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  • Skin Care Routine For Your 50s: Skin Changes & Hormonal Shifts

    Skin Care Routine For Your 50s: Skin Changes & Hormonal Shifts

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    While it’s a major milestone worth celebrating, the big 5-0 can be an adjustment on many levels. Every new decade comes with its challenges and lessons, but somehow your fifties pack an extra punch. Lucky for you, with age comes wisdom and maturity – and the more you know, the better you can prepare for inevitable changes.

    For women, menopause may be in full swing at this stage of life, which means that there’s a lot going inside your body, as well as on the surface. As estrogen diminishes over time, so does the skin’s resilience. However, a routine that’s tailored for your age can go a long way towards rejuvenating the look and feel of your skin and replenishing some of what’s been lost over time. It’s never too late to start a proper skin care routine. After all, this milestone marks a new beginning and you still have a lot of life to live!

    Your Skin At 50 

    The changes you’ve noticed on your skin have probably been creeping in gradually, but it’s getting hard to ignore them. According to WebMD: “The hormone shifts that happen with menopause cause your body to stop making as much collagen. You lose some fat under your skin and its elasticity diminishes. That, combined with dryness caused by hormonal changes, can cause sagging – especially around the neck, jawline, and cheeks – and fine lines and wrinkles. The lines and wrinkles you get with menopause are often crow’s feet and lines above the upper lip.” 

    And as if that’s not enough to deal with, this is also the time your skin barrier function starts to weaken. According to Eminence Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar: “During times when our skin is undergoing changes, it is important that we protect its microbiome and moisture barrier to keep the skin healthy with balanced hydration levels. Because our skin produces less oil during menopause, it is easier for the microbiome to become compromised, resulting in symptoms like dryness, irritation, redness and dullness.”

    Almost overnight, your skin’s elasticity and radiance can drastically change and will continue to evolve through the next years. Sun damage acquired over the decades has shown up in the form of dark spots and wrinkles on your 50-year-old face. Collagen production is dipping: In the first five years of menopause, your skin produces a mere 30% of what it did before. This reduces elasticity and brings on wrinkles. At 50, you may also notice jowls sagging and large pores appearing as gravity does its thing. 

    But wait, there’s more! Changing hormone and pH levels weaken skin even further, compromising that moisture barrier, especially around the eyes, lips and neck where the skin is thinner. Inflammation makes your skin more sensitive and irritable. And, to add insult to injury, acne sometimes makes a return, a by-product of hormonal imbalance.  

    It’s a long laundry list of dermatological grievances, but this is where an age-customized daily skin care routine can make a real difference to get younger looking skin as you move into your fifties. All is not lost – far from it!

    Best Skin Care Routine for Your 50s 

    Get into a skin care routine that deals with your aging skin concerns head-on. Every effective routine for the over-50 age group should feature these key steps. And to make it easy for you, we’ve included recommendations for some of the best skin care products for this stage in your life. 

    Cleanse: Hot water can strip your skin of much-needed oil, so wash your face with tepid water instead. And don’t use regular soap on your face – try a mild multi-action cleanser, like our Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser, which hydrates and firms while washing away impurities. If you are dealing with acne, use a cleanser with salicylic acid that unclogs pores but doesn’t dry out your skin. 

    Tone: Toning prepares mature skin for the next steps, helping to increase the absorption of active ingredients that follow. Replenish your skin with Neroli Age Corrective Hydrating Mist which contains neroli oil and our Natural Retinol Alternative designed to restore the appearance of tautness and elasticity.

    Exfoliate: This step can be tricky with older skin. Removing dead skin cells restores the look of healthy glow and reduces signs of aging, but collagen slowdown means your skin is thinner now and more vulnerable. So, go easy on the exfoliation with a gentle yet effective treatment like our Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel and stick to once or twice a week, especially at first, to see how your skin tolerates it. 

    Mask: A weekly at-home treatment, like our Bamboo Age Corrective Masque, harnesses ingredients such as shea butter and argan oil to help your skin look supple and rejuvenated. Plus, taking the time to apply a mask and let it penetrate the skin is a nice way to give yourself some self-care at the end of a busy day.

    Introduce A Serum: The Eight Greens Youth Serum leaves skin looking younger with the help of phytoestrogens which, according to Natalie, are another way to combat the visible signs of hormonal aging brought on by menopause and other big physiological changes: “The Eight Greens Collection from Eminence Organics features products that are rich in natural phytoestrogens like yucca, hops and red clover, which will help to increase hydration and elasticity, normalize oil gland production and stimulate cell turnover.” 

    And if you’re looking to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, apply the Hibiscus Instant Line Filler or the Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil. One happy customer, Jessie, says: “This oil is very hydrating and a little goes a very long way. Smells fantastic and leaves skin soft and dewy.”

    Moisturize: Since ultra-dryness is common with aging skin, finding a moisturizer that combats the issue is a must. Lucky for you, there are numerous options available and most are multi-taskers, in that they address other issues that are common in aging skin. If you’re looking to moisturize while helping the appearance of sagging skin, try the Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer, which is rich in coconut oil, shea butter and grape seed oil to hydrate the skin for a lifted and tightened look. If skin that feels plumped and refreshed is on your wish list, try the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator

    Treat Your Eyes: If you’re starting to see the first signs of crow’s feet, upgrade your skin routine to incorporate a smoothing eye cream. Hydrate the fragile area around the eyes with the Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream which contains shea butter and oils to return moisture to the skin.

