are perspectives from both Dara and our friend, Dr. Pedro Catalá.
Different acids, enzymes, and retinol in skin care
What are the different acids to look for in a formula, and why? How are they different from enzymes? And what about retinol? Marie Veronique makes sense of it all.
Gua Sha tutorial for brow tension and fine lines
In this quick and easy-to-follow video tutorial, our esthetician, Sarah, uses a rhodonite Gua Sha tool to address fine lines and relieve brow tension.
Gua Sha tutorial for tired, puffy eyes
In this quick and easy-to-follow video tutorial, our esthetician, Sarah, uses a rose quartz sculpting spoon to help remove puffiness from the eye area.
Essential oils, flower waters, and plant extracts: what's the difference?
Expert formulator Pedro Catalá, PhD guides us through world of plant extracts, explaining how essential oils and floral waters differ and why different types of plant based ingredients are used in skincare.
Skin cleansing: why and how should we wash our faces?
Dara asks Dr. Pedro Catalá, founder and master formulator for TWELVE Beauty, all about cleansing: why is it necessary, what makes a good cleanser, and what type of cleanser is best?
Rosacea: typical causes and suggested treatments
We caught up with famed skin care therapist Kristina Holey, an Ayla favorite, to chat about rosacea. Here's her point of view about typical causes of this condition and treatments she frequently suggests.
Preservatives in skincare: a natural approach
Dr. Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that he...
Face oils for summer
We’re still running around in layers in SF, but for many of you as well as these residents of nearby Santa Cruz, summer weather has already arrived. And with those deliciously long, warm days almost always comes the desire to...
Our 2024 sunscreen guide
Sunscreen: we know. It’s so easy to say, “Wear sunscreen! It’s the best thing you can do to keep your skin healthy.” True, but does that matter if sunscreen is so annoying, generally, that you just don’t wear it that much?...
Skin care during perimenopause & menopause: a top dermatologist's advice
We’ve heard from you — frequently — that there isn’t a whole lot of information out there on perimenopause, menopause, and the skin changes that accompany both stages. Which, of course, made us want to double down on this fascinating...
Gua Sha tutorial: jawline & cheekbone sculpting
Gua Sha is a traditional healing technique from China that involves a small, smooth stone board that is pressed against the skin to gently massage facial fascia, muscles, and skin while stimulating specific energy points. This encourages healthy circulation, releases...
Congested skin & clogged pores: advice from Kristina Holey
We asked famed facialist Kristina Holey how she thinks about congested skin and clogged pores: why are so many of us struggling with them, and what can we do? Read on for her expert perspective.
Kristina Holey on skincare routines at home
In the view of famed facialist Kristina Holey, strategic at-home skincare has always been — and always will be — much more important than in-person treatments. Here, she shares specific practices that we can all adopt in our home care routines.
Collagen supplements for skin: do they work?
Collagen supplements: do they actually benefit our skin or not? To broaden our lens, we asked Sara Gottfried, MD for her opinion. Our take: collagen supplements aren't the magical answer to all your problems, but studies increasingly indicate that they can benefit skin and joints in particular.
My favorite rosacea tips
One of my oldest friends asked me recently what she could do about a rosacea flare-up. She’s a lawyer who’s been working like mad to prepare for a trial and, like many a working mom these days, packed up her...
Face oils — or creams and lotions?
We’ve written many times of our love of the combination of a hydrating serum with a moisturizing facial oil in our email newsletter. The face serum + face oil combination (like Dara's own favorite combination, shown above) isn’t necessarily better...
Diet, skin, & inflammation
Debra Jaliman, MD shared this list of foods and other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate inflammation. Spoiler alert: Red wine is on the list. Tragic, we know.
Brand Spotlight: MPOWDER
Products and complementary programs to nourish the body and mind in perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. It all happened so quickly: first, no one was really talking about perimenopause and menopause outside the dusty corners of health food stores. Then, all...
Brand Spotlight: Kroma Wellness
Sometime in late 2021, I started hearing about Kroma from my most in-the-know wellness-focused friends, who’d tried the brand’s detox kit and liked it…then found themselves continuing to buy Kroma drinks and snacks simply because they tasted so good. This...
Brand Spotlight: Gentlerist
YÜLI was always a brand that was somewhat shrouded in mystery. Its founders were, relative to others, almost reclusive. (Press interviews? Never. Selfies on Instagram? Nope. TikTok videos? Please.) Their products also had a whiff of mystique to them. (Did...
Brand Spotlight: La Ferme Saint-Sylvain
La Ferme Saint-Sylvain is a small family farm in the Vienne department of France, part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Europe’s leading agricultural region, and its second-largest in terms of organic farming). The Maupin family has lived and cultivated the land in...
Brand Spotlight: Omni-Biotic probiotics
Omni-Biotic, Europe’s leading probiotic brand and one of the most trusted, reliable probiotic brands worldwide, is developed by an Austrian company that takes science very seriously. Each probiotic strain they work with is deeply researched; they then combine the most promising ones in...
Brand Spotlight: Clark's Botanicals
We fell in love with the story behind Clark's Botanicals even before we tried the products — so when they arrived for us to test, we had especially high expectations. Thankfully, they exceeded them all (especially Invisible Hero SPF 30,...
Brand Spotlight: M Picaut
M Picaut is one of the Sweden's best-selling skincare brands. Find out what we love about it in our Brand Spotlight.
Brand Spotlight: Sudtana
Sudtana is everything we had hoped to find in Thailand, a place that is very close to our founder’s heart. These products have a way of transporting you directly to a spa in the “land of smiles” — find out why they're so...
Brand Spotlight: Ava Isa, from The Sunscreen Company
Hear the story behind The Sunscreen Company, learn what makes Ava Isa sunscreens different (they really are!) and what we should be looking for in a daily sunscreen.
