How to Create A Bagel Bar For Your Next Sunday Brunch

Jan 13, 2022

We love a good Sunday brunch, and we just might love bagels even more. If you're looking for inspo for your next weekend get-together with the squad, look no further than this bagel bar DIY. We turned to Meggan Hill, Executive Chef and head of the Culinary Hill Test Kitchen, for her take. Take it away, Meggan!

For bridal or baby showers, holiday brunches, and beyond, assemble a Bagel Bar so guests can get creative with their bagel recipe creations. This interactive Bagel Bar is beautiful, customizable, and a cinch to share with a crowd.

INGREDIENTS

Bagels

Plain/white, wheat, sesame seed, salt, poppy seed, garlic, everything; choose one or a mix of all of the above. Buy them from a bakery, or if you're feeling ambitious, try your hand at Homemade Bagels.

Whipped Cream Cheese

The texture is luscious, silky, and spreadable. If you can only find regular cream cheese, simply use a stand mixer or hand mixer to whip it on high for 5 minutes or until fluffy (see more cream cheese flavor variations below).

Everything Bagel Seasoning

Buy this pre-mixed, or to make ½ cup of your own, combine 2 tablespoons poppy seeds, 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic, 1 tablespoon dried minced onion, and 2 teaspoons coarse salt or flaked salt.

Smoked Salmon

Feel free to substitute with lox (salmon that's smoked but not cured) if desired.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Buy these at the supermarket to save time, or hard-boil eggs to your desired doneness in a saucepan, Instant Pot, or steamer basket.

Cucumbers

If you use thin-skinned cucumbers, peeling is optional.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Slice bagels and stack on a platter or cutting board. Set up toaster nearby with toaster tongs. Start by creating some anchor points with any bowls you want to use. Space out dishes of cream cheese, everything bagel seasoning, capers, salmon roe.
From there, you can work outward, using the bowls to support stacks of smoked salmon, hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, fennel, radishes, red onions, and tomatoes.
Fill in the gaps with small piles of fresh dill and fresh chives. Add forks, spreaders, and picks where needed.

TIPS AND VARIATIONS

Yield

This spread will allow 8 diners to BYOB (build your own bagel). Scale up or down as needed to serve your crowd.

Make Ahead

The vegetables can be cut the day before. Store covered in the refrigerator. Eggs can be hard-boiled up to 1 week in advance.

Alternate Toasting Options

I prefer setting out a toaster so the bagels can be warm and as golden as each guest prefers, but you can certainly toast a batch of halved bagels in the toaster oven or on a sheet pan in your regular oven for a quicker solution if all are dining at once.

Spiff Up Your Cream Cheese

To add a couple more cream cheese flavors to your spread, mix up pico cream cheese (whip 8 ounces of plain cream cheese with ½ cup diced tomatoes, ¼ cup diced red onion, 1 tablespoon diced jalapeño, plus salt and black pepper to taste) or sun-dried tomato cream cheese (whip 8 ounces of plain cream cheese with ¼ cup or 2 ounces of chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes).

Sweet Bagel Bar

Craving a sweet rather than savory brunch? Try blueberry, cinnamon-raisin, chocolate chip, or cinnamon-sugar bagels, use plain or honey whipped cream cheese, then set out toppings such as honey, sliced fresh fruit, fresh mint, melted nut butter, chopped toasted nuts, toasted coconut flakes, and mini chocolate chips.

Want more recipes, food hacks, and DIY inspo for January 15th's National Bagel Day? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

4 Delicious Recipes For Your "Bridgerton" Watch Party

If there are two things we love, they're Bridgerton and brunch — and what better way to spend a weekend than combining the two?! We got a peek inside The Unofficial Bridgerton Cookbook before its release to help us create a four-course Bridgertonbrunch (try saying that five times fast). With four recipes that look just as good as they taste, you're sure to be the diamond of the season.

Rumor-Stirring Blueberry Lavender Fizz

You can't have brunch without a fun, easy drink to kick things off! This fruity mocktail features flavors of blueberry, lemon, and lime, and it comes with a foamy, pastel finish. What could be more springlike than that?

