Beauty Confessions: You’ll Think I’m Crazy When You See My Genius Mascara Hack

Understanding Oil Cleansers

With acne prone skin, you want to start off your routine with an oil cleanser. This will help to completely remove the makeup from your skin, as well as get rid of any dirt.

Rachel Lozina, New York State Licensed Master Esthetician, let me know that these oil cleansers restore the skin barrier. Most people that have skin conditions like acne often use specific cleansers that alter their skin's pH, or leave it incredibly dry and dehydrated. With oil cleansers, you can actually balance that delicate pH instead, leaving your skin heathy, moisturized, and glowing. Lozina puts it like this: "When we oil cleanse, we are restoring the hydro lipid barrier (I say it’s like your ozone layer) and after it’s restored, your skin can start functioning healthy again!"

Try using these for a week and see how they change your skin!

What About Facial Oils?

When I realized that most of my acne was incredibly inflamed from the harsh chemicals I was putting on it, a doctor recommend rosehip oil to me. This completely changed the game for my skin. Not only did it help heal my acne scarring, but it lessened my existing breakouts in a major way. Lozina recommends jojoba, rosehip, argan, hemp seed and squalene oils for acne prone skin. She also says that less is more, so if you have sensitive skin, make sure to not over-do it!

Dermatologist Helen M. Torok, MD, and cofounder of Balanced Skin, told us to make sure to avoid coconut oil because it can seriously clog the pores and cause follicular occlusion in acne prone patients. She also let us know that we shouldn't be afraid of oil even if we have oily skin! She explained that jojoba oil will actually balance your natural oil so you're not overproducing it. All you have to do is apply a light layer in the morning and at night.

Shop Our Picks

Josie Maran Cleansing Oil

I have this cleansing oil and use it quite often. It gives an extremely deep cleanse without irritating the skin or leaving it too dry. It also makes my skin (and my breakouts) feel calm and moisturized, which is ideal for healing blemishes and treating past scars. It features argan oil which is one of my favorite oils for soothing the skin, too!

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Another deep cleansing oil that is highly-rated and an Amazon best-seller! The DHC Deep Cleansing Oil offers a cleanse that will keep your skin feeling refreshed and soothed after use. This super popular oil has over 22,000 reviews and a 4.6 star rating, so it's clear that this cleanser really works well for other folks, too. I also like this one because it's fragrance and cruelty-free!

ANUA Pore Control

This pore-controlling cleansing oil will help you with any irritating black heads or sizable pores you may be struggling with. It's intended to really work its way into your pores to help prevent any blackheads or future breakouts. It's a lighter cleanse, so if you want to stay away from the harsher, deeper cleanses then this one is for you!

Bioderma Cleansing Oil

I love a good French beauty product! This cleansing oil is one that I'm always restocking when I'm in France, and lucky for you: It's on Amazon! It's a French beauty staple that I would highly recommend for anyone that wants a makeup remover + cleanser in one!

Youth to the People Serum

I am seriously obsessed with this oil, and although it's quite expensive, it really does work like magic! It heals my breakouts, moisturizes my skin, and heals any scarring I have from previous acne. It has super hydrating magui + acai which will brighten up your skin to give it a natural glow.

Cliganic Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil first introduced me to oils in my skincare routine. It cleared up my breakouts so quickly, and made my skin look really healthy. I notice a significant difference when I stop using this in my routine. Try it for a week and I promise, you'll see a difference!

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil is a great way to treat your acne, because it helps give you that youthful and dewy glow. It's a fantastic product for acne, but also for people with hyperpigmentation issues. It will help to balance out your skin, and protect your skin barrier from further damage or discoloration.

Timeless Skin Squalane Oil

Squalane! This oil is fantastic for healing and inflammatory properties. This means that it treats those pesky breakouts by hydrating the skin barrier and making it less irritated. I happen to love it for my hair as well!

Balanced Skin Jojoba Oil

Jojoba is good for helping to balance out your oil production levels which will minimize breakouts and clogged pores. I use this product because it brings back elasticity to my face after the harsh products I use to treat acne, which gives me a more natural glow.