Brand Spotlight: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was developed by Marta Mondelli, an actress and writer who worked with one of the best noses in Italy to create scents that are both comforting and modern. Learn about the brand here.
Brand Spotlight: J.M. Generals
Jeffrey Monteiro tells us how J.M. Generals began — and the lengths to which he goes in order to stay true to his original vision of a business that deeply integrates design, technique, and sustainable values.
Brand Spotlight: Paloroma
Paloroma's designed-in-Brooklyn, made-in-Vermont products boast soothing, gentle, fragrance free formulas that appeal to delicate skin of all ages.
Brand Spotlight: Kinfield
Kinfield Golden Hour is the only bug spray we carry — and when you come across an “it’s the only one of its kind that we carry” situation with us, it’s a sure sign of two things: This is an...
Brand Spotlight: Augustinus Bader
More often than not, we’re early adopters where products are concerned. We love discovering new or under-the-radar brands and being among the first to bring them to you: this was the case with such favorites as MyHavtorn, TWELVE, Vintner’s Daughter, Kosas, Ellis Brooklyn, Macrene (formerly 37)...
Brand Spotlight: Unsun
Unsun was created by Katonya Breaux, a longtime business owner (she ran a custom-home construction company for two decades) and mother (of Frank Ocean, as it happens). As she shares with us below, Unsun grew out of a personal need...
Brand Spotlight: de Mamiel
Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and somehow, that's palpable. Read on to learn more about her fascinating approach to skincare.
Brand Spotlight: Garrett Markenson's Reverie
If we had to pick one single reason for our love of hairstylist Garrett Markenson’s Reverie product line, it would be this: it actually inspires you to love your hair. These flexible, foolproof products invite experimentation and what we think...
Top natural curly hair care tips from Bouclème
It can take a good amount of experimentation to get curly hair care just right. We asked Michele Scott-Lynch, the founder of Bouclème, for a curly hair care primer — including guidelines for different types of curls.
Golden rules of hair styling from EVOLVh’s Founder
Boris Oak, founder of EVOLVh, told us his four golden rules for hair styling — and they're gems. Check them out here.
From hair loss to hair longevity: EVOLVh Better Roots
Scalp care has been (deservedly) trending for some time, but we think scalps could still use a little more love — especially when it comes in the form of a product that’s this good.
Treatments for dry, itchy, flaky scalps that inspire healthier hair growth
Winter: it’s not so great for the hair. Locks can get dry and brittle, and they often resist all efforts to seek the elusive volume at the crown that so many of us long for. And, vexingly, as the season...
Refresh your hair between washes
When you don’t want to spend too much time styling your hair, one of the easiest ways to avoid it — while still ensuring your hair looks good — is to extend your time between styling sessions. This often requires a...
EVOLVh InstaVolume Mousse: insider info & styling tips
EVOLVh InstaVolume Volumizing Mousse is an innovative, alcohol-free styling foam that gives hair weightless volume with a soft, clean feel. We talked to EVOLVh founder Boris Oak about what makes this mousse so different; he also shares some great tips for using...
EVOLVh WonderBalm: the story behind the ingredients of this stellar frizz fighter
EVOLVh WonderBalm is a silicone-free, fragrance-free serum that nearly defies belief in its ability to fight frizz. To learn more about how WonderBalm’s ingredients and how they outperform silicone, we caught up with EVOLVh's founder, Boris Oak
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: long, wavy hair air-dry
In this video, hairstylist Mandy Wray shows us how to pre-wash, wash, condition, and air-dry long, wavy hair using Reverie: CAKE, EVER, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, MILK, RAKE, and MARE.
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: short hair refresh
Want to see Reverie products in action? In this video, hairstylist Lo Shabino shows us how to give short hair a refresh using CAKE, MARE, & RAKE.
MPOWDER Meno-Boost Recipes
We know how it goes: you get a fun new powder, and then you think, “Oh…but what should I put it in?” So we're thrilled that MPOWDER’s team put together these recipes, each one with a different focus (brain fog,...
Healthy eating tips for perimenopause and beyond from a functional nutritionist
Jessica Marcus, MS, RDN, IFNCP shares her tips for staying strong and lean after 35+.
Tips for sleep problems and brain fog, caused by perimenopause or other conditions
Sleep problems and brain fog are two common symptoms of perimenopause; the brilliant Sara Szal Gottfried, MD is here to help.
Perimenopause 102: treatments to consider, including bioidentical hormones
Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried discusses perimenopause treatments with Dara, including lifestyle changes and bioidentical hormones.
Introducing our Perimenopause Toolkit
Perimenopause and menopause can have a dramatic effect on skin and hair — much of it, unfortunately, unwelcome. We can help!
Perimenopause 101: symptoms, hormone testing, and finding the right doctor
What is perimenopause, how do you know if you’re perimenopausal, and how do you find the best doctor for perimenopause treatment? We couldn’t think of a better person to ask than Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried.
Better sleep during the summertime: tips from Annee de Mamiel
Can’t sleep? We hear you. Recently, Annee de Mamiel explained to Dara why summertime can be a sleepless time — and what you can do to get a better night’s rest.
Omni-Biotic Balance: the immune-support probiotic
Learn all about Balance, Omni-Biotics immune-support probiotic (which also happens to be amazing for constipation and yeast infections).
Introducing our Holistic offerings
We’ve been strong believers in the link between great skin and everything that lies beneath it since we first opened in 2011: our skin is, after all, often the first thing to reveal what’s going on inside of us. So...
Dry brushing technique for the lymphatic system
Annee de Mamiel shares a dry brushing technique to give the lymphatic system a boost.
Meditation for calming the mind
Our friends at Therapy Lab put together this 7-minute guided meditation to usher in a calmer, more peaceful, more grounded moment whenever you need it.
