Birthdays are pretty much the only day of the year you can get away with making everything all about you. And, if you consider treating yourself to the coolest gifts on your wish list part of the fun, Sephora is about to make your special day in 2018 better than ever. While we rang in the new year, the beauty superstore launched a brand-new range of birthday freebies — and you're gonna want them now.
Effective immediately, you'll have the chance to score one of three new beauty bundles during your birthday month from rad, cult-favorite brands. Better still, there is something for everyone — whether you're after shiny hair, spa-worthy skin, or lipstick that won't melt off after lunch.
So, yeah. Forget the cake and click ahead for the new birthday gifts included in the Beauty Insider Rewards program at Sephora.
You might've made a resolution to cut back on the weekly blowouts this year, but that doesn't mean you can't achieve salon-quality shine in your own apartment. This powerhouse duo uses six lightweight oils to hydrate, soften, and rejuvenate hair in one wash.
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Minis available online only at Sephora.
Creamy, all-natural, and completely non-drying, these foolproof lipstick formulas will leave your mouth more plush than a down comforter. Since chapped flaky lips can happen any time, anywhere, this freebie set also includes an on-the-go lip treatment you can swipe on in a cab.
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick Mini in Chai, Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon Mini in Glace, and Bite Beauty Agave Lip Treatment Sample Duo available at Sephora.
Once the winter winds have had their way with your skin, you're going to need a major reno on your complexion. They may be mini, but this oil-fighting duo from GlamGlow is fierce. Bonus: You can use the mask while watching Netflix and not going outside.
GlamGlow GlowStarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer Mini in Nude Glow and GlamGlow SuperMud Clearing Treatment Mini available at Sephora.
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Update: In case the barrage of signs, Instagram posts, and texts have not already alerted you, it's a spanking-new year, and that means shit is about to get interesting — especially if you're a self-proclaimed popaholic. Case in point? Dr. Sandra Lee (known on the internet as Dr. Pimple Popper) uploaded a sneak peek of her new TLC special Dr. Pimple Popper: This Is Zit to her YouTube channel, and suffice to say it's unlike anything you've seen on Say Yes To The Dress or Cake Boss.
That's right. Tonight, at 10 pm EST on the network, you can finally watch all of Dr. Lee's blackhead-extracting, cyst-oozing, milia-removing on the big screen, in your living room, with the volume on high, should you so choose. Until then, make sure you grab the popcorn and press play after the jump for the teaser.
This story was originally published December 24, 2017.
What could be better than ringing in the new year with some festive entertainment? For fans of YouTube sensation Dr. Pimple Popper, your wish has been granted by TLC, who will present a special called Dr. Pimple Popper: This Is Zit. America, brace yourself for the greatness that is Dr. Pimple Popper videos to be beamed into your living room.
Dr. Sandra Lee, as the personality behind the pop is known and Southern California dermatologist will also join the network in presenting a new Facebook video series, also called This Is Zit, as The Insider reports.
In an Instagram post announcing the show, Lee says "I have a TV special...about pimple popping, can you even believe it?... It is all new pops, nothing that you've ever seen before. What's nice about it, for a lot of you popaholics in particular, is that you get to see a lot of how my office runs, what my office looks like, the behind the scenes of how we prepare for my popping videos...I am so excited about it, and it's all because of you guys that this is happening."
All new pops? That is what starting 2018 out with the kind of stress-relieving programming we all need looks like!
The show's Facebook page has already posted episodes of the online show, including an episode where you can watch Lee "excising an epidermoid cyst," a.k.a. remove a giant lump from a human leg and explain how she does it. It looks like TLC are not toning Dr. Pimple Popper down from her existing YouTube channel full of grapefruit and baseball-sized lumps and bumps, so brace yourself for an epic pop.
Hardcore fans can gather 'round their TVs (and invite some pimple popper virgins to join them) on January 3, 2018, at 10 pm EST for the special. We suggest you provide cocktails, but not snacks.
The things you choose to keep next to your bed are often indicative of who you are as a person — or at least how you want to be seen by anyone who looks at your Instagram Story. A stack of books, organized by color with the spines facing out like a who's who of the New York Times bestsellers, sends one message; luxe facial oil and a Byredo Burning Rose candle sends another. The message my bedside table sends is very simple: I just want to go to sleep.
On my nightstand, you will find a shrine of sorts, a ritual offering to my own broken circadian clock. It is stocked with solutions both homeopathic and pharmaceutical, some that are proven to work and others that aren't but that I keep using anyway because I'm afraid of what will happen if I stop. (Of course, the worst thing that could happen is that I, a lifelong insomniac, will not be able to sleep.) And then there is the pièce de résistance, a physical symbol of resistance against my overactive brain and admittedly poor sleep hygiene: the silk sleep mask from Slip.
Nobody, myself included, really needs a $45 eye mask constructed of the highest grade, 100% pure mulberry silk, an eye mask that is not just silk on the outside but also lined with silk on the inside because if you're going to go for it you might as well go all the way. But if the average human sleeps for eight hours every night, that's one-third of each day, and that comes out to one-third of their entire lifetime — then the expense is worth it.
I might not be getting my doctor-recommended eight hours to hit those numbers exactly, so we'll see what kind of fraction I clock at the end of it all. But for what it's worth, I'd like to be buried in this thing. Just make sure I'm actually a goner first: Once I'm out, I sleep like the dead, and nobody wants to be buried alive. Not even in a silk eye mask... as tragic and glamorous as that might be.
By YouTube standards, the game of Who Wore It Better is actually called Who Skeeved Out The Internet More, and most people would agree that Dr. Pimple Popper's videos beat out the rest. That is, unless you've watched any of the clips uploaded by Never Ending Callus, because if there were ever anyone that could challenge the reigning dermatologist to a binge-watching match and win — it's him.
Like the D.A.R.E. films you watched in class growing up, the videos of this guy (he has not yet released his name) shaving off his thick, yellow-tinged heels each week are gruesome and shocking, and yet we can't look away. It's as if an extraction video met Baby Foot at a bar one night, and had a grotesquely beautiful baby named Never Ending Callus. (Which, of course, could not physically happen — but let that draw you a picture.) "I have always had crazy calluses," he tells Refinery29. "I figured I would post a video once a week and use it as a way to make trimming my feet a little more fun while spreading some awareness and shocking others."
When commenters asked what causes the excess growth, Never Ending Callus responded simply, "genetics." But dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD — who has not treated the man in the videos — tells us his symptoms look consistent with the condition pachyonychia congenita. "It's a really rare genetic disorder that only affects 5,000 to 10,000 people worldwide," she says. "It's caused by a defect in the keratin gene, which is the most important protein to healthy skin and nails."
This condition causes thick calluses to grow on the soles of the feet, "Where you experience a lot of the trauma. The skin becomes quite thick, and it can be quite painful," Dr. Henry says. When we asked him if he does, in fact, have the disorder, he responded in the affirmative.
"Not a lot of doctors have experience with the disorder," he says. "My dentist was actually the first person to point us in the right direction after seeing a formation on my gums and calluses on my hands. She had a piece of paper printed out with the condition the next time I went in. I got in touch with a non-profit working on understanding the genetic disorder, but right now trimming and maintaining the growth is the only treatment until they can fix the mutated gene or silence it."
In the videos, he switches off between using a foot grater and a razor blade to slice through the dead skin on his feet, which makes watching them particularly cringe-worthy. Not to mention risky: "It's important to be able to use the appropriate angle so you're only taking off more skin than is safe, which is really hard to do yourself," Dr. Henry says. Instead, she recommends exfoliating creams to help encourage the skin to shed — or go to your podiatrist or derm.
"You might not have the appropriate tools and antiseptic cleansers at home," she says. "Because the skin is building up so frequently, and he is shaving it so frequently, he's giving himself a lot of opportunity for infection."
At the end of the day, if just watching the videos — and not DIY-ing at home — adds a little pep in your step (sorry, had to), we won't stop you. Just make sure you hold onto your lunch, because you're in for a bumpy ride.
This story was originally published August 14, 2017.
Tricking everyone into thinking you look like a functioning human when you're really suffering from a cold or the hangover from hell isn't easy. Your face is puffy, your cheeks are red, and your eyes look like they belong in a scene from Half Baked. However, Chrissy Teigen may have just delivered the no-makeup-needed hack that helps. Enter: eyelash extensions.
