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Do Dogs Like Music? – Dogster

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Music has an undeniable impact on humans. But do dogs like music? Considering that dogs can’t tell us exactly how they feel, the answer isn’t conclusive. But some studies have shown positive responses in dogs.

It’s a tough question to answer, says dog behavior expert and VCA Animal Hospitals Vet Tech Ali Creighton, because there is no proven way to determine whether a dog is actually enjoying music.

“Studies have shown positive responses in behavior and body language, but this is something that is going to vary dog to dog,” she says. “Just like people, dogs have preferences too.”

Derrick Garrett, Zoundz Music for Pets founder and CEO, is more certain.

“Of course, they do,” he says. “But it must be the right music.”

What kind of music do dogs like?

While dogs don’t necessarily respond to specific genres of music, they respond to specific parameters within a song, including tempo, chord progressions and instrumentation, Derrick says. Some classical music and sub-genres contain all the calming parameters for dog relaxation, but these can technically fall under any genre or sub-genre of music.

Empirical data has shown that dogs have a preference for classical and, interestingly enough, reggae music, says Ali.

What does a preference look like? One study evaluated dogs’ heart rates in response to different types of music.

Calming music for dogs

Relaxing music for dogs may help with stressful situations or anxious dogs.

“Music can absolutely affect dogs’ behavior,” Ali says. “Response and preference to music will vary from dog to dog. Common responses include relaxation and in some cases, a decrease in anxiety.”

Each song in the Zoundz Music For Pets repertoire is tested to calm dogs in stressful environments or circumstances, including shelters, veterinary hospitals, boarding and daycare facilities, explains Derrick.

A quick search will show online playlists like “Calming Music for Dogs” or “Dog Music” can work.

“A lot of those playlists will consist of soft, classical music,” she says. “As long as your dog is not displaying a negative reaction to music (anxiety, fear, etc.), owners can feel free to try them out.”

Some pet parents may also wonder if there’s music to help dogs sleep. Derrick says no.

“Within the species-specific music parameters, there is some flexibility to lower the music tempo to a rate that could lead to your dog sleeping,” he says. “Still, I would not venture to say there is specific music for dogs to sleep to.”

How music can help dogs

Music can be used for training sessions. For example, Ali says, if you’re working to train your dog to go lie on her bed and calm down, play music during this training exercise.

“Eventually, in conjunction with the learned command, your dog can begin to associate the music with the desired behavior,” she says. “Additionally, playing music for your dog can be a form of enrichment — as long as your dog is not showing a negative response to music playing.”

Whether it’s a stressful situation or a training session, the right kind of music may be able to help your dog relax. Experiment with playing different types of music in different situations to see if it helps calm your dog. But be careful with playing music too loud.

Ali says, “Dogs can be sensitive to extremely loud volumes, so be sure to practice common-sense volume safety just as you would for yourself.”

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March 3, 2023
Emily Sandstrom builds Sydney home extension from recycled materials

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Australian architect Emily Sandstrom has transformed a run-down 1930s bungalow in Sydney by adding an extension that was partly built from demolition materials.

Sandstrom aimed to restore the home, which had been left untouched for decades, and celebrate its original features including picture rails and ceiling mouldings.

The extension has a U shape with glass doors that let in light

The architect demolished a small rear kitchen, outhouse and sunroom and reused the bricks and materials from the demolition to construct a 45-square-metre U-shaped extension, which accommodates an open-plan kitchen and dining space.

Two large sliding glass doors open out to a courtyard and let natural light into the kitchen extension.

Demolished bricks were reused to build the extension

The U-shaped extension and courtyard were designed to provide a connection between indoor and outdoor entertainment areas.

According to Sandstrom, concrete flooring and overhanging eaves help to passively heat the home in winter and cool it in summer. Solar panels were also added to the home, meaning no additional heating or cooling systems were needed.

Sandstrom aimed to create a connection between indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces

“The U shape in combination with the wide and curved eaves provides passive heating to the home during the winter months and shade during the summer,” Sandstrom told Dezeen.

“This in combination with a concrete floor for thermal mass, double glazing and high windows located for cross ventilation, means there is no need for additional heating and cooling systems.”

Brave New Eco applies cosy colours and materials to Melbourne “forever home”

A large island with a countertop made from recycled Australian hardwood is the focal point of the kitchen, where a step down in floor level separates the “work zone” on one side of the island from the rest of the room.

“The kitchen was a particular focus in the design, and a strong central point of the home,” said Sandstrom.

A change in floor level separates the kitchen from the dining space

Informed by Japanese design and bathing rituals, the bathroom features a sunken bathtub that sits below floor level.

Timber decking covers the floors and conceals the drainage points for an overhead shower. Glass sliding doors lead to a small garden with an additional outdoor shower.

“[The bathroom] was designed to achieve an atmosphere of calm and seclusion, and the design captures many different outlooks into the garden and directs the eye away from the less ideal views,” said Sandstrom.

The bathroom features a sunken bathtub that overlooks a garden

Throughout the home, the architect removed carpets to uncover the original floorboards and restored original features, including stained glass windows, ornate ceiling mouldings, dark timber doors, trims and architraves.

Newly added joinery was designed to preserve the home’s skirting boards, picture rails and ceiling mouldings, as well as maintain the original scale and layout of the rooms.

The home’s original features such as ceiling mouldings and picture rails were maintained

Other homes recently completed in Australia that have been featured on Dezeen include an oceanside residence in Sydney that was transformed to suit a family of five and a home in Melbourne with interiors finished in timber, terracotta and rich jewel tones.

