I'm two full weeks into using the OCM, and I have to admit that things aren't going well. I switched from a blend of olive oil and castor, which left my skin feeling irritated, to sweet almond oil, which other readers recommended. Unlike everyone else, though, the results I've gotten aren't so great. My skin isn't feeling simultaneously greasy and itchy anymore, but I'm breaking out all over and Read more

It's time for another Bella experiment in the spirit of my The Natural series. This time, though, instead of making my entire beauty routine organic and edible, I'm taking things a little slower and testing out the popular Oil Cleansing Method. The OCM uses a combination of household oils (most commonly olive and castor) to remove makeup, grime, and surface sebum without dehydrating your skin. Read more

Last week I began using the oil cleansing method, using a combination of olive oil, castor oil, and tea tree oil. Tons of readers gave me great advice on how to proceed, and a week later, I've made some adjustments and am happy to report that I'm still very much into the OCM. The hear about what my first week was like, just keep reading. Read more

I'm obsessed with cleansing oil these days, and with good reason. Anyone who's ever spent time in Japan won't be surprised by this; oil formulations have been popular there since 1967, when Shu Uemura introduced the first oil-based cleanser. But for those of us on this side of the Pacific, cleansing oil gets short shrift even though it's a brilliant idea. So why is washing your face with oil so Read more

Check out our latest BellaTV episode and some of our favorite stories from the week: Gwen Stefani always keeps it real; see her most honest beauty quotes. Happy birthday, Bette Davis! Take a look back at her beauty evolution. Gina Brooke shares her tips on becoming a makeup artist. Test your pop-star manicure IQ with our music video quiz. One Read more

Basil is the Summer's most beloved herb, and when it's in season, I simply can not get enough of it. While classic preparations like pesto and pizza margherita are great ways to use basil, there are plenty of other methods that highlight the fragrant herb's wonderful flavor. Here are six suggestions for making the most of that basil bounty. Drinks. Unlike some herbs, such as rosemary, basil has Read more