Among your many senses, your ability to perceive scents, like freshly baked bread or a floral bouquet, brings joy to your life. These scents can evoke happy memories and even warn you of danger, in the case of smoke or a gas leak. Most of the time, our sense of smell functions normally, but a variety of things can cause your sense of smell to waiver. The Nose Knows The olfactory sensory neurons that interpret scents are located high inside the nose. When the neurons detect molecules in the air, the information is relayed to the brain for interpretation. While...

The winter solstice marks both the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. And for many of us, that astrological shift coincides with the coldest temperatures of the year. To offset winter’s gloom and frigid weather, we’re innately drawn to scents that remind us of holiday gatherings, cozy nights with our loved ones, and sweet treats that make us smile. When master perfumers capture those evocative scents, they speak to our spirit and brighten the darkness. Since learning about fragrance notes can be confusing, we’ve gathered some of our favorite winter fragrances to share how...

At holiday time, the thought that you put into each gift is something the recipient will always remember. And over the years, we’ve learned that gifts that recognize our loved ones’ needs and passions are often the most appreciated. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of gifts that anyone on your list would appreciate, from adventurous souls to precious fur babies. Gifts for Adventurous Friends Know someone who is curious by nature? How about that friend who’s always open to new experiences? Tapping into someone’s naturally adventurous side is simple when it comes to self-care. And you won’t break the...

Picking out gifts for your loved ones should be a joyous experience, but let’s face facts. It isn’t always easy to find the right gift for the man that seems to have everything. Instead of choosing something generic or impersonal, give the gift of self-care this year. Men appreciate high quality grooming, body, and fragrance products as much as women, and by giving the men in your life products that keep them looking and smelling great, you’ll show them that taking time for themselves is both well-deserved and worth the indulgence. Best Men’s Grooming Gifts You may not know it,...

Every holiday season presents new opportunities to share gifts with the special women in our lives. Gift giving is an art, and it can be difficult to find something creative for your closest friends and loved ones. During the holiday season, our thoughts turn to those we love and share time with throughout the year. The people on your gift list have diverse interests, which means thinking creatively before you make a purchase. To make your shopping a little easier, we’ve compiled a list based on many of the types of people in our own lives. We hope you find...

Remember the first time you decided to grow a mustache or beard? Testosterone and hair growth are closely connected, and when hormone levels are low, hair growth can be sparse. Depending on the number of hair follicles you have, growing a full beard may be problematic, but these insightful tips may help. Tip #1 Commit to a Skincare Routine Okay, that probably sounds counterintuitive, but a good skincare routine will improve your chances of growing healthy facial hair. Just like your scalp, your facial skin needs to be clean, moisturized, and exfoliated regularly to help reduce irritation, redness, and beard...

Are you the type of person who likes to start each season with a fresh slate? Some people change their skincare or exercise routine seasonally to make the most of natural sunlight and warmth, and when the early part of November rolls around and the leaves begin to fall, we’d be wise to take a cue from Mother Nature and shake off the old in preparation for the new … skin, that is. What is Dry Brushing?  Dry brushing is an excellent way to slough off dead skin cells, invigorate your circulation, and detoxify your lymphatic system. The ages-old Ayurveda...

When the leaves start to change and nights turn chilly, there’s no denying that autumn has arrived. We all look forward to the upcoming holidays and sweater weather, but the changing seasons can leave your hair looking less than lovely. Wind, cold weather, and forced air heating can zap hair’s moisture levels in an instant. Here are five tips to help you adjust your hair care routine before a bad hair day strikes. Turn Down the Tap When temperatures dip, most of us take longer, warmer showers. While our muscles may appreciate the added heat, hair isn’t a hot water...

Even though autumn has only just begun, store shelves are stocked with everything for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pumpkin spice everything abounds, but if you’re dealing with summer-like temperatures, it can be hard to start thinking about a roaring fire, hot cocoa, and wearing anything with sleeves. One way to jumpstart your seasonal transition is to start bringing autumnal touches into your home. Here are four of our favorites. Warm Up Your Neutrals Bright white towels, sheets, throw blankets, and pillows are always in style, and adding a few warmer, neutral tones is a good way to keep your home from...

Even if the weather in your area hasn’t fully transitioned into autumn yet, you may still be feeling the effects of a long, hot summer. Spending time outdoors, lounging by the lake, or simply taking the family on a fun vacation to a drier region can leave your skin looking a little worse for the wear. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to help your skin recover while you’re ramping up for the holiday season. Deciphering If Your Skin Is Dry or Dehydrated Understanding your skin type isn’t often easy, especially when it comes to deciphering the difference between...