Ingredients

Serves 1

1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
1 tablespoon blueberry jam
1⁄2 ounce lemon juice
1⁄2 ounce lime juice
1⁄2 ounce heavy cream
1 large egg white, pasteurized
8–12 ounces cooled sparkling water
1 tablespoon lemon zest

Instructions

Muddle lavender in a cocktail shaker.
Add remaining ingredients except sparkling water and lemon zest. Shake vigorously until texture changes to a foam, about 10 seconds.
Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds or until cocktail is well chilled.
Strain into a Collins glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with lemon zest.

Household Hasty-Bake Oatmeal Pies with Sugared Berries

This dish might look fancy enough to serve Queen Charlotte, but it's actually very simple to make! You can use instant oats, which speeds up everything about the process. All you need for the sugared berries (other than the berries themselves) is sugar and an egg white, which is so easy that we're taking notes for all of our spring berry cravings.

Ingredients

Makes 4 (4") Pies Or 1 (9") Pie

For Sugared Berries:

1⁄3 cup superfine sugar
1 large egg white, pasteurized
1 cup fresh berries of choice

For Oatmeal Pies:

1 1⁄4 cups instant oats
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1 stick unsalted butter
1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup water
4 cups vanilla yogurt for filling
4 tablespoons amber honey

Instructions

Prepare a surface with wax paper. Place superfine sugar in a small shallow dish
Whisk egg white lightly in a small bowl until bubbles form on the surface. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each berry with egg white.
Gently roll berries in sugar and place on wax paper. Let dry 20 minutes.
To make Oatmeal Pies: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly coat four 4" pie pans (or one 9" pie pan) with butter and set aside.
In a food processor, pulse oats, flour, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until butter pieces are no larger than a pea.
Pour mixture into a large bowl and mix in water until dough ball forms. If dough is too dry, add more water.
Separate dough into four equal parts and, using wet hands, press dough into pie pans. Make sure crust is even and without holes.
Bake 20 minutes until edges begin to brown.
Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes. Fill with yogurt and Sugared Berries and drizzle with honey before serving.

Portia's Green Soup

We're all about filling, warm soups when temps drop, but when it's feeling lovely outside, switch things up with a chilled (and healthy) soup recipe. Avocado and buttermilk keep things creamy and garlic, chives, and salt add a nice flavor. Top with radishes, nuts, and greens.

Ingredients

Serves 6

1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
4 cups buttermilk
1 large seedless cucumber, sliced into 1⁄4" discs 2 tablespoons sliced red onion
4 medium cloves garlic, peeled
6 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, divided 2 tablespoons aji-mirin or rice vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Add all ingredients except 3 tablespoons chives to a blender and blend until smooth. Chill 1 hour.
Serve in six small bowls garnished with remaining 3 tablespoons chives.

High Society Scones

These tasty scones will go great with brunch, dessert, or afternoon tea. Just don't forget the marmalade! If you don't have access to barberries, swap for currants or cranberries and you're good as gold.

Ingredients

Makes 12 scones

1⁄2 cup barberries
1⁄16 teaspoon ground saffron
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
5 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
3 large eggs, divided
3⁄4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450°F and set out two lined baking sheets.
In a small bowl, soak barberries in warm water for 30 minutes. In a separate small bowl, crumble saffron into 1 tablespoon water and set aside.
Add flour, baking powder, salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, and butter to a food processor and pulse until a very fine sand forms.
In a medium bowl, beat 2 eggs, saffron water, and milk until well combined. Gently mix in contents of food processor until just combined. Drain and stir in barberries.
On a clean, lightly floured surface, knead dough minimally and form into a rectangle 1" thick. Dough should be very sticky. Don’t overwork. Use a 2" round cookie cutter or glass to cut twelve circles of dough, setting them on the baking sheet 21⁄2" apart.
In a small bowl, beat remaining egg and water and brush lightly onto scones, then sprinkle remaining
1 tablespoon sugar on top of scones. Bake 8–10 minutes until lightly browned.
Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes before serving. Will last up to 1 week in refrigerator.

Check Out The Cookbook For More Recipes!

Subscribe to our email newsletter for more Bridgerton content + recipes galore! Check out our Easter side dishes for more inspo.

All recipes and images courtesy of The Unofficial Bridgerton Cookbook.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

George And Amal Clooney's Courtship Included...Letters From His Dog?