    Sun Care: Sun and UV rays can have adverse effects at all stages of life. To protect your skin, rain or shine, sun care products with at least SPF 30 are your best ally. Our Bright Skin Moisturizer SPF 40 targets the appearance of dark spots and provides all mineral protection from UV rays. 

    Watch Natalie talk you through the ingredients and products that will help your 50-plus skin:

     

    More Products For Your 50s

    Looking for more recommendations? Our Product Support Team has a few more suggestions that could work well for you at this stage.

    If you’re dealing with extremely dry skin, there is no better source of hydration for mature skin than the Firm Skin Acai Moisturizer. Rich in shea butter and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, this lovely cream virtually erases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with its delivery of intense hydration thanks to the inclusion of BioComplex2™, a booster of antioxidants, Coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid.

    If you’re dealing with breakouts, one easy remedy is our Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum. This extra strength brightening serum contains tea tree oil and willow bark which helps the complexion appear more youthful and calm.

    One more way to improve skin elasticity is adding Bamboo Firming Fluid to your over 50 skin care routine. Formulated with strengthening agents like bamboo and coconut, this effective serum also includes our Natural Retinol Alternative to smooth the appearance of wrinkles and Swiss Green Apples which reduce the signs of aging. These key ingredients work together to visibly tighten the look of skin and help you appear fresh and ageless.

    You can also supplement your routine with regular facial treatments at your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner. Experts can target your new concerns and make sure you’re giving your skin exactly what it needs. What changes are you spotting in your skin due to aging? Let us know in the comments below or share with us on social media.

    Not in your 50s? Find skin care information for your age group:

    This post was originally written in January 2020.

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  • Eight kitchens with tiled worktops that are practical but pretty

    Eight kitchens with tiled worktops that are practical but pretty

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    A kitchen with a statement oxblood-colour island and another with curved child-friendly counters feature in our latest lookbook, which spotlights eight worktops that are covered in tiles.

    Tiled worktops can be a functional yet attractive addition to a kitchen, able to withstand hot pots and food stains while also creating an opportunity for decoration.

    The examples in this lookbook range from tiled worktops designed as focal points to more utilitarian counters that blend in with surrounding walls, illustrating the potential of tiles in a kitchen and proving they are not limited to just splashbacks and flooring.

    This is the latest in Dezeen’s lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from our archive. Other recent editions showcase wine storage solutions, bedrooms with desk spaces and interiors that draw on Mediterranean living.


    Tiled worktops of Fruit Box, UK, by Nimtim Architects
    Photo by Megan Taylor

    Fruit Box, UK, by Nimtim Architects

    London studio Nimtim Architects opted for bright white tiles to cover the worktops of this kitchen and teamed them with plywood cupboards, shelves and drawers for a deliberately simple look.

    Some tiles have curved edges, helping to create seamless transitions between the counters and splashback while also eradicating sharp corners so the space is safer for the client’s children.

    Find out more about Fruit Box ›


    East Village Apartment kitchen, USA, by GRT Architects
    Photo by Nicole Franzen

    East Village Apartment, USA, by GRT Architects

    The focal point of this kitchen in an East Village apartment is an island covered in oxblood-coloured tiles, which stand out against a backdrop of white-oak cabinetry with oversized handles.

    This rich, jewel-toned finish was complemented by chequerboard mosaic tiling across the floor and shiny brass legs for the end kitchen counters.

    Find out more about East Village Apartment ›


    Tiled worktop in West Bend House, Australia, by Brave New Eco
    Photo by Peter Bennetts

    West Bend House, Australia, by Brave New Eco

    Duck-egg blue tiles adorn the surfaces of this galley kitchen, which studio Brave New Eco created in West Bend House in Melbourne.

    This includes an island running through its centre, where square tiles are used on the worktop and the sides are lined with elongated versions. They are teamed with wooden joinery and slender bar stools.

    Find out more about West Bend House ›


    Kitchen interior of De Sijs co-housing by Officeu Architects
    Photo by Stijn Bollaert

    De Sijs, Belgium, by Officeu Architects

    Officeu Architects combined a mix of pastel-hued square tiles to decorate the worktops in this kitchen, which features in the De Sijs co-housing project in Leuven.

    The dusky colours of the surfaces are complemented by a mix of fern-green and wooden cabinets and help draw attention to playful furnishings and fixtures, including hanging lights and bright red pots.

    Find out more about De Sijs ›


    Bright pink and green kitchen island in Palma Hideaway by Mariana de Delás
    Photo by José Hevia

    Palma Hideaway, Spain, by Mariana de Delás

    Green tiles are used to create focal points throughout this lofty apartment, which architect Mariana de Delás has hidden in a former motorcycle workshop in Palma de Mallorca.

    This includes the kitchen, where the tiles crown a statement island supported by chunky pink legs. This watermelon-like colour combination pops against a concrete floor and wooden cabinets.

    Find out more about Palma Hideaway ›


    Interior of Screen House by Ben Allen
    Photo by Henrietta Williams

    Screen House, UK, by Studio Ben Allen

    This pared-back kitchen features inside Screen House, a north London flat that was modernised and reconfigured by Studio Ben Allen.

    To align with a strict budget, the kitchen features utilitarian fixtures and combines simple wooden joinery with white-tiled surfaces. The end tiles are curved to form a smooth edge to the counter.

    Find out more about Screen House ›


    Tiled worktop in Dawnridge House kitchen, USA, by Field Architecture
    Photo by Joe Fletcher

    Dawnridge House, USA, by Field Architecture

    Large grey tiles are used across the countertops of this wooden kitchen, which Field Architecture designed within a house in California.

