A new American study suggests a link between exposure to phthalates, endocrine disruptors found in certain plastics, and sleep disorders in perimenopausal and premenopausal women.

Plastic has become omnipresent in our daily lives since its invention only seven decades ago. Today this omnipresence is being called into question, especially those plastics which are increasingly considered toxic to the environment and our health, such as phthalates, plastic materials derived from phthalic acid, which have been identified as endocrine disruptors. They are found in plastic toys as well as food packaging and cosmetic products.

New research published in the journal Menopause indicates a possible connection between exposure to phthalates and sleep disorders in premenopausal women.

The study was carried out with data from the Midlife Women’s Health Study. The sleep quality of 760 premenopausal and perimenopausal women was compared with phthalate levels in the participants’ bodies as measured in urine

Tricia Vickers and Jilyian Walcott are both from sunny South Florida, where spending time at the beach is a lifestyle. But they became fed up with having to hide behind sarongs and shorts to cover up irritating painful ingrown bumps and scars left behind in their bikini areas.

“No matter what we tried to keep them at bay, nothing worked for our skin, so we developed our own product line,” said Walcott.

Vickers and Walcott, biology and agriculture graduates of Florida A&M, worked with lead cosmetic chemist and formulation specialist Tyrick Allen to create Kitty Kare Beauty, which is spa-quality skincare for people of color looking for a solution to alleviate skin issues associated with waxing and shaving practices.

Dermatologists and aestheticians agree that skincare in the bikini region for women of color is unique in texture and tone and should be treated with specific care.

Deidra Green, a

The coronavirus lockdown has already sent us buying ‘ugly’ sandals and purchasing one particular hair serum in our droves.

But it seems increasing numbers of women are keen to make more permanent changes to their appearance as a result of hours spent on Zoom.

Those looking into having a nose job – or rhinoplasty – have tripled following the pandemic, while bookings for the procedure have doubled, according to Vogue.

The fashion bible reported that Naveen Cavale, a London-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon, has seen three times the normal number of people requesting consultations in July, August and September.

Read more: Rihanna to launch highly anticipated gender-inclusive skincare range

The surgeon added that he is now carrying out twice as many nose jobs as he had been in January.

“I’m having to open

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Bronze skin, dewy cheekbones and vibrant lips are the usual beauty calling cards for the summer season. However, now that more than half of the United States has mandated face mask requirements in public spaces and social distancing has become the new normal, makeup enthusiasts are learning to adapt their beauty routines.

The celebrity and editorial makeup artists that we spoke with agree: Everyday beauty trends have pivoted during the coronavirus era. “Women have shifted to a more natural look, but still want to feel beautiful,” says Scott Barnes, longtime makeup artist to Jennifer Lopez and founder of his eponymous color