The photography is by Rohan Venn.

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March 3, 2023
US Stocks Face a Reckoning As There’s No Escaping a Recession: Rosenberg
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- Top economist David Rosenberg warned that US stocks are in for more pain this year – and rang the alarm on recession risks again.
- “The stock markets and the credit markets seem to think that they have more time than they can buy before the boom really gets lowered on the economy,” he said.
- Rosenberg pointed out that the US economy is already facing an earnings recession that could jolt the stock market.
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US stocks will feel the pinch from the delayed effect of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate hikes, and there’s no escaping an economic downturn this year, according to David Rosenberg.

“The stock markets and the credit markets seem to think that they have more time than they can buy before the boom really gets lowered on the economy,” the Rosenberg Research chief said Thursday on CNBC, adding that the US economy is not strong.

The economist was speaking of US financial markets’ resilience in the face of the Fed’s aggressive interest-rate hikes aimed at cooling inflation, and added it’s only a matter of time until investors feel the heat. That’s because leading indicators suggest a recession is imminent for the US economy.

Inflation surged as high as 9.1% last summer, spurring the central bank to boost rates from nearly zero to just below 5% in the past year. That has seen price pressures ease somewhat in recent months, fueling hopes that the Fed will pivot from its hawkish policy and spurring stock and credit-market gains.

According to Rosenberg, the US will likely slip into recession no later than the second or third quarter of this year. “I don’t think we get out of this without a recession,” added.

“The timer I see for the market, whether it’s credit or equities, has shortened up so much that it’s only when they see the whites of the eyes, and I think a lot of it will have to do with employment,” he said. “Once employment starts contracting, I think that’s where you’re going to find the risk-on trade really coming under downward pressure,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rosenberg pointed out that an earnings recession is already underway in the US. “What’s the stock market not seeing when you’re seeing declining earnings, not slowing earnings, and declining earnings estimates?” he said.
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March 3, 2023
How To Unclog Your Pores

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When you think of clogs, your mind may wander to drains and sinks but — while faulty plumbing may be alarming — we think there’s an even more distressing location for blockage: your pores. These tiny orifices on your skin can attract all types of debris, leading to clogged pores. But how exactly do you get rid of clogged pores? If you’re ready to minimize the appearance of pores and unclog that buildup, here’s our guide to combat your congested pores once and for all.

What Are Clogged Pores? | 3 Methods To Avoid | How To Unclog Your Pores | How To Shrink The Look Of Large Pores

What are clogged pores?

Clogged pores are small dots you see on your skin, which are actually the openings of hair follicles. When impurities settle on the skin, a nasty mixture of dead skin cells, pollution and oil can sink deep into these openings. Pores filled with debris can lead to blackheads, whiteheads and blemishes — blocked ducts that look dark on the surface. Blackheads are small, open pores that are filled with oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. They can look black because of the oxidation of these cells. You can spot blackheads on the face (especially the nose), but they can also appear on the back, chest, neck, and arms. In comparison, whiteheads are also caused by pores filled with dead skin cells, oil or dirt but these pores are closed rather than open. This buildup causes a whitehead to form on the skin, which is usually white or a light color. Whiteheads are often accompanied by other types of acne, such as blackheads, papules and pustules.

3 Methods To avoid

Through specific skin care products and spa treatments, you can clear clogged pores effectively. But there are some trends that people use at home that cause more harm than good.

1. Pore Strips

When you suffer from clogged pores, it may be tempting to resort to options like pore strips, a strip of material with an adhesive that pulls out skin cells and blockage. However, many beauty experts don’t recommend these products for blackheads. “I’m always wary of pore strips because while they [may] be fun, you risk damaging the skin and thus, [making] your pores bigger,” dermatologist Jennifer Herrmann, MD tells Byrdie. Herrmann explains, “Although they are marketed well, most aren’t powerful enough to ‘clean’ pores.”

These sticky strips may irritate your skin, leading to inflammation, especially for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin types. Although these strips may remove some surface debris, they could also worsen the problem by causing dirt and impurities to settle even deeper into the pores. Plus, the superficial action of pore strips removing skin cells means that perfectly healthy skin cells are ripped away along with dead skin cells.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda to remove pores is a DIY method that has gained popularity but is ineffective in removing the buildup clogging your pores. By putting baking soda on your skin, you’re adding on a product that generally irritates the skin. Baking soda can strip the skin’s natural barrier, leaving your skin dry, itchy or vulnerable to environmental stressors.

3. Lemon

Lemon is another ingredient that can really irritate your skin due to its acidity. Some people apply lemon to dry out their breakouts and hopefully unclog their pores, but lemon only leads to irritation, dryness and even increased sun damage.

How to unclog your pores

If pore strips aren’t the right choice for you, here are three Eminence Organics exfoliants we recommend using instead:

Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

A favorite of stars like actress Thandiwe Newton, our Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant uses naturally occurring lactic and salicylic acids to deep clean your pores and remove dead skin cells. Chickpea flour and rice flour gently buff the surface of your complexion and absorb excess oil.

Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant

When you’re getting ready for a professional blackhead extraction from an Eminence Organics authorized spa, our Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant is the exfoliant to turn to. Infused with stone crop, this powder-to-foam product is formulated for desincrustation, a treatment that softens sebum. Its light fizzing action softens the skin and prepares the complexion for a pore-clearing extraction. For even more effectiveness, you can also blend Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant with our Citrus Exfoliating Wash for the ultimate deep clean.

