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Press a button, hear the low hum, and eat in minutes. That familiar routine is quietly disappearing as many kitchens fall silent when the microwave door closes for the last time. Concerns about uneven textures, lost nutrients, and the rubbery taste of reheated food are making people question whether this once-essential appliance still belongs on the counter.

Across design blogs, social feeds, and compact city apartments, another appliance is stepping into the spotlight. It browns, crisps, reheats, and cooks from frozen without turning meals into soggy leftovers. At casual dinners, it is discussed with the excitement of a new gadget. The microwave is no longer the hero of fast meals. Something else has taken its place, reshaping how people cook quickly at home.

A Quiet Countertop Shift Changing Fast Cooking

The shift often becomes clear in everyday moments. Instead of a microwave, many kitchens now feature a compact air fryer–oven combo glowing warmly behind a glass door. Frozen foods emerge golden, blistered, and crisp, without cold spots or damp patches. Meals taste pan-cooked rather than simply reheated.

This experience is becoming common. A 2023 US consumer survey found that about 60% of households own an air fryer, with many choosing models that double as mini ovens. Search trends show interest in air fryer recipes far outpacing microwave cooking. Store shelves reflect the same story: microwave sections stay unchanged while multifunction air fryers keep expanding.

Why People Are Choosing Crisp Over Convenience

Families who once relied on microwaves for nearly everything now use them sparingly. Foods like frozen nuggets, leftover pizza, and roasted vegetables are increasingly reheated in air fryers. The perception has shifted. Microwaved food feels like a compromise, while crisped food feels like a small victory.

The reason is simple. Microwaves heat by exciting water molecules, often steaming food from the inside and leaving it soft or rubbery. Air fryers and compact convection ovens circulate very hot air around the surface, creating browning and texture through Maillard reactions. As energy costs rise, many also prefer a smaller, efficient oven that does not heat the entire kitchen.

Living Without a Microwave, Step by Step

Letting go of the microwave does not mean abandoning speed. It starts with choosing the right replacement. For most households, a medium-sized air fryer–convection oven with a front door offers the best balance. These models can reheat, bake, toast, and crisp with simple controls that work even on tired evenings.

Reheating leftovers is the easiest transition. Setting the oven to 170–180°C, spreading food in a thin layer, and adding a small amount of oil can revive meals in 8–12 minutes. Pasta bakes regain crisp edges, fries taste fresh again, and vegetables get a second life. Over time, the microwave gets used less, almost without noticing.

What Changes When the Microwave Is Gone

Removing the microwave subtly changes kitchen rhythm. Cooking slows by just a few minutes, but those minutes add awareness. You hear the fan, smell food browning, and check progress visually instead of trusting a beep. Food feels cooked, not merely heated, which restores confidence in leftovers.

Multifunction air fryers and mini ovens make everyday meals taste better without demanding extra skill. They turn yesterday’s food into something enjoyable again, not a fallback option. The result is still fast food, but with a touch more care built in.

• Crispier reheats for leftovers: Circulating hot air restores crunch to pizza, fries, and roasted foods, making leftovers feel fresh.
• Lower energy impact in small spaces: Compact convection units often use less power than full ovens and avoid overheating the kitchen.
• Fewer appliances needed: One good combo unit can replace the microwave, toaster, and small oven, freeing counter space.

A thin ribbon of golden olive oil clung stubbornly to the glass, refusing to flow, while the receipt from last week’s grocery run still felt painfully loud. In the supermarket, the oil aisle now resembles a stock market chart: prices climbing, bottle sizes shrinking, and “special offers” that no longer feel special. Shoppers pause, hesitate, and calculate. One woman lifts a small premium olive oil bottle, grimaces, and places it back. Another quietly slides a cheaper plastic bottle into her cart, a trace of guilt in her eyes.

We all know the advice by heart: choose good fats, protect your heart, cook the Mediterranean way. But what happens when that familiar green bottle starts to feel like a luxury item rather than a kitchen staple?

A new oil has been quietly earning its place on everyday kitchen counters. And for many people, it’s not the option they expected.

Why olive oil is slowly losing its everyday dominance

The romance with olive oil began with images of sun-washed hills and long-lived grandmothers drizzling it generously over bread. Then reality intervened. Supermarket prices surged, harvests struggled, and the once-standard one-litre bottle became a risky choice for households watching their spending.

At the same time, cooking habits evolved. More high-heat cooking, more batch meals, more air-frying, stir-frying, and reheating. Olive oil doesn’t always perform well here. It can smoke, burn in certain pans, and no one enjoys wasting a spoonful of what now feels like liquid gold on a rushed midweek omelette.