Good Molecules Squalane Oil

Another amazing squalene product! I had to add this one, because I love the Good Molecules brand. I've used a ton of their products, and they have the most simple ingredient lists with lightweight, natural oils and no harsh chemicals or added perfumes. This brand is a necessity for those with sensitive skin!

What causes weak fingernails?

But first, what causes unhealthy, brittle, breakable nails? A lot of factors that may not instantly come to mind. According to WebMD, these factors can contribute to weak nails:

• Aging: As we get older, our nails get thinner and can crack or peel.
• Harsh nail products: Both nail polish and nail polish remover can have strong chemicals that can damage and dry out your nails, leading them to break.
• Wet nails: Consistently have your hands in water, maybe doing the dishes or bathtime for the kids? This could be drying out your nails.
• Underlying health issues: Vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and many other health issues could be the cause of nails breaking.

How can I strengthen my nails?

Dealing with some of these factors? While we can’t help you with the underlying health issues (please see a doctor if you think you may be dealing with something!), there are many easy things you can do to improve your nails and encourage growth.

• Cuticle oil
• Biotin
• Diet
• Nail protection
• Avoid picking and peeling

Find a Cuticle Oil

You may only use cuticle oil when your manicurist applies it, but that doesn't have to be the case. Cuticle oils are an inexpensive and easy way to promote nail health and growth by keeping your nails hydrated. Cosmetically, cuticle oils encourage longer-lasting manis and leave your nails looking shiny and polished. But they do much more below the surface: cuticle oils create a healthier environment that allows strong growth for your nails.

Interested in adding cuticle oil to your beauty routine? Check our a few of my faves:

• Cuccio Naturale Revitalizing- Hydrating Oil
• Olive & June Cuticle Serum
• OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil

Explore Biotin

Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that helps our bodies turn food into energy. It’s also one of the top recommended supplements for hair and nail growth, and for good reason. Many scientists say a daily biotin supplement can improve nail strength in as little as a few weeks.

“Since it is water soluble, biotin (or vitamin B7) can’t be stored in the body and must be acquired from diet or through supplementation,” shared Rachel Kilroy, Director of Product Innovation at Solaray, the original pioneers in supplement health and wellness. Solaray has developed a new supplement that provides biotin in a unique way.

“Solaray’s Timed Release Biotin strategically supports nail health with a powerful 5,000 mcg of this important nutrient, delivering half of the biotin rapidly and the other half gradually over a period of up to 8 hours for sustained support,” Kilroy continued. “With consistent use, this vegan formula—lab verified for purity and potency—can provide comprehensive support for longer, stronger nails.”

There are many supplements on the market that you can try, and we love the ones by Solaray as well as the new ones by Lemme. Lemme Glow Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies are packed with biotin, collagen, and Vitamins A, C & E, and are created with a Pro-Retinol formula. They also have the most delicious peach flavor and are gluten free and non-GMO!

Supplements not your thing? Biotin can be found naturally in many foods, like cooked eggs, whole grains, soy and other beans, nuts and nut butters, salmon, mushrooms, and cauliflower.

Eat A Nail Friendly Diet

Nails require a balanced, healthy diet for proper growth and strength. According to Medical News Today, making small tweaks to your diet can make a big impact on your nails. Adding in nutrients like more iron or calcium in your diet will have your nails growing long and strong.

Dieticians recommend a colorful diet for nail growth consisting of colorful fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, lean meat, avocado, sweet potato, and whole grains.

Protect Your Nails While Wet

Constantly doing dishes, managing bath time, gardening, or swimming? The water may be the cause of your breakage.

Your nails are like sponges, constantly expanding and contracting when water goes in or out of the nail cells. This can strain your nails, causing them to weaken, peel, and then break.

When possible, grab a pair of rubber gloves to wear while cleaning to protect your nails from the water and make sure to fully dry your nails after they’re in water. Hand creams are also a win for your nails after water exposure.

Avoid Picking, Peeling or Biting

Bad habits that are addicting. While peeling off your gel manicure can be so satisfying, it’s one of the worst things you can do for your nails. Same with constantly picking or biting your nails. As someone who used to constantly bite her nails down, I can assure you my nails are much healthier and stronger after kicking that habit.