Turmeric Energizing Treatment

If it’s a mask you’re looking for, try our pore-purging Turmeric Energizing Treatment. This treatment gently exfoliates to uncover soft, fresh-looking skin. Paprika invigorates the look of the skin, leaving it soft and glowing, while turmeric visibly brightens the skin’s appearance and reduces the look of puffiness.

How To Shrink The Look Of Large Pores

If you’re looking for a flawless complexion, shrinking the appearance of pores is an important step. Your skin type determines what the natural state of pores will look like. If you have oilier skin, the pores expand and have a larger appearance. If you have less oil, your skin’s pores will barely be noticeable. You may also notice pores if you have congestion built up in your skin. Watch our Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar, as she explains why certain skin types suffer from large pores and what products you need to minimize large pores for healthy, smooth skin.

Ready to unclog your pores and reveal your most radiant-looking skin? Reach out to your favorite Eminence Organics authorized spa and find out more about our exfoliants. Where do you find the worst of your clogged pores and blackheads? Let us know your pore-cleaning complaints in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.

This article was originally written in October 2017.

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March 3, 2023
How to Trim Dog Paw Hair – Dogster

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Is your dog sliding across the floor? Or coming inside with ice balls stuck between his toes? Sounds like he’s overdue for a paw hair trim! Head to the groomers for a professional job, or try your hand at trimming dog paw hair yourself.

How to trim dog hair between paws yourself

Kathy McFall, certified professional pet groomer and owner of Kathy’s Pet Salon, recommends starting with ballpoint scissors (or a small electric razor) and a slicker brush.

Here are Kathy’s paw hair-trimming tips:

Step 1. Lay small dogs on your lap or larger dogs on the floor.

Step 2. Use the slicker brush to brush the hair on top of the feet — the “wrong” way — so it stands up.

Step 3. Hold the scissors just above the top of the foot, not touching the skin, with the ball tips pointed toward the leg. Make three separate cuts above the space between the toes.

Step 4. Lightly trim the outside edges of the three toes on the front of the foot.

Step 5. For trimming the back “heel” of the dog, lay the scissors across the top of the back pad and trim the excess hair sticking out between the paw pads.

If your pup is anxious, have someone else hold your dog and feed her treats. A treat lick mat with peanut butter or wet food can help your dog love his paw pad trims!

Brush your dog’s paw hair backward, so it stands up straight and is easier to trim. © Kristina Lotz

Try these dog paw hair trimming tools:

When to see a dog groomer for a paw trim

A professional dog groomer typically does a cleaner and quicker job, which nervous dogs will appreciate! Kathy says to seek professional help if you see matting or foreign objects in-between the pads of the foot. Ideally, dog paws should be trimmed every four to eight weeks and, she adds, that’s the perfect time to trim those nails, too!

With the proper utensils, a steady hand and a patient dog, you can trim your dog’s paw hair at home. If you are nervous or your dog has a lot of mats, leave it to a professional groomer.

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March 2, 2023
5 Popular Kitchen Layout Ideas

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Your kitchen’s layout can make or break its functionality. In most cases, the homeowners we work with take their current layout for granted and don’t even think about altering it for their upcoming kitchen remodel. However, changing your layout can make a tremendous difference in how your family uses the space. After all, functionality will always be a top priority.

If you’re planning to hire one of the best kitchen remodel contractors near you to help you with your cooking space layout, keep reading and maybe you decide what layout is suitable for your everyday needs.

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March 2, 2023
Remote Work, Working From Home Is Actually Making Big Cities Stronger

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America’s great cities are in a precarious spot.

As the workforce adapts to the pandemic-jumbled future, millions of people across the country are still not going into the office five days a week. In January, 41% of Americans were working from home for some or all of the week. Fewer people commuting into the office means fewer people spending on lunches and happy hours or stopping by retailers in downtown areas. It also means less property- and sales-tax revenue that cities depend on to fund important programs like schools and public transit. Add it all up, and the remote-work shift is costing downtowns a lot of cash. A recent analysis found that the shift to working from home cost the borough of Manhattan over $12 billion a year.

This hollowing out has in turn triggered concerns about an “office apocalypse,” the “death of downtown,” and an “urban doom loop” that will send major cities into a protracted downward spiral. Comparisons have been made to the decline of Rust Belt cities such as Detroit and Pittsburgh in the 1970s when they failed to pivot in the face of shuttering manufacturing plants. Those cities took decades to recover from the downward spiral as unemployment increased, local rents declined, poverty rates increased, and the tax base shrank.

But this bleak future is not set in stone. Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago can use the short-term challenges of the remote-work shift to reinvent themselves, enhance their quality of life, and attract footloose residents. The emerging competition between regions triggered by working from home will strengthen the nation, allow cities to reinvigorate themselves for a century to come, and give Americans a larger menu of livable, affordable cities to choose from. Far from being the death knell for cities, the remote-work revolution could pave the way for a new urban boom.

Cities set themselves up for pain

In the movie “Rocky III,” the heavyweight boxing champ and people’s favorite Rocky Balboa gets complacent after years on top. Only when the brash and powerful challenger Clubber Lang unexpectedly knocks him out and takes his title does Rocky finally pursue the “Eye of the Tiger,” gaining a newfound ambition that pushes him to train for a rematch with Lang.

Like Rocky, superstar cities have been overconfident — about their ability to attract residents. Sure, they attracted their fair share of talented people and ambitious businesses over the past few decades, but that was despite flagging services. Places like New York and San Francisco did not innovate how they kept streets safe or how they provided public education or transportation. And they didn’t make it easy or cheap to live there either.