George and Amal Clooney are one of the celebrity couples I’d personally be upset over if they ever break up. Like...my heart just wouldn’t be able to handle it because their love story is one for the books — not to mention all the power couple fashion moments we'd miss out on!

I was introduced to George Clooney’s work via Quentin Tarantino’s movieFrom Dusk ‘Til Dawn (thanks, dad) and have always found him to be a force of nature, but I didn’t take him for the ‘settling down’ type. Imagine my surprise when the man who once claimed he’d never get married eventually found himself smitten with Amal Alamuddin, an intelligent Human Rights Lawyer.

Since their fateful first meeting at George’s home years ago, the two have gone on to get married, have children, and even established the Clooney Foundation for Justice together. If you can’t get enough of their relationship either, here’s a full timeline of their love story!

George and Amal Clooney's Full Relationship Timeline

Image via Andrew Goodman/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night

July 2013: George And Amal Clooney’s First Introduction

In 2018, George sat down with David Letterman on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction to recount various moments from his life, including when he first met Amal. He remembers being at home at Lake Como when one of his friends asked if they could bring a plus one with them.

To make things even wilder, his own agent let him know his bachelor days would soon be over. “I got a call from my agent who called and said, ‘I met this woman who’s coming to your house who you’re gonna marry,’” he said.

Once he met Amal and began talking to her, it was apparent they had chemistry that resulted in them exchanging emails. George told The Hollywood Reporter, “I thought she was beautiful, and I thought she was funny and obviously smart…Then she sent some pictures from when she was here, and we were writing each other, emailing, talking, mostly about what was going on in each other’s lives, and over a period of time it became clear we were more than just friends.”

I’m being dramatic, but I think this dispels the idea that it’s impossible to find love if you don’t leave home.

Image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images

October 2013: George and Amal Have Their First Date

George also told The Hollywood Reporter about how their first official date came to be. He was in London overseeing the music for Monuments Men and decided to invite Amal for a visit. “Then we went for dinner…and when we came out, there were 50 paparazzi there. But she handled it like a champ. And pretty quickly, things escalated once I was in London,” he said

While they dated and got to know each other, they told CBS that they wrote each other letters. While they described that courtship, Amal added that some of the letters George wrote to her came from...his dog? Talk about bringing someone into your inner world! TBH, I'm more than here for it — let your sweet, goofy flag fly, George!

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner

April 2014: George and Amal Get Engaged

I always say there’s no denying when you’ve fallen in love with someone, and that couldn’t be more true for George and Amal Clooney who got engaged after six months of dating. Seriously, the way George proposed is something out of a romantic fairytale because he planned it. Not only that, but he cooked for her and sent her on a short scavenger hunt — except she didn’t know she was supposed to be looking for a ring.

He revealed even more details about the moment during his interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I did all the stuff, got down on my knee and did all the things you’re supposed to do. I had a playlist with my Rosemary [Clooney] songs on it, and I was waiting for this song, ‘Why Shouldn’t I,’” he said.

Needless to say, Amal happily accepted his proposal! Ironically,I’m starting to realize there’s not always a set timeline for people to get engaged or married after dating. Some people only date for a few months while others date for years before deciding to get married. It’s all very personal.

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI

September 2014: George And Amal Clooney Get Married

It wouldn’t be right if the couple didn’t get married in Italy, the country where they first met. Of course they were free to get married wherever they wanted, but leave it to the Clooneys to keep the romance going.

People reported the lovely couple wed at the Aman Canal Grande resort and guests like Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and John Krasinski were in attendance.

Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images

January 2015: George and Amal Grace the Red Carpet Together

For the first time ever, George and Amal Clooney made an appearance on the red carpet at the beginning of 2015. They attended the Golden Globes together where George received the famed lifetime achievement award.

Towards the end of his speech, George praised Amal in only a way that a man truly in love with his wife could. He said, "You make every single day — every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday — feel as special as tonight..."

Image via Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images

Late 2016: George and Amal Found the Clooney Foundation for Justice

By 2016, George and Amal Clooney decided to found the Clooney Foundation for Justice — an organization that aims to shed light around social injustices found across the globe. They've prioritized spending their own money to help those in need without a second thought and have even donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Image via Clemens Bilan/Getty Images

February 2017: PEOPLE confirms George and Amal are expecting twins

Almost three years after getting married, a source close to George and Amal Clooney revealed the two were expecting a baby together. They told People, "They’re all very happy," referring to the couple's family.