Gradually, a new routine emerged: one bottle reserved for “special” dishes, another for everyday cooking. In that second category, a clear favourite has started to appear.

The quiet rise of rapeseed oil in daily cooking

For years, nutrition professionals have repeated the same message: rapeseed oil—often labelled as canola oil in some countries—offers one of the best fatty acid profiles for regular use. It simply never had strong branding. No romantic backstory, no postcard scenery, just an unassuming bottle on the lower shelf.

The math, however, is straightforward. Rapeseed oil typically costs far less per litre than decent olive oil, especially after recent Mediterranean harvest problems. In many European supermarkets, the difference has become striking. Families switching to rapeseed oil for cooking report saving several euros each week, without using any less oil.

Nutritionally, the argument is solid. Rapeseed oil is naturally rich in omega-3, low in saturated fat, and has a neutral flavour that doesn’t overpower food. On busy weekdays, that matters. Pasta tastes like pasta, not like an olive grove.

For many households, the transition started simply: olive oil for salads and weekends, rapeseed oil for frying, baking, pancakes, and marinades. Soon, the question followed naturally: what if rapeseed oil handled almost everything?

A practical and affordable way to replace olive oil

The simplest approach is almost boring. Keep your routines, change what’s inside the bottle. Take a clean, dark glass bottle if you have one. Fill it with a good-quality rapeseed oil. Place it exactly where your olive oil used to be. This becomes your new default.

Each time you would normally reach for olive oil to fry, roast, mix batter, or prepare a quick marinade, use this instead. Thanks to its neutral taste, most people won’t notice any difference. What they may notice is that meals feel lighter and less heavy afterward.

For salads, easing in can help. Start with a simple mix: half olive oil, half rapeseed oil. Give your palate time to adapt. Within a week or two, many people discover that their taste buds adjust far faster than their old shopping habits ever did. The grocery receipt becomes noticeably kinder.

The real mistake is believing one oil must do everything. It’s like expecting a single pair of shoes to work for weddings, marathons, and muddy hikes. For high-heat cooking, rapeseed oil makes sense. For drizzling over ripe tomatoes, keeping a favourite olive oil still has its place.

Choosing the right rapeseed oil matters

Another common misstep is buying the cheapest rapeseed oil available and deciding it’s unpleasant. Lower-quality oils are often heavily refined, flat, and dull in flavour. Spending slightly more on a cold-pressed or virgin rapeseed oil changes the experience entirely, revealing a gentle nuttiness that pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables and grain dishes.

And let’s be honest: no one measures oil perfectly every day. We pour, we estimate, we move on. What truly matters for health is the type of fat used consistently over months, not hitting a perfect teaspoon once in a while. Choosing an oil naturally high in omega-3 quietly improves the odds without turning cooking into a calculation exercise.

As one London-based dietitian notes, when patients shift from relying mostly on olive and sunflower oil to using more rapeseed oil, small but meaningful improvements in blood lipid profiles often appear after a few months. It isn’t dramatic. It’s simply a better balance of fats, repeated meal after meal.

A simple guide for everyday use

• Use rapeseed oil for: sautéing, stir-fries, roasted vegetables, baking bread or cakes, pancakes, waffles, homemade mayonnaise, and marinades.
• Reserve olive oil for: raw drizzling, pesto, finishing hummus, tomato salads, and dips where its strong flavour truly shines.
• Reduce or skip: frequent use of palm oil, hard margarines, and mixed oils high in saturated fat.

What really changes when you make the switch

The first difference appears at the checkout, not in lab results. Rapeseed oil allows you to cook generously again, instead of rationing every spoonful out of price anxiety. That freedom matters. It means roasting vegetables without hesitation instead of cutting back “to save oil.”

From a health perspective, research shows that replacing oils high in saturated fat with oils like rapeseed can help lower LDL cholesterol, support heart health, and slightly improve inflammation markers. These changes are subtle and gradual, but they accumulate over time.

There’s also a psychological shift. When “healthy oil” feels unaffordable, people often fall back on cheaper fats that comfort briefly but harm long-term habits. When a healthy option becomes affordable again, calm returns to the kitchen. Nutrition advice finally aligns with what the budget allows.

Many home cooks also notice texture improvements. Cakes baked with rapeseed oil tend to be softer and less heavy than those made with butter. Roasted potatoes turn crisp outside and tender inside, without overpowering aromas. Children rarely comment on the oil change. They simply ask for more.

Online nutrition advice can feel disconnected from real life. “Use extra-virgin olive oil generously” sounds appealing until the bottle costs as much as a week’s produce. This is where rapeseed oil becomes a quiet, practical answer rather than a compromise.

