Somehow face serum benefits seem to be one of beauty’s best kept secrets at the moment! But they shouldn’t be a secret; everyone should know exactly why they want that little bottle of golden goodness in their beauty regime. Fortunately, we’re here to share with you the top benefits of using a Face Serum. 

What is a face serum?

Serums are divinely smooth thin oils which deliver a concentrated amount of active ingredients and lock in moisture. The oil-base isn’t cloying but it enables the ingredients to really penetrate the surface of the skin, ensuring they are effective whilst also protecting your skin from the impact of daily living.

Why do we love them? 

Somehow face serum benefits seem to be one of beauty’s best kept secrets at the moment! But they shouldn’t be a secret; everyone should know exactly why they want that little bottle of golden goodness in their beauty regime. Fortunately, we’re here to share with you the top benefits of using a Face Serum. 

They are nourishing and smoothing.

Face serum will soothe those sensitive patches of skin, but it’ll also prove to be very soothing just to apply. It’s a really tactile process. Even if your skin is prone to oiliness or outbreaks, a face serum soothes the skin and helps to make you feel loved and cherished.

It gives your skin a boost!

Face serum gives the collagen in your skin a boost, helping to keep it firm and plumping out fine lines and wrinkles. Fine lines and wrinkles are a normal part of skin maturation, but it is dullness and dryness which makes them seem ageing. 

By using a serum, your skin will be more radiant and full of colour. It’ll be less dry, and fine lines and wrinkles simply look characterful and smoother, rather than a sign that you are tired and worn out.

You’ll stay hydrated.

Like many if you know, moisturiser cam sometimes need support and serums give it that. I really is simply put due to the oil-like consistency which keeps moisture in. Your skin can still breathe but it doesn’t dry out so easily.

Yelle offers 3 different Skin Serum variations included in our Awakening collection. One for dry skin, locking in intense moisture to last you a full day, the other scaling back in excessive moisture for oily skin; and the final finding a perfect balance of both for most of our combination girls. 

If you’re stumped on which serum you should try, click here to take our skin quiz. It’s the perfect way to evaluate your skin so that you can guarantee you’re using the exact products you need! 

Women of color have a standout,we’ve created a lane in beauty that is all our own. However, it has not always been acknowledged in the mainstream media and for decades it was often swept under the rug. Thanks to a select group of melanin-poppin’ ladies who broke through the mirrored glass ceiling, the beauty industry has made giant strides in celebrating the diversity of beauty in all of its various hues, textures and forms. 

It’s likely no surprise to modern cosmetologists that much of what we consider to be daily salon routines and how we treat hair has roots in Black salons and Black history—but we’re wondering if you’re aware of how much of modern cosmetology has been impacted and changed (for the better) by Black women.

To answer this question, provide insight, and honor Black achievement specifically in the cosmetology (hair, beauty, and skin industry,) we’re dropping a little knowledge this February with a list of a few powerful Black women in history who shook the cosmetology world to the core.

Madam CJ Walker

It is truly impossible to make this list without mentioning Madame C.J. Walker. The first self-made millionaire in history, she was a force to be reckoned with and an absolute powerhouse in the hair health and beauty industries.

With her products made specifically for Black women, Walker’s product line offered life-changing pomades, shampoos, conditioners, and beyond that didn’t force Black women to use the euro-centric beauty products that were not designed with them in mind. Her “Walker system” of hair care was sold by her highly-trained beauty culturists. With her knack for self-promotion and product perfection, she changed the cosmetology industry forever.

But more than that, she employed thousands of Black women, donated much of her money to the NAACP, the Tuskegee Institute, and the Black YMCA, and focused on teaching her employees about how to find financial independence.

Rose Meta Morgan

Rose Meta Morgan has humble beauty beginnings that quickly skyrocketed her to owning and operating the largest Black beauty parlor in the world by 1942. Always an entrepreneur, Morgan had a hair career going by the age of 14 years old. Morgan directly opposed the Eurocentric beauty standards being forced on Black women at the time—so she began making her own line of cosmetics, products, and staging fashion shows.

Her salon went on to amass more than $3 million in sales only a few years after it opened its doors and her success continued to grow beyond the world of cosmetology.

Pat McGrath

Just like it’s impossible to leave any of the former mentions on this list out, it’s also would be an enormous disservice to cosmetology—and MUAs, specifically—to not mention Pat McGrath. An absolute beauty mogul and icon, McGrath got her start shaping the fashion industry by conceptualizing makeup looks for celebrities spanning fandom.

McGrath is considered to be the most important person working in cosmetology and is lauded as the “most influential makeup artist in the world”—but the achievements don’t begin and end there.