The treatment has been around for years, but recently picked up steam as everyone's go-to beauty trend of the moment. Instead of trying to make your natural lashes grow faster, all it takes is sitting in a chair for two hours and letting a very patient expert glue individual lashes to your lash line — and you'll be walking out of the salon with dramatic eyelashes that'll leave others wondering what kind of Miracle-Gro you used. And it just so happens that Teigen is a recent convert to the fad — only she's noticed a few other perks.
Teigen took to Snapchat to offer her followers a public service announcement. "For those days when you don’t want to be caked with makeup I highly recommend eyelash extensions," Teigen tells the camera as she shows off her curly lashes. "They're awesome. They make you look like you care." And she's not wrong. You can almost never fool anyone into thinking that clumpy mascara is the real deal, but lash extensions are natural, fluffy, and require little effort.
So whether you're still hungover from all the holiday parties, tired from staying at the office too late, or just can't be bothered to apply makeup, Teigen's beauty advice might be the next best thing.
We're only three days into 2018 but have already been given numerous ways to distract from the post-holiday blues. For starters, Hota Kotb is the new lead anchor on The Today Show,Paris Hilton is engaged, and a bomb cyclone is heading towards the East Coast. (It's a mixed bag, folks.)
However, if you allow us to further distract you for just a second, we recently realized that everyone is going blond — and we're not just talking sun-kissed lobs. This classic look is being expressed through a range of styles: box braids, pixies, glam waves, and grown-in buzzcuts are sprouting up on celebs like Serena Williams and Amber Rose.
The old, unspoken rule of hair changes says that you should go dark in the winter and lighten up in the warmer months — but it's time to live a little. After all, we're only two years out from the Roaring '20s. See the changes, ahead.
Oooh, LaLa. We're used to the Power actress with brunette locks, but her platinum hue is just as dope. A purple shampoo is key for fighting brassy tones, whether you've dyed your own hair or are rocking extensions.
Photo: Via @lala.
In November, Amber Rose told Us Weekly that she wanted to grow her hair long enough to make a ponytail... but that she'd be staying blonde. Two months later, she's sticking to her word with her new short crop.
Photo: Via @amberrose.
"I needed a change," Serena Williams posted to Instagram. And those honey waves did just that, adding much more warmth to her face.
On the reverse, Halsey got rid of her dark box braids and channeled Marilyn Monroe with this wavy pixie.
Photo: Jason Koerner/Getty Images.
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If you follow me on Instagram, you're likely familiar with my deep and endless love for the doughy, saucy, and cheesy Italian pie that is pizza. So when I discovered that a local Yonkers joint was selling the "Super Slice," a two-foot-long slice of pizza equalling 4-5 regular slices of pizza, I knew I wanted in.
When I called up Angelo DeLuca, the owner of Pizza Barn, and asked for a shot at being hired, he was intrigued. "There's a lot of science to making a pizza," he says. He wasn't sure I could tackle the Super Slice.
After the slice completely slipped off of my tray and I needed to start from square one, I think I got the hang of it. Watch the video to see how I did.
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Sarah Silverman called the color "Tuscan surprise." Helen Mirren likened it to an Aperol spritz. His longtime physician said it's a welcome side effect of the prostate-related drug Propecia. Many people have sought to understand Donald Trump's hair over the years; none have succeeded. But, in an excerpt from journalist Michael Wolff's upcoming book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White Housepublished in New York 's Daily Intelligencer, the author seems to have gained new insight into at least one aspect of the President's often mystifying 'do: its unique color.
Cracking the case wasn't easy. As reported by New York, Wolff conducted over 200 conversations and interviews over a period of 18 months, meeting with the President, most of his senior staff, and other supporting cast members of the White House, giving him an unprecedented "front-row view" thanks in part to the new administration's "lack of experience and disdain for political norms." The lines between on-the-record and off were blurred; there were no "ground rules" as to what Wolff could and could not access. Which, apparently, is how one ends up with a gem such as this:
"[Ivanka] treated her father with a degree of detachment, even irony, going so far as to make fun of his comb-over to others. She often described the mechanics behind it to friends: an absolutely clean pate — a contained island after scalp-reduction surgery — surrounded by a furry circle of hair around the sides and front, from which all ends are drawn up to meet in the center and then swept back and secured by a stiffening spray. The color, she would point out to comical effect, was from a product called Just for Men — the longer it was left on, the darker it got. Impatience resulted in Trump’s orange-blond hair color."
Unable to let the color sit for the full five minutes recommended on the box without getting agitated, Trump is left with his signature shade of warm, orange-tinged beige. And while that color is widely considered undesirable and even unsettling, Wolff's findings suggest it's not the orange we should be scared of. Rather, like a barometer for his short fuse, the less pigmented Trump's hair, the more impatient he must have been that day — and the more impatient the sitting President, the more likely he is to impulsively smash that big, powerful, fully functioning nuclear war button. A comforting thought, indeed.
Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Today: an M&A director who makes $170,000 per year. She spends some of her paycheck on Swiss chocolates.
Occupation: Director Industry: M&A Age: 35 Location: London Salary: $170,000, and my husband earns $110,000 Paycheck (Monthly): $8,800. My husband's is $4,700.
Monthly Expenses Housing Costs: $2,300 mortgage on our two-bedroom flat in London Loan Payments: $470/month for our investment property (after rental income). I don't have any credit card debt or personal loans.
All Other Monthly Expenses Investment Account: $2,000/month; my husband contributes ~$1,200. Pension: $1,200/month into my pension, 401(k); and my husband contributes ~$850/month. Both of our companies pay half of this. Personal Insurance: $300/month (death, income protection, travel). My work pays for my private health insurance. iPhone: $80/month, and my work provides a work iPhone that they pay for. Miscellaneous Bills: $600/month (covering my husband and myself), toward council tax, internet, TV license, fortnightly cleaner, gas and electricity, Sky and Netflix subscriptions. Magazine Subscriptions: ~$30/month. I have a magazine subscription to almost every fashion magazine available, but fortunately they are reasonably priced in the U.K.
Day One
6:30 a.m. — Wake up at 6:30, which is annoying for a Sunday. Read the newspaper online and do some online Christmas present browsing while my husband sleeps. At 7:30, I eat porridge with grated carrot and banana for breakfast, log on, and do a few hours of work. Our lawyers have asked that my team complete a review of a legal document before 10 a.m., having only provided it at 5 p.m. on Saturday night. I do this and a few other things. I'm in the middle of a deal, and it will make my life for the coming week so much easier if I just do it now. I drink three espressos, three glasses of water and a vitamin D tablet (which I do every morning as per NHS guidelines!).
10 a.m. — I catch the bus into the city to meet my friend for brunch at Soho House. On the way, I see a large suitcase completely alone on the side of the street, just near Oxford Circus. This has genuinely never happened to me before, having lived in London for six years, but I follow the protocol and ring the anti-terrorism hotline to report it, all the while feeling silly but knowing it's the right thing to do. The police arrive in a very impressive three minutes, sirens blaring. They don't tell me what happened, but it appears that a tourist left their suitcase on the street. On the way to brunch, I get papped by a street photographer for looking "cool," which has genuinely never happened to me either. I laugh, knowing that this will make me sound like someone I completely am not (i.e. cool). Brunch is lovely: turmeric eggs with turkey bacon and two cups of Earl Grey. $22
1 p.m. — I hit the shops and buy new perfume (£48) and a thick knit from COS (£69). I catch the bus home, chat to a friend on the phone, and get an email telling me that a silver photo frame that has been out of stock is back in stock. I buy it as a replacement for my niece, who cried when she broke the one I when I gave her as a thank-you present for being my flower girl a year ago (£20). $183
3 p.m. — I get home, do three hours of work, and my husband makes dinner: pork with chili and lemongrass, and a red cabbage, coriander, and lime salad. (The ingredients are from a grocery trip the day before.) I read in bed, drink two cups of licorice tea, and fall asleep at 10.
Daily Total: $205
Day Two
6 a.m. — Alarm goes off at 6, and I make porridge again with carrot, banana, and cinnamon, and have two espressos. I am out the door by 6:30 and off to the gym, where I do 20 minutes of HIIT sprints, and then arms for 40 minutes. My gym is my happy place. It is one of those lovely gyms with fluffy towels, GHD hair straighteners, and white robes. They iron your shirts for free, always an added incentive to go. I drink one and a half liters of water by the time I have left the gym.