Before 2020, home prices in these cities soared as they built very little housing. Zoning regulations driven by “not in my backyard” politicians and residents limited developers’ ability to build housing and absorb soaring demand. The real-estate platform Zillow’s home-price index suggests prices for a home in San Francisco grew by 106% from February 2010 to February 2020, from $631,000 to $1.3 million, while the national index increased by only 50%, from $157,000 to $234,000. The same housing issues have also hit New York. According to the data-compilation company RentData.org, New York rents have increased by 103% for one-bedrooms and by 81% for two-bedrooms since 2010.

By not tackling this housing problem, these cities ended up catering to elite residents and failing the middle class, depriving them of the quality of services and housing that their families needed to thrive.

The bill is coming due

As more people shift to remote work and shop around for a place to live, the bill for decades of underinvestment and poor management in America’s large cities has come due. Workers are voting with their feet and moving farther from the expensive urban core. And early projections suggest these cities will face major budget problems. The comptroller for the city of New York estimated that the city’s non-property-tax revenue would decline by 7% and that the overall deficit would hit $2.9 billion in 2023. In San Francisco, tax revenue is projected to drop by as much as a billion dollars over the next six years.

The exodus of workers is also leading to a dire outlook for a cornerstone of these downtowns: their office towers. An academic paper titled “Work From Home and the Office Real Estate Apocalypse” drew a lot of attention in late 2022. The authors found that the value of New York City’s commercial real estate declined by 44.8% between December 2019 and December 2020. And while they said the value of the offices bounced back some as pandemic restrictions eased, they projected that such depressed market conditions could persist throughout this decade. Data from the real-estate firm CoStar suggests similarly worrying trends for New York City. From 1996 to 2022, the average vacancy rate for offices was roughly 9%. Today it’s roughly 16%, the highest level in the past 26 years.

This office downturn isn’t limited to the Big Apple. The total square footage leased — a measure of how many businesses are renting out office space — across 14 major US real-estate markets fell by 60% between 2019 and early 2022. While vacancy rates are up, sales of office buildings are down. In a typical year, roughly $11 billion worth of office space trades hands, but in 2022 this collapsed to $3.5 billion. Sales volume has declined by 83% from its peak in 2016.

The empty office towers are already setting off alarm bells for leaders in major metro areas. New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams, has been vocal about his desire to get more people in offices, arguing that workers shouldn’t “stay home in your pajamas all day!” Adams has expressed concerns that permanent declines in the city’s public-transit use, retail vibrancy, and tax-base revenue would undermine his administration’s ability to provide basic public services. “I need the accountant in the office so that they can go to the local restaurant, so that we can make sure that everyone is employed,” he told reporters last March.

Bruce Harrell, the mayor of Seattle, expressed a similar sentiment but also acknowledged that people’s working patterns have shifted permanently. “I’m trying to encourage employers to get folks back, develop the energy and synergy that we need,” he said in October. “But the fact of the matter is there will never be the good ol’ days where everyone’s downtown working.”

The chance of a new dawn

Despite the doom and gloom over these cities’ prospects, the emerging day of reckoning for cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Seattle can also be an opportunity. Nick Bloom, a leading economist who surveys businesses and workers, says young people still want to live and work in vibrant city centers. “If you look at 20- to 29-year-olds, they have a very strong preference for having at least two, three days a week on-site,” Bloom recently said on a podcast. If cities offer these young people greater opportunities to learn, network with employers, and enjoy cultural events, they can still thrive.

In order to bring in these new residents, cities will have to shift some of their priorities. Major metros will have to experiment with new ways to reduce crime, provide better education, and deliver other services for residents. Property owners in these cities, threatened with a massive asset loss if their city becomes a ghost town, will also have to nudge leaders to adapt to the new realities.

If the traditional accounting and law firms need less space because of new work-from-home policies, then big cities will have to entice a new cohort of younger startups looking for a foothold in a productive, exciting place with incentives like local college partnerships, innovation districts, and dedicated government liaisons.

Major cities can also help ease the pain of remote work and attract new residents by making housing more affordable. After years of delays and rising prices, San Francisco is using the pandemic’s wake-up call to push for more building: Mayor London Breed’s office recently released a plan to build 82,000 units in the next eight years. One new way to facilitate this growth would be to convert commercial real estate into housing. Of course, commercial buildings differ in their potential to be residential apartments, but the most successful cities will be flexible enough to innovate. In New York, Adams is trying to streamline zoning and regulatory codes to reduce the costs of such conversions. Los Angeles is pursuing “adaptive reuse,” a fancy way of saying it’s trying to turn empty commercial buildings into apartments. Cities can also experiment with smaller quality-of-life improvements — for instance, after years of stalling, New York is testing a containerized trash-disposal system to clean up the city’s sidewalks.

As New York learned in the 1970s, fears about crime can dissuade both tourists and new residents from coming to the city. Research coauthored by Steven Levitt of “Freakonomics” found that increases in violent and property crimes were correlated with city residents migrating to the suburbs. Using a wide array of tools — from better infrastructure and jobs programs to smart technology and effective policing — mayors who can make streets safe will have a better shot at attracting and retaining the footloose.

Considerable risks do lurk here. For cities with older decaying commercial buildings, the cost of residential conversion may be very high. Additionally, sweeping changes to zoning or property-use regulations take a long time to work out with local politicians and other community groups, which make most urban plans extremely difficult to implement. The competition to attract and retain talent will be intense, and some cities will fail to come out on top.

But overall the move to remote work can help these places become stronger. It may not always be easy, but by catering to people who truly want to live there with improved affordability and quality of life, America’s superstar cities can usher in a new urban boom.

