Makeup
Does Makeup Expire? How Long Mascara, Lipstick and Foundation Really Last
Mascara purchased six months ago, lipstick reserved for special occasions, or a foundation bottle that’s still half full. Most makeup bags contain at least…
Stories by
Maisie Pembroke
Maisie Pembroke writes for Branneva, where her curiosity often begins with a claim that sounds a little too certain. She examines consumer research and scientific developments with an interest in the details people tend to overlook. Her articles favor original sources and clear explanations, particularly when the evidence tells a more complicated story than the headline.
15 stories
Stories
Skin
Can You Mix Niacinamide and Vitamin C? The Old Warning Came From a Different Formula
Niacinamide and vitamin C appear in countless facial serums, yet an old skincare warning still advises against using them together. The concern dates back…
Body
How to Make Perfume Last Longer, Starting With Where You Spray It
You apply your favorite perfume before leaving for work, but by lunchtime, you can barely smell it. The reason may be where you applied…
Skin
Does Sunscreen Expire? The Date on the Bottle Is Only Half the Answer
Sunscreen that spent an entire summer in a beach bag may lose some of its original properties before the expiration date printed on the…
Skin
Extra Water Helps Dry Skin Mostly If You Weren’t Drinking Much to Begin With
Winter dryness can make your skin feel tight by lunchtime, even if you’ve already finished a large bottle of water. Drinking another glass sounds…
Skin
Salmon DNA Is Skincare’s Buzziest Ingredient, but the Best Evidence Comes From Injections
Salmon DNA has become a popular ingredient in skincare, particularly in Korean beauty serums marketed for improved skin elasticity and fewer visible wrinkles. Products…
Hair
The FDA First Planned a Formaldehyde Ban for Hair Straighteners in 2023. It Still Hasn’t Proposed One
The FDA originally planned to propose a ban on formaldehyde in certain hair straighteners in October 2023. Three years later, the proposed rule remains…
Skin
Europe Has Used This Sunscreen Filter for Decades. Americans Waited Since 2005 for It
European sunscreen manufacturers have used bemotrizinol for more than two decades. The ingredient provides protection against both UVA and UVB radiation and has become…
Body
Does Perfume Expire? How to Tell a Bottle Has Gone Bad and Store the Rest
Perfume is a chemical mixture of fragrance compounds whose stability depends on its formulation and storage conditions. Oxygen can cause certain molecules to oxidize,…
Hair
Why Is My Hair So Staticky? How to Calm It When the Air Turns Dry
Static electricity develops when contact and friction transfer electrical charge between different materials. Hair strands with the same type of charge repel one another,…