8:50 a.m. — Get to work, drink have an espresso, and start my day. (Work coffee is awesome: An iPad takes my order and the machine automatically grinds the beans and makes it fresh.) At 11:30, I eat canned tuna I brought from home and a peppermint tea (also provided by work). At 12:30 I eat the veggie and chicken salad I brought from home; it has chicken breast, roasted broccoli and peppers, peas, tomatoes, and avocado. (My husband and I spend about $500 per month on groceries for the two of us. We mostly eat at home and I bring a homemade lunch to work most days.) I'm stuffed and read the newspaper while eating at my desk.
8 p.m. — Catch the tube home. Husband has cooked an organic turkey mince with courgettes and chili, and a side of red cabbage and coriander. I pack for my upcoming work trip and then lie in bed, finishing my book for 30 minutes before falling asleep at 10.30.
Daily Total: $0
Day Three
4:15 a.m. — Wide awake, but I secretly love it when this happens. I get so much more time to potter in the mornings. I get up at 5 a.m., having played on Instagram and read the newspaper online, and make myself porridge and a pot of coffee. I finish packing my carry-on and catch an Uber to work ($20 expensed, due to my work trip) and am at my desk at 7. I drink a half-liter of water and a cup of peppermint tea.
8:30 a.m. — I have an external meeting at 9 a.m. and head over with the rest of the deal team at 8:30. It's an all-parties M&A meeting, so there are about 30 people in the room. I ask several questions of the other side and get slightly condescending responses, putting me in a foul mood. I avoid the breakfast food they put out (all pastries) and drink an espresso and a glass of water. I am back at my desk by noon, take a couple of calls, brief my team, and eat lunch reading the paper online at 1 p.m. It's organic chicken, broccoli, grated carrot, avocado and pumpkin seeds, for lunch, which I made this morning. Feeling really dehydrated so I drink a half-bottle of water and a cup of peppermint tea.
5 p.m. — I head to the airport on the tube and fly to Zurich (cost covered by work) at 6:30, arriving into Zurich at 9 p.m. local time. I read work materials on the flight; I am that person. My flight is a small aircraft, almost entirely filled with male commuters making the same trip as me. I reflect on the fact that I can go an entire week without talking to a woman in a professional context; fortunately, this has not been one of those weeks. I don't buy anything at the airport (it's a commuter airport) and I don't eat airplane food, so when I get to my hotel, I am starving. My hotel is just lovely: It has fancy designs, a bike hanging from the ceiling, and a walk-in shower roughly the size of my bathroom in London. I eat dinner at the hotel — lamb with vegetables (40 CHF expensed) — and get to sleep at midnight.
Daily Total: $0
Day Four
6 a.m. — I get up, drink an espresso, and go for a run. I love doing this on work trips as it is such a great way to a see a city that you otherwise wouldn't have time to. Zurich is immaculate and I'm obsessed with the cute Swiss buildings. There are no other runners around however, making me think there is a great running track somewhere else that I am missing; it's completely freezing as well. I get back to my hotel at 7 a.m. and am out the door by 7:30.
9 a.m. — Getting ready quickly is my secret superpower. I have meetings until noon, so I eat a turmeric yogurt with nuts and dates around (CHF 10, expensed) and have another espresso during my meeting. At noon, I leave the office to commute to the other office, about 30 minutes away. I get lost on the way as I decide to catch the tram (taxis are ludicrously expensive and slower than the excellent public transport), and arrive at the office at 1 p.m., thereby missing the official Swiss lunch hour, meaning there is genuinely no food whatsoever. One of the PAs takes pity on me and repeatedly tells me she can "go find bread." I decline and eat a soggy apple.
5 p.m. — I finish up and decide to head back to my hotel on the tram (4 CHF, expensed), since there is a proper restaurant there that serves food all day. By the time I get to the hotel, I am on verge of hungry tears, particularly when they tell me they don't serve food until 6. I check my emails, am seated promptly at 6, and have a delicious meal of cauliflower, roasted chicken, and hummus with minced beef (50 CHF, expensed). I now feel full and a little sick as I wolfed it down too fast. The people next to me are discussing cryptocurrencies and the risk of online hacking, making me want to join their conversation; I don't because Swiss people are notoriously private.
7 p.m. — At my hotel desk after having had a nice long hot shower and put on a face mask. I drink two liters of water and have two cups of green tea. I have work calls at 8.30 on a new deal – I have never had so many deals on the go at one time and I start to panic about all the balls in the air. I send my boss an email, quickly chat with my husband (one of my best friends had a baby today, and another friend's mum had a big operation) and hit the sack at midnight.
Daily Total: $0
Day Five
4:15 a.m. — Wake up; my husband (who also works in finance) is online, so I call him and we have a quick chat. He sounds tired and we both cannot wait for the weekend. (That's a bit of a fools' promise, as we both have to work but are pretending we won't have to.) We put a lot of faith in the restorative capabilities of weekends. I log onto my computer, do a little work and then shower and get suited, and go down to the hotel's café for breakfast. It is pitch black and I am the only one there. I have three eggs and an espresso, and catch an Uber to the office (45 CHR, expensed) for an 8 a.m. breakfast meeting. On the way, I buy a COS work dress online (£55) as I am rapidly running out of work clothes. (Read: I have a shopping addiction.) $70
8:30 a.m. — I have back-to-back meetings all day with senior people, and I am told it is not acceptable to check my emails on my phone. At 1, I have a working lunch which involves me working and not eating. I manage to stuff in some carrots and aubergine which are delicious (free), and I have three espressos (free). At 6, I have a compulsory networking session and as I have been in meetings all day I am terrified at the thought of my inbox. I have nine missed calls from my deal team who knew I was unavailable except in urgent circumstances. I start to panic and try calmly to keep it together. I catch the train back to my hotel (5 CHF, expensed), all the while trying to understand what the email chains are telling me; there are just too many to sort through. I get to my hotel at 8, and then start to work. Things aren't as bad as I thought; it's the anticipation of something going wrong that is one of the hardest part of this job — the hardest being when you make a mistake.
9 p.m. — I order room service for dinner, a small side of chicken and small side of aubergine, (50 CHF, expensed), but I can barely taste it as I am so stressed. I have a call with my boss for 20 minutes then work until 10. I have a long shower, wash my hair as am doing a very big presentation tomorrow, drink one and half liters of water, and pack my bag. I get into bed at 11, and send a message to my husband who is at football with friends and having a great time.
Daily Total: $70
Day Six
4:47 a.m. — Awake, but exhausted. I get up at 5 a.m. and start to prep for a big presentation I have today. I am typically either good at public speaking or atrocious, depending on the day and how caffeinated I am. I have an espresso, dress, and am out the door at 6:45. I manage to locate some porridge and am delighted. The Swiss seem to eat only croissants for breakfast, yet are somehow all very lean. (Expensed)
8 a.m. — I catch an Uber to the office (37 CHF, expensed) and am the first to arrive. Typical, as am usually incapable of being late. I have a double espresso and read through my presentation. By the time my turn arrives, I am sweating and my heart is pounding. I remind myself repeatedly that this is an excellent opportunity to impress, and the thumping in my heart is simply a matter of being outside of my comfort zone. I present and it goes fine. I am not the worst by far, but not the best. Various senior people approach me afterwards and I am pleased that this has opened the door for various conversations with senior stakeholders.
