Lauren Maas

Lauren honed her beauty sensibilities in Qatar, where she lived for four years while teaching some highly polished young ladies at an art/design university. Now calling Texas home, she specializes in foreign beauty cultures, bizarre cosmetic histories, and products beloved by grandmothers. She's never met holographic packaging she didn't like.

The Extras

From Russia With Suds

In New York’s East Village, the Russian & Turkish Baths carry on a proud tradition of old country schvitzingRead more >

Open Thread

I Got It From My Mama: The Beauty Products

One writer reflects back on what skincare she's stolen from her mom, and her mom's mom—just in time to go home for the holidaysRead more >

Misc.

Revisiting Gilmore Girls

A longtime fan, now all grown up, dissects what it meant to be a woman in Stars HollowRead more >

Misc.

Beauty Marks: A History Lesson

From portending bad omens to sending secret messages, the mole has always been one of the face's hotly contested featuresRead more >

Postcard

The American Korean Bathhouse: A Review

Tales from an authentic Korean jimjilbang, and it's American counterpart, Spa Castle, that runs Living Social dealsRead more >

Postcard

A Hamam Revelation

An experience even the most reticent of massagees could loveRead more >

Misc.

The Culture Of Clean: A History Of Artisan Soap Makers

The first post in our new series exploring the cultural impact of bar soap time travels back to when soap was a Silk Road import, not a freebie from Hampton InnRead more >

The Extras

Navigating The Bazaar Beauty Stalls In Doha, Qatar

While many residents opt for Chanel and MAC, the Souq Waqif market is home to old-school Middle Eastern beauty staples like kajals, henna, magic lipstick, and burning oudsRead more >