George later revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he was shocked when he discovered the couple would actually become parents to twins. He recalled their experience in the ultrasound room. "He goes, 'Well, there's one.' And I said, 'Great.' And then he goes, 'And there's the second one.' And I was like, 'What?' We just sat there, staring at that piece of paper they give you, and I kept thinking there was a mistake," he said of the exchange between the doctor and the couple.

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

June 2017: George and Amal Clooney Welcome Their Twins

People also reported the birth of George and Amal Clooney's twins — Alexander and Ella — during the summer of 2017. "This morning Amal and George welcomed Ella and Alexander Clooney into their lives. Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy and doing fine. George is sedated and should recover in a few days," they revealed in lighthearted joint statement.

September 2017: George and Amal Clooney Make Their First Appearance After Becoming Parents

Later that year, George and Amal Clooney graced the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in support of George's film Suburbicon. George — an ever dapper gentleman — wore a classic black tuxedo while Amal wore a lilac Versace gown.

Image via Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images

May 2018: George and Amal attend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding

Things were quiet for the couple until the spring of 2018. They attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's highly publicized wedding. They were just a few of the celebrities that were seen in the crowd.

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

February 2022: George and Amal accept the Catalyst Award together

A couple of years later, George and Amal Clooney were the proud recipients of the joint Catalyst Award from the Elevate Prize Foundation. The amazing work they'd been doing in connection with the Clooney Foundation for Justice hadn't gone unnoticed and they were praised for their amazing philanthropic work.

While accepting the award, George gave a moving speech about their foundation's purpose. "One of the Elevate Prize Foundation's core values is human safety and freedom...Our goal at the foundation is to free the innocent and punish the guilty. I think we're both inspired by the young people out there challenging injustice in their communities, a new generation that won't accept the status quo," he said.

Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images

September 2022: George and Amal attend London premiere of Ticket to Paradise

The couple then attended the London premiere of Ticket to Paradise where they looked refreshed and glowy. This is my attempt to be appropriate, but they truly looked smoking h-o-t!This time George wore a three-piece suit while Amal stunned in beautiful slip dress.

Image via Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

October 17, 2022: George and Amal attend Ticket to Paradise Los Angeles premiere

They then attended the L.A. premiere of Ticket to Paradise where George looked debonair in a grey suit. Amal wore a gorgeous Alexander McQueen number that was an appropriate nod to the film's paradise theme.

Image via Mike Coppola/Getty Images

December 3, 2022: George and Amal Attend The Kennedy Center Honors

George and Amal Clooney attended the Kennedy Center Honors where he, along with honorees, received a nod for lifetime achievements. They were a picture of perfection on the red carpet, especially Amal. She dazzled in a lovely Valentino gown that looked amazing on her frame.

Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

August 31, 2023: The Couple Attend The DVF Awards in Venice

While attending the DVF Awards in Venice, Amal received the DVF Leadership Award. During her acceptance speech, Amal thanked George for being by her side. People reports she said, "Venice is the place where almost nine years ago we were married. I just wanted to say, you, my love, like this city, take my breath away, and you make our lives magical. It is sometimes hard to believe you exist, so thank you for being the brightest light in my life.”

September 28, 2023: George and Amal host The Albies

Before the end of 2023, People reported George and Amal Clooney hosted their foundation's second annual Albies at the New York Public Library to continue highlighting the importance of securing human rights for all.

Love celebrity relationships? Follow us on Facebook for all the news on your faves!

Header image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

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The 22 Best Brunch Cocktails For Mother’s Day 2024

Nothing beats brunch, especially for a special occasion like Mother’s Day. Letting mom have a few extra hours to luxuriate over bacon and coffee is a treat she’s sure to appreciate. Adding a delicious, decadent cocktail to your brunch menu makes the meal extra special. Looking to step up your Mother's Day brunch game? Here are morning-friendly cocktail recipes for the next time you want to impress all the mamas in your life.