McGrath’s invention creations launched worldwide trends, she’s the most requested makeup artist, and, of course, has had an enormous impact on luxury and mass beauty markets through both influence and product creation.  Though she’s teamed up with some of the biggest cosmetology names in the business, the real revolution came when she launched PAT McGRATH Labs in the 2000s.

As it states in her own bio on her site—Pat McGrath knows no boundaries.

Julee Wilson

Julee Wilson is Beauty Editor at Large at Cosmopolitan. Previously, Julee was Beauty Director at Cosmo and Global Beauty Director at Essence and has held various editorial positions at Huffington Post and Real Simple. She counts herself lucky AF that she gets to play with beauty products for a living and tell dope stories. And if you’re as obsessed with beauty as she is, make sure to follow her on Instagram for plenty of product recs, natural hair inspo, skincare testing, and Black girl magic shenanigans.

And lastly, our very own, Yandy Smith who found a need in the skincare industry to carve out a lane especially for Melanin-rich skin. Yandy, like many women of color, never had a beauty routine. So she set out to create one. YELLE Beauty is the New Standard in Beauty for Melanin Rich Skin.  A female owned company made up of 98% women, Yandy prides herself on being a practical beauty brand for the modern woman who needs hardworking products with multitasking benefits. She works with smart, innovative women to curate the heartbeat and distinct beauty needs of today’s multi-faceted woman of color.  Licensed beauty professionals, beauty centric research & development led by beauty/business executive thought leaders.

To learn more about Yandy’s inaugural and groundbreaking first collection, the Awakening collection, click here. 

According to the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Association (PCOS), affects over 10 million women worldwide. That’s more than the number of people diagnosed with breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus combined. It affects women of all races and while there are treatments that can help ease the symptoms of PCOS, there is no cure. Besides infertility, low sex drive, bloating and sleep apnea. PCOS can also contribute to problems on the skin. Keep reading to learn more about those problems and treatment options.

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive- age women, affecting 5-20% of the population. It is a clinical syndrome that consists of a collection of signs and symptoms that can start as early as puberty. According to Dr. Joy’El Ballard, MD, FACOG a Board-Certified Gynecologist in Annapolis, MD 

“PCOS is a multitude of dysregulation of elevated androgens, estrogen, and insulin levels. Basically, there is miscommunication between centers in the brain and the ovary that causes an imbalance of certain hormones in the female body,” says Dr. Ballard.  The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but genetics and environmental factors are believed to be at it’s core. It is frequently underdiagnosed and is misunderstood by many physicians.

Impacts on The Skin

PCOS affects the skin mainly in three ways. Firstly, extra body hair on the face.  Secondly, acne on the face, back or chest and Thirdly, acanthosis nigricans (patches of dark skin on the back of the neck or other areas where the skin folds). Hypoandrogenemia is the excess of androgens like Testosterone that causes hirsutism (increase in hair growth). In PCOS, the ovaries are over stimulated to increase secretion of more androgens and intra-abdominal adipose tissue also stimulates an increase in the production of testosterone.  PCOS is also associated with elevated insulin (the hormone that controls your blood sugar) which subsequently decreases a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). A decrease in SHBG causes testosterone to roam free in your system thereby increasing testosterone levels further. Androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands, making them produce more skin oil, or sebum. This excess sebum clogs the pores and makes good food for acne causing bacteria.

Treatment

Many women with PCOS find that standard topical acne therapies or even oral antibiotics are not very effective in treating their acne. Since it is due to an imbalance of hormones Ballard recommends hormonal therapy as the first line of treatment. It is a known fact that Tea Tree oil is one of the most impactful ingredients in treating PCOS. YELLE’s toner is power packed with just enough tea tree oil to help you get in control of your breakouts while reviving and maintaining healthy skin.. YELLE’s Awakening Milk andHoney moisturizing cleanser and Brightening Serum are two products you definitely want to have while treating your PCOS.  

Plan A Date Night With Index Cards

Serious question: have you secured Valentine’s Day plans? I know it’s tough … it’s in the middle of the week, life is lifing, but sis –you need to get to planning, and fellas we need you to show out, too! 

If you’re still on the struggle bus with plans, we got you. 

Keeping the spice in your love life can be tough, especially during colder months where you don’t necessarily get out as much. Nonetheless, it’s important to keep dating your partner. When we saw the new TikTok trend about the #IndexCardChallenge we knew we wanted to join in on the fun and so should you.

What is the Index Card Challenge? 

Simply put it’s a playful and fun game that allows couples to explore new things with each other outside of the norm. Whoever is planning date night will write out a few suggestions on an index card, making it even so that your partner can pick which card he or she wants to choose from. 