    They form part of the natural-looking material palette used throughout the home, for which the studio drew on the surrounding Los Altos Hills landscape that includes a creek and large oak trees.

    Find out more about Dawnridge House ›


    Industrial kitchen inside Bismarck House by Andrew Burges Architects in Bondi, Sydney
    Photo by Peter Bennetts

    Bismarck House, Australia, by Andrew Burges Architects

    At Bismarck House in Bondi, Andrew Burges Architects used a palette of what it described as “outdoor materials” across the ground floor.

    Alongside exposed brick, concrete and steel elements, this utilitarian palette includes tiled kitchen worktops and is intended to blur the boundary between the inside and robust exterior of the home.

    Find out more about Bismarck House ›

    This is the latest in Dezeen’s lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from our archive. Other recent editions showcase wine storage solutions, bedrooms with desk spaces and interiors that draw on Mediterranean living.

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  • Credit Saint Credit Repair Review

    Credit Saint Credit Repair Review

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    Our experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

    Credit Saint Credit Polish

    3/5

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star


    Fees

    $99 setup fee and $79.99 monthly fee

    Credit Saint Credit Polish

    3/5

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star


    Fees

    $99 setup fee and $79.99 monthly fee

    On Credit Saint’s website


    Credit Saint Credit Polish

    Details


    Fees

    $99 setup fee and $79.99 monthly fee

    Pros & Cons
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    Highlights
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    Credit Saint Credit Remodel

    2.6/5

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star


    Fees

    $99 setup fee and $99.99 monthly fee

    Credit Saint Credit Remodel

    2.6/5

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star


    Fees

    $99 setup fee and $99.99 monthly fee

    On Credit Saint’s website


    Credit Saint Credit Remodel

    Details


    Fees

    $99 setup fee and $99.99 monthly fee

    Pros & Cons
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    Highlights
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    Credit Saint Clean Slate

    2.8/5

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star


    Fees

    $195 setup fee and $119.99 monthly

    Credit Saint Clean Slate

    2.8/5

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star


    Fees

    $195 setup fee and $119.99 monthly

    On Credit Saint’s website


    Credit Saint Clean Slate

    Details


    Fees

    $195 setup fee and $119.99 monthly

    Pros & Cons
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    Highlights
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    Credit reporting errors can damage your FICO score and make it harder to qualify for a loan. If inaccurate information is hurting your financial profile, Credit Saint can help. Operating nationwide, Credit Saint disputes credit reporting errors and engages with creditors on behalf of its customers to make sure inaccurate information is removed.

    The company offers a conditional money-back guarantee and competitive pricing, earning it a largely positive reputation and putting it in competition with the best credit repair services. Read on to learn more and find out whether Credit Saint suits your needs.

    Credit Saint Overview

    Credit Saint is a credit repair company based in New Jersey. Operating since 2004, the company claims to have helped over 200,000 clients worldwide, and boasts of offering the most comprehensive service in the industry. While Credit Saint has an office in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, it offers service nationwide.

    Credit Saint has three different packages with monthly fees ranging from $79.99 to $119.99 and one-time setup fees of $99 or $195. You can pause or cancel your membership at any time with no additional charge, and Credit Saint offers a conditional money back guarantee after the first 90 days. 

    Feedback from Credit Saint customers is generally positive, though there are several persistent complaints. The company has ratings of 3.6 and 4.1 stars out of five on its Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau profiles, respectively, with just over 100 reviews posted on each. Many of those reviews are four or five stars, but over 20% of reviews on both platforms are just one star.

    The largest volume of customer feedback is on Google, where Credit Saint averages 4.8 stars out of five based on over 9,000 reviews. While those reviews are attached to the listing for Credit Saint’s New Jersey office, they are submitted by users nationwide. The most common complaints against Credit Saint are a lack of results (which is a frequent complaint against all credit repair companies) and difficulty exercising the money back guarantee.

    Unlike some of its competitors who have been sued by federal regulators for illegal billing practices and other infractions, Credit Saint has managed to stay out of legal trouble.

    Credit Saint Plans

    Credit Saint offers three service packages at different price points. The most basic (and least expensive) is the Credit Polish Package, which includes challenges to all three credit bureaus and a credit score tracker. The Credit Polish Package has a $79.99 monthly fee, as well as a one-time $99 setup fee, also called a first work fee.

    The intermediate Credit Polish Package offers the same bureau challenges and score tracker that you get with the Credit Polish package, and adds credit score analysis. The Credit Remodel package has a $99.99 monthly fee, as well as the same $99 setup fee.

    The top-tier Clean Slate Package adds creditor intervention letters and inquiry targeting to top of the benefits you get from the Credit Remodel package. Credit Saint recommends this package for customers with public records like repossessions, bankruptcies and foreclosures. The Clean Slate package has a $119.99 monthly fee, as well as a higher $195 initial working fee. 