Brunch Cocktails To Make For Mother's Day 2024

Pomegranate White Tea Fizz

For the more health-conscious, a cocktail packed with pomegranates and infused with white tea. (via Brit + Co)

"Speak Now" Spritz

Get in the Swiftie spirit with a Taylor Swift cocktail that's sure to please all your girlfriends. This one has plum liqueur and Prosecco for the ultimate flavor combo — and you can't forget about the edible glitter! (via The Spritz Effect for Brit + Co)

Summer Paloma

Nothing says summer like an easy breezy brunch cocktail, and this Paloma has the yummiest mix of grapefruit soda and tequila. I like a little extra lime juice, so don't be afraid to go crazy ;). (via Brit + Co)

Cadbury Cocktail

If Mom has a sweet tooth, you *have* to whip up this dessert cocktail. It's the perfect Mother's Day treat! (via Brit + Co)

Easy Irish Coffee

Instead of getting brunch cocktails *and* coffee, combine them into this spiked Irish coffee. One-and-done! (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry And Rhubarb Bellinis

Everyone’s favorite morning cocktail gets an upgrade with fresh strawberries. Siri, play "Pink" by Lizzo! (via Brit + Co)

Mimosa Remix

Fresh fruit gives this Grapefruit Thyme Fizz, Cherry Orange Tequila Sunrise, and Sparkling Strawberry Mimosa that perfect touch of “homemade” that shows you care, without all the fuss of making a huge brunch. (via Brit + Co)

Citrus Mezcal Brunch Cocktails

Grab a bottle of mezcal and a variety of sliced citrus, flavored sparkling sodas, and a specialty “worm salt,” known as sal de gusano, tomake these mezcal cocktails with blood orange, grapefruit, orange, and lime. (via Brit + Co)

Bloody Mary Bar

Nothing says brunch quite like a Bloody Mary, with its array of veggies, pickled goodies and hot kick that'll get you ready for the day. Host Mother's Day Brunch with a Bloody Mary bar for everyone to DIY their faves. (via Brit + Co)

Frozen Blueberry Paloma

Serve up this refreshing and unique twist on a paloma that mixes fresh grapefruit juice, blueberries, lime juice, and a splash of tequila. Consider this the ultimate pre-summer sip. (via Half Baked Harvest for Brit + Co)

More Brunch Cocktail Ideas You'll Love

Rosa Raspberry Chocatini

Toast your mom to a job well done and a life well lived with this dessert cocktail. Mix equal parts Chilled Rosa Regale RedwithStoli Chocolat Razberi Vodka, and add a rasberry garnish.

Mango Ginger Mojito

Get mom ready for summer with this rum-based brunch cocktail. I'm obsessed with the bold and bright colors! (via Signature Concoctions)

Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe

Keep it simple, delicious, and warm-weather friendly with this 3-ingredient cocktail. (via Salt + Lavender)

Honey Blackberry Smash Mocktail

This refreshing mocktail is made with homemade blackberry syrup, fresh mint, and honey. Spike with her favorite liquor if you prefer to go boozy! (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Salty Dog

Made with vodka, grapefruit juice, and a splash of club soda, this classic brunch cocktail is an easy and delicious way to celebrate mom. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Dirty Shirley Cocktail

Bring back fun childhood memories with mom by serving this grown-up version of the Shirley Temple. (via Culinary Hill)

Pink Sangria with Rosé Wine

This pretty-in-pink cocktail is perfect for a brunch crowd. Not feeling the grapefruit? Swap for your favorite berries instead. (via Barley & Sage)

Empress & Tonic

Serve this tart, refreshing, and delicious tonic to the color-loving mom. Just pour 2 oz Empress 1908 Ginand 3 oz Premium Tonic Water on ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Spicy Watermelon Margaritas

Just four ingredients and fresh watermelon makes this brunch cocktail a favorite. (via Cozy Cravings)

Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

St. Germain Brunch Cocktail

Feeling fancy? Mix St. Germain (an elderflower liqueur), Cocchi Americano and San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa with crushed ice and you have a drink worthy of a Mediterranean view. (via Oh So Beautiful Paper)

Clamato Pineapple Michelada

Does mom love a Bloody Mary, but is looking something a little different? Try making her a Michelada, another savory-tomato-y cocktail! This recipe gives her a little sweet and a little savory — and a lot of yum!