All is not lost

There’s little doubt that superstar cities like New York and San Francisco have serious problems on their hands. But an “office apocalypse” or the “death” of their downtowns is not a fait accompli.

The cities facing troubles in 2023 have several advantages that the rusted-out manufacturing centers like Detroit and Akron, Ohio, did not have in the 1970s. They attract domestic and international tourists because of their famous sights and cultural attractions. The cities’ populations are generally highly educated, and local top-notch universities still attract new cohorts of young people seeking to make their name, learn, and network. And these cities aren’t reliant on a single industry, making them more resilient to abrupt changes.

In the medium term, the work-from-home shift will make San Francisco, New York, and others stronger cities because those who really want to live there will do so. These cities will become more affordable and younger, and they’ll have more spunk. Americans everywhere adapted to the challenge of COVID-19 by working from home. Now American cities are being forced to adapt to the work-from-home revolution.

Matthew E. Kahn is the Provost Professor of Economics at the University of Southern California and the author of “Going Remote: How the Flexible Work Economy Can Improve Our Lives and Our Cities.“

Christopher Okada is the CEO of Okada & Company, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage and investment company in New York City.

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March 2, 2023
A Tropical Skin Care Routine To Target Dull, Rough Skin

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If your skin is looking lackluster, it might be time to supercharge that glow. Our Tropical Superfood Collection offers a refreshing lineup of products that easily integrates into your current skin care routine and pairs exfoliating PHA (polyhydroxy acid) with vitamin-rich botanicals to address dull and tired skin. Keep reading to find out how to renew and revitalize your complexion with next-generation formulas infused with acids and enzymes for gentle exfoliation and hydration.

A Facial Skin Care Routine | A Body Care Routine

Discover The Tropical Superfood Collection

Dull and tired-looking skin is often caused by dead skin cells building up on the surface of the skin, combined with an uneven skin tone. Fortunately, the Tropical Superfood Collection addresses these issues, harnessing gentle exfoliation as well as potent antioxidants blended with superfood botanicals. Introducing our three new Tropical Superfood essentials: the Pineapple Refining Tonique, the Superfood Booster-Powder and the Yuzu Solid Body Oil. Each formula in this collection enhances the skin with PHA and unique, next-gen superfood botanicals, including Kakadu plum, pineapple and camu camu. Together, this combination of key ingredients delivers the ultimate tropical experience and the look of healthy, glowing skin.

This collection:

Plus, these organic formulations are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

A Facial Skin Care Routine

Here’s how to incorporate these three products into a tropical facial skin care routine that leaves the complexion brighter and smoother-looking.

1. Cleanser

For your cleansing step, try the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser. This delicious-smelling cleanser contains lactic acid, a gentle alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) exfoliant that eliminates surface buildup and improves skin hydration for brighter, youthful-looking skin. It is formulated with mangosteen, which visibly enhances skin vitality and radiance.

How To Use

To apply, mix a small amount of product with water into your hands. In a circular motion, apply and massage gently with your fingertips while ensuring that you cover your face and neck. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Do not use on broken or abraded skin.

2. Toner

Next, apply the Pineapple Refining Tonique, a dual-action chemical and enzymatic tonique designed to gently exfoliate, visibly brighten and hydrate the skin. This exfoliating toner has a fresh pineapple scent and is formulated with PHA, enzymes (bromelain) and tranexamic acid. Working together, these ingredients team up to gently exfoliate and brighten the appearance of the skin. If you have sensitive skin, PHA is the exfoliating acid perfect for you. A non-irritating exfoliant, PHA targets the dryness associated with environmental stress while reducing the visible signs of aging. Because this acid focuses on surface-level penetration, sensitive skin types can apply this exfoliating ingredient without fear of irritation.

How To Use

After cleansing, apply an even layer onto the face and neck area with either your palms or a cotton round. Leave this on. Start with one application every other day and increase to daily use if you do not experience irritation.

3. Exfoliant

The Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel leaves your skin looking firmer, more hydrated and feeling noticeably soft and smooth. This peel gently exfoliates using lactic and glycolic acids to renew a dull skin texture. It also creates firmer-looking skin thanks to a formula containing antioxidants sourced from acai berry, grapefruit and goji berry,

How To Use

Apply one to two pumps of the solution onto the dual-textured cotton round pads that are provided. Apply in circular motions ensuring you apply to your face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on.

4. Mask

You’ll love the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque for visibly reducing the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. This cream-gel mask is formulated with Vitamins C and E to improve the appearance of the skin. This blend of tropical citrus fruits, leafy greens and avocado oil helps reduce the look of drying environmental stress as well as fine lines and wrinkles.

How To Use

Apply a small amount of the mask evenly over the entire face, neck and décolleté, if desired. Allow the mask to dry for five to ten minutes. Use a lukewarm face cloth in a circular motion to gently scrub off the mask and rinse thoroughly with clear water.

5. Essence (Optional)

If you feel like your skin has lost its natural radiance, or that you have a compromised skin barrier, an optional step in your routine is adding an essence such as the Kombucha Microbiome Balancing Essence. This essence is formulated with pre, pro* and postbiotics to enhance the skin’s glow, and primes the skin for all the products to follow in your skin care routine. You can learn more about pre, pro* and postbiotic skin care in this guide.

How To Use

Dispense a small amount of product in your hands or on a cotton pad and pat it onto cleansed and toned skin. Leave the essence on.