1 p.m. — The meetings are finished, and I am out the door with my carry-on. I catch an Uber to the airport (40 CHF) and have a late lunch at a delightful café that has a vegetarian buffet of fried aubergines, the freshest yellow carrots I have ever seen, and artichoke (25 CHF, expensed). I go to Läderach, the most delicious chocolate shop in the entire world and buy a box of my favorite chocolates as a birthday present to myself for next week. They cost CHF 30! For 12! There is also a Swiss Army Knife shop, and I buy a pocket knife for my father in law for Christmas (CHF 33) and am delighted. I love incidental shopping. I do a quick call with my husband and jump on the plane. I work on the flight back to London and try to stay awake. The plane leaves promptly on time, reminding me that I love the Swiss for their timekeeping vigilance. $66
6:30 p.m. — I arrive home via Heathrow (expensed) and we have visitors staying: Aussie friends who have been honeymooning in Europe and are on their way back to Australia. They are staying at our place for just one night before an early flight the next day. We take them to a beautiful local pub for a low-key dinner and Uber there; I pay. My eyes are watering and I'm so tired I can barely see. I have steak and a glass of white wine. My husband pays for us all (£110) and we catch an Uber home; I pay. I am in bed by 11. $175.63
Daily Total: $241.63
Day Seven
6 a.m. — Awake at 6 on a Saturday (of course), but at least I am feeling far, far better. I have three espressos and read the newspaper in bed. The Aussies leave for the airport (my husband orders them an Uber (£9 to the train station), and I hit the gym. Today is leg day and surprisingly I feel quite good and energetic. $12
11 a.m. — I come home from the gym and work until 5. I also book a work trip to Birmingham (expensed) and order a designer dress on sale for my Christmas party (£100). I try to nap for an hour and fail, then I get ready to go to a friend's house for Guy Fawkes fireworks night at 6. Because everyone else is doing the same, an Uber that should cost £6 costs £30, so I walk 45 minutes. I'm at risk of missing the fireworks, but I quickly buy a bottle of wine and marshmallows on the way. $158.07
8 p.m. — Our friends have the most incredible roof terrace overlooking all of London, and they make us chili and gluten-free cornbread. I have a glass of wine and am broken by 10:30. We catch an Uber home (£6, I pay) and I am asleep by 11:30. $9
Daily Total: $179.07
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Leather skirts really don't get enough credit. More than just a go-to fall staple, they're a sneaky way to appear dressed up without putting too much effort into it. Give us a good leather skirt, whether faux, real, mini, or midi and we'll give you a myriad of basics you can style it with. Pop it over tights, tuck in an oversized sweater, pair it with high-top sneakers or thigh-high boots, or double it up with a puffer coat! Basically, if it's in your closet, it can be worn with a leather skirt. Far from a standalone statement piece, they serve as the dressier alternative to a season chock-full of pants.
A piece this versatile deserves a mainstay spot in your wardrobe so we've rounded up 10 plus-size options to shop. From sizes 12 to 24, prepare to meet the one item that will get you to spring.
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Whether or not you actually lived through the gnarly 10 years known as the '80s, you know it was a very interesting moment in history — especially for beauty. Pastel shadow! Bushy brows! Blush overload! The trends were big, bold, and destined to make a comeback... and that comeback is now.
Thirty-some years later, we're ready to welcome in this new year with a return to bright, badass makeup that takes us out of our comfort zone. Ahead, the seven trends we're trying out, plus the products you need to channel your inner Madonna.
The latest eyeshadow trend to hit runways and Instagram feeds isn't anything new. Instead, it's a nod to our parents' colorful past — a wash of powdery shadow extending from lash to lid that couldn't be easier to master. (You can even use your fingers.)
Huda Beauty Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette, Electric, $27, available at Sephora.
Heavy Eyeliner
Back in the day, folks were keen on creating raccoon eyes — on purpose. Tracing the tops and bottoms of each lid with matte black eyeliner, then smudging it all together, gave rock-n-roll vibes we're still into today. Only now, we're using a gel pot or satin crayon.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner, $25, available at Sephora.
Neon Everything
From leg warmers and fanny packs to headbands and hoop earrings, almost everything in the '80s came in shades of neon. Lipstick included. For retro candy-colored lips, try an electric pink, which tends to flatter nearly all skin tones.
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick, Candy Venom, $18, available at Sephora.
Bold, Bushy Brows
Like in the '80s (but certainly not in the late '90s and early 2000s), thick, natural eyebrows are more popular than ever. Thanks, Yara Shahidi and Cara Delevingne. All you need to do is brush a brow gel — tinted or clear — through 'em in the morning and be on your way.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel, $22, available at Sephora.
Contouring With Blush a.k.a Draping
Have you ever loved a blush so much that instead of focusing it solely on your cheeks, you felt an urge to just blend it all over? Same. Turns out, it's a technique called "color glow" that's been around since before we were born. Basically, it's a more intense way to create higher, sharper cheekbones.
Sephora Collection Contour Blush Palette, $28, available at Sephora.
Statement Lashes
Colored mascara is back — because sometimes plain old black is way too boring. Turquoise flatters hazel eyes, while rich burgundy complements any color. Or, you can mix and match the shades by applying one color up top and another to the bottom lashes for added flair.
Sephora Collection V for V.O.L.U.M.E. Mascara, $10, available at Sephora.
Metallic Lipstick
Frosted lips are a thing again, but this time around, there are way more options to choose from besides baby pink. If matte nudes always seem to wash you out, try a metallic before throwing in the towel — it gives added dimension that's so pretty.
MAC Retro Matte Liquid Metallic Lipcolour, $21, available at Ulta.
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In January, East Coast residents normally deal with the kind of bone chilling weather that inspires tears. (Hint: We're talking about the ones that literally freeze midair as they drop from your eyes.) This is not one of those years... it's worse. And as of this week, most of the country can relate — which means we're all jealous of those who live in sunnier places.
Take South Africa, for example, where Afropunk Johannesburg just swept the city with crop tops, sandals, and examples of living your best life on full (social media) display. And let us not forget the glam. Afropunk is known for its bold and unapologetically Black beauty looks. From glitter-adorned Afros to butt-length neon braids to bubblegum pink wigs, the looks you might imagine just barely scratch the surface. In Johannesburg, attendees manage to seamlessly fuse trends with tradition — and boy does it deliver the wow factor the festival is known for. See a few of our favorites, ahead.
Box braids are dope at any size and length — but these yarn-wrapped ones win any contest, hands down.
Photo: Via @nix_indamix.
Coppery lids, clean cornrows, and a poppin' highlight? Check, check, and check.
Photo: Via @jada_the_pinkette.
Pushing the color wheel at full speed for 2018.
Photo: Via @shopcatface.
Bringing braided bangs back for the new year? That's a movement we can get behind...
Photo: Via @bonolo_modise.
... with full force.
Photo: Cornell Tukiri/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock.
That 'fro, though!
Photo: Via @makhosazana_za.
Since Solange couldn't make it, this attendee served as a fitting stand-in: her bright pins remind us of the A Seat at the Tablealbum cover, while her braids are reminiscent of a look from the "Don't Touch My Hair" video.
Photo: Via @a_monge.
"I’m influenced by myself," @siyathemba posted. And honestly, she's not the only one.
Photo: Via @siyathembancube.
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Highlighter is one of the worst kept beauty secrets: Everyone knows that if you want to fake a healthy glow, it's not really bronzer you're after — it's highlighter. Consider it concealer's sexy older cousin.
While a good concealer can hide a multitude of late-night sins, highlighter uses reflective properties to distract the eye away from those sins. When well-executed, it lends an effect that amounts to having your own personal lighting team wherever you go, adding dimension to your face without delving into some pro-makeup artist epic contouring session. Available in powder, liquid, or cream forms, with or without shimmer, the amount of highlighters available are endless.
Celebrity makeup artist Stella Kae, who is responsible for the glowing faces of Alyssa Milano, Brandi Cyrus, and Toni Braxton, says she always highlights "as a final touch," after she's completed the full face, to add more dimension. "The ideal places to highlight are underneath the arch of the brow, in the inner corner of the eyes, the bridge of the nose just between the eyes, on the high points of the cheeks, and right above the lips at the Cupid's bow," she says. "On a look that is more natural or uses light/neutral eyeshadow shades, you can also highlight just in the centre of the eyelid."
However, not all highlighters are created equal. Just like foundation, not every highlighter is made for every skin tone — here's how to find the perfect one for you.
If Amanda Seyfried and Dita Von Teese are your complexion twins, Kae recommends a pearl-colored pressed powder, like this icy, opalescent pick from Too Faced. With a unique, almost creamy texture and insane color payoff, you can dust it on lightly for a subtle glow or layer up for megawatt shine.
Too Faced Love Light Prismatic Highlighter in Blinded by the Light, $30, available at Too Faced.
This gorgeous pearlized compact from Guerlain is exactly what those with fair skin should be using, as it will add just the right amount of highlight to pale skin tones. The mix of soft colors helps to blur imperfections and adds just a touch of highlight to fair skin.
Guerlain Meteorites Voyage Exceptional Compacted Pearls of Powder, $179, available at Sephora.com.
Prefer a cream formula? This subtly dewy highlighter is the easiest — and most natural, given it's cruelty-free, preservative-free, fragrance-free status — option. Simply draw anywhere you want to apply shimmer (like the top of cheekbones) with one side, then buff into skin with your fingers for the easiest glow ever.