Limoncello and Prosecco Cooler

A cocktail full of sunshiny limoncello and mint — yeah, your mom wants that. The raspberry ice cubes add an elegant touch. (via Creative Culinary)

Loving these brunch cocktails? Subscribe to our email newsletter for a dose of recipe inspiration every Sunday and check out our new B+C online cooking classes for more!

This article has been updated from a previous post published in April 2014.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Desperate For Long Nails? How To Finally Make Your Nails Grow Faster

Nails breaking constantly? Wishing you didn't have to rely on tips at the salon? Desperate for that long nail look? You’re not alone. Despite it being used as an annoying and vapid phrase women would say in TV shows, breaking a nail is very painful and can ruin a (usually expensive) manicure. But don’t fret — we’ve rounded up five simple ways to get your nails to grow longer and stronger.

What causes weak fingernails?

Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS

But first, what causes unhealthy, brittle, breakable nails? A lot of factors that may not instantly come to mind. According to WebMD, these factors can contribute to weak nails:

Aging: As we get older, our nails get thinner and can crack or peel.
Harsh nail products: Both nail polish and nail polish remover can have strong chemicals that can damage and dry out your nails, leading them to break.
Wet nails: Consistently have your hands in water, maybe doing the dishes or bathtime for the kids? This could be drying out your nails.
Underlying health issues: Vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and many other health issues could be the cause of nails breaking.

How can I strengthen my nails?

Photo by Karolina Grabowska/PEXELS

Dealing with some of these factors? While we can’t help you with the underlying health issues (please see a doctor if you think you may be dealing with something!), there are many easy things you can do to improve your nails and encourage growth.

Cuticle oil
Biotin
Diet
Nail protection
Avoid picking and peeling

Here's why each factor is important, plus how you can go about successfully achieving them.

Find a Cuticle Oil

You may only use cuticle oil when your manicurist applies it, but that doesn't have to be the case. Cuticle oils are an inexpensive and easy way to promote nail health and growth by keeping your nails hydrated. Cosmetically, cuticle oils encourage longer-lasting manis and leave your nails looking shiny and polished. But they do much more below the surface: cuticle oils create a healthier environment that allows strong growth for your nails.

Interested in adding cuticle oil to your beauty routine? Check our a few of my faves:

Photo via Cora Pursley/Dupe

Explore Biotin

Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that helps our bodies turn food into energy. It’s also one of the top recommended supplements for hair and nail growth, and for good reason. Many scientists say a daily biotin supplement can improve nail strength in as little as a few weeks.

“Since it is water soluble, biotin (or vitamin B7) can’t be stored in the body and must be acquired from diet or through supplementation,” shared Rachel Kilroy, Director of Product Innovation at Solaray, the original pioneers in supplement health and wellness. Solaray has developed a new supplement that provides biotin in a unique way.

“Solaray’s Timed Release Biotin strategically supports nail health with a powerful 5,000 mcg of this important nutrient, delivering half of the biotin rapidly and the other half gradually over a period of up to 8 hours for sustained support,” Kilroy continued. “With consistent use, this vegan formula—lab verified for purity and potency—can provide comprehensive support for longer, stronger nails.”

Supplements not your thing? Biotin can be found naturally in many foods, like cooked eggs, whole grains, soy and other beans, nuts and nut butters, salmon, mushrooms, and cauliflower.

Photo via Daniella Cappellari/Dupe

Eat A Nail Friendly Diet

Nails require a balanced, healthy diet for proper growth and strength. According to Medical News Today, making small tweaks to your diet can make a big impact on your nails. Adding in nutrients like more iron or calcium in your diet will have your nails growing long and strong.

Dieticians recommend a colorful diet for nail growth consisting of colorful fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, lean meat, avocado, sweet potato, and whole grains.

Photo via Sash Gabriel/Dupe

Protect Your Nails While Wet

Constantly doing dishes, managing bath time, gardening, or swimming? The water may be the cause of your breakage.

Your nails are like sponges, constantly expanding and contracting when water goes in or out of the nail cells. This can strain your nails, causing them to weaken, peel, and then break.

When possible, grab a pair of rubber gloves to wear while cleaning to protect your nails from the water and make sure to fully dry your nails after they’re in water. Hand creams are also a win for your nails after water exposure.