Choosing an oil that is both nutritionally respected and financially realistic sends a clear message: consistency matters more than perfection. That’s usually where lasting health changes begin.

No trend is required. No challenge. No miracle claims. Just a subtle change in a transparent bottle.

The next time you stand in front of that overwhelming oil shelf, you may feel the familiar hesitation. Perhaps this time, you’ll reach for the rapeseed oil with more confidence. It’s not a downgrade, just a smarter strategy.

You can still keep a small, beautiful olive oil for special dishes, like a perfume saved for rare evenings. But your everyday companion at the stove can be calmer, cheaper, and quietly supportive of your heart.

Food trends will keep shifting. New “super oils” will arrive in glossy packaging with bold promises. Meanwhile, that modest yellow label will remain on the lower shelf, waiting for those who choose consistency over spectacle.

Sometimes, the real change in nutrition isn’t exotic or dramatic. It’s simply moving an ordinary bottle from the back of the cupboard to the front—and letting that quiet decision shape daily life.

• Healthier fat profile: Rapeseed oil is rich in omega-3 and low in saturated fat, supporting long-term heart health.
• Lower cost than olive oil: Its significantly cheaper price helps protect food budgets without sacrificing quality.
• Kitchen versatility: Neutral flavour and good heat stability make it easy to use across most everyday recipes.

She wasn’t exhausted by illness, but by prices. Holding a small glass jar of anti-wrinkle cream as if it were delicate, she turned it over, read the cost, and paused. A quiet sigh followed before she placed it back beside other glossy jars promising miracles. Her hair was neatly styled, lipstick perfectly applied. Mid-sixties, perhaps. She gently traced the lines near her mouth, almost thoughtfully, as if reading a familiar story written on her skin. She walked away without buying anything, not defeated, but reflective—clearly thinking there had to be another option.

This moment unfolds daily in pharmacies and beauty aisles everywhere. And it leaves behind a simple question: what if the real answer isn’t inside an expensive jar?

Why collagen becomes a daily topic after sixty

After turning sixty, the bathroom mirror becomes more than a reflection—it turns into a quiet record of time. New creases near the lips, softer cheeks, and skin that doesn’t bounce back like before aren’t signs of neglect. They’re biology at work. Collagen, the protein responsible for skin’s firmness and elasticity, naturally declines over the years. While this process begins in our twenties, it feels far more personal later in life. The face looking back isn’t old—it’s simply changed.

This is when the idea of “boosting collagen” shifts from a vague wellness concept to a daily concern. It becomes less about vanity and more about managing gravity, memory, and self-recognition.

Janet, 68, laughs when recalling her old skincare habits. Sitting on a park bench, she admits she once bought whatever product had the flashiest advertising. One cream cost nearly £100, and she even hid the receipt. She’s far from alone. Industry estimates show women over 55 spend hundreds annually on anti-aging products, often paying repeatedly for the same promises.

Eventually, Janet stopped. Despite the cost, the deep lines around her mouth remained unchanged. The cream softened her skin but didn’t deliver what it implied. That gap between price and reality pushes many women to search late at night for homemade wrinkle remedies—not just to save money, but to avoid feeling misled.

The frustration has a reason. Collagen exists deep within the dermis, while most creams work only on the surface. Hydration can temporarily plump skin and soften fine lines, but it rarely rebuilds collagen itself. The body produces collagen internally using nutrients like amino acids and vitamin C, supported by circulation and lifestyle habits.

This doesn’t make topical care pointless. Instead, it reframes the goal: protect existing collagen, support the skin barrier, and reduce visible stress. With that mindset, even simple ingredients at home can rival luxury products.

A gentle homemade ritual that supports collagen naturally

Shared quietly between women rather than advertised, this simple “mask oil” ritual focuses on nurturing the skin. It doesn’t promise miracles—only consistent care.

In a clean glass bottle, combine two tablespoons of cold-pressed jojoba oil or sweet almond oil, one teaspoon of rosehip oil, and three to four drops of vitamin E oil. Nothing more. Warm a few drops between your fingertips and gently press—never rub—onto slightly damp skin at night, focusing on the cheeks, mouth area, and jawline.

Use this as an overnight mask two or three times per week. In the morning, rinse with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser. Over time, the skin’s surface appears smoother, fine lines look softer, and the face feels more rested. It’s not about erasing age, but easing how it shows.

Common mistakes that reduce results

The first mistake is impatience. Mature skin works slowly. Expecting dramatic change in a few days only leads to disappointment. Allow six to eight weeks before evaluating results. Photos taken a month apart often reveal subtle but genuine improvement.