    Credit Saint Features

    Services offered by Credit Saint have a lot in common with what you’ll get from other credit repair companies. Here are some of the highlights:

    • Challenges to the three credit bureaus — Credit Saint can help you dispute inaccuracies like late payments, duplicate accounts, or typos that appear on your credit report. Credit Saint uses handwritten, customized disputes instead of generic online templates. While you can challenge this information yourself, consider enlisting the help of a credit repair agency if you’re not confident you can deal with it on your own.
    • Score Tracker — At the end of each 45-day dispute cycle, Credit Saint will give you a snapshot of your credit score from all three major credit bureaus. Tracking your score gives you a sense of whether your credit repair efforts are bearing fruit, but you can check your credit score for free with or without a credit repair service.
    • Score Analysis — In addition to your credit score, Credit Saint provides a breakdown of your credit utilization, payment history, and other factors that impact your credit. This more detailed information can similarly help you track progress and identify aspects of your credit report with potential for improvement. However, Credit Saint provides the information without suggesting what to do with it, and like your credit score, you can get this information elsewhere for free.
    • Credit intervention letters — When a creditor reaffirms information you dispute with the credit bureau, Credit Saint can escalate the situation and engage with the creditor directly. Credit Saint may also intervene on your behalf to limit the impact of accurate derogatory marks on your credit report (by negotiating repayment, for example).
    • Inquiry Targeting — Credit Saint can help you remove false or fraudulent credit inquiries from your credit report. However, legitimate inquiries can not be removed.
    • Daily member support — Credit Saint offers customer support by phone (877-637-2673) seven days a week. Support hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 10:00 pm EST, Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Sunday 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
    • Credit education — The Credit Saint website offers a blog with a handful of articles about credit repair and other personal finance topics. This content is available at no charge whether or not you enroll. However, the blog appears to be defunct, as no new content has been published in over two years.

    While many credit repair companies package identity theft protection with their other services, Credit Saint does not. However, you can get quality that services elsewhere inexpensively or at no cost, so the omission from Credit Saint shouldn’t be a major factor when deciding whether to enroll.

    How Much Does Credit Saint Cost?

    Credit Saint offers three credit repair packages with monthly fees of $79.99, $99.99 and $119.99. Each package also incurs an initial working fee of either $99 for the first two packages or $195 for the third package. Credit Saint’s monthly fees are close to average for the credit repair industry, with some companies charging more and some charging less for comparable service. The initial working fees are on the high end; you can add a single family member living in your household without paying a second initial working fee, but you’ll both be on the hook for monthly fees.

    Credit Saint offers a 90-day money back guarantee, but it comes with several key stipulations. Foremost among them, you’re only eligible for a refund after participating in the program for the full 90 days; canceling or failing to pay before that mark voids the guarantee. Additionally, the guarantee only applies if you don’t see any questionable items deleted from your credit in the first 90 days, and can’t be exercised beyond the 120-day mark. Other terms apply, so don’t rely on the guarantee without reading them.

    Aside from the 90-day guarantee, you can cancel your membership immediately at any time with no penalty or additional charge.

    How to Sign Up For Credit Saint

    Before you enlist the help of a credit repair service, get copies of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. While these reports are normally available at no cost once per year, you can request them weekly through the end of 2023.

    With your credit reports in hand, you can check for inaccuracies that you want to dispute, such as misreported late payments, duplicate accounts, typos and more. You can address errors directly with the credit bureaus or pass them along to a credit repair service if you can’t (or don’t want to) do it yourself. However, keep in mind that you can only challenge information that’s inaccurate, unfair or unverified. Accurate data can’t be wiped out just because it hurts your credit score and you want it gone.

    Should you choose to proceed with Credit Saint, you can sign up by clicking the “Get Started” link on their website. You’ll then need to provide personal and billing information, and agree to the terms of service. Credit Saint clearly indicates during the signup process when your setup fee and first recurring fee will be charged.

    How Credit Saint Compares to Competitors

    In many respects, Credit Saint is nearly on par with its competitors, including those ranked among our top credit repair companies.

    Credit Saint’s monthly fees are comparable to other credit repair companies, but its initial working fees are relatively high, exceeding the monthly fee for two of Credit Saint’s three packages. That said, they aren’t Unless you’re signing up with a second family member in your home (for whom the initial working fee is waived), that additional cost may justify looking elsewhere.

    The company’s positive reviews on Google indicate a high rate of customer satisfaction. However, the frequency of complaints about the money back guarantee combined with its restrictive terms are concerning. If that guarantee encourages you to sign up, make sure you read the fine print beforehand.

    Credit Saint Credit Repair FAQ

    There is no accreditation specific to the credit repair industry, but Credit Saint is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. The reputability of a credit repair company is best judged by its public feedback, which is generally favorable in Credit Saint’s case. The most common complaints against the company are a lack of results and frustration with the money-back guarantee.

    Credit Saint offers credit repair services to help customers dispute and remove inaccurate negative information from their credit reports. Each of Credit Saint’s packages include bureau challenges, as well as credit score tracking and analysis.

    You can contact Credit Saint customer service at 877-637-2673.

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  • Iconic TV Kitchens: The Big Bang Theory

    Iconic TV Kitchens: The Big Bang Theory

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    Canva Design DAFp7EXXoWE

    From Mystic Warlords of Ka’a to Dungeons and Dragons to scientific breakthroughs, the iconic kitchen and open floor plan of Sheldon and Leonard’s apartment from The Big Bang Theory has housed many laughs and even more Bazingas. And when you look a bit closer, particularly at the kitchen, it’s clear to see that the design and functionality of this beloved space is thoughtful and well executed. Move over Schrödinger’s Cat, there’s no uncertainty that while the kitchen appears chaotic on the exterior, under a Scion toaster, batman cookie jar, periodic table of element chart, and mathematic equations, that this kitchen has a lot of exciting features that find themselves still trending even in today’s industry. Set phasers to stun and get ready to be stunned by these practical elements of the iconic kitchen. 