Avoid Picking, Peeling or Biting

Bad habits that are addicting. While peeling off your gel manicure can be so satisfying, it’s one of the worst things you can do for your nails. Same with constantly picking or biting your nails. As someone who used to constantly bite her nails down, I can assure you my nails are much healthier and stronger after kicking that habit.

Want to quit that habit? Try a nail bite deterrent, like this one from ella+mia or this one from LONDONTOWN and watch your nails grow before your eyes.

Looking for more beauty tips and inspo? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter for more!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image via Laura Walt/Dupe

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Yulin Kuang’s Debut Novel “How To End A Love Story” Is Summer's Hottest Book Club Pick

I've got a thing for Reese Witherspoon's book club which is why I couldn't wait to get my hands on Yulin Kuang's debut novel How to End a Love Story. Chosen as Reese's Book Club's May Pick, it features a romance that almost shouldn't make sense. I mean, when's the last time you realized you trauma bonded with someone? Except Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard's character arcs as well as the entire plot of How to End a Love Story doesn't even feel like that.

Instead, Yulin uncannily peels back the layers of what it means to be a layered human being who happens to be carrying trauma, talent, success, imposter syndrome, and burning desire in their hearts. Even that doesn't scratch the surface of who Helen and Grant are. Trying to capture their essence feels like I'm stumbling over my words which points to how great this novel is and that means Yulin's goal has been accomplished.

Though she loves perfectly executed rom-coms and is fortunate to be working on them in the filmmaking space, she doesn't consider How to End a Love Story as one. "...I was searching for something more aligned with the Brontë sensibility of romance in the writing of this book. Less warmth and charm, more id-level storytelling and unchecked carnal desire," she explains.

Yulin Kuang's Journey To "How To End A Love Story"

Image via Zach Wallnau

Some people seem to be born knowing they're destined to right, but some of us stumble into it and realize, "Hey, I'm pretty good at this." For Yulin, her journey to her debut novel How to End a Love Story takes the latter route. Her first dream, you make ask? To be an Olympic figure skater.

"...that didn't pan out so I turned to storytelling," Yulin admits. That pivot led her to set her sights on becoming an author as she began honing her creative writing skills via your classic marble composition notebooks. If you're still wondering if she kept some of them, the answer is yes!

The screenwriter and author then found herself drawn to other aspects of writing and film. She says, "I eventually fell in love with screenwriting and directing while in undergrad at Carnegie Mellon, and I spent my first decade post-grad concentrating on my filmmaking career."

Yulin Kuang's Approach To Filmmaking

It's a reason why her hard work and the stars aligned for her to adapt Emily Henry's Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation.

When I ask what helps her approach the book-to-film trajectory, she credits writing fan fiction. This feels similar to Christina Lauren's own experience, further proving that fan fiction deserves the utmost praise for helping some of the best literary and film minds who ultimately birth what I could only describe as masterpieces.

Yulin says, "Fan fiction is where I first learned you could play with characters originated by someone else to discover what you’d make them do in your own version." Although it would be easy for anyone to snap their fingers and have their first pitches accepted by everyone, she learned to lean on what writing fan fiction taught her.

"Early in my career, I would pitch on book-to-film adaptations and I’d be like, 'Change nothing, just shoot the book!' And I wouldn’t get those jobs, because I didn’t have a clear “take” and because you can’t actually just shoot a book – adaptation is an art form unto itself. So onceI started approaching adaptation with more of a fan fiction mindset – 'What is my take on these characters and this world?' – that helped me approach the book-to-screen trajectory more successfully," she proudly says.

However, this doesn't mean she never questioned if she could still find ways to create new ideas. "...in 2021, at a time when everything else I was working on was an adaptation, I found myself wondering if I had anything original left within me," she remembers.

It's natural for creatives to experience moments of doubt, but Yulin has been able to turn the tide and discover untapped ideas in her mind. Just don't expect her to set her own expectations about any adaptations she's working on.

She says, "Know that I am an avid reader of romance and a frequent consumer of this genre across mediums, and I will be bringing everything I know going into these adaptations. But more specifically to Beach Read, which I have more creative ownership over as the writer/director."

How Yulin Kuang Relates To Her Main Characters In "How To End A Love Story"

And since How to End a Love Story is truly Yulin's own creative body of work, it makes sense that main characters Helen and Grant have pieces of her personality as well as her characteristics.