The second mistake is overuse. Applying too much oil won’t speed anything up—it can clog pores instead. A few drops per area is enough. This routine suits healthy skin only. If you have rosacea, eczema, or very sensitive skin, consult a dermatologist before trying new products.

Consistency over perfection

Realistically, no one follows a routine perfectly every night. Life intervenes. The key is thinking in terms of “most weeks” rather than “every day.” That flexibility keeps habits sustainable through celebrations, family time, and busy evenings.

For many women, this ritual becomes more than skincare. It’s a quiet act of respect toward a face that has lived fully.

Maria, 62, from Lisbon, shares that after starting her oil ritual at sixty, her wrinkles didn’t disappear—but her relationship with her reflection changed. She felt she was finally working with her age instead of fighting it.

That’s another strength of homemade care: control. You know every ingredient, choose the timing, and avoid the guilt of overspending. It also creates a small pause in the day—a moment where the skin is cared for, not criticized.

• Apply the oil mask two to three nights per week on clean, damp skin.
• Use daytime sunscreen to protect collagen from UV damage.
• Support skin internally with adequate protein, colourful vegetables, and hydration.
• If irritation occurs, stop and adjust the routine.

A calmer, kinder approach to aging skin

Choosing not to chase every new “collagen miracle” isn’t giving up. It’s changing perspective. Instead of searching endlessly, you build a small ritual that respects what your face has already experienced.

A homemade oil mask won’t replace medical treatments, and it doesn’t need to. Its value lies in the balance of science and care—supportive lipids, protective antioxidants, and gentle touch. When the pressure to look perfect fades, facial tension often softens too.

The real shift may be allowing skin after sixty to look cared for, not corrected. A face that reflects rest, laughter, and life. Try the ritual quietly for a month, or share it with a friend, and notice not just changes in texture—but in how you feel when you look at yourself.

• Homemade oil blend: Jojoba or almond oil, rosehip oil, vitamin E—used at night to nourish mature skin.
• Collagen-supportive habits: Gentle care, consistency, sun protection, and balanced nutrition.
• Mindset after sixty: Shifting from erasing age to caring for it with respect.

Home workouts are an effective way to begin or refresh a fitness routine. If you’re aiming to train more this January, short, practical sessions that fit easily into your living room are an ideal choice. The next time you have a spare moment to exercise, try this quick core-focused workout. It was created by fitness trainer FitByMik and is designed to suit all fitness levels.

The session takes just 12 minutes to complete and requires no special equipment. While optional, using a yoga mat can improve comfort, especially on hard floors. One standout feature of this workout is that two trainers appear on screen. FitByMik demonstrates easier, modified movements, while her training partner Sydney performs more advanced variations, making it easy to choose the right level.

Watch FitByMik’s 12-Minute Core Session

12 min CORE BURN WORKOUT | Strong Abs | Both Advanced + Modified Variations — YouTube

The workout includes 12 exercises, each performed for 45 seconds followed by 15 seconds of rest. The exercise selection targets the upper abs, lower abs, obliques, and the deep core muscles that support everyday movement and stability.

What to Expect From the Workout

If you’re new to core training, this routine introduces many foundational exercises you’re likely to encounter again as you continue training, including leg raises and crunches.

The fast-paced structure, paired with clear guidance and motivation from FitByMik, makes the 12 minutes pass quickly. Since each movement is performed only once—or once per side—you’re always progressing to something new once a set is finished.

Adjusting the Workout to Your Fitness Level

The routine is easy to adapt based on your ability. Along with having two versions of every exercise, beginners can extend rest periods or switch to a 30-seconds work, 30-seconds rest format.

For those seeking a tougher challenge, you can increase your pace to fit in more repetitions or add light resistance, such as a dumbbell, to raise the difficulty.

How Often Should You Do This Core Workout?

Completing this workout one, two, or three times per week can lead to noticeable improvements in core strength. These gains often carry over into other workouts and daily activities. Even training just once a week is beneficial and worth the effort.

Consistency plays a major role in building strength and overall fitness. If repeating the same routine becomes dull, you can rotate it with other core-focused sessions, such as a 15-minute workout that targets the abs from multiple angles.

Progressive overload is also essential for long-term results. Once the exercises begin to feel manageable, increasing the challenge helps ensure continued improvement.

You can do this by choosing longer workouts, adding resistance with dumbbells or bands, or selecting more advanced exercise variations. These changes also help keep your training engaging and varied.