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  • Germany Only Delivered 10% of the Leopard 1 Tanks It Promised Ukraine

    Germany Only Delivered 10% of the Leopard 1 Tanks It Promised Ukraine

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    • Germany pledged Ukraine almost $3 billion worth of military aid in May.
    • However, many of the supplies are yet to arrive, German newspaper Die Welt reported.
    • Only 10 of the 110 promised Leopard 1 tanks have been delivered so far, the report says.

    Germany has delivered only around 10% of the Leopard 1 tanks that it promised to Ukraine as part of a package it announced in May, German newspaper Die Welt reported.

    The country had agreed to a 2.7 billion-euro, which is around $3 billion, military aid package with Ukraine during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit earlier this year.

    Die Welt tracked the progress of the deliveries and kept an account of the promised and delivered equipment, which is published online by the German government.

    The outlet found that in the last two months Berlin has sent Kyiv just 10 of 110 promised Leopard 1 tanks and 12 of 18 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks.

    Ukraine is also yet to receive any of the four promised IRIS-T missile defense systems or the 20 Marder armored vehicles, while roughly just 850 of the 26,350 155 mm artillery shells promised have been delivered.

    The package also included several hundred drones, air surveillance radars, tankers, ambulances, and heavy-duty articulated lorries.

    Die Welt noted that it was possible that the weapons commitment may be “withdrawn,” citing the example of 5,032 anti-tank handguns that had been listed as being prepared to be sent to Ukraine since the early months of the war, which have now disappeared off the site without any explanation.

    It is not clear why Germany is dragging its feet over sending the weapons, although it was also slow to provide Ukraine with military aid at the beginning of the war. Despite that, it has since become one of Kyiv’s biggest arms suppliers. 

    After months of pressure, Germany finally agreed to send 88 Leopard 1 tanks and around 80 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine earlier this year.

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  • Eight serene interiors with decorative lime plaster walls

    Eight serene interiors with decorative lime plaster walls

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    For our latest lookbook, we have gathered eight examples of homes where tactile and practical lime plaster walls give the interiors a natural, calming feel.

    Lime plaster is a traditional wall coating typically made from sand, water and lime. It is often used in heritage buildings, since it is a breathable material that can be a good choice for damp spaces.

    It also has a natural look and feel that can help to create a more rustic and peaceful atmosphere in modern homes.

    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring clever wine storage solutions, space-efficient bedrooms and Mediterranean-style interiors.


    MA House by Timothee Mercier from Studio XM
    Photo by Simone Bossi

    MA House, France, by Timothee Mercier

    Architect Timothee Mercier turned a rural farmhouse building in southeast France into a home for his parents that aimed to respect both the site and the region’s architectural history.

    Inside, he went for a pared-back, spartan interior, where some of the house’s stone exterior was left exposed. Walls were white-washed with chaux – a local lime plaster – to create a clean backdrop for the living room‘s wooden furniture.

    Find out more about MA House ›


    Polysmith house, London
    Photo by Lorenzo Zandri

    Cork House, UK, by Polysmiths

    Cork-clad living spaces feature in this east London home, which architecture studio Polysmiths’ director Charles Wu designed for himself and his partner.

    Wu used locally sourced timber and lime plaster for the house. A lime-plastered wall divides the main bedroom from its en-suite bathroom, which is lit by a corner lightwell.

    Find out more about Cork House ›


    Window seat in Herne Hill House extension by TYPE
    Photo by Lorenzo Zandri

    Herne Hill House, UK, by TYPE

    The Herne Hill House extension replaced an existing conservatory at a south London terrace house, creating a bigger kitchen and dining room.

    A peaceful window nook gives views out of the garden from the open-plan kitchen, which features walls covered in lime plaster. Their pale beige hue contrasts the warm terracotta-coloured quarry-tile floor.

    Find out more about Herne Hill House ›


    Interior by Menard Dworkind
    Photo by David Dworkind

    Québec home, Canada, by Ménard Dworkind

    This home in Montréal centres around a lime-plastered, curved central block that sweeps around a staircase and forms a mezzanine level that overlooks the living room.

    Here, the rounded wall holds a terracotta fireplace. A geometric steel table adds a more modernist and industrial feel to the organic interior.

    Find out more about the Québec home ›


    Plywood kitchen inside Iceberg apartment by Laila Architecture
    Photo by Mikaela Burstow

    Iceberg apartment, Israel, by Laila Architecture

    Natural lime plaster covers the walls in this Israeli apartment, which gets its name from a large birch plywood storage volume resembling an iceberg.

    In the kitchen, the plaster walls were complemented with birch plywood cabinetry and sunny pastel-hued chairs.

    Find out more about the Iceberg apartment ›


    Kitchen inside Low Energy House designed by Architecture for London
    Photo by Lorenzo Zandri and Christian Brailey

    Low Energy House, UK, by Architecture for London

    The minimalist interior of this energy-saving home in north London was designed using wood, stone and lime plaster by studio Architecture for London.

    Designed as a home for its founder, Ben Ridley, it had some problems with dampness. To help solve this, walls were coated with lime plaster to form an airtight layer, mitigating any heat loss.

    Find out more about Low Energy House ›


    Living room in Casa Soleto
    Photo by Salva López

    Casa Soleto, Italy, by Studio Andrew Trotter and Marcelo Martínez

    Studio Andrew Trotter and Marcelo Martínez renovated this 17th-century Puglia house, using natural materials and colours wherever possible.

    Earth-coloured lime plaster decorates the walls, adding to the rustic feel of the space and matching the tactile and rough-hewn materials and furniture used for the interior.