Don’t get caught up worrying about the specifics of this difficult-to-define product — just apply it under your makeup as an illuminating primer, mix a few drops in with your liquid foundation for an extra dewy finish, tap it over your cheekbones for a pearly highlight, or wear it alone for skin that’s luminous, but not sparkly. Highlighter has never been more versatile.
NIOD Photography Fluid, Opacity 12%, $30, available at Deciem.
Not only does the pearly sheen of this highlighter sink into skin and make it look illuminated from within, the lightweight fluid formula allows for a quick pick-me-up that won't ruin your foundation when pat over top.
Chantecaille Liquid Lumière in Sheen, $41, available at Chantecaille.
A believable highlighter should echo the texture of your natural skin. The center of this shimmer stick is filled with hydrating oils, which helps its outer, pearly shade sink seamlessly into the skin.
Glossier Haloscope in Quartz, $22, available at Glossier.
For that no-glow glow, this face gloss adds shine and highlight without all the shimmer.
Milk Makeup Face Gloss, $20, available at Sephora.
Fair To Medium Skin Tones "For fair to medium tones, like Jessica Biel, there is probably the widest product range to choose from, so those that fall into this category can afford to be less selective with their highlighters," says Kae. "Anything from Champagne to pale pink is flattering." She says her go-to for this shade of skin is the NARS Multiple in Luxor.
NARS, $39, available at SephoraPhoto: Courtesy of NARS.
On the hunt for a highlighter you can see from space? This smooth-to-the-touch powder delivers intense, metallic pigment in one swipe.
Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
This trio of illuminating powders can be mixed together to create custom shades or worn alone for a subtle glow.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette, $62, available at Sephora.
As if you needed another reason to want to spend your money on all things Fenty Beauty, this creamy, lightweight highlighter leaves skin luminous and lasts all day. You can’t go wrong with the lineup of 10 perfectly shimmery shades, but Starstruck, a cool, icy pearl, is a particular must-have for light-to-medium skin.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick, $25, available at Sephora.
Not sure which highlighter will work best for your skin tone? This one incorporates both gold and silver pigments to produce a looks-good-on-everyone sheen.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator, $42, available at Sephora.
We like to call this liquid highlighter "tiny drops of sunshine" because of the dewy, radiant glow it imparts.
Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting, $52, available at SpaceNK.
This gorgeous illuminating powder from Laura Mercier works well on fair- to medium-skinned ladies (who can pull off basically any highlight). The soft, rose-gold shimmer looks just as good in the compact as it does on your skin. And feel free to use it everywhere — even on the décolletage.
Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder, $42, available at Sephora.
Medium To Dark Skin Tones For those with warmer skin tones or that have a lot of yellow in their skin — think Queen Bey or Mindy Kaling — try not to use anything too pink or your skin will look more disco ball than cleverly defined. Kae says your best option is a neutral peach shade such as MAC Cosmetics Prep+Prime Highlighter Pen in Peach Lustre.
M·A·C, $25, available at Macy'sPhoto: Courtesy of MAC.
This highlighting palette delivers a shimmery glow with just the right amount of bronze. Mix and match or hit the bottom of the pan on a single shade (you're sure to find your perfect one in here).
Tarte Tarteist Pro Glow Highlight & Contour Palette, $45, available at Tarte.
This game-changing new complexion palette contains everything — and we mean everything — you need to highlight, contour, and color correct for medium and deep skin tones, with both powder and cream formulas for endless options.
Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter in Medium Dark Shift, $45, available at Sephora.
This highlighter delivers a pale-gold shimmer that flatters warmer skin tones. Smooth to the touch, it goes on with the highest impact when you use your fingers rather than a brush.
For those looking for something on the natural-looking side of the spectrum, Josie Maran's liquid highlighter is perfect. The slightly shimmery, golden finish makes skin glow, whether dabbed over or under foundation — or mixed into moisturizer or makeup.
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer, $26, available at Sephora.
On a budget? E.L.F.'s luminous, peach powder highlighter packs just the right amount of shimmer for the tops of cheekbones — and rings in at less than a latte. Tip: Use a tiny brush to dust it over your Cupid's bow and in the corners of your eyes.
E.L.F. Baked Highlighter in Blush Gems, $3, available at E.L.F.
Dark To Deep Skin Tones If your skin is as lustrous and rich as Lupita Nyong'o, go with gold shimmer. "The richer the tone of the skin is, the richer of a gold you can use," says Kae. "Avoid using anything lighter than the skin color since this will create a gray cast. A great trick I learned from fellow artist Saisha Beecham is using loose pearl eyeshadow pigments, such as NYX Loose Pearl Eyeshadows, in anything from pale gold to almost bronze depending on your skin color." If you can't find a shade that complements your skin the way you like it, skip color altogether. "Use colorless products that simply shine," advises Kae.
NYX Cosmetics, $2, available at Nyx CosmeticsPhoto: Courtesy of NYX.
This highlighting-and-bronzing duo is the perfect glow kit for anyone with a deep skin tone. We love the shades so much, we've even used them as eyeshadows.
Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Duo in 2 Golden, $39, available at Sephora.
This pigmented powder has a metallic finish, making it a perfect choice if you're looking for a strong highlight.
Dose of Colors Supreme Glow Highlighter in Gold Is The New Black, $28, available at Dose Of Colors.
Prefer powder? This light formula is the perfect way to highlight the tops of cheekbones in a flash, thanks to the convenient built-in brush and flattering golden hue.
Jay Manuel Beauty Skin Face Lift in Gold, $32, available at Jay Manuel Beauty.
Some pink-based blushes and bronzers can wash out deeper complexions — but this rose gold option is supremely flattering.
Koyvoca The HiLife Highlighter in Heir, $12, available at Koyvoca.
"This palette has three luminous shades that can be worn across the board," Tinashe 's makeup artist Clarissa Lunatells us. "The blush is subtle and sweet, while the highlight and contour colors can be used as eyeshadows as well. The cherry on top is the yummy peach scent!"
Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow Peach-Infused Highlighting Palette, $42, available at Sephora.
The Universal Cream
Without a doubt, this is RMS Beauty’s most renowned product, and for good reason. The Living Luminizer seems to work like magic, bringing light to the skin with just a couple of swipes. On dark to deep skin tones, the sheer yet glowing cream does wonders in illuminating skin without making it look gray.
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, $38, available at RMS Beauty.
The Universal Palette With this trio of highlighters, you're bound to find more than one to flatter your skin tone — it includes shimmery Champagne, rose, and bronze shades so you can pick your perfect glimmer.
The Balm The Manizer Sisters Palette, $28, available at TheBalm.com.
The Universal Powder
Becca's newest highlighting powder includes five of the brand's best-selling Shimmering Skin Perfector shades, including Bronzed Amber, Moonstone, Opal, Rose Gold, and Topaz. Swirl all the powders together (the mix of cool and warm tones looks great on everyone) or tap them onto your cheekbones separately.
Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Gradient Glow, $38, available at Becca Cosmetics.
The Universal Liquid If you’re more comfortable with a liquid highlighter, but still don’t want to have to choose your exact shade, Benefit Cosmetics’ new Dandelion Shy Beam Matte Highlighter is for you. The soft-pink, shimmer-less formula gives just a hint of highlight for a subtle, luminous look.
Benefit Cosmetics Dandelion Shy Beam Matte Highlighter, $26, available at Sephora.
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For his debut as the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful gave readers what they'd been waiting for. A shrewd choice to feature mixed-race British supermodel-in-the-making Adwoa Aboah on his first issue marked a pivotal point in the magazine's history, heralding the start of a #NewVogue era. At last, British Vogue was dynamic, directional, and most importantly: diverse. The acclaimed debut was followed by a second issue covered by American pop superstar Taylor Swift — that made headlines for the wrong reasons — and on Wednesday evening, Enninful managed to disappoint readers again, revealing his third cover, starring Australian actresses Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie.
Entitled 'Hollywood's New Era', the shoot lands just before awards season and celebrates stars of the big screen – both established and emerging – in a "Best Performances" portfolio, which was intriguingly co-produced with W magazine, where Enninful was formerly creative director. Robbie and Kidman feature alongside Saorsie Ronan, Emma Stone, Gal Gadot and Hong Chau, as well as "13 more of the year’s greatest performers." However, rather ironically considering the predominantly white lineup, a second cover line refers to an article in the magazine called “Why We Need To Talk About Race.”