More From Tom’s Guide

• No, not push-ups — try the ‘steering wheel’ exercise to strengthen your upper body instead
• Who needs the gym? A longevity expert shares six exercises to build strength after 40, 50, and 60
• I cancelled my gym membership two months ago — here’s how I’m staying just as fit at home

Lower back workouts may not get the same attention as ab routines, but they are just as important for overall strength. A weak lower back is one of the most common contributors to long-term back pain in adults. For beginners or anyone returning to exercise after a long break, figuring out how to safely strengthen this area can feel overwhelming.

To help simplify things, Coach Milad and Ryan, the trainers behind the tailoredfitPT Instagram account, share three straightforward exercises aimed at improving lower back strength. As always, those who are pregnant, postpartum, or recovering from injury should seek guidance from a qualified professional before starting.

Exercises That Support Lower Back Health

These movements are designed to reduce lower back discomfort by strengthening the muscles that support your spine. They focus on the deep core muscles, glutes, and back, which work together to improve spinal stability.

You’ll need a dumbbell or weight plate for this routine. If you don’t have workout equipment, a heavy book or filled milk carton works just as well.

Single Leg Extensions

Begin by lying on your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree tabletop position. Hold a dumbbell with both hands above your head, then lift your head, neck, and shoulders slightly off the floor. Engage your core and extend one leg outward, keeping it straight. Pause briefly, return the leg to tabletop, and repeat on the opposite side.

Pallof Press

This exercise can be performed using a cable machine at the gym or a resistance band at home. Step into a lunge stance and gently push your front knee outward to activate the glute medius. Holding the cable or band with both hands, press it straight out from your chest and return slowly. Aim for 10–20 controlled repetitions. If this feels too challenging, substitute with side plank leg raises to target the obliques.

Key Benefits of Strengthening the Lower Back

Building lower back strength plays a vital role in maintaining stability throughout everyday movement. The erector spinae and multifidus muscles work alongside the deep abdominal muscles to form a strong, supportive core.

This strength reduces the risk of injuries and falls. When the lower back is weak, simple actions like bending, twisting, or lifting can lead to strain or pain.

For those who spend long hours sitting, lower back exercises are essential for preventing stiffness and discomfort. These movements help offset the effects of prolonged sitting and support a healthy spinal position.

The routine also improves functional fitness. A strong lower back allows efficient force transfer between the upper and lower body, helping you stand taller, stay balanced, and lift safely, whether handling heavy objects or everyday tasks.

For older adults, maintaining lower back strength is especially important for preserving mobility and independence over time.

You might be wondering why we’re talking about pedicure colour trends for 2026 in the heart of winter. Even though our feet spend most days tucked away in boots, this season is actually the perfect time for a refresh. If your festive polish is still hanging on, the new year offers the ideal excuse to start fresh. Just because your toes aren’t always visible doesn’t mean they shouldn’t look polished and well cared for.

The Pedicure Shades Defining 2026

This year’s pedicure trends mirror the wider nail and beauty trends of 2026, with a strong return to timeless colours we know and trust. Classic reds and soft milky neutrals are leading the way, offering an effortlessly groomed finish. Alongside these staples, the once-divisive French pedicure is making a confident comeback, reimagined with modern twists.

If you’re searching for pedicure colour inspiration that works from winter through summer, these are the standout shades set to dominate all year long.

Soft Milky Neutrals

Milky nails have been popular for some time, so it’s no surprise they’ve transitioned seamlessly onto toes. These shades provide a softer alternative to bright white, which can sometimes feel too harsh. Sheer vanilla and shell-toned polishes offer a delicate translucency that looks refined, modern, and undeniably chic.

Classic Bordeaux Reds

More of a perennial favourite than a passing trend, Bordeaux and deep red tones are always a safe choice when indecision strikes at the salon. They feel rich and moody during winter while remaining effortlessly elegant year-round. It’s a red-carpet staple for a reason.

The Timeless French Pedicure

When versatility is key, a French pedicure never disappoints. It complements every outfit and shoe, earning its reputation as the white T-shirt of pedicures. Thanks to the sheer pink base, regrowth blends in seamlessly. For at-home applications, a fine nail art brush helps achieve clean, precise tips.

Sleek Black Polish

While some see black as too bold, it functions much like a neutral on the toes. Similar to black accessories, a black pedicure feels sophisticated and understated. It also delivers an ultra-glossy finish, especially when sealed with a high-shine top coat to keep chips at bay.

Chocolate Cherry Tones

Sitting perfectly between red and brown, chocolate cherry is emerging as a standout pedicure shade for 2026. Ideal if classic red feels too bright and brown feels too heavy, this rich blend offers a luxurious, glossy depth reminiscent of chocolate-covered cherries.

