Learning how to clean gold-plated jewelry is just as important as caring for solid gold jewelry, because it can tarnish easily, and its color could fade if the wrong cleaning solutions are applied. “I’ve often heard that household items like baking soda or Coca-Cola do wonders on cleaning gold,” says high-end jewelry designer Sheryl Lowe. “Unfortunately, I worry that those products could be too harsh or abrasive, especially if your gold has precious or delicate gemstones....

Understand your undertone When shopping for foundation or concealer, your undertone plays a major role in choosing the foundation or concealer shade that is right for you. But first, a clarification: Skin tone is the color we see on the surface of our skin, but the undertone is the hue under the surface. “Every color that you choose will either complement or contrast the undertones of your skin,” says makeup artist Amanda Bell....

The most common beet you’ll come across at the supermarket is the striking red beet with its garnet red color, but you’ll also find golden beets, and the reddish-pink and white Chioggia beet, which is more commonly known as the candy cane beet. This root veggie is rich in antioxidants, folate, and manganese, making it an excellent addition to healthful meals. Bonus: The veiny, leafy tops are edible and can be simply sautéed like any other leafy green....

Deck posts must be plumb, so they must start with square ends. Check the bottom of each post with a speed square and cut it if necessary. Dip cut ends in a preservative before setting them in the anchors and let the preservative soak in overnight. To make the job go quickly, do everything in stages—first, square all the deck posts and set them in the anchors with a temporary brace....

Reader question: Hair dryers are awful. Is there a better way to dry my hair for work? - @terikarobonik Based on your question, I’m going to assume that you shower in the morning. So do I—and although I love my a.m. soaks, sopping wet hair is never fun when you have somewhere to be. Drying your hair is a lengthy process, and for those of us with thick, curly, or long hair (raises hand), it requires intentionally scheduling it into your day....

There are so many ways to use rhubarb (which is technically a vegetable but masquerades as a fruit in many sweet desserts, from crumbles to pies). Don’t write it off as an accent in other types of dishes, though. “Rhubarb has a nice vegetal flavor with an upfront acid that lends itself to savory flavors even better than sweet,” says David Santos, chef with Um Segredo Supper Club in New York City....

Growing bonsai remains a specialized niche, but learning the art of bonsai is more accessible than ever. We’ve gathered tips for growing an indoor bonsai tree, including advice from the head curator of the celebrated bonsai collection at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Here is the best advice for how to care for a bonsai tree indoors—and actually keep it alive! What Is a Bonsai Tree? The word “bonsai” translates to “grown in a tray or container” and it refers to any type of tree that is forced to remain miniature....

The trick is knowing how to maximize our own small-sized patio (or rooftop garden, windowsill, or balcony), picking the proper plants to grow, and tending to them in all the right ways. To bring you the best advice on urban gardening, we teamed up with Jenn Frymark, the chief greenhouse officer for Gotham Greens, a New York City-based local produce brand growing leafy greens and herbs in commercial-scale urban greenhouses....

“There is nothing that makes a space feel more magical than lighting,” says Jung Lee, event architect and founder of Fête. “String lights are among my top choices for bringing instant fantasy to your space.” Feeling motivated to string up your own? It’s a great weekend project that doesn’t take too much time but still offers quite a bit of impact. Ahead, we’re explaining how to hang outdoor string lights in a few different ways, then offering up some patio string light ideas for your own space....

Reader question: How do I know if my skin is oily, dry, or combination? Indicators? - @allison.j.yood I’ve talked about the best moisturizers for combination skin, and that brought me to another more simple—but essential—skincare question from a reader: how to know what type of skin you have. Although it’s impossible to categorize something as nuanced as your skin into a singular class, it does serve as a good baseline when looking for skincare products....