With Enninful's appointment came the hope of a bold new direction for the style bible and a much-needed does of racial representation following Alexandra Shulman's 25-year-editorship, which was routinely pelted with criticism for its lack of diversity. Now, after revealing yet another cover of more white, blonde celebrities, some have questioned whether much has moved on from Shulman's reign. And why not. Naturally, Twitter set itself aflame.
The cover defo leads the mag! It's an easily-avoidable juxtaposition... I was really looking forward to Ed's Vogue but this & the Taylor cover are...disappointing.
Speaking about the new issue, Enninful reasoned why he decided to lead with Robbie and Kidman: "When I first decided that Vogue should put together a star-filled portfolio featuring the biggest names in current cinema to mark the exceptional 2017/18 awards season, who knew Hollywood would soon be top of the global news agenda," he wrote via press release. "It was clear to me that the mood needed to change. That it was a time for honesty... Over four days in Los Angeles it was great to spend time with [Juergen Teller] and some of today’s amazing talents as they look to reshape how Hollywood does business in a post-Weinstein world, including cover stars Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman – two of the most straight-talking professionals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with."
But in a "post-Weinstein world," where we are at last striving to overcome the archaic, deplorable opinions that have ruled Hollywood for so long (from systemic sexism to institutional racism), would this not have been the perfect opportunity to recognize less obvious and more diverse stars of the screen? What's more, after a first issue that proudly celebrated British talent, what stopped Enninful from putting a British actress on the cover — or, at the very least, a British fashion brand? For the record, Robbie and Kidman are wearing Louis Vuitton and Dior, respectively, both fitted with LaCrasia gloves.
Many will be unapologetic — and quick — to criticize Enninful for his predictable cover choices for his second and third issues, especially for their incongruity with the path he'd laid out for the magazine with his first. However, as one of the greatest visionaries in fashion publishing, and someone who has tirelessly championed inclusivity with arresting, boundary-breaking images throughout his career from i-D, to Vogue Italia and W, we're starting to lose hope that Enninful plans to deliver on his promises, and transform British Vogue into the diverse, definitive style title it ought to be.
Perhaps the chief editor doesn't want to alienate the loyal fanbase Shulman and her team had built up over the past quarter of a century, or perhaps he wants to ensure that Vogue sells as many copies as possible at a time when print media is in decline — after all, celebrities sell covers whilst the editors fill in the rest. Regardless, he'll have to eventually follow up on that #NewVogue idea or else that hashtag, and the international edition's legacy, will die.
The February issue of British Vogue goes on sale on January 5.
In a perfect world, we’d all have plenty of money to splurge on high-end products for each and every hair need. (Ditto skin and makeup.) And in a really perfect world, we’d have the hair of Blake Lively, Justine Skye, or Priyanka Chopra. Alas, no such luck. We have to be picky about where we spend versus save. And with an ever-expanding roster of products at our disposal (heat-protectant spray, overnight serums, and dry conditioners are some of the latest taking up space on our shelves), knowing when to splash out and when to head to the drugstore can be tricky.
So, we consulted four top celebrity hair stylists for guidance on which types of product should be considered the investment pieces of hair care — and the answers might surprise you. Because as it turns out, the basic picks (shampoo and conditioner) make for solid splurges, while items that are normally at higher price points (hello, hair masks) can be DIY-ed for next to nothing. Ahead, your definitive guide to shopping for hair care without breaking the bank.
Splurge: Shampoo Because there are so many specialty shampoos that can work wonders for treating specific hair concerns — from de-frizzing to volumizing — celebrity stylist Jennifer Brent suggests spending more on a shampoo that fits your specific needs. “I always recommend spending the extra money on a good shampoo and conditioner, mainly because most people have either color in their hair, or chemical treatments such as a keratin,” she says. “There are also special shampoos that target thinning, curly, and coarse hair.” For color-treated and keratin-treated hair, Brent suggests a gentle, sulfate-and-paraben-free shampoo.
But there is one type of shampoo that the pros love to skimp on: clarifying. Celebrity stylist Nai'vasha Johnson, who works with celebs like Danai Gurira and Eve, calls Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo the "perfect solution for dullness relief.”
Wella Professional Brilliance Shampoo, $24.50, available at Ulta Beauty.
Splurge: Conditioner Like Brent, Johnson suggests we spend on conditioner, which can add shine and help prevent breakage during combing. “The better [conditioners] have higher quality moisturizers and oils in them, as well as fewer chemicals,” Brent notes. Lawrence Martinez, a New York-based stylist, says, “Although there are drugstore products out there that make your hair 'feel' healthier, it’s likely that your hair is being coated by heavy waxes or filled in with plastic. With extended use, [they] can make your hair worse and cause it to become brittle and break.” This paraben-free conditioner nourishes with aloe, shea butter, keratin, rice amino acids, and pineapple and papaya proteins.
Kevin Murphy Repair-Me. Rinse, $35, available at Kevin Murphy.
Save: Masks
When it comes to deep-conditioning treatments, our pros suggest either ponying up for a pricey product, or getting into the kitchen and DIY-ing your own. If crafting isn’t your thing, Brian Magallones, who styles Keri Russell’s hair, notes that often, it’s the luxe brands that offer customized formulas. “Luxury brands offer many more options in hair masks with different formulations appropriate for different hair textures and needs.” He likes Rene Furterer Karité Intense Nourishing Mask for super-damaged hair.
Brent’s more wallet-friendly suggestion? “I absolutely love Hask products. They have a lovely deep-conditioning treatment for textured or keratin-treated hair which runs about $2 per packet.” Even cheaper still? Just make your own. “I recommend using the ingredients in your kitchen for masks,” she says. “Avocados, coconut oil, egg whites, and apple cider vinegar can do wonders for the hair.”
Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner Packet, $1.99, available at Target.
Save: Heat-Protecting Spray
Our stylists agree that when using heat-styling tools, protectant spray is a must. But it doesn’t have to be expensive. If your hair isn’t treated with keratin, Brent and Magallones say an affordable spray will do the trick. Khloé Kardashian uses this heat protectant spray on her bouncy waves.
Tresemmé Expert with Biotin Repair & Protect Pre-Styling Spray, $4.99, available at Target.
Save: Hair Gel Let’s face it, the splurge column is really adding up here. The good news? There’s no need to drop major coin on hair gel, according to our pros. “If you splurge on gel, you’re really just paying for the smell,” says Magallones. Brent agrees: “The ingredients used in most gel products are all the same. If you're aiming for a slicked back/shiny look with strong hold, then any gel should do the trick.”
KMS California Hair Stay Styling Gel, $15, available at Walgreens.
Splurge: Hair Serum or Shine Spray Magallones suggests pulling out the big guns when purchasing a hair serum, which he notes are typically some form of silicone. “The main difference is the consistency. Many of the drugstore brands can often be a little too syrupy, and the moment you put too much in your hair, you have no choice but to wash your hair and start all over again." This sulfate- and silicone-free serum aims at helping to restore keratin function — and therefore, shine.
Phylia [de M.] Connect, $60, available at Phylia [de M.].
Save: Beach/Salt Spray
The endless array of fancy salt sprays in sexy packaging might make for excellent eye candy, but don’t be fooled: It’s inexpensive, readily available salt that gives these formulas the wave-making kick they’re so popular for. The pros confirm that we don’t have to pay big money to get big, beachy hair — though Johnson does note that, much like the actual ocean, many salt sprays can dry the life out of hair. No matter the price point, look for formulas that come complete with hydrating properties. This beloved drugstore pick is always a safe bet.
John Frieda Beach Blonde Sea Waves Salt Spray, $9.99, available at Ulta.
Splurge: Hair Oil
Ideally, all hair oils should tame frizzy ends and add shine. But in reality, many can leave hair looking greasy. Finding the right formula? That may take more $$$, says Magallones, because fancy brands tend to offer more options to match the needs of different hair types. We like this one because it tames tips without weighing hair down — or adding an oily sheen. (That it smells like gardenia doesn’t hurt, either.) Brent notes that those willing to experiment a little may find that affordable coconut, olive, avocado, or jojoba oil — or even a drop or two of rose, geranium, or lavender essential oils — may do the trick.
Sally Hershberger 24K Golden Touch Nourishing Dry Oil, $40, available at Sephora.
Splurge: Mousse
Haven’t you heard? Mousse is making a major comeback. The wave-making styler once known to leave hair crunchy and, well, ‘80s looking, has had a major upgrade. Newer formulas help define curls, make waves, and add volume — all without sucking all the movement out of the hair. But Johnson says these elevated formulas will cost you. “This mousse defines curl-shape and gives maximum hold without leaving residue,” she says. “It’s weightless and leaves hair super-soft.”