    Find out more about Casa Soleto ›


    Church Street extension by Whittaker Parsons
    Photo by Jim Stephenson

    North London home, UK, by Whittaker Parsons

    A home in London’s Stoke Newington was given an additional storey made from copper, larch and structural insulated panels, which houses a bedroom suite.

    Architecture studio Whittaker Parsons chose lime plaster for the walls of the space, which was designed to have a serene feel.

    “Lime render is a calming tactile material, characterful and soft,” said Whittaker Parsons. “It is a low-carbon alternative to gypsum plaster. It’s also a hygroscopic material, so it naturally moderates the moisture level in the bedroom.”

    Find out more about this North London home ›

    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring clever wine storage solutions, space-efficient bedrooms and Mediterranean-style interiors.

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  • Some Republicans Want to End a Biden-Era Policy That Helps Red States

    Some Republicans Want to End a Biden-Era Policy That Helps Red States

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    • Conservative organizations have released a proposed “battle plan” for the next Republican president.
    • The plan calls for the president to end the Inflation Reduction Act, which has primarily benefited red states. 
    • The 2022 bill funnels hundreds of billions to states home to major clean energy projects, like Oklahoma and Texas.

    Leading conservative organizations are banding together to push a new project called Project 2025, a game plan for the next Republican president, and it includes cutting a Biden-era law that funnels hundreds of billions of dollars to red states.

    The Inflation Reduction Act, which Congress passed in 2022 and which in part sets aside $370 billion for investment in clean energy, was hailed at the time as the most significant step Congress had taken to address the climate crisis.

    With states like Oklahoma leading the country in wind power and Texas landing in the top three states for clean energy job growth, red states are the biggest beneficiaries of the bill. Yet the bill faced significant opposition from congressional Republicans during the legislative process.

    Project 2025 and the elimination of the Inflation Reduction Act have been championed by several conservative organizations, all led by the Heritage Foundation, a major conservative think tank. Paul Dans, a director with the Heritage Foundation, called Project 2025 a “battle plan” for the next Republican president, The New York Times reported.

    The Heritage Foundation has delivered the 920-page document to every Republican running for president, Dans told the Times.

    However, some conservatives who work closely with state lawmakers on energy policy said any plan to cut the Inflation Reduction Act would likely go against constituents’ wishes.

    “Obviously as conservatives, we’re concerned about fiscal responsibility, but if you look at what Republican voters think, a lot of Republicans in red states show strong support for provisions of the I.R.A.,” Sarah Hunt, president of the Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy, an organization that works with Republican lawmakers on state energy needs, told the Times.

    The Heritage Foundation did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication.

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  • A New Chapter in Kitchen Design

    A New Chapter in Kitchen Design

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    hamilton-door-style-420626-edited.jpg

    As you step into your kitchen, the heart of your home, do you find yourself craving a change? You’re not alone. In fact, in a 2016 Houzz kitchen study, a staggering 76% of homeowners opted for a style revamp during their kitchen remodel. While the pendulum has somewhat swung towards transitional and contemporary designs, there’s still a significant charm held by traditional styles – they comfortably nestle in the third spot in the popularity contest. 

    If you’re someone who revels in the classic allure of traditional designs, we have some exciting news for you! With a warm welcome, we introduce the latest addition to our custom-made kitchen cabinets collection – the timeless, the charming, the “Hamilton” style door. Buckle up as we delve into the exquisite details of this old-school marvel. (more…)

  • This Superconductor Could Change the World

    This Superconductor Could Change the World

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    • South Korean scientists claim to have made a superconductor, LK-99, that works at room temperature.
    • Experts are skeptical, but if such a material exists, it could boost energy production and storage. 
    • It could also improve chips used in cars and consumer electronics like cell phones. 

    Electricity is inefficient compared to what it could be. But electricity that travels along a superconductor barely loses energy along the way. 

    Present-day superconductors, however, function under costly special environments — what if we could change that? 

    That’s the premise behind LK-99, a possible superconductor material that scientists in South Korea say they have devised, which has been dominating headlines and social media posts in the past week or so. 

    The LK-99 material is a compound comprised of lead, oxygen, and phosphorous, the scientists describe in two preprint papers that have yet to be peer-reviewed. They discuss how they doped the material with copper, which, they speculate, may have distorted the chain of lead atoms, creating channels along which the superconductivity occurs, per Science

    However, many experts are skeptical that the material actually does what the scientists claim. Therefore, whether LK-99 is actually a breakthrough remains to be seen until others can replicate its results. 

    To that end, some experts are trying, but this holy grail has eluded scientists for many years, so the prospects are still a long way off, experts told Insider.

    Why room-temperature superconductors are so elusive

    “The holy grail would be to get something that was superconducting at room temperature,” said Leonard Kahn, chair of the Department of Physics at the University of Rhode Island’s College.  

    The problem is that scientists are playing a guessing game for now, swapping out materials to try and raise the critical temperature.

    The lawyer in Brazil died after his gun was triggered by an MRI scanner.

    MRI machines contain liquid helium to cool their magnets.

    Getty Images



    Elements like tantalum and mercury all have superconducting capabilities, for example, but they have to be chilled to about -450 degrees Fahrenheit. Some compounds become superconductive at higher temperatures and can be cooled with liquid nitrogen at around -320 degrees Fahrenheit. 

    Yet other materials become superconducting at warmer temperatures, “but you need to have them under such high pressures that they’re impractical for any applications,” Kahn said.

    LK-99 isn’t the first claim of its kind. There have been similar attempts in the past that don’t quite seem to have panned out. One piece on the subject, published in the science journal Nature in 2020, was later retracted.  