Want to quit that habit? Try a nail bite deterrent, like this one from ella+mia or this one from LONDONTOWN and watch your nails grow before your eyes.

1. How I Met Your Mother

It's natural to have flawed characters in TV series, but one How I Met Your Mother character in particular, Barney Stinson, is especially problematic. Portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris, Barney is known for being manipulative and casually misogynistic.

For instance, he has a "playbook" of pick-up lines, regularly lies to women just to sleep with them, and perpetuates toxic masculinity. Barney's behavior might've been able to snag some laughs back in the day, but his disrespectful actions wouldn't be so well-received by audiences in 2025.

2. Two and a Half Men

Two and a Half Men continues to air on TV and stream across platforms, but that doesn't mean its premise isn't controversial.

Charlie Sheen plays Charlie Harper, a man who routinely treats women as objects for his own pleasure and perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes. Not to mention, Charlie's behavior is showcased in front of his young nephew, Jake, who becomes privy to situations that are way too mature for a kid.

Sure, there is humor in the tension between Charlie and his brother, Alan. Nonetheless, the line between comedy and inappropriate content is definitely blurred.

3. Ugly Betty

Both the title and plot of Ugly Betty probably wouldn't hold up if it were released today. The show revolves around Betty Suarez, played by America Ferrera, who is a smart, ambitious, and kind-hearted young woman. However, since she wears glasses, has braces, and doesn't follow fashion trends, she's deemed "ugly" and deals with constant ridicule after landing a job at a fashion magazine.

It's undeniable that Ugly Betty is packed with both funny and heartfelt moments. Nonetheless, the way the show treats Betty's looks and reinforces harmful beauty standards feels super outdated in our more body-positive and inclusive era.

4. That 70's Show

When you think of That 70's Show, you might picture the classic bell-bottom-wearing friend group sitting around, surrounded by clouds of smoke. Compared to how the character Fes, played by Wilmer Valderrama, was treated, the underage drug use seems relatively tame.

As the "foreign exchange student," Fes is not only given a name that reduces him to being an outsider, but a lot of the humor surrounding his character also just relies on racist stereotypes. That 70's Show might've intended to be lighthearted, but it's tough to imagine a modern sitcom leaning on so many old tropes.

5. Everybody Loves Raymond

Despite being a funny character, Ray Barone, played by Ray Romano, reinforces problematic gender roles in Everybody Loves Raymond.

He comes off as a passive husband who typically sides with his mother over his wife, leaving his wife to shoulder much of the emotional labor and household chores. This old-fashioned family dynamic feels especially inappropriate today when modern sitcoms are trying to challenge these old stereotypes.

6. The Big Bang Theory

The initial appeal of The Big Bang Theory centered around nerd culture being quirky and odd, but today, this kind of "otherness" just isn't considered funny anymore.

Each character also has their own specific issues, with Raj's selective mutism being played for laughs, Penny embodying the "dumb blonde" stereotype, and Sheldon's behavior that's exaggerated for comedic effect. In 2025, this sitcom seems repetitive and shallow since it leans too heavily on stereotypes.

7. Home Improvement

When it comes to Home Improvement, this show pushed a traditional narrative where men are defined by their roles as the breadwinners and having handyman skills; meanwhile, a woman's value is tied to her appearance and household duties.

Tim Taylor, played by Tim Allen, is a one-dimensional character whose storyline almost totally revolves around his role as the host of "Tool Time," a fictional TV show. Not to mention, there's the "Tool Time girl," a woman whose sole purpose is to stand and look attractive while introducing Tim and his co-host. The lack of depth and outdated gender tropes make Home Improvement a tough watch today.

8. According to Jim

On a similar note, the show According to Jim features a father, played by Jim Belushi, who embodies traditional gender roles. His behavior doesn't fit the mold of the typical sitcom dad, though, since Jim is always lying to his wife and sister, interrupting others, and acting just plain rude.

In hindsight, Jim's character perpetuates misogyny and being overly macho, something that probably wouldn't fly if made today.