Kérastase Discipline Mousse Curl Idéal, $42, available at Kérastase.
Splurge: Texturizing Spray
Love the texture that dry shampoo gives, but hate the white, powdery residue it can leave behind? Johnson suggests splurging on a dry texturizing spray. “It adds volume and texture while absorbing the oils in the hair and is a luxurious alternative to basic dry shampoo,” she says.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $42, available at Oribe.
Save: Curl Cream
A good curl cream will define curls without stepping on their spring. And the good news is, there are lots of affordable options that do just that. Johnson likes this one for its use of natural ingredients. "It defines curls, eliminates frizz, and restores moisture and shine,” she says. In short, it gets the job done — and for less than 15 bucks. (What's more, it topped this curly girl's must-have list.)
Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, $13, available at Shea Moisture.
Splurge: Pomade or Wax When pomades and styling waxes don’t play well with hair, it really shows. So Johnson suggests investing in a wax that won’t leave residue or an oil slick behind. Luckily, her recommendation isn’t too pricey — and it comes with high praise. “This is the most amazing pomade on the market,” she says. “It gives strong hold without the visible residue, and can be used for simple edge control or to create extreme spikes.”
To skimp or save on dry shampoo is a bit of a trick question. Because dry shampoo can be used for widely different things (building volume or adding texture vs. absorbing oil, for example) and certain hair types may require more advanced formulations. “The trick for dry shampoo is to find one that is best for your hair texture and density,” Martinez says. That said, he notes that, “Dry shampoo has been around since the beginning of time and the ingredients are pretty much the same. It’s usually some form of corn starch or rice starch.”
So, for some, a sprinkle of baby or talcum powder does a sufficient job of absorbing oil on the scalp. Others might find success building volume with no-frills psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo (just six bucks!).
psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo, $4.99, available at Walgreens.
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For every American celebrity with clear, flawless baby-angel skin who claims that water is her ride-or-die beauty secret, there’s an equally radiant French ingenue who says micellar water is hers. Micellar water, for the uninitiated, is not just a fancy type of H2O, a gimmick preying on the same type of people who insist on sparkling spring water instead of tap even if you’re at Wendy’s.
Rather, it’s a different kind of special water, one that uses tiny micelles, which are clusters of fatty-acid esters, to dissolve dirt, makeup, and oil on the skin without drying — gentle, no-rinse cleansers that wipe away waterproof mascara and dulling dead-cell buildup in one fell swoop. What’s fancier than that?
But micellar water is more than just expensive makeup remover. The reason it’s so popular with in-the-know Parisians is because the city’s tap water is notoriously hard, meaning it has a high mineral composition containing heavy metals like iron, copper, zinc, and nickel, which aren’t so hot for your skin. Micellar water, then, is not just a luxury — it was developed out of necessity in France in the 1990s to help people avoid washing their faces with tap water in the first place. “They’re great as an alternative to traditional cleansing,” says dermatologist Julie Russak, MD. “Squirt onto a cotton ball or pad and wipe it over skin and eyelids; no rinsing necessary.”
So get out your bag of triple-size cotton balls and let the micelles work their magic. Ahead, our top picks for the best micellar waters on the market… including the one that started it all. Garance Doré would be proud.
No conversation about micellar water is complete without a mention of this classic standby, formerly known as Créaline, which started out as an under-the-radar pick beloved by models and makeup artists. Once only available via your chic globe-trotting friend’s checked luggage (or by paying insane customs fees to get it shipped stateside), you can now find the ultimate “French-girl beauty secret” in legit U.S. stores and online — and yes, it’s just as good at removing every last trace of makeup as every pro swears.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O, $14.90, available at Ricky’s.
Simple was one of the first drugstore brands to get in on the micellar water game with its original formula, which we’ve been secretly hoarding ever since. The collection has since grown to include micellar makeup-removing wipes and this (even more) sensitive skin-friendly option. Specifically targeted toward dry, dehydrated, touchy skin types, it’ll rehydrate a thirsty complexion as it sweeps away makeup and debris.
Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water, $8.99, available at Target.
If you want your micellar water and seven nourishing extracts thrown in for good measure, too, this refreshing cleanser is where it’s at. Infused with green tea, rosemary, licorice root, and a handful of other skin-boosting ingredients, the gentle formula leaves skin feeling cleansed without drying — and the brightening herb complex is a major bonus.
Erborian Cleansing Micellar Water, $26, available at Sephora.
Putting micellar water on a cotton ball is easy, but using a face wipe that’s already saturated in the stuff is even easier. These towelettes are super soft and gentle, so you don’t have to worry about irritation from rubbing, and the oil-free, fragrance-free formula is soothing to even the most sensitive skin.
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Removing Towelettes, $6.99, available at Ulta.
You don’t have to spend $90 just to get a good micellar water by any means, but it’s still good to have options, right? Even better if those options include La Mer’s impossibly luxe take on the category, which pairs micellar cleansing technology with the brand’s signature Miracle Broth to hydrate, soothe, and renew the skin while clearing away makeup and impurities, too.
La Mer The Cleansing Micellar Water, $90, available at La Mer.
Another French pharmacie go-to, this efficient, no-bullshit cleanser removes everything from long-wearing foundation to buildup from environmental pollution using the brand’s proprietary thermal spring water, hydrating glycerin, and a mild cleanser called poloxamer that’s so gentle on eyes, you’ll also see it used in contact-lens solution.
La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra, $19.99, available at Amazon.
This 100% vegan, cruelty-free tonic works double duty: The micellar cleansing technology lifts away dirt, oil, and makeup, while glycolic acid brightens and gently exfoliates skin in a single sweep. Plus, it’s formulated with coconut water, calendula, grapefruit extract, and — yes — actual kale, so it smells like a tropical fruit salad in the best way.
Pacifica Kale Water Micellar Cleansing Water, $12, available at Pacifica.
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Welcome to Beauty Diaries, where we’re tracking how much money people actually spend on their beauty routines. Whether it’s rooted in self-care or self-expression, they explain, in their own words, why it’s worth every damn penny.
Today: A school counselor in Chicago breaks down the yearly cost of treating her cystic acne.
Age: 27 Occupation: High School Counselor Location: Chicago, IL Salary: $140,000. My husband and I have 100% combined finances. We got married just weeks after we completed graduate school, therefore neither of us had any money to our name. In order to survive, we needed to combine forces. We look at money as “ours” versus mine and his. Unfortunately, he sees every beauty-related expense and asks about each one! When it comes to my acne, however, he is pretty understanding about costs since he has seen me go through the trials and tribulations of what works for my skin over the course of our nine-year relationship. Rent: $3,100/month Insurance: $480/month
I had acne from the moment I hit puberty at 12 years old. My mom was on Accutane as a teen and has dealt with acne her entire life, so she was especially sympathetic. She took me to a dermatologist right away who gave me topical creams that I started using nightly. At this time, my acne was very surface level — lots of small little pimples, mostly on my forehead. I continued to struggle with acne all through my teens and into my 20s, but it wasn’t always constant or the same type. I found that my acne usually responded to new medication fairly quickly but would always get somewhat “desensitized” to the product and eventually come back, leading me to search for something new. My dermatologist eventually put me on birth control at 14 which seemed to really help for a good 10 years.
Then, on the day I turned 24, cystic acne welcomed itself into my life. Growing up, I had a cystic pimple or two, but this was completely different. Every single pimple I had was on my chin, specifically on the sides directly under the corners of my mouth. There was a time during 2015 and 2016 that I always had an extremely large cystic pimple on my chin, and if one wasn’t visible, it was brewing just beneath the surface. Each pimple would last three to four weeks and as soon as I could tame that beast, another one would pop up in its place. It was a long cycle of embarrassingly large and painful cysts that I believe were completely hormone-related due to their location on my face.
Since I had been going to dermatologists for so long, I assumed that they would always have a quick fix for me. Not quite. I tried three different derms, who all continued to give me the same acne prescriptions that worked in my teens, but had little to no effect on my adult acne. Each time I switched doctors, I told them the medications no longer worked for me, and each time they told me I had to be using them incorrectly and to try one more time. I have come to dislike going to the dermatologist because I feel like I'm never given enough time to fully explain my situation before being hurried out so they can take the next patient.
