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For those who know me well, I'm a skeptic when it comes to touchy-feely-froo-froo stuff. But several years ago, my therapist told me that if I didn't want to take drugs to manage my anxiety (I have an aversion to pills), meditation was the ONLY other proven method for coping with stress and my propensity to worry about everything. As we've discussed before, stress and anxiety increase inflammation in your body. And excessive inflammation can, in turn, cause a whole host of unpleasant problems--from an untimely breakout to chronic illnesses. In other words, to all the skeptics out there (including ME!), SCIENCE demonstrates that it pays to meditate. But what if we extrapolate our 15 minute session with that meditation app to practices throughout the day? For example, can we leverage the precepts of meditation during our morning skincare routine, our shower, our cardio sesh, our dog walks, and even mealtime to optimize the benefits of meditation? Enter mindfulness. What even is "mindfulness"? Mindfulness is paying attention, without judgment, to the present moment. This is something my Calm app told me to do every time I meditated: do not judge what you observe. Simply observe it. For example, in meditation, I often started by describing (to myself) what my head felt like, what my neck felt like, how my shoulders felt, and all the way down my body, to my toes. The trick was to do so without berating myself: well, if you'd do more pushups your shoulders wouldn't be so sore! Not surprisingly, the practice of mindfulness originates from ancient Buddhist meditation. It involves things like: Noticing the texture and taste of your salad or smoothie bowl. Feeling the cold water hit your face each morning. Observing how something you see or hear makes you feel a certain emotion. Again, the key is to try and not judge what you observe--simply to observe it. What role does mindfulness play in beauty? Here at KVBeauty, we've always talked about beauty as a kind of ritual (hence the tagline, KVBeauty Rituals!). Mindfulness plays right into that concept. Instead of hurtling through your routine on autopilot, we can inject the same spirit of non-judgment and observation in how we take care of our skin and hair. For example, let's NOT: Criticize our skin for aging (that's what we do when we, uhm, don't die). Negatively compare our skin or hair to other people. Berate ourselves for not hydrating or sleeping enough. Castigate ourselves for "not doing better" with our skincare routine. Instead, let's be present for what we see, smell, hear, and feel simply as a bystander: The way the sun filters in through the blinds as you head to the sink. How cool and refreshing the water feels on your face. The squishy feel of the cleanser as you place some into your hand.  The circular motions you make with your hands as you wash your face. The sound of the water as it runs into your sink. The fragrance of KVBeauty's skin cream as you dab some on your cheeks and neck. The softness of the fabric touching your arms and chest as you shimmy into your blouse. The smell of coffee wafting up from the kitchen. Being present for these minute moments fosters serenity and helps to balance the amount of stress and anxiety that likes to build a home in our consciousness and thus our bodies. More importantly, it cultivates a lasting gratitude for our bodies--their ability to collect all these little data points that enrich our lives. And remember... Mindfulness isn’t about being perfect—it’s about presence. Even the practice of mindfulness can be imperfect, especially if you're unfamiliar with meditation. But that's okay!! And the way you show up for your skin, your hair, your body, is the way you show up for your life. Slow down, breathe deep, and remember: this time is yours.

It's no secret that what you eat is a vital part of how you age (or, to be brutally honest, whether you age at all). Not surprisingly, your kitchen can also play a huge role in your skin and hair health. Having a well-rounded pantry can be a game-changer in not just how you feel, but how you look, as well (since you feel will have a direct impact on how you look!).  Here are five Korean kitchen staples that can improve the look and feel of your skin and hair. I daresay some of these might surprises you!! 1. Soybeans (Tofu, Doenjang, Soy Sauce, Gochujang, etc.). Soybeans are so prevalent in Korean ingredients. Whether it's tofu or gochujang, you'll find soy has been deployed to add rich flavor and umami to Korean food for millennia. But did you know that soy also furnishes incredible benefits to both your skin and hair? Soybeans are rich in isoflavones (plant estrogens), which can help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles. Soy is also high in protein, which supports keratin production for stronger hair.  2. Sesame Seeds and Sesame Oil. If you have my cookbook, then you know I add sesame seeds or sesame oil to almost every savory recipe. It adds so much flavor and texture!  But because these tiny little seeds are also packed with vitamin E and antioxidants, they can help protect the skin from UV damage and support barrier repair. In Korea, sesame oil has also been massaged into the scalp for shine and to reduce dryness (wait, should we come up with a Sesame Oil Hair Mask...??). 3. Green Tea. I think everyone already knows how beneficial green tea is for your health and your skin, but it truly bears repeating, green tea is SO GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN!! The catechins contained in green tea possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help with acne and redness. The same properties can also help to reduce scalp irritation and support hair growth by improving circulation.  4. Ginseng. Have you all been watching Bon Appetit Your Majesty? I can't get enough of this drama and the most recent episodes featured Korean ginseng in more ways than one...! As alluded to in this popular kdrama, ginseng is one Korea's most precious ingredients--not just to help you feel energized, but as party of your KVBeauty ritual too! Ginseng improves blood circulation and boosts your body's natural collagen production. Ginseng may also help to strengthen your hair's roots, improve your mane's thickness, and prevent excessive hair loss. Time from ginseng tea!! 5. Seaweed. I love seaweed--in all forms! Not only is it great for my kimbap, dried kelp is the secret to my amazing vegetable broths ands stews. But did you know that seaweed also contains nutrients that are good for your skin and hair? Seaweed contains polysaccharides, iodine, and minerals that will hydrate your skin and also support repair. It's also rich in iron and omega-3s, which can help with strengthening hair follicles and support growth.   If you all needed an excuse to incorporate some of these pantry items into your diet, now you have them! Now... get thee to the kitchen!!

I once thought this secret weapon was a waste of time—until I learned it’s the ultimate beauty hack, boosting skin repair, collagen, and glow.