Holiday stress: a therapist’s suggestions for finding peace
Why does this time of year tend to feel so stressful for so many of us? We asked our favorite therapist, Dr. Chandler Chang — founder of TherapyLab — to not only help explain this, but also help us find a sense...
What Dara's listening to: classical music for the season
Find out why this playlist could help you take a moment to slow down, focus, and (hopefully) start 2023 off with a sense of peace, joy, and discovery.
An easy breath exercise from Annee de Mamiel
Annee de Mamiel shares a diaphragmatic breathing exercise — a reminder that, yes, in fact, we could probably breathe a bit more deeply in our everyday lives.
Natural rosacea treatment with herbs
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold discusses how natural herbal treatments can work with topical solutions to address redness, flushing, and rosacea — and why ROSY works so well.
A quick guide to our go-to supplements
Looking for internal support for your skin — or your immune system, gut, or mood? Here’s a quick guide to our go-to supplements by category.
de Mamiel's Altitude Bath: what makes it so addictive?
Interview with creator Annee de Mamiel de Mamiel Altitude Bath Soak was designed to showcase the marvelous Altitude Oil in an ideal context: folded into a deeply grounding and calming — yet, somehow, perfectly rejuvenating — salt bath. Here, creator...
Why breathing is important
Why is our breath so effective at calming us when we're stressed? Dr. Alex Tanner wrote this excellent explanation for us — and shared a simple breathing exercise we love.
Stress and skin: tips from Annee de Mamiel
Dara interviews Annee de Mamiel to learn more about this revered skin healer's approach to chronic stress in clinic and her suggestions for home routines.
Self-esteem and confidence: a psychologist’s reflections
We've noticed lately that many of us seem to feel less confident than usual. It’s come up so frequently in conversations and consultations that we wondered at a recent team meeting, "Is this becoming a worrying trend? And if so,...
Collagen supplements for skin: do they work?
Collagen supplements: do they actually benefit our skin or not? To broaden our lens, we asked Sara Gottfried, MD for her opinion. Our take: collagen supplements aren't the magical answer to all your problems, but studies increasingly indicate that they can benefit skin and joints in particular.
A peek into the hidden world of Bach flowers
If you’ve been following us for some time, you may already know how much I love Bach flower remedies. They didn’t sweep me off my feet right away; rather, I was swept off my feet by a beautiful body scrub...
Do tinctures really work? Yes. Good ones do.
We have not discussed this, you and I. But I imagine that if you’re not already a devotee of Dr. Anna Gold’s ingestible tinctures, you might view them with a modicum of skepticism: “Are they just another thing for me to...
Diet, skin, & inflammation
Debra Jaliman, MD shared this list of foods and other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate inflammation. Spoiler alert: Red wine is on the list. Tragic, we know.
Minimalist summer makeup routine
Our makeup pro, Melissa, prescribes the perfect minimalist summer makeup routine.
Concealer tips from our makeup pro, Melissa
Our makeup pro and Guide, Melissa, shares some of her top concealer tips with you: the products she recommends most frequently and why, and her two favorite ways to apply them.
Seasonal color analysis: a makeup shade guide
A quick intro to each color season, with a guide to makeup shades for each one.
Makeup Trends for Winter 2024-2025
Susanne Manasi, founder of Manasi7, put together a Winter 2024-25 Shade Guide just for us.
Olio E Osso Tinted Balms: Fall 2024 Tips from Paola
Find out which shades and application tricks the founder of Olio E Osso has been using lately with her popular tinted balms.
Manasi7's Fall 2024 Makeup Look
Susanne Manasi, founder of Manasi7, put together a fall makeup look just for us.
Manasi7's Summer 2024 Makeup Shade Guide
Susanne Manasi Persson, the Stockholm-based makeup artist behind Manasi7, shares her 2024 summer shade guide.
TWELVE Tint & Glow: the secrets behind Pedro's color pots
TWELVE’s Tint & Glow is a product we'd been waiting for from this beloved skincare brand for years — and it was well worth the wait.
Celebrity makeup artist Paola LaMorticella on preparing the skin for color
Paola LaMorticella, the founder of Olio E Osso, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for over 25 years. We first fell in love with Paola’s Tinted Balms, which she originally developed while working on photo shoots...
Eye makeup tutorial with Eye of Horus: liquid & pencil eyeliners
Our makeup artist, Melissa, shows us how to apply Eye of Horus pencil and liquid liners in one eye makeup tutorial.
Manasi7's Summer 2023 Makeup Tutorial
We asked Susanne to create a 2023 summer makeup tutorial for us, and she graciously sent us this detailed list of easy-to-follow instructions.
Top makeup tips for natural-looking brows
We admire makeup pro Melissa McMillan’s brilliance with all things color-related, and she has a particular gift with brows. We asked her to share some of her top tips for filling them in.
Fall 2022 makeup tips from Manasi7's founder
Susanne Manasi Persson is a Stockholm-based makeup artist who’s our oracle for seasonal makeup trends: everything she suggests — and creates through Manasi7 — is utterly modern, sophisticated, and wearable. The surprise this season? Go for it and pair a...
Kosas Revealer Foundation Shade Finder
If you're already a fan of the Kosas Revealer Concealer, this shade guide can help you figure out which Kosas Revealer Foundation shade is right for you.
Manasi7 makeup tutorial: summery makeup, all year long
Susanne Manasi Persson is a Stockholm-based makeup artist whose approach is deeply thoughtful and refreshingly boundary-crushing. She created this fun summer makeup tutorial for us featuring Manasi7 colors.
Olio e Osso: the new January 2021 collection at Ayla
Olio E Osso is a small, Portland-based company that makes beautifully simple and versatile skincare and makeup products. Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. In...