The Milky French Update

Blending two major trends into one, the milky French pedicure offers a fresh take on a classic. This look swaps the traditional pink base for a sheer white wash, paired with opaque white tips. The result is subtle, modern, and perfect if you want something familiar yet slightly elevated.

Winter can leave skin looking paler than ever, but the season’s cold, damp conditions often make achieving a believable self-tan more challenging. According to professional tanner James Harknett, skin isn’t always as prepared for tanning in winter as it is during warmer months. Cooler weather can dry the skin, leading to a build-up of dead cells that causes self-tan to develop unevenly.

Understanding this is essential. As Harknett explains, tanning products need an even layer of skin cells to bind to properly. Regular body brushing helps keep skin smooth and prevents rough patches, while extra exfoliation is especially important on areas that tend to tan unevenly.

Self-tan is more likely to cling around underarms, beneath the bust, along strap lines, and on drier areas like ankles, knees, and elbows. Using a gentle scrub that respects the skin barrier can make all the difference, creating a clean, even base for your chosen tanning product.

When tanning the face during winter, subtlety is key. Harknett advises taking extra care around the face and neck and always choosing a formula designed specifically for facial skin rather than using body tanners on these delicate areas.

Experienced tanners will also know that DHA, the active ingredient in self-tanners, can make skin feel drier as it develops colour. Combined with harsh winter conditions, this can leave skin feeling tight. Maintaining a hydrating skincare routine and using tanning products gently helps ensure a soft, natural glow that simply adds warmth to the complexion.

The Best Fake Tans to Use in Winter

Below is a curated selection of the best self-tanners for winter, designed to deliver a believable bronze glow from head to toe.

Radiant Complexion Serum – Best Self-Tanning Face Serum

This facial serum is ideal for winter tanning, as it fits seamlessly into an existing skincare routine. Applied after cleansing and before moisturising, it doesn’t require mixing or altering daily habits.

Beyond tanning, it works as a multi-tasking serum, helping to hydrate, firm, and illuminate the skin. The buildable formula allows for a soft hint of radiance or a slightly deeper glow, depending on preference.

Self Tanning Hydrating Facial – Best Self-Tanning Face Cream

For those who prefer a cream over a serum, this luxurious option combines lightweight hydration with a subtle tan. It delivers moisture and colour in one step, making it an easy addition to a winter skincare routine.

Self-Tanning Drops – Best for a Customisable Tan

Tanning drops are ideal for those who want control over their colour. Adding one or two drops to a trusted moisturiser allows for a customisable, natural finish without the risk of overdoing it.

This formula also helps protect the skin from oxidative stress while delivering a warm, golden glow. A travel-sized option makes it convenient for winter getaways.

So So Dark Tanning Serum – Best for a Deep Tan

This richly tinted serum glides smoothly over the skin, making application easy and precise. It’s particularly useful before travel, as it helps lock in hydration and can be rinsed off after a few hours to reveal a deeper, warm-toned tan.

Gradual Tan Classic Firming Lotion – Best for a Gradual Tan

No winter tanning routine feels complete without a gradual formula. This lotion is ideal for beginners or those with very fair skin, offering a buildable glow that develops slowly and evenly.

Enriched with hyaluronic acid, it functions as a nourishing body lotion while delivering a subtle bronzed finish over time.

Liquid Gold Self Tan Foam – Best for All Skin Tones

For those who prefer a mousse texture, this foam is a standout choice. Its hydrating, argan oil–enriched formula, no rinse-off requirement, and streak-free finish make it a reliable option for achieving a smooth, even tan throughout the winter months.

You don’t need to chase every new fitness trend to build strength and muscle. Smart training, paired with a few proven principles, is more than enough. Fitness often feels overcomplicated, but simplicity is what drives long-term progress and sustainable results.

It’s time to move past the noise of online trends and return to old-school training fundamentals taught by legends who mastered their craft long before social media shaped workout culture. Think progressive overload, a balanced diet with adequate protein, and above all, consistency and repetition. These basics still work — and always will.

When these exercises are added to a regular strength routine and performed consistently, they build muscle where it matters, improve functional strength, and allow steady progression as fitness levels rise.

Five Classic Exercises That Still Build Serious Strength

1. Arnold Press

The Arnold press, created by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, is a powerful upper-body push movement that targets the shoulders, upper chest, and triceps. Its defining feature is the rotational motion, which activates all three shoulder heads — the anterior, lateral, and posterior deltoids.