6. Serum

Tone and refresh the skin with the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum. Boasting citrus fruits such as lemon and grapefruit, this lightweight serum helps protect your skin against the signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines. It also contains botanical ferulic acid, an effective antioxidant to help the skin appear bright, firm and plump.

How To Use

Apply three to four drops to your skin once or twice daily. Leave it on.

7. Eye Cream

De-puff tired eyes with the Hibiscus Ultra Lift Eye Cream. This eye cream smooths wrinkles and minimizes the appearance of dark undereye circles thanks to the inclusion of an ice wine active, caffeine and botanical peptides. You’re left with a smoother, more hydrated-looking eye area.

How To Use

Gently depress the finger trigger nozzle to dispense a small amount of product and use the cool stainless steel rollerball to gently massage the cream under the eye area in a circular, upwards sweeping motion. Use either once or twice daily on its own or under your favorite eye serum or cream. Leave it on.

8. Concentrate

Immediately refresh and revitalize dull skin with the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate. A Lactic Acid Complex consisting of a proprietary blend of actives gently resurfaces the skin and refines pores for a more radiant, silky and youthful-looking complexion.

How To Use

Apply one to two pumps to cleansed skin once or twice daily. Leave the product on.

9. Facial Oil

The Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil firms and plumps the skin and provides deep hydration for all skin types. Infused with rosehip, jojoba and seabuckthorn oils, this luxurious facial oil provides essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins to improve the look of elasticity and texture.

How To Use

Apply a thin layer of oil (2–3 drops) to the face and neck with circular motions once or twice daily. Leave on. This oil can be followed with a moisturizer.

10. Moisturizer & SPF

The tropical Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer hydrates the skin thanks to coconut oil, coconut water and shea butter. A Natural Retinol Alternative Complex also gives the skin a lifted and tightened appearance. Follow with an SPF like our Lilikoi Mineral Defense Moisturizer SPF 40.

How To Use

Apply a layer of moisturizer over the entire face and neck area. Leave on. For a lighter application, emulsify a small amount of moisturizer in your hand with a few drops of water. For extra hydration, apply a thicker layer on dry areas. Follow with an SPF.

11. Add-In Boost

Blend the Superfood Booster-Powder into your moisturizer before application. This fine powder mixes with a cream moisturizer to target uneven skin tone, brighten the complexion and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Rich in the superfood Kakadu plum, the powder delivers the fruit’s Vitamin C antioxidants to the skin, helping minimize the look of dark spots.

As International Educator Brian Goodwin, says: “Vitamin C is crucial for achieving that coveted natural glow. The Superfood Booster-Powder is enhanced with Kakadu plum — an ultra-potent fruit that contains 30-50 times the Vitamin C found in oranges.”

How To Use

Using the dosing spoon provided, add one leveled scoop of powder to a cream moisturizer in the palm of your hand. Mix well. Apply to the face and neck 1–2 times daily. Leave it on.

12. Mist

After your skin care routine, refresh your complexion throughout the day with a spritz of mist. The antioxidant-rich Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist contains superfruit, which revitalizes the skin’s appearance. This mist also minimizes the look of environmental stress, improves skin tone and reduces the appearance of pores.

How To Use

Cleanse skin and apply one to two sprays onto the face and neck or apply with a cotton pad, avoiding the eye area. Leave the mist on. To refresh the complexion, you can re-apply anytime during the day.

Escape To The Tropics With This Body Care Routine

1. Body Scrub

Rejuvenate the appearance of the skin across your body with the Stone Crop Revitalizing Body Scrub. You’ll notice your skin appears more hydrated as this scrub is formulated with stone crop, a succulent that moisturizes and brightens the appearance of the skin. It also contains a Biocomplex2™, a booster of antioxidants that brings back strength, vitality and a luminous glow to the skin.

How To Use

Apply a layer of the product to damp skin. Massage in circular motions on your legs, hands, arms, elbows and any part of the body that needs smoothing. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.

2. Body Oil

Worried about a lack of hydration in your skin? The aromatic Yuzu Solid Body Oil contains deeply hydrating ingredients to improve the appearance of firmness and elasticity while providing moisture to the skin. This solid body oil contains buriti oil, rich in essential fatty acids, as well as passion fruit seed oil, that nourishes the look of the skin. PHA gently exfoliates, while superfood berry camu camu targets the appearance of an uneven skin tone thanks to Vitamin C.

How To Use

With clean, dry hands, scoop a small amount of product and massage directly onto the skin. This oil melts from a solid to a soft, luxurious liquid when exposed to the warmth of your skin. Leave on. Do not use on broken or abraded skin.

You can also watch Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar as she walks you through a step-by-step routine that includes the Tropical Superfood Collection.

Visit our Spa Locator to find your nearest Eminence Spa Partner and discover the Tropical Superfood Collection.

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March 2, 2023
The Mystic of The Unstitched

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Text by Shirin Mehta. Photography by Bhumika Sharma. Styling by Akanksha Pandey. Art Direction by Akanksha Pandey and Naomi Shah. Hair and Make-Up by Lulua S and Pallavi Pathodia at Orane. Models: Khushi at A Little Fly, Naayaab Sheikh at Anima Creatives, Tre Munroe.

Handwoven khun sari, from Kubsa; hand-block printed linen scarf (used as a tie around the waist), from Eka.