    Ultimately, achieving a room-temperature superconductor would “require breakthroughs in understanding the fundamental principles behind superconductivity, inventing new materials, or discovering novel ways of increasing the critical temperature,” Edwin Fohtung, associate professor in materials science and engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, told Insider in an email. 

    Where and how superconductors are used today

    “It’s not that we do not have superconductors, but we can only make that work under extremely high pressures, and at very low temperatures,” said Elif Akçalı, an associate professor at the University of Florida who teaches industrial and systems engineering. 

    “When that’s the case, you’re putting in so much energy to make that work,” Akçalı said. “For me, from a business perspective, it’s losing its value.” 

    Superconductors expel magnetic fields and are diamagnetic, a phenomenon known as the Meissner effect. “If you put a magnet near it, they oppose the magnet, and so magnets actually float on top of them,” Kahn said.

    Currently, MRI machines, quantum computers, and magnetic levitation trains all use superconductivity. Cooling an MRI magnet requires about 2,000 liters of liquid helium, which is both expensive and in short supply.

    Picture of power lines going into Los Angeles

    Replacing current power lines with room-temperature superconductive materials would make them far more efficient.

    iStock / Getty Images Plus



    But if researchers could find a room-temperature superconductor, it would be huge for energy, transportation, and many other industries. Take power stations, for example: 

     “If you had superconducting wires instead of the regular wires that they’re using, it would be the equivalent of having 5% to 10% more power stations, and you wouldn’t be putting any more carbon into the atmosphere,” Kahn said. “The opportunities for that would be tremendous, but we’re not there yet.”

    Any revolutionary use of superconductors will still take time

    We’re a while away from making a radical shift in superconductor use, experts said. At minimum, multiple labs will first need to repeat and verify the experiment to make sure LK-99, or something like it, really works. 

    And even a workable material will mean companies will have to change how they make things.  

    Take the case of chips, for instance. There’s still a question as to whether this type of superconductor material can be successfully incorporated into the chip manufacturing process in a way that is economically viable and not too burdensome, said Siddharth Joshi, an assistant professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Notre Dame. 

    “Currently, we don’t design chips assuming you can have superconductors on there,” Joshi said. 

    “Using superconductors in the design of the chips could lead to interesting designs, but the technology would first need to be mature enough to use it in chips,” he said. 

    But again, if it does work, that could mean we can produce chips that require less energy to function, which means they can do more and take up less space. Your phones and laptops, for one, could get even more compact, said Navid Asadi, an electrical and computer engineering professor at the University of Florida. 

    Low-energy chips could also help machines do a lot more. For newer technologies, like electric and autonomous vehicles, it can mean helping them better navigate the kinds of questions the machines encounter on drives, Asadi said.

    “Should I keep the car between the lines? Am I going to pass this car? Should I brake? Should I adjust my speed? These are all decisions constantly made in the chips, and they need energy,” he said. “So low power energy chips is one major area in chip design.” 

    The potential that chips could be faster and more efficient thanks to superconductors also means they could support the large amounts of computing power and energy required to sustain other artificial intelligence efforts including generative AI, said Dale Rogers, a supply chain expert and professor at the Arizona State University business school. 

    “This kind of superconductor breakthrough, if it’s real, can really enable huge advancements and processing abilities in artificial intelligence,” he said. 

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  • Skin Care Tips For Travel

    Skin Care Tips For Travel

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    Packing for a trip and not sure what to stuff into your suitcase and what to leave behind? Between wardrobe, footwear, snacks and phone chargers, there’s a lot to make room for. Skin care should be on that list too, but there’s no need to bring your 10-step routine to the beach (or your campsite). Read on for some tips about what to include, how to pack and what to leave at home. 

    The Essentials | Beach Vacation | Weekend Getaway | Adventure Travel | Airplane Travel | In The Mix | More Travel Tips 

    The Essentials

    First things first: There are some skin care items that belong in your “go bag” no matter what the destination. SPF is the number one don’t-leave-home-without-it product. Whether you’re relaxing with a cocktail on a lounge chair, hiking up a mountain or pounding the pavement in a new city, there is always a need for sun protection – yes, even on cloudy days. We recommend an SPF of 30 or higher – and a moisturizing option like the Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 does double duty without taking up extra space in your makeup case. Plus it’s a perfect travel size at 2 oz (60ml) and will get through airport security with zero issues. 

    While we’re on the topic of SPF, it’s important that you don’t forget about your lips. That skin is sensitive and can always use a little protection. The Rosehip & Lemongrass Lip Balm SPF 15 will hydrate and leave lips looking plump.

    Another travel necessity is a great facial cleanser. It’s important to spend a couple of minutes before bed making sure you’ve removed all of that SPF you’ve been reapplying all day (right?), plus any of the environmental stressors (sand, dust, campfire smoke) that you’ve been exposed to on your adventures. Something like the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser will remove surface buildup from the day, leaving skin looking clear, smooth and radiant. If you’re looking to travel light and need a smaller option, the Lemon Grass Cleanser gently removes impurities from the skin, works for all skin types and comes in a carry-on-friendly 1.7 oz (50 ml) size. 

    Beach Vacation 

    Time at the beach means you’ll probably be showing off a bit more skin than usual – so let’s make it glow. A great pre-beach ritual is exfoliating your body. This will help remove any dry or flaky skin that might be stuck on the surface, making shaving or waxing easier and freeing any ingrown hairs that might be hiding under those dead skin cells. Plus, if you’re a self-tanner, you’ll get the best results applying the product to fresh, exfoliated skin without any dry patches to suck up extra color. Really lean into that beach life with our Coconut Sugar Scrub. The natural sugar cane crystals and hydrating coconut oil will remind you of a pina colada. Pro Tip: Rather than packing  your body scrub, use it in the days leading up to your trip to help you get ready. Lots of the leg work when it comes to a beach vacay happens before you get there!