This single movement delivers a well-rounded shoulder workout, making it ideal when time is limited. Overhead pressing also enhances pushing strength and improves core stability, as maintaining an upright posture is essential throughout the lift.

Beyond muscle growth, the Arnold press is highly functional, mimicking everyday tasks like lifting objects overhead. It also strengthens the shoulder stabilizers, with the rotator cuff actively protecting the joint during movement.

2. Forward-Lean Bulgarian Split Squats

The Bulgarian split squat is a glute-dominant lower-body exercise that also engages the quads, hamstrings, calves, and hips while challenging balance and stability. You can perform it using one or two dumbbells, kettlebells, or even just bodyweight.

Adding a slight forward lean increases glute activation. This involves hinging at the hips and bringing the chest gently over the front thigh while keeping a neutral spine. The lean should be subtle, just enough to place extra emphasis on the working glute.

This movement is simple yet highly effective, requiring only a bench and minimal equipment. Even without added weight, it remains a powerful strength-builder, especially for beginners.

3. Sissy Squats

The sissy squat is a demanding lower-body exercise that places heavy emphasis on the quads and core. Popularized by bodybuilder Vince Gironda in the mid-20th century, it focuses on deep knee flexion while driving the knees forward over the toes.

Unlike traditional squats, this variation minimizes hip involvement and shifts most of the workload to the quads. Performing the movement on the balls of your feet also increases calf activation.

Controlled movement is essential. Engage your core, lean back slightly to counterbalance, and allow the knees to track forward smoothly. Using a wall or rack for support can help improve confidence and depth. A proper warm-up and mobility routine is strongly recommended before attempting this exercise.

4. Drag Curls

Drag curls are best performed with a barbell or EZ bar, though dumbbells can also be used. The key is keeping the bar close to your body while pulling it upward in a nearly vertical path, with the elbows driving backward.

This technique places intense focus on the biceps, particularly the long head, creating a strong peak contraction at the top. Shoulder involvement is minimal, which allows for increased time under tension compared to standard curls.

Maintaining control throughout the movement is crucial. Emphasize a slow, controlled lowering phase to maximize muscle engagement and strength development.

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding the bar with an underhand grip
• Engage your core and pull the shoulders down and back
• Drag the bar upward by driving the elbows behind you
• Pause and squeeze the biceps when fully flexed
• Lower the weight slowly, maintaining a vertical path

5. Dumbbell Pullovers

Although often associated with shoulders, pullovers primarily target the chest, lats, triceps, and anterior deltoids. They are also effective for improving shoulder mobility.

This exercise demands strict control. Keep the core engaged and avoid excessive movement through the lower back. While advanced lifters may use a slight arch, the back should generally remain supported by the bench.

As the dumbbell lowers behind the body, the increased range of motion creates a deep stretch and significant resistance. Only move through a range you can fully control, gradually increasing depth as strength and stability improve.

Recommended Sets and Reps

Aim for 3–4 sets of 8–12 reps for each exercise. You can integrate individual movements into your current routine or combine all five into a full-body workout. Supersets or circuit-style training can also be used to increase intensity and efficiency.

L’Oréal’s first Sustainability Accelerator marks a significant step in how global beauty leaders collaborate with innovation-driven startups, and its impact is already being felt in France and beyond. By selecting 13 promising startups, the program aims to fast-track solutions that tackle environmental challenges across beauty, packaging, ingredients, and manufacturing. This initiative reflects L’Oréal’s long-term sustainability ambitions while giving emerging companies access to resources, mentorship, and real-world testing opportunities. For readers in France, where L’Oréal is headquartered, this accelerator highlights how local and international innovation can shape the future of responsible beauty.

L’Oréal sustainability accelerator startups driving change

The 13 companies chosen for L’Oréal’s Sustainability Accelerator represent a diverse mix of technologies and ideas, all united by a shared mission to reduce environmental impact. These startups focus on areas such as biodegradable materials, water efficiency, and low-impact ingredients, offering clean innovation that aligns with modern consumer values. Through structured support, they gain access to industry expertise, pilot opportunities, and global networks. For L’Oréal, the benefit lies in testing scalable solutions that can be integrated across brands. For the startups, the accelerator provides strategic exposure and credibility within the competitive beauty ecosystem.

How L’Oréal’s startup program supports sustainability innovation

This accelerator is designed as more than a mentorship scheme; it functions as a collaborative lab where ideas are refined and validated. Startups work closely with L’Oréal teams to address real operational challenges, gaining practical insights that are hard to access independently. The program emphasizes measurable impact, ensuring each solution can demonstrate environmental benefits. Participants also receive guidance on regulatory readiness and scaling across markets. By combining corporate resources with entrepreneurial agility, L’Oréal creates shared value that benefits both its sustainability roadmap and the startups’ growth journeys.