Meet the MPOWDER Team
Want to know who you might be hearing from in MPOWDER’s Masterclasses, or who you might be talking to either in your 1-on-1 naturopathic consultation or your Health Concierge call? Meet the core MPOWDER team from London: Rebekah Brown,...
MPOWDER Meno-Boost Recipes
We know how it goes: you get a fun new powder, and then you think, “Oh…but what should I put it in?” So we're thrilled that MPOWDER’s team put together these recipes, each one with a different focus (brain fog,...
TWELVE B12 Calm Serum: behind the formula
Find out what’s special about Vitamin B12, and how to bring TWELVE B12 Calm Serum into your skincare routine for the best results.
Biohacking the de Mamiel way
Easy, skin-boosting rituals for summertime that address the importance of the limbic system.
de Mamiel Overnight Exfoliating Oil: Behind the Formula
Annee de Mamiel gives us the story behind her latest creation, Overnight Exfoliating Oil.
Omni-Biotic Power: our favorite supplement for athletes & nursing mothers
Find out what makes Omni-Biotic Power one of the go-to supplements in Europe for athletes and those with physically active lifestyles.
Gentlerist Modern Alchemist & Liquid Courage are back, better than ever
An interview with Eddie Zhao, founder of Gentlerist Eddie, the founder of Gentlerist, has always been a bit of a mystery: this multi-talented, multi-hyphenate founder is constantly saying things like, “Oh, I was just in Japan for my production company,”...
Olio E Osso Bel Corpo Body Oil: the story behind the product
Conveniently, beautifully, Olio E Osso Bel Corpo Body Oil combines two key roles: it’s a nourishing, softening, moisturizing body oil that sinks right in with a scent that’s so captivating, you’ll want to use this as your fragrance, too.Here, Dara...
TWELVE Beauty Dara's Water: How Pedro uses it
Dara’s Water from TWELVE Beauty is my favorite cleanser of all time, and it’s a non-negotiable in my evening skincare routine. (By the way, in case you hadn’t heard this already: if you’re sleeping in your sunscreen or makeup, I have thoughts.)...
Marie Veronique routines for streamlined skincare
Marie’s Lead Esthetician, Eleanor, put together this list of must-have products for to care for just about any skin situation in a satisfyingly streamlined fashion.
Marie Veronique Face to Chest Hydration Mask: Pro Tips
Pro tips from Marie Veronique's team to get the most out of your Face to Chest Hydration Mask.
MyHavtorn: 2024 sea buckthorn harvest update
Find out what cofounders Robin and Ingrid, two of our favorite people, had to say about this year’s sea buckthorn harvest — and why it started so early.
Marie Veronique Body Barrier Emulsion: behind the formula
Kristina Holey, Marie Veronique's Director of Skin Health, reveals the magic behind the brand's Body Barrier Emulsion.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage Tutorial for the Face
A quick, 2-minute tutorial using Cecily Braden's small Lymphatic Brush.
Introducing Marie Veronique Body Barrier Emulsion
Kristina & Eleanor from Marie Veronique share their pro tips for the Body Barrier Emulsion
The Standard Hair Oil from EVOLVh: behind the formula
Years ago, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris, sent Dara a sample of a new oil he’d just found — bataua fruit oil — during a trip to the Amazon. He asked, “What do you think?” She responded, “This is perfect for hair!...
TWELVE Tint & Glow: the secrets behind Pedro's color pots
TWELVE’s Tint & Glow is a product we'd been waiting for from this beloved skincare brand for years — and it was well worth the wait.
Celebrity makeup artist Paola LaMorticella on preparing the skin for color
Paola LaMorticella, the founder of Olio E Osso, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for over 25 years. We first fell in love with Paola’s Tinted Balms, which she originally developed while working on photo shoots...
Introducing the Dara Kennedy Sea Retinal
Generally speaking, I don’t regret many things. I think there’s always something to be learned from mistakes, and there’s always some kind of positive change to make moving forward. There is, however, an exception: I regret the many years...
TWELVE Shampoo & Conditioner: behind the brand's foray into hair care
Dara: This is an exciting new world for TWELVE! With The Scalp Cure, you extended our TWELVE skincare routine to our scalps, but with the Prebiotic Natural Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, TWELVE is fully moving into haircare. What prompted you...
Perioral & Periorbital Dermatitis: Treatment Tips from Kristina Holey
Kristina Holey — Marie Veronique's Director of Skin Health, and a perioral dermatitis whisperer — agreed to share some of her go-to treatments with us. You’ll want these tips.
Dr. Macrene Alexiades shares her Macrene Actives routine
Dr Macrene Alexades discusses the exact way she uses the Macrene Actives lineup on her own skin. No one knows these products better than she does, so it’s a method you may want to follow.
Omni-Biotic Balance: the immune-support probiotic
Learn all about Balance, Omni-Biotics immune-support probiotic (which also happens to be amazing for constipation and yeast infections).
Top natural curly hair care tips from Bouclème
It can take a good amount of experimentation to get curly hair care just right. We asked Michele Scott-Lynch, the founder of Bouclème, for a curly hair care primer — including guidelines for different types of curls.
TWELVE Scalp Cure: behind the formula
Dara: We’ve been pestering you about a scalp care product ever since you first gave us a tour of the SF Botanical garden and pointed out specific plants that help promote hair growth! What prompted you to create The Scalp...
Omni-Biotic Hetox: the story behind this powerful probiotic
A few members of our team — and many of you — have become full-fledged, fervent devotees of Omni-Biotic’s wondrous Stress Release probiotic supplement: it truly delivers improvements in cognition, mood, and focus, and it has multiple clinical studies to...