    When sunshine is on the agenda, the dynamic duo of Vitamin C and SPF help you juice up your routine and get you ready to glow from head to toe. The potent power of Vitamin C delivers antioxidants to help brighten the skin and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Pack the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum in its small-but-mighty 1 oz (30ml) bottle, and follow it up with a nice layer of SPF like the aforementioned Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 or the Bright Skin Moisturizer SPF 40. And for your body, the Lilikoi Mineral Defense Sport Sunscreen SPF 30 comes in a tube that is easy to throw in your beach bag — and can be used on your face as well.  


    Product Picks

    Award Winning

    Vitamin C serum for all skin types

    Award Winning

    All-in-one mineral SPF moisturizer


    Weekend Getaway

    Packing for a weekend getaway is an exercise in restraint. As much as you want to pack every last serum and lotion (just in case), it doesn’t make sense to bring your entire skin care collection. Less is more when it comes to a quick trip. So let’s focus on the important stuff. 

    Once you’ve packed your essentials, think about adding a couple of products to enhance your routine. The Pineapple Refining Tonique does double duty – it will exfoliate and make skin feel smooth, refreshed and clean. And a nice lightweight moisturizer, like the Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer, is full of antioxidants and minimizes the look of environmental stress and refines and improves the look of pores.

    And remember, a couple of days’ worth of product is all you need. If you have samples, now is a great time to try them out (assuming you know they’re not going to cause you any sensitivity or breakouts). Pro Tip: Ask for samples when you’re at the spa and not only will you be packing light, you’ll also be using your vacation time to explore products that could become your new favorites.

    Adventure Travel 

    When you’re heading into nature on a camping or hiking trip, you don’t want to be weighed down by products you don’t need. That backpack only has so much space, and this is the time to be super selective about what is worth the extra weight. Think about small products or travel size skin care that can easily be tossed into your pack and be realistic about what you really need when it’s just you and nature. 

    Make sure your essentials make it – the only thing worse than a sunburn is sleeping in a tent with a sunburn. And the only thing worse than going to bed without washing your face is going to bed after a day in the wild without washing your face. So SPF and cleanser are one and two on your list. For all-over body protection, we recommend our Lilikoi Mineral Defense Sport Sunscreen SPF 30. This SPF is ideal for outdoor activities like swimming and high-performance sports because this non-greasy formula is water-resistant up to 40 minutes. 

    If there’s room for more, a lip balm and a Vitamin C serum are always a good idea, even in the wilderness. 

    Airplane Travel

    Road trips are one thing but if your adventure is more Planes, Trains and Automobiles than Thelma & Louise (minus that cliff scene at the end, obviously) – prepping for the travel part of the trip is important.

    You’ve packed your SPF for the beach, but did you know that you should also be wearing it en route to your final destination? Since plane windows are made of plastic and glass, harmful UVA rays can penetrate — and those dangerous rays are even stronger at 30,000 feet. 

    The air on an airplane is less humid than we’re used to, causing the skin on your face and body to feel super dry. Drink lots of water and moisturize your skin deeply. Apply a mask like the Strawberry Rhubarb Masque the night before your flight and slather on a nice layer of Facial Recovery Oil. Bonus points if you can fly without makeup and let that moisture sink in. 

    If you’re going further afield and on that plane for the long haul, don’t be afraid to pack a few essentials and do a mini “get ready with me” at your seat. A layer of serum and and overnight treatment like the Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for Face & Neck will moisturize while softening the appearance of the skin on your neck and face thanks to argan oil, evening primrose oil, shea butter and jojoba oil. Defend your hands against dryness with the Mangosteen Replenishing Hand Cream. If it’s been a while and revenge travel is in your future, refresh your memory with these 5 Travel Beauty Tips for air travel. 


    Product Picks

    Award Winning

    Hydrating and replenishing mask

    Award Winning

    Luxurious facial oil – All skin…


    Watch Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar talk about her top travel essentials: 

     

    Other Travel Tips

    Size Matters: While it works in a pinch, who wants to squeeze their regular-sized toiletries into mini bottles? Especially when you can pack an Eminence starter set? Just throw in one of these sleek travel bags pre-filled with cute little minis of your favorite skin products and you are good to go. Lucy, a customer who travels for work left us this website review: “I got the starter pack so that I could try ALL of the Age Corrective products and they are also travel size, which I need – my business keeps me on the road a lot and I need small sizes – these came in a cute little bag. I am also vegan and I love that these products are too!!”

    Packing Hack: One of our favorite travel tips and tricks is to use the empty space inside your packed shoes. Stuff a couple of pairs of rolled up socks or perhaps a tube of shampoo – any small-sized items can be slipped into your shoes to maximize your total packing space. 

    Pack Light But Cover Up: Pool time aside, covering up in light clothing (linens and cotton) is a great way to add some extra protection when you’re out in the elements. Long sleeves and light, long pants may seem like too much on a hot day, but it’s nice to have the option to add layers if needed – especially when the sun goes down. 

    Bonus Tip: Wrap your shoes into an old hotel shower cap first to keep the inside of your luggage clean.

    Are you getting ready for a trip? Visit your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner to get yourself prepped for the adventure.

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