Ultimately, my gynecologist put me on 50mg of spironolactone. We have a relationship outside of the office, and I was able to call her and vent about my bad luck with other topical medications and treatments. I typically get a 90-day supply with each refill and my insurance fully recovers it. I can say with full confidence that this medication has been a miracle worker for my skin. I was seeing a derm two to four times a year since I was 12, typically having to pay a $50 copay. Since starting spironolactone, I haven’t been back for my acne. $105 for 90 days, covered by insurance. $0
Morning Routine: I use the Clarisonic Mia 2 Skin Cleansing System ( $169) and First Aid Beauty Facial Cleanser ( $20) while in the shower to wash my face. Immediately after getting out, I put on First Aid Beauty’s Hydrating Serum ( $36) and Coconut Smoothie Priming Moisturizer ( $28) because I do my makeup fairly soon after. One of my main problems was always that my skin was very dry, however I couldn’t find a product that wouldn’t worsen my acne. I was lucky enough to get sample sizes of all the First Aid Beauty products for a birthday gift and they immediately worked for me. I get the moisturization I needed without the breakouts.
My one qualm with FAB is that they make their products in such small sizes. I typically go through the face wash, serum, and primer within 90 days. I also bought replacement brushes for the Clarisonic ( $44).
Total: $549/year
Makeup: I feel like I have tried every foundation out there, but I've ultimately settled on Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer ( $28) for a couple of reasons: It blends well when I have dry spots from topical treatments, it comes in my shade (I'm very pale), and it doesn't cause breakouts. One bottle usually lasts me about nine months.
I have also mastered the acne-masking technique of color-correcting. A light green spot treatment concealer is one of my saviors for hiding a large, aggressive pimple. The Sephora Collection Bright Future Color Correction in Green is $14 and I haven't had to replace it yet since I use such a small amount.
My favorite standby concealer that I have been using since high school is Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer ( $20). A pot lasts me about a year.
Total: $90/year
Night Routine: My night routine is fairly similar to my morning. I use Cetaphil wipes ( $12 for two-pack) before my cleanser because I've found they're one of the only wipes that remove both makeup and dirt. I use the First Aid Beauty serum again at night, followed by Cerave moisturizing cream ( $10) for heavier hydration. If I have a pimple, I use Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ( $17) to spot treat.
One ounce of the Mario Badescu lotion typically lasts me a good year or two (or until I spill it) and the Cerave tub is huge and lasts well over a year. I buy the Cetaphil wipes in a two-pack every month.
Total: $171/year
Special Occasion: I typically don’t get facials because my skin does not react well to the products used, but I got three chemical acne peels every two weeks leading up to my wedding. Each was $150, but my insurance paid for $80 and I had to pay $70 out of pocket.
I also got one cystic pimple on my chin injected with corticosteroids — it was gone within six hours. $20
Total: $230
Yearly Total:$1,040
My skin is doing great after a full year of consistent use of spironolactone — I cannot not emphasize just how much I love this drug. There is one side effect that is fairly annoying, but to me, it's worth it for clear skin: I have to pee all the time. I've talked with friends who are also on this medication and we joke that we have the “Spiro Pees.” When I first started taking it, I had to get up in the night a couple of times to use the bathroom, but it's not as frequent anymore.
However, if I forget to take my spironolactone for one day, a cystic pimple immediately pops up on my chin. I am a slave to the spiro! Still, after finding the right medication and products to use on my skin, I am so relieved to finally be on the right track.
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The 23-year-old is known for many things: his time as a member of One Direction, his resemblance to Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, that hair. But super-fans might find Styles fascinating because he keeps a pretty low profile. And while we've come to terms with the fact that we'll probably never know who his songs are really about, or if he ever texts Zayn late at night when he can't sleep, at the very least, we can solve one mystery: his tattoos.
With approximately 50 designs and counting — a few from fellow singing Brit Ed Sheeran — we've mapped out the best in Styles' collection for your viewing pleasure. Click ahead to see them for yourself.
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In theory, dressing up as a '90s figure skater sounds easy enough: pull your hair into a scrunchie, pile on the blush, and don't hold back on the body glitter. But if you're Margot Robbie channeling former Olympian Tonya Harding, the stakes are higher — and so are the hours in the makeup chair.
"Margot is so striking that when you put certain makeup on her, all of a sudden she looked like a fashion model as opposed to a skater from that time period," the film's makeup artist Deborah La Mia Denaver tells Refinery29. To effectively transform her into the famous athlete, she had to pull out all the stops — like bleaching Robbie's brows, staying true to the makeup Harding would have worn at the time (which was all purposefully from the drugstore), and even resorting to cosmetic glue. Read more about her jaw-dropping transformation, below.
The Real Source Of Inspiration
On one hand, Denaver wanted to create looks that tell the story as factually as possible: "A lot of the research came from Tonya's videos, stills, and anything else we could find," she explains. "We went frame by frame, duplicating what she wore — be it hair, nails, lipstick." But at the same time, the team also wanted to make a film that today's moviegoers would enjoy, regardless of whether they were familiar with its history. "I have two sons and one of them was like, 'Who is Tonya Harding?' and I think it was important to keep that in mind. We got kind of lucky because the [90s] look is coming back, so people today are more familiar with it."
Photo: Courtesy of Neon Films.
Robbie's Challenging Make-under For Robbie to portray a young athlete in her teens and early twenties, they had to downplay her natural features. "Tonya wore a lot black eyeliner — a smudgy, smoky eye — but that only enhanced Margot’s beauty," Denaver says. "So we had to step back from that and make it look fresher and a little more innocent." She also skipped foundation ("I wanted her natural skin tone show," she adds) and used just mascara to keep her look true to the character.
But some things required more work — like her brows. "Margot's are very arched and perfect, but Tonya had no discipline with her brows," Denaver says. "They were wild and crazy, and she never tweezed or plucked or refined them in any way. So once a week, I bleached Margot's out as far as I could take them to try and fade that arch, and then filled in hairs, made them longer, and tried to drag them down."
This act of "dragging down" Robbie's facial features was key to making her look more like Harding, whose lips and eyes are naturally more turned down than Robbie's. "It's something I had to fight constantly with Margot, because all of hers go upward and smile at you. At one point I actually had to glue down the corner of her eyes with a lash adhesive glue to give them a droopy position. I also drew little lines around her mouth to sort of pull it down."
Photo: Courtesy of Neon Films.
Why She Only Used Drugstore Products From The '90s One of the most important themes in recreating each of Harding's looks was staying true to her authentic story. "If you step back into a character's life, the best way to achieve that is to try to duplicate what [makeup] they would have used," Denaver says. "She didn’t have the money to spend $45 on a makeup product, so I wanted to portray that."
Instead, Denaver turned to items she herself used during that time period to create Harding's bold eyeshadow, blush, and lip looks. They were all from the drugstore, including staples like Maybelline, Covergirl, and Revlon. "We mostly curled Margot's lashes, but when she was [playing Tonya] younger, I applied just a little Maybelline Great Lash Mascara to the center to make them pop and look more wide-eyed." She also went through boxes of press-on nails (especially the Press-On Nails by Lee, "which were true to the period").
"At one point, I went around Atlanta and bought every package of press-on nails I could possibly find," she says. "We shot the film over a short period of time, so sometimes we had to do five or six different nail changes in one day. I'd have to take off the red and put on the French tips, then take off the French tips and put on the pink — we were continually like, 'Who’s got the nails?!'"
To read more about Robbie's hair transformation for I, Tonya, click here.
If we're being straight, what exactly is a "ski sweater" anyway? A short office poll resulted in vague terms like "fair isle-ish?" and "like a roll-neck sweater in an '80s color palette that girls in Aspen would wear!" So according to R29 editors...we're still not quite sure. But there was one thing we all agreed on: While there's no exact definition for a "ski sweater" per se, there's a specific je ne sais quoi that allows a knit to earn the title. When you see it, you know it.
If you don't ski, you may not have much incentive to be on the hunt for a ski sweater. But if we've learned anything about trends from the last few years, it's that you don't have to be good at the sport to be good at wearing its designated clothing. (See: running sneakers, tennis skirts, skate shoes, hiking anoraks, ballet flats, baseball hats, and more recently, bike shorts). And lately, après ski is where it's at. Take the ski attire, minus the ski, and voilà: you're wearing one fashion's biggest trends of the season.
Whether you're actually planning on hitting the slopes or just wanting to look like you're fresh off a flight from Aspen, we've rounded up 15 ski sweaters that nail the look.
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