How I Evaluate Skincare, Haircare, Self-Care, and Home Content

Why This Page Exists

This page explains how I evaluate DIY recipes and recommend products on Sianah Nalika DeShield Women’s Lifestyle Blog.

My Background

I am a novelist turned blogger, wife, and mother of three boys. I have spent years creating things from my kitchen and making my own skincare, haircare, and home products for my family, including for my newborn and toddlers.

I also create and sell DIY products, which has taught me to pay attention to ingredients, materials, usefulness, safety, cost, and the difference between attractive marketing and real value.

That experience shapes the way I approach content on this site. I focus on recipes and products that are practical to make, simple to maintain, suitable for real households, and genuinely useful.

What I Look For

When I share DIY recipes or recommend products for skincare, haircare, self-care, or home, I consider:

• How realistic the routine or recipe is for everyday life.

• Time and effort required to make and maintain it.

• Cost compared to buying a similar product.

• Who it suits and who should avoid it.

• How it fits into a busy home with children.

I also consider:

• Ingredient safety and suitability for sensitive skin or scalps.

• Simplicity of the recipe and availability of ingredients.

• Shelf life and storage requirements.

• Build quality and materials for recommended tools and home items.

• Price and long-term value.

How I Gather Information

For each DIY recipe or product recommendation, I use:

• My own experience making and using the recipe or product at home.

• Manufacturer product pages and official information.

• Published specifications and ingredient lists.

• Independent reviews and comparisons.

• User feedback and common complaints.

I use this information to understand how something works, then explain what it means in everyday home use.

First-Hand Picks

DIY recipes and routines I have personally made and used are identified as first-hand.

For these, I may describe:

• How I made and used the recipe or routine.

• What worked well.

• What frustrated me.

• Who it suits.

• Who should skip it.

If I used a recipe or routine in the past but no longer use it, I will state that the experience is based on past use.

Research-Based Recommendations

Many product recommendations on this site are research-based.

For these products, I:

• Compare specifications and ingredient lists.

• Review manufacturer information and usage instructions.

• Consider typical use cases and household types.

• Identify likely strengths and limitations.

• Compare alternatives.

I present research-based recommendations clearly and use careful language such as:

• “Based on the listed ingredients…”

• “The manufacturer states…”

• “This appears better suited to…”

• “On paper, this suits…”

• “I would consider this if…”

My Commitments
I:

• Only share recipes and products I believe are useful and safe for home use.

• Clearly distinguish between what I have personally made and used and what is research-based.

• Disclose affiliate relationships and sponsored content.

• Avoid recommending products solely because they pay a commission.

How I Handle Drawbacks

Every recipe and product has limitations. I aim to include at least one genuine drawback or limitation for each recommendation, such as:

• Takes more time to make than buying a similar product.

• Requires ingredients that may be hard to find.

• Has a shorter shelf life than commercial products.

• May be too rich or heavy for certain skin or hair types.

• More expensive than simpler alternatives.

• Requires extra tools or containers.

• Is less suitable for very sensitive skin or specific conditions.

How I Update Articles

I update articles when:

• A product is discontinued or reformulated.

• A newer model replaces an older one.

• Specifications, prices, or availability change significantly.

• New information becomes available.

• Readers report an error or share useful feedback.

When an article is substantially updated, the updated date will be changed.

Contact

If you notice outdated information, an incorrect detail, a broken link, or an issue that needs clarification, use the contact page or click here to report it.