Introducing MyHavtorn’s Botanical Oil Serum
MyHavtorn is a brand that’s been very close to our hearts since we became their first US retail partners ten years ago. While “farm to face” had a brief, trendy moment, what we love about MyHavtorn is that they...
Hyperpigmentation: how marine ingredients can help
Hyperpigmentation is one of those skin conditions that increasing numbers of us struggle with, and it can be downright diabolical in many ways.
Hormonal skincare: how flare-ups during pregnancy, menopause, and ovulation are related
Annee de Mamiel explains how a variety of hormonally-related skin challenges are related — and how her Phyto-P Elixir works across all of them.
Ava Isa Every Morning: behind the formula
Sara Dudley, CEO of The Sunscreen Company, is one of our favorite sunscreen experts: she really knows what she's talking about, and she tells it like it is. Here, Sara and Dara dig into her newest product, Ava Isa Every Morning...
Tips for the smoothest shave from Dr. Natalie
Dr. Natalie Lindner shares her top tips for a smooth shave that leaves you with skin that’s soft and soothed, too.
de Mamiel Salvation Body Oil: behind the formula
Find out what makes de Mamiel's Salvation Body Oil so special in Dara’s conversation with Annee.
Summer hair: the secret to a great air-dry
So we asked Boris Oak, who shared these game-changing golden rules of hair styling, to tell us the secret to a great air-dry.
Reverie EROS hair mask: behind the formula
Find out how and why Reverie created their Eros hair mask in our interview with Hillary Markenson.
European pharmacists: what makes them different, and how that translates to skincare
Dr. Pedro Catalá of TWELVE Beauty describes his European pharmacy training, one of the credentials that makes him unique.
Dr. Macrene Alexiades on her Skyros body care products
We've long loved Macrene Actives formulas on our faces, but we wished our bodies could get the same attention. Now, thanks to the Skyros collection, we can.
27 Rosiers: French skincare with a holistic perspective
Why have beauty supplements been so popular in France for so long? For a Parisian perspective, we spoke with Kevin, the co-founder of 27 Rosiers.
Marie Veronique on healthy skin while traveling
Marie Veronique discusses how we can think about our skin’s needs as we travel, especially as the weather gets warmer through spring and summer — and in general.
Augustinus Bader: The Interview
Get an in-depth look at Augustinus Bader in our interview with the team at Augustinus Bader HQ and Professor Bader.
TWELVE Dara’s Water, decoded
"I would like to decipher for you, in plain Spanglish, why Dara's Water is the black horse in the cleansing category." Pedro, we can't wait.
Natalie's Smooth and Better Aging Body Lotions
Natalie's Cosmetics Smooth and Better Aging Body Lotions are the brand's best sellers, and we're thrilled to have them at Ayla. Learn more about these special formulas in Dara's interview with Natalie.
Marie Veronique's Multi-Retinol Night Emulsion: Q&A with Kristina Holey
We had so much fun at our Instagram Live Q&A with Kristina Holey, the Director of Skin Health at Marie Veronique. Missed it? Watch the video here.
Dara's Oil: What Marie Veronique loves about it
We love Dara's Oil, obviously. But have you wondered why Marie Veronique loves it? We have…so we finally asked her.
Kahina Giving Beauty: one of our first partners
Kahina’s founder, Katharine L’Heureux, tells us about her journey as a pioneer in organic skincare — and what inspires her ever-forward-thinking mind these days.
de Mamiel Multi-Active Hydramist: behind the formula
Find out why Annee de Mamiel upgraded her mist formula— and why she thinks her products are never fully put to bed.
From hair loss to hair longevity: EVOLVh Better Roots
Scalp care has been (deservedly) trending for some time, but we think scalps could still use a little more love — especially when it comes in the form of a product that’s this good.
Marie Veronique Multi-Retinol Night Emulsion: why it's so good
We're thrilled to have Marie Veronique's Multi-Retinol Night Emulsion on our shelves. To find out why Marie herself loves it so much, check out her musings on our blog.
Why we need eye cream: an expert opinion from Dr. Macrene Alexiades
Do we really need to use eye cream? Star dermatologist Dr. Macrene Alexiades fills us in — and tells us what makes her new High Performance Eye Cream so special.
de Mamiel Soothe Bath Soak: the story behind it
de Mamiel Soothe Bath Soak was designed to showcase the stress- and anxiety-relieving Soothe formula in the form of a calming salt bath. Learn the story behind it directly from its creator in Dara’s interview with Annee.
TWELVE Plant Perfection: behind the formula
An interview with Dr. Pedro Catalá Our friend, Dr. Pedro Catalá, recently told us, “No one is spared from the loss of skin flexibility and firmness…and unfortunately, the use of mobile devices and less-than-optimal posture further aggravate the situation.” We...
A guide to masks from Luzern
Why are masks so good for us, and what’s the best way to fit them into our schedules? We asked Lisamarie DeLucia, Luzern’s resident skin expert, to weigh in.
Marie Veronique on hormonal acne
What is hormonal acne, exactly, and what can be done about it? We figured the perfect person to dig into this would be Marie-Veronique Nadeau.
Marie Veronique protocols for hormonal acne
Wondering what products to use for hormonal acne? Check out these protocols from Marie Veronique.
de Mamiel's Fixes for stress — and how to know what your skin really needs
An interview with Annee de Mamiel Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and we can tell. Her line of "Fixes" represents 13 years of work with chronic stress and its impact on...
Should we change our skincare with the seasons?
As seasons shift, many of us find that our skincare routines could use a little adjustment. Dara asked Pedro to weigh in on the topic.
The story behind de Mamiel Eye Fix
de Mamiel Essential Eye Fix is one of those introductions that make you think, “Yes! This is exactly what this product lineup needed!”
