H20? No.
“Hydrate” and “moisturize” are beauty buzzwords. So it may seem counter-intuitive that the latest trend in makeup and skincare is waterless formulas. It’s all to give the earth a makeover: Water is a diminishing natural resource, and this is an effort to conserve it. Some companies are even avoiding using water throughout their entire manufacturing process! You get benefits too, such as longer product shelf life and improved efficacy due to the concentrated formulas.
A new scent-sation
Move over, essential oil diffusers. We can now get a dose of serenity by simply drinking. New bottled beverages release calming natural scents from a patented cap when opened.
The science of aromatherapy isn’t new: Certain scents send messages through the nervous system to part of the brain that controls emotions. Factor in the notion that smells massively influence the sense of taste, and you’ll understand why aromatic drinks are a craze that will stay.
Goodbye, dopamine highs
Social media breaks are one thing. But what about a hiatus from anything that makes you happy? It’s called dopamine fasting, and it’s the practice of avoiding personal pleasures—anything from pizza to movies to sex. Proponents say that without these triggers, the brain receives fewer bursts of the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine. That means no highs, but rather the potential to reset, appreciate life’s simple things, and find motivation to tackle more mundane tasks.
Egg-citing developments
You’ve seen plants stand in for beef, chicken, milk, and more. Even for the non-vegan, plant-based food options are exciting—especially the new wave of egg alternatives. In one buzzy liquid egg formula, protein-rich mung beans are the main ingredient. And a new powdered egg mix features euglena, an ancient microorganism. Either way, with spices and vegetable extracts added for color and flavor, you get a sustainable, scramble-friendly product.
Super cool fitness
Hot yoga had you melting into poses in 105 F temperatures. Turns out you can have just as effective of a sweat session in a frigid room. Pre-COVID-19, cold workouts were on the rise in places like New York, where studios like Brrrn kept thermostats fixed at 50 F. No doubt the trend will take hold again: Cold has some metabolism-boosting effects, so those brrr-pees go a long way.