No one can dispute the magic of a beautiful length of textile that can be twisted any which way, draped in magnificent folds around the body or at a strategic window, wrapped tightly around a favourite object, or bulked up to generate volume and balance. A piece of tasselled fabric over a conjuror’s stool, an exquisite tablecloth across a trestle table, a shawl laid over the back of a chair, a parcel wound around with colourful cloth meant to be gifted to someone dear — these are some of the images involving textiles that we take for granted — seldom actually noticing the metres and fibres involved. But so much of what we see around us in the streets and in our homes — besides what we cover ourselves with — is tied up in a variety of fabrics. We have, in fact, been surrounded by virgin weaves since Mauryan times when men and women wore unstitched garments like the antariya (lower body garment) and uttariya (upper body garment), before sewing was known to man.

Mystical matka (pots) performances, ubiquitous set-ups of roadside dentists partitioned from pedestrians simply by a stretch of fabric, and pervasive visions of enormous bales of cloth tied to the backs of meandering trucks on Indian highways — these are a few of the inspirations that moved our stylist to showcase saris, turbans, gamchas (thin towel usually with a design of checks) and dupattas in unique ways….

1.Handwoven cotton sari (draped as dhoti), from Raw Mango. 2. White kurta, white cotton churidar, both from Rajesh Pratap Singh; handwoven fabric with treated textiles, from Kuru Kuru (on body); samples of artisanal works (tied around the head), from Kalhath Institute; shoes, model’s own. 3. Yellow soy Chanderi silk sari, red soy Chanderi silk sari (wrapped around the table), blue soy Chanderi silk sari, all from Meekhalio; old safa cloth (wrapped around the table, over the red sari), Meekhalio founder Somya Tambi’s own. 4. Hand-block linen scarf, from Eka; old printed safa cloth, Meekhalio founder Somya Tambi’s own.

Industry insiders share their thoughts on the drapes, layers and illusions that only seamless fabrics can create….

Ajay Bhoj, Antique Textiles From India

Centuries-old zardozi work on velvet, preserved by Ajay Bhoj.

“Wearing unstitched cloth had a religious as well as spiritual connotation in ancient times, as it was believed to be endowed with the power to shift the energy from the earth to the body and then back to the earth again. Unstitched cloth was considered the purest form of clothing and in earlier times the technique of knotting was used while wearing the cloth. It remains a very popular choice in India where it forms the primary part of many of our traditional garments.”

“The influence of textiles starts with our own needs and spreads to every other possible industry like food, building materials, transportation, health. And can be seen especially in our own homes.”

Ashish Satyavrat Sahu, Khadiwala Designer and Johargram

Handwoven bamboo mat (wrapped around the body) and handwoven cotton pants, both from Johargram; vegan leather sheet (wrapped around the shoulder), from Malai.

“In comparison with historical drapes, unstitched textiles as worn today, have been modernised and have fewer variations. Although they are considered outdated, vintage draperies are reviving in style and are considerably more valuable.”

Seema Tiwari, Tarini Studio

Kotpad cotton tribal motif handloom saris, from Tarini Studio; handwoven purple mulberry silk brocade fabric, from Joskai; red handwoven naturally dyed cloth, from Purvi Doshi.

“The concept of unstitched garments is as ancient as civilisation itself. From Egypt and Mesopotamia to Guatemala, China and India, it has evolved and is still evolving, and the state of Odisha is part of this amazing cloth-making culture. Tarini is focused on protecting Odisha’s rich handloom heritage and driving its generational legacy. The aim is to exemplify the richness and diversity of Odisha’s culture along with the artistry of the weavers creating these unstitched garments in length and breadth.”

“Historically, unstitched garments were pieces of cloth woven by hand from materials grown locally. In many cultures, they indicated the social status of various members of society. As stitching was not known, the fabric was simply draped around different parts of the body. Tarini is inspired by our handloom heritage and custom of draping.”

Anuj Sharma, Button Masala

1. Underwater-fauna-inspired artwork (used as surface detailing), from Vaishali S; yellow soy Chanderi silk sari, from Meekhalio; white tent dress, from Button Masala. 2. White tent dress, from Button Masala; upcycled fabric (around the neck), from Paiwand Studio; white cotton churidar, from Rajesh Pratap Singh; shoes, model’s own.

“The role of the sari is well known but it’s on a huge decline. The ability to drape a fabric is an important skill that we are in the process of losing. All my clothes are uncut, unstitched and draped. They are made using buttons and rubber bands. It’s a simple and extremely sustainable method. The clothes can be worn in many ways because they can be opened up and put back together again.”

Ashita Singhal, Paiwand Studio

1. Hand-embroidered cashmere bedspread (as head covering), from Andraab; upcycled hand-embroidered cloth (draped around the body), from Paiwand Studio; white cotton salwar, from Rajesh Pratap Singh. 2. Bandhni scarf (top), from Studio Medium; upcycled embroidered textile (middle), from Paiwand Studio; striped organza fabric (bottom), from Poochki.

“Unstitched cloth offers a collaboration between a piece of fabric and the wearer. The versatile and nonconformist nature of fabric gives freedom to wearers to express themselves. It also offers inclusivity and breaks the rules that Western stitched clothing has set and blinded us with. While Indian fashion is often represented by embroideries and weaving patterns, we often forget to embrace the zero-waste garments (like the sari and dhoti) that have come from our roots, way before anyone was concerned about production wastage.”

“Textiles have always been an inseparable part of our lives. We are surrounded by fabrics. From a baby’s swaddle to rugs, quilts and more…fabrics play an important role in providing comfort and protection from harsh climates. At Paiwand, we upcycle textile waste and turn it into fabric for apparels and home furnishings in order to provide an alternative to the virgin textiles that are used in these industries. Our sustainable, upcycled textiles reduce waste while reviving traditional Indian craft.”