Here’s how to make your favorite Starbucks holiday drinks at home. Red cup optional. Pumpkin Spice Latte The key to flavored lattes is the syrup, which can be purchased online in various sizes. Though Starbucks doesn’t sell its pumpkin spice syrup commercially, a similar syrup can be purchased from Torani, which is used by coffee shops across America. If you want to make your own, Starbucks at Home provides the following recipe: 1 cup water, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, 6 Tbsp pumpkin purée, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice should be simmered for about 4 minutes until everything is well combined....

Soothe the Skin Keep a hydrating face mask in your shower for those mornings when you and your skin need a jolt. Jamie says to look for masks that include ingredients like green tea, aloe, and hyaluronic acid to help soothe and plump sleepy skin. Apply the mask right before you get in the shower, and let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes before you remove it. Extra credit: If you can stand it, do a cool water rinse before you hop out—it’ll decrease puffiness and make your hair look a little shinier....

Though you can expect to see far fewer in-person cookie booths for the 2022 Girl Scout cookie season, that doesn’t mean that the popular confections will be harder to procure. In fact, thanks to a series of recent developments, Girl Scout cookies will be very easy to purchase this year. “In 2021, Girl Scouts created new ways to be successful in their cookie businesses so they could continue to use their cookie funds to power experiences like camp, troop activities, and service projects in their communities,” interim GSUSA CEO Judith Batty said in a statement....

The key is to organize everything inside your small closet while keeping the most frequently used items visible and within reach. With smart storage solutions and a little creativity, you’ll find that your dream closet can be a reality. These ideas show you how to organize a small closet to better support your daily routine. 1. Use a Combination of Drawers and Dividers If you’re wondering how to organize a small closet with lots of clothes, one of the most effective methods is to utilize multiple space-saving methods....

How to Plant Grass Seed If you’re starting from scratch, follow the steps below to turn a patch of dirt into a verdant green lawn. Remember, if mowing and maintaining a lawn isn’t on the top of your priorities list, there are plenty of no-mow alternatives to a traditional grass lawn. 1. Prepare the Soil Give your new lawn the best possible start by preparing the soil and planting site. Start by removing any existing weeds, then till the soil 8 to 10 inches deep....

“Hair plopping is the new term for an old technique of towel-drying wavy or curly hair,” says Annie Rush, a senior stylist at the Marie Robinson Salon in New York City. “It’s the simplest way of getting the best frizz-free and natural air-dry. The process is easy and can also be applied to straight hair if you want a more lived-in, bohemian texture.” So, what is hair plopping? As the name implies, you plop your hair into a towel or T-shirt and roll the fabric around your head like a turban....

Are Eggs Easier to Separate After They’ve Been Chilled in the Fridge vs. Sitting Out at Room Temperature? Many recipes that involve beating eggs or egg whites into a stable foam—such as soufflés, meringues, and sponge cakes—specify room temperature eggs. That’s because eggs whip up to a greater volume when they’ve had a chance to warm up. However, these desserts (as well as custards, mousses, and more) also call for separating egg yolks from whites....

How to Sauté Onions Heat oil or butter over medium-high heat until hot in a large skillet or pan. Use about 1 Tbsp. fat per small to medium onion (you can use just about any fat). If you want to sauté onions without oil, use a nonstick pan, and add a small amount of water or vegetable broth to help keep onions from sticking. Add chopped or sliced onions and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula....

“Rubbing the eyes can create tiny tears in the [surrounding skin] tissue,” she says. “This can age the eyes and break the capillaries in the eyelids, which can then intensify dark circles.” And as tempting as it is to drain a pimple by squeezing it, “it’s best to leave touching your face for when you’re moisturizing, cleansing, or applying makeup or sunscreen.” Most importantly, if and when you do touch your face—because it’s somewhat inevitable—Dr....

How to Store Whole Carrots Trim off the carrot greens, and either discard them or save them for something else, like pesto. If you leave the greens on the carrots, they will draw moisture and cause the roots to rot more quickly. Avoid washing whole, unpeeled carrots until right before you plan to eat or cook with them; by keeping them dry, they will stay good for a longer period of time....