Why these sustainability startups matter to L’Oréal

The selection of these 13 startups signals a shift in how large beauty groups approach sustainability challenges. Instead of relying solely on internal R&D, L’Oréal is embracing open collaboration to accelerate progress. These startups bring fresh perspectives and niche expertise that can shorten innovation cycles. For consumers, this translates into products shaped by responsible design and transparent practices. For the wider industry, the accelerator sets a benchmark for corporate leadership in sustainability, showing how partnerships can drive meaningful change at scale.

Summary and broader impact analysis

L’Oréal’s Sustainability Accelerator illustrates how strategic partnerships can transform ambitious goals into actionable outcomes. By backing early-stage innovators, the company strengthens its ability to respond to environmental pressures while nurturing the next generation of solutions. The program’s structure encourages long-term thinking, balancing innovation speed with responsibility. It also reinforces France’s role as a hub for sustainable beauty leadership. As these startups progress, their success could influence industry standards, inspire similar programs, and demonstrate that collaboration is a powerful tool for achieving lasting impact.

Focus Area	Startup Role	Key Benefit
Packaging	Develop eco-friendly materials	Reduced plastic waste
Ingredients	Create low-impact formulations	Lower environmental footprint
Manufacturing	Improve process efficiency	Energy and water savings
Data & Tech	Track sustainability metrics	Better transparency

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is L’Oréal’s Sustainability Accelerator?

It is a program designed to support startups developing solutions that reduce environmental impact in the beauty industry.

2. How many startups were selected?

A total of 13 startups were chosen for the first edition of the accelerator.

3. Why is France important to this initiative?

France is L’Oréal’s home country and a central hub for its sustainability and innovation efforts.

4. What do startups gain from participating?

They receive mentorship, resources, and opportunities to scale their solutions with a global beauty leader.

Sitting somewhere between a full balayage and an all-over shade, hair contouring is a clever colouring approach designed to lift a dull complexion and give the face a more refreshed look. Borrowing ideas from makeup contouring, it uses a softly brightened effect to naturally light up the features. The technique works by placing lighter tones where they’ll catch and reflect light, helping to soften facial angles and wake up the complexion. Paris-based stylist Étienne Sekola explains that it’s all about subtle, strategic placement rather than a dramatic colour overhaul.

What Is Hair Contouring?

Hair contouring is essentially a micro-balayage focused only on the sections that frame the face. Instead of sweeping through the entire head like classic balayage, it targets just a few strands in the right spots. As Sekola puts it, the goal is simple: to bring light to the face with delicate lightening. These carefully placed touches can brighten the complexion, create a softer appearance, and deliver an instant “well-rested” vibe—while still looking completely natural. It’s a technique that can also help reduce the look of shadows on the face and subtly energise the overall colour for a healthy glow effect, like you’ve had fresh air and sunshine (minus the sunburn).

Is Hair Contouring High-Maintenance?

According to Sekola, hair contouring is very easy to maintain. Because the lightening is gentle and well-blended, it grows out smoothly and can evolve naturally without obvious lines. He suggests maintenance roughly every three months, though many people can comfortably wait six to eight months depending on how subtle they want the result to stay. You typically won’t get harsh roots or strong regrowth marks, since the colour softens over time and develops a natural-looking finish as it settles.

Best Haircuts for Hair Contouring

The key to great hair contouring is movement in the cut. Sekola explains that the more layered the haircut, the more noticeable—and flattering—the light-reflecting effect becomes. It tends to be less effective on very blunt, solid shapes, such as a strict bob, because there’s less motion to reveal the dimension. Ideally, the hair should have a flow that lets the colour catch the light as you move. That’s why medium-to-long layers and soft, wavy styles often showcase hair contouring best, creating an effortless glow that looks like it could be completely natural.

What to Ask for at the Salon

The number-one guideline is keeping it light and minimal. Hair contouring is meant to look understated, not heavily highlighted. Sekola advises asking for discreet face-framing brightness with only a few lighter sections, rather than lots of pale pieces. For instance, if your base is dark chestnut, overly blonde highlights can feel too strong—so a chestnut-to-light-chestnut shift will usually look more balanced and seamless. He also recommends avoiding too much contrast, especially for your first session. Don’t lift too high or go too light immediately; instead, take a gradual approach so the colourist can fine-tune the result, adjust placement, and perfect the brightness step by step while keeping the finish almost imperceptible.