Riddhi Jain Satija, Studio Medium

1. Red tie-dye scarf, from Studio Medium; striped linen sari, from Anavila; lavender striped handwoven cashmere shawl (tucked in the front), from Andraab; old printed safa cloth, Meekhalio founder Somya Tambi’s own. 2. Green handwoven bandhni silk scarf, from Studio Medium; handwoven purple mulberry silk brocade fabric, from Joskai; Kotpad cotton tribal motif handloom saris, from Tarini Studio; hand-stitched cotton shirt, from RaasLeela; handwoven cotton sari (draped as dhoti), from Raw Mango; red handwoven naturally dyed cloth, from Purvi Doshi.

“A silhouette comes with a story of its own, it’s already had a journey. A piece of unstitched textile will always be a starting point, the beginning, the point from where a journey will commence.”

Purvi Doshi, Purvi Doshi

Hand-embroidered fabric, from RaasLeela; kala cotton with extra weft cloth (draped like a skirt), from Purvi Doshi; white cotton salwar, from Rajesh Pratap Singh; flip-flops, model’s own.

“Unstitched textiles constituted the only garments in ancient times. In India, these were used creatively by different communities: from Assam’s mekhela chador to Gujarat’s chaniya (wraparound skirt). Today, unstitched garments are limited to occasion wear. They are no longer the humble ensembles that were once worn every day.”

Somya Tambi, Meekhalio and Capra (Shefcoz)

1.Red tie-dye scarf, from Studio Medium; striped linen sari, from Anavila; lavender striped handwoven cashmere shawl (tucked in the front), from Andraab; old printed safa cloth, Meekhalio founder Somya Tambi’s own; white cotton churidar, from Rajesh Pratap Singh. 2. Blue soy Chanderi silk sari, from Meekhalio.

“In earlier times, the unstitched was considered ‘holy’. It was never treated as a ‘product’. It was never attached to livelihood. There were familial and community values attached to it. There was mythology attached to it. It was community-driven work. It helped in binding people and also maintaining harmony. For instance, people from some parts of the country would make particular motifs, while those from other parts would sing songs during the making process. During the British rule, it became a movement for self-reliance and dignity. Such was the power of the unstitched.”

“At Meekhalio, our way of designing is very attuned to the ‘Indian way’ of design, which has been extremely different from the West. We design unstitched garments, like say a sari, keeping in mind the functionality, feel, drape, dimensions and aesthetics. At Capra, we are making garments out of the tant sari. We let the weavers use their own design sensibilities and we don’t interfere in their creativity. This way, we are making them a vital part of the supply chain and giving them authority to design their native textiles while preserving the cultural textile of the cluster.”

Interns: Shruti Agarwal and Hrishikesh Saji

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March 2, 2023
Should I Shave My Dog? – Dogster
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What groomers refer to as “clipping” (and pet parents call “shaving”) a dog’s hair, can keep your dog cooler, but up to a certain length. Taking the coat right down to the skin has the opposite effect as the coat helps to regulate body temperature. It also protects your dog’s sensitive skin from the sunburns and pests.

Which dog breeds should not be shaved

According to Nicole Kalish, education manager at Andis, most double-coated, shedding dogs should not be shaved. These dog breeds include:
- Huskies
- Pomeranians
- Golden Retrievers
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- German Shepherd Dogs
- Australian Shepherds
- Siberian Husky
- Border Collie
“Often, the coat doesn’t grow back correctly,” she explains. “Consequently, it can look sparse and patchy because the undercoat and guard hairs don’t grow at the same rate. Post-clipping alopecia (baldness) is often seen in these dog breeds, too.

“Instead, a dog with a double coat will benefit from regular baths, blowouts and brushing and combing to remove excess undercoat. You can also trim length from feet, tail and furnishings using a straight or curved shear. This is often referred to as an outline trim,” she adds.

Dogs who have hair instead of fur can be candidates for a summer cut. These include
- Oodles
- Poodles
- Yorkshire Terriers
- Cocker Spaniels
- Shih Tzu
- Maltese
More active dogs, or dogs who love to spend time in the water, can benefit from a shorter hair cut to prevent mats and tangles and constant grooming maintenance.

Grooming tools to clip or shave your dog

Depending on the dog breed, clipping down to a ¼ inch is considered short and best achieved with a #5 blade. A #7 blade will make it fractionally shorter and a #4 blade will leave the coat a little longer.

Shaved dog do’s and don’ts

When shaving your dog at home, follow these guidelines:
- Pull any loose skin areas taught while clipping.
- Take extra care around the armpits and sanitary areas.
- The “flanks” — the skin in front of the rear legs — are the trickiest.
- Bathe, dry and brush your dog thoroughly before clipping
- Protect your dog’s skin with dog-safe sunscreen or light-weight clothing
“Always clip flat against the skin. If your dog has dew claws, know where they are to avoid catching them with the blade,” says Nicole.

When it comes time to using clippers or shears on your dog’s coat, its best to work on a clean coat, advises Julia Blackwell, founder of Pupwell, an at-home grooming education and tools company .

“Bathe your dog with professional grooming shampoo and conditioner, and dry with a high velocity blow dryer. Make sure the coat is brushed out and tangle free. A very matted coat should be professionally groomed to prevent inadvertently cutting into the skin,” she adds.

Shaved dogs and sunburns

If your dog has been shaved down due to matting, protect her skin from sunburn. Doggie sunscreens are one option. Another is a lightweight T-shirt or bodysuit. Goldpaw makes a range of UV protection t-shirts, designed to block 98% of the sun’s UV rays.
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March 1, 2023