Hand care from Natalie's Cosmetics
Natalie's Cosmetics has hand care! Find out what prompted Natalie to create her two new products and learn what makes their formulas special in her interview with Dara.
Kosas Revealer Foundation Shade Finder
If you're already a fan of the Kosas Revealer Concealer, this shade guide can help you figure out which Kosas Revealer Foundation shade is right for you.
Marie Veronique on why skin barrier repair matters
Marie Veronique + Kristina Holey's Barrier Repair Serum and Balancing Hypotonic are longtime best sellers. Here, Marie digs into the reasons why — and why skin barrier health is so important.
Different ways stress affects the skin — and how de Mamiel's Fixes can help
Stress takes a variety of pathways that result in different symptoms on the skin. Learn more about what form stress can take on the skin, and what you can do about it, in Dara’s interview with Annee de Mamiel.
de Mamiel Gravity Fix: behind the formula
Annee de Mamiel has such impeccable timing that we sometimes wonder if she might be able to see the future. She is, after all, preternaturally gifted in many ways, with an ability to not only treat the skin on a...
de Mamiel Lip Rx: behind the formula of the new Rosey Lip Balm
We were thrilled when we heard that de Mamiel's Rosey Lip Balm was back, in a formula that was even better: Lip Rx. Find out how Annee went about tweaking her lip treatment formula in this interview with Dara.
Brand Spotlight: Natalie's Cosmetics
Dr. Natalie Lindner saw a need for science-focused body care products that are as rich in active ingredients as high-end facial serums. We're so proud to be the first US retailer for this unique brand.
New scalp care and hair care solutions
A quick review of our latest additions from Augustinus Bader & TEK
TWELVE Beauty Glow Island: behind the formula
Glow Island from TWELVE Beauty isn’t like any other product we’ve seen. In the words of its formulator, Pedro Catalá, it’s like “an Instagram filter without coverage: it gives you a nice, subtle tone without makeup for a quick, fresh-faced...
de Mamiel seasonal face oil: Summer
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn about the Summer Oil.
Our quick guide to Luzern's Serums
Luzern's serums are some of the best targeted treatments we've ever experienced. Not sure where to start? Here’s what we love about each one.
Marie Veronique on sunscreen
Sunscreen is very close to Marie-Veronique Nadeau’s heart. Here, she weighs in on must-know topics in sun protection with her signature thoroughness and wit.
Lagom: a Swedish philosophy we love
Lagom (lah-gum) is a Swedish term that means “not too little, not too much”: it’s all about balance, and it’s infused throughout Swedish culture. We see it in our own Guide, Emi, whose Swedish family’s influence can be seen in...
Diet and Skin: a top dermatologist’s perspective
The brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades chats with Dara about not only what foods to avoid in cases of acne, rosacea, or skin aging, but also what to reach for.
Clinically-tested body care from The Organic Pharmacy
The Organic Pharmacy, founded by pharmacist and homeopath Margo Marrone, is one of the few brands that have been on our shelves since we opened our virtual doors in 2011. In case you don’t already know their story, The Organic...
de Mamiel Spring Oil: behind the formula
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn how she thought about the creation of the Spring Oil.
Addio Cleansing Oil and Ganache Balm: tips from Olio E Osso’s founder
Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. Here, Paola chats with Dara about her two newest introductions.
Video introduction: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was born just as the pandemic started to spike for the first time in Italy, when everyone started to spend a lot more time at home — and scent took on a whole new level of mood-improving power...
Brand Spotlight: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was developed by Marta Mondelli, an actress and writer who worked with one of the best noses in Italy to create scents that are both comforting and modern. Learn about the brand here.
Dry & dehydrated skin: how to treat it
Tussling with dry and/or dehydrated skin? Marie covers the difference between transient and chronic dry skin, types of ingredients to look for, and how to most effectively layer products for better skin nourishment.
Winter skin tips from MyHavtorn of Sweden
For some winter-skin inspiration, we asked MyHavtorn co-founders Robin and Ingrid to tell us which products they're using most these days during the long Swedish winter.
How to get healthy, glowing skin with a simple routine
Dr. Pedro Catala shares his quick tips to get healthy, glowing skin using a simple routine. He also includes a trick to keep skin hydrated under your sunscreen, all day long.
de Mamiel Winter Oil: how it works with the seasons
An interview with creator Annee de Mamiel A frosty winter sunrise at Annee's farm in England Below, founder Annee de Mamiel describes the development process of her Winter Facial Oil, the first seasonal oil she ever created: she blends each batch herself,...
27 Rosiers on the perfect pair for dry skin: Ma Creme & Glow For Good
One of the things we love most about 27 Rosiers is that their products’ textures are uncommonly beautiful — and as a result, they turn skincare into a simple daily ritual that you’ll genuinely look forward to. Co-founders Stephanie and...
YÜLI's perspective: Gua Sha for face and body, and which oils to use with it
YÜLI co-founder Eddie Zhao shares his perspective on Gua Sha for both body and face, and which oils he finds work best with these techniques.
TWELVE Beauty body care: an inside look
Find out why Dr. Pedro Catalá decided to expand his TWELVE lineup to include daily body care.
de Mamiel Pure Calm Cleansing Dew: insider tips from Annee de Mamiel
Annee de Mamiel shares all of her Cleansing Dew secrets: how she developed it, how she suggests using it, and how it can be used as a redness-relieving mask, too.
de Mamiel's Altitude Bath: what makes it so addictive?
Interview with creator Annee de Mamiel de Mamiel Altitude Bath Soak was designed to showcase the marvelous Altitude Oil in an ideal context: folded into a deeply grounding and calming — yet, somehow, perfectly rejuvenating — salt bath. Here, creator...
Bare Hands: the story behind The Natural Pedicure
Read about Bare Hands founder Suzanne Shade’s journey as she experienced instant success with her first product and developed her follow-up hit, The Natural Pedicure.