Once you write out those cards, bring them along for the entire date and continuously let your partner pick from two cards to determine what you all are doing next. 

Here’s where it gets fun: not everything should be romantic; some items can be pure comedy, and others can be super sentimental. Having a variety of options makes things fun for the duration of the challenge. Here are some of our favorite card commands: 

Card One: Starbucks vs Cook Breakfast From Scratch

Card Two: Movie Date vs Road Trip

Card Three: Spa Day In with YELLE Skin Care vs Private Chef

Card Four: Bubble Bath vs Go To Sleep Early

As you can see, the possibilities are endless. It’s up to you to put your spin on the date night experience and create cards that cater to your special person’s wishes. 

If you’re interested in a Spa Day with YELLE products, Here’s a rundown of what you need to have fun: 

THE AWAKENING COMPLETE 5 PIECE SYSTEM

• Awakening Milk & Honey Cleanser 4oz.
• Awakening Milk & Honey Toner 4oz.
• Awakening Daily Moisturizer 2oz.
• A-Dream Brightening Eye Cream 1oz.
• And One (1) Treatment Serum 1oz. 

Believe it or not, your facial skin will tell you A LOT about your overall health. The term Facial Mapping correlates the location of your skin concerns to a corresponding internal organ and an underlying health issue. 

According to face mapping, acne and facial blemishes develop in specific zones because of internal issues, which may include high blood pressure, dehydration, and digestive wellbeing, or even as a complaint from another organ in the body, such as the ‘angry’ liver. 

So let’s dive into what your acne spots may be trying to tell you. Keep in mind this is not scientifically backed, but thanks to modern research techniques, we can make assessments on why and how acne happens.

Your Hairline. Forehead acne is mainly caused by hair and hair care products. If your hair is unwashed, the oil deposits on the forehead and clogs the pores there. 

Your Cheeks. This area is mainly attributed by your lifestyle.  Dirty bed sheets and pillowcases also store bacteria that may affect the skin on your cheeks, so washing them more often may help alleviate spots. Your cellphone can also be a huge concern as it is the location where it rests as you talk on the phone. Research has shown that even though 95% of people said they washed their hands with soap, 92% of phones and 82% of hands had bacteria on them.

Your Nose. There are two different types of nose acne: vulgaris and rosacea. Acne vulgaris is more common and related to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts. It is also likely to appear on other parts of the body. This is caused by clogged pores from an overproduction of sebum and trapped bacteria. Digestive troubles are often associated with acne on the tip of the nose, which is why it’s worth doing an elimination test.

Your Chin and Jawline. Blemishes that appear on the lower third of the face, the chin and jawline, are known as hormonal acne. Women are more likely to get breakouts in this area than men. This is due to an increase in male hormones – androgens – that stimulate the oil glands. 

On the flip side of that is evaluating the kind of breakout you’re having because all acne is NOT created equal. 

It’s hard to figure out just exactly what is going on with your skin. Those small raised bumps - could it be fungal acne or whiteheads? What is that and what really is the difference?

Whiteheads are a closed comedone aka. a closed pore that has sebum trapped under a thin layer of skin. When the oil mingles with dead skin and the pore is not open, this can cause a small white bump (aka those pesky whiteheads!) on your skin. You can identify whiteheads because they are ‘poppable’, which means they are extractable. The most common reason why you might experience whiteheads is due to excessive sebum production. This happens when dead skin cells build on top of the pores and blocks the oil from being released resulting in whiteheads. Another cause for whiteheads might be that your skin is too dry or that you are using a product that is heavier or greasier than what your skin needs.

Milia is when skin protein is trapped under your skin. It isn’t related to your pores or sebum, but is actually a keratin overgrowth issue! This might sound scary, but this condition is actually not harmful to your skin. It often happens around the most delicate parts of your skin such as the eye area. It’s usually pretty easy to spot because it has a pearly, white sphere appearance.

Now fungal acne, is the most harmful. It is a yeast overgrowth or infection. Fungal acne can be pretty tricky to self diagnose, but it is usually associated with itchiness! These bumps are often seen in a cluster and are typically uniform in size.

The yeast that causes fungal acne often grows in a warm, humid climate. Because this yeast enjoys an occlusive environment, fungal acne can be exacerbated by sweat and sebum. Although all of these skin conditions might look similar at first glance, we hope this guide helps you identify what you might be experiencing and how to treat it.

If you’re having trouble identifying your skin concerns and how to treat it, visit our website and take our new Skin Quiz. In a short questionnaire it will walk you through your skin history so that it can identify products that would work well for you.