"I gave Helen all my hopes and insecurities from high school and gave her the alternate universe path where I had pursued publishing instead of Hollywood. I examined what might have happened if I’d grown into certain qualities I’ve actively tried to grow away from," she says of Helen Zhang.

Right away, readers get the sense that Helen is a whip-smart and hardworking, but her penchant for being cautious about her success also peeks through. Though she's written highly successful YA (read: young adult) novels, Helen waits with bated breath for the moment people will call her bluff. She's relatable because many of us wonder if we're simply cosplaying as versions of ourselves who've reached any level of success.

On the other hand, there's Grant Shepard. He's seemingly this cool, calm, and collected screenwriter who has a complicated past with Helen. Yulin says, "I gave Grant a lot of the qualities I’m proud of and/or have coveted as a working screenwriter, and I certainly relate to many of his thoughts on screenwriting and the current state of our industry."

The more the reader learns about Helen and Grant, the more it becomes obvious that there's more to them than meets the eye. Sure, they are complicated...but who isn't?

"At their core, Helen and Grant are just two kids from Jersey trying to make it in Hollywood, and of course I relate deeply to that," she says.

Yulin Kuang's View Of Rom-Coms

Based on Yulin's genuine interest in romance novels and the fact she's well-versed in adapting them, she knows what it takes to make rom-coms flourish. Her first take? "Romantic tension is key to any romance – I always need to know why our couple can’t be together now. The second that tension is gone, so is audience interest," she points out.

This explains why we can't get enough of reading books about it, listening to albums dedicated to it, or watching films that depict all levels of romance. Still, there are some people who approach the genre with a side eye.

"There seems to be a natural human suspicion of things that make us feel too good – like, 'That can’t possibly be good for us, that’s just candy!' I wonder if it’s something evolutionary at work," she says before doubling down. "You can’t argue with the fact that people absolutely fucking love rom-coms, and I will die on the hill that a well-earned happily ever after is both harder to achieve and more narratively satisfying when it’s pulled off successfully."

She's the type of writer who really appreciates a big kiss that's handled correctly onscreen, but she's also not afraid to "groan every time it's fumbled." But, she knows everyone still won't see romance the way she and so many others view it, but she doesn't really care.

"Ultimately, I don’t concern myself too much with changing minds that don’t want to be changed.There are enough smart people who recognize the power and value of rom-coms, and I’d rather spend my precious time creating art to surprise and delight the people with good taste."

Need I say that this is yet another reason why How to End a Love Story works so well?

How Yulin Kuang Wishes The World Would Celebrate AAPI Month

As much as she's vocal about screenwriting and rom-coms, Yulin also has thoughts about the way society-at-large talks about BIPOC creative artists. "There’s a real, 'This is important, eat your vegetables,' vibe to things. And while that might be true, it’s not the most appealing way to market or discover art," she says.

She admits this could be due to how many diversity-in-film panels she's attended. As a Black woman, the conversations I see every year during Black History Month seem to have a certain "Let's check this box so everyone can be happy" vibe, so I can imagine attending panels about diversity and inclusion can start to sound repetitive after awhile.

Yulin doesn't hold back when she says, "I’m a little jaded when people ask me diversity questions at this point. I don’t want to attract the kind of readers who are only showing up to be supportive of my Asian-ness. It’s a bit like showing up to a date where someone says, 'I’m so excited that you’re Asian!!!'" This is an analogy I can so get behind because it makes a lot of sense!

It's one thing to have representation, but I like to think it's always obvious when people are approaching the conversation in a way that 'others' BIPOC people. We're literally not asking for a trophy, but more so an acknowledgement that we shouldn't be excluded from conversations, spaces, and careers or treated differently.

This sentiment is shared by Yulin who says, "That’s the thing about me that I didn’t do on purpose, and while I’m glad you’re excited, I hope there are things that I did do on purpose that you find exciting, too" and feels there is a way to be a genuine ally.

"...support AAPI creatives by all means, and perhaps begin by celebrating us as individual artists even after the designated month ends. And where applicable, talk about our work like it’s candy, not vegetables. I’d rather be irresistible than important," she states.

Take a page from Yulin Kuang's book and pick up a copy of How to End a Love Story today! You won't regret it!

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