Winter wellness secrets from Mette Picaut
M Picaut's founder, Mette, shares her secrets to keeping skin, body, and spirit healthy through the cold winter months in Sweden.
How we found Fueguia 1833
A few years ago, I happened upon a shop in New York that I’d never seen before. It was in a building set apart from others, painted a beautiful, deep shade of blue, and on the door was printed “Fueguia...
Introducing Fueguia 1833
Watch this beautiful video for a greater understanding of just how special this fragrance brand is.
Brand Spotlight: Fueguia 1833
Fueguia 1833 is an artisanal laboratory that creates limited-edition perfumes using a palette of over 1200 botanical ingredients — some of which have never been used in perfumery before. The brand is named for the meeting of three figures in...
Different acids, enzymes, and retinol in skin care
What are the different acids to look for in a formula, and why? How are they different from enzymes? And what about retinol? Marie Veronique makes sense of it all.
de Mamiel Autumn Oil: how to use it
Annee de Mamiel describes treating skin seasonally in clinic and her suggestions for a home routine with the wonderful de Mamiel Autumn Facial Oil.
de Mamiel seasonal face oil: Autumn
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn how the Autumn Facial Oil came to be.
Rose and oat extracts for skin
Formulator Dr. Pedro Catalá describes the benefits of rose and oat extracts in skincare — and why he chose to use both in the product he made just for us, Dara's Water.
MyHavtorn: 2021 sea buckthorn harvest update
Every year, we look forward to the sea buckthorn harvest update from Robin and Ingrid at the MyHavtorn farm in Bollebygd, Sweden.
End-of-summer skincare: a top dermatologist's perspective
Lately, we’ve received a lot of questions about the best ways to get end-of-summer skin back into shape. We asked Dr. Macrene Alexiades to provide us with her expert perspective.
Brand Spotlight: J.M. Generals
Jeffrey Monteiro tells us how J.M. Generals began — and the lengths to which he goes in order to stay true to his original vision of a business that deeply integrates design, technique, and sustainable values.
BioRecept's founder on switching skincare products, rosacea, and other FAQs
Biorecept founder Anne Dupouy-Camet discusses skincare with Dara: why switching products can be helpful, what she suggests for rosacea and periomenopausal skin, and whether or not to exfoliate.
Manasi7 makeup tutorial: summery makeup, all year long
Susanne Manasi Persson is a Stockholm-based makeup artist whose approach is deeply thoughtful and refreshingly boundary-crushing. She created this fun summer makeup tutorial for us featuring Manasi7 colors.
Orcé Cosmetics: Foundation, Setting Powder, and Perfecting Makeup Sponge for a flawless finish
Yu-Chen Shih created Orcé to celebrate a broader range of Asian skin tones with specific makeup shades that weren't offered by other beauty brands. Its Come Closer Foundation also works across a number of non-Asian skin tones and, in the...
The story behind Dara's Water
Our founder, Dara, had been looking for a cleansing water that could easily clean every (truly, every) skin type for over ten years. To our delight, TWELVE founder Dr. Pedro Catalá created Dara’s Water: everything we’d been looking for, and more.
de Mamiel Dewy Facial Mist: behind the formula
Dara interviews Annee de Mamiel, creator of de Mamiel's Dewy Skin Mist, to learn the secrets behind this super-hydrating formula.
TWELVE's Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser: the story behind the product
It’s always exciting when TWELVE Beauty introduces a new product, so it came as no surprise when multiple TWELVE fans called us to ask, “Is the new Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser here yet?” while it was in transit from Valencia...
Dr. Pedro Catalá: Ingredients to look for when going outdoors
One of our favorite formulation and ingredient experts is Dr. Pedro Catalá, founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty. He knows his stuff: Pedro has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that...
Luzern: innovation update from one of the originals in clean beauty
We always love the originals — the ones who see the truths around the corner before they become trends. They remain endlessly fascinating and inspiring to us because they keep thinking ahead of the masses, exploring those truths more deeply...
Congested skin & clogged pores: advice from Kristina Holey
We asked famed facialist Kristina Holey how she thinks about congested skin and clogged pores: why are so many of us struggling with them, and what can we do? Read on for her expert perspective.
LIHA's unique & beautiful approach to fragrance
LIHA's beautiful British products blend West African botanicals with traditional English aromatherapy in formulas that feature carefully sourced ingredients, multipurpose usage possibilities, and a keen focus on sustainability from start to finish. In this quick video chat between our founder, Dara, and...
Ellis Brooklyn's founder on SALT, BEE, and Iso Gamma Super
Ellis Brooklyn was created by Bee Shapiro, a chic mom who happens to be a style columnist for The New York Times. These sophisticated, multilayered scents, developed in collaboration with the perfumer behind Byredo and other star perfumers, take non-toxic fragrance to...
LIHA: the story behind the brand
Liha and Abi, the two friends behind the LIHA brand, are not only deeply thoughtful but also candid and fun, which makes learning more about their entrepreneurial story all the more delightful.
Kristina Holey on skincare routines at home
In the view of famed facialist Kristina Holey, strategic at-home skincare has always been — and always will be — much more important than in-person treatments. Here, she shares specific practices that we can all adopt in our home care routines.
EVOLVh InstaVolume Mousse: insider info & styling tips
EVOLVh InstaVolume Volumizing Mousse is an innovative, alcohol-free styling foam that gives hair weightless volume with a soft, clean feel. We talked to EVOLVh founder Boris Oak about what makes this mousse so different; he also shares some great tips for using...
EVOLVh WonderBalm: the story behind the ingredients of this stellar frizz fighter
EVOLVh WonderBalm is a silicone-free, fragrance-free serum that nearly defies belief in its ability to fight frizz. To learn more about how WonderBalm’s ingredients and how they outperform silicone, we caught up with EVOLVh's founder, Boris Oak
White genepi, TWELVE Beauty's hidden antioxidant hero
White genepi is a powerful antioxidant that's found in the majority of TWELVE Beauty's products. We asked TWELVE creator and master formulator, Dr. Pedro Catalá, to tell us why white genepi deserves a headline of its own.
Bach flower baths: a simple way to enjoy these essences
A bath with Bach flowers can feel like a spiritual hug — and it's so easy. Here, our founder, Dara, and the founder of Les Fleurs de Bach, Gérard Wolf, discuss the practice of bathing with Bach flowers.
Astaxanthin, a low-key star of YULI's Ambrosia Beauty Nectar
One of our favorite under-the-radar antioxidants, astaxanthin, happens to be one of the key ingredients in one of our favorite products, YÜLI’s Ambrosia Beauty Nectar. Here, YÜLI co-founder Eddie Zhao tells us what he loves about this ingredient.
Facial massage with de Mamiel's Cleansing Balm
de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm is a favorite for our entire team. We asked our esthetician, Sarah, to put together a video to show us how to use it for a deeply relaxing and restorative facial massage.
MyHavtorn's Liquid Hand & Body Wash: an inside look
MyHavtorn’s Sea Buckthorn Soap has been a sensation at Ayla: it seems nearly impossible to keep it in stock. What we are equally excited about is its liquid version, the new MyHavtorn Liquid Hand & Body Wash — offered exclusively...
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: long, wavy hair air-dry
In this video, hairstylist Mandy Wray shows us how to pre-wash, wash, condition, and air-dry long, wavy hair using Reverie: CAKE, EVER, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, MILK, RAKE, and MARE.
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: short hair refresh
Want to see Reverie products in action? In this video, hairstylist Lo Shabino shows us how to give short hair a refresh using CAKE, MARE, & RAKE.
Blue light and skin: Dr. Pedro Catalá on antioxidant protection
Pedro Catalá— founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly trained founder-formulators we know; he holds a pharmacy degree, a Master's degree in Botany, and a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it,...
Olio e Osso: the new January 2021 collection at Ayla
Olio E Osso is a small, Portland-based company that makes beautifully simple and versatile skincare and makeup products. Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. In...
Activist Manuka Honey: Frequently asked questions
We caught up with Activist co-founder Gabrielle before her family left for their annual trip back to New Zealand to ask a few frequently asked questions about their phenomenal honey.
Face oils — or creams and lotions?
We’ve written many times of our love of the combination of a hydrating serum with a moisturizing facial oil in our email newsletter. The face serum + face oil combination (like Dara's own favorite combination, shown above) isn’t necessarily better...
Bach Flower consultations with Gérard
The founder of Les Fleurs de Bach is offering Bach flower consultations to all of you! Grab one of these spots while you can.
Preteen & young-teen skincare
There’s been quite a bit of talk lately about the intense skincare interest among preteens these days. Some of it is a little exaggerated, but — as the parent of a 12-year-old myself, shown here with me at the Barbie...
An ode to Marie
Why I'm endlessly grateful to Marie-Véronique Nadeau and her team at Marie Veronique.
A brightening, plumping mask that's perfect for winter
The mask I’ve been using the most these days is actually a blend of two products I already had in my bathroom cabinet: the de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm and Brightening Cleanse & Exfoliate.
How we found Fueguia 1833
A few years ago, I happened upon a shop in New York that I’d never seen before. It was in a building set apart from others, painted a beautiful, deep shade of blue, and on the door was printed “Fueguia...
Better sleep: tips & products that can help
Still not sleeping well? You've got company. Many of us have spent the last year just trying to make it through, and when faced with a relaxing of pandemic vigilance, it can be hard to…relax. I’ve found this to be...
Do you need a toner?
The best ones turn my answer from "Well..." to “Yes. Yes, you do.” It’s been a strange start to spring. Some years, this season effortlessly breathes fresh energy and unbridled optimism into the air. This year, though — with every...
Some favorite songs of peace, hope, and inspiration for your bath
2021 has not yet proven to be less crazy than its predecessor, has it? Perhaps because of this, I’ve taken a bath almost every evening this year: whether due to the news, the weather, or something else, I seem to crave...
My favorite rosacea tips
One of my oldest friends asked me recently what she could do about a rosacea flare-up. She’s a lawyer who’s been working like mad to prepare for a trial and, like many a working mom these days, packed up her...
A peek into the hidden world of Bach flowers
If you’ve been following us for some time, you may already know how much I love Bach flower remedies. They didn’t sweep me off my feet right away; rather, I was swept off my feet by a beautiful body scrub...
The value of a farm visit
About five years ago, I went through a phase where the amount I was spending on groceries each week seemed outrageous. I’m not sure what I was comparing it to, exactly, but it just seemed like a lot. And it...
One step that can wake skin up again
Have you been feeling a little dragged-down? The inevitable settling-down that comes after a period of intensity — combined with the arrival of cold weather and earlier darkness — can pose a challenge even to the most motivated. Especially, I imagine, if...
Do tinctures really work? Yes. Good ones do.
We have not discussed this, you and I. But I imagine that if you’re not already a devotee of Dr. Anna Gold’s ingestible tinctures, you might view them with a modicum of skepticism: “Are they just another thing for me to...
Brighter beauty: lessons from my mom
A little sketch of my mom and what she has given to me — which has so much to do with what Ayla is today.
My first podcast interview
Dara got to be a guest on the fantastic Yogaland podcast — listen to it here.
Are you sleeping in your sunscreen? If so, I have thoughts.
Find out which cleanser is always our first recommendation for removing